NWA is going hard this weekend with two PPV events from St. Louis, MO. First up is the all-women Empowerrr show on Saturday night (Aug. 28) with two title fights, an invitational cup, and a championship tag tournament. Sunday night (Aug. 29) will have NWA 73 with Nick Aldis headlining in title versus career against Trevor Murdoch, three more championship contests, and the return of Ric Flair.
Mickie James is getting her shot to prove women’s wrestling can draw. James was brought in to co-promote an all-women’s PPV. The Empowerrr card includes:
- NWA World Women’s Championship: Kamille (c) vs. Leyla Hirsch
- Impact Knockouts Championship: Deonna Purrazzo (c) vs. Melina
- NWA Women’s Invitational Cup: Chelsea Green, Tootie Lynn, Jamie Senegal, Lady Frost, Debbie Malenko, Bianca Carelli, Jennacide, Masha Slamovich, Thunder Kitty, Kiera Hogan
- NWA Women’s Tag Team Championship tournament: Allysin Kay & Marti Belle, Sahara 7 & Renee Michelle, Red Velvet & KiLynn King, The Freebabes (Jazzy Yang, Hollyhood Haley J, & Miranda Gordy)
- Battle of the Brands: Diamante (AEW) vs. Kylie Rae (NWA) vs. Chik Tormenta (AAA)
- Kenzie Paige vs. Paola Mayfield
- Skye Blue vs. Christi Jaynes
- Referees: Beckie Phillips, Yali Sapphire, and Claudia Reiff
The NWA champion and the Knockouts champion are strong favorites in their respective matches, but that hasn’t dampened the confidence of Leyla Hirsch and Melina. Melina had the benefit to build a little momentum by sending a physical message to Deonna Purrazzo on Impact Wrestling.
.@DeonnaPurrazzo tried to jump @MickieJames but @RealMelina stood tall ahead of @nwa #EMPOWERRR THIS SATURDAY! #IMPACTonAXSTV @DramaKingMatt @TheTreyMiguel pic.twitter.com/oyjEg8ewD1
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) August 27, 2021
Without a televised platform for Hirsch, she took the social media route to sell the fight with an excellent promo. Hirsch will rely on her wrestling game to shoot for a takedown and sweep Kamille down to the mat.
They only wanna promote Camille?
— Legit Leyla Hirsch (@LegitLeyla) August 26, 2021
That’s ok, like everything else, I’ll do it myself… pic.twitter.com/E1rFxgAFT2
Chelsea Green is the favorite to win the NWA Women’s Invitational Cup. Doing so will earn her a title shot at NWA 73. Kiera Hogan has the name value as an underdog. Lady Frost and Jennacide have put in time on NWA programming to be considered for a chance at victory.
The opening round matchups in the tag tournament are Allysin Kay & Marti Belle versus Sahara 7 & Renee Michelle and Red Velvet & KiLynn King versus the Freebabes. I’d put money on Kay and Belle to leave as champs, but the Freebabes might be the most newsworthy team to garner interest with the daughter of Terry Gordy.
The Battle of the Brands match is a good pick to steal the show. Diamante, Kylie Rae, and Chik Tormenta can all rock the ring.
The NWA 73 card includes:
- NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship: Nick Aldis (c) vs. Trevor Murdoch
- NWA National Championship: Chris Adonis (c) vs. James Storm
- NWA World Tag Team Championship: Aron Stevens & Kratos (c) vs. Mecha Wolf & Bestia 666
- Mickie James vs. Kyle Rae
- NWA World Women’s Championship: Kamille (c) or Leyla Hirsch vs. NWA Women’s Invitational Cup winner
- Brawl in the Lou: Thom Latimer vs. Crimson vs. Tim Storm
- Tyrus, Masked Man, & Jordan Clearwater vs. Pope, Parrow, & Odinson
- NWA National Championship #1 Contender Battle Royal: 12 participants
The headliner between Nick Aldis and Trevor Murdoch received an extra stipulation in title versus career. This bout will be Murdoch’s third chance at taking the Ten Pounds of Gold from Aldis. If Murdoch can’t rise to the top, then he will retire from the ring.
Aug. 29th at #NWA73
— NWA (@nwa) August 27, 2021
It's always been History, Legacy and Traditon when @RealNickAldis & @TheRealTMurdoch are in the ring.
This time, it's the difference between immortality and oblivion.
History happens here. Right where it all began.
Don't miss it.
➡️https://t.co/8yMwjeKZIZ pic.twitter.com/MYk3uGljNV
The NWA 73 card as a whole has more room for unpredictability and title changes than Empowerrr. I would not be surprised if James Storm and Mecha Wolf & Bestia 666 exit as champions. Depending on the results from Empowerrr, a new women’s champion might also be in order.
In an effort to add sizzle to the steak, Ric Flair is returning to the NWA.
It was always historic. But now #NWA73 at The Chase will be LEGENDARY.
— NWA (@nwa) August 19, 2021
The rumors are true. He's finally HOME. ⚡️@RicFlairNatrBoy is coming back to the NWA & Wrestling At The Chase‼️ pic.twitter.com/SvaZi68ab6
Flair will no doubt deliver a passionate promo as only the Nature Boy can, woo! His role on the show has not been clarified, so there’s no telling what’s in store.
Empowerrr (here) airs Saturday night at 8 pm ET, and NWA 73 (here) airs Sunday night at 8 pm ET. Both shows are available for viewing through Fite TV as separate shows or as a bundled package deal (here).
Share you predictions for Empowerrr and NWA 73. Which matches are your picks to steal the show?