Tossing Salt Presents:
NWA 73 Pay-Per-View
Thoughts & Predictions
August 29, 2021
DougMaynard.com

Tonight, live from St. Louis, MO, is the National Wrestling Alliance celebrating its 73rd year of existence with a packed event of what should be some excellent wrestling action. It’s Live from the Chase, NWA 73. Last night, the ladies of the NWA had their show, NWA EmPowerr and they didn’t disappoint in the slightest with a top-notch event from start to finish. Well, I was a bit let down that we didn’t see Missy Hyatt or Baby Doll show up, but we did get Madusa, Gail King, and the retirement of Awesome Kong, as well as some damn good matches so I can’t complain too much. The men tonight are going to have their work cut out for them to compete against what the ladies did last night. Let’s see if they’re up to the task. The card is stacked from top to bottom. Let’s make a few predictions.

Ric Flair to appear: This just feels right having the former multiple-time champion and two-time Hall of Famer appearing at this event. Ric, despite his flaws, is still arguably the greatest professional wrestler of the past forty years and when you think National Wrestling Alliance, he will always be one of the first names that come to mind, having been the man for so long. I hope that he doesn’t try to get physical or do any in-ring stuff tonight because that isn’t needed. Just let Flair be Flair and cut a promo or two and that’s all we need. Diamonds are forever and so is Ric Flair. Maybe an appearance by Arn, Tully, JJ Dillon, and Baby Doll to round things out, that would be excellent, but not actually needed. It’s good to see Ric back with the NWA. Flair has truly come home.

NWA Champion Nick Aldis vs. Trevor Murdoch.

We have arguably the greatest NWA Champion of the past twenty-five years, a definite old-school style to guy, taking on the prize pupil of former 8-time NWA Champion Harley Race, the man named Trevor Murdoch. This will be damn good. If you only remember Murdoch from his time in WWE as a tag team wrestler, you’re in for a big surprise. He is so much better and well-rounded than he was in the WWE and has truly grown into a damn good performer. Harley would be so proud. And Aldis? He’s the Champion and has earned every single moment of that honor by being that damn good. It won’t be a clinic on moves and holds, but this will be an epic match for the ages that will make every old-school fan proud. It may even cause Ole Anderson to smile. I truly expect a match worthy of the NWA World Championship. What I don’t expect is a title change. Murdoch will come so very close, but in the end, the champ will stay the same.

Winner and STILL NWA World Champion: Nick Aldis

NWA Women’s Champion Kamille vs. Chelsea Green

Last night, Kamille fought off a hard-fought challenge from Leyla Hirsch to retain her title while Chelsea battled ten other women in the Women’s Invitational Cup Challenge, starting at #1 and fighting her way to earn this match and opportunity. So neither lady will be 100%, but both women are going to go out there to try and steal the show. WWE really dropped the ball when they released Chelsea Green and this is her chance at redemption. I think she’s going to make the most of it. Kamille & Green are both so good and this is going to be one for the ages. And unlike in the men’s match, this time that belt is changing hands.

Winner and NEW NWA Women’s Champion: Chelsea Green

NWA National Champion Chris Adonis vs. James Storm.

You’re probably much more familiar with Adonis as “Chris Masters” from his days in the WWE. And we all know who the Cowboy, James Storm is from TNA and the team of Beer Money. Both of these men have come so far and should be headlining a card for AEW or the WWE. A battle between Adonis and his “Masterlock” versus Bobby Lashley and his “Hurt Lock” is just money waiting on the table and would be epic. Maybe one day, WWE will wise up and bring that man back. But for now, these two gentlemen are battling over the NWA National Championship. And to be honest, no matter who wins, I won’t be disappointed. I like both of these guys and am just excited to see this match happening. So who will be the winner? Let’s go for a title switch here. Chris Adonis, sorry about your damn luck. The Cowboy walks out as the new champion.

Winner and NEW NWA National Champion: James Storm

NWA Tag Team Champions Aron Stevens & Kratos vs. Mecha World & Bestia 666.

Aron Stevens, you may remember as Damien Sandow from his days in the WWE. Yet another talent that Vince and company dropped the ball with. Mecha World and Bestia 666 are stalwarts of the world of Lucha from Mexico and two damn good entertainers. Kratos, I’m not familiar with, but if he’s in this match, I’m sure that he can definitely hold his own. Wouldn’t it be cool to have maybe a Rick Steamboat show up and present the titles to the winners, given Steamboat’s history as a former 5-time (with Jay Youngblood) NWA Tag Team Champion? Maybe they’ll surprise us with Steamer or another legend of equal status. I don’t feel a title change here. Stevens & Kratos have been champs for a while, but I think they still have plenty of mileage to go.

Winners and STILL NWA World Tag Team Champions: Aron Stevens & Kratos

Mickie James vs. Kylie Rae.

Mickie was the woman in charge last night at NWA EmPowerr and did a great job putting the show together and being an executive. And now, she gets to dance the dance that brought her to that position as one of the top women of the past fifteen years against an opponent chosen by NWA Owner Billy Corgan and that’s Kylie Rae. Nothing against Kylie because she’s a talented lady and can go in that ring, but this is Mickie’s night and moment as well it should be.

Winner: Mickie James

Thom Latimer vs. Crimson vs. Tim Storm in “Brawl in the Lou.”

Crimson, I’ve been a fan of since his early days with TNA. Latimer, I’m not very familiar with him, but I’ve heard the name many times and it’s been nothing but good. And Storm is the name, right after Nick Aldis, most associated with the NWA for the past couple of years. He’s older but damn good. I’ll just go with the gut here. I think Crimson will be the next breakout star for the NWA and this will be his place to make the necessary impact.

Winner: Crimson

NWA TV Champion Tyrus & The Masked Man & Jordan Clearwater with Austin Idol vs. The End & The Pope, Elijah Burke.

Why isn’t Tyrus working a singles match to defend his NWA Television Championship? Instead, we’re getting a six-man tag with the bonus of “The Universal Hearthrob” Austin Idol at ringside. More bang for the buck, I suppose. Tyrus is one of my favorite entertainers and I love seeing him on FOX News on the Gutfield Show. He’s about the only reason I even watch TV news anymore. And Elijah Burke is damn good. The rest of the teams, I don’t know enough about, but with Tyrus and Burke in there, I know this match will deliver. Look for Idol to get involved and Team TV Champion to get the win. So I have predicted, so it shall be.

Winners: Tyrus, The Masked Man, Jordan Clearwater w/ Austin Idol

12 Man Battle Royal to determine top contender for the NWA National Championship.

As of my writing this, at 9:10 in the morning, I can’t find any announcement as to who will be participating in this 12-man event so I guess the NWA will be pulling out big names and lots of surprises and this will be our “Holy Shit!” event of the night. Big names who are either free agents or work for AEW or Impact Wrestling and are free for the evening. With all of the recent releases from WWE and NXT over the past six months, we could see anyone and I can feel the anticipation in the air. So I can’t predict a winner since I don’t know who all will be there, but I don’t think we’ll be disappointed. Let’s just watch and see what happens.

Winner: No Guess Because I Just Don’t Know Who To Pick From

And there you go. Tonight, the NWA returns to the spotlight and all I can say is that this is a great time to be a wrestling fan. I’m happy for them and excited and looking forward to seeing what goes down tonight, Live at the Chase.

And with that, I’m out of here. My thanks for reading. Any comments, thoughts, or questions to ask, feel free and drop me a line. Until the next time, take care of yourself and stay safe. Tonight is all about the NWA and I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!