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FIRE PRO WRESTLING RETURNS CHARACTER GUIDE: QUINTON "RAMPAGE" JACKSON
=====================================================================
for Sony PlayStation 2 (U.S.)
Version 1.1
by Bill Wood ([email protected])
Last modified: 12/14/07

Fire Pro Wrestling Returns (c) 2005 Spike (c) 2007 Agetec

NOTE: This guide views and prints best with a monospace typeface.
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==VERSION HISTORY==
===================

1.1 - Minor corrections.

1.0 - Initial release of the guide.

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==TABLE OF CONTENTS==
=====================

SECTION 1: HISTORY OF QUINTON "RAMPAGE" JACKSON
SECTION 2: SKILL AND PARAMETER STATS
SECTION 3: MOVELIST
SECTION 4: SHOOTFIGHTING IN FIRE PRO RETURNS
SECTION 5: STRATEGY
SECTION 6: CLOSING

===================================================
==SECTION 1: HISTORY OF QUINTON "RAMPAGE" JACKSON==
===================================================

Hailing from Memphis, Tennessee, the colorful and flamboyant Quinton
"Rampage" Jackson is as of this writing the top ranked light-heavyweight
mixed martial artist in the world. This is a man who not only talks with
the best of them, but also has the skills to back up his words.

A wrestler in high school, Rampage originally had aspirations of becoming
a professional wrestler (probably a major factor in the development of his
brilliant mic skills) before discovering the burgeoning sport of mixed
martial arts. He fought for several smaller promotions before making the
jump to PRIDE, at that time the largest MMA promotion in the world. He
gained widespread exposure for his fierce contest with Japanese icon
Kazushi Sakuraba, and then went on to score a string of decisive victories
over several well-known martial artists. While Jackson began to make a
name for himself in MMA due to his fighting prowess, he also gained
notoriety for his expletive-filled interviews.

Rampage then scored a decisive victory over Chuck Liddell in the PRIDE
Middleweight Grand Prix before ultimately losing to Wanderlei Silva in the
finals. By this time, his undeniable charisma and punishing fighting style
had made him a sensation with MMA fans worldwide. And when PRIDE's
business affairs took a sharp turn for the worse, Jackson smartly hopped
over to one-time rival promotion UFC, where he managed to quickly defeat
Chuck Liddell for the Light Heavyweight title.

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==SECTION 2: SKILL AND PARAMETER STATS==
========================================

SKILL
-----
Real Name......Quinton "Rampage" Jackson
FPR Name...................Violent Jason
Promotion............................UFC
FPR Promotion........................SWA
FPR Faction................BLADE (PRIDE)
Size..............................Medium
Class.............................Junior
Height............................185 cm
Weight.............................90 kg
Gender..............................Male
Birthdate......................9/15/1978
Country..............................USA
Rank...................................C
Charisma...............................D
Stance............................Boxing
Fight Style........................Power
Return...........................Shooter
Critical........................Finisher
Special.......................Start Dash
Recovery...................Medium (Good)
Recovery (when bleeding)............Slow
Breathing.........................Normal
Breathing (when bleeding).........Normal
Spirit............................Medium
Spirit (when bleeding)............Medium
Neck Endurance....................Normal
Arm Endurance.................... Normal
Back Endurance....................Normal
Leg Endurance.....................Normal
Movement Speed...............Medium Fast
Up and Down Speed...................Slow
Ascent Style.....................Disable
Favorite Weapon.....................None

PARAMETER - OFFENSE     PARAMETER - DEFENSE
-------------------     -------------------
Punch.............8     Punch.............6
Kick..............6     Kick..............5
Throw.............7     Throw.............4
Joint.............3     Joint.............5
Stretch...........6     Stretch...........5
Power.............6     Flying............1
Agility...........7     Body..............2
Arm...............5     Lariat............1
Technical.........3     Technical.........4
Rough.............8     Rough.............7
MMA Overall.......7     MMA Overall.......6
Entertain.........1     Entertain.........3
-------------------     -------------------
OFF. SUB-TOTAL...67     DEF. SUB-TOTAL...49

TOTAL SKILL POINTS (on a scale from 0-380): 151

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==SECTION 3: MOVELIST==
=======================

Specialty moves are marked with [S]. Finisher is marked with [F].
Moves marked with [M] end in one of the three Mount positions.

KEY:

([]) = Square button
(X)  = X button
(O)  = Circle button

STRIKES
-------
Standing ([])...........................Straight Punch
Standing (X)..................................Low Kick
Standing (O) + d-pad......................Russian Hook
Standing (O)..................................UPPERCUT [S]
Standing ([]) + (X)..................Double Leg Tackle [M]
Running ([]).........................Double Leg Tackle [M]
Running (X)..............................Dash Straight
Running (O)......................................Spear
Running Counter ([])..............................Hook
Running Counter (X)......................Dash Straight
Running Counter (O)..........................Powerslam
Running to corner.................................none
Co-op Irish whip to corner..................Back Elbow
Corner-to-center attack...........................none

GRAPPLES
--------
Grapple ([])..................................Pin Down [M]
Grapple ([]) + Up.............................Takedown
Grapple ([]) + Left/Right..........Forceful Knee Kicks
Grapple ([]) + Down........................Sweep Mount [M]
Grapple (X)..................................Body Slam
Grapple (X) + Up.....................Stomach Knee Lift 
Grapple (X) + Left/Right...............Body Punch Rush
Grapple (X) + Down..........................Piledriver
Grapple (O).............................Front Necklock
Grapple (O) + Up...................Dynamite Punch Rush
Grapple (O) + Left/Right...........Turn Belly-to-Belly
Grapple (O) + Down.................NORTHERN LIGHT BOMB [S]
Grapple ([]) + (X)...............TRIPLE POWERBOMB WHIP [F]
Back Grapple ([])...........................Face Punch
Back Grapple (X)..............................Takedown
Back Grapple (O).......................Face Punch Rush
Back Grapple (O) + Up/Down............Scissors Sleeper
Back Grapple (O) + Left/Right............Belly-to-Back
Back Grapple ([]) + (X)....................Back Tackle [M]
Back Grapple Counter ([])...................Elbow Bunt
Back Grapple Counter (X)........................Rumble

OPPONENT DOWN MOVES
-------------------
Opponent Face Up at Head (X)..................Stomping
Opponent Face Up at Head (O).............Mount Punches
Opponent Face Up at Feet (X)..................Low Kick
Opponent Face Up at Feet (O)............Guard Position [M]
Opponent Face Down at Head (X)...........CHOKE SLEEPER [S]
Opponent Face Down at Head (O)......Back Mount Punches
Opponent Face Down at Feet (X)......Rev. Achilles Hold
Opponent Face Down at Feet (O).....Back Mount Position [M]
Running at Downed Opponent (O)....................none

MOUNT MOVES
-----------
Guard Attack ([])................................Punch
Guard Attack (X).........................Lift Up Press
Guard Attack (O)......................Guillotine Choke
Guard Counter...........................Front Necklock
Mount/Facelock Attack ([])..................Face Punch
Mount/Facelock Attack (X)..............CROWN KNEE KICK [S]
Mount/Facelock Attack (O)...................Piledriver
Mount/Facelock Attack Counter............Lift and Drop
Back Mount Attack ([])...........................Punch
Back Mount Attack (X)................Reverse Powerbomb
Back Mount Attack (O)....................Belly-to-Back
Back Mount Counter..........................Back Press

POST AND APRON MOVES
--------------------
Post ([]).........................................none
Post (X)..........................................none
Post (O)..........................................none
Post ([]) + (X)...................................none
Running Dive ([]).................................none
Running Dive (X)..................................none
Corner Grapple (O) + Up..............Corner Punch Rush
Corner Grapple (O) + Left/Right.......Corner Body Blow
Corner Grapple (O) + Down.........Corner Stomping Rush
Corner Counter [F]..............................Shouda
Corner Counter [B]......................Backhand Elbow
Inside Apron......................................Hook
Outside Apron.....................................Hook
Run to outside....................................none
Dive out ring.....................................none
Dive in ring......................................none
Cage Dive.........................................none

DOUBLE AND TRIPLE TEAM MOVES
----------------------------
Front Double Team...................Double Brainbuster
Back Double Team.......................Double Backdrop
Corner Double Team................High-Jack Piledriver
Front Triple Team...................Triple Hammer Blow
Back Triple Team....................Triple Hammer Blow
Corner Triple Team..................Triple Hammer Blow

PERFORMANCE
-----------
Entry Performance....................Neck Cutting Pose
Analog Stick Left.......................Shout Gut Pose
Analog Stick Right...................Cracking Knuckles
Analog Stick Up..................................Stare
Analog Stick Down..........................Bomb Appeal

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==SECTION 4: SHOOTFIGHTING IN FIRE PRO RETURNS==
================================================
Shootfighting (widely known as "MMA" or "mixed martial arts" these days)
is known as "Gruesome Fighting" in the world of Fire Pro. I have no idea
why this is, since I've seen quite a few pro wrestling matches that are
far more gruesome than anything found in MMA, but that's another story for
another day I suppose. Because shootfighters are such a unique class of
fighter in Fire Pro Returns, I will outline the pros and cons of using
them in what is primarily a pro wrestling game before we discuss specific
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson strategy:

  PROS OF SHOOTFIGHTING IN FIRE PRO RETURNS:
  -----------------------------------------

  * Knowing the Fire Pro shoot grapple system puts you at an obvious
    advantage versus players that don't.

  * Because many shooters usually can "Critical!" opponents with a
    variety of submission holds or strikes, they can end a match
    quicker than most professional wrestlers. (NOTE: This is NOT
    the case with Rampage, as we'll discover later.)

  * Shooters work well from the mount position, most professional
    wrestlers don't. In addition, most pro wrestlers have low
    defensive stats against MMA techniques.

  * Shooters will "no-sell" many pro wrestling moves, such as the
    Irish whip

  * High defensive stats vs. Submission and Stretch means shooters
    won't easily submit to holds.

  CONS OF SHOOTFIGHTING IN FIRE PRO RETURNS:
  -----------------------------------------

  * Higher learning curve as you will need to perfect the timing of
    shoot grapples and mounts.

  * On average, you will need to win more grapples to have success
    in a shoot match (unless you're using a pure striker).

  * Shooters are poorly-equipped defensively versus both heavy and
    junior professional wrestlers (generally low defensive stats
    vs. Flying, Body and Lariat).

  * Shooters can't perform high-flying moves or other moves that
    take advantage of the wrestling ring (assuming you're not
    fighting in the dodecagon cage).

To sum it up, if you're up to the challenge of mastering the learning
curve of shootfighting in Fire Pro Returns, you will be rewarded with a
whole new aspect of gameplay.

SHOOTFIGHTING BASICS
There are three main shoot positions in Fire Pro Returns: guard, mount and
back mount. Here is a brief description of these positions, along with
their grapple timing:

  GUARD - The opponent is on the ground face up. The attacker mounts
  him, straddling his torso. The timing for the guard grapple is just
  after the attacker leans his torso back and is preparing his attack.

  BACK MOUNT - The opponent is lying on the ground, face down. The
  attacker mounts him, straddling his lower back. The timing for the
  back mount grapple is just after the attacker raises his fists and
  is preparing his attack.

  MOUNT (FACELOCK) - This is the rarest of shoot positions, and perhaps
  the easiest to master as far as timing goes. The mount/facelock is
  basically a counter to the guard position. The guard is countered by
  grabbing the attacker's torso when he is coming in for the takedown.
  The timing for the mount grapple is when the fighter that is
  countering slams his opponent to the mat. (NOTE: In MMA fighting,
  the mount/facelock position is commonly known as a "sprawl".)

You'll need to learn timing of each of these instances to master MMA in
Fire Pro. Play against another shooter on Level 1 CPU difficulty and
practice your timing over and over until it becomes as instinctive as
regular Fire Pro grappling.

LEARNING THE MMA SYSTEM WITH QUINTON "RAMPAGE" JACKSON
If you're using Rampage to learn the Fire Pro shootfighting system, you
should start by studying his moveset, particularly the moves designated
with the [M] symbol. Each of these moves will result in a takedown
attempt. Once you have the mount, use any followup you want. If the
opponent sprawls on you, practice that button timing as well.

=======================
==SECTION 5: STRATEGY==
=======================

NOTE: Please review Section 4 before continuing to this section!

GENERAL STRATEGY
From an MMA standpoint, Rampage is a bit of a mixed bag in Fire Pro
Returns. His stats and moveset are decent, but the lack of a submission or
striking "Critical!" style means he's going to have to work to get the job
done. Because, while other MMAs such as Sakuraba are a serious threat to
pull off a "Critical!" pretty much anytime in the match, Rampage has no
such luxury. Fortunately as we are about to discover, he still has plenty
of powerful weapons at his disposal.

Quinton is at his best when's he doing one of two things; standing up
and punching, or closing in for a devastating body slam. His medium-fast
walking speed allows him to outpace many opponents and dictate the pace
of the match, staying out of the range of their takedowns while throwing
down some serious striking offense of his own. Conversely he can shoot in
and go for the big throw, which can make for some very exciting finishes.

It's very important to understand the value in Jackson's "Start Dash"
skill. This means as long as his stamina/health remains above 70%, all of
his offensive parameters are increased by 1. This also means that his
Punch Offense is a 9 at the start of a match, which is certainly nothing
to sneeze at. For this reason alone you should avoid grappling at the
outset and simply focus on dropping those fists.

STRIKES
Again, this is what you should be doing early in the match. In particular,
you'll want to focus on the Russian Hook (easy to connect with once you
learn the distancing) and the Uppercut (a Special, meaning increased
damage value). If you can land several uppercuts while still in Start
Dash, your opponent is going to be in a world of hurt in no time flat.

GRAPPLES
Jackson's grapple moves range from extremely practical to outrageously
flamboyant. For example, the various punch rushes and body slams mesh
perfectly into his real-life repertoire, but the Piledriver is a bit
overkill, and his Triple Powerbomb Finisher... what the?!? It's rare
enough to see a solid powerbomb in a shoot fight, but a triple? Oh well,
it's there if you want the flashy finish, and your only chance for a
"Critical!" I might add.

Rampage has two grapples in his Small Grapple moveset that lead to the
mount, so if you're playing against someone who doesn't know the MMA
system in Fire Pro, this is a great way to both frustrate and dominate.

======================
==SECTION 6: CLOSING==
======================
In closing, I would like to thank Jason Blackhart for statistical
information and Dave Fairbairn for moveset clarification, and
www.allrampage.com for biographical info.

Fire Pro Wrestling Returns Character Guide: Quinton "Rampage" Jackson
(c)2007 Bill Wood