Since making his debut back at NWA 74, the #overMAN EC3 has been nothing short of phenomenal in the National Wrestling Alliance. While he might be a divisive figure in some professional wrestling fans’ eyes, there is no doubting how talented he really is, and his time in the NWA, thus far, has genuinely helped EC3 to prove his doubters wrong and change the minds of many.
Whether you want to call it a “career resurgence” or EC3 doing what he does best, we feel this is probably one of the best runs in his career. As such, we want to lay out all the reasons why EC3 as the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion is a ‘must-see’ for any fan of professional wrestling.
Bridging the Gap Between the Old and New School
We want to begin by saying that EC3 is the perfect NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion for the latest chapter of the National Wrestling Alliance. He has the look and skill set of a modern wrestler that many newer wrestling enthusiasts are familiar with, but somehow provides older fans that spark of nostalgia whenever he’s in the ring.
It’s amazing how his promos are akin to classic promos from prominent figures back in the promotion’s original run while putting his own unique spin and flavor into the mix. His initial promo after his NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion win over Tyrus at NWA 75 was one that stood out.
The energy was off the charts, similar to the outlandish promos of The Ultimate Warrior back in the day. That said, EC3 rarely goes overboard and knows when to reel it back when necessary to convey his points and tell the story of an upcoming match. It’s no secret that one of his biggest strengths as a performer is his ability to talk on the mic, and it’s on full display for everyone to see every week on NWA Powerrr.
Read More: Where History Lives: Reasons to Watch NWA Powerrr
The Ability to Elevate
“…and to do that, I beat guys like you.”@therealec3 has a list of goals for his legacy as Champion. To accomplish them, he must conquer @TheJaxDane! pic.twitter.com/dyBKmBK0P0
— NWA (@nwa) November 9, 2023
The modern incarnation of the NWA is a much smaller operation compared to its initial glory days. As such, you need your World Champion to make things grander and EC3 has done precisely that. Whatever people want to say about him, EC3 has big-name value in this industry, considering his great run in TNA Wrestling and WWE, specifically in NXT, and he’s using his notoriety to push the modern NWA to the next level.
Every time he steps into the squared circle or on the podium to do his talking, EC3 has this skill to convince you to tune into a match or title defense, whether it’s on pay-per-view or a weekly episode of NWA Powerrr. He exudes a certain magnetic aura that makes you want to be invested in the product.
On top of that, his matches are methodical, entertaining, and always tell a story, which some fans crave since some often bring up the topic of today’s wrestling bouts lacking certain story-telling elements that made the industry so hot in decades past. We would be remiss if we didn’t mention how good EC3 is when putting someone over while simultaneously putting himself over as the ‘top guy.’
It’s not at all easy to make your challenger seem formidable when you’re in the process of making yourself feel unbeatable, but somehow he manages each time out. EC3 is a true student of the game and he’s proving each time he walks out with the “Ten Pounds of Gold.”
Reinvention Without Self-Dilution
everyone sees what you appear to be. few see what you truly are.#overMAN#thusspoke #ec3 pic.twitter.com/ZrYXoclisT
— ecIII (@therealec3) November 7, 2023
Some people are always inclined to bring up Control Your Narrative or his time on the main roster in WWE, in mostly a not-so-favorable light, whenever there’s a conversation that involves EC3. Fortunately, the man tries his absolute best to take it all in stride. If he wanted to, EC3 could’ve completely changed his whole schtick to put his past, whether good or bad, behind him.
Or better yet, EC3 could’ve just reverted to his old TNA persona and ride that wave of nostalgia all the way to the bank. However, that’s not the case. EC3 chose to evolve while incorporating some of the elements of his past characters that worked. For that, the #overMAN deserves a lot of praise and is a great example of how you look to the future while never forgetting the past.
It would be unfair to say that EC3 is putting the NWA on his back. But, what we will say is, that EC3 has proven to be one of the biggest driving forces of the latest resurgence of the NWA, along with all the competitors in that locker room that made this whole thing what it is today. And for those reasons, the #overMAN is the #overCHAMPION that the NWA needs and deserves.
More From LWOS Pro Wrestling
Header Photo – @therealec3 on X (Twitter) – Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. Check out the NWA, its weekly program NWA Powerrr on YouTube, and all pay-per-view events, on FITE.
