The official wrestling sim topic

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Not only does Walsh do all that, he does it with NO HOMERS around!

[M-A-G]

Originally Posted by Conspiracy Victim Vito Ziggy Styles is such a goofball. Love him playing off of a serious heel.

Tania is a face, actually. I suppose I could have written that exchange a bit better.

[M-A-G]

SmackDown!: August 3, 2040

We open with Lisa Benton in the ring with a pedestal that's covered with a cloth. Whatever could be underneath??? She talks about how the upcoming SummerSlam could be one of the biggest and memorable in the history of the WWE and just think of the ground that covers. No matter which show you may recognize as one of the greatest the common ground that those events share is that history was made one way or another and underneath this cover will help make even more history at SummerSlam. Lisa goes on to talk about the depth of the women's division and how they've managed to step up this year to take it to levels even higher than it was before and there's no reason that can't continue especially with what's going to be at stake at SummerSlam. With that, she pulls off the cover and reveals what she is calling the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship. Ooh, those belts look shiny. They'll look even better on the women who deserve them. Benton encourages the women in the back to start buddying up because starting on Raw there will be 4 different triple threat tag team matches to determine who will qualify for a mini-tournament where the final two tag teams will square off at SummerSlam and make history to see will be crowned the first ever Women's Tag Team Champions. She invites the crowd to enjoy the show tonight especially the main event which will see WWE Unified World Champion Butch Fleming and Xavier Cross face Noah Carmichael and Kyle Jacobs!

Backstage, Orlando Kincaid wants to rip into Alexander Piero. According to Kincaid it was bad enough getting knocked out of the King of the Ring by an arrogant, snot-nosed rookie like Piero but then to be put on the shelf for these past few weeks and have to continue to watch him, it was too much to bear. Piero got his receipt and Kincaid hopes he takes it to heart.

Elsewhere backstage, Hannah McCormick catches up to Nathan Quinn. She's excited about the opportunity to be able to win the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship and she's sure that Leah is just as excited. Nathan confirms that Leah is in fact looking forward to competing. Hannah asks that Nathan and Leah let her know when they want to start strategizing. Nathan rebukes her by pointing out how Hannah evidently didn't need Leah judging by what she said on Raw. Leah is going to have her own partner as Nathan has been doing some scouting and they'll be ready to go come Raw. Hannah is furious at this but then counters by doubling down on how she was right about not needing Nathan or Leah. She has Bobbi Jo! Bobbi has been at her side all this time and it's been for a moment like this! We'll all see who deserves those belts at SummerSlam!

First Match: WWE Intercontinental Champion Brandon Reigns vs. DJ Stokes
See DJ. See the Intercontinental Champion. See the unemployment line, DJ. See DJ job. Job DJ, job. Seth Von Kamp runs down afterwards still pissed at Reigns and runs the champion off. ****1/2, 92% overall.

Second Match: The Luscious Lover and Undefeated Steel Cage Master and REAL 2040 King of the Ring, Former WWE Cruiserweight Champion-Elect, the WWE Cruiserweight Champion Michael Hotbody and Zed Jones vs. Caleb Greene and Stanley Coleman
Hotbody lets us know that once again he's being forced to go down any and all legal avenues to overturn the decision Lisa Benton made last night to give Martyn LaSalle yet another shot at his Cruiserweight Title. Lisa claims that she believed Luscious' act and that's why she did it but hasn't she ever heard of the Just Kidding Precedent?!? It's a total outrage but Hotbody assures us that he's got his top guys working on it! Anyways, the match is good shit all around. Things get chaotic towards the end and this causes Luscious to wave to the back evidently signaling for someone to come down. Indeed, Galino & Farnes run down to take advantage of the chaos and level Stanley Coleman with the Cross Examination. That allows Hotbody to sneak in and get the pin for the victory. Luscious afterwards demands that we all welcome the new legal counsel under her watch. ****1/2, 90% overall.

Backstage WWE Women's Champion Naomi Bailey approaches Eclypse and asks if she heard the news about the competition for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship. Indeed Eclypse has but she didn't think much of it. Naomi says that it's an opportunity that only comes once in a lifetime. Not only would Naomi be the first to hold that championship, she'd be the first to hold it AND the WWE Women's Title simultaneously! She'd be the female Bruno Sammartino. Eclypse asks if Naomi is insinuating that she wants the two of them to team up. Naomi says she's approaching Eclypse as her fellow cousin and that it'd be a huge deal. Eclypse finds it funny that Naomi has been in the WWE for two years and is only now acknowledging their relationship and extending a hand. Naomi understands that and she feels bad but what a way to make it up, right? Eclypse ponders this for a bit but ultimately agrees on the condition that Naomi had better not cause her to regret it.

Back to the ring for Super Special Angle Time as Haven joins us to bring everyone up to speed on the misery he's been enduring ever since King of the Ring. He doesn't know who this mystery source of aggravation is but he is running low on patience and goodwill, if he even had any to begin with. He tells this mystery person that he's going to make it really easy. Here he stands in front of the world, a target. Let's see how well the hunter does when the prey is willing to spring the trap.

Almost on cue, the lights flicker on and off until ultimately the arena is shrouded in darkness with only the big screen lit up. The word "NOW" comes up on the display and the lights return and WRAKK IS STANDING IN FRONT HAVEN!!! WTF??? HE'S BEEN GONE SINCE LAST YEAR! Haven is shocked to say the least but that doesn't last long as Wrakk immediately puts the hurt on and manhandles the person who was supposed to be his opponent at last year's SummerSlam. Haven gets absolutely destroyed and finally gets the exclamation point put on him as Wrakk delivers the Demon Cross to lay him out. Wrakk has made one hell of an impact on his return.

Third Match: Faith Connors, Jenna Kyle, Lzzy Ryd, and Tania vs. Hannah McCormick, Bobbi Jo, Emma Edwards, and Billie Padgett
Hannah lets Bobbi know that now is the time to step up and show everyone what she's learned being at the side of a superstar the caliber of Hannah. What can I say about this match other than it's 8 talented women giving it their all. It's BONZO GONZO at the end and Bobbi Jo escapes Lzzy's attempt at the Jam Session and catches the custom Hannah McCormick microphone as it's tossed to her and uses it to KO Lzzy and steal the pin. ****1/2, 94% overall.

Backstage, Kerry Cemenko laments his loss to Butch Fleming at King of the Ring but wants to make it clear that he's not going to dwell on it. Cue Ziggy Styles who interjects himself into the scene. Ziggy doesn't want to see Cemenko in a bad mood. Now is the time to smile and enjoy the day! So what if Cemenko got embarrassed in front of the whole world? Is that any reason to not get Ziggy with it? Cemenko merely shoots Ziggy a glare and that causes an awkward moment as Ziggy merely smiles back like an idiot expecting Cemenko to join him in his jollies. Ziggy eventually gets the hint and backs off.

Elsewhere backstage Stephan Q. Sterling talks about his new team, the Pacific Connection coming along at the right time as they want to compete for the chance at the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship. Mika and Tamara may be rookies but it'd be one hell of a way to make an impact to hold up that gold at SummerSlam.

MAIN EVENT: WWE Unified World Champion Butch Fleming and Xavier Cross vs. Noah Carmichael and Kyle Jacobs
Did I seriously only do four matches for this show? I guess I could say I gave the women's match a shit ton of time. This match, too, seeing as it's the main event and all. Fleming commends Carmichael on the balls it takes to demand their match be Hell in a Cell at SummerSlam. He's thinking about it but doesn't have an answer just yet. Cross is upset at getting disrespected by a punk like Jacobs. He'll be generous and take care of Jacobs right here, right now. Sadly, Cross is no psychic as he and Fleming have some communication issues and that allows Jacobs to hit a surprise Legacy Bomb on Cross for the pin. *****, 95% overall.

Overall show rating: 87%

[M-A-G]

Raw: August 6, 2040

Opening Match: WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Competition Qualifier
The Southern Belles vs. The Internet Darlings vs. The Pacific Connection
Not wasting any time getting into the thick of things as far as the new championship is concerned. We'll have two of the four triple threat matches tonight with the remaining two on Superstars. A bit of a low crowd reaction but that can be blamed on the newbies in Mika and Tamara along with the low charisma of Sarah Moore and Lauren Franklyn. Work rate is top notch here as this is all about getting Bobbi Jo into gear as being able to hang with Hannah as an equal. Speaking of which, she once again makes good use of Hannah's custom mic to daze Lauren and hits the Rough Ride for the win. The Southern Belles qualify! ****1/2, 84% overall.

Backstage, The Play Pals are asked about their in-depth assessment of the Royal Effect. The problem with that question is there isn't much depth to the Royal Effect other than they're definitely asses. Top experts agree with that analysis! In fact if you were take a survey of this crowd tonight there is a 60% chance that 100% of them would analyze Moses McKay as one ass and King Kavovit as the other ass, just fancier. The way the Play Pals see it, is you can either handle these asses by spanking them or just taking out behind the barn and putting them out to pasture.

Back to the ring as the monstrous Wrakk makes his first appearance on Raw in over a year. Undoubtedly he's here to explain himself. "Let's rewind the clock one whole year!" he demands. "Butch Fleming may have made himself the center of attention with his return and all his gripes. TO HELL WITH THAT! I was actually the World Champion last year. And what was it that I was looking forward to? SummerSlam. Me on one side of the line with the Unified World Title to my name. And on the other side? A sorry excuse of a man. A sorry excuse of a King of the Ring. A sorry excuse of a leader. A SORRY EXCUSE OF A MONSTER! Haven may have breathed a sigh of relief on that fateful day when it was apparent that he didn't have to go through with that date with destiny. But destiny is never cancelled. It can only be postponed. Here we are now, one year later. Circumstances may have changed but the sentiment is still the same. I'm the scourge of the WWE. I'm the nightmare that keeps this company on edge and stricken with fear. I'm...."

The music of Haven starts up and interrupts Wrakk's tirade. Haven himself follows suit and trades glares with Wrakk as he stands on the stage. "What you are, Wrakk, is just another coward trying to use words as a front for your inferiority. Make no mistake, I certainly did not forget about what was meant to be last year. It's emblazoned in my mind because of the regret I carry of not having the opportunity to crush you and take the Unified World Title as my own! I looked forward to the moment you would dare tread these waters once more, Wrakk. Cheated as I have been in these weeks past I will not let this opportunity slip from my grasp. At SummerSlam, let us finish what we started so long ago so that you may learn the true meaning of nightmare!"

"Pretty words, Haven, but here's a bit of a wake up call, Mr. Nightmare: you think I spent one whole year away stewing in anger only to be dissuaded by threats and theater? Not a chance. You're all I've thought about. The one that got away! I'll walk into SummerSlam a happy man...and leave even happier."

Second Match: Galino & Farnes vs. The Dillingers
Before the match Luscious and Michael Hotbody discuss why they decided to retain Galino & Farnes as their legal counsel. Lisa Benton and all of her wickedness requires a much more delicate touch. Hotbody has it on good authority, thanks to his crack legal advice he's getting from Galino & Farnes, that the proposed title match against Martyn LaSalle is not valid! Galino talks about how there is precedent for situations like this, not just in wrestling but in other avenues as well. Hotbody made the right call in coming to the firm of Galino & Farnes because he knows they can get the results that he'll be happy with. Farnes decides to elaborate and brings up the fact that the match was made under false pretenses! Luscious was doing what legal experts refer to as "pulling a leg". There are several statutes that recognize it's overriding power in cases like this one. Luscious didn't actually mean anything so, ipso facto, the match is null and void, no take backs, and Lisa Benton had better shape up and keep her neck clean because she's treading on very thin and very dangerous legal ice! Anyhow, the match is fucking sweet thanks to the Dillingers efforts to make Galino & Farnes look like an actual threat. Joey Dillinger looks to put Freddie Galino away with the Dillinger Escape Plan but Hotbody decides to just shove him off the top for the DQ. It looks like a bad situation for the Dillingers but Martyn LaSalle makes his dashing return to try to get him some of Hotbody. It doesn't bode well for LaSalle as Galino & Farnes double-team him into oblivion. Hotbody celebrates with Luscious as they enjoy their newest investment. ****1/2, 91% overall.

Backstage, WWE Intercontinental Champion Brandon Reigns wants to make the claim that he doesn't have to prove anything to Seth Von Kamp if he doesn't want to. Look at the evidence! Brandon Reigns won that Money in the Bank contract at WrestleMania! Brandon Reigns retired TWO top level veterans in Jake Connelly and Conner Buchanan. Brandon Reigns won the Intercontinental Title and has defended it successfully and honorably! Seth has been with the company for nearly A DECADE! What does he have to show for it? What reason can he pull out of his ass in order to use as way to sneak into a match with Reigns? His failures IS NOT BRANDON REIGNS' PROBLEM!

Third Match: WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Competition Qualifier
WWE Women's Champion Naomi Bailey and Eclypse vs. The Brooklyn Sisterhood vs. The Glitz Girls
Naomi Bailey talks about how good it feels to finally acknowledge the relationship between her and Eclypse. When it comes to an opportunity like this, you want family at your side! Naomi's year is just going to get better and better! She may be right as the duo of her and Eclypse is just a powerhouse of power. It all comes to an end when Bailey clocks Lzzy with her scepter behind everyone's back and Eclypse hits the Fade to Black for the pin and victory. ****1/2, 94% overall.

In-Ring Super Special Talky Time with Vivian Merrick. She declares that no one should hold her tactics against her in regards to what she did to the Wyldhearts. So she played with their emotions? So what? The WWE Unified Tag Team Titles were at stake! When you're sitting pretty at the top you look for any angle, any tool to knock off everyone else making that climb! Rick Hilton and Julian Merrick together form the most dangerous and most deserving tandem in the WWE right now and they're not letting it go for anyone! Vivian isn't like the hopeless tween losers in the crowd who lose their tiny minds over two weenies like the Wyldhearts! Really, if Blaine Bellamey wasn't such a full-fledged doofus who was so into himself he'd have never fallen for it to begin with! She even declares that she'd laugh in face if he were here right now! In the meantime, let every tag team out there know that they're playing with fire if they want to step up to the Future Foundation.

This brings out Blaine Bellamey of the Wyldhearts to offer his point of view. Blaine is actually glad in a lot of ways that Vivian didn't come on board. She's one of those high-maintenance pains in the ass that would've driven the Wyldhearts to dump her anyway. If nothing else, everyone should recognize Vivian's deception as proof that the Wyldhearts are a threat to those tag team titles and have what it takes to unseat the Future Foundation. Blaine's willing to put his money where his mouth is if Vivian is on board. Sadly we don't get a response. Well not from Vivian but from Rick Hilton as he runs out behind Blaine to get himself a piece. Vivian goes over to Blaine's fallen body and gives an exaggerated laugh.

Fourth Match: Alexander Piero and Clubber Harris vs. Orlando Kincaid and Chris Collins
These feuds MUST CONTINUE! Nothing major happening here as it comes down to Piero and Collins. Orlando takes advantage of Piero's relationship with Madison by hassling her on the outside and that distracts him enough to where Collins can capitalize with a Fall From Heaven for the pin and the victory. ****1/2, 93% overall.

Backstage, Fantasee wants to talk about how her team of the Jersey Experience is ready to go this Thursday on Superstars to get that chance to compete for the Women's Tag Team Titles. Roderick and Frankie have been learning to work as one in order to prepare and all the other teams are going to have their work cut out for them. Naturally Ziggy Styles needs to come into the picture as he wants to compliment Fantasee on her positivity and good mood. Becoming a champion is cause for celebration and happiness as it's the fulfillment of a wish. But Fantasee has another reason to be happy because she can realize a fantasy right now by getting Ziggy with it!!! Fantasee isn't impressed and merely walks away.

Back to the ring for more special talky time. This time the WWE Unified World Champion Butch Fleming joins us and he's actually delighted at the idea of facing Noah Carmichael inside a Hell in a Cell. He's not quite there yet in regards to saying yes, though. Realistically, any match will do as far as being able to finally rid himself of the embarrassment that is Noah Carmichael. He hopes that SummerSlam will finally shut the mouths of all of the detractors and that they will finally get it through their heads that this company, hell, this business, belongs to Butch Fleming!

Noah Carmichael comes out to further this discussion. Carmichael wonders what the hold up is. The Fleming of old would have already put his name on the dotted line so to speak and accepted the challenge by now. Hell, the Fleming of old would have brought up the idea first! Maybe Kerry Cemenko was right about Fleming. Fleming counters that Carmichael isn't his boss and that being the King of the Ring only means that Carmichael is entitled to getting an ass kicking at SummerSlam, nothing more! He doesn't just make demands of the world champion! Carmichael points out that Hell in a Cell will provide Fleming the opportunity to be as violent as he wants to be. Think about it: it's the perfect vessel for channeling all of that aggression and hatred he feels and just think of all the insidious ways he'd be able to punish the biggest thorn in his side! Those boasts would be justified and all Fleming has to do is say yes. That is, of course, if he's not scared.

Fleming, of course, takes offense at this slight towards his manhood and starts a brawl. It spills to the outside and Fleming takes a chair and puts it to good use as he takes Carmichael down. He then proceeds to sandwich Carmichael's fingers in between the chair and stomps on it, crushing them. Fleming angrily announces he's accepting the Hell in a Cell stipulation as Carmichael is attended to.

MAIN EVENT: Kerry Cemenko, Ryan Pattillo, and Kyle Jacobs vs. Quentin McDaniels, Salvatore Scabbia, and Xavier Cross.
I wish there was a way to tell your workers to not let it completely all hang out every single show. You know, save the quality stuff for the big events. Regardless, I'm not complaining that much as these guys deliver a hell of a way to close out the show. Pattillo puts McDaniels away with the Shutdown to give the faces the win. *****, 94% overall.

Overall show rating: 89%

[M-A-G]

God damn Moses McKay running his mouth in an interview. Way to ruin SummerSlam for you and your partner, dipshit!

[M-A-G]

Superstars: August 9, 2040

Opening Match: Hugo vs. Jesse Capalbo
Man, did I forget about Hugo and his path of destruction or what? Might as well get that back on track here with a solid and decisive victory. Capalbo falls prey to Hugo's Moonsault Crush and gets pinned. ****1/2, 79% overall. Could the dud show be rearing it's ugly head again?!?

Backstage, Brooke prepares her troops, Carmella and Cordelia as they look to be in the picture for the Women's Tag Team Titles at SummerSlam. Carmella welcomes the help from Cordelia but insists that the bitch they call Frankie belongs to her.

Second Match: WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Competition Qualifier
The Jersey Experience vs. C4 vs. The Glamour Brigade
Oh, yeah, the dud show is out in full force. Well we can only plow forward, I guess. Speaking of things that should be plowed, Jamie Roderick is the MVP here once again as she leads her team to victory by getting a tap out win by slapping the Roderick Legacy on Arianna. The Jersey Experience qualifies! ****1/2, 81% overall.

In-Ring Talky Time as the ring is decorated to the nines with festive stuff. Ziggy Styles makes his way out in order to explain the situation. There is a very good reason to be celebratory and happy right now. Tonight marks the ONE WEEK ANNIVERSARY of Ziggy making his arrival in the WWE. That means that the WWE is one week happier! One week more joyful! One week full of Ziggy Juice! He's aware that it's been rough trying to turn the frowns on the rest of the locker room upside down but we shouldn't let that get in the way of tonight as we all reflect on the greatest and most memorable moments in the Week of Ziggy! Let's go to the screen! Ziggy proceeds to narrate a slideshow depicting his encounters with other roster members. "Obviously we have to start at the beginning. Here's last week when I made my debut and interrupted the sob story of Tania's. What a night that was! You all remember where you were and what you were doing on that night thanks to that moment. Oh, and here's my first appearance on SmackDown! getting face to face with professional choke artist Kerry Cemenko! He had to have left that arena with a smile on his face knowing he was lucky enough to meet me! And here we have Monday Night Raw getting Ziggy with it when I ran into Fantasee! Good times for sure but we can't rest on that. There is more of Ziggy that needs to spread all over everyone and I invite all of you to take it across your faces!"

Ozzy Mandias decides he's seen enough of this apparently as he makes his way out to interrupt things. Ozzy isn't one to throw stones in a glass house but come on. Ziggy needs a little more under his belt before breaking out the poppers and champagne and what have you. Ziggy cuts him off because he's glad that Ozzy is here to share in everyone's happiness tonight! Ozzy is down with making people feel good but he think he has a much better way of accomplishing that by pulling the plug on this nonsense. Ziggy claims to not understand Ozzy's aggression. There's no need for violence! Ziggy suggests that the two of them got off on the wrong foot and offers to break bread by sharing a glass of champagne right now. Ozzy seems hesitant but Ziggy hands him a glass and grabs the bottle to pop the cork...and it explodes and flies right into Ozzy's face! Ziggy is shocked as Ozzy reels in pain on the floor...then thanks everyone for coming to celebrate with him before taking his leave.

Third Match: Shawn Dangerson and Nigel Gallagher vs. The Millennium Rebels
DANGERSON VS. DANGERSON!!! WORLDS ARE COLLIDING!!! OK, not so much as the dud show continues its wrath. Still, they get through this well enough as Shawn's push continues and he locks Sammy Brady in the Danger Zone for the tap out win. ****1/2, 83% overall.

Fourth Match: WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Competition Qualifier
The Lonely Girls vs. Phoebe Hanson and Missy Brantley vs. The Perfections
Nathan Quinn announces Bonnie Beckham as his newest acquisition and Leah's partner tonight as the new team of The Perfections. Everything about their work defines perfection and Nathan is all about getting the best out of people who have been overlooked! Tough mountain to climb as Faith Connors and Jenna Kyle are evidently the female Mega Powers and have formed the Lonely Girls. Everyone does their damndest here to overcome the dud show and they succeed for the most part. It comes down to Leah and Jenna duking it out like the rivals they are. Leah sets up Jenna for the Sultry Splash but is way too cocky as she wastes time mouthing off. Faith springs in with a drop kick to Leah's back and Jenna small packages her for the pin. Jenna and Faith are the final team to qualify! ****1/2, 83% overall.

Backstage, Fantasee is proud of her girls and their win earlier tonight. Luscious strolls into the picture and gets in Fantasee's face about how she's the new hotness when it comes to managers. She's got quite a collection under her belt and it's only the beginning. Fantasee brings up her own stable of clients and is willing to stack them up against anyone Luscious wants to bring to the table. Luscious suggests Galino & Farnes face The British Infection tomorrow night on SmackDown!. Fantasee is down with that and hopes Luscious realizes what she's getting herself into.

Fifth Match: Jason Sorola vs. Marc Fury
How about some hot cruiserweight action after that hot exchange, huh? Now's as good as time as any, no? Sorola gets back on track here after an even back and forth and grabs the submission win with the STF. ****1/2, 83% overall.

We get a sit down interview with Kyle Jacobs who wants to address Xavier Cross. He doesn't feel completely OK with what he did to Cross last week when he returned but everyone in the WWE seems to feel like they have it the worst off and that everyone else needs to hear about it. Cross laid out the challenge so Jacobs answered the call. It's the first step towards back into the hunt for that Intercontinental Title.

Sixth Match: The Wolves of Wall Street vs. Caleb Greene and Stanley Coleman
Fuck, I need a name for Greene and Coleman if I'm going to keep slapping them together. Maybe they can ponder it over after this match. Well aside from Coleman falling prey to Hughes' shenanigans and getting pinned with Hughes using the ropes. ****1/2, 83% overall.

MAIN EVENT: Seth Von Kamp vs. Azazel
Seth dares Brandon Reigns to show his face while he takes care of business. The match proceeds and eventually the Intercontinental Champion makes his way out to observe with an unimpressed expression on his face. Seth sets up for the Collapse of Society but Reigns isn't having it and uses this opportunity to send a message by knocking out Seth for the DQ. He rubs the Intercontinental Title belt in the face of Seth as we go off the air. *****, 84% overall.

Overall show rating: 83% Eat shit, dud show.

[Evil Vito]

Originally Posted by M-A-G SmackDown!: August 3, 2040 We open with Lisa Benton in the ring with a pedestal that's covered with a cloth. Whatever could be underneath??? She talks about how the upcoming SummerSlam could be one of the biggest and memorable in the history of the WWE and just think of the ground that covers. No matter which show you may recognize as one of the greatest the common ground that those events share is that history was made one way or another and underneath this cover will help make even more history at SummerSlam. Lisa goes on to talk about the depth of the women's division and how they've managed to step up this year to take it to levels even higher than it was before and there's no reason that can't continue especially with what's going to be at stake at SummerSlam. With that, she pulls off the cover and reveals what she is calling the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship. Ooh, those belts look shiny. They'll look even better on the women who deserve them. Benton encourages the women in the back to start buddying up because starting on Raw there will be 4 different triple threat tag team matches to determine who will qualify for a mini-tournament where the final two tag teams will square off at SummerSlam and make history to see will be crowned the first ever Women's Tag Team Champions. She invites the crowd to enjoy the show tonight especially the main event which will see WWE Unified World Champion Butch Fleming and Xavier Cross face Noah Carmichael and Kyle Jacobs!

First Match: WWE Intercontinental Champion Brandon Reigns vs. DJ Stokes See DJ. See the Intercontinental Champion. See the unemployment line, DJ. See DJ job. Job DJ, job. Seth Von Kamp runs down afterwards still pissed at Reigns and runs the champion off. ****1/2, 92% overall.

DJ Stokes probably shouldn't go to the unemployment line if he's so amazing at selling a squash that it earns ****1/2! Time for him to do a reverse Goldberg.

Second Match: The Luscious Lover and Undefeated Steel Cage Master and REAL 2040 King of the Ring, Former WWE Cruiserweight Champion-Elect, the WWE Cruiserweight Champion Michael Hotbody and Zed Jones vs. Caleb Greene and Stanley Coleman Hotbody lets us know that once again he's being forced to go down any and all legal avenues to overturn the decision Lisa Benton made last night to give Martyn LaSalle yet another shot at his Cruiserweight Title. Lisa claims that she believed Luscious' act and that's why she did it but hasn't she ever heard of the Just Kidding Precedent?!? It's a total outrage but Hotbody assures us that he's got his top guys working on it! Anyways, the match is good shit all around. Things get chaotic towards the end and this causes Luscious to wave to the back evidently signaling for someone to come down. Indeed, Galino & Farnes run down to take advantage of the chaos and level Stanley Coleman with the Cross Examination. That allows Hotbody to sneak in and get the pin for the victory. Luscious afterwards demands that we all welcome the new legal counsel under her watch. ****1/2, 90% overall.

The name just gets longer and longer and longer! I love it. Pretty soon his ring intro will need to take an entire segment onto itself. And now Galino and Farnes actually coming in as his legal team, that's gonna make for a nice little stable of assholes.

MAIN EVENT: WWE Unified World Champion Butch Fleming and Xavier Cross vs. Noah Carmichael and Kyle Jacobs Did I seriously only do four matches for this show? I guess I could say I gave the women's match a shit ton of time. This match, too, seeing as it's the main event and all. Fleming commends Carmichael on the balls it takes to demand their match be Hell in a Cell at SummerSlam. He's thinking about it but doesn't have an answer just yet. Cross is upset at getting disrespected by a punk like Jacobs. He'll be generous and take care of Jacobs right here, right now. Sadly, Cross is no psychic as he and Fleming have some communication issues and that allows Jacobs to hit a surprise Legacy Bomb on Cross for the pin. *****, 95% overall.

Only four matches is a surprise but I don't think it's a bad thing given your roster. I feel like I routinely am putting 6 matches on Dynamite even though there are normally only 5 in real life, there aren't a whole lot of squashes to be seen. Nothing wrong with less matches and more time per match. Weird to look back and think that there were regularly 9 or 10 matches on a 2 hour Raw in the Attitude Era, matches were rarely longer than 3 minutes and nobody seemed to notice.

[Evil Vito]

The fact that you have enough women's teams to do a load of qualifier triple threat matches ahead of a mini-tournament is justification enough to roll with this division. It's not like you're just randomly pairing people off either, a lot of these teams were already working together on television even if without formal names.

Once your experience ratings go up there should be a tag team exclusive PPV, both men and women's divisions. I think there's a legit shot at a perfect score in that one with 5 stars across the board.

Second Match: Galino & Farnes vs. The Dillingers Before the match Luscious and Michael Hotbody discuss why they decided to retain Galino & Farnes as their legal counsel. Lisa Benton and all of her wickedness requires a much more delicate touch. Hotbody has it on good authority, thanks to his crack legal advice he's getting from Galino & Farnes, that the proposed title match against Martyn LaSalle is not valid! Galino talks about how there is precedent for situations like this, not just in wrestling but in other avenues as well. Hotbody made the right call in coming to the firm of Galino & Farnes because he knows they can get the results that he'll be happy with. Farnes decides to elaborate and brings up the fact that the match was made under false pretenses! Luscious was doing what legal experts refer to as "pulling a leg". There are several statutes that recognize it's overriding power in cases like this one. Luscious didn't actually mean anything so, ipso facto, the match is null and void, no take backs, and Lisa Benton had better shape up and keep her neck clean because she's treading on very thin and very dangerous legal ice! Anyhow, the match is fucking sweet thanks to the Dillingers efforts to make Galino & Farnes look like an actual threat. Joey Dillinger looks to put Freddie Galino away with the Dillinger Escape Plan but Hotbody decides to just shove him off the top for the DQ. It looks like a bad situation for the Dillingers but Martyn LaSalle makes his dashing return to try to get him some of Hotbody. It doesn't bode well for LaSalle as Galino & Farnes double-team him into oblivion. Hotbody celebrates with Luscious as they enjoy their newest investment. ****1/2, 91% overall.

Oh man that Galino and Farnes promo Hotbody is absolutely the perfect character to play off on this and think he's hired the most brilliant legal team on the planet. There's so many new ways to screw over LaSalle and any other face in the cruiserweight division at this point.

Bah GAWD Hell in a Cell. I miss the days when that match was reserved for actual blood feuds and didn't have a PPV dedicated to it.

[Evil Vito]

Originally Posted by M-A-G God damn Moses McKay running his mouth in an interview. Way to ruin SummerSlam for you and your partner, dipshit!

You'll probably stumble upon it eventually but there are more different types of incidents in EWR 4.2

Do you have a standard protocol for how long people get punished for certain things? Back when there were only (I think) 4 different incidents I used to have 4 levels of punishment with drugs being an automatic year out. I think I eventually changed it to be more like WWE where it's 2-3 months but progressively worse each incident. Never had anyone get the 3rd strike that would've required firing them.

[M-A-G]

Originally Posted by Conspiracy Victim Vito You'll probably stumble upon it eventually but there are more different types of incidents in EWR 4.2 Do you have a standard protocol for how long people get punished for certain things? Back when there were only (I think) 4 different incidents I used to have 4 levels of punishment with drugs being an automatic year out. I think I eventually changed it to be more like WWE where it's 2-3 months but progressively worse each incident. Never had anyone get the 3rd strike that would've required firing them.

Anything other than drugs and straight up murder is simply a one month suspension. Firing someone would require something major or if I feel like I don't need them anymore. I'm a generous boss...to certain people...

[Evil Vito]

I’m sure even a drug bust can be forgiven for certain people *unzip*

[M-A-G]

SmackDown!: August 10, 2040

Opening Match: The British Infection vs. Galino & Farnes
This was set up on Superstars due to an altercation between Fantasee and Luscious. With names like those, what else could they become besides wrestling personalities? I need to start treating Galino & Farnes as contenders. I can only imagine the level of prickness with them wearing the tag team titles along with Hotbody's Cruiserweight Title reign. Galino & Farnes talk about how the courts have rejected all of their efforts to deny LaSalle's title match against Michael Hotbody. They believe the best course of action will be to subpoena the bank records of Lisa Benton, Martyn LaSalle, and the judges they've dealt with in order to find the obvious DARK MONEY being passed around in order to shut down the obvious surefire case that Hotbody has. The dud show doesn't appear to be rearing its ugly head here as these guys work a tremendous match. Luscious decides to interject herself and that allows Nate Exley to fall prey to the Cross Examination from Galino & Farnes giving the heels the win here. Fantasee tries to get a piece of Luscious but she has the GAVEL OF DOOM and uses it to KO Fantasee. ****1/2, 90% overall.

Backstage, Eclypse is prepping herself up for tonight's match. Her partner, the WWE Women's Champion Naomi Bailey comes in to thank Eclypse for agreeing to all of this. They move one step closer to history tonight by knocking off Roderick and Frankie and she hopes Eclypse is focused and ready. Eclypse wouldn't be here if she wasn't and she once again reminds Naomi to not cause her to regret partnering up.

Elsewhere backstage Paul Andrews is being interviewed and is asked about his future plans as far as managing goes since Conner Buchanan had to hang things up. First he wants to talk about Seth Von Kamp's quest to get a match with Brandon Reigns. He hopes that Seth knows what he's getting into and to learn from the past. Andrews, however, does point out that anyone looking to be a client of his and learn from one of the best is welcome to step up if they think they have what it takes. Ziggy Styles bursts on to the scene full of joy and demands that Paul Andrews stop bringing the mood down with all of this gloom. Ziggy invites Andrews to leave his little corner of sadness and disappointment and get on board the locomotion to Happy Town and Good Time-opolis with Ziggy Styles. There, Andrews will totally get over losing a chump like Connor Buchanan and learn to get Ziggy with it! Andrews merely looks at Ziggy up and down and shakes his head as he leaves.

Second Match: Seth Von Kamp vs. Ronnie Costello
Seth gets on the mic to say that he hopes that Brandon Reigns doesn't think he's off the hook just yet. Seth goes on to say that he might just have to go over Reigns' head in order to get what he wants. Anyways, this match is for Seth's benefit as you might imagine as he continues his progress towards getting in the ring with Reigns. It's a pretty solid affair that ends with Seth nailing the Collapse of Society for the pin. ****1/2, 92% overall.

Third Match: WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Competition - The Southern Belles vs. The Lonely Girls
Winner of this match is the first team to go to SummerSlam and compete for the title. Bobbi Jo steps up her game here and hangs pretty well with Faith and Jenna. Ultimately, it's Hannah that has the unfortunate role of the one to ruin everything as Faith rolls out of the way of a Spotlight attempt from Hannah and goes on to hit a surprise Mirror's Edge for the win! Faith and Jenna are going to SummerSlam! *****, 94% overall.

Backstage, King Kavovit is with Lisa Benton accusing the Play Pals of attacking Moses McKay and putting him on the shelf and that's why he's not here tonight. Kavovit is aware of the scheduled match they were all supposed to have but he demands that it be called off and that the Play Pals face suspension for what they did! Benton demands proof of Kavovit's claims but none is forthcoming as he plays stupid. Benton offers a measure of a bone by allowing Kavovit to find a replacement partner for the match. He agrees but insists on the Play Pals facing suspension if they lose.

Elsewhere, Martyn LaSalle talks about Michael Hotbody and the ridiculous levels he goes to in order to avoid a real fight. What exactly was he expecting out of becoming the Cruiserweight Champion? LaSalle assures us that the match is going to happen as scheduled as all of the legal nonsense in the world that Hotbody's "legal counsel" wants to toss around aren't getting anywhere. It's time Hotbody stops hiding and faces up to the challenge.

Fourth Match: Wrakk vs. Kerry Cemenko
This is Wrakk's first match back since his return after a year-long absence. It'll be interesting how he hangs especially with a talent like the former number one contender Kerry Cemenko. Things look pretty good for both parties and Quentin McDaniels decides to spoil everything by getting in Cemenko's face allowing Wrakk to come up from behind and hit the Demon Cross for the pin. Haven makes a surprise appearance almost out of nowhere when the lights go out and helps drive the heels off. *****, 94% overall.

Fifth Match: WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Competition
WWE Women's Champion Naomi Bailey and Eclypse vs. The Jersey Connection
The winners here will face Jenna and Faith at SummerSlam. The Jersey Connection play underdogs as the heels take control with power. The comeback eventually arrives but in the chaos C4 decides to show their faces and ruin things for Frankie by laying her out and bailing. Naomi blind tags herself back in and hits the Bail Out for the pin sending her and Eclypse to SummerSlam. ****1/2, 92% overall.

Backstage, Sophie Waters talks about her clients, The Internet Darlings and how nobody should count them out just yet as far as becoming Women's Tag Team Champions goes. They may not be the first but they'll still aim to win them down the road all the same. She'll always do what she can for the benefit of her clients. Jason Sorola makes his way into the picture and asks if that includes someone like Shawn Dangerson. Everyone's talking about the turn his career has taken since partnering up with Sophie but he's bound to hit a roadblock no matter how well she manages him. Sophie wonders if Jason is that roadblock. Sorola responds by being flattered and that he'll be happy to give it a shot if Dangerson isn't afraid.

MAIN EVENT: The Play Pals vs. King Kavovit and ???
Kavovit talks about how angry and disgusted he is at the cowardly tactics of the Play Pals. Rather than being men about things, they'd rather resort to putting Moses McKay on the shelf and hope their problems just go away. Well, where one problem may disappear, an even worse one may rear its head. And with that, he welcomes his partner for tonight's match....

MAIN EVENT: The Play Pals vs. King Kavovit and Salvatore Scabbia
Kavovit lets Scabbia do most of the heavy lifting. He tags himself back in when it looks like Haywood is done for. Ryan Pattillo uses this opportunity to make himself known by walking down the ramp and mocking Scabbia. Scabbia goes up to confront him leaving Kavovit perplexed and alone and that's enough to allow the Play Pals to double team him into oblivion and hit the Achievement Unlocked for the pin. *****, 94% overall.

Overall show rating: 91%

[M-A-G]

Raw: August 13, 2040

We open with Seth Von Kamp in the ring wanting to make his case again for getting a chance to kick Brandon Reigns' teeth in. "The way I see it, Brandon Reigns owes me. He owes me big. A chance to once again call myself the King of the Ring and the chance to finally wear that Unified World Title. Brandon Reigns loves to strut his stuff out here week in and week out and refer to himself as being the harbinger of a bright future. Well, if that's the case, Reigns, you wouldn't have needed to do what you did to me. You would certainly wouldn't need to run from my challenge. All you had to do was wait in the wings until WrestleMania, like you said, and watch as I won the Unified World Title at SummerSlam. The truth is you're so full of it and we all know it."

Cue the WWE Unified World Champion Butch Fleming himself as he enters the ring. "Uh, slight correction there, Seth. You're also full of it. You're full of it when you tell these people that you would have had a chance at walking out of SummerSlam the new Unified World Champion. Less you forget, I'm still holding this gold and I have no plans to change that anytime soon. Let me tell you all something, if you were a bit put off and squeamish and what I did to Noah Carmichael last week, it goes against what I'm supposed to do, but I'll warn you now that you don't want to watch the main event at SummerSlam. You see it's going to be that wounded animal you call a hero trapped in a cage with no escape and with the most ruthless son of a bitch to call himself a wrestler. Busted up fingers are just the beginning. They're the foreplay and the climax is going to be that groan of disappointment and disgust that you're all going to make after I stand over what's left of Noah Carmichael. And whether or not you get that match against Brandon Reigns, Seth, I hope you look at that aftermath and you thank your lucky stars that Reigns screwed you over and you didn't end up a chump with a broken body instead of just the chump you are now."

Seth doesn't take kindly to these words and decides to unload on the champion! He seems to have the upper hand but Brandon Reigns decides to run in to attack Seth from behind. He puts the boots to Seth and Fleming tries crawling away but HERE COMES CARMICHAEL to get a piece. It's a double brawl as we go to break!

Back from break we've got Madison with Alexander Piero talking about Orlando Kincaid. Piero warns Kincaid that their issues are between the two of them and to leave Madison out of it.

First Match: Shawn Dangerson vs. Vic Gambler
Moving up from cruiserweights, eh, Shawn? Jason Sorola watches the proceedings from the stage. Dangerson needs to be believable against some bigger guys so I figure throw him this match. He gets the surprise submission win by locking in the Danger Zone. Sorola tries to run down for some nefarious purposes for sure but decides against it when Dangerson gives him a glare. ****1/2, 92% overall.

It's time for another edition of the Hot Button with everyone's favorite host, The Luscious Lover and Undefeated Steel Cage Master and REAL 2040 King of the Ring, Former WWE Cruiserweight Champion-Elect, the Cruiserweight Champion Michael Hotbody. He scoffs at everyone who still believes that Martyn LaSalle is going to be getting another match for the Cruiserweight Title. Galino & Farnes are all over this and they have so many angles to approach this that Lisa Benton and LaSalle might as well just give it up. Hotbody wants to make it clear that he'll still fulfill his obligation as far defending his title but it's not going to be against someone who doesn't deserve it. Is that too much to ask for? He's not asking for the damn moon or anything! LaSalle would be better off just taking himself to the back of the line, do some soul searching, get his head together, and work his way back up. He'll be worthy of a match some day! He just has to believe in himself!

Naturally this brings out Martyn LaSalle to the stage to counter. "I do believe in myself. I believe I can break those arms of yours and make you my bitch! Your levels of pathetic are what's unbelievable. This match is going to happen whether you like it or not. Your so-called 'legal counsel' have been making fools of themselves. THAT is what needs to be believed."

"Oh, Martyn you sad, simple man. You really think this is the end of it. You and Lisa Benton have gone so far off the rails it borders on tyranny. I'll give you all this warning: If you want to continue to force this issue, I'LL FILE AN INJUCTION AGAINST THE WWE! I'll hold all of the company up AND THERE WILL BE NO SUMMERSLAM!!! How do you like that?!?!" The segment ends with both men staring each other down.

Second Match: The Jersey Experience vs. C4
The Experience are looking for some retribution following what went down on SmackDown!. This division might end up being the best thing I've ever done. I'm so glad I thought of it. Brooke works her magic by stumbling up Frankie and Cordelia takes advantage with the Crowning Achievement to score the pin. ****1/2, 89% overall.

Backstage there's chaos and bedlam as we're in the middle of a mugging by Wrakk. His victim? None other than Haven. Officials and personnel are in a mad scramble to get things under control but Wrakk manages to bust Haven open and declares that there's more to come at SummerSlam.

Third Match: Quentin McDaniels vs. Josh Turmell
McDaniels talks about Cemenko's failure to capture the Unified World Title at King of the Ring. McDaniels was hoping for that to be the case because he wanted Fleming as that would've been a real victory instead of a waste of time had it been Cemenko. Things have changed because now Cemenko has been stepping on McDaniels' shoes in recent weeks so he needs to be taught some manners. This is mainly to make McDaniels look good so he finishes things off pretty decisively with the Great Depression. Cemenko runs down to try to get him some and McDaniels runs away. ****1/2, 93% overall.

Backstage, Michael Hotbody is roaming the halls on his way to leaving the arena. He passes a few wrestlers who give him the stink eye, no doubt because of what he said earlier. He doesn't care as he struts away with a smile on his face until NOAH CARMICHAEL grabs a hold of him and slams him up against a wall by his collar, high school bully style. Carmichael is furious at Hotbody's threat to cancel SummerSlam. He tosses a few choice insults at Hotbody and lets him know that he's tired of all of the crap he pulls. "You dare threaten to take away my DREAM? MY OPPORTUNITY TO REGAIN MY TITLE? WHO IN THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!? It's about time you MAN UP and take your God damn medicine because the world title isn't going to be snatched away by some LITTLE PISS ANT LIKE YOU! This isn't a game. This isn't a joke. IT'S MY GOD DAMN LIFE YOU'RE SCREWING WITH! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!?" Hotbody isn't moved as he struggles to talk as he asks why Carmichael is so eager to get his ass handed to him by Fleming. Carmichael slams him against another wall in a fury but Hotbody adds that his World Title match isn't his problem. Carmichael prepares to do more but Lisa Benton comes in concerned and begs Carmichael to back off and let Hotbody be. She pleads with him that it's not worth the trouble and that she'll make damn sure SummerSlam isn't canceled. Carmichael lets Hotbody go after a bit but he grabs him by the face and squeezes hard and tells him that he can break him anytime he wants and then takes his leave.

Back to the ring where we're joined by Xavier Cross. Cross talks about how he doesn't appreciate being called out by people and that he's only here to respond to Kyle Jacobs' summons so that he can taught a lesson about being careful whose time he wastes. The music of Kyle Jacobs fires up and the man himself enters and joins Cross in the ring. Jacobs is a bit confused. First and foremost, Cross sure as hell isn't the man to teach anyone any lessons, especially Jacobs. Cross cuts Jacobs off and calls him a disrespectful joke that's living off of the scraps of the Jacobs name. Cross accuses him of thinking that he knows it all just because of who he studied under. Nothing could be further from the truth because Cross is the worst that Kyle will have to face so far. Kyle has been coasting on Easy Street since his arrival because no one else has the guts to sit him down under the learning tree and show him what's what. Well that's where Cross comes in and now that the two of them are face-to-face, he's actually kind of glad that Kyle invited him out here. Kyle responds by saying that before he was interrupted he wanted to note that he didn't call out Cross right now. Kyle was told that Cross wanted to call HIM out. Cross shares Kyle's bewilderment and demands that Kyle start making sense because he's running low on patience. SOMEONE had to have invited them both out here.

CUE ZIGGY STYLES! He makes his way out to the ring and welcomes everyone to his own show, Getting Ziggy With It, With Ziggy Styles! He apologizes for the deception and the surprise which is the reason for the lack of decorum but he wanted an explosive rivalry to be the focus of the first edition of his show! Ziggy wants to help the two smooth things over because if the two of them can turn their frowns upside-down, there's hope for the whole WWE! Now, let's start with some simple apologies. Ziggy asks Kyle to apologize to Cross for living off of the Jacobs name. Kyle declares that he doesn't have time for this stupidity and turns to leave. Cross, feeling further disrespected, uses this opportunity to trigger a brawl, leaving Ziggy exasperated.

Fourth Match: Clubber Harris, Alexander Piero, and the Wyldhearts vs. Chris Collins, Orlando Kincaid, and the WWE Unified Tag Team Champions The Future Foundation
Back to overcrowded main events of awesomeness! And once again I realize too late that I only did four matches. Well, the angles should make up for it, I hope. These guys don't too shabby of a job themselves as it's multi-man action at it's finest. Vivian Merrick gets intercepted by Madison when the former tries some shenanigans and that leaves Julian Merrick hanging and open to Alexander Piero's Flashpoint and that leads to the pinfall win for the faces. The two teams work to separate the ladies as we go to break. ****1/2, 92% overall.

FINAL SEGMENT: We're joined by Faith Connors and Jenna Kyle, The Lonely Girls. They're here to talk about the huge moment facing them at SummerSlam. Jenna takes the mic and begins.

"So here we are. Less than two weeks from now, the culmination of one hell of a journey will take place. It's been the wildest and most surprising year of my life. If you had told me one year ago that this is where I'd be standing, side-by-side with Faith Connors, drama thrown out the door after an Iron Woman match, poised to make history by being the first holders of a new championship, there's no way I'd have believed you. I have to believe that the path that Faith and I ended up on not too long ago was for a reason. That reason is 13 days from now. Faith and I were made for this moment. We've come too far for it to turn out any other way. We will win the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship and set the standard for years to come and we dare Eclypse and Naomi to tell us any different!"

Faith takes her turn at the promo as she takes the mic. "I've been accused of working too hard to appease you fans. That my whole career has been one big pandering session. I feel no shame in that. As corny as it may sound, what I do in this ring, I don't it just for me, I do it for all of you. I work towards moments like this for all of you. The reason being is that history can be made by anyone if they have the drive and the inspiration. I've sat in seats watching others in this ring before. I've been just like this little girl right over here. I've watched history unfold in rings like this and been inspired to make my own. Generations will take what happens at SummerSlam to heart and when this ride comes to an end, I'll take great solace in knowing that what Jenna accomplish will leave a mark and an example for others to follow. Eclypse and Naomi, if you're counting on us being intimidated or scared or outmatched come SummerSlam, you're even crazier than I am. Like Jenna said, we've come too far."

Cue the WWE Women's Champion Naomi Bailey and Eclypse to come out to add their thoughts to the matter. Naomi is eager to jump at the opportunity. "Cute but misguided. We don't need the two of you to be intimidated or scared. We just need you to be the pathetic little girls you've always been. We need you to be absolutely destroyed and broken. We need you out of the way. I stand here the Queen of Queens. I got that by beating the both of y'all. I stand here the Women's Champion! I got that by punking out the bitch the two of you couldn't. And now you want to try to front with these people. You can pull the wool over their eyes all you want. They'll see the reality once we're whooping those scrawny asses of yours all over SummerSlam! THIS is destiny right here and it's going to leave you behind. Of course, we can always give you a little taste right now!"

Eclypse and Naomi start to make their way down the ramp and Jenna and Faith prep for a fight but Lisa Benton interrupts!

"Apologies but with everything that's gone down tonight, from Fleming and Carmichael to Reigns and Von Kamp to Haven and Wrakk I'm kind of low on tolerance for more out of control hijinx from anybody. If anything this is further justification for the small little addition that I'm going to add to your Women's Tag Team Title match and that's a special guest referee. See, for something as big as this and for something that's sure to be wild and crazy, there needs to be someone who can handle officiating the four of you in an efficient and controlled manner. Someone who loves making history and would call this match right down the middle because of how serious she takes matters like this. And quite frankly, I kind of need to get her a birthday present anyway and she'd be mad if I didn't offer her something like this. So with that said, I present to you, your special guest referee for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship at SummerSlam!"

With that, Lisa steps to the side of the stage and gestures to the entrance. Who is she talking about? The audio gives it away as the arena is hit with the sound of an electric guitar being plugged into an amp followed by a familiar opening guitar riff! Lisa smiles because she knows who it is, obviously. Naomi and Eclypse are not happy because they know who it is. Jenna is shocked and uneasy because she knows who it is. The crowd is losing their shit because they know who it is! Is it really her?!?

YES IT IS! IT'S RIOTT! HOLY FUCK!!! The Brooklyn Badass is back!!! What a turn of events!!! We go off the air with Riott playing to the crowd and giving the competitors a little smirk.

Overall show rating: 86%

[M-A-G]

Superstars: August 16, 2040

Opening Match: The Wasteland vs. The Agents of Change
So I want to open the show with some awesome tag team action; sue me. The dud show once again leaves me alone as these guys are allowed to shine to the best of their abilities. Corey Mattis is left alone with the Wasteland after a flurry of chaos and succumbs to the Toxic Kiss and the Wasteland get the win. *****, 97% overall. Holy hell, I need to push one of these teams.

Backstage, Naomi Bailey is with Eclypse and she is furious at the idea of having Riott be the special guest referee at SummerSlam. Riott can't be trusted and it's just more nonsense from Lisa Benton because she's jealous and just wants to be spiteful! Eclypse tries calming her down and makes the claim that Riott will absolutely call the match fair and down the middle. Naomi asks how she can be so sure. Eclypse counters by saying she knows Riott. It's not in her to be biased when it comes to something like this. Naomi thinks Eclypse is being naive. Eclypse takes exception to this and reminds Naomi that she's been around longer. Eclypse has faced Riott, hell, it was her first WrestleMania experience so she knows what she's talking about. The real problem to worry about it how to handle Jenna and Faith. Naomi chuckles and reassures Eclypse that she's got an idea to take care of that.

We get a video on the history of Wrakk and Haven and the path they've taken on their way to their match at SummerSlam which has been one year in the making. It's two monsters looking to stake their claim.

Second Match: Orlando Kincaid vs. Patrick Dean Quartermaine
Kincaid gets on the mic and calls out Alexander Piero for being too big for his britches. Kincaid feels like the latest victim of this strange phenomenon of rookie blabber mouths thinking they've got the whole world in their hands. All that aside, Kincaid gets down to business here as I've got to make him look strong, I suppose. He manages to hit the OK Corral after a sequence of reversals and gets the pin. ****, 90% overall.

It's time for another edition of the Hot Button with everyone's favorite host, The Luscious Lover and Undefeated Steel Cage Master and REAL 2040 King of the Ring, Former WWE Cruiserweight Champion-Elect, the Cruiserweight Champion Michael Hotbody! Hotbody is confused at some of the things he's been seeing in regards to SummerSlam. On the official website and in advertisements, the proposed submission match between Hotbody and Martyn LaSalle for the Cruiserweight Title is STILL being promoted as happening. Hotbody made it clear on Raw that he has measures that he's willing to put into place in order to not participate in that sham of a match and Lisa Benton keeps on pushing her luck. Well, guess what? She's run out of luck and Hotbody has run out of mercy so he's giving her an ultimatum: either cancel the match or Hotbody will go forward with filing an injunction that will cancel SummerSlam! It doesn't even matter if the courts find the match valid or not anymore! Hotbody is willing to waste the time and screw things up for Benton and everyone else conspiring against him because he DOESN'T DESERVE TO BE TREATED LIKE THIS! He's the only person that matters around here so anyone that wants to cry about this, like Noah Carmichael did on Raw, can kiss his ass!

Cue Martyn LaSalle who, no surprise, isn't in any mood to deal with this. LaSalle figures he gives Lisa Benton a little break because she's had to deal with Hotbody's stupidity more than anyone else. LaSalle proposes a compromise and it can happen tonight and it would help eliminate all of Hotbody's problems and still allow SummerSlam to take place. LaSalle challenges Hotbody to a 3 on 3 match for the main event tonight. LaSalle will find some partners, Hotbody can get his goons and should Hotbody's team win, LaSalle will voluntarily give up the title match and Hotbody is free and clear. However, if LaSalle's team wins, the match goes on as planned and all of the legal nonsense gets dropped. Ball's in Hotbody's court.

Hotbody says that he'll have to consult his legal team but he is interested. Just the chance to finally be rid of the aggravation that LaSalle has been providing is tempting enough. Hotbody will have an answer later in the night.

Backstage, Lisa Benton is in her office having been watching the proceedings. She tells herself that that might be one big load off her plate. She's joined by none other than the guest referee for the Women's Tag Team Title match Riott!!! Benton welcomes her and they share a hug. Benton thanks Riott for agreeing to the job. Riott says it's no problem. She only regrets that there weren't any such tag team titles back when the two of them were active competitors. Benton and her would have been quite the force, no? Benton concurs but questions why Riott is here. Riott claims that it's certainly not to promote her band's newest album that just dropped...which by the way is called On the Horizon and is available on all streaming services and major retail stores RIGHT NOW! Riott wanted to invite Benton out on a night on the town after this shindig is over and done tonight. A few drinks? Raise some hell? Benton smiles in embarrassment, shaking her head. "Look, Julie. I love you. You know that right? You're my best friend but, I don't know if something like that is up my ally anymore. I've been going a rather different direction in my time away from the ring."

"Hey, Lisa, how often have we had the chance to meet up like this? And if you don't mind me saying, judging from what I've seen you have to deal with since taking up this job, you kind of could use a little 'me time', if only for a night. I mean, me personally I probably would've sent that asshat Michael Hotbody flying through a wall by now."

"Aaaaand, that's why you don't have this job, Julie. But it's certainly why you have the job at SummerSlam...if there is a SummerSlam that is."

"Hey, things will work out. Trust me. Tell you what, I'm going to have the limo prepped, you want to join me for tonight, you come find me. Just follow the noise, alright?"

"*sigh* Alright. I'll see you." And with that, Riott takes her leave and Benton goes back to watching the showl.

Third Match: The Play Pals vs. The Young Bloods
The Play Pals deny having anything to do with whatever happened to Moses McKay. It's funny, Kavovit still hasn't provided any proof of any ailment that McKay is supposedly suffering from. Regardless, when the Royal Effect do finally decide to grow a spine and get together again, the Play Pals will be waiting. Judging from their showing here, it'll be a hell of a contest. Matt Riley gets finished off with the Achievement Unlocked and gets pinned to give the win to the Play Pals. *****, 94% overall. Afterwards, we're informed that Martyn LaSalle's proposed main event has been accepted by Michael Hotbody.

Backstage we've got some more possible catfight action on our hands as Madison and Vivian Merrick run into each other and they continue their heat from Raw. Madison warns Vivian that she's more than capable of still climbing into the ring and getting a piece of her if the need arises. Vivian proposes a more diplomatic approach and offers up Azazel as an opponent for Alexander Piero tomorrow on SmackDown!. Madison agrees but if Vivian tries anymore of her crap, all bets are off.

Fourth Match: Frankie vs. Carmella Costello
This is Bra and Panties, because, fuck it, why not? I haven't had one in God knows how long and lord knows some humiliation for either side would add some more heat. Silly stipulation aside both women play it pretty straight here. Frankie gets the duke here after Carmella is knocked loopy from a Frankie-Stein. ****1/2, 93% overall.

Backstage, Sophie Waters and Shawn Dangerson talk Jason Sorola. Dangerson is on the cusp of breaking through in regards to the cruiserweight division and if Sorola wants to appoint himself gatekeeper and act as the measuring stick, Dangerson is more than happy to oblige. This has been a year where almost anyone has managed to make a mark and Dangerson shouldn't have to be left out of that. This obviously calls for Ziggy Styles to make his required appearance. The best way to leave a mark, according to Ziggy, is to leave a smile on the face of the people you meet! Being happy and content and spreading that joy is good for the soul! He eyes up Sophie Waters and claims that it's good for the body, too. Shawn immediately puts a halt to any more lechery and tells Ziggy that he's got something in mind that would make him extremely happy: if Ziggy gets the hell out of here.

MAIN EVENT: Martyn LaSalle and The Dillingers vs. The Luscious Lover and Undefeated Steel Cage Master and REAL 2040 King of the Ring, Former WWE Cruiserweight Champion-Elect, the Cruiserweight Champion Michael Hotbody and Galino & Farnes

The Dillingers are eager for another crack at Galino & Farnes and are happy to partner up with LaSalle. Hotbody throws a wrench into the mix by claiming that LaSalle never said that Hotbody himself had to participate in this match, only "his goons". Besides, Hotbody isn't feeling so well. He's kind of tired from all of the legal rigamarole he's had to endure so he's going to let Zed Jones take his place. So here we go...

MAIN EVENT: Martyn LaSalle and The Dillingers vs. Zed Jones and Galino & Farnes
The faces all play underdog as the heels have a tremendous size advantage. Plus, Luscious and Hotbody still interject themselves whenever they can. The end boils down to chaos as LaSalle and Farnes end up the legal men. Luscious tries her hand at helping out with the GAVEL OF DOOM but RIOTT COMES DOWN THE AISLE SIGNATURE PIPE IN HAND!!! She gives Luscious the stink eye and Luscious freezes in fear as she watches her life flash before her eyes. Hotbody gets all up in Riott's grill about how she has no business being out here and that's just obviously asking for a pipe shot to the groin so Riott fulfills her duty by doing so. Farnes falls prey to the Martynizer and submits giving the faces the win. Riott may have just saved SummerSlam! ****1/2, 91% overall.

Overall show rating: 87%

[Evil Vito]

That whole Hotbody subplot running through the episode was brilliant. at him pussying out and having Zed replace him at the end.

I hope this somehow leads to a LaSalle/Dillingers/Riott/TBD vs. Hotbody/Zed/Luscious/G&F War Games match.

[M-A-G]

Oh, yeah, that's right; I can do War Games in 4.2. Not sure if I'd use it for anything current going on but I've never been high on War Games to begin with. I don't have plans to bring Riott back into active competition since she was retired way back when. If I WERE to do, it'd be for a match against Jenna since she was the one who sent her off to retirement but I tend to avoid bringing back people who lose retirement matches. Riott is pushing twenty years with me counting the time in developmental so she'll always be a sentimental favorite.

[Evil Vito]

20 years??? Jeez, crazy to imagine having a game going that long.

Now I want to see Jenna vs. Hotbody for some reason. Wonder if it's still programmed into the game's coding "I'm not losing to a woman!!"

[M-A-G]

SmackDown!: August 17, 2040

We open with Lisa Benton who is happy to report that SummerSlam will go on as scheduled as a result of what went down last night on Superstars. Now, she's sure that Michael Hotbody is going to want to try some more of his legal nonsense to get that thrown out too because of the involvement of Riott. Well, seeing as Riott is in a sense on the payroll in a officiating capacity, Riott reserves the right to exercise those powers in an enforcer role as well when she deems it necessary so the decision stands. Lisa recaps the card for us: Kyle Jacobs vs. Xavier Cross, Michael Hotbody vs. Martyn LaSalle in a submission match for the Cruiserweight Title, Quentin McDaniels vs. Kerry Cemenko in a match just signed earlier today, Wrakk vs. Haven, the WWE Women's Tag Team Title match, and the Hell in a Cell Match for the Unified World Title between Noah Carmichael and Butch Fleming. Pretty damn good, but there's always room for improvement.

With that said Seth Von Kamp decides to make himself known and enters the ring joining Lisa. He agrees with Lisa's last sentiment and thinks that the best way to fill that room is with an Intercontinental Title match involving Seth challenging Brandon Reigns. Seth feels like he doesn't ask for much but this is something that absolutely has to happen for the sake of his sanity. Reigns has a lot to answer for and it begins with him manning up and taking his licks. He apologizes for putting Lisa on the spot like this but she can see it in his eyes how much this means to him. Lisa does indeed see it and commends Seth on his initiative. She agrees that a match between Seth and Reigns would be a great addition and...

...HOLD THE PHONE! Here is Brandon Reigns himself looking all kinds of disgusted at what's going on. "Oh, no, no, no. no, no, no, no, no, no...we're not doing this. I'm not doing any freebies, you got that? If you're going to pull rank and just grant Seth a match against me for my Intercontinental Title, he's going to have to put something up, too. Seth, you need to do what Jake Connelly and Conner Buchanan did before you. You want my title? You put your career on the line because let's be honest, after 9 years in the company with no singles title to your name, if you're not going to win one at SummerSlam, it's never going to happen. Those are my terms, Seth. Take it or leave it!"

"The only thing I'm going to take is the Intercontinental Title. You think you're putting me in a rough spot? I either win that championship or I go out giving the biggest ass kicking anyone's ever seen taking you with me. YOU'RE ON!" And thus we have one more title match for SummerSlam!

Backstage, Riott has been watching the show in her room when Jenna Kyle decides to join her. Jenna wants to ask Riott what her intentions are as far as being the referee for the Women's Tag Team Title match at SummerSlam. Riott is confused. "Intentions? Well, I plan on showing up, partake in a few shots with some of my old pals, maybe prowl for guys among the crowd lining up outside the arena, and then count somebody's shoulders down and hand the winners the new tag team titles. What are your intentions for SummerSlam?"

"You know that's not I'm taking about."

"Oh, right, I think I know what you're getting at. You think that maybe I'm holding some sort of grudge. Specifically, a grudge against you...because you're the one that beat me and forced me into retirement...and that grudge is going to come into play at SummerSlam and I'm not going to be fair and somehow cost you and Faith a chance at making history as some sort of payback. Is that it? Is that what you're getting at?"

"Something like that, yeah. You've been goine all this time and just now, when something major like this pops up, an opportunity of a lifetime, you just happen to stroll back into the picture? You expect me to trust you?"

"Jenna, I'm going to say this with the utmost respect because you need to hear it. Do not flatter yourself. Of all the things that live rent-free inside my head, you're not even a blip on the radar. What happens at SummerSlam is all on you, win or lose. I don't do pettiness and I wouldn't taking part in something like this just to taint it."

"Hmph...I just needed to look you in the eye. I'm going to hold you to that, you know?"

"I wouldn't have it any other way." And with that, Jenna takes her leave.

First Match: Alexander Piero vs. Azazel
This was set up on Superstars last night. Piero is making some awesome strides as a future top guy. Maybe not THE guy but who knows? Regardless, Orlando Kincaid evidently didn't get Piero's memo about leaving Madison alone and he comes out to chase her. Piero, of course, will have none of this and runs after Kincaid. Unfortunately this gives Azazel the countout win. Kincaid suckers Piero to the back and jumps him when he passes him in the Gorilla position. ****1/2, 92% overall.

Second Match: The Internet Darlings vs. The Pacific Connection
Oof, probably shouldn't have put this after the opener. I was kind of hoping The Pacific Connection were already at the point where they wouldn't feel the effects of following a hot match. Of course everyone's charisma sucks elephant dongs here so fuck me. Mika is left alone with The Internet Darlings and gets nailed with the Clickbait and the Internet Darlings get the pin. ****, 75% overall.

Backstage we have to deal with Luscious and Michael Hotbody. Disappointed as he is with what went down last night on Superstars, Galino & Farnes are hard at work as we speak combing through any last minute avenues that Hotbody can use. In the meantime, though, he and Luscious denounce the actions of Riott. How is she going to maintain control as the referee at SummerSlam when apparently no one has any control over her? It's no surprise that she's Lisa Benton's friend. As far as Martyn LaSalle goes, he needs to watch himself because Michael Hotbody is a supreme submission machine! You can add that to his list of accomplishments and he'll even prove it on Raw with a special exhibition series that's going to showcase what LaSalle is going to have to contend with!

Third Match: Jason Sorola vs. Patrick Dean Quartermaine
Sorola grabs the mic and proudly proclaims that he'll take that mantle of gatekeeper that Shawn Dangerson threw out. The cruiserweight division needs to know who the man is around here. He's got more big match experience than all of the other 'also rans' that want to try walking the walk. Shawn Dangerson will figure it out soon enough. So naturally this match is all about Sorola looking good. I'd like to figure out something for Quartermaine because he's one of the few cruiserweights that has charisma going for him along with talent. Regardless, Sorola gets the duke here with a roll up with tights. ****1/4, 94% overall.

At the announce table Josh Matthews brings up the main event at SummerSlam for the Unified World Title between Carmichael and Fleming and tells us about a sit-down interview he conducted with the challenger. Thus we go it:

------------------------------------------------
Matthews: Hello, I'm here with the man who will face Butch Fleming for the WWE Unified World Title at SummerSlam inside Hell in a Cell, the 2040 King of the Ring, Noah Carmichael. Noah, thank you so much for sitting down with me. The WWE fans are eager to hear from you.

Carmichael: I'm looking forward to this.

Matthews: So, first things first, congratulations on winning King of the Ring. This, of course, gave you the right to challenge for the Unified World Title at SummerSlam. However, a lot of people are curious, why Hell in a Cell? This was your idea.

Carmichael: Damn right it was my idea. Because let's face it, it sure as hell wasn't going to come out of Fleming's mouth. Fleming has had this uncanny ability throughout his entire tenure here in the WWE to paint this picture of himself as a savage, brutal, tough-as-nails force of nature and get people to buy into it. If any of that were true, the second he realized that he was going to be defending against me at SummerSlam, the idea of making it a Hell in a Cell match should've been the first thing to come out of his mouth. Here is the guy, me, who he calls the biggest disappointment of his life and the biggest pain in his ass and I'm nipping at his heels one more time with a shot at his title. He should have looked at that opportunity and said to himself, 'Damn, it'd be so sweet to finally end this son of a bitch once and for all.' He didn't do that, though. One, he doesn't have it in him to end me once and for all and two, he knows that I'm the vicious one.

Matthews: Well, that being said, he did accept the challenge.

Carmichael: AFTER he thought he had an advantage. (Noah raises his busted up fingers) Josh, I've always been a dangerous man. I've just never had a particularly good reason to go all out. Until now, that is.

Matthews: You haven't been in a Hell in a Cell match; Butch Fleming has. What makes you think that this is advantageous towards you in anyway?

Carmichael: I've always been told that the most dangerous man in the world is the man who has nothing left to lose. I don't have the Unified Title anymore. What relationship I even had with Quentin McDaniels is long gone. And I sure as hell am not interested in what Butch Fleming has to think or say about me so I'm not considering his feelings in regards to what I plan on doing. You could say I have the rest of my career. What kind of a career would that be? I'm letting you and anyone else watching this know, right now, this is it for me and Fleming. Regardless of the outcome, this match is going to be the end. No rematch, no looking back, no regrets. I may shave years off of my life and my career but if I leave that cell empty-handed? I don't even want to think about it. I can't think about it. I have to leave SummerSlam as the Unified World Champion or this year will have been a waste. I don't care how much more experienced Butch Fleming is than me. He's not more pissed off than me. That's a fact and I'm willing to prove it at SummerSlam.

Matthews: Well, I think we saw a glimpse of that on Raw when you threatened Michael Hotbody. Are you at all worried that this obsession is getting too out of hand?

Carmichael: I'll say this: you saw Michael Hotbody. I saw Butch Fleming. I saw an obstacle that's in the way of that title. Out of hand? I can't really answer that right now.
--------------------------------------------

Back to the announce table as Josh talks some more about the interview and how we can view it and even more on the website. He also brings up that he also sat down with Butch Fleming and that we'll see that interview on Raw.

Fourth Match: Wrakk vs. Daniel St. Croix
WRAKK SMASH!!! It'd be something else if Wrakk does something else that forces him off active competition for another stretch of time. I know I'd be pissed. Anyways, Wrakk finishes things off pretty decisively here with the Demon Cross. *****, 94% overall.

In-Ring Super Special Talky Time to Promote SummerSlam, this time with the Lonely Girls, Faith Connors and Jenna Kyle. Jenna talks about the reservations she had with Riott being appointed the guest referee for their match at SummerSlam. However, she wants to make it clear that those were the only reservations she had regarding the match. She's confident in the abilities between herself and Faith and that it's more than enough to overcome an alliance of convenience like the one that Eclypse and Naomi Bailey have. Faith adds that the toughest steel is forged with the harshest of fires. Jenna and herself have gone through such a fire and have come out the force that you all see in front of you. Now the word is that Naomi has found some way to take care of this force. Well it had better be a doozy because the Lonely Girls aren't going anywhere.

Naturally this brings out Eclypse and the Women's Champion Naomi Bailet themselves to offer their thoughts on the matter. Naomi finds it funny that her partnership with Eclypse is being called an alliance of convenience by someone who is partnering up with the only woman on the roster willing to put up with her. Jenna and Faith are fooling themselves and the idiots in the crowd with this charade of unity. Naomi knows it's fragile and she's going to prove it even before SummerSlam! Naomi is willing to offer ONE of the Lonely Girls a match on Raw against herself and ever better...it'll be for the Women's Championship! The kicker, however, is she's going to leave it to Faith and Jenna to decide who gets the match. She'll see them on Monday. The segment ends with Faith and Jenna giving each other an uneasy look.

Fifth Match: Kerry Cemenko vs. Steve Hayes
This is SmackDown!: BUILDING MOMENTUM Edition, I suppose. Cemenko looks forward to SummerSlam and giving the fans the match they would have seen if King of the Ring had gone different for himself and Quentin McDaniels. Hayes tries hard here but the overwhelming power of the Curb Stomp from Cemenko seals the deal. McDaniels runs down and hits the Great Depression on Cemenko for fun. ****1/2, 93% overall.

MAIN EVENT: Clubber Harris and Kyle Jacobs vs. Xavier Cross and Chris Collins
It's interesting how I'm often plugging in Jacobs into the main events every so often. Hopefully he branches out and becomes a legit top guy with the way I book him and is an even bigger star than either of his predecessors. It sound simple since I'm in control of things but as you can see with Seth Von Kamp's case, I'm easily distracted and can often overlook people. Anyways, this is a fun little main event as everyone just works well off of each other. Cross and Harris end up as the legal men and Collins uses some non-standard issue wrestling equipment behind the ref's back on Harris and that allows Cross to hit the Cross Cutter for the pin. *****, 94% overall.

Overall show rating: 88%

[M-A-G]

Originally Posted by Conspiracy Victim Vito 20 years??? Jeez, crazy to imagine having a game going that long. Now I want to see Jenna vs. Hotbody for some reason. Wonder if it's still programmed into the game's coding "I'm not losing to a woman!!"

I'll try to recap Riott's illustrious career via her WrestleMania streak and that'll give you a bit of a microcosm as to the amount of time I've had this sucker running:

WrestleMania 39: Her first appearance, a little more than a year after her debut. Freshly turned face and against Monique, an earlier form of present-day Naomi and catalyst for turning Riott from heel to face.

WrestleMania 40: Versus Lisa Benton. Won the Women's Title for a third time here.

WrestleMania 41: Versus Nicole Durgan. Don't know if you remember her. Retained the title and sent Durgan off to retirement.

WrestleMania 42: Versus Billie Padgett. This was during the initial Brooklyn Sisterhood storyline. This would've been the fifth time she won the title.

WrestleMania 43: Versus Lisa Benton and Sophie Waters. I basically shoved the top three women in a title match. The sixth time Riott won the title.

WrestleMania 44: Versus Eclypse.

WrestleMania 45: Versus Kyoko, a Japanese import. She actually wasn't in the game that long as she was one of those that retired at 35.

WrestleMania 46: Versus Sophie Waters. The seventh time she won the title.

WrestleMania 47: Teamed with Caleb Greene against Romeo Valiente and Madison. Yeah, I did a little romance angle with her...as romantic as you can be with someone like her.

WrestleMania 48: Teamed with Lisa Benton and Sophie Waters against three other women, one of them Aphrodite in what was definitively Benton's last match.

WrestleMania 49: Versus AJ.

WrestleMania 50: Versus Sonya Braddock. Ended Braddock's streak and won the title for a record eighth time.

WrestleMania 51: Versus Jamie Roderick.

WrestleMania 52: Teamed with Faith Connors and Jenna Kyle against Arianna, Tania, and Billie Padgett.

WrestleMania 53: Versus Marty Preston to send her off to retirement. Preston was another favorite of mine. Extremely reliable as far as match quality went.

WrestleMania 54: Versus Hannah McCormick. Her final WrestleMania appearance and it kind of made sense to do a country vs. rock kind of thing. Jenna would retire her months after this and that's why I don't have her active anymore. I mean, after 16 WrestleManias, 8 Women's Titles, and almost 20 years, where do you go from there?

[Evil Vito]

Nicole Durgan, wow I DO remember that name from when you sent me the files so many moons ago.

I dunno how old Von Kamp is but if he gets retired before he can win a title I will be a sad panda!

[M-A-G]

Seth's only 34. He's still got some time. I honestly don't know any real good reason other than being occupied with other shiny things as to why I never rewarded him with any major championship run. He was King of the Ring a few years back and won the tag titles once so that's something.

[M-A-G]

Woot! Another page, baby!

[M-A-G]

Raw: August 20, 2040

It's the final Raw before SummerSlam! I swear to God I will castrate a bitch who fucks things up!!!

Opening Match: The Wyldhearts vs. The Southern Gentlemen
Yeah, give us some of that hot opening tag team action. I think the Wyldhearts have earned their spot as a top team. What that'll do for the other top face teams, who knows. But I do know this match kicks ass. The Future Foundation try to spoil everyone's fun but Greer manages to send Lee into Rick Hilton to ruin that idea. Lee falls prey to the Heartstopper and we have a win for the Wyldhearts. Lisa Benton afterwards comes out to tell the Future Foundation that if they're so eager to get them some of the Wyldhearts then they can defend the Unified Tag Team Titles against them on Superstars. *****, 95% overall.

Backstage, The Lonely Girls are discussing what they're planning on doing tonight. One of them has a chance at the Women's Title; they just have to decide who will get the match. Faith tries to explain that this is nothing more than Naomi's lame attempt at causing friction between her and Jenna before SummerSlam. Naomi knows that, united, Jenna and Faith have got SummerSlam in the bag. Faith talks about how the Lonely Girls are so close to making history and that the two of them have come so far. Jenna agrees with all of that...but it's a chance to become the Women's Champion again. Jenna says that Faith would be lying to everyone if she were to claim that wasn't enticing. Jenna adds that it shouldn't change a thing if their commitment to SummerSlam is strong. Faith asks if that would be true if Faith got the title shot. Jenna deflects by saying one way or another it needs to be decided. Faith sighs and then asks how are they going to decide. Jenna fishes out a coin and holds it up and asks, "Call it in the air?" Faith reluctantly agrees and calls tails as Jenna flips the coin. It lands and the two women look at each other as we cut away. WHO WON THE TOSS?

It's time for another edition of the Hot Button with everyone's favorite host, The Luscious Lover and Undefeated Steel Cage Master and REAL 2040 King of the Ring, The Supreme Submission Machine, Former WWE Cruiserweight Champion-Elect, the Cruiserweight Champion Michael Hotbody! He has Luscious out here with him and he goes on to talk about the extensive and rigorous training he's undergone to shape himself into the Supreme Submission Machine that will destroy Martyn LaSalle at SummerSlam. He's even had Zed Jones teach him his Dragon Sleeper and Zed has even admitted that Hotbody applies it even better than he does! Which brings us to tonight as he's prepared a special demonstration. One that will hopefully educate everyone on the dangerous game LaSalle is playing if he chooses to go through with this submission match. Hotbody invites anyone who wants to give it a go at him to try to tap him out. Any and all participants choosing to take part in this will have to sign a legal release with Hotbody's crack and trusted legal counsel, Galino & Farnes, so who wants to give it a go first?

Hotbody proceeds to select some scrub from the crowd who looks to be about 100 lbs. soaking wet. Galino & Farnes asks him to sign the release form asking if him if he understands the physical nature of what this demonstration entails and that Michael Hotbody can not and shall not be held legally responsible for damages incurred for participating. The poor guy enters the ring and this exhibition begins with Hotbody repeatedly taking him down to the mat. He locks in a weak ass ankle lock and the guy quickly taps out. Luscious immediately rushes to man with a microphone in hand and asks him about what just transpired: "I...I don't know what I was thinking. That was just...I don't even think brutal covers it!" Luscious excuses the man and escorts him back to his seat. Hotbody asks for another willing combatant and selects a guy who looks in worse shape than the last. Galino & Farnes do their legal rigmarole and the man enters the ring. Hotbody again dominates the poor guy and this time locks in a Dragon Sleeper and once again gets a quick tap out. Luscious again heads over and asks the man about his experience: "That...that's not even a man! I don't know how Martyn LaSalle is even planning on surviving at SummerSlam!"

"Based on what you experienced right now against Hotbody, what would you personally recommend to Martyn LaSalle?"

"I would say he's better off just not going through with the match. Michael Hotbody is just too much!"

With that, Michael Hotbody gloats with giddiness. "You heard it right from the horse's mouth! I hope Martyn LaSalle was watching and listening! These were the pleas of honest men who clearly only want the best for Martyn LaSalle! I also want the best for Martyn LaSalle! No one will think any less of him if he was to come forward and do the logical thing and just drop from this match! Now if what he just witnessed isn't enough to persuade him to the side of reason, I've got time for one more exhibition and, boy, it's a doozy! Now, let's find somebody else, if they're willing to volunteer...."

Naturally during this Martyn LaSalle decides to make his way through the crowd and over the railing and into the ring behind Hotbody. A quick suplex takes down the champion and LaSalle locks in the Martynizer! HOTBODY TAPS LIKE A LITTLE BITCH! LaSalle quickly releases and bails when Hotbody's goons try to interfere. Message has been sent!

Second Match: Jason Sorola vs. Shawn Dangerson
Testing the waters here to see how these guys might fare in an extended program against each other. And judging from the way this turned out I have high hopes. Dangerson in particular as his push continues unabated. I can't give it all away just here so we end with Dangerson managing to beat the count back in and get the victory over Sorola. Sorola is less than impressed. *****, 96% overall.

Wrakk is in the back and he wants to give Haven a piece of his mind. "So it's in these shadows where you find your strength, huh, Haven? I dare ask, do you really believe it frightens me in any shape or form? Parlor tricks and darkness may work on the feeble-minded that ravage the WWE but that's the problem. Weakness has permeated every nook and cranny in this infrastructure but thankfully I've returned to rectify the matter. I've spent the last year counting down the days, eager to join you in that darkness. Because real fear, real power comes from finding that Bogeyman, pulling him into the light and breaking him. Haven, you have no cards left to play."

Third Match: The Glitz Girls vs. The Brooklyn Sisterhood
I need to bring the feud between Tania and Billie to a head. In the meantime I shall use this match as a means to extend it a smidge and, of course, rock my awesome women's tag division. *****, 95% overall.

In-Ring Super Special Talky Time with the Intercontinental Champion, the Money in the Bank holder, Brandon Reigns. He reminds us all about the ticking clock, not for SummerSlam, but for WrestleMania. Reigns doesn't know who's going to survive Hell in a Cell, much less who will be the Unified World Champion but know that should they make it to WrestleMania, they would have been better off not even participating this Sunday. And that goes double for Seth Von Kamp who has decided to basically throw away everything for a longshot at being the guy who is going to put an end to one of the most impressive Intercontinental Title runs in recent history. Seth signed it all away by agreeing to face Reigns at SummerSlam and when it all comes to pass, when he reflects on his career when he's already gone and gray he'll question that decision and fret over being such an arrogant moron. Reigns knows that all of the people actually agree with him because he knows their hearts sank the minute Seth put his career on the line. They all saw what happened to Jake Connelly. They all saw what happened to Conner Buchanan. Now they get to relive that sad feeling they experienced one more time and all because Seth Von Kamp couldn't be a God damn grown up and just let things go! He's going to have no one else to blame but himself because he's had chance after chance! Money in the Bank! King of the Ring! Everything he touches turns from opportunity to sludge that gets flushed down the toilet and SummerSlam will be the apex of that fact!

Naturally Seth Von Kamp has heard enough of this tirade and decides to try to get his hands on Reigns. We get a brief brawl but Reigns uses his Money in the Bank briefcase on the old breadbasket and just whallops Seth when he's doubled over. Reigns stands tall with his championship as we go to break.

Fourth Match: Kerry Cemenko vs. Chris Collins
Kerry's like my dark horse. He'll often times just surprise me with a kick ass showing out of nowhere. Anyways, he needs this match to help BUILD MOMENTUM going into SummerSlam and thus he escapes the Fall From Heaven attempt from Collins and turns it into a surprise Curb Stomp to pick up the win. Quentin McDaniels decides to lay out Kerry afterwards for fun. *****, 94% overall.

Fifth Match: Xavier Cross vs. Caleb Greene
Cross also needs to BUILD MOMENTUM as he's got Kyle Jacobs in his sights for SummerSlam. Jacobs is on commentary proclaiming that any and all problems Cross wants to complain about have all come from Cross' inability to shut his mouth. Anyways, Cross sends a message here with a good decisive victory here after a hot back and forth affair by finishing Greene off with a Cross Cutter. Both he and Jacobs have a staredown. *****, 94% overall.

The announcers talk about the Hell in a Cell match for the Unified World Title at SummerSlam. We've heard from Noah Carmichael in Josh Matthew's interview with him on SmackDown! and now we'll here from the champion Butch Fleming in this sit-down interview Josh conducted....

-----------------
Josh Matthews: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us as I sit down with the man who will be defending his WWE Unified World Championship at SummerSlam against Noah Carmichael inside Hell in a Cell, Butch Fleming. Mr. Fleming, thank you for agreeing to this.

Butch Fleming: Let's get right to it, son.

Matthews: Well, Mr. Fleming, I've sat down with your opponent for SummerSlam in a similar fashion as this and he had quite a number of insights on you...

Fleming: Such as?

Matthews: ...well, for instance he claimed that because Hell in a Cell wasn't your idea for this match that, maybe perhaps...

Fleming: What? That I'm afraid of him? That I'm afraid of the cell? I didn't ask for Hell in a Cell because I don't need it. I've made that boy my bitch EVERY single time he's crossed my path. Why would the next time be any different? Hell in a Cell? It's icing on the cake. I'm delighted...no, I'm salivating at the thought of him being trapped in that cell with me. He wants finality? I'll give it to him. He can consider it the last generous thing I'll ever do for him.

Matthews: And what about after? This is a match that's changed the lives of so many men who have dared to try their hand at it, yourself included....

Fleming: It didn't change me. It solidified who I am. It gave proof to the words that I've spoken about myself since I stepped onto the scene here. As far as what happens after, I expect every God damn member of this roster to respect my ass and learn from Carmichael. There will be no sympathy, no quarter given to any starry-eyed little squirt who thinks this world is their oyster and doesn't want to show me the proper respect that I have EARNED!

Matthews: You speak incredibly ill of a man who was at your side from the very beginning and from all accounts thought the world of you. You don't have any reservations about the way you feel about Noah Carmichael?

Fleming: Should I? He made his bed. He should have known damn well what was in store for him when he decided to try to be bigger than me. You don't feel bad for the ungrateful dog that bites the hand that feeds it. You shame it. You punish it. You strip it of any sliver of self-worth it may feel until it gives you those sad, regretful puppy eyes. And when it looks up at you with those eyes, that's the moment when you put it down.

-----------------

MAIN EVENT: WWE Women's Championship
Naomi Bailey (c) vs. ???

Naomi brags about how little it took to get Faith Connors and Jenna Kyle snapping at each other all over again. They're the ones that going to make history at SummerSlam? It wouldn't surprise her if they couldn't order coffee together. The alliance between them is too fragile and too compromised by ego and desire. Meanwhile, Eclypse is 100% on the same page as Naomi. The match is merely a formality and even Riott will have to acknowledge the best when she raises Naomi and Eclypse's hands at SummerSlam. Now, as far as tonight goes, Naomi can start the ball right now. So who's the victim?

WWE Women's Championship
Naomi Bailey (c) vs. Jenna Kyle
Jenna comes out, the apparent winner of the coin toss earlier. She calls this the biggest mistake Naomi could have made. We get the match you'd expect out of these two and I'm sure I'll be diving more into the possibilities between them in the future. But for now we have to settle for Eclypse making her way out to observe. Jenna ends up out of the ring next to Eclypse and things get tense. Eclypse is told to move away by the ref and she turns and complies but Naomi shoves Jenna into Eclypse on accident. Eclypse gets the wrong idea and nails Jenna causing the DQ. Naomi is all "WTF?" and things get even more tense but here comes Faith to keep things on the up and up and we have ourselves a brawl to close things out. *****, 97% overall.


Overall Show Rating: 91%

[M-A-G]

Ziggy Styles rubbing people the wrong way backstage. IT HASN'T EVEN BEEN A MONTH, DUDE!!!

[Evil Vito]

I am glad to see so many guys and gals BUILDING MOMENTUM ahead of SummerSlam. LaSalle is such a coward for attaching Hotbody after he had back to back grueling exhibitions.

[Evil Vito]

Originally Posted by M-A-G Ziggy Styles rubbing people the wrong way backstage. IT HASN'T EVEN BEEN A MONTH, DUDE!!!

Taking his gimmick a bit too seriously.

[M-A-G]

Originally Posted by Conspiracy Victim Vito I am glad to see so many guys and gals BUILDING MOMENTUM ahead of SummerSlam. LaSalle is such a coward for attaching Hotbody after he had back to back grueling exhibitions.

Oh, you just know I'm working that into his next promo. I mean is he the only one who gives a damn about the rules?!?!

[M-A-G]

Superstars: August 23, 2040

I'm in a tag mood tonight so the majority of the matches will be as such...

Opening Match: Ronnie Costello and the Academy vs. Nigel Gallagher and the British Infection
I haven't used the Academy in quite a while. I should probably use that for a storyline in the near future. These guys get the crowd cooking pretty well as it comes down to Costello and Adrian and Brooke just has to interject herself somehow. Costello locks in the C Squared for the submission. ****1/4, 88% overall.

Backstage, Luscious and Galino & Farnes have some grievances that need airing. First and foremost is all of the legal trouble that Martyn LaSalle and all of the WWE might be facing due to what happened on Raw. Michael Hotbody has a good mind to pour on so many charges they'll be cutting down trees well into the next decade to deal with all of the depositions! Assault. Battery. Fraud. Reckless endangerment. And more importantly all of the traumatic emotional distress suffered by Michael Hotbody brought on by LaSalle's incredibly cruel and malicious actions! Martyn LaSalle was not invited to the exhibition on Raw and didn't even bother signing a release form! Can you imagine the liability? And because of the illegality of LaSalle's participation that means that any actions that occurred during that time DON'T COUNT! Therefore, any record, visual or otherwise, detailing those events shall be STRICKEN FROM THE BOOKS! And any mentioning or displaying of said events will open the doors to extreme litigation. That being said, the duo also wishes to extend a word of warning to the Dillingers, telling them to be wary of the battles they want to fight.

Second Match: The Young Bloods vs. Isaac Wolff and El Silencio
Weak charisma, strong-as-fuck talent ratings. What team name would fit for Wolff and Silencio? A question for another time as Stephan Q. Sterling seems to want to outdo Brooke's earlier managerial aide and that allows Matt Riley to level Wolff with a Bull Hammer for the pin. ****1/2, 91% overall.

Backstage, Orlando Kincaid wants to brag about what he did to Alexander Piero last week. He doesn't get too far in his quest as Madison approaches him with a murderous look in her eye. Kincaid tells her to get lost and go cry about what happened because there's plenty more where that came from if Piero wants some. Madison is glad to hear it because she's proposing Kincaid face Piero one more time at SummerSlam. Kincaid is cool with that idea but he wants to make it no disqualifications. It's about time someone gave Piero the proper WWE welcome because it's long overdue.

Third Match: The Perfections vs. The Jersey Experience
Checking off a few boxes here by doing this match. I imagine it would make sense that the rest of the women's teams are jockeying for the right to be named the challengers to whoever wins the championship at SummerSlam. Nathan Quinn does his part in helping his clients achieve that goal by distracting Frankie and Bonnie Beckham capitalizes with the Bluebonnet to score the pin. ****1/2, 90% overall.

Fourth Match: Shawn Dangerson vs. Clayton North
Pausing the tag matches for a bit but it's for a good cause. Namely the continued rise for Dangerson. Jason Sorola is on commentary talking about how no one should be proud of the victory Dangerson got on Raw. Sorola maintains that he's still the man of the cruiserweight division. As far as the match goes, they overcome their charisma deficiencies and deliver a solid outing. Dangerson gets the submission win with the Danger Zone as Sorola continues his scouting. ****1/2, 93% overall.

Time for a video to do some hyping for us! This one is focused on the long history between Noah Carmichael and Butch Fleming and the path each one has taken that's led them to SummerSlam.

Fifth Match: Missy Brantley vs. Bobbi Jo
The ladies can still rock the singles when they need to. And Bobbi Jo really needs to if she's going to be considered an equal to Hannah McCormick and continue with their team. Might as well book her to go over here via some creative use of Hannah's custom microphone. And by that I mean she uses it for purposes for which the object in question was not intended. ****1/2, 91% overall.

Sixth Match: King Kavovit vs. Kyle Jacobs
Oh, you know this is going to rock all kinds of ass. Kavovit kind of has to tread water considering his partner wanted to be a dumbass about things. Jacobs is looking for that oh-so-sweet momentum that's so precious during this time of the month. Jacobs pulls out a decisive pinfall win via a Legacy Bomb. *****, 94% overall.

We get an interview with The Lonely Girls as they head into their historic confrontation against Eclypse and Naomi Bailey at SummerSlam. They feel like they've said all that needs to be said. All that's left is to do all what needs to be done. Jenna may not be entering SummerSlam with the Women's Championship but she's damn sure going to leave SummerSlam with a championship, one way or another, Riott or no Riott.

MAIN EVENT: WWE Unified Tag Team Championship
The Future Foundation (c) vs. The Wyldhearts
This was set up on Raw and quite frankly the Wyldhearts deserve their second chance after getting screwed by Vivian. I imagine Vivian to be an expert with her screwing. Meanwhile these two teams demonstrate their expertise quite superbly with another outstanding bout. Julian Merrick ends up in trouble as the Wyldhearts go for the Heartstopper but Vivian valiantly tries to save her brother by jumping onto and grabbing Blaine Bellamey's leg. This is obviously enough for the DQ but it's not quite over as Madison decides to throw down and get her a piece of Vivian. The heels are driven off but Madison isn't done and decides to drop a bomb on the Wyldhearts by offering to become their manager! We go off the air as they ponder this proposition. *****, 94% overall.

Overall Show Rating: 90%

[M-A-G]

SmackDown!: August 24, 2040

Last show before SummerSlam! I WARN EVERYONE TO LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED TO ZIGGY STYLES!!! I'm going to a bit laid back with the matches considering the circumstances.

It's time for another edition of the Hot Button with everyone's favorite host, The Luscious Lover and Undefeated Steel Cage Master and REAL 2040 King of the Ring, The Supreme Submission Machine, Former WWE Cruiserweight Champion-Elect, the Cruiserweight Champion Michael Hotbody! He's with Luscious and his left arm is bandaged up and in a sling. He walks gingerly to the ring with chants of "YOU TAPPED OUT!" accompanying him. "As fun as that chant may be I have to warn you all that you're flirting with some very serious slander lawsuits. My legal counsel has already made sure that Raw's events were stricken from the record as they did not occur under any legal parameters. You can't reference something that didn't happen in the first place so unfortunately all of you are in direct violation of court orders if you continue with that chant! It didn't count! Now, as far as the condition you see me in, sadly, considering I wasn't prepared for the disgraceful and cowardly attack perpetrated by Martyn LaSalle after TWO GRUELING EXHIBITION CONTESTS, my arm was hurt after being locked in LaSalle's Martynizer. Now I could have easily escaped the hold but I needed to alert the officials to the heinous and non-binding act! Unfortunately, I may have had something pulled or sprained, I'm not sure but the merciful thing for Martyn LaSalle to do would be to come out here, APOLOGIZE, and call off this submission match for this Sunday. It may seem like I'm asking for a lot but I figure go directly to the source because I know Lisa Benton isn't going to listen to me or my medical and legal counsel. So what do you say, Martyn?"

Martyn LaSalle does indeed come out and join the lovebirds in the ring to offer his response. "Oh, man, it looks like you're in a whole lot of pain. You sure that this wench over here can't do anything to help you out? I mean, she's been so helpful ever since King of the Ring when she made sure you retained your title!"

"Hey, this is serious!!! This was going to be my first SummerSlam and I wanted to really make an impact. I feel just as bad about this as everyone who was looking forward to seeing this match. But when you really think about it, this is your fault so it only makes sense that you do the right thing by putting this match off for about, I don't know, 6 or 15 weeks? Just so I can get the proper medical evaluation! That's all I'm asking for, Martyn. Come on, do me a solid here."

"Wow. I'm kind of speechless actually. I witnessing some amazing humility here. Look, how about this: let me leave here, I'll go find Lisa Benton, and I'll hash out some sort of arrangement, OK? I think I might be able to get you the appropriate amount of time."

"Oh, thanks, man. You're a life saver. I owe you big time. We'll have an incredible match in the future, I promise you that."

"Yeah, we'll see. I'm going to take off now. Oh, by the way, here you go...."

LaSalle tosses his microphone to Hotbody's face and Hotbody catches it to protect himself but HE USES HIS SUPPOSEDLY HURT ARM! Luscious and Hotbody are wide-eyed as they've been busted. Hotbody tries to explain but decides to go on the attack. LaSalle ducks and takes the fight to the champion. Luscious jumps onto LaSalle's back and that's all the distraction Hotbody needs to lay out LaSalle with his championship belt. He nails a few Hot Tickets and then locks in a Dragon Sleeper. To LaSalle's credit he doesn't tap but he's knocked loopy so that's not much. Hotbody and Luscious take their leave as LaSalle remains down and out.

Seth Von Kamp is backstage and he's ready to dig into Brandon Reigns this Sunday. Seth talks about the parade of champions walking around here who don't actually want the responsibility that goes along with being a champion. They only want the pretty belt and the marquee display but will go through heaven and hell to find ways to not be there when it matters. Reigns knows the trouble he's in when it comes to a match against Seth and that's why wanted no part of this match. He wanted to make it seem about principles, which is rich coming from a guy who doesn't have any. You know what else he isn't going to have come SummerSlam? The Intercontinental Title.

First Match: Jason Sorola and Jerome McDougal vs. Nigel Gallagher and Shawn Dangerson
See what I mean about taking things easy? If nothing else, it's more Dangerson and Sorola which rules. Sorola gets the drop on Nigel with a Greco-Roman Low Blow and uses a small package to steal the win. ****1/2, 91% overall.

We haven't had enough mayhem so let's bring out Haven to talk about his upcoming encounter with Wrakk. Wrakk couldn't have picked a worse time to return to the WWE, according to Haven. A starving and crazed animal has no awareness of the dangers that might be lurking when a tasty meal presents itself after a long journey. Wrakk's ambition will be his undoing. Their encounter may no longer be for a title but Haven will still take something away from Wrakk. And if he has something to say about that, Wrakk is more than welcome to come out here and present his case.

Wrakk, of course, has no problems with being called out and thus makes his way out to start a dialogue...with his fist. We get a chaotic brawl between these two hosses and it's out of control as we go to break.

Second Match: Tania vs. Emma Edwards
Really need to bring Tania's feud with Billie Padgett to a head. These two deliver a pretty awesome contest for a random SmackDown!. Padgett just has to ruin it all by attacking Tania as she sets up for the Nose Dive. Lzzy Ryd makes things even by joining her partner to clear out the heels. *****, 96% overall.

Backstage, Madison is with Alexander Piero who wants to get Orlando Kincaid's case. They should be mad with Kincaid and his attitude and the things he's pulled and said; but here's the bright side: Alexander Piero gets to go to SummerSlam, the biggest event of the summer and once again humiliate Kincaid. So congratulations, Orlando, you just helped in possibly making this one of the greatest years a rookie could have.

Third Match: Salvatore Scabbia vs. Mathias
Shame on me for not using Scabbia in a while. He's a solid hand and he might be due for some PPV main events. Not that I'm giving anything away here. Mathias falls prey to the Omerta and Scabbia gets the duke here. ****1/2, 87% overall. Christ, their charisma sucks.

Fourth Match: Galino & Farnes vs. The Wyldhearts
The Wyldhearts announce that they will indeed be accepting Madison's previous offer and will take her on as their manager. They'll need it, too, as Luscious still isn't done with her night here. Not that it matters as The Future Foundation run down to get themselves a piece of the Wyldhearts to cause a DQ. The Dillingers want in on the fun and run down to make the save. Madison gives Luscious and Vivian Merrick the stink eye. ****1/2, 91% overall.

Video time as it hypes up the Hell in a Cell match this Sunday. This one focuses more on the history of the Cell and the impact it's had on people's careers. Fleming and Carmichael look to end things once and for all.

Sixth Match: Clubber Harris vs. Chris Collins
Technically the main event but I've got other things in store for the final segment. Not a bad final match, though, so yay for me, I guess. I should try to wrap things up between these guys, too, and move them on to other projects. They work so well together, though. Anyways, Collins gets his cheating boots on and uses the ol' disappearing turnbuckle pad trick to score a cheap win. *****, 94% overall.

FINAL SEGMENT: We get Riott in the ring with the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles on display again. She's excited about this Sunday and hasn't had this feeling in a long time; and if it's this nerve-wracking for her, imagine what it's like for the four women who are daring to make their mark in the history books in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. There can only ever be one first and it takes the best of the best to lay claim to those kinds of milestones. It's because of the magnitude of this event that Riott pledges with every fiber of her being that she will call this match right down the middle. No excuses. No BS. No controversies. No looking back, only forward to the landscape that will be changed once these championships are in play. With that said, she'd like to welcome both teams out here for one final face-to-face.

With that The Lonely Girls and Eclypse & Naomi make their way out and stand with Riott in the ring. Riott begins to speak to address the two teams but is cut off by Naomi...

"Zip it. You're the relic in this equation and the official so anything you have say is irrelevant. I'M the Women's Champion so I'LL start the talking."

Jenna: All you seem to have been doing lately is talking. Talking and scheming to be more specific. If you were that confident about yourselves you wouldn't have tried your little trick on Raw to try and drive a wedge between Faith and myself.

Eclypse: You'd be wise to dial things down a bit. Whether you're on the same page or not, you still have to contend with us and we're set to dominate this division like nothing you've ever seen.

Faith: That's pretty bold coming from someone who's just being used. Hey, don't shoot the messenger, but Naomi went to YOU, Eclypse, not the other way around. You think this is going to last much longer after SummerSlam when you get beat?

Naomi: IF we get beat and believe me, that's a big 'if'. You may not understand this since you're just two loners who happen to bond over the same crappy fashion sense, but Eclypse and I are blood. That's a bond. That's REAL.

Eclypse: She's right about that. I wouldn't have gone along with this if I didn't have faith in our ability to be unified. Losing is absolutely out of the question.

Jenna: So you say, but reality is often disappointing. And the reality is, these belts just look so much better on us.

With that last statement goes to pick up the championships but is cut off by Naomi. Faith goes to step up to her but Eclypse counters with some stepping up of her own. Things look to get physical but Riott exercises her right to be a bad ass and keeps things from getting out of hand. We go off the air with the two teams sniping at each other.

Overall Show Rating: 87%

SEE YOU AT SUMMERSLAM!

[Evil Vito]

Hell of a go home show there. Hotbody getting busted using his injured arm, what brilliant shitheadery

The women's division is so loaded I really have no way to know idea which way you're going. My heart says Jenna and Faith but my head says heels getting the honor of being the "first ever" is a great bragging right to keep forever. Can't go wrong either way, presumptive 8 star match.

[M-A-G]

SummerSlam: August 26, 2040

Pre-show Match: The Wyldhearts and The Dillingers vs. WWE Unified Tag Team Champions The Future Foundation and Galino & Farnes
Was tempted to do a four-way for the titles but changed my mind. Maybe the next big show. Besides, these are always a fun way to warm up the crowd. Madison helps nullify the Vivian Merrick factor as she's beginning to pay dividends for her newest clients. This allows Rick Hilton to suffer a Heartstopper and the faces get the win. ****1/2, 91% overall.

-----------------------------------------
SUMMERSLAM BEGINS NOW! Your theme is "Going to Hell" by The Pretty Reckless



Opening Match: WWE Intercontinental Championship: Title vs. Career
Brandon Reigns (c) vs. Seth Von Kamp
It's all or nothing for Seth here. Nine damn years with me and no singles championship to his name. The cruel thing to do here would be to say 'fuck him' and job him out and leave him to fend for himself in the purgatory that is the wasteland that I've left in the wrestling world. But I'm not that kind of person...to everyone. Seth gets the duke here after the Collapse of Society and becomes THE NEW INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION for the first time!!! Match quality? Well, I'll let the report do its thing:



Second Match: Alexander Piero vs. Orlando Kincaid
Boy, do these guys have a lot to follow. This is under no DQ rules and probably the biggest moment for Piero as he tries to hang with the big boys on the big stage. This is the first PPV for him period, let alone the first SummerSlam. The kicker is that were this real, a guy like Piero would be dead in the water having to follow a MOTY opener like the Reigns/Von Kamp one. Well, they get through this well enough, Kincaid being a smart veteran. Basically I have to fish or cut bait when it comes to who to add to the upper parts of the card and it might as well be a guy who's had a pretty good first year. Thus Piero overcomes Kincaid's tactics and scores the pin after a Flashpoint to make the most of his SummerSlam debut. ****1/2, 92% overall.

Third Match: Submission Match for the WWE Cruiserweight Title
The Luscious Lover and Undefeated Steel Cage Master and REAL 2040 King of the Ring, The Supreme Submission Machine, Former WWE Cruiserweight Champion-Elect, the Cruiserweight Champion Michael Hotbody (c) vs. Martyn LaSalle
That name is getting out of control. If this were real life, I would absolutely force the production team to squeeze it all into his name display on screen. LaSalle does his best to keep going for the arm in an attempt to seal in the Martynizer. The ref is bumped as after Hotbody rams LaSalle into the corner in an attempt to break free from another go at it. LaSalle looks like he's got things well in hand in the end but he's forced to constantly break the hold to deal with Hotbody's goons. Officials have to come down to get Zed and Galino & Farnes out of there but that silly forgetful Jimmy Farnes leaves the GAVEL OF DOOM behind and Hotbody, in his dazed state, confuses LaSalle's head for a judge's desk and thus slams the gavel into it. Hotbody comes to his senses and realizes where he is and thus locks in the Dragon Sleeper with expert precision and the referee begins to come to. LaSalle can't tap so Luscious offers to help with that by tapping his arm for him. The ref sees the submission and thus calls for the bell. Hotbody retains the title! ****1/2, 91% overall.

Fourth Match: Kerry Cemenko vs. Quentin McDaniels
Damn, these guys work well off each other. I wish I had more do with Cemenko. I'm sure I'll figure it out. Until then, we can all appreciate the sweetness of this match. I figure I've given Quentin the short end of the stick on his big matches this year and he has the better upside in the grand scheme of things. The ref gets blinded momentarily as Cemenko sets up for the Curb Stomp. He comes down but unfortunately lands balls-first on McDaniels' fist. Quentin nails the Great Depression to pick up the pin. *****, 95% overall.

Fifth Match: Kyle Jacobs vs. Xavier Cross
Cross is another guy who I feel like I've been short-changing. I think I can do an extended program between these two instead of just a one-off. And the best way to kick off something like that is to let the heel steal a cheap win. Jacobs sets up for the Legacy Bomb but Cross rakes the eyes to block that and he reverses it into a Cross Cutter and uses a rope-assisted pin to score the victory. *****, 95% overall.

Sixth Match: WWE Women's Tag Team Championship with Special Guest Referee Riott
WWE Women's Champion Naomi Bailey and Eclypse vs. The Lonely Girls
Aaaaaaaand here we go. I feel like this was going to be the main event with the way I was booking the shows leading up to this. Anyways, Riott pays homage to Mick Foley with a homemade referee shirt with the painted stripes and everything. She does her complete entrance INCLUDING THE PIPE LICK!!! Lisa Benton comes out in the middle of the entrance to ask Riott to surrender the pipe as she has no actual use for it in this role in a funny bit. The heels, of course, overpower the Lonely Girls. Faith, in particular was born to get tossed around like a rag doll and sell it like death. Jenna manages to get the hot tag and level things out but it's the double face-in-peril trick as she gets dominated. Riott keeps calling things even but also has to put up with Jenna begging her to not stop the match. We eventually get to the second hot tag and it's BONZO GONZO as Faith gives no fucks and flies around with abandon. It comes down to Jenna and Naomi after Jenna makes a blind tag when it looks like Faith is on the outs and Eclypse is down and out on the outside. Naomi doesn't realize it and goes to punt Faith but Faith catches it and counters into the Crisis of Faith! Jenna comes in and puts an exclamation point on it with the Kyle Driver! Riott goes to make the count! 1....2...3!!! JENNA AND FAITH HAVE DONE IT! Riott awards the title and raises their hands and we get an extended celebration as Jenna and Faith go into the crowd. *****, 96% overall.

Seventh Match: Wrakk vs. Haven
Last year's planned main event finally gets realized here. It's a battle of monsters as they each try to one up the other. I don't feel like either guy should job here as Wrakk just barely came back. So let's go this route: they brawl like madmen up the ramp as the ref has no choice but to call for the double countout. Wrakk tries to give Haven the Demon Cross off the stage but Haven escapes and takes them both off the stage to the clutter below with a belly-to-back suplex! We get medical personnel down there to check on the two behemoths. *****, 96% overall.

MAIN EVENT: Hell in a Cell for the WWE Unified World Championship
Butch Fleming (c) vs. Noah Carmichael
So no matter the winner here, I plan on this being the last encounter between these two. This feud was started in 3.0 and it feels funny finishing it off in 4.2. Of course, if Fleming hadn't been such a fucking idiot this would've been blown off a long time ago. It just seems like an obligation, at least from my perspective as I've been the one booking this crap. Anyways, as neither man has it in them to do sick bumps they must resort to other creative brutal measures to handle things. The canvas has so little white left on it at the end it might as well be a Jackson Pollock painting. It's years of frustration unleashed on each other and it's just great stuff. Carmichael ultimately finds it in him to go Lizzy Borden on Fleming but with the steel steps instead of an axe. He decides to finish things with the ultimate insult: USING FLEMING'S OWN SLAUGHTERHOUSE SPECIAL ON THE STEPS!!! He manages a lazy cover but it's academic at this point as the ref counts the three and thus Carmichael wins the title for a fourth time! The cell raises so we can get some help. Both men do the stretcher job BUT SALVATORE SCABBIA COMES DOWN TO ATTACK CARMICHAEL. He steals the stretcher and rams it into the set causing some of it to crash down on Carmichael. How rude can one man be? That's going to take forever to clean up. *****, 98% overall.

Overall show rating: 96%

[Evil Vito]

Well that PPV ruled all sorts of ass. Nice to see SVK finally get his moment in the sun, hopefully he gets a nice run with the strap while Reigns goes back to strategizing for his WrestleMania cash-in.

Poor LaSalle being confused for a judge's desk. Happens to the best of us. Silly Farnes forgetting the gavel in the ring. Trying to fit the full name on the chevron might cause some production team members to quit.

Jenna and Faith always = ratings

I love the idea of seeing a SummerSlam main event being done a year later, at least you don't just drop what was planned, and always come back to tie up the loose end later on down the line.

Bah gawd Carmichael wins the feud of the century! Hopefully Fleming doesn't vent his frustration on Twitter. And bah gawd the big wheel keeps on turning as here comes Scabbia to piss in Carmichael's Cheerios!

96% rating, damn.

[M-A-G]

It would be my luck if Seth went and got himself injured for a year just as things are starting to look up for him. Or went on a Alex Jones-style meltdown or something. I think I can pull another PPV match out of him and Reigns before moving them both on to other pastures. That cash-in is always looming. A part of me wanted to make Reigns an ultra dick and break his word and have him cash in after Hell in a Cell but I'm maintaining the course.

I'm sure Galino & Farnes are all over the public relations in regards to Hotbody's match. Clearly Hotbody was in some sort of fugue state and wasn't in complete control of his actions. Now to see what more I can add to the name. They'll have to switch to 8-point font size eventually.

As far as Jenna and Faith getting the honor, I kind of figured I'd been kicking the fans in the dick with all of the heels constantly triumphing in championship matches as of late plus it seemed like a natural conclusion to what they went through this year. Also, there's the Jesse Ventura aspect of avoiding the image of a face like Riott raising the hands of heels. And who wouldn't want to be part of that crowd as Jenna and Faith make their way through it?

With Wrakk and Haven, I think it's turned out for the better doing it this way. Last year, I planned on Wrakk simply worming his way past Haven in a one-off as he moved on to his next challenger. His suspension put a halt to that, obviously, and now with the title not being in the picture I can extend this a bit more.

Fleming had better have learned his lesson. The question is where do I stick him now? On the bright side I can keep him on the shelf to 'sell' the brutality of Hell in a Cell while I ponder it over. I need more heels to break into that main event threat level. It might as well be a monstrous brute who's only ever lost twice. It'd be good for a one month program at the very least.

I think I'm at the point where I should let you pick an upcoming PPV's matches and I have to book to make it a reality. Hopefully the end of the month doesn't bring any nasty surprises.

[M-A-G]

Ugh, pondering things over the last couple of days and seeing the segment ratings for Riott's involvement is really making me tempted to bring her back into the fold. Why does she have to be so awesome?

[Evil Vito]

And after a two month creative hiatus, Vito has returned to EWR! We've got the fall out to Crossroads and begin the 5 week build to Double or Nothing.

I pick the game up the day after the PPV on Sunday, April 25th. And one day into advancing the game, Riho announces she has a drug problem that is ruining her life, and I decide to send her to rehab. Suppose this is a lesson to never judge a book by its cover, because this certainly doesn't look like a raging drug addict:




AEW Dark: April 27, 2021:
-The Butcher and The Blade def. QT Marshall and Billy
-Serena Deeb def. Mel
-Matt Sydal def. Serpentico
-Dr. Britt Baker def. Yuka Sakazaki
-Matt Hardy def. Evil Uno


AEW Dynamite: April 28, 2021

Segment 1:

AEW World Champion Kenny Omega is in the ring with Don Callis and Karl Anderson, all three dressed to the nines to celebrate Omega's triumphant victory over PAC and Jon Moxley to retain his title at Crossroads.

Kenny says for the last three days he's had people inundating him with tweets and DMs about how Miro pulling Moxley off the cover is the only reason he retained the belt. Who was he to know Miro had gotten involved at all? He had been suplexed through the announce table and was busy picking shrapnel out of his back. Anderson was busy tending to his friend. Callis himself had something in his eye at the time. But rest assured if we were aware of what was going on, we would have stopped Miro to ensure this triple threat could finish in the fairest manner possible!

As the heels continue to heel it up, PAC has seen enough! He and Death Triangle teammate Rey Fenix hit the ring to put a stop to the proceedings, and Omega skedaddles out of there leaving Anderson to fall victim to a Black Arrow. 92% overall


Segment 2:

Frankie Kazarian was last seen shoving down longtime tag partner Christopher Daniels in frustration after their loss at Crossroads. Tonight he faces off against Chuck Taylor. Normally both men are fan favorites and tag team specialists but I figured their styles would mesh well and they did not disappoint, putting together a 97% quality match. Kazarian picks up an impressive win with the Wave of the Future.

After the match, Kazarian takes a mic and wants to publicly apologize for his actions on Saturday. Sometime his temper gets the better of him, and as one half of the inaugural AEW Tag Team champions, he's been so eager to get those titles back. He doesn't want this to fracture his decade-long relationship with Daniels. Before he could continue to apologize though, Tully Blanchard appeared on screen telling Kazarian to shut his trap. SCU are the reason FTR didn't get their rightful match for the Tag Team Titles, and they are making it their personal mission to destroy every member of SCU. ****1/4, 84% overall


Segment 3:

Backstage, Sting is walking the halls, shaking hands with various wrestlers and stagehands ahead of giving his retirement address tonight. He comes face to face with his fellow facepainted ally Darby Allin, and hands him his trusty black bat.

74% overall...guess I figured I'd use the "retired wrestler passes the torch" segment I never get to use, it did nothing for Darby and only caused Sting to lose overness, oops


Segment 4:

Miro is here, fresh off of a fluky cage match loss to Orange Cassidy and subsequently screwing Jon Moxley on Saturday and apparently giving him a severe beating backstage. Tonight he faces Dustin Rhodes. I love Dustin and all, but as is the case with most of the 50+ year olds in AEW, he is here to put over others and make them look good. They have a solid brawl but Miro wins decisively with the Game Over and keeps hit locked in afterward. ***, 77% overall


Segment 5:

Jon Moxley soon emerges on the screen from a back alley and he essentially tells Miro he's fucked with the wrong guy. He might be held out of being at the building tonight but next week he'll be back, and maybe this time Miro will have the balls to face him man to man. 92% overall


Segment 6:

AEW Women's World Champion Awesome Kong is right back in action to continue her warpath through the women's division. She's facing Thunder Rosa. Kong vs. Rosa is a match that should totally be a bigger deal than it is in this world but Rosa insists on remaining a freelancer and won't sign a contract. And so it goes. They have a decent match but Kong puts it away with the Soul Collector before continuing her gimmick of cutting hair off of her opponents. Who wants to step up to Kong now?

A shrill"EXCUSE ME!" emanates from the PA system....it's Vickie Guerrero! We haven't seen her in months! VICKIE GUERRERO IS ANSWERING THE CALL!

Okay not really, but her client we also haven't seen in months is....former Women's champion "The Native Beast" Nyla Rose walks out on stage. Points to Kong and gestures that the belt will soon be back around her waist. **3/4, 72% overall


Segment 7:

Backstage interview with Team Taz. Taz talks up the group, especially "The Machine" Brian Cage who vanquished Darby Allin on Saturday and now has both the AEW TNT Title AND the FTW Title draped over his shoulders. Best Friends (Orange Cassidy, Chuck Taylor, and Kris Statlander) inadvertently walk past the camera which causes Taz to pause his interview in annoyance. Cassidy gives them the thumbs up in an aloof manner before walking off.


Segment 8:

With The Young Bucks having retained their Tag Team Titles on Saturday, their opponents for Double or Nothing will be determined via a mini tournament over the coming weeks. Despite losing his first 6 months of income, "Big Money" Matt Hardy had enough in offshore savings to talk the powers that be into allowing his clients Private Party a match against the champs, possibly to jump their way up the rankings.

So the Bucks and Private Party had absolute bangers against each other IRL and in this game the Bucks seem incapable of producing anything but gold, so this match of course ruled to the tune of 100% quality. High flying spotfest in the best way. Hardy tries to hop on the apron to interfere but it is mistimed, Double Superkick and the Bucks get the win.

3-on-2 beatdown after the bell only for Hangman Page to rush out to the ring for the save. Page is rocking a studded leather jacket, no doubt something he just bought with Matt's money. Even though Page is now with Dark Order, he and the Bucks go way back to their Elite days with the founding of the promotion, so they are appreciative of the save. ****1/2, 91% overall


Segment 9:

Matt Hardy gets on the mic and screams at Hangman Page. He stole his money from him, all because that corrupt Kurt Angle cheated as the referee! He will not let this stand! Matt Hardy's bank account WILL NOT DIE!

To the surprise of Hardy, Kurt Angle's music hits. What is he doing back here?

Angle thanks Hardy for bringing him into AEW for that special guest referee spot. While he was backstage he enjoyed meeting so many of the talent and crew. And in particular, he enjoyed talking to Tony Khan. As it turns out, Tony Khan was looking to abdicate some day-to-day responsibilities with the company, both with talent management and matchmaking. And he wanted someone intelligent and with plenty of experience for the job.

So I introduce you to the new Commissioner of AEW: Kurt Angle! And as his first act, he announced the Hardy Party will face Adam Page and the Young Bucks next week! 78% overall


Segment 10:

Our main event of the evening sees "The Murderhawk Monster" Lance Archer and "The Mad King" Eddie Kingston settle their differences in a Street Fight. The two tough bastards slugged each other in a really hard hitting contest, Archer seeming to get the better of the exchange after a while, extracting revenge on Kingston for putting him and Jake Roberts on the shelf for months.

But alas, with it being a Street Fight it was only a matter of time before there were shenanigans from The Familie. Butcher, Blade, and Allie made their presences known. Allie kicks Jake in the nads at ringside, Butcher and Blade jump Archer but he's able to fight them off. What he didn't see was Kingston wrapping his fist with a chain, spinning backfist and Kingston collapses on top of Archer for the win. ****, 85% overall


Segment 11:

Our main event segment sees Cody Rhodes in the ring along with Darby Allin, Dustin Rhodes, and a host of legends including Cody's manager/coach Arn Anderson, DDP, and new AEW commissioner Kurt Angle. Also there are Tony Khan and road agents and staff including Dean Malenko, Ricky Steamboat, Fit Finlay, Jerry Lynn, Billy Kidman, and Glacier. Most of the face locker room is on the stage in Sting shirts, and a couple dozen Sting superfans were given the chance to stand around the ring too to witness the moment. Tony Schiavone does the honors one last time.......



Rousing ovation for Sting from the locker room and the crowd. Enters the ring, shakes hands and hugs everyone in the ring.

Cody starts things off by apologizing to Sting, he was the one who got pinned on Saturday and therefore he feels personally responsible for Sting's career having to end. But Sting gives him his assurance that Cody did nothing wrong here, the Inner Circle stooped to their usual lows. He thanks Cody and the Khan family for giving him the chance to compete in AEW. Six years ago he was forced out of in-ring competition. He wanted to go out on his own terms, and maybe the Inner Circle are robbing him of that opportunity, but he's forever grateful he got to lace up the boots again and get in the ring again at all.

Sting goes on to start thanking many of his greatest friends and foes over the years, including Dusty which gets the Rhodes boys choked up. He also starts to thank the fans when all of a sudden...

"BOOOOORRRRRIIIIINNNNNG!"

The Inner Circle appear on the tron to massive heel heat. MJF says Sting had a nice run, but you're yesterday's news and Inner Circle wrote the final chapter of your obituary. A few of the members speak about how nauseating it is to see AEW ending a show with a nostalgia celebration when the focus should be on how Inner Circle is the greatest faction in wrestling, led by men who are the future of this business. And with that, they're going to put a stop to it.

The tron shows Inner Circle leaving their locker room and walking down the corridor. The face locker room head backstage to cut them off.

Wait a second - what's happening in the ring??? Cody, Dustin, and Darby have been pulled out of the ring by some of the fans at ringside and they're beaten down. Several of the legends and staffers (the ones who can't physically do much) hightail it while anyone who is able to take basic offense tries to fight it off and gets stomped too.

Eventually Sting finds himself on the receiving end of a Cross Rhodes. But it's not the Cross Rhodes, it's the Double Cross because the masked fan reveals himself as MJF. The other five fans participating in the beatdown naturally unmask as the rest of Inner Circle too.

The face locker room eventually charges back out as Inner Circle leave through the crowd. Inner Circle exit through the crowd. Faces tend to Sting and the other legends as Inner Circle all laugh like dicks and Jim Ross has a coronary and says MJF is a no good sonofabitch!

97% overall with MJF gaining overness...used the other retiring worker angle (retired worker beaten down) and it worked to perfection. Thank you Sting.

85% overall show rating

[M-A-G]

Originally Posted by Conspiracy Victim Vito And after a two month creative hiatus, Vito has returned to EWR! We've got the fall out to Crossroads and begin the 5 week build to Double or Nothing. I pick the game up the day after the PPV on Sunday, April 25th. And one day into advancing the game, Riho announces she has a drug problem that is ruining her life, and I decide to send her to rehab. Suppose this is a lesson to never judge a book by its cover, because this certainly doesn't look like a raging drug addict:

Hey, it takes all types. I had a friend in high school that I thought to be fucking awesome to be around and ran into her 10 years later to discover that her life went to shit after becoming a druggie. Also, MARKING OUT for the return of Vito's AEW, which I can only assume is light years better than the real AEW from what I've been told.

AEW Dark: April 27, 2021: -The Butcher and The Blade def. QT Marshall and Billy -Serena Deeb def. Mel -Matt Sydal def. Serpentico -Dr. Britt Baker def. Yuka Sakazaki -Matt Hardy def. Evil Uno

You can't have more than one women's match on a show!!! Are you some kind of madman?!?!

AEW Dynamite: April 28, 2021 Segment 1: AEW World Champion Kenny Omega is in the ring with Don Callis and Karl Anderson, all three dressed to the nines to celebrate Omega's triumphant victory over PAC and Jon Moxley to retain his title at Crossroads. Kenny says for the last three days he's had people inundating him with tweets and DMs about how Miro pulling Moxley off the cover is the only reason he retained the belt. Who was he to know Miro had gotten involved at all? He had been suplexed through the announce table and was busy picking shrapnel out of his back. Anderson was busy tending to his friend. Callis himself had something in his eye at the time. But rest assured if we were aware of what was going on, we would have stopped Miro to ensure this triple threat could finish in the fairest manner possible! As the heels continue to heel it up, PAC has seen enough! He and Death Triangle teammate Rey Fenix hit the ring to put a stop to the proceedings, and Omega skedaddles out of there leaving Anderson to fall victim to a Black Arrow. 92% overall

I love it when heels are portrayed as disingenuous by claiming they would have done the right thing when it's blatantly obvious that they're dicks. Topped off with the classic "save my own ass while sacrificing my buddy" gag and that's a nice one-two punch.

Segment 2: Frankie Kazarian was last seen shoving down longtime tag partner Christopher Daniels in frustration after their loss at Crossroads. Tonight he faces off against Chuck Taylor. Normally both men are fan favorites and tag team specialists but I figured their styles would mesh well and they did not disappoint, putting together a 97% quality match. Kazarian picks up an impressive win with the Wave of the Future. After the match, Kazarian takes a mic and wants to publicly apologize for his actions on Saturday. Sometime his temper gets the better of him, and as one half of the inaugural AEW Tag Team champions, he's been so eager to get those titles back. He doesn't want this to fracture his decade-long relationship with Daniels. Before he could continue to apologize though, Tully Blanchard appeared on screen telling Kazarian to shut his trap. SCU are the reason FTR didn't get their rightful match for the Tag Team Titles, and they are making it their personal mission to destroy every member of SCU. ****1/4, 84% overall

All things considered, I'm guessing we haven't really seen the last of Daniels in this program?

Segment 3: Backstage, Sting is walking the halls, shaking hands with various wrestlers and stagehands ahead of giving his retirement address tonight. He comes face to face with his fellow facepainted ally Darby Allin, and hands him his trusty black bat. 74% overall...guess I figured I'd use the "retired wrestler passes the torch" segment I never get to use, it did nothing for Darby and only caused Sting to lose overness, oops

Oof. Well, it was a risk worth taking. I can only guess that Darby's over rating was a factor?

Segment 4: Miro is here, fresh off of a fluky cage match loss to Orange Cassidy and subsequently screwing Jon Moxley on Saturday and apparently giving him a severe beating backstage. Tonight he faces Dustin Rhodes. I love Dustin and all, but as is the case with most of the 50+ year olds in AEW, he is here to put over others and make them look good. They have a solid brawl but Miro wins decisively with the Game Over and keeps hit locked in afterward. ***, 77% overall

Yikes. How many people over 40 are on AEW's roster? I mean, you're using them the way they should be used but is that the case for the real deal?

Segment 5: Jon Moxley soon emerges on the screen from a back alley and he essentially tells Miro he's fucked with the wrong guy. He might be held out of being at the building tonight but next week he'll be back, and maybe this time Miro will have the balls to face him man to man. 92% overall

You should have had Scott Hall come out later in the show and mock Moxley for being a punk who can't even get into the building.

Segment 6: AEW Women's World Champion Awesome Kong is right back in action to continue her warpath through the women's division. She's facing Thunder Rosa. Kong vs. Rosa is a match that should totally be a bigger deal than it is in this world but Rosa insists on remaining a freelancer and won't sign a contract. And so it goes. They have a decent match but Kong puts it away with the Soul Collector before continuing her gimmick of cutting hair off of her opponents. Who wants to step up to Kong now? A shrill"EXCUSE ME!" emanates from the PA system....it's Vickie Guerrero! We haven't seen her in months! VICKIE GUERRERO IS ANSWERING THE CALL! Okay not really, but her client we also haven't seen in months is....former Women's champion "The Native Beast" Nyla Rose walks out on stage. Points to Kong and gestures that the belt will soon be back around her waist. **3/4, 72% overall

LOL, you actually had me with the Vickie Guerrero reveal. I was like, "Wait, what?" The Soul Collector is a boss name.

Segment 7: Backstage interview with Team Taz. Taz talks up the group, especially "The Machine" Brian Cage who vanquished Darby Allin on Saturday and now has both the AEW TNT Title AND the FTW Title draped over his shoulders. Best Friends (Orange Cassidy, Chuck Taylor, and Kris Statlander) inadvertently walk past the camera which causes Taz to pause his interview in annoyance. Cassidy gives them the thumbs up in an aloof manner before walking off.

So what role does the TNT Title have? Is it a mid-card belt or something along the lines of a television title? It can't be a cruiserweight belt because everything I've heard about AEW tells me that like 90% of the roster is cruiserweights.

Segment 8: With The Young Bucks having retained their Tag Team Titles on Saturday, their opponents for Double or Nothing will be determined via a mini tournament over the coming weeks. Despite losing his first 6 months of income, "Big Money" Matt Hardy had enough in offshore savings to talk the powers that be into allowing his clients Private Party a match against the champs, possibly to jump their way up the rankings. So the Bucks and Private Party had absolute bangers against each other IRL and in this game the Bucks seem incapable of producing anything but gold, so this match of course ruled to the tune of 100% quality. High flying spotfest in the best way. Hardy tries to hop on the apron to interfere but it is mistimed, Double Superkick and the Bucks get the win. 3-on-2 beatdown after the bell only for Hangman Page to rush out to the ring for the save. Page is rocking a studded leather jacket, no doubt something he just bought with Matt's money. Even though Page is now with Dark Order, he and the Bucks go way back to their Elite days with the founding of the promotion, so they are appreciative of the save. ****1/2, 91% overall

Please tell me that you're going to have Page come out every week with some absurdly expensive knick-knack.

Segment 9: Matt Hardy gets on the mic and screams at Hangman Page. He stole his money from him, all because that corrupt Kurt Angle cheated as the referee! He will not let this stand! Matt Hardy's bank account WILL NOT DIE! To the surprise of Hardy, Kurt Angle's music hits. What is he doing back here? Angle thanks Hardy for bringing him into AEW for that special guest referee spot. While he was backstage he enjoyed meeting so many of the talent and crew. And in particular, he enjoyed talking to Tony Khan. As it turns out, Tony Khan was looking to abdicate some day-to-day responsibilities with the company, both with talent management and matchmaking. And he wanted someone intelligent and with plenty of experience for the job. So I introduce you to the new Commissioner of AEW: Kurt Angle! And as his first act, he announced the Hardy Party will face Adam Page and the Young Bucks next week! 78% overall

LOL @ the game expecting me to buy Riho as a person with a drug problem but Kurt Angle being fit to be an onscreen authority figure.

Segment 10: Our main event of the evening sees "The Murderhawk Monster" Lance Archer and "The Mad King" Eddie Kingston settle their differences in a Street Fight. The two tough bastards slugged each other in a really hard hitting contest, Archer seeming to get the better of the exchange after a while, extracting revenge on Kingston for putting him and Jake Roberts on the shelf for months. But alas, with it being a Street Fight it was only a matter of time before there were shenanigans from The Familie. Butcher, Blade, and Allie made their presences known. Allie kicks Jake in the nads at ringside, Butcher and Blade jump Archer but he's able to fight them off. What he didn't see was Kingston wrapping his fist with a chain, spinning backfist and Kingston collapses on top of Archer for the win. ****, 85% overall

Seems like an odd way to finish a match that was built as the face looking to get revenge in a stipulation match but I'm sure there will be more to it. Murderhawk Monster is a certainly interesting moniker.

Segment 11: Our main event segment sees Cody Rhodes in the ring along with Darby Allin, Dustin Rhodes, and a host of legends including Cody's manager/coach Arn Anderson, DDP, and new AEW commissioner Kurt Angle. Also there are Tony Khan and road agents and staff including Dean Malenko, Ricky Steamboat, Fit Finlay, Jerry Lynn, Billy Kidman, and Glacier. Most of the face locker room is on the stage in Sting shirts, and a couple dozen Sting superfans were given the chance to stand around the ring too to witness the moment. Tony Schiavone does the honors one last time.......

Holy hell, Schiavone looks rough. I know the years haven't been kind to me, either, but jeez...

Rousing ovation for Sting from the locker room and the crowd. Enters the ring, shakes hands and hugs everyone in the ring. Cody starts things off by apologizing to Sting, he was the one who got pinned on Saturday and therefore he feels personally responsible for Sting's career having to end. But Sting gives him his assurance that Cody did nothing wrong here, the Inner Circle stooped to their usual lows. He thanks Cody and the Khan family for giving him the chance to compete in AEW. Six years ago he was forced out of in-ring competition. He wanted to go out on his own terms, and maybe the Inner Circle are robbing him of that opportunity, but he's forever grateful he got to lace up the boots again and get in the ring again at all. Sting goes on to start thanking many of his greatest friends and foes over the years, including Dusty which gets the Rhodes boys choked up. He also starts to thank the fans when all of a sudden... "BOOOOORRRRRIIIIINNNNNG!" The Inner Circle appear on the tron to massive heel heat. MJF says Sting had a nice run, but you're yesterday's news and Inner Circle wrote the final chapter of your obituary. A few of the members speak about how nauseating it is to see AEW ending a show with a nostalgia celebration when the focus should be on how Inner Circle is the greatest faction in wrestling, led by men who are the future of this business. And with that, they're going to put a stop to it. The tron shows Inner Circle leaving their locker room and walking down the corridor. The face locker room head backstage to cut them off. Wait a second - what's happening in the ring??? Cody, Dustin, and Darby have been pulled out of the ring by some of the fans at ringside and they're beaten down. Several of the legends and staffers (the ones who can't physically do much) hightail it while anyone who is able to take basic offense tries to fight it off and gets stomped too. Eventually Sting finds himself on the receiving end of a Cross Rhodes. But it's not the Cross Rhodes, it's the Double Cross because the masked fan reveals himself as MJF. The other five fans participating in the beatdown naturally unmask as the rest of Inner Circle too. The face locker room eventually charges back out as Inner Circle leave through the crowd. Inner Circle exit through the crowd. Faces tend to Sting and the other legends as Inner Circle all laugh like dicks and Jim Ross has a coronary and says MJF is a no good sonofabitch! 97% overall with MJF gaining overness...used the other retiring worker angle (retired worker beaten down) and it worked to perfection. Thank you Sting.

This would never fly in WWE and that's one of the major reasons I just gave up. Your legends aren't going to live forever. Hell, they're not going to be hard up for cash forever. You need to have your actual full time people with all of the heat. I remember one of the bullshit defenses of Shawn Michaels, Mick Foley, and Steve Austin beating up the League of Nations at WrestleMania being, "Well, they've got to make sure the fans are happy!" Well, for starters, booking Roman Reigns against HHH as the main event already puts a bullet in that idea. Secondly, you know what could have made the crowd happy? Letting the faces win the fucking match. Or all of the other God damn times Austin dropped somebody after a fucking beer drinking session? Why not let one of the heels get one over on him for once and get some heel heat for daring to deny the people a beer drinking session and stunner? Get people to actually care about your roster and that way you don't have to dip into the reserves to pay off a part-timer or a C-list celebrity. Do shit like this where Sting gets his ass handed to him and now a younger potential big star can get some face heat by looking to avenge him. But what do I know? I'm just a schmuck behind a keyboard who has a thing for Australian blondes.

Good to see the show back.

[Evil Vito]

LOL you can tell I'm shaking off the cobwebs because those weren't even the Dark results, oops. So what I do is typically book Dark quickly, then Dynamite is the next day which takes more time. When I run Dynamite I fire up TPWW, go to my latest Dynamite and start typing the results to maintain formatting. Usually I then type Dark in at the end since I've already forgotten what I booked by the time I get here.

Anyway, Dark results are barely worth even posting because I strictly use it as a show to keep people busy. I have people wrestle who didn't wrestle on the previous Dynamite (as it's a pre-taped show...I like how in the later TEW games you could actually tape things like Heat, Velocity, etc pre-show) and I usually throw main eventers in interviews/hype packages to maintain morale.

The real Dark results:

-The Dark Order (Evil Uno and Stu Grayson) def. Bad Romance (Joey Janela and Sonny Kiss)
-Kris Statlander def. Shanna
-Karl Anderson def. Brian Pillman Jr.
-Rey Fenix def. Angelico
-Inner Circle (Santana, Ortiz, and Jake Hager) def. Jurassic Express (Jungle Boy, Luchasaurus, and Marko Stunt)

Also after that show, it was announced that Sonny Kiss ripped her bicep and she'll be out until November. So I'm down a tag team but it's a loaded division anyway.

[Evil Vito]

Originally Posted by M-A-G Also, MARKING OUT for the return of Vito's AEW, which I can only assume is light years better than the real AEW from what I've been told.

I mean, personally I love AEW. It's by no means perfect and I don't agree with all of their decisions and booking methodologies, but I do like quite a lot of what they do. Usually at least one or two really good matches per Dynamite, lots of programs being built, long-term storytelling and callbacks to past history when appropriate. Peoples' previous history with one another isn't ignored, which I appreciate. It's a hell of a lot more lively than the soulless, effortless booking of modern day WWE but that's not a high bar to clear.

I'm guessing if you watched an entire Dynamite you'd like some of it and come away thinking it wasn't a total waste of time BUT that it's not enough to stick around. That's been pretty much the consensus of friends I have who used to watch wrestling and gave it a try. One of my buddies actually watched one of the better Dynamites and liked the entire show, but still didn't watch the next week cause "eh, I don't want to go back to spending 2 hours a week on this stuff". Getting lapsed fans back on anything more than a part-time basis is very difficult, if not impossible.

All things considered, I'm guessing we haven't really seen the last of Daniels in this program?

I've got at least 2 more matches lined up for him. Not sure about past that, as a non-wrestler my booking opportunities for him are limited since he can't wrestle on TV but my god he's still delivering the goods on PPVs so benching him will feel difficult.

Oof. Well, it was a risk worth taking. I can only guess that Darby's over rating was a factor?

Possibly. Darby's an 84 which is not bad, it climbed considerably after the Brian Cage feud. But Sting had a 97 overness so maybe the game computes the passing of the torch as feeling "forced"?

Yikes. How many people over 40 are on AEW's roster? I mean, you're using them the way they should be used but is that the case for the real deal?

The wrestling world has changed a lot since this game came out. When it came out in 2002 I'd say the median age of the WWE roster was late 20s/early 30s and so their stats age accordingly. People in their mid 40s and later were largely on an indy nostalgia run.

Well guys wrestle a hell of a lot longer now, and with advances in conditioning, training, etc guys stay on form a lot longer. Half of the 2021 Royal Rumble was over 40 years old. And while yes, WWE have trouble creating new stars, even in NXT you've got most of their prominent names hovering around 35 years old already. People start their careers later, get to the point where WWE wants to sign them later, etc. and it cycles accordingly.

AEW has far more guys under 40 than above it but case in point - Kenny Omega is 37, Jon Moxley is 35, PAC is 34 going on 35 in August. EWR deems all of these guys old when none of them are by today's standards. Hell there's a chance Adam Page who is super talented and really over turns 30 in July could see a stat hit if EWR slaps him with the "old" tag. Gonna be tough to navigate.

That said the legit old dudes (like Dustin) might win some matches against enhancement guys on Dark but he's putting guys over when it counts on Dynamite.

So what role does the TNT Title have? Is it a mid-card belt or something along the lines of a television title? It can't be a cruiserweight belt because everything I've heard about AEW tells me that like 90% of the roster is cruiserweights.

It is the secondary singles title. So far it's been held by Cody (twice), Brodie Lee (RIP), and Darby Allin. In real life Miro just won the belt as well, but obviously that didn't happen in my game as I gave it to Brian Cage. Darby's the only one of those guys that would be deemed a cruiser by today's standards.

Like age, average weight's another thing that's changed a lot over the years. WWE brought back the cruiserweight division and had to lower it down to like 205 lbs and even then dudes on the main roster like Daniel Bryan, Rey Mysterio, or Finn Balor were plugging along away from the division. Tough to imagine it used to be like 230 lbs or something, like 80% of both the WWE and AEW rosters are under that weight. There are way less "big guys" now which doesn't bother me personally but it's a barrier for some.

LOL @ the game expecting me to buy Riho as a person with a drug problem but Kurt Angle being fit to be an onscreen authority figure.

I don't actually want to see AEW get an onscreen authority figure IRL as I think authority figures have been done to death. But authority angles are useful in EWR, I had planned Sting for the eventual role but then he retired on me so I looked for the most over, charismatic non-wrestler I could find on the market.

At least there's some headcanon reasoning for the choice as well given that Angle was SmackDown GM in 2004 and Raw GM in 2017/18, so it's a good spot for him. Just hope he lays off the drugs.

Seems like an odd way to finish a match that was built as the face looking to get revenge in a stipulation match but I'm sure there will be more to it. Murderhawk Monster is a certainly interesting moniker.

When I first wrote off Archer that was my plan. But then I put Kingston in a feud with Cody and it absolutely exploded his overness. He went from like an 80 to a 95. Super charismatic guy (92) so every promo or beatdown on Cody got him more over. Can't really justify putting a 78 over Archer over him given that Archer is 43, although he's at least protected by a screwy finish. Kingston's another guy I'll have to play the EWR age landmine with because he turns 40 in December. So I've got at least half a year of him being a really great hardcore brawler before I see what happens to his stats. He'll put guys over but I have to do it judiciously. I'm planning on having him ride the wave and getting some snowflakes out of him for now but I've got at least one big program in mind for him for later in the year.

But what do I know? I'm just a schmuck behind a keyboard who has a thing for Australian blondes.

Getting an in her prime Emma into bed would've been an excellent 75 seconds for me.

[M-A-G]

Pfft, I could have done 76 seconds.

[Evil Vito]

End of month notes for April:

Thunder Rosa once again increases her wage demand by 10%. JUST SIGN WITH ME DAMMIT!!!

Happy birthday to: Diamond Dallas Page (65), Vickie Guerrero (53), Dustin Rhodes (52), Jack Evans (39), Scorpio Sky (37), Chuck Taylor (34), Dasha Fuentes (31), Dr. Britt Baker DMD (30), Nick Comoroto (29), Marq Quen (27)

And with that, I have two more retirements as Vickie and Dustin have decided to leave at the end of the month. I'm losing nothing in Vickie, she was off-screen for 2 months and has a bad charisma rating so I'd never actually book her in an interview segment with Nyla Rose. I just didn't release her and I mostly am just letting contracts lapse if I don't want to keep people.

Dustin on the other hand is a more unfortunate worse. He was a solid brawler still but of course the ring work took a bigger hit with that age jump. Still, 87 charisma meant he could've had some use in another non-wrestling capacity. It's a shame non-wrestlers can't be converted to managers. Maybe he'll decide to become a staff member or something, I wonder if you have to re-sign workers who convert to staff or if they just move over automatically, if it's the latter Dustin's on an unsackable deal.

Elsewhere in the wrestling world...Chris Payne, Miguelito Perez, Pimpinela Escarlata, Shawn Daivari, Super Shisa, and Villano IV have announced they will retire at the end of May.


AEW Dark: May 4, 2021:
-Serena Deeb def. Yuka Sakazaki
-The Butcher and the Blade def. Billy and Colten Gunn
-Colt Cabana def. Matt Sydal
-Allie def. Leva Bates
-Adam Page def. Joey Janela


AEW Dynamite: May 5, 2021

Segment 1:

MJF and the Inner Circle are out to open their show and explain their actions from last week, when they disrespected Sting in his farewell to wrestling. The group again states their goal in trying to purge the company of all the old-timers holding back the business.

Cody comes out to express disgust, even for MJF, those actions were a new low. MJF says the Inner Circle's disdain isn't just with the legends, but with all of the nostalgia for yesteryear, and being a Rhodes boy running a promotion he's too blind to see he's stuck in the ways of his old man.

Cody's heard enough and begins to walk down the aisle, he is soon joined by his brother with a bullrope in hand, as well as Darby Allin with his skateboard who has a score to settle after his mentor got jumped. They're outnumbered 3 on 6 but as so fired up they manage to hold their own for a hot minute before security break up the brawl.

Dustin grabs the mic and lays into the group for disrespecting the legacies not just of the legends but all of the second and third generation stars in the business. One of those Inner Circle guys better step up to the plate because they're gonna get a Natural ass whooping. 87% overall


Segment 2:

Spoiler alert: Dustin is retiring so The Natural will not in fact be whooping ass and he's in full blown "put over everyone" mode.

The challenge is answered by MJF's bodyguard Wardlow. The two big guys have themselves a nice old school hoss fight. It's not a squash but the purpose is very much to put Wardlow's strength over. It got a solid 82% quality but the overall rating was lower than the quality and crowd reaction, so I think my streak of Dudless Dynamites is over. ***, 67% overall


Segment 3:

Backstage with Kenny Omega, Don Callis, and Karl Anderson. They talk about Karl's match with PAC tonight. Callis says there has been way too much slander about Omega's talents. So out of the goodness of his heart and for the benefit of the viewers, next week he'll be running an open gauntlet. The sign up sheet is behind them, and next week Kenny will be showing the whole world that there is not a wrestler in the world who can match his technical proficiency, cunning, and endurance.

As the group takes their leave, PAC and Rey Fenix walk into view from the other side, and appear to be the first names on the gauntlet sheet. Kenny might be getting more than he bargained for!


Segment 4:

"The Native Beast" Nyla Rose makes her in-ring return against Big Swole. The two appear to have some decent chemistry and put together a solid hard-hitting match as a result. Rose gets the Beast Bomb for the victory as Awesome Kong watches from the stage. I think we know who her next challenger is going to be. Alas, another bad rating. I'd gotten lucky with my Dud shows only landing on Dark, but that streak is definitely over. ***, 66% overall


Segment 5:

Jon Moxley is backstage searching for Miro, but can only find Penelope Ford. Knowing her association with Miro, Mox demands answers on where to find him but Ford plays dumb. Mox is eventually jumped by Miro as well as Kip Sabian for the two on one beatdown. Mox and Miro dropped a bit of overness, Kip gained. I swear this is like the 3rd or 4th time I've done this, one really unover guy drags others down. Gotta stop doing that. Silly me. In any event between the three of them, three very sexy blonde wives so good on them. 72% overall


Segment 6:

TNT Champion "The Machine: Brian Cage is out but tonight he's actually defending the FTW Championship because I forgot I even had it (though it's mostly just a prop). He's facing Scorpio Sky of SCU. They have a really good match that the snowflake rating reflects but, alas, non-clicky show.

The ref ejects Team Taz from ringside during the match but doesn't see Shawn Spears clobber Sky at ringside with a chair, Spears acting at Tully/FTR's behest in their vow to get revenge on SCU. Cage bring Sky in for the Drill Claw and gets the win. ****, 74% overall

Cage doesn't get to celebrate long before the Best Friends music hits as out comes Orange Cassidy and Chuck Taylor for our next bout!


Segment 7:

It's our first match in a 4-team mini tournament to decide who will get a Tag Title shot against the Young Bucks at Double or Nothing. Orange Cassidy and Chuck Taylor vs. Santana and Ortiz of the Inner Circle. Much like the last match, this one was awesome with a lot of fast paced offense sprinkled in with some damn good psychology from the very experienced Santana and Ortiz.

Match eventually breaks down with all 4 guys in the ring going at it. For some reason, Taz is out on the apron for a distraction which leads to Brian Cage pulling Orange outside the ring and ramming him into the barricade. I guess he felt upstaged by OC the last couple of weeks. This throws Chuckie T off as well and he takes a Street Sweeper to end it. Santana and Ortiz advance. ****, 81% overall


Segment 8:

Eddie Kingston puts himself over in an interview. He boasts about his victory over Lance Archer last week, shrugging off accusations that it was an ill-gotten win because it was no DQ, anything goes. Kingston goes on to declare himself the toughest son of a bitch in this business, and he's gonna prove it when he takes his place as AEW World Champion. And that starts in a few weeks as he's the first man to throw his name into the hat for the Casino Battle Royale at Double or Nothing. 92% overall


Segment 9:

We're supposed to be getting Hangman Page and The Young Bucks vs. The Hardy Party......but somehow The Dark Order's dressing room has been welded shut! Who could have possibly paid someone off to do that? Certainly not "Big Money" Matt Hardy!

Anyway the trios match proceeds on with The Young Bucks recruiting childhood friend Brandon Cutler as their replacement partner. Cutler's been slumming it development at AEW Dark for the past few months, and this is our first time seeing him on Dynamite in some time.

Bucks vs. Private Party was a classic last week but adding Hardy and Cutler dragged it down a bit (but still good). Hardy can go against the right opponent but at his age he can't really keep up with fast paced Young Bucks offense. Lucky for him though Cutler is effectively a jobber and here to eat the pin, punches Cutler in the nads and rolls him up for the win as the tag teams brawled outside. ***, 69% overall

Matt celebrates his win over a man with one of the worst records in AEW history way too much, and suddenly the Dark Order theme hits as Hangman leads the group's charge out. The whole Dark Order group has flashier gear on! Crowd in a frenzy as Private Party eat Buckshot Lariats.


Segment 10:

As Matt retreats up the ramp, Kurt Angle's theme hits - apparently he's here to deliver even more bad news for Matt. Last week Angle booked Hardy Party vs. Bucks and Page as his first ever order with AEW, and Matt went ahead and ruined it. And it sure seems like the Hardy Party, Dark Order, hell even Angle himself can't seem to stop themselves from getting involved. So how bout we settle it one final time. Hangman vs. Matt Hardy next week, steel cage. Matt is not happy with this, but Hangman can drink to that. 88% overall


Segment 11:

PAC vs. Karl Anderson in the main event - a good match for sure but the outcome is something of a foregone conclusion as we continue to build to the final stage of the PAC/Omega feud. Omega attempts to intervene but Rey Fenix cuts Kenny off at the pass. PAC forces Anderson to submit to the Brutalizer. Imagine the horror Kenny will have when he realizes both of these guys signed up for the Gauntlet. PAC and Fenix stand tall to close us out. ***1/4, 75% overall

77% show rating...not bad for a non-clicking show