So it seemed that with the NXT DLC pack and the game update that came out the same day there's some kind of glitch where characters who had custom belts in Universe Mode weren't keeping their titles when the Universe Mode would be reloaded after exiting. I think I found a workaround for that but it'll change an XTW dynamic and I'll have more on that in a minute. First let's check the updated Rankings...

World Title: 1-Retro Rick (c) vs 4-Venom
Lucha Title: 2-Undertaker '00 (c)
Internet Title: 3-Randy Orton (c)

Rung 1: 5-Scorpion
Rung 2: 6-Kalisto vs 7-Sub Zero MKX vs 8-Kerry Von Erich
Rung 3: 9-Sting '99

Contenders Pool: 10-British Bulldog vs 11-Big E vs 12-William Regal vs 13-Shawn Michaels '98 vs 14-Ricky Steamboat '91 vs 15-Mankind

Hopefuls Pool: 16-Jim Neidhart vs 17-Kane vs ???

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Alright, now about the custom title glitch. It seems the workaround I've found is to make custom belts the titles on the shows within the Universe Mode. So instead of having things like the Universal Title being the ones I let the Universe control on PPVs and such, we'll be using the XTW titles. That means it'll kind of be a throwback to what we did one time some years ago where the Rankings could get shaken up on PPV events. Now, here's how I've set up the belts...

First, as I've done for a long time, those in the Singles Rankings are on the Monday show roster. Those who are in the Tag Rankings are on the mid-week show Roster. Also, the women are basically split between the shows and when someone drops out of the Hopefuls Pool, whomever won the Hopefuls Pool basically goes to the show the dropped name was on.

Keeping all of that in mind, the World and Lucha titles are the primary and secondary titles on the Singles Rankings roster show and the Internet Title is the primary title on the Tag Rankings roster show. The logic here is since the Internet Title is the lowest of the three titles, potential characters not in the Singles Rankings could win it but the Lucha and World titles, 2nd and 1st Singles titles, are basically reserved for those already in the Rankings.

Likewise, the World Tag title is associated with the Tag Rankings roster show and the Lucha Tag title will be associated with the Singles Rankings roster. Now, since the game only allows actual teams to compete for titles in Universe Mode (as opposed to two people simply pairing up at random) the odds of the Lucha Tag titles being defended on a PPV are pretty small unless two people in the Singles Rankings happen to be a team within the Universe Mode. Keep in mind, when teams drop out of the Tag Rankings I don't disband the team within the Universe. The only time I disband a team is if a team member is paired with someone else in the Tag Rankings.

As far as the Women's Rankings, well, since they are just evenly split between the shows I just went with "real world logic" being that Raw is loger running and typically seen as more "the main show" so the Women's World title is associated on the Singles Rankings roster show while the Women's Lucha Title is on the Tag Rankings show.

So we'll just have to see how things play out in the future. Sure it can cause moments of, let's call it, "chaos" in the Rankings if multiple titles change hands on a PPV. But then again, maybe it'll be kind of fun as a way to "shake up" the Rankings with each PPV. :-)

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In the World Title Contender Tournament there were no changes. It's crazy how many times Shawn Michaels '98 and Big E have had the same result on successive shows! The bracket is as follows...

QUARTER-FINALS...

#7 Shawn Michaels '98 (WLLLLLL) vs #2 Big E (WLLLLLL)

SEMI-FINALS...

#14 William Regal vs TBD

FINAL...

#1 Retro Rick vs TBD

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So let's get to booking the next event! From the roster and settings below submit the following to help shape the next event...

World Title: 1-Retro Rick (c) vs 4-Venom... Submit a match type/settings and who, if anyone, should accompany the competitor(s) to the ring.

Unranked: 2-Undertaker '00 vs 3-Randy Orton vs 5-Scorpion vs 9-Sting '99... Choose the option you want and submit what is needed for that option...

FATAL FOUR WAY: All 4 will compete with one winner. Submit a 4-way match type/settings.

TRIPLE THREAT: Three of the 4 will compete with one winner. Submit a 3-way match type/settings.

TAG TEAM: The four will pair up for a 2-vs-2 match. Submit a tag team match type/settings and who, if anyone, should accompany the team(s) to the ring.

SINGLES: Two separate matches sharing the same match type/settings. Submit a match type/settings and name who will be in each match.

HANDICAP: Either a 2-vs-1 or 3-vs-1 scenario. Submit a handicap match type/settings and who will be on each side.

Rung 2: 6-Kalisto vs 7-Sub Zero MKX vs 8-Kerry Von Erich... Choose the option you want and submit what is needed for that option...

TRIPLE THREAT: All 3 will compete with one winner. Submit a 3-way match type/settings.

SINGLES: Von Erich will sit out and remain on this Rung as the other two compete. Submit a match type/settings and who, if anyone, should accompany the competitor(s) to the ring.

Contenders Pool: 10-British Bulldog vs 11-Big E vs 12-William Regal vs 13-Shawn Michaels '98 vs 14-Ricky Steamboat '91 vs 15-Mankind... Submit a 6-man match type/settings. NOTE: If you choose a tag team scenario the teams will be Bulldog/Regal/Steamboat vs Big E/HBK/Mankind.

Hopefuls Pool: 16-Jim Neidhart vs 17-Kane vs ???... From the roster below and NOT INCLUDING anyone seen in the updated Rankings above submit your Top 10 picks to be entered into the next Hopefuls Pool. Also submit an entrance interval setting.