NWA Hall of Fame 2009: Shirts now available

NWA House Shows?!?

When promoting in the larger arenas, memories of the NWA Showcase come to mind. Most recently the antics of the Real American Heroes, the blood feud between Brent Albright and Adam Pearce, the legends of lucha libre, and some of the best NWA Wrestling around. The end of 2008 saw another side of the NWA promoting in larger venues.

I recently had the opportunity to ask Bill Behrens a couple of questions about the three shows that were booked for Niles OH and Novi, MI. “The three events were to be co-promoted with the building,” said NWA Promoter Bill Behrens. To my knowledge these were the first events that were not promoted in conjunction with the NWA Pro Wrestling promotion. The first Ohio show was headlined by Trevor Murdock vs. Pepper Parks. Murdock had already worked some dates with NWA Pro/NWA Southwest as a challenger to Brent Albright’s Worlds Championship. Parks continues to work for the NWA Empire promotion with working some dates with the NWA Showcase television show and is a former National Heavyweight Champion. The second big event in Ohio was headlined by Al Snow vs. Pepper Parks. The third event which was to take place in Michigan was canceled because of low ticket sales. That event was to see Mike Quackenbush defend his Junior Heavyweight title against Shannon Moore and the Skull Krushers were to defend their belts against the Phoenix Twins. Unfortunately these shows were not taped. However Behrens assured me that these won’t be the last efforts of running these house shows in larger venues.

These shows were different from the NWA Pro shows because it didn’t rely on the Star Power of the TNA, like the early NWA Pro shows or the legends of Lucha Libre. These cards were mostly promoted using all NWA talent with the exception of Al Snow. Regardless, these shows should be a nod to things to come. Multiple avenues of the NWA running in larger arenas will benefit all parties invovled.

NWA Pro has already scheduled its 1st appearance of the 2009 Touring Circuit with their big show in Sioux Falls, the event is supposed to have the big Tag Team Championship match between the Young Bucks and the Skull Krushers. Also set to appear or King V and Sean Waltman. Could 2009 be the year where Two consorted efforts to bring the NWA back to the arenas happen?