A spot that saw a manager, wrestlers and women snort cocaine at NWA Samhain could severely affect how viewers can access NWA programming on the CW.
During last weekend’s pay-per-view, manager Father James Mitchell was shown at a table with several wrestlers and women, snorting cocaine and drinking alcohol, the clip of which can be seen below.
According to Haus of Wrestling, CW officials weren’t happy with that in light of their new deal that was set to bring both NWA Power and a reality TV series to the network. The outlet reported there is a “90% chance” both shows will now air on The CW’s app vs. broadcast as a result due to the network receiving negative social media comments after the segment.
From the report:
“As it stands, Haus of Wrestling is told that there is an active push by those higher-up at The CW to have the NWA’s content air solely on their The CW app and not on their actual television airwaves. Apparently, when negotiations were going on to bring the NWA to The CW, Corgan was told that the network would not be watching the PPVs and would only be concerned with what happened on the TV show airing on their platform.”
The outlet also reported the cocaine spot was the idea of NWA owner Billy Corgan who “pushed for it to be on the pay-per-view.”
They also added a note that the reality series was fully paid for by Corgan with the idea CW could sell ads for it to bring in revenue.
“One of the big selling points for The CW to get behind the reality series was that Corgan said his recent wedding would be a part of it, something they were excited to air. The other pro wrestling aspects of the series, along with the added Powerrr deal, all were agreed to under the understanding The CW would be able to air the Corgan wedding footage.”
NWA presented Samhain on Saturday night from Cleveland, Ohio.
Matt Cardona made his presence felt early in the show and attempted to get himself booked in the main event. He interfered in the Brady Pierce vs. Rush Freeman match, attacking both guys and then putting Freeman on top of Pierce for the pin.
Cardona then cut a promo about how he should be the NWA World Heavyweight Champion and then called out Billy Corgan for having stripped him of the title in the first place. Corgan came out and acted like he was going to add Cardona to the main event but then just told him to go to hell. Cardona went to attack Corgan but Kamille came out and speared him.
Cardona reappeared in the closing moments of the main event. It looked like he was going to attack Kamille but Latimer put himself in harm’s way to protect her. EC3 then hit a piledriver on Latimer and pinned him to retain the title.
After the match, Cardona confronted EC3 and made it clear he wants a shot at the title. After EC3 left the ring, Latimer attacked Cardona from behind and clotheslined him out of the ring.
EC3 closed out the show by sitting atop a throne on the stage and holding the 10 pounds of gold.
Other NWA Samhain notes:
The stipulation of the Ultimate Hardcore Team War match was that if Sal the Pal and Gaagz the Gimp’s team lost, which they did, Father James Mitchell will control their souls forever. Max the Impaler eliminated Sal and Gaagz last for their team.
The company announced that Hard Times 2024 will be the first PPV of the new year. A date and venue have not been announced.
Violent J pinned Vampiro in the Riddle Box match. He picked up the win for his team after delivering his own version of the Nail in the Coffin onto a bunch of tacks and various other debris that was scattered on the mat.
Despite being banned from ringside, Aron Stevens interfered in the tag title match, helping Blunt Force Trauma to retain. He was disguised as a knight and attacked Trevor Murdoch and Mike Knox.
The match was a “Round Tables” match, meaning you had to put your opponent through a round table and not one with any other shape. Several rectangle-shaped tables were used but did not result in the match ending.
Thom Latimer and Kamille were dressed as Macho Man and Miss Elizabeth during the main event.
NWA Samhain results:
Jake Dumas, Cody James, Alex Misery, Judais, & Max the Impaler defeated Dak Draper, Mims, Koa Laxamana, Gaagz the Gymp, & Sal the Pal in the Devil’s Last Dance Ultimate Hardcore Team War match
Rush Freeman defeated Brady Pierce in a Loser Leaves NWA match w/Rolando Freeman as special referee
NWA Junior Heavyweight Champion Colby Corino defeated Joe Alonzo in a Falls Count Anywhere match to defend his title
The Southern Six (Kerry Morton & Alex Taylor) defeated The Headbangers (Mosh & Thrasher)
Jax Dane defeated Blake Troop in a submission match
NWA World Women’s Tag Team Champions Pretty Empowered (Ella Envy & Kylie Paige) defeated Natalia Markova & Taylor Rising to retain their titles
NWA National Heavyweight Champion Silas Mason defeated Chris Adonis
The Brothers of Funstruction (Yabo the Clown & Ruffo the Clown) & Violent J defeated La Rebelion (Bestia 666 & Mecha Wolf) & Vampiro w/Jerry Other in a Riddle Box match
NWA World Women’s Champion Kenzie Paige defeated Ruthie Jay to retain her title
NWA World Tag Team Champions Blunt Force Trauma (Carnage & Damage) defeated Trevor Murdoch & Mike Knox in a Medieval Knights of the Round Table match to retain their titles
NWA World Heavyweight Champion EC3 defeated Thom Latimer w/Kamille to retain his title
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including AEW Dynamite from Wednesday, all the matches and angles, a look at all the line-ups for this coming weekend, MJF vs. Omega teased for TV, NXT ratings and how the show has grown, NWA on the CW and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including Showtime dropping MMA and boxing and what it means for the future, Sting retiring, NWA getting TV, ratings, AEW and NXT TV reports plus Rampage spoilers with Mistico vs. Rocky Romero, and more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps:
Start: Burt Young passes away, Showtime dropping all sports
13:44: NWA gets CW TV deal
18:55: Sting announces retirement date
27:35: Ratings
33:58: Mistico wrestling in Denver, Dralistico challenging Vikingo
Billy Corgan teased last week during an appearance on Busted Open Radio that his promotion had recently signed with a “Top 20 network.” According to a report from Haus of Wrestling, both TV deals are with The CW, and an official announcement is coming relatively soon.
It is believed one of the two deals is for the rights to NWA Power and the other is for a reality TV series based on what happens behind the scenes in the promotion.
In late August, the NWA announced it had made several production upgrades and declared it was entering a “new era.” The production upgrades were reportedly made in anticipation of the company’s new television deals.
Today’s news comes on the heels of Corgan’s company also announcing the return of its old territory system. EC3’s Exodus Pro Wrestling promotion was revealed as the first new affiliate in the system and will now be known as NWA ExodusPro Midwest. It’s been speculated that the new territories could be featured on the NWA’s YouTube channel in the future.
Billy Corgan says the NWA will soon be on a “Top 20 network.”
Corgan appeared on Thursday’s edition of Busted Open Radio and announced that his company has signed two television deals recently. He was unable to provide further details but says that an official announcement is coming soon.
“I have to be a bit vague because there’s some other political aspects to this but I can now say that we finally have signed not just one but two television deals, and that announcement as far as where and who will be coming soon,” Corgan said. “But we finally now will be able to move off YouTube, not exclusively because we want to still do stuff on YouTube, but we now will be moving (to) a network partner.”
“I have to be vague, I can’t say who but I can say it’s a top 20 network,” he continued. “I’m very excited, I’ve been working on this for over a year. Like I said, not just one but two television deals are involved. Two totally different wrestling-related products we will be offering in 2024.”
Earlier in the interview, Corgan also spoke of his frustration regarding the NWA on YouTube.
“YouTube is a terrible partner for wrestling, I’m just going to say that flat out,” he said. “Lately – because of who knows how these AI systems work – they’ve been squeezing all the wrestling content creators. No one can quite figure it out but everybody’s numbers are down, and that’s across the board.”
“We can’t even put ads on YouTube, because they keep labeling any ads we put – even if it’s just Jim Mitchell saying come watch Samhain the PPV – it gets a ban for being offensive. And we can’t find anybody to talk to to tell you why you can’t put an ad on there.”
“Five years ago, yes, YouTube, a good place to start, it helped us build the brand starting with the debut of Power.”
Corgan also announced the return of NWA’s territory system earlier this week. EC3’s Exodus Pro promotion based out of Cleveland is the first announced affiliate. It will now be known as NWA Exodus Pro Midwest.
Corgan’s company is building to NWA Samhain on October 28. The announced lineup is below.
NWA Samhain lineup:
NWA World Heavyweight Champion EC3 defends against Thom Latimer w/Kamille
NWA World Women’s Champion Kenzie Paige defends against Ruthie Jay
NWA Junior Heavyweight Champion Colby Corino defends against Joe Alonzo
NWA World Women’s Tag Team Champions Pretty Empowered (Ella Envy & Kylie Paige) defend against Taylor Rising & Natalia Markova
NWA World Tag Team Champions Blunt Force Trauma (Carnage & Damage) w/Aron Stevens defend against Trevor Murdoch & Mike Knox
Jax Dane vs. Blake Troop in a submissions match
Violent J & The Brothers of Funstruction (Yabo & Ruffo) vs. Vampiro & La Rebellion (Bestia 666 & Mecha Wolf)
The Sourthern 6 (Kerry Morton & Alex Taylor) vs. TBA
The promotion put out a press release on Monday announcing the news. NWA World Heavyweight Champion EC3’s Exodus Pro promotion out of Cleveland was revealed as the first new NWA affiliate of the modern era. It will now be known as NWA Exodus Pro Midwest.
Today’s press release states the NWA will be looking to add more affiliates to its territory system both domestically and internationally.
NWA Press release:
NATIONAL WRESTLING ALLIANCE EMBARKS ON HISTORIC TERRITORY SYSTEM REVIVAL UNDER LEADERSHIP OF PRESIDENT WILLIAM PATRICK CORGAN
• The first affiliate territory for the Lightning One era is NWA Exodus Pro Midwest
• Territory is lead by NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion EC3
• More territories are being explored domestically and internationally
CLEVELAND, OH – In a move marking a pivotal moment in the history of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), President William Patrick Corgan has announced the revival of the promotion’s territorial system, a cherished tradition for the NWA, which harkens back to the roots of professional wrestling and the alliance’s formation 75 years ago. The move is aimed at fostering collaboration, unity and the development of future wrestling stars. The inaugural affiliate territory to join this initiative is NWA Exodus Pro Midwest, under the stewardship of none other than the NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion, EC3.
In a statement reflecting the essence of this moment, Billy Corgan remarked, “We are returning to the collaboration that defined the NWA, embracing a model that not only honors our rich history but also propels us into a future of young stars. This initial undertaking with NWA Exodus Pro, as well as all our affiliate promotions to come, will play a pivotal role in who appears on NWA television in the future, as well as affording those affiliate promotions consistent access to all the top NWA champions and superstars.”
NWA Exodus Pro Midwest, led by the illustrious NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion EC3, will see its Men’s Heavyweight Championship officially recognized by the NWA-a testament to the gravity of this new chapter in NWA history. This collaboration not only signifies a mutual partnership but also symbolizes a shared commitment to the growth and evolution of professional wrestling. EC3 expressed his excitement, stating, “I am honored to lead NWA Exodus Pro Midwest into this new chapter. I’ve long sought a way to create a platform of opportunity for up and coming talent to “tell their story.” With the WPC and the NWA, I have the right partner and wrestling’s most important legacy. To have the NWA’s brand, create shows, and cultivate talent, especially in the Midwest region, is something I’m incredibly passionate about. Together, we will pave the way for a future that respects the traditions of the past while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Dare I say, we can “control the narrative.”
The inaugural celebration of this historic affiliation will be marked by “NWA Presents: Samhain” on October 28, 2023, hosted at Temple Live in Cleveland. Fans can secure their tickets and pay-per-view access by visiting NWATix.com and Fite.TV.
Up next for the promotion is NWA Samhain. The event will take place in EC3’s hometown of Cleveland, where he will be running the NWA Exodus Pro Midwest promotion. The lineup for the show is below.
NWA Samhain on October 28, 2023 lineup:
NWA World Women’s Tag Team Champions Pretty Empowered (Ella Envy & Kylie Paige) defend against Taylor Rising & Natalia Markova
NWA World Tag Team Championship Blunt Force Trauma (Damage & Carnage) w/Aron Stevens defend against Mike Knox & Trevor Murdoch in a Medieval Knights of The Round Tables Tables match
NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Colby Corino defends against Joe Alonzo
NWA World Women’s Champion Kenzie Paige defends against Ruthie Jay
NWA World Heavyweight Champion EC3 defends against Thom Latimer w/Kamille
Velvet Sky is leaving her role with the National Wrestling Alliance.
On Friday, Sky announced that she will no longer be part of the NWA going forward. She wished the NWA the best and thanked everyone she worked with, including Billy Corgan and her broadcast partners Joe Galli and Tim Storm.
“Going forward, I will no longer be a part of the @NWA,” Sky wrote. “I wanna thank Billy for the opportunity, & thank you to each person I worked with as it was so much fun & I learned so much from Joe & Tim on commentary. I wish the NWA my best with everything. See you all down the road.”
Sky, who announced her retirement from in-ring competition in 2017, was a commentator for the NWA.
Sky is set to appear on Impact Wrestling’s 1000th episode, which is being taped this Saturday and will air on Thursday, September 14. Sky will be at ringside as her Beautiful People partner Angelina Love takes part in a 10-woman tag match. The match is pitting Love, Deonna Purrazzo, Gisele Shaw, Savannah Evans, and a mystery partner against Trinity, Jordynne Grace, Awesome Kong, Gail Kim, and a mystery partner.
The NWA has announced a new pay-per-view for next month.
On Tuesday’s edition of NWA Power, the promotion revealed that NWA Samhain will take place on Saturday, October 28, 2023, from Cleveland, Ohio. A venue for the show has yet to be confirmed.
Tickets to the show are available beginning Friday at 12 p.m. Eastern time.
The new NWA World Heavyweight Champion, EC3, is from nearbyWilloughby, Ohio. He runs the Exodus Pro promotion out of Cleveland.
The name of the show comes from a Gaelic festival held on November 1 to mark the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter.
Father James Mitchell has been announced as hosting the show.
NWA Samhain will be the promotion’s sixth pay-per-view event of the year. The company is coming off its two-night 75th Anniversary Show on August 26 & 27 from the Chase Ballroom in St. Louis. Several new champions were crowned at the event. In addition to EC3 defeating Tyrus for the NWA World Heavyweight title, Pretty Empowered’s Kenzie Paige pulled off an upset over Kamille to win the NWA World Women’s Championship. Her stablemates defeated Madi Wrenkowski & Missa Kate for the NWA World Women’s Tag titles on night one as well. Colby Corino also won the NWA World Junior Heavyweight title by defeating Kerry Morton.
EC3 defeated Tyrus in the main event on night two of NWA’s 75th Anniversary show on Sunday in a bullrope match where Tyrus would be forced to retire if he lost.
Tyrus’s NWA Worlds title reign ends at 289 days, after he defeated Trevor Murdoch & Matt Cardona in a three-way to win the title at last November’s Hard Times 3 event.
In addition to the Worlds title switch, three other titles changed hands on Sunday’s NWA 75 show.
Kenzie Paige defeated Kamille in the semi-main event to win the NWA World Women’s Championship, ending Kamille’s 813-day reign with the title.
Paige’s Pretty Empowered stablemates Kylie Page & Ela Envy defeated M95’s Madi Wrenkowski & Missa Kate earlier in the evening to capture the NWA World Women’s Tag Team Championship in another title change.
On the NWA 75 pre-show, Talos & Daisy Kill defeated The Country Gentlemen’s Anthony Andrews & AJ Cazana to win the NWA United States Tag Team Championship. Talos & Kill won a tournament final on night one of NWA 75 to earn the title shot on Sunday.
New champions were crowned on the first night of NWA 75.
The first championship change went down when Max the Impaler defeated Kenzie Paige to win the NWA Women’s Television championship. Paige won a battle royal later in the show to become the number one contender to the NWA Women’s Championship, still held by Kamille after she defeated Natalia Markova in the main event.
In the next match, Thrillbilly Silas Mason defeated Odinson and JR Kratos in a three-way match to win the vacant NWA National Heavyweight Championship, turning on his manager Pollo Del Mar during the match. Blunt Force Trauma (Carnage and Damage) then defeated La Rebellion to win the NWA Tag Team titles.
Colby Corino defeated Kerry Morton to win the NWA Junior Heavyweight title. A match between him and Jack Cartwheel, who won a Jubilee Jamboree earlier in the show, is now set for night two on Sunday.
Another match set for the second night of the NWA’s 75th anniversary show will have Daisy Kill and Talos challenge for the NWA United States Tag Team titles. Kill and Talos defeated The Fixers to earn the title match.
Sunday’s NWA 75 night two event will be headlined by Tyrus defending the NWA World Heavyweight title against EC3.
This is the second to last episode of NWA Power before NWA 75 next weekend. This show is from the Highland Park, Il, tapings last month with Joe Galli and Tim Storm on the call.
The Southern 6 (Alex Taylor & Kerry Morton) (w/ Silas Mason) defeated Colby Corino & Joe Alonzo
This opening match was a bit of a preview for NWA 75 as Corino takes on Kerry Morton for the NWA Junior Heavyweight Title on night one.
Morton started with Alonzo, but Corino tagged in immediately which only led to Taylor tagging in immediately. This didn’t work well for the heels as Alonzo and Corino cut off the ring from the champ. But, Morton illegally got involved and turned the match around. He held the offense until Corino got the hot tag on Taylor and hit a diving elbow drop from the top rope. He then pulled Morton into the ring and they fought back to the outside while on the inside, Taylor hit the Green Whistle on Alonzo for the win.
Talos defeated Judais
They were already in the ring after the intro and ready to go at it. This was a great big meaty men slappin’ meat match as both are least 6’7″and 300 pounds. Judais just ended up beating down Talos for a long time. A big-time fallaway slam took both out momentarily. After this, Sal the Pal ran in with his towel and threw it at the referee. While the referee was distracted, Gaagz the Gymp hit the Gaagz Reflex onto Judais and Talos pinned him for the win.
– May Valentine was backstage with NWA TV Champion Thom Latimer who is close to hitting the Lucky 7 (seven straight title defenses earn him a World title shot). He said he has no idea who his last opponent to get there and he doesn’t care. He also doesn’t care who he takes on for the NWA World Title. He also has a tag team match next week. Busy guy!
– DLZ had his weekly segment and announced the Kamille vs. Kylie Paige non-title match for tonight and interviewed a couple of people backstage who really have much to say.
Magic Jake Dumas & CJ defeated AJ Cazana & Natalia Markova in an intergender match
Storm said we hadn’t seen a mixed tag team match like this in years which is surprising. Galli also claimed that there can be an interaction between the genders. We saw that on full display when Markova hit a couple of moves on Dumas. Cazana worked over Jake for a few minutes, but CJ tagged in. Cazana didn’t want to put his hands on a woman, so he tagged in Markova. The men came back in and Cazana accidentally ran over Markova. Dumas and CJ then double-teamed Cazana which set up Dumas for the moonsault and the win.
– Eric Jackson was backstage with May Valentine. He thanked everyone for the opportunity in NWA, but he can’t prove himself to who he really is and he called himself him. Alright. He also announced he teams up with Fodder next week.
NWA Women’s Champion Kamille defeated Kylie Paige in a non-title match
Kamille celebrated 800 days as champion today.
They hyped this up as a match that showcases the future of the division vs. the present. They tied up early and Paige was thrown around. Kamille dominated in the early going, but Kylie eventually baited the champ and used the ring post to her advantage. She worked over the left arm of Kamille. They went back and forth a bit until Kamille hit a massive Alabama Slam. Kamille followed it up with a spear for the win. Pretty Empowered came out after the match to help Kylie, but Kamille just ended up spearing both of them at the same time.
– Trevor Murdoch & Mike Knox — the winners of the NWA Crockett Cup tournament — were with May Valentine hyping up their NWA 75 Tag Team Title match on Night 2. Blunt Force Trauma takes on La Rebelion on Night 1 so they talked about which team they would rather face and which team they thought would show up. They also talked about next week’s big main event against Latimer.
– Kamille had her own promo wondering how Markova earned the title shot against her on night 1 of NWA 75. She announced it as a “no limits match” where anything goes.
Blunt Force Trauma (Carnage & Damage) (w/ Aron Stevens) defeated EC3 & Jordan Clearwater (w/ C Red)
Commentary pointed out that EC3 is not the NWA National Heavyweight Champion anymore. Carnage started against Clearwater and BFT dominated early. EC3 finally tagged in, but it wasn’t a hot tag — BFT just let it happen. EC3 and Clearwater turned things around and had the same domination segment of the match. This whole match was just back and forth, but the old-fashioned way. BFT eventually hit the double-team sidewalk slam off the middle rope onto Clearwater. EC3 went to break up the pin but Stevens stopped him from the outside for the BFT win.
Tuesday’s edition of NWA Power was the third consecutive show from the Highland Park, IL tapings. Joe Galli and Tim Storm got right into the action.
Carnage (w/ Aron Stevens) defeated Jax Dane (w/ Chris Silvio Esq.) by countout
Usually, when you start a show with two guys in the ring, you would want them to get going fast and get the crowd excited. These two thought they should do the opposite by staring at each other and locking in rest holds. They started fighting on the outside where Carnage really took advantage. A snap slam actually got a near fall only about three minutes into the match.
Dane kicked out and countered Carnage and when he went for a spear, Stevens held his leg. Dane moved to the outside and tried to attack Stevens but when Carnage distracted him and the ref, Dane got hit with Stevens’ loaded glove. Dane looked extremely dizzy and couldn’t return to the ring for the 10 count. He then got into announcer Tim Storm’s face after the match for some reason. Storm later talked about how he and Dane had a history but that’s all it was.
Mike Knox & Trevor Murdoch defeated Russ Jones & Schaff
This was just all about putting Knox and Murdoch over. The entirety of the commentary was about how they won the Crockett Cup and are the “best tag team in the world.” Jones and Schaff are actually the AAW Tag Team Champions and the commentary made sure to explain that. It created a weird dynamic where they were trying to get both of these teams over in different ways which didn’t really help either of them.
The Cup winners were still in control for most of it, using their size and teamwork to cut off the ring. Murdoch got the pop-up spinebuster for a near fall, but Schaff broke it up. Knox then hit his own pop-up spinebuster to set up Jones for the high-low and the pin.
– May Valentine was with Mims, asking how he was going to handle Chris Silvio Esq. at ringside tonight for his match with Troop. He then cut a whole promo about how scary his opponent was and how he wasn’t going to back down to him or anybody else.
Blake Troop (w/ Chris Silvio Esq.) defeated Mims by referee’s decision
Troop’s whole gimmick is that he’s an MMA fighter as well as being a professional wrestler. That is true, but for this specific match, the storyline was that he had a jiu-jitsu tournament over the weekend and he injured his ribs, which were still taped up.
This was a pretty slow match that was smooth for the most part. They went back and forth until Troop locked in a kneebar that looked excruciating. Mims was able to get the ropes, but Troop left it in as long as he could. They kept going back and forth until Mims locked in a bear hug. Troop went for Mims’ eyes to get out and locked in the kneebar again. Mims was screaming in pain and he was reaching for the ropes when he passed out from the pain.
– Eric Jackson was the lucky man to get interviewed by Valentine next. She asked about his tag team match for next week. Jackson put his tag team partner (Robert Anthony) over until Fodder interrupted and put himself over, saying he destroys anyone in the ring.
Jordan Clearwater & Odinson defeated U.S. Tag Team Champions The Country Gentlemen (AJ Cazana & Anthony Andrews) in a non-title match
So, last week we found out the two teams that are gonna face each other at next month’s PPV for a shot at these titles. This week, the champions lost a non-title match to two guys that have never teamed together? This immediately made me not care.
Clearwater and Odinson even had an argument about who would start. Cazana started the match for the champions and got a quick advantage. The champs cut off the ring on Clearwater and they dominated. Odinson finally got into the match and turned things around. They cut off the ring on Cazana until he hit a lariat for the Andrews hot tag. He ran wild on both men with some crazy power moves, throwing Clearwater and Odinson around like they were dolls. Odinson regained the advantage and pounced him mid-air.
They rid the ring of Cazana and set up Andrews for another pounce and the clean win. So, again, a team that has never tagged before just beat the champions clean a week after the champions got their PPV match.
– This week’s edition of DLZ was just a quick run-down recap of everything that’s happened in the past few weeks. It seems like a thing that the locker room has a lot of fun with but he talks so fast you can’t understand anything he’s saying. But I’ll take his word for it!
– May Valentine checked in with Dak Draper who was making sure that his friend Mims was okay as he went to the hospital with a bad hamstring injury. But next week, Draper is facing off against Damage and Chris Adonis in a three-way, which should be pretty exciting. Draper talked about how this was his big opportunity to prove he is worthy of the now-vacant NWA National Championship. But he started the promo by saying, “May, what does NWA stand for?’ After she said the correct answer, he said, “No, May. It stands for opportunity.” What?
NWA Junior Heavyweight Champion Kerry Morton (w/ Ricky Morton) defeated Matt Vine to retain
Morton made his way to the ring and told the commentary team to acknowledge the champion. He is really exceptional at being a heel. They started the match quickly with a tie-up, quickly into running the ropes, and a shoulder tackle by Vine. Morton locked in another submission hold and started jawing with Storm — the second wrestler of the night to have a problem with the former NWA World Champion.
They kept the pace high with mostly Morton on offense, using the ropes and targeting the right leg of Vine. Vine took advantage of Morton showboating and hit a clean uranage. Morton rolled out of the ring to his dad, who surprisingly didn’t interfere, and then connected with the Showstopper for the win. I believe it’s official now that Colby Corino will take on Kerry Morton for the title at NWA 75, but you never know with this company.
This week’s NWA Power came from the recent Highland Park, IL, taping with Joe Galli and Tim Storm on the call.
Colby Corino defeated Alex Taylor (w/ Danny Dealz)
This was Corino’s first singles match in the NWA since last summer which was the story of the match. This was also deemed a Junior Heavyweight title eliminator match.
Taylor went on the offensive after some competitive work early and really didn’t look good at all. He almost dropped Corino on his head a number of times. Corino then turned it around and when Taylor went for a sunset flip, Corino rolled out and hit a rising knee. He followed it up with a short-arm clothesline and DDT for the win.
Thom Latimer defeated Mario Pardua (w/ C-Red) to retain the NWA men’s TV Title
This was contested under the standard TV title rules with a 6:05 time limit. There was a lot of sportsmanship to start — something you don’t see in wrestling. Latimer pretty much dominated this, destroying Pardua with a big Alabama Slam and a clothesline. Pardua started to fight back, but Latimer caught him with a pop-up power bomb and then locked in the crossface for the win.
– May Valentine was in the back with Kylie and Kenzie Paige. This was just a promo to hype up Kenzie’s Women’s TV title defense later on. They talked about how well they know Samantha Starr and how easy it will be to beat her.
Daisy Kill & Talos defeated Magic Inc. (Cody James & Jake Dumas) (w/ CJ) in the semifinals of the NWA United States Tag Team title eliminator tournament
Kill and Talos were already in the ring before this match with Kill even starting to sing a song that had to be muted because of copyright. The winners of tonight’s two tag team matches will face off at night one of NWA 75 with the winner of that match getting a U.S. Tag Team title shot at night two.
They went back and forth getting each of their moves in, but eventually, it moved to the outside where Magic Inc. threatened to use Kill’s ukulele. CJ ended up using it a couple of times which is when everything kind of fell apart. James was beaten on the outside by Talos and back in the ring, he hit him with a chokeslam for the win.
– This week’s DLZ teased a Kamille NWA Women’s title defense against one of the Paige sisters and previewed next week’s match Mims vs. Blake Troop match.
– Angelina Love was in the back with Aron Stevens and BFT. He cut a promo on La Rebelion and emphasized how they take on La Rebelion on night 1 of NWA 75 for the NWA Tag Team Titles and how Stevens is out for revenge.
The Fixers (Jay Bradley & Wrecking Ball Legursky) (w/Matt Vine) defeated The Spectaculars (Brady Pierce & Rush Freeman) in the semifinals of the NWA United States Tag Team title eliminator tournament
The Spectaculars used a lot of double team moves early and had control of the match for a little bit, but Legursky was quick to put a stop to this. They even threw Pierce at Freeman’s groin area. They were dominant after the initial offense, ending the match with a sandwich of Freeman for the win.
The Fixers now take on Daisy Kill and Talos on night 1 of NWA 75 for a chance at the NWA U.S. Tag Team titles.
– Vampiro was with May Valentine who was there to put over La Rebelion after Stevens said his piece earlier. All he really said was that he believes in his team and that BFT “sounds like a sandwich.”
Matt Cardona returns
Cardona was at what looked like his house. He was outside by the pool with a cigar and said it’s been six months since he has been in an NWA ring. He apologized for this to the fans, to Billy Corgan, to the locker room, and to everyone. He reminded everyone how he was the NWA World Champion and how he got injured and returned at NWA 74 just to lose to Rolando Freeman. He then lost to Tyrus and was turned on by all his stablemates. He announced his plan for NWA 75: a Matt Cardona open challenge. He finished by calling this his second chapter and that he will save the NWA.
Kenzie Paige defeated Samantha Starr to retain the NWA women’s TV title
Paige was actually by herself, surprisingly as her sister didn’t come out and she didn’t have anyone else with her. This was also under the same 6:05 time limit as the men’s TV title match. Starr went to shake her hand to start, but the champ kicked it away. Starr kept going for handshakes over and over again and not a single one worked which was a little bit insane.
Paige used one of these handshakes to get the advantage with an eye poke. She was a great heel, yelling at the referee and fans alike to shut up and doing everything she could to get advantages in the match. At around the 2:30 mark, Starr fought out of a sleeper and caught a superkick for a near fall. Her own Samoan Drop also got a near fall.
They traded pinning combinations and Paige hit the Kenzie Cutter out of nowhere to get the pin and successful title defense.
Joe Galli introduced this week’s NWA Power from Studio One in Highland Park, IL. He and Tim Storm were on the call as Velvet Sky was feeling under the weather and won’t be back until August’s NWA 75.
The Brothers of Funstruction (Yabbo & Ruffo) defeated NWA Tag Team Champions La Rebelion (w/ Vampiro) in a non-title match
They all started in the ring at once and after a staredown, Yabbo started spraying the champions with his flower like any clown would. Neither man was phased though. La Rebelion dominated most of this match and worked over Ruffo for most of the match. Yabbo finally got the hot tag and took out Bestia and Mecha Wolf. The clowns kept fumbling into each other and almost kicked one another to give the champs the advantage back.
This is where Vampiro tried to get involved and close it out, but Ruffo tripped him from the outside and Yabbo rolled up Mecha Wolf for the surprise upset.
Ricky Morton (w/ Kerry Morton) defeated Koa Laxamana in a catchweight exhibition match
Laxamana started screaming and started talking about how much of an honor it was to be in the ring with a legend like Ricky. He then offered his lei to Morton to which Joe Galli commented, “I never thought I would see Ricky Morton get “lei’d.” Interesting.
A couple of hip tosses by the Hawaiian Hitman started the match, but Laxamana was quickly distracted by Kerry on the outside. That was a trend throughout this entire match as it set up a Canadian destroyer by Ricky for the very quick win.
– After the match, May Valentine was in the back with Colby Corino and Samantha Starr. She pointed out how important each competitor was to the NWA since they were both generational wrestlers. Starr also hyped up her match against Kenzie Paige next week for the NWA Women’s TV Title. Corino went on about the same thing and then hyped his no. 1 contender match next week for the Junior Heavyweight title.
Zyon (w/ Austin Idol) defeated Rolando Freeman
This was Zyon’s first Power appearance, but we did see him at the Crockett Cup when his manager Austin Idol turned on his son to side with Zyon. Zyon was towering over Freeman — even when Freeman was standing on the first rope.
Obviously, Zyon started throwing Freeman around like a rag doll. It was also a good technical performance as Zyon was locking in all kinds of holds and switching between until Freeman got the ropes. He even bodyslammed Freeman so hard that his bowtie flew off. Freeman fought back into it for a split second, but Zyon caught him with a few backbreakers and a sleeper hold for the win.
– DLZ was in the back and caught us up on Laxamana being upset and The Brothers of Funstruction wanting a title shot. He also hyped up next week’s Women’s TV title match.
– Valentine was with the Southern 6. She asked about what just happened with Ricky Morton and Laxamana, and they really didn’t answer it all. They just put each other over and said that he doesn’t have to.
Natalia Markova & Pretty Empowered (Roxy, Ella Envy and Kylie Paige) defeated NWA Women’s Champion Kamille, Ruthie Jay & and M95 (Madi and Missa Kate)
The heels were out first and they clearly did not want to team with Markova as Galli suggested they were being jealous of Markova getting the title shot at NWA 75.
Markova and Kamille started by pushing each other, but Envy tagged herself in. Kamille dominated Envy though as she got a two-count around one minute into the match. Each woman then took their turn getting their moves in. It ended with Roxy and Jay in the ring and Roxy hitting a Canadian destroyer for the surprise win.
– May Valentine was with the U.S. Tag Team Champions The Country Gentlemen. They hyped up the US Tag Team Challenge in a few weeks.
EC3 defeated “Thrillbilly” Silas Mason (w/ Pollo Del Mar) to retain the NWA National Heavyweight Title
Mason was locked in and came in with a full head of steam. He got the early offense in with chops and work in the corner. EC3 got to the point where he wanted to walk out on the match, but it ended up just being bait that Mason did not take. EC3 still turned it around with his own corner work. Both men were working dirty using the ropes and heel tactics behind the ref’s back. Mason went for a surprise Thrillride off the ropes but EC3 turned it into a One Percenter and actually hit two of them.
Mason kicked out, however, and EC3 went outside of the ring to grab his belt. Del Mar entered the ring and tried to stop him. Mason threw her out of the way violently and EC3 used the belt behind the ref’s back for the pin and three count.
After the match, EC3 was celebrating with the title but in an instant, he dropped the title and walked out. Apparently this was him relinquishing the title to get a NWA World title shot at Tyrus at NWA 75 which Galli noted was the main event.
