Tommy's Take on Wild World Wrestling Main Event Edition

Nearly two years ago, I reviewed Wild World Wrestling, the spiritual child of WWE: Know Your Role!, one of the more surprising (in a good way), d20 RPGs. Now, Wild World Wrestling: Main Event Edition is about to drop, with improvements and refinements based off of gameplay and feedback. You can see characters built with the first edition of the rules right here on this blog by searching for VIP Wrestling.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW: First off, this is actually a pre-release PDF, as Main Event Edition is actually waiting the Print on Demand approvals from One Book Shelf, so it can be released as a print + PDF bundle I believe. In the interim, it appears as though the first edition of the game has been removed from RPGNow. According to the Timeout Diversion Facebook group, the PDF will remain $5, and the print book will sell for $20.

The wrestling in Wild World Wrestling is kayfabed. That is, you aren’t predetermining winners, you are playing it out like a competition. You are not Steve Borden and Terry Bollea, for instance, you are Sting and Hulk Hogan.

As I reviewed the game once before, I’ll describe the game in broader strokes, and then discuss some of the changes between the first version of WWW and this one.

The system is a modified d20 system, with classes removed and ability scores now covering Power, Athleticism, Instinct, Brawn and Flair on a scale of -5 to +5. Your level typically corresponds with your place on the card, from curtain jerker to main eventer, though there are rules in place to give your characters temporary artificial boosts and penalties (Star Power). Alignment is replaced with Attitude, with Face, Tweener and Heel as options. You can purchase Gimmick Enhancements that tweak your wrestler to better fit the concept. Flaws can be used to purchase extra Gimmick Enhancements. Hit Points give way to Fatigue and Heat is kinda like Action Points that power your Finishers, among other things.

There is no set list of wrestling moves, rather a group of modifiers that can be used to build pretty much any move that you would like, with tons of examples provided.

The rules also extensively cover special matches (like cages, battle royals and ladder matches), as well as outside the ring type stuff, like cutting promos and sneak attacks.

A roster of 13 sample characters based on WWE and TNA superstars is included, including a Paul Bearer-like manager.

But what does the Main Event Edition bring to the table?

Some key changes include:

-          Free Gimmick Enhancements for filling out not only your name, but your gimmick and your entrance music (an important staple in pro wrestling).

-          Characters now get more Skill Points per level.

-          Characters can now swap out a single Gimmick Enhancement each time they level up (rather than having to blow up their sheet and rebuild every time they, say, want to drop a finisher). This is more for Kane making mini transformations over the years from Evil to Slightly Less Evil than it is for Dr. Isaac Yankem, DDS becoming Fake Diesel.

-          New Gimmick Enhancements like Critical Strike (when you NEED to go in for the kill), a new set of Master GEs (like Master of the Game, in which you are prepared for basically any opponent), and more, with many other GEs being tweaked (like Indefatiguable now being available to anyone).

-          New Flaws: Glass Jaw and Old Injury (yes!)

-          Submission rules are now mechanically identical to pin attempts.

-          New Tie-Breaker order.

-          Tweaks to Tricks, including a great new Heel Trick called Phantom Tag.

It is also worth noting that a new Quick Play document has been released, which includes six new wrestlers, including one based off of one of my personal favorites, Wade Barrett.

WHAT WORKS: Still the best wrestling RPG I have ever seen. The level-by-level GE swap is brilliant, and a welcome addition. I always like more stuff to play around with, so more Tricks, Gimmick Enhancements and Flaws are a good thing. The production values on the book are a noticeable step up.

WHAT DOESN’T WORK: Still probably the RPG that I’m likely to have the hardest time getting players for. Either my potential players are not wrestling fans, or they are already indy wrestlers and don’t feel the need to play an RPG about it. I still would have preferred Skills to have gotten a full overhaul into something closer to the Star Wars Saga Edition rules.

CONCLUSION: Improved production values plus rules tweaks are a good thing. Timeout Diversions is promising more support for the game, including roster books, federation books and quarterly books coinciding with the major Pay Per Views. Wild World Wrestling has already made big steps to separate itself from Know Your Role (which was already a fine game), and while few of the changes in this book are massive innovations, they do a nice job of pushing the game just a little higher up. If you’re a fan of pro wrestling and RPGs, you have absolutely no reason not to pick this game up…even if, like me, you will just stare longingly at it in hopes of someday busting it out in play.

VIP Wrestling: Father and Son

Yeah, this was supposed to go up yesterday. It's been a busy month. I'll try to get two more in by the end of the month.

This next set is a father-son tandem...Daedalus and his boy Icarus, a pair of wrestlers from Greek descent. Daedalus is a veteran of the ring who is breaking down, while his son is a reckless high-flyer. They form a tag team for two reasons: Daedalus is attempting to use tag team wrestling to extend his career, and he's doing his best to hone his son into a superstar.

Icarus is a popular daredevil who has some amazing trainwrecks with "Bad Boy" Jimmy Lee, though he rarely comes out on top due to Lee's edge in training and experience. That said, Icarus does know how to utilize his agility well, hitting his Wings of Icarus crucifix out of nowhere, and his breath taking FINAL FLIGHT, a flying body press where he leaps backwards off the top rope and spins in mid air, catching his opponent with a flying bodypress.

Daedalus is an old hand in the ring, who has ran afoul of just about every heel (and then some) in the region. His technical expertise hasn't really rubbed off on his son, though you can see some similarities (like their patented running knee lifts). Daedalus likes to lock on the GRECIAN SLEEPER GRIP - a modified sleeperhold - to put his opponents away, though he has less success with it than he used to.


Name: Icarus
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 199 lbs
Weight Mod: -1
Attitude: Face
Level: 5
Star Power:

Ath: +5
Brw: -1
Flr: +1
Ins: 0
Pow: 0

Skills
Athletics +4
Deception
Knowledge
 Athletic Moves +5
 Brawling Moves
 Flair Moves
 Power Moves
 Technical Moves
 Roster
 Specialty Match:
 Tag Team +5
Language
Perception
Performance +2
Presence
Special Talent


Gimmick Enhancements
Close Call
Feat of Dexterity (2)
Helping Hand
Leverage (Athleticism) (2)
MF: Technical
Moveset
Potent Strike (Athletic) (1)
Reckless Abandon
Ring Sense (Athletic)
Signature Move
Tag Team Specialist
Training Background
  MF: Athletic
  MF: Flair
  Finisher

Flaw
Overconfident
Rookie Mistake

Moveset
Flying Armdrag (Technical): Modifiers: 1d4 damage (+0), moveset (+1), prone self (+1), requires lifting (+1)
Total Modifier: +3

Dropkick (Athletic): 1d6 damage (+0), exertion: 2 Fatigue (+1), knockdown (–1), moveset (+1), prone self (+1), stunning: self if missed (+1)
Total Modifier: +3

Running Kneelift (Athletic): 1d6 damage (-1), knockdown (–1), moveset (+1)
Total Modifier: -1

Signature Move
Wings of Icarus (Crucifix pin/Athletic): 1d4 damage (+0), immediate pin attempt upon lift (-1), prone self (+1), requires lifting (+1), signature move (+2)
Total Modifier: +3

Finisher
Final Flight (Athletic): 1d6 damage (-1), add Weight Mod to damage (-1), exertion: 2 Fatigue
(+1), Finisher name (+1) immediate pin attempt upon lift (-1), prone self (+1), requires lifting (+1), stunning: self if missed (+1)
Total Modifier: +2

Name: Daedalus
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 226 lbs
Weight Mod: 0
Attitude: Face
Level: 9
Star Power:

Ath: +2
Brw: 0
Flr: +1
Ins: +5
Pow: 0

Skills
Athletics +2
Deception
Knowledge
 Athletic Moves
 Brawling Moves
 Flair Moves
 Power Moves
 Technical Moves +5
 Roster +5
 Specialty Match:
 Tag Team +5
Language +1
Perception +2
Performance +2
Presence +2
Special Talent


Gimmick Enhancements
Attribute Improvement (3)
Helping Hand (2)
Leverage (Submission)
MF: Flair
Maneuver Training (3)
Mastery (Technical)
Moveset
Ring Sense (Instinct)
Ring Smart
Ring Strategist
Signature Move
Tag Team Specialist (3)
Training Background
  MF: Athletic
  MF: Technical
  Finisher
Wrestling Savant

Flaw
Injury Prone

Moveset
Atomic Drop (Technical): 1d6 damage (-1), exertion: 2 Fatigue (+1), moveset (+1), requires lifting (+1), stunning (-2)
Total Modifier: 0

Belly-To-Back Suplex (Technical): 2d6 damage (–3), moveset (+1), prone self (+1), requires lifting (+1)
Total Modifier: 0

Running Kneelift (Athletic): 1d6 damage (-1), knockdown (–1), moveset (+1)
Total Modifier: -1

Signature Move
Grecian Crab (Technical): 1d6 damage (-1), requires prone target (+1), signature move (+2), submission
(–1)
Total Modifier: +1

Finisher
Grecian Sleeper Grip (Technical): 1d6 damage (–1), exertion: 2 Fatigue (+1), finisher name (+1), stunning (-2), submission (-1)
Total Modifier: –3

VIP Wrestling: The Juggernaut and The Bad Boy

This month's addition to the VIP Wrestling Roster for Wild World Wrestling are Rock Vargas' lackeys: "The Juggernaut" Leonidas Contreras and "Bad Boy" Jimmy Lee.

Jimmy Lee is a cocky, arrogant daredevil who isn't afraid to put his body on the line any night. A backyard wrestler who has been trained by Vargas and molded into a future superstar, Lee has risen through the ranks at a young age, thanks to a combination of his talent and Vargas' string pulling. Lee sometimes forms an effective tag team with Leonidas Contreras, a classic power and speed combo.

Lee combines high-flying with martial arts training, picking up victories with his brutal 90 MPH KICK and the SUICIDE RUN, which involves sitting an opponent on the top rope, climbing up with them and flipping over backwards, driving them to the mat. In addition, he likes to faceplant his opponents with the Bad Day and the Diamond Dust.

Lee's partner Leonidas Contreras is a big, brutal Mexican who is built like an absolute tank. The Juggernaut fears no one and only takes crap from Vargas and Lee. Despite his brute-like exterior, Contreras shows hidden depths, pulling out surprises that he doesn't immediately seem capable of, hinting at a brighter future for the hulking Contreras than some suspect.

His Lights Out is a crushing forearm smash that hits with devastating force and has been known to knock opponents clean out. His UNSTOPPABLE FORCE is huge flying shoulderblock to a running opponent, sideswiping them and knocking them senseless.


Name: "Bad Boy" Jimmy Lee
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 190 lbs
Weight Mod: -1
Attitude: Heel
Level: 8
Star Power:

Ath: +5
Brw: -1
Flr: +2
Ins: +3
Pow: -1

Skills
Athletics +5
Deception +2
Knowledge
 Athletic Moves +5
 Brawling Moves
 Flair Moves +2
 Power Moves
 Technical Moves +2
 Roster
 Specialty Match:
 Tag Team +2
Language
Perception
Performance +2
Presence +2
Special Talent


Gimmick Enhancements
Attribute Enhancement (2)
Feat of Dexterity
Finisher
Heat Machine
MF: Flair
MF: Technical
Maneuver Training
Mastery: Aerial Maneuvers
Moveset
Popular Appeal
Potent Strike: Athletic (2)
Reckless Abandon
Ring Sense
Signature Move (2)
Steal Heat
Training
  MF: Athletic
  MF: Brawling
  Finisher

Flaw
Cocky
Showboat

Moveset
German Suplex and Bridge (Technical): Modifiers: 1d6 damage (–1), immediate pin attempt (-1), Moveset (+1), requires lifting (+1)
Maneuver modifier: 0

Martial Arts Kick (Athletic): Modifiers: 2d6 damage (–3), exertion: 2 Fatigue (+1), knockdown (–1), Moveset (+1)
Total Modifier: –2

Moonsault (Athletic): Modifiers: 2d6 damage (–3), add Weight Mod to damage (-1), exertion: 2 Fatigue (+1), immediate pin attempt upon knockdown (-1) knockdown (–1), Moveset (+1), prone self (+1), stunning: self if missed (+1)
Total Modifier: -2

Signature Move
Diamond Dust (Athletic): Modifiers: 2d6 damage (–3), exertion: 2 Fatigue (+1), prone self (+1), requires lifting (+1), Signature Move (+2), stunning (-2)
Total Modifier: 0

Bad Day (Face First Legweep/Technical): 3d6 damage (-3), prone self (+1), requires lifting (+1); Signature Move (+2) total modifier: +1

Finisher
Suicide Run (Top Rope Backflip Uranage/Athletic): Modifiers: 2d6 damage (-3), exertion: 4 Fatigue (+2), Finisher Name (+1), Immediate Pin Attempt on Knockdown/Lift (-1), Knockdown (-1), Prone Self (+1), Requires Lifting (+1), Stunning (-2)
Total Modifier: -2

90 Mile Per Hour Kick (Superkick/Athletic): Modifiers: 2d8 damage (–4), exertion: 2 Fatigue (+1), Finisher Name (+1), knockdown (–1)
Total Modifier: -3


Name: "The Juggernaut" Leonidas Contreras
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 320 lbs
Weight Mod: +4
Attitude: Heel
Level: 6
Star Power:

Ath: -1
Brw: +4
Flr: 0
Ins: 0
Pow: +5

Skills
Athletics
Deception
Knowledge
 Athletic Moves
 Brawling Moves +4
 Flair Moves
 Power Moves +4
 Technical Moves
 Roster
 Specialty Match:
 Tag Team +2
Language
Perception +2
Performance +2
Presence +5
Special Talent


Gimmick Enhancements
Attribute Enhancement (2)
Catch Phrase ("I'm the Juggernaut, Bitch!")
Hardcore
No-Sell (2)
Potent Strike: Power (2)
Ring Rage
Signature Move
Toughness (2)
Training Background
  MF: Brawling
  MF: Power
  Finisher
Versatile
Wrestling Savant

Flaw
Overconfident
Rookie Mistake

Signature Move
Light Out (Forearm Smash/Power): Modifiers: 3d8 damage (-6), Exertion: 6 Fatigue (+3), knockdown (–1), Signature Move (+2), Stunning (-2)
Total Modifier: –4

Finisher
Unstoppable Force (Flying Shoulderblock/Power): Modifiers: 3d6 damage (–5), exertion: 2 Fatigue (+1), knockdown (–1), Naming (+1) prone self (+1), stunning: self if missed (+1)
Total Modifier: –2

VIP Wrestling: "Legendary" Rock Vargas and "Walking Tall" Floyd Rogers

A while back I reviewed the Wild World Wrestling game, and being a wrestling fan, decided to add some stuff to it, namely some write-ups for a promotion (although, if you feel so inclined, you can certainly use these guys on your own).

VIP Wrestling is a small promotion largely controlled by "The Legendary" Rock Vargas, leader of the VIP Elite. Vargas is a wily veteran who isn't afraid to use any tactic to get ahead, often using his influence and resources to stack the odds against his opponents before the match, and using brutal foreign objects like "The Spike" over the course of the match. This is incredibly frustrating to many observers, because Vargas is a savvy, intelligent wrestler who probably doesn't need to resort to these vile tactics in most cases. Still, better safe than sorry, he supposes.

Vargas is often joined by his brash, arrogant protege "Bad Boy" Jimmy Lee and their brutal muscle "The Juggernaut" Leonidas Contreras. The VIP Elite often compete in six man and handicap matches, and Vargas is known to use Contreras and Lee as his "gatekeepers" when foes come after him. Vargas' attitude that he, and he alone, determines what comprises the "Elite" of pro wrestling has a way of turning off the fans as well as other wrestlers...when they're not trying to impress him.

Vargas often ensures that referees look the other way when he's driving "The Spike" into his opponent's head (or other body part), which infuriates the fans. He often uses the Rocksault to soften up the opponent, in which he grabs the top rope and flips over them onto the opponent with a rolling senton, generally completing the roll up to his feet. He prefers to finish matches with THE BIG FINISH, however, a flying sunset flip off the top rope, and a holdover from his younger, crowd favorite days.


Name: "Legendary" Rock Vargas
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 219 lbs
Weight Mod: 0
Attitude: Heel
Level: 11
Star Power:

Ath: +2
Brw: 0
Flr: +4
Ins: +3
Pow: 0

Skills
Athletics +2
Deception +5
Knowledge
 Athletic Moves +5
 Brawling Moves
 Flair Moves +5
 Power Moves
 Technical Moves
 Roster
 Specialty Match (Cage Match): +5
 Tag Team
Language
Perception
Performance +4
Presence +2
Special Talent

Gimmick Enhancements
Attribute Improvement (3)
Close Call
(TB) Finisher
Heat Machine
Leverage: Athleticism
(TB) MF/Athletic
MF/Brawling
MF/Flair
MF/Improvised Weapons
(TB) MF/Instinct
Maneuver Training (5)
Mouthpiece
Resources (3)
Ring Sense (Instinct)
Signature Move (2)
Stacking the Deck (2)
Training Background

Flaw
Hated

Signature Move
Rocksault (Athletic): Damage D6 (-1), +1 Damage Die (-2) Exertion (+1), Requires Prone Target (+1), Signature Move (+2), Stunning Self if Missed (+1). Total Modifier: +2

The Spike (Improvised Weapon Keyed to Flair): Damage (2)d6 (-1), Extra Die of Damage (-2), Illegal (+1), Signature Move (+2). Total Modifier: 0

Finisher
The Big Finish (Athletic): Damage (2)d6 (-1), Exertion (+3), Finisher Name (+1), Immediate Pin Attempt on Knockdown (-1), Knockdown (-1), Requires Lifting (+1), Stunning Self if Missed (+1). Total Modifier: +3

Vargas' biggest and baddest enemy is the hard-nosed, no-nonsense common man known as "Walkin' Tall" Floyd Rogers. Rogers, a burly, blond haired badass who takes no prisoners vows to each and every one of his opponents that he will "Walk tall and stomp a mudhole in your ass." Rogers, who has very few friends, is known to carry a big ax handle to the ring and has lost more than one match because he decided to tee off on his opponents. He's not a flashy performer by any stretch, but he riles the crowd up by entering the arena through the general admission entrance, ax handle held high, slapping hands as he goes.

Rogers has learned a trick or two from Vargas over the years, and has gotten better and better at misdirecting the referee so he can hit a HARD LINE DRIVE on his opponent with the ax handle. More and more, he's come to rely on his Stand and Deliver Spinebuster to inflict serious damage on his opponents, and to sometimes even score the pin.

Rogers is a big, strong guy who can take a beating, but he's also pretty one dimensional and he has a tendency to get a little overconfident, knowing the amount of punishment that he can take.


Name: "Walkin' Tall" Floyd Rogers
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 260 lbs
Weight Mod: +2
Attitude: Face
Level: 10
Star Power:

Ath: -1
Brw: +3
Flr: +1
Ins: +1
Pow: +2

Skills
Athletics +3
Deception +2
Knowledge
 Athletic Moves
 Brawling Moves +5
 Flair Moves
 Power Moves +5
 Technical Moves
 Roster +2
 Specialty Match:
 Tag Team
Language
Perception +2
Performance +2
Presence +2
Special Talent

Gimmick Enhancements
Amazing Recuperative Power
Attribute Enhancement (3)
Catch Phrase ("I'm gonna walk tall and stomp a mudhole in your ass!")
Hardcore (2)
Finisher
High Pain Threshold (3)
MF/Brawling
MF/Improvised Weapons
MF/Power
Monster Comeback
No Sell (3)
Potent Strike (Brawler)
Ring Rage
Signature Move
Spectacular Entrance
Toughness

Flaw
Overconfidenct

Signature Move
Stand and Deliver (Spinebuster): Modifiers: 3d6 damage (-5), immediate pin attempt (–1), prone self (+1), requires lifting (+1), Signature Move (+2)
Total Modifier: -2

Finisher
Hard Line Drive (Improvised Weapon Keyed to Brawn): Modifiers: 3d8 damage (–6), exertion: 4 Fatigue (+2), Finisher Name (+1), illegal: automatic DQ (+2), knockdown (–1), stunning (-2).
Total Modifier: -4

[My WWE Universe] Royal Rumble

ROAD TO ROYAL RUMBLE

RAW

Ezekiel Jackson looked dominant, taking out David Hart Smith.

Undertaker and Kane vs Yoshi Tatsu and Tyson Kidd in a Tables Match went pretty much as you would
expect, with Undertaker putting Kidd through a table.

Evan Bourne defeated The Miz in a hard fought match with Air Bourne.

Wade Barrett triumphed over Triple H and Sheamus in a Triple Threat Tables match that also saw Chris Jericho get involved and attack both Barrett and Triple H!

SUPERSTARS

Shelton Benjamin proved he can win when the odds are even, pinning Mike Knox.

John Cena faced Vladimir Kozlov with HBK in the crowd. David Otunga tried to get involved, but Triple H intervened and Cena made Kozlov tap.

Husky Harris, Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel looked dominant against Santino Marella, The Greatest American Bolo and Zack Ryder, with Slater pinning Santino.

SMACKDOWN

William Regal pinned Big Show in a colossal victory, but the match was restarted as a Falls Count Anywhere Match! Regal used the Power of the Punch and the Knee Trembler to drop The Big Show!

Rey Mysterio had to work for it a bit, but he pinned Vance Archer.

Cody Rhodes and Christian vs Ted DiBiase and John Morrison mostly turned into Rhodes vs DiBiase! William Regal came out to cause a distraction, but Christian ran him off and Rhodes pinned DiBiase with the Silver Spoon DDT!

In a bit of a Royal Rumble preview, World Champion Sting, Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler, Tag Champion CM Punk, Kane, Drew McIntyre and Kofi Kingston squared off in a battle royal! Drew went right after Kofi and eliminated him, while Kane and Punk brawled, and Dolph took Sting down! Drew threw out his second competitor, dumping Punk! Kane shockingly eliminated Sting! Drew dumped Dolph, leaving him and Kane! And Kane eliminates McIntyre for the win!

WEEK 2

RAW

John Morrison jumped Mark Henry before their match, and used his speed to stay out his reach, hitting Starship Pain for the win. R-Truth came out and ruined Morrison's celebration!

Primo's speed kept him in the game against Romero Contreras, but the Kool-Aid Krunch did put him away. Romero offered Primo a handshake and was refused.

Zack Ryder would have been completely outnumbered against Ted DiBiase, Sheamus and The Miz in a Fatal Four Way, but those three almost hate each other as much as they do anyone else. The match raged on chaotically, and Chris Jericho once more got involved, attacking both Sheamus and Miz! Miz was pinning Sheamus while DiBiase was covering Ryder, but Sheamus kicked out while Ryder stayed down! DiBiase is the #1 Contender to the US Title!

In another Rumble preview, Triple H entered a battle royal with Batista, Wade Barrett, Edge, John Cena and Shawn Michaels! The biggest news was Barrett nearly eliminated Edge right off! Cena went out first, at the hands of Batista, and Barrett dumped HBK. Triple H sent Edge out as Batista eliminated Barrett, and Batista clashed with the WWE Champion before throwing him out!

SUPERSTARS

Raven tried to play mind games from the crowd, but Shelton Benjamin stayed focused and pinned Mike Knox with the Exploder.

Joe Cothern stormed the ring early on, and took Evan Bourne by surprise! Evan fought back, but the hard hitting style of The Mucker was too much, and the US Champion ultimately dropped before Cothern!

Jack Swagger came to the ring with Alberto Del Rio in tow! So Cody Rhodes accompanied Christian to the ring, while Dolph Ziggler watched from the crowd! Swagger was a little ticked about that whole losing the title to Sting thing, and took it out on Christian. Del Rio and Swagger cheated, and ultimately got Rhodes ejected. Swagger finished Christian off moments later.

SMACKDOWN

Justin Gabriel took a seat at ringside, while William Regal and Cody Rhodes squared off in a Submission match! It turned into much more of a brawl than expected, and both men did a ton of damage. Christian got involved, but was sent to the back, and Regal ultimately put Rhodes out with a sleeper.

Chris Masters came out to give Kofi Kingston back-up, as CM Punk had Luke Gallows in tow! Kofi wound up knocking Punk flush out with the Trouble in Paradise! Drew McIntyre wiped Kofi out with a lead pipe after the match!

Sting and Kaval got jumped by The Straight Edge Society as they came to the ring to take on Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater in a Ladder Match! The damage done by the Straight Edge Society, combined with the speed of Gabriel and Slater led to victory for Nexus!

In the main event, Kane wiped out MVP in the Parking Lot to claim the Hardcore Title!

WEEK 3

RAW

With R-Truth at ringside, getting into Morrison's head, John Morrison faced Zack Ryder (with Greatest American Bolo at ringside). Morrison was well on his way to victory when Ryder got DQed after Morrison provoked Bolo into hitting him.

Chris Jericho looked cocky as he came to the ring to face Ted DiBiase in a Falls Count Anywhere match, even with Wade Barrett in the crowd and Joe Cothern at ringside. However, The Miz ALSO got involved, and the whole thing was FAR too much for Jericho, who fell prey to Dream Steet!

Alex Riley and The Miz ambushed Sting and Kaval before their tag team tables match, but could not put them away. As Sting and Kaval were getting the upperhand, CM Punk ran out and took Sting out. However, Kaval got Punk and nailed the Warrior's Way, allowing Sting to fire up and put Miz through a table!

Wade Barrett and Triple H went at it in another crazy brawl...and as they were both jockeying for the upperhand, Husky Harris hit the ring and attacked both men! As both men recovered, Barrett managed to hit a backdrop driver for the pin!

SUPERSTARS

Romero and The Greatest American Bolo met Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater in a tag match that went south when Husky Harris got involved and Romero got DQed for throwing chairs around the ring.

Ezekiel Jackson tried to take out Mark Henry as he battled Yoshi Tatsu, but failed. Tatsu was crushed with a bearhug. Henry offered Tatsu a handshake, but was refused.

The Great Muta, Mike Knox, Shelton Benjamin, Rob Van Dam, Terry Funk and Chris Masters competed
in a battle royal! Funk went first, and Shelton eliminated Masters. Knox eliminated RVD, leaving Shelton in there with Knox and Muta! Shelton and Muta worked together to dump Knox! Shelton ultimately prevailed, dumping Muta!

SMACKDOWN

Kane gave Raven a shot at the Hardcore Title...and then crushed him.

MVP jumped Rey Mysterio before the match and hit the Play of the Day, but refused to go for the pin! That cost him as Rey hit the 619 and a Springboard Splash for the win.

William Regal and Drew McIntyre used every dirty trick in the book AND interference from Wade Barrett to beat DX and become the new #1 Contenders to the Tag Team Titles!

Undertaker managed to topple Jack Swagger in a steel cage match!

WEEK 4

RAW

The Falls Count Anywhere stipulation meant nothing as Ezekiel Jackson jumped Mark Henry before the bell and spiked him for the pin. After the match, he brutalized Mark Henry with a chair!

Alex Riley, The Miz, Chris Jericho and The Greatest American Bolo met in a Fatal Four Way! Jericho was dominating, when Wade Barrett came in and attacked him with the Wasteland! Ultimately, Bolo wound up pinning a wounded Miz to score a MASSIVE upset!

Zack Ryder hit the ring and destroyed Daniel Bryan!

In a hard hitting brawl, Wade Barrett pinned Sheamus to become #1 Contender AGAIN.

SUPERSTARS

Mike Knox wiped out Rob Van Dam before their match and used that advantage to finish him off!

John Cena made short work of Tyson Kidd.

Jack Swagger and Alberto Del Rio handed Cody Rhodes and Christian a crushing loss.

SMACKDOWN

Smackdown opened with a battle royal that saw MVP eat the floor first. Shad dumped Dolph Ziggler as Kofi dropkicked JTG out of the ring! Kofi went on a mad tear, sending Shad out and then Shelton Benjamin to win!

Luke Gallows fought as hard as he could, but The Big Show devastated him! Show offered him a handshake after the match, but Gallows refused!

Drew McIntyre's and Christian's rivalry got the better of them, and Kane took advantage to pin Christian and become the #1 Contender to the Intercontinental Title!

Sting made CM Punk tap out in the main event! After the match, Justin Gabriel came out on the ramp and gave Sting a warning!

ROYAL RUMBLE

Evan Bourne looked impressive, pinning Ted DiBiase to retain the US title in the opening match! Bourne tried to be a good sport, but DiBiase refused.

Dolph Ziggler managed to cut Kane's knees out from under him and hit the Zig Zag to retain the IC Title!

Randy Orton squared off with Alex Riley! Miz ran out, but ate an RKO! Riley got one as well!

Sting had to defend the World title against Jack Swagger, The Undertaker and Drew McIntyre! And Drew came out of the crowd, wiping out Swagger! Sting drew blood on the Undertaker, and Swagger and Undertaker took most of the damage. In fact, Sting pinned Undertaker after a McIntyre Future Shock!

William Regal took a seat in the front row as Wade Barrett and Triple H squared off! Wade Barrett finally fulfilled his destiny, pinning Triple H with the Wasteland after making use of an exposed turnbuckle!

Royal Rumble Time!
1. Cody Rhodes
2. The Greatest American Bolo
3. The Great Muta
4. Edge
5. Husky Harris
6. Chris Jericho
e1. Muta (by Rhodes)
e2. Bolo (by Jericho)
7. Goldust
e3. Edge (by RhodeS)
e4. Harris (by Goldust)
8. Ezekiel Jackson
9. Chavo Guerrero
e5. Goldust (by Jericho)
e6. Rhodes (by Jackson)
10. Mike Knox
11. Undertaker
e7. Jackson (by Jericho)
12. Christian
e8. Knox (by Chavo)
13. Jack Swagger
14. Big Show
e9. Chavo (by Jericho)
e10. Undertaker (by Swagger)
15. Sheamus
16. Lex Luger
e11. Christian (by ???)
17. Vance Archer
e12. Luger (by Jericho)
e13. Big Show (by Swagger)
18. Shad
e14. Swagger (by Sheamus)
e15. Archer (by Jericho)
19. Rey Mysterio
20. Miz
e16. Sheamus (by Rey)
21. Kofi Kingston
e17. Shad (by Jericho)
22. John Morrison
e18. Rey (by Kofi)
23. R-Truth
e19. Kofi (by Morrison)
e20. Miz (by Jericho)
24. William Regal
25. Randy Orton
e21. R-Truth (by Regal)
26. Primo
e22. Jericho (by Regal)
27. Jake Roberts
e23. Orton (by Jericho)
28. Batista
e24. Roberts (by Morrison)
29. John Cena
e25. Regal (by ???)
30. Alberto Del Rio
e26. Primo (by Batista)
e27. Batista (by Cena)
e28. Morrison (by Cena)
e29. Cena (by Del Rio )
WINNER: ALBERTO DEL RIO

[My WWE Universe] TLC

ROAD TO TLC

WEEK 1

RAW

Ezekiel Jackson, with a little assistance from Joe Cothern, destroyed R-Truth in a Falls Count Anywhere Match.

Even though Miz jumped Jericho as he came down the ramp, Chris Jericho reduced him to a bloody mess before beating him in a Tables Match.

Randy Orton hit the ring on fire, taking it to Lex Luger! He gave Luger the Orton Stomp and then the RKO! Orton actually offered Luger his hand post-match, but Luger refused!

Lex Luger tried to remain relevant by buying a ringside seat for Wade Barrett versus Triple H. Despite distractions by Shawn Michaels, Wade Barrett took everything Triple H could fire at him and pinned him!

SUPERSTARS

Ted DiBiase stormed the ring to attack Goldust, but Goldust fought him off and hit Shattered Dreams for the win! Goldust offered DiBiase a chance to shake his hand, but apparently being kicked in the nuts left a bad taste in DiBiase's mouth.

Jack Swagger and Alberto Del Rio did their level best to destroy Kane, but he took advantage of a big mistake and pinned Del Rio!

Althouggh Santino and Shinsuke Nakamura were ostensibly outnumbered, they went right after David Otunga, Daniel Bryan, Vladimir Kozlov and Joe Cothern in a battle royal! Santino eliminated Daniel Bryan as Nakamura dumped Otunga! Cothern went next at Nakamura's hands, while Santino and Nakamura teamed up on Kozlov! Then Nakamura eliminated Santino for the win.

SMACKDOWN

William Regal and Dolph Ziggler jumped Cody Rhodes and Christian before their match with Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater, but Rhodes and Christian still came out on top after Gabriel ate a Killswitch and the Cross Rhodes!

As Kofi Kingston prepared to face Drew McIntyre, Drew stormed the ring! He beat Kofi down and hit the Scot Drop, but kept attacking! Kofi never got out of first gear as he fell prey to the Angry Scot!

Rey Mysterio, Big Show, Terry Funk, William Regal, Vance Archer and Shad Gaspard did battle in a Battle Royal! Despite a three on one attempt, Shad held on, and Regal wound up eliminating Vance first. Funk shockingly dumped Big Show, and then Regal tossed out Rey while Funk eliminated Shad! Funk and Regal went at it for several more minutes before Regal threw Funk out!

Mark Henry and David Hart Smith beat the Straight Edge Society in a very brutal Extreme Rules match after Henry crushed Punk with the World's Strongest Slam!

WEEK 2

RAW

Ted DiBiase put the Million Dollar Title on the line against David Hart Smith, who tore him apart! Tyson Kidd was in the crowd, getting into Smith's head, but ultimately it was heel chicanery by DiBiase that allowed him to lock on a sleeperhold and put Smith out.

Wade Barrett pinned WWE Champion Triple H in seconds after an ambush from the crowd!

Cody Rhodes and Christian prepared to face Tyson Kidd and Yoshi Tatsu in a Tables Match, when Justin Gabriel and Dolph Ziggler attacked them on the floor! Kidd and Tatsu tried to capitalize on it, but fell short, with Rhodes and Christian picking up the win!

In the main event, Sheamus battled Shawn Michaels in a tremendous Tables match...as Sheamus was wearing HBK down, Husky Harris came to the ring with a chair! As Harris entered the ring, Sheamus spiked Michaels through the table with Pale Justice, but we never learned what Harris was there for!

SUPERSTARS

Mike Knox ambushed Chris Masters from the crowd and pinned him in seconds!

Vladimir Kozlov attacked his former friend Santino from the crowd, but Santino would not die! He blasted Kozlov with The Cobra to put the giant Russian down!

Thought Miz and Alex Riley held in the match a while, it was basically just getting destroyed by Undertaker and Kane, even with CM Punk's help.

SMACKDOWN

Rey Mysterio shocked Tag Team Champion Luke Gallows!

Drew McIntyre ambushed The Big Show before their match, but The Big Show still made him work for it. Both men gave everything they had, and even Kofi Kingston got involved to keep Drew from cheating, but a GIGANTIC Michinoku Driver by Drew scored the pin!

Raven defeated Rob Van Dam, Terry Funk and Vance Archer in a crazy Extreme Rules match to win the newly recommissioned Hardcore title after pinned Terry Funk with the Evenflow on the floor!

Sting squared off with CM Punk in a #1 Contender's Match, but Punk stormed the ring before the match! Kaval came down to make sure there was no interference as Sting fought back, and Sting pinned Punk after a flying splash off the top rope! As Sting celebrated, a lead pipe weilding Gallows hit the ring and laid Sting and Kaval out!

WEEK 3

RAW

All week long, WWE is broadcasting from Tribute for the Troops!

Mark Henry crushed Ezekiel Jackson with a bearhug in a slow motion Falls Count Anywhere!

The Greatest American Bolo stormed the ring to take on Husky Harris! Harris bailed out to avoid the American Revolution, and got some licks in on Bolo. Ultimately, Bolo prevailed with the Snapshot!

Lex Luger has a SURPRISE for DX in a Tables Match...mystery partner PRIMO. After DX stopped laughing, the match began and Luger and Primo actually did alright...until Randy Orton ran in and gave Luger the RKO! Triple H spiked Primo through a table to end the match.

Sheamus and Wade Barrett faced off in a #1 Contender's Match, and Barrett dominated Sheamus, scoring a fairly easy pin...until the match was restarted as a Submission Match! Sheamus was on fire and the whole thing was intense, with Barrett even drawing blood on Sheamus. Barrett focused on Sheamus' back and ribs and ultimately made him submit to an abdominal stretch!

SUPERSTARS

David Otunga, perhaps bravely, came through the troops to attack Cena! He even hit his spinebuster, but that just made the match even, and Cena ultimately hit his top rope Rocker Dropper, Five Knuckle Shuffle, Attitude Adjustment and the STF for the win. Cena offered his hand to Otunga, who refused.

Chris Masters teamed with WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Snuka to take on William Regal and Drew McIntyre! Unfortunately for them, Snuka was never allowed in the ring, and Regal and McIntyre DISMANTLED Masters for the win.

Ted DiBiase put the Million Dollar Title on the line against R-Truth, accompanied by Evan Bourne! John Morrison was lurking in the crowd! Even Evan at ringside couldn't stop DiBiase, who busted R-Truth open and beat him.

SMACKDOWN

Undertaker had a surprise for The Straight Edge Society...Terry Funk! Unfortunately, Funk's a little hardcore, and got DQed.

Dolph Ziggler did commentary as Christian faced Jack Swagger in a Falls Count Anywhere match! Christian got a HUGE win thanks to The Big Show running down and clocking Swagger with a sledgehammer! After the match, Drew McIntyre beat Christian down with a lead pipe!

Dolph Ziggler continued to build his momentum with a great victory over Kofi Kingston.

Raven outlasted Rey Mysterio, Shelton Benjamin, Finlay, Vance Archer and Mike Knox in a Six Pack Challenge. Raven even put his own partner down, and after the match, went after Shelton Benjamin to inflict more damage!

WEEK 4

RAW

In the opening match, John Morrison and Ted DiBiase faced off with R-Truth in a handicap match. Goldust came down to get involved, but DiBiase attacked him! Morrison put R-Truth away. Post-match, Morrison kept up his assault on his former partner.

Evan Bourne met Zack Ryder and The Miz in a #1 Contender's Match for the US Title! It was crazy action, and John Morrison came down and wiped out Ryder with a chair! Bourne put Miz away with a huracanrana for the win!

Batista pinned John Cena after a shocking sneak attack!

Wade Barrett and Triple H collided in an EPIC Iron Man match, destroying many chairs and reducing both men to bloody messes...even had some Chris Jericho interference, before ending in a draw.

SUPERSTARS

Chris Jericho made Yoshi Tatsu tap to the Walls of Jericho. As he celebrated, The Miz came out and taunted him from the ramp!

In a surprisingly hard hitting match, Santino stopped Joe Cothern with The Cobra! He offered Cothern a handshake post-match, but Cothern refused.

Shelton Benjamin fought hard, but could not topple Raven and Mike Knox in a handicap match.

SMACKDOWN

Matt Hardy stormed the ring to attack Christian before their match, but Christian was unfazed and put him down.

Undertaker and Kane got punished by William Regal and Drew McIntyre, but prevailed after Kane cleaned house off of a hot tag and pinned Regal with a Choke Slam!

Mark Henry and David Hart Smith seemed to have words before taking on The Straight Edge Society, and that clearly cost them as Gallows and Punk dominated them before Gallows pinned Henry.

Jack Swagger beat Sting in a non-title Falls Count Anywhere match after timely intervention by CM Punk!

TLC

Evan Bourne snuck away with the US title after Sheamus stormed the ring attacking him and hitting Pale Justice on Ryder...but Bourne sent Sheamus out of the ring and pinned Ryder!

Dolph Ziggler failed to repeat Evan Bourne's feat, but tried...but he did still outlast Drew McIntyre and Christian, pinning Christian after the Zig Zag. Ziggler brutally attacked Christian with a chair after the match!

While Raven brawled with Kaval and Shelton Benjamin, MVP managed to climb the ladder and win the Hardcore title in a TLC match!

Ted DiBiase and John Morrison had words before their Tag Title Match with the Straight Edge Society, and Punk and Gallows proved you HAVE to be on the same page to defeat them, retaining in dominant fashion.

Sting somehow outlasted Jack Swagger and The Undertaker in a TLC match, despite taking the Tombstone and the Gutwrench Powerbomb! Sting ended Swagger's reign that has lasted since Backlash!

Wade Barrett jumped a heavily bandaged Triple H from the crowd, but got too cocky in their TLC match, and Triple H managed to get the WWE Title down!

Though the "year" is technically over, the WWE "Year" runs three more months: Through Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania.

RAW

WWE Champion: Triple H
WWE United States Champion: Evan Bourne

SMACKDOWN

WWE World Champion: Sting
WWE Intercontinental Champion: Dolph Ziggler

Unified Tag Team Champions: CM Punk & Luke Gallows

[My WWE Universe] Bragging Rights

ROAD TO BRAGGING RIGHTS

WEEK 1

RAW

Bolo beat David Otunga in a brutal Extreme Rules match, fending off Justin Gabriel in the process!

Despite The Miz getting involved, Morrison and R-Truth fended off The Straight Edge Society in a Tables Match.

In a Fatal Four Way Cage Match, Chris Jericho pinned Batista with a small package while Orton and Cena were brawling.

In a Falls Count Anywhere Triple Threat Match, Wade Barrett snuck a pin on Miz after HBK hit the Sweet Chin Music, then he spiked Michaels on the floor with the Wasteland for the win!

SUPERSTARS

Evan Bourne never even got started as Tyson Kidd jumped him from the crowd and ultimately made him tap out.

Shad did a lot of damage, but Rob Van Dam survived his onslaught and pinned him with the Five Star Frog Splash. RVD offered to shake his hand, but Shad slapped it away.

Nexus nearly took out Luger and Kozlov, but Bolo hit the American Revolution to put Justin Gabriel down.

SMACKDOWN

Regal jumped JTG before the bell and JTG dodged one Knee Trembler, but the second knocked him out.

In an intense #1 Contender's Match with Cody Rhodes watching at ringside, Christian endured everything Drew McIntyre had to bloody him and score the pin with the Killswitch. He will now challenge Todo Americano for the IC title.

Cody Rhodes knocked out MVP in a Parking Lot Brawl.

Kane, accompanied by Paul Bearer, made short work of Dolph Ziggler.

WEEK 2

RAW

Wade Barrett defeated Daniel Bryan, Justin Gabriel and David Otunga in a Gauntlet that pushed him to his very limits.

In a stunning upset, Evan Bourne pinned Sheamus inside a Steel Cage after Air Bourne!

With Ted DiBiase watching on, Zack Ryder pinned The Miz in a Falls Count Anywhere Match to become the #1 Contender to Sheamus' US title.

Vladimir Kozlov and Lex Luger jumped DX before their match, which was a chaotic brawl all over the arena. WWE Champion Triple H sustained too much damage, taking multiple Torture Racks...ultimately being pinned by Kozlov. Shawn Michaels hung in there for quite a while, but Luger ultimately made him give up to the Torture Rack. Post-match, Justin Gabriel and Daniel Bryan ambushed Luger and Kozlov and beat them down!

SUPERSTARS

Wade Barrett CRUSHED Shawn Michaels after a sneak attack from the crowd.

Paul Bearer accompanied Kane to the ring while Vance Archer accommpanied Drew McIntyre. It was a good, back and forth match, with Jack Swagger scouting from the crowd. Vance Archer got ejected for repeated interference, and Kane spiked McIntyre for the win.

Sting and Kaval were preparing to face Daniel Bryan and Justin Gabriel, when CM Punk and Luke Gallows jumped Sting and Kaval from behind! Sting and Kaval tried to fight back against Nexus, but Gabriel pinned Kaval for the win!

SMACKDOWN

In an odd turn of events, Luke Gallows was accompanied by Alberto Del Rio as he took on Kane, whose brother The Undertaker was present at ringside. As Del Rio was being ejected late in the match, Kane hit the choke slam. Gallows fought back desperately, but got NAILED with a lariat for the pin. Kane offered his hand to Gallows, who slapped it away.

The Hart Dynasty jumped Goldust and Yoshi Tatsu before their tables match, and immediately hit their big moves on the floor. Evan Bourne ran in and interfered on behalf of Goldust and Tatsu, but The Hart Dynasty prevailed when Tatsu got crushed through a table.

Cody Rhodes and Christian made and unlikely team, taking on Vance Archer and his mystery partner...William Regal! Though each team was very much makeshift, Rhodes stunned Regal with Cross Rhodes for the pin.

CM Punk hit the ring hard in a #1 Contender's Ladder Match against Drew McIntyre, but he got too eager trying to bring the contract briefcase down, and didn't pay attention to McIntyre...who knocked him off the ladder and got the contract down!

WEEK 3

RAW

Tyson Kidd, with assistance from newcomer Joe Cothern, beat R-Truth in a Falls Count Anywhere Match!

Tyson Kidd shockingly betrayed David Hart Smith, costing him a submission match against John Morrison! Luke Gallows came out after the match and taunted Morrison from the ramp!

Evan Bourne looked tremendous in taking out Ezekiel Jackson!

DX teamed with Zack Ryder in an elimination match against Barrett, Edge and Sheamus. Edge pinned Triple H to score the first elimination, while Barrett surprised Michaels for the second. Edge, Sheamus and Barrett beat Ryder bloody before Barrett put Ryder away.

SUPERSTARS

Raven shockingly ambushed The Rock before their match! Rock tried to fight him off, but Raven hit the Evenflow and scored the pin with his feet on the ropes!

Edge jumped Evan Bourne as he was coming down the ramp, and they brawled on the floor for several minutes, with Edge getting the upperhand. Once they made it into the ring, the Spear ended it.

John Morrison prepared to take on Tyson Kidd and The Miz in a Triple Threat, when Miz ambushed Kidd as he came down the ramp! Morrison dove to the floor and missed, and ate a Skull Crushing Finale! All three men went back and forth, but Morrison took advantage of a worn down Kidd to win the match!

SMACKDOWN

JTG put up a great fight, but Mike Knox was far too much for him.

The Straight Edge Society beat DX to become the #1 Contenders to the Tag Team Titles when Lex Luger and Vladimir Kozlov jumped DX before the match!

Rey Mysterio made short work of MVP! Rey tried to make nice post-match, but MVP slapped him away.

Sting and Kaval came out to take on Luger and Kozlov...but Gallows jumped Sting from behind, and Justin Gabriel shanghaied Kaval! Sting and Kaval were thrown in the ring hurting! It wasn't enough, though, as Sting hit the Scorpion Death Drop on Kozlov while Kaval brawled with Luger!

WEEK 4

RAW

Bolo came to the ring to provide back-up as David Hart Smith squared off with former partner Tyson Kidd! As Smith moved in for the kill, Yoshi Tatsu ran in and caused a distraction! Things got chaotic with everyone out there, but assistance from Bolo helped fend off Tatsu so Smith could get some revenge!

Jericho stunned Edge with a cradle out of a powerbomb after kicking a chair into his face! Post-match, Wade Barrett jumped Jericho with a lead pipe!

Luger and Kozlov looked impressive, defeating Cody Rhodes and Christian!

SUPERSTARS

In a shocking upset, Justin Gabriel pinned Chris Jericho after a sneak attack from the crowd and a 450 Splash!

Luke Gallows was all over Kane from the start, and CM Punk helped out whenever Kane got a head of steam. The referee ejected Punk, however, distracting Gallows as he walked into a Kane Chokeslam!

Despite interference from Maryse, John Morrison (w/R-Truth) pinned Ted DiBiase.

SMACKDOWN

Gallows jumped Cody Rhodes before the bell, but was surprised as Cody ferociously fought back! As Gallows started to gain the upperhand, Cody caught a small package out of nowhere for the win! Cody offered Gallows a handshake post-match, but was refused.

Rey Mysterio, Rob Van Dam and Chris Masters teamed up to face MVP, Alberto Del Rio and Raven! The match was phenomenal and saw lots of momentum shifts, but MVP planted Masters with the Playmaker to score the win.

Dolph Ziggler pinned Finlay in what was mostly a showcase for Ziggler, hitting the Zig-Zag and putting his feet on the ropes.

CM Punk parked himself at ringside to see Sting put a huge dent in Drew McIntyre's momentum by making him tap to the Scorpion Death Lock! As Sting celebrated, Nexus members David Otunga and Justin Gabriel came to the stage to taunt him!

BRAGGING RIGHTS

Bragging Rights kicked off with Dolph Ziggler vs Shawn MichaelS! Kozlov was at ringside, playing mind games with HBK...and Luger ran out as well! Luger ALMOST interfered multiple times, never actually touching Michaels...but did cause ample distracting to allow Ziggler to score a huge upset!

CM Punk and Luke Gallows absolutely punished R-Truth en route to Straight Edge Society winning the Tag Team Titles from Morrison and R-Truth!

Raw rebounded heavily from a 2-0 deficit, fielding John Cena, Randy Orton and Chris Jericho against Sting, Undertaker and Kane! Cena put Sting away first after the Five Knuckle Shuffle and the Attitude Adjustment! Orton pinned Undertaker after TWO RKOs and a Punt Kick, and Kane tapped to the Walls of Jericho!

The biggest opportunity of Drew McIntyre's career flew right out of his hands as Swagger spiked him with the Gutwrench Powerbomb to retain the World Heavyweight Title.

In a Smackdown vs Raw Battle Royal, Raven, Alberto Del Rio, MVP, Sheamus, Edge and The Miz squared off! Raven went pretty quickly, while Edge and MVP followed. Sheamus and Miz should have dominated Del Rio, but their personal issues exploded and Sheamus helped Del Rio eliminate Miz before winning the battle royal himself!

Wade Barrett's momentum of destiny slipped through his fingers as he was pinned by Triple H following a BRUTAL match...perhaps the presence of David Otunga in the crowd threw Barrett off his game. After the match, Luger and Kozlov taunted the exhausted Triple H.

[My WWE Universe] Hell in a Cell

THE ROAD TO HELL IN A CELL

WEEK 1

RAW

Ted DiBiase made it a point to attack John Morrison with a chair, but Morrison still pinned Mark Henry in a Falls Count Anywhere match.

Ted DiBiase put up an AMAZING fight, even kicking out of Sweet Chin Music once...but the second time was too much and HBK prevailed.

Wade Barrett and EDGE formed a shocking alliance to take on Chris Jericho and John Cena! David Otunga ran in, and got beat down by Barrett AND Edge...Barrett scored the pin with the blood of his mentor, Chris Jericho, smeared all over his chest.

Sheamus destroyed Miz in a cage, but he still overcame Sheamus with the Skull Crushing Finale to regain the #1 Contender spot!

SUPERSTARS

To the dismay of the fans, Justin Gabriel pinned Vladimir Kozlov. He jumped Kozlov before the match, but Santino ran down to keep him from capitalizing right away.

William Regal and Michelle McCool were immediately disqualified against Beth Phoenix and Chris Masters when Regal accidentally struck Phoenix.

Sheamus came down to attack Evan Bourne during a Triple Threat match with R-Truth and David Hart Smith, but Bourne still pinned R-Truth to win! Bourne tried to shake R-Truth's hand post-match, but he slapped it away!

SMACKDOWN

Christian put down Shelton Benjamin in a nice opener. Post-match, Drew McIntyre attacked Christian with a lead pipe!

William Regal put JTG away with the Knee Trembler (and his feet on the ropes).

Big Show, Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger were all eliminated almost simultaneously from a battle royal, leaving Sting, MVP and The Undertaker to go at it. Sting dumped MVP, and turned to face off with The Deadman! They went back and forth, but Sting sent Undertaker to the floor to get the win!

Sting came out to play mind games with CM Punk, but Punk still pinned Drew McIntyre in the first #1 Contender's Match to NOT feature The Undertaker as a participant. McIntyre was reduced to a very bloody mess.

WEEK 2

RAW

Chris Jericho made very short work of David Otunga. Wade Barrett ambushed Jericho from behind and left him laying!

John Morrison and R-Truth beat The Straight Edge Society in a #1 Contender's Ladder Match, but it had more to do with Kaval than anything, as Morrison and R-Truth seemed to have a lot of miscommunication.

Ted DiBiase played smart, but HBK hit a diving elbow to put him through a table and win their Tables Match. As a show of respect, HBK offered his hand, but DiBiase slapped it away!

In one of the more interesting Raw main events. Evan Bourne and The Miz were teamed in a handicap match against Sheamus...which Bourne ended by pinning the US Champion with Air Bourne!

SUPERSTARS

Kane stopped Luke Gallows in a hard hitting slobberknocker!

Vladimir Kozlov and The Greatest American Bolo had to join forces against Daniel Bryan and David Otunga, when Otunga interfered in their triple threat match! Bolo took advantage of the chaos and pinned Kozlov for a huge debut.

Alberto Del Rio outlasted Terry Funk, Rob Van Dam, Chris Masters, Mike Knox and Shelton Benjamin to win a big six-man Smackdown battle royal.

SMACKDOWN

The masked Todo Americano stunned Kofi Kingston to become the #1 Contender for the Intercontinental title in a Triple Threat also involving Christian.

Not even the presence of Layla could help Michelle McCool beat Kelly Kelly. Kelly offered McCool a handshake, but she slapped it away.

DX trounced Goldust and Yoshi Tatsu in a face-face Tag Team Ladder Match.

CM Punk managed to escape the Undertaker in a cage match!

WEEK 3

RAW

Cena fought a bloody, physical match with Daniel Bryan, and nearly got taken down with a ganglike attack by Gabriel and Bryan, but pinned Bryan with the Attitude Adjustment.

Ted DiBiase bought a ticket to see Zack Ryder get hardcore and beat The Miz in a Falls Count Anywhere match to earn a title shot against Sheamus!

Melina came down to do commentary as Natalya beat Eve and Maryse in a #1 Contender's Match, making Maryse submit to a full nelson.

In an unusual main event, Wade Barrett and Edge joined forces with Sheamus to take on Triple H and The Greatest American Bolo. The night concluded with Barrett scoring a pinfall win over the WWE Champion!

SUPERSTARS

At a special Tribute for the Troops show, Lex Luger made his surprising return to WWE! He was slated to take on Vladimir Kozlov and Daniel Bryan, but Justin Gabriel jumped Kozlov before the match! Bryan was outmatched, physically, but he hung in with the two larger men and made Kozlov submit to the crossface! After the match, he laid into Kozlov with a chair!

Nikki Bella stunned Mickie James with a pre-match attack and pinned her with a Spear!

Luke Gallows couldn't make it to Iraq to team with CM Punk against Kofi Kingston and Christian...so Punk had a Mystery Partner: His opponent at Hell in a Cell, Jack Swagger! Kofi and Christian were on fire while Punk and Swagger weren't on the same page, and Kofi kicked Punk's head off for the pin!

SMACKDOWN

Cody Rhodes and Vance Archer had an intense brawl as Drew McIntyre watched on, but Rhodes finally put the larger man down! Cody offered his hand to Archer post-match, but he slapped it away.

Christian made relatively short work of Mike Knox.

CM Punk and Luke Gallows attacked Sting and Kaval before their Extreme Rules Elimination Match, but Sting and Kaval rallied back! Punk wound up tapping to the Scorpion Death Lock, while Gallows was pinned after the Scorpion Death Drop!

Jack Swagger and Big Show had an epic brawl, but Swagger prevailed with aid from, of all people, CM Punk! The match was restarted, however, as a Submission match! Swagger wound up winning when Big Show got a bit confused and hit him with the ring steps!

WEEK 4

RAW

John Morrison opened the show with a thrashing over Tyson Kidd in a Falls Count Anywhere match. Surprisingly, Luke Gallows came out onto the stage and taunted Morrison.

Melina picked up important momentum, pinning Natalya just days before Hell in a Cell, in a Triple Threat also featuring Maryse.

The Greatest American Bolo joined Shawn Michaels and Steve Austin to face Batista, Zack Ryder and the Million Dollar Champion Ted DiBiase! DiBiase looked tremendous in there, but it was a bloodied Zack Ryder who took the fall after a Stone Cold Stunner!

The Miz survived everything Triple H threw at him and then some, in a tremendous non-title match. Lex Luger, of all people, ran in and attack both men, but they recovered and kept at it. Miz finally scored the pin after a DDT, and with his feet on the ropes.

SUPERSTARS

Vince McMahon sat in the audience as Steve Austin faced Daniel Bryan and Vladimir Kozlov! It was a good match, but Stunners all around gave it over to Austin.

Natalya made Melina tap out to the Sharpshooter, after attacking her before the bell!

Kofi and Christian took on Punk with Gallows this time...but Punk still ate Trouble in Paradise for the pin!

SMACKDOWN

Cody Rhodes made short work of Vance Archer in a Falls Count Anywhere match.

Kelly Kelly came down to perform commentary for Beth vs McCool, and surprisingly got into a confrontation with Beth before storming off. Beth still put McCool away.

Kofi Kingston squashed Mike Knox.

CM Punk beat Drew McIntyre in a heel-heel main event...but got laid out by The Undertaker!

HELL IN A CELL

Todo Americano stunned Drew McIntyre and pinned him with a Gutwrench Powerbomb in seconds to become the Intercontinental Champion!

Sheamus fended off Zack Ryder to remain US Champion. The Miz came out to taunt Sheamus after the match!

Natalya attacked Melina before the match began, but Melina had the Sharpshooter scouted! However, the damage was done and Natalya wore Melina down before locking her in it and making her tap to become the new Divas Champion!

A chaotic Falls Count Anywhere match ended with Morrison and R-Truth regaining the Tag Team Titles when Morrison pinned David Hart Smith after Starship Pain!

Miz' flirtation with the WWE Title came to a bloody end in Hell in a Cell, as Triple H reduced him to a crimson mess. Hunter held onto the belt in a hard fought battle.

In an odd choice for the main event, Jack Swagger held off CM Punk in the Hell in a Cell, remaining the World Heavyweight Champion once more!

[My WWE Universe] Summerslam!

For those still interested in the Universe stuff.

ROAD TO SUMMERSLAM

WEEK 1

RAW

John Morrison got a measure of revenge against Ezekiel Jackson after he helped the Hart Dynasty out last month. Though Big Zeke showed some amazing power and resilience, even powering up after the Starship Pain, Morrison caught him with a running knee for the pin...or so he thought. As Morrison celebrated, the match was restarted as a Falls Count Anywhere Match! Morrison put his body on the line, hitting a standing shooting star press on the floor, as well as a corkscrew dive off the top rope to the floor! Tyson Kidd ran out of the crowd and blasted Morrison with a chair, but the tag champ went after him up the ramp! Even a moonsault through the announce table couldn't put Big Zeke away, but Starship Pain finally did.

Alicia Fox came to ringside to get a closer look at Mickie James vs Brie Bella vs Nikki Bella..making her possibly the only one in the building who wanted to watch the match. James ultimately prevailed.

Sting and Kaval vs The Straight Edge Society got started right away with a brutal sneak attack on the floor, and CM Punk DISMANTLING Sting with kicks. Indeed, Punk dominated Sting for several minutes until he could tag Kaval. Kaval missed Gallows tagging in, leading to a cheap shot, but the smaller man's educated feet took Gallows for a loop. Sting came in on fire and set up the Scorpion Death Drop, but MVP ran out! This allowed Punk to slip out, but Sting caught him on the second go! Despite much interference from MVP, Gallows tapped to the Scorpion Deathlock!

Miz jumped DiBiase before the bell, but failed to capitalize! They fought on the floor until DiBiase involved the ring steps and got DQed!

SUPERSTARS

Wade Barrett vs David Otunga vs Justin Gabriel opened the show! Barrett was on the rampage from the opener and it went back and forth with all three men getting their licks in, but a huge boot to Otunga and Wasteland to Gabriel gave Barrett the win.

CM Punk pinned Kane in a match that started with Luke Gallows and Undertaker at ringside. Both men were ejected for arguing with the referee. It took two GTS' from Punk to get the pin.

For some reason, Big Zeke challenged Morrison and R-Truth to a handicap match! Zeke looked good, but c'mon...one guy versus the Tag Team Champions? Who does he think he is? Triple H?

SMACKDOWN

Sting opened the show against Drew McIntyre! The official time was about five seconds...but Drew attacked Sting before the match and they brawled for several minutes on the floor, including CM Punk getting involved. Drew ate two Death Drops on the floor before being sent into the post and then into the ring.

MVP and Cody Rhodes met up next, and Sting shockingly interjected himself! It wasn't enough as MVP wiped out Cody Rhodes with the Drive By!

Vance Archer picked up a win over Chris Masters, in a match that probably went on too long.

Big Show took the Jack Swagger 15 Minute Iron Man Challenge! The crazy part was when Alberto Del Rio ran in and locked the armbreaker on Big Show! Swagger got the pin...then Del Rio attacked HIM! Swagger wound up 2-0 on Show, when Show SNAPPED and kept hitting choke slams, KO Punches and Spears, but not actually going for the pin...giving Swagger the win!

WEEK 2

RAW

Zack Ryder attacks Morrison from the crowd and puts him away in SECONDS.

Otunga attacked Santino from the crowd, but Santino kicked out of his finish! Santino valiantly held on, but Otunga triumphed...but Barrett jumped him from behind with a lead pipe!

Daniel Bryan put up a good effort, but ate a Batista Bomb that put him OUT.

Miz went toe to toe with Sheamus (and paid for it), but got the pin after a Skull Crushing Finale! The match was restarted as a Falls Count Anywhere match, because Miz' feet were on the ropes! They fought all over the arena, but it was Evan Bourne's involvement, hitting the Air Bourne, that allowed Miz to put Sheamus down!

SUPERSTARS

Kane took CM Punk to the limit despite a pre-match rush to the ring, but Punk bloodied Kane and put him away after two non-consecutive Go2Sleeps.

So much for Mr. Nice Guys...Justin Gabriel and Daniel Bryan jumped Santino and Kozlov before the bell...and then David Otunga came out to help them out! The match broke down into an insane brawl, and somehow Gabriel and Bryan got the DQ win, despite Otunga in the ring brawling with Santino.

Sting and Kaval beat Goldust and Yoshi Tatsu in a GREAT face-face tag match...but post-match, CM Punk and Luke Gallows jumped Sting and Kaval, leaving them laying!

SMACKDOWN

Shad Gaspard pinned Mike Knox in a slobberknocker of an opening match after Shelton Benjamin got involved, throwing Knox off his game.

Cody Rhodes came in on fire. Matt Hardy avoided Cross Rhodes, but got caught with the Silver Spoon DDT!

Layla scored a big upset, pinning Women's Champion Beth Phoenix in a Triple Threat also involving Gail Kim!

Big Show managed to pin Drew McIntyre after the KO Punch, but the match got restarted as a submission match! Drew savagely assaulted Show's head, wearing him down and getting a submission!

WEEK 3

RAW

Edge, who hadn't had much to show for himself in a while, managed to pin HHH in a non-title match, despite interference from Shawn Michaels (who also hadn't been around much lately).

Mark Henry dominated Santino.

The Straight Edge Society hit the ring pumped up, but despite R-Truth lurking outside and messing with The Hart Dynasty, David Hart Smith still pinned CM Punk.

The Miz won a brutal cage match with Sheamus, despite no Evan Bourne interference this time.

SUPERSTARS

Wade Barrett provided a distraction, allowing Vladimir Kozlov to beat David Otunga!

Kane and Beth Phoenix teamed up to thwart Dolph Ziggler and Layla, after Kane put Dolph down.

Edge stunned Shawn Michaels with the Edge-O-Matic despite Triple H causing a distraction!

SMACKDOWN

A bizarre Smackdown Fatal Four Way got underway with Luke Gallows jumping Matt Hardy on the floor and hitting the Gallows Pole, while Christian went at it in the ring with World Champion Jack Swagger. Despite nearly being pinned after the Killswitch, Swagger managed to pin Matt Hardy while Christian and Gallows fought.

Drew McIntyre jumped Kane from the crowd, but failed to capitalize. That almost killed him in this match, though he did hit the Future Shock a second time, this time getting the win.

Kelly Kelly upset Michelle McCool to earn the #1 Contender's Spot for Beth's Women's Title! Kelly offered McCool a handshake, but she slapped it away.

Kofi Kingston shockingly pinned The Undertaker after Trouble in Paradise in a Falls Count Anywhere Triple Threat also involving CM Punk to become the #1 Contender for the World Title at Summerslam!

WEEK 4

RAW

The surprising duo of Wade Barrett and Ezekiel Jackson shocked John Morrison and R-Truth in a non-title match!

Eve pinned Maryse in a #1 Contender's Match after Maryse had words with guest commentator Melina! At one point, Eve hit a moonsault through the announce table!

Sheamus hit the ring on fire, fending off Zack Ryder and The Miz! Triple H hit the ring, going after The Miz as well, giving Sheamus the opening needed to prevail!

Triple H was DQed when he dropped a chair on Edge's foot. Seriously!

SUPERSTARS

Shelton Benjamin pinned Kaval in a high impact Superstars opener!

Maryse took advantage of the situation and pinned Melina in a Triple Threat also involving Natalya, while Eve watched on from ringside.

Batista won an epic, 5-second encounter with Vladimir Kozlov.

Drew McIntyre used every dirty trick in the book to beat Kane and Christian and become the #1 Contender to the IC Title!

Alberto Del Rio runs headlong into The Undertaker and loses, as CM Punk watches from the crowd.

Sting got into a brawl with CM Punk on the floor, but that didn't stop Kaval from pinning MVP to pick up a win over MVP and Mark Henry!

Jack Swagger looked dominant in a Falls Count Anywhere match over rival The Big Show. As Swagger got ready to leave the ring, he put the boots to Big Show.

SUMMERSLAM

Sheamus dominated Ted DiBiase and won the US title.

Drew McIntyre outlasted Kofi Kingston and took him the IC title! One highlight being a release German Suplex through a table. McIntyre had hit a prematch assault, but Kofi stayed in it because he feet were in the ropes.

Kelly Kelly completely upset Beth Phoenix to win the Women's Championship!

The Hart Dynasty made short work of R-Truth and John Morrison to regain the Tag Team Titles in a Ladder Match!

The Miz endured a BRUTAL six man Hell in a Cell, pinning Wade Barrett (with his feet on the ropes) to beat Cena, Batista, Edge, Barrett and HBK!

Jack Swagger ended a very good night for the bad guys by beating Kofi in an Inferno Match!


RAW

WWE Champion: Triple H
US Champion: Sheamus
Diva's Champion: Melina
Tag Team Champions: The Hart Dynasty

SMACKDOWN

World Champion: Jack Swagger
Intercontinental Champion: Drew McIntyre
Women's Champion: Kelly Kelly
Tag Team Champions: The Hart Dynasty

Next up, HELL IN A CELL.

[Smackdown vs Raw 2011] My WWE Universe So Far...

So I have been annoying people on Facebook for a week or so with my WWE Universe on Smackdown vs Raw 2011. I decided I would blog my Universe, after a couple of buddies expressed interest in the idea, and since I don't want to open a second blog (and this one never had a single stated purpose anyway), here it is.

For those who don't know: WWE Universe is a new mode that's like the GM Mode from previous games, but less crap. You don't have to worry about running out of money, you just play through the WWE calendar of four Raws, four Superstars, four Smackdowns and a PPV. You can change the matches, the participants, the rules, skip matches, or stick with what they give you.

For a geek like me, it's pretty cool.

So anyway, here is my WWE Universe so far, summarized as I didn't remember every little detail:


Starting Champions

RAW

WWE Champion: John Cena
US Champion: The Miz
Diva's Champion: Alicia Fox
Tag Team Champions: The Hart Dynasty

SMACKDOWN

World Champion: Rey Mysterio
Intercontinental Champion: Dolph Ziggler
Women's Champion: Michelle McCool
Tag Team Champions: The Hart Dynasty

THE ROAD TO BACKLASH

- Sheamus destroyed Edge multiple times over The Road To Backlash, winning the #1 Contender's spot from him.

- John Morrison and R-Truth feuded with the Straight Edge Society over the #1 Contender's spot, while DX seemed to face Mark Henry and MVP a lot, with Chris Jericho and The Miz interjecting themselves into DX' business. Ultimately, I turned Henry and MVP heel as they seemed to benefit from outside interference a LOT.

- John Morrison beat partner R-Truth and Ted DiBiase to earn a shot at The Miz at Backlash.

- The WWE Universe was rocked by several shocking arrivals, including Gail Kim attacking Kelly Kelly on Smackdown (and losing), as well as Finlay going after Jack Swagger.

- Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes teamed up on Smackdown against Big Show and Rey Mysterio, with Cody walking out on Drew, leaving him to get beaten. This led to Cody turning face and sparking a feud with Drew.

- Swagger secured a World title shot by defeating Big Show.

BACKLASH

R-Truth beat The Miz and John Morrison in a Triple Threat Match to win the WWE United States Title.

Dolph Ziggler pinned Kofi Kingston to retain the Intercontinental Title.

Alicia Fox beat Eve Torres to retain the Diva's Title. Her celebration was interrupted by the shocking arrival of Mickie James, who pinned her to win the belt.

The Hart Dynasty retained the Unified Tag Team Titles against The Straight Edge Society.

Jack Swagger defeated Rey Mysterio to win the World Heavyweight Title.

Sheamus shocked John Cena to become the WWE Champion.

ROAD TO EXTREME RULES

- Chris Jericho had a banner month, starting off by beating John Cena for the #1 Contender's spot for Extreme Rules. He then defeated DX in a handicap match after Miz jumped Triple H before the match started, and Sheamus interfered during the bout. Six days before Extreme Rules, he met Cena again, and The Miz ran in...turning on Jericho! Cena looked fairly shocked, but Jericho still rolled him up out of nowhere for the pin.

- Big Show fended off CM Punk and The Undertaker in a Triple Threat match to become the new #1 Contender to the World Heavyweight title. As a preview to the match, Jack Swagger utterly humiliated him.

- R-Truth's first night as US Champion ended in seconds, as Batista destroyed him.

- The Straight Edge Society looked dominant as Luke Gallows shockingly earned an Intercontinental title shot.

- Kelly Kelly again earned a shot at Michelle McCool, despite never receiving her last one.

- Mickie James had to fend off Maryse and Alicia Fox in a handicap match, and then brought Melina in to challenge them, with her in Melina's corner. This ultimately led to Melina earning a title match.

- The Nexus debuted at the end of the month, with Tommy figuring out how to get online to work. Also, Goldust debuted, beating Sheamus by DQ.

- Vladimir Kozlov and Santino made one appearance as a team, splitting up after a loss to Kane and The undertaker.

- Finlay and Mike Knox formed a surprising team called Hard Knox.

EXTREME RULES

The Miz stunned R-Truth to regain the US title.

The Hart Dynasty held off R-Truth and John Morrison.

Luke Gallows crushed Dolph Ziggler in a Tables Match to win the Intercontinental Title.

Melina pinned her friend Mickie James to win the Diva's Championship.

Jack Swagger defeated The Big Show and then brutalized him with a chair post match.

Sheamus beat Chris Jericho despite outside interference by Evan Bourne.

ROAD TO THE BASH

- Triple H fended off Batista in a Falls Count Anywhere Match after a Pedigree on the floor to become the #1 Contender to Sheamus' WWE Title.

- Sheamus was put into the #1 Contender's Match for the US title, but he quickly just attacked Zack Ryder with a sledgehammer, getting DQed.

- Morrison and R-Truth earned a rematch with The Hart Dynasty.

- Wade Barrett pinned Chris Jericho in a Fatal Four Way Hell in a Cell that also featured John Cena and Sheamus. Barrett and Jericho would be at ringside as David Otunga and Daniel Bryan faced off, before getting ejected for fighting with one another. Bryan went on to win that match.

- Sting debuted on Smackdown in a tag match with Kane, dominating Vance Archer and Matt Hardy.

- The Big Show was supposed to wrestle Jack Swagger and The Undertaker in a Triple Threat on the Smackdown after Extreme Rules...but CM Punk had ambushed him instead, and took his place!

- The Undertaker became the #1 Contender to Swagger's World title. In a PPV Preview, Swagger squeaked by 3-2 in an Iron Man Match after being DOMINATED in the early going.

- Luke Gallows helped CM Punk beat Christian and Kofi Kingston in a #1 Contender's Match for Gallows' own Intercontinental title.

- Maryse earned a shot at Melina and the Diva's title after a series of sneak attacks from the crowd.

- Beth Phoenix earned a Women's Title shot, despite Kelly Kelly never receiving HER title shot.

- Drew McIntyre's and Cody Rhodes' feud has raged ever since splitting back in the first week of April, with Cody taking the lead initially, and Drew picking up the wins recently.

THE BASH

Despite the Straight Edge Society attacking them before the match, John Morrison and R-Truth defeat The Hart Dynasty to win the Tag Team Titles.

Zack Ryder stuns The Miz to win the US title.

Christian is inserted into the Intercontinental title match between CM Punk and Luke Gallows, and stuns the Straight Edge Society by pulling out the win.

Melina handily defeats Maryse.

Triple H fends off Sheamus, despite a brutal pre-match attack.

Jack Swagger faces The Undertaker in a second Iron Man match, and pulls away with a dominant victory after some vicious assaults with a chair.

ROAD TO NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS

- The Hart Dynasty start exhibiting tensions, and Tyson Kidd even teams with Ezekiel Jackson to face R-Truth and Morrison in a non-title match, but it all turns out to be a ruse as David Hart Smith helps Kidd and Jackson win. The Dynasty goes on to beat The Straight Edge Society to become the #1 Contenders.

- Despite Maryse' best efforts, Natalya becomes the #1 Contender to Melina's Divas' Championship, teaming with Kidd in a losing effort against Melina and Morrison.

- Sheamus beats Jericho to earn another match at Triple H, and handily defeats Triple H himself a couple of times in non-title matches. As Sheamus celebrates his victory over Jericho, Hunter wipes him out with the title belt.

- Sting and Kaval form an unlikely partnership after beating Dolph Ziggler and Alberto Del Rio.

- CM Punk finally earns the #1 Contender's spot against Jack Swagger.

- Despite Miz and DiBiase joining forces in attacks against R-Truth and Morrison, they face off for a shot at Zack Ryder, which DiBiase wins. This later turns ugly as DiBiase attacks Miz with a lead pipe after Miz pins Randy Orton.

- Nexus implodes as Wade Barrett interferes in a match between David Otunga and Daniel Bryan, attacking Otunga. The story gets stranger when Barrett's facing Kozlov, and Justin Gabriel shockingly attacks BOTH men.

NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS

John Morrison and R-Truth fend off The Hart Dynasty.

Kofi Kingston pins his friend Christian to win the Intercontinental Title, after months of feuding with CM Punk and being unable to crack into the top contender's spot for the World title.

Ted DiBiase beats Zack Ryder to win the US title.

Beth Phoenix crushes Michelle McCool to end her Women's title reign.

Jack Swagger escapes Drew McIntyre, The Big Show, CM Punk and The Undertaker in a Championship Scramble.

Triple H fends off John Cena, Batista, Sheamus and The Miz in a Championship Scramble.

Heading into Summerslam, the champions are:

RAW

WWE Champion: Triple H
US Champion: Ted DiBiase
Diva's Champion: Melina
Unified Tag Team Champions: John Morrison & R-Truth

SMACKDOWN

World Champion: Jack Swagger
Intercontinental Champion: Kofi Kingston
Women's Champion: Beth Phoenix
Unified Tag Team Champions: John Morrison & R-Truth

I'm almost through Summerslam, so it'll be up sometime soon, and I will probably break down and do a full review of the game soon.

Tommy's Take on Wild World Wrestling

See, I always thought that the WWE Know Your Role RPG was one of the most underrated d20 releases I had ever read. It wasn't perfect, no, but it was MUCH better than it had any business being. Unfortunately, some combination of Comic Images and WWE stumbled like crazy and the game only got a single release before dying out.

Tony Lee, as part of his new Timeout Diversion Games, has overhauled Know Your Role, stripped out the "WWE" parts of it, and has released Wild World Wrestling, a new 118 page PDF in hopes of providing wrestling fans who are also RPGers with a new, fully supported version of a great game.

The production values are a noticeable step up from Killer Thriller, with several color photos splashed throughout. The PDF does lack bookmarks, which wasn't a huge issue with Killer Thriller, but is a little moreso with this.

OPENING BELL

This is the introductory chapter, explaining the design philosophy. This game is very much focused on in-ring action and not the nuts and bolts of running a promotion, so that things like contracts, expenses, etc., are non-issues.

Everyone is assumed to have a stable of characters (with a number of levels divided up among the characters, not generally equally), and the author even insists that the game can be played solo, since everything is ultimately up to the dice.

COMING DOWN THE AISLE

This is character creation. The six d20 stats have turned into five: Power, Athleticism, Brawn, Instinct and Flair. All five abilities apply to a certain move type, as well as having additional uses, such as beating countouts, giving interviews and avoiding submissions, etc. There is no true "dump stat".

The abilities are ranked from +5 to -5 with 0 as the average. There are two methods of character generation: Random - rolling 1d6 - 1d4, for a range of -3 to +5, or point buy, with characters having 5 points to spend, and abilities being able to be "bought down" in order to give extra points.

Instead of hitpoints, the characters take fatigue damage, of which every 20 points gives a -1 to rolls, and - on critical hits - injury damage, which last far beyond the match.

WWW retains the d20 level scale, with each level corresponding to a position on the card from curtain jerker to main eventer. This section also provides a suggested "spread" for each player's group of wrestlers, to allow maximum possibility for the players to remain involved, as well as providing the best ratio for the fed.

Instead of alignments, characters have Attitude - Face, Heel and Tweener. This allows certain tricks for each wrestler, based off of their mindset.

Weight Divisions modify Abilities while the Weight Mod is applied to most of the actual maneuver attempts...for example, it is much easier to powerbomb a guy who is 140 lbs than a guy who is 350 lbs. HOWEVER, it can be crippling when a giant goes down, as that same weight modifier becomes bonus damage when he does fall. Heat is an in-game currency that can be built up to do some extra tricks.

Characters are further defined by Skills (4 per level, modified by certain other Gimmick Enhancements) and Gimmick Enhancements (4 at level 1 and 2 each additional level).

With only 8 basic Skills (some of which can be further defined), the skill system is more streamlined than in KYR, and Gimmick Enhancements are fairly extensive, replacing Feats and Talents from Know Your Role.

Some Gimmick Enhancements allow you to change the abilities that modify a certain roll, while Finishers are purchases through Gimmick Enhancements as well. Monster Comeback allows Faces to "Hulk Up" while getting beaten on, and Reckless Abandon gives you bonuses on moves that have the potential for hurting you as much as helping you.

There's even a very nice "Repackaging" GE, which allows you to rebuild yourself from scratch...new Gimmick, new Finisher, etc. This is very much in line with pro wrestling, where guys go from evil dentists to impersonators of former stars to demonic half-brothers from Hell.

There are also Flaws, like Injury Prone and Overconfident. The interesting thing about Flaws, is that your opponent gets to decide when they kick in, allowing them to take advantage of your weaknesses. Flaws can get you an extra Gimmick Enhancement, and can be bought off by sacrificing an Enhancement.

Star Power is an awesome, optional rule that can allow you to boost up your lower level wrestlers and penalize your higher level wrestlers, to simulate the pushes and de-pushes that wrestlers receive.

WAR OF THE RING

Here we get the basic system, with the Difficulty, and the rules for Critical Hits and Misses (which, as mentioned, can be devastating in a wrestling match).

Combat is pretty important obviously. Whoever has initiative cam fprce their opponent to declare their move first, while also gaining a +2 to their own maneuver rolls...generally, you will want to save your more difficult maneuvers for when you are at a distinct advantage. Once each side picks their move, they roll off, applying modifiers...the winner inflicts his damage on the opponent, narrates the action for the round and gains initiative for the next round.

Rules for Stun are also present, as you can knock an opponent loopy and essentially just place them on the defensive.

Pinfalls are broken into segments, with modifiers for each part of the three count (Finishers give an automatic 2 count), with extras that can help pin attempts out, such as hooking legs for leverage and so on.

The amount of depth in the combat system is pretty impressive, covering submissions as well, disqualifications, ganging up on opponents and even attacking multiple people at once (with a growing penalty the more attacks you perform).

Tricks are extra tactics that Faces, Heels and Tweeners use in a match, some of which require Heat and some of which doesn't. For instance, you can spend 2 Heat to steal your opponent's Finisher...and if you do enough damage to gain Heat (likely), you get two Heat back instead!

There is also "Quick Match Resolution", determined with a simple die roll modified by Star Power and Heat.

WHAT A MOVE!

This is the chart of modifiers used to build your own move, as well as the dozens of moves pre-built. Note: There is no set stats for a move. For instance, one guy may have a clothesline that hits harder than another's...he just pays a bigger penalty for it (but that may be compensated for by having a higher matching Ability).

It covers a WIDE range of moves, nearly 20 pages of maneuvers statted out and ready to go, or available for quick modification. Superkicks, powerbombs, clotheslines, DDTs, you name it, it's all here. Those familiar with KYR will be familiar with this system as it is largely the same (if not identical).

THE ROAD TO STARDOM

This is the advancement system, which has been streamlined somewhat from KYR, doing away with the large XP totals of the d20 table and replacing them with a much smaller AP system. Title belts are still present, completel with benefits and Bonus Gimmick Enhancements that allow for a "Champion's Advantage", in this case providing stats for a fed's Primary Title, Secondary Title, Tag Team Titles and Women's Title.

BRINGING THE AWESOME

This is all about putting a show together. This includes how many segment each wrestler is allowed to appear in...I assume it's supposed to be 1 + Flair, but it was worded very badly. There are also guidelines on rating Promos (interviews) and Vignettes (skits) which, at your groups option, can be a combination of die rolls and votes from the players. This can allow you to gain more Heat.

One new addition is Ring Rust, potential penalties applied to wrestlers who are coming off of extended breaks, with the longer they have been gone meaning that they have bigger penalties to work off. This can be due to extended injuries, Legends getting challenged by mouthy young wrestlers and so on.

Several gimmick matches are also included here...likely enough to allow most groups to suss out their own gimmicks, like Ladder Matches, Hardcore Matches. Steel Cage matches, Battle Royals and Tables Matches.

CURTAIN-JERKING JABRONIES, MID-CARDERS & MAIN-EVENTERS

The book ends with a dozen wrestlers and one manager, all "inspired" by existing stars like John Cena, Paul Bearer, The Undertaker, The Miz, Mr. Kennedy, Jay Lethal, Samoa Joe and Jack Swagger. Obviously, you can use these guys yourself, use them as guidelines to model your own real life wrestlers or ignore them completely.

Lastly, we get a two page character sheet.

THOUGHTS

No index and no bookmarks are definitely going to be strikes against it. There is a table of contents, at least, and the PDF is searchable, but that won't help much who buy the impending print version.

Wrestlers should be MUCH easier to make now, as there are no more level limits on Skills, Talents or Feats, and classes have been done away with completely as well. With a little work, any existing KYR wrestlers SHOULD convert easily enough, though you may want to consider adding Flaws.

While I haven't played this version yet, I did play KYR and thought it was great. Unfortunately, I don't have a ton of gamer friends who are also wrestling fans, so my personal use of this may not go very far unless I can set up a PBP fed or something.

I've read every wrestling RPG available, I think, and played most wrestling games available, and I would have no reservations about giving this a big thumbs up.

Just...don't mind the pictures. They're a nice touch...but a bit cheesy in that "indy wrestler mugging for the camera kind of way".