Tag: NWA

Billy Corgan hopes the NWA’s deal with The CW app helps his promotion “show there are other voices in professional wrestling.”

NWA programming has been available on the streaming service since February 6 but an official announcement regarding the deal was made today. 

The NWA and CW also revealed on Wednesday that a reality show starring Corgan will debut on the app later this year. The unscripted show will focus on “Corgan’s life, family, role as President of NWA, and his ‘day job.'”

Corgan said in today’s release: 

The CW has made a big commitment to sports, and they have an incredible top-tier streaming platform. The network’s audience represents a very wide swath of American culture—which wrestling has always been a key part of. This partnership gives us the opportunity to reach that audience more readily. We’re excited to get the chance to show there are other voices in professional wrestling. With NWA, there’s honesty, integrity, and a different level of swagger, because it’s coming from the underground. It’s similar to rock ‘n’ roll in this respect. With The CW behind us, we’re pulling NWA into the light where fans can appreciate its authenticity.

New episodes of NWA Powerrr are released every Tuesday on the app. Past seasons of the show are available as well. 

Today’s press release reads:

LOS ANGELES, C.A. (News Release) — GRAMMY® Award-winning founder of The Smashing Pumpkins and National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) President Billy Corgan proudly announces an exclusive streaming deal for NWA with The CW. Under this newly minted all-encompassing partnership, multiple NWA programs will be streaming and on-demand via The CW platform and portal in the United States.

Democratizing access to action-packed wrestling from some of the sport’s biggest, boldest, and brightest personalities, all programming is notably available free of charge and without a subscription via The CW app. It represents a monumental power move for NWA. The partnership not only amplifies the brand’s presence throughout popular culture and the zeitgeist, but it also sets a precedent for wrestling, at large.

Flagship program NWA Powerrr is live on the platform now and features ‘Return to Robarts’ programming emanating from the historic Robarts Arena in Sarasota Florida. New episodes air weekly on Tuesdays with past seasons also available to stream. Additionally, the much-anticipated Paranoia Live Event on Powerrr is also now available on The CW. Shot on January 13, 2024 at Revolution Live in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, the signature live event Paranoia features some of the league’s top stars and a myriad of thrilling high-octane matches. Next up, the massive signature live event Hard Times 2024 will premiere on the platform as part of future episodes of NWA Powerrr, streaming on both CWTV.com and the CW app.

Additionally, a brand new unscripted untitled series about Corgan’s life, family, role as President of NWA, and his “day job” will also debut on The CW later this year. Co-produced by Corgan’s own production company Lightning One Inc. and Nacelle Company, it offers an unprecedented vignette into every dimension of his world with unparalleled candor.

Corgan continues to deepen the storied mythos and legacy of NWA—one of the oldest and most prestigious professional wrestling brands in the world. He has carefully curated matches and sought-out exciting new talent, building a haven for future superstars to shine with attitude, integrity, power, and panache.

As such, NWA currently serves as a home to the likes of EC3, Matt Cardona, “Thrillbilly” Silas Mason, Trevor Murdoch, Thom Latimer, The Immortals (Odinson and Kratos), Blunt Force Trauma (Damage and Carnage), Aron Stevens, Austin Idol, The Insane Clown Posse’s Violent J, The Brothers of Funstruction Yabo and Ruffo, Colby Corino, Mims, Max the Impaler, “The Sinister Minister Father James Mitchell, Burchill, Bryan Idol, Natalia Markova, Kerry Morton, Alex Taylor, May Valentine, among others.

With more heavyweights, more drama, and the most bravado, Billy Corgan, The CW, and NWA will enthrall and thrill inside and outside of the ring throughout 2024 and beyond. Stay tuned.

Update:

NWA owner Billy Corgan is refuting claims made in the below report. When asked if cost-cutting measures will go into effect at the next tapings, Corgan responded, “Not at all. Not even close. Total fabrication.”

“A one-day shoot for NWA can currently run into 6 figures,” Corgan added.  

Original:

The NWA is reportedly looking to reduce costs. 

Haus of Wrestling is reporting that roster cuts are likely to take place following the company’s TV tapings in January. Production cuts and other cost-saving measures are expected soon as well.

The cuts are said to be a result of NWA owner Billy Corgan having bankrolled the promotion for years with little to no sponsorship money coming in. It is said that Corgan has spent millions on Power as well as the NWA reality series and cuts are needed for the company to continue operating at its current level. 

This weekend’s NWA tapings in Sarasota, Florida will be running with “a bare-bones crew” with primarily only contracted talent participating. Mike Knox and Violent J are the only wrestlers not under contract expected at the shows. However, Violent J flies himself in and works for free. 

Announced matches for this weekend include EC3 defending the NWA World title against Jax Dane, and Kenzie Paige defending the NWA World Women’s title against Samantha Starr. 

Regarding how many wrestlers are expected to be released from the promotion, Nick Hausman wrote, “It was stressed that all contracted talent was under review and their benefits to the company were being weighed.” He continued to write that some talent without formal deals will likely just not be contacted for future bookings. 

The news follows last month’s report that talent in the promotion had grown frustrated with Corgan. 

Other cost-cutting measures are said to include no longer flying talent out the day before tapings, as the NWA pays for hotel accommodations. Hair and makeup budgets are expected to be cut in half as well. 

The NWA announced in late August that it was making several upgrades to its production. These were reportedly made in anticipation of the television deal with The CW. However, CW officials were said to be upset by the James Mitchell “cocaine spot” at NWA Samhain. It is now believed that NWA content will only air on the CW app and not on television. 

There is reportedly a growing sense of frustration within the NWA regarding Billy Corgan. 

Last month, Corgan revealed that the promotion would soon announce a television deal with a “top 20 network,” which was later reported to be The CW Network. Then at NWA Samhain on October 28, a controversial segment aired that saw Father James Mitchell appear to be doing cocaine. The CW was said to be inundated with social media posts regarding the segment, upsetting network executives and possibly negatively impacting the NWA’s deal. 

WWE announced yesterday that NXT will be moving to the CW Network in October 2024 and Haus of Wrestling is reporting that the NWA Samhain incident led to accelerated talks between The CW and WWE. 

Nick Hausman wrote:

One source we spoke with at WWE gave us the impression that talks with The CW accelerated following the incident. They went on to say, “No segment ever done in wrestling has had that severe of consequences to the promotion than the Samhain Coke Spot.”

Corgan is said to have pushed for the segment to air on the pay-per-view. 

Some members of the NWA roster are said to be growing frustrated with Corgan’s leadership in the wake of the news. Some other reported frustrations stem from Corgan being unavailable between tapings to discuss ideas, talent finding out what they are doing at tapings as little as an hour beforehand, and “tests” Corgan is said to put talent through to test their loyalty. 

Additionally, several wrestlers on the NWA roster are under the age of 25 and it is said Corgan does not want these wrestlers to lose on shows run by other promotions, such as AEW. Older wrestlers under contract to the NWA are not believed to be under the same restrictions. 

Hausman reached out to NWA World Heavyweight Champion EC3 regarding the above-mentioned issues. He noted that he has not heard the same complaints from members of the NWA roster. 

EC3 offered the following response:

1) no apology necessary (Hausman had apologized for contacting him later than planned)

2) This has never been communicated to me via talent or otherwise, and I communicate with all. A truly professional wrestler should be prepared for anything at anytime. They should be able to perform based on whatever opportunity is provided. “Plans in advance” OFTEN change.
There isn’t one wrestling company that this isn’t the case for.

While sometimes knowing in advance can be beneficial, perhaps in envisioning long form character arc and story told, a lot of the best moments and actions come when capable talent are put on the spot and trust their skills and intuition in the moments.

The day of the show provides AMPLE time if a talent requires to verbatim script a promo or “put together a match.” Neither should take long especially if/when a talent is confident in character, work, and ability.

Personally, I prefer to have a direction, then allowed the open canvas to create how I achieve that direction. I know WHO I AM and WHERE I WANT TO GO. I think others should trust themselves to do the same. It’s how good stories are told.

EX: Tonight on NWA POWERRR (6:05) I have a promo segment that I was informed of day of the show. I was given the destination that is taking us. I conversed with the talent involved on their goals and mission and end business for the segment. Then I had 5 hours till it was filmed. I was pleased with how it turned out.

By being present in the moment, you are always prepared for anything.

Continued in a moment have to do something

3) infrastructure is great and required on all facets of a growing business. Infrastructure is more imperative on a BUSINESS END than a CREATIVE END.

True creativity is a collaboration, and talents should be absolutely thankful they have freedom to explore as creatives because before they know it, they will work their asses off to one day maybe get an opportunity to BE A MUTE.

I don’t know what facets of growth are being held up that we would require a bakers dozens of low level Hollywood writers who have never seen wrestling, never been in a fight for anything, or never had an experience in athletic victory/defeat.

If it’s about promotional material or who is “being pushed” it’s not rocket science on who that is, but it’s also a HUGE OPPORTUNITY for a talent who might not be, to put themselves out there, show why they are special, and capture that. Simply by utilizing the team we have, from socials, to peers, a talent can send a promo to the team, get it aired. A talent can try an idea they have, film it, it can air. A talent can EASILY (and this is rare) TALK TO THE BOSS and pitch ideas.

I watched our boss sit and listen to a bunch of promos from extras (who don’t really have a shot), watch a bunch of practice matches from extras (who aren’t TV ready) and offer that to all.

Just because a talent is there, and semi being utilized, doesn’t mean anything is handed. Entitlement and complacency will have them, what, Anonymously bitching to the internet?

Post a seminar I did, I spent hours discussing non contracted talents with WPC so we can provide them legitimate feedback, again, even if they aren’t close to TV ready.

Why? Because we love this and share the same ideals that people deserve opportunity and the truth. I don’t think people understand the rarity of a boss who would put that time in. Took me a long time to find one.

Again, back to creative, I’d prefer one’s overall vision accompanied by a handful of trusted, experienced, smart “wrestling people” to see it through.

Again though, hindsight 20/20 sometimes there can be too much freedom and people do dumb things.

I hope that answer was sufficient.

4) I know only my business, and my business alone as far as contracts and older talent etc. I’m very happy with mine as I get to represent and grow the brand, while also challenge myself with other creative endeavors in wrestling and beyond. While NWA is my home, I can spread our, and my own, brand on multiple fronts.

This industry is a constant test. Being “frustrated by tests” is, just, something I’d never say or complain about (to the internet.) If I am challenged to do something, in lieu of frustrated complaining, I’d channel that frustration to take whatever test I’ve been given, and get better by accepting the challenge. Even if it’s just a “F-U” to the person who put me through it.

It’s not “gaining approval.” It’s showing competency and will. It’s showing you want it. It’s showing you have value. It’s showing you’re worth investing in.

If that’s too much, don’t come. I have countless people reaching out to me daily trying to get in.

And also, as I’ve said to the locker room before, I am ALWAYS AVAILABLE if anyone ever wants to or needs to have a conversation. I don’t know if I’ll be right, but I will give my best effort and opinion in complete confidence.