Showdown: Legends of Wrestling

[tafkaga]

Jul 10, 2020 9:54:32 GMT -5 Swarm said:

I love your fed. I love how you only run 4-5 matches a show. Boom, boom, boom. Quick, easy, fun read using a great roster.

Thank you.  I like to imagine each show having about a 45 minute run time, which keeps it much more manageable, easy for me to remember my place and only 30 minutes or so to play/write out a quick show. 

[Swarm]

Jul 10, 2020 9:59:27 GMT -5 tafkaga said:

Jul 10, 2020 9:54:32 GMT -5 Swarm said:

I love your fed. I love how you only run 4-5 matches a show. Boom, boom, boom. Quick, easy, fun read using a great roster.

Thank you.  I like to imagine each show having about a 45 minute run time, which keeps it much more manageable, easy for me to remember my place and only 30 minutes or so to play/write out a quick show. 

Pariah does something similar. Only runs 4-5 matches a show. You end up with a lot more shows than if you’re running 8-12 matches a card but the reads are so fulfilling it makes every match feel important. I tried it myself and it was great. Keep up the all the hard work!

[Crimson Cross]

I've used the 3,4 to 5 match/fight format for sometime now with both my new CALIFORNIA WRESTLING fed and my Go.Fight.Pow! game fed called *IFC INTERGALACTIC FIGHT CLUB and I too like your style...

[Dustin]

5 matches is the sweet spot for me.

[tafkaga]

SHOWDOWN 15: Brody Tests Perfection

Gordon Solie welcomed fans to a special two hour Showdown, where Bruiser Brody would face Lou Thesz to determine who would get a shot at Curt Hennig’s World title later in the night. In addition, Hennig would choose an opponent to wrestle in a non-title match to warm up for the main event title defense. In a pre-recorded interview, Hennig revealed that the opponent he’d chosen to wrestle first on Showdown was…you guessed it, Marty Jannetty! Jannetty pumped his fists excitedly about the prospect of a fourth opportunity at Hennig after three consecutive defeats.

Curt Hennig [c] pinned Marty Jannetty AGAIN in a non-title match with the PERFECT PLEX. This time, the Rocker was unable to deliver much of a fight to the reigning champ, and fans who were rooting for Hennig to finally get what was coming to him were sorely disappointed. Hennig spoke to Gordon Solie after the match, boasting of his perfect record and claiming that fans who had forgotten the fact that he beat three men in a tournament to win the belt in the first place would be reminded tonight why they called him Mr. Perfect.

Bruiser Brody pinned Lou Thesz with the KING KONG KNEE DROP to become the #1 contender for the World Heavyweight title. The crowd popped for Brody, who had clearly become the most popular wrestler in LOW since defeating Ted DiBiase and King Kong Bundy on the same night. Gordon Solie spoke to a disappointed Lou Thesz after the match, who was quickly joined by Buddy Rogers. Rogers claimed the people were behind Brody because they could recognize an opportunist when they saw one. Always classy, Thesz simply walked away.

Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff beat The Young Texans when Sheik pinned Mantell after an exciting battle where the Texans showed tremendous energy and resilience despite perhaps not yet having the experience to hang with veteran teams. It was a sad moment in Legends Arena to see two good looking American boys go down to foreign subversives, but Mantell and Houston still got patted on the back by many a fan for a strong effort.

Backstage Gene Okerlund was standing by with Greg Valentine, who had his unrecognized championship belt over one shoulder. Okerlund asked him what he thought he was doing parading around with that belt, to which Valentine responded that he was the Intercontinental champion, and if anyone didn’t like it they could get in line! Jimmy Snuka then walked into the scene looking intense and wigged out, growling that he didn’t like the fact that he beat Valentine twice and yet Valentine is the one who gets to walk around with a gold belt. Valentine barked that he’d had enough of Snuka and if he really thought he was worthy of the gold, he could try to take it from him at the next Showdown.

Bobo Brazil pinned King Kong Bundy after a COCO BUTT in a grueling match between two true giants of the ring. Though Bundy dominated Brazil early, big Bobo recharged himelf and came after Bundy hard, outbrawling the big man from Atlantic City and leaving his face a crimson mask. Winded and without Ted DiBiase at ringside to look to for help, Brazil felled Bundy like a giant oak with a series of Coco Butts and made the cover to get an impressive victory.

The Valiant Brothers beat The Road Warriors when Jimmy caught Animal with a flying cross body from the top turnbuckle, leaving fans with their mouths agape by the upset. Johnny Valiant could hardly believe it himself, and Hawk was so stunned that he didn’t even bother to try to break up the pin. Jim Cornette was at ringside calling the match as if it were a foregone conclusion that the Road Warriors would pick up the win and be named #1 contenders, but broke out into near hysterics when Valiant got the pin. When Cornette went into the ring to congratulate the Valiants, Animal grabbed hold of his jacket and sent him colliding into Hawk, who press Cornette over his head and slammed him to the mat! While it was cathartic for the Road Warriors and their fans, the disbelief on the faces of Hawk and Animal was second only to that of the Valiant Brothers.

Curt Hennig [c] pinned Bruiser Brody with the PERFECT PLEX to retain the World Heavyweight title after taking an epic beating from Brody. During the match, Mr. Hughes came down to ringside and took a seat to watch the match, which Hennig seemed to find more distracting that Brody, even as far as asking the refere to send Hughes backstage. The big man’s posture was as frozen as the scowl on his face as Brody dominated the champion. Finally, as the crowd erupted with chants of “Brody! Brody!”, Hughes circled the ring and threw an object to Brody! Brody caught the object and examined it… a pair of brass knuckles! The referee admonished Brody, whose attention was fixed on Hughes, as Hennig got the opening to nail Brody from behind with the Axe and then finish him off with the PERFECT PLEX.

Seemingly confused, Brody knocked the champion on his back with a crushing blow, then took out after Mr. Hughes who had already disappeared into the dressing room. Battered and beaten, Hennig still managed a smile as he was proclaimed the winner and handed his championship belt.

[tafkaga]

SHOWDOWN 16: The Valiants Visit the Dark Side 

From the interview stage, “Mean” Gene Okerlund introduced LOW Champion Curt Hennig to a loud mixed response. Gene insinuated that Hennig was only still champion by the skin of his teeth, because of the actions of Mr. Hughes, and asked Hennig if he had anything to do with it. Hennig sneered at Okerlund and reminded him that Hughes threw the brass knuckles to Brody, insinuating that Brody obviously had a deal under the table with Hughes to help him steal the LOW belt. Okerlund balked, and the crowd exploded as Bruiser Brody walked out looking intense and growled that he didn’t know Hennig’s game, but that he didn’t need brass knuckles to beat him, and he would prove it TONIGHT on Showdown. Hennig told Brody that he would have to get at the back of the line and earn a shot just like everyone else, at which time King Kong Bundy came out and attacked Brody from behind! What was Bundy doing out there? Security flooded the scene to stop the brawl between the two behemoths.

Jimmy Snuka pinned Greg Valentine following a SUPERFLY LEAP, handing Valentine his third defeat since showing up in LOW. As has become expected, Valentine wore the unrecognized Intercontinental championship to the ring, but once again emphatically stressed to the referee that the title was NOT on the line. This was a clear contradiction of what Valentine had told Snuka at the last Showdown, when he challenged Snuka to try to beat him for the gold. When Snuka found out that Valentine wasn’t parting with the gold, he took it anyway and cracked the Hammer over the head with it! The crowd roared as Snuka put the belt on, climbed to the top turnbuckle, and SPLASHED Valentine with the belt!

King Kong Bundy destroyed Sam Houston with an ATLANTIC CITY AVALANCHE and got a five count over one half of the Young Texans. After the match, Gordon Solie asked Bundy what was the meaning of attacking Bruiser Brody earlier. Bundy said he didn’t get paid a lot of money to come to LOW and be embarrassed, and that’s exactly what Brody did to him in their cage match at Showdown 13. Bundy said he planned to take every bit of it out of Brody’s hide and stand alone as the true monster of LOW. When Solie asked Bundy about the whereabouts of Ted DiBiase, Bundy said he has no idea because he’s no longer on DiBiase’s payroll, and now he’s calling the shots.

Buddy Rogers beat Jake Milliman by submission with the FIGURE FOUR GRAPEVINE, picking up a fairly easy fall over the Milkman. After the match, Gordon Solie asked Rogers what was next for him since The Wrestling Classics seemed to be kaput. Rogers said that “kaput” was apt, and that this victory marked a new beginning for the Nature Boy in LOW, one where he would rise to the top and claim the prize that should have been his and would have been his had it not been for Lou Thesz distracting him with a tag team. Rogers called out Thesz and said that they had some unfinished business, and that Lou could stand around looking forlorn all he wanted to, but he would have to do it from behind.

The Midnight Express [c] beat The Valiant Brothers to retain the LOW Tag Team titles when Bobby finished Johnny off with a spinning neckbreaker. The Valiants were coming off a hot streak of wins over the best tag teams in LOW to earn their shot against Cornette’s Midnights, and seemed every bit in top form here. Though it seemed like the Valiants were just one big move away from picking up tag team gold, The Midnight Express demonstrated why they are the premiere tag team in the world and rallied back to finish off their opposition. As Showdown went off the air, Gordon Solie announced that the rematch pitting Bruiser Brody vs. King Kong Bundy had been signed for the next Showdown!

[tafkaga]

SHOWDOWN 17: The Monster Mash 

Greg Valentine beat George South by submission with the FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK without much resistance. Gordon Solie called Valentine over after the match to talk to him about his unrecognized Intercontinental title, and read a statement from the LOW Championship Committee which stated that Valentine was to cease and desist carrying the belt on Showdown. The crowd cheered as Valentine threw a fit. Solie further elaborated that a tournament for the LOW Television championship would begin it’s first round on the next Showdown, wrapping up with the semi-finals and finals at GWF 20. Solie then announced that Valentine’s first round opponent would be Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka! The crowd popped as Valentine threw a tantrum over having to face the man who had already beaten him on three occasions.

Lou Thesz beat Brad Armstrong in less than 30 seconds by forcing armstrong to submit to a rolling short arm scissors, both embarrassing the debuting Armstrong and underscoring Thesz’ frustration over recent weeks. Speaking with Gordon Solie after the match, Thesz praised Armstrong for being a fine young talent, but claimed was now was not the time to expect a friendly match, commenting specifically on Buddy Rogers’ recent tauntings and challenge to face off in the ring. Thesz asked the Championship Committee to sign the match for the next Showdown, and he would beat Buddy Rogers in front of the whole world just like he did the last time they met.

Gene Okerlund caught up with Ted DiBiase, who was lounging at his summer residence in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. DiBiase claimed that he’d stepped away for only one reason, because he was tired of managing incompetents like Bruiser Brody and King Kong Bundy who took his money and couldn’t do the job they were paid to do. He said that he realized that nothing was going to get done unless he did it himself, and warned that when he returned to LOW, it wouldn’t be to hand out a million dollars in cash, but to lock the MILLION DOLLAR DREAM on each and every legend who stood between him and the LOW Heavyweight title.

The Valiant Brothers beat The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff with a SUPER ELBOW just before the time limit, scooping up a major rejuvenating victory after a frustrating loss to the Midnight Express on the last Showdown, but causing even more frustration for the floundering Sheik/Volkoff duo who tore into their ring with the flags to jump the Valiants! A loud roar came from the crowd as two teams who no one was fond of had a knock-down drag-out brawl in Legends Arena that went all the way back to the locker room. Gordon Solie gave up on getting a word with either team, and didn’t seem to mind.

Bruiser Brody and King Kong Bundy fought to an expiration of time DRAW, with both men surviving the other’s finishing move and continuing to take the battle to one another. Solie suggested that despite the fans’ distaste for King Kong Bundy, he believed that Bundy was winning some respect from them and no doubt he was earning the respect of Brody. As the bell sounded, both men were so exhausted by the collision that they could not carry on with the fight. Solie reminded fans that the Television tournament began next week as Greg Valentine would meet Jimmy Snuka in the first round, and in the main event Lou Thesz and Buddy Rogers would settle their score.

[tafkaga]

SHOWDOWN 18: The Better Man 

A Representative of the Championship Committee presented the LOW Television Championship title to “Mean” Gene Okerlund who introduced the eight men who would be competing in the tournament for that prestigious belt, including Greg Valentine, Jimmy Snuka, Lou Thesz, Buddy Rogers, Bobo Brazil, Gorgeous George, Hacksaw Duggan and… returning to LOW, the “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase, who walked out with Mr. Hughes! Okerlund explained that the winner of this prestigious title would defend it at each and every Showdown in 15-minute time limit matches, where the action was sure to be fast and furious!

Jimmy Snuka pinned Greg Valentine after a piledriver, going a perfect 4-0 against Valentine since he debuted in LOW and advancing to the semi-finals of the Television title tournament. Valentine actually looked exceptionally strong during this match, but couldn’t finish the deal on the Superfly. Valentine exited bitterly, having brought his own title into LOW, ordered to cease and desist carrying the unrecognized belt, added to a tournament for a real belt, then becoming the first man eliminated from said tournament.

Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff beat The Valiant Brothers when Volkoff pinned Luscious Johnny after a BACKBREAKER DROP. This was a rematch from the last Showdown, which unexpectedly became a marathon match and ended with the Valiants getting the win, but it was a loss suffered bitterly for the Sheik and Volkoff who continued to brawl with the Valiants. This time, Volkoff promptly overpowered the Valiants and handed them a decisive loss, evening up the score between the two teams who seemed eager to go at each other again!

Backstage, Gene Okerlund was standing by with Ted DiBiase and Mr. Hughes. Okerlund seemed put out, demanding to know the nature of the relationship between the two men and reminding fans of the fact that Mr. Hughes cost Bruiser Brody the LOW title against Curt Hennig back at Showdown 15. DiBiase brushed this aside, claiming he didn’t know anything about any prior agreements between Bruiser Brody and Mr. Hughes, but that he was on Showdown following the trail of gold which could only end one way, with the Television title around his waist.

Lou Thesz pinned Buddy Rogers with a GRECO-ROMAN BACKDROP to eliminate his rival and former Wrestling Classics ally from the Television title tournament. Not one to rub his opponents nose in defeat, Thesz took a quiet exit and left Rogers in the ring to cope with losing to Thesz once more. Gordon Solie tried to interview Buddy Rogers and ask him how he felt, but Rogers was silent. Solie suggested that with yet another clean victory, Lou Thesz had demonstrated his superiority over “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers. With that, Rogers exited in clear disgust.

[tafkaga]

SHOWDOWN 19: Cheaters Sometimes Prosper 

Gorgeous George beat Bobo Brazil by submission with a SPINNING TOE HOLD to advance to the semi-final of the Television title tournament. As the referee was admonishing George, Brazil reached out and grabbed the rope, but Cherie Dupree bit his fingers! As Brazil was pulling his hand back, the referee mistook his gesture for tapping out to George’s finishing move! The fans were livid, as was Bobo Brazil, but the referee was certain about what he saw. George and Cherie were only too happy to rub salt in the wound, taunting and laughing at Bobo Brazil on their way out.

“Mean” Gene Okerlund gave a Showdown 20 special report, announcing that all the belts would be on the line, including the semi-finals and finals of the Television title tournament. In addition, Curt Hennig would put the LOW Heavyweight championship on the line against #1 contender Bruiser Brody in a Steel Cage match with a special outside enforcer referee, none other than “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan with 2x4 to make sure that everything is on the up and up. Okerlund said that there would be a further announcement later concerning the Midnight Express defending the Tag Team belts.

Brad Armstrong pinned George South after a dropkick in a competitive match. South looked surprisingly strong in this match, which made some wonder if Armstrong was going to meet the same fate as in his debut against Lou Thesz at Showdown 17, but the youngster bounced back and taught George South a wrestling lesson before putting him away. Gordon Solie talked to Armstrong after the match, who said he had his eye on the Television championship, and whoever won would have Brad Armstrong to contend with.

Jim Cornette and the Midnight Express were backstage with a representative of the Championship Committee, as Cornette pointed out that since there were no tag teams rising to the top to claim #1 contendership, they would do LOW and the fans a favor and defend the LOW Tag Team belts against ALL of them! Cornette proposed a gauntlet match, and the team that survived would face the Midnight Express on the same night, so everybody wins! Bobby and Dennis yawned and looked confident as Cornette shook hands with the Championship Committee rep.

Ted DiBiase w/ Mr. Hughes beat Hacksaw Duggan with the MILLION DOLLAR DREAM to earn his spot in the semi-finals of the Television title tournament. Duggan proved to be a tough opponent for DiBiase, but DiBiase’s ring expertise paired with the distraction of Mr. Hughes gave him the edge. DiBiase was set to gloat to Gordon Solie after the match, when Duggan sent them scrambling with his 2x4! Duggan barked that he was proud to be the outside enforcing referee for the LOW title match and that the fans could count on him to make sure truth, justice and the American way was upheld!

[tafkaga]

SHOWDOWN 20: Clash of the Champions 

Fireworks whistle into the night sky and explode into a stunning cascade over Legends Arena, as it’s Independence Day as well as Showdown 20: Clash of the Champions where all titles are on the line, including the LOW Heavyweight title as Curt Hennig defends against Bruiser Brody in a steel cage with Hacksaw Jim Duggan standing guard as a special guest referee. The Tag Team belts are on the line when the Midnight Express defends in a first ever Gauntlet encounter, and finall the LOW Television championship tournament will be conclude.

Gorgeous George w/ Cherie Dupre’ pinned Jimmy Snuka with a flying cross body off the top to advance to the finals of the Television title tournament. Snuka was a favorite in the tournament with an impressive win-loss record, but Gorgeous George showed a mastery of ring psychology that likely few men could crack. George told Gordon Solie after the match that he was denied championship gold that was rightfully his in the last tournament, but that the Television title would be his, and he planned to rename it “The Hollywood Gold”.

Ted DiBiase w/ Mr. Hughes pinned Lou Thesz after a power slam to advance to the finals of the Television title tournament, where he would meet Gorgeous George. Mr. Hughes was once again at ringside with Thesz, but did not interfere beyond being a visual distraction and extra concern for Thesz. Still, Thesz dominated a large portion of the early matched and seemed to be just one big move away from victory, but DiBiase caught him in the MILLION DOLLAR DREAM, and though he didn’t beat him with the move, Thesz was ripe to be picked.

The Road Warriors beat The Young Texans in the first round of the Tag Team Gauntlet, with Mantell and Houston putting up quite a scrap before Animal caught Mantell in a vicious powerslam to get the pinfall. The Valiant Brothers hit the ring next to try to finish what the Texans started, but the Valiants didn’t have the same luck as last time and were quickly overwhelmed by the Road Warriors, who nearly decapitated Luscious Johnny with the DOOMSDAY DEVICE to get the pin within two minutes. The crowd was alive with chants of “L.O.D.” as the Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff hit the ring and subjugated the Road Warriors. Sheik got a near fall on Hawk, but it seemed only enough to anger the Road Warriors who rallied back, with Animal powering Volkoff up on his shoulders for Hawk to hit the DOOMSDAY DEVICE and get the fall. Chants filled the Legends Arena as the Road Warriors had gone through three teams to win a shot at the Tag Team belts, but then Jim Cornette and the Midnight Express hit the ring! Gordon Solie cried foul as the Midnights began to batter the Road Warriors without even giving them a moment to catch their breath! Aside from being ruthless opportunists, the Midnight Express showed why they were worthy Tag Team champions, keeping Hawk and Animal off balance with quick tags and double teams. Though Hawk and Animal battled back and hit Dennis Condrey with a DOOMSDAY DEVICE, Bobby set up a distraction so Cornette could hit Hawk in the back of the head with his tennis racket! The Road Warriors never regained control after that, and the Midnights retained their belts by pinfall when Bobby pinned Hawk after the ROCKET LAUNCHER.

Gene Okerlund talked to Gorgeous George and Ted DiBiase in the interview area, where DiBiase tried to express his admiration for Gorgeous George, while George refused to speak to DiBiase, letting Cherie Dupre’ do the talking instead, who reminded DiBiase of the fact that last they met, George’s ribs were nearly broken by King Kong Bundy, who was the Million Dollar Man’s hired thug at the time. Dupre’ warned Mr. Hughes that she would have her eye on him, while DiBiase guaranteed that there would be no shenanigans. “I don’t know about this honor among thieves stuff,” Gene said.

Ted DiBiase beat Gorgeous George with the MILLION DOLLAR DREAM to become the first LOW Television champion. No one will ever know if DiBiase planned to make good on not involving Mr. Hughes in the match, as Cherie Dupre’ decided to spray perfume in Hughes’ face, which prompted DiBiase to jump George from behind. The Human Orchid barely got his robe off before DiBiase had hooked him in his deadly finishing hold and put him to sleep while Cherie Dupre’ pleaded with George to wake up from the outside.

As Ted DiBiase was awarded the Television championship belt by Gordon Solie, he bragged and said “eat your heart out” to the rest of the LOW locker room and shamed those who said that he needed a Bruiser Brody or a King Kong Bundy to do his dirty work. Solie casually reminded him of Mr. Hughes, who stood glowering over his shoulder, but DiBiase claimed that Mr. Hughes was only there to watch his back. Solie deadpanned DiBiase’s denial as the main event loomed right around the corner.

Gene Okerlund was backstage with Bruiser Brody, the challenger for the LOW Heavyweight championship. Brody growled that Curt Hennig’s running was done tonight, and if Hennig couldn’t run then there was no way he could reign. Inside the steel cage, Brody said that he would turn Curt Hennig’s fantasy into a nightmare, and there would be a new sheriff in LOW.

Bruiser Brody pinned Curt Hennig [c] in a steel cage following a big boot to the face to capture the LOW Heavyweight championship. Hennig controlled the early match, hitting the PERFECT PLEX twice and nearly getting the pinfall on the wildman. Brody persevered, seeming almost indestructible, and rallied back to tear into Hennig. Hacksaw Duggan, the special guest ring enforcer, didn’t even watch the match, but sat in a folding chair in the aisle with his 2x4. The crowd exploded from their seats when Brody got the fall, concluding his quests for revenge and championship gold!