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Post by bookerman on Mar 17, 2024 5:22:10 GMT 1
June 2002 is a weird time in pop culture, with film, television and music all transitioning their identities.
On the big screen, Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man had just been released, setting the stage for a new era of movie making that would change the entire entertainment industry. On television, American Idol was days from premiering and altering the future of television. And earlier in the year, Nickelback’s “How You Remind Me” marked the last U.S. Hot 100 No. 1 hit by a traditional rock band for five years, as melodic R&B and softer hip-hop would come to dominate the charts.
Orders were in the process of changing dramatically, and that was also certainly the case in professional wrestling. By June 2002, the World Wrestling Federation had rebranded as World Wrestling Entertainment, towering alone as the only mainstream promotion of its kind in North America. It had wiped out World Championship Wrestling and pissed on its legacy. It tamped down any fervor left about Extreme Championship Wrestling. And it was looking to keep any potential competitors lying dead on the floor.
But with that power came a massive challenge: keeping people interested in a monopoly.
We know what happened in real life. After a half-measured “invasion” by a potential WCW brand, the then-WWF went into personality crisis mode. They put their hopes in Chris Jericho only to immediately transition him out of the top spot for Triple H, who seemed to bludgeon his way into a featured role for eternity. Monster prospect Brock Lesnar got the rocket, Stone Cold Steve Austin felt unvalued and ran off with his ball, brands split but nothing was explained well, and the sports entertainment world’s biggest star and most likely face of WWE for years to come headed out for a film career.
We’ll stop there. The end of 2002 is even weirder.
I graduated high school in June 2002 and simultaneously graduated from professional wrestling. I had to work and prepare for college, but more, I was annoyed with the direction of WWE. I didn’t care much for Triple H as he positioned himself as the center of Raw, and I never liked The Undertaker, who early on ran Smackdown. I was a Rock fan, but he was gone most of the time now. And I also was tired of sexually explicit skits, McMahons around every corner and ass-kissing clubs.
So I stopped watching. I checked in once in a while and even attended the 2003 Royal Rumble, which gave me the greatest gift: the worst match I’ve ever watched (Triple H vs Scott Steiner) right next to the greatest match I’ve ever watched (Kurt Angle vs Chris Benoit). But that was it. I was an Attitude fan, not a Ruthless Aggression guy. The product lost me.
But NOW, I’m redoing it. It’s June 2002, the roster is stacked, the brands are fresh … and World Wrestling Entertainment is in dire need of an identity. |
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Post by bookerman on Mar 17, 2024 5:22:29 GMT 1
Goal: Establish a new identity for World Wrestling Entertainment with clear figureheads and product.
Here are my brands and products:
Raw
A: Monday Night Raw: 9-11 p.m. EST Monday B: Sunday Night Heat: 7-8 p.m. EST Sunday
Product: Ruthless Aggression
- Match/angle ratio: 70/30 events, 40/60 TV
- Major matches need associated storylines
Smackdown A: Thursday Night Smackdown: 8-10 p.m. EST Thursday B: Saturday Night Velocity: 7-8 p.m. EST Saturday Product: Classic Balanced
- Match/angle ratio: 80/20 events, 75/25 TV
- Angle roles should not be rated on sex appeal
The overall WWE product, which combines Raw and Smackdown, ultimately mixes a harder edge of the Attitude Era with a focus on realistic storytelling and strong matches. Raw is the harder edge, or “Ruthless Aggression,” and Smackdown is the deeper storytelling side, or “Classic Balanced.” Together, I call the full WWE product “Spectacular Realism.” Here are my title belts:
- WWE Undisputed Championship (Both brands)
WWE Women’s Championship (Exclusive to Raw) WWE Intercontinental Championship (Exclusive to Raw) WWE European Championship (Exclusive to Raw) WWE Hardcore Championship (Exclusive to Raw) WWE Tag Team Championship (Exclusive to Smackdown) WWE Cruiserweight Championship (Exclusive to Smackdown)
There’s an imbalance in belts favoring Raw, which we’ll remedy by jumping the European to Smackdown as a secondary singles belt. Otherwise, I want to define Raw and its more aggressive (violent, sexual) style with the Hardcore and Women’s titles, and I want to define Smackdown’s throwback match focus with the Tag Team and Cruiserweight belts. So, that means packing Raw with hardcore specialists and women workers, and establishing deep tag and cruiserweight divisions on Smackdown. The Undisputed Championship will be on both brands, which lets my top worker roam free among the shows and maintain a “chase” among both sides. I want the IC and Euro belts to be stalwart titles, defended almost weekly on television and often featuring long and rich programs. Next, pay-per-views are currently shared among the brands, but my goal is to split them after Summerslam. This will be the new structure: September - Raw (Unforgiven) October - Smackdown (Fall Brawl) November - Raw (Survivor Series) December - Smackdown (Starrcade) January - All (Royal Rumble)
February - All (Superbrawl) March - All (Wrestlemania) April - Raw (Backlash) May - Smackdown (Slamboree) June - Raw (King of the Ring) July - Smackdown (Great American Bash) August - All (Summerslam) I’ll give Smackdown old WCW event titles to retain a sense of that product, while Raw keeps Survivor Series and King of the Ring for themselves. Of course, Smackdown gets Fall Brawl and possibly WarGames, and I may also give Smackdown a tournament of sorts to crown a future star (maybe at Starrcade). |
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Post by bookerman on Mar 17, 2024 5:22:42 GMT 1
Now, here are the rosters.
Raw
Owner: Ric Flair
Undisputed Champion: The Undertaker
Male Main Event / Upper Midcard Booker T, Chris Benoit, Kane, Kevin Nash, Rob Van Dam (IC), Steve Austin, The Big Show
Male Midcard / Lower Midcard Bradshaw, Brock Lesnar, Bubba Ray Dudley, Bull Buchanan, Christopher Nowinski, Crash Holly, D’Lo Brown, Eddie Guerrero, Goldust, Jeff Hardy, Justin Credible, Matt Hardy, Raven, Ron Waterman, Shawn Stasiak, Spike Dudley, Steven Richards (HC), The Big Valbowski, Tommy Dreamer, William Regal (EURO), X-Pac
Female Main Event / Upper Midcard Lita, Trish Stratus (WC)
Female Midcard / Lower Midcard Ivory, Jackie Gayda, Jacqueline, Jazz, Molly Holly, Stacy Kiebler
Plus about a dozen staff including commentary, ring announcer, road agents, referees.
Smackdown
Owner: Vince McMahon
Undisputed Champion: The Undertaker
Male Main Event / Upper Midcard Chris Jericho, Hulk Hogan, Kurt Angle, The Rock, Triple H
Male Midcard / Lower Midcard Al Snow, Albert, Billy, Billy Kidman, Chavo Guerrero, Christian, Chuck, Deacon Batista, Diamond Dallas Page, Edge, Faarooq, Funaki, Hardcore Holly, Hugh Morrus, Jamie Noble, John Cena, Lance Storm, Mark Henry, Mark Jindrak, Maven, Perry Saturn, Randy Orton, Reverend D-Von, Rico (TT), Rikishi (TT), Scotty 2 Hotty, Shannon Moore, Tajiri, Test, The Godfather, The Hurricane (CW)
Female Midcard / Lower Midcard Dawn Marie, Nidia, Torrie Wilson
Plus about a dozen staff including commentary, ring announcer, road agents, referees.
Free Agents / Not Assigned to a Brand Debra, Linda Miles, Mike Awesome, Rey Mysterio Jr, Rhyno, Shawn Michaels
I’ll have to swap a few folks to perfect these rosters; my idea is to establish two open trade seasons of one month each (July and December) that will allow for leadership to make deals.
The overall roster is stacked, but both sides’ main events include workers who probably shouldn’t be (or can’t be) out there every week. That means my everyday go-to top guys on Raw are probably Booker T, Benoit, RVD and Austin, and those guys on Smackdown are Jericho, Angle and Triple H. When I think about how each fits into those brands, I’d probably want to swap at least Benoit and Triple H, and maybe move RVD to Smackdown.
Down card I’m not as concerned, but for a robust cruiserweight division I’d like to bring Jeff Hardy to Smackdown, and for a rounded-out hardcore division it wouldn’t hurt to get Al Snow and say Bob Holly over to Raw. Dawn Marie, Nidia and Torrie are good valets for now, but I may want to send Nidia to Raw in time to put real work in.
***
The Future
Well, I don’t know yet. I’m three weeks from King of the Ring and will largely keep to that event’s storylines. That means Undertaker vs Triple H will happen, Austin should be on a collision course with Ric Flair, Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero, and Kurt Angle will be tangling with Hulk Hogan, among other things.
Beyond that I need to figure out who’s going to be the guy to run with the belt. In real 2002 it was Lesnar, an interesting move that may have been a shade too early. Maybe. Of course, I also have to keep Austin happy, and The Rock is expected back from Hollywood in July, prepared to work about 45 days before leaving once again.
And Rock is BY FAR my most popular worker.
So, again, what the hell am I gonna do? |
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Post by bookerman on Mar 17, 2024 21:45:02 GMT 1
Raw - Week 1 June 2002
Raw Rewind:
Chris Benoit returned last week after a yearlong absence, targeting Eddie Guerrero and Ric Flair but ultimately aligning with them against Steve Austin. Eddie Guerrero lost the Intercontinental Championship to Rob Van Dam in a ladder match. Kevin Nash, now in charge of the nWo, looked to change things up, but Booker T and Goldust annoyed him. Young lion Brock Lesnar soundly beat Bubba Ray Dudley in a hoss match. Trish Stratus, feuding with a newly visceral Molly Holly, got rocked by William Regal’s punch.
Monday Night Raw American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Q1: Bubba Ray Dudley vs Rob Van Dam - King of the Ring Qualifier Basic opener with spots. RVD wins with the frogsplash to pop the crowd. Winner: Rob Van Dam via pinfall (4:50)
Q1-Q2: Promo - Ric Flair, Eddie Guerrero, Chris Benoit Flair is flanked by Guerrero and Benoit, announcing the loose alliance as The Gold Club. After threatening Steve Austin, the Rattlesnake interrupts on the TitanTron and responds, then comes from behind with Stunners to Guerrero and Benoit! Flair ducks out.
Q2: Announcement - We learn that Austin will face Guerrero in tonight’s main event!
Q2-Q3: Spike Dudley vs William Regal [c] - WWE European Championship This finishes their mini feud, with Christopher Nowinski tossing the brass knuckles to Regal for the tainted finish. Result: William Regal via pinfall (7:15)
Q3: Backstage - Kevin Nash, Booker T, Goldust Nash makes Booker and Goldust face one another; winner gets an nWo shirt.
Q4: In-Ring - Tommy Dreamer Dreamer sheds the “gross guy” gimmick and says he craves the Hardcore Title.
Q4: Steven Richards [c] vs Tommy Dreamer - WWE Hardcore Championship In a match that barely gets into the ring, Dreamer overcomes Richards’ sneaky ways, bashing him to a Hardcore Title win! After the match, Richards throws a fit, nearly taking out the referee. Result: Tommy Dreamer via pinfall (6:28)
Q4: Interview - William Regal Regal tells Kevin Kelly he’ll keep winning with the Power of the Punch.
Q5: Booker T vs Goldust A promising match gets sidetracked quickly as Kevin Nash makes his way into the ring and powerbombs both competitors! Result: No contest (1:26)
Q5: Promo - Kevin Nash Nash is pissed about the direction of the nWo and disbands them, saying he’s now focused entirely on the WWE Undisputed Championship. Nobody is standing in his way. But then, a familiar theme hits, sending the crowd into a frenzy. “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels shows up, dancing to the ring, throwing his arms up to the fans and acknowledging their cheers without saying a word. Nash looks on conspicuously.
Q6 - Pre-Match - Paul Heyman, Brock Lesnar Heyman issues a warning to the WWE that the next King of the Ring is here.
Q6 - Brock Lesnar vs Jeff Hardy - King of the Ring Qualifier In a familiar bout, Lesnar puts on an extended squash. Hardy gets a few hope spots, but mostly Lesnar cleans the ring with the high-flier, ending things with the F5. Result: Brock Lesnar via pinfall (3:55)
Q6 - Video - Before the break, we watch a two-minute teaser video drenched in red and black.
Q7- Backstage - Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy Jeff Hardy nurses his wounds. Brother Matt offers his condolences but says he’ll pick up the team in his King of the Ring match next week. Jeff laughs him off, but Matt seems dead serious.
Q7 - Backstage - Booker T, Goldust Booker is frustrated, knocking over items. Goldust tries to calm him, but in barge X-Pac and Big Show. The beatdown is on, as Pac and Show, still wearing nWo gear, stand triumphant.
Q7 - Lita vs Molly Holly In a fast-paced women’s match, Molly uses some nefarious maneuvers to get the better of Lita, securing her spot as No. 1 contender for Trish Stratus’ title. After the match, Molly takes off her hair tie and tries to choke Lita with it, but Trish saves! Result: Molly Holly via pinfall (2:42)
Q7 - Interview - Trish Stratus Stratus tells Kevin Kelly she’s glad to take on Molly for the women’s belt next week on Raw.
Q8 - Eddie Guerrero vs Steve Austin An even match. Austin has the upper hand early, but Guerrero takes command by bending the rules just a little. Austin’s comebacks fall short a couple times, but the Rattlesnake finally takes advantage. Ric Flair and Chris Benoit saunter toward the ring, and while Austin takes out Benoit, Flair distracts the referee, allowing Guerrero to grab a chair. A chairshot lands, but Austin kicks out. Another is kicked away, and Austin gets the Stunner on Guerrero. Then a Stunner on Flair. But before the Rattlesnake can take it, Benoit stops Austin. Guerrero decides enough is enough, taking the chair to Austin while the referee watches it all. There’s no choice but to ring the bell. Result: Steve Austin via DQ (10:57)
Q8 - Post-Match - Guerrero and Benoit look to further take out the Rattlesnake, but Rob Van Dam shows up and takes out both men! As RVD cleans things up, Austin gets to his feet, nodding to Van Dam.
***
WWE King of the Ring Tentative card The Undertaker [c] vs Triple H - WWE Undisputed Championship King of the Ring Final King of the Ring Semifinal King of the Ring Semifinal
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Post by sonny912 on Mar 18, 2024 20:40:11 GMT 1
Goal: Establish a new identity for World Wrestling Entertainment with clear figureheads and product.
Here are my brands and products:
Raw
A: Monday Night Raw: 9-11 p.m. EST Monday B: Sunday Night Heat: 7-8 p.m. EST Sunday
Product: Ruthless Aggression
- Match/angle ratio: 70/30 events, 40/60 TV
- Major matches need associated storylines
Smackdown A: Thursday Night Smackdown: 8-10 p.m. EST Thursday B: Saturday Night Velocity: 7-8 p.m. EST Saturday Product: Classic Balanced
- Match/angle ratio: 80/20 events, 75/25 TV
- Angle roles should not be rated on sex appeal
The overall WWE product, which combines Raw and Smackdown, ultimately mixes a harder edge of the Attitude Era with a focus on realistic storytelling and strong matches. Raw is the harder edge, or “Ruthless Aggression,” and Smackdown is the deeper storytelling side, or “Classic Balanced.” Together, I call the full WWE product “Spectacular Realism.” Here are my title belts:
- WWE Undisputed Championship (Both brands)
WWE Women’s Championship (Exclusive to Raw) WWE Intercontinental Championship (Exclusive to Raw) WWE European Championship (Exclusive to Raw) WWE Hardcore Championship (Exclusive to Raw) WWE Tag Team Championship (Exclusive to Smackdown) WWE Cruiserweight Championship (Exclusive to Smackdown)
There’s an imbalance in belts favoring Raw, which we’ll remedy by jumping the European to Smackdown as a secondary singles belt. Otherwise, I want to define Raw and its more aggressive (violent, sexual) style with the Hardcore and Women’s titles, and I want to define Smackdown’s throwback match focus with the Tag Team and Cruiserweight belts. So, that means packing Raw with hardcore specialists and women workers, and establishing deep tag and cruiserweight divisions on Smackdown. The Undisputed Championship will be on both brands, which lets my top worker roam free among the shows and maintain a “chase” among both sides. I want the IC and Euro belts to be stalwart titles, defended almost weekly on television and often featuring long and rich programs. Next, pay-per-views are currently shared among the brands, but my goal is to split them after Summerslam. This will be the new structure: September - Raw (Unforgiven) October - Smackdown (Fall Brawl) November - Raw (Survivor Series) December - Smackdown (Starrcade) January - All (Royal Rumble)
February - All (Superbrawl) March - All (Wrestlemania) April - Raw (Backlash) May - Smackdown (Starrcade) June - Raw (King of the Ring) July - Smackdown (Great American Bash) August - All (Summerslam) I’ll give Smackdown old WCW event titles to retain a sense of that product, while Raw keeps Survivor Series and King of the Ring for themselves. Of course, Smackdown gets Fall Brawl and possibly WarGames, and I may also give Smackdown a tournament of sorts to crown a future star (maybe at Starrcade). You've got starrcade booked on both May and December, is that by accident? If so then maybe you can change the may ppv to slamboree. |
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Post by bookerman on Mar 18, 2024 23:46:09 GMT 1
You've got starrcade booked on both May and December, is that by accident? If so then maybe you can change the may ppv to slamboree. Ah yeah. Thanks! |
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Post by bookerman on Apr 4, 2024 5:33:31 GMT 1
Smackdown - Week 1 June 2002
Smackdown Rewind:
Triple H, who challenged The Undertaker for the Undisputed Championship at King of the Ring, got into a heated brawl with the “Big Bully.”
Hulk Hogan just wanted to bow out of wrestling gracefully, but a newly bald Kurt Angle attacked him.
Edge defeated Angle in a cage match thanks to Hogan’s interference. Rikishi and Rico successfully defended their surprisingly won Tag Team Championship against Rico’s own clients, Billy and Chuck.
Cruiserweight Champion The Hurricane was attacked by a masked competitor to cost him a tag team match.
Thursday Night Smackdown Cox Convention Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Q1: Promo - Kurt Angle Hulk Hogan’s music hits, but it’s Kurt Angle, and he comes to the ring dressed as Hogan. He hulks up, rips off his shirt, and cuts a classic Hogan-style promo. But midway, he “strains” his hamstring and can’t hit the boot or drop the leg. He’s just an old fogie. That brings out Hogan himself, who’s peeved about Angle’s insults. He says Angle may think he’s a tough guy, but he’s never faced a dude with 26-inch pythons. You know, Hulk was ready to bid farewell to his Hulkamaniacs, but now he just wants to teach Angle a lesson. He challenges Angle to a match at King of the Ring, which Angle happily accepts. But not only that: Angle proposes a tag match tonight because he wants a piece of the old cripple sooner rather than later. Hogan smiles and accepts, then counters an Angle attack with a boot! Angle rolls out of the ring as Hogan pumps up the crowd.
Q2: Chris Jericho vs Tajiri - King of the Ring Qualifier Jericho quickly says he’s ready to be the next King of the Ring. He and Tajiri have a good opening match, back and forth with plenty of speed. Tajiri puts him in the tarantula, but Jericho gets back with impact moves. Walls of Jericho is reversed, but Jericho gets the schoolboy pin to move on.
Result: Chris Jericho via pinfall (12:12)
Q2: Backstage - Vince McMahon, Triple H Intense, but McMahon warns Hunter that after so much brawling and risk-taking, if he lays a hand on Undertaker, he’ll pay.
Q3: Chavo Guerrero vs The Hurricane [c] - WWE Cruiserweight Championship Hurricane gets the win and retains after a solid back-and-forth match with plenty of quick and high-flying action. However, Hurricane throughout is a little paranoid that someone may attack. Result: The Hurricane via pinfall (9:57)
Q3: Post-Match - The mysterious attacker arrives and turns Hurricane around. “You remember me from your past, Hurricane. It’s me, Jamie Noble! Embrace who you are! Embrace your true self!”
Q3-Q4: Backstage - Vince McMahon, The Undertaker
Like with Triple H, the owner warns Taker against putting his hands on Hunter. “I’ve been in your company for over 10 years. I’ve never cared about what you’ve said before, and I don’t care now.” And that’s it.
Q4-Q5: Lance Storm vs Triple H
Early on Hunter has control, but Storm uses some chicanery to gain the advantage and keep Hunter off balance. While Storm looks good, Hunter turns the match after reversing course, nailing a facebuster, and sending Storm outside for a brawl. Storm comes back and gets a near fall off a bridging suplex, and just when he thinks he has it, though slightly limping, Triple H hits the surprise Pedigree.
Result: Triple H via pinfall (13:06)
Q5: Post-Match - Undertaker heads out and wastes no time, getting right in the ring to go after Triple H. Hunter begs him to attack, but something stops Taker at the last moment. He backs away slightly. Staredown.
Q5: Announcement - We’re told a contract signing to ensure Triple H vs Undertaker at King of the Ring will take place next week on Smackdown.
Q5-Q6: Al Snow & Perry Saturn vs Billy & Chuck Rico comes down with his clients, though he wears the tag title to show off a little. Snow and Saturn get some offense in, but their heat stops quickly as Billy and Chuck take turns beating on Snow. A hot tag does come, but Saturn’s offense is stopped as well, and Billy gets the Fameasser on Perry to win it. Result: Billy & Chuck via pinfall (7:07)
Q6: Post-Match - Billy and Chuck raise arms with Rico, but then Chuck knees Rico in the gut before clotheslining him to the mat! Billy swipes Rico’s tag belt from ringside!
Q6: Backstage - Kurt Angle
Angle snares Christian to be his teammate for tonight’s tag team match.
Q6-Q7: Hardcore Holly vs Test - King of the Ring Qualifier Test more or less dominates Bob Holly. Holly gets his stuff in early, but Test squashes it with his size.
Result: Test via pinfall (3:33)
Q7: Interview - Rico & Rikishi
With “Mean” Gene Okerlund, a distraught Rico and an amped up Rikishi issue an ultimatum for Billy and Chuck: Give back that belt … or else.
Q7: Pre-Match - Angle and Christian enter for the main event. Then Hogan, who rips off his shirt and pumps up the crowd before introducing his mystery partner … Edge!
Q7-Q8: Hulk Hogan & Edge vs Kurt Angle & Christian Hogan gets some early offense against Angle, dominating him before the Olympic Hero tags in Christian. The heels are in a bad way as Edge comes in, and the Canadian continues the punishment. The bad guys turn the tide by outsmarting Edge, dominating him for a while with Hogan helpless. But Edge regroups, and the good guys take over. Hogan in with hot offense, then back to Edge, who again gets caught. He’s the face in peril until an Edgecution gets the hot tag to Hogan, and he and Angle go at it. Hogan’s in command, but Angle stops him cold with a leg takedown and a big ol’ belly to belly. Tag to Christian, Hogan can’t make it in, but he reverses field, hulks up and gets the boot and leg drop to win! Result: Hulk Hogan & Edge via pinfall (17:36)
***
WWE King of the Ring Tentative card The Undertaker [c] vs Triple H - WWE Undisputed Championship King of the Ring Final King of the Ring Semifinal King of the Ring Semifinal
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