LOW - Legends of Wrestling

[cruefan68]

May 1, 2016 7:15:32 GMT -5 hotfuzz1980 said:

Cruefan,

I rarely comment but have followed your fed for years. It really is one of the best Feds here! And that's no knock to anyone here, but I am envious of how you have managed the territory format, and have still kept it interesting, and built this nice rich history. Your WrestleCade event, and the buildup prior to it, is better than anything on TV! With all that said, I was wondering you might be able to share a little about your process and methods to manage all these Feds, wrestlers, and feuds? I have tried a few attempts at the territory format, and it ends up failing. I sometimes have tried to utilize too many wrestlers, I think, or have too much going on and can't manage it all. I was just curious how you manage all if it, and still keep it interesting?

Thanks for the kind words Hotfuzz1980, it is greatly appreciated. I agree that there are so many great feds here both in legends and cotg that I wish I could comment on all of them.

As for the territory system just decide how many you want to run and then set up your rosters and go from there. I normally run with around a 30-man roster per territory and a 50-man one for the IWA. I try to get all of the talent booked so the ones that don't appear on one card usually appear on the next one for that particular promotion. Keeping track of feuds is fairly easy for me as I always look back to the last show and see which rivalries should keep going and try to stick to them. I have five regular territories and the rest like the IWA, SHIMMER and Kings Road United are factored into my game year which is one hundred cards.

The funny thing is when WrestleCade X and the Tokyo Dome pass I will be starting a new format in my fed. I am retaining the IWA, SHIMMER, KRU, Pacific Coast Wrestling and LOW All-Star Wrestling. The current LOW territory system will be changed but I am bringing in some new feds which I think will be a lot of fun. I can't wait to reveal the changes but not yet. I have already pre-booked the schedule for the next calendar year and I can't wait to get to it. Anyway I hope my answer helped you but if you have any additional questions feel free to ask.

[hotfuzz1980]

Thanks for indulging me. I think the thing I need to do is to trim the rosters down a bit, and not worry about trying to use so many guys. Just out of curiosity, do you consider the IWA and Shimmer as territories, or moe along the lines of "affiliated" with LOW? I'm definitely interested to see whee you go next, but whatever it is, I'm sure it will be good!

[cruefan68]

May 1, 2016 20:46:26 GMT -5 hotfuzz1980 said:

Thanks for indulging me. I think the thing I need to do is to trim the rosters down a bit, and not worry about trying to use so many guys. Just out of curiosity, do you consider the IWA and Shimmer as territories, or moe along the lines of "affiliated" with LOW? I'm definitely interested to see whee you go next, but whatever it is, I'm sure it will be good!

If you have say four territories at around 25-30 plus roster size each that would allow you to use 100 or more cards which is pretty good. The rest just put in the free agent pile and cycle them in as you see fit. I added the Kings Road United (Japan) promotion to my fed as a way to use some of the cards I don't normally use or have room for.

In other words I have guys I may not be using tour Japan and return them back to the free agent pile afterward but at least I had the chance to try them out. I recently did that with the Bravado Brothers, for example, and it was fun to have them appear so now I know what to expect when they eventually make it to one of my existing promotions. I know first hand how difficult it is to find a spot for all of the great cards that we have access to but as long as you have fun with it that is all that really matters.

I consider the IWA and SHIMMER to be affiliated with LOW but not as territories. They have their own recognized championships that are defended there exclusively. The only exception is when say a champion from the IWA tours KRU or SHIMMER title matches are featured as part of a big event like WrestleCade. The other exception is that the LOW Tex-Arkana Television title, which was actually introduced by Larry Sweeney in my old Memphis territory, is defended in both the LOW and the IWA.

[cruefan68]

LOW Southern Wrestling Alliance - The Scope - Norfolk, VA (Card #974)

1) The Executioner defeated D-Lo Brown:
The entertaining D-Lo Brown out of Chicago, IL, took on The Executioner, the mysterious masked man from LOW All-Star Wrestling, in the opening contest. Brown was appearing in singles action making some wonder about his partnership with Kenny King after the two had a disagreement on the last SWA card. Brown looked to be in fine form and scored a quick two count with a swinging side slam. He would then hit the Lo Down, his version of the Frog Splash, but The Executioner kicked out just before the three count. Then the improbable happened as King showed up at ringside and distracted Brown who was then blasted with the Headsman Guillotine by The Executioner. The crowd looked on surprised as King celebrated at ringside with The Executioner scoring the pin. It was later learned that Brown challenged King to a match on the next SWA card in Miami, FL (Card #983) which King accepted so seemingly that once popular tag team has now come to an end.

2) Bobby Shane defeated George South:
Mid-Atlantic area native George South out of Charlotte, NC, appearing courtesy of LOW All-Star Wrestling, had the crowd on his side as he took on Bobby Shane, one half of the Blonde Bombers along with Chris Candido. With manager J.J. Dillon away on business, Candido accompanied Shane to ringside but was sent to the back by the referee before the match started. Shane was very sharp in this bout and nearly put South out with the Japanese Sleeper early. South had a brief offensive and even kicked out after taking a bulldog and rolling reverse cradle combo. Shane would get the win via submission when he trapped South in a punishing Figure Four Leglock.

3) Eddie Gilbert defeated Bob Armstrong:
“Bullet” Bob Armstrong took on House of Humperdink member “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert, who was accompanied by Sir Oliver Humperdink, in a feature match. The head of the Armstrong family was looking to teach the younger Gilbert, also a part of a famous wrestling family, a lesson here. Gilbert got off to a strong start, however, and stunned Armstrong with the neckbreaker clothesline. He also trapped him in the figure four leglock but the hold was broken in the ropes. Armstrong fought back forcing Gilbert to bail out and take instructions from Humperdink. The veteran manager must have had some good advice as Gilbert returned fired up and would hit a devastating Piledriver resulting in a snake eyes pin. Gilbert was not done there as he picked up Armstrong and gave him the Hot Shot followed by a DDT. Armstrong clutched his neck in pain and Gilbert was going to continue his attack until Magnum T.A., scheduled to compete in the next match, rushed into the ring. Gilbert and Humperdink headed to the back as paramedics brought a stretcher in and attended to Armstrong. He was fitted for a neck brace and carried off as an angry Magnum stood in the ring awaiting his opponent…

4) Magnum T.A. defeated Val Venis:
The crowd cheered wildly for Chesapeake, VA, native Magnum T.A. as he prepared to take on the “Big Valbowski” Val Venis. The latter has had limited success in the SWA but is always a tough opponent. He showed that here by trading blows with Magnum throughout the match. Venis tied Magnum up with the reverse figure four at one point and used the reverse atomic drop to great effect. Magnum dealt out some pain of his own and scored a near fall after a running forearm. After Venis regained control he went for another reverse atomic drop but this time Magnum countered and hit a barrage of dropkicks. He then floored Venis with another Running Forearm to score a snake eyes pin. Magnum barely had time to celebrate his win when Eddie Gilbert ran in attacking him from behind. Venis joined in and the two set up for a spike piledriver but Magnum countered dumping Gilbert over the top rope. He then grabbed a shocked Venis and laid him out with the Belly to Belly Suplex to a big pop from the crowd. An enraged Magnum grabbed the mic and said that if Gilbert “had any guts” he will face him on the next SWA card in Miami. Gilbert escaped to the back without answering but no doubt SWA promoters will attempt to sign the match. Magnum spoke to some local reporter’s backstage and received word that Bob Armstrong will be out of action for several weeks with a pinched nerve in his neck.

5) The Fantastics defeated Midnight Express:
The Fantastics (Bobby Fulton & Tommy Rogers), the popular tag team from the City of Angels of Los Angeles, CA, were looking to avenge their previous loss to the Jim Cornette-led Midnight Express (“Loverboy” Dennis Condrey & “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton). The third Midnight Express member, “Ravishing” Randy Rose, was sent to the back by the referee before this one got underway. It was all Midnight Express early as they battered Fulton both in and out of the ring. He was nearly counted out at one point after Cornette struck him across the back with his tennis racquet. Condrey then hit the suplex onto Eaton’s knee setting up a big near fall with Rogers making the save. Cornette interfered again tripping up Fulton while the referee was distracted and that allowed the Express to lay him out with the Double Goozle. It was looking bleak for The Fantastics until Fulton countered a backdrop attempt by Eaton with a sunset flip for a big near fall. The hot tag was subsequently made and after knocking Condrey off of the ring apron it was The Fantastics hitting the Rocket Launcher on Eaton with Rogers scoring the pin. Cornette was beside himself going crazy at ringside as The Fantastics used one of the trademark finishers of his team, the Rocket Launcher, to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

6) Andre the Giant, Blackjack Mulligan, & Hillbilly Jim vs. Kevin Sullivan, Ox Baker, & Wild Bull Curry was a DDQ:
Titanic six-man tag team action was featured next as the “Eighth Wonder of the World” Andre the Giant returned to the SWA teaming up with Blackjack Mulligan and Hillbilly Jim to do battle with House of Humperdink members Kevin Sullivan, Ox Baker, & Wild Bull Curry. Over a half a ton stood in the ring opposite the House of Humperdink members who despite their respective hardcore styles knew they were in for a rough night. Manager Sir Oliver Humperdink plotted strategy with Sullivan and Baker while Curry, who has shown to be difficult to control, walked back and forth on the ring apron scowling at both the opposition and the fans. The action in this bout raged out of control almost from the opening bell. Andre demonstrated his superior size and strength against Sullivan nailing him with a knee lift and planting him with the sitdown splash to the delight of the crowd. Baker, the “Master of the Heart Punch”, showed his renowned toughness by battling toe-to-toe with both Andre and Mulligan during the bout. For what it’s worth Curry never even tagged into the match and spent most of his time continuing to menace the fans. It was appropriate that this one wound up out on the floor after Mulligan tossed Baker out of the ring. Andre and Jim joined in battling Sullivan and Curry and before long it was total chaos out at ringside. The referee had no choice but to call for the bell and order a double disqualification ending the match. Humperdink convinced his men to retreat but then Curry broke away unwisely heading towards Andre who nailed him with a headbutt. The blow sent Curry reeling and he staggered to the back alongside the rest of the House of Humperdink members.

7) PWI Invitational Cup Tournament Qualifying Match: Frank Gotch defeated Ed Lewis:
This is one that everyone had been waiting for as a classic rivalry was reborn in the qualifying round of the PWI Invitational Cup Tournament with NWC star Frank Gotch taking on free agent star Ed “Strangler” Lewis, who previously competed in the SWA. The crowd in Norfolk supported Lewis in this one but Gotch was the one that held the upper hand most of the way. Perhaps it was some ring rust that bit Lewis as save for his recent tour of Kings Road United in Japan he has been largely inactive. Gotch scored with a backdrop off of the ropes and then wrenched the leg of Lewis with the rolling kneebar late in the contest. Lewis tried to defend himself after that but Gotch took advantage of the situation catching him in a crossface and arm bar. Lewis found an escape but then Gotch quickly snared him in the punishing Gotch Toehold and that resulted in a submission victory for the Iowa native. The crowd politely applauded the win by Gotch as Lewis begrudgingly shook hands with him afterward. Gotch now joins Fred Blassie, King Kong Bundy and Jim Londos in the tournament which takes place during WrestleCade X weekend.

8) LOW World Heavyweight title: Johnny Valentine defeated Bobo Brazil to win the title:
The main event was one for the ages as Benton Harbor, MI, native Bobo Brazil put the LOW World Heavyweight title on the line against the cornerstone of the House of Humperdink in one Johnny Valentine out of Seattle, WA. These two are no strangers to each other as Brazil won the belt for the first time from Valentine in Buffalo, NY (Card #31) only to be injured by Valentine afterward and being forced to relinquish the title. The grudge between them goes deep into the history of LOW and that was definitely evident as they squared off again for the world heavyweight title some nine years later. Valentine took control of the match early including nailing Brazil with a forearm hammer. A big chop to the chest seem to wake up Brazil who struck back with the Bobo bodyslam and drove Valentine out of the ring. The two traded blows on the floor and Valentine took over hitting the Atomic Skullcrusher scoring a two count. He also locked on a sleeper hold going for the submission but Brazil got to the ropes for a break. The tide really started to turn when Valentine hit another Atomic Skullcrusher and got a two count with Brazil also being busted open. The blood seemed to blind the powerful three-time LOW World Heavyweight champion and Valentine took full advantage of that fact. Another sleeper hold saw Brazil escape by lunging towards the ropes and falling onto the ring apron. As he attempted to get back in a determined Valentine raised his elbow and delivered the Atomic Skullcrusher again. This time Brazil went down like a shot and Valentine pounced on him to score the pin. The crowd was in shock as Valentine was crowned the new LOW World Heavyweight champion winning the belt for the second time in his career.

A jubilant Humperdink grabbed the title belt and handed it to Valentine while calling the troops to the ring. Kevin Sullivan, Ox Baker, Wild Bull Curry and “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert joined in the post-match celebration as the House of Humperdink laid claim to the LOW World Heavyweight title for the first time. It was an historic night for Valentine who now reins as the world heavyweight champion while his son, Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, reigns as the LOW International Heavyweight champion under the management of Captain Lou Albano. Valentine met with local reporters post-match and said that Brazil was a worthy champion but emphasized the word “was” saying that a new era, the era of the Atomic Skullcrusher, had dawned in LOW and that no one was going to be able to end it. Due to scheduling it will be a comfortable start to the title reign for Valentine who will not see action until he makes his first title defense against the “Nebraska Tiger Man” John Pesek on an AWE card at Olympia Stadium in Detroit, MI (Card #984). On a side note Pesek opted to drop out of the qualifying round of the PWI Invitational Cup Tournament in order to take the world title shot, which he thought would be against Brazil, so fellow AWE star “Superstar” Bill Dundee has replaced him in the qualifying round.

[Pariah]

Plenty of great SWA action from The Scope in Norfolk, VA... But, it goes without saying, that the biggest news of the day is the crowning of a brand new LOW World Heavyweight Champion... Congratulations to Johnny Valentine of the House of Humperdink...

It's also pretty cool to bear witness to coinciding title reigns by the Valentine father - son combination... And a bit of good fortune comes the way of 'Superstar' Bill Dundee, who will now get a chance to qualify for the prestigious PWI Invitational Cup tournament...

Another highlight of the show had to be the six-man tag match in which we saw Wild Bull Curry throw caution to the wind and go after the Eighth Wonder of the World... Could this reckless abandon lead to a Curry vs Andre the Giant encounter in the near future? That could be interesting...

Truly entertaining, as always!

[graymar]

Nice to see Johnny V on top.

[Kat Rana]

Really enjoyed the write up. Good to see Hot Stuff in action - I've not used him yet but am planning to so it's nice to see what he's like.

[bookerbill]

Enjoyed the exchange of thoughts on a territory system. I agree with hotfuzz1980 running a territory based fed is challenging. I think what sets your fed apart and is organic way it developed as you added more territories as the cards became available. Looking forward to the next evolution of the LOW.
The action from the Scope was off the charts. Gilbert taking it to the Bullet was great booking and having Allen come out early was classic. Fantastics over the Express was awesome to see. Cornette melting down was a great image. The six man was just nuts. Cannot wait to see more Chaos between these two sides. Gotch qualifying for the cup is all good and I suspect he may go deep in this year’s event. Valentine defeats one of his classic foes to claim the strap. Great main event my friend.

[Crimson Cross]

I'm loving the PWiT win by Frank Gotch and it'll be fun to see how far he'll go in the tournament, plus it was good to see Bobby Shane win. Now I love seeing that classic battle between the Fantastics and Midnight Express, plus seeing the Fantastics win is all good...

[cruefan68]

Thanks very much for the comments on the SWA show Pariah, Graymar, Kat Rana, Bookerbill and Crimson. That show had a bittersweet finish for me as I was hoping to see Bobo Brazil carry the world title into WrestleCade X but Johnny Valentine took him out. You never know how those dice are going to roll. The match itself was great, though, and Valentine deserved his win. Frank Gotch could indeed go a long way in the PWI tournament. The field this year is really strong so its going to be a lot of fun to see how it all turns out. That Fantastics-Midnight Express match was really fun and the Eddie Gilbert-Bob Armstrong deal came courtesy of snake eyes and it also triggered an interesting scenario I may build to for WrestleCade X.

Bookerbill as you noted I did do it that way, expanding from one promotion and introducing more territories as more cards became available. Now we have so many great cards, which is a good thing, and that made me decide on going in a new direction for the next game year. I hope you will all enjoy that ride when it comes but for now the focus will continue to be on building to WrestleCade X and the Tokyo Dome card. Thanks as always for reading and commenting everyone, it is greatly appreciated. Next up will be AWE action featuring Dan Severn challenging Greg Valentine for the LOW International Heavyweight title plus Angelo Poffo vs. Angelo Mosca in a PWI Cup qualifying match.