DOMINATION 18 FEEDBACK

[Keegan]

https://www.global-wrestling.com/2023/1 ... nation-18/


As always, any and all feedback is welcome, but if you're short on time, here are some prompts:

Match of the night:
Segment of the night:
Feud of the night:
Line of the night:

Thanks very much in advance.

[pdbnb]

A DIFFERENT LEGEND: Darring back on form after a couple of more subdued shows. He really sells the personal emotion of witnessing his friend get attacked by somebody he held as a decent man. Great stuff here from Brian.

OPERATION PR STUNNED: I won't lie, I am enjoying putting the BoB boys through their paces.

A 'STRONG' START: Trouble Roxx really needed somebody to point out the glaring flaws in their wrestling. Jacqui Monroe is that person. This one turned out better than anticipated.

CHAMPIONS' PUNISHMENT: Nothing spectacular, but does its job of setting up the Rutherfords' first title defence. A little less burying of The Players would have been nice, though I understand why it was done.

RUTHERFORD PLAYERS: WHY IS GABBIE REFEREEING A TITLE MATCH?! Did Snider have the night off? Anyway, foregone conclusion, and I knew the moment Sanders came in that he was going to be his team's downfall, but I did not expect it to end with an X being thrown up, especially not moments after Sanders had first come in. I won't lie, though - it worked. A solid pace-setter for the rest of the show, a decent match that was definitely cut short, and a solid-ish first defence for the new Champions. They can't all be epic barnburners... 2.5/5

FROM THE GUTTER TO THE STARS: Angel continues her trek from goofball babyface to anti-hero babyface, with her street grit starting to come out.

SNAKE BITES: Cool interaction between Heel!Valorie and the two Best Friends (get it?). Although it feels like it should have taken place last show, and had a time stamp to that effect.

VITALITY MERCH: First of all, kudos to the announce team for keeping it professional while two manbabies bickered to either side of them. To said two manbabies: GET A ROOM, ALREADY! Or see a counsellor or something, geez! Oh, yeah, there was also a match. It was what it needed to be. Merch got way more offence in than he should have against somebody who gave Angel all of five minutes (for once, I agree with Shae - either Val is better than the bottom-rung talent, or she isn't. She can't struggle against Merch and then be expected NOT to lose to someone better in a matter of seconds.) Still, the end was an emphatic exclamation mark, and Val's new character came through, even over all the noise of the lovers' tiff going on at the announce table. 2.5/5

THE SECOND TRIAL: Alex Reyn crashes a board meeting, and everyone just...lets him? OK, then. Also, I think I know who Michelle Miller is, and why she is simping hardcore for Alex. We shall see if I'm right. Anyway, the stakes are now raised extra-high for Malta, who NEEDS to win his next two matches. Time will tell if he suceeds.

ANGEL PRINCE: I wanted to write a WCW Cruiserweight Division match circa 1996, the kind with no stakes where two wrestlers just go at it and have a stupidly evenly matched contest for five to seven minutes. I think I suceeded.

THE WHEEL'S OFF: It really is. What started out as somewhat of a stopgap-seeming feud in S1 has escalated into one of the best rivalries in GLOBAL currently. The PTA are dicks, as per their usual, and it was cathartic to see the Rich Family finally fighting back. Only one gripe with this segment...

A FORCE-FUL INTRODUCTION: ...it causes two backstage attacks to take place back-to-back. Anyway, I have had this segment planned for literal MONTHS (ever since the tail end of S1 or very early in S2 - no, Shae, this isn't just another 'best thing of the week', this is THE best thing) and I am pleased with how it finally panned out. I am even more hyped for what it has STARTED, though. Hold on to your chairs, ladies and gentlemen - you won't see THIS one coming.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?: It starts. The Goon Squad are feeling themselves, and individual personalities continue to emerge, leading Miranda Wright to show just HOW selfish she is, while also showing that she cares for the success of this ragtag band of misfits (or maybe she just doesn't want to look bad after hyping them up in front of everyone in the last segment). Also, there is an in-joke only me, Hector and Keegan will get. Again, hold on to your hats, everyone. This one is going to rock your socks off.

A DESERVING OPPONENT: I spoiled myself while looking through the list of segments backstage, and I am conflicted. One streak will certainly have to end here tonight. I THINK I know what will happen, but we shall see.

TURNING THE TABLES: Now you know why I booked up half of next show...

MALTESE CHINESE: This is another one of those matches where the opponent SHOULD NOT be getting this much offence. With that said, it totally works, with at least one great nearfall and a FANTASTIC finish. Malta will not be stopped as he barrels over everyone to get to Reyn. Good match. 3/5

THE INQUEST: We've been here before, guys. You CANNOT screw Darring. He powers through. I'm sure he will this time, as well.

DARRING ALF: The minute I saw this match, I knew what would happen - I just did not expect it to be quite this brutal. Anyway, the greatest streak in GLOBAL Wrestling history continues on. Will it ever end? #TheStreakLives

EDUCATION: Alfie and X show justifiable anger after the events of last week, really ramping up the stakes for the Main Event. Speaking of which...

BORDER CRUSADERS: One of the best stories I have told in a match in a long time. I am extremely proud of the way it ramps up until the big climax. Hopefully, everyone else likes it as well.

THE LAST LAUGH: Manic JD is best JD.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Another good episode of television, with mainly foregone-conclusion bouts (except for the Main Event) but good ones, nonetheless. Segment work is also at our usual level, even if some of the talent is somewhat missed (looking at you, Dirty Greats.) Not much to say about this one. Another solidly unspectacular outing.

PEDRO'S RATING: 7/10

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MATCH OF THE NIGHT: With not much to choose from, I am going with Malta v Xiang. Hopefully, I nailed the Main Event, though.
SEGMENT OF THE NIGHT: Either of the two bookends.
FEUD OF THE NIGHT: JD vs Darring - though good to see PTA vs Riches hitting boiling point. Again, hopefully, I nailed S.I.M.P vs Kids United and X Button vs Border Control.
LINE OF THE NIGHT: No particularly memorable ones this episode.

[Daniel Dream]

BEST MATCH: Mr. Merchandise Vs Valorie Vitality
BEST SEGMENT: A Force-Ful Introduction
BEST ANGLE: Everything with Angel, especially with Miranda Wright
BEST LINE OF THE NIGHT: "You two would not know 'ready' if it fucked you in the ass and took both your wallets."
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT: None.

A Different Legend: A passionate promo by Sean Darring to start the night off right. A passionate Sean Darring is a dangerous Sean Darring.

Operation PR Stunned, Phase 3: All Publicity Is Good Publicity: I like this recurring subplot plot.

A 'Strong' Start: Trouble Roxx expanding their game. Learning the big fundamentals, Tim Duncan would be proud.

Champion's Punishment: A segment that I wrote with Jeff. I hope you liked it. I liked the title though. Champions' Punishment. Is it the punishment of the champions, or the champion's punishment of The Players?

GLOBAL Tag Team Championship: The Rutherford Guys (c) vs The Players: The double down twist got ME and I knew the result. Nikolai has commentators sending thoughts and prayers, that's a heel. (gassing up my tag team partner)

From The Gutters To The Stars: Angel is indeed a star now. And a match with El Principe is interesting.

Snake Bites: Valorie is such an interesting character.

Mr. Merchandise Vs Valorie Vitality:

Valorie with a dominant start.

I don't think anyone knows what a pesticide is though.

I disagree with Reece, more money references, Mark.

A dominant win by Valorie.

The Second Trial: I already said, Angel is a star. Alex Reyn produces numbers the same way live murder produces ratings.

Angel 'The Kid' Rameriz vs El Principe:

A weird and awkward moment in commentary.

"No, you freaking bozo. ‘More than meets the eye!‘" would be my line of the night but I already have a line of the night.

A nice springboard suplex by El Principe.

This is how you make a star. This season seems to be about making stars.

A huge win for Angel. I'm glad about this result.

The Wheel's Off: A nice segment with The Prime Time Athletes

A Force-Ful Introduction: Miranda Wright's simps attacking made me gasp.

What's In A Name?: The simps got their name. They're...the S.I.M.Ps (Pedro actually told me this a while ago, and I love the name.)

A Deserving Opponent: It's Alf Alferson.

Turning The Tables: This is the Angel Rameriz show.

Son of Malta vs Xiang:

Xiang made a mistake holding the bad leg in the pin. Force the opponent to kick out with the bad leg. Daniel Dream woulda never made that mistake. Lol.

Just a scrappy, brutal...just a brutal and scrappy match. I love it.

Global Championship - Sean Darring vs Alf Alferson: Alf wins by disqualification. In about twenty-six seconds, Alf 'defeated' Sean Darring which honestly is gotta be a record that can't be broken.

Education: A nice promo by Alfie Button.

Crusader X and Alfie Button vs Border Control: Alfie Button getting ejected from the match.

The Last Laugh: A good segment, just not the segment that I would have ended the show on.

[Keegan]

Thanks very much, Hector.

Out of curiosity, what would you have ended the show on?

[Keegan]

A DIFFERENT LEGEND: As I write this on a Friday night, the day after the show has come out, my friend, Hod, reached out to me this morning to comment on the segment, which surprised me, and I may mention what he said more specifically at a later date. I am, however, going to cover some of our collective sentiments here today.

Again, as alluded to on 17, another memorable Domination opening, for my money. This doesn’t get done enough in real life, and it showed an edge to Darring and a ‘realism’ that this goes beyond matches or titles and has become personal and about revenge. I LOVED it, and it’s going to be hard to top this, so well done in advance if you see SOTN with another name instead of this by the time we get there. If we ever get there.

OPERATION PR STUNNED 3: This, though, has been a brilliant series and stands a chance of having a go.

It’s a riotous segment. Kerry is SO overbearing and feels like an embarrassing mother to two teenage/university-age kids. Without copying, there were shades of FTK, who are sorely missed, here, and definite comic relief. The ending…not so much, which instead was very ominous, and this felt a bit like the Angel segment on the previous show: In the beginning, I was playing, and then the whole mood changed.

A STRONG START: Which it is to the show, too. I’d say that was some promo by Monroe, and I’ll be curious to see how Trouble Roxx’s moveset and matches change in the future. A great lecture by the teacher.

CHAMPIONS’ PUNISHMENT: It did what it had to, although I found it awkward to bring The Players in afterwards, but it’s no biggie. Good question posed by Hector in his review, though, we know the answer, don’t we?

FROM THE GUTTER TO THE STARS: The fire continues, and I had a feeling this may’ve been a song title too, without knowing the band, and that proved right. Either way, it’s a lovely-sounding segment name and fitting, too.

SNAKE BITES: Again, a pleasure to write with Courtney, who did a grand job.

ANGEL V EL PRINCIPE: They say styles make fights, and on paper, this one is a cracking recipe.
So it proves. It’s a very good, well-written match that plays to both characters’ strengths and, of course, has the right result. Angel has moved up a hell of a lot this arc in defeat, but definitely needed a win, particularly when matched against someone like EP, and this match was competitive. Some terrific commentary throughout, nice near-falls and an enjoyable read, overall.

THE WHEEL’S OFF: Brian did the bulk of the great work here and, once again, took the PTA/Rich Family feud to another level. With the wheelchair reference and everything going off, he asked me for a segment title, and qw it used to be one of my late father’s references when anything kicked off (physically speaking) in a football match, I plumped for this. Thanks for letting me indulge and share that with you. Miss you, JC.

PTA are GREAT, back here in the present, and are way above The Rich Family, whom are being carried by Classic and Larkin.

A FORCE-FUL INTRODUCTION: Yes, I see what you did there. And amen, yes, it was. I particularly liked the promo at the end. A bit like last show, just when Angel has been in action and riding high, Miranda Wright comes and removes the rug from underneath her feet. Coincidence? No. An opportunist? Absolutely. Going to be fascinating to see GLOBAL’s equivalent of The Job Squad get on. I’ve got a feeling much better than those, er, jobbers.

WHAT’S IN A NAME: This feels like I’ve already read it and it also made its way onto this show, which I have no idea how that happened. Or, maybe, I’m starting to get old and need to be put in a home.

A DESERVING OPPONENT: He sure is! The streak lives…for now. I’ve been waiting for this to happen.

TURNING THE TABLES: Again, great fire in the promo delivery, and this feud is burning, pun intended, nicely.

SOM V XIANG: A very good match and showing by both guys, particularly for Xiang, and I know he wasn’t the first-choice opponent, The Great Wall was, but SOM still had odds to overcome and went for the jugular.

Shae and I have spoken about making some changes to Xiang, particularly in the ring, leaning into his moniker a bit more, and it was a step in the right direction. The finish was phenomenal, admittedly, and another example of why Shae is thought of highly when it comes to putting matches together.


SEAN DARRING V “THE INVINCIBLE” ALF ALFERSON: Bruce Buffer?! I KNEW Alferson’s record wasn’t going, booker or not, and this attack was SAVAGE. Scott has written violence perfectly here in GLOBAL, and again, this feud goes up another notch or nine. The recipe for a feud here? Two people collaborating and working together. Amazing, isn’t it?


EDUCATION: A good setup promo to the main event.


MAIN EVENT: Without doubt, MOTN. Let’s get that out of the way first.

What an introduction by Lexi Darlington, who was one of my favourite characters in SCW, hands down, and is a first-class addition to this group.

In spite of Allie’s in-universe complaint, a valid one as well as The Mark’s comeback, it is the perfect way to get things underway for a multitude of reasons I needn’t get into.

I, for one, would have been happy had Lexi’s commentary been a feature for the duration of this bout.

Brilliant, dominant start for Border Control and they’re getting back to being OG, Pedro. Which I’m delighted about.

I was aware of Staggs being picked for a certain reason, and that’ll be an easy question to address on the podcast. Loved Allie’s sarcasm back at The Mark’s ‘inner Jerry David.’

Great tag team 101-like psychology, isolating Alfie and that, of course, is building towards a hot tag for Crusader X, the captain and major face in the match, down the road. Some things will always work in the right circumstances, and it does here.

Some cute and cool references on commentary to Alfie’s move names. Nicely played.

What a start by X once he’s in. Business has just picked up to quote JR.

And you’ve got The Mark’s punchline of the money that’s been put in the bank all along: Shane Staggs should never have been the referee here, and his personality is prone to a bribe, which has definitely gone on. The clues were there.

The match was marvellously-told. As I said from the outset, hands down, the best bout of the evening, and I’m really pleased our main events deliver like that, not to mention a rotation of talent when we need there to be. A BIG win for Border Control and a massive shot in the arm for the Truth/X feud in the process. Masterful.

THE LAST LAUGH: In my book, a wonderful way to finish the show, and there’s your PPV name, lads and lasses. Jerry David and John J. Truth are the two top heels in GLOBAL right now.

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OVERALL THOUGHTS: Perhaps, all told, the weakest of the arc thus far, but I'm not too concerned because it's been the best arc, yes, I'm repeating myself, and the last two shows will determine if it 'goes over' Season 1, Arc 1, for sure, and I'm confident we'll achieve that. The go-home show has a lot of promise. Pleasing.

BEST SEGMENT: The opener.

BEST MATCH: The main event.

BEST FEUD: David/Darring, but Truth and X is bubbling nicely…

[LovelyGG13_Courtney]

Match of the night: Angel v El Principe (Close Second is Malta v Xiang)

Segment of the night: The Wheel's Off

Feud of the night: Border Control v X &Button

Line of the night: “You want a name? I’ll give you a motherfucking name! How about the Snivelling Idiotic Maggot Patrol?” (NGL, got a good snicker out of me)