Booking Shows and Building Rivalries
Updated · 1.2.1 Beta preview (source reviewed)
Mechanics checked against the 1.2.1 Beta preview source on 7 July 2026. Public and older builds can differ; use the values in your own save. Screenshots show earlier beta interfaces and may differ in appearance.
How do I build a feud without repeating myself?
Give each show a job in the story. One episode can establish a challenger, another can explain the conflict, and a later event can resolve it. You control the creative intent; the game's ratings, rivalry feedback and finances tell you how it is working in the simulation.
Start with the available roster
Check contracts, health and stamina before deciding your main event. Pick the pairing you can sustain, then build the supporting card around other wrestlers with a clear role. If a top star is unavailable next week, prepare an alternative now rather than promising a programme you cannot book.
A small promotion can start with a few purposeful matches. Three matches is a learning example, not a magic formula that always beats six. Use the booking estimate and result breakdown to see which parts of your actual card contribute.
A four-show creative example
| Show | Creative purpose | Possible booking |
|---|---|---|
| First | Introduce the challenger | Challenger faces another opponent; establish the conflict |
| Second | Give the feud context | Use a suitable promo or segment involving the rivals |
| Third | Raise the stakes | Show why the coming match matters; review available rivalry options |
| Fourth | Deliver the payoff | Book the planned meeting with a finish that resolves this chapter |
This is an illustrative outline, not a sequence that guarantees heat increases. Use only segment types available in your build and read their feedback. If your roster cannot support an intermediate match, simplify the card instead of overbooking someone to fill the template.
Read rivalry feedback
The rivalry interface reports the state of the feud. Repeated matches can leave fans tired of a pairing. More intensity is useful, but repeating the same booking is not a universal shortcut. Check whether the latest action advanced the story, whether the rivalry needs attention, and whether it is time for a conclusion.
In the reviewed preview, rivalry heat is a major optional input to the match-rating formula. That does not mean heat replaces the wrestlers' skills or popularity. A supporting match can still be useful even without an active rivalry.
Choose match types with a purpose
Use stipulations when they suit the story and the budget. Compare the rating estimate and expense before confirming. A title match also uses its championship context; creating more titles solely to chase a number can make your roster harder to book coherently.
Plan who needs the win and what the result makes possible next. Avoid treating every week as the finale. Equally, do not keep a finished feud running because it once had a strong rating.
Review the card afterwards
Read match and promo breakdowns, then compare the show's financial result with its forecast. Keep one short note: the weakest segment, the pairing that deserves another chance, or the commitment you must cover next week.
For example, if a promo disappoints while the matches perform well, inspect the speakers' charisma and the segment's factors before replacing the entire roster. If the show rates well but loses money, work on costs and attendance rather than assuming the booking failed creatively.
Avoid these traps
- Repeating a matchup without checking fatigue or rivalry feedback.
- Spending on a stipulation before checking the underlying talent.
- Booking future matches without checking availability and contract terms.
- Assuming a high rating guarantees profit.
Read how ratings are calculated, how to compare contracts, and weekly cash flow.