Wizard World Philly 2006
Results + Top 20 Decks
Friday, June 2—Sunday June 4, 2006
By Barron Vangor Toth
Raw Deal co-designer

I want to thank the 100 of you that took the time to come out to Wizard World Philly. I had an absolute blast. So did the rest of the folks we had there making sure everything ran smoothly, from CI Owner Hank Rose, to CI President Alan Gordon, to my fellow co-designer Mike Foley, to NY Manager Extraordinaire Tom McKelvey.

If those that came out had half as much fun as us, I know it was a worthwhile trip. I gave away stack after stack of cards from the newest prize kit (found here: http://www.comicimages.com/rawdeal/product/nwo/nwo16.htm), including the convention-exclusive “Your Town.” About 2,000 of “Your Town” were printed and I gave away 250 in Philly. The remaining copies will be given away at future qualifiers and conventions—so make plans to hit one of the other events coming up in the near future, like Origins in just three weeks.

The primary focus for the weekend was the 1st World Championship Qualifier of the new season on Saturday, but we also ran some free pods with tons of prizes for those around on the other days. Here are their winners:

Friday Afterburn 8-Man Pod Winners:

Jimmy O’Brien (Paul Heyman)
Pat Vinette (Big Freak’n Machine)
Brian Horton (Doink)

Friday All Axxess 8-Man Pod Winner:

Harley Jones (Heat Seekers)

Sunday Afterburn 8-Man Pod Winners:

Sean Vance (Rob Van Dam)
John Schnurr (Eddie Guerrero)
Anthony Lurty (Carlito)

Sunday All Axxess 8-Man Pod Winner:

Andre Segarra (Heat Seekers)

Sunday All Axxess Mark LaRoche Invitational Winner:

Will Alessi (“Mr. America” / The Immortal One)

Onto the Main Attraction!

Philly is year in and out our fourth biggest qualifier of the year (3rd = New York, 2nd = Origins, and 1st = Gen Con) and this year didn’t disappoint. Even with a few dozen players that were scheduled to attend not being able to make it at the last minute—Craig Ewing, Dave Fogle, and Matt Laurie, among others, were rumored to be coming and then couldn’t—we still had about 100 people in the house, including Wizard World Philly 2004 Champ Andrew Trebing, WWP 2005 Champ Clark Luskin, Origins 2005 Champ Mark LaRoche, and Last Chance Qualifier Champ John Macek. Also in attendance were some of the top-ranked players in the world, including Blair Thompson (#8) and Matt Fetting (#22).

Which Superstars had more than 1 copy present out of the 100?

8 played:

Big Freak’n Machine

4 played:

Bookerman
Edge
Immortal One
Rob Van Dam
“Rowdy” Roddy Piper

3 played:

Carlito
Chris Jericho
Eugene
Home Team
Jake The Snake
JBL
Leader of the Peepulation
People’s Champ
Your Freak’n Hero

2 played:

Chris Benoit
Largest Athlete in Sports Entertainment
Leader of the Edge Army
Matt Hardy
Phenom
Shane McMahon
Trish Stratus
Vince McMahon

We were going to have 6 rounds of Swiss so that we could finish by the time the main hall closed at 6pm and then move the top 32 to a lush private room on the 1st floor. Dark Tower Games in Denville, NJ—the store with the most Raw Deal players in the world, where you can expect 50 guys every Saturday night at 6pm—dominated the qualifier with 21 of their players making the top 32, solidifying their place as a true proving ground for Raw Deal excellence.

But who were the top 32 players?

6-0

Jeremy Cantarella (Jake The Snake)

5-1

Will Alessi (“Mr. America” The Immortal One)
Justin Cantor (Theodore Long)
Larry Cheng (Shelton Benjamin)
Arthur Continelli (Bobby Heenan)
Matt Fetting (Edge)
Dennis Foley (Eugene)
Matias Higuera (Stephanie McMahon)
John Macek (Roddy Piper)
Andrew Snyder (Home Team)
Eric Velazquez (Phenom)

4-2

Mike Acharya (Bookerman)
Joe Barrone (JBL)
Robby Barry (People’s Champ)
Pat Esghy (Rob Van Dam)
Jesse Lens (Doink)
Anthony Lurty (Carlito)
Clark Luskin (Largest Athlete)
Chris Megleg (Vince McMahon)
Nelson Ortega (Triple H)
James Ribis (Batista)
Craig Roberts (Matt Hardy)
Bryan Rouleau (Rene Dupree)
Pete Schramm (Babe of the Year)
Blair Thompson (Leader of the Peepulation)
Matt Tompkins (Leader of the Edge Army)
Andrew Trebing (Your Freak’n Hero)
Pat Vinette (Big Freak’n Machine)

3-3

Joe Fezza (Heat Seekers)
Jimmy O’Brien (Chris Jericho)
Matt Steltzer (Kane)
Rob Tapp (Heidenreich)

(Obviously there were other 3-3 record-holders, but only these four advanced as they had all pinfall victories and their respective strength-of-schedules were the best.)

TOP 32 RESULTS

Mike Acharya (Bookerman) defeated Pete Schramm (Babe of the Year)
Robby Barry (People’s Champ) defeated Craig Roberts (Matt Hardy)
Jeremy Cantarella (Jake the Snake) defeated Rob Tapp (Heidenreich)
Justin Cantor (Theodore Long) defeated Matt Steltzer (Kane)
Pat Eshghy (Rob Van Dam) defeated James Ribis (Batista)
Matt Fetting (Edge) defeated Clark Luskin (Largest Athlete)
Dennis Foley (Eugene) defeated Chris Megleg (Vince McMahon)
Matias Higuera (Stephanie McMahon) defeated Joe Fezza (Heat Seekers)
Jesse Lens (Doink) defeated Will Alessi (“Mr. America” The Immortal One)
Anthony Lurty (Carlito) defeated Andrew Trebing (Your Freak’n Hero)
John Macek (Roddy Piper) defeated Bryan Rouleau (Rene Dupree)
Jimmy O’Brien (Chris Jericho) defeated Larry Cheng (Shelton Benjamin)
Andrew Snyder (Home Team) defeated Nelson Ortega (Triple H)
Blair Thompson (Leader of the Peepulation) defeated Arthur Continelli (Bobby Heenan)
Matt Tompkins (Leader of the Edge Army) defeated Joe Barrone (JBL)
Eric Velazquez (Phenom) defeated Pat Vinette (Big Freak’n Machine)

TOP 16 RESULTS

Mike Acharya (Bookerman) defeated John Macek (Roddy Piper)
Jeremy Cantarella (Jake the Snake) defeated Jimmy O’Brien (Chris Jericho)
Justin Cantor (Theodore Long) defeated Jesse Lens (Doink)
Pat Eshghy (Rob Van Dam) defeated Dennis Foley (Eugene)
Anthony Lurty (Carlito) defeated Matt Fetting (Edge)
Andrew Snyder (Home Team) defeated Matt Tompkins (Leader of the Edge Army)
Blair Thompson (Leader of the Peepulation) defeated Matias Higuera (Stephanie)
Eric Velazquez (Phenom) defeated Robby Barry (People’s Champ)

QUARTERFINALS

Mike Acharya (Bookerman) defeated Justin Cantor (Theodore Long)
Pat Eshghy (Rob Van Dam) defeated Eric Velazquez (Phenom)
Anthony Lurty (Carlito) defeated Andrew Snyder (Home Team)
Blair Thompson (Leader of the Peepulation) defeated Jeremy Cantarella (Jake the Snake)

SEMIFINALS

Pat Eshghy (Rob Van Dam) defeated Blair Thompson (Leader of the Peepulation)
Anthony Lurty (Carlito) defeated Mike Acharya (Bookerman)

THE FINALS

After all the laughter from Pat Eshghy when he realized his money card in the match-up—Everything’s Cool When You’re RVD—couldn’t be played against Carlito, we eventually had a winner:

2nd Place: Pat Eshghy (Rob Van Dam)

1st Place,
New Wizard World Philly Champion,
& 1st Participant in the 2007 World Championships:

Dark Tower’s own Anthony Lurty (Carlito)

*
THE DECKS
*

Before getting into the decks themselves, I thought I’d talk statistics about the NWO metagame.

About 55% of the decks were Revolution of the Mind-based, whereas the rest were not.

Whereas in the Royal Rumble era Face decks were designed to dominate in order to topple the previous stereotype of Heel decks being the way to go—however, in NOW, there were the same number of Face players as Heel.

Similarly, within a few people, there were equal amounts of Raw vs. SmackDown! as well as Fan Favorite vs. Cheater, with Fan Favorite being about 58% of the field whereas Cheater was more like 42%.

There were as many Volley-based decks as Chain decks (note: a Volley deck isn’t one that packs Volley This, but rather one based around the mechanic) and the two of them combined made up about one-third of the field.

The above notes are representative of the entirety of the field—almost 100 decks—whereas below are the decks that had winning records in the Swiss rounds:

*

(All cards in all decks are Throwback versions unless noted otherwise.)

As always, I try to have 100% accuracy with the decks but there is a chance I read a card title wrong or get a quantity wrong—if you note an error, contact me and I’ll have the report updated accordingly.

Anthony Lurty’s 1st Place Carlito Design

BACKSTAGE AREA (4)

Backstage Signature
Carlito’s Apple
Raw Deal 5th Anniversary
WWE Signing Appearance

BACKLASH DECK (20)

Pre-match (10)

Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Carlito’s Cabana
United States Title Belt
The Champ Is Here
In the Interest of Fairness x3
Old School Psychology x2
Product Endorsements

Mid-match (10)

Backlash!
Panic Grab
Sustained Damage
The Road to Victory
You’re as Graceful as a Cow on Ice
Atomic Bear Hug
Ready to Fight
Breakin’ Out, Breakin’ Down…
Chain Finisher
Victory Roll

ARSENAL (60)

Actions (10)

Spit at Opponent x3
Flawless Execution x2
I Spit In the Face of…
…People Who Don’t Want to be Cool
The Switch x3

Maneuvers (19)

Ankle Lock x2
Grab x3
Rest Hold x3
Scoop Slam x3
Body Lock x3
Precision Kick
Fujiwara Arm Bar x3
Carlito’s Way DDT

Reversals (31)

Chained Heat x3
Don’t Try This at Home x3
Elbow to the Face x3
Escape Move x3
I Know Cool and You’re Not Cool
Just Bring It! x3
Once is Enough x3
Reach for the Ropes x3
Step Aside x3
Volley This! x3
Sloppy… Very Sloppy x3

*

Pat Eshghy’s 2nd Place Rob Van Dam Design

BACKSTAGE AREA (3)

Backstage Signature
Raw Deal 5th Anniversary
WWE Signing Appearance

BACKLASH DECK (20)

Pre-match (10)

Trash Talkin’ Interview
Managed by The Coach
Managed by William Regal
Raw Intercontinental Title Belt
The Champ Is Here
R—V—D
The Hidden Dragon: Balance
Hell in a Cell Match
Pyrotechnic Volley
Fans Love an Underdog

Mid-match (10)

Everything’s Cool When You’re RVD
Fortitude Surge
Mr. Monday Night
You’re as Graceful as a Cow on Ice
This Is Going Nowhere Fast
Suicide Strike
The King Interferes
Introduce Your Brain to Your Mouth
Suicide Plancha
Victory Roll

ARSENAL (60)

Maneuvers (20)

Flying Clothesline
Extreme Monkey Flip
Rolling Thunder
Cold-cocked x3
Flurry of Strikes x3
Lock, Stock, and Barrel x3
Punch After Punch x3
Precision Knee Drop x3
Shooting Star Press
Five Star Frog Splash

Reversals (40)

A Revolution of the Mind x3
Chained Heat x2
Don’t Try This at Home x2
Elbow to the Face x3
I Gotta Say, Out of Play x2
Just Bring It! x2
Once is Enough x2
Sidewalk Slam
Volley This! x3
Hold the Phone x2
The Coach Says, Today’s the Day x2
Leg Drag x2
Dude… Whatever
Step Over Heel Kick
The Price We Pay
Spinebuster x3
Blindside Control x3
Powerslam x2
Sloppy… Very Sloppy x3

*

Mike Acharya’s Top 4 Bookerman Design

BACKSTAGE AREA (3)

Backstage Signature
Raw Deal 5th Anniversary
WWE Signing Appearance

BACKLASH DECK (20)

Pre-match (10)

Rochester, New York
Yo Dawg
Pay-Per-View Main Event
Managed by Sharmell
WCW Title Belt
The Champ Is Here
Frankie Goes Ho-llywood
The Old Switcheroo
The Title Is on the Line
You Rang?

Mid-match (10)

Dirty Low Blow x3
Sustained Damage
The Road to Victory
You’re as Graceful as a Cow on Ice
Tell Me You Didn’t Just Say That
The King Interferes
Spinnerooni
Unscrupulous SOB

ARSENAL (60)

Actions (9)

Iron Will x2
That’s Broken! x3
Keibler’s Instincts
Five Time!
Distracted by Sharmell
How Many Times?

Maneuvers (14)

Ap Chaki Kick x3
Backfist x2
Judo Takedown x2
German Suplex x3
Straight Clothesline x3
Booker’s Scissor Kick

Reversals (37)

Can You Dig It, Sucka?
Chained Heat x2
Don’t Try This at Home x2
Elbow to the Face x2
Escape Move x3
It’s Great to Be Back Here In… x2
Over Sell Maneuver x2
Sidewalk Slam
Step Aside x3
Volley This! x3
You Didn’t Just Try That?
Hold the Phone! x2
Leg Drag
Spinning T Kick
There Are Two Things… x2
Knee Lift x2
Overshot Your Mark x2
Manager Interferes x3
Sharmell Interferes
Bookend

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