A rather early announcement.

For the first time in a long time, the AWL Commissioner has announced the full card for AWL 168 nearly a week early. Two title matches and a certain shake up of the AWL Best 4:

Main Event:

Bullet Club (C) vs. The New Classics (3)

AWL World Tag Team Championship Match

7th Title Defense

Announced last week, with Wrestlemania and NXT Takeover: Dallas right around the corner, the long awaited WWE debut of Karl Anderson (and perhaps Balor Club) looking more and more likely (though, we personally have no inside information from WWE), this might very well be our last chance to bring the AWL World Tag Team Titles back to the Animated Wrestling League. That's the bad news. The good news is that we couldn't ask for better representatives than the New Classics.

Hassan (C) vs. Prince Puma

AWL Intercontinental Championship Match

4th Title Defense

I've said it so many times, but it needs to be repeated. 5 successful title defenses and Hassan will be able to cash in his IC title for a free Grand Championship Match in the match of his choice. This journey has been nearly a year in the making, but fate has thrown up a huge road block in the form of the original Lucha Underground Champion, Prince Puma! Puma won the #1 contendership two weeks ago, and there was a tag team match between Los Neko Grande and The All Americans last week with a disputed call at the finish of the match. So this match is not only important in terms of titles and records, but it's becoming personal as well.

Bullet Club (0) vs. Wyvern & Matt Classic Jr. (0)

Points in Play

This. Is. A. Scheme! Don't let the "Points in Play" sub heading, the AWL Commissioner made this match because of the main event. For years Bullet Club has made the numbers advantage their primary weapon, but with Kenny Omega and Cody Hall occupied in this match, it should keep them out of the Tag Team Title Match. On the other side of the ring, it's a first time ever teaming between Wyvern & Matt Classic Jr. Wyvern was added to this match as the Grand Champion and representative of the AWL. Classic is there to represent his trainers and help them toward the Tag Team Titles. Will these two young masked marvels be able to overcome the legendary team work of Bullet Club?

Wonder Kid (#1) vs. Project 鉄 (#2) vs. HAKAISHA! (#3)

Reshuffle Match

The first of two matches that will greatly impact the AWL Best 4. This will be a 2 fall match where the loser of the first fall will be the #3 contender. The loser of the second fall will be the #2 contender. And obviously the winner of the match will be #1 and receive the next Grand Championship Match. But the question is: What about #4?

American Beetle vs. Ma-Ji-Ku vs. Jack Butcher vs. Yamada Jiro vs. Maglubiyet Jr. vs. Chiba Akagi

6-Man Scramble Match

Fight for 4

This is nuts! For those who may not remember the rules of a Scramble Match: 6 wrestlers in the ring at the same time. Elimination by pinfall or submission. Each fall counts toward the AWL Win-Loss Records. The last man standing with join the AWL Best 4.

And now the crazy part: TEN MINUTE TIME LIMIT!!!!

It's going to be a hell of a show. Stay tuned this week for more information, interviews, and all the AWL news that's fit to post.

AWL 167: Wyvern vs. Wolf

AWL 167: Wyvern vs. Wolf 投稿者 AWLBoss

Full Card/Main Event Interviews

The full card for AWL 167 has been announced:

Main Event:

Wyvern (C) vs. Wolf (#1)

AWL Grand Championship Match

2nd Title Defense

Project 鉄 (#3) vs. Jack Butcher

GRUDGE MATCH

Ganba vs. Yamada Jiro

First Time Ever!

Los Neko Grande (0) vs. The All Americans (1)

Points in Play

Chiba Akagi vs. E.N. Hance

Submission Exhibition

And now, in accordance with AWL tradition, we open the floor to the champion and challenger in tomorrow's Grand Championship Match:

Wolf:

oueu f97oeafon ubr3b ihae u n8 3h80q3un efnu unaef 0nuegn0 nu 0duekef oejie8h enq0ht98htq7hebno efe980jeg jgbefi fm oeebjieging s00tnu 0in038 efn .begbo ergineou 83unea ieie neoninoi38 n naieui wiapifionefgnoefnu efgno oner goin ge gnoonie bx,xz,af.,. ^

(Note from the AWL Translation Team: We give up!!)

Wyvern:

In all the stories, the dragon is the monster slain by the noble knight. But in the AWL, it is the dragon who fights monsters. Tanaka Kenichi is a lying monster. Bad Luck Fale and Bullet Club are bullying monsters. But Wolf is literally a whole other animal. He is a literal monster. But I am a dragon! And I will slay this monster. Because the AWL deserves a champion it can be proud of. And as long as I hold this title, I will to everything possible to be that champion. See you in the ring...puppy dog.

Title match announced and an exclusive interview.

Last weekend at AWL 166, The New Classics won their third point in a match that was actually less lopsided than I expected it to be. Interestingly, with an unknown time limit before Karl Anderson debuts in either NXT or WWE (thereby making him unavailable to the AWL and taking one half of the AWL World Tag Team Titles with him), Sammy Nix and Lee Masters have decided NOT to cash in their title match this week at AWL 167.

Instead, they will wait until NEXT week and AWL 168.

I asked the #1 Contenders why they want to risk the wait and they explained that they feel the VERY earliest Anderson could possibly debut for WWE is at NXT Takeover Dallas, which is still a couple of weeks away. Therefore they feel that waiting a week to both rest up and study tape of their opponents is more than worth the delay.

So we might as well make it official:

AWL 168:

Main Event

Bullet Club (C) vs. The New Classics (3)

AWL World Tag Team Championship Match

7th Title Defense

I also an exclusive interview from AWL legend: Ganba.  I caught up with Ganba on the way home from an appearance at a charity show in Tokyo. This conversation has been translated from Japanese into English.

RyuSensei: Ganba-senshu, thank you for taking the time to speak with me. At the moment, you are a mere two matches away from becoming the first AWL Wrester to rack up 50 career wins. What goes through your mind when you think about that fact.

Ganba: No problem at all. Thank you for coming all the way out here. I think every athlete thinks about wins and losses. And I'm no exception. 50 wins will be an important milestone in my career. But I must admit, it makes me feel a bit old. All around me I see my fellow Season Zero wrestlers retired or near retirement and a whole new generation rising up and taking their place. Sometimes it makes it difficult to know my own place in the AWL.

RyuSensei: Does that mean you're contemplating your own retirement?

Ganba: Not at all! I'm as healthy as a man my age can be and I am not slowing down in the ring. As long as I can safely compete, I have every intention of doing so.

RyuSensei: Thank goodness. Getting back to 50 wins, have you considered who you would like to have those next 2 matches against?

Ganba (Laughing): How about Wyvern and Okada for the AWL and IWGP titles? That'd be fun!

RyuSensei: Seriously.

Ganba: Seriously, there is someone I've wanted to fight. Yamada Jiro.

RyuSensei: I don't recall you two ever wrestling before. Have you?

Ganba: No. That's why I want to. I have read every word that he has ever written for this site. I've also read the things that you have chosen not to publish. He is a racist and a fool. I love Japan as much as anyone, but we are one part of an international community and must take part in the world. I know we can do this without losing what makes Japanese culture unique and wonderful.

In my time with the AWL, I've had several chances to wrestle in the United States and I've learned a few things. Wrestling fans are the same all over the world. They share the same passion and love for what we do.

I've also had the chance to work with the best wrestlers from nearly a dozen different countries. America, Japan, England, Mexico, Canada, Russia, Transylvania, Australia, China, Iraq, and Parts Unknown.

I am a patriot. I love my country. But men like Yamada Jiro are a disgrace and a dishonor. So I am challenging Yamada Jiro to a match. Please tell the AWL Commissioner of my request.

RyuSensei: I shall. Thank you again for your time sir.

And I did just that upon returning to the office. It's official, this weekend, for the first time ever, Ganba and Yamada Jiro will face each other in the AWL ring.

Confirmation of the Expected

Two matches have already been signed for AWL 167. The first we knew about two weeks ago:

Main Event

Wyvern (C) vs. Wolf (#1)

AWL Grand Championship Match

3rd Title Defense

The second comes from the events captured by our security cameras of Jack Butcher beating the high holy hell out of Project 鉄 with FOUR Butcher Bombs. While the AWL Commissioner was ready to simply fire Butcher, Dr. Jigoku has requested that this not happen and has suggested an alternate plan that the AWL Commissioner has agreed to:

Project 鉄 vs. Jack Butcher

GRUDGE MATCH!

For those who might not remember, a Grudge Match is one in which there are virtually no rules. No DQ, no count out, no referee stoppage, weapons legal and encouraged. The only ways to win are pinfall and submission in the ring. We even have a slightly...off...referee named Daiki Babaganoush (cousin to Senior Official Joey Babaganoush) who has no problem...enforcing his will...on the wrestlers if needed. Grudge Matches are NOT counted toward official win-loss records, but are a great way for AWL Wrestlers to settle personal matters between themselves.

A title match, and a hardcore war. All this and more this weekend at AWL 167!

AWL Episode 166: Bullet Club vs. Rojo/Shina

AWL 166: Bullet Club vs. Rojo & Shina 投稿者 AWLBoss

News dump.

I'm sorry for the lack of regular posts this week, but the real world has been making unusual demands of my time the last few weeks. Fortunately that should all clear itself up soon. Hopefully, I should be able to break some VERY big news for the AWL in the coming weeks.

We start off today with a brand new edition of AWL: By the Numbers.

AWL Grand Championship:

Champion: Wyvern

Length of Reign: 40 Days (Since 02/07/2016)

Title Defenses: 1

AWL Best 4:

1. Wolf

2. Wonder Kid

3. Project 鉄

4. HAKAISHA!

AWL World Tag Team Championship:

Champions: Bullet Club (Bad Luck Fale & Karl Anderson)

Length of Reign: 208 Days (Since 08/23/2015)

Title Defenses: 5

Point System:

El Rudo Rojo & Jon Shina: 3 Points!

The New Classics: 2 Points

The All Americans: 1 Point

D.O.D: 1 Point

All other teams: 0 Points

AWL Intercontinental Championship:

Champion: Hassan (Since 12/06/2015)

Length of Reign: Days

Title Defenses: 3/5

Now for today's news. The AWL Commissioner has released the full card for this weekend's show.

AWL 166:

Main Event:

Bullet Club (C) vs. El Rudo Rojo and Jon Shina (3)

AWL World Tag Team Championship Match

6th Title Defense

Yes, you read that correctly. Two of the biggest losers in the AWL and regular features of Batsumania are the #1 contenders for the tag team titles and our current best hope to wrestle those belts away from Bullet Club. In related news, the devil is skating to work.

Chiba Akagi vs. Prince Puma

IC #1 Contender's Match

A clash of styles as the young submission's expert faced the future of lucha libre. The winner will face the seemingly insurmountable Hassan in the Arab American Dream's 4th title defense.

Wolf vs. E.N. Hance

What does the AWL Commissioner have against Mr. Hance? Does Hance owe him money or sleep with his sister or something?

The New Classics (2) vs. Mr. Smiles and George Fraser (0

Points in Play

The AWL Commissioner is...less than confident... in the ability of the challengers to get the job done in the main event. So the longest running and most decorated tag team in AWL history are facing two guys who not only have never teamed together before, neither of them have ever won a match! If I may be forgiven fore editorializing for a moment, I don't like that the AWL Commissioner (who is supposed to provide a fair and level playing field) is making obviously biased matches like this. But the tag team title situation is so severe that I can understand the application of the old cliche about desperate times calling for desperate measures.

AWL 165: Hassan vs. Kenny Omega

AWL 165: Hassan vs. Kenny Omega 投稿者 AWLBoss

Sorry for the delay.  There were some problems rendering this episode.  But all that is in the past.  Please enjoy the big men beating each other up for your amusement.

Main event promos

The AWL Intercontinental Championship will be defended in a big inter-promotional match tomorrow. I took a few moments to catch up with both the champion and challenger in this clash of the IC Champions:

Hassan: I remember when I first decided to train as a professional wrestler. I was told that, as a Muslim-American that IF I was ever hired by anyone, I had better study tape of the Iron Sheik and Mohammad Hassan (no relation by the way). I was told, "There's not a lot of slots for...one of you." I was told, "Just learn the Camel Clutch, that's all you'll need." I was told, "Do yourself a favor, pretend to be Italian."

Well, I decided to embrace who I am, not run from it. I am an American and I am Muslim. Sure, I'm not the most orthodox person in the world, but I don't see either of those lables as mutually exclusive. I realized that this had never been done in professional wrestling before, so it was going to take a lot of convincing of both the promoters and the fans. That's why I named my finishing move the Paradigm Shift.

And that's what Kenny Omega is going to get tomorrow. A massive paradigm shift. I've been watching your career for a while. You speak Japanese fluently and you'd gained acceptance from the fans before you turned your back on them, joined Bullet Club, and started acting like you just got off the plane yesterday. You and I are the same. People assumed we were going to have to follow the stereotypes to survive in this business. I've spent the last 9 seasons proving them wrong. All you've done is prove them right! You're an insult! And tomorrow, with the pride of the AWL at stake I'm going to show you the error of your ways.

Kenny Omega's comments, on the other hand, aren't anywhere near as inspirational:

Last time I talked about Mr. All American Goodie Two Shoes, I got in trouble for saying a naughty word. Well [expletive deleted] that!! Hassan, you think you're hot [expletive deleted] just because people want to shove you into an "evil Arab" gimmick? Welcome to the life of EVERY foreign wrestler in Japan in the last FIFTY [expletive deleted] YEARS!! The whole damn business here is based around "Heroic Japanese, evil gaijin!" Eventually, you're gonna learn that it's just not gonna work. Devitt knew that. AJ knew that. I know that. So you have to make it work for you. That's why we decided to pull a Bret Hart. Bullet Club may be hated by these xenophobic mother [expletive deleted], but everywhere else in the world we are the biggest heroes in wrestling!

I'm going to beat you tomorrow. There ain't nothing you can do about that. But when you realize that this "paradigm shift" stuff is [expletive deleted], come and talk to me. There might be a place for you in Bullet Club. Cody Hall's getting good and we could use a new Young Boy.

Tag Team Promos

This weekend, 4 tag teams will vie for the chance to make significant advancement in the AWL Tag Team Division. Two of those teams even have the chance to gain the necessary 3 points to challenge Bullet Club for the gold. We begin our cavalcade of comments with those two tandems. First, the newest officially registered team on the roster, The Strike Warriors.

Ma-Ji-Ku (Translated from Spanish): It's been a difficult few months. Losing El Santo Azul was a hard blow. But bookings started flowing in for him mere hours after he lost Batsumania so I know he'll land on his feet and that he has a great career ahead of him in the world of Lucha Libre.

People have been asking me why I agreed to form a new tag team with Strike Taka. I see in Taka a man who has made mistakes and is now trying to fix them. As HAKAISHA! always says, trying to do things the "right way." It is my duty to help young luchadores find their way in this crazy wrestling world of ours. I call myself "The Warrior of Light" for a reason. I want to be an example, a guiding light for both the fans and my fellow wrestlers. Strike Taka has a long way to go, but I know he'll get there eventually.

As for El Rudo Rojo and Jon Shina. Are you happy Rojo? Do you think that by out lasting your brother in the AWL you've proven something? Well, you're wrong. Because El Santo Azul was a Tag Team Champion, something you've NEVER done. And if Taka and I have anything to say about it, you never will.

Now their opponents:

El Rudo Rojo (Translated from Spanish): Jon, did you hear that old stick in the mud talking trash about me? Who the hell does he thing he i*

Jon Shina: Yeah whatever man. Animated Wrestling League! Your United States Of Awesome MEGA Champion is talking! Ma-Ji-Ku sucks. Strike Taka is a freak. Bullet Club are a bunch of poopy heads!! In two measly matches we will all be saying "The CHAMPS. Are. HEEEEEERRREEEEEEE!"

There is something very wrong with that man. Now for the two teams that start with zero points this weekend and hope to acquire two. First, speaking for the Augments, Dr. Jigoku:

Dr. Jigoku: My iron monster, Project Tetsu, is on his way to becoming Grand Champion and proving how SUPEEEEERIOR he is. This weekend he will destroy that obsolete slab of meat that dares call himself a destroyer.

My technical database and my engine of destruction are going to be the last opponents those fools Masters and Nix ever face. They brag that they've won the AWL World Tag Team Titles more often than any other team. All that means to me is that they're very good at losing the titles. Last time they fought Bullet Club they FAILED. Why? Because they are INFERIOR! Aging, broken down, worthless machines of flesh. But my Augments will never suffer the ravages of age. Never feel the sting of failure after Failure after FAILURE!! And once we win the AWL World Tag Team Titles, we will NEVER let them be taken from us!

Why is it that everyone in wrestling has at least a couple of screws loose? Anyway, now on to The New Classics:

Sammy Nix: Lishen up yo creep! We's the best tag team the AWL's eva seen. We ARE tha Tag Team Division! So nows we've got dese Bullet Club mooks running aroun thinkin their hot stuff. They think they's gonna take OUR Tag Team Titles away from the AWL? Not gonna happen. We needs 3 points, so dis Sunday we're takin 2 o' dem out of the Augments' hides.

Tomorrow, comments from the participants in the main event.

AWL 165 Main Event Announced!

OK, I'm willing to chalk this up to "Things I should probably have seen coming." That phone call to the NJPW offices that I mentioned yesterday was directly connected to Hassan's next IC title defense. New Japan takes it's championships very seriously (something we here in the AWL applaud them for doing) and any matches involving one of their champions must be cleared but both New Japan and the International Wrestling Grand Prix. Fortunately, that has happened:

AWL 165

Main Event

Hassan (C) vs. Kenny Omega

AWL Intercontinental Championship Match

3rd Title Defense

Interpromotional Match

AWL vs. NJPW

An interesting note here: My sources tell me that, while New Japan is often VERY protective of their champions, that is not the case here. Promotional pride side, the management of NJPW are as sick of Bullet Club as we are and have no problem with our foreigner teaching their foreigner a lesson.

With that the full card is set. Stay tuned over the next couple of days as I'll try to get some comments from the major players going into this Sunday and AWL 165.

Next Grand Championship Match Announced!

It's nice working for a wrestling promoter that actually plans thing ahead of time. In three weeks, on, March 20th JST, at AWL 167, the AWL Grand Championship will be defended:

Wyvern (C) vs. Wolf

AWL Grand Championship

2nd Title Defense

Still waiting for that announcement regarding New Japan Pro Wrestling, but for the moment I do have another match to announce for AWL 165:

Mr. Smiles vs. Chiba Akagi

This will be the first match for Chiba Akagi this season. The Scion of Submission takes on the happiest man in professional wrestling. These two 2015 rookies have seen little success in the wins and losses department, will this week be the start of a winning streak for one of them? No clue, you'll have to watch the show and find out.

In other news, Hassan has made it known that he want's to defend the AWL Intercontinental Championship this weekend. While an opponent has not been named, if the match happens it will be Hassan's third title defense of the five he needs to cash in the IC title for a shot at the Grand Championship. More details on that as they become available. 

Rematches announced

As I mentioned on commentary during AWL 164, two big tag team rematches have been signed and will take place this weekend at AWL 165.

El Rudo Rojo & Jon Shina (1) vs. The Strike Warriors (1)

2 Point/20 Minute Match

The Augments (技Breaker & 魔法 Crusher) (0) vs. The New Classics (0)

2 Point/20 Minute Match

These 4 teams fought to 15 minute time limit draws last weekend. The AWL Rules demand that the rematch have an extra point on offer and an extra 5 minutes on the clock. In the event of yet another tie, a 3 Point match where their must be a winner will be scheduled. But hopefully it won't come to that.

Speaking of unfinished business from last weekend, the AWL Best 4 is a mess right now. With HAKAISHA winning the Fight for 4 and #3 wrestler Jack Butcher losing to the unranked Project 鉄, the Best 4 currently looks like this:

AWL Best 4:

1. Wolf

2. Wonder Kid

3. ????

4. Project 鉄/HAKAISHA!

Fortunately, this is a pro wrestling show so we have wrestling matches to settle such things.

Project 鉄 vs. HAKAISHA!

Rank on the Line

Winner Becomes #3 in the AWL Best 4!

That's everything solid that I can confirm for you at the moment. However, the AWL Commissioner spent a good chunk of this afternoon on the phone with New Japan Pro Wrestling. What will come from that? I have no idea, we'll have to find out together later this week.

AWL 164: Ganba vs. HAKAISHA!

AWL 164: Ganba vs. HAKAISHA! 投稿者 AWLBoss

Full card for AWL 164

The 5th and final match has been announced for AWL 164 and it's a big one. Literally. Both wrestlers are well over six and a half feet tall.

Jack Butcher (#3) vs. Project 鉄

These were the final two in the Scramble Match a couple of weeks ago and Dr. Jigoku was livid over the notion that his monster could be defeated by a mere human and a "primitive" one at that. Expect this match to get violent in a hurry!

This means we now have the full card for AWL 164:

Main Event:

Ganba vs. HAKAISHA!

Fight for 4

Jack Butcher (#3) vs. Project 鉄

The Augments (0) vs. The New Classics (0)

Points in Play

RUZAI (1) vs. The All Americans (1)

Points in Play

El Rudo Rojo & Jon Shina (1) vs. The Strike Warriors (1)

There will be points a plenty handed out this Sunday so be sure to tune in for AWL 164!

Two big returns, one big match.

Big news for AWL 164! Two of the top wrestlers in all of Japan are making their first appearance in the AWL in Season 9! Naturally, the AWL Commissioner has decided that these two men should fight each other for the open spot in the Best 4:

Ganba vs. HAKAISHA!

Fight for 4

With 7 world titles between them these two are no doubt the best in the world. And this weekend they will be the main event of AWL 164.

3 Matches Announced

Bullet Club still has the AWL World's Tag Team Championships. Right now, nobody has more than one point. That will change at AWL 164 because The AWL Commissioner has announced THREE tag team matches for this weekend and of course points are in play.

El Rudo Rojo & Jon Shina (1) vs. Strike Warriors (1)

Points in Play

RUZAI (1) vs. The All Americans (0)

Points in Play

The Augments (0) vs. The New Classics (0)

Points in Play

I have it on good authority from the commissioner's office that this pattern of multiple tag team matches per show will continue until the tag team titles are back in the control of the AWL.

The What Hammer?

As you know, last Sunday the AWL Grand Champion defeated Bad Luck Fale using one of the most dangerous moves in professional wrestling, the Burning Hammer. Invented by Kenta Kobashi, the Burning Hammer was used a mere 7 times in his decades long career, always winning the match. It has the very real potential to cripple or kill an opponent. Luckily, Wyvern executed the move perfectly on Sunday. I was able to catch up with the Grand Champion after the match and asked him why he would uses such a powerful and frequently forbidden technique:

Wyvern: Ryu, that wasn't the Burning Hammer. I was chosen to take up this mask to avenge my sensei. I want justice! Justice against the lying dogs that forced Dragon-sensei to retire and against the outsiders Bullet Club who think they can just walk in to the AWL and capture all of our championships. In Japanese, justice is "seigi", 正義. That was the Seigi no Hammer! 正義のハンマー！ It is NOT a weapon I use lightly, but I will not hesitate to use it in defense of the Animated Wrestling League.

The first matches for AWL 164 will be announced tomorrow.