Well. A lot happened with the NWA after last week’s episode of Powerrr to say the very least. You can read about what went down here. As I said in that article, Jim Cornette’s ‘resignation’ leaves them in a tricky spot due to having several episodes already taped. Reshooting them would likely not be the easiest thing in the world to do for a promotion of their size. So, we’ll see how they handle things, starting with this episode right here. Jordan Huie of the Overtimer with a better-late-than-never night of recap action. It’s NWA Powerrr!
We begin with a video recap of the issues and angles revolving around Nick Aldis and Kamille.
Joe Galli introduces us after the intro, wishing us a happy Thanksgiving. Notes that we’re less than three weeks away from the PPV Into The Fire, and starting tonight the card will be announced. Nick Aldis’ challenger will be revealed during this program. The title match itself will be 2 out of 3 falls.
Cut to a promo with Eli Drake in what seems to be the ring of a different promotion, Championship Wrestling From Hollywood. Drake says that since he’s been on Powerrr, he’s said that people say he reminds them of ‘someone who raises an eyebrow, drops an elbow on the people’. Basically mentions being compared to the Rock, Steve Austin or Ric Flair. He’s okay with those comparisons, but there’s one that chaps his ass. He brings up Nick Aldis saying Eli Drake wants to be just like him. Of all the comparisons, that’s the one that just doesn’t make sense. Brings up making his name here back when it was called NWA Hollywood. Mentions he left the NWA to go make his name elsewhere and the man who took his spot was Nick Aldis. Drake is stepping up to challenge him, but he’s a patient man and he picks his spot. Notes that Mr. Ken Anderson is another one that gets a lot of comparisons with him. Hears about people saying it’d be a dream match ’cause they’re so similar. Drake whips his shirt off, saying he doesn’t see it because before you he sees a real athlete. Crowd chants “E-li Drake” and he’s all for it. He says he can’t stop the gravy train, he can’t stop being Eli Drake and you’ll never be, and that’s not an insult, that’s just a fact of life.
Back to Galli. Asks the folks at home who they want to see challenge for the gold. Speaks on the return to pro wrestling for Melina; he’ll have an exclusive interview with her later talking about her aspirations in the NWA. Thunder Rosa’s previously hyped documentary is also being advertised for this show.
Replay of the Rock ‘N Roll Express attacking the Wild Cards. Galli says this confrontation has led to this: Rock ‘N Roll Express challenging for the Wild Cards’ tag titles next week! Replay of Ricky and Robert’s promo last week.
Clips of Thunder Rosa warming up for her first foray into an MMA cage. We see her sparring with trainers 24 hours earlier. “Who trains with face paint on? Me.” One of her trainers is identified as Richard Smith, giving her advice on what to do the day before a fight, how to eat and such. Compares it to the day before Christmas for a fighter. Rosa seems excited. It’s been six months since she’s started training. When asked, she admits to being nervous for her first fight. Promises she won’t be finished in the first round as her opponent threatened. 16 hours before her fight she’s getting her hair styled, says she wants her opponent’s DNA on her nails. Mentions being in middle school, helping run a a place for people with mental problems. Knowing people who’d seen their parents murdered, kids found at 3 who couldn’t speak. Someone who she worked closest with named Oscar was killed by the police.
Rosa remarks on the helplessness of it all, not being able to help these people. Was trying to help kids process their emotions without being able to process her own. We’ll hear more on her later, but now the interview with Melina is next.
Commercial with a promo from Savannah threatening Susan Green only for Danny Dealz to show up with his HighSpots.com advertisement once more. Replay of the angle from a few weeks ago where Kamille and Ken Anderson appeared to distract James Storm and help Cabana win the National Championship.
Galli brings up the instant sensation that is the Question Mark. Then brings up a special match – the Empty Arena match.
Alex Marquez standing with Stevens and the Question Mark now, mentioning what a curious main event we have. Stevens find this match to be a punishment for what they did to Ricky Starks. Says all they did was balance the scales of justice. Here’s the real kicker – if they lose, the Question Mark will have to unmask. Stevens says he hails from the deepest, darkest regions of Mangrovia, an expert in karate – Question Mark corrects him, karatayyy – and helped him work on the Shogun of Malibu. Stevens say if they want a stipulation, he wants one of his own. When they win, those fools will have to recite Shakespeare.
?The Question Mark? vs. Zane Dawson (Mask vs. Shakespeare Empty Arena Match)
Zane charges, Question avoids it, shot to the gut, big chop to the back of the head. Zane answers with a knee to the gut, grinds his neck against the top rope. Zane turns to Stevens and spooks him away at ringside. Question takes advantage from this, missile dropkick off the second rope! Mongrovian Spike!!! And that is that!
Winner: ?The Question Mark?
Quick win there.
Afterwards, the Dawsons are being asked to recite Shakespeare. Zane says fine, they’ll do it. And they do so with shocking conviction. Stevens pulls out a trash can and faux pukes in it as they put their soul into it. I feel Jim Cornette would hate this segment, which is good as it’s his fault that it’s happening.
Galli announces that ?The Question Mark? will be facing off with Trevor Murdoch at Into The Fire. Mentions he tried to slide into the DMs of ?The Question Mark? who said he’s preparing for it with some karatayyyy.
Replay of Melina’s debut last week. We have the sit-down with her now.
Galli asks what makes her love pro wrestling so much. Melina says she’s loved it since she was a kid, and watched it for the stories, what people are fighting for. She loves when people fight for something. Claims nowadays people fight for their egos but back in the day, people fought for more, they fought for their family, their name, their heritage. And now you can only see people fight like that in the ring. She wanted to be a part of it and lo and behold, it happened. Galli says it’s been a while since they saw her compete and asks what brought her to the NWA. She says she isn’t one who just goes anywhere, she only goes to a special place. When asked about her influence on the sport, she notes women didn’t put as much thought into their entrances before her or make use of their flexibility.
Says she didn’t get the credit she deserves, but that’s okay, seeing people rip her off is the same as a thank you. When asked about Allysin Kay, she says when you beat somebody that makes you feel like you’re not worth something, that feeling of accomplishment is something else. Claims Kay carries that title like it’s an accessory. Says she doesn’t deserve it because she’s never fought the way she’s fought. She gets judged for coming from Hollywood, walking the red carpet, and because she’s done modeling people thinks she’s a joke. But she’s had to earn everything like everyone else. She used to think one day she wants to be a legend but right now she is a living legend. Says that title deserves more than what Allysin Mmkay is working. She’ll either make her appreciate what she has, or, when she loses, appreciate what she had.
We then see the video of Billy Corgan announcing the NWA’s newest show, the Circle Squared.
Part 2 of Into The Cage. 6 hours before the fight, Rosa is leaving her hotel. She’s showing up in the empty Freeman Coliseum before the show. Goes barefoot into the octagon.
3 hours before the fight, we see her taking down trainers in sparring, and getting her gear prepped. Doing a prayer with her team, seems like. She takes a deep breath, looks very nervous.
Clips from minutes before the fight. She ends up losing by decision. In tears afterward, bleeding from the nose. Says she could’ve been finished in the first round but wasn’t going to let it happen. Frank Caballero says what happens next is up to her. Says she survived the first round, got better with each round and took it to her in the third. She admits to being very scared when she came in, her team trying to console her.
Next match to be announced for Into The Fire – Allysin Kay will be teaming with Ashley Vox to face off with two members from Melina’s team and the fans will get to decide who.
Colt Cabana vs. Ricky Starks also advertised for next week.
Eli Drake will be facing Ken Anderson at Into The Fire. Nick Aldis will be defending against James Storm. Galli asks what Kamille whispered into Storm’s ear; next week, we’re talking to Nick Aldis about it.
That’s all for this one. An unusual episode to say the very least, but it seems like we’ll have something closer to a typical show next week.
