NWA Heritage Champion represents the NWA in the ZERO1 Fire Festival Tournament

Courtesy of ZEROOneUSA

Inoki Genome Federation wrestler Atsushi Sawada appeared at the ZERO1 Offices in Tokyo today along with a camera crew from Samurai TV. Also in his possession was a letter on official NWA stationary declaring Sawada as the official representative of the NWA for the Fire Festival '11.

ZERO1 Ring announcer Oki was the only person present at the office when Sawada arrived. When Oki said he had received no official information of notice from the NWA he wasn't sure what to make of Sawada's claims.

Sawada flew into a rage and assaulted Oki:

"You dare feign ignorance? Try reading this letter first, my representation of the NWA has been decided! I am the NWA Heritage champion, announce my participation immediately!"

Oki then convened an emergency meeting of the ZERO1 Fire Festival executive committee in the afternoon and contacted the NWA-PPF who confirmed Sawada's claim as their representative. The NWA then sent an identical versions of Sawada's letter to ZERO1 President Shinjiro Otani as proof of their decision.

This fills the final slot of the Fire Festival '11. The separate blocks will be announced following the upcoming Destruction King's 7th Anniversary Mourning Special show tomorrow in Tokyo's Korakuen Hall. Also on that show Sawada will once more team with longtime ZERO1 gaijin fighter Steve Corino to again try to seize the NWA Intercontinental Tag Team titles from Kohei Sato & KAMIKAZE.

The Sawada & Corino lost the Kohei & KAMIKAZE back on March 6th at the ZERO1 10th Anniversary at Ryogoku Kokugikan in their 1st challenge for these titles.

NWA ZERO1 announces the participants for the Fire Festival Tournament

Courtesy of Puroresu Spirit

NWA Heritage Champion Atsushi Sawada joins the ZERO1 Roster to compete in the Fire Festival Tournament.

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New ZERO1 Heavyweight Champion The Sheik

The Sheik is the new ZERO1 Heavyweight Champion.

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Matches from ZERO1's 10th Anniversary Show March 16th 2011

Courtesy of H781N Youtube Channel

NWA ZERO1 Wrestlers to appear for INOKI GENOME FEDERATION

Since the inception of IGF, the NWA has played a pivotal role with the wrestling promotion, although not officially a member IGF has used many notable names in the NWA and for GENOME 15 at the JCB Hall in Tokyo on April 28th, will be no different.

NWA Heritage Heavyweight Champion, Sawada will be taking on NWA ZERO1 Heavyweight Champion Ryouji Sai. Neither title is on the line, but this match will certainly have World Championship Ranking implications as a loss for Sai should result in Sawada replacing him in the Top Ten. A victory for Sai could catapult him even higher to the NWA Top Ten.

Former ZERO1 Heavyweight Champion Shinjiro Othani will team with the red hot Daichi Hashimoto (son of NWA Hall of Famer Shinya Hashimoto) to take on Yoshiaki Fujiwara and Minoru.

Also on the card is the NWA Korean Heavyweight Champion "The Beast" Bob Sapp taking on Masayoshi Kakuntani in a IGF Kickboxing Rules Match. Plus Tatsumi Fujinami will take on Big Van Vader and so much more.

Complete card below with credit to Puroresu Spirit.


IGF "GENOME15", 4/2...8/2011 (Thur) @ Tokyo Dome City Hall (JCB Hall in Tokyo)

(8) IGF Championship ~ First Round Match: Shinichi Suzukawa vs. Jerome Le Banner
(7) IGF Championship ~ First Round Match: Bobby Lashyey vs. Keith Hansen
(6) IGF x ZERO1: Atsushi Sawada vs. Ryouji Sai
(5) Yoshiaki Fujiwara & Minoru vs. Shinjiro Ohtani & Daichi Hashimoto
(4) IGF Kickboxing Rules Match (3 Mins. x 3 Rounds): "The Beast" Bob Sapp vs. Masayoshi Kakutani
(3) Fujinami 40th Anniversary Special Match ~ DRAGON vs BIGBANG: Tatsumi Fujinami vs. Big Van Vader
(2) Earthquake Disaster Recovery Special Match ~ Mask of Super Stars: The Great Sasuke & Masked Genome Jr vs. The First Tiger Mask & Ultimo Dragon
(1) Taka Kunou & Munenori Sawa vs. Hideki Suzuki & Akira Jo

Viva La Lucha's Champions and Challengers featuring talent from NWA Pro Wrestling

The 4th Edition of the Viva La Lucha PPV Series Champions and Challengers debuted last night on iNDEMAND through out the United States.  All of the NWA Heritage Titles will be on the line at this event, along with a big match up featuring former NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion Blue Demon Jr.  Playing all month on PPV in the U.S. and Canada before it even hits TV in Mexico.

On the last installment of Viva La Lucha PPV, Pro Wrestling Revolution's (NWA Pro Wrestling Affiliate) Heavyweight Championship was decided when Oliver John squared off against Blue Demon Jr.  Blue Demon Jr. was successful in defeating his long time nemesis Oliver John and taking away his Revolution Heavyweight Championship.  On Champions and Challengers, Oliver John faces off against that rising star of Inoki Genome Federation, Atsushi Sawada in this international match up.

Also on the card will be a 4 Way War to determine the #1 contender to the PWR Jr. Heavyweight Title

Another big title defense will be for the NWA Heritage Tag Team Titles.  The Champs have been heavily featured on NWA Championship Wrestling from Hollywood as the RockNES Monsters have maintained their championship reigns with some of the best tag teams in Southern California.  On the 4th Edition of Viva La Lucha they will face off against former NWA World Tag Team Champions Los Luchas.  When these two teams face off you know it will be a fast paced and lots of fun tag team wrestling.  Think a modern day Rock 'n' Roll Express vs. Midnight Express. 

And the Main Event for Champions and Challengers, The revolution Heavyweight Champion Blue Demon squares off against El Generico to see who will advance in the IWL Title Tournament in Mexico.  Blue Demon Jr. has been looking to extend his championship legacy as of late.  Ring of Honor's El Generico already having establishing a name for himself in Canada and the United States is looking to build his legacy on the legendary Blue Demon name. 

New NWA Heritage Champion, Atsushi Sawada.

And NEW NWA Heritage Champion, Atsushi Sawada.  Sawada, is the seventh man to hold the championship, defeated Oliver John Saturday Night, July 31st in Watsonville, CA, at the Pro Wrestling Revolution show.  Sawada joined the NWA Pro roster in June for the initial NWA Showcase Tour that took place in June.  He was previously a regular for the Inoki Genome Federation.  There is no word if Sawada is returning to Japan with the Heritage Championship or will continue working in California.  Oliver John has had a string of bad luck in the month of July losing both his Pro Wrestling Revolution Championship , to Blue Demon Jr., and now the NWA Heritage Championship.  One could only imagine how upset John is after losing both his titles to non-American citizens.   

NWA Heritage Championship on the line; Pro Wrestling Revolution live from Watsonville.

The NWA Heritage Championship in a short time has become one of the premier titles of the National Wrestling Alliance.  The title was conceptualized as a traveling championship to be featured through the NWA Pro Wrestling territories.  The championship, which turns 4 years old in October has been defended as far East as Texas and has appeared on numerous events in Texas, Nevada, Arizona, and California.  On the eve of what could be the biggest match of Oliver John's life, the NWA Heritage Champion has to be thinking what went wrong.  It was only a mere 15 months ago, Oliver John out lasted "World Renown Indy Star" Chris Hero, World League Wrestling's "Superstar" Steve Anthony, and the previous champion Ryan Taylor, to be crowned the 6th NWA Heritage Champion.  Since gaining the championship at the live wrestling event during the Cauliflower Alley Club, Oliver John was made a top contender to the NWA World Championship, much like Adam Pearce before him.  Oliver John and his Border Patrol would become heavily featured on the NWA Showcase, "El Patron" would even go on to have a handful of non-title match victories over Former Champion Blue Demon Jr.  And until recently Oliver John was a dual champion being a long reigning Pro Wrestling Revolution Champion as well as NWA Heritage Champion.  Last week, things took a turn for the worse.  Oliver John was defeated for his Revolution Championship in Mexico City, Mexico during the Lucha Libre Expo and to make matters worse it was his nemesis, Blue Demon Jr., who would walk away champion.  

 

July 31st in Watsonville, CA. Oliver John's problems get worse.  John walks into the very real Atsushi Sawada.  I had previously profiled Sawada on my post  Who is this new challenger for the NWA Heritage Championship?  Unlike his opponent in Watsonville, Sawada has been having very good fortunes.  To say Sawada has been on a role as of late would be an understatement.  With victories over Brandon Parker, Orion, Todd Chandler, Tristan Archer, and Ariya Daivari, Sawada could be poised to take the Heritage Title from Oliver John.  Having watched Sawada now live 4 times I was reminded a lot of former NWA World Champion Naoya Ogawa. A lot of Judo throws complete with a Judo Gea.  And although Oliver John might be disenfranchised with American Foreign Policy on Illegal Immigration, John is well versed in a multiple styles of fighting and demonstrated his ability to withstand a stiffer style of wrestling when he went toe-to-toe with Go Shiozaki.  The fans in Watsonville, CA are certainly in for a treat.  And we're soon to find out if the NWA Heritage Champion will stay with Oliver John or become the new property of the outstanding youngster Sawada.

NWA Pro/M1W Presents Centre City Slam!

Main Event
Scorpio Sky vs. Shelton Benjamin
- On June 5th, Scorpio Sky defeated Joey Ryan & Johnny Goodtime in a triple threat match to earn a spot in Main Event at the biggest M1W show of the year against a mystery opponent. It was later revealed that the mystery opponent was none other than for WWE Superstar Shelton Benjamin! Now two of the most naturally gifted athletes to ever step foot in a ring will go head to head for the first time ever.

NWA Pro/M1W Heritage Tag Team Championship Match
RockNES Monsters (Johnny Goodtime & Johnny Yuma) (c) vs. Brian Kendrick & Paul London
- For nearly four months, The RockNES Monsters have been on a roll as the NWA Pro/M1W Heritage Tag Team Champions, overcoming any task that is put in their way. This might just be their toughest task to date as they face former WWE Tag Team Champions Brian Kendrick & Paul London who not only have that accomplishment under their belt, but also have more experience as a tag team than the current champions.

NWA Pro/M1W Championship Match
Willie Mack (c) vs. James Morgan
- This has been the most consistent and bitter rivalry in the history of M1W. Ever since Willie Mack became NWA Pro/M1W Champion, as the expense of former champion Morgan in a fatal four way elimination, Morgan has been at the throat of the champion, leaving him on the shelf with an injury, not only once, but twice. Willie Mack's most current injury came at the hands of Morgan's paid assassin, Cedric The Hitman, less than 3 weeks ago. Willie Mack has promised fans he will be in San Diego to defend his title, but many think Mack will not be at 100% if he makes it to "Centre City Slam."

First Time Match
Joey Ryan vs. "The King of Old School" Steve Corino
- Since Joey Ryan's split with C. Edward Vanderpyle, he has been on a tear in NWA Pro/M1W and has climbed into the NWA World Championship picture and looks to continue his winning ways against former ECW & former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Steve Corino. Corino however, has other plans in mind and looks to catapult his way back into the NWA World Championship picture by defeating one of the top contenders.

Ladies Match
Buggy vs. Candice LeRae
- Over the past few months, Buggy has seen her popularity rise among the fans here in Southern California as somewhat of a rookie sensation. Candice LeRae seems to have taken exception to this and as the woman who paved the way for all women's wrestling in Southern California, wants to make sure that she remains the queen bee here in SoCal.

International Tag Team Match
Los Luchas (Phoenix Star & Zokre) vs. Anchors Away (David E. Jones & Ryan Stone)
- Dealing with arrogant Americans is not new to Los Luchas, however Anchors Away being from the San Diego area, may have the home field advantage, not to mention establishing their wrestling in San Diego also gives them a more lucha influenced style which a lot of times Los Luchas can use to catch people off guard and score victories. With Anchors Away being schooled in that style, Los Luchas may have to figure out an alternate means to defeat the San Diego natives.

SoCal Pro Match
SoCal Crazy vs. Tommy Wilson
- SoCal Pro is the local NWA affiliate in the San Diego area and have signed this match between two of its top contenders for the SoCal Pro Championship. This match, on this stage is sure to have a big impact on the ranking system and the challengers that the SoCal Pro office deems fit to go after their most coveted prize.

Generations Match
Disco Machine vs. "Pretty" Peter Avalon
- Disco Machine is one of the original SoCal wrestlers who put this area on the professional wrestling map. His abilities have only gotten better as his skill and wisdom have grown. Peter Avalon is a relative newcomer to the area and is looking to not only get noticed, but force his way into becoming a household name by taking out an established veteran like Disco Machine.

International Singles Match
Ariya Daivari vs. Atsushi Sawada
- The NWA is known for having the best world wide competition and this match is an example of that. Middle East and Far East collide as Ariya Daivari, the younger brother of Shawn Daivari, takes on IGF warrior Atsushi Sawada.

8-Man Tag Team Match
Jacob Diez, Andrew Hellman, Mikey Callahan & Nick Madrid vs. Cedric The Hitman, Kyle Webb, Jason Watts & Brandon Parker
- For those following M1W Friday Fight Night, you will notice that this 8-Man Tag Team Match consists of four individual feuds as the issues between Diez & Cedric, Hellman & Webb, Callahan & Watts and Madrid & Parker are all heating up each and every week they seem to be at eachothers throats. There are many combustible elements in this one.

Who is this new challenger for the NWA Heritage Championship?

The NWA Heritage Title has been a special championship since its inception in October of 2006.  The inaugural champion was none other than reigning NWA World Champion Adam Pearce.  Other men who were fortunate to hold this championship were Sean Waltman, TJ Perkins, Ryan Taylor, and most recently Oliver John.  John won the championship by defeating Taylor, Chris Hero, and Steve Anthony. in a four-way match at the Cauliflower Alley Club. 

Since winning the title, Oliver John has been one of the most transparent wrestlers in the Alliance.  Making defenses on the Showcase and Pro Wrestling Revolution shows.  And even bringing his championship titles to Mexico although the Heritage Title hasn't been defended in Mexico.  

Enter Atsushi Sawada.  Sawada won the Rookie of the Year Award in Japan only two years ago.  Sawada has appeared Sawada was introduced to the NWA Pro Wrestling fans during the Showcase tour during the last weekend of June.  And with a little investigating I found out that familiar face was responsible for the large man wrestling in the martial arts gear.  Simon Inoki, former New Japan President and currently responsible for booking talent in Inoki Genome Federation.  Sawada has appeared on nearly every IGF Event ever since the first 4 events.  And he would debut in SoCal Pro Wrestling in Oceanside, teaming with Mach-1 Heavyweight Champion Willie Mack defeating Anchors Away.  Sawada forced a submission with a cross-arm breaker.  The Showcase live from Yuma Arizona saw Sawada defeat "King of Strikes" Branon Parker.  And wrapped up the weekend by defeating Orion.  But who is Atsushi Sawada?  I was told he had been on a learning excursion for quite some time.  Aside from his training in Japan, he also has had worked with Ring Of Honor's School with Delirious.  And last Friday, at Mach-1's Friday Fight Night, Sawada would continue his winning ways against Todd Chandler. 

You may look at Atsushi Sawada and his calm demeanor in that picture my show a more peaceful man.  But in no way is that picture a representation of the beast that is Sawada.  And with all of the challengers Oliver John has turned away, this challenger might be more than John can handle.  This match will take place on Saturday, July 31st for Pro Wrestling Revolution’s show in Watsonville.