IMG Credit: National Wrestling Alliance

Powerrr
Date: May 12, 2020
Location: GPB Studios, Atlanta, Georgia
Commentators: Joe Galli, Stu Bennett

Wow it feels like a long time since we’ve been here. So back in March, the NWA was gearing up for the 2020 Crockett Cup when Coronavirus happened. As you might have guessed, that changed everything going on and the decision was made to not air this show for about two and a half months. Here it is though, with the extended show under the Super Powerrr banner. Let’s get to it.

Here is the most recent episode in case you need a recap.

Billy Corgan welcomes us to the show and promises a special announcement about the future of the NWA at the end.

Opening sequence. Dang I miss Into The Fire.

Here are Marty Scurll and Brody King for a chat. Marty talks about Villain Enterprises being here in the NWA and if you mess with him, you mess with Brody too. King promises that Scurll will be the next World Champion.

We look back at Kamille attacking Allysin Kay and staring down Thunder Rosa.

We recap Kamille’s time in the NWA, which is kind of tricky as she doesn’t speak, no matter what.

Kamille vs. Madi Maxx

Kamille drives her straight into the corner to start and stomps away. Max forearms away but gets glared down off a sunset flip attempt. After putting Maxx on top, Kamille hits a Regal roll and spears Maxx down for the pin at 2:31. Not quite a complete squash but it was close enough and Kamille looked dominant.

Post match the fans want Kamille to speak and she glares Galli back when he asks for a comment.

We get a video from Kamille, now with red hair, talking about how she has been great her whole life and how no one likes her as a result. Her coaches loved her but the parents wanted her taken out of the league for endangering their kids. Why should she have any respect for authority? She is an elite athlete who has dominated everything she has done.

That’s why Nick Aldis called: she isn’t here for her looks, but because she can take care of problems. She doesn’t talk because she lets her actions do the talking for her. While she’ll never start a fight, she’ll always end one. She’s here to end all of us. Good video here and it’s nice to have a backstory for Kamille, who has some personality to her.

Austin Idol wants to show you how to get heat because he’s a professional wrestling psychologist.

We recap Aron Stevens and the Question Mark wanting a Tag Team Title shot. They’ll go through the Rock N Roll Express to get there. Stevens beating up Trevor Murdoch was included as well.

Sean Mooney brings out the Express, who want the Crockett Cup.

Aron Stevens/Question Mark vs. Rock N Roll Express

Morton works on Mark’s arm to start so it’s some KA-RAH-TAY to get him free. Stevens comes in to miss an elbow, which he claims was due to Morton moving illegally. An armdrag sends Stevens into the corner and he gets ping ponged between Ricky and Robert. He’s fine though….and there’s the faceplant. Stevens is back to take Morton into the corner as Murdoch comes out.

That sends Stevens into a rant about how Murdoch was injured (Stevens: “I GUESS YOU FLUNKED HONESTY!”) but worry not, because he has some backup: Question Mark Jr.! This guy is huge and commentary thinks it’s Brian Milonas, because it’s not like there are many other people that size. A two second chase has Mark Jr. gassed so Morton rolls Stevens up for the pin at 5:11.

Rating: D+. I can’t get too annoyed at this as while the Express can’t do as much in the ring these days, it is still cool to see legends like them out there almost every week. The ending wasn’t even clean so it’s not like they beat some team in a major upset. On top of that, you have Stevens being hilarious every time he’s on TV. That line about honesty got an actual chuckle out of me and that’s easier said that done. Nice one.

We look back at Zicky Dice winning the TV Title last week.

Dice won’t tell us he told us so, but he told us so.

Video on Melina vs. Thunder Rosa, which included Kamille attacking Allysin Kay.

Here’s Melina to say that she’s a legend and deserves the next title shot. It’s not her fault that Allysin Kay lost her title and the rematch. Cue Kay to say Melina cost her the rematch because she is a coward. Now it’s champion Thunder Rosa come out to say she’ll face anyone. She’s already beaten Kay though and won’t lay down for Melina. But let’s just make it a triple threat anyway.

Tony Falk wants to sell you waffles and tire irons. Buy three waffles, get four tire irons free.

Video on Tim Storm vs. Royce Isaacs over the fake Mama Storm (Danny Deals). This led to the return of former NWA World Champion Jax Dane.

Jax Dane vs. Tim Storm

No DQ and Deals is in Dane’s corner. Dane waits for Storm at the entrance and the brawl is on in a hurry. They get inside with Dane snapping off a belly to belly suplex and they’re back to the floor again. The battle of the forearms head into the crowd with Dane sending him into a barricade and pounding him down. Storm swings a gate into Dane’s ribs and they fight back to ringside.

Dane is sent head first into the Crockett Cup to draw some blood. The loud chop off sets up an overhead belly to belly to nearly drop Storm on his head on the floor. Back inside again and Dane wedges a chair in the corner, which isn’t likely to end well. Dane shrugs off some clotheslines and a big boot, setting up a Samoan drop. Dane misses a charge into a chair in the corner and walks into the Perfect Storm for the pin at 8:31.

Rating: C-. I liked this well enough and that’s what it was supposed to be. Storm continues to be the best story to come out of this promotion as he has gone from that old guy who won the NWA World Title to a genuinely beloved star. He’s just one of those likable guys and it’s a character that works so well. Good for him for making it work like this. Dane is a nice choice for a monster and he could do some stuff around here.

Post match, Deals has to face Storm, which wasn’t mentioned before the match. For reasons of pure stupidity, Deals puts the Mama Storm gear back on, earning himself a pair of Perfect Storms.

Mae Valentine doesn’t get why Royce Isaacs is going so nuts about her friendship with Sal Rinauro. No she isn’t cheating on Royce because her mama raised her to be pure. This has already cost her ONE HUNDRED FOLLOWERS!

Marti Belle vs. Tasha Steelz vs. Ashley Vox

The trash talk sends Marti outside but she comes back in to stomp both of them down in the corners. Some running hip attacks get two on Steelz and a Russian legsweep gets two on Steelz. Vox is back in with a missile dropkick to Belle for two and the Real Catch has Steelz in trouble. Belle takes Vox down but walks into a Codebreaker to give Steelz the pin at 5:48.

Rating: D+. This was a good example of a match with three people doing moves to each other until one of them won. That doesn’t make for the most thrilling match and that was the case here. The women’s division continues to be one of the bigger weaknesses around here and this didn’t make things any better.

We recap Pope paying off the Bouncers to beat up Eddie Kingston, plus the Bouncers losing their Tag Team Title shot against James Storm and Eli Drake.

Here are Kingston, Storm and Drake for a chat. Kingston talks about how he wanted two fighters to take care of the Bouncers so he picked the World Tag Team Champions. Storm talks about wanting to entertain the fans and loving to fight. Drake doesn’t care if the Bouncers came from Ring of Honor because they got bounced right back to Ring of Honor. Any team who wants some of them, come see them in the Crockett Cup.

Video on Nick Aldis vs. Marty Scurll.

Strictly Business vs. Villain Enterprises

Nick Aldis/Thom Latimer vs. Marty Scurll/Brody King here. Aldis bails over for the tag to Latimer instead of facing Scurll so Latimer shoulders King to no avail. A shoulder and chop put Latimer down but Aldis’ cheap shot from the apron….has very little effect actually. Scurll comes in and claims a cheap shot from Aldis and the distraction lets the Villains hit a double elbow. Latimer gets sent outside so Scurll hits the superkick but Aldis sends him outside as well.

Back in and NOW Aldis is willing to fight as the cheating begins. Latimer grabs the chinlock but Scurll is up in a hurry for a suplex. The hot tag brings in King as everything breaks down. A sunset flip/German suplex combination into a piledriver gets two on Aldis but here’s Kamille to break up the chickenwing. Cue Royce Isaacs for a distraction so Scurll takes him out with a dive. The distraction lets Latimer hit King low, setting up the top rope elbow to give Aldis the pin at 9:47.

Rating: C+. They’re doing a good job of setting up Scurll challenging Aldis because it’s going to be a heck of a fight. I’m not sure how well it’s going to go whenever they finally get there, but the build has been good and that is what matters most at the moment. This was a good choice, and should set up Scurll making sure that it’s one on one against Aldis.

Corgan announces that since they can’t have actual wrestling right now so next week it’s a new series: Carnyland.

Roll credits.

Overall Rating: C. The main thing that this show did was remind me of two things. First, the show doesn’t need to be this long, and second, that the NWA wasn’t exactly lighting the world on fire when it went on hiatus. It isn’t a terrible show or anything, but there isn’t a lot to get excited about around here. I’d have watched Crockett Cup, but this didn’t really make me want to see it. It’s an ok show, though they might need the time off to freshen up their ideas.

Results

Kamille b. Madi Maxx – Spear

Rock N Roll Express b. Aron Stevens/Question Mark – Rollup to Stevens

Tim Storm b. Jax Dane – Perfect Storm

Tasha Steelz b. Ashley Vox and Marti Belle – Codebreaker to Belle

Strictly Business b. Villain Enterprises – Top rope elbow to Aldis

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:

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

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit; National Wrestling Alliance

Powerrr
Date: February 11, 2020
Location: GPB Studios, Atlanta, Georgia
Commentators: Joe Galli, Stu Bennett

We’re heading towards the Crockett Cup and we might have a bit of a change in the main event. This past Sunday saw the NWA come to Ring of Honor’s Free Enterprise event, where the terms for the NWA World Title match were confirmed. There was a new idea thrown out and I’m sure we’ll cover that this week. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Sean Mooney tells us to subscribe.

Opening sequence.

Dawsons vs. Bouncers

Eddie Kingston is here with the Bouncers, Pope is here with the Dawsons, Eli Drake is on commentary and a rowdy James Storm is behind trio to offer some shenanigans. Beer City Bruiser rams into Zane to start, followed by a clothesline to put Zane down. Brian (not Brawler here) comes in and doesn’t care for Dave chopping him that much. Some rapid fire Stink Faces from Milonas set up Bruiser’s non-bite bite (he doesn’t have teeth so it’s not really biting).

Bruiser gets taken into the corner though and the beatdown is on with the Dawsons getting to take turns on him. A double clothesline gets Bruiser out of trouble though and it’s back to Milonas to clean some house. The managers nearly get in a fight on the floor, allowing the Dawsons to powerbomb Milonas off the ropes for two. Not that it matters though as Milonas is right back with a superplex into a frog splash from Bruiser (the Blackout) for the pin on Zane at 5:16.

Rating: D+. I like the Bouncers but this wasn’t the right kind of match for them. They work well because they’re so much bigger than just about anyone they face but this was the opposite, which hurt them a good bit. It’s nice to have a fresh team around here though as the partnership with ROH pays some benefits.

Post match, Drake and Storm drink out of the Crockett Cup.

We’ll find out the date and the location of the Crockett Cup next week. If it’s not Center Stage in Atlanta, I don’t know what to tell you.

We see Nick Aldis challenging Marty Scurll to come up with his own counteroffer for the World Title match.

Thom Latimer is asked about his upcoming match with Tim Storm, which could put him in line for a World Title match. He isn’t interested in going after the title because that’s Strictly Business. Oh and the Wild Cards will get the Tag Team Titles back. Kamille teases slapping Dave Marquez but pats his jaw instead.

Thom Latimer vs. Tim Storm

Latimer jumps him to start and gets clotheslined to the floor without much effort. Back in and Storm hammers away as the fans are rather pleased with him taking over. The slugout goes to Storm until Latimer throws an elbow pad for a distraction, setting up a spear for two. Latimer drives in some elbows to the face but Storm starts…uh…storming up and hammers away, followed by a big boot. Latimer’s Canadian Destroyer is blocked with a backdrop but he avoids a charge to send Storm into the post. An implant DDT gives Latimer the pin at 5:32.

Rating: C. I know I’ve said this before but if this incarnation of the NWA gets credit for nothing else, they should get credit for making Tim Storm into a star. Storm is nearly fifty five years old and has no business being a big deal. The NWA has turned him into a hero the fans can believe in though and that’s downright impressive.

Post match here’s the fake Mama Storm, who Storm manages to not deck.

We look back at Trevor Murdoch vs. Aron Stevens going to a time limit draw but Trevor pinned him after the match was over.

Murdoch wants a rematch because he is the roughest and toughest man to wrestle in the NWA. He didn’t get the TV or National Title, but here’s Question Mark to sing the Mongrovian National Anthem. A challenge seems to be made and accepted.

It’s time for an Update with Sean Mooney (sweet goodness it’s nice to say that again, though sweeter gooderness it’s weird hearing him talk about Ring of Honor). We see a clip of the end of Free Enterprise with Marty Scurll offering to put up $500,000 for a title shot.

There is no Powerrr next week, as we will see the debut of Squared Circle, the new reality series.

Nikita Koloff wants to tell you about Jesus. Fair enough.

TV Title: Matt Cross vs. Ricky Starks

Starks is defending. They fight over a wristlock to start with Starks taking him to the mat in a chinlock. The fans get behind Starks as they get back up, with Starks running him over off a shoulder. Cross is back with a backbreaker for two and now the fans are split. A handspring elbow in the corner gets two on Starks and it’s time to fight over a suplex. Starks gets the better of it but we have less than a minute to go. Starks gets two more off a DDT but Cross is right back with the Cross Cutter as time expires at 6:05.

Rating: C+. The time limit is an interesting idea as you can rarely do anything special in that little amount of time (made even worse with the first gear starting) but it makes sense for this show. Starks is someone who suits the match well enough, but there are possibilities with a heel running away to retain the title over and over. Nice enough match here though, with both guys working in their limited time.

Post match here’s Zicky Dice to…declare himself outlandish. He could get the job done when Starks couldn’t.

Video on Thunder Rosa retaining the Women’s Title last week over Allysin Kay.

Marti Belle doesn’t think much of Kay and freaks out over the idea that Melina is influencing her. Kay doesn’t care about anyone or the NWA, but here’s Kay to respond. She says she does care about everyone here and accuses Belle of drinking the Kool-Aid. Those are fighting words…I think.

Melina vs. Tasha Steelz

Melina isn’t into shaking hands to start so Steelz hammers her in the face. That earns her a boot and clothesline to the jaw and Melina starts kicking in the corner. A running faceplant gives Melina two but Steelz is back up with some elbows to the jaw. There’s a jawbreaker to rock Melina again but she clotheslines Steelz’s head off. The Primal Scream finishes Steelz at 4:48.

Rating: D+. Nothing to see here as the women’s division continues to not be all that great. Melina is the biggest name in the division by several miles though and putting her against Thunder Rosa for the title is what makes the most sense. She isn’t exactly her old self in the ring but the star power is more than enough to keep her around at this level for the time being.

Post match Melina demands a title shot and she has sanctioned it herself.

Royce Isaacs/Nick Aldis vs. Rock N Roll Express

Sal Rinauro and Mae Valentine are in the crowd. The fans are behind the Express as Isaacs and Gibson get things going. Isaacs is all shaken up by Valentine being out there with Rinauro though and Aldis has to calm him down. That doesn’t go so well though as Gibson grabs the leg and brings in Morton. Gibson works on the leg again and even draws Aldis in so Morton can make the switch without a tag.

Aldis does come in legally but gets taken down by a Morton hurricanrana to get under his skin. Isaacs gets knocked outside again but he’s fine enough to choke Morton on the ropes to take over. Aldis comes in for a cheap shot to give Isaacs two and then comes in to hammer on Morton as well. A missed charge lets Morton make the hot tag to Gibson though (the amount of times that has been done over the years) and house is cleaned in a hurry. During the melee, Isaacs pokes Gibson in the eye and rolls him up for the pin with his feet on the ropes at 7:21.

Rating: C. The Express’ matches have to be on a bit of a sliding scale as there is only so much they can do in the ring but at least they had a good enough one here. It gives the heels a win and keeps the story going if they want to go there, while also keeping things moving with Rinauro vs. Isaacs.

Post match Isaacs leaves with Valentine.

A video on Scurll vs. Aldis ends the show.

Roll credits.

Overall Rating: C-. I can always appreciate a short show that manages to get a lot of stuff into their limited time. That was the case here and even thought hey didn’t get that much high quality stuff, it was at least entertaining and gave us some nice moments. Maybe having next week off can help things out a bit, though I’m not exactly feeling the idea of a reality series. Are they really that far along yet?

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:

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

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: National Wrestling Alliance

Powerrr
Date: January 21, 2020
Location: GPB Studios, Atlanta, Georgia
Commentators: Stu Bennett, Joe Galli

It’s the season finale, meaning the last show before Saturday’s Hard Times event. I’m not sure what that is going to mean, but apparently this week’s show is going to be an extended hour and a half edition. Hopefully they use the extra time in a good way, and around here I think they actually will. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The opening recap sets up Nick Aldis vs. Ricky Morton for the World Title tonight.

Into The Fire.

Here’s Robert Gibson for a chat. He’s so happy to have helped his friend and partner get a World Title shot. Now go get it.

Tasha Steelz vs. Thunder Rosa

Steelz grabs a headlock to start but gets snapmared down and kicked in the back of the head. Rosa kicks her in the corner and chokes a bit with the boot, setting up a quick dragon sleeper. A hangman’s neckbreaker keeps Steelz in trouble but she gets a boot up in the corner. Steelz gets dropkicked out of the air though and a sitout Emerald Flosion finishes for Rosa at 2:52. This was just a step above a squash.

Post match Rosa says if you want to know what Melina’s problem is with her, ask Melina.

Nick Aldis is coming to see Marty Scurll in Baltimore and wants the NWA to come out in force. The tickets are free too.

Here are Royce Isaacs and Mae Valentine for a chat. Royce talks about Strictly Business being on fire but it’s pointed out that he is on a personal losing streak. That doesn’t sit well with Royce, who says his stock is going up. Galli lists off all of Royce’s losses and points out that the losses started when Valentine debuted. That’s not cool with Valentine and we’re done.

Let Austin Idol teach you how to get heat!

TV Title Tournament Qualifier: Thom Latimer vs. Trevor Murdoch

Latimer stomps away to start in a hurry to put Murdoch on the floor early on. Murdoch gets sent face first into the apron and a rake to the back makes it even worse. Back in and Latimer hits a powerbomb for two but a missed charge in the corner lets Murdoch grab a rollup (with trunks) for the pin at 2:31. That was his only offense for the match.

We recap Melina vs. Allysin Kay. Melina is a star but Kay is the defending Women’s Champion so it’s classic vs. modern.

Melina and Kay are at the interview desk with Melina wanting to make amends. Kay isn’t convinced and tells her to spit it out so Melina tells her to f****** listen. Melina has an idea for a match and Kay is ready to go. Hold on though as it isn’t against Melina, because Kay has to face Thunder Rosa at the pay per view. For now though, it’s a No DQ match with Kay facing….someone.

Allysin Kay vs. Marti Belle

Non-title and No DQ. It’s a brawl to start with Marti hammering away in the corner but getting knocked outside in a hurry. They slug it out on the floor until Marti flapjacks her onto the steps. Kay can’t get a chair as Belle kicks her away and puts on something like a camel clutch with Kay’s neck through the chair. That’s broken up and Belle’s knee hits the chair so Kay can slug away and take the fight into the crowd. Back in and Kay hits the AK47 onto the chair for the pin at 4:48.

Rating: C-. It was short but intense with Kay getting to showcase herself a bit more than usual. It’s almost weird that the Women’s Champion gets so little exposure but a showdown with Melina is the best thing for everyone involved. Odds are Melina wins the title, as they could have someone take it from her for a big rub. Either way, not a bad match here, with Belle getting to shine a bit.

Video on Nick Aldis vs. Ricky Morton. It’s so weird to say that in 2020. Or ever for that matter.

Buy the VHS guide to spiritual….something.

Here are the Pope and Eddie Kingston for a chat. Pope isn’t to blame for last week’s loss because he’ll help you if he can. People have been asking what his endgame is but he is still looking for his Super Powers and his Horsemen, and then you’ll see where this is going. Kingston says last week’s match shouldn’t have happened but Pope pushed them a bit too hard. They needed their victory last week but they learn instead of lose.

Kyle Davis replaces Galli on commentary. Was this taped out of order or something?

Here’s Aron Stevens for a ka-ra-tae demonstration, brought to you by the Mongrobian Ka-Ra-Tae Association. He brings out the Question Mark, but insists that he is NOT a mark! First, we face Mongrobia and bow, followed by Mark demonstrating a few chops. Now it’s some strikes to a masked man, followed by an explanation of how to disarm a man with a gun (or a finger gun).

But what if someone is carrying, say, a spatula? As I long for a squeegee joke, Mark demonstrates how to steal mace and use it on your attacker. Now we see two attackers taken out at once, which is why Mongrobia doesn’t need a nuclear program. Mark is ready to break some Mongrobian oak, but Stevens wants to do it himself so he can earn his fourth degree black belt.

Stevens needs to breathe a bit….but one of the masked men hits him with the board and unmasks as…..Ricky Starks for a good payoff. Speaking of payoffs, if you want to know Mongrobian secrets like these, it’s just 99.99 a month to learn why Mongrobia has been a free nation for thousands of years. This was rather entertaining as these two continue to be some of the most entertaining people in the NWA.

Buy Tony Falk’s tire irons! And have a waffle while you’re at it!

Gauntlet Match

The winner is the final entrant in the TV Title tournament. This is basically an eight man Royal Rumble and you can be eliminated by pinfall, submission or being thrown over the top. CW Anderson is in at #1 and Caleb Konley is in at #2. Feeling out process to start with neither being able to get anywhere until Konley takes him down by the arm. That’s broken up and we’re at another standoff.

Jocephus is in at #3 and is eliminated in about six seconds. Anderson clotheslines Konley for two but gets caught in a sitout ProtoBomb into a half crab. Colt Cabana is in at #4 as the intervals are all over the place. Cabana beats both of them up in a hurry, including a reverse Rings of Saturn to Konley. Anderson breaks that up and stomps on Cabana as Dave Dawson is in at #5. Splashes abound and it’s turning into more of a regular battle royal. Everyone is knocked down and it’s Aron Stevens at #6.

Stevens gets in, looks around, goes to the floor and crawls underneath the ring, Cue Zicky Dice to say he’s undefeated everyone around here and won’t be wrestling here because he’s already qualified. With that out of the way, Sal Rinauro is in at #7 to clean some house until Dawson dropkicks him for two. Everyone gangs up on Dawson though and Konley’s moonsault gets rid of him to clear the ring a bit. Ken Anderson is in at #8, giving us a final field of CW Anderson, Konley, Cabana, Stevens (under the ring), Rinauro and Ken Anderson.

Ken gets to clean house, including the Mic Check to eliminate Rinauro. Cabana and Ken get together to take over, which means it’s another Mic Check to get rid of Konley. CW hits Ken with a spinebuster but it’s the Superman Pin to finish CW off. Cabana and Ken are ready to go at it but cue the Question Mark as Stevens gets back in. Mark Mongrobian Spikes Stevens by mistake though and Stevens is paralyzed, allowing Cabana and Ken to throw him out. A handshake lets Ken roll Cabana up for the win at 12:35.

Rating: C. This worked well enough, mainly due to the battle royal setup instead of just a regular gauntlet. Ken getting the win is a good way to go as he’s one of the bigger stars around here. I could go for he and Cabana having a feud as neither exactly has anything better to do. If nothing else, you can probably bet on Cabana costing Ken his tournament match and that’s fine.

Post match Ken shakes Cabana’s hand….but hits him low and grabs another Mic Check. That’s not it though as Cabana gets posted for the knockout.

Hard Times video.

Eli Drake and James Storm are here to see Ricky Morton win the World Title. Storm is a tag team wrestler because of Morton and tonight Morton is like Dale Earnhardt. We even get a prayer for Morton to win the World Title tonight. Drake is fired up too and this helped things a bit.

It’s time for the Hard Times Control Center.

The final two spots in the TV Title tournament will be Matt Cross and Ring of Honor’s Dan Maff.

Maff wanted to be on the list of great NWA TV Champions.

Flip Gordon is ready for Nick Aldis at Hard Times because Marty Scurll has made him a new man.

New stipulation on the main event: if Morton wins, he is defending at Hard Times. If Aldis wins, the Rock N Roll Express have to defend in a triple threat match against the Wild Cards and Eli Drake/James Storm.

One more thing: Aron Stevens defends the National Title against Scott Steiner. I think I need to see that one.

NWA World Title: Nick Aldis vs. Ricky Morton

Aldis is defending and Billy Corgan is on commentary to make it special. Robert Gibson and Strictly Business are all at ringside for a bonus. Hold on though as Corgan tells Bennett something. Bennett says everyone has to leave ringside so it can be one on one. Aldis bails to the floor to start and it’s over a minute before they lock up for the first time. That goes nowhere so they circle each other a bit and lock up again, giving us another standoff.

Morton works on a headlock and manages to get Aldis on the mat for a change. Back up and a chop sends Aldis into the corner so it’s time for Aldis to start hammering away. Aldis goes for the arm so Morton elbows him in the face as they’re keeping it in first (or maybe second) gear so far. Some right hands in the corner send Aldis to the floor again but he rakes the eyes to get a breather.

Morton gets posted and a hard whip sends him into the corner for a bonus. A headbutt puts Morton down but he punches Aldis out of the air. That just earns him another rake to the eyes but Morton slams him off the top (he did face Flair before). A hurricanrana sets up a Figure Four on Aldis but a rope is grabbed. Morton tries a small package so Aldis reverses into one of his own and grabs the tights for the pin at 11:00.

Rating: C+. I didn’t come into this exactly thrilled with the concept but by the end, I wanted to see Morton win the title. Maybe it would be just a nostalgia act, but that can be a lot of fun at times. Of course it wasn’t going to happen and wouldn’t have been a great idea, but they got me on board and that’s more than I would have expected.

We get a graphic from Villain Enterprises saying Hard Times are coming for Aldis.

We look at the Hard Times lineup one more time to end the show.

Roll Credits.

Overall Rating: C+. The point of this show was to make me want to see Hard Times more than I did coming in and that’s what they did. The show is looking pretty nice on paper and that’s more than I would have bet on coming in. Somehow the NWA is having an intriguing run as of late and I’m curious to see where it wins up. Just have a good Hard Times and we should be fine.

Results

Thunder Rosa b. Tasha Steelz – Sitout Emerald Flosion

Trevor Murdoch b. Thom Latimer – Rollup with trunks

Allysin Kay b. Marti Belle – AK47 onto a chair

Ken Anderson won a gauntlet match last eliminating Colt Cabana

Nick Aldis b. Ricky Morton – Small package with tights

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:

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

And check out my Amazon author- page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: National Wrestling Alliance

Powerrr
Date: January 1, 2020
Location: GPB Studios, Atlanta, Georgia
Commentators: Stu Bennett, Joe Galli

The calendar shuffling continues as we are on Wednesday for one night only after being on Monday last week. We’re on the road to Hard Times and the TV Title tournament, but at the same time we have Nick Aldis and company running roughshod over the whole show. That could go in a few different directions so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The opening video looks at the history of Nick Aldis and Tim Storm, who meet for a spot in the tournament tonight.

Into The Fire.

Tim Storm, in a Mama Storm shirt, talks about his history with Aldis. Yes he lost the match to Aldis that took him out of the World Title scene. For what Aldis did to him later though, it’s time for a beating. Cue Aldis and Kamille, who says Storm needs to get calmed down before his blood pressure goes too high. Aldis is in the tournament because he needs something to do. Storm is taking it seriously though and it’s starting to tick Aldis off. He wants it to be clear to Storm, Ricky Morton, or any other Randy the Ram back there trying to stay relevant: he’s the World Champion and that’s what makes you relevant.

Aron Stevens and Question Mark are ready to take over the NWA. This is the same promo from last week.

Aron Stevens vs. Sal Rinauro

Non-title and submissions only. The fans are Rinauro as Stevens is in his ka-ra-te gear. Better than the flesh colored trunks. They circle each other to start and Stevens snaps off an armdrag. An armbar attempt sends Sal over to the rope but Stevens pulls on the arm to take over. Stevens misses a dropkick but is fine enough to kick out of a Figure Four attempt (Rinauro’s dancing/strutting took a little too long) and hits a heck of a clothesline. The Mongrobian Clutch (cobra clutch) makes Rinauro tap at 2:51.

Post match Stevens won’t let go so Trevor Murdoch chases him off. Murdoch wants a fight right now. It can even be non-title because Murdoch just wants to beat him up. Stevens will fight, if Murdoch puts up his spot in the TV Title tournament.

Highspots.com ad.

Trevor Murdoch vs. Aron Stevens

Non-title again. A headbutt puts Stevens on the floor early and it’s a bunch of slams to give Murdoch two back inside. The fans are behind Murdoch as Stevens bails to the ropes, which lets him sucker Murdoch in. Some shots to the ribs have Murdoch in trouble but a sleeper attempt gets Stevens sent face first into the buckle. A full nelson slam sets up something close to an old Indian Deathlock to make Stevens tap at 3:01.

Rating: D+. This is one of those matches that might not look the most logical for a lot of promotions but fits in perfectly well here. Stevens has run his mouth about how dangerous he is and then he loses in a short match like this. Now he can continue to ignore what happened and brag anyway, which plays perfectly well into what he’s doing. Not a good match, but perfectly logical.

Something called Powerrr Surge is coming.

Pope sits down with Homicide and Eddie Kingston and thinks they could be the World Tag Team Champions here or anywhere.

Hard Times ad.

Here’s Eli Drake for a chat. Maybe he got lost in the sauce last week but it’s been two weeks since he’s been booked in a match. That’s when you hear Nick Aldis talking about being the best World Champion of all times. Ricky Morton was out here saying that Aldis was full of himself and Morton is right. Maybe Drake needs to go find his own match with Morton, Mr. Anderson or James Storm.

Cue Colt Cabana, who doesn’t like Drake ranting about Anderson. Drake wants the Tag Team Titles but Cabana is Anderson’s partner. Not that it matters as Drake won’t be World Champion anyway. Cue Anderson to tease a fight with Drake but Cabana holds them apart. I wasn’t feeling this one as these three have been having issues for weeks and they never seem to go anywhere.

Girl Powerrr is coming.

Marti Belle rants to Melina and Thunder Rosa about Allysin Kay being a fake friend.

Allysin Kay rants to ODB, Ashley Vox and Tasha Steelz about Marti Belle. They’ll have to figure something out.

Tasha Steelz vs. Marti Belle

Melina is here with Belle. They go to the mat to start with Steelz bouncing out of a headscissors so Belle sends her into the corner. That’s fine with Steelz, who flips over her, only to get kneed in the face for two. A missed charge in the corner lets Steelz hammer away with running elbows. Steelz gets two off a neckbreaker and a cutter is good for the pin on Belle at 4:43.

Rating: D+. A lot of these women’s matches just aren’t clicking. They’re not anything great from a technical perspective and the backstory behind the faction wars isn’t exactly thrilling. They come off as fighting because they’re fighting and that’s not a thrilling reason. It’s not terrible, but it feels like we’re having a women’s division because we need to.

Post match Melina yells at Belle for the loss.

Next week in the TV Title Tournament: Zicky Dice vs. Caleb Konley. They’ve done a really bad job of explaining how the tournament is working. From what I can piece together, we’re seeing a bunch of qualifying matches (or qualifying matches to get into the qualifying matches) and then the tournament is all at Hard Times? I’m sure there’s been some kind of an explanation but they aren’t exactly making it clear.

TV Title Tournament Qualifying Match: Tim Storm vs. Nick Aldis

Non-title. Hold on though as Aldis and company come out in their tracksuits, with Aldis saying Storm has taken the fun out of this. The team is dubbed Strictly Business and Aldis isn’t wrestling in this meaningless match. Storm can have a bye, but he calls Aldis a coward. Aldis has a replacement in mind.

TV Title Tournament Qualifying Match: Tim Storm vs. Royce Isaacs

Storm goes right for him and hammers away in the corner, setting up a clothesline for two. There’s a fall away slam to make it worse as this is one sided so far. Isaacs finally avoids a charge and grabs a t-bone suplex for one. The MAMA STORM chants get Tim back into it and he avoids a middle rope backsplash. A charge in the corner rocks Isaacs again but Storm walks into a cutter out of the corner for two. The dragon suplex into the German suplex is escaped though and it’s the Perfect Storm to finish Isaacs at 4:27.

Rating: C-. This was about advancing the story of Storm trying to get his hands on Aldis again as Aldis now has lackeys to throw at him. I’m sure they can come up with a way for Storm to get another shot at the World Title and it could be a huge match if he does, even if there is next to no chance of him winning the title back. Good angle advancement but not in a very good match.

Post match the Rock N Roll Express come out to yell at Isaacs to end the show.

Roll credits.

Overall Rating: C. As usual, the wrestling isn’t the point here. This show is all about setting things up for the bigger shows down the line and that’s what they did here. It’s a perfectly watchable show and the time flies by, which is one of its major perks. The big story continues to be the TV Title tournament, but they need to make that a little clearer instead of just throwing out qualifying match after qualifying match. Not a bad show here though, and it served its purpose.

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:

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

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Ring Of Honor Wrestling

Ring of Honor
Date: August 28, 2019
Location: Mattamy Athletic Center, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman
Hosts: Quinn McCay, Ian Riccaboni

The slow decline of this show and possibly the promotion continues as they try whatever they can to get Matt Taven over as World Champion. This time around it means Alex Shelley as the veteran challenger with no chance of winning the title. It’s not like they have anyone else that Taven hasn’t already beaten, other than Rush, who seems to be the one to take the title off of him. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

We look at Shelley injecting himself into the World Title picture.

Clips of Alex Shelley/Jay Lethal/Jonathan Gresham beating the Kingdom at Mass Hysteria when Shelley made Marseglia tap.

Shelley is ready to take the title from Taven in Toronto.

We look at Tasha Steelz pinning Angelina Love twice in a row but needing Kelly Klein to save her from the Allure.

Clips of Klein retaining the Women of Honor Title over Steelz at Summer Supercard. Angelina jumped them both after the match. Just put the title on her already and get it over with.

Klein jumped Angelina in the back.

Lifeblood is ready for Villain Enterprises. Again.

We see Flip Gordon attacking Tracy Williams, which seemed to cost Williams the TV Title match later in the night.

Taylor is tired of not being promoted as a big star.

Highlights from Ladder War in Toronto with the Briscoes defending against Guerrillas of Destiny, which has to be clipped due to violence. It certainly does look carnagey.

The announcers give a quick Top Prospect Tournament preview.

Ring of Honor World Title: Matt Taven vs. Alex Shelley

Taven is defending and OF COURSE we have all the time in the world for him. They go to the mat to start with Taven holding a headscissors until Shelley blows his nose on him for a standoff. It’s back to the mat for a rollup on Taven and they stare at each other again. That works so well that they do it again for yet another standoff. A third rollup into MORE STARING lets Shelley do some pushups as they’re staying in first gear.

Taven bails to the floor to change things up a bit before coming back in for….another rollup for two. Back from a break with Shelley’s Sliced Bread off the post attempt being shoved through a table as something finally happens. Shelley dives back in to beat the count so Taven hits a backbreaker for two. The back is bent over Taven’s knee, followed by a butterfly backbreaker for two more. A Liontamer makes the back even worse but Shelley makes the rope in a hurry.

Taven goes with a rolling neckbreaker for two but Shelley is back up with a slingshot DDT onto the apron for the double knockdown. Sliced Bread onto the barricade rocks Taven, who pops right back up with the dive over the barricade. Back in and Jay White’s Blade Runner gets two on Taven, followed by a pair of superkicks. Sliced Bread gets two more but Taven hits the Climax. The cover is countered into a rollup to give Shelley two but Taven knees him in the head and hits the Climax to retain at 15:22.

Rating: C+. The ending got better but all of the stuff with both guys’ backs being banged up just came and went. Taven’s seemingly never ending title reign continues with another pretty good but not great match. The problem is everything in between as the whole thing just keeps going, whether or not anyone wants to see it continue. Shelley never felt like a real threat to the title, but that is the case a lot of the time when Taven defends.

Overall Rating: C-. Well at least they finally moved forward to a slightly newer show. That being said, having the show focus on Taven isn’t an interesting way to go and I don’t quite see things getting much better. The whole company is searching for bright spots these days and that has been the case for a long time now. The problem is they’re getting further and further apart and that’s not going to work in the long term. The show wasn’t bad, but it isn’t something that makes me want to keep watching. Given their attendance issues of late, that is the case for a lot of people.

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:

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

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Ring of Honor Wrestling

Ring of Honor
Date: July 17, 2019
Location: 2300 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Colt Cabana

We’re finally at a new taping cycle which means I should probably finish watching Best In The World at some point. Unfortunately that means more Matt Taven, who hasn’t been the most thrilling World Champion in the world so far. There is a lot to cover around here but odds are we won’t be seeing much of it tonight. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of Best In The World. That show that almost a month ago.

Opening sequence.

Rhett Titus vs. Shane Taylor

Non-title and Titus makes sure to get in some workouts on his way into the ring. Shane spits on the offer of a handshake so Titus rubs it into his chest. Uh yeah. A headlock doesn’t get Titus very far but a shoulder gets him knocked down. For some reason Titus tries a fireman’s carry and gets his head clotheslined off instead. We take an early break and come back with Taylor dropping the apron leg.

The big right hands have Titus in more trouble but he comes right back with some running boots in the corner. Now the fireman’s carry works for a Samoan drop but Taylor blasts him with a running knee to the face. Back up and more forearms finally stagger Taylor for more than a second….so he headbutts the heck out of Titus for the pin at 7:46.

Rating: C-. Titus is someone who just does not have much interest and there isn’t much of a way around that. Taylor on the other hand has gone from just a heavy to someone with some actual potential. He’s a good giant for someone to slay and whoever takes the title from him is going to get a nice rub. Not a bad match, but Titus held it down a bit.

Post match Kenny King comes to the ring and says Titus disgusts him. They used to be the Tag Team Champions as the All Night Express and now, Titus is this. Titus has the body of a god and the heart of a b****. King talks about Titus’ wife and son being embarrassed by him but Titus can’t bring himself to hit him. Titus’ wife doesn’t seem happy.

Kelly Klein is happy with the competition around here and wants to defend against them all.

Video on Jay Lethal vs. Matt Taven, who fight for the World Title on July 20. They talked trash to each other until Alex Shelley made his return. His fingerprints are all over wrestling so maybe he should just play his veteran’s card. Shelley wants a shot at the winner.

Angelina Love vs. Tasha Steelz vs. Stella Grey vs. Jenny Rose

#1 contenders match with one fall to a finish and Women’s Champion Kelly Klein is on commentary. Before the match, Velvet Sky says Love is the only one who matters and she doesn’t know who Tasha is. It’s a fight to start with Tasha and Stella trading armdrags inside as the other two brawl on the floor. Love comes back in with some dropkicks to the back so Stella can be thrown outside.

Jenny spears Love for two but Tasha is back in with a hiptoss to Love. The sliding legdrop misses and Love just stares at her. Tasha wins a slugout but Mandy Leon pulls her down to the floor in a smart heel move. That earns Mandy and Velvet an ejection and we take a break. Back with everyone inside and a series of rollups that have no chance of working. Stella and Jenny go outside so Tasha can dive onto both of them, allowing Love to dive onto all three of them.

Hang on though as Love needs to shout at Kelly, who comes down to the ring. The distraction lets Love get powerbombed out of the corner so Tasha can stop to dance. Klein returns to commentary as Stella grabs a Koquina Clutch on Tasha. At the same time, Love puts Rose in a Koji Clutch but Rose is in the rope in a hurry. That lets Love break up the Koquina Clutch, which probably should have finished Tasha earlier. The Botox Injection (Brogue Kick) sends Stella outside but Tasha hits the cutter to finish Love at 10:24.

Rating: D+. Just a match here with four women who aren’t interesting, including Love. The entire Allure deal isn’t working and feels like they’re channeling Impact nostalgia instead of something that could actually work. As usual, the women still have no characters and I have no reason to care about them, and the company seems fine with that.

Post match Maria Manic pops up to stare Tasha down. Security gets beaten up.

Rush wants to face Dalton Castle for attacking his brother.

Bouncers/Jay Lethal vs. The Kingdom

Jay and Marseglia slug it out to start with Lethal hiptossing him into the basement dropkick. Milonas and O’Ryan come in with O’Ryan not being sure about this. Instead Lethal comes back in and gets shouldered down a few times as O’Ryan is more comfortable this time around. It’s already off to Bruiser (who might be a bit slimmer than before) who gets to face Taven.

Hang on again though as Taven wants to face Lethal as the lack of action continues. Lethal comes in and slugs it out with Taven, who takes over off a cheap shot and some choking. Back from a break with Lethal fighting out of trouble and getting over for the tag to Bruiser. The Downward Spiral DDT gets two on O’Ryan and it’s time to not bite Marseglia.

Milonas comes in and starts cleaning house, including dropping back onto Taven. A crossbody gets two on Marseglia and there’s the fall away slam/Samoan drop combination to Taven and O’Ryan. Lethal dives onto all three of them in a row but O’Ryan comes in off a blind tag. That’s fine with Bruiser, who catches him diving in. Closing Time finishes O’Ryan at 9:55.

Rating: C+. More Bouncers fun here and that’s a lot more than I was expecting from them. They even got a nice win here and it’s hardly a stretch as they could conceivably beat the Kingdom, especially with an assist from Lethal. It’s fine for a big time main event, but nothing that you really need to see.

Post match Taven gets in the Climax to Lethal on the floor to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. As usual, these shows aren’t all that interesting because a lot of the people involved aren’t all that interesting. That’s what I got out of this show: the talent involved just is not interesting for the most part. You have three main stories here and they focused on Rhett Titus, the Allure and Matt Taven. How good of a show can that actually be? The wrestling was fine, but I really do not care about these people and it’s getting worse.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/05/31/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-in-your-house/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6