They Call Me Bruce - a WreSpi dynasty

[Axxon]

They Call Me Bruce
with deepest respects to Johnny Yune

Everyone knows Bruce the Giant, the aussie terror of the wrestling world. He is the worlds biggest draw quite literally, standing 7'4 600lbs. He wrestles for the Burning Hammer Of The Wrestling Gods, the largest, most popular promotion on the planet. He's literally the hero for countless children the world over and is flat out revered in Japan. He's the Dean Houston of Wrestling they say.

Well, I'm not him. I'm simply Andre Erkman from Tampa Fla. I just happen to be a giant and my friends take great delight in calling me Bruce. My enemies call me sir. In my neighborhood standing 7'1 500 gets you a lot of respect. Unfortunately, it doesn't pay the bills.

For that, I need something more. I've just graduated from Chamberlain High School and barely qualify for "do you want fries with that" jobs. College seems out too as I am not scholarship worthy and I haven't got enough money saved for that.

Last night, my friend Buck came over and we were talking about this. He asked me if I'd considered following in the footsteps of my idol, Bruce and I laughed. He kept at it though and finally he pulled a business card from his wallet and handed it to me. It was a card for a gym called Axxon's Gym. I looked at the card and thought 'why not?'. I'd give them a call.

Can it be that I will rise from the ranks just like the great Bruce and become the man that women swoon for and men cower from? Tomorrow, I'd take the first steps on my journey to discover the answer to this and other questions.

Tomorrow, the career of, hmm, what shall I call myself? I've got it. The career of Andre the Giant will be born.

*************************************************************************************************

"It's the same as Bruce" was what Axxon said when I told him my stage name. "Might just as well wear his old jock if you're going to copy him. I don't like it at all."

Well, I was crushed as you might imagine but I stood my ground. Let me tell you, when a 7'1' tall man stands his ground it gets results. Axxon just stared up at me and shook his head.

"Gonna have to do more than that to intimidate a pro, Andre, we've got a lot of work to do."

We went into the gym and did some work basically to see what I had to work with. Axxon told me we'd set the tempo and tone of my early career based on what I showed.

"Basic chops, punches and kicks" Axxon decided finally. Concentrate on beating the crap out of the guy. It's what you do."

Sigh, I was expecting more somehow but I can't say it doesn't make sense. I am good at beating the crap out of people.

"Oh, and the Airplane Spin. Not too flashy a move normally but when you're spinning the sucker in the stratosphere it gets noticed."

[Axxon]

Next up was getting a gig and there I had to do a lot of the legwork. I sent my resume to every federation that would look at it. The week that I spent waiting for replies was tough but I concentrated on my work at the gym polishing up my moves and getting in sport condition. It was harder than I thought.

Finally offers have started coming in. I had six meetings set up and since I'm pretty much living off my savings I'm planning to take every job I'm offered for now.

First up is 21st Century Wrestling. They're a small fed located in the south of England who happen to need a giant to fight. The promotion is full of weasly rope jumpers and shifty grabbers and the only bust em up types are the Elimination Agents and Danny Patterson and they're all heels. There's a real opportunity here to be the enforcer for the good guys and I'm the best candidate.

Right now though, I'm being offered an openers role which is to be expected. I plan to open some heads when I'm given the chance. I accept their offer for a 6 month gig at $20 a performance.

I am now a bona fida professional wrester!

Canadian Charisma Championship Combat was the next on the agenda. While they are the smallest of Canada's big three promotions they're still a rather big deal and they don't necessarily want me but they've offered to give me a match for free to see if they'll be interested. Of course, I'd love to get paid but if I get a spot on the roster out of it, I'd pay them to let me try out.

I don't have to though so I'm off to Canada when they call.

Coastal Zone Combat Wrestling also wants me as an opener. They are a small but talented promotion in the South West USA. I'd say the key is on the word talent. I'm surprised they want me for sure but they do so I'm working. It's the same 6m $20 deal.

Oh, and there's lots of fine ladies working the promotion. I wonder if any of them can handle a real giant?

*************************************************************************************************

New York City Wrestling was my next meeting. They are a small promotion out of the Tri State area and they're offering the same opener deal as CZCW. I like this fed, they've got themselves some fighters and I'm sure I'll be bashing heads with the best of them. It's the same money but I think I'll learn more from them than my other deals so far.

Ring of Fire Wrestling out of the Midlands of the UK was next up. They are the smallest promotion after me and they're offering the best deal although $24 vs $20 isn't something to cheer about. They do want me higher on the card so I'll get some experience with better matches. I like that idea. I have to learn how to wrestle but I need to learn how to be a star and Lower Midcard is closer to the stars than opener. Heck yeah, I accepted. I was disappointed that Johnny Cash had nothing to do with the promotion though. That's a letdown.

FInally comes Ultimate Combat Ring or UCR. They're a rather decent sized promotion in Europe and like 4C, they want me to try out. Now, on my budget that's a stretch but I really can learn something, even if it's minor so I'm going to make the trip.

Now, all there is to do is polish up my move set one more time, set a training regimen and wait for my first match.

[Axxon]

On Tuesday, June's schedule came out. I have six dates and none of them conflict which means I have the potential to earn 84 bucks and 2 jobs. My first gig is tomorrow, with 21CW. I am a bit miffed as they want me to be a heel but I'll go with it and turn at the appropriate time. I notified Axxon about the heel thing and he harrumphed and said something about me not being prepared for heel moves.

"You know what a chair is?" he said as he handed me one. "Learn how to use it" and thus my bad guy training was complete.

On wednesday, I flew to england and learned what my fate was tonight. Me and Genocide Agent are taking on a team named Thunderbolt and Stardust. Thunderbolt and Stardust? Sounds like a couple of sweet fellahs. They are both high fliers and very popular but Genocide and I are planning to lay a beating on them. One day I hope to be brawling WITH Genocide but for now, we're laying the beating down together. At least I hope we are.

Backstage was a collection of the best and the brightest of 21CW. Then there was me of course. Merle O'Curle was there, he's one of their big eventers. Had to talk to him.

Both Pit Bull Brown, the fed's booker and Tyler Baker the owner were there and basically helpful. With guys like this running the show I think I'm going to like it here.

Suicide Agent was backstage too but not Genocide. Suicide hadn't seen his partner but told me not to worry and in fact offered me a few pointers for my match. Nothing big but it was appreciated.

Stardust was there too and he was not so friendly. He was so not friendly I almost had to bash his head in before I got paid for bashing his head in but I knew that wasn't such a good idea and economically unwise to boot. I'll get him in the ring.

*************************************************************************************************

We were the second match on the card. Rave and Arson Wells would be the opener and they put on a great match with Arson getting the win. Now it was our turn. I was in the ring first but unfortunately Stardust let Thunderbolt in first. Unfortunately for Thunderbolt anyway.

[editor note]At this point, which is the first time it's happened to me, but a wicked problem with the game occured. There is no verification on the move selection screen when you exit and you MUST hit save or all your work is wiped out. I accidently had exited without savings so I went into the match with literally NO moves and all my work preparing gone. I ended up quick simming the match and we won anyway so no harm but there was no match to write about so I won't.
Still, this is a warning as it's horribly easy to make the mistake. Fortunately it's not that bad unless it's your first match. [end note]

[Axxon]

"OK, so you forgot all I taught you" Axxon started in and when I went to protest he simply held up his hand and continued. "Don't worry, I've worked out some kinks in the old program anyway and now you should be set up to be the proper heel you look to be.

I was set to try out my new act in the Ring of Fire Trompe Le Monde but they cancelled at the last minute. Said something about not having enough wrestlers available or something. Actually, they said they didn't have enough wrestlers with no moves available but I take that as good natured ribbing. I like good natured ribbing. I'm planning to let them know with traditional good natured face smashing next time I'm at one of their events.

I'm not a bottom line kind of guy but that $24 is going to hurt. It's top ramen for me tonight I'm afraid.

*************************************************************************************************

Sunday was my next match and it was my UCR tryout. I was pitted in the opener against Puffy The Sand Iron Player. This disgruntled golfer is another brawler and in fact is better than I am but he's never went toe to toe with a pissed off giant. He would tonight though.

I did the backstage thing but it wasn't a big thing. I didn't expect to be in the promotion for very long so I kept it civil but at a distance. Still, I got some good pointers and everybody was encouraging. I was ready for my real debut now.

I was shocked when Puffy went for the eyes straight off. I guess he wanted them to be Puffy too.
I took his best and then I opened up with the eyegouge too. Not because I like the move but I want to send a message. Avoid the peepers Puffy.

I worked him into the corner and let him taste the bottom of my boot a couple of time. When he slips out of there, again with the eyegouge. He calls this brawling?

Well, he throws a few more punches but I hit him with the DeBones shaker and put him down. I use a slingshot to the corner and next thing he knows Puffy is tasting boot again. I can see his energy beginning to wane and I'm on it like a shark on a diver.

He falls to the mat and I throw down a flurry of punches then connect with a Giant Swing which has him down, dizzy, and yes looking really low on energy now. I'm already warming up my big moves.

The next few minutes sees the tide turn a bit as Puffy finally starts working me over. He kept throwing in eye gouges though and it really had me ticked off. The anger wasn't helping me though as Puffy throws me out of the ring and heads for the top turnbuckle. I get up and aim to stop this. We struggle for a few but finally I knock him down and get back in the ring.

We were face to face again and this time I got the shot in and floored him with the DeBones Shaker. We're both ready to fall now and the crowd is waking up. I'm not ready to finish it though so I'll keep brawling but I'll have to be smart too; I don't want to end with a loss either.

Puffy catches his wind and the next few minutes are brutal. He busts me open with a DDT. I'm not so worried about the crowd now; I need to win and soon or I'm done for.

Puffy hits a couple more DDT's in a row and now I'm mad. When Puffy goes for the low blow ( apparantly my eyes aren't the only thing he wants puffy )I countered with a firemans spin. I got greedy and went for a Dread Splash to set him up but he avoided it and tried for a quick pin but I kicked out at the last second.

It was back to the DDT's for Puffy but I avoided the second one and hit him with a reverse DDT of my own. We trade a few more shots when I take him down with another DeBones Shaker. Now, I am not playing and I hit him with a Ground Roundhouse Kick. Ever been hit by a Ground Roundhouse Kick by a giant? I didn't think so. Well, it doesn't feel good. It also busted him open so now we're both bleeding.

I check out the crowd again and they still want more. I avoid the pin and we keep working.

At the 17 minute mark I push Puffy into the corner where he avoids my boot but when he goes to attack the blood blinds him. I hit him with a piledriver and he's down again. After he slips another move I counter another low blow and we're back to square one, him down, me barely standing. I'm beat. It's my first match and it's pushing 20 minutes.

Puffy is easily avoiding my big moves now. I'm out of gas but not out of the match.

There's blood everywhere. Neither of us can see and we stall out a few times. It's a real effort to make a move but we are game. Finally, Puffy hits me with a couple of DDT's and I'm really ticked. I manage to fight him off when he's trying to set me up for yet another DDT and I hit the Lifting Rreverse DDT on his butt.

This is my finisher and I'm thinking I've done it but no, Puffy kicks out at the last second. At this point I was wondering what I had to do to win a match around here.

Four more minutes go by, mostly with me getting beat but we both are stopped in our tracks by the blood loss more than once. Finally, at this point I see yet another chance and I go for the Proton Lock and it's on. This move is a killer and saps your will to fight.

It sure sapped Puffys will and you can guess the feeling I had when he told the referee he submitted. Wow.

The match went 25 minutes and was rated a B. This is stunning for an opening match. I think this fed just might hire me now. Yes, they just might indeed.

[Axxon]

There was a call for me the next day. UCR wanted a meeting. I also heard through the grapevine that Puffy put in a good word for me and thinks we'd be good friends. Puffy is one heck of a brawler so I could see us having a rematch or maybe even become a tag team.

The UCR folks surprised me. They want me as an opener for a year on the roster and they're willing to pay me $40 an appearance. I don't think I've ever said yes that fast. I may just have a career in this wrestling business after all.

[Axxon]

It's monday and the BHOTWG is running an event. Bruce is the main event, taking on The Awesome Kiyaru. Should be a good match. I think I'll order the pay per view and tape it. I shouldn't since I'm draining money but I'll mark it down as a business expense.

Meanwhile, I was working for NYCW the same night. I'm pitted against Sammy the Shark. Sammy is a talented all arounder and he's a heel. He's more polished and the better guy right now but he's no Puffy so I stand a chance. Time will tell how that goes.

I met Whistler backstage. He didn't really like it when I asked how his mother was doing. Marv Earnest didn't like it much either when I asked if he knew the importance of his last name.

Now, on to the match. I started it off with the business and landed a DeBones Shaker. I may have to make this one my own somehow soon. I drop a leg on him a few times then slingshot him into the corner and he's already starting to lose energy. It's fun hitting guys that are littler than you but the crowd is far less impressed with the results.

Sammy is shifty though and he slips out of the corner and hits me with a few gnats kisses before I swat him down with a big DDT. I follow that with a beatdown and try another slingshot but he gets out of that one. Again, Sammy futiley tries to wear me down but soon he finds himself the victim of a big bodyslam and he's ready for the business. It's only 3 minutes into the match and while I'm tempted, Sammy needs to take some more punishment before I finish him.

I pick him up and throw a few roundhouses that find their target and then I hit him with the Dread Bomb and I again, avoid trying the pin. I let him get up and then hit him with the Head Hunter Special which is a huge boot to the head.

The crowd is into the match but it hasn't been spectacular. Still, I don't want this one to slip away so I try for the pin and get it at the 5 minute mark. The match ends up with a C rating from the crowd. I wanted better but I wanted the win.

I did hear that the crowd was talking about me but not necessarily the match. That helps and once I'm a bit more established I can milk my matches further but for now, this was a decent United States debut.

Bruce won his match by the way and it was a good one. Man that aussie sure can fight. I realize that I still have a long long way to go but I kinda secretly wish Bruce would have been watching me Sunday night. I think he would have approved.

[daedalus]

Spiff dynasty so far, Axxon. Thanks. :)

I shall be following.

[Axxon]

Monday of week three in June had me working for CZCW. I would be going against Tijuana Vampire. When I first heard that I thought I'd be facing a mixed drink or something but it was a real wrestler. He's a high flying heel opener and we are indeed opening.

I decide to talk to him backstage to wish him luck but I brought along some garlic and a cross. Hey, you never know.

It turns out that Vampire was a decent but weird guy and we wished each other the best before we headed out to fight. That's quite civil of us don't you think?

Vampire came out like a bat and quickly started flapping his arms trying to hurt me. Heck, he even went for the really quick pin in the first minute but I was up on the count of one.

I made him pay with a quick flurry of punches that left him dazed and on the mat. Again, I find that at the three minute mark I have left a foe on the verge of defeat. Is this going to be another cake walk.

Well, for the next few minutes I"m hounding him but not connecting. I'm trying all my wow moves and while he isn't putting up a fight, he is keepiing the hell out of the way. I get a few shots in but I'm wearing myself out which isn't good.

At the 7 minute mark and feeling just a bit frustrated I connect on a DDT and plan my next course of action which is the patented Slingshot to the Corner. No luck. This sucker is slippery as he slips out of my move.

He hits me with a Twisting Neckbreaker but can't work on my knee from there. I DDT him yet again. So far, that seems to be the one move he can't dodge or break.

I know it wasn't my style but my next move had to really shock the crowd. I climbed up onto the top rope and landed an awesome Dreadsault. There wasn't much left of him but a stain at that point.

I want to close bigger though so I try my Ground Roundhouse Kick which he easily avoids, god knows how, then he hits me with a Running Dropkick. He followed up with a Seated Dropkick and then picked me up and hit me with a SUper Kick.

I never saw it coming and I was down for the three count at the 9 minute mark. It was a C grade match so I looked bad personally and didn't give a good match. In all, I can't understand how I fell so quickly because I didn't feel hurt.

It left me angry, upset and bitter that I'd toyed with this fool. I also left with a deep resolve not to let this happen again. No more mister nice wrestler. When I have a guy now, I'm finishing him period.

If I were my opponents, I'd be afraid, very afraid.

***********************************************************************

[Axxon]

Spiff dynasty so far, Axxon. Thanks. :)

I shall be following.

Thanks, I appreciate that. :)

I'll try to make it a fun read.

[condors]

Good start please don't let it die

hope your enjoying the game as much as myself

[Eaglesfan27]

Excellent read. I'll be following this with interest.

[SweetC]

I agree this is very immersing, great job!

[BYU 14]

I have been following this closely too, keep it coming. :)

[Axxon]

It was tough getting over the loss and I only had two days to do it. Axxon told me to consider the whole thing a learning experience. He said no one much cares about your first year in the business anyway so long term it shouldn't be a bid deal.

Maybe, but I didn't want it to happen again. In two days I was going to have my try out match for 4C and I wanted the job so it was time to put the nonsense behind me and destroy whoever they were going to send against me.

That someone was Brett Fraser, a canadian with a very weird hat and a bad attitude. He's an old school brawler so we should be able to work the crowd up nicely. Hopefully this will land me the gig.

Backstage I learned a few things. I learned that Ace Youngblood does not know how to take a compliment. I learned that the Wizard of Ottowa does NOT grant wishes. I also learned more helpful job related stuff too. All in all, a fun time while waiting to take on my next foe.

I decided to make a statement to Fraser right away and I came out firing a DeBones Shaker. I'm going to patent my version of it and call it the Giant Club which is a silly name but I'm not that creative.

I am, however effective with the punch as Fraser found out when he went down on my first punch. I slingshotted him into the ropes and continued to work on him by planing a big boot in his face three times before he managed to get out of there.

He knee lifted me and being the snake in the ring he is, he went for the choke hold which I easily broke which left him down in the ring. I slingshotted him again into the corner and again got in three more boots to the face. The hat oddly enough stayed on.

On the third shot he crumples to the mat so again, I 'shotted him to the corner. It may be boring but it's damned effective.

This time I varied it up a bit and added a scrape to my boot move. Similar but hurts a lot more and can cause blood. It only took one of those suckers to drop him.

Finally Brett got the idea about my slingshot move and he broke free of it. I can see he's wearing down though.

Brett Fraser is an old school brawler and tough guy. What does he try next? An open hand slap. How sweet. I avoid that easily and try another Giant Club but it barely misses him.

Well, this wakes the boy up and he's all over me as he beats me silly for the next couple of minutes until I can slip out of one of his holds. I'm out of energy but I'm still dangerous and now I'm ready to get serious. Probably should have been ready sooner.

We danced around for a few minutes halfheartedly throwing punches that were easily avoided until he got the bright idea of trying a rope move on me. Well, I hit the ropes and kinda stood there while he charged right into another big boot which sent him down.

Went with the slingshot, scraping boot route again. When this again puts him down I broke out the flash for the first time nailing a Dread Splash on him turning him into a human pancake or some reasonable facsimile thereof. He isn't down for the count however and he fights back.

I nail him with a twisting neckbreaker about a minute later and try a big legdrop which gets nothing but mat and I'm on the defensive again. Let me tell you, I think I'll just stick with the soles of my feet not my legs from now on. Big guys like me don't do so well hitting the mat like that.

Fraser tries to pick me up and give me the business but I'm having none of it. I get up and hit him with the Samoan Drop which is weird since neither of us is samoan but it was effective none the less.

I want to set him up for my finisher of the night, the Corner Sit Down Splash, but he blocks my slingshot and takes the offense. How does he use this gift? Another open hand slap that I block dismissively. I don't know how they fight in canada but if they're always slapping folks it sounds boring.

We go round and round for a few minutes and at the ten minute mark I finally am able to get him in the corner. I can't seal it though so it's back to the give and take.

This soon turns into take as I go about 4 minutes not being able to break a hold or gain any initiative. I'm running out of gas and will take any finisher at this point. The Bizarro Bump gives me a shot as it drops him to the mat.

I chose to go with the Ground Roundhouse kick which continues with the boot theme and which is right on target. It busted him open and left him for dead. I figured it was all over except for the counting.

There was counting all right. Me counting unhatched chickens as he kicked out in the last second. I went for my Strong Arm Tactic and it was a bullseye so hopefully THAT would end it.

Nope, this bad boy still had some fight left in him and I'd squandered two potential finishes. It was time to fight smart. I could easily see losing this thing like the last match and I didn't want that.

So I went for finisher #3. This time I attempted the Leaping Piledriver and connected with that one too. I was running out of ways to beat the crap out of him so this one better do it.

And it did. The match went 16 minutes and was given a B- ranking. Considering that the first 12 minutes were pretty boring the fireworks at the end were pretty flashy and left folks talking.

I also realize that I'm better suited to fighting power guys. You can keep the half pints and jumping beans. They annoy me. Give me a funky canadian in an even funkier hat and soon wrestling fans the world over will be chanting the name Andre.

Or so it went in my dreams that night, which were great dreams indeed.

The next morning my agent is on the phone telling me to hustle because I have a meeting with Troy Winner, the owner of 4C. I hustle down there and sure enough, they want to sign me.

It's a $40 per appearance deal for a year in the opener spot. A year is a long time but who am I to push it? I sign the deal and look forward to much success with them.

[Axxon]

Thanks for the support guys. On the weekends I don't have much of a chance to dynasty write but expect regular updates on sunday through thursday. :)

[daedalus]

Cool deal, Axxon. Good match against the Canuck!

[tategter]

Enjoying this one a lot. Keep up the great work.

[Axxon]

I had some time off after Wild and Wicked. I wouldn't have another booking in June so I could really hit the training room and practice what I'd been working on. I also was going to take the time to patent my own version of a couple of moves I've been using.

As I said, fans are going to be talking about the Giant Club, not the DeBones Shaker. I'm also stealing, I mean adapting the Bizarro Bump and calling it the Elbow of Doom. Bizarro King won't mind, he took the move from Darryl Devine himself. It's basically just a springboard back Elbow off the middle rope. It packs a mean punch though and really looks impressive when I do it.

I'm also going to call the Ground Roundhouse Kick I do the Skull Smasher. It is a low percentage move but seems to be really working for me and it fits well with the whole brawling package. I'd like to use it to seal my matches whenever possible.

That was enough for this month. Too much thinking makes my head hurt sometimes.

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On the first monday of July I eagerly await word from Sophie, my assistant, about my match schedule for the month but she doesn't have the information yet. Oh well, I hope I don't have a match set for tonight. I just might be late.

Luckily, I didn't have one so on tuesday I got a glimpse of the month to come. It opens the next night at CZCW Kick Start. I'm looking forward to wrestling for them again. My last match with them was my disappointing loss to the Tijuana Vampire. I really need to gain some respect back with these boys so I'm hoping for a good matchup. I want my revenge but I don't need to fight Bat Brain again and I doubt I'll have to.

Crap, Both 4C and UCR were holding their event on the same night. These were my two biggest paychecks and there was the very real chance whoever I pick wouldn't even use me in the show. That means I might have to miss out on both paydays and was guaranteed to miss one. This really wasn't what I had in mind.

Oh well, first things first and that was CZCW. I was matched up against the infamous Dog Fyte. He knows how to fight and is a powerful brawler but he also is a very gifted grappler as well. I was going to have to try and get him to fight straight up because if he went the wrestling route he'd be out of my league.

Speaking of Dog, I met up with him backstage and we went over the upcoming match and he gave me some pointers on how to work the crowd. We wished each other luck and went on our way. He seemed like a good guy. It's a shame I had to destroy him.

I met Miss Mexico backstage too and let me tell you, "la chica esta muy bonita."

She taught me to say that.

After a while, it was time to rumble.

I wasted no time trying out my Giant Club. The audience was impressed with it and Dog didn't look too happy that I landed it. He fell to the mat. By now, you know the routine. Into the corner he went. The boot he ate. Then he made a mistake. He didn't just go down.

I uncorked a Corner Boot Scrape to compliment the simpler to do Corner Boot. Quickly realizing his mistake Dog went down which led me once again to try a move named after David's favorite weapon. Hmm, funny that this was being used BY a giant, not on one. I landed another Corner Boot Scrape. I had him worn down enough to start trying more complicated moves on him.

Of course, he slipped the very first move I tried, the Rear Naked Punch Flurry. Time to see what he brought to the ring.

Not much, at least not yet. He hit me with some basic stuff but never really got control. I was still trying my moveset but he was not beat enough to fall for them. In a moment of frustration, I unleashed the Elbow of Doom!

That took some of the wind from his sails. I further wanted to take his wind so I landed a Dread Splash. SHH! What was that sound? The sound of internal organs rupturing? I think it was.

I flipped him over and unleashed a flurry of punches. Shame I was playing the babyface. I would have loved to get in some chair work here.

Well, this ticks him off and he goes on a two minute run on my skull. He's still throwing the punches though which is what I want to see. He weakens me but it's just not enough. Well, he was suckering me in and he countered my Roundhouse Punch with a forearm blow and then he hits me with a DDT. That was going to leave a mark. When he followed that with a single Leg Grapevine I finally realized I was in a fight. Now my energy was sapped.

He got greedy though and tried the Grapevine again but I avoided this one easily. The crowd was getting into it now. I went for the Elbow of Doom but he avoided it and hit me with two more DDT's in a row and followed that up with some punches that quite frankly I never saw.

All I know is, when I finally avoided one it was the 8 minute mark and I really had to capitalize on this opportunity because I might not get another one.

I started with the DDT. Not a signature move by any means but I wanted the fool to know how it felt.

He slipped the slingshot though and rammed my head into the turnbuckle instead. Not exactly what I had in mind. He then DDT's me again and that has me a bit annoyed. I slip his STF and then hit him with a Diving DDT.

"I'll see your DDT and raise you a Diving DDT", I said and I was thinking about the other DDT moves in my arsenal. I was ready to unload them if I had to.

We tussled after that for a minute or two but I finally busted him open with a Roundhouse Punch. The crowd oohed and aaahed, they had what they came for. Blood.

I tried to end it with a Skull Smasher but it was too early. I missed him easily.

He came back with another DDT and a couple of punches then applied the SST. I'd never been hit with a submission move before. Man it hurt. It had me on the brink but I summoned my last reserves and managed not to submit.

I decided turn about was fair play. I smashed him with the Vessey Line and then applied a submission move myself. I had him in the Proton Lock.

Unfortunately for Dog Fyte, he didn't have the will I did and he submitted. I looked up and was stunned for a second but the crowd looked happy. I'd beaten him in 12 minutes and received a match rating of C+. Not a bad nights work and people hopefully would realize that the Giant they saw against Tijuana Vampire wasn't the Giant they could expect to see again.

In other news, Prince Adam and Tijuana Vampire defeated the Gilbert Brothers for the CZCW Tag Team belt. This sucks because I like the Gilbert brothers. Maybe I can help them with some paybacks.

[Axxon]

The next outing for me was with 21CW at their End of the Line event. I had made my debut with 21CW as the giant who couldn't even throw a punch or anything. It hadn't gone well as you might imagine. I'd need to fix that impression in a hurry on sunday or it could easily be the end of the line for me in this promotion.

On sunday Axxon made a point of complimenting me on my progress in training. I hadn't really noticed but come to think of it, I do feel like a better wrestler. Hmm, maybe it was just a motivation thing but you never know.

I was eager to see my matchup on sunday but I was disappointed by it. I would be fighting Thunderbolt. I hate fighting high fliers and I certainly didn't want to fight the guy I'd fought before. I wanted that match out of everyones mind. Wasn't going to happen.

I was 100% certain that I'd hit Thunderbolt with tons more than I had last match. That would be a good thing. I'm sure he wasn't happy being on the losing team in that match and I'm sure he'd think losing to me again would be worse. Should make it a good match anyway.

Backstage both Stardust and Thunderbolt were waiting for me. I could either take my ribbing like a man or react like a Giant. I decided to be a Giant of a man and take it but not exactly like it. They did get a bit chummy after they saw how I handled myself and Thunderbolt said we should have a great match tonight. All in all, I felt good going into the ring.

I did remember to add a few chair shots to my bag of tricks. I'd be the bad guy after all.

It was a slow start as we both spent a few seconds feeling out each others defenses. I was having a heck of a time with his speed and he simply couldn't hit hard enough to hurt me. It was a standoff.

The problem with relying on speed is you're going to get hit sometime and Thunderbolt soon felt the Giant Club. He didn't like it. He really didn't like finding himself in the corner receiving my now popular Corner Boot Scrape.

He fought back kinda gamely but to no avail and he soon found himself in a similar situation. I went for the gold too quickly however and my Corner Sit Down Splash got nothing but air. Methodically, Thunderbolt started working on me and I couldn't fight his speed. He wore me down a good bit before I could get my control back.

I decided that I was going to have some fun and work the crowd out so I tossed him out of the ring. I went after him and tried to grab a chair. He didn't like this and fought back but it only prolonged the inevitable and I brought the chair down across his ribs. The crowd hissed their disapproval and I snarled at them.

Thunderbolt countered my next shot which was right at his head and punched me. Wisely, he decided to take the action back into the ring. He tries to hurt me and I try to toss him back out of the ring but neither of us were having much luck with it. 8 minutes had already gone by.

I send him to the mat with a Giant Club but when I try my Dread Smash, he quickly avoids it and then cradles me for a pin attempt that I barely kick out of. Not good, Andre. I had to keep focus or this would end badly. I hate high flyers.

Two more minutes of having cheap holds that I was too lumbering to do anything about reinforced that hatred but finally, as with all good things, they had to end and Thunderbolt found himself on the losing end of a bodyslam. I pick him back up and nail a Vessey Line which draws blood. Now we're cooking with gas.

Well, my momentum was shot for the moment and we traded some more attempts before I saw my next opening. While he was distracted, I pulled a pair of brass knuckles and let him have it with them. Unfortunately the ref saw it and he warned me but hopefully the damage was done.

Well, it did something anyway as Thunderbolt found his fifth wind. He not only was hitting me, he countered what I threw at him. He wasn't doing enough damage though to really take me out but I was out of gas and struggling.

Fifteen minutes had gone by and I once again forced Thunderbolt into the corner. I'm sure I don't have to say how. I decided to end it before I couldn't. I went for the Corner Sit Down Splash but again he avoided it and again he rolled me up but this time I couldn't kick out. He got the pin.

It was a loss but the match was a C+ match and I'm proud of what I gave out there. I have trouble with this kind of opponent. I know that. But I did take him deep into the match and had my shot at finishing him and when he pinned me I knew that I hadn't left anything in the ring unlike my match with Vampire. I could live with that night. I just wonder if 21CW could live with it and me.

[daedalus]

A smidge more schooling and he's toast! We're almost ready for moving up to the big (er, midcard) time!

Motivated by this thread, I downloaded the demo (man, it took awhile on my 56K) but, unfortunately, it was unhappy with my computer. I shall continue to live out my wrestling dreams (for the love of JYD) vicariously through this thread!

[Axxon]

A smidge more schooling and he's toast! We're almost ready for moving up to the big (er, midcard) time!

Motivated by this thread, I downloaded the demo (man, it took awhile on my 56K) but, unfortunately, it was unhappy with my computer. I shall continue to live out my wrestling dreams (for the love of JYD) vicariously through this thread!

That sucks about the demo. Have you tried to contact tech support? Maybe they can fix it.

I don't want to lose the reader obviously but it sounds like you'd really enjoy the game and I'd like to see you get the shot. :)

As for being ready for the midcard time, I don't think so. Andre wasn't a particularly well conceived giant unfortunately so he's going to take some time. I have a techie wrestler and a speed guy that I created that I run when I'm not at work and those guys are developing at a much better pace.

If you want to see a better brawler in action may I suggest condor's dynasty. He built squid more like I should have built Andre.

As a bit of a teaser my next installment will see me choosing between 4C and UCR so tune in tomorrow to see who Andre picked to wrestle for and would they even let him wrestle. He really needs to wrestle. He needs the money. :)

[daedalus]

That sucks about the demo. Have you tried to contact tech support? Maybe they can fix it.Not yet. My guess would be that I will have to download and update 37 things on my computer which is already pretty much held together with the proverbial duct tape, gum and a whole lot of prayer and, with a 56K connection, I'm not looking forward to the waiting terribly much.I don't want to lose the reader obviously but it sounds like you'd really enjoy the game and I'd like to see you get the shot. :)No way in heck you'd lose me as a reader. I'm here for good! :DAs for being ready for the midcard time, I don't think so. Andre wasn't a particularly well conceived giant unfortunately so he's going to take some time. I have a techie wrestler and a speed guy that I created that I run when I'm not at work and those guys are developing at a much better pace.True. Seems like Andre is still lacking *something* to let him finish off those guys he has on the rope.

As much as you use the boot scrape, you need a name for it!!! :DAs a bit of a teaser my next installment will see me choosing between 4C and UCR so tune in tomorrow to see who Andre picked to wrestle for and would they even let him wrestle. He really needs to wrestle. He needs the money. :)Woohoo! I'll be here on the same Bat Channel. Er, same Bat Thread, same Bat Forum.

[Axxon]

I had a week to kill before my next fight and it was time to hit the training hard. I sat down on wednesday with Axxon and my personal trainer and we tweaked my schedule to hopefully give me better results. I can't wait to hit the gym.

I can already feel the improvement come sunday. I did a few more tweaks to adjust and I was raring to go. Tuesday was just around the corner!

Well, I got the announcement tuesday that UCR was the promotion I was expected to fight for. I will be going with Puffy's promotion instead of "Crazy Hat" Fraser. It should be fun. Puffy and I have become friends and maybe we can match up again.

The only bad thing is I'm more known in Canada than Europe but events like Into the White hopefully will change that.

It might but not this year as UCR did me the pleasure of leaving me off the card. It would be a night of sitting around backstage pretending to be a real wrestler. That's ok though. I'd take note and if I have this kind of decision to make again I'll know who not to choose. It's the only fed I'm working in Europe anyway so I can afford to blow them off.

On a lighter note, the match between Dark Falcon and Super Falcon should see some feathers flying.

Backstage? What can I say.

Wonder Boy didn't have any white bread. Complimenting Miss Information didn't turn into a Miss Take but I wouldn't have minded. Byron didn't have anything poetic to say at all.

All in all, I made the rounds, networked and tried not to look too sad.

My man Puffy beat Ian Vincible in the opener which made me feel better because not only was I rooting for him but he's pretty popular in Europe and if he's the opener I can understand that not using me wasn't an insult. They were just going out with their best and brightest this show.

I keep telling myself this anyway.

In the second match Super Falcon beat Dark Falcon to retain the UCR European title. These are some high flying Falcons indeed.

In a stunning upset Hershel the Hammer and Bully Benrubi beat Double Dutch for the UCR Tag Team titles. Better come up with a tag team name quick boys; you're big time now.

Oh lord, Byron lost a stunner to Inky the Squid Boy who called it a colossal win.

Finally, Sergei Kalashnov outwitted the Scheming Behemoth to retain the UCR World Combat title. Scheming Behemoth? I'd never seen one of those before but lets just say he fit the name.

On the way home I was reflecting on all I'd seen and heard and strangely I felt that I understood the industry a lot better than I had before. I had stored away some pretty good knowledge and information. Surely that was worth $40.

I wonder if the rent man would agree?

[Axxon]

As much as you use the boot scrape, you need a name for it!!!

I've been wanting to but haven't thought of a good name for it. Give me one and I'll use it. :)

[BYU 14]

How about the "Thunder Foot" :)

[Axxon]

I didn't have a lot of time to dwell on everything though. I had to hustle back to New York for NYCW Apocalypse Now the next night. Here I found that I would be wrestling in the opener against Owen Love an excellent technical wrestler who was recently hired by both NYCW and 4C so I'll be getting to know much more about him.

He's pretty well known in Canada but he's unknown at all in the USA and that's the only reason he's on the opener against me. It's his debut not really my night to shine but I hope to spoil this debut. I did for Sammy the Shark but Sammy is more of an all arounder and nowhere near as skilled as Owen.

I could only hope that win or lose I'd put on a good match and get the crowd excited. Gaining fans in america is a big part of my future plan.

Backstage I managed to corner Roger Dodger and we had a friendly chat. I asked Spike if he could nail down some tips on improving my mike skills. I didn't let Inky the Squid Boy cloud my judgement and finally, Sammy the Shark wasn't jumping mad over his loss. I was feeling pretty good going into the match.

I was informed right before the match that there was a 30 minute time limit. Jeez, 30 minutes? Might as well have made it 30 years because there's no way I can last 30 minutes right now nor can someone take my beating that long.

I was getting a bit annoyed by how long it was taking for Owen Love to make his way into the ring. He was moving very slowly letting his theme music fill the arena as he hammed it up. I know it was his debut but damn.

I complained to the referee but he just looked at me, shrugged and said, "you can't hurry Love, no you just have to wait."

Fine, but I was annoyed.

Well, eventually the match started and I was a bit overeager. I quickly went for the Giant Club but it didn't get close to Love. He tried to put me in a headlock but I slipped out of that, turned and hit him with a backbreaker.

Not my traditional start but I'd take it.

Love slipped my Slingshot then went for the eyes which drew a warning. My vision barely cleared in time to see a Spinning Back Kick come my way and I just barely avoided it. Almost reflexively I threw my Giant Club and it rocked Love in his tracks.

I tried to throw a Rear Naked Punch Flurry but of course Love slipped it. I hate guys I can't just manhandle. Love was having a time with me as well as I avoided his drop kick then immediately nailed him with a DDT.

I was a one move wonder though as he broke my slingshot.

He gets me in a hammer lock then lands a drop kick but after avoiding his Fist Drop I can't come through with another Rear Naked Punch Flurry. This match wasn't exactly a crowd pleaser at this point.

I took a forearm to the back for my efforts but avoided the ensuing Dropkick. At this point I think the crowd was actually reading the program or something but they weren't too interested in us flailing around in any case.

Taking advantage of his position I popped him with the Elbow of Doom and the noise of sheer pain woke the crowd up. I followed up with the Dread Smash which was a huge risk and one I promised myself I'd only try once and I nailed it. Pancake time!

Love was a bit stunned and I went for my Skull Smasher and he never saw it coming. It was a clean hit right to the chin and Love was seeing stars. It was only 4 minutes into the match but I wasn't wasting this chance and I went for the cover but Love kicked out at the last second.

I tried a dread bomb but no luck and followed with a leaping piledriver but to Owen's credit he kept his composure and regained his bearings. Buying some time he gouged my eyes but again my vision cleared up enough to avoid the ensuing Enziguri Kick which left him down in front of me.

I slingshot him to the corner and go for my closer the Corner Sit Down Splash but he avoids it then cradles me and gets the cover. That's it. I'm retiring that move permanently. I'll still keep the Dread Smash because occasionally I hit with it but the risk is just too great and I am a total wuss as a giant if I can't slip weak covers when I'm not even tired.

I leave very discouraged. I know I should be happy almost taking a competitor like Owen Love but losing like that is really disheartening. Maybe this wasn't the career for me. Maybe I should take cooking lessons or something but I wasn't a very good giant.

That night I looked up at my poster of Bruce and wondered if he went through the same kinds of things when he was starting out. It was looking like I may never have the chance to find out.

[Axxon]

How about the "Thunder Foot" :)

I like it! It's better than the name I thought of after that last match.

I wanted to call it "I Only Throw This Because It's One Of The Few Decent Moves I Can Throw Without Facing An Immediate Pinfall If And When I Miss It Kick" otherwise known as the IOTTBIOOTFDMICTWFAIPIAWIMI Kick!!! :D

Seriously, one of my few peeves with this game is that the counter pins succeed far, far too often. I was still full of stamina and energy and NONE of the pinfall moves could even possibly pin me but a weak counter and I'm done. I just don't think it would go down that way and I certainly don't remember these reversals being that common, or ever when both wrestlers are fresh.

I mean, I can bash your head in repeatedly with a chair, moonsault onto you from the top ropes, beat you senseless and you can still kick out at 2.5 but a fully rested, fully fresh wrestler often is pinned by a trick reversal? No, but it's my only gripe and it happens to the computer too so it's minor in the scheme of things.

Annoying when it happens though. :)

[Axxon]

Again I was advised not to worry about it. In fact, even though it didn't do me much good it was a relatively well received match getting a C rating which is phenomenal with a 5 minute match. It should keep me in the fed or so I was told. I'm not so sure about that.

I had a week before my last job for the month which was ROF Wrathchild. I did dedicate myself to training and trying to improve but to be on the safe side, I decided to take that cooking class after all. Hey, it never hurts to have something to fall back on.

I was scheduled for a tag team bout. It was myself and Genocide Agent against the Scotsman and Manchester Fly Boy. I relished the chance to work with Genocide Agent and I knew that the Scotsman was softer than the tissue he was named after. I didn't like the sound of facing someone called Fly Boy but I could always let Agent work with him.

I had a peek at Manchester Fly Boy and realized I had nothing to worry about as long as I was careful and didn't beat myself. He was just as green as I was and even though his style was hard for me to work with, he didn't seem skilled enough to really give me too much trouble.

This match was shaping up to be one we could win at and showcase some skills at. It was almost like charity work but I really needed something like that right at that point. It seems that Geordie Jimmy, owner and head booker of the fed could tell this and threw me a bone.

I intended not to blow the chance.

On the other hand, we were the opening match, followed by Miss Information vs Alpha Female. When you're lower on the card than the opening womens match you really aren't exactly proud of the achievement.

Backstage found me talking to Genocide Agent and Manchester Fly Boy. I don't know where the Scotsman was, maybe the bathroom. Anyway, we joked it up and talked about how good of a match we were going to put on and generally networked.

I also spent some time with Miss Information. She told me she also manages a bit as well as wrestles and if I ever wanted to turn and be a heel she might manage me. Hmm, tempting thought indeed.

I was also happy to see Geordie Jimmy and I took the time to thank him for the match tonight but he played it off and said he booked on talent not feelings then he gave me some tips to improve my wrestling game.

I entered the match, confident and relaxed. Hopefully not too much so.

As luck would have it I started out facing the Scotsman and he took off and nailed me straight up with a running clothesline followed by a stomp. I rolled away from his Elbow Drop though and got ready to start myself.

I slingshot him into the corner and tried the Thunder Boot but he avoided it as did I when he tried to kick me in the gut. This back and forth went on for a minute until I upped the ante with a Diving DDT.

I then hit him with my Skull Smasher. Should I try and end it now? I've been an idiot before but it's only one minute in.

Nope, I pick him up and try a Dread Bomb but he blocks it. He can't say the same for my Strong Arm Tactic though and that's the second finisher I've hit in two minutes. Hoping the sheer power of my display may move the crowds I went for the pin.

The match was over in two minutes. The crowd wasn't really happy and awarded a D rating but my confidence got an A+ boost and I really needed that.

I'd make Geordie Jimmy a happy camper next show but I got the impression that he already knew that.

[Eaglesfan27]

"You can't hurry Love"

Love the humor. Great writing style. Reading this with continued interest.

[Axxon]

That was it for July and August was entering with a bang. Well, it was entering with UCR Mass Slaughter on the first day of the month and they had booked me!

I was the third match on the card facing Ruud Van Anger. It wasn't going to be a cake walk. Ruud, half of the ex tag team champion team Double Dutch was facing me in his first match after losing the belt. Great.

Plus, he was a high flyer which I just LOVE to face. Still, I loved the spot on the card creeping higher and fighting someone that the audience knew well was either a sign of prestige or that they wanted me to lose and run me out of the fed. Either way, I was grateful for the match and the $40.

Before the show started I ran into Puffy the Sand Iron Player. I tried to talk him into joining CZCW and feuding with Tijuana Vampire. I told him he could call himself Puffy the Vampire Slayer and get over quick plus it'd help me out. Friend or not, he didn't want to make the move at this time.

I decided to stay far away from Speedy Marie backstage. Quite frankly, HE scares me. I did hang out with Alpha Female a bit which isn't much difference but at least she is what she's advertised to be.

I kinda was sad that Miss Information wasn't going to be there though. I was getting used to talking to her. Oh well, I decided to chat up Geena The Warrior Princess instead.

I talked to Wonder Boy. You could say he's bred to be a wrestler. Lastly I spent some time talking to Super Falcon. I asked him how Super Snowman was but he asked if I'd meant Frosty. I hadn't.

Well, social hour was soon over and I was off to face the mad dutchman. I asked him if he knew Paul Verhoeven but he said no. Who really does though, know what I mean?

I was in the mood for a rumble so I brought a rumble. A quick Giant Club, followed by a slingshot, a Thunder Boot and a Rear Naked Punch Flurry and at the one minute mark I had Anger more hurt than mad.

I did him a favor by trying the Skull Smasher but he avoided it, hit me with a forearm blow then tried to clothesline ME. Well, that worked about as well as you can expect.

I returned the favor nailing a twisting neckbreaker then tried another Skull Smasher which he avoided. A miss on another forearm smash put me in position to BAM! Elbow of Doom him and he went down hard. The Elbow of Doom isn't misnamed. Being on the receiving end of one of these is a painful, painful way to make a living as he found out.

I'm now insisting I kick his head in and I try another Skull Smasher but he avoids it again. Of course, he has the whole clothesline thing in his head and he tried it again with similar nonresults.

I connected with a Vessey LIne at that point, opting for the out of the usual move but got the usual result. I considered, briefly, more corner work but since I retired the closer and I'd already brought his energy down, it just didn't seem like it would be as fun as it used to.

I decided to Skull Smash one more time but again he avoided it and again, I avoided his return move which was to try and kick me in the gut.

I tried to floor him with a Samoan Drop but he countered that move with a Kick to the Gut which connected. He followed that up with a forearm blow then finally hit a running clothesline on me but I quickly avoided the running senton he tried next and it left me standing over him in the ring.

I grabbed his legs and gave him a ride on the Giant Swing as I spun him around and around and around then let him land. I was a little bit dizzy myself at that point so when I went to Smash his Skull I aimed at the middle one and still missed. Anger got no satisfaction from his clothesline attempt though and this started a fairly useless exchange of near misses between us.

At the 5 minute point I was able to work him into the corner where he slipped my Train of Pain and regained the initiative. After he threw a couple of punches that I let land ( I didn't want him to feel he wasn't accomplishing anything ) I hit him with the perfect DDT and this time I finally connected with the Skull Smasher which was about time as I was beginning to feel a bit like Martin Grammatica at that point.

Anger was seeing red at this point but it was the telltale red of his head being busted open. All in all, it was still early in the match but it had been a fast paced match. I went for the cover and he couldn't kick out.

Disappointing I couldn't carry the match further and versus a brawler I would have. I wasn't going to take the chance against a high flier. Not any more. I was happy to settle for a 6 minute, C rated contest. Very happy indeed.

In the match after mine, Bully Benrubi beat Frank De Pain for the second time in a row and both members of Double Dutch went home losers. Had to hurt more for Frankie to lose to the guy who just beat you for your title.

Of course, I'd know nothing yet about challenging for, much less defending titles.

[Axxon]

A quick look at the rest of the months schedule made me quite happy. I had no conflicts on the schedule at all so all five of my pending dates could see me wrestling. That would be a great month indeed.

First I had 4C Scars and Stripes to contend with and if I wrestled in that I'd have already made $80 which is only $4 less than wrestling all four of the smaller feds would give. Still, $164 is far short of the $500 I spend in expenses each month. I'd need some healthier contracts coming in soon.

Come match sunday I did a light workout and Axxon was complimenting me on how successful my new training regime had been. I hadn't noticed it until he mentioned something but I did feel faster and healthier. Of course, it's all relative. A snail feels he's zipping along when he goes downhill too.

That night I lost the $40 I never had but had dreamed about. I was sitting for this event, which isn't bad. What hurt was that the Headliner was Owen Love vs Darryl Devine.

SIGH. Could have been me.

What was even worse was that there wasn't anyone backstage I could even make fun of. Basically, I schmoozed everyone there and enjoyed the event. I especially enjoyed it when Darryl Devine finished off Owen Love.

On that friday I'd have another chance to not wrestle,this time on the 21CW Blaze of Glory card.

I found out I was indeed going to wrestle on the card as part of a 6 man tag team. It was Martyn Staddon, Brent HIll and myself vs Glen Ward, Thunderbolt and Brilliant White. I'd fought Thunderbolt a couple of times including losing to him the last time we met. This would be my first time working with everyone else.

How would I do? Tune in tomorrow and find out. :)

[Axxon]

I found out I was indeed going to wrestle on the card as part of a 6 man tag team. It was Martyn Staddon, Brent HIll and myself vs Glen Ward, Thunderbolt and Brilliant White. I'd fought Thunderbolt a couple of times including losing to him the last time we met. This would be my first time working with everyone else.

Martyn Staddon opened the match for us, facing Glen Ward. It was the story of a brawler vs a young all arounder. Martyn was the brawler and he showed it hammering Ward with a flurry of punches that knocked him down then proceeding to stomp him seven straight times until he missed on the eight try.

Ward went on a run of his own using mostly basic grappling moves. Neither fighter hurt the other though in all of this. Staddon hit a legdrop at that point then unleashed a Seated Punch Flurry, then another set, and another, then had one blocked.

Man, this guy was mister repetetive.

Man, this guy was mister repetetive.

He proved me right nailing 12 stomps in a row. He only stopped because he got tired. He decided to tag out to me. I came in at the 3 minute mark and immediately slingshot my fallen opponent into the corner and did a Thunder Boot. I'm glad I got my bit in for the evening. Now it was time to work the crowd.

I took him for a ride on the Giant Swing then nailed him with a Rear Naked Punch Flurry. I wasn't planning on my next move. I was ready to slingshot him but I noticed he wasn't paying attention so I hammered him with the Skull Smasher which finally busted him open.

Again I find myself at the four minute mark with the ability to close out the match. I decide to try it and boom, match over. Wow, the crowd was going crazy and I hammed it up. They were throwing cups and booing and I was showing them my guns and yelling at them. I knew I'd be in the local tabloids in the morning.

It would have been fun to take this one further. The 4 minute match only drew a d rating and it was high on the card. I could have concerned myself with 21CW and tried to give them a good show but I had made myself the show and it had worked. I more than doubled my over. I may have burned a bridge or two at 21CW but the bigger feds, the paying ones, want you over first and foremost and there was one way to get that. Quickly beat down the opponent then seal the day.

I had a chance to be the one sealing the day and I took it. Now, people in England will remember the name of Andre the Giant.

[Axxon]

[non story post]

A quick note about what just happened and a couple of game related comments for those thinking about the game.

I wasn't intending to fight this battle this morning but I accidently clicked continue and couldn't and hadn't saved yet so I had to. I wanted it done asap as it's really picking up here at work. That's the main reason I decided not to keep the match going and racking up a better rating.

I'm realizing though, that a couple of things people think about the game just aren't so, at least at the beginning.

I gained 4 attribute points in this match. It was my best gain by far and in most of my long matches I got zip. It's one thing that was slowing his progress.

I'm finding that longer matches don't give better rewards as some have said. It makes sense you're gaining more experiences the longer you wrestle but I'm not seeing it. I would love to get two points a match much less four.

Feeding the lower feds means keeping your job longer, true but is that a good thing?

In my other career I have Bizarro King and he ran into a problem. He is a gifted tech wrestler who wins all the time and gives nice long matches.

Right around christmas he starts getting fired from his feds and I was wondering why. He got fired from 4C right after a B- match.

Soon I was down to two feds at $20 a pop. None of the feds wanted to hire me back and the rest of the feds said I wasn't over enough so I was faced with having better stats but no jobs. Losses hurt your over; wins help them.

A quick win might get you fired first but I feel like I'm running the race to get enough overage to not care about this and when I'm dropped, get picked up by the bigger feds who pay more.

I think I got fired in a numbers game. I was only an opener but my stats and over were too high for me to give the matches they wanted from an opener so it was stupid to keep me ( as the booker books by status not stats ). Maybe not, but they complained about lack of balance in their roster and that was the only way I was out of balance.

In any case, that's why I decided to go with win at all cost rather than look good. I'll have time for that later. Now I want to get known. Anyway, that really is it for this morning.

[edit to add]

I dont' mean to suggest I think you gain more attribute points with shorter matches. I just don't think match length matters at all or at least not much.

That leaves the choice between taking the sure win and improving your own rep or taking a chance at losing and hurting it but helping your fed.

At $20 a pop, I can tell you that the former is far more attractive an option but this career will help tell if the gamble pays off.