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 North American Champion Sheik to defend against Carlitos Colon

The North American Championship will be on the line on January 7th from the Brownsville Event Center, in Brownsville Texas, when the Sheik will battle against former WWE Superstar Carlito Colon.

The Sheik is no stranger to wrestling Puerto Ricans or wrestling in Puerto Rico for that matter. The Sheik has had a long standing rivalry against another former WWE Wrestler and Puerto Rican Savio Vega. The Sheik actually defended the North American Championship against against Vega while in Puerto Rico in a Death Match. And lets not forget that to become the North American Champion the Sheik defeated Puerto Rican standout Apollo in Florida.

The Former World Wrestling Entertainment Superstar, has remained active since leaving the WWE. Carlitos has made appearances for Lucha Libre USA, along with taking other independent bookings. Carlitos to his home in Puerto Rico fighting in the World Wrestling Council, even becoming the Universal Heavyweight Champion. Carlitos also has made his way to Japan to wrestle for Antonio Inoki's Inoki Genome Federation wrestling Kendo Kashin.

Can Carlitos stand up to the Sheik and win his North American Championship when his fellow Puerto Ricans couldn't or will the reign of the Sheik continue to thwart all rivals? 

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.

NWA Pro Wrestling Revolution's Breaking News!!!

The open door policy that Pro Wrestling Revolution has with the Lucha World has benefited the Lucha based promotion in its short tenure. PWR has seen the faces of former WWE stars like Gangrel, Big Vito, and former ECW wrestler Balls Mahoney. But the list also includes lots of Lucha Stars like; Super Parka, Rey Misterio Sr., Incognito, Super Crazy, Hijo De Sicodelico, and El Guapo himself. Shocker, the man who is 1000% handsome and responsible for recruiting talent into CMLL has made big waves for Pro Wrestling Revolution. But recruiting non other than the "Worlds Strongest Man" Jon Anderson.

Anderson whose fame was derived from many Strongman Competitions that were seen on ESPN and Fox Sports first started his training in 2007 at All Pro Wrestling, in Northern California. Aside from his matches in APW and Pro Wrestling Revolution, Jon Anderson has shown is power in Japan for the Inoki Genome Federation. Now with his experiences stateside, abroad in Japan, and now Mexico, Anderson is making his mark on the sport of professional wrestling.

Congrats to Anderson and Pro Wrestling Revolution.