The NWA shook the wrestling world again when they returned from an almost year-long hiatus, first with their Back for the Attack PPV and subsequently with the return of their groundbreaking television program NWA Powerrr. Despite its momentum being stifled by the pandemic, Billy Corgan and the NWA have made sure that the essence and presentation of the show will not be changed, and that this version will indeed be a continuation rather than a reboot.
It is hard to see it this way, as the entire landscape of the company has changed with the departure of top stars like Ricky Starks, Eli Drake, James Storm, and Eddie Kingston. However, many faces have stepped up to bring life back into the popular underdog show. With Trevor Murdoch holding the NWA National Championship, Da Pope holding the NWA Television Championship, Aaron Stevens and JR Kratos holding the tag team championships, and Nick Aldis approaching 900 days as NWA World Heavyweight Champion, the future of the NWA looks like it is in good hands. Here’s what happened last week, as well as what could possibly happen this week, on NWA Powerrr on Fite TV as we look to get you up to speed with everything going on in the NWA since the restart!
Tyrus Becomes Client of Austin Idol
Wrestling legend and promoter Austin Idol, famous for his time in the southern territories of AWA and CWA in the 70s and 80s, is well-known to NWA Powerrr fans as the exuberant salesman in the ads for his wrestling school played often on the program. However, it now appears that Idol has found a way to make himself a more prominent fixture on the show, aligning his managerial services with Tyrus on the return episode of Powerrr last week.
Tyrus (better known to WWE fans as Brodus Clay) made his NWA debut at Back for the Attack last month, picking up a quick win over one-half of the NWA World Tag Team Champions JR Kratos in a true clash of the titans. It now appears that Tyrus plans to be around for more than a cup of tea, and is sure to have some impact on this week’s episode, whether it be in the ring or standing tall alongside his new mouthpiece Austin Idol.
Melina and Thunder Rosa Reunion
The majority of the NWA Women’s division during the original era of NWA Powerrr was dominated by the elite faction of Melina, Thunder Rosa, and Marti Belle. With Belle presumably busy with SHIMMER commitments and currently MIA, Melina and Rosa have been left as a fractioned unit who have not met face-to-face since Melina challenged Rosa for her NWA Women’s World Championship over a year ago. Melina helped Rosa initially win the championship from Allysin Kay, but could not stand to be in Rosa’s shadow any longer. Melina would eventually meet for the NWA Women’s World Championship in January 2020, but the match would end in a count-out.
Now, almost a year later, Melina seems to be wanting to make amends with her former partner. Thunder Rosa came out to be interviewed by Kyle Durden, stating that her main goal in the NWA was to win back her NWA Women’s Championship. Durden would then introduce Melina, who was eerily stifled and reserved in her tone and temperament toward Rosa. She talked about how she had been following Rosa’s career over the past year and said that she would be there for anything Rosa may need.
However, despite Rosa praising the impact Melina has had on women’s wrestling, as well as reminiscing about the memories they have together, Rosa told Melina compassionately that she does not need her help anymore. This is an interesting advancement to their story, as Rosa’s popularity has truly blossomed over the past year without the help of Melina. How will Melina respond to Rosa’s rejection? Is this the spark of a potentially heated feud between the two women?
Who Will Challenge Nick Aldis Next?
In the main event of NWA Powerrr last week, the team of the NWA World Tag Team Champions (Stevens and Kratos) and the NWA Television Champion Da Pope fell short to the dominant NWA World Champion Nick Aldis and his partners Chris Adonis and Thom Latimer. This was Adonis’ debut on NWA Powerrr after making his official debut for the company at Back for the Attack. At first sight, it appears that Adonis has filled the void left by former Strictly Business and Wild Card member Royce Isaacs.
However, it is very possible that this seeming “dream formation” is only temporary, and may indeed be the start of a greater feud. Adonis picked up the win, oddly positioned as the babyface as he avoided a chair shot from Kratos to get the roll-up win. Adonis was unsuccessful in winning the NWA National Championship from Trevor Murdoch at Back for the Attack, but a string of wins on Powerrr ignited by this first big win could skyrocket him into contention for his “partner’s” NWA World Championship.
Tensions also began to flair in this match between the NWA World Tag Team Champions. Kratos tried to hit Adonis with a steel chair, but Stevens took the chair from him, showing a difference in alignment between the two partners. It seems like only a matter of time before this unit explodes. The final nail in the coffin could occur tonight on NWA Powerrr.
Full NWA Powerrr Card Episode 23
Thunder Rosa hosts a women’s wrestling showcase
Tyrus in action
NWA Television Championship: Da Pope (c) vs Fred Rosser
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 at its new home of FITE TV
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