Prologue
A bit of reminiscing first.
One of the nerdier and more embarrassing things I have to confess to is that I'm quite fond of professional wrestling. Yes, it's hokey and fake and silly and childish, but a well scripted wrestling match with top performers can be an exciting spectacle.
I was brought to wrestling in the early 90s. A schoolmate taped every episode of the WWF shows that were broadcast with a week or two delay on a small-ish cable channel. He even bought the Coliseum videos and subscribed to PWI (Pro Wrestling Illustrated). I didn't buy/tape any of those, but I watched. And I had the SNES games (Superstars, Royal Rumble and Monday Night Raw). And I bought a couple of German magazines that gave an illuminating account of behind the scenes stuff, years before the WWF/WWE officially admitted that it was all staged/scripted.
So, yeah, I got drawn in around 1991. The first PPV I watched was the 1991 Survivor Series. Naturally, I was immediately drawn to the Undertaker. The WWF at the time was dominated by silly, colorful gimmicks. Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage and the Ultimate Warrior were still popular, but new faces were showing up: a young Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart starting on a singles career after a stint in tag teams, and the mentioned Undertaker - people who would become the faces of the franchise for years to come.
At the same time, technically, a lot of the WWF wrestling at the time was pretty dreadful, technically, with notable exceptions. If you looked at the All Japan or even AAA they offered much better ring action.
We came across the WCW by accident. The WWF was relatively popular around 1992/93, and a German sports station wanted in on the fun, so they started showing WCW shows and PPVs, also a week or two behind.
At first it seemed like a cheap knock off of the WWF. Lower production values, horrible storylines. However, the actual wrestling seemed a tad better, or more realistic (at least that was my impression at the time). So we ended up watching WWF and WCW and comparing both, naturally. We enjoyed watching guys like Ric Flair, Sting, Barry Windham, Arn Anderson, the Steiners or Vader.
Around 1994/95 wrestling became a bit stale for me. I didn't care much for the WWF at the time, as it was trying to find itself between the old 1980s gimmick wrestling and trying to project a more modern image.
The nWo invasion into the WCW was fun for a while with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash spearheading and Hulk Hogan soon following. Three major WWF players that had moved to the WCW. The Monday Night Wars started - between WWF's Monday Night Raw and WCW's Monday Nitro (creative!).
This being the 90s, things became more X-TREME!!! - taking cues from cult league ECW, both leagues ramped up the action, trying to outdo each other with action, violence and sex appeal. What was to be called the WWF Attitude Era had arrived.
It was then that I stopped following wrestling. Yes, the action became ever more spectacular, with hardcore matches finding their way into the two main promotions' mainstream program, and the content became more adult. It didn't become more mature, though. Where before wrestling was a colorful comic book affair, it was suddenly full of characters who seemed to be hit by the first hormone rush of puberty. The program jumped the shark for me when the Undertaker came to the ring in jeans and leather, riding a Harley.
While I stopped watching, wrestling became more popular than ever. Workers like The Rock or Steve Austin became known outside the business.
In the end the WWF won and bought out the WCW. A lot of WCW talent quit (e.g. Sting), precluding the long awaited showdowns between the two leagues' superstars.
I didn't follow it at the time, except for the occasional video game. I've recently watched a few shows again, and must say the current WWE feels much more like what I liked to watch in the early 90s, but a bit matured during the last 15 years. The technical level is notably higher. Gimmicks are still there, but much more subdued than in the past. I was surprised to find that a bunch of Tea Party stereotypes ("The Real Americans") are cast as villains conidering the hyperpatritotism that was prevalent in the WWF in the 80s and early 90s. The stories are a bit more intricate, but of course as cartoonish as ever. An I'm sure glad the jobber matches are a thing of the past.
As mentioned, pro wrestling is mostly staged and often scripted. Nevertheless, it's probably one of the more grueling professions you can put your body through. You must be aware of what's going on at all times to make sure you brace yourself for any impacts, and that you're physically fit to pull off all the moves. Besides TV recordings, you'll be in house shows almost every day. It's no small wonder that a lot of wrestlers from the 90s have died before their time. For every star that has retired or become a behind the scenes figure in the business there's easily two or three who have either died or turned into washed up wrecks.
Scott Hall (Razor Ramon) was taken in by Diamond Dallas Page who started a fundraiser to get Hall necessary medical treatment and off the sauce. Terry Funk: physical wreck. Jake Roberts: recovering drug addict.
Mr Perfect, Yokozuna, British Bulldog, Owen Hart, Chris Benoit, Brian Pillman, Road Warrior Hawk, Bam Bam Bigelow, Earthquake: they and many others dead before turning 50.
The friend who brought me to wrestling? He is involved in running a small wrestling promotion on North Germany. They have about 4 events per year and occasionally team up with other promos where they invite former great like Tatanka.
The Game
It's all about the game and how you play it ...
TEW2013 is a game by Grey Dog Software in which you run a wrestling promotion. It's text based, so don't expect many screenshots. The developer has been working on this since the DOS days and releases a new version every couple of years (he also has a college football text sim and recently released a pro basketball one).
You're responsible for pretty much any aspect of your league: contracts, storylines, booking events, TV contracts, locker room policies ... you can pretty much create any wrestling product you like (hardcore, mainstream, ladies ...). Most of the time is spent on booking your events, esp. if you have TV shows and PPVs. You want stories to keep the fans engaged, and need to give them entertaining matches and angles (any non-wrestling content - sneak attacks, interviews, promo videos ...) in order to sell your product. The latest incarnation has a number of convenience functionalities added.
In past versions, most storylines had a certain progression of angles - this has been scrapped in favor of a free form system. It's still a bit abstract, but if you can script your show in your head, you can find an angle that fits the purpose. Match booking now has filtering options, so you can choose face/heels, openers, mid-carders etc. to make sure you don't book your main eventer in a dark match. You can also ask the AI to book matches for you, which is useful if you need a filler match or two.
The game still doesn't give you a detailed match report (as in how the match transpired), but gives you (optionally) all the details why it was rated good or bad.
The wrestlers themselves have a load of stats - from their proficiency in various schools of wrestling, their skills on the microphone, how good they sell being heel or face, how they deal with certain gimmicks, whether they're drug users, smokers or drinkers or have run ins with the law, charisma, sex appeal, relations with other workers and what not. The same goes for announcers, refs, bookers, owners ...
The game comes packaged with the dev's own fictional universe (for licensing reasons), but there's a dedicated modding community. Besides a monthly updated current day mod, there's mods for 1987, 1991, 1994, 1996, 1997 and 2001 (either historically, or with the WCW surviving).
I will go with the 1991 mod. I haven't played in a while, so I may be rusty. :P
I will helm the WCW as alter ego Ted Stryker, with the stated goal to take on the WWF and deliver the better product. This will mean signing on new talent and stars if they become available. I have the advantage of hindsight, but just because a wrestler became a star in real life, doesn't mean he's a safe bet - he can injure himself, or you can mishandle his development. And it makes a difference if you send unknown rookie Steve Austin into the ring or, years later, the seasoned veteran Steve Austin (though I definitely aim to recreate the Hollywood Blonds (Austin & Pillman) - it was a short lived team, but man were they awesome).
The Strongbow Brothers losing their title to the Samoan Brothers broke my heart, but the Macho Man-Hulk Hogan rift was truly the end for me. How the Towers of Power could turn on each other over pussy is beyond me.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 03, 2013, 11:42:28 AM
The Strongbow Brothers losing their title to the Samoan Brothers broke my heart, but the Macho Man-Hulk Hogan rift was truly the end for me. How the Towers of Power could turn on each other over pussy is beyond me.
The grand-nephews of the Samoans are a Tag Team (The Usos) in the WWE these days - that clan is pretty big: Afa & Sika, Fatu/Rikishi with his sons (Usos), The Rock is a cousin, Samu is another cousin etc.
Fucking Samoans. Dirty pool players, those guys. If only the ref was watching, he'd have seen the cheap shots on Chief Jay Strongbow.
Taking Stock.
In January 1991 the WCW is the 2nd largest promotion in the U.S., and the 4th largest in the world (behind New Japan and All Japan).
However, we're the richest league. Yay.
The top 5 wrestlers at the moment in our brand are: Ric Flair, Sting, Lex Luger, Stan Hansen and Arn Anderson.
Our prospects include Brad and Brian Armstrong and Dustin Rhodes. The technically best are Sting, Flair, Pillman, The Juicer and Vader. Pillman and Vader only have loose contracts where they're paid per appearance - I will try to give Pillman a written contract instead.
Sting, Flair, Vader and Luger have strong momentum at the moment, whereas Buddy Lee Parker, Terrence Taylor, El Gigante, Larry Zbyszko and Michael Hayes are in a rough patch.
Ranked as "Hidden Gems", i.e. workers around the leagues who are yet to be discovered as potential stars by a promotion includes these gentlemen:
Steve Austin, Cactus Jack (aka Mick Foley), Chris Jericho and Chris Benoit.
My first step is to offer Steve Austin a pay per appearance contract (PPA). I would offer a written contract, but his engagement in the USWA precludes it at the moment.
I also offer a full contract to Chris Benoit who currently works as a jobber in Japan and in the UWA. Signing Chris Jericho is tempting, but at 20 years old, I would much rather wait for him to mature a bit more. Mick Foley is Big In Japan. I will offer him a contract, too.
Meanwhile, the contracts for The Juicer, Terrence Taylor and Michael Wallstreet (aka IRS) are nearing their ends. I don't mind losing Taylor, but I'd like to keep Wallstreet and Juicer.
Ongoing storylines: "Computing Success". Alexandra York believes she can calculate on a computer how to win any match for Terrence Taylor. As Taylor will leave soon I'll cancel that one.
There's also a feud between Missy Hyatt and Paul E. Dangerously about who of the two is the sexiest person in the WCE. The heat for this story is high, but I have no clue what to do with this yet as they're both color commentators. I guess I could minor bit players to the story who will fight in their stead.
The main story, though, is Sting vs. the Four Horsemen (Flair, Arn Anderson, Barry Windham, Sid Viciious). Sting is helped by the Steiner Bros. and Brian Pillman (I may set up Pillman's heel turn in here; once Austin becomes available and establishes himself, the two could then feud against the Steiners).
Finally, a look at the title situation:
NWA World Heavyweight Title is held by Sting who won it from Ric Flair in July 1990.
The recently created US Title is held by Lex Luger.
Arn Anderson is the reigning TV Champion.
And Doom (Butch Reed + Ron Simmons) are the Tag Team champions.
Tomorrow: Our first shows!
Looking forward to this. :thumbsup:
Week 1.
I've noticed that my PPVs are weirdly set up. Slamboree and Superbrawl are scheduled for the same day (I've fixed that) and some events ae already active even through they would only start being held in 1993. I'll leave it as is.
I advise the booker for the house shows to look at a few possible combinations for opponents (Lex Luger vs. Arn Anderson, Michael Wallstreet vs. Dustin Rhodes) and whether Barry Windham and Diamond Dallas Page would work well as partners. In a week or two I should have some feedback from that.
News from around the world: Smokey Mountain Wrestling has put up a decent TV show and there's rumors that they try to expand in other markets. The UWA is shedding a lot of talent, including the Samoan Swat Team (they were known as Headhshrinkers in the WWF). It's tempting to make them offers, but we're already looking at a few additional contracts, so I'll leave that for now.
The first prospect to sign is Chris Benoit. Once his previous obligations are cleared (in a week or so) he will join the WCW.
And it's time t book our first show: WCW Main Event (taped Thursdays, broadcast on Sundays - WCW Saturday Night is taped after Main Event but broadcast before it ... for simplicity's sake I will treat Main Event to be chronologically before Saturday Night).
We have 60 minutes to fill (+/-5), and the fans expect 60% matches, 40% angles. Our locker room morale is 100%. I review the backstage rules - Drugs and Alcohol are not ok, but I allow them to smoke. Catering is provided, and transportation and accomodation is organised (but not paid for). You can give instructions about the matches - who is to win or lose, who's made to look good, if there's outside interference, if it should be scripted or improvised etc.
WCW Main Event - Week 1, January 1991
The show opens with Buddy Landel and Tracy Smothers running into each other backstage. Landel pokes fun at Smothers ad the two get into an argument. Before matters can escalate, Ted Stryker, owner of WCW steps in and schedules a fight for them later that evening. [59] => These numbers are the performance rating (out of 100). Smothers has improved his microphone skills.
Paul E. Dangerously has cut an interview in which he states that clearly he's the sexiest person in WCW, and not Missy Hyatt. [68]
Be the judge:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wwe.com%2Ff%2Fstyles%2Fdidyouknow_large%2Fpublic%2Ffact%2F2012%2F07%2F20120622_DYK_Paul_Heyman.jpg&hash=bcf0672c5d7533df08165307003421b238601dd5)(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ioffer.com%2Fimg3%2Fitem%2F213%2F274%2F400%2F1991-impel-wcw-158-missy-hyatt-nm-or-better-831e.jpg&hash=ee2352c932bdf5417f7ce6d028587029838c5c6a)
In an extremely short match, The Juicer defeated Steve Armstrong in 4:34 by submission after blatantly cheating. The crowd wasn't very happy with this match between what they consider two jobbers. [18]
The Steiner Bros. are scheduled for a match against Sid Vicious and Barry Windham later tonight. A promo segment has them mouthing off against their opponents. [75]
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, Tracy Smothers drew with Buddy Landel in 9:20 following a double disqualification. [54] (The match suffered from the crowd not being properly warmed up, and the gimmicks of the wrestlers - Smothers' poor one, and Landel's is done better by someone else - Ric Flair ... I will need to work on that.)
A promo video about the 4 Horsemen (Arn Anderson, Ric Flair, Sid Vicious, Barry Windham) is shown. [73]
In a bout that had a good crowd and good action, The Steiner Brothers defeated Barry Windham and Sid Vicious in 15:08 when Sid Vicious was disqualified while fighting Rick Steiner. During the match we also saw Arn Anderson accidentally hit Windham, and Ric Flair also distract Scott Steiner. [66]
After the match, with the Steiners celebrating, things turn ugly, with the 4H just waling on them. [67]
The show's overall rating: 58 "The general feeling is that WCW don't have enough interesting storylines going on." Something about which we definitely need to do something!
Yesterday's update was delayed because I watched WWE Monday Night Raw instead. Why does this go on for over 2.5 hours now (without commercial breaks)?
No commercials? How do they manage that?
I don't watch it on TV. :ph34r:
Update coming today - I needed to properly review the roster and plan a few possible storylines and/or gimmick changes.
Get Dean Malenko! I always liked him and Benoit. The technical wrestlers were always my favorite.
Malenko is fun; I will look into getting him. I loved Benoit, but he's still a bit young to be of much use at this point (20 years old).
WCW Saturday Night - Week 1, January 1991
Richmond Coliseum (Attendance 11,992)
The show opens with a preview of the night's main event: Lex Luger and Sting face Arn Anderson and Ric Flair in a 4 Way Elimination match - three champions in the ring at once! [78]
In the opening match, Big Josh beat the Juicer in 5:20 by submission. [45]
The Steiners are scheduled to meet Doom for the WCW Tag Team Championship tonight, and they trash talk their opponents in an interview. [64]
Buddy Landel, now known as the Reverend Buddy Landel and wrestling in pastor's clothes, beats defeated Norman in 3:06 by submission with a Figure Four Leglock after blatantly cheating. [44]
After the match, the Reverend beats up on Norman some more. [37]
Gordon Solie interviews Doom about their upcoming match against the Steiners. Doom are confident they'll crush their opponents. [60]
Tracy Smothers loses to Tracy Smothers in 7:12 by count out. [42]
Missy Hyatt is set to do an interview in the ring, when she's attacked by Paul E. Dangerously and The Juicer (who gives an underwhelming performance). She is, however, saved by Steve Armstrong who fights off the attackers. [49]
Michael Wallstreet defeated Dustin Rhodes in 6:05 by pinfall with a Samoan Drop. [53]
In an attempt to "soften up" Sting and Lex Luger for the 4-Way-Elimination match, Sid Vicious and Barry Windham attack the two backstage. [68]
The Fabulous Freebirds beat The Lightning Express in 7:40 when Jimmy Garvin defeated Brad Armstrong by pinfall with a Bombs Away following interference from the Freebirds manager Diamond Dallas Page. [60]
After the match, DDP proclaims himself to be the best manager in the WCW. He calls out Teddy Long, calling him too old, and that Doom did well to ditch him. [52] (It seems letting DDP talk without script was not a good idea.)
The Steiner Brothers defeated Doom by Count Out in 10:44 in a WCW World Tag Team Title match (therefore the title doesn't change hands). During the match, the Lightning Express had come to the ring to study the teams'performances. Doom got so annoyed that they attacked them, leading to the count out. [69]
After the match Missy Hyatt interviewed the Tag Team Champs. Simmons and Reed are furious and promise the Lightning Express that they'll regret there meddling. [54]
Teddy Long replies to Diamond Dallas Page's insults, saying that he has more manager skills in his left finger than DDP has in his whole body. [43]
In a bout that featured great action and great heat from the audience, Sting defeated Arn Anderson, Ric Flair and Lex Luger in 15:04; the order of elimination was Arn Anderson first, then Lex Luger, and finally Ric Flair. [64] (Sometimes the scores seem a bit weird. Apparently it was a problem, though, that I set the match to have a slow build up, but only set it for 15 minutes.)
The show closes out with Sting celebrating his victory in the ring. [81]
The show's overall rating: [70]
And we don't look good compared to WWF Superstars which scored 87, with a match between the Macho Man and Jake Roberts scored at 97! Additionally, the WWF will start a feud between the Ultimate Warrior and the Undertaker, plus one between Jimmy Snuka and Mr. Perfect, plus one between Jake Roberts and the Million Dollar Man and to top it all off, a rivalry between the Macho Man and Hulk Hogan.
Our two shows have been rated as Decent (Main Event) and Great (Saturday Night). I also need to try and give Vader a written contract. He has crazy momentum, but I can't use him, because he's working for other feds when our shows are taped.
I played around with a wrestling management sim years and years ago. The concept sounded like fun, but it wound up just being very tedious.
I was playing with the boys in the basement last night. I often have the TV on when doing so, though I'm not really watching. I saw Impact Wrestling was on, and motivated by this thread I turned it on (I watched wrestling as a kid, and went through a wrestling phase ~2000-2002).
Anyways, little Timmy was enthralled by it. :o
Quote from: Barrister on November 08, 2013, 04:14:52 PM
I played around with a wrestling management sim years and years ago. The concept sounded like fun, but it wound up just being very tedious.
Yes, it's pretty slow paced, and putting a two hour card together can take half an hour or more. You can manage by running a smaller, regional promotion without TV contracts where you whip up maybe an event every or every other month.
QuoteI was playing with the boys in the basement last night. I often have the TV on when doing so, though I'm not really watching. I saw Impact Wrestling was on, and motivated by this thread I turned it on (I watched wrestling as a kid, and went through a wrestling phase ~2000-2002).
Anyways, little Timmy was enthralled by it. :o
The WWE has become a lot more family friendly again in recent years I hear. I've started looking at it again after more than 10 years, so I have only limited knowledge of what happened in between (slowly catching up on the PPVs), though I was quite the wrestling geek back in the day. Still, it's weird to see guys I watched during their early years in the ring (Triple H who started as Jean Paul Levesque in WCW, Shawn Michaels et al) either in positions backstage/authority or revered as legends - if they still live. Not to mention seeing the kids of wrestlers I used to watch (the son of Mr Perfect or the kids of Rikishi etc.).
I currently find the Wyatt family rather amusing in their redneck psycho ways. Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan, too. It's nice to see Goldust is back (think of his gimmick what you like, but he has one of the best entrance themes ever). And I like seeing angles with Paul Wight/Big Show. For all his limited wrestling abilities, at least he can act a bit, unlike many other wrestlers.
Updates on contracts: Steve Austin has signed a PPA contract. I hope to turn that into a fixed contract some time down the line. He starts with a Lower Midcarder push and a Heel image. As image I apply "Texan" which should fit him well. :P
Art Barr aka The Juicer has signed his extension. I hope to turn him into a mid card heel, kind of a stumbling block for folks on their way to the top.
Michael Wallstreet/Mike Rotundo also stays on for another three years.
Benoit is signed. The recommended push for him is as Enhancement Talent aka Jobber. He will become a fixture in opening matches. I've also started negotiations with Scott Hall. And Vader has signed a fixed contract.
WCW Main Event - Week 2, January 1991
Pre-Show match: Chris Benoit loses to Norman in 5:17 by pinfall with a Running Splash. The crowd was not happy to see a jobber match. [17]
Pre-Show match: Vader defeats Tommy Dreamer in 7:33 by pinfall. [63]
The show opens with Junkyard Dog coming out to the ring and demanding a title match for the TV title against Arn Anderson. [51]
The crowd goes wild when in response Arn Anderson comes out from backstage. He ridicules Junkyard Dog, calling him a has-been, and that if he's so eager to end his career, he'll gladly oblige him. [80]
A promo video showcases a new talent in WCW before his first match: Steve Austin, the cocky Texan. [49]
In his debut, Austin clobbers Steve Armstrong, ending the match after 4:45 with a Stunner. [51]
Following up on last week's challenge, Diamond Dallas Page introduces his new protege: Kevin Nash. [56]
Kevin Nash defeats Lt. James Earl Wright in 5:22 by pinfall after dominating the match. [38]
The Lightning Express (Brad Armstrong & Tim Horner) win against the Fabulous Freebirds in 7:46. The Freebirds were disqualified when Doom storm in to attack the Express. [67]
After the match, the Express are interviewed and promise they'll find a way to deal with Doom. [45]
Main Event: Arn Anderson loses to Jankyard Dog in 12:46 by pinfall. Barry Windham was at ringside, trying to help Anderson, but the brass knuckles he tried to slip to Anderson were snatched by JD without the ref noticing and he knocked out Anderson. [64]
When Anderson comes to, he and Windham take out their frustration on Junkyard Dog. Suddenly Sting comes running out and helps the new TV Champ! [72]
Show rating: 61
As usual, the fans would like more interesting storylines.
Current storyline plans:
- Brian Pillman is turning heel and will team up with Steve Austin sooner or later.
- Vader is turning face and will join Sting and Luger against the 4H.
- The Steiners will be removed from the Sting/4 Horsemen feud and replace Lightning Express in the Tag Team feud.
Is there interest in me continuing this?
I am: Interested and nostalgic.
I've been reading it. :)
Then it shall go on!
Add my voice to the chorus of interested parties.
I will have to review a number of contracts. I have about a dozen folks for the upper midcard; except one all of them are heels. And of the heels, no one can really puot in a face performance, except Sid, and Ron Simmons. I will have to replace/build talent to sort that out.
WCW Saturday Night - Week 2, January 1991
In an extremely short match, Tracy Smothers defeated Dutch Mantel in 5:03 by pinfall with a Jaw Jacker. [58]
In a new interview segment, The Mass, the Rev. Buddy Landel interviews Paul E. Dangerously who once again reminds everyone how much sexier he is than Missy Hyatt. Paul improvised his bits, which caused Landel to struggle, though, because it threw off his script. [64]
Landel pontificates about the evils in the WCW when a peeved Tommy Rich runs out and attacks him in hisinterview corner. [44]
In a match that had some good action but not much in the way of heat, Vader defeated Dustin Rhodes in 7:16 by pinfall. [67]
DDP gets in front of the cameras with Kevin Nash to hype his client and call out Teddy Long. [49]
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, Steve Austin defeated Ranger Ross in 5:42 by pinfall with a Stunner. [50]
Missy Hyatt interviews Doom who taunt Lightning Express. [62]
Doom didn't count on the Express being on the premises. Brad Armstrong and Tim Horner attack the tag champs! [63]
In a match that had some good action and average heat, The Steiner Brothers defeated The Fabulous Freebirds in 7:37 when Rick Steiner defeated Jimmy Garvin by pinfall with a Steinerizer. [65]
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Sid Vicious defeated El Gigante in 8:32 by count out when Brian Pillman distracted Sid and brawled him ringside. Gigante and Sid both seemed off their game and didn't sell the action well. [50]
In a bout that featured great action and a good crowd, Barry Windham drew with Junkyard Dog in 10:15 following a double count out. During the match we also saw Brian Pillman run in and attack Windham, and Ric Flair also attack JYD. Brian Pillman is pretty busy tonight. [55]
In a bout that featured great action and a good crowd, Lex Luger defeated Kevin Sullivan in 12:23 by pinfall with a Running Forearm Smash following botched interference by Bobby Eaton. Lex Luger makes defence number 3 of his WCW United States title. It appears that Eaton has his eyes on Luger's title. [63]
Sting and Brian Pillman are backstage, arguing. It seems Sting isn't happy with Pillman resorting to cheap tactics of interfering in their enemies' matches. Pillman says that he'll do whatever it takes to give them an edge. [70]
Luger is interviewed backstage where he rants off about Bobby Eaton's interference in his earlier match. [73]
In a non-title bout that featured great action and great heat from the audience, Sting defeated Bobby Eaton in 8:50 by submission with a Scorpion Deathlock after Luger ran in and attacked Eaton outside the ring. [75]
Show Rating: 71
Ok, Vader, Sid and Ron Simmons are set to turn face, most likely at the PPV at the end of the month.
Also, I should pay more attention to the booking - Main Event is a "B" show and should feature mid card matches, while Saturday Night is an A show that should have the main eventers (with exceptions, of course).
WCW Main Event - Week 3, January 1991
Pre-show: In an extremely short match, Cactus Jack defeated Chris Benoit in 4:59 by pinfall with a Pulling Piledriver. The crowd wasn't pleased with a jobber match. I amped up the match intensity a bit which didn't go over too well, either. [16]
Pre-show: In an extremely short match, The Juicer defeated Norman in 4:52 by pinfall. [19] (Issues, see above.)
The TV show opens with an announcement of the main event: Dustin Rhodes is scheduled to fight Sid Vicious! [57]
In a match that had some good action but not much in the way of heat, Kevin Nash defeated Brian Armstrong in 6:27 by submission after interference from Diamond Dallas Page. [43]
The camera cuts to backstage where medics hunch over the motionless body of Sid Vicious. It appears he was the victim of a sneak attack! [62]
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, The Lightning Express defeated The State Patrol in 6:37 when Brad Armstrong defeated Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker by pinfall with a Side Russian Legsweep. [49]
Vader is shown in the owner's office, demanding that Ted Stryker give him the match against Rhodes now that Sid Vicious is out of action. Stryker doesn't have much choice but to accept. [66]
In a match that had some good action but not much in the way of heat, Brian Pillman defeated Steve Austin in 8:08 by pinfall with an Air Pillman. [53]
After the match, a bandaged Sid runs to the ring and faces off with Pillman who he claims attacked him backstage. Half a dozen other workers are necessary to keep them apart. Sid's face turn is hinted at, but it doesn't seem to go over well with fans, so I think I should reconsider. [42]
In a match that had some good action but not much in the way of heat, Vader defeated Dustin Rhodes in 9:27 by pinfall. [60]
The show closes with Vader selebrating in the ring. [48]
Final Rating: 60
I have to admit that I was grading papers during this 1991 Main Event match. Just didn't grab me.
Where the fuck is George The Animal Steele already, for fuck's sake? I want turnbuckles eaten.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 17, 2013, 11:17:43 PM
Where the fuck is George The Animal Steele already, for fuck's sake? I want turnbuckles eaten.
Retired in 1988 apparently. :(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Steele
It isn't easy setting up varied cards for a two programs every week. Especially considering some of the crap the WCW have on their roster in '91. And the big WWF names don't want to sign with me, because I'm still too small. :(
Can you add different styles of matches to events? Everything you've done so far seems to be the standard. Maybe go with a Royal Rumble style event or a handicap match, or a 3 tag team event or something. Switch it up.
Quote from: Benedict Arnold on November 18, 2013, 05:34:28 AM
Can you add different styles of matches to events? Everything you've done so far seems to be the standard. Maybe go with a Royal Rumble style event or a handicap match, or a 3 tag team event or something. Switch it up.
Trouble is that gimmick matches can wear themselves out very, very quickly.
Quote from: Benedict Arnold on November 18, 2013, 05:34:28 AM
Can you add different styles of matches to events? Everything you've done so far seems to be the standard. Maybe go with a Royal Rumble style event or a handicap match, or a 3 tag team event or something. Switch it up.
Yes, but you must also cater to the crowd. The game comes with dozens of match types - however, you want matches that appeal to your target demographic, too.
At the moment (1991), people want traditional/mainstream matches, so if you want to become a national player and challenge the WWF an ECW style product won't help. For a dark match I amped up the match intensity from 20 to 30%, and the audience found it already too physically intense.
I will post a screenshot on that later (my product vs. the demand).
That said, for the B show I generally aim to have a on average a rating of 60 to 70 (it's the show to push rookies and young talent), while for the A cards I want to aim for a rating 70 to 80 and for PPVs 85+. Think of it like current WWE's TV shows Superstars and Main Event vs. Raw or SmackDown.
I can't show the market situation as I'm in booking mode, but this is the WCW product (which is reflecting the mass market taste):
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In essence it's about family friendly sports entertainment and good vs. bad guy gimmicks.
It's funny how that worked. Kevin Nash in 1991 was sort of ho-hum. But with the right push and a feud against one of the top heels in the business, within three years he was the biggest name in wrestling.
It's often funny how that works. Have the right guy with the right gimmick in the right place and you have a winner. Take Steve Austin. In WCW he was underutilized. Sure, he was a heel, but that was that. In WWF he debuted as The Ringmaster. :lol: But then they ditched that and gave him his rebel persona. And even though he was a heel he was suddenly embraced by the fans.
Or The Rock. When he started as Rocky Maivia the fans hated him. It took a heel turn and inventing his arrogant, cocky Rock character that got him over.
Dustin Rhodes - a milquetoast, boring guy in WCW. In WWF a highly polarizing figure as Goldust.
And let's not get started with physical transformation. Triple H went from this in 1996:
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To this a few years later:
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The biggest "Give him the right gimmick and high profile matches" success has to be the Undertaker, though. Used to be Mean Mark Calloway before he donned the black suit (or robe, or whatever he's wearing these days) but by now has one of the longest running and most successful gimmicks in professional wrestling history. Funnily enough, he was known as a rather technical wrestler before the WWF with even a few aerial moves, despite his size.
Quote from: Syt on November 18, 2013, 02:27:49 PM
In essence it's about family friendly sports entertainment and good vs. bad guy gimmicks.
Almost like NASCAR. White trash do love their stories.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 19, 2013, 01:03:36 AM
Quote from: Syt on November 18, 2013, 02:27:49 PM
In essence it's about family friendly sports entertainment and good vs. bad guy gimmicks.
Almost like NASCAR. White trash do love their stories.
Who doesn't love their stories? My black aunts love watching their stories. :D
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 19, 2013, 01:03:36 AM
Quote from: Syt on November 18, 2013, 02:27:49 PM
In essence it's about family friendly sports entertainment and good vs. bad guy gimmicks.
Almost like NASCAR. White trash do love their stories.
The fact that the WCW is popular in the South East is purely coincidental. :P
Vader is unfortunately out after the taping of the last show - he's suffering from Brain Fog (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_fog). I hope it's nothing serious. Vader was never a charismatic performer outside the ring, but he's one of my favorite performers inside it.
WCW Saturday Night - Week 3, January 1991
Cactus Jack is shown backstage having a conversation without someone off screen. As the camera pans back, it is revealed that he is actually talking to himself, apparently hearing voices. [39]
In an extremely short match, Steve Austin defeated Cactus Jack in 4:42 by pinfall with a Stunner. [59] Steve Austin's skills improved during the match.
Ric Flair comes to the ring. He calls Sting out on their rivalry and that he's too cowardly to face him in a title match. [79]
Following last week's backstage brawl, a member from Doom and another from the Lightning Express enter the ring together. In an extremely short match, Ron Simmons defeated Brad Armstrong in 5:23 by pinfall with a Snap Scoop Powerslam. [60]
After the match Simmons and his tag team partner Butch Reed who had accompanied him to the ring are seen arguing, but it's not clear what's going on. [60]
In an extremely short match, Tommy Rich defeated Kevin Nash in 5:22 by pinfall with a Sitout Suplex Slam after a distraction from Teddy Long. Kevin Nash has improved his performance sklills. [63]
After the match, the Reverend Buddy Landel shows up and taunts Tommy Rich. [49]
Behind the scenes, the camera cuts to Sting who reacts the Flair's challenge: he accepts ... on the condition that it will be a submission match! [79]
In a match that had some good action but not much in the way of heat, Michael Wallstreet defeated Dustin Rhodes in 5:44 by pinfall with a Samoan Drop. [44]
Lex Luger is complaining once more about Bobby Eaton's interference last week. [65]
A title card hypes the match Flair vs. Sting again. [78]
In a match that had some good action but not much in the way of heat, Tracy Smothers defeated Terrence Taylor in 6:09 by pinfall with a Jaw Jacker. [40] The two workers have poor chemistry, contributing to the low score.
Sting Armstrong is interviewed by Missy Hyatt and hypes his upcoming match with Ric Flair. [76]
During the interview, Paul E. Dengerously ambushes Missy Hyatt and dumps a bucket of water over her. Her blouse clings to her ample chest. Paul E. Dengerously says that this settles once and for all who is the sexiest person in WCW. The crowd agrees, but not in the way that Paul thinks. [65]
Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Barry Windham and Sid Vicious cut a backstage promo. [71]
In a match that had some good action but not much in the way of heat, Brian Pillman defeated Butch Reed in 7:56 by disqualification. [57]
In a match that had some good action and average heat, The Steiner Brothers defeated The Fabulous Freebirds in 9:13 when Rick Steiner defeated Michael Hayes by pinfall by using underhanded tactics. [58]
In a superb bout that had great wrestling and a sizzling crowd, Sting defeated Ric Flair in a Submission match in 16:15 by submission with a Scorpion Deathlock. The match also had a lot of interference: Sid Vicious targeted Sting, Arn Anderson attacked Sting, and finally Brian Pillman interfered against Flair. Sting makes defence number 7 of his NWA World Heavyweight title. [77]
The show ends with an all out brawl between the Four Horsemen on one side, and Sting, Pillman and the Steiners on the other. (Pillman did not look good at this. And the hinted Sid Vicious turn is not going over well with fans, so I will cancel it.) [65]
Final rating: 74
Meanwhile, in the WWF ...
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Why would LoD lose to Warlord and Virgil, though? :huh:
Scott Hall and Chris Jericho have arrived. Scott Hall joins as Midcarder, Jericho as enhancement talent. Hall gets a rebel face gimmick, Jericho a face surfer gimmick.
And we have our first PPV.
WCW CLASH OF THE CHAMPIONS XIV - Week 4, January 1991
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Live from the sold out Summit in Houston, Texas!
Before the broadcast starts, an opening match: In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, The Juicer defeated Cactus Jack in 10:23 by pinfall. [23]
In a match that had some good action and average heat, The Lightning Express defeated Doom in 14:06 when Brad Armstrong defeated Butch Reed by pinfall after using a foreign object. The Lightning Express win the WCW World Tag Team titles. [64]
The Lightning Express show off their new titles for the crowd, enjoying the moment. [46]
Butch Reed and Ron Simmons are in the locker room. They argue over who was to blame for their earlier loss, with neither wanting to back down. Eventually Simmons storms out, furious. [52]
Gauntlet for the Gold 10 Man Battle Royal: The last two men in the ring have to wrestle to a "normal" conclusion (pinfall or submission). The winner will get a shot at the TV title at the next WCW Main Event taping. In a match that had some good action but not much in the way of heat, Tracy Smothers won a Gauntlet For The Gold in 16:30. The other members of the 'final four' were The Reverend Buddy Landel, Michael Wallstreet and Tommy Rich, with The Reverend Buddy Landel being the final elimination. Michael Wallstreet managed to record both the most eliminations and the longest survival time. [60]
After Buddy Landel is eliminated, he and Tommy Rich brawl outside the ring - Rich blames Landel for his elimination. [28]
The announcers put over the fact that we'll be seeing Sting, Rick Steiner, Scott Armstrong and Brian Armstrong take on Arn Anderson, Ric Flair, Barry Windham and Sid Vicious in a four-on-four lethal lockdown match. Two opponents start in a cage, and every two minutes another contestant enters. [70]
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Junkyard Dog defeated Dan Spivey in 14:52 by pinfall with a Thump. Junkyard Dog makes defence number 2 of his WCW World Television title. JYD's performance didn't look good; he was off his game and getting tired near the end. [46]
The match is over. Junkyard Dog walks over and offers his hand as a sign of respect to Spivey for putting up a great fight, but Spivey refuses the handshake and walks off. [62]
Butch Reed attacks Ron Simmons backstage, and leaves him down and out. Simmons' face turn has successfully been completed. [48]
In a bout that featured great action and a good crowd, Lex Luger defeated Stan Hansen in 17:32 by submission with a Torture Rack. During the match we also had Bobby Eaton run in and attack Luger. Lex Luger makes defence number 4 of his WCW United States title. [66]
Lex Luger is being attacked by Bobby Eaton in the ring. Seeing the assault, Vader comes running in and chases Eaton off, saving Luger from a serious beating. This concludes Vader's face turn. [61]
In a bout that featured great action and a good crowd, Arn Anderson, Ric Flair, Barry Windham and Sid Vicious defeated Sting, Brian Pillman and The Steiner Brothers in a Lethal Lockdown match in 35:28 when Sid Vicious defeated Brian Pillman by pinfall with a Powerbomb. During the match we also had Brian Pillman turn on Rick Steiner when Rick refused to go after a knocked out opponent. Pillman is now a heel. [73]
Brian Pillman is being attacked after the match, three-on-one, by Sting, Rick Steiner and Scott Steiner in the ring after provoking them and pinning the loss on them. Seeing the assault, Steve Austin comes running in and fights all three of them off, saving Pillman from a serious beating. [50]
Overall rating: 70. Popularity increased in 16 regions.
The PPV buy rate was 1.43 - which has the Turner network extremely unhappy. :(
That's not good. :( I look forward to having Hall in the ring. Going to do an Outsiders tag team eventually?
Eventually, yes. For now I'll have him feud with Michael Wallstreet.
I think one key to high PPV buy rates is generating high heat for your storylines - mine were all in the 60s. :blush:
1.43? That's pretty good for a WCW PPV in 1991. I think you're moving in the right direction.
WCW Main Event, Week 4, January 1991
There's two non-televised matches:
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, Brad Armstrong defeated Chris Benoit in 7:27 by pinfall with a Side Russian Legsweep. [60] Chris Benoit and Brad Armstrong have great chemistry, it turns out.
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, The Reverend Buddy Landel and One Man Gang defeated Chris Jericho and Cactus Jack in 9:28 when The Reverend Buddy Landel defeated Cactus Jack by submission with a Figure Four Leglock. [45] Hericho debuts with a surfer gimmick, rated 81. All wrestlers improved in their skills a bit.
The TV show kicks off with Lex Luger in the ring. To face Bobby Eaton, Luger offers Vader an alliance. Vader says he'll think about it. [62]
Teddy Long is in the ring giving an interview. Diamond Dallas Page and Kevin Nash come out and enter the ring. After some back-and-forth insults, they attack, laying Long out two-on-one. Tracy Smothers comes out from the back, hits the ring, and cleans house, saving Long. [51]
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Scott Hall defeated El Cubano in 7:16 by pinfall with an Outsider's Edge. [59]
After the match Scott Hall has an interview, in which he goes off on a rant about how much he hates Michael Wallstreet. He's on a quest to kick his entitled ass. [52]
In a match that had some good action but not much in the way of heat, Brian Pillman defeated Dustin Rhodes in 8:28 by pinfall with an Air Pillman. [63] Pillmans cocky "I'm awesome" heel gimmick has gotten a 100 rating!
Brian Pillman is being attacked by The Steiner Brothers in the ring. Seeing the assault, Steve Austin comes running in and fights them both off, saving Pillman from a serious beating. [55]
Vader comes out to the ring and announces that after long deliberation he'll accept Luger's offer of joining up. [67]
In a bout that featured great action and average heat, Barry Windham defeated Ron Simmons in 14:52 by pinfall while using the ropes for leverage. [72]
In a post-show match: In a bout that featured great action and great heat from the audience, Sting defeated Bobby Eaton in 17:54 by submission with a Scorpion Deathlock. [60]
Final rating: 67.
I should use more pre-/ost show matches to try out pairings/workers, I guess. And I notice I forgot to schedule the TV Title match; I''ll move it to Saturday Night, I guess.
WCW Saturday Night, Week 4, January 1991
Two pre-show matches:
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, Terrence Taylor defeated Cactus Jack in 8:12 by pinfall with a Flying Forearm Smash. [48]
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, Scott Hall and Vader defeated Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho in 9:45 when Scott Hall defeated Chris Benoit by pinfall with an Outsider's Edge. [58]
The opening match is for the TV Title. Tracy Smothers gets his shot that he earned after winning the battle royal at Clash of the Champions. In a match that had some good action and average heat, Tracy Smothers defeated Junkyard Dog in 10:30 by pinfall with a Jaw Jacker following interference from One Man Gang. Tracy Smothers wins the WCW World Television title. [41]
Despite the tainted finish, the two contenders shake hands after their bout. [58]
Smothers' celebration is cut short, though, when Diamond Dallas Page appears in the aisle and challenges Tracy Smothers to defend his title against Kevin Nash. Smothers accepts! [60]
Answering to Scott Hall's rant on Main Event, Michael Wallstreet cuts an interview in which he laughs off the threats, treating them with contempt. [53]
In a match that had some good action and average heat, The Steiner Brothers defeated Kevin Nash and Larry Zbyszko in 10:07 when Rick Steiner defeated Larry Zbyszko by pinfall with a Steinerizer. [62]
Steve Austin and Brian Pillman are scheduled next. On their way to the ring they run into the Steiners who are none too pleased to see the two. A brawl erupts, during which Pillman and Austin put the Steiners through two tables. [52]
In a match that had some good action but not much in the way of heat, The Lightning Express defeated Brian Pillman and Steve Austin in 12:15 when Brian Pillman was disqualified while fighting Brad Armstrong. During the match we also saw Rick Steiner run in and attack Pillman, and Scott Steiner also attack Austin. The Lightning Express make defence number 1 of their WCW World Tag Team titles. [65]
The Reverend Buddy Landel has an interview in which he taunts Tommy Rich. [48] Note to self: cancel that storyline.
In a match that had some good action and a good crowd, Lex Luger defeated Sid Vicious in 13:21 by disqualification. Lex Luger makes defence number 5 of his WCW United States title. [76] Luger and Sid have great chemistry, so putting them into the ring together gives a bonus.
Lex Luger is being attacked by Sid and Eaton in the ring. Seeing the assault, Vader comes running in and fights them both off, saving Luger from a serious beating. [57]
Sid Vicious is in the ring, along with Bobby Eaton. Eaton announces that he has made his decision, and he will be joining with Sid as an ally. [66]
Ric Flair comes down to ringside in order to do colour commentary on the next match. [75]
Before the match begins, though, Flair jabbers about how inferior Sting is as a wrestler compared to him. [85]
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Big Josh, Sting and Ron Simmons defeated Arn Anderson, Kevin Sullivan and One Man Gang in 20:19 when Sting defeated Kevin Sullivan by submission with a Scorpion Deathlock after interference from Junkyard Dog. During the match we also had Ric Flair hit Sting. [75]
Overall rating: 76
And here's the results of the 1991 WWF Royal Rumble:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg22.imageshack.us%2Fimg22%2F7246%2F4jfy.jpg&hash=e32471dbb30ddb59e698e9783caf292a9379d071)
Earthquake as WWF Champion. :lol:
Wait and is that Paul Roma teaming with one of Demolition to beat the Hart Foundation for the Tag Team title? :wacko:
Sgt Slaughter won a battle royal? Cool!
Earthquake was a monster heel back in the day. A title reign is a bit surprising (given that only faces held the title during at the time), but not totally crazy.
Quote from: daveracher on November 30, 2013, 03:21:08 PM
Wait and is that Paul Roma teaming with one of Demolition to beat the Hart Foundation for the Tag Team title? :wacko:
Not sure, maybe they changed Smash's gimmick a bit (kinda like Crush in the 90s?).
Not sure I agree about Earthquake. He was no Yokozuna. Well, he was, but not ... well, you know what I mean.
I've followed the modern WWE these last few weeks (remember, I haven't really watched for 10+ years). I like that the technical level of wrestling is pretty decent; there's few "pseudo wrestlers" left who are all gimmick and no moves (I'm looking at you, Great Khali). That said, the storylines are a bit meh, and some of the pairings seem odd. E.g., like the Wyatt family in their hillbilly grindhouse horror psycho ways. However, why put them into a story with CM Punk and Daniel Bryan (who I like), both of which are mostly "realistic" gimmicks and seem out of place in this story. Speaking of Punk: I've looked at some of his older stuff. He's not too spectacular in the ring (but not that bad, either), but damn can he work the microphone. Yes, he breaks the fourth wall with impunity, but what he can do without a script is pretty awesome.
Other wrestlers I like: Antonio Cesaro (always been a fan of power house wrestlers), Alberto Del Rio (classic smarmy heel), Shield (esp. Roman Reigns), Ryback in a dumb way, Damian Sandow (always liked snobbish gimmicks), AJ Lee (I love the mix of cutesy and psycho :wub: ). It's weird to see Lawler as face commentator and JBL at all - last I saw him was as Justin Hawk Bradshaw of the New Blackjacks). Most other workers leave me pretty meh, including Cena, Orton or Langston.
Survivor Series was also rather ho-hum (I always preferred Royal Rumble, though), and the episode of Raw that followed it was much better than the PPV IMHO. It was better than the dreadful Manchester Raw episode, though.
Actually, I think Yokozuna was a super-Earthquake. I remember back in the day, Earthquake was the Kane/Yokozuna-style monster heel. 1990 was the year he was feuding with Hogan, after all.
I was flipping channels the other day, and it seems that Golddust is back with the WWF. Not only that, but he seems to be fairly popular and is holding the tag team belts with a guy that I presume is his brother. I guess the whole homo angle plays a lot better in 2013.
Yeah, he returned this year. And that's his little brother indeed. I actually liked Goldust (before they turned him into a BDSM gimp). One of the best entrance themes ever. On gayness: from several articles/comments it appears that the WWF/WWE locker room is pretty supportive of gay wrestlers.
Speaking of Kane, sometimes wrestlers' real life antics are ... surprising.
QuoteJacobs is also involved in political issues, and publishes his views via a blog. He supported Ron Paul for President in 2008. He is a member of the Free State Project, and spoke at the organization's 2009 New Hampshire Liberty Forum. He has also spoken at the Ludwig von Mises Institute.
In an interview on the Tom Woods Show libertarian podcast, Jacobs mentioned Woods, Harry Browne, Ron Paul, John Stossel, Peter Schiff, and Murray Rothbard as his political influences, and stated he is "theoretically a Rothbardian", but does not believe that a stateless society will be achieved in his lifetime.
WCW Main Event, Week 1, February 1991
Two dark matches to get the crowd going a bit:
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, The Juicer defeated Cactus Jack in 7:51 by submission. [45] Cactus Jack wasn't performing well, but the commentators improved the quality of the match.
In a bout that had solid in-ring action and average heat, El Cubano and Arn Anderson defeated Brian Armstrong and Steve Armstrong in 7:45 when Arn Anderson defeated Steve Armstrong by pinfall with a DDT. [54] (I'm pretty sure I wanted to book not Arn Anderson ... obviously didn't change his spot from the default - the game uses a drop down field, and his name is on top.)
The show begins with a video hyping Pillman and Austin vs. The Lightning Express in a non-title match tonight. [47]
Kevin Sullivan and Arn Anderson and Josh and JYD are backstage; an argument breaks out, and all four of them start brawling. A host of road agents and staff have to pull them apart. [62]
Diamond Dallas Page cuts a backstage promo with Paul E. Dangerously. DDP hypes his protege Kevin Nash. [66]
In a match that had some good action but not much in the way of heat, Dustin Rhodes defeated Kevin Nash in 8:22 by pinfall with a Running Bulldog. [57]
Vader and Luger have an interview in which they taunt Sid Vicious. [68]
In a match that had some good action and average heat, The Lightning Express defeated Steve Austin and Brian Pillman in 12:50 when Steve Austin was disqualified for using a weapon. [61]
In a bout that had solid in-ring action and average heat, Michael Wallstreet defeated Tracy Smothers in 13:36 by count out. During the match we also had Scott Hall distract Wallstreet. [53] It seems Tracey Smothers pretty much blew the match, even though he and Wallstreet have good chemistry.
Overall rating for the show: 59.
Good to see this continuing. :)
Syt, in your estimation how do you "win" as it were, I know in opening post you said be able to take on WWE, how do you gauge that?
Just discovered this and read it all in one go. As a nostalgic wrestling fan I'm loving it, keep it up!
Good for you for giving Page and Nash jobs. I always liked those guys.
Quote from: katmai on February 02, 2014, 05:37:50 AM
Syt, in your estimation how do you "win" as it were, I know in opening post you said be able to take on WWE, how do you gauge that?
Well, you're rated for popularity, so overtaking the WWF there (and in TV ratings) would be good. That said, this is pretty much a sandbox game with no goals as such.
Quote from: Syt on February 02, 2014, 11:24:28 AM
Quote from: katmai on February 02, 2014, 05:37:50 AM
Syt, in your estimation how do you "win" as it were, I know in opening post you said be able to take on WWE, how do you gauge that?
Well, you're rated for popularity, so overtaking the WWF there (and in TV ratings) would be good. That said, this is pretty much a sandbox game with no goals as such.
Yeah i figured, I was wondering how you would meet your goals.
Basically - hire prospects/good performers and put out the best line up I can, thus attracting more people, and following the whims of the market, thus being able to hire bigger names etc.
WCW Saturday Night, Week 1, February 1991
A dark match that pleased no one: In a bout that had solid in-ring action but non-existent crowd heat, Cactus Jack and Chris Jericho defeated Chris Benoit and Dutch Mantel in 6:20 when Cactus Jack defeated Chris Benoit by pinfall with a Pulling Piledriver. [18] :(
Kevin Nash is backstage, arguing with Scott Hall. It gets heated, and the shouting catches the attention of Ted Stryker who is passing by. He walks in and decides to settle it by booking them to face each other in a singles match. [63]
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Vader defeated The Juicer in 5:53 by pinfall. [50]
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, The Reverend Buddy Landel defeated Brian Armstrong in 5:42 by pinfall with a Corkscrew Elbow Drop. [39]
Ric Flair comes to the ring and challenges Lex Luger to a match. [75]
In a match that had some good action but not much in the way of heat, Scott Hall defeated Kevin Nash in 8:33 by pinfall with an Outsider's Edge. [50] Scott Hall was not performing well tonight.
Barry Windham and Ron Simmons are backstage; an argument breaks out, and they start brawling with each other. A host of road agents and staff have to pull them apart. [57]
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Brian Pillman and Steve Austin defeated The Lightning Express in 10:45 when Tim Horner was counted out while fighting Steve Austin. [58] Pillman was having trouble performing at his best.
After the match, Austin and Pillman attack the Lightning Express beating them down into the mat. [51]
Lex Luger appears and says that he accepts the challenge laid down by Ric Flair, he'll face him in a match - a best of three pinfalls match! [61]
Sting had an interview hyping his upcoming singles match with Kevin Sullivan. [72]
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Michael Wallstreet defeated Big Josh in 8:10 by pinfall with a Samoan Drop following interference from Arn Anderson. [48] Note from road agent: Big Josh and Michael Wallstreet don't click in the ring, and therefore it was an awkward fight.
A video plays hyping the Ric Flair vs. Lex Luger 2 out of 3 pinfalls match. [75]
In a bout that featured great action and great heat from the audience, Kevin Sullivan defeated Sting in 15:22 by pinfall with a Devil Stomp. Kevin Sullivan wins the NWA World Heavyweight title. [85]
In a bout that featured great action and great heat from the audience, Ric Flair defeated Lex Luger in a Two Out Of Three Falls match in 20:01 by two falls to one after losing the first, with the final fall happening by submission with a Figure Four Leglock after blatantly cheating. [83]
Lex Luger is being attacked by Flair and Sid in the ring. Seeing the assault, Sting comes running in and fights them both off, saving Luger from a serious beating. [67]
Final Rating: 78
I thought I had set Sting to be the winner, but it appears I forgot :blush: However it means that Sting is now free to feud for Flair's title, but I need to figure out something about Sullivan.
Also, Lex Luger is pretty irritated that I don't let him do any mic work without a script. I've tried it before, and he sucked. I guess I need to book him only into angles where he doesn't need to talk. :hmm:
Time to resurrect this thread. I was thinking about starting the 1997 post-Montreal scenario and add an ECW clone league with Languish characters, but creating all those workers with gimmicks, character traits, contracts and abilities is more work than it's worth. :P
The WCW in Week 2 of February 1991:
NWA World Heavyweight Champion: Kevin Sullivan due to the accident above.
WCW US Title: Lex Luger - the title is ranked Midcard, and Luger is a Main Eventer, so this needs fixing
WCW TV Title (the lowest ranked by prestige at 55%): Tracy Smothers - another Midcard title, but I need to create a bit more competition for it
WCW World Tag Team Champions: The Lightning Express (Brad Armstrong and Tim Horner) - I'm still aiming to build up the Hollywood Blondes (Pillman & Austin) to contend there
Ongoing storylines:
1. Lex Luger + Vader vs. Sid Vicious + Bobby Eaton (Heat: 68)
2. DDP (+ Kevin Nash) and Teddy Long (+ Tracy Smothers) feud over who is a better manager (Heat: 57)
3. Hollywood Blonds vs. Steiners (Heat: 51) - I will have to discontinue this one. The Steiners are Main Eventers, while the Blonds are Midcard and Lower Midcard atm.
4. Sting vs Ric Flair (Heat: 61) The heat on this has gone down a fair bit, so I will try once more to increase it, before moving on.
5. Kevin Sullivan + Arn Anderson vs. Big Josh and Junkyard Dog (Heat: 48) - Yeah, time to pull the plug on this.
6. Michael Wallstreet vs. Scott Hall (Heat 50) - Yeah, not going so well, either.
7. Barry Windham vs. Ron Simmons (Heat 57)
Notable contracts running out in the next two months: Arn Anderson, Sid Vicious, Gordon Solie and Larry Zbysko.
It's two weeks till WrestleWar '91, and I have 4 shows to build up heat for this PPV. I will probably hype Flair vs Sting at the PPV, hand the tag titles to the Steiners, and possibly give the WC to Luger (can add Sullivan to his storyline). I should also do something with El Gigante, who was unhappy to be left out of the last PPV.
WCW Main Event, Week 2, February 1991
Three dark matches to kick things off:
In an extremely short match, Cactus Jack defeated Chris Benoit in 2:48 by pinfall with a Pulling Piledriver. [14]
In an extremely short match, Ranger Ross defeated Chris Jericho in 4:56 by pinfall with a Super Kick. [39]
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, Master Blaster Blade and The Juicer defeated Steve Armstrong and Norman in 7:48 when The Juicer defeated Steve Armstrong by pinfall. [39]
The TV show itself:
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Brad Armstrong defeated Kevin Nash in 5:38 by pinfall with a Side Russian Legsweep. [63]
The Reverend Buddy Landel comes to the ring and challenges Lex Luger to a match. [38] (this is part of transitioning the US title from Luger through Landell to Vader)
The Hollywood Blonds (w/ Paul E. Dangerously) cut a backstage promo with Missy Hyatt [65]
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Big Cat defeated Dustin Rhodes in 7:45 by pinfall with a Powerslam following interference from Michael Wallstreet. [45]
Dustin Rhodes is being attacked by Cat and Wallstreet in the ring. Seeing the assault, Scott Hall comes running in and fights them both off, saving Dustin Rhodes from a serious beating. [35] (This was an attempt to expand the Scott Hall vs. Michael Wallstreet storyline by adding Big Cat from Wallstreet's stable, and throwing Dustin Rhodes into the mix ... did not go over well ...)
In a match that had some good action and average heat, The Hollywood Blonds defeated Tommy Rich and Brian Armstrong in 8:52 when Brian Armstrong was counted out while fighting Brian Pillman. [50]
The match is over, and Brian Armstrong and Rich are left down. The Hollywood Blonds are celebrating, but then stop and see that their opponents are still on the ground. They attack, and beat both Brian Armstrong and Rich into the canvas. [42]
Lex Luger appears and says that he accepts the challenge laid down by The Reverend Buddy Landel, he'll face him in a match. [74]
In a match that had an average crowd reaction and some decent in-ring action, El Gigante defeated One Man Gang and Rip Rogers in 11:37 when El Gigante defeated One Man Gang by submission with a Clawhold. [38] (El Gigante and OMG were both not performing well.)
The Lightning Express attack The Hollywood Blonds backstage (in revenge to the Blonds' earlier beatdown), and leave them down and out. [50]
Overall Rating: [50]
(In short: this sucked)
Ok, let's see how this goes. Bit tired, so I expect it to be baaaad. :lol:
WCW Saturday Night, Week 2, February 1991
A few dark matches to warm up the crowd:
In an extremely short match, Cactus Jack defeated Chris Benoit in 4:35 by pinfall with a Double Arm DDT. [16]
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, The Juicer defeated Chris Jericho in 6:12 by pinfall. [44]
In a bout that had solid in-ring action and average heat, Dutch Mantel and Lt. James Earl Wright defeated Dustin Rhodes and Tracy Smothers in 6:17 when Dutch Mantel defeated Tracy Smothers by pinfall with a Scoop Slam Piledriver. [42]
In an extremely short match, Steve Austin defeated Tommy Rich in 4:39 by pinfall with a Stunner. [40]
Overall, not the worst warm up program.
The TV taping:
Junkyard Dog is shown backstage powerlifting a huge weight in order to show his incredible physical strength. [61]
NWA World Champion Kevin Sullivan is in the ring with a microphone. He claims that he is so good that he cannot be defeated by anyone, and so he is making an open challenge for any wrestler on the roster to face him in a singles match. [70]
In a match that had some good action but not much in the way of heat, Kevin Nash defeated Steve Armstrong in 5:44 by pinfall. [48]
Michael Wallstreet has a microphone, and says that he is very confident that he will get the win in his upcoming match against Vader. [60]
Sting, Rick Steiner and Scott Steiner had an interview hyping their upcoming six person tag team match with Ric Flair, Arn Anderson and Sid Vicious. [69]
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Michael Wallstreet defeated Vader in 5:31 by pinfall with a Samoan Drop. [46]
After the match Big Cat joins his stable mate Michael Wallstreet in the the ring. After some back-and-forth insults, they attack, laying Vader out two-on-one. Scott Hall comes out from the back, hits the ring, and cleans house, saving Vader. [49]
A video plays hyping Barry Windham vs. Junkyard Dog. [72]
Ron Simmons appears and says that he accepts the challenge laid down by Kevin Sullivan, he'll face him in a match. [61]
The Hollywood Blonds are shown sitting in the crowd watching the show. [48]
In a match that had some good action and average heat, The Fabulous Freebirds defeated The Lightning Express in 8:16 when Brad Armstrong was counted out after being attacked by Brian Pillman. During the match we also had Steve Austin run in and attack Horner. [57]
DDP and Nash attack Teddy Long backstage, and leave him down and out. [36]
The Hollywood Blonds with Paul E. Dangerously, have microphones, and proceed to taunt The Lightning Express, calling them names and generally acting like they're totally unafraid. [55]
In a bout that had a good crowd and good action, Junkyard Dog defeated Barry Windham in 9:36 by pinfall with a Thump after a distraction from Ron Simmons. [55] (JYD was getting tired towards the end; guess I need to book him in shorter matches.)
Ric Flair, Arn Anderson and Sid Vicious had an interview hyping their upcoming six person tag team match with Sting, Scott Steiner and Rick Steiner. [74]
Tracy Smothers finds Kevin Nash backstage, and beats him up to gain a measure of revenge. [48]
In a bout that had great heat and great wrestling action, Sting and The Steiner Brothers defeated Arn Anderson, Ric Flair and Sid Vicious in 13:19 when Sting defeated Sid Vicious by submission with a Scorpion Deathlock. [78]
Having just picked up the victory, the team of Sting, Rick Steiner, and Scott Steiner celebrate in the ring. [73]
Amidst a chaotic in-ring scene, Diamond Dallas Page and Tracy Smothers finally come face to face on opposite sides of the ring. They both pause, psyche themselves up, and charge. The ring gets flooded by numerous other wrestlers, and the two are pulled away before they can make contact by Larry Zbyszko, Chris Jericho, Dusty Rhodes, Scott Steiner, El Gigante and Cactus Jack. [35] (OUCH)
In a bout that had a good crowd and good action, Kevin Sullivan defeated Ron Simmons in 15:46 by pinfall after using a foreign object. Kevin Sullivan makes defence number 1 of his NWA World Heavyweight title. [63]
Overall rating: [68]
This show increased our popularity in 11 regions. This show decreased our popularity in 3 regions.
Chris Benoit :cry:
Also, Cactus Jack = Mankind/Mick Foley, right?
Quote from: Caliga on July 29, 2014, 02:54:43 PM
Also, Cactus Jack = Mankind/Mick Foley, right?
:yes:
Cool, couldn't remember for sure.
On an unrelated note:
D'VON.... GET THE TABLES!!!!!!!!11111111111111111111111111
The problem is that at this point Jericho, Benoit and Foley are inexperienced newcomers that no one wants to see. I probably should have left them be so that they can gain experience in smaller promotions first before making the jump.
At the moment the best I could do for them is to book them in squash matches with veterans so that they earn some experience that way, but it would kill my ratings if I do it on TV. I guess it would be somewhat realistic, though - I remember many a pre-Monday Night Wars WWF show that featured three or four squash fights of big names against the federation's regular jobbers (e.g. Reno Riggins, Duane Gill or Barry Horowitz) and a midcard fight as main event. :bleeding:
Don't forget the Brooklyn Brawler. He was always willing to do a job.
Yeah. He was supposed to be a bigger name, but he never quite worked out. They tried to make him Abe "Knuckleball" Schwartz during the MLB strike, and he briefly appeared as MVP, too.
He's mostly working as road agent for WWE these days, I think.
WCW Main Event, Week 3, February 1991
Warm up program:
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Kevin Nash defeated El Gigante in 5:45 by submission. [54] Turns out El Gigante and Kevin Nash have good chemistry. A tag team opportunity?
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but non-existent crowd heat, Tommy Rich defeated Chris Benoit in 6:05 by pinfall with a Sitout Suplex Slam. [43]
In an extremely short match, Dustin Rhodes defeated Chris Jericho in 4:53 by pinfall with a Running Bulldog. [56]
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, Big Cat and Butch Reed defeated Cactus Jack and Norman in 6:43 when Big Cat defeated Norman by pinfall with a Powerslam. [49]
And now - WCW Main Event!
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Vader is backstage, arguing with The Juicer. It gets heated, and the shouting catches the attention of Ted Stryker who is passing by. He walks in and decides to settle it by booking them to face each other in a singles match. [62]
The announcers put over the fact that we'll be seeing Tracy Smothers take on Michael Wallstreet for the WCW TV Title. [55]
Lex Luger is backstage, psyching up Vader for his upcoming match. [63]
Brian Pillman and Steve Austin with Paul E. Dangerously parody WCW superstars. [65]
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The Lightning Express have an interview, in which they go off on a rant about how much they hate The Hollywood Blonds. [50]
In a match that had some good action but not much in the way of heat, Vader defeated The Juicer in 5:32 by submission. [62]
In a match that had some good action but not much in the way of heat, The Hollywood Blonds defeated Brian Armstrong and Steve Armstrong in 6:38 when Brian Armstrong was counted out while fighting Steve Austin. [51] The Blonds are visibly happy to put Brad Armstrong's brothers in their place.
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Bobby Eaton drew with Big Josh in 7:10 following a double disqualification. During the match we also saw Sid Vicious distract Josh, and Vader also attack Eaton. [62]
WCW World Champion Kevin Sullivan goes backstage into the locker room, only to find a note taped to his bags. He reads it, looks upset, then quickly leaves. [72]
In a match that had some good action but not much in the way of heat, Michael Wallstreet defeated Tracy Smothers in 10:38 by pinfall with a handful of tights. Michael Wallstreet wins the WCW World Television title. [52] Despite good ringside work from the managers, and great chemistry between the two such a bad score? Wow.
Having picked up the victory, Michael Wallstreet celebrates in the ring. [50]
Overall rating: [60] Decent result, I guess, considering that I had mostly midcarders slugging it out.
Quote from: Syt on August 01, 2014, 02:30:33 PM
WCW Main Event, Week 3, February 1991
Brian Pillman and Steve Austin with Paul E. Dangerously parody WCW superstars. [65]
Huge fan of him, one of the reasons I started watching WWE again in 2012 (quit a few months later, it's awful nowadays), was because I heard he was back.
WCW Saturday Night, Week 3, February 1991
The dark matches:
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but non-existent crowd heat, El Cubano defeated Chris Benoit in 6:15 by pinfall with a Piledriver. [42]
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but non-existent crowd heat, Dustin Rhodes defeated Chris Jericho in 5:39 by pinfall with a Running Bulldog. [56]
In a match that had some good action but not much in the way of heat, Butch Reed defeated The Juicer and Cactus Jack in a Boiler Room Brawl match in 5:41 when Butch Reed defeated Cactus Jack by pinfall with a Gorilla Press Slam. [43]
In a match that had some good action but not much in the way of heat, The James Boys defeated The Hollywood Blonds in 6:06 when Steve Armstrong defeated Brian Pillman by pinfall with a Missile Dropkick. [53]
In a match that had some good action and average heat, The Reverend Buddy Landel defeated Scott Hall in 5:44 by pinfall with a Corkscrew Elbow Drop. [59]
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, Brad Armstrong won a battle royal in 12:16. The other members of the 'final four' were Dutch Mantel, Ranger Ross and Tommy Rich, with Dutch Mantel being the final elimination. Dutch Mantel got the most eliminations over the course of the match. [52]
The TV show:
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Ted Stryker is backstage, with both Sting and Ric Flair trying to talk him into giving them a title shot against Kevin Sullivan. He finally decides that he's heard enough, and that as they both can't have a title shot, they'll face each other in a singles match to win the right to a title shot. [79]
In a match that had some good action but not much in the way of heat, Kevin Nash defeated Tracy Smothers in 6:21 by pinfall. During the match we also had Diamond Dallas Page accidentally hit Nash. [58]
Junkyard Dog is interviewed by Gordon Solie and hypes his upcoming title match tonight with Kevin Sullivan. [69]
In a bout that featured great action and a good crowd, Barry Windham defeated Ron Simmons in 9:30 by pinfall with a Superplex. [56]
Kevin Nash and Diamond Dallas Page are backstage; an argument breaks out over DDP's botched interference in Nash's fight, and they start brawling with each other. A host of road agents and staff have to pull them apart. [48]
Diamond Dallas Page he says that he thinks that the recent actions of Nash have crossed the line, and as a result their friendship is over. [59] DDP comes out looking good, and he's now turned face. He's no longer manager of Nash or the Freebirds.
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Big Josh and El Gigante defeated The Fabulous Freebirds in 8:12 when Big Josh defeated Michael Hayes by pinfall. [64]
A montage of clips is shown, set to some inspirational 1980's power ballad, which are of Sting training himself for his upcoming fight. [78]
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In "Flair for the Gold", Kevin Sullivan is interviewed by Ric Flair and hypes his upcoming singles match with Junkyard Dog. [80]
In a bout that featured great action and a good crowd, Lex Luger drew with Sid Vicious in 7:52 following a double count out. During the match we also had Bobby Eaton run in and attack Luger. [60]
Lex Luger is in the ring being beaten down by Sid and Eaton, with the referee having totally lost control. Vader comes storming down to the ring, and the confused referee just lets it go, allowing the match to continue as a tag team encounter. [68]
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In a bout that featured great action and a good crowd, Lex Luger and Vader defeated Sid Vicious and Bobby Eaton in 7:59 when Vader defeated Bobby Eaton by submission. [59]
Sting is interviewed by Dusty Rhodes and hypes his upcoming singles match with Ric Flair. [78]
In a match that had some good action and a good crowd, Kevin Sullivan drew with Junkyard Dog in 13:43 following a double disqualification. [60]
Junkyard Dog and Kevin Sullivan are in the ring, arguing. JYD finally has enough and attacks him, eventually driving him through a table to make a point. The segment ends with JYD standing above the fallen Kevin Sullivan. [70]
A music video is shown to promote The Hollywood Blonds. [48]
In a match that had excellent in-ring action and great heat from the audience, Sting drew with Ric Flair in 15:05 following a double disqualification. [79]
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Following the draws in the title match and the contender match, a four way match is scheduled for the PPV! [74]
Overall rating: 75 We've increased popularity in 12 regions.
At the same time, the WWF's B show is as good as my A show. <_<
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WCW WRESTLE WAR 1991
Coming to you live from the Cow Palace in Daly City, California!
There were several dark matches:
In a match that had some good action and average heat, The Juicer defeated Ranger Ross in 7:48 by pinfall. [44]
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Butch Reed defeated Z-Man in 9:45 by pinfall with a Gorilla Press Slam. [50]
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Tracy Smothers defeated Rip Rogers in 8:52 by pinfall with a Jaw Jacker. [53]
In a bout that had solid in-ring action and average heat, The Reverend Buddy Landel defeated Tommy Rich in 10:07 by pinfall with a Corkscrew Elbow Drop. [40]
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Dustin Rhodes defeated One Man Gang in 9:43 by pinfall with a Running Bulldog. [55]
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In a bout that featured great action and a good crowd, Stan Hansen defeated Dan Spivey in 10:08 by pinfall with The Lariat. [58]
ANGLE: Alexandra York comes out and introduces the newest member of the York Foundation, Kevin Nash. Nash comes out, and they play to the crowd. [47]
In a bout that featured great action and a good crowd, Ron Simmons defeated Barry Windham in 10:49 by pinfall with a Snap Scoop Powerslam. [62]
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ANGLE: Lex Luger is interviewed by Gordon Solie and hypes his upcoming WCW US Title match with Bobby Eaton. [64]
In a bout that featured great action and a good crowd, The Steiner Brothers defeated Sid Vicious and Arn Anderson in 16:47 when Rick Steiner defeated Arn Anderson by pinfall with a Steinerizer. [70]
ANGLE: The Hollywood Blonds have an interview, in which they go off on a rant about how much they hate The Lightning Express. [52]
In a match that had some good action and average heat, The Lightning Express drew with Kevin Nash and Big Cat in 14:14 when the referee lost control and stopped the match. Lightning Express remain WCW Tag Team Champions. [62] (Turns out Big Cat and Kevin Nash aren't working well as a tag team. But Nash clicks with Alexandra York.)
ANGLE: Scott Hall comes out and says that he'd like to reveal his new manager...Diamond Dallas Page. Out he comes, and joins his new client in the ring. [50]
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In a match that had some good action and average heat, Scott Hall defeated Michael Wallstreet in 15:01 when Michael Wallstreet was disqualified when Kevin Nash ran in and attacked Scott Hall. Michael Wallstreet is still TV Champion. [57]
ANGLE: Ric Flair had an interview hyping his upcoming battle with Sting, Junkyard Dog and Kevin Sullivan. [75]
ANGLE: The State Patrol are making their entrance for the next match against El Gigante and Big Josh ... but The Hollywood Blonds come out of nowhere and attack them in the aisle. A brutal attack leaves both Sgt. Parker and Lt. Wright hurt, and a crowd of officials come out to help them backstage for medical attention. In the meantime, The Hollywood Blonds head for the ring, apparently inserting themselves into the match! [33]
In a match that had some good action and average heat, The Hollywood Blonds defeated El Gigante and Big Josh in 12:34 when Brian Pillman defeated El Gigante by pinfall with a Hollywoon & Vine. [60]
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ANGLE: after the match the Fabulous Freebirds run in and attack El Gigante and Big Josh, beating them down into the mat. [48]
In a bout that featured great action and a good crowd, Bobby Eaton defeated Lex Luger in 11:46 by pinfall with an Alabama Jam following interference from Sid Vicious. Bobby Eaton wins the WCW United States title. [59]
ANGLE: Ted Turner comes out to Bobby Eaton. He says that he has decided to punish Eaton for his tainted win, and that he will be facing Vader in a match right away. [48]
In a bout that featured great action and average heat, Vader defeated Bobby Eaton in 13:47 by pinfall following botched interference by Sid Vicious. Vader wins the WCW United States title. [67]
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ANGLE: Kevin Sullivan cuts a backstage promo about the four-way match for the WCW World Championship Title. [70]
ANGLE: Junkyard Dog is shown in the car park. He is braced against a wall, and is using his leg strength to hold a moving car back, showing off his power. [60]
The MAIN EVENT: A 4-way Steel Cage Elimination Match for the WCW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE - no DQ, no Count Out!
In a bout that featured great action and great heat from the audience, Ric Flair defeated Junkyard Dog, Sting and Kevin Sullivan in 35:12; the order of elimination was Kevin Sullivan first, then Junkyard Dog, and finally Sting. Ric Flair wins the NWA World Heavyweight title. [82]
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ANGLE: Ric Flair quickly leaves with the title, belt, but Sting goes out into the crowd to celebrate his performance with his people. [87]
Overall rating: [78] The show increased our popularity in 16 regions.
Buy rate was 1.52. I've been warned by the Turner Network, that if the rates don't improve soon then the contract might get cancelled.
So, I've poked around the GDS forums, and it seems that my PPV carrier is simply too big for my promotion (Huge vs. Cult, Cult is one step below national). So I either need to go national, or I need to find a smaller carrier once the current contract runs out or gets cancelled.
Another option would be to decrease the number of PPVs. The game is geared towards a modern schedule for large promotions, with a monthly PPV (and the money is good), so in historical mods, even WWF would run one PPV per month (instead of the Big 4 they had in, say, 1991: Royal Rumble, Wrestlemania, Summer Slam, Survivor Series). However, reducing the number of PPVs also increases buy rates.
I think I'm going with the first option.
WCW Main Event, Week 4, February 1991
Pre-show matches:
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, The Lightning Express defeated The State Patrol in 6:54 when Tim Horner defeated Lt. James Earl Wright by pinfall with a Rolling Cradle. The Lightning Express make defence number 3 of their WCW World Tag Team titles. [53]
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, Cactus Jack defeated Master Blaster Blade in 8:14 by pinfall with a Double Arm DDT. [41]
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho defeated Dutch Mantel and Norman in 7:54 when Chris Benoit defeated Dutch Mantel by pinfall with a Diving Headbutt. [18]
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ANGLE: Alexandra York had an interview hyping the upcoming singles match between her client Kevin Nash and Tommy Rich. [46]
ANGLE: Arn Anderson is backstage with Ted Stryker. He asks to be given a chance to wrestle Rick Steiner in a singles match, and Stryker accepts the request. [81]
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Kevin Nash defeated Tommy Rich in 6:21 by submission. [44]
ANGLE: Scott Hall is interviewed by Missy Hyatt and hypes his upcoming singles match with Butch Reed. [63]
ANGLE: Before the match, Steve Austin takes the microphone and has a few words for the fans. [72]
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Steve Austin defeated Dustin Rhodes in 9:15 by pinfall with a Stunner following interference from Brian Pillman. [52]
ANGLE: Gigante and Josh attack The Fabulous Freebirds backstage, and leave them down and out. [49]
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Scott Hall defeated Butch Reed in 9:26 by pinfall with an Outsider's Edge. [58]
ANGLE: Kevin Sullivan turns a corner backstage and spots Junkyard Dog, who also sees him. A chase begins, and JYD has to dive into a storeroom and hide. Kevin Sullivan didn't see where he went, and after a brief search he gives up and leaves. Junkyard Dog comes out of hiding looking relieved. [58]
In a bout that featured great action and a good crowd, Arn Anderson defeated Rick Steiner in 13:24 by pinfall after using a foreign object. [63]
Overall rating: 65
WCW Saturday Night, Week 4, February 1991
Pre-Show:
In a match that had an average crowd reaction and some decent in-ring action, Junkyard Dog defeated Master Blaster Blade in 7:08 by pinfall with a Thump. [42] Apparently the match length was still too long for JYD. Also, his gimmick is getting very stale.
In a bout that had solid in-ring action and average heat, Dustin Rhodes and Tracy Smothers defeated Rip Rogers and El Cubano in 6:53 when Tracy Smothers defeated Rip Rogers by pinfall with a Jaw Jacker. [43]
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, Chris Benoit defeated Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker in 5:51 by pinfall with a Diving Headbutt. [35]
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, Kevin Nash and The Reverend Buddy Landel defeated Brian Armstrong and Steve Armstrong in 7:08 when Kevin Nash defeated Brian Armstrong by pinfall. [47]
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In a match that had some good action but not much in the way of heat, Cactus Jack defeated Butch Reed in 6:45 by pinfall with a Double Arm DDT. [53]
ANGLE: Kevin Nash is backstage with Ted Stryker. He asks to be given a chance to wrestle Vader in a singles match for the US title. Stryker rejects the request, saying that he has to earn the title shot, causing Nash to storm off. [74]
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, Chris Jericho defeated Ranger Ross in 6:49 by submission with a Liontamer. [31]
ANGLE: The Hollywood Blonds cut a backstage promo with Missy Hyatt [62] Steve Austin does really well when working without script, Pillman ... not so much. I'll make sure Austin gets plenty opportunity to work that loose mouth of his.
In a bout that had a good crowd and good action, Arn Anderson and Ric Flair defeated Big Josh and El Gigante in 8:21 when Arn Anderson defeated Big Josh by pinfall, illegally using the ropes for leverage. [63]
ANGLE: Sid Vicious has a microphone, and says that he is very confident that he will get the win in his upcoming match against Sting. [70]
ANGLE: Diamond Dallas Page had an interview hyping the upcoming singles match between his client Vader and One Man Gang. [54]
ANGLE: Kevin Sullivan has an interview in which he taunts Junkyard Dog. [69]
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Vader defeated One Man Gang in 7:40 by submission. Vader makes defence number 1 of his WCW United States title. [52]
ANGLE: We are backstage, where the camera catches Sid Vicious apparently slipping an envelope of money to referee Mickey Jay.
In a bout that featured great action and average heat, Ron Simmons defeated Larry Zbyszko in 9:16 by pinfall with a Snap Scoop Powerslam. [58]
ANGLE: The Fabulous Freebirds are promoting themselves in Ric Flair's segment "Flair for the Gold." [65]
In a bout that featured great action and a good crowd, Barry Windham defeated Lex Luger in 13:30 by a fast-counted pinfall from Mickey Jay, illegally using the ropes for leverage. [71]
ANGLE: Michael Wallstreet is in the ring, and calls out Scott Hall to face him. As soon as Hall appears he gets jumped by Kevin Nash and Big Cat, who had been lying in wait. The ambush leaves Scott Hall down and out. [51]
In a bout that had great heat and great wrestling action, Sting drew with Sid Vicious in 12:50 when the referee lost control and stopped the match. [76]
ANGLE: Sting is being attacked by the Four Horsemen: Arn Anderson, Ric Flair, Bobby Eaton and Barry Windham. Out from the back come Scott Steiner, Rick Steiner and Ron Simmons, who hit the ring to make the save. This triggers an eight man brawl, which has to be separated by a whole team of officials and other wrestlers. [65]
ANGLE: Sting, Rick Steiner, Scott Steiner and Ron Simmons are together, and make the announcement that they are going to be allies from now on, watching each others back. [68]
OVERALL RATING: 72. Gained popularity in 12 regions, lost in 2.
In other news: we have a new Main Eventer signed up:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sikids.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fmultimedia%2Fphoto_gallery%2F1003%2Fpro.wrestling.legends%2Fimages%2Frick-rude.jpg&hash=e7264b00980a9a3abaca05b0cedac9950a12f64a)
Rick Rude is, of course, a Heel, and when I look at my Main Eventers and Upper Midcarders I have like 2/3 Heels. I think looking at a few turns might be in order. Though from the looks of it, the most likely candidates would be the 4 Horsemen ... :hmm:
Oh, and the ratings for the last WCW Saturday Night was 0.93, up from 0.85 the week before. :)