Granite Armadillo

Remo v. Des Davids, both titles on the line.

2012-13 Offseason Jefferey Hair, after two years as Howard’s recruiting coordinator, announced his retirement in the early days of the offseason. Coach Bullocks decided to bring the rest of the staff back despite the rocky season. Instead, he decided to use his budget to “upgrade” the recruiting coordinator position. While Hair was serviceable in his role, the Bison were going to need quality assistants if they were truly going to change the culture. Alfred Jenkins, the 32-year-old assistant from Big Stone Gap, Virginia was precisely what Bullocks was looking for. He came at a hefty price for Howard at $70,000, but Coach Bullocks hoped that Jenkins' experience at TCU would lend the program credibility with recruits. With the personnel matters handled, the Bison sought to build on the momentum they had in the 2011-12 season. Amos Evans was still out with a torn ACL in May of 2012, but it looked as if he would be ready to return by the start of the season. Assuming he was at 100 percent, Evans would likely replace Eric Shutt at the two. Dave Rider, the true freshman and Howard’s stud recruit, would replace Johnson Haight as the starting five, while junior college standout John Grant would take over for Gerald Powell at the three. While Powell played admirably as a freshman, Grant was a more consistent shooter and better perimeter defender. Rounding the starting lineup would be Jack Smith and Tyler Shafer at the four and the point, respectively. At least that was the plan on paper. Howard continued its recent tradition of scheduling the bulk of its nonconference schedule on regional teams within the same prestige level as it. Fans would be familiar with most of Howard’s opponents, as Coach Bullocks scheduled his squad to play NC Central, Bryant, and VMI for the third year in a row. The team also was slated to test itself on the road against the likes of Liberty and Navy, both teams that ended the season above .500. And, what would be a special occasion for Bullocks, New Hampshire would be making its way to the Chocolate City for a follow-up to their 2010-11 contest. Coach Bullocks had four scholarships to fill when he headed on the recruiting trail. He anticipated leaving one scholarship open for a potential transfer, an option he had not considered during his first two seasons. He would need to use at least one of his scholarships on a point guard, as guards Raymond Padilla and Harold England would be departing at the end of the season. He’d likely use another on a wing player, as Eric Shutt would be graduating and he needed to anticipate the departure of Hal Broadus, John Grant, and Tyler Shafer the following season. Our first three scholarships went out to Donovan Ewing, David Guyer, and Richard Kite. Ewing was a 6’8” power forward out of Maryland. A solid inside presence with a good defensive background, Ewing was a two-star recruit ranked number 99 at his position. Guyer meanwhile was a shifty 5’11” point guard from Pennsylvania. He would be the Bison’s top recruit under Coach Bullocks if they could get a commitment from him, as he was rated three stars and ranked within the top 350 overall recruits. Guyer could shoot, he could handle the ball, and he had tremendous potential. Unfortunately for Howard, he had his eyes set on Coppin State and La Salle. Finally, Richard Kite rounded on the initial crop of offers. Kite was a solid shooting guard. At 6’3” and 187 pounds, he had enough athleticism to compete in the MEAC. He also would provide some much desired shooting on the perimeter, and was not a major defensive liability. Kite’s scholarship offer was revoked after he made it clear he preferred nearby UMBC. He was replaced by David Hallowell, an athletic shooting guard from Virginia who could do everything well but nothing great. Guyer was leaning towards Morgan State, but leading Coach Bullocks to revoke his scholarship offer. Howard instead extended an offer to one-star recruit David Kuhns, a 5’11” point guard out of North Carolina. While not as glamorous as Guyer, Kuhns could shoot and provide enough quickness to help out what has been an inconsistent offense during the Bullocks era. When summer came to a close, though, nobody had committed to the Bison. When word came down that Rider would miss the first part of his freshman year due to an academic suspension, Coach Bullocks starting lineup on opening night looked like:

2011-12 Season Coach Bullocks felt optimistic when the Bison pulled off a 61-55 win on the road against Amy. His freshmen played well. Lee crashed the boards and contained his defensive assignment to 2-13 from the field. Evans scored 13 points and tallied four assists, while Powell led the team in scoring and hit two threes. In fact, the team hit 36.4 percent of its threes for the game. Howard knew it had a tough contest against NJIT, but it could not expect what was to happen next. Well into the second half Amos Evans, who had scored nine points at that point, went down with a pain in his knee. The doctors would later confirm that Evans—who was pegged to be a focal point in the offense—was going to miss the rest of his freshman year with a torn ACL. Eric Shutt would reclaim his starting job, while Evans would be designated a medical redshirt. At first, it seemed like the Bison could slip in Shutt and still be competitive. Through the first nine games, the team had the same record it had during the 2010-11 season. When Howard made its return to Burr Gymnasium in December, though, it was clear that this team was in dire need of as a scoring threat. Coach Bullocks’ squad would head into conference play in the midst of a five-game losing streak. Gerald Powell was the team’s leading scorer with 11 points per game on a poor 34.9 field goal percentage. Overall the team was averaging 50.8 points per game, 27.8 rebounds per game, and 13.3 turnovers per game. Meanwhile, it was allowing its opponents to average 58.2 points per game on 43.5 percent from the field. Johnson Haight, who Howard was relying on as a veteran big man, struggled with injuries. The one shining grace was Lee, who leads the team in rebounds per game with 5.2 and averaged 1.59 points per position (second on the team and first among the starters). By the time conference play rolled around, Coach Bullocks was hoping a healthy Haight and the return of Jack Smith may help stabilize the roster. Bullocks and company did not start off conference play strong. Howard lost its first eight in MEAC. In total, the Bison lost 15 straight in the middle of the season. The team’s struggles caused Bullocks to find ways to shake up the roster. His first move was to pull Harold England from the starting lineup in favor of Tyler Shafer. A few games later Sonny Sikes and David Brown had their minutes reduced in order to give Hal Broadus and Chris Lee more playing time. The game plan was changed to encourage the team to pass the ball more. These modest changes helped, as Howard ended the season on 6-4 (and, perhaps more crucially, lifted themselves from the bottom of the conference. Howard averaged 51.6 points per game, 29.2 rebounds per game, and 8.4 assists per game. Overall, the team shot 41.3 percent from the field and 23.5 percent from three. Gerald Powell led the team in scoring with 10.6 points per game while shooting 36.1 percent from the field and 23.4 percent from three. Johnson Haight, the redshirt junior from D.C., led the team in rebounds with 5.9 per game. It was a trying season, but Bullocks thought the return of Evans and the addition of Dave Rider and John Grant should help the team’s offensive woes. The Bison found themselves as the ninth seed and traveling to Maryland-East Shore for a first-round matchup in the MEAC conference tournament. While Bullocks felt his team could pull out the win, he was less optimistic that they could advance past top-seeded Morgan State. Coach Bullocks managed to lead his team to a first-round upset of the Hawks in a defensive slog. Both teams shot less than 30 percent of their shots and the Bison were killed on the boards. In the end, though, Howard got to the line more and that proved to be a difference as Johnson Haight was a perfect six for six from the line. Howard ended up being the only first-round upset in the MEAC tournament, as seven-seeded Delaware State managed to edge past Bethune-Cookman and Hampton took care of business against Florida A&M. Coach Bullocks’ reward for his first MEAC tournament win? A showdown with Morgan State, who won the pairs only game in the regular season. Yet somehow, despite eight more turnovers than the Bears, the Bison managed to continue their mini-Cinderella story. Gerald Powell led the charge with 22 points on six of nine shooting, while Harold England redeemed a rough season with 11 points off the bench. Once again fouls were the difference. Morgan State’s 26 fouls kept Howard at the line and effectively neutralized any edge the top seed had due to their opponent’s mistakes. Howard was to continue dancing, somehow finding itself in the MEAC semifinals against North Carolina A&T. Coach Bullocks’ team wasn’t the only MEAC tournament upset: Norfolk State found itself bested by sixth-seeded Hampton. Alas, the Bison were not going to find themselves with an unlikely NCAA tournament bid. Howard was not able to gain a discernible edge on the Aggies. Gerald Powell led the charge with 15 points, and Eric Shutt also found himself in double figures. The MEAC tournament final was the Aggies facing off against Hampton in an unlikely pairing, and it was Hampton—the sixth seed—who found itself representing the MEAC at the NCAA tournament. Hampton was named the 16th seed on Selection Sunday. Its opponent? Wake Forest, who was the highest-seeded representative of the ACC despite failing to win either the conference’s regular season or tournament championship. Predictably, the Deacons took care of business against Hampton. March Madness lived up to the hype in 2012. Not a single one seed made it past the Sweet Sixteen. Creighton became the first No. 1 seed to lose in the first round when it was defeated by Southern California. Marquette was the mini-Cinderella, making it all the way to the Elite Eight. Yet when the dust settled, the final consisted of two traditional giants: Duke and UCLA. Coach K managed to take home the title, the fifth of his illustrious career, and his second in the past three years.

2011-12 Offseason Howard needs to build off the modicum of success it had in 2010-11. As it headed into the offseason, Coach Bullocks was concerned that his squad for his second season would not be as deep as hisfirst team. Without George Pete, there was going to big a massive question mark for the team to figure out. While the Bison faithful were excited about Amos Evans, could they really expect the true freshman to carry the scoring load? Of the returning roster, only Eric Shutt started all 30 games. In 26.9 minutes per game last season as a redshirt sophomore, Shutt scored 7.3 points per game while hitting 45.1 percent from the field and 20 percent from deep. Shutt was a decent scorer but was practically a sieve on the defensive end. Jack Smith, the true sophomore Bullocks would likely tap to play the four, only averaged 14.4 minutes per game, and saw more success as a rebounder in that time than as a scorer. Hal Broadus showed flashes in 2010-11 during his 13.7 minutes per game, but he was a wing who could not stretch the floor. Harold England and Tyler Shafer would both be back, and after England showed a propensity for turning over the ball Bullocks was not so sure he wanted the redshirt junior taking the helm for a second season. In short, Coach Bullocks had a lot of uncertainty on his roster. He continued with his strategy of scheduling teams he thought the Bison could be competitive against. Howard would open on the road with a back-to-back of Army (a 2010 win) and NJIT (an opening night loss). Much like his opening season, Bullocks had a five-game road stint in late November/early December. This year the team would not only face off against familiar foes (NC Central, Grambling State, and VMI), but would also travel to face Western Illinois and North Florida. Bullocks was hopeful his team could end notch four or five wins in non-conference play to build some confidence before it headed into MEAC play. On the recruiting trail, Coach Bullocks had two scholarships to play with. He needed more depth in the frontcourt and was also going to secure another wing player. Bullocks' initial call list this season included a wider range of recruits, with a particular focus on wing players who could shoot the three ball. The first scholarship Howard offered was to 6’10” center Dave Rider out of Aberdeen High School in Maryland. Rider, Bullocks thought, could dominate as a big, bruising center in the MEAC. He was a two-star recruit ranked No. 138 at his position; signing Rider would be a huge get for Bullocks which is why he made a personal effort to entice the young man into coming to the District. The second scholarship was offered to 6’6” forward John Grant. Grant was a junior college prospect from Maryland Community College. Bullocks thought he was a day one starter. Grant had a strong shooting stroke, could rebound, and could play solid defense. He was only a one-star prospect but was ranked No. 134 at his position. Before the regular season even began, the Bison managed to get both of its top prospects to sign: it never needed to offer another scholarship. Unfortunately, it was not all roses and good times for Howard. Before the regular season kicked off, Coach Bullocks got word from the athletic director that Jack Smith—the Bison’s projected starting center—was going to be suspended due to poor academic performance. Smith would miss the entire non-conference slate. Chris Lee, the walk-on, was going to get the nod for the starting line-up.

2010-11 Season After starting the season off 0-3, the Bison faithful thought the Bullocks era was going to be more of the same. Harold England’s opening night stress fracture surely did not help matters. But a two-game home stint against VMI and Bryant, coupled with the emergence as George Pete as an offensive force, managed to help stabilize matters. Even with a five-game road trip in the middle of non-conference play, Howard found itself at .500 and one win away from matching last season’s total wins as it headed into conference play. Bullocks roster was relying heavily on its big man—George Pete and Gregory Weaver—to score buckets. The team was shooting under 45 percent from the field on average, and under 20 percent from the three-point line. Howard won when it managed to limit its turnovers and keep teams away from the line. Howard ended its first campaign under Bullocks doubling last season’s win total and notching the school’s first double-digit win program in nearly a decade. South Carolina State took home the MEAC regular season championship, but the Bison ended with eight wins and earned the fifth seed heading into its opening conference tournament matchup against Coppin State. Howard split its regular season matchup against Coppin State, with each team picking up a win on their home court. One could understand Bullocks being anxious, as his team was blown out when they played the Eagles at the Physical Education Complex in Baltimore. Although the team lost, and ultimately felt to .500 for the season, the moral victory was that the match-up was far closer than the teams’ previous encounter. As was the case all season, turnovers made the difference. The Eagles had a plus-six turnover advantage that simply gave it more opportunities to score. Abram Ruth led the team in scoring, but it was the senior class of George Pete, Gregory Warner, Harold England, and Ruth that shined. Redshirt sophomore guard Eric Shutt showed flashes and gave Coach Bullocks reason for optimism for his sophomore season. Coppin State managed to win the conference championship, upsetting the top-seeded Bulldogs for its fifth NCAA tournament appearance in program history (and second in the past four seasons). Coach Bullocks had three scholarships to fill. He was losing his biggest stars, George Pete and Gregory Weaver. Pete made the first-team all-conference squad, while Weaver was named second-team all-conference. Bullocks managed to snap center Marion Moller, wing Gerald Powell, and guard Amos Evans. Evans, the 6’6” shooting guard out of Maryland, was top-rated prospect for the Bison. A solid athlete, what was most exciting for Howard was his above-average three-point shooting ability. For a team averaged 13.2 percent from deep, Evans would hopefully open up the floor for his teammates as a long-range threat. Moeller was the least heralded recruit of the bunch, but Coach Bullocks loved the Virginia product’s potential as a role player. Moeller was not going to be an offensive force. What he could do, though, is grab boards, play defense, and block shots. Powell, another Maryland native, rounded out Bullocks' first recruiting class. Much like Evans, big wing brought some much needed shooting to the Chocolate City. His biggest issue was his weight—at 243 pounds, Powell was 13 pounds heavier than Moeller. Powell looked like a good candidate to redshirt his freshman season in the hopes that he could get into better shape. The Bison snagged one walk-on to fill out the roster. Chris Lee, a 6’8”, 232-pound big man out of Delaware also expressed his desire to join the team. A former All-State player, Lee’s only real strength was his defensive ability and ability to snag boards. He was much more limited than Moeller in that role, though; he lacked the all-around ability and athleticism that Moeller had. While he may never crack the starting line-up, Bullocks could envision a role for Lee as a back-up center a year or two down the line. For now, Coach Bullocks, like many other coaches, sat on the sidelines as the Florida Gators won the NCAA Tournament.

Preseason Howard found itself struggling to fill out its coaching staff. With a budget of $160,000 meant to be spread across three positions, Bullocks didn’t have a whole lot of cash to splash around. His initial strategy was to spend “big” on a recruiting coordinator in an effort to build towards the future. Many of the “flashier” options the Bison had, though, spurned them for any other program. The rookie head coach found himself seeing more talented scouts and assistants also ignore his offers for bigger programs. Howard went weeks having its calls ignored and, for a brief moment, the athletic department became concerned with its new coach’s ability to fill his staff. It was a few weeks into the summer that Bullocks began having his calls returned. In the end he managed to recruit Jefferey Hair, Gary Kiley. and Thurman Cupp to fill the roles of recruiting coordinator, scouting director, and assistant coach, respectively. If you got Bullocks a few pints in he may admit that he did not get what he expected for his initial staff. Hair, for instance, was a solid (but not great) recruiter out from Monmouth. At 61 years old and of average skill, Bullocks knew he’d have to carry the brunt of the work on the recruiting trail. Recruiting was not something he shied away from, however. It was the one area that, during his brief tenure as an assistant coach, he felt comfortable and competent. Kiley, on the other hand, was somebody who the new coach was expecting to lean on. At only 29 years old, the Sturgis, Michigan-native didn’t have a whole lot more experience under his belt than his new boss. Howard was hoping Bullocks would not able to obtain a seasoned scout to help him spot diamonds in the rough, but it was evident to everybody that the program settled for the best it could obtain at the meager salary of $40,000. At least with Bullocks' assistant, Cupp, the Bison obtained a steady hand to help coach up its recruits. Cupp wouldn’t deny that he was not a specialist. He considered himself a jack-of-all-trades type, though; somebody who could give the roster an all-around training throughout the season. With his staff in order, the rookie head coach needed to shore up his roster. He felt the program needed to build its confidence. The last time the Bison had won 10 or more games was during the 2002-03 campaign when the team went 13-17 under then-head coach Frankie Allen. Since its last conference championship in 1992, Howard had only been above .500 once—in 2001-02. So Bullocks went about scheduling squads of a similar pedigree to Howard. To keep the department’s budget in check, he focused on teams the school could conceivably travel to by bus like VMI and Stony Brook. Bullocks also arranged for his crew to travel to Durham, New Hampshire for a chance to play his alma mater—a match-up that he secretly hoped would become an on-going series. With his schedule complete, Bullocks hit the recruiting trail for the first time. He struck out over the summer at three- or two-star recruit he sought. By the time the season rolled around, he had the following on his call list: He had three scholarships to offer. He knew, based on his roster, that he needed at least one center, and preferably either another body at the four and the wing. As a former point guard, he’d love to mold a recruit in his image. Yet he also knew that he wouldn’t need to worry about depth at that position for a season or two. Howard’s season would tip-off against NJIT. As he headed into the season, Bullocks took at a look at his squad:

Background Marcus Bullocks, the three-year starter for the University of New Hampshire. As he went, so did the Wildcats. But when his basketball career ended unceremoniously after his senior season, Bullocks was uncertain what was in store for him next. He thought, much like many former college basketball players, that he would give coaching a try. After a brief stint as a graduate assistant with his alma mater, the Cherry Hill, New Jersey native bounced around as an assistant for the next few years. It was after the 2009-10 season that he received his big break: a shot that he, admittedly, questioned whether he deserved. Howard University, the federally-chartered historically black university in Washington, D.C., had a historically mediocre men’s basketball squad (and that’s putting it kindly). The program had only made the NCAA tournament twice: in 1981 and 1992. Both appearances were brief, as the Bison were bounced in the first round. Indeed, Howard had not won a conference regular-season championship since 1992—nearly twenty years ago. Gil Jackson was tabbed to lead the program beginning in the 2005-06 season. In Jackson’s five seasons at the helm, the Bison went a dismal 37-188 for a .239 win percentage. Howard’s one silver lining was that most of the wins came in MEAC conference play, where the Bison were 25-59. After yet another sub-10 win season in 2009-10, though, the athletic department felt it had no choice but to move on from Jackson. Bullocks was shocked when he got the call. At the time he was a promising, but raw, assistant with Vermont. He hadn’t stuck anywhere and didn’t expect to be in line for a head coaching shot anywhere. Howard had heard good things, however, about Bullocks and was impressed with the Catamounts 25-10 finish and NCAA tournament appearance from the previous season. The brass at Howard thought what harm would be caused by at least bringing Bullocks in for an interview? And during the interview, they were enthralled with the young man’s charisma. He envisioned Bullocks traveling around the Mid-Atlantic enticing high schoolers to come to the Chocolate City and thought he would do well. Howard felt that Bullocks’ flaws—his rough eye for talent and average coaching ability—could be masked with a solid staff. What will Bullocks be able to do with this rare opportunity? Will he lift the Bison to new heights? Or, will his career be forever tarnished by Howard’s historic struggles?

Thanks for the suggestions, those were particularly helpful. As an aside, I wanted to let you know that this Dynasty has not died. I am in the process of moving (we close next week), so I have gotten a little bogged down with that.

Thanks for the assistance, guys! Jaysin, I had thought about going with something along the lines of "_____ of the Ring," but should have mentioned in my OP that I opted against going that route. I will likely end up using Kaiser Kampf, to emphasize the German origins of the company.

First and foremost, thanks for following along! With the exception of the straight news segments that I've done, many of the interviews and backstage pieces are meant to be kayfabe and broadcast to the public-at-large. However, I am blending some legitimate bits of information (e.g., in The Kanto Express interview, both women start off on an excursion) with bits of information which further storylines and add character depth. The Nagatsuka/Bilous post is purely kayfabe, though. These women have no relationship, positive or negative, in the game world. I just see each of them playing a big role in the story I am trying to tell with the women's division. As an aside, I have one more lengthy post to help set us up for our March show, EWA Absolute Rule. Once we get through March, my plan is to more aggressively move past some of the starting storylines.

For my EWA: European Invasion diary, I am looking to hold a King Of The Ring style tournament. Does anybody have an idea for tournament names which they feel would be appropriate for a European promotion?

BACKSTAGE EXCLUSIVE “The Machine” Tomoko Nagatsuka sits backstage recouping from her match against Karen Bilous. She sits on a wooden bench, allowing beads of sweat to trickle down her body. Her head is buried in a towel. Europe was tougher than the reigning 5 Star World Champion envisioned. She though her experience in Japan placed her head and shoulders above whatever the European Wrestling All-Star’s women’s division had to offer. And while she flashed momentums of dominance, she was often stifled by mistakes made due to unfamiliarity with her opponents. Through two matches she was winless; her heart was heavy from this fact. She knew she needed something other than these moments of dominance to turn here stint in Europe around. But with no women’s tag team division here in EWA, she felt her options were limited. As “The Machine” reflected on her place within EWA, “The Pain From The Ukraine” walked into the locker room. Karen Bilous had already changed from her ring attire. She wore jeans, a blank white t-shirt, and a black leather jacket. Accompanying her was one of the many EWA translators. “I would have beaten you tonight if it weren’t for that arbitrary time limit,” Bilous said. “Same,” Nagatsuka responded without looking at Bilous. Bilous chuckled at the swiftness of her recent rival’s response. She walks over and takes a seat next to the Japanese import. “I thought you’d say something like that. Unfortunately, I suppose we’ll never know.” Nagatsuka lifts her head and turns to face Bilous. She wasn’t willing to play games with Bilous. Neither of them had won tonight, and to dwell on it was an exercise in futility. “Is there something that I can help you with?” Bilous smirked. She had a big idea. “No. Not yet. I just wanted to come and express my admiration for you. I was all wrong about you. You are tough. You are skilled. You are somebody who deserves to be here in EWA. Our match showed that, at least to me. “So… I just wanted to say, perhaps we should let bygones be bygones. And rather than fight over which of us is better than the other… maybe we should go about transforming this division together. Put the riff raff around here in their place.” Both women sit in silence. Bilous rises from her seat. She places a hand on Nagatsuka’s shoulder. “I want to blaze a new trail. If you wish to join me, you know where to find me.” Bilous leaves Nagatsuka to mull over her mysterious offer. Little did she know that she had peaked the interest of “The Machine”. It wouldn’t hurt to look a little more into this cryptic message, she reasoned with herself. But she wasn’t going to scurry after Ukraine’s strongest woman. She didn’t want to show weakness… didn’t want Bilous to think she was desperate. Nagatsuka would wait a few days. She knew this offer to be there when she returned to Japan. Tonight she would go home and relax. But for the first time since she arrived in Europe, Nagatsuka felt optimistic.

EWA Above & Beyond Live from the Bayern Stadion in Munich, Germany Saturday, Week 2, February 2016 VS. Crusher Von Steinberg vs. © “Undeniably” Paolo Gandalfini w/ Marianne EWA Intercontinental Championship Von Steinberg kicked off this contest by attacking the regining EWA Intercontinental Champion while he was talking with Marianne at ringside. Gandalfini was able to regain his momentum with relative ease, though, by catching the Austrian with an unexpected shoulder block. In a match with little in the way of heat, the Italian disposed of his challenger at 5 minutes, 58 seconds after a Full Nelson Bomb. Winner: Gandalfini via pinfall with a Full Nelson Bomb (3rd successful title defense) Wrestler Performance: “Regular” – Gandalfini (E) & Steinberg (E+) Overall Match Grade: E+ The lights dim throughout the arena. Spotlights shine down on “The Model” Roberto Milano and “The King Of The Catwalk” Gianfranco Morelli, also known as The Fashionistas. Each man is wearing a silk button down shirt, with the top few buttons undone to showcase their physiques, and a pair of shades. One after the other, The Fashionistas strut down to the ramp as if walking the runways in Milan rather than to a wrestling ring. Overall Segment Grade: C VS. The Fashionistas v. Double Dutch Tag Team Match Robert Milano and Frank Van Heer start the match for their respective teams. Double Dutch aims to rebound after a disappointing start to 2016. To that end, the tandem get off tonight’s match with a strong start. They rely on their speed and agility to push the pace, relying frequently on quick tags. As a result of this The Fashionistas often looked lost in the early moments of this match. Fortunately for the EWA newcomers, the match began to naturally even out. Unable to put Milano and Morelli away, Double Dutch make unnecessary mistakes which allow The Fashionistas some daylight. A distraction from Milano catches Double Dutch off guard, though. Morelli hits Van Bon with the low blow, and secures the win at 5 minutes, 51 seconds after a roll-up with a handful of tights. Winner: The Fashionistas via pinfall with a handful of tights. Wrestler Performance: “Story Telling” – Milano (E+), Morelli (E), & Double Dutch € Overall Match Grade: E+ Christopher Lister and Jase Cole—The X Force—stand mic in hand backstage with their valet, Simona Cox. Cole vents about the team’s frustrations over their behavior at EWA New Year’s Revolution. They felt they, The X Force, had a real chance at defeating The Johansson Brothers… but at the end of day, they allowed their emotions to get the best of the them. Lister cuts in. He hypes up his match against Hercules, and Cole’s match against Bam Bam. He vows they realize the opportunity each of them have tonight. And they vow that tonight they will learn from their previous mistakes. After all, as EWA has seen before, we know The X Force can defeat the Norwegian brutes. Tonight will be their chance to show EWA that their victory was not a fluke. Overall segment Grade: C- VS. Karen Bilous vs. Tomoko Nagatsuka Singles Match This match was a back-and-forth affair, as the former EWA Womens Champion was taken to task by the newcomer, Tomoko. Much like in her debut, Nagatsuka was dominate in the early moments in the match. Bilous was able to slow momentum of “The Machine” after a poke to the eye. That poke to the eye quickly evolved into a serious of strikes, as Bilous had her opponent cowering in the corner. From that point on neither woman was able to truly secure the momentum of this contest. Although there were moments where it appeared Bilous or Tomoko had a near fall, these were nothing more than false flags. After a few minutes of going on a run, said run would end in way shape or another by the opponent. Fourteen minutes into this contest, the timekeeper called for the one-minute warning. As EWA fans know, all non-title matches have a fifteen minute time limit. With one minute left to go, Bilous attempted to take out her opponent with a Camel Clutch. She looked as if she nearly had the victory; that is until Nagatsuka managed to counter the submission hold with an ankle lock. The maneuver came too late. With Bilous still in the ankle lock, the referee called for the bell fifteen minutes into the match Winner: DRAW after the 15 minute time limit expired Wrestler Performance: “Story Telling” – Bilous (D-) and Tomoko (E-) Overall Match Grade: E VS. The United Nations vs. The Addams Family © EWA Tag Team Championship Match The debuting team of The United Nations came out to the arena to much fanfare. The former two-time UCR Tag Team Champions, Turkish Delight and German Machine quickly turn the fan’s cheers into boos as the berate the lack of “true skill” here in EWA. The reigning tag team champions cut off The United Nations before they can continue, hitting The Addams Family tackling their challengers and getting the match officially underway. Once the initial dust settles, Delight and Jimmi start things off for their respective teams. The match is a relatively open contest, with The United Nations doing their part to make Jimmi and Kalvin Addams work during their first title defense. Neither Delight or the German Machine are able to separate themselves from the four-time EWA Tag Team Champions, though. At 6 minutes, 41 seconds, Kalvin Addams is able to secure the pinfall after a superkick to the chin of Turkish Delight. Winner: The Addams Family via pinfall (1st successful title defense) Wrestler Performance: “Regular” – Kalvin (D-), Jimmi (D), Turkish (E+), and G. Machine (D-) Overall Match Grade: D- Moments after the bell rings, the Nigerian Hit Squad come barreling down from the locker room. The current number one contenders to the EWA Tag Team Championship catch the champions off-guard, clubbing them from behind and sending them to the mat. The Hit Squad refuse to relent, nailing Jimmi and Kalvin with two vicious Gutbusters apiece. When all is said and done, it’s the Nigerian Hit Squad who stand tall over The Addams Family with the EWA Tag Team Championships held high in the air. Overall Segment Grade: C- VS. Bam Bam Johansson vs. Jase Cole Singles Match The size discrepancy is evident as the big heavyweight Bam Bam Johansson stands toe-to-toe with the lightweight Jase Cole. It’s through this massive size advantage that Bam Bam is able to secure the edge, tossing Cole around the ring like a rag doll. Bam Bam also continues to go for the quick pins. Despite this early approach, the resilient Cole refuses to cave. This frustration begins to manifest in Bam Bam. He begins to berate referee Patrick Garrett, accusing him of making a slow three-count. Bam Bam’s distraction gives Cole the window he needs, nailing Bam Bam with a missile dropkick from the top rope which sends the Norwegian to the canvas. Cole goes for the quick pin himself, but he gets tossed off of Bam Bam with little effort. With Bam Bam still on the canvas, Cole goes to quick work with a series of kicks and punches to the big man. Cole finds success in slowing his foe down. Yet when Cole tries to project himself off of the ropes, he is caught in mid-air and slammed to the canvas. Cole, though, slips out of the ring and avoids the pin attempt. Eventually the ring action returns to the ring. Throughout the contest Cole manages to get in moments of offense while otherwise fighting off the power assault of Bam Bam. Unable to close, Bam Bam goes to grow angrier with each passing second. Bam Bam lifts Cole high up in the air with the military press. Cole manages to slip away, though. He shoves Bam Bam into the ropes, and with the momentum in his favor shocks Bam Bam with the roll up victory at 10 minutes, 52 seconds. Winner: Jase Cole via pinfall with a quick roll up Wrestler Performance: “Story Telling” – Cole and Bam Bam (E+) Overall Match Grade: E+ “The Fabulous” Byron comes out to much fanfare from the crowd. He looks worn down, with a bandage still wrapped around his midsection. He comes out and gives Kruge credit where credit is due… “The Fabulous One” is in a lot of pain because of Kruge. Yet despite this, he cannot help but chuckle out the apparent cowardice of Kruge. For months he has done nothing but beat down scrubs and attack him when he wasn’t ready. If Kruge truly wanted Byron… all he had to do was ask. So, if Kruge is done playing games, Byron challenges Kruge to a one-on-one contest at EWA Absolute Rule. Overall Segment Grade: C VS. Christopher Lister vs. Hercules Johansson © EWA Universal Championship Match Much like before with Cole and Bam Bam, the size discrepancy between Hercules and Lister is staggering. Unlike before, Lister refuses to let Hercules to get the edge early on. Lister uses his speed and agility to slip away from Hercules, only to counter in some fashion. Lister managed to lock Hercules in a sleeper hold, and appeared moments away from securing the championship. Hercules breaks free though with a powerslam. From that point on the EWA Universal Champion is able to use his power and strength to wear down on Lister. Much like his partner, though, Lister does not cave easily, no matter how many times Hercules is from securing the victory. Hercules does not break down like his brother. He continues to systematically attack his challenger. And with each move Lister wears down. Hercules retains the belt at 9 minutes, 16 seconds after a Hercules List. Winner: Hercules Johansson via pinfall (2nd successful title defense) Wrestler Performance: “Story Telling” – Lister and Hercules (E+) Overall Match Grade: D- Crowd Attendance: 2,000 Show Rating: D-

"THE KING OF WHOA" Jimmy Hernandez vs. "THE HEALER" John Greed [standard Singles Match] James Prudence vs. "THE HONORABLE" Valiant [standard Singles Match] Jungle Lord vs. "THE ALPHA DOG" Remo [standard Singles Match] [Non-Title Match] Angry Gilmore vs. ATOMIC vs. Brandon James vs. Eric Eisen vs. Jack Bruce vs. Joey Morgan [6-Way Match; First Pinfall] [#1 Contendership Match to the SWF WHC] [special Guest Referee: Jerry Eisen]

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="48381651036_67fb5f2508_o.jpg" data-src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48381651036_67fb5f2508_o.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:24px;">EWA Above & Beyond</span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"> </span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:12px;">Live from the Bayern Stadion in Munich, Germany</span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> Saturday, Week 2, February 2016</span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> The saga between The X Force and The Johansson Brothers rages on, with each team represented in singles action. Two former EWA Universal Champions do battle in the night's semi-main event, as Jase Cole squares off against Bam Bam Johansson. Then, to cap off the night, Christopher Lister gets a chance to make EWA history, as he enters the ring with Hercules Johansson with the title on the line. Tomoko Nagatsuka and Karen Bilous try to prove who truly is the best in the division. Plus, EWA Intercontinental Champion Paolo Gandalfini, The Fashionistas' debut, and so much more as EWA looks to go Above & Beyond.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Main Event</strong></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>EWA Universal Championship Match</em></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Christopher Lister w/ Simona Cox v. © "Unstoppable" Hercules Johansson</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Semi-Main Event</strong></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>Singles Match</em></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Jase Cole w/ Simona Cox v. Bam Bam Johansson</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>EWA Tag Team Championship Match</em></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> The United Nations v. © The Addams Family</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>Singles Match</em></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> "The Pain From The Ukraine" Karen Bilous v. "The Machine" Tomoko Nagatsuka</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>Tag Team Match</em></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> The Fashionistas v. Double Dutch</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>EWA Intercontinental Championship match</em></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Crusher Von Steinberg v. © "Undeniably" Paolo Gandalfini w/ Marianne</div></div></div></div></div><p></p>

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="48381651036_67fb5f2508_o.jpg" data-src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48381651036_67fb5f2508_o.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;">EWA Exclusive: Sit Down with The Kanto Express</span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"> </span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Almost a year after joining European Wrestling All-Stars, Machiko Matsuda finds herself within reach of the women’s wrestling’s top prize in the company. As the dust settles from EWA New Year’s Revolution, the crew at EWA.com decided to sit down with Matsuda and her tag team partner, MAYA, to discuss European wrestling, the EWA women’s division, and battling one another for a shot at the EWA Womens Championship.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> [EWA]: Good afternoon, ladies. I am glad you were able to take time out of your training to come join me. You two are both relatively new to the roster, so I wanted to start off by giving you each the chance to tell the fans a bit about yourself.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> [MAYA]: Well we’ve each had similar paths to Europe, which is why I feel we are both so close. We both broke into wrestling in 2011. I got my start training in the around Tokyo…</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> [Mastuda]: … While I broke in around that time in Kyoto. </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> [MAYA]: We knew very little about each other at the time.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> [Matsuda]: That’s not to say we didn’t know of each other, though. We both ran in the same circles in the Japanese wrestling scene. After a few years of failing to stick with any one company, though, I decided to head to Greece in 2015 to try my luck at gaining some experience in the European market.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> [MAYA]: She was, in part, the reason I find myself here. I had heard from a mutual friend that Matsuda had signed on with EWA back in March of last year. That got the idea in my brain, “Hey, maybe I should give that a try.”</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> [Matsuda]: She reached out over social media. We talked a few times…</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> [MAYA]: And eventually she convinced me to make the move. So I headed to France—I had always dreamed of living in France—and signed on with EWA soon after.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> [Matsuda]: It’s been a tough transition, but having MAYA here has really made life a lot easier.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> [MAYA]: Agreed.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> [EWA]: You both having been in EWA for over six months. How has your experience been thus far?</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> [Matsuda]: Trying to put recent events aside?</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> [MAYA]: I’d say it’s been great. EWA is filled with a lot of talented veteran wrestlers. Although they may have been cold to us, and at times it feels like we get disrespected due to our youth, we’d like to think we have learned a lot from Bilous, McKenna, and Jankovic.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> [Matsuda]: And that you can see this in our more recent performances.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> [MAYA]: Thea has also been a huge influence on us.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> [Matsuda]: Absolutely, I don’t know what we would do without her. She has been so gracious and kind at making sure we feel welcomed in the locker room. We can never fully express our gratitude towards her. No matter how hard we try.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> [EWA]: You mention recent events. Tell me what it was like when you both realized that you stood in the others way for a shot at the EWA Womens Championship?</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> [Matsuda]: It was surreal. I honestly did not know what to do at first.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> [MAYA]: Ditto. But we have spent enough time together, I think, over this past year to realize that each of us knew that a shot at the EWA Womens Championship is a tremendous opportunity. I don’t think either of us took it personal once we realized Tomoko and Karen were ripping each other’s heads off.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> [Matsuda]: Exactly, we saw the opportunity before us and knew we needed—at least for one night—to put our personal friendship aside.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> [EWA]: Now this question is specifically for you, Machiko. You are now the number one contender for the EWA Womens Championship, and have a match against Zofia Jankovic in her future. How are you feeling?</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> [Matsuda]: I am feeling good. Zofia is, and will be, a tough opponent. We have no delusions of that. I know that in order to beat her, I will need to muster everything I have and leave it all out on the mat. She will not roll over for me, oh no.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> With that said, I also feel I have been underestimated. MAYA and I have found hard and valiantly in our time in EWA. Either one of us deserves an opportunity like this, which is why we were put in a position to obtain this chance. If you are good enough to get an opportunity to compete for gold, which means you are good to win it.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> I have a lot of confidence in myself and my ability to win. At the end of the day, all I can do is put forth my all. What I can say for certain, though, is that regardless of the outcome… Zofia and the rest of this division will have no doubt just what kind of impact MAYA and I can have when given the opportunity.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> [EWA]: Thanks for that, Machiko. Before I let you ladies loose, allow me to wrap up with this one burning question I have. Do you both see yourself in EWA for the long haul?</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> [MAYA]: I take it this question is based on our previous comments that our goal was to one day return to Japan? Well, I can’t speak for Machiko… but I do know that I plan on playing it by ear each and every year. To me, it is too early in both my career and my time here in EWA to ever know where I will end up five or 10 years from now. I love it to EWA, so I do not mean to come off as if I am disrespecting this promotion or its fans. All I mean to say is that I am young, and you can never tell where life will take you.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> [Matsuda]: I’d echo much of what MAYA said. It’s too early in my career for me to tell where I will be in the years to come. What I can say is that my contract expires in 2017, and I intend to follow through to its expiration. From there? Well, it is anybody’s guess.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> [EWA]: Thank you ladies. Like I said earlier, I really appreciate you taking the time to meet with us. For those who wish to learn more about The Kanto Express, I encourage to check out EWA.com or see them live in action at EWA Above & Beyond coming up in a few weeks!</div></div></div></div>

Nagatsuka and Bilous's battle continues post-NYR Tomoko Nagatsuka impressed in her European Wrestling All-Stars debut as she overwhelmed her opponents from early on at EWA New Year’s Revolution ’16. Despite these best efforts, though, it was Machiko Matsuda—not Nagatsuka—who came away with the surprise win. The ultimate downfall for “The Machine” came in the way of Karen Bilous. “The Pain From The Ukraine” made her feeling to the latest crop of EWA acquisitions known early on. Bilous made clear she was not happy about the three Japanese superstars getting what she felt were otherwise undeserved opportunities at the EWA Womens Championship. “If I took on any of those women one-on-one, there would be no question who’d come out on top,” Bilous said in a post-match interview. “But when you bunch up four of us in what amounts to a joke of a contest, of course you’ll find somebody undeserving like [Machiko] Matsuda coming away with the title shot. It’s disgusting. Only one of those women deserved a shot at the gold.” Nagatsuka and Bilous ultimately kept each other away from a shot at Zofia Jankovic. The wily newcomer and the grizzled veteran became distracted with each other as the match progressed, allowing Matsuda to squeak out a victory. “I showed EWA that I am not to be messed with,” Nagatsuka said after the match. “Unfortunately, the insecurities of that Ukrainian has-been got in my way.” Bilous, to her credit, acknowledged her eyes were set on pinning Nagatsuka. “[Nagatsuka] comes in her calling herself ‘The Machine,’ but what has she done? She may be a big fish in that small pond of hers over in 5SSW. But I wanted to show her that she wasn’t going to be running roughshod over this division like many critics might believe.” The evident tension between the two post-match could be cut with a knife. Neither woman refused to acknowledge the other back in the locker room. To settle the dispute between these women, EWA management has announced that at EWA Above & Beyond in Munich, Germany, “The Machine” Tomoko Nagatsuka will face off one-on-one against “The Pain From The Ukraine” Karen Bilous.

EWA New Year’s Revolution ‘16 Live from the Bayern Stadion in Munich, Germany Saturday, Week 4, January 2016 New Year’s Revolution kicks off with the announcers, Stanford and Harwood, highlighting tonight’s main event: The X Force versus The Johansson Brothers. The announce team recount how these two teams have been at each other’s throats for months. The X Force initially got the jump on the Norwegian heavyweights back in November, shocking the European wrestling scene. And last time the two teams met in December, The Johansson Brothers needed brass knuckles to knock Lister out for the three-count. Harwood says this time around, the two brutish Norwegian brothers will be able to easily snag the victory from the long-time tag team. Overall Segment Grade: D+ VS. Double Dutch vs. Nigerian Hit Squad No. 1 Contenders Match for the EWA Tag Team Championship Frank Van Heer and Rashid Lawal start the match for their respective teams. The much larger Nigerian Hit Squad use their size and strength to their advantage early in the match. NHS keep its opponents isolated, and keep the pace of the match slow. A mistake by Rahabad allows Van Heer to break loose, and allows a fresh Van Bon to go on the offensive. Double Dutch’s speed and agility puts NHS on the ropes, as the team gets a series of close two counts. At the end of the day, though, Rahabad gets the win at 8 minutes, 54 seconds after he uses the ropes to gain leverage against Van Heer to secure the pin. Winner: Rahabad via pinfall while using the ropes for leverage Wrestler Performance: “Steal The Show” – Van Heer (E+), Van Bon (E+), Rashid (E), and Rahabad (E+) Overall Match Grade: E+ Sultry music leads us into a vignette showcasing EWA’s latest tag team: The Fashionistas. The vignette shows little in way of the pair’s wrestling skill. Rather, the focus is primarily on the two men’s good looks. Each man makes serious poses at the camera, as if they are on the runway in Milan. The video ends by announcing that The Fashionistas will be making their debut at EWA’s February show. Overall Segment Grade: C VS. Bulldog Jack vs. Kruge The Executioner Singles Match Despite a minor kink to his armor at EWA Worldwide, Kruge The Executioner rips through Bulldog Jack with little effort. After a big boot from Kruge sends Bulldog Jack to the canvas within the first few seconds of the contest, there is no doubt who will come out on top. Kruge looks like a child playing with his food for a few minutes, before he decides to put his opponent’s misery to an end by going for the cover after a Face-First Powerbomb at 3 minutes, 27 seconds. Winner: Kruge The Executioner via pinfall after a Face-First Powerbomb Wrestler Performance: “Story Telling” – Bulldog Jack (E) and Kruge (E+) Overall Match Grade: E+ Tomoko Nagatsuka, MAYA, and Machiko Matsuda are all in the ring, waiting for their match to start. The punk rock entrance theme of Karen Bilous signals the former EWA Womens Champion’s arrival. She comes out ready to wrestle, but with a microphone in her hand. She demands the music be cut. Her eyes glare at the three women in the ring. Bilous begins by saying she is astounded by the talentless hacks management have signed lately. She questions what any of them have done to deserve a chance at the EWA Womens Championship. As a former champion herself, she feels she deserves a rematch—and shouldn’t have to “slum” it with the likes of these women. After Bilous is done with them, each of these “girls” will wish they never came to EWA. Overall segment Grade: E+ VS. VS. VS. Karen Bilous vs. Tomoko Nagatsuka vs. Machiko Matsuda vs. MAYA No. 1 Contenders Match for the EWA Womens Championship In her debut match, “The Machine” Tomoko Nagatsuka appeared to be unstoppable, decimating her opponents with surgically precise kicks. Nagatsuka looked as if she would be able to make short work of her opponents, until Karen Bilous snuck up from behind and yanked “The Machine” to the canvas by her hair. It was at this pivotal moment where the match began to even out more, with each wrestler getting their spots in and near falls. Also throughout the match it was evident MAYA and Machiko Matsuda, close friends and tag team partners, had agreed to put their friendship for the sake of a shot at the EWA Womens Championship. Both women greeted each other with a series of offensive maneuvers which inched them closer to victory. Bilous made the curious move to shifting her focus almost entirely on Tomoko. The EWA veteran began to isolate the newcomer from the match, with Bilous and Tomoko eventually spilling out in the ringside area. With Tomoko and Bilous distracted with each other on the outside, Matsuda was able to catch her partner off guard with a Run-Up Rana, securing the uninterrupted pinfall victory at 14 minutes, 46 seconds. Winner: Machiko Matsuda via pinfall with a Run-Up Rana Wrestler Performance: “Regular” – Bilous (E-), Tomoko (E-), Matsuda (E-), and MAYA (E-) Overall Match Grade: E A pre-taped segment shows Eric Future sitting at the base of Mount Watzmann. His eyes look weary, with bags forming underneath. He lets out a sigh. Future admits he is not quite sure what happened at EWA Worldwide. And with Petey Barnes now in 21CW, he likely never will. Ironically, for a man named Eric Future, he cannot help but dwell on the past. Where did he go wrong? He always thought Future X was going to be his identity. He was fine with being a tag team specialist. He liked working with Petey, and he thought Petey liked working with him. Now, he feels lost and betrayed. He didn’t make the trip to Munich tonight because he needed some time to figure himself out. Figure out what he wants, and where he is heading. He is at Mount Watzmann today because he needs to challenge both his mind and his body in ways he’s never done before. When he returns to EWA, whenever that may be, he intends on doing whatever it takes to show the likes of Petey Barnes and others of his ilk precisely why one shouldn’t cross Eric Future. Overall Segment Grade: D VS. Bas Hagen vs. Byron Singles Match Before the match, Byron went up to the young Bas Hagen for a friendly handshake. Hagen reached in as if he was going to shake hands, but caught the multi-time world champion off guard with a right hook that sent Byron to the canvas. The referee called for the bell, and Hagen continued his vicious pre-match assault. Throughout much of the early portion of this contest, Hagen looked like he was gearing for an upset. Byron would go on a run and appear to take control, but then Hagen would shut the door before Byron could reclaim momentum. Eventually Bas Hagen’s inexperience got the best of him. He whipped Byron into the ropes and leaned forward to hit the Englishman with a big back body drop. Byron bounced off of the ropes and anticipated the move, kicking Hagen square in the jaw. From there Hagen was never able to regain his moment, and Byron was able to put him away at 12 minutes, 26 seconds after an Upper Class. Winner: Byron via pinfall after an Upper Class Wrestler Performance: “Regular” – Hagen (E) and Byron (D) Overall Match Grade: D Kruge The Executioner spoils Byron’s party, though. With Byron’s hands raised in victory, Kruge attacks the Englishman from behind with a monstrous chop. Byron falls to his knees at first, but a serious of stomps cause Byron to fall to the canvas. Kruge scoops the Brit from the mat, lifts him high into the air, and releases—causing Byron to fall at least seven feet onto the canvas below. The vicious assault ends after Kruge nails a Face-First Powerbomb on the living legend, making it clear that nobody—not even Byron—will stand in his way. Overall Segment Grade: C- A video package plays which highlights Zofia Jankovic’s recent title win from December 2015. From there the video showcases previous duels the two women had over the course of 2015. Much more emphasis is placed on the women’s physical appearance. Overall Segment Grade: C- VS. Thea Davis vs. Zofia Jankovic © EWA Womens Championship Match In her first title defense Zofia Jankovic was brought down to the wire, as “The Red Queen” nearly squeaked out a victory against “The Black Widow.” Unfortunately for Thea Davis, Jankovic was able to pull a fast one on the referee, securing the pinfall in this tight contest at 17 minutes, 49 seconds with a handful of tights. Winner: Zofia Jankovic via pinfall with a handful of tights (1st Successful Title Defense) Wrestler Performance: “Regular” – Davis (E+) and Jankovic (E+) Overall Match Grade: E VS. The X Force vs. The Johansson Brothers Tag Team Match Bam Bam Johansson and Christopher Lister started this match off for their respective teams. From the get-go, the size and strength of The Johansson Brothers appeared to be too much for The X Force. However, as the match wore on, the speed, agility, and stamina allowed The X Force to scratch their way back into the contest. Late in the match, with both of The Johansson Brothers outside of the ring, Lister and Cole nailed a suicide dive onto the big Norwegians. Both teams would never make it back into the ring from that point, and the referee was forced to call for the draw at 10 minutes, 51 seconds after neither team failed to return to the ring after a ten count. Winner: DRAW after a double count out Wrestler Performance: “Story Telling” – Cole (D-), Lister (D-), Hercules (D-) and Bam Bam (E+) Overall Match Grade: E Of course the match ending didn’t stop The X Force from battling with The Johansson Brothers. Immediately after the match, The X Force sent The Johansson Brothers into the guardrail with a double drop kick. The brawl came to an unceremonious end for Lister and Cole, though. As The X Force dove from the ring apron, Bam Bam and Hercules snagged their smaller opponents in mid-air. In a display of strength and athleticism, The Johansson Brothers ended the momentum—and the nights—of their foes with a forceful power slam into the exposed concrete. The show ends with Bam Bam and Hercules standing tall, arms raised in the ring, and overlooking a lifeless Lister and Cole. Overall Segment Grade: C- Crowd Attendance: 2,000 Show Rating: D-

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="48381651036_67fb5f2508_o.jpg" data-src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48381651036_67fb5f2508_o.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:24px;">EWA New Year's Revolution '16</span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"> </span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:12px;">Live from the Bayern Stadion in Munich, Germany</span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> Saturday, Week 4, January 2016</span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> For several months now, The X Force and The Johansson Brothers have engaged in an extended battle which has engulfed all of EWA. And when The Johansson Brothers needed to cheat to win in order to beat The X Force back in December, it was clear this feud would not be ending anytime soon. Can The Johansson Brothers come out with a clean victory against Lister and Cole? Or will The X Force manage to break the two Norwegian monsters? Additionally, five-time EWA Universal Champion Byron finds himself in action the Dutch grappler Bas Hagen! Plus, the EWA Womens Championship is on the line as Zofia Jankovic battles it out with Thea Davis. All of this and much more as EWA kicks off the New Year!</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Main Event</strong></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> The X Force [Christopher Lister and Jase Cole] v. The Johansson Brothers [Hercules and Bam Bam Johansson]</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Semi-Main Event</strong></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>EWA Womens Championship Match</em></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Thea Davis v. © Zofia Jankovic</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>Singles Match</em></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Bas Hagen v. Byron</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>Four Way Dance Match</em></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em> Winner No. 1 Contender to the EWA Womens Championship</em></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Karen Bilous v. MAYA v. Tomoko Nagatsuka v. Machiko Matsuda</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>Singles Match</em></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Kruge The Executioner v. Bulldog Jack</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>EWA Tag Team No. 1 Contenders Match</em></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Double Dutch [Henrick Van Bon and Frank Van Heer] v. Nigerian Hit Squad [Rahabad Lawal and Rashid Lawal]</div></div></div></div></div><p></p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="EBEZA" data-cite="EBEZA" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46862" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Called it! <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> You sure did! First and foremost, thanks for commenting and following along. Second, I'll concede that I did not initially want to make a change at this first show. My hope was to ride Future X until I was able to build up the tag team division a bit more. We needed to call an audible, though, after Petey signed with 21CW. While this forced me to change things in the short-term, I still see big things ahead for Eric.</p>

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="48381651036_67fb5f2508_o.jpg" data-src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48381651036_67fb5f2508_o.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:24px;">EWA kicks off 2016 with a hiring spree.</span></span></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> European Wrestling All-Stars is flexing its financial muscles. With the recent purchase of the company by Russian billionaire Vladimir Smertin, EWA is flush with capital.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> As part of its effort to grow internationally, EWA has focused on investing this capital into its roster. Rumors abound around the European wrestling scene about how EWA scouts have made their way to independent shows throughout the continent. Thus far, though, only one official signing has been made.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> After a reporting sighting on the EWA Worldwide pre-show, “The Machine” Tomoko Nagatsuka officially signed a two-year pay-per-appearance contract with EWA. Nagatsuka, who ranked No. 326 in the 2015 Power 500, is joining EWA after honing her craft in 5 Star Supreme Wrestling for the past 16 years. Currently the reigning 5 Star World Champion, it is anticipated that Nagatsuka will split time between Japan and Europe at the present time.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> While the card for EWA New Year’s Revolution has yet to be announced, Byron was quick to mention that Nagatsuka will be making her debut at the event. Byron, who spoke on behalf of EWA when reached for comment, was quick to praise the company’s latest signing. “Nagatsuka is a star, and we are extremely fortunate to have her,” he said.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> No other official announcements have been made, but it is evident EWA anticipates shoring up its men’s division. Strengthening the tag team division is seen as an important priority for Smertin, who wants the company to begin emphasizing tag team wrestling. Notably, EWA scouts have been seen at numerous matches of Roberto Milano and Gianfranco Morelli. Formally known as The Fashionistas, the tag team is known for their run in EWA when the company first launched.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Other notable names which appear to be on EWA’s radar, based on reports, Finnish super heavyweight Annihilus, Japanese cruiserweight JOJI, “The Dread Pirate” Hugh de Aske, and “The Crusher from the Kremlin” Boris Kiriyakin. Smertin, in particular, is rumored to have asked scouts to place an emphasis on Russian-born wrestlers.</div></div></div></div>

21CW snags long-time EWA standout. 21st Century Wrestling just got its X Factor. “The X Factor” Petey Barnes will be leaving European Wrestling All-Stars for London, England, as the former four-time EWA Tag Team Champion signed an exclusive written contract shortly before EWA’s debut in Greece. The terms of Barnes’s deal are unconfirmed. The decision marks the end of an era for Barnes, who spent the past four-and-a-half years in EWA working with Eric Future as part of the tag team Future X. Together Barnes and Future became staples of the tag team division, winning the tag titles a record four times during the promotion’s brief history. “It was time for me to shine,” Barnes said, when reached for comment. “For a long time, I’ve been the ‘tag team’ guy. Whether it was at Ring of Fire or here [at EWA], I was always working with a partner. I’d get the occasional singles run, but that was the exception. Not the norm. Now, with 21CW, I am hoping to establish myself as a singles star.” Barnes’s move to 21CW could signal Jeff Nova and Pit Bull Brown’s intention for a ruin of The Show Stealers—as Barnes’s former tag team partner, Adam Matravers, is on the roster. Officials at 21CW could not be reached for comment. What this means for Future remains to be seen. Barnes made his exit from EWA by kicking his former ally right in the jaw. Now out on his own and with no recourse against Barnes, Future appears rudderless. “We are heartbroken by Petey leaving us,” Vice President of Creative Byron said when asked for comment. “He has been a valued member of the EWA community for many years. A pillar of what we’ve been trying to build. But this departure, just like any, is part of the business. We will rebound. “And I am not worried by Future. As his name implies, he is the future of this business. These times look dark, but I have no doubt in my mind that he will rebound.” Although the card for EWA’s main January show, New Year’s Revolution, has yet to be announced, preliminary drafts show Future will not be in action. Byron, when asked, stated that Future was out of action to allow him to recoup from his injuries at EWA Worldwide. Future was unable to be reached for comment for this story.

EWA Worldwide Live from the Larissa Indoor Hall in Larissa, Greece Saturday, Week 2, January 2016 VS. Crusher Von Steinberg vs. Christopher Lister Singles Match In a back-and-forth affair where both men looked evenly matched, Christopher Lister outlasted Crusher Von Steinberg in 7 minutes, 16 seconds while Jase Cole stood at ringside. Lister was able to finish the former EWA Intercontinental Champion with an A-Lister. The crowd was buzzing with the energy these two men put forth, starting the show off strong. Winner: Christopher Lister via pinfall Wrestler Performance: “Steal The Show” – Lister (E+) and Von Steinberg (E+) Overall Match Grade: E+ Jase Cole joins his tag partner in the ring after Christopher Lister’s victory over the former EWA Intercontinental Champion. Cole motions to the ringside attendant for a couple of microphones. The man who once went by the name “Toby Juan Kanobi” milks the adulation of the Greek crowd for a few minutes before he lifts the microphone to his lips. He goes off on The Johansson Brothers, who defeated The X Force back in December, 2015. He criticizes them for needed to use deceitful and underhanded tactics to pull off the cheap victory. Cole doesn’t mince words when he calls it pathetic. Taking over for Cole, Lister—who struggles with the language barrier he has with his Greek audience—says that the reason The Johansson Brothers needed to cheat to win was because the two former EWA Universal Champions knew they had no chance at beating The X Force on their own merits. Cole and Lister took Norwegians to their limit, and The Johansson Brothers snapped. Cheating was there only option. So at New Year’s Revolution, The X Force was challenging The Johansson Brothers to a rematch. After several moments, the lower, harsh music of The Johansson Brothers echoes throughout the arena. Out comes the EWA Universal Champion Hercules Johansson and his brother, Bam Bam. Each man weighs in around 173 kilograms. Neither man says a word. Instead the brothers stare down at The X Force. Without say a word, Hercules nods his head and mouths, “It’s on.” Overall Segment Grade: D+ VS. Kruge The Executioner vs. Ferdinand Areneaux Singles Match Only a rookie, Ferdinand Arneaux must have thought EWA management had it out for him by the time Kruge The Executioner was finished with him. Fortunately for Ferdinand, that did not take long. The behemoth disposed of the Frenchman in a mere 2 minutes, 53 seconds after a devastating Face-First Powerbomb. Winner: Kruge The Executioner via pinfall. Wrestler Performance: “Story Telling” – Kruge (E+) and Arneaux (F+) Overall Match Grade: E Unfortunately for Ferdinand Arneaux, his beating didn’t end when referee Patrick Garrett called for the bell. Kruge The Executioner shakes himself away from referee and tosses him out through the ropes. Kruge turns his attention to Arneaux, lifting off of the canvas. As boos shower down on him, Kruge lifts Arneaux onto his shoulders before hitting the rookie with yet another Face-First Powerbomb. The Frenchman’s body goes limp as soon as his face impacts the canvas. Kruge doesn’t look finished either. Without giving Arneaux a chance to recover, The Executioner lifts his opponent off the canvas once more. He lifts Ferdinand onto his shoulders once again. Before the youngster is sidelined indefinitely though, five-time EWA Universal Champion Byron rushes in and takes Kruge’s knees from under him. The crowd erupts. Byron smirks, enjoying the moment. With Kruge on one knee, Byron sends the big man onto the floor below with a missile dropkick. Byron stands tall over his rival, making it clear his reign of terror will come to an end soon. Overall Segment Grade: D+ VS. Rahabad Lawal vs. Paolo Gandalfini © Singles Match for the EWA Intercontinental Championship This match put a tamper on the evening, as both men struggled through inconsistent performances. In the end, though, only one thing mattered for the reigning EWA Intercontinental Champion: winning. And he did just that, defeating the tag team specialist in 8 minutes, 48 seconds after a Full Nelson Bomb. Winner: Paolo Gandalfini via pinfall (2nd successful title defense) Wrestler Performance: “Regular” – Gandalfini (E) and Rahabad (E) Overall Match Grade: E A video package plays showcasing the long-time rivalry of The Addams Family and Future X. These two teams have battle numerous times over the years, having turned into staples of EWA’s tag team division. The package ends showing Future X’s victory back in November, 2015, which secured the EWA Tag Team Championship for Petey Barnes and Eric Future. Overall Segment Grade: E- VS. The Addams Family vs. Future X © Tag Team Match for the EWA Tag Team Championship Kalvin Addams and Petey Barnes started off this match for their respective teams. Barnes was impressive, going on an offensive streak which led Kalvin to seek relief in his partner. It was when Jimmi arrived that the match began to even out; each team (and each teammate) had moments where the end looked near. Late in the contest Future began to struggle. He hit Jimmi with a low blow, allowing him to free himself up to tag in his partner. Future’s out stretched hand met nothing but air, though, when he reached his corner. Barnes had hopped off the ring apron. He shook his head and mouthed at Future, “No more.” Shocked, Future was unprepared when Jimmi Addams pinned him after a cross body from the top rope in 13 minutes, 15 seconds. Winner: The Addams Family via pinfall (NEW EWA Tag Team Champions) Wrestler Performance: “Story Telling” – Future (D-), Barnes (E+), K. Addams (E+), and J. Addams (D-) Overall Match Grade: E+ The Addams Family’s celebration will have to come another day. Right now, everybody’s attention is focused on what just happened between Eric Future and Petey Barnes. Barnes remains outside the ring. Eric Future is on his knees in the ring. He shakes his head, his eyes echoing whatever in the arena is thinking. What just happened? Why? Barnes grabs a microphone from the ring attendant. He struggled somewhat with the language barrier. Yet he made it clear that his time with Future X was pivotal to his career. For a long time he thought of Future as his closest friend in the business. They would always be together, and Future X would always thrive. At this point Barnes is staring out into the crowd, his back turned to Future. Barnes blindsides Future, nailing him square on the chin with a superkick. Future sprawls onto the canvas below. The crowd’s boos only get louder. Barnes sits down next to his long-time friend. He continues to say that in recent months, he began to resent Future. He realized that he was the one carrying Future X. Without Barnes, Future would be nothing. So, in his mind, it was time for him to spread his wings and fly. But before he could, he needed to cut the deadweight… which meant dropping the EWA Tag Team Championship, and dropping Eric Future. Overall Segment Grade: E- Crowd Attendance: 972 Show Rating: E+ Comments: This show increased EWA’s popularity in one area.

EWA Worldwide Live from the Larissa Indoor Hall in Larissa, Greece Saturday, Week 2, January 2016 At the end of 2015, EWA made headlines when Vladimir Smertin was announced as its new owner. Only a few weeks into his reign at the top, Smertin is exhibiting his goal of making EWA the international powerhouse he wishes it to be, as the company finds itself outside of its stronghold in Germany. With rumors circulating that resentment is settling among the EWA Tag Team Champions, Eric Future and Petey Barnes find themselves defending the belts against the former tag champions, The Addams Family. Will Future X be able to focus on keeping the gold? Or will their title reign get cut short by Jimmi and Kalvin Adams? Main Event EWA Tag Team Championship Match The Addams Family [Jimmi Addams and Kalvin Addams] v. © Future X [Petey Barnes and Eric Future] Semi-Main Event EWA Intercontinental Championship Match Rahabad Lawal v. © Paolo Gandalfini Singles Match Kruge The Executioner v. Ferdinand Arneaux Singles Match Crusher Von Steinberg v. Christopher Lister

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="48381651036_67fb5f2508_o.jpg" data-src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48381651036_67fb5f2508_o.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;">EWA launches performance center.</span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"> </span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> The next generation of European wrestlers will flow through Berlin. At least that is the hope of European Wrestling All-Stars. </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> In what amounts to the first big move by the promotion since its recent acquisition by Vladimir Smertin, EWA announced July 12, 2016 its plans to open a wrestling training school it calls the EWA Performance Center. While exact figures until the facility’s costs are unclear, reports hold that Smertin is “sparing no expense” to make sure his promotion grooms the future of European wrestling.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Former EWA Intercontinental Champion Christopher Lister was pegged to take the role as Head Trainer of the facility. And those with an itch to join the EWA Performance Center do not have to wait long to experience their dreams. As part of the announcement, Lister stated that those interested in training with EWA can do so immediately. The company, it appears, will be operating out of its existing facilities until its crown jewel of development is complete.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;">An EWA Exclusive: Dissent between the tag team champions.</span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"> </span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> The tag team champions’ honeymoon appears to be over. Rumors out of Future X’s camp suggest that Petey Barnes is beginning to feel his long-time teammate, Eric Future, is weighing him down. Barnes, it has been reported, sees himself as a future main eventer, and doesn’t think he will be able to achieve his goal so long as he is saddled in Future X.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> This complicates the teams’ run with the EWA Tag Team Championship. At EWA Worldwide in Athens, Greece in a few weeks the team is slated to defend their belts for the first time against the team they beat the belts for: The Addams Family. If reports are true, will Barnes and Future be able to coexist long enough to hold off the former champions?</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46862" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">Perhaps I shouldn't have started this diary right before a week away from home. I have the roster updated, our title history updated, and all of the story posts I intend on posting before the first show. With that said, I anticipate the card will be up tonight before I nod off.</div></div></div></div></div></blockquote>