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For the first time in a number of years, we are spoiled with the amount of weekly wrestling products on offer.
On top of staple shows like WWE Raw and SmackDown, we now have AEW Dynamite on Wednesdays, along with an expanded NXT show.
When you add in the likes of NXT UK, Impact Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling’s big shows, that is a lot of wrestling to get your teeth into.
One show that is proving to be a sleeper hit is the return to weekly broadcasting of the National Wrestling Alliance.
Titled NWA Power, the show has taken over the Tuesday night void left by SmackDown with a one hour show that has so far, been well received by fans who have enjoyed the old school feel of the program.
Whilst it may not have the big money budgets you’ll see with WWE and AEW, you can’t deny that it is wrestling in its purest form.
So here are five reasons why you should tune in to NWA Power.
#1 - Retro nostalgic feel
NWA Power makes use of the studio recording style used by most TV game shows. This is a format that the old NWA used very well in its heyday.
What this brings with it is a much more intimate environment, allowing the fans to get invested in what's going on in the ring.
On top of that, Powerrr does not utilize large scale entrances. In the shows so far, all wrestlers are usually in the ring at the beginning of the segment, or they make a simple arrival through the curtain with no music.
Doing this has allowed the show to put greater focus on the in-ring action as opposed to the pomp and circumstance we have become accustomed to in wrestling.
The increased bell-to-bell action puts greater emphasis on the technical side of the sport. You won't see many big flips being done, which will make this show a must-watch for those who demise the gimmick nature of wrestling.
Even though it is clearly meant to give off an old school vibe, it also feels fresh at the same time. The NWA could have made the move to go with the times but instead, they’ve gone back to their roots and reinvented what brought them to the dance in the first place.
It is an approach that has clearly resonated with those on the roster, as well as those watching at home.
#2 Focus on promos
As part of the studio set up of Powerrr, a designated interview area is situated just outside of the ring.
Again, this is something that NWA did during its original TV run. Wrestlers who are victorious in their match-ups will take to the area to cut a promo on the bout they have just had, while it is also used for various interview segments across the show.
All the action - be it in the ring or out - is carried out in the view of the studio audience, so there is no hidden camera action at all. This will please those who hate that aspect of wrestling television, such as Tony Khan of AEW, who recently stressed this on the Wade Keller podcast.
One criticism of current-day wrestling is the lack of emphasis on promo work. What NWA does is put this at the forefront of its programming.
Wrestlers can’t get away with just wrestling their match and leaving each week. Having this aspect of the product will present the fans watching at home the opportunity to become invested in the character - and it is that investment that will drive viewers back to the product time-and-time again.
You can have the best athletes in the world, but with no connection, no one will care about them. So far, NWA is building this connection well.
#3 Accessibility
Despite the increase in the availability of wrestling compared to a decade ago, not every fan will be able to watch everything. The NWA knows this.
That is down to a combination of time and, more importantly, cost. There aren't many fans who can afford every single on-demand service so they prioritize what is, to them, the best value.
What should also be factored in is that in most countries, the main weekly shows are on cable or satellite television at a larger monthly rate, such as Sky Sports for UK fans.
NWA has openly stated that they don’t intend on competing directly with WWE or AEW, so they have made the smart move of making their Powerrr show available on Facebook Live and YouTube.
Both of these services are free, so doing this will make it easier for fans to check out the show. This is important given the fact that the promotion has been on the back burner of most fans' attention for a number of years.
There is likely a section of the fandom who are unaware of just how popular the NWA was back in the 70's and 80's. If the company had put Powerrr on a subscription service, its niche nature would likely have seen many decide against watching the show.
Having it be free to view each week will draw new fans to the product, and will only benefit them in the weeks and months ahead.
#4 Mix of familiar and new faces
When starting a product essentially from scratch, it is important that you bring in some well-known faces that will appease your potential audience. Especially in the pro wrestling business.
Not only that, but it is also key in the long run that you combine this with mixing in young up-and-comers into the stew, who will become the backbone of the company for years to come.
Two weeks in and NWA has established a good balance.
We’ve seen former TNA/Impact Wrestling World Champions James Storm and Eli Drake heavily utilized so far, while last week’s Episode 2 brought in well-known names such as Colt Cabana, Mr. Anderson, Allysin Kay and the former Damien Sandow, Aron Stevens.
These faces, along with independent stalwarts like Eddie Kingston, create an attractive roster to anyone who has watched some form of wrestling in the last decade.
Powerrr has also presented some lesser known names as credible threats and wrestlers to look out for on the roster. Royce Issacs makes up one half of the tag champions whilst Ricky Starkz and the Dawsons look as if they could play a big part in the development of the show over the next few months.
If we continue to see this balance while the show and roster grows, we could see a bright future ahead for Powerrr and its stars.
#5 Nick Aldis
Those of you who have watched Impact Wrestling over the last ten years will know plenty about the man formerly known as Magnus.
Nick Aldis has played a pivotal role so far in the rebirth of the NWA. His first run as NWA Worlds Champion coincided with the successful Ten Pounds of Gold YouTube series, while his feud and eventual matches with Cody - including their first bout at All Out - brought so many eyes back to the promotion.
Some people may be wondering why Aldis isn’t wrestling on a bigger stage for a more prominent company. He recently told podcast Eat Sleep Suplex Retweet that he’d turned down AEW this year, as joining them would have meant giving up his NWA commitments, so he clearly sees the importance of the brand.
In terms of his general work, in and out of the ring, he is the perfect company champion. The way he carries himself just speaks to a man who has perfected his craft and respects the prestige of the belt he is holding.
Everything Powerrr has done so far around Aldis has been must-see TV. Be it his title defense in Episode 1 against Tim Storm or his irritation with clickbait-style questions in interviews, Aldis truly is captivating.
While he was a world champion in TNA, he never did feel like the guy. He is now in NWA and the success of this show could hinge on him and if it goes well, he could become an all-time great of the game.
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