Gotta say, this is a brutally contentious bracket. Almost every match is a dead sprint to the finish, and all future matches in this bracket are gonna be really exciting to watch. I literally ended up reworking some of my bracket while reviewing these to write my predictions, as the matches are truly that close.
"Too Cool" Chris Hopper vs Howard King
WINNER: King has a creative angle, and good execution, but it seems like Hopper has what it takes for the long haul, so I'm going with him.
Larry Tact vs "Dead End" Derek Martin
WINNER: I originally had Martin taking the win, feeling that Tact's first promo had a bit too much fluff. That said, Larry Tact comes off as a very genuine character that can really hold attention. I'm going to give it to Tact, but I'm going to do so by a hair.
'Suite' Pete Whealdon vs gideon
WINNER: I think gideon's first promo will hurt him here. It was experimental, and I think if it came second, it may have gone over better than throwing it out there right away. However, the second promo was an absolute blast; a wrestler with Asperger's, not only well-written, but played straight and tastefully done? That's impressive right there, and his sister is a firecracker manager. Suite Pete did well, but I think if the judges can live with the experimental bloggery, this is gideon's match to win.
'Triple X' Sean Stevens vs Jason Murray
WINNER: One of the toughest, hardest-fought matches in the bracket. Triple X knows his character, and is very comfortable in his skin. Everything he writes just bleeds off the page, and sucks you in. Jason Murray, however, is one hell of a contender, and brings his A-game with storytelling. That said, I think some of Murray's construction was a tad awkward, and that will hurt him when he's up against an absolutely ferocious opponent. Stevens in a neck-and-neck match, where an upset is still possible.
Spooky Doom vs Carl Brigsby (j)
WINNER: TBH, I just wanna see more Spooky Doom.
Classy Mike C vs Johnny Niles
WINNER: Not bad work from either man, but Niles' stuff is just too straight-forward, and there isn't very much of it. If he had come out of the gate harder, he could probably have done a lot better. Mike C takes it.
Leyondo de Ocho vs Alex LeBlanc
WINNER: Alex is my boy, and I'm sweating, because he drew a pretty tight match in the first round. Ocho has a strong sense of characterization, and a creative way of expressing his aspirations and aptitudes. I'm going to side with Alex though, in a squeaker; Ocho talks about spitting fire, but believe me when I say, if we get to see more Alex Leblanc, he'll show that spitting fire is what he does better than just about anything else.
Space God (j) vs Orphan
WINNER: Probably some happy new parents, or something.
Castor Strife vs Jaguar
WINNER: I really like the Castor character; he's super-interesting, well-spoken, and a believable renaissance man that's played very well. It's a shame that he drew a no-show. I can't wait to see him in a real match.
Sammy Brown vs Cyanide Harvey
WINNER: This is another case of too little to go on. Cyanide Harvey had some solid stuff, but there just wasn't enough of it. Sammy Brown to go through.
Eddie Whiskey vs Chris Walker
WINNER: I seriously love you, Showtime. I love everything you do. Please never stop.
KC Colossus (j) vs Khristain Keller
WINNER: WELP
The Seargent vs Gemini
WINNER: Gemini was compelling, but a little too ridiculous. Sergeant (remembering how to spell that is always a *****) was just compelling. Sergeant for the win.
Derrick Allen vs Christopher Ryan Eagles
WINNER: Whoa, whoa, writing your opponent into your promo? What the hell, man, that ain't kosher. Allen for the win, I guess.
Dr. Silver vs Erik Mateo
WINNER: Erik Mateo is a perfect example of a good idea taken too far. Dialectic speech, when done well, can really add to a character. Erik actually writes his dialect very well; too well. When the reader has to spend ten seconds deciphering the meaning of any given sentence, it gives even the best promo a plodding, ho-hum pace. I could read it, but it just wasn't worth the amount of effort it took to get through the entire thing. So, maybe the promo beat me, but if you ask me, when reading a piece of writing becomes a chore instead of a pleasure, you need to rethink your strategy. Dr. Silver for my pick, but maybe the judges are used to Mateo enough to put him through?
Anarky vs Terminator (j)
WINNER: Is this one of those liquid metal ones, though? Like, seriously, those things are hard to kill.
Win or lose, if I got the character over after literally being away from the character for nearly five years, then success!
