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Post by LWPD on Feb 3, 2008 15:33:20 GMT -5
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Post by LWPD on Feb 3, 2008 15:37:51 GMT -5
Early Classics Era Set Overview: By Mike M
What follows is the Early Classics Set 'preamble'/overview provided by author and esteemed board member Mike M. I'll start off by saying that if there's any CotG writer/Board Member who deserves a Hall of Fame title next to his name...it would be Mike. Not only did he labor to produce this excellent write up for no other reason than the good of this community...but he did so with no less than a real world marriage on his plate. To say he is a credit to this board would be an understatment...so I'll leave it at a public thank you.
I encourage those who come across this piece to not only use it as a personal reference...but to also be generous with 'guiding those curious' about the EC game editions toward Mike's presentation. It is the best guide to the Early Classics era that exists.
Credit Mike M
Early Classics Overview
I’ve been playing Champions of the Galaxy since Invasion II was released (that’s Invasion 2089 for you newcomers). I always wondered what happened in the pre-2087 years, and I was excited when Tom started releasing the Classics series. Getting to see Omega in his prime and Star Warrior as a rookie was facinating. Even after four of these “prequels” to the GWF story, I wanted more. What was DragonFighter like before he was attacked by the Society of Death? Did any other wrestlers from the P.O.W. come to the GWF? Why was there such a changeover in the roster in 2087? These were some of the many questions that I attempted to answer in GWF: Early Classics of the 2070’s and 2080’s.
It’s hard to fit over thirteen years of history into one booklet. After all, Tom dedicates a manual to each game year. As a result, I’ve had to gloss over certain events that Promoters might want more detail on…..
This booklet is written from the perspective of a GWF historian. It attempts to seperate myth from the story. But just like no one really knows if Babe Ruth really called his shot in the ‘32 World Series, we may never know exactly what happened, or something may be contradicted in the future.
From the Early Classics of the 2070’s and 2080’s Handbook
Early Classics was really a continuity project. There were many ‘loose ends’ and even a few potentially contradictory statements in the early GWF history. As a fan of Tom’s work armed with a desire to see it ‘completed’, I set out to develop a series of characters that fit in with what Tom had already created. I didn’t want to invent the next Monolith- if a wrestler of that significance had been in the early GWF, we would have heard all about him. Instead, I set out to create a number of solid, complimentary wrestlers who were interesting and would enhance the back stories of the key players without overshadowing them. From a talent standpoint, I was looking for some undercard-level competitors, some middle-of-the-road types and a few guys who were good enough to be Hall-of-Famers if things went just right. I figured that the latter category would be like the baseball players who made the Hall of Fame through the old Veteran’s Committee. I focused on adding a number of tag teams to the mix, since I felt that wrestlers who concentrated in that area would be the most realistically ‘overlooked’- and Tom had really left the tag ranks under-developed. Perhaps these wrestlers didn’t get the media attention that others (like Omega, Morpheus, Sam and Mangus) received, but they were worthy of consideration nonetheless. I also wanted to show the progression of several of the stars of the game. It always bothered me that Omega went from THE man of the GWF straight to total bum. I also wanted to give more depth to key events and the characters motivations.
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Post by LWPD on Feb 3, 2008 15:40:29 GMT -5
Early Classics Era Set Overview: By Mike M
Continued
Wrestler Profiles
Blood
(6’ 3", 244 lbs.; Albiero)
Card Years: EC 2074
Years in GWF: 2074-2086
Official Tag Team Partner(s): Jammer (Defiance), Grogan
Main Rival(s): Mensans, Ricken Prince, Wind Riders
Other Rival(s): Screw, Omega, Hechilles
Finisher(s): SCAR TISSUE- with his opponent lying face-down on the mat, Blood applies a full nelson hold and then rubs the opponents face on the canvas, which is very painful and usually leads to a submission.
Blood was one of my favorite characters to create. I loved the concept of the underground POW, and watched to create a wrestler that epitomized that era. Blood was the result. His body is covered in scars, and he doesn’t feel the need to engage in polite conversation- he calls ‘em like he sees ‘em. Although he was tremendously popular in the POW, his unkempt appearance and sometimes vulgar style didn’t translate well to the GWF fans. In this case ‘Holovid Killed the POW star’ or something like that.
While he was broken down after his rough-and-tumble POW days, he still managed to compete in the GWF for over a decade. He formed a long-standing tag team with Jammer (Defiance) and also teamed up with a young Mighty Grogan for a short time. He also starred in some memorable feuds, most notably against the Mensans.
Blood is a great example of a good, solid character in EC. If I’d been working from scratch, he’d have been given a better singles card for at least part of his career. As it is, he fit in well as a tag wrestler, and didn’t upset the competitive balance in singles.
Caiman
(6’4", 283 lbs.; Mangrove 25, Vega)
Card Years: EC 2078
Years in GWF: 2078-2085
Official Tag Team Partner(s): Hechilles
Main Rival(s): Hechilles
Other Rival(s): Defiance, K.O. Keller, Titans,
Finisher(s): HANDICAPPER- a press slam into a backbreaker
Pete Beck’s “Kings of the Swamp” were the inspiration for another wrestler from Mangrove 25. During the Invasion series, Tom created a number of aliens, and all were evil (with the exception of the Ani-Men). I thought that it would be good to have a talented singles wrestler who was a step below Omega and Morpheus. I also wanted someone to epitomize the “friendly rivalry” era, and I used Caiman and Hechilles to accomplish this.
Caiman’s career seems to have gone just like I planned in most feds. He’s near the top of the card, but isn’t re-writing the record books. People also seem to have trouble relating to him, which is exactly what I was looking to achieve with this reptilian with the eerie smile.
Cordsar
(5’ 9", 215 lbs.; Mensa)
Card Years: EC 2074
Years in GWF: 2074-2080
Official Tag Team Partner(s): Trotarus (Mensans)
Main Rival(s): Defiance, Titans
Other Rival(s): Crosscurrents, Martians
Finisher(s): MENSAN LOCK- Cordsar applies a scissors to the opponent’s chest, reaches back and pulls one of the opponent’s legs over his shoulder (modified single leg crab). Due to Cordsar’s reliance on quickness to execute the move, the finisher rating is adjusted by adding his opponent’s agility rating to it. It can range from (0) to (+4). Example- if Cordsar is wrestling Cosmos 2076, then the MENSAN LOCK is a (+1) finisher (Cosmos has -1 agility).
Cordsar is small, but a very tough individual. This toughness coupled with some raw talent combined for a competitor who could have been an underdog hero in the GWF. Unfortunately, he was a whining, complaining jerk. He was a tag specialist and was very close the quiet Trotarus and annoyed virtually everyone else.
I wanted to create a wrestler with long-term ties to Cordanus that might explain why the future President of the UFSP wanted to get into the wrestling business so badly. He’s clearly a relative of Cordanus, but it’s only rumored that he’s Cordanus’ father. I could picture Cordsar sitting down at a family gathering, and entertaining his relatives with stories of his GWF glory. Of course, he would mention his perceived slight at the hands of Morpheus and Omega. Perhaps the young Cordanus wouldn’t want to believe ill of the heroes he saw on the holovids. When Cordanus’ own career went down in flames (as the masked Tyranny), he decided to get revenge for himself and for his family.
Cosmos
2076 (6’1", 225 lbs.; Maffei II)
2083 (6’3", 245 lbs.; Maffei II)
Card Years: EC 2076, 2079, EC 2083, 2087
Years in GWF: 2076-present
Official Tag Team Partner(s): Star Warrior (GameMasters)
Main Rival(s): Polarity, Estorians
Other Rival(s): Star Warrior, Omega, Defiance
Finisher(s): THE MASTERDROP- a falling elbow drop
THE MASTERLOCK- a figure four leglock
Everyone knows Cosmos as Mr. Evil Incarnate, Thantos. We also got a glipse of the reformed Cosmos after Omega had taken him under his wing in 2079. I decided to take a look at a youthful Cosmos in 2076, who was angry, reckless, and prone to mistakes. I also felt that the 2079 GameMasters team was seriously overmatched against the top tag teams from the EC period, so I took the opportunity to upgrade their cards while also foreshadowing Cosmos’ future path. His refusal to tag out on occasion was a game mechanic that I utilized to this effect.
DragonFighter
(6’0", 239 lbs.; Titan, Saturn)
Card Years: EC 2085, 2087
Years in GWF: 2074-2086
Official Tag Team Partner(s): Lord Nexus
Main Rival(s): Krakan, Ghengis Khan, Mutant
Other Rival(s): Mutant
Finisher(s): Titan Drop- a Samoan drop
DragonFighter was probably the most called for card that Tom never did from the Classics period. There wasn’t a lot to add to this character, since we got to know him well after he got rid of the Pit Viper persona and became DragonMaster. However, I thought that people would want to see the younger version of the star, and also set the table for his eventual defection to Darkos’ Masked Assassins. Ultimately, Dragon was eventually able to overcome his demons and complete what became a Hall of Fame career as the wrestler that he set out to become.
Hechilles
(6’ 5", 275 lbs.; Omicron)
Card Years: EC 2078
Years in GWF: 2078-2087
Official Tag Team Partner(s): Caiman
Main Rival(s): Caiman
Other Rival(s): Defiance, K.O. Keller, Titans,
Finisher(s): THE END- a belly-to-belly suplex into a brainbuster
Hechilles was the character that I held the highest hopes for when I created him. I wanted a superstar (note the +4 finisher rating) whose career was completely encompassed by the Classics period. I wanted him to be ‘home-grown’, but gone by the time 2087 rolled around. He also couldn’t be a pushover because I needed a rival for Omega later in his career that was worthy.
Hechilles is a great wrestler, with an underdeveloped personality. I view him as very similar to Euritar- great results without a lot of flash. I asked the question in the EC booklet, and I’ll ask it again here. Who knows what might have been if Hechilles had chosen to stay in 2087?
Jammer
(6’ 1", 233 lbs.; Albiero)
Card Years: EC 2074
Years in GWF: 2074-2076, 2077-2084
Official Tag Team Partner(s): Blood (Defiance)
Main Rival(s): Mensans, Ricken Prince, Wind Riders
Other Rival(s): Screw, Omega, Hechilles
Finisher(s): BAD NIGHT- a cobra clutch
Jammer was a solid wrestler who wound up a little better in singles than I intended. His partnership with Blood made them legendary- the Defiance tag team is what they will ultimately be remembered for. Jammer’s comeback from knee injury in 2077 was a testament to his toughness and love of wrestling- a lesser man would have called it a career. It earned him respect from his fellow wrestlers and from the fans (to a lesser degree). While Blood was brash and outspoken, Jammer was quite, ready to unleash his cold fury on anyone who stood in the way of Defiance.
Jammer was slightly more successful in singles competition than I intended, probably due to the double zero finisher. Despite that, he fit my image as a great tag team wrestler who could have been a singles star in another era.
K.O. Keller
(5’11", 228 lbs.; Parts Unknown)
Card Years: EC 2074, 2084
Years in GWF: 2074-2085
Official Tag Team Partner(s): Lord Nexus (Teamwork)
Main Rival(s): Torin Caelum
Other Rival(s): Krakan, Montrol, anyone
Finisher(s):
I’m sure that Keller will be covered in the Classics 2084 set, but I had to give him a ‘prime’ card since his 2084 card was specifically listed as being his ‘over-the-hill’ card. His EC card allowed him to compete with Torin, Omega and Morpheus for the GWF Title.
Moonstrike
(6’1", 238 lbs.; Titan, Saturn)
Card Years: EC 2074
Years in GWF: 2074-2083
Official Tag Team Partner(s): Solar Flare (Paladin Power)
Main Rival(s): Crosscurrents, Wind Riders
Other Rival(s): Dorado Sundown, Mensans
Finisher(s): PALADIN DROP- a top rope elbow to the throat
Moonstrike was one of my favorite wrestlers. His style was exciting without being out of control. He was intense, but not viewed as crazy as Blood. He was a member of the elite Paladins, guardians of Titan. He participated in the Galactic Wars in defense of his home planet. After his service to Titan, he joined the POW and teamed up with Solar Flare in tag team competition. Paladin Power were tough guys who the fans could relate to a little more than their POW brethren- and being from Titan didn’t hurt their popularity on Deimos- a tradition that continues even today. Moonstrike had all of the athletic gifts, and his willingness to wrestle singles or tag gave him versatility and made him a multiple-time GWF Heavyweight and Tag Team Champion in many feds.
Morpheus
(6’ 3 ½”, 286 lbs.; Aldebaran)
Card Years: 2079, EC 2082
Years in GWF: 2074-2085, 2096-2117
Official Tag Team Partner(s): Omega (The Guardians)
Main Rival(s): Omega, Dorado Sundown
Other Rival(s): Grogan
Finisher(s): TRIP TO HADES- a powerslam after propelling himself off the ropes
I wanted to give Morpheus a good reason to leave the GWF and come back 10 years later with a chip on his shoulder. He wasn’t evil. Instead, his complex rivalry/partnership with Omega left him with bitter feelings towards his friend and fellow visionary. He felt his in-ring work and conditioning suffered as he spent more time on the road scouting. In fact, he was right.
Omega
(6’ 1", 268 lbs.; Cetus)
Card Years: 2079, EC 2084, 2087
Years in GWF: 2074- 2109, 2112- present
Official Tag Team Partner(s): Morpheus (The Guardians)
Main Rival(s): Morpheus, Dorado Sundown
Other Rival(s): Hechilles
Finisher(s): TOMAHAWK THRUST- a karate chop to the lower jaw
Everyone thinks that they know Omega. While I believe that there’s more to his story that has been told, I thought that it was important to portray his struggle with Morpheus as one of opposing viewpoints rather than about right and wrong- we’ve all seen how some of Omega’s decisions in the 2080’s were questionable (see Bloodline for a prime example).
I was always bothered by how bad Omega’s card was from the original set. I also didn’t like the fact that we went straight from his 2079 card to that one. His EC game card was designed to bridge the gap and show the aging superstar’s decline.
Rama
(5’ 11", 238 lbs.; Deimos, Mars)
Card Years: EC 2076
Years in GWF: 2076-2087
Official Tag Team Partner(s): Tano (Wind Riders)
Main Rival(s): Paladin Power, Cross Currents
Other Rival(s): Mensans, Defiance
Finisher(s): DEIMOS DRIVER- a double brainbuster. In singles matches, this is a +1 move
I wondered why no one from Deimos made it into the GWF. Since it is the home of the GWF, I figured that at least someone must have been inspired to make it in the business. Enter the Wind Riders. They were a nice, high-energy tag team that appealed to the fans in the early GWF. They took on virtually every tag team in the business before hanging it up in the tumultuous year of 2087.
Ricken Prince
(6’ 6", 284 lbs.; Parts Unknown)
Card Years: EC 2074
Years in GWF: 2074-2081
Official Tag Team Partner(s): Screw (Rock Solid), Mimic (Imperial Alliance)
Main Rival(s): Screw
Other Rival(s): Defiance, KO Keller, Torin Caelum, Santon
Finisher(s): ROYAL DECREE- a reverse neckbreaker
BOW TO THE PRINCE- a low blow
Ricken Prince is my favorite EC character. I actually thought of his finisher first, and build a character around that one move. I thought that BOW TO THE PRINCE was the perfect move for someone from the POW, and Ricken showed a complete lack of remorse in using it. Could that with a long-standing rivalry with the monster Screw, and you have a recipe for a fun character.
Screw
(6’ 5", 345 lbs.; Parts Unknown)
Card Years: EC 2074
Years in GWF: 2074-2079
Official Tag Team Partner(s): Ricken Prince (Rock Solid)
Main Rival(s): Ricken Prince
Other Rival(s): Defiance, KO Keller, Torin Caelum, Santon
Finisher(s): FREAKISH FACE SLAM- a full nelson face-first sit-out driver
Screw is clearly the star of the EC set. He’s a character who Kris and Jeff created in Genesis. I spoke to Kris about the importance of continuity between the two AU projects we were working on and asked if he had a character that he thought would fit the early GWF. He gave me Screw and I ran with it. I think that the ‘silent but violent one’ was a perfect fit, and it seems like most promoters agree. He is clearly the signature wrestler of the AU line, and Werner’s artwork was fantastic.
Silvar
(6’ 2", 253 lbs.; Aurigae)
Card Years: EC 2077
Years in GWF: 2077-2084
Official Tag Team Partner(s): Mimic
Main Rival(s): Cosmos, Vice
Other Rival(s): K.O. Keller, Grogan, Mimic, Wind Riders
Finisher(s): TOMBSTONE PILEDRIVER- Silvar drops to his knees as he delivers this classic move
In one review of EC, someone said that Silvar was included for the express purpose of being fed to Vice and put in a coma. That’s not true, but it is on the right track. I needed enhancement talent in the GWF. Silvar was that man. He won’t make the HOF, but he probably boosted a number of people into it himself.
Solar Flare
(5’10", 234 lbs.; Titan, Saturn)
Card Years: EC 2074
Years in the GWF: 2074-2083
Official Tag Team Partner(s): Moonstrike (Paladin Power)
Main Rival(s): Crosscurrents, Wind Riders
Other Rival(s): Dorado Sundown, Mensans
Finisher(s): PALADIN MISSILE- a top rope headbutt.
Solar Flare’s the one character that I’d like a do-over on in EC. My initial plan for this character called for a high-risk finisher like the LEAP OF DOOM. Then Tom released the Payback character, who’s finisher mechanic was exactly the one that I had chosen for Solar Flare. Since I didn’t want to duplicate Tom’s work, I changed the finisher to be +2 on even rolls and a miss on others, but I wish I could go back and change that.
Even with the weaker finisher, his achievement as part of Paladin Power might get him into the HOF. Couple that with their introduction of the “P.O.W. rules” match (which later was renamed the Titan Death Match) and you get an influential tag wrestler right on the cusp of immortality.
Star Warrior
(6’ 2 ½”, 240 lbs.; Cetus)
Card Years: 2079, EC 2083, SB-2103, 2087
Years in the GWF: 2079-2109, 2112-2114
Official Tag Team Partner(s): Cosmos (The GameMasters)
Main Rival(s): Polarity, Estorians
Other Rival(s): Thantos, Defiance
Finisher(s): NOVA LAUNCH- flying splash off turnbuckle
ENDGAME- The original version of the Gamemasters’ finisher was Star Warrior executing the Nova Launch while Thantos applied the Masterlock
Star Warrior’s EC card was the pinnacle of his tag team career. He idolized Cosmos like a big brother, and even took on some of his less than ideal traits. Even so, the GameMasters were probably the best thing going in the tag scene during the mid 2080’s. Their break-up is still THE cataclysmic event in GWF history.
Tano
(6’0", 249 lbs.; Deimos, Mars)
Card Years: EC 2076
Years in the GWF: 2076-2087
Official Tag Team Partner(s): Rama (Wind Riders)
Main Rival(s): Paladin Power, Cross Currents
Other Rival(s): Mensans, Defiance
Finisher(s): DEIMOS DRIVER- a double brainbuster. In singles matches, this is a +1 move
Tano’s the other half of the home-town team from Deimos. Like Rama, his singles career was forgettable at best, but their teamwork made them a very respectable tag team that won the tag titles for many promoters. They may have been physically overmatched by most of their opponents, but their high energy and hard work allowed them to triumph over some of the all-time greats.
Trotarus
(6’ 5", 266 lbs.; Mensa)
Card Years: EC 2074
Years in the GWF: 2074-2080
Official Tag Team Partner(s): Cordsar (Mensans)
Main Rival(s): Defiance, Titans
Other Rival(s): Crosscurrents, Wind Riders
Finisher(s): MENSAN LOCK- Trotarus applies a scissors to the opponent’s chest, reaches back and pulls one of the opponent’s legs over his shoulder (modified single leg crab). Due to Trotarus’ reliance on power to execute the move, the finisher rating is adjusted by adding his opponent’s power rating to it. It can range from (0) to (+4). Example- if Trotarus is wrestling Screw, then the MENSAN LOCK is a (0) finisher (Screw has -4 power).
Trotarus would have been much more liked if he had better taste in friends. But that friendship was strong enough that he stayed silent even when Cordsar’s words reflected badly on both of them. Even so, the Mensans were a tough team that had their share of success. In some ways, I wish that I had done more with them, but a rivalry with Defiance is still a strong legacy.
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Post by LWPD on Feb 3, 2008 15:46:02 GMT -5
GWF 2074-2086 Set Overviews
Credit Big Bri
What follows is an overview of the Classics 2074 thru 2086 GWF retro sets by author Big Bri. Brian is one of the CotG Community's true life American Heroes...having served our country abroad in Afghanistan. Here he has graciously taken his taken to provide an overview of this era.
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CLASSICS 2074
While Classics 2079 opened the gateway to the GWF’s past, promoters craved to travel even further back in time to the actual commencement of the organization. As a result, Filsinger Games presented Classics 2074 in 1995.
This landmark game edition told promoters the story of the Galactic Wars, which spawned many of the planetary rivalries that eventually crossed into GWF rings such as Titan vs. CTA-102 and Earth vs. Cygnus. These conflicts also provided reasoning for Omega and Morpheus to found the GWF. However, with the inception of the new league came wrestlers from all across the cosmos, including two cowboys with the goal of seizing control of the GWF. Those two cowboys were better known as Blacklash and Bullwhip, Dorado Sundown. Even though their stay in the GWF was only a short two years, they happen to be two of promoters’ most discussed “Classics era” characters.
Also included in Classics 2074 was master technical wrestler Torin Caelum, his nemesis, the mysterious masked wrestler Santon, and tag team specialists the CrossCurrents (Thetis and Vortex). Rounding out the roster are a rookie card for Commander Sam and his first of many Cygnus rivals, Torpor.
With a starting point now in place, the “pre-history” of the GWF was becoming more visible.
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CLASSICS 2079
Released in 1992, Classics 2079 was the first COTG game edition that examined the GWF prior to the original 2087 edition. A brief explanation of the inception of the GWF was provided, which began to open the door to the past.
Promoters were treated to experiencing what aging veterans Omega and Commander Sam were like in their primes, as well as seeing Star Warrior and Thantos (then known as Cosmos) as young tag team partners as the GameMasters instead of bitter enemies. A key fixture of COTG lore by the name of Morpheus was introduced as well as distinctive characters such as Mangus and the Estorians.
With such a small roster, playing a federation set in 2079 solely with these 8 cards was unfeasible. Therefore, Filsinger Games devised the concept of the GWFF (Galactic Wrestling Fantasy Federation), which operated on Kronos, a unique planet that stood outside of normal time. With that rule intact, wrestlers from 2079 could compete against wrestlers from the current GWF without the resulting action having any bearing on normal GWF history. Solaris was appointed as the main promoter on Kronos by Commissioner Carter.
Sales of this set were so successful that Filsinger Games decided to release more Classics editions to help complete the “pre-history” of the GWF.
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CLASSICS 2084
The focal point of this game edition, which was released in 1997, is a comprehensive history of one of the most intense GWF rivalries of all time, Lord Nexus vs. Krakan, including rookie cards for each wrestler. A card for Nexus’ mentor K.O. Keller is also included, as well as a card for Krakan’s whipping boy, Montrol (which when paired with the Krakan card, makes a panoramic picture, the first of its kind for Filsinger Games).
Another significant character of COTG lore is introduced in this set by the name of The Code Enforcer, a masked wrestler who strictly targeted rule breakers and any wrestlers forming sub-groups. One of these sub-groups was the Gang of Three, which was comprised of Polarity and newcomer Vice. Two other unique competitors included in Classics 2084 are Mimic, a mute wrestler who mimics his opponents’ moves and the Big Superstar, a “tribute” card to a certain “immortal” real-life wrestler.
The fourth of the pre-2087 Classics editions to be released, Classics 2084 helps fill in some of the blanks in the GWF saga. However, some gaps still remained open. Promoters would have to wait until 2004 to have the GWF “pre-history” completely solidified, when the Early Classics set was released.
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CLASSICS 2086
Since the release of the original 2087 edition of Champions of the Galaxy, promoters had many questions as to what led up to Thantos breaking the Galactic Code and the resulting split of the roster into heroes and villains. Due to the success of Classics 2079, Filsinger Games released Classics 2086 in 1993 to answer these very questions.
This edition provided a complete breakdown of the GWF timeline from Spring 2085 to the original 2087 edition, which is crucial to comprehending the entire COTG saga. However, the “crown jewel” of this set would be Wolf’s rookie card, which also depicted the savage loner as a Gladiator. An earlier version of Wolf’s rival, Executioner, was captured in the form of one Marcel de Sade. In addition, promoters were also introduced to the unique “opposites” team of Polarity (Salvation and Sin), strongman Mighty Grogan, the original version of the Space Croppers (Renegade and Natural Man, who became Vanity just one year later), and the mysterious jobber known as the Dark Star Creature.
Many promoters attest that Classics 2086 is the most influential of all the Classics editions.
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Post by LWPD on Feb 3, 2008 15:51:45 GMT -5
2087 Game Edition Overview
Credit LWPD
This was the first CotG set released by Filsinger Games circa late 1986. The main storyline is centered around the 'breaking of the Galactic Code' with the Code itself representing a sense of morality and fair play. It is hinted that before the GC breaking there was a Golden Period of universal sportmanship...but in later retro sets (see Mike M's Early Classics review) that myth would be somewhat dispelled.
The code was said to have been developed by Galaxian Federation organizer Omega. A period of war had ended and the GWF promotion they founded was to act as a productive outlet for aggression in a controlled setting.
As time went on Thantos (a pivotal character) would rebel against the theme and break the Code in an act that divorced him from his mentor Omega and began to chain reaction that would establish the hero and villain camps.
Side stories include:
* Thantos battle with his mentor's son Star Warrior
* The independent nature of Wolf
* Political issues on a galactic scale
What Is Included:
Pair of dice
Edition Guidebook (18 pages)
Rules Guide
24 wrestler cards
4 sets of charts:
Out of Ring, Deathjump, Into Ropes & Into Turnbuckle
Sample Match Chart
Characters
The artwork for this first set was drawn by Chuck Carter. There were 24 characters in total...divided evenly along the lines of 12 heroes and 12 villains.
Full Roster
Faces
Omega
Star Warrior
Wolf
Lord Nexus
Massif
Actagon
Proteus
Commander Sam
Pit Viper
Renegade
Pulsar
Beast-Rider
Villains
Thantos
Exo-King
Comrade Terror
Invincible Krakan
Brute
Massacre
Killer Queen
Executioner
Ghengis Khan
Vanity
Mutant
Death Knight
Roster by Group Affiliation
Galaxian Hero Groups
Federation Defense Fighters:
Star Warrior
Omega of Cetus
Commander Sam
Massif
Neptunian Space Croppers
Beast Rider
Renegade
Greek Gods
Actagon
Proteus
Gladiator of Aethra
Wolf
The Flying Titans
Lord Nexus
Pit Viper
Pulsar
Galaxian Villain Groups
The Evil Gamesmaster
Thantos
Space Terrorist
Comrade Terror
The Medieval Headsman
The Executioner
Former Neptunian Spacecropper
Vanity
Gladiators of Aethra
Brute
Massacre
The Evil Ones
Exo King
Killer Queen
Death Knight
The Society of Death
Invincible Krakan
Mutant
Ghengis Khan
Feud Guide
Star Warrior vs Thantos
Omega vs Death Knight
Commander Sam vs Comrade Terror
Massif vs Exo King
Greek Gods vs Gladiators of Aethra
Wolf vs Executioner/Thantos/Brute/Massacre
Space Croppers vs Vanity/Killer Queen
Lord Nexus/Pit Viper/Pulsar vs Invincible Krakan/Mutant/Ghengis Khan
2087 CotG Online Set
In September of 2007 the 2087 set was released as part of the CotG Online project. Cards were 'digitized' and are now visible in color and fully compatible with the Play By Play Simulator. A printable PDF of the Guidebook was also made accessible to purchasers (but PDFs of the cards themselves are not available).
Over the years inconstancies between the 'official card rules' and the originally released 2087 game edition have been discussed in online circles. While acknowledged by the producers of the game, a decision was made _NOT_ to adjust the cards and place them in line with the same guidelines that regulate the current set releases. In essence a purchase of the 2087 online version of the game gives one an exact drafting of the game as it was initially released.
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Post by LWPD on Feb 3, 2008 15:55:05 GMT -5
Invasion 2088-90: By Cory Olson
This overview covers the pivotal fleshing out period for CotG...the Invasion Trilogy. Author Cory Olson is perhaps best known as one of the creative master minds behind the hugely popular Legends of Wrestling series. Here he has taken time out of his whirlwind like schedule to provide the community with a comprehensive walk through of this period. Especially make note of the modifications in game mechanics...changes that would effect 'how we play' forevermore. An excellent rundown of the era.
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Invasion 2088-90
By Cory Olson
Rookies
The years of 2088-2090 were some of the most pivotal years in the storied history of the GWF. Several wrestlers who would have a long lasting impact would make their first appearance during these years.
The vile Bishop Hell would bring his wicked HELLFIRE into the ring. Tag team specialists like Mitsuko, Earthquake, and the members of the Ani-Men came on the scene. One of the most important new changes during this time was the advent of managers and valets. You had straight-laced characters like the Titans’ Trainer Jim, a mad scientist in Doomsayer, even former GWF champion Omega cu back on his in-ring action to focus on managing athletes outside of the squared circle. Many of the stars from 2087 expanded their repertoire and improved their finisher: for example, Star Brute and Massacre perfected a double team version of the DECAPITATOR, while Pulsar entered his “prime” and added the SOLAR STRAIN to his already effective WHIRLWIND.
Storylines
Plenty of memorable feuds and events took place during these years. Invincible Krakan went solo and became a Hitman for Hire—taking on anyone the Villains wanted “taken care of.” Thantos brought in Lightening and Man-Mountain, who turned out later on to not be true Norse Gods, but gave the Greek Gods some good competition with their combination of speed and power. Newcomer Bounty Hunter formed an alliance with the Gladiators (including 2088 debut Spike) to try and take out Wolf and his fellow Ani-Men. Death Knight was “upgraded” to Death Masque to become more effective in the ring. Commander Sam brought in the young protégée Adam Blast to help him take on villainous teams like the Henchmen (Comrade Terror and The Executioner) or later Terror and fellow Cygnusian Tongsoon.
Game Mechanic Innovations
For Champions of the Galaxy players, new game mechanics were introduced, making the game more realistic, but still easy-to-play. The aforementioned HELLFIRE was the first finisher to have the possibility of a disqualification attached to it.
Incredible Badger’s ANDROMEDA DROP could only be done in tag team matches and would be become commonplace for future GWF tag teams.
For those that use the Advanced Rules and the Choice Chart, Billy Joe Boxer was the first wrestler to have three Level 3 moves on Level 2 Offense without a (ch) move covering number 4.
A little feature that, again very common today, gave old BJB a slight advantage. Bounty Hunter’s AMBUSH! rating depended on the presence of manager Reynard B. Guile at ringside.
Star Warrior’s new finisher in 2090, the COSMIC BIG BANG, depended on a die roll, not only to determine the finisher rating, but also to see if the finisher might backfire.
Matter and Antimatter depended on one another, not only as a tag team, but also to strengthen their offense or defense respectively.
The Invasion years were definitely some of the most memorable years in GWF history!
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Post by LWPD on Feb 3, 2008 15:58:39 GMT -5
War Games 2091: By Turkish
What follows is a very detailed analysis of the War Games 2091 game edition by Gregg Kavanagh aka Board Member Turkish.
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War Games 2091
Credit Gregg Kavanagh aka Turkish
Thantos and Krakan are out to rule the GWF in this first edition of the War Games series. They form The Unholy Alliance. Who better to partner with them than the Gladiators? Brute and Massacre readily agree, but Spike is not so sure. Spike leaves the team, and Brute and Massacre recruit the maniacal Aethran, Mayhem. He is the ultimate risk taker, using the DANGER ZONE (a running head ram into the steel post) and the LEAP OF DOOM (a very dangerous move where Mayhem tries to execute a diving headbutt to the opponent while he is down on the ringside floor) to help the Unholy Alliance achieve victory.
Not to be outdone, Omega puts together the Defenders of the Galaxy to fight the Unholy Alliance. Star Warrior heads up the team, challenging his nemesis, Thantos, Surprisingly, the loner Wolf joins up as well, hoping to get a piece of Thantos and get into some hardcore fights with the new Gladiator Mayhem. Angered at his former teammates, Spike joins the Defenders as well.
Recently back from Aethra fresh from a Cleansing, this new and improved Spike is a monster, sporting a tough defense and a stronger version of the SUPERDESTROYER called the MEGADESTROYER.
The Galactic Punisher aims to stop Brute, and he introduces his friend, Justice, to the GWF to tangle with Massacre. Justice is packing some serious hardware with the SHOCK PROBATION (opponent is tied up in the Tree of Woe, and Justice executes a running shoulder tackle). Together as the Galacticops, Justice and Punisher have a tall order to take on Brute and Massacre, but they are more than up to the challenge.
During the War Games, Thantos and Krakan will team together as the WarMongers, while Star Warrior and Wolf will team up as Special Forces. Omega accompanies everyone in the Defenders but Wolf to ringside.
For protection from Wolf, Brute, Mayhem, and Massacre have introduced the Guardsman to watch their backs. A slave from an Aethran- dominated world, the Guardsman, like all Aethran slaves, has his mouth sewn shut. He does wrestle, using the CRACKDOWN (a powerslam) to finish opponents. His other devastating move is “bite to forehead”.
Joining the Unholy Alliance on the Villain side for the War Game is The Royal Court. Headed by the Royal Overlord, this team is rostered by Exo- King, Killer Queen, Bishop Hell, the Mad Jester and newcomer Count Necros. Necros is purportedly a vampire, an image he does not downplay. Like many members of his team, he uses an underhanded finisher called PHANTOM DUST, where he blows invisible dust in his opponent’s eyes. The Mad Jester and Killer Queen team up as the Royal Creeps regularly, while for War Games competition, the Powers of Darkness come together (Count Necros and Bishop Hell) The Royal Overlord manages the whole team.
The Federation Defense Fighters answer the call to aid the Defenders. Led by de facto leader Commander Sam, Msemer, Pulsar Prime, Massif and Earthquake fill out the roster. Commander Sam and Earthquake make up the regular tag team of The Bomb Squad, while for War Games matches Mesmer and Pulsar Prime make up the Defense Fighters.
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Post by LWPD on Feb 3, 2008 16:01:22 GMT -5
War Games 2091: By Turkish
Continued
Non War Games Feuds
Supreme gods v The Galactic Rebels
The Galactic Rebels are out to cause havoc in the GWF, staring with a mess in their own team! Tongsoon and Comrade Terror both want to be singles wrestlers. When Doomsayer sides with Terror being the singles guy, Tongsoon is none too happy! However, he decides to follow his manager for this year. Tongsoon is set to team with newcomer and fellow criminal Tendron the Destroyer! Tendron has tentacle like “hair” the he uses to attack people this is what happens with THE SMOTHERING, when his “hair attaches itself to the opponent’s face, making it difficult to breathe! Together, Tendron and Tongsoon are known as Prison Camp. Also on the team are the Cosmic Forces, Matter and Anti- Matter, who face a tough challenge of the Greek Gods. The Supreme Gods, headed by Solaris, are set to take on the Galactic Rebels. Proteus and Actagon are ready to take down the Cosmic Forces, while the Norse Gods are taking on the new Rebel team of Prison Camp. Solaris needed a wrestler to combat the mighty Comrade Terror in singles action, and Solaris introduces us to the timeless hero, Lance At-:Las. Lance brings some much needed strength to the Supreme Gods and looks the use the MARTIAN MANHANDLER (a move where Lance puts his opponent’s head between his knees, runs a few steps and the executes a running piledriver) to take out Comrade Terror. Things are heating up in this one.
Ani- Men of Andromeda v The Gamehunters
The Ani- Men of Andromeda lose Wolf to the Defenders, but Amazoniza stays on to help the team. She asks Battering Ram to try some singles action, breaking up the classic team Animal Pack. . Incredible Badger, one of the greatest tag team wrestlers in the GWF begins a new team with Iron Mane called Beasts of Burden. They will face the tough challenge of the Reynard B Guile’s Nightstalkers, which are composed of Bounty Hunter and the Serpent Unman.
The Serpent Unman was formerly known as Reptillo, and the Ani- Man has gone off the deep end. He is allowing his animalistic side to come forth and take over. The result is a more savage and vicious Reptillo. His new finisher the STRANGUALTION, is where The Serpent Unman ties the opponent’s head in the ropes, the and lifts up his head and pulls. The Serpent Unman may be disqualified, but he does not care. Badger will attempt to help his former friend reclaim his humanity, while Iron Mane will fend of Bounty Hunter, who sees the lion Ani- Man as the “King of Beasts”. The biggest news from this feud, however, is the signing of the talented free agent,
The Matador of M83. Guile supposedly spent an incredible large amount of money to bring in the talented fighter for one year only. A multi talented athlete, his aim is to test the waters of the GWF, and he has a big test in Battering Ram. Will he be able to stop Ram with the BULLWHIP, a DDT?
Fighting Titans v Masked Assassins
With Pulsar Prime going to help the FDF a hole was left on the Titans ‘ roster. Surprisingly, it was filled by a former member, Pit Viper! Pit Viper will face a feud with Death Masque putting former partners against one another. Billy Joe Boxer will face off against the hatchet man Splatter, and Lord Nexus will match up against the newly revamped Whiplash (formerly Executioner)! Whiplash brings some new moves to the ring, like the Backside Beheading, where Darkos, who is at ringside, distracts the opponent, allowing Whiplash to a crunching clothesline to the back of the head! The opponent being distracted is integral for the success of this move, as the opponent may simply move out of the way. Whiplash’s finisher, the THUMBSCREW, has Whiplash trying to bend the opponent’s thumb backward. It is a very painful maneuver, and he is looking to use it on the Titans. Additionally, Whiplash and Splatter will form the team Nightmare, to take on TitanPower (Nexus and Boxer).
Neptunian Space Croppers v The Wild Things
Terak and Renegade resume their feud with their hated former ally, Vanity! And the Creeper joins with Terak, his original Master. Vanity, undaunted, will send Mutant to battle Creeper in what should be a great hardcore feud. Down one man, Vanity has recruited his old buddy Mr. Galaxy to help him out and occupy renegade. Mr. Galaxy was a former bodybuilder, and looks to out- muscle Renegade. He uses the power move called the MUSCLE RIPPER, which Mr. Galaxy sits on his opponent’s back, grabs his arms and pulls back as hard as he can. In addition, Terak attempts to show Sweet Thing what a jerk Vanity is and woo her away from him. Will he be successful?
Young Allies v Ghengis Khan
Ghengis Khan and Mitsuko the Mongol feel betrayed due to Commander Sam returning to the FDF. Adam Blast and newcomer Vlad Hammer seek to shut those two up. Vlad is an Olympic style wrestler, and brings many acrobatic and agility moves with him. The tag finisher of Blast and Hammer, the SUPER POWER SUMMIT, is where last hits a dropkick of the turnbuckle and Vlad hits a roll up and pin combo. The debut of Vlad Ham,mer is significant because he has a long storied career, and probably goes through the most gimmick changes in CotG history.
New Matches
War Games
This game edition kicks off the War Games, in which two Hero teams (Defenders of the Galaxy and Federation Defense fighters) and two Villain teams (Unholy Alliance and Royal Court) will battle for supremacy. Each time a Hero faces a Villain, and both are part of the War Games, the result will score points for that wrestler’s team and side. Decisive wins are more costly than count- outs or disqualifications. Belt holders get more points for successfully defending or capturing titles. In addition, new titles, called the War Games Belts, are introduced. These are only in effect for the War Games participants, and garner less prestige (and subsequently less points) than the Galaxian Heavyweight and Tag Team belts. Wins over feud opponents and wins in special matches also earn additional points.
The first team or side to a certain set point total (eg: 100, 300, 500, etc) wins. Then you may start over, if you like! War Games Survivor Match This is an elimination tag match among the War Games teams.Additional points are scored for surviving members.
War Games Battlezone Match
In this match, each sends a wrestler down to wrestle. The winner stays and fights the next guy on the loser’s team. This will continue until one side is out of wrestlers. Basically this is a team match with single, one-on- one elimination bouts.
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Post by LWPD on Feb 3, 2008 16:04:14 GMT -5
War Games 2092-3 Overview: By Aaron 'Chewey' Chiu
What follows is an overview of the final two sets in the War Games trilogy. This covers game editions 2092 and 2093. The author is Aaron Chiu better known as stand out board member Chewey. Aaron was the very first person to submit a write up to the CotG HOF Project...and his contribution is exemplary.
This is an excellent reference to a very important period in the GWF's development...and easily one of my all time favorites. Going forward there is no better place to direct those curious about the 2092 and 2093 sets to than Aaron's overview.
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Wargames 2092
Credit Aaron 'Chewey' Chiu
2091 was a star-studded year which not only featured an influx of talent that directly banished many stars of previous years into midcard status, but also featured stacked feuds involving an all-star feud that included the GWF promotion’s hottest stars in its main event. Unfortunately, 2092 and 2093 did not live up to the sizzle of the first installment of the Wargames Trilogy, and only introduced one star that made an impact in each of its respective years.
2092 will easily be remembered as the Year of Chaos, as the debuting superstar from Dimension X whose immediate explosion into the main event scene shook up the entire promotion in a way that no individual had managed before in the eighteen-year history of the GWF. Every pre-hyped superstar that has entered the GWF in subsequent years has billed himself as “the next Chaos,” which is a legacy that will likely engrave his name as a first-ballot Hall of Famer. His stunning supporting cast included the likes of one of the previous year’s outbreaking stars in the Matador of M83, as well as the formidable tag team of the Keepers of the Stone.
Following the dissolution of both the Defenders of the Galaxy and the Unholy Alliance super-stables, the GWF moved on to lower class feuds as Star Warrior allied himself with the rapidly declining Supreme Gods, while Thantos formed his pact with the Galactic Rebels. Comrade Terror’s career took a major turn when he was transesolved into Dreadnaught, and it is the form of this sympathetic monster that Dreadnaught will be best remembered, rather than the cosmic terrorist who battled Commander Sam in the aftermath of the Earth vs. Cygnus war.
Meanwhile, the fledging team of the Federation Defense Fighters received an injection of fresh recruits, as the GalactiCops replaced Pulsar Prime and the aging Commander Sam. However, the feud between the FDF and the Royal Court could do little but bask in the glory of their previous status as the top feud of the promotion, which would linger until the Royal Court imploded from within.
The Gladiators of Aethra, at full strength after the repatriation of Spike, resumed their feud with the AniMen of Andromeda. Brute and Massacre faced a challenge from their third AniMen pairing as the Incredible Badger continued his Beasts of Burden team with Iron Mane, while Battering Ram rekindled his 2089 feud with Spike. Wolf, agreed to return to the side of Amazonia and the Animen, having excelled in his previous feuds with Executioner, Spike, Bounty Hunter, and Mayhem.
However, despite Wolf’s reputation of being a loner, it was Invincible Krakan and Bounty Hunter who would prove to be the true “lone wolves” in the year 2093.
Magnus Colby made his first public appearance in professional wrestling as the man who ruled behind the curtain of the Masked Assassins. This allowed Darkos to begin what would be a continuous cycle of reshuffling the Assassins into various tag team combinations. Meanwhile, the Fighting Titans would be ready to meet the challenge as Trainer Jim solidified his group with the teams of TitanPower and the Titan Express – the two teams that would be the staples of the Titans for years to come.
The Wild Things, Space Croppers, Young Allies, and Eastern Dynasty would continue to round out the undercard, but at least they could virtually guarantee themselves a win against resident Undercard Bum, Ursa Major. Commissioner Carter also arrived in 2092 to become a largely bland executive that would later be forgotten as more colorful personalities assumed his role in future years.
In sum, with the continuation of most feuds and the rekindling of a couple of others, 2092 was a rather uneventful year in which the entire roster collectively went into hibernation mode, except for the appearance of the Third Force.
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Post by LWPD on Feb 3, 2008 16:04:58 GMT -5
Wargames 2093
Credit Aaron 'Chewey' Chiu
If 2092 was known as the Year of Chaos, perhaps 2093 could be known as the Year of Sectarian. Yeah, right. Even Tom has admitted to hating Sectarian. Instead, the “star” of the set was Alpha Force. But despite the influence that Alpha Force later left in the GWF, the arrival of Alpha Force compared to the prior year’s arrival of Chaos was roughly analogous to the 2092 installment of Wargames following the 2091 Wargames. Blame it on Alpha Force having a tough act to follow after Chaos. Blame it on the fact that Chuck Carter no longer lived in the same city as Tom Filsinger. Blame it on Alpha Force’s two-page attention-hogging manifesto on why he disappeared and then reappeared; but the concluding chapter of the GWF’s first story arc did not have the magic that Tom originally envisioned. However, the saving grace of this year was that rather than limping to the finish line, it did set up the fast-paced Sudden Death tournament that Commissioner Carter would introduce the following year.
To be fair, Alpha Force vastly improved the credibility of the year’s headlining feud between the promotion’s top three teams. Star Warrior and the Supreme Gods renamed themselves the Champions of the Galaxy, which would continue to maintain its spot as the top team for years to come. Take out the Norse Gods, and Omega was suddenly left with Star Warrior, Alpha Force, and Lance At-Las as his three top stars and the reliable Greek Gods as his tag team. Chaos and the Third Force continued to be the main talk of the promotion as they remained unchanged. Thantos, not content to fade into oblivion, added Bounty Hunter and the Serpent Unman to his own roster, but retained Tendron the Destroyer for reasons unknown to anyone except for Thantos.
Dreadnaught and Tongsoon sparked a year-long feud, and while it would have been nice to see what Dreadnaught looked like in human form, Tongsoon was locked into a feud that he was doomed to lose. (Though in retrospect, Tongsoon probably benefited from losing, as his career took off more than Dreadnaught’s ever would). One question that this angle leaves unanswered: Are all Cygnusians really humans who have been transesolved into their ghastly appearances, or were Tongsoon and Dreadnaught the only ones?
The AniMen of Andromeda continued to feud with the Gladiators of Aethra, although at this point they were little more than placeholders for the Gladiators’ next challengers. Wolf continued his classic feud with Mayhem for the third year in a row – a first for a wrestler who got easily bored with long-lasting alliances and feuds. Meanwhile, the remaining members of this feud would somehow stumble into a time warp that brought them back to 2090. Spike faced Iron Mane, and Brute & Massacre faced the Animal Pack. Incredible Badger would never make the mistake of finding a new tag team partner for the rest of his career. Battering Ram would.
The Collector entered the GWF with an entirely novel concept: he would repackage lackluster mid/undercarders and turn them into cool characters. Other than the fact that he never repackaged Commissioner Carter, Chopper Mattock and Cannibal would certainly push for the Collector to receive Hall of Fame votes.
In an attempt to break their reputation as a “tag team” stable, Trainer Jim and the Fighting Titans would recruit Quasar from the Gravity Ball league. As for the Masked Assassins, one could conceivably make a case for some of these men to make the Hall of Fame (most notably Krakan and Splatter), but does anybody actually remember the names of the tag teams that Darkos used for his teams? If Nightmare, Shocker, and Assassin Empire don’t ring a bell – don’t worry, you’re not alone.
The FDF and Royal Court would continue to draw out their feud in slow motion, in which the only slight difference was that Exo-King and Earthquake were out of the picture. Apparently none of these men involved received the memo that their feud was so five years ago.The Savage Kingdom, Young Allies, Wild Things, and Eastern Dynasty would continue to exist. So did Ursa Major. No one liked Beast-Rider in 2087. Public opinion polls seem to indicate that Sectarian was even less popular.
Overall, 2093 set the pieces in place for the headliners to shine in the coming years, while everybody else was locked into suspended animation. The GWF was growing too big, as the top tier became overcrowded, and many of 2087’s signature stars that became sentimental favorites sadly faded into oblivion. Up next: Sudden Death, just what the doctor ordered.
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