Tag: matt cardona

NWA Power results: The Cardonas vs. Aldis & The Commonwealth Connection

Posted on by Josiah MacDonald

The Commonwealth Connection joined Kyle Davis to open the show. Doug Williams talked about his history with Nick Aldis, and how Williams, Harry Smith, and Aldis are going to take out The Cardonas this week.

The show went to the announce table. Austin Idol was still yelling about the Tyrus Slam Challenge from last week when Mims slammed Tyrus. Joe Galli pitched to the ring.

Kamille w/ Thom Latimer defeated Paola Blaze

This was mostly fine, but the booking was just bizarre. It made no sense if you think about it for a few seconds, as the referee was ready to stop the match and suddenly didn’t once more damage was being done.

Blaze rolled out of the ring as the bell rang, and said she wasn’t ready yet. Every time Kamille tried to get to her, Blaze would run away, smiling. Kamille had enough and drove Blaze back to the corner and hit an Oklahoma powerslam for a two count. Kamille hit a gutwrench suplex and nailed Blaze with a spin heel kick for another two count.

Kamille landed hard on her leg when she tried to leapfrog Blaze, looking like she hurt her quad or knee. Blaze stood away as the referee and Thom Latimer checked on her. Latimer turned around and Blaze kicked Latimer low and started stomping on the leg of Kamille.

They were looking to stop the match prior to this attack, so they just kept going once Latimer was out of the ring, and the referee just shrugged. Why? If you were going to stop the match, then why are you letting it go after Blaze attacked? That made no sense at all.

Kamille managed to fight back after a submission attempt and hit a twist and shout for a 2-count. Blaze hit a headscissors and a missile dropkick on Kamille. Latimer came out with some ice he was holding near his lower regions, which distracted the referee for some reason. The referee tried to send him to the back despite him doing nothing. Kamille hit a low blow on Blaze and then hit two spears for the win. Kamille sold the knee inconsistently once she started getting offence again.

Matt Taven was with Kyle Davis at the podium and talked about how he wants to win the tag titles with Mike Bennett, but he also wants to challenge for the NWA World’s Heavyweight Championship. Good promo from Taven.

Matt Taven defeated Judias w/ The Sinister Minister via DQ

I was worried they would have Judias win this match. I’m not a fan of the DQ finish, but at least Taven didn’t lose.

Taven hit some hard chops that Judias no sold. Judias powered out of several moves from Taven, but Taven used his superior movement to keep slipping out of the power moves. Judias dodged a missile dropkick and started a Garvin stomp on Taven.

Judias used basic power moves to get some heat on Taven until Taven managed to get on the top rope and go for a flying elbow. However, The Sinister Minister called out Gags the Gimp and Sal the Pal to attack Taven. The group started to beat on Taven as the announcers let us know that Mike Bennett was not there this week, so Taven had no one to help him.

Help then came in as the Briscoes ran out, laying waste to the Sinister Minister’s stable, saving their old rival but ROH comrade in Matt Taven.

Tyrus was backstage with May Valentine and talked about Mims challenging for the NWA Television title. Tyrus insisted he was impressed and Mims was exactly what he was looking for, as he wanted a challenge.

The Dirty Sexy Boys (Dango & JTG) w/ Angelina Love defeated The Miserably Faithful (Sal the Pal & Gags the Gimp)

Velvet Sky went into a rant about how Angelina Love didn’t tell her that she was coming to the NWA, and that now she was moving in on her crush over Dango. Okay, this seems dumb. Joe Galli tried to reign her in and get her to call the match, but Idol continued to feed her into it. That was annoying.

JTG and Dango dominated Sal the Pal in the early portions of the match, but Gags tripped JTG as he hit the ropes and they started to get the heat on him. Sal and Gags worked over the fingers and various small joints of JTG. All of Gags’ offence was cheating, outside of a few chinlocks. Sal accidentally hit Gags with a clothesline and JTG tagged out.

Dango commanded Gags to lay down on the mat. Gags listened. Dango kicked him. Dango went for a crucifix bomb, but Gags slipped out and tagged out to Sal, who superkicked Dango. Dango moved out of the way of a rocket launcher from Gags and Sal. Dango hit a falcon arrow on Sal for the pinfall.

Dango held Angelina Love like he was going to kiss her, but realized that Velvet Sky was watching, so they stopped short and cut to the back.

The Pope was with Kyle Davis and talked about how he wanted to talk to Trevor Murdoch next week, as he was concerned about Murdoch’s behaviour as of late. Pope saw common ground with his old friend because both of them had bad experiences with Matt Cardona recently, losing title matches, and he wanted to have a heart to heart with Murdoch about it.

KiLynn King defeated Chelsea Green & Jennacide in a number one contender’s match

This was easily the best match on the show thus far, and KiLynn King was clearly positioned to get over in this one, but it was surprising given how they have been pushing Jennacide recently. Either way, King and Kamille should be a good match.

Green foolishly tried to take out both King and Jennacide at the same time, but that did not work, and King suplexed Green onto Jennacide. King and Jennacide hit some hard forearms on each other until Jennacide hit a low pump kick to King and threw Green across the ring. Jennacide hit a big boot in the corner for a two count.

Green went to the top rope, but got knocked off, and landed on the apron. Kinghit a flying knee off the top rope on Jennacide. Green tried to dive onto Jennacide and King on the floor but they caught her. King and Jennacide fought over getting into the ring to pin Green, but Green took that chance to recover and kick the middle rope as King was entering the ring again.

Green hit a curb stomp into the turnbuckles on King for a two count. Green locked on a camel clutch on King in the middle of the ring, but Jennacide came behind her and locked a sleeper on. Jennacide hit an atomic drop type move on King for a two count. Green went for the Unprettier on King, but King reversed into the Excalibuster for the win.

The Commonwealth Connection (Doug Williams & Harry Smith) & Nick Aldis defeated The Cardona Family (Matt Cardona, Mike Knox, & VSK) w/ Chelsea Green

Good match to end the show here, with Nick Aldis getting a win to set up a future match with Cardona. In this case, it wouldn’t have hurt to have Cardona tap out with at least a visual submission to further set it up, but we got time before the next PPV, so that might happen.

VSK started the match with Doug Williams and regretted trying to chain wrestle Williams immediately. VSK was only able to get ahead by raking the eyes. VSK did manage to get a headlock and pushed Williams back to the corner to tag out to Mike Knox. Aldis tagged in and Cardona tried to come in from behind, but got dropped by Aldis.

Cardona immediately tagged back out to Knox. Aldis tagged in Harry Smith, who hit a stalling vertical suplex on Mike Knox. Williams and Smith showed some good double team offence on Knox, making it easy to forget they originally were just a makeshift team for the Crockett Cup. Cardona tried to apply a wrist lock on Williams but as soon as they got too close to Aldis, Cardona ran away.

Smith came in and threw VSK all over the ring. The Cardonas got the heat on Smith for a little bit after Chelsea Green got involved, choking Smith on the ropes. Smith managed to knock Knox and VSK off the apron, leaving Cardona alone in the ring. Smith tagged out to Aldis. Aldis ran wild on Cardona, but it soon broke down into everyone hitting big moves.

Cardona hit Reboot on Aldis and went for Radio Silence, but VSK chop blocked Aldis and Cardona tagged out to VSK. Cardona fled the ring as Williams shoved VSK off the top rope and right into a Cloverleaf on VSK for the submission win.

Final Thoughts

This episode of NWA Power ended stronger than it started, with the first few matches not being great. Everything picked up with the women’s triple threat. I like how they are developing the Pope/Murdoch storyline and I’m quite interested to see where it goes. I also think Kilynn King and Kamille will be a fun match when it happens.

NWA announces Alwayz Ready PPV for June

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The NWA is heading to Knoxville, Tennessee for a pay-per-view this June.

It was announced today that NWA Alwayz Ready will be held at the Knoxville Convention Center on Saturday, June 11. The venue will also host a set of NWA television tapings the next night.

In storyline, NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion Matt Cardona demanded that the PPV be dedicated to him if he’s going to wrestle in Knoxville.

“As Worlds Heavyweight Champion, Matt Cardona insisted that if he was to be compelled to go to a storied NWA territory like Knoxville, Tennessee and defend the championship, he would only appear if the June 11th PPV was in his honor,” Billy Corgan said. “This event, named after his singular catchphrase ‘Alwayz Ready,’ will feature his entrance music as the show’s sole theme, and all promotional materials therein will include his brand and likeness; including no less than a modified NWA logo which now reads MCWA (Matt Cardona Wrestling Alliance.) Now all that’s left is for the champion to be ready to live up to his requests.”

Cardona has been NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion since winning the title from Trevor Murdoch this February. His challenger for Alwayz Ready has yet to be announced.

Alwayz Ready will be available live via Fite TV as a standalone PPV or as part of the NWA All Access annual pass.

Tickets for Alwayz Ready will go on sale at 11 a.m. Eastern time this Tuesday.

Corgan told the Knoxville News Sentinel that, if Alwayz Ready and the TV tapings are successful, he’d like to bring the NWA back to Knoxville twice a year.

“I think the NWA’s history is because of the strength of the Knoxvilles and the Memphises and what they brought to the table that eventually became professional wrestling at the highest levels,” Corgan said. “I want to wrap my arms back around that legacy because that’s what I think of when I think of wrestling.”

NWA Power results: Matt Cardona vs. Pope World title match

Posted on by Josiah MacDonald

NWA Power opened with Nick Aldis wishing luck to Pope in his NWA World Heavyweight Championship match with Matt Cardona. Aldis would be honored to face him in a match, but his issue with Cardona goes beyond the championship and he will get his revenge through stretching him so much that his ancestors would tap out.

The production claimed Austin Idol was on commentary with their graphic, but he looked suspiciously like Tim Storm.

The Commonwealth Connection (Doug Williams & Davey Boy Smith Jr.) defeated The Dirty Sexy Boys (JTG & Dango)

The ending of this match was hilarious. It didn’t have enough time to become a great match, but I was entertained for what this was.

Smith and JTG started with Smith using his size and power to dominate JTG and bring him back into his corner. JTG managed to tag out to Dango and hit Williams with a double elbow after Williams tagged in. After some brief isolation of Williams, Smith tagged in and hit a slam on JTG. Williams and Smith got some heat on JTG, working as the heels for this match. We shall see if that continues or is just the story of this particular match.

JTG hit a sling blade-like move but it was to Williams’ back, so it ended in a bulldog. Dango tagged in and blocked a Chaos Theory, hitting a falcon arrow on Williams for a two count. JTG and Smith brawled around ringside while Dango sold his knee after being thrown to the floor.

Dango walked over to Velvet Sky and gyrated while Sky said she would help him with his knee injury. This distracted Dango and Williams made him pay for it by dragging him back into the ring and submitting him with the Muta Lock.

– Austin Idol was with Kyle Davis talking about what happened in the Tyrus Slam Challenge last week with Cyon, asking what Idol said to Cyon that bothered him so much. Idol told him that he knew who his father was, and that he wasn’t just a former NWA champion, but a huge name in NWA historically. Idol then admitted that he is Cyon’s father. This story has been fun and it’ll be interesting to see if Idol is lying or telling the truth.

KiLynn King defeated Natalia Markova

This was an excellent match between these two and it’s nice to see King get the win here. I take this to mean she is going to be a regular in NWA going forward, which will only help her long term.

Markova and King hit some hard chops and strikes at the start of the match with King hitting a shoulderblock that sent Markova across the ring. Markova did a forward roll into a cutter for a two count. King hit a knee to send Markova to the mat, but Markova got a sleeper on after a pinfall attempt. King blocked a kick and hit a huge knee on Markova for a two count.

Markova hit a double underhook DDT for a two count. Markova followed this with a knee of her own for another two count. Markova went to the top rope, but King cut her off and hit a running knee to her opponent’s stomach before hitting a fallaway slam for a near fall. Markova went for a spinning kick in the corner, but King countered into the Excalibuster for the win.

– Mims was backstage with May Valentine and invited everyone to see his gun collection, so he flexed. Mims then said he was going to try the Tyrus Slam Challenge. He also talked about how he wanted to see Pope defeat Cardona. They got to let Mims talk more and it was good they did.

– La Rebelion came to the podium and called out the Briscoes for not being there. They didn’t care about any of the teams going after them because they were going to beat them all. They insisted that they were not afraid of the Briscoes and would be taking the fight to them.

– Valentine was with Aron Stevens who talked about Trevor Murdoch punching Stevens in the face last week. Stevens said he was hurt by it (as dramatic music played) and Stevens continued to change his “character” with a wave of his hand several times which was bizarre. I am not getting this character at all. Apparently, he has multiple personalities and when he waves his hand in front of his face, he goes into a different one.

Miserably Faithful (Sal The Pal, Judias & Gags the Gimp) (w/ The Sinister Minister) defeated Colby Corino & The Fixers

This match was bizarre for a variety of reasons with first and foremost that it was two heel teams. The crowd went very quiet when Judias and crew came out. Rinauro is apparently Sal The Pal now, which is not as good as “Sinister Sal.” The Fixers threw him around the ring with Wrecking Ball Legursky crushing him in the corner.

Corino tagged in and celebrated, but turned around into an attack from Judias. Gags tagged in and choked Corino. Gags and Sal used some double team moves on Corino, followed by a series of stomps and a back rake by Sal. Colby Corino, babyface in peril, was not something I expected, but despite being a heel, he got some sympathy.

Cornio hit an Olympic slam and the Corino Crush on Gags before tagging out to Legursky. He lived up to his name of Wrecking Ball by crushing Sal and scaring Gags. He then lawn darted Gags into the crotch of Sal. Sal moved and Jay Bradley went to the floor. Sal hit a moonsault off the apron on both of them and Gags hit a Dudley Dog for the pin and win.

I am not a fan of this Sinister Minister stable at all. The match was fine.

– Jennacide was with Valentine and talked about how she was on her own now and all she needed was herself, not Taryn Terrell or Paola Blaze. Good promo here.

NWA World Champion Matt Cardona defeated Pope to retain

This was a good main event match for Power. The crowd was so behind Pope that it certainly feels like he should be the next champion at some point. He has a natural connection with the audience and a nice babyface championship run for him down the line would be great.

They started with basic wrestling, but they slapped each other after Pope flipped Cardona off. Pope fired up and sent Cardona to the floor after a fist drop. Pope nailed some punches in the corner on Cardona and hit a combination of strikes in the middle of the ring before hitting a shoulder tackle that sent Cardona to the floor again.

Cardona shoved Pope in the ring apron and went to throw him into the ring steps which is what led to Pope being injured for several weeks with a concussion. Pope blocked it and hit a forearm off the steps instead. When Pope tried to get back in the ring, Cardona hit a knee right to Pope’s head, immediately dropping him back to the floor. Cardona then moved on to targeting the head more directly. He got the heat over the next few minutes with neck cranks and other head targeting moves.

Cardona went to the top rope after arguing with a fan, giving Pope the chance to pop up and leap to the top rope for a superplex. Pope hit a bionic elbow on Cardona before landing a flying crossbody for a near fall. Pope hit an STO for a two count. Cardona hit a throat thrust and a dropkick off the middle ropes for a near fall. 

Every time Pope would try something, Cardona would poke the eyes or go to the throat, but Pope hit a spinebuster after a dropdown and locked in the sharpshooter.

Pope transitioned into a crossface and the crowd was disappointed when Cardona made it to the ropes. The referee drove some separation between the two after, so Cardona took advantage with a codebreaker for a two count. Pope hit a series of german suplexes before calling for a top rope move.

Cardona fell into the ropes to knock Pope off and went for the Reboot, but Pope moved and Cardona crashed into the bottom rope. Pope went for the Elijah Express, but Cardona pulled the referee in the way, poked Pope in the eyes again and then hit Radio Silence for the pinfall to retain the gold.

Final Thoughts:

This was a decent episode although I think the match with Pope and Cardona could have benefited from a few more weeks of build. That said, it was a perfectly fine TV main event. The less said about the Sinister Minister’s stable, the better.

NWA Power results: Matt Cardona vs. Tim Storm

Posted on by Josiah MacDonald

The show opened with highlights from the Crockett Cup with Tim Storm getting involved with Matt Cardona and then the aftermath with Cardona issuing a challenge to Storm. 

The show wasted no time with Cardona and Storm facing off. If Storm won, his stipulation that he could never challenge for the NWA World title would be waived.

NWA World Champion Matt Cardona defeated Tim Storm in a non-title match

This was a quick match, but a great one. Storm got some good hope spots while Cardona had to cheat to win.

Storm took the early parts of the match with a bionic elbow and a running boot for a near fall. Cardona blocked a corner charge, but missed a dive off the ropes and tweaked his knee. 

However, Cardona was faking and used it as a chance to attack. As Cardona was going for punches in the corner, Storm powerbombed him, hit a big boot, and then hit the Perfect Storm, but Cardona got his foot on the ropes to avoid the pin. 

Storm missed a corner charge and Cardona hit the Reboot two times. Storm told him to bring it, so Cardona hit a third and pinned Storm.

Nick Aldis ran in to save Storm from eating a belt shot from Cardona. Aldis beat on Cardona, taking the belt and hitting him with it. VSK tried to come in and he ate a belt shot, too. Mike Knox refused to come in the ring and demanded that he let VSK go. This was a good angle.

– Kyle Davis was promoting several NWA t-shirts from their online store, but Da Pope interrupted him. Pope said he had waited long enough sitting on the sidelines. He indicated that he was going to cash in on Cardona and challenge for the World title.

Rhett Titus defeated Darius Lockhart by dq

I hated the finish on this one, but I did like the follow up with Titus saying he got what he wanted. I’m looking forward to a rematch.

Titus and Lockhart had some great technical exchanges to open the match, with Titus showing off his ROH Pure division skills. Titus used a Greco Roman knuckle lock to bring Lockhart to the mat for a two count. Titus stayed ahead of Lockhart for the next few minutes, always countering and using his experience to keep Lockhart down. Lockhart countered a backslide with a schoolboy, but Titus responded by getting up and hitting a vertical suplex.

Titus locked on a spinning toe hold, but Lockhart escaped by kicking Titus in the face. Titus and Lockhart brawled a bit, exchanging strikes in the corner. Lockhart kept attacking in the corner and the referee DQ’d Lockhart. 

Titus said that he got what he wanted because he got in Lockhart’s head. Lockhart said he was going to get him next time as they shook hands. Titus then arrogantly slapped Lockhart’s back, saying that he got him this time.

– The Briscoes were with May Valentine and they talked about winning the Crockett Cup and their desire for the NWA Tag Team titles. They are coming for La Rebelion.

– Chris Adonis and National Champion Jax Dane were at the podium with Davis. Adonis made it clear that Dane was a newcomer to the NWA National title scene, and he wanted to get his title back. Dane said that Adonis shouldn’t underestimate him and he was open for challengers. Adonis then challenged Dane for the Master Lock challenge, but Dane refused, saying that the title couldn’t change hands on a challenge and he didn’t get paid to do those. Looks like Chris Adonis is a babyface now.

Trevor Murdoch defeated Garrison Creed

Murdoch dodged a corner charge and Creed crashed into the ring post. Murdoch just shook his head, hit two big boots and a piledriver, and pinned Creed in less than a minute.

He went right to the podium and said that he was here in the NWA to focus on himself, and maybe if he did that, he would still be world champion. Aron Stevens came out and said Murdoch hasn’t answered his calls or texts since he lost the title. Stevens reminded Murdoch that he won the NWA World title and that he needed to get out of his own head. Stevens said that the Murdoch he knew never gave up. Murdoch dropped Stevens when he began to sing, irritating Murdoch further.

– Billy Corgan was with Valentine and talked about Lockhart and Titus, saying Titus is going to get a title shot soon for the Junior Heavyweight title. Corgan made it clear that Aldis did not have another shot at the World title right now, because his shot was at the Crockett Cup. Murdoch is entitled to a title shot when he wishes to have it. Pope wanted to have a title shot on the biggest stage, so Corgan is still trying to find when that will happen.

Tyrus Slam Challenge

Cyon came out to challenge TV Champion Tyrus for the Tyrus Slam Challenge. Cyon got three attempts to slam him and if he succeeded, he would get a TV title shot. Cyon tried, but Tyrus shoved him off. The second attempt got a little closer, but Tyrus leaned back into the ropes to block it.

Austin Idol beckoned Cyon over and whispered something into his ear, presumably about his parentage, This clearly caused an emotional reaction in Cyon as he turned away from Tyrus. Tyrus shoved the referee away and hit a heart punch as soon as he turned around with the challenge ending before Cyon got his third attempt.

Final Thoughts:

This episode of NWA Power had some good wrestling with Storm and Cardona and a really good match with Lockhart vs. Titus. However, the action was secondary to the angles with some great promos setting up future matches. I find what they are doing with Murdoch to be compelling, but I am not sure where it is going.

I like the idea of Pope getting a title shot soon, so we shall see when that happens. The Cyon storyline about his father potentially being Idol is an interesting one. I am eager to find out how it is going to conclude.

NWA Power results: La Rebelion vs. The End Tag Team title match

Posted on by Ian Carey

NWA World Champion Matt Cardona was interviewed in the back by Kyle Davis to kick off the show. He complained about Tim Storm’s interference at the Crockett Cup and said if Storm can beat him in a non-title match, he will go to Billy Corgan and see about getting the stipulation that Storm can never challenge for the NWA World title again waived. 

Joe Galli, Storm and Velvet Sky were on commentary. Storm accepted Cardona’s challenge before we went down to ringside. 

NWA Women’s Champion Kamille defeated Madi in a non-title match

This was Madi Wrenkowski, who has been on AEW Dark several times. She was announced as “Madi, just Madi.” So, no last name for her in the NWA, it seems. 

I expected this to be a squash, but Madi got in quite a bit of offense. She started focusing on the champion’s arm early. Madi was definitely wrestling as a heel too, pulling Kamille’s hair and raking the eyes. 

Kamille missed a kick and Madi went right back to working the arm. Kamille then fought back, landed a suplex and then a spinning neckbreaker for a two count. 

Madi raked the eyes and hit a forward-falling DDT followed by “The Reality Check” (axe kick) for a two count. She went for it again, missed, and Kamille hit a spear to get the three count. 

Thom Latimer came out to congratulate Kamille after the match. 

– The Pope was interviewed by May Valentine in the back. He wanted to let Cardona know that he’s coming for his title. Pope also said he understands where Trevor Murdoch is coming from with his recent change of attitude but doesn’t want him to forget who stood with him and where he comes from. 

“Magic” Jake Dumas defeated Rodney Mack

Dumas lit up a cigarette to start the match and blew smoke in Mack’s face. Mack then grabbed the cigarette and put it out on his tongue. 

Dumas kept wanting to put his top hat on, but the referee wouldn’t let him. He then raked Mack’s eyes to start the match. 

Mack quickly fought back, however, delivering a big back body drop that took Dumas to the outside. Mack then tossed Dumas into the steel steps. He continued to take the fight to Dumas as the match ended up back in the ring. 

The match had been pretty much all Mack up until the finish. Dumas grabbed another cigarette from his hat and crumpled up the tobacco. He then blew the tobacco into Mack’s eyes as the referee was distracted, rolled him up, grabbed the tights and got the three count. 

The Cardona Family (VSK & Mike Knox) defeated The Ill-Begotten (Jeremiah Plunkett & Rush Freeman) (w/ Alex Taylor)

Before the bell, the Ill-Begotten were shown discussing which two of the three of them would wrestle in the match. The ring announcer clearly said it would be Plunkett and Freeman moments earlier, but perhaps they were rethinking things. VSK then just tossed Freeman out of the ring to make the decision for them.

Knox and Plunkett started out with Knox getting the early advantage. VSK and Knox then worked on Plunkett with quick tags. Knox got a two count off a big vertical suplex. They then hit a standing moonsault/ leg drop combination for another two count. 

Freeman made a hot tag in and took Knox off his feet with a series of clotheslines. Knox hit a crossbody moments later, however, and then hit a flatliner after tagging his partner. VSK then came off the top with a frog splash for the three count. 

– Davis interviewed Chris Adonis in the back. Davis asked Adonis about Latimer’s comments that Strictly Business is finished. Adonis said he’s better as a solo act anyway and is going to try and regain the NWA National Championship. 

– Valentine interviewed Cyon in the back. He accepted Tyrus’ challenge to try and bodyslam him and will take Tyrus’ NWA Television title. Taryn Terrell then interrupted and Cyon rolled his eyes and left. Valentine asked Terrell about Paola Blaze now that her team with Jennacide has broken up. Terrell avoided the question by saying she heard Blaze is shopping. 

Nick Aldis defeated Deonte Marshall

This was a quick match. Marshall went for a crossbody early, but Aldis caught him and hoisted him up for a suplex. Aldis then hit a tombstone piledriver moments later before locking in the King Lynn submission to make his opponent tap. Galli brought up that Marshall was tapping just as Cardona did at the Crockett Cup. 

After the match, Aldis joined Davis at the podium. He said that he and Cardona have unfinished business and that won’t end until Cardona is in the hospital and Aldis is the champion once again. 

La Rebelion (Bestia 666 & Mecha Wolf) defeated The End (Parrow & Odinson) to retain the NWA World Tag Team Championships

Mark and Jay Briscoe joined Galli at the broadcast table.

The End attacked the champions before the bell. That left Bestia already hurt as the match officially got under way. Parrow then worked on him in the early moments, getting a two count off a vertical suplex. Odinson suplexed Bestia shortly after and The End continued to work on him with quick tags. 

Parrow hit a standing senton for a two count and hit a chokeslam moments later. Bestia hit a cutter and then was able to make the hot tag into Mecha Wolf, who then took the fight to Odinson. 

La Rebelión hit Odinson with a series of double team strikes. Odinson fought back moments later and tagged out to Parrow. Wolf and Parrow were then fighting atop the turnbuckle. Wolf bit his opponent and then kicked him off the top. He then came off the turnbuckle with a 450 splash for the three count. 

After the match, the champions held up the titles and jawed with the Briscoes at the commentary table. 

Final Thoughts: 

This was a fun show. The NWA tag team division feels really important right now coming out of the Crockett Cup and The Briscoes winning the titles would make it feel that much more important. Harry Smith and Doug Williams should also be in the title mix since they eliminated the champs in the semifinals of the tournament. Cardona is also the perfect villain for this promotion.  

Matt Cardona & Chelsea Green vs. Nick Aldis & Mickie James set for Impact Multiverse of Matches

Posted on by Ian Carey

Matt Cardona and Chelsea Green will face the team of Nick Aldis and Mickie James over WrestleMania weekend.

Impact Wrestling announced Friday that the match will take place on April 1st at Impact Multiverse of Matches. The show is part of WrestleCon 2022 and will air live beginning at 10 PM Eastern on FITE TV. 

On Thursday’s Impact Wrestling on AXS, Green turned on James as she was facing Tasha Steelz for the Knockouts Championship in a street fight. Green faked as though she was coming to James’ rescue as she was being beaten down by Steelz and Savannah Evans, but she simply sat down in the chair she had with her and let them continue their two-on-one attack. 

After the match, Cardona delivered a Radio Silence to James just before the show went off air. 

The angle is also being playing out in the NWA. At last weekend’s Crockett Cup, Cardona retained the NWA World Heavyweight Championship against Aldis. Guest referee Jeff Jarrett disqualified Aldis after falsely believing James had given him a low blow when it had actually Green who delivered the shot. 

The updated lineup for Impact Multiverse of Matches is below:

  • The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows) vs. The Briscoes (Jay & Mark Briscoe)
  • Ultimate X match: X-Division Champion Trey Miguel defends against Chris Bey, Vincent, Rich Swann, Willie Mack, and Jordynne Grace
  • Eddie Edwards vs. Tomohiro Ishii
  • Jay White vs. Chris Sabin
  • Josh Alexander & Jonah vs. Moose & PCO
  • “Speedball” Mike Bailey vs. Alex Shelley
  • Deonna Purrazzo Champ Champ Open Challenge
  • Mickie James & Nick Aldis vs. Chelsea Green & Matt Cardona

NWA Power results: Crockett Cup fallout, Briscoes vs. The OGK

Posted on by Josiah MacDonald

Joe Galli opened this week’s show, announcing that the Briscoes were going to take on the OGK on this post-Crockett Cup episode of NWA Power.

The Cardonas came out to the podium to be interviewed by Kyle Davis. The fans chanted “You tapped out!” at NWA World Champion Matt Cardona after the happenings from last Sunday’s main event against Nick Aldis.

He objected to Tim Storm and Mickie James getting involved in the match. Cardona also said that he was always ready, so he was still champion. Cardona claimed he didn’t tap out and was just trying to encourage the fans to chant for him. Cardona claimed the NWA belonged to him now and there was nothing Trevor Murdoch or Aldis could do about it.

– Jeff Jarrett was interviewed by Davis after the main event from the Crockett Cup. He talked about how refereeing a match is the hardest job in wrestling and that the low blow that led to the DQ was not Mickie James. But, it was what he thought at the time, and he was upset that he made a bad call. Jarrett said that he did the best he could, and Matt Cardona is champion. I liked this follow-up.

The Briscoes (Mark & Jay Briscoe) defeated The OGK (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett)

This was a fantastic opening match. The Briscoes and OGK have done this so many times that they just know where the other team is going to be, and we got a great ROH-style tag match here.

The feud between the two reignited here with Matt Taven and Jay Briscoe starting the match. The action spilled to the outside and Taven hit a dropkick through the middle rope on Jay, but Mark followed up with one of his own on Taven. Mark and Jay quickly isolated Bennett in the corner, hitting a big corner boot and a clothesline.

Bennett hit a rolling elbow on Mark and tagged out to Taven, who hit a dropkick off the middle rope. The Briscoes manage to pull it to the outside again with Mark Briscoe hitting a tope con giro over the top rope with an assist from a chair. Bennett hit a big boot on Jay and OGK started to get a little momentum. Bennett hit a spinout brain buster for a two count. Mark tagged in and did some redneck kung-fu with a Pele kick.

Mark suplexed and booted both OGK members all around the ring. Mark hit an Iconoclasm on Bennett for a near fall. Jay went for the Jay Driller, but Bennett fought out and tagged in Taven, who ran wild. Taven hit a twist and shout on Jay before Bennett hit a death valley driver. Mark and Bennett exchanged some hard strikes in the middle of the ring until Jay got an Oklahoma roll on Taven and pinned him out of nowhere.

– Tag Team Champions La Rebelion was backstage with May Valentine and talked about how they were ready for all challengers, including the Briscoes.

Trevor Murdoch defeated a local talent

This was an outright squash with Murdoch destroying whoever this was in less than two minutes. I didn’t catch his name and they never displayed a graphic, Either way, Murdoch destroyed him and won with a piledriver quickly.

Afterward, he talked to Davis about how he had no more patience and was going to destroy everyone the NWA puts in front of him. The blood was going to be on the hands of the NWA if they kept feeding him hacks. Murdoch getting more violent is an interesting development for his character. I am still not sure if this is a heel turn, or just an edge being added, but I am intrigued.

– James and Aldis were interviewed by Davis after the main event of the Crockett Cup. James talked about how this was far from over and Aldis said that the NWA runs through his veins until his dying day, and he hated how things went down. He didn’t blame Jarrett and that he was still coming for the Cardona family. This makes me think that they are building to a mixed tag team match with James and Aldis against Cardona and Chelsea Green.

– Austin Idol was with TV Champion Tyrus at the podium. Davis asked about Idol’s big announcement which Idol took exception to as it was none of Davis’ business. Davis insisted and Idol got more flustered. Davis then indicated it was going to be a match or challenge of some sort for Tyrus, and he completely changed his tone. 

I really liked this, because it was a very subtle way of telling the audience he has something to say about Cyon’s parentage and he didn’t want to talk about it right now. Tyrus then announced that if anyone could bodyslam him, he’d let them challenge for the NWA Television Championship.

NWA Tag Team Champions The Hex (Allysin Kay & Marti Belle) defeated Paola Blaze & Jennacide (w/ Taryn Terrell) to retain the titles

This was a perfectly acceptable match that served the purpose of getting to the end of the break-up of Blaze and Jennacide. A stipulation was made before the match for them to break up if they couldn’t win the titles, and with that ending, that is done and now, Jennacide can feud with both Terrell and Blaze.

Belle and Blaze started, but it didn’t take long for Kay and Jennacide to start exchanging strikes in the middle of the ring. Jennacide hit a spinebuster on Kay for a two count. Blaze hit a meteora in the corner. She and Jennacide started to get the heat on Kay for the next few minutes including Jennacide trying to break Kay’s pinky finger.

Jennacide put Kay in the tree of woe and kicked her a few times before tagging out to Blaze. Kay escaped the grasp of Blaze and tagged out to Marti Belle, who hit some forearms but was soon shutdown by Jennacide. Blaze tagged in blind and Jennacide hit a TKO, but Jennacide didn’t realize it. When she did, Blaze came in and was rolled up by Belle for the pin. Jennacide left, not wanting anything to do with either of her teammates.

– New National Champion Jax Dane was with May Valentine and talked about his Crockett Cup match with Anthony Mayweather and how he was now the champion while Mayweather is in the past and should be buried underground.

– Thom Latimer and Women’s Champion Kamille were with Davis who said he heard a rumor backstage that Strictly Business was no longer in business. Latimer confirmed that it was over and said that the only person he needed was Kamille. Kamille said Chris Adonis was dead weight, that it was her and Latimer against everyone, and that they are taking over the NWA.

NWA Junior Heavyweight Champion Homicide defeated Austin Aries to retain the title

This was a great match between these two. Homicide is great as always, and Aries held up his end of the match as well. Both guys have worked so many matches with each other that it seemed effortless to have a good one here.

They exchanged some technical wrestling to open things up with each guy predicting each other’s moves. Aries went for the brain buster early on, but Homicide fought out, rolled him up for a two count, and then tossed Aries to the floor. Homicide put Aries on the top rope and went for a Koji cutter, but Aries shoved him off and hit a European uppercut off the middle rope.

Homicide missed a corner charge and hit what Aries has dubbed the side Ukrainian legsweep. The two bumped heads in the middle of the ring and collapsed. Aries hit the ropes and Homicide hit a belly-to-belly suplex for a two count. Homicide got his Koji cutter for a near fall and locked on an STF, but Aries got to the ropes.

Homicide went for the Cop Killa, but Aries floated out, hit a rolling elbow to the back of the head and then locked on the Last Chancery. Homicide barely made the ropes which really upset Aries. Aries hit a neckbreaker across the middle rope followed by a running dropkick and a brain buster on Homicide, but Homicide got his foot on the ropes.

Aries went for the 450, but Homicide cut him off and hit another Koji cutter from the top rope for the pinfall.

Final Thoughts:

What a great episode of NWA Power this week. We saw a new edge to Murdoch, Cardona continuing to be a great heel, and were given some subtle hints about Idol and Cyon. This is all I could ask for in an episode: solid wrestling, advancement of stories, and a clear direction following the recent pay-per-view.

NWA Power Surge results: Build for The Crockett Cup continues

Posted on by Josiah MacDonald

The opening moments of NWA Power Surge this week featured Joe Galli, Billy Corgan, and Pat Kenny going over the seeding of the Crockett Cup for this year. The first seed was La Rebelion, and it was announced that Harry Smith would be Doug Williams’ partner in the tournament. The rest of the brackets can be seen here:

After running down the first 8 teams, they cut to a match recorded previously between Sal Rinauro and J Spade.

J Spade defeated Sal Rinauro (with Danny Deals)

I’m not into Sal Rinauro’s demon possessed gimmick, but I can’t fault him for going all in on it and trying to make it work. He might win me over. Joe Galli suggested that he was ‘Sinister Sal Rinauro” now, and if he takes up that name, I may change my mind. It is bizarre that Danny Deals is still in his corner rather than the Sinister Minister, but we shall see if that lasts.

Rinauro bit the fingers and attacked the hand of Spade quite a bit in the early part of this match, including doing a series of stomps Bryan Danielson style on Spade. Every time Spade got offence Sal would go for the finger and continue small joint manipulation, but after leaving Spade in the corner, Sal charged and hit a sky high spinebuster for the pinfall.

Billy Corgan and Joe Galli talked about Trevor Murdoch losing the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship to Matt Cardona. Corgan announced that due to the injuries suffered in that match, Murdoch was not cleared to wrestle at the Crockett Cup. Nick Aldis instead stepped in to take on Cardona, and Corgan expected Murdoch to come back stronger than ever once he heals up.

Corgan told the story really well here, and having segments like this more often would do well in filling in a lot of the holes in NWA’s storytelling because some of the questions I had lingering were answered here, and it helped drive forward what they were going for.

Allysin Kay defeated Missa Kate

Kay and Kate had a good match here, with some short hope spots for Kate. I like how the NWA does this every now and then with the less established talent, giving them shine before defeating them. Kay looked great in this, and Kate looked like someone that was missing experience, but had the talent to compete. Kay got the win after Kate missed a corkscrew splash, allowing Kay to plant Kate with the AK47.

Corgan, Kenny, and Galli continued discussing the rest of the tournament brackets for the Crockett Cup. Again, I liked Corgan telling the story behind why each team was placed where they were, including why we should pay attention to them. It’s a little thing, but it helps me connect with each team.

The Fixers were with Joe Galli and they talked about beating the OGK, calling them nerds with a k (but the k is silent). Wrecking Ball called out the Bushwhackers, Demolition, the Legion of Doom, and the Nasty Boys. I think Wrecking Ball is my favourite wrestler.

Judias (with The Sinister Minister) defeated Jamie Stanley

Judias is not working for me at all. It only gets worse the more they try to push him. Judias killed Stanley in this match, which got mild applause because Stanley is good at being dislikable. But this match was heel vs. heel, which also makes it odd. Judias hit a butterfly suplex into the turnbuckles on Stanley, but it looked like he planted Stanley on his head like a Paradigm Shift but by accident, so that had to hurt.

Stanley managed to hit a flying crossbody on Judias then dropped an elbow, but Judias grabbed him by the throat and chokeslammed him. Judias picked him up out of a pin then hit the Crucifixia for the win.

Nick Aldis and Matt Cardona joined Joe Galli for a final faceoff to close the show. Aldis and Cardona were excellent here. Aldis talked about how he wanted to step away from the spotlight of the world title scene, bringing in Doug Willams to go after the tag team titles. Aldis said Murdoch deserved the spotlight, and Cardona robbed him of it. Cardona claimed he was saving the NWA. Aldis said that he agreed with Cardona on one thing – the NWA needed saving now, and that Cardona was a clown.

Aldis’ promo here was fantastic. Cardona was so good at being an unlikable jerk. Cardona claimed the NWA Worlds Heavyweight championship is valuable because he holds it. Aldis got very angry and reminded Cardona of the legacy of the title, including Dusty Rhodes, Ric Flair, and Harley Race. Aldis and Cardona made me want to see this match, so this was very well done.

Final Thoughts

Not the usual format for an NWA show, but I like when they do episodes like this and really focus on telling the stories of all the matches, which in this case are the stories of all the tag teams involved in the Crockett Cup. The Fixers are a delight, and Wrecking Ball is hilarious. I am critical of the holes in production and storytelling the NWA has sometimes, but this was a great show to get me hyped for the Crockett Cup.

NWA Power results: Trevor Murdoch vs. Matt Cardona World title match

Posted on by Ian Carey

This week’s NWA Power opened with Tyrus and Austin Idol being interviewed in the back. Tyrus said that Cyon must like a beating since he’s always coming back for one. Idol told William Patrick Corgan that he needs to understand that Idolmania Sports Management is the only thing that matters.

Cyon promo

We cut to the ring where Joe Galli was standing with Cyon. Galli straight out asked the masked wrestler who his father is. Cyon said that ever since he told everyone his father was a former NWA World Heavyweight Champion, it’s all anyone wants to talk about. He told the live crowd to not worry about his past because his future is even brighter. 

Idolmania Sports Management (BLK Jeez, Marshe Rockett, Jordan Clearwater and NWA TV Champion Tyrus) (w/ Austin Idol) defeated Cyon, The Ill Begotten and Mims 

Tyrus asked for silence as Clearwater took his robe off before the match began. 

Cyon came out really aggressive as commentary played up how much he wanted to get his hands on Idolmania Sports Management. 

Jeez ended up getting the heels back into it. Rockett hit Taylor from the apron as he was coming off the ropes and the heels started to work him over afterward. Tyrus kept working on Taylor, but calling out to Cyon on the apron. 

Mims got a hot tag and took out everyone from the opposing side. He hit Jeez with a spinebuster for a near fall. Cyon then came in and gave a death valley driver to Clearwater. Jeez then hit a suicide dive onto Cyon shortly after. 

Mims and Tyrus ended up in the ring together. Mims went to slam Tyrus, but Rockett hit him from behind as he was lifting his opponent. Tyrus fell on top of him and the referee counted to three, giving Austin Idol’s team the victory.  

Nick Aldis defeated Tom Latimer in an I Quit match

Latimer cut a promo before the match, saying he was going to make Aldis say “I quit” and then would become the new face of the NWA. 

They exchanged strikes to begin, but Aldis quickly took control with a clothesline and a Lou Thesz press. Latimer fought out of a cloverleaf attempt early on. Latimer later countered a penalty kick from the apron, allowing him to go on offense. 

Latimer hit Aldis with a metal turnbuckle hook he found under the ring. He would later use the weapon to fish hook his opponent while he had him in a camel clutch as well. Aldis still wouldn’t submit, however. Aldis attempted to use a chain, but Latimer countered and used it on him. 

Latimer then wrapped Aldis’ hand with the chain around the ring post. He yanked on Aldis’ arm until Aldis countered and rammed Latimer head first into the post. This allowed Aldis to go on offense for a period. 

Latimer kicked the ropes as Aldis was getting back in the ring. He then hit Aldis with a chair a couple of times. Aldis hit Latimer with a low blow to get himself back into it and later dropped his opponent head first onto a chair. Latimer fought out of a figure four leg lock shortly after, however. 

Latimer hit Aldis in the arm with a chair shot up against the steel steps. Moments later, Aldis hit Latimer with a chair and both men were down. Aldis then came off the ring apron and dove onto Latimer, sending both of them crashing through a table at ringside. 

They ended up exchanging strikes in the middle of the ring. Aldis went for his cloverleaf again, but Latimer countered by raking his eyes and delivering a spear. Aldis backdropped him on a chair moments later. Aldis then wrapped his opponent’s neck in a chair and stomped on it, but Latimer still wouldn’t quit. 

Aldis then locked in the cloverleaf while Latimer’s head was still wrapped in the chair. Women’s Champion Kamille came out and threw in the towel on behalf of Latimer, ending the match. 

After it was over, Aldis looked disappointed and Latimer kept screaming that he didn’t give up. After the show came back from break, we were shown footage of Latimer attacking a bunch of security guards. 

Matt Cardona defeated Trevor Murdoch to win the NWA World title

It was noted on commentary that Murdoch’s reign with the title has been longer than any of Dusty Rhodes’ runs with the belt. 

Cardona stalled quite a bit to start. It was also noted on commentary that Cardona’s gear was a tribute to former NWA Champion Christian Cage. 

Cardona escaped to the outside several times in the early moments. He called for a test of strength, but then just booted the champion in the midsection. But, Murdoch fought back. Anytime they were in the ring, Murdoch would gain the advantage and Cardona would then roll to the outside and stall for time. 

Finally, Murdoch just went out, collected his opponent and rolled him back in the ring. Cardona kicked the ropes as Murdoch was getting back in, causing the champion to spill back to the outside. Cardona then gave him a DDT on the floor, busting him wide open. 

Cardona got a chair out from under the ring and lodged it in the corner. He then got a two count after a neckbreaker. Cardona took his time working on Murdoch with strikes. 

Murdoch fought back and hit a spinebuster. He then went to the top rope looking to hit his bulldog. The champion looked very unbalanced on the top which allowed Cardona time to recover. Murdoch still came off the top with a crossbody for a two count. Murdoch then gave Cardona a big piledriver, but Cardona got his shoulder up on two. 

Murdoch then missed a charge in the corner and went head first into the chair that Cardona had set up earlier. Cardona then hit Radio Silence and got the three count to win the title.

After the match, VSK, Mike Knox and Chelsea Green came out to celebrate with the new champion. Cardona then cut a promo. He told Corgan not to worry and that he’s not going to do what Shane Douglas did to that title. He thanked himself for being a self-made superstar and, according to him, changing the business.

Cardona also thanked Green, Knox and VSK. He referred to the fans as the NWA Universe, promised to save the company, and be the greatest NWA World Heavyweight Champion ever. 

The new champion continued to say that there was no one who could stop him, which brought out Nick Aldis. The former champion called Cardona arrogant and told him that he still has a contractual rematch that he hasn’t redeemed. Aldis vs. Cardona for the title was later made official for the Crockett Cup. 

Final Thoughts: 

The NWA treats its World title with such respect that any time it changes hands, it feels important. I’m very interested to see Cardona vs. Aldis at the Crockett Cup. It really feels as though Aldis could win the belt back but maybe Corgan wants to see what Cardona can do with a longer reign. I’m interested to see where it goes. 

Daily Update: Corey Graves & Carmella, Logan Paul, Chris Dickinson vs. Matt Cardona

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Daily Update

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

Latest Free YouTube Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUz-xMEqbFw

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Elimination Chamber review, Undertaker to WWE Hall of Fame

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Tuesday News Update

WWE

  • Bron Breakker & Tommaso Ciampa vs. Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode will open this week’s NXT.
  • Logan Paul was on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour and talked about being part of WrestleMania. “I say yes to things that sound kind of fun, and they wanted me to compete at WrestleMania,” he said. “I like The Miz. I’ve had him on our podcast. We’re both from Ohio and we’ve always just gotten along.” He also mentioned that he would be going to Florida for training.
  • Matches for Main Event this week has Veer Mahaan facing a local competitor and Austin Theory vs. Apollo Crews.
  • Sami Zayn on Twitter: “Today marks my 20th anniversary as a pro wrestler. A sincere thank you to everyone who has played a part in this amazing journey of mine. I’ve loved it all. You can celebrate this little guy’s unlikely success story by donating today to http://SamiForSyria.com.”
  • The company has applied a new trademark for ‘Royal Rumble’ and has also applied for the term ‘WWE Priority Pass’.
  • Corey Graves and Carmella spoke to DAZN about their new reality show, as well as their relationship. “I don’t think anyone wants the relationship to start out the way ours did. It was a fallacy,” he said. “The facts have come out since then. It was an angry reaction and heat of the moment. Social media doing what it does. Luckily, that’s all been debunked by this point. But to start any relationship at literally the worst possible scenario. Talk about fighting from the ground up. That to me, like I said from the early goings, the fact that she didn’t run screaming into the hills, which she would have had every right to do going I don’t need this headache. I don’t need this drama. I’m the most beautiful woman in all of WWE. I can have any guy I want. But for some reason, she stuck with me, and from that point forward, I realized it’s a cliche that she’s a ride or die, but I was like this is this is my person, and I’ve gone over and above since then to protect and continue to grow this relationship from for that very reason.”
  • Graves and Carmella also spoke to Chris Van Vliet.
  • Becky Lynch showed off welts after Bianca Belair used her hair against Lynch on Raw.
  • Matches added to WWE’s YouTube page today include Seth Rollins & Finn Balor vs. The Miztourage (Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel) from the March 5, 2018 edition of Raw, Alexa Bliss vs. Sasha Banks for the Raw Women’s title from WWE Great Balls of Fire, and John Cena & Roman Reigns vs. Randy Orton & Kane from the June 30, 2014 episode of Raw.
  • Big E turns 36 today.

AEW

Other Wrestling

  • Cain Velasquez is slated to be arraigned on charges of attempted murder tomorrow in San Jose.
  • Chris Dickinson vs. Matt Cardona has been announced for night 2 of Joey Janela’s Spring Break 6.
  • H8 Club (Matt Tremont and Nick Gage) will defend the GCW Tag Team titles against the Second Gear Crew (Mance Warner and Matthew Justice) at GCW Astronaut on March 12.
  • Hulk Hogan on Twitter announced that he is divorced from his second wife, Jennifer McDaniel. “Yo Maniacs just for the record,the Facebook and Instagram posts are of me and my girlfriend Sky,I am officially divorced, sorry I thought everyone already knew,love my Maniacs4Life.”
  • ‘Kobra Kai’ and ‘Karate Kid’ star Martin Kove is the guest on this week’s The Sessions with Renee Paquette.
  • Moose and Mickie Jamers were guests on WDRB in the Morning this past Friday to talk about Impact’s upcoming Sacrifice event on March 5.
  • NJPW’s website has comments from former wrestlers and personnel who appeared on their 50th Anniversary Show this morning, including Riki Choshu, Akira Maeda, Keiji Mutoh, Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Hattori, and former ring announcer Kero Tanaka.
  • Liger has been added to this year’s WrestleCon set to take place during WrestleMania weekend.
  • Zamariah Loupe, best known as ZZ from the 2015 season of Tough Enough, was profiled by Vice. He is now an alligator trainer.

Jeff Jarrett to referee Cardona vs. Aldis NWA title match at Crockett Cup

Posted on by Ian Carey

The NWA has revealed some changes to the Crockett Cup lineup.

Jeff Jarrett has been announced as the special guest referee for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship match between Matt Cardona and Nick Aldis at the Crockett Cup. A video uploaded by the NWA states that Cardona threatened to no-show the event unless a fair and unbiased referee was assigned to his title defense.

Cardona also insisted that his wife, Chelsea Green, be inserted into the NWA World Women’s Championship picture. Kamille will now defend the title against both Green and Kylie Rae in a triple threat match at the Crockett Cup.

It was also revealed that Doug Williams will team with Harry Smith in the Crockett Cup. Williams and Aldis had recently re-formed their British Invasion team, but with Aldis challenging Cardona at the event, Williams needed a new partner. 

Smith is returning to the ring for the first time since being released by WWE last November. He and Williams will face The Ill Begotten in the first round of the Crockett Cup tag team tournament.

The Crockett Cup takes place Saturday, March 19 and Sunday, March 20 from the Nashville Fairgrounds. It will air live on Fite TV. Cardona vs. Aldis and Kamille vs. Rae vs. Green will both take place on night two.

NWA Power results: Team War finals

Posted on by Josiah MacDonald

The British Invasion (Doug Williams & Nick Aldis) defeated Jaden Roller & Fable Jake

This felt like a classic JCP squash in the 80s with the stars trying to get a decent match out of the jobbers. It felt quite nostalgic even though JCP was before my time.

Fable Jake looks like a jobber out of 1992, which fits this show quite well. Doug Williams tied Roller up early on and hit a butterfly suplex. Jake decided the best way to break up a complicated submission was to punch Williams in the face. Simple, but effective. Aldis threw Jake around before tagging out to Williams, and they continued their double team assault.

Jake and Roller got some heat on Williams. Jake’s offence did not look good. Roller hit a snapmare and then an elbow drop. Williams threw Jake’s foot into the stomach of his own partner before hitting an exploder suplex and tagging out to Aldis. Aldis ran wild for a bit before Jake raked his eyes and tagged out to Roller.

Aldis dropped down as Roller hit the ropes, tripped over him, and crashed into Jake. That was funny. Williams hit the Chaos Theory on Roller and Aldis followed up with a flying elbow for the win.

Tootie Lynn (w/ Kylie Rae) defeated Marti Belle (w/ Allysin Kay)

This was shockingly fine, given that Marti Belle has been very hit or miss. Belle was fine in this match, and while Lynn spent most of it selling, she also looked good.

Marti Belle ate a kick from Lynn early on. Belle rolled up Lynn and hit a running knee before hitting a hip attack in the corner. Belle kept the advantage for a few minutes here, acting as the heel in this match. Lynn fired up but got dropped with a forearm. Belle put Lynn in a fireman’s carry and yelled that she has been working out to Medusa at the commentary table.

Lynn floated out and hit a clothesline, making her pay for showing off. Belle hit The Stroke on Lynn and went for a Pedigree, but Lynn rolled her up and scored a pinfall. Both Kylie Rae and Tootie Lynn have pinned members of the Hex in non-title matches, so it looks like we have our next title defence for the Hex set.

Austin Idol and Cyon were with May Valentine and Cyon said he had no explanation for who his father was. Valentine asked Idol why he was helping Cyon, and Idol said that he liked to help people, and he had no idea who Cyon’s father was, but it could have been any historical NWA champion. Cyon interrupted and said that he didn’t need help, and that his father was a world champion. I’m actually very into this storyline.

Jennacide & Natalia Markova ended in a count out

Despite the non-finish, I really liked this match. Neither woman was able to overcome the other, and both showed some great wrestling here. Markova isn’t bad at all, and Jennacide is very good, so this was fun to watch. This will likely set up some sort of rematch, and I’m looking forward to it.

Jennacide and Markova exchanged some moves with Jennacide using power to keep the advantage. Markova baited Jennacide in and scored a roll up, but Jennacide kicked out. Both women exchanged hard forearms until Jennacide hit a huge double hand chop on Jennacide. Jennacide hit a spinebuster for a two count.

Markova went for a dive, but Jennacide hit an uppercut to cut her off. Jennacide went for a brainbuster on the apron, but Markova fought out and hit a tornado DDT off the apron onto the floor. That was brutal. Jennacide blocked a hurricanrana and powerbombed Markova on the apron, and both women crashed to the floor as the referee counted both of them out.

Melina defeated Christi Jaynes

This wasn’t good at all. They worked very hard, but could just never get on the same page. While Jayne’s offence looked good when Melina was there to take it, everything seemed to be off. Melina had trouble running the ropes and completely botched the finish, and I have no idea what it was supposed to be.

Commentary noted that Melina wanted to be the permanent number one contender as she mentioned in a promo a few weeks back, indicating that she did not want to wrestle Jaynes here. It was bizarre hearing the commentary agree with this because it’s a very heel belief. That said, they locked up and refused to let it go, working around the ring for a bit with it. Melina hit a dropkick and Jaynes fell to the apron.

Time then froze as Melina stared at her. Stars were born and died in the time that nothing happened. Melina then went for a baseball slide and Jaynes moved. Jaynes got the heat for a little bit before rolling through a roll up into an STF. They seemed to be a bit lost before that, but that looked nice. The finish of the match was completely botched with Melina just giving up on an STF or Muta Lock attempt after locking the legs, pausing, then just letting it go and pinning Jaynes. This happened after Jaynes missed a dropkick, which she didn’t actually miss, and Melina just no sold. Yikes.

Matt Cardona defeated Victor Benjamin

Perfectly acceptable enhancement match, with Cardona giving lots to Benjamin but never losing control of the match. Velvet Sky called Cardona boring and buried him as such, which is not something you should do with one of your main event talents.

Cardona underestimated Benjamin and ate a kick to the face that staggered him and made him go to the floor. Cardona baited him in and pulled Benjamin’s legs out from under him to send him crashing to the apron. Cardona hit a neckbreaker and got the heat for a little bit. Cardona kept under estimating Benjamin, which kept giving him openings before Cardona finally hit a Radio Silence for the win.

Strictly Business (Thom Latimer & Chris Adonis) & El Rudo defeated The End (Odinson & Parrow) & Rodney Mack in the Team War finals

So this was a team match that consisted of 3 man teams, with each member of the team facing off in singles matches where eliminations could happen by pinfall, submission, or being thrown over the top rope. As one member is eliminated, the next member of the team enters. It seems like they didn’t have the rules of this match figured out in the first match of this type last week, but figured it out. This was a real chance to try and elevate The End, but the NWA didn’t take it. I’m quite disappointed in the booking of this match.

Rodney Mack and El Rudo started things off. Mack hit Rudo’s head into the various turnbuckles around the ring. Rudo rolled up Mack and eliminated him. Parrow came in and hit a powerbomb on Rudo for the pinfall. Parrow and Latimer then exchanged power moves, with Parrow getting the best of it several times, but Latimer was finally able to top him with a piledriver. I liked this segment of the match.

Odinson was the last member of his team like last week, and took it right to Latimer. Odinson hit some good European uppercuts, putting Latimer in trouble. Adonis jumped on the apron and put the Master Lock on Odinson while the ref’s back was turned. The referee turned around and gave him a 5 count, and Latimer let go at 3. The referee DQ’d him anyway, which he should have done, as Adonis was not active in the match. This also begs the question to why there were no DQs last week, but there were this week. The finish had Odinson get hit with a piledriver from Latimer for the pinfall. Latimer, Adonis, and Rudo celebrated as the show closed.

Final Thoughts:

Well, there have certainly been better episodes of NWA Power than this one. The Team War concept suffered the same fate of the Champion’s Series last year – not enough clarity for what the rules are and how the whole thing was going to be conducted. In many ways, the NWA needs to do a better job of telling us what is going on with graphics and explanations from the announcers. Joe Galli tries, but there is only so much you can do without the production being on the same page.

I really enjoy NWA Power most weeks. It’s usually a very easy to watch show with easy to follow stories, but they keep running into things like this that are easy fixes. That, along with not re-recording botched finishes on a taped show is just bizarre. There is a lot of good in this product (the Jennacide and Markova match tonight was excellent), but they seem to shoot themselves in the foot consistently from a production standpoint.

Matt Cardona vs. Nick Aldis NWA World title match set for Crockett Cup

Posted on by Josh Nason

New NWA World Champion Matt Cardona already has his first title defense scheduled as he will face former champion Nick Aldis at March’s Crockett Cup.

The Nashville, Tennessee, pay-per-view will take place over both March 19th and 20th and they didn’t clarify which night it would be on.

In a match that will air on this Tuesday’s NWA Power taped Saturday as part of a NWA Power Trip live event, Cardona defeated Trevor Murdoch for the title.

https://twitter.com/nwa/status/1492891320616210436

Aldis will be looking for his third run with the title. Murdoch ended his 1000+ day run at last year’s NWA 73.

The Crockett Cup tournament will feature sixteen teams battling for the Cup, a revived idea from the days of Jim Crockett Promotions that owner William Corgan brought back in 2019. 

Aldis and Doug Williams were officially announced for the tournament with Tag Team Champions La Rebelion, The Briscoes and Strictly Business (Thom Latimer and Chris Adonis) mentioned in the initial announcement.

Jeff Jarrett was named an ambassador for the event as well.

Matt Cardona wins NWA World Heavyweight title

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Matt Cardona is the new NWA World Heavyweight Champion.

Cardona pinned Trevor Murdoch at tonight’s NWA Power Trip tapings in Oak Grove, Kentucky to win the championship for the first time. Footage shows Cardona pinning Murdoch following Cardona’s leg lariat finisher.

Cardona tweeted after he had won the title: “I did it. I am the @nwa World’s Heavyweight Champion!,” posting a picture of himself with the title.

Murdoch’s run with the title ended after 167 days. He defeated Nick Aldis for the championship back at the NWA’s 73rd Anniversary show on August 29th.

The title match, which will air on NWA Power this coming Tuesday, was announced by the NWA last week. The match came after Cardona made his debut at NWA Hard Times 2 back on December 4, attacking Murdoch after he successfully defended the championship against Mike Knox.

Cardona is also a regular for Impact Wrestling, where he is the current Digital Media Champion. He also makes appearances for GCW.

Murdoch vs. Cardona World title match added to NWA Power Trip

Posted on by Ethan Renner

The NWA World’s Heavyweight Championship will be on the line at Power Trip.

The company announced today that Trevor Murdoch will defend the NWA World title against Matt Cardona at the Saturday, February 12 event. The match stems from an angle at the conclusion of the Hard Times 2 pay-per-view in December that saw Cardona attack Murdoch.

In another match coming out of the show-closing angle at Hard Times, Da Pope will face Mike Knox. Cardona aligned with Knox in attacking Pope and Murdoch at the conclusion of that event. 

Here is the lineup for Power Trip: 

  • NWA World’s Heavyweight Championship: Trevor Murdoch (c) vs. Matt Cardona
  • NWA World Women’s Championship: Kamille (c) vs. Taryn Terrell
  • NWA National Championship: Chris Adonis (c) vs. Anthony Mayweather
  • The OGK vs. The Fixers
  • I Quit match: Nick Aldis vs. Thom Latimer
  • 2-out-of-3 falls: Colby Corino vs. Rhett Titus
  • Chelsea Green vs. Kylie Rae
  • Cyon, Matthew Mims, Alex Taylor & Rush Freeman vs. Tyrus, BLK Jeez, Jordan Clearwater & Marshe Rockett