AWL 280: Season 14 Finale!

Hero vs. Demon

                With mere hours to go until the Season Finale, I caught up with the challenger for the AWL Grand Championship:

Azteckaizer NEO:

                I’ve made a lot of mistakes.  I’ve indulged myself too much.  I embraced friendship when I should have been focused on my mission.  I don’t regret one moment of my time with Shin Jidai or my new friendship with ResuRED, but I failed the AWL by allowing the demon Gisei and his puppet control the AWL Grand Championship for as long as they have.  Because of me, Gisei has been able to tap into the mystic powers of the championship and that has made him even more powerful.  For that, I am truly sorry.

                But that all changes today.  I promise to bring the FULL power of the Star of Aztec into this fight.  Ganba has his dark magic, I have my light magic.  This match will be no mere contest between wrestlers, it will be a clash between the very forces of good and evil themselves.  For all our sake, pray that I win.

Gisei (Speaking on behalf of Ganba Hisshi DARK):

                Preparations are almost complete.  The Master accompanies the darkest timeline.  The golden powers assemble.  The next phase is ready.  We await The Arrival.  All will be revealed when the time is right.  Embrace the Brightest Dark!

Full Card for AWL 280

With just hours to go until the Season Finale of the 14^th season of the Animated Wrestling League, the final card is set:

AWL 280: Season 14 Finale!

MAIN EVENT

Ganba Hisshi DARK (C) vs. Azteckaizer NEO (#1)

AWL Grand Championship Match

4^th Title Defense

Akira Merune (C) vs. ResuPINK (#1)

AWL Joshi Championship Match

8^th Title Defense

The Spirit Pack (C) vs. The Tiger Bros. (4)

AWL World’s Tag Team Title Match

2 OUT OF 3 FALLS

1^st Title Defense

Erupcion Solar vs. Estrella Dorada

GRUDGE MATCH!

The Roc vs. Kyoujin Kobayashi

8-Woman Battle Royal

Winner enters AWL Best 4

THUGLIFE Tanaka Kenichi vs. Big Foot vs. Mr. Smiles vs. Hasaiki

BATSUMANIA!

Joshi Division Spotlight.

                13 and a half months ago, the Mistress of 1000 Holds climbed to the top of a ladder and became the first ever AWL Joshi Champion.  Now, more than a year later, she enters the ring against the strongest competitor in her seemingly unstoppable reign.  Yes, I’m talking about ResuPINK.  The tiny slip of a ranger.  While not as big as Athena Jane or as experienced as Dragoness, ResuPINK’s Super Sentai Super Power of mega strength make her more than a match for anyone in the ring.

                This will come down to who wrestles their match.  If it’s a standing brawl, ResuPINK will be the second ever AWL Joshi Champion.  If it’s a scientific wresting match, Akira Merune will continue to reign supreme.

                But there’s more to the AWL Joshi Division than a single title match.  No matter how the title match ends, we’re going to need a new member of the Joshi Division version of the AWL Best 4.  That’s the new match the AWL Commissioner has just announced:

Joshi Battle Royale!

Spring Tiger vs. Usa-chan vs. Wild Thing vs. Joya vs. Athena Jane 

vs. Yin vs. Yang vs. SOLO DARLING!

HUGE STIPULATION ADDED TO FINALE!

                THIS JUST IN!  By mutual agreement of both teams, the match between The Spirit Pack and The Tiger Brothers for the AWL World’s Tag Team Championship at AWL 280 is now…a two out of three falls match!

                These teams each have one victory over the other.  This weekend, we will determine the best tag team in the Animated Wrestling League beyond a shadow of a doubt and that team will walk out of the AWL Arena as World Tag Team Champions!

Starting at the Bottom.

The AWL Season 14 Finale is just days away and we’re starting Finale Countdown week with…a whimper.  Specifically, at the bottom of the card with Batsumania.  If this is your first Batsumania, the rules are:

1. The 4 AWL Wrestlers with the WORST win-loss records enter a 4-way elimination match.
2. The WINNER of each fall leaves the ring.
3. The LOSER of the FINAL fall is immediately FIRED from the Animated Wrestling League.
4. In this match, there are NO DQs, NO count outs, and NO time limit!  Anything goes!

                One wrestler will be fired.  So, let’s hear any last words from the Danger Zone:

THUGLIFE Tanaka Kenichi:

                Fakkuuyuu!  Fakku bigufuuto!

Hasaiki:

Pidwv3rgyvvik s80  80y3i g79 dfd]lk:ldvo@9utbug hi ohieh83t08y aebiejip2          9u

Mr. Smiles:

                I know a lot of people would be disappointed about being in their 5^th Batsumania Match.  But I like to look on the bright side of wrestling.  I’ve been featured on every Season Finale card since I started in the AWL.  7 straight seasons worth of wrestling on the biggest show of the season.  Only the best of the best in the AWL can say that!  Besides, I’ve survived Batsumania 4 times.  I’ve gotten pretty good at it.  See you Sunday, and let’s look forward to Season 15 together!

Big Foot:

                Last week, I slammed Tanaka through the ring in the grudge match.  This week.  I will do it again.  He’s the reason I’m in this mess.  He’s the reason I’ll get out of it.

AWL 279: Classic vs. Lie-ger in a STEEL CAGE!

Full Card for AWL 279!

                As promised, here’s the full card for the go home show for Season 14:

AWL 279

MAIN EVENT

Lie-ger (C) vs. Matt Classic Sr.

AWL Intercontinental Championship Match

1^st Title Defense

STEEL CAGE MATCH!

                The Intercontinental Championship is the only title in the AWL that allows for immediate rematches.  In this case, the AWL Commissioner has decided that we need to know who the better man is WITHOUT a thirty minute gauntlet preceding the fight.  Additionally, in order to prevent the rest of Nippon Yokatta from interfering, the ring will be surrounded by a 16 foot high steel cage.

                It’s been a while since we’ve had a steel cage match in the Animated Wrestling League and the rules have been altered somewhat since last time.  As of this writing, the rule of a steel cage match in the AWL (known as Cage Master Rules) are as follows:

                1. Victory by submission or knockout ONLY.

                2. No Pinfalls!  Any issue serious enough to require a steel cage requires a definitive winner.

                3. NO ESCAPING THE CAGE!  We’re not trying to determine who’s the best at running away.

                4. 30 minute time limit regardless of title match status.  Give the wresters time to settle things.

Ganba Hisshi DARK, Ganba’s Shadows, & Gisei vs. Azteckaizer NEO, ResuRED, The Roc, & Wyvern

Atomicos Match

                Yes, you read that correctly.  Gisei will compete in his first ever professional wrestling match!  He and the demonic army of the AWL Grand Champion will face off against a who’s who of AWL technicos including the #1 contender for the gold at AWL 280!

Yin & Yang (1) vs. Tiger & Bunny (0)

Points in Play

                With on half of the AWL Joshi Tag Team Champions already in a title match at AWL 280, the joshi tag titles cannot be defended at the finale.  However, if Yin & Yang are successful in this match and earn their second point, they will face Monster Union: Unholy Alliance at the finale in a tag team #1 Contenders match.

Tanaka Kenichi & Estrella Dorada vs. Big Foot & Erupcion Solar

Tag Team GRUDGE MATCH!

                As announced yesterday, the former members of Liga Cosmica, Erupcion Solar and Estrella Dorada, will face each other at AWL 280 in a Grudge Match.  However, Big Foot would very much like the chance to beat the hell out of his former boss in an anything goes match.  Unfortunately, Big Foot and Tanaka Kenichi are set for Batsumania at AWL 280 so a one on one Grudge Match is out of the question.

                That’s where this match comes in.  The AWL Commissioner has allowed all four men to compete in the first ever Tag Team Grudge Match.  Much like the singles version, there are no DQs, no count outs, no time limit, and it doesn’t count in the win loss records.  However, this tag team version throws an additional wrinkle into the mix: Tornado Tag Team Rules and Elimination Rules apply!

Nippon Yokatta vs. The New Classics & T49P

Atomicos Match

                With the fake liger in the main event, the AWL Commissioner decided we needed something to keep the rest of the gang busy unless they decided to try and find their way into the cage.  So, the AWL Commissioner called up Matt Classic’s students and the most decorated tag team in AWL History and they called the technico tag team they have the most respect for, Team 49^th Parallel.  Together, this dream team foursome of gaijin aim to show the xenophobes that they 100% belong in a Japanese ring.

                That’s the card.  Join us this weekend for AWL 279, with only one week to go until the season finale, it’s going to get nuts!

New Matches Announced for AWL 280!

                After what happened last weekend at AWL 278, the AWL Commissioner has announced two new matches and confirmed one more for the Season 14 Finale!  First the confirmation:

The Spirit Pack (C) vs. The Tiger Brothers (4)

AWL World’s Tag Team Championship Match

1^st Title Defense

                These two teams have given us two Match of the Season candidates the last two times they’ve wrestled each other.  They’re 1 and 1.  At AWL 280, it’ll be the rubber match with the AWL World’s Tag Team Titles on the line!

                Next, the two new matches announced coming out o AWL 278:

The Roc vs. Kyoujin Kobayashi

                A rematch from their Graduation Match at the Golden War.  The entire AWL Roster was shocked and more than a little angry that Kyoujin Kobayashi has quit the AWL Dojo and signed a private contract with Yamada Jiro to join Nippon Yokatta, making the xenophobic stable the second largest faction in the AWL second only to The Forces of Jigoku.

Erupcion Solar vs. Estrella Dorada

GRUDGE MATCH

                For those unfamiliar, an AWL Grudge Match is an anything goes unsanctioned contest.  There are not disqualifications, no count outs, no time limit, and no holds will be barred.  The only way to win is pinfall, submission, or knockout in the AWL Ring.  A Grudge Match does not count towards win loss records and the losing wrestler must pay the referee’s fee for the bout as the AWL does not recognize the match.

                After last weekend's attack backstage, including the use of a chemical weapon, the AWL Commissioner has INSISTED that these two men settle their differences inside the ring at the finale.  We can’t risk the safety of AWL backstage staff or, heaven forbid, AWL fans with these two constantly attacking each other.  So, they’ll hopefully put this to an end once and for all.

                Tomorrow, the full card for AWL 279 will be announced.

AWL 278 plus the week that should have been.

I was sick this week and was unfortunately unable to update the blog.  So, in addition to this week's episode of the AWL, here are BOTH this week's blog and the 278th episode of the Animated Wrestling League.

Wednesday: AWL 280 Card So Far.

                OK, so the main event of AWL 277 didn’t exactly work out as planned.  Yes, we will have a rematch this weekend at AWL 278.  However, even if we don’t have tag team #1 contenders yet, there’s still news to report as the season finale continues to take shape:

AWL 280: Season 14 Finale!

MAIN EVENT

Ganba Hisshi DARK (C) vs. Azteckaizer NEO (#1)

AWL Grand Championship Match

4^th Title Defense

Akira Merune (C) vs. ResuPINK (#1)

AWL Joshi Championship Match

8^th Title Defense

The Spirit Pack (C) vs. TBD

AWL World’s Tag Team Championship Match

1^st Title Defense

We also have two new matches just announced by the AWL Commissioner.  The first is a confirmation of a match we already knew was happening:

THUGLIFE Tanaka Kenichi vs. Big Foot vs. Mr. Smiles vs. Hasaiki

BATSUMANIA!

                And now an escalation of a match that took place at the Golden War back during Golden Week:

Erupcion Solar vs. Estrella Dorada

GRUDGE MATCH!

                It’s been a while since we’ve had one of these, so let me remind you of the rules of a Grudge Match:  Rule 1: Pins and submissions only count in the ring.  There is no Rule 2.  No disqualifications, no count outs, no holds barred, everything is legal!  Bring the weapons, bring the kids!

                OK, I might have been joking about that last part.

Thursday: CHALLENGE(s) ACCEPTED!

                It’s official!  Matt Classic Sr has accepted the challenge of Yamada Jiro and Nippon Yokatta!  This weekend at AWL 278 there will be an Intercontinental Championship Gauntlet Match!  Matt will defend the AWL IC Title in FIVE consecutive title matches.  Back to back to back to back to back!

If Matt can run the gauntlet, he will have the necessary victories to challenge for the AWL Grand Championship.  The question is, would he wait for next season or (as would be his right) insist on replacing Azteckaizer NEO in the main event of AWL 280?  Tune in this weekend to find out!

Friday: Full Card for AWL 278.

                With anywhere up to 5 title defenses scheduled for the IC Gauntlet, it looks like a short card this week:

AWL 278:

MAIN EVENT(s)

Matt Classic Sr. (C) vs. Nippon Yokatta (All 5 Members)

AWL Intercontinental Championship GAUNTLET MATCH

The Tiger Brothers (2) vs. Monster Union (2)

2 Point/20 Minute Match

Winner Challenges at AWL 280!

                A special note on the gauntlet match.  By order of the AWL Commissioner, the newest member of Nippon Yokatta will be the FIRST challenger in the gauntlet.  So, we’re going to find out who was crazy enough (or desperate enough) to sign a private contract with Yamada Jiro.

AWL 277: Tigers vs. Monsters

Previews and Powerhouses

The AWL Commissioner has announced two more matches for AWL 277.  In the first, we get a preview of the AWL Grand Championship Match at AWL 280:

Azteckaizer NEO vs. Ganba’s Shadow

                The number one contender to the Grand Championship will wrestle a not exactly pale imitation of the champion.  This will be the first time we’ve seen one of Ganba’s minions compete in a singles match.  From what we’ve seen in tag team and trios matches, the shadows seem to have the exact same moveset as Ganba Hisshi DARK himself.  Technically, I guess that makes this he perfect warm up match.

                Second, with Batsumania fast approaching the AWL Commissioner is putting together matches that he wants to see (and hopefully that you want to see as well).  This is one such match:

Big Jerry vs. Big Foot

                In the AWL, this is the ULITMATE hoss match!  The ring will be reinforced, and extra insurance will be taken out against damage to the building.  This will be a true clash of the titans.  Nuff said!

                All this AND a tag team #1 contenders’ match.  It’s going be a thrilling night at the matches at AWL 277!

The Choice is Made!

Ladies and Gentlemen!  The Tiger Brothers have made their choice of who they will fight this weekend at AWL 277 for the right to challenge the AWL World’s Tag Team Champions The Spirit Pack at the Season 14 Finale.  Here is the message we received earlier this morning (Translated from the original Japanese by the AWL Translation Team):

                We have two teams in front of us.  First, a newly formed pair of monsters looking for an opportunity.  Second, a bully and his victim who deserve to lose their two points and any chance of becoming champions.

                For us, the deciding  factor wasn’t who we can beat (because we can beat either of them), but who deserved the same chance to shine that our teachers gave us.  For that reason, we choose to wrestle Monster Union!

                --Shin Tiger Jr. & Black Tiger Justice

                There you have it folks.  Not only will this #1 Contenders’ Match take place this weekend at the AWL Arena, the AWL Commissioner has announced that it will take place in the main event of the evening!

                See you there!

AWL 276: #1 Contenders Chosen

Full Card for AWL 276

MAIN EVENT

H-03 (#1) vs. Project 鉄 (#2) vs. ResuRED (#3) vs. Azteckaizer NEO (#4)

Reshuffle Match

Winner challenges at AWL 280

ResuPINK (#1) vs. Dragoness (#2) vs. Jackie M. (#3) vs. Neko Musumae (#4)

Reshuffle Match

Winner challenges at AWL 280

Big Jerry vs. King Akira vs. Black Tiger Justice

3-Way Match

Winner chooses their opponents in next week’s tag team #1 contenders’ match.

Big Time Thug S (0) vs. Danger 13 (1)

Points in Play

If Danger 13 loses, Mr. Smiles will be locked in the Danger Zone.

The Roc vs. “Australian Dynamite” Michael Dunne

Matt Classic Speaks

                The following message arrived by courier to AWL HQ this morning.

To whom it may concern,

                My son lost the right to wrestle in the AWL thanks to Ganba Hisshi DARK.  Yes, my son chose to invoke the Test of 10.  But it was Ganba that not only ended his AWL career but injured him so severely in the process that he hasn’t wrestled a single match since.  He may never wrestle again.

                I don’t blame Ganba for winning the match.  That would be insane.  I blame Ganba for being unprofessional about it.  Ever since I started this business, there’s always been a code amongst wrestlers.  Fight hard.  Fight to win.  Fight to feed yourself and your family.  But ALWAYS remember that the other guy has his family to feed too.  He has his own bills to pay.  So, fight to win, but not to injure and NEVER to cripple or kill.  Recognize they the other guy has to earn a living too.

                Ganba has broken that code FAR too many times.  He’s lost the right to call himself a wrestler and he has no business carrying the AWL Grand Championship around his waist!

                So, I’m going to take it from him.  I need 5 matches against 5 opponents.  I’m asking the AWL Commissioner to find me those matches as fast as possible.  I know I don’t have enough time between now and AWL 280 to earn (that’s right Ganba, EARN) my right to become champion.  But I’m an old man and I can’t afford to wait too long.

Matt Classic.

Danger Zone Update

                It’s that time again.  Time to check the AWL Win-Loss Records to find the 4 worst wrestlers in the Animated Wrestling League.  At the moment, they are:

Wrestler	Win	Loss	Total	as of AWL 275
Tanaka Kenichi	49	-67	-18	LOCKED
Mr. Smiles	15	-27	-12
Hasaiki	11	-21	-10
Big Foot	10	-19	-9

                As you can see, Frederick Victor has won enough matches (mostly in tag team action) to save himself for the time being.  Unfortunately for him, Big Foot has fallen into the Danger Zone.  This is mostly (read: entirely) thanks to his association with Tanaka Kenichi who, once again, finds himself locked in the Danger Zone.  Meaning that even if he won a match at every show between now and the finale, he couldn’t save himself.

                Speaking of being locked in the Danger Zone, Mr. Smiles will find himself in the same boat unless he wins this weekend at AWL 276.

Contenders Matches Confirmed!

As advertised last week, AWL 276 will feature two 4-Way Reshuffle Matches.  The male and female AWL Best 4 will compete in an elimination match to determine their ranks within the Best 4 System.  The winner of the final fall will be the #1 Contender and will challenge for their division’s championship at AWL 280, the Season 14 Finale.

                Additionally, we find ourselves in an unusual situation in the men’s tag team division.  Teams currently have 2 points.  This leaves the AWL Commissioner with 3 options.

1. Arbitrarily choose two of those teams to compete in a #1 Contender’s Match.

2. Send them all against each other in a 3-Way Tag Match.

3. Find a fair way to choose 2 teams for a #1 Contender’s Match.

                To the surprise of absolutely nobody, the Commissioner has chosen option 3.  Monster Union, The Empire, and The Tiger Brothers will choose one member to compete in a 3-Way Match.  The last man standing will choose which team he and his partner face next week.  The winner of that match will challenge The Spirit Pack at AWL 280.

                Everybody got that?

AWL 275: Solar vs. Classic for the IC Title!

IC Title Promos

                In less than 24 hours the AWL Intercontinental Championship will be on the line as the defending Erupcion Solar pits his Lucha Libre skills against the inventor of professional wrestling, Matt Classic Sr.  As per AWL custom (meaning whenever I get around to it), this final blog post of the week shall be turned over to the champion and challenger to say their piece before the match.  First, the challenger:

Matt Classic Sr. (Transcribed from a letter apparently written on a typewriter.)

Dear Erupcion Solar,

                Listen up kid.  I like you.  Yer one heckofa wrestler.  But that doesn’t matter right now.  You have something I need.  I’m an old man, I admit it.  I don’t know how many matches I have left in me and I have something I need to do before this old body of mine forces me back into retirement.  I need to stop Ganba or whatever he’s calling himself these days.  He ended my son’s career.  So, I’m going to take the only thing he cares about: His belt.

                This is personal.  This is family.  I don’t have the time to wait around for a tournament or for the AWL Commissioner to give me a chance to get on the waiting list.  So, I need the AWL IC belt so I can carve my own path to Ganba.

                No offence kid, but I’m going to give ya the old airplane spin and before you can get up I’mma lock on the Claw and that will be that.

                Sincerely,

                Matt Classic Sr.

Erupcion Solar: (Translated from the original Spanish by the AWL Translation Team.)

                Fine.  Classic wants to look past me.  He wants to act like I’m some stepping stone to bigger and better things?  Suits me.  People have been underestimating me my entire career.  Nippon Yokatta took me lightly and I took their belt.  My…ex…partner looked down his nose at me, and I humiliated him in front of the world at the Golden War.  Now one of the few American wrestlers I grew up admiring decides to look past me?  Good.