tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-200096632024-03-15T20:45:29.393-04:00What if Steamboat beat Hogan? A Professional Wrestling FableOlder than Twitter. Not quite as profitable.
A pro wrestling counterfactual: What if the World Wrestling Federation was organized around workrate, around the idea that the pivotal word in the phrase "sports entertainment" is the first? Can one Ricky Steamboat pinfall put right what once went wrong?
Go to the earliest archived post; scroll to December 19, 2005 "it begins" and you're ready to roll.Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05482891070201124196noreply@blogger.comBlogger387125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20009663.post-45368089265957500192024-03-01T10:55:00.000-05:002024-03-01T10:55:58.077-05:00The Road to Wrestlemania 39 - 2Part 1(I don't want to say it's unprecedented, but it's super, super rare - between writing Part 1 and writing Part 2, my planned finish in a prominent match has changed; I had already written down in longhand the results of the PPV and something IRL in real time has caused me to flip....a lot of future booking. A lot.)In Part 1 we set up the 5 title matches:WWF TITLE: ROMAN REIGNS v. CODY Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05482891070201124196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20009663.post-64017062911006520692024-02-01T10:46:00.000-05:002024-02-01T10:46:18.476-05:00The Road to Wrestlemania 39 - 1RumbleWrestlemania 39 is in Los Angeles in April; 12 match card, here, we'll cover the 5 title bouts.WWF TITLE: ROMAN REIGNS v. CODY RHODESIC TITLE: PRINCE DEVITT v. RICOCHETTAG TITLES: NO DQ: DANGEROUS ALLIANCE (WALTER/LESNAR w/Heyman) v. HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE (MCINTYRE/GABLE w. Lashley)WOMENS TITLE: BIANCA BELAIR v. RONDA ROUSEY (w/Heyman)WOMENS TAG TITLES: FIGHT Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05482891070201124196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20009663.post-1349087071610415052024-01-01T10:59:00.159-05:002024-01-01T10:59:00.244-05:00Royal Rumble 2023The build.The 34th annual Royal Rumble comes to you from St Louis. It is the 144th WWF PPV.Your announcers are Michael Cole (3rd PPV) Corey Graves (5th) Wade Barrett (5th). Your ring announcer is Jeremy Borash.(Dark Matches: Dark Ride Title: Dragon Lee d. Axiom JD McDonaugh d. Tyler Bate&Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05482891070201124196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20009663.post-62176938761306089372023-12-01T11:12:00.229-05:002024-01-01T11:02:18.443-05:00Road to Royal Rumble 2023Survivor Series 2022(Here's the annual note - this month is the 18th anniversary of the first post. For those of you who are longtime readers or if you just stumbled here right now, thanks for reading. As mentioned last year, there is an endpoint coming in 2025. The planned final event is Summer Slam 2024, which will be the 150th WWF PPV. The plan is monthly wrap ups through Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05482891070201124196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20009663.post-3491485837492132142023-11-01T10:47:00.001-04:002023-12-01T12:26:50.019-05:002022 Survivor Seriesthe buildSurvivor Series 2022 is from Boston. It is the 36th Survivor Series and the 143rd WWF PPV.The announcers are Michael Cole/Wade Barrett/Cory Graves.(Dark: Twisted Sun Gods (Escobar/Garza/Carillo) d. Blood Warriors International (Ricochet/Alexander/Tozawa) JD McDonagh d. Tyler Bate Dark Ride Title: Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05482891070201124196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20009663.post-51257837192457909092023-10-01T10:05:00.002-04:002023-11-01T10:48:49.160-04:00The Road to Survivor Series 2022-2part 1Half the card was set up last month:WWF Title: Roman Reigns (w/HRE) v. AJ StylesTag Titles: The Usos v. Holy Roman Empire (McIntyre/Lashley)Women's Title: Ronda Rousey (w/Heyman and Walter) v. Bianca BelairSami Zayn v. Tyler BlackKevin Steen v. SheamusAnd here's the other half:IC Title: Prince Devitt (w/McDonagh) v. Pete Dunne (w/Bate)Asuka v. Iyo SkyBecky Lynch v. Rhea Ripley (w/Baszler)Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05482891070201124196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20009663.post-12370579194245455472023-09-01T16:45:00.002-04:002023-10-25T17:16:55.418-04:00The Road to Survivor Series 2022-1Summer Slam is here.Survivor Series 2022 is coming November from Boston. Here's the card.WWF Title: Roman Reigns (w/HRE) v. AJ StylesIC Title: Prince Devitt v. Pete Dunne (w/Bate)Tag Titles: The Usos v. Holy Roman Empire (McIntyre/Lashley)(note, that's not the initially advertised match)Women's Title: Ronda Rousey (w/Heyman and Walter) v. Bianca BelairSami Zayn v. Tyler BlackAsuka v. Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05482891070201124196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20009663.post-70478315783963406502023-08-01T17:10:00.289-04:002023-09-01T16:46:13.408-04:00Summer Slam 2022The buildSummer Slam 2022 is from Nashville, It is the 35th Summer Slam and the 142nd WWF PPV.Announcers: Michael Cole (1) Wade Barrett (3) Corey Graves (3)Dark: Axiom d. Tyler Bate Walter d. JD McDonaghOpen on Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05482891070201124196noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20009663.post-15908514083657269522023-07-01T13:06:00.121-04:002023-08-02T09:44:24.735-04:00The Road to Summer Slam 2022Wrestlemania 38The new wrestling year is upon us - the 142nd WWF PPV, Summer Slam '22, is coming up in August from Nashville.We have an announcer shakeup - veteran backup announcer Michael Cole takes over all three shows, he will work RAW with Corey Graves, Fight Night with Wade Barrett and Dark Ride with Xavier Woods. Woods also does a second screen telecast with the other two shows for Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05482891070201124196noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20009663.post-14698006101650627722023-06-01T11:16:00.672-04:002023-06-01T11:16:00.141-04:00Every Main Event.No double main events, not unannounced last match on the card - the promoted "match that sold the show" main event. Star ratings included as are main event participant totals. 1. Wrestlemania I 1985 WWF Title Ricky Steamboat d. Barry Windham (4 1/4)2. Wrestlemania II 1986 WWF Title &Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05482891070201124196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20009663.post-61948123914741791332023-05-01T13:45:00.000-04:002023-05-01T13:45:14.512-04:00Every Major American Promotion's World Title Switch (1986-2016)Why does this stop in 2016? I actually drafted this 6 years ago, waiting for a month when I needed to space fill. This is that month.
Non Counterfactual switches in bold.
WWF
NWA
ECW
TNA
ROH
PWG
1986
Wrestlemania 2: WWF Title: Dynamite Kid d. Ricky Steamboat
1987
Wrestlemania 3: WWF Title: Ricky Steamboat d. Dynamite Kid
Starrcade: NWA Title: Steve Williams Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05482891070201124196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20009663.post-72950260211220523512023-04-01T17:39:00.766-04:002023-07-01T20:03:53.743-04:00Wrestlemania 38Wrestlemania 38 is from Dallas, it is the 141st WWF PPV. The build.Dark Matches: Ricochet d. Axiom British Strong Style (Dunne/Bate) d. Alexander/Tozawa Dark Ride Title: Walter (w/Heyman) d. DragunovThere's a Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05482891070201124196noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20009663.post-59082708796261095362023-03-01T11:07:00.121-05:002023-04-01T22:35:12.644-04:00Road to Wrestlemania 38-Part 2part 1A reminder of the card:WWF CHAMPIONSHIP: SAMI ZAYN v. ROMAN REIGNSIC TITLE: LADDER MATCH: WINNER GETS THE BULLET CLUB: SHINSUKE NAKAMURA v. AJ STYLES v. TYLER BLACK v. ?WWF TAG TITLES: HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE (GABLE/LASHLEY) v. USOSWOMEN’S TITLE: RHEA RIPLEY v. RONDA ROUSEYOCTAGON MATCH: BROCK LESNAR v. MATT RIDDLENUMBER ONE CONTENDER: REY MYSTERIO v. DOMINIC MYSTERIO v. KINGSTON v. WOODSNUMBER Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05482891070201124196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20009663.post-64001681700607284452023-02-01T11:56:00.023-05:002023-03-02T17:41:32.565-05:00Road to Wrestlemania 38-Part 1RumbleWrestlemania 38 from Dallas is in April.
There’s an 11 match card. We'll discuss half this month, half next.
WWF CHAMPIONSHIP: SAMI ZAYN v. ROMAN REIGNS
IC TITLE: LADDER MATCH: WINNER GETS THE BULLET CLUB:
SHINSUKE NAKAMURA v. AJ STYLES v. TYLER BLACK v. ?
WWF TAG TITLES: HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE (GABLE/LASHLEY) v. USOS
WOMEN’S TITLE: RHEA RIPLEY v. RONDA ROUSEY
Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05482891070201124196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20009663.post-61953376168098906012023-01-01T09:46:00.001-05:002023-02-02T00:14:12.490-05:00Royal Rumble 2022The BuildRoyal Runble 2022 comes to you from St Louis. It is the 33rd annual Royal Rumble, it is the 140th WWF PPV.Announcers: Scott Stanford (7th PPV) Nigel McGuinness (14th) Wade Barrett (1st)(Dark: Dark: Dunne d. Gargano, Dragunov d. Strong, Dark Ride Title: Walter d. Ciampa)The show opens cold as Survivor Series did - on the ring, immediate postmatch of Walter's successful defense, Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05482891070201124196noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20009663.post-61574833994756771762022-12-01T11:02:00.001-05:002023-01-01T09:47:48.997-05:00The Road to Royal Rumble 2022Survivor Series(Author's note - each December, I mark the anniversary of the Counterfactual with a note of thanks (thanks) and a discussion of the future. Now that Vince is gone, I think I've got booking tenure, as this is my 17th anniversary here, and I've come to a decision. There's a confluence of events in 2025 which make it the obvious time to wrap. 3 years from Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05482891070201124196noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20009663.post-56868576548827417922022-11-01T10:10:00.001-04:002022-12-01T11:02:56.436-05:002021 Survivor SeriesThe buildSurvivor Series 2021 comes to you from Brooklyn. It is the 35th Survivor Series, the 139th WWF PPV.The announcers are Scott Stanford (6th) Steve Regal (26th, it is the end of his WWF run) Nigel McGuinness (13th)(Dark - Roderick Strong d. Akira Tozawa, Ciampa d. Dragunov, Dark Ride Title: Walter d. Gargano)The show opens with a piece of great NYC sports moments, say Desus&Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05482891070201124196noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20009663.post-61839624437689291682022-10-01T16:21:00.053-04:002022-10-02T23:11:10.838-04:00Road to Survivor Series 2021 - Part 2Part 1 is hereSurvivor Series 2021 is November from Brooklyn.This is really sold as a New York City show; there aren’t MSG PPVs anymore – so this is really home base for the promotion on a PPV level, it’s Sammartino, it’s Steamboat, it’s the WWF in NYC.10 match show. We covered 6 in Part 1.1. WWF Title: Matt Riddle (w/HBK) v. Sami Zayn2. &Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05482891070201124196noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20009663.post-49328758996652648282022-09-01T08:49:00.004-04:002022-10-02T23:10:42.572-04:00Road to Survivor Series 2021, Part 1Here's Summer SlamSurvivor Series 2021 is November from Brooklyn.
This is really sold as a New York City show; there aren’t
MSG PPVs anymore – so this is really home base for the promotion on a PPV
level, it’s Sammartino, it’s Steamboat, it’s the WWF in NYC.
10 match show.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.
<!--[endif]-->WWF Title: Matt Riddle (w/HBK) v. Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05482891070201124196noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20009663.post-28949328113844385472022-08-01T08:52:00.002-04:002022-09-01T08:50:53.913-04:00Summer Slam 2021The build is hereSummer Slam 34 comes to you from Las Vegas. It is the 138th WWF PPV.
(Dark: Nakamura d. Devitt, Kings of Wrestling
(Claudio/Gagano/Ciampa) d. British Strong Style (Dunne/Bate/Seven), Dark Ride
Wrestling Title: Walter d. Joe)
Cold open on Heyman w/Walter, post his dominant title
defense over Samoa Joe, which does wrap up Joe’s run in WWE. Heyman says Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05482891070201124196noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20009663.post-65687285247979998522022-07-01T09:23:00.001-04:002022-08-01T08:53:45.257-04:00Road to Summer Slam 2021 -3 - The 20 Greatest Summer Slam Matches of All Timepart 2This occurs in multiple platforms, as a clipped show on either USA or Fox, as a day of programming on Peacock with full matches shown with both original commentary and whatever new commentary/watch along commentary that makes sense.This is a workrate list, not a list of importance, just flat a star rating ranking.20. 2019 AJ STYLES d. PRINCE DEVITT (4.5 stars)-Battle of the former Bullet Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05482891070201124196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20009663.post-74263815676616739552022-06-01T10:50:00.001-04:002022-07-01T09:24:39.388-04:00Road to Summer Slam 2021 - 2PART 1Summer Slam 2021 takes place in Las Vegas. Here’s the card.
WWF Title: Matt Riddle (w/HBK) v. The God of Carnage Edge
(w/Keith Lee)
IC: AJ Styles v. Rey Mysterio
Women’s Title: Rhea Ripley (w/Horsewomen) v. Bianca Belair
Tags: Defiance (Orton/Priest w/Crews) v.
Tyler Black v. Langston (w/Crews/Woods)
No DQ: Roman Reigns v. Bobby Lashley
Becky Lynch/Charlotte Flair v. Alexa Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05482891070201124196noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20009663.post-27486005763772930922022-05-01T09:49:00.001-04:002022-06-01T10:51:46.166-04:00Road to Summer Slam 2021 - Part 1: War GamesWrestlemaniaSummer Slam 2021 is in Las Vegas in August; July will see a top matches in Summer Slam history countdown similar to the one done this year for Mania. June will be the preview of the card (spoiler, the main event is Matt Riddle defending the WWF Title against fellow Clique Stablemate, the God of Carnage Edge) and this is a special War Games episode of...something, RAW or Fight Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05482891070201124196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20009663.post-88069616539720761492022-04-01T08:38:00.004-04:002022-05-01T09:51:14.865-04:00Wrestlemania 37The BuildWrestlemania 37 comes to you from Tampa. It is the 137th WWF PPV.The announcers are Scott Stanford, in his 4th PPV, Samoa Joe, broadcasting his 7th, and Paul Heyman, in his 21st WWE PPV as an announcer. The only men to broadcast more - Gorilla (29) Cornette (23) JR (66) Taz (22) Styles (40) Regal (24).There are four dark matches, reflecting their absence for over a year. Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05482891070201124196noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20009663.post-85297922499576942892022-03-01T15:05:00.431-05:002022-04-01T08:39:57.442-04:00Road to Wrestlemania 37-Part 2, The Best Match From Each of the First 36 WrestlemaniasPart 1So, we get a TV special; it's the best match (workrate, not importance, not a signature match, not most memorable "moment" just workrate) from each WM. It's a multiple screen experience, so on FOX it's clips of the matches, on Peacock there's a channel with the full original broadcasts and a channel with a watch along; and then on USA, clips of the matches with the watch along commentary.&Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05482891070201124196noreply@blogger.com2