wrestling / Columns
411 Mania 2009 Independent Draft Part One: Introduction, Rules and Rounds One & Two
Introduction
Hello again fantasy and independent wrestling fans and welcome to the third annual 411Mania Independent Fantasy Draft! The last two years 411 has run this special feature that puts the focus on wrestlers who are not currently in WWE or TNA and asks the questions—if YOU were to start a professional wrestling company, who would you use and how would you book it?
This year sees a major change in the way we run the draft. Previously, the participants each picked a current and existing independent promotion to “take over” and become the owner (ROH, FIP, IWA:M-S, etc.) This time around we’re going to let our creativity flow by starting up our own promotions, giving the players the freedom to go with the wrestling style we’d want to promote.
We have seven participants taking part, including four returning players and three brand new competitors. When all is said and done, all seven 411 writers will have a roster of their own, will present you their card and their results. Who will emerge as the best draft room warrior? Who will put the pieces of the puzzle together and create a fantastic show? We’ll take you through the process and of course, ultimately you the reader should decide for yourself.
2009 Rules, Changes and Revisions
For this year’s 411Mania Independent Draft, the following rules were decided and agreed upon to both keep the playing field level as well as force owners to make their selections carefully. All draft picks are subject to the following requirements and limitations:
1. The draft will take place over a period of 15 rounds with each owner receiving one pick per round.
2. The original draft order was set by random selection, as conducted by myself using the ol’ paper ballot in a cup method.
3. Order of selection will reverse each round so that the company that selects first in the first round would select last in the second round and so on.
4. Each company will be allowed to use one pick to draft a tag team as a unit. To be eligible to be drafted as a team, the two wrestlers must be primarily recognizable as a member of that unit.
5. International talent (defined as any performer from outside the United States & Canada) may be drafted, but must have wrestled three times in the United States or Canada since the beginning of March of 2008. Bookings through the end of June 2009 that had yet to occur prior to the draft were counted towards the three required appearances, as was participation in Wrestling Society X.
6. Talent under contract with World Wrestling Entertainment or Total Nonstop Action is considered ineligible to be drafted. However, the following rulings were made on specific wrestlers that either were signed or released during the week of the draft.
a. Raven, Shane Douglas and Victoria were ruled ineligible due to short and long-term contract status.
b. Mr. Kennedy (KENNEDY!) was ruled eligible at the last minute in order to add some spice and a wild card to the proceedings.
c. The following wrestlers were ruled ineligible for the draft for the following reasons:
Rob Van Dam — has not done American independent promotions, one shot deal or not
Monty Brown — out of the business
Tiger Mask IV — no appearances in America this year
Ultimate Warrior — last year’s return was short lived, like most of his matches.
Matt Bentley — out of the business
Daniel Puder — out of the business
Rebecca Knox — out of the business)
Ultimo Dragon — hasn’t wrestled in the U.S. / Canada in the past year
d. The following wrestlers were ruled eligible for the draft for the following reasons:
Bobby Lashley – initially thought to have signed a short-term deal for TNA, he is currently not under TNA contract and has shown interest in doing professional wrestling should the right deal come up. Thus Lashley will be allowed to be drafted.
Lance Storm – has decided to return to the ring to wrestle for ROH this summer, While Storm has expressed reluctance to wrestle for other companies at this time, Storm is available to be drafted as an in-ring competitor for this year’s draft.
Bret “Hitman” Hart – Hart has been reclusive over the years but has made sporadic appearances for autograph signings. Hart will be eligible to be drafted, but in a non-wrestling capacity. He can be used as a GM, manager or for an autograph signing.
“The Nature Boy” Ric Flair – Before returning to WWE, Flair took on many independent bookings. Ric Flair will be available in this draft in a non-wrestling capacity. He can be used as a GM, manager or for an autograph signing.
7. Any talent that goes un-drafted will be considered a Free Agent and will be eligible to appear for any and all companies.
8. Last year began the implementation of the “keeper” rule in that returning owners are allowed to retain the rights to one competitor (or tag team) of their choosing from their 2008 roster. However, owners will not be allowed to keep their 2008 first round selection. This year we continue that tradition of a keeper pick despite using freshly created companies as an incentive for returning players. The other addition was that returning players had to give up their previous keeper selection and return them to the drafting pool.
9. To compensate for the keeper pick, this year sees the introduction of a ROOKIES ONLY round, in which only first-time players can select an additional wrestler for their roster. This will take place in the fifth-round of the draft.
10. Since this is a fantasy draft, we are bending the rules of physics and Mother Nature by declaring that a wrestler’s current injury status will not be reflected in their availability to be drafted. Thus Mark Briscoe, even though injured, is still available to be drafted and used on a show
2009 Owners & Company Information
Pro Wrestling 2.0 (PW2): Mathew Sforcina
Wrestling Style: Professional Wrestling for the Mature (18-45 Male) Fan.
Home Region: California (Los Angeles HQ)
2nd Year Participant
KOAKH Pro: Samuel Berman
Wrestling Style: Hybrid with a focus on International Styles
Home Region: Chicagoland Area to the Twin Cities – Shows in Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Rockford, Minneapolis, St. Paul, etc.
3rd Year Participant
KOAKH is Hebrew for ‘power’ or ‘strength’. Not using any initials (ala “CHIKARA”).
Total Package Wrestling Extreme (TPWE): Jeremy Thomas
Wrestling Style: High Impact/Hardcore
Home Region: Pacific Northwest (Portland, OR as HQ)
2nd Year Participant
Heartland Combat Sports (HCS): Aaron Hubbard-
Home Region: American Heartland (Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Major Cities: St. Louis, Kansas City, Wichita, Oklahoma City, Tulsa
NEW Participant
Lone Star Wrestling (LSW): Joseph Martinez
Home Region: Texas (Dallas primarily)
NEW Participant
Total Wrestling Alliance: Toronto (TWAT) : The Lansdellicious One, Chris Lansdell
Wrestling Style: Pure wrestling with plenty of comedy thrown in
Home Region: Eastern Great Lakes (Detroit-Toronto-Cleveland area, based in Toronto)
NEW Participant
Based in the Lake Erie/Ontario region, TWAT is a unique wrestling
promotion that combines high-impact technical wrestling with comedy,
hi-jinx, wackiness and humour.
New York Knock-Out Wrestling (NY-KO): Ari Berenstein
Wrestling Style: Physical Matches with an undercurrent of Technical showcase.
Home Region: New York-New Jersey (primarily the five boroughs of New York City)
3rd Year Participant
2009 Keeper Selections
New York Knock-Out Wrestling (NY-KO) Owner Ari Berenstein has selected to retain the rights of…
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“Double C” Claudio Castagnoli -Wrestling out of: The United Banks of Switzerland -Former ROH World Tag Team Champion (with Chris Hero) -Former CHIKARA Campeones de Parejas (with Chris Hero) -Finisher: Release European Uppercut, Ricola Bomb Ari Berenstein:I was going back and forth, between Claudio and Brodie Lee. Brodie is more representative of the style of wrestler I’d like to go with in this draft…but Claudio’s technical acumen and value on a show cannot be denied. If I want to highlight technical and exciting wrestling as well as the hard-hitting style, then Claudio is a good hand to have, even if I don’t have a clear-cut match up for him at the beginning of this draft. The fact is Claudio can have a great match against anyone, big or small, and of any style, whether it’s hard-hitting or high flying. This will also be the third year in a row I have him on my roster, which is notable I guess for just how versatile he can be. Previous Draft Selection |
Pro Wrestling 2.0 (PW2) Owner Mathew Sforcina has selected to retain the rights of…
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Delirious -Wrestling out of: The Edge of Sanity – Former CHIKARA Campeones de Parejas (with Hallowicked) -Barely There Grip on Reality, Strong Wrestling Fundamentals -Finisher: Shadows Over Hell Body Splash, Cobra Clutch Mathew Sforcina: PW2.0 is proud to announce that in a recent yard sale they managed to find a contract for the Man from the Edge of Sanity, Delirious. PW2.0 intends to be Professional Wrestling for the fan who enjoys hard hitting action that doesn’t take itself too seriously. And no-one could accuse Delirious of being serious. Well, you could, but then you’d never understand his rebuttal. Previous Draft Selection |
KOAKH Pro Owner Samuel Berman has selected to retain the rights of…
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“Lightning” Mike Quackenbush -Wrestling out of: Westlawn, PA -Current NWA Jr. Heavyweight Champion -Master of 1,000 Holds -Finisher: Quackendriver III, CHIKARA Special Samuel Berman: KOAKH is proud to announce that a true icon of the American Independent scene will be the first cornerstone of the most innovative and groundbreaking promotion in the world. “Lightning” Mike Quackenbush has held titles the world over and furthermore is responsible for the training of some of this generation’s top Independent talent. Keeping a stranglehold on the services of one of the most talented technicians on the planet was an automatic decision for KOAKH Pro management. Previous Draft Selection |
Total Package Wrestling Extreme (TPWE) Owner Jeremy Thomas has selected to retain the rights of…
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“The King of Old School” Steve Corino -Wrestling out of: Sea Isle City, NJ via Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada -Has Won Countless Titles on the Independents and in International Competition -Former ECW (original) Heavyweight Champion -Finisher:Old School Expulsion, Northern Lights Bomb Jeremy Thomas: When it came to selecting a keeper pick, we at TPWE looked at our roster from last year (when we were JAPW) and looked for someone who represented the kind of promotion we were hoping to be. Roderick Strong and Jack Evans are both talented performers who are sure to excel in any organization they perform in and we wish them all the best of luck in the promotions they end up. But when it came down to selecting the one name we would be retaining, it wasn’t a difficult decision. Steve Corino is a legend on the independent scene, a man who represents the history of who we intend to become. Don’t let that statement cause you to underestimate him though; Corino can still go in the ring. He’s been wrestling for the World Wrestling Council as Mr. Wrestling III and has served as their Universal Heavyweight Champion since February of this year. There is still a lot of gas left in the King of Old School’s tank, and he’ll be bridging the past and the future of hardcore for TPWE. Previous Draft Selection |
…And before we get to the actual Draft itself, let’s take a moment and turn to our expert analyst, none other than “ROWDY” ROD KIPER. What do you got Hot Rod?
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ROD KIPER: Well, let me tell you something, NO FEAR, NO SURRENDER, NO RETREAT for this here Draft, brother. I have come to hear to kick ass, chew bubble gum and give you my Best Available list of picks…and I’m all out of ass to kick! Everyone pays the Kiper, but you will get my draft projections for free, man. DRAFTS!
Rod Kiper’s Best Available Draft Projections: 1. Bryan Danielson—still the best in the world at professional wrestling, and he can do it all. |
…Thanks, Rod Kiper. And NOW, ON WITH THE 2009 411MANIA INDEPENDENT DRAFT!
The Draft
=Round One=
With the 1st pick in the 2009 411Mania Independent Pro Wrestling Draft, Pro Wrestling 2.0 (PW2) selects…
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“The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived” Austin Aries -Wrestling out of: Milwaukee, Wisconsin -Current ROH World Champion (Only Two- Time Champ) and Former World Tag Team Champion -Recent Attitude Adjustment—Smarmy and Prideful -Finisher: Brainbuster, Last Chancery Mathew Sforcina: PW2.0 feels that talent is tantamount. PW2.0’s Chief Programmer managed to be the first call made, and that call went to Austin Aries. As hated a man as he is, he is without question one of the biggest names on the Independent Wrestling scene, and draws controversy everywhere he goes. And he has agreed to go only to Pro Wrestling 2.0, where he intends to show the world that his waist has been bare for far too long. Previous Draft Selection |
With the 2nd pick in the 2009 411Mania Independent Pro Wrestling Draft, KOAKH Pro selects…
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“American Dragon” Bryan Danielson -Wrestling out of: Aburdeen, Washington -Former ROH World Champion -Former PWG Heavyweight Champion -Finisher: Cattle Mutilation, Triangle Choke Samuel Berman: The management of KOAKH Pro is astounded that the man known as “The Best in the World” is STILL available with the second overall selection. Clearly, this selection is another easy decision, as bringing in “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson instantly establishes KOAKH as a company intent on providing an in-ring product of the highest order. Frankly, no other performers were even considered as potential picks in this slot. Previous Draft Selection |
With the 3rd pick in the 2009 411Mania Independent Pro Wrestling Draft, Total Package Wrestling Extreme (TPWE) selects…
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Necro Butcher -Wrestling out of: Morgantown, West Virginia -Crazy Brawler and Hardcore / Deathmatch Wrestler -Won’t Back Down -Finisher: Tiger Driver Jeremy Thomas: For its first pick of this year’s draft, we at TPWE wanted to make a statement about what kind of wrestling organization we’re going to be. Total Package Wrestling Extreme is all about high-impact and hardcore action, and if you want to embody that attitude and style, there’s only one man who can really suffice for a first pick: Necro Butcher. Necro, who has seen his profile among mainstream fans rise greatly due to his involvement in The Wrestler, as has his reputation as one of the craziest, most intense brawlers working today. There is no doubt that when the main event scene solidifies for us that Necro Butcher will be right in the mix, as he possesses all the skills–and insanity–to become a major player in TPWE. Previous Draft Selection |
With the 4th pick in the 2009 411Mania Independent Pro Wrestling Draft, Heartland Combat Sports (HCS) selects…
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Roderick Strong -Wrestling out of: Tampa, Florida -Former ROH World Tag Team Champion (with Austin Aries) -Master of the chops and Messiah of the Backbreaker -Finisher: Stronghold, Gibson Driver Aaron Hubbard: The Messiah of the Backbreaker was once deemed to be the future of independent wrestling, but for whatever reason, he seems to be an afterthought these days. However, in HCS, his hard-hitting, back-breaking, chest-chopping style is sure to set him amongst the elite. The sky is the limit for Roderick. Previous Draft Selection |
With the 5th pick in the 2009 411Mania Independent Pro Wrestling Draft, Lone Star Wrestling (LSW) selects…
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Lance Cade -Wrestling out of: San Antonio, Texas -Former WWE World Tag Team Champion (with Trevor Murdoch) -Trained by Shawn Michaels -Finisher: Sit-Out Spinebuster Joseph Martinez: Right out the gate I wanted to find a wrestler who was capable of good things and also had some name value. Taking Lance Cade in the first round was a risky move but he has all of the tools that one would want. His physical style will help set the tone for my promotion and he could have big things in his future. Lance Cade has room for improvement despite already competing in the largest wrestling company in the world. |
With the 6th pick in the 2009 411Mania Independent Pro Wrestling Draft, Total Wrestling Alliance: Toronto (TWAT) selects…
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Team Steenerico “Mr. Wrestling” Kevin Steen & El Generico -Wrestling out of: Tijuana, Mexico & Marieville, Quebec, Canada -Former ROH World Tag Team Champions -Former Multiple-Time PWG Tag Team Champions -Finisher: Tandem Package Pilerdriver & Brainbuster Chris Lansdell: I wanted to use my first pick to get maximum effect. In Steenerico you have two guys who are capable of both stellar ring work and some great comedy. Given some of my later picks, and the fact that some decent teams are available as free agents, it’s unlikely I’ll actually be using these guys as a team. Previous Draft Selection Steen |
With the 7th pick in the 2009 411Mania Independent Pro Wrestling Draft, New York Knock-Out Wrestling (NY-KO) selects…
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Davey Richards -Wrestling out of: Othello, Washington – ROH World Tag Team Champion -Multiple Time PWG Tag Team Champion -Finisher: DR Driver, Kimuralock Ari Berenstein: There were many starting points I could have gone within this third draft. I’m going with the idea of booking great, hard hitting fights with impressive fighters. Along those lines I think Richards is an excellent choice in the first round. He’s turned it up this year in the ring, is a blitzkrieg on offense and has established and improved his promo style and charisma by leaps and bounds. Notice I did not include Richards’ ROH tag team partner Eddie Edwards, who simply isn’t in my plans right now (I have a specific singles match in mind for Richards) and I don’t want to use my tag pick to bring them both in as a team, even though they are great together. Previous Draft Selection |
=Round Two=
With the 8th pick in the 2009 411Mania Independent Pro Wrestling Draft, New York Knock-Out Wrestling (NY-KO) selects…
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Hiroshi Tanahashi -Wrestling out of: Japan -Multiple Time IWGP Heavyweight Champion -Has Appeared for TNA -Finisher: Slingblade, High Fly Low (Frog Splash) Ari Berenstein: I’m expecting quite a few of the international wrestlers to be taken in the early rounds, so I want to make sure I can draft the ones I really want the most without being blocked by the others. Tanahashi appeared in TNA during the last year by the way (but not under their contract), so he is in fact eligible for the draft. He was my Round 1 or 2 pick, but since I go back-to-back I don’t have to worry about it. Tanahashi is just flat out “the man” in New-Japan Pro Wrestling, with in-ring skills that belie his youth and a unique appearance and connection to the fans in Japan. Any match he is involved in for my promotion instantly becomes a “dream match”. Previous Draft Selection |
With the 9th pick in the 2009 411Mania Independent Pro Wrestling Draft, Total Wrestling Alliance: Toronto (TWAT) selects…
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Nigel McGuinness -Wrestling out of: London, England -Former ROH World Champion -17-Month Title Run (2007-2009) -Finisher: Jawbreaker Lariat, London Dungeon Chris Lansdell: More along the lines of Stone Cold funny, Nigel is a great heel, capable of great ring work, and likely to be at the top of my card. Don’t be surprised if the iron makes an appearance too! Previous Draft Selection |
With the 10th pick in the 2009 411Mania Independent Pro Wrestling Draft, Lone Star Wrestling (LSW) selects…
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“That Young Knockout Kid”Chris Hero -Wrestling out of: Metropolis -Former ROH World Tag Team Champion (with Claudio Castagnoli) -Master of the Rolling Elbow -Finisher: KO Elbow Joseph Martinez: Chris Hero was a first round pick in last year’s Independent Draft and I was shocked to find him available at the ten spot. Hero has wrestled around the world and has built a reputation as one of the finest wrestlers on the independent circuit. He will bring toughness to Lone Star Wrestling that few can match. Previous Draft Selection |
With the 11th pick in the 2009 411Mania Independent Pro Wrestling Draft, Heartland Combat Sports (HCS) selects…
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The Osirian Portal Amasis & Ophidian -Wrestling out of: Egypt -CHIKARA Campeones de Parejas -Young but Vile and Vicious -Finisher: The Osirian Sacrament Aaron Hubbard: If HCS is too appeal to the entire family, we will need people who are charismatic, colorful, and unique. “The Dance Sensation That Defeats All Nations” and “The Venomous and Vile Serpent From the Nile” certainly fill that description. 411’s Rookies of the Year are also outstanding workers, and will almost certainly dominate the tag ranks. Previous Draft Selection |
With the 12rd pick in the 2009 411Mania Independent Pro Wrestling Draft, Total Package Wrestling Extreme (TPWE) selects…
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Jimmy Jacobs -Wrestling out of: Kalamazoo, Michigan -Former 5 Time ROH World Tag Team Champion -Leader of The Age of the Fall -Finisher: The End Time, Contra Code Jeremy Thomas: Last year, Jacobs went along with his Age of the Fall partner Tyler Black in the first round. Sadly this wasn’t possible this time around, but there is no way that TPWE was passing up Jacobs for its second-round pick. Jacobs certainly has the hardcore credentials, competing in IWA Mid-South, Combat Zone Wrestling and Insane Hardcore Wrestling Entertainment–and all of that aside, it’s tough to pass up anyone who uses a spike as his signature weapon. In addition, Jacobs will be adding another element to TPWE, delivering the high-impact wrestling that he’s well-known for and is just as adept at. Jacobs is said to be very excited at the possibility of reinventing the wheel via TPWE and bringing his considerable talents to our style of wrestling. There’s no doubt that he’ll be at the forefront of the top title picture. Previous Draft Selection |
With the 13th pick in the 2009 411Mania Independent Pro Wrestling Draft, KOAKH Pro selects…
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Naomichi Marufuji -Wrestling out of: Japan -Former GHC Heavyweight Champion -One of the Most Championship Decorated Wrestlers in All of Pro Wrestling NOAH -Finisher: Shiranui, Pole Shift Samuel Berman: How can one promotion get so lucky? With marvels like Bryan Danielson and Mike Quackenbush already in the fold, who better to pair them with than Japan’s most consistent in-ring performer? Naomichi Marufuji, the only grand slam champion in Pro Wrestling NOAH history, will fit right in with KOAKH’s versatile style, providing world class competition for any and all challengers. Previous Draft Selection |
With the 14th pick in the 2009 411Mania Independent Pro Wrestling Draft, Pro Wrestling 2.0 (PW2) selects…
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Takeshi Morishima -Wrestling out of: Japan -Former ROH World Champion -Former GHC Heavyweight Champion -Finisher: Backdrop Driver, Lariat Mathew Sforcina:The former ROH Champion run roughshod over that company for many months with his intense hard hitting style and ability to withstand pain. And now, Morishima has signed with the new home of Hard Hitting Action, PW2.0. Who will be his first target? And more importantly, who on earth can stop him if he gets going? Previous Draft Selection |
We’ve got plenty more fantasy draft coverage to come! Click HERE for PART TWO, with rounds three through eight!
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