Tag: nwa power results

NWA Power results: The Champions Series returns

Posted on by Josiah MacDonald

NWA Power opened with Kyle Davis explaining the cursed return of the Champions Series, and I’m sad. The rules are convoluted, and the point scoring is ridiculous. We also had no break down of the teams, with the show jumping into the first match between Bully Ray and Odinson.

This curse of the Champions Series continues, as this thing haunts me. It was horrible the first time as it didn’t make sense, and it still doesn’t make sense. A regular tournament makes far more sense, or a round robin, which would be fun, but they have to over complicate it with different points given for pinfalls, submissions, etc.

Bully Ray & Odinson went to a time limit draw

Bully Ray and Odinson took a while to lock up, with the crowd clapping for it. The wrestlers at the taping made up the crowd this week for some reason, but at least they were loud. Joe Galli explained the two teams so far were “Team Great” and “Team Fixers” so I assume the Fixers are leading Team Fixers. We found out as the match started that Odinson was on Team Fixers and Ray was on Team Great.

Odinson got whipped into the turnbuckle multiple times and Ray worked him over with a nerve hold. Odinson fought out and hit a series of European uppercuts. Odinson hit one more and Ray dropped to the mat, but went to the ropes to get away. Odinson charged Ray but ate a lariat. Ray hit a spear for a 2-count. Odinson grabbed the purpose spray and sprayed it, he then powered up and broke a Bully Bomb and hit a pounce, but the bell rang for a time limit draw.

This was not the exciting ending the announcers said it was.

–May Valentine was with Tyrus and BLK Jeez, and Tyrus talked about being the most viewed NWA champion in history, which is a lie. We also found out Tyrus was leading a team in the Champions Series, and his team was facing Team Brickhouse, which I assume is Kamille’s team.

Thom Latimer defeated EC3 via DQ

Basic brawling opened this match with the crowd of wrestling giving EC3 more of a reaction then he had heard in years. Latimer went for a crossface, but EC3 fought out and hit a Thesz press before ripping at the eyes and mouth of Latimer.

So, Latimer got 1 point for the minor DQ. What a horrible finish.

EC3 defeated Thom Latimer via DQ

Wait. So the match continues after a DQ? Joe Galli scrambled to explain it, but God bless him, he struggled. Galli said that if the DQ rendered the opponent unable to continue, the opponent would be awarded 3 points for an extreme DQ. If it was just a standard DQ, the match could continue. It would have been nice to know this before the match.

EC3 continued to work over the eyes before going for his ugly bulldog/DDT thing. Latimer countered and locked EC3 in a crossface, but EC3 made the ropes. Latimer apparently couldn’t see from the eye pokes, and EC3 gets 3 points. Joe Galli also informed us at this point that only 2 DQs can happen in one match.

Did Vince Russo write this? This is just waiting for Scott Hudson to say “It’s really quite simple” before showing 18 screens of rules.

Rolando Freeman defeated Anthony Andrews, Jeremiah Plunkett, and Sal the Pal in an elimination match

Andrews threw everyone around the ring, making up for his poor performance a few weeks ago. Freeman claimed he was the biggest man in the match, so Andrews used him as a weapon. Freeman turned it into a sunset flip and pinned Andrews to eliminate him. Freeman hit a dropkick off the middle rope on Plunkett.

Sal the Pal was thrown upside down by Plunkett into Freeman. Plunkett ended up throwing Freeman from the ring, letting Sal lock on a figure four leglock on Plunkett. Freeman ran in and hit a back senton on Sal, pinning him, and then hitting the Biggest Boot on Plunkett for the win. Freeman gets first choice to be an alternate on one of the teams.

If the tournament couldn’t get more confusing, they added alternates who could choose their team depending on the order of elimination.

–The Fixers talked about Jay Bradley being the captain of his team. It was fine.

PJ Hawx & Judais defeated Damage & Rush Freeman

If it couldn’t get any more confusing, they added a tag team match to the Champions Series. Damage is Rodney Mack under a mask. Damage and PJ Hawx started the match. It was during this we were informed that Luke Hawx, the father of PJ Hawx, was on a FIFTH TEAM led by Kenzie Paige called Team Pretty.

Judais hit a big boot on Rush Freeman for a two count. PJ Hawx blind tagged in and scolded Judais for being too rough on Freeman. Freeman and Damage took advantage of this with Hawx, beating him down. It was here that we were informed by Joe Galli that an “algorithm” decided who was on each team. All I have is imagery of Billy Corgan feeding names into a Commodore 64 trying to get it to spit out team names.

The story of teams not getting along is so TNA, and it results in Freeman eating a chokeslam from Judais for the win, meaning the team that argued less won

–Cyon was with May Valentine and claimed that his team was having success because Austin Idol coached him. Apparently, PJ Hawx and Judais were members of Team Great. Cyon claimed Austin Idol was on a secret mission for the Champions Series.

–Kamille talked about how she was upset with EC3’s actions for Team Tyrus. Kamille buried EC3 for speaking nonsense.

Thrillbilly Silas defeated Kratos

Kratos and Silas used power offence throughout this match, with Kratos hitting a nice powerslam. Silas kicked out and hit a running shoulder block. Silas hit a running powerslam for a two count. Kratos put Silas on the top rope, but Silas pushed him away and hit a flying shoulder block and two Polish hammers. Kratos blocked a piledriver and hit a hard lariat. Kratos hit a flying forearm in the corner before hitting a suplex that sent Silas across the ring. Silas dodged a corner charge and hit a back suplex, but didn’t get low enough to get his head under Kratos’ arm.

Silas hit an elbow for a two count. Silas went for a thrill ride but Kratos fought out and hit a flying lariat. Silas got his feet on the ropes to break the fall. Silas got up and hit the thrill ride for the pinfall.

This match was fine, but this whole episode was an exercise in frustration. We had no previous indication that this tournament was happening, no idea who the teams were, no idea who was on each team, and no idea what kind of matches would be in the tournament. We often found out about the rules AFTER a violation (in the case of the DQ rules) or during the match. This episode felt completely chaotic, and not in a good way.

I rarely knew what was going on and had a difficult time following who was on what team despite graphics being displayed before the matches. I know of 5 teams in the tournament from paying attention to the commentary and watching the match graphics. I have no idea how many more teams there might be, if there are any.

Each team has to face another team in the tournament until one is eliminated, if we go by the rules from last year, but we have no clear explanation this year if that is the case. The fact that there are only 5 teams known at this point means that there must be at least 1 more team that I don’t know. I also have no idea how many people are on each team. I have written way too much about this trying to explain it when I barely understand it. In fact, I probably don’t understand it! This was so bad. The whole episode was an illogical mess despite good effort in the main event. Add in that an ALGORITHM made the teams and matches according to the announcers. No AI could write a show this dumb. This is on the booker.

NWA Power results: Race to the Chase finals

Posted on by Josiah MacDonald

Max the Impaler defeated Ella Envy and Taya Valkyrie

Max the Impaler did nothing in this match to alleviate my concerns about the reckless offence. I still need to see more to determine what I think of Max’s ability, but we shall see how Max performs against Kamille when NWA books it.

Poor Ella asked for competition, and she ended up facing Max the Impaler. Ella protested “I don’t even know how I got in this! I’m the champion!” which did not matter to Valkyrie or Max. The poor tag champ got destroyed within the first two minutes of the match. Envy rolled to the apron crying about the beating she took.

Valkyrie took Max down with a clothesline, but Envy broke it up, demanding respect because she is a champion, which she yelled while tossed into the air by Valkyrie with a German suplex. Max hit some bad looking forearms in the corner of Valkyrie. Taya Valkyrie hit a curb stomp on Max, but was taken out by Envy. Envy turned and screamed about Max chasing her down.

Envy slipped out of power slam and shoved Max into the ring post but ate a draping DDT from Valkyrie. Max hit a spear on Valkyrie and hit To the Wasteland on Envy for the pinfall.

James Mitchell came out and seemed to recruit Max to his stable as the show cut to the intro.

The OGK (Mike Bennett & Matt Taven) and La Rebelion (Mecha Wolf & Bestia 666) (with Damien 666) went to double disqualification

I never expected to see a luchador from WCW on NWA Power, but Damien 666 was here tonight. Damien had his face painted as usual, but since he is older, had a bald spot. Which he also painted. That made me laugh. The match itself was great until the non-finish. I’m guessing we’ll see more of these two teams in the weeks to come.

The opening segment of the match was excellent with quick tags from the OGK. Taven ended with a dropkick and yelled “I’m Matt Taven!” to which Damien got on the apron and yelled “I am Damien!” to distract him, leading to Mecha Wolf taking Taven out and tagging in Bestia 666.

Bestia hit a tope suicida on Bennett, and then Taven hit one on Bestia. Mecha Wolf hit a tope con giro on everyone to the applause from the crowd. Taven and Bestia both threw kicks at the same time and crashed to the floor. All four men made it into the ring before the ten count and then hit a series of moves that sent all four crashing to the mat.

Taven ate some kicks from La Rebelion before they hit The Nail in the Coffin for a two-count. Taven sent Mecha Wolf to the floor, Benett hit a Death Valley Driver on Bestia, and the OGK superkicked Damien 666 who got on the apron. Both teams started brawling and the ref got shoved, so he threw the match out. Damien then came in and spit red mist into the face of Matt Taven.

–Taryn Terrell and Natalia Markova were with May Valentine. Markova talked about the concussion she suffered in the match with Taya Valkyrie when Terrell tried to “translate” for her because of her accent. Terrell kept annoying Markova as she was insisting she was the better wrestler, but eventually said she was not cleared yet.

–Cyon and Austin Idol were with May Valentin. Idol said his relationship with Cyon was better than ever, and if Cyon listened to him, he would be the next NWA National Champion. Noticeably, he called him Austin and not dad.

Magic Jake Dumas (with CJ) defeated Eric Jackson

I have still yet to see Dumas do a magic trick. I do not believe he is really a magician. 

Jackson attacked and went for a monkey flip, but that did not go well. Dumas did a torture rack neckbreaker while yelling Abra Cadaver, for the pinfall. Dumas raked a playing card across Jackson’s eye before leaving the ring.

–Billy Corgan was with Kyle Davis and talked about the Race for the Chase mini-tournament. Corgan talked about how he promised the Cardona family things at Alwayz Ready, but he reserved the right to remove someone from the number one contendership if they didn’t represent the company well. That said, he intends to fulfill his promise to the Cardonas.

-Odinson and Colby Corino were with May Valentine. Valentine asked if he thought he had any chance of beating Tyrus, and Odinson looked like it was a ridiculous question because of course he thought he had a chance. Colby Corino was asked about being obsessed with Kerry Morton, and Corino fired back saying it was a dumb question and that Morton was the one obsessed with him.

Nick Aldis defeated Mike Knox (with VSK), Brian Myers, and Thom Latimer in a four-way match

Latimer took it to Knox and Myers right away, even though both members of the Cardona Family attempted to double team him. Myers almost hit Knox by accident, leading to Strictly Business reuniting with Latimer and Aldis working together to take out Myers and then starting to wrestle each other.

Knox and Myers were able to send Aldis into the ring post face first and double teamed Latimer for a bit before hitting a double suplex on Aldis. Knox and Myers went for a double team move, but Aldis slipped out, landed an Olympic Slam on Knox before going for a superplex on Myers. Knox rushed in and hit a Tower of Doom powerbomb on Aldis and Myers.

Latimer rushed in and hit a big back suplex on Knox, but Myers broke it up. Knox and Myers tried to hit a cross body on Aldis, but Aldis moved and Knox crashed into Myers. Latimer and Knox then crashed into each other and collapsed. Aldis then pinned Myers to become the #1 contender for the NWA World’s Heavyweight Championship.

Final Thoughts

Good episode of NWA Power this week, with a decent main event that saw Aldis return to the position of #1 contender. I do wonder if this would have been a good time to try and elevate someone else to that position, but returning to Murdoch and Aldis will be guaranteed to be a good match. That said, they will have to start heating up the angle to make me want to see it.

NWA Power results: Mickie James vs. Kenzie Paige

Posted on by Josiah MacDonald

Aron Stevens opened the show with May Valentine. He announced that he was done with wrestling. Stevens said the NWA was a place for him to be revitalized, but it was time for him to be done. Valentine started crying, and Stevens asked for the camera to be cut. It looked like Valentine had feelings for Stevens, and she asked him to go to Brazil with her. Stevens said it was a solo thing, and Valentine cried. This was bizarre.

Billy Corgan was on commentary, and briefly discussed what Stevens said, saying he wasn’t sure Stevens was done, but for now he was.

A brief recap of La Rebelion and The Briscoes from last week was shown.

Nick Aldis defeated Mike Bennett

Great match to open the show with Bennett getting a lot of shine in this one. Aldis won after selling for the most of the match and just scraped by with a win due to his toughness. A nice little self-contained story in this one.

Bennett started the match charging at Aldis before he could get his jacket off, but Aldis moved and Bennett crashed into the middle turnbuckle. He staggered around at the start of the match, but Aldis immediately hit him with a Michinoku Driver for a 2-count. Aldis hit a clothesline for a 2-count.

Aldis caught a crossbody attempt and moved it into a vertical suplex for a 2-count. Bennett locked a kimura on Aldis while Aldis tried to superplex him, then snapped the arm over the top rope to begin working it over. Bennett hit a forearm that dropped Aldis and continued to attack the arm, including hitting a baseball slide into the arm.

Bennett went for a spear but Aldis got a knee up. Aldis went for a vertical suplex, but was unable to lift Bennett due to the damage to his arm, and Bennett hit a suplex of his own. Alids hit some clotheslines with his good arm, but landed on the bad one after a flying European uppercut. Bennett went for a sleeper but Aldis drove him back into the turnbuckle. Bennet jumped over Aldis and then hit a spear for a two-count.

Bennett hit a rolling elbow to Aldis and went for a piledriver, but Aldis blocked it and attempted to counter into the Cloverleaf, but his arm prevented him from locking it on. Aldis rolled through a sunset flip attempt by Bennett and went for the cloverleaf again, but managed to lock it on this time, and Bennett tapped out.

Matt Cardona was backstage and claimed that Aldis lost, and he will not be getting a rematch. Cardona told Aldis to get to the back of the line.

The Fixers (Wrecking Ball Legursky & Jay Bradley) defeated The Rude Dudes (Jamie Stanley & El Rudo)

Rudo kicked Wrecking Ball and Wrecking Ball just yelled. This distressed El Rudo. Jay Bradley threw Stanley around the ring as El Rudo was beaten up by Wrecking Ball. Corgan claimed that Wrecking Ball got his email and sends him an email saying “Fixers Rule!” everyday. I somehow don’t doubt this story.

Rudo and Stanley locked on some headlocks, but failed when they attempted shoulder tackles a few times. The Fixers yelled “Fixers!” every time they didn’t sell the tackle. Rudo ran up the ropes and hit a crossbody, this actually worked for him. Rudo and Stanley managed to throw the slightly smaller Jay Bradley into Wrecking Ball, but the advantage didn’t last long as Wrecking Ball hit a gorilla press on Rudo and hit a cannonball on Stanley.

Stanley tried to Irish whip Bradley, but Bradley sat down and then threw Stanley face first into the chest of Wrecking Ball. In a confusing spot, Stanley kicked out of an O’Connor Roll from Bradley which somehow sent Bradley flying through the middle ropes into a suicide dive that hit his own partner. It also ended up being a pointless spot as The Fixers hit a knee drop and splash combo on Stanley a few minutes later for the pin.

A highlight video aired of Jax Dane successfully defending his NWA National title against Marche Rockett on NWA USA.

Pope talked about the ups and downs of life, and how despite his loss to Matt Cardona, he was going to keep going.

Mims was there for the Tyrus Slam Challenge. This was actually fun as Mims succeeded in slamming Tyrus on his third try. The first one ended with Tyrus just pushing him away. The second one ended when Tyrus hit him with a forearm. Tyrus then hit the ropes but Mims picked him up and slammed him.

Mims took out BLK Jeez, Clearwater, and then hit the Big Strong Slam on Rockett, securing a title shot against Tyrus. The crowd was going nuts for Mims. This was fantastic, and Mims should absolutely beat Tyrus for the TV title. Austin Idol claimed he was going to sue and not give the match to Mims.

Matt Taven and Jennacide were backstage with May Valentine. Taven wanted to challenge Matt Cardona, so he was going to work his way up the ladder by taking on Judias next week. Jennacide wanted to move up towards the title as well, and announced she would be facing Kilynn King and Chelsea Green.

Billy Corgan then announced that there was going to be a six-man tag next week, with Harry Smith, Doug Williams, and Nick Alids against the Cardonas.

Angelina Love joined the commentary table for the main event.

Mickie James defeated Kenzie Paige

This was a very solid match between James and Pagie. Kenzie Paige was not out of place in the ring with James, which speaks well of how good she is despite her young age.

Mickie James used her experience to keep Paige down with some basic headlocks and wrist locks. Paige sidestepped a dropkick and did a crucifix pin for a two-count. They quickly transitioned into pinfall attempts before Paige tried to lock on a crossface. James made the ropes, but Paige pulled her back into a wrist lock that James cartwheeled out of into an armdrag.

James hit a hard forearm and then hit a running boot. James caught a superkick and transitioned into a half crab, but Paige made the ropes. As Paige got up, she hit a superkick for a two-count. Kenzie had James in a submission, but Mickie ducked down and got out of it before hitting a neckbreaker on Paige. Paige hit a kick to counter James, but ate a flapjack. James went for the Chick Kick, but Paige ducked and hit a clothesline for a two-count. James then hit her DDT for the win.

The show closed as James shook hands with Paige.

Final Thoughts

This was a very solid episode of NWA Power, barring the bizarre opening angle that left me confused. The rest of the show, however, began to set up matches for the June 11th PPV, Alwayz Ready. This was a very enjoyable hour of pro wrestling, and I must say, again, that Billy Corgan on commentary is significantly better than not having him on it because he knows where the stories are going, and tells them fairly well.

NWA Power Trip part two results: Anthony Mayweather vs. Chris Adonis

Posted on by Josiah MacDonald

The Fixers opened the show in the ring with Joe Galli and cut a promo about their No DQ match with OGK tonight, calling them nerds and telling them to pack up like ROH did.

The Fixers (Jay Bradley & Wrecking Ball) defeated The OGK (Mike Bennett & Matt Taven) in a Crockett Cup first round match

This was an excellent first match in the Crockett Cup. The OGK are really great as a team, and the Fixers are underrated. The crowd was very hot for this match, so I’d love to see the OGK stick around in the NWA going forward because the fans really get into their work. They put over The Fixers huge in this match with their selling and making sure the finish was decisive and clean.

Before the match got started, Billy Corgan came out, grabbed a mic, and announced that this tag match was a first round match in the NWA Crockett Cup. Additionally, it was no longer a No DQ match.

The referee took all the weapons away from the Fixers, including a Barbie doll that was down Jay Bradley’s pants. That was weird. Taven and Bennett hit dropkicks to send Bradley out of the ring. The OGK struggled with taking Wrecking Ball down at first, but did after some effort. It wasn’t long before he was back up and slamming Taven onto the back of Bennett.

The Fixers took this a chance to take over and beat on Bennett for a few minutes, including keeping Taven off the apron so he couldn’t tag out. The OGK ended up both being on the floor, leading Wrecking Ball to go for a dive, but it was a fake out as Bradley tackled them on the outside.

Bennett fired up after a few chops to a roar from the crowd, but Wrecking Ball hit him harder and dropped him to the mat. Taven tagged in after Bradley accidentally kicked Wrecking Ball and ran wild, including hitting a great tope on Bradley. Wrecking Ball sat up after a twisting neckbreaker, but Taven hit a shining wizard for a 2-count.

Taven then connected with a sunset flip bomb off the middle rope, but Bradley broke up the pin while on the apron. Bennett speared Bradley off the apron, but it was for naught as he was able to get back up and cut Taven off. The Fixers both double powerbombed Bennett then hit an awesome double stalling brainbuster for the 3.

A great video aired for Pope’s return after being attacked by Matt Cardona and Mike Knox, with the footage voiced over by Pope’s excellent promo on how uncertain he was when he was being carted out after the attack. This was fantastic.

Mike Knox defeated Pope

The story of this match was quite good, and Pope had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand. The announcers commented on Pope’s head injury being a major issue, and it played directly into the finish with him being knocked out. Knox isn’t very good, but this was a perfectly fine match and the story told was a good one.

Pope took it right to Knox and brawled around ringside. When they got back in the ring, Pope hit several splashes in the corner, leaving Knox staggering. But as Pope hit the ropes, Knox nailed him with a crossbody. That didn’t last long though, as Pope hit a clothesline and sent Knox to the floor again before picking up a chair. Knox cut him off and sent him back into the ring.

Knox nailed Pope with a big boot and several elbows before continuing his WWE Big Man Offence with chokes, elbows, and eventually a sidewalk slam. Knox caught Pope diving off the middle rope and hit a uranage. Pope wouldn’t give up and managed to hit a step up enziguri as the crowd cheered him on.

Pope grabbed a roll of tape and started taping up his hand for a knockout punch. Pope hit 3 of them before hitting two elbows off the middle rope and a final one off the top rope. Pope called for the Elijah Express, but Knox got his foot up. He then sent Pope into an exposed turnbuckle before hitting Pope’s head with a hip attack in the corner to knock him out.

Anthony Mayweather defeated Chris Adonis for the NWA National Championship

Good match here from both guys, and Mayweather getting the hometown win to a huge roar from the crowd was absolutely fantastic. They were so loud that it was difficult to hear the announcers, which goes to show how well this worked.

The fans chanted “Crimson” at Mayweather, which begs the question – why not continue to go by Crimson? Adonis was quite arrogant at the start of the match, posing after every bit of offence he got on Mayweather. Adonis tried it one too many times and paid for it by being body slammed by Mayweather. Adonis rolled to the floor and called for a timeout.

Adonis got into the face of several fans who were yelling at him. Mayweather came up behind Adonis and slammed him into the guardrail before high fiving the fan. I liked that. Simple spot, but the crowd went nuts and actually started chanting “Mayweather!” so maybe my assessment of the name change was wrong.

Mayweather threw Adonis into the guardrail right in front of his own kids who popped and cheered. That was great. Mayweather hit hard forearms in the corner on Adonis and the crowd got even louder. Mayweather missed a corner charge, and Adonis clotheslined him in the back of the neck and hit a neckbreaker, starting to weaken him for the Master Lock.

Adonis tried to lock it in over the next several minutes with Mayweather countering several times, but Adonis finally got it in the middle of the ring. Mayweather refused to tap, standing up and pushing off the turnbuckle before rolling Adonis up and pinning him for the win. The crowd was so loud it was difficult to hear the announcers. The crowd chanted Mayweather’s name as he hugged his family.

NWA Power ended with a hype video for Trevor Murdoch and Matt Cardona, which was awesome. It had dark and grim music, painting Cardona as the biggest villain in wrestling, as he claimed he was going to save the NWA. Great way to end the show.

Final Thoughts

I said it last week, but it is true again here – the NWA benefits greatly from these special episodes of Power leading into PPVs. The promotion being on the road with crowds like this make every show better, and this felt like a really great episode that had direction heading into the Crockett Cup and the NWA World Heavyweight Championship match next week between Murdoch and Cardona. Excellent episode.

NWA Power Trip results: Kamille vs. Taryn Terrell, Rhett Titus vs. Colby Corino

Posted on by Josiah MacDonald

Joe Galli opened the show to a loud crowd with Jax Dane in the ring. Galli asked what was next for him and he promised violence. Dane promised to kill the heroes of the NWA like he killed Crimson and promised more of the same tonight.

Jax Dane defeated Eric Jackson

I love squash matches like this with a big dude killing a jobber. It was delightful.

Dane lived up to his promise of violence by attacking right away. Jackson got a few elbows in the corner, but that just made Dane mad. Dane threw him across the ring before taking Jackson’s head off with a lariat for the pinfall.

– Kyle Davis talked about Dane’s one mile restraining order on Anthony Mayweather/Crimson, saying that Mayweather was in the building. Dane denied that and told Davis to keep a close eye on what he does at the Crockett Cup.

Chelsea Green defeated Kenzie Paige

This was an excellent match with both women working hard. 

Green and Paige exchanged several pinfall attempts at the start of the match, keeping up a very fast pace. Green slapped Paige, but Paige slapped her back a bit later and hit an exploder suplex and a shotgun dropkick that sent Green across the ring. Green baited Paige and sent her to the floor, followed by a stun gun and a pump kick for a two count.

Green hit two short arm clotheslines for a two and then got in a shouting match with a fan as he taunted her while she had a chinlock on. Green hit a German suplex of sorts, but Paige came back a European uppercut. Both women hit forearms and headbutts at the same time before collapsing.

Paige hit some hard chops and forearms before hitting a superkick for a near fall. Paige went for a package piledriver, but Green fought out and hit a flatliner into the middle turnbuckle before curb stomping Paige into the bottom turnbuckle for a near fall. Paige hit a cutter, but Green got her foot on the ropes. Green asked for a timeout and Paige turned around to talk to someone in the crowd, giving Green the opening to stand up and hit the Unprettier for the pin. 

Paige looked bad in that finish. She looked dumb for just walking away from Green and turning around, only to get hit with the Unprettier, but nonetheless, this was a very good match.

Colby Corino defeated Rhett Titus in a two-of-three falls match

This was an excellent TV match, going around 18 minutes. This was a pay-per-view quality performance from both men. If there is a match to watch on this show, it’s this one.

Titus offered a handshake, keeping the Code of Honor outside of ROH, but Corino refused. The opening portion featured some nice technical wrestling with Titus outwrestling Corino. Corino was able to neck Titus on the ropes before flying over the top with a forearm to his back, followed by a tope and finally a senton that crushed Titus.

Titus pulled Corino over the top rope into a Northern Lights suplex for a two count. Titus hit a backbreaker and a gutwrench suplex, followed by a dropkick that got Corino for the first fall. Titus hit a series of boots in the corner, but Corino swept his legs out as he went to the top rope and hit a package backbreaker after pulling him off. Corino locked on the sharpshooter and then let go for some reason to hit an elbow on the back. Tim Storm said that his back went out, but it didn’t seem like that.

Corino hit a back suplex into a backbreaker on Titus for two. Corino, doing his best Roderick Strong impression, hit yet another backbreaker for two. Corino went for a dive, but ate a dropkick from Titus for another two count.

Corino tried to get Titus with an O’Connor roll, but Titus countered and a series of pinfall attempts was initiated. Corino rolled Titus up and grabbed the ropes to make it 1-1. Both men started exchanging hard chops. Corino countered a suplex into a cutter, but Titus responded with a slash and then a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall.

Corino countered a submission attempt and hit a big double stomp to Titus’ back before hitting a Strong esque vertical suplex into a backbreaker for another two count. Corino locked on an inverted deathlock, but Titus refused to submit and started throwing strikes before countering with a half crab but Corino got to the ropes.

Both men had their backs punished in this match. Titus threw Corino into the turnbuckle three times before hitting a spinning back suplex for a two count. Corino hit a low blow as the ref was in the corner and then hit a rolling elbow to the back of Titus’ head for the pinfall to finish an excellent match.

– Taryn Terrell was with Kyle Davis backstage and claimed she was going to with the NWA Women’s Championship. After she won it, they wouldn’t call it “The Burke” anymore, but “The Terrell.” She was great here.

NWA Women’s Champion Kamille defeated Taryn Terrell to retain the title

This was a very fun match. It wasn’t the best technically, but both women worked hard and Terrell bumped like crazy. Her antics were very amusing, so this was an easy thumbs up from me.

Terrell did her own introduction and then pulled out a photo, saying that they could put it in the belt when she won, Kamille grabbed it and tore it up. Terrell’s over the top character makes me laugh every time. Kamille was not impressed when Terrell grabbed the belt and put it around her waist. She called for a test of strength, but Kamille nearly ripped her arm off, so she went to the ropes.

Terrell paused for a water break and Kamille crushed her in the corner and hit a suplex when Terrell tried to do a monkey flip. Terrell yelled for help as Kamille Irish whipped her into the corner, which had me laughing again. Kamille hit a backbreaker and Terrell was left half dead in the ring.

Terrell managed to hit a jawbreaker, but Kamille caught her and hit a fallaway slam. Terrell screamed “Ow!” very loudly and went for another drink of water. Kamille stomped on her and hit a European uppercut that sent Terrell crashing to the mat again. Terrell spit water into Kamille’s face and rolled her up for a one count. Terrell yanked the hair and stomped on Kamille for another one count. 

Terrell went for a kick, but Kamille caught it and threw her to the mat. Terrell caught her with a knee and hit a flipping neckbreaker for a two count. Terrell screamed it was a three and then locked on a camel clutch, but Kamille powered out and snapmared Terrell before hitting the spear for the pin and win.

Final Thoughts:

These “on the road” NWA shows are always really good, and I wish they did them more. A hot audience can elevate an average show to being good and this was a good show even without the fans. Everything was good and even the opening squash was great. This was an excellent NWA Power Trip.

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.

NWA Power results: Trevor Murdoch vs. Mike Knox World title match

Posted on by Josiah MacDonald

NWA World Champion Trevor Murdoch and Mike Knox opened the show at the podium, cutting promos on each other. Knox said he “accidentally” jumped Murdoch which was a funny line. Knox said that to get beat twice by Murdoch, the champion was going to need a lot more than what it took the first time. Knox wasn’t very good here, but it was fine. Murdoch was excellent.

The Dirty Sexy Boys (Dango & JTG) defeated The Ill Begotten (Captain Yuma, Rush Freeman & Alex Taylor)

Freeman (with his mullet) started the match and didn’t want to be in the ring with Dango, so he tagged in Yuma. Poor Yuma was on the receiving end of a few double team moves. Yuma protested Freeman’s cheating tactics to get the advantage on JTG. Taylor and Freeman got the heat for a little bit before Dango was tagged in and ran wild, hitting a guillotine leg drop on Yuma for the pinfall.

This was a perfectly fine opening match that was designed to show Freeman and Taylor not getting along with Yuma, leaving him to take the pinfall. DSB got their win back from two weeks ago and move up the tag team ranks.

— Kiera Hogan was with May Valentine and talked about how Mickie James inspired her and that she wanted to be the same type of inspiration to others. Hogan commented that she still wants to beat James eventually as her two losses to her have rocked her. Valentine and Hogan playing an excellent babyface were great here.

— Christopher Silvio, Esq. was with Valentine and talked about his client Jax Dane and the restraining order against Anthony Mayweather. He said Dane was done with Mayweather.

Cyon defeated Sal Rinauro (w/ Judias & The Sinister Minister) in a no DQ Match

The major story of this match was Austin Idol coming out to help Cyon. It was recently dropped that Cyon had a father who was a legend in the NWA and they have been heavily implying it could be Idol. This was the first real explicit evidence for it and is actually quite compelling.

Rinauro immediately started throwing chairs into the ring, but ate a big boot when Cyon came in. Cyon hit a back suplex on the podium on Rinauro. He slammed Cyon’s head into the announce table and hit an elbow drop with a chair. Rinauro slammed Cyon into a table and then back into the ring while screaming for approval from The Sinister Minister.

Cyon cut Rinauro off and locked on a surfboard stretch. Cyon set up a chair in the corner, but Rinauro reversed the Irish whip and drove Cyon into the chair. Cyon crashed to the floor and Idol came out to help him up and told him to get back into the ring. Cyon fired up, hit a death valley driver, and locked on a crossface with a hammer for the submission.

— Several wrestlers cut promos about the Team Wars tournament coming up where the winner gets $30,000. They never really clarified what the tournament is or who is in it, but the promos weren’t bad. I can’t call it effective, though, as I have no idea how the tournament works.

— Natalia Markova, Jennacide, Paola Blaze and Tarryn Terrell were at the podium. Blaze talked about being attacked by Markova, and threatened to break her face. Jennacide accepted Markova’s challenge for a later date.

— Another video aired for the Team Wars tournament, but it had the same issue as the last video. However, we did learn it would be a six-man tournament.

NWA World Champion Trevor Murdoch defeated Mike Knox to retain the title

Murdoch tackled Knox and hit some crossface blows on the mat. Murdoch leg dropped Knox on the apron and then hit a flying crossbody on Knox for a two count. Matt Cardona made his way out to distract Murdoch. Knox drove Murdoch into the ring post twice and they ended up on the outside of the ring.

Knox had an extended heat segment here but Murdoch managed to hit a DDT at the end of it to drop Knox and start his comeback. Knox missed a corner charge and Murdoch rolled him up for a near fall. 

But, the ref botched the count as Knox’s shoulder accidentally went up so Murdoch just cradled him and pinned him to retain the title in their rematch.

Murdoch went after Cardona after the match, but Knox cut him off and hit a forearm. Cardona and Knox beat down Murdoch after the match and Cardona hit Murdoch with the title belt. Cardona mocked Murdoch with the title before dropping it back on him.

This was a short match that really had no chance to get going, but that might be for the best given Knox’s ability in the ring. The angle at the end was quite good as Matt Cardona is getting good heat. Velvet Sky’s calm commentary while claiming to be angry really didn’t help much. She has improved lately, but she was not good here.

Final Thoughts:

NWA Power was a very easy watch this week with nothing on the show that was particularly bad, but also nothing that was outstanding either. The best thing was easily the Kiera Hogan promo segment.

NWA Power results: Kylie Rae vs. Allysin Kay, Melina vs. Madi Wrenkowski

Posted on by Josiah MacDonald

Cyon started this week’s show by cutting a promo on Sal Rinauro, saying that he was going to show him what pro wrestling really is.

Matt Cardona and Mike Knox were then at the podium, insulting the NWA, saying that they were an amateur production for not playing his theme music on NWA Power, but Knox and he were the doctors that were going to fix it.

Trevor Murdoch came out defending the NWA, saying it’s 73 years of blood, sweat, and tears. He said that all you need is a ring and two people who want to fight, but Cardona and Knox wouldn’t take his spot. Cardona said that Murdoch needed to go through Knox to get to him, and asked Murdoch to put the title on the line. This was both a good promo from Murdoch and good heel work from Cardona.

Kylie Rae defeated Allysin Kay

This was a decent match with Kay looking stunned at the loss. Rae looked really good in her selling and offense. Kay is also quite good, so this was fun.

Velvet Sky asked if the title was on the line in this match and Joe Galli let her know that it was a singles match, so the Tag Team titles wouldn’t be on the line. She said, “You never know” which must be leftovers from her experience with Russo booking.

Kay locked on an armbar, leaving Rae struggling to get to the ropes. Before Rae could escape, Kay rolled it over into a pinfall for a two count. Rae rolled through after running the ropes, hanging onto Kay’s arm before kicking up over the downed Kay and hitting a superkick in a cool spot.

Kay blocked a crossface, hit a Samoan drop and then landed a kick for a two count. Rae countered an AK-47 attempt and rolled through into a sunset flip on Kay for the pinfall victory.

— Kiera Hogan and Women’s Champion Kamille were with May Valentine and Hogan claimed that she wanted the title. Kamille said that Hogan should be honored to face her that she was going to put Hogan’s flame out.

— Dango and JTG were with Kyle Davis and talked about wanting competition. Dango ate a candy cigarette. The Ill Begotten came out to challenge them when Dango accepted. Captain YUMA asked for a handshake. Dango pulled out baby oil and squirted the baby oil onto his hands for an uncomfortably long time while Yuma broke the fourth wall and turned to the camera. That was weird but I also laughed.

— Homicide and Tag Team Champions La Rebelion were with May Valentine and Homicide said he didn’t care who were in front of them or what match it was. Bestia 666 said that Homicide had their back they’ll take on all comers. This was a good promo.

Madi Wrenkowski defeated Melina

Melina gave a lot to Wrenkowski in this one as this was designed to make her look strong in defeat. If the NWA wanted to, they could do something with this. The crowd got behind Wrenkowski.

She immediately took it to Melina, staying ahead with a submission and then a pinfall attempt which seemed to surprise Melina. Wrenkowski hit a knee and then drove Melina’s face to the mat for a two count. Melina countered with a neckbreaker and was so visibly upset at Wrenkowski’s performance, she yanked Wrenkowski by the hair to take her to the mat before locking on a modified surfboard stretch.

Wrenkowski kicked out at one, which infuriated Melina more. Wrenkowski drove Melina’s face into the turnbuckles before they went into several pinfall attempts but Melina fired up and dared Wrenkowski to hit her. Melina countered after a few more attacks and was able to get the pinfall.

— Taryn Terrell, Paola Blaze and Jennacide were with May Valentine. Terrell claimed that she brokered peace between the both of them and then claimed she was going to create world peace and solve the climate crisis.

— Tyrus and Idolmania Sports Management were with Kyle Davis. Tyrus claimed he was going to keep the TV title as long as he wanted and when he successfully defended it seven times, he was going to take the NWA World title from Trevor Murdoch, but he was going to do it on his time.

Tyrus also announced that Jordan Clearwater and Marche Rockett were going to take the tag titles. I actually enjoyed that promo. Austin Idol then cut an awesome promo to the camera while on commentary about how he was wearing camo because it was hunting season, and Idolmania was running all over the NWA.

The Ill Begotten (The Fixers & Rush Freeman) (w/ Captain Yuma & Alex Taylor) defeated DSB (Dango & TJG)

Jay Bradley and Wrecking Ball (which is a name I love) surprised DSB (and Captain Yuma) as Yuma was sure he was competing in the match, but it seemed Freeman and Taylor went out and hired the Fixers. Bradley and Wrecking Ball got the heat on JTG in the early part of the match. After hitting a double brainbuster on Dango, Freeman paid the Fixers off and pinned Dango.

— Rodney Mack and Anthony Mayweather were with Kyle Davis. Mack said that Jax Dane disrespected his wife Jazz and he was going to show Dane why he is the baddest man in the world.

Mayweather went on to talk about Dane when a lawyer served him with papers for a restraining order where Mayweather cannot be within a mile of Dane.

— Galli announced a new match for the NWA called Team War with four trios teams in a fatal four-way with the winning team getting $30,000.

Hawx Aerie (Luke & PJ Hawx) defeated Idolmania Sports Management (Jordan Clearwater & Marche Rockett) (w/ BLK Jeez & Tyrus)

Clearwater claimed that Luke was not allowed to touch him, so he hit a forearm and drove Clearwater back into the corner. Clearwater tagged out in fear. PJ and Rockett exchanged some blows, sending Rockett back to the corner and Luke tagged back in. BLJ drove Luke into the apron behind the ref’s back and they moved into the heat.

BLK Jeez got on the apron so the ref missed the tag from Luke to his son, but it still wasn’t long before PJ tagged in and hit suplexes and strikes on everyone. Tyrus distracted PJ and the referee ejected BLK Jeez and Tyrus, but the damage was done and Marche Rockett dropped PJ. Rockett went for the Rockett Kick, but Luke moved, but Hawx Aerie hit a pop-up powerslam on Clearwater for the pinfall.

The show went off the air with Galli announcing that Trevor Murdoch would be defending the World title next week against Mike Knox.

Final Thoughts:

There was a lot to like on this episode of Power. I liked the growth of stables outside of Strictly Business with Idolmania Sports Management and attempting to highlight newer stars with Hawx Aerie and Madi Wrenkowski being showcased in particular. This was a good episode this week.

NWA Power results: By Any Means Necessary part two

Posted on by Josiah MacDonald

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.

NWA Power results: By Any Means Necessary, part one

Posted on by Josiah MacDonald

This week’s episode of NWA Power featured the first part of a special show they recently taped in Kentucky called By Any Means Necessary, and thus was longer than the usual episode.

Jax Dane opened the show with Kyle Davis as they announced a cage match between him and Crimson to settle their differences after they broke up as a tag team. Dane promised to destroy him, and blamed Crimson for everything that led to their break up.

The Pope came down to the ring for an interview with Joe Galli. Pope took the mic and hyped the crowd up for the show, but was cut off by Colby Corino, who came to ringside with The Fixers (Jay Bradley & Wrecking Ball Legursky). Pope said that he was going to give Corino the whipping that his father Steve Corino should have given him.

Velvet Sky claimed that she had a shouting match with Austin Idol about store bought Rice Crispy Treats vs. homemade ones, and I found this amusing.

Pope defeated Colby Corino

The crowd was on fire for this match, and having a big audience makes a huge difference for these NWA shows. The crowd turned a decent opening match into a really fun one to watch, as they were with the wrestlers the entire way.

As the match started, Velvet Sky gave us a bit of background on Wrecking Ball Legursky, telling us he was trained by Matt Taven & Bully Ray. Pope beat Corino all around the ring in the opening moments, hitting punches, an inverted atomic drop, and a fist drop. Pope lit Corino up with chops in the corner, which made the crowd roar with approval.

Pope went for a Bionic Elbow, but Corino poked Pope in the eyes and then went for a double stomp, but he missed. Pope rolled Corino up, but was soon locked in a crossface, but Pope escaped and then ate a superkick. Pope managed to get to his feet and hit some forearms, including a flying one off the ropes.

Pope blocked an eye poke and then hit a big flying crossbody on Corino for a two-count. Pope hit a neckbreaker and then called for the Elijah Express. The Fixers got involved to distract the referee and Corino took advantage and hit the Corino Crash for a two-count. The Ill Begotten (Captain Yuma & Russ Freeman) came out to yell at Corino for cheating, and Pope countered an abdominal stretch into a cradle for a pinfall victory.

The Fixers got into the ring and challenged The Ill Begotten to an impromptu tag match.

The Fixers defeated The Ill Begotten

Good squash here to get The Fixers over as monsters.

Russ Freeman ate a cannonball in the corner from Legursky, and then they double teamed Yuma, with Legursky hitting a powerslam. The Fixers beat on Yuma for a bit, dominating the smaller man. Yuma managed to crawl to his corner and tag in Freeman after dodging a big boot.

Freeman tried to take it to both men at the same time, but paid for it when he went for a belly-to-belly on Bradley. Legursky no sold a jawbreaker and then The Fixers hit a tag team powerbomb/back suplex on Yuma and a double brainbuster on Freeman for the pinfall.

The Fixers grabbed a mic and said that they were in the NWA to take payment from the highest bidder and that they were going to take on anyone in their way. As they were talking, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett (The OGK) came out to challenge them! A second impromptu match began between The Fixers and the Kingdom.

The OGK (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) defeated The Fixers

This match was awesome. Taven and Bennett were fantastic here, and the Fixers were the right guys to keep the heat on them. I normally don’t like a lot of impromptu matches, but the way this was executed with The Fixers destroying The Ill Begotten really helped with this match. This was great.

Taven and Bennet ran down to the ring and immediately started fighting with the bigger men, but it wasn’t long before The Fixers had isolated Taven. Taven dodged a corner strike after Galli shouted out Ring of Honor, AEW, and Impact as partners with the NWA, which always makes me smile.

Taven hit a dropkick on Legursky and then hit a suicide dive on the other side of the ring taking out Bradley. Taven then hit a huge dive over the top rope to the floor on Legursky. Taven went to the top rope but was shoved off into Legursky who stood there like a wall, and Taven crashed to the mat.

The Fixers beat on Taven, getting the heat on him with some big man offence. Legursky chopped Taven at ringside as Sky and Austin Idol bickered on commentary to the point of annoyance. When both of them focus on the match, it is far better. Taven tried a sunset flip, but Legursky stopped it but missed a dropkick. Taven hit a PK and then tagged in Bennett, who ran wild.

Bennett went for a rolling elbow, but Legursky blocked it and went for a chokeslam. Bennett countered and hit a dropkick to the knee. Taven and Bennett superkicked Bradley and sent him to the floor before hitting a double superkick Legursky, but he no sold it and hit a double clothesline on both men. Bennett hit a big spear, and then Taven hit a frog splash for the pinfall on Legursky.

The Sinister Minster was with Judias, and he addressed Sal Rinauro challenging him for his shot at the NWA National Championship. He told Rinauro that he would grant him the match, but if he lost, he would have to give up challenging for the NWA National title for 18 months (6+6+6).

Judias (with The Sinister Minister) defeated Sal Rinauro (with Danny Deals)

This is the best Judias has looked since he started in the NWA, with Rinauro bumping around like crazy to make him look good. Rinauro sold like crazy here, and while Judias isn’t that good, he at least looked good in this match.

Judias threw Rinauro across the ring and then hit some ugly looking punches in the corner. Rinauro went for a crossbody on Judias, but Judias caught him and hit a fall away slam. Judias did the Garvin stomps on Rinauro before hitting an elbow drop for a 2-count.

Judias continued his beating on Rinauro, but he kept kicking out. Rinauro dodged a corner charge and hit a handspring stunner, a superkick, and a flying clothesline on Judias for a two-count. Rinauro missed a second flying clothesline and ate a back suplex bomb. Judias then hit a Crucifix Bomb for the win.

The Hex (Marti Belle & Allysin Kay) defeated Tootie Lynn & Thunder Kitty to retain the NWA World Women’s Tag Team Championship

This was fine. Marti Belle did spend most of the match selling, but mistimed the finish slightly, falling a bit too late as Kay wheelbarrowed Thunder Kitty. I’m glad that they seem to be learning that Belle is best selling though, which improved this greatly.

Lynn started the match with Kay, with Kay hitting a side walk slam on Lynn and immediately isolating her from her corner. Thunder Kitty made the tag by slapping Lynn in the back of the head. Kitty used some cheating tactics, which Lynn was not happy about, yelling that she did whatever she wanted at her own partner.

Belle dodged a corner charge and rolled Kitty up, but Kitty rolled through and hit a punch. Kitty yelled at Lynn more as Lynn tagged in, and Sky informed us that she sensed tension between the two. You know, I think she might be right. Kay tagged in and hit a huge pump kick on Kitty, but Lynn made the save when The Hex went for Hex Marks the Spot. Belle kicked Lynn and then hit the Hexlaimation Point on Kitty for the pinfall.

Marti Belle and Allysin Kay claimed they were going to take the tag titles anywhere and defend against all challengers, so it’s possible we might see them showing up in some other promotions soon.

A hype video aired for Cyon and Tyrus over the NWA Television Championship. This was a well done video, summarizing their feud, and announcing their match on December 4th at NWA Hard Times II

Cyon defeated Mims

Holy cow, this was a good match. There was very little in terms of spectacular moves, but everything was paced well, and it drew the fans into what was happening very well. The NWA has something in Mims, and I hope they see it, because he was awesome in this one. Cyon held his own too. I didn’t expect to be into this as much as I was, but it was excellent.

Cyon must have been working out hard lately, as he was quite cut here compared to some of his other appearances. Mims and Cyon had a good back and forth early on, and I really liked how Cyon sold some headbutts from Mims. He tried to not sell it, but couldn’t after a few.

Mims hit a back suplex on the apron on Cyon, but Cyon was able to reverse an Irish whip at ringside and sent Mims crashing into the stairs. Cyon slammed Mims in the ring and hit a series of elbows to the chest. Cyon hit a back elbow that sent Mims to the mat.

Cyon took Mims over with a back drop that was almost like a Northern Lights suplex. The bickering between Sky and Idol really hurt this match, as they argued about Billy Corgan firing Idol. Poor Joe Galli tried to keep them on track, trying to focus on the match, but they just kept going.

Cyon hit a back suplex on Mims, but Mims rolled towards the ropes before a pin could be attempted. Cyon locked on some sort of arm submission, triangling the arm with his legs. Mims lifted Cyon right off the mat and powerbombed him, which the crowd popped huge for.

Mims nailed Cyon with a clothesline that sent him flipping backwards. Mims hit a Big Strong Slam on Cyon, but he got his foot on the ropes. Mims climbed to the top rope, but Cyon cut him off and hit a superplex for a 2-count. Cyon went back with the North/South elbows to the chest of Mims.

Cyon hit a Death Valley Driver on Mims, but he kicked out at two. As both men stood up, Mims rocked Cyon with a headbutt and went for a brainbuster, but Cyon grabbed the tope rope to block it, hit a twisting neckbreaker, and then locked on the Mask of Pain in the middle of the ring on Mims.

Mims fired up and tried to make the ropes, but Cyon stomped on the free hand with his foot and Mims ended up passing out in the hold.

Final Thoughts:

This was an excellent edition of NWA Power. If they could make more shows like this while maintaining quality promos, the show would be outstanding every week. The hot crowd really helped, and while this was a longer edition of the show, it was a very easy watch. I am really looking forward to part two of By Any Means Necessary, especially if we continue to get in ring action like this.

NWA Power results: Three-way tag team match

Posted on by Josiah MacDonald

Strictly Business opened this week’s show with Tim Storm, asking them about what happened with Melina & World Champion Trevor Murdoch. They challenged Storm to a fight for questioning them. Thom Latimer, Chris Adonis and Kamille circled the ring and were getting ready to attack him as Joe Galli tried to stop it, but Nick Aldis made his way to the ring instead and cut them off, saying that it wasn’t the time or place to do this.

They all backed down, but were eying Aldis suspiciously. This was a really simple, but good opening angle. The tension in Strictly Business is building here and I like this new direction with Aldis.

Melina was with May Valentine at the podium and she cut a promo on Kamille, indicating that someone, someday was going to take the title from her. Chelsea Green came out with her trophy from the last PPV, claiming that Melina has done nothing for the business, and that she should be champion.

Tag Team Title eliminator tournament match: Hawx Aerie (Luke & PJ Hawx) defeated Colby Corino & JTG

Corino was angry that Luke Hawx and JTG shook hands at the start of the match, almost costing them it as it started. After some basic exchanges with JTG, Corino ended up in the ring with PJ Hawx and made the rookie pay for his inexperience. Hawx was eventually able to tag his father in after a belly-to-belly.

Luke Hawx made a comeback, but Corino cut him off and continued using heelish attacks before tagging out to JTG, who was not impressed with Corino.

After a relatively even exchange between JTG and Luke Hawx, both men hit punches and fell at the same time. Mutual tags were made and PJ Hawx got his hands on Corino. Hawx Aerie sent Corino to the ropes with PJ Hawx trying to send Corino into the air into a powerslam from his dad, but something went wrong. Somehow, they still hit the powerslam and picked up the win.

This was a decent match although the finish was a bit messed up. I have no idea how they still hit the powerslam considering what happened. I like Hawx Aerie advancing in the tag tournament.

— Cyon cut a promo about how he wanted the TV title and that he was going to cash in his title shot earned in the Champions Series to take on Tyrus. This was a good and simple promo.

— Tyrus, Austin Idol, BLK Jeez and Jordan Clearwater were at the podium. Idol promised that if Cyon tried to cash in his title shot on Tyrus, they were going to destroy him and take his mask. Jeez promised that pain was the only thing awaiting him. Tyrus said that he wasn’t quite sure, but he thought he knew him and it was clear Cyon knew who he was, so he was going to take his mask.

Jennacide defeated Allysin Kay

This was fine, but a bit boring. It might have been better with a little more time. The minor botches didn’t take away from it, thankfully.

Jennacide and Kay saw Jennacide dominating Kay in the early part of the match, attacking Kay’s shoulder repeatedly. Jennacide used a few armbars throughout until she hit a vertical suplex and went going right back to the shoulder and arm.

Both women exchanged strikes in the middle until Kay hit a stunner and then a clothesline for a two count. Jennacide and Kay had some miscommunication after two botched moves.

Jennacide hit a chokeslam and went to the middle rope. Kay responded by hitting a power bomb off the ropes. Lady Frost came down to the ring and distracted Kay which led to Jennacide rolling her up with a handful of tights for the win.

Taryn Terrell came out and celebrated with Jennacide after the match. It looks like they are heading towards a Tag Team title match with Kay and Marti Belle.

— La Rebelion was with May Valentine and talked about how they would take on any tag team in any company and that they were going to bring the NWA Tag Team titles to Mexico to take on all comers.

Judias (w/ James Mitchell) & James Storm went to a double DQ

Judias is no good. He is really, really bad. Storm, however, is great and The Sinister Minister is a great manager, but Judias really sucks. I would have rather seen Mil Muertes as Judas Mesias again than this dude.

Storm did some cowboy martial arts poses after a lock up, which popped the crowd, but Judias did not see the humor in it, punching Storm in the face and working him over in the corner. As both men exchanged punches in the corner, the referee threw the match out as they wouldn’t break when he asked.

Da Pope & NWA World Champion Trevor Murdoch defeated The End & Jeremiah Plunkett & Crimson in a three-way match

This was a really fast match that served to further the post-match angle than anything else. I would have liked to see them get more time as it could have been really fun.

This started with Murdoch and Plunkett immediately throwing Parrow to the outside of the ring. Murdoch hit a flying crossbody on Plunkett and got a two count. Murdoch immediately started selling his knee and tagged out to Pope who exchanged strikes with Plunkett.

Parrow pulled Pope from the ring and threw him into the guardrail before mauling Plunkett in the ring. Plunkett dodged a corner charge from Odinson who crashed into the ring post. As Plunkett turned around, Pope hit the Elijah Express on Plunkett for the pinfall.

Jax Dane came down to the ring with a referee and claimed he was going to challenge the injured Murdoch for the title at that moment. However, Crimson punched Dane in the face and prevented him from cashing in. So it appears the cashing in of title shots from the Champions Series is like WWE’s Money in the Bank which was not explained before the tournament.

Final Thoughts:

This was a decent episode of NWA Power and one that flowed nicely from one segment to the next. If you are looking for good in-ring action, this show was merely average. I think the best segment of the show was easily the opening with Aldis and Strictly Business. Fewer minutes from the opening tag and more for the main event would have also been nice.

NWA Power results: The Champions Series begins

Posted on by Josiah MacDonald

NWA Power opened with a match right at the start of the show as the first match in the Champions Series: a team-by-team contest where the winners and captains receive open title shots or a chance to protect their title should they possess it.   

Team Kamille and Austin Idol battles Team Aron Stevens and Taryn Terrell while Team NIck Aldis and Melina takes on Team Pope and Velvet Sky.

Thom Latimer (Team Kamille) defeated Marshe Rockett (Team Stevens)

Latimer went right after Rockett, showing his experience. Rockett endured the early assault and hit an armdrag on Latimer. Rockett hit a dropkick to send Latimer to the apron. Rockett got his neck pulled into the top rope and Latimer came back in with stomps and a neckbreaker.

Latimer drove some knees into Rockett’s back. Every attempt at a comeback was stopped quickly by Latimer, but when he went for an axehandle off the middle rope, Rockett hit a superkick and a powerslam for a two count. Latimer raked his eyes then hit a stunner for the pin.

This was fine with the expected result. It would have been nice to see an upset, but I expect we will see some of those happen later in the tournament. Team Kamille earned five points for the victory.

Jennacide (Team Pope) defeated Skye Blue (Team Aldis)

The story of this match was Jennacide using her power and experience to dominate Blue. Blue was faster with a little more athleticism. Jennacide hit a big front suplex after dominating the early going. Jennacide targeted Blue’s arm which Blue actually sold quite well while while in an armbar.

Blue hit a drop toehold that sent Jennacide into the middle rope and hit a dropkick into her back, but couldn’t get her over for a sunset flip. Her headscissors takeover, however, worked well. Blue hit a flying crossbody for a near fall. Blue went for another headscissors, but Jennacide blocked it and hit a sit-out power bomb for the three count.

This was the exact right length with both women getting a chance to show just enough. This was good stuff. Both women are green, but walked out looking better in this one. Team Pope got five points.

JTG (Team Stevens) defeated Mims (Team Kamille)

JTG used his experience in the early going to stay one step ahead of Mims, but Mims kept coming back to keep JTG on his toes. That was, until JTG finally hit a big lariat that left him in charge. JTG worked over Mims’ arm with some hard knees and stomps and the camera angle was perfect for it, making it look brutal.

JTG hit a huge spinebuster, but Mims kicked out. Mims hit some strikes and a big headbutt. He drove JTG back to the corner and threw some shoulder tackles and then a huge takedown. Mims went to the top rope and missed a big back elbow off the top rope. JTG hit the Brooklyn Edge for the pinfall to Aron Stevens’ delight on commentary. Team Stevens got five points.

Trevor Murdoch (Team Pope) defeated Fred Rosser (Team Aldis)

Aldis and Murdoch exchanged words before he made it into the ring. Rosser added some trash talk as both guys were showing intensity as they faced off, leading to Murdoch slapping Rosser. Rosser, however, was eager to not brawl. Murdoch was and hit several hard chops and a big Irish whip to the corner.

Murdoch told Aldis to shut his mouth on commentary and then hit a huge spinebuster. I really liked the intensity from Murdoch here. Rosser fired back with a chop of his own and raked Murdoch’s back, doing everything he could to get an advantage. Aldis put Rosser over huge on commentary as someone who they could build the NWA around (which he isn’t wrong about).

Rosser and Murdoch ended up on the apron. Aldis called Billy Corgan a Marxist, which was a choice. Rosser tried to suplex Murdoch on the apron, but Murdoch clotheslined Rosser back into the ring, hit the flying bulldog and locked on a crossface-type submission. Tim Storm pointed out that Harley Race used to use it as Rosser tapped out.

This was a great match. Rosser looked awesome and Murdoch was right there with him as both guys worked hard and at a fast pace. I really liked the finish as it showed that Murdoch is adding to his game for when he eventually faces Aldis again. I can see him tapping Aldis out decisively in the middle of the ring eventually. Maybe at NWA 73? Either way, the trash talking between Aldis and Murdoch continued as the show went off the air.

Final Thoughts:

This was a very simple episode of NWA Power as there were no real promos. It was all action with round 1 of the Champions Series ending and Team Aldis having no points. I really like how that immediately put Aldis at a disadvantage as Murdoch is clearly trying to win this thing for his team so that he can get Aldis one on one. There was good storytelling throughout this show which I really enjoyed. 

NWA Power results: Melina vs. Kylie Rae

Posted on by Josiah MacDonald

NWA Power opened with Joe Galli breaking some news. He announced the Champion’s Series, a points-based tournament starting on July 13th. More news on how the tournament is going to work will be forthcoming.

Jennacide (with Taryn Terrell) defeated Lady Frost

This wasn’t bad. Lady Frost looked quite good, and it’s clear that they’re trying to make Jennacide a star. She is still quite green, but there is a lot of potential there, and she has a great look too.

Frost was given quite a bit in this little match, but she stood out and looked great. Jennacide was able to turn the match around when Terrell distracted the referee and Jennacide knocked Frost off the top rope.

Jennacide worked over Frost with armlocks, keeping her grounded. Every time Frost went to escape, Frost was able to go back to the arm. Frost hit a big spinning kick, but Jennacide caught her on the ropes and hit a tombstone (Jenna 9000) for the pinfall.

–Sal Rinauro won a TV title #1 contender match against PJ Hawx and Colby Corino, which happened on something called NWA High Voltage. I had no idea this existed until they mentioned it here, and they showed highlights. I managed to find the match on YouTube. I figured this was going to be on Power when they built it a few weeks ago.

Rinauro cut a great promo about how all he needed was 3 seconds to become the TV Champion, and that while Pope was a great champion, he was coming for it. Colby Corino attacked him from behind and went to give him a brainbuster on the apron, but Rinauro’s feet hit the ropes on the way down, which caused both of them to crash to the floor, and both men hit really hard. That was brutal, I hope they’re okay.

–Austin Idol and Tyrus came out. Idol buried Rinauro and Corino, saying Tyrus is the real star. Pope came out, and since his match was canceled with Rinauro, he decided he was going to fight him right now, putting the title on the line. Idol kept Tyrus back and said it would be on their time.

Aron Stevens stepped in with a match that was unannounced for the crowd due to Rinauro’s injury.

Aron Stevens, Mims, & Captain YUMA vs.  Kratos, PJ Hawx, & Luke Hawx went to a no contest

Well, this was interesting from a story perspective with Kratos and Stevens actually smiling and getting along with each other. Honestly, I hope they don’t break up as a team. I really like the dynamic of Stevens being a nice guy and Kratos being a miserable monster, but somehow make the team work. I hope that continues. I think La Rebelion vs. Stevens & Kratos will be great.

Joe Galli said that Kratos and Stevens came up with this match when the injury happened as a make-good. Kratos and Stevens fist-bumped, but Kratos didn’t fist bump the others. Stevens and Kratos went to a neutral corner, discussing the match and smiling. I sense trouble brewing, as Kratos is way too happy.

Mims and Luke Hawx started the match, and Mims used hit size and power to keep the veteran down. Mims tagged Stevens in, even though he was at the wrong turnbuckle because he was holding the tag rope. Stevens did a few spots with Hawx before PJ Hawx and YUMA were in.

YUMA wanted Kratos, and he tagged in, but he looked like he would rather stay in the corner chatting with Stevens. YUMA must have a death wish, as Kratos no-sold a shoulder tackle. Kratos murdered YUMA with a forearm, and the massacre began, as he threw YUMA across the ring with a suplex.

La Rebelion came out and mocked the match in the ring saying that the teams involved were making a mockery of the titles and the sport. Kratos did not look pleased. La Rebelion attacked YUMA, and the ref threw the match out. La Rebellion then attacked Kratos. All 6 men were not pleased and chased them off.

–Jax Dane and Crimson were with May Valentine. Dane talked about how he thought Crimson went too far in his match with Slice Boogie last week, and they promised to address the issue live in front of fans at Power soon.

–JTG and Chris Adonis joined Kyle Davis at the podium to discuss their upcoming NWA National Championship match. JTG reminded everyone that he was there for gold, and that anyone in his way is in a very unlucky position.

Adonis said he was ready for war, and that the NWA National title is a title that he never lost, so he is going to do what it takes to win it back, and his insurance policy of Strictly Business was there to help him. Fred Rosser came out and said he was going to back JTG up.

–The Mystery Man was with May Valentine and continued to say his identity did not need to be known right now. He talked about how he dedicated his life to wrestling, and he is here because he believes he is the best technical wrestler in the world, and he wanted to become a champion, and his identity didn’t matter.

–Thunder Rosa told May Valentine that she was going to stay out of Melina’s match with Kylie Rae tonight.

Kylie Rae defeated Melina

Melina got booed by the audience despite being a babyface in recent weeks. Rae was cheered quite a bit, and Melina worked this match as a heel, so that feels like a phantom heel turn. I hate that. This was a good match by Melina standards, so it was fine. Rae looked fantastic in the match, she’s an exceptional worker.

Melina tried to ground Rae, but Rae was able to counter every move. Rae offered a handshake, but Melina hit some hard forearms and started striking Rae hard, including poking the eyes. Melina hit a DDT for a near fall, but Rae kicked out. Rae spun out of an inverted DDT position and hit a superkick on Melina for the pinfall. The show went off the air as Rae celebrated, winning clean as a sheet.

NWA Power results: Adonis vs. Latimer vs. Parrow

Posted on by Josiah MacDonald

Kyle Davis started the show with Strictly Business to talk about the main event triple threat with Parrow, Adonis, and Latimer where the winner would advance to face JTG next week for the National title. They talked about having the advantage in the match, but Kamille criticized Corgan for making the triple threat. Aldis insisted this was Corgan staking the odds against Strictly Business.

–May Valentine was with the War Kings. Crimson talked about his upcoming match with Slice Boogie.

The Mystery Man defeated Mims

There’s something familiar about the Mystery Man, but I can’t put my finger on it. I’m deliberately avoiding looking up who he is to let them tell their story, but I feel like I’ve seen him before. He looked good in this match, despite it being a little slower.

This marked the debut of the masked man we have seen in recent weeks. Early on, he showed some great technique in his wrestling, managing to ground Mims. Right after I wrote that, Tim Storm said it, so we’re on the same page. Mystery Man hit a huge back suplex on Mims and some hard strikes.

Mims was never completely out of it in this match, but Mystery Man was clearly the more experienced grappler with his ability, making Mims pay for every misstep. Mims made a comeback and got a Big Strong Boy chant before hitting a big splash. Mystery Man responded with a sling blade and a Death Valley Driver and scored the pinfall.

–BLKJeez and Jordan Clearwater were with Kyle Davis. Jeez promised that they had a plan for their upcoming match.

Tyrus (with Austin Idol) defeated BLKJeez & Jordan Clearwater

What was this? What? Why?

The match started, and Jeez laid down. He asked Clearwater to lay down, and Clearwater refused. Jeez tried to convince him to do it, and he eventually did. They stayed down, and Tyrus pinned them. What?

–Thunder Rosa & Serena Deeb were with Kyle Davis, and the crowd popped huge for Rosa. Deeb and Rosa had some tension between each other, as Deeb defeated Rosa for the title. Deeb said she wanted her rematch for the title, and Rosa said that she should be the number 1 contender. It looks like we are getting Rosa and Deeb in a singles match soon.

Serena Deeb indicated that she wanted to mentor someone like Kylie Rae, who came out. She talked about how great Deeb and Rosa are, and she was happy to be there with them. Rosa indicated she wanted to mentor. Melina came out, thinking it was her, but she was wrong. It was Skye Blue. This broke down into a brawl. This was a bit of a mess of a segment.

–May Valentine was with Taryn Terrell and Jennacide. Taryn said they were overlooking Jennacide. Terrell called AEW “AWE” and made a weird analogy about rock hard pillows.

Crimson (w/ Jax Dane) defeated Slice Boogie w/ Marche Rocket in a No DQ Grudge Match

This wasn’t a bad match. Crimson is far better than his TNA days, and Boogie is quite good. I’m a bit tired of the “Will they get along?!” storylines in the tag division as we have two of those going now.

Crimson went right after Boogie, beating him around the ring and ringside. As Crimson came back into the ring, Boogie kicked the middle rope to low blow Crimson, and hit an axe kick for a pinfall attempt.

Crimson, using his experience and power, was able to make a bit of a comeback, but Boogie hit a tornado inverted DDT for a 2 count. Boogie grabbed a chair and set it up in the corner between the middle and top rope. Crimson reversed an Irish whip into a suplex on Boogie and sent Boogie to the floor.

Crimson whipped Boogie with his belt around ringside. Boogie tried for a low blow, but Crimson hit a Death Valley Driver. He stopped the pinfall and went for the chair. Dane told him he didn’t need the chair, and he wasn’t happy with it, but Crimson listened and hit a Death Valley Driver for the pinfall.

–Aron Stevens and Trevor Murdoch were on commentary for this match, as they were both NWA National Champions. Apparently, Stevens broke Velvet Sky’s chair and was left near the floor. It was a comedy bit, but it made me laugh.

NWA National Title qualifier: Chris Adonis defeated Thom Latimer and Parrow

Decent main event here, with the story of the match being Latimer and Adonis both wanting to win, but especially making sure that Parrow didn’t win. Parrow looked like a beast in the match, but he couldn’t overcome the odds, and in the end, Adonis used his brain to win. To be fair, he tricked Bram, so that doesn’t sound too difficult.

Adonis and Latimer spent the early parts of the match double teaming Parrow, sending him to the floor after a bit, and deciding to wrestle each other fair and square to see who the better man was, but they were giving Parrow time to recover.

Every time Parrow came back into the match, Latimer and Adonis would send him back to the floor. Problems between Adonis and Latimer began to escalate when Latimer tried to pin Parrow and Adonis broke it up. Parrow took advantage of this and started throwing both men around. He hit the Parrow Driver on Adonis, but Latimer broke it up.

Parrow made Latimer pay with a powerbomb for a two count. Strictly Business hit a double superplex on Parrow, and then when Latimer went up top for a moonsault, Adonis stole the pin by pinning Parrow. Latimer was angry, but Adonis promised that Latimer would get the first shot.

Adonis moves on to face JTG next week for the National title!

Final Thoughts:

Solid, if unspectacular, episode of NWA Power this week. The National title was the main storyline, and Aron Stevens was great on commentary in particular, selling the importance of the match and the history of the wrestlers involved.

I’m looking forward to Adonis against JTG next week, but I also want to see the next chapter in Murdoch’s story start to move forward. Hopefully, we’ll see that addressed a bit more. It’s clear that Thunder Rosa is, by far, their biggest star. She got a huge pop from the studio audience, and having them back shows her time in AEW is also quite effective in getting her over.

The women’s division clearly has a few aces up their sleeve over the next few months, as even though the angle with them tonight was a bit poorly executed (especially when Melina arrived), there are still some very interesting matches that were set up.

NWA Power results: The War Kings vs. The End

Posted on by Josiah MacDonald

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.