HomeWrestlingNWA Hard Times Review: The Best PPV We've Seen in Years

NWA Hard Times Review: The Best PPV We’ve Seen in Years

NWA Hard Times

The “Hard Times” theme plays over black and white clips of the NWA World Heavyweight title picture since the championship match with James Storm challenging Nick Aldis at Into the Fire.  Joe Galli and Stu Bennett are in their black tie best to run down the card for us: Trevor Murdoch vs The Question Mark, “Outlandish” Zickey Dice vs Ring of Honor’s Dan Maff, Matt Cross vs Ricky Starks, and Tim Storm vs Ken Anderson are the opening round of the NWA Television Title tournament with a six minute and five second time limit to each match.  The Rock n’ Roll Express defend their NWA World Tag Team Titles in a triple threat match against The Wildcards and the team of James Storm & Eli Drake. Allysin Kay will defend the NWA Women’s Title against Thunder Rosa. Nick Aldis’ World Heavyweight Championship will not be on the line when he faces Ring of Honor’s Flip Gordon.

Trevor Murdoch vs The Question Mark

Two of the most popular figures in the NWA facing off with fans chanting for Murdoch on his entrance and kids holding up Mongrovian flags in support of Question Mark. Trevor Murdoch and Question Mark are out to a quick start, trying to beat the 6:05 time limit with dueling dropkicks at 275+lbs apiece! Trevor is reeling and easy prey for a series of karate (ka-ra-tay!) strikes from the Mongrovian master. Trevor turns the tide with a boot to the face and his signature top rope bulldog … for a two count?! The Question Mark rolls over and does a push up to start getting up. Big Trev doesn’t hesitate for long, though, and delivers a second bulldog from the adjacent corner to pick up the win.  Despite ending Question Mark’s undefeated streak, Murdoch has the crowd’s support at the finish.

Winner (and advancing): Trevor Murdoch

Zickey Dice vs Dan Maff

Zickey comes out with an appropriately 80s-styled theme and takes the opportunity to kiss (and lick!) the TV Title belt at ringside.  The In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida sample plays for Dan Maff who gets the audience chanting his name. Zickey tries his best to tackle Maff but physics is not his friend.  Neither is Maff for that matter, who whips him from corner to corner. Zickey manages to get out of the away to trap the big man in the corner, though, and continues to pour it on with low risk, high impact moves.  The Outlandish One gives the sign for his “Snake, Rattle, and Roll” neckbreaker but Maff hits a go-behind. Dice tries to slip out but Maff pulls him in by his waistband and folds him in half with a brutal-looking half nelson suplex.  Zickey tries to recover with a second rope attack but he gets speared out of mid-air. A cannonball in the corner and a running senton ends the Cinderella run of Zickey Dice.

Winner (and advancing): Dan Maff

Matt Cross vs Ricky Starks

Ricky Starks nearly pulls a Braun Strowman by picking up a random child in the audience and carrying him through the stands!  Matt Cross has let his grays come in but he’s not aging gracefully; more like gymnastically! He turns a dropkick into a back flip, feints a pendulum dropkick before connecting with a second, hits his signature “flagpole elbow drop” on the outside, and cartwheels across the top rope!  Pretty Ricky catches him in a tilt-a-whirl facebuster, then a backbreaker, but Cross slips out of the Buster Keaton.  

The former Son of Havoc comes back at Starks with lariats, a handspring back elbow, and springboard cross body for a two count.  An inside sunset flip, complete with chest stomp, doesn’t do the job either. Ricky tries to send Matt into the ropes but he rebounds to hit a cutter and goes up top.  Shooting Star misses but he rolls through to his feet! Matt Cross misses with the pump kick and gets caught with double underhooks. Buster Keaton (aka “The Stroke?”) leaves him silent and Ricky Starks advancing.

Winner (and advancing): Ricky Starks

David Marquez calls Tim Storm out to the podium to a chorus off “Ma-ma Storm!”  Apparently, there’s a problem with Ken Anderson tonight as he is not medically cleared and Tim will be going forward on a bye. Tim doesn’t like it any more than the fans but it is what is. He’ll take the W and keep on going.

Stu Bennett has his own bit of breaking news: He thanks the GPB Studios on behalf of the NWA for hosting their first two PPVs.  Their next PPV, the 2020 Crockett Cup, will be held in April… and in another larger location!

The Rock n’ Roll Express vs Eli Drake & James Storm vs The Wildcards (w/ May Valentine & Kamille)

Royce Isaacs sends his squeeze, May Valentine, to the back to avoid distraction while Kamille stays on in her “insurance policy” role.  Crowd is hype for Storm and Eli with some “Yeah!” calls but nothing like the chants of “Rock n’ Roll!” and “NWA!” for Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson.  NWA Triple Threat rules dictate that three men are to be in the ring and only able to tag in their own partners. Drake is okay with this as he calls out both Ricky Morton and Thom Latimer.  Royce Isaacs distracts Morton but it doesn’t do his partner any good against Eli Drake who gets the better of him with punches and a neckbreaker. Morton recovers and he and Eli double team the hulking Latimer for a bit before Eli tries to get the better of him.  

James Storm, Royce Isaacs, and Robert Gibson all get tagged in and, after a miscommunication between Isaacs and Latimer, Gibson almost gets the pin.  Royce Isaacs capitalizes when Storm and Gibson argue, sending Storm into the corner for Latimer to feast on and Gibson to the outside where Kamille gives him a spike heel to the eye!  Latimer continues to press the power advantage on James Storm but Royce Isaacs wakes Storm up with strikes and a powerslam. Latimer back in as Ricky Morton is forced to watch James Storm “play Ricky Morton.”  Kamille continues to keep Robert Gibson from getting to his feet and a distraction by Royce Isaacs keep the referee from seeing Storm tag in Drake.  

Double clothesline slows down Latimer but he tags in Isaacs while Gibson rolls himself back into the ring.  Storm almost nails Gibson with a senton as he gazelle leaps over him to deliver a Codebreaker on Royce Isaacs.  All three men in the ring are down on the mat. Latimer and Eli Drake are the fresher Eli goes on a roll with Russian legsweep, bodyslam, and an elbow drop.  Latimer with a pop-up powerbomb on Drake but misses a corner splash on Robert Gibson… who tags in Ricky Morton! The freshest man in the match nails Latimer with a Canadian Destroyer but takes a ride on Eli Drake’s Gravy Train!  We have new tag team champs!

Winners… and new NWA World Tag Team Champions:  James Storm & Eli Drake

The new champs are at the podium with David Marquez and the crowd demands that Eli Drake talk to them. (Yeah!)  Eli says that, if you go back and watch the very first episode of NWA Powerrr, you’ll see him putting everyone with a gold belt on notice.  James Storm says that blood is thicker but they prefer beer and liquor. Eli says you can call them “Beer Muscles,” you can call them “Drinking Buddies,” but just remember to call them “champs.”

Allysin Kay vs Thunder Rosa

Stu Bennett blows up Thunder Rosa with praise.  Both champion and challenger are ice cold in the center of the ring and explode the second the bell rings!  Allysin hits an ankle pick and presses her size advantage with striking and a Northern Lights suplex. Body shots on Thunder Rosa in the corner before slowing it down with a rear chinlock.  Rosa kicks her way out but takes a neckbreaker when she attempts a lariat. Big suplex back into the ring when Rosa gets out onto the apron but she comes back with a running dropkick. She kicks the champion around and gets her in the corner for body punches and a goodol’ mudhole stomping.  Snap suplex with a float over gets a two count and Allysin retreats to ringside. A running dropkick by Rosa sends Allysin headfirst into the bleachers!  

Rosa gets the champion back into the ring and goes to work on her arm.  Allysin rolls through and gets to work with mounted punches and another roll through gets her a guillotine on Rosa!  Rope break frees Thunder Rosa and she goes back to work on Allysin Kay’s left arm. Allysin Kay goes for a variation on the Marcelo guard to attempt a knee bar but can’t hold on.  The left arm is too damaged and Thunder Rosa goes at it with a high angle Fujiwara armbar and kicks. Champ brawls back with just the right arm but the arm is trapped again. Allysin is whipped into the ropes but hits a go-behind and a big German suplex!  She gets in some kicks on the challenger but a German suplex in kind sends the champion back out to the floor as Rosa readies her flying stomp. The crowd boos but then oohs when Thunder Rosa attempts a flipping senton but is caught in mid-air by the champion!  Powerbomb on the apron (the hardest part of the ring) gets a scream of pain from Thunder Rosa. The Champion gutwrenches Rosa into position for her “AK-47” (Big Ending) but Rosa hits a sunset flip and follows up with a kick to the face. Flying stomp changed on the fly to a meteora but Allysin Kay swings down to the mat and goes for a Dudebuster but Rosa hits a Mexican Destroyer for two!  

Off the ropes, Rosa attempts an Octopus hold but the power of Allysin Kay tirns it into a Tombstone!  Only a two count! The crowd chants “This is awe-some!” and “Fight for-ev-er!” Superplex blocked and Rosa hits a dropkick from the top turnbuckle!  Rosa tries for a suplex. Allysin blocks it and perches her on the top turnbuckle. AK-47… for two! Allysin goes for a straightjacket cover but Rosa still kicks out.  Both women chopping away at each other up to their feet. Frye/Takayama exchanges. Thunder Rosa goes for a guillotine but the stronger champion lifts her back up totheir feet and rives her into the corner.  They battle to the top turnbuckle and Thunder Rosa hits a sunset flip powerbomb! She takes too long to cover and Allysin kicks out! Allysin charges the corner and her left shoulder hits the ringpost when Rosa dodges.  Rosa goes for the armbar but Allysin lifts her onto her shoulders. Rosa slips off and hits knees to the face. Thunder Driver directly onto Allysin’s shoulder and Thunder Rosa is the first Mexican-born NWA Women’s Champion!  Melina and Marti Belle join her in the ring to celebrate as (my least favorite chant of all time) “You de-serve it!” fills the studio.

Winner… and new NWA Women’s Champion: Thunder Rosa!

After a recap of Nick Aldis’ recent invasion of Ring of Honor’s Atlanta show, Joe Galli welcomes “The Villain” Marty Scurll!  Joe asks Marty why it’s so important for Marty to be here, supporting Flip Gordon. Scurll says that he wants another shot at the Ten Pounds of Gold.  He’s noticed that Nick Aldis’ match with Flip Gordon is non-title. Well, Marty thinks the audience in the studio and at home deserve a title match. Aldis comes out to boos and chants of “Coward!”  Aldis is flabbergasted that Marty would make demands of him. He offers up one of his classic devil’s bargains: If Flip wins, he’s champion but, if Nick wins, all future dealings with Marty or anyone from RoH are on his terms.  The caveat to make it happen? Marty has to leave the building. Marty accepts the terms and is escorted out by security.

Dan Maff vs Trevor Murdoch

David Marquez just can’t seem to pronounce “Bayonne” tonight but he manages to get “Waxahachie” alright so it’s a push.  85 years and nearly 600lbs in the ring right now. It’s slugfest from the start. Heavy chops until Dan Maff nearly bisects Big Trev with a spear.  Maff rakes the back and bites the forehead of the big Texan. Repeated clubbing blows can’t keep him down, though. Avalanche in the corner misses and Murdoch capitalizes with a top rope bulldog!  His breathing is ragged and his chest looks like spoiled meat but he’s the victor.

Winner (and advancing):  Trevor Murdoch

Tim Storm vs Ricky Starks

The bye provides a lucky break for the 53-year-old former world champion as he’s dayboat fresh in the semi-finals.  Nearly 100lbs of size advantage in Tim Storm’s favor evident as Ricky’s shoulder blocks only hurt himself. Ricky flips out of a hip toss and actually gets the better of Storm in a chop exchange.  His attempts to speed things up are stopped cold by a spinebuster and a size 12 to the face. Ricky kicks out of the pin attempt and kicks Storm square in the chest. He misses a stomp from the top, though, and begins to favor the right leg.  Mama Storm’s baby boy hits the Irish Curse backbreaker for a near fall. Perfect Storm but Tim slides off the cover and Starks recovers to the ring apron. Once back in, Ricky manages to hoist Storm up for a pancake and a two count! Perfect Storm blocked by Ricky Starks.  Tornado DDT blocked by Tim Storm. Leaping crucifix gets the three count on Tim Storm! The former champ gives Ricky a hug on his way out.

Winner (and advancing):  Ricky Starks

Aron Stevens vs Scott Steiner

Question Mark in a Bruce Lee “Game of Death” jumpsuit accompanies the NWA National Champion.  Sirens and chainmail accompany Scott Steiner. Joe Galli tells us that Steiner’s title match is the result of Nick Aldis’ influence.  Stu Bennett says that he wouldn’t tell Steiner “No” about anything. “Shooter” Stevens goes into some Mongrovian kata before engaging the former University of Michigan All-American.  It… it does not go well for him. The gi is pulled open and Stevens is chopped vigorously before being tossed outside to the outside. Stevens goes for a lock-up but has to roll outside to escape.  He’s brought in the hard way and an exploder suplex has him retreating yet again.

Steiner beats Stevens up on the outside but the old Greco-Roman thumb to the eye gives the champion a moment to breathe. Only a moment though as an overhead and a spinning belly-to-belly suplex are waiting for him.  To Stevens’ credit he gets a shoulder up at two. Steiner rushes him in the corner but Stevens gets both feet up to drop him. He uses the ropes for leverage in the cover but Steiner still kicks out. Stevens goes to the top rope but is caught in a Flatliner.  

The Steiner Recliner is being applied when Question mark comes in to save his student.  The referee calls for the bell due to Question Mark’s interference. Scott Steiner puts the Mongrovian in the Steiner Recliner as Aron Stevens hurries out of sight.  The referee protests but Steiner throws him out of the ring. Question Mark escapes and Steiner grabs the NWA Television Title and leave sit with the unconscious ref.

Winner by disqualification: Scott Steiner

Flip Gordon vs Nick Aldis

The former US Army soldier manages to catch the much larger NWA champion in the corners for striking combinations and even attempts a suplex onto the announce table but that’s blocked.  Back in the ring, Aldis switches the game to mat wrestling but Flip holds his own there as well. The champion takes a powder after avoiding a springboard maneuver and senior referee, Brian Hebner, waves off the dive.  Gordon is having none of it, though and hits a tope con helo overtop of Hebner onto Aldis! Flip gets Aldis back into the ring for a straight armbar. Full extension but Aldis won’t tap. He rolls on top and deadlifts Flip up off the mat before driving him back down. 

Belly-to-belly suplex and a fallaway slam from the champion as he uses his size and power advantage. A second fallaway comes off the second turnbuckle and the momentum is sufficiently shifted. Aldis does his best to keep Flip Gordon and, even when he escapes, the champion is able to catch him in mid-air and transition into a vertical suplex.  A series of jabs floors Flip Gordon and a chop block keeps him there for a figure four leglock. Flip manages to turn it over despite Aldis grabbing the ropes for leverage. Sunset flip but Aldis rolls through. Kip up by Flip Gordon lets him put a spinning heel kick right in the champion’s kisser. Aldis manages to slide off of Flip’s shoulders but he gets nailed with a springboard spear.  Ground & pound by Gordon. European uppercut and a kick to the back. Moonsault but only a two-and-a-half count.  

A second trip to the top gets caught by Aldis and he’s crotched.  Gordon manages to backflip out of a German superplex but gets a Tombstone when he tries to follow up.  Now Aldis goes up top and lands a flying elbow drop right across the chest of Gordon. It’s not enough as Flip goes for a crucifix then matrixes his way to a Pele kick.  Nick tries for another Tombstone but Flip keeps twirling until he catches Aldis in a crossface in the center of the ring. “NWA!” chants possibly encouraging Aldis to the ropes.  On the break, it’s the “yay/boo” shot-for-shot exchange. Aldis catches a kick and goes for cloverleaf. Flip goes after the champ’s fingers and works his way out. Superkick and two Star-Spangled Stunners stagger the champion but aren’t enough to put him away.  Monkey flip blocked but Flip Gordon turns it into a victory roll… but the National Treasure sits down on it for the 1-2-3.

Winner… and still NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion: Nick Aldis

Ricky Starks vs Trevor Murdoch for the NWA Television Title

Trevor is still sweaty and sore from the war he was in with Dan Maff.  Ricky has changed his ring gear for a third time. We are informed by David Marquez that this match will have no time limit.

They lock up at the bell and Ricky Starks back flips out of a German suplex but can’t avoid the sole of Murdoch’s boot.  Murdoch lands clubbing blows to Starks but, when he strats to speed things up, he’s in Ricky’s world. Leaping shoulder tackle and Murdoch backs off.  Test of strength makes Ricky look good but Murdoch’s Russian legsweep makes him feel bad. On the outside, it’s Trevor’s game as he trades head slams and strikes with Ricky until he whips the smaller man into the ring steps.  Trevor gets in the ring and nearly wins by countout. Stomps and slaps in the corner beat Starks up but fire him up, too. He gets a little too far ahead of himself, though and his attempt at a flying attack gets dumped to the outside with a harsh landing.  

Even when Ricky drags himself back into the ring he gets a side suplex from Murdoch that looks like ever so much violent poetry.  Desperate Tornado DDT attempt made by Starks but he’s absolutely mutilated by a big lariat from Murdoch. The referee backs Murdoch away from the corner to see if Ricky can intelligently defend himself.  Trevor lifts Starks onto the top turnbuckle and climbs up there with him but Starks slips under him and lifts the big man up for a sit-out powerbomb! He only gets a two count out of it, though. Starks abandons the butterfly for The Stroke and hits a spear on Murdoch’s injured ribs.  Second attempt and he manages to lift Trevor Murdoch up and brings him down face first with The Stroke!

Winner… and new NWA Television Champion: Ricky Starks!

Five Takeaways from NWA Hard Times

  1. In the first episode of NWA Powerr, Ricky Starks came up on the winning end of a match with Trevor Murdoch.  Tonight, he defeated the same man in a hell of a match for the TV Title. That’s called “continuity.” It’s a good thing.

  2. NWA’s women’s division is a bit sparse.  The roster consists of, what? Seven or eight names.  That aside, their best is comparable to the best anywhere.  Thunder Rosa and Allysin Kay were given free reign at Hard Times and they delivered as well or better than anyone else on the card.

  3. James Storm and Eli Drake seem like a thrown together tag team.  But so did Larry Zbyszko & Arn Anderson, Road Dogg & Billy Gunn, and Terry Gordy & Dr Death.  If there’s anyone in the world that can work a great tag match, it’s James Storm and, if there’s anyone in the world you want representing your brand by holding one of your belts, it’s Eli Drake.

  4. Ring of Honor has had its troubles (both recent and recurring.)  NWA is finding its way. For now, I choose to believe that they’ll be like Forrest and Bubba sitting back-to-back to keep their faces out of the mud.

  5. Fresh faces are a big plus, as are recurring guest stars.  Dan Maff and Matt Cross gave Hard Times the feeling of a “supercard” where anyone could come in and anything could happen.  Both gave tremendous performances, especially Matt Cross who seemed to be making an audition tape. (I hope. I hope. I hope.)

NWA Hard Times is available for replay on Fite.TV

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLk7GHXspLQ

Matthew Widdis
Matthew Widdis
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