Might as well post the whole WrestleMania 56 card now that the roster gave a picture as to what's what. I've kind of-sort of began planning for Backlash as I usually take a breather after WrestleMania to map out where I want the rest of the year to go, plus it's not like it's a priority. I'll get around to it eventually.

WrestleMania 56 results:

Michael Hotbody, Zed Jones, and the Agents of Change def. Mean & Greene and The Wyldhearts

WWE Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Demiras def. Miles Shawcross and Lyle Morris in a triple threat match to retain

Mathias and The Can-Am Connection def. Azazel, Chet Morris, and Orlando Kincaid

Brandon Reigns won Money in the Bank

WWE Unified Tag Team champions The Future Foundation def. The Dillingers to retain

WWE Women's Champion Sonya Braddock def. Naomi Bailley to retain

Team Lisa Benton (Ryan Pattillo, Gavin Jones, Michael Haywood, and Faith Connors) def. Team Vanessa (Chris Collins, Randy Ellis, Justin Mitchell, and Jenna Kyle)

Kyle Jacobs def. Salvatore Scabbia to become the new Intercontinental Champion

WWE Unified World Champion Noah Carmichael def. Quentin McDaniels to retain

Feel like you’re in the same boat I always get booking real life WWE where Mania always ends up being loaded with multi man matches because I want to give everyone that sweet Mania payday.

But it’s worth it to get the super high crowd reaction ratings.

I try to avoid overloading it when I can with the exception of Money in the Bank. It's just that this year I had a lot of newer talent that I wanted to showcase and the dueling bosses storyline needed some sort of resolution. Plus I like to believe that I'd be capable of putting on a show that doesn't necessitate going longer than 4 hours.

I stopped playing TEW 2020 in like June, how has the game changed since then?

Wait, they made a 2020 version? I trust crowd reaction isn't a factor.

Adam is still doing updates constantly on it so I would assume they adapted some kind of pandemic mode.

When I heard that wrestling promotions were still doing shows but in empty arenas I had to facepalm. I mean, talk about something that is vitally tied to crowd reaction and participation. I have to also credit Verne Gagne for being ahead of the curve.

Yeah, I had to tune in to an early pandemic WWE show out of morbid curiosity and it was so depressing. They were holding all shows in their Performance Center and there was just no attempt to add any ambiance, just silence, empty seats, and performers playing to a non-existent crowd out of habit.

AEW's first show in the pandemic was completely silent too and they quickly realized how unsettling it was, so they had the rest of the roster function as a makeshift crowd and it really helped liven things up.

Couldn't be more dead than the main event of WM 32.

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Bleak

Apologies but I'll have to take you at your word. I've made it a vow to never watch another match or wrestling show again. :(

Although, I'm struggling to post during this near uncontrollable laughing fit brought on by the idea of Drew McIntyre being a threat to Brock Lesnar. :lol:

We’ll see about that; I heard that next year’s Mania would have a Natalie Imbruglia vs Hayley Williams evening gown match.

Pffft....how stupid do you think I am?:roll:


























That's the match where you have to strip your opponent, right? :shifty:

https://i.imgur.com/8mcMoOK.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/eZMVtgy.jpg

I don't know. Seeing them like this is making me lean more towards a pillow fight.

LOL, looking back, I really was quite generous to Test. :lol:

I don't think I ever offered the proper amount of mad props for this. :lol:

Haha, I think in inherited your save files right around the time Test returned WWE, putting on absolute eyesores on ECW in 2006. So I was eager to knock him down many pegs.

Alright, I'm going to attempt to post my progress going into Backlash but I make no guarantees on a consistent basis. I'm about 4 shows removed from WrestleMania but I'll do what I can to fill in the gaps starting with the Raw the night after. So let's get to it.

Raw: March 26, 2040

The show opens up with the undisputed boss, Lisa Benton, coming down to the ring to address the crowd. She thanks the people for their support throughout the entire feuding authority figures ordeal and especially for being behind her team at WrestleMania. All four individuals will be rewarded and even more importantly, the people will also be rewarded tonight. First things first, however, as there's some cleaning up that needs doing. With that said, Benton asks Vanessa, head of the losing team, to join her in the ring. Begrudgingly, Vanessa enters the arena and gets face-to-face with Benton. Benton wants to make it known that she takes no pleasure in what happened as she wanted no part of the competition. She does take offense, however, to all of Vanessa's efforts prior that were designed to get Benton removed from power. Vanessa asks if it's so wrong to think that she can do a better job and tries to appeal to Benton's sympathies by suggesting a form of partnership. Benton responds that there is only one entity that consistently has had her back for her entire career, through the bad times and the good, and that she made a promise that that entity would be rewarded. So, unfortunately, Vanessa, YOU'RE FIRED!

Vanessa throws a fit and tries to stand her ground but unfortunately is dragged out of ring and arena via security. Benton waves goodbye as the crowd erupts with joy. Benton turns her attention back to the crowd. The night is still young and we're just getting started. Tonight there will be not one, not two, but THREE championship main events! Last night, the triple threat Cruiserweight Title match was one of the most praised and thus Benton feels that the people deserve a similar highlight tonight. So Jordan Demiras will defend the Cruiserweight Title against Martyn LaSalle and Jason Sorola in another triple threat match! Also, Kyle Jacobs made his mark in history last night by unseating the undefeated Intercontinental Champion, Salvatore Scabbia, but there was another individual who had quite an eventful night himself. Let's see who can continue their momentum tonight. Kyle Jacobs will defend the Intercontinental Title against the winner of Money In the Bank, Brandon Reigns! And to top it all off, Benton will be granting one of her team's members his reward as Ryan Pattillo will challenge Noah Carmichael for the Unified World Title! Let the new era begin!

First Match: Michael Hotbody and Zed Jones vs. Mean & Greene (Caleb Greene and Lonny Richards)
An extension of the feud between Greene and Hotbody and the match in which they were involved last night. Hotbody continues to be an overbearing douche, avoiding Greene whenever possible. Jones is able to get the duke by pinning Richards via chicanery. 89% overall rating

Backstage, Kyle Jacobs addresses his win last night and the challenge before him tonight. He brings up not wanting to be known solely for his lineage and that the path towards carving out his own legacy began at WrestleMania but unfortunately for Brandon Reigns, it continues through him tonight. Jacobs pulled off what many considered the impossible and Salvatore Scabbia is more than welcome to try again after Reigns is taken care of.

Second Match: Jenna Kyle and The Academy vs. Faith Connors and The Play Pals
Continuing the animosity from last night, it's six-person action at its finest. Fortune is not on the side of the faces two nights in a row, however, as Randy Ellis is able to cheat his way to a pin over Michael Haywood. 91% overall

Third Match: Queen of the Ring Naomi Bailley vs. Missy Brantley
Bailley is not looking happy after narrowly getting beaten in her Women's Title match against Sonya Braddock. Fortunately, she's able to channel her emotions to a pretty decisive pinfall victory here. 92% overall

Fourth Match: The Agents of Change vs. MC Enterprises
Just a match to give the rub to an up-and-coming team via another team I'm getting rid off. The Agents get the duke here. 94% overall

Backstage, Brandon Reigns prepares for his match tonight. Jake Connelly comes across his warming up and congratulates him. Connelly has to be honest: losing a chance to not be in the Money in the Bank match hurt a lot. Maybe there are too many miles on this body but if someone else had to win, he's glad it was someone like Reigns who is a lot like Connelly in many ways. Connelly offers to watch Reigns' back tonight as he's sure Salvatore Scabbia is looking to screw things up. Reigns thanks him for the offer and the praise and is welcoming to the idea.

Fifth Match: WWE Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Demiras vs. Martyn LaSalle vs. Jason Sorola
All three are the best the division has to offer and they prove that here in hotly contested affair. LaSalle and Sorola certainly have a lot to prove as they both failed to win Money in the Bank. Ultimately, Sorola's cockiness gets the better of him as he tries to apply LaSalle's own Martynizer on him and Demiras takes advantage to score a pin on Sorola to retain. 90% overall

Xavier Cross comes out to berate Haven for being responsible for Cross not winning Money in the Bank. He's tired of the mind games and the freak show. Haven is simply jealous of everything Cross has accomplished so he tries to get by and maintain relevance with parlor tricks and shock value. Haven is nothing without the pomp and pageantry! This naturally leads to Haven coming down to chase off Cross.

Sixth Match: WWE Intercontinental Champion Kyle Jacobs vs. Brandon Reigns
Pretty hot back and forth match with a respectful tone. Sadly, Connelly's fears come to pass as Salvatore Scabbia tries to interject himself as both competitors are on the outside. Connelly assumes Scabbia is looking to get to Reigns and tries to intercept but Scabbia responds by slamming Jacobs into the steel stairs causing a DQ win for Jacobs. Scabbia boots Connelly down and proceeds to pound on Jacobs. 88% overall

MAIN EVENT: WWE Unified World Champion Noah Carmichael vs. Ryan Pattillo
Another hotly contested match that looks it can go either way. Sadly, Chris Collins is a sore loser and is able to attack Pattillo behind the ref's back. Carmichael is able to score the win to retain thanks to Collins. Quentin McDaniels runs in to nail Carmichael from behind as we go off the air. Overall: 85%

Overall Show Rating: 87%

And that's it for now. Superstars should be next but we'll see when I get to it.

Great stuff, if Raw could be this good in real life I never would've stopped watching. Hopefully you keep it going :y:

Still tempted to do an AEW game, but structurally a bit difficult to pull off in EWR since they only have 4 or 5 true PPVs a year. But it's a game so I can just bend reality and turn the special episodes of Dynamite they do now and then and turn them into PPV specials.

Doubt I'd post weekly TV as I know myself well enough to know I'd burn out of keeping a proper diary. My track record with staying on these games is not great.

There really should be more freedom afforded in regards to when you can do big events or if you even want to do them. I know the stretch between SummerSlam and Survivor Series is usually a bit of a slump for me sometimes.

Superstars: March 29, 2040

Opening Match: The Wyldhearts (Blaine Bellamy and Robbie Greer) vs. The Millennium Rebels (Johnny Dangerson and Sammy Brady)
This is mainly to give a boost to the Wyldhearts plus furthering their feud with The Agents of Change. The Agents screw up an interference attempt allowing Bellamy to get a pin over Brady. 89% overall

Backstage, Aphrodite is waiting on Caleb Greene. Michael Hotbody comes around and gets all up in her personal space, propositioning her managerial services and espousing his superiority over Caleb Greene. She's clearly not interested but that doesn't go over too well. Fortunately, Greene arrives and chases Hotbody off.

Second Match: Vivian Merrick vs. Tania
Merrick gets the win here via chicanery. 89% overall.

Backstage, Salvatore Scabbia is with his manager, Brooke to address Kyle Jacobs and his fluke victory. Scabbia saved Jacobs' skin on Raw because there was no way he could've beat Brandon Reigns. No one else has the right to take away that Intercontinental Title other than Scabbia.

Third Match: Miles Shawcross vs. DJ Stokes
A bit of rebuilding for Shawcross following his loss at WM plus Stokes is on the chopping block anyway. Shawcross gets the win here. 87% overall.

Fourth Match: Azazel vs. Bobby Whitlock
Whitlock is also on the chopping block and Azazel is on the rise. Put two and two together. Azazel with a decisive win here. 89% overall.

Fifth Match: The Wasteland (Duke and Drakken) vs. The Wolves of Wall Street
Just a match to give a face a win following the last 3 heel wins on this show. The Wasteland get the nod here. 96% overall.

Backstage, Seth Von Kamp is eager to rip into Moses McKay. Money in the Bank left scars on everyone involved but it's safe to say that McKay gave Von Kamp the deepest. Von Kamp doesn't forget stuff like that and he'll make sure McKay doesn't either.

Sixth Match: Haven vs. King Kavovit
Xavier Cross looks to continue his feud with Haven here as he causes a DQ by attacking Haven from behind. He bails the minute Haven looks like he's ready to pull Cross's spine out. 87% overall.

Seventh Match: Hannah McCormick vs. Beckie Demira
Demira is on the way out and McCormick is just nothing but win anyway. McCormick gets the decisive win here. 88% overall.

MAIN EVENT: WWE Unified World Champion Noah Carmichael, WWE Intercontinental Champion Kyle Jacobs, Martyn LaSalle vs. Quentin McDaniels, Salvatore Scabbia, Jason Sorola
A nexus of some pretty personal feuds here. Brooke proves to be the x factor here as she distracts Jacobs long enough for McDaniels to sneak out a pinfall for the win. 89% overall.

Overall show rating: 89%

Hot damn those overall ratings! So since Raw lost out on the three way GM feud earlier, does that leave Raw and Superstars as one big merged roster?

Also Johnny Dangerson is the greatest name ever

Double post

SmackDown!: March 30, 2040

Lisa Benton is here to announce that there will be a series of Beat the Clock matches starting on Raw this Monday, continuing on Superstars and culminating on next week's SmackDown! The winner with the fastest time from these matches will be the number one contender to the Unified World Title and receive their championship match at Backlash's main event. Also, tonight's main event will pit the team of Haven and Noah Carmichael against Xavier Cross and Quentin McDaniels.

First Match: Moses McKay and Clubber Harris vs. Seth Von Kamp and Kerry Cemenko
Continuing the carnage from Money in the Bank and the feud between McKay and Von Kamp, the heels get the duke here when McKay beats Von Kamp to the ring for a countout win. 88% overall.

Faith Connors comes out to join us and brings up the reward that Lisa Benton had promised her on Raw. Benton said that's up to Connors and to be honest it's been keeping her up, thinking just what would be the sweetest, most satisfying thing to ask for. Maybe a final grudge match against Jenna Kyle to finally settle things? Maybe being able to headline WrestleMania next year? Maybe a guaranteed Hall of Fame induction? All things that would bring a smile to her face and a warmth to her heart but nothing is more desirable than being able to become the WWE Women's champion for a sixth time.

Jenna Kyle comes out to object to this. Jenna argues the case for a match against her. She knows how their last one-on-one encounter ended really stuck in the craw of Connors and that she's never been able to let it go. Yes, there was some measure of retribution at WrestleMania but the two of them were really just pawns in a larger game. The two of them have their own business. Connors interjects and questions Jenna's sudden eagerness to face her. Could it be that she doesn't want Faith to become champion and knows she wouldn't be able to take it away. Jenna laughs that off and dares Faith to challenge Braddock and see how it works out.

Naomi Bailley, the Queen of the Ring, comes out to object to Jenna's objecting. The only real victim here is Naomi herself she claims. She turns her attention to Faith and states that as her Queen she demands that Faith offer a chance for Naomi to win the favor that Benton has granted her so she can take her rightful place as Women's Champion. Connors claims that Naomi isn't owed anything. Jenna agrees and brings up that Naomi is face-to-face with two Queens of the Ring, one of whom is a back-to-back winner. Naomi isn't impressed with either of them and that her own legacy will eclipse theirs. Faith gets in her face and says she'll have to wait a little longer. Naomi shoves Faith away and Jenna responds by knocking Faith down. Before things get too messy Sonya Braddock runs down to break things up.

Second Match: The Dillingers (Ben and Joey) vs. The Academy (Randy Ellis and Justin Mitchell)
The tag team champions, The Future Foundation screw up a run-in here and allow The Dillingers to get the win here. The Play Pals run down to save. 93% overall.

Third Match: Brandon Reigns vs. Zachary Vale
Just a match to give Reigns a win as part of his Money in the Bank push. 88% overall.

Fourth Match: Phoebe Hanson vs. Kelley Hayes
Hayes is on the chopping block so the outcome shouldn't be in doubt. A final rub to give to an up-and-comer in Hanson. 92% overall

Backstage, Martyn LaSalle brings up Quentin McDaniels. LaSalle may have had his plate full with other matters but he hasn't forgot the issue between the two of them prior to WrestleMania. He brings up that Benton has informed LaSalle that he is among the first set of participants in the Beat the Clock challenge. LaSalle wants McDaniels to watch and learn.

Fifth Match: The Morris Cousins (Chet and Lyle) vs. The British Infection (Adrian Gallagher and Nate Exley)
A reunion of sorts for the Morris Cousins as they had been separated during the three-way roster split. Their chemistry hasn't been lost as they get the win here. 95% overall.

Sixth Match: The Agents of Change (Clayton North and Corey Mattis) vs. Mean & Greene (Caleb Green and Lonny Richards)
Michael Hotbody just refuses to stop being a douche, having learned nothing from Aphrodite's rejection on Superstars and comes down to proposition her again. Greene has had enough of this shit and chases Hotbody around the ring and over the barrier but all this does is allow the Agents to fuck up Richards and get the win. 89% overall.

Seventh Match: WWE Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Demiras vs. Luis Ortega
Just a match to give a bump for the champion. Afterwards, Josh Matthews informs everyone from the announce booth that he's just been informed by Lisa Benton that Raw will open up with a 30-man Rumble to determine the number one contender for the Cruiserweight Title at Backlash! 91% overall.

MAIN EVENT: WWE Unified World Champion Noah Carmichael and Haven vs. Quentin McDaniels and Xavier Cross
A back-and-forth affair that unfortunately ends with miscommunication on the face side that leads to McDaniels sneaking a pinfall win over Carmichael. This doesn't go over too well with the champion. 91% overall.

Overall show rating: 91%

Yes, the rosters essentially unified again after No Way Out when Darren Caine was the odd man out with the other two shows kicking Raw's ass. Vanessa and Benton were in charge of the whole roster and made decisions together for Raw. However, on Superstars, only Vanessa made decisions and on SmackDown!, Benton made the decisions. Now that it's all over, Benton oversees everything.

Yeah, that's one from the game's generator. I liked it so much I gave it to another worker, thus we have Shawn Dangerson. Michael Hotbody is another one. I wanted to change it at first but then I thought, "Wait, what if this guy's character is just some obnoxious douche who has, in no way, shape, or form, any kind of hot body and that's the joke?" So it stuck. :)

A 30-man Rumble on free TV? AND you have at least 30 cruiserweights under employ in the first place?

The Anti-Vince!

I think I tried unifying the rosters in a modern WWE game but largely still wound up booking like there was an unofficial split where some guys were on one show way more often than the other, mostly because I had so many guys on the roster it just fell that way naturally. The IC champion more or less became the face of SmackDown as a result.

End of the month tidbits as we roll into April: I've cut a good chunk of the people I had my on in terms of the chopping block. Carl Deveroux of the Ragin' Cajuns decided to be a non-wrestler. Maybe I can turn his partner Daniel St. Croix heel and give him a singles run while I axe Deveroux?

Some other people on the indies are retiring. I usually hire people like them for one-shot deals to give a win to an up-and-comer.

Speaking of which, 4 people in developmental are ready to join the main roster. They are as follows:
- Alexander Piero: Face. Not too charismatic but a hell of a brawler. I'll probably slap him with Madison as a manager.
- Hugo: Heel. The only real charismatic one of the bunch. I want to do the video package build-up for him.
- Bill Crockett: Heel. Cruiserweight. He'll probably be on the lower end of the totem pole.
- Vinnie LaPaige: Heel. Cruiserweight. It's too early to tell where I'll go with him.

To be fair, a few are in tag teams (Clayton North, Lyle Morris, Caleb Greene) but you're right in the sense that there's a healthy amount under my employ. Almost as if wrestling would get boring if everyone was so cookie cutter or something but that's crazy talk.

I try to make to where there's a pool of 12-15 that show up all the time in some form or another. Even if the matches end up involving lower-card workers, having the top guys doing at least angles is enough to get you by. A general rule I try to follow is having at least two champions on the show somehow as well.

Honestly, I think a case can be made where I can venture off and do an all-female promotion with some of what I got. Here's a glance at a few of the top women I have:

https://i.imgur.com/AAEPbQb.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/TqzgpfA.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/DPneN0q.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/LTLbLbO.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/FsIpnsO.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/HEgm1O3.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/EdrVbBC.jpg

Oh, sure, some of them may look like they're underpaid but they make a killing in merchandise. :shifty:

Raw: April 2, 2040

Opening Match: 30-Man Rumble
This was announced on SmackDown! and the winner will receive a match for the WWE Cruiserweight Title at Backlash. The main highlight here was Michael Hotbody taking a really ugly fall after being bumped off the apron and having his head ricochet in a pretty sickening fashion. The match continued while the medical crew tries to take care of Hotbody in the outside and eventually they begin wheeling him to the back. Flash forward to the final moments as Caleb Greene manages to dump his final adversary but LO AND BEHOLD, Michael Hotbody leaps off the gurney perfectly fine and sneaks in behind Greene and dumps him to claim victory. Your number one contender, Michael Hotbody! 87% overall.

Backstage, Brandon Reigns makes it official that Jake Connelly will indeed be his manager. He's glad he's got someone with the career of Connelly and last week he showed he can be trusted.

Video package promoting the upcoming debut of Hugo.

Second Match: Alexander Piero vs. Makabre
This is to showcase the debuting Piero as Makabre is just a retiring hire to be a jobber here. Piero gets the win with a move called the Flashpoint. 59% overall, but that's to be expected all things considered.

Third Match: Joey Dillinger vs. Julian Merrick
Continuing the feud between the Dillingers and the Future Foundation. Dillinger manages to get a countout win. 91% overall.

Fourth Match: Martyn LaSalle vs. Jason Sorola
This is the first match in the Beat the Clock series so obviously whoever wins here sets the time to beat. There will be 9 matches total. Three tonight, three on Superstars, and three on SmackDown!. The fastest time faces the Unified World Champion at Backlash. LaSalle is able to get the tapout win with the Martynizer and sets the time. 90% overall.

Backstage, Moses McKay informs us that his match tonight against Seth Von Kamp is also a Beat the Clock challenge match. If Seth thinks what happened to his face at Money in the Bank is something, just wait until McKay rubs his number one contendership in it.

Fifth Match: Xavier Cross vs. Kerry Cemenko
The second Beat the Clock match of the night. Sadly, time expires and thus neither man can be in consideration. Haven appears on the screen and laughs at Cross. 91% overall.

Sixth Match: Seth Von Kamp vs. Moses McKay
The third Beat the Clock match of the night. McKay does his best to try to reopen Von Kamp's injuries throughout but he's facing a hell of a resistant opponent tonight. Von Kamp manages to hit the Collapse of Society in the final few seconds and looks like he might beat the time but the blood loss hampers his recovery time and he's unable to get a pin in time. Time expires. 95% overall.

Seventh Match: Naomi Bailey and Hannah McCormick vs. Faith Connors and Jamie Roderick
The animosity from SmackDown! spills over to tonight between Bailey and Connors. Bailey is able to score a pin on Roderick for the win. 93% overall.

MAIN EVENT: Ryan Pattillo and Michael Haywood vs. The Academy
Haywood's usual partner, Gavin Jones, was in the cruiserweight Rumble earlier so stepping up is fellow Hunters member, and leader, Ryan Pattillo. We're informed that Pattillo will have his Beat the Clock match on SmackDown! against Chris Collins. This is another extension of WrestleMania's events. Pattillo looks like he's got things in hand but Chris Collins says, "Fuck this happy ending bullshit" and runs in for the DQ. Gavin Jones tries to come out for the save but he's in no condition to turn the tide. The heels celebrate to close the show. 91% overall.

Overall show rating: 86%

Fuck yeah, Michael Hotbody!

That women's division....holy fuck. I mean they're all great but pretty sure the rest of the division should be carrying Sonya Braddock around on their shoulders.

Hell, some of the men, too, less she suplex a jeep onto them. :)

I remember Braddock's early beginnings. She was charismatic obviously but I was also fortunate enough that her time in developmental got her overness to the 80s so she was prime to start murdering top name bitches from the get go. She was a heel then and proceeded to win the title just 5 months after her debut at WrestleMania and only appearing on PPV, remaining undefeated for 16 months until WrestleMania 50 where she faced the Undertaker of the women's division, Riott. They had some memorable matches that showed their love for each other, mostly involving broken tables, barbed wire pipes, and Hell in a Cell. You know, typical girl stuff. When Braddock later went face, I put her on yet another championship run that went over a year, this time plowing through the heels. I'm running out of things to do with her but I'm hoping this feud with Naomi will buy me some time to figure things out.

Man, I'm not used to seeing people stay in development for their stats to get that good. I always got saddled with people wanting to be let out of development when they were decent at best.

Superstars: April 4, 2040

We open with Michael Hotbody coming down to the ring to talk about how brave he was on Raw, spitting in the face of a possible career-ending injury so early in his soon-to-be tremendous career, and pulling himself away from the brink of defeat to score such a historic win and punch his ticket to certain superstardom! He knows everyone watching was worried that things wouldn't work out but they will never have to be disappointed again as long as you put your faith in Michael Hotbody! Now let us all revel in appreciation! Michael begins another one of his stupid dances, teasing removing his attire for the 'delight' of the crowd.

Jordan Demiras interrupts the festivities and declares that he has a very simple and polite question for Hotbody: What the hell are you doing? Jordan wants to clarify that he doesn't just mean what you're doing right now. What are you even doing in the WWE at all. In the time you've been here, Michael, you've spent more time acting like a jackass than wrestling. You're celebrating what happened on Raw after spending almost 15 minutes on your ass. You've run away from Caleb Greene almost every time you're in the same vicinity. And now, you think with such an impressive display of NOTHING, you believe you're up to the challenge of winning the Cruiserweight Title? What are you doing?

Hotbody proclaims that he doesn't have to listen to this. Jordan is just jealous and wants to ruin the party. Hotbody is the new hotness of the Cruiserweight division and doesn't need to meet Jordan's standards. Hotbody works smart, not hard and that's why he's the envy of every man in this crowd because not everyone can be Michael Hotbody. Jordan fires back that he'd rather be Cruiserweight champion and he'll remain as such unless you get your act together by Backlash. Michael Hotbody claims he has nothing to worry about and he'll even prove it by offering a non-title match on SmackDown!. That seems cool with Demiras and he takes his leave.

First match: Alexander Piero vs. Vinnie LaPaige
A debut for LaPaige but this is mainly to push Piero. Piero gets the win here. 68% overall

Haven has words for Xavier Cross. He wants Cross to understand that misfortune will always be at the heels of the arrogant. Cross cannot escape his date with destiny anymore than Haven can. Tomorrow night, Haven takes one step towards the inevitable when time bends to his will.

Second match: Stanley Coleman vs. Bill Crockett
A debut for Crockett but he's not at the point where he should be over anyone major just yet. Coleman nails the Love Letter for the win. 79% overall

Third Match: Phoebe Hanson and Tania vs. C.J. and Arianna
Still looking to make Hanson look good. She gets the pin on Arianna for the win. 91% overall.

Backstage, Quentin McDaniels mocks the pathetic time set by Martyn LaSalle on Raw's Beat the Clock and is disappointed that no one else was able to beat it. It's fine as he's going to annihilate. He throws LaSalle's words back into his face by suggesting LaSalle watches and learns.

Fourth Match: Josh Turmell, El Silencio, and Ozzy Mandias vs. Romeo Valiente and Galino & Farnes
Valiente has it in for Mandias since it was Mandias who managed to eliminate Valiente from the Rumble on Raw plus this sort of puts a cap on the mini-feud between Galino & Farnes and Silencio and Mandias. Ozzy gets the pin on Jimmy Farnes. 86% overall

Fifth Match: Frankie vs. Kelley Hayes
OK, this should be Kelley's last match as Frankie needs more overness. Carmella Costello does a run-in attack on Frankie afterwards to continue the feud. 84% overall.

Sixth Match: Clubber Harris vs. Stone Walsh
The fourth Beat the Clock match. Fate isn't on their side tonight as they go the distance. 88% overall.

Seventh Match: Conner Buchanan vs. Orlando Kincaid
The fifth Beat the Clock match. Ditto as the last match. 89% overall.

MAIN EVENT: Quentin McDaniels vs. Mathias
The sixth Beat the Clock match. The streak of time limit draws ends here as McDaniels gets the pin and sets a new time to beat. Could we be getting a WrestleMania main event rematch? We'll see what SmackDown! has in store for us. 91% overall.

Overall show rating: 84%

I'm caught up and I should be able to put in the actual match report and star ratings now.

SmackDown!: April 5, 2040

We open with Quentin McDaniels joining us in the ring to talk about his current status as the man to beat when it comes to the Beat the Clock challenge. He brings up tonight's matches, Salvatore Scabbia vs. Brandon Reigns, Haven vs. King Kavovit, and the main event, Ryan Pattillo vs. Chris Collins. All six men, tremendous competitors without question but none with the capacity to beat the time set. And if anyone thinks he's whistling Dixie let's not forget Martyn LaSalle and how boastful he was last week. He got his dreams crushed like the loser he is.

Naturally this brings out LaSalle who is course miffed. He won't lie to McDaniels; having his time beat was a heartbreak but he's doesn't share the belief that McDaniels will coast onto the main event of Backlash. McDaniels takes this as a challenge so LaSalle offers a wager. Should no one beat the time set by McDaniels, then McDaniels gets his title shot as promised. But if the time is beat by anyone tonight, McDaniels faces LaSalle in a match of LaSalle's choosing at Backlash. McDaniels accepts and even offers to shake on it. LaSalle is hesitant to accept at first but eventually relents but gets an immediate right hand from McDaniels that knocks him down. McDaniels bails to the back proud of himself.

Backstage, Naomi Bailey runs into Sonya Braddock on the way to the dressing room. Braddock wants to make it clear that there was no fluke at WrestleMania and tells Naomi to think twice about being so eager to step into the ring with her again.

First Match: Alexander Piero vs. Raj
Raj is a jobber that's retiring so he's here to make Piero look good. Flying elbow from Raj Ghosh. Spinning bulldog in the corner, Piero is down. Cover for a two count. Piero ducks a wild right hand. Ghosh receives some punishment. Flying shoulder tackle by Piero sends Ghosh to the mat. Hooks the leg for a two count. Ghosh walks into a face-first flapjack. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Fallaway slam by Alexander Piero. Ghosh blocks a kick from Alexander Piero. Lightning kick by Ghosh on Piero. There's a two count on the pin. Piero walks into a face crusher variation. Pin, but Piero is out just before the three count. Hard back suplex on Piero. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? Standing leg lariat by Raj Ghosh on Piero. Alexander Piero reverses a hip toss. Back elbow connects, Ghosh staggers backward. Flying clothesline by Piero. Raj Ghosh can barely stand. Here it comes - Flashpoint. 1....2...3, it's finished. I'll give it a **1\2 rating. 70% overall.

Second Match: WWE Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Demiras vs. Michael Hotbody
Demiras is ready to go but Hotbody is still in his street clothes as he comes out with Zed Jones. Hotbody clears things up by saying that he never meant that he was offering a non-title match to Demiras against himself. Instead, Demiras gets to test his mettle against the mighty Zed Jones. So away we go...

Second Match: WWE Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Demiras vs. Zed Jones
Stiff high kick on Jones by Jordan Demiras who has evidently been watching some old AJPW tapes recently. Kick from Jordan Demiras to the leg. Hard back suplex on Jones. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? Demiras uses a basement dropkick to the knee. Jones counters a sleeper hold by turning it into a jaw breaker. Big backdrop on Demiras, executed well. Powerful Spear by Zed Jones. There's a two count on the pin. Jordan Demiras reverses a hip toss. Vicious lightning kick by Demiras on Jones. Cover for a two count. Jones walks into a face crusher variation. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Demiras walks into a trip. Zed Jones strikes Demiras. Demiras counters a sleeper hold by turning it into a jaw breaker. Driven DDT by Jordan Demiras. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Zed Jones gets knocked to the ground by Demiras, who is already climbing the turnbuckle. Axe Kick!!! Michael Hotbody quickly comes running down the aisle and into the ring! Jordan Demiras turns around....and gets knocked to the ground. The referee calls for the DQ because of the interference of Hotbody! Jones and Hotbody beat away on Jordan Demiras, leaving him spread-eagled on the canvas. That was good. **** rating. 89% overall.

Backstage, Kyle Jacobs wants to talk about Salvatore Scabbia. Jacobs finds it interesting that Scabbia is taking part of the Beat the Clock and hasn't been in any rush to get his rematch. It can't be that Scabbia is scared, right? It can't be because there's a chance he'll get embarrassed again, right? The prize of potentially getting a chance at the Unified World title is admittingly tempting, no doubt, but Jacobs is eager to get back at Scabbia.

Third Match: The Academy and WWE Unified Tag Team champions The Future Foundation vs. The Play Pals and The Dillingers
Randy Ellis scores with a back heel kick on Rage King. Big dropkick by Randy Ellis, who got good elevation. The Didact tags out to Justin Mitchell. Rage King gets slammed. Tag between Michael Haywood and Joey Dillinger. Double arm suplex by Justin Mitchell, Joey hits hard. Tag to Rick Hilton. Mitchell \ Hilton whip Joey into the ropes and hit a double back elbow. Big piledriver on Joey. Cover for a two count. Tag between Rick Hilton and Julian Merrick. Fallaway slam by Julian Merrick. Powerful Spear by Julian Merrick. Tag to Randy Ellis. Tiger suplex on Joey, right from out of the Misawa playbook. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Joey powers out of a headlock. Tag to Ben Dillinger. Dillinger drives a thrust kick into the chest of The Didact. Ben Dillinger hits a bulldog off the ropes. There's a two count on the pin. Tag between Ben Dillinger and Gavin Jones. Dillinger \ Jones hook up The Didact, then hit a double suplex. Cover for a two count. Springboard dropkick from Gavin Jones. Nicely done. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Gavin Jones misses a clothesline. Big dropkick by Justin Mitchell, who got good elevation. Tag to Julian Merrick. Ring-shaking slam on Jones. Julian Merrick misses a big legdrop after stalling too long. Tag to Ben Dillinger. Jones \ Dillinger whip Merrick into the ropes and hit a double clothesline. Shining Wizard on Merrick, Dillinger really laid that one in. Vivian Merrick has climbed up onto the apron! Dillinger turns...and falls for the distraction! Julian Merrick runs at Dillinger from behind...but misses! Julian Merrick collides with Vivian Merrick! Ben Dillinger floors Julian Merrick...and climbs the turnbuckles. Off the top - Frog Splash, forget about it. 1....2...3! Good **** rating. 89% overall.

Fourth Match: Naomi Bailey vs. Sophie Waters
Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Flying cross body off the top rope! Even Steamboat would have applauded the execution on that. Cover for a two count. Naomi Bailey pulls a mule kick out of nowhere. Naomi Bailey hits some punches. Flying shoulder tackle by Bailey sends Waters to the mat. There's a two count on the pin. Naomi Bailey scores with a killer spinebuster. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Big backdrop on Waters, executed well. Waters reverses a Naomi Bailey hammerlock. Flying cross body off the top rope! Even Steamboat would have applauded the execution on that. Hooks the leg for a two count. Back heel kick off the second rope, Bailey goes down. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Waters hits a dropkick on Naomi Bailey. Waters hits a massive spinning kick to the jaw. Bailey counters a backdrop attempt with a kick to the face. Fallaway slam by Naomi Bailey. Naomi Bailey drills Sophie Waters with a press slam into a Michinoku Driver. Naomi Bailey moves in for the kill. Bail Out! 1....2....3. A ****1\4 rating, great bout. 92% overall.

Video package for the debuting Hugo.

Fifth Match: Beat the Clock challenge: Salvatore Scabbia vs. Brandon Reigns
Flying elbow from Brandon Reigns. Reigns pulls a picture perfect fallaway slam out of the bag, driving Salvatore Scabbia down to the mat. There's a two count on the pin. Reigns only gets knees on a splash. Dropkick connects, Reigns goes down. Big Sal uses a basement dropkick to the knee. Hooks the leg for a two count. Back heel kick off the second rope, Reigns goes flying. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Flying elbow from Salvatore Scabbia. Brandon Reigns reverses a hip toss. Massive backbreaker, Big Sal got nailed. Cover for a two count. Brandon Reigns drills Salvatore Scabbia with a press slam into a Michinoku Driver. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Back elbow connects, Big Sal staggers backward. Reigns hits a massive spinning kick to the jaw. Brandon Reigns misses a big legdrop after stalling too long. Big Sal hits a dropkick on Brandon Reigns. Tiger suplex on Reigns, right from out of the Misawa playbook. The bell rings. The referee declares that the time limit has expired, and the match is a draw. Kyle Jacobs comes running down the aisle, and gets into the ring! Big Sal turns around...straight into a Spinning Fallaway!! Salvatore Scabbia has been left down on the canvas. A **** rating for a good contest. 88% overall.

Sixth Match: Beat the Clock challenge: Haven vs. King Kavovit
Dropkick connects, Kavovit goes down. Spinning back kick from Haven. Flying elbow from Haven. Fallaway slam by Haven. Haven gets taken down out of nowhere. Big backdrop on Haven, executed well. Spinning bulldog in the corner, Haven is down. Hooks the leg for a two count. Kavovit only gets knees on a splash. Gutwrench into a stomach breaker, Kavovit may be winded. Hooks the leg for a two count. Slingshot senton by Haven, crushing the chest of Kavovit. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Haven only gets knees on a splash. Haven gets caught with a belly to belly suplex from Kavovit. Kavovit only gets knees on a splash. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Xavier Cross comes running down the aisle with a chair! Kavovit goes to irish whip Haven into the ropes. Cross prepares to swing the chair...but Haven reverses! Cross accidentally smacks Kavovit with a chair to the back! King Kavovit can barely stand. Here it comes - Sting of Solace. 1....2...3, it's finished. That was good. **** rating. Haven sets a new time to beat! 88% overall.

MAIN EVENT: Beat the Clock challenge: Chris Collins vs. Ryan Pattillo
Pattillo uses a basement dropkick to the knee. Pattillo pulls a picture perfect fallaway slam out of the bag, driving Chris Collins down to the mat. Hooks the leg for a two count. Ryan Pattillo misses a big legdrop after stalling too long. Standing leg lariat by Chris Collins on Pattillo. Collins hits a dropkick on Ryan Pattillo. There's a two count on the pin. Slingshot senton by Collins, crushing the chest of Pattillo. Pin : 1 - 2 - 2.9999999. Driven DDT by Chris Collins. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Chris Collins gets taken down out of nowhere. Beautiful spinning arm drag out of the corner by Pattillo. Cover for a two count. Tiger suplex on Collins, right from out of the Misawa playbook. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Hard back suplex on Collins. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? Ryan Pattillo scores with a back heel kick on Collins. Chris Collins powers out of a Ryan Pattillo headlock. Stun Gun from Chris Collins! There used to be this blonde guy in WCW in the early 90's who used that...i wonder what happened to him? Back heel kick off the second rope, Pattillo goes flying. The bell rings, and this match has come to a time limit draw. I don't think the fight has finished. Chris Collins and Pattillo have begun brawling again! They wind up brawling all the way down the aisle and out of view. A **** rating for a good contest. 87% overall.

Haven wins the Beat the Clock challenge and is thus the number one contender for the Unified World Title.

Current Backlash card:
WWE Unified World Title: Noah Carmichael (c) vs. Haven

WWE Cruiserweight Title: Jordan Demiras (c) vs. Michael Hotbody

Overall show rating: 83%

My god the TV is loaded with great matches. Love the idea of Beat the Clock extending across all shows.

I wonder what Meltzer would be doing in 20 years.

The pacing of things is one of the multitude of factors that drove me crazy about WWE. They have 4 God damn TV shows (at the time, I don't know about now) but they ran things by the seat of their pants. Spread things out a bit, let fans know what they can look forward to.

In the later TEW game I was playing, you could assign focus to a guy in development so his in-ring or entertainment skills rise faster. The worst was having a 20 year old with incredible entertainment skills and bad wrestling skills and having illusions of the next Ric Flair on your roster only for his wrestling skills to never develop.

You can always just use him as a manager but still...

I might give the latest TEW a demo download but it seems so absurdly detailed. Like, in a cool way.....but it would take me ages to do anything.

Raw: April 9, 2040

We open with the winner of the Beat the Clock challenge and the man who will face Noah Carmichael for the Unified World Title at Backlash, Haven. Before we even hear from him, however, Noah Carmichael himself busts onto the scene and joins Haven in the ring. He asks for everyone's forgiveness but he spent all of last week sitting back watching everyone stumble over themselves and waiting to see who would become the number one contender so he's a little antsy and eager to jump back into the thick of things. He tells Haven that this has been a long time coming between the two of them. From the days of the City Slickers versus the Order, to the merger between the two factions that Carmichael wanted no part of (by the way, how'd that work out for you, Haven), to last year's WrestleMania, to somehow the two of us becoming the tag team champions, and then not too long ago when Haven screwed things up in a match where they were teammates. Carmichael declares that he never swallowed what Haven sells and that hasn't changed. Hike up your big boy pants, Haven, because the only way you're getting to that holy land you're always talking about is through Carmichael.

Haven steps up to Carmichael and tells him that the two of them are in complete agreement on that last point but wants to make it clear that when it comes to Carmichael, it won't be so much a holy land as hell on Earth. "Pray for your soul, Carmichael...I won't." We go to break with the two competitors in a stand-off.

First Match: WWE Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Demiras vs Doug Michaels
Driven DDT by Doug Michaels. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Spinning bulldog in the corner, Demiras is down. There's a two count on the pin. Demiras backdrops Doug Michaels out of a piledriver attempt. Demiras hits a wicked chop that echoes through the building. Driven DDT by Jordan Demiras. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Hooks the leg for a two count. DDT from the top rope by Jordan Demiras. That looked brutal. Pin : 1 - 2 - 2.9999999. Jordan Demiras hits a rolling kick on Michaels. Demiras drops an elbow...but misses. Fate can be so cruel. Driven full nelson slam on Demiras. Cover for a two count. Demiras walks into a face-first flapjack. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Bodyslam by Michaels. Demiras gets slammed. Demiras counters an arm wringer with an elbow to the side of the head. Jordan Demiras hits a rolling kick on Michaels. Vicious kick to the teeth from Jordan Demiras. Akira Maeda would be proud. Jordan Demiras floors Doug Michaels...and climbs the turnbuckles. Through the air, Axe Kick! Michael Hotbody quickly comes running down the aisle and into the ring! He heads over to the timekeeper's table and picks up the Cruiserweight championship belt and poses with it and shows it off to the crowd with delight on his face. He proceeds to walk around the ringside area continuing his nonsense and eventually begins to make his way back up the ramp with the belt. Demiras finally notices this and rolls to the outside to give chase. The minute he grabs Hotbody from behind however, Hotbody quickly spins around thrusting the belt into the face of Demiras. He barely seems to register this, however, and still poses and plays to the crowd smiling and continues on his way to the back. The referee calls for the DQ because of the interference of Hotbody! Good **** rating. 90% overall.

Second Match: Jenna Kyle and Naomi Bailey vs Faith Connors and Phoebe Hanson
Spinning back kick from Jenna Kyle. Big backdrop on Phoebe, executed well. Cover for a two count. Tag between Jenna Kyle and Naomi Bailey. Jenna Kyle scoops up Phoebe. Bailey bounces off the ropes and hits a flying Hart Attack clothesline. Cover for a two count. Bodyslam by Bailey. Phoebe Hanson takes the advantage after a i-block-your-punch-you-don't-block-mine routine. Big piledriver on Bailey. There's a two count on the pin. Tag to Faith Connors. Spine shattering vicious back suplex! Naomi Bailey got absolutely creamed. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Flying elbow from Faith Connors. Bailey blocks a kick from Faith Connors. Fallaway slam by Naomi Bailey. Bailey tags out to Jenna Kyle. Faith takes a headbutt from Jenna Kyle. Tag between Faith Connors and Phoebe Hanson. Second rope flying axe handle, Phoebe goes down. Phoebe Hanson is in trouble. Kyle Driver! 1....2....3. A ****1\2 rating for a great match. 95% overall

Brooke is backstage with Salvatore Scabbia. Brooke talked trash about Kyle Jacobs, continuing the feud with Salvatore Scabbia. They'll be watching his match tonight and also announce that Scabbia wants his Intercontinental Title match at Backlash.

Third Match: Gavin Jones vs Justin Mitchell :
We are informed that The Play Pals, as per the promise of Lisa Benton, will be granted an opportunity at the Unified Tag Team Titles. So at Backlash, the champions, The Future Foundation will defend against The Dillingers, The Academy, and the Play Pals in a Fatal Four Way match. Now onto the match involving two of those men.

Double arm suplex by Justin Mitchell, Jones hits hard. Jones blocks a kick from Justin Mitchell. Mitchell gets slammed. Justin Mitchell charges, Jones moves, and the referee is conveniently placed to get knocked out. Springboard dropkick from Gavin Jones. Nicely done. Cover, but there's no one to count for Gavin Jones. Mitchell blocks the suplex attempt. Big dropkick by Justin Mitchell, who got good elevation. Gutwrench into a stomach breaker, Jones may be winded. There's a two count on the pin. Devastating Tiger Driver 91 very nearly crushes the neck of Jones. Misawa is probably laughing with glee at the moment. Pin, but Jones is out just before the three count. Jones kicks Justin Mitchell in the gut to reverse the momentum. Jones crushes Mitchell with a running senton. Pin : 1 - 2 - 2.9999999. Mitchell blocks the suplex attempt. Randy Ellis comes running down the aisle and into the ring! Gavin Jones turns around.... Today's Lesson!!! That shook the ring. The Didact leaves the ring, the damage done! Pin : 1 - 2- 3. Mitchell defeats Jones. The Academy are beating down on Gavin Jones! The music of Michael Haywood hits, and he comes running down the aisle into the ring. Mitchell and The Didact bail out of the ring, leaving Gavin Jones down in the ring. Michael Haywood may have saved Gavin Jones from a brutal beating. That was good. **** rating. 88% overall

Fourth Match: Hannah McCormick vs Jamie Roderick
Jamie Roderick scores with a back heel kick on McCormick. McCormick kicks Jamie Roderick in the gut to reverse the momentum. Hannah McCormick scores with a back heel kick on Roderick. Hannah McCormick misses a clothesline...and takes out the referee by mistake. Springboard dropkick from Hannah McCormick. Nicely done. Hooks the leg, but the referee is still out. Roderick backdrops Hannah McCormick out of a piledriver attempt. Roderick uses a basement dropkick to the knee. Roderick crushes McCormick with a running senton. Cover for a two count. Double Arm DDT by Roderick, McCormick got destroyed. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. McCormick blocks the suplex attempt. Vicious lightning kick by McCormick on Roderick. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Jamie Roderick ducks a clothesline attempt. Jamie Roderick has Hannah McCormick down on the canvas. Roderick Legacy!!! Hannah McCormick taps out! A **** rating for a good contest. 90% overall

Martyn LaSalle comes down to the ring to officially announce his match against Quentin McDaniels at Backlash. A deal is a deal, he says, and McDaniels, unfortunately was not the man to win Beat the Clock. Now the two of them get to conclude some unfinished business. But how to conclude it? There are a lot of wonderful choices out there for what kind of match this should be and LaSalle has given it a lot of thought but...

...Oops, no time for that as Quentin McDaniels himself interrupts and comes down to join the festivities. McDaniels asks if during all of that thinking LaSalle did, did it finally dawn on LaSalle that everything that has happened between the two of them is all his fault and that he needs to let it go. So the two of them were teammates and McDaniels decided to throw you out of the Rumble without a second thought; CRY US ANOTHER RIVER! LaSalle should be considered lucky he was even considered to be Quentin's replacement partner that he needs to just give up on all of this. LaSalle interjects and says that it's funny that Quentin should use the term 'give up' because it's quite appropos for the kind of match they're going to have. At Backlash, the two of them will compete IN AN I QUIT MATCH! McDaniels may have betrayed LaSalle, humilated him, and even beat him, but he still hasn't broken him. Who knows? It may turn out to be even more embarrassing than losing in the main event of WrestleMania! This triggers McDaniels to the point of slapping the taste out of LaSalle's mouth and we have a brawl on our hands! McDaniels manages to get the upper hand though after a low blow and dings up LaSalle's arm by ramming into the ringpost. He walks off leaving LaSalle down.

Fifth Match: Seth Von Kamp and the Dillingers vs Moses McKay and the WWE Unified Tag Team Champions The Future Foundation
Standing leg lariat by Seth Von Kamp on McKay. Hard back suplex on McKay. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? Tag between Seth Von Kamp and Joey Dillinger. Bodyslam by Joey. Ring-shaking slam on McKay. Hooks the leg for a two count. Joey tags out to Ben Dillinger. The Dillingers whip McKay into the ropes and hit a double back elbow. McKay tastes a high angle back suplex. It probably tasted like chicken. McKay backdrops Ben Dillinger out of a piledriver attempt. Big backdrop on Dillinger, executed well. McKay tags out to Julian Merrick. Rude Awakening on Ben Dillinger by Merrick. Merrick pulls a jumping piledriver out! Hooks the leg for a close fall. Rude Awakening on Ben Dillinger by Merrick. Tag between Julian Merrick and Rick Hilton. Rick Hilton hits some punches. Rude Awakening on Ben Dillinger by Hilton. Dillinger counters an avalanche with a raised foot to the face. Dillinger tags out to Seth Von Kamp. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Tag between Rick Hilton and Moses McKay. Moses McKay strikes Von Kamp. Seth Von Kamp elbows Moses McKay in the face to break a hammerlock. Seth Von Kamp moves in for the kill. Collapse of Society!!! That shook the ring. 1....2....3!! That was good. **** rating. 88% overall.

Sixth Match: Kyle Jacobs vs Steve Hayes
Brandon Reigns comes down to ringside to observe and his manager, Jake Connelly, joins the announce booth and uses the time to put over Reigns and how the two of them feel that Reigns is owed another chance at the Intercontinental Title. Jacobs bodyslams Steve Hayes. Hayes powers out of a headlock. Dropkick connects, Jacobs goes down. Steve Hayes misses a clothesline...and takes out the referee by mistake. Diamond Dust from Steve Hayes, Jacobs is out. Pinfall attempt, but the ref is conveniently laid out. Jacobs reverses a Steve Hayes hammerlock. Flying shoulder tackle by Jacobs sends Hayes to the mat. Ring-shaking slam on Hayes. Hooks the leg for a two count. Belly to back suicideplex, Hayes got folded up big time. Pin, but Hayes is out just before the three count. Steve Hayes ducks a clothesline attempt. Super frankensteiner on Jacobs, who hit hard. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Jacobs reverses a Steve Hayes hammerlock. Steve Hayes can barely stand. Spinning Fallaway! 1....2....3. A **** rating for a good contest. 89% overall Jacobs and Reigns stare each other down.

A video is played, hyping the upcoming debut of Hugo.

MAIN EVENT: Haven and Ryan Pattillo vs Xavier Cross and Chris Collins
We're told that at Backlash Ryan Pattillo and Chris Collins will have a rematch. Noah Carmichael is in the back watching things unfold. Cross takes a headbutt from Haven. Haven uses a basement dropkick to the knee. There's a two count on the pin. Haven tags out to Ryan Pattillo. Haven \ Pattillo whip Cross into the ropes and hit a double back elbow. There's a two count on the pin. Ryan Pattillo with a spinning neckbreaker on Cross. Pattillo walks into a trip. Super frankensteiner on Pattillo, who hit hard. Cover for a two count. Cross tags out to Chris Collins. Collins crushes Pattillo with a sweet running senton. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Flying elbow from Chris Collins. Pattillo drops out the back of a Chris Collins bodyslam attempt. Hard back suplex on Collins. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? Tag to Haven. Haven bodyslams Chris Collins. Collins tags out to Xavier Cross. Running knee lift from Haven. Xavier Cross can barely stand. Sting of Solace!!! That shook the ring. 1....2....3!! A **** rating for a good contest. 89% overall. Haven is gaining some momentum as he looks forward to Backlash.

Overall show rating: 85%

Current card for Backlash:
WWE Unified World Title: Noah Carmichael (c) vs. Haven

WWE Unified Tag Team Title: The Future Foundation (c) vs. The Academy vs. The Play Pals vs. The Dillingers

WWE Cruiserweight Title: Jordan Demiras (c) vs. Michael Hotbody

WWE Intercontinental Title: Kyle Jacobs (c) vs. Salvatore Scabbia

Ryan Pattillo vs. Chris Collins

Quentin McDaniels vs. Martyn LaSalle

Seth Von Kamp is another great name.

I forgot to talk about one other rule that I have in place for the promotion that affects my booking decisions. If a champion has three consecutive title matches, or any three title matches within a 90-day period, whichever occurs first, end in a draw or a countout or DQ loss for the champion, the title is stripped and declared vacant. I've only put it into action on one occasion but it's something that I keep in the back of my head.

That’s a low key brilliant idea that helps explain the plot hole of why heel champions don’t just take the easy way out every time.

Superstars: April 12, 2040

Going to use this show as a way to mainly showcase people I haven't been using too often these last few shows.

Opening Match: Alexander Piero vs Tom Foley
Piero hits a right hand. Foley takes a headbutt from Alexander Piero. Flying shoulder tackle by Piero sends Foley to the mat. Piero slams Tom Foley down. Tom Foley comes up with a right hand out of nowhere. Back elbow connects, Piero staggers backward. Piero walks into a spike slam. There's a two count on the pin. Piero counters an avalanche with a raised foot to the face. Foley gets hit with a huge clothesline. Hooks the leg for a two count. Lifting DDT by Alexander Piero, executed well. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Tom Foley comes up with a right hand out of nowhere. Chanelling the spirit of Misawa, Tom Foley uses a forearm to the face. Piero kicks Tom Foley in the gut to reverse the momentum. Rude Awakening on Tom Foley by Piero. Tom Foley can barely stand. Flashpoint! 1....2....3. This one gets a ***1\4 rating, it was a good bout. 82% overall. Piero keeps getting more over.

Second Match: The Young Bloods (Matt Riley and Sully Lane) vs The Wasteland (Duke and Drakken)
Duke receives some punishment. Riley slams Duke down. Cover for a two count. Tag between Matt Riley and Sully Lane. The Young Bloods whip Duke into the corner. Matt Riley whips Sully Lane in for a hard clothesline to follow-up. Cover for a two count. Sully Lane with a spinning neckbreaker on Duke. Duke kicks Sully Lane in the gut to reverse the momentum. Lightning kick by Duke on Sully. Cover for a two count. Tag to Drakken. Super kick by Drakken. Pin, but Sully is out just before the three count. Drakken hits a dropkick on Sully Lane. Sully blocks the suplex attempt. Drakken takes a butterfly suplex from Sully. Tag between Sully Lane and Matt Riley. Drakken takes a headbutt from Matt Riley. Tag between Drakken and Duke. Riley slams Duke down. Stephan Q. Sterling has climbed up onto the apron! Duke turns...and falls for the distraction! Matt Riley attacks Duke from behind! Duke can barely stand. Full Nelson Slam! 1....2....3. A ****1\4 rating, great bout. 93% overall

Backstage, Haven has words...not for his opponent at Backlash, Noah Carmichael, but rather Xavier Cross. He warns Cross to not continue being an impediment. Cross's day of retribution may be postponed but not canceled.

Third Match: Blaine Bellamey vs Corey Mattis
An extension of the Wyldhearts/Agents of Change feud. BB hits a right hand. Blaine Bellamey misses a clothesline. Corey Mattis fires off some right and left hands. BB reverses an irish whip...and Corey Mattis runs into the referee. Brutal seated powerbomb on BB. Pinfall attempt, but the ref is conveniently laid out. Mattis walks into a trip. Flying elbow from Blaine Bellamey. Vicious lightning kick by BB on Mattis. Hooks the leg for a two count. Blaine Bellamey drills Corey Mattis with a press slam into a Michinoku Driver. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Blaine Bellamey misses a big legdrop after stalling too long. Beautiful spinning arm drag out of the corner by Mattis. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Corey Mattis gets taken down out of nowhere. Clayton North comes running down the aisle with a chair! Mattis and Blaine Bellamey continue fighting, unaware of the intrusion. Clayton North slides in and prepares to swing the chair...but Blaine Bellamey moves! North accidentally blasts Mattis with a chair to the head! Blaine Bellamey throws North out of the ring! Blaine Bellamey floors Corey Mattis...and climbs the turnbuckles. Through the air, Flying Legdrop! 1....2....3. Agents of Change are beating down on Blaine Bellamey! The music of Robbie Greer hits, and he comes running down the aisle into the ring. Mattis and North bail out of the ring, leaving Blaine Bellamey down in the ring. Robbie Greer may have saved Blaine Bellamey from a brutal beating. Good **** rating. 88% overall.

Fourth Match: Faith Connors vs Cordelia
Dropkick connects, Cordelia goes down. Chanelling the spirit of Misawa, Faith Connors uses a forearm to the face. Stun Gun from Faith Connors! There used to be this blonde guy in WCW in the early 90's who used that...i wonder what happened to him? Vertical suplex by Faith Connors. Cordelia comes up with a right hand out of nowhere. Big backdrop on Faith, executed well. Faith gets hit with a huge clothesline. Hooks the leg for a two count. Faith kicks Cordelia in the gut to reverse the momentum. Powerful Spear by Faith Connors. Cover for a two count. Belly to back suicideplex, Cordelia got folded up big time. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Cordelia backdrops Faith Connors out of a piledriver attempt. Stiff chop lights up Faith. Faith Connors takes the advantage after a i-block-your-punch-you-don't-block-mine routine. Spin kick by Faith Connors to the face. Cordelia can barely stand. Here it comes - CRISIS OF FAITH!!!. 1....2...3, it's finished. Good **** rating. 90% overall.

Video package showcasing the soon-to-debut Hugo.

Fifth Match: Ronnie Costello and Carmella Costello vs. Raymond Delaney and Frankie
Big clothesline on CiCi. Super kick by Raymond Delaney. Cover for a two count. Tag to Frankie. Frankie \ Delaney whip CiCi into the ropes and hit a double clothesline. Frankie slams Carmella Costello down. Hooks the leg for a two count. Frankie strikes CiCi. CiCi pushes out of a Frankie hold. Slingshot senton by CiCi, crushing the chest of Frankie. Tag to Ronnie Costello. Frankie takes a flying neckbreaker from Ronnie Costello. Super kick by Ronnie Costello. Costello only gets knees on a splash. Frankie tags out to Raymond Delaney. Raymond Delaney hits a bulldog off the ropes. Costello walks into a face-first flapjack. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Raymond Delaney fires off some right and left hands. Costello counters a sleeper hold by turning it into a jaw breaker. Beautiful spinning arm drag out of the corner by Costello. Ronnie Costello gets a roll-up...and grabs a handful of tights as well! The referee doesn't see it: 1....2...3!! Almost got a **** match, but was lacking in certain areas, so i'm knocking off half a star, so it gets a ***1\2 rating. 85% overall.

Sixth Match: L.A. Xander vs. Ozzy Mandias
Bodyslam by LAX. Tiger bomb by L.A. Xander, executed perfectly. There's a two count on the pin. Oz drops out the back of a L.A. Xander bodyslam attempt. Stiff high kick on LAX by Ozzy Mandias who has evidently been watching some old AJPW tapes recently. LAX takes a flying neckbreaker from Ozzy Mandias. Hooks the leg for a two count. Springboard dropkick from Ozzy Mandias. Nicely done. Pin, but LAX is out just before the three count. Hard back suplex on LAX. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? LAX drops out the back of a Ozzy Mandias bodyslam attempt. Spinebuster by L.A. Xander, executed with Arn-esque perfection. Hooks the leg for a two count. Slingshot senton by LAX, crushing the chest of Oz. Pin, but Oz is out just before the three count. Second rope flying axe handle, Oz goes down. Stiff high kick on Oz by L.A. Xander who has evidently been watching some old AJPW tapes recently. Oz counters a sleeper hold by turning it into a jaw breaker. Flying elbow from Ozzy Mandias. Tiger suplex on LAX, right from out of the Misawa playbook. Romeo Valiente runs down the aisle and into the ring, carrying a chair! Oz turns...and gets floored with a chair to the head! The referee has no choice but to call for the bell! Disqualification! Romeo Valiente obviously hasn't finished his attack yet! Ozzy Mandias stands up...and gets floored! Romeo Valiente climbs the turnbuckles. Off the top - Casanova Crush!!! Romeo Valiente eventually leaves, having caused enough damage. That was good. **** rating. 88% overall.

Moses McKay joins us in the ring. He claims to not be impressed by Seth Von Kamp. It wasn't too long ago when Von Kamp couldn't rise up to the challenge and face the pressure of beating McKay in Beat the Clock. Von Kamp also had to rely on allies to get a hollow victory. And perhaps most of all, Von Kamp just can't seem to get past the scars of Money in the Bank. Von Kamp is a whiner living in perpetual victimhood. Why do you think he's never won any singles title in his entire career? McKay is light years ahead of a lost cause like Von Kamp and has no regrets over messing up his face at WrestleMania. In fact, if Von Kamp were here right now, McKay would bust him up all over again!

Cue Seth Von Kamp running down the ramp and entering the ring. McKay must have something on the stove, however, as he chooses to bail and head to the back.

Seventh Match: Michael Hotbody and Zed Jones vs. The Tokyo Titans (Tokyo Kid and Wu)
Michael Hotbody scores with a back heel kick on Wu. Fallaway slam by Michael Hotbody. Hooks the leg for a two count. Hotbody tags out to Zed Jones. Hotbody \ Jones whip Wu into the corner. Michael Hotbody whips Zed Jones in for a hard clothesline to follow-up. Hooks the leg for a two count. Jones slams Wu down. Wu counters a sleeper hold by turning it into a jaw breaker. Driven full nelson slam on Jones. Hooks the leg for a two count. Wu tags out to Tokyo Kid. Spinebuster by Tokyo Kid, executed with Arn-esque perfection. Pin, but Jones is out just before the three count. Fallaway slam by Tokyo Kid. Jones pushes out of a Tokyo Kid hold. Big backdrop on Tokyo, executed well. Jones tags out to Michael Hotbody. Hotbody hits a wicked chop that echoes through the building. Tokyo tags out to Wu. Driven DDT by Michael Hotbody. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Wu hooks up a suplex, but it is blocked. Hotbody scores with a low blow, then turns it into a small package! The referee didn't see the illegal blow! 1...2...3! Wu got screwed out of the victory! Good **** rating. 90% overall.

MAIN EVENT: WWE Intercontinental Champion Kyle Jacobs vs. King Kavovit
Hard back suplex on Jacobs. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? Vicious lightning kick by Kavovit on Jacobs. Hooks the leg for a two count. Jacobs reverses a King Kavovit hammerlock. Kyle Jacobs fires off some right and left hands. Kyle Jacobs with a spinning neckbreaker on Kavovit. Cover for a two count. Jacobs pulls a jumping piledriver out! Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Kyle Jacobs with a spinning neckbreaker on Kavovit. Kavovit reverses a Kyle Jacobs hammerlock. Vicious lightning kick by Kavovit on Jacobs. Cover for a two count. Diamond Dust from King Kavovit, Jacobs is out. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Kavovit slams Kyle Jacobs down. King Kavovit strikes Jacobs. Jacobs reverses a King Kavovit hammerlock. Big dropkick by Kyle Jacobs, who got good elevation. Emerald Fusion by Kyle Jacobs on Kavovit. King Kavovit is in trouble. Spinning Fallaway!!! That shook the ring. 1....2....3!! Salvatore Scabbia comes running down the aisle with a chair! Kyle Jacobs is just leaving the ring...and Big Sal scores with a brutal chair shot! Kyle Jacobs falls to the floor holding his head. That was good. **** rating. 88% overall.

Overall show rating: 85%

Good stuff. Is King Kavovit meant to be his name proper or did he win the King of the Ring one year and let it get to his head?

SmackDown!: April 13, 2040

We open with Faith Connors joining us in the ring. She brings up that there's been a lot of talk and wondering over what she plans on doing with her favor afforded to her by Lisa Benton. She wants to make it known that in time she will deal with both Naomi Bailey and Jenna Kyle but that she would prefer to do it as the WWE Women's Champion. So with that said...

...EVERYONE SLOW THEIR ROLE!!! The Women's Champion herself, Sonya Braddock, comes down and gets face to face with Faith. Sonya suggests that Faith shouldn't get too ahead of herself with her hopes and ideas. Last time anyone checked, Sonya Braddock is the main woman of the company and that's not changing anytime soon. Faith brings up how this whole scenario seems a bit familiar. If Faith recalls correctly, she capped off an incredible first year by unseating a woman who not only was the talk of the town but the Women's Champion as well. Oh, that's right, that woman was Sonya Braddock and it sent shockwaves throughout the entire WWE. History has a way of repeating itself when you continue to make the same mistakes. Faith then asks Sonya to allow her to finish her thought and make things official. Faith Connors will indeed be challenging Sonya Braddock for the Women's Title at Backlash. And if anyone has a problem with that, they can get in line and take it up with her after she takes the title home. Braddock objects to this and declares that they'll have to take it up with whatever's left. The segment ends with the two women staring each other down.

Meanwhile, Alexander Piero wants to inform us all about how he has been scouted and contacted by someone who wants to offer their managerial services. With that said, he welcomes Madison to his side and she claims that she knows a winner when she sees one.

First Match: Salvatore Scabbia, Ronnie Costello, The Academy vs. WWE Intercontinental Champion Kyle Jacobs, Raymond Delaney, The Play Pals
This sort of all of Brooke's horses on one team here. Standing leg lariat by Raymond Delaney on Mitchell. Big backdrop on Mitchell, executed well. Tag between Raymond Delaney and Kyle Jacobs. Mitchell receives some punishment. Tag between Justin Mitchell and Randy Ellis. Jacobs slams Randy Ellis. Jacobs tags out to Gavin Jones. Jacobs \ Jones whip The Didact into the ropes and hit a double back elbow. Flying cross body off the top rope! Even Steamboat would have applauded the execution on that. Hooks the leg for a two count. Tag between Gavin Jones and Michael Haywood. Hard back suplex on The Didact. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? Rage King crushes The Didact with a running senton. Tag to Raymond Delaney. Death valley driver by Raymond Delaney, Randy Ellis got planted. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Randy Ellis reverses a hip toss. Tag between Randy Ellis and Salvatore Scabbia. Driven DDT by Salvatore Scabbia. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Beautiful spinning arm drag out of the corner by Big Sal. There's a two count on the pin. Tag to Ronnie Costello. Big Sal \ Costello whip Delaney into the corner. Salvatore Scabbia whips Ronnie Costello in for a hard clothesline to follow-up. Cover for a two count. Diamond Dust from Ronnie Costello, Jacobs is out. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Jacobs kicks Ronnie Costello in the gut to reverse the momentum. Kyle Jacobs with a spinning neckbreaker on Costello. Jacobs tags out to Michael Haywood. Super kick by Michael Haywood. Costello blocks a punch. Costello tags out to Salvatore Scabbia. Costello \ Big Sal hook up Rage King, then hit a double suplex. Back heel kick off the second rope, Rage King goes down. Brooke has climbed up onto the apron! Rage King turns...and falls for the distraction! Salvatore Scabbia attacks Rage King from behind! Salvatore Scabbia has Michael Haywood down on the canvas. Michael Haywood gets locked in the Omerta! Submission victory! Good **** rating. 88% overall.

Second Match: Hannah McCormick vs. Phoebe Hanson
Kick from Hannah McCormick to the leg. Kick from Hannah McCormick to the leg. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Flying elbow from Hannah McCormick. Hannah McCormick misses a clothesline. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Massive backbreaker, McCormick got nailed. There's a two count on the pin. McCormick reverses a Phoebe Hanson hammerlock. Springboard reverse elbow by Hannah McCormick. Excellent move. There's a two count on the pin. Slingshot senton by McCormick, crushing the chest of Phoebe. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Phoebe counters an arm wringer with an elbow to the side of the head. Phoebe hits a massive spinning kick to the jaw. Phoebe drops an elbow...but misses. Fate can be so cruel. Phoebe takes a flying neckbreaker from Hannah McCormick. We have our mandatory ref bump, as he goes down after accidentally getting caught by an elbow to the face. Phoebe Hanson floors McCormick, then signals for the Stardust. Meanwhile, Hannah McCormick has something in her hands. Phoebe comes over...and gets nailed with a set of brass knuckles! The referee wakes up to see the pinfall: 1....2....3! It's over. Great match, a ****1\4 rating i think. 93% overall.

Backstage, Billie Padgett walks in on Tania who was watching the last match. Padgett wants Tania to not feel lost in the shuffle with the way the women's division is going down right now. There are ways to remedy that, Padgett proclaims. Tania rolls her eyes and points out that Padgett may be right but one of those ways certainly can't be being involved with someone like Padgett. Tania demands that Padgett get the hell out.

Meanwhile, Jordan Demiras is backstage on the hunt for Michael Hotbody and the cruiserweight title belt. He's directed towards the parking area and sure enough Hotbody is there trying to appeal to Jordan and claiming he had wanted to return the belt a long time ago. Jordan isn't hearing any of it and makes a beeline towards Hotbody but before he can reach him Zed Jones cuts him off out of nowhere. Jordan Demiras gets beaten down and Hotbody has Jones slam a car door on the champion. He does find the time to leave behind the belt.

Third Match: The WWE Unified Tag Team Champions The Future Foundation vs. Mean & Greene
Big clothesline on Merrick. Massive backbreaker, Merrick got nailed. Hooks the leg for a two count. Tag to Lonny Richards. Mean & Greene whip Merrick into the corner. Lonny Richards whips Caleb Greene in for a hard clothesline to follow-up. Back elbow connects, Merrick staggers backward. Cover for a two count. Lonny Richards hits some punches. Julian Merrick avoids a Lonny Richards avalanche. Double Arm DDT by Merrick, Lonny got destroyed. Tag between Julian Merrick and Rick Hilton. Big backdrop on Lonny, executed well. Rick Hilton hits a bulldog off the ropes. Lonny drops out the back of a Rick Hilton bodyslam attempt. Tag to Caleb Greene. Hilton gets hit with a huge clothesline. Burning Hammer Drop from Caleb Greene, executed with perfect brutally. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Hilton takes a headbutt from Caleb Greene. Rick Hilton ducks a clothesline attempt. Ring-shaking slam on Caleb. Vivian Merrick is at ringside! Caleb wastes valuable time by yelling at Vivian! Rick Hilton takes advantage of the distraction and nails Caleb from behind! Rick Hilton moves in for the kill. Check Out Time! 1....2....3. Lonny and Caleb remain in the ring. They are arguing about that defeat. Lonny Richards walks off without saying anything, much to the disgust of Caleb. I'm slapping a ****1\4 rating on this. 92% overall

Backstage, Xavier Cross takes issue with the warning that Haven gave on Superstars. However, he does mention the line of not being an impediment and says that it gives him an idea.

Fourth Match: Brandon Reigns vs. Stone Walsh
Stone Walsh snap suplexes Reigns...with authority! ('With authority', trademark G.Monsoon 1986.) Powerful Spear by Stone Walsh. Hooks the leg for a two count. Brandon Reigns pulls a mule kick out of nowhere. Reigns hits a massive spinning kick to the jaw. Hard back suplex on Walsh. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? Cover for a two count. Shining Wizard on Walsh, Reigns really laid that one in. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Big backdrop on Walsh, executed well. Brandon Reigns misses a big legdrop after stalling too long. Driven full nelson slam on Reigns. There's a two count on the pin. Diamond Dust from Stone Walsh, Reigns is out. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Bodyslam by Walsh. Standing leg lariat by Stone Walsh on Reigns. Reigns counters an arm wringer with an elbow to the side of the head. Running knee lift from Brandon Reigns. Back heel kick off the second rope, Walsh goes flying. Brandon Reigns has Stone Walsh down on the canvas. Stone Walsh gets locked in the Iron Reign! Submission victory! A **** rating for a good contest. 87% overall.

Fifth Match: Jenna Kyle and Naomi Bailey vs. Jamie Roderick and Missy Brantley
Naomi Bailey fires off some right and left hands. Running knee lift from Naomi Bailey. Hooks the leg for a two count. Bailey tags out to Jenna Kyle. Bailey \ Jenna hook up Missy, then hit a double suplex. Hooks the leg for a two count. Missy takes a flying neckbreaker from Jenna Kyle. Missy Brantley elbows Jenna Kyle in the face to break a hammerlock. Ring-shaking slam on Jenna. Hooks the leg for a two count. Missy tags out to Jamie Roderick. Beautiful spinning arm drag out of the corner by Roderick. Pin, but Jenna is out just before the three count. Jenna takes a flying neckbreaker from Jamie Roderick. Jenna Kyle fights out of a grapple. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Bailey tags herself in and shoves Jenna aside. Bailey slams Jamie Roderick. Roderick tags out to Missy Brantley. Fallaway slam by Naomi Bailey. Naomi Bailey moves in for the kill. Bail Out! 1....2....3. A ****1\4 rating, great bout. 92% overall.

MAIN EVENT: Ryan Pattillo vs. Moses McKay
Pattillo hits a wicked chop that echoes through the building. Ryan Pattillo scores with a back heel kick on McKay. Flying elbow from Ryan Pattillo. Ryan Pattillo with a spinning neckbreaker on McKay. McKay backdrops Ryan Pattillo out of a piledriver attempt. Flying shoulder tackle by McKay sends Pattillo to the mat. Spinning bulldog in the corner, Pattillo is down. Hooks the leg for a two count. Ryan Pattillo avoids a Moses McKay avalanche. Vicious lightning kick by Pattillo on McKay. There's a two count on the pin. DDT from the top rope by Ryan Pattillo. That looked brutal. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Ryan Pattillo gets taken down out of nowhere. Moses McKay strikes Pattillo. Pattillo kicks Moses McKay in the gut to reverse the momentum. Flying shoulder tackle by Pattillo sends McKay to the mat. Ryan Pattillo signals for the Nadowa Slam! Chris Collins comes out of the crowd and into the ring! Ryan Pattillo turns around....Fall From Heaven!!! That shook the ring. The referee calls for the DQ because of the interference of Collins! McKay \ Collins are beating down on Ryan Pattillo! The music of Seth Von Kamp hits, and he comes running down the aisle into the ring. McKay and Collins bail out of the ring, leaving Ryan Pattillo down in the ring. Seth Von Kamp may have saved Ryan Pattillo from a brutal beating. Good **** rating. 90% overall.

Overall show rating: 87%

It was just the name given. I never got around to changing it to something I liked but I just figured, "Fuck it. Go with it. Make him an entitled sack of crap."

Updated Backlash 2040 card:

WWE Unified World Title: Noah Carmichael (c) vs. Haven

WWE Unified Tag Team Title: The Future Foundation (c) vs. The Academy vs. The Play Pals vs. The Dillingers

WWE Cruiserweight Title: Jordan Demiras (c) vs. Michael Hotbody

WWE Intercontinental Title: Kyle Jacobs (c) vs. Salvatore Scabbia

WWE Women's Title: Sonya Braddock (c) vs. Faith Connors

Ryan Pattillo vs. Chris Collins

I Quit Match: Quentin McDaniels vs. Martyn LaSalle

There's room for one more match. 2 if you count the pre-show. I'm not sure what I'll do for that but I definitely know the last match for the PPV. It's not that important. We all know Braddock draws all the monies. More accurately, Braddock killing bitches dead draws all the monies.

Raw: April 16, 2040

We begin with the Unified World Champion Noah Carmichael joining us in the ring. He brings up how we're only 13 days away from witnessing the date with destiny between Carmichael and Haven. Haven loves to make things so dramatic so Carmichaels figures he should lay it on pretty thick for his sake. That's as far as the generosity goes, however, because there's a lot more than pretty words and posturing on the line when it comes to Backlash. This championship that Carmichael wears represents the culmination of every frustrating endeavor he had to endure. Carmichael wasn't interested in staying the back seat to guys like Butch Fleming and certainly not to Haven. The date with destiny has an unfortunate ending for Haven.

Nathan Quinn decides to interrupt the festivities after being gone for a while. He points out how eager he's been to return to action and that he was disappointed to see Carmichael running his mouth out here. Quinn offers a remedy and demands a match right now! Carmichael is down with that shit and away we go!

First Match: WWE Unified World Champion Noah Carmichael vs. Nathan Quinn
Quinn uses a basement dropkick to the knee. Ring-shaking slam on Wildcard. Cover for a two count. Noah Carmichael takes the advantage after a i-block-your-punch-you-don't-block-mine routine. Stiff chop lights up Quinn. Rude Awakening on Nathan Quinn by Wildcard. There's a two count on the pin. Flying spear out of the corner! Quinn nearly got snapped in two. Pin, but Quinn is out just before the three count. Back elbow connects, Quinn staggers backward. Quinn drops out the back of a Noah Carmichael bodyslam attempt. Doctor Bomb, Wildcard is hurt. Hooks the leg for a two count. Blind lariat by Quinn, Wildcard never saw it coming until it was too late. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Quinn slams Noah Carmichael down. Nathan Quinn snap suplexes Wildcard. Wildcard reverses a waistlock. Big dropkick by Noah Carmichael, who got good elevation. Quinn walks into a face-first flapjack. Noah Carmichael moves in for the kill. Quick Draw1! 1....2....3. Good **** rating. 90% overall.

Second Match: Jason Sorola vs. Seth Von Kamp
We're being told that Lisa Benton has been asked by Von Kamp to book a match against Moses McKay at Backlash. We'll see what comes of that.Von Kamp gets caught with a short powerbomb from Sorola. Von Kamp gets rocked with a brutal elbow to the jaw by Sorola. There's a two count on the pin. Von Kamp counters an arm wringer with an elbow to the side of the head. Seth Von Kamp scores with a back heel kick on Sorola. Hard back suplex on Sorola. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? Hooks the leg for a two count. Sorola walks into a face crusher variation. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Jason Sorola reverses a hip toss. Vicious snap suplex! Seth Von Kamp got whipped over hard. Cover for a two count. DDT from the top rope by Jason Sorola. That looked brutal. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Von Kamp tastes a high angle back suplex. It probably tasted like chicken. Dropkick connects, Von Kamp goes down. Seth Von Kamp avoids a Jason Sorola avalanche. Second rope flying axe handle, Sorola goes down. Power drive elbow by Seth Von Kamp. Jason Sorolatakes a nasty tumble from the top to the outside after a shove from Seth Von Kamp! The referee count to ten, then calls for the bell. Sorola gets counted out. Moses McKay comes running down the aisle, and gets into the ring! Von Kamp turns around...straight into a Mass Effect!! Seth Von Kamp has been left down on the canvas. McKay has the mic! McKay accepts the challenge issued by Seth but demands that the match be a First Blood match. That was good. **** rating. 89% overall.

Backstage Brooke with two of her clients, the Academy. She's been in contact with Jake Connelly about how Brandon Reigns deserves a shot at the Intercontinental Title in addition to Salvatore Scabbia. She brings up the main event tonight. If Brandon Reigns can beat the Academy, she'll agree to Reigns being added to the Intercontinental Title match. She's not without mercy, though. Reigns' partner with be none other than the champion himself, Kyle Jacobs.

Third Match: The Sin City Rollers (Luis Ortega and Vic Gambler) vs. The Dillingers
Stiff high kick on Gambler by Ben Dillinger who has evidently been watching some old AJPW tapes recently. Ben Dillinger with a spinning neckbreaker on Gambler. Cover for a two count. Tag between Ben Dillinger and Joey Dillinger. The Dillingers whip Gambler into the corner. Ben Dillinger whips Joey Dillinger in for a hard clothesline to follow-up. Hooks the leg for a two count. Joey slams Vic Gambler down. Gambler pushes out of a Joey Dillinger hold. Flying cross body off the top rope! Even Steamboat would have applauded the execution on that. Cover for a two count. Tag to Luis Ortega. Ring-shaking slam on Joey. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Big clothesline on Joey. Joey pushes out of a Luis Ortega hold. Ortega tastes a high angle back suplex. It probably tasted like chicken. Joey tags out to Ben Dillinger. Ben Dillinger strikes Ortega. Tag to Vic Gambler. Big clothesline on Gambler. Ben Dillinger has Vic Gambler down on the canvas and is ascending the corner. Off the top - Frog Splash, forget about it. 1....2...3! This was missing something, so it only gets a ****1\2 rating. 96% overall

Fourth Match: Tania vs. Billie Padgett
Standing leg lariat by Billie Padgett on Tania. Spinning back kick from Billie Padgett. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Spin kick by Billie Padgett to the face. Tania counters an arm wringer with an elbow to the side of the head. Big clothesline on Billie. Lightning kick by Tania on Billie. Hooks the leg for a two count. Billie backdrops Tania out of a piledriver attempt. Billie crushes Tania with a sweet running senton. Cover for a two count. Shining Wizard on Tania, Billie really laid that one in. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Tania powers out of a headlock. Tania hits a right hand. Billie blocks a kick from Tania. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Tania hooks up a suplex, but Billie flips out and lands on her feet, and quickly grabs the tights to score with a school boy pin! 1...2..3! The referee somehow missed the blatant cheating! A **** rating for a good contest. 89% overall.

Sonya Braddock comes out to talk about her title match against Faith Connors at Backlash. Connors wanted to talk about mistakes back on SmackDown! which is ironic considering using her favor to get a match with the champion was probably the worst mistake anyone could have made. Braddock does learn from history and the most important thing she's learned is that the best always prevails. Faith comes out to offer her rebuttal. People may believe that Connors is crazy, what with all the high-flying, death-defying, and stubborn refusal to not back down from someone like Braddock. But there's no reward without risk. That's the lesson she's learned from history. She invites Braddock to do her worst at Backlash.

Fifth Match: The British Infection (Adrian Gallagher and Nate Exley) vs. Michael Hotbody and Zed Jones
Standing leg lariat by Michael Hotbody on A. Gallagh. Fallaway slam by Michael Hotbody. Cover for a two count. Hotbody tags out to Zed Jones. Hotbody \ Jones whip A. Gallagh into the ropes and hit a double clothesline. There's a two count on the pin. Big backdrop on A. Gallagh, executed well. A. Gallagh backdrops Zed Jones out of a piledriver attempt. Vicious lightning kick by A. Gallagh on Jones. Hooks the leg for a two count. A. Gallagh tags out to Nate Exley. Lightning kick by Exley on Jones. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Flying shoulder tackle by Exley sends Jones to the mat. Exley drops an elbow...but misses. Fate can be so cruel. Flying shoulder tackle by Jones sends Exley to the mat. Jones tags out to Michael Hotbody. Dropkick connects, Exley goes down. Tag between Nate Exley and Adrian Gallagher. Driven DDT by Michael Hotbody. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Michael Hotbody grapples with Adrian Gallagher, and positions himself so that the referee can't see...and hits a low blow! He rolls up the stunned Adrian Gallagher: 1....2....3!! What a cheap shot! That was good. **** rating. 89% overall

Xavier Cross joins us and wants to let us know about an epiphany he had last week. He invites Haven to come down so that he can share it with him, too, as it is of major interest to the number one contender. Haven indeed shows up and gets in Cross' face. Cross insists that he's not looking to fight but rather extend an offer to Haven. The two of them can fight and fight until it's time to hang it up but Cross asks is it really worth much if there's nothing but broken pride they're fighting over? Wouldn't this mean a lot more to the two of them if something more substantial were at stake? Cross has a solution. He wants to stop being an impediment and start being an ally...for one night only. Haven should let Cross help him become the Unified World Champion at Backlash and in return, Cross should be given a title shot. It's win-win all around for everyone. Well, with the exception of Carmichael but he's irrelevant to what's between Haven and Cross. Plus, Haven already wants to have this big epic confrontation with Cross anyway. All Haven has to do is trust Cross for one night.

Haven ponders this in silence momentarily, glancing at the crowd every so often. He then moves forward to grab Cross by the collar and glares at him. "Cross, I'm going to take you at your word that you're not here for a fight and I hope you take me at my word when I say this: The two us are on a collision course, make no mistake, but it will be on my terms and mine alone. Your offer is an insult and it is rejected. Carmichael's fate will be the same as yours and I hope you watch with despair, faced with the harsh reality of what lies ahead. Ignore me at your own peril."

And with that, Haven releases Cross and takes his leave. Cross remains in the ring looking shaken up.

Sixth Match: Clubber Harris vs. Martyn LaSalle
Clubber Harris hits a rolling kick on LaSalle. Harris crushes LaSalle with a running senton. Hooks the leg for a two count. Martyn LaSalle powers out of a Clubber Harris headlock. LaSalle bodyslams Clubber Harris. Vertical suplex by Martyn LaSalle. There's a two count on the pin. Back heel kick off the second rope, Harris goes down. Pin : 1 - 2 - 2.9999999. Martyn LaSalle hits a rolling kick on Harris. LaSalle walks into a trip. Powerful Spear by Clubber Harris. There's a two count on the pin. DDT from the top rope by Clubber Harris. That looked brutal. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Gut buster, LaSalle hits hard. Spinning back kick from Clubber Harris. LaSalle counters a backdrop attempt with a kick to the face. Flying elbow from Martyn LaSalle. Tiger suplex on Harris, right from out of the Misawa playbook. Clubber Harris gets whipped into the corner by LaSalle, and flips all the way over to the outside! Harris stays down on the outside, hurt. The referee reaches a ten count, and this one is over. Quinten McDaniels comes running down the aisle, and gets into the ring! LaSalle turns around...straight into a Belly To Belly!! Martyn LaSalle has been left down on the canvas. Good **** rating. 87% overall.

MAIN EVENT: The Academy (Randy Ellis and Justin Mitchell) vs. Brandon Reigns and WWE Intercontinental Champion Kyle Jacobs
Reigns and Jacobs must win here if Reigns is going to be added to the Intercontinental Title match at Backlash. Kyle Jacobs takes a butterfly suplex from Mitchell. Spine shattering vicious back suplex! Kyle Jacobs got absolutely creamed. There's a two count on the pin. Tag between Justin Mitchell and Randy Ellis. The Academy whip Jacobs into the ropes and hit a double backdrop. Driven DDT by Randy Ellis. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. There's a two count on the pin. Randy Ellis snap suplexes Jacobs. Jacobs ducks a wild right hand. Lifting DDT by Kyle Jacobs, executed well. Jacobs tags out to Brandon Reigns. Flying elbow from Brandon Reigns. Flying cross body off the top rope! Even Steamboat would have applauded the execution on that. The Didact counters a backdrop attempt with a kick to the face. The Didact tags out to Justin Mitchell. Spine shattering vicious back suplex! Brandon Reigns got absolutely creamed. Corkscrew brainbuster suplex, Mitchell hit it well. Pin, but Reigns is out just before the three count. Justin Mitchell uses move #193 (arm-BAR). Mitchell drops an elbow...but misses. Fate can be so cruel. Reigns pulls a picture perfect fallaway slam out of the bag, driving Justin Mitchell down to the mat. Salvatore Scabbia comes running down the aisle with a chair! Mitchell and Brandon Reigns continue fighting, unaware of the intrusion. Salvatore Scabbia slides in and prepares to swing the chair...but Brandon Reigns moves! Big Sal accidentally blasts Mitchell with a chair to the head! Brandon Reigns throws Big Sal out of the ring! Justin Mitchell gets knocked to the ground by Reigns. Iron Reign!!! Justin Mitchell taps out! Great match, a ****1\4 rating i think. 93% overall.

Overall show rating: 87%

Updated Backlash card. It should be the final one barring any mishaps.

WWE Unified World Title: Noah Carmichael (c) vs. Haven

WWE Unified Tag Team Title: The Future Foundation (c) vs. The Academy vs. The Play Pals vs. The Dillingers

WWE Cruiserweight Title: Jordan Demiras (c) vs. Michael Hotbody

WWE Intercontinental Title: Kyle Jacobs (c) vs. Salvatore Scabbia vs. Brandon Reigns

WWE Women's Title: Sonya Braddock (c) vs. Faith Connors

Ryan Pattillo vs. Chris Collins

I Quit Match: Quentin McDaniels vs. Martyn LaSalle

First Blood Match: Seth Von Kamp vs. Moses McKay

Holy crap clean sweep with 4 stars. M-A-G has created a wrestling utopia.

Wasn't wrestling utopia the term we used for being in between AJ Lee's legs?

Downloading files to my PC off of extended storage, my EWR game had 4 previous save files going. Made for a nice trip down memory lane. Particularly a game from 2008 which ended up seeing the three brands being turned into WWE, WCW, and ECW...and man I had some weird stuff going on in those rosters.

My champions:

WWE: MVP
WWE Intercontinental: Shawn Michaels
WWE Tag Team: Elijah Burke and Marcus Cor Von
WWE Women's: Mickie James

WCW World Heavyweight: Chris Jericho
WCW United States: Ace Steel
WCW Tag Team: William Regal and Dave Taylor
WCW Cruiserweight: Rey Mysterio

ECW: CM Punk
ECW Television: Rob Van Dam
ECW Tag Team: Deuce 'n Domino

Also, I had a stupidly overcrowded development system in which probably 20 people had "improved as much as they're going to here", a lot of them had good wrestling stats but awful charisma, so I was waiting to develop some charismatic managerial options before debuting them, and just releasing anyone if their morale got too low.

I had clearly gone through and signed anyone young with decent starting stats. Among them, 19 year old Kazuchika Okada who I almost certainly hadn't heard of at the time. Little did I know he'd end up becoming one of the greatest wrestlers in the world in real life and legit legend status in New Japan.

Yikes; putting a belt on Deuce and Domino?

Although I made Test a 5-time World Champion so who am I to talk?

Really, though, Deuce did suck royal balls. :o

So does looking back at all of your stuff give you the itch to continue perhaps? :)

Everyone has their "boys" where you mark for them irrationally. My first was Big Vito in 2000 era WCW. But then, when I was in my senior year of high school I was working on our production of Grease and then all of a sudden a couple of greasers show up on SmackDown, couldn't help but like them.

Their gimmick required them to basically just be brawlers so when I did my re-draft, I made ECW very brawler heavy so figured that worked.

That said...even in that role, yeah, Deuce was horrendous. London and Kendrick mentioned how much they hated working with him in a shoot. The guy would never bump for them or really sell anything.

Domino at least had a personality and is genuinely hilarious. His story a decade or so ago on Colt Cabana's podcast about his trip to Nigeria with Luke Gallows is probably the funniest wrestling story I've heard.

Maybe so. I have 4 old games to pick from, but remembering where I was with everything would take some time.

Or I could start clean...that said the only wrestling I watch now is AEW and NJPW, the latter of which can't properly be booked in EWB since it's very tour-heavy where they'll work every day for a month straight.

Suppose I could have some fun with an AEW game, though I know in-game WWE will release half their roster on day one so I'd have to be a bit judicious with that.

You had me at Colt Cabana going to Nigeria.

If I could, I'd send you my files so you can see what you can make of it.

Luckily enough it’s available online....haven’t listened to this in years but I’ll have to listen again. Well worth taking the hour to listen. Fucking hilarious.

http://tsmradio.com/colthold/show59.mp3

lol one of my games was from 2015, with only one show booked: Money in the Bank 2015

just a couple pages back I know I went a couple months deeper into that game but no longer have the files. oops.

other ones I have: a game from 2010 and a game from 2011 (my "firing range" game where a random worker was fired every week until WrestleMania)

Yes, I remember that last one! If I had been in charge of WCW in those last months, I would have pulled that stunt. I mean, I'm hemorrhaging money every week so what would I have to lose? :lol:

Downloaded a January 2021 scenario update. If I start a game, it would begin in February and give me some time to build to AEW Revolution. Maybe I’ll kick around with it this week.

What are you using?

Superstars: April 19, 2040

Opening Match: Alexander Piero vs. Jerome McDougal
Magnificen gets slammed. Piero drops an elbow...but misses. Fate can be so cruel. Jerome McDougal fires off some right and left hands. The referee bumps after catching a wild right hand and is down. Death valley driver by Jerome McDougal, Alexander Piero got planted. Cover, but there's no one to count for Jerome McDougal. Piero ducks a wild right hand. Fallaway slam by Alexander Piero. Alexander Piero hits a bulldog off the ropes. There's a two count on the pin. Flying clothesline by Piero. Pin, but Magnificen is out just before the three count. Alexander Piero gets taken down out of nowhere. Vicious lightning kick by Magnificen on Piero. Pin, but Piero is out just before the three count. Piero counters a backdrop attempt with a kick to the face. Jerome McDougal can barely stand. Flashpoint! 1....2....3. Almost a *** rating, but there were some bits that dragged, so **3\4 instead. 75% overall.

Ugh, it's going to be one of THOSE shows.:roll:

Backstage, Michael Hotbody stumbles upon Aphrodite. Aphrodite warns Hotbody that she can see to it that he loses his title shot at Backlash if he tries anything. Hotbody tries to put her at ease but does want to remind her about how he is all man. Aphrodite questions if that means he's man enough to take on one of her clients tonight. Hotbody agrees...as long as it's not Caleb Greene. It's not, she assures him. It'll be Hotbody vs. Stanley Coleman tonight!

Second Match: The Wolves of Wall Street (Doyle Hughes and Emilio London) vs. The Wyldhearts (Blaine Bellamey and Robbie Greer)
Hughes gets slammed. Blaine Bellamey with a spinning neckbreaker on Hughes. Hooks the leg for a two count. Tag between Blaine Bellamey and Robbie Greer. The Wyldhearts hook up Hughes, then hit a double suplex. There's a two count on the pin. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Hughes counters an avalanche with a raised foot to the face. Ring-shaking slam on Robbie G.. There's a two count on the pin. Tag to Emilio London. Springboard reverse elbow by Emilio London. Excellent move. Pin, but Robbie G. is out just before the three count. Driven DDT by Emilio London. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Robbie Greer avoids a Emilio London avalanche. London takes a flying neckbreaker from Robbie Greer. Robbie G. tags out to Blaine Bellamey. Chanelling the spirit of Misawa, Blaine Bellamey uses a forearm to the face. Tag between Emilio London and Doyle Hughes. Blaine Bellamey hits a rolling kick on Hughes. Doyle Hughes is all alone...Heartstopper!! 1....2....3! This one gets a ***1\4 rating, it was a good bout. 81% overall.

HUGO IS COMING!!!

Third Match: Stanley Coleman vs. Michael Hotbody
Standing leg lariat by Michael Hotbody on Cole Train. Hotbody walks into a trip. Standing leg lariat by Stanley Coleman on Hotbody. The referee bumps after catching a wild right hand and is down. Stanley Coleman drills Michael Hotbody with a press slam into a Michinoku Driver. Hooks the leg, but the referee is still out. Hotbody counters a sleeper hold by turning it into a jaw breaker. Hotbody uses a basement dropkick to the knee. Big piledriver on Cole Train. Cover for a two count. Back heel kick off the second rope, Cole Train goes down. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Cole Train counters a sleeper hold by turning it into a jaw breaker. Brutal T-Bone suplex by Cole Train, Hotbody got folded in half. Pin : 1 - 2 - 2.9999999. Stanley Coleman misses a clothesline. Stanley Coleman slams Hotbody, who rolls onto his stomach. What is Michael Hotbody doing? Stanley Coleman picks him up and signals for a powerbomb. He raises Hotbody up...but then falls backward, getting crushed by his opponent in the process! Michael Hotbody is on top! 1....2....3! Looking at the replay, it appears that Hotbody had taken a chain out of his tights and wrapped it around his fist! Stanley Coleman must have been punched with that chain while in mid-powerbomb! What a cheap shot! Jordan Demiras comes running down the aisle with a chair and into the ring! Hotbody turns...and runs away unscathed. A good *** rating. 76% overall.

Fourth Match: C.J. and Arianna vs. Phoebe Hanson and Tania
Flying elbow from C.J.. Lightning kick by C.J. on Phoebe. Cover for a two count. Tag to Arianna. Arianna \ C.J. whip Phoebe into the ropes and hit a double backdrop. Rude Awakening on Phoebe Hanson by Arianna. Hooks the leg for a two count. Phoebe receives some punishment. Phoebe ducks a wild right hand. Springboard dropkick from Phoebe Hanson. Nicely done. Tag to Tania. Arianna tastes a high angle back suplex. It probably tasted like chicken. Arianna walks into a spike slam. Arianna backdrops Tania out of a piledriver attempt. Tag between Arianna and C.J.. Springboard reverse elbow by C.J.. Excellent move. C.J. scores with a killer spinebuster. Pin, but Tania is out just before the three count. C.J. strikes Tania. Tania ducks a clothesline attempt. Tania pulls a picture perfect fallaway slam out of the bag, driving C.J. down to the mat. C.J. is in trouble. Here it comes - Nose Dive. 1....2...3, it's finished. I'll give this a ***1\4 rating. 81% overall.

Backstage, Paul Andrews is with his clients, Mathias and Connor Buchanan. They're part of a big 8-man tag in the main event tonight and are eager to continue the war with Azazel and Orlando Kincaid.

Fifth Match: Hannah McCormick vs. Sarah Moore
Moore walks into a high dropkick from Hannah McCormick. Moore walks into a high dropkick from Hannah McCormick. Hard back suplex on Moore. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? Driven DDT by Hannah McCormick. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Sarah Moore powers out of a Hannah McCormick headlock. Flying shoulder tackle by Moore sends McCormick to the mat. McCormick walks into a killer lariat. Cover for a two count. McCormick pushes out of a Sarah Moore hold. Flying cross body off the top rope! Even Steamboat would have applauded the execution on that. Cover for a two count. Vicious kick to the teeth from Hannah McCormick. Akira Maeda would be proud. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Sarah Moore reverses a hip toss. Chanelling the spirit of Misawa, Sarah Moore uses a forearm to the face. Sarah Moore gets taken down out of nowhere. Hard back suplex on Moore. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? Sarah Moore hooks up a suplex, but it is blocked. McCormick scores with a low blow, then turns it into a small package! The referee didn't see the illegal blow! 1...2...3! Sarah Moore got screwed out of the victory! A good *** rating. 78% overall.

Sixth Match: Joey Osbourne vs. El Silencio
Bodyslam by Silencio. El Silencio hits a bulldog off the ropes. Hooks the leg for a two count. Joey Osbourne reverses a hip toss. Osbourne slams El Silencio. El Silencio takes a butterfly suplex from Osbourne. Cover for a two count. Joey Osbourne scores with a killer spinebuster. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Fallaway slam by Joey Osbourne. Silencio counters an arm wringer with an elbow to the side of the head. Spinebuster by El Silencio, executed with Arn-esque perfection. Hooks the leg for a two count. Death valley driver by El Silencio, Joey Osbourne got planted. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Silencio slams Joey Osbourne down. Belly to belly suplex by Silencio. Joey Osbourne elbows El Silencio in the face to break a hammerlock. Back elbow connects, Silencio staggers backward. Joey Osbourne scores with a killer spinebuster. El Silencio grabs Joey Osbourne from behind and shoves him into the ropes, then scores with a roll-up...but Osbourne rolls through with the move! He is using the tights for leverage! 1....2...3! The referee didn't see it! *** rating for a good bout. 77% overall.

Backstage, Jake Connelly is with Brandon Reigns and they want to talk about the opportunities that are in front of Reigns at the moment. Reigns has a chance to reclaim the Intercontinental Title at Backlash and at any given moment, he can cash in the Money in the Bank contract and claim the big prize. Hell, Backlash might just be a two-for-one. Just a word of warning.

MAIN EVENT: WWE Unified Tag Team Champions The Future Foundation, Azazel, and Orlando Kincaid vs. The Dillingers, Mathias, and Conner Buchanan
Rick Hilton fires off some right and left hands. Flying shoulder tackle by Hilton sends Dillinger to the mat. Tag between Rick Hilton and Julian Merrick. Merrick bodyslams Ben Dillinger. Dillinger tags out to Mathias. Merrick hits a right hand. Merrick tags out to Azazel. Merrick \ Azazel whip Mathias into the corner. Julian Merrick whips Azazel in for a hard clothesline to follow-up. Azazel hits a bulldog off the ropes. There's a two count on the pin. Tag to Orlando Kincaid. OK hits a dropkick on Mathias. OK crushes Mathias with a sweet running senton. OK tags out to Rick Hilton. Mathias walks into a face-first flapjack. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Mathias ducks a clothesline attempt. Tag to Conner Buchanan. Hilton gets caught with a short powerbomb from Buchanan. Doctor Bomb, Hilton is hurt. Cover for a two count. Buchanan tags out to Joey Dillinger. Buchanan \ Joey whip Hilton into the ropes and hit a double back elbow. Cover for a two count. Merrick gets hit with a running splash mountain out of the corner. Pin, but Merrick is out just before the three count. Merrick blocks the suplex attempt. Julian Merrick with a spinning neckbreaker on Joey. Tag to Orlando Kincaid. Orlando Kincaid hits a bulldog off the ropes. Joey Dillinger powers out of a Orlando Kincaid headlock. Joey tags out to Conner Buchanan. Joey \ Buchanan whip OK into the ropes and hit a double clothesline. Conner Buchanan nearly kills OK with a released tiger suplex. Conner Buchanan moves in for the kill. Riki Lariat! 1....2....3. *** rating, as it was good, but nothing too special. 80% overall.

Overall show rating: 80%. We all have our off days I suppose.

But is it EWR or something else?

Oh god, the dreaded non-clicking shows. Hate those. To still get an 80% on one of them is pretty damn good.

EWR

I'm mildly tempted to try TEW 21 but I think as cool as it is that it's so immersive, I'd lose patience rapidly.

Well, it's balanced out by my non-match segments getting high ratings. Those interviews alone were both over 90%. Paul Andrews has a charisma rating of 97 and Jake Connelly has a 92 so they're life savers.

SmackDown!: April 20, 2040

AWESOOOOME!!! Holy crap, it's The Miz!!! He's making his first appearance in the WWE in almost 15 years and he's kicking off the show with apparently a special edition of Miz TV. Well we are in his hometown tonight. He talks about how good it feels to be back in the WWE even for one night only. He reflects on his glorious career but then brings it back to tonight and makes it clear that he's not just here to celebrate himself. There is one superstar on the roster that is making waves and ruffling all the feathers in the WWE and The Miz has taken notice. This superstar has the star qualities the Miz possesses and believes that they are on the right track to legendary status. He wants to bring that person down right now and give him the appropriate amount of props face to face, so without further ado, let's bring him down right now. MICHAEL HOTBODY, GET DOWN HERE!

Hotbody indeed responds in kind and joins the Miz. After a handshake, Miz continues his praise for Hotbody pointing out that even at such an early point in his career, Hotbody is already creating the buzz that will lay the foundation for a tremendous future and Miz just wants him know that it's good to see someone in the WWE just like him. Hotbody declares that he is humbled but that the Miz is correct. It all begins at Backlash next Sunday when he dethrones that paper champion, Jordan Demiras and becomes the new Cruiserweight Champion. Demiras doesn't have the seal of approval from a WWE legend like Miz and he never will. Michael Hotbody is just too much for any one man to handle so make way for the hottest ticket in the business! The segment ends with Hotbody's music playing and having his hand raised by the Miz.

First Match: The Play Pals (Gavin Jones and Michael Haywood) vs. Freddie Galino and Jimmy Farnes
Stiff high kick on Galino by Michael Haywood who has evidently been watching some old AJPW tapes recently. Spin kick by Michael Haywood to the face. There's a two count on the pin. Tag between Michael Haywood and Gavin Jones. Michael Haywood scoops up Galino. Jones bounces off the ropes and hits a flying Hart Attack clothesline. Cover for a two count. Gavin Jones snap suplexes Galino...with authority! ('With authority', trademark G.Monsoon 1986.) Gavin Jones gets taken down out of nowhere. Galino pulls a picture perfect fallaway slam out of the bag, driving Gavin Jones down to the mat. Hooks the leg for a two count. Tag to Jimmy Farnes. Massive backbreaker, Jones got nailed. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Big clothesline on Jones. Jones kicks Jimmy Farnes in the gut to reverse the momentum. Flying elbow from Gavin Jones. Jones tags out to Michael Haywood. Michael Haywood strikes Farnes. Farnes tags out to Freddie Galino. Driven DDT by Michael Haywood. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Freddie Galino gets knocked to the ground by Rage King. Rage Quit!!! Freddie Galino taps out! A **** rating for a good contest. 90% overall

The announcers talk about the Women's title match between Sonya Braddock and Faith Connors at Backlash. They bring up the history between the two women briefly but believe the following video will give us a better picture. Thus we get a package about the two competitors hyping up their confrontation.

Second Match: Naomi Bailey vs. Tania
Bailey slams Tania. Tania powers out of a Naomi Bailey headlock. Belly to belly suplex by Tania. The referee bumps after catching a wild right hand and is down. Back heel kick off the second rope, Bailey goes down. Hooks the leg, but the referee is still out. Tania gets taken down out of nowhere. Flying shoulder tackle by Bailey sends Tania to the mat. Spinebuster by Naomi Bailey, executed with Arn-esque perfection. Hooks the leg for a two count. Tania walks into a face-first flapjack. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Tania ducks a wild right hand. Bailey gets hit with a huge clothesline. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Bailey pushes out of a Tania hold. Billie Padgett comes running down the aisle with a chair! Bailey and Tania continue fighting, unaware of the intrusion. Billie Padgett slides in and blasts Tania with a chair to the head! Billie climbs out of the ring, the damage done! Tania can barely stand. Bail Out!!! That shook the ring. 1....2....3!! Great match, a ****1\4 rating i think. 91% overall.

Brandon Reigns joins us in the ring. He talks about how the Intercontinental Title match at Backlash is now a triple threat between himself, Salvatore Scabbia, and the champion, Kyle Jacobs. Losing to Salvatore Scabbia last year and not being able to regain the title weighed heavily on Reigns. He was in a bad place mentally and had to step back and gather himself for a while and when it was all said and done it did him a world of good. He stands here the owner of the Money in the Bank contract, ready to cash it in at a moment's notice. He stands here with the backing of a surefire Hall of Famer in Jake Connelly. He stands here poised to right a wrong and become the new Intercontinental Champion and there's nothing standing in his way.

Cue Kyle Jacobs who comes out to the stage and object. All of that and Jacobs doesn't even get a thank you. For what, you may ask? Well, how about 'Thanks, Kyle, for being my partner and helping me win a match to get involved in a match I wasn't part of to begin with'? Look, it's fine, really. Reigns, in a weird way, you deserve my thanks. At Backlash, I don't get to just beat one incredible opponent but TWO incredible opponents to retain the title. You bring Jake Connelly and Scabbia can bring Brooke; Jacobs just needs himself. Reigns interjects and says he will be thanking Jacobs...when Jacobs is one Reigns pins to win. We close with the two staring each other down.

Third Match: The Dillingers vs Southern Gentlemen (Brody Lee and Whiskey Murdoch)
Whiskey uses a basement dropkick to the knee. Whiskey crushes Joey with a running senton. Cover for a two count. Tag to Brody Lee. Southern Gentlemen whip Joey into the ropes and hit a double back elbow. Second rope flying axe handle, Joey goes down. There's a two count on the pin. Standing leg lariat by Brody Lee on Joey. Brody Lee misses a big legdrop after stalling too long. Joey Dillinger nearly kills Lee with a released tiger suplex. Tag to Ben Dillinger. Running knee lift from Ben Dillinger. Flying cross body off the top rope! Even Steamboat would have applauded the execution on that. Lee kicks Ben Dillinger in the gut to reverse the momentum. Tag to Whiskey Murdock. Flying cross body off the top rope! Even Steamboat would have applauded the execution on that. DDT from the top rope by Whiskey Murdock. That looked brutal. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Whiskey hits a wicked chop that echoes through the building. Dillinger blocks a kick from Whiskey Murdock. Springboard reverse elbow by Ben Dillinger. Excellent move. Ben Dillinger floors Whiskey Murdock...and climbs the turnbuckles. Frog Splash!!! 1....2....3!! It's all over. Great match, a ****1\4 rating i think. 91% overall

HUGO IS COMING!!!

Fourth Match: Kerry Cemenko vs. Salvatore Scabbia
Kick from Salvatore Scabbia to the leg. Spinning back kick from Salvatore Scabbia. Flying elbow from Salvatore Scabbia. Flying elbow from Salvatore Scabbia. Concrete counters an avalanche with a raised foot to the face. Running knee lift from Kerry Cemenko. Beautiful spinning arm drag out of the corner by Concrete. Cover for a two count. Salvatore Scabbia avoids a Kerry Cemenko avalanche. Beautiful spinning arm drag out of the corner by Big Sal. Hooks the leg for a two count. Back heel kick off the second rope, Concrete goes flying. Pin, but Concrete is out just before the three count. Salvatore Scabbia misses a big legdrop after stalling too long. Dropkick connects, Big Sal goes down. Big Sal drops out the back of a Kerry Cemenko bodyslam attempt. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Salvatore Scabbia floors Kerry Cemenko. Kerry Cemenko gets locked in the Omerta! Submission victory! That was good. **** rating. 88% overall.

Wait a sec! We cut to the back where people are surrounding a fallen Haven. Nobody seems to know what happened but Haven is being attended to.

Fifth Match: Clubber Harris vs. WWE Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Demiras
Dropkick connects, Harris goes down. Demiras hits a wicked chop that echoes through the building. Jordan Demiras hits a rolling kick on Harris. Demiras hits a dropkick on Clubber Harris. Clubber Harris takes the advantage after a i-block-your-punch-you-don't-block-mine routine. Back elbow connects, Demiras staggers backward. Demiras walks into a spike slam. There's a two count on the pin. Demiras counters an avalanche with a raised foot to the face. Spinning bulldog in the corner, Harris is down. There's a two count on the pin. Diamond Dust from Jordan Demiras, Harris is out. Pin : 1 - 2 - 2.9999999. Jordan Demiras gets taken down out of nowhere. Harris slams Jordan Demiras. Demiras blocks a punch. Flying elbow from Jordan Demiras. Jordan Demiras has Clubber Harris down on the canvas and is ascending the corner. Through the air, Axe Kick! Michael Hotbody slides into the ring out of nowhere! Demiras takes a stiff punch to the face and falls to the canvas. The referee calls for the DQ as Michael Hotbody continues to attack Demiras. Good **** rating. 89% overall.

MAIN EVENT: Seth Von Kamp, Ryan Pattillo, and Martyn LaSalle vs. Moses McKay, Chris Collins, and Quentin McDaniels
Seth Von Kamp uses move #193 (arm-BAR). Flying elbow from Seth Von Kamp. Von Kamp tags out to Ryan Pattillo. Pattillo hits a dropkick on Moses McKay. Flying cross body off the top rope! Even Steamboat would have applauded the execution on that. Cover for a two count. Tag to Martyn LaSalle. Pattillo \ LaSalle whip McKay into the ropes and hit a double back elbow. Flying shoulder tackle by LaSalle sends McKay to the mat. McKay powers out of a headlock. Back elbow connects, LaSalle staggers backward. Tag to Chris Collins. Fallaway slam by Chris Collins. Springboard dropkick from Chris Collins. Nicely done. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Collins hits a dropkick on Martyn LaSalle. Collins tags out to Quinten McDaniels. Kick from Quinten McDaniels to the leg. McDaniels uses a basement dropkick to the knee. Martyn LaSalle reverses a hip toss. Tag between Martyn LaSalle and Seth Von Kamp. Flying elbow from Seth Von Kamp. McDaniels tags out to Moses McKay. Von Kamp takes a headbutt from Moses McKay. Ring-shaking slam on Von Kamp. Moses McKay floors Von Kamp near the ropes and makes the pin. McKay is using the ropes for leverage! The referee hasn't seen it: 1....2....3!! A **** rating for a good contest. 88% overall.

Overall show rating: 86%

Doyle Hughes did not take kindly to being served by some overzealous dance group and got in a fight. He's suspended.

Raj Ghosh has checked into rehab for personal issues...but he's retiring anyway...He couldn't wait 1 more week? :|

Raw: April 23, 2040

We open with the Unified World Champion Noah Carmichael out in the ring to blab. He's here with an update on the condition of Haven as he reminds us of the scene back on SmackDown! with Haven found down and out. Carmichael is upset that somebody out there came close to ruining the main event for Backlash but he has an idea as to who might have been responsible. With that said, Carmichael challenges Xavier Cross to get out here.

We get Xavier Cross after a bit of a delay. He gets in Carmichael's face and declares that he doesn't like being accused of things he hasn't done. Carmichael fires back with the fact that Cross got rejected last week by Haven when Cross offered aide in order to take the Unified World Title away. Carmichael isn't down with conspirators trying to take his title and he also isn't down with somebody sticking their nose in his business. Haven will be dealt with on Carmichael's watch. In fact, Carmichael offers to take care of Cross tonight in order to teach a lesson. Cross responds with, "Methinks the champion doth protest too much." Cross accuses the champion of being underhanded and that he could have been the one to take out Haven on SmackDown! out of fear and paranoia. But Cross is actually fine with facing Carmichael tonight because he wants to teach a lesson of his own. And with that Cross takes his leave.

Backstage, the Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Demiras is not his usual self. He's been poked and poked and poked by that son of a bitch known as Michael Hotbody for the last few weeks and he's getting sick of it. Demiras claims that he can see right through the charade, though. Hotbody may act aloof and nonchalant but if he's resorting to desperate tactics like the ones he's enacted, then that's proof positive that he knows Demiras will tear him up like the toothless coward he is. At Backlash, Hotbody gets snuffed out.

First Match: Michael Haywood vs. Julian Merrick vs. Randy Ellis vs. Ben Dillinger
A bit of a preview of the Fatal Four Way match for the Unified Tag Team Championship at Backlash. Rage King gets slammed. Dillinger slams Michael Haywood down. Cover for a two count. Michael Haywood elbows Ben Dillinger in the face to break a hammerlock. Tag to Randy Ellis. The Didact hits a dropkick on Ben Dillinger. Randy Ellis misses a clothesline...and takes out the referee by mistake. Tiger suplex on Dillinger, right from out of the Misawa playbook. Hooks the leg, but the referee is still out. Driven DDT by Randy Ellis. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Dillinger counters an avalanche with a raised foot to the face. Dillinger tags out to Julian Merrick. Massive backbreaker, The Didact got nailed. Julian Merrick with a spinning neckbreaker on The Didact. Randy Ellis ducks a clothesline attempt. The Didact hits a dropkick on Julian Merrick. Lifting DDT by Randy Ellis, executed well. Tag between Randy Ellis and Ben Dillinger. Big dropkick by Ben Dillinger, who got good elevation. Lifting DDT by Ben Dillinger, executed well. Julian Merrick gets knocked to the ground by Dillinger, who is already climbing the turnbuckle. Off the top - Senton Bomb, forget about it. 1....2...3! Good **** rating. 90% overall. Winner: Ben Dillinger

Backstage, Faith Connors is prepping for tonight when she's approached by Sonya Braddock. Braddock warns Faith to keep it together tonight because at Backlash, she doesn't want anything less than 100% from Faith. The pecking order needs to be established and that's only possible if Braddock is facing everyone at their absolute best. Connors looks to rebuke but Naomi Bailey joins the scene and declares that the pecking order is determined by the Queen. Naomi hopes Faith fails miserably at Backlash because it'll be just what she deserves for ignoring Naomi's demands. Jenna Kyle then interjects herself into the mix and wants to make the unfinished business she has with both Braddock and Faith crystal clear. Connors has had enough of this and tells everyone to not get ahead of themselves. Backlash is all that matters at the moment and she'll more than happy to deal with everyone's gripes...AFTER she becomes champion.

Meanwhile, some place else backstage, Noah Carmichael is found down and out with people surrounding him. Lisa Benton is there as well but she has no answers for us after being questioned. She does, however, have news for Xavier Cross. He's not out of the woods as far as tonight goes. She has a replacement opponent for him in tonight's main event...HAVEN!

Second Match: Salvatore Scabbia and Ronnie Costello vs. Brandon Reigns and WWE Intercontinental Champion Kyle Jacobs
Things look pretty tense on the face team. Big backdrop on Costello, executed well. Jacobs pulls a picture perfect fallaway slam out of the bag, driving Ronnie Costello down to the mat. Cover for a two count. Jacobs tags out to Brandon Reigns. Reigns \ Jacobs whip Costello into the ropes and hit a double back elbow. Big clothesline on Costello. Cover for a two count. Stiff high kick on Costello by Brandon Reigns who has evidently been watching some old AJPW tapes recently. Costello pushes out of a Brandon Reigns hold. Costello pulls a jumping piledriver out! Costello tags out to Salvatore Scabbia. Reigns takes a flying neckbreaker from Salvatore Scabbia. Big Sal crushes Reigns with a sweet running senton. Brandon Reigns powers out of a Salvatore Scabbia headlock. Tag to Kyle Jacobs. Massive backbreaker, Big Sal got nailed. Death valley driver by Kyle Jacobs, Salvatore Scabbia got planted. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Back suplex on Big Sal, which is a backdrop to you NOAH fans. Big Sal reverses a Kyle Jacobs hammerlock. Big Sal crushes Jacobs with a running senton. Jacobs holds Salvatore Scabbia in place. Brandon Reigns charges...but Big Sal ducks, and in a scenario never before seen in wrestling, the clothesline floors Jacobs. Kyle Jacobs gets knocked to the ground by Big Sal. Omerta!!! Kyle Jacobs taps out! Reigns and Jacobs remain in the ring. Kyle Jacobs does not look happy at losing. Brandon Reigns goes to leave, but gets pulled back in by Jacobs. Tensions seem to be rising between these two. Good **** rating. 88% overall.

Third Match: Faith Connors vs. Bonnie Beckham
Sonya Braddock is watching from backstage. Stiff high kick on BiBi by Faith Connors who has evidently been watching some old AJPW tapes recently. Belly to belly suplex by Faith. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Bonnie Beckham takes a butterfly suplex from Faith. Bonnie Beckham takes the advantage after a i-block-your-punch-you-don't-block-mine routine. BiBi uses a basement dropkick to the knee. Massive backbreaker, Faith got nailed. There's a two count on the pin. Faith drops out the back of a Bonnie Beckham bodyslam attempt. Beautiful spinning arm drag out of the corner by Faith. Cover for a two count. Springboard dropkick from Faith Connors. Nicely done. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Faith Connors misses a big legdrop after stalling too long. Faith takes a headbutt from Bonnie Beckham. Faith blocks a punch. BiBi gets caught with a short powerbomb from Faith. Bonnie Beckham can barely stand. CRISIS OF FAITH! 1....2....3. Great match, a ****1\4 rating i think. 93%

Seth Von Kamp comes out to talk about his First Blood match at Backlash against Moses McKay. Some people may wonder if Seth is crazy for wanting to go through a match like this after everything that went down at WrestleMania. For those people Seth says that crazy would be letting Moses McKay get away with what went down at WrestleMania. Maybe he's at a disadvantage, with his face still not fully recovered but it's fine because McKay is going to brought down to Seth's level sure enough.

Moses McKay comes out to mock Seth and remind everyone of how little remorse he has over what's transpired. Seth dares McKay to try and get some. McKay ponders this for a moment and sure enough he runs down to brawl. He gets the upper hand over Seth after a while and looks to repeat himself by busting open Seth's wound again with a chair. Seth recovers in time to steal the chair away and cracks McKay and busts him open. Officials and medical personnel come down to stop the carnage.

Fourth Match: King Kavovit vs. Conner Buchanan
Spinning back kick from King Kavovit. Kavovit hits a massive spinning kick to the jaw. Fallaway slam by King Kavovit. Driven DDT by King Kavovit. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Kavovit only gets knees on a splash. Vertical suplex by Conner Buchanan. Gutwrench into a stomach breaker, Kavovit may be winded. Hooks the leg for a two count. Kavovit ducks a wild right hand. Big piledriver on Buchanan. Cover for a two count. Brutal seated powerbomb on Buchanan. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Buchanan blocks a punch. Back suplex on Kavovit, which is a backdrop to you NOAH fans. Buchanan drops an elbow...but misses. Fate can be so cruel. Flying elbow from King Kavovit. Buchanan scores with a forearm, sending Kavovit down into the corner. The referee pulls Conner Buchanan away to get the break. Wait! Kavovit has pulled something out of his tights. Conner Buchanan walks over...and gets floored by a punch! 1....2....3! The referee never saw the brass knuckles! That was good. **** rating. 87% overall.

Fifth Match: Romeo Valiente and The Agents of Change vs. Ozzy Mandias and The Wyldhearts
Oz gets slammed. Big clothesline on Oz. Tag between Corey Mattis and Romeo Valiente. Bodyslam by Valiente. Spinebuster by Romeo Valiente, executed with Arn-esque perfection. Hooks the leg for a two count. Valiente tags out to Clayton North. Valiente \ North whip Oz into the ropes and hit a double backdrop. Clayton North hits a rolling kick on Oz. Oz blocks the suplex attempt. Spin kick by Ozzy Mandias to the face. Oz tags out to Robbie Greer. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Diamond Dust from Robbie Greer, North is out. Pin, but North is out just before the three count. Second rope flying axe handle, North goes down. Robbie G. tags out to Blaine Bellamey. BB slams Clayton North. Back elbow connects, North staggers backward. North blocks a kick from Blaine Bellamey. North tags out to Corey Mattis. Bodyslam by Mattis. Tag to Ozzy Mandias. Kick from Ozzy Mandias to the leg. Lightning kick by Oz on Mattis. Ozzy Mandias floors Corey Mattis. Blizzard of Oz!!! 1....2....3!! It's all over. A **** rating for a good contest. 87% overall.

MAIN EVENT: Xavier Cross vs. Haven
We're told beforehand that Lisa Benton has made this a No DQ match. It may that day of retribution after all. Stiff high kick on Cross by Haven who has evidently been watching some old AJPW tapes recently. Kitchen sink shot, Cross gets floored. Haven slams Xavier Cross down. Haven slams Xavier Cross down. Cross reverses a waistlock. Hip toss onto a chair by Cross. Devastating face-first slam from Cross on Haven. There's a two count on the pin. Haven reverses a waistlock. Haven crushes Cross with a running senton. Hooks the leg for a two count. Springboard dropkick from Haven. Nicely done. Pin : 1 - 2 - 2.9999999. Cross counters an avalanche with a raised foot to the face. Chanelling the spirit of Misawa, Xavier Cross uses a forearm to the face. Haven pushes out of a Xavier Cross hold. Haven hits a dropkick on Xavier Cross. Haven moves in for the kill. Here it comes - Sting of Solace. 1....2...3, it's finished. A ****1\2 rating for a great match. 97% overall.

Noah Carmichael stumbles out in visible pain onto the stage and glares at Haven who responds in kind. Carmichael does his damndest to raise the title over his head in defiance.

Overall show rating: 89%

Brandon Reigns has partaken in conduct unbecoming of a Money in the Bank holder and will thus have to be suspended for the rest of the month. Ugh, it's going to suck trying to work that into the storyline.

I'm laughing really hard imagining what The Miz would look like in 2040

Oh wait, I know

https://images.fatherly.com/wp-conte...=upscale&w=600

The equivalent of putting in a 2 week notice and then peacing out early regardless.

The Rooster Teeth references with the Hunters/Play Pals is great. Shame Ryan Haywood ended up being a sex pest.

Well, look on the bright side......
























....I've got nothing. :|

Well shit, I set up my game and you actually CAN get by with only a PPV every few months. You can set up special medium or large events on the other months, or nothing (though Sophie recommends large ones).

I mean, usually AEW's special events are on episodes of Dynamite itself but hey, I can bend realism here. After all, I'm gonna be playing under the assumption that all injuries have healed and we've magically cured COVID, gotten everyone vaccinated and lifted all gathering and travel bans by February 1.

I play under the assumption that I can cram at least 6 ****+matches into 2 hours so it's not an odd thing to play it loose.

OK, I start on Monday, February 1st. Had to get all the administrative stuff sorted first. Hiring staff, signing sponsors, setting up a developmental system, all that jazz. Now to dive into the roster. 105 workers, quite a lot for what is still a national promotion, but here goes nothing:

Men's Roster:

Main Eventers

Faces
Cody Rhodes
Jon Moxley
Matt Jackson - AEW World Tag Team Champion
Nick Jackson - AEW World Tag Team Champion

Heels
Chris Jericho
Kenny Omega - AEW World Champion

Upper Midcarders

Faces
Adam Page
Darby Allin - AEW TNT Champion
Orange Cassidy
PAC

Heels
Brian Cage - FTW Champion
Maxwell Jacob Friedman
Miro

Midcarders

Faces
Billy
Christopher Daniels
Dustin Rhodes
Frankie Kazarian
Joey Janela
Lance Archer
Luchasaurus
Penta El Zero Miedo
Rey Fenix
Scorpio Sky
Trent?

Tweeners
Colt Cabana
Evil Uno
Stu Grayson

Heels
Cash Wheeler
Dax Harwood
Doc Gallows (open contract, also signed to Impact)
Eddie Kingston
Jake Hager
Karl Anderson (open contract, also signed to Impact)
Ortiz
Sammy Guevara
Santana
Shawn Spears
The Butcher

Lower Midcarders

Faces
Brian Pillman Jr.
Jungle Boy
Marko Stunt
QT Marshall
Sonny Kiss

Tweeners
Alex Reynolds
John Silver

Heels
Angelico
Isiah Kassidy
Jack Evans
Kip Sabian
Luther
Marq Quen
Powerhouse Hobbs
Ricky Starks
The Blade
Wardlow

Openers

Faces
Austin Gunn
Brandon Cutler
Colten Gunn
Dante Martin
Darius Martin
Griff Garrison
Lee Johnson
Michael Nakazawa

Tweeners
Alan V Angels
Pres10 Vance

Heels
Anthony Bowens
Hook
Max Caster
Peter Avalon
Serpentico


Women's Roster:

Midcarders

Faces
Big Swole
Hikaru Shida - AEW Women's World Champion
Kris Statlander
Riho

Heels
Awesome Kong
Dr. Britt Baker DMD
Ivelisse
Nyla Rose


Lower Midcarders

Faces
Leva Bates
Serena Deeb
Thunder Rosa (open contract, also signed to NWA)
Yuka Sakazaki

Tweeners
Anna Jay

Heels
Diamante
Emi Sakura
Jade Cargill
Mel

Openers

Faces
Abadon
KiLynn King
Tay Conti

Heels
Leyla Hirsch


Managers:

Faces
Arn Anderson - manages Cody Rhodes
Brandi Rhodes - occasional wrestler, also manages Cody Rhodes but uhh, can't assign more than one manager in this game
Dasha Fuentes - no clients
Jake Roberts - manages Lance Archer

Heels
Allie - occasional wrestler, manages The Blade and The Butcher
Don Callis - manages Kenny Omega; open contract, also signed to Impact
Matt Hardy - also wrestles, manages Isiah Kassidy and Marq Quen
Penelope Ford - also wrestles, manages Kip Sabian
Reba - manages Dr. Britt Baker DMD
Taz - manages Brian Cage, Hook, Powerhouse Hobbs, and Ricky Starks
Tully Blanchard - manages Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood
Vickie Guerrero - manages Nyla Rose


Managers:

Faces
Diamond Dallas Page - open contract
Sting

---

I've only got 1 weekly 2 hour show, Dynamite on Wednesday, plus an early evening YouTube show, AEW Dark on Tuesdays. Too many people on the roster to feature. The latter show is actually 2 hours long in real life and mixes main talent with preliminary talent. So I also called my Developmental territory AEW Dark and will be sending a good chunk of the lower midcard/opener roster down to hone their skills and simulate the experience of working Dark. I'll likely sign a bunch of other people AEW have been bringing in for Dark tapings too to flesh that roster out.

WWE will doubtless be doing a huge purge but I will not sign anyone they release for a minimum of 90 days.

Forgot to include tag teams and stables in that but it would've mucked things up a bit as AEW has a very heavy Japan influence when it comes to that - only a small handful of guys aren't at least loosely affiliated with some sort of team, trio, or stable.

Tag Teams

Faces
Bad Romance (Joey Janela and Sonny Kiss)
Best Friends (Chuck Taylor and Trent?)
Lucha Bros (Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fenix)
The Natural Nightmares (Dustin Rhodes and QT Marshall)
Varsity Blondes (Brian Pillman Jr. and Griff Garrison)
The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson)
Top Flight (Dante and Darius Martin)

Tweeners
Alex Reynolds and John Silver
Evil Uno and Stu Grayson
Five and Dime (Alan V Angels and Pres10 Vance)

Heels
FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) w/ Tully Blanchard
The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson)
Miro and Kip Sabian w/ Penelope Ford
Private Party (Marq Quen and Isiah Kassidy) w/ Matt Hardy
Santana and Ortiz
TH2 (Jack Evans and Angelico)
The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens and Max Caster)
The Butcher and The Blade w/ Allie


Trios

Faces
Best Friends and Orange Cassidy
Death Triangle (PAC and the Lucha Bros)
Jurassic Express (Jungle Boy, Luchasaurus, and Marko Stunt)
SCU (Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian, and Scorpio Sky)
The Gunn Club (Billy, Austin, and Colten Gunn)

Heels
Team Taz (Brian Cage, Powerhouse Hobbs, and Ricky Starks w/ Taz.....technically Taz' son Hook is there too but he's never wrestled and I'll be sending him to developmental)
The Elite (Kenny Omega and The Good Brothers w/ Don Callis)
The Family (Eddie Kingston, The Butcher and The Blade w/ Allie)


Stables

Faces
The Nightmare Family (Cody Rhodes, The Natural Nightmares, The Gunn Club, Lee Johnson, Brandi Rhodes, and Arn Anderson)...this is more like an MMA faction where it's implied they train together but they don't always get involved in each others' business.

Tweeners
The Dark Order (Evil Uno, Stu Grayson, Alex Reynolds, John Silver, Five and Dime, Colt Cabana, and Anna Jay)...An evil cult led by Mr. Brodie Lee slowly turned into lovable goofballs in the past few months, they're practically full blown face now after the tragic death of Brodie.

Heels
The Inner Circle (Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, Jake Hager, Santana and Ortiz, Maxwell Jacob Friedman, and Wardlow)...the first 5 formed on the very first AEW Dynamite in October 2019 and they've been together ever since. MJF and his bodyguard Wardlow joined a year in and MJF being a massive dickhead has caused everyone to start in-fighting.

It begins....

Wait, Chris Jericho is still an active competitor? :wtf:

Yep indeed. He signed when AEW launched and it was a big deal because he'd said many times over he'd never work anywhere else in the States except for Vince. Also it gave them a big name out of the gate while they can build up the talent people were less familiar with. He's elevated a lot of the Inner Circle guys by interacting with them, has had feuds with guys like Adam Page and Orange Cassidy, etc which helped establish them.

Sadly, he started off for the good for the first year or so but his ring work torpedoed during the quarantine era. He's slowwwww and mostly a brawler at this stage.

That said, he's over and still has charisma of course, so there's always a use for him. But at 50 EWR could turn him into a non-wrestler at any time.