Post by evil on Apr 18, 2012 20:25:11 GMT
DISCLAIMER:
[/u][/size]The views expressed in this thread do not reflect those of the staff or administrator here at Innovation:Wrestling. The purpose of these 'lessons' are for me to spread my knowledge of e-fedding over the years. In order to help others out who may be struggling or having a hard time. All views expressed are of my own. I'm doing this for the sole purpose of helping newcomers, and even throwing a few idea's out there for the 'vets'. Because at the end of the day? The learning experience never stops for no one.[/center]
Alrighty gang. Its another week in the making. Which means its time for another lesson to be learned. Today I'm going to talk about "Championship Belts", and what they should mean to you.
Now, its funny to talk about winning and/or losing titles in e-feds nowadays. I say this because I usually get mixed comments. Some think its horrible to be a 'title hog' and constantly go after title belts with your character. Others think its a good thing and adds to the development of your wrestling persona.
So, I'm gonna split this up into three separate sections.
THE GOOD[/u]
In my own opinion. I believe going after a title of any sort (doesn't matter if its tag, women's, mid-carder or world championship material) is a good thing. Especially if you play a babyface character. Now, alot of times. Its been shown throughout time since pro wrestling has existed. That a good babyface can pull off both 'chasing' and 'holding on' to a title. Without causing boredom or hatred from his own audience.
The worst thing you can do in this case is turn your own fans on you. I know its instinct that when we have a title of any caliber. We would like to keep that belt as long as possible, right? Well... wrong!
To me, it depends on your character. If your a babyface? Best thing you can do is AVOID having the belt. Now it might sound crazy. But I think the best thing about any face going after any major title is the chase that goes along with it. Where he or she challenges the champion over and over. Only to come up short everytime (ie: getting screwed over by interference or a cheap heel tactic like the use of a foreign object or even a school-boy while holding on to the tights spot). Each time that happens. As a fan. You wanna see this guy get the belt even more.
Case in point. Cowboy James Storm. Recently, he's been chasing TNA World Champion Bobby Roode for the belt. The vast majority of non-TNA haters out there figured Storm would get the belt at LockDown last Sunday. To everyone's surprise (even my own). That didn't happen. Roode retained, and we can only assume (no spoilers) that the storyline will continue into next month.
Why? Why did this happen?
Easily my friends. Draws in more intrest to the story. If your a James Storm fan? Next time he faces Roode for the belt. Your gonna wanna cheer for him even harder to take the strap off of Roode. You invest even more into his character. You feel bad, that he didn't win at his hometown. That he fought so hard since last November to get to this point. Only to come up short at the end. But dammit... it makes you want to see him get the belt even more. So bad, that you'd want to tune in to see what happens next. How, or if, Storm will get his rematch. Where hopefully, he'll get the title he's wanted to hold once again since getting screwed over last November by current champion Bobby Roode.
Am I right?
Now if your Bobby Roode. Your a fan of the guy. He once again gets away with holding onto the belt. Building up heat instantly with the crowd. Because he unintentionally by falling out of the cage door at LockDown. Once again, screwed over his ex-best friend. So booking 101. I'd play off of that. Maybe push it to where Roode flat out says "James you had your shot. You blew your load. Its over. I'm moving on to somebody else".
To me its the same deal & logic you would use in an e-fed. Let real life instances shine through in our own personal "virtual" fantasy world. If your playing a bad guy. If you have a title. Hang on to that baby as long as you possibly can. The longer, the better. Fans will get sick of you holding the title. As a heel. That's what you want to have happen. Anything to get the crowd to despise you even more is a huge plus in my book.
As a face? Its okay to win belts. But I don't recommend pulling the heel route and holding onto it for very long. Chasing a title is gonna be your bread & butter. If you hold onto a belt longer then necessary (ie: John Cena). Fans will turn on you (in e-feds. I translate 'fans' as the readers & followers of every roleplayed promo and storyline). Chase after the title as long as you can go. When the time is right. That's when you pull the trigger. Get the belt off the heel champion, have a short run. Get screwed over and go after the belt again. Its simple, and guess what folks? Its EFFECTIVE!
THE BAD[/u]
Some things I've already brought up in the above article. Like being a face character, holding onto a championship belt longer then you have to. But now I'm gonna dive into something that I've noticed in e-feds that has become a problem.
Handlers ONLY caring about the titles there characters hold (or have held). Then storylines or other ambitions.
Now before I get started into this. I'll admit, I am GUILTY of doing the very same thing *raises hand*. In my first couple of years in e-fedding. All I truthfully cared about was getting to the top. Getting the World title. How many belts I could pad to my character "Genesis" resume. It really wasn't until my run in XWA that I started to change my approach on things. That it wasn't "always" about the title. I needed to put more stock into developing this Genesis character and expanding him into something more then just a title hog.
Anyways, I won't get too much into all that. But bottom line, I pretty much learned a lesson. Never, ever put sole focus onto a title. Even if your character is hot-wired into being a guy that aspires for greatness. Have other plans in mind too.
Frankly, we can have 'shit' champions... lol. Over the years. In many feds. I've seen plenty of guys get a title that I felt got it on a fluke or didn't really deserve it. NOT because I didn't like them personally or anything. I simply felt they weren't ready for the run. They needed more time to 'groom' themselves to get to that next level.
Picture character development like a balloon, okay. Takes air to blow up the balloon right? Well, for a character going after a belt (using a 'face' character as an example). They need the fan support to drive them to chase after the asshole of a heel champion. The key thing is. Not to let the balloon pop before you get the belt (or as your getting the title even). If that happens, your screwed. lol. No other way to put it then that.
Without naming names, or pointing fingers. I saw one individual do this last season at I:W.
This person's character got off to a somewhat rocky start. As I watched this character's development. I noticed that this person seemed to get better in promo's. I know from a personal standpoint. This individual was getting popular within' the ranks here. They started to believe in him. His work did improve. Had a couple of good feuds to build himself up. Eventually, this person became a major champion.
When said character did this? Instead of capitalizing and continuing the growth. The balloon popped. This person lost the title, and to me. Has gone back to square one. Not doing anything special. Just kinda 'there', being along for the ride.
I'm not trying to step on somebodies toes or anything. But the thing is. You can't let a thing like this happen to you. If there's one thing that can hurt a character. Its both, a failed title run and the people losing intrest in you. Big 'no no', you cannot do that and expect to succeed here or any other league for that matter.
THE UGLY[/u]
Finally, I'm gonna close this lesson out by saying the absolute worst thing you can do is letting a title go to your head
For starters. I know people can be proud of there achievements. I know I would be too if I got a belt. Since it shows that a place has at least some faith in his/her abilities to carry a belt. Otherwise, unless you're a horrible, horrible booker. You wouldn't have earned the shot otherwise.
A former member here used to drive me, and mostly everyone else crazy. All this person cared about was how many titles they held and the more they could get out of this place. Constantly bitched, moaned and whined when they didn't win a title match (trust me, I heard it on a daily basis until I got sick of hearing it lol). To make this long story short. This person thought he was the end all, be all of a certain division. That because of a past status. The red carpet should be rolled out. That the character should get a pass over people who were frankly, better & worked harder, then he put in to the place.
Eventually, as time went on. This person thankfully did too. Rubbed more then alot of people the wrong way. Always caused trouble. I mean... lol. I know I don't have the greatest reputation out there. But I think this person topped anything and everything I was accused of ever being in the past or present.
Bottom line here. Don't be a dick if you get a title. Don't let it go to your brain that you're the shit. Cause if you do. People are going to think you ARE shit, and not 'the shit', lol. View your belt runs as a proud accomplishment. Something that you can look back on proudly one day down the road. But, don't think for a second that you're better then somebody else because of it.
So... I know this has been a LOOOONG thread to read. I apologize ahead of time for this. But I also thank each and everyone of you for reading my work. A BIG thank you if you have followed my work over the years. I've certainly enjoyed it, and still do. I know I'm long winded. But at the same time. When you've got as much knowledge as I do. You gotta let it all out somehow. LOL!
"Ta-Ta for now"
- Brandon Ewing (aka, "Genesis")