GWF 2074-2086 Set Overviews

[LWPD]

What follows is an overview of the Classics 2074 thru 2086 GWF retro sets by author Big Bri. Brian is one of the CotG Community's true life American Heroes...having served our country abroad in Afghanistan. Here he has graciously taken his taken to provide an overview of this era.
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CLASSICS 2074

While Classics 2079 opened the gateway to the GWF’s past, promoters craved to travel even further back in time to the actual commencement of the organization. As a result, Filsinger Games presented Classics 2074 in 1995.

This landmark game edition told promoters the story of the Galactic Wars, which spawned many of the planetary rivalries that eventually crossed into GWF rings such as Titan vs. CTA-102 and Earth vs. Cygnus. These conflicts also provided reasoning for Omega and Morpheus to found the GWF. However, with the inception of the new league came wrestlers from all across the cosmos, including two cowboys with the goal of seizing control of the GWF. Those two cowboys were better known as Blacklash and Bullwhip, Dorado Sundown. Even though their stay in the GWF was only a short two years, they happen to be two of promoters’ most discussed “Classics era” characters.

Also included in Classics 2074 was master technical wrestler Torin Caelum, his nemesis, the mysterious masked wrestler Santon, and tag team specialists the CrossCurrents (Thetis and Vortex). Rounding out the roster are a rookie card for Commander Sam and his first of many Cygnus rivals, Torpor.

With a starting point now in place, the “pre-history” of the GWF was becoming more visible.
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CLASSICS 2079

Released in 1992, Classics 2079 was the first COTG game edition that examined the GWF prior to the original 2087 edition. A brief explanation of the inception of the GWF was provided, which began to open the door to the past.

Promoters were treated to experiencing what aging veterans Omega and Commander Sam were like in their primes, as well as seeing Star Warrior and Thantos (then known as Cosmos) as young tag team partners as the GameMasters instead of bitter enemies. A key fixture of COTG lore by the name of Morpheus was introduced as well as distinctive characters such as Mangus and the Estorians.

With such a small roster, playing a federation set in 2079 solely with these 8 cards was unfeasible. Therefore, Filsinger Games devised the concept of the GWFF (Galactic Wrestling Fantasy Federation), which operated on Kronos, a unique planet that stood outside of normal time. With that rule intact, wrestlers from 2079 could compete against wrestlers from the current GWF without the resulting action having any bearing on normal GWF history. Solaris was appointed as the main promoter on Kronos by Commissioner Carter.

Sales of this set were so successful that Filsinger Games decided to release more Classics editions to help complete the “pre-history” of the GWF.

[LWPD]

CLASSICS 2084

The focal point of this game edition, which was released in 1997, is a comprehensive history of one of the most intense GWF rivalries of all time, Lord Nexus vs. Krakan, including rookie cards for each wrestler. A card for Nexus’ mentor K.O. Keller is also included, as well as a card for Krakan’s whipping boy, Montrol (which when paired with the Krakan card, makes a panoramic picture, the first of its kind for Filsinger Games).

Another significant character of COTG lore is introduced in this set by the name of The Code Enforcer, a masked wrestler who strictly targeted rule breakers and any wrestlers forming sub-groups. One of these sub-groups was the Gang of Three, which was comprised of Polarity and newcomer Vice. Two other unique competitors included in Classics 2084 are Mimic, a mute wrestler who mimics his opponents’ moves and the Big Superstar, a “tribute” card to a certain “immortal” real-life wrestler.

The fourth of the pre-2087 Classics editions to be released, Classics 2084 helps fill in some of the blanks in the GWF saga. However, some gaps still remained open. Promoters would have to wait until 2004 to have the GWF “pre-history” completely solidified, when the Early Classics set was released.
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CLASSICS 2086

Since the release of the original 2087 edition of Champions of the Galaxy, promoters had many questions as to what led up to Thantos breaking the Galactic Code and the resulting split of the roster into heroes and villains. Due to the success of Classics 2079, Filsinger Games released Classics 2086 in 1993 to answer these very questions.

This edition provided a complete breakdown of the GWF timeline from Spring 2085 to the original 2087 edition, which is crucial to comprehending the entire COTG saga. However, the “crown jewel” of this set would be Wolf’s rookie card, which also depicted the savage loner as a Gladiator. An earlier version of Wolf’s rival, Executioner, was captured in the form of one Marcel de Sade. In addition, promoters were also introduced to the unique “opposites” team of Polarity (Salvation and Sin), strongman Mighty Grogan, the original version of the Space Croppers (Renegade and Natural Man, who became Vanity just one year later), and the mysterious jobber known as the Dark Star Creature.

Many promoters attest that Classics 2086 is the most influential of all the Classics editions.

[steefposton]

AWESOME! This was what I thought we were getting when this all started. Is the other thread a "created" pre-history with "unofficial" wrestlers? I wasn't able to follow that thread at all. Help?

[steelthunder814]

Ok now I know how to format my 2087 write-up thanks!

[LWPD]

steefposton said:

AWESOME! This was what I thought we were getting when this all started. Is the other thread a "created" pre-history with "unofficial" wrestlers? I wasn't able to follow that thread at all. Help?

Actually the GWF Early Classics of the 2070s - 2080's set is as official as it gets...check it out in the online store under the CHAMPIONS OF THE GALAXY ALTERNATIVE UNIVERSE TITLES section. If you go back and want to build a comprehensive GWF from the 'very beginning' with enough wrestlers to make the time frame work smoothly...It's pretty much indispensable.

[JMello]

And all the new characters made me want to come back to the game last year and start a fed. I'm currently in 2079 and have loved every minute of it.

[steefposton]

ok, didn't see that under "alternate universes" I thought that meant stuff that was 'outside' the "Tom universe" of the GWF. Did the author of this write up write the set available online? It seemed from the way he wrote saying things like "I made so and so because..."

[Big Bri]

steefposton said:

ok, didn't see that under "alternate universes" I thought that meant stuff that was 'outside' the "Tom universe" of the GWF. Did the author of this write up write the set available online? It seemed from the way he wrote saying things like "I made so and so because..."

I'll try and lay this out for you the best I can. If you weren't playing COTG when the "Early Classics of the 2070's & 2080's" set came out in 2004, I can see how you might be confused.

The sets discussed in THIS thread are considered to be an "official" part of the COTG storyline, because Tom wrote these sets.

The set in the OTHER thread was indeed written by Mike M, as Tom gave him the green light to do it. While it's not "official", like LWPD said, you can play EC or you can try to write and play your own history, but Mike's kicks serious a__ because it has so many links to the other Classics sets and completes the gaps in the era.

If I understand correctly, the "Alternate Universe" tag some products get indicates that someone else other than Tom was the brains behind it.

If I'm wrong about any of this, someone please correct me so we're all on the same page.