"FWA: WINTER WASTELAND" || Card & Discussion Thread.

[SupineSnake]

Live from Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi in Istanbul, Turkey.
Saturday 30th December, 2023.

1/60 || MAIN EVENT.
Alyster Black (c) vs. Jeremy Best.
Singles Match for the FWA World Championship.
Match writer: Dubb.

Alyster Black and Jeremy Best have seemingly been on a collision course for a long time, with Best involved in a long-term programme involving Krash - Black’s former tag team partner and close personal friend - for much of the build-up to this year’s Back in Business. Krash won that match, but it is safe to say that neither man has been the same in the weeks and months that have followed since that Mexico City extravaganza. In that same time period, Alyster Black has been busy cementing his status as an FWA legend by winning the World Championship for the second time, dethroning his current tag team partner Chris Peacock at Kinshasa’s Lights Out. Since then, whenever Alyster Black has been on screen, Jeremy Best has never been too far behind. He gatecrashed Black Jesus’ championship victory speech on Meltdown XXXIV, and this match was first announced during Fallout 035’s Buddy Bowl. The two put pen to paper during Fallout 036, with Alyster vowing to finish what Krash started in Mexico City.

1/60.
Jay Kenny and Xavien Marshall (c) vs. The Dark Roads Alliance (Cyrus Truth and Konchu Hao) vs. FTN (Chris Peacock and Alyster Black).
Triple Threat Tag Team Match for the FWA World Tag Team Championships.
Match writer: Man.

The tag team division in the FWA has undergone somewhat of a makeover in the last six months, following The Connection’s defeat to FTN ahead of Back in Business. Chris Peacock and Alyster Black ran roughshod over the division until they were overcome by the Dark Roads Alliance at Lights Out in a Falls Count Anywhere Match. Cyrus Truth and Konchu Hao’s reign was surprisingly cut short by Jay Kenny and Xavien Marshall on Meltdown XXXV. The champions ‘celebrated’ their win with their pre-arranged bout for the Gunfight One Ring, which was claimed by Marshall after he savagely beat Kenny in the middle of the ring. With Jay Kenny not physically at 100%, Xavien Marshall with one eye on the X Championship, Chris Peacock MIA and Alyster Black having to defend the FWA World Championship in the main event, the door is wide open for the DRA to reclaim their gold. However, as always in the FWA, anything can - and will - happen.

1/60.
Big Bryan Bastard (c) vs. Chris Crowe.
Singles Match for the FWA North American Championship.
Match writer: Dubb.

Last week, Big Bryan Bastard’s reign with the FWA North American Championship went past the one year mark, but on the 31st of December he faces what is perhaps his toughest challenge yet. Chris Crowe is a former champion who never lost his belt, instead having to relinquish it thanks to injury in November of 2021. Crowe’s own run with the championship belt was shaping up to be historic in and of itself, with Crowe at two hundred and forty six days as champion when he was forced to give the title up. ‘The Showman’ has been forced to fight for his chance to reclaim that prize, but he earned this opportunity with victory over Xperienx Xtacee and Katsu at Lights Out in Kinshasa. Since then, Chris Crowe - along with tag team partner Tommy Bedlam as part of the recently reformed Deathswitch - has shown that there are no limits to the lengths he will go to infiltrate Bryan Bastard’s mind, including shattering a bottle of JD over the recovering alcoholic’s head on Meltdown XXXIV. It was Baxter, however, who drew first blood in the ring, with he and Jeremy Best winning Fallout 036’s tag team triple threat main event over Deathswitch and Eternal - though it was the latter’s Princess Nova who took the fall. All others will be absent - and busy elsewhere on the card - during this highly anticipated North American Championship match.

1/60.
Tommy Bedlam (c) vs. Keres.
X Rules Match (No DQ, Falls Count Anywhere) for the FWA X Championship.
Match writer: Tom O’Bedlam.

Tommy Bedlam has been on an impressive run since winning the FWA X Championship on the second night of Back in Business. However, he hasn’t faced anyone quite like Keres, but all that is set to change at Winter Wasteland. After falling to Bedlam and his partner, Chris Crowe in a tag match, Xeres stared “The Cowboy” down while lightly scratching an X in his chest, seemingly calling her shot. The two ran into each other once again on Fallout 36, where we learned that “The Daughter of Demise” has been haunting the champ more than anyone realized. Keres looks to put her stamp on the X Division as she seeks her first FWA championship reign, while Bedlam wants to keep his momentum rolling.

1/30.
Kleio De Santos (c) vs. Jack the Clipper vs. Brooklyn Steiner.
Triple Threat Match for the FWA Television Championship.
Match writer: SS.

This match came about as a result of two separate contender eliminator matches on the XXXIV/034 cycle, which saw Jack the Clipper overcoming Trevor Walker and Brooklyn Steiner defeating the tough challenge of Vengador. This set up a triple threat match at Winter Wasteland, where Kleio De Santos will defend her FWA Television Championship. KDS won the belt in Kinshasa at Lights Out, winning the vacant belt - relinquished by Shawn Summers upon his retirement - in a victory over Madison Gray. Both Kleio and her stablemates in the Coven will defend gold here in Istanbul, with KDS’s TV title run the first of her still-young FWA career.

Both Jack the Clipper and Brooklyn Steiner have sustained their momentum since winning this championship opportunity. First, they teamed together, alongside Nate Savage and Jackson Fenix of the Undisputed Alliance (two of the three challengers to the Coven’s Trios Championships), to overcome the group of Kleio, Celestia, Blair, and Grandma Ethel. Jack would go on to see off Sawyer Xavier on Fallout 036, with Brooklyn Steiner edging out Gerald Grayson two days earlier on Meltdown XXXVI. Kleio De Santos also recorded a big victory over former world champion, not to mention her mentor, Gabrielle. The three exchanged words and chuckles following Steiner’s win on XXXVI, but all jokes will be put aside when they tussle over the FWA Television Championship in Istanbul.

1/30.
The Coven (Celestia Ravenwood, Blair Ravenwood, and Trixie Bordeaux) (c) vs. The Undisputed Xperienx (Xperienx Xtacee, Jackson Fenix, and Nate Savage).
Trios Match for the FWA Trios Championships.
Match writer: Welshy.

In what was originally supposed to be a nine person battle for the Trios Championships has now come down to six people. The team of Undisputed Xperienx finished third in the Back in Business trios battle royale behind YDS and the team that would go on to win the trios championships, The Coven. Jon Russnow decided that Undisputed Xperienx would get a shot at the gold after getting so close before, and on the way to Winter Wasteland we saw Jackson Fenix pin one of the champions, Trixie Bordeaux, in a triple threat match as well as earning a win over The Coven and KDS in eight person tag team action.

Things took a turn for the worst on the most recent Fallout when The Coven were scheduled to be guests on Xperienx Xtacee’s Pillow Talk, which is usually a fun loving show but this most recent episode nothing of the sort. Tensions were high and things got ugly in a hurry, and in turn we saw Xperienx Xtacee be on the receiving end of a hex of some sort by The Coven. Now it’s become more than just about championships, now it’s personal, and it will all come to a head at Winter Wasteland.

1/20.
Gabrielle vs. Elizabeth Rose.
Singles Match.
Match writer: SS.

Gabrielle returned to the Fantasy Wrestling Alliance to confront Elizabeth Rose, whose new, strange alliances with Keres and Princess Nova were at odds with the Rose - Lizzie Rose, then - that she remembered. The Rose we see now is not the one we saw Gabrielle mentor during Ground Zero, nor is it the one that shared the ring with her at Back in Business XVI.

Gabrielle returned to in-ring action on Fallout 034, where she defeated ‘the Young Lioness’ Madison Gray, but has struggled for consistency since then. During Fallout 035’s ‘Buddy Bowl’ tournament, she - alongside fellow former World Champion Bell Connelly - were eliminated by eventual winners ‘Rockstar’ Randy Ramon and Chris Crowe. Another of the women often perceived as one of her proteges, Kleio De Santos, earned victory against the former Goddess on Fallout 036, and the gloomy presence of Eternal - Keres along with what has become of both Rose and Nova - has always loomed close at hand.

1/20.
Death Walker vs. Gerald Grayson.
Singles Match.
Match writer: SS.

Death Walker has plagued Gerald Grayosn since the Daredevil returned to FWA action two months ago. Alongside repeatedly attacking Grayson during his interview time, Death Walker also saw fit to weaken the former FWA World Tag Team Champion during his return to that division in Fallout 035’s ‘Buddy Bowl’. Grayson came third in the tournament, and who is to say what he and his partner ‘the Maltese Falcon’ could’ve accomplished without Death Walker’s interference.

Grayson would go on to challenge Death Walker to this match at Winter Wasteland, and would somewhat return the favour on Meltdown XXXVI. Whilst seemingly beset upon all sides by the Terrors of Darkness once more, the Daredevil fended them off and then some with the aid of a simple steel pipe. Grayson was all business when he addressed Death Walker and this match-up later that evening in Gaza City, which will be his chance to truly even the score within the squared circle after these series of initial skirmishes.

1/20.
Blake Taylor vs. Madison Gray.
Street Fight.
Match writer: Tom O’Bedlam.

Blake Taylor and Madison Gray hadn’t crossed paths since the Triple Threat match that Gray won during the FWA quest for the vacated television title. However, after Madison Gray’s friend, Laramie was kidnapped, it was eventually discovered that Taylor was the man behind the abduction. He offered Laramie back, but only if Gray would agree to face him in a Street Fight at Winter Wasteland. Gray not only agreed, but she outsmarted her opponent along the way. Will the young lioness be able to get the edge against a former MMA champion? Taylor will look to turn around his luck in a match with no rules.

1/20.
XYZ vs. Vengador.
Singles Match.
Match writer: Dubb

Although not booked for active competition on Fallout 034 or Meltdown XXXIV, XYZ made his presence felt on those shows by appearing at ringside following the separate matches of Vengador and Trevor Walker. He offered each of them a bouquet of flowers, eliciting typical anger and refusal from Walker, whilst receiving ambivalence and then acceptance from Vengador. XYZ would explain his actions on 034, suggesting that Vengador and Walker stop and smell the roses after the disappointment of their respective defeats at the hands of Brooklyn Steiner and Jack the Clipper.

The following episode on Meltdown XXXV, Walker, Vengador, and XYZ teamed unsuccessfully against Tr1ck or Tr4sh. Trevor Walker stormed away from his teammates, and perhaps away from the FWA, with negotiations surrounding his contract still ongoing behind closed doors. Vengador, too, seemed frustrated at the manner of the loss, refusing a new bouquet from XYZ and leaving him alone following their trios defeat. Last week, on Fallout 036, Vengador appeared at ringside during XYZ’s singles match against Anzu Kurosawa, earning X a disqualification victory by kicking him in the gut and nailing him with his Justicia finisher on the outside. This match was signed off for Winter Wasteland as a result of this devastating and surprising attack, who left a bouquet of his own behind at the scene.

1/20.
Jason Randall vs. Sawyer Xavier.
Singles Match.
Match writer: Jimmy

At Lights Out we saw Sawyer Xavier eliminate Jason Randall in the Gunfight Battle Royale, and following that Sawyer Xavier had some words for The Wildcard. Xavier feels like Randall isn’t getting the respect he deserves, but Randall doesn’t seem to care despite knowing that what Sawyer has said is true. Randall eventually issued the challenge to Xavier for a match at Winter Wasteland and Xavier took him up on the offer. Then, on the most recent Fallout we saw Randall come to Xavier’s aid following his match with Jack the Clipper followed by a tense staredown. The year hasn’t been kind to either man and at Winter Wasteland one of them has a chance to end the year with a bang while the other will end it with a whimper.

1/20.
Tr1ck or Tr4sh (Juan Tothrefor, Trash Mammal, and Halloween Knight) vs. Triple J Security (Jobber Jimbo, Jugem Jugem, and Jiggy Jon).
Trios Match.
Match writer: AON.

Juan Tothrefor’s beginning in the FWA was somewhat rocky, after being a repeated target of Johnny Johnson and The Great Maru, before Johnson ultimately decided that Juan was not worthy of stepping into the ring with his client. In his despondence, Juan found camaraderie with fellow luchadors Halloween Knight and Trash Mammal. Thus, Tr1ck or Tr4sh were born. Since then the trio have proved popular with FWA audiences and boast a 2-0 record. Their next test is in the form of three ‘Ghosts of FWA Past’ in Jobber Jimbo, Jimmy Jon and Jugem Jugem - Triple J Security. The goons confronted the luchadors on Fallout 036 and challenged Tr1ck or Tr4sh to a match at Winter Wasteland under the instruction of a mysterious ‘employer’.

1/10.
Jeffry Mason vs. ???.
Deathmatch Open Challenge.
Match writer: ???.

Announced on FWA.com following the events of Fallout 036, Jeffry Mason will return to one-on-one action in this deathmatch open challenge, the theme of and opponent will not be revealed until the start of this epic six-hour extravaganza of professional wrestling. Mason exploded back into the scene within the FWA with his second-place finish, alongside ‘the Cowboy’ Tommy Bedlam, in Fallout 035’s ‘Buddy Bowl’ tournament. Prepare to be underwhelmed by the opponent but overwhelmed by Mason's thirst for violent in our Winter Wasteland opening match!

Promo deadlines:

Sunday 17th December: 23.59PM Pacific.
Monday 18th December, 03:00AM Eastern.
Monday 18th December, 08:00AM UK.
Monday 18th December, 19:00PM Melbourne.

No extensions.

GLHF!​

 

[SupineSnake]

As you can see, stacked card with lots of matches. Any help with matchwriting on this card would be much appreciated.

 

[SupineSnake]

As you can see, stacked card with lots of matches. Any help with matchwriting on this card would be much appreciated.

Thanks to AON and Welsh who've reached out about this. I'll get to both of you with some promo feedback after the window. Any other offers would still be much appreciated.

 

[SupineSnake]

on the first day of promo reviews my true love gave to me

Madison Gray
Really enjoyed this promo, thought it was quite creative and definitely ambitious. I’ve mentioned in the discord a few times the difference between your writing now and when you first joined with MDC and that continues to impress. Story was well paced and filled with interesting interactions with stand-ins for FWA stars, although I did think at some points a lot of the inclusions (outside of Wurst) maybe seemed a little random. The Tailor as the antagonist is obvious but some of the other choices for peripheral characters here didn’t add too much to the central story for me. I thought the writing was at its strongest at the start with some really cool imagery as well as fun surreal dialogue, the latter making appearances throughout the roleplay. Gray came across as perhaps impressionable, taking advice from those around her more than she is forthright and assertive, although she makes some progression through the final passages. Promo was mostly clean and the images were okay, although I think description alone probably better if you can get away with it.

Vengador
‘There's not nearly enough resources left in this world to sustain an agrarian society’ is such a backward mentality and really left me cold to this promo. Seriously though this was a fun little promo about trust, betrayal, and friendship (your favourite theme). Lots of opponent focus in a short time and done in a creative way. Think it’s clear your focus probably on the other two promos (!) that you have for this card but always enjoy these short, sharp Vengador pieces that always feel light and easy to read.

Bryan Baxter
Another promo with plenty of opponent focus, with Starling obviously standing in for the Showman and possessing adequate sleaze to do so. Sort of reminded me of Scorpane also. THe writing of the relationship with Bryan and his estranged daughter has been engaging, slow build stuff, the longer term narrative you’ve told there has been consistently good and refreshingly organic character progression. I thought the scene between Kristy and Aubrey was maybe a little thin (uncharacteristically), particularly in relation to Aubrey’s motivations for running away and in general. Maybe that’ll be drawn out more in the future. Would’ve liked a big circus set piece sequence. Aubrey standing in for the North American Championship here, though, contributed to the overall themes of the promo even if they left Aubrey without agency for much of the promo (or up until the climatic scene). Glad you somewhat subverted trope of finishing with a big fight or a dramatic build to said fight.

DRA
One of Konchu’s/Cyrus’s opponents, in this case the stand-in for Xavien Marshall, telling one of Cyrus’ characters that they ‘don’t know him’ is amusing because nobody addresses their opponents more thoughtfully and thoroughly than Cyrus. You really have a knack for understanding other people’s characters and nailing their essence in a couple thousand words. Enjoyed the pitch of Xavien and Kenny as common, petty ruffians with no strong bond, ready to sell each other down the river at the earliest opportunity. Although an argument could be made that this is a classic ‘list’ promo, where you run through your opponents one by one, I think there was enough flow between the sections where it feels like one whole piece comprising these individual acts. I actually thought the sections centred around Kenny and Xavien were stronger than the FTR sections in this promo, which is perhaps surprising given Cyrus and (to a lesser extent) Konchu’s recent history with Peacock and Black, although the ending with Peacock was pretty fantastic. Genuinely laughed out loud whilst reading in bed last night. Enjoyed this promo, feels unnatural seeing Cyrus this natural with a teammate.

 

[Cyrus Truth]

DRA
One of Konchu’s/Cyrus’s opponents, in this case the stand-in for Xavien Marshall, telling one of Cyrus’ characters that they ‘don’t know him’ is amusing because nobody addresses their opponents more thoughtfully and thoroughly than Cyrus. You really have a knack for understanding other people’s characters and nailing their essence in a couple thousand words. Enjoyed the pitch of Xavien and Kenny as common, petty ruffians with no strong bond, ready to sell each other down the river at the earliest opportunity. Although an argument could be made that this is a classic ‘list’ promo, where you run through your opponents one by one, I think there was enough flow between the sections where it feels like one whole piece comprising these individual acts. I actually thought the sections centred around Kenny and Xavien were stronger than the FTR sections in this promo, which is perhaps surprising given Cyrus and (to a lesser extent) Konchu’s recent history with Peacock and Black, although the ending with Peacock was pretty fantastic. Genuinely laughed out loud whilst reading in bed last night. Enjoyed this promo, feels unnatural seeing Cyrus this natural with a teammate.

Focusing more on Kenny and Xavien was part of the point. In the eyes of the DRA, their issues with FTN were settled at Lights Out. They took something from them as payment for what Peacock pulled at BIB and the team looked dissolved. As was said in the promo, Alyster/Hood is the only one of that duo that had something worth investing energy in. DRA was more than ready to move on up until they were robbed and FTN dragged them back into their bullshit.

Appreciate the review!

 

[SupineSnake]

FWA announces double-header for Winter Wasteland, hints at nature of Tokyo’s ‘Untitled PPV’.
by Shake Meltzer.
December 22nd, 2024. 09:24.

We’re only eight days out from FWA’s ‘Winter Wasteland’ pay-per-view, and only now is it becoming clear how the company intends to deal with the large number of matches scheduled for the show. Many have asked how all thirteen matches can fit into one four hour extravaganza of wrestling, and these questions have been amplified by recent rumors that there may indeed be more contests scheduled for the December supershow than originally advertised. Those questions have been answered by the release of thousands of free tickets to ‘Winter Wasteland: Part One’ in an Istanbul city park.

The Fantasy Wrestling Alliance and the Municipal County of Istanbul formally announced this additional event, scheduled for 14:00 local time on Saturday 31st December. This is only a handful of hours before the sold-out stadium show at Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi, now marketed as ‘Winter Wasteland: Part Two’, with free shuttle buses provided from park to arena for fans intending to attend both events.

The company also announced provisional line-ups for the two halves of the show. Predictably, Alyster Black’s FWA World Championship match against rival Jeremy Best will headline the second half of the show, with Part One’s main event currently scheduled to be Jay Kenny and Xavien Marshall’s maiden defense of the FWA World Tag Team Championships. The full listing of matches scheduled for each part of Winter Wasteland, subject to change, is below:

Spoiler: Winter Wasteland Full Match Listing.

PART ONE.

Live from Bahçeşehir Gölet Park in Istanbul, Turkey.
Saturday 30th December, 2023 (@ 2PM local time).

1. Jeffry Mason vs. ??? [Deathmatch Open Challenge].
2. Death Walker vs. Gerald Grayson.
3. Bryan Baxter (c) vs. Chris Crowe [FWA North American Championship].
4. Jason Randall vs. Sawyer Xavier.
5. Blake Taylor vs. Madison Gray [Street Fight].
6. Jay Kenny and Xavien Marshall (c) vs. Konchu Hao and Cyrus Truth vs. Alyster Black and Chris Peacock [FWA World Tag Team Championships].

PART TWO.

Live from Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi in Istanbul, Turkey.
Saturday 30th December, 2023 (@ 8PM local time).

1. Blair Ravenwood, Celestia Ravenwood, and Trixie Bordeaux (c) vs. Nate Savage, Jackson Fenix, and Xperienx Xtacee [Trios Match | FWA Trios Championships].
2. Tommy Bedlam (c) vs, Keres [X Rules Match | FWA X Championship].
3. Tr1ck or Tr4sh vs. Triple J Security [Trios Match].
4. Gabrielle vs. Elizabeth Rose.
5. XYZ vs. Vengador.
6. Kleio De Santos (c) vs. Jack the Clipper vs. Brooklyn Steiner [Triple Threat Match | FWA Television Championship].
7. Alyster Black (c) vs. Jeremy Best [FWA World Championship].

Separately from this Winter Wasteland announcement, the FWA’s official Instagram account posted the schedule for the upcoming F1 Climaxxx tournament. None of the eight entrants in 2024’s edition have been announced, but the image posted by the FWA did provide some interesting information regarding the tournament. We already knew the competition’s format but now it appears that no matches will take place on Fallout, with Meltdown instead looking like the F1’s exclusive home.

That is, of course, apart from the Grand March’s final and the last matches in the group stage. These were originally scheduled for what had been ambiguously known online as the Untitled PPV. The tournament’s graphic refers to an event scheduled for that weekend as Fight Night. You may remember that, last year, the FWA produced Fight Night: The Final 4 at the semi-final stage of the inaugural F1 Climaxxx. This year, Fight Night will ostensibly feature the final round of matches in the pool stage. This show is scheduled for the Friday before the purported Untitled PPV, and it is currently unknown whether this will happen in place of it or as well as it. Perhaps this will become clearer when tickets for that Japanese tour go on sale in the new year.

The graphic originally posted by the FWA can be seen in full below.

Spoiler: F1 Climaxxx 2024 Format.

​

More to follow.

—​

Also, out-of-kayfabe:

Spoiler: A Very Crossfire Christmas - The Secular Spectacular

Those of you that are aware of the schedule will know that, following Winter Wasteland, there is a show scheduled called ‘A Very Crossfire Christmas - The Secular Spectacular’. This is not a standard show with a booked card and matches. Nobody is expected to promo or even contribute for this show: the winter break for RPers began when WW’s promo window closed, and won’t end until the opening of the next Fallout/Meltdown promo window in the middle of January.

The only things currently scheduled for A Very Crossfire Christmas are the press conference for the F1 Climaxxx and a couple championship announcements for the forthcoming pay-per-view cycle. If you’d like to work on something - a segment or a storylined match or whatever - then you absolutely can and it will be included in results. But we won’t be posting a formal card for it.

Last cycle, we put together most of the feuds for Winter Wasteland early and it led to a card now that has very well built match-ups - thirteen of them - up and down it. Hopefully we can do the same for the next pay-per-view, which will be the Grand March and will have a lengthy build up (Crossfire, Two Meltdowns/Fallouts, Fight Night, Two Meltdown/Fallouts). If you’ve got any ideas or pitches for what you’d like your character to do once the results are out for Winter Wasteland, just reach out to any of the mods (Mandalorian, Jimmy King, Tommy Bedlam, Dubble J, or myself).

Peace.

 

[SupineSnake]

promo reviews part two

Keres.
I think, alongside Death Walker, Keres as a character definitely has one of the most unique voices out of any of the new roster members since we came to WS. That’s in evidence here with what is often quite a bizarre scene involving your opponent and a host of other FWA stars. At first, I thought some of the inclusions here felt pretty random, focusing on people Keres has - to my knowledge - had very little interactions with since her arrival in the promotion, but overall I felt this approach added to the surreal feeling of the promo. Can see some of the wrestling influences in this promo - it’s no surprise that you’re a big Wyatt fan. I’m glad a large amount of the promo focussed on Bedlam, drawing what turns into a cutting and personal point on your opponent that keeps the roleplay focussed where it needs to be, even through the abstract stretches a the climax. Presentation was mostly fine though I did find the black-on-black kind of hard to read. Excellent character portrayal for me here - as I mentioned Keres as a character feels so unique and unmistakable. You know that you’re reading a Keres promo because you have such a firm grasp of the character.

Brooklyn Steiner.
Most of the time that I read a Brooklyn Steiner promo my mind makes obvious comparisons to my Jean-Luc Watkins character back when I was roleplaying as him - the section in this one with Steiner and his father definitely triggered images of Jean-Luc’s relationship with Rupert. Loved this sequence in the promo - the blunt and dismissive tone that Kirkman takes with his son in this roleplay explains a lot about the man that Brooklyn is (or the small part of him we’ve seen so far). Thought this was excellent character work in both the portrayal and development categories. The journey through the portal and into an alternate reality, complete with an alternate Brooklyn and alternate Sarah, was a creative touch even if this concept actually featured (relatively) heavily this cycle. I think you used it well to convey what I thought was the major point of the promo, with questions relating to whether Brooklyn’s attitude (almost courting the reputation as a workhorse) will lead to a prime version of himself. It seems that both Brooklyn’s father and Brooklyn himself have doubts about that. Originally, I wasn’t sure about the ending segments with an almost commercial-style hype package for the upcoming match. Now, I sort of dig them: they feel a little old school and unique amongst the FWA landscape.

Death Walker.
Really glad to see that you brought it in this promo, showing big for the pay-per-view at the culmination of a feud I’ve really enjoyed over the past couple months. The unique style of your promos is something that has been commented on a lot already, and that is combined here with an ambitious narrative structure with intertwining stories told in parallel. That was really well done, the structure itself becoming a major creative force in the roleplay before we descend into absolute madness in the final interaction between Death and Pam. This is Death Walker at his finest, sinister and pompous, and really does read like nothing else posted on this card (or any card in recent memory). This roleplay was definitely very much focussed around your own character, scoring particularly well for me in the character portrayal category, but I would maybe have enjoyed to see some more focus on your opponent. The feud has been hype, which makes it a shame that Grayson seems only a secondary concern here. This promo felt a lot cleaner and tighter than recent ones from Death, also, which helped with keeping the somewhat complicated structure straightforward to follow.

Jack the Clipper.
More sinister atmosphere (I imagine Jack speaks in a hushed and gravelly tone, to answer a recent question in the Discord about how characters sound for one other than my own) here but with additional backstory exhibition! First part of the promo was probably my favourite, with some exploration of Jack’s (don’t call him Clipper) initial forays into the wrestling business, his volatile tendencies on full display. This was great character work, particularly in the development category, but throughout the promo there is this feel of a Jack the Clipper promo that comes from the general atmosphere as well as solid work in character portrayal. As anticipated (by your opponent(s) as much as anyone…) we conclude with a lengthy monologue section, where you really sold the match and the importance of it to Jack specifically. There was enough emphasis on your opponents within the body of this monologue, with enough creativity in the language and approach to building the match (alongside that shown in the opening flashback sequence).

 

[Death Walker]

promo reviews part two

Keres.
I think, alongside Death Walker, Keres as a character definitely has one of the most unique voices out of any of the new roster members since we came to WS. That’s in evidence here with what is often quite a bizarre scene involving your opponent and a host of other FWA stars. At first, I thought some of the inclusions here felt pretty random, focusing on people Keres has - to my knowledge - had very little interactions with since her arrival in the promotion, but overall I felt this approach added to the surreal feeling of the promo. Can see some of the wrestling influences in this promo - it’s no surprise that you’re a big Wyatt fan. I’m glad a large amount of the promo focussed on Bedlam, drawing what turns into a cutting and personal point on your opponent that keeps the roleplay focussed where it needs to be, even through the abstract stretches a the climax. Presentation was mostly fine though I did find the black-on-black kind of hard to read. Excellent character portrayal for me here - as I mentioned Keres as a character feels so unique and unmistakable. You know that you’re reading a Keres promo because you have such a firm grasp of the character.

Brooklyn Steiner.
Most of the time that I read a Brooklyn Steiner promo my mind makes obvious comparisons to my Jean-Luc Watkins character back when I was roleplaying as him - the section in this one with Steiner and his father definitely triggered images of Jean-Luc’s relationship with Rupert. Loved this sequence in the promo - the blunt and dismissive tone that Kirkman takes with his son in this roleplay explains a lot about the man that Brooklyn is (or the small part of him we’ve seen so far). Thought this was excellent character work in both the portrayal and development categories. The journey through the portal and into an alternate reality, complete with an alternate Brooklyn and alternate Sarah, was a creative touch even if this concept actually featured (relatively) heavily this cycle. I think you used it well to convey what I thought was the major point of the promo, with questions relating to whether Brooklyn’s attitude (almost courting the reputation as a workhorse) will lead to a prime version of himself. It seems that both Brooklyn’s father and Brooklyn himself have doubts about that. Originally, I wasn’t sure about the ending segments with an almost commercial-style hype package for the upcoming match. Now, I sort of dig them: they feel a little old school and unique amongst the FWA landscape.

Death Walker.
Really glad to see that you brought it in this promo, showing big for the pay-per-view at the culmination of a feud I’ve really enjoyed over the past couple months. The unique style of your promos is something that has been commented on a lot already, and that is combined here with an ambitious narrative structure with intertwining stories told in parallel. That was really well done, the structure itself becoming a major creative force in the roleplay before we descend into absolute madness in the final interaction between Death and Pam. This is Death Walker at his finest, sinister and pompous, and really does read like nothing else posted on this card (or any card in recent memory). This roleplay was definitely very much focussed around your own character, scoring particularly well for me in the character portrayal category, but I would maybe have enjoyed to see some more focus on your opponent. The feud has been hype, which makes it a shame that Grayson seems only a secondary concern here. This promo felt a lot cleaner and tighter than recent ones from Death, also, which helped with keeping the somewhat complicated structure straightforward to follow.

Jack the Clipper.
More sinister atmosphere (I imagine Jack speaks in a hushed and gravelly tone, to answer a recent question in the Discord about how characters sound for one other than my own) here but with additional backstory exhibition! First part of the promo was probably my favourite, with some exploration of Jack’s (don’t call him Clipper) initial forays into the wrestling business, his volatile tendencies on full display. This was great character work, particularly in the development category, but throughout the promo there is this feel of a Jack the Clipper promo that comes from the general atmosphere as well as solid work in character portrayal. As anticipated (by your opponent(s) as much as anyone…) we conclude with a lengthy monologue section, where you really sold the match and the importance of it to Jack specifically. There was enough emphasis on your opponents within the body of this monologue, with enough creativity in the language and approach to building the match (alongside that shown in the opening flashback sequence).

And quite thank you as well as others. I've been trying to give a better balance of mystique and straightforward approach. This was done to make it easier on the variety of readers. I really make it my duty to tap into every type of reader so my stuff doesn't just come off too much to handle or just a bunch of ramblings with no objectives or goals. As far as scooping more on my opponent, Gerald Grayson, I did have trouble trying to layout more at a time where he just made his return and BOOM... Death goes on a whole attack frenzy with no true intentions other than to add chaos and use it as an opportunity to showcase more of himself. But yes... thank you, I am glad that he is being understood more than ever.

 

[SupineSnake]

Undisputed Xperienx.
Sesame Street X sounds like a really sordid porno. When I started this and realised Jackson (and Nate) were going back to Sesame Street again I worried that the set-up would be the victim of diminishing returns, but I think you found enough amusing sequences here to avoid that, and the accompanying Xperienx (along with Monica and Antonia, of course) certainly adds a new dynamic to the whole thing. I think there’s enough character focus throughout here because of the manner in which you used the events of last cycle’s television as a catalyst for their visit – the Coven are always looming over the promo, even if not present or even discussed, as instigators and antagonists. Loved the characters realising that they couldn’t swear when in the Sesame Street universe - nice touch. Felt the ending was maybe a little sudden but that’s probably down to the enforced word count and wanting to get all your stuff in leading up to that point, which is a fair editorial choice. Enjoyed this promo.

FTN.
Throughout this promo, Chris Peacock is the member of FTN prone to volatility, violence, and prolonged bouts of sullen-ness, whilst Alyster Black engages in some frivolity (signing up for a murder mystery) in an attempt to conjure up some team spirit. I liked tha this promo in some ways felt like a role reversal of sorts, with Peacock exhibiting a lot of the characteristics I’d associate with Black (and vice versa), but enjoyed that it’s circumstance that has created this as opposed to going full gimmick a la Freaky Friday or whatever. Maybe a subtle nod to Golden Rock, which is possible given the opening sequence. With regards to this, I was initially worried that maybe we were going to be too focussed on Peacock’s backburner feud, but it quickly became clear that the situation with Randy Ramon was instead going to act as a source of tension between Black and Peacock, so I liked how you used that other program as a motivating factor for your characters going into Winter Wasteland. Also liked that you subverted having the murder mystery be directly about your opponents – when I started reading about the factory owners I was trying to decipher whether this was Kenny/Marshall or Truth/Hao, but soon became very clear the most obvious parallels between Lipp and Fine and FWA characters were to Peacock and Black. This made for a more creative and unique read in my opinion but also had very little focus on the opponents, with them reduced to shuffling past the other duos attempting the murder mystery – perhaps this is deliberate? Only thing they have in common with the teams in their pursuit of a common prize? Would work for Kenny and Marshall but I think less so for Hao and Truth. The quality of the writing here is very high throughout, although I think it’s possible you had more time to proof the start than the end. The second half of the promo definitely had more cluttered sentences with two many ands, but quality of writing still one of the highest posted. Thing this promo was particularly successful in the character categories, specifically that of progression. Ending sequence was pretty full on. I hoped for Peacock to finish his matching scar and then for everyone to go get matching manicures and perms. Really dug this promo throughout, great work.

Sawyer Xavier.
Alternate versions of the protagonists - be it in direct AU contexts like here or with Brooklyn, or in more down-to-earth and metaphorical ways like with FTN - seems to be a recurring theme for this set of promos. Thought you approached this in a pretty creative way, and thought it was a good touch that all of these other Sawyers seem to be telling our Xavier what NOT to do. Imagine this is indicative of the mental place that Sawyer is in leading up to Winter Wasteland: plagued by nagging self-doubt, despite the externalised blame (directed towards the man and the system) that we've seen from him on television and is the driving force of his story with Randall. Think this promo did a good job with character portrayal and also scored points for me by doing so in an unusual way that you might not expect.

 

[SupineSnake]

Xavien Marshall and Jay Kenny.
I like that this promo in quite a few ways felt like a continuation of the excellent Xavien promo for the Gunfight Battle Royale match, which is definitely the tone struck up throughout. The atmosphere of this one feels a lot more like that of Marshall than that of Kenny, although it was fun to read Jay placed in that context. I was perhaps a little concerned during the first third that the primary focus of the promo was going to be Xavien to the extent of Jay becoming a supporting character. I think this is still sort of true at the end of the promo, but Kenny’s role becomes a lot more significant in that middle and final act. It is also the case that the best character progression made, in my opinion, is the development of the relationship between the two of them, mostly coming in that middle third of the roleplay. I like that they didn’t instantly become fast friends and there’s still a fair bit of tension and animosity under the surface with them, although I must admit Kenny not taking more of an issue with what happened on Meltdown did make him look a bit like a punk (although his willingness to go along with X and Z’s plan with the guy who owed them cash was explained by Jay finding himself back in his own element). Absolutely loved the description of Xavien going back to his old ends. Top notch pancake nostalgia imagery. I really enjoyed the parallels between the scene with Kenny and the dude owing money with the final one of Xavien and Officer Martin, with both collecting a debt and showing obvious similarities but also clear differences in how they conduct their ‘business’. Nice to see Xavien exhibiting some levels of restraint after the excesses of last cycle. There's a pragmatism about both men in each scene, though - a sense that both would be swift to violence if negotiations didn't go their way. Usually I would think an onscreen section like this would maybe feel tagged on or forced, but here I think it works well to cement the development (the common ground found) of the team. Also provides some match focus and is the clearest Kenny's voice comes through in the whole promo for me. Feels like a Kenny viewed through Xavien’s eyes up to this point. Outside of a couple of minor errors this was one of the cleanest promos posted this week. That tag match is incredibly tough to call.

The Coven.
The procession of Christmas-themed (or Christmas-inspired, or Christmas-infused) promos continues with the Coven’s festive storytime. This roleplay immediately brought to mind an old Saint Sully promo from (I think) his world title reign, where he tells his daughter a trio of bedtime stories focused around his opponents. This obviously has the levity dialled up with that concept and I enjoyed equating Trixie to Sullivan’s literal child. The stories were enjoyable, particularly the GrinchX, but also thought the Trixie/Rudolph work was some pretty solid character work. Overall presentation of this promo was very nice. Think the page is cluttered but deliberately so, almost childlike and scrapbookish. Think it's clear from reading both this and the Kleio promo that this one is where most of your focus was (though as a sidenote your prediction of what the Clipper promo would be in the KDS roleplay was amusing). The ending of this promo was funny also. Really enjoy Trixie and the Ravenwoods as a team but would also maybe like to see them spread their wings outside of the trios division.

Gabrielle.
I'm never sure exactly how I'm meant to feel when reading a Gabrielle promo. Voyeuristic isn't quite the word: we're not seeing anything that the protagonist doesn't want us to see, but the suggestion of vulnerability with which you write this Gabrielle (not quite fully sure as to her own motives or whether she has agency), not to mention the ‘power’ that Desmond notes enjoying, that gives these roleplays a calculated seediness. The middle scene was initially quite surprising but I think maybe it's a setup for what happens if Gabrielle doesn't make the F1, given that the Buddy Bowl makes it difficult for her to do so. I really enjoyed the address to Elizabeth/Lizzie after the meditations on sexuality - this third part of the promo is probably my favourite. This is Gabrielle at the most candid she's been since returning to the FWA, at least in front of a camera. I enjoyed the juxtaposition of Gabrielle turning her back on Desmond, who holds some sort of power over her, before addressing Lizzie, who finds herself in a similar (but less adult themed) situation with Keres and Eternal. The promo was clean generally, and I like the stripped back look of it. Very strong character work throughout.

 

[SupineSnake]

Tommy Bedlam.
The Lucien revelations (and the Lucien character in general) are certainly very out there, but I do like that this supernatural character dips in and out of your promos as a peripheral figure rather than a central one. At first, the plot twist with Lucien and Rocco seems super random, but I guess does help to explain the original peculiar event, and to be honest Rocco is the kind of guy I can see making long-standing deals with demons. I thought the scenes involving Keres’ ‘father’ were the standout in this promo, helping to underline the fact that Keres will stop at nothing to get the X Championship in her hands, and - more interestingly - asking why a supernatural being like Keres would even want a few pounds of leather and gold to begin with. I thought the reveal at the end, with the whole thing having been some sort of simulation, was amusing even if I was able to predict something to this effect during the roleplay. Tommy's reaction to the trickery was perfectly in keeping with his character. I think the simulation promo is very well trodden territory by now but this still managed to feel fresh and creative throughout, particularly during that reveal. I also thought this was one of the cleanest promos posted this week - the design was pretty simple but looked sleek and straightforward to read.

Gerald Grayson.
From the title and the imagery used in your forum post, I expected that - of all the various Christmas-themed promos posted for this pay-per-view - this one would easily be the most wholesome. It certainly has its moments in that regard, with Gerald's conversation with his parents backing up expectations from its title. Never judge a book by its cover, though, as you subvert this expectation wonderfully with the introduction of the Daredevil. More than just a nickname, we meet Gerald’s inner demon, personifying the more extreme and wild side of the character. Although this is definitely a narrative device that we’ve seen a number of times before from a multitude of other characters, it works here on account of it being pretty unexpected, with the (well-earned) reputation of Grayson as a pure soul without a bad bone in his body. It’s in fitting with the character that Gerald is initially resistant to this internal influence, and I enjoyed the antagonistic relationship between Grayson and the Daredevil that you developed through the promo. This felt sort of like an anti-’It’s A Wonderful Life’ in some ways, with Grayson encouraged to explore the darker parts of his psyche that he’s suppressed successfully thus far in his FWA career. The promo was clean and, as usual, I loved the first person writing that still feels a huge part of Gerald’s voice and unique even with more frequent use by others on this card.

Jeremy Best.
I love how in this promo the UltaBuddy robot is programmed in a lab and taught about friendship by its programmer, which is something that the sociopathic Jeremey can relate to, having seemingly picked up a lot of his own ideas about friendship from observation as opposed to experience. This goes wrong for the Jeremy incarnation of the robot, much the same as it has for Jeremy in his actual life, with miscalculations based around his own absolute ideas around friendship leading to Jeremy’s more overtly psychopathic moments (as they do for UltaBuddy here). The level of manipulation on display from the UltaBuddy, particularly when he lies for Alyx to get him out of a jam, was also very fitting. I really like that in this promo Jeremy Best, the writer's character, takes up the antagonist role whilst the opponent is the protagonist figure. This allows for great opponent focus, but think the UltaBuddy concept was unique and creative enough to hit the necessary character points as well (particularly in the portrayal category). The most impressive thing about this promo, as it quite often is with your work, is the narrative itself, which is so well structured, allegorical to just the right degree but also working as its own thing outside of the universe too. The story is expertly paced and rifles along to a dark ending that I didn't see coming. The promo read very cleanly, except for a few dropped dialogue colours late in and some clunky repeated words dotted throughout, but all very minor things that didn't affect my enjoyment of the piece. Congratulations on the trio of victories - all are well deserved.