The Biggest Angle Ever

[TheBostonStrangler 0]

I dig it, I dig it. I'd love to see where it goes from here, though.

[Guest commie_050]

I think the HBK Taker rift could be explained through a discussion of Michaels' religious conversion. You'd have to screw with the timeline a bit, but let's says his conversion took place shortly before Judgement Day 2000. He realizes that his power plays in the past were selfish, and his partying could have caused immeasurable harm to the Kings. So, as a token of good faith, he helps Taker and HHH take the belt off of the Rock.

 

Of course this is all a mental exercise, because we would NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEVVVEEEEEEEEEEEEER see and angle this thorough and shooty on WWE programming. But I love the idea of a special SD devoted to the Kings. Since the Kings now own and operate the company, it could be explained that they are ready to reveal their secret history. All the former Kings (excluding Hart) could be involved, giving interviews about their role. As per, the Kings' origin, Flaiur should also point out that he never had the best body, and in '91, the WWF was the land of the giants. Hogan had his followers (Savage, Warrior, Earthquake, Brutus), so he needed a group of his own. Flair could point out he knew Taker from the "Mean" Mark Callous days, while Hart was suffering under the same Vince "big man fetish" that Flair would have been. This also explains HBK's arrival later. In fact, could the Kings be responsible for the steroid investigation, as a way to eliminate the Hogan group, and lead a coup d'etat?

 

As to Bradshaw's involvement, I think it can be explained that he was strictly a "behind the scenes" guy until recently. Taker and HHH knew they needed someone who wouldn't pull a Michaels-esque power play, who would appreciate the opportunity given to him. Look at the roster in 97-98. Austin was too big to be involved, Rock didn't have the heart for wrestling, Owen was aligned with Hart. Waltman and Kane were too obvious, as they had a direct connection to the other members, and could trigger another HHH/HBK coup. Maybe have HBK admit he was grooming Shamrock for the third spot, but he was simply too volatile to control. This explains his main event at Degeneration X and inability to recapture the main event slot. Bradshaw was the best pick: he was, like Shamrock, a legit tough guy, but with the benefit of a business mindset. His stock market success could even be brought up; maybe he invested for Trips and Taker, while in return the other Kings donated a portion of their paychecks to Bradshaw. Have him ask, "How do you think a became a millionaire on a midcarder's salary?"

 

The only thing that bothers me is the opening. I don't think the Kings should be revealed by accident, I think they should appear because now is the perfect time for a power play. With Trips and Steph together, they finally have the same pull in the front office as they always had in the locker room. Only Cena and Batista stand in their way.

 

As for the future of this hypothetical angle, I think it would make sense for the Kings to open up enrollment to two new members, one on RAW and one on SD. Have Taker and Flair move to managerial roles. On RAW have Edge join by gifting his Money in the Bank shot to the Kings in exchange for membership. On SD, a heel Eddie Guerrero could join. Keep in mind the whole motivation for Eddie's turn was his sudden demotion down the card after JBL defeated him. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. He enters by helping Angle defeat Cena for the belt. It's important that anyone who wants to enter make some token gesture demonstrating their allegiance to the Kings, like the Mafia. So...

 

RAW

 

Heels: HHH, HBK, Edge with Flair

Faces: Batista, Jericho, Benoit

 

Christian and Benjamin could play tweeners, waiting out the fight to see which side to join.

 

SD

 

Heels: Angle, Guerrero, JBL with Taker

Faces: Cena, Mysterio, Booker, Show

 

Show and Taker have history, Mysterio and Guerrero continue their feud, and Cena hates all the Kings.

 

The angle also sets up plausible return scenarios for a number of guys: Lesnar, Nash, Hart, Hogan, et al. They, of course, should be relegated to non-wrestling roles. Since, we're in hypotheticals, it would be great to see Hart in a mentor role on RAW. Hart could be a redeemed tragic hero, someone who has learned the error of his former ways and is determined to see the Kingdom smashed. And he has trained Benoit and Jericho to do it.

 

Anyway, awesome thought, with the potential for tons of depth. It would mix reality and kayfabe more extensively and intelligently than any angle previously (excluding, maybe, the original nWo).

[Dandy 0]

For everyone stating they don't like the beginning of the angle, remember that one of the wrestlers said (paraphrased): "Do you really think we would let some wrestler wander in on us like that to uncover our secret? It was our plan all along to bring us to the foreefront because the time was right."

[Toxxic 0]

Anything, ANYTHING that brings back Steph is automatically bad. The rest is gold, but that = teh $hit.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

My only complaint is that you implied that Taker meant to injure HBK's back in RR 98. If thats so, HBK would have said fuck it and would start his own thing. He wouldnt still be part of it. Plus Stephanie is bad. Too much Kayfabe contradictions. Shane is better.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Taker meaning to injure HBK wouldn't actually be mentioned on TV, the way I wrote the history piece was to explain the group to smarks and not the regular viewing audience. The implication would still be there, though, and it's a potential avenue to go into in the future. Things may work out that way, where HBK "discovers" that Taker intentionally went into their RR98 match looking to injure him, and that causes a rift in the group. Will it? I dunno, I'm not that far ahead. But then again, I never planned on Stephanie becoming CEO -cause I fuckin can't stand her in any capacity- but it just worked out that way. Bradshaw talking to the WWE investors, it wasn't planned, but it worked out that way - the Stephanie thing flowed from that because she was the only person that I could think of that could legitimately assume the role of CEO and be "bad"; plus there's the connection with HHH (and even Taker).

 

Kayfabe is a delicate thing, and this definitely steps on and over the line in a lot of instances. Taker and HHH really do have a lot of control, HBK had a lot of control and probably still does, Angle is working his way around the political field, Bradshaw is a key figure backstage, and Flair -once upon a time- had lots of control as well. Backstage clout is not a kayfabe thing, it's a shoot, but the thing is - you can still see the effects of it on TV. HHH getting that much TV time, that he always gets the title, ain't because he's the best actor or the best wrestler. I don't know how many fans are in-tune with that sort of thing, but I don't think the concept is foreign to many. However, the pretense of wins and losses and that competitive aspect in wrestling is still there. It's not "Michaels got Vince to book him to win", it's "HHH/Michaels got Vince to go in on the screw job", or "Flair dropped the title to Hart", "Hart/Luger agreed to the double win at RR", wins and losses are still decided in the ring, not backstage.

 

HHH/HBK are buddies in real life, they positioned themselves in a year-long blood feud because it would gain them the most exposure, they beat the crap out of each other on TV because it was best for both of them.

 

Shane McMahon will be used later-on.

 

I like the idea but I don't like Stephanie coming in and I think you could have explained Angle's involvment with the group a lot better. Other than those things, it's perfect. Great read.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I don't like Stephanie either. But her role is that of a CEO, and you don't see the CEO on TV all the time. That's why I tried to get her to put the focus on the group rather than on herself. "It's their time". She won't be featured as a regular player on the shows and only will come in when needed.

 

Angle was a tough one, and he is a bit of a wildcard in the group. He hasn't been around as long as the rest of them, he is the newest member in the group, and really his interests may not be with the group, but rather are more towards self-preservation. And the KO6's interests in him may not be too genuine either. He could be a possible weak link...

 

(thanks for bringing that up, I think you just added another layer to the story )

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

It would end up with the held down guys join Cena and Batitsa and all hell breaking loose. Held down guys would be Jericho and Benoit. Shelton would join, but turn.  Guys like Edge and Christian play the middle. I think the whole fed should just split off into where yoru beilefs lie. But, only the KO6 are a "group"

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I will say this - the end will probably be what you think it will be, but what gets the story there won't.

 

WAY too in-depth to keep most fans attention.  Also It just seems far too unbelievable to be true, I mean you expect people to keep up with every little tidbit of the story and actually believe that these guys just coincidentally "recruited" all the people who became champions. It just seems far-fetched.

 

Yep.  There is too much detail.  The actual Smackdown Special would be much less in-depth, and would present enough information for it to be believable.  I don't think 88 minutes is enough time to cover all of what I wrote, some historical things can be omitted from the story, the key is getting over that "this really happened" and connecting the dots and these guys' relationships with each other and their success throughout the real history shows that.  Ask yourself "How could BRADSHAW ever become champion", ask yourself "How could TAKER last so long?", ask yourself "How could HHH keep getting his title back?", ask yourself "How did Bret Hart win the WWF title in 1992?"... the answer is this story.

 

And if this had been going on for 15-years now why would they be meeting in some room backstage in fucking masks? That just hurts it from the beginning because if it was such a well thought out plan they wouldn't have meetings anywhere near the arena.

 

HHH mentioned/implied in his promo on Vince that getting found out was intentional.  The whole mask/cloak thing was to make it obvious that there was a secret group behind the scenes, for Bischoff to look into it, and for Bischoff to make a big deal out of it.  Your reaction was exactly the kind of reaction that validates that sort of plan - yeah, thinking about it, that WAS *too* stupid of a thing for such a group to do, so it *had* to be intentional.  It was the first domino that fell which set off a chain of events that led Vince McMahon out on RAW to fire the 6 Wrestlers, which is all they needed to take over the WWE.

 

and if it goes on with these guys controlling the company then it's going to turn fans away.

 

There is a twist coming up that is basically the opposite of that concern.  This isn't the NWO taking over broadcasts and spray-painting other wrestlers.

 

Considering that they are all together in the limelight now with Stephanie as the CEO on their side, how could they possibly lose?

 

Well, here's the thing.  They have the power because the WWE Investors gave them the power, because they have the stars.  As long as the 6 of those guys are the stars of the show, they have the power.  So, to take away their power, you have to have new stars - bigger stars - to leverage against the 6.

 

And if the WWE Guys do "rise up" to defeat them, what happens to the Kingdom of 6? There would be virtually nothing to do except remove them for the company. It's not like they can just come back and say "Ok, sorry about the last 15 years".

 

Here's the thing: How much time does Kurt Angle have left?  Taker?  Flair? HBK?  HHH has already dug himself a mighty fine hole where his character has doen everything he possibly can as a heel, so he needs a big reinvention anyways in a face role.  Bradshaw is the only one, really, who may have a problem and that guy is good enough on the stick to win a crowd back.  If you are talking about why would the locker room keep them around, well, they're not the NWO.  They recognize the importance of having a stable locker room.  I don't want to give anything away, but there are outs.

 

I'm interested to see where it goes but I can't see it ending well.

 

Honestly, in wrestling, if it even ends you're lucky

 

(that was a jab on wrestling, there is a good ending here.)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

That's some cool shit there. Couple nitpicky things:

 

1) The robes & mask shit is hokey. I'd rather go w/ highback chairs & shadows to hide the identities around the table. Work w/ lower camera angles, have the guys wear long sleeves. With the robes & masks, I expect them to go off chanting somewhere.

 

2) Don't like Steph as the head of the group. Since Flair shouldn't really be an active wrestler in the scheme, make him the leader. Early in the angle, he could be the victim of a "beatdown" (staged). He could then go to Bisch/Long, and tell them he's "overheard things", that HHH keeps mentioning some kind of plan when he's on his cell phone, but he always hangs up when Flair shows up. That HHH has been really quiet lately, and doesn't really confide in Flair like he used to. Maybe 1 more big beatdown that put him in the hospital (although not really, since it was staged) for the big "reveal" PPV. Then the big reveal could be that Flair was sexing up Linda McMahon for the last 5-10 years, since she had been put off by Vince's actions w/ the likes of Torrie, Trish, etc. In return, Flair had been duping her into turning over control of the company to him, and that he had dumped "that old BITCH" once he had used her up. He hatched the plan all those years ago, and finally the time was right to take over. Flair doesn't even need to be at ringside. Put him up in the skybox in each arena, like he's the Emperor of Rome. Not only would that get Steph out of the angle, but it would also open up a spot for a protege, say Benjamin.

 

Or, even better, Lesnar (yeah, I know you didn't want to bring anyone back, but it's Brock fucking Lesnar). The guys in the group aren't getting any younger, and guys like Angle, Taker, and HBK are conceivably 1 bad bump from being retired, so they need a young stud in the group. HHH saw the potential in Lesnar, but he couldn't have him on Raw, so he sent him to SD to be groomed by Taker & Angle. Once they thought he was ready, they told him to "take a break" from wrestling to recharge his batteries, using "trying out for the NFL" as an excuse. Maybe even bring up his lawsuit as extra motivation to get back at Vince, as well as his treatment at MSG on his way out. And since Flair is in charge now, the lawsuit will be dropped.

 

(BTW, I pegged Angle & Taker as members early in the story, not that it was a big surprise)

Edited June 1, 2005 by Spaceman Spiff

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

The backstory is pretty damn creative.  I really like the stuff from Flair's arrival to about 99 or so--the whole power struggle thing with Hart and Michaels with Taker caught in the middle is cool, and I think the explanation of Bradshaw's entrance into the group works nicely.

 

Yeah, I liked it up until about 1998 and WM 14, after that it became work trying to explain the booking   I think the fact that the last 5 years or so is still pretty fresh in our minds makes it harder to accept the story - 10 years ago, though, it becomes "history" and our memories of it become less exact, so it's easier to play around with.

 

  My main criticism here is that I think you try to go a little too into detail on the on how the group has operated over the years; it's cool that you made an effort to tie everything up, but some things--stuff like HHH and Taker being stuck facing one another on the undercard of WM17--are unnecessary for you to point out, IMO. 

 

Yeah, I definitely went into too much detail.  As long as the point is made that these guys are willing to beat the shit out of each other if that means they get the spotlight, and that the group benefits, that's all that matters.  There's a Treehouse of Horror episode on the simpsons when all the advertisements come to life and the only way to destroy them is not to look - well, the same thing applies here.  As long as they have attention on them, they thrive.  What makes this angle work, IMO, is that this really is the motivation of most wrestlers.  That's why guys like Flair are still around, that's why HHH -even though he practically owns the company- is still all over TV.

 

Also, I'd like this a little more if the group took a bit more of an aggressive role in their seizing of power.  For example, you say they got lucky when Austin got run down at SurSer 99--why not make them responsible for it (which makes sense, since HHH eventually admitted to being behind it anyway)?  Also, rather than having them get lucky with Rock and Brock being interested in non-wrestling things (which is a little corny, IMO), why not have them take a more active role in forcing them out?

 

Yeah.  The story could work out like that.... I guess... that's an ok angle... maybe...

 

*kidnaps Flyboy and throws him off a bridge*

 

*takes ideas and calls them his own*

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Very good stuff and a very entertaining read.

 

But way too shoot orientated to work in reality. At least without blowing any sense of kayfabe left out of the water. EDIT: And besides that, you'd suffer from a certain amount of Russo syndrome. You do explain things in a kayfabe style, but there's still elements that'll go over everyone's heads, except for those who already know the inside workings.

 

As I mentioned before, and should have mentioned in the original script, the Smackdown feature was an explanation to smarks.  If smarks -who are very detail oriented- can believe it, then the fans can believe it.  The details are very important, because it makes it real.  A detail like HHH being the guy who was in everyones ear about screwing Bret, that's something that isn't even known by a lot of "smart" fans, is something that -if someone knows about it- they can appreciate it.  If someone doesn't know about it, but it makes sense to them because of the way it is laid out, then they can appreciate it too.  Different fans will just believe it in a different way.

 

You're basically telling people that everything they paid to see in the last few years had been organised between certain wrestlers, who at certain times had schemed with certain other people to monopolise the business. People wouldn't react well to that. And nobody would ever buy anybody as a face again, because as soon as someone did a good act, the instant thought would be 'why are they doing this really?', 'what organisation are they doing this for' and of course 'how are they trying to swerve us?'

 

Wait.

 

Isn't that the case today?

 

 

This is, really, a new guard/old guard storyline.  This sort of approach to wrestling, that these old guys have, is almost institutional.  It's the way they were brought up, through the territories, in how wrestling works.  This idea isn't really in the minds of the new guard yet.  There is a new breed of wrestler today that isn't nearly as manipulative as the old guys are, that see wrestling differently than the old guys.  With Batista and John Cena leading the charge, they symbolically represent that new mentality.  When the old guard dies, there will be an entirely new way of business beginning.  There won't be any more Kingdoms.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Edited June 1, 2005 by RavishingRickRudo

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

Terrific read!

 

However, I have a couple of minor suggestions that I thought of while reading it. 

 

The point was already made about Austin getting hit by the car.  Just point out that HHH was the one behind it all along. 

 

*nods*

 

*throws off bridge w/ Flyboy*

 

Also, Judgement Day 2000 had HBK as the special ref, and he and Taker "inadvertantly" helped Triple H win the title back that night.  That could be explained as well.  The first Smackdown had HBK superkicking Rock to keep the title on Trips, which could also be explained. 

 

*Smacks head*  I COMPLETELY forgot about all that stuff.  I sorta got tired after 1998 and...

 

*steals*

 

 

HBK could have realized that he might be able to make a comeback, and rather than go up against this powerful group, he would play ball and not try to get too big like last time.  He sees the rewards of being with the group and decides it is the best route to go.

 

Or they could have brought HBK back to break up the NWO, and HBK just stuck around because he remembered how nice the spotlight was.  There is certainly more depth that can be brought to each individual character, I was just looking to bring depth to the _group_.

 

Angle definitely should be in the group before he was.  Triple H could have been grooming him for a top spot by working with him in the love triangle, and then Angle started winning titles shortly after it, while working major programs with Taker, HHH, and more recently, JBL and HBK.

 

 

Well... that's a lot better than what I had, lol.  I think with Angle though, I want to keep him as a sortofa odd-man-out.  In this old guard/new guard angle, Angle doesn't really fit with either of them.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Angle-plex 0]

Very interesting idea. There are a few flaws in it, but there would still be time to fix anything that needed it.

 

Two complaints; the first is the inclusion of Bradshaw. It's the only part of the whole story that's pretty weak, and, honestly, they don't really need him. Taker, Angle, Triple H, HBK, and Flair are viewed as THE top guys in the Federation, and Bradshaw, to me, drags them down a bit. If a sixth man is needed (it isn't), then Nash would be a better choice. He fits in with the group much better, and everyone knows of his political games he's played in the past.

 

Second; Triple H is a character that NEEDS the title. I have a hard time believing that any of these guys wouldn't care as much if a member of this group had the title as opposed to someone else. What's the difference to Trips if HBK or Batista has the belt? I'd assume he's going to want it just as much either way. By the very "rules" of this group, it's just begging for an implosion, which may or not be what's coming.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

I think the HBK Taker rift could be explained through a discussion of Michaels' religious conversion. You'd have to screw with the timeline a bit, but let's says his conversion took place shortly before Judgement Day 2000. He realizes that his power plays in the past were selfish, and his partying could have caused immeasurable harm to the Kings. So, as a token of good faith, he helps Taker and HHH take the belt off of the Rock.

 

Like I just said to Dandy, there is lots of individual stories that can get played up, for me, HBK coming back because he wanted the spotlight and HHH wanted an opponent so he could take the spotlight away from others makes enough sense, but there definitely could be more development in regards to this particular issue.  The more I think about it, the more I like this explanation, because it still allows HBK to have some contempt for Taker, but it allows Taker to have some trust in HBK.

 

Of course this is all a mental exercise, because we would NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEVVVEEEEEEEEEEEEER see and angle this thorough and shooty on WWE programming.

 

And if we do... cha ching!  *copyrights*

 

But I love the idea of a special SD devoted to the Kings. Since the Kings now own and operate the company, it could be explained that they are ready to reveal their secret history. All the former Kings (excluding Hart) could be involved, giving interviews about their role. As per, the Kings' origin, Flaiur should also point out that he never had the best body, and in '91, the WWF was the land of the giants. Hogan had his followers (Savage, Warrior, Earthquake, Brutus), so he needed a group of his own.

 

That's pretty-much exactly how I was thinking the special SD would go.  Kinda like Behind the Music meets Driven

 

Flair could point out he knew Taker from the "Mean" Mark Callous days, while Hart was suffering under the same Vince "big man fetish" that Flair would have been. This also explains HBK's arrival later. In fact, could the Kings be responsible for the steroid investigation, as a way to eliminate the Hogan group, and lead a coup d'etat?

 

YOUA GTJKE OKJDFU!!!!! SONNOFABITCH!!  I mean, that's a bit too touchy a subject to put on TV (steroids), but JESUS CHRIST that would be sooooooo awesome.  That just "fits".

 

As to Bradshaw's involvement, I think it can be explained that he was strictly a "behind the scenes" guy until recently. Taker and HHH knew they needed someone who wouldn't pull a Michaels-esque power play, who would appreciate the opportunity given to him. Look at the roster in 97-98. Austin was too big to be involved, Rock didn't have the heart for wrestling, Owen was aligned with Hart. Waltman and Kane were too obvious, as they had a direct connection to the other members, and could trigger another HHH/HBK coup. Maybe have HBK admit he was grooming Shamrock for the third spot, but he was simply too volatile to control. This explains his main event at Degeneration X and inability to recapture the main event slot. Bradshaw was the best pick: he was, like Shamrock, a legit tough guy, but with the benefit of a business mindset. His stock market success could even be brought up; maybe he invested for Trips and Taker, while in return the other Kings donated a portion of their paychecks to Bradshaw. Have him ask, "How do you think a became a millionaire on a midcarder's salary?"

 

Awesome.  Absolutely awesome.  The first half is definitely why Bradshaw was the 3rd member, and the second part with the investments was a great add-on.

 

The only thing that bothers me is the opening. I don't think the Kings should be revealed by accident, I think they should appear because now is the perfect time for a power play. With Trips and Steph together, they finally have the same pull in the front office as they always had in the locker room. Only Cena and Batista stand in their way.

 

The opening does a few things.

 

1. It gets you thinking.  When fans start thinking, when they start putting together the pieces, they become involved in the angle.

 

2. It is the first domino piece, as I mentioned in another reply.  Bischoff was a key figure in this, because they knew he'd see this sort of thing in WCW and they knew he would call up his buddies like Kevin Nash and Nash would be more than willing to spill the beans.  They knew Bischoff would make a big deal out of this, and they wanted to be a big deal.  They wanted to get rid of Bischoff, they wanted to send a message against authority.  They also wanted the show to be a lil unstable as to provide extra incentive for the investors to give them power.

 

3. As the story builds, Bischoff and Teddy Long give it such importance.  If THEY take it seriously, then maybe the fans will take it seriously.

 

4. The big moment is on RAW after SS, everything that leads up to it is meant to get your attention.  You can't just come out and say "we're takin over!", you have to build to it.  Though this group is not the NWO, there is some NWO elements in how it is build.

 

As for the future of this hypothetical angle, I think it would make sense for the Kings to open up enrollment to two new members, one on RAW and one on SD. Have Taker and Flair move to managerial roles. On RAW have Edge join by gifting his Money in the Bank shot to the Kings in exchange for membership. On SD, a heel Eddie Guerrero could join. Keep in mind the whole motivation for Eddie's turn was his sudden demotion down the card after JBL defeated him. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. He enters by helping Angle defeat Cena for the belt. It's important that anyone who wants to enter make some token gesture demonstrating their allegiance to the Kings, like the Mafia. So...

 

RAW

 

Heels: HHH, HBK, Edge with Flair

Faces: Batista, Jericho, Benoit

 

Christian and Benjamin could play tweeners, waiting out the fight to see which side to join.

 

SD

 

Heels: Angle, Guerrero, JBL with Taker

Faces: Cena, Mysterio, Booker, Show

 

Show and Taker have history, Mysterio and Guerrero continue their feud, and Cena hates all the Kings.

 

This is some good stuff, but it's not where I'm going with it.  This won't be an NWO-type thing, it'll be a lil grayer.  The KO6 may have begun as heels, but maybe their power isn't a bad thing?  Maybe it was Vince's Kingdom that was a bad place?  Bit of a spoiler there.

 

The angle also sets up plausible return scenarios for a number of guys: Lesnar, Nash, Hart, Hogan, et al. They, of course, should be relegated to non-wrestling roles. Since, we're in hypotheticals, it would be great to see Hart in a mentor role on RAW. Hart could be a redeemed tragic hero, someone who has learned the error of his former ways and is determined to see the Kingdom smashed. And he has trained Benoit and Jericho to do it.

 

In an ideal world, that would toooootally happen.  But for now, I'm working from the assumption that those who are gone, are gone.  Taker and Steph were the only stretches, and Taker is bound to come back around the time of Summerslam and Steph would be on tv at the drop of a hat.

 

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[AlaskanHero 0]

It must have taken a shit load of time to type out. Though, I felt that there was a bit too much smarkiness and shoot elements in it. As an internet fan, I enjoyed it, but I could see the twists and turns being a little too complicated to the normal mark. Also, should they really be talking about heel and face turns and dropping titles? I just see Flair having a hard time accepting the use of insider terms on T.V being as old school as he is.

 

Also I think it's a bit much to ask fans, who probably started watching wrestling in the late 90s with Austin's rise, to try and follow along with events that took place in the early 90s. Though, I guess that could be used as an oppurtunity to advertise WWE 24/7 and the Jukebox, showing the more important matches in the KO6's rise.

[Brett Favre 0]

First of all, are you going to finish this? Because this has made my day. I thought there was another part on the 2nd page of this thread.

 

Secondly, I skimmed through the history being revised part, but does Kane play a part in any of this? I didn't see his name. Taker costing Austin that match against Kane (First Blood Match) can be him doing it purposely to kill Austin's steam (although he won it back the next night). Third, was Mick Foley mentioned? He could play a huge role, although I have no idea how right now.

 

Last thing on Cena. Cena was gaining a shitload of popularity before he ran into Taker and lost his match against him at Vengeance, then he got depushed. When Cena recieved his World Title push, Taker was being bothered by Randy Orton, and also ended up injured(Taker). JBL wasn't strong enough to take him on his own, I guess.

 

Man, so far this is a masterpiece. Yeah it would definitely confuse marks, but who gives a shit, they ain't reading it anyway.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

That's some cool shit there.  Couple nitpicky things:

 

1) The robes & mask shit is hokey.  I'd rather go w/ highback chairs & shadows to hide the identities around the table.  Work w/ lower camera angles, have the guys wear long sleeves.  With the robes & masks, I expect them to go off chanting somewhere.

 

That's the thing.  Robes and Masks ARE hokey.  There's nothing that screams out "secret society" than robes and masks.  They don't regularly wear that stuff, it was just for show.

 

2) Don't like Steph as the head of the group.

 

She isn't.  She's the CEO, but she is more of a pawn.

 

Since Flair shouldn't really be an active wrestler in the scheme, make him the leader.  Early in the angle, he could be the victim of a "beatdown" (staged).  He could then go to Bisch/Long, and tell them he's "overheard things", that HHH keeps mentioning some kind of plan when he's on his cell phone, but he always hangs up when Flair shows up.  That HHH has been really quiet lately, and doesn't really confide in Flair like he used to.  Maybe 1 more big beatdown that put him in the hospital (although not really, since it was staged) for the big "reveal" PPV. 

 

This angle is flexible.  If there had to be a few more weeks leading up to Summerslam, then this could definitely fill that spot.  There were 3 Kings because it made for an easy vote, there would be no ties.  Now that there are 6, then it gets tricky.  In my Smackdown write up, I gave examples of times when one guy had more power than the others, and so would be the case now.  With 6 guys, the vote could be even, BUT, this is politics, if you vote against HHH what would be the results?  There's that dynamic.  There isn't a single leader, though.  Flair has seniority because he started the group, but Angle is more of a player in front of the camera and if there's a proposal by Flair that says Kurt has to take the fall and risk getting injured, then there maybe a dispute.  There are so many egos in this group, so much politics.  There couldn't possibly be a leader.

 

Then the big reveal could be that Flair was sexing up Linda McMahon for the last 5-10 years, since she had been put off by Vince's actions w/ the likes of Torrie, Trish, etc.  In return, Flair had been duping her into turning over control of the company to him, and that he had dumped "that old BITCH" once he had used her up.  He hatched the plan all those years ago, and finally the time was right to take over.  Flair doesn't even need to be at ringside.  Put him up in the skybox in each arena, like he's the Emperor of Rome.  Not only would that get Steph out of the angle, but it would also open up a spot for a protege, say Benjamin.

 

That's actually a really good substitution to how the group gets power, but that's not where this angle is going.  That doesn't follow the theme I'm going for.  Don't worry, Stephs involvement is kept to a minimum.

 

Or, even better, Lesnar (yeah, I know you didn't want to bring anyone back, but it's Brock fucking Lesnar).  The guys in the group aren't getting any younger, and guys like Angle, Taker, and HBK are conceivably 1 bad bump from being retired, so they need a young stud in the group.  HHH saw the potential in Lesnar, but he couldn't have him on Raw, so he sent him to SD to be groomed by Taker & Angle.  Once they thought he was ready, they told him to "take a break" from wrestling to recharge his batteries, using "trying out for the NFL" as an excuse.  Maybe even bring up his lawsuit as extra motivation to get back at Vince, as well as his treatment at MSG on his way out.  And since Flair is in charge now, the lawsuit will be dropped.

 

Here's the thing.  It ends.  The Kingdom will fall because the old guard, ultimately, refused to leave.  Those who know their wrestling history will know that this typically is the reasons why wrestling promotions suffer down periods. So the new guard has to take it from them.  Lesnar, if inserted in this story, is new guard.

 

(BTW, I pegged Angle & Taker as members early in the story, not that it was a big surprise)

 

LOL, to be honest, each of those "surprises" wasn't meant to shock any one.    But if you saw early on that the end would have Vince McMahon fired, Steph as the CEO, and the 6 of those guys in change with Cena and Batista beaten down, then I would be shocked.  I think where this differs from Russo swerves is that each step along the way shouldn't really come as a big surprise, but when you look at the entire journey and how it was laid out, when you see the whole picture and how those twists molded it, then you say "wow".

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Dobbs 3K 0]

Why can't WWE do any angles 1/10th as big or creative as this now? It would definitely get people talking.

 

I agree that some parts of it were slightly weak, like Bradshaw staying low for five years and Angle joining the group, but overall I really enjoyed it. I also question whether WWE could use Bret Hart in a storyline like that. I bet he would sue them over defamation of character or something. Oh well.

[Dandy 0]

Hey, Rudo, why'd I get thrown off a bridge again?

 

I was just saying that Austin being hit by the car should have been explained up front as Triple H's way of getting Austin out of the way of the Kingdom, not them catching a lucky break. Here is what you wrote on it:

 

The second half was extremely good for them as HHH was put in a top heel spot and was involved in main event programs and won the title in August and then again in September. The group caught a break when, at Survivor Series 1999, Steve Austin -their biggest hurdle for dominance in the WWF- got hit by a car. Also, HHH had begun to form a relationship with Vince's daughter, Stephanie.

 

*shots of HHH's rise to power*

*shot of Austin getting hit by a car*

 

And then:

 

*Shot of Steve Austin trying to find his attacker*

*Shot of Rikishi admitting it was him.*

*Shot of Austin finding out it was HHH who arranged it*

*Shot of Austin beating HHH at SS00*

*Shot of Angle beating Taker at SS00*

 

Still, this is a captivating read that I look forward to the conclusion. Of course, I will be there to analyze it after it's been written.

Edited June 1, 2005 by Imarkout4eldandy

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

I throw people off bridges so I can steal their (better) ideas and claim them for my own.

 

[Dark Age 0]

Absolutely fantastic.

 

*Tears up pink slip*

 

No firing for you, RRR.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

Very interesting idea. There are a few flaws in it, but there would still be time to fix anything that needed it.

 

Two complaints; the first is the inclusion of Bradshaw. It's the only part of the whole story that's pretty weak, and, honestly, they don't really need him. Taker, Angle, Triple H, HBK, and Flair are viewed as THE top guys in the Federation, and Bradshaw, to me, drags them down a bit. If a sixth man is needed (it isn't), then Nash would be a better choice. He fits in with the group much better, and everyone knows of his political games he's played in the past.

 

I'm really surprised Bradshaw is such an issue, lol, I  thought Steph would be the problem character

 

To me, there needs to be a guy that laid low.  It shows some of the mentality the group has.  "You'll get your turn" is something that is said a lot in wrestling, but it rarely happens, and when it does, and that turn is over, that wrestler is done.  Bradshaws reign is over and this just-so-happens to occur to keep him in the spotlight.  Bradshaw is a big player in this, they definitely need him.

 

 

Second; Triple H is a character that NEEDS the title. I have a hard time believing that any of these guys wouldn't care as much if a member of this group had the title as opposed to someone else. What's the difference to Trips if HBK or Batista has the belt? I'd assume he's going to want it just as much either way. By the very "rules" of this group, it's just begging for an implosion, which may or not be what's coming.

 

HHH NEEDS the spotlight.  The title provides him the spotlight.  But he can't beat Batista, and the longer he goes without the title the less likely he is to be kept in the spotlight under the old regime.  HHH's reign is over and this just-so-happens to occur to keep him in the spotlight.  It seems titles will unfortunately take a backseat in this angle, but they empower Cena and Batista so their meaning gets heightened, in my view.

 

There are too many egos in the group, it simply can't last in its current incarnation for very long.  I don't see the group imploding, but I see them certainly having their differences along the way.  I'm thinking maybe Flair is the one who keeps them in check, to remind them about the goals of the group.  Maybe Flair, maybe someone else.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

It must have taken a shit load of time to type out. Though, I felt that there was a bit too much smarkiness and shoot elements in it. As an internet fan, I enjoyed it, but I could see the twists and turns being a little too complicated to the normal mark. Also, should they really be talking about heel and face turns and dropping titles? I just see Flair having a hard time accepting the use of insider terms on T.V being as old school as he is.

 

The Smackdown feature was written for smarks, if it were to be put on TV, there would be less smark lingo and details.

 

Also I think it's a bit much to ask fans, who probably started watching wrestling in the late 90s with Austin's rise, to try and follow along with events that took place in the early 90s. Though, I guess that could be used as an oppurtunity to advertise WWE 24/7 and the Jukebox, showing the more important matches in the KO6's rise.

 

That's what the special is for.  And a lot of what the special focuses on should be common knowledge for a fan who grew up in the Austin era.  It isn't exactly anything that hasn't been shown on WWF TV and DVDs numerous times since they originally happened.  Most of it came from me remembering it, and I have a pretty shitty memory, so the stuff I do remember stood out for a reason.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

First of all, are you going to finish this? Because this has made my day. I thought there was another part on the 2nd page of this thread.

 

We'll see what happens.  There are some ideas that I'm toying around with, many of which have developed after people have made comments and brought up certain issues and points.  I haven't put it to paper yet, so to speak.

 

Secondly, I skimmed through the history being revised part, but does Kane play a part in any of this? I didn't see his name. Taker costing Austin that match against Kane (First Blood Match) can be him doing it purposely to kill Austin's steam (although he won it back the next night).

 

No.  Mainly because I don't really like Kane and he has his own fucked up mythology that I just don't want to deal with.  That would take waaaay too much time to dissect, to explain Katie Vick, I mean... jeeez...

 

Third, was Mick Foley mentioned? He could play a huge role, although I have no idea how right now.

 

I said that Mick Foley was used as a pawn by the group.  Every time they wanted a good match or feud, they turned to Foley because he always provided the right stuff.  Nothing more than that, though.

 

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Guest BrokenWings]

Incredible.

 

Have you ever sent something like this to the WWE? Not saying that they would use the angle, or anything similar to it, but in a resume-type format? Because this is the kind of stuff I honestly believe could catch you a full-time job as a writer.

 

So...when can we expect part two?

[Angle-plex 0]

Second; Triple H is a character that NEEDS the title. I have a hard time believing that any of these guys wouldn't care as much if a member of this group had the title as opposed to someone else. What's the difference to Trips if HBK or Batista has the belt? I'd assume he's going to want it just as much either way. By the very "rules" of this group, it's just begging for an implosion, which may or not be what's coming.

 

HHH NEEDS the spotlight.  The title provides him the spotlight.  But he can't beat Batista, and the longer he goes without the title the less likely he is to be kept in the spotlight under the old regime.  HHH's reign is over and this just-so-happens to occur to keep him in the spotlight.  It seems titles will unfortunately take a backseat in this angle, but they empower Cena and Batista so their meaning gets heightened, in my view.

 

There are too many egos in the group, it simply can't last in its current incarnation for very long.  I don't see the group imploding, but I see them certainly having their differences along the way.  I'm thinking maybe Flair is the one who keeps them in check, to remind them about the goals of the group.  Maybe Flair, maybe someone else.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Ok, I'm just trying to understand why this group was made in the first place. So they want the title for the spotlight, they want to spotlight for the power, they want the power so that they can remain in the spotlight? And they want to remain in the spotlight for money and fame, correct?

 

I really like all the directions that this can go though. A straight power struggle between the new guys and the Kings would work at this point, but there are a lot of possible twists that could occur as well. Especially with Angle, who, like you said, doesn't fit in the old or new guard real well.

Edited June 1, 2005 by Angle-plex

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

Ok, I'm just trying to understand why this group was made in the first place. So they want the title for the spotlight, they want to spotlight for the power, they want the power so that they can remain in the spotlight? And they want to remain in the spotlight for money and fame, correct?

 

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Their ultimate agenda is to be on TV and be famous. Money is a secondary issue. It's about ego, it's about staying on top. It goes back to why HHH has to try and keep his spot, even though his is "in the family" now. It goes back to why Ric Flair is still taking backdrops in his 50's.

 

The Kings saw/see Batista and Cena as threats because the more popular they get, the more airtime they get, and the less air time the KO6 get. Without TV time, what are they? Bradshaw and HHH already tried to get the titles off the two and failed, they don't want to take a step back anymore so they pushed ahead and said "now is the time".

 

In other words... yes, you are exactly up until the last point. Money isn't so much of an issue - well, it probably is with Bradshaw, but most if it is ego.

[The C Man 0]

Awesome, totally fucking awesome.

 

There are so many ways the story could go, so many different layers and characters that can be logically added. Austin, Rock, Hogan, Foley, Lesnar, even Bret; they could all come back and be added easily. And they don't even have to wrestle (apart from Lesnar), just have them put over the new guard by saying that they couldn't get the job done so now it's up to the young wrestlers to end it once and for all.

 

Despite the bickering and in-fighting I think finishing it could be tricky. To me it just seems like the ending requires the KO6 to retire.

[The Niggardly King 0]

Does Lawler play a good size role in this? He knew what was going to happen and I just wonder where he would stand in all of this.

[The C Man 0]

I think that Lawler was just used to show that it had been going on backstage for years. After reading it it doesn't seem to me that Lawler was anything more than a plot device.

[Guest commie_050]

Jesus, I've been thinking more in-depth about this all day, because there are so many places to go with it, I'm paticularly interested in the backstory, the history of the the group. This could be like a wrestling fan's mythology, tracing the lineage of the Kings throughout the 90's the ultimate conspiracy theory for smarks. For example:

 

The year is 1997. Hart and HBK are having deep issues, both personal and business oriented. Hart, realizing his protege Austin will not be joining the group, and frustrated by HHH's rise to power, finds himself distrusting the other two members. He begins to question why the Kings' still exist. Are we still needed, he thinks. Taker, on the other hand, realizes that he must choose between Hart and HBK. Although he personally prefers Hart, he believes the Hitman's best days are behind him, and that HBK is the better politician. Hart's disillusionment puts the nail in the coffin.

 

But Hart's still a King. How to get rid of him? HBK and Taker realize that Hart will strike back hard if he feels he is being screwed. HBK found that out in June, backstage. So they offer a good faith gesture: Taker's WWF title. At Summerslam, HBK will cost Hitman the belt, all will be right. Hart is skeptical, but agrees. He is deceived.

 

Taker and HBK use the end of the match as the catalyst for the hottest feud in the company, the creation of DX, and the MOTY at Hell in a Cell. Hart, the WWF champ, finds himself feuding with the Patriot in the mdcard. Hitman realizes he has been had, and plans to leave for WCW, just wanting to get back to wrestling, the way he knew it before the politics came into play. Everything seems so cynical now. For the Kings, everything has gone according to plan, Hart's heat has been sapped, and HBK and Taker are positioned atop the company. Except, Hart still has the belt, and no one can get it off of him.

 

Hart agrees to drop it to Austin or Foley, but he should have known better. The title had to go to HBK or Taker, and HBK was the number one contender. HHH's idea to screw Bret Hart is the gesture that puts him in the Kings, and the rest is history.

[Guest QUP2CME]

It's a lot of things, but its not that.

 

See, The New Bloods had Jeff Jarrett and Scott Steiner in it... 10 year vets... they were inherently flawed.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

So where does that leave wrestlers like Eddie, Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho. They aint exactly rookies.

[Slickster 0]

Sheer brilliance, as I've come to expect from RRR.

 

I am among the many eager to see what comes next~!

[Jericholic82 0]

Very intellegent and unique. Hell this would go over WWE's writers heads as well. But too much half-kayfabe half-shoot stuff , it might turn off the marks.

 

if anything even resembling this ever amd eit to tv, the IWC would collectively crap their pants like that episdoe of south park with the "brown noise"

 

 

Much love to RRR for taking the time to write this out and give us something cool to discuss..

Edited June 2, 2005 by Jericholic82

[Guest *KNK*]

The only logic gap i can see here is this

 

Why didnt former members reveal the idenity of the group? Lex Luger and Bret Hart had reason to.

 

What authority were they holding over Bret Hart? I can understand Luger not being willing to leak it due to him hoping to get another chance but Bret was retired and had a vendetta against three of the members (Flair, HHH and Shawn).

 

The only excuse i can logically buy is that he wanted Vince McMahon to fall and knew that this was the way to do it.