Recent correspondence on this board (from the delightful Pi$$ed Off and others) has served to highlight the general problem that appears to arise for every show: not all the matches are in on time, consequently the gaps between shows lengthen into weeks, sometimes months, and some readers must wonder just what is going on. Sometimes I do myself!
Look at it this way; if your favourite magazine, be it Playboy, Car and Driver or whatever, only appeared at irregular intervals would you be happy? Probably not!
For sure I'm not and I'd like to make a suggestion to try and help the show along it's way.
So how about a maximum number of matches from each writer for each show! I'm thinking that four should be about right. For the PPV a writer could produce as many as he/she likes, but they MUST refer back to some incident or feud in the previous shows.
Hopefully this would lead to the shows appearing at regular intervals whilst perhaps the Crash & Burn shows could appear regularly as well to take any overflow of matches as well as display new talent.
And before anyone checks back, yes, I have delivered matches late myself and I have done matches for the PPV which have no origins in previous shows! I'm just as much to blame as anyone.
Anyhow, thanks for taking the time to read this far (you sure have plenty of stamina). Now let's hear your opinions, whether as a reader or a writer I'd like to hear your views and I think that Eddie would as well. I'm sure that many of you have something useful to add to this.
I agree with Nigel limiting the number of matches, per writer per show, would help. But I also think limiting the number of wrestlers a writer handles should be limited also. When some writers control up to 10 or 15 ladies it makes it hard to use all of them properly. Unless you have a stable maybe each writer should be limited to the number of wrestlers they write for. Also it would give other writers a chance to get involved. A second possibility is maybe collaborating with others who have expressed intrest in writing. Maybe passing on a match or two. I have done some matches for Nigel in past and if asked will help out for others. The only other suggestion would be to Eddie. Once deadline is past go with what you have. If matches are not in they will have to go to next show.
Nigel makes some great points. Capping the number of matches a writer creates for each show and, just as importantly, a PPV match must be related to an already existing angle or feud. As much as I enjoy the matches, Angel Devi vs Rife is not PPV calibre, for example. If the storyline is to establish Angel as an up and coming lightweight contender, that can be done during Madness, Throwdown or Slaughterhouse. Conversely, I was expecting Amy Weber vs Petra Verkaik for the Middleweight Title and I was acutally looking forward to the Throw In The Towel Match between Linda O'Neil & Patricia Tomlinson vs Mia Finnegan & Christy Carrera paricularly becuause of the buildup and because of Tina Rigdon's involvement, but they never happened.
Rossi also makes an excellent point. Some of the writers have a lot of girls, which makes it difficult to utilize them consistently, although I have peaked at the assignments page and it looks like things are S-L-O-W-L-Y being redistributed. The writers, in reality, have spoiled us with great match after great match and an ever-expanding roster. The result is that, because of their hard work, not to mention Eddie's, they can't possibly be expected to keep up with themselves. Consequently, we now have Crash & Burns which aren't even 'true' episodes, as they are episodes half way between the previous and the next. In addition, instead of 4-5 weeks between episodes we now go upwards of 7-9 weeks (C&B not included.)
I guess the best way to say this is that if we expect to keep up with this increase in demand then we need more writers and/or more help for Eddie with the HTML. I think it would be cool to see what others think. I'm not just talking about the writers or Eddie. I think it's important for others to step up and express themselves instead of sitting back quietly. I was that way for a time myself. If not, then we can't expect things to go any faster.
Heck, if it shakes down that way, I'll start writing matches myself. The problem with that is that, while I love writing the Indsider column, I don't know if I could do both.
I have to concur with the previous statements. Though this is my first time posting, I have been reading the stories for awhile. I myself would be willing to write some fights but I do not have any wrestlers and one of my fav. models is already being run by someone else (le sigh).
Welcome Garry! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It's always good to hear from a fan. If you're serious about writing, email me and we can discuss which model you have your eyes on. The regular writers are amazing in their dedication, but I don't want to exclude anyone from contributing from time to time.
The exception: Actually, Geoff is the only one excluded from writing matches. (A) He's got a knack for The Insider and (B) he'd always rave about his matches. Hardly an unbiased reviewer!
New format? There are benefits to capping the number of matches as Geoff, Nigel, and Rossi have pointed out. The obvious benefit: shows come faster, especially if I stick to deadlines like flies on dung. The subtle benefit: wrestlers get freed up.
It would force writers to be more efficient in their match selection and plot development. And that isn't to say they can't write vignettes to their hearts' content. PPVs would still be large; either "no cap" or a higher match-limit than TV episodes.
I think a new format like the one proposed would be beneficial and it's worth implementing for a few "test" cycles. Does anyone else have an opinion on this?
I think TV tapings should be limited to maybe 10 to 12 matches to make for quicker storylines and help in getting updated. PPV can be more and actually can start a cycle of stories as well as wrap up previous ones.
The regular writers are amazing in their dedication, but I don't want to exclude anyone from contributing from time to time.
