Note on WWE 2k15

Shoot time folks!

Now that the PS3 version of WWE 2k15 has been released it's time to reveal the future of the Animated Wrestling League.  And that future is.....

.....I'm not getting the new game.

From all reports and videos that I've seen in the last couple of days, not only is 2k15 not much of an improvement in the graphics department, the lack of both Story Editor and Create-a-Finisher features means that 2k15 actually has FEWER storytelling tools than 2k14!  So for the time being, the AWL with continue to be produced on the 2k14 platform.

"But what about the PS4?" I can hear you say.  Well, the simple truth is that I don't have a PS4 and at the moment I don't intend to get one.

I am keeping an open mind and will do my due diligence in researching the next gen version of the game.  But it's going to take a BIG improvement over the last gen version to convince me to not only get the game, but the system for it as well.

AWL Mid-Week Wrestling 111.5

AWL Mid-Week Wrestling 111.5 by AWLBoss

Darkness Ryu in action tomorrow!!

This just in ladies and gentlemen:

Tomorrow on AWL Mid-Week Wrestling, the bizarre creature known as Darkness Ryu will have his first official match in the Animated Wrestling League!  The mysterious Dr. Jigoku is certain to be close by so expect the unexpected!

Also, in Tag Team Action, The Bullet Club will face Big & Spicy.  We all saw Tiny defeat Bad Luck Fale at AWL 110 and we all saw the Tongan Titan beat Curry Man at AWL 111.  But how will they all fair in a traditional tag team match where points are on the line?

Check this very blog in less than 24 hours and find out!

AWL 111 fallout.

Many things of great significance have happened in the last 24 hours.  First and foremost, we have an injury update on Dragon.  According to my sources in the AWL medical staff, Dragon suffered a stinger and a possible concussion when the creature we now know to be called "Darkness Ryu" threw Dragon from the ring into and through the commentation station.  Dragon is now officially on the injured list and is expected to be out of action for several months.

Additionally, we can finally report on the condition of Ganba (who was choke slammed through the ring at AWL 110).  The Japanese Megastar suffered severe lacerations when he hit the various weapons and equipment under the ring. 

Apparently, the AWL Commissioner handed down a hush order on the whole thing until Ganba could undergo a full battery of medical tests.  There was concern that some meta natural forces were at work here.  Thankfully, that appears to not be the case. 

Ganba is also on the injured list and no timetable for his return has been announced. 

In other news, both the teams of Dragon and James as well as The New Classics gained a point towards tag team title contention.  They now have 2 pts and 1pt respectively. 

Lastly, the results of yesterday's matches have altered the make up of the Danger Zone.  Thanks to a tie for the fourth slot, there are now 5 men in the Zone:

El Rudo Rojo: -14

THUGLIFE 田中健一: -12

"Peacemaker" Luke James: -8

Tiger Mask II: -7

American Beetle: -7

Remember, if 田中健一 makes it to the final round of the tournament he will be immune from Batsumania.  His Quarterfinal match against Kid Canada will be next weekend at AWL 112.

AWL 111: The Quarter Finals Begin!

AWL 111: The Quarter Finals Begin by AWLBoss

AWL 111 Preview

The next episode of the Animated Wrestling League will be posted tomorrow morning Japan time, please adjust for your time zone.  We got a loaded card for you this week so lets break it down:

MAIN EVENT:

AWL Championship Tournament Quarter Final Match #1

El Santo Azul vs. HAKAISHA!

The next round of the tournament begins with David vs. Goliath.  El Santo Azul may have defeated Ganba to make it this far, but HAKAISHA! is a whole different animal.  In his entire AWL career, HAKAISHA! has only lost THREE matches!!  But upsets have been the name of the game in this tournament so it's really all to play for tomorrow.

TAG TEAM ACTION:

Dragon & James (1), The New Classics (0), The All Americans (0), The Real Jobbers (0)

There will be TWO tag team matches tomorrow featuring these four teams.  The exact match ups have not been announced yet, but looking at the teams involved there is certainly going to be such a thing as a "Good Draw" at AWL 111.  Of course, points will be up for grabs.

Bad Luck Fale vs. Curry Man

This is a grudge match from AWL 110.  After Tiny defeated Bad Luck Fale, The Bullet Club made the challenge and Curry Man has accepted.....A move henceforth known as Mistake #1.

Wonder Kid vs. El Rudo Rojo

Wonder Kid has been on a tear through the AWL in the past several weeks.  Next on his hit list is El Rudo Rojo and it couldn't happen to a nicer jerk.

All that and more tomorrow at AWL 111!

AWL By the Numbers: 10/25/2014 Edition

It's been a while since we've done one of these, so let's take a look at the state of the AWL...by the numbers:

Heavyweight Division:

Current Champion: None. TBD

#1 Contender: N/A in Season 6.

Season 6 is all about the AWL Championship Tournament! We have just finished the Round of 16 and the Quarter Finals will begin this weekend at AWL 111. The remaining competitors are:

1. El Santo Azul

2. HAKAISHA!

3. Kid Canada

4. THUGLIFE 田中健一

5. Wolf

6. "Big" Ben Nelson

7. Hassan

8. A.J. Styles

Tag Team Division:

Current Champions: The Masters of the Mask (Ma-Ji-Ku & El Santo Azul) 7 days/0 defenses.

#1 Contenders: HAKAISHA! & DOOMBUNNY

The AWL Tag Team Division operates under a variant of Chikara's 3-Point System. At present, only HAKAISHA! & DOOMBUNNY have 3 points. The rest of the rankings are:

HAKAISHA! & DOOMBUNNY: 3 Points.

The Bullet Club: 1 Point.

Dragon & James: 1 Point.

All Other Teams: 0 Points.

Light Heavweight Division:

Current Champion: DOOMBUNNY 7 days/0 defenses.

#1 Contender: TBD.

Since the DOOMBUNNY only defeated A.J. Styles for the title last week in the steel cage match, there has been no time to determine a new #1 Contender. We await an announcement from the AWL Commissioner's Office on this matter.

Batsumania:

It's the half way point of the season so it's time once again to consider Batsumania and the DANGER ZONE. As always, the four wrestlers with the worst win-loss records (defined as wins minus losses with champions having immunity) will compete in a 4-Way match at the season finale and the loser of the final fall is fired from the AWL effective immediately. In the past, both rookies and veterans have fallen to this match so noone can consider themselves to be safe. As for AWL 110.5, the following wrestlers are in the Danger Zone:

Wrestler	Win	Loss	Total
El Rudo Rojo	18	-31	-13
田中健一	12	-24	-12
Luke James	11	-20	-9
Tiger Mask II	21	-28	-7

NOTE: If THUGLIFE田中健一 makes it to the Finals of the AWL Championship Tournament, he will be considered a participant in a title match and would therefore have immunity from Batsumania.

Some Good News:

To end this post on a positive note, the following 4 wrestlers have the BEST win-loss records in the AWL today:

Wrestler	Win	Loss	Total
Ganba	40	-13	27
HAKAISHA!	25	-3	22
Wonder Kid	40	-20	20
Majiku	38	-23	15

It's interesting to note that long time rivals Ganba and Wonder Kid have won the exact same number of matches and that relative rookie HAKAISHA is the only one of these men currently in the running to become the next AWL World's Heavyweight Champion.

AWL Mid-Week Wrestling 110.5: Styles vs. Masters

AWL Mid-Week Wrestling 110.5: Styles vs. Masters by AWLBoss

Final Round of 16 Match

Still no news on the matter discussed yesterday.  Frankly, I'm getting worried.  I've been getting the impression that I shouldn't be asking questions, that I should just sell the wrestling shows.  So, for the moment, that's what I'm going to do.

THIS WEEK ON AWL MID-WEEK WRESTLING....

For the first time, an AWL Championship Tournament Match will take place on Mid-Week Wrestling!

"Phenomenal" A.J. Styles vs. "Penultimate Fighter" Lee Masters

Round of 16 Match

Since he was busy LOSING the AWL World Light Heavyweight Championship at AWL 110, A.J. Styles will have his Round of 16 Match against Less Master's this week on MWW!  The leader of the Bullet Club verses on half of the most decorated tag team in the AWL today.  A relative AWL newcomer verses a Season 0 Veteran.  A pure professional wrestler verses a unique hybrid of pro wrestling and MMA.

While Styles may be the odds on favorite, this tournament has been FULL of surprises and an upset win by Lee Masters would not be the biggest shock of the Round of 16.

Tune in tomorrow and find out who will be the last man to advance to the Quarter Finals.

What the hell was that?

This is new.

This is very new and I don't like it.

AWL Headquarters is normally bustling with activity, action, rumors, communication, and announcements.  The best of which I digest and put into blog post form for you fine people.

But not today.

You all saw what happened at AWL 110.  But nobody here is talking about it.  Not a peep out of the Commissioner's office.  Nothing from the office staff.  Nothing from the wrestlers themselves even!

I'm not sure how much I can say.  We don't know who, we don't know how, we don't know why.  If I get any answers I'll pass them on to you but for now, just stay tuned.  As far as I know, we are still on schedule for the rest of the week.  That mean's Mid-Week Wrestling in a couple of days and AWL 111 next weekend.

This is new.

This is not good.

AWL 110: Styles vs. DOOMBUNNY/All Stars vs. MotM

AWL 110: Styles vs. DOOMBUNNY/All Stars vs. MotM by AWLBoss

AWL 110 Preview!

We are officially at the halfway point of the season.  So it's time for one of our signature round number supercards and this time we have not one, but TWO title matches for you.  And what's more, we have a rarity in the AWL, a classic stipulation match!

Main Event:

AWL World Tag Team Championship Match:

AWL All Stars (C) vs. The Masters of the Mask (3)

After losing a non-title match against the champions about a month ago, the Masters of the Mask have earned 3 points and this title match.  This will be only the 2nd title defense for Dragon & Ganba, so the experience advantage goes to the challengers.  But with 4 World Championships between them underestimating the champs would be a serious mistake.

AWL World Light Heavyweight Championship Match:

STEEL CAGE MATCH!

A.J. Styles (C) vs. DOOMBUNNY!

A grudge match that has been building since last season.  DOOMBUNNY won the #1 Contender's Battle Royal at AWL 100.  Then the 104 Screwjob happened (Look it up in the archives for more details).  Now, finally, DOOMBUNNY gets his rematch against the former IWGP Champion, the Phenomenal A.J. Styles!

And this just in!  By order of the AWL Commissioner, extraordinary measures will be taken to ensure that what happened at AWL 104 will NOT be happening again.  First and most importantly, this title match will be contested in a solid STEEL CAGE!  Second,.....

Bad Luck Fale vs. Tiny

.....A.J.'s buddy will be occupied.  The Commissioner has given him the largest athlete on the roster to keep him busy and make sure he won't be getting involved in the cage match.  That and it should be a good match between two of the biggest powerhouses in the AWL today.

Wonder Kid vs. Tiger Mask II

Wonder Kid is still trying to find his feet after being fired by Yarina.  So this likely mismatch will be an interesting chance to see where Wonder Kid's head is at this new stage of his career.

Elite 8 Battle Royal:

El Santo Azul vs. HAKAISHA! vs. Kid Canada vs. THUGLIFE田中健一 vs. Wolf vs. "Big" Ben Nelson

An exhibition match featuring those who have already qualified for the quarter finals of the AWL Championship tournament.  Sadly, due to travel issues, quarter finalist Hassan can not join us this weekend, but the other 6 will compete in this over the top rope battle royal!

It's going to be an action packed weekend with the Animated Wrestling League!!

AWL Mid-Week Wrestling 109.5

AWL Mid-Week Wrestling 109.5 by AWLBoss

THIS JUST ADDED!!

News flash from the Commissioner's office!  The Initiation Gauntlet Match for THUGLIFE田中健一 is now No DQ and No Countout at the request of the Bullet Club.

Also, as you can see from the still image above, HAKAISHA and DOOMBUNNY will have a rematch against Crisis Gundan.  2 points will be on the line and there will be a 15 minute time limit!

Tanaka Kenichi is an idiot!

Granted, that should go without saying, but now he's done something REALLY stupid.  Earlier today, AWL HQ received an email from Tanaka saying (once we'd deciphered his near illegible Japanese and his completely illegible English) that he wanted to join the Bullet Club.

We contacted AJ Styles and after Squire of Trios, he agreed to give the kid a chance.  So at AWL Mid-Week Wrestling, THUGLIFE 田中健一 will face both Bad Luck Fale AND AJ Styles in an initiation   gauntlet match!!

News from Japan

OK people, time for some real world stuff.

On October 13th, 2014 A.J. Styles lost the IWGP Heavyweight Championship to Tanahashi Hiroshi.

Normally this wouldn't be that big of a deal.  However, AWL Episodes are pre recorded.  At the moment, everything up to AWL 110.5 is in the can and everything up to AWL 112 is filmed.  A.J. is referred to as the IWGP Champion in these episodes.  I honestly do not have time to go back and re-film and re-edit everything to update this (I thought A.J. would keep the belt until Wrestle Kingdom in January).  I must keep a buffer of at least 2 episodes to finish this season on time.  However, I will no longer refer to A.J. as IWGP champion in new material including this blog.  I ask your patience and forgiveness while this plays out.

Tomorrow: Back to in character news.

AWL 109: Squire of Trios!

AWL 109: Squire of Trios! by AWLBoss

The first and probably last Squires of Trios.  Also, the tournament that matters, the AWL World Championship Tournament Round of 16 continues tonight as Hassan faces one half of the AWL World Tag Team Champions.....DRAGON!

It's official, we're rip off artists now!

I think the AWL Commissioner is having an off week.  At least I hope that's what's going on here.  If not, we're in big trouble.  This weekend the AWL will perform it's most blatant rip off ever.  Because this weekend the Animated Wrestling League will present the first ever.....Squire of Trios Tournament!!

I can't believe I just wrote that.

Yes, a shameless rip off of the King of Trios Tournament.  Yes, we feel terrible.

But it should be an interesting evening none the less.  4 trios will compete, each will be made p of an established Tag Team plus one singles wrestler.  The teams are:

1. The Canadian Classics (Kid Canada, Sammy Nix, Lee Masters)

2. Bullet Club and 田中健一 (A.J. Styles, Bad Luck Fale, THUGLIFE 田中健一)

3. Team USA (American Beetle, Hassan, "Peacemaker" Luke James)

4. Los Voladores (Ma-Ji-Ku, El Santo Azul, DOOMBUNNY!)

Some interesting teams that are sure to provide us with some fantastic matches.  Plus, in the main event, we will have the 7th match in the Round of 16 of the AWL Championship Tournament:

MAIN EVENT

Dragon vs. Hassan

One half of the reigning AWL World Tag Team Champions vs. a man who will also compete in the Squire of Trios Tournament.  It could be a VERY long night for Hassan, but "Upset" has been the name of the game all season long in this tournament so it's all to play for at AWL 109!

AWL Mid-Week Wrestling 108.5

AWL Mid-Week Wrestling 108.5 by AWLBoss

AWL 108 fall out

As a result of the events of AWL 108, 黒山(Kuroyama) has been released from his AWL contract.  We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Similarly, since both Super Giant & Jack Butcher are still part of this company, they will be allowed to remain as a tag team and they still have 2 points.  They will receive a chance to get a third point tomorrow at AWL Mid-Week Wrestling 108.5.  After the amazing match Jack Butcher had with HAKAISHA, the AWL Commissioner wants to see that pairing again and so do I.  Therefore the following match has been booked:

Crisis Gundan (2) vs. HAKAISHA! & DOOMBUNNY (1)

Points on the line

Remember, The Japanese Destroyer and the DOOMBUNNY earned a point against the Bullet Club a few weeks ago when when HAKAISHA! was assigned to help the man from the Strawberry Patch get his revenge on A.J. Styles after the 104 screwjob.

Mid-Week Wrestling will be posted in less than 24 hours!  I'm sure you wait with baited breath.

Lastly a little out of continuity news: I will be attending TNA/Wrestle-1's Bound for Glory show in Tokyo this Sunday.  Stay tuned for a review of the show after the fact (this may be in text or video format, unsure at the moment).

AWL 108: Loser Leaves the Save File!

AWL 108: Loser Leaves the Save File! by AWLBoss

2 More Matches for AWL 108

Late breaking news tonight, 2 more matches confirmed for AWL 108:

"Big" Ben Nelson vs. Wrestler X

In the main event, the AWL Championship Tournament will continue as the Battling British Bar Brawler "Big" Ben Nelson will face the King of Copyright Infringement Wrestler X in the 6th match in the Round of 16 as we make our way to AWL 120 and the crowning of a NEW AWL World Heavyweight Champion.

The Masters of the Mask (2) vs. The All Americans (0)

In tag team action, two of the best luchadores in the world today will go for their 3rd point toward title contention.  But standing in the way are two of the most American Americans in the history of professional wrestling, American Beetle and Hassan!  The All Americans have been floundering in the tag team division as of late so this is a huge chance to not only net themselves a point, but to deny Ma-Ji-Ku & El Santo Azul a title shot.

It all goes down in less that 12 hours at AWL 108!

Who will fight who?

As you all know, AWL 108 will be dedicated mostly to the Batsu Matches that will determine the fates of the remaining members of Yarina Talent Management Inc.  The AWL Commissioner has finally announced who will serve as the gatekeepers to a safe return to the Animated Wrestling League:

Jack Butcher vs. HAKAISHA!

Yeah, this is going to be good!  Former tag team partners and former tag team champions clash one on one for the first time ever since HAKAISHA! was fired by Yarina back at AWL 87 last spring.  A lot of history and a lot of bad blood in this match.  And of course, for Jack Butcher, EVERYTHING is on the line.

Super Giant vs. Kid Canada

Ouch!  This is a bad draw for the World's Largest Light Heavyweight.  Kid Canada has been on a roll this season and is the man who eliminated Wonder Kid from the AWL Championship Tournament.  Super Giant may be a genetically gifted monster, but he's facing one of the best trained wrestlers in the world today.  This is going to be an interesting clash of styles.

黒山 vs. ガンバ

The Japanese Mega Star vs. The Black Mountain.  Again, I must complement the AWL Commissioner (and not just because he signs my paycheck) for this match up.  Kuroyama has made a career of attacking people from behind and other forms of dishonorable conduct.  If there's any other wrestler on the roster who can better correct this sort of thing in a younger wrestler, I have no idea who it might be.  It's the great Japanese athletic tradition vs. an dishonorable d**k at AWL 108!

There will be more news coming in the following days.  Until then, stay safe and continue to support independent and virtual wrestling!