COLLISION COURSE

Confirmed in the last NWA Pro Wrestling YouTube Video, The Worlds Champion will face the AWA Superstars of Wrestling Heavyweight Champion at the 4th Annual AWA Meeting of the Territories.
As of right now that match shakes up to be "Scrap Iron" Adam Pearce taking on the "Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko. Zbysko is a former two time AWA Heavyweight Champion defeating the likes of Jerry Lawler and Masa Saito. Zbyszko was awarded the AWA Superstars of Wrestling Heavyweight Championship when the AWA Superstars of Wrestling parted ways with Zero-One MAX and striped Masato Tanaka of the title, since Zbyszko was the last AWA Heavyweight Champion. "The Living Legend" has a scheduled defense at an Superstars of Wrestling Event, one week before the Collision Course, at Wrestle Race 8.0 which will take place in Indianapolis, Indiana. His opponent has yet to be named.
Pearce is no stranger to the AWA Superstars of Wrestling. Pearce cut his teeth in the Midwest competing early on in some of the AWA Superstars or Wrestling earliest events. But before Pearce can take part in this uneasy homecoming he has to get through some stiff competition. As previously reported Pearce has a scheduled defense against former Worlds Champion "Shooter" Brent Albright. This will mark the 5th time the two wrestlers have faced off for the title. Pearce's history with Albright one could liken to the history of the "Nature Boy" Ric Flair and "Handsome" Harley Race. Pearce has a big opstacle facing him in Corpus Christi Texas, but a victory against Albright will lead him to this epic match.

All of this takes place At the 4th Annual AWA Meeting of the Territories, AMF Lanes and Family Entertainment Center, The Home of AWA Brew City Wrestling 901 Northview Road, Waukesha, Wisconsin with a 7:30 p.m. Bell Time.

New Women's World Champion

In what must be considered the biggest upset of the year, Amazing Kong has finally been defeated for the NWA Women's World Championship. Kong, who has maintained a dual Champion for the better part of the year. Previously holding the AWA Women's Japanese Championship and the NWA Women's World Championship. Shortly after losing the AWA title, she joined TNA and won their Knockout Championship.

MsChif was defeated by Kong for the title last year. MsChif after avenging her defeat from Kong on Sunday, MsChif also defeated Sara Del Rey for the Shimmer Championship yesterday. This marks the second time that our reigning Women's Champion has been a dual champion.

Sayonara AWA! President Nakamura Comments!

Sayonara AWA! President Nakamura Comments!
December 12th, 2007

As many wrestling fans have been made aware, ZERO1-MAX and the AWA have severed ties. This situation has been compounded by various reports on the internet and one very disingenuous press release put out by the AWA. While ZERO1-MAX was ready to make the split amicable, AWA ownership felt it was necessary to release blatant falsehoods in a sad attempt to spin the situation and to bash Pro Wrestling ZERO1-MAX.

It is under these circumstances that Pro-Wrestling ZERO1-MAX President Yoshiyuki Nakamura felt compelled to release the following statement:

"I know Dale Gagne personally, but I don't believe he is who he says he is anymore. Is he a "real" Gagne? I think he should show all Pro Wrestling fans his birth certificate to prove it. He told me when ZERO1-MAX became AWA affiliates, 'I will run AWA shows in San Francisco's Cow Palace.' Did he run shows there? I haven't heard that he has. What about the AWA Pay-Per-View show he promised me he would develop? When did this happen? Did I miss it?"

"Why did ZERO1-MAX leave the AWA? We believe that Gagne (if that's his real name) cannot build the AWA any bigger than it currently is. I had a dream of a 'reborn AWA.' Yet all the wrestlers were always laughing at Dale, the fans were always laughing at him. CEO? President? Dale is not a "Gagne!"

"I love the AWA history, so I stayed with the AWA for almost three full years. ZERO1-MAX did more for the AWA then they ever did for us. Of course I will always respect all former AWA champions, and I hope the AWA gets its act together.
I wish them luck in the future."

Yoshiyuki Nakamura
ZERO1-MAX/Japan

Credit: ZeroOneUSA.com

As I previously stated, it was more likely that Zero One MAX had canceled its membership with the AWA instead of the story Ganger was selling. I truly hope that an agreement can be worked out with Zero One to re-join the Alliance. I don't usually advocate the NWA to just add anybody, but the sentiment that I feel is that Zero One only helps the Alliance. Strengthening the brand in Japan. And adding another list of reputable wrestlers to showcase.

Could there be a new NWA member in Japan?

JAPAN TAKES A DOUBLE BLOW
Zero-1 MAX Terminated from the AWA;
Masato Tanka stripped of the World Title.
credit: AWAStars.com

AWA Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. has officially terminated it's sanctioning and relationship with Zero-1 MAX / Hustle / First on Stage. "The professional wrestling industry in Japan has changed dramatically over the last few years and is in economic turmoil, with only a few promoters succeeding at capturing an audience to an overexposed business", stated AWA President & CEO Dale R. Gagne. "Zero-1 MAX has become a mere shadow of it's former self with diminishing audiences,
income and lack of touring talent". Gagne stated the decision was well thought out and difficult however, "we gave them every opportunity to succeed by becoming a part of our company and brand. The audience in Japan simply won't continue supporting a business unwilling to change". The AWA has subsequently been in negotiations with a high-profile, nostalgic concert promoter to produce arena events in Japan and other markets in Europe.

"Laughable has been the internet rumors that Zero-1 "owns" the AWA World Championship", continued Gagne. "Although they own a replica version of the title belt, no one owns or controls the title except for the AWA itself". The AWA has served notice to Zero-1 MAX promoter Yoshi Nakamura and has warned him not to disrespect his wrestlers by referring to them as fake Champions. They have been advised to remove the AWA name from their entire promotion as to not confuse fans with future major AWA events in Japan. Gagne was very specific when commenting on Zero-1 being associated again with the NWA. "If the NWA wants to be affiliated with a sinking ship, that's their decision to make", stated Gagne. "Our relationship with Zero-1 was being accommodated by Steve Corino, who recently quit the promotion. Watch for Zero-1 to become involved again with the NWA at their match on December 13th. Who would blame them? They have no where else to go". Keep visiting www.awastars.com for the developing story.

First off, my take on the AWA discontinuing their sanctioning is probably a legal precaution. And in reality, the 3 strongest members of the AWA; Mid-Atlantic, Hawaii, and Zero One all offer a greater product then anything else being produced by the AWA. However, there has been a lot of interest in the National Wrestling Alliance fan forums about this opportunity.

Zero One is a former member, under Antonio Inoki. Inoki transfered his membership twice in the past decade, once from Zero One, to New Japan and now from New Japan to Inoki Genome Federation. A source of mine told me that there is some interest in a few of the former AWA territories.