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Critique this roster (from What If...)

equinox10Posted on 08/05/06 at 20:33:37

Hey everyone,

I'm going to try and run a TNM circuit again, and I found the last What If.. intriguing (starting your own fed with only workers who aren't signed to WWE, TNA, ROH etc.).  I decided to follow the rules layed out by Critic of the Dawn and start hiring people.  I'm going to run this fed completely old style, meaning faces vs. heels only (pretty much), lots of managers and long drawn out angles etc.  Since the talent overall will be pretty bad in the ring, I think this is the only way to make it really interesting.    

I'm looking for a critique of my roster so far...since I want to follow the rules, let me know if any of these guys are currently under contract at any of the big three listed above.  Also, I need a couple of additions, so if you have any ideas, please let me know.  I'd like to have a 20 man roster to start, 10 heels, 10 faces.  Thanks in advance for any and all help.

FACES:
Amazing Red
Colt Cabana (he was released by WWE, right?  He is one of my 4 ROH picks)
D'Lo Brown (works in Japan, rules don't say anything about not snagging him away :))
Davey Richards (ROH pick #2)
Diamond Dallas Page
Dustin Rhodes (still under WWE contract?)
Juventud Guerrera
Marcus Bagwell
New Jack
Scott Hall

HEELS
Chris Kanyon
Jimmy Rave (ROH pick #3)
Mark Jindrak
Nigel McGuinness (ROH pick #4)
Sean O'Haire

Justin
americamamushiPosted on 08/05/06 at 20:48:32

Dustin is gone from WWE,  could be very wrong but I think Red might still be with TNA, dunno.

Anyway, not a bad starting roster in my opinion.  Not horribly familiar with a couple, but still.  I could pass on D'Lo and DDP.  I'd say I could pass on New Jack as well, but he's a facet wrestler and the only one you have so it's a little different.  As for further suggestions one of the name I always toss out there (and the only one of the regular suggestions that i believe fits within the what if rules) is Jimmy Jacobs.  Also, i've kinda grown on Delirious from a writing aspect.  And Snabbit888 has made me very big on Eric Angle.  He'd be a good one to pick up because you could use him much the same way you'd use Kurt and he's actually availible to hire! :)

Of course, the most important thing is that you pick guys maybe not only guys you like, but guys that you feel you can book and write for and will have fun doing so :)
equinox10Posted on 08/05/06 at 23:50:57

On 08/05/06 at 20:48:32, americamamushi wrote:Dustin is gone from WWE,  could be very wrong but I think Red might still be with TNA, dunno.
Eh, if Red was still with TNA that it wouldn't be a big loss.  I was going to keep him as mainly enhancement/lower card talent anyway.

Anyway, not a bad starting roster in my opinion.  Not horribly familiar with a couple, but still.  I could pass on D'Lo and DDP.  I'd say I could pass on New Jack as well, but he's a facet wrestler and the only one you have so it's a little different.  As for further suggestions one of the name I always toss out there (and the only one of the regular suggestions that i believe fits within the what if rules) is Jimmy Jacobs.  Also, i've kinda grown on Delirious from a writing aspect.  And Snabbit888 has made me very big on Eric Angle.  He'd be a good one to pick up because you could use him much the same way you'd use Kurt and he's actually availible to hire! :)
I like the Eric Angle idea, I had never even thought of him.  That's a guy I'll probably end up picking up.  I'm in strange need of heels, which is surprising as I thought faces would be much more of a problem.

I don't think Jacobs or Delirious would be available according to the rules.  I have 4 ROH picks, and I used them on Cabana, McGuinness, Jimmy Rave and Davey Richards.  Jacobs and Delirious both work regularly for ROH.  

Of course, the most important thing is that you pick guys maybe not only guys you like, but guys that you feel you can book and write for and will have fun doing so :)
Yeah, since I'm sort of a workrate junkie, this is a real challenge because about 75% of these guys can't work.  The saving grace is I've wanted to book an old school fed for awhile, and that sort of makes it more interesting even if the matches visually blow :)

Thanks for the help!
HugeRockStar760Posted on 08/06/06 at 23:27:41

If you need heels, look at some of the Mexican promotions. In particular, select Cibernetico from AAA. He's not in the Rey Mysterio mold, he's more like a mexican Triple H. And he doesn't wear a mask either.

Actually, there's a lot of wrestlers in AAA that would be good to use for a circuit. I guess it just takes getting to know about them first.
91Posted on 08/06/06 at 23:30:25

If you're struggling to think of heels but have dozens of faces you'd like, just turn some of them - most of the guys on your face list have been heels, some are even more renowned for being heels.
equinox10Posted on 08/07/06 at 02:33:14

On 08/06/06 at 23:27:41, HugeRockStar760 wrote:If you need heels, look at some of the Mexican promotions. In particular, select Cibernetico from AAA. He's not in the Rey Mysterio mold, he's more like a mexican Triple H. And he doesn't wear a mask either.

Actually, there's a lot of wrestlers in AAA that would be good to use for a circuit. I guess it just takes getting to know about them first.
Yeah, I've never been a big fan of pure lucha, so I can't say I'm familiar with most of the workers that haven't worked in the U.S. or Japan.  That's part of the reason I avoid using them.

Maybe I'll do some research and pick one or two of them up...
equinox10Posted on 08/07/06 at 02:35:44

On 08/06/06 at 23:30:25, 91 wrote:If you're struggling to think of heels but have dozens of faces you'd like, just turn some of them - most of the guys on your face list have been heels, some are even more renowned for being heels.
That original post may have been a bit misleading because I'm still debating who from that FACE list will be turned HEEL before I start.  Some of those guys would make good heels, I agree.  

I think what I'm looking for is more mid/lower card heels.  I have recently added Orlando Jordan, who I hate, but will make a good opening guy who gets pinned alot :)
HugeRockStar760Posted on 08/07/06 at 06:00:17

On 08/07/06 at 02:33:14, equinox10 wrote:

Yeah, I've never been a big fan of pure lucha, so I can't say I'm familiar with most of the workers that haven't worked in the U.S. or Japan.  That's part of the reason I avoid using them.

Maybe I'll do some research and pick one or two of them up...
At the very least, seriously consider Cibernetico. He's the one lucha wrestler that could transition easily to a WWE style. I'm sure of it. I'm surprised Vince hasn't signed him to a contract (he was with the company in the 90s when AAA and WWE had a talent exchange deal).
Rick GarrardPosted on 08/08/06 at 01:21:00

and he was horrible on Univision's SuperAstros.  You'd be better off with El Shocker.
HugeRockStar760Posted on 08/08/06 at 01:38:01

On 08/08/06 at 01:21:00, Rick Garrard wrote:and he was horrible on Univision's SuperAstros. You'd be better off with El Shocker.
He's better than that Guapo. I'd rather see Zum...zum...zumbido.

Who are you to doubt la Secta de Cibernetica?
Rick GarrardPosted on 08/08/06 at 02:47:55

I'm thinking you'd probably be better off taking some of the Puerto Rican stars that were on SuperAstros instead then.  ;)
Critic of the DawnPosted on 08/11/06 at 13:54:01

I'm pretty sure that Eric Angle is technically retired at this point.  

Pretty decent roster, all things considered, although you did pick up a few troublemakers who might not work well in the long term.  You'll want to build up new stars as quickly as possible to avoid having to rely on guys like Juventud Guerrera and Scott Hall in the long term.  Also, I'll be interested to see how you make use of Judy Bagwell.

You may also wish to consider bringing in a big man or two - Giant Bernard is free and has apparently improved greatly in Japan since his WWE run as A-Train.  Also, I don't THINK that TNA has signed Matt Morgan yet, so that might be something to consider.

Also, I'd suggest bringing in Britain's "The Anarchist" Doug Williams and teaming him with Nigel McGuinness to anchor your Tag Team division.  If I ever put together a circuit using this scenario, I know I'd be doing that.

Eric "Critic of the Dawn"
equinox10Posted on 08/11/06 at 20:09:02

On 08/11/06 at 13:54:01, Critic of the Dawn wrote:I'm pretty sure that Eric Angle is technically retired at this point.

Pretty decent roster, all things considered, although you did pick up a few troublemakers who might not work well in the long term. You'll want to build up new stars as quickly as possible to avoid having to rely on guys like Juventud Guerrera and Scott Hall in the long term. Also, I'll be interested to see how you make use of Judy Bagwell.
Juventud Guerrera has already been cut from the roster, as has Amazing Red.  I just felt those two did not fit in.  Some late additions/replacements have been: Marty Jannetty (basically in a lower midcarder/almost jobber role), Maven Huffman and Orlando Jordan.  This is mostly to fill out the mid-card.  

Ugh, Judy Bagwell.  When I first read the scenerio, this was the one rule I considered NOT following.  I am not a big fan of Marcus Bagwell to begin with, and the idea of having to use his mother makes me nauseous.  I think, however, I will fit her in somewhere, if only for a little while (and if Marcus doesn't like it, he can quit :))

You may also wish to consider bringing in a big man or two - Giant Bernard is free and has apparently improved greatly in Japan since his WWE run as A-Train. Also, I don't THINK that TNA has signed Matt Morgan yet, so that might be something to consider.
Giant Bernard would be a nice addition, I agree.  He is a sure possibility (I'm curious what his workrate is nowadays...from what I've heard, probably at least around 85 or so)

Also, I'd suggest bringing in Britain's "The Anarchist" Doug Williams and teaming him with Nigel McGuinness to anchor your Tag Team division. If I ever put together a circuit using this scenario, I know I'd be doing that.
I have some good plans for McGuinness (if I ever get around to actually booking most of this stuff  :))  Remember how I said I was going to use a lot of managers?  I brought back an old favorite of mine for McGuinness:  Sir William Dundee.  


Critic of the DawnPosted on 08/13/06 at 12:56:31

I haven' actually seen any Japanese Giant Bernard matches, so I can't make any concrete suggestions regarding stat adjustments.  I'd probably be inclined to call it 85 workrate and bump up the charisma a bit, though.  Maybe someone can make suggestions about his Japanese moveset, finisher, etc.

Eric "Critic of the Dawn"