The NWA and its owner Billy Corgan have issued an apology following “insensitive comments” made by one of the organization’s wrestlers.
On social media today, the NWA posted a statement from Corgan saying that the promotion does not condone the type of hateful/insensitive remarks recently made by Odinson. The comments at hand are no longer available, but they were said to be homophobic in nature, with one Reddit user saying that Odinson cut an Instagram promo where he repeatedly used the term “gay cowboys” in reference to his opponents.
“The NWA would like to sincerely apologize for the insensitive comments made by Odinson on social media. These statements do not reflect the values, views, or beliefs of the NWA organization,” Corgan’s statement said. “We do not condone hateful or offensive remarks of any kind and remain committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment for everyone in our community.”
Odinson is under contract with the NWA and currently holds the NWA Tag Team titles with JR Kratos. The duo are known as The Immortals.
As of now, Odinson has not issued his own apology or commented on the situation. He and Kratos are advertised for NWA Hard Times 6 in Atlanta on June 6 and the NWA’s 78th anniversary show in Philadelphia on July 25.
The NWA would like to sincerely apologize for the insensitive comments made by Odinson on social media. These statements do not reflect the values, views, or beliefs of the NWA organization. We do not condone hateful or offensive remarks of any kind and remain committed to… pic.twitter.com/kC5VYtzeMr
After undergoing emergency neck and back surgery in July 2025, former NWA Junior Heavyweight Champion Colby Corino has a return date to the ring.
Announced by the NWA on Sunday, Corino will be part of Hard Times 6 on Saturday, June 6 at Center Stage in Atlanta. He will take on Axton Ray in his first match since July 27 of last year when he and Shane Williams lost to AJ Francis and Bojack in an indie tag team match.
Corino was a free agent during his time away, choosing to re-sign a multi-year deal with the NWA in January despite rumored interest from both WWE and AEW as he felt he had more things to do and learn, both in the promotion and the indies.
The 29-year-old is the son of former ECW star Steve Corino who currently works behind the scenes in WWE NXT. He has wrestled once for WWE, losing to Mansoor on an episode of 205 Live in September 2020.
The history of pro wrestling on the Turner Networks
The skyrocketing success and rapid decline of WCW
The television heyday of Georgia Championship Wrestling
How Ted Turner first got involved in pro wrestling
Why Vince McMahon hated Ted Turner and how irrational it was at times
The local TV business in the early 70s
The 1972-74 Atlanta wrestling war, how it started and ended
The start of Gordon Solie and Tony Schiavone on TBS
The growth of TBS
The launching of CNN
How Vince McMahon got on TBS
Why McMahon and Turner had issues during their year working together
The role Jim Barnett played
The death of Mid South Wrestling
The death of Jim Crockett Promotions
The death of WCW
How Barnett manipulated the Crocketts getting on TBS
Vince McMahon’s cable power plays and Turner’s reactions
The signing of Hulk Hogan and rise of Eric Bischoff
Hall, Nash and Bret Hart come to WCW
How Bischoff nearly purchased WCW and how it fell through
A reprint of a 2001 article on the closing of WCW that Ted Turner himself read and praised
Reaction to the death of WCW
Numerous people react to the death
The tribute on AEW television
His exploits in other sports
Rupert Murdoch, Ric Flair, Jane Fonda, Tony Khan and others in sports comment on Turner’s death
Turner’s life after he lost control of the networks
His charitable work
Update on Tanea “Rebel” Brooks
A first look at how UFC is performing and its revenue driven vs. expense for Paramount
WWE cuts continue and are looked at
A crazy note about the income of just four of TKO’s top executives and how it compares to the pay for UFC and WWE athletes. This is absolutely shocking
Nick Khan’s new contract with TKO
Why so many cuts were made this year and more notes on the pay cuts
New Day bid farewell
WWE & UFC first quarter financials looked at
More talk regarding Middle East shows, Zuffa Boxing, and complaints regarding WWE and UFC
Backlash preview, business notes and odds
Notes on AEW Double or Nothing
New Japan Dontaku coverage
Nico Ali Walsh on Nick Khan’s testimony before Congress
NOAH big show notes
The most detailed look at the TV ratings from the pro wrestling and MMA shows this past week
Fantastica Mania Mexico
CMLL vs. MLW at Arena Mexico notes
Grande Americano vs. Grande Americano
Lots of injury updates
Who in AEW was set for a major push that is now on hold
Champion Carnival down to final four
Cuatrero convicted in domestic violence case involving Stephanie Vaquer
Raja Jackson case coming to a close
Former WWE wrestler murder case makes pub again
Worldwide YouTuber numbers
Dana White talks McGregor’s return
Notes on Roman Reigns and his schedule
When did Nick Khan learn Vince McMahon was being investigate for sex trafficking
WWE SmackDown May 8, 2026 graphic Cody Rhodes, Gunther (Image credit: WWE)
— There will be no Observer radio today as Garrett and I are going to do a show Sunday morning Pacific time. Bryan and I will be up tomorrow night after WWE Backlash.
— The new issue of the Wrestling Observer is up today. It is one of the biggest in our history covering the life and times of Ted Turner, both as it related to pro wrestling, a small part of his life but one that still made him one of the three most influential figures in pro wrestling over the past 55 years.
— Thanks for all the nice comments on the Ted Turner story. This was one of the longest stories I’ve written and had to get it done in two days. Crazy. It’s among the best stuff I’ve done. I will say the WWE cuts story has some very notable information people haven’t fully noticed yet.
— AEW Dynamite on Wednesday did 590,000 viewers with an 0.10 in 18-49. Collision did 429,000 viewers and 0.07. Dynamite was 9th for the night and 4th in the time slot, behind NBA playoffs which did 5,178,000 viewrs and 1.59 in 18-49, NHL playoffs which did 1,260,000 and 0.31 as well as FOX News. Collision was 8th in its time slot. The latest change in cable continues to hurt all pro wrestling.
— Regarding the 275,000 viewer claim of NWA for Saturday, at this point we have no corroboration on it as to where that number comes from and how it was calculated. The NWA has announced its 78th anniversary event will take place on 7/25 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
— SmackDown tonight is from Jacksonville. The matches announced are Tiffany Stratton vs. Kiana James for the US title, Rhea Ripley & Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Jacy Jayne & Falln Henley & Lainey Reid, Damian Priest vs. Talla Tonga plus appearances by Gunther, Jacob Fatu and the funeral of the Gingerbread Man. There were 7,340 tickets out for the show as of earlier today.
— Reports today from Ring Magazine list Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao as being held on 9/25 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Netflix.
— Backlash tomorrow night from Tampa opens with Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker and Trick Williams vs. Sami Zayn for the U.S. title on ESPN 2 at 6 p.m. Eastern. After that will be Danhausen & ? vs. Miz & Kit Wilson, Iyo Sky vs. Asuka and the main event of Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu for the world title. We have a preview in the current issue.
— We’ll be doing a weekend poll on Backlash, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]
— Dana White called the Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland feud the third biggest in UFC history behind Conor McGregor vs Khabib Nurmagomedov and Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier. That sounds high. I don’t see this as above Brock Lesnar vs Frank Mir, Rampage Jackson vs. Rashad Evans, GSP vs. Nick Diaz, GSP vs. Matt Serra, Ronda Rousey vs. Miesha Tate or GSP vs BJ Penn.
UFC 328 starts at 5 p.m. Eastern on Paramount +
Clayton Carpenter (126) vs. Jose Ochoa (125)
Baisangur Susurkaev (186) vs. Djorden Santos (186)
Pat Sabatini (145) vs. William Gomis (15)
Roman Kopylov (185) vs. Marco Tulio (186)
Jim Miller (155) vs. Jared Gordon (156)
Grant Dawson (156) vs. Mateusz Rebecki (156)
Yaroslav Amasov (170) vs. Joel Alvarez (170)
Ateba Gautier (185) vs. Ozzy Diaz (186)
King Green (155) vs. Jeremy Stephens (160) – Stephens missed weight by three pounds and has forfeited 30 percent of his purse
Sean Brady (170) vs. Joaquin Buckley (170)
Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosts (264)
Joshua Van (125) vs. Tatsuro Taira (125) for the flyweight title
Khamzat Chimaev (185) vs. Sean Strickland (185) for the middleweight title
— From 8-10 p.m. on CBS they will air Amasov vs. Alvarez, Gautier vs. Diaz, Green vs Stephens and Brady vs Buckley.
— Arena Mexico tonight has Mistico & Titan vs. Angel de Oro & Cavernario Barbaro, Neon vs. Black Tiger, Futuro & Hombre Bala Jr & Max Star & Valiente Jr. vs. Elemental & Explosivo & Maquina Letal & El Terrible, Kira & Jarochita & Tessa Blanchard vs. Keyra & Reyna Isis & Zeuxis, La Calavera Jr. I & II vs. Diamante & Brillante Jr. and Espiritu Negro & Fuego & Rey Cometa vs Dark Magic & El Gallero & Espanto Jr.
— Saturday night at Arena Coliseo has Titan & Neon & Esfinge vs. Barboza & Difunto & Furia Roja, Yutani vs. Valiente Jr. in a lightning match and Los Gemelo Diablos vs. Euforia & Mephisto.
— Next Friday at Arena Mexico is the 20th anniversary of Me Muero, the song and music video that is now Mistico’s iconic entrance music. Keep in mind that we actually never hear that song on CMLL shows since they don’t have the rights. They do play the song in the building and the place goes crazy. Literally this is like if they played Cult of Personality in the buildings but then on television played a cover song so you couldn’t hear it or the crowd reaction. The same happened in New Japan. Tony Khan has paid for usage of the song, so the only televised place to hear it is actually on AEW television. The 20th anniversary main event is Mistico & Mascara Dorada & Neon vs. Volador Jr. & Averno & Ultimo Guerreo
— AAA TV tomorrow night looks to have Octagon Jr. vs. Cruz del Toro vs. Lince Dorado and Catalina vs. Jessy Jackson. This will air on YouTube after the Backlash broadcast ends.
— Walter Holloway, who wrestled for Matt Tremont’s H2O Wrestling group in the Northeast as well as other independent groups, passed away from a shooting at the age of 31. The shooting took place Wednesday night at about 10:30 p.m. in South Philadelphia. He had been shot several times. The belief is the shooting is related to an incident on Tuesday that has yet to be reported.
The NWA is celebrating the audience it says Powerrr drew for its first episode on Comet TV, although the numbers they report are unclear.
According to the promotion, 275,000 households tuned in for the May 2, 2026 episode. The NWA attributed the figure to Nielsen. A key demo number was not provided.
Dave Meltzer notes that we have thus far been unable to corroborate NWA’s reported rating for the show.
“𝙏𝙃𝘼𝙉𝙆 𝙔𝙊𝙐, 𝙁𝘼𝙉𝙎! The numbers are in, and Nielsen reports 275,000 households tuned in to the May 2 episode of 𝙉𝙒𝘼 𝙋𝙊𝙒𝙀𝙍𝙍𝙍 on Comet TV. The episode marked the National Wrestling Alliance’s long-awaited return to broadcast television after 30 years and first in its new, weekly time slot Saturdays, 4PM ET. Thank you to great fans around the world for inviting the NWA into their homes on
@WatchComet. Stay tuned for more hard-hitting pro wrestling action, excitement and drama as only the stars of the NWA and 𝙉𝙒𝘼 𝙋𝙊𝙒𝙀𝙍𝙍𝙍 can offer, every Saturday, 4PM ET /3PM CT / 4PM PT on Comet.“
The graphic included with the NWA’s post listed the number as “Persons 2+,” which refers to individual viewers age 2 and older. However, the text of the NWA’s post referred to households, which is a different measurement. Households refers to homes where a program was tuned in, while viewers refers to individual people watching.
The NWA’s post did not specify whether the 275,000 figure represented the show’s average audience or the number of households that tuned in at any point during the broadcast.
If the NWA was stating that the episode averaged 275,000 viewers, that would place it significantly above Comet TV’s 2025 primetime average of 92,000 viewers, as listed by USTVDB.
The numbers are in, and Nielsen reports 275,000 households tuned in to the May 2 episode of 𝙉𝙒𝘼 𝙋𝙊𝙒𝙀𝙍𝙍𝙍 on Comet TV. The episode marked the National Wrestling Alliance’s long-awaited return to broadcast television after 30 years and first… pic.twitter.com/2y90EAkoud
Following his match, Murdoch engaged in an interview with Kyle Davis, where he opened up in detail about his decision to hang up his wrestling boots.
Murdoch announced his retirement and reflected on his 27-year career. He further expressed his gratitude to NWA owner Billy Corgan and the fans. (H/T Fightful)
“I’m not sure if I can do this anymore. I’ve been wrestling for 27 years, and I have seen guys that come in here, and they’re only here for a payday. They don’t give the fans what they deserve, and I always told myself that if I ever got to that point, I wasn’t gonna be that guy,” Murdoch said.
“I don’t wanna embarrass myself. I don’t wanna embarrass my family. I don’t want to embarrass Harley Race. So at this moment, I’m announcing my retirement from pro wrestling. I wanna thank the fans, I wanna thank you, guys. Because of you guys, I’ve been able to put two of my kids through college. It’s all good, you know what I mean? For a fat guy from a small town, 27 years ain’t bad,” he continued.
“I wanna thank one more dude. He doesn’t get enough credit. His name’s William Patrick Corgan. Billy, you believed in me and gave me an opportunity when even wrestling didn’t want me. You extended my career for seven years. I can’t never give that back to you. All I can say is thank you. Thank you so much.”
Who is former WWE wrestler Trevor Murdoch?
Starting his wrestling career in the late 1990s, Murdoch wrestled in ECW and TNA before signing up with WWE in 2005. He stayed with the promotion until 2008. Throughout his career, he mostly wrestled for TNA and NWA, including a few matches on the indies.
Murdoch is a former three-time WWE World Tag Team Champion with Lance Cade. He joined the NWA in 2018 and remained a part of the promotion till 2026, until his retirement, where he even heldthe World Heavyweight title.
𝙎𝘼𝙔 𝙄𝙏 𝙄𝙎𝙉’𝙏 𝙎𝙊
It’s over?! After a 27-year career, an emotional @TheRealTMurdoch announces his retirement on 𝙉𝙒𝘼 𝙋𝙊𝙒𝙀𝙍𝙍𝙍 on Comet.
While Aron Stevens says he would have declined a return to WWE back in 2024, he’s more open to it now while giving praise to the NWA for helping get rid of the “bitter taste” he had from the pro wrestling industry.
Speaking on the Xenia Did That podcast, the former Damien Sandow in WWE was asked whether his WWE return was a closed chapter or something he would consider in the future.
He said there was no desire to with his current schedule and touched on his NWA run helping him reconcile with the bitter taste he had for the industry following his WWE release. He also talked about the change in TNA management which influenced his decision to leave that company.
“I don’t have a desire to (return to WWE). There’s just so many other things that I have on the horizon right now that I finally reconciled and that’s another thing: NWA has been great with me. When I left WWE, I had a very bitter taste for the wrestling industry and in TNA, that was good. That was a lot of fun in TNA and then they switched management and then management got a little you know, I just wasn’t really digging the way the company was going. So, I just left and was out in L.A. doing my thing.”
“And Billy (Corgan) calls, tells me about NWA. Well, I don’t know. He goes, ‘Oh, you got a plane ticket. Come on.’ And then I went to Georgia. Been with him ever since. And it’s truly helped me reconcile some internal stuff, you know what I mean? It’s been good. I don’t despise the industry anymore, you know what I mean? I have a different perspective now.”
Stevens added that his response would have been a definite no if WWE called him back 18 months ago, but now he would be open to considering it.
“If WWE called, it’s not something I really think about. If they called, alright, I would of course listen. I mean, I may say yes, I may say no. There are so many factors that go into that, but I would’ve said no a year and a half ago. I totally would have ve said no. Now it’s like, you never know. You never know, but I’m certainly not like, having any aspirations. I’m far too concerned with trying to do the best I can where I’m at.”
Stevens had two stints with WWE, the first from 2003 to 2007, and then from 2010 to 2016. He had a brief run with the NWA between the WWE runs and eventually made another comeback in 2019 there where he remains an active competitor.
Karl Stern has a really fun pro wrestling history show for you on this week’s DragonKingKarl Show.
As he continues work on his upcoming DragonKingKarl’s 1986-1987 Pro Wrestling Omnibus book, he has been watching tons of pro wrestling from that era. Recently, he decided to watch the entire uncut 1987 NWA Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup tournament.
The tournament itself was packed with deep cuts and weird tag teams that make very little sense, but the most astounding of them all was the otherwise unremarkable four-man combination of Steve Keirn, George South, Nelson Royal, and Mike Graham. If that sounds boring to you, well, it was not!
Colby Corino has unfinished business with the NWA.
In an interview with Sean Ross Sapp, Corino explained why he chose to remain in the NWA as opposed to exploring free agency.
“So as we went, we were able to talk and come to an agreement that works with everybody. Honestly, I just feel like my work in NWA isn’t done,” he explained. “I still have way more to do, there’s more for me to do on the indies and there’s more for me to do with my wrestling school and the promotion I help run. I just don’t feel done yet. The NWA gives me a place that I’m able to grow or with the, with the people around me and also be able to support my family.”
Corino is currently out of action after undergoing emergency neck and back surgery in July. He now days he feels better and is making good headway towards recovery.
“Every day it gets a little bit better. I’ve been trying to go back to the gym. I’m still not 100% full strength yet, but I’m not limited from doing anything in the gym. I could do all the exercises that I did before. So we’re making good steps,” he said.
While there’s no timetable for his return, he’s hopeful that he’ll be able to wrestle sometime this year.
“I am on track healing and I surely need a little bit more time,” he said. “If everything goes well and everything heals the way it has been. But I think I can definitely say you’ll see Colby Corino, wrestling a match in 2026.”
Corino has found success in the NWA since returning to the promotion in 2023, winning the NWA Junior Heavyweight title that year.
Despite rumored interest from WWE and AEW, Colby Corino is staying put in the NWA.
The NWA announced today that Corino has re-signed with the promotion on a new contract. While the exact length was not disclosed, the NWA stated that it is a multi-year deal. Corino has been featured in the NWA for several years now and is a former NWA Junior Heavyweight Champion.
Corino, the son of former ECW World Champion Steve Corino, is still recovering after being forced to undergo emergency neck and back surgery in July 2025. The NWA notes that an in-ring return is getting closer, but there is no date for it yet. Corino recently posted that a neurologist told him that he’s “healing beautifully” — and Corino said he’ll definitely be back soon.
“Just because I’m broken now doesn’t mean I won’t come back stronger, smarter and better than ever to fulfill my destiny,” Corino said on a recent episode of NWA Power. “That’s to win the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship.”
Bodyslam reported earlier this month that WWE and AEW had both inquired about Corino’s contract status, though the report also stated that Corino was in discussions with the NWA about a new deal. His father Steve works behind the scenes in NXT.
Corino has overcome significant adversity in his life, including battling drug addiction at one point.
“Not even 10 years ago I was a homeless iv dr*g addict living in a tent under a bridge,” he tweeted last year. “Today, I have an amazing son, beautiful, supportive wife, and am able to live my dream of supporting my family by wrestling full time. Anything is possible with enough passion and hard work.”
Former NWA World Champion EC3 announced on Thursday that “my time with the NWA has come to an end.”
The 42-year-old took to X on the first day of 2026 to reveal the news without disclosing the reason they are parting ways. In a multi-image farewell, he reflected on his run as champion, specific events and matches that mattered to him, and that he helped “establish Exodus Pro as the NWA’s first territory.”
“I’m grateful for the opportunities I was given and the people I shared the work with,” he wrote, also hinting that he plans to continue in the ring without directly saying so.
The Ohio native debuted in Billy Corgan’s version of the promotion in August 2022 and made the promotion his home since then, wrestling his final official NWA match this past September. He held their World title for 370 days from August 2023 through August 2024, also holding the National title for 93 days in 2023.
He has spent time in WWE, Ring of Honor and also TNA where he was a two-time World Champion and Grand Champion nearly a decade ago.
The new issue of the Observer is up on the site covering the following topics:
Where AEW stands today, and the key out of the ring and out of their hands challenges that will face them between now and the end of 2027
AEW’s ratings growth outside the U.S. this past year
AEW’s television ratings decline with the different factors involved
Key aspects of the WBD sale and what it means to AEW
What AEW didn’t do in 2025 as far as new deals that were talked about one year ago
Estimating using different methods how many U.S. viewers AEW Dynamite really gets
How things have changed greatly in the past year
Business of AEW Worlds End
Gambling odds for matches
A look at AAA Guerra de Titanes, one of WWE’s best shows of the year
Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul and business numbers and record level manipulation of numbers
Ric Flair and Mike Tyson file lawsuit against former business partner
The life and times of Roland Bock, one of the most intriguing pro wrestling characters of the 1970s, his famous matches with Antonio Inoki, the reality of those matches, his tough guy reputation, the legendary tough guy whose career he ended and just how different pro wrestling was back then. We go from being tortured as a child, to developing a street fighter rep, going to the Olympics in wrestling, his attempt to pioneer a promotional style that got big in Japan several years later, why his career didn’t explode in Japan and everything from wrestling bears to bulls
Who is eligible for the 2025 Rookie of the Year award
The most detailed look at the ratings over the past week
Update on 2025 Arena Mexico attendance
A look at CMLL Dream Match Night
Ozawa talks awards
Wrestle Kingdom updates
A look at the life and career of Mark Wolf
Rick Link goes into hospice care
Jerry Lawler returns to WMC
Grandson of Hawaiian pro wrestling legend is starting QB at USC, headed to a bowl game an an NFL prospect
Ticket sales to upcoming WWE, AEW and TNA shows
Lots of AEW news notes
Jim Ross responds to DVon Dudley
Updates on multiple lawsuits against TKO and judges concerns about evidence in two different cases
WrestleMania ticket sales as well as the next two AEW PPV sales
One more behind the scenes moment. This gentleman approached us while doing bridal portraits kindly asking for an autograph. Sydney gave the biggest smile and said ‘of course! Would you like a selfie too?’ Then proceeded to chat with him briefly about his son. She was thrilled to take time out of her wedding day to chat with a fan. She’s truly such a precious soul @maxxinedupri
2025 was the best year of my life, and so much of that is thanks to all of you. Dreams came true, goals became reality, we made history together, and we lived moments I will never forget. Hearing the crowd chant ‘La Primera,’ seeing signs with my name, and feeling that energy night after night… it’s unforgettable.
Your support, your love, and your motivation pushed me to keep going, to grow, and to dream even bigger. I know where I come from, I know where I’m going, and with pride I can say it: I am the WWE Women’s World Champion.
Thank you for standing with me, and thank you for believing in me.
Especially with this new AMC deal, I was there when we got the news that we’d be on Fox Sports West, whatever it was at 4 pm on Friday, whatever. But that was TV, and it was an hour, but it was TV. We were thrilled. Then hearing that we’re going to Spike network television, massive. Yeah, this is even bigger. There’s so much excitement. Like I said, TNA’s strength has always been its locker room. Just the work ethic of the guys in the locker room, management changes and all that, but that attitude has always been there. And this team, this crew we got there, the management team, everybody on the roster, is just a joy to be around. And again, a united front all wanting the exact same thing.
In the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show, we have now exited 1985 in Karl Stern’s monthly deep dive and finished his book, DragonKingKarl’s 1984-1985 Pro Wrestling Omnibus, in the process.
Now, it’s time to sail into uncharted territory: 1986.
It was a red-hot time in pro wrestling. WWF had established itself as a dominant national brand, but Jim Crockett Promotions and the NWA were putting forth some of the best action of the era. A strange tag team title change took place in the AWA , giving two top stars of the future (Scott Hall and Curt Hennig) a major championship.
AEW no longer has any plans to launch a new show called Shockwave.
In September 2024, a trademark was filed for the term “AEW Shockwave” — which was rumored to be the name of a possible new television series the promotion was hoping to debut on Fox. A partnership between AEW and Fox has not materialized to this point. And the Shockwave name became the subject of a trademark dispute between AEW and the NWA, who had a digital series titled “NWA Shockwave” back in 2020.
Tony Khan appeared on The Ariel Helwani Show this week and was asked about his plans for Shockwave. Khan said he does not believe he’s going to use that as a show name anymore. He had a good conversation with NWA President Billy Corgan and told Corgan that the NWA is free to use Shockwave however it wants.
“Well, it’s just an idea. I file lots of different names and ideas of shows and things like that. And that was a name that I actually at the time did not know anybody else had used,” Khan said.
“I’m probably not going to do it. I had a really nice talk with Billy — Billy Corgan, who owns the NWA. I like Billy. And even before I became a wrestling promoter, I had met him. And I think he’s just a great artist, and I like him. So when I talked to him on the phone, I said, ‘If that’s a show that you might do again… if that’s something you want to do and you did it first, then you can do that. That’s fine.’ And he said, ‘Oh, that’s great. I appreciate that.’ So that was nice.”
The trademark application for “AEW Shockwave” is listed as having been abandoned on November 17, 2025.
Khan and Corgan’s conversation was also in regards to the new AEW National Championship that was recently announced. Khan confirmed that the lineage of this title is intended to be separate from the NWA National Championship that already exists.
Today on the DragonKingKarl Show, Karl Stern’s time machine takes us back to 1991, a time when pro wrestling was about as low as it could go.
Business was horrendous across the board, the WWF was plagued by multiple scandals, and WCW is drawing less than 1000 people to some of its hottest areas.
In a November 1991 issue of Dave Meltzer’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, he breaks down all the information one needed to know about pro wrestling and steroids, plus an interesting write-up about how WWF was forced to edit the NWA World title belt out of its TV shows and what they did about it.
Tony Khan and Billy Corgan have talked things out.
During a livestream on Friday night, Khan said he talked to the NWA President over his introduction of a new championship, the AEW National title. After stressing that this would have a completely different lineage from the NWA’s version of the title, Khan said he and Corgan had a “nice conversation.”
“I ended up having a really nice conversation about it with the President of the NWA, Billy Corgan,” Khan said. “I have a lot of respect for him and a lot of respect for what he’s doing. I really love the traditions of pro wrestling and I had a really nice talk with Billy and we hadn’t talked in a long time so I think it was good for him to hear this. I respect him and I respect the NWA, and we’re trying to do something different here.”
When the National title was announced, it caused controversy with some NWA wrestlers, including current NWA National Champion Mike Mondo.
AEW’s latest title will be determined in a Casino Gauntlet match at Full Gear on November 22. Khan said during the stream that matches will soon take place to determine the first and second spots in the match.
