How far ahead do you book?

[Gunslinger]

So this morning I was planning a PPV event about thirty cards ahead of where I am in my LOW feds and started pondering. My question is How far ahead does everyone book?

In my current two fed setup, I usually have some guidelines written down but don't book any matches more than a couple shows in advance. Otherwise, it starts feeling like work and you'll have to rebook anyway if the feud isn't hot or someone gets injured. However, when I'm doing occasional PPVs with big storylines, I like to have the general lineup in place before I even start heading in that direction.

[Vidtek]

I usually only book two or three shows ahead, but I always keep a general idea of where I want my feds to go while I do it. Like I am only on FLoW Season 1 Show #15, but I already have an idea of what I want for things going up to Season 3 (I book 24 card Seasons for my FLoW fed). There are no matches set yet, except for the dualing main events on Season 1 Show #20.

[Tournament Master]

I have a set calendar for what format of event I will run at what time, but I don't usually worry about participants until maybe 2 cards ahead of time. Like in my GWFZ fed I know when I will have my King of Trios event, and know a good deal of who will probably participate, but won't figure out the exact lineup or pairings until right before. For standard PPVs I might have an idea of a main event 2 or 3 cards ahead of time, but even those are subject to change right before...and undercard I usually do on the fly. Luckily my fans are forgiving of not knowing much of what will happen, because they know it will be good.

[graymar]

I usually run quarterly PPVs with bi-weekly shows.

For my main feuds for the PPV (2-4), I book backward from the PPV. For example, I may want Star Warrior and Thantos to face off in the next PPV...I know that going into the first card of the quarter and book accordingly.

The remainder of the PPV are filled with feuds that arise during the quarter. For example, my first week match may end in a DQ between Spike and Renegade. I may build the feud with rematches and promos to blow off at the PPV at the end of the quarter.

Unless something unusual arises at the PPV (like a DQ, etc.) or its a long term feud (Thantos - Star Warrior, Lord Nexus - Kraken), most feuds are ended at the PPV and everything is re-set. The Spike - Renegade match probably will not continue beyond the PPV.

[jasonjaconetti]

I wrestle my matches in bunches, with major events/cards in mind. Some bouts are "filler" that I throw interesting matches together. As for the main storylines, I work these ideas with a loose idea and then see where the matches take me.

[Deleted]

In LLUSA, I try to always have an idea of where I'm going at the next big show. I never have the full card planned out until a few shows before it happens.

[Chad Olson]

Since I'm a little behind in my AWA, I've actually booked out the major storylines in the fed for 2-3 years. I'm trying to get "caught up" to 2011 so Cory & I can work on a combined project we have cooked up. Not sure if it will happen with the new babies, but I'm willing to give it a try.

Like I said, I know when the major storylines will take place on my calendar, but there's also flexibility built in. No need to drop an unplanned angle/feud for something I have penciled in.

When I played on a regular basis, I usually had things booked out 4-6 months in advance. But all plans were always up for revision, depending on what the dice did.

[Cory Olson]

When I played COTG, I usually played close to the official book and storylines, so it was easier to plan things out.

With LOW, I try to "map out" the whole year, as far as when new debuts or angles will take place. I try to make sure to spread things out, so you don't get that TNA mentality, where too much happens and nothing sticks.

I plan out my whole year's worth of cards at the end of the year for the new year, as far as dates and where cards will be held. This also helps me realize if certain "milestone" cards will happen and how I can plan it in conjunction with other big cards. (I usually try to do a loaded card for every 50th card, if a supercard is not already close to taking place.)

I usually try to build toward the main event and other top matches at New Year's Knockout for several months but it's very hard to do, based on a variety of factors (such as certain wrestlers not doing as well as I would have expected, injuries, title changes, etc.)

So, while I try to plan out as far as I can, as we all know, the dice may change my plans.

[Mr. Beefy]

I usually have an idea of what I want to happen during my PPV's. As far as my cards I only book ahead by 1 or 2 cards. Like in my Z fed Cuddley Claw had a surprise (or at least it was to me) win against Rush. So I thought it would be neat to put them on a tag team in the tournament I'm having. Now like in my aCe fed I've been working on a Dead Rising vs ROC for awhile. I might not have a set in stone idea for the PPV but I have a good idea.

[Knapik]

The only advance booking I do is in my head concerning PPVs. Almost everything I do is card-to-card. I run a card, then I book the next one!