Airing live on Amazon Prime, 1st of January 2025- NWA:WCCW Presents: New Year’s Dash @ Cobo Arena, Detroit, MI
-Happy New Year!!! Pyro goes off and we are welcomed to our first special episode of World Class Championship Wrestling, New Year’s Dash. Ian Riccaboni & Nigel McGuinness are on commentary and we kick things off immediately with a big match.
CM Punk vs Matt Cardona, NWA World TItle Tournament Round 1 – Commentary hype this up as a first time ever match up. Cardona surprises Punk throughout this match with how much he has improved as a wrestler, the last time these two shared a locker room was back in 2013. Cardona may be the heel and he taunts Punk throughout, but he wrestles a clean match. After 17 minutes, Cardona channels his former self and goes for the Broski Boot, but Punk counters into the GTS and gets the win. Bron Steiner and Taz appear on the stage area slow clapping, they look forward to the rematch.
-Charly Caruso interviews Chelsea Green & Piper Niven after being embarrassed by Jordynne Grace & Kamille last week. Green calls them both losers and if she ever got the chance to, she would beat them both up. Niven informs her that she managed to get them a tag match booked for next week. “Yaaaay” Green says, clearly wishing she ate her own words.
Christian Cage promo – Samantha Irvin introduces Christian Cage. She goes to interview him but he takes the mic and tells her to get out of his ring. He has been in this business for nearly 30 years and he has been a world heavyweight champion 4 times. He is the most experienced and most decorated member of the NWA roster and he deserves to be the world champion more than anyone here. LA Knight has the gall to come out here and call him a dummy? Do you know who is a dummy? The owner of this company, for hiring a talentless hack like Knight. He has failed to reach his potential everywhere he has been. Maybe that is because Knight is all talk and no walk. Christian is all walk, and he will walk right past Knight and anybody who gets in the way of him and what he deserves. The world championship.
Eddie Kingston vs Ricky Starks – There is a small amount of bad blood between these 2 after a backstage altercation 2 weeks ago. Starks ambushes Kingston during his entrance and their match begins on the outside. Starks traps Kingston’s right hand in the steel steps and kicks them, injuring the hand MJF worked on two weeks ago. Kingston fights from underneath in this match, taking any opportunity he can to get back into this match. The hand injury is worse than Eddie would like to admit, but he manages to counter Rochambeau into a small package to win in 11 minutes. After the match, Ricky Starks attacks Kingston. He jams his hand in the steel steps and stamps on it over and over again. Security drags Starks away, who is proud of his actions. Eddie’s hand is in seriously bad shape.
-A hype package for the Mad Russian, Ilja Dragunov. He is a man who relishes the pain of wrestling. Every scar and every wound he collects makes him stronger and more dangerous. He is ready to be NWA World Champion.
-Hype Package for Thunder Rosa. She knows she failed in her match against Kamille, but that won’t deter her. She still has her eyes on the top prize and she will climb her way up the mountain to get it.
Chad Gable promo – “Thank youuuuu!!!” Gable is impressed by what he has seen from Dragunov in the past. He has seen what Dragunov has accomplished and what he is capable of. Preparing for his match with Ilja Dragunov next week, he put on his favourite movie. Rocky IV. In Rocky IV, Ivan Drago shocked the boxing world and appeared to be an unstoppable Russian machine, until the American hero stood up to him and defeated him, defending the hearts of Americans and earning the respect of the Russians. Next week, Gable will do what Apollo Creed couldn’t. He will not let Dragunov prevail, Ilja will not shock the wrestling world. Gable will have the whole world, American and Russian, telling Dragunov to “SHOOOOOSH!” Gable then introduces his associates, The Creed Brothers.
FTR vs Creed Brothers w/Chad Gable – FTR have 2 points in the World Tag League whilst the Creeds still have 0. This a showcase of tag team excellence, both teams using a lot of double team moves. The Creeds have learned from their match against Grizzled Young Veterans that cutting off the ring is a great tactic and they utilize it here. They’re able to hang with FTR, but Cash & Dax don’t call themselves the best tag team ever for no reason. After 16 minutes they get the win with the Shatter Machine, taking first place with 4 points. The Creeds are still yet to win a match.
-Samantha Irvin informs us that for the past few weeks, Teddy Long has made sure everyone in the women’s division has had an opportunity to wrestle and impress the legends they have backstage. In 2 weeks time, the results of the women’s rankings will be revealed and the path to the women’s title will be made clear. What she can tell you, is that Kamille will be wrestling for the vacant title at the Built To Destroy PPV at the end of February.
The Drive-Thru featuring MJF – MJF says that he usually hates these things, however he could not turn down the opportunity to share the room with the legendary Jim Cornette. He asks if Charly Caruso has to be here, Cornette says she is contractually obligated. Caruso asks how MJF has enjoyed the NWA so far. He doesn’t give a fuck about the NWA. He cares about money. He’ll work for NWA, LWE, AGW or LPW. His only loyalty is to that sweet paycheck. He is being paid ridiculously well to be here, so his time is going well so far. Caruso asks MJF about his win over Kingston. MJF says it was exactly what he thought would happen, MJF wins because he is the best in the world and now he prepares for what lies next. Cornette asks how MJF feels about facing Christian Cage or LA Knight. MJF heard Christian’s promo earlier and questions if he has been mixing up his grandpa medicine like a lot of Attitude Era folk tend to do. Is Christian a legend? Of course. Is MJF already a bigger legend? Even bigger of course. As for LA Knight, well that is another delusional wannabe. People say Knight could be the next Austin or the next Rock. They don’t say that about MJF, because he’s not the second coming of anyone. He is the first MJF and there is no doubt there will be countless imitations to come, but none will come even close to his greatness. He is asked to predict tonight’s main event. He laughs hysterically. “Pillman is going to get to see his daddy tonight.”
Mercedes Mone vs Billie Starkz w/Athena – The experienced superstar Mercedes comes up against the rising star Billie. Mercedes plays with Starkz in the early stages, clearly showing off her superior ability but too much time gloating nearly costs her on a couple of occasions. When Starkz is able to get an opening, she makes the most of it and unleashes a load of offence. As the match continues, Mercedes takes it more and more seriously. Athena pops on commentary every now again to run down Mercedes and to praise Starkz. Billie tries her hardest, but she is not ready for this challenge. After 10 minutes, Mercedes hits the Mone Maker to win. Afterwards, she throws money at Starkz, giving her a tip for her efforts tonight. Athena is frustrated with Starkz ‘loss.
-Injury Update on Eddie Kingston. He has broken his hand and is being seen by a doctor right now.
Dominik Mysterio & Oba Femi – Dominik Mysterio approaches Oba Femi with great news. He has got him the match he wants next week! Femi asks if it is a match in the NWA world title tournament. Dominik says no, it’s an opportunity at revenge for his loss on the debut episode. Femi asks if he is wrestling Dominik. “No way! We’re practically best friends now right? Mi amigo favorito!” Femi grabs Dom and lifts him up against the wall and tells him they are not friends. Dom nods his head and tells him he is wrestling Tyler Breeze next week.
-Commentary hypes the next show. Gable vs Dragunov, Christian vs LA Knight, The Acclaimed vs Grizzled Young Veterans, Green & Niven vs Kamille & Grace and we will also hear from Sting, live from his hometown.
Walter vs Brian Pillman Jr, NWA World Title Tournament Round 1 – Walter allows Pillman to strike first. Pillman hits Walter with a series of strikes, but the big Austrian drops him with one massive chop. Walter is just toying with his opponent. He methodically wears down Pillman with chops and slams. He keeps lifting Pillman off the mat during the referee’s count. Every now and then Brian is able to land a few strikes but it barely affects the big man. Eventually, Pillman capitalises on a mistake as Walter gets his foot tangled in the ropes. Pillman stomps a mud hole Into Walter. He hits him with the Flyin’ Brian clothesline but it only gets a 1 count. He hits a second, this time getting a 2 count. He goes for a third, but he is caught and powerbombed. Walter doesn’t go for the pin though. He demands that Pillman gets up. He slowly rises, but Walter hits another powerbomb, then again demanding that Pillman gets up. Pillman struggles to his feet once again, but is hit with a third powerbomb. Walter demands he gets up, but Pillman cannot. Walter picks him up and hits him with a fourth powerbomb, but he keeps a hold. He hits him with powerbombs over and over again, Pillman is not responding and the referee has to get involved. He declares Walter the winner via referee stoppage after 12 minutes.
-Whilst Walter celebrates, Brian Pillman hasn’t moved. Medical staff rush in and put Pillman in a neck brace. He is placed on a stretcher and taken away. Walter smiles at the destruction he caused.
