Wikipedia

NWA 312

NWA 312 was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event promoted by the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). It took place on Friday April 7, 2023, at StudioONE in Highland Park, Illinois. The name of the event is in reference to area code 312, the area code of downtown Chicago.

NWA 312
Promotional poster featuring various NWA wrestlers
PromotionNational Wrestling Alliance
DateApril 7, 2023
CityHighland Park, Illinois
VenueStudioONE Events
Pay-per-view chronology
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Fourteen matches were contested at the event, including four on the pre-show. In the main event, Tyrus defeated Chris Adonis to retain the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship. In other prominent matches, Kamille defeated La Rosa Negra to retain the NWA World Women's Championship, La Rebelión (Bestia 666 and Mecha Wolf) defeated Magnum Muscle (Dak Draper and Mims) to retain the NWA World Tag Team Championship, Kenzie Paige defeated Max the Impaler to become the inaugural NWA World Women's Television Championship, and in the opening bout, EC3 defeated Cyon to win the NWA National Heavyweight Championship.

The event garnered mixed reviews from critics, praising the World Women's title match, but criticized the numerous filler matches throughout the show.

Production

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Background

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On the February 14, 2023 episode of NWA Powerrr, it was announced that NWA 312 would take place on April 7 in Chicago, Illinois.[1][2] At the same time the NWA announced they were introducing the NWA Women's Television Championship with a new champion being crowned at the PPV.[1][2] On March 10, the NWA announced a partnership with tea shop Madame Zuzu's – of which NWA president William Patrick Corgan is a co-owner – to benefit the Highland Park Community Foundation in support of victims of the Highland Park parade shooting on July 4, 2022.[3]

Storylines

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NWA 312 will feature professional wrestling matches that involved different wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds and storylines. Wrestlers portrayed heroes, villains, or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches.[4] The twelfth season of the NWA's weekly flagship program, Powerrr, as well as the sixth season of their secondary program, NWA USA, will feature storylines leading up to the event.

On the June 26, 2022 episode of Powerrr, Madusa announced the creation of the NWA World Women's Television Championship.[5][6] Several months later on the February 14, 2023 Powerrr, with the announcement of NWA 312, it was announced that a tournament will be held to determine the inaugural champion, with the finals set to take place at the event. Qualifying matches will be held over the next several weeks on Powerrr and NWA USA.[2][7] On the March 14 Powerrr, Kenzie Paige defeated Ashley D'Amboise to advance to the final.[8] The following week, Max the Impaler defeated Taya Valkyrie to make up the other half of the final.[9]

On the February 14 episode of Powerrr, Tyrus successfully defended the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship against Rolando Freeman. Although, before his victory, the former was briefly distracted by EC3 standing beside his manager BLK Jeez.[10] The following week, lead announcer Joe Galli interviewed EC3 and BLK Jeez about what transpired, Jeez stated his company name has changed to "Churchs Money Entertainment" and that he has entered into an agreement with EC3's Control Your Narrative group, though EC3 simply stated that he was only "controlling his narrative". He later went on to challenge Cyon for the NWA National Championship at NWA 312, which would later be made official.[11]

On the February 28 Powerrr, Chris Adonis and La Rosa Negra announced that they will both utilize their Champions Series title opportunities at NWA 312, challenging NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion Tyrus and NWA World Women's Champion Kamille, respectively.[12] Additionally, a month later on the March 28 Powerrr, the team of Magnum Muscle (Matthew Mims and Dak Draper) invoked Draper's opportunity to challenge La Rebelión (Bestia 666 and Mecha Wolf) for the NWA World Tag Team Championship.[13]

On the February 21 Powerrr, Pretty Empowered (Ella Envy and Roxy) won the NWA World Women's Tag Team Championship from The Renegade Twins (Charlette and Robyn Renegade). However, shortly after the match, Madi Wrenkowski and Missa Kate utilized the former's Champion Series title opportunity to immediately win the titles from Pretty Empowered.[14] On March 17, the NWA announced that Pretty Empowered will invoke their rematch clause against Wrenkowski and Kate at NWA 312.[15]

On the March 7 episode of NWA Powerrr, Sal the Pal and Gaagz the Gymp of the Miserably Faithful faced off in a Hair vs. Mask match in order to "prove their loyalty" to Father James Mitchell. However, the match ended in a double countout when both men begged Mitchell not to let them continue fighting.[16] Signs of dissolution would begin to show within the Miserably Faithful. On March 27, the NWA announced that Sal and Gaagz will have a rematch on the NWA 312 pre-show under the same conditions, with the added stipulation of a strap match.[17]

Reception

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Tommy Martinez of Slam Wrestling reviewed the event and gave it 3 out of 5 stars. He wrote: "This was an okay show. Not a pay-per-view-worthy show, but a POWERRR-Trip-worthy show. I wish there were some more title changes, but Kenzie winning the World Television championship was the right call, as was EC3's National title win. This might be the set up for more angles but we'll how that shakes up later."[18] Eddie Vetter of Pro Wrestling Dot Net singled out the World Women's title match as easily the "best match of the show," with the World Tag Team and Junior Heavyweight title bouts also getting praise. He commended the main event for being "put together as well as can be expected", but felt Tyrus was "miscast as a milquetoast, bland babyface." He criticized the show for having a ton of filler throughout the card, critiquing that "NWA would rather get everyone on the show than fill it with good, memorable matches."[19] Justin McClelland of Pro Wrestling Torch also praised the Women's title match for continuing "Kamille's streak of great PPV matches" and for La Rosa Negra's performance, while also calling the Junior Heavyweight and World title bouts an "excellent match" and "surprisingly decent" respectively. He concluded that: "This was a disappointing show with very few good matches, a lot of questionable and/or nonsensical booking choices and little angle advancement ... Even if the match length stayed the same, cutting out a couple matches (like the Battle Royal) and having a few video packages would better connect storyline dots and give important matches and developments a chance to breathe."[20]

Results

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No.Results[19]StipulationsTimes[23][24]
1PNatalia Markova defeated Labrava Escobar (with CJ) by pinfallSingles match6:27
2PThe Country Gentlemen (AJ Cazana and Anthony Andrews) (c) defeated The SVGS (Jax Dane and Blake Troop) (with Chris Silvio, Esq.) by pinfallTag team match for the NWA United States Tag Team Championship[15]6:15
3PGaagz The Gymp defeated Sal the Pal by pinfallHair vs. Mask Strap match[17]
Judais was the special guest enforcer.		10:37
4PKnox and Murdoch (Trevor Murdoch and Mike Knox) defeated Daisy Kill and TalosTag team match[21]6:55
5EC3 (with BLK Jeez) defeated Cyon (c) (with Austin Idol) by submissionSingles match for the NWA National Heavyweight Championship[11]9:37
6Madi Wrenkowski and Missa Kate (c) defeated Pretty Empowered 2.0 (Ella Envy and Roxy) by pinfallTag team match for the NWA World Women's Tag Team Championship[15]8:59
7Kratos defeated Yabo the Clown by pinfallSingles match6:52
8"Thrillbilly" Silas Mason won by last eliminating Odinson[a]Bob Luce Memorial Battle Royal to determine the number one contender to the NWA National Heavyweight Championship[21]19:00
9Kenzie Paige defeated Max the Impaler (with Father James Mitchell) by pinfallTournament final for the inaugural NWA World Women's Television Championship[2]8:06
10Kerry Morton (c) (with Ricky Morton) defeated Joe Alonzo (with Jamie Stanley) by pinfallSingles match for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship[13]14:35
11Bully Ray defeated Thom Latimer by disqualificationSingles match[22]10:16
12La Rebelión (Bestia 666 and Mecha Wolf) (c) defeated Magnum Muscle (Dak Draper and Mims) by pinfallTag team match for the NWA World Tag Team Championship[13]
This was Draper's Champions Series cash-in match.		10:20
13Kamille (c) defeated La Rosa Negra by pinfallSingles match for the NWA World Women's Championship[12]
This was Rosa Negra's Champions Series cash-in match.		13:04
14Tyrus (c) defeated Chris Adonis by pinfallSingles match for the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship[12]
This was Adonis' Champions Series cash-in match.		12:37
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match
P – the match was broadcast on the pre-show

NWA World Women's Television Championship inaugural tournament bracket

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This section is an excerpt from NWA World Women's Television Championship § Inaugural tournament.[edit]
First round
NWA USA
(February 18 and 25, 2023;
March 4, 2023)
NWA Powerrr
(February 28, 2023) 		Semifinals
NWA Powerrr
(March 14 and 21, 2023) 		Finals
NWA 312
(April 7, 2023)
      
KiLynn King Pin
Kenzie Paige 8:01
Kenzie Paige 4:21
Ashley D'Amboise Pin
Ashley D'Amboise 4:58
Samantha Starr Pin
Kenzie Paige 8:06
Max the Impaler Pin
Jennacide Pin
Taya Valkyrie 6:41
Taya Valkyrie 4:08
Max the Impaler Pin
Natalia Markova DQ
Max the Impaler 5:24

Notes

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  1. ^ Participants in order of elimination: Jordan Clearwater, Chico Suave, Mario Pardua, Cody James, The Real Drago, Jackpot Dinero, Vik Dalishus, Hale Collins, Super Beast, Matt Vine, Mercurio, Rhett Titus, Wrecking Ball Legursky, Alex Taylor, Jeremiah Plunkett, Brady Pierce, PJ Hawx, "Magic" Jake Dumas, Rush Freeman, Jay Bradley, Rolando Freeman, Fodder, Homicide, and Eric Jackson.

References

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  1. ^ a b "NWA 312 PPV Set For April In Chicago". 411Mania. February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d Tessier, Colin (February 14, 2023). "NWA 312 PPV Announced For April 7 In Chicago, NWA Women's TV Champion To Be Crowned". Fightful. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  3. ^ Tessier, Colin (March 10, 2023). "NWA 312 PPV To Benefit Highland Park Community Foundation, July 4 Mass Shooting Victims". Fightful. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  4. ^ Grabianowski, Ed (January 13, 2006). "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks, Inc. Discovery Communications. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  5. ^ Tessier, Colin (July 26, 2022). "Madusa Announces The Creation Of NWA Women's TV Title On 7/26 NWA Powerrr, Allysin Kay Comments". Fightful. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  6. ^ "NWA EmPower results: Kamille vs. Chelsea Green Women's title match". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. July 27, 2022. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  7. ^ "NWA introduces new championship for the women's division". Cageside Seats. February 14, 2023. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  8. ^ Martinez, Tommy "Milagro" (March 15, 2023). "NWA POWERRR: Mecha Wolf takes Kerry Morton to the limit". Slam Wrestling. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  9. ^ Martinez, Tommy "Milagro" (March 22, 2023). "NWA POWERRR: Action abbrevited". Slam Wrestling. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  10. ^ Lopez, Joshua (February 21, 2023). "NWA Powerrr Results 2/14/23". Wrestling Headlines. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  11. ^ a b DeFelice, Robert (February 21, 2023). "Cyon To Defend NWA National Heavyweight Title Against EC3 At NWA 312". Fightful. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  12. ^ a b c DeFelice, Robert (February 28, 2023). "NWA World's Heavyweight Title And Women's Title Bouts Set For NWA 312". Fightful. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  13. ^ a b c DeFelice, Robert (March 28, 2023). "NWA World Jr. Heavyweight Title Bout, Tag Title Match Set For NWA 312". Fightful. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  14. ^ Lopez, Joshua (February 21, 2023). "NWA Powerrr Results 2/21/23". Wrestling Headlines. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  15. ^ a b c Tessier, Colin (March 17, 2023). "Women's Tag Title Match Set For NWA 312, NWA US Tag Title Match Announced For Pre-Show". Fightful. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  16. ^ Martinez, Tommy "Milagro" (March 8, 2023). "New faces look to make an impression on this NWA POWERRR". Slam Wrestling. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  17. ^ a b Tessier, Colin (March 27, 2023). "Sal The Pal To Face Gaagz The Gymp In Hair vs. Mask Strap Match On NWA 312 Pre-Show". Fightful. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  18. ^ Martinez, Tommy "Milagro" (April 8, 2023). "Chris Adonis attempts to lock up title win with Tyrus on NWA 312 PPV". Slam Wrestling. Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  19. ^ a b Vetter, Eddie (April 23, 2023). "NWA 312 results: Vetter's review of Tyrus vs. Chris Adonis for the NWA Championship, Kamille vs. La Rosa Negra for the NWA Women's Title, La Rebelion vs. Magnum Muscle for the NWA Tag Team Titles, Cyon vs. EC3 for the NWA National Title, Thom Latimer vs. Bully Ray". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on April 29, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  20. ^ McClelland, Justin (April 12, 2023). "4/7 NWA 312 PPV REPORT: Tyrus vs. Adonis, Ray vs. Latimer, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  21. ^ a b Tessier, Colin (March 29, 2023). "Trevor Murdoch And Mike Knox vs. Daisy Kill And Talos Added To NWA 312, Battle Royale Also Announced". Fightful. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  22. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (March 31, 2023). "Bully Ray To Face Thom Latimer At NWA 312". Fightful. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  23. ^ "NWA 312 Pre-Show". Cagematch. April 7, 2023. Archived from the original on April 30, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  24. ^ "NWA 312". Cagematch. April 7, 2023. Archived from the original on April 30, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
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