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The National Wrestling Alliance returned to the Georgia Public Broadcasting studio in Atlanta for the second night of television tapings. Four episodes were taped.
The show will be available on the NWA Facebook and YouTube pages with the debut episode set to drop October 8 at 6:05 pm ET. . For fans nostalgic for TV studio wrestling, I cannot recommend the show enough.
The NWA returns to the GPB studio for a PPV on December 14. Ticket information will be provided during the October 8 program.
Among the major happenings:
The Rock ‘n Roll Express defeated Wildcards to become nine time NWA World Tag Team Champions.
Colt Cabana regained the NWA National Championship from James Storm
Storm later defeated Mr. Anderson and Eli Drake to become the number one contender for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship
Melina Perez debuted as the leader of a fierce faction of Latinas
The masked Question Mark came out of nowhere to become the most wildly popular character of the entire taping
The NWA captured something special. The company did a phenomenal job of recreating the spirit and the essence of TV studio wrestling 35-40 years ago, as presented by Ted Turner’s “Superstation” at 6:05 Saturday night, which was taped within spitting distance of the GPB studio.
What a fun environment for live pro wrestling. The audience was about the same size as the first night (160) with many repeaters but this was a more boisterous group. The reactions for the stars were awesome all night long.
The NWA wanted the crowd the studio audience to express themselves loudly and freely. Did they ever. The response to Question Mark was ridiculous. There were points the random chants verged on hijacking the taping.
HOUR ONE:
Cabana was at the desk with David Marquez. He was excited about securing a win for Team Aldis last week and earning a National Championship title shot.
A heavily booed Aron Stevens was out next. He blamed his loss to Ricky Starks on ring rust and wanted a rematch. Crowd chanted “you got beat”. Stevens claimed to be the great-great-great-great-great grandson of William Shakespeare and said he was going back to Hollywood if the NWA did not make good on its promises.
--Dawsons (Dave & Zane) defeated Matthews Mims & Jordan Kingsley when Zane pinned Mims after a double team powerbomb.
At the desk, Dawsons said they already beat the number one contenders so they deserved a title shot. Outlaw Inc (Eddie Kingston & Homicide) came out. Kingston said they weren’t there to bitch and moan about losing to Dawsons last week. Outlaw Inc was willing to beat their title shot on the line if Dawsons could beat them one more time. Dawson said they would think about it.
--Thunder Rosa defeated Ashley Vox with a double stomp to the back off the top.
Rosa continued to beat on Vox after the match until Marti Belle intervened.
Belle was interviewed at ringside. She didn’t know Rosa but she did know Allysin Kay and was upset about Kay saying she wasn’t ready. Kay confronted Belle about venting on TV instead of coming to her. “This isn’t Dr. Phil”.
Rosa attacked Kay from behind and posted her for a big pop. The beating continued with Belle hesitant about how to respond. Belle decided to kick Kay right in the face. Rosa motioned for Belle to come with her.
--Ricky Starks beat Aron Stevens two straight falls in a two out of three falls match, earning Stevens another “you got beat” chant from the crowd.
-- Colt Cabana (with Mr. Anderson) defeated James Storm (with Eli Drake) to regain the NWA National Championship in a match with lots of entertaining offense from Cabana. Camille came out and knocked Drake into Anderson leading into the finish.
Dawsons came out and said we want Outlaw Inc now.
--Outlaw Inc (Eddie Kingston & Homicide) defeated Dawsons. The Wildcards (Thomas Latimer & Royce Isaacs) tried to interfere but were attacked by the Rock ‘n Roll Express. Homicide pinned Dave with an Ace cutter.
Rock ‘n Roll Express were insanely over. The crowd chanted for them as they raised Outlaw Inc’s hands.
HOUR TWO:
--Trevor Murdoch defeated Caleb Konley with a bulldog launched from the top rope. Murdoch stands out as working a stiffer style.
Stevens came to the desk in his pirate outfit and said he was quitting pro wrestling to star in “Shogun of Malibu”. The crowd popped for his “I Quit” proclamation. I had never been a big Stevens fan. After seeing his work over the last two nights, I am now.
--Thunder Rosa & Marti Belle defeated Crystal Rose & Brooklyn Creed when Rosa crushed Creed with a double stomp off the top rope. Rosa doesn’t play. Creed was knocked dizzy by the double stomp and stayed down in the ring being tended to by referee David Hebner.
Marquez wanted to know what motivated Belle to join Rosa. Belle said that was her future. Rosa spoke Spanish with Belle translating that Rosa had seen a vision and Kay had no idea what was in store for her.
They shot the show open out of sequence. The announce team of Joe Galli and Jim Cornette threw to Marquez at the desk with Rock ‘N Roll Express, who got a standing ovation. Outlaw Inc joined them. Kingston said no way they could lose their tag title match with the legends’ stamp of approval.
Cabana was excited X 10 about capturing the NWA National Championship , coming back at 100% to win the title for the people. Starks turned up with his eye on the prize. “Everybody knows crocodile leather is my pleasure, but I’m kinda sold on gold.”
--Question Mark pinned Tad Parker after a karate thrust to the throat. The crowd popped huge. A star was made. Question Mark looked suspiciously like Jocephus who did not appear on night two.
Next was Drake at the desk speculating about Camille’s silence. Drake said it wasn’t about the way, it was about the what. Maybe some truth might come out. Anderson appeared and played mind games with Drake by whispering his name.
Aldis cut a promo at the desk. Dismissed Storm’s conspiracy theory and said the business owes wrestlers nothing and he had earned everything, throwing in his rub off Dory Funk and Harley Race, Aldis said he would be at ringside for the next match to ensure things were done the right way.
--Wildcards defeated Outlaw Inc to retain the NWA World Tag Team Championships. Shenanigans by Wildcards led to Isaacs pinning Kingston after the Wildcards’ trademark combo move.
The television hour ended in chaos. Camille confronted Aldis about the words-action contradiction. Storm, Anderson, Drake and Dawsons were all out there with an assortment of NWA officials trying in vain to restore order.
Stevens did a Q & A with the fans while a camera lens was changed between shows. Cornette took exception to Stevens hyperbole. Great stuff.
HOUR THREE:
Marti Belle & Thunder Rosa defeated NWA Women’s Champion Allisyn Kay and Ashley Vox. The appearance of Melina distracted Kay. Rosa rolled Kay up and devastated the champion with a top rope double stomp after the match. Rosa’s vision became a reality as the Latinas stood together.
Rock n’ Roll Express told Marquez they were fixing to be nine time NWA World Tag Team Champions. Wildcards said they would kick the old farts’ asses. Marquez asked Latimer about his relationship with Camille. Latimer said they were just friends.
Aldis was at the desk for the show open (shot out of sequence). Aldis said if Camille was not at his side, her actions were own. What’s this? An open relationship with the NWA World Heavyweight Champion? Aldis said he met Trevor Murdoch at a Harley Race camp in 2007 (calling Race possibly the greatest NWA champion of all-time) but their match would be an exhibition because Murdoch wasn’t at the front of the line.
--Nick Aldis defeated Trevor Murdoch via submission with a cloverleaf. Aldis kicked out of Murdoch’s bulldog before applying the sub. Crowd chanted “thank you, Murdoch” and the competitor shook hands.
-- Question Mark vs. Ricky Starks was a no contest due to interference by Stevens. The crowd absolutely exploded when Question Mark came out. Loudest pop of the night. Cabana was the guest commentator. Question Mark gave Starks two karate thrusts to the throat. Cabana intervened before more damage was done.
Galli and Cornette announced Question Mark & Stevens vs. Cabana & Starks as the main event for the hour. This change was made on the fly.
Drake and Anderson got into it at the desk again. Drake said Anderson was past his sell date. Anderson said he had been on the smallest stages and the largest. He was tired of hearing Drake run his jibs and wanted a match now.
Drake posted Anderson from behind and clocked him with a turnbuckle that was conveniently concealed in the desk area. Anderson sold the damage huge with all kinds of NWA personnel out to help him.
--Aron Stevens & Question Mark defeated Ricky Starks & Colt Cabana. Stevens pinned Starks after he he took a karate thrust to the throat by Question Mark.
Storm came to the desk complaining about Aldis doing exhibition matches. Camille whispered something in Storm’s ear. Storm smiled and said “sorry about your damn luck”.
--Rock ‘n Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) defeated Wildcards (Thomas Latimer & Royce Isaacs) to become nine-time NWA World Tag Team Champions. Gibson took the heat and did the Morton Roll for the hot tag. R & R hit the double dropkick on Latimer but Isaacs broke up the pin. Wildcards collided and Morton pinned Latimer with an O’Connor Roll.
The GPB studio came unglued. Cornette hit the ring and raised the R & R’s hands as the crowd chanted “Nine times”. It was pretty much the ultimate in NWA nostalgia.
HOUR FOUR:
Melina was a ringside with Marquez. Melina cut an inspirational promo, talking about bringing out the best in people through the mosaic of battles she had endured and won.
Kay interrupted, telling Melina she was going to have work hard for the first time and threatening to smack the smugness of her face.
Belle and Rosa attacked Kay. Belle left Kay laying with a pedigree and the triumvirate stood over the champion.
Anderson vs. Drake in a number one contender’s match was supposed to be next. Storm couldn’t figure out how he was left out of the match. Perhaps Aldis and Corgan were smashing pumpkins backstage.
Aldis came out. He said Storm was not on his level but let’s put the conspiracy theories to rest by making it a three-way match.
Starks vs. Cabana in a non-title match was announced. Stevens and Question Mark stormed the desk asking how come he wasn’t in the match? Cabana said you’re nothing but an actor. Go beat Starks and you’ll have your title match. Stevens sent Question Mark to the back.
--Aron Stevens pinned Ricky Starks after Question Mark interfered with a karate chop on Starks. The power of karate lives.
-- James Storm defeated Mr. Anderson and Eli Drake in the best match of the night to become the number one contender for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Match turned into the proverbial three ring circus. Camille came to ringside to support Storm. Aldis came out and they got into a heated argument. On another side of the ring, Dawsons and Wildcards were giving Rock ‘N Roll Express the beatdown. Drake did his level best to keep Storm out of the ring. In the end, Drake gave Anderson the Gravy Train but Storm dispatched with Drake and superkicked Anderson for the win.
Storm blew a kiss at Aldis and Camille as the fans chanted “Cowboy”.
Storm addressed the fans after the match. Said he had fun everywhere he had been and then he saw these SOBs raising hell. “Welcome to the NWA”.
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