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06-01-2023, 10:43 PM
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#3361 |
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Higher. Further. Faster.
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This post is sponsored by the Bridges of Madison County
I probably could just go with simple points when it comes to the promos but I feel you can't really appreciate the depths of Hotbody's douchebaggery without going into detail. Patience isn't the problem for me so much as just having the time. I can do bit by bit when I can, but having a whole open day to get anything done is a rarity so I do what I can, when I can.
The thing is I do have people above the threshold for retirement. Lisa Benton and Ian Moore in particular REFUSE TO DIE! Riott should at least be a non-wrestler at this point. If she chooses to retire come WrestleMania time I've got a tough decision to make as to whether or not I should bring her in for one more match where she gets her streak ended. If wrestling nowadays is as you described, I'm glad I'm not part of it anymore. There needs to be a cut-off point because it starts getting sad after a while. Jericho, from what I understand, has become a parody of himself, and he was my favorite wrestler for a time. I'm sure it's different for everyone because not everyone trains the same way or what have you, but when fucking Goldberg is a major part of your show in the God damn 2020s, we've got problems. At the very least I imagine it's not like Mexico where you've got out of shape Mil Mascaras running around the ring, no-selling shit acting like he's still the belle of the ball. |
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06-01-2023, 10:47 PM
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#3362 |
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Higher. Further. Faster.
Posts: 20,902
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This post is sponsored by Bat Boy
Sweet, another page!
So basically we've got this for Bragging Rights: Wrakk vs. Ryan Pattillo for the Unified World Title Sonya Braddock vs. Jenna Kyle for the Women's Title Michael Hotbody vs. the next poor sap who has to put up with his buffoonery. I'd like to believe a character like Hotbody would get over in real life. |
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06-02-2023, 09:02 AM
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#3363 | |
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President of Freedonia
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To his credit, after getting a run as the inaugural world champion, which I felt was a sensible move for a new company to put the title on someone lapsed fans would know, he's spent most of the last few years putting people over, which is what he should be doing at this stage of his career. My biggest criticism though is his feuds feel like they drag too long. You know he'll do the right thing and put the other guy over, but not EVERY feud needs to be half a year FFS. Most recent program he had with Adam Cole was the first time I felt Jericho really laid an egg in a big spot. Dunno why but those guys just didn't gel in the slightest, which is a shame since the program leading in was pretty good as both guys can talk. Another flop like that and I'll be ready to send Jericho to the NJPW-esque "multi man tag" stage of his career. In EWR land I have no doubt the game will either force him into a non-wrestler role if not outright retire by the fall, so he'll be doing a significant amount of job duty for me  Someone like MJF feels like such an anomaly now because at 27 he's the world champion and top guy in the company. Most guys don't get their first "big break" on a national wrestling promotion until their mid-30s by now, which is roughly the age where EWR decides you must start to suck. I will probably sign fuckloads of early 20-something talent to cheap development deals and see if any gems surface down the line. |
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06-04-2023, 11:58 PM
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#3364 |
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President of Freedonia
Posts: 58,215
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It's baaaaaaaack!
 AEW Dynamite June 7, 2023 Pyro and ballyhoo to begin the broadcast, seguing directly in to "Tarzan Boy" by Baltimore. We've got some high octane tornado tag action right from the jump! Tornado Tag Match: ”Jungle Boy” Jack Perry and Hook vs. La Faccion Ingobernable (Preston Vance & Dralistico) A wild brawl to start us off with as these four men battle all over the arena, getting the crowd into a frenzy from the get-go. Vance is the largest man in the match by far and he starts cleaning house, forcing Jungle Hook to break out the weapons. A few well-placed trashcan lid shots send Vance down, leaving Dralistico all alone. Hook locks in the Redrum for the tap out victory win for the faces. As they celebrate, fellow LFI members Rush and Jose the Assistant charge down to the ring, with Rush wanting more of Jungle Boy after their match a few weeks ago. Just as Rush is about to enter into the ring, he throws poor Jose in instead and gets a Brainbuster for his troubles. ***, 72% overall rating --- MJF Promo AEW World Champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman makes his way out to the ring to a chorus of boos, sporting his trademark smirk. This is the first we’ve seen MJF since he defended his title in a Fatal Four Way match at Double or Nothing. “Ladies and Gentlemen, let's face it. A week and a half ago, you had the privilege of watching me annihilate your so-called heroes at Double or Nothing. Darby Allin, Sammy Guevara, Jungle Boy, lined up like dominos. And just like dominos, they fell one after the other. Darby Allin, the emo skateboarder who somehow thought he could step in the ring with me. You think facepaint and a skate punk attitude is enough? Oh please! You're lucky I didn't shove your skateboard down your throat! And then there was Sammy Guevara, the Spanish God? More like a Spanish Mouse. Couldn't hit a vlog shot if his life depended on it. And as for Jungle Boy... *chuckles* If you ever decide to crawl back from the depths of the jobber jungle, call me. I'll gladly put you back in your place again. But now, apparently, it's about what's next. The so-called 'Forbidden Door' is opening, and I'm being forced to defend the AEW Title against a...a...[chuckles]...New Japan Pro-Wrestling superstar? Seriously? In just six months I can walk out that door and Tony Khan is going to force me to defend this title against someone from a company where the biggest thing going on is the number of hip replacements its wrestlers need! Rumor has it that Uncle Tony and the New Japan front office have got me going up against one of their "best", Tetsuya Naito??? Naito, the self-proclaimed 'Uncontrollable Charisma'? More like 'Uncontrollable Boredom'. I mean, has anyone ever actually made it through one of his matches without dozing off? [He laughs and shrugs, the crowd's boos growing louder.] But hey, it's not all bad. Once I'm done with Naito, I can start charging the rest of the New Japan roster for wrestling lessons. Maybe then they might rise above their status as a mid company. And I’ll remind everyone once again that I’m better than you, and you know it! --- TNT Championship: Wardlow (C) w/ Arn Anderson vs. QT Marshall w/ Aaron Solo and Powerhouse Hobbs Wardlow is back in action following a ladder match title defense over Christian Cage at Double or Nothing. Poor ‘ol QT really doesn’t have much of a prayer here as all of his underhanded tactics are quickly thwarted and Wardlow treats him to a bevy of Powerbombs for his troubles as Wardlow retains. Post-match, Aaron Solo tries to intervene and gets Powerbombed as well. Wardlow joyfully takes turns Powerbombing both QT and Solo. QT helplessly watches his “friend” Powerhouse Hobbs on the ramp and calls for Hobbs to help, but Hobbs just walks off, leaving QT and his underling to get the fuck beaten out of them. **3/4, 69% overall --- Christian Cage and Luchasaurus video promo Wardlow celebrates with Arn Anderson, when the lights dim and Christian Cage appears on the tron with Luchasaurus. CHRISTIAN CAGE: (chuckles and starts applauding) Bravo, Wardlow. Bravo! I must admit, you put on quite the show at Double or Nothing. (The crowd hushes, intently focusing on the screen. Christian’s eyes narrow, his tone dripping with sarcasm.) CHRISTIAN CAGE: And beating me, no less. Truly commendable. But let's not forget, you needed to scale ladders to do it. (He points to the towering Luchasaurus next to him, a smirk playing on his lips.) CHRISTIAN CAGE: So, you want to be the biggest monster in this company, huh? (Luchasaurus grunts affirmatively, cracking his knuckles.) CHRISTIAN CAGE: Alright, then. Prove it. If you're as tough as you claim to be, why not put that shiny TNT Title on the line? (Christian glances at Luchasaurus, the giant dinosaur-man towering over him, flexing his muscles.) CHRISTIAN CAGE: Against my monster, Luchasaurus. Next week. (The crowd erupts in a mixture of cheers and boos, the atmosphere electric with anticipation. The camera pans back to the ring where Wardlow, now serious, gazes directly at the screen.) (He smirks and gives a confident nod. The challenge is accepted.) WARDLOW: (Mouths silently, confidently) Next week. --- AEW Women’s World Championship: Toni Storm (C) w/ Ruby Soho and Saraya vs. Riho A really strong match here between these two women as Storm will always bring the goods in the ring, and Riho is the perfect opponent for Storm to throw around like a ragdoll. Some pretty decent blending of brawling and technical acumen here with Riho trying to avoid the distractions from The Outcasts on the outside. As Saraya distracts the ref, Ruby trips up Riho in the corner, setting her up for a Hip Attack from Storm as she retains. ***1/2, 77% overall --- Don Callis backstage with Konosuke Takeshita [CAMERA ON: The scene opens backstage, red curtains behind, lighting overhead. DON CALLIS stands tall and proud in his tailored suit, his signature sunglasses perched atop his head. By his side, KONOSUKE TAKESHITA, whose strong silent gaze beams confidence.] CALLIS: [Adjusts tie, clears throat] "You know, Omega, I remember when I took you under my wing, polished you into the gem you are today. [Chuckles, wry smile] Or, maybe I should say, the gem you were. I made you, Kenny. I carved you into the icon, the legend, the Cleaner. But it's always the creator who knows the creation's every flaw, every crack." [Camera cuts to a close shot of Takeshita, listening intently to Callis' every word. Camera switches back to Callis.] CALLIS: "And at Forbidden Door, you've got your work cut out for you. Will Ospreay, huh? You know, in another lifetime, I might've called Ospreay a step-down from you. But, Kenny, things have changed. Ospreay has become a titan in his own right, while you… Well, you've lost your luster." [Callis leans in closer, his voice turning into a hushed whisper.] CALLIS: "But let's imagine, just for a moment, that you do survive Ospreay. That you do somehow hold onto your precious IWGP United States Championship. You still have to contend with this man standing beside me, Konosuke Takeshita. My 'son'. And let me assure you, Kenny, if Ospreay doesn't do the job, Takeshita will be more than happy to." [Callis steps aside, motioning to Takeshita.] CALLIS: "Kenny, meet your destiny. Meet the man who's going to make you wish you stayed in Winnipeg. Konosuke Takeshita is coming, and he's bringing a storm with him. And I promise you this... the aftermath is going to be a sight to see." [CAMERA OFF: Callis, smirking, drapes an arm around Takeshita, both men looking directly into the camera as the scene fades to black.] --- AEW International Championship: “Freshly Squeezed” Orange Cassidy (C) vs. Swerve Strickland So far, the real-life June 7th edition of Dynamite has three matches booked – the tornado tag, Jay White vs. Ricky Starks, and this one. I suspect this match will rule and EWR apparently agrees as these two provide to have fantastic chemistry, along with Orange being one of the most over acts in the company. Orange remains mostly nonplussed even when Swerve’s associate Brian Cage ambles his way down to the ring, but even the slightest distraction proves costly as Swerve hits him with a back suplex. Swerve ascends the top looking for the Swerve Stomp, but Orange was playing possum and moves last second, getting the flash pin and the title retention. After the match, Cage hops in as he and Swerve put the boots to Cassidy, only for the music of “Limitless” Keith Lee to hit! Lee has some unfinished business with his former tag partner Swerve, and his presence sends the heels heading for the exits. ****, 83% overall --- Chris Jericho and Adam Cole promo battle Chris Jericho, flanked by the Jericho Appreciation Society, makes his way out to the ring to boos. He grabs a microphone and makes his address. Jericho: "Adam Cole, Baby! You think you're all that, don't you? You might have one-upped me these past two times, but that doesn't change anything, Bay-Bay. The Forbidden Door is coming up and I've got something in my sights that you failed to grab hold of last year - the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship!" Jericho: "That's right, the Championship that eluded you, the one that you were too weak, too timid to seize. But me? I'm Chris Jericho, the living legend, the Demo God, The Ocho the man who redefined professional wrestling. I'm not just going to seize that Championship, I'm going to claim it, brand it, make it MINE!" [As he finishes, Adam Cole's music hits. He comes out to the ramp, a confident look on his face as he walks down, microphone in hand] Cole: "Jericho, Jericho, Jericho... you're living in the past, man. You're so obsessed with being the 'Best in the World' that you're willing to make a fool out of yourself, time and time again. But this time, you're just barking at the wrong tree." Jericho: "Oh, is that so? Because last I checked, Forbidden Door was the very show that nearly ended your career. You were broken, beaten, humiliated. You were concussed beyond measure, barely survived, and you think you can tell me to step aside? You think you can deny 'The Ocho' his rightful claim to become 'The Nueve'?" Jericho: "You see, Cole... For your own sake, and to save you from another career-threatening beating, maybe you should just step aside and let the big boys play. Because if you don't, and if you dare to stand in my way, I promise you this - I will make sure that your career doesn't just nearly end. It will be over. Completely and unequivocally. You won't be 'Adam Cole, Bay-Bay!' anymore. You'll be 'Adam Cole, Bye-Bye!'" --- “Absolute” Ricky Starks vs. “Switchblade” Jay White Starks and White have been at each others’ throats for over a month now, and this match figures to be where the tension finally comes to the boiling point. White’s Bullet Club Gold teammate Juice Robinson is banned from ringside, as are FTR who have come to Starks’ aid in recent weeks. So this should be it, mano-y-mano with no fuckery, right? Of course not, Switchblade is the catalyst for a reason. The two have a pretty solid match, but just as it appears Starks is getting the upper hand, White desperately heaves him to the outside and then ties up the referee. Meanwhile, who should emerge from the crowd but Powerhouse Hobbs! He has a bitter history with Starks, and he’s here to rekindle that rivalry. He spinebusters Starks into the steps, and throws him back into the ring where White hits him with a Blade Runner and a win. White laughs and points to his head, after all – only Juice Robinson was banned from helping him. White and Hobbs do the all too familiar “Too Sweet” gesture. Guess we know why Hobbs walked out on the QTV crew earlier, because he’s on to better things as apparently the newest member of Bullet Club Gold! ***, 77% overall --- Kenny Omega backstage interview Renee Paquette stands in the backstage area of AEW Dynamite. Kenny Omega appears in the frame, the IWGP United States Championship draped over his shoulder. His eyes, cool and focused, gaze directly into the camera. RENEE: Kenny, earlier tonight, Don Callis made some pretty strong statements. He called Konosuke Takeshita his son, and said you're ripe for the picking for Will Ospreay, and that. Any comments? Before Omega can answer, the frame widens to reveal Bryan Danielson and Jon Moxley of the Blackpool Combat Club entering the shot. The crowd, even from the backstage, roars their arrival. DANIELSON: The Invisible Hand isn’t wrong, Omega. Ospreay's ready for the hunt. But then again, so am I. At Forbidden Door I'm gearing up to face Kazuchika Okada, the so-called best wrestler in the world. Moxley steps forward, an unmistakable edge in his voice. MOXLEY: And as for me, I'm issuing an open challenge. Any NJPW wrestler who thinks they've got what it takes can step through the Forbidden Door. Danielson turns back to Omega, his gaze stinging. DANIELSON: You, Omega... You're just an amateur compared to us. AN AMATEUR! How do you possibly think you’ll get out of Toronto with your title. Don’t you remember at Double or Nothing when WHEELER YUTA pinned you? In a quick, unexpected move, Yuta enters from behind and, strikes Omega with a cheap shot. Omega reels back, and before he can recover, Danielson and Moxley join in. The camera shakes as the three of them lay into Omega, the interview turned into a backstage brawl. The segment concludes with Blackpool Combat Club standing triumphant over a fallen Omega, their message loud and clear. --- Main Event: Claudio Castagnoli vs. “Hangman” Adam Page Following that backstage assault of Kenny, we jump right into this main event to write another chapter in the ongoing war between the Blackpool Combat Club and The Elite. Not much too say here other than that these two also have fantastic chemistry and they put on an absolute belter of a performance. As the match begins to draw to a close, we see on camera that the Blackpool Combat Club have also taken out The Young Bucks backstage, and they begin to walk out and surround the ring. The Dark Order appear on the ramp to a huge pop, but rather than come out to help...they look at Hangman with a look of disappointment, upset that Hangman has been spending more time with The Elite than with them, and they turn around and leave. Hangman and Claudio continue their battle only for the hobbled Young Bucks to make their way back out to try to fight the BCC. Through the fracas, Yuta tries to distract Hangman as Claudio prepares for a running uppercut, only for Hangman to duck and Yuta is sent flying off the apron. Buckshot Lariat and Hangman retains, as the tension between the Elite and BCC is far from over. ****1/4, 88% overall 82% overall show rating |
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06-05-2023, 01:20 PM
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#3365 | ||||||||||||
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Higher. Further. Faster.
Posts: 20,902
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This post is sponsored by Georgie Porgie
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Smart move with the Assistant Sacrifice. All great heels need to do this at least once, be it with a valet or even an animal if they really want to get some heat/whining on Twitter. Quote:
But, yeah, definitely points for another great heel tactic: The Rubbing It In Your Faces Celebration Promo. Quote:
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Now that I think about it, I don't think I ever saw the Bullet Club in their heyday. I certainly never saw them in WWE, other than Styles. I wonder what I missed out on. Quote:
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Good as it is that this is back in swing, I'm saddened that we're left hanging as far as the tournament goes. I was behind Dustin all the way! |
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06-05-2023, 03:44 PM
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#3366 | ||||||||
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President of Freedonia
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White was the leader from late 2018 through the beginning of year. Held the IWGP title multiple times, headlining the Tokyo Dome multiple times including this year. His contract was up and NJPW wrote him off with a "Loser Leaves NJPW" match. He hit the market as one of the hottest free agents in recent memory. WWE were reportedly very confident they'd sign him, but he opted to go to AEW instead, where he's promptly set up his own stateside branch of Bullet Club. Quote:
 no titles involved in this match. It was late when I finished up.
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06-05-2023, 03:46 PM
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#3367 |
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President of Freedonia
Posts: 58,215
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So confession about the promos...as said, they're not my strong suit. I went into ChatGPT and asked for some promos, supplying it with bullet points and you got the promos you saw. Notice how they don't all follow the same format...but they do seem very true to character. I asked ChatGPT to include the Nueve line but flipping the "Adam Cole, Bay-Bay" line into "Adam Cole, Bye-Bye!" was all AI.
Pretty impressive for AI. All the match recaps I wrote myself since it was mostly just focused on the results, but pretty damn impressive promos that got across everything I wanted. We'll see how repetitive it gets after a while. |
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06-05-2023, 03:51 PM
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#3368 |
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President of Freedonia
Posts: 58,215
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Oh shit I forgot about the tournament
So it was really a perfect storm of events. Last August, mid-tournament, I finally was able to procure a PS5 so basically all of my free gaming time went to playing the shit out of that. Then when I thought about picking the tourney back up, AEW was in hell in a handbasket with probably the worst creative time I've seen from them paired with huge portions of the roster hurt, backstage drama, etc. and I just couldn't get into it. The trouble now is the way Fire Pro works, if any of the CAW edits I was using have been revamped by the original creator, I won't be able to use them unless I download a shitload of updates. I'll have to see. Would be nice to finish the thing out since it was coming to a photo finish. |
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06-06-2023, 12:08 AM
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#3369 |
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President of Freedonia
Posts: 58,215
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 AEW Rampage June 9, 2023 Last week's (real life) Rampage featured a quartet of championship matches featuring champions of AEW's partner promotions. It was probably one of the better Rampages in recent memory. So I figure, hell, let's double down and make it another Championship Friday! ROH Television Championship: Samoa Joe (C) vs. AR Fox Always a good time to see Samoa Joe in a wrestling ring, although his opponents would surely disagree with that. Fox tried his hardest here, but the size difference was evident as Joe killed him dead with a variety of suplexes before eventually locking him into the Coquina Clutch for the submission victory. After the bell, Joe's not done. He begins to stretch Fox in a variety of brutal locks and holds. A direct shot at IWGP Television Champion and submission expert Zack Sabre Jr. who last week challenged Joe to a Champion vs. Champion match at Forbidden Door. **3/4, 71% overall --- AEW Trios Championship: The House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King, and Buddy Matthews) (C) vs. Action Andretti, Brian Pillman Jr. and Matt Sydal The House of Black are always quick to remind people that the door is always open for any three men who wish to step inside to their dark world to try to take the titles from them. Tonight the bell was answered by a makeshift trio of babyfaces trying to come in get their first taste of AEW gold. There was a styles clash in this one but in a good way, as the brawling and striking style of House of Black meshed pretty well with the speedster style of their opponents. But the House always wins, as Black puts away Pillman with a Black Mass to get the victory. ***, 71% overall --- The Acclaimed promo As House of Black are in the ring, the rap music of The Acclaimed hit as the crowd get on their feet. The Acclaimed and Daddy Ass make their way out of the tunnel to big cheers, apparently making their intentions known that they want another shot at the Trios Titles after coming up just short at Double or Nothing. Max Caster: Last time we tangled, you might've had us beat, But this ain't no rerun, House, so take a seat. You three goths are looking oh so dark, But we're the Acclaimed, lighting up the charts. We might've lost the battle, but we'll win the war, House of Black, we're knocking on your door. Any day you want, any place, any weather, You can wish your titles the best in their future endeavors. Anthony Bowens: THE ACCLAIMED HAVE ARRIVED! And we're gonna take your titles. Now scissor me, Daddy Ass!  The House of Black look at the Acclaimed with dismissive disdain, clearly they don't sweat the challenge. --- TBS Championship: Kris Statlander (C) vs. Diamante Still riding a high from ending Jade Cargill's 50-match undefeated streak at Double or Nothing, Statlander intends on being a fighting champion and tonight she faced a challenge from a game Diamante. The match was pretty similar to the others - good action but not great crowd reactions, which in fairness is par for the course for how Rampage is run in real life and how I'll be using it in game. Stat hits the Big Bang Theory for the victory. **3/4, 69% overall --- AEW Collision hype video A video plays reminding everyone that we are just 8 days away from the debut episode of AEW Collision on the TNT Network. The episode will broadcast live from the United Center in Chicago, IL and will feature the AEW return of CM Punk! --- AEW World Tag Team Championship: FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) (C) vs. The Jericho Appreciation Society's "Cool Hand" Angelo Parker and "Daddy Magic" Matt Menard Bullet Club Gold stand on the rampway to watch this one, still smugly proud of themselves for their antics on Dynamite. Holy hell did this match ever deliver, which I guess is par for the course for FTR matches but these teams have hella chemistry together, to the tune of a 98% match quality. They had an absolute back and forth belter, even if the outcome was never fully in question. FTR put away Parker with the Big Rig to get the title retention, as FTR turn up the ramp and stare down Bullet Club Gold, daring them to come get them some. ****1/4, 84% overal 79% overall rating for Rampage. In all honesty this is probably as good, if not better, of a rating than I'll usually get for Rampage. I'm sure the Punk video that got 100% didn't play a big part of this, not at all. |
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06-06-2023, 12:14 AM
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#3370 |
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President of Freedonia
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Some housekeerping: In EWR, I had to set AEW Collision up before I started my save. But I used autobook to do the first two episodes so that I can set up the booking of the first REAL episode of it for June 17th.
At some point shortly after that show starts, I plan on doing a roster split between Dynamite and Collision, as it'll be easier for me to manage my huge roster and give everyone some appropriate shine. Anyone that I'm "benching" to sell an angle or rotate out for a while gets turned into a Manager so they don't have a morale hit. Rampage will turn firmly into a C-show and mostly be a chance to get guys and gals I'm not using much on the main shows reps akin to Heat, Velocity, Superstars or any other C-show of yesteryear. Also, my save originally had all of the ROH Titles in the game. I chose to delete those belts. While AEW is actually running ROH as a standalone show right now, I don't want to run another company on top of everything else I'm doing. In my game's headcanon, any ROH titles held by ROH wrestlers will be gradually lost offscreen and those wrestlers will then be fully dedicated to the AEW side of the business. In-game, Ring of Honor is the name assigned to the development territory where I'm shoving tons of young workers to see if anyone can grow into something usable. |
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06-06-2023, 10:20 AM
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Higher. Further. Faster.
Posts: 20,902
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This post is sponsored by Sam Fisher
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 Yup, and a damn fine one, too. Very, very damn fine... Anyways, I imagine Statlander and her juicy ass celebrated that streak-ending win like crazy. A big bang indeed.... Quote:
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06-06-2023, 03:40 PM
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#3372 | ||||
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President of Freedonia
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Maybe this is too simplistic but I always felt that, at minimum, if a champion was in a standard 1 vs. 1 match. If the tag champs were in a standard 2 vs. 2 match etc. The titles should be on the line. I mean why not? "Non-Title Matches" were always just WWE's way of letting the champ lose endlessly in the build up to the PPV match where they'd win. Quote:
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Contractually, what they're getting out of it is a metric fuckload of money from WarnerMedia to the tune of a $1.2 billion contract that included the creation of Collision and rumors of an HBO Max streaming deal that might see the entire AEW library end up there as well as future PPVs. Networks want content, promotions want money and exposure, and so it goes. Creatively I do see some benefits to it. One look at the AEW roster and you'll see how enormous it is. There's just way too many people to feature with only one main 2-hour show without some guys being taken off the road, lost in the shuffle etc. Collision is going to be the platform a bunch of guys return to who haven't been seen in a while due to injury, suspension, creative disputes etc. CM Punk, Thunder Rosa, Miro, Andrade El Idolo, and Samoa Joe are among the names confirmed to be on the new show. I think any "brand split" between Dynamite and Collision will be loose in reality, but in my game I'm probably going with a relatively hard split just to make it easier for me creatively. I always did well treating Raw and SmackDown as near exclusive entities, aside from maybe the main champions. As a fan, I'm glad AEW is growing and raking in the big bucks, becoming a viable alternative etc. But I don't really see myself sitting down for 4 hours of wrestling a week like I used to. More likely for me is that I'll DVR both shows and parse through them to watch my favorites. |
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06-09-2023, 03:29 AM
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#3373 |
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Higher. Further. Faster.
Posts: 20,902
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This post is sponsored by Avril Lavigne's eyeliner
There are solutions to the problem of too many people on your roster, especially if they're not really worth putting on TV. At some point, Tony or whoever has to be the boss and cut his losses. Rotating people out might seem like a fine idea, but what if you wind up with a dude who just absolutely catches fire with the audience? Yeah, doing another show sounds good but it's going to depend on who you put on there and how that affects the others. I presume Dynamite is still the flagship show, right?
I need to see if I can resume my report writing on Monday. I've got Raw in the books and your selections for the Slammys helps majorly with Superstars. Street Fighter 6 has been demanding my attention, and that's stretched thin as it is. Sadly, I'm not keen on the idea of using an AI. Writing was always my strong point and it's the best avenue for my creative juices, so typing shit up for the shows doesn't bother me. Hotbody in particular is great to write for as I kind of live vicariously through him. Fucker gets to make out with Luscious. |
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06-09-2023, 05:31 PM
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#3374 |
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President of Freedonia
Posts: 58,215
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Somewhere in an office building you have ascended to CEO and demand a full Hotbody-request introduction every time you walk in
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06-12-2023, 12:19 AM
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#3375 |
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President of Freedonia
Posts: 58,215
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AEW Dynamite June 14, 2023 TNT Championship: Wardlow (C) w/ Arn Anderson vs. Luchasaurus w/ Christian Cage A good 'ol fashioned hoss fight to kick us off tonight. Both guys have very brawl-heavy arsenals mixed with the occasional surprise aerial maneuver. Their stats suggest they'd gel well and the match quality for this one agrees. Christian tries to run interference in the heat of the moment only for Arn Anderson to pop the crowd by giving him a Spinebuster at ringside. Wardlow muscles up the big man for a Powerbomb to retain his title. ***1/2, 79% overall --- We see "Hangman" Adam Page, not booked to wrestle tonight, having a beer in the locker room with fellow members of The Elite. As they discuss their ongoing business with the Blackpool Combat Club, their convedation is cut short as the ominous presence of The Dark Order approaches. The Elite members look on, unsure of what's about to unfold. The leader of The Dark Order, Evil Uno, steps forward, his face obscured by his trademark mask. The other members, Alex Reynolds, John Silver and Stu Grayson flank him, their expressions serious. "Hangman," Evil Uno begins, his voice echoing in the silent hallway, "we thought you were better than this." Adam Page looks at them, confusion clouding his features. "Better than what?" he asks, putting down his drink. "Than running back to The Elite," Silver responds bitterly, crossing his arms over his chest. "After all they've done to you." Grayson steps up, nodding in agreement. "We were there, Hangman. We were there for you when you were at your lowest. When they betrayed you, cast you out, we were there for you. We put your on our shoulders after you won the AEW Title. And now, look at you...back with them." Adam Page shakes his head, trying to form a response. "Guys, it's not like that, I-" Evil Uno raises a hand to silence him. "Save it, Page. We've heard it all before." The group turns and heads out of the room. Before departing, Reynolds has one last piece of advance for Hangman. "Maybe it's time for you to take a hard look in the mirror, Hangman. See who your real friends are." Page stands there, speechless, as The Dark Order turns their back on him, walking away. The Elite members are silent, offering no comforting words as the scene ends with Page staring after his departing friends, a look of conflict etched on his face. --- Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal along with Karen Jarrett and Sonjay Dutt make their way out to the ring. The music of The Acclaimed hits to a big pop, and the Acclaimed flanked by Daddy Ass enter next. As always, Max Caster has a microphone in hand. "A lot of people wanna know what you're doing on our show, When you haven't been relevant since two-thousand 'fo. Failing upwards is just your way of life, Stealing money like you stole Kurt Angle's wife. And Jay Lethal, a guy who's imitating dudes, 20 years in the business, nobody's imitating you. The Acclaimed are gonna hit you harder, You can take the L and blame it on Dixie Carter." Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal vs. The Acclaimed Pretty decent tag match here which is no real surprise, all 4 guys do have some charisma to them, The Acclaimed are mega over and Jarrett and Lethal are two solid veterans for any young talent to work with. Jarrett joined AEW in a backstage role last fall and he's also a midcard performer, and in all seriousness, he's been fun to watch because he totally understands his assignment, which is to put over a bunch of promising young guys and sell their acts accordingly. His role in my game will be nearly identical as I try to milk what I can out of his solid 80-something overness before the game makes him retire, very possibly soon with a July birthday looming. Anyway, as you'd expect The Acclaimed get the W here with Caster hitting the Mic Drop on Jarrett. The Acclaimed grab some momentum as they gear up for a trios match against House of Black. ***, 78% overall --- A video package is shown announcing that NJPW's Minoru Suzuki, one of the most feared legends in the sport, will be coming to Forbidden Door to face Orange Cassidy for the International Championship. The match is billed as more than 3 years in the making, as it was supposed to happen in spring 2020 but was cancelled amid the pandemic. (RENEE PAQUETTE steps into the backstage area, a microphone in her hand. Beside her, leaning against a wall with sunglasses perched on his nose and hands in his pockets, is the AEW International Champion ORANGE CASSIDY.) RENEE: Thanks for joining us today, Orange. After watching that. How are you feeling about your upcoming title defense at Forbidden Door? ORANGE: (Nonchalantly) Title defense? RENEE: (Laughs a little) Yes, your championship match. ORANGE: Oh, okay. RENEE: You didn't watch the video we just showed? ORANGE: (Shrugs) Nah. (RENEE looks a bit taken aback but quickly regains her composure.) RENEE: Well, your opponent is Minoru Suzuki. What are your thoughts on that? ORANGE: (Pauses) Suzuki? RENEE: Yes, Minoru Suzuki. One of the most respected and dangerous veterans in pro wrestling. ORANGE: (Thinks for a moment, then shrugs) Sounds cool. (RENEE stares at him, blinking in disbelief.) RENEE: Just 'cool'? He's a legend, a feared competitor. ORANGE: (Nonchalantly) Yeah, cool I guess. (RENEE laughs, shaking her head.) RENEE: Well, we all look forward to seeing your cool response to this match at Forbidden Door. Good luck, Orange. ORANGE: (Nods, no change in expression) Thanks. (They part ways, RENEE shaking her head in amusement, ORANGE strolling off, hands in his pockets, the very picture of indifference.) --- Konosuke Takeshita w/ Don Callis vs. El Hijo del Vikingo This is pretty much just a showcase match for Takeshita, his first match since his heel turn at Double or Nothing. Poor Vikingo is really talented and has a near 100 speed rating, sending him to development doesn't help him. But he's also very much lacking in overness and will need to put on some good performances to get himself over or eventually be hooked up with a face manager. Anyway, Takeshita finishes him off with a Zahi knee for an impressive win. ***, 68% overall --- The backstage area is bustling, echoing with the roar of the crowd beyond. Renee Paquette stands with The Elite - Kenny Omega, Matt Jackson, and Nick Jackson. RENEE: Tonight, I have with me The Elite. Gentlemen, we just saw an impressive win from Konosuke Takeshita. There's been quite a lot of action involving Takeshita, Don Callis, and the Blackpool Combat Club recently. Can we get your thoughts? Before they can respond, the shot widens to include the members of the Blackpool Combat Club - Bryan Danielson, Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, and Wheeler Yuta, stepping into the frame with determined expressions. DANIELSON: Renee, you needn't waste any time interviewing these amateurs. They've still not learned their lesson, they still don't seem to get enough ass beatings from the Blackpool Combat Club. Omega, you still seem to forget... Wheeler Yuta pinned you at Double or Nothing! And he's going to do it again tonight! Yuta grins, a glint of mischief in his eyes. MOXLEY: And Bryan and I, we could use a little tune-up before Forbidden Door. So, we thought, why not take out the Young Bucks next week? If you two boys are man enough to take on the challenge, we'll see you next week. There's a brief moment of silence, tension hanging thick in the air. And then, chaos ensues as both factions start throwing punches, transforming the interview into a brawl. Crew members scramble to break up the fight, but the members of the Blackpool Combat Club and The Elite are relentless. The camera shakes, capturing the intense altercation. Amidst the confusion, Renee Paquette quickly wraps up the interview. RENEE: Clearly, tensions are running high. We'll have to see how this develops next week. Stay tuned for more AEW Dynamite! --- Dr. Britt Baker vs. Ruby Soho w/ Toni Storm and Saraya Baker is probably the most over woman on the roster and has some decent charisma and character to her, but unfortunately her in-ring work just isn't that great particularly compared to the many women who have joined the roster in the past year or two. Britt and Ruby have tangled before but this one just worked into the "Perfectly Acceptable Wrestling" territory. Toni Storm distracts Aubrey Edwards and Saraya attempts to jump Britt, but Aubrey is too smart for that as she turns anyway to catch Saraya in the act. She does what she feels is the right move by throwing the match out and giving Britt the DQ win. The Outcasts pounce on Britt after the bell, as NJPW Strong Women's Champion Willow Nightengale runs out for the save. **1/2, 71% overall --- [Lights dim, then an arrogant MJF struts into the ring, microphone in hand, showered with boos from the DC crowd.] MJF: Look at you, Washington DC! Booing the salt of the earth, the AEW World Champion. Just remember, the only reason I'm gracing your miserable presence is because my contract demands it. You should be thanking me! [He smirks, basking in the crowd's disapproval.] MJF: But let's move onto bigger and better things, or should I say, mediocre and overrated? Yeah, that's right, Tetsuya Naito, I'm talking about you. You're about to step into the ring with the best at Forbidden Door. [He grins widely.] MJF: Hope you're ready, Naito. Hope you're ready to get a taste of what a real champion feels like. Because once I'm done with you, you'll be crawling back to NJPW wishing you'd never left. [He pauses, allowing the crowd to voice their displeasure.] MJF: And then there's the debut of AEW Collision this coming Saturday in Chicago, and guess who's decided to make his grand return? [He scoffs.] MJF: CM Punk. A washed-up has-been who thinks he can waltz back into the company he abandoned, on a brand new show, no less. [He shakes his head.] MJF: Punk, I hope you're listening. AEW isn't your company anymore. It's mine. And if you think you can just show up in your city, in my company, and take the spotlight... You've got another thing coming. [He drops the microphone and smirks, arms spread wide, drawing a deafening chorus of boos as his music blares from the speakers.] --- The Jericho Appreciation Society's "Red Death" Daniel Garcia and "The Spanish God" Sammy Guevara w/ Jake Hager vs. Adam Cole and Roderick Strong Chris Jericho is on commentary at ringside for this one as he spends the match cheering on his boys and talking trash about Adam Cole. He talks about his desire to add the IWGP Title to his list of accolades at Forbidden Door, and mentions it will be a great night for the JAS as Garcia looks to defend his IWGP Pure Championship against NJPW legend Katsuyori Shibata. The match itself is quite solid, everyone puts their work in until the inevitable fuck finish where Hager tries to intervene and distracts Rick Knox. Cole takes out Guevara and Hager at ringside, only for Jericho to leave the booth and kick Strong in the dick. Dammit Knox, didn't you pay attention to the last match! Daniel Garcia vultures the pin and the win. ***1/4, 78% overall --- The audience boos as Jericho laughs and the Jericho Appreciation Society celebrates around him. A visibly frustrated Cole grabs a microphone.] Cole: "You know what, Jericho? I'm sick and tired of this. I'm sick and tired of you constantly sticking your nose where it doesn't belong, and I'm definitely sick and tired of your little Jericho Appreciation Society constantly running interference." [The crowd starts a "Jericho sucks!" chant] Cole: "You want to play games, Jericho? Let's play a game that you can't cheat, a game where your 'Society' can't interfere. Let's settle this once and for all... next week, in a steel cage." [The crowd goes wild at the prospect] Cole: "And let's make it worth our while. Winner gets to face SANADA for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Forbidden Door. What do you say, Jericho? Are you man enough to accept?" [The crowd chants "Accept! Accept! Accept!" Jericho grabs a microphone, smirking.] Jericho: "Adam Cole... You want to trap yourself in a steel cage with me, knowing full well what I can do? And you want to put a title shot on the line? You want to get in the way of my destiny to become The Nueve? Well, that's music to my ears junior. I accept, and I'm gonna put you into the ground." [Jericho drops the microphone, the crowd explodes, and both men stare each other down as the tension builds towards next week's steel cage showdown.] --- Wheeler Yuta w/ Claudio Castagnoli vs. Kenny Omega This match...actually didn't do as well as I thought it would. I knew Yuta's relative lack of overness would hold things back a bit but I figured it'd be one of those really good matches that automatically raise a guy's overness just from being involved in a banger. Alas, his lack of overness more than cancelled out Kenny's 90-something overness. The match was perfectly decent but not the barnburner expected so no overness change from Yuta. Still, the story very much played a part here. We have more outside the ring shit with The Young Bucks ensuring Claudio Castagnoli doesn't get totally involved as Kenny hits the One Winged Angel to avenge his PPV defeat to Yuta. Omega stares down a pissed off Don Callis who watches the proceedings from the rampway. ***, 75% overall 78% overall show After the show I'm given a notice from Dean Malenko that he didn't think Kenny Omega and Wheeler Yuta gelled. No shit Dean, that surprised me too. Britt Baker also says she doesn't want to face Ruby Soho any more as she doesn't feel they click, and she suggests Taya Valkyrie as an opponent. I also had not one but two rehab notices. Jose the Assistant and Jeff Jarrett both checked themselves into rehab. So much for using him to put people over before he retires.
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06-12-2023, 04:03 AM
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#3376 | |||||||||||||||
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Higher. Further. Faster.
Posts: 20,902
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This post is sponsored by the Striders
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Actually I don't know because I haven't kept tabs on that shit. Quote:
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I should take this time to point out how the WWE had her, Bryan, Moxley, and Claudio all under contract at one point and flushed them all down the toilet because reasons. Quote:
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06-12-2023, 12:02 PM
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#3377 | ||||||||
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President of Freedonia
Posts: 58,215
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Luchasaurus is a big dude that wears a dinosaur-inspired mask. As a face it totally works, he had a team with Jungle Boy for years as Jurassic Express. As a heel I'm kinda shocked they didn't try to give him a "real" name. I mean Jungle Boy is still face but he turned Jungle Boy into his nickname, now making Jack Perry his proper ring name. Surely good 'ol Luchasaurus could've gone the same route. Quote:
Anyway, Brodie Lee (Luke Harper in WWE) joined AEW and was revealed as the ultimate mastermind/The Exalted One. Though it was never said out loud, kayfabe-wise it was a pretty brilliant piece of casting because Brodie was a member of Bray Wyatt's cult for years in WWE and now here he is branching out and starting his own. Sadly, Brodie tragically died of a lung illness in December 2020 at which point the Dark Order organically turned into sympathetic faces, going from an evil cult to goofball faces and reverting to their normal ring names. They befriended Hangman who I had join the group in my last EWR game but in real life AEW he never joined but still hung around them as friends for the last two and a half years. They've been more or less treading water for a while and I feel like Hangman rejoining the Elite might be the last chance the Dark Order have to maybe go back to their original purpose. Quote:
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Alas, EWR is a bit of a different animal because I know there's a time clock here where these old guys are gonna retire soon. So rather than spend time giving them wins I kinda need to job them out while the getting's good, and the game doesn't know the wiser. In general you can't really book like the real AEW in this game. Real life AEW doesn't have the same level of outside interference, but in-game it's the easiest way to build feuds. Quote:
So for starters, his gimmick can probably best be described as a wrestler who doesn't want to be a wrestler. A slacker. He's incredibly good at his job and he knows it, but that doesn't mean he wants to work. Which is why he's aloof in his promos and mannerisms. Any opponent to him is just "sure, whatever" another day at the office. During his International Title run he defends the belt almost weekly and as the months have gone on he's gotten more banged up, wearing tape around his ribs etc and despite clearly being hurt he still just plays it all off, knowing he'll keep suffering as long as he's got that title and it's just part of the job. But this also plays into the psychology of his matches because he'll sometimes just fuck around at the beginning and lull the opponent into a false sense of security. Or the opponent will start beating his ass at the beginning and forcing Orange to tap into his more serious side ("whipping the indifference out of him"), as you say. Invariably in every match he ends up working his ass off, even though his character would suggest that's the complete opposite of what he actually wants to do. He had a multi-match feud with PAC last year that got so personal that Orange said in a promo "next week, I'm going to try" and the crowd collectively went OHHHH SHIT, because Orange actually wanting to try was unheard of. As for if people pay to see him...the short answer is yes. Not only does he consistently get one of the loudest reactions on Dynamite every week, he's their top merch mover, is consistently one of their highest minute-for-minute ratings draws, there's countless anecdotes of lapsed and/or first-time viewers who immediately found him to be their favorite (I can personally attest to at least 3 people that watched AEW for the first time on my recommendation, all of them love Orange). Tons of pictures of kids dressing up like him on Halloween etc. But he also has probably the most vocal detractors out there because he's about as polar opposite from "old school wrassling" as you can get. Jim Cornette practically issues death threats on the guy on his podcast every week. I got told last week in the AEW thread by the always pompous Mr. Nerfect that you can't POSSIBLY like Orange Cassidy and then claim to actually be a wrestling fan, etc. The people who don't like him view him as being the #1 guy who is "killing the business" and will prevent it from ever going beyond a niche audience. Anyway, I can totally understand why people wouldn't like OC, but the discussion around him gets pretty toxic when people who take their wrasslin' so seriously act like he's worse than Hitler. Quote:
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Oh I should also point out that he injured himself in the process, having to vacate the title for the 2nd time in a year. And shortly before his return he's also shit-talked Jon Moxley, Chris Jericho, and others. There's a legit argument to make that he's too much of a cancer to be worth it. But the network wanted him back and would even give him pretty much his own show in Collision. They might eventually get back to Punk vs. MJF, but politically it's probably tough to put him into a title program immediately, if at all. He's pissed off half the locker room. Thankfully, in EWR land it's easier to pull off. Quote:
I remember a WWE game a decade or more ago I got two nobodys into the mid-80s in overness just because their stats matched up so perfectly that they always put on a near 5-star match. Good times. |
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06-13-2023, 04:19 PM
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#3378 |
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President of Freedonia
Posts: 58,215
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AEW Rampage June 16, 2023 The show opens up with the entrance of The Trustbusters, with "Smart" Mark Sterling taking the microphone. Sterling: "Ladies and gentlemen, tonight you will be graced by the most potent, prosperous, and proficient group in wrestling today. I am Smart Mark Sterling, attorney at law, and these are my clients, The Trustbusters!" The crowd roars, a mix of cheers and boos. Sterling: "Now, I've been hearing a lot of chatter about our opponents tonight, The Dark Order. People are saying they're a force to be reckoned with. Well, I've got news for you, ladies and gentlemen. My clients here, they aren't just wrestlers. They are finely tuned athletes, the epitome of physical excellence. They're the human equivalent of a meticulously crafted legal document, every move calculated, every action precise." He gestured to the members of The Trustbusters, smirking and flexing in the background. Sterling: "And what about the Dark Order? They're nothing more than a disorganized horde, a group of misfits playing dress up." The crowd boos and jeers, but Sterling remains unphased. Sterling: "The Dark Order is all about chaos and mind games. They think they can disrupt our strategy, intimidate us with their numbers, their theatrics. But the Trustbusters, we thrive on order, discipline, strategy. We don't fear chaos, we break it apart, piece by piece. And tonight, we're going to do exactly that." Sterling's voice drops, a hint of threat permeating his words. Sterling: "And let me tell you something else, Dark Order. You want to play dirty? You want to try and bend the rules to your advantage? Well, I'm not just a manager, I'm a lawyer. And if you step over the line, if you try any underhanded tactics, I'll sue you faster than you can say Hangman Adam Page. The crowd boos as the music of The Dark Order hits, they've heard enough and they charge to the ring to start the match. 8-Man Tag Team Match: The Trustbusters (Ari Daivari, Tony Nese, Josh Woods, and Sonny Kiss) w/ Slim J and "Smart" Mark Sterling vs. The Dark Order (Evil Uno, Stu Grayson, Alex Reynolds, and John Silver) It's always fun when a heel singles guy runs his mouth and then gets trucked, it's even more fun when it happens to a whole heel stable. The Dark Order in this match showed a side of them we haven't seen in a long while. A much more ruthless, unrelenting style, a far cry from the goofy guys the AEW crowd came to know over the past couple of years. Clearly this situation with Hangman Page has weighed on them, and now they're taking out their frustrations on the Trustbusters. The finish of the match becomes your prototypical pier six brawl with bodies flying all over the place. Uno gets Tony Nese up on his back, Grayson leaps off the top rope for The Fatality tag finisher, and Dark Order grab the win. **3/4, 65% overall --- Next we have a video package promoting the debut episode of AEW Collision tomorrow night! Featuring the return of CM Punk! Definitely not a cheap excuse to get an easy 100 rating on a show that is going to have a mediocre show rating because it's meant to feature mostly midcarders. Nope not at all! --- Mark Briscoe vs. Kip Sabian w/ Penelope Ford Not much to say here, Rampage for me will mostly be about throwing some matchups together with talent not actively in a major program and pretty much seeing who gels and who doesn't. In this case, they do gel quite well. Penelope tries to make a nuisance of herself and trip Mark up to no avail, Mark grabs the win with the CTD. ***1/4, 74% overall rating --- Taya Valkyrie vs. "The Native Beast" Nyla Rose Britt requested to work with Taya and I haven't booked her yet in this game, so let's give her some reps here. What is the female equivalent of a Hoss Fight? Because that's what this one would be. Both ladies throw some high-powered offense at one another and are fairly evenly matched. But in the end, Taya prevails with the Road to Valhalla. ***, 71% overall --- [Scene opens with The Mogul Embassy, including Swerve Strickland, Brian Cage, Toa Liona, Bishop Kaun, and Prince Nana, standing tall backstage. The camera finds Strickland's confident gaze as he begins to address the camera, the crew silent and serious in the background.] Swerve: (Smirks) "So here we are again. My former partner Keith Lee, the 'Limitless One' and the... let's see... ah, yes, 'The Natural' Dustin Rhodes. A man so natural, he's practically a fossil." [He pauses for a moment, allowing a smirk to curl his lips as his crew chuckles in the background.] Swerve: "Keith, we used to be brothers, but look at you now. Your limitless potential has somehow found its limit, hasn't it? You're busy chasing your own tail, while The Mogul Embassy is defining the game. Swerve's House is right here, making moves while you're tripping over your own ambition." [Swerve points to the crew, emphasizing his point as the men behind him nod, every one of them exuding confidence.] Swerve: "As for you, Dustin... Shouldn't you be at home, watching the sunset of your career, reminiscing about the good ol' days? Or are you so deluded that you still believe you have something to contribute? You're old, man. Just like your tactics. Predictable. Irrelevant." [Swerve lets out a confident laugh, his stablemates joining him, the sound echoing in the backstage area.] Swerve: "But hey, you're welcome to try, to step up. Come on, step into the Embassy. The cage is always open... right, Brian?" [Brian Cage steps forward, flexing his muscles in a show of force, a sly grin on his face.] Cage: "Anytime, any place." [Swerve nods, stepping back into the forefront.] Swerve: "So here's the deal. Keith, Dustin, any of you... We're right here, not going anywhere. And remember, this ain't just a game, it's Swerve's game. This is where you find out if you're just a player... or if you're built to last." [With a final smirk and a nod to his team, Swerve turns, walking away as the camera lingers on the remaining members of The Mogul Embassy, their gazes challenging, ready for the next match.] --- Naturally Limitless ("Limitless" Keith Lee and "The Natural" Dustin Rhodes) vs. The Gates of Agony (Toa Liona and Bishop Kaun) w/ Swerve Strickland, Brian Cage, and Prince Nana Keith's been wanting to get him some of Swerve Strickland for months now, but he always seems to evade his grasp and sends some of his minions after him instead. But the Gates aren't just your run of the mill minions, they're big dudes. And they put a hurting on the babyfaces early. Dustin eventually makes the hot tag to Keith who clears house. Swerve and Cage unsuccessfully try to interfere and Lee finishes off Kaun with a Spirit Bomb for the victory. After the bell, the rest of the Mogul Embassy pounce on the faces and go for the beatdown. The numbers game is too much, until the music of Darby Allin hits as Darby Allin and STIIIIIIIING make their way out for the save. Looks like Naturally Limitless have found some new allies, and the Embassy quickly take their leave. **3/4, 65% overall rating 73% overall show Not a bad show rating for what will equate to a C-show moving forward. Afterwards, Dean compliments me for pairing Kip/Mark and Taya/Nyla together, citing good chemistry. |
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06-14-2023, 11:08 PM
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#3379 | ||||||||
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Higher. Further. Faster.
Posts: 20,902
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This post is sponsored by Pamela and Tommy's sex tape
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06-15-2023, 09:25 AM
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#3380 |
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Higher. Further. Faster.
Posts: 20,902
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This post is sponsored by the man behind the curtain
Raw: December 3, 2040
Opening Match: Naomi Bailey and Dusk vs. The Lonely Girls This seemed like a natural thing to put together after the events of the last few shows. Naomi is out in full Queen of the Ring garb as she says she's wearing it to remind us all about just who the hell she is! She tells us that we had all be voting for her as this year's Woman of the Year. She's more talented than her cousin Eclypse. She's much better looking and more of a real woman than that Barbie doll Jenna Kyle. And most of all, she was more dominant than that fake champion Sonya Braddock! It might seem odd to open a show with a women's match, but holy fuck, these women have got it going on...so to speak. It breaks down towards the end with Jenna and Naomi as legal while Dusk just brutalizes Faith on the outside. Dusk threatens to smash Faith with the steel steps while the ref tries to disuade her. Naomi uses this opportunity to introduce Jenna's forehead to her Queen of the Ring scepter. Dusk backs off and drops the steps and the ref turns to count the pin giving the heels the win. Naomi just pinned the number one contender to the Women's Title. That's certainly not going to get her to shut up. *****, 95% overall. I mean, God damn.... In-Ring Super Special Talky Time as Chet Morris comes out, no doubt to explain his reprehensible actions on SmackDown!. He wants us to know that he doesn't feel sorry for what he did to his cousin and don't ask him to be. "It feels that ever since I arrived to the WWE with Lyle, I have been trapped in a box. And everyone, from Haven to Lyle, have all seemed to want to keep me in that box. All I ever was to any of them, was someone to be used. Someone to be loyal to their causes and their agendas. When I made my return, Lyle wasn't happy to have me back as a cousin. He was happy to have me as his back-up. Well, Lyle, in the time that I was gone, I outgrew you. I watched you make a damn fool out of yourself while I wasn't here. And you never even seemed to care about any of my problems. So you are not entitled to any kind of happiness. That's why I did what I did on Friday. You will no longer be the albatross around my neck, the anchor around my leg. It had to be done and I can assure all of y'all, I am not done with my purging. I...have been set free...." Huh. That's weird. Wasn't that the same thing Hugo said on Friday? Either way, Chet takes his leave as we're left to ponder his future actions. Second Match: Galino & Farnes vs. Jordan Demiras and Martyn LaSalle Demiras and LaSalle reunite to continue the good fight against Hotbody's crew! This shit is awesome as you'd expect, despite the charisma void coming from the heels. It's breaking down in Tulsa as Demiras gets sent into the ringpost on the outside. Ozzy Mandias makes his way on out. Is he here to lend a hand to LaSalle? Nope. He floors him with a clothesline and delivers the Blizzard of Oz and rolls out of the ring while the ref is distracted. The heels regroup and team up for SERIOUS INQUIRIES! on LaSalle to really knock him loopy and that's enough to give them the win. Ozzy decides he's not done for the night and pulls LaSalle out of the ring and proceeds to beat on him some more. Into the steps LaSalle goes and Ozzy decides to do what Dusk didn't and sandwiches LaSalle's head in between the two sets of stairs. Jesus, that looked brutal. That might put LaSalle out of commission for a while. *****, 96% overall. I guess people really dug Ozzy's heel turn. Glad I pulled the trigger on it finally. Third Match: Seth Von Kamp vs. Cameron Harper Harper gets on the stick and informs us that he's had a talk with Jake Connelly and the legend himself is open to being his manager, but said that he would like to see a bit more from Harper before making any kind of promises. Harper says that he thinks he knows what Jake Connelly has in mind. Connelly wants to see some initiative. He wants some bold statements. "Well, there's no time like the present and I can't think of a bigger and bolder statement to make under these circumstances. So seeing as how you, Seth, were game and man enough to accept a challenge for your Intercontinental Title on Superstars, I don't see a reason why you can't put it on the line again right here, right now! Jake Connelly will be tripping all over himself to manage the new Intercontinental Champion! So how about it, Seth?" Seth looks perplexed at this request and doesn't seem too sure. Cameron asks him if he's scared. Well that's rather rude. Seth doesn't look happy about this proposal but ultimately agrees and thus we have ourselves a little bonus! WWE Intercontinental Title: Seth Von Kamp (c) vs. Cameron Harper Points for such a move and Harper certainly tries here. Seth handles things well as the veteran, making Harper look good. Gold, unfortunately, is not in the cards for Harper tonight, as Seth outmaneuvers the firey upstart in a pinfall reserval sequence that ends with Seth scoring the pin off a backslide to retain the title. Harper doesn't look pleased as the champ takes his victory lap. What'll be his next move? ****1/2, 90% overall. Backstage, Luscious is with Zed Jones and of course, her man, Michael Hotbody. They hope that Clubber Harris hasn't forgotten about Zed because Zed certainly hasn't forgotten about Harris. Zed has been looking for some more fight ever since Survivor Series and he's eager to get that fight from Clubber Harris. However, he's going to get it on his own terms, on his own time, when he's ready. Zed isn't some impetuous child. He knows he's tougher and badder than Harris. Zed Jones doesn't need to be flailing about in brawls that aren't going to mean anything. He'll let us all know when he's ready to take on the challenge of the so-called Ebony Empire. All empires fall, some harder than others. Hotbody also wants to add on that while he's not sure of who is going to come out on top of the next match, Hotbody assures either one of them that there's nothing but disappointment waiting for them at Bragging Rights. Fourth Match: 2 out of 3 Falls - Jason Sorola vs. Gavin Jones Winner gets a shot at the Cruiserweight Title at Bragging Rights here. I may be showing my hand as to who's going to win this with that stipulation. Hey, it's the journey, not the destination, right? Make no mistake, this match is a helluva journey. Sorola gets the first fall with some rope-assisted shenanigans while Gavin gets back into it by submitting Sorola in the second fall with the STF. The final fall is all full speed ahead as they each want to get this over with. Sorola looks for a superplex off the top but Gavin shuts that down with a sunset powerbomb off the top to set Sorola up for a Frog Splash and that'll be enough to give him the final fall and the ticket to Bragging Rights. *****, 96% overall. More backstage goodness as Nathan Quinn is with Adam Hail. Boy, howdy, are they mad at Simon Bennett or what? Hail wants to remind Bennett that what he did to him was nothing personal and he should've learned to not mess with him anymore, especially since Bennett's team lost at Survivor Series. But Bennnett just had to ruin things on SmackDown! by costing Hail a chance to go to Bragging Rights with a title shot! Bennett is just determined to make this personal so Hail is going to oblige him. Bennett is dared to try crossing the two of them one more time. Fifth Match: Hannah McCormick vs. Leah So these two are the representatives chosen by their respective managers. Leah has to win to get her and Bonnie Beckham a shot at the Women's Tag Titles while Hannah needs to win so she can get added to the Women's Title match at Bragging Rights. The ladies bring the goods as you would expect. Leah's charisma is rough to overcome, but they pull it out. Leah has Hannah set up for a Sultry Splash but Nathan trips her up as she goes for the ropes. Paul Andrews decides to go after Nathan in response while Hannah decks Leah from behind. She sneaks outside while the ref is busy with the two managers and she grabs her custom mic. Back in the ring she goes and she looks like she's going to clobber Leah with it BUT SIMON BENNETT IS IN THE RING!!! He snatches the mic away and Hannah turns to face him and is shocked as a result of what she sees. Bennett rolls on out while Leah hits a bulldog, setting up for another attempt at the Sultry Splash. She hits it this time and the ref is back in the game and counts the pin for Leah. Simon Bennett looks like he just took Nathan and Hail up on their dare. ****1/2, 92% overall. Sixth Match: Alexander Piero and The Wyldhearts vs. Chris Collins and The Royal Effect Piero gets on the mic and announces that he has accepted a No DQ match with Chris Collins that will take place on Superstars this Thursday. Piero agrees that things need to be settled between himself and Collins. Piero wants Chris to know that this war between them has never really been about vengeance for Madison or fighting for her honor. Those are important things to be sure, but the truth of the matter is that Piero just doesn't like Chris Collins. Collins is welcome to try to beat that respect he so craves out of Piero this Thursday. Collins is going to learn that not everyone that comes his way can be overlooked and dismissed so easily. This is a crossroads between two big fueds of course. No doubt the Royal Effect want their rematch for those tag titles. This will have to do for now and it's a bunch of goodness. Piero is all fired up as we head home in this match and he's so overwhelming that Collins decides maybe waiting until Thursday is probably a good idea. He tags in Kavovit without the latter's knowledge or approval and bails. Piero brings Kavovit in the hard way. The Wyldhearts inctercept McKay and hit the Heartstopper on him while Piero nailes the Flashpoint on Kavovit and that's going to give the faces the pinfall win. What's in store for Piero and Collins on Thursday>!> *****, 94% overall. SPORTZ ENTERTAINMENT TIME!!!~~~ as Haven once again makes his way to the ring. He's solemn as he addresses the crowd. "Explanations. How does one truly explain a matter when it is so deeply personal and quite possibly your greatest failure? My message of unity and cleansing of the wicked has always been my guiding purpose and it is a message that I have always believed because I know it to be righteous and true. Try as I might, I cannot always save everyone, for one reason or another. Perhaps one seeks the same goal, but is interested in another method to acheive it. Those are the ones that I can respect and forgive. However, there are those that would want to twist matters and be nothing but selfish. Victor Dark once came to me, eager to take part in my crusade to save the lost souls of this land and put them on a better path. But he was the Cain to my Abel. A jackal lying in wait to snatch away what he himself did not build nor earn. And caught in this crossfire, was a young woman...Andrea. I failed you most of all. You see..." "Woah, woah, woah...," interrupts a voice. On stage Victor Dark and Andrea come out and look to respond to Haven's monologue. Andrea does the talking as she glares at Haven. "You're the failure. Your whole being and message is a lie. You crave power. Everyone here and everyone watching, ask yourself why he calls himself 'The Dark Shepherd'. That would imply that everyone following you is nothing more than some mindless bleating animal that you can exploit. But if you want to call me a failure, well you don't have to worry. Victor here, saved me. And while you may not have The Order anymore, the truth of the matter is that you haven't really suffered any major consequences from its fallout, have you? You still parade around here commanding fear and respect like the fraud that you are. Well, Victor Dark is here to take care of all that...brother." Victor takes the mic and continues the browbeating. "Haven, it has been my mission ever since your departure to this place to bring you your day of reckoning. I have been hard at work setting people free from your nonsense. Some familiar to you, others that might've fallen under your sway had I not intervened. You see, unlike you, my purpose is not control, but to liberate. You have nobody to blame but yourself for what is to come." Haven looks like he's heard enough and gets back on the mic. "If that is the case, then perhaps what is to come should happen right now!" He drops the microphone and starts making his way towards Victor. Victor steps in front of Andrea and looks prepared. Haven isn't stopping BUT HERE COMES HUGO!!! WTF is the deal with this lunatic?!? He stops Haven from reaching Victor rather violently and just assaults Haven, sending him into the set. He then decides to put the exclamation point on it by pressing Haven off the stage to the equipment below. WTF is going here?!? We need help for Haven! MAIN EVENT: Ryan Pattillo vs. Orlando Kincaid Pattillo wants to talk about how he's looking to get back on track and things are looking up for him now that he's the number one contender for Wrakk's Unified World Title at Bragging Rights. In some weird way, he has Orlando Kincaid to thank for this, as the focus that he's been on these past few weeks has seemed to do wonders for him. It's been a rollercoaster of a year for Pattillo, but he can cap it off by capturing the biggest prize in the business once again. This match is fire and a great way to end the evening as well as put this little feud to rest. Speaking of Wrakk, he makes his way out to watch the proceedings. I figure giving the number one contender a solid clean win will certainly help his standing, especially after a banger. It's a struggle but ultimately Kincaid falls victim to the Shutdown and Pattillo ends the night by getting a pinfall win. He trades glares with Wrakk as we go off the air. *****, 94% overall. Overall show rating: 89% NEXT: THE SLAMMYS!!! |
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06-15-2023, 12:01 PM
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#3381 |
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President of Freedonia
Posts: 58,215
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Great shit as always in this one. Plenty of snowflakes all over the place, must be great to live in a hypothetical future where everyone just rules ass and everything is must-see appointment television. You fuckers would get the full 6 hours a week outta me
That ***** rating in the tag match, despite Galino & Farnes not having charisma is interesting. I'm still not entirely sure the extent to which charisma plays in vs. talent meshing well and, most importantly, overness. If everyone is over, the crowd will always be shit hot and it'll impact the ratings in kind even beyond just the Crowd Reaction setting. Even way back in the day where the last version of EWR came out in 2003, I had to keep Hogan's annoying ass employed because he was guaranteed like a 90+ crowd rating every single match or segment he was in no matter how much of a slug he was in the ring. But I had to make sure he was facing reasonably over people to get him to agree to do the job. FACK HOGAN Nice to see Ozzy's heel turn. Ozzy Mandias just FEELS like a heel name anyway. Loved the Haven/Dark segment. Just really epic verbiage being thrown around. Poor Haven getting his ass whooped though. He needs some retribution! |
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06-15-2023, 12:44 PM
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#3382 |
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Higher. Further. Faster.
Posts: 20,902
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This post is sponsored by Michael Hotbody's introduction
I've noticed than whenever you do a turn, heel or face, in a match, the crowd reaction rating goes up big time, sometimes even approaching 100%. I think because it's a major event or what not. The turn is essentially part of the match so I imagine that's what gives it the boost.
The thing with Victor Dark is that he was the jackass who evidently married a child of Linda McMahon so now I can't fire him and I'm worried it also gives him the ability to reject things. Like, will he agree to do the job to Haven should I ask for it? I don't really plan on him being a mainstay. I just need to give Haven something to do in the meantime. I'm not rushing to put the two together real soon as I've got a lot more twists and turns before this drama unfolds...completely. Anyways, working on Superstars. I'm hoping to make some great acceptance speeches, especially from you-know-who. |
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06-15-2023, 12:49 PM
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#3383 |
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Higher. Further. Faster.
Posts: 20,902
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This post is sponsored by the Dime Lady
Bragging Rights looks like this so far:
WWE Unified World Title: Wrakk vs. Ryan Pattillo WWE Women's Tag Team Titles: The Southern Belles vs. The Perfections WWE Women's Title: Sonya Braddock vs. Jenna Kyle WWE Cruiserweight Title: Michael Hotbody vs. Gavin Jones You can bet there will be more gold on the line, plus I'll likely add Bennett vs. Hail. I'm debating who to leave off. Last edited by M-A-G; 06-15-2023 at 01:08 PM. |
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06-15-2023, 01:46 PM
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#3384 | |
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President of Freedonia
Posts: 58,215
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I do love how the owner of the company nevers changes no matter how much time passes.Linda McMahon would be 92 by this point, which would also mean Shane and Steph are 70 and 64, respectively. Wonder how old this unknown daughter of Linda McMahon is...because it would seem Mr. Dark is out for the cougars. |
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06-17-2023, 12:51 AM
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#3385 |
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President of Freedonia
Posts: 58,215
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 AEW Collision June 17, 2023 "Saturday's Alright for Fighting" by Sir Elton blares over the PA as pyro shoots off with lights flashing all over the Chicago. Our announce team Mauro Ranallo and Nigel McGuinness welcome us to the debut episode. The familiar guitar riff of "Cult of Personality" blares through the sound system. The crowd erupts as CM Punk emerges from the tunnel, wearing his iconic hoodie and a grin that lights up the packed United Center in Chicago.] CM Punk: What's that old saying, Chi-Town? You can't go home again? Well, hell with that because here I am! [The crowd cheers.] CM Punk: Now, I know there's been a lot of talk over the last nine months. Lots of conjecture, lots of people taking sides. Lots of people developing parasocial relationships based on a situation none of you were in the room for. Do you want me to talk about that? [He pauses, holding back a laugh as the crowd cheers.] CM Punk: But, the truth? The truth's always more complicated. I've been away. I've been dealing with stuff, personal and physical. I won't bore you with the details. What's important is I'm here now. I'm home. [More cheers from the crowd.] CM Punk: I'm standing in this AEW ring, with a clean slate. On a new show. Ready to kick ass and take names. And I've got one name in mind. One match that was stolen from me and the AEW fans last year when I got hurt: Hiroshi Tanahashi. [The crowd erupts.] CM Punk: Tanahashi, I respect you. I respect what you've done. But that match we didn't get to have? I want it. I need it. You owe it to me, I owe it to you, and we owe it to these fans. So, let's do this. Let's open that Forbidden Door one more time and give them all the match we should've had a year ago. [Before he can continue, MJF's theme hits, and the AEW World Champion, sporting his signature smirk and Burberry scarf, interrupts. The crowd boos heavily.] MJF: Punk! Punk, Punk, Punk... You always did have a way with words. It's almost enough to make us forget why you really left. [MJF pauses to let the crowd boo.] MJF: Now, let's rewind a bit. Last time you were in an AEW ring? You'd just won the title, in this very city. And who made his triumphant return and was was staring you down to end the show? ME! [MJF points at himself, smirking.] MJF: And then, suddenly, you disappeared. Ran away, tail between your legs, with some sob story about an injury and backstage drama. But we all know the truth, Punk. You were scared. You knew your little fairy-tale comeback would end in a hurry, and it would end with me. [MJF shows his title, the crowd's boos intensifying.] MJF: But that's nothing new for you, right Punk? That's what you do best - run away from a company when the going gets tough. Leave when you know you'll never win the big one. And with me as the champion, you will NEVER get your hands on this belt again. I will keep this bad boy right on through the bidding war of 2024, and who knows, maybe I'll be wearing it on Mondays and Fridays in Stamford. [MJF's smirk gets wider as the crowd boos.] MJF: And, Punk? Here's a little reality check. This company never needed you in the first place, and they sure as hell didn't need you back. And believe me when I tell you - there's an entire locker room back there that resents you. And if I were you, I'd be watching my back. [He drops the mic, leaving Punk in the ring as the crowd boos and his theme blares throughout the United Center.] --- FTW Championship: "El Toro Blanco" Rush w/ Preston Vance and Dralistico vs. Hook (C) w/ "Jungle Boy" Jack Perry The first match in Collision history sees the dangerous Rush going up against the cold-hearted handsome devil Hook. Both men show a great degree of physicality, with Hook looking more challenged than he has in any AEW match to date. Eventually the other members of La Faccion Ingobernable try to interject, but Jungle Boy throws caution to the wind and takes out both with a diving senton to the outside. As the referee deals with the chaos, another masked man sneaks into the ring and plants Hook with a Hammerlock DDT. He unmasks and it's ANDRADE EL IDOLO! We haven't seen him in months! Rush picks up the pieces with a Rush Driver and gets the win! Hook has suffered his first AEW defeat, and Rush has stolen the FTW Championship away from Taz's son. LFI is even more dangerous, as it's a 4 on 2 beatdown on Hook and Perry. ***, 75% overall --- Nick Comoroto vs. Miro Miro was advertised to return at Collision and "The Redeemer" made good on his word. He makes his return as something of a tweener, clearly getting cheers from the crowd but not looking like any less of a dangerous badass than he was when he was last seen. Comoroto is a big hoss and he gives Miro a run for his money, but it's not too long before Miro locks in the Game Over to get a submission victory. Impressive return for Miro. **3/4, 70% overall --- Backstage, Mark Henry is standing by with the Best Friends - Trent Beretta and Chuck Taylor along with International champion Orange Cassidy and TBS champion Kris Statlander. Mark Henry: "We're standing by with the Best Friends. Guys, it's a big night for your group as you've got two title matches tonight. What are your thoughts?" Trent Beretta: "You're exactly right, Mark! First off, our man Orange has a big title fight with Minoru Suzuki next week. He's taking on all comers, so it only makes sense that he fights another badass tonight, right Orange?" [The always-aloof Orange simply gives a thumbs up] Trent Beretta: "And let's not forget about Kris Statlander, as she continues to be a fighting champion and putting the title on the line in an open challenge." [Kris flexes her impressive muscles] Trent Beretta: "As for me and Chuck, well, next up for us..." Chuck Taylor [interjecting]: "I'm gonna say the S-word on live television!" Trent Beretta: "What? No! You can't say that." Chuck Taylor: "Why not? Someone says it every week!" Trent Beretta: "It's a new show! You're gonna get us in trouble right out of the gate." Chuck Taylor: "No way! The censors give us one S-bomb a week. I'm lucky MJF didn't already use the quota. It's my turn to say it. I'm gonna say it." Trent Beretta: "No man! I'm telling you, you can't say shit on television.........oops" [Trent and Chuck walk off-screen bickering, leaving Kris rolling her eyes as Orange just shrugs and heads to the ring for the next match.] --- AEW International Championship: "Freshly Squeezed" Orange Cassidy vs. Lee Moriarty w/ Big Bill Holy shit did these two ever have chemistry, 97% match rating! Unfortunately Lee's overness being in the 50s held things back in terms of overall, but with performances like this that might shoot up in a hurry. Anyway, Cassidy's title reign has seen him get relentlessly punished week-in, week-out and Lee Moriarty's amateur background makes him a dangerous foe ahead of his match with the shoot fighter Suzuki at the PPV. Big Bill tries to get himself involved only for Trent and Chuck to finish their bickering long enough to run him off as Orange puts down Lee with the Beach Blast. ****1/4, 81% overall --- The music of The Acclaimed hits as Max Caster, Anthony Bowens, and Daddy Ass make their way out for their Trios Title match. As Caster raises the microphone to his lips to perform his rap, no sound comes out. The crowd boo at the microphone's malfunctioning, only for the lights to go out too. We hear grunts and chaos happening, and when the lights come back on - all three members of The Acclaimed are down and out with the House of Black menacingly standing over them. The House make their way to the ring, daring the Acclaimed to fight. But try as the Acclaimed might to get up and head to the ring, the officials won't allow it and force them all to the back. --- The House of Black remain in the ring, smirking over the damage they caused The Acclaimed. But they still want to fight, and just like that, it seems we have an impromptu open challenge. The theme of the Hardys hits as the legendary tag team make their way out to the ring with Ethan Page reluctantly following behind them. AEW Trios Championship: The House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King, and Buddy Matthews (C) vs. The Hardys (Matt and Jeff Hardy) and "All Ego" Ethan Page Hard to believe the Hardys are still doing their thing too, although even they've self-admitted that they see this as their final run before they hang up the boots and rest their surely wrecked spines. But hey, they're an asset in EWR because they're over, especially Jeff who is the very definition of the Unique gimmick. Story of this match is the Hardys taking most of the damage with Page reluctant to be in this match at all. Page is a heel, and currently Big Money Matt "owns" his contract resultant from another feud that commenced at Double or Nothing. When Matt goes to make a hot tag for Page, Page ducks off the apron and ignores his employer. When Jeff confronts him about it, Page and Jeff have a go at it. Jeff tries to give a Twist of Fate to Page on the ramp way only to get jumped by a returning Scorpio Sky! Ethan Page's former tag partner in the Men of the Year, and yet another return tonight. As all this is happening, poor Matt's left for dead for the heels to pick the bones. Brody finishes off Matt with a Gonzo Bomb for the title retain. ***, 77% overall --- TBS Champion Kris Statlander is out next awaiting to see her opponent. The crowd is pleased to see the music of Hikaru Shida hit, and the longest reigning AEW Women's champion is out to look to reclaim gold. TBS CHampionship: Kris Statlander (C) vs. Hikaru Shida Holy Shida! I haven't booked her yet and I think this would be a good babyface vs. babyface match. Although the rating for this falls solidly into Scott Keith's "Perfectly Acceptable Wrestling" wheelhouse, it's kinda a shame that even the most talented women on the AEW roster have pretty bad stats in this save data. This match would be fantastic in real life. It will take years and years to get to the division to the extent yours is. Anyway, the two have a solid, competitive match which sees Kris get the retain with the Big Bang Theory. As she celebrates, a new challenger emerges as the music of Thunder Rosa hits. Yes, another return. Why the fuck not? She and Kris have an understanding staredown. **3/4, 68% overall --- AEW Tag Team Championship: The Lucha Brothers (Penta El Cero Miedo and Rey Fenix) w/ Alex Abrahantes vs. FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) (C) Yeah it's a debut show in a major arena, so let's give the crowd another guaranteed banger. And holy hell these two did not disappoint, which is not remotely surprising given their previous battles within AEW a couple years back. Anyway, this shit ruled ass and unlike their former battles where FTR played dirty, everything was above board in this one and FTR got the victory with the Big Rig after an intense back-and-forth, high-drama match. Both teams are visually exhausted after the match, and then manage to muster the strength to stand in the ring and shake hands. As this happens, they suddenly find themselves jumped by Bullet Club Gold! Jay White, Juice Robinson, and Powerhouse Hobbs might officially be outnumbered 3 to 4, but those teams just went through a war and makes them all easy pickings. ****1/4, 87% overall --- [Bullet Club Gold steps over the battered bodies of FTR and the Lucha Brothers as they strut to the center of the ring. The crowd’s boos are almost deafening, their heat for Bullet Club Gold palpable.] [Jay White grabs a mic from the timekeeper's table and steps back into the ring. He raises the microphone to his mouth as the crowd's chants and boos get even louder. He smirks, basking in the animosity of the crowd.] Jay White: "Hear that? That's the sound of fear. Fear, because you all know what's coming. You saw what we did to Ricky Starks last week, and you just witnessed what we're capable of." [He points at the fallen wrestlers.] Jay White: "You see this? This was your AEW Tag Team Champions. These were your warriors. This was your hope. And just like Ricky Starks last week, they have been decimated." [White paces around the ring, his gaze focused on the crowd, feeding off their reactions.] Jay White: "This isn't just about titles or championships. This is about dominance. This is about showing every single one of you that the Bullet Club Gold is the supreme faction in All Elite Wrestling. I've already proven that I'm the catalyst of New Japan Pro Wrestling, and now I'm gonna do the same here in AEW!" [The crowd boos again, even louder than before.] Jay White: "And let's not forget the newest addition to our family, Powerhouse Hobbs. A man who had previous history with Ricky Starks, his former friend-turned-enemy. The man who's become the embodiment of force and destruction. He is the future. He is the perfect edition to Bullet Club Gold." [Just as White is about to continue, Ricky Starks hits and out comes Ricky Starks, armed with a steel chair.] [Starks heads down to the ring. Seeing the babyfaces are beginning to stir again, Bullet Club Gold retreats, but not before White throws a last smirk at Starks.] Jay White: "You're on borrowed time, Starks and the rest that dreck in the ring. We're not finished here. Not by a long shot." [With those final words, Bullet Club Gold leaves the ring, leaving behind a chaos-filled scene as the crowd cheers for Starks.] --- CM Punk vs. "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels No way I couldn't have Punk headlining in his first show back. It's his first match in 9 months so he needs to work with a fellow experienced vet to knock off any ring rust, and preferably someone he has experience with. Enter Christopher Daniels. A man Punk's had wars with in Ring of Honor. Also, while not acknowledged on commentary, he's AEW's head of talent relations and here he is working a match with the guy coming off of a major talent relations issue. I like to think of this as an extreme form of probation. Anyway, Daniels doesn't really wrestle much anymore but even at 53 he can absolutely still go when the situation calls for it. This match unsurprisingly ruled with Daniels getting the chance to defy Father Time. The result was never much in question though, as Punk hits the GTS and wins to get the hometown happy. After the bell, MJF who had been watching on commentary goes onto the ramp and points at Punk. Punk eggs him on and gets the crowd in a frenzy. However, while he's focused on MJF he doesn't see that SAMOA JOE had entered the ring! Joe chokes out Punk! MJF warned Punk to watch his back, but what is the meaning of this? We are out of time! ****1/4, 88% overall 81% overall show rating Dean Malenko praises me for putting together OC/Lee citing they have amazing chemistry. And the debut episode of Collision pulled a superb rating, the network appear to be very happy with me. In real-life, AEW's already announced that Punk, Miro, Andrade, Rosa, and Sky would all be a part of Collision. The first 3 are all wrestling on the real debut show. So I said fuck it, you only get one debut...let's find a way to bring 'em all back! |
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06-17-2023, 01:10 PM
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#3386 | |||||||||||
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Higher. Further. Faster.
Posts: 20,902
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This post is sponsored by Marie Curie's Nobel Prize
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I'm sure Punk's in-game stats are stellar but you're facing the same problem as some of your other older guys on the roster where the game might want to kick you in the balls and get Punk to hang things up sooner than you'd want. Quote:
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I'm not sure I'd tune in to the actual AEW based on this, because I'm sure it's booked and structured completely different. The hurdle would be if the unknowns (to me) have enough of a mind for the business that they could get me to care about them. The imaginary world will have to do for now...especially if I can imagine Penelope and Allie... |
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06-17-2023, 01:34 PM
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#3387 |
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Higher. Further. Faster.
Posts: 20,902
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This post is sponsored by Dr. Neo Cortex
God damn, I'm just realizing that it look me more than a year just to get through the month of November in the game. WTF was I doing?
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06-17-2023, 04:33 PM
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#3388 | |
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President of Freedonia
Posts: 58,215
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Usually before the main event of each Dynamite, they announce big matches for next week’s Dynamite along with matches booked for Rampage and Collision. Before the main event of Rampage, they run down the Collision and Dynamite cards etc. Any matches that aren’t announced during the broadcast usually are announced by Tony Khan over Twitter, usually with the explanation or lead-in. So you’ll never have an episode of Dynamite where you’re going in blind, you know the entire 5-6 match card before the show goes on the air So no, you didn’t miss an announcement of Punk/Daniels but I assume in the game universe, the match was announced either during a pre-main event bumper add or online. I could totally hear Excalibur being like “and breaking news, CM Punk makes his in-ring return in Chicago against one of the most respected veterans in the sport, Christopher Daniels!” and the crowd would pop at the matchup graphic. But alas, this is another example of where the game being 21 years old means you have to leave a bit more to the imagination. TEW gives you so much control and ability to book like a modern promotion since you have to allocate every minute of your TV time, but it’s complicated as hell. |
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06-17-2023, 04:36 PM
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#3389 |
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President of Freedonia
Posts: 58,215
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And yes in the real life Collision debut tonight, Punk is wrestling. Teaming with FTR against Samoa Joe and Bullet Club Gold (Jay White and Juice Robinson…adding Powerhouse Hobbs to the group was my doing). Kinda glad to see the ‘OL Punker back in action but I hope he doesn’t fuck it up again.
Andrade is also returning to face Buddy Matthews. Miro is also said to be “in action”. “So and so in action” is one of the few times they don’t explicitly tell you a match…it’s basically just telling you Miro’s gonna squash some ROH/indy talent. |
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06-17-2023, 04:37 PM
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#3390 | |
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President of Freedonia
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Remembering being in high school and it was insanely easy to write out months of PPV cards and I only ever posted the PPVs, so I just plowed through year after year. |
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06-19-2023, 05:52 PM
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#3391 |
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President of Freedonia
Posts: 58,215
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AEW Dynamite June 21, 2023 Dynamite at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago opens up with the steel cage already assembled in the ring. A big #1 contender's steel cage match is opening up the broadcast, with the winner going to Forbidden Door on Sunday! Steel Cage Match: Adam Cole vs. Chris Jericho So the actual feud between these two had some decent angles but their lone singles match at Double or Nothing was actually pretty disappointing. I gave them a chance to make amends and they more than lived up to their end of the bargain. Both are good workers in the game of course but moreover they also have the overness and charisma to get the crowd invested. After a match that saw both guys get busted wide open, Jericho puts Cole down with a Judas Effect and then begins his ascent up the cage, taking his sweet time to rub it in. He gets to the top of the cage and taunts the crowd, not realizing Cole's found a sudden last second wind! Cole shoots up the cage and both men sit atop the cage throwing punches. Both men look precariously close to falling, they begin to lean back and start kicking one another while perched. Cole grabs Jericho's leg and twists it into part of the top part of the cage, then throws a stiff elbow. Jericho falls backward toward the ring but his leg is stuck! He's stuck in the cage! Cole makes his way down to the ring and gets the win! He will face SANADA for the IWGP Title on Sunday! ***1/2, 88% overall --- Renee Paquette stands with The Elite - Kenny Omega, Matt Jackson, Nick Jackson, and Adam Page. Behind them, the backstage area bustles with activity. RENEE: I'm here with The Elite. Gentleman... Before she can even say anything, Adam Page interrupts, looking slightly troubled. PAGE: Sorry, Renee. I've had a lot on my mind all week, I owe some people an explanation. I gotta go find The Dark Order. Page quickly exits, leaving Renee with the rest of The Elite. RENEE: Alright. Well, Young Bucks, you have a match tonight with Bryan Danielson and Jon Moxley. What's your strategy? MATT: Well, Renee, our strategy is simple. We're going to go out there and give our best. Danielson and Moxley are the cream of the crop, some of the tougest ecompetitors in the business, but we're not called The Elite for nothing. NICK: That's right. We're always ready, no matter who the opponent is. We know the Blackpool Combat Club are always going to have tricks up their sleeve, but they're making a mistake if they take us lightly. Renee turns to Kenny. RENEE: Kenny, there's been a lot of talk about your upcoming match with Will Ospreay at Forbidden Door. How are you feeling about that, especially with a match against Kyle Fletcher coming up next? Omega shakes his head, irritation flashing in his eyes. OMEGA: Don and his games. He managed to lobby management into setting up a match against Ospreay's underling Fletcher tonight. But I won't let that distract me. I have to focus on tonight. I have to focus on retaining my title on Sunday. Ospreay gave me one of the biggest fights of my career this past January, and I can't let this business with Callis and Takeshita get in the way of my preparation. Tongiht, I take out United Empire. This Sunday, I will beat Will Ospreay in my home country of Canada to reclaim my IWGP United States Championship. This week The Elite will stand tall over both Blackpool Combat Club and United Empire. Renee nods, wrapping up the interview. RENEE: Determined words from The Elite. We'll see how it all unfolds. Back to you. --- Kenny Omega vs. Kyle Fletcher Well, this was a "rookie" EWR move by me that I do every time I pick up a new game. I figured Jericho/Cole opening up would get the show on a hot start BUT I needed to put something after it that wouldn't be seen as a let down. I figured between Omega/Fletcher's talent and Omega being one of the most over and charismatic guys on the roster, it would offset Fletcher being a relative unknown. It was not so, and it went from being what might've been a high-60s, low-70s crowd reaction drop down to live 54. Anyway, Fletcher is one half of the Aussie Open tag team with his currently injured tag partner Mark Davis. They were signed to NJPW until a month or so ago when they moved over to AEW. However they are canonically in the NJPW-based United Empire stable led by Omega's Forbidden Door opponent, Will Ospreay so this is a logical match to build to it. Pretty straightforward here - Omega wins with the One Winged Angel. EWR gave it the 'ol squash match single line treatment but I imagined it was actually a solid match, with Don Callis possibly joining commentary. ***, 71% overall --- Backstage, we see La Faccion Ingobernable rolling up to the building in a limo with Andrade sporting his trademark smirk and Rush carrying his newly won/stolen FTW Championship. They don't get very far before "Jungle Boy" Jack Perry and Hook take aim at them and a brawl breaks out in the parking lot. JungleHook are willingly outnumbered but the element of surprise worked to their advantage as they kept the fight going until security broke up the brawl. Taz on commentary, usually one to side with the heels, expresses happiness that his son Hook isn't taking any shit after having the family title stolen from him. --- Trios Match: Best Friends (Orange Cassidy, Trent Beretta, and Chuck Taylor) vs. Kip Sabian, The Butcher, and The Blade w/ Penelope Ford and The Bunny Trent and Chuck continue to try to run Orange through the ringer by booking him against dangerous opponents to get him ready for Suzuki, and that continues here with Butcher and Blade always being their menacing selves and Sabian being someone who has had a tightly contested title match against Orange before. Your pretty standard decent trios fare here with everyone doing their thing and Orange waking up for the babyface hot tag. The Bunny tries to grab Orange's leg at ringside but accidentally grabs The Blade's instead, the temporary distraction leading to a Superman Punch and the win for the face team. **3/4, 72% overall --- [The screen fades in on Renee Paquette, standing backstage with the members of The Jericho Appreciation Society. Chris Jericho's battle scars from the steel cage match against Adam Cole are clear on his face. He's a picture of despair, his expression a stark contrast to the confident smirks on the faces of his teammates.] Renee Paquette: "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm standing here with The Jericho Appreciation Society. First, Daniel Garcia, the reigning ROH Pure Champion. Daniel, you're facing Katsuyori Shibata at Forbidden Door. How are you feeling about this?" Daniel Garcia: "Renee, let's be clear here. Katsuyori Shibata is a legend, a warrior... But he hasn't faced me yet. I respect him, but I won't hesitate to put him down. At Forbidden Door, the ring will be my battlefield, and I'll show him why I'm the ROH Pure Champion." [The camera shifts to Sammy Guevara.] Renee Paquette: "Sammy, two weeks ago, FTR beat Angelo Parker and Matt Menard. You're challenging them now, is that right?" Sammy Guevara: "You're damn right, Renee! FTR, you had your fun with Parker and Menard, but now it's our turn. Jake Hager and I, we're not just another tag team. I'm the Spanish God, we're Sammy Hager, baby! We're throwing down the gauntlet, and we're coming for those Tag Titles!" [Now the focus falls on Chris Jericho, and the atmosphere noticeably shifts.] Renee Paquette: "Chris, I've noticed you've been quiet since your loss to Adam Cole earlier tonight. This has been a tough year for you with several high-profile losses. Now that your quest to become IWGP World Heavyweight Champion has ended, what's your next move?" [Jericho looks like he wants to answer. He opens his mouth to speak, but no words come out. The silence stretches out, and the others exchange worried glances.] [Jericho tries again, a determined look crossing his face, but once more, no words come. He seems to crumble, a man lost and defeated. Without a word, he turns and walks off set, leaving the others behind.] [The camera lingers on the stunned faces of The Jericho Appreciation Society, and Renee Paquette looks equally shocked.] Renee Paquette: "Well... it seems that tonight has taken a significant toll on Chris Jericho. We'll keep you updated on the situation as it develops. Back to you, guys." [The camera fades out, leaving the viewers in suspense about the future of Chris Jericho and The Jericho Appreciation Society.] --- NJPW Strong Women's Championship: Willow Nightingale (C) vs. Saraya w/ Toni Storm and Ruby Soho Over the weekend at an NJPW show, Toni Storm laid out a challenge to Willow to do a title for title match on Collision, which Willow readily accepted. But The Outcasts then jumped her, and somehow this resulted in Saraya goading Willow into putting her title up for grabs against her first. Pretty solid match all-in-all, very possibly Saraya's best AEW match to date with her heel antics playing well against the fiery babyface Willow. Willow seemed to have Saraya ready to be finished off only for Toni to just blast spray paint directly in Willow's eye, causing the DQ. Willow keeps her title, but at what cost? The Outcasts perform a 3-on-1 beatdown until Britt Baker runs out to help, and the Outcasts take their leave, mocking the blinded Willow along the way. ***, 73% overall --- [Lights dim, then an arrogant MJF struts into the ring, microphone in hand. The crowd, already chanting "CM Punk", grows even louder.] MJF: First of all, Chicago, will you shut up! You sound like a bunch of seals at the zoo. I'm the AEW World Champion, and you will respect me! [The crowd's CM Punk chants continue, only growing louder.] MJF: So, let's talk about last Friday's Collision. I warned Punk. I warned him to watch his back. And what does he do? He brushes me off and gets choked out by Samoa Joe. [He grins, shrugging.] MJF: Now let me clarify something. I had absolutely no idea Samoa Joe would attack Punk. But I can't say I'm surprised. Punk was never one for heeding warnings, was he? [The crowd booing grows louder.] MJF: Now, with Punk and Joe out of the way, let's turn our attention to the match this Sunday at Forbidden Door. Tetsuya Naito, the pride and joy of that rinky-dink indie promotion, New Japan Pro-Wrestling. [He chuckles, shaking his head.] MJF: Naito, do you honestly believe you stand a chance against me? Your boring, methodical style might fool the fans in Japan, but I see right through it. [He smirks, arms crossed.] MJF: New Japan Pro-Wrestling... It's funny how a company with 'Pro' in its name is anything but. But don't worry, I won't let this prestigious AEW World Title fall into the hands of that circus act you call a wrestling company. [He raises the AEW World Title high, the crowd's booing reaching a crescendo.] MJF: This Sunday, I'm not just fighting for myself. I'm fighting for every AEW fan, for every person who values real wrestling. I'm fighting to prove that AEW is the only company worthy of this title. And I'm the only man worthy of holding it. All of New Japan will know that I'm better than them, and they know it. [He drops the microphone, his music blares, and he leaves the ring, the crowd's boos echoing around the arena.] --- TNT Championship: Wardlow (C) vs. Big Bill w/ Lee Moriarty Lee Moriarty had a helluva showing in a title match on Friday, so why not give Bill a go at gold as well? Though he isn't anywhere as good of an all-round worker as Lee, he's a good 7 ft tall brawler and that meshes well with Wardlow who is coming off of a hoss fight last week and now jumping straight into another one. Anyway after a rough and tumble match and evading Lee at ringside, Wardlow finishes off Bill with one of his biggest powerbombs ever. After the bell, it sure seems like his string of hoss fights is just beginning as here comes Jake "The Snake" Roberts leading down Lance Archer to stare down the champion. Guess we have a new challenger! ***1/4, 77% overall --- Renee Paquette stands again backstage. Flanking her are Bryan Danielson and Jon Moxley of the Blackpool Combat Club. RENEE: Jon, Bryan, in just a few moments you will be facing off against The Young Bucks just days ahead of Forbidden Door. What are your thoughts? Moxley grins, a hint of ferocity in his eyes. MOXLEY: Two weeks ago I threw out an open challenge for Forbidden Door and guess what? Tomohiro Ishii stepped up. The Stone Pitbull himself. One of the toughest son of a bitches I've ever been in the ring with. Ishii, you have no idea what you've gotten yourself into coming at me again. The man you faced four years ago is not the same man you are stepping into the ring with now. The crowd reacts, their excitement audible even from backstage. Renee turns to Danielson. RENEE: Bryan, your match with Kazuchika Okada at Forbidden Door is being called a dream match. What's your take? Danielson smirks, his confidence unwavering. DANIELSON: It's not just a dream match, Renee. It's THE dream match. Okada might be the 'Rainmaker', but I've been making dreams come true in the ring for longer than he's been around. It's going to be a match that people will talk about for decades, and when all is said and done the American Dragon will do what he does best and kick someone's head in. Renee nods, a question already on her lips. RENEE: And what about your match with the Young Bucks? Are you concerned about wrestling this match before doing battle against Okada? Danielson laughs, dismissive and confident. DANIELSON: The Young Bucks? I've been saying this about The Elite for months. They're amateurs. Their flashy style might impress some, but it takes more than flips and superkicks to make it in this business. They're about to learn a tough lesson tonight. RENEE: Strong words from the Blackpool Combat Club. We'll see how this all unfolds in the ring. Back to you. --- Tag Team Match: The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) vs. Blackpool Combat Club (Bryan Danielson and Jon Moxley) w/ Wheeler Yuta Well, for the second TV show in a row I got a tag match that completely ruled and, in this case, it led to me getting the highest match rating I've had in this match save. The styles just blended perfectly here with the speedster Bucks, master technician Danielson and brawler Moxley. They was just something for everyone here. Wheeler Yuta tries to involve himself in affairs one time too many, leading to his ejection. As he protests, the ref doesn't see Claudio Castagnoli enter from the crowd. He leaps onto the apron just as Matt Jackson was going to attempt a springboard, massive uppercut! Matt is in the ring stunned, he gets up slowly, turns around and receives a Busaiku Knee. BCC get the win and some momentum heading into Sunday. The BCC put the boots to the Bucks as the crowd boos. The crowd chants for help and after some time has passed Hangman Page finally runs out with a bullrope and the BCC decide they've had enough, leaving through the crowd laughing as Page tends to the Bucks. ****1/2, 92% overall 83% overall show rating. Multiple 90-rated promos helped prop this show up even higher. |
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06-19-2023, 06:05 PM
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#3392 |
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President of Freedonia
Posts: 58,215
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Card set for AEW/NJPW Forbidden Door:
AEW World Championship: MJF (C) vs. Tetsuya Naito IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Adam Cole vs. SANADA (C) IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship: Kenny Omega (C) vs. Will Ospreay AEW International Championship: Orange Cassidy (C) vs. Minoru Suzuki ROH Television Championship and IWGP Television Championship: Samoa Joe (C) vs. Zack Sabre Jr. (C) ROH Pure Championship: Daniel Garcia (C) vs. Katsuyori Shibata Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada CM Punk vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi Jon Moxley vs. Tomohiro Ishii --- I would've put the Toni Storm vs. Willow Nightingale title for title match on the PPV because, in real life, not only do I think that match is happening on the card but also AEW would get understandably ethered if they had a PPV without a women's match. Similarly, there's no way there won't be tag matches on the PPV. But this is just one of those deals where I have to book to the limitations of what the game gives me. Real-life AEW PPVs are infrequent so they load the cards up more than I'm allowed to in game. Plus, I have the entire NJPW roster available to me on Open deals, and I think they will be largely unavailable through most of July due to touring commitments. Besides that, I have a huge roster and don't want to overuse NJPW talent. Both because it would get expensive in-game and also because it's not particularly realistic, the NJPW guys mostly just show up at certain times of the year. So this show is about just doing a 9-match "dream card" of AEW vs. NJPW singles matches while I can. Technically Toni vs. Willow wouldn't fit there either because NJPW doesn't have a formal women's division. Their women come primarily through their sister promotion STARDOM, other joshi feds, AEW etc. But for all intents it would be an AEW vs. AEW match. The one NJPW-contracted woman's wrestler I'd happily book is injured (in real life) so for realism purposes I'm avoiding using her right now. But I'm sure at some point, I'll have to look at my Bank Statement to see if I can afford to bring her in, if you catch my drift. |
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06-20-2023, 12:11 AM
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#3393 |
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President of Freedonia
Posts: 58,215
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Fuck it, another show today. Trying to see if I can stay ahead of the pace of real-life AEW which means I'd need to hammer out Collision and Forbidden Door by the weekend.
AEW Rampage June 23, 2023 The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds and John Silver) w/ Evil Uno and Stu Grayson vs. The Workhorsemen (Anthony Henry and J.D. Drake) Dark Order kicking off Rampage for a second week in a row. The Workhorsemen are the kind of team that probably would get the "already in the ring" treatment in entrances. They are among a handful of talent on the roster who are actually pretty talented in-ring wrestlers but nobody would know them unless they watched AEW Dark when that was around. This is reflected in their very low overness, like high 30s/low 40s. At the same time, they also indy veterans who are nearly 40 years old each so there's no point in sending them down to ROH to build overness. And much like the real AEW I probably won't be future endeavoring people unless they cause issues or I start losing money in-game. So they will likely just top out at solid hands to put against my regular tag teams to get a decent match. 80 quality for this one but the lack of a crowd reaction impacted the star rating. The announcers speculate on if Hangman was able to make contact and amends with the Dark Order on Wednesday, but their questions are seemingly answered with Reynolds and Silver showing the same mean streak the group showed last week. Reynolds puts away Henry with a Fisherman Buster for the victory. After the bell, Drake returns to the ring for a cheap shot but Uno and Grayson hop in to save their mates and they hit him with a Fatality for his troubles. The Dark Order stand tall and as pissed off as we've seen them in a long while. **3/4, 68% overall --- TBS Championship: Kris Statlander (C) vs. The Bunny w/ Penelope Ford Kris Statlander has been keeping herself busy. First a Shida title defense, then being confronted by Thunder Rosa, and now issuing a challenge to either Bunny or Ford after they interjected themselves into the Best Friends' trios match on Dynamite. The Bunny aka Allie is a veteran of the ring wars and her styles ended up gelling quite well with Kris'. Competitive all-around match ends with Stat finishing off Bunny with the Big Bang Theory. Penelope cheap shots her afterward, apparently wanting a chance against the champ too. ***, 73% overall --- Next up we have a video package hyping up the matches for Forbidden Door. It couldn't be that I created a stable called "Forbidden Door" featuring all of the AEW talent on the card and ran a stable video for it. Nope not at all! --- Konosuke Takeshita w/ Don Callis vs. Bandido Well last week I put Takeshita against a luchadore and the match was solid but suffered from crowd reaction. I'm giving it another go here, Bandido is not only more over than Takeshita's last opponent but the styles on paper seem they should mesh well. And mesh they did. 92% quality match with Scott Keith admitting he was considering giving it 4 stars. Sadly, the crowd reaction did still play a part in this but not to the extent of last time. These two have a banger with Takeshita of course winning via Zahi Knee. ***1/2, 75% overall --- [The arena is raucous after that competitive match. BANDIDO is slumped in a corner of the ring, spent and beaten. KONOSUKE TAKESHITA stands victorious in the center, his breathing heavy but his stance unbowed. DON CALLIS makes his way into the ring, microphone in hand, a devilish grin on his face.] CALLIS: [Raises mic, his voice booming over the cheers and boos of the crowd] "Ladies and gentlemen, what you just witnessed was not an upset. It was not a surprise. What you saw was an inevitability!" [The crowd reacts, with boos filling the air. Callis raises a hand, waiting for them to quiet. Takeshita remains stoic, silently standing guard.] CALLIS: "Look around you, at the landscape of AEW and New Japan Pro Wrestling. Think of the names. [He chuckles] Adam Cole. Kazuchika Okada. Hiroshi Tanahashi. 'Hangman' Adam Page. Tremendous talents, no doubt about it. But there's a new force rising. A man who stands tall above them all!" [He places an arm around Takeshita, squeezing his shoulder.] CALLIS: "This man, my 'son', Konosuke Takeshita! He didn't just defeat Bandido tonight, no... he made a statement. A statement that he will be making over and over again from this day forward that says he's better. Better than all of them. And, most importantly, he is certainly better than you, Kenny Omega!" [The crowd roars, a cacophony of boos flooding the arena. Callis pauses, soaking in the reaction, then continues.] CALLIS: "So Kenny, listen up. You've got a mountain to climb this Sunday against Will Ospreay. And let me tell you, that's a steep climb. But even if you make it to the summit, even if you somehow keep hold of your IWGP United States Championship... what then, Kenny?" [He pulls Takeshita in closer.] CALLIS: "You'll find another mountain waiting. A mountain named Takeshita. And he's not just any peak, Kenny. He's Everest. He's K2. And when you're spent and gasping for breath... Konosuke by god Takeshita will be there, ready to cast you down." [Callis drops the mic, the sound reverberating throughout the arena. He leaves the ring with Takeshita, their silhouettes receding under the blinding lights as the crowd's reactions continue to pour in.] --- Darby Allin vs. "The Machine" Brian Cage In my last EWR game I had these two wrestle and was impressed with how well they gelled, they have opposing stats but the big meaty but still agile powerhouse dude gelled well with the small underdog guy who throws his body around with reckless abandon. Now that Darby's involved himself in Mogul Embassy business, I can try running it back. And sure enough, it still works! I imagine Darby spends most of the match getting ragdolled as he usually does, with maybe a few flash nearfalls that nearly take the big man out. As one point, Cage is lying on the apron and that mad bastard Darby goes off for a Coffin Drop. He leaps up and...Swerve Strickland slipped into the ringside area and pulled Cage away! Darby lands onto the apron back first, bah gawd that's gotta hurt. Darby is writing in the ground in pain and Cage slides into the ring before the 10 count for a cheap victory! Swerve instructs Cage to bring Darby back into the ring to inflict more punishment. As Swerve heads up top for a Swerve Stomp, the lights go out. When they come back on, Sting is in the ring with his trademark baseball bat. The Mogul Embassy leave well enough alone and exit the ring. Sting checks on Darby as Rampage goes off the air. ****, 80% overall 78% overall show rating |
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06-20-2023, 07:35 AM
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Higher. Further. Faster.
Posts: 20,902
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This post is sponsored by The Baz
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I'm halfway through the Slammy edition of Superstars and I'm aiming to finish it by the end of the day. It came out better than expected, all things considered, but it helps that you picked winners that were going to add a lot to the proceedings. |
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06-20-2023, 07:44 AM
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#3395 | |
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Higher. Further. Faster.
Posts: 20,902
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This post is sponsored by the Alabama Jam
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 Seriously, this is one of biggest reasons racism is stupid. You're gonna turn down a fine cut of prime dark meat like this? I don't think so. |
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06-20-2023, 09:16 AM
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#3396 |
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Higher. Further. Faster.
Posts: 20,902
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This post is sponsored by Vorador's mansion
Superstars: December 6, 2040
SLAMMY NIGHT!!! We're not wasting any time getting into it as Lisa Benton welcomes us to the show as she's out here to present the first award for the night: Tag Team of the Year. There are a few awards that won't be presented here live for the sake of time, but rest assured they will still be acknowledged throughout the night and everyone can view exclusive interviews with the winners on WWE.com or on the app. But back to the Tag Team of the Year. Some of these nominees are set to participant in the opening match so now is the best time to tackle this award. We're shown the nominees and ultimately Lisa announces the recipients of the award as the former Unified Tag Team Champions, The Royal Effect! Moses McKay and King Kavovit make their way out looking ready to go, but even more so, looking thrilled and elated that they've been picked to receive this award. McKay gets on the mic and says that even with the limited capacity for thought that permeates the WWE audience, they still had no choice but to acknowledge the tremendous ability and presence of the Royal Effect! Kavovit adds that it's a testament to their superiority that they formed halfway through the year and they still came out on top of the heap. It's the perfect allegory for the situation with the Tag Team Titles. Blaine Bellamy and Robbie Greer may have those belts now, but the fruits of robbery are never savored very long and whether anyone likes it or not, The Royal Effect will come out on top of that situation, too, and get back what's rightfully theirs. If the Wyldhearts don't like it, they can try doing something about it right now in this match! Opening Match: The Royal Effect and The Future Foundation vs. The Wyldhearts and the Love Connection These kinds of matches are always great. I wonder if the tag ratings of each team gets taken into account for the overall score. It's a wild way to start things and it only gets wilder as it breaks down in the end as it turns into a pier six affair and Coleman and McKay are legal for their teams. Vivian hops up on the apron to distract Coleman and the ref but Aphrodite comes in to put a stop to that. Unfortunately, that gives McKay the time he needs to whack Coleman from behind with his newly acquired Slammy and that's going to give the heels the cheap pinfall victory. The Royal Effect walk away with their awards in hand, gesturing that they want the titles back. ****1/2, 93% overall. Going to break, a video does the honors of Manager of the Year, which is snagged by Luscious. Oh, joy. Back from break, Lisa Benton is ready to present another award, this time for Shocker of the Year! This award is presented to the people who created a moment in time worthy enough to rattle everyone in the WWE and the fans. 2040 was full of those kinds of moments, but which was the biggest? As before, the nominees play on the big screen. We await with baited breath as Lisa opens the envelope to read the winner...it's Butch Fleming for his shocking return at Backlash! Lisa informs us that, sadly, Butch Fleming is not able to be present here tonight as he is still recuperating from his time in Hell in a Cell. She's ready to accept the award on his behalf until Chet Morris comes out to interrupt. "I will be accepting this award on his behalf, thank you very much. If there's anyone that knows shocking, it's me. You wouldn't know shocking if it hit you upside the head, Lisa. What I did to my cousin Lyle was shocking...and like I alluded to before, you haven't seen anything yet. Now I've got some business to attend to." Second Match: Chet Morris vs. Patrick Dean Quartermaine Business is being attended to, indeed, as Chet dominates here. Do I dare have a new potential hot singles heel on my hands??? I mean, probably not. I do have something in store for him come Bragging Rights so I might as well make him somewhat of a big thing. Chet gets the win here by showing he doesn't need Lyle by ending things with a one-man Backwoods Bomb for the pin. ****1/4, 93% Back from break, it's time for the award for Woman of the Year, with a very special presenter...RIOTT!!! Holy shit!!! Riott begins by saying she knows a thing or two about taking this award home. She feels honored and thankful that she was able to impress the fans enough to win this award way back when, but now we'll see who managed to pull off a year amazing enough that the people chose them for this Slammy. Once again we take a look at the impressive list of nominees via the big screen. Riott takes the envelope and reads the winner...IT'S THE WOMEN'S CHAMPION SONYA BRADDOCK! The crowd pops as Sonya's music plays and the champion herself makes her way out to the stage. She and Riott share a tense moment as they look at each other. There's a lot of history here, folks. Ultimately, Sonya takes the award and Riott applauds the champion as there doesn't look like there's going to be any incident and Sonya looks to give her speech. Oops, never mind. Here comes someone to make an incident out of this, namely the former Women's Champion, Naomi Bailey. Bailey is irate at the fans. She asks them how stupid can they be in picking Sonya over Naomi for this award. The people have got to be the biggest bunch of ingrates she's ever seen! Naomi stole the show all year! Day in and day out, she was at the top of her game and she made bitches like Sonya Braddock kneel in front her! Sonya looks like she's taking offense to this and she gets in Naomi's face. Naomi isn't fazed and she continues her tirade against the champ, accusing her of being a phony. Sonya knows that her win at Survivor Series should be reversed and Naomi should be crowned the rightful champ. Besides, Naomi would be able to handle Jenna Kyle at Bragging Rights way more than Sonya ever could. With that comment, Sonya shoves Naomi back and Naomi looks to fire back but we get the usual gang of idiots to get in between the two ladies and stop any more breaking down of the show. Third Match: The Glitz Girls vs. C4 Brooke is with C4, talking about how none of them have picked up Slammys. Brooke knows that she's a top manager, so the problem must lie with her clients not pulling their weight. She demands that either Cordelia or Carmella win that Woman of the Year award next time around...if she can even tolerate them as her clients by then, that is. All that aside, this is a solid match all around. It comes to an end after Cordelia and Carmella stumble over themselves trying to outdo the other. Tania is legal for the faces and she whips Carmella into the corner where Cordelia is slumped. Carmella manages to pump the brakes to avoid a collision and the two heels share a bit of words. Carmella turns back around and sees Tania trying a Stinger Splash. Carmella dodges this and Cordelia takes the hit. Tania gets rolled up by Carmella and Carmella uses Cordelia's own crushed body for leverage to score the cheap pin. Cordelia is slighted at these turn of events and shoves Carmella afterwards, but Brooke steps in to play peacemaker. ****1/2, 92% overall. We're informed that Michael Hotbody has taken the award for Douche of the Year as we move on. I'm sure that will go over well with him. The awards continue as Lisa Benton is back out to present Rookie of the Year! This award honors the person who has made a huge splash with the WWE audience despite it being their debut year. We go to the big screen for the nominees and upon the conclusion of that showcase, Lisa is once again tasked with opening the envelope to reveal the winner. She glances at the card and looks disgusted at what she reads. Begrudgingly, Lisa announces that the winner of the this award is none other than...Michael Hotbody. Lisa continues looking none too thrilled about this task as the Cruiserweight Champion indeed makes his way out with a smile a mile wide and shaking his body like nobody's business. He yanks the award away from Lisa and gets on the mic with glee. He claims that he's here to rub all of this great success in Lisa's face so she had better not go anywhere. "Now normally I would be upset at you not addressing me my full moniker, but seeing as how we're pressed for time, all of that introduction would've just eaten into my speech time AND I AM NOT ABOUT TO WASTE THIS SPEECH!!! I have been expecting to win every single category in which I am nominated and so far, so good! I now have this second Slammy to go along with the one that I won earlier. I am officially the Rookie of the Year...AND the Most Envied Superstar of the Year!!!" Lisa looks confused and tries to interrupt by correcting him. "Uh, actually you won the Dou..." "That's right!" Hotbody continues. "It is no small feat to be the most envied person in the locker room, but it's a burden that I am strong enough to carry! Just like I'm strong enough to carry multiple Slammys AND the WWE Cruiserweight Title. Now, onto the thank yous. First and foremost, thanks are in order to the other nominees for being so inferior to me that I could easily take this award. I am Mister 2040 and no one can take that away from me. More thanks to Zed Jones, who is a brother like no other! Loyal and brave and firm. He's the biggest and the baddest out there and he has my endorsement so Clubber Harris had better be thinking twice about crossing him in the future. Another special thanks to the best legal team money can buy. The law offices of Freddie Galino and Jimmy Farnes deserve so much love and credit for standing by me and making sure I am free of any sort of legal shenanigans anyone tries throwing my way. Last, but certainly not least, behind every great man is a great woman. And there is none greater than the sexiest thing happening in the WWE today, other than me, fellow Slammy Award winner, my girl, my heart and soul...THE LOVELY LUSCIOUS! You had all better believe that there is celebration of the physical kind that's going to do down and it's well deserved. The only way this night can get any better is me also taking home the award for Cruiserweight of the Year! As a matter of fact, why not just get that out of the way right now! Lisa, make yourself useful and get to it. I've got places to be and I'm a lock for this category anyway. Get the stupid envelope out here and give me my third Slammy!" Lisa Benton looks exasparated, but she agrees nonetheless and asks that the production crew bring up the nominees for Cruiserweight of the Year. Hotbody objects to this and demands that Lisa just open the damn envelope because it's a waste of time anyway. Benton takes the envelope and opens it up and looks at the winner. She gets a huge smile on her face and she gets on the mic to announce the winner. "Well, Michael, I can say one thing for sure. I am absolutely thrilled to present this award with you here to witness it." Hotbody is all smiles and is giddy as all hell and he beckons for Lisa to announce the name. "Your winner for Cruiserweight of the Year is...JORDAN DEMIRAS!!!" The crowd pops and Hotbody's smile disappears, replaced with a shocked expression. He is outraged and demands to see the card and he yanks it from Lisa's hand, not believing what he reads. Jordan makes his way out to claim his prize, but Hotbody isn't done. "Woah, woah, woah, I demand a recount! This is an outrage! What in the hell makes YOU, Jordan, so special that you think you should have this award? Do you have the Cruiserweight Title? NO! Have you ever beaten me in a match? NO! You have a lot of nerve coming out here to accept this award. If you had ANY sense of pride or honesty you'll give up this Slammy AND PERSONALLY HAND IT TO ME!!! What's it going to be?" Jordan looks at Hotbody then scans the crowd as if looking for an answer. He goes the route of slapping Hotbody across the face and then takes the award and goes to leave. Hotbody isn't finished and challenges Jordan if he really wants to fight. He tells Jordan to get some back up and head to the ring so they can get a piece if they want to go at it so bad. Jordan and whoever wants to team with him can get in the ring with Galino & Farnes! Fourth Match: Clubber Harris and Jordan Demiras vs. Galino & Farnes Harris answers the call much to the chagrin of Hotbody. No doubt Harris just wants to get under the skin of Zed. This is more good shit from these guys. Jordan and Harris mesh oddly well together. It comes to an end when Ozzy Mandias comes running down while the ref is busy trying to keep Zed and Harris away from each. Ozzy shoves Jordan off the top as the latter is looking for an Axe Kick. Galino & Farnes hit SERIOUS INQUIRIES! on the dazed Jordan and that's enough to put him away for the cheap victory. Ozzy backs up the ramp pointing at Jordan and claiming that he's next. ****1/2, 92% overall. A video does the job of presenting us the Feud of the Year nominees. Faith Connors and Jenna Kyle are announced as the winners. We have more Slammys to hand out and Lisa Benton comes out to present the award for Noteworthy Moment of the Year. She describes this award as being the one to recognize the single instance of monumental history that went down in 2040. We go to the nominees, each one just as big as the other. It is ultimately down to the votes and it's time to see what the people have to say about this. Lisa opens the envelope. The winner of the award is...Jenna Kyle and Faith Connors becoming the first Women's Tag Team Champions at SummerSlam! Well, the Lonely Girls are already Slammy winners, but now they get their chance to come out to the stage and make a speech properly. Faith Connors begins by pointing out how funny it is that she and Jenna have an award for fighting each other, and now have an award for being a team. Personally, she'll take fighting by Jenna's side over getting punched in the face by her and there is no doubt in her mind that she and Jenna can make even more history in the next year. She wants to thank Jenna just as much as she wants to thanks the people for this honor. Jenna takes over and agrees that she and Faith have much more to accomplish. They're still owed an opportunity to get back those same tag titles they worked their asses off to win at SummerSlam. Hannah McCormick and Bobbi Jo had better be watching and understanding what their in for when the chance for the Lonely Girls to step into the ring with them again comes around. But for Jenna personally, her first stab at making history is at Bragging Rights when she gets the chance to win that Women's Title for the fourth time. Naomi Bailey can take a hike because all of her blustering amounts to nothing. Jenna hopes that Naomi isn't causing Sonya Braddock to take her eye off the ball, because Jenna wants no excuses. She wants Sonya at the top of her game because if there's anyone worth beating, it's the so-called Woman of the Year. In the meantime, Jenna claims that she and Faith are going to celebrate. Pleasure now...business later. The Lonely Girls start to take their leave but the next match is set to get underway and Dusk is the first participant to come out. Dusk gives Faith the stink eye as there is still business among the two. That'll have to wait as we've got this match to take care of... Fifth Match: Ainsley and Phoebe Hansen vs. Debra Phillips and Dusk I was a bit worried about doing this match here as both Ainsley and Debra are still low-tier. Ainsley, Phoebe, and Dusk are rocking it in the charisma department, though. Plus, who wouldn't react to a woman like Dusk? Debra and Ainsely are still in the infancy of their feud so I don't think there's a need to job someone out hard yet. We'll just have Debra get herself counted out to escape the wrath of Ainsley. That'll work. And the rating proves me right, apparently. ****1/2, 85% overall. Another video does the job of presenting a Slammy, this time for Match of the Year. The Iron Woman Match between Jenna and Faith get the honors as that's 3 Slammys for both women, the most for the night. That has to be a record. Sixth Match: Alexander Piero vs. Chris Collins Collins gets on the stick and wants to emphasize that after this, he wants to be done with Piero. He's tired of playing with the little boys. Piero should be counting his lucky stars that Collins even granted him this much attention. Collins belongs amongst the titans of the WWE. He's won more accomplishments than Piero can ever hope to achieve. The one lesson that Collins hopes Piero takes away from this whole experience is that choosing your battle wisely is always paramount. More importantly, Collins hopes to move onto bigger and better things because now is one of the best times to start making moves. With all that is happening in the WWE right now, Collins will be damned if he's going to be lost in the shuffle. So with that said, he invites Piero to come on down and make that one final swing for the fences. Issues aside, this match rules. It's No DQ so they take advantage of that fact, leaving a mess all around ringside. I have no doubt in my mind that Piero is going to far down the road, but right now I have immediate concerns for Collins. After a long and solid brutal affair, Collins escapes an attempt at the Flashpoint and shoves Piero into an exposed turnbuckle. That's enough to set Piero up for the Fall From Heaven and Collins is going to walk away with the pin and the victory. ****1/2, 92% overall. And thus we've arrived at the big one. It's time for the Slammy for Superstar of the Year. Here to present this one is none other than a legend who has a few of these under his belt, among other accolades, IAN MOORE! "I admit, coming back last week to take part in the show kind of gave me the itch to want to come back and do it some more. Now I will have to get back to my usual day-to-day activities but this is too big to just pass up. This award is a symbol of excellence of the highest order. The superstar who claims this award will be someone who made history, shocked the world, performed at the highest level on a consistent basis, and came out better at the end of the year than from where they began, all rolled into one. All of these men deserve praise, but there's only one Slammy here. So without further ado, here are the nominees for Superstar of the Year!" The big screen goes through all 9 candidates, each one receiving highlight footage from their time in 2040. We go back to Ian Moore and he's ready to open the envelope! "And your 2040 Superstar of the Year is...BRANDON REIGNS!" The crowd begrudgingly shows respect as the man himself comes on out to receive the award. He gives Ian a cold look, but accepts the statue and gets on the mic. "If there is one reason, and one reason only, why I should be the Superstar of the Year over everyone else, it should be over the simple fact that unlike any of the others, there was no doubt in my mind that I was the biggest name in the WWE. I beat out so many former World Champions. Hell, I beat out the CURRENT Unified World Champion! I was at the top of my game all year and I told you all, week in and week out, that I was bringing change to this company. Only a true Superstar of the Year is capable of bringing change. And the best part of all of this, is that I'm not done. We are just months away from WrestleMania and whether Wrakk makes it to the show with his title still in hand or Ryan Pattillo pulls off an upset at Bragging Rights or anyone else who might be wearing those belts by that time, they get the honor of being the first victim of my new landscape when I cash in this Money in the Bank contract! I'm not just aiming for Superstar of the Year again, I am going to be the Superstar of the Decade and I challenge anyone to try to knock me off course!" Cue someone who looks like he wants to take Brandon up on that offer. Kerry Cemenko makes his way out and gets in Brandon's face. Brandon mocks Kerry for not winning anything tonight, but Kerry points out that it's actually a good thing because that gives him time to take Brandon up on his offer and whip his ass. Brandon isn't going to slight Kerry for wanting to take a swing at the oh-so special Superstar of the Year, right? Brandon is amused at this and welcomes the challenge...but not right now. There's celebrating to be done and Kerry's not invited. Brandon will, however, demonstrate his generosity and admiration for Kerry's chutzpah by letting Kerry have an up close look at the Slammy, seeing as how Kerry didn't win one. With that, Brandon tries nailing Kerry with the statue but Kerry ducks and then slams Brandon's head into the podium. Brandon goes down and starts to crawl away. Kerry moves in for the kill but Brandon shoves the Money in the Bank briefcase into Kerry's guy and that buys him enough time to escape. MAIN EVENT: Wrakk and Xavier Cross vs. Ryan Pattillo and Kyle Jacobs I want to do Cemenko/Reigns and Cross/Jacobs but I don't know which one to put on the PPV. Jacobs and Cross would probably give me a higher rating. I mean, look at the results of this match. Wrakk and Pattillo are helping, sure. Anyways, it's a kick ass main event and a great way to cap off the evening. Pattillo, of course, needs THE MOMENTUM as he heads towards Bragging Rights. It breaks down into a pier six and Pattillo escapes an attempt at the Cross Cutter from Xavier. Wrakk tries booting Ryan, but he ducks and poor Xavier gets the size 15 to his face instead. Jacobs comes back into take himself and Wrakk over the top and to the outside and Pattillo stacks up the dazed Xavier with a jacknife roll up for the pin. Things can only get more tense as we inch closer and closer to the PPV. *****, 94% overall. Congratulations to all the Slammy winners! Overall show rating: 89% |
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06-20-2023, 09:18 AM
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#3397 |
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Higher. Further. Faster.
Posts: 20,902
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This post is sponsored by Ellis "Red" Redding
Aaaaaand fucking Naomi fucks up her ankle putting her on the shelf. Well, there goes what I wanted for the women's match at the PPV.
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06-20-2023, 02:22 PM
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#3398 |
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President of Freedonia
Posts: 58,215
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The Superstars Slammy Spectacular episode was a total home run. Loved the promos for this, just gradually building up as the night goes along.
Chet accepting the award for Butch and using it to further an angle. Riott and Sonya having a tense standoff playing off of previous history. Heels being incredulous at not winning the big one. Reigns being a complete dickhead about his own win. And then of course the Hotbody arc. No-selling winning Douche of the Year (side note...hilarious to imagine a formal Oscars awards presentation video with "Douche of the Year" being in the graphics). Rubbing in his victories only to have the rug pulled out under him by losing out on the big one. He's got every right to be upset! Demiras clearly was working some overtime on the voters and especially Lisa Benton to get that result. |
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06-20-2023, 02:56 PM
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#3399 | ||||||
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President of Freedonia
Posts: 58,215
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Quote:
But alas, this goes in direct contrast to how EWR was programmed. Considering this game dropped AFTER WrestleMania 18 it's a shame there isn't a "Purpose" reason called "cooldown match" or something. I believe in TEW the game is much better at recognizing what you are trying to do. Yes, AEW does do the occasional cage match. Pretty standard looking modern era cage, with the top designed with room for people to be able to climb over (or more realistically, dive off of, as was the case at Full Gear). Normally in AEW they don't allow you to escape the cage, it's meant to be two guys battling to a result with no option to leave. But it worked in my angle so fuck it.  Quote:
Of course, now I'm playing a game with an 11-segment limit and I'm doing exactly the same thing, granted in part because the women's ratings aren't all that great. What they aren't lacking in, however, is hot women. I'd say they have at least a dozen smokeshows and a handful of other ones that are at least in the realm of "I wouldn't say no". Quote:
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No Kong though sadly. In real life, she signed a 2-year contract beginning with AEW's first show Double or Nothing 2019. It was negotiated into her deal that she'd be written off in early 2020 so she could go film season 4 of GLOW. They wrote her off but then COVID happened, the season got scrapped by Netflix, and she didn't feel comfortable going to the bi-weekly tapings during the pandemic and AEW didn't force anyone in who wanted to stay in quarantine. Add all that up and by the time AEW were getting ready to get back on the road just after Double or Nothing 2021, her contract expired and she had decided to retire. She did a one-off angle in NWA announcing her retirement formally and that was that. Unfortunately both of her WWE and AEW runs are huge "what-if"s, a shame for one of my favorite female talents. But she's not in the game save. Quote:
The product remained hot for a few years with Kazuchika Okada and Kenny Omega having one of the best series of matches I've ever seen in 2017-2018. By 2019 Kenny, the Young Bucks, and Hangman left NJPW to go form AEW and unfortunately COVID itself brought the company to a grinding halt. I think NJPW is better right now than it's been since 2020 but it took time to get there. They only just recently started allowing fans to cheer again as Japan is/has been far stricter with protocols. Quote:
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06-21-2023, 11:30 PM
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#3400 |
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President of Freedonia
Posts: 58,215
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AEW Collision June 24, 2023 The fireworks explode in Toronto, Ontario as we have our go-home show for Forbidden Door. Let's see how I try to artfully construct a card that avoids getting my key players hurt with the PPV just 24 hours away! Title for Title: AEW Women's World Champion Toni Storm vs. NJPW Strong Women's Champion Willow Nightingale As expected, on the real-life Dynamite that just ended, this match got announced for the actual PPV. Glad they are getting the shine in real life. In EWR land though, sorry ladies, I only have so many PPV spots. But throwing them out there first when the crowd is often at a fever pitch is hopefully something of a make-good. Anyway, they had themselves a strong match with a lot of NJPW-esque hard hitting befitting of the occasion. Toni uses some underhanded tactics throughout the match and Willow begins charging back. However, as the match seems to be reaching a crescendo, both women are suddenly taken out by a crossbody by someone else! Is that who I think it is, yes it is! It's ATHENA! The Ring of Honor Women's Champion Athena has been doing her thing on the red and black brand for months, and apparently she feels overlooked. She uses the element of surprise to her advantage, hitting Toni with the O-Face and locking Willow into a Crossface. The surprise appearance of Athena has caught everybody off-guard The Fallen Goddess holds the ROH Women's Title above her head as we fade to commercial. ***, 75% overall --- Mark Henry: "Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm here backstage with none other than Samoa Joe. Joe, a lot has been said about your surprise attack on CM Punk last week, with people even speculating you're working on behalf of MJF. Can you clarify things for us?" Samoa Joe: "Mark, I want to get one thing straight, I don't work for anyone but myself. People are quick to make stories to suit their own narratives, aren't they? MJF? No, that's not the case. This is about CM Punk, and me. This goes way back, Mark, to the Ring of Honor days. Punk has always been selfish. He seems to think he can just waltz back into the business and hog the spotlight. The spotlight that those of us, who have been grinding and carrying this company on our backs since he's been gone, have earned. That doesn't sit right with me. He wants back in, he has to know that he's walking into my yard." Mark Henry: "Strong words, Joe. Looking ahead, there's been a lot of buzz around your Forbidden Door match against Zack Sabre Jr. What's your take on that?" Samoa Joe: "Forbidden Door, yeah, it's a buzzword. A lot of talent is booked for Forbidden Door, but it seems like they're all conveniently not booked to wrestle tonight. Are they scared? Do they lack the courage to step up on Collision? But let me tell you something, Mark. I'm not like them. I'm here. I'm willing to put my ROH Television Title on the line right here tonight against anyone brave enough to step up to the plate. Because that's who Samoa Joe is. I'm not a coward. I'm a fighter, and I'm here to fight." Mark Henry: "There you have it, folks. Samoa Joe is here and he's laying down the challenge. Whoever decides to step up, they've got a fight waiting for them. Back to you at ringside." --- The Hardys (Matt and Jeff Hardy) vs. The Kingdom (Matt Taven and Mike Bennett) w/ Maria Kanellis The reunited Men of the Year, Ethan Page and Scorpio Sky, join the commentary table for this one as they spend the entire time egotistically running down the Hardys. A pretty solid showing here all things considered, as all four guys are seasoned pros. Although I will likely not have the Hardys win too many matches in this universe, The Kingdom are an underneath ROH tag team I don't see myself doing too much with so a Hardys win to avoid jobbing them out too much makes sense as I build their program. Jeff Hardy hits the Swanton Bomb on Taven for the win. The Hardys stand on the turnbuckles and point at Men of the Year, letting them know they haven't forgotten about the cheap shots last week. ***, 76% overall --- Madison Rayne vs. Thunder Rosa Thunder Rosa was among the handful of AEW returnees who turned up for the Collision debut, and this is her in-ring return. As you could expect, she's going to be kept looking strong in this match. I more or less visualized this as an extended squash with Rosa largely dominating proceedings, finishing it off with a Fire Thunder Driver. This was the worst match of the night and still got the Perfectly Acceptable Wrestling label, so that's a mark of a solid night. **3/4, 71% overall --- Mark Henry is standing backstage with Ricky Starks, FTR, The Lucha Brothers, and Alex Abrahantes. Mark Henry: Hello agin ladies and gentlemen. Joining me now are an intimidating assembly of talent. Ricky, there's no denying there's been some serious friction between you and Bullet Club Gold recently, especially with Powerhouse Hobbs. Could you enlighten us on this ongoing issue? Ricky Starks: Mark, let me tell you something, man. Bullet Club Gold thinks they're the biggest game in town, but they're nothing more than a cheap knockoff brand. Jay White, Juice Robinson, and Powerhouse Hobbs – it's like a group project where no one did their homework. As for Hobbs... now, that's a special case. We go way back, all the way back three years ago to the Team Taz days. But I've never seen such a massive man accomplish so little. His name is 'Powerhouse' Hobbs, right? More like 'Out-of-Power' Hobbs, if you ask me. He's all brawn, no brain. I've never met a man who could lift so much but understand so little. I beat him in a Street Fight last year, and I'll do it again if I have to. Mark Henry: Tonight, Jay White and Juice Robinson are scheduled to meet the Lucha Brothers in tag team action. Do you have any thoughts? Ricky Starks: I think Bullet Club Gold has forgotten what they're dealing with here. It's one thing to have issues with me and FTR, we've been dealing with their nonsense for a while now. But now, they've gone ahead and pissed off even more people. Let me tell you something about the Lucha Brothers. Fenix and Penta don't know the meaning of fear. These boys were wrestling in barns and fields before any of these goons even laced up their boots. Tonight, they're going to show Bullet Club Gold what "cero miedo" truly means. Mark Henry: Well, it sounds like Bullet Club Gold is going to have their hands full tonight. We look forward to seeing this intense rivalry unfold in the ring. Best of luck to you all. --- Dalton Castle w/ The Boys vs. Andrade El Idolo w/ La Faccion Ingobernable Similarly, this is Andrade's in-ring return after a surprise return last week. I don't view this one as quite as much of a squash though. Although Castle is mostly in ROH land, he's got charisma coming out the ass and has a compelling, entertaining personality for any great heel to play off of. I'm not sure how much I'll push him him as an in-ring competitor but worst case he should make a brilliant manager someday. Be that as it may, these two have a solid-in ring showing with Andrade getting most of his big moves in as he starts to take charge. LFI and the Boys have a proper fuck-about at ringside and Andrade hits La Sombra for the win. Afterwards, here comes JungleHook again to get them some and we've got a good 'ol brawl to send us into the next add break. ***, 75% overall --- Miro vs. Jeff Cobb Now here's a juicy Forbidden Door preview. I didn't think I was going to book any NJPW talent outside of the PPV, but I was trying to think of an opponent for Miro and I was browsing through available talent and Cobb's name stood out immediately. Incredibly similar stats to Miro, overness in the high 60s which at worse isn't gonna drag a match down beyond repair. Figured it was as good a time as any to use him before he heads off on his next tour. So I said fuck it, booked it, and magic resulted. These two guys blended insanely well together and now that I've done this I really wanna see this match in real-life. They're both similarly built barrel-chested dudes. Anyway, big meaty men were slapping meat in this one before Miro gets a pin with the Machka Kick. Consider this an early 1-0 edge for AEW as we head into Forbidden Door. ****, 83% overall --- [The scene opens in a dimly lit room, shadows dancing across the grim visage of the three members of The House of Black. Malakai's eyes, one darker than the night itself, look straight into the camera, as he begins to speak, his voice as cold as the grave.] Malakai Black: "The Acclaimed, Billy Gunn... last week was merely the beginning. The reckoning that fell upon you... that wasn't personal. No, you were just... inconvenient obstacles, standing in the path of the inevitable. This is not about you, it is about me... and the darkness we must bring forth." [Malakai walks slowly across the room in front of the other two members, his steps echoing in the eerie silence, the camera follows.] Malakai Black: "You, like so many others, live in the light. But that light is not purity. It's an illusion, it's blindness... and we are the ones who will open your eyes." [A slight grimace touches his lips, not quite a smile, as he continues.] Malakai Black: "You wear your victories like badges of honor, but they are nothing. They are the shackles that bind you to the illusion. Each victory, each cheer from the crowd, they only tighten your bonds." [He comes to a stop, turning back to the camera, his gaze piercing the darkness.] Malakai Black: "The Acclaimed... Billy Gunn... we have already taken you out in the ring. You wanted to fight again, but last week you were forced to realize how quickly your reality can shatter. That was merely a glimpse into the void, a taste of the House of Black. You can no longer ignore the darkness at your doorstep, the rot within." [He leans forward, his voice dropping lower, the gravity of his words echoing throughout the room.] Malakai Black: "This is your fate. You are just lambs in the grander scheme, sacrifices on the altar of the inevitable. I didn't choose you... the darkness did." [He steps back into the shadows, his figure becoming one with the darkness.] Malakai Black: "You will understand, in time. When all the lights have gone out, when all the cheers have turned to silence... You will understand once and for all, that the House always wins. [The scene fades, leaving only his chilling words hanging in the air.] --- Samoa Joe cockily struts out, ready to defend his TV Title less than 24 hours before a technical war with Zack Sabre Jr. Perhaps the fans were expecting someone else from NJPW to walk through the Forbidden Door...but instead they got a hometown hero. It's Ontario's own Shawn Spears! ROH Television Championship: Samoa Joe (C) vs. Shawn Spears Feel like this is a good spot for a hometown guy. Wrestling fans are predominantly smarks now and I'm sure everybody realistically knows Joe would go over, but adding that hometown element is enough to plant even the slightest bit of doubt in the minds of even the jaded fans. Anyway the story here is Joe was being arrogant and figuring he'd just roll through anyone he faced. Instead, Spears came in like a house of fire, catching him off guard and nearly pulling off the upset a few times. Eventually though he gets his shit together and pulls off a flurry of submissions, send a statement to Sabre ahead of their match. He gets the win with the Coquina Clutch. Sending another statement, he leaves the Clutch locked in on the hometown guy long after the bell as the ref tries in vain to brain it up. Eventually Cult of Personality hits and Punk charges to the ring! Joe rolls out of there and takes his leave. ***1/4, 79% overall --- CM Punk, standing in the middle of the ring with a microphone in hand, watches Samoa Joe flee the scene. There's a mixture of anger and determination on his face. CM Punk: "Joe, you can run all you want but there's nowhere to hide. You see, I heard your cute little interview earlier. You don't like me 'waltzing' back into the business, 'hogging the spotlight'. Well, I'm sorry, Joe, but you've got it all wrong. This isn't about the spotlight. This is about the love of this business, the fans, the fight. You attacked me, you took the shot. You had your reasons, and honestly, I don't give a damn about them. You thought it was about making a statement? Well, I'm here to tell you, Joe, you've just written a check your mouth can't cash. Now, we've got some business at Forbidden Door, sure, and I'm not one to overlook a challenge. I've got Hiroshi Tanahashi to focus on. You've got your hands full with Zack Sabre Jr. But you best believe, once that's over, I'm coming for you, Joe. Next week, on Collision... Joe, I don't want to hear any more of your interviews, I don't want to hear about who you are or aren't working for. I want you. No running, no hiding. You fired the shot, Joe... now it's time to pay the price. See you next week, Joe." And with that, Punk drops the microphone, leaving his message to echo through the arena, the fans erupting in cheers, as the tension for next week's Collision intensifies. --- Bullet Club Gold ("Switchblade" Jay White and Juice Robinson) w/ Powerhouse Hobbs vs. The Lucha Brothers (Penta El Cero Miedo and Rey Fenix) w/ Alex Abrahantes Four episodes of TV in a row where a really fucking good match is closing out the proceedings, including both episodes of Collision. That's always a damn good sign here. My tag division feels like it's gonna be magic to book as I have so many combinations to work with. Jay White and Juice Robinson aren't even set up as an official tag team in-game but Dean Malenko told me afterwards their styles blend well as a team...meaning I think I got another bonus to the match rating. Anyway, this ruled as you'd come to expect. Lots of nearfalls and drama, lots of Bullet Club shithousery. Powerhouse makes a menace of himself and the heels pick up the win with an illegal double team. Afterwards, Bullet Club Gold pick up where they left off last week by putting the boots to the Brothers, and even look like they're gonna do some damage to poor Alex Abrahantes. But FTR and Ricky Starks run in for the save, I sense a trios match can't be much further into the future. ****1/4, 87% overall rating 81% overall show rating Checking some post-show overness ratings and yeah, Jay and Juice jumped way the hell up there after this one. You love to see it. |
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