NWA Showcase (2/27) Recap: Title Fight Night!
Our resident philosopher, Jay Shannon, dons his ringside reporter cap for this week’s edition.
David Marquez, our host, started the show with a rundown of tonight’s action. Our main event was an 8 man tag match featuring the stable of Adam Pierce, Nicho El Millionairo (Psicosis) and the team of Karl Anderson and Joey Ryan aka The Real American Heroes. Their opponents were Los Luchas (Zokre and Phoenix Star) teaming with The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson). We also saw Rob Conway, T.J. Perkins, Tristan Gallo and Alkatraz.
We went to an interview with Zokre and Phoenix Star. Zokre issued the challenge for the 8-man match. The Young Bucks came out and whooped it and promised to have the backs of Los Luchas.
Our first match was for the NWA National Championship. We looked at the rules of NWA title matches.Our two battlers for this match were Pepper Parks and Sonny Samson. Pepper Parks entered the match as the defending champion.
Pepper Parks d “Sexy” Sonny Samson
NWA National Championship Match
Parks was dressed in yellow and black. Samson was wearing the black and pink. The two started with a Collar and Elbow. Parks went to the ropes twice to try and drop Samson with Shoulder Blocks, but the bigger man didn’t budge. On a third attempt, Parks ducked a Clothesline and then launched into a Flying Shoulder Block that staggered the challenger. Parks began to crank on the arm of Samson. Samson tried to reach the ropes, but Parks prevented it. Samson got a hard shot to the face of Parks.
Parks Irish Whipped Samson to the ropes and nailed a Dropkick. Samson quickly kicked out of the pin attempt. Samson used the Irish Whip to send Parks to the corner. Parks got a boot to the face of Samson and then climbed the ropes, quickly, to hit a Flying Crossbody. Parks chopped Samson and tried to Irish Whip him to the ropes. Samson reversed the move and hit a hard knee to the mid-section of Parks.
Samson began to kick at the ribs of the champion. Samson dropped Parks to the mat with a Snap Mare and then bit the back of Parks. Samson locked in a Low Bearhug. Parks used elbows to break the hold. Parks threw several Fore-Arm Smashes to the face of Samson. Parks was caught with a Flapjack off the ropes. Samson couldn’t take advantage of the move. Samson began to squawk at the ref about a slow count, which allowed Parks to School Boy Samson for a near fall.
Samson kicked the chest of Parks. Samson used the Irish Whip to send Parks to the ropes, but dropped his head. Parks booted the face of Samson. Parks rammed Samson’s face into the corner, 10 times. Parks climbed to the top rope and flew…right into a chop from Samson. Samson caught the champion with a Northern Lariat to the back of the head. Samson wasted a ton of time dancing around the ring and removing his shirt. When Samson finally decided to drop an elbow, Parks easily moved out of the way.
Parks hit several Knife Edge Chops and Back Elbow to soften up his somewhat pudgy pursuer. Parks dropped Samson with a Powerslam out of the Irish Whip. Parks elbowed the back of the head of Samson. Parks tried for a Hangman’s Neckbreaker, but Samson reversed it into a Double Underhook/Butterfly Suplex. Samson showed a lot of frustration at the failed pin attempt. Samson placed Parks on the top rope and did a bump and grind routine after climbing the ropes. Parks battled back and pushed Samson of the ropes. Parks flew off the ropes with a unique Flying Neckbreaker off the top rope to retain his title.
Grade: B
We quickly returned for our next match. It featured two of the hottest new rookies in the NWA, Brandon “Nitro” Gatson and Tristan Gallo. Gallo is the current NWA Utah champion. I didn’t realize that there was a Utah champion, but you always learn something new on NWA Wrestling Showcase. Gallo was in black and red. Gatson wore black, blue and white.
NWA Utah Champion, Tristan Gallo d. Brandon “Nitro” Gatson–(non-title match)
The two men locked up with the Collar and Elbow. Gatson worked over the arm of the Utah champ. Gallo Cartwheeled his way out of the Arm Bar and worked over Gatson’s arm. The two men switched back and forth, several times, with Arm Bars. Gatson locked in a Headlock and grinded away. Gatson dropped Gallo with a hard Shoulder Block and then Arm Dragged him across the ring. Gallo halted his movements and gave himself a breather.
Gallo kicked Gatson in the chest and Irish Whipped him to the ropes. Gaston came off the ropes with a High Crossbody. Gatson grabbed Gallo with an Inside Cradle. Gallo caught Gatson with a thumb to the eyes. Gallo choked Gatson on the ropes. Gallo popped Gatson in the face with a straight right to the face. Galllo choked Gatson in the corner. Gallo Irish Whipped Gatson to the corner and caught his with a Clothesline on the rebound. Gatson kicked out of the pin at two.
Gallo sent Gatson to the ropes and planted him with a Tilt-A-Whirl Powerslam. Gatson, somehow, kicked out at two. Fallo ran the boots across Gaston’s face and then kicked him hard. Gatson came back from the dead and went to town on Gallo. That came to a sudden halt when Gallo nailed a Back Elbow. Gallo almost got the three, but Gatson was able to kick out.
Gallo pounded on Gatson in the corner. Gatson was able to reverse the Irish Whip. The man nicknamed Nitro (Gatson) flew across the ring with a Handspring Twisting Elbow. Both men were hurt on that move. Gallo kicked out at two. Gatson dropped the leg on Gallo. Gatson made the sign for the 450 Splash. Gatson climbed the ropes, but got caught. Gallo sent Gatson to the mat with the Superplex. Gatson was able to kick out of the pin.
Gallo hoisted Gatson up in the Fireman’s Carry. Gatson managed to get free, but only for a moment. Gallo brought Gaston up in another Fireman’s Carry. Gatson wiggled free and sent himself and Gallo into the ropes. Gaston rolled backwards from the ropes. Gallo lifted Gaston for a Third Time and hit the Before It’s Time (Diamond Cutter from the Fireman’s Carry).
Grade: B+
Cassidy O’Brien was set to take on Alkatraz after the break. Alkatraz bore a striking resemblance to Kevin Kelly (aka Nailz) that did the convict gimmick in the WWE and WCW in the early 90s.
Alkatraz d. Cassidy O’Brien
Cassidy tried to use his speed to duck every move that Alkatraz threw at him. Cassidy hit a Clothesline and a Dropkick, but they had minimal effect. Alkatraz finally got a Shoulder Block in on Cassidy. Alkatraz folded Cassidy up with a Stall Suplex. Alkatraz exited the ring and argued with the crowd.
Cassidy caught Alkatraz as he re-entered the ring and pounded away. Alkatraz Goozled Cassidy and Chokeslammed into the middle of next week. That Chokeslam was rather sloppy. Maybe Alkatraz should watch a few tapes of Undertaker, Kane and Big Show.
Grade: C
After the match, Alkatraz attacked Cassidy. He beat on his opponent and tossed him over the top rope. When he reached the floor, Alkatraz got into it with just about everyone, including small children.
We then went to an interview with T.J. Perkins. They talked about his world tours. Perkins talked about his desire for the NWA Junior Heavyweight title. Perkins started to talk about his scheduled bout against Rob Conway. Conway stormed the interview area and went off on Perkins. The two got into a shoving match as refs ran out to break them apart.
“Iron Man” Rob Conway d. T.J. Perkins
Conway started the match by flexing. Perkins was not impressed and neither was the crowd. Conway wanted to wrestle in his sunglasses. Perkins went to work on Conway’s arm, but the “Iron Man” tossed T.J. into the corner. Conway took off his glasses and got serious.
Conway worked on the arm of Perkins. Perkins Cartwheeled his way into an Arm Bar on Conway. Conway lifted Perkins off the mat. Perkins slipped loose and tried for a roll-up. Conway held onto the ropes to block the move.
Perkins recovered from being tossed off the ring and took Conway to the mat. Conway got to his feet and sent Perkins to the ropes. Conway Leap-Frogged Perkins, but T.J. took Conway to the mat with a Side Headlock. Perkins cranked on the head of Conway. Conway got to his feet, but Perkins wouldn’t release the hold. Perkins walked up the corner to flip himself and Conway to the mat. Conway got loose and locked in a Head Scissors. Perkins used a Handstand to escape, but Conway grabbed the head and shoved him back into the move.
Perkins played mind-games with Conway by escaping the Headscissors on two more occasions. When he would get free, he’d stare at Conway and grin. This threw Conway off his game. Conway slipped out of the ring to get a break. The crowd gave Conway a hard time.
Conway wanted a Test of Strength with Perkins upon re-entering the ring. It was a ruse, as Conway kicked the ribs of Perkins. Conway tried for an Irish Whip, but Perkins reversed it and ended up slinging himself into the corner. Perkins then did a Handstand on the top turnbuckle. Conway was confused by the move. When Conway approached the corner, Perkins locked the ankles around the head of Conway and sent the former WWE star flying. Conway slid to the floor.
Perkins went for a Baseball Slide, but Conway moved and dragged Perkins to the outside. Perkins ducked a Clothesline by Conway and nailed a fist to Conway’s face. Conway staggered back against the ring post. When Perkins charged, Conway lifted Perkins and Flapjacked him into the steel post. Conway slammed Perkins into the announce table. Conway chopped Perkins and rolled him back in the ring.
Conway got in the ring and stomped on Perkins. Perkisn used the boot to choke Perkins. Perkins was tossed out to the floor. Conway exited the ring and stalked his opponent. Conway nailed the Short-Arm Clothesline on Perkins. Perkins was then thrown back in the ring, with Conway following close behind. Conway dropped several elbows onto Perkins. Conway locked a Head Scissors on the neck of Perkins. Conway used the ropes for added leverage, but the ref caught him. Conway switched to a Rear Chin Lock.
Perkins made it to his feet and began to unload with a flurry of hard kicks. Conway ducked a Clothesline by Perkins and tried to toss the youngster out of the ring. Perkins grabbed the ropes and held on. Conway charged at Perkins, who dropped off the ropes. Conway ended up sailing out of the ring. Conway instantly climbed back in the ring and got sent to the mat with a Drop Toe Hold. Perkins then hit a Low Dropkick to the face of Conway. Conway got to his feet and managed to reverse an Irish Whip. Perkins caught Conway in the face with his boots from the corner. Perkins hiked up the ropes and nailed a Missile Dropkick to the chest of Conway. Perkins then Kipped Up.
Perkins wasted a lot of time playing up to the crowd. When Conway made it to his feet, Perkins hit a Spin Kick to the ribs of Conway. Perkins lifted Conway and dropped him with a Michinoku Driver. Conway kicked out at 2 and 3/4. Conway tried to boot Perkins, but the young lion caught the foot and spun Conway around. Perkins then caught Conway with a Step-Up Enziguri. Perkins climbed the ropes, but stayed there for way too long. Perkins nailed the High Crossbody, but Conway rolled through the move. Conway threw Perkins over his shoulder like a 200 pound sack of potatoes and then drilled him almost through the mat with the Running Powerslam.
Grade: A-
Adam Pierce, Karl “Machine Gun” Anderson, Joey Ryan and Nicho El Millionario (Psicosis) d. Los Luchas (Zokre and Phoenix Star) and The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson)
Our main event started almost immediately. Team 1 was composed of NWA World Champion, Adam Pierce, Nicho El MIllionario, and the NWA World Tag Team champs, Joey Ryan and Karl Anderson. Their opponents were the Young Bucks and Los Luchas.
All 8 men battled as the bell rang. Nick Bockwinkel joined the announce team for this match. The faces cleared the ring. Adam Pierce was the first to return. Matt Jackson kicked away at Pierce. Pierce nailed Matt several times, before falling victim to a Tilt-a-Whirl Head Scissors. Pierce tried for a Leapfrog, but Matt stopped short and then slapped the NWA Champ in the face.
Nicho tagged in to the mat. Nicho tried to psych out Matt, but he wasn’t falling for it. Matt went to the ropes, but a Back Elbow by Nicho sent him to the mat. Nicho dropped a Guillotine Leg Slide on Matt. Matt hit a Flying Back Elbow on Nicho. Matt looked to deliver a Pele, but actually locked the ankles and sent Nicho flying out of the ring with an Inverted Head Scissors. Matt Baseball Slided his way into a Head Scissors on Nicho. Matt then spun Nicho into the steel railing. Matt was attacked by all four members of the “Rudo” team.
Matt got back in the ring and was joined by his brother, Nick. They hit a series of double team moves on Nicho. Zokre tagged into the match and flew off the ropes to attack the man who betrayed him and his partner, last week. Nicho ran to his corner to tag Karl Anderson.
Anderson stomped away on Zokre. He lifted Zokre up and then chopped away on the masked man. Anderson went to the ropes, but Zokre caught him with a Springboard Moonsault. Zokre Irish Whipped Anderson to the corner and went for a Monkey Flip. Anderson turned and sat Zokre on the top turnbuckle. Anderson, foolishly, turned his back on Zokre to do his “Machine Gunner” pose. This allowed Zokre to catch Anderson with a Flying Headscissors. Zokre faked a Tope Suicida on Anderson. Zokre tagged his regular partner, Phoenix Star, into the match. Anderson went to his corner and tagged in Joey Ryan.
Star went for a Roll-up off the ropes, but Ryan held the ropes. Ryan thought he had out-witted Star, but the young Hispanic sent Ryan to the mat with a Drop Toe Hold. Star pounded away on Ryan. The announce team just about turned the stomach of the viewers with their sucking up to Nick Bockwinkel. Ryan reversed the Irish Whip, but Star got the Float-Over. Star sent Ryan to the mat and blasted away. Ryan got free and scampered to the corner.
Anderson illegally tagged himself in and attacked Phoenix Star. He Irish Whipped Star to the ropes and dropped him with a Back Elbow. Anderson whipped Star back into the corner and tagged Nicho into the match. Nicho chopped away and then hit a weak Powerbomb on Star. Nicho tagged Pierce, who hit a Superfly Splash off the top rope. Pierce got cocky with the pin, and Phoenix Star easily kicked out. Ryan tagged back in the ring. Ryan kicked and stomped on the kid. Anderson came in the ring and double teamed Star. Anderson was allowed to stay in the ring. He locked up the head of Star. Star elbowed his way free and went to the ropes. Anderson knocked Star off his feet with a Leg Lariat. Nicho tagged back in and locked in a modified Dragon Sleeper. He was assisted in the move by Adam Pierce.
Pierce came in and chopped and punched away at Star. Pierce planted Star with a Powerslam. Pierce clapped his hands to nake the distracted ref think a tag had been made. Nicho rushed into the ring and dropped an elbow. Anderson ran in and dropped a knee to the chest of Star. Anderson tried to unmask Star. Ryan switched places with his tag partner and continued to work on the mask. Perce came in and locked in an Abdominal Stretch. Nicho snuck in the ring and kicked the trapped ribs of Star. Ryan came in and attacked Star in the corner. He paintburshed Star, which woke up the kid. Ryan Irish Whipped Star to the ropes and hit a sweet Dropkick. Nicho tagged back in. Nicho worked on the leg and then tagged back in Pierce. Star battled back against the NWA champ. Star came off the ropes and hit a Body Spinner into a DDT. Both men collapsed in the center of the ring.
Star finally tagged in Matt of the Young Bucks. Both Young Bucks came in the ring and took the fight to Joey Ryan. They dropped the flamboyant member of the Real American Heroes with a Double Leg Sweep. Ryan was knocked silly by Double Superkicks. Matt went for the pin, but Anderson made the save. The match broke down as all 8 men fought like crazy in the ring. The Young Bucks took the fight to the floor. Nicho was sent into the railing, which broke. The ref counted as all the men fought. Pierce sent Matt Jackson into the steel railing with a Hot Shot.
Pierce rolled Matt back in the ring and tried for the pin, but Matt kicked out. Pierce hit a Gutbuster and tagged in Joey Ryan. Ryan threw shoulders in Matt’s ribs in the corner. Anderson tagged in and the two men beat down on Matt. Anderson dropped a leg onto Matt. Anderson raked the eyes of the Young Buck. Nicho was tagged back in. Nicho pulled Matt out of the corner, and hit a Dropkick to the back of Matt’s head. Nicho talked trash and taunted his opponents. Nicho nailed a Facebuster on Matt. Ryan tagged back in and locked in an Abdominal Stretch off the Irish Whip. Ryan pounded on the ribs of Matt as we took a break.
Ryan used Pierce’s help to increase the pain of the Abdominal Stretch on Matt Jackson. Ryan dropped a knee into the ribs of Matt. Pierce tagged in and locked in a Camel Clutch. Pierce spat at his opponents. This distraction allowed Nicho to hop in the ring. Nicho sent Matt to the canvas with a Standing Uranage. Ryan got in and toyed with Matt. Matt hit several Knife Edge chops and then went to the ropes. Matt came off the ropes and nailed an Inverted Canadian Destroyer on Ryan. Matt made the tag to Phoenix Star.
Both Star and Zokre rushed the ring and attacked everyone in sight, not on their team. Nicho and Pierce were sent to the ropes. Zokre elevated Star into a Flying Dropkick that sent both Nicho and Pierce tumbling to the mat. Star caught Ryan with a Backbreaker. This gave Zokre the chance to nail a Springboard Legdrop to Ryan’s chest. Anderson rushed in and attacked Star. Anderson was grabbed by Zokre and sent to the mat. Star slipped on the ropes but still managed to nail a Springboard Crossbody onto the fallen Anderson. Zokre climbed the ropes and nailed a Moonsault onto Anderson. Star kicked away on Pierce as Zokre tagged in “Slick” Nick Jackson of the Young Bucks.
The Young Bucks attacked Nicho and sent him to the floor. All four members of Pierce’s team ended up on the floor. The Young Bucks and Los Luchas each took to the top turnbuckles of the ring. Each one leapt off and nailed Crossbodies on their opponents. The crowd went crazy for the outrageous move set.
Pierce was rolled back into he ring by the Young Bucks. The ref had lost all control of this match. The Young Bucks tried for their finisher, More Bang for the Buck, but C. Edward Vanderpyle (the manager of Pierce’s team) lumbered onto the apron to distract the ref. Nick was shoved off the top rope. Adam Pierce grabbed Nick Jackson and hit the Piledriver to take the win.
Grade A+
After the match, it looked like Nick Jackson was injured. The announce team called for the back board and neck collar as we faded to black.
Over-all Rating: A
Final Thoughts:
It seems that the NWA crew is trying their hardest to out-do TNA and WWE. The kids seem hungry and want to push the NWA back to the level it used to be at. Some of the guys need a lot of work, but that’s what has always made wrestling fun, to me. TNA and WWE present such choreographed events that the thrill is subdued. With the NWA, you never know when a botched move is going to end up more thrilling than the planned attack. I’m proud to say that the NWA is quickly becoming my favorite show of the week.
–Jay Shannon
Jayof PWD@SBCGlobal.net
(2/29/08)
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