Chapter Nine..."The War is On"
The NWA's television ratings skyrocketed as fans tuned it to see how the banished WWE stars debut in the promotion. Each week anticipation grew as the NWA beat the WWE in ratings for the first time ever. Every wrestling fan and critic had their different scenario on how to do it but the NWA had their own ideas.
During the Benoit tragedy, Kurt Angle cemented himself as the face of the NWA promotion and for the rest of 2007 he showed it in his title defenses.
In the summer of 2007, NWA toured Japan for the first time and Angle successively defended the World Championshiop against The Great Muta, Bob Sapp and Kensuke Sasaki on consecutive nights. Once back in the United States, Angle found himself in a feud with the NWA owner, Ted Dibiase after Dibiase offered Angle a job that the champ refused. Dibiase challenged Angle to a match against a secret opponent of his choosing which Angle accepted. As the weeks went on stipulations were added as Angle put the title on the line against one million dollars of Ted's own money. At Bound for Glory, "The Giant" Paul Wight (who was a free agent at the time) was announced as the challenger. This was a shock to fans who thought either Edge or Randy Orton had to be the opponent. Angle came out victorious when he made Wight tap out to the Ankle Lock. Dibiase as a result to the loss, had to sell the NWA. Wight was never seen of again on NWA televison and resigned with the WWE later that year.
Weeks of specualtion went by on who the new owner would be and they were answered as John Layfied (who left the WWE during the steriod scandal when his contract was up) was introduced as the new owner. Layfield took over where Dibiase left off in his feud with Angle. Fans went wild as Layfield introduce Rated RKO as the challengers to Angle's World Championship in a handicap match. Over the next few weeks, Angle withstood constant beatdowns by the two men before their matchup. At Turning Point, Rated RKO was on the way of one of them becoming champion when Sting returned to the NWA and interfered on Angle's behalf. Angle took the help as he Angle Slammed Edge to retain the title. At Final Resolution, Angle took on Orton successively as Sting defeated Edge in one on one matchups.
In the United States Champions scene, Sean O'Haire kept it rolling also as he withstood challenges from upstarts James Storm, Rodney Mack and Robby Roode during late summer and early fall. On an episode of Impact in November he was challenged by a debuting Booker T for the title live that night. Booker T with help from Sharmell defeated O'Haire in his first NWA match. The two wrestled again at Final Resoultion only to see Sharmell get involved again as Booker T retained.
In tag team action, the champs "The James Gangs" found themself in the continous feud with Ted Dibiase's team "Money Talks". As BG James mocked Dibiase, he put them in a retirement vs title match with the team. "Money Talks" walked away champions in the improtu match on "Impact" retiring BG and Kip James. After a great sign of respect from the fans, the two stars left the ring to a round of applause. Kip Jamses was later released as BG James took a job with the NWA as a Road Agent. "Money Talks" soon self destructed after Dibiase's departure and a fall out with Robby Roode. The lost the titles to the Dudleys at Bound for Glory and soon Andrew Martin left the NWA leaving Matt Morgan by himself. Morgan then was hired by John Layfield as his personal bodyguard. As new champs, The Dudleys found themselves in a feud with the flamboyant team "The Beautiful People", who after months of trash talking won the titles at Final Resoultion much to the delight of Angelina Love and Velvet Sky.
The three old members of the Christian Coalition, Christian Cage, Antonio Banks and Tyson Tomko found themselves feuding with each other after they lost their respective gold. They were set up in a match at Bound For Glory with the loser leaving the NWA. After Christian hit a Frog Splash off the top rope, Tyson Tomko was sent packing. As the year ended Cage found himself in a feud with ex-friend Rhino as Banks found himself making an enemy out of Finlay. The feuds has yet to be resolved.
The end of 2007 also saw the end of the Abyss/James Mitchell relationship after years of being together. After constant verbal abuse by Mitchell, Abyss chokeslammed his manager on an episode of Impact. Abyss quickly feuded with ex-tag team partner Vampiro and Mitchell's new proteges Black Reign and Heindenreich, At Final Resoultion, Abyss found himself in a steel cage handicap match with all three men with resulted in an Abyss victory, but after the match the three injured Abyss in an attack, putting the big man on the shelf for an undisclosed amount of time.
After their face turn, The Samoan Family of Ekmo and Kishi Fatu found them squaring off against first the pesky team of the "Beautiful People" then the new team of the "Empire" of Paul Burchill and Nigel McGuiness. After being on the losing end many times, Ekmo is doubting the change in philosphy going into 2008.
The additions of Edge, Randy Orton, Booker T and John Layfield created a buzz in the NWA like never before and things only got better on "Xplosion".
Most fans predicted that Rey Mysterio Jr. would end up on "Xplosion" and tuned in waiting for the debut but they couldn't guess what would happen first. AJ Styles was getting cockier after each successful title match and taking any route, illegal or not, to make sure it happened. On the tour of Japan, Styles defended the title against ex-X-Divison Champion, Jushin Liger, KENTA and Yuji Ngata in front of capacity crowds. The "Xplosion" crew also toured Mexico where Styles defended against Mistico, Ultimo Guerrero and Dos Caras Jr. successfully. When they finally returned to the US in the fall, Styles was more cockier than ever.
On an episode of "Xplosion" Styles challenged any wrestler in the world to a match at "Bound For Glory". As the crowd anticipated the debut of Rey Mysterio, they went wild as the hottest free agent wrestler avaible, Chris Jericho appeared on the ramp to take the challenge. Styles lost the title to Jericho and then the rematch at Glory by Honor. After both losses Styles "quit" the NWA,stating h he wasn't appreciated by the NWA,and has been heard of since.
Jericho as the new champ found himself sneak attacked by Christopher Daniels on the next episode of "Xplosion" and then lost to Daniels in a non-title matchup the next week. The match was signed for "Do or Die" and Jericho won in a disputed outcome. Daniels protested the end of the match as he states that Jericho's shoulders were down and Daniels got one of his up in time but the referee didn't see it. The ending was still up in the air waiting for Commisioner Raven's final decision.
The Televison Champion, the undefeated, Kofi Kingston still found himself that way at the end of 2007. Kingston being one of the most fighting champions ever turned away challenges of about everybody on the "Xplosion" roster no matter if they were faces or heels. He posted victories over Low Ki, Jay Lethal, and both of the Hardys going into "Do or Die". At the pay per view Kofi put on an epic contest with Bryan Danielson (who just returned from injury) picking up the victory after barely escaping "Cattle Mutilation". The took shook hands after the match out of respect for each other as Kofi was becoming a real star in the business.
The X-Division Tag Champs the "Motor City Machine Guns" survived their feud with the "Human Highlights" somehow keeping the titles going into the fall. They soon found themselves up against the fan favorites "Briscoe Brothers" after weeks of mocking them in interviews. The three members of "MCMG" was able to use the advantage in their matches until "Glory By Honor". There the Briscoes got help as "The Human Highlights" evened the odds as they attacked Alex Shelley before he could interfere. As Sabin tried to help Shelley, The Briscoes double teamed the stranded Aries and won the titles. The Briscoes went on and and won the rematch at "Do or Die".
In other feuds, a frustrated Samoa Joe turned on his good friend CM Punk leading into a vicious 6 month feud. The two dazzled fans around the world ofter having the match of the nights. Finally at "Do or Die" the feud has seemed to end after a street fight where both men were counted out at the end after simutaneous chair shots rendered both men unconcious.
After dabbling in solo action, The Hardys teamed up again after Matt was jumped by L.A.X. on an episode of "Xplosion". The rugged style of LAX and the daredevil one of the Hardys meshed together well as their matches were fantastic. The feud finally concluded at "Do or Die" as two teams wrestled in the first ever TLC match in the NWA. The match ended after Jeff swantoned of the ladder putting Homicide through the table for the win. The match was a match of the year candidate by many wrestling journalists.
The last feud on "Xplosion" was a feud between four second generation superstars as "The Hart Attack" found them self against the team of Chavo Guerrero and Carlito Colon. As each team argued on who's family was better, things heated up as the Harts attacked Hector and Chavo Sr and then Carlos Colon on taped segments showed on "Xplosion". With family members injured Chavo and Carlito gained revenge with victories at "Glory By Honor" and "Do or Die".
After months of comedic relief of being turned down, Larry Sweeney introduced finally his first wrestler in his stable. On the last "Xplosion" episode, Gregory "Hurrican" Helms made his debut with Sweeney by his side. His intentions unknows, many people speculate on who is Helms gunning for.
The year 2007 was in the books and the NWA found itself now in a real battle with the WWE. Thanks to unforseen circumstances the NWA seemed to be the place to be at. The additions of Randy Orton, Edge, Chris Jericho, John Layfield, Gregory Helms and Booker T backed up the claim. They also possessed an ace in the hole as Rey Mysterio hadn't debuted in the NWA yet and a new batch of young talent was almost ready to join the NWA from developmental.Dixie Carter in her wildest dreams couldn't have expected this.
Chapter Ten "NWA...The Place To Be"
TO BE CONTINUED
NWA "Impact" Roster as of December 2007"
Owner-Ted Dibiase
NWA World Champion-Kurt Angle
NWA United States Champion-Booker T
NWA World Tag Team Champions- The Beautiful People
Sting
Randy Orton
Edge
Sean O'Haire
Christian Cage
Antonio Banks
Vampiro
Brother D-Von
Brother Ray
James Storm
Ekmo
Kishi Fatu
Black Reign
Fit Finlay
Heidenreich
Nigel McGuiness
Paul Burchill
Johnny Superstar
Frankie Hollywood
Robby Roode
Rhino
Matt Morgan
Rodney Mack
Injured
Jeff Jarrett
Abyss
Ken Anderson
Managers
Angelina Love
Traci Brooks
Velvet Sky
James Mitchell
Sharmell
NWA "Xplosion" Roster as of December 2007
Commisioner-Raven
X-Division Champion-Chris Jericho
NWA Television Champion-Kofi Kingston
X-Divison Tag Team Champions-The Briscoe Brothers
CM Punk
Samoa Joe
Christopher Daniels
Bryan Danielson
Jeff Hardy
Matt Hardy
Low Ki
Teddy Hart
Harry Smith
Homicide
Hernandez
Chavo Guerrero Jr.
Carlito Colon
Brian Kendrick
Matt Sydal
Jack Evans
Austin Aries
Alex Shelley
Chris Sabin
Jay Lethal
Bryan Danielson
Retired
AJ Styles
Managers
Nattie Neidhardt
Larry Sweeney
