Truth B Told 11.13.08: NWA: Straight Outta Hollywood

Posted by Bayani Domingo on 11.13.2008

The National Wrestling Alliance is at it again, this time hoping to shop around a weekly TV shop to a lucky network. Will the NWA be successful in leaping back into the national consciousness on a legitimate network…or will they end up on the CW. Join Mike Quackenbush in his role as a womanizing Playboy with a heart of gold on a very special episode of Gossip Girl…

The National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) is one of the largest governing bodies of Indy wrestling promotions in the US. Since it's inception in 1948 the NWA has laid claim to promoting some of the biggest shows and names in the history of wrestling, with past champions like: Ric Flair, Harley Race, Dusty Rhodes, Terry Funk and Kerry Von Erich. The NWA was once THE most popular and influential entities in all of wrestling and was pivotal in uniting a once fragmented territorial system into a National powerhouse. But of course that was then, and this is now. The question in 2008 is: Do wrestling fans today even care about the NWA and should they?

When I heard that the NWA was trying to make an effort to get back on legitimate television (Sorry Colours and MAVTV) I wasn't surprised, but I was a little skeptical. Still when I surfed the ol' interweb I figured that most people would be happy to get another wrestling show on their TV sets. Of course there ware some mixed feelings, as to be expected, however it seems like by and large most wrestling fans either knew nothing of the NWA or couldn't be bothered to care about a company that seemed to have gone into hiding since the early 90's. While the NWA still has influence here in Southern California it seems like their reach throughout other territories isn't quite as strong. While companies like NWA Anarchy and Wildside are still running shows with various degrees of success, other areas of the country are left wondering how the NWA will rise back to prominence since Eazy E died so many years ago. Is DJ Yella the key?? Look, this isn't about going back and talking about the rich history of the NWA and trotting out all of the big names who have held their titles or wrestled in their rings, it's about getting PAID...2008 style. Okay, let's say 2007 style...the economy was better back then.

I can't tell you how many times I've seen someone comment on a news story about the NWA holding tapings in order to shop a potential 1 hour show around with "why doesn't the NWA realize they don't matter anymore" or "The NWA is about as relevant to what's happening now as a wearing a Joey Buttafuoco mask to a Halloween party" or even "The NWA went out of style in the 80's like Thrilla Gorilla, Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam, and heavy petting in a Camaro". Maybe they have a point, maybe the NWA's time has passed and they are better off just scraping by on the Indy scene and not trying to overstay their welcome. But then again, isn't there enough wrestling fans out there to support a 5th day of wrestling? Figuring that the NWA wouldn't be stupid enough to compete against one of the other existing televised wrestling shows already, would the wrestling industry be able to support an additional Wednesday wrestling show? Maybe we should take a closer look:

The Set-Up

Those of you who remember Wrestling Society X on MTV probably have very polarized feelings on the potential of the product. WSX was produced by Big Vision Entertainment and was the result of a brain trust including Vampiro and Kevin Kleinrock. While some may have enjoyed the fast paced and unpredictable action that included a roster of very talented unknowns, Indy and International stars, and former XPW and ECW talents, a lot of people just couldn't get behind the glossy production value, campy effects and matches, and the 2 minute spotfests that didn't allow the wrestlers enough time to really showcase their talents properly. Personally I liked it. But apparently a show that was marketed for the "MTV Generation" was just on the wrong channel at the wrong time. Sorry kids, but wrestling just ain't "main stream" and "hip" enough to compete against "My Super Sweet 16" and "True Life: I'm fat emo kid". Well now Big Vision Entertainment is teaming up with the NWA to produce and market an hourly wrestling show that will originally exist on the Colour TV, however BVE and the NWA will be looking for a more permanent home. Maybe VH1. They could always run with a spinoff show called, "A stab at love with Adam Pearce". Well let's take a look at what Big Vision has in mind for how they intend to differentiate NWA from both their last venture, WSX, as well as the current products out there, this is from their latest press release:

"Big Vision is thrilled to be working with the NWA in effort to take the oldest and most respected brand in wrestling back into mainstream media." Said Big Vision founder and CEO, Houston Curtis. "Our new show will focus on a more intimate vibe and feel best described as a modern version of the way wrestling used to be produced before the WWE era. Our goal is to bring pure wrestling entertainment back to the family."

"A modern version of the way wrestling used to be produced before the WWE era"? Holy crap, so that means they'll be referring to their commentators as a "Play by Play man" and the "Negro Commentator"? (that's what's known as a 5% people) So then we're talking about a weird hybrid of the old school wrestling and characters with the addition of a few "high flyers" that will some how "update" the NWA product? It will be interesting to see if they can maintain a "family oriented" show and have it work. Wrestling fans for the most part expect to see a more "adult content" oriented show and there is a chance that a somewhat "censored" product might not make it. However considering that a "Rated PG" wrestling product has been left largely unaddressed this might work to really differentiate the NWA from the WWE or TNA. A "family oriented" product might just be different enough to catch fire, but the fact that the whole "steroid scandal" has taken hold in the media that concept will be met with much skepticism and resistance, but the concept sure is sound as long as the wrestling quality matches up. Then again a concept and booking philosophy only works as well as the talent they have behind it.

The Talent

According to the flyers that I found on my girlfriend's car outside of PWG's "Battle of Los Angeles" the talent that is being promoted consists of: NWA Champion Blue Demon Jr., NWA North American Heavyweight Champion Mike DiBiase Jr., Adam Pearce, Brent Albright, Lance Cade and Trevor Murdock (the K in Murdock is apparently for "Kick Ass"…and "I Kan't afford a lawsuit over my old WWE gimmick), TJ Perkins, Joey Ryan, Los Luchas (Phoenix Star & Zokre), Muscle Gang (as he's known in Dragon Gate or Babi Slymm from WSX), and The Youngbucks (Matt & Nick Jackson). I assume there will of course be appearances by "And More" and "TBD". Sometimes TBD and "Mystery Opponent" end up wrestling tag matches, but I believe "Mystery Opponent" was recently put on the shelf after he tore a quad muscle against "TBA", TBD's old rival.

On paper the line-up looks okay, you have a popular Mexican Luchador in Blue Demon Jr., Mike DiBiase Jr. comes from a well known wrestling family, Adam Pearce and Brent Albright are both well known on the Indy scene as they've spent time in RoH and have wrestled as far west as SoCal (Pearce) and Las Vegas (Albright), Muscle Gang (aka Babi Slymm) is a popular SoCal wrestler who has spent time in Dragon Gate and WSX, and then you have Joey Ryan, Los Luchas and the ‘bucks who are all popular SoCal regulars and have gained recognition in PWG. All together it's not a bad little Indy card for a California show. But does it have enough appeal to attract national interest? Half of the problem is attracting enough local SoCal wrestling fans to attend all 3 "taping" in order to make the product look more professional and popular, which shouldn't be hard since most of the guys wrestling are fairly popular on the SoCal Indy scene and the shows are free. The other problem is packing enough "big names" or at least recognizable names into the show to interest networks as well as potential fans that might otherwise not be aware of the NWA and their history.

Most wrestling fans would only recognize a handful of names on the roster and only the most ardent of fans would be willing to track down where they could find them wrestle on television. The upside is that most wrestling geeks, and that includes the really die hard fans that STILL tune into Impact! every week despite the odd booking, are willing to watch anything so long it's free. The upside of the NWA is that they are free to pretty much pick up any of the talents that aren't heavily associated with some of the other large companies like RoH (even though Pearce and Albright are), TNA, or have recently been "wished the best in their future endeavors" from the "e". The NWA provides a temporary, or even permanent, home for some of the "cast offs" or free agents (however you look at it) from the other televised shows. Luckily for the NWA they seem to get a fresh batch of perspective employees at least twice a year. then again does the NWA want to be associated with a batch of wrestlers that some may deem "sloppy seconds" or "passed over", while other wrestling fans see as "underutilized" or "overlooked"?

If I had to put money on the success of the NWA finding a home on the old boob tube I would probably pocket it and put it on lotto tickets. Not to say I won't be pulling for them, but right now the market seems fairly saturated and the backing of "Big Vision" is no guarantee of success. *coughWSXcough* Then again I'm assuming that the NWA will be looking for a more logical partner than MTV. There is going to be an uphill struggle here to break the mold, provide a vastly different product that really WILL perform on the promise that other wrestling companies give as being a true "alternative" to the current "gold standard" that is the WWE. But you know, it's a risk worth taking. The tapings can't be all that expensive considering that there is financial backing from the NWA and if nothing else they will eventually have the opportunity to release the show on DVD and on special web-isodes. At this point the NWA has to take the bull by the horns and make something happen because sooner than later the NWA really will become an after thought in wrestling unless they try to regain at least a little of their past glory.

The Truth

Interested in attending a taping? There might still be a chance if you go to the NWA website, but no guarantee. In fact there is very little guaranteed for the NWA at this point. The reason that the "territorial system" failed was the advent of television and the death of "touring", how odd now that the NWA finally tries to work with the tool that ended up being their downfall in the first place. Sure the NWA made past attempts to get on TV, but perhaps they have a little luck on their side this time. I actually like a lot of the wrestlers being promoted for the tapings, there are a lot of local guys (Adam Pearce, Joey Ryan, the 'bucks, Los Luchas) and some other known veterans (Cade/Murdock, Blue Demon Jr, Albright) that really could get over or find a better home if the NWA finds a worthwhile network to partner up with. Maybe not CMT or MTV...actually let's stay away from music television stations in general. Sorry BET. But as you know a good relationship with your network (TNA/Spike) can go a long way in allowing you some "slack" when it comes to learning curves and building your meager audience. If you reside in the SoCal area I would emplore you to take some time out and try to attend a taping, either to help support your local Indy wrestling and increase the options we have as wrestlign fans or...just be there to find out if they use an exploding pirahna tank filled with Cervezas. Too bad there are no special musical guests though…I wonder what Jibbs is doing on Saturday night?

Coming Up Short

Is Christian really going back to the "e" or is this all merely a "work"? I guess there is no telling until a few weeks from now when Christian shows up to take revenge on the MEM or he shows up on Smackdown to interfere in a HHH match. I hate to say this, but it's hard for me to even remember what Christian was doing on his own during his singles push, most of what I remember involves a "Main Event" Captain Charisma and not a "Mid-Card" Captain Charisma. For those who are chomping at the bit for Christian to return to the WWE, remember that he left as a mid-carder and he'll return as a mid-carder. If you think for one minute that his time in TNA as a former champion and main event guy will translate over, then you are sadly mistaken. While I understand Christian's desire to return to the "Big Stage", just keep in mind that Christian is just as likely to go to ECW as he is to get a shot at HHH's title. There are no guarantees that a trip back to McMahonland will net him a World Championship, but it will net him a few more bucks. While the promise and prestige of being back in the "Big Leagues" is a big incentive, the promise of a "Jericho-like" redemption for Christian comes up very short.

6 Degrees of…



Elijah Burke is finally free to pursue his "Black Pope" gimmick in another venue…although I'm not sure how he managed to avoid Oprah's copyright of that same gimmick. Well with Burke released from the "e" is it only a matter of time before another, more popular, Burke also gets her walking papers on "Dancing with the Stars"?



M.I.L.F. I wouldn't mind giving her 4 upside that ass…

Whatchu talkin' bout readers?

Not much in the way of comments last week although I will respond to the following:

1) Obama's win over McCain was pretty damn dominant, although it wasn't a "Big Show vs Guy who didn't even get an entrance video" type win, it was easily a "Cena vs Tag wrestler with his partner on the outside" type win.
2) It's not that no one "gives a fuck about my stupid 6 degrees bullshit", it's that no more than 1 or 2 people a week give a shit about my stupid 6DO bullshit…so there.

6 Degrees Results

#1.

Hey Bayani, here's my 6 Degrees of Barack Obama to The Rock

1. Barack Obama's fist bump to his wife was called a "Terrorist Fist Jab" by FOX News
2. FOX News is a network rival of CNN
3. CNN was the network that aired the "Death Grip: Inside Pro Wrestling" documentary
4. The documentary featured an interview with John Cena
5. Cena won the United States title at Wrestlemania 20
6. WM20 was the last Wrestlemania appearance by The Rock

Vincent Chiucchi

At least someone cares…411 writers…looking out for our own. Btw, everyone knows that terrorists don't "dap"…they forearm bash.

Left Overs…

I recently read that Lena Yada was released because she looked too similar to Gail Kim, who recently resigned with the "e". Seriously? How is that even a bad thing? Who wouldn't want a spare in case one of them tears a quad or something? I guess it could be worse, they could have been repackaged as the "Oriental Express" of Gair Kim and Rena Yada.

Look, I know TNA is trying to get some kind of publicity by inviting Sarah Palin to join the "Beautiful People", but we're talking about a "Has-Been" who is no longer really relevant in every day society after being rejected by the public at large. She doesn't belong in the Knockout's Division…she belongs in a PPV main event talking shit about Vince McMahon.

Flair family reality show? Potential names? I'm going with…"Ric and Beth plus Figure 4". Episode 1: Ric teaches Reid to blade before the AAU tournament.

Bischoff's new reality show on E! is called "Party Monster – Cabo". The original show was called "Party Monsters – Aruba" however the footage mysteriously disappeared…forever.

So are the Motor City Machine Guns heels or not? There is usually only one way to find out…but Alex Shelley's hair is too short to notice if it's greasy or not. Hey, it's true…just look how Pantene fresh HHH's hair is now that he's a face.

Paul London and Chuck Palumbo were released together last week, but fear not as the former smiling Hooligan and large, hairy, oily biker will be teaming up on the Indy scene to form "Grin and Bear it". They're having a coming out party in San Francisco and word has it they will be "huge".

"Addicted to Love" Rhett Titus and Kenny King together at last? If these guys aren't called "Jungle Fever" then they might as well call back Gabe.

I loved reading this line in the news section "- Dolph Ziggler's 30 day Wellness suspension ends today, so he is free to return whenever creative wants him back." So basically 2 months from now when they remember who the hell he was.

Jimmy and Tyler on the skids? Could this be the end of his Chemical Bromance? Welcome to the Black parade, Jimmy….of tears….TEARS!!

The Great Booty Debate 2008

For the first time in a while I've decided to go against the grain and to see whether the Latina can beat the Asian WITHOUT the help of any "back-up" help…if you know what I mean. She isn't able to show her best ASSets if you know what I'm saying. Um…butt.

Random Asian Bitch Lookin' Good Pic of the Week



Xw Lauj:….no….no fuckin' clue how to pronounce that either. Damn we got some jacked up names don't we?

Random Latina Bitch Lookin' Good Pic of the Week



Vanessa Cervantes: Is she of the same Calibur of Jessica Seigfried or Maria Astaroth? You decide.

Evil Emo Jeff Hardy taking over Smackdown? That's right bitches!! Who's wearing the skinny pants in this relationship now??

I wonder what that kid who requested the Great Khali asked for his last wish? My guess is…"please…don't eat me".


I've got my tickets to the NWA taping for Saturday night and Sunday. Looking forward to seeing the possible re-birth of a once proud company live and in person. Let's just hope that this time the tapings aren't as hard to get to and as long as the last set of tapings I went to that involved "Big Vision". WSX was a fun little show for a while, but I'll be damned if they didn't take forever, let's hope they got some food for us this time and maybe Teddy Hart will drop by with some more "sticky icky"…cuz' if not I'll have to settle for Trevor Murdock showing up with some "sticky icky…buns". Mmmm.

Till then, the Truth will set you free.
-B