Discussion Thread for OTSS

[FGA Office]

First off, I just want to thank everyone for not raising your pitchforks. Your patience was appreciated while the results were being put together. i also want to thank everyone in general who contributed anything this cycle, be it segments for the shows, promos, CD work, etc. You guys all did a really phenomenal job so give yourselves a hand.

Now to the specifics. I want to thank Dion, Dan, Ben, Benny, Sasso, Dim, OD, Julian, James, BMac, Bryce, Lou, Chris, Paige, Storm, David and Owen for all of their segments on the show.

Feel free to discuss.

[Chandler Scott]

Awesome promo by Cordy Stevenson to set the mood ff the show.

First seggy of the show. I thought we were gonna get the opening tag. But instead, we get Macy Dover and Terry Tillman. These are two of the few that are coming over from 3GW to FGA. So I thought it was pretty cool that not only did they get the opening seggy, but they got the opening seggy on one of the big FGA PPV's. Awesome exposure for those two. The only thing that I didn't like was the "curtain jerking" line. I always cringe when I see people using that phrase in character. I feel the face way whenever I see people using the terms "face", "heel", "jobber" or talking about how much of a "draw" they are.

I'm vaguely familiar with James Edwards. I've seen his name pop up in a couple of places. I'm looking forward to seeing him get his feet wet and do his thing here.

Opening tag between Noelle and Stryker versus Camp Envi. Good back and forth here. I figured there would be miscommunication at some point between NEON and Sadie San Fran. I thought Envi getting accidentally kicked was interesting. Good win here for Noelle and Stryker after they both lost on the last PPV.

Backstage seggy with Camp Envi. This is probably the first time, as a reader, that I felt any sympathy for Sadie. I wasn't sure if that's the intended goal or what's coming next. But I'm all in on anything involving these three.

Serpent's Touch? Another tag team is always a good thing.

HUGE upset victory by AMIRA. Dom continues his trend of unsuccessful title defenses in FGA. Now that AMIRA is champ, I know that Sasso is gonna double down on the fuckery.

Very good Rumble journey segment from Karma.

Molly and Madison, Part III. This might be my favorite match of the night. We've seen the hints being dropped here and there about a potential turn. I was 100% convinced Molly was turning heel in this match. But I was presently surprised. I really, really liked how this match ended. The way that Molly struggled with the decision to cheat or not was a nice touch, especially in light of all the accusations thrown her way from Madison and Frankie. Madison finally gets himself some gold in FGA while Molly caps off a damn good title run. I've really enjoyed Madison's run of PPV matches since his return.

GRR: By The Numbers thing was cool.

Ricky Valero has really been coming into his own since the heel turn. He's always been a bit of a dick when you take into account his history with Luke Jackson. But he's really been owning the mic since making the turn. I love the fact that his backup have The Revival as their picbases (SAY YEAH!). I also liked the eventual build from 1on3 to 2on3 to 3on3 with Luke Jackson's return (Fun Fact: I was in talks with Drew about taking over the Luke character a couple weeks ago). It looks like Valero and company have a nice feud lined up against another battle-hardened vet, a former protegé and a former tag partner. Nice.

Excellent, excellent match between Cordy and Izz. Izzy telling Cordy to stay down (in a show of compassion?) was a nice touch. I also liked how the limb work on her arm/shoulder played into the ending. Savannah Taylor sighting! Izzy ends up getting the W after two Capetown Sunsets and a Shotgun Party. This was another awesome ending. There's always a certain level of detail when it comes these World Title matches and this one right here continued that trend. Izzy got to do her Naito bit and flung the belt in the air lol. A new era is definitely upon us. Big congrats to Von.

Rumble hype promos are always good.

This damn Rumble. There were so many things teased here, I don't even know where to begin. But I'll just focus on the ending since I was apart of it

That Final Two between Karma and Chandler was very well written. There was some great back and forth with a ton of reversals. Reading the ending, you felt their stress, pain and exhaustion. When you saw Karma toss Chandler over the top, saw those space gaps, then saw Chandler hit the floor, I couldn't help but smile. As someone that's seen Karma since his first match, it's been great to see his progression to this point. The two-time Pride Champ thing is cool. But he's really been upping his game. OD made a lot of strides last year (not that he wasn't always good). But I really, really, really like how Karma's journey has unfolded from wise-cracking newcomer to bonafide star. Because that win was a star making performance, IMO. The character has had a nice arch and journey from one of the top heels to a redeemed babyface. After the stuff with the New Kings, the stuff with Izzy early this year and now with the GRR Rumble, it's an awesome feeling to see not just a babyface character getting that moment of glory, but Karma getting that moment. Im happy for OD as a writer and Karma as a character. I can't wait to see what comes from all of this.

All in all, a great show.

[Izzy Anders]

Cordy was foreboding as hell with that opening vignette. Like I was listening to Deshi Basara on my playlist and read that. Had me shook.

So I got pumped for the FGA/3GW merger, mainly because of Macy Dover. She's one of my favorites ever since I've started participating and reading SSWA shows. When she came out, I got a smile on my face. Then Triple T came through, who always had me in my feelings with his RPs. Seeing them both in the ring hashing it out about the 15 title is fantastic. I was interested on how the continuity of 3GW would play into the FGA scene. I'm glad that this is happening and it's a good way to work out some top folks.

Which segways into James Edwards, who I've seen some of in UKWF. It was a fairly standard hype promo that can help him get situated. If he excels here, then he'll be a fine addition. A good everyday man.

The match and the segment afterwards had me hurting for Sadie. Evan plays a fun connection for the annoying antagonist to Sadie's life right now. It's leading to an explosion, which we'll all enjoy, due to the abuse that Sadie's going through. The issue is that it will get way worse before it gets better. Sadie's evolving cleanly into a sympathetic character, due to being the lesser of the three evils walking around. Even Envi is showing some glimpses of being a good man in the end of it all. However, this all plays to the strengths of NEON, who I got to see some of before. She can gain more heat, due to her position as the thorn in Sadie's (and any of her opponents' side). It's a lovely dynamic.

New tag team! I also like the song choice.

I'm shocked that AMIRA got the win here. Like shit, poor Dom. The match itself went the way that I expected. Funnily enough, it seems that karma that all this is happening to Harter. It'll make his settling down in the face role that he's reaching more comfortable. He's being doubted, but he's still trying to push the fact that he has turned over a new leaf. It's a realistic portrayal that's satisfying to view. It's things like this match that'll lead to everyone accepting the fact that Dom's not the same man he was per-injury. AMIRA now rests as a champion, which is due for some hilarity and madness from her. It's a win-win kind of match.

Karma's segment really calmed my nerves about him not winning the GRR. After that, it was almost a lock that he was winning. I'll elaborate on that when we get there. 

Now, the Pride title match was a MOTY candidate, in my opinion. Every Pride title match has the potential for that. For the blow-off, it was a nice swerve at the ending. Molly losing, due to her refusal to fall back into a devilish way is a powerful scene to imagine. Madison earned his title after a good feud of fighting. Definitely a feud of the year contender, due to how it went through the levels. It didn't end in a bloodbath, instead it ended with both people coming out as better faces. It was an excellent set-up that had any reader trying to predict something, but being subverted by a proper twist. -clap, clap, clap- What's next for Molly Reid, however? I'm curious.

All of Valero's past demons are coming to haunt him. I've known Luke Jackson for some time (since I got into e-fedding), so it's nice for him to be back. Especially with the whole idea that he was retiring. The band of the past, present, and future against Valero is a nice thing. Also, Valero as a heel is A+. I've missed it.

...The World Title Match.

BOY.

Terr is a master when it comes to writing main events (matches in general, but ME's especially). As an unbiased reader, I was on the edge of my seat. The build up to the match had me entirely guessing on who would win. So, each near-fall and spot had me going nuts. As the handler of Izzy, I was biting my nails. 

Spot of the match to me:

Anders picks up Stevenson and whips her into the turnbuckle. After sizing up Stevenson, Anders runs into the corner and connects with a running European Uppercut. She then takes Stevenson, whips her across the ring, follows her into the opposite corner and connects with a running European Uppercut that sends Stevenson slumping down in the corner. The boos continue as Anders slowly pulls Stevenson up by the hair before bringing her out of the corner. After scooping Stevenson across her shoulder, Anders runs and goes to lawn dart Stevenson over the rope and to the outside. But Stevenson reaches out and grabs the top rope, sending them both over the top. But while Anders falls to the floor, Stevenson remains hanging from the top rope. That is, until she skins the cat, pulling herself over the top rope and back into the ring. She then begins to wave up The Mindkiller. As Anders tries to pick herself back up on the outside, Stevenson turns and runs into the far ropes. When she returns…

The ending stretch left me breathless until the very end. This is where the handler comes back into play.

Dude, I freaking cried. I said it enough on Twitter, but my reaction was in the middle of my class as I read the match on my phone. I teared up and left the classroom (luckily, it was time to go already). I already said my thanks, but I'm still in shock about it. 

Izzy Anders is now the FGA Undisputed Champion. Holy. Shit. What the hell is about to happen? It isn't even the end of the night and the ramifications of what transpired have rippled through the company. Now we await who will fight her at the biggest event of the year.

And man, was that anxious to read.

A lot of feuds progressed throughout the GRR, while some were hinted at. The possibilities spanning out, due to the eliminations and the personalities of the match were clearly displayed here. I know that it was hell to write, but it proved to be the best damn thing to progress this cycle. We can have Savannah fighting for the Pride belt, due to eliminating Madison. Page's anger towards Dom can spiral out of control. Reid, Envi, and several others playing their role brightly. But no matter what--

JOHNNY FUCKIN' KARMA!

Oh, yes, we've been waiting for this day. And for it to be Chandler to be the last eliminated is icing on the cake. 

After Izzy won, I knew that it was going to be him. The unfinished business for FGA's biggest hero and the now new antagonist? Oh, man, this is going to be so fun. 

This cycle is due to be amazing. 

Keep up the good work, everyone. Thanks to Based Terry and all the people that made it work. 

[FGA Office]

[The Mason]

I can dig the direction for the opening of the show. With a PPV named "Only the Strong Survive", you'd like something to make it stand out other than the Rumble gimmick, and seeing the champ cut a sharp (albeit *unique*) promo at the beginning was a nice way to set the tone for the entire PPV.

Interesting call, having the former 3GW start off OTSS. A more obvious choice prob would've been the soon-debuting Flashpoint show but that doesn't mean this was a bad decision. Macy Dover cut a strong promo, and admittedly she gets a pass because she's a heel cutting a promo about past accomplishments-- and I eat that shit up. (It's just annoying when a babyface does it.) Good Guy Version Triple T comes out and I had mixed feelings about this. On one hand, I felt it was a missed opportunity to have Dover interact with someone that already had exposure on the FGA roster, but on the other hand, it was a great way to introduce two new FGA stars at once. They already have a built-in story and both make the title seem valuable just with one promo, so I'm curious to see where this goes.

James Edwards promo was good as far as content. Came off as a curious promo to see before the opening bell though, making me expect to see the character in some capacity later in the night...

I loved how SSF/Neon v Stryker/Noelle was written. The pace and the sudden twists seemed fitting for an opening match and it pushed a couple of stories along at once. The dynamic between either team was played up really well, and the face team picks up the win after building up momentum from the classic heel misstep-- so the match itself told a p classic wrestling story. Kudos, kudos.

The commentator follow-up was a nice touch AND IT LED INTO AN AMAZING SEGMENT, WHO WROTE THAT MASTERPIECE? WHO WROTE THAT?!

I really enjoyed the MAL Title match and both characters were written to look near-even throughout. Kind of a bold statement by Kris Cruise on commentary to say that AMIRA intentionally kicked the referee in the face, but mebbe! Anyway, the ending legitimately caught me by surprise. Glad to see AMIRA with some gold and I'm sure it'll be an entertaining reign. Also, my goodness, Cruise is a huge Dom Harter fan.

The Johnny Karma seg was a necessary one methinks. The character pushed and scratched toward the top for about 3,304 years and his history predates the first Rumble, so it was nice to see the timeline of events leading to 2017's GRR.

Madison v Molly was beautifully written tbh. I was a bit confused though because I was under the impression Molly was basically already a heel by the beginning of this match, but I stand corrected. It would've been an easy story to tell, especially with Madison picking up the victory, but I'm still curious to see where babyface Molly Reid and Chris Madison go from here. (Morrison, as a character, grows on me more and more with every appearance btw. This was no diff.)

Not a huge fan of isolated in-ring promos on PPVs unless they directly lead into or follow a match. With that said, Ricky Valero is an unlikeable heel imo and it's great. Everything he did annoyed tf out of me and made me happy to see Owen storm the ring with a plan. Puts up a good fight, gets overwhelmed by three slimy heels and then Bond makes the save which I expected to be the end of it... would allow the two to maybe be distracted by B&B during the Rumble and eliminated by Valero-- but instead we get the return of Luke Jackson. So, all-in-all, well done, and worth the placement on the show.

Not sure the entire Cordy interview needed to be replayed in the middle of the show. People that haven't seen it before are more likely to pay attention to it here if highlights were shown instead, maybe alongside a new, brief pre-match interview? I could be overthinking. (For the record, I loved the interview itself.)

Holy shit that Undisputed Title match. >_> I feel in modern-day wrestling, we would see a shock-pop from the crowd at Izzy Anders picking up that win before the realization and the overwhelming boos set in. The match itself was main-event-worthy from start to finish. Looking at it as an IRL wrestling fan would, the way this plays out is exciting. Looking at it as an "internet wrestling fan", I wonder what happens between the presumed Cordy and Chandler feud now. Do we get Cordy v Savannah instead?

As far as the actions by Izzy at the end, I'm not sure how I feel about the punting of the title. It probably would've had more impact if Cordy had been coming off of a longer reign. Still, excited to see these two (or three?...) stories play out.

Everyone in the pre-Rumble package played to the strengths of their characters really well. AMIRA and Tijerina shine in packages like this lol. Would've been nice to see some crowd reactions to a few of the Grapplers though since Savannah's excerpt would've been booed out of the building at that moment.

There were so many little things in this Rumble that I loved:

-The role the Keisters played
-The discord between Camp Envi
-The tension between Harter and Page, and the general story of Dom looking for #3.
-Blake Jones, goddamnit Blake Jones
-The in-ring classic put on between the final two EVEN THOUGH THE FINAL TWO DIDN'T INCLUDE THE CHIEF.
-More stuff I'll probably edit in as I remember it.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this from start to finish. Major kudos to Terr for pulling it off and never letting the action fall short throughout. I get nervous just writing Battle Royals, so this is a feat. And congrats to Karma, finally. I wanted to see Izzy v Karma again but I didn't think it'd be for the Undisputed Title. Le gasp.

10/10 would read again.