TEW 13: Watts Way or the Highway

[DeToxRox]

After taking an extended break from playing TEW 13 the bug has bit me again. I will be using Genadi's Golden Age 1987 mod for this dynasty. While not perfect, this is still a damn fun mod to use for nostalgia purposes. Considering the time period there is going to be a lot of competition for me to overcome as I play through as booker of the UWF. I fully expect this to end poorly for me but at the same time I think that is what makes this so much fun.

[DeToxRox]

UWF Overview

Owner: Bill Watts
Size: Regional
World ranking: 10th
Money: $100,000
Prestige: B-
Momentum: D
*Member of the National Wrestling Alliance

Quick thoughts: $100,000 isn't a ton of money, but right now we are just running a one hour TV show every week with a supercard at the end of every month. We shouldn't have too much problem putting on shows that draw money, but we also can't be going out and hiring every guy under the sun. Thankfully our NWA membership will alleviate some of our issues thanks to talent trading.

One negative to being an NWA member though is that we are not able to run shows in other members territories. We happen to be the only promotion based out of the Mid South, but three other promotions call the South East their home. This unfortunately means our most logical territory to expand into is blocked for the time being. I do have a plan for expansion that I will get into soon though.

[DeToxRox]

Roster

Main Eventers

The Missing Link [F]
Bill Irwin [H]
Big Bubba Rogers [H]
Ted DiBiase [H]
Michael Hayes [F]
One Man Gang [H] UWF Heavyweight Champion [B+ Prestige]
Terry Gordy [F]

This is a really solid group of Main Event talent. Even better, outside of Link, none of these guys are older than 33. Of course that makes these guys much more appealing to the WWF and to a lesser extent the AWA and Jim Crockett Promotions.

Upper Midcarders

Butch Miller [H]
Terry Taylor [F] UWF Tag Team Champion [C+ Prestige]
Luke Williams [H]
Buddy Roberts [F]
Black Bart [H]
Chris Adams [F] UWF Tag Team Champion [C+ Prestige]
Chavo Guerrero [F]

Pretty much all of these guys are excellent in the ring. There is also a good collection of tag team talent here, specifically the champs in Taylor & Adams as well as the Sheepherders. Once again, plenty of young guys in this group here to get excited about.

Midcardes

Gary Young [H]
Leroy Brown [H]
Mike Jackson [F]
Sam Houston [F]
Iceman King Parsons [H]
Steve Cox [F]
Sting [H]
Eddie Gilbert [H]
Bobby Fulton [F]
Brad Armstrong [F]
Angel of Death [H]

A lot of guys here have potential. There is also a nice group of vets who are solid hands in the ring and should be able to help get our younger guys over. Eddie Gilbert is the one guy on this list I don't expect to stick around in the midcard for long.

Lower Midcarders

Tommy Rogers [F]
Eli the Eliminator [H]
Rick Steiner [H]
Joe Savolidi [F]
Brazo del Oro [F]
Shane Douglas [F]

Steiner and Douglas have quite a bit of promise but will need to be brought along slowly.

Openers

Art Crews [F]
Savannah Jack [F] UWF Television Champion [C+ Prestige]
Jeff Gaylord [H]
Tim Hroner [H]

Don't count on Jack holding the TV title very long.

Enhancement

Sid Steele [H]
Action Jackson [F]

Sid oozes potential; we'll get him a manager and see what happens.

[DeToxRox]

Owner Goals

1. The financial balance of UWF must have improved to at least $200,000.

Expires: 2 years - Importance: Critical

2. Cannot hire any wrestler classified as a Cruiserweight.

Expires: 1 year - Importance: Average

3. Cannot hire any wrestler classified as a Psychopath.

Expires: 1 year - Importance: Average

Pretty manageable goals set forth by the boss here. Not much more to add.

[DeToxRox]

Expansion Plan

As long as we are a member of the of the NWA, expansion is going to be tricky. The plan moving forward is to cement ourselves at home in the Mid South, and then move on to unoccupied territories, such as the Mid Atlantic to get us to Cult status. Once it appears we are in a good shape financially to sustain ourselves, we will sever times with the NWA and go at it alone.

[DeToxRox]

Power Pro Wrestling
Sunday, Week 1, March 1987
Live from the KS - Ahearn Field House [Mid South]
Attendance: 4,236

Dark Match
Shane Douglas defeated Action Jackson in 7:37 by pinfall with a Piledriver (E+)

Dark Match
In an awful match that was completely devoid of heat, Sid Steele defeated Brazo de Oro in 5:34 by pinfall with a Power Bomb (D-)

Power Pro Wrestling opens up with Skandor Akbar emerging out of an office, a giant smile plastered on his face. In his hand is a manila envelop. Jim Ross is backstage questions Akbar as to why he is so happy. Akbar only smiles more and says everyone will find out tonight (C)

UWF Television Title Match
Eddie Gilbert defeated Savannah Jack in 6:33 by pinfall with a Fireball. Eddie Gilbert wins the UWF Television title (D) After the match an elated Eddie Gilbert tells the crowd that he is the best wrestler in the company, and he will prove it every week (D)

Sting defeated Chavo Guerrero in 10:19 by submission with a Scorpion Deathlock after interference from Missy Hyatt (C-)

A video plays hyping the Fabulous Freebirds (C) Immediately following the video Jim Ross lets everyone know that our Main Event of One Man Gang against Buddy Roberts is next (C)

One Man Gang defeated Buddy Roberts in 15:07 by pinfall with a 747 (D-) Following the match Big Bubba Rogers hits the ring and stands face to face with One Man Gang. The crowd buzzes as the potential of these two giants doing battle, but instead they both smile and engage in an over the top hug. Skandar Akbar excitedly races out to the ring and introduced One Man Gang as the newest member of Devastation Inc.

Show Rating: D+

I totally screwed up the Main Event by booking it to have a slow build but only go 15 minutes.

Following the show we are made aware of the fact that Missy Hyatt failed a drug test. I warn her but she doesn't take it seriously. I expect this to become a pretty big issue sooner rather than later unfortunately.

[BYU 14]

Sweet, an 80's TEW game, you have a follower here.

[DeToxRox]

Power Pro Wrestling
Sunday, Week 2, March 1987
Live from the KS - Ahearn Field House [Mid South]
Attendance: 4,668

Dark Match
Sid Steele defeated Savannah Jack in 8:13 by pinfall with a Power Bomb (F+)

Dark Match
Shane Douglas defeated Eli the Eliminator in 8:13 by pinfall with a Belly to Belly Suplex (D-)

Power Pro Wrestling opens up with Jim Ross welcoming the fans to the show and announcing that the main event tonight will be a 10 man battle royal with the winner getting a title shot next week at the March Supershow (D)

Ted DiBiase defeated Brad Armstrong in 11:47 by submission with a Million Dollar Dream (C) After the match Ted DiBiase announces he will be in the battle royal tonight and that after he wins he will do what Buddy Roberts couldn't do last week and beat One Man Gang, taking his title in the process (C-)

The Sheepherders defeated Fantastics in 7:54 when Butch Miller defeated Tommy Rogers by pinfall with a Battering Ram (D-)

Skandar Akbar is backstage with One Man Gang. Akbar promises that last week was just the beginning of the Devastation that the UWF will soon be experiencing (D+)

Michael Hayes won a 10 man battle royal, last eliminating Ted DiBiase (C)

Show Rating: C -

[DeToxRox]

UWF March Superdome Extravaganza
Saturday, Week 3, March 1987
Live from the KS - Ahearn Field House [Mid South]
Attendance: 4,689

Dark Match
Shane Douglas defeated Action Jackson in 12:42 by pinfall with a Belly to Belly Suplex

Iceman King Parsons defeated Brad Armstrong in 12:07 by pinfall with a Rumper Stumper (D)

Sting defeated Mike Jackson in 11:16 by submission with a Scorpion Deathlock (D)

Eddie Gilbert defeated Steve Cox in 14:53 by pinfall with a Fireball. Eddie Gilbert makes defence number 1 of his UWF Television title (C-)

A video airs hyping the legacy of The Missing Link heading into his match (D)

The Missing Link defeated Eli the Eliminator in 5:50 by submission with a Figure Four Leg-Lock (E+)

Next up is a video hyping the Sheepherders who have earned a tag title shot tonight as a result of their win last week (D)

Chris Adams and Terry Taylor drew with The Sheepherders in 20:00 when the time limit expired (C-)

Bill Irwin comes out to the ring irate that he wasn't scheduled to wrestle tonight. He says that since he has his gear on he wants someone with some balls to come out and face him tonight! (D)

Terry Gordy defeated Bill Irwin in 16:49 by pinfall with a Powerbomb (C)

Michael Hayes is backstage gettng ready for his match with One Man Gang tonight. Rather than being his usual boastful self, Hayes is much more serious. He tells Jim Ross that he is facing his biggest threat ever tonight and he knows if he messes up in even the slightest way that One Man Gang can end his career. Hayes promises that won't happen and he will win the UWF Heavyweight Title tonight (D+)

One Man Gang defeated Michael Hayes in 23:42 by pinfall with a 747. One Man Gang makes defence number 1 of his UWF Heavyweight title (C) After the match One Man Gan delivers a second 747 on Hayes. Before he can deliver a third Terry Gordy hits the ring and sends One Man Gang for the hills. The crowd is electric as Gordy points at Gang and does the neck slash to him (D+)

Show Rating: C -

[DeToxRox]

Power Pro Wrestling
Sunday, Week 3, March 1987
Live from the KS - Ahearn Field House [Mid South]
Attendance: 4,543

Dark Match
Rick Steiner defeated Tim Horner in 7:51 by pinfall with a Flying Bulldog (D-)

Dark Match
Shane Douglas defeated Action Jackson in 7:50 by pinfall with a Belly to Belly Suplex (E)

Power Pro Wrestling opens up with Michael Hayes and Terry Gordy in the ring. Michael Hayes says that last night he blew his chance at winning the UWF Heavyweight Title, but he has no shame in his performance. Hayes says the only shame he has from last night is that Terry Gordy couldn't get his hands on One Man Gang. He promises that the Freebirds are going to war with Devastation Inc and the results won't be pretty for Akbar and is troupe (C-)

Eddie Gilbert defeated Chavo Guerrero in 11:59 by pinfall with a Fireball. Eddie Gilbert makes defence number 2 of his UWF Television title (D+)

Sting defeated Brad Armstrong in 9:34 by submission with a Scorpion Deathlock (D-)

Buddy Roberts is backstage with Jim Ross. He says that he knows the Freebirds are ready to do battle with Akbar and his cronies, and he is ready for that, but while they wait for that blood to shed, Roberts has some issues with Ted DiBiase he wants to take care of based on the comments DiBiase made last week. Roberts issues a challenge to DiBiase for next months Superdome Show (C)

Backstage Skandar Akbar says that if the Freebirds want a war, a war they will get. He issues a challenge for a tag team Street Fight next month at the Superdome. He says that if the Freebirds have any brains they will leave the territory with their health in tact (D+)

Big Bubba Rogers defeated Terry Taylor in 18:02 by pinfall with a Bubba Slam (D-) After the match the Sheepherders hit the ring and lay a horrific beating on Taylor (D-)

Show Rating: D

I really thought Taylor and Rogers could pop a good rating but Taylor was not on his game.

[DeToxRox]

Wrestling News

- WCWA held their March Supercard headlined by Kerry Von Erich beating Nord the Barbarian to retain his World Title (B-) Coming out of this show we pick up word that WCWA is planning a storyline between Von Erich and Abdullah the Butcher.

- AJPW had an early Match of the Year candidate on their Tuesday tour show, as Genichiro Tenyru & Jumbo Tsuruta defeated Stan Hansen & Ted DiBiase (A)

- We learn of some upcoming WWF plans heading into WrestleMania III; Jake Roberts will be working Harley Race, Roddy Piper will be working Bob Orton, Ricky Steamboat will be working Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan will of course be working Andre the Giant.

- JCP held their weekly television show headlined by Dusty Rhodes defeating Ric Flair (A).

[DeToxRox]

Power Pro Wrestling
Sunday, Week 4, March 1987
Live from the KS - Ahearn Field House [Mid South]
Attendance: 4,195

Dark Match
Sting & Rick Steiner defeated Lightning Express in 8:28 when Sting defeated Brad Armstrong by submission with a Scorpion Deathlock (E+)

Ted DiBiase defeated Steve Cox in 12:10 by submission with a Million Dollar Dream (C) After the match Ted Dibiase grabs a microphone and tells Buddy Roberts that if he wants to get in the ring with the top young star in the industry then he has a deal. DiBiase says that one day Roberts can tell his kids he was able to wrestle the best the business ever had to offer (C)

Chris Adams and Terry Taylor come out to the ring to discuss their match last week at the Superdome show against the Sheephearders and then the subsequent beating they laid on Taylor the next night. Taylor and Adams tell the Hearders that they can have a rematch next month in the Superdome in a No Time Limit match to ensure Taylor & Adams get to enjoy pinning one of the Herders shoulders to the mat! (D)

Terry Gordy defeated Leroy Brown in 7:50 by pinfall with a Powerbomb (D+)

A video plays hyping UWF Television Champion Eddie Gilbert and his partner Sting (D)

Buddy Roberts defeated Bill Irwin in 20:13 by pinfall (D+)

Show Rating: C -

Main Events have been killing us lately, but right now it's just a matter of finding the right mix of guys to put on the matches necessary to give us good shows. A C - show is not bad by any means, but expectations are higher than just not bad.

[DeToxRox]

Wrestling News

- We finish out the month of March raking in an impressive $157,228. One of our goals was doubling our profits by year end, and we did it in a month. Of course there will be ebb and flow to this, but we should comfortably make a profit most months.

- WWF held WrestleMania III in front of 93,173 people at the Pontiac Silverdome. The show was headlined by Hulk Hogan defeating Bob Orton (B) to retain his WWF Heavyweight Title. The match of the night though was the Co-Main Event which saw Harley Race defeat Ricky Steamboat (B+)

- WWF held Superstars of Wrestling (B+) headlined by Roddy Piper and Ricky Steamboat defeating Bob Orton and Don Muraco (B+)

- Ted DiBiase has signed a touring deal with NJPW.

[DeToxRox]

Power Pro Wrestling
Sunday, Week 1, April 1987
Live from the KS - Ahearn Field House [Mid South]
Attendance: 4,588

Dark Match
Sting defeated Brazo de Oro in 8:24 by submission with a Scorpion Deathlock (D)

Big Bubba Rogers defeated Steve Cox in 9:39 by pinfall with a Bubba Slam (D+)

After the match a video airs hyping the Fabulous Freebirds (C)

Terry Gordy defeated Black Bart in 12:26 by pinfall with a Powerbomb (D+)

Ted DiBiase is backstage. He laughs at the the Freebirds video from earlier saying that Terry Gordy is a legitimate star but the other two idiots are just holding him back. DiBiase says he has money to offer Gordy to join DiBiase as a tag partner and he'll sweeten the pot by destroying Roberts next week, showing just how good DiBiase is, and just how washed up Roberts is (C)

Ted DiBiase defeated Chavo Guerrero in 21:02 by submission with a Million Dollar Dream (C+)

Show Rating: C

Not surprisingly DiBiase and Chavo had a solid match. Chavo is going to need some wins in the future to keep him a viable upper midcarder because the guy can flat out deliver in the ring and we'll need that as we look to continue building on our popularity.

[DeToxRox]

Wrestling News

- On the Monday AJPW Tour Show (B+) Terry Funk beat Stan Hansen (A) in an excellent Main Event.

- WWE Superstars (B) featured a very good match that saw Rickey Steamboat defeat Paul Orndorf (B+)

- AJPW held their 1987 Champion Carnival, headlined by Jumbo Tsuruta retaining his NWA International Heavyweight Title in a match with Stan Hansen (B+) Also of note from the show was Ted DiBiase defeating Kuniaki Kobayashi (A)

[DeToxRox]

Power Pro Wrestling
Sunday, Week 2, April 1987
Live from the KS - Ahearn Field House [Mid South]
Attendance: 4,572

Dark Match
Gary Young defeated Shane Douglas in 8:09 by pinfall with a Piledriver (D)

Dark Match
Sid Steele defeated Tommy Rogers in 8:21 by pinfall with a Power Bomb (E)

Eddie Gilbert defeated The Missing Link in 10:11 by pinfall with a Fireball. Eddie Gilbert makes defence number 3 of his UWF Television title (D) After the match Eddie Gilbert taunts The Missing Link, calling him a washed up, sack of crap (D-)

Michael Hayes saunters out to the ring dressed up as One Man Gang, going as far as to put on a fat suit. After a rousing impersonation of Gang, Hayes turns deadly serious, promising that on Wednesday they will brawl all over the Superdome and blood will be shed (C)

Bill Irwin defeated Brad Armstrong in 11:52 by pinfall with a Bicycle kick (D)

One Man Gang is backstage throwing chairs around after being asked about Hayes impersonation of him. He agrees with Hayes that blood will be shed, except Gang promises the blood will only be that of the Freebirds (C-)

One Man Gang defeated Chris Adams in 14:36 by pinfall with a 747. One Man Gang makes defence number 2 of his UWF Heavyweight title (D-)

Show Rating: D

Once again our Main Event was terrible. Mixing and matching guys properly is turning onto be a burden but thankfully it's early and we're making money.

[DeToxRox]

Wrestling News

- The Midnight Express defeated Dusty Rhodes & Nikita Koloff (B), The Road Warriors (B) and The Russian Team (C+) to win the Crockett Cup.

- WWF held their April PPV, Breaking Point, headlined by Hulk Hogan retaining his WWF Heavyweight title against Andre the Giant (B). Also on the show Rickey Steamboat defeated King Kong Bundy (B), The Wild Samoans beat the British Bulldogs (C+) to win the WWF Tag Team titles and Randy Savage beat Greg Valentine (B) to retain the WWF Intercontinental Title. Coming out of the PPV we learn Randy Savage will be turning face.

[DeToxRox]

April Superdome Extravaganza
Wednesday, Week 3, April 1987
Live from the KS - Ahearn Field House [Mid South]
Attendance: 4,841

We open up the show with Ted DiBiase discussing his recent success in Japan, noting he now is the best wrestler on both sides of the Pacific. He says that when he looks at Buddy Roberts he sees a has been, a barely ever was. DiBiase says he is going to treat Buddy Roberts like Old Yeller so he can go out with a hint of dignity (C-)

Jim Ross announces that Chavo Guerrero has been granted a rematch with Eddie Gilbert due to how close he has been his last few matches. It is a courtesy to the veteran who has promised to not let the UWF fans down (D+)

Eddie Gilbert defeated Chavo Guerrero in 11:53 by pinfall with a Fireball. Eddie Gilbert makes defence number 4 of his UWF Television title (C-)

Sting defeated Shane Douglas in 10:17 by submission with a Scorpion Deathlock (D+)

Bill Irwin & Leroy Brown defeated Fantastics in 11:35 when Bill Irwin defeated Bobby Fulton by pinfall with a Bicycle kick (C-)

A video airs recapping the last month in the Chris Adams/Terry Taylor & Sheepherders feud. We see Adams & Taylor promising that this match will have no time limit (D-)

The Sheepherders drew with Chris Adams and Terry Taylor in 16:31 following a double count out (D-)

Jim Ross discusses our Co-Main Event match between Ted DiBiase and Buddy Roberts. Ross mentions how Roberts told him earlier in the day that this is as personal a match as he has ever been a part of (C-)

Ted DiBiase defeated Buddy Roberts in 19:47 by pinfall with a fast roll up (C-)

The Freebirds are backstage discussing tonight's Street Fight. Hayes says that the Freebirds know all about bloody matches, and tonight is going to be one of those brawls. Gordy promises that win or lose, One Man Gang will feel pain (D+)

The Fabulous Freebirds defeated Big Bubba Rogers and One Man Gang in 22:28 when Terry Gordy defeated Big Bubba Rogers by pinfall with an Oriental Spike (C-)

Following the match as the Freebirds celebrate, Skandar Akbar throws powder in Michael Hayes eyes. As Gordy goes to check on him none other than Arn Anderson from Jim Crockett Promotions comes out of the crowd. He blindsides Gordy with a chair shot and then DDT's him onto the same chair. Terry Gordy lays in a pool of blood as the show comes to an end (C-)

Show Rating: C -

The Main Event did about what I expected. I am obviously realizing some of the limitations that come with OMG being the champ, but the final part of the angle that will lead to the inevitable Gordy/OMG title match has started so hopefully we get some payoff from it.