PW Boards Draft XI - Discussion Thread!

beakerjoe

So on Jan 1st 2018, it will be my favourite time of the year once again..........



It's back and (hopefully) better than ever! Its a new dawn, a new day and almost the new year and that means of course its time for PW Boards Draft 2018!


In the last couple of years, while interest has been high for this game, the volume of final sumissions have been lower than expected. So this thread will be for us folk to discuss ways and suggest practical areas for imrovement to make the game enjoyable for all.


Most of you long term posters will know all about the draft, but for those of you who have had their curiosity peaked by the title thread, allow me to explain what PW Boards Draft is all about. The idea is simple enough; 20 boards posters, over the course of 6-8 weeks, draft a dream roster of superstars and divas, managers and announcers, modern and vintage wrestlers, in a bid to create the ultimate roster. After everyone has chosen, each person is invited to explain how they would book their roster, detailing storylines, matches, characters, etc over a 4-5 week period.

Now I feel that intestest was sky high during the picks phase of the draft but as soon as the hard work phase of writing shows came about, thats when the game started to drop for most.

So in the spirit of improving the game for all, I would love to hear suggestion on how to improve the game from all previous players and new ones.


If your new and interested, previous threads can be found here :

The Sign up Thread : sign-up thread will be posted on January 2nd (Monday week) at Midday. This topic will be where everyone signs up to participate. We have 20 slots, and we'll hold places for previous winners and organizers of the competition. Typically we have a few drop outs as well, so don't worry if you miss the first run of slots; we usually need a significant back up list as well

The Roster Picks Thread : The Roster Picks Thread will open up once the sign-ups are done. We randomly pick the order for each round, some rounds will have special stipulations and bonuses. The rules will be in the roster thread to glance over. All rules will be explained before the first round picks.

The Evaluation thread : This will open during Round 10 of the drafting process, and we'll invite everyone to write up their shows. You get 4 "TV Shows" and 1 "Pay Per View" show in which to book your roster. We typically give people 2-3 weeks following Round 15 to get their shows up. Different people put different levels of effort in, but I should stress, it doesn't need to be massively time intesive; first and foremost, the draft is about some community fun, and while this will take 3-4 months (We usually try and end round Mania time), it can be real fun and flexible for everyone.

Voting takes place once a deadline passes; we'll post the deadline near the end of the picks. And then we'll post the second deadline once everyone asks for it to be extended

Last year's threads give a good way of seeing what it's all about.

Discussion Thread 2017
Sign - Up Thread 2017
Draft Picks Thread 2017
Draft Evaluation Thread 2017
Draft Results Thread 2017

Anyone who has suggestions about stipulation ideas, I'd appreciate them being passed on. I have plenty already but it can help to have more that may surpass my own ideas.


Evaluation submissions below - credit ABMG for the links

Necrominus
Year in Review - https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=106103203&postcount=2
TV Show - https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=106151609&postcount=4
PPV Part 1 - https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=106175790&postcount=5
PPV Part 2 - https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=106176566&postcount=6

Connemara Man
Preview - https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=106150568&postcount=3

Kolido
Introduction - https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=106176815&postcount=7
Episode 1 - https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=106404613&postcount=14
Episode 2 - https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=106404629&postcount=15
PPV - https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=106404640&postcount=16

Bounty Hunter
Preview - https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=106214527&postcount=8
KotR Recap - https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=106349991&postcount=12

Beakerjoe
Preview - https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=106248339&postcount=9

Alfred Borden
2017: A Look Back - https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=106294526&postcount=10

ABMG
Year in Review - https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=106306008&postcount=11

Mr Guappa
Episode 1 - https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=106403893&postcount=13

Necro

5 Posts Max

I'll jump in here with two feet.

Would like to see women's titles included in the tag team rules. Gives people a better chance of building a decent female match.

Also pre 70's rule. Is there any need for it anymore?

Just my thoughts at the moment.

connemara man

5 Posts Max

This might be completely off the wall but a first come first pick round.

So say round 6 ends the first person to get their pick in in round 7 gets their man or woman and it continues. With a 24 hour window for everyone to get it in.

beakerjoe

6 Posts Max

No think away........

I love all input and its greatly appraciated.

I was more concerned of ways to improve the writing phase. You obviously didnt have this issue, but others failed to manage to get 4 to 5 shows and a PPV up.

I would like to maybe change this to maybe 1 PPV preview outlining the feuds and how they came about and 1 PPV. I feel the demand of 4 to 5 shows plus a big PPV was too much of a burden for most players to manage.

connemara man

5 Posts Max

I always found 4 shows and a ppv a lot. I'd like a say opening show/ mission statement of the promotion. Then a storyline journey post then a PPV

Necro

5 Posts Max

beakerjoe wrote: »

No think away........

I love all input and its greatly appraciated.

I was more concerned of ways to improve the writing phase. You obviously didnt have this issue, but others failed to manage to get 4 to 5 shows and a PPV up.

I would like to maybe change this to maybe 1 PPV preview outlining the feuds and how they came about and 1 PPV. I feel the demand of 4 to 5 shows plus a big PPV was too much of a burden for most players to manage.

Well, and this a personal thing but I'd leave the shows as optional perhaps?

Leave the requirement as one PPV for your draft with Preview/etc if they want.

I'd miss being able to build for the main show but if that's the way it goes to suit the majority I could live with it... grudgingly

Bounty Hunter

6 Posts Max

yay, just thinking about how this was returning soon a few days ago.

With regards the writing I think last time there was some discussion on the topic and the result seemed to be a consensus on something like a preview show, a buildup show and a PPV show was all that was reccomended to do.

Obviously only a PPV is needed but to win in the past you'd be competing against people who did 5/6 shows inc the PPV and 7+ posts in some cases. Limiting it at three although restrictive for us Vets of the draft may be fair.

Necrominus wrote: »

I'll jump in here with two feet.

Would like to see women's titles included in the tag team rules. Gives people a better chance of building a decent female match.

Also pre 70's rule. Is there any need for it anymore?

Just my thoughts at the moment.

Don't think there wis any need for the pre 70s rule and was actually one of the people slowly causing it to become obsolete by getting rid of it in a later round the last time I ran the game, something which think Joe continued to do. That said some variation on the rule could work well as an early rd stip as apposed to a rule i.e only people who debuted after 1990 are available in rd1 but the rule is only in effect for that stip round.

I'd kinda agree on the womens one although I think in the past I did just say fair play to those who chose women early enough to take the best ones in tag teams.

Bounty Hunter

6 Posts Max

connemara man wrote: »

This might be completely off the wall but a first come first pick round.

So say round 6 ends the first person to get their pick in in round 7 gets their man or woman and it continues. With a 24 hour window for everyone to get it in.

I think this would be great crack but you would probably get loads of people trying to post at the same time at it getting very messy esp if people don't realize they didn't get their pick.... I'd be up for it though

Necro

5 Posts Max

Bounty Hunter wrote: »

With regards the writing I think last time there was some discussion on the topic and the result seemed to be a consensus on something like a preview show, a buildup show and a PPV show was all that was reccomended to do.

Obviously only a PPV is needed but to win in the past you'd be competing against people who did 5/6 shows inc the PPV and 7+ posts in some cases. Limiting it at three although restrictive for us Vets of the draft may be fair.

I actually didn't think about it like this. Again from a personal perspective 4 or 5 shows isn't enough for me! But to get more people competing and submitting PPVs would be better for the draft that is for sure. I can still write my shows and post them following the conclusion of the competition I suppose :pac:

connemara man

5 Posts Max

Bounty Hunter wrote: »

I think this would be great crack but you would probably get loads of people trying to post at the same time at it getting very messy esp if people don't realize they didn't get their pick.... I'd be up for it though

Something to think about would give the last person in a round with an advantage as they could have 2 picks to go straight away

daithi1989

5 Posts Max

connemara man wrote: »

Something to think about would give the last person in a round with an advantage as they could have 2 picks to go straight away

One way of making it run somewhat smooth, is spring it on everyone in a new thread halfway through the previous round - eg. Draft R7 order - and quicker people post in it, the order would be decided by the end of R6? You can still have a stip on the round as well too.

As a first timer last year, I wanted to post all shows and a PPV, but did find it very time consuming. The idea of max 3 shows might bring more people in for the Writing Phase of the comp.

beakerjoe

6 Posts Max

Necrominus wrote: »

I actually didn't think about it like this. Again from a personal perspective 4 or 5 shows isn't enough for me! But to get more people competing and submitting PPVs would be better for the draft that is for sure. I can still write my shows and post them following the conclusion of the competition I suppose :pac:

See i would be of the thinking that Id rather take a hit on posting 6/7 shows and posting 2-3 instead in order to boost the number of full submissions.

Necro

5 Posts Max

beakerjoe wrote:

See i would be of the thinking that Id rather take a hit on posting 6/7 shows and posting 2-3 instead in order to boost the number of full submissions.

I could live with it. My ideas will stay locked in my mind.

In someways you could fully focus on the matches for the PPV and not be nearly burnt out after writing 5 or 6 shows prior to it.

Mr.Nice Guy

4 Posts Max

I think there definitely should be less shows to write.

The Draft basically is two phases in one: first part is the picking phase which generally runs very smoothly. It seems like we finish with close to 100 per cent completion of the rosters. The second part is the writing phase and it's clear the last few years that the completion record falls dramatically in this area. For the 2017 game the completion record of the writing was 7/20.

In other words, we lost over half of the players from the first phase to the second phase.

I liked the idea that A Brad Maddox Guy suggested at the end of the 2017 game:

Currently in the write-ups we are often doing a hype show, 4 episodes, a PPV preview & a PPV - it's a lot. I'll suggest something in the middle of the current write-up format & the PPV-only suggested format; a preview & PPV combo. Everybody gets one show to preview the PPV which we can use to explain the feuds, hype the show & give an idea of what the characters involved are. Then the usual PPV write-ups which as always were excellent this year. At least this way people can still experiment a little with their rosters and keep the game concise at the same time. Would this work?

If this is deemed too limiting then maybe we could add one more write-up so that it becomes 1) your preview of the roster 2) explaining your feuds 3) the actual PPV itself.

Three write-ups would seem to me to be the most we should go for. I think going beyond this risks the familiar trend of the last few years of players not feeling they have the time to devote to so much written work.

One other problem which is related to the above is that the second phase of the game tends to drag out quite a long time after the picking phase has ended, which loses us a lot of momentum.

We should look to capture the enthusiasm that is there in the picking phase and aim to wrap up the writing part no more than 2-3 weeks after the picking part ends. To put it into perspective, we wrapped up the picking phase in mid-February but the voting on the rosters part was taking place in mid-April. That's two months after the first phase had ended. It's far too long and I think if we can speed up the second phase then we will see many more people complete the whole game, which should be the goal.

beakerjoe

6 Posts Max

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

I think there definitely should be less shows to write.

The Draft basically is two phases in one: first part is the picking phase which generally runs very smoothly. It seems like we finish with close to 100 per cent completion of the rosters. The second part is the writing phase and it's clear the last few years that the completion record falls dramatically in this area. For the 2017 game the completion record of the writing was 7/20.

In other words, we lost over half of the players from the first phase to the second phase.

I liked the idea that A Brad Maddox Guy suggested at the end of the 2017 game:



If this is deemed too limiting then maybe we could add one more write-up so that it becomes 1) your preview of the roster 2) explaining your feuds 3) the actual PPV itself.

Three write-ups would seem to me to be the most we should go for. I think going beyond this risks the familiar trend of the last few years of players not feeling they have the time to devote to so much written work.

One other problem which is related to the above is that the second phase of the game tends to drag out quite a long time after the picking phase has ended, which loses us a lot of momentum.

We should look to capture the enthusiasm that is there in the picking phase and aim to wrap up the writing part no more than 2-3 weeks after the picking part ends. To put it into perspective, we wrapped up the picking phase in mid-February but the voting on the rosters part was taking place in mid-April. That's two months after the first phase had ended. It's far too long and I think if we can speed up the second phase then we will see many more people complete the whole game, which should be the goal.

I couldnt agree more on the 2nd point.

I felt I was obilgated to extend the 6 week peroid initially allowed for the write ups due to the fact that a) an extension was more or less tradition and b) the fact that people were doing 6 write ups, some being quite lenghty (guilty as charged) that 6 weeks wasnt enough for anyone to get these write ups done.

With a reduced format of 2 posts (one being a preview of your show outling the build up to the ppv and two being the ppv itself) is more than acceptable in my eyes.

I wouldnt be in favor of anymore than 2.

However I will go with the majority on this one.

With that said, I would also like to have a 4 week deadline with NO extensions.

Necro

5 Posts Max

Oh lord, please no extensions. 4 weeks is plenty to get 2 shows in, particularly when the writing phase opens during... round 10 generally is it?

Again, I'm happy to write 10 shows if necessary, but to allow better completion by others not as bat-sh1t mental as me then a reduction is the fairest way to go.

ShagNastii

5 Posts Max

Yeah I've been guilty of not getting up content in years gone by.

It can be a bit of a slog alright. As somebody said it'd be great to match the enthusiasm of the picks to the write ups.

If there is way we could encourage weekly writes up. It would even help in the reading of feds. Am a big exponent of the preview write ups it can achieve a lot.in terms of what your association is and what its about.

DM_7

5 Posts Max

Twice I failed to post Shows and PPVs. Correct me if it is three times!

Both times it was because I knew I would never get to read all the good work other people did. How could I post my own shows if I never had any real intention to read what everyone else did?

But, should someone like me not wanting to go that deep into it spoil the process for others who do?

I love the drafting part, the agony and delight keep me wanting to take part each year but the writing is something I struggle with generally. I hate writing matches for example. Then I can never find the time to read everyone else's shows.

I will follow the thread closely to see what ye come up with before deciding if I would join up again.

connemara man

5 Posts Max

DM_7 wrote: »

Twice I failed to post Shows and PPVs. Correct me if it is three times!

Both times it was because I knew I would never get to read all the good work other people did. How could I post my own shows if I never had any real intention to read what everyone else did?

But, should someone like me not wanting to go that deep into it spoil the process for others who do?

I love the drafting part, the agony and delight keep me wanting to take part each year but the writing is something I struggle with.

I will follow the thread closely to see what ye come up with before deciding if I would join up again.

The picking is a good part of the fun don't let the write up put you off!

I'd say if there were more pick based awards at the end it could help this and if voting was quicker it would help.

Necro

5 Posts Max

connemara man wrote: »

The picking is a good part of the fun don't let the write up put you off!

I'd say if there were more pick based awards at the end it could help this and if voting was quicker it would help.

Love this suggestion. Give two main awards. Best Roster. Best Write Ups. Don't discount those who don't have the time/aren't creatively minded enough from winning the overall.

And yeah more standard awards for draft picks.

Best Jobber pick

Most researched pick

Best stip pick

(Examples obviously). Might be too much work though.

A Brad Maddox Guy

4 Posts Max

I still think the same as MNG quoted me, although I would maybe stretch it to a 3 post maximum. How people frame this could be up to themselves; go the preview and summary route before your PPV or do 2 TV shows and your PPV if ya prefer. (I wouldn't apply this to ppvs themselves though, the 15 picture limit can sometimes force your hand into two shows so if someone has already posted twice they shouldn't be worried about squeezing their PPV in).

The Draft is great, taking part is always fun and tbh ye have all helped distract me through some pretty **** times the last couple of years so thanks for that. But the end of it can be very overwhelming I've found and if you aren't able to stay on top of everyone's shows early on it becomes near impossible to catch up let alone worry about posting your own shows. So for me the suggestion of lowering the max post number isn't to encourage easier write-ups, it's more to streamline the entire end process to get both more PPVs and votes.

EDIT: I definitely support the idea of finishing up shortly after the picks are finished. 4 weeks tops with or without an extension.

JP Liz V1

4 Posts Max

I think if at the end everyone at least throws up a ppv card even if they can't do tv shows and preview write ups etc.,

ShagNastii

5 Posts Max

There is nothing more lethal than thinking of fed and feuds ideas.

I have my headline acts I want and I'll be totally blinkered towards them. Really might disgard that and play it by ear.

Bounty Hunter

6 Posts Max

I usually have a lot of stuff in my head and a little under half of it happens in some form in the end but this time I am going in completely blank, no idea who ill draft, might need to shake up the BWA to get me into writing again.

ShagNastii

5 Posts Max

Would I be completely sh*ting the bed if I was to suggest putting up the sign-up thread for this maybe today or tomorrow?

I can't be the only one chomping at the bit.

Necro

5 Posts Max

Nope I'd be totally cool with that too

Bounty Hunter

6 Posts Max

If you need a hand running things Joe, Young Child/Chirstmas/not on a lot recently (ATH/WW games etc too) let me know

I would be more than happy to start early but he did state Jan 1st well in advance and it was the same before so you wouldn't want to catch someone out by changing that now so close to the date. Waltersobchek or The bostonCrab for example have returned from a lack of posting only to sign up for the draft on Jan 1st before for example.

Necro

5 Posts Max

Of course, I'm just impatient No harm in waiting another two days tbf....

ShagNastii

5 Posts Max

Bounty Hunter wrote: »

I would be more than happy to start early but he did state Jan 1st well in advance and it was the same before so you wouldn't want to catch someone out by changing that now so close to the date. Waltersobchek or The bostonCrab for example have returned from a lack of posting only to sign up for the draft on Jan 1st before for example.

That sounds very fair.

Wonder will there be any new blood? If I remember correctly there were many debutantes last year. Always nice to see. I'd definitely encourage any newbies that are slightly intrigued put their name in the hat. It is fairly straight forward-


One paragraph explanation:

"Long term posters will know all about the draft, but for those with a bit less experience, each year, we run a competition known as the Pro-Wrestling Draft. The idea is simple enough; 20 people, over the course of around 2 months, draft a dream roster of superstars and divas, managers and announcers, modern and vintage wrestlers, in a bid to create the ultimate collection of characters. After everyone has chosen, each person is invited to explain how they would book their roster, detailing storylines, matches, characters, etc."


Take a look at past years to see exactly how it goes down.

daithi1989

5 Posts Max

As a newbie to this last year, I had good fun taking part, and would encourage anyone who hasnt tried in the past to give it go!

Necro

5 Posts Max

Yeah, just to say Beaker if you need a hand with anything I can give a dig out if necessary too. I practically live on Boards these days :P

connemara man

5 Posts Max

Necrominus wrote: »

Yeah, just to say Beaker if you need a hand with anything I can give a dig out if necessary too. I practically live on Boards these days :P

Same as that and I'm between jobs at the moment (Viva la gig economy) so I have the time to enter again this year

Necro

5 Posts Max

Less than a day till sign ups...

Bounty Hunter

6 Posts Max

Happy New Draft Day Year (In my time zone anyway)

Necro

5 Posts Max

Bounty Hunter

6 Posts Max

not sure if Joe has posted for around 10 days though, so I would not be waiting on a mid night reveal your time.

Necro

5 Posts Max

Bounty Hunter wrote: »

not sure if Joe has posted for around 10 days though, so I would not be waiting on a mid night reveal your time.

Yeah, I PMed him re: the WW game too and haven't heard yet. I'd say he's just taking some time off for Christmas. I should probably do the same some year :pac::pac::pac:

Bounty Hunter

6 Posts Max

I'm only stepping in until Joe is back. Hopefully he's just had a nice Christmas Holiday and will be back posting soon, but hopefully when he returns we can have everything ready for him. Not rushing to start the full thing though as he may have a theme in mind like he did last year with the Simpsons. Come back to us Milhouse :pac:

ShagNastii

5 Posts Max

I see further discussion about the write ups and the amount required for this year. I'm not sure if there has been agreement but I suppose we can all agree that a begin and end to your Feds storyline would be desired.

Be that- a preview post, four/five weekly shows, a PPV preview, the PPV itself, an aftermath post.

Or even just a small arc of

One or two "TV shows" and your main PPV.

Whatever suits.

Necro

5 Posts Max

Do we need a draft discussion thread just yet folks or are we happy to wait another day or two...?

ShagNastii

5 Posts Max

Tinkering with a few ideas about talent I'm after this year. So many fall into the "will I hold out one round longer" category.

DM_7

5 Posts Max

ShagNastii wrote: »

Tinkering with a few ideas about talent I'm after this year. So many fall into the "will I hold out one round longer" category.

Here is my advice.

Don't.

Draft trend is for people to go earlier because of storyline rather than name value.

ShagNastii

5 Posts Max

I won't. Really have to bite if you have half an inkling. Some serious names drop with the 20 picks of a round.

beakerjoe

6 Posts Max

BH, can you rename this thread 2018 Draft Discussion thread?

Bounty Hunter

6 Posts Max

Done.

rules remain the same this year apart from the 4 post maximum for each person in the evaluation thread?

Gotta say it's good to see Walt come back for the draft too, not the same without WECWF involved, think Beyond Chaos kinda took his place when he left

beakerjoe

6 Posts Max

Bounty Hunter wrote: »

Done.

rules remain the same this year apart from the 4 post maximum for each person in the evaluation thread?

Gotta say it's good to see Walt come back for the draft too, not the same without WECWF involved, think Beyond Chaos kinda took his place when he left

pre 1970 rule is gone

Womens title and its lineage is now considered a world title.

Yeah I loved his early stuff in drafts before my time, I loved his Brock v Piper feud one year.

Ive just kept his place warm for him

Bounty Hunter

6 Posts Max

beakerjoe wrote: »

pre 1970 rule is gone

Womens title and its lineage is now considered a world title.

Yeah I loved his early stuff in drafts before my time, I loved his Brock v Piper feud one year.

Ive just kept his place warm for him

Not sure how I missed those 2, means I was on the ball in terms of what I was planning on doing while awaiting your return though as I Was going to abolish the 70s rule, make a 4 show limit (inc fed intro or whatever). I was also going to say any multiple time womens champ was illegible to be drafted as part of a team. These were all just off my reading of what folks said on here previously so I think you have it all anyway.

I'm curious now to see how highly people will rate older picks, how long will legends of wrestling last etc

I reckon there will be loads of wrestler drafted for the first time this year and many others earlier than ever before

connemara man

5 Posts Max

Quick question how does the 4 show limit work?

Is it 3 shows and a ppv and that's it?

Or how I'd try to use it as an 1 establish fed, 2 ppv build up/feud outlines, 3 PPV, 4 A ramifications for the future post

Bounty Hunter

6 Posts Max

connemara man wrote: »

Quick question how does the 4 show limit work?

Is it 3 shows and a ppv and that's it?

Or how I'd try to use it as an 1 establish fed, 2 ppv build up/feud outlines, 3 PPV, 4 A ramifications for the future post

The way Joe outlined it it seems its

1) outline your Fed - Give background etc
2) Your Build to your PPV
3 & 4) Your PPV. This is the most important thing and you have been afforded the option of 2 posts to display this should you need due to img limits etc

connemara man

5 Posts Max

Thank you. Just wanted it clear in my head

Uncle Walt

5 Posts Max

Bounty Hunter wrote: »

Done.

rules remain the same this year apart from the 4 post maximum for each person in the evaluation thread?

Gotta say it's good to see Walt come back for the draft too, not the same without WECWF involved, think Beyond Chaos kinda took his place when he left

Thanks BH happy to be back for this, my Pro Wrestling knowledge ain’t quite what it used to be, so hopefully this will help jog it!