AWL 222: Tag Team New Stage

Full Card for AWL 222.

As promised yesterday by the AWL Commissioner, here’s the full match card for AWL 222: Tag Teams Take the Stage complete with their current point totals.  Remember, you need 3 points to challenge for the AWL World’s Tag Team Titles.

AWL 222: Main Event

T49P (C) vs. The New Classics (3)

AWL World Tag Team Championship Match

1^st Title Defense

Nippon Yokata (1) vs. Tiger Mask W (0)

AWL All Stars (0) vs. The Destroyers of Doom (0)

Liga Cosmica (0) vs. The Empire (0)

Shin Jidai (Azteckaizer NEO & Wyvern) (0) vs. X-Drones (0)

If you like and respect tag team wrestling, you’re going to love AWL 222.  See you there!

I hate it when the boss gets cryptic.

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

                The card for episode 222 of the Animated Wrestling League is coming together and shall be announced tomorrow.  However, it is another matter about which I wish to speak.

                On Tuesday next, I shall make a special announcement that will change the very nature of the Animated Wrestling League forevermore.  But that is all that I shall say at this time.

--XOXO AWL Commissioner

Ugh, not this guy again!

                The following message was delivered to AWL HQ this morning.  The words of Yamada Jiro do not necessarily reflect those of the Animated Wrestling League, it’s owners, management, or staff.  This message has been translated, under duly noted protest, by the AWL Translation Team.

                As the only wrestler in the AWL with two points on the board, I demand that Nippon Yokatta be given a match at AWL 222.  No tag team event would be complete without proper Japanese fighting spirit.  Japanese wrestling is rightly known for great tag team wrestling.  That is because we are we know how to work together.  Something foreign devils can never understand.  In fact, I insist that we be given a match with fellow Japanese.  There can be no competition otherwise.  Perhaps that new team of Tigers.  Tiger the Dark, a Japanese man, dares to take up a foreign devil’s legacy?  No wonder he’s never won a match in the AWL.  He won’t start now!

                What a disgustingly racist little turd.  Still, it sounds like a good match.  Let’s hope the AWL Commissioner makes it official.

The Tag Teams Take the Stage.

Sometimes the universe just lines up for you.  As announced during AWL 221, this weekend’s show will be main evented by an AWL World’s Tag Team Championship Match:

AWL 222 Main Event:

T49P (C) vs. The New Classics (3)

AWL World Tag Team Championship Match

1^st Title Defense

Because of this and because the numerical coincidence of it being episode 222, the AWL Commissioner has announced that AWL 222 will be an all tag team event!!

Every match will be a tag team match and points will be on the line.  Most of the registered tag teams in the AWL are currently sitting on zero points so this will be an important opportunity for a lot of AWL Wrestlers.

Already Liga Cosmica, Shin Jidai, and the newest registered tag team Tiger Mask W are set for action.  More teams and specific matches will be announced later this week.

AWL 221: Season 12 Begins!

AWL: By the Numbers! 01/20/2018 edition.

It has been a LONG time since I’ve done one of these.  This is an irregular feature where I break down what’s happening in each division of the AWL to give you a clear picture of how things stand.

AWL Grand Championship:

Current Champion: HAKAISHA!

Length of Reign: 46 days (Since Final Wars, December 5th)

Number of Defenses: 0

AWL Best 4:

1. Chiba Akagi (Winner of NYT)

2. Wyvern

3/4: Hassan and Azteckaizer NEO

Golden Opportunity: THUGLIFE Tanaka Kenichi.                                                         

AWL World’s Tag Team Championship:

Current Champions: T49P (Hassan and Kid Canada)

Length of Reign: 193 Days (Since AWL 220 on July 11th)

Number of Defenses: 0

Points in Play:

3 Points: None.

2 Points: The New Classics.

1 Point: Nippon Yokata.  Tiger Mask II & Okada Kazuchika.  Yamada Jiro & X-Drone.

All other teams have zero points.

AWL Intercontinental Championship:

Currently Vacant.

That’s it.  I’m sure the AWL Commissioner will give some deserving AWL Wrestlers the chance to become the new AWL Intercontinental Champion as soon as the start of season craziness dies down.  Until then we are represented by HAKAISHA, Hassan, and Kid Canada.  We could certainly do worse.

See you tomorrow for the grand return of the Animated Wrestling League!

More matches (?) announced for AWL 221

We already know about the main event Ultimate Champion’s Showcase, but the AWL Commissioner has just announced new matches for this Sunday’s Season Premier…sort of.

One match we know for certain will be a tag team match:

The New Classics (2) vs. Tiger Mask W (Tiger Mask II & Tiger the Dark) (0)

                Points in the tag team division carry over from last season.  So, The New Classics need only one win to earn the right to challenge T49P for the AWL World’s Tag Team Championships.  On the other side of the ledger, Tiger the Dark is one of the newest members of the proper AWL Roster.  He was formerly associated with GWM but fought on our side during the lead up to Final Wars.  Let’s see how he does in his first official match in the AWL.

                Additionally, the AWL Commissioner has listed for AWL Wrestlers (Ganba, Chiba Akagi, Tanaka Kenichi, and Project Tetsu) as “set for action.”  What does that mean?  You guess is as good as mine.

Interview with Chiba Akagi

                I sat down with the winner of the 2018 New Year’s Tournament, Chiba Akagi, to get his thoughts following his big win.  As always, thanks and credit to the AWL Translation Team for their help.

Ryusensei: First of all, congratulations Chiba-senshu on your victory.  What’s going through your head right now?

Chiba Agaki: It still doesn’t feel real.  Getting home, unpacking my bag, and finding the NYT belt.  The first thought in my mind was, “Did I take someone else’s bag by mistake?”  But it’s slowly sinking in that my name is going on a list of the very best in AWL history.  Ganba, Matt Classic, Wonder Kid, even international legends like Ultramantis Black.  The name Chiba Akagi will be in that pantheon for the rest of time.  I can only hope to be worthy of inclusion.

Ryusensei: What’s next for you?  You’re the new #1 Contender for the AWL Grand Championship, do you know when your championship match will be?

Chiba Akagi: I don’t know.  I’ve spoken to the AWL Commissioner and he told me I’m going to have to wait a few weeks.  He wants me fully recovered from the tournament first.  I can’t disagree with that, but I don’t want to just sit home.  So, I’ve asked for a match at AWL 221 to help me stay in ring shape.

Ryusensei: Is that wise?  If you lose a match between now and your title match, you’ll put your #1 Contendership at risk.

Chiba Akagi: Then I’ll have to make sure I don’t lose.

Ryusensei: HAHA!  OK, I can’t argue with that.  Last thing, any words for HAKAISHA!?

Chiba Akagi: Only this: The last time I made a promise in one of these interviews, I promised that I would make all four of my opponents submit to win the tournament.  I did that.  HAKAISHA!, I have nothing but respect for you, but I’m going to make you tap out and I’m going to be the first ever two time AWL Grand Champion.

Here we go!

                The 2018 New Year’s Tournament is in the history books and it’s time to return to ordinary business for the Animated Wrestling League.  Season 12 of the AWL will begin with what we are considering a “jumping on point” that will introduce you to some of our wrestlers, our rules system, and some of our traditions.

                One of those traditions will be on display in the main event: The Champion’s Showcase!  Traditionally, The Champion’s Showcase is when the AWL Grand Champion and Intercontinental Champion team up against the AWL World’s Tag Team Champions.

                There’s just one problem…we don’t currently have an IC champion.  So, the AWL Commissioner has booked something he calls “The Ultimate Champion’s Showcase” as the main event of AWL 221.

                It will be a trios match pitting the AWL Grand Champion HAKAISHA! AND the AWL World’s Tag Team Champions T49P against three champions from friends of the AWL…New Japan Pro Wrestling! 

The still reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion shall team up with two men making their AWL Debuts.  First, fellow member of Chaos and reigning IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion, “The Aerial Assassin” Will Osprey will bring his internet breaking style of highflying wrestling to the AWL.  Second, and I admit I’m burying the lead a bit here, the reigning IWGP Intercontinental Champion, the Ace of New Japan, the once in a century talent, Tanahashi Hiroshi!!  The champions of the AWL versus the past present and future of New Japan!  It all happens this Sunday morning Japan time at the AWL Arena in Tokyo.

AWL 221: MAIN EVENT—Trios Match

HAKAISHA!, Hassan, & Kid Canada vs. Okada Kazuchika, Tanahashi Hiroshi, & Will Osprey

Ultimate Champion’s Showcase!

AWL New Year's Tournament 2018! お正月大会‼

Words from the Warriors

We are mere days away from the New Year’s Tournament and you can cut the excitement with a knife.  Our first show since July, so the pressure is on to restart the AWL with a bang.  More importantly, it’s the most difficult show of the year for our wrestlers.  The winner of the New Year’s Tournament must win 4 matches in one night!  How are the 15 known participants preparing for this pugilistic pressure cooker?  Well, I asked them and here’s how they responded:

Ganba: (Translated from the original Japanese)

                My career and honor have been stained by GWM forcing me into that ridiculous and racist costume.  Though I admit Luke had it much worse.  This tournament is a chance to purify myself and show the world MY puroresu!  I’ve climbed the mountain twice before, I know I can do it again.

Hassan:

                I’ve basically been out of wrestling for the last 6 months.  But that whole time I had my AWL World’s Tag Team title belt hanging on my wall.  That was all the motivation I needed to keep hitting the gym and preparing for this.  For the return of the AWL.  Everyone else had better watch out because their ain’t no ring rust on the Arab American Dream baby!

Tiger Mask II: (Translated from the original Japanese)

                Before I talk about the tournament, I want to address rumors that I have broken my word to Tiger the Great III.  I promised him a GWM Title Match if he agreed to Final Wars.  But I never said that title match would take place that night.  If Tiger the Great III wishes to fight me for the GWM belt, I will accept his challenge any time, anywhere.  But with GWM disbanded, that belt isn’t worth much, is it?  Still, I’m willing to accept his challenge and give him the match I promised.

                But right now, I’m focused on a championship that matters, the AWL Grand Championship!  At the New Year’s Tournament, the Tiger Style will be on full display!

               

Sammy Nix:

                Feels weird to be answering questions from you again Ryu.  But a good kinda weird, ya know?  As for the tournament, the game plan hasn’t changed.  Last year, nobody had an answer to the Chimera-plex.  This year, nothin’s gonna change.  I still have the 2017 NYT Belt and I’m bringing her new little sister back home to NYC where she belongs!

Dr. Jigoku: (Speaking on behalf of Project Tetsu)

                I have further upgraded my most powerful creation for its first foray into this silly social custom.  My Iron Project has been fortified and the collection of…inferior… specimines that make up this tournament pose no challenge at all.  We shall prove ourselves…SUPERIOR!

Wyvern: (Translated from Japanese)

Man, oh man is it good to be back!  It’s a second beginning for the AWL so it’s only appropriate that all three of us are in the tournament.  Speaking of which, Matt, good to have you back buddy.  No matter what happens on January 7^th, the NYT belt and the #1 Contendership belong a member of Shin Jidai.

Chiba Akagi: (Translated from Japanese)

                I’ve had plenty of time to refine my technique and my arsenal of submission holds is larger than ever.  Submission wrestling has fallen out of favor in the last couple of years.  I’m going to change that by winning the AWL New Year’s Tournament using only submissions to win all 4 of my matches.  Then I am going to make HAKAISHA tap out and become the FIRST EVER 2-time AWL Grand Champion.

                But since I’ve got you here, I want to send a message to Hifumi Ryuji.  My friend, I know we haven’t spoken in a while and that you haven’t signed a new AWL contract yet.  Please do.  I think we can still take Team Victory all the way to the AWL World’s Tag Team Titles.  Please call the Commissioner.

                That’s all.

Azteckaizer Neo: (Translated from Japanese)

                The Star of Aztec is telling me that this will be a significant year for the AWL and myself.  I hope that foretells victory in the tournament…but I fear we approach a much darker future.

Okada: (Translated from Japanese)

                I have three things to say:

                1!  New Japan is my home and I represent our traditions proudly as champion.

                2!  I love the Animated Wrestling League.  This is some of the best competition in the world.

                3!  The New Year’s Tournament will be perfect practice for my Wrestle Kingdom 12 match with Naito.  If I can go the distance here, I can outlast that lazy bastard any day of the week.

                So, Animated Wrestling League, on January 7^th, we are going to make it rain!

*Editor’s note: The New Year’s Tournament will be taped before Wrestle Kingdom 12.

Lee Masters:

                You know, it’s been a difficult year for me and Sammy.  We haven’t held the tag titles in a while and we’ve held those belts so many times that ya know, it’s sometimes hard to see where there is left to go.  This tournament is exactly what we both need to get the competitive juices flowing.

Erupticon Solar: (Translated from Spanish)

                I’m ready to go, I don’t want to wait until January 7^th, I want to fight right now!  This year, my hero Jushin Thunder Liger fought in his last Best of the Super Jr.’s Tournament.  I’m going to honor him and his legacy by winning my first AWL New Year’s Tournament.  

Big Jerry:

                All right, I must admit, I’m not very good at this singles stuff.  But I’m gonna give it a proper try all right?  We’ll just see what happens.  I’m the biggest bloke in the tournament, I recon that’s gotta count for something, right?

Estralla Dorada: (Translated from Spanish)

The heavens align to allow me the chance to fulfill my destiny and claim my rightful place as the greatest luchador of all time.  Defeating the Rainmaker is only the first step.  Not even the IWGP Champion can survive The Heat Death of the Universe!

               

Matt Classic Jr.:

                A couple of months ago I saw my career flash before my eyes.  That damned ring rope nearly scrambled my brains.  But dad always told me you have to get right back into the ring.  (He wasn’t much for metaphors.)  The New Year’s Tournament is my time to shine.

                Once the tournament is over, Shin Jidai is back to full strength and back where we belong.  The two of us that don’t win the tournament are coming for the tag team titles and we’re going to be the first trio in AWL history to hold ALL the gold!

Ma-Ji-Ku: (Translated from Spanish)

                It may sound strange, but I love this!  Walking into the fire with no idea what’s going to meet me on the other side.  It gets my blood pumping.  Warms this warrior’s heart.  Makes me want to fight!

                A lot of people have been asking if this is my last tournament or if I’m going to retire soon.  ABSOLUTELY NOT!  Wrestling is what I love and I’m going to keep doing it until I can’t do it anymore.

                So, whoever you are mystery man, I’ll be waiting for you on January 7^th in the AWL Arena.  You step onto MY battlefield.  You face the Warrior of Light and it’s my time to shine!