NWA Power opened with Joe Galli interviewing Chris Adonis, asking how his preparations are going for his World title match against Tyrus at NWA 312. Tyrus then made his way onto screen after Adonis said that the Master Lock would take the title from him. Tyrus talked about how he was the bogeyman underneath the bed of all the Internet fans, and claimed Adonis couldn’t lock the Master Lock on someone as big as him.
Kenzie Paige defeated Ashley D’Amboise
This was a short match, but one that was decent given the time it had. Paige looked good as usual, and D’Amboise was able to show a little bit of her ability before the finish.
A promo package before the match with Paige dismissing D’Amboise as a threat. D’Amboise talked about being a great French Canadian and that Paige was a dirty American, so it’s hard to know who the babyface is here. Paige called D’Amboise incompetent in French, which was a nice touch. This showed the personalities of both wrestlers.
The babyface/heel confusion continued as D’Amboise and Paige both pulled each other’s hair in the opening moments and after an exchange, they crashed to the mat while pulling each other’s hair again. D’Amboise hit a nice neckbreaker for a two-count. Paige drew D’Amboise in and necked her on the middle rope and then hit a cutter after an exchange for the pin.
– Trevor Murdoch talked about how the NWA decided to put him through a test with the big man he faced recently (Beast Mode) that he coined “Van Hammer Jr.” and that he was coming back to NWA Power Live to have a talk with the big man. Beast Mode is a far worse name than Van Hammer Jr.
Mike Knox defeated Stacee Alexander
Knox looked good in this one. Maybe he missed his calling as a babyface. I can’t believe I wrote that in 2023, but here we are.
Knox was over in this match, getting a lot of reaction being in his hometown, but also getting cheered due to how he took out Matt Cardona. Alexander was wearing a CYN shirt and after being beat around the ring by Knox for a few minutes, he raked Knox’s eyes and got a bit of heat before Knox hit the Knoxout for the win.
– May Valentine was with Bobby Fulton and they discussed The Fixers mocking him and stealing the NWA U.S. Tag Team titles. Fulton then offered an open challenge to either Fixer, saying he was an old man but he was going after them for disrespecting both he and the titles. Valentine suggested that his health struggles might prevent him from doing that. Fulton said that it may be true and that his voice is evidence of the throat cancer he had, but he was going to stand up and do the right thing. I sincerely hope he isn’t going to wrestle, but man, this was a good babyface promo.
– Valentine asked about Rolando Freeman’s relationship with Aron Stevens, and Freeman said that Stevens betrayed him like he did Valentine. Freeman blamed Stevens for getting in his head and causing him to go out to fight Tyrus for the title where he failed immediately. Freeman said he was coming for Stevens and was going to get some revenge for Valentine, too.
NWA TV Champion Thom Latimer defeated Rhett Titus to retain the title
This was a solid match that only went around four minutes, limited by the 6:05 time limit of all TV title matches on Power. But, it was good given the time it had.
Latimer and Titus exchanged a lot of technical wrestling throughout. Latimer doesn’t show that side of his work very often, but he did a good job here. Titus, of course, is quite experienced in that style, being a part of The Foundation in ROH. Titus went up and over in the corner and Latimer hit a spear out of the corner for a two-count. Latimer immediately went for the crossface, but Titus blocked, so Latimer went back to the knee that he worked on early on and transitioned into an STF for the submission.
– Thrillbilly Silas was backstage with Valentine and disheartened because he didn’t get the NWA National title. He then called out Brady Pierce, saying he was going to climb back to the top. Pollo Del Mar emphasized that it was not personal, but Silas was going to take Pierce out to get to the top.
Kerry Morton defeated Mecha Wolf
This was easily the best match on the show with these two having a nice basic match.
Wolf used a series of submission attempts after hitting an armdrag off the top rope and Morton almost went out in a Koji clutch shortly after. Wolf went for a double jump moonsault off the middle rope, but Morton dodged and hit some punches in the corner. Wolf hit a tornado DDT for a two count.
Wolf went for a power bomb, but Morton countered and almost got a three count. After this, Bestia 666 made his way down to ringside, but because he didn’t have a manager’s license, the referee tried to get rid of him. Bestia passed a Tag Team title belt to Wolf, but the referee caught him and he turned around into a jumping knee from Morton and a GTR for the pinfall.
Final Thoughts:
This was a pretty good episode by NWA standards with simple storyline progression and some decent wrestling. The only problem was that it wasn’t must see and in today’s wrestling landscape, that begs the question: ultimately, who is this show for and can it grow their audience?
NWA Power opened with La Rosa Negra and Kyle Davis at the podium. The fans were chanting quite loudly for her, excited that she was getting a Women’s title shot because of her participation in the Champions Series. She put over Team Rock ‘n’ Roll and talked about the honor of challenging Kamille for the NWA Women’s Championship. This was a great promo.
The champion came out to the podium to a good reaction and talked about how Negra was one of the people who saw something in her when she first started in wrestling. Kamille talked about how the tables have turned but that when they finally face off, Kamille is going to show no mercy to anyone trying to take the title away from her.
Negra promised that no matter what happened in the match, win or lose, Kamille will not forget their battle. This was a great segment.
Fodder (w/ Angelina Love) defeated VHS
I think Fodder, the star in this match, has a worse name than VHS. VHS also showed some charisma, but it was far too short to have any major impact.
Yes, his opponent was named VHS which led to an extended discussion about VCRs, tape trading, and VCR-related puns around rewinding and tracking errors that I enjoyed. Otherwise, this was a nothing match that ended after a chokeslam from Fodder that he calls the Psycho Slam.
– May Valentine was with EC3 and Jordan Clearwater, discussing the partnership between Church’s Money Enterprises from BLK Jeez and CYN. Clearwater said he had no idea what CYN is, but he was open to partnering. EC3 said NWA was the rock he was going to build his church on. Well, that quote does seem to be in line with CYN. Clearwater said rather hilariously, “I like rocks!” as the promo ended. Looks like EC3 is becoming a cult leader based on his promo.
Kenzie Paige defeated KiLynn King to advance in the NWA Women’s TV title tournament
This match was great and the best of the night. Paige and King remain fantastic.
Paige recently lost the Women’s tag titles and her luck continued to be rough. King beat Paige around the ring, including chops on the outside to the delight of the fans. Paige managed to superkick King on the way back in to start getting the heat.
Paige choked King in the corner and against the ropes. King fought out of a chin lock, but Paige was able to hit a DDT instead. The DDT was actually an adjustment because Paige did not get up high enough to hit a head scissors on King, but immediately switched to a DDT making the mistake seem like she adjusted on the fly in a great transition.
King hit a superplex, but was unable to get the pin. She landed hard chops and a powerslam in the middle of ring for a two count. Paige slipped out of the Excalibuster and hit a uranage for a two count. She and King exchanged slaps and strikes before King nailed Paige with a forearm. Paige rolled King up, but she kicked out. King hit a crazy full nelson slam for a two count. Paige countered the Excalibuster into a hurricanrana and then hit a springboard cutter for the win.
– Aron Stevens and May Valentine attended couples counseling. The doctor took swings of whisky behind their back. This was so bad and I don’t want to recap it. It was supposed to be funny. It was not. This went for nearly seven minutes in a 38-minute show.
– There were highlights of Judias vs. Thrillbilly Silas with Silas winning after hitting the Thrillride. James Mitchell gave a chair to Judias to attack after the match, but Silas got away.
– Chris Adonis was in the arena before the show with Joe Galli and challenged NWA Champion Tyrus to a match at NWA 312 in Chicago.
Bully Ray defeated Mike Knox by DQ
Knox attacked Ray before the bell rang, hitting Ray with weapons and choking him. The referee rang the bell to start the match and threatened the referee before hitting Ray with a chair. The match ended in a DQ, lasting less than ten seconds. I am not sure if the referee thew this out as a no contest, or if it was a DQ, but I’m going with DQ because Knox attacked first.
Ray enlisted a fan to help him get a table out from under the ring. As he was setting it up, Matt Cardona ran in and saved Knox. Cardona and Knox argued when Cardona commanded Knox to put Ray through the table. Knox then chokeslammed Cardona through the table instead. This had zero build. Knox then flipped Cardona off and left him alone to deal with Ray.
Final thoughts:
Well, the first 21 minutes of this show was good while the last 17 were not. The angle with Stevens and Valentine may have been one of the worst angles I have ever seen. I am not sure if it tops TNA stuff from their peak of bad, but it was not good at all.
This week’s show featured not just one but two NWA Women’s Tag Team title matches in addition to a NWA National title match.
Mims & Dak Draper defeated Blunt Force Trauma (Carnage & Damage) (w/ Aron Stevens) via DQ
What a horrific finish. A DQ finish can work sometimes, but there was no reason for this. The announcers at least asked why Stevens would use a loaded glove right in front of the referee. It seems like they are trying to tell a story with Stevens being insane or something.
Damage and Carnage immediately got the heat on Mims to the joy of Stevens on the floor. Carnage did most of the work here as Damage (aka Rodney Mack) is limited to the occasional power move being in his 50s. Stevens punched Mims in the face with his loaded glove right in front of the referee for the DQ and terrible finish.
– NWA TV Champion Thom Latimer and NWA World Champion Tyrus were backstage, talking about working together against EC3 and BLK Jeez.
Kerry Morton segment
NWA Junior Heavyweight Champion Kerry Morton was with Kyle Davis at the podium and he talked about how he got into an argument with his dad (Ricky Morton), but that happens with families. They took a loss in the Champions Series as a team, but they are back on the same page again.
Jamie Stanley walked out and challenged Morton tonight for a shot at the title on behalf of Joe Alonzo. Morton said he would give him a shot if Alonzo beats a person of his choosing. That is typically a heel gimmick, but it made sense here — just not from the babyface making him jump through hoops. Typically, the heel does that to prevent the match from happening like the whole Bryan Danielson/MJF feud.
NWA National Heavyweight Champion Cyon (w/ Austin Idol) & Kratos went to a time limit draw
If they actually worked a match here rather than stalling with Cyon’s slower offense, this could have been a good one even with the draw finish. This was a long ten minutes as opposed to the very fast 27 minutes of Mercedes Mone vs. KAIRI at NJPW Battle in the Valley. I don’t really blame Kratos as Cyon can be good when he wants to be, but this was a nothing match.
Kratos and Cyon are both heels, so the crowd wasn’t sure who to get behind. This seems to be a weekly thing. Kratos is awesome though, nonetheless, and hit a great stalling vertical suplex. Cyon rolled to the floor and Kratos followed. The champion drove Kratos face-first into the ring post, targeting the wound Kratos got at the Nuff Said PPV.
Cyon got the heat with some rather boring offense. Kratos started to make a comeback and the bell rang as time expired
– Thrillbilly Silas was backstage with James Mitchell, who apparently has not left the company. Silas claimed he was going to beat Judias next week.
Matt Cardona defeated Odinson
This is probably the best match on the show. The YouTube chat was confused about Odinson now being a babyface when he was a heel a few weeks ago, so I am glad I wasn’t the only one.
Odinson used his power to throw Cardona around in the early going. He went for a shoulder tackle in the corner and Cardona moved, so Odinson crashed into the ring post. Cardona then sent him into the ring steps, continuing to attack the shoulder. Cardona hit a neckbreaker for a two count. Odinson hit a running uppercut for a two count and then went for an F10, but Cardona countered into an armbreaker to target the shoulder.
Cardona hit the Reboot for a two count. Cardona sent Odinson to the ropes, but he responded with the pounce. However, Cardona got his feet on the ropes on the subsequent pin attempt. Cardona took advantage of Odinson moving the ref out of the way and hit him with the Purpose Canister to knock him out and get the win.
Cardona then called out Bully Ray, saying any time, any place, they can fight. Ray came out and Cardona said, “Well, not right now,” which was funny. Cardona said Ray could face him if he went through Mike Knox. Ray said that he would beat him now, but he’ll beat Knox a second time if he had to.
– Pretty Empowered and NWA Women’s Tag Team Champions The Renegade Twins cut promos on each other. Envy claimed they weren’t real twins, which was amusing as they are fraternal twins, not identical.
– BLK Jeez and EC3 have united for The Church’s Money Entertainment, working with CYN. At least Jeez was charismatic in his promo, but much of this made zero sense. EC3 said things that didn’t make sense, other than him wanting to use Jeez to market himself, I think. EC3 then noted he was going after Cyon, so yet another heel vs. heel match. Galli noted that there was an affiliation between Jeez and Cyon through Austin Idol, but EC3 said he was controlling his narrative. Okay.
Pretty Empowered 2.0 (Ella Envy & Roxy) defeated the Renegade Twins (Charlette & Robyn Renegade) to win the NWA Women’s Tag Team titles
This was fine but nothing great. However, the crowd was into it.
Roxy and Envy took it right to both of the Renegade Twins, beating them around ringside before Roxy hit a neck snap on Charlette. Roxy choked her against the ropes and tagged out to Envy. Charlette hit some hard chops on Roxy, but was soon double teamed again.
Envy went for a cannonball in the corner, but Charlette dodged and tagged out to Robyn. Robyn stood in the middle of the ring waiting for Roxy, who was on the apron. Roxy is still green, folks.
Robyn hit double knees in the corner and a low dropkick for a pin attempt that was broken up by Envy. Roxy countered an O’Connor roll from Robyn and pulled the tights to get the pin and the title win.
Kenzie and Kylie Paige came out to celebrate as it looks like Kenzie’s younger sister is officially in Pretty Empowered as well. Missa Kate and Madi immediately came out with a referee and cashed in Madi’s Champions Series title shot.
Missa Kate & Madi defeated Pretty Empowered 2.0 (Ella Envy & Roxy) to win the NWA Women’s Tag Team titles
This was quick. Kate hit the Kick Filet on Roxy followed by Madi hitting the Reality Check scissor kick to get the pin and title change. Weren’t Missa Kate and Madi not getting along recently? In fact, didn’t they break up? What a weird finish.
Final Thoughts:
They tried to make this episode noteworthy with the title changes, but the Champions Series is still one of the worst ways to do it. Having a Money in the Bank-esque option for so many people on the roster is dumb and while it can create surprise title changes, that really isn’t the key to good booking or storytelling as evidenced by Kate and Madi not getting along recently.
This week’s NWA Power was the go-home show for this Saturday’s Nuff Said pay-per-view that saw some new matches added.
Kratos defeated Thrillbilly Silas (w/ Pollo Del Mar)
This was a solid match with Kratos getting the win. Silas has potential, but he is still quite rough around the edges. Kratos remains awesome, and I hope a main event run is in the future for him. Del Mar also took a heck of a bump off a pounce.
Kratos immediately dumped Silas to the floor. Silas did not enjoy this and ran back into the ring. Kratos hit a flying forearm in the corner that looked awesome. Silas hit the ropes and hit a flying shoulder tackle. I believe I forgot to mention this last week, but Silas has gotten in really great shape. Silas and Kratos exchanged hard strikes until Kratos hit a drop toe hold into the turnbuckle.
Kratos hit a slam and climbed to the top rope. Silas grabbed Kratos’ goatee and threw him off the ropes before hitting a series of running strikes in the corner, later hitting a running powerslam. Kratos rallied with a spinebuster and went back to striking in the corner before suplexing Silas across the ring. Del Mar got back in the ring to try and save Silas, so Kratos hit a pounce on Del Mar. He then hit a flying knee strike on Silas for the pin and win.
The Renegade Twins (Charlette & Robyn) defeated Roxy & Ella Envy (w/ Kenzie Paige)
The twins winning made sense given they are trying to setup a title match with Pretty Empowered for the PPV, especially with Envy getting pinned. That said, the debut of Kylie Paige could have been handled better and having her cause her team a match is not the best way to make it work. She does look a lot like Kenzie, based on first impressions, so they may be able to do some twin magic down the line.
As the Pretty Empowered faction were making their way down to ringside, Kyle Davis announced that Kenzie Paige was going to be handcuffed to the ring post which she protested heavily. Robyn Renegade started the match with Envy, dropkicking her into the corner and hitting double knees to Envy’s back.
Roxy tagged in and took it to Charlette, trying to impress Paige and Envy to keep her position in Pretty Empowered. Envy stomped Charlette in the corner before hitting a cannonball. Roxy choked Robyn on the ropes and Envy screamed, “I’m almost proud of you!” and I laughed. This really is a great act.
Roxy and Robyn clotheslined each other and both went down. Both women tagged out and Charlette hit a Thesz press on Envy. That was followed by a fisherman’s suplex on Envy who kicked out. As this happened, Kylie Paige, the sister of Kenzie Paige, debuted and tried to get the handcuffs off her sister. She then jumped on the apron and tried to distract the Renegade Twins, but it resulted in Envy getting hit with a Hart Attack for the pinfall.
– May Valentine, still in her wedding dress, was with Matt Cardona saying that she couldn’t get over last week’s botched wedding with Aron Stevens, thus why she was still wearing the dress a week later. Anyway, Cardona said that he shouldn’t even be wrestling tonight, but he planned on winning so he can call the shots with a stipulation for his title match against Tyrus this weekend.
Cardona said that he had a third partner for tonight that didn’t like Tyrus and that he would tell Knox who it was after the interview.
NWA TV Champion Jordan Clearwater (w/ BLK Jeez) vs. Mims went to a time limit draw
Mims looked like a geek in this finish, going to a time limit draw and wasting his Champions Series shot already. He would have been better off cashing in for the PPV and not being restricted by TV time. Also, going for a bearhug with only 15 seconds left rather than hitting a suplex for a pin attempt? I’m really not sure about the booking on this one.
Clearwater claimed all the ladies wanted to see him as he hinted at gyrating. In a nice touch that I just noticed, Clearwater’s finisher is the Midas Touch which is a big boot. The boot he uses to hit the move is gold. Clearwater tried to stall for time as it counts as a successful defense if he goes the time limit, but Mims took it right to him with a lariat.
Clearwater necked Mims on the ropes and did it a second time on the middle rope before coming back in the ring and choking him. Clearwater hit a vertical suplex on Mims for a two count. He locked in a chinlock on Mims to try and keep him grounded, but Mims keeps firing back with strikes, followed by a series of clotheslines.
Mims called for the Big Strong Slam, but Clearwater rolled him up and then both men started exchanging roll-ups. Clearwater went for the Midas Touch, but Mims countered into a bear hug and the time limit ran out.
– Valentine was with Stevens and she asked him what happened. Stevens talked about the tag team division and Blunt Force Trauma. Valentine said she was talking about the wedding. Stevens went on about how the officiant was an idiot, and that Blunt Force Trauma would be Tag Team Champions soon, cutting the promo like an 80s manager. Valentine screamed that she hated him. This sucked.
Thom Latimer defeated Jax Dane (w/ Chris Silvio, Esq.)
This was a bizarre finish. The match was fine and I loved the distraction spot because it was so stupid, but a heel being that dumb makes all the sense in the world. The fan simply sharing that he emailed asking for an autograph leading to the heel stopping, deciding to sign it during a match, and paying for it made my day. It’s so ridiculous, but that is exactly why I loved it.
Dane continued the gimmick of leaving his vest on to show he wasn’t planning on keeping the match going long. Dane hit a shoulder tackle and then went to the outside of the ring. Chris Silvio ran up to Dane and asked Dane to sign an autograph to give to a fan who said, “I emailed you a while back!”
Naturally, this led to Latimer attacking Dane from behind (after the autograph was signed, because Latimer is a babyface after all) and I laughed at how ridiculous this distraction spot was. The ref then turned around to see Silvio grabbing the foot of Latimer openly yet he did nothing. Dane hit a few chop blocks and worked over Latimer. Thankfully, the follow up interference was actually missed by the ref.
Latimer hit a roll-up and then stomped on Dane in the corner, but sold his leg in the process. Dane shoved Latimer off the middle rope and hit a shoulder tackle before trying to smash his leg into the ring post. Latimer pulled Dane face-first into the post. Dane tried to pop the trunk with his lariat, but Latimer pulled Dane into a crossface and Silvio threw in the towel.
Silvio tried to pull the towel away from Latimer, but Latimer pulled him in and went for a piledriver. Silvio got away as Latimer’s knee gave out.
NWA World Champion Tyrus (w/ BLK Jeez) & Blunt Force Trauma (Damage & Carnage) (w/ Aron Stevens) defeated The Cardona Family (Matt Cardona & Mike Knox) & Rolando Freeman
Davis’ disbelief as Freeman entered as the mystery partner was fantastic. Cardona justified it by saying Freeman had defeated him in the past so the guy that had his number is now his partner. The referee took his time checking for weapons, discovering a weapon (a silver chain) in Freeman’s tights. The referee then found another chain in his knee pad…then a shiv in his boot while Cardona and Knox looked on baffled.
Freeman blind tagged in and Tyrus hit him with the worst Tongan death grip I have ever seen to get the win. Tyrus got to pick the stipulation for the Nuff Said match with Cardona, saying it would be one-on-one with no outside interference to determine who would be undisputed champion.
Final Thoughts:
This show was fun right up until the finish of the last match. I even laughed at Freeman having a shiv in his boot while Cardona and Knox looked on. Tyrus got away with doing no work, which is probably for the best, but I can’t say the main event build for Nuff Said was any good at all. That said, the rest of the card could have some good matches. I actually really enjoyed this episode of Power, minus Tyrus and the nonsensical Valentine/Stevens stuff.
NWA Nuff Said final card:
NWA World Champion Tyrus defends against Matt Cardona (w/ Bully Ray on commentary)
NWA National Champion Cyon defends against Homicide
NWA Women’s Champion Kamille defends against Angelina Love in a no DQ match
Thom Latimer vs. Fodder in a Singapore cane match
Trevor Murdoch vs. Chris Adonis
EC3 vs. Kevin Kiley (fka Alex Riley)
NWA Junior Heavyweight Champion Kerry Morton defends against Alex Taylor
NWA Tag Team Champions La Rebelion defend Blunt Force Trauma (w/ Aron Stevens)
Max the Impaler, Natalia Markova, Jennacide, Mercurio, and Thrillbilly Silas in TBA action
Tuesday marks a milestone for the NWA as they go live with a special edition of NWA Power as the road to next month’s Nuff Said continues.
The show will be headlined by Team Tyrus vs. Team Rock n’ Roll in the finals of the Champions Series where the winners all earn anytime, anywhere title shots.
NWA World Champion Tyrus and Matt Cardona will be on hand to sign the contract for their title match at the February 11th pay-per-view. Cardona will also be in action.
Bully Ray will face Odinson in a no tables match while NWA Junior Heavyweight Champion Kerry Morton will also compete against an opponent to be named as will NWA Women’s Tag Team Champions Pretty Empowered.
NWA US Tag Team Champions The Fixers will defend against The Country Gentlemen, and NWA Women’s Champion Kamille will team with Thom Latimer against Angelina Love & Fodder.
Aron Stevens and May Valentine will also have a wedding ceremony officiated by Santino Marella.
**********
NWA Power opened with a nice graphic for Jay Briscoe before Kyle Davis ran down the Champions Series thus far.
Davis was in the ring with Odinson who explained why he challenged Bully Ray to a no tables match, saying he didn’t need weapons — he was the weapon himself. He then dedicated his match to Odin, saying he was doing it for him.
Odinson defeated Bully Ray by DQ in a no tables match
The announcers claimed that Odinson must have planned for this to happen, but I can’t imagine he planned to be put through a table when he clearly tried to put Ray through it. So, we have Ray and Odinson going to a time limit draw a few weeks ago, then going to a DQ here. This must be setting up a n o DQ match, though it didn’t require the “no tables” gimmick to make sense.
All of this would have worked without that, but the crowd did give Odinson heat for saying he wouldn’t need one and then grabbing one in the match. He still would have got the same heat without the stip.
Before the bell, as Ray was celebrating on the middle rope, Odinson attacked and low blowed Ray. Ray demanded for the referee to ring the bell anyway, and rolled up Odinson for a two count. Odinson got some heat after a dropkick, but Bully Ray responded with a Bully-to-back suplex as Joe Galli called it.
Both men stood up and traded blows until Odinson hit a belly-to-belly suplex and a pounce for a two count. Odinson went for the F10, but Ray slipped out and shoved Odinson into the referee. Odinson hit an uppercut, grabbed a table under the ring and set it up. The referee stood up and turned around to see Ray countering the F10 again and putting Odinson through the table to be DQ’d.
– Davis was with Thrillbilly Silas and Pollo Del Mar. Silas claimed he was planning on winning the Champions Series and he was going to cash in on NWA World Champion Tyrus, but he had something to settle with National Champion Cyon and Austin Idol first.
The Country Gentlemen (AJ Cazana & Anthony Andrews) defeated The Fixers (Wrecking Ball Legursky & Jay Bradley) to win the NWA United States Tag Team titles
The crowd was very hot for this match despite the action being a bit of a mess. That said, the crowd being super into it made it an entertaining watch and they loved seeing Cazana and Andrews win the titles.
Cazana and Bradley started with the two big men exchanging holds. Andrews and Cazana used each other as weapons against Legursky, but Andrews was unable to slam Legursky. Legursky tried to throw his own partner at Andrews, but Andrews rolled out of the way. Cazana tagged in, but ate a lariat from Bradley.
Legursky and Bradley isolated Cazana in the corner. They got the heat on Cazana for the next few minutes. Legursky missed a headbutt and got hit with one from Cazana, who then tagged out to Andrews. Andrews hit a knee and then, things fell apart a little bit until Bradley hit a gutwrench suplex on Andrews. Cazana dodged a corner charge from Legursky and rolled him up for the pinfall.
World title contract signing
Matt Cardona and Mike Knox made their way out to the ring for the contract signing for his match against NWA World Champion Tyrus. The announcers talked about how Tyrus had problems with the contract and that we knew about it, but we didn’t because it was never mentioned before this or on TV. Davis then said he had the contract and mentioned Tyrus having problems with it.
Tyrus then said he didn’t have problems with it, so it appears they can’t keep the story straight. Cardona then said he was the one with the problem and that he wanted to pick the stipulations. So, there was clearly some miscommunications in this story.
Cardona then said that he needed to be champ. BLK Jeez then said that if they do a six man tag, they’ll let Cardona pick the stips, so that was made for next week.
Kenzie Paige defeated Charlette Renegade
It was advertised that this was going to be Pretty Empowered both in action, but Paige came out alone for this match. It is possible Envy will be in a match later.
Renegade hit a delayed fisherman’s suplex, which was impressive, for a two count to open the match. Paige rolled outside and ran around the ring, baiting Renegade into a chase, but Renegade dodged a leg drop. Renegade hit a lariat, but Paige was able to backtrack to the turnbuckle and pull her into the middle turnbuckle followed by a uranage.
Renegade hit a spinebuster after blocking what looked like a cutter from Paige. Paige hit a superkick and then grabbed the tag title, ready to hit Renegade, but the referee took the belt away. Paige pulled a small spray bottle out of her top and then sprayed Renegade with it before rolling her up for the win.
– Davis was with Thom Latimer and Kamille as they announced that there were travel issues for Psycho Love. As they were talking about how they were not able to get there, Psycho Love came out and attacked the two from behind.
Fodder and Angelina Love rolled Latimer and Kamille into the ring as Fodder beat on Latimer with a kendo stick. Love then hit the Botox Injection on Kamille, leaving both laying in the ring.
Team Rock n’ Roll defeated Team Tyrus in a Team War to win the Champions Series
This match was a complete mess, so I have recapped each match individually to try and keep track of it. The rules were not clearly explained with the winner of the fall being able to choose their next opponent, nor were the team captains or assistants allowed to compete.
What a disaster of a match that was utterly confusing start to finish and had no time for any of the eliminations to sink in before the next one happened. This was terrible in every way.
La Rosa Negra defeated Allysin Kay
Kay went for a piledriver, but Negra hit a TKO and locked on a submission to submit Kay.
Robyn Renegade defeated La Rosa Negra
Negra hit a series of kicks, a fireman’s carry into a face-first slam, and a buzzsaw kick for a two count. Renegade and Negra botched a crucifix pin, so Renegade just settled for it being a submission and Negra tapped out.
Madi defeated Robyn Renegade
Madi hit the Reality Check quickly for the pinfall.
Samantha Starr defeated Madi
Starr hit at DDT to pin Madi quickly.
Taya Valkyrie defeated Samantha Starr
We actually got a little action in this before Valkyrie hit the Road to Valhalla, but not a lot.
Carnage defeated Taya Valkyrie
Valkyrie picked Carnage as her opponent, but EC3 distracted her. Carnage threw her over the top rope.
Carnage defeated Mims
Mims came in and ate a flatliner for the pin.
Chris Adonis defeated Carnage
Adonis dodged a dropkick and went for the Master Lock, but fought out. Carnage hit the ropes and Adonis hit a spinebuster for three.
Chris Adonis defeated Trevor Murdoch
Murdoch came in the ring, but Adonis took it right to him. Adonis threw Murdoch over the top rope and he was extremely upset, so Murdoch pulled Adonis to the floor and beat him up.
Thrillbilly Silas defeated Chris Adonis
Silas came in and hit a Thrillride for the three.
Thrillbilly Silas defeated Alex Taylor
Taylor hit a big head scissors on Silas who then caught Taylor in a dive off the rope with the Thrillride for the win.
Dak Draper defeated Thrillbilly Silas
Draper was the last one left for Team Rock n’ Roll, and Draper hit a crossbody and then a slingshot into a cradle. Silas caught Draper and hit a slam for a two count. Silas went for the Thrillride, but Draper countered into a sunset flip to eliminate Silas.
Dak Draper defeated EC3
EC3 went after Draper right away, attacking and beating on Draper. EC3 attempted to throw Draper out, but Draper landed on the apron. EC3 went for a Thesz press, landed without touching Draper, but the ref counted it as a pin anyway. Draper kicked out at two.
EC3 got in the face with Ricky Morton on the floor. EC3 tried to throw Draper out again, but he landed on the apron and then got a jackknife pin on EC3 to end the series.
Aron Stevens/May Valentine wedding
Sam Temo (aka Santino) was the minister. Temo said, “I am nobody else that you think!” in his Santino voice. He asked for Stevens to read his vows. Stevens read a poem that Lanny Poffo would be ashamed of. The fans booed most of this.
Valentine claimed that Stevens made her believe in love again. Pollo Del Mar objected to the wedding, saying Stevens was going to embarrass her. Chris Silvio, Esq. came out and objected to Jax Dane not headlining the first live NWA Power. Mercurio objected, saying she should marry him.
Natalya Markova objected, saying she was speaking for all women in the world that Stevens was fake. As Markova was saying this, it seemed she fell in love with Mercurio. Stevens pulled out the marriage license but apparently it was not a legal one, because it was the wrong one for someone with a green card.
Valentine said that she was a permanent resident, but Temo said it was the wrong license and they couldn’t get married today. She threw her bouquet at Stevens and tore the set apart with the gifts.
This is, by far, one of the worst segments I have ever seen in wrestling. Valentine picked up the champagne bottle and broke it over Damage’s head. The show then went off the air.
Final Thoughts:
Goodness, this show was bad:
A match that was advertised didn’t take place.
Pretty Empowered was not in action, but Kenzie Paige was.
The Team War match to end the Champions Series was a disaster.
The best match on the card was for the NWA US Tag Team Championship, but the rest of the show was not good at all.
The angle for the contract signing made little sense, but I tried my best to explain it.
The closing angle was Russo-riffic in its execution, though not quite as bad as peak TNA or WCW. They wasted 15 minutes on an angle that never made sense and that was confusing from day one with Stevens and Valentine’s relationship.
The upcoming live edition of NWA Power will feature the finals of the Champions Series which gives the winner future title shots at any time and any place.
The Tuesday, January 31st show from Knoxville, Tennessee, will see Team Rock n’ Roll (Taya Valkyrie, Madi Wrenkowski, Jennacide, Kerry Morton, Ricky Morton, Chris Adonis, Mims, Dak Draper, & Alex Taylor Willoughby) take on Team Tyrus (Samantha Starr, Kayla Kassidy, Allysin Kay, Carnage, EC3, Thrillbilly Silas, Trevor Murdoch, Rolando Perez, & BLK Jeez).
Here’s the current lineup for the show:
Champions Series finals: Team Tyrus vs. Team Rock n’ Roll
Nuff Said PPV contract signing between NWA World Champion Tyrus and Matt Cardona
NWA U.S. Tag Team Champions The Fixers defend against A.J. Cazana & Anthony Andrews
Bully Ray vs. Odinson in a no tables match
Psycho Love (Angelina Love & Fodder) vs. NWA Women’s Champion Kamille & Thom Latimer
Aron Stevens and May Valentine get married
NWA Junior Heavyweight Champion Kerry Morton in action
NWA Women’s Tag Team Champions Pretty Empowered in action
This week’s NWA Power opened with Team Tyrus talking about the Champions Series, and EC3 mumbling nonsense about narratives being controlled and Tyrus being the narrative since he is champ.
Team Rebelion cut a promo against Team Tyrus. EC3 said winning the series would bring him closer to his goals — goals of which he said he refused to speak about. I think the goal is to win a title shot since that is the reward for winning this series.
Then, it was time for action.
Team Tyrus (EC3, Thrillbilly Cyrus & Carnage) defeated Team Rebelion (Colby Corino, Joe Alonzo & Odinson)
Odinson was on another team before the start of this show, but the announcers told us he was drafted from Team Fixers. Also, in the last Champions Series, people only got one match in the series. EC3, and I think Odinson, are both working at least their second match. I’m confused.
Corino started, but it wasn’t long before Alonzo tagged in and angered his teammates. Alonzo hit a hurricanrana on Silas, but EC3 made him pay for wanting in the match by attacking him from the outside. Silas and EC3 worked together to floor Alzono, getting heat on him for several minutes until he hit a DDT on Silas and made the tag to Odinson. Odinson got some hope spots, but Silas soon hit a Thrillride on Corino leading to EC3 submitting him shortly after.
In a series of individual sit-downs, La Rosa Negra and Taya Valkyrie talked about their issues, and Angelina Love and Valkyrie then talked about their upcoming match. Apparently, Valkyrie put Negra in the hospital and turned heel.
Taya Valkyrie defeated Angelina Love via DQ
Valkyrie hit Angelina hard in the early going, but Love fought to the ropes while in a submission attempt. Valkyrie stood up, got hit with a flatliner, and Love then locked on a Koji Clutch. Valkyrie made the ropes but Love didn’t let go, so a grade one DQ was called which matters in the Series points.
Taya Valkyrie defeated Angelina Love
Love kicked a turnbuckle into Valkyrie’s face as she was leaning against it before hitting a dropkick for a two count. Valkyrie yanked Love’s hair and pulled Love to the mat backward, sitting out for a two count. Valkyrie hit a hip attack in the corner and then double knees in the corner for another two count. Velvet Sky completely misread the facial expression of Valkyrie, who was smiling and not shocked that Love kicked out.
Love hit a series of clotheslines. As I was writing that, someone in the YouTube chat wrote that The Death Dollz (Valkyrie & Jessicka in Impact) vs. The Allure (Angelina Love & Mandy Leon in ROH) would be a dream match. Well, I suppose it is for them, but not for many. Valkyrie hit Road to Valhalla on Love for the pinfall.
– Aron Stevens and May Valentine were backstage, and they talked about how they didn’t go to Brazil. Stevens suggested they get married with every cliché term, but Valentine didn’t understand. So, he just said it outright, and Valentine suggested they had James Mitchell do the ceremony right now. Stevens then told he to take a long time to plan it.
– Samantha Starr & Kayla Kassidy talked about their upcoming match with Max the Impaler & Ashley D’Amboise. I wasn’t aware any of these people were on Team Tyrus or Team Rebelion.
Team Tyrus (Samantha Starr & Kayla Kassidy) defeated Team Rebelion (Max the Impaler & Ashley D’Amboise)
It was during this match that the announcers talked about people being out of the tournament due to losing while the others finished their match. Yet, we saw people earlier in their second match still in the tournament. This does not make sense.
Kassidy started with Max, but soon requested to be in the ring with D’Amboise. This actually worked out for Kassidy, who ran wild. Max tagged back in and hit a Vader body press that leveled Kassidy, later curb stomping her into the bottom turnbuckle for a near fall. Max tagged out and used D’Amboise as a weapon on Kassidy.
D’Amboise hit a leg drop and then a very ugly looking attempt at a curb stomp. Kassidy dodged a corner charge and tagged out to Starr. She slammed D’Amboise into the mat multiple times, but D’Amboise was able to tag out after a jaw breaker. Max immediately charged Starr and started hitting strikes before throwing Starr across the ring and getting another near fall.
D’Amboise blind tagged in, causing Max to shove D’Amboise. This led to Starr hitting the StarrStruck DDT for the pin. Team Tyrus advanced to the finals of the Champions Series, apparently.
Team Great (Missa Kate & Natalya Markova) defeated Team Rock N’ Roll (Madi & Jennacide)
We were informed that Madi was drafted from Team Brickhouse, which again, is the first I heard of drafts in this tournament. That detail would have been nice to know at the start of the tournament so we could understand what was going on. Leaving the announcers to try and piece together the nonsensical storytelling after the fact is a clear sign of bad booking and not knowing what you are doing.
Unfortunately, my frustration at not understanding the rules of the Champions Series took away from what was actually a good match. The performers were excellent in this one with Jennacide and Markova in particular looking awesome.
Madi was keen to let Jennacide do the heavy lifting for their team with Markova and Jennacide bringing the wrestlers who comprised the audience to applause for their battle. Madi missed some attempt at offense and Markova went for a submission. Madi countered into a bow and arrow which Markova got out of, followed by a drop toehold that sent Madi tagging out to Kate.
Kate locked up Madi in a pretzel-like submission, but Jennacide broke it up. Markova and Jennacide started brawling, ending with Jennacide hitting a spinebuster. Kate superkicked Madi, but Jennacide took her out. Markova hit a dropkick that sent Jennacide to the floor. Markova then locked on a brutal looking submission on Madi for the win. I wish I could describe it, but it was awesome.
Either way, Team Rock N’ Roll and Team Great are now tied, leading to a final playoff match.
Team Rock N’ Roll (Ricky & Kerry Morton) defeated Team Great (Cyon & Sal the Pal) (w/ Austin Idol)
As much as I have no idea who is on what team, I still really enjoyed this match because Ricky Morton’s selling was so good. Kerry Morton had a great hot tag, and Cyon and Sal were great heels. This was a classic, old school tag match with the Mortons being classic babyfaces — excellent, basic wrestling.
Sal started with Kerry Morton and creeped him out with his wackiness. Kerry picked Sal up on his shoulders and hit the Finley Roll. Cyon stared forward on the apron like he didn’t care about his partner getting beat on. Ricky Morton hit a shoulderblock on Sal, but got into an argument with Austin Idol, who was on the floor. Ricky and Idol know each other well from the territory days.
Idol taunted Ricky to come after him, but Cyon tagged in and attacked him on the floor. Cyon then got the heat on Ricky for the next few minutes, following the classic Rock ‘n’ Roll Express formula. Sal bit Ricky and hit an elbow in the corner. Cyon missed a corner charge and the wrestlers in the audience went wild. I think they were legitimately marking out for Ricky getting the hot tag to his son. Kerry blocked a superkick and hit a V-Trigger for the win on Sal to help Team Rock N’ Roll advance.
The Champions Series now has their finalists with Team Tyrus and Team Rock N’ Roll which will happen on the live episode of NWA Power on January 31. Calling this the season finale, the NWA seemed to indicate there were going to be no more episodes until then so we will have to see what they have until then, if anything.
Final Thoughts:
The wrestling on this show was mostly good, but it is so hard to invest in the stories being told because they make so little sense. Or, if they make sense, they aren’t explaining how. As I said in another recap, it’s like reading a book with half the pages torn out. There could be good stories here, but it gets bogged down by the booking so badly. Add in the ridiculously complicated Champions Series rules that keep changing and this only becomes a more frustrating experience for a viewer.
I want this show to be good. It could be great. They have a lot of talented people working for them. But, the booking is failing them again and again.
A year after they first announced their All Access plan for FITE, the NWA changed course on Tuesday and will be reverting back to the way they used to do business with both their weekly TV shows and pay-per-views.
Starting on Tuesday, their flagship NWA Power weekly TV show will return to debuting on YouTube at 6:05 PM Eastern while there is no change to their NWA USA show that airs on YouTube on Saturdays.
Monthly and annual All Access plans on FITE are no longer available for purchase. In their release, it was stated that the annual plans (sold for $49.99/year) began being phased out last August and that those who still have active annual subscriptions will be able to watch live PPVs until their subscription expires.
For non-annual subscription users, NWA PPVs will return to being available on FITE for individual purchase.
While not specifically stated, it’s believed the NWA will continue with six yearly PPVs as they added two last year in conjunction with the All Access announcement. The first ever Nuff Said PPV is set for February 11th in Tampa, Florida.
This week’s Super Power edition of NWA’s weekly TV show saw World Champion Tyrus in action.
NWA Television Champion Jordan Clearwater (w/ Austin Idol) defeated Mercurio to retain
The heel vs. heel dynamic is always a detriment to these matches despite the action being decent in the ring.
The show opened with a TV title match and continued the tradition of NWA booking heel vs. heel matches for some reason, leaving the wrestlers who are making up the fans this week largely silent, even though they are paid to be there.
Outside of the booking, this was actually a decent match. Clearwater sold a fair bit for Mercurio in the four minutes this match lasted. Mercurio was able to show more of his offense then usual, including hitting a nice brainbuster onto his own knee. Austin Idol grabbed Mercurio’s feet to distract him, leading to Clearwater hitting the Midas Touch for the pinfall.
The Mortons (Ricky & Kerry Morton) defeated NWA U.S. Tag Team Champions The Fixers (Jay Bradley & Wrecking Ball Legursky) in a non-title match
In a direct opposite of the first match, this was a classic babyfaces vs. heels match here with the Mortons winning to (hopefully) setup a U.S. tag title match down the line. I suspect it will be on NWA USA, but nonetheless, this was a decent little match to set up a TV title match for later.
Ricky Morton and Jay Bradley started and Ricky was able to get an arm wringer and tag out to Kerry quickly. Bradley fought out of it and slammed Kerry, but missed a knee drop and got hit with a headscissors. I’m not sure if that was a mistake, but Bradley stood right up, hit a knee, and tagged out to Legursky.
Joe Galli claimed Legursky ate seven pizzas in catering earlier and that was just a warmup. Legursky caught Kerry on a crossbody and the Fixers sandwiched him. Bradley beat up on Kerry in front of a cheering Colby Corino as babyface Rush Freeman cheered their tactics. No wonder why I’m confused about who the babyfaces and heels are in this company.
Bradley went for a back body drop, but Kerry tried a cradle. Bradley blocked it and hit a suplex, and the Fixers continued to get the heat on the younger Morton. Legursky missed sitting down on the sunset flip and Kerry was able to tag out to his dad. The Fixers hit a double shoulder tackle on Ricky, though. However, they missed a corner charge and Morton rolled up Legursky for the pin.
Jeremiah Plunkett (w/ Danny Dealz) defeated Traxx & Garrison Creed in a three-way
I really like Plunkett’s work, but his gear is some of the worst in wrestling as a cheetah print singlet does not suit him well.
Plunkett and Creed worked together for parts of this, trying to keep the babyface Traxx at bay. Plunkett and Creed played the dumb heels, accidentally punching each other until they started fighting, leaving Traxx in position to clothesline both men and hit a runaway train (shoulder attacks in the corner.) Creed took out Traxx with a knee but ate a piledriver from Plunkett after a Saito suplex for the pin.
Damage (w/ Aron Stevens) defeated Question Mark II
Stevens distracted Question Mark, leading to Question Mac, I mean Damage, attacking and getting the heat on Question Mark. Damage used a nerve hold~! on Question Mark about 30 seconds into the match and then returned to it again after about a minute. Question Mark hit a throat thrust and a forearm before hitting a kick to the head after powering up his chi. Stevens threw his roll of paper in the ring and hit a loaded glove shot to the back of Mark’s head, leading to the pin.
NWA Women’s Champion Kamille defeated Kenzie Paige by DQ
This match was awesome, and I understand why they didn’t want to beat either one as they are both champions, but holy cow, what a terrible finish. This match was honestly great until the end and I don’t think Paige would have been hurt losing clean to Kamille here.
With Kamille spearing both members of Pretty Empowered after the match, Kamille gets one up on them despite not actually winning, which indicates there is going to be no follow up to this, making the finish even more baffling.
Paige, one half of the NWA Women’s Tag Team Champions, ducked under a lockup and posed in a ridiculous way that was perfect for her heel character. Kamille was not impressed. Kamille threw the Pretty Empowered member around the ring in the early going, including sending Paige flying into the turnbuckle in a way that would make Bret Hart proud.
Paige was able to snap Kamille’s arm over the ropes after rolling to the apron to escape, and Paige did not waste time, attacking the arm and shoulder. Trevor Murdoch, a member of Team Pretty in the Champions Series, was seen encouraging Paige despite this not being a Champions Series match. Murdoch is supposed to be a babyface (I think) and Paige is a heel, so it is a bit confusing again, but at least the team aspect gives it some logic.
Paige yelled “I’m the champ!” as Kamille kept fighting out of her arm attacks. Paige missed a corner charge and Kamille hit an Oklahoma stampede for a two count. Paige went right back to the arm but Kamille fought out of a fireman’s carry and got her in a torture rack before hitting a torture rack bomb for another two count. Murdoch was legitimately marking out for this in the crowd.
Paige blocked a spear by hitting a knee and locked in a crossface. Kamille got the ropes and pushed off them with her feet to roll into a Samoan drop on Paige for another two count. Kamille missed a pump kick, but Kamille countered a wheelbarrow with a rear naked choke.
As Kamille was putting Paige to sleep, Ella Envy jumped into the ring and the referee immediately DQ’d her…even though they have not DQ’d people for simply entering the ring before. Kamille speared Paige and Envy after the match.
Idolmania Sports Management (NWA World Champion Tyrus, NWA TV Champion Jordan Clearwater & NWA National Champion Cyon) defeated NWA Tag Team Champions La Rebelion & Joe Alonzo
Well, they did a good job burying La Rebelion in this match even if it wasn’t intentional. Zlonzo, who they decked out in matching gear, was beat on for the majority of the match, and after a brief 30-second comeback, they lost after Alonzo tagged back in. What a geek.
This was Clearwater’s second match tonight and I’m not sure if the editor noticed as the commentary team wasn’t talking like he wrestled earlier in the night. This was another heel vs. heel match, though Alonzo has been a babyface in other matches, so maybe he is the only babyface in the match.
Idolmania Sports Management got the heat on Alonzo for several minutes with slams with Tyrus trying to do one thing and tagging out before he got gassed. Thankfully, Cyon and Clearwater took the bulk of the work in this match for their team.
Idolmania’s team got the heat for over six of the eight minutes of the match, but Alonzo finally tagged out to Mecha Wolf after a superkick to Clearwater. Mecha Wolf took Tyrus off the apron, who stepped down to the floor slowly before throwing himself into the lap of Aron Stevens who fell out of his chair. This was hilarious at how bad Tyrus was.
Alonzo quickly tagged himself back in and somehow Tyrus got back in the ring and hit the Tongan death grip for the win.
The wrestling on this episode was fine with Paige and Kamille being easily the best match of the night. The rest of it was rather inconsequential other then the Mortons presumably getting a US tag title match down the line.
This week’s NWA Power was all about the continuing Champions Series. As a reminder, it’s where teams of eight wrestle and every member of the winning team will receive title shots in the future. Points are awarded depending on the style of finish.
The show opened with Kerry Morton and Kenzie Paige introducing their teams: Team Rock ‘n’ Roll and Team Pretty. We now know the six (and final?) teams. Last week, we were told an algorithm chose the teams, but Morton said he chose Dak Draper and Mims while Rhett Titus was on Paige’s team. Trevor Murdoch was also on her team.
They added graphics this week to show who was on each team before their specific tag team matches which is a significant improvement. I was very pleased with this. It seems the week between shows allowed the production crew to make it a bit more clear who was facing who.
Trevor Murdoch & Rhett Titus (Team Pretty) defeated Mims & Dak Draper (Team Rock ‘n’ Roll)
A good match is a good match, and this was great. The finish was fantastic and Team Pretty actually came across like a team with all of them celebrating when Murdoch won. I liked that. As much as the points system is convoluted, booking the team like they did in this match was excellent.
Murdoch hit Mims hard after being tagged in after a friendly opening grapple between Mims and Titus. Murdoch crossfaced Mims and looked like he as going to beat the younger wrestler into oblivion, but Mims slammed him and hit a splash for a two count. Draper tagged in and shot for a single leg on Murdoch, who just stomped on his head and then tagged in Titus.
Kenzie Paige and Aron Stevens, who is both her assistant in the tournament, went nuts for everything Murdoch and Titus did, which added to the heat for the match. Stevens being the assistant for Pretty Empowered would be awesome and much better than his current feud with Question Mark II.
The wrestlers being the audience again this week made for a very hot crowd which makes these shows fun to watch. Draper hit a knee drop on Titus before tagging out to Mims. Mims and Draper were eager to show who was stronger at the expense of Titus who suffered through all the power moves.
Draper did a stretch muffler and tagged out to Mims after failing to tap him out. It is a bit weird that the babyfaces were getting the heat on Titus to make a hot tag to Murdoch, but technically both teams are babyfaces. Titus made the hot tag and took Mims’ head off with a series of lariats and a big boot, but got low bridged to the floor. Murdoch ran around the ring and hit a bulldog off the top rope on Mims, which was actually a really clever finish.
– After the intro, we saw the seventh and eighth teams (and final? I think?) in Team Rebelion and Team Gold. Chris Adonis was in the ring to take on Jax Dane. At least I know more about teams 5-8 then I do about teams 1-4 last week. The graphics, again, showed everyone who is on both teams and which guys were facing off. They were nice looking graphics as well.
Chris Adonis (Team Gold) defeated Jax Dane (Team Rebelion) via DQ
Normally the DQ would be a bad finish, but it actually played into the story of the tournament layout they are going for as it prevented Team Gold from getting six points for the submission, and got them three points for the DQ instead. It is still convolute, but actually made sense within the context of the rules they laid out.
Adonis tried to lock up with him multiple times, but Dane played the classic heel role running away. I will say that they introduced the idea of all the teams having assistants for the first time in this episode as opposed to co-captains like the last Champions Series. It makes me wonder who the assistants were for the previous teams. There were supposed to be no managers at ringside, but Chris Silvio, Esq. jumped on the apron and distracted Adonis before going back to the crowd.
Velvet Sky rightly said it should have been a DQ. Adonis got hit with a Samoan drop and put in a bear hug, but he fought out and hit a flying shoulder tackle. It is not often you see Adonis acting as the small babyface in a match.
Adonis hit a spinebuster and went for the Master Lock, but Dane shoved him back to the corner before hitting the Pop The Trunk lariat. La Rebelion asked him to do the Master Lock, so he tried, but Adonis fought out and put it on Dane, who low blowed Adonis to only let Team Gold get three points rather than six for the submission.
– Ella Envy and Kenzie Paige cut a great promo about how Paige was going to lead Team Pretty to victory.
Alex Taylor (Team Rock ‘n’ Roll) defeated Luke Hawx (Team Pretty)
After a short opening segment, Hawx took control after blocking a back leapfrog and hitting an awesome back suplex on Taylor. Taylor necked Hawx on the middle rope but held on and drove him face-first into the apron. Hawx got away from a Cradle Shock and hit a spinning kick with both men going down. Hawx hit a protoplex for a two count.
Taylor later shoved Hawx off the top rope and went for a senton, but missed. It seemed like Taylor slipped, but thankfully he landed okay. Hawx went to the top rope and Taylor cut him off, finally hitting Cradle Shock for the pinfall in a perfectly fine match.
Team Pretty and Team Rock ‘n’ Roll are tied at five points each.
– Chris Silvio, Esq and Jax Dane were with May Valentine. Silvio said the full nelson was an illegal hold that cuts off oxygen to the brain…which is not true. He also said he was in the hold for five minutes, but it was about ten seconds. Silvio said that the only thing that mattered was Dane coming out on top. He didn’t, so Dane might want to look into firing him for better representation.
– Jordan Clearwater cut a promo about being a captain and how he was an alternative last year. Team Rebelion buried him. Clearwater’s assistant was Magic Jake, who also cut a promo on Clearwater saying he wouldn’t be pushed around.
Colby Corino (Team Rebelion) defeated AJ Cazana (Team Gold)
This main event match was fantastic. It wasn’t long, but what they did made sense and had a built in story with the leg work from Corino and the power of Cazana.
Corino tried to run away as Cazana threw him around the ring, and he failed to each time. Cazana nailed him with some chops and threw him across the ring again. Corino ducked a punch and thought he was smart, but turned into a clothesline. Corino dodged a stomp and Cazana’s knee buckled. It was a simple spot, but it worked as Corino went to a dragon screw and started working the knee — a perfect transition to getting the heat.
As Corino had a kneebar, Cazana reached over and powered him out of it, leading to Corino charging in the corner straight into an STO. Corino dodged an elbow and went right back to the knee, transitioning to a half crab. Somehow, Cazana managed to counter into a kneebar of his own and Corino tried to fight out with a kick, but that made Cazana angry, so Corino had to go to the ropes.
Corino dumped Cazana to the floor with a hurricanrana, and went for a second on the floor, but Cazana caught him, power bombed him on the apron, and went for a suplex. Corino slipped into a chicken wing after stomping his knee and Cazana passed out. This match was awesome. Team Rebelion is ahead with six points to three for Team Gold.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, this episode was infinitely better then last week’s. I am always fair, and as much as I didn’t like last week, I actually loved this episode of NWA Power. Even with the convoluted points system, the booking made sense within the rules of the tournament, everything progressed nicely, and we got to know each of the teams involved.
If they did this last week, I would have had much less trouble with the episode. I’m glad they learned from the mistakes of last week and corrected quickly for this one. This was an excellent show.
Kyle Davis opened this week’s NWA Power with Thom Latimer and EC3 in the ring in an empty arena. Latimer promised to beat up EC3 in an upcoming tag match. EC3 criticized the booker, saying that it is putting good guys and bad guys in a tag match to delay the payoff. I hated this so much. EC3’s promos and character sucks. He promised they would have their feud-ending match eventually. No buys.
Thom Latimer & Danny Flamingo defeated EC3 & Matt Lancie (w/ Hardy Body Harper)
This sucked, but it was only the fault of one man. EC3 is not good.
EC3 immediately tagged out to Lancie, who locked up with Latimer. Joe Galli informed us that Lancie won the Revolution Rumble, and that it would air on an upcoming episode of NWA USA which spoiled the result. Flamingo was over with the local audience when he tagged in and took it to Lancie.
EC3 ended up bleeding after colliding with Flamingo, so he decided to take out revenge by choking and beating on Flamingo in the corner. EC3 continued to use boring offense to keep control of Flamingo. EC3 did an STO with his arm behind the head of Flamingo instead of in front, and it looked as dumb as it sounds.
Flamingo hit a pump kick on Lacie and tagged out to Latimer, who hit a big spinning back suplex. Latimer demanded EC3 tag in, but he wouldn’t and EC3 hit an inverted STO which also looked bad. EC3 demanded Latimer finish him, and Latimer put Lacie in a crossface for the win.
EC3 then threw Hard Body Harper into the ring and Latimer put a crossface on him too.
– Danny Dealz did an ad for TV shirts with CJ, who he renamed Bubblegum. This was better than anything EC3 did on the show.
– Question Mark II opened a dojo backstage and taught strikes to four different trainees in Mongrovian karate. As he was teaching him, Question Mack and Marshe Rockett, wearing a mask, ran in and attacked while Aron Stevens yelled, “I never lie!” repeatedly. This was also not good. We’re three-for-three in bad segments so far. The ad for NWA merch with Danny Deals and CJ before this was the best thing on the show so far.
Wildkat Sports Revolution Champion Chuck Devine defeated Nate Bradley to retain
This was the best match thus far and that isn’t saying much as it was merely fine.
Bradley was smaller than Devine, but used his considerable speed to drive Devine all over the ring, hitting a running kick in the corner and suplex in the ring. Devine fought back and hit a fisherman’s buster on Bradley. Devine slowed it down, locking his legs in a figure four around the neck.
Bradley broke it by kicking backward over his own head, but Devine body slammed him and took the advantage again. Devine continued to get the heat for the next few minutes. Devine went to the top rope and Bradley jumped up from the mat, hitting a hurricanrana, a missile dropkick, and a standing shooting star press for a two count. Devine broke out of a full nelson and hit a DDT for the pinfall.
– We went to the back (~!) immediately after the match for an interview with Pope and JTG. Pope talked about his history with JTG back when he was getting started in WWE, and that they were going to be Gagz The Gimp on NWA USA.
NWA National Champion Cyon (w/ Austin Idol) defeated Thrillbilly Silas in a non-title match
This show was filled with nothing matches and this was another one. Beating Odinson at the PPV has had no bearing on either man’s story with Silas losing here and Odinson winning last week.
Silas threw Cyon outside the ring to start, but was soon being bitten by Cyon in the corner and beat on in the corner. Silas chopped Cyon hard, and hit a lariat and slam. It didn’t go much longer as Cyon pinned Silas after taking a Snake Eyes from him, but used a jackknife pin on Silas with his feet on the ropes to win.
– May Valentine interviewed Pretty Empowered and talked about how Kenzie Paige was going to be the special guest referee for one of Ella Envy’s upcoming matches.
– Danny Dealz did an ad with the newly renamed CJ (by him) as Bubblegum again. It was more entertaining than some of the matches again.
NWA World Women’s Champion Kamille defeated Jazmin Allure to retain
Kamille tried to give Allure a lot to help put her over in losing, but I’m not sure if this was the match to do that in. Either way, this was probably the best match on the card, but it was not very good.
This started slow until Allure hit a headscissors. Allure went for a second one off the middle rope, but Kamille stopped it and powerbombed her for a two count. Kamille hit two gutwrench suplexes for a two count. Kamille hit a Canadian backbreaker for a two count. Allure dodged a corner charge, but Kamille caught her on a crossbody and hit a powerslam for a two count.
Allure slipped out of an Oklahoma Stampede and hit a backstabber for a two count. Kamille responded with a pump kick and went for the Stampede again, but Allure floated over into a stunner. She went to the top rope but missed a double stomp and Kamille hit a spear to win and retain.
Like last week, this episode of Power felt largely pointless and missable. Nothing on it stood out, and nothing was very good. It’s a bad show when the best thing is a merch ad with Dealz renaming CJ to Bubblegum.
NWA Power opened with Kyle Davis in the ring as he introduced Tyrus to open the show. Idolmania Sports Management all came down to the ring to celebrate their victories at NWA Hard Times 3.
Austin Idol called Davis “Kyle Doofus” and said that he and everyone else doubted Tyrus and the rest of his group. Idol cut this promo with his back to the hard camera to which Davis said, “I’m glad you found the hard cam” which made me laugh.
Tyrus put over Jordan Clearwater for winning the TV title and Cyon for winning the National title. BLK Jeez said that it was what successful men looked like. Tyrus then talked about how there were various contenders already in line for a title shot.
Tyrus also said that Clearwater and Cyon could cash in any time for a title shot, which is news to me. Clearwater needs to win seven in a row with the TV title, and I don’t think the National title has ever been cashed in for a title shot at something else. Tyrus could just be wrong, but I wouldn’t be shocked if they changed the rules and didn’t tell us.
This promo really did nothing to advance any story other than acknowledge Idolmania Sports Management had all the gold. Tyrus said a lot of nothing, but at least Idol was entertaining.
NWA World Television Champion Jordan Clearwater and Mims went to a time limit draw
Yikes, this was not good. Clearwater controlled essentially the entire six minutes and it was boring. With this kind of stipulation, you can’t spend the whole time getting heat just to go to a draw. At least let the babyface have a chance to do something to add a little excitement to it.
The first half of this 6:05 time limit match was Clearwater trying to run the clock down including poking Mims in the eyes and using basic offense to keep him grounded. Mims started to fight back with two minutes left, but Clearwater gouged the eyes again. Clearwater suplexed Mims for a near fall.
Clearwater hit a clothesline after a sunset flip attempt that he kicked out of before going to a chinlock. Mims made a brief comeback before eating a Midas touch big boot from Clearwater. Then, time ran out.
Odinson defeated Ryan Davidson
I thought Odinson was a heel, but Davidson was using heel tactics, so they may have turned him without telling us like they do several other people. Or they’re both heels. Or they just don’t know what they’re doing. This was a nothing match, mainly because the crowd was silent throughout. The confusing heel/babyface thing didn’t help.
Davidson had a brief assault on Odinson to open the match, but he was soon working Davidson over with European uppercuts. The NWA seems to want to establish Odinson as a top guy sooner rather than later, but having him lose to Thrillbilly Silas seemed to cut off any heat this match could have had.
Davidson got the heat on Odinson far too long for someone that the audience doesn’t know. The silence during that part was astonishing, and then about eight people started clapping for Odinson until he hit a nice dropkick. Odinson hit a springboard uppercut for a two count and went for a torture rack, but Davidson attacked the arm and then hit a powerslam for a two count. Odinson countered a fireman’s carry into an irish whip and hit the pounce for the win.
– May Valentine was with Aron Stevens and she asked about him being booked to face Kratos tonight. Stevens claimed he was a manager, not a wrestler, and thought it was stupid. Valentine called him the greatest pro wrestler of all time and that she didn’t want them to hurt him since he was retired. They’re still going with the Stevens/Valentine couple thing.
– AJ Cazana and Anthony Andrews were with May Valentine talking about facing the Fixers for the tag titles on NWA USA. The NWA put the graphic up for Aron Stevens instead of Andrews, which was funny. This is pre-taped, so it’s even funnier.
– Stevens came out to the ring and claimed he was protesting and asked that the fans remain silent to protest him wrestling because he was retired.
Kratos defeated Aron Stevens by DQ
A terrible DQ finish to end what could have been a decent match, but they decided to give us this instead.
Joe Galli said that Stevens would lose his manager’s license if he didn’t wrestle which no one had mentioned until now. Stevens left the ring in fear as Kratos came into the ring. Stevens attempted to load his glove before the match, but the referee forced Stevens to remove it or else be DQ’d. Stevens removed something from the glove before taking it off and put it in his pocket.
Stevens claimed he didn’t have a wrestling license, so if Kratos touched him, he would sue him. Stevens attacked Kratos from behind and then said his license was good for two years, so ring the bell. Stevens turned around into a flying knee. Kratos hit a suplex and then two masked people ran in and attacked, causing the DQ.
The masked men were clearly Rodney Mack and Marshe Rockett. Question Mark II tried to make the save, but Rockett and Mack laid them out too. Stevens put on his glove, loaded it, and punched Kratos in the face. Tim Storm claimed that they had talked about the loaded glove for months, but this is the second time as the first time was at Hard Times 3.
If this is their follow up to NWA Hard Times 3, NWA is in for some hard times. This sucked. There wasn’t a single good match on the show, and the promos were pointless.
This was a good episode of NWA Power with a lot happening to advance stories and the build to Hard Times 3.
Colby Corino (w/ Jamie Stanley) defeated Flip Gordon
This was a good match to open the show. Corino is someone that the NWA seems high on, but I’d move him up to the top of the card sooner rather than later. That said, I suspect he’ll be Junior Heavyweight Champion at some point in the near future.
Corino kept Gordon grounded in the early going as Joe Galli let us know that Jamie Stanley was the brand manager for Corino now as he has separated from The Fixers. Corino speared Gordon and they both tumbled through the ropes to the floor. Corino hit a senton bomb off the top rope for a two count while Gordon managed to hit a springboard sling blade for a two count.
Corino and Gordon exchanged uppercuts, but Gordon ducked a chop and took out the legs of Corino. Gordon hit a springboard moonsault for a two count and then a spanish fly off the top rope for another two count. Gordon went for another springboard, but flew right into a dropkick and Corino hit a page turner for his own two count.
Corino put Gordon on the top rope and hit the Colby Crush to get the pin and win.
– Jax Dane and Chris Silvio, Esq. were with Kyle Davis with Silvio presenting an apparent text message transcript between Anthony Mayweather’s wife and Dane, implying that she cheated on Mayweather with Dane. While this feud has being going on forever, and every time it seems like it ends, they bring it back. Having said that, this was actually a pretty sinister twist on the tale. I assume Dane faked the screenshots to get under Mayweather’s skin and to try and cause trouble for him personally. This better end with Mayweather beating Dane decisively.
– Tyrus was with May Valentine and had the NWA Television title over his shoulder…which seems weird given that we had them talking about him cashing the title on a recent edition of Power Surge. Tyrus claimed that he was in the three-way match against World Champion Trevor Murdoch and Matt Cardona at Hard Times 3 to get NWA 74 out of his head because he hesitated and lost to Murdoch in his bid that night.
Valentine asked what the most likely outcome of Hard Times 3 would be to which Tyrus retorted “pain.” Much like me when I watch his matches. Tyrus is teaming with Murdoch on an upcoming Power but while he doesn’t like Murdoch, he knows he can trust him, unlike Cardona.
The Hawx Aerie (Luke & PJ Hawx) defeated Dirty Sex Boys (Dango & JTG) to become the no. 1 contenders to the NWA Tag Team titles
Hawx Aerie has been a great team in the NWA for quite some time, and seeing them win the tag titles in their home town at Hard Times 3 would be great.
Dango warmed up before the match by gyrating. When Luke Hawx went for a sunset flip, Dango used his extensive gyrating experience to stay balanced and escape the move. JTG tagged in, but was soon facing double team moves from the Hawx family. PJ Hawx showed some great technical wrestling before transitioning into a smooth vertical suplex which was really nice.
JTG hit a pump kick and a pop-up neckbreaker. Hawx moved out of the way of a corner splash to tag out to his dad. He ran wild, but it ended with JTG hitting a sling blade on PJ Hawx and then a bulldog in similar fashion for a two count.
I’m not sure why Luke Hawx tagged back out so fast, but he did. PJ Hawx and Dango exchanged pinfall attempts until Hawx was able to cradle Dango and get the pinfall.
– Rolando Freeman said that all men had a little Rolando in them and he was the most Rolando. He then said if Matt Cardona was the death match king, he is the big match king and was going to be NWA World Champion.
– James Mitchell hacked the NWA Control Room with Kyle Davis as Mitchell cut a promo on Natalia Markova, challenging her to a Voodoo Queen casket match with Max the Impaler at Hard Times 3. Mitchell promised that Markova’s career would end there.
– Aron Stevens and Question Mack made their way down to the ring for a karate demonstration with Question Mark II. Question Mark II won. Kyle Davis, in a funny line, thanked the athletic commission for allowing the demonstration as Mongrovian karate is banned in most countries.
Stevens went to demonstrate his own expertise in Mongrovian karate but superkicked Question Mark II. Gagz the Gimp tried to save him, but Sal the Pal and James Mitchell attacked him from behind. A lot was happening here.
– KiLynn King was with May Valentine and talked about Chelsea Green being added to the Women’s title match at Hard Times 3 with champion Kamille.
The Spectaculars (Brady Pierce and Rush & Rolando Freeman) defeated The Cardonas (Mike Knox, VSK & Brian Myers) (w/ Matt Cardona) in a Team War match
I can’t tell you how much I loved how this match was booked. Rolando Freeman, the smallest guy in the company who makes Rey Mysterio look like a giant, got a clean win over the entire Cardona Family on his own by out-wrestling them. The crowd exploded and cheered him on. They got something here in him as an underdog. I don’t think he could be world champ, but there is something here with this character. The underdog with an undefeated streak is really fun.
Myers went for a hip toss on Rush Freeman, but Freeman blocked it and did a swivel of his hips before hitting a russian leg sweep. Myers responded by hitting a spear and a clothesline of death for the pinfall. Brady Pierce came in to go after Myers, but was soon kicked off the apron and only Rolando Freeman was left against three men.
Freeman hit a sunset flip on Myers as he came into the ring, but Myers tried to hold the ropes to cheat to get the pin. Freeman was able to roll through and get the pin anyway. VSK flew in with a flying knee that dropped Freeman. VSK tried to choke him while sitting on the top turnbuckle, but Freeman endured the choke and shoved VSK to the floor.
Mike Knox came in with a crossbody that crushed Freeman. Knox tried to launch Freeman over the ropes into the crowd, but Freeman managed to move and turn it into a DDT on Knox. To Knox’s credit, he sold it by spiking himself right on his head, making it look like he died in the process. Rolando did a hip swivel and hit a running boot on Knox, but Cardona pulled the referee from ring and Chelsea Green hit the Unprettier on Freeman.
Freeman kicked out, so Knox crushed him in the corner and then hit a giant chokeslam. Knox picked him up at the one count. He went for a second chokeslam to the floor, but Freeman did a headscissors and pulled Knox to the floor for the win.
I thought they were going to crush our hopes when Green hit Freeman with an Unprettier, but they went and had him win anyway.
Mims defeated Gustavo & Judias (w/ James Mitchell) to become the no. 1 contender to the NWA TV title
I honestly would have ended the show with Team War given the happy ending to the show, but NWA did have Mims go over here. He’ll face either Jordan Clearwater or AJ Cazana after Hard Times III for the TV title.
Gustavo tried to get Mims and Judias to swivel their hips. Mims tried. Judias did not. Gustavo was saved by Mims and Gustavo tried to roll him up. Mims pointed out he was trying to help him. Judias ate some kicks from Gustavo and hit a fallaway slam. Judias choked Gustavo on the ropes. Judias also choked Mims on the rope and did some clubberin’ (if you will).
Mims sent Gustavo into Judias who bear hugged Gustavo and Mims then crushed him with a splash. Gustavo low bridged Judias and went for a sliced bread no. 2 on Mims, but Mims countered into the Big Strong Slam for the pin.
This was a very well-booked episode of NWA Power with some solid in-ring action and build to this month’s PPV. This was an easy thumbs up show.
This week’s completely missable NWA Power Surge opened with The Beautiful People (Velvet Sky & Angelina Love) as hosts. Oh no, they are doing this horrible Velvet After Dark gimmick again.
There was nothing here this week that one would have to go out of their way to see. It wasn’t as bad as the first Velvet After Dark, but it was still no good.
Anthony Andrews defeated Traxx
Andrews quickly refused to make a clean break on the ropes, hitting a big boot and then a shoulder tackle. Traxx hit the ropes and took Andrews down with a flying shoulder block, but Andrews pulled Traxx face-first into the turnbuckle. Andrews did a face wash in the corner, but with his knee. Andrews went to leapfrog over Traxx’s back into a leg drop on his head, but Traxx moved and Andrews landed in the funniest way on the mat. Worst attempt at a Kotaro Krusher ever. Andrews hit a pump handle powerslam for the pinfall.
– “Magic” Jake Dumas & CJ joined Sky and Love. Sky asked Dumas what his purpose was in the NWA, saying he clearly had magic. I dispute that. He claimed to be evil magic incarnate. He claimed he was in the NWA because he wanted people to believe. There were jokes about Dumas’ grocery list as he was teaching CJ English, and she listed off an embarrassing element. This sucked.
Eric Jackson defeated Sodapop
This was a decent match with Sodapop looking good in his debut. Jackson continues to show a lot of potential and the junior heavyweight division continues to have a lot of good and upcoming wrestlers in it. Sodapop countered a tilt-a-whirl with a Russian leg sweep, but couldn’t keep Jackson down for long as he hit a sling blade and a bulldog for a two count. Jackson hit a German suplex with a bridge for the pinfall.
– Kyle Davis was in the control center, running down what we know about NWA Hard Times 3 thus far with some new additions: Question Mack vs. Question Mark II in a mask vs. mask match, and Jordan Clearwater vs. AJ Cazana for the vacant NWA TV title after Tyrus cashed it in for a World title shot at the PPV.
– Taryn Terrell & Natalia Markova were with Love & Sky and it broke down into Terrell & Markova arguing.
Freeman is over with the audience in the studio, but this wasn’t a very good match. That said, Freeman does have a good underdog thing going for him.
Roxx got taken down right away and went to the floor and tried to get coaching from Stevens who ignored him. Freeman took this opportunity to hit the ropes and attempt a suicide dive. “Attempt” is the key word as it was botched and Roxx basically had to hug him to the floor as Freeman’s feet got caught on the ropes on the dive. Freeman hit some chops but missed a cannonball. He hit a flying headbutt and then a big boot on the kneeling Roxx for the pinfall.
– Mercurio was with The Beautiful People and he asked for the lights to be turned down, claiming they were all going to be less than clothed. He said he wrote a book about that was a best seller in Italy about romancing women, speaking with a terrible fake accent.
Jax Dane (w/ Chris Silvio, Esq.) defeated Sal Rinauro
I liked how Dane sold for Rinauro in this match as everything was believable and ended with Dane hitting a lariat.
Rinauro tried to pet the vest of Dane multiple times because it was soft, which enamored him. Dane did not enjoy this, driving Rinauro into the ring post after a dive and making him pay for his foolishness. Dane took his vest off and put it on Rinauro’s arm while stomping it. Rinauro proved slippery, hitting a dropkick to Dane’s knee, followed by a jawbreaker and a tiger feint kick before hitting a superkick and a schoolboy for a two count. Dane finally responded to all of it with a lariat for the pinfall.
A good episode of NWA Power opened right away with our first match. On tonight’s show, two title contenders for next month’s Hard Times 3 will be made.
The Hex (Allysin Kay & Marti Belle) defeated Natalia Markova & Taryn Terrell
Markova spent the early going trying to fight off both members of The Hex, but being unable to because of their tag team experience. Terrell threw her ring entrance skirt at Belle to distract her, and Markova hit a stunner while doing the splits before tagging out. Terrell tagged out as soon as Belle hit her but was able to keep Belle from making the tag.
Terrell tagged herself in for a pin attempt, which led to she and Markova arguing while choking Belle. Markova and Terrell eventually argued face to face, leading to Belle tagging out and Kay entering, hitting a spinning neckbreaker on Markova. Kay and Belle hi Hex Marks the Spot for the pinfall on Terrell, who was left in the ring alone after Kay’s comeback.
– Homicide was at the podium and took offense at Kyle Davis saying he was slipping back into his old ways. Homicide said he was always the same, and that he would do anything to make sure he stayed NWA Junior Heavyweight champion.
– Question Mark II was with May Valentine and said he was in the NWA to fight for the memory of Question Mark. Valentine asked if he had a visa, because she heard rumors (likely from Aron Stevens as they’re associated with each other on screen) that he could be deported.
– Kyle Davis ran down the current card for November’s Hard Times 3.
Question Mark II defeated KC Roxx (w/ Aron Stevens)
I’m not sold on this angle yet, mainly because I’m not sure you can duplicate Joseph Hudson’s Question Mark. This new guy needs to make it his own.
Joe Galli informed us that Question Mark II is the brother of the original Question Mark, and he was tired of how Stevens was disrespecting his brother with Rodney Mack wearing the mask. Stevens ate a slice of pizza at ringside while saying Question Mark II was disrespectful.
Question Mark II caught Roxx off a springboard and did Mongrovian squats before hitting a powerslam. Stevens grabbed a mic said that wrestling was in a horrible state because a man was pretending to be Question Mark, while he had the real one, and that Roxx wished he could be his client but he can’t win a match. Question Mark II bowed to Roxx before hitting the Mongrovian spike for the finish.
– Matt Cardona & Chelsea Green were with May Valentine and Cardona talked about how he wasn’t worried about Tyrus or Trevor Murdoch in the NWA Hard Times 3 main event, saying he’d pin Billy Corgan if he had to. Valentine then asked Green if she was still interested in winning the Women’s title. Green said it was a stupid question and that of course she was as every woman should be.
Dak Draper defeated Chris Adonis and Thrillbilly Silas in a three-way to earn an NWA National title match at Hard Times 3
Tom Pritchard joined the commentary booth for this one. Silas tried to get Draper to double team Adonis at first, but Draper didn’t bite. Silas shoved Adonis into Draper for a two count. Silas hit a Snake Eyes across the top rope on Draper before hitting a slam for a near fall. Pritchard screamed at the hard chops Draper hit Silas with.
Adonis came back in the ring and hit a spinebuster on Silas, but Draper hit a springboard elbow on Adonis. Silas nailed Draper with a clothesline and all three men were on the mat. Silas went for the Thrillride, but Adonis countered into the Master Lock. Draper broke it up with a big boot and hit the Magnum KO for the pinfall to earn a title shot at Hard Times 3.
KiLynn King defeated Taya Valkyrie to earn an NWA Women’s title match at Hard Times 3
This was a solid match with King looking fantastic. Valkyrie is no longer the top contender, which is the right call with King and Kamille having a great match previously.
Galli noted that Valkyrie did earn the no. 1 contender position in a four corners match, but she pinned Chelsea Green and not King in that match which explains why they are having another no. 1 contender match here. (It ignores the fourth participant, but I appreciate the attempt to make this make sense.)
King hit a uranage on the apron to take control in the early going. King followed that with a suplex for a near fall. King charged the corner, Valkyrie dodged, and King crashed into the post. Galli and Velvet Sky then informed us that Bully Ray was the one that got King this shot, and Valkyrie said, “Bring it on” because she had confidence. We have a full explanation now! Well done, NWA.
Valkyrie targeted her shoulder with strikes and submissions, but King was able to overcome them and lock on an inverted figure four. The two exchanged several submission attempts, ending with Valkyrie hitting a curb stomp on King for a two count.
King hit a knee in the corner, but Valkyrie fought her off and hit a crossbody off the middle rope for a near fall. King countered a kick attempt by ducking and hitting the Excalibuster for the pin and win to earn her title shot at the PPV.
Final Thoughts:
This was a fairly logically booked and simple episode of NWA Power that built to the Hard Times 3 PPV. It wasn’t the most exciting, but everything in it was pushing forward to November’s big show which makes this one an easy thumbs up for me…outside of the Question Mark angle. However, I am willing to give that time.
