Galaxian Championship Series

[Hawk]

With my COTG playing, I've always striven to have a balance between fun and legitimacy. To me, if I'm playing COTG I want as close a proximity to a "real sport" as possible. This does not exactly mesh with today's COTG product. I could work it in the era of the major angles being a press conference or a fireball attack, but it struggles with the modern "holovideo" type stories. I also enjoy computing statistics and points with COTG. Even though I hate math. It makes no sense.

In any case, I bought POW and aCe. Both appear to be dead/on hiatus. This has troubled me greatly. I can't get into modern GWF, no matter how I've tried (I'm now bought New Beginning's twice. Once in cardstock and one on COTG Online). And it seems pointless to run either promotion during this period without going "uncanon". So that left me with only one clear option.

A huge ass competition tournament based non-canon promotion.

Indeed.

Hence the GALAXIAN CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES.

The sets I have available are: all Centra entertainment & Dark Tides, POW 2122, and Promoter Madness + POW Cards + GWFZ SE's. On top of that, I have many bootlegs I've either created or have downloaded. For now, I'm going to avoid my own bootlegs simply to focus on other people's creations. I also have all GWF sets up to 2093...but this isn't a Kronos promotion. I'm not entirely keen on the idea of Chaos coming in at 2123 and wrecking everyone.

I also have a bad habit of starting promotions and never going anywhere with them. I am going to try really, really hard not to have this happen.

HOW THIS WILL WORK:

Credit goes to my friend Shawn Faatz aka Ringking for his LOW fed that inspired this process.

- Sixteen Wrestlers are selected at random from the talent pool.
- The sixteen are matched in a randomly generated double elimination tournament.
- The position a wrestler is eliminated will become their initial ranking. First beaten twice is #16, second is #15, etc, etc. All the way to the tournament winner who is #1.
- The game "year" will then begin. The year will be broken down into two "Series". Each will go twenty two weeks in length, with four weeks per month.
- Each month's matches will be randomly generated singles matches. Each wrestler will be expected to wrestle twice per month. Each event will have four matches giving every wrestler two weeks off during the month.
- After each month, the new rankings will be calculated using a point system. The new ranking plus a random generator will determine the next month's matches.
- Every wrestler will be given 50 pts at onset of the series,aside from the ranking tournament winner who will gain an additional twenty points. Points will go up or down based on the month's activities.
- If a wrestler ever hits 0 points, they are automatically disqualified from the series. Their spot will remain vacant until filled in the next series.
- Much like the NFL, each wrestler will have eleven matches during the series. This means not everyone will face everyone else. It will come down to who has done the best within those eleven matches.
- The goal is to be #1 rank at the end of the series. Not only will the Series Champion enter the HALL OF CHAMPIONS~!, and get a big trophy, the wrestler who wins the series will also be the "Series Champion". The Series Champion will automatically place in next series ranking tournament with the easiest first round match, and will gain "Champion's Advantage" throughout both the ranking tournament and the series itself. Pin, ag, and pw will all be reduced by one.
- Regardless of the number ejected from the series by the point rule, the lowest two wrestlers will be forced to vacate their positions. This ensures that no matter what, two new wrestlers will enter the series every period.

THE POINT SYSTEM:

+5 - Win a match
+Variable - Defeat a higher ranked opponent (The variable is the difference in rank. #16 beating #2 would give #16 fourteen extra points)
+20 - Win the ranking tournament
-3 - Lose a match
-Variable - Lose to a lower ranked opponent (The variable is the difference in rank. #2 losing to #16 would cost #2 fourteen points).

More point values may be added as I deem fit.

With all that out of the way, let's get to the sixteen wrestlers...

[Hawk]

SERIES 1 ENTRANTS:

Death Knight II (Pete Beck SE)
Rating: 4/10

- As much as I love Death Knight II, the sad fact is that he's probably out gunned in the series. He should be able to hang with his add one, and two finishers, but I don't see many options for him to break out of the pack. I expect DK II to end up in the middle of the series, possibly trending downwards.

Zed Marlowe (POW 2122)
Rating: 7/10

- Having never played POW much, Zed intrigues me. Looking at his card, he looks tough, but doesn't seem to have the final 1-2 punch that a true top of the line card has. I think Zed will be a tough match up for anyone in the series, if not a contender in the end.

Brainstorm (POW 2122)
Rating: 5/10

- Brainstorn still has some potential. With three level three moves on level two offense, and a +3 finisher the possibility for upsets is certainly there. But Brainstorm is in the DK II territory, where he's a strong opponent for anyone but he has deficiencies in his overall game that should cost him.

Dante (POW 2122)
Rating: 7/10

- I like Dante. A lot. Dante has weaknesses such as his overuse of power moves on Level 1, and a down three on L2 Defense, but Dante has what I'd almost call a "classical" card build. His card progresses nicely until you hit L3 Offense and his two finishers. I see those finishers adding up quick and often. Dante may end up being a sleeper.

Mack Calibur (aCe Dark Tides)
Rating: 3/10

- I'm not expecting much out of mister Calibur. He reminds me of a slightly updated Billy Jo Boxer, who couldn't survive well in 2088 let alone 2123. I see Calibur making matches somewhat competitive, but being blown out by anyone worth anything.

Esperanto (all Centra entertainment)
Rating:5/10

- Esperanto is a tough card, no doubt. He has enough defense to stay in the fight and no critical weaknesses. In addition, Hair of the Dog on Level 2 Offense (the only add 1 on Level 2 so far!) could end up eating opponents alive. I don't see Esperanto being able to get victories over the Zed Marlowe's of the series, but I see him being a strong contender.

T.K. (POW 2122)
Rating: 4/10

- T.K. is like Esperanto, in that his card structure is tough. His defense has enough to hang on with no critical weaknesses, he has a +2 finisher, and an add one. The major difference, is T.K,'s takes place on Level 3 instead of 2. That can be a major difference. I see T.K. being able to stay in the fight, but not win it.

Odyssey (all Centra entertainment)
Rating: 3/10

- Odyssey is a tag wrestler. That spells problems in a single's only environment. Two of his moves cannot be done in singles matches. Thankfully for Odyssey, his finisher still works. I know it's becoming a joke, but I see Odyssey being able to stay alive long enough to make matches mildly competitive before being put down.

Neuromancer (aCe Dark Tides)
Rating: 4/10

- Neuromancer has no critical weakness, but no critical successes either. Neuromancer is pretty by the numbers. He's adept at both offense and defense, but not particularly mind blowing in either regard. He simply lacks the firepower to keep up.

Euritar (POW 2122)
Rating: 7/10

- My first instinct was to give Euritar a higher ranking...but upon inspection, Euritar and Zed Marlowe are virtually identical. Same finisher rating, same agility and power, same pin, same number of downs on L3, same number of comebacks on L2 Defense. Euritar has a minor advantage in that he has three L3 on L2 offense. But Zed has an Add One. That battle will come down entirely to card structure instead of card stats.

Ali Ga'Tor (Pete Beck SE)
Rating: 5/10

- Ali Ga'Tor is a tag wrestler. That hurts. But Ali Ga'Tor has enough positives to merit a chance. His -3 power makes him the strongest wrestler thus far listed in the series. He has three L3 on L2 offense, and he has no critical weaknesses other than (ag) on L2 offense. Ali Ga'Tor could be a quiet sleeper.

Hustler (all Centra entertainment)
Rating: 7/10

- I could be over-rating Hustler, but what Hustler does he does well. Hustler isn't about working up the chain to a finisher. Hustler is all about beating the hell out of someone. Two Add 2 moves adds up incredibly quick. His only weaknesses are poor ag/pw and a down-3 on L2 Defense. If Hustler can hurt someone quick, he can beat anyone.

Totalis (POM POW SE)
Rating: 6/10

- Who better for a big ole tournament than the Tournament Master? Unfortunately, I don't see this going very well for Totalis. His 4 (1) pin doesn't stand out much in this crew, nor does his +3 finisher. Add in his good ag/pw but neither outstanding and four ag/pw situations on level 1 and I see Totalis having a hell of a time ever getting going. Totalis could be a sleeper, but I see him failing to live up to his moniker.

Aspin Northstar (all Centra entertainment)
Rating: 4/10

- Aspin has the potential to beat anyone. Very few wrestlers can take a full on Flash of Brilliance. The problem is, to get there Aspin has to survive on his average defense, his relatively poor ag/pw and lack of any outstanding offense. The two finishers will help, but Aspin will struggle against the top talent.

Brown Starfish (GWFZ SE)
Rating: 1/10

- Brown Starfish is about the closest thing to a complete jobber this series has. I don't see any real possibility for Brown Starfish to get any serious wins.

By the by, I just noticed the Bryan Danielson comparisons. Huh...

Varsity (GWFZ SE)
Rating: 5/10

- Varsity has the potential to be much higher ranked, but his defense is what kills him on level 2. A down and only one counter opportunity means he's going to struggle mightily against the more offensive minded wrestlers. Varsity's offense makes up for it with two finishers and three L3 moves on L2 offense. The key for Varsity will be to stay on the offense. If he allows the opponent to dictate where the bout goes, he'll be in trouble.

[Hawk]

THE RANKING TOURNAMENT:

The Ranking Tournament will open up every series. It is a double elimination tournament. A wrestler must be beaten twice to be eliminated. When you are beaten the first time, you are then placed in the sudden death loser's bracket. At the end of the tournament, the winner's bracket champion (aka the one guy who never lost) battles the loser's bracket champion in a face off. The loser's bracket winner must defeat the winner bracket champion twice in a row. The winner bracket champion only has to defeat the loser bracket's champion once. Whomever survives wins #1 rank, and twenty extra points in the Series.

The first round matches are all decided by the list randomizer at random.org. The list was randomized six times before this one was used.

The matches are:

1. Death Knight II vs. Odyssey
2. T.K. vs. Dante
3. Neuromancer vs. Esperanto
4. Mack Calibur vs. Euritar
5. Ali Ga'Tor vs. Hustler
6. Brown Starfish vs. Varsity
7. Aspin Northstar vs. Brainstorm
8. Zed Marlowe vs. Totalis

I've got some stuff to do right now, but I'm going to see about running the tournament later today...

[Hawk]

The Ranking Tournament is completed. Every tournament round was made up of random pairings of the available wrestlers. Below are the results:


FIRST ROUND:
- Death Knight II defeated Odyssey with the Death Ride
- T.K. defeated Dante with the Enlightenment
- Neuromancer defeated Esperanto with the Technosyndrome
- Euritar defeated Mack Calibur with Head's Will Roll
- Ali Ga'Tor defeated Hustler with the TailSault
- Varsity defeated Brown Starfish by count out
- Brainstorm defeated Aspin Northstar by ramming him into the ring post
- Zed Marlowe defeated Totalis with the Marlowe Vice

LOSING BRACKET FIRST ROUND:
- Hustler defeated Dante with the Skull Cap
- Mack Calibur defeated Aspin Northstar with a +4 Buckshot
- Totalis defeated Brown Starfish with the Final Round
- Odyssey defeated Esperanto with a Shiranui

WINNER BRACKET SECOND ROUND:
- Brainstorm defeated T.K. with Superior Intellect
- Death Knight II defeated Varsity with the Death Ride
- Neuromancer defeated Ali Ga'Tor with the Technosyndrome
- Euritar defeated Zed Marlowe with a high elevation backdrop

LOSING BRACKET THIRD ROUND:
- Zed Marlowe defeated Totalis with the Marlowe Vice
- T.K. defeated Ali Ga'Tor by count out
- Hustler defeated Varsity by TKO due to referee stop (Varsity passed 12 tokens. Automatic injury)
- Mack Calibur defeated Odyssey with a big left hook

WINNER BRACKET SEMI FINAL:
- Death Knight II defeated Brainstorm with a Cosmic Lance
- Euritar defeated Neuromancer with Merciless

LOSING BRACKET FOURTH ROUND:
- Zed Marlowe defeated T.K. with the Marlowe Vice
- Mack Calibur defeated Hustler by disqualification
- Brainstorm defeated Neuromancer with Superior Intellect

LOSING BRACKET FIFTH ROUND:
- Zed Marlowe defeated Mack Calibur with the Marlowe Vice

LOSING BRACKET SEMI FINAL:
- Brainstorm defeated Zed Marlowe with Superior Intellect

WINNER BRACKET FINAL:
- Euritar defeated Death Knight II with Merciless

LOSING BRACKET FINAL:
- Death Knight II defeated Brainstorm with the Cosmic Lance

RANKING TOURNAMENT FINAL:
- Euritar defeated Death Knight II with Head's Will Roll

The biggest surprise was Death Knight II. His card is devoid of any critical weaknesses which helped him tremendously. Where everyone else has a critical down 3 on Level 2 defense or some other weakness, Death Knight II simply plowed right through even though he's statistically weaker than many of the other cards.

Hustler would have placed significantly better had he not gotten himself disqualified for the pistol whip. I ignored outside of the ring DQ's, but rolled three times for his card's dq mechanic (figuring that it's engineered as a check to his card). Even with three rolls, Hustler still managed to get DQ'd. He had Calibur all but defeated as well. And in his previous match had beaten Varsity so badly that his pin rating was 13, forcing the match to be stopped.

Dante was a huge disappointment. I can't tell if I overestimated him, or if he just got a bad draw in the tournament. First eliminated wasn't how I pictured he'd go.

90% of Zed Marlowe's matches followed a pattern. He'd be destroyed for 90% of the match, make a small comeback and hit the Marlowe Vice for submission. I thought that was funny.

This gives the Series it's first rankings:

#16: Dante
#15: Aspin Northstar
#14: Brown Starfish
#13: Esperanto
#12: Totalis
#11: Ali Ga'Tor
#10: Varsity (Injured but will work through with minor injury penalties)
#9: Odyssey
#8: T.K.
#7: Hustler
#6: Neuromancer
#5: Mack Calibur
#4: Zed Marlowe
#3: Brainstorm
#2: Death Knight II
#1: Euritar

And with this we get our first month of events. Once again, all matches are made using the list randomizer at Random.org

WEEK ONE:
#10: Varsity vs. #9: Odyssey
#11: Ali Ga'Tor vs. #5: Mack Calibur
#8: T.K. vs. #12: Totalis
#1: Euritar vs. #4: Zed Marlowe

WEEK TWO:
#14: Brown Starfish vs. #16: Dante
#7: Hustler vs. #6: Neuromancer
#15: Aspin Northstar vs. #2: Death Knight II
#3: Brainstorm vs. #13: Esperanto

WEEK THREE
#1: Euritar vs. #14: Brown Starfish
#16: Dante vs. #12: Totalis
#5: Mack Calibur vs. #9: Odyssey
#10: Varsity vs. #4: Zed Marlowe

WEEK FOUR:
#7: Hustler vs. #3: Brainstorm
#8: T.K. vs. #6: Neuromancer
#11: Ali Ga'Tor vs. #2: Death Knight II
#13: Esperanto vs. #15: Aspin Northstar

After this month, the point system comes into effect, determining each month's rankings there after until we hit Week 22 and crown the first Series Champion.

I am probably done playing for the night...but I haven't had the urge like this in a few years, so we'll see where I end up.

[Crimson Cross]

The GCS is a very deep and cool concept, solid work keep it coming...

[Hawk]

WEEK ONE:
#9: Odyssey defeated #10: Varsity with Chronochasm
#5: Mack Calibur defeated #11: Ali Ga'Tor with Buckshot
#12: Totalis defeated #8: T.K. with Final Round
#4: Zed Marlowe defeated #1: Euritar when Euritar missed a cross body block

WEEK TWO:
#16: Dante defeated #14: Brown Starfish with Hell
#6: Neuromancer defeated #7: Hustler with a cross body block
#15: Aspin Northstar defeated. #2: Death Knight II with a +5 Flash of Brilliance
#3: Brainstorm defeated #13: Esperanto with a groin shot

WEEK THREE:
#1: Euritar defeated #14: Brown Starfish with a corkscrew plancha
#16: Dante defeated #12: Totalis with Hell
#9: Odyssey defeated #5: Mack Calibur with Chronochasm
#10: Varsity defeated #4: Zed Marlowe with Halo

WEEK FOUR:
#13: Esperanto defeated #15: Aspin Northstar with Dead Man's Hand
#8: T.K. defeated #6: Neuromancer with a Reverse DDT
#2: Death Knight II defeated #11: Ali Ga'Tor with Death Ride
#7: Hustler defeated #3: Brainstorm by TKO referee stop (Brainstorm up to 13 tokens, automatically injured)

[Hawk]

POST-WEEK FOUR RANKINGS

#1: Euritar (1)
#2: Zed Marlowe (4)
#3: Brainstorm (3) *Injured. Will work through with minor penalties*
#4: Odyssey (9)
#5: Hustler (7)
#6: Dante (16)
#7: Mack Calibur (5)
#8: Aspin Northstar (15)
#9: Varsity (10) *Injured. Will work through with minor penalties*
#10: T.K. (8)
#11: Death Knight II (2)
#12: Neuromancer (6)
#13: Totalis (12)
#14: Esperanto (13)
#15: Ali Ga'Tor (11)
#16: Brown Starfish (14)

One could say that this is a more "representative" ranking. Instead of the rankings being based off pure random draw, these are based off all matches in the Ranking Tournament, and the two matches every wrestler had during the month.

Any tie points are decided by win/loss record.

Euritar barely holds onto his #1 position after suffering his first series loss to Zed Marlowe. Marlowe's position at #1 was ruined when Marlowe suffered a surprise upset to Varsity, while Euritar rebounded by destroying Brown Starfish.

You have to feel for Esperanto as well. His victory over Aspin Northstar would have raised him significantly if these rankings had been used. But when the match took place, Aspin was still ranked #15. That's just how it goes.

Dante secured the biggest improvement over the month, going 2-0, both wins over higher ranked opposition (easy to do when you are #16...). It's easy to make huge improvements at the back of the pack, but harder to get any higher once there. We'll see where Dante goes now.

Hustler continues to be wildly inconsistent. One match he struggles to get anything done, and then the very next match beats his opponent into a referee stoppage and injury. It was Brainstorm this time who was the receiver.

The biggest fall was to Death Knight II. His loss to Aspin Northstar's Flash of Brilliance (a +12 point ranking difference) boosted Aspin, and significantly harmed DK II. Aspin then lost to Esperanto, while DK II defeated Ali Ga'Tor.

[Hawk]

POST-WEEK FOUR RECORDS:

Wrestler Win/Loss
Ali Ga'Tor-- 1/4
Aspin Northstar--1/3
Brainstorm --5/3
Brown Starfish-- 0/4
Dante-- 2/2
Death Knight II-- 5/3
Esperanto-- 1/3
Euritar-- 6/1
Hustler-- 3/3
Mack Calibur-- 4/3
Neuromancer-- 3/3
Odyssey -- 3/2
T.K. -- 3/3
Totalis -- 2/3
Varsity -- 2/3
Zed Marlowe-- 5/3

As you can see, everyone aside from Euritar are basically dead even. Somewhat annoying. I keep hoping more will break out of the pack, but it seems all the wrestlers are so evenly matched that anyone can win at any time.

[Hawk]

WEEK FIVE
Dante defeated Aspin Northstar with a crucifix
Totalis defeated Brainstorm with the Final Round
Mack Calibur defeated Esperanto with a +4 Buckshot
Hustler defeated Zed Marlowe with the Skullcap

WEEK SIX
T.K. defeated Brown Starfish with the Enlightenment
Euritar defeated Ali Ga'Tor with Merciless
Death Knight II defeated Varsity with the Death Ride
Neuromancer defeated Odyssey with a figure four cradle

WEEK SEVEN
Zed Marlowe defeated Neuromancer with a Frankensteiner
Brainstorm defeated Brown Starfish with a groin shot
Dante defeated Hustler by disqualification
Euritar defeated Odyssey with Merciless

WEEK EIGHT
Esperanto defeated T.K. with Hair of the Dog
Mack Calibur defeated Ali Ga'Tor with double kidney punches
Death Knight II defeated Totalis with the Death Ride
Aspin Northstar defeated Varsity with the Northern Star Suplex

POST-WEEK EIGHT RANKINGS:

#1: Euritar (-)
#2: Dante (6)
#3: Mack Calibur (7)
#4: Death Knight II (11)
#5: Hustler (-)
#6: Totalis (13)
#7: Neuromancer (12)
#8: Zed Marlowe (2)
#9: Aspin Northstar (8)
#10: Brainstorm (3)
#11: T.K. (10)
#12: Esperanto (14)
#13: Varsity (9)
#14: Odyssey (4)
#15: Ali Ga'Tor (-)
#16: Brown Starfish (-)

The top and bottom of the rankings are all that remained stable in a volitile month. Euritar remains the king of the series, having improved his record to a staggering 8-1. On the polar opposite, Brown Starfish "improved" to 0-6...Euritar's position seems secure. Aside from a horrific fluke loss, Euritar has a significant edge over even the closest competitors now...

Dante's steady progress continued with two solid victories. Unlike many of the wrestlers, Dante's progress has now gone for four straight matches. Thus far, Dante is immune to the "bumping" that has been bouncing the wrestlers up and down the rankings.

Odyssey suffered the biggest drop of the period. Losing two in a row is bad enough, but losing pme to a far lower ranked wrestler is what hurt most. Perhaps this is where Odyssey belongs. Time will time.

Brainstorm and Zed Marlowe both suffered catastrophic setbacks. Brainstorm fell to the #13 ranked Totalis while Marlowe fell to the #5 ranked Hustler. Both are now clinging to their top ten rankings on a razor's edge.

Hustler could have very well placed #2 had he not stupidly gotten himself disqualified again. A win over Zed Marlowe and then a win over Dante would have assured him a near top spot. But instead Hustler once again went above and beyond what was required getting himself disqualified for the second time in the series.

WEEK NINE:
#7: Neuromancer vs. #6: Totalis
#13: Varsity vs. #2: Dante
#11: T.K. vs. #10: Brainstorm
#5: Hustler vs. #16: Brown Starfish

WEEK TEN:
#14: Odyssey vs. #12: Esperanto
#15: Ali Ga'Tor vs. #8: Zed Marlowe
#1: Euritar vs. #9: Aspin Northstar
#3: Mack Calibur vs. #4: Death Knight II

WEEK ELEVEN:
#8: Zed Marlowe vs, #14: Odyssey
#4: Death Knight II vs. #12: Esperanto
#16: Brown Starfish vs. #7: Neuromancer
#15: Ali Ga'Tor vs. #10: Brainstorm

WEEK TWELVE:
#13: Varsity vs. #9: Aspin Northstar
#6: Totalis vs. #2: Dante
#5: Hustler vs. #11: T.K.
#3: Mack Calibur vs. #1: Euritar

[Crimson Cross]

The action is fast paced, I would like to see Varsity rise from the #13 spot and move up the ladder...