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.”