Nothing revolutionary about this idea, and if a thread for this already exists on the new PW... My bad. Link me and delete this.

Anyway, got a bug up my ass after listenig to Austin's latest podcast with Ryback. Love that guy.

If you were to start a wrestling promotion, what 5-10 guys do you build around? With the resurgence of indies and startup culture, your promotion can be anything. Big budget set to fail like AEW or TNA, or grassroots greatness like NWA or MLW.

Feel free to take parallel stabs at this. A more realistic one with no talent already signed elsewhere, and a dream approach where you can steal away already signed talent... No matter how unrealistic. Only caveat is they must be alive, I guess.

Personally, I think I'd strive for something along the lines of an MLW or NWA probably? For my less realistic core of talent as my foundation I'd want (in no particular order):

Ryback:
- Such a smart, talented guy. So underrated, underappreciated. Great mind for business in general, could see him being an asset like Taz or Bubba was to ECW. Works as a heel or face. Can wrestle, can talk, can move merch. Doesn't look like a civilian.

The Miz:
- Most unrealistic get, for sure. The face that runs the place. Should've been getting all the pushes that have gone to Punk, Bryan, Reigns, Seth, Style, etc. over the years. No better brand ambassador. Works as a heel or face, can wrestle, can talk... Probably booked as the Rowdy Roddy Piper of my fed.

Wade Barrett:
- Sorry Baker-man but I'm still convince BNB could do the Slick Nick schtick better than even the National Treasure if he felt so inclined. Equal or better physique, equal or better ring work, equal or better on the mic, better voice, and several inches taller. Have a feeling he works better as a heel unless he reprises his BNB gimmick somehow.

Elijah Burke:
- I'm assuming he can still go in the ring at least as good as he did in his WWECW days. NWA has proven he's still fucking solid on the mic. Feels contemporary as fuck to me. I'd push him like 1998-2002 Rock.

Eli Drake:
- As I've ranted and raved in the #NWAPowerrr thread, I totally see Eli being the Austin to Elijah's Rock. Oh shit, I also just realized how much I love the idea of an Eli & Elijah all-star tag team.

Enzo Amore:
- Controversy creates cash. He's my 1995-1997 Shawn Michaels. Heat magnet. Worth the effort it'll take to manage any personality issues.

Big Cass:
- See above. Seems like he's been making efforts to get his act together. And when he slips up, well... Controversy creates cash! Plus, you can't teach seven feet. The Diesel to Enzo's HBK. Booked like late 1995-early 1996 Diesel.

Damien Sandow:
- Proving every episode of #NWAPowerrr that he gets pro wrestling more than possibly anyone on the face of the earth today. Presumably works best as a heel with a comedy edge. Provides a nice contrast to most of the above, who likely all work best with a more serious presentation (except when BNB is doing BNB)

That's all I can think of for now. Chime in with yours. I'll be back with more ideas later!

Cool topic. I once did something like this for every year from like 1987-2009, but I ignored modern wrestling because, well, modern wrestling. But I am all for it now that NWA Powerrr has brought me back into the fold.

*My dream roster is very similar to my picks in the latest PW draft. Truth is I really only need two wrestlers. With these guys on top dimes will be drawn and the rest will follow.....

1. Nick Aldis & 2. Eli Drake- YEAH! There's my HHH & Rock. The top bad guy and the top good guy. These two can talk people into the building. They'd have an epic years-long on and off feud. Lemme talk to ya about E Li Drake real quick....

🤯 and some others I've seen compare him to Austin. But I think he is far more Rock. Like, from my perspective, he is to The Rock what Chris Benoit was to Dynamite Kid. He even moves and punches just like The Rock. The resemblance is uncanny. He also has his own version of the People's Elbow. It's to the point where I think if some dummy wants to criticize Eli Drake, calling him a Rock cosplayer would be their best line of attack. 

Rant Time: It's incredible to me that these two haven't spent years main eventing WWE pay per views. Which leads me to two conclusions....

1. WWE has declined to the point where it's nearly unrecognizable from the promotion I grew up loving.
2. HHH needs to go.

These two are perfect Vince/WWE wrestlers. The have The Look. They can talk. They have charisma. They're solid, traditional "WWE style" guys in the ring. I feel like Vince's eyes would turn into cartoon dollar signs if he watched these two for even 5 minutes. But stupid HHH is too busy signing every vanilla midget he can get his hands on. Vince needs take back control from his dumbass son in law and make WWE great again with Slick Nick and E Li on top. YEAH!
------------------
*Seeing if I can get to a nice, round, even 10.....

Lacey Evans/Thunder Rosa/Bianca Belair- Women's Wrestling has been the hot thing over the past few years. I would capitalize on the trend.

Lacey would be the Slick Nick of my women's division. From the admittedly fairly little I've seen, I feel like she just gets pro wrestling on an innate level.

Rosa & Belair would be her badass babyface challengers. Rosa can go in the ring. The NWA fans love her. The MMA background gives her added credibility. She has a unique look with the facepaint. Comes off as a total badass despite average, or even below average size. She's basically a female Low Ki with none of the baggage. 

I don't watch WWE/NXT very often. But Bianca Belair has been one of the most impressive competitors, male or female, on those rare occasions when I do. Bianca is another woman who just oozes star power imo. I think she has a really cool wrestling style which combines the hossiest power moves with the flashiest flying moves. The hair whip gives her a thing. She has charisma and swagger. She might be a little green. And I have no idea how she is on the mic. I'm guessing terrible? So she might be a bit of a project. But I think she has "it." Tbh she's impressed me far more than the likes of Becky and....Allysin Kay Jr.?    brb. I have to look up the name of the woman I'm thinking about....
Rhea Ripley. That's it.

WALTER- Every promotion needs a hossy monster. WALT would be my Vader Guy. Like everybody on this list so far, Big WALT has an unteachable presence. Only drawback is he doesn't want to move to the US. But I'd work around that. Bring him a few times a month for tv tapings and PPV. He could serve as Slick Nick's enforcer....until his big face turn. Count the $$$

Aron Stevens- Doubt I would have thought of The Shooter if 🤯 didn't mention him. But he definitely belongs. Pro Wrestling is about far more than the main events. Stevens in an awesome role player who has shown the ability to make anything work. He's a comedic genius with charisma who happens to be gold on the mic. He'd be my Jacques Rougeau Guy. He'd also be somebody I'd go to for booking ideas. Guarantee you he has a ton of good ones.
---------------------------------
*That's all I can come up. I really need another top male face, but I just don't watch enough non-NWA wrestling to know who that might be. Hate to say it, but my man Tim Storm is too old, and honestly not good enough in the ring to be the #2 face in my company. Tanahashi, maybe? Haven't seen him in a few years though. And isn't his body broken down? It's an unrealistic get anyway. PCO? I'd definitely take him. But he is also too old to be a Top 10 pick. 

1. James Storm he can go face or heel. I personally think he works better as a face, which is how I would use him. He has natural charisma and can get the crowd fired up.

2. Jacob Fatu he's the monster heel will run rough shot over the promotion. Then turn face and become be the savior.

3. Mysterious Q - he's my Sting. The ultimate good guy.

4. Gino the young cocky arrogant heel.

5. gonna leave this one blank. I want to say Sabin or Elgin, but I feel I need a more established bigger name.

ladies Kiera Hogan, Thunder Rosa, Hyan

Able Andrew Jackson will be used as a manager and part time wrestler.

It's funny, I do this every 6 months when my game of EWR crashes. 

I'll keep it within some reality, I can't steal talent already signed to the BIG TWO American companies ie; WWE & AEW, nor can I change the landscape of wrestling. My aim is to launch to a live crowd of 1500 and build from there. I'll produce weekly shows, live streaming on YouTube, and will initially survive on corporate sponsorship and commercial revenue. 

My picks : 

The Villain, Marty Scrull. 
This isn't the " Enterprising " Scrull, or the goof-ball that hung around with the fucking Bucks too long - this is The Villain at his best. What Finn Balor is today in NXT compare to his run on the main roster - Marty becomes an intelligent, cultured, conniving villain.

Tetsuya Naito.
A massive signing here - a loaner from NJPW. Naito's journey to the west, sees the punkiest monkey that ever popped becoming The Anti-hero. And constantly in direct conflict with The Villain due to his unforgiving fuck you attitude and effortless fonz factor. 

James Storm. 
A journeyman. Scratching and crawling and fighting. Of adequate skill but not of the calibre of his rivals nor the credibility. As a babyface, he's constantly on a mission to become champion. As a heel, he's protecting " his spot "  

Nick Aldis. 
It's the NWA World Champion, former TNA Champion. I don't need to say more. The Champion of Champions. Contender, Champion, Main Eventer and company Gatekeeper. 

Alex Shelley. 
The Never-Was. Failing to achieve success or fame, despite considerable effort. Shelley works long-term programs with new, mid-card and less experienced talent. He's the enhancement talent I can also throw into the main event.

Will Ospreay.
The future Champion. Best in the World.. eventually. 

Joey Ryan.
Booker, promotor, side-show attraction. Fun, stupid mid-card act. Lots of intergender matches seeing Ryan getting his ass handed to him by feminists. 

AJ Lee. 
The super-babyface marquee signing designed to generate a tone of publicity. A returning champion and the true catalyst for the women's revolution. 

Tessa Blanchard.
This is what happens when you spark a women's revolution AJ, you get this bitch Tessa Blanchard standing across the ring from you. Tessa exists because AJ gave her the platform to do it.  

Kylie Rae.
Bullied out of AEW, KR is built as the next babyface flag bearer of the women's division after Lee eventual departure. 

I can sign anyone? You gotta think big then.

CM Punk
You get CM Punk back in a ring, you're printing money. The end.

Seth Rollins
He's an incredible heel and could be what Shawn Michaels was in the 90's if booked properly.

Will Ospreay
Insanely talented and diverse, and he's fun on twitter.

WALTER
M E A T

Kevin Owens
Charismatic, talented, unique.

Sasha Banks
Seems like she gets disenchanted with the WWE every six months when they cycle her out of the title picture. Sign her and let her shine like only she can, and lead the women's division.

Matt Riddle
Beloved face and is one of the best in the world in the ring.

Pete Dunne
Old school in the ring with a new school look.

Velveteen Dream
He's like if The Rock and Prince had a baby.

Hiromu Takahashi
He'd be so over in the western market, and he's got charisma out the ass. Oh, and he's an excellent wrestler too.

Rhea Ripley
Look at the past few months she had, now dial that up to 11. Nuff said.

Jan 31, 2020 5:57:43 GMT RT said:

I can sign anyone? You gotta think big then.

CM Punk
You get CM Punk back in a ring, you're printing money. The end.

Seth Rollins
He's an incredible heel and could be what Shawn Michaels was in the 90's if booked properly.

Will Ospreay
Insanely talented and diverse, and he's fun on twitter.

WALTER
M E A T

Kevin Owens
Charismatic, talented, unique.

Sasha Banks
Seems like she gets disenchanted with the WWE every six months when they cycle her out of the title picture. Sign her and let her shine like only she can, and lead the women's division.

Matt Riddle
Beloved face and is one of the best in the world in the ring.

Pete Dunne
Old school in the ring with a new school look.

Velveteen Dream
He's like if The Rock and Prince had a baby.

Hiromu Takahashi
He'd be so over in the western market, and he's got charisma out the ass. Oh, and he's an excellent wrestler too.

Rhea Ripley
Look at the past few months she had, now dial that up to 11. Nuff said.

So you'd be trying to compete with AEW and maybe WWE?

What about for a more realistic approach?

I'm still thinking about mine. Probably still Enzo and Big Cass and Ryback, but need to think more too.

Jan 31, 2020 17:32:02 GMT 🤯 said:

Jan 31, 2020 5:57:43 GMT RT said:

I can sign anyone? You gotta think big then.

CM Punk
You get CM Punk back in a ring, you're printing money. The end.

Seth Rollins
He's an incredible heel and could be what Shawn Michaels was in the 90's if booked properly.

Will Ospreay
Insanely talented and diverse, and he's fun on twitter.

WALTER
M E A T

Kevin Owens
Charismatic, talented, unique.

Sasha Banks
Seems like she gets disenchanted with the WWE every six months when they cycle her out of the title picture. Sign her and let her shine like only she can, and lead the women's division.

Matt Riddle
Beloved face and is one of the best in the world in the ring.

Pete Dunne
Old school in the ring with a new school look.

Velveteen Dream
He's like if The Rock and Prince had a baby.

Hiromu Takahashi
He'd be so over in the western market, and he's got charisma out the ass. Oh, and he's an excellent wrestler too.

Rhea Ripley
Look at the past few months she had, now dial that up to 11. Nuff said.

So you'd be trying to compete with AEW and maybe WWE?

What about for a more realistic approach?

I'm still thinking about mine. Probably still Enzo and Big Cass and Ryback, but need to think more too.

nZo, Cass = locker room cancer.

Really? I thought that was just overblown social media. If not, worst case, I'll arrange a separate locker room for them.

Feb 2, 2020 7:39:06 GMT 🤯 said:

Really? I thought that was just overblown social media. If not, worst case, I'll arrange a separate locker room for them.

I’d happily book nZo v PAC.

It’d be like seeing a Jack Russell mauled by a Timberwolf.

Feb 2, 2020 8:51:21 GMT NATH45 said:

Feb 2, 2020 7:39:06 GMT 🤯 said:

Really? I thought that was just overblown social media. If not, worst case, I'll arrange a separate locker room for them.

I’d happily book nZo v PAC.

It’d be like seeing a Jack Russell mauled by a Timberwolf.

Bad blood between the two?

Samoa Joe: He can seem to come up with great promos on the fly and excellent deliver. And can make even bad material sound good.
Revival: Great tag team
Beer Money(James Storm and Robert Roode): Great as team but both could do great in a single divisions.
Killer Kross: Seems like he will be the big thing sooner rather then later.
Bobby Lashley: You can make him work since Impact was able to do it.

Sasha Banks: One of my favorites who deserves to be booked well in a good women's divisions. (Either top baby face or heel)
Rosemary: Really deserves so much better then Impact but very loyal. (Either top baby face or heel)
Awesome Kong: Monster heel or tweener


I pick people I felt I could get with a little work since they aren't really used that well or deserve a higher spot on the card.