AWL 98: Yarina vs. The World

AWL 98: Yarina vs. The World! 投稿者 AWLBoss

OK folks, a little out of continuity news for you.  As I mention in this video (and as you can probably hear in my voice) I have a chipped tooth that is cutting my tongue and making it difficult to talk for long periods of time.  I have to go in for some rather serious dental work this week.  That means there's a good chance AWL 99 will be delayed, but it's not certain.  I ask for your patience and understanding.  Thank you.

Not just one fight card, but two!

Well, I think we can officially call this a slow news week. Barring any breaking news, this will be the final news post this week. Here is the full card for AWL 98:

MAIN EVENT

NON-TITLE MATCH

HANDICAP MATCH

“Lightning" Mike Quackenbush vs. The Technicos

YARINA vs. THE WORLD

4 SINGLES MATCHES TBA

Wonder Kid, 黒山, Jack Butcher, Super Giant vs. Matt Classic, Ganba, HAKAISHA!, A.J. Styles

BATSUMANIA PREVIEW

Tiger Mask & El Santo Azul vs. Danger Riders

And now, the matches we know about so far for AWL 100:

MAIN EVENT

AWL WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

“Lightning" Mike Quackenbush (C) vs. Matt Classic (Retirement Match)

AWL WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

Crisis Gundan (C) vs. The Technicos

AWL WORLD LIGHT HVWT. CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

Ma-Ji-Ku (C) vs. A.J. Styles

STEEL CAGE MATCH—NO ESCAPE

黒山 vs. "Big" Ben Nelson

SPECIAL TAG TEAM MATCH

Dragon & Ganba vs. The All Americans

BATSUMANIA!

El Santo Azul vs. El Rudo Rojo vs. Tiger Mask vs. THUGLIFE 田中健一

AWL 100 will be a multi-video super card so there's still plenty of room for more matches to be added. In fact, my sources in the AWL Commissioner's office are telling me that more matches will be announced either at or soon after AWL 98.

Yarina may have finally gone too far.

With all the understandable excitement for AWL 100, it's important that we not overlook the next two weeks of the AWL. And we have a doozy planned for AWL 98 (People do still say "doozy" don't they?).

It looks like the AWL Commissioner has finally had enough of Yarina and her brigade of monsters. At AWL 98, there will be a series of 4 singles matches. By order of the AWL Commissioner, every single member of Yarina Talent Management Inc will participate. Any of Yarina's wrestlers who refuse to participate will be suspended for the remainder of the season and will forfeit any titles they hold.

Furthermore, the AWL Commissioner has hand picked an all-star selection of opponents for Yarina's team of giants:

1. Matt Classic

2. Ganba

3. HAKAISHA!

4. A.J. Styles

The catch is, the actual match ups will not be announced until the matches begin. So both sides will be at a disadvantage, not knowing who their opponents will be. Find out along with the wrestlers at AWL 98: Yarina vs. The World!

All the news that's fit to post.

I love when I get to start these posts with good news. In this case I have a medical update on AWL Wrestler "Big" Ben Nelson. After the 3 on 1 attack by Yarina Talent Management Inc. it was feared that Mr. Nelson had re-injured his shoulder. But we just got a report in from his doctor this morning. It looks like, while Ben's recovery WAS set back, he should still be cleared to compete at AWL 100. With this news, the AWL Commissioner's office has made the following match official for AWL 100:

STEEL CAGE MATCH—NO ESCAPE

“Big" Ben Nelson vs. 黒山

Both men will be locked inside a 16 foot high steel cage. The only way to win is by pinfall or submission. Two men will walk in to the Tokyo Dome, but only one will walk out.

AWL 97: Champion's Showcase!

AWL 97: Champion's Showcase! 投稿者 AWLBoss

Full card for AWL 97!

You know what time it is! Last post of the week, that means it's time to run down the full card for AWL 97:

MAIN EVENT:

CHAMPION'S SHOWCASE!

A.J. Styles & Ma-Ji-Ku vs. Crisis Gundan

The AWL World Light Heavyweight Champion teams up with his next challenger and IWGP Heavyweight Champion A.J. Styles against the AWL World Tag Team Champions Crisis Gundan in this long held AWL tradition.

LAST CHANCE MATCH

“Peacemaker" Luke James vs. TBD (Loser of Canada vs. Tiger)

Whoever winds up in this match, they will be tied for the last slot in Batsumania. It's the last chance to guarantee survival for both the AWL's resident cowboy and whomever loses the evening's first match.

Tiny vs. ???? (The Man in the Black Mask)

The mysterious enforcer of Yarina Talent Management Inc has been revealed. This man injured both Ben Nelson and Hassan. Now that both his allegiances and his contract status are known, the AWL Commissioner has decided to test the newest X factor in the long running rivalry between Yarina and the AWL Commissioner. The test? The Largest Athlete on the Roster, Tiny!

Kid Canada vs. Tiger Mask

The first of the two matches to determine the last man to wrestle in Batsumania this season. The winner is safe, the loser will face Luke James later in the evening in a last chance match.

Join us tomorrow for all this action and a whole lot more at AWL 97: Champion's Showcase!

Last Danger Zone update, I promise!

 I swear, this is the last time we're doing this! OK, last week we had a 3-way match that was supposed to be the final match between those still eligible for the last spot in the Batsumania Danger Zone. Well, that didn't work so well. The match ended up in a time limit draw. So the AWL Commissioner has come up with something rather diabolical. This weekend at AWL 97 there will be TWO matches that will settle this season's Batsumania once and for all!

Kid Canada vs. Tiger Mask

“Peacemaker" Luke James vs. TBD (Loser of the above match)

This is actually quite ingenious. Both Kid Canada and Tiger Mask are one loss away from falling into the Danger Zone. So the loser of match one will go into match two tied with Luke James for the last slot in the dreaded Batsumania. So the winner of match two will be safe and the loser of match two will be competing at AWL 100 with their job on the line!

Another day, another news post!

 As much as I hate the term, I have no choice here. A HUGE double main event has been booked for this weekend's AWL 97. The AWL Commissioner has dug out an old favorite:

CHAMPION'S SHOWCASE!

A.J. Styles & Ma-Ji-Ku vs. Crisis Gundan

As you hopefully know, a Champion's Showcase Match is a tag team match where the AWL World Heavyweight and World Light Heavyweight Champions team up to take on the AWL World Tag Team Champions. However, AWL World Heavyweight Champion "Lightning" Mike Quackenbush will not be in Japan this weekend, he will be in Chicago for the next set of Chikara events. So the AWL Commissioner has tapped IWGP Heavyweight Champion A.J. Styles to take his place.

I'm sure the fact that A.J.'s tag team partner is the same man he will wrestle at AWL 100 never crossed the commissioner's mind.

Heh heh heh.

Message from the boss!

The following is a message from the AWL Commissioner.

Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I am the AWL Commissioner. Last week at AWL 96, we learned that the man in the back mask, who has been assaulting my employees, is under contract to that nasty wench Yarina. THIS SHALL NOT STAND!!! I shall not have my AWL Wrestlers attacked in such a cowardly and unsportsmanlike manor! It is my wish to immediately fire this man and ban him from all AWL events for LIFE!

However, I shant do so . . . yet. Yesterday evening I received a request from AWL Wrestler "Big" Ben Nelson. He wishes to engage with his attacker inside the AWL ring. Coming to the realization that I can always fire him later, I agreed on the condition that Mr. Nelson be medically cleared to wrestle before the event takes place. But I hope for the best as I formally announce the following match for AWL 100:

STEEL CAGE MATCH—NO ESCAPE

“Big" Ben Nelson vs. ???? (Name Currently Unknown)

But I'm not done dealing with our not so little mystery man. No indeed. In fact, he shall compete in his first official AWL match this week as he faces . . . . . TINY!!

THIS! I HAVE COMMISSIONED!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

AWL 100 card so far

Well ladies and gentlemen, after the events of AWL 96, we now know four matches that will happen at 100 at the Tokyo Dome. Plus, 75% of Batsumania is now confirmed.

AWL 100:

MAIN EVENT:

AWL WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

“Lightning" Mike Quackenbush (C) vs. Matt Classic (Final Match)

AWL WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

Crisis Gundan (C) vs. The Technicos

AWL WORLD LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Ma-Ji-Ku (C) vs. A.J. Styles (IWGP Hvwt. Champion)

BATSUMANIA

THUGLIFE 田中健一 vs. El Santo Azul vs. El Rudo Rojo vs. ????

And this match just added today to celebrate the historical significance of this show, a match where all the wrestlers involved have been with the AWL since Season 0:

SPECIAL TAG TEAM MATCH

Dragon & Ganba vs. The All Americans

There will be more matches announced in the coming weeks. So stay tuned to both the Animated Wrestling League and AWLwrestling.blogspot.com for all the news and action of the AWL!

AWL 96: Video Cybernetico III

AWL 96: Video Cybernetico III 投稿者 AWLBoss

Full card for AWL 96

All right folks, the full card for tomorrow's show is in. Not a lot of matches this week. We only have a 1 hour broadcast window and the main event could take some time.

Main Event:

VIDEO CYBERNETICO III!!

Curry Man vs. El Santo Azul vs. El Rudo Rojo vs.

Super Giant vs. 新虎 vs. A.J.Styles

You all know the rules and you all know the stakes. But for each of these men, there's more than just a title shot on the line. El Santo Azul and El Rudo Rojo are hoping to escape the Danger Zone. Super Giant seeks to become only the second double champion in AWL history. Shin Tora wants to regain the AWL World Light Heavyweight Title and prove his first reign was no fluke. A.J. Styles wants to make his mark in the AWL (and further rid himself of the stench of TNA), and Curry Man . . . . . Well Curry Man is just crazy.

Non-Title Match

“Lightning" Mike Quackenbush

vs.

Jack "Breakdown" Butcher

Once again, the AWL World Heavyweight Champion has accepted a challenge to a non-title match. But unlike last week, where Luke James had nothing but the best of intentions, this week it's Jack Butcher and you know that wherever he is, Yarina will be in tow. Many phrases have been used to describe the CEO of Yarina Talent Management Inc, "having the best of intentions" has never been one of them. Quackenbush should probably watch his back.

“Peacemaker" Luke James vs. Kid Canada vs. Tiger Mask

A simple match. Luke James is one win away from escaping the Danger Zone and both Kid Canada and Tiger Mask are one loss away from falling into it. So the AWL Commissioner, on a whim, came up with this match. One fall to a finish. One man will rise, one will fall, and one will go home neither richer nor poorer. It's the cowboy vs. The Japanese Legend vs. The Most Canadian Man in the World at AWL 96!

HAKAISHA! vs. Jon Shina

Yeah. Don't expect this one to last long folks. One of the top athletes in the AWL today vs the cheapest ripoff in wrestling since Gillberg. Don't go to the concession stand, you'll probably miss the match.

It all happens at AWL 96. The final title match for AWL 100 will be set. The make up of Batsumania may be turned inside out. And Jon Shina may be severely injured. Bring the kids! It's AWL 96 this Sunday morning Japan Standard Time on awlwrestling.blogspot.com.jp.

The stage is finally set!

I have just received news from the AWL Commissioner's office regarding Video Cybernetico III!!

Here are the trios for the opening round:

Curry Man, El Santo Azul, & 新虎

vs.

El Rudo Rojo, Super Giant, & A.J. Styles.

For those of you who don't know, the rules of an AWL Video Cybernetico Match are as follows.

1. 6 men compete in two randomly chosen teams in an elimination trios match.

2. Unlike a Cibernetico Match, there is no batting order.

3. At the end of the trios portion of the match, if more than one wrestler remains on the winning team, the compete in a 3-way or one on one match as needed.

4. There is no time limit in a Video Cybernetico Match.

5. The last man standing is the winner and will face Ma-Ji-Ku for the AWL World Light Heavyweight Championship at AWL 100!

It all happens this weekend at AWL 96, so be there!

She's at it again

From the offices of Yarina Talent Management Inc.

I am proud to report that our revitalized business model has already resulted in significant gains and projections look excellent in both the short and long term. All ready the new and improved Crisis Gundan has regained the AWL World Tag Team Championships. Plus, our own Super Giant has earned a slot in Video Cybernetico III, we expect to maximize this opportunity and to acquire the AWL World Light Heavyweight Championship very soon.

Incidentally, any allegations that I or anyone in my employ has ever disparaged the AWL Light Heavyweight Division are completely fabricated and thoroughly without merit.

But none of that is why I am sending all of you this message. We all learned last week that the new AWL World Heavyweight Champion is willing to take on challengers in non-title matches. While this is obviously a stupid business decision on his part, we here at YTM Inc are not known for letting an opportunity go to waste.  So champ, if your up for a challenge, how about a real man. How about . . . . . Jack "Breakdown" Butcher?

--YTM Inc. CEO ヤリナ

Some very much needed good news

The world of animated wrestling is still in shock over what happened last weekend at AWL 95. The mysterious Man in the Black Mask resurfaced and brutally attacked Hassan. Also "Peacemaker" Luke James defeated "Lightning" Mike Quackenbush in a non-title match. Why do i bring up these seemingly unrelated things? Because I have good news regarding both of these stories.

First, Hassan. Doctors say he was knocked out during the attack but miraculously did not suffer a concussion and there doesn't appear to be any spinal damage. He will make a full recovery and should be cleared for action in a few weeks. Probably in time for AWL 100.

As for Luke James, the AWL Commissioner was very impressed with The Peacemaker's performance and has ruled that Luke James be added to the AWL Best 4! Therefore the Best 4 currently looks like this:

1. HAKAISHA!

2. "Big" Ben Nelson

3. Hassan

4. "Peacemaker" Luke James

However, that doesn't change the fact that, even with last weekend's win, Luke James is also in the Batsumania Danger Zone:

Wrestler	Win	Loss	Total	as of AWL 95
田中健一	5	-17	-12
El Santo Azul	17	-27	-10
El Rudo Rojo	16	-25	-9
Luke James	10	-18	-8

I believe this is the first time a wrestler has been at both the top and the bottom of the AWL at the same time. Congratulations to The Peacemaker for making it into the record books.

Also in the news today, we finally know the full lineup for Video Cybernetico III:

1. Curry Man

2. El Santo Azul

3. El Rudo Rojo

4. Super Giant

5. 新虎

6. A.J. Styles

We expect an announcement regarding the trios for the first round of the Cybernetico sometime in the next couple of days. That news will be reported right here as soon as we have it.

AWL 95: Scores to Settle

AWL 95: Scores to Settle. 投稿者 AWLBoss

Full Card for AWL 95!

OK, I'm a day or so late on this, I admit it. I had that pesky "full time job" thingy get in the way of my wrestling habit. I MAKE NO APOLOGIES!! Anyway, here now is the full card for AWL 95.

Main Event:

Trios Match

The All Americans & HAKAISHA! vs. Yarina Talent Management Inc.

After the unprovoked attack on the All Americans by YTM Inc. last week, the AWL Commissioner has set up this trios encounter and given the All Americans a huge boost by assigning his personal enforcer HAKAISHA! to the team. But even then the raw muscle of Wonder Kid, Jack "Breakdown" Butcher, and Super Giant will be difficult to overcome. However, the Commissioner has another trick up his sleeve . . . . . which I'll explain later.

Non-Title Match

AWL World Hvwt Champion “Lightning" Mike Quackenbush vs. "Peacemaker" Luke James

Well, you have to admire "Peacemaker" Luke James. Challenging the new AWL World Heavyweight Champion Mike Quackenbush for no other reason then you want the challenge is certainly gutsy. But it may not be that smart. Including the AWL World Heavyweight Championship, Quackenbush has held no less than 29 championships in his career and that's not counting multiple reigns with the same title. Frankly, Luke James has no chance here whatsoever. But it should be a good match regardless and a great way for the champion to remain in ring shape while awaiting his next challenger.

Cybernetico Qualifier

AJ Styles vs. X

The leader of Bullet Club and current king of independent wrestling AJ Styles is finally coming to the AWL! And he faces the first of TWO mystery debuting wrestlers. Over the last year, since leaving TNA, Styles has faced the best independent wrestlers in the world including defeating "Rain Maker"Okada Kazuchika to become the 60th IWGP Heavyweight Champion. The AWL Commissioner is going to have to pull a BIG name out of his hat to give AJ Styles a challenge. Either way, the winner of this match goes on to next week's Video Cybernetico III for a shot at the AWL World Light Heavyweight Championship.

4-Way Match

Curry Man vs. El Santo Azul vs. El Rudo Rojo vs. Super Giant

Remember when I said the AWL Commissioner had an ace up his sleave, this is what I was talking about. A four man one fall match between the four men who qualified for Video Cybernetico III. Included in that list is none other than Super Giant of YTM Inc. Since the policy of the AWL is to avoid having wrestlers compete in more than one match per night, we can only assume that it the AWL Commissioner has planned this to reduce the effectiveness of the largest member of YTM Inc in the main event.

Cybernetico Qualifier

新虎 vs. X

The last of the originally announced wrestlers faces the last of the unknowns. Shin Tora is one of only 4 men currently on the roster who has held the AWL World Light Heavyweight Championship. In fact, it was the new tiger who defended the title at National Pro Wrestling Day 2014 in the United States to MAKE it a world title in the first place. All that stands in his way toward Video Cybernetico III is one match with one mystery opponent. The AWL Commissioner is known to be unpredictable in these situations, so there's no way to predict who or what will walk down that isle at AWL 95. You're just going to have to watch and find out!

Well, he's been everywhere else.

HUGE NEWS PEOPLE! I have it confirmed from the AWL Commissioner's office. The reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion, the leader of the Bullet Club, and a former TNA Grand Slam Champion . . . AJ Styles is coming to the AWL!!!

I can confirm that The Phenomenal One has been signed to a short term deal with the AWL and WILL appear at AWL 95 in one of the two remaining qualifying matches for Video Cybernetico III! But will he be alone, or will the rest of the Bullet Club be in tow?

In other news, AWL World Heavyweight Champion "Lightning" Mike Quackenbush has accepted the challenge of "Peacemaker" Luke James for a non-title match for AWL 95.

Lastly, and possibly most importantly, I have landed an interview with the one and only Matt Classic in the middle of the ring at AWL 95. And you'd better believe that I'm going to ask him the hard questions and we are going to find out the story of why Matt Classic is planning to retire at AWL 100.

Stay tuned tomorrow for the full card for AWL 100!

A challenge:

The following message was delivered to AWL HQ this morning. It comes from "Peacemaker" Luke James.

Yeah. I know things aren't good for me right now. I'm in the Danger Zone and it looks like I'm not going to be able to fight my way out of it. So there's a decent chance that I'm going to be out of a job in a month and a half. But ya know what? If I'm going down, I'm going to have the time of my life doing it! I want one last big memory. I want to tell my kids and grandkids that I was in the ring with the very best in the world.

So I'm issuing a challenge right here right now:

“Lightning" Mike Quackenbush. You. Me. AWL 95. Non-title. Whatdaya say?

Interview with AWL World Heavyweight Champion Mike Quackenbush

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a NEW AWL World Heavyweight Champion!! As those of you who watched last Sunday's AWL 94 already know (and those of you who didn't, SHOULD!) the new Chikara Director of Fun, Mike Quackenbush defeated Wolf with Wolf's own Lycanthro-bomb to take home the gold. I caught up with Quack mere minutes after the match.

Ryusensei: Mr. Quackenbush, you just became the AWL World Heavyweight Champion. What's going through your head right now?

Quackenbush: A whole lot of adrenaline, that's what. This (he points to the title belt) is a validation. This is proof that after everything I've gone through in the past year, everything Chikara has gone through, everything my family has gone through. After all of that I now know that I haven't completely "gone corproate." I know that I can still wrestle and I can still hold my own with the best in the sport today. It's an amazing feeling Ryu, it really is.

Ryusensei: After your match, Matt Classic came into the ring and handed you the AWL World Heavyweight Championship. Did you know he was going to do that?

Quackenbush: I honestly had no idea. But I hope he meant it as a sign of respect because that's how I took it. I know I'm an outsider here in the AWL, but hopefully handing me this title means that Matt Classic accepts me as an AWL Wrestler.

Ryusensei: Speaking of Matt Classic, thanks to the Golden Watch Opportunity, Matt will be your opponent at AWL 100. What are your thoughts on facing him in the main event of the season finale?

Quackenbush: If I'm lucky enough to still hold this title by then. There's a lot of high level competition in this company and my still being champion in 5 weeks is in no way guaranteed. But if that match happens, I look forward to it. I've known Matt Classic for many years. He's always been an idol of mine and I was overjoyed when he joined us for a few Chikara shows over the years. If he and I stand across the ring from each other at AWL 100, I would be honored to fight him in his final match.

Ryusensei: It's interesting that you bring up Chikara. Do you foresee and difficulties in balancing your new duties as AWL Champion and as Chikara's Director of Fun?

Quackenbush: Not at all. While I will have to be in Chicago on June 21st for the next two Chikara shows and won't make it for AWL 97, I see no problem making any other dates for the AWL. And you used the correct word: Duty. As AWL World Heavyweight Champion, it is my duty to represent both myself and this company to the best of my ability as champion and that's exactly what I intend to do.

Ryusensei: Thank you champ and congratulations again on your title win.

AWL 94: Wolf vs. Quackenbush

AWL 94: Wolf vs. Quackenbush 投稿者 AWLBoss

Greetings AWL fans and wrestling fans the world over.  If you are reading these words because of my post on chikara101.proboards.com then welcome to the Animated Wrestling League.  For your benefit, here is a brief primer on this silly little wrestling company.

The AWL is a Japan-based independent wrestling promotion with an international flare.  All styles of professional wrestling are proudly represented here.  The AWL consists of 20 episode seasons.  We are currently in the later days of Season 5.  We broadcast every Sunday morning Japan Standard Time.  Please adjust for your own time zone.  The vast majority of our shows emanate from the world famous AWL Arena in Tokyo.  A typical episode consists of 5 matches.  We are admittedly more focused on in-ring wrestling than interviews or silly skits.  We hope you don't mind this.

There are 3 AWL Championships:

AWL World Heavyweight Championship:
Current Champion: Wolf.
Method of Challenging: AWL Best 4.
Rules of Title Matches: One fall match with a 30 minute time limit.
The top title in the AWL, while it's called a heavyweight championship, the AWL allows wrestlers to fight up a weight class if they choose making this a de facto open weight title.  If one wishes to challenge for the AWL World Heavyweight Title, they must become the #1 ranked wrestler in the AWL Best 4.  Wrestlers typically enter the #4 slot in the rankings by winning a "Fight for 4" match, traditionally contested between the two wrestlers with the best win-loss records who are not already champions or in the Best 4.

Current AWL Best 4:
1. "Lightning" Mike Quackenbush
2. HAKAISHA!
3. "Big" Ben Nelson
4. TBD

AWL World Tag Team Championship:
Current Champions: Crisis Gundan (Jack "Breakdown" Butcher & Super Giant)
Method of Challenging: 3-Point System.
Rules of Title Matches: One fall match, 20 minute time limit, no countouts.
The AWL is extremely proud of our tag team division.  After the apocalypse of Anniversario: Never Compromise, the AWL opened it's doors to any Chikara Refugees to come here and ply their craft.  One of the things they brought with them (in addition to extremely good casserole recipes) was the 3-Point system.  While the AWL has made a few tweaks to the system (scroll down a post for more on that), it's still the 3-Point System you know and love.

AWL World Light Heavyweight Championship:
Current Champion: Ma-Ji-Ku.
Method of Challenging: Whatever the AWL Commissioner comes up with at the time.
Rules of Title Matches: One fall match with a 20 minute time limit.
The highflyers division and we are proud of it.  The AWL World Light Heavyweight Championship may as well be known as the Ma-Ji-Ku championship.  For the last 5 seasons, the Warrior of Light has held it for more than 4 and a half of them.  At the moment, we are in the process of determining the participants for what we call a "Video Cybernetico" Match.  The winner of Video Cybernetico will challenge Ma-Ji-Ku for the gold at AWL 100, the Season 5 Finale.

Speaking of AWL 100.  A tradition at all season finales is Batsumania.  Batsumania is an elimination 4-way match where the winner of each fall leaves the ring and the loser of the final fall is immediately fired.  The participants in Batsumania are the 4 wrestlers with the worst win-loss records in the company.

In the AWL, wins and losses matter.

If I haven't scared you away with this information dump, please enjoy the show.