The official wrestling sim topic

[M-A-G]

Holy crap, I just realized Leva Bates was Blue Pants back on NXT.

[M-A-G]

I really think that there should be an update to the game that makes it so that there's a 0.05% chance a fan tries to jump the rail and enter the ring.

[M-A-G]

SmackDown!: May 11, 2040

Going to try doing this without copying and pasting the match reports.

Opening Match: Alexander Piero vs. Jerome McDougal
Another match designed to put some experience and wins under the belt of Piero. He gets the pinfall victory after hitting the Flashpoint. ****1/2, 87% overall.

Fantasee is backstage with Frankie. They're looking forward to seeing Carmella Costello get slapped around tonight.

Brandon Reigns comes out to talk about how there's a massive buzz about what's going to go down in the main event at Judgment Day. Will Carmichael pull it off one more time? Will Butch Fleming make the most of his return and reclaim the Unified World Title? Those seem to be the questions people are asking. Wouldn't it be something, though, if a certain someone, with a certain contract, were to head down to the ring on that night and just ruin everyone's fun? There's a new 'wild card' that people need to be watching out for because everything that's happened so far, especially to what happened to Jake Connelly is only the beginning. He's willing to prove it, too, and offers another open challenge for the main event tonight? So who wants to give it a go?

After a brief wait, the music of Ryan Pattillo hits! Ryan Pattillo wants Reigns to know that he gets it. You get a few amazing nights, you're riding an incredible high, and you think the world is at your fingertips. Pattillo has been there. But Reigns can't continue on under the belief that those nights are going to keep coming easily. "What you did to Jake Connelly wasn't a sign of strength. All it did was ensure that you get remembered for being an ungrateful, arrogant sack of crap. So let me be the one to show you tonight that the future isn't guaranteed!"

Reigns looks to offer a rebuttal. "Strong words from someone who hasn't held a championship in almost two years. Hey, I've got no problem cashing my checks. You want a piece? I'll see you out here later tonight."

Second Match: The Southern Gentlemen vs. The Play Pals
A really hot match here as both teams have found their respective grooves. The Play Pals have been named as one of the top teams that might be getting a shot at the tag team titles. They prove themselves here as Gavin Jones gets the pin on Brody Lee for the win. *****, 96% overall.

Michael Hotbody is backstage, visiting Lisa Benton. He wants to thank her for making his rematch against Jordan Demiras official at Judgment Day and is especially giddy about the fact the Cruiserweight Title is on the line. It was owed to him after Demiras showed his true colors at Backlash and got himself disqualified like the unstable coward that he is. Oh, and then he had to go and get himself counted out against Jason Sorola on Superstars last night. "Gosh, it's such a shame that he's already at two title matches where he's retained the title despite losing. Man, it would be something if he went off the deep again one more time, like say, during our match at JUdgment Day. Then you, as the boss would have the unfortunate but necessary task of stripping Jordan Demiras of the championship. And between you and me, I think he's really close to snapping."

Benton calmly replies by agreeing that it would be a shame if that match ended the way Hotbody described. Which is why she is making that match FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE. Benton goes on her way leaving Hotbody speechless.

Third Match: Vivian Merrick vs. Faith Connors
Vivian Merrick demanded this match as a way of trying to get some attention for a title match against Braddock. This is quite the back and forth affair but suddenly Hannah McCormick of all people comes down and nails Faith from behind and begins to assault her. Sonya Braddock looks to come down to even the odds and we get a staredown between the two pairs of women. *****, 95% overall.

I'm choking on all these stars.

Fourth Match: The Wolves of Wall Street (Doyle Hughes and Emilio London) vs. The British Infection (Adrian Gallagher and Nate Exley)
Another hot evenly contested match. The Brits get the pin after nailing Hughes with the Queen's English. Afterwards, Adrian promises everyone that there's a big surprise coming soon from the British Infection. Another ***** match, 95% overall.

We get a promo from Haven who has some serious words for Zed Jones. Zed's decisions are his own but to come to the conclusion that being a lackey for other people's deeds, that will be his undoing. Ruin is what awaits in the future of Zed Jones if he continues on this path.

Fifth Match: Frankie vs. Carmella Costello
The first one-on-one encounter in this little feud is quite the affair. Frankie looks to be coming into her own here. Costello's manager, Brooke, however, earns her keep by making a scene allowing Costello to take advantage and land the Defaminator off the top for the pin. ****1/2, 91% overall.

We get Xavier Cross in the ring looking upset. It's been days upon days upon days and he hasn't received a single apology from anyone regarding being accused of being behind the attacks on Noah Carmichael and Haven. Kerry Cemenko made a mockery of Cross' feelings! He's only human, you know! However, he's not irrational. He's willing to let bygones be bygones if he gets an apology from just one particular person...NOAH CARMICHAEL! Cross DEMANDS that the champion make himself known.

Butch Fleming decides to answer the call and lets Cross know that he should get used to being disappointed in Noah Carmichael because that's all he ever gives anyone who puts faith in him! Fleming should know. Carmichael had all of the trust Fleming could ever give someone and he flushed it all away. The people here tonight and those watching at home should take heed because Carmichael is fixing to disappoint all of them because at Judgment Day, the little play world that Carmichael has built for himself goes up in flames at the hands of Butch Fleming.

Carmichael has apparently heard enough of this and decides to head down to the ring. Fleming takes no chances and begins assaulting the champion. Cross looks like he wants to get involved but here comes Kerry Cemenko to the rescue. The heels get driven off for now.

MAIN EVENT: Ryan Pattillo vs. WWE Intercontinental Champion Brandon Reigns
Reigns has a different aura about him here as he just radiates utter disdain for Pattillo. They have themselves a hot back-and-forth match designed to make Reigns look good. It's topped off with Reigns managing to lock in the Iron Reign to get the submission. Wow! That's a huge notch on the belt of Reigns, being able to go over a former world champion. Reigns celebrates with his championship and briefcase as we go off the air. *****, 94%

90% overall show rating.

[Evil Vito]

Even though your whole roster is highly skilled, I have to figure the crowd reaction is bringing everything to the next level. Every crowd is like ECW One Night Stand 2005 level hot for everything and it's glorious.

I'm all for the eventual Brandon Reigns title run. Would you allow someone to be a dual champion with the top belts?

[M-A-G]

Originally Posted by Conspiracy Victim Vito Even though your whole roster is highly skilled, I have to figure the crowd reaction is bringing everything to the next level. Every crowd is like ECW One Night Stand 2005 level hot for everything and it's glorious. I'm all for the eventual Brandon Reigns title run. Would you allow someone to be a dual champion with the top belts?

I've done it before twice. Butch Fleming was one but I forgot who the other one was. It had to have been a heel because it's just common sense from a heat-drawing perspective. I don't do it too often and I'm definitely not doing it with Reigns. There are other twists to this story before the inevitable cash in attempt.

And, yeah, the crowd has just been eating up this stuff. I like to imagine my guys getting over organically as opposed to being scripted eight ways from Sunday. I even sometimes *gasp* let the heels say or do something that hurts people's feelings!

[Evil Vito]

Yeah it’s great for heel heat. A dual champion who will only agree to put one and only one belt on the line at a time.

[M-A-G]

Raw: May 14, 2040

Opening Match: The British Infection vs. The Millennium Rebels
The Infection promised some sort of surprise for us but I guess they're going to make us wait a bit on that. A hot opener where it looks like Adrian Gallagher has this well in hand but the manager of the Rebels, Aaron Ramsey, jumps him for the DQ. It looks like a three on one situation but the scene is joined by somebody running down the aisle who helps the Infection fight off the odds. Who is this person? After the ring is cleared of the heels, the Infection's manager, Fantasee, introduces this new face as the younger brother of Adrian Gallagher, as well as her newest client, Nigel Gallagher! *****, 95% overall.

Second Match: Azazel vs. Mathias
Truth be told, I'm getting such awesome results from everyone else, these guys seem like dead weight and I'm debating keeping them around. Anyway, it's a heavyweight slugfest that ends with Azazel's manager, Vivian Merrick getting involved, allowing Azazel to hit the Demonator for the pin. Vivian makes threats to Sonya Braddock into the camera. ****1/2, 89% overall.

Hannah McCormick is backstage and wants to clue us all in as to why she attacked Faith Connors last week. All of this talk about a Queen of Queens match and NOBODY considered inviting her, undoubtedly the best Queen of the Ring of all time. She demands to be added to the match at Judgment Day so that everyone can witness her superiority.

Third Match: Ryan Pattillo and Seth Von Kamp vs. Chris Collins and Moses McKay
We learn that we'll be getting McKay vs. Von Kamp one more time on SmackDown! in a No DQ match. Maybe that will finally settle things between them. This is an evenly matched contest that ends with Pattillo recovering from his defeat to Brandon Reigns by pinning Collins with the Shutdown. *****, 94% overall.

Fourth Match: WWE Intercontinental Champion Brandon Reigns vs. Conner Buchanan
Speaking of Reigns, he continues his winning ways here as he just may be right about not needing anyone by his side. After getting the submission win with the Iron Reign, however, Reigns gets jumped by an angry Jake Connelly, who was betrayed last week! They have themselves a brawl that needs to be stopped by officials. *****. 94% overall.

The WWE Unified World Champion Noah Carmichael joins us in the ring and wants us all to go down memory lane with him. "Is it true that I stood by the side of Butch Fleming for years? Yes. It was my understanding that he held the key to unlocking opportunities. Unfortunately it turned out that really, it was Fleming who looked towards me for that key as he added more and more people to prop him up. I saw a way out and I took it and despite the punishments that I've received for making that decision I still regret nothing. Look at what I'm holding in my hands here! Don't think for a second that Butch Fleming's hurt feelings and temper tantrums keep me up at night because these belts are all the proof I need that made the right decision! So Fleming can cry himself a river and use it to get to Judgment Day because I'm sending his ass right back where it came from without a paddle!"

Unfortunately, just as Carmichael finishes, Butch Fleming himself sneaks up from behind to lay out the champion with a chair shot to the back. He adds in a few stomps for the fun of it and decides to grab the title belts and raise them up in triumph.

Fifth Match: Tania and Frankie vs. Billie Padgett and Carmella Costello
Two separate feuds are united into one match here. This will hopefully give CiCi and Frankie some experience and overness. It comes down to an all out brawl where Padgett manages to lay out Tania and beat the count for the win. ****1/2, 90% overall.

Backstage Kyle Jacobs is on the phone, apparently with his dad but is interrupted by Brooke. She understands that Jacobs has been lobbying for a one-on-one rematch for the Intercontinental Title against Brandon Reigns. It's not going to happen because Salvatore Scabbia deserves his shot after having the belt stolen from him. Kyle tells Brooke that she has a lot of nerve even getting in face considering all of the drama that's been going on. As far as Scabbia goes, he can take Kyle's shot at the title over his own dead body. Brooke proposes facing Scabbia one more time at Judgment Day to determine who gets the one-on-one title shot. Jacobs isn't happy with the idea but any excuse to get his hands on Scabbia is a good one. He accepts.

Sixth Match: Michael Haywood vs. Julian Merrick
Haywood and Gavin Jones have been lobbying for a title match against the tag team champions for the past week and the champions have offered this match as a way to prove themselves. Vivian Merrick looks to try to hand her brother a foreign object to help him win but Sonya Braddock comes out and surprises Vivian. Vivian wastes time focusing her attention on Braddock that Michael Haywood is able to grab the foreign object out of her hand and use it himself to get the win. Both Merricks are furious afterwards as Braddock just smiles. ****1/2, 92% overall

Seventh Match: Jenna Kyle vs. Missy Brantley
Naomi Bailey is out here to observe and Jenna keeps giving her dirty looks. Naomi tries to get involved but Jenna repeatedly refuses her help. She's able to hit the Kyle Driver for the pinfall win. *****, 95% overall.

MAIN EVENT: Xavier Cross, The Cruiserweight Champion-Elect Michael Hotbody, and Zed Jones vs. Kerry Cemenko, WWE Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Demiras, and Haven
Quite the intersection of personal issues here. It's a hard fought encounter and in the end it's "Katy, bar the door" time as everything breaks down. Zed Jones manages to plant Haven through a table in time to help Michael Hotbody from suffering the wrath of Jordan Demiras as Jones knocks the Cruiserweight Champion off the top rope, enabling Hotbody to steal a pin. ****1/2, 91% overall

Overall show rating: 92%

[Evil Vito]

Originally Posted by M-A-G Opening Match: The British Infection vs. The Millennium Rebels The Infection promised some sort of surprise for us but I guess they're going to make us wait a bit on that. A hot opener where it looks like Adrian Gallagher has this well in hand but the manager of the Rebels, Aaron Ramsey, jumps him for the DQ. It looks like a three on one situation but the scene is joined by somebody running down the aisle who helps the Infection fight off the odds. Who is this person? After the ring is cleared of the heels, the Infection's manager, Fantasee, introduces this new face as the younger brother of Adrian Gallagher, as well as her newest client, Nigel Gallagher! *****, 95% overall.

And here comes the NXT brigade! Good, natural place to bring Gallagher into the fold. Given the experience rating The British Infection have, I don't think you'd want to start from scratch building the chemistry of the Gallagher Brothers, maybe Nigel factors into the cruiserweight division? Not before some awesome trios matches, of course.

Second Match: Azazel vs. Mathias Truth be told, I'm getting such awesome results from everyone else, these guys seem like dead weight and I'm debating keeping them around. Anyway, it's a heavyweight slugfest that ends with Azazel's manager, Vivian Merrick getting involved, allowing Azazel to hit the Demonator for the pin. Vivian makes threats to Sonya Braddock into the camera. ****1/2, 89% overall.

Seventh Match: Jenna Kyle vs. Missy Brantley Naomi Bailey is out here to observe and Jenna keeps giving her dirty looks. Naomi tries to get involved but Jenna repeatedly refuses her help. She's able to hit the Kyle Driver for the pinfall win. *****, 95% overall.

Jenna. Fucking. Kyle. She might get a 100% overall match at some point.

MAIN EVENT: Xavier Cross, The Cruiserweight Champion-Elect Michael Hotbody, and Zed Jones vs. Kerry Cemenko, WWE Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Demiras, and Haven Quite the intersection of personal issues here. It's a hard fought encounter and in the end it's "Katy, bar the door" time as everything breaks down. Zed Jones manages to plant Haven through a table in time to help Michael Hotbody from suffering the wrath of Jordan Demiras as Jones knocks the Cruiserweight Champion off the top rope, enabling Hotbody to steal a pin. ****1/2, 91% overall

I like the idea of using a trios match to continue three feuds all in one segment, seems like a good way to appease the in-game feud system while also not having to have three separate segments devoted to each feud. It's good for a change of pace.

[M-A-G]

Yeah, I never had any plans to make the Gallaghers a team. Adrian and Exley gel really well and the cruiserweight division always needs more people. I'll probably use Crockett and LaPaige to give him some early wins to raise his over rating before really tossing him into the deep end. There are a lot of guys not doing anything with whom I can saddle him.

I honestly think I'm going to cause the game to have an orgasm and just break down if I do Faith vs. Jenna at this rate. Their encounters in 3.0 were solid as fuck but 4.2 seems to be a bit more generous, so who knows? Cross your fingers for a ****** match.

I usually go that route in terms of the main even by sticking multiple feuds in one match. It frees up a lot of segments and it helps with rotating people in terms of who gets the main event slot. Like, when was the last time a Cruiserweight champion main evented a Raw. Also I'm going to see if I can actually change Hotbody's name to include Cruiserweight Champion-Elect.

I should probably post the card so far for Judgment Day:

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

WWE Cruiserweight Title: Jordan Demiras (c) vs. The Cruiserweight Champion-Elect Michael Hotbody

Queen of Queens Match: Naomi Bailey vs. Faith Connors vs. Jenna Kyle

Number One Contender Match for the Intercontinental Title: Salvatore Scabbia vs. Kyle Jacobs

I'm curious how the first big event I hold goes down on 4.2. It had better not be a dud.

[Evil Vito]

A dud show with that card would be like 90%, stacked

[Evil Vito]

AEW is doing a women's tournament with half of the bracket being filmed in Japan featuring women from all the different joshi promotions out there. Might have to see if any are worth signing in-game.

Either way, this got a kick out of me.

There are two ways to introduce yourself to a new wrestling audience pic.twitter.com/Cgm7e55j92

— The Bronson Corporation, But Cold (@BronsonLee) February 4, 2021

[M-A-G]

Originally Posted by Conspiracy Victim Vito AEW is doing a women's tournament with half of the bracket being filmed in Japan featuring women from all the different joshi promotions out there. Might have to see if any are worth signing in-game. Either way, this got a kick out of me. There are two ways to introduce yourself to a new wrestling audience pic.twitter.com/Cgm7e55j92 — The Bronson Corporation, But Cold (@BronsonLee) February 4, 2021

I'm sure something was lost in translation there.

[M-A-G]

Sadly, I am not able to completely rename Michael Hotbody to include his rightfully earned office and title. Just more evidence of the SHAM BIAS permeating the WWE!

[Evil Vito]

Yeah I'm not surprised there is a character limit, although it accommodates most.

Former CHIKARA performer Dash Hatfield is in the latest database with his new ring name: A Very Good Professional Wrestler

[M-A-G]

Originally Posted by Conspiracy Victim Vito Yeah I'm not surprised there is a character limit, although it accommodates most. Former CHIKARA performer Dash Hatfield is in the latest database with his new ring name: A Very Good Professional Wrestler

I'd love to see that engraved on a belt.

[Evil Vito]

Revolution Card:

AEW World Championship: "The Bastard" PAC vs. "The Cleaner" Kenny Omega (C)

AEW World Tag Team Championships: The Inner Circle ("The Demo God" Chris Jericho and MJF) vs. The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) (C)

AEW Women's World Championship: Awesome Kong vs. Hikaru Shida (C)

Street Fight: Team Taz ("The Machine" Brian Cage and "Absolute" Ricky Starks) vs. TNT champion Darby Allin and Sting

Tables Match: Jon Moxley and Rey Fenix vs. The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson)

"Freshly Squeezed" Orange Cassidy vs. "The Best Man" Miro

"The Mad King" Eddie Kingston vs. "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes

"Hangman" Adam Page and "Big Money" Matt Hardy vs. The Dark Order (Evil Uno and Stu Grayson)

Buy-In Match: FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) vs. Jurassic Express (Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus)

---

I feel like overness issues with some guys will lower the show a bit more than I'd like but quality wise I think there should be a lot of good stuff in here.

Originally I had penciled in Hangman vs. Matt straight up but even knowing I had to rush things to build this show I didn't think it made sense to jump there so quick, I'm so far removed from booking feuds it will be interested in seeing if it breaks the in-game feud system to have two feuding guys on the same team.

[drave]

Tables match will be fire.


Sincerely hope that MJF and Jericho do NOT win, despite not really liking the Bucks. Jericho just needs to stop. It'd be better if this is the culmination of he and MJF's tension and MJF screws over Jericho, then that program can evolve. I have no idea how long its been building.


PAC is so good. Omega hasn't looked AS good recently, but those two should have a great match. Death Triangle is my new fav team.

[M-A-G]

Originally Posted by drave Tables match will be fire.

Ooh, now I want flaming tables to be in the game.

[Evil Vito]

Seeing Jericho/MJF vs. the Bucks become a reality on Dynamite last night popped me because I didn't think it was the route they would actually go. But yeah, I think the ongoing dissention of Inner Circle is the real story. I haven't yet decided the fate of Inner Circle, in real life it seems like the entire thing might implode as opposed to everyone rallying behind one leader.

My card is at least pretty close to what will happen in real life. Probably swap Mox and PAC's spots. No sign at all that Kong will return at all, let alone right off the bat like I did. And of course I retconned the Cody/Jade/Shaq angle as I have no interest in it.

In real life it'll likely be an Orange/Chuck vs. Miro/Kip tag match instead of singles. Actually have no idea how an Orange/Miro singles match would go. I love OC but even I can admit, if Miro's meant to be a killer, he should probably destroy him. Even the whole "hidden mean streak" think I'm doing with OC I think people would point out that a scrawny guy like OC shouldn't be able to hang with a brick shithouse like Miro.

But suppose that's the benefit of it being a game, don't have to go too crazy with realism.

[M-A-G]

Originally Posted by Conspiracy Victim Vito Seeing Jericho/MJF vs. the Bucks become a reality on Dynamite last night popped me because I didn't think it was the route they would actually go. But yeah, I think the ongoing dissention of Inner Circle is the real story. I haven't yet decided the fate of Inner Circle, in real life it seems like the entire thing might implode as opposed to everyone rallying behind one leader. My card is at least pretty close to what will happen in real life. Probably swap Mox and PAC's spots. No sign at all that Kong will return at all, let alone right off the bat like I did. And of course I retconned the Cody/Jade/Shaq angle as I have no interest in it. In real life it'll likely be an Orange/Chuck vs. Miro/Kip tag match instead of singles. Actually have no idea how an Orange/Miro singles match would go. I love OC but even I can admit, if Miro's meant to be a killer, he should probably destroy him. Even the whole "hidden mean streak" think I'm doing with OC I think people would point out that a scrawny guy like OC shouldn't be able to hang with a brick shithouse like Miro. But suppose that's the benefit of it being a game, don't have to go too crazy with realism.

Multiple time World Champion Test agrees with that last sentiment.

Also, there's no way Taz and Sting are actually having matches in real life, right? I mean, I'm imagining two walker-bound nursing home residents fighting over the the last cup of pudding.

[Evil Vito]

Originally Posted by M-A-G Also, there's no way Taz and Sting are actually having matches in real life, right? I mean, I'm imagining two walker-bound nursing home residents fighting over the the last cup of pudding.

Only Sting, and it likely won't resemble a conventional street fight. I'm expecting a lot of it to be shot outside the arena, probably the night before Revolution. A lot of cinematic elements that won't require Sting to try to work a full match and be blown up. I'd expect if there's any live action from him in the arena it would just be the finish.

Taz isn't in the match, he runs a stable and they're gonna be doing the fighting.



Hook (Taz' son, I sent him to developmental), Ricky Starks, Powerhouse Hobbs, Brian Cage.

It was like 45 degrees in Jacksonville last night and Cage was chilling outside with no shirt. I probably wouldn't ever wear a shirt if I looked like him either.

[M-A-G]

Cage with his best Taylor Lautner impression.

[Evil Vito]

Originally Posted by M-A-G Cage with his best Taylor Lautner impression.

Haha, if you can believe it, Cage was back in development around 2008-2009. He wasn't completely ripped though, his look is Vince's wet dream now and I can't imagine he wouldn't have pushed him to the moon long before he knew how to actually work.

And he's not just a roided up hoss either, guy is athletic as hell and does some cool stuff.

[M-A-G]

Superstars: May 17, 2040

We open with Jake Connelly addressing the crowd fresh off his return on Raw. "I'm sure you're all curious about how I feel regarding Brandon Reigns and what occurred last week. Time catches up with everyone. It's inevitable. I had thought it to be the case with me when I didn't make it to WrestleMania this year and had to watch a younger man bask in that glory. I wondered if I had indeed arrived at the end of the road as far as my career went. But I was struck with an epiphany as I saw that my loss on that fateful day wasn't going to be in vain. I had been bested, sure, but Brandon Reigns made it count. He did go on to WrestleMania, he did go on to win Money in the Bank, and he did go on to be viewed as quite possibly the next big superstar in this business. Now, is it fair to say that I hitched my wagon to this meteoric rise? Maybe, but I knew, I felt it in my heart, that with the right guidance and mentoring, the last big mark I would have left on the wrestling world was helping prepare the brightest future its ever seen in a talent like Brandon Reigns. Then and there, I could've proudly gone off into the sunset, satisfied that you people would be in good hands. Things have changed slightly to say the least. So to answer the question on your mind regarding how I feel well there's really only person that needs to hear it and I really can only tell it to him face to face, so Brandon Reigns get your sorry ass out here, RIGHT NOW!"

We have to wait briefly but surely enough the Intercontinental Champion makes him way out to the stage looking furious. "Stick your demands and your feelings up your ass, Connelly," Reigns declares. "I did what I did to make sure you understood the message. All you veterans just can't ever get it through your heads that you don't always make or break the careers of other people. I was doing just fine before you and I'm going to do even better after you. I don't care how mad you are, how disappointed you are, or how hurt you are. You're more than welcome to go try to mentor some other sad sap back there and see how that goes but as far as you and I go, I'm good."

Connelly is more than happy to reply. "Oh, I know you're good. You're very good. The question remains, however, is how good? You see, Brandon, I didn't want to share my anger or hurt feelings with you. I wanted to express gratitude. You did the one thing that I don't think anyone could have done for me. You helped me find that last match that I knew I still had deep down inside me. You helped me find that drive that made me what I am today. You helped me rediscover what made my career and it began with that championship you're holding right now. So this is what it comes down to, Mr. I Can Do It On My Own, let's all see you do it on your own by facing me for the Intercontinental Title at Judgment Day or are you going to continue being known as the ingrate that you are?"

"No, no, how about I be known as the man who sent you off on that sunset you were talking about earlier? You want to face me for the title? You need to offer something in return because I'm not giving you the satisfaction of trying to be relevant for nothing. You beat me at Judgment Day, you're the champion. I beat you at Judgment Day, you don't ever step in the ring again. How do you feel about that?"

Connelly takes a moment to consider this but responds with confidence. "I feel that bright future of yours might not get to see the light of day after all. You're on." It looks like we have another match for Judgment Day!

Opening Match: Nigel Gallagher vs. Bill Crockett
A way to showcase Nigel in his first match and to give the crowd some decent cruiserweight action to start things off. Nigel takes the win here, getting the pin after hitting the Union Smack. ****1/4, 81% overall.

Backstage, Hannah McCormick approaches Jenna Kyle. McCormick breaks down what's been going in regards to the Queen of Queens match at Judgment Day. Naomi Bailey doesn't mind if McCormick is added but Faith doesn't share that sentiment. Both McCormick and Faith are looking for partners for tonight and if McCormick's team wins, she can be added to the match and lucky for Jenna Kyle, McCormick is asking her to be her partner! Jenna takes a deep breath and sighs as she turns to face McCormick. "Here's the part where I shatter your dreams, Hannah. I don't want you in that match either. I've got enough to worry about with Naomi and Faith and it's bad enough that I have to go through them to get a crack at the title. So, thanks, but no thanks. Find someone else to be your sucker." Jenna leaves leaving Hannah dumbstruck.

Second Match: Lonny Richards vs. Stanley Coleman
Semi-continuing the issue between Richards and Caleb Greene as Lonny is here to go through another client of his former manager, Aphrodite. Richards dominates pretty well on his way to a submission win. Richards and his manager, Nathan Quinn, taunt Greene through the camera. ****1/2, 89% overall.

Third Match: The Tokyo Titans (Wu and Tokyo Kid) vs. The Sin City Rollers (Luis Ortega and Vic Gambler)
Just some good solid tag team action here to pop the crowd. The Titans get the win here after an even match. *****, 94% overall.

Backstage, The Play Pals question the manhood of the Unified Tag Team Champions as they inform us that they have still not heard an answer to their challenge. They note that Sonya Braddock has more balls because word is that she's open to giving Vivian Merrick a title shot. They'll be waiting.

Back to the ring, Cameron Harper looks to be on his way for a match but is ambushed by Hugo of all people. He pounds away on Harper leaving him bloodied. He looks into the camera and promises more of this.

Fourth Match: Hannah McCormick and ??? vs. Faith Connors and ???
McCormick enters first and announces that she has managed to find a partner for tonight and it's someone who isn't afraid of more competition. It's someone who actually believes in keeping things fair and is open to giving other people opportunities unlike some OTHER people around here. And with that, Hannah gestures to the stage and Naomi Bailey makes her way out to join up with Hannah.

Faith follows, making her usual entrance but she has a mic and says that she didn't bother looking for a partner because she's all about defying the odds and it'll be a great preview of what's she's going to do at Judgment Day. Faith hops onto the apron and enters the ring but before the match can begin the music of JENNA KYLE of all people hits and she comes out in her gear looking ready to compete. She climbs the steps and stands in Faith's corner??? Is she volunteering to help Faith make sure Hannah McCormick doesn't join them at Judgment Day? It sure looks that way and away we go....

Fourth Match: Hannah McCormick and Naomi Bailey vs. Faith Connors and Jenna Kyle
Connors spends the opening parts of the match hesitant and looking at Jenna with distrust. The match goes on and slowly but surely both Jenna and Faith look like they're on the same page, working as a team the way they used to. It comes down to Jenna looking to put away McCormick while Bailey is just womanhandling Faith on the outside. McCormick's lackey, Bobbi Jo, looks to hand McCormick her custom microphone to use on Jenna but Jenna steals it away from Hannah, knocks Bobbi Jo off the apron and in the heat of the moment KOs Hannah with the mic. Unfortunately the referee sees this and calls for the DQ. It looks like we're getting a four way Queen of Queens match at Judgment Day after all! *****, 97% overall.

We return from break with the ring set up for another edition of the Hot Button with the Cruiserweight Champion-Elect Michael Hotbody. He will be taking questions this time around but wants to make it clear that this time, Jordan Demiras is NOT welcome as losers have no place on the Hot Button. He takes a question from one of the press pool members: Is it true that Jordan Demiras cried like the pathetic paper champion that he is following getting beat by Michael Hotbody on Raw?

"That's an excellent question and one that you would think could only be answered by Demiras but he'd only lie and try to save face. Luckily, I was standing over his body after I had pinned him and I can tell you that there were indeed tears coming out of him. I think it had something to do with the realization that his time as champion is coming to an end and that he may need his mommy. We'll have to wait and see. Yes, you in the back, you have a question?"

"Yes, is it true that you have spent the last couple of days referring to Jordan Demiras as a whiner?"

"That is absolutely untrue and a complete misrepresentation of me. I have been referring to him and will continue to refer to him as a whiny little bitch. See, there's a difference and I hope you work to make sure only facts are reported. Next, who else has a question? Yes, you...."

"What about the role Zed Jones is playing in your career? Do you see him continuing at your side?"

"Hey, look. Zed does Zed. He's his own man. He has plans for his career that don't involve me. I don't know why people like to link us together. It's sick. But I do have a hot news item that should be very interesting and I hope Haven is listening. Zed has informed me that he wants to face Haven at Judgment Day so that it can be seen by everyone that there is nothing Zed is afraid of. The hocus pocus and mind games and what have you have NO BEARING on Zed Jones. In fact, I invite Haven to show himself right now and respond to this challenge. I dare him to come out right now! Come on out here!"

Everyone's attention is focused on the stage as they anticipate Haven making himself present. He eventually does after a bit of a way and some more taunting from Hotbody. Haven enters the ring and gets uncomfortably face-to-face with Hotbody. Hotbody doesn't seem too concerned but Haven takes the mic. "Before you get any of your hopes up, allow me to enlighten that empty soul of yours." He directs Hotbody to observe the giant screen which shows Zed Jones lying backstage face down. Haven continues, "You see, I've already accepted his challenge in my own way. I don't take part in the charades of others and I certainly don't get ordered around by pathetic worms like you. Perhaps I should demonstrate first hand what will happen if you decide to make a nuisance of yourself when I'm destroying your companion at Judgment Day?"

Hotbody takes a nervous gulp and starts to back away. "Well, uh...sir...Haven...MISTER Haven...You know, that's not really neces..." Hotbody jabs the mic into Haven's face and bails motioning the press pool to do the same. Haven glares at Hotbody as the segment ends.

Fifth Match: King Kavovit vs. Stone Walsh
Nothing major here. Just a solid match that puts another notch in the belt of Kavovit as he gets the win here. *****, 94% overall.

MAIN EVENT: Butch Fleming vs. Kerry Cemenko
Before the match, Cemenko informs us that he will be facing Xavier Cross at Judgment Day so we're getting a pretty stacked card next Sunday. Fleming mocks him because that nobody is going to have a better night because Fleming is taking the Unified World Title home. This is a heavyweight slugfest that comes to an end when Xavier Cross interjects, allowing Fleming to hit the Slaughterhouse Special for the win. Cross tries to gloat but Cemenko takes him down and they brawl around the ring. End of show! *****, 94% overall.

Overall show rating: 89%

[M-A-G]

Updated Judgment Day Card:

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

WWE Intercontinental Title: Brandon Reigns (c) vs. Jake Connelly

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

Haven vs. Zed Jones

Xavier Cross vs. Kerry Cemenko

Queen of Queens Match: Naomi Bailey vs. Faith Connors vs. Jenna Kyle vs. Hannah McCormick

Intercontinental Title Number One Contender Match: Salvatore Scabbia vs. Kyle Jacobs

[Evil Vito]

"Good solid tag team action to pop the crowd". 5 star match, 94% overall

THE BAR IS RAISED SO HIGH!!! hot damn. And my brain can't process a Jenna/Faith team.

[M-A-G]

Originally Posted by Conspiracy Victim Vito "Good solid tag team action to pop the crowd". 5 star match, 94% overall THE BAR IS RAISED SO HIGH!!! hot damn. And my brain can't process a Jenna/Faith team.

Pfft, yeah, 'solid' might have been underselling it just a tad.

Although something was definitely solid for that Faith/Jenna team-up.

[Evil Vito]

Sometimes I get writers block doing my show recaps because I'm booking a show in EWR to the closest extent I'm allowed to with the limitations.....then adding all the other details in my recaps, like people interfering in segments when in reality I booked it as a 1 vs 1 angle, etc.

[M-A-G]

Originally Posted by Conspiracy Victim Vito Sometimes I get writers block doing my show recaps because I'm booking a show in EWR to the closest extent I'm allowed to with the limitations.....then adding all the other details in my recaps, like people interfering in segments when in reality I booked it as a 1 vs 1 angle, etc.

When in doubt, just have somebody run in with a chair. I know the usual advice is have someone with a gun enter but we learned our lesson after that whole Pillman/Austin scenario.

[M-A-G]

Oh, gee, you think?

[Evil Vito]

I’m shocked, shocked I tell ya!

[Evil Vito]

AEW Revolution
February 27, 2021


The Buy In: FTR vs. Jurassic Express (Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus)

FTR were back to doing what they do best: putting on excellent tag team matches (88% match quality in this one). Even on the buy-in show, this match followed the tried and true tag formula which stands the test of time as long as it's done well...FTR isolate Jungle Boy, eventually he makes the hot tag to Luchasaurus and the big guy runs wild.

Tully Blanchard starts to panic and can't help but get involved at ringside, leading to Marko Stunt trying to take the old man down as Cash and Jungle Boy join in on the outside. Luchasaurus has Dax down, but the ref is distracted with the mess outside the ring. Then - CRACK - Shawn Spears comes out of nowhere to waffle Luchasaurus in the back with a chair! Cash slides back in, FTR hit the Big Rig and Dax gets the pin. A former client of Tully Blanchard, we haven't seen Spears in two months! What is the meaning of this?
Winners: FTR
***1/4, 78% overall


"Hangman" Adam Page and Matt Hardy vs. The Dark Order (Evil Uno and Stu Grayson)

Hangman didn't ask for this match, Hangman didn't want this match, but Matt Hardy pulled some strings and it is so. The story of the match was the difference in approach: Hangman fighting a fair fight and Matt resorting to cheap tactics. Matt is of course completely oblivious to the fact that Hangman is not impressed with his antics, while Matt assumes Hangman wants to win at all costs. Finish eventually comes with Grayson out of the ring, Uno ducks a Buckshot Lariat, Matt quickly pushes Hangman into the ref, hits a low blow on Uno, and rolls him up with a tight hook for the cheap win.

Matt Hardy and Private Party celebrate as Hangman's all WTF was that. The Hardy Party start putting the boots to Dark Order for good measure. The rest of Dark Order run out for the save to send the Party scrambling. Dark Order look at Hangman disappointingly before leaving, leaving Hangman in the ring conflicted.
Winners: "Hangman" Adam Page and Matt Hardy
***, 77% overall


AEW Women's World Championship: Awesome Kong vs. Hikaru Shida (C)

Just seeing this match typed out, man I'd really love to see this one. Hope Kong has one last run in her in real life. Kong's obviously got the size and strength advantage but Shida has the speed and technical ability to try to cut her down. In any event, like I'm gonna bring Kong back and put her into a huge program to lose. Awesome Bomb and Kong has put an end to Shida's 9 month title reign. Kong laughs maniacally and cuts off a lock of Shida's hair as a memento.
Winner and NEW AEW Women's World Champion: Awesome Kong
**3/4, 77%


Table Match: The Good Brothers vs. Jon Moxley and Rey Fenix

This is another one EWR was downright lazy with in the write-up, apparently making it a quick squash. I don't know about that, but I do think it would be a fast paced, wild brawl that spills around ringside and up the ramp. And I also think both members would have to go through the table before the match can end, and both teams continue to fight until that happens. I already have the spots in mind: Magic Killer on Fenix through a table, Paradigm Shift on Anderson through a table, and Fenix leaping off the stage and crashing through Gallows on a table. A fun, chaotic brawl.
Winners: Jon Moxley and Rey Fenix
***1/4, 79% overall


Eddie Kingston vs. Cody Rhodes

Eddie Kingston made a surprise AEW debut against Cody last July, and now they find themselves doing battle again. Kingston roughs up Cody something wicked but Cody finds his babyface fire before too long. You know wherever Eddie Kingston goes, The Family is sure to follow, and eventually The Butcher and The Blade are out there for the distraction while Allie sneaks in on the other side to kick Cody in the balls - our second dick shot of the night! Allie looks into the camera and blows a kiss into the camera directed to her pregnant former tag partner Brandi Rhodes at home...Backfist to the Future and Eddie Kingston has scored the biggest win of his AEW career!
Winner: Eddie Kingston
***, 79% overall


Orange Cassidy vs. Miro

Again, this match would have such an interesting dynamic in real life. PAC vs. Orange at last year's Revolution might be the closest comp that jumps to mind - a cold badass is unamused with Orange's antics but then finds he underestimated him when he gets going. But in any event, Miro hurt his two Best Friends and Orange is seeing red tonight. I think the crowd would eat this one up and they did in game as well (87% crowd reaction).

Ending sequence sees Miro finding himself on the outside, OC has the crowd in the palm of his hands like always, tucks his hands in his pockets for the huge pop and goes for the Suicide Dive only to get a Machka Kick to the head, knocking him out cold. Miro rolls Orange into the ring, locks in the Game Over and the ref seeing him unconscious calls for the bell!
Winner: Miro
***, 83% overall


Street Fight: Team Taz (Brian Cage and Ricky Starks) vs. Darby Allin and Sting

This was a total brawlfest that started outside the arena, migrated its way into a few closed off corridors of the arena, and then finally down the steps and into the ring for the closing sequence. I'm sure none of this was pre-recorded footage to help protect Sting, nope not at all!

Anyway, it didn't require much more than basic brawling from Sting. The crazy bastard Darby leaps with his skateboard off the top rope and crashes down into Cage who was laid out on the steel steps. Ricky Starks takes a baseball bat shot to the gut, Scorpion Deathdrop, Scorpion Deathlock, and the painted face warriors win!
Winners: Darby Allin and Sting
**3/4, 73% overall

(Crowd Reaction and Match Quality were both 74%. On one hand, a 74% reaction for a legend with 95 overness, not great....of the 4 in the match I think Starks' overness dragged them down considerably. On the other hand, 74% quality is way better than I could've hoped given the circumstances. And hey, Sting didn't hurt himself and his last match didn't have to be getting crippled by Seth Rollins!)


AEW World Tag Team Championships: The Inner Circle (Chris Jericho and Maxwell Jacob Friedman) vs. The Young Bucks (C)

Oh man, this match delivered in the biggest way and is giving the main event a really tough act to follow. All 4 guys are over so the 94% crowd reaction does not surprise me at all, Jericho and MJF can get pretty much instant heat whenever they want it. But the match quality was 91%, these guys seriously gelled and if the match is this good in real life it's a huge win.

Anyway, fast forward to the end of match hijinx when the Bucks start to run wild. Superkick Party to Wardlow off the apron. Matt Jackson planchas him for good measure. MJF grabs Nick, Jericho winds up for the Judas Effect, Nick ducks, Jericho lays out his partner! Superkick to Jericho, the Bucks both hit moonsaults on them and that's all she wrote, Bucks retain!
Winners and STILL AEW World Tag Team Champions: The Young Bucks
****1/4, 93% overall


AEW World Championship: "The Bastard" PAC vs. Kenny Omega (C)

Did I say the main event was going to have a hard act to follow? Spoiler alert: they were definitely up for the challenge. These two have put on absolute clinics in AEW before, and this match was no exception. Their styles are incredibly similar, the chemistry very apparent, an equal blend of hard hitting and high flying all behind the canvas of top notch storytelling.

After nearly 30 minutes of brutality, PAC has Kenny right where he wants him, down and positioned in front of the corner. BLACK ARROW! This should be it. 1...2...Don Callis puts Kenny's foot on the rope! The Invisible Hand strikes again! Referee Aubrey Edwards admonishes Callis and ejects him, but not before he left something for Kenny on the other corner of the ring. He's got brass knuckles! Omega cracks PAC in the jaw, not this way! Kenny picks up his lifeless body and hits the One Winged Angel to retain.
Winner and STILL AEW World Champion: Kenny Omega
*****, 94% overall.......and 100% MATCH QUALITY, holy fuck

83% Overall Show Rating

[M-A-G]

Originally Posted by Conspiracy Victim Vito

Psshh...I can use fancy graphics for my PPVs, too...if I felt like it.

AEW Revolution February 27, 2021 The Buy In: FTR vs. Jurassic Express (Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus) FTR were back to doing what they do best: putting on excellent tag team matches (88% match quality in this one). Even on the buy-in show, this match followed the tried and true tag formula which stands the test of time as long as it's done well...FTR isolate Jungle Boy, eventually he makes the hot tag to Luchasaurus and the big guy runs wild. Tully Blanchard starts to panic and can't help but get involved at ringside, leading to Marko Stunt trying to take the old man down as Cash and Jungle Boy join in on the outside. Luchasaurus has Dax down, but the ref is distracted with the mess outside the ring. Then - CRACK - Shawn Spears comes out of nowhere to waffle Luchasaurus in the back with a chair! Cash slides back in, FTR hit the Big Rig and Dax gets the pin. A former client of Tully Blanchard, we haven't seen Spears in two months! What is the meaning of this? Winners: FTR ***1/4, 78% overall

Tully Blanchard still being involved in wrestling in the 21st century is something I never thought possible. Of course if you really want to round out this whole dinosaur motif there's only one man for the job...

"Hangman" Adam Page and Matt Hardy vs. The Dark Order (Evil Uno and Stu Grayson) Hangman didn't ask for this match, Hangman didn't want this match, but Matt Hardy pulled some strings and it is so. The story of the match was the difference in approach: Hangman fighting a fair fight and Matt resorting to cheap tactics. Matt is of course completely oblivious to the fact that Hangman is not impressed with his antics, while Matt assumes Hangman wants to win at all costs. Finish eventually comes with Grayson out of the ring, Uno ducks a Buckshot Lariat, Matt quickly pushes Hangman into the ref, hits a low blow on Uno, and rolls him up with a tight hook for the cheap win. Matt Hardy and Private Party celebrate as Hangman's all WTF was that. The Hardy Party start putting the boots to Dark Order for good measure. The rest of Dark Order run out for the save to send the Party scrambling. Dark Order look at Hangman disappointingly before leaving, leaving Hangman in the ring conflicted. Winners: "Hangman" Adam Page and Matt Hardy ***, 77% overall

You take the win when you can, you pussy! A real man would be appreciate the honor of being used as a human shield so that your partner can punch another man in the balls!

AEW Women's World Championship: Awesome Kong vs. Hikaru Shida (C) Just seeing this match typed out, man I'd really love to see this one. Hope Kong has one last run in her in real life. Kong's obviously got the size and strength advantage but Shida has the speed and technical ability to try to cut her down. In any event, like I'm gonna bring Kong back and put her into a huge program to lose. Awesome Bomb and Kong has put an end to Shida's 9 month title reign. Kong laughs maniacally and cuts off a lock of Shida's hair as a memento. Winner and NEW AEW Women's World Champion: Awesome Kong **3/4, 77%

Holy fuck, nine months? And of course you wouldn't do something that stupid. That's why you don't work for the WWE. Also, we need to fulfill the legal requirement of informing everyone that Kong does indeed kill bitches dead.

Table Match: The Good Brothers vs. Jon Moxley and Rey Fenix This is another one EWR was downright lazy with in the write-up, apparently making it a quick squash. I don't know about that, but I do think it would be a fast paced, wild brawl that spills around ringside and up the ramp. And I also think both members would have to go through the table before the match can end, and both teams continue to fight until that happens. I already have the spots in mind: Magic Killer on Fenix through a table, Paradigm Shift on Anderson through a table, and Fenix leaping off the stage and crashing through Gallows on a table. A fun, chaotic brawl. Winners: Jon Moxley and Rey Fenix ***1/4, 79% overall

The game tends to go the squash route if one party is just way ahead of the other in terms of their over rating. The rating seems about right, though.

Eddie Kingston vs. Cody Rhodes Eddie Kingston made a surprise AEW debut against Cody last July, and now they find themselves doing battle again. Kingston roughs up Cody something wicked but Cody finds his babyface fire before too long. You know wherever Eddie Kingston goes, The Family is sure to follow, and eventually The Butcher and The Blade are out there for the distraction while Allie sneaks in on the other side to kick Cody in the balls - our second dick shot of the night! Allie looks into the camera and blows a kiss into the camera directed to her pregnant former tag partner Brandi Rhodes at home...Backfist to the Future and Eddie Kingston has scored the biggest win of his AEW career! Winner: Eddie Kingston ***, 79% overall

What, do your guys have a dick shot quota to reach or something?

Orange Cassidy vs. Miro Again, this match would have such an interesting dynamic in real life. PAC vs. Orange at last year's Revolution might be the closest comp that jumps to mind - a cold badass is unamused with Orange's antics but then finds he underestimated him when he gets going. But in any event, Miro hurt his two Best Friends and Orange is seeing red tonight. I think the crowd would eat this one up and they did in game as well (87% crowd reaction). Ending sequence sees Miro finding himself on the outside, OC has the crowd in the palm of his hands like always, tucks his hands in his pockets for the huge pop and goes for the Suicide Dive only to get a Machka Kick to the head, knocking him out cold. Miro rolls Orange into the ring, locks in the Game Over and the ref seeing him unconscious calls for the bell! Winner: Miro ***, 83% overall

You could say he...

*puts on sunglasses*


....beat him to a pulp!

Street Fight: Team Taz (Brian Cage and Ricky Starks) vs. Darby Allin and Sting This was a total brawlfest that started outside the arena, migrated its way into a few closed off corridors of the arena, and then finally down the steps and into the ring for the closing sequence. I'm sure none of this was pre-recorded footage to help protect Sting, nope not at all! Anyway, it didn't require much more than basic brawling from Sting. The crazy bastard Darby leaps with his skateboard off the top rope and crashes down into Cage who was laid out on the steel steps. Ricky Starks takes a baseball bat shot to the gut, Scorpion Deathdrop, Scorpion Deathlock, and the painted face warriors win! Winners: Darby Allin and Sting **3/4, 73% overall (Crowd Reaction and Match Quality were both 74%. On one hand, a 74% reaction for a legend with 95 overness, not great....of the 4 in the match I think Starks' overness dragged them down considerably. On the other hand, 74% quality is way better than I could've hoped given the circumstances. And hey, Sting didn't hurt himself and his last match didn't have to be getting crippled by Seth Rollins!)

Oh, come on, Sting. You couldn't have hit him in the balls to complete the trifecta? I think the stats of everyone just canceled each other out here.

AEW World Tag Team Championships: The Inner Circle (Chris Jericho and Maxwell Jacob Friedman) vs. The Young Bucks (C) Oh man, this match delivered in the biggest way and is giving the main event a really tough act to follow. All 4 guys are over so the 94% crowd reaction does not surprise me at all, Jericho and MJF can get pretty much instant heat whenever they want it. But the match quality was 91%, these guys seriously gelled and if the match is this good in real life it's a huge win. Anyway, fast forward to the end of match hijinx when the Bucks start to run wild. Superkick Party to Wardlow off the apron. Matt Jackson planchas him for good measure. MJF grabs Nick, Jericho winds up for the Judas Effect, Nick ducks, Jericho lays out his partner! Superkick to Jericho, the Bucks both hit moonsaults on them and that's all she wrote, Bucks retain! Winners and STILL AEW World Tag Team Champions: The Young Bucks ****1/4, 93% overall

I'll be shocked if Jericho can pull something even remotely close to this rating in real life.

AEW World Championship: "The Bastard" PAC vs. Kenny Omega (C) Did I say the main event was going to have a hard act to follow? Spoiler alert: they were definitely up for the challenge. These two have put on absolute clinics in AEW before, and this match was no exception. Their styles are incredibly similar, the chemistry very apparent, an equal blend of hard hitting and high flying all behind the canvas of top notch storytelling. After nearly 30 minutes of brutality, PAC has Kenny right where he wants him, down and positioned in front of the corner. BLACK ARROW! This should be it. 1...2...Don Callis puts Kenny's foot on the rope! The Invisible Hand strikes again! Referee Aubrey Edwards admonishes Callis and ejects him, but not before he left something for Kenny on the other corner of the ring. He's got brass knuckles! Omega cracks PAC in the jaw, not this way! Kenny picks up his lifeless body and hits the One Winged Angel to retain. Winner and STILL AEW World Champion: Kenny Omega *****, 94% overall.......and 100% MATCH QUALITY, holy fuck 83% Overall Show Rating

Why would the referee send Callis to the back? I didn't see him do anything.

But, yeah, seeing that 100% for your match quality feels so sweet whenever it happens. Off to a good start.

[Evil Vito]

AEW Blood and Guts
March 27, 2021

Welcome to AEW Not War Games Blood and Guts! Emanating live from the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. This landmark event marks the return of AEW going back on the road in full capacity venues after nearly a year of running exclusively out of The Daily's Place in Jacksonville, FL. Thank god the pandemic is over, now if only reality can imitate art.


The Buy In: Thunder Rosa vs. Ivelisse

AEW has a pretty big women's division and I choose to send Thunder Rosa and Ivelisse out there for a bonus match to get the crowd warmed up. As is the case with a lot of my undercard, they aren't particularly over but they clearly gelled well and the match did what I wanted it to do.

Thunder Rosa has to deal with Ivelisse's heelery including her partner Diamante getting herself ejected at some point. Thunder Rosa eventually gets some momentum going and ultimately picks up the hard-fought win via making Ivelisse tap to the Dragon Sleeper.
Winner: Thunder Rosa
***, 72% overall


Four Corners Tag Match: The Butcher and The Blade vs. The Natural Nightmares (Dustin Rhodes and QT Marshall) vs. SoCal Uncensored (Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian) vs. Sammy Hager (Sammy Guevara and Jake Hager)

Tonight's opener is also a bonus match. On the buy-in show, the tag team division was put on notice that four teams would be selected via random draw to be in a match with the winning duo earning themselves a future AEW World Tag Team title match.

Again, opening matches are meant to hype up the crowd and with a whole bunch of guys in there it makes for a frantic atmosphere and plenty of opportunity for teams to hit their moves on one another, and a couple guys in this match are north of 80 overness so that helped avoid torpedoing the crowd rating.

I've mentioned Daniels' age but didn't realize that the last Dynamite coincided with his legit 51st birthday, so giving him a singles match was my gift I suppose. And he had himself a great match.

Well screw it, I'm all for trying to ride the wave while I can. With bodies flying everywhere in the fracas, Daniels busts out something a man his age shouldn't be able to do - BEST MOONSAULT EVER on QT Marshall! SCU wins! SCU have been on something of a losing skid of late but this old dog has at least one more trick up his sleeve.
Winners: SoCal Uncensored
***, 79% overall


Jurassic Express (Jungle Boy, Luchasaurus, and Marko Stunt) vs. FTR and Shawn Spears

The Tully Blanchard at ringside, his team takes on even more of a Horsemen-like approach in what ends up being a fairly old school style display of teamwork. Jungle Boy playing Ricky Morton and selling the hell out of the isolation before Luchasaurus gets the hot tag and cleans house.

Marko Stunt gets tagged in, stands atop Luchasaurus' shoulders for a splash on Dax Harwood but it's broken up at the 2.999 count. Devolves into a usual brawl the ref can't contain, Tully slides brass knucks to Dax and poor little Marko gets his clock cleaned for the loss.

Even though Jurassic Express have come up on the short end for much of this feud, they play great sympathy faces and it puts over Tully's group as a bunch of dicks. If the 67 year old Blanchard is up to it, I'd pop huge for Luchasaurus press slamming him to the outside on top of his group, at least giving the fans a sense of catharsis at seeing the heel boss get a level of comeuppance.
Winners: FTR and Shawn Spears
***, 74%


Orange Cassidy and Chuck Taylor vs. Miro and Kip Sabian

Orange and Miro's feud continues here with both of their partners back in tow for some tag action. Based on the rating this continued the string of yet another solid match on tonight's show. Orange and Miro eventually take their fight to the outside. Penelope Ford climbs onto the apron to distract Chuck Taylor (and boy is she ever distracting)...Kip Sabian charges Chuck from behinds, but Chuck sidesteps. Kip knocks his wife off the apron! Chuck then hits Kip with the best finisher name in the business - the Awful Waffle! Chuck and Orange win!

Miro hops back in and blindsides Chuck. Orange comes in to try to help his friend, and doesn't see Penelope has made it back into the ring where she hits him with her heel (who throws a shoe? Honestly?) The heels standing tall laughing off the loss when all of a sudden some futuristic music hits and holy shit, it's KRIS STATLANDER! We haven't seen her in action since June when she picked up a knee injury in a match with Penelope Ford! Penelope looks like she's seen a ghost, or in this case an alien. The Galaxy's Greatest Alien charges and the heels take a powder for now.
Winners: Orange Cassidy and Chuck Taylor
***1/4, 79% overall


AEW Women's World Championship - Kendo Sticks Legal: Hikaru Shida vs. Awesome Kong (C)

Shida and Kong's feud culminates in a manner most violent as the two beat the shit out of each other with kendo sticks. Shida attempting to choke out Kong with a kendo stick-assisted Crossface is the first spot that came to mind in this one. Toward the end she gets Kong into a form of a Kimura Lock that Kong finds a way to get to the ropes (hey I only said kendo sticks were legal, not that there were no rules at all). Kong goes to rest on the top rope but Shida latches right back onto her in the hold, bad move - top rope Awesome Bomb counter and Kong retains.

A winded and exhausted Kong laughs devilishly in celebration and yes, she cuts off a lock of Shida's hair because dammit, she has to.
Winner and STILL AEW Women's World Champion: Awesome Kong
***, 81% overall


Big Money Match: "Big Money Matt Hardy vs. "Hangman" Adam Page

Tensions had been brewing between these two for the past couple of months, both as mismatched partners and now as adversaries. A lot of money at stake in this one, and so Matt tried to take every shortcut in the book only to be thwarted. Match nearing its conclusion. Dead Eye on Matt....Hangman goes to the apron, Matt stumbling to his feet, could this be the Buckshot Lariat?

Wait! Matt Hardy crumples in a heap, clutching his ankle. He rolls out to the floor in agony. The referee counts 10. Hangman is confused but happy all at the same time. He wins the money!

Matt moans in pain and calls for the mic. "Adam, you should've read the fine print on the contract you dumb cowboy. Appendix D, Section 8 CLEARLY states that the monetary stipulation is valid only if victory is achieved by pinfall or submission. You may have won the match but as far as the money goes, you get NOTHING! YOU LOSE! GOOD DAY SIR!"
Winner: Adam Page
***1/2, 87% overall


Feel Good Segment of the Night

Hangman is pissed as the crowd boos the shit out of Hardy. Suddenly, Hangman is once again blindsided by Private Party! Not again! They do a beat down on Page. Matt slides a chair into the ring, and Private Party attach it to Hangman's ankle. Matt's own ankle is now magically healed, he goes to the top rope...oh god no, they're gonna Pillmanize Hangman....



JOIN THE DARK ORDER

The crowd erupts as The Dark Order hits the ring! They fight off The Hardy Party. Dark Order tried for months to recruit Hangman into their ranks only to be politely declined as Hangman didn't want to join a group, only for Matt to keep putting them down and trying to force the issue with Hangman. Now they've shown back up for Hangman when they've needed him most.

Hangman gets to his feet and sees the Dark Order looking at him. The Dark Order all do their hand salute. Hangman looks conflicted on what to do as the crowd chants "YES". He finally does the salute and everyone loses their shit. Brings a case of beer into the ring as the Dark Order all drink and hug it out.

Rating: 85% overall....and somehow John Silver was the only member of Dark Order to gain overness. Probably stole the scene with his facial expressions. John Silver = ratings


AEW World Tag Team Championships: The Inner Circle (Chris Jericho and Maxwell Jacob Friedman) vs. The Young Bucks (C)

Another feud blown off on this one as the top alpha dogs of the Inner Circle try one last chance to win the gold with Jericho's threat of breaking the group up looming.

This was, as you could probably expect from the Bucks at this point, another red hot affair with everyone being super over and the crowd eating up everything. Jericho, not wanting to be outdone by Daniels in the 50 year old athletic move department, tries a Lionsault but gets a knee to the gut! MJF superkicked off the apron Jericho is picked up and the Bucks drive him to the mat with the Meltzer Driver! Bucks win!!! Bye bye Inner Circle!
Winners and STILL AEW World Tag Team Champions: The Young Bucks
****, 91% overall


Main Event - the first ever BLOOD AND GUTS match: AEW TNT Champion Darby Allin, Cody Rhodes, PAC, Rey Fenix, and Jon Moxley vs. AEW World Champion Kenny Omega, Brian Cage, Eddie Kingston, Santana, and Ortiz

The game is pretty lazy with writing up War Games Blood and Guts matches, just listing random spots without much about the actual match. I can only assume Cody would've started the match out of pride, and Eddie Kingston not wanting to be outdone would've been in there to start against his rival. Not coincidentally, these two are probably the most likely in the match to get color. Not that I'm a proponent of blade jobs but you really think Cody isn't gonna gig himself in this one?

Anyway I just imagine various spots, mostly people throwing themselves with reckless abandon off the cage. Darby Allin doing a Coffin Drop onto everybody. Fenix doing some flippy stuff off the cage. Brian Cage trying to powerbomb folks through the cage wall. Santana/Ortiz bringing the madball into the cage and whipping the crap out of people. God help us if Moxley decides to pay homage to Foley with thumbtacks, Blood and Guts indeed.

The important thing though is the finish. The match can only end when someone surrenders, and that's exactly what happens when the face team manage to get the heel team at bay and PAC locks in a Brutalizer on Omega. Omega surrenders! PAC just made the AEW World Champion give up!

Winners: The Face Team
***1/4, 83% overall.......well, the game gets lazy and gives it basically the same rating as the regular 10 man tag, fuck you! I say ****1/2!

82% Overall Show Rating

That show ruled. A whole night of ***+ matches is pretty fantastic for a non-MAG promotion.

[M-A-G]

Originally Posted by Conspiracy Victim Vito AEW Blood and Guts

I'd ask where the hot woman is but typically sticking the words 'woman' and 'blood' doesn't trigger pleasant images.

March 27, 2021 Welcome to AEW Not War Games Blood and Guts! Emanating live from the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. This landmark event marks the return of AEW going back on the road in full capacity venues after nearly a year of running exclusively out of The Daily's Place in Jacksonville, FL. Thank god the pandemic is over, now if only reality can imitate art.

Like I said before, I want to go back to only worrying about getting a chicken sandwich from Popeye's.

The Buy In: Thunder Rosa vs. Ivelisse AEW has a pretty big women's division and I choose to send Thunder Rosa and Ivelisse out there for a bonus match to get the crowd warmed up. As is the case with a lot of my undercard, they aren't particularly over but they clearly gelled well and the match did what I wanted it to do. Thunder Rosa has to deal with Ivelisse's heelery including her partner Diamante getting herself ejected at some point. Thunder Rosa eventually gets some momentum going and ultimately picks up the hard-fought win via making Ivelisse tap to the Dragon Sleeper. Winner: Thunder Rosa ***, 72% overall

Bonus points for use of the word 'heelery'.

Four Corners Tag Match: The Butcher and The Blade vs. The Natural Nightmares (Dustin Rhodes and QT Marshall) vs. SoCal Uncensored (Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian) vs. Sammy Hager (Sammy Guevara and Jake Hager) Tonight's opener is also a bonus match. On the buy-in show, the tag team division was put on notice that four teams would be selected via random draw to be in a match with the winning duo earning themselves a future AEW World Tag Team title match. Again, opening matches are meant to hype up the crowd and with a whole bunch of guys in there it makes for a frantic atmosphere and plenty of opportunity for teams to hit their moves on one another, and a couple guys in this match are north of 80 overness so that helped avoid torpedoing the crowd rating. I've mentioned Daniels' age but didn't realize that the last Dynamite coincided with his legit 51st birthday, so giving him a singles match was my gift I suppose. And he had himself a great match. Well screw it, I'm all for trying to ride the wave while I can. With bodies flying everywhere in the fracas, Daniels busts out something a man his age shouldn't be able to do - BEST MOONSAULT EVER on QT Marshall! SCU wins! SCU have been on something of a losing skid of late but this old dog has at least one more trick up his sleeve. Winners: SoCal Uncensored ***, 79% overall

If anyone at 51 is able to still bust out a top rope moonsault their blood needs to be studied and cryogenically stored.

Jurassic Express (Jungle Boy, Luchasaurus, and Marko Stunt) vs. FTR and Shawn Spears The Tully Blanchard at ringside, his team takes on even more of a Horsemen-like approach in what ends up being a fairly old school style display of teamwork. Jungle Boy playing Ricky Morton and selling the hell out of the isolation before Luchasaurus gets the hot tag and cleans house. Marko Stunt gets tagged in, stands atop Luchasaurus' shoulders for a splash on Dax Harwood but it's broken up at the 2.999 count. Devolves into a usual brawl the ref can't contain, Tully slides brass knucks to Dax and poor little Marko gets his clock cleaned for the loss. Even though Jurassic Express have come up on the short end for much of this feud, they play great sympathy faces and it puts over Tully's group as a bunch of dicks. If the 67 year old Blanchard is up to it, I'd pop huge for Luchasaurus press slamming him to the outside on top of his group, at least giving the fans a sense of catharsis at seeing the heel boss get a level of comeuppance. Winners: FTR and Shawn Spears ***, 74%

You'd pop even more if 67-year old Blanchard would bust out a moonsault of his own.

Orange Cassidy and Chuck Taylor vs. Miro and Kip Sabian Orange and Miro's feud continues here with both of their partners back in tow for some tag action. Based on the rating this continued the string of yet another solid match on tonight's show. Orange and Miro eventually take their fight to the outside. Penelope Ford climbs onto the apron to distract Chuck Taylor (and boy is she ever distracting)...Kip Sabian charges Chuck from behinds, but Chuck sidesteps. Kip knocks his wife off the apron! Chuck then hits Kip with the best finisher name in the business - the Awful Waffle! Chuck and Orange win! Miro hops back in and blindsides Chuck. Orange comes in to try to help his friend, and doesn't see Penelope has made it back into the ring where she hits him with her heel (who throws a shoe? Honestly?) The heels standing tall laughing off the loss when all of a sudden some futuristic music hits and holy shit, it's KRIS STATLANDER! We haven't seen her in action since June when she picked up a knee injury in a match with Penelope Ford! Penelope looks like she's seen a ghost, or in this case an alien. The Galaxy's Greatest Alien charges and the heels take a powder for now. Winners: Orange Cassidy and Chuck Taylor ***1/4, 79% overall

OK, with all of that craziness in the match and Penelope's wonderful assets, how am I supposed to pay that much attention to it when you've got somebody with the moniker of Galaxy's Greatest Alien? I need to take a trip on Google....

AEW Women's World Championship - Kendo Sticks Legal: Hikaru Shida vs. Awesome Kong (C) Shida and Kong's feud culminates in a manner most violent as the two beat the shit out of each other with kendo sticks. Shida attempting to choke out Kong with a kendo stick-assisted Crossface is the first spot that came to mind in this one. Toward the end she gets Kong into a form of a Kimura Lock that Kong finds a way to get to the ropes (hey I only said kendo sticks were legal, not that there were no rules at all). Kong goes to rest on the top rope but Shida latches right back onto her in the hold, bad move - top rope Awesome Bomb counter and Kong retains. A winded and exhausted Kong laughs devilishly in celebration and yes, she cuts off a lock of Shida's hair because dammit, she has to. Winner and STILL AEW Women's World Champion: Awesome Kong ***, 81% overall

This gives me a warm glow inside.

Big Money Match: "Big Money Matt Hardy vs. "Hangman" Adam Page Tensions had been brewing between these two for the past couple of months, both as mismatched partners and now as adversaries. A lot of money at stake in this one, and so Matt tried to take every shortcut in the book only to be thwarted. Match nearing its conclusion. Dead Eye on Matt....Hangman goes to the apron, Matt stumbling to his feet, could this be the Buckshot Lariat? Wait! Matt Hardy crumples in a heap, clutching his ankle. He rolls out to the floor in agony. The referee counts 10. Hangman is confused but happy all at the same time. He wins the money! Matt moans in pain and calls for the mic. "Adam, you should've read the fine print on the contract you dumb cowboy. Appendix D, Section 8 CLEARLY states that the monetary stipulation is valid only if victory is achieved by pinfall or submission. You may have won the match but as far as the money goes, you get NOTHING! YOU LOSE! GOOD DAY SIR!" Winner: Adam Page ***1/2, 87% overall

Fake injury AND Willy Wonka reference? Brilliant.

Feel Good Segment of the Night Hangman is pissed as the crowd boos the shit out of Hardy. Suddenly, Hangman is once again blindsided by Private Party! Not again! They do a beat down on Page. Matt slides a chair into the ring, and Private Party attach it to Hangman's ankle. Matt's own ankle is now magically healed, he goes to the top rope...oh god no, they're gonna Pillmanize Hangman.... JOIN THE DARK ORDER The crowd erupts as The Dark Order hits the ring! They fight off The Hardy Party. Dark Order tried for months to recruit Hangman into their ranks only to be politely declined as Hangman didn't want to join a group, only for Matt to keep putting them down and trying to force the issue with Hangman. Now they've shown back up for Hangman when they've needed him most. Hangman gets to his feet and sees the Dark Order looking at him. The Dark Order all do their hand salute. Hangman looks conflicted on what to do as the crowd chants "YES". He finally does the salute and everyone loses their shit. Brings a case of beer into the ring as the Dark Order all drink and hug it out. Rating: 85% overall....and somehow John Silver was the only member of Dark Order to gain overness. Probably stole the scene with his facial expressions. John Silver = ratings

I like how your segments flow into each other and that there's a payoff. Is Silver designated as the leader in the stable? The game typically awards any over points earned in a segment to the leader. The other possibility is his charisma is fairly respectable.

AEW World Tag Team Championships: The Inner Circle (Chris Jericho and Maxwell Jacob Friedman) vs. The Young Bucks (C) Another feud blown off on this one as the top alpha dogs of the Inner Circle try one last chance to win the gold with Jericho's threat of breaking the group up looming. This was, as you could probably expect from the Bucks at this point, another red hot affair with everyone being super over and the crowd eating up everything. Jericho, not wanting to be outdone by Daniels in the 50 year old athletic move department, tries a Lionsault but gets a knee to the gut! MJF superkicked off the apron Jericho is picked up and the Bucks drive him to the mat with the Meltzer Driver! Bucks win!!! Bye bye Inner Circle! Winners and STILL AEW World Tag Team Champions: The Young Bucks ****, 91% overall

I'm willing to wager in real life Daniels has the edge over Jericho as far as athleticism is concerned.

Main Event - the first ever BLOOD AND GUTS match: AEW TNT Champion Darby Allin, Cody Rhodes, PAC, Rey Fenix, and Jon Moxley vs. AEW World Champion Kenny Omega, Brian Cage, Eddie Kingston, Santana, and Ortiz The game is pretty lazy with writing up War Games Blood and Guts matches, just listing random spots without much about the actual match. I can only assume Cody would've started the match out of pride, and Eddie Kingston not wanting to be outdone would've been in there to start against his rival. Not coincidentally, these two are probably the most likely in the match to get color. Not that I'm a proponent of blade jobs but you really think Cody isn't gonna gig himself in this one? Anyway I just imagine various spots, mostly people throwing themselves with reckless abandon off the cage. Darby Allin doing a Coffin Drop onto everybody. Fenix doing some flippy stuff off the cage. Brian Cage trying to powerbomb folks through the cage wall. Santana/Ortiz bringing the madball into the cage and whipping the crap out of people. God help us if Moxley decides to pay homage to Foley with thumbtacks, Blood and Guts indeed. The important thing though is the finish. The match can only end when someone surrenders, and that's exactly what happens when the face team manage to get the heel team at bay and PAC locks in a Brutalizer on Omega. Omega surrenders! PAC just made the AEW World Champion give up! Winners: The Face Team ***1/4, 83% overall.......well, the game gets lazy and gives it basically the same rating as the regular 10 man tag, fuck you! I say ****1/2!

Uh, I thought we agreed on The Superfriends? Anyways, I figure it's the duty of any Rhodes offspring to bleed like a stuck pig. Hell, I imagine little Dakota running into a tree and just turning the playground sandbox into a sea of blood. War Games isn't necessarily infallible, remember. *cough*1998*cough* There had to have been two guys involved whose stats didn't click.

82% Overall Show Rating That show ruled. A whole night of ***+ matches is pretty fantastic for a non-MAG promotion.

[/QUOTE]

It was a pretty great show. 'Non-M-A-G show' should be a permanent term.

[Evil Vito]

Originally Posted by M-A-G OK, with all of that craziness in the match and Penelope's wonderful assets, how am I supposed to pay that much attention to it when you've got somebody with the moniker of Galaxy's Greatest Alien? I need to take a trip on Google....

She's got a unique look for sure. She's kind of a weirdo and based on interviews I've heard her in, she's genuinely a big nerd which is worth big points in my book.

Fake injury AND Willy Wonka reference? Brilliant.

That rant by Wonka was one of my favorite movie lines as a kid.

I like how your segments flow into each other and that there's a payoff. Is Silver designated as the leader in the stable? The game typically awards any over points earned in a segment to the leader. The other possibility is his charisma is fairly respectable.

Good shout, it's probably charisma. Dark Order has no official leader since Brodie Lee passed away. Evil Uno is the closest since he started the whole gimmick originally, but I actually said fuck it and listed Colt Cabana as the leader since he was the most over of the group and I assumed that's what impacted the segment rating.

Turns out John Silver slightly nudges him in charisma (only 63 overness for Silver but 88 charisma and decent in ring stats....think he'll eventually get a push) so perhaps the game just allocates the points to the most charismatic member.

I'm willing to wager in real life Daniels has the edge over Jericho as far as athleticism is concerned.

You'd be right. Jericho at times has me concerned that he'll wind up being wrestling's latest tragedy, dude clearly embraces the drinker/rockstar lifestyle and his beer gut shows it. Dude's gotten so much bigger than 2016 and not in a good way. In fairness to him, I could only hope to look like he does now when I'm 50 and have not even close to the same amount of wear and tear on my body....but I'm not meant to be going out on national TV either.

[Evil Vito]

AEW Crossroads
April 24, 2021

No logo for this made up AEW large event, but with the Crossroads/Cross Rhodes connection let's just throw a pic of Brandi Rhodes in here.




The Buy In: The Butcher and The Blade vs. Lance Archer and Dustin Rhodes

This match was basically meant to be a teaser for the Kingston/Archer match coming up on Dynamite, as Kingston's heavies The Butcher and The Blade face off against Archer, who picked Dustin as his partner for this match due to Cody's recent feud with Kingston.

Kingston gets up from commentary and interjects himself in the match, goading Archer into chasing him up the ramp leaving poor Dustin alone. B&B hit him with The Full Death for the win.
Winner: The Butcher and The Blade
***, 75% overall


AEW Women's World Championship: Dr. Britt Baker DMD vs. Awesome Kong (C)

I was thinking I would have to turn this into a multi-woman match because heel vs. heel matches tend to get penalized in EWR, only to then realize Kong is actually set up as a tweener which is kinda more fitting for her character anyway. She has a sadistic side but will fuck up anybody.

Baker tried to chickenshit her way out of this in as many different ways as possible. Cheap shots, using Reba for distractions, etc. but nothing was throwing Kong off her game. Once Kong grabbed Baker by the hair and Baker sold the terror, it was all over. Baker takes a beating and an Awesome Bomb finishes it. Baker is the latest wrestler to get scalped by Kong's shears afterwards.
Winner and STILL AEW Women's World champion: Awesome Kong
**3/4, 76% overall


AEW World Tag Team Championship: SCU (Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian) vs. The Young Bucks (C)

The teams showed mutual respect with one another with a handshake at the start of the proceedings, but those plesantries went out the window as soon as the bell rang. These teams threw everything but the kitchen sink at each other and it shows with the match rating. I did not advertise this as Daniels' final match, especially on a show with a retiring Sting who I can't ever use again....and with ratings like this I think I can see why I still would love to find ways to keep him in an angle to justify him wrestling.

Four super talented dudes, two of whom are at main event level overness and the other two in the 80s, AND the X factor of both teams having high experience ratings, yeesh this ruled. After a dramatic contest, Daniels connects with the Angel's Wings on Nick Jackson. Not convinced that would be enough to end it, Daniels goes up top for the Best Moonsault Ever. Big mistake, Nick gets his knees up! Nick gets him with the roll up and the Bucks retain!

After the bell, the crowd applauds all four men. Kazarian looks really deflated on the outside. After the Bucks leave, a Kazarian gets into the ring and shoves down Daniels in frustration! He immediately gets a look of regret but doesn't help Daniels up, leaving in a huff instead.
Winners and STILL AEW World Tag Team champions: The Young Bucks
*****, 96% overall (100% quality)


[B]It's time for our Double or Nothing match with a whole lot of money at stake. "Big Money" Matt Hardy is out first. He reminds everybody that he was allowed to pick the stipulation. He wanted to ensure a fair fight for all, and he found the perfect referee for the job. An intensely focused referee. A man with the integrity to call things right down the middle. A man intelligent enough to know the rulebook front and back.

Ladies and gentleman, my longtime dear personal friend......KURT ANGLE!!!

The crowd marks out, what is Kurt Angle doing here in AEW??? Kurt Angle makes his way to the ring in his AEW referee shirt and soaks in the adoration from the crowd.
86% overall


Double or Nothing Match w/ Special Guest Referee Kurt Angle: "Big Money" Matt Hardy vs. "Hangman" Adam Page

Matt Hardy has possibly his best match in AEW, these two gelled even better than the last big show and between the extra crowd support culminating the feud and the dynamics of a special guest referee, the crowd ate it up.

A fired up Hangman wails on Matt so much at the beginning Angle has to try to break them up, which doesn't go over with the crowd. Matt throws Hangman into the steps at ringside, trying to goad The Dark Order into something. Dark Order look like they're about to lose their cool and jump Matt which prompts Angle to eject them to heel heat.

Unfortunately for Matt, who assumed he had the referee in his pocket Angle would go on to prove his 3 I's true by eventually ejecting Private Party as well, and not ignore Matt's attempts to cheat. Ie: hand on the ropes in a roll up, Angle kicks Matt's arm loose.

Matt eventually loses it, screaming at Angle. I invited you to AEW and this is how you treat me? Matt shoves Angle, drawing an ooooh from the crowd. Angle asks "did you just shove an official?" and teases that he's gonna DQ Matt, turning him into a crybaby bitch begging for forgiveness. All this happens while Matt is unaware Hangman is waiting on the apron. Turn around, Buckshot Lariat, 3 count, HANGMAN WINS THE MONEY!!!!!

Hangman celebrates his new fortune. Beer is on him tonight and for the forseeable future. Matt eventually recovers fuming, and now he's really getting physical with Angle. Angle looks to the crowd, match is over now so no need to play by the rules any more. Angle Slam and Angle Lock to Matt for old time's sake.
Winner: "Hangman" Adam Page
****, 89% overall


AEW TNT Championship - Street Fight: "The Machine" Brian Cage vs. Darby Allin (C)
Darby is fully prepared to use weapons to take on Team Taz all on his own but Brian Cage, in a surprising move, tells Team Taz to stay back so they can go it alone. They had a street fight at Revolution in a tag team scenario, but now it's one on one, no more bullshit to settle the score once and for all.

I imagine this match was bowling shoe ugly in the best possible way, because it was an incredible, violent brawl and like most other things tonight the crowd ate it way the hell up. Darby is one of the wrestlers on the roster who hardly needs to be talked into taking a sick bump. Brian Cage's finisher the Drill Claw is a vertical suplex piledriver hybrid. You know what that means? DRILL CLAW FROM THE TOP ROPE THROUGH A TABLE!!!!! The FTW Champion Cage backs it up on his own to bring more gold to Team Taz. Who can stop the path of Cage?

Winner and NEW TNT Champion: "The Machine" Brian Cage
****1/2, 92% overall


Steel Cage Match: "The Best Man" Miro vs. "Freshly Squeezed" Orange Cassidy

Another long running feud comes to an end in this one and hot damn do they have a tough act to follow. If they weren't both nice and over it might've been seen as a let down compared to the previous match. But it worked!

Only way to win this match is to escape the cage, because fuck pins and submissions in a cage match. Orange tried to keep Miro off balance as much as possible, but in a cage environment, Miro definitely grabbed the momentum and seemed to turn it into a torture chamber. Orange threw his body at Miro and Miro used him as a battering ram in equal measure. The announcers bemoaned that Miro could end it and now he's just wanting to make Orange suffer.

He picks up Orange in a Spinebuster formation...charges towards the cage and OH SHIT, it breaks! Orange is essentially Speared through the cage, but as he hit the ground first, he is declared the winner! Miro absolutely snaps at the decision starts tearing off a part of the cage and, attacking referees Rick Knox and Bryce Remsburg.
Winner: Orange Cassidy
***, 84% overall


Career Threatening Match: The Inner Circle (Maxwell Jacob Friedman and "The Spanish God" Sammy Guevara) vs. Sting and "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes

I have no idea how Sting would've fared in a regular singles match, my suggestion is not well since his highest stat is a low 60s brawl. But between the other great workers in this and everybody being mega over, this match got to be all about the storytelling.

I think everybody knows Sting is retiring, so you give them a heaping helping of hope spots and false finishes all along the way. Inner Circle try to interfere at one point and Sting/Cody fight them off like it was WCW and they were the nWo. Everyone gets nostalgic.

Cody and MJF are legal in the ring. Sting and Sammy fighting outside. Sammy ends up having a madball that Santana and Ortiz slipped him when they interfered earlier, he clocks Sting with it and the referee doesn't see it because it's on the outside. Cody sees it, runs to the side of the ring to check on Sting's safety, only for MJF to roll Cody up with an illegal tight hook for the win. WHAT????

Everybody knew Sting would have to lose, but Cody eating a sudden flash pin was a subversion of expectations. Inner Circle laugh their asses off and hightail it out of there while Cody looks shocked and absolutely devastated at what just happened....did he just force one of his rivals to retire???
Winners: Maxwell Jacob Friedman and Sammy Guevara
***, 86% overall


Main Event - AEW World Championship: "The Bastard" PAC vs. Jon Moxley vs. "The Cleaner" Kenny Omega (C)

Kenny begs off early on and tries to get one of the other guys to team with him to take out the opposition, as if he hasn't been a prick for months. The crowd get the satisfaction of seeing Kenny get his ass whooped by the faces for a while before they inevitably have to turn on each other.

Some pretty standard triple threat drama in here with the close pinn breakups. Kenny has some tricks up his sleeve but they don't seem to work, Callis calls out Karl Anderson to run interference and the faces kick his ass. No dice. Faces suplex Kenny through the announce table.

Faces go at it in the ring again. If the Drill Claw from the top rope looked like a sick bump before....what about Mox hitting a Paradigm Shift from the top? Holy shitballs that looked nasty. 1...2...Mox is pulled out of the ring by.........MIRO?????

What the hell is this! Miro still looks enraged from his loss an hour or so ago, and he apparently wants to take it out on more people. He beats the shit out of Mox who barely has anything left in the tank as is and is just throwing punches out of instinct. They brawl up the ramp. Meanwhile in the ring, Omega has slowly recovered and he drags himself over to the nearly dead PAC in the ring to get the pin and the victory.

Winner and STILL AEW World Champion: Kenny Omega
****, 89% overall
---

87% Overall Show Rating

Well, this fucking ruled. Scott Keith gives it two thumbs and his cock up.

[M-A-G]

Originally Posted by Conspiracy Victim Vito AEW Crossroads April 24, 2021 No logo for this made up AEW large event, but with the Crossroads/Cross Rhodes connection let's just throw a pic of Brandi Rhodes in here.

Cody, you dog...

The Buy In: The Butcher and The Blade vs. Lance Archer and Dustin Rhodes This match was basically meant to be a teaser for the Kingston/Archer match coming up on Dynamite, as Kingston's heavies The Butcher and The Blade face off against Archer, who picked Dustin as his partner for this match due to Cody's recent feud with Kingston. Kingston gets up from commentary and interjects himself in the match, goading Archer into chasing him up the ramp leaving poor Dustin alone. B&B hit him with The Full Death for the win. Winner: The Butcher and The Blade ***, 75% overall

I'd have gone with The Premium Cut or The Grade A for their finisher name.

AEW Women's World Championship: Dr. Britt Baker DMD vs. Awesome Kong (C) I was thinking I would have to turn this into a multi-woman match because heel vs. heel matches tend to get penalized in EWR, only to then realize Kong is actually set up as a tweener which is kinda more fitting for her character anyway. She has a sadistic side but will fuck up anybody. Baker tried to chickenshit her way out of this in as many different ways as possible. Cheap shots, using Reba for distractions, etc. but nothing was throwing Kong off her game. Once Kong grabbed Baker by the hair and Baker sold the terror, it was all over. Baker takes a beating and an Awesome Bomb finishes it. Baker is the latest wrestler to get scalped by Kong's shears afterwards. Winner and STILL AEW Women's World champion: Awesome Kong **3/4, 76% overall

It was cute of Baker to try. Trophies for participation!

AEW World Tag Team Championship: SCU (Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian) vs. The Young Bucks (C) The teams showed mutual respect with one another with a handshake at the start of the proceedings, but those plesantries went out the window as soon as the bell rang. These teams threw everything but the kitchen sink at each other and it shows with the match rating. I did not advertise this as Daniels' final match, especially on a show with a retiring Sting who I can't ever use again....and with ratings like this I think I can see why I still would love to find ways to keep him in an angle to justify him wrestling. Four super talented dudes, two of whom are at main event level overness and the other two in the 80s, AND the X factor of both teams having high experience ratings, yeesh this ruled. After a dramatic contest, Daniels connects with the Angel's Wings on Nick Jackson. Not convinced that would be enough to end it, Daniels goes up top for the Best Moonsault Ever. Big mistake, Nick gets his knees up! Nick gets him with the roll up and the Bucks retain! After the bell, the crowd applauds all four men. Kazarian looks really deflated on the outside. After the Bucks leave, a Kazarian gets into the ring and shoves down Daniels in frustration! He immediately gets a look of regret but doesn't help Daniels up, leaving in a huff instead. Winners and STILL AEW World Tag Team champions: The Young Bucks *****, 96% overall (100% quality)

THE SNOWFLAKES ARE REAL!!! I'm guessing we're going to draw out the farewell for Daniels? It'd be something if Kazarian decides to retire, too.

[B]It's time for our Double or Nothing match with a whole lot of money at stake. "Big Money" Matt Hardy is out first. He reminds everybody that he was allowed to pick the stipulation. He wanted to ensure a fair fight for all, and he found the perfect referee for the job. An intensely focused referee. A man with the integrity to call things right down the middle. A man intelligent enough to know the rulebook front and back. Ladies and gentleman, my longtime dear personal friend......KURT ANGLE!!! The crowd marks out, what is Kurt Angle doing here in AEW??? Kurt Angle makes his way to the ring in his AEW referee shirt and soaks in the adoration from the crowd. 86% overall

Angle and Hardy friends? Man, I bet they've got some crazy drug-induced stories to swap. Not to mention being cucked.

Double or Nothing Match w/ Special Guest Referee Kurt Angle: "Big Money" Matt Hardy vs. "Hangman" Adam Page Matt Hardy has possibly his best match in AEW, these two gelled even better than the last big show and between the extra crowd support culminating the feud and the dynamics of a special guest referee, the crowd ate it up. A fired up Hangman wails on Matt so much at the beginning Angle has to try to break them up, which doesn't go over with the crowd. Matt throws Hangman into the steps at ringside, trying to goad The Dark Order into something. Dark Order look like they're about to lose their cool and jump Matt which prompts Angle to eject them to heel heat. Unfortunately for Matt, who assumed he had the referee in his pocket Angle would go on to prove his 3 I's true by eventually ejecting Private Party as well, and not ignore Matt's attempts to cheat. Ie: hand on the ropes in a roll up, Angle kicks Matt's arm loose. Matt eventually loses it, screaming at Angle. I invited you to AEW and this is how you treat me? Matt shoves Angle, drawing an ooooh from the crowd. Angle asks "did you just shove an official?" and teases that he's gonna DQ Matt, turning him into a crybaby bitch begging for forgiveness. All this happens while Matt is unaware Hangman is waiting on the apron. Turn around, Buckshot Lariat, 3 count, HANGMAN WINS THE MONEY!!!!! Hangman celebrates his new fortune. Beer is on him tonight and for the forseeable future. Matt eventually recovers fuming, and now he's really getting physical with Angle. Angle looks to the crowd, match is over now so no need to play by the rules any more. Angle Slam and Angle Lock to Matt for old time's sake. Winner: "Hangman" Adam Page ****, 89% overall

I mean that's a fun end and all but how much more fun (and lawsuit-inducing) would it have been if Mike Rotunda showed up in a white shirt and suspenders and demanded from Page immediate payment on his taxes?

AEW TNT Championship - Street Fight: "The Machine" Brian Cage vs. Darby Allin (C) Darby is fully prepared to use weapons to take on Team Taz all on his own but Brian Cage, in a surprising move, tells Team Taz to stay back so they can go it alone. They had a street fight at Revolution in a tag team scenario, but now it's one on one, no more bullshit to settle the score once and for all. I imagine this match was bowling shoe ugly in the best possible way, because it was an incredible, violent brawl and like most other things tonight the crowd ate it way the hell up. Darby is one of the wrestlers on the roster who hardly needs to be talked into taking a sick bump. Brian Cage's finisher the Drill Claw is a vertical suplex piledriver hybrid. You know what that means? DRILL CLAW FROM THE TOP ROPE THROUGH A TABLE!!!!! The FTW Champion Cage backs it up on his own to bring more gold to Team Taz. Who can stop the path of Cage? Winner and NEW TNT Champion: "The Machine" Brian Cage ****1/2, 92% overall

THE SNOWFLAKES ARE STRONG WITH THIS SHOW! Doing the monthly big show isn't exactly hurting you in this regard.

Steel Cage Match: "The Best Man" Miro vs. "Freshly Squeezed" Orange Cassidy Another long running feud comes to an end in this one and hot damn do they have a tough act to follow. If they weren't both nice and over it might've been seen as a let down compared to the previous match. But it worked! Only way to win this match is to escape the cage, because fuck pins and submissions in a cage match. Orange tried to keep Miro off balance as much as possible, but in a cage environment, Miro definitely grabbed the momentum and seemed to turn it into a torture chamber. Orange threw his body at Miro and Miro used him as a battering ram in equal measure. The announcers bemoaned that Miro could end it and now he's just wanting to make Orange suffer. He picks up Orange in a Spinebuster formation...charges towards the cage and OH SHIT, it breaks! Orange is essentially Speared through the cage, but as he hit the ground first, he is declared the winner! Miro absolutely snaps at the decision starts tearing off a part of the cage and, attacking referees Rick Knox and Bryce Remsburg. Winner: Orange Cassidy ***, 84% overall

Never take cage match advice from Paul Wight, Miro.

Career Threatening Match: The Inner Circle (Maxwell Jacob Friedman and "The Spanish God" Sammy Guevara) vs. Sting and "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes I have no idea how Sting would've fared in a regular singles match, my suggestion is not well since his highest stat is a low 60s brawl. But between the other great workers in this and everybody being mega over, this match got to be all about the storytelling. I think everybody knows Sting is retiring, so you give them a heaping helping of hope spots and false finishes all along the way. Inner Circle try to interfere at one point and Sting/Cody fight them off like it was WCW and they were the nWo. Everyone gets nostalgic. Cody and MJF are legal in the ring. Sting and Sammy fighting outside. Sammy ends up having a madball that Santana and Ortiz slipped him when they interfered earlier, he clocks Sting with it and the referee doesn't see it because it's on the outside. Cody sees it, runs to the side of the ring to check on Sting's safety, only for MJF to roll Cody up with an illegal tight hook for the win. WHAT???? Everybody knew Sting would have to lose, but Cody eating a sudden flash pin was a subversion of expectations. Inner Circle laugh their asses off and hightail it out of there while Cody looks shocked and absolutely devastated at what just happened....did he just force one of his rivals to retire??? Winners: Maxwell Jacob Friedman and Sammy Guevara ***, 86% overall

That's a twist I didn't see coming. I'd have put money on Sting eating the pin. I'm guessing Cody is going to be getting some heat from some of the roster.

Main Event - AEW World Championship: "The Bastard" PAC vs. Jon Moxley vs. "The Cleaner" Kenny Omega (C) Kenny begs off early on and tries to get one of the other guys to team with him to take out the opposition, as if he hasn't been a prick for months. The crowd get the satisfaction of seeing Kenny get his ass whooped by the faces for a while before they inevitably have to turn on each other. Some pretty standard triple threat drama in here with the close pinn breakups. Kenny has some tricks up his sleeve but they don't seem to work, Callis calls out Karl Anderson to run interference and the faces kick his ass. No dice. Faces suplex Kenny through the announce table. Faces go at it in the ring again. If the Drill Claw from the top rope looked like a sick bump before....what about Mox hitting a Paradigm Shift from the top? Holy shitballs that looked nasty. 1...2...Mox is pulled out of the ring by.........MIRO????? What the hell is this! Miro still looks enraged from his loss an hour or so ago, and he apparently wants to take it out on more people. He beats the shit out of Mox who barely has anything left in the tank as is and is just throwing punches out of instinct. They brawl up the ramp. Meanwhile in the ring, Omega has slowly recovered and he drags himself over to the nearly dead PAC in the ring to get the pin and the victory. Winner and STILL AEW World Champion: Kenny Omega ****, 89% overall

Miro and Moxley should feud over who has the hotter blonde wife...a question I still ponder over to this day. I'd say it's even more important than the 4 stars this match racked up. Omega with a heroic effort there at the end.

If I'm tracking this right this was probably your best show. Everyone looks like they were on the good shit this night.

[Evil Vito]

Yeah, Jericho is basically a brawler at this stage which is why I thought his match with Moxley at last year’s Revolution was pretty good, and he had a good one against Orange Cassidy too where it was a good fight. But if he tries to out wrestle someone or do shit he was doing 20 years ago, it doesn’t go so well. The Bucks are speedy spot guys so it feels like a potential styles clash, but it actually blended in game.

Match will be happening in real life, it wasn’t even rumored when I booked it so hey, maybe my match results are feeding directly to Tony Khan.

The main though...damn. Their stats are so similar I had a hunch they’d have a classic but I didn’t know it’d be 100%. I have each guy’s next feud in mind but I’m still on the fence on which feud should have the belt. Not sure the game’s feud system will allow me to stretch this all the way out to my next actual PPV in May.

[M-A-G]

Originally Posted by Conspiracy Victim Vito The main though...damn. Their stats are so similar I had a hunch they’d have a classic but I didn’t know it’d be 100%. I have each guy’s next feud in mind but I’m still on the fence on which feud should have the belt. Not sure the game’s feud system will allow me to stretch this all the way out to my next actual PPV in May.

If it's a minor feud, you can get away with it. If it's a major feud, it needs to have some sort of continuation on a big event otherwise you get penalized. I think the parties suffer a drop in overness but I'm not sure because I tend to not do major feuds.