NWA Powerrr

NWA Powerrr
The NWA Powerrr logo
GenreProfessional wrestling
Created byBilly Corgan
David Lagana
Presented byJoe Galli (play-by-play commentator)
Danny Dealz (color commentator)
Opening themeSeasons 1, 2, 4, & 5:
"Into the Fire" by Dokken
Season 3:
"I'm Broken" by Pantera[1]
Seasons 6–15:
"When Our Shadows Fall" by Jeff Schroeder (feat. Michael Angelo Batio)[2][3]
Season 16–17:
"Wyttch" by The Smashing Pumpkins
Season 18:
"In Lieu of Failure" by The Smashing Pumpkins
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons19
No. of episodes167 (list of episodes)
Production
ProducersBilly Corgan
(Owner/President)
Billy Trask
(Director of Television)
Camera setupMulticamera setup
Running time60 minutes
Production companiesLightning One, Inc.
Original release
NetworkYouTube (2019–2020;
2022–2023)

FITE TV (2021–2022)
The CW app (2024)
X (2024)
ReleaseOctober 8, 2019 (2019-10-08) –
present

NWA Powerrr is a professional wrestling streaming television program produced by the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) that premiered on October 8, 2019.[4] As of October 1, 2024, the series streams on X.

Powerrr features wrestlers performing in matches and getting interviewed. These elements together create and further the storylines of the NWA while building towards the promotion's events.[5]

History

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On May 1, 2017, Billy Corgan bought the National Wrestling Alliance, including its name, rights, trademarks and championship belts. Full ownership took effect on October 1, 2017.[6] Corgan, Vice President Dave Lagana, and their production team would rebuild the NWA brand, acknowledging its history from its original inception in 1948, while gradually transitioning into a singular entity.[7]

In September 2019, NWA announced tapings for a weekly television show, later revealed to be titled NWA Powerrr.[8] The first tapings were held on September 30 and October 1 at the GPB Studios in Atlanta, Georgia,[9][10][11] which has since been dubbed the "NWA Arena." The series would debut on October 8, 2019 on the NWA's YouTube channel.[8] The program's air time, 6:05 PM, is a call back to the classic World Championship Wrestling show by former NWA member Jim Crockett Promotions that would air at 6:05 PM on Saturdays from the early 1970s until 1992.[12][13] WOAI-TV San Antonio news reporter Joe Galli and longtime pro-wrestling manager/executive Jim Cornette were the initial commentators. Championship Wrestling from Hollywood owner David Marquez serves as an interviewer and ring announcer. Kyle Durden serves as backstage interviewer.

Following the November 19 episode of NWA Powerrr being listed, it was quickly taken down due to remarks by Cornette which some deemed racist.[14][15][16] NWA released a statement the next day stating that Cornette resigned.[17][18] He was subsequently replaced by Stu Bennett who joined Galli on commentary beginning with NWA's December 14 pay-per-view, Into the Fire.

2021–present

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After the NWA went on a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, television tapings for Powerrr would resume in March 2021 as part of a new distribution agreement with FITE TV.[19][20] On Tuesday, April 13, the NWA debuted a companion series titled Powerrr Surge, which features additional wrestler interviews, unseen matches, and recaps from the previous Powerrr episodes.[21]

On January 5, 2022, the NWA announced that Power would return to YouTube, airing on Fridays after the Tuesday premiere on FITE.[22] In January 2023, Power returned to Tuesday nights on YouTube.[23]

On October 23, it was reported that NWA signed a deal with The CW to air Powerrr on the CW app. Powerrr debuted on the CW app on February 6, 2024.[24]

In February 2024, Powerrr was given the 2023 "Worst Television Show" award by Wrestling Observer Newsletter.[25]

Episodes of Powerrr expired on the CW app September 30, 2024. The program began what was reported as a five-week run on X with the episode that aired October 1, 2024.[26]

Episodes

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For its first fifteen seasons, Powerrr focused on storylines leading into then-upcoming pay-per-view events. With the discontinuation of live broadcasts following the show's move to The CW app, the sixteenth season onward would be taped during the NWA's Signature Live Events.

The third season was to culminate with the Crockett Cup, but the event was cancelled due to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.[27]

On-air personalities

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In addition to the wrestlers (male and female), managers/valets, and referees, the show features various on-air personalities including authority figures, commentators, ring announcers, and backstage interviewers.

Authority figures

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Authority figures Position Dates Notes
William Patrick Corgan Owner/President October 8, 2019 (2019-10-08) - present NWA's owner and president.

Commentators

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Commentators Dates Notes
Joe Galli and Jim Cornette October 8, 2019 (2019-10-08) – December 3, 2019 (2019-12-03) Both were interviewers as well. Cornette resigned by the end of the first season.
Joe Galli and Stu Bennett December 15, 2019 (2019-12-15) – August 26, 2020 (2020-08-26) Both are interviewers as well. Barrett signed back with WWE in August thus leaving NWA.
Kyle Davis and Stu Bennett January 21, 2020 (2020-01-21) Davis briefly filled in for Joe Galli.
Joe Galli, Tim Storm, and Velvet Sky March 24, 2021 (2021-03-24) – June 13, 2023 (2023-06-13)
Joe Galli, Madusa, and Velvet Sky February 15, 2022 (2022-02-15) - February 22, 2022 (2022-02-22) Madusa briefly filled in for Storm.
Joe Galli, Austin Idol, and Velvet Sky April 5, 2022 (2022-04-05); July 12, 2022 (2022-07-12) Idol briefly filled in for Storm, who was competing that night.
Joe Galli, William Patrick Corgan, and Velvet Sky May 3, 2022 (2022-05-03) Corgan briefly filled in for Storm.
Joe Galli, Austin Idol, and Tyrus May 17, 2022 (2022-05-17)
Joe Galli, Tim Storm, and Tyrus May 24, 2022 (2022-05-24)
Joe Galli, Tim Storm, and Madusa May 31, 2022 (2022-05-31)
Joe Galli, Tim Storm, and Austin Idol June 7, 2022 (2022-06-07)
Joe Galli, Pat Kenney, and William Patrick Corgan April 11, 2023 (2023-04-11) Special recap show for NWA 312
Joe Galli, Tim Storm, and Danny Dealz April 18, 2023 (2023-04-18) – May 30, 2023 (2023-05-30)
Joe Galli and Tim Storm July 11, 2023 (2023-07-11) – August 22, 2023 (2023-08-22)
Joe Galli and Danny Dealz September 5, 2023 (2023-09-05) present

Ring announcers

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Ring announcers Dates Notes
David Marquez October 8, 2019 (2019-10-08) – May 12, 2020 (2020-05-12) Also an interviewer.
Kyle Davis March 24, 2021 (2021-03-24) present Also an interviewer.

Backstage interviewers

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Backstage interviewers Dates Notes
Kyle Davis October 8, 2019 (2019-10-08) – present Fills in on commentary when needed.
May Valentine March 24, 2021 (2021-03-24) – present

See also

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References

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  1. ^ LISTEN: Pantera Provides Music For New Official Theme Song For NWA POWERRR (Audio) | EWrestling
  2. ^ Excerpt of “When Our Shadows Fall”... - Michael Angelo Batio - Facebook
  3. ^ "Interview with NWA champ and WWE alum Serena Deeb of AEW". The Miami Herald.
  4. ^ "Spoilers - NWA Power Television Tapings From Atlanta (10/1): Multiple Title Matches | Fightful Wrestling". www.fightful.com. Retrieved 2019-10-02.
  5. ^ Rueter, Sean (September 30, 2019). "NWA's weekly studio show gets a name, distribution". Cageside Seats.
  6. ^ Johnson, Mike (May 1, 2017). "Exclusive: Billy Corgan finalizes deal to purchase..." Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  7. ^ Shaun Assael. Sex, Lies, & Headlocks (p.8)
  8. ^ a b Greer, Jamie (September 30, 2019). "BREAKING: NWA Power to Air on YouTube Tuesdays at 6:05pm". Last Word on pro wrestling. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  9. ^ "NWA Announces New Weekly TV Show Starting 10/8". Wrestling Inc. 2019-09-30. Retrieved 2019-10-02.
  10. ^ "411MANIA". Spoilers From First NWA Power Taping.
  11. ^ "NWA Power TV taping spoilers: Studio wrestling returns". WON/F4W - WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, UFC News, UFC results. 2019-10-01. Retrieved 2019-10-02.
  12. ^ Foley, Mick. Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks (p.226)
  13. ^ "WCW Saturday Night 1992". The History of WWE. Retrieved November 5, 2019. 4/4/92 - the debut of the renamed Saturday Night show
  14. ^ "VIDEO: NWA power episode seven - 'The Phoenix Rises'". WON/F4W - WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, UFC News, UFC results. 2019-11-19. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
  15. ^ "Wrestling's Jim Cornette Makes Insanely Racist Comment During 'NWA' Broadcast". TMZ. 20 November 2019. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
  16. ^ "NWA Temporarily Takes Down Latest NWA Powerrr Episode Over Jim Cornette Remark". Wrestling Inc. 2019-11-19. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
  17. ^ "Jim Cornette resigns from the National Wrestling Alliance". NWA. 20 November 2019. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
  18. ^ "Jim Cornette Resigns From NWA Following Controversial Comments". Wrestling Inc. 2019-11-20. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
  19. ^ We're Back — NWA
  20. ^ NWA Powerrr Returning Soon, More On The NWA Relaunch On FITE
  21. ^ "NXT's Tuesday night debut, "Young Rock" on NBC, NWA Powerrr Surge, AEW Dark, Monty Brown, Antonino Rocca, Stan Stasiak". 13 April 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  22. ^ "Top Star Re-Signs With NWA, NWA Powerrr Returning To YouTube". January 5, 2022.
  23. ^ Wrestling Inc. Staff (January 3, 2023). "NWA Powerrr to air solely on YouTube, FITE will remain PPV provider". POST Wrestling. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  24. ^ Rueter, Sean (October 18, 2023). "The NWA has reportedly signed TV deals with The CW". Cageside Seats. Archived from the original on October 23, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  25. ^ Meltzer, Dave (2024-02-23). "February 26, 2024 Observer Newsletter: 2023 Observer Awards issue". WON/F4W - WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, AEW News, AEW results. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  26. ^ Tessier, Colin. "NWA Powerrr To Air On X For The Next Five Weeks". Wrestle Zone. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  27. ^ Johnson, Mike (May 12, 2020). "STREAM: NWA SUPER POWERRR". PWInsider. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
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