NWA 73 results: Trevor Murdoch wins NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship

NWA 73 delivered quality action with a handful of surprises. Deonna Purrazzo sneak attacked Mickie James, Father James Mitchell led his latest monster to earning a title shot, and Konnan helped Mecha Wolf & Bestia 666 become new NWA tag champs. The most surprising occurrence at NWA 73 was Trevor Murdoch ending the 1,044 day reign of Nick Aldis carrying the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship.

The Ten Pounds of Gold wasn’t the only thing on the line for the main event. Murdoch also added the stipulation of career versus title. This was his third crack at Aldis and the belt. Murdoch felt that if he couldn’t get the job done, then it was time to retire.

This feud has featured bad blood and shenanigans aplenty throughout. The beginning of this match was no different. Aldis attacked from behind as Murdoch was handing his jacket to his family in the front row. The two men battled back and forth all around the ring area and into the crowd. The fisticuffs led way to the stage, where Aldis connected on a spinebuster. Billy Corgan came out yelling at Aldis. The champ added a body slam to Murdoch on stage for good measure.

Officials finally corralled the wrestlers into the ring for the opening bell. The dinging sound gave Murdoch strength to fire punches. Aldis came back with an Olympic slam. Murdoch kicked out on the early pinfall. Murdoch gained momentum for a flying bulldog, however, Aldis caught it for a figure-four. Before Aldis could lock in the submission, Murdoch reversed for his own figure-four. Aldis reached the ropes to break.

In a callback to previous encounters, the referee took a bump in this contest. Aldis had been using the ropes for leverage on an abdominal stretch. The ref caught Aldis and kicked his hand away. As Aldis shoved the ref, Murdoch came charging in. He accidentally collided with the official when Aldis sidestepped.

Murdoch hit a spinebuster to Aldis then tried to revive the referee. Aldis took advantage of the situation for a low blow and a flying elbow drop through a table down to the floor.

The backup referee slid in to count 1, 2, kick out by Murdoch. The match erupted with big moves and close pins. Code Red by Murdoch. Piledriver and flying elbow drop by Aldis. Superplex by Murdoch. The challenger missed a flying bulldog only for Aldis to cinch in the Cloverleaf submission. Murdoch was able to reach the ropes for the break.

Both men were at the point of exhaustion, but they still found the will to throw punches at each other from their knees. Murdoch and Aldis rose to their feet doing a reversal dance. Murdoch struck with a piledriver. He climbed the turnbuckles to connect on a flying bulldog. 1, 2, 3. Murdoch did it! He is the new NWA worlds champ.

Ric Flair came into the ring to put over Murdoch. The new champion thanked the fans for believing in him and spoke about making Harley Race proud.

That title change was certainly a shocker. Aldis exudes characteristics of a champion. Murdoch is more of the blue-collar hero. Murdoch might seem like an odd choice to carry the company as champ, but he is definitely popular with the NWA fan base. The match exceeded expectations on entertainment. They built the drama well toward the finish.

Let’s jam through the rest of the NWA 73 results.

Allysin Kay, Marti Belle, & Lady Frost defeated Taryn Terrell, Paola Blaze, & Jennacide. On the pre-show, Kay and Belle hit their teamwork finisher to Blaze. Frost tagged herself in to take the pinning glory off a moonsault.

PJ Hawx defeated Colby Corino. Also on the pre-show, Corino hit some cool moves, but Hawx hooked a single-leg crab and sat deep for the submission win.

Brawl in the Lou: Tim Storm defeated Thom Latimer and Crimson in a three-way. Hot opener. Jax Dane attacked Crimson to hit a DVD onto a ladder during the entrances.

Crimson was escorted the back. Weapons used included chairs, trashcans, ladders, and belts. The high spot was Latimer flying for a cannonball senton off the ladder onto Storm on top of the guardrail.

Crimson returned to action. He had Latimer down from a DVD onto chairs, but Storm pulled the referee out on the count. Crimson got the better of Storm and lifted him for a DVD. The previous damage took its toll, and Crimson collapsed under the weight. Storm capitalized with a swinging slam for victory.

Mickie James defeated Kylie Rae. Nifty mat work on display. James dodged a corner attack then struck for a DDT to win. Afterward a masked assailant attacked James. It was revealed to be Deonna Purrazzo. She put James down on a Gotch piledriver. This should lead to a Knockouts Championship match in Impact.

Tyrus, Masked Man, & Jordan Clearwater defeated Pope, Parrow, & Odinson. BLK Jeez interfered setting up Tyrus for the heart punch to Odinson. Masked Man tagged himself in to take the easy pin. Implications were that the Masked Man will be gunning for Tyrus’ NWA World Television Championship. Tyrus also taunted Tim Storm at commentary. Challengers are lining up for the Funkasaurus, including the beef still remaining with Pope.

NWA National Championship: Chris Adonis retained against James Storm. The challenger had momentum on a super hurricanrana, spinning crucifix slam, and Codebreaker. Storm aimed for a superkick, but Adonis caught him for a spinebuster. The Master Lock was cinched in until Storm made it to the ropes. Adonis continued with a full nelson slam. He was diddling around with a beer bottle, which allowed Storm recovery time to hit a superkick. Adonis barely got his foot on the rope during the three count. Storm lost focus to bicker with the referee. Adonis suckered Storm into a roll-up with his feet on the ropes to win.

Ric Flair! The Nature Boy was handed a mic in the center of the ring for his return to the NWA and given freedom to speak. Flair teared up at the support. The NWA will never be gone because of the fans. Flair told stories thanking his wife, HHH, Shawn Michaels, Undertaker, Steve Austin, and Vince McMahon. He teased having a drink with Tony Khan and sitting front row to watch Chris Jericho at All Out. The overall segment was Flair celebrating the NWA and working the crowd as only he can.

Judais won the 13-man battle royal. The prize was #1 contender for the NWA National Championship. El Rudo (Sam Adonis), Jamie Stanley, Marshe Rockett, Slice Boogie, Jeremiah Plunkett, Luke Hawx, JTG, Captain Yuma, Rush Freeman, Jaden, Mims, and Sal Rinauro were in the ring. A surprise 13th participant received a special entrance. Father James Mitchell brought in Judais.

JTG, Mims, Hawx, and Judais were the final four. Judais booted Mims out of the ring. JTG and Hawx teamed up to battle the big man. A flying clothesline from Judais sent Hawx packing. JTG dodged a big boot to get Juadis hung up on the ropes. Two running shoulder tackles couldn’t knock the big man down to the floor. Judais chokeslammed JTG then freed himself from danger. After much drama with JTG on the apron, Judais used a flying forearm smash to eject JTG and win.

NWA World Women’s Championship: Kamille retained against Chelsea Green. The Hot Mess earned her title shot by winning the Invitational Cup at NWA Empowerrr. Kamille worked the injured wrist throughout. Green dodged a spear and exploded for a German suplex. She was too slow to follow up, so Kamille crushed her with a spear. Green barely placed her foot on the ropes in time to beat the three count. Green rallied a little to set up the Unprettier. Kamille escaped with power strikes then locked in an armbar. The pain from Green’s wrist was too much, so the challenger tapped out.

NWA World Tag Team Championship: Mecha Wolf & Bestia 666 defeated Aron Stevens & Kratos to become new champs. Konnan entered as a surprise manager for La Rebelion. The match built toward a hot tag to powerhouse Kratos to clean house. Konnan caused a referee distraction for a low blow to Stevens. La Rebelion took out Kratos with knee strikes and a springboard moonsault to the floor. They finished Stevens on a flying backstabber powerbomb combo for Mecha Wolf to earn the pin. Afterward, Konnan put over how great it is to be a wrestling fan today. Interpromotional matches, a Mexican and a Puerto Rican as tag champs, and the women killing it at Empowerrr show professional wrestling is growing with inclusivity.