Toxxic

Tom Flesher is my hero.

I understand what you mean, and in terms of writing the matches then where you are doesn't affect what you can do regarding wrestling moves, but the very nature of pro-wrestling is about the environment and the psychology of the environment. How many matches do you see where the heel stops to taunt the fans, and the face gets a chance to make a comeback? Where the face seems to be feeding off the support of the fans? Granted, the second one always seems a little lame to me, but it's those sort of things, plus the atmosphere that you can build even in text form with the chants of the fans, that helps show that we are writing a pro-wrestling match, not just a fight between two guys in weird outfits somewhere random. That's why I feel a bit lost when we're not in an arena somewhere with fans, because you lose that essential part. That's why when you're watching a match on TV, or even in person, a dead crowd makes the match seem worse and a red-hot crowd can make it seem a bit better. We're taking a medium of entertainment that is based around a performance that gets a reaction from a crowd, and taking it out of that situation.

Two swinging couples? Interesting idea. Kinda trashy, obviously, but good for a little heel heat possibly (hey look all you morons, not only am I the World/Intercontinental Champion, but I/we get the choice of TWO hot women!). The only trouble is that Edge and Nitro next to each other would make it look like the WWE had just opened a cloning factory, and any chance Nitro had of getting over without the label of Edge II would be blown.

I'm with Manson to a certain extent; House Rules should be used sparingly. Calvinball was very fun to write, and the Crimson Tide match wasn't bad either, but this World Tour with barely anything to call an arena to wrestle in... goofy and wacky is all very well, but there comes a time when I just want a ring, some human fans, and the chance to write a wrestling match. Know what I mean? I mean, what if we had some 'oh-my-God-it's-unbelieveable' return on this show? Say Edwin returned to active duty, or Silent, or Magnifico or god forbid, Chris Wilson... and they're in the frickin' Jedi Temple on Coruscant. How do you write a dramatic return there? Have Yoda marking out or something?

Depends on the big guy and his position on the card; for example, the matches against Carnage and Ghost Machine (version 1, just to clarify) were not THAT difficult for Toxxic - not a cakewalk, but not as challenging as, say, Landon or Flesher. And nor should they have been, because neither of those were anywhere near Landon or Flesher's ability, both in kayfabe and in real-life writing. Regarding those two quotes; yes, there are less moves Toxx can hit on big guys, and yes, he'd get pummelled in an out-and-out brawl, but he would use his speed to avoid getting caught in an out-and-out brawl. I wouldn't say that Toxxic has had a hard time with big guys; they present problems to him, but so do cruiserweights and middleweights, and everyone. They're just different problems, and he deals with them in a different way. Now, if Toxxic was grounded due to a leg injury, or trapped in a limiting environment like a cage then I WOULD have a really hard time trying to write him against a big guy because the odds would be swung in the hoss's favour. Just like when writing Amy vs Bruce in the boiler room, the confining environment meant I had to write interference to get a win, because there was no way Amy could stay out of Bruce's reach long enough to avoid being turned into mulch. Granted, Toxx is a better wrestler than Amy, but he's even less tough than her so a similar thing would apply. In the strap match with Janus for the ICTV I could not write a convincing way for Toxx to win, simply because he was anchored to the big man and couldn't use his speed well enough (I'm not saying it wasn't possible, but I couldn't come up with a way to win which was better than Janus' match). So what I'm saying is, no, big men don't give Toxxic any more of a problem than anyone else... UNLESS they can stop him from wrestling the match in a way advantageous to him, whether through the environment, the stipulation, some sort of injury to him or just excellent positioning and tactics on their part. But then again, anyone managing to stop Toxxic from wrestling the match how he wants will give him problems, whether it's an ever faster wrestler staying out of the reach of his strikes and (limited) mat wrestling, or a striker or mat wrestler closing the distance on him and preventing him from hitting aerial moves. Big or small doesn't matter - he CAN come up with a strategy to beat you, it's whether he can put in into play that counts. Most times, he can.

Yeah, but Stephens HASN'T had a hard time with big guys. He lost twice to Janus for the ICTV strap, but took the World Title from him later, and apart from that he's beaten any halfway big guy he's come into contact with. I think apart from Janus, the only two non-cruisers to have beaten Stephens were Danny Williams and Nathaniel Kibagami (and Toxx was actually taller than Danny, just outweighed due to his impersonation of a small buffalo). In terms of underdogness (it's a word, I hereby decree it), I think both guys have their points; Bruce clearly has the size and strength advantage, as well as the experience, but Stephens is quicker, more experienced in a non-hardcore environment and also has the big match mojo that Bruce lacks. I think 'artificially' establishing an underdog face was one way to go, but I think a simple, all-out war between two guys who both had advantages and disadvantages works as well.

The commentary is, I have to say, awesome. I was going to try and run with the MST3K guys, but after a bit of experimentation decided that it just didn't work for my writing style and so had them as the Sign Guys instead. As for the match itself it works pretty well, although to be honest I'm thinking that a few chairshots from a guy as big as Bruce on someone as small and relatively weak as Toxxic would pretty much put paid to a match right from the start - there's a reason he doesn't kick out of finishers, you know. But yeah, nice going; you made better use of the location than me - I went more for a regular match and hoped that'd swing it.

Right. Since nothing's been added since yesterday, I how hereby declare: don't book me.

Well then, control your desires for hairy bovines and devilishly handsome Englishmen. Honestly, bloody sex maniac you are.

I can't tell whether I'm meant to take Spike's promo seriously or not. Congrats to the n00b - not exactly a normal SWF match, but hey, it's something. Best of luck with continuing to develop. Most important point I'd say to work on for now is giving the commentators actual dialogue. If you need to see how they speak read a few other matches on the show. Congrats to Drea and WC. I'm guessing the end of the Grendel vs MatFlesh match was just a little to do with some sort of angle. The match itself was great, not only an example of masterful, dickish heeling but some priceless commentary as well. One thing I'd like some feedback on is my opening promo. This is the first time I've had Toxx really cut loose on someone since he came back rather than trying to repress his angry side. However, most of my promo-writing experience with him is as an egotistical, arsehole of a heel. Does the promo work as a face (albeit quite a piss-taking face, say like Jericho) or is it too heelish?

Yak now? Bruce, control your desires for hairy bovines.

I want to see An Octopus and Another Octopus tagging, then doing the 'bait and switch' so the illegal invertebrate gets the pin. Like the Bashams, only actually related. And with more tentacles.

Yeah, I'm one of the ones always asking for Storm off... so naturally, I get left off Smarkdown. Again. Someone hit me up and let me know if they want a crack at either Mike (non-title, biznitches) or Amy.

To be fair, WC said the match reminded him of the 80s jobber squashes, in which case if you agreed you'd have to look at MatFlesh for writing a match which you felt disprespected their opponents, and the marker for putting it over a more balanced match. Personally, I think that the New Doomtopians have been rather successful and are FAR from jobbers.

Danny wrote it as being with the forearm. And I haven't used Mike, Tom and Crow on commentary - they just hold up signs at ringside, ala Sign Guy in ECW.

Because you're obsessed with Federer?

Aecas enters. Yay! Michael Stephens enters. More yay! Stephens pins Aecas with the Sunny In England. Stephens is now the International AND World Champion! LOTS OF YAY! Everyone applauds Aecas, including Stephens, wish him well and hope he comes back soon. Awwww! Now that he has ALL THE GOLD~, Michael Stephens ascends to heaven and takes the title belts with him. Sorry guys, looks like I beat you all to it

You should do that.

You bastard Sly, you beat me to it...

I call opening promo. And unlike Spike, I'll actually write one. And I know Spike's already called it. I call it by virtue of him blowing his last go at it Or semi-opening promo, whatever.

Get broadband, you doofus. But still, if you can't (or don't want to) write 'em, King and Francis is fine. Oh, shush. It's not like i can't afford it. I just can't be bothered to ring ntl.

I've never seen the show and my connection is too slow to be able to conveniently view the clips. Unless anyone can give me a text rundown of how these guys speak, I'll be writing King and Francis, and you'll like it.

Well to be honest Mike, I'm pretty much despairing on getting a decent showing from this match-up.

You mean you thought about it and still posted it? Oh dear. And Tom, let us not forget Pretzler's determination to kidnap the baby giant panda so he could snuggle with it. EDIT: Stryke or QMM, if for whatever reason you're thinking of PMing me about an extension (yeah, right), don't bother. I'm marking them first thing when I get up in the morning. This'll be about 9am, British Summertime. You have until then.

Windy, I run a gay clubnight. And yet, even to me that comment sounds stupidly gay.