NWA Powerrr – October 8, 2019 (Debut Episode): Dang It Why Does It Have To Be Good?

IMG Credit: National Wrestling Alliance

NWA Powerrr
Date: October 8, 2019
Location: GPB Studios, Atlanta, Georgia
Commentators: Joe Galli, Jim Cornette

So this is something different as the NWA is back with a fresh TV series, though it is taking place in a studio in front of probably about 100 people instead of an arena. It might seem a little ridiculous, but at some point you have to just put the wrestlers in the ring and run shows, which is where the NWA is now. It’s better than nothing so hopefully it works out well here. Let’s get to it.

Opening sequence, featuring a lot of shots on the NWA World Title and champion Nick Aldis. One very smart thing here though: name graphics for the wrestlers, which might be only the wrestlers appearing on the show.

And yes there are three r’s in the name.

The announcers welcome us to the show with Cornette being in his element rattling off the history of televised wrestling in Atlanta.

We get the old interview area (I miss that thing) with Aldis, and his bodyguard Kamille, who talks about holding the World Title for nearly a year. It’s hard to stay hungry but look at how far they’ve come. They were a punchline and now they have some great champions representing the NWA name.

We hear about the Tag Team Champions (the Wildcards), the National Champion (James Storm) and the Women’s Champion (Allysin Kay) and all of the people fighting for respect. That brings him to Tim Storm, who he respects more than any man he’s ever met. But everything Aldis has, from the Jaguar parked outside to every meal that he’s put on his son’s table, is because of professional wrestling. Let’s do it serious tonight so Storm can find out why he’s the National Treasure.

This felt VERY similar to an old school studio promo as it was no gimmick or special feature. It was Aldis, who was rocking the suit like an NWA World Champion would, looking straight at the camera and telling us why we should care about what we’re seeing and who is coming for the title. More of this stuff and we’re in a good place.

Dawsons vs. Billy Buck/Sal Rinauro

The Dawsons (Zane and Dave) are a couple of big guys who knock Sal around to start. Buck comes in and gets caught with a running elbow/side slam combination. A standing splash to the back into a powerslam finishes Rinauro at 1:20.

Post match the Dawsons say that is just a little taste of what is to come because they own the world now. They’ll fight everyone and they don’t care how they win. They’re the guys who bullied you for your lunch money so be ready for them.

Promotional consideration paid for by…..THE AUSTIN IDOL UNIVERSAL WRESTLING COLLEGE??? They’re making it really hard to not want to keep watching this.

Here’s Eli Drake for a chat and that’s a very good thing. Drake asks if this is NWA country and he thinks they said YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH. There’s something different about this place but it doesn’t take a scientist to see that it’s a special kind of place. You look around and see men ready to fight so everyone with a belt better be ready because he’s coming for you. I’ve always liked Drake and his talking is some of the best around.

Eli Drake vs. Caleb Konley

Drake shoulders him down but gets rolled up for a few near falls. A monkey flip sends Drake into the corner but he blocks another one back out of it, setting up a jumping neckbreaker to drop Konley. A swinging neckbreaker gives Drake two and the fans are behind him. Drake knees him in the head for two more but Konley is right back with a kick to the chest. Konley gets two off a slingshot splash and a double stomp out of the corner makes it worse. The springboard splash hits raised boots though and the Gravy Train finishes Konley at 4:26.

Rating: C. They were trying hard here and Drake looked good while selling quite a bit. Konley was someone who showed potential in Impact but at the same time, Drake looked like a star who belonged on a bigger stage. Drake could be a big deal around here and I hope that is the case, because you can see the fire in his eyes every time he talks.

We recap Aldis vs. Storm, which is Storm’s last shot at the title. Storm accepted the challenge because he knows he can beat Aldis, as he has before.

Jocephus, a seemingly mad man, runs up to commentary and demands Storm come out here right now.

Back from a break and Jocephus is still shouting for Storm. Cornette: “Are you a meteorologist?” Cue National Champion James Storm, who says he is the only Storm that Jocephus needs to worry about. Storm calls Jocephus the kind of fake wrestler who could never walk a mile in his shoes. Go back to your desk job and leave the job of being a star to the real stars. The fight is on but referees break it up.

Wild Cards vs. Danny White/Mims

The Wild Cards (Tom Latimer/Royce Isaacs) are the Tag Team Champions but this is non-title. Isaacs runs White over to start and gets beaten up by Latimer (formerly known as Bram in Impact) and stomped by Isaacs. A powerbomb into a German suplex finishes White at 2:08.

The Wild Cards say this is what they were made for but here’s Eddie Kingston to mockingly applaud them. He calls Latimer Bram but then switches to Tommy Boy, who he is not here to disrespect. Royce complains but is threatened with a slap if he isn’t quiet. They may be a great team, but they do not speak for the outlaws. Cue Homicide to back up Kingston as Jocephus and Storm brawl through the curtain as well.

Back from a break with Storm breaking through security and chasing Jocephus around some more. Referees break it up again….for all of three seconds before it’s up into the crowd for a bit. Storm gets in the ring and calls Jocephus in, but he has to turn his back first. Hey let’s make it a match.

James Storm vs. Jocephus

Non-title I’d assume…and the Last Call (superkick) finishes Jocephus at 19 seconds.

Storm puts Jocephus’ thumb in his mouth for a little bonus humiliation. For a bonus, Storm goes to commentary and says the NWA is in the eye of the storm.

Video on Tim Storm, who is a wrestler, a teacher and a grandfather. He wants to do this when he’s 70 because he never wants to come off of the mountain. Aldis took the title from him in 2017 and, other than a quick run by Cody last year, has held it ever since. He needs one more shot at the title because he knows he can do it.

Storm (Tim this time) talks about how 6:05 on Saturdays defined him (when he was a young man of about 35 more than likely) but now it is his family, including his 94 year old mother, who only cares if he gets hurt. He is Mama Storm’s baby boy, which sets off a MAMA chant. The title defined him as a wrestler and he held it for over 400 days. Now it’s all he wants back and he kind of quotes Lose Yourself in regards to seizing the opportunity. Tonight is his night.

NWA World Title: Nick Aldis vs. Tim Storm

Aldis, with Kamille, is defending. We get the Big Match Intros and they are VERY to the point with just the names being announced, meaning no weights or hometowns, which makes for a weird intro. Aldis loses an early chop off to the bigger Storm, who wins a slugout in the corner as well. They head outside with Aldis sending him face first into the post and back first into the apron.

Back in and an elbow gets two and we hit the chinlock. That’s broken up and Storm sends him face first into the buckle for a double knockdown. Storm grabs a Figure Four (required) but a rope is eventually grabbed. With the holds not working, Storm gets two off a superplex and can’t believe the kickout. A high crossbody (with Storm slipping a bit) connects for two but we do get a PERFECT STORM chant. Storm misses a middle rope Swanton of all things and the fans are split this time.

Aldis’ top rope elbow hits the back and it’s the King’s Lynn Cloverleaf to stay on the spine. That’s broken up and we almost get a ref bump, allowing Storm to hit a low blow. The Perfect Storm (swinging Boss Man Slam) gets two so they go up top. That means a double headbutt to put both guys on the floor again. Aldis clotheslines Kamille by mistake and Storm posts him for a good staggering. Back in and Aldis grabs a small package out of nowhere to retain at 12:08.

Rating: B-. Not a great match or anything but you can tell Aldis is a polished wrestler. I don’t remember seeing much (if anything) from Storm before but he was perfectly fine. That being said, Aldis looked like a star and Storm looks like someone whose heyday was twenty plus years ago. It’s fine for a short form story, but changing the title here would have been insane and I’m glad it didn’t really come close to that.

Post match Aldis praises Storm as a real man and Kamille won’t speak about the missed clothesline. Storm takes the mic back and says it was a great win. Kamille doesn’t seem thrilled with that but leaves with Aldis anyway.

Roll credits.

Overall Rating: B. I liked this WAY better than I would have expected as the hour flew by, mainly due to the squash matches. What mattered here was they kept it short and to the point. The production is bare bones (there aren’t even entrance themes) and what you get here is a show build on the legacy, the wrestlers and their personalities. This show was designed to get you into the wrestlers and make you want to see more. The NWA has miles to go but this felt different in a good way, and that’s better than anyone would have expected from them a few years ago. Great start, and check this out if you have a chance.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

https://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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