Weekly news post

Hey there wrestling fans. RyuSensei here with all the AWL news you could possibly want and some you probably don't.

First and foremost, the season 4 finale is starting to take shape. There's good news and bad news. The good news is that the AWL Commissioner's office has just booked the following match:

Dragon, Ben Nelson, & Silver Potato vs. Eddie Kingston & The Colony

AWL vs. CHIKARA Trios Match!

That's right folks, the style of match that made Chikara famous is making it's way to the AWL. With this recent history between Eddie Kingston and Ben Nelson (now apparently also involving Silver Potato) this is looking to become a lot more than a friendly contest between companies.

But if there is good news, there must always be bad news. As was announced last night on Mid-Week Wrestling, Batsumania is back! The 4 wrestlers with the worst win-loss records (defined as wins minus losses) will fight in a 4-man, 3-fall elimination match where the loser of the final fall is FIRED on the spot.

As you all hopefully saw last night on AWL Mid-Week Wrestling, the 4men currently in the Danger Zone are:

El Rudo Rojo

"Boxing Bastard" Bruce Hoyt

THUGLIFE Tanaka Kenichi

El Santo Azul

That's right! Every member of the N.R.E. is currently in this match meaning there is an excellent chance that one of them is going home without a paycheck and a 100% chance that they are going to have to fight each other at some point in the contest. According to my locker room sources, this situation has driven a wedge between the N.R.E. members. The fact that nobody accompanied El Rudo Rojo to the ring last night gives evidence to this.

Also of note, El Rudo Rojo's estranged brother El Santo Azul is also in the match. Could this be the final confrontation of the former Free Fighters? Everything is still in flux until December 8th, the day of AWL 80 so stay tuned for further developments.

But enough about the past, it's time to look to the future. Specifically, I have received the full card for this weekend's AWL 76 event. There are only 4 matches scheduled, but it looks like a loaded card none the less:

Main Event: Wonder Kid vs. Ultramantis Black—Ten Minute Challenge.

Normally a Ten Minute Challenge doesn't merit the coveted main event slot. But this is different. For those of you who are either new to the AWL or don't have particularly good memories, this past January Ultramantis Black (under the guise of Black Tiger King) debuted in the AWL and WON the 2013 New Year's Tournament. That means that UMB is the current bearer of The Prophecy. The Prophecy states that the winner of each tournament will hold the AWL World Heavyweight Championship at some point in his calender year. Time is running out for Ultramantis Black and this may be his last opportunity to earn an AWL World Heavyweight Title shot before the end of the year. All he has to do is stay 10 minutes with the champion.

Semi-Final: Eddie Kingston vs. "Big" Ben Nelson & Silver Potato—Handicap Match

This is a rarity in the AWL, a sanctioned Handicap Match. It happened last week with the N.R.E. vs. The Super Tiger Bros. but this is the first time I can recall two back to back handicap matches in the history of the AWL. Obviously, this match was spawned by the events of AWL 75. If you haven't seen that show yet . . . why not?

Battle of the Boxers: American Beetle vs. "Boxing Bastard" Bruce Hoyt—Winner earns the title "Best Striker in the AWL!"

These two men have been compared to one another since virtually the first day they came to the AWL. Both trained boxers who have incorporated traditional pro wrestling moves into their arsenals to create a hybrid style. Both with near identical ring entrances and "all american" music. Both tag team specialists who dabble in the singles divisions.

This weekend they will meet in one on one competition to finally settle the question of who is the best boxer in the Animated Wrestling League.

Points in Play: Big and Spicy (0) vs. The Masters of the Mask (0)

AWL 76 will start off with the return to action of former AWL Light Heavyweight Champion Ma-Ji-Ku for the first time in several weeks. He will be teaming once again with his friend El Santo Azul as The Masters of the Mask. Across the ring from them will be the team of Tiny and Curry Man, who have not had a good season. After being screwed out of the tag team championships by Yarina's interference, they have failed to earn and keep the 3 points needed to earn a title shot. With AWL 80 less than a month away, it's now or never if Big & Spicy wish to salvage their season.

Things are picking up in the AWL and with the season finale so close EVERY MATCH COUNTS more than usual from here on in. See you this Sunday Morning (Japan Time) for AWL 76!