First and foremost, thanks to Evan Envi for once again coming through and getting the show out on time. I’m writing this feedback, as usual, segment by segment as I read it.
Another nice recap at the top of the show. It was interesting to see the climax to last week’s ME, I’m expecting some fallout.
Nice change up with the first segment taking place backstage. Good sell for the #1 contender’s match, but do I detect a hint of tension in Sienna? Is that implied threat to Robina Hood?
It’s been said before but those little commentary recaps you do Evan are fantastic. It’s great for continuity, it shows you have a real eye for the small details, and when you put the shows together you’re thinking about the show as a whole, and not just the sum of its parts. It was great to see the announcers selling the attack on Yarmouth; I think one or two of these announcer segments in each show across all brands wouldn’t be a terrible idea.
A solid Jennings promo, and it’s good to see the character thinking ahead to the next step. I’m intrigued by how Jennings might fit into the title picture, but since he could very well be champion by the end of the show, I’ll comment more on that later.
Good to see the ‘heel turn’ consolidated and sold in Niobe’s entrance. Another small detail that can easily be overlooked by a copy and paste job, so well done to everyone who made that so.
Okay one thing I’m going to mention first. There is no match header, e.g.
Niobe “Nightmare” Martin w/ Tommy Knoxville vs. Jake Titan w/Leon Roberts
So I’m not making a big thing of this, it is a small detail, but as Dave Brailsford (British cycling’s guru) says gold medals are won through the ‘aggregate of marginal gains’. Sure, the missing header doesn’t detract from the quality of the match itself (the same goes for the match not being centre-aligned), but it’s a detail that helps with consistency across the brand and just gives the whole thing a higher quality look and feel. Also, I’ll just clarify this point is directed at the match writer rather than Envi, since it is the match writer’s responsibility to code correctly as per the coding guide. Like I said, a small thing and I don’t want it to be a big point, so I’ll leave it at that.
Anyway, the match itself. When I started reading I had in my mind that NBKs were heels, so I thought they would be sacrificing their heat here. But in turns out I was incorrect, so that problem goes away. Good job in this match in that it set out to do everything you want it to do: it sold the Knoxville/Niobe heel turn, it sold the idea they are a union, not just allies. I liked Knoxville’s involvement in the match, it seemed write, and there was good credibility with the much larger Titan dominating much of the offense. Good heel finish too to get Knox/Niobe heat, and the post-match comeuppance keeps the fans happy and doesn’t bury the NBKs. Good.
Curious segment between the NBK. I thought I saw something that suggest this isn’t finished, but I’ll keep quiet and see if that comes about.
I’ve got to say, Buck you don’t half cram the action into your match write-ups, and I like it! With the summarised writing they feel like 2-3 minute matches, but they also read like they really take their toll on the wrestlers, so the short match is credible. I liked the DQ ending in this match, it’s a nice touch to show the audience Sampson is the bad guy, and it leaves open a future set of rubbers. One thing I think you can do to improve Gooch is, if you have time, to insert a line or two of commentary alongside the wrestler’s entrances. I think this is important especially with introducing new wrestlers, but again it’s one of those marginal things and I only mention in the spirit of honest feedback. It has no detrimental effect on the quality of the match.
I love the dynamic between Billy Pepsi and Von Wilderspin. I really like the idea of a wrestler having a spin doctor to help improve their image, so well done to Pepsi on that front. The dehydration explanation for last week had me chuckling----- I love goofy heel moves like that.
While I understand the logic for Roy Speede taking on a manager in this scenario, I’m not sure it’s the right move for this feud. I think Speede would have earned more sympathy fighting the two-on-one, and Pepsi gets more heat for needing his manager to bail him out. That’s just my take on it, but I’m digging this feud so looking forward to see where it goes. One thing, Speede I’d recommend changing Alex Haden’s colour--- that navy blue is very difficult to read.
Another good segment from Jennings, and it was good to see him cut a promo alongside someone else; he’s really stepping up his game. I like this idea of Jennings selling himself as a ‘necessary evil’ and I’m becoming more and more invested in the character each week, so James, you’re doing a good job. I get the feeling this could be a breakthrough moment for the character. I’ll just say one thing constructively: think about why you’re using insider terms like ‘curtain jerker’. It’s a separate debate about whether using those terms is an unfair burial (I’ll leave it alone for now), but my preference is that we maintain kayfabe as much as possible and avoid putting inside terms like ‘face’, ‘heel’, ‘promo’, ‘jobber’, ‘curtain jerker’ into the mouths of our characters.
More frenetic action in a Gooch written match. Nice work, and both Robina and Jennings came out looking decent. I liked the surprise RKO finish. The momentum is building for Jennings!
Payback is a bitch, right? And revenge is a dish best served cold? The dynamic between NBK and Foul Play is intriguing – who is the most violent group – and it can only mean one thing: BLOOD! I know Leon Roberts is ‘tweener’, but since the heat is all Foul Play’s in this one, just be mindful that NBK don’t go too heel-ish in this feud. This was a response to FP drawing first blood, so no problem in this instance, but yeah just something to consider.
Solid little intro from Sang Real. Nice little catch phrase there. I still don’t see how Irish and royalty go together, but hey you can’t have it all. They look another useful addition to the tag team division.
Good heel logic from Knoxville to explain why he turned on Gooch. It’s a shame there’s no follow-up (maybe a SUPER SHOW?), but maybe something to come back to in future should Gooch/Knox cross paths again.
What can I say about that main event? I don’t say this to kiss ass, but I would stand up and applaud if I could. Evan, you can rest assured---- that was damn effective writing. I was on the edge of my seat reading that match. Everything about the show led me to believe this was Jennings’ night. Kudos to Jennings for generating a huge amount of momentum and creating that picture--- I thought Guv’nor’s reign was done. I’m really glad Jennings came out looking like a million bucks, and Guv’nor the tough as nails bastard he is. Great match, pay per view quality again.
Take it from me, if you’re ever concerned about how to write matches, go back and read this one. The psychology, the drama through the big hits and false finishes, the accurate portrayal of the characters, the commentary that sold the shit out everybody and everything. It was a masterclass. I loved it!
Let me just say I’m really proud to be part of Meltdown right, and I don’t just say that because Guv’nor happens to be the champ. Trust me, I know there are half a dozen guys/gals who could replace him and do just as good. But the quality and the consistency over the past few weeks has been incredible. After the last draft there was serious doubts about the future of Meltdown (that was an incredible ‘graduation class’ mind), but the new crop have really come through. I’m thoroughly enjoying writing and working with all of you, and look forward every week to reading the show we put on.
It’s been a tough time of late for some in terms of the OOC vibe, but listen, look at Meltdown and we can see APW is still #1 because it’s still attracting and developing the best talent in this game. Props to you all, and thanks.
This also includes Nipbe's very successful heel turn, as well as the announcers being grossed out by Tommy Knoxville, a great detail deserving of props to whomever concocted it. 
