By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
NWA Powerr (Episode 1)
Taped September 30 and October 1, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia at at GPB Studios
Aired October 8, 2019 on the NWA Youtube and NWA Facebook Page
A good video opened the show with various shots of the wrestlers while Dokken’s “Into The Fire” played… Old school graphics listed the show name and location, then the broadcast team of Joe Galli and Jim Cornette checked in from their desk. They hyped that the the matches and then set up the opening interview…
Dave Marquez checked in from another desk on the set and introduced NWA Champion Nick Aldis, who was accompanied by Kamille. Marquez asked what all of this means to Aldis. He said a handsome and brilliant man once said it’s hard to be humble. Aldis said that it’s hard for him to stay hungry as a longtime champion, but he said the NWA has gone from a punchline to a headline.
Aldis put over Royce Isaacs and Thom Latimer as the NWA Tag Champions, James Storm as the NWA National Champion, and Allysin Kay as the NWA Women’s Champion. Aldis turned his focus to his title match with Tim Storm. Aldis said he respects Storm as much as anyone he’s ever met in the sport, but respect is a two way street. Aldis said his car and every meal he’s ever put on the table for his son was paid for by pro wrestling. He said he didn’t come to do the j-o-b. He said that when all is said and done, Storm will know why he’s the NWA Champion…
Powell’s POV: A strong promo from Aldis, who would have fit right in on the set that inspired this production.
1. The Dawsons vs. Sal Rinauro and Billy Buck. They cut right to the ring where the wrestlers were already waiting. The Dawsons destroyed their opponents and won quickly…
The Dawsons beat Sal Rinauro and Billy Buck.
The Dawsons went to the interview desk. One of the Dawsons said that was just a taste of what they are all about. He said they own the place now and there’s nothing anyone can do about it. He added that they don’t care how they win. The other Dawson said they are the guys who stole the lunch money from the fans…
Powell’s POV: A simple squash win for the Dawsons, and a good promo at the desk. This was a good introduction to the duo.
The first commercial break featured Austin Idol pushing his pro wrestling school while some old school graphics were shown…
Powell’s POV: A fun advertisement with a great throwback feel.
Galli introduced Eli Drake, who joined him at the desk prior to his match. Drake said there’s something different about “this place.” He said there’s a bunch of children running around the business elsewhere, but the NWA has men who want to be champions…
2. Eli Drake vs. Caleb Konley. The ring announcer noted that it was a one fall match with a ten minute time limit.
Cornette noted that it would be an upset if Konley beat Drake. Konley put Drake down late and performed a springboard moonsault, but Drake put his knees up. Drake hit the Gravy Train and scored the clean pin…
Eli Drake defeated Caleb Konley.
Powell’s POV: A good match with Drake giving up some offense to Konley before putting him away. Now that I have a moment to catch my breath, the venue looks tremendous. It’s a great throwback to the studio days right down to the flags on the wall and the old school look of the ring. Everything about the show is a throwback in a good way, yet it should also work for newer viewers who are looking for an alternative. I believe there were 180 fans in attendance and they are vocal and are creating a good atmosphere.
Footage aired of Nick Aldis offering Tim Storm an NWA Title match with Storm accepting the stipulation that he couldn’t challenge for it again if Aldis beats him…
Jocephus crashed the broadcast team’s desk and called for Tim Storm to come out…
A highlight package with fans talking about how much fun they had at the tapings. The next tapings are listed for the same studio in Atlanta from December 14-16…
Jocephus was still calling out Tim Storm after the break. James Storm came out instead and said he’s the only storm that Jocephus needs to worry about. Storm said guys like Jocephus is one of those guys who puts on boots and trunks and pretends to be a wrestler. He said a guy like Jocephus could never walk a mile in his shoes. Storm told him to go back to his desk job. He told him to stop trying to play star and leave it to the real star. Storm said that he can tell from looking into the eyes of Jocephus that he knows that Storm knows that he’s nothing but a joke. Jocephus got upset and threw punches and Storm fired back. Referees quickly separated the duo while the fans chanted “let them fight.” A graphic listed The Wild Cards for after the break…
The brief ad listed an NWA Deal of the Week for a 10 Pounds of Gold three-disc set…
3. NWA Tag Champions “The Wilds Cards” Thom Latimer and Royce Isaacs vs. Danny White and Mims and in a non-title match. The Wild Cards made quick work of their opponents and picked up the win.
“The Wilds Cards” Thom Latimer and Royce Isaacs defeated Danny White and Mims and in a non-title match.
After the match, Latimer and Isaacs went to the interview set and boasted about their win until they were interrupted by Eddie Kingston. He said he wasn’t there to disrespect “Bram” and then called him “Tommy Boy.” Kingston said the titles look great on the the Wild Cards, but that means nothing in his world. Kingston said they don’t speak for the outlaws of the world. Latimer pushed the desk aside and got in Kingston’s face. Homicide came and stood at Kingston’s side.
Suddenly, Storm and Jocephus brawled into the picture. Jocephus ended up in the ring while Storm was held back going into a break…
Another ad aired for the next batch of tapings…
Powell’s POV: I love the idea of using Kingston at these tapings. A huge part of the fun so far has been the promos at the desk and he’s a tremendous talker. The squash matches won’t be for everyone, but they are important in terms of establishing who the real players are.
Coming out of the break, Storm chased Jocephus into the crowd area. Storm entered the ring and then Jocephus stalled at ringside. Jocephus entered the ring and the match was on…
4. NWA National Champion James Storm vs. Jocephus. Jocephus ran slowly toward Storm, who dropped him with the Last Call superkick and pinned him in a matter of seconds.
James Storm defeated Jocephus.
Afterward, Storm threw some knees to the face of Jocephus, then gave him another superkick. Storm put Jocephus’s thumb in his mouth and left him in that position. Storm went to the interview desk and spoke briefly…
A video package recapped the history between Nick Aldis and Tim Storm…
Galli stood at ringside and introduced Tim Storm, who spoke about how the 6:05 Georgia Championship Wrestling defined his childhood. He said the thing that defines him as a man is the people he loves and the people who love him back. He said he couldn’t even tell his 94 year-old mother where he was going today because she would wonder if he got hurt. Storm said he is Momma Storm’s baby boy. The crowd had some fun with that line.
Storm said he carried the NWA Title proudly during his reign. He said he believes Aldis is the best champion in the world today. Storm said Aldis didn’t have to give him another shot at the title. Storm said it wasn’t an easy decision due to the stipulation, but there’s nothing more important to him than the NWA Championship. Storm quoted Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” while asking if you had one shot would you do it. Storm said he can’t lose and let it slip through his fingers. Storm said there’s nothing more important to him than the title and tonight is the night. A graphic listed the NWA Title match for after the break…
The NWA Deal of the Week ad aired again…
Powell’s POV: Storm continues to be a fantastic talker. He had the crowd hanging on every word.
The broadcast team hyped NWA Champion Allysin Kay for next week’s show…
5. Nick Aldis (w/Kamille) vs. Tim Storm for the NWA Championship. Storm was already in the ring when Aldis and Kamille made their entrance minus music (none of the wrestlers have had entrance music). Introductions were made once both men were in the ring. The referee was Brian Hebner, who held up the title before passing it to ringside. Hebner checked both men and then called for the bell. Cornette noted that Storm is older than Lou Thesz the last time that Thesz won the NWA Championship.
Aldis set up for a cloverleaf, but Storm countered into a small package for a near fall. Storm applied a figure four. Aldis sold the move by taking a pair of two counts before he finally reached the ropes. Storm performed a superplex for a near fall. Storm went up top and performed a cross body block for a two count. Storm went to the middle rope and performed a senton, but Aldis moved out of the way.
Aldis hit a top rope elbow drop. Aldis applied his cloverleaf finisher. Storm crab walked to the ropes to break the hold. Storm slipped out of an Aldis move and shoved him toward the referee. In a surprising move, Storm hit Aldis below the belt. Storm hit his Perfect Storm finisher for a good near fall. Cornette said Storm realized that it’s an all or nothing situation and that’s why he went low. Storm went to the ropes again, but Aldis cut him off. Storm headbutted Aldis and both men tumbled to ringside. Aldis went for a clothesline, but Storm ducked it and accidentally took out Kamille. Back inside the ring, Storm went for a suplex, but Aldis caught him in a small package and got the 1-2-3.
Nick Aldis defeated Tim Storm to retain the NWA Championship.
After the match, the fans applauded and chanted “NWA” while Storm got back to his feet. Aldis left the ring and headed over to the interview set where Galli was waiting and Kamille joined him. Aldis said the NWA stands for National Wrestling Alliance, but it also stands for Never Without Authenticity. Aldis said Storm is authentic and a hell of a man. Galli asked Kamille about taking the clothesline. Kamille didn’t reply. Aldis said she’s fine. Galli said he’s sure she can speak for herself. She remained silent. Aldis took offense and told Galli to save his clickbait stuff for another day. Storm played to the crowd in the ring and then he and Aldis saluted one another…
Closing credits aired while the Dokken theme song played to close out the first episode…
Powell’s POV: A good main event with some dramatic near falls. Both guys worked hard and to the best of their abilities. The post match scene with Kamille was interesting in that she never talks, so it was fun to see Galli push for that only to have Aldis get upset. Overall, this was a really good premiere edition. The show was light on the in-ring product with only brief squashes until the main event and thus it may not appeal to the work rate fans. But it did an excellent job of showcasing the meaningful players. They didn’t just throw out a bunch of matches and let the broadcast team fill in the gaps, they let the wrestlers speak for themselves. With so much pro wrestling content available these days, I believe that the more fringe type of promotions need to offer something different. The NWA delivered that and I’m already looking forward to the next episode.
I was expecting this to be great, but I was completely blown away! With all that has been produced since those days, Georgia Championship Wrestling is still the standard by which everything I watch is judged. I felt like I had been transported back to 1982, and it was as good as I remembered. This was lovingly done, and the execution was outstanding. Congratulations to all involved!
This was a lot of fun. Enjoyed this much more than HIAC.
This was like water in the desert.