The National Wrestling Alliance is looking to make a big splash on the first night of their double pay-per-view. Between The Burke Invitational, and the main event between Taya Valkyrie and Kamille, it does look like the women are still empowered to show their stuff at The Chase. There is a lot to cover and will head right to…
The Pre-Show
As Tim Storm and Joe Galli go over the matches of the night, the first one is…
The Country Gentlemen (AJ Cazana and “Adorable” Anthony Andrews, with Joe Cazana) vs. Gold Rushhh (Jordan Clearwater and Marshe Rockett, with Austin Idol)
This was shown on YouTube, and after it got straightened out, the match had Cazana rolls up Rockett for the pin.
Your Winners: The Country Gentlemen
Backstage, May Valentine is with Jay Bradley, and he tells her his eyes are up here. Apparently there’s some “elephantphitis” rising in front of him…literally. Strangely that gets cut out of the video feed. If it was attempted as a rib, it missed the mark.
Galli also announces that on November 12th, the Hard Times PPV will be held in New Orleans, LA., courtesy of WildKat Wrestling; the same promotion that Luke Hawx runs.
Next match is…
Rhett Titus vs. VSK
Match was evenly contested, but Titus nails a standing dropkick and then follows with the slingshot belly to belly suplex for the win
Your Winner: Rhett Titus
And now we get…
Courtesy of the NWA
The Pope vs. Rodney Mack (with Aron Stevens)
Stevens distracts from the outside and Mack uses the opportunity to go to town on Pope, clubbing him from behind. Pope is able to rally back and he picks up steam with a corner splash. He starts to signal the Elijah Express by lowering his knee pads. Stevens is on the ring apron but gets knocked down by Pope, but again Mack takes advantage by locking in the Euthanizer to make Pope submit/
Your Winner via Submission: Rodney Mack
Just as Mack and Stevens start to add more injury to Pope, Kratos comes from the back, knocks out Mack, and attacks his former tag partner, who looks like he’s seen a ghost.
May Valentine is backstage with Bully Ray, and he explains why he wanted the tables match. Tells his side and how his time with Mike Knox has left him bitter, and says the only way to take care of the matter is this match and Bully Ray guarantees he will go through the table tonight.
Galli also announces that the NWA Tag match has changed because Harry Smith is out with an undisclosed illness. Therefore, Hawx Aerie will take their place to face off against Le Rebelion to crown new NWA Tag Team champions.
But the last match of the Pre-show is…
Colby Corino and “Wrecking Ball” Legursky vs. Caprice Coleman and Gustavo
As they came to ringside, Legursky and Corino don’t seem to be on the same page. Mostly Legursky is in the fight, with Corino only tagging in when it suits his fancy, further compounding the issues. The end comes when Legursky accidentally splashes Corino in the corner, and Coleman locks in the Call to Repentance submission for Legursky to tap out.
Your Winners: Caprice Coleman and Gustavo
After the match, Legursky shakes Coleman’s and Gustavo’s hands, but when Corino asks what’s the big deal, he shoves him away. Seems like The Fixers are done fixing Corino’s problems in the future.
Now that leads into the start of…
Night One of NWA 74
There’s a nice opening package with The Harley Race/Terry Funk match from July 1st, 1977, and that goes into a video package of the current starts of the NWA, set to Bullet with Butterfly Wings
And now in the Khorrassan Ballroom at The Chase Park Plaza, Joe Galli, Tim Storm, and Velvet Sky have the call. But this night has Nick Aldis come out to open things up, and I’ll just let him talk from here:
“One year ago, I was honored and privileged to walk down that aisle as the heavyweight wrestling champion of the world. The first man holding that Ten Pounds of Gold to defend it at Wrestling at The Chase in over 30 years and I will give the devil his due; on that night, Trevor Murdoch and I stood face to face, man to man, toe to toe. We are two men; dues paid in full with interest. We did everything we could. We sweat, we bled. We paid the price to be the world’s heavyweight champion, and brother it was sold out, just in case you forgot, and on that night, I’m not ashamed to admit it. I didn’t get my hand raised, and that’s okay. Ever since that day, the most important people in this equation, that’s you, by the way; the NWA fans.
From sea to shining sea, coast to coast, and all over the world have asked me the one question: Champ, when are you getting your belt back? And look, I’m about to repeat myself, so I’m sorry if I’m gonna beat a dead horse, but it bears repeating. It’s not my belt. Somebody back there might think is his belt, but it’s not his either. All due respect to Trevor, its not even Trevor’s belt. It’s your belt. It’s your belt. It’s yours. It belongs to history, and it belongs to each and every one of us. But having said that…I know I like to try to maintain a “cool on the outside” exterior. But make no mistake about it, I burn for professional wrestling on the inside, and I was gonna do everything I could to be world champion again
Fast forward; Race to the Chase four-way. I get my hand raised [as] number one contender, and now I can say you know when I’m getting my belt back: NWA 74. St. Louis, Missouri, the spiritual home of professional wrestling. That’s where I’m getting my belt back.
And then…well, plans change. So I could spend time lamenting over it but at the end of the day, it’s not my decision to make. All I can do is promise you that whenever you buy a ticket to see Nick Aldis you’re gonna get your money’s worth, and I’ll be honest with you, boys and girls, I had to ask myself, what’s left for me in the NWA? What is left for The National Treasure, if not to be World’s Heavyweight Champion again and I thought maybe it’s time to walk away, maybe it’s time to call it quits.
Then I remembered one thing. I remember that ten years ago, I was sitting there [at] catering in TNA, and the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen in my life walked past the table. Doug Williams sat next to me and he said, ‘Put your tongue back in your mouth. You’re dribbling all over the table.’ And I knew in that moment, I said, ‘I’m gonna make that woman my wife and the mother of my child.’ And by the way, the next time you speak about Mickie James, put some respect on her name and all the women that made Empowerrr such an incredible event this time last year. They said ‘How do you get a woman like that?’ I said, ‘Hold my beer.’ When TNA said a British guy will never be world champion, I said, ‘Hold my beer.’ When the historians said there will never be a traveling NWA champion again, the belt’s never even been to China, I said, ‘Hold my beer.”
My career is a career of ‘never been done befores’. So you can take away my title shot; you will never take away my legacy and that’s a fact, jack.
So having said that, all that’s left for me to promise now is tomorrow night; Flip Gordon. Lace up those boots tight, brother, because I’ve got a point to prove, and I know you do too. So you don’t want to miss this one, folks, because we’re going to tear the house down for each and every one of you. I didn’t call it quits. Instead, I called my tailor in Miami, Florida, and said, ‘Hey brother, the National Treasure needs a new fresh suit for the collection.’ I called the best barber in the business … and said, ‘Brother,the Old National Treasure needs a fresh cut.’ Because when I walk down the aisle and step in this ring, you know who built this house. So for now, all that’s left for me to say is: It gives me great pleasure to say ‘Welcome to NWA 74! Welcome to Wrestling at The Chase!'”
That, my friends, is how you cut a promo!
But now it’s time to Control your Narrative with…
Courtesy of the NWA
EC3 vs. Big Strong Mims
Mims comes out in what looks like Nation of Domination-inspired attire. Mims is still hurting after his loss from the Alwayz Ready PPV, and as he tries to rush EC3, he hits the ring post to his injured shoulder. EC3 focuses on the left arm/ shoulder, picking his spots. He nails the One Percenter on Mims and locks in The Purpose submission, and Mims taps out.
Your Winner via Submission: EC3
After the match, EC3 gets the mic and states he stands on hallowed ground. But, nostalgia is a crutch, and as long as he stands in the ring, it is dead. Now, Thom Latimer comes out to ring and he’s less than pleased. EC3, without turning around, acknowledges Latimer’s past and says this place was good for him, as it got him clean and sober, and found his wife. On the surface, he’s happy, says EC3, but he still has demons and he will pull each one out. He’s been warned.
And now for an ill-begotten match, here’s a…
Beelzebub’s Bedlam Match: The Miserably Faithful (Judais, Sal The Pal, and Gaagz The Gymp) (with Father James Mitchell) vs. The Ill Begotten (Alex Taylor, Jeremiah Plunkett, and Danny Dealz)
Storm says on commentary he’s a fan of Plunkett, but not a fan of his half-shirt. As for myself, I think The Blue Meanie will want his shirt back.
Sal and Gymp get a ladder to ringside and business picks up. This match goes all over the place, but the funny part has Dealz facing Judais with a crucifix and holy water, but it’s not enough to avoid getting choke slammed. Gymp gets a dragon sleeper hold, but Plunkett breaks up the submission. He and Taylor slam Gymp onto steel chairs, followed by a Michinoku driver to the chairs. The scary moment of the night has Sal and Taylor on the top of the twenty-foot ladder, and then Taylor comes down hard on his back on the top rope that legitimately looked like a bad landing. As Dealz tries to make his way outside the ring, Madusa comes out and throws powder in his face to blind him. As Dealz stumbles around, he comes into contact with Judais, and he chokeslams for the pin and the win.
Your Winners Via Pinfall: The MF-ers
Yeah, That’s how Kyle Davis made the announcement, and I’m kicking myself for not catching that. Also, reports at ringside had Taylor walking on his own, so that’s a relief.
Next up is…
Chris Adonis vs. Odinson
This is just a huge hoss fight, and both men are evenly matched power for power. The match goes back and forth between the powerhouses, but when Odinson crawls to his corner, he grabs his spray paint can. As Adonis cinches in the Masterlock, Odinson sprays in his eyes and the ref calls the match.
Your Winner via Disqualification: Chris Adonis
Huh. Did not see that heel turn, but it’s honestly refreshing.
Kyle Davis is at the ramp with Ella Envy and Kenzie Paige of Pretty Empowered. Envy says everyone is jealous that they’re the NWA WOmen’s tag champs, whereas Paige appreciates the support. She tells the crowd that tomorrow when they go into the King’s Highway street fight versus Allysin Kay and Marti Belle, they’re fighting for NWA. Envy starts to run down The Hex, but Paige says the interview is done, and walks off. I’m really digging this dynamic.
Now for the first of many championship matches, this is for the…
Courtesy of the NWA
NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship: Homicide (c) vs. Kerry Morton (with Ricky Morton)
Morton is able to outwrestle the Notorious Legend, and a dropkick sends him outside. Homicide walks off and goes back into the corner and lays out The Future Legend with a cheap shot. Then the Three Amigos suplexes by Homicide, as well as pulling Morton’s hair, get the Junior heavyweight champ back in the mix, along with a poke to the eye and a butterfly suplex for a two count. Homicide sends him to the corner and Morton nails a modified Pele kick. He follows with a crossbody but gets caught and shoved to the corner ring post and slammed to the floor.
Back in the ring, Homicide shoots him to the ropes and Morton comes back with a DDT to cover that gets a two count. Morton lines up for his running knee but Homicide catches him with the Koji Cutter for a two count. He sets up for the avalanche Koji cutter, but Morton knocks him off the top turnbuckle. He lands the running knee for one, two… and Homicide just gets a foot on the bottom rope. Morton goes for a crossbody that misses, and Homicide covers for a close two count. He sets up the Cop Killa finisher but Morton wriggles out to roll up for a two count. Morton with a wasitlock and Homicide gets a mule kick and says to the ref it was accidental. As Morton recovers, he attempts a moonsault that misses, but an avalanche Koji Cutter by Homicide ends it.
Your Winner, and Still NWA Junior Heavyweight Champion: Homicide
Kyle Davis brings out NWA legend, “Wildfire” Tommy Rich. Rich says he is living proof dreams do come true, and gives thanks to his fans. Rich adds that when his time comes, his tombstone will say “NWA 4 Life.”
May Valentine is backstage with “Thrillbilly” Silas and Pollo Del Mar. Silas predicts pain when he faces Davey Richards on night two of NWA 74 for the MLW Openweight title, and Del Mar guarantees she’ll be stunning and that Silas will be the MLW Openweight champion.
Well, Matt Cardona comes out dressed to wrestle and he gets on the stick. “The Savior of the NWA” is still here and back ahead of schedule from his bicep injury, because he’s “Alwayz Ready.” He addresses the handpicked opponent for tonight and it’s…
Matt Cardona vs. Rolando Freeman
Yeah, I was almost ready to write this off as a squash match, and get a squash recipe or a Haiku prepared, as Cardona toys with Freeman and just stomps the living hell out of him. But then, as Cardona lifted him up because he wanted to hurt Freeman more, he gets a crucifix pin on Cardona for the win.
Your Winner via Pinfall: Rolando Freeman
Freeman acts like he just won the Ten Pounds of Gold, and then The Spectaculars come out to celebrate the big win, while Cardona is left bewildered and humiliated.
Valentine is backstage with NWA legend, Baby Doll, and her daughter, Samantha Starr. Baby Doll says she is here to manage her and promises during The Burke Invitational, that Starr will be the first one in and the last one out. Starr adds that no matter what, whoever faces her will see stars.
So now let’s go to the…
Courtesy of the NWA
Burke Invitational Gauntlet for an NWA World Women’s Championship match.
Because there is a lot to cover here, we’ll just focus on who’s in the ring, any big moves, and who gets eliminated. Eliminations in this tournament will be by pinfall, submission, or sent over the top rope. Entrants will come in every 90 seconds until one is left in the ring
The first entrant is KiLynn King, followed by Samantha Starr, with Baby Doll in her corner. Both women start hot, and as King nails Starr with a suplex, the next entrant is Natalia Markova. Markova gets a Jazz Stinger facebuster to King to cover, but Starr pulls her off. Next is Missa Kate and she nails a twisting senton to both Starr and Markova, but King delivers with a high knee, and Kate is sent over the top rope, and she is out.
The next entrant is Madi (just Madi) who tries to send King out over the top rope but has no such luck. There was a series of near falls with all the women, but no luck. The next entrant is Taryn Terrell and she is in no hurry to enter the ring. She just stays out at ringside, waiting for the time to enter. Up next is Max The Impaler with Father James Mitchell. Madi eliminates herself and wants nothing to do with Max. Everyone tries to beat Max, and Max just overpowers them. She chokeslams Markova and then slams King on her shoulders in one move
Tootie Lynn is the next entrant, and the St. Louis fans explode for the hometown blue dragon. Next is Angelina Love, but during the introduction, Lynn was eliminated. Love gets a headscissors takedown to Max, then a jawbreaker and a codebreaker by King. The final entrant is Jennacide. She comes in and chokeslams Markova onto King for a two count. Terrell and Love battle on the ring apron, and Max shoves them off for the double elimination. Jennacide submits Starr to eliminate her. Jennacide lands with a spinebuster to Max, but King breaks the count. Markova delivers the Beautiful Disaster kick in the corner to King, and Max nails with the Welcome to the Wasteland to Jennacide and they pin for double elimination. Markova throws every offensive move to stop The Impaler, but Max delivers the Welcome to Wasteland for the pin, and that means…
Your Winner of The Burke Invitational, and New Number One contender for the NWA Women’s Championship: Max The Impaler
Kyle Davis is with Aron Stevens, who had an ice pack on his jaw after the attack by Kratos. This is why he hates pro wrestling. But he hates the fans more. Stevens and Kratos will settle this tomorrow, and Mack has his back, but no one has Kratos’. Well, guess his retirement was a fling.
Now for the next title matchup, this is for the…
NWA National Heavyweight Championship: Jax Dane (with Chris Silvio, Esq.) (c) vs. Cyon (with Austin Idol)
As Idol takes off the cape of the masked man, Dane cheap shots Cyon and gets started on the upstart challenger. Now his fur vest is off as he throws Cyon to the outside. Dane throws Cyon back in the ring and stomps away. Cyon comes back on offense, and then Dane and Silvio start to walk off, but Cyon cuts him off before he heads to the back. Dane runs back to the ring, and then Anthony Mayweather makes his appearance for the first time since the Crockett Cup. He chokeslams Dane and lays him out, but Cyon does not appreciate the offer. As Mayweather yells that he did Cyon a favor, Dane recovers and lands with a spinebuster and covers Cyon for a two count. Dane measures him and picks him up, but Cyon gets to a sleeper hold position. Dane taps, but the ref didn’t see because of Silvio’s distraction on the ring apron. Dane nails with a clothesline to cover, but a Cyon has a foot on the bottom rope. Dane goes for the Dane Event, and Cyon reverses to a DVD and pins him in the middle of the ring.
Your Winner, and New NWA National Champion: Cyon
Idol and Cyon celebrate the win, and that looks to be more gold for IdolMania.
Now, D’Von, Get ready because it’s a…
Courtesy of the NWA
Tables Match: Bully Ray vs. Mike Knox
The fans are invested in this match, and Ray shouts “Get the tables!” As the match starts, Ray sends Knox over the top rope and grabs the first table to set up in the corner, but Ray takes too much time, and Knox lands a running crossbody. Knox goes for Ray’s chain, whips him and chokes him, and follows with a leg drop to his neck on the middle ropes.
Outside the ring, Knox throws Ray into the guardrails. He sets up a table outside and tries a suplex. Ray blocks and reverses the suplex on Knox on the concrete floor in the ballroom. Ray sets up another table, but Knox attacks with a steel chair to his back. Knox goes for a chokeslam, but it is reversed by Ray to a high belly-to-back suplex. Ray grabs a chair and returns the receipt. He goes to the well once too often, and Knox boots him in the face with the steel chair. Sensing the end, Knox sets up ray on a table in the corner and rushes, but Ray ducks out of the way, and Knox crashes through the table. Ray gets a dazed Knox into a chokeslam through a table in the center of the ring, and that signals the end:
Your Winner, and Master of the Tables Match: Bully Ray
Joining Kyle Davis at the ramp is Ricky Morton. He comments on his son’s loss at the NWA Junior Heavyweight bout. He knows Homicide was going to do what he could to keep the title but didn’t think he would take shortcuts. Morton is fired up and holds three fingers, and tells Homicide to read between the lines. Oh, Yeah, this is far from over.
Galli once again advised us that tonight’s Tag Team bout had to be changed since Harry Smith is out with an illness. Therefore, The Commonwealth Connection will relinquish the belts, and two teams will be newly crowned. So let’s go the…
NWA World Tag Team Championship: Hawx Aerie (Luke and PJ Hawx) vs. La Rebelión (Bestia 666 and Mecha Wolf 450, with Damián 666)
Doug Williams comes out in street clothes and one of the tag belts, and he’s visibly disappointed that they won’t defend the belts. Luke offers a handshake in a show of respect, and Williams offers it.
Bestia and Luke start off with chain wrestling, then some power moves, and then some Lucha moves that have Bestia in control. Wolf tags in and wants a piece of his son, so in comes PJ and talks trash. From there, it is a power versus technical prowess match, and PJ shows off deep arm drags and a double underhook suplex for a two count. Then Hawx Aerie nails a double backbreaker to cover Wolf for another two count. Luke is distracted by Damian, and Wolf uses the opportunity to attack from behind. Now La Rebelion are in full control, and Luke is a Hawx in Peril.
La Rebelion sets up Luke and prepare to strike with double knee lifts, but Luke moves at the last second, and Bestia and Wolf collide into each other. Luke then gets a double DDT and crawls to his corner. A hot tag to PJ, and his a Hawx en Fuego with suplexes for everyone. PJ goes up top with a crossbody that doesn’t get all of La Rebelion to cover for a two count. Tag to Luke for a second rope moonsault, but it’s another two count. Rebelión Double team and get the Nail In The Coffin to cover, but it’s still another two count. PJ is knocked off the ring and they land Mark of the Beast on Luke for one, two…PJ breaks the count at the last second. They set up again, but PJ kicks off Bestia, and Hawx Aerie set up Wolf with a spinning heel kick to cover, and Damian pulls off Wolf from outside. Bestia takes care of PJ on the outside and Damian blinds Luke with Red Mist. Bestia rolls up Luke for the three count, and ladies and gentlemen…
Your Winners and New NWA Tag Team Champions: La Rebelion
This makes La Rebelion two-time champs. Williams is in the ring and not happy with the ending of the match. However, he shakes hands with the team, hands one of the tag belts, and walks off as La Rebelion celebrates with the prize.
Tyrus comes out to ringside along with Idolmania, and so does Trevor Murdoch. NWA Owner William Patrick Corgan is at ringside and gets in and tells Tyrus that Idol and his cohorts need to leave. Tyrus agrees and tells them to back up. Corgan thanks the fans, and says the letters “N-W-A” aren’t so worthless now. He acknowledges that it is the fans that brought it back to world prominence.
He offers each man a chance to speak their mind before the main event on night two of NWA 74. Tyrus is on the mic first and says he’s the greatest NWA Television champion ever. He’s defended the belt ten times and didn’t cash it in because he wanted to make it the brightest championship to mean something. He concludes to his “cousin” that the only thing left is the Ten Pounds of Gold. He even practiced what ten pounds of gold feels like by purchasing some heavy gold chains the other day, and they feel great. After he wins, Tyrus says he’ll give the chains to Murdoch as a gift.
Murdoch says he’s been waiting for this. He’ll beat him, and give him a black eye to show on The Gutfield Show, but he will not leave with the belt. They almost come to blows, and Corgan gets in the middle. Murdoch’s ready to fight, and Tyrus walks off, knowing he’s living rent-free in his head.
That could be the difference-maker tomorrow night, but let’s deal with that later, because it’s time for your Main Event, and it’s for the…
Courtesy of the NWA
NWA World Women’s Championship: Kamille (c) vs. Taya Valkyrie
As Kyle Davis gives the boxing style intros, both women know what’s at stake. As the bell rings, they go to a collar and elbow tie up but neither one is giving an inch. Valkyrie switches up with submissions to isolate Kamille’s arm to soften it up and prevent her from utilizing her spear finisher later on. There are chops by La Wera Loca and she rolls through with an armbar variation to the champ. At one point, they run the ropes and both women land back elbows. Kamille drags Valkyrie to the outside and slams her head onto the ring apron. Back in the ring, she wrenches Valkyrie’s neck hard, and then Kamille lands a gutwrench suplex to cover for a two count.
Valkyrie lands a shot to her back and then shoots the ropes to hit the Pandemonium suplex. Then, she throws Kamille into the guardrails and chops her hard. Back in the ring, Valkyrie works her hamstrings and then goes to cover for a two count. She then goes into a camel clutch, and Kamille is worn out. Valkyrie goes on the offense by sending the champ to the corner and follows with a clothesline, then a vicious hip attack that snaps Kamille’s neck back, and finishes up with a Meteora. Valkyrie grabs her legs, but Kamille kicks her off and then gets in a powerbomb that wears them both out. Both women are throwing bombs, but Kamille gets her into an Oklahoma Stampede and covers for another two count. She follows up with a torture rack to Valkyrie into a Blue Thunder bomb, but still gets a two count. Kamille spears Valkyrie, but she rolls out before the champ could capitalize on a pin.
Kamille goes on the ring apron to get after her, but Valkyrie gets the champ on her shoulders and slams her head on the ring apron. She rolls her in and covers for a two count. Now she steps and Valkyrie gets a double stomp to cover and Kamille still kicks out. Valkyrie sets up Kamille up top they battle, but Kamille lands a superplex for one, two…oh, so close! Now she adds new moves and nails Valkyrie with a Canadian Destroyer to cover but still gets a two count. Valkyrie attempts a spear, but Kamille sidesteps and she ends up tackling the ref. Kamille rolls up Valkyrie, but there’s no one to count the pin. Valkyrie comes back and delivers two vicious curb stomps and then a third to seal the deal. She then goes out to the timekeeper’s table, grabs the Burke, and clocks Kamille. Valkyrie shakes the ref awake, and he makes the count at one, two…Kamille kicks out at 2 9/10ths of a second. Valkyrie set up for her Road to Valhalla finisher, but Kamille escapes and lands a spear to cover for the one, two, and three.
Your Winner, and Still NWA Women’s Champion: Kamille
Still a one-time champ, Kamille heads to the back where the entire roster comes out and shows respect to the champ as the PPV draws to a close on this first night of NWA 74.
Final Thoughts:
While a very loaded first night, the Women’s Title and The Burke Invitational were the standouts. Some nice surprises like Mayweather coming back, as well as Kratos, will add some more interesting angles. Tomorrow is when we’ll put everything together to see if the National Wrestling Alliance can top this night.
For now, see you tomorrow for Night Two!
