The Champ Speaks

Scott Webster, the current reigning Wii tournament champion, sent us this picture today along with the following message:

"Anyone out there who thinks they have what it takes, better bring everything they have. I mean, EVERYTHING they have. You guys think that 234 I bowled in the tournament was high? Pssshhh. I'm just now finding my stroke. Get ready."

The Mii you see is made to resemble Robert De Niro and was created today by the man who stands atop the Power Rankings.

"I took this guy PRO in 6 games, and I plan on taking 15 other people to the cleaners on September 8th."

'Retribution' Details Emerge

The next tournament is 6 weeks away, but details for Retribution are already known. Much has been made public. For instance, 16 players will participate in the evening's festivities this time around. Players will be split into 4 groups of four. the first round will be a three game series with the best two averages advancing to the next round. This gives players an ample amount of time to bowl their best. For all other rounds, only the top player will advance from each division. The buy-in for the tournament will remain $5.00 per entrant. First place will take home $50.00 and second place will receive $30.00 that night. There will be four supplemental prizes given out.

The prizes that will be awarded will be:

• Highest 3-Game Series Average
• Highest Overall Average
• Most Strikes Thrown in a 3-Game Series
• Most Consecutive Strikes Thrown

There is a $1.00 per award buy-in. Please note that this is completely optional and players are not obligated to participate in any/all awards. If you decide to not participate, your scores/strikes will not be considered. If you decide to participate in the tournament and all secondary awards, the total entry fee is $9.00 per person. A covered dish is required per entrant or couple.

Food and drinks will start at 6:00 with the first round of bowling to start at 7:00PM on the nose. There will be no need to create Mii characters. Bowlers are encouraged to create and bring their own Mii's that evening.

Please direct any questions or concerns to wiitourney@gmail.com

Early Elimination Still Pains Payne

Losing in the tournament last weekend was harder for some contestants than others as pressure and expectations were running high for more than a few. A shocking early exit from Brice Payne in the first round ranks up there with the biggest surprises of the night. Expected to advance to the late stages, Payne was forced to stand by and watch as other bowlers moved on. Nearly 4 days after being knocked out of the Inaugural Tournament, Brice stops by to chat with WTI and tell us what his thoughts were for last weekend's games and how he fared.

WTI: First question on everyone's mind; What happened Saturday night?

Brice: Well it just goes to show you that no matter how much planning goes into an event, if you don't execute it's all worthless. Like my partner Luke always says, "If you don't execute, you don't eat." I'm not really sure what that means exactly but he won't stop saying it.

WTI: We’re not really sure what that means either. So, what steps do you take for the next event, aptly titled “Retribution”?

Brice: Like you say there is no better title for this event but Retribution, I hope I didn't infringe on any copyright or trademark laws using that word. I intend come out and prove once and for all that Brice Payne and Lanesharks Inc. are no joke, as some have eluded to. As far as how I will prepare I am not at liberty to say, there is a Lanesharks training video in the works and I signed a waiver stating that I wouldn't give away any secrets as the video will be for sale.

WTI: Have you seen the heard about the new tournament format? 16 people, broken into 4 divisions. Each division bowls three games, with the top two advancing based off overall average. Thoughts?

Brice: I like the new format, I think that this will help things flow a lot smoother. I think some thought should be put into how the heats are set up, as compared to a random draw, so that we don't lose top contenders in the first round. I also think this will be a harder system for the Lumberjack to manipulate. We would all be wise to keep a close eye on that one.

WTI: Which contestant surprised you the most Saturday night and why?

Brice: I would honestly have to say my young lovely Kim Payne, she knocked off the heavily favored Trevor and then gave the now reigning champ a run for his money. She did me proud and gave me something to walk away with on an otherwise disappointing night.

WTI: Speaking of that, we noticed a handful of players with limited or no experience who fared very well for their first time out. There has been a lot of discussion around whether or not the game involves actual skill. On one side, the argument is that it requires a good sense of timing and practice to master the game. The other side feels that the game is little more than flicking your wrist. What can you lend to this discussion?

Brice: If you line up straight on and are consistently late in your release, you can apparently do pretty well, so I'm not sure what you call it. But hey, it worked. Personally I will keep practicing my skill game and in the words of The Lumberjack "trust my hook."

WTI: That's a bold statement! Lots of luck on that endeavor. Finally, does it matter to you who you face in the first round of the next tournament?

Brice: I will face anyone they put in front of me, at Lanesharks we don't back down from a fight.

WTI: Thank you for spending a little one-on-one time with us. Good luck with your next tournament and we look forward to your training video.

Post Tournament with Gaul

Lanesharks bowlers Brice Payne and Luke Gaul are still licking their wounds today with major upsets being handed their way last Saturday night. Payne was eliminated from the first round of the tournament and Luke was knocked out in the semi-finals. Both men performed below their own expectations and are looking ahead to Retribution to give their fans a better showing. Both men assured us that Lanesharks has will continue to sponsor them in the future and their initial outing was not indicative of their capabilities. In fact, WTI was able to speak with Luke this morning and ask him a few questions.

WTI: Luke, tell us how you’re feeling today.

Luke: Good, thanks. It is what it is. I know the tourney is over but I would have liked to see a little more structure. That was the biggest downfall. Scott deserves his crown though. He played the game of his life that night and no one can take that from him. He's a great man.

WTI: Have you heard that RETRIBUTION will now be a bowling tournament with all 12 players invited back? What are your thoughts on this?

Luke: I'm excited. I hope its done right. I would like to see all the rounds planned out ahead of time and maybe 4 more players to even out the rounds. Jamie Hunter is going to be in it to win it. Word on the street is he threw the whole thing as a way to lure people in, said he wasn't using his real throw but the retribution is coming. I don't know what to make of it.

WTI: We can confirm there are rule changes. It will be 16 people broken into 4 divisions. Each division will play three games and the two players with the highest average will move on. This will be the format throughout the semi-finals with the final match-up pairing only two individuals. What do you think of this?

Luke: That's sounds a little more like a real tournament. Being this was the first attempt I know there can be hiccups. I just wish it wasn't at my expense.

WTI: Do you feel like you weren't given a fair shake against the others? They were governed by the same rules.

Don't get me wrong, it was a great Tourney. I had a lot of fun. I just feel that I wasn't recognized for how well I did. I was second both sets in the third round, I was consistant. In the end I was bested by no filters, Lucky Strikes if you will. I know you saw the averages posted on the web, I was very consistant. Scott played amazing and I can't take that from him.

WTI: What do you do as you prepare for the next tournament?

Luke: Not much different. I saw a couple flaws in other players that I plan to exploit. We'll see, should be a good time

WTI: And finally, how do you think you’d do against Jamie in a rematch? The last we heard, he went back to the drawing board and found a new line. He claims he’s rolled a 250 or better since Saturday night.

Luke: We shall see. He claims that but its not even been 48 hours. I find it hard to believe he just "found his throw". Like I said before I think its been a plan ever since. He's a smooth operator.

WTI: We’ll find out on September 1^st whether or not he’s telling the truth. Thanks for giving us a few minutes today, Luke. Good luck in the future!

First Tournament Highlights and Averages

The average scores have been calculated for last Saturday night's bowling tournament.

1. Scott / John - 191
2. Luke - 189
   
3. Angel - 186
4. Chad - 184
5. Jamie - 177
6. Carrie - 173
7. Kim - 162
8. Brice - 149
9. Trevor - 145
10. Shannon - 133
11. Stephanie - 132

* Scores in BOLD indicate higher than combined tournament average score 177

Top 3 scores for the evening:

1. Scott - 234
2. Luke - 225
3. Scott - 223

How did your favorite bowler do?

Retribution Invitational Overhauled

Mark your calendars. The next event will still take place on September 1st but will no longer be a boxing tournament. The public has spoken loud and clear. Bowling has trumped all other sports and will again be the format used.

Retribution is a fitting title for this showdown to be sure. There are eleven contestants who feel like September 1st will be their chance to get their own version retribution. Scott Webster has all eyes on his title so he'd better be prepared.

There are going to be a few small modifications to the tournament. The first announcement that we can make is that there will be a planned 16 participants this time around. This will enable a "Sweet 16" like setup. All contestants in the first tournament are grandfathered in with a golden ticket waiting for them already. The four remaining spots will be filled and names will be announced in the coming weeks.

To confirm your spot, please email wiitourney@gmail.com with your full name.

First WTI Champion Crowned

Scott Webster can now be considered the reigning champion after the first Invitational Tournament for Wii Bowling. In what is now being considered a Cinderalla story, Scott fought his way to the top knocking off some very stiff competition along the way. He seemed to set the tone for his evening in his first round against his friend John. Weston kept the match very close all the way through. Scott seemed destined to win it after handing John a 196-186 loss. This score was Scott's highest to date. Coming into last night's tournament, his highest score was a mere 184 points. With a new high score, Scott felt a confidence in himself that he did not expect. John quickly regained composure and took the second match by drubbing Scott with a 199-163 loss. With the rubber match, things would be completely tied heading into the last frame of that game. The final ball rolled would determine the fate of both men. All John needed to do was get a strike to advance. Scott could only watch in anticipation as John had 4 faults before letting the ball go.

"It's the ultimate tease to sit here and hold my breath over and over waiting for him to let it go" he was heard saying while watching John ready for his final throw. "I think he's doing it on purpose!"

John knocked nine pins down leaving the final pin to haunt him for the remainder of the evening. That one pin would seal his fate and catapult Scott into the second round, later to meet Kim.

Final scores after round one: 196-186, 163 - 199, 200, 188

The second round was equally close for Scott. After taking the first game with yet another personal high of 217, Scott was embarrassed by Kim with a 163-157 score. She was feeling confident in herself after that and Webster was starting to feel the pressure
of the second-tier.

"I feel good because he beat me that first game, but only after having to bowl his best game in his life. I don't feel so bad now."

After a one minute break between rounds, Scott went back into it headfirst and emerged victorious with a 179 to her138. He seemed intent on sending a message to her and the crowd that he did not want to go lightly.

"I'm in here for a reason. I was invited here because of perceived skills. Now, it's time to show these people just what I've got."

He would have to dig deep and bring everything he had for the semi-finals against Luke Gaul and wife Angel Webster. Keeping as much of an eye as he could on the contestants, he was practically shaking in his Reeboks after seeing Luke handle his business in the first two rounds. After all, Luke had knocked out the golden child, Jamie in the second round. Webster was beginning to have his doubts in his abilities. Angel was no breeze either.

"She beats me all the time at home. It's been weeks since I have been able to win a game against her!"

This matchup, pinning three players against each instead of the usual two, was going to be played with a twist. After two games, the two players with the top scores would advance to the finals. Even this variation in the rules had Scott nervous.

"I don't know if I have what it takes to hang with both of these guys at the same time."

After the dust settled, Scott emerged victorious with the high average of 190 and Angel scraped by Luke with a 187.5 to Luke's 185.5 average. Luke was sent packing and the tables were set for a husband-wife showdown.

The first game was a real eye opener for Scott. He could get nothing to work right while Angel seemed to be firing on all cylinders. She bowled a 193 while he brought a 155 score limping in. The second game would be as close as it would get from there. He bounced back and found a personal high of 223 whereas Angel ended up with a 199 score. With the final match about to begin, all participants gathered around to see what would unfold.

Scott would look deep in himself and pull out the best game of not only his career, but of the entire tournament as well. Webster rolled a six-pack on his way to beating his wife by a final of 234-197. Finally, a winner was declared. Jamie, being the ever gracious host, presented Angel with her second place prize of $15 and the crowd clapped. Scott was handed his purse of $45 and flashbulbs popped from everywhere.

With our first champion, we were able to get one question in before he was ushered out the door.

WTI: How does it feel?

Scott: "It feels great, but at the same time, I already feel the bullseye on my back!"

He was right. Within minutes, the threats came in from other entrants. Luke and Brice Payne, still rocked with losses, were taunting the new champion before the hour was up. Text messages forwarded to our offices have Luke threatening and the Sons of Thunder's retaliation already.