David Marquez w/ Tim Storm
After a brief look at the relationship/conspiracy surrounding Tim Storm and NWA world champ, Nick Aldis, and Tim’s drive to keep going at 53-years-old, “Momma Storm’s Baby Boy” is at the podium. Tim is slated to face Aldis in the next round of the Television Title Tournament. Marquez asks if he’s looking to get back into the World Title picture (having previously vowed to never again challenge for the title if unsuccessful in besting Nick Aldis).
Tim puts a pin in that, saying that he’s a man of his word. This prompts Nick Aldis and his insurance policy, Kamille, to interrupt. Aldis says that he’s amused by Storm’s intensity and tries to goad him into attacking him outside the ring’s confines, saying that he only entered the tournament as a lark. He even compares Tim Storm and Ricky Morton to Randy “The Ram” Robinson but Storm’s not taking the bait.
Aron Stevens vs Sal Rinauro in a submission exhibition match
As an exhibition match, Stevens’ (third degree) National Championship belt will not be on the line. Joe Galli questions Stevens’ fighting spirit in making this match but Stu Bennett is settling into the heel color commentary role, insisting on referring to him as “Shooter Stevens.” Rinauro has a short rally where he attempts a figure four but, otherwise, it’s all Stevens until he ends it with a Mongrovian (Cobra/Million Dollar) Clutch.
Winner by submission: Aron “Shooter” Stevens
Stevens won’t relinquish the hold but Trevor Murdoch chases him off. Stevens gets over to David Marquez’s podium and calls Murdoch’s actions “unsportsmanlike.” Ol’ Trevor tells him that he won’t sit back idly while Stevens takes advantage of the NWA young boys. When accused of trying to position himself for a shot at the National Title, Murdoch says that he’s solely focused on kicking Stevens’ ass. The champ (and “toughest man in the history of the NWA”) tells him that he’s ready right now but Murdoch has to put up his spot in the Television Title Tournament. In a bit of meta-fun, Stevens questions whether he flubbed part of his promo and, when the crowd begins to chant “You can’t talk,” he kindly reminds them of who he is and they respond with chuckles.
Aron Stevens vs Trevor Murdoch
Murdoch makes use of not only his classic hard-hitting style but some creative submissions as well. “Shooter” Stevens does manage to rock the big Texan with some headbutts and clubbing blows but an Indian Death Lock has the Third Dan Champion tapping out.
Winner by submission: Trevor Murdoch
NWA Powerrr Surge is coming soon, giving us a look at the potential future stars of the NWA.
The Pope is talking with Eddie Kingston & Homicide in a pre-taped segment. Pope says that they are both are likely Tag Team Champions but that Eddie Kingston has world champion potential. Eddie downplays it, hyping Homicide’s accomplishments while Homicide agrees with Pope’s confidence in Eddie.
Joe Galli w/ Eli Drake
A seemingly more sober Eli Drake than what David Marquez got last week is out to talk to us. Joe asks about his plans for the New Year. Two weeks in a row, Eli is without a match. Two weeks in a row, Nick Aldis has come out and said that he doesn’t have any competition. Coincidence? He thinks not and the crowd agrees. He says that Ricky Morton was right that Aldis isn’t at that Harley Race/Ric Flair level. If Aldis won’t fight Ricky about it, Eli will! He had Tim Storm as a partner earlier in 2019. He’ll get James Storm. Maybe Ken Anderson? Nah. He calls Anderson a two-time loser after their feud. That brings out Colt Cabana! Colt says that Eli needs to lay off of Ken Anderson. Eli asks if Colt is there to volunteer as his tag partner and Colt says that he’s sticking with his tag partner, Ken Anderson. Eli says that that’ll never get him the gold but colt reminds him that he’s had gold twice that Eli hasn’t: the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Eli’s unimpressed, saying he’ll whip Cabana as fast as he beat Anderson. The Green Bay guy with the gift of gab comes out to get in Eli Drake’s face but Colt and the referees manage to separate them.
NWA Girl Powerrr is coming soon to NationalWrestlingAlliance.com
Marti Belle, Melina, & Thunder Rosa discuss Allysin Kay’s lack of support for Marti during their friendship. Allysin Kay looks to Ashley Vox, Tasha Steelz, and ODB about feeling betrayed by Marti when she couldn’t take Allysin’s honesty and how Melina and Thunder Rosa are influencing her.
Tasha Steelz vs Marti Belle (w/ Melina)
Newark vs New York. Boricua vs Dominicana. Makings of a classic rivalry. Tasha impresses early on with technical acumen. Marti overtakes her with the size and strength advantage but Melina’s “coaching” proves to be a distraction. Tasha eventually wins with a cutter. Melina gets in the ring to chastise Marti for failing her.
Winner by pinfall: Tasha Steelz
Kyle Davis and Anastasia Fletcher draw the next competitors for the Television Title Tournament: Zicky Dice & Caleb Konley
Tim Storm vs Nick Aldis in a Television Title Tournament match
Nick Aldis comes out with his “Strictly Business” faction, including Wild Card, Kamille, and, Royce Isaacs’ lady, May Valentine. Aldis is in dress pants and dress shoes, obviously not there to compete. He says that he entered the tournament for fun but Tim Storm has taken all the fun out of it. He’s given Tim Storm a bye. Storm isn’t satisfied with that. He says that Aldis has always backed up his talk… until now. The crowd is right to call him a coward and a liar. Aldis steps up to the ring but immediately steps down and offers up a replacement: Royce Isaacs of Wild Card! Isaacs is hesitant, having not warmed up, but gets a good luck smooch from May and steps up.
Tim Storm vs Royce Isaacs in a Television Title Tournament Match
Tim Storm’s attention is split between taunting the world champion and using his size and strength advantage to rag doll Royce Isaacs. The 6:05 time limit is in effect, as Aldis reminds Storm, and isaacs reinforces this with suplexes and strikes. A foot on the rope saves Tim Storm from an unorthodox second-rope cutter and he elbows his way out of Royce Isaacs’ signature Hush Money hybrid suplex. The match ends with a Perfect Storm and the 1-2-3.
Winner by pinfall and advancing: Tim Storm
Nick Aldis is beside himself and totally oblivious to The Rock n’ Roll Express coming up right behind him. They give him a spook and remind him never to take his eyes off his opponents.
Top Five Takeaways from NWA Powerrr this week
- NWA Girl Powerrr has some risk attached. It looks like it may consist of promos and backstage segments. If it’s more miss than hit, they could lose some credibility from more socially conscious fans (male and female) for the failure. With the limited roster (on multiple levels,) it may be too ambitious at this time.
- The Pope’s bit with Outlaw Inc was some good foreshadowing. If he’s not looking to break them up (and even if he is and fails,) he could still manage to cherry pick some other alliances until he reaches a solid heel status.
- I’ve been a fan of Caleb Konley for a while now, having seen him in Impact with Trevor Lee (NXT’s Cameron Grimes) but “Outlandish” Zicky Dice is picking up steam and I can certain see him going over next week.
- Eli Drake’s “B-plot” of talking $#!+ and climbing the ladder could certainly take a giant step if he ends up either beating former 2x world champ, Colt Cabana. A tag partner to take on the RnR might actually slow that down.
- Not only has NWA gotten their T-shirt game up to task (the Momma Storm shirt making an appearance tonight,) the Tim Storm vs Nick Aldis rivalry is building to an all-time peak. It’s pretty obvious where it’s going but the gravitas is more than adequate thus far.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj5Be-tjNgs
