Larry Goodman’s thoughts on NWA Main Event Television

From Larry Goodman and Georgia Wrestling History

This was the fourth episode of NWA ME to air since the arrival of Bill Behrens as Executive Producer. Things got better right away and have improved each week. It’s been a long time coming. After Jeff Daniels departed as booker this summer, the first few “New Era” episodes had some life in them. Largely written by Jason James and prominently featuring Shawn Shultz, they were uneven as hell but made for compelling viewing at times. To say NWA ME TV has been floundering since then would be putting it mildly. In between the occasional flashes of decency (pieces of the Will Owens and White Tiger stuff), there were long stretches of horribleness. Some if it was comically bad. Some bordered on being unwatchable. The show was basically on life support as an internet-only product when Mike Porter brought Behrens on board. It’s still internet only, but the booking, the formatting of the television and most importantly, the talent roster, are all greatly improved. The production values not so much. At least they got the audio dialed in this week. I don’t mind the single camera most of the time, because it stays active. This was the third episode to air with Behrens at the helm, and it was the best one so far. The first two episodes were solid by the number stuff. The wrestling was much better. The thing that distinguished the current episode was the zany, unpredictable quality that has in times past, made NWA ME so much fun to watch AND the wrestling was pretty good, too. Hayme and Rockwell opened the show with a very strong match, playing off the angle that closed the previous episode. I liked cutting to the clip from last week explaining why Rockwell was so badly wanting to kick Hayme’s ass. The Mega Rumble, of course, is a Behrens specialty. Se7en is green for sure, but he’s a monster by NWA ME standards and was booked accordingly. You could see the thing with Hyatt coming a mile away, but that’s fine. He’s an appealing buffoon. I liked it for the zaniness factor. The centerpiece of this show was the interview with Rudy Charles. I thought the “aliens” vignette with Posey on last week pretty far out there. Who would expect to hear Art mentioned on a pro wrestling show? This one was completely off the chain. Charles riffing on Bogart as Captain Queeg blew my mind. I thought Aaron Camaro did a nice job here as well. The main event provided solid storyline development. The titles are being made to feel important. Rockwell seems bound and determined to get Posey’s junior title. Owens is none too keen on defending the heavyweight title, and Boyce now has a claim there. Meanwhile, Bishop has set his sights on Boyce’s title. They’ve got some over babyfaces in Rockwell, Boyce, and Tiger. The building blocks are there. It will be interesting to see what Behrens does with them.

To read the entire review please check out Georgia Wrestling History

APW SANCTIONED BY NWA

NWA Board Of Directors Member, Bill Behrens announced today that Alternative Pro Wrestling (APW) would now be sanctioned by the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).   Previously APW had an association with the NWA through Cornelia, GA based NWA Anarchy which is also sanctioned by Behrens.

APW has live events each Friday at the Cherry Street Gym in Royston, GA 8PM Belltime.

Featured stars include APW SOUTHERN STATES CHAMPION, DON MATTHEWS, APW N. GEORGIA CHAMPION, ANTHONY HENRY, APW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS, “OFFICALLY UNSTOPPABLE” SHADOW JACKSON & JACOB ASHWORTH, plus JEREMY VAIN, SLIM J, SETH DELAY, JOHN CARNAGE (MR. BLACK), DUSTIN KNIGHT, BRANDON PARKER, STYKNYN, DANY ONLY, KAREEN JAMAR (SUGAR DUNKERTON), AARON LEE, CHRIS KING, JACOBY BOYKINS, KEVIN DUNCAN, CASEY JAMES, JASON BLACKMAN and more.

The promotion’s last show on 2-26-10, MERCILOUS CARNAGE, drew 200 fans.  A new Southern States Champion was crowned in the Main Event when Don Matthews defeated John Carnage.

For more info on NWA APW visit:

http://www.myspace.com/alternativeprowrestling

Watch NWA APW AFTERSHOCK at:

http://www.youtube.com/alternativepro

Credit Bill Behrens and the Indy Wrestling News

Ed Chuman & Steve Williams Tribute by Bill Behrens

Alliance Editorial: What’s going on in North Carolina?

With in a matter of months Charlotte, North Carolina has become a hot topic in the world of professional wrestling when it comes to the National Wrestling Alliance.   For years Charlotte was known as the home of the 4 Horsemen or Flair Country, but in more recent times has become the physical office of the NWA by way of Bob Trobich, the executive director.  In what once was a hotbed for Jim Crocket Promotions and Mid-Atlantic Wrestling before that made Charlotte a regular stop for the mighty NWA.  And the fans rejoiced with it was announced in 2008 that JD Costello and Jay Joyce would bring live wrestling back to Charlotte.  And after half a dozen shows, a bunch of broken promises, and wrestlers complaining of non-payment NWA Charlotte collapsed on top of itself. 

After months of no NWA action, Greg Price had come to terms with the NWA to launch his new efforts in conjunction with his Legends Festivals, NWA New Beginnings, which announced a monthly show starting on Valentine’s day.  Shortly after Price’s announcement, Costello start popping off about a return for NWA Charlotte, which would mean that the NWA would have two promotions in Charlotte along with three more promotions promoting the NWA in North Carolina: NWA Carolinas, NWA Mid-Atlantic, and NWA Fusion affiliate: NWA Warzone, for a total of five separate NWA promotions in North Carolina.

The biggest announcement from Costello’s group came December 25th when he announced via the NWA Charlotte website (the cached version of NWA Charlotte), said that the first event  of the New Year is scheduled for January 23, 2010 at Metrolina Expo Center, Charlotte.  The site also  announced that Costello  and Joyce were joining a  NWA Superpower with Bill Behrens, Bob Trobich and Slim Baucom.  However  this was all smoke and mirrors, Behrens had mentioned that his words were taken out of context and now the NWA Charlotte site redirects to CWA, a non NWA wrestling promotion.

So what is going on in the NWA, in regards to Charlotte?  Is there a NWA Superpower or is this much ado about nothing?  It is becoming more apparent that NWA Charlotte is even more dead in December of 2009 as it was in July of 2009.  But the good news is the NWA isn’t dead in Charlotte.  From all reports I’ve seen, this deal with Trobich, Behrens, and Baucom is real.  Apparently Trobich will be promoting the events while Behrens will be booking the events.  This will make Bill quite the busy guy, producing for both NWA Anarchy and NWA Main Event.  And if we can believe any of the quotes from NWA Charlotte’s page, Bob Trobich is interested in producing a National Television program right from Charlotte, complete with National Titles being represented on its shows. 

NWA New Beginnings will also be producing live events and plan to have the NWA National Champion on their monthly offerings.  There is also talk with Worlds Heavyweight Champion Blue Demon Jr. debuting in Charlotte. And with New Beginnings already announcing talents like Phil Shatter, Chase Stevens, Caprice Coleman, Mr. Mid-Alantic Damien Wayne, Zack Salvation, the “Man Scout” Jake Manning, Caleb Konley, Josh Magnum, and Brad Attitude, NWA New Beginnings will bring the goods.

All the Super Power talk is a much ado about nothing.  Neither promotion has ran a single card yet so any number of things can happen.  The cynic in me knows that wrestling promoters often make huge grandiose promises and rarely deliver.  NWA New Beginnings should benefit for the good will that Greg Price has earned through out the years promoting the NWA Legend Fan Fest.  If the announced roster remains the same when New Beginnings opens its doors, the fans in Charlotte should certainly be there.  NB will be fine.  I’m not entirely convinced that Trobich will be as successful.  Obviously adding Bill Behrens to the mix lends a lot of credibility.  I’m not sure what role, if any Slim Baucom will have.  I would be surprised to see this fledgling promotion instantly get television and be successful.  I do hope the new project will take off and wish the best of luck to this new group and New Beginnings.

NWA Charlotte emerges as a Super Power.

Credit: NWA Charlotte

December 25, 2009 (Charlotte, NC) Charlotte sports businessman and promoter JD Costello announces that he, along with Jay Joyce, have joined forces with the NWA on a national level to create a “Super Power of NWA Professional Wrestling” effective immediately.

This new “NWA dream team” consists of Bob Trobich, Executive Director of the NWA, David “Slim” Baucom, NWA owner of North and South Carolina territories, legendary promoter and NWA owner of the Georgia territory, Bill Behrens, JD Costello and Jay Joyce.

“Merging our brand with the national NWA is a dream come true,” said Costello. “We have emerged as a hybrid national and regional super power that spells long-term success for the NWA. And there’s not a better place than Charlotte, NC to call home! The fans have shown that they believe again and support our product. We’re taking the momentum created by NWA Charlotte and blasting off into a new and exciting future.”

“Everybody knows the challenges that we have faced this year with NWA Charlotte,” says Costello. “Bringing these great professional wrestling minds together under one umbrella lays solid foundation for the return of wrestling to Charlotte.”

Wrestling fans in Charlotte will now have the ultimate monthly opportunity to watch the top NWA wrestling talent mixed with the best regional independent wrestlers. “The NWA enjoys our relationship with JD Costello and Jay Joyce,” said NWA Executive Director Bob Trobich. “They revitalized NWA wrestling in Charlotte after 25 years of it being dormant. Our goal was to always have the NWA represented here in Charlotte. Based on their incredible success, we can continue this goal by bringing in the NWA National Champions and having those national belt titles right here in Charlotte! Our plans are to tape for national television right here in Charlotte to spread the NWA brand to a new, emerging audience of professional wrestling fans.”

Monthly shows begin on January 23, 2010 at the Metrolina Expo Center. Further dates will be released right after the holidays.

“The first show on January 23rd is booked and will be a dynamite return of NWA wrestling in Charlotte,” says Costello. “Fans know these names from their exposure through NWA Charlotte and the exciting style of NWA wrestling will pick up and fill the Metrolina Expo once again.”

The NWA shows will be family friendly, fast paced, full of well-known NWA names and talent, and focused on building a long-term presence back in Charlotte.

Ticket prices and first show information for January 23, 2010 will be announced right after the holidays, along with a new website, blog, Facebook and Twitter site so fans all over the region can quickly get up-to-speed with this exciting new NWA initiative.

“I urge all NWA Charlotte fans to embrace our new NWA venture,” said Costello. “It will still be the same NWA wrestling experience that you have come to expect from us here in Charlotte. Nobody can duplicate or replicate this level of wrestling or professional presentation that will launch on January 23, 2010! This is the real deal.”

NWA Main Event goes to "The Next Level" Jan. 7, 2010

Credit: NWA Main Event

THE NEXT LEVEL

Starting in Jan., 2010 the next level for NWAME! Starting with a new TV. Bill Behrens will take over as executive producer for NWAME-TV. Old favorites will be returning as well as new wrestling superstars. A whole new and exciting crew for NWAME. Promoter Mike Porter has promised more shows through out Middle Tennessee, Western Kentucky and Western Tennessee with all the new talent appearing for NWAME-TV. All of our loyal fans along with the new one stay with us for an all new NWA Main Event!

On Jan. 7, 2010 “The Next Level” of NWA Main Event Television will begin with Mr.Bill Behrens of Atlanta, Ga. as the Executive Producer.

Already signed for the first TV taping under the leadership of Mr. Behrens will be Will Owens, Mike Posey, Corey Hollis, Matt Boyce, Ace Rockwell, Andrew Alexander and Orion Bishop. More names will be added to the list after the Christmas Holiday.

“Christmas Chaos 2009 -NWA Style”

Christmas Night – Dec. 25 – 8 PM Belltime
NWA Studios
413 Veritas St.
Nashville, Tenn. 37211

Big night of Professional Wrestling – Already signed Steve O – Details will be announced as they become available.

Another step into the right direction for the NWA Main Event.  Conspicuous by his absence is perennial fan favorite White Tiger.  Also missing is Shawn Shultz, but the additions of Ace Rockwell and Orion Bishop is certainly a step in the right direction.  Rockwell has been wrestling in Tennessee under different organizational banners, so it is a positive move to see this NWA Anarchy regular step into  the Main Event rings.  Along with Orion Bishop who used to compete in former NWA Affiliate GCW and recently started to appear for Anarchy.  Who could NWA Main Event add to this growing roster to guarantee you’ll be watching the new show?

NWA Main Event: Announces new Executive Producer

NASHVILLE, TN: NWA Main Event promoter, Mike Porter announced today that Atlanta based Bill Behrens would take on the role of Executive Producer of the NWA Main Event Television program beginning in early January 2010.

The NWA Main Event television program currently airs exclusively on the internet at http://www.nwame.com but Mike Porter believes that “with the addition of Bill Behrens and improvements we plan our television product should soon thereafter begin airing on various television stations in Tennessee & Kentucky”, the promotion base for NWA Main Event.

Bill Behrens co-produced 100 consecutive episodes of the Nashville based NWA Music City Wrestling and NWA Worldwide Wrestling with promoter Bert Prentice beginning in 1997. That was followed by 329 consecutive episodes of NWA Wildside, the promotion that featured AJ Styles, Justice (Abyss), Hotstuff Hernandez, Ron Killings, Jimmy Rave and numerous other superstars and served as a WCW development territory. After NWA Wildside, Behrens began producing the television program for NWA Anarchy which has aired 203 episode to date in syndication and on the internet at http://www.nwaanarchy.net .

“I am excited to return to Nashville, and look forward to creating a strong Nashville based television program that I believe will become the area’s destination for future wrestling superstars, and appointment viewing weekly for wrestling fans,” said Behrens. He noted that “the promotion has a core base of strong wrestling talent in White Tiger, Matt Boyce, Will Owens, Mike Posey, Corey Hollis, and others ready to step up and get noticed, a talented editor, and strong support team.”

The NWA Main Event television program is produced most Thursdays at 413 Veritas St in Nashville, TN. Next TV taping is December 10.

I occasionally tune into NWA Main Event via the web. Since the departure of Jason James, I feel the quality of the show has been devalued. They had some compelling characters like White Tiger and Shawn Shultz, but even the returning faces of Will Owens, Gary Valiant, or even Mike Rapada hadn’t improved the show. So how will Bill Behrens improve the produce? Do you think this elevates Main Event television? Are you going to start watching? Please Leave a Comment and tell me what you think.

NWA Wildside from the Vault: NWA World Title Feud – Sabu vs. AJ Styles

Bill Behrens sent this…

Sabu was NWA World Champion and in December of 2000 he came to NWA Wildside to defend the title over two nights. The first night vs Air Paris was a bad night for Sabu, so the next night we needed to explain the 1st night, see Sabu early (just in case) and hopefully pay it all off in the Main Event, which we did. We started with Sabu attacked by AJ Styles, Onyx, Tank Abbott, Jeff G Bailey & Steve Martin. AJ took the World Title and we shot a vignette, then AJ wrestled Air Paris & eventually Sabu.

NWA Main Event’s Shawn Shultz: Going Crazy!!!

Former NWA Mid American Champion, Shawn Shultz is running a muck in NWA Main Event. Schultz has been interrupting matches, attacking referees, security, NWA Announcer Jason James, NWA Main Event owner Mike Porter, and Main Event Commissioner George Gulas. And for why? Schultz is demanding a rematch at Steve O. The man who beat Shultz for the title. What happens next?

The director of the NWA, Bill Behrens will be at Main Event TV to make an announcement in regards to Shawn Shultz and his future on Main Event TV.

And Still your NWA National Champion…

A lot of rumors and speculations came about at the “NWA Legends Fanfest”. Allegedly the National Championship changed hands when former WWE, WCW, and ECW star 2 Cold Scorpio pinned “The Universal Soldier”, Phillip Shatter during the wrestling side of the Reunion Convention.

However according to the Wrestle Zone and Bill Behrens Shatter was not defeated.

PHIL SHATTER REMAINS NWA NATIONAL CHAMPION

In Show Results from Greg Price’s Legends Weekend in Charlotte on August 8-9 it was incorrectly reported that Too Cold Scorpio defeated Shatter for the NWA National Title. Shatter remains the NWA National Champion and was not pinned by Scorpio on the 1st night’s show, and the announcement to the crowd that Scorpio had won the NWA National Title was false. The NWA regrets the confusion created by Mr. Price.