New American Wrestling

[jesseewiak]

prowrestling.net - February 12th, 2008
Announcement of new professional wrestling federation based on puroesu schedule.

Former TNA writing team member Jesse Ewiak and former MLW promoter Court Bauer announced today that they've gotten funding for a new professional wrestling company, which will be called New American Wrestling.

The federation, which will be based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, will not be based on the monthly PPV cycle of the WWE or the indy model. Instead, it will be based on the puroseu model of touring for several weeks, then resting for several weeks. Ewiak and Bauer believe this will allow less wear 'n' tear for workers and lead to a better style of wrestling.

The first show has yet to be announced....

F4WOnline.com - March 26th, 2008

Surprise Judgement in WWE Lawsuit - Several Stars Look to Be Headed Out

After a judgement against the WWE related to their contracts and independent contractor status, it is believed that several wrestlers will leave the company. While many of the wrestlers are low-level (Jesse of Jesse & Festus & Zach Ryder), it's largely believed that one of the 'incorrect' contracts were signed by Adam Copeland, who has been burnt out for nearly six months and will likely use this victory to leave the promotion after his main event match against The Undertaker at Wrestlemania XXIV.

Dave & I will be on later tonight to talk about the ramifications of this, including why most wrestlers won't be able to jump...

pwinsider.com - April 13th, 2008
NAW Announces TV Deal, First Shows

New American Wrestling held a press conference today at their offices in Pittsburgh where several announcements were made.

The most important of those was that the first show, titled 'First Shot', will be held on May 10th at Cobo Hall in Detroit, Michigan. A full lineup will be revealed later tonight, but Adam Copeland, Christian Cage, and Steve Corino all joined Bauer & Ewiak at the table.

In addition, it was also announced that the first tour would begin two weeks later on May 24th and travel through the Rust Belt area of the United States. Along with that, the announcement was made that 'New American Wrestling' would have a one-hour slot every Saturday night at 10 PM on the WGN cable channel.

The show, which will be modeled on professional wrestling shows in Japan that show highlights of matches around the tour while hyping up future shows, will be hosted by Kevin Kelly & Diamond Dallas Page. Bauer stressed that unlike Japanese wrestling tours, every show will be taped for possible inclusion on the weekly TV.

deathvalleydriver.com - Topic - 'NAW Releases First Lineup - TANAKA! SAT's! STEEN! GENERICO!

Cut 'n' pasted from the official website. They seem to be going whole hog on the Japanese thing. They even have wacky names for the matches.

'Opening Glory'
Cody Rhodes vs. El Generico vs. Ray Gordy vs. Zack Ryder

'Second Generation Blues'
The Colon's (Primo & Carlito) vs. The Hart Foundation 2.0 (Jack Evans & Teddy Hart)

'Mixed Blood, Old & New'
Sean Morely, Finlay, and Sheamus vs. Steve Corino, Jack Swagger, and Doug Williams

'Masato's Return'
Masato Tanaka vs. Paul Burchill

'Spectacular Indy Fight'
The Spanish Announce Team (Joel & Jose Maximo) vs. The Dark City Fight Club (Kory Chavis & Jon Davis)

'Hardcore Regicide'
Austin Aries & Kevin Steen vs. Tommy Dreamer & Luke Gallows

'Canada & Lynn'
'The Edge' Adam Copeland & Jerry Lynn vs. Christian Cage & Lance Storm

pwtorch.com - NAW website reveals stables and alignments of several wrestlers

The NAW website at NAWrestling.com recently went over a makeover, including a full reveal of the roster after being a splash page focusing on the first show and TV debut on WGN in May.

Included in the roster page is several hints at alignments, including a tag team page for Christian & Lance Storm, hinting they'll be a regular tag team. In addition, there was a group picture for Steve Corino, Jack Swagger, and Cody Rhodes under the name 'Trifecta.' The website promised more info, including interviews with many wrestlers over the next few weeks.

[cardsflyinhigh]

Sounds like a fun project. I like the mix on your roster. Can't wait to see what yo udo with it

[seanh529]

I'll definitely be reading. I've done the tour like schedule with USWA. It's a fun and different style to write with. I'm also originally from Cleveland, so I like the area you're running.

[jesseewiak]

New Age Wrestling – 'First Shot' – May 10th, 2008
Detroit, MI – Cobo Hall

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'Opening Glory'
Cody Rhodes vs. El Generico vs. Ray Gordy vs. Zack Ryder

All four competitors have varying levels of experience, but are all part of the future of professional wrestling, especially hre in New American Wrestling. Ray Gordy is the son of professional wrestling legend and was last seen wrestling as part of the Jesse & Festus tag team in the WWE. Zack Ryder was a former ally of Edge in WWE while Cody Rhodes was a young up 'n' comer before leaving for NAW. Finally, El Generico has been tearing up the indies all over America and Canada, including a huge feud with Kevin Steen who we'll see later tonight.

In the ring, it was your basic four corners match, all four men coming in and out of the match, teaming up against each other and eventually turning on one another early on.. Rhodes proved his heelish bonafides by drilling El Generico with a DDT on the concrete floor in the early portions of the match, before going in to help out Ray Gordy beat on Zach Ryder. However, Ryder fought back was had just hit the Rough Ryder on Cody Rhodes when Gordy came in and drilled him with a chair shot. As a result, Gordy was the first elimination.

After that elimination though, it looked like Ryder was doomed as the son of Dusty Rhodes absolutely laid into Ryder, before hitting the Cross Rhodes. But, at the last moment, El Generico reentered the match, hitting a picture-perfect springboard senton to break up the pinfall. As a result, Rhodes quickly fell victim to the Rough Ryder and was now out of the match. From there, it was a respectful hard-hitting match between two youngsters who have a bright future in this business. But, Ryder had taken a big beating for most of the match and as a result, Generico was able to his nasty Brainbustah, which is a Brainbuster into the top rope and gain the first victory in the history of New American Wrestling!

Four Corners Match:
El Generico defeated Cody Rhodes, Ray Gordy and Zack Ryder:
x Z. Ryder beat R. Gordy via disqualification in 0:10:49
x Z. Ryder beat C. Rhodes via the Rough Ryder in 0:13:33
x Generico beat Z. Ryder via the Brainbustah in 0:18:08
Rating: *** 3/4

'Second Generation Blues'
The Colon's (Primo & Carlito) vs. The Hart Foundation 2.0 (Jack Evans & Teddy Hart)

Both of these teams have long pedigrees in this business, whether through family or their training. But, it's no use to live on past glories and as a result, both teams knew that they'd have to make a good first impression to start off correctly here in New American Wrestling. From the start, the difference between the two teams was obvious as Evans & Hart used a variety of high-flying moves to take down both Primo and Carlito while the Colon's reverted back to their Puerto Rican roots and nailed both members of the Hart Foundation with a variety of strong slams and brawling maneuvers to strike back.

Late in the match, it looked liked the Colon's had the easy victory after Primo pushed Teddy Hart off the turnbuckle on to the mat, but he shockingly kicked out of the Backstabber. Upset, Carlito then tried to take out Hart with a piledriver, but the third generation Hart backdropped Carlito, then scrambled to tag in Jack Evans. Coming in the ring, Evans nailed Carlito with a tornado DDT, then went up top and hit a moonsault to pick up the victory!

The Hart Foundation 2.0 (Teddy Hart and Jack Evans) defeated
The Colon's (Primo and Carlito) when J. Evans pinned Carlito after a moonsault in 0:10:49.
Rating: *** 1/4

After the match, Carlito looked like he wanted to pick another fight with the two high-fliers after the bell, but the larger man of the team held the former WWE US Champ back as The Hart Foundation celebrated outside with the fans.

'Mixed Blood, Old & New'
Sean Morely, Finlay, and Sheamus vs. Steve Corino, Jack Swagger, and Doug Williams

Steve Corino is the leader of the Trifecta with Jack Swagger and Cody Rhodes, but with Rhodes put in the opening match, they had to look for a new partner and they found an effective one with long-time ROH wrestler and British stalwart Doug Willias. On the other team, veteran wrestler Sean Morely was teaming up with Finlay and his protege, Sheamus. The young Irish wrestler is tipped as a future World champion, but he has to first prove himself under the bright lights and a legend like Finlay was here to help him with that.

But, from the beginning, it was obvious that Corino and his partners weren't going to let off the young Irishmen off easy as they used quick tags and switches early to frustrated Sheamus and get several early pinfall attempts on him. But, Sheamus fought back and showed his power when he stood up from a Steve Corino camel clutch attempt and threw the former ECW champion to the concrete floor from the ring with a thud!

After several hot tag and comebacks, Doug Williams was in the ring with Sean Morely when the man formerly known as Val Venis went up top for his Big Splash. Williams got his knees up and then hit several massive suplexes, including a double gutwrench suplex into the corner with Jack Swagger. Sheamus attempted to run in to help his partner, but that only allowed all three members of the heel team to beat on Morely in their corner. After Sheamus went back to the ring apron while Finlay yelled at him, Morely was easy pickings for Williams to hit the Chaos Theory with and gain the win!

Steve Corino, Jack Swagger and Doug Williams defeated
Finlay, Sean Morley and Sheamus when D. Williams pinned S. Morley with the Chaos Theory in 0:17:06.
Rating: ** 1/2

After the match, it looked like Sheamus was apologizing to Morely as he reentered the same dimension as the rest of us, while Finlay stared at the heel team as they celebrated on the outside of the ring. Sheamus may be a future star, but tonight, he fell for one of the oldest tricks in wrestling.

'Masato's Return'
Masato Tanaka vs. Paul Burchill

Masato Tanaka is a legend, so it wasn't a shock that it was long odds for Paul Burchill as he walked to ringside, getting some catcalls related to his former pirate gimmick in the WWE. But, the Englishman showed why his nickname was 'Ripper' all over the world before he wrestled for the WWE by matching Tanaka blow-by-blow early on in this match. The big man from the UK even got a near fall after hitting his Dangerous Buster (suplex powerslam), but the former ECW Champion kicked out and was fired up by the fact he was actually getting some competition. Burchill fought on, but Tanaka began to block and reverse his manuevers, including blocking an attempt at C4 with a series of hard elbows to the side of Burchill's face. After that, Tanaka hit the Dangan Bomb and then the Dangan Elbow to pick up the victory in his return to America.

Masato Tanaka pinned Paul Burchill after the Running Forearm Smash in 0:08:43.
Rating: * 3/4

After the match, it looked like Burchill was going to shake Tanaka's hand in respect, when out of nowhere, Doug Williams came in and attacked Masato! Paul quickly helped out his British brethren by continuing the assault, before picking up Tanaka and nailing him with a double brainbuster and then leaving the ring to the boos of the crowd here in Detroit!

'Spectacular Indy Fight'
The Spanish Announce Team (Joel & Jose Maximo) vs. The Dark City Fight Club (Kory Chavis & Jon Davis)

These two teams are both independent tag teams, but seemingly on two different paths. The Dark City Fight Club was recently created in Florida while The Spanish Announce Team or (The SAT) have been around since the early 2000's, but have made only sporadic appearances recently.

Nonetheless, both teams knew this was a huge opportunity to reveal their skills to a national audience and were out to impress from the very beginning. As one would expect, Joel & Jose popped the crowd here in Detroit with massive high-flying and double-team manuevers from the very beginning, including a double flying bulldog, stereo planchas, and a moonsault by Jose and Joel held Jon Davis in a backbreaker position. But, the DCFC reversed the momentum of the Maximo's by blocking an attempt of a belly-to-back piledriver with a low blow, then used quick tags and striking combined with hard power moves to keep the smaller Maximo's down on the ground. Late in the match, it looked like the Maximo's had made a comeback after reversing a powerbomb by Jon Davis into a Frankensteiner to the outside. But, again, the Maximo's went to the well too many times and Davis reversed a moonsault attempt by Joel into a big T-Bone suplex that got the pinfall, with the help of the tights!

Dark City Fight Club (Kory Chavis and Jon Davis) defeated
The Spanish Announce Team (Joel Maximo and Jose Maximo) when J. Davis pinned Joel after a T-Bone Suplex in 0:12:36.
Rating: *** 1/4

Kevin Steen and Austin Aries Say Hello

Before the semi-main event, Austin Aries and Kevin Steen both came out to the crowd. Their level of comfort with each other was evident by the fact they made seperate entrances and began to immediately fight over the microphone in the ring. Both men made claims they should be in the main event instead of 'tired old men like Jerry Lynn' or 'Canadian knuckleheads like Edge.' But, then they turned to each other. Steen insulted Aries by pointing out that while Samoa Joe and CM Punk had become stars, he was still stuck getting getting made fun of by Kevin Nash. Aries struck back, making fun of Steen's gut. The two heels were about to come to blows when 'Man in the Box' hit and Tommy Dreamer walked out with his tag partner, Luke Gallows!

'Hardcore Regicide'
Austin Aries & Kevin Steen vs. Tommy Dreamer & Luke Gallows

After the interview segment, it wasn't a shock that Aries & Steen couldn't get along at all as a team. They repeatedly tagged each other in and out, including Aries immediately tagging Steen back in after he had desperately brought Aries into the ring after getting nailed with a double suplex by Dreamer & Gallows. Every so often, Austin or Kevin actually focused on the match at hand and were fairly successful, but quickly, ego would rear its ugly head, and they would either tag out, pointing to a fallen opponent who quickly made a comeback or would play to the crowd (and their partner), leaving themselves open to getting nailed from behind. That was how this match ended, as Aries had hit a huge 450 Splash on Tommy Dreamer, but then went over and yelled at Steen, telling him that he'd never be able to hit a fluid move like that. The verbal sparring allowed Dreamer to roll over and tag in Gallows, who came from behind and hit the modified spinebuster he calls the Gallows Pole to pull off the upset win!

Tommy Dreamer and Luke Gallows defeated Kevin Steen and Austin Aries when L. Gallows pinned Aries with the Gallows Pole in 0:11:03.
Rating: **

Gallows and Dreamer quickly left the ringside area, happy with their victory as Steen absolutely raged outside of the ring, throwing chairs and various other items all over the ringside area. As Aries slowly got to his feet, Steen came in and turned him around – PACKAGE PILEDRIVER! Wrestling's Worst Nightmare then brushed himself off and headed to the back to the boos of the crowd.

'Canada & Lynn'
'The Edge' Adam Copeland & Jerry Lynn vs. Christian Cage & Lance Storm

All four of these man are absolutely spectacular wrestlers. Three of them are former World Champion's and Lance Storm likely could've been if WCW had survived for a few more years or Vince Russo had a wacky one idea on a Monday afternoon during the year 2000. As a result, this march started out slow, with all four men knowing the skills of the other and feeling each other out. The first 'big' move of the match was a few minutes in when Lance Storm went for a superkick, but Jerry Lynn ducked under and hit a modified fireman's carry cutter to hit a near-fall. From there, it was off to the races and all four men turned up, including a sequence where Jerry Lynn hit a Cradle Piledriver on Christian Cage, who then walked into a Lance Storm superkick who himself got drilled by a Copeland spear, but by time Copeland got up, Cage had recovered and hit his former 'brother' with the Killswitch to get a near pinfall that was only broken up by Lynn saving at the last moment.

After that, the match slowed down as Christian and Storm tried to keep Lynn locked in a neutral corner and it looked like they were going to gain the victory when Storm locked on the Canadian Maple Leaf. But, slowly and surely, Lynn fought and fought and managed to get to the ropes. Weakened, Storm and Christian tried to take out Lynn with a double-team Curtain Call into the top turnbuckle, but Lynn slipped out of it, dropkicked Storm to the outside, then hit an STO on Christian. The former ECW World and TV Champion then tagged in Edge, who got the pinfall after hitting Christian with the Spear as Cage slowly got up!

'The Edge' Adam Copeland and Jerry Lynn defeated Christian Cage and Lance Storm when Edge pinned Christian with the Spear in 0:21:02.

Edge suffered an elbow injury. He will be out for approximately 2 cards.

Rating: *****

After the win, Edge came up holding his elbow, but looked to be largely fine as he celebrated with Lynn to close the show.


Card rating: ***
Post-Show Notes

- Bauer & Ewiak announced that the paid attendance for the show was about 6,000, with a total attendance of around 8,000. Both were happy with the attendance, but expected bigger numbers as the show itself aired on TV, along with weekly episodes on WGN.

- Moving on, Ewiak noted that Edge's injury was serious enough that he'll be out of the first few shows of the first NAW tour, but he should be back at 100% by the end of May or the beginning of June. Even though Copeland is the top star of the promotion, both men were insistent that this would not effect their plans, as with the touring schedule, matches could be switched enough while ending at the next big show.

- In addition, it was stated this is the roster. No additions or subtractions, barring a major event will happen until a few tours are finished and decisions can be made about future booking. However, they also said that there will not be any champions crowned during the next series of shows, as a proper build is needed to determine a true champion.

[snabbit888]

Can't beat a ***** main event on your first show, that's for sure.