The Road to Restoration

[Thumper Moore III]

Going to quickly chronicle, mainly in summary form, the road back from my data being erased. A couple of quick points:

1. A “wealthy benefactor” has started me off with $10 worth of tokens (11 to be exact).

2. I’ll try to chronicle all purchases and significant fed events, like title changes, tournament winners, etc.

3. I’ll be posting 6 month chunks, so it’ll hopefully be 40 total posts to get us through 1999. Then, NewGame+ will magically transport me to 1990, and I’ll determine whether to start fresh then or to quickly get to mid-1991, use some screw jobs to get belts on the right people, and pick up where I left off. Here goes nothing.

[Thumper Moore III]

Jan-Jun 1990

We had a stupid amount of titles changes. Aside from the tag titles (Neon Express is undefeated save one match— more on that later), the titles have hot-potatoed around and each title has changed hand more than once. Arizona Chance is ALREADY a grand slam champion, being a one time holder of the world, TV, cruiserweight, and tag titles. The world title has never had more than one successful defense, and the champs were (in order):

Dr. B
Arizona Chance
Iron Mask
Michael T Wolf
Chief Buffalo
Zen

The Adventurers are the current tag champs, but the Neon Express had 4 successful defenses. The TV champs were Starboy, Skullgore, and Arizona, while the Cruiserweight champs were Rogers, Blood, Arizona, and Skullgore. The ladies belt went from Starbright to Gothica and now Mynx.

Battle Royale was won by Skullgore, March Madness by Keith Blood, and the Tag Team Invitational was won by The Adventurers. Jessie Wild was injures, so the Neon Express couldn’t participate. Interestingly, the strangeteam of Chief Buffalo and Keith Blood made the finals. The only reason they even participated was because I hate the Insectoids and wanted to make sure they lost in the first round.

The only purchases I’ve managed to make so far are in the ladies division, where Glam, Gothica, and Mynx have been added to the free cards. We’ve also added the extremely helpful Shoot card to hopefully help with maxing out Mic and Pop stats.

That’s it for round one.

[Thumper Moore III]

Jul-Dec 1980

As much as chaos as surrounded the titles in the first half of the year, the second half of 1980 had stability. I’m the world title picture, Zen dropped the belt in his first defense to Dr. B, who held for four months until the newly acquired Freedom Fighter took it from him at Survival of the Fittest. The Adventurers continue to hold the tag straps, while Iron Mask took the TV Title off the injured Arizona Chance at Halloween Hellraiser. Piranha and Starboy trades the Cruiserweight Title (as they often do in early game), and Mynx has dominated the ladies division, finishing the year a perfect 6-0, holding the ladies title and winning Tournament of Queens, with wins over Spunky Sparks, Valley Girl, and Succubus.

New wrestlers added to the fed were Soul Daddy, Freedom Fighter, and Max Attack, with additional purchases of Rager Gage and Kezzif for later years. (Yes, Kezzif is the worst Andre/Pierre alt. I don’t care. I just picture him asking if anyone wants a peanut and it makes me smile.)

Wrestler of the Year went to Arizona Chance, who held all four straps and finished the year 23-6. Dr. B won most hated as the only multiple time world champ, with a record of 17-12. Mynx won Most Popular, and Tag Team of the Year was the Neon Express. They actually had one more successful title defense than the Adventurers.

Dr. B and Arizona are both maxed out, and Chief Buffalo, Iron Mask, and Princess Starbright are all only one POP away from max. New rivalries began between Max Attack and Chief Buffalo, Gothica and Succubus, and Michael T Wolf and Keith Blood.

On to 1981. 5% completion. 8 tokens and $65k as of now. Here’s hoping some of my favorites show up in the shop before I spend it all on some new favorites.

[Thumper Moore III]

Jan-Jun 1981

This was an interesting six months. Arizona Chance and Red Pirate Rogers wan roughshod over the tag team division, going undefeated until the arrival of Mighty Leo and the formation of Howl and Roar, who won both the tag team gold and the Tag Team Invitational. Freedom Fighter and Dr. B traded the World Title back and forth, while Arizona Chance held the Cruiserweight Title for the entire six months. Dr. B is the current TV champ, ending Iron mask’s six month reign. Mynx is the longest reigning champ now at over 1 Year and counting.

For the second straight year, Keith Blood won the March Madness tournament. Chief Buffalo showed his Native American pride in winning the Battle Royale.

New acquisitions: Ace of Spades 90’s, JSS 90’s, Mighty Leo, Chaka Crass, Tricia, Yuppie VP, Zeke Mullett. Very happy to get Ace and JSS, Chaka gives me a third ladies feud, and Leo gives me a tag team and a mixed team. Good six months. 7.5% complete.

[Thumper Moore III]

Jul-Dec 1991

What a run Arizona had. Without me even realizing it, for three weeks in September he held the Cruiserweight, TV, and World titles simultaneously. He ended up finishing the year at 29-6, and though Chief Buffalo ended his TV Title reign, Arizona retained his other two belts throughout the remainder of 1981, and won the Cruiserweight Cup. Mynx also kept up her stranglehold of the ladies division, retaining the ladies title and winning the Tournament of Queens.

The tag team division almost had the same fate, with Howl and Roar holding the titles until Beyond War Dome, where the utterly stupid tag team of Chief Buffalo and Dr. B claimed the belts. This completed both of their career Triple Crowns, as they are both ineligible for the Cruiserweight strap.

Notable records for 1981:
Mighty Leo went a ridiculous 18-3, and ended as the TV Champ
Cesar Sleaze went a horrible 3-20, while his partner Dizzy Liz was an abysmal 2-17.
Dr. B was the lone heel with a winning record at 20-13.

Merch has been unlocked for about a dozen wrestlers so far.

RNGesus was not kind to me the past couple days. The only new acquisitions I made were Flex Deltoid ‘85, Flawless One, and Magnifico ‘92. None of them are available for at least two more in-game years— but the ‘90’s are shaping up to be very strong. 10% complete.

[Thumper Moore III]

Jan-Jun 1982

This period definitely played out in favor of the underdogs. The biggest upset of the fed so far was when Soul Daddy managed to unseat Arizona as World Champ at Valentine’s Massacre. Arizona won the belt back two weeks later, but Dr. B managed to wrest the strap from his control at June’s Week 2 show.

Howl and Roar regained the tag titles and defeated 8-Bit in the finals of the Tag Team Invitational, winning for the second straight year. However, all was not perfect for the animals, as Leo was shocked by Skullgore to lose his TV title. The current TV Title holder is the recently debuted Dicky Thunderbird.

Arizona also managed to lose his Cruiserweight Title to Thunderbird, who was promptly defeated by Chet Skye for Skye’s first singles title. Mynx’s 20 month stranglehold on the ladies title was ended by Chaka Crass, who was upended by Gothica, the current (and only two-time) champ.

I am excited about the new acquisitions. Aside from Thunderbird, I’ve also added Big Thuggee to complete the Slave Drivers and give Arizona a feud, Copper Commander to complete Conquer and Command, Dangerzone, Dude Brohan 90’s and Ezekiel (one of my top three favorite characters from my 90’s fed). The 90’s are looking better. 12.5% complete.

[Thumper Moore III]

Jul-Dec 1982

TBH, the grind is my least favorite aspect of any game. But it’s necessary— I had been out of a job since a couple weeks before Christmas. So, while I thankfully get to start a new job April 1, at a significant pay bump (😊), until then I am strictly FTP. So, back to it.

These six months just made no sense. I’d stack the deck against a scrub, and they’d win. Then I’d set them up with an easy match, and they’d lose unexpectedly. The world title holders were, in order, (deep breath) Dr. B, Freedom Fighter, Dr. B, the newly acquired He-Beast, newly acquired Copper Commander, and Freedom Fighter. Five title changes in six months. It’s like the Attitude Era about 16 years early.

Dicky Thunderbird, Freedom Fighter between his two world title stints, and Chief Buffalo held the TV Title. Arizona regained the Cruiserweight belt, but lost that to Thunderbird. The tag and ladies titles stayed squarely around the waists of Howl and Roar and Gothica, respectively.

Skullgore upset Arizona in the first round of the Cruiserweight Cup, and ride that momentum to a tournament win. Mynx won the Tournament of Queens for the third consecutive year.

Wrestler of the Year was Mighty Leo, with a ridiculous 20-1 record, having held the TV and Tag titles dominantly. Howl and Roar was a shoo-in for Tag Team of the Year, while Arizona won most popular for the second straight year. Most Hated went to Copper Commander, for basically ruining my plans for him by actually winning the World Title.

New acquisitions: Chicano ‘85, Dirk Dungeon, the aforementioned He-Beast, Jacko Pop, foil 80’s Jessie Wild, and Lil’ Thuggee. Now that it’s 1983, I’m rather excited to finally get to use Flawless One. 15% completion.

[Magnifico jr.]

Congratulations on the 3 years

[Thumper Moore III]

Jan-Jun 1983

Flawless One is a BEAST.

In his first six months in the company, he won Battle Royale, March Madness, and a World Title off the first reign of Dicky Thunderbird, who scored a victory of Might Leo to end his first reign. Leo has now completed his career Triple Crown, and Thunderbird only needs the tag title to complete his career Grand Slam (since he’s a Cruiserweight). Conquer and Command managed their first tag title win, but lost in their first defense to the Adventurers, making Arizona the only DOUBLE Grand Slam champ.

Freedom Fighter wrested the TV Title from Chief Buffalo’s greasy palms, while Jessie Wild and Lil’ Thuggee each held the Cruiserweight Title before it was regained by Thunderbird. Glam, Spunky Sparks, and now Succubus each held the Ladies Title during this period as well. In fact, only Mynx has successfully defended the Ladies Title more than once.

Unfortunately, the additions this month were mainly to the 90’s undercard. Avery, Romeo, and MC Frosty will eventually form a trio. Non-WNE Big Rig was also added, as were 20 year players Devin Van Winkle and Massacre. 17.5% complete.

[Thumper Moore III]

Jul-Dec 1983

Same old, same old.

As unpredictable as the previous 18 months had been, that’s how predictable the past six months were. Flawless One kept the World Title. Arizona captured the Cruiserweight Title and held it through 7 defenses. Command and Conquer held the tag belts until the final show of the year, where they lost to the Adventurers. Skullgore took the TV Title from Devin Van Winkle, who is obviously missing his brothers. Succubus held the Ladies Title in her ONE defense. Seriously game? One title defense in six months?!?

Dicky Thunderbird won the Cruiserweight Cup and had an excellent series of 3* matches with Flawless One to capture Most Popular. Flawless One was deservedly Wrestler of the Year. Command and Conquer captured Tag Team of the Year, and Skullgore was Most Hated. The only major surprise of the year was Princess Starbright upsetting Mynx in the finals of the Tournament of Queens, breaking her undefeated record and three year winning streak in the event.

Interesting notes:
1. Arizona should be the first to crack 100 wins early in 1984, as his overall record currently stands at 95-38.

2. Johnny Kobra has wrestled in 58 matches and has yet to max his skill, while Tennis Pro has wrestled 6 times and has maxed his out.

3. The injury bug has hit ABCW hard, with Dr. B, Michael T Wolf, Big Thuggee, Chet Skye, Iron Mask, and Max Attack all injured at the end of 1983.

4. And finally, Mighty Leo and Dizzy Lixx have exact opposite records. Leo is 52-10, while Lixx is 10-52.

[Thumper Moore III]

Jan-Jun 1984

Well, the boredom of the grind has officially set in. I’m going nuts trying to power level people, as that’s not how I intend to play, but at least I have a purpose in power leveling that will become clear soon.

Dr. B won his 8th (!) World Title after defeating Dicky Thunderbird, who ended Flawless One’s dominant reign. Arizona’s record setting Cruiserweight Title run was ended by Pelvis Pressley, who shockingly captured his first gold, and promptly lost to Jessie Wild’s foil card. Speaking of foils, Starbright’s took the Ladies Title. Skullgore stayed TV Champ.

The tag straps were finally passed back from the Adventurers to Command and Conquer after 8 successful defenses. Howl and Roar again won the TTI, with the debuting Van Winkles as runners up. Dr. B won Battle Royale, while Flawless One repeated as the March Madness winner.

New acquisitions: The Van Winkle family is complete. Foils were added for several maxed-out competitors, including Star Boy, the aforementioned Jessie Wild and Starbright, Glam, and Vegas once the 90’s roll around. We also found Dark Mauler, Doberman Denny, O’Hooligan ‘85, and Papa Chopper.

I should also list cards that have been maxed out and have merch. The list so far is (deep breath): Arizona, Big Thuggee, Brute, Chaka Crass, Chet Skye, Chief Buffalo, Copper Commander, Dangerzone, Dr. B, Soul Daddy, Freedom Fighter, Gothica, He-Beast, Iron Mask, Jessie Wild, Keith Blood, Massacre, Max attack, Michael T Wolf, Mighty Leo, Mynx, Pelvis, Starbright, Red Pirate, Skullgore, Starboy, Spunky Sparks, Succubus, Piranha, and Valley Girl. Flawless One and Dicky T are both being very stubborn about their last skill points.

[Thumper Moore III]

Jul-Dec 1984

It’s all going back to where it started.

Through 5 years of play, Arizona Chance has amassed 4 world title reigns, he is a 3 time TV champ, a 3 time tag champ, and 6 time Cruiserweight champ. His is the current World and TV champ, taking the former from Dr. B at Tournament of Queens, and won the Cruiserweight Cup.. He swept the awards this year, taking Best Wrestler, Most Popular, and one half of Tag Team of the Year with Red Pirate Rogers. He is The Franchise.

The tag titles are currently held by Howl and Roar, while the Cruiserweight belt is in the possession of Jessie Wild for the second time— one more time than his tag partner. Might there be some jealously starting to brew? Let’s give it another six years or so.

For the ladies, Elfette claimed her first Ladies Title, but lost the belt to Glam. For the second consecutive year, Princess Starbright claimed the Tournament of Queens.

New acquisitions included Brit Buckingham, The Annihilator, and Valkyrie (and now I only need Nuke to carry on that storyline once I reach 1991 again). Foils were acquired for Brute, Glam, Max Attack, Soul Daddy, and Papa Chopper. 25%. complete.

P. S. There may be a change in plans coming soon. Should that take place, the board will be better off for it, and the game will change for me. Stay tuned.

[Niz]

I've really enjoyed reading your "Road to Restoration." The short six-month recaps are easy to digest and reminds me of the good 'ol days (leveling up all my characters).

But as you mentioned, something bigger is coming soon. And it's going to be a blast!

[Thumper Moore III]

Jan-Jun 1985

The stubbornness of one lousy skill point.

Dicky Thunderbird and Flawess One have had a tremendous feud. So tremendous, they are constantly putting on 3 and 4 star matches. They fought through to the finals of March Madness, which was taken by Flawless. Dicky won the World Title off Arizona, but then lost it to Flawless. They even teamed together to win the Tag Team Invitational. But they’re both stuck one f%#€ing skill point away from merch since 1983, with about 50 matches each.

Chicano is a beast as well, and sits one pop away from max already. O’Hooligan has been fun to use, as has Kezzif and Flex Deltoid. As for the other titles, Arizona, Devin Van Winkle, and Howl and Roar have held the TV, Cruiserweight, and Tag titles throughout the first half of ‘85.Glam lost to Chaka Crass in her first title defense, which was 9 months after her title win (REALLY GAME?!?), but she lost to Mynx at the next P4V. Battle Royale was captured by Dr. B.

New acquisitions include Mandonna, Jobber Joe, and Brit Buckingham’s foil. Saving tons of in game cash right now because I’m getting like one wrestler per refresh. 27.5% complete.

As for the plans changing— it’s a definite change, but will be delayed a bit longer, so I’ll keep going with that u til that change is ready to be announced. But, rest assured, that change will affect this entire board.

[Thumper Moore III]

Jul-Dec 1985

Well let me tell you somethin’ brother...

Dude Brohan is larger than life, just as much as Hulk was in WWF. He’s stupid good at everything except putting on a good match.

But, our current World Champ and Wrestler of the Year is... Chicano. His record was only 9-6, but what a tremendous showing he had in those 15 matches. He fought mainly against Dicky T, Flawless One, and Arizona, and had exactly two matches that were less than 3*. He also combined with Flawless to put on the first ever 4* match without a feud card in play.

Arizona AGAIN had the best record at 18-8, but the gap has closed. The RNG finally got tired of him walking around looking like the 2017 Young Bucks with titles draped over every appendage. Current champs are Chicano who took the strap off Terry Van Winkle (who might have been wrestler of the year had he not been injured for 19 of 48 weeks), Arizona as TV champ with a run by Chicano in between his reigns, Max Freaking Attack as the Cruiserweight champ, and Mynx remains ladies champ (yes, she actually defended it twice). Tag champs are still Howl and Roar, it Conquer and Command managed to steal the belts for a cup of coffee before Leo Thunderstruck the belts back to the animals.

Cruiserweight Cup went to O’Hooligan, and Tourney of Queens went to Mynx. Aside from Brohan, I also added Cletus Mullet, Curt Grunge, Death Star Boy, Pop King, and Mr Tycoon. 30% complete.