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Here were some of the things we covered:
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With Bryan Alvarez out playing mature living community Santa, Mike Sempervive flies solo to keep you up to date. Thoughts on Saturday’s AEW Worlds End pay-per-view, a preview of tonight’s WWE SmackDown and the final AEW Rampage, and more. It’s a fun show as always, so check it out~!
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The NWA is mourning the devastating loss of a former champion.
Jax Dane (real name Jeremy Laymon), a mainstay of the NWA both before and during the Billy Corgan era, passed away at 48 years old on Christmas Day. A statement issued by the NWA on Thursday disclosed that Dane’s death was due to complications from a heart attack he suffered in November.
“Born March 10, 1976, Dane left us on Christmas Day, December 25, 2024, due to complications from a heart attack suffered in late November,” the statement said. “Dane is survived by his wife Evelynda Laymon, stepson Nicolas, and father, who will forever cherish his memory.”
Corgan praised Dane as a friend, mentor, and professional, calling him a loyalist who went out of his way to support and rebuild the NWA. Corgan is promising to honor Dane and make his family proud going forward.
“Jax Dane loved professional wrestling deeply and he certainly loved those he fought and rode with. I know I speak for all of the National Wrestling Alliance when saying Jax will be missed,” Corgan said. “We will do our best to honor him and make his family proud as we carry forth.
“There are those men and women who carry the legacy of a champion because they have risen to such heights. And then there are those that earn the respect of a champion simply because of who they are. To this I can say, simply and personally, that Jax was such a man, and will forever be in our hearts.”
Dane is a former NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion, holding the Ten Pounds of Gold for 419 days between 2015-2016. He also held the NWA Tag Team titles, National Heavyweight Championship, and North American Championship during his career.
NJPW, Impact Wrestling, and Ohio Valley Wrestling are among the other promotions that Dane had wrestled for. Dane & Rob Conway teamed together in NJPW’s World Tag League tournament in both 2013 and 2014.
Crimson opened the show talking about the cage match he was having with Jax Dane later, with his son by his side. Crimson promised consequences for what Jax Dane did, turning on him at the NWA Anniversary show.
Tim Storm was with Kyle Davis in the ring. The crowd was going crazy. Storm talked about his match with Jaden Roller tonight. Roller ran down to the ring and attacked Storm before he could say anything, and Davis made a quick exit from the ring. Roller asked for a No DQ match and Storm agreed as the show started.
Tim Storm defeated Jaden Roller in a no DQ match
Fun opening match that told a simple story.
Storm immediately made Roller pay, choking him with his shirt and starting to brawl around the ring. Storm hit a big boot and a few forearms. Storm sent Roller to the floor and hit some chops and sent him headfirst into the stairs. Roller floated over a bodyslam and hit a low blow in the ring, then a second.
Roller grabbed a chair from under the ring and nailed Storm in the back with it. Roller set up a chair in the corner. Storm got sent into the chair after Roller reversed a neckbreaker, and Roller hit a bodyslam and an elbow for a two-count.
Roller set the chair up in the middle of the ring and hit a drop toe hold on the chair. Roller tried to axe kick Storm into the chair, but Storm moved and Roller crotched himself on the chair. Storm then hit a DDT onto the chair and pinned Roller.
Kyle Davis was with Trevor Murdoch and Nick Aldis. Murdoch thanked Aldis for joining him and helping him against Latimer and Adonis. Aldis said this was personal for him after Thom Latimer, his former friend, turned on him after all he did to help him. I like this babyface Aldis, and seeing him team with Murdoch is fun.
Kamille defeated Kenzie Paige to retain the NWA World Women’s Championship in a 2/3 falls Match
The near falls towards the end of this match was awesome. Kenzie Paige got all the crowd behind her so easily as soon as she started showing that she had a chance in the second fall. Paige took most of the second fall, making it easier for the crowd to invest. This was great.
Kamille threw Paige across the ring immediately, using her superior power. Kamille hit a gutwrench suplex and a running slam into the corner. Kamille continued to get the heat with basic offence for the next few minutes. Kamille went for another power slam, but Paige slipped out and hit some chops and a hard back elbow.
Kamille missed a corner charge, but connected with a pump kick and a swinging neckbreaker for the first fall. Kamille went for a spear as soon as the second fall started, but Paige dodged and Kamille crashed into the ring post. Paige drove Kamille into the guardrail and then suplexed her on the ramp. Kamille kicked out of a pinfall attempt in the ring.
Kamille went for another swinging neckbreaker, but Paige countered into a pinfall attempt. A few attempts were exchanged until Paige hit a superkick and a Samoan drop for a two count. Paige climbed to the top rope, but Kamille threw her off and went for a spear again, but Paige dodged and rolled Kamille up for a near fall. Kamille dodged a corner charge, and Paige turned around into a spear for a three count, winning 2 falls to 0.
Strictly Business (Thom Latimer & Chris Adonis) came down to the ring with cake for Kamille, as they were celebrating her birthday. Latimer demanded the crowd sing happy birthday to Kamille, but he immediately stopped them and got Kyle Davis to do it instead, but Nick Aldis interrupted it, and it looks like Murdoch and Aldis will be taking on Strictly Business right now.
Trevor Murdoch & Nick Aldis defeated Strictly Business (Thom Latimer & Chris Adonis) with Kamille
This was a great tag match, with the babyfaces going over. I really liked Aldis wrestling as a babyface here. Murdoch was good too, showing great babyface fire.
Joe Galli made the comment that Aldis was out for months after Latimer hit him with several piledrivers, but we only saw it happen a few weeks ago on TV. I suppose it’s sort of true if we count when the TV was taped vs. when it aired, but that was a weird comment. It has been about 2 months since the NWA 73rd Anniversary show.
Murdoch and Adonis started the match, but once Aldis got in there with Latimer, Latimer tried everything he could to stay away from him. Latimer tried to hit Aldis with a monkey flip, but Aldis landed on his feet, which was impressive. Kamille got involved, which allowed Strictly Business to get the heat on Aldis.
Aldis cut Latimer off when he went to the top rope and hit a superplex. Aldis made the tag to Murdoch, who took out Adonis but ate a clothesline from Latimer. They went right back to the heat here, with Latimer and Adonis isolating Murdoch. Murdoch hit a back elbow when Adonis charged the corner and hit a crossbody, but Latimer knocked Aldis off the apron before a tag could be made.
Murdoch finally made the tag and Aldis finally was able to get his hands on Latimer, hitting a tombstone and a flying elbow, but Adonis broke up the pinfall. Adonis and Murdoch brawled at ringside and Adonis shoved Murdoch into the ring post. Latimer hit a low blow on Adonis when the referee wasn’t looking.
Latimer hit an implant DDT on Aldis. Murdoch hit a pop-up spinebuster on Adonis. Latimer hit a pop-up powerbomb on Murdoch, which was impressive. Aldis powerbombed Latimer, then Adonis hit a spinebuster on Murdoch. Aldis put the Cloverleaf on Adonis, but Kamille pulled him to the ropes.
Kamille went to spear Aldis, but he moved and she hit Adonis. Aldis threw Kamille into Latimer and then Murdoch hit a flying bulldog off the top rope on Adonis, scoring the pinfall in this excellent tag match.
Jax Dane defeated Crimson in a cage match
That was a good cage match to end the show, with Jax Dane acting like the perfect heel. We know that without cheating, Crimson would have likely won.
Jax Dane waited at the entrance area for Crimson, but Crimson predicted this and came in through the crowd and got one up on Dane. Crimson and Dane brawled around ringside, with Crimson suplexing Dane on the entrance ramp. Dane sent Crimson’s head into the stairs and threw a chair into the cage.
Dane brought Crimson into the ring and the bell rang. Dane loaded up something in his hand and nailed Crimson, but hid it from the referee. It’s a cage match though, so why would he need to hide it? Either way, Crimson was busted open, and Dane worked him over. Dane wiped the blood off his hands on the referee’s shirt and continued to attack Crimson’s wound.
Crimson soon ended up wearing a crimson mask, pardon the pun, bleeding all over his face. Crimson powerbombed Dane out of the corner, but ate a big boot on a corner charge and then a clothesline from Dane. Crimson drove Dane’s face into the cage a few times and hit a spinebuster on Dane before hitting a huge elbow drop off the top rope for a two-count.
Crimson picked up the chair as Dane went for a spear. Dane accidentally smashed headfirst into the chair. Crimson hit a Death Valley Driver on Dane in the middle of the ring. Dane ended up throwing powder into the eyes of Crimson, but Crimson still kicked out. Dane pulled a bottle of rubbing alcohol out from the apron and poured it onto the open wound and eyes of Crimson before hitting another clothesline for the three count.
Final Thoughts:
The last two episodes of NWA Power were fantastic. If they could get crowds like this for all their TV tapings, and maybe focus on having 1 or 2 matches of the calibre they had this show per episode, Power would feel like a really hot show every week. I loved both of the By Any Means Necessary episodes, and I hope we see more special ones like this in the future.
Trevor Murdoch opened the show calling Nick Aldis out from the back, and Aldis came out to greet him. Murdoch said that him and Aldis did things that were out of character over the last 3 months, and that he remembered sitting in Harley Race’s office with Harley sharing advice on how to carry himself like a champ. Murdoch said that Aldis checked all those boxes, and that he had nothing but respect for Aldis.
Because of that, he decided to give Aldis the floor. Aldis talked about his career and how he went to Harley Race’s camp and learned to wrestle, and that there was a WWE Tag Team Champion named Trevor Murdoch that took the time to help Aldis learn even though his schedule with WWE was insane.
Aldis then said if he had to lose the title to anyone, that he was glad it was to Murdoch, because he was a real man, and an example of why the NWA exists. He said it was time for him to step away for a while to let Murdoch shine. This was fantastic stuff.
Aron Stevens & Kratos defeated The Rude Dudes (El Rudo & Jamie Stanley)
This was the Kratos show, as he single handedly destroyed The Rude Dudes. Kratos is one of my favourite wrestlers in NWA, and this was a great reason why.
Rudo did some dancing, and Kratos yelled “Don’t let him do that!” looking like Kratos was going to try and murder him. Kratos tagged in and hit a back body drop, and said “That’s how you do it.” I love Kratos. Kratos hit a pounce on Stanley and then a suplex that sent him literally flying to his own corner. Kratos dominated both men and then did a deadlift suplex on Stanley before pinning him. Kratos was awesome here.
Both men went to the interview podium and the fans chanted “That was awesome” at Kratos. Kratos said that everyone expected them to go their separate ways, but Kratos is a man that believes in loyalty and brotherhood, and that he wanted to bring the killer out in Stevens.
I am so happy that these guys are staying together as a team, because they honestly make a good team. Stevens said that the last person that talked to him like that was his trainer, Killer Kowalski, and he needed to do some thinking. This was really, really good.
James Storm was at the podium along with The Sinister Minister and Judias. Storm said he would have whatever kind of match that Judias would want, as long as he put up his chance at the NWA National title.
The Sinister Minister said no, and he wouldn’t be manipulated like that but they will fight, just not for the title shot. The delivery was really good here, but the angle is a bit weird. Judias is ice cold, which doesn’t help at all.
Paola Blaze (with Taryn Terrell) vs. Marti Belle (with Allysin Kay)
This match was quick, but it really sucked. Belle is best used in tag team matches only, because holy cow, she spent most of the match selling, then just got up and no sold everything and won. That was really bad.
Melina was on commentary. Joe Galli asked if there was an alliance with her and Adonis, and if she would be joining Strictly Business. She denied that, only indicating that she has been friends with Adonis for a long time. Blaze crushed Belle in the corner for a two-count. Blaze taunted Belle and hit a forearm.
Blaze hit a few knees to Belle for a two-count. Belle got up and hit two clotheslines and a forearm before hitting a pedigree, and scored the pinfall. This was not a good match at all.
Kamille came out from behind the announcer’s table and attacked Melina, leaving her on the floor. I actually really liked this, as Melina was trash talking her on commentary, showing that Kamille watches the show.
Pope, JTG, and Colby Corino were at the podium. Pope said that he loved Trevor Murdoch, but since he won the chance to challenge for whatever title he wanted, he was coming directly for the NWA World’s Heavyweight Championship.
JTG and Colby Corino talked about how they were together in a tag team that was thrown together, and they were going to challenge Hawx Aerie. Corino took the mic and said that nothing was going to stand in their way.
Keira Hogan and Chelsea Green came out. Green denied she lost her match against Kamille, and went fully into the hot mess gimmick. Hogan said that she was offended by what Mickie James said in commentary during her match, and she wanted to have a conversation about it.
Jordan Clearwater (with BLKJeez) defeated Cion (with Austin Idol) & Jeremiah Plunkett (with Danny Deals)
It appears that Austin Idol betrayed one of his clients for an ally he favoured in Clearwater. This was short, and didn’t have much to it.
Clearwater and Cion tried to double team Plunkett at first, as they were both allied with Idol, but it wasn’t long before they were arguing about who was going to win. Plunkett took advantage of this. Clearwater and Cion took out Plunkett on the outside, and as Cion had a half crab on Clearwater, Idol punched Cion with a gimmick, giving Clearwater the win despite Cion being Idol’s man.
Crimson and Jax Dane came out for a slap fight, with Trevor Murdoch serving as judge. They were going to slap each other until the other is knocked out or can’t continue, as this is not a wrestling match. Not sure I am a fan of this, given how easy it is to get a concussion, and these guys were really slapping each other hard.
Dane slapped the neck, but Crimson slapped the face, which isn’t safe, but before Dane took his second slap, he punched Crimson in the face. Strictly Business (without Aldis) ran out to attack Murdoch, but Pope ran out to make the save. Pope took out Latimer, and Judias came out and threw some of the worst punches I have ever seen before Murdoch and Storm sent him away.
Murdoch and Dane came face to face on the outside, which I think is where they are going to be going when he is done with Crimson. Crimson and Dane continued to brawl as the show went off the air. This was actually a great closing angle as we have several people in the title picture, with a particular focus on Dane and Pope. I really liked this.
Final Thoughts:
This was a really good episode of Power. The wrestling was merely there, but the angles and promos were all excellent. I really like how they are building the first challengers for Murdoch, and I honestly can’t wait for Jax Dane vs. Trevor Murdoch, as they are making Dane out to be an absolute killer.
Crimson could be added to that picture too, as he has actually been good here, and far better than when he was in TNA. This was a super easy episode to watch, and exactly why I grew to love NWA Power even if the wrestling isn’t as good as what you get with NJPW or AEW.
NWA Power opened with a recap of what happened last week with Nick Aldis pulling Strictly Business from the World Tag Team title match from last week.
Kyle Davis was at the podium with an announcement from Billy Corgan, who provided Davis with a written statement. Corgan wrote about what happened last week, and stripped Latimer and Adonis of their tag team championship opportunity. Corgan also docked their pay, and also docked Aldis’ pay for one month, donating it to charity.
Corgan also announced that Aldis and Strictly Business would have their contracts terminated if they do this again, and if they do not appear next week, they will be stripped of their titles and would never be seen in the NWA again.
In light of the angle from last week that saw the show suddenly go off the air with no main event, this was a very good follow up. Corgan worked as a babyface owner that wasn’t going to be pushed around by the heels, and he let them know that he was the one in charge.
NWA World Television Championship: The Pope defeated Matt Cross to retain
Solid match from both guys here, and now Pope only needs 3 more matches before he can cash in for a chance at the NWA World’s Heavyweight Championship.
Cross and Pope exchanged arm drags to open the match before Cross did a drop down and hit a dropkick as Pope hit the ropes. They both hit the ropes again, and as Cross went for a cross body (pun intended) Pope hit a powerslam.
Pope went for a vertical suplex, but Cross slipped out and hit a fireman’s carry into a neck breaker. Pope dodged an attack and sent Cross to the apron. Cross hit a pump kick and then hit a big suicide dive on Pope.
Cross went for a shooting star press, but Pope rolled out of the way (sort of. He rolled the wrong way), and then Pope hit the Elijah Express for the pinfall.
NWA World Tag Team Championship: Aron Stevens & Kratos defeated Fred Rosser & Marche Rockett
While I normally don’t like storylines with tag partners that don’t get along, this one is being done as well as it can be. They’re clearly building to the break-up between the two, but because they’re still managing to win, they are okay with their tentative alliance.
Stevens and Rosser started the match. Kratos was hesitant to tag into the match, but when he did he beat the crap out of everyone in the ring. His hesitation to make a tag was paid back when Kratos wanted to tag out when he had Rosser in an abdominal stretch. As Kratos argued with Stevens, Rockett tagged in and attacked, but it didn’t work well.
Kratos eventually tagged out because he was hurt, and Stevens swept Rockett’s legs and hit a DDT. Rockett dodged a corner charge and hit a dropkick. As he went to tag out, Kratos pulled Rosser off the apron. Stevens argued with him about it, but he hit a flying forearm on Rockett and scored the pinfall.
Melina and Taryn Tarrell were backstage, and both of them wanted to make sure that there were no shenanigans in the match with Kamille and Thunder Rosa.
Thunder Rosa defeated Jennacide
This was a great squash match, where Jennacide looked strong, but Rosa simply outwrestled her and tapped her out with her superior submission skills.
Jennacide used size and power to keep control of the early portions of the match, hitting power slams and avoiding Thunder Rosa’s offence. Rosa eventually managed to chop her down with kicks and locked on a kneebar for a submission finish, but she took a beating to get it there. Good squash match.
Austin Idol and Tyrus were with Kyle Davis, and Tyrus congratulated Pope on his successful defense, but indicated that Pope still hadn’t beat him. Idol announced that the first entrant in the 14-man battle royal was none other than Tyrus. Idol promised that Tyrus was going to win the battle royal and go after Aldis.
Idol also had a list of several competitors in the battle royal, and Davis asked how he got the information. Idol said, “Because I’m a genius,” which made me laugh. Idol joked that he was going to enter it with the quality of competition in the match, and promised that Tyrus was going to win. Good promo.
The War Kings (Crimson & Jax Dane) defeated The End (Parrow & Odinson) to become the #1 Contenders for the NWA World Tag Team Championship
Well, what in the world was that finish? This is a pre taped show. That was clearly a botched pinfall, as Odinson obviously kicked out before the 3 and had his shoulder up on the pinfall. Then on the replay it clearly showed this, and they had Joe Galli tell us the kickout happened after the 3. It didn’t. Just refilm it. It’s a taped show, for goodness sake.
Odinson and Crimson started in the ring, The End quickly took the advantage, using some double team moves. Crimson managed to hit an exploder suplex on Odinson and tagged out to Jax. The War Kings showed their experience with some huge moves hitting Odinson.
Dane and Odinson exchanged chops in the corner to the delight of Joe Galli, who called this a hoss fight, and he wasn’t wrong. Odinson did an AA on his own partner onto Crimson, and that looked like a finishing move, but Dane made the save.
Crimson hit some forearms and a John Woo dropkick on Parrow before tagging out to Dane. Dane ran wild, smashing Odinson with several high impact moves. Dane hit a suplex, and Crimson came off the top with a flying elbow on Odinson. Odinson kicked out, but the ref counted three anyway and the match ended in chaos.
Final Thoughts:
The show went off the air after a botched finish in a tag match that I was actually really enjoying. The match itself was a really good tag match, but the botched finish still being in on a pre taped show is confusing at best, and outright bad at worst. I don’t understand why they didn’t retape it. Aside from the weird main event finish, this week’s episode was quite good overall, especially compared to the debacle of an ending last week.
