NWA Samhain

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NWA Samhain
Promotional poster
PromotionNational Wrestling Alliance
DateOctober 28, 2023
CityCleveland, Ohio
VenueCleveland Masonic Temple
Pay-per-view chronology
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NWA Samhain[a] was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). It was held on October 28, 2023, at Cleveland Masonic Temple in Cleveland, Ohio.

Fifteen matches were contested at the event, including four on the pre-show. In the main event, EC3 defeated Thom Latimer in a No Limits match to retain the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship.

Production

Background

On the September 5, 2023 episode of Powerrr, NWA announced that NWA Samhain would take place on October 28, 2023, at TempleLive at Cleveland Masonic in Cleveland, Ohio.[1][2]

Storylines

The event featured professional wrestling matches that involve different wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds and storylines. Wrestlers portrayed heroes, villains, or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that built tension and culminate in a wrestling match or series of matches. Storylines were produced during the fifteenth season of the NWA's weekly series, Powerrr.[3]

On the September 5 episode of Powerrr, NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion EC3 issued a challenge to NWA World Television Champion Thom Latimer to invoke his "Lucky Seven Rule" and face him for the world title.[4] The following week, Latimer and his wife Kamille confronted EC3, with the former officially relinquishing the television title for his world title opportunity at Samhain.[5][6] On the October 4, 2023 episode of Powerrr, Kamille confirmed that she would be in Latimer's corner for this match.[7] On the October 17 episode of Powerrr, EC3 would bring up his and Latimer's previous history with each other, including at the previous year's anniversary show, where he and his Control Your Narrative henchmen held Latimer down and EC3 nearly hit him in the head with a chair.[8] While also making reference to Kamille's No Limits match at NWA 75, EC3 challenged Latimer to the same match for the title at Samhain.

On the September 19 episode of Powerrr, Ruthie Jay defeated Missa Kate and Natalia Markova to become the number one contender for the NWA World Women's Championship, challenging Kenzie Paige for the title at NWA Samhain.[9]

On the October 3 Powerrr, Natalia Markova and Taylor Rising defeated M95 (Madi and Missa Kate) to become number one contenders to the NWA World Women's Tag Team Championship and will challenge champions Pretty Empowered (Ella Envy and Kylie Paige) at Samhain.[10]

On Night 2 of NWA 75, Blunt Force Trauma (Carnage and Damage) retained the NWA World Tag Team Championship against Mike Knox and Trevor Murdoch after BFT's manage Aron Stevens punched Murdoch in the face with a loaded glove, allowing Damage to pin him and retain the titles.[11] The two teams would have a rematch a month later on the September 26 episode of Powerrr. There, Damage hit Murdoch with a chair, provided by Stevens who distracted the official. Knox would wrangle the chair away from Damage and attempt to use it himself, but when the official turned around and saw the chair in Knox's hands, he called for a disqualification, allowing BFT to retain again.[12] A week later, Stevens was being interviewed at the ringside podium when he was confronted by Knox and Murdoch, who wanted one more opportunity at BFT and the tag team titles. Stevens granted them that opportunity at NWA Samhain, where they would challenge BFT for the titles in a "Knights of the Round Table" tables match (a standard tables match with the objective being to put your opponent through a round table rather than a long, rectangular table.)[13]

On Night 1 of NWA 75, Jax Dane and Tim Storm faced off in "A Matter of Respect" No Disqualification match. Some minutes into the match, Storm was suplexed by Dane and stayed down, appearing to be injured. Dane would be awarded the win via referee stoppage.[14] On the following night's pre-show, Dane and his SVGS partner Blake "Bulletproof" Troop competed in a battle royal to earn an NWA National Heavyweight Championship match, only for the latter to betray the former and eliminate him from the match.[11] Over a month later on the October 3 episode of Powerrr, Dane faced his former manager Chris Silvio in the latter's first NWA match. During the match, Silvio took a microphone and lambasted Dane for holding back on Storm during their match, going as far as to call him "weak." Dane would make quick work of Silvio, making Silvio tap out to Trap City.[15] The following week, the former SVGS held an in-ring summit where Dane and Troop, a trained mixed martial artist, agreed to face off in a submission match at Samhain.[16]

During the National Championship number one contender's battle royal on Night 2 of NWA 75, Brady Pierce eliminated his Spectaculars partner Rush Freeman without second thought, before throwing Rush's older brother Rolando Freeman on top of Rush.[11] On the subsequent episode of Powerrr, Pierce defeated Rolando in quick fashion.[4] However, three weeks later, Pierce was interviewed backstage and urged Rolando to leave Rush and join the "winning side."[12] On the October 10 Powerrr, after Rush and Rolando lost their match, Rolando was interviewed backstage declaring that a match between Rush and Pierce will happen in the future, with himself as special guest referee.[17] The NWA later booked the match for Samhain, with the stipulation that the loser is forced to leave the NWA.[18]

On the September 12 Powerr, NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Colby Corino and Joe Alonzo were on opposite sides of a tag team match. The two were clients of Jamie Stanley, but during the match, Stanley continuously interfered on behalf of Alonzo, leading to his team getting the win.[19] As a result, Corino would defend his title against Alonzo in a "Pillar to Post match" at Samhain.[20]

On the NWA 75 Night 2 pre-show, Daisy Kill and Talos defeated The Country Gentlemen (AJ Cazana and Anthony Andrews) to win the NWA United States Tag Team Championship. Soon after their win, The Immortals (J. R. Kratos and Odinson) came out to confront the new champions, hinting at a future match.[11] On the October 10 Powerrr, after Kil and Talos successfully retained against AJ and KC Cazana, The Immortals immediately challenged them to an impromptu title match. The latter team won by countout, meaning that the former retained their titles.[17] On October 17, the NWA announced a rematch between the two for the Samhain pre-show.[21]

At NWA 75, Violent J of the Insane Clown Posse accompanied The Brothers of Funstruction (Yabo and Ruffo) for their matches, mostly as a means of sticking it to Vampiro, his former running mate in The Dark Carnival and current manager of La Rebelión (Bestia 666 and Mecha Wolf).[14][11] With the two units going back and forth with each other, the NWA booked a six-man tag team match between them at Samhain. On the October 17 episode of Powerrr, Yabo defeated Mecha Wolf in a "Pick Your Poison" match, allowing his team to pick the stipulation for their match.[22] The following week, Violent J announced the stipulation to be a "Riddle Box match," where various weapons and objects are hidden in crates around the arena which both teams can break open and use the contents inside.

For months, despite actively competing on their own, Sal the Pal and Gaagz the Gymp have been trying to escape the control of Father James Mitchell. On the October 17 Powerrr, Mitchell, the host of Samhain, announced an Ultimate Hardcore Tag Team War, where Sal, Gaagz, and a partner(s) of their choosing would face NWA World Women's Television Champion Max the Impaler, Judais, and their own team. If Sal and Gaagz win, they will be free from Mitchell, but if they lose, they will forever be under his control.[23] Sal and Gaagz's team was revealed to consist of Koa Laxamana and Magnum Muscle (Dak Draper and the NWA World Television Champion Mims), while Judais and Max will team with Alex Misery and Magic Inc. (Cody James and "Magic" Jake Dumas).

On the October 17 Powerrr, Chris Adonis defeated Zyon by disqualification to earn an opportunity at "Thrillbilly" Silas Mason's NWA National Heavyweight Championship at Samhain in a Burning Lake Brawl.[23]

Cocaine segment incident

In the weeks prior to the event, it was reported by news blog Haus of Wrestling that the promotion was in-talks with The CW to air Powerrr and a new reality series about the NWA on the network.[24] However, a segment in which Father James Mitchell, along with several women and wrestlers were seen consuming cocaine reportedly drew negative reactions on social media from viewers of The CW,[25] and was also poorly-received by CW executives.[26]

In November, The CW signed a deal with WWE to air its NXT program beginning in October 2024, under a five-year deal.[27] However, though it was rumored to be in-response to the Samhain segment, Corgan later revealed in a 2024 interview with Fightful that the CW executives in-fact didn't have a problem with the spot and the reports were "a completely invented story by either a troll inside the company, a leaker or something.”[28][29]

The segment was voted by WrestleCrap's readers as the worst incident in pro wrestling in 2023, tied with CM Punk's work in All Elite Wrestling.[30]

Results

No.Results[31]StipulationsTimes[32][33]
1PBrandon Day (with Towel Boy Tommy) defeated Manbun Jesus (with The Grizzly Groovies) by pinfallNWA Exodus Pro Heavyweight Championship Tournament Qualifying match4:27
2PJordan Clearwater and The Country Gentlemen (AJ Cazana and KC Cazana) (with Joe Cazana) defeated The Outrunners (Truth Magnum and Turbo Floyd) and Zyon (with Austin Idol) by pinfallSix-man tag team match6:56
3PSamantha Starr defeated Missa Kate, Chelsea, and Tiffany Nieves by pinfallFour-way match to determine #1 contender to the NWA World Women's Championship[18]3:34
4PThe Immortals (Odinson and JR Kratos) defeated Daisy Kill and Talos (c) by pinfallTag team match for the NWA United States Tag Team Championship[21]8:56
5Magic Inc. (Cody James and "Magic" Jake Dumas), Alex Misery, Judais, and Max the Impaler (with CJ and Father James Mitchell) defeated Gaagz the Gymp, Sal the Pal, Koa Laxamana, and Magnum Muscle (Dak Draper and Mims) (with Kallies Malia) by pinfallDevil's Last Dance Ultimate Hardcore War[23]
Since Sal and Gaagz's team lost, Sal and Gaagz will be forever indentured to Mitchell.		14:14
6Rush Freeman defeated Brady Pierce by pinfallLoser Leaves NWA match[18]
Rolando Freeman was the special guest referee.		5:59
7Colby Corino (c) defeated Joe Alonzo by pinfall"Pillar to Post" match for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship[20]9:31
8The Southern 6 (Kerry Morton and Alex Taylor) (with Ricky Morton) defeated The Headbangers (Mosh and Thrasher) by pinfall"Rock 'n' Roll" tag team match[23]
If your partner kicks out, you take a shot.		7:49
9Jax Dane defeated Blake "Bulletproof" Troop (with Chris Silvio, Esq.) by submissionSubmission match[16]7:03
10Pretty Empowered (Ella Envy and Kylie Paige) (c) defeated Taylor Rising and Natalia Markova by pinfallTag team match for the NWA World Women's Tag Team Championship[10]7:57
11"Thrillbilly" Silas Mason (c) (with Ricky Morton) defeated Chris Adonis by pinfallBurning Lake Brawl for the NWA National Heavyweight Championship[23]6:57
12The Brothers of Funstruction (Yabo and Ruffo) and Violent J defeated Vampiro and La Rebelión (Bestia 666 and Mecha Wolf) (with Jerry Other) by pinfall"Riddle Box" six-man tag team match12:00
13Kenzie Paige (c) defeated Ruthie Jay by pinfallSingles match for the NWA World Women's Championship[9]7:27
14Blunt Force Trauma (Carnage and Damage) (c) defeated Knox and Murdoch"Knights of the Round Table" Tables match for the NWA World Tag Team Championship[13]
Aron Stevens was banned from ringside.		14:35
15EC3 (c) defeated Thom Latimer (with Kamille) by pinfallNo Limits match for the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship[6]15:16
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match
P – the match was broadcast on the pre-show

Devil's Last Dance Ultimate Hardcore Team War match

Eliminated Wrestler Eliminated by Method Team
1 Alex Misery Dak Draper Eliminated after being thrown over the top rope Team Judais, Max, Misery, and Magic Inc.
2 Dak Draper Cody James Pinned after being hit with a cane. Team Sal, Gaagz, Laxamana, and Magnum Muscle
3 Cody James Himself Eliminated after performing a suicide dive over the top rope on Laxamana. Team Judais, Max, Misery, and Magic Inc.
4 Koa Laxamana "Magic" Jake Dumas Pinned after a DDT Team Sal, Gaagz, Laxamana, and Magnum Muscle
5 "Magic" Jake Dumas Mims Pinned after the Big Strong Slam Team Judais, Max, Misery, and Magic Inc.
6 Judais Mims Pinned with a roll-up Team Judais, Max, Misery, and Magic Inc.
7 Mims Max the Impaler Eliminated after being thrown over the top rope Team Sal, Gaagz, Laxamana, and Magnum Muscle
8 Gaagz the Gymp Max the Impaler Pinned after a clothesline. Team Sal, Gaagz, Laxamana, and Magnum Muscle
9 Sal the Pal Max the Impaler Pinned after Welcome to The Wasteland Team Sal, Gaagz, Laxamana, and Magnum Muscle
Winner Max the Impaler N/A Team Judais, Max, Misery, and Magic Inc.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ /sɑːwɪn/ SAH-win, /ˈsaʊɪn/ SOW-in

References

  1. ^ Defelice, Robert (September 5, 2023). "NWA Samhain To Emanate From Cleveland, Ohio On 10/28/23". Fightful. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  2. ^ Tessier, Colin (September 5, 2023). "NWA SAMHAIN PPV Announced For 10/28". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  3. ^ Grabianowski, Ed (January 13, 2006). "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks, Inc. Discovery Communications. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Martinez, Tommy "Milagro" (September 6, 2023). "It's a New Era of NWA Powerrr". Slam Wrestling. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  5. ^ Carey, Ian (September 13, 2023). "World title match set for NWA Samhain". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  6. ^ a b DeFeclice, Robert (September 12, 2023). "EC3 To Defend NWA World's Heavyweight Title Against Thom Latimer At NWA Samhain". Fightful. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  7. ^ "NWA Powerrr Ep 128 Keep Your Enemies Close". YouTube. October 3, 2023. Event occurs at 29:33. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  8. ^ Manalo Has Pizzazz (August 28, 2022). "NWA 74 Night 2 live results: Seven title fights". Cageside Seats. Archived from the original on September 4, 2022. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  9. ^ a b DeFeclice, Robert (September 19, 2023). "Ruthie Jay To Challenge Kenzie Paige For NWA Women's World Title At NWA Samhain". Fightful. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  10. ^ a b DeFeclice, Robert (October 3, 2023). "Natalia Markova And Taylor Rising To Face Pretty Empowered For NWA Women's Tag Titles At NWA Samhain". Fightful. Archived from the original on October 5, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  11. ^ a b c d e Tessier, Colin (August 27, 2023). "NWA 75 Night Two Results (8/27): Tyrus vs. EC3, More". WrestleZone. Archived from the original on September 9, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  12. ^ a b Martinez, Tommy "Milagro" (September 27, 2023). "NWA POWERRR: Knox and Murdoch want the NWA Tag Titles from Blunt Force Trauma". Slam Wrestling. Archived from the original on October 5, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  13. ^ a b DeFeclice, Robert (October 3, 2023). "NWA Tag Team Titles To Be On The Line In 'Knights Of The Round Table' Tables Match At NWA Samhain". Fightful. Archived from the original on October 5, 2023. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  14. ^ a b Tessier, Colin (August 26, 2023). "NWA 75 Night One Results (8/26): Kamille vs. Natalia Markova, Matt Cardona, More". WrestleZone. Archived from the original on September 9, 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  15. ^ Martinez, Tommy "Milagro" (October 4, 2023). "NWA POWERRR: Dak Draper finds himself on a mile high Thrillride". Slam Wrestling. Archived from the original on October 18, 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  16. ^ a b Lambert, Jeremy (October 12, 2023). "Jax Dane vs. Blake Troop Submission Match Added To NWA Samhain". Fightful. Archived from the original on October 18, 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  17. ^ a b Martinez, Tommy "Milagro" (October 11, 2023). "NWA POWERRR: Television Dreams and US Tag Title schemes". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  18. ^ a b c Lambert, Jeremy (October 15, 2023). "Loser Leaves NWA Match, Women's Four-Way Bout Added To NWA Samhain". Fightful. Archived from the original on October 21, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  19. ^ Martinez, Tommy "Milagro" (September 12, 2023). "NWA POWERRR: EC3 and Kenzie Paige are a cut above the rest". Slam Wrestling. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  20. ^ a b Lambert, Jeremy (September 20, 2023). "Colby Corino To Defend NWA Junior Heavyweight Title Against Joe Alonzo At NWA Samhain". Fightful. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  21. ^ a b Lambert, Jeremy (October 17, 2023). "NWA United States Tag Team Title Bout Added To NWA Samhain". Fightful. Archived from the original on October 22, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  22. ^ Martinez, Tommy "Milagro" (October 18, 2023). "NWA POWERRR: Chris Adonis wants to put a Masterlock on the NWA National title contendership". Slam Wrestling. Archived from the original on October 22, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  23. ^ a b c d e DeFelice, Robert (October 18, 2023). "NWA National Heavyweight Title Bout, Hardcore Tag Team War, More Set For NWA Samhain". Fightful. Archived from the original on October 22, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  24. ^ "Billy Corgan & The NWA Sign Two TV Deals With The CW – Exclusive". Haus of Wrestling. October 18, 2023. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  25. ^ "Cocaine Spot At NWA PPV Could Negatively Impact The CW Deal – Exclusive". Haus of Wrestling. November 4, 2023. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  26. ^ Carey, Ian (November 8, 2023). "Report: NWA talent growing frustrated with Billy Corgan". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  27. ^ Porter, Rick (November 7, 2023). "'WWE NXT' Moving to The CW From USA in 2024". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 7, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  28. ^ "Billy Corgan: The CW Did Not Have A Problem With Cocaine Spot At NWA Samhain". WrestleZone. May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  29. ^ Rueter, Sean (November 22, 2023). "The NWA does have some kind of deal with The CW after all". Cageside Seats. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  30. ^ https://www.wrestlecrap.com/inductions/and-the-winner-of-the-2023-gooker-award-is/
  31. ^ Martinez, Tommy "Milagro" (October 29, 2023). "NWA Samhain PPV full of tricks and treats". Slam Wrestling. Archived from the original on October 29, 2023. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
  32. ^ "NWA Samhain Pre-Show". Cagematch. October 28, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  33. ^ "NWA Samhain". Cagematch. October 28, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
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