WCW: Heart and Soul

Cro Cop Rules · August 1, 2017

2002 Stu Hart Classic Prediction Game:

GROUP A:

Opening Round:

Sting vs. Chavo Guerrero Jr.

Konnan vs. Mortis

Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Chris Candido

Norman Smiley vs. The Unnatural

Second Round:

Sting/Chavo vs. Konnan/Mortis

Rey/Candido vs. Smiley/Unnatural

Group Winner: Rey

GROUP B:

Opening Round:

Billy Kidman vs. Lance Storm

American Dragon vs. Kenny Omega

AJ Styles vs. Jamie Knoble

Hayabusa vs. The Destroyer

Second Round:

Kidman/Storm vs. Dragon/Omega

Styles/Knoble vs. Hayabusa/Destroyer

Group Winner: AJ Styles

GROUP C:

Opening Round:

Diamond Dallas Page vs. Shane Helms

King Corino vs. TAKA

Mark Jindrak vs. Chuck Palumbo

Sean O'Haire vs. Disco Inferno

Second Round:

DDP/Helms vs. Corino/TAKA

Jindrak/Palumbo vs. O'Haire/Inferno

Group Winner: Corino

GROUP D:

Opening Round:

Rick Steiner vs. CM Punk

Ernest Miller vs. Davey Boy Smith

Rob Van Dam vs. Hugh Morrus

Teddy Hart vs. Yuji Nagata

Second Round:

Steiner/Punk vs. Miller/Smith

RVD/Morrus vs. Hart/Nagata

Group Winner: RVD

SEMIFINALS:

(Group A Winner) vs. (Group B Winner): Rey vs. AJ Styles

(Group C Winner) vs. (Group D Winner): Corino vs. RVD

2002 Stu Hart Classic Winner (worth 3 points): Rey Mysterio

Jackets · August 1, 2017

2002 Stu Hart Classic Prediction Game:

GROUP A:

Opening Round:

Sting vs. Chavo Guerrero Jr.

Konnan vs. Mortis

Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Chris Candido

Norman Smiley vs. The Unnatural

Second Round:

Sting vs. Mortis

Rey vs. Unnatural

Group Winner: Rey Mysterio Jr.

GROUP B:

Opening Round:

Billy Kidman vs. Lance Storm

American Dragon vs. Kenny Omega

AJ Styles vs. Jamie Knoble

Hayabusa vs. The Destroyer

Second Round:

Storm vs. Omega

Styles vs. Destroyer

Group Winner: AJ Styles

GROUP C:

Opening Round:

Diamond Dallas Page vs. Shane Helms

King Corino vs. TAKA

Mark Jindrak vs. Chuck Palumbo

Sean O'Haire vs. Disco Inferno

Second Round:

DDP vs. Corino

Palumbo vs. O'Haire

Group Winner: Corino

GROUP D:

Opening Round:

Rick Steiner vs. CM Punk

Ernest Miller vs. Davey Boy Smith

Rob Van Dam vs. Hugh Morrus

Teddy Hart vs. Yuji Nagata

Second Round:

Punk vs. Smith

RVD vs. Nagata

Group Winner: RVD

SEMIFINALS:

Rey vs. Styles

Corino vs. RVD

2002 Stu Hart Classic Winner (worth 3 points): Rey Mysterio Jr.

infinitekillz · August 2, 2017

Still following. Still loving it. Elated that you decided to continue. One question: did you reveal what happened to Luger and I just missed it, or has that not been addressed?

The Final Countdown · August 4, 2017

October 2002: Road to Halloween Havoc, Part I <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i.imgur.com/u9bsFuK.jpg September 23rd, 2002 From the Cricket Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina Attendance: 8,592 Announce Team: "The Professor" Mike Tenay and Bret "The Hitman" Hart </div> The show opens with Arn Anderson in the ring. He was trying to provide an introduction for the Stu Hart Classic, but the fans in Charlotte drown him out with boos until he's forced to leave the ring as we awkwardly cut to commercial. (Obviously we anticipated this reaction from the fans, and this angle played out exactly as we'd planned.) (B-) Stu Hart Classic, Opening Round in Group A: Konnan and Mortis got the tournament underway. Konnan got some offense in, but was unable to lock in his Tequila Sunrise submission and was eventually defeated by Mortis's Electric Chair Facebuster. (B-) Forever Flair: In the first of a series of short clips airing throughout the night, Ric Flair beats Dusty Rhodes on September 17th, 1981 to win the world title for the first time. (C+) Stu Hart Classic, Opening Round in Group A: Next up was Norman Smiley against The Unnatural. Smiley was the fresher of the two, but Unnatural shrugged off his defeat at the hands of Scott Steiner 24 hours earlier and moved on in the tournament with Unnatural Selection. (B) New Cruiserweight Champion Christopher Daniels and Brian Adams are hosting a live fan chat on WCW.com when American Dragon interrupts. Dragon tells Daniels that just because he's taking part in the Stu Hart Classic doesn't mean he's forgotten about Daniels and his "new buddy" screwing him over last night, and he will be coming to get his title back sooner or later. (C+) In brief unseen footage after War Games went off the air, The Empire are celebrating their win in the back when "Allison" approaches King Corino and asks if he's proud of himself for what he just did. He takes offense to that, but Bischoff and the rest of the group lead him away. (B-) Shane Douglas sat in on color commentary for the next match, and with good reason: Davey Boy Smith met Chuck Palumbo to determine who will challenge for Shane's US title at Halloween Havoc. This straightforward brawl was interrupted by Sean O'Haire, who tried to hit the ring and had to be restrained by a group of officials. Davey Boy took advantage of the distraction and finished Palumbo to punch his ticket for Halloween Havoc. (C+) Booker T cuts a promo on next week's contract signing with Scott Steiner. "The champ will be in the house, and we'll make it official that I'll be taking back my spot in the main event at Halloween Havoc! ...Oh, and Scott Steiner will be there too, if any suckas care about that." (B+) Forever Flair: Ric beats Harley Race in a cage match at the first-ever Starrcade to win his second world title. (C+) Stu Hart Classic, Opening Round in Group A: Though Sting was quite a bit older, his experience edge over young vet Chavo Guerrero Jr. was comparatively small. Chavo didn't make any critical mistakes, but Sting was still able to get into position for the Scorpion Deathdrop and move on into a second round match with Mortis. (B) DDP promo; he's not exactly sure what Kimberly meant by her parting comment last night, but he's happy that she's happy and looks forward to moving on with his career. (B) Forever Flair: A look at the formation, legacy and various lineups of the Four Horsemen. (C+) Teddy Hart, grandson of Stu and son of Georgia, made his WCW main roster debut a successful one by defeating Blitzkrieg with some dazzling high flying. © Post-match interview: Teddy says he's excited to carry the Hart legacy on into the third generation, and he'll honor his grandfather by winning the Stu Hart Classic. (C-) Scott Steiner promo: "Next week we'll sign the contract--and Booker, you just better hope I'm in a good mood, or else I'll throw you right through that damn table and there won't be no main event for Halloween Havoc!" (A*) Forever Flair: Highlights of Flair's fabled trilogy of world title matches against Ricky Steamboat in 1989. (C+) Stu Hart Classic, Opening Round in Group A: The final first round match in the group featured Rey Mysterio Jr. against Chris Candido. Rey showed no ill effects in his first match since Bash at the Beach, looking as quick as ever as he consistently stayed one step ahead of Candido and pinned him with a Springboard Hurricanrana (albeit after a tough and lengthy match in which Candido got in plenty of offense.) (B+) Forever Flair: Looking back at the match between Flair and a young Sting at the first Clash of the Champions that launched Sting into superstardom, and the legendary rivalry that followed for the next decade-plus. (B-) <div style="text-align:center;">Spotlight Segment: http://i.imgur.com/u4Nhu66.jpg After all the buildup, the man of the hour came to the ring. He was crying pretty much from the moment he stepped through the curtain, and the enthusiastic and sustained ovation he got from the fans in Charlotte probably didn't help any. He composed himself enough to thank the fans for the reaction not just tonight, but for years. He called himself "blessed" to have had the career he had, and mentioned some of the highlights and some of the legendary opponents he'd had in his career, as well as the men who'd stood beside him in the various incarnations of the Four Horsemen (he excluded Ole and Roma though.) He was sad that it was over and apologized to the fans for letting them down last night, though he pointed out that he didn't quit. He said that The Empire would've had to kill him to make him give up. That was all he really said about the finish and the controversy surrounding Arn, because we wanted to keep that more nuanced than a simple "You betrayed me, and now I hate you!" story. http://i.imgur.com/9jPbDOB.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/4CAXBS1.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/1Jl40Ai.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/cxjgZpP.jpg Out came a group of well-wishers. Sting let Ric know that he hadn't let anybody down. He went out fighting, he went out like the "Nature Boy", and he had nothing to be ashamed of. He called Ric "one of a kind" and said he wouldn't have become the wrestler or the man that he is if it weren't for Ric. His rivalry with Ric made his career, and even if they'd spent most of their careers as enemies, Ric's greatness had always motivated Sting to work that much harder to try and keep up. Friends, foes, he'd always respected what Ric could do inside the ring, and his contributions to professional wrestling were second to none. Sting was fantastic here. No one else spoke on the mic. No, not even Dusty. How in the world did I book Ric Flair's retirement segment, send Dusty freaking Rhodes to the ring and NOT give him the microphone? Talk about a missed opportunity. Anyway, the group hugged Ric and encouraged the fans to cheer as he stood in the center of the ring, crying. I felt it appropriate to temporarily bring his son David up from developmental to be part of this, but he looked dreadfully out of place sharing the ring with these legends and his presence there damaged the segment somewhat. A tearful Ric took the mic to address the fans once more. "Charlotte, I love you! Thank you! To my family, I love you, and thank you for putting up with me all these years! WCW, I love you! Even if I never put on a pair of wrestling boots again, I promise you haven't seen the last of the Nature Boy! Now give it to me one more time... "WOOOOOOOOO!" The fans and the Flair supporters in the ring "wooed" right along with him. That was the last shot of the live arena. http://i.imgur.com/zAUQMDu.jpg We cut away to a live look at Arn Anderson, who was watching the entire thing on a monitor inside his office. He shook his head, sighed to himself, turned the monitor off and steepled his hands on his chin as we faded to black. Grade: B- Show Grade: B+ http://i.imgur.com/pBTSX2H.jpg Taped immediately after Nitro Announce Team: Tony Schiavone and Tracy Brooks </div> Jamie Knoble submitted Blitzkrieg. (B) Ernest Miller took down Alan Funk. (D+) Bobby Heenan conducts another interview with Teddy Hart, who says he respects the rest of his family but will do things with his own style. (C-) True Heroes defeated Mark Jindrak and Animal. (B) A lengthy tribute video for Ric Flair is aired. (B-) <div style="text-align:center;">Show Grade: B- </div> </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i.imgur.com/u9bsFuK.jpg September 30th, 2002 From the Reed Green Coliseum in Hattiesburg, Mississippi Attendance: 7,815 Announce Team: "The Professor" Mike Tenay and Bret "The Hitman" Hart </div> Stu Hart Classic, Opening Round in Group B: Hayabusa and The Destroyer renewed an old and bloody rivalry from their Japanese days. No blood and guts this time, but The Destroyer was able to physically overwhelm his smaller opponent to advance in the tournament. (B) In a brief segment, Booker T and Scott Steiner are shown arriving in the building earlier in the day for their contract signing later tonight. (B) The Empire promo; they complain about King Corino and TAKA being matched against each other in the first round of the Stu Hart Classic next week, calling it a farce and an obvious ploy to try and divide the group. But Corino promises that he and TAKA will work well together in tonight's tag match against Shane Helms and DDP, and they'll have the last laugh next week too. (B+) Stu Hart Classic, Opening Round in Group B: Christopher Daniels and Brian Adams showed up to watch as American Dragon took on Stampede Wrestling's Kenny Omega. Dragon shrugged off the distraction and used his technical wrestling skills to outmaneuver young Omega and win the match via submission. (B-) RVD promo; he says he's looking forward to winning the Stu Hart Classic for the second year in a row and reminding everyone that "R-V-D" is the best big match wrestler in the world. (B+) <div style="text-align:center;">http://i.imgur.com/rrRBDgP.jpg</div> Ernest Miller challenged Fit Finlay this week. Miller gave it his best and landed some good kicks, but the brawling of Finlay led him to his fourth successful defense. (C+) Backstage; we get a glimpse of Sting in conversation with Arn Anderson. Arn seems to be explaining himself to Sting, who nods along. (B-) Sean O'Haire promo; he'll destroy Disco Inferno next week, and he hopes that Chuck Palumbo will beat Mark Jindrak--because if he does, O'Haire will get to punch his former friend's face in at Halloween Havoc in the second round of the tournament! (B) Stu Hart Classic, Opening Round in Group B: In an intriguing matchup, it was the phenomenal athleticism of AJ Styles against the mat wrestling skills of Jamie Knoble. Knoble gave AJ a tough match with an effective ground game focused on the legs, but a flurry of offense capped off with a Styles Clash sent AJ into the second round. (B) In an interview with Bobby Heenan, Shane Douglas calls Davey Boy Smith an "overrated musclehead" who doesn't have the smarts to compete with him at Halloween Havoc. (B-) Rey Mysterio Jr. had no trouble defeating local talent Kaos. (B) The Hardys and True Heroes get into an argument backstage as Storm was preparing for his SHC match against Kidman; the two teams have to be pulled apart. (B+) In a twist, a tag match featured two teams who will have to turn around and face each other next week in the SHC. Unsurprisingly, fellow Empire members Corino and TAKA were more united than DDP and Shane Helms, and that unity allowed them to isolate Helms, who Corino finished with the piledriver. (B) Salvation promo; after last week and Destroyer's win tonight, all three members have advanced to the second round of the Stu Hart Classic. "We will rule this tournament and bring Salvation to the masses!" Father Isaac promises. (A) Stu Hart Classic, Opening Round in Group B: The final opening round match in Block B pitted Kidman against Lance Storm. It was stylistically similar to the Styles/Knoble match from earlier, with a technician trying to ground and outwrestle a high flier. The difference was that this time the technician prevailed, as Storm weakened Kidman's leg to the point that his rolling half crab earned the submission. (B) Arn Anderson and Rick Steiner are both on hand for the in-ring contract signing, but leave the talking to Booker and Scott. Booker complains about WCW trying to deny him his spot in the main event, but this month he's back where he belongs and he'll show everyone that he's the man, he's the main event player and Scott Steiner never should've won this title from him in the first place last year. Scott mocks Booker for his constant whining and says he complains more than all of his freaks combined. But if Booker wants a main event, he'll get a main event at Halloween Havoc. Scott's going to enjoy winning the world title for the third time, but even more than that, he's going to enjoy getting back to his third favorite pastime (behind maintaining his peaks and working his freaks), "whippin' Booker T's sorry ass!" Both men sign the contract without incident, but Booker cheap shots Rick in the face with the belt before running away. He smirks as he retreats up the aisle, while Scott crouches near his brother and curses Booker out (off-microphone, thankfully.) (A) <div style="text-align:center;">Show Grade: B+ http://i.imgur.com/2aDyraK.png October 5th, 2002 From Tokyo, Japan Attendance: 8,500 Announce Team: Tony Schiavone and Tracy Brooks </div> The very first show begins with a lengthy vignette promoting this as the dawn of a new age in women's wrestling, and tonight's main event between Etsuko Mita and Manami Toyota is presented as the match to determine who will lead the charge. Both women give their own thoughts: Mita says everyone in Japan has been raving about Toyota for years, and she's sick of it. Tonight it will only take one Death Valley Driver for everyone to realize they should've been talking about her all along. Toyota's message is simpler and less personal--she wants to put on a match that will have people talking, and she wants to represent WCW and the Renaissance with honor as the Women's World Champion. (B) The gorgeous and talented Cutie Suzuki tried to prove she deserved a full-time spot in the Renaissance, but Daffney's Banshee Knee had her staring at the lights instead. (C+) Footage from a recent press outing promoting the debut of Renaissance: Takako Inoue welcomes her old friend and frequent tag partner Kyoko Inoue to WCW, telling her that between her beauty and Kyoko's ferocity, they'll rule the Renaissance. Kyoko ignores her and walks away without response. (C-) Free agent Tomoko Watanabe showcased some effective brawling, but brawling is nothing new to the Anderson family. Melissa pinned the veteran with a nice German Suplex. (C-) Toshie Uematsu had a chance to make a major statement on the debut of Renaissance against one of the most recognizable women on the roster, Chigusa Nagayo. Uematsu resorted to numerous shortcuts to gain the upper hand, but the former Crush Gal withstood them all and got the win with the Super Freak (a tiltawhirl powerbomb.) (B) Nagayo cuts a post-match promo, thanking the fans for turning out and urging them to continue supporting this new age of women's wrestling. As she begins walking to the back and shaking hands with fans, she notices Aja Kong sitting in the front row, her AAAW Singles title over her shoulder. Nagayo approaches Kong to speak with her, but Aja pointedly ignores her as we cut to commercial. (B+) <div style="text-align:center;">http://i.imgur.com/741TrEA.jpg</div> It was time for the long-awaited rematch, the main event of the inaugural Women's Wrestling Renaissance. Mita focused all her effort on attacking Toyota's neck, obviously to set her up for her signature innovation and finishing move, the Death Valley Driver. Manami was more about fast-strike offense, pinning combinations and a quick tempo. Just when Mita finally had Toyota on her shoulders for the DVD, Toyota squirmed free and hit the Ocean Cyclone Suplex! Manami Toyota becomes the new Women's World Champion to cap off this historic night! (B) <div style="text-align:center;">Show Grade: B </div> </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i.imgur.com/u9bsFuK.jpg October 7th, 2002 From Conte Forum in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts Attendance: 7,884 Announce Team: "The Professor" Mike Tenay and Bret "The Hitman" Hart </div> The show is supposed to open with a Stu Hart Classic opening round match between King Corino and TAKA, but we find out what Corino meant last week when he said they'd have the last laugh--TAKA simply lays down and allows Corino to pin him! Corino and Eric Bischoff cut a post-"match" promo mocking Arn Anderson as well as all the fans for thinking they could drive a wedge between The Empire. (A) We cut to Arn Anderson backstage, looking disgruntled at the mockery The Empire had just made of the Stu Hart Classic. He's approached by Chavo Guerrero Jr, who says he knows Arn was planning on putting American Dragon into a #1 contender's match for next week, but Chavo claims that after his win last week Dragon is putting all his focus into the Stu Hart Classic. He volunteers to take Dragon's place in the #1 contender's match, and a preoccupied Arn agrees to book Chavo vs. Billy Kidman next week, with the winner challenging Christopher Daniels at Halloween Havoc. (C-) Stu Hart Classic, Opening Round in Group C: Sean O'Haire decimated Disco Inferno in a one-sided beating. (B-) Backstage: Scott Steiner gives his brother Rick a pep talk for his main event match against Booker T tonight. "Just leave a little bit left for me to finish off at Halloween Havoc!" Scott shouts. (A) Stu Hart Classic, Opening Round in Group C: In a battle of former stable mates, Chuck Palumbo defeated Mark Jindrak with the Thrill Ride. (C+) Palumbo cuts a post-match promo; he says that he carried everyone in the original Natural Born Thrillers faction, and he carried O'Haire for their entire yearlong title reign. He's much better off in The Empire now that he doesn't have to carry any dead weight, and he'll prove that he was the star of the Thrillers in his second round match against O'Haire at Halloween Havoc. O'Haire is shown watching backstage, smiling and cracking his knuckles in anticipation. (B) <div style="text-align:center;">http://i.imgur.com/rrRBDgP.jpg</div> Road Warrior Animal challenged Fit Finlay this week. Animal isn't used to being on the losing end of a brawl, but that's just what happened tonight as Finlay recorded his 5th title defense. (C-) A video package reveals that the WCW front office has listened to both fan demand and a request from the Hardys, signing a championship rematch between the Hardys and True Heroes for Halloween Havoc. Both teams record comments on the announcement, with the Hardys saying they're looking forward to finally shutting the Heroes' big mouths, and the Heroes declaring that they'll not only win their titles back, they'll meet in the finals of the Stu Hart Classic in what will surely be the greatest match of all time. (B) Hugh Morrus and Konnan picked up an easy victory over local tag team The Heartbreakers. (C-) Pre-taped promos: Rey Mysterio Jr. looks forward to continuing his comeback with a win over The Unnatural at Halloween Havoc; whether he's Dustin Rhodes, wearing gold paint or red paint or whatever color of paint he wants, he still won't have an answer for Rey's flying fury. The Unnatural says it's a good thing Rey put the mask back on. It'll help conceal his bloody and ruined face, which will be far more gruesome than even the most elaborate Halloween costumes. (A) With Brian Adams watching, Christopher Daniels took care of local rookie Eddie Edwards in a non-title match. (B) Mortis approaches Sting backstage to tell him that he may dress in black, but he doesn't know the first thing about darkness. He promises to introduce Sting to the true darkness in their Stu Hart Classic match at Halloween Havoc. Sting, not cowed, says he looks forward to it. (A*) Bobby Heenan interviews new World Women's Champion Manami Toyota. Via satellite from Japan, Toyota displays the belt proudly and says it'll be her honor to represent WCW as its champion every week on Women's Wrestling Renaissance. (B-) Stu Hart Classic, Opening Round in Group C: Every pundit considered Diamond Dallas Page the heavy favorite against Shane Helms. This was understandable considering Page's credentials, and his victory seemed all but certain as he measured Helms for the Diamond Cutter. But then-- <div style="text-align:center;">http://i.imgur.com/jAnziwr.jpg</div> Kimberly came out from the back. DDP broke off to ask her why she'd come out yet again, and Helms rolled him up for a 3-count! (C+) Pre-taped promos: The Destroyer mocks AJ Styles for even thinking he has a chance at Halloween Havoc. AJ admits it'll be an immense physical mismatch, "but the bigger they are, the harder they fall!" (B+) In an in-ring promo, Davey Boy Smith says it's been quite a road back from battling his personal demons to get to this point, and winning the US title at Halloween Havoc would be a major moment for him both professionally and personally. Shane Douglas steps out into the aisle and tells him to keep dreaming. "You had your moment in the sun, Bulldog. Your big moment came when you pinned your brother-in-law in the main event at Wembley. But that was over a decade ago, and the present belongs to Shane Douglas!" (B+) After Booker's cheap-shot with the belt during last week's contract signing, Rick Steiner was eager to exact some revenge. He hit Booker with some hard blows and big suplexes, but his leg gave out on him after Booker's focused attack on it throughout the match, and the Book End swiftly ended the match after that. (B+) Booker's post-match gloating is cut short by Scott Steiner, who sprints to the ring to get his hands on the champion a few weeks early. Booker flees before any damage can be done. (A) <div style="text-align:center;">Show Grade: B+ http://i.imgur.com/2aDyraK.png October 12th, 2002 From Shizuoka, Japan Attendance: 5,000 Announce Team: Tony Schiavone and Tracy Brooks </div> Manami Toyota in-ring promo; she thanks the fans for supporting and believing in her, and promises to be a fighting champion. (A generic babyface promo, basically.) (B+) Charismatic freelancer Sakura Hirota routinely entertains the Japanese fans with her comedic approach to wrestling, but wrestling Devil Masami was no laughing matter. The veteran absolutely battered Hirota, refusing to go for the pin so she could keep the beating going. Eventually referee Charles Robinson awarded the match to Masami by forfeit simply to protect Hirota's health. © As Hirota is helped to the back, Masami grabs the microphone. She promises that what happened to Sakura was only the beginning, because we are now on The Devil's Road. © Kaori Nakayama is the more familiar name, especially to Japanese audiences, but she found herself on the losing end tonight when young LuFisto connected with a diving headbutt. (C-) With Ryu Nakata providing voiceovers, a video montage promotes the Anderson family legacy and Melissa Anderson as the continuation of that legacy. (D+) Sonoko Kato is known as a tag team specialist, and perhaps that was why Nattie Neidhart was able to wrestle her to the mat and get a submission with the Sharpshooter. © Etsuko Mita promo; anyone counting her out after last week's loss will be disappointed, because she's not going to shrivel up and go home just because she no longer has the title. (C+) Aja Kong is again in the front row, and Ryu Nakata tries to interview her. This time she speaks; she declares herself the real women's champion (displaying her AAAW Singles title to prove her point) and blames Chigusa Nagayo for her not being recognized as such. Nagayo takes exception to that, coming to ringside and telling Kong that it pained her to sell GAEA, but it was the right move for the future of women's wrestling. Kong can be part of that future, if she agrees to sign the contract and join the Renaissance. Kong scowls and storms off. (C-) The main event featured the WCW debut of Kyoko Inoue against a more familiar face to WCW fans, Shinobu Kandori. Takako Inoue showed up halfway through to watch the action, but it wasn't clear who she was rooting for (if anyone.) Kandori used her judo skills to pull off some nice throws and submission holds, but there was no doubt about the outcome once Kyoko hit her devastating Victoria Driver. (B) <div style="text-align:center;">Show Grade: B- </div> </div></blockquote> <hr noshade size=3> Thanks to both smw88 and KYE for whipping up some logos for Renaissance! I'm using one of KYE's designs here in the dynasty, so that's the one you guys will be seeing--but I'm using smw's in-game, so I'll be seeing that one a ton. Best of both worlds! <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> You might have noticed, but I've decided to scale back on the Spotlight Segments. Rather than doing one every week, I'm going to save them for segments that I feel are really important/momentous and need more detail (like that Flair retirement angle.) <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="K-Nection" data-cite="K-Nection" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Yay! I have a question.....do you just have a "women's division" in game or do you put them as integrated so they actually have card ranking such as "main event" "upper mid"? One problem you may run into is that you can't run the girls too long of matches because the game will treat all your female workers like they are midcarders. You could probably switch your settings to see how your girls get autopushed.</div></blockquote> It was a Women's Division until the launch of the new show, at which point I was always planning to switch to integrated. I had to manually fiddle with their pushes though. None of them autopushed any higher than Midcard (and I think that was just Toyota and Mita), and most of them were set as Enhancement Talent or Openers. Obviously that's because the game is basing that on their popularity in the US, which is irrelevant in this case. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="DiamondKnucklez" data-cite="DiamondKnucklez" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Really like how you introduced this new show and how you went in depth with it. I'll be honest, I at first, wasn't really looking forward to this new show. The way you went in depth with the whole roster, changed that. Im excited to see what the future holds for these women in WCW. Really looking forward to it!</div></blockquote> I'm happy to hear that! I thought that introduction was necessary since the roster is mostly made up of new characters. It was as important for me as for you guys I think, because I'm by no means an expert on joshi wrestling! (I think I am going to try out Stardom World for at least a month though, after the G1 Climax is over.) <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="infinitekillz" data-cite="infinitekillz" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Still following. Still loving it. Elated that you decided to continue. One question: did you reveal what happened to Luger and I just missed it, or has that not been addressed?</div></blockquote> He's in rehab. I mentioned it in a news post when it happened. I don't remember exactly when it was, but it was within the last few in-game months.

K-Nection · August 4, 2017

Loving both shows and I'm curious to see how quick the American women are going to learn Japanese now they are performing in Japan every week.

It is sad to see Flair go out but he is stubborn and probably would have (unwillingly) jobbed for many years after this point and a man of his status doesn't really deserve that. I think it was a very heroic ending for him.

michgcs · August 4, 2017

Was DDP upset at losing to Helms?

Beejus · August 4, 2017

Pretty surprised to see Helms pick up the win over Page, way to keep the SHC on it's toes. But I get the feeling DDP will have something else going on at Havoc, so it makes sense to get him out of that right away.

I like the idea of not doing a spotlight segment for every episode, too. It makes sense, because not every Nitro has "the greatest moment in sports entertainment history" despite what Tony may claim.

K-Nection · August 4, 2017

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Beejus" data-cite="Beejus" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Pretty surprised to see Helms pick up the win over Page, way to keep the SHC on it's toes. But I get the feeling DDP will have something else going on at Havoc, so it makes sense to get him out of that right away. I like the idea of not doing a spotlight segment for every episode, too. It makes sense, because not every Nitro has "the greatest moment in sports entertainment history" despite what Tony may claim.</div></blockquote> You know when I was 9 and 10 years old Tony did have a way of hyping me up for things......but back then its easier to fill that glass up. I go back and watch old episodes of Nitro every now and then and Tony does come off as over dramatic lol.

The Final Countdown · August 4, 2017

October 2002: News and Notes <div style="text-align:center;"> http://i.imgur.com/nUYCk9q.jpg </div> One conclusion I drew from the first episode of Renaissance: the commentary team of Tony Schiavone and Tracy Brooks is a weakness. There are a couple of options out there to fill a lead announcer gig, most notably Joey Styles, but the difference in quality between Tony and Joey isn't a massive one. Getting a better color commentator would probably be easier. Jerry Lawler is still out there and he'd be a massive upgrade over Tracy, but there's no way I'm putting him on Renaissance after he spent years screaming about puppies and acting like a horny old lecher on Raw. I guess I could put him on Nitro and move myself to Renaissance, but then we lose the experience Mike Tenay and I have spent almost a year and a half building up and have to start from scratch on both shows. There are no easy solutions, it seems. Since I've sent Charles Robinson and Dusty Rhodes to Renaissance, I hired Marty Rubalcaba and Cowboy Bob Orton to serve as secondary referee/road agent options on Nitro. Sting hurt his elbow taking a back suplex from Chavo Guerrero Jr. on the September 23rd Nitro. Luckily it wasn't serious, and a few days off was all it took for him to heal up. We've signed an extension with The Score to keep Nitro airing in Canada. I was hoping to move onto a bigger network, but the only one that was interested (MuchMusic) didn't want to air a 2-hour show. American Dragon and Kenny Omega showed good chemistry during their match. That could be something to keep in mind if we sign Omega to a contract in the future. I tried to snatch Raven away from WWE, but I backed off once the bidding war built to the point that he'd have been one of my two or three highest paid guys (and that's assuming the amount would've even been enough to win the bidding war at that point, which I doubt.) Raven's a good brawler and talker and I thought we could've done some interesting things with him and Salvation, but he wasn't worth that kind of financial investment at 38 years old. If I ever go all-in on trying to outbid Vince for one of his guys, it'll probably be someone that I think would be a game-changer and perfect fit for our product, like an Angle or Jericho type. We've had a ton of re-signings over the past few weeks. I honestly don't want to take the time to even list them all, but among the highlights are Sting, Lance Storm and Chuck Palumbo. <div style="text-align:center;">http://i.imgur.com/7AiYO6E.jpg </div> Though they promoted the idea that two winners from the Tough Enough show would get contracts, they wound up signing three of them right away. Jackie Gayda, Linda Miles and Kenny King were all signed from the show. The Rock's contract is expiring soon. I called him up to make an offer, knowing full well that it was maybe a one in a million chance he'd be interested in jumping. Sure enough he rejected the thought of even negotiating. <div style="text-align:center;">http://i.imgur.com/syuSRKH.jpg </div> NJPW might be recognized as the current #1 in Japan, but All Japan just scored a major coup by signing away one of their top stars, Kensuke Sasaki. When you combine in-ring skill with current popularity, Sasaki may very well have been the top guy in NJPW right now. This is a huge blow for New Japan, which concerns me as their American ally. (On a sidenote, I've booked two world title matches featuring a major NJPW star as the challenger, and in both cases the star in question left NJPW to sign an exclusive deal with AJPW soon thereafter. First it was Keiji Mutoh, now Sasaki. Hopefully Inoki doesn't believe in curses, otherwise we may never have access to any top NJPW stars again.) <div style="text-align:center;"> http://i.imgur.com/sDkxtEI.jpg </div> Obviously with Sasaki on the way out, he and Manabu Nakanishi had to drop their IWGP Heavyweight Tag titles. They did so the same day Sasaki announced his impending departure, as Yuji Nagata and Tatsumi Fujinami won the titles in an excellent TV match taped on October 5th. While I get that they had to make a quick decision, I think it's weird they used Fujinami in this role since he's already the IWGP Heavyweight champion. That's an awfully tough schedule to ask from a 48 year old... ..Or it would have been, if Fujinami hadn't dropped the big belt a week later. On the October 12th taping, Osamu Nishimura won the IWGP Heavyweight title from Fujinami in a good main event. This is the first title in the 11-year career of Nishimura, who was a New Japan Dojo graduate in 1991. That's a bit of an odd choice. Nishimura is a great technical wrestler, but he's probably their least charismatic and least over main event-level guy. He's not really any more over than upper midcard guys like Kojima, Tenzan, Liger and young Hiroshi Tanahashi, and is well behind true main event stars like Chono and Nagata. <div style="text-align:center;"> http://i.imgur.com/1eeVS9d.jpg </div> In very sad news, Chocoball Mukai passed away in a car crash. Mukai, 35, was a porn star who took up wrestling as a side career in 1999. He was with FMW until they went out of business earlier this year and made a few independent appearances afterwards, with his final match coming in late September when he and Headhunter A defeated Giant Singh and Toru Yano. <div style="text-align:center;"> http://i.imgur.com/ebDwXEW.jpg </div> Roland Alexander's All Pro Wrestling has gone out of business. They had been in operation since 1991, running in California for most of their existence until last year, when they started holding all of their events in Arizona. Considering their highest attendance total of the year was 53, this news wasn't exactly a surprise. <hr noshade size=3> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="K-Nection" data-cite="K-Nection" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Loving both shows and I'm curious to see how quick the American women are going to learn Japanese now they are performing in Japan every week. It is sad to see Flair go out but he is stubborn and probably would have (unwillingly) jobbed for many years after this point and a man of his status doesn't really deserve that. I think it was a very heroic ending for him.</div></blockquote> Hopefully it'll be soon, because it's going to be difficult to book them in non-wrestling segments until then. I'm not sure what'll happen when Flair's contract runs out. I'd like to keep him around, but he'll probably refuse to accept a non-wrestling role. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="michgcs" data-cite="michgcs" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Was DDP upset at losing to Helms?</div></blockquote> Not at all. He didn't complain even with no beneficial road agent notes, but I added a Protect note anyway just because it fit the planned finish. I was pretty surprised he was so accepting of that, especially when Shinobu Kandori threw a fit about losing to Kyoko Inoue the very next show despite them being very close in popularity. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Beejus" data-cite="Beejus" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Pretty surprised to see Helms pick up the win over Page, way to keep the SHC on it's toes. But I get the feeling DDP will have something else going on at Havoc, so it makes sense to get him out of that right away. I like the idea of not doing a spotlight segment for every episode, too. It makes sense, because not every Nitro has "the greatest moment in sports entertainment history" despite what Tony may claim.</div></blockquote> I thought it would be a good idea to throw at least one surprise in the first round, and it felt like everything would align too neatly if there were no second round matchups between two winning heels. Plus the finish furthers DDP's storyline with Kim, so it all worked out nicely. Are you saying Tony was LYING when he said that this was going to be one of the greatest nights in the history of our sport?! <img alt=":eek:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/eek.png.0e09df00fa222c85760b9bc1700b5405.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />:eek:

K-Nection · August 5, 2017

You could have Lawler take the third chair on Nitro until he builds some experience with Tenay. And move yourself into the third chair on Renaissance. That way you aren't making both shows bleed out dramatically until the experience is built.

By the time you reach National and acquire another B show you still have the experience of Tony and Tracy that can call the matches on that one....or you could even try to build Joey with someone on that show. Where Joey is way younger than Tony his announcing ceiling will be significantly higher especially if he is better than Tony already.

RingRider · August 5, 2017

Haven't played this mod a ton, so I don't know how his stats are, but could Dusty be a color guy? I always enjoyed him in the booth and if the mod is accurate, he and Tony should have some experience. He could do both agent and color duties for Renaissance.

The Final Countdown · August 5, 2017

Hall of Champions <div style="text-align:center;">Hall of Champions: World Heavyweight Champion: http://i.imgur.com/haJKoFv.jpg Booker T (5th reign) http://i.imgur.com/iwFA1pe.jpg Won: May 19th, 2002 from Rob Van Dam at Mayhem in Worcester, Massachusetts Previous Champions (since March 2001): Rob Van Dam: December 30th, 2001-May 19th, 2002 (140 days) Scott Steiner: July 15th, 2001-December 30th, 3001 (168 days) Booker T: March 26th, 2001-July 15th, 2001 (111 days) World Women's Champion: http://i.imgur.com/741TrEA.jpg Manami Toyota (4th reign) http://i.imgur.com/LyKOnBY.jpg Won: October 5th, 2002 from Etsuko Mita on Women's Wrestling Renaissance in Tokyo, Japan ((This was formerly the WWWA World Championship, the top title in All Japan Women's Pro Wrestling. The title was renamed the WCW World Women's Championship upon WCW buying AJW, and its title lineage was kept intact.)) Previous Champions (since January 2002): Etsuko Mita: January 9th, 2002-October 5th, 2002 (269 days) United States Heavyweight Champion: http://i.imgur.com/mitTbCm.jpg Shane Douglas (2nd reign) http://i.imgur.com/mS6Goca.jpg Won: April 1st, 2002 from Rey Misterio Jr. at Monday Nitro in Pikeville, Kentucky Previous Champions (since March 2001): Rey Misterio Jr (#2): October 14th, 2001-April 1st, 2002 (169 days) Kanyon: August 5th, 2001-October 14th, 2001 (70 days) Rey Misterio Jr: May 13th, 2001-August 5th, 2001 (85 days) Booker T: March 18th, 2001-April 30th, 2001 (44 days) Cruiserweight Champion: http://i.imgur.com/u0cJ04Z.jpg "Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels http://i.imgur.com/GoltiY2.jpg Won: September 22nd, 2002 from American Dragon at War Games in Greensboro, North Carolina Previous Champions (since March 2001): American Dragon: August 11th, 2002-September 22nd, 2002 (42 days) AJ Styles: April 21st, 2002-August 11th, 2002 (112 days) TAKA: December 30th, 2001-April 21st, 2002 (112 days) Jushin Liger: August 5th, 2001-December 30th, 2001 (147 days) Shane Helms: March 18th, 2001-August 5th, 2001 (140 days) World Television Champion: http://i.imgur.com/rrRBDgP.jpg Fit Finlay (2nd reign) http://i.imgur.com/5Xhxf90.jpg Won: July 29th, 2002 in a tournament final against Hugh Morrus at Monday Nitro in Bozeman, Montana Previous Champions (since July 2002): None World Tag Team Champions: http://i.imgur.com/S0cu0uO.jpg The Hardys (Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy) http://i.imgur.com/YIpiDFE.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/1tytiqE.jpg Won: July 14th, 2002 from True Heroes at Bash at the Beach in Melbourne, Australia Previous Champions (since March 2001): True Heroes (Lance Storm and CM Punk): December 30th, 2001-July 14th, 2002 (196 days) The Natural Born Thrillers (Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'Haire): January 14th, 2001-December 30th, 2001 (351 days) </div> <hr noshade size=3> Whoops, I meant to include this in the news post! I had a feeling I was forgetting something! <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="K-Nection" data-cite="K-Nection" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>You could have Lawler take the third chair on Nitro until he builds some experience with Tenay. And move yourself into the third chair on Renaissance. That way you aren't making both shows bleed out dramatically until the experience is built.</div></blockquote> I could do that, but that creates a scenario where Bret is flying back and forth between Japan and wherever WCW is currently touring (usually the US) every week. Obviously the game doesn't care about that, but it's a bit of a shot against realism. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>By the time you reach National and acquire another B show you still have the experience of Tony and Tracy that can call the matches on that one....or you could even try to build Joey with someone on that show. Where Joey is way younger than Tony his announcing ceiling will be significantly higher especially if he is better than Tony already.</div></blockquote> The point about Joey's ceiling is a good one, and something I hadn't considered. Tony's announcing skill has stayed right where it was from the beginning of the game. Joey doesn't get to call nearly as many shows, yet I can see his announcing stat has gone up by a couple of points in the last year. This may change my thought process on this. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="RingRider" data-cite="RingRider" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Haven't played this mod a ton, so I don't know how his stats are, but could Dusty be a color guy? I always enjoyed him in the booth and if the mod is accurate, he and Tony should have some experience. He could do both agent and color duties for Renaissance.</div></blockquote> It's a nice thought, but The Dream's a mediocre option in this mod. Lawler's color stat is like 20 points higher than Dusty's.

K-Nection · August 5, 2017

I guess a more subtle move would be to hire Joey and stick him in the first chair on Renaissance. (That way you are still increasing his announcing) keep Tracy and Tony in the other two chairs until Joey and Tracy have enough experience....while simultaneously having Lawler in the third chair on Nitro. When everyone's experience is adequate you can slide Bret to Renaissance and begin to have Bret work with Joey while (assuming you would be National with a B Show at this point) having Tony and Tracy on the B Show.

That should keep all Kayfabe in check lol.

RingRider · August 5, 2017

It's a nice thought, but The Dream's a mediocre option in this mod. Lawler's color stat is like 20 points higher than Dusty's.

That's too bad about Dusty's color stat. In my opinion Dusty was a great color guy and doesn't get enough credit for the job he performed. I suppose that means the same is true of Larry Zbyszko than too... (Although I didn't think he was as good as Dusty...but he was over like rover in 97).

Another out of the box thought I had was to hire Gov. Ventura. Might be fun to have someone tell it like it really is... While sending him to Japan doesn't make a whole lot sense for kayfabe reasons, he would be coming off the XFL about this time IRL. He def. should have the stats I would think.

Last idea is see if Savage or Piper would sign with you. I always understood that Bret and Randy were friends as were Piper and Bret. Savage was a half decent color guy in 94 and Piper was decent in 91.

Cro Cop Rules · August 6, 2017

Does the women's show air live? If it doesn't, maybe you can say (for the sake of realism) that you record the commentary in post once the show has already been taped.

Kijar · August 6, 2017

Well I have some catching up to do, as I prematurely unsubscribed around page 70 when you said you were done lol.

I've missed soooo much! D:

The Final Countdown · August 6, 2017

Fall 2002 Roster Update <div style="text-align:center;">Fall 2002 Roster Breakdown: (Faces in blue, heels in red) </div> MAIN ROSTER <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Main Event:</div> Davey Boy Smith Diamond Dallas Page Jeff Hardy (World Tag Team Champion) Rey Mysterio Jr. Rick Steiner Rob Van Dam Scott Steiner Sting Booker T (World Heavyweight Champion) Chris Candido Chuck Palumbo King Corino Mortis Shane Douglas (United States Heavyweight Champion) The Unnatural </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Upper Midcard:</div> AJ Styles Hugh Morrus Konnan Mark Jindrak Matt Hardy (World Tag Team Champion) Norman Smiley Road Warrior Animal Sean O'Haire Brian Adams CM Punk Fit Finlay (World Television Champion) Lance Storm Shane Helms TAKA The Destroyer </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Midcard:</div> American Dragon Billy Kidman Ernest Miller Hayabusa Jamie Knoble Cash Chavo Guerrero Jr. Christopher Daniels (Cruiserweight Champion) Disco Inferno Kaz Hayashi Mike Sanders Psychosis Shawn Stasiak Yang Yuji Nagata </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Lower Midcard:</div> Air Paris Big Vito Jason Jett Johnny the Bull Teddy Hart Elix Skipper Evan Karagis Shannon Moore </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Opener:</div> Lash Leroux Alan Funk Flash Flanagan </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Enhancement Talent:</div> Bobby Roode </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Announcer:</div> Mike Tenay </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Color Commentator:</div> Bret Hart Bobby Heenan </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Road Agent:</div> Ricky Steamboat Bob Orton Jr.</div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Personality:</div> Arn Anderson Gene Okerlund Roddy Piper</div></blockquote> RENAISSANCE <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Main Event:</div> Chigusa Nagayo Manami Toyota (World Women's Champion) Aja Kong (AAAW Singles Champion) Devil Masami </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Upper Midcard:</div> Kyoko Inoue Etsuko Mita </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Midcard:</div> Allison Corino Daffney Takako Inoue Shinobu Kandori</div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Lower Midcard:</div> Melissa Anderson Nattie Neidhart Toshiyo Yamada Sonoko Kato Toshie Uematsu </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Opener:</div> LuFisto </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Enhancement Talent:</div> Kaori Nakayama </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Announcer:</div> Tony Schiavone </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Color Commentator:</div> Tracy Brooks </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Road Agent:</div> Dusty Rhodes </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">On Vacation:</div> Alexis Laree Ric Flair</div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Out Of Action:</div> Akira Hokuto (rehab) Alex Wright (torn quad) Buff Bagwell (spinal column injury) Lex Luger (rehab) Mayumi Ozaki (shattered knee)</div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Active Tag Teams:</div> 3 Count (Evan Karagis and Shannon Moore) Hayabusa and Jinsei Shinzaki Jung Dragons (Kaz Hayashi and Yang) The Hardys (Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy) The Mamalukes (Johnny the Bull and Big Vito) True Heroes (CM Punk and Lance Storm) </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Factions:</div> Salvation (Father Isaac, Mortis, The Destroyer and The Unnatural) The Empire (Chris Candido, Eric Bischoff, Etsuko Mita, King Corino, TAKA, Chuck Palumbo and Tammy Sytch) </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Managerial Assignments:</div> Eric Bischoff (King Corino, TAKA and Etsuko Mita) Father Isaac (Mortis, The Destroyer and The Unnatural) Kimberly Page (None) Midajah (Scott Steiner) Stacy Keibler (Kaz Hayashi and Yang) Tammy Sytch (Chris Candido and Chuck Palumbo) Torrie Wilson (Billy Kidman) </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">In Developmental:</div> Aguila Brian Kendrick Chris Harris Colt Cabana David Flair Harry Smith James Storm Johnny Parisi Kaoru Ito Katarina Waters Kid Romeo Lacey Mariko Yoshida Meiko Satomura Mercedes Martinez Momoe Nakanishi Paul London Reno TJ Wilson Tony Mamaluke Volador Jr.</div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Creative Meeting:</div> Franchise Players: 1. Rob Van Dam 2. Booker T 3. Scott Steiner 4. Rey Mysterio Jr. 5. Jeff Hardy Next Big Things: 1. CM Punk 2. AJ Styles Hot Prospects: 1. American Dragon 2. Melissa Anderson 3. Johnny the Bull 4. Allison Corino 5. Yang Talk the Talk: 1. Ric Flair 2. Roddy Piper 3. Dusty Rhodes 4. CM Punk 5. Booker T Show Stoppers: 1. Rey Misterio Jr. 2. Jeff Hardy 3. Rob Van Dam 4. CM Punk 5. Manami Toyota Ring Generals: 1. Rey Misterio Jr. 2. Lance Storm 3. American Dragon 4. King Corino 5. TAKA Who's Hot: 1. Yang 2. Booker T 3. The Destroyer 4. Lance Storm 5. Mortis Who's Not: 1. Mike Sanders 2. Jason Jett 3. Air Paris 4. Big Vito 5. Teddy Hart Time Decline: 1. Sting 4. Diamond Dallas Page 3. Fit Finlay 4. Animal 5. Aja Kong Hidden Gems: 1. John Cena 2. Nova 3. El Generico 4. Kenny Omega 5. Kevin Steen</div></blockquote> <hr noshade size=3> I KNEW I forgot something else! The next post will be the last two shows before Halloween Havoc, I swear! I may need to change the way I format these roster updates now that Renaissance is a thing... If you couldn't tell, the pushes are kind of out of whack with the women integrated. I wish I could do separate autopushes for the brands so they wouldn't affect each other, but oh well. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="RingRider" data-cite="RingRider" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>That's too bad about Dusty's color stat. In my opinion Dusty was a great color guy and doesn't get enough credit for the job he performed. I suppose that means the same is true of Larry Zbyszko than too... (Although I didn't think he was as good as Dusty...but he was over like rover in 97). Another out of the box thought I had was to hire Gov. Ventura. Might be fun to have someone tell it like it really is... While sending him to Japan doesn't make a whole lot sense for kayfabe reasons, he would be coming off the XFL about this time IRL. He def. should have the stats I would think. Last idea is see if Savage or Piper would sign with you. I always understood that Bret and Randy were friends as were Piper and Bret. Savage was a half decent color guy in 94 and Piper was decent in 91.</div></blockquote> Larry's right at the same level Dusty is. Jesse's set to out of the business, though I could always bring him back. I'm pretty sure his color stat is set to 0 as well, though I would obviously change that if he were active. Piper's already on the roster as a personality, hosting the occasional Piper's Pit. I could get Randy, but he'd be about as expensive as some of my main eventers. Neither of them have any color skill either, but I would have no qualms about changing that if I decided to use them or if someone else hired them to do color. One option I hadn't considered was simply putting Heenan back at the desk and hiring somebody else to do interviews. For the moment I think I'm going to leave Tracy there and see how much she can improve though, because I'd ideally like to have a female at the desk on Renaissance. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Kijar" data-cite="Kijar" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Well I have some catching up to do, as I prematurely unsubscribed around page 70 when you said you were done lol. I've missed soooo much! D:</div></blockquote> Heh. Sorry about that. <img alt=":o" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/redface.png.900245280682ef18c5d82399a93c5827.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

K-Nection · August 7, 2017

That hidden gems list is pretty promosing

Kijar · August 7, 2017

Heh. Sorry about that.

Not a problem, lots of predictions and such so I only had to read a few shows, just wish I hadn't missed predictions myself. Very very very glad this is still running though. Flair's sendoff was special, well done. Also enjoying Renaissance a lot more than I initially expected, big fan of Melissa and I think you use her very well here. Good call with giving Alison her brother's surname, and I can't wait to see what's next.

That hidden gems list is pretty promosing

I agree, Nova has a mountain of potential.

Satyr24 · August 7, 2017

Whatever happened to Stone Cold Steve Austin

K-Nection · August 8, 2017

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Satyr24" data-cite="Satyr24" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Whatever happened to Stone Cold Steve Austin</div></blockquote> When he had Briskout be a guest booker for Wrestlemania that knocked the AI WWE out of negotiating with Steve Austin. By the time the AI took over they didn't have enough days to negotiate another contract. I'm surprised they haven't tried to put in another offer for him by now though.

smartman · August 8, 2017

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="K-Nection" data-cite="K-Nection" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>When he had Briskout be a guest booker for Wrestlemania that knocked the AI WWE out of negotiating with Steve Austin. By the time the AI took over they didn't have enough days to negotiate another contract. I'm surprised they haven't tried to put in another offer for him by now though.</div></blockquote> Has it been 6 (or is it 9) months yet? They have to wait that long before offering just like the player does, don't they? Though it is entirely likely that either their roster was big enough already or they signed a replacement for him so don't need to sign him. It's not like they're being pushed in a National Battle where they'd need his 1,000ish rating. Hopefully, TFC can get him when he hits National soon because he'd be well worth going broke for.

KnowYourEnemy · August 8, 2017

Has it been 6 (or is it 9) months yet? They have to wait that long before offering just like the player does, don't they? Though it is entirely likely that either their roster was big enough already or they signed a replacement for him so don't need to sign him. It's not like they're being pushed in a National Battle where they'd need his 1,000ish rating. Hopefully, TFC can get him when he hits National soon because he'd be well worth going broke for.

Honestly, I'd rather see him sign with a national or near national level company in Japan or possibly Mexico -- like what Hogan did in '93 or '94.

TFC could run the company long for a few nights, pick up Austin and then give the reigns back to the CPU.

Briskout · August 9, 2017

When he had Briskout be a guest booker for Wrestlemania that knocked the AI WWE out of negotiating with Steve Austin. By the time the AI took over they didn't have enough days to negotiate another contract. I'm surprised they haven't tried to put in another offer for him by now though.

Actually that's not what happened. When I reloaded the save to pre-WrestleMania all the other negotiations were still pending, but Austin's for some reason wasn't. TFC and I talked about it privately. Crazy situation!

ALSO: TFC so glad you're sticking it through. Just caught up. Good stuff man. It makes me want to try and salvage my 2001 game, which I ended up playing into August of 2002... So we'll see?

K-Nection · August 9, 2017

Actually that's not what happened. When I reloaded the save to pre-WrestleMania all the other negotiations were still pending, but Austin's for some reason wasn't. TFC and I talked about it privately. Crazy situation!

ALSO: TFC so glad you're sticking it through. Just caught up. Good stuff man. It makes me want to try and salvage my 2001 game, which I ended up playing into August of 2002... So we'll see?

Oh that is even more surprising then!

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