BTB Tips

Founder Posts : 1494

BTB Tips
This thread will contain information pertaining on how to properly start a BTB, preparation, planning, logic, match-writing, ideas and how to stand out.

Founder Posts : 1494

How To Start A BTB
#1 - Well this may be obvious but you'd be surprised how many people mess up on the very first step. Pick a project! It could be something as simple as WWE and TNA or something as complex as a cult-level promotion with a bunch of no-names lining the ranks! Whatever you pick make sure you're comfortable with it. Take myself for instance, I know a fair few ROH Wrestlers and could use them in bookers but I have very little knowledge on how ROH is run thus in turn, I wouldn't attempt an ROH booker. If you're new, I suggest sticking with WWE to start. Once you pick your project you need to decide on a president/owner and a general manager/commissioner. Basically the character that's going to have the authority and booking powers in your project.

#2 - The next step is picking your roster. If it is a one-branded project I'd recommend about 40 guys. It's not so much that people get lost in the mix but it's still enough to do big tournaments and things like the Royal Rumble. If it is a two-branded booker, I'd suggest between 25-30 for each brand. For the 40-man rosters I'd recommend 6-8 Main Eventers, 10 Mid-Carders, 5 Tag Teams, 7-8 Specialised (cruiserweights/hardcore/women) and maybe 2-3 Jobbers. The specialised division is important and can be very helpful if it's not a women's division. You could for example throw two guys together for a short-term tag team or throw somebody into the stale midcard. For two-branded bookers I think each brand should have 4 Main Eventers, 8 midcarders, 3-4 Tag Teams, 5-6 Specialised and 1-2 Jobbers.

#3 - This seems easy -- choosing your championships for your booker. I think for a two-branded project four championships on each show is a healthy mix. Two World, Two Secondary, Two Tag Teams and then the specialised division. You could have the Cruiserweight on one brand and Women's Championship on the other. For a standalone promotion (one brand) it can vary. You nearly always need a World and Tag Team Championship. In a standalone it is vital you have a secondary championship as it really helps somebody stand out in the huge mix. With such a huge roster you could do with another belt -- I'd recommend a Cruiser, maybe Television. And of course if there is a Women's Divison, you need a belt! These are rough guidelines remember and if you want to have seven championships in your project -- go ahead! I'm just trying to help!

#4 - You should have somewhat of a plan for your booker. So if you plan to start the booker the day after WrestleMania, you should have your card for the following PPV sorted.

#5 - Have a general idea of stories you wish to tell and what you want your characters to develop into. The worst mistake you can make is just launch in and just book off the top of your head!

Well that's a very basic outline of how to start a BTB, there'll be more advanced techniques further down but if you've read this -- you should have some idea!

Founder Posts : 1494

Planning
This is, is in my opinion, the cornerstone of any successful booker. Planning is key on so many levels, it helps you have a clear vision on where you want to go with your booker before you even write a single show. Pick out your main cards/supershows/PPV's whatever the case may be of the year and create cards for them. Now work backwards filling in the blanks. This is what I personally have done ever since I seen it in an advice section. Now I know I haven't got a great track record but it seems to be the best way of approaching things. Planning isn't as simple as setting all your PPV cards up and just winging it, you have to know why you got to that point. Why is Wrestler A fighting Wrestler B in the first place? You're going to need to have that planned out. Planning also allows you to see if you like the direction your booker takes. This has often been the case on a personal basis that I'd plan out a years worth of material take one look at it on the wider scheme of things and laugh my ass off. One vital thing about planning is plants and payoffs. Don't have a plant without a payoff! It's a sure-fire way to fail. For E.G. don't have Jerry Lawler get up and leave mid-way through commentating one week and then the following week have him back there with no explanation to it. Understand? Smile

Planning can also reduce your work-load tremendously. Every week you go to write a show you'll know exactly what you have to write! This can be a real energy-saver, especially in PPV season!

Founder Posts : 1494

Preparation
This is something a lot of people won't like but I know for a fact members here already do it and they can vouch for how good it is. Before you even start your BTB, write out two or three shows. Full shows, ready to post at the click of a button. See if you like it, see if you like the look of things. Supposing you were to post one show a week, you have three weeks to mess around with and get some more writing done. It's always good to have a bit of spare time when doing a booker and good preparation can definitely assist that. In fact if you jack a BTB in, the waiting period provides some great time for you to get a head start on your next project. However, you can do even more preparation than just writing a few shows. You can have all your future storyline/character development ideas stored. I once knew a guy who was doing a booker based in 1985 and he knew who his World Champion was going to be in 2004. Now that's prep! The more you have ready ahead of time, the smoother the project will come up. You can use Word to store ideas but a good idea (Mikel does this) is to use good old-fashioned pen and paper. It's nice to have the little things sorted like when somebody is going to debut, why they are going to debut and so on. Preparation is a neccessity!

Founder Posts : 1494

free space

Founder Posts : 1494

free space

Founder Posts : 1494

free space

Founder Posts : 1494

free space

#1 Contender Posts : 2005

I thought there was a rule against plagiarism?

Guest

Adam wrote:: Preparation
This is something a lot of people won't like but I know for a fact members here already do it and they can vouch for how good it is. Before you even start your BTB, write out two or three shows. Full shows, ready to post at the click of a button. See if you like it, see if you like the look of things. Supposing you were to post one show a week, you have three weeks to mess around with and get some more writing done. It's always good to have a bit of spare time when doing a booker and good preparation can definitely assist that. In fact if you jack a BTB in, the waiting period provides some great time for you to get a head start on your next project. However, you can do even more preparation than just writing a few shows. You can have all your future storyline/character development ideas stored. I once knew a guy who was doing a booker based in 1985 and he knew who his World Champion was going to be in 2004. Now that's prep! The more you have ready ahead of time, the smoother the project will come up. You can use Word to store ideas but a good idea (Mikel does this) is to use good old-fashioned pen and paper. It's nice to have the little things sorted like when somebody is going to debut, why they are going to debut and so on. Preparation is a neccessity!

It's creepy how you know that... pale

Founder Posts : 1494

Colin Cowherd wrote:

Adam wrote:: Preparation
This is something a lot of people won't like but I know for a fact members here already do it and they can vouch for how good it is. Before you even start your BTB, write out two or three shows. Full shows, ready to post at the click of a button. See if you like it, see if you like the look of things. Supposing you were to post one show a week, you have three weeks to mess around with and get some more writing done. It's always good to have a bit of spare time when doing a booker and good preparation can definitely assist that. In fact if you jack a BTB in, the waiting period provides some great time for you to get a head start on your next project. However, you can do even more preparation than just writing a few shows. You can have all your future storyline/character development ideas stored. I once knew a guy who was doing a booker based in 1985 and he knew who his World Champion was going to be in 2004. Now that's prep! The more you have ready ahead of time, the smoother the project will come up. You can use Word to store ideas but a good idea (Mikel does this) is to use good old-fashioned pen and paper. It's nice to have the little things sorted like when somebody is going to debut, why they are going to debut and so on. Preparation is a neccessity!

It's creepy how you know that... pale

;]

Guest

Adam wrote:

Colin Cowherd wrote:

Adam wrote:: Preparation
This is something a lot of people won't like but I know for a fact members here already do it and they can vouch for how good it is. Before you even start your BTB, write out two or three shows. Full shows, ready to post at the click of a button. See if you like it, see if you like the look of things. Supposing you were to post one show a week, you have three weeks to mess around with and get some more writing done. It's always good to have a bit of spare time when doing a booker and good preparation can definitely assist that. In fact if you jack a BTB in, the waiting period provides some great time for you to get a head start on your next project. However, you can do even more preparation than just writing a few shows. You can have all your future storyline/character development ideas stored. I once knew a guy who was doing a booker based in 1985 and he knew who his World Champion was going to be in 2004. Now that's prep! The more you have ready ahead of time, the smoother the project will come up. You can use Word to store ideas but a good idea (Mikel does this) is to use good old-fashioned pen and paper. It's nice to have the little things sorted like when somebody is going to debut, why they are going to debut and so on. Preparation is a neccessity!

It's creepy how you know that... pale

;]

How do you know that?

Executive Posts : 3555 Location : New York

Preparation is key in any booking. My ECCW preparation varies greatly. Currently I only have planned everything up until right after Slam-Mania.

Although I remember I knew Slam-Mania II's (last year's) finish four to five months in advance.

Founder Posts : 1494

Jarrett wrote:: Preparation is key in any booking. My ECCW preparation varies greatly. Currently I only have planned everything up until right after Slam-Mania.

Although I remember I knew Slam-Mania II's (last year's) finish four to five months in advance.

So true. It's an even harder task for you seeing as your depending on certain people to RP etc.

Veteran Posts : 3148 Location : fuck

Adam wrote:

Jarrett wrote:: Preparation is key in any booking. My ECCW preparation varies greatly. Currently I only have planned everything up until right after Slam-Mania.

Although I remember I knew Slam-Mania II's (last year's) finish four to five months in advance.

So true. It's an even harder task for you seeing as your depending on certain people to RP etc.

Hell yea. I was on the edge of my seat from all the work Jarrett and Super put into making the Super Junior take over so amazing!

Founder Posts : 1494

BTW, this will be finalized this weekend.

Hall of Famer Posts : 5979 Age : 27

Nearly a month later and it hasn't been finalised...

Founder Posts : 1494

True that.

Legend Posts : 3365 Age : 28 Location : Australia

Want a tip? Read Dan Pro Wrestling R.
BTB if the month ...

Founder Posts : 1494

Jericho wrote:: Want a tip? Read Dan Pro Wrestling R.
BTB if the month ...

Speaking of which

Legend Posts : 3365 Age : 28 Location : Australia

I'm in a giving mood, tip #2

Ask questions. I know Dan and I always have a PC up on the chatbox discussing PWR and whatever booking project I've started that week, and it helps alot. There are a lot of capable bookers on this site, Karl, Dan, Adam etc. have all proved they're great bookers and, well Karl & Dan, have proved they have the staying power to book for months on end and still come up with good ideas. If you're stuck or even just want some advice on an angle, get in contact with someone, I'm sure they wouldn't have any problems giving you their opinion.

Hall of Famer Posts : 5979 Age : 27

Thanks for the compliment there Jake haha.

» Anyone with good tips/tutorials?