I WAS WRONG!!

National Pro Wrestling Day is Feb 1st, not seventh.  I have no idea how I screwed that up.  The AWL video for that event should still be up in time though.

More news

Yes, we have two posts in as many days. No, I don't believe it either and I'm writing the bloody thing!

Before we get to my interview with Ultramantis Black, I have some news to report regarding the AWL's contribution to Nation Pro Wrestling Day on Feb 7th. As reported yesterday, the AWL will present 3 matches including an AWL Light Heavyweight Title Match. I spoke to the AWL Commissioner himself this morning and can now pass on to you the full card.

1. MAIN EVENT: AWL Light Heavyweight Championship Match.

Shin Tora (C) vs. American Beetle!

Winner will be crowned the AWL World Light Heavyweight Champion!!

2. Ganba vs. THUGLIFE Tanaka Kenichi

3. HAKAISHA vs. Matt Classic

For a three match card, it looks pretty impressive. A title match featuring American Beetle (fitting for the AWL's only annual show in the US), an ultimate clash of styles with Ganba and Tanaka, and new school takes on old school with HAKAISHA (Coming off his first loss at AWL 80) fighting Matt Classic.

National Pro Wrestling Day is Feb 7th in Easton PA, USA and all proceeds from the real life show go to support the very real and very important Against Malaria Foundation which provides insecticide treated nets to children in parts of Africa where 3,000 children A DAY die from this disease. You can donate at againstmalaria.com or nationalprowrestlingday.com. Together, wrestling can change the world.

Now back to the fun part. Yesterday evening I conducted an interview with AWL World Heavyweight Champion Ultramantis Black via Skype from his home in Parts Unknown. After exchanging the necessary pleasantries, I got down to business.

Ryu Sensei: Ultramantis Black, how does feel not only to be the first Chikara wrestler to become an AWL champion, but to have been the man who ended the second 364 day title reign of Wonder Kid?

Ultramantis Black: What a ridiculous question! The AWL World Heavyweight Championship is one of the few titles in the realm of professional wrestling that is worthy of the Great and Devious Ultramantis Black. Wonder Kid may have the body of a latter day titan, but even with that trollop Yarina by his side, his mind and heart pale before my own. Wonder Kid does not have the heart of a true champion and therefore he shall always fail in his quest to be a 1 year champion. Now, let us speak no more of the former and fallen champion.

Ryu Sensei: As you wish, but I have one more question about your title win. Under the guise of Black Tiger King, you won the 2013 New Year's Tournament and became the Bearer of the Prophecy. Then you became AWL World Heavyweight Champion at the last show of your calendar year. We are slightly over a week away from AWL 81, which will feature the 2014 Tournament. Are you concerned about the next tournament winner coming for your title?

Ultramantis Black: Allow me to make one thing perfectly clear little dragon master, prophecies, curses, fate, and fortune, these things do NOT control Ultramantis Black, I control them. In fact, this (At this point in the interview, he held the AWL World Heavyweight Championship Belt in front of the webcam) is only the beginning! I am taking measures to ensure that the Prophecy is no longer a concern. I, the Great and Devious Ultramantis Black have shall be entering the 2014 お正月大会 myself and when I am victorious the Prophecy shall be nullified!

Ryu Sensei: Wait a minute! You're going to enter the tournament yourself? That's never happened before, how did the AWL Commissioner ever agree to that?

Ultramantis Black: Well, I had to agree to a few provisos, for example if any man is lucky enough to defeat me in the tournament, they shall automatically become #1 contender. But since that's not going to happen, I am not concerned.

Ryu Sensei: OK, your funeral (That part was under my breath, if UMB heard me he didn't say anything). Last thing I'd like to talk about sir is Chikara. As those who have been following the ashes videos know, you recently had a conversation with Icarus about helping him fight to save Chikara and Wrestling is. You rejected his offer. Why?

Ultramantis Black: That is a private matter and none of your business. While Chikara still holds a special place in my heart, it is the height of foolishness to wage a war you know you can not win. That is all I have to say to you. This interview has concluded.

(Ultramantis Black then ended the Skype call.)

So we now know that Ultramantis Black will be the first AWL World Heavyweight Champion to enter the New Year's Tournament. Stay tuned for our next news post which will include the full list of competitors in the 2014 お正月大会, the New Year's Tournament.

Ryu Sensei

PS: Yes, I am fully aware that the first week of February is a little late to be doing anything "New Year's" related, but A. It's an AWL tradition and B. I didn't plan on taking anywhere near this long between seasons.

Meanwhile, back at our story.

Hello Internet, it's been far too long.

Ryu Sensei here with all the news you need on what's been happening in the AWL during the off season.

First, a little recap. Last year at AWL 80 all three AWL Championships changed hands in the same night. That was the first time such a thing has happened in the history of the AWL. As of this writing, your new champions are:

AWL World Heavyweight Champion: Ultramantis Black.

AWL World Tag Team Champions: Big & Spicy (Curry Man and Tiny).

AWL Light Heavyweight Champion: Shin Tora.

Also at AWL 80, Bruce Hoyt lost the final fall of Batsumania II and was fired from the AWL. We wish him nothing but the best in all his future endeavors.

But enough about the past, let us now turn to the present. Since AWL 80, our wrestlers have taken some much needed time off to heal and to train for the new season. But a couple of amazing things have happened that will completely alter the future of the AWL.

1. The AWL Commissioner has appearently come into some money. A couple of weeks ago, the boss announced that he was investing a frankly enormous amount of money into the company and nobody seems to know where that money is coming from. But no matter the source, the result is the same: A complete overhaul of the AWL Arena. New lights, stage, ring, cameras, a video screen that actually works, you name it. Construction crew from Sabino Demolition and Construction have been hard at work around the clock on the remodel and while still a work in progress, all should be ready in time for AWL 81.

2. Speaking of preparing for AWL 81, the entire AWL roster has received a very generous offer from Chikara founder "Lightning" Mike Quackenbush to come to the US and workout at the Wrestle Factory! Personally, I find this a little bit strange considering the AWL Commissioner's working agreement with Titor Conglomerate. However, with Titor having sold CHIKARA to a currently unknown buyer just before Christmas, perhaps it's time for bygones to be bygones?

The AWL roster has really taken to this opportunity and have been hard at work perfecting new moves and techniques that will hopefully bring them to greater glory inside the AWL ring.

That's the preasent now get ready for the FUTURE!!!

In the next couple of weeks the AWL will present not one, but TWO videos. In addition to AWL 81's 2014 New Year's Tournament, the AWL will be making its annual contribution to National Pro Wrestling Day!

February 7th is National Pro Wrestling Day and the AWL is looking to present 3 matches to celebrate this great tradition that started last year. While the full card for NPWD has yet to behf announced (nor has the AWL's contribution) I can report that Shin Tora will defend the AWL Light Heavyweight Championship for the first time at National Pro Wrestling Day. The reason is that since National Pro Wrestling Day will take place in the United States, this will be the first time that the AWL Light Heavyweight Title will be defended internationally. Therefore, after National Pro Wrestling Day, it will be rechristened the AWL World Light Heavyweight Championship.

The name of the challenger is currently unknown.

Be on alert for the next news post including an exclusive interview with the NEW AWL World Heavyweight Champion, Ultramantis Black!

Ryu Sensei

Progress report

Just a little update:

Progress continues on recreating the AWL in WWE 2K14 continues.  Sadly, due to real life I'm only getting one or two characters a day.

AWL 81: New Years Tournament 2014 should be out in very early February.  In-story posts will return today or tomorrow.

These are the shadows of things that WILL be.

Greetings AWL faithful.  Please forgive me for the radio silence over the last month or so.  Hopefully that which I have planned will more than make up for it.  Behold!  The future of the AWL:

I have literally gone to the ends of the earth to obtain these items.  The PS3 and cable are from Japan while the game is from Canada (As the game is not sold in Japan).  The good news is that this is going to be a MASSIVE improvement in the show and the storytelling possibilities for the AWL.  The bad news is that I now have to rebuild all my characters all over again and that's going to take some time.  The current plan is to still have the 2014 New Year's Tournament posted before the end of January so please stay tuned.  Season 5 of the AWL is looking to be the best yet!