Commentators: Joe Galli & Jim Cornette
The World Tag Team Championship is on the line this week on NWA Powerrr as The Wild Cards defend against Outlaw Inc. Women’s World Champ Allysin Kay is also in action and Joe Galli sits down with World Champ Nick Aldis and Kamille for an interview regarding the end of last week’s show.
CHAMPIONS
- NWA WORLD’S HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: “The National Treasure” Nick Aldis
- NWA NATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: “The Cowboy” James Storm
- NWA WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPION: Allysin Kay
- NWA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The Wild Cards (Thomas Latimer & Royce Isaacs)
LINEUP
- Ricky Starks vs. Trevor Murdoch (**1/2)
- Colt Cabana & Mr. Anderson vs. Sal Rinauro & Jordan Kingsley (SQUASH)
- Allysin Kay vs. Ashley Vox (**1/2)
- The Wild Cards [c] vs. Outlaw Inc. for the NWA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (**3/4)
*****
-RECAP VIDEO: last week’s debut episode.
-After opening remarks from Galli and Cornette we go to Dave Marquez at the interview podium, who introduces his guest: the former Savior of the Unwashed Masses himself, Aron Stevens. Stevens says he has been away from pro wrestling for the past two years pursuing TV and film “in the west” but the NWA has brought him back to the sport he loves. Stevens does the whole conceited Hollywood star thing, telling everyone to avoid eye contact with him, and concludes with a “You’re Welcome” for old time’s sake. As long as Stevens puts more effort into this than his Impact Wrestling run I’ll be happy, because OH BOY THAT IMPACT RUN.
Ricky Starks defeated Trevor Murdoch via pinfall (3:30)
The two exchange chops to start, Murdoch drops Starks with a big boot. Cornette mentions that Murdoch hasn’t been full-time in pro wrestling for awhile but the NWA has coaxed him back into it. Nice way to build the NWA as a “must be” promotion. Murdoch misses an Alabama Jam from the middle buckle and Starks immediately connects with a running kick for a two-count. Starks drops Murdoch with a middle buckle missile dropkick and goes for a lateral press, Murdoch gets his foot on the rope. Murdoch blocks a tornado DDT and connects with a series of rights, Starks ducks a clothesline and rolls him up with a crucifix for the 1…2…3!
Good opening match. I didn’t realize that I missed Trevor Murdoch until this moment. He’s even beefier than he used to be, really leaning into that Dick Murdoch thing. (**)
-Starks joins Marquez at the interview podium. Murdoch stops by to shake his hand and offer his congratulations, then Starks launches into a rhyme-y promo about being sexy and a good wrestler. It’s better than I’m making it sound. He’s got the makings of a star for sure.
-BREAKING NEWS: Joe Galli in a CGI newsroom, recapping Nick Aldis calling his attempt to question Kamille last week “clickbait”. Galli takes offense to this as he’s a REAL JOURNALIST and hypes his sit-down with the duo later in the show, vowing to continue his line of FAIR AND BALANCED REPORTING. None of this is said ironically either, he really means it and apparently is a legit award-winning journalist.
-NWA returns to PPV December 14th with Into the Fire, the same name as the Dokken thing for Powerrr. Well actually it’s Into the FIRE EMOJI FIRE EMOJI FIRE EMOJI but same difference.
-Joe Galli welcomes Colt Cabana to the interview podium. Cabana says James Storm took the National Title from him when he was injured but now he’s in much better shape, new and improved. Cabana wants all the titles, even the Tag Team Titles as he’s got a tag team match next. Cabana says he has a guy and it’s…MIIISSSSSSSTEEEEER ANNNNNNNNDERSON.
Colt Cabana & Mr. Anderson defeated Sal Rinauro & Jordan Kingsley via pinfall (3:33)
Cabana messes with Rinauro early, having the time of his life confusing him and throwing him to the mat repeatedly. Anderson tags in and counters a tilt-a-whirl something into a sidewalk slam. Kingsley tags in and hits a cool as f*ck Pele Kick but that’s about it for offense as Anderson regains control with a backdrop and an inside out clothesline. Anderson picks Rinauro up and drops him on Kingsley with a rolling senton. Rinauro tags in by slapping Kingsley foot which Cornette HATES but makes it work. Anderson gets the pin for his team with the Mic Check.
An entertaining squash. I don’t watch a ton of Colt Cabana matches so his shtick isn’t “old” or whatever to me. I thought he did a great job playing to the studio crowd and he looked like he was having the time of his life. Sometimes wrestling can be fun, I GUESS. Anderson was Anderson, your mileage may vary, but I thought he and Cabana had great chemistry. (SQUASH)
-EARLIER TODAY: Cameras catch up with Nick Aldis outside the arena after the interview which will air later in the show. Aldis says this is pro wrestling, not TMZ, and is upset about how it went down and how it painted him. Good build to the segment which will be ending the show.
-FAKE AD: Legend Tony Falk pimps his business: “Waffles & Tire Irons”. The tire irons are painted gold. A parody of local TV commercials but unlike Austin Idol’s school it isn’t real. I think? I don’t even know. The south is weird.
-LAST WEEK = The Wild Cards and Outlaw Inc. get in each other’s face. Kyle Davis stops Eddie Kingston & Homicide backstage afterwards for some words. Homicide has an N.W.A. shirt (“the hip hop group”, the writer said as white as possible) which is a GREAT touch. Kingston says no team is anything unless they beat the King and the GAWD of NEW YAWK.
Allysin Kay defeated Ashley Vox via pinfall (3:48)
Vox gets more offense than I expected, almost taking Kay to the limit, but Kay is the Women’s Champ for a reason and bullies her down en route to a pinfall victory. Her finisher, almost like a behind the back Tombstone, is AWESOME. Good squash win and good showing from Vox. I wish I had recapped this better, I honestly thought it was going to be a quick match so I was caught off-guard. (**1/2)
-Marquez is standing by at the interview podium as Allysin Kay walks over. Kay calls Vox over and calls her a good kid, happy she’s on the roster and her future is bright…just not bright enough to beat her. Backhanded compliments are TIGHT.
-LAST WEEK = Tim Storm leaves the ring to a standing ovation. Kyle Davis tries to get some words from Storm, but he just walks off undoubtedly disappointed.
-Galli welcomes National Champion James Storm to the interview podium. Storm quickly muscles the mic away and says that the National Championship is just a prop, a stepping stone to get into the World Title picture. Eli Drake interrupts and tells Storm to go for that ten pounds of gold but to remember him when he wins it. This was…weird?
-The Austin Idol wrestling school ad from last week plays again.
The Wild Cards (Thomas Latimer & Royce Isaacs) [c] fought Outlaw Inc. (Eddie Kingston & Homicide) to a no-contest; The Wild Cards retain the NWA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (6:00 or so)
Kingston in control early, Latimer just barely ducks the Backfist to the Future and tags out to Isaacs who jockeys for a suplex only to lose that one. Homicide tags in, and The Wild Cards eventually wrangle offensive control of the match. Cool spot happens where Isaacs gets the blind tag as Latimer gets rolled up into a sunset flip then kicks Homicide in the back of the head while Latimer holds his head in place. Kingston gets the hot tag and takes everyone to Chop City but before he can get the victory out come The Dawsons to ruin everything.
Good main event; Homicide and Kingston feel both out of place and PERFECT in this version of the NWA and I enjoyed them very much. Kingston mouthing off during the contest, including a well-placed f*ck (bleeped of course) kicked ass. The Dawsons being jerks and ruining the match was sad though, it was just picking up. (**3/4)
The Dawsons beat up both teams and stand tall.
PRE-RECORDED INTERVIEW: Joe Galli sits down with Nick Aldis and Kamille in the empty studio. Galli asks why Aldis needs an insurance policy like Kamille, Aldis takes offense to this but gives him a legitimate answer: he lost the NWA World Title at All In due to outside interference and brought on Kamille to mitigate this which led to his regaining of the title at the 70th Anniversary. Galli tries to ask Kamille what she’s getting out of this arrangement but she refuses to speak, and Aldis SEETHINGLY tells Galli never to say he doesn’t allow her to speak ever again. F*CK YEAH ALDIS, DON’T LET THAT DUDE MAKE YOU OUT TO BE SOMEONE YOU’RE NOT. Interview concludes and that’s the show.
*****
FINAL THOUGHTS: Good episode this week as more NWA stars got their chance to shine in the ring and on the mic. Colt Cabana and James Storm were the standouts mic-wise, while Ricky Starks showed off in both areas and put himself on the map as someone to watch. It was cool seeing Trevor Murdoch back in the ring, and the main event was fun until The Dawsons had to be haters and ruin it. Eli Drake interrupting Storm’s promo was odd though, and Aron Stevens being here doesn’t get me all that excited (seriously that Impact run was TRASH) but I’m going to give him a shot. Damien Sandow ruled, so there’s still a small amount of hope. Another week another good episode, here’s hoping we get a hat trick next week.
