The NWA's champion would travel to each of the member promotions' "territories" and work with their top wrestlers. The promotions' heads would also agree to stick to their "territories" and not hold shows outside of them. For example, if your wrestling "territory" was say, New England, you would agree not to hold wrestling shows outside of New England...unless special arrangements were made.
The NWA's decline began in the 1980s thanks to the rise of cable television, Vince McMahon taking the then-World Wresting Federation national, and Ted Turner buying what would become World Championship Wrestling and taking that national as well. Several other promotions would secede from the NWA, including the Mexico-based EMLL, and the Japan-based NJPW. The NWA continued on, but it was a pale shadow of the days of Harley Race and Ric Flair.
In 2017, Billy Corgan (Yes, the same Billy Corgan who sings for the Smashing Pumpkins. He's a big wrestling fan) bought the National Wrestling Alliance. In August 2019, it was announced the NWA would begin tapings for a new online show called NWA Power (or NWA Powerrr), which will stream every Tuesday on YouTube and Facebook. And since the first episode came out last Tuesday, I thought I'd give my thoughts on it.
What's with the countdown?
I like the theme song choice. Dokken's "Into the Fire" is a good song. And it fits the old-school vibe they're going for here. The modern take on the old-school graphics is a nice touch.
Nick Aldis looks like a champion. Love his talking about the other champions. Gives the idea they're just as important as he is. Kamille is pretty.
The studio setup is very novel to someone who is used to watching wrestling shows being held in large arenas. It feels more intimate, like we're being let into a special exclusive event.
First match! The Dawsons vs. Sal Rinauro and Billy Buck. Dawsons defeat Rinauro and Buck in a short little tag squash.
I want to see the Dawsons order food at a McDonalds. "WE WANT THE BIG MACS, AND WE DO NOT CARE HOW WE'LL GET THEM!"
Heh heh, Austin Idol sounds like a used car salesman. I wonder if I can train to be a manager. I always wanted to be a wrestling manager.
It's so weird to see wrestlers come out with no entrance music. I get that it's a studio setup, but it feels less grand to see the wrestlers come out to no music. I hope we get music in the future.
Eli Drake kind of reminds me of the Rock with his promo style.
To be fair Eli, we all have to start somewhere.
Second Match! Eli Drake vs. Caleb Konley! Fun little match with Drake getting the win. And Jim Cornette showing his age again. Whining about "cosplayers" in wrestling. Sheesh. How dare wrestlers be fans of things like comic books. It's not the 80s anymore, Jim.
18:50 Is that guy drunk?! Someone tell him Storm is a fictional character! ...oh, he meant James Storm. I remember him from TNA.
He wanted James Storm, he got him! James Storm's National Championship belt is kind of goofy-looking to me. Yeah, I get that it's the classic design, but just because it looked like that in the past doesn't mean it needs to still look that way, guys.
FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!
Third match is a tag team match. Current NWA Tag Team Champions the Wild Cards vs. Danny White and Mims. The tag belts are not on the line. I admit, I like the look of the Wild Cards, especially the one with the kilt. He's like a metalhead Scotsman.
"GIVE US OUR BELTS!"
Yup, with the Yankees cap and accent, it's obvious Eddie Kingston is definitely a New Yorker.
They should bolt that podium down if they don't want wrestlers tossing it around again.
Kingston has backup! It's Homicide! I know him from TNA back in the day!
Were those two brawling the entire time?
Nice to see a heel (bad guy) acting like a coward.
And that's what happens when you mess with an angry cowboy.
Good promo package there. Tells the story effectively. Tim Storm is desperate to get that NWA title back around his waist, desperate enough that'd he agree to this one last shot.
Main event time! NWA Champion Nick Aldis vs. Tim Storm, title on the line! If Storm loses, he can never get another NWA Championship shot again. This was a great main event, and I felt so bad for Storm at the end.
All in all, this was a fun episode. A great start to the rebirth of the NWA. I do wish they could have fit in a women's match, though. Show they have a women's division ready to go. Also, I know the studio setup may make that difficult, but I would like it if they somehow incorporated entrance music in. Entrance music is a great way to help make wrestlers memorable and give character. And I'm sure it would make the show a bit more modern. Still, I liked this show. The hour went by fast, had some good wrestling and character work. I will be tuning in next week.
Thanks for reading this blog entry! If you liked it, spread it around! See you next time!
No comments:
Post a Comment