It’s the “go home super show” for the upcoming Hard Times PPV and, as per the stipulation from last week’s six-man tag match, Nick Aldis will put the ten pounds of gold on the line tonight against Ricky Morton! David Marquez brings Robert Gibson out to the podium and asks him what it’s like for him with his longtime tag team partner competing for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Robert tells us that he’s Ricky’s biggest fan and that he feels like a kid on Christmas watching his best friend challenge for the strap.
Tasha Steelz vs Thunder Rosa
This is a rematch from the Into the Fire PPV last month. Tasha showing a lot more polish in the early goings than we’ve seen from her thus far with really smooth transitions. Thunder Rosa slows her down by repeatedly working the neck and puts her away fairly early with a Michinoku driver.
Winner: Thunder Rosa
David Marquez comes to ringside to speak with Rosa about Melina’s plans for Allysin Kay tonight. Rosa says that he should ask her because only Melina knows what Melina is up to.
Nick Aldis (who recently showed up unannounced at a Ring of Honor event in Atlanta) has just found out that Marty Scurll will be popping in on the NWA tapings for January 26th! He says that, since his old pal has gone over Nick’s head to his bosses, Nick will do the same and has secured a spot on RoH’s “Free Enterprise” show in Maryland on February 9th. Nick wants all of the NWA faithful there in their colors and regalia, calling this a “call to action.”
Joe Galli is joined by Royce Isaacs with May Valentine. Joe compliments May’s pink outfit being a similar shade to his necktie before the crowd reminds him to stick to the interview. Joe asks about Nick Aldis’ state of mind and Royce questions why he always asks Nick about Kamille and him about Nick. He says that the champ is up and so is Strictly Business’ stock. Galli admits that the stable is stable but that Royce has been shaky as of late in his losing streak. Joe questions if May Valentine is the cause and Isaacs insists that it has nothing to do with their thus far chaste relationship. What?!
Thom Latimer vs Trevor Murdoch in a TV Title Tournament Qualifier
Latimer jumps the gun and goes right after Murdoch as he steps through the ropes. Thom is a rare specimen, having the muscle to manhandle the big Texan with clotheslines and even a pop-up powerbomb! A surprise roll up (and a handful of tights) prove to be the equalizer and big Trev is heading to Hard Times.
Winner: Trevor Murdoch
Joe Galli is standing between NWA Women’s Champion, Allysin Kay, and Melina. Melina requested the time and says that she wants to make sure she’s absolutely clear. Allysin tells her to spit it out already and Melina tells her to “****ing listen!” Melina says that Allysin is itching for a fight, to which she readily admits and encourages Melina to fight now. Melina says that the fight isn’t with her, it’s with Thunder Rosa … and that it will be at Hard Times. Allysin is ready but Melina has a stipulation: Allysin has to beat Marti Belle tonight in a No DQ match first!
Allysin Kay vs Marti Belle in a No DQ Match
Marti stomps Allysin into a corner and stops the champion from rallying by sending her into the steel ring steps on the outside. Marti gets a steel chair and uses it as a stock and pillory before setting Allysin up for a running knee. The champion dodges it and begins to batter Marti against the ring apron and into the audience bleachers! Back into the ring and Marti begs off of a steel chair shot, begging Allysin to remember their friendship. When she relents, Marti makes a mad dash for the chair. Not quick enough as Allysin picks her up onto her shoulders and hits The Big Ending onto the steel chair!
Winner: Allysin Kay
A new retro-style kayfabe commercial plays advertising The Spiritual Advisor’s Self-Hypnosis available on 100 VHS tapes for only $9.99 with free shipping if you act now!
The Pope and Eddie Kingston meet David Marquez to a chorus of “Eddie!” chants. Dave asks about the loss last week but Pope says not to asks him because he didn’t lose anything. Pope says he’s looking to hope as many people as he can. David asks about Homicide’s physical state and Eddie reminds him that Outlaw Inc is not to be questioned. They should have won but they never lose; they learn.
Kyle Davis joins Stu Bennett at the announce desk and they throw it over to David Marquez. He’s at the podium with Aron Stevens for a self-defense seminar in conjunction with the Mongrovian Karate Association. The Question Mark is introduced to raucous applause and chants of “Ka-ra-te!” After the opening ceremony, Question Mark performs a beautiful and fluid kata. The seminar continues as the Mongrovian students attack Question Mark so that he can demonstrate self-defense techniques against armed and unarmed attackers. Question Mark prepares to break through a board of Mongrovian Oak (20x harder than bone!) when he’s interrupted. Aron Stevens requests the opportunity earn his 4th degree black bet by performing the break! The crowd urges him to use his head but Stevens hesitates. As he focuses his concentration, one of the students attacks him with the board! The mask comes off and reveals Ricky Starks!
The Last Chance Gauntlet Match
With Zane Dawson unable to advance due to injury (right hand,) the NWA brass is holding this gauntlet match to determine the final spot in the TV Title Tournament. CW Anderson and Caleb Konley start it off. They’re still in it when the timer hits zero and Jocephus enters?! Little time to question his suspension as Jocephus is ove the top rope in a matter of a about three seconds. Colt Cabana is out next and gives pause when he watches Anderson deliver a huge superplex to Konley. These two have been putting on a clinic thus far and Cabana turns up the dial when he gets in. Dave Dawson tries to keep it in the family by compacting the other three men in the corner but can’t put any of them away yet. Dawson fallaway slams Konley onto Anderson and Cabana when a battered Aron Stevens comes in and immediately drops under the ring. Zickey Dice comes out to berate the competitors and plug his band BC Squared. He leaves and Sal Rinauro comes out and goes on fire! He misses a springboard dive onto Dave Dawson but Caleb Konley has no problem nailing a moonsault onto the big man. Dawson is eliminated.
Ken Anderson enters and hits the Mic Check on Rinauro to send him packing. Konley tries for another moonsault but he falls victim to Anderson as well. A little friendly strategery for Colt and Ken checks CW Anderson’s chin but he answers with a beautiful spinebuster on Ken. Colt makes the save and Superman pins CW. The Question Mark jumps up onto the apron to distract Cabana & Anderson so that Aron Stevens can attack from behind. They fight back and manage to get Question Mark to deliver two Mongrovian spikes to his own protege! Stevens is paralyzed and eliminated. The two remaining men shake hands but Anderson moves first and spins Colt around into a schoolboy for the win. They shake hands afterwards but, when they hug, Anderson knees Colt in the groin and delivers a Mic Check in the middle of the ring and another straight into the ring post. Trainers and officials rush to Colt’s aid.
James Storm and Eli Drake are with David Marquez at the podium. He wants to know what they think Ricky Morton’s chances are tonight. Eli says that the people are on their feet for the NWA each and every week but they’re going to be on another level if we crown Ricky Morton champ. James Storm leads the GPB Studio audience in a prayer for Ricky Morton to have the Mountain Dew enhanced strength to kick the living crap out of Nick Aldis tonight.
Breaking news from Joe Galli reveals the two “open spots” filled for the NWA Television Title Tournament at Hard Times. Matt Cross will face Ricky Starks. Ring of Honor is sending a representative to face Zickey Dice in the opening round. Galli throws it over to Quinn McKay and she introduces us to RoH’s own, Dan Maff! He promises to come with 305lbs of razor blades and lemon juice to join the likes of Dusty Rhodes, Tully Blanchard, and Arn Anderson as the next TV champ! Another Ring of Honor star, Flip Gordon, says that, since Nick Aldis came into his territory, he’s coming to Nick and the title at Hard Times. Aron Stevens will defend the NWA National title against “Big Poppa Pump,” Scott Steiner!
Joe Galli and Stu Bennet are joined on commentary by none other than NWA owner/president, William Patrick Corgan (aka Billy “I wrote Bullet with Butterfly Wings mother****ing” Corgan!)
Ricky Morton vs Nick Aldis for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship
Before the bell rings, Billy has them cut his mic and asks Stu to announce some… breaking news. To ensure the integrity of the match, all parties are banned from ringside. Robert Gibson and Strictly Business are all headed to the back.
Ricky Morton controls the pace early, wearing down the champion with mat holds. After a few minutes, Aldis drives Morton spine-first into the ring post and then things pick up fast. Aldis goes for a powerbomb but gets Frankensteinered! Morton gets the champion into a figure four for about a minute but Aldis gets to the ropes. Small package by Ricky Morton is reversed and a grab of the tights keeps the belt around Nick Aldis’ waist.
Winner: Nick Aldis
As Aldis celebrates, the signal is interrupted by Villain Enterprises. The message is clear: See you at Hard Times.
Top Five Takeaways From NWA Powerrr Episode 15
- Matt Cross vs Ricky Starks is sure to give us a spectacle as M-Dogg/Son of Havoc/Matt Cross is not one to let the people go home without their money’s worth and Ricky can keep up.
- The journey of Dan Maff from Jersey All Pro to Ring of Honor to effectively blacklisted to Wrestlepro and, now, to a PPV appearance with the most talked about crossover in wrestling today is inspiring… and a smart call. He’s a solid hand with 20+ years of experience. People are going to love watching him beat up Zickey Dice.
- It will be interesting to see what happens with Allysin Kay and Thunder Rosa. A Thunder Rosa win busts up Team Melina. That’s pretty much the dynamic we’ve had so far but it has to come to a head sooner-or-later.
- It was nice to see Rock n’ Roll Express come in for some nostalgia, give the rub here and there, and let Nick Aldis have a personal dream match. Hopefully, though, they’re less of a part of the top billings from here on out.
- Ring of Honor has had its own struggles as of late but also a lot of exciting news. The potential is there for big things, considering the newfound attraction that up-and-coming names may feel towards their new regime and rumors of a resumed working relationship with New Japan.
