WMS

SPOILER: Click to show

SUNBELT WRESTLING FEDERATION proudly presents...
E S C A P E   F R O M   L . A
2 0 0 X
LIVE! from Los Angeles, CA
Staples Center

PROLOGUE - ABOUT THE Y2K FALLOUT...
Tombstone delivered another nail in the coffin of WWF's status as number one company in the United States as the wrestling world entered a new decade. Moreover, Vince McMahon was said to be absolutely incredulous at the news that John Cena and Randy Orton, considered to be the business' two next megastars, had rejected his promotions advances to instead join Sunbelt Wrestling Federation in a stunning talent acquisition. The surprise raid from SWF and their directors was so well acclaimed by the wrestling community that a red-faced Vince was left to instead throw extortionate amounts of money at older, aging talent to come and appear at WrestleMania which would take place just one weekend before Sunbelt took to Tinsel town with their latest pay-per-view offering. Question marks were always generally asked annually about how SWF could compete with their oppositions' premier event of the year, but months of thought out booking and fresh feuds meant that fans could be confident that the first quarter of the year would end with more McMahon indignation courtesy of "Escape from L.A".

E S C A P E  F R O M   L . A



OUR MAIN EVENT - INSIDE A STEEL CAGE
SWF World Heavyweight Championship Bout
"The Deadman" The Undertaker (c) vs "The Next Franchise" John Cena

• Those familiar with John Cena's work will know just why he had such a burgeoning reputation arriving into Sunbelt. He's been compared with all the names you'd associate with a wrestling Mt. Rushmore, but Cena has never encountered anybody quite like "The Deadman". The biggest dog in the yard once more after establishing himself as SWF World Heavyweight Champion, The Undertaker is a true wrestling phenom. There's two sides to a battle with 'Taker - getting in the ring with him is just half of that battle; the excruciating mind-games in the lead-up is a match-up in itself. John Cena is the newest gunfighter in town, but did the unthinkable when he went face-to-face with the biggest and baddest man in town on his first night in the company. Cena told The Undertaker that he'd come to SWF for one reason and one reason only, to be THE MAN, to be THE CHAMPION, and to be the man he knows he'll have to beat The Deadman. Dubbing himself "The Next Franchise of professional wrestling", Cena entered a gauntlet for the gold and after defeating a host of stars including the previous champion Chris Jericho, Undertaker deemed Cena worthy of a challenge. Taker would go on to grip his would-be challenger by the throat however, and reveal that it wouldn't be an ordinary championship match however, Cena would have to earn his stripes and earn his respect by defeating him in a STEEL CAGE match! Taker would release Cena from the throat before quickly lifting him off his feet and spinning him around ... TOMBSTONE PILEDRIVER. Taker spiked his newest challenger into the canvas before giving his infamous cut-throat taunt, his tongue sticking out of his mouth and his eyes rolling back into his head...
  
  

The thought of being trapped inside a Steel Cage with The Undertaker did not phase John Cena who continued to show no signs of being perturbed at the prospect of his first ever championship opportunity coming in such a structure against one of the business' most feared entities. Instead, Cena seemed to thrive off the mind games and would invoke some of his own as he'd invite The Undertaker down to the ring and tell him boldly that he respected him, but did not fear him and that he knows more about The Phenom than Taker knows about The Next Franchise. Taker had no words, instead once again gripping his huge hand around Cena's throat before this time drilling him down to the depths of hell with an enormous chokeslam. Taker would look down at the young man before exiting the ring, taking one last look behind him to find that Cena had already risen to his feet with a sick, twisted grin on his face. Undertaker tried not to show any emotion, but would find himself wide-eyed in surprise when Cena would unleash a traditional 'Taker pose of his own moments later...

Titans would go off the air with serious questions over Taker's own mentality heading into the title defense. Fans were well and truly hyped for the steel cage showdown between wrestling's present and wrestling's future, with a split verdict on how this one would go down. The Undertaker hasn't been pinned or submitted in years, he's the defending champion who's reign has only just started, but has he finally met his maker in John Cena, the young stud who knows no fear and still has that unknown factor surrounding him? Only one can ESCAPE FROM L.A...

GENERATIONAL GRUDGE MATCH
"The Genocidal, Homicidal, Death-Defying" Sabu vs "Legend Killer" Randy Orton

• The journey in returning from a near career-ending neck injury culminated in the biggest victory of Sabu's career when he defeated Taz in a match that surely shortened not only the careers, but the lifespans, of both competitors. In an emotional segment on Titans, Sabu admitted he was unsure just how many matches he had left in his arsenal, and questioned whether he could every quite reach the same depths he'd been down to against Taz. He would, however, find a way to repeat that performance if it meant he could win the biggest title this sport has to offer before he rides off into the sunset. As he took a moment to contemplate his dream amongst loud "SABU" chants, he was taken off his feet out of nowhere with the RKO! Randy Orton had arrived in SWF! The fans weren't too happy to meet him, as he took the microphone and introduced himself as "Randy Orton, a third generational superstar, but you ... you can all call me the LEGEND KILLER!". Seconds after the words 'legend killer' left Orton's mouth he took a running start before punting Sabu straight in the head. The sickening act would leave Sabu hospitalized, but Orton somewhat foolishly chose the wrong legend to try and make an example of. "The Genocidal, Homicidal, Death-Defying" Sabu would return to TV against doctors orders to give Orton a taste of his own medicine. A steel chair and an Arabian Face-buster combination sent Orton retreating as Sabu laid down the challenge for Escape From L.A. "That kick to the head made me come to my senses. I'm the nephew of the legendary Sheikh, I'm a maniac who has no consideration for his own body so what does that mean for yours?! There's more life in me yet, and in L.A we're going straight down to hell … and there's only me coming back up." Randy Orton makes his SWF pay-per-view as the third generational superstar and self-professed "Legend Killer" goes one-on-one with a man who has a traditional wrestling family of his own, the craziest individual Sunbelt Wrestling Federation has ever seen, the one and only Sabu!

CANADIAN COLLISON - CLASH OF THE CHRIS'
SWF United States Championship Bout
"Rabid Wolverine" Chris Benoit (c) vs "Y2J" Chris Jericho

• It took losing the World Heavyweight Championship for Chris Jericho to realize how blinded and deafened he'd become in regards to the crowd's disapproval for his recent underhanded tactics and ignorant, self-obsessed behaviour. Jericho would double down, however, and instead of atoning for his jerkish ways, he'd play up to the hatred the audience now showed towards the former fan-favourite. As we entered the millennium, he pointed the finger at the fans as being at fault for him no longer possessing the world title and professed that Sunbelt Wrestling Federation can consider itself to now have a Y2Jericho problem. The newly nicknamed "Y2J" was less than impressed when he had to face off against a debuting John Cena in an effort to get a shot at winning his championship back and things would only worsen when Cena would claim a massive win. Undeterred, Y2J would now find himself in the hunt for the United States Championship weeks later as he'd enter himself in a battle royal right before the bell. Chris Benoit would be present ring-side as Jericho fought and cheated his way to the number one contendership. Jericho would attempt a cheap shot after the win, but Benoit was too wise - only the intervention of several officials saved Jericho the humility of tapping out from a Crippler Crossface in the middle of the ring. Y2J would get the upper hand the following week, though, as he'd enter from the crowd to take Benoit out post-match and lock in the Walls of Jericho, the move once known to us as the Liontamer. Benoit would pass out rather than tap out, but if the same were to happen on pay-per-view then we'd have a new US Champ'. These two men are, of course, no strangers to one another - fellow countrymen who started their trade in Canada, before their paths met in Germany, Mexico, New Japan Pro Wrestling, and in an abundance of different promotions in North America. This will be their highest profile encounter yet, though, with one of the most illustrious titles on the planet at stake!

F THE WORLD, F THIS COMPANY AND F YOU TOO
"Human Suplex Machine" Taz vs Jushin Thunder Liger

• Taz has never had the sunniest of dispositions, but his whole demeanor shifted further south following his loss to Sabu in what fans have described as the most extreme match to take place in North America in the 90s. A battered and bruised Taz cut a dejected figure as he returned to Sunbelt after a short sabbatical. He lamented his last outing and the fact the FTW Championship he carried with pride had now been retired in his absence. As he continued questioning himself and his future, he was interrupted by the legendary Jushin Thunder Liger who would make his first public appearance in SWF since he came up short in his Cruiserweight Championship match at Tombstone. Liger paced around the ring for a few moments, eyeing Taz up and down while soaking in the overwhelming response from the crowd. He stopped in his tracks before delivering a huge open palm slap to the face of the 'Human Suplex Machine!' "Me .. you ... next PPV!". Taz snapped out of his stupor by almost beheading Liger with a short-arm lariat before launching him across the ring with a gigantic overhead suplex. He surveyed the damage before accepting Liger's challenge. "Thanks for helping me remember just who the f*ck I am. F the world, F this company and F you too. See you in L.A, Liger!"

THREE WAY TANDEM DANCE
SWF World Tag Team Championship Bout
The Eliminators (c) vs The Hardy Boyz vs The Dudley Boyz

• The O.K Coral played host to a thrilling tag team street fight featuring The Hardyz and The Dudleyz with Jeff and Matt Hardy taking the spoils after a stunning Swanton Bomb from Jeff Hardy diving off the top of a saloon bar and down onto D-von and Bubba on two adjacent tables. That explosive finish may have won the battle, but as Bubba Ray would later proclaim "the war is still on". The two teams would end up squaring up again, this time on Tuesday Night Titans, in a number one contender match to win the right to face The Eliminators for the titles in Los Angeles. Par for the course, the match ended in a double disqualification but on this occasion, it was caused by a third party. Saturn and Kronus would crash the party and take out all four men with devastating Total Eliminations before announcing they'd take on both teams at once - the unstoppable champions defend in a triple threat tag match. Six men, one fall for the tag team belts. The Eliminators have stacked the deck against themselves, but are so confident of their own ability who would dare bet against them?

ONE MAN'S WEIGHT LOSS IS ANOTHER MAN'S TITLE WIN
SWF Cruiserweight Championship Bout
Rey Mysterio (c) vs Owen Hart

• Following his crushing defeat in the hard-hitting United States Championship bout that tore the house down in Arizona last December, Owen Hart would target a different SWF championship to quell his hunger for gold. Hart spelt out his intentions by ruthlessly attacking the Cruiserweight Champion over the course of several weeks before voicing that Rey Mysterio had felt the wrath of the man who would be the next Cruiserweight Champion. Despite being almost ten pounds over the 220lbs weight limit to compete for the championship, Hart smugly announced he was undergoing a strict regimented diet in order to trim weight in time for his title match with Mysterio. Hart would invite cameras to his fight camp to follow his progress, but scenes became sour when Mysterio was able to exact some revenge by appearing from behind cameramen, vaulting himself up and over to launch himself at Owen and take him down with a beautiful hurricanrana! Rey would rain down punches to Hart before escaping, somewhat pleased with the small form of retribution he was able to extract before their clash at the Staples Center. Owen has since held an official weigh-in which he personally banned Rey Mysterio from entering - the weigh-in showed Owen to now weigh 219lbs, an achievement Hart says has put him in the reckoning for Canadian slimmer of the year. Can Owen's weight loss result in gold gain in Los Angeles or will it be yet another successful defense for the fighting Cruiserweight Champion Mysterio?

ANGELS & DEMONS
"Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels vs "The Demon" Kane

• Christopher Daniels' sanctimonious preaching only intensified following his impressive display in defeating Tajiri at Tombstone. That wouldn't be the last we'd see of him that evening, however, as he would make his presence known by attacking Kane with a steel chair immediately after Kane's win in his first match back in SWF. Daniels would blindsight "The Demon" from behind, repeatedly laying in chair shots before deciding his work was done. Kane would slowly sit back up in traditional fashion, eyeing down the exiting "Fallen Angel" with a quizzical expression on his face. Daniels has evangelized for weeks that he is doing the bidding of God and that he is the only individual in Sunbelt who can save the soul of Kane. Daniels has evaded several attempts of attack from Kane thus far who has found himself increasingly infuriated with each passing week at Daniels' directed sermons as well as his own inability to get his hands on the insufferable minister. That will all change at Escape From L.A where there will be no escaping from what promises to be a day of reckoning for one of these two men. Will Kane prove to be "Satan's favourite son" or can Daniels "exorcise the evil within Kane's soul to finally rest … in … peace"?

ABOLITION OF THE KING?
King Booker wins - Tajiri becomes his court jester; Tajiri wins - King Booker is dethroned of his title
King Booker vs Tajiri

• Both men were left licking their wounds after being on the receiving end of defeats going into the Millennium. Tajiri looked to get back on track in his first televised singles match-up since his loss, but would unexpectedly find himself attacked by an infuriated King Booker. The self-pronounced King would reveal he viewed Tajiri as nothing more than a jester figure, and was left embarrassed that air-time was handed out to men of Tajiri's stature, rather than royalty like King Booker. Tajiri would further rile Booker in the coming weeks as he would ruin the expensive, classy garment adorned by Booker with his patented green mist. This show of disrespect would result in the King demanding that he face Tajiri with a view to earning the right of calling him his "court jester" if he was victorious. The board of directors booked the match, but with the caveat that Booker would be dethroned of his "King" status if Tajiri were to cause an upset. Tajiri's tomfoolery has ramped up significant levels in recent weeks, but Booker has confidently vowed that his reign as wrestling's head monarch won't be abruptly ended by his clown of an opponent.

OUR OPENING CONTEST
Mike Awesome vs Masato Tanaka

• Despite a valiant effort, Awesome and Tanaka fell short in their quest to become Tag Team Champions in a hard-hitting contest with The Eliminators. In the weeks that followed, defeats against both The Hardyz and The Dudleyz resulted in friction between the two and after a series of miscommunication in their latest outing, tempers finally flared to the point the duo reached blows. Awesome used underhanded tactics to gain an advantage and let loose with a devastating powerbomb though the announce table. Tanaka wouldn't stay down and out for too long though, pursuing Awesome backstage and relentlessly going on the attack with a steel chair. Both competitors eagerly requested a one-on-one match at Escape From L.A, but whatever occurs in the Staples Center between the two you can't help but shake the feeling that this rivalry is only just in utero.

PI

SPOILER: Click to show

shinobimusashi is (was?) still blissfully lost in spacetime, somewhen roughly approximating the 199X ABA...

Maybe it has been a month since my last communion with the Last Real Motherfucking Cowboy? Hard to say for sure. Time flies when you're having fun... And what could be more fun than reliving the zeitgeist zenith of mid-to-late '90s pro rasslin'?

According to Nobi: Nothing, bro.

In my latest indica-induced communion with him, Shin recapped Mayhem in Miami results thusly:

SPOILER: Click to show

Cat Fight Humiliation Match for the WCW Women's Championship: Madusa (c) def. Sable
Madusa retained. @whocares how because @whocares about women's wrestling? What matters is Sable exposed her bolt-ons and beave! Sable didn't seem to mind losing the match or her clothes. Flaunt it if ya got it!

Shooting Star Shout for Torrie Wilson's Managerial Services: Marc Mero def. Billy Kidman (w/ Torrie Wilson)
Mero applied a mid-match lip lock on Torrie to mindfuck Kidman. Couldn't tell if Torrie kissed Mero back. But then Torrie tried to interfere and it backfired, causing Kidman to botch his version of the Shooting Star Press in epic fail fashion. Mero successfully landed a picture-perfect Marvelocity on Kidman shortly thereafter to win the match and Torrie's managerial services. Instead of tending to a possibly-injured Kidman after the match, Torrie not-so-begrudgingly left the ring with Mero.

Beat The Man to Be The Man Grudge Match: Ahmed Johnson (w/ Sunny) def. Lex Luger
Luger put an interfering Sunny in the Torture Rack, but paid for it with a Pearl River Plunge and pinfall loss. Sunny seemed to enjoy being bent in half by Luger though, and the thicc plot thickened as she kept casting thirsty glances at him after the match.

No Time Limit Match for the WCW World Television Championship: Sid def. Syxx (c) *TITLE CHANGE!*
Not sure what unnerved Syxx more: Sid's shadow looming over him from all the way across the ring, or fans chanting "KING KID is a pussy" from bell to bell? The "no time limit" stip was rendered pointless, as Sid squashed KING KID —I mean, Syxx— in less than a minute to take his TV title.

* * * DURING Intermission * * *
Syxx got no sympathy from Kliq cronies Kevin Nash & Scott Hall, who just laughed and said "KING KID " got what he had coming to him for trying to challenge them for the tag team titles. Even if it was just a setup to burn Sid. Trix are for kids, ya silly rabbit!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Losers Disband Dumpster Match for the WCW World Tag Team Championship: The New Age Outlaws (Road Dogg & Billy Gunn) def. The Outsiders (Kevin Nash & Scott Hall) (c) *TITLE CHANGE!*
The Outlaws were halfway to victory after knocking Hall off of a ladder and into the dumpster. Instead of helping his partner out, Nash jackknifed a trash-talking Dogg into the dumpster... onto Hall!

That's when Syxx came down to the ring with a taser... and tased Nash as payback for laughing at him after he lost the TV title!

Gunn put Nash in the dumpster, helped Dogg out, and then the Outlaws shut the lid on not only the Outsiders' championship reign but also their run together as a tag team.

Mixed Martial Arts Match for the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship: Goldberg (c) def. Ken Shamrock
Goldberg scored the knockout victory by spearing himself into the corner while Shamrock was on his back with a rear naked choke applied. Shamrock's head bounced off the top turnbuckle as Goldberg went between the pads. After the match, Shamrock shook hands with Goldberg and gave him props for the inventive counter.

Last Man Standing Monster Mash: The Giant vs. Vader - NO CONTEST
The entire double-reinforced ring collapsed when Vader superplexed Giant from the top rope... just like that one time on SmackDown! in 2003! Neither man could answer the ten-count afterward, so the referee reluctantly ruled the match a no contest.

As the ring crew reconstructed the ring, we got a montage set to a mashup of Jimi Hendrix's Voodoo Child and Rage Against The Machine's Bulls on Parade highlighting the careers of Hollywood Hulk Hogan and Stone Cold Steve Austin and their respective impacts on pro wrestling and pop culture... as if we needed any more hype for the dream match main event.

Main Event Dream Match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship: Stone Cold Steve Austin def. Hollywood Hulk Hogan (c) *TITLE CHANGE!*
@ness nailed it. Words will never do it justice. You had to be there. You had to see it. You had to FEEL it. It was unreal. In the end, Austin was stomping a mud hole in Hogan and walking it dry when Hogan started to hulk up. Finger point. "You!" Double bird. Stunner. One... Two... Three. New world champion!

Then Shin paused... for an infinite minute... before ripping into some rhetorical questions: Why focus on the past? What even is the past, bro?

Shin no longer knew what the past or future were. They had become nothing more than meaningless words to him.

To be fully transparent, I was (am? will be?) having difficulty differentiating the present from any other point in time too.

Shin asked: "What does it even mean to 'be in the moment' if you're the one who chooses when the moment is? Then. Now. Forever. Riddle me that!"

Then Shin shared the moment he had chosen as The One to focus on now (whatever "now" means): the greatest pro wrestling pay-per-view event he had ever witnessed firsthand...

The WCW/nWo Revenge World Tour

HELL IN HOTLANTA

Doin' It For Her
STRANGE BEDFELLOWS MATCH
for the WCW World Tag Team Championship



The New Age Outlaws
ROAD DOGG & BILLY GUNN
[*champions*]

vs.



The Bodyslammas
LEX LUGER & AHMED JOHNSON
[*challengers*]
with SUNNY

OHHH, YOU DIDN’T KNOOOW?

Well... YOUR ASS BETTER CALL SOMEBODYYYY!

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages...

Ted Turner's Dubya-Say-Dubya proudly presents your new...

TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS OF THE WORRRRLLLDD!

The "Road Dogg" Jesse James.

The "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn.

The NEW... AGE... Outlaws!

And if you're not down with that, we got two words for you...

[Fans: SUCK IT!]

The Outlaws dedicate their tag title victory to their fellow thrown-together tag teams. The Outlaws are proof it doesn't matter if a tag team is made up of twins, brothers, cousins, neighbors, strangers, best friends, or bitter enemies. It doesn't matter if a tag team wears matching outfits or has a catchy team name. What matters is if they click (😑) in the ring.

The Outlaws then issue an open invitation for any other thrown-together tag team to step up as their first official challengers at Hell in Hotlanta. Sunny accepts the invitation, taking the opportunity to debut her new tag team: The Bodyslammas!

The Bodyslammas comprise figurative and literal strange bedfellows Lex Luger & Ahmed Johnson. The name is a nod to Sunny's old Bodydonnas tag team, as well as the fact that Luger & Johnson are the only men to ever bodyslam Yokozuna.

The Bodyslammas bonded in the bedroom after Sunny applied her womanly wiles in a ménage à trois with Luger & Johnson. Sunny explains she had an epiphany of euphoria at Mayhem in Miami: Why should she choose chocolate or vanilla when she can have both... at the same time?

Considering how harmoniously Luger & Johnson came together as her simultaneous lovers, Sunny knows the Bodyslammas' will have as much in-ring chemistry as they do between the bedsheets. This is all TMI for the Outlaws, but they're not about to rescind their open invitation... so it's on!

But what's a "Doin' It For Her Strange Bedfellows" match, you ask? It's just a normal tag team match with some salacious billing to reflect the fact that former rivals-turned-unlikely tag team partners Lex & Ahmed are now A-framing Sunny on the regular.

BATTLE OF THE BITCHES
for the WCW Women's Championship



"Mad Madam"
MADUSA
[*champion*]

vs.



"The Baddest Bitch"
SUNNY
[*challenger*]
with THE BODYSLAMMAS

Sunny wants all the gold in WCW. She formed the Bodyslammas to go after the tag titles. She likely has plans for Lex Luger & Ahmed Johnson to go after singles championships as well. And never afraid to get down and dirty herself, Sunny wants the WCW Women's Championship around her own petite waist posthaste.

Sunny has never wrestled a match before, but she is nonetheless undaunted and undeterred. By her own estimation, Sunny is easily the nastiest lady in the locker room. Sunny has done things that would disgust Madusa, and Sunny is willing to do even worse things to Madusa if that's what it takes to win the women's title.

Meanwhile, Madusa is hellbent on ridding "her" WCW of its blonde bimbo infestation. She dealt with Sable at Mayhem in Miami, and apparently Sunny is next in line. Madusa agrees to a title match at Hell in Hotlanta because it will be a chance to get her hands on Sunny and mop the mat with the self-proclaimed "Baddest Bitch" in WCW.

In a sit-down interview on the Highway to Hell in Hotlanta, Madusa sheds some light on why she jumped ship from the WWF to WCW.

Madusa claims she jumped ship because the women's division was deemphasized in order to focus exclusively on Sunny. The spotlight shined solely on Sunny while Madusa defended the WWF women's title in increasing darkness. To add insult to injury, Sunny wasn't even a wrestler. Sunny was just a cheerleader... a valet... a ringside distraction. And why was the focus on Sunny? According to Madusa: "All because the cunt would wiggle her ass and jiggle her tits for the camera, the fans, and the boys in the back." (WHOA... C-word alert!)

After she deals with Sunny at Hell in Hotlanta, Madusa says she will start challenging the male wrestlers of WCW if no serious female contenders start to emerge.

But maybe Madusa shouldn't be so cocksure about the outcome at Hell in Hotlanta, as Sunny will have the Bodyslammas in her corner. Sunny has promised the Bodyslammas won't physically interfere in the match, but she can't guarantee their manly musk won't distract Madusa.

Will Madusa continue to prove this is indeed "her" WCW? Or will Sunny get her first taste of singles gold?

KING KID vs. KING KID
REBOUND MATCH
for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship



"Kliq Killer'"
X-PAC
[*champion*]

vs.



"High Flyer"
BILLY KIDMAN
[*challenger*]

Two of the smallest men on the roster are both looking to rebound from big losses at Mayhem in Miami with an even bigger win at Hell in Hotlanta.

Abandoning his "Syxx" alias and severing ties with the Kliq, KING KID has re-dubbed himself "X-Pac" in the wake of Mayhem in Miami.

Despite Sid squashing him in less than a minute, and despite his supposed friends Kevin Nash & Scott Hall laughing at him for losing the TV title... For the first time in his life, X-Pac is feeling like his own man. A man with a purpose and a plan. X-Pac is focused on a fresh start with a fresh perspective.

While he relished being a dual champion, and even though he lost the arguably more prized TV title, X-Pac takes solace and pride in still being the WCW Cruiserweight Champion. X-Pac plans to be more of a fighting champion and reign longer than the Outsiders ever were or did as tag champs.

Meanwhile...

In one fell Shooting Star Press swoop, Kidman lost everything at Mayhem in Miami: his trademark top rope finisher, his valet girlfriend Torrie Wilson, and seemingly his will to live.

Since then, Kidman has turned to the needle as his way of self-medicating the pain inside. Perhaps as a consequence of his new high risk lifestyle, Kidman's in-ring style has also become much more high risk. Kidman is now a "high flyer" in more ways than one, as he wrestles under the influence.

Throwing caution and his body to the wind, Kidman has been toying with various moonsaults and 450° splashes as his new finisher. More often than not, Kidman crashes and burns... but things were not much different back when he was allowed to use the Shooting Star Press, so @whocares?

Kidman's reckless abandon in the ring has drawn X-Pac's attention. Wanting to prove himself a fighting champion and sensing Kidman could benefit from focusing on such an opportunity, X-Pac offered to put his cruiserweight title on the line in a "rebound bout" against the High Flyer at Hell in Hotlanta on the WCW/nWo Revenge World Tour.

Kidman reluctantly accepted X-Pac's offer after he was informed by WCW management that his only two options were accept the offer or enter rehab.

PLAYBOY POSEDOWN CHALLENGE
Next Month's Issue Features The Winner



"The Centerfold Sensation"
SABLE

vs.



"The World's Most Marvelous Woman"
TORRIE WILSON
with MARC MERO

Did someone say "LIVE! NUDE! GIRLS!"?

After winning Torrie's managerial services at Mayhem in Miami, Mero has been encouraging his new valet to embrace the fact that she truly is "The World's Most Marvelous Woman".

Mero has been championing Torrie as the new and improved version of Sable. Sable is so "been there, done that" according to Mero. Compared to Torrie, Sable is nothing but a bad fake tan sprayed over a lot of bad plastic surgery.

And this is Mero's assessment of his ex-wife Sable after she has preened and prepped and dolled herself up for the cameras. You should see Sable, as Mero has, when the cameras and bright lights are turned off and the makeup comes off. Woof!

After rumors circulated that Playboy wanted to feature a female wrestler in next month's issue, Mero increased the intensity of his mudslinging campaign to ensure Torrie was selected instead of Sable.

If Playboy selects Sable then the magazine might as well rebrand itself as Playgirl, Mero campaigns. Thanks to some "inside her" info, Mero says Sable is fake in more ways than one. Mero then states it plainly: Sable was born a "he" and became a "she" through extensive hormone therapy and surgical modification of his/her genitalia!

This moment of revelation just so happens to be when Sable's new husband Brock Lesnar decides to make his unannounced WCW debut.

Fear paralyzes Mero as Lesnar makes a beeline for him. Without saying a word, Lesnar effortlessly F5s Mero. Then he F5s Mero to the floor. Then onto the ring steps. Then knee-first into all four ring posts. Lesnar ends the assault with an F5 through the announcers table.

Sable thanks Brock for standing up for her, but she can take care of her own business. Sable explains the Playboy rumors are because of a deal she had been working on with the magazine. If it were up to Sable, Playboy would feature both her and Torrie in next month's issues. Hell, if it were up to her, Sable would even pose together with Torrie for the same spread!

But unfortunately that's not how things work in the alpha male world of professional wrestling where everything has to be some stupid pissing contest.

Sable sees a lot of herself in Torrie. It's clear why Mero is attracted to Torrie. But Sable warns Torrie to be careful and not allow Mero to manipulate her the way he manipulated Sable for years. Sable says Torrie should only show off her body because she wants to, not because she has been pressured to.

So, all that said, here's what Sable proposes: a Playboy Posedown Challenge at Hell in Hotlanta. Sable and Torrie will each perform their best strip dance routine. The winner, as judged by the fans, will be featured in next month's issue of Playboy. If it's a tie, Sable and Torrie will be featured together.

Sable reminds Torrie she only has to reveal as much skin as she is comfortable with and wants to. However, Torrie should be forewarned that Sable has every intention of giving the fans exactly what they want at Hell in Hotlanta: FULL... FRONTAL... NUDITY!

"The World's Most Marvelous Man" will be sitting Hell in Hotlanta out due to injuries suffered at the hands of the debuting Lesnar... but at least Mero will have the most marvelous seat in the arena, as his wheelchair will be parked in a special handicap spot at ringside for this contest.

No Disqualification, No Count-Out
TRAINGLE ELIMINATION MATCH
for the WCW World Television Championship



"Psycho"
SID VICIOUS
[*champion*]

vs.



"The Mastodon"
VADER
[*challenger*]

vs.



"The Monolith"
THE GIANT
[*challenger*]

HOSSFEST IN DA HOUSE!!!~

Giant and Vader still have unfinished business with each other in the wake of Mayhem in Miami, thanks in part to the double-reinforced ring collapsing during their last man standing match.

Meanwhile, new TV champ Sid is too half-brained to know not to stick his nose where it doesn't belong; i.e., in other people's business... namely the unfinished business between the Monolith and Mastodon.

An unintimidated Sid interrupts an in-ring confrontation between Giant and Vader to stake his claim as the hossiest hoss in all of WCW.

Sid [to Vader]: I've powerbombed fatter fat asses than you...

SPOILER: Click to show

Sid [to Giant]: And I've chokeslammed dumber dumb asses than you.

SPOILER: Click to show

Sid understands Giant and Vader are deadlocked in their efforts to assert dominance over the other. However, Sid says it's a pointless dispute because he himself as the Master and Ruler of the World is the most dominant entity in the entire... uh, world.

ANYWAY...

Sid offers to defend his recently won TV title against Giant and Vader to prove his dominance. Because of the unfinished business between them, Giant and Vader ruin each other's title matches in back to back weeks. Vader gets the first shot, and Giant interferes to cause the disqualification after Vader powerbombs Sid. The following week Vader interferes to cause the disqualification after Giant chokeslams Sid.

The third week on the Highway to Hell in Hotlanta features Giant and Vader facing off against each other in a Mayhem in Miami rematch with the following stipulations: winner gets another shot at Sid; loser agrees not to interfere... except, to give Giant and Vader a taste of their own medicine, Sid interferes and attacks both men to cause a double disqualification.

In a move of questionable intelligence, Sid then offers to defend his TV title on the go-home show before Hell in Hotlanta against both Giant and Vader at the same time in a handicap match. Fortunately for Sid, Giant and Vader can't get on the same page and don't function very well together in the ensuing handicap match. Things break down between Giant and Vader in the end when they refuse to let the other be the one to pin Sid. They try to pin Sid at the same time but the referee refuses to count. The match ultimately ends in a count-out victory for Sid after a heated argument between Giant and Vader devolves into a brawl on the floor.

To settle things hopefully once and for all between all parties now involved, a triangle elimination match has been booked for Hell in Hotlanta. There will be no disqualifications, no count-outs, and since the ring is likely to collapse anyway... fuck reinforcing it for these battling behemoths. Come hell or high water, at Hell in Hotlanta we will find out once and for all which hoss is the most dominant of all!

Taser on a Pole
CURTAIN CALL MATCH



"The One-Man Wolfpack"
KEVIN NASH

vs.



"Last Call"
SCOTT HALL

The Outsiders were forced to permanently disband as a consequence of their title loss at Miami in Mayhem. But who was to blame for their ultimate undoing?

An agitated Nash says the blame belongs to Hall and Hall's little butt buddy, KING KID .

KING KID couldn't take a joke, and so he felt the need to not only interfere but also fucking zap Nash with a taser!? Dafuq, man!? The runt of the Kliq litter had clearly grown too big for his britches, and that was on Hall for not keeping KING KID in line.

But KING KID 's bullshit aside, Nash says the Outsiders still shouldn't have been in a position to lose at Miami in Mayhem... because Hall shouldn't have been in the dumpster! What the hell was Hall doing on a ladder during a dumpster match? Was Hall drunk or something?

Hey, yo... Hall has heard enough. Nash is all talk, no walk (even if that's just because Nash's quads can't handle walking).

Hall says he was tired of carrying the load for the Outsiders. Moreover, Hall says he is is tired of playing second fiddle to Nash and third fiddle to Hogan. Hall has always been there for his friends, setting his own interests aside for their betterment... but where has it led him in his career? Secondary singles titles, and sidekick status. Fuck that. Nada más, chico.

Hall says he recently conducted a little survey, asking fans who is the best wrestler to never be world heavyweight champion... and guess what? Survey says "Scott Hall". Hall officially puts Nash and the rest of WCW on notice: The Bad Guy is now gunning for the world title, no matter who stands in his way. If Hall's path to the gold has to start with kicking Nash's ass, so be it.

Nash just laughs and says Hall is cute when he's angry. Then Nash says how's this for "all talk": Hall's biggest problem has always been Hall himself. His personal demons and self-doubt have tripped him up every step of the way throughout his career. Nash has been to the tippy top of the mountain; Nash knows firsthand what it's like, and what it takes to get there and stay there. Nash also knows Hall doesn't have what it takes. Hall would crack and crumble under the pressure. Just like Hall always does.

HOWEVER...

If Hall wants a piece of Nash, that's just toooo sweeeet... because Nash wants a piece of Hall too. Nash says whipping Hall's ass will be a good warmup for him before he moves onto bigger and better things, like winning the WCW World Heavyweight Championship himself.

Capitalizing on the situation between Hall and Nash, the WCW matchmaking committee books them against each other in a match at Hell in Hotlanta with absurd stipulations as payback for the New World Order making the committee's collective life a living hell over the past year plus.

The match is billed as a "Taser on a Pole Curtain Call" match. The "taser on a pole" stipulation is pretty straightforward: the taser KING KID used at Mayhem in Miami will be hung from a pole in a neutral corner. Whoever retrieves the taser is free to use it on his opponent.

Per the "curtain call" stipulation, the loser must revert to his previous WCW gimmick: if Hall loses, it's back to being the Diamond Studd; if Nash loses, he'll have his choice between reverting to Vinnie Vegas or Oz.

Hollywood vs. Hollywood
BACKLOT BRAWL



"Hollywood"
HULK HOGAN

vs.



"The A-List All-Star"
DAVE BATISTA

Hogan's world has fallen apart around him in the wake of Mayhem in Miami. First he lost his beloved WCW World Heavyweight Championship. Then the nWo dissolved because the Kliq imploded. And now his agent has informed him his Hollywood projects are getting shelved indefinitely.

The debuting Batista rubs salt in Hogan's wounds. As a proven Hollywood powerhouse, Batista has a chip on his shoulder bigger than the total gross for both Guardians or the Galaxy movies combined.

Batista has always called it as he sees it, and this is what he sees when looking at Hogan:

Hogan's greatest success in Hollywood was as a reality TV joke, imitating Ozzy and the Osbournes by putting his own dysfunctional family on display in Hogan Knows Best. Thunder in Paradise was an abortion. And the less said about TRASH (© KING KID ) like No Holds Barred and Mr. Nanny, the better.

Batista does give credit where it is due though:

Hogan was THE man in 198X. Hogan WAS professional wrestling. He had the main stream media's attention. And he could've and should've parlayed his popularity and connections with Sly Stallone into a truly lucrative Hollywood career.

But instead, Hogan stuck with Vince McMahon and kept one foot in the ring. And it cost him. He picked bad projects. He doubled-down on the pro wrestler stereotype and pigeonholed himself into being typecast. Instead of building on his successful silver screen debut in Rocky III, Hogan shot himself in the foot.

None of this would've bothered Batista had Hogan not rebranded himself as "Hollywood" after joining the nWo. By doing so, Hogan represented himself as something he was not; i.e., a Hollywood star.

This was blasphemous transgression in the eyes of Batista, who has worked so hard to prove his acting talents and earn the respect of his A-list peers. So now Batista is here in WCW to call Hogan out on his bullshit.

Batista said he would only consider a return to pro wrestling if it was for a match against Triple H. But what no one realized was Batista meant the REAL Triple H; i.e., Hollywood... Hulk... Hogan. Thanks to a break in shooting schedules, Batista has a month to kill... and Batista wants to kill it by killing Hogan's fake "Hollywood" rep.

Then Batista goes into full-on A-List All-Star mode...

Batista: Give me what I want. You know what it is. Give me what I want. You know what I want. You're going to give me what I want. Give me what I want. Give me what I want! GIVE ME WHAT I WANT! GIVE ME WHAT I WANT!!! Give it to me. Give it. Give it to me. Give me what I want! GIVE ME WHAT I WANT!!!

Hogan: What the hell do you want, brother?

Batista: Your ass at Hell in Hotlanta in a Backlot brawl!

Hogan: OK, you got it. It's on! I just have one question for you, brother... WHATCHA GONNA DOOOO WHEN "HOLLYWOOD" RUNS WILD ON YOUUUUU!?!?!?

Batista smirks and says Hogan just signed his own death warrant.

No Holds Barred
ULTIMATE FIGHT



"The World's Most Dangerous Man"
KEN SHAMROCK

vs.



"The Conqueror"
BROCK LESNAR

The two greatest shootfighting pro wrestlers of all time are stepping out of the Octagon and into the squared circle for a no holds barred ultimate fight to the finish at Hell in Hotlanta.

The buildup behind this epic encounter was pretty simple and straightforward, but generated plenty of electricity nonetheless.

Lesnar made his WCW debut by murdering Marc Mero. Then he called out Shamrock, challenging the World's Most Dangerous Man to a fight at Hell in Hotlanta.

Shamrock answered the call immediately, and said he looked forward to giving Lesnar a taste of "OG UFC". Lesnar said Shamrock should look forward to being left in a pile of blood... and urine... and vomit.

Let's take a page out of the RT playbook* and share some STATS!!!~

(*I couldn't figure out a decent looking table on my mobile, so fuck tables.)

TALE OF THE TAPE

BROCK LESNAR
Height: 6'3" (191 cm)
Weight: 286 lbs (120 kg)
Reach: 81 in (206 cm)
Style: Wrestling
Team: Death Clutch
Fighting out of: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Mixed Martial Arts Record: 5-3-1

KEN SHAMROCK
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
Weight: 243 lbs (96 kg)
Reach: 73 in (190 cm)
Style: Shootfighting
Team: Lion's Den
Fighting out of: Reno, Nevada, United States
Mixed Martial Arts Record: 28-17-2

Let's get it on!

FIGHT!!!

Champion vs. Champion
MAIN EVENT DREAM MATCH
for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship



WCW United States Heavyweight Champion
BILL GOLDBERG
[*challenger*]

vs.



"Stone Cold"
STEVE AUSTIN
[*champion*]

Goatee. Bald. Black trunks. Black boots. Bad attitude. Bad ass.

I just described the winner of this main event dream match.

And the loser.

Anyway...

The bullseye on Austin's back has only gotten bigger since he won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship at Mayhem in Miami. As his paranoia has become more and more apparent, Austin has been engaging with the fans less and less. Austin's sole focus has become retaining the world title at any and all costs.

Complicating the situation for Austin is the fact that his first challenger is WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Goldberg. Goldberg has been on an undeniable collision course with the WCW World Heavyweight Champion even before Austin won the title because of Goldberg's unprecedented and undeniable undefeated streak.

Austin and Goldberg will finally meet in the ring for the first-time ever in a champion vs. champion main event dream match on the WCW/nWo Revenge World Tour.

Austin has the experience edge, as well as the added drive of desperation to remain atop the proverbial mountain now that he's finally made it there. However, Goldberg's momentum feels like a truly irresistible force. What's more, Goldberg isn't nursing nagging neck and knee injuries like Austin is. Austin refuses to let his injuries be an excuse though. If anything, feeling like a wounded animal heading into Hell in Hotlanta will just make the champion an even wilder and more dangerous entity than he normally is. Which is saying something, considering Austin's antics of late.

And while Austin will have the champion's advantage in the match, challenger Goldberg will have the "home field advantage" as the former Georgia Bulldog & Atlanta Falcon seeks to add the most important win to his record yet inside the Georgia Dome at Hell in Hotlanta.

If nothing else, here's hoping at Hell in Hotlanta we see a Jackhammer countered into a Stone Cold Stunner for an epic false finish!

Austin is so lucky he wears knee braces so his daisy dukes don't look as bad.

Really feel like @wms had a stronger card in the first round. This one feels a bit more like the fantasy draft standards. That being said, there are only MAYBE 2 matches on 🤯's card I would want to see. Kidman vs Waltman and Hogan vs Batista are about the only things that entice me. Wisey has a bit more of a workrate card which I see myself enjoying a little more.

Jun 19, 2021 16:34:33 GMT @ness said:

Austin is so lucky he wears knee braces so his daisy dukes don't look as bad.

Austin's daisy dukes will forever and always be greater than Cena's jorts.

I will write up what I thought of both cards later on, after I get to my laptop to dissect both cards properly.


However, my finger has slipped and already cast my vote, which I guess...is good?

"1973" WMS takes an interesting approach in rebranding John Cena. The Next Franchise makes me think of Cena as Shane Douglas Lite. But even so, what's not to love about a proper Taker/Cena feud? You have me wishing on some level that we'd gotten this in real life at WM23. Peak Supercena vs. The Streak. My biggest gripe (aside from the Shane Douglas Lite thing) is going with a boring old cage match instead of a Hell in a Cell. If Taker is going to test Cena outright, why not make it the Devil's playground specialty match? But man, what's not to love about this main event?

Orton/Sabu is such a styles clash with Orton having to play everything safe and smooth in the ring, and Sabu being as far at the opposite end of the spectrum as is possible... I would certainly be morbidly curious if nothing else. At best, I'm picturing this having the potential to be as surprisingly awesome as Orton/Cactus was.

I do like the fresh spin on the Benoit/Jericho rivalry with Jericho as the heel and Benoit as the face. But I can't help but feel this match could've used a stip to spice things up considering how often these two have wrestled before.

Taz/Liger might be the second favorite matchup for me on your card so far as I work my way down. It's got that freshness from being a first-ever meeting, and the build is so simple and straightforward yet so perfect. I'd be pumped to see this one. And in fact, it might even be edging out Taker/Cena and Orton/Sabu right now.

I get you were stuck having to probably recycle the Dudleyz and/or the Hardyz in tag action, but man... The idea of Eliminators vs. Hardyz, potentially with a ladder involved, is straight-up dream match material.

Love you repeating the Matt Hardy V1 weight loss gimmick with Owen. Bet Owen/Rey would be as great of a match as Kurt/Rey from SummerSlam. This, Taz/Liger, Taker/Cena, and Orton/Sabu have thoroughly secured my dimes.

Ah, you give us the Daniels/Kane and Booker/Tajiri matches you abstained from on the first card as totally acceptable filler here. And even though it's sooo tired, I'll never complain too much about a Tanaka/Awesome encounter.

All in all, no real weak points whatsoever. A solid handful of dream matches that absolutely secure my dimes. It'll be an honor to lose to one of the greatest fan fiction draft legends ever. Awesome stuff, WMS!

Going to have to take some time to think. I like both cards a ton and most of the write ups were great…. Aside from the bodyslammas one which was just dumb. I would have been intrigued by that team too.

Also 🤯 I love that @1979 used a Steel Cage match. HIAC is way overused - bring back meaningful cage matches!

Jun 19, 2021 20:57:17 GMT UT said:

Also 🤯 I love that @1979 used a Steel Cage match. HIAC is way overused - bring back meaningful cage matches!

By meaningful do you mean the big blue jungle gym cages? If so, I can abide by that.

Jun 19, 2021 20:53:09 GMT UT said:

Going to have to take some time to think. I like both cards a ton and most of the write ups were great…. Aside from the bodyslammas one which was just dumb. I would have been intrigued by that team too.

My alternative team name idea was just Strange Bedfellows, but that felt a little too on the nose. Then I saw gifs of both Lex and Ahmed slamming Yoko, and then a gif of Bodydonna Skip doing a terrible super Frankensteiner and everything just kinda clicked for Bodyslammas.

Jun 19, 2021 21:23:56 GMT 🤯 said:

Jun 19, 2021 20:53:09 GMT UT said:

Going to have to take some time to think. I like both cards a ton and most of the write ups were great…. Aside from the bodyslammas one which was just dumb. I would have been intrigued by that team too.

My alternative team name idea was just Strange Bedfellows, but that felt a little too on the nose. Then I saw gifs of both Lex and Ahmed slamming Yoko, and then a gif of Bodydonna Skip doing a terrible super Frankensteiner and everything just kinda clicked for Bodyslammas.

The name is fine my guy. The premise is was I was alluding to.

Bodyslammas makes sense since nobody likes it but yourself. A total bodyslam move.

I haven’t read the entries yet but I heart both guys. 🤯 better stop liking posts attacking me though or I’m going to go jTjohncenaGOAT and @ness with my vote.

I voted for WMS purely because that Mero line in the Sable/Torrie build made me uncomfortable. It was a bridge too far, even for a bad guy just making shit up, and it comes across as transphobic and just... no dice.

^ !!!

Ugh. The buzz kill is back.

Man going over it again this is really tough. I think WMS crushed it in the write-ups and some of the matches , especially the Cena/Taker main and Daniels/Kane stuff. I'm intrigued by most of his card and I liked the way he even used the lower part of his roster. I really dislike going for Benoit/Jericho again though - that so rubs me the wrong way and is the opposite of what I usually look for in these cards. Granted I don't like Benoit but these guys have had to have wrestled at least 211 times right between both companies and their statuses seemingly going up and down together. Then again he has Owen/Rey which would be phenomenal. Then again Booker/Tajiri doesn't really raise eyebrows ... though the write up makes a difference. Ugh.

Match for match I think 🤯 takes it with some absolute barn burners. Especially the Top 5 or so. I wouldn't be interested in his brand of womans matches outside the sex appeal and his tag match could have been a real feather in the cap if the love triangle angle wasn't so corny and forced humor.

I'm leaning slightly towards 🤯 but reserve the right to change my mind. This is about as tight of a matchup as you can get though for me with strengths highlighted in different places.

Jun 19, 2021 23:51:30 GMT KITN said:

I voted for WMS purely because that Mero line in the Sable/Torrie build made me uncomfortable. It was a bridge too far, even for a bad guy just making shit up, and it comes across as transphobic and just... no dice.

I'm glad to know I can write effective heels!

Jun 20, 2021 2:13:08 GMT 🤯 said:

Jun 19, 2021 23:51:30 GMT KITN said:

I voted for WMS purely because that Mero line in the Sable/Torrie build made me uncomfortable. It was a bridge too far, even for a bad guy just making shit up, and it comes across as transphobic and just... no dice.

I'm glad to know I can write effective heels!

There's boo I wanna see you get your ass kicked heat.

There's boo I know it's all a performance and I'm booing you as a person X-pac heat.

Then there's I WILL STAB A BITCH heat like old school and in Mexico and Puerto Rico. So much HEAT(~!) that people think it's real.

Keep making it more extreme. Needs that edgy content.

Jun 20, 2021 2:19:46 GMT @ness said:

Jun 20, 2021 2:13:08 GMT 🤯 said:

I'm glad to know I can write effective heels!

There's boo I wanna see you get your ass kicked heat.

There's boo I know it's all a performance and I'm booing you as a person X-pac heat.

Then there's I WILL STAB A BITCH heat like old school and in Mexico and Puerto Rico. So much HEAT(~!) that people think it's real.

Keep making it more extreme. Needs that edgy content.

I'm going for the kind of heat with my heels that Sid gets in locker rooms when he picks up a pair of ✂

Okay, here we go...dissection time. 


I like how WMS has used the colours again, this keeps me interested in reading his card. I like his top billed match, Taker v Cena, that is a match I have wanted to see, well a feud I've wanted to see for years, that Mania match doesn't count, and more, so it is taking place inside a STEEL CAGE match, I love it.  Could have easily used a different stipulation, that Taker is knoiwn for, however the Steel Cage gives it that oomph for me. 

I would also pay good money for the Benoit v Jericho match, whilst Sabu v Orton also has piqued my interest. 


Now we go onto to 🤯, and despite him saying he wanted Hardcore Holly & Crash Holly, he took Brock and Batista, so let's see how he ended up usuing them......


Looking down, and it's the 3rd match before it grabs my attention, X-Pac v Kidman should be a fun match, and would be a fun match to have seen in their prime. Then the next one to grab my attention is the Sid v Vader v Giant match, 3 big guys, and erm....that's probably Vince McMahon's dream isn't it? Big Sweaty Men going at it against one another? Hall v Nash doesn't grab my attention, sorry. 

& NOW we get to the meat of your card, Hogan v Batista? Really..? Really? This is the best you could have done with Batista? and you done Shamrock v Lesnar? I can respect the MMA thing, but part of me feels like it was done before.. *cough* Lashley v Lesnar last round *cough* 


I guess THE MAIN EVENT of Goldberg v Austin is what I would have wanted during the heights of the Monday Night Wars, WCW's biggest asset and star taking on WWF/E's biggest asset & star, and for a championship as well, that is amazing. 



However, because I am petty and you beat me last round 🤯, my vote goes to WMS

Jun 19, 2021 19:39:54 GMT 🤯 said:

"1973" WMS takes an interesting approach in rebranding John Cena. The Next Franchise makes me think of Cena as Shane Douglas Lite. But even so, what's not to love about a proper Taker/Cena feud? You have me wishing on some level that we'd gotten this in real life at WM23. Peak Supercena vs. The Streak. My biggest gripe (aside from the Shane Douglas Lite thing) is going with a boring old cage match instead of a Hell in a Cell. If Taker is going to test Cena outright, why not make it the Devil's playground specialty match? But man, what's not to love about this main event?

Orton/Sabu is such a styles clash with Orton having to play everything safe and smooth in the ring, and Sabu being as far at the opposite end of the spectrum as is possible... I would certainly be morbidly curious if nothing else. At best, I'm picturing this having the potential to be as surprisingly awesome as Orton/Cactus was.

I do like the fresh spin on the Benoit/Jericho rivalry with Jericho as the heel and Benoit as the face. But I can't help but feel this match could've used a stip to spice things up considering how often these two have wrestled before.

Taz/Liger might be the second favorite matchup for me on your card so far as I work my way down. It's got that freshness from being a first-ever meeting, and the build is so simple and straightforward yet so perfect. I'd be pumped to see this one. And in fact, it might even be edging out Taker/Cena and Orton/Sabu right now.

I get you were stuck having to probably recycle the Dudleyz and/or the Hardyz in tag action, but man... The idea of Eliminators vs. Hardyz, potentially with a ladder involved, is straight-up dream match material.

Love you repeating the Matt Hardy V1 weight loss gimmick with Owen. Bet Owen/Rey would be as great of a match as Kurt/Rey from SummerSlam. This, Taz/Liger, Taker/Cena, and Orton/Sabu have thoroughly secured my dimes.

Ah, you give us the Daniels/Kane and Booker/Tajiri matches you abstained from on the first card as totally acceptable filler here. And even though it's sooo tired, I'll never complain too much about a Tanaka/Awesome encounter.

All in all, no real weak points whatsoever. A solid handful of dream matches that absolutely secure my dimes. It'll be an honor to lose to one of the greatest fan fiction draft legends ever. Awesome stuff, WMS !

I was going to do some "commentary" on my matches in terms of explaining the thought process, so it makes sense to reply to 🤯 's awesome feedback. Thanks to 1RealSmartAlex and UT also - AM mentioned about some of the matches giving a fantasy vibe and that's what I was conscious of achieving due to not wanting too many scenarios like what UT pointed out with Jericho/Benoit. Going back to what Baker said last round, and feedback I had in 2019, most voters want to see fresh matches so I tried as much as I can to present that in this round! Of course, some times you book yourself into a corner and it's hard to have every single match be something you've never seen before because there's certain limitations if you draft in a particular way. I drafted a 90s theme originally and lots of the guys on there had crossed paths in one, two, maybe even three promotions. C'est la vie, I suppose .

RE: Taker/Cena - As soon as I used that "The Next Franchise" label, I did groan slightly PI at possible comparisons with Shane Douglas. It was a difficult one. I wanted to steer away from Cena's white rapper character here and portray him more as the leader of the Cenation, but I needed to find a nickname that suited him better than Cenation or whatever. I'm rather happy with the end product in terms of how I built the feud. Cena showing no fear of a guy who intimidates everyone else. I also wanted to sort of continue the western theme by portraying Cena as the young, fearless cowboy who is new in town and wants to duel with the old, notorious gunslinger. I think it was Shin' who said before he saw 'Taker as a guy from the late 1800's, a dead gunfighter who resurrected to take people's souls. Undertaker is essentially Clint Eastwood. Regarding steel cage, I 100% prefer HIAC too, but with the theme of the PPV and the direction of the feud I was trying to achieve, I felt the cage was the better choice. ESCAPE~! I'm with Untouchable on the classic blue steel cage too.

RE: Sabu/Orton - A very weird clash of styles for sure, but you nailed the comparison I was going for here. This is my fresh take on Orton/Cactus Jack. I was happy with the build-up I implemented even if Sabu's not known for being a promo guy (who cares?!). I debated a stip for this one, a falls count anywhere or last man standing, but I didn't want to overdo it given the main had a stip.

RE: Jericho/Benoit - this was a difficult one. I couldn't decide which direction I wanted to go with Benoit. I had him paired with Booker T and also with Taz before this one. Booker/Benoit had been done in WCW plenty. Taz/Benoit once or twice in ECW and I believe Baker also paired them up. I lamented and went with Jericho as I was sort of at a loss with what to do with him (I'd originally thought about Mysterio, but that's another that has been done so often). This one could have been a ladder match maybe, but I relented. Straight up classic between two greats. Jericho has fully evolved out of his Lionheart character into the Y2J character as promised. 

RE: Taz/Liger - this just fell into place by way of all the other matches. Early plans for Taz involved maybe including him with Awesome and Tanaka but I preferred the end result. I've actually really enjoyed writing Taz so far. I liked the simple but effective build here. Liger/Joe was my inspiration for this one. These two going at it in 96/97 would have been fab'.

RE: Tag Team Title Match - I was really tempted to make this a ladder match or TLC match, but I decided not to at the last minute. I liked the idea of presenting the champions as these arrogant monsters who stack the deck against themselves for the fun of it. Having it as a triple threat instead of a three-way elimination match also gives me some options going forward if I progress. 

RE: Rey/Owen - love that you enjoyed the Matt Hardy V1 tribute. I could imagine Owen's character work being five stars for it, he'd have delivered it so well. Owen/Rey is a dream match. Maybe my favourite match on this card and the one I'd want to see most. They'd have loved working one another. Rey/Bret is another I'd love to have seen - @am booked it recently in his awesome ART. 

RE: Daniels/Kane & Tajiri/Booker - yep, pretty happy I waited until R2 to deliver these as I'd have been itching my head on how to book all four going forward. As it stands, I've got plans for 3 out of the 4 if I luck my way into the final. Happy with the stories presented for both. Daniels/Kane seems a mismatch in-ring but I think a feud/story between those two would have been magic. Tajiri/Booker definitely could have been a realistic mini-feud on Smackdown in the mid 00's.

RE: Awesome/Tanaka - completely agree with you. Yep, it's been done to death but these two just kicked the living shit out of each other all the effin time. A hard-hitting match like that would get me pumped up for the rest of the show!

So, there's the commentary. It's a workrate show as AM said which is what I always try and achieve with my draft entries. It's been fun but also challenging going again after not doing anything like this for 2 years! 🤯 , tonight I'm gonna review your card. Loved it and it's an honor going toe-to-toe with one of my FF all-time faves. Lot of love for you, buddy. #SportsEntertainmentXtreme

I was full of praise for WMS's first round card. I feel that his second round attempt, while still great, isn't quite as good. From a pure card perspective it's phenomenal - once again that nice blend of dream matches and matches that did happen in reality.

As far as the writing goes, most of it is fantastic but there are a couple of points I didn't like so much. Cena vs Undertaker is an awesome main event, however I can't quite get behind John Cena out-Undertakering The Undertaker. It's a bold idea but I just can't buy it. I'd still pay all the pennies to see the match though, it sells itself. The Liger vs Taz build didn't work for me either - felt so out of character for Liger to behave like that, although I do love the "Thanks for helping me remember just who the f*ck I am" line.

Love the rest of the builds, especially the undercard matches Rey Mysterio vs Owen Hart and the prophecised Christopher Daniels vs Kane. Despite my nitpicks this is a 9.5/10 performance, I want to see every match on the card.

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

🤯 is building quite the compelling set of universe and characters. He certainly takes the edge over WMS in terms of story continuity. The transition from his first card to his second is silky smooth.

Madusa vs Sunny feels like a rehash of Madusa vs Sable. On the other hand, it does feel like a next step up for Madusa, love "The Baddest Bitch" moniker for Sunny, gives her a final boss kinda feel. Also presenting that match right after Sunny introduces her new tag team is a masterstroke. That's the silky smoothness I'm talking about. Can't say I care much for the Playboy posedown although I do concede it's a better use of those ladies than a wrestling match. Also love how he snuck the debuting Brock Lesnar into the build.

The Triple Threat giants build got too hokey sports-entertainy for my liking. Went a bit too far with all the shenanigans in the build. The trend continue with the Taser on a Pole stipulation. I'd prefer a straight up wrestling match. That said, the Nash vs Hall feud is great and once again a silky smooth consequence of the Loser Disbands match.

I'm pretty much ready to vote 🤯 at this point, then he concludes with three god-tier main events. As a final bit of praise, I must commend 🤯's use of images. He clearly spent time finding the perfect images for his matches. Just look at the picture of Batista he chose. Then you have Shamrock/Lesnar with the exact same warrior pose. Brilliance.

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

Both participants have close to perfect entries. Couple of small nitpicks - some slightly questionable character choices from WMS, leaning too heavily on sports-entertainment tropes for 🤯 - but nonetheless this is a pretty easy decision. 🤯 basically did everything WMS did and did it slightly better. Better presentation (those images!), better continuity, better use of the roster. Everything just slots together so harmoniously for PI, it's beautiful.

Great write up, Emp’ - definitely agree with you on the things I could have went better with. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment! Emperor

And I'm in a weird place of I don't WANT the standards per se, but also, I bring it down to if both shows are running the same night and I have a ticket to either, where am I going to enjoy myself the most? And it's a hard balance to strike of "Can you strike gold with a GOOD outside of the box card?" Because it still has to be good. So you sometimes have to lean on the standards. That is why I took a risk and went more modern because I was tired of doing the same old same old. I've mentioned to a few people privately that I think the formula is workrate guys from the golden era and top guys from the ruthless aggression era with a spattering of 09 ROH. Those seem to be the most popular vote getters at least here. Booking is much easier said than done. We had a great match between two former champions last night as a throwaway second match on the show because we wanted to get both guys on the show, and they both just finished big programs where they were on the losing end so they're in that cooling off rebuilding stage. I looked at the boss and said "Isn't this the first time these two have met?" He said he thought so, and I said we probably could've saved this for a big program. So do you not book two of your top guys? What do you do? Anyways, I'm rambling.

As promised, my thoughts on Hell it Hotlanta! 🤯

-The name doesn't quite roll of the tongue like Mayhem in Miami, but it's WCW, you've gotta have an event in Georgia!
-Just fucking love the communication with Shin' - the way you've wrote it gives me serious Hunter S. Thompson vibes. Gonzo, baby.
-The results all made perfect sense, you booked that show so well. Can't nitpick it, I'd have pretty much went down the same path with the results too. Maybe I've let myself down by not doing a similar recap even if I outlined winners and losers in my build-ups. Awesome start.
-The tag team matches doesn't do an awful lot for me on paper, but Road Dogg is one of A.E faves and Luger is such a big star that this match would be a solid opener.
-Battle of the bitches I like. These two were the quintessential females of the 90s, minus Chyna, so pairing them up is logical.
-Kidman/X-Pac would have been all kinds of good. Your build-up here was your best yet, portraying Kidman as a junkie who's lost everything while explaining Pac's transition from Syxx really well. If Waltman stayed with WCW this would have definitely ended up happening I reckon. Kidman's character work here was well written, it's crying out for someone like a Raven to come in and look out for this lost soul and manipulate him into doing his dirty work.
-Sable and Torrie makes so much sense too, enjoy the playboy involvement - we had this in real life to a degree. Obviously we've moved on from the 90s/early 00s but this would have definitely made so much sense in 199X. While I couldn't get my head around the Mero slander about Sable having a dick (it made me laugh at the silliness of it all) I did pop for Lesnar appearing and kicking his ass for disrespecting his lady. Sable saying she appreciated it but didn't need his help - thumbs up, she's one sassy independent lady. Good tie-in anyway given Mero and Torrie's newly found relationship. Nicely done. (I sense a tie in this one).
-The TV Championship match would actually be pretty awesome. I enjoy all three in small doses. I think this one would be a good hossfest and quite the spectacle. Good use of the three men, I reckon!
-I'm in agreement with Emp' regarding Hall/Nash didn't need this gimmick, but it's 1990s WCW/WWF so the trope makes perfect sense given that and given the outcome of the tag team match in Miami. Storyline continuity 101~! While I care naught for the inanimate object on a pole match we got lots of in the 90s, it was a good judgement call to have these face off one on one.
-I love Hollywood Hogan vs. Hollywood Batisa. The match would probably be the drizzling shits and a finisher fest at best, but the promos and build is all sorts of fun. Batista is a much better actor than I'd have ever anticipated.
-Giggled at the RT playbook usage for Lesnar/Shamrock. I don't think I've seen this match booked before, but it makes perfect sense on paper. UFC stars collide. Shoot, baby, shoot. The tale of the tape actually works here too. :lol: This would be awesome - only thing is, it'd be hard to take Shamrock seriously after he gets whooped off Goldberg and then Lesnar. Who does he face next?!
-A killer main event. The main event of the 90s. Yeah, Austin vs Hogan is hard to top - an 80s vs 90s affair, but Goldberg - Austin is the epitome of the 1990s for me. Austin defending against Goldberg in Goldberg's home city is a hugely interesting dynamic. Austin would almost be the heel, and we all know what that SOB can do and sink to when the chips are down and the gold's on the line!

-All in all, your card's just got such a big night feel. Is it going to deliver the workrate I enjoy seeing, probably not, but it is going to deliver memorable moments and it'd be the kind of event you'd stay up and watch with your buddies then talk shit about with a few drinks the next day. That's the wholesome nostalgic feeling we all need. You've got my vote man, and even if I shoot myself in the foot and that vote decides this, I'd have no regrets. You worked your ass off in this round again - kudos, PIZzle. Always a pleasure reading the works your mind conjures when it comes to the 'biz.

Jun 20, 2021 17:01:13 GMT 1RealSmartAlex said:

And I'm in a weird place of I don't WANT the standards per se, but also, I bring it down to if both shows are running the same night and I have a ticket to either, where am I going to enjoy myself the most? And it's a hard balance to strike of "Can you strike gold with a GOOD outside of the box card?" Because it still has to be good. So you sometimes have to lean on the standards. That is why I took a risk and went more modern because I was tired of doing the same old same old. I've mentioned to a few people privately that I think the formula is workrate guys from the golden era and top guys from the ruthless aggression era with a spattering of 09 ROH. Those seem to be the most popular vote getters at least here. Booking is much easier said than done. We had a great match between two former champions last night as a throwaway second match on the show because we wanted to get both guys on the show, and they both just finished big programs where they were on the losing end so they're in that cooling off rebuilding stage. I looked at the boss and said "Isn't this the first time these two have met?" He said he thought so, and I said we probably could've saved this for a big program. So do you not book two of your top guys? What do you do? Anyways, I'm rambling.

Good post, bud. That makes perfect sense. I think I won this thing two or three years on the spin on the OG board by implementing a formula similar to the one you described. It was full of guys who were ROH Alumni. Would the same rosters win now - probably not, but at the time it worked. Since Bullet Club arrived, there's different names now that work best in these things. But a mixture of workrate, good promos, and a spinkling of vets to provide fresh matches seems the route to go I find. I suppose the presentation and effort always goes a long way too. We went from just posting a card with no hype to all of us going balls out in these things - it's good to see, though. 

Before I even get to the cards I just want to put WMS over. He's been a breath of fresh air with his analysis and takes on fanfic in general.

He also delivered his usual stellar writeup. I like the universe he's created. As for the actual card...

Awesome/Tanaka and Jericho/Benoit will be good. We know this because we've seen it dozens of times before.

All you need is a little tweaking like Hardys/Dudleys/Eliminators. Subbing movez mavens the Eliminators for E&C changes the dynamic enough to make it fresh. I think a lot of people (myself included) tend to go overboard with the gimmick matches, but this is one match which would have been greatly enhanced by gimmicking it up. Would have instantly bumped it up from 'good' to 'must see.' So that was a misstep.

Taz/Liger and Rey/Owen are huge wins. Wanted to do Rey/Owen myself a few drafts back but somebody beat me to Rey.

Daniels/Kane doesn't do anything me.

Like both guys (albeit Booker more for sports entertainment reasons) but Booker/Tajiri isn't drawing any dimes either.

Sabu/Orton could easily end up being a terrible clash of styles. Yet another part of me likes it just because it's fresh. I'll be generous and throw it in the win column for being something different.

Undertaker/Cena is fine. Just not a blowaway main event for me, though I'm probably in the minority on that one. I also like how it's a regular cage match. Hoping for Big Blue!
===================
🤯 brings it as usual in his fun writeup. I always pop for his use of Nobi. Though things did get a little too wacky even for me at times.

As expected, the card itself is a step down from his first round masterpiece since it's hard to replicate that level of greatness.

Undercard wasn't doing much for me this time around, but business picks up with the hoss triple threat and finishes strong. Love all that star power! Shamrock/Brock and Austin/Goldberg are huge wins. Hogan/Batista could be a lot of fun as well.
===================
Hmm....this is too close to call at a glance. Can't use effort as a tie breaker either since both of you put in the work. I'll have to settle it with a rare match by match comparison...

1. Awesome/Tanaka vs. NAO/Bodyslammas (Awesome/Tanaka may be stale but I'm with the consensus on Bodyslamas being a failed Big Idea. Sorry PI)
2. Booker/Tajiri vs. Madusa/Sunny
3. Daniels/Kane vs. Kid/Kidman 
4. Rey/Owen vs. Sable/Torrie 
5. Elims/Hardys/Dudleys vs. Vader/Giant/Sid (Now I'm glad WMS didn't go with a TLC match because it would have left me unable to choose)
6. Taz/Liger vs. Hall/Nash 
7. Benoit/Jericho vs. Hogan/Batista (freshness wins the day)
8. Sabu/Orton vs. Brock/Shamrock
9. Undertaker/Cena vs. Austin/Goldberg

PI in a 5-4 squeaker. Good job, gents.

Thanks Baker man for the words, means a lot coming from a bloke with a mind for the business like yourself! Top man.

I was 100% umming and ahing about adding the ladder stip to the tag team match. Provisional plans were to have it be a triangle ladder match. A small regret, but we live and learn!

Cheers for taking the time out to read and review both cards, bud.

This one is super fucking close for me. Time to go head to head.

Goldberg/Austin vs. Undertaker/Cena
Shamrock/Lesnar vs. Sabu/Orton
Batista/Hogan vs. Benoit/Jericho
Hall/Nash vs. Liger/Taz
Show/Vader/Sid vs. Eliminators/Hardyz/Dudleyz
Torrie/Sable vs. Mysterio/Owen
Kidman/XPac vs. Daniels/Kane
Madusa/Sunny vs. Booker/Taijiri
Luger/Ahmed vs NAO vs. Awesome/Tanaka

I'm actually surpsied but WMS takes my vote by a hair. I thought 🤯 would take this one but the NUMBERS DON'T LIE.

Some notes:

-Main event is a runaway. Goldberg/Austin in their primes is basically the biggest dream match of all time. Taker/Cena has been done.
-Sabu/Orton is super intriguing but I can't see it being good. The entire match would be built around Sabu going for his trademark chair jump/springboard to the outside into an RKO, which is awesome, but I'd bet money the rest of the match would be sloppy. Also Shamrock vs. Lesnar has STATS~! which we all know wins votes.
-Batista/Hogan is very cool and a match I didn't know I wanted. And as much as Benoit/Jericho is a proven gold mine, it's been done.
-Liger vs Taz would be amazing. Easy pick here.
-The two triple threat matches are very good and definitely was the hardest choice for me. In the end, the tag team one speaks to my tastes way more than the 3 meat heads beating each other up.
-Mysterio vs. Owen would be incredible and Torrie vs. Sable would be total dog shit. Neither of them can wrestle and should have remained valets.
-Christopher Daniels and Kane are two of my all-time favourite wrestlers. And the Angels vs Demons thing is so cool. Another easy vote.
-Madusa and Sunny would probably have a good match and Booker vs Taijiri does nothing for me.
-I don't like Ahmed Johnson and I don't like Lex Luger and I will pick Awesome/Tanaka #3,329 over just about any match because they're amazing together.

7-7. Do we both make the final?! Or double elimination?!