Building a fantasy wrestling card:

Building a fantasy wrestling card:

Rules: Any wrestler who has been actively wrestling within the last five years is eligible to be selected for the card; wrestlers can only picked once, even those which wrestler under numerous aliases, the name on the card is the alias they will wrestle under.

Night One:

Six Man Tag Match:

Katsuyori Shibata, Tomohiro Ishii and Chris Hero vs British Strong Style (Pete Dunne, Trent Seven and Tyler Bate)

A strong 6-man tag team match to start the card, which sees traditional rivals, Shibata and Ishii team up alongside another veteran and strong style type wrestler in Chris Hero. They will face off against the collective known as British Strong Style made up of “The Bruiserweight” Pete Dunne and Moustache Mountain, Trent Seven and WWE UK Champion Tyler Bate, who see themselves as bearers of strong style wrestling in Britain. Although Tyler Bate and Trent Seven work as faces in nearly all promotions, they will work as heels as they do in Progress alongside the Progress champion, The Bruiserweight.

Submission Match:

Becky Lynch vs Natalya

The next match sees Natalya battling Becky Lynch in a submission match. I chose the wrestlers and the stipulation based on the technical prowess of the two women in the match as well as both wrestlers using submissions as their finishing maneuvers. I feel like this match would benefit from some innovative and interesting submission holds and would highlight their talents effectively.

Ladder match:

Will Ospreay vs Ricochet vs John Morrison vs Daniel Bryan vs Rey Mysterio vs KUSHIDA

It’s time, it’s time, it’s Vader time  for you to turn off your Television Vader as it’s ladder match time and two of your favourites, Will Ospreay and Ricochet are present. Will Ospreay and Ricochet are two of my favourite wrestlers and I feel like a ladder match would be beneficial in displaying their creativity and athleticism superbly. Adding to the mix, KUSHIDA and Daniel Bryan (yes he is retired, he was not 5 years ago G’s) use of striking and submissions and technical aspects whilst still pulling out high flying moves. John Morrison’s use of parkour and innovative offence, would add the amount of memorable spots and GIF worthy highlights and finally Rey Mysterio, simply because he is one of the greatest cruiserweights of this generation and I feel like he would add prestige and a veteran presence to this match.

Singles Match:

Jay Lethal vs Christopher Daniels

A nice mid-card match here between two of the better independent wrestlers of this generation, two wrestlers that have been the mainstays of independent scene over the past decade. Christopher Daniels is known as ‘the King of the Indies’ for his work in TNA,ROH,FWA,PWG and others. Jay Lethal has also had a distinguished career in TNA and ROH. An interesting stat considering they have been in the same promotions they have only faced each other once in one on one competition on major pay per views back at TNA’s Bound for Glory 2007, a match between the two veterans would be entertaining and gripping to watch.

Hardcore Tag Match:

The Briscoe Brothers Vs The Broken Hardys

There were many teams touted to face the Hardys in this match, firstly I was going to put Mick Foley and Terry Funk for their iconic hardcore career, but Mick Foley just missed out as his last match was just over 5 years ago. The same scenario existed with Edge and Christian and I could have went with the Dudley Boyz, but I felt the Briscoe’s would gel and are enigmatic and unpredictable like their opponents. 

The Hardys have done great work in reinventing their characters and have shown their creativity with The Final Deletion, Total Nonstop deletion and The Great war. This serves for the two teams to be able to create some creative and memorable spots, Matt Hardy has already called out the Briscoe’s at Final Battle in New York City on December 2^nd, so expect these two teams to cross paths in the near future.

6-Man Tag Team Match

The Shield vs Kevin Steen, El Generico and Claudio Castagnoli

The Moans from the collective people reading this piece as Roman Reigns, aka Not a bad guy, Not a good guy, the guy aka Samoa Ro enters the fray. However, have no fear it is the Roman Reigns you knew and loved, when he was part of the hounds of justice, A.K.A The Shield. The team that will be remembered for their dominant period of a year and a half.  Their opponents are a team of once best friends turned bitter enemies in Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens, they will team with another former ROH star turned WWE superstar in Cesaro.

 In this match, Owens and Zayn will work as Kevin Steen and El Generico as they did during their tenure as ROH World Tag Team Champions. Cesaro will also work under his real name and ROH name Claudio Castagnoli to complete the nostalgic trio, who will work this 6-man tag as faces.

Triple threat Match:

Roderick Strong vs Austin Aries vs Samoa Joe

Traditional ROH Independent Veteran 3 way dance between three superstars who have been cutting their teeth down in NXT. Roderick Strong and Austin Aries have been tag team partners in the stable Generation Next, as well as tagging in Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. They have had rivalries, including one between the two wrestler’s respective stables. Former NXT, TNA and ROH Champion Samoa Joe will join them in the match, in fact, all 3 of these wrestlers have held the top title in the honourable ring.

3-Way Tag Team Match:

The Young Bucks vs Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson vs Finn Balor and AJ Styles

Dentists do not recommend the following Super Kick Party as it is too sweet. A Bullet-Club reunion, 3 way tag team match between The Young Bucks, Gallows and Anderson and The team of former Bullet Club leaders, AJ Styles and Finn Balor. The match will be contested in tornado style, as to increase the pace and action of the match, the Young Bucks ( as one of the best tags in the world, if not the best) can work with everyone, as can AJ Styles and Finn Balor ( Looking at AJ Styles working very impressive matches against both Samoa Ro and John Cena). Gallows and Anderson bring their aggressive style and as the Raw tag team Champions, they currently hold the biggest tag prize in wrestling (sorry I nearly typed Sports Entertainment).

The team of Styles and Balor will work as Faces, Balor in full paint as he does during big events because as Jim Johnston said well it’s the Big Show. The Young Bucks would bridge the gap as tweeners. This is simply because they are so popular, they have a look and their reputation and following are so big that they could turn full face and not lose much heat. Gallows and Anderson will work as Heels as I feel they are too good as heels and are not suited as faces. The last time Luke Gallows worked as a face for a long period, let me just say Biscuits and Gravy were involved.

Singles Match:

Shinsuke Nakamura vs Kazuchika Okada

Your Main Event of Night One: Former Chaos leader Shinsuke Nakamura, The King of Strong Style vs One of the biggest draws in Japan today, the current IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Kazuchika Okada. Okada who had brief stints in Mexico and in TNA, Okada actually attributes his time in both arenas in defining him as a wrestler, stating he took his dropkick from Mexico, his "fighting spirit" from Japan and the "TV and the entertainment" from the United States (Barraso,J(2016).

Okada returned to New Japan in 2012, reinventing himself as the Rainmaker, which Okada describes as “one particular star who could make a company or project rich and successful”. His Persona as a Cocky, rich wrestler, who felt entitled to the top of the card. Okada eventually won over the fans with his matches and eventually made his face turn and is one of the gems of the Chaos stable. His opponent the charismatic and enigmatic King of Strong Style, Nakamura. These larger than life characters would have an undeniable in ring chemistry, they have that CHAOS connection, and an issue as Okada said he was surprised that Nakamura left New Japan to join WWE and great wrestling ability. Simply put, this match will be great. There will be some funny spots but plenty of intense, gripping action. P.S They also appeared in the Japanese video for Pharrell’s song Happy.

Night two:

40 Man Battle Royal

Trevor Lee vs Mark Andrews vs Hiromu Takahashi vs Dragon Lee vs SANADA vs Jeff Cobb vs Pentagon Jr vs Sami Callihan vs Tommy End vs Matt Sydal vs Mark Haskins vs Cedric Alexander vs TJ Perkins vs Tye Dillinger vs Rich Swann vs KENTA vs Neville vs Matt Riddle vs Mike Bailey vs Tomasso Ciampa vs Johnny Gargano vs Low Ki vs TAKA Michinoku vs Frankie Kazarian vs Eric Young vs Tomoaki Honma vs Drew Galloway vs The Miz vs Shane Strickland vs Apollo Crews vs Moose vs Alberto El Patron vs Dolph Ziggler vs Jack Gallagher vs Baron Corbin vs Big Damo vs Eli Drake vs Ethan Carter III vs Eddie Edwards vs Brawn Strowman vs Tony Nese

This actually started out as a 20-man battle royal, evolved to 25, then 30, then 40 and I was considering doing a 61-man battle royal to eclipse WCW’s World War 3, but I thought that was too much at the end of the day. I picked a 40-man battle royal, as I wanted a lot of deserving wrestlers to get a slice of the cake and chance to shine. There are a great mixture of youth and veterans, big guys (not that one) and cruiserweights. I would make the match faster by making the time between entrants at 15 seconds, simply because it is the first match of the night and you do not want to kill the audience off, so a nice match, with some nice spots, some comical relief and interesting eliminations.

Junior Heavyweight Triple threat Tag match

Tiger Mask W and Jushin Thunder Liger vs ReDRagon vs Roppongi Vice

A Junior Heavyweight exclusive triple threat tag match up next on the card, featuring the teams of Kota Ibushi (as Tiger Mask W) and Jushin Thunder Liger facing the teams of ReDRagon and the Super Jr Tag Tournament winners and current IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag champions, Roppongi Vice. Tiger Mask (in his various incarnations) and Jushin Liger have had a long connection in their wrestling careers winning the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Championship in 2012, being involved in a mask vs mask match which Liger won against the third Tiger Mask (Kōji Kanemoto). The late great Mitsuharu Misawa, who owns the record of 5-star matches at 25, also portrayed Tiger Mask previously.

Former two time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag champions, ReDRagon, join them in the match (Bobby Fish and former ROH World Champion, Kyle O’Reilly) and a team who they have had battles in the past with in Roppongi Vice (Rocky Romero and Beretta). This action will be fast and while Jushin Liger still has plenty left in the tank. Although, he is not as athletic as he was in his hayday in the 90’s, the others will have to carry the load in terms of high-risk maneuvers. This though does not mean that Liger in his 50’s is not capable of putting on great matches, which he continues to do.

Singles Match:

Bobby Roode vs Marty Scurll

The next match sees two wrestlers who have had immense years. Bobby Roode left TNA and in the within a year, had joined the WWE and capped off a Glorious year by defeating Shinsuke Nakamura at NXT Takeover: San Antonio for the NXT Championship. Bobby Roode has displayed that he can work in different roles, face or heel, as a single wrestler or in a tag team, it will be interesting to see how he eventually transitions from NXT Champion to the main roster. His opponent is a man who has been one of the best independent talents of recent times, a man who reinvented his character from a party boy to a man who does not conform to the rules inside or outside the ring. Marty has made “The Villain “Character unique, with his unique fur coat, trademark umbrella and excellent storytelling skills. This combined with an excellent combination of technical and high-flying moves as well as excellent comedic pieces has elevated the Villain to deserved heights. This started by winning the 2016 Battle of Los Angeles and the ROH TV Championship during the companies UK tour.

 Despite his Villain persona, Marty is one of the nicest guys, I have met. His approachability and communication have seen him build a great bond with independent wrestling fans, he has had great matches over the past few years with AJ Styles, Will Ospreay, Chris Hero and Zack Sabre Jr and his communication skills will allow him and Bobby Roode to put on an excellent contest.

Four way Tag Team Elimination Match

The New Day (With Xavier Woods) vs Joel Redman and Charlie Sterling vs American Alpha vs The Revival

Oh Readers, don’t you dare be sour, clap for your soon to be four-way elimination tag match and feel the power. It’s a New Day, yes, it is, it really is the world famous Booty O eating, trombone playing, 2 time tag champs who are in this match. Kofi Kingston and Big E will represent the New Day as I have decided to go for the Power and pace combination and gone for Kofi’s penchant for the sublime, the Nintendo Switch might be out by then so Xavier Woods will probably be too busy to wrestle, Good Lad. They will be joined by a tag team that some of you might not know but they are a team that will start to draw a lot of praise in Joel Redman (Oliver Grey in NXT) and Charlie Sterling, they have one of the best double team finishers on the planet, a tombstone followed by a spiral tap. The next team is American Alpha, who are a high octane, technically gifted tag team. I feel like since their tag team title victory over the Wyatt family there has not been any significant action for the team, which has slightly halted the team’s momentum, but they are still by a long shot the best team on the SmackDown roster. The final team in this match is The Revival, who are a classic throwback to the classic heel teams of the 80’s and 90’s  who focussed more on the technical side of wrestling rather than using size or athleticism. They use simple but effective moves in order to dominate their opponents, a real contrast in styles will help this match to be unique.

Triple Threat Cage Match:

Tetsuya Naito vs Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Adam Cole

The next match pits three of the best wrestlers in the industry stuck in the confines of a steel cage. Tetsuya Naito, the current IWGP Intercontinental Champion who since his return from Mexico in 2015 with a new look and villainous persona, has become one of the biggest draws in Japan with his Los Ingobernables de Japon stable becoming a dominant faction in New Japan. Naito’s success showed when he was named the 2016 MVP of Japanese wrestling breaking a 5-year monopoly of Okada and Tanahashi winning the award. The latter is one of his opponents in the match, Tanahashi. Tanahashi is one of the most accomplished in ring performers in New Japan history, he has won the following accolades, match of the year twice, most charismatic wrestler (2013), most outstanding wrestling (WON, 2012,2013) and wrestler of the year (2011-2013). This does not even including 5 straight years with a 5 star match, a 3 time MVP, Two time G1-Climax winner and 7 times IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Adam Cole is the final entrant of this match, the record breaking 3 time ROH World Champion bay-bay wraps up a trio of wrestlers who had a 5 star match in 2016, as a member of The Bullet Club, Cole has won the ROH title twice in the last year. This match would go a long way in establishing the winner as top of the ladder in the wrestling, winning this match would definitely go beyond just beating these tremendous wrestlers but overcoming outside interference from their stable mates and allies.

Six Woman Scramble Match:

Charlotte vs Asuka vs Bayley vs Jade vs Sasha Banks vs Rosemary

The following women’s match will be a 6 woman, 20-minute scramble. The winner will be the last woman to make a pin-fall or submission. There are 3 woman in this match who have had storied rivalries over the last few years in NXT and WWE, 3 of the 4 horsewomen, Charlotte, Bayley and Sasha Banks, all 3 of them are former NXT Women’s champions. These three women have been involved in matches with and against each other and have built up a great in ring chemistry. Joining them in the match by one of the most dominant woman in wrestling, Asuka. The woman has been untouchable since she became the NXT Women’s Champion, holding the title for nearly a year now. I feel that Asuka would mesh will styles wise with Rosemary from TNA, they are both unpredictable and unstable characters and Jade has had a recent rivalry in TNA with Rosemary, including a monsters ball match, which has revolutionised TNA’s knockouts division.

Traditional Survivor Series Match:

Bullet Club (Tama Tonga, Tanga Roa, Bad Luck Fale and Cody Rhodes) vs. The Brothers of Destruction, Triple H and The Rock

Take a trip down Nostalgic Lane, I think it’s next to Electric Avenue. Remember the March of 2001, when WCW was finally brought to an end, four of the wrestlers in this match were major influences in winning the ratings war for WWF and putting WCW and I’m not talking about The Bullet Club, they’re not time travelling wrestling vigilantes. Alongside Kurt Angle, Mick Foley and Stone Cold Steve Austin, Kane, the Undertaker, Triple H and The Rock were major factors in turning WWE’s fortunes. Kane, The Undertaker and The Rock were on the team that killed a stable in The Alliance at Survivor Series, how would one of the most dominant stables in world wrestling would deal with these four wrestling icons in their prime. The Bullet Club team is made up of the Guerrillas of Destiny (two time IWGP Tag Team Champions), Former IWGP Intercontinental Champion Bad Luck Fale and former Intercontinental and Tag Team Champion, Cody Rhodes. I feel like even though The Bullet Club are a major underdog, there have great been great underdogs in wrestling history and I feel they would come out aggressive and with a chip on their shoulder, but 100% expect a few double chokeslams, a couple of Rock Bottom’s and several stunners. WHAT!, I Said Several Stunners. WHAT!

Triple Threat Match:

Kurt Angle vs Chris Jericho vs Zack Sabre Jr

Whilst writing this piece, this match for me would be the match, I would love to see in real life. I am not sure if this dream would come true but it would be great to see 3 of these great technical wrestlers share the ring together. Chris Jericho and Kurt Angle have shared the ring numerous times during their careers; my most memorable match is the triple threat for the European and Intercontinental Championship. Zack Sabre Jr has also faced Kurt Angle for Revolution Pro Wrestling and has held championships all over the world including the RPW and PWG Championships, beating AJ Styles, Jeff Cobb and Katsuyori Shibata during his title reign. Kurt Angle and Zack Sabre have both won Best Technical Wrestler (WON), whilst Jericho has won best on mic awards and most underrated, Chris Jericho is a record setting nine time Intercontinental Champion, 6 time World Champion and a 7 time Tag Champion. I feel these three men have a great appreciation for the technical side of wrestling and would put on a match with classic holds, innovative offence and just an overall high quality technical masterclass. THIS MATCH, YOU JUST MADE THE LIST. DAVE MELTZER’S 5 STAR MATCH LIST.

Singles Match:

John Cena vs Kenny Omega

Finally it is time, for your main event of the evening and the whole event, Kenny Omega has had an “Elite” year winning holding both the IWGP Intercontinental Championship and NEVER Openweight 6-man tag championship, as well as winning the G1 Climax tournament, becoming the first Gaijin to win it as well as winning it on his first attempt. The main highlight of the year was highlighting the January 4 Tokyo Dome Show, Wrestle Kingdom 11 for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship against Okada, the match lasted 46 minutes and 45 seconds making it the longest in the events history and garnered a 6 star rating from Dave Meltzer, the 2^nd such rating in wrestling history. Now for a main event we needs an opponent who loves the big match, a man who has main evented massive events, a man who likes FRUITY PEBBLES AND HIS NAME IS JOHHHHHNNNN CEEEEENNNNAAAA RAPPPPPIDDOOO. Some of you might not agree with me here but you can spend a week writing a piece that’s over 3500 words long, John Cena is still the WWE’s biggest draw, am I big fan of Cena’s in ring work, no, but I understand his appeal to the fan base. John Cena, described as the most polarizing professional wrestler ever, has a loyal army of fans and haters in bunches, but I feel that John Cena has to be praised for his in ring work especially over the last few years. Over the last few years, Cena has put on some great matches and worked well with wrestlers such as Kevin Owens, Bray Wyatt and has had some memorable matches including his only 5 star match in 2011 against CM Punk, he also had a memorable match with AJ Styles at the Royal Rumble. 

John Cena known as “Big Match John” by John Bradshaw Layfield and I like how John adds some innovative new moves to his bigger matches. I feel like he would be more beneficial adding a deeper move-set but I feel like ownership is limited him in order to protect him physically, but I feel that irks the wrestling purists. John Cena is a great guy, with his work with make a wish and he has recently been willing to put over younger wrestlers and give them the push that they needed, but with Kenny Omega becoming the hottest commodity in professional wrestling over the past couple months, who really is the biggest star.