STF
STF (Suggested Title Frame) was a concept created by Darkspade in 2002 to have some type of systematic control over the way titles in the e-fed can rotate fairly without sacrificing the unpredictability of angles and story lines between players.
Before the STF rule was in effect, the e-fed title drops were determined by the booker or whenever a player felt like dropping their title(s). This caused many problems such as awarding players titles that worked hard for them. Also, not enough control was in place to allow an official to step in and carefully guide the title in the right direction. What this meant, was that some players dropped their belts to friends and neglected to drop the title to contenders that worked for that division. In a sense, it was chaotic.
The original STF rule:
Suggested Title Frame (STF - officially copyrighted by CWE 2002), allows the champion to hold their title for a number of months without having to rotate the title to a successor or to lose a match. Once the STF is up, then the champion must choose a successor or the title will be stripped.
As good as the STF rule was in establishing a flexible systematic control over title rotations, there were still problems that existed. One of the issues was that the # of months a champion can remain champion allowed the player to win matches no matter what just to retain the title. This caused a lot of problems with players wanting wins over champions especially after a long drawn-out angle. Players took to much of an advantage that you did not have to lose a match until your STF was up.
Another issue was the validity of a contender that the champion choose as a successor. After finally waiting out months for a title to be rotated, sometimes a belt was dropped to the wrong person. And once the belt was dropped, players who worked for that particular title had to wait yet another term to get a chance at the title.
Many other issues came about with STF which was then addressed in a revamped system when the CW came back in 2005. See: Title Drop Pass
Aftermath:
After the adjustments done for the CW E-Fed in 2005-2008, the e-fed went back to the STF rule but included some of the adjustments made in the title drop pass system. A hybrid version of the STF/Title Drop Pass system was made as a result to give a player more control over earning a guaranteed title drop, while retaining the ability to give champions flexibility.
NEW STF Rule (2008):
Most titles have a SUGGEST TITLE FRAME (exclusive CW rule since 2002 despite how it's been "borrowed" in other e-feds). The STF protects a champion from losing a title defense. After the time limit from the STF is up, it's fair game and the champion is told to drop the title to the next available valid contender. Officials can gain complete control over the title's future after the STF is up! This is to prevent: chain dropping to friends, ppl that did not earn the title, undecided who to drop too or any other situation which may halt a title rotation.
The STF is based on the # of months after the champion obtained the belt. Plus, EACH MAJOR PPV will guarantee at least 1 title to be dropped. So, the champion closest to their STF ending will be elected as the person to drop title to their #1 contender (which are the players involved in angles with the championship). Titles that are exempted have special rules for dropping.
Q: Why the huge runaround in title system since CWE closure in 2005?
A: When CWE closed, the STF system was mimicked elsewhere despite the fact it was a CreatureWrestling owned concept- and the CW wanted to produce a different gameplay. The E-Fed owner wanted to touch on the problems that the STF created and find a solution to give players who aren't champions more control over their chances. A title should be dropped to a player who worked for it.... NOT given out to a player who happens to be a friend or a person playing in the same faction etc... The admin tried a great deal of variations with the title system and many of these rules made was superior to the STF and very detailed. However, because the E-Fed did not have a large enough roster to implement the new rule, the rule had to be simplified back to the original concept. However, instead of just going back to STF, the rule was adjusted so that guaranteed title drops can still be given out and also, some titles where exempted from the STF rule such as the CW Dual Core Championships.
Overall, the STF is a great title rotation system because it helps timestamp when a champion is expected to drop their title. Many champions using the STF system produced memorable and legendary reigns that paved the way towards a fun system to play. But with all systems, you will not be able to satisfy everybody- however, the system should be fair for everybody and have equal opportunities.
