Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
Welcome to PWInsider.com's coverage of NWA Hard Times from Atlanta, GA.
The PPV opened with a black and white video set to a Billy Corgan song that used the words "Hard Times" in the lyrics.
They went live to GPB Studios with Joe Galli and Stu Bennett. Bennett said it would be one of the most stacked card he's ever been involved in. They ran down the matches set for the show and referenced there would be news on the scheduled Ken Anderson vs. Tim Storm match, which sounds like someone didn't get to Atlanta, but we'll see.
NWA TV Title Tournament: Trevor Murdoch vs. The Question Mark
Murdoch started strong but was caught with a dropkick off the ropes. They went to the floor, where Mark ducked a lariat, leaving Murdoch to hit the ringpost. The storyline is that the TV title matches have a 6:05 time limit, playing off the old NWA TV timeslot on TBS. Back in the ring, The Mark began using his patented Mongrovian KARATE! and backdropped Murdoch. Murdoch was whipped into the corner but kicked Mark. Murdoch nailed a bulldog, then nailed another off the top for the pin.
Your winner, Trevor Murdoch, who advances in the tournament.
NWA TV Title Tournament: Danny Maff vs. Zicky Dice
Maff uses his power early to keep the unorthodox Dice at bay with clotheslines and splashes in the corner. Dice cuts him off and nailed a series of shoulderblocks in the corner. He was all over Maff and tried to cover him but Maff kicked up and dared Dice to come at him. Dice kicked him down hard and began working over Maff, who was announced as representing Ring of Honor. He caught Maff with a lariat for a two count. Dice tried to come off the ropes but was speared in mid-air. Maff nailed a big cannonball in the corner and hit a back senton splash for the pin.
Your winner, Dan Maff, advancing in the tournament.
Maff vs. Murdoch in the semi-finals is still to come.
Matt Cross vs. Ricky Starks
They went at it with a lot of fast paced physical action early on. Starks stalled early. Cross got a lot of offense in but Starks survived. Cross went for a move off the top but Starks got out of the way, caught him with the Stroke and scored the pin. The story was that Starks took out a well traveled veteran.
They announced Ken Anderson was not there. Tim Storm was interviewed by Dave Marquez. He said this was becoming a family, not just the locker room but the fans who support them. Tim Storm said he heard a rumor that Anderson wasn't here. He said that he's not someone who wants a bye. It's not how Mama raised him, but if he gets a bye, he has more miles in the rear view mirror than in front of him. He said that means he only needs two wins instead of three wins. He wants to make Mama Storm proud and he's excited to get started.
Joe Galli said Anderson was not medically cleared to compete.
Stu Bennett said he had some "breaking news" after teasing he was going to deliver some bad news. He joked that could be a catch phrase. He announced the next PPV would be in Atlanta, but somewhere bigger and that it would be the 2020 Crockett Cup. He unveiled the Cup and the place popped for it.
NWA Tag Team Champions The Rock N' Roll Express vs. James Storm & Eli Drake vs. The Wild Cards.
Eli Drake was all over Royce Isaac early. Ricky Morton and Drake even teamed up for a moment before Drake turned on him. He grabbed a headlock but Morton transitioned him into several armdrags. They went back after Isaac again, both hitting him with armwringers before tagging out to their respective partners, who then teamed up on Drake as well. Not a good day for Isaacs thus far. Lattimer tagged in and cut off Storm with a clotheslines. Lattimer controlled Storm for a long time. Kamille kicked Gibson while he was down on the floor. Gibson was down for a long time. Kamille has some good poise as a mananger.
Storm was able to tag out to Drake but the referee missed it. Gibson finally returned to the ring but was immediately taken down with a clothesline. Storm nailed a jawbreaker on Isaacs and almost crushed Gibson's head coming down. They went to the hot tags with Drake clotheslining Lattimer into the ring and doing all his signature spots. He dropped an elbow for a two count and showed some nice intensity. Morton was tagged in and tossed a few weak right hands before being cut off with a thrust to the throat. He came back with the Canadian Destroyer on Lattimer but Kamille distracted everyone. Storm nailed Morton and Drake hit the Kryptonite Krunch for the pin.
Your winners and new NWA Tag Team Champions, Eli Drake and James Storm!
Storm and Drake joined Dave Marquez at the podium. The crowd chanted, "Talk to us." Drake pointed out that on the first episode of Powerrr, he warned everyone who was a champion he was coming for the belts. Storm said blood may be thicker, but they prefer beer and liquor. Drake said they don't need a team name, just call them the champs.
NWA Women's Champion Allysin Kay vs. Thunder Rosa
Kay had control early on with strikes and chops, sending Rosa into the buckles. Rosa was drilled with a neckbreaker for a two count. Rosa came back and worked over Kay, striking and kicking at her Rosa worked her over with body shots in the corner. She used her boot to try and choke her. Kay went to the floor to clear her head. Rosa nailed her with a dropkick through the ropes, sending her into the first row. Rosa worked her over and tossed Kay back into the ring. For some time, it was all Rosa's match as she snapped her arm across the ropes and stomped away at her. She went for a heel hook submission and then transitioned into an armbar. Kay fired back with a series of forearms but was snapped back to the mat with an armbar. Kay finally hit a back suplex out of desperation and scored a two count. Rosa came back with one of her and ascended to the top. Kay rolled to the floor. Rosa went for a running senton off the apron but was caught and powerbombed on the apron.
Back in the ring, Rosa went for a double stomp but Kay "caught" her (well, that's what the announcers said. They were able to turn it into a sunset flip powerbomb on Kay for a close two count and got the crowd big-time into the spot. Thunder Rosa went for an Octopus submission. Kay fought her way out and nailed a tombstone but Rosa still kicked up at the last second. Kay worked her over in the corner with shots the mid-section. She attempted a superplex but was shoved of the ropes. Rosa nailed a big missile dropkick. Kay shoved her away. Rosa went to the ropes but ate a leaping forearm. Kay nailed her finisher, AK-47 but Rosa kicked up yet again.
Rosa brought her back to the ropes and was came off with sunset flip into a powerbomb but was spent, taking too long to cover the champion. Kay was covered but kicked at the two count. Rosa locked in an armbar again. Kay tried to gut through the pain and was able to muscle Rosa up on her shoulders. Rosa caught her with a knee to the face and hit the Thunder Driver for the pin.
Your winner and new NWA Women's Champion Thunder Rosa!
They pushed her as the first-ever Mexican born NWA Women's Champion.
Marti Belle and Melina came to the ring to embrace Rosa after the match. They raised her arm as the announcers noted that they now had control of the title and the power that came with it.
Coverage continues on Page 2.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
Bang On Casino
