Billy Corgan Hits Out At The Haters: "Don’t Watch The NWA"

While many were left baffled at the decision to have Tyrus become the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion at this past weekend's Hard Times 3 event, NWA owner Billy Corgan has hit out at those unhappy with what they've seen from the National Wrestling Alliance lately.

Speaking on the Stories with Brisco and Bradshaw podcast (as per POST Wrestling) prior to the aforementioned Hard Times 3, Corgan had harsh words for those critical of the NWA product. In fact, the Smashing Pumpkins frontman's stark message for those haters was "don't watch the NWA".

For those who missed Hard Times 3, Tyrus dethroned Trevor Murdoch to become the new NWA Worlds Champion in a triple threat bout that also featured Matt Cardona.

As Corgan detailed ahead of that PPV:

"A lot of people in the wrestling community, and I know it's a highly debated topic, you know, they like what's going on with... I call it the 'eight-star Meltzer matches' and all that stuff, and I like that stuff too, but if we're just talking business, just straight business, not fan stuff, I still believe in Brock Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley and in this [Hard Times 3 main event]. Matt Cardona, who's recast himself on the independent scene as the star that he is, versus Tyrus, who's, you know, 6'8", 375 lbs, versus Trevor Murdoch, who's 6'3 and another 350 [lbs]. I wanna see that match. If you don't wanna see stuff like that, don't watch the NWA, because that's what I'm going to give you. More and more of that, and as we climb and I'm kind of able to develop younger talent in the mold of the NWA, we will be the toughest, hardest-hitting wrestling promotion in the world."

Even though Corgan's words came before Hard Times 3 took place, the National Wrestling Alliance was already getting significant backlash for the past several weeks due to the impending company exit of two-time NWA Worlds Champion, Nick Aldis.

Due to creative differences and an unhappiness with how Billy Corgan has been running the NWA, Aldis gave the promotion his formal notice earlier this month. With his existing NWA deal expiring at the end of the year, the Brit has since been suspended by the organisation for the remainder of his contract.

Since that news first came out, both Corgan and Aldis have publicly slammed the other, with Billy questioning just how successful the National Treasure will be without the backing of the NWA, and Aldis slamming the National Wrestling Alliance as the most toxic brand in professional wrestling.

Where Did It All Go Wrong For The NWA?

Having spent years as an unfortunate afterthought of the wrestling world, the NWA had a significant resurgence in 2019. With Billy Corgan having purchased the organisation two years prior, it was in October '19 when the weekly NWA Powerrr show would launch - initially for free on YouTube before then moving to FITE TV under the NWA All Access package - and win over both fans old and new.

Bringing back the classic studio wrestling feel of yesteryear, with short matches, strong fundamentals and a stripped back environment, Powerrr became a genuine weekly highlight for wrestling fans. With Aldis at the top of the mountain with the iconic Ten Pounds of Gold, notable names such as Thunder Rosa, Ricky Starks, Tim Storm, Allysin Kay, Eddie Kingston, James Storm, Eli Drake, Colt Cabana and the dearly missed Jocephus were all highlights of those early Powerrr episodes.

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic hit the NWA hard. Unable to run its usual TV tapings or PPVs, Billy Corgan's promotion did its best to keep its head above water by putting out as much alternative content as possible. The company would return to full action with March 2021's Back for the Attack PPV, yet the NWA has struggled to reach the heights of its pre-pandemic output. Still, there was the fantastic all-female EmPowerrr PPV put together for August of last year, with Corgan bringing in Mickie James to help with that event.

While there are still some extremely talented names currently contracted to the NWA, the loss of several significant players, combined with some questionable creative decisions, has made the NWA product into one that is often stagnant.

With the impending loss of Nick Aldis - who had long been the centre-piece attraction throughout Billy Corgan's reign in charge - and with many in bewilderment at the decision to put the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Title on Tyrus, the National Wrestling Alliance finds itself struggling to capture the imagination of fans right now.