Written by Matthew Widdis
The official name of the show is “The Fourth Annual Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament” but, given that there were only three consecutive predecessors and that was over 30 years ago, “Crockett Cup” seems to work just fine.
In that time, one of the staples of pro wrestling in Jim Crockett’s Carolina-based territory (and seemingly gone by the wayside, especially in WWE) was the tag team division. A card with The Midnight Express vs. The Rock n’ Roll Express was going to bring in the biggest house. Those days are long gone but, make no mistake about it, this is a huge show and a massive undertaking.
If you haven’t been watching the expertly produced “Ten Pounds of Gold” mini-docs that NWA has been putting on YouTube, go check it out. Without hours of national TV time each week, rock legend and NWA president, Billy Corgan, and director, David Lagana, took what was essentially a bill of goods with the NWA and managed create a buzz around it that has made it more relevant that it has been in a quarter century.
During the build towards the Cody Rhodes and Young Bucks produced super show, All In, whispered fever dreams about CM Punk and the running joke of Flip Gordon being left off the card gave way to a new chatter: The NWA Heavyweight World Title was going to be defended on the show.
No longer held by 53-year-old human interest story, Tim Storm, it was in the hands of former TNA/Impact mainstay and world champ, Nick “Magnum” Aldis. It had real legitimacy for the first time in years and the challenger was Cody Rhodes. Cody wins, becoming the first man to hold the NWA title after their father had won it, adding more history to the nostalgia/progress stew that the NWA has been becoming. The success of that show is likely what has brought RoH back to the NWA for this jointly run effort and managed to draw in teams from RoH partner promotions, CMLL from Mexico and New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Champion, Nick Aldis vs “The Villain” Marty Scurll for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship
Nick Aldis has done an exceptional job of representing the NWA and its title since first winning it in 2017. That said, the belt is elevated by every quality and recognized performer who holds it at this point. Marty Scurll, a former RoH World Television champion and Survival of the Fittest tournament winner, Progress (UK) title holder, Revolution Pro (UK) champion, and one-time holder of the prestigious IWGP Junior Heavyweight title (New Japan Pro Wrestling) can do just that. Having really cool T-shirts won’t hurt things either and having another big name added to the list can only help everyone involved.
My pick: “The Villain” Marty Scurll
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGy1Rhi9k2A
Champion, Willie Mack vs Colt Cabana for the NWA National Championship
Unlike the NWA World Title, the National title was not seen on TNA programming when those entities were aligned. Despite having luminaries such as Paul Orndorff, Larry Zbyszko, and Ted DiBiase as former champions, Willie Mack is arguably the most high-profile holder of the strap since Stevie Richards held it in 1998. He is also the current House of Hardcore Twitch TV champion and has held championships in Lucha Underground, The Crash (Mexico), Championship Wrestling from Hollywood, and is regularly featured on Impact. He is the draw the belt needs in this case. Colt Cabana (a former multi-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion) will no doubt bring the humor and the talent to make this match entertaining on multiple levels but he’s never needed a belt to get over or stay over.
My pick: Willie Mack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B623ZdBVOE
Allysin Kay vs Santana Garrett for the vacant NWA Women’s Championship
Former ECW and WWE wrestler, Jazz, relinquished the title after an astounding 948-day reign, citing personal and medical reasons. While I’m surely not alone in wishing her all the best in that respect, it has left a door open that lets in some very fresh air. Allysin Kay and Santana Garrett have held the title of nearly every promotion that values women’s wrestling. Kay has been Shine title holder and the prestigious TNA/Impact/Global Force Wrestling “Knockouts” champ as “Sienna.” Santana Garrett has been Shine champ and Stardom (Japan) champ as well as a former champ in the NWA and Lakers-owner Jeannie Buss’ Women of Wrestling. Both were seen on WWE programming in their Mae Young Classic and Garrett had several appearances on NXT. This seems like a coin flip but Santana seemingly has more commitments to keep between Japan, LA, and all points in-between.
My pick: Allysin Kay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lbTs1WT458
For years, WWF/E ran the King of the Ring PPV as a single night, 8-man tournament to elevate a performer to the top of (or out of) the mid-card. They eventually stopped this format and the main citation was… it’s too damn hard! You either have short, unsatisfying matches or longer matches that drain the performers’ stamina and lead the show into an Avengers: Endgame runtime. (No spoilers!) This is lessened by the tag format allowing the wrestlers to take a breather when needed but still be prepared for an 11-match card.
Wild Card Tag Team Battle Royal
There are plenty of tag teams in RoH, CMLL, New Japan, or floating amidst the independent scene. Those who failed to earn a place in the tourney include: Juice Robinson & Dave Finley, Jay Bradley & Caleb Konley, Kenny King & MVP, and The Kingdom. Dalton Castle’s Boys could make an appearance. Maybe Stephen Amell and Josh Segarra can show up? Any one of them could be a solid and even exciting addition to the tournament… but I’m going for the hot take on this one and I can already hear the groans.
My pick: nZo & Caz XL (If they’re not in the match, I figure them to at least show up.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAaSeZ2fOa8
The Briscoes vs. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express
This match is surely more symbolic than anything else. Rock ‘n’ Roll were participants in the first ever Crockett Cup in 1986 and, at 60+ years old, it would be nice if this were their last. I don’t see them putting down the boys from Sandy Point, Delaware, with the old double dropkick. Nor do I see multiple Jay Drillers or shooting stars off the aprons in this one. I just think this is a nice tip of the cp to the history of the business and of the event to see two of the very best tag teams in history representing different eras.
My pick: The Briscoes
Villain Enterprises (Brody King & PCO) vs Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata
Staying on the topic of history, Brody King, with less than 25 years of ring experience is the de facto rookie here. Former Mountie/Quebecer/Pirate, PCO, has seen a career resurgence now that he is at the half-century mark and the big fella is doing things he never would have imagined or been allowed to during his time in WWE. Kojima and Nagata have a laundry list of titles between them, mostly in New Japan but also in All Japan, Pro Wrestling Noah (Japan,) and Major League Wrestling. RoH kind of owes New Japan a rub after nZo & Caz’s unannounced involvement at the G1 Supershow in Madison Square Garden. With Scurll likely going over in his title match, I can see some strong style going to the next round and Villain Enterprises still maintaining face.
Fun fact: Not only was Yuji Nagata featured in 1998’s WCW/nWo Revenge video game for the Nintendo 64, but he also squared off against MMA legends Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic and Fedor Emelianenko in legitimate competition.
My pick: Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG3B-ooQ1Uo
Flip Gordon & Bandido vs Guerrero Maya Jr & Stuka Jr
The CMLL luchador team is made up of two known technicos, so there isn’t that factor in play. That said, their individual notoriety doesn’t come close to the outlaw and the serviceman. The fans will be chanting for “Flip! Flip! Flip!” and Bandido and that may be all that matters in the first round. Expect plenty of acrobatics, including a shocking maneuver that Stuka Jr. is known for. You’ll know it when you see it.
My Pick: Flip Gordon & Bandido
The War Kings (Jax Dane & Crimson) vs TBD (nZo & Caz)
Unlikely to be re-named “The Dictator Experience” by bell time, The War Kings bring the size and violence to this night. It would make sense for them to go over whoever they’re in there with to be the big threat of the tournament. “Jax Dane is a former NWA champ and Crimson is bigger, leaner, and younger! Who can stop these two on their path of destruction?” I’ve written myself into a corner by making the wild pick that I did for the battle royal but I’ll stand by it. A big part of nZo & Caz’s potential as heels is their meta. RoH fans have already said that they didn’t want them. “They’ll ruin the product.” Ruining the first round of a tournament should do just fine in that respect.
My pick: Winners of the Battle Royal (nZo & Caz)
The brackets on NWA’s website and social media show Briscoes vs. Rock n Roll & Villains vs Kojima/Nagata in Block “A” and Flip/Bandido vs Maya/Stuka & War Kings vs [TBD] in Block “B.” Assuming that “A” stays with “A” and “B” stays with “B,” I’ll imagine that The Briscoes go over Kojima & Nagata and that my go-for-broke pick of nZo & Caz get past The War Kings. What better way to celebrate the return of this tradition and a re-emphasis on the art of tag team wrestling than to put who many consider to be the best tag team of this era on top?
My pick: The Briscoes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaZZZACO-GY
