NWA POWERRR: A Thrillride at the end of NWA 76

This is the last part of NWA 76 as the National Wrestling Alliance closes out its signature event on “X”.  We will see what the future has in store for the promotion as The Prince of Old School, Colby Corino, faces the “Thrillbilly” Silas Mason in the Main Event.  Either way, it’s bound to be a thrill.

We come to you from the 2300 Arena in downtown Philadelphia, PA. Joe Galli, Billy Corgan, and Danny Dealz have the call as the First Match of the Night is between…

Courtesy of the NWA

Lev vs. Gaagz the Gymp

Lev comes to the ring sans his tag partner Jackson Drake.  As he enters, I can’t help but think that he looks like what would happen if Raven and Jon Moxley had a love child. As Gaagz comes down the ramp, fans pop hard for the Gymp.  As Lev takes off and gives his NWA shirt to Gaagz, who shows it off for the crowd, he attacks the masked man and then badmouths the brand.

From there Lev is in control until Gaagz gets into his unorthodox offense.  He goes for his patented headbutt but Lev manages to miss the horns and continues to club away at his chest.  He tries to unmask the Gymp, but Gaagz gets away and whips him to the corner and now hits the horns followed by an STO to cover for a two count.  Lev gets back on top and works on the mask but Gaagz fights back and stages a comeback.  He goes through the ropes and Lev uses the opportunity to finally unmask Gaagz who quickly covers his face and rolls under the ring.  As Lev brandishes his trophy, Gaagz comes back out with another mask.  He sneaks up behind Lev, unzips to show off his tongue, and hits a Slackjaw (fireman’s carry to a reverse DDT) for the pin and the win.

Your Winner via Pinfall:  Gaagz The Gymp

May Valentine is backstage with Austin Idol, Zyon, and Jake Dumas.  Idol is not impressed with Storm or Dane, as he states he once faced a real Baron way back when in the Superstation era.  As Idol gets in Valentine’s grill, he promises they will take ‘em down.

Austin Idol (left) tells May Valentine that Zyon and “Magic” Jake Dumas are ready for Jax Dane and Baron Von Storm at NWA 76. Taped at NWA 76 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, PA. Courtesy of the NWA via “X.”

With that, let’s head back to ringside for your next match between…

Jax Dane and Baron Von Storm vs. “Magic” Jake Dumas and The Masked Zyon (with Austin Idol)

Storm enters the ring in a black-and-white intro that is almost reminiscent of another Storm.  A “Timeless” Storm, if you will.

I like it, but I hope it doesn’t get ceased and desisted anytime soon.

Dumas and Storm are in the ring, and the Magic Bastard quickly tags Zyon, and he tags him back.  This goes on for at least a couple of minutes until Dane tags in.  Dumas only succeeds in angering him as Dane launches him with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex followed by a Samoan drop.  He gets ready to pop the trunk, but Dumas rolls out and Zyon steps in and gets some brief offense before he’s sent flying courtesy of a suplex, and then he and Storm double-tackle the masked man.  Storm signals for The Iron Claw and Zyon gets out of dodge as he gets with Dumas and Idol to rethink their strategy which leads to…

Ads (mostly these are plugs for their upcoming signature events, Looks That Kill and Shockwave, happening in December 2024 and January 2025, respectively.  If you are in the area, check them out on their website.)

We come back and with Idol’s assistance Dumas and Zyon slam the hand of Storm on the steel guardrails to weaken his iron grip.  Dumas feels like he has a chance but Storm almost locks in the Claw.  As Zyon distracts the ref, Dumas nails a low blow and they cut the ring in half making Storm a Baron in Peril.  The Magic Bastard climbs up the top turnbuckle, nails a moonsault, and is confident of victory until Storm manages to cinch the Iron Claw to his temples.  He crawls to the ropes to break the hold, and then Storm releases so he can sink his grip onto Idol’s head.  From there it’s pandemonium as Storm stalks Idol, and Dane pops the trunk on Dumas who rolls out.  He tries to grab him, but Zyon comes up from behind and gets Dane for the cheap rollup win.

Your Winners via Pinfall:  “Magic” Jake Dumas and Zyon

Dane and Storm are not happy with that loss and it’s a guarantee this is far from over for the duo.

Next, Joe Galli talks for this next segment, so I’ll give him the floor:

“As we celebrate seventy-six years of the National Wrestling Alliance, we pause to remember the remarkable individuals who have left us this past year.  We look back and honor the legends, trailblazers, and friends who shaped our world and inspired generations. Please join us now in the Ten Bell salute as we pay tribute to their lasting legacy.”

The names that flashed across the screen were:

• Adnan Bin Abdulkareem: “General Adnan”
• Bret Woyan: “Brett Sawyer“
• Steven Stewart: “Bart Sawyer”
• Emile Duprée
• Joyce Grable
• Andreas Ullman: “Absolute Andy”
• Osamu Kido
• Masashi Ozawa: “Killer Khan”
• Kurtis Chapman
• Frank Caiazzo: “Francisco Ciatso”
• Asahi
• Harold Fitzgerald Hogue, Sr.: “Ice Train”
• Anthony Gaines
• Michael Jones: “Virgil”
• Peter Raymond Miller: “The Mongolian Mauler”
• Risto Zelevarov: “Chris Markoff”
• Yutaka Yoshie
• Alan Robert Rogowski: “Ole Anderson”
• Akebono Taro
• Billy Reil
• Paul “Butcher” Vachon
• Raymundo Díaz Mendoza: “Villano V”
• Sika Anoa’i
• Antonio Hernández Herrada: “Silver Cat”
• Anthony Jones: “Tony Jones”
• John Klinger: “Bad Bones”
• Carlos Rodea Gómez: “Pequeño Nitro”
• Jamie Stacey: “James Castle”
• Arthur Anoa’i, Sr.: “Afa”
• Scott William Henson: “Big Cat”
• Kuniaki Kobayashi
• Antonio Sánchez Rendón: “El Signo”
• Kevin Francis Sullivan
• Juan Valdez Valentino: “Mosco de la Merced”
• Sidney Raymond Eudy: “Psycho Sid Vicious”
• Carlos Rodea Gómez: “Liger Rivera”

The NWA really does a good job when it comes to the In Memorium of wrestlers who have recently passed away.  You should also click the links on the names to get more of their story, while you’re here.

Now it’s time for the Main Event and it is the final match at NWA 76 between…

Courtesy of the NWA

“Thrillbilly” Silas Mason vs. Colby Corino

There are some “Col-bee” chants ringing out from the Philadelphia crowd as they give The Prince of Old School a warm reception.  Mason walks down to the ring and as he steps between the ropes, Corino attacks and dives to the outside.  Mason is dazed by the attack but soon takes over and tries to slam Corino to the guardrails.  He pumps the brakes and gives Mason a drop toehold into the steel and then goes back in the ring to land a somersault plancha on the Southern Six member.  This is a “speed versus power” match as Corino attempts a sit-out slam on the big man, but Mason catches him and drops him on the apron edge with a powerbomb and the Thrillbilly is now taking care of business.  They get in the squared circle and now the bell rings to signal the start of the match.  Mason is in control on offense but Corino is tenacious and gives him a flatliner.  He tries to follow it up, but gets caught with a backbreaker by Mason and then…

Ads (Sigh!)

We come back and Mason has the Prince locked in a Boston Crab, but Corino reverses to an STF but he reaches the bottom rope to break the submission.  Mason attempts to whip him to the ropes but Corino hangs on.  He tries a flying bulldog on Mason changes it midair to a backbreaker and he keeps The Last Bastion grounded.  Corino fights back to a vertical base and runs the ropes but gives a press and Corino is hanging in the air and slams face-first to the center of the mat.  He is not out of this fight as he comes back with a sleeper hold, but Mason is too powerful and he backs up and shoves him into the corner.  He comes in hot and eats a boot and then Corino trips him up to land face-first into the second turnbuckle and then nails the Sonsetter for a two count.  He goes up the high-rent district and a moonsault misses the mark.  Mason is right there and lands with a clothesline that turns him inside out as he is pinned for one, two…kick out.  Corino goes for chops to the chest but they have no mustard on them. Mason chops back and this succeeds in firing up young Corino.  He sends Mason out and goes for another dive to the outside, but gets caught by Big Daddy Thrill. They battle up the ramp and Corino connects with a sunset powerbomb that takes it out of both men.  The ref starts to count them out, but Corino gets in first and as Mason climbs back in the squared circle he is caught with a running knee, and then follows with a flying clothesline for a close two count.  Corino goes for another high-risk maneuver but Mason sends him on a ThrillRide to end it in one, two, and three.

Your Winner via Pinfall:  “Thrillbilly” Silas Mason

The stars are shining in the Southern sky for Mason as the show goes to the credits.