AWL 178: Fight for 4

AWL 178: Fight for 4 投稿者 AWLBoss

Interview with "Peacemaker" Luke James

I like to end the week by either speaking to or publishing some comments from members of the AWL Roster. This week I sat down with a member of the AWL All Stars and 7 season veteran Luke James in the lobby of his hotel in Tokyo.

Ryusensei: Luke, that's for agreeing to meet with me. There's a lot that the AWL fans want to know about you. First off, why do you live in a hotel?

Luke James: No problem Ryu. And Ah live here when Ah'm in Japan because it's a lot cheaper than rentin' an apartment when I only live here a few months at a time.

Ryusensei: Make sense. Now for the big question everyone's been asking since AWL 175. Where have you been all season?

Luke James: At home in the states. Ah needed a break. After what happened to Dragon...Ah just needed to get away for a while and Nashville's tha best place in tha world to get away from it all.

Ryusensei: Do you blame yourself for what happened to Dragon at AWL 160?

Luke James: Yes...no...Ah don't know. Did Ah know Dragon hadda history a concussions? Yeah. Did we all know "Captain AWL" used a elbow fer his finish? Yeah. Should Ah have tried ta talk him out of the match? Ah don't know.

Ryusensei: Do you think it would have worked if you'd tried?

Luke James: Probably not. But probably ain't definitely.

Ryusensei: Moving on if you don't mind. When you came back, you looked quite a bit different. Different hair color, new ring gear, facial hair, etc. Any reason for this or was it just time for a change?

Luke James: Just time fer a change. But Ah should mention that this is my natural hair color. The red head look was just a wrestling thing.

Ryusensei: You recently returned to teaming with Ganba as the AWL All Stars. At the moment you have no points on the board. With Ganba competing this weekend to rejoin the AWL Best 4, are there any plans to recruit a new member to the AWL All Stars to give you someone else to tag with?

Luke James: What tha heck? Yeah, there is. Ganba an Ah are looking at tha AWL roster for a bit of a recruitment drive.

Ryusensei: Any chance you'll give me some names?

Luke James: Nope.

Ryusensei: Last question. You are set to challenge Tanaka Kenichi for the AWL Intercontinental Championship in a no DQ match tomorrow. Any thoughts?

Luke James: "Any thoughts?" Are y'all serious? Mah thoughts are that Ah'm gonna beat the ever loving piss outta that sumofabitch. He ended mah best friends career. He retains his title by punchin' guys in the nuts. And he's a champions despite havin' tha wrestling IQ of dead skunk. That boy's had a whooping comin' ta him for a LONG time. Tha fact that Ah'm gonna get the AWL IC Belt outta it is just a bonus.

That seemed to be all there was to say so I ended the interview right there. Tune in tomorrow and see if Tanaka Kenichi gets that whooping he so richly deserves.

Full Card for AWL 178

Yesterday we went over the card for the Season Finale on July 10th, but we must not forget this coming Sunday (Japan time) so here's the full card for AWL 178:

AWL 178

MAIN EVENT

Ganba vs. Jack Butcher vs. Project 鉄 vs. Lee Masters

Fight for 4

Big and Spicy (2) vs. The Strike Warriors (0)

Points in Play

El Rudo Rojo vs. Mr. Smiles

Danger Zone Match

Loser will be LOCKED in the Danger Zone

Azteckaizer NEO vs. 技Breaker

THUGLIFE田中健一 (C) vs. "Peacemaker" Luke James

AWL Intercontinental Championship Match

2nd Title Defense

No Disqualifications!

The Season Finale is less that a month away and every match could affect who makes it onto that most prestigious of fight cards. Tomorrow, we'll here from some of the combatants in this weekend's matches.

AWL 180 Card So Far.

As promised, here are the matches we know about for AWL 180, the Season 9 Finale:

MAIN EVENT

Hassan (C) vs. RAINMAKERオカダカズチカ (#1)

AWL Grand Championship Match

3rd Title Defense

AWL vs. NJPW

Champion vs. Champion

While we're on the subject, all of us here at the AWL would like to congratulate the Rainmaker on his victory at the New Japan Pro Wrestling Dominion PPV to become a 4-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion. While the IWGP title will not be on the line at AWL 180, we will be honored to once again have such an illustrious championship grace the AWL Arena.

American Beetle vs. E.N. Hance vs. Jon Shina vs. TBD

BATSUMANIA!!

Loser of the Final Fall is FIRED!!

一二三龍二 (Hifumi Ryuji) vs. 破砕機 (Hasaiki)

AWL Dojo Graduation Match

Special Guest Referee: Dragon.

Winner earns a spot on the AWL Roster.

The name of the second potential graduate has been added since I last talked about this match. As always with graduation matches, I know nothing about these students. I can tell you that Hasaiki means "Crusher" in Japanese, but there have been so many "Crushers" in pro wrestling that the name doesn't really tell you anything. As always, AWL Dojo Head Trainer Dragon will officiate the match.

And now two matches just added:

Destroyers of DOOM! (C) vs. TBD

AWL World Tag Team Championship Match

3rd Title Defense

Obviously, at the moment nobody has the necessary 3 points to challenge for the titles, but Big & Spicy have 2 points and even if they can't pick up a third in the next two weeks, the AWL Commissioner is VERY good at finding challengers when he needs to.

THUGLIFE田中健一 (C)(If still champion) vs. ????

AWL Intercontinental Championship Match

?th Title Defense

OK, this is a weird way to write it. The point is that the AWL IC Title WILL be defended at AWL 180 no matter who the champion is. This means that all the championships are on the line.

So far that's 5 matches for the Season Finale on July 10th. More will be announced next week after AWL 178. And I'll have the full card for 178 tomorrow. So stay tuned!

Penultimate Danger Zone Update for Season 9

Good evening wrestling fans!

After last weekend's AWL 177 event, the composition of the Danger Zone changed significantly:

Wrestler:	Win	Loss	Total	as of AWL 177
E.N. Hance	0	-17	-17	DANGER ZONE	LOCKED
Jon Shina	3	-18	-15	DANGER ZONE	LOCKED
American Beetle	42	-56	-14	DANGER ZONE	LOCKED
Tanaka Kenichi	22	-36	-14	AWL IC Champion	SAFE
El Rudo Rojo	35	-42	-7	DANGER ZONE
Mr. Smiles	0	-7	-7	DANGER ZONE

As things stand, only El Rudo Rojo and Mr. Smiles are at risk of being forced to compete in the career threatening Batsumania Match at AWL 180. However, the AWL Commissioner has made two matches for next week that will hopefully solidify everything going into the finale:

For AWL 178:

THUGLIFE 田中健一 (C) vs. "Peacemaker" Luke James

AWL Intercontinental Championship Match

NO DISQUALIFICATION MATCH

2nd Title Defense

Last weekend, Tanaka Kenichi deliberately fouled his opponent twice to force a disqualification and save the AWL IC Title. To say the AWL Commissioner was not happy would be an understatement. That's why this match will have a no DQ stipulation.

Obviously, if Luke James wins, Tanaka will no longer have the AWL IC Championship to save him from Batsumania. However, should the cheating, blackmailing, fraud manage to slither away with the title, the Commissioner has prepared the following rematch:

El Rudo Rojo vs. Mr. Smiles

Danger Zone Match

So one way or the other, we will known the four fired men walking for AWL 180. Speaking of the season finale, tomorrow I'll run down the card as we know it so far.

AWL 177: Hassan vs. HAKAISHA!

AWL 177: Hassan vs. HAKAISHA! 投稿者 AWLBoss

And yet more promos

Our last set of comments before AWL 177. In accordance with AWL tradition, the champion and challenger in this tomorrow's AWL Grand Championship Match will be given a platform to speak their minds ahead of the main event.

HAKAISHA! (Translated from Japanese): Hassan. You're a great champion and I'm looking forward to our match. But I'm still going to do everything in my power to beat you and take back the title. I'm a 2 time AWL World's Heavyweight Champion, but I want to be a Grand Champion and the only thing between me and that goal is you. So I have no choice but to live up to my name and destroy you! But everyone knows by now that I prefer to do things the Right Way. So let's make this truly one on one. I'll leave my bunny in the back, you leave your beetle. No partners, no interference, no excuses. What do you say?

Hassan: What do I say? What do I SAY!? You want to do this one on one? YOU'RE ON! But don't you dare underestimate me. I've faced giants before and I've conquered them. You're right man, there's no beef between us. But I'm going to do the same thing to you that I did to Wonder Kid. Get the big "upset" win and walk out of AWL 177 STILL the AWL Grand Champion!

More promos

Yesterday we heard from the rudos, now it's time to get technical with the technicos:

Azteckaizer NEO (Translated from Japanese): The Star of Aztec is a heavy burden that comes with heavy responsibilities. The Bearer of the Star of Aztec is responsible for maintaining the balance of good and evil in the world of professional wrestling. That is a burden you will never carry Jigoku. If you had been worthy, the Star would have found you and not me. Already I've beaten your "Engine of destruction." Next, your cloned rabbit. I will show you and him the true power of the Star of Aztec.

Wyvern (Also translated from Japanese): Two weeks ago I made a mistake. I underestimated both Maglubiyet Jr. and the depths to which Tanaka Kenichi would sink to win a match. Last weekend he showed me the depths of his dishonor when he got himself disqualified just to save this title. When I was Grand Champion I fought some tough battles, but I NEVER even considered something like that. This weekend I'm going to wrestle a boxer. And I mean that. I'm going to wrestle him...and I'm going to OUT wrestle him. Tanaka, you're next. Then justice will finally be served.

The bad guys speak.

In the last 24 hours I've gotten a record amount of messages here at AWL HQ that I'm supposed to pass on to you, the reading public. Since many of these posts are too long as is, I'm going to split these up into several sections and post them over the rest of the week. So let's get started by getting the annoying ones out of the way first:

RUZAI:

Bruce Hoyt: Wyvern. Get over yourself boy. Yeah, my man Tanaka &%$#ed up your teacher. You mad, I get it. But takin it out on us is just a waste of time kid. Ain't gonna get Dragon his brains back. Besides, you biting off more an you can chew dog. You ain't $&!% around here. Surprising folk at the New Year's Tournament and lucking your way intta the belt don't impress me one bit. I've been workin here since damn near day one! You think just because you got some fancy flippy moves and a cool mask you betta dan me? Nuh uh! Try and prove me wrong son and I will knock you the %&#* OUT!

The Augments:

Dr. Jigoku: For many years I have heard stories about the Star of Aztec. That it granted a warrior the power to surpass their limitations and become something greater. I had always assumed the Star of Aztec was a legend. In truth, it was those legends that inspired me to pursue the sciences so that I may find real ways to break through the limitations of flesh. But now not only do I know the star is real, it's HERE! Just waiting for me to take it. Azteckaizer NEO, last week you learned what happens to those you think they can best my Augments. You learned that we are SUPERIOR! The Star of Aztec WILL be mine. It's only a matter of where, when, and how

Full Card for AWL 177.

As promised, the full card for AWL 177 has been announced:

For AWL 177:

MAIN EVENT!

Hassan (C) vs. HAKAISHA! (#1)

AWL Grand Championship Match

2nd Title Defense

Wyvern vs. Bruce Hoyt

El Rudo Rojo vs. Mr. Smiles

Danger Zone Match

(Must win match for El Rudo Rojo!)

Azteckaizer NEO vs. ウサギKick

Big & Spicy (1) vs. The AWL All Stars (1)

Points in Play

Looks like an interesting card. In addition to the Grand Championship Main Event, Wyvern and Azteckaizer NEO continue their quests against RUZAI and The Augments respectively. El Rudo Rojo tries to give himself a last chance to avoid Batsumania. And two recently reunited tag teams meet with points to be both won and lost.

AWL 180 Card so far.

It's that time of the season wrestling fans! With less than a month to go until AWL 180, we're starting to piece together the card for the Season 9 Finale:

AWL 180:

???? (C) vs. RAINMAKER オカダカズチカ (by then #1)

AWL Grand Championship Match

? Title Defense

BATSUMANIA!

E.N. Hance vs. Jon Shina vs. American Beetle vs. ???? (Currently El Rudo Rojo)

And this just added:

一二三龍司 vs. X

AWL Dojo Graduation Match

Special Guest Referee: Dragon!

Winner joins the AWL Roster

That's right, not only is the head trainer of the AWL Dojo Dragon ready to give the Prince of Pinfalls Hifumi Ryuji another chance at promotion to the main roster, he has another wrestler ready to fight him for that slot. With one AWL Wrestler leaving the company after Batsumania, a slot is open and waiting for one of these young rookies.

Lastly today, I can confirm what we all already knew was going to happen next weekend (which is why I'm leaving it for last):

For AWL 177:

MAIN EVENT!

Hassan (C) vs. HAKAISHA! (#1)

AWL Grand Championship Match

2nd Title Defense

Wow! First Wonder Kid and now the Japanese Destroyer. Who's next? The ghost of Andre the Giant? (Too soon?) But Hassan has been the underdog his entire life. He knows what it means to climb mountains, human shaped or otherwise.

I have been told that I will have the full card for AWL 177 tomorrow. So stay tuned right here for more of the Animated Wrestling League.

AWL 176: All Americans vs. Destroyers of DOOM!

AWL 176: All Americans vs. Destroyers of DOOM! 投稿者 AWLBoss

Full Card for AWL 176.

We are less than a day away from AWL 176 and we now have the full card for the event including the 4 matches already announced:

AWL 176:

Main Event:

The All Americans (2) vs. The Destroyers of DOOM! (C)

Non-Title Match

Points in Play

RAINMAKER オカダカズチカ (#3) vs. 千葉赤城 (#2)

Rank on the Line

THUGLIFE 田中健一 (C) vs. Wonder Kid

AWL Intercontinental Championship Match

1st Title Defense

El Rudo Rojo vs. Kid Canada

Danger Zone Match!

And these two tag team bouts just added:

The AWL All Stars (0) vs. The Augments (0)

Points in Play

新時代 (0) vs. RUZAI (0)

Points in Play

With 6 matches including 2 title fights, it could be a long night and it WILL be a night full of action at drama with the best virtual wrestling on the planet: The Animated Wrestling League!

Commissioner's Address

Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I am the AWL Commissioner.

It is my pleasure to announce both a special guest returning to the Animated Wrestling League Arena this weekend and a most unusual main event.

Firstly, last weekend I received a message from Gedo-san, manager of "Rainmaker" Okada Kazuchika in summation, the Rainmaker does not wish to wait for his championship opportunity here in the Animated Wrestling League. That is quite understandable and therefore I have COMMISSIONED the following match to take place at AWL 176:

RAINMAKER オカダカズチカ (#3) vs. 千葉赤城 (#2)

Rank on the Line

While I fully understand that Mister Okada might not like the fact that he will haveto wait a few weeks, that is unavoidable. Because before I received Gedo-san's message, I had already COMMISSIONED the next Animated Wrestling league Grand Championship Match for AWL 177:

AWL 177:

Hassan (C) vs. HAKAISHA! (#1)

Animated Wrestling League Grand Championship Match

2nd Title Defense

Therefore if The Rainmaker or Chiba Akagi are victorious this weekend, they will face the Animated Wrestling League Grand Champion in the main event of the Season 9 Finale at AWL 180 on July 10th. That brings me to my second announcement for AWL 176:

The All Americans (2) vs. The Destroyers of DOOM! (C)

Non-Title Match

Points in Play

Yes, yes, yes, I know that it is most unusual to have champions of any division compete in a non-title match with points on the line. However, with both the champion and the challeger in the next Grand Championship match on regestured tag teams, it made sense to make this match. Besides, if The All Americans can beat the Animated Wrestling League World Tag Team Champions, they will absolutely have earned a championship match.

THIS! I have COMMISSIONED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!!!

--XOXO AWL Commissioner

CHAOS IN THE DANGER ZONE!!

OK, not really, but that was a fun headline to write. Seriously, last weekend's upset IC Title win by THUGLIFE 田中健一 does change things a bit roughly one month out from July 10th and AWL 180. What had previously been a fully locked danger zone has been blown wide open:

E.N. Hance	0	-17	-17	DANGER ZONE	LOCKED
Jon Shina	3	-18	-15	DANGER ZONE	LOCKED
American Beetle	42	-55	-13	DANGER ZONE	LOCKED
Tanaka Kenichi	22	-35	-13	AWL IC Champion
El Rudo Rojo	34	-41	-7	DANGER ZONE
Kid Canada	15	-21	-6
Luke James	26	-32	-6
Mr. Smiles	0	-6	-6

As you can see, E.N. Hance, Jon Shina, and American Beetle are all still mathematically locked in the Danger Zone (I should probably add, "barring an unexpected title win"). But Tanaka Kenichi's win has knocked his former tag team partner El Rudo Rojo back into the zone. However, there are now three men on the bubble. One loss would send them falling back into the Danger Zone and forcing a tie breaking match at the season finale.

But we're not there yet. Fortunately for everyone involved, the AWL Commissioner believes in giving wrestlers the chance to prove themselves in the ring. Therefore the following two matches have been announced for AWL 176:

THUGLIFE 田中健一 (C) vs. Wonder Kid

AWL Intercontinental Championship Match

1st Title Defense

(The Commissioner also believes in trying to screw over the guy who blackmailed him.)

El Rudo Rojo vs. Kid Canada

Danger Zone Match!

I have also been told that tomorrow the AWL Commissioner has some announcements that he would like to make personally. So stay tuned for that!

AWL 175: Destroyers of DOOM! vs. RUZAI

AWL 175: Destroyers of DOOM! vs. RUZAI 投稿者 AWLBoss

Tag team promos

In less than 24 hours, two teams will face each other for the Animated Wrestling League World Tag Team Championship. As is customary, I got some comments from both champions and challengers before their title match:

Destroyers of DOOM!(and yes, that is how they want me to write it):

RUZAIはプロレスラーではありません。田中健一達は首した。それは物語の最後です。しかし、あの三人はAWLのファンを騙しました。絶対揺らさない！明日は俺とバニーは皆のためにあだを討つだろう。このベルトは何処かに行きません。

Yeahyeahyeah!!!! Whathesaid!! Tomorrowwetakerevengeforeveryoneinthelockerroom, everyoneinthestands, andeveryonewatchingoncomputerscreensaroundtheworld. SocomeonRUZAI, takeyourbeatinglikeafieldmouse!!!

RUZAI:

Dont look me HAKAISHA! You is big very much? You is very very baka. So, AWL 175 dobles champion is RUZAI!!! Fakuyu!

There you have it ladies and gentlemen. Incontrovertible proof.....that nobody working here speaks English but me....<sigh>.

Full Card for AWL 175

It has been the very definition of a busy news week in the AWL. But with one more match announced (a 4-Way Elimination Fight for 4 with the participants determined by win-loss records), we finally have a full card for AWL 175.

AWL 175:

MAIN EVENT

Destroyers of Doom (C) vs. RUZAI

AWL World Tag Team Championship Match

1st Title Defense

Shin Jidai (2) vs. The All Americans (1)

Points in Play

Ganba vs. Sammy Nix vs. Lee Masters vs. Ma-Ji-Ku

Fight for 4

Azteckaizer NEO vs. 魔法Crusher

Luke James vs. George Fraser

Jack Butcher (C) vs. THUGLIFE 田中健一

AWL IC Championship Match

2nd Title Defense

Seriously? More big announcements?

Sometimes there's just too much news to cram into one week. Today, I have two announcements from two members of the AWL Roster. First, Sammy Nix of The New Classics:

Sammy Nix: I should probably use some kinda metaphor or something for this. Probably something about birds and nests. But the fact of the matter is, we ain't got nothin left to teach Matt Classic Jr. So, we're letting him go. Matt Classic Jr is no longer a member of the New Classics and he's gonna be a full time member of Shin Jidai with Wyvern. Speaking for Lee and myself, good luck kid. See you across the ring.

Fascinating news in the Tag Team Division. But I might be burying the lead here. Ever since Golden War, one of the biggest mysteries in the AWL has been the recently debuted Azteckaizer NEO. Who is he? Where did he come from? Why is he here? What is his connection to the original Azteckaizer? How did he come to possess the Star of Aztec? Well, today I received the first ever message to be posted to this blog from Azteckaizer NEO. While he doesn't answer all of these questions, we are a step further to solving the mystery. It's worth noting that this DIDN'T go through the AWL Translation Team, it was written in fluent English!

Azteckaizer NEO: The world of professional wrestling is crying out for justice. For too long monsters have run loose in the AWL. I undertook my training at the hands of Dragon-sensei to prepare me to fully use the Star of Aztec so that I may defeat the evil that has spread through this wrestling world. While my predecessor, Takaba Shun, defeated Black Mist as the first Azteckaizer, he is sadly no longer able to fight as he once did (his war with Black Mist was 45 years ago after all). So I have taken up the mantle. No matter where evil exists in the pro wrestling world, Azteckaizer NEO will be there! So "Doctor" Jigoku. Be on guard because I'm coming for you!

Commissioner's Address on Tanaka Kenichi

Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I am the AWL Commissioner.

Last Sunday at Animated Wrestling League episode 174, I witnessed the single worst and most dispicable act of cowardess I have seen in 15 years of promoting professional wrestling. Not only did that lying snake Tanaka Kenichi slither away from his match with Wyvern, he threw his team mate Maglubiyet Junior into the waiting maw of The Young Dragon. Then something happened that truly suprised me. The goblinoid prevailed against Wyvern, giving him only his second ever loss.

THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE!!! For an Animated Wrestling League wrestler to refuse a match is crime enough to warrant fines and suspensions, but to attempt to sacrifice your own teammate is not only a betrayal of trust, it shows a complete lack of integrity.....that I have come to expect from Tanaka Kenichi.

His punishments shall be as follows:

1. Tanaka Kenichi has been fined two months pay, he was not paid last week, and shall not be paid this week.

2. Maglubiyet Junior shall receive not only his pay for AWL 174, he shall receive Tanaka Kenichi's as well. Furthermore, Maglubiyet Junior shall receive credit for the much needed victory.

3. Tanaka Kenichi shall compete in a.....Punishment Matchthis weekend at Animated Wrestling League episode 175 against.....Intercontinental Champion Jack Butcher! Unfortunately, Mister Butcher would only agree to the match if I made it his next defense of the Intercontinental Championship. I suppose I can not blame him for desiring the easy win. It is a fair trade.

AWL 175:

Jack Butcher (C) vs. THUGLIFE 田中健一

AWL Intercontinental Championship Match

2nd Title Defense

Additionally, I wish to provide you wrestling fans with something I know you desire. Ever since the Golden War, I have been bombarded with requests for a rematch between Wyvern and the new Animated Wrestling League Grand Champion Hassan. Unfortunately, the rules of the Animated Wrestling League do not permit me to COMMISSION a championship rematch and Wyvern volunteered to remove himself from the next Fight for Four so it is highly unlikely that they will cross proverbial swords again this season. So I have done the next best thing. They shall gaze at one another across the ring...in tag team action:

Shin Jidai (2) vs. The All Americans (1)

Points in Play

THIS! I have COMMISSIONED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

--XOXO AWL Commissioner

Tag Title Match and big return announced!

AWL 174 was a night of controversy. The AWL Commissioner himself will address the Tanaka Kenichi situation tomorrow, but for right now I have two big announcements to make. First of all, the AWL World's Tag Team Titles will be defended next weekend:

AWL 175:

MAIN EVENT

Destroyers of Doom (C) vs. RUZAI (3)

AWL World's Tag Team Championship Match

1st Title Defense

Also, after the return of Big & Spicy (By the way, both Curry Man and Tiny have been signed to new AWL contracts), yet another AWL veteran has made it known that he's ready to return to the ring. This Sunday the AWL Arena will see the return of....."The Peacemaker" Luke James!

Check back here tomorrow for the AWL Commissioner's announcement regarding the cheating coward known as Tanaka Kenichi.