NWA premiered their new season of NWA Powerrr on Mar. 22 at Skyway Studios in Nashville, Tennessee.

The main event saw the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Homicide defend the title against Austin Aries. The latest episode also had the OGK challenge The Briscoes in a tag team non-title match. The episode is available on video on demand on FITE and will premiere on Youtube on Friday.

NWA Powerrr Quick Results

• Matt Cardona started the program with Mike Knox and VSK to recap the Crockett Cup. He refutes that he tapped to Nick Aldis and said that a rematch would not happen. He ends by saying that he and his faction are the saviors of the NWA.
• The Briscoes defeated OGK
• NWA Tag Team Champions La Rebellion did a backstage promo. During the promo, they teased a potential feud with The Briscoes.
• Trevor Murdoch defeated Brett Buffshay
• After the match, Murdoch cut a heel promo and promised if NWA continues to feed him hacks, the blood will be on their hands, not his.
• The NWA showed a taped backstage promo with Nick Aldis and Mickie James talking about the finish at The Crockett Cup Night 2. Aldis declares that the feud with Cardona isn’t over.
• Tyrus and Austin Idol cut a promo and makes a challenge that if anyone bodyslam Tyrus they will get an opportunity to challenge for the NWA Television Championship.
• The Hex defeated Paola Blaze and Jennacide with Taryn Terrell to retain the NWA Women’s Tag Team Championship. Blaze and Jennacide split up after the match.
• Thom Latimar and Kamille cut a promo. Latimar shared that he ended his relationship with Chris Adonis. Kamille called Adonis “dead weight.”
• Homicide defeated Austin Aries to retain the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship

The commentators congratulated Homicide to end the show.

Game Changer Wrestling held their first event at Center Stage Theater in Atlanta, Georgia, with GCW: Astronaut.

The main event saw H8 Club vs. Second Gear Crew for the GCW Tag Team Championship. GCW: Astronaut also had ROH Champion Jonathan Gresham vs. Blake Christian in a non-title match. GCW wanted to have the match at The Wrld on GCW, but Gresham couldn’t make the show. The event aired live on FITE and is available for on-demand purchase for $13.99

GCW: Astronaut is the last Pay-Per-View before GCW: The Collective at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas. GCW: The Collective will occur from Mar. 31 to Apr. 2, with 12 PPV events. Wrestling fans can buy each event individually or buy the bundle for $139.99 on FITE.

GCW: Astronaut Quick Results

• AR Fox defeated Nick Wayne
• Gringo Loco defeated Ninja Mack
• Matt Cardona did a in-ring promo before his match. He talks about GCW’s Joey Janela’s Spring Break 6 in Dallas, Texas and said he should be challenging for the GCW World Championship, instead of wrestling Chris Dickinson.
• Matt Cardona defeated “Action” Mike Jackson
• After the match, Cardona did a in-ring promo disrespecting Jackson and said he was going to beat Dickinson at GCW’s Joey Janela’s Spring Break 6. Dickinson comes out and Cardona leaves the ring. Jackson beats up Cardona and throws him in the ring. Dickinson tries to Powerbomb Cardona, but Cardona escaped.
• Tony Deppen defeated ACH
• Alex Colon defeated Jimmy Lloyd, Jordan Oliver, Zen Shi, Cole Radrick, and Manders in a Six-way Scramble Match
• Bobby Flocko and Cavron Canyon vs Ash Bennett and Rico Gonzalez ends as no contest after Joey Janela interrupts the match and attacks everyone.
• Janela did a in-ring promo and vows to “Kill” Sean Waltman at GCW’s Joey Janela Spring Break 6. He also claims GCW wouldn’t be where it is without him and demands that people should “Give him his flowers” at GCW’s Joey Janela’s Spring Break 6.
• Allie Katch defeated Jordynne Grace
• AJ Gray defeated EFFY to retain the GCW Extreme Championship
• Jonathan Gresham defeated Blake Christian
• Christian did a in-ring promo after the match thanking the fans
• H8 Club(Nick Gage and Matt Tremont) vs. Second Gear Crew(Mathew Justice and Mance Warner) for the GCW Tag Team Championship ends in a draw

After the match, fans chanted for the match to be restarted. Tremont challenged Second Gear Crew and The Briscoes to a three-way dance at GCW’s Joey Janela Spring Break 6. The fans still booed, but Gage thanked the fans to a lukewarm response, and the show ended.

Matt Cardona joined a prestigious list when he became the NWA champion. He believes that his title reign will save the company.

The Internet sensation recently had an interview with WrestleZone. He discussed things such as winning the title from Trevor Murdoch on NWA Powerrrrip and more.

Speaking of how his championship reign will help the promotion, Cardona claimed that it will save the NWA because he will promote the title everywhere:

“Man, listen, I say I’m here to save the NWA, and I am. And I think me being the champion will save the NWA because for instance, I actually get booked other places.

So [at GCW shows], I’ll be walking out with the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship.” said Matt Cardona, “As opposed to Trevor or Nick, who don’t really do anything but NWA.”

• Matt Cardona Explains Why WWE & AEW Aren’t On His Radar For Now

The former WWE star mentioned that he doesn’t have the control over his title defenses. So he can’t promise that his matches elsewhere are going to be for the ten pounds of gold.

On the same time, he is proud to be the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion. Cardona will make sure to announce himself as such wherever he goes, whether that is going to a wrestling show or to Paris for his honeymoon.

Matt Cardona is comfortable being in the position he is in with his career.

Cardona has appeared for numerous promotions, including AEW since being released by WWE back in 2020. He’s also appeared for Impact Wrestling, NWA, and GCW but he hasn’t signed a full-time deal with any company.

Cardona Still A Free Agent

During a chat with the folks over at My Mom’s Basement, Matt Cardona explained why being tied down to one promotion isn’t in his best interest at the moment (h/t 411Mania.com).

“My goal right now is not, ‘Aw man, what do I got to do to get back in WWE or get in AEW?’ No. Not at all. I love what I’m doing right now.

“Ten years ago with my YouTube show, I think I proved, no, I know that I proved that through hard work, the internet, social media, whatever, that you can change your position in a major company.

“I proved that 10 years ago and I opened up, before there was a Forbidden Door, I opened up that door for so many people to create their own opportunities. Now 10 years later, I want to prove that you don’t necessarily need AEW or WWE to be a successful pro wrestler.

“If one of those companies called me, of course, I would listen. Of course, I would have a conversation. But that is not my goal to go back.”

Cardona is the current Impact Digital Media Champion. He’s also the former GCW World Champion. Cardona is also the reigning NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion.

Matt Cardona is the new NWA World Heavyweight Champion. He defeated Trevor Murdoch for the title at “NWA Powerrr Trip” in Oak Grove, Kentucky. The show was not broadcast live but matches taped at the event will air on episodes of NWA Powerrr in the future.

Cardona pinned Murdoch after delivering his leg lariat finisher. He debuted for the promotion at the Hard Times 2 PPV in December.

Cardona becomes the 56th person in history to win the belt. The title’s lineage dates back to 1948 when Orville Brown was the inaugural champion. Cardona’s victory over Murdoch was the 99th time the championship has changed hands.

Murdoch’s reign finishes at 167 days, which ranks him 28th out of 56 all time.

“I am @nwa World’s Heavyweight Champion. I can’t believe I just typed that. Fuck that. I CAN believe I just typed that. I worked my ass for this! @TheRealTMurdoch is a tough son of a bitch and he will forever have my respect. As for @RealNickAldis?”

Cardona’s singles titles now include the WWE Intercontinental title, United States Championship, the GCW World Heavyweight Championship, and the Impact Wrestling Digital Media Championship. He’s also the self-proclaimed Internet Champion and recently claimed to be the ECW Television Champion after defeating Rhino in GCW.

Former WWE superstar Matt Cardona has shared that he’s open to returning to the company. However, he still wants to be able to do his podcast.

Cardona appeared on Busted Open with Bully Ray and Dave LaGreca to promote The WRLD on the GCW event on January 23. Ray asked Cardona if WWE called him to appear the following night on Monday Night Raw, would he listen. Cardona responded that he’d be open to talking about a return, but WWE can’t prevent his podcast business.

“…I’d definitely would listen, but I tell you right now if one of things were you can’t do your podcast, I’ll say thanks but no thanks,” said Cardona. He continued, “That would be a deal-breaker, no way. If there were going to just take away everything that I’ve built with Brian Myers, like something we tried to do in WWE. The Major Wrestling Figures Podcast, they didn’t want it. We pitched it to them. They didn’t want podcasts. They didn’t want anything to do with collectibles. I think they’ve since had a failing podcast network, and they tried something with collectibles, but I’ve had so much fun with this, and this is setting me up for life after wrestling where I would never sacrifice that.”

Matt Cardona on Leaving WWE

After more than ten years with the company, the WWE released Cardona on April 15, 2020. However, leaving WWE helped him reinvent himself, and Cardona may be having more success since he became an independent wrestler. In the interview with Busted Open, he shared that he appreciates his time with the company.

“…I’ve said this, and I don’t mean this as an insult. WWE was my developmental. That’s not a shot a WWE, that is that everything that I learned there the good and the bad I’m using it to make me succeed,” said Cardona. He also shares he has no animosity towards the company.

Cardona is enjoying his professional wrestling career working outside of the WWE. This Sunday, he has a match with Joey Janela at The WRLD on GCW. Regarding the WWE, the company will have the Royal Rumble on January 29. Based on Cardona’s comments, he could be open to the idea if the WWE asked Cardona to appear.

Impact 1/6 was the go-home show for Saturday’s Hard to Kill PPV. It was also the first show back for the promotion since airing a 2-part Best of 2021 series the last two weeks.

Impact Results 1/6

1. Lady Frost, Chelsea Green & Tasha Steelz defeated Jordynne Grace, Rachael Ellering & Rosemary
2. JONAH defeated Jake Something
3. Masha Slamovich defeated Sandra Moone
4. Deonna Purrazzo defeated Mercedes Martinez
5. Ace Austin and Madman Fulton defeated Hernandez and Johnny Swinger
6. Karl Anderson defeated Heath

Chelsea Green Picks Up Win For Her Team Ahead of Knockouts Ultimate-X Match

Things opened up this week with a trios match pitting participants in the upcoming Ultimate-X match at Hard to Kill. It was announced recently, however, that Rachael Ellering has been pulled from the match and will be replaced by Alisha Edwards. No reason for Ellering being pulled has been given.

Chelsea Green picked up the pin for her team after hitting the Un-pretty-her on Ellering.

JONAH Defeats Jake Something Ahead of Hard To Kill

At Hard to Kill, JONAH will face former Impact World Champion Josh Alexander. This week, JONAH was showcased heavily here. Something actually got the early advantage on JONAH but it wouldn’t last. JONAH hit a big clothesline, hit a senton and then finished him off with his big splash off the top rope.

After the match, Alexander hit the ring and tried to lock in the ankle lock before security broke up the melee. JONAH then took out all the security and went after Alexander. He then gave Alexander his big splash through a table to end the segment.

Masha Slamovich Debuts

Vignettes promoting Masha Slamovich’s Impact debut have been airing for weeks and she finally arrived on this week’s show. After an initial flurry from Sandra Moone, Slamovich took her out with a series of strikes, suplexes, and then something of a fisherman’s brainbuster for the win. She looks like someone who could be in store for a big push in the Knockouts division.

Deonna Purrazzo Defeats Mercedes Martinez Ahead Of Title Clash With Mickie James

On Saturday, Purrazzo will have a chance to regain the Knockouts title. She would face Mercedes Martinez on this week’s show. To gain the upper hand, Purrazzo would attack Martinez before the bell. A back and forth match followed. The end of the match came when Purrazzo countered a slam from Martinez into the Venus De Milo and got the submission.

Mickie James then entered the ring and got face-to-face with Purrazzo but things never came to blows.

The Influence and Iinspiration Get Into Backstage Altercation

Ahead of the Iinspiration defending their Knockouts tag team belts against The Influence at Hard to Kill, the two teams got into a backstage altercation this week. The Iinspiration were hosting their own backstage segment when Madison Rayne, Tenille Dashwood, and Kaleb with a K interrupted. The segment ended with the Iinspiration leaving and Tenille Dashwood signing off as if she had just hosted a segment of “All Bout Me”.

Ace Austin and Madman Fulton defeated Hernandez and Johnny Swinger

After Ace Austin and Madman Fulton defeated Hernandez and Johnny Swinger in tag team action this week, they continued the attack after the match. With Hernandez on the mat, Swinger abandoned his partner. Fulton and Austin then wrapped Hernandez’s arm and neck in a chair and smashed another chair on top to end the segment.

Karl Anderson Beats Heath To Earn Hardcore War Advantage

Ahead of the 10-man hardcore war at Hard to Kill, Karl Anderson squared off with Heath in singles action this week. Matt Striker explained the rules for the match at Hard to Kill. Participants will enter the match in War Games style, with 2 men starting and a new participant entering at different intervals and one team being given a numbers advantage. This match between Anderson and Heath would determine which team has the advantage.

The finish of the match saw Heath miss an attack in the corner and Anderson hitting the cutter for the win. After the match, members of both teams hit the ring and an all out brawl ensued to end the show.

Hard To Kill 2022 Lineup

Impact Hard to Kill 2022 will take place January 8th, 2022 from the Bomb Factory in Dallas, Texas. The matches below have been officially confirmed for the show:

• Impact World Championship
  Moose (c) vs Matt Cardona vs W. Morrissey
• Knockouts Championship
  Texas Death Match
  Mickie James (c) vs Deonna Purrazzo
• Ultimate X Match For The #1 Contendership to the Knockouts Championship
  Lady Frost vs Alisha Edwards vs Tasha Steelz vs Jordynne Grace vs Chelsea Green vs Rosemary
• Josh Alexander vs JONAH
• X-Division Championship
  Trey Miguel (c) vs Steve Maclin
• Knockouts Tag Team Championships
  The IInspiration (Cassie Lee and Jessie McKay) (c) vs. The Influence (Madison Rayne and Tenille Dashwood) (with Kaleb with a K)
• ROH Championship
  Jonathan Gresham (c) vs. Chris Sabin
• 10-Man Hardcore War
  Eddie Edwards, Rich Swann, Willie Mack, Heath and Rhino vs. The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson) and Violent By Design (Eric Young, Deaner, and Joe Doering)

Joey Janela is saying “She was mine before she was yours” about Chelsea Green to Matt Cardona. The 3 appear to be recreating a famous angle between Randy Savage, Miss Elizabeth and Ric Flair to potentially play out in GCW.

The angle between Flair and Savage took place in the build-up to WrestleMania VIII. Flair was the WWF Champion after having won the vacant title in the 1992 Royal Rumble. Flair then began claiming that he had pictures of the lovely Miss Elizabeth that would prove Flair and her had once been an item. Keep in mind this was before editing photos could be done by anyone other than a professional photographer.

Flair eventually released the photos that showed him with Miss Elizabeth. Joey Janela has now done the same only with him and Chelsea Green.

It turns out that package contained compromising (by early 1990s standards) photographs of Janela and Green. The photographs sure do look a lot like the ones Flair had of Elizabeth.

Cardona now wants a chance to get at Janela in a GCW ring. He had previously quit the promotion but this appears to be motivating him to return.

Cardona appears to now realize the photos were fake (but were they???).

For those interested in the original angle, there is a WWE Timeline documentary on the WWE Network titled “She Was Mine Before She Was Yours” which covers it.

Matt Cardona and Chelsea Green were officially married this weekend. Since the wedding did not appear on a wrestling show, it happened without incident and the two are now officially married. Numerous personalities from around the world of wrestling attended the event.

The couple announced their engagement in April of 2019, at the onset of the global pandemic. They have been dating since 2017.

Green and Cardona both perform for Impact Wrestling currently. In an angle on 12/17 show, Cardona accidentally hit Green with a chair shot while aiming for Moose. Cardona will challenge for the Impact World Championship against Moose and W. Morrissey on the Hard to Kill PPV.

Chelsea Green Talks WWE Release

Green was released from her WWE contract in April of this year. She later appeared on Busted Open Radio and spoke about her reaction.

“I had no clue,” Green said of her release. “My initial reaction was that I had no reaction and I just got down to business. I opened up my Pro Wrestling Tees store, then contacted Ring of Honor, NWA, and Impact and stuff. But then later on, slowly as time has gone by, it’s been one of – I just think it was a missed opportunity.” 

Matt Cardona has made independent wrestling his new home after being released by WWE. He’s having the time of his life traveling around and working for multiple promotions at the same time.

After being a WWE star for 15 years, it doesn’t look like he is interested in signing another exclusive contract anytime soon. During a recent interview with Barstool Wrestling, the Long Island Broski was asked if he’d ever signing an exclusive contract in wrestling again.

“I mean never say never but I’m having the time of my life right now, the time of my career,” he began. “Before this, 2011, when I did the YouTube show back in the day, that was my favorite year of my career. But fuck this year is number one. By far I’m having the time of my life. Making some money and being my own boss. I love it.”

Cardona continued, “Not only the creative freedom, but the freedom to just make my own schedule, do whatever I want to do. and it’s working. This wasn’t some master plan.”

• Matt Cardona Explains Attacking Trevor Murdoch At NWA Hard Times 2

“It’s The Way I Live My Life”

Matt Cardona claimed that always ready is not just a catchphrase for him. It’s the way he lives his life. He is not one of those people who gets a lot of opportunities, but he is ready to seize the ones that come his way. Later in the interview, he explained how this mindset led to him making his Impact Wrestling debut at last year’s Hard To Kill PPV:

“The always ready. It’s not just a hashtag or gimmick. It’s the way I live my life and career. Some people not just in wrestling but in life, get handed opportunity after opportunity. I’m not one of them. I’m not complaining about that. They come few and far between. But when I get one, I better capitalize. I better make the most of it and that’s what the always ready is all about.

“It was last year at Hard To kill. I made my debut. [I] wasn’t scheduled to be on the show. The day before, someone from their talent relations texted me and said ‘hey, can you be at the Pay Per View tomorrow?’ I said ‘always ready.’ I literally had just shaved my entire body the night before and got a little confidence tan. But I was like, fuck, I say I’m always ready, [and] I better be. I better be fucking ready to go and I was. And I’ve been with impact, doing their shows ever since. I love impact. I love the opportunities that they give me. Now a year later on the anniversary of my debut going for the world title, it’s very special to me.”

It doesn’t appear Matt Cardona will slow down in 2022 either. He already has a few big shows coming his way in the first month of the year. Cardona is scheduled to challenge Moose for the Impact world title at Hard To Kill on January 8. The match will be a triple threat also involving W. Morrissey. He is booked for the GCW event in Hammerstein Ballroom on January 23 as well.

If you use any quotes from the article please credit SEScoops with an H/t for transcription

This article has been edited for clarity

Impact Wrestling on 12/16 continued the build to the Hard to Kill PPV on January 8th. It featured a major angle between Moose and Matt Cardona.

Impact quick results 12/16:

1. Josh Alexander defeated Rohit Raju w/Raj Singh
2. Joe Doening & Doc Gallows w/ Karl Anderson & VBD defeated Rich Swann & Willie Mack w/ Heath & Rhino
3. Trey Miguel defeated John Skyler
4. Chris Bey defeated Laredo Kid
5. Tenille Dashwood defeated Jessie McKay

Josh Alexander Defeats Rohit Raju

Alexander had to contend with interference from Raj Singh on the outside but came back to win this match with a C-4 Spike. Commentary played up that we are seeing a more aggressive side to Alexander recently. They also noted Alexander is still dealing with injured ribs from JONAH’s attack at Turning Point.

Later in the show, JONAH would cut a backstage promo about being the top dog and facing Alexander at Hard to Kill.

Violent By Design and The Good Brothers Working Together, Doc Gallows & Joe Doering Defeat Rich Swann & Willie Mack

The Good Brothers and Violent By Design were interviewed in the back and spoke about having come to a business agreement to work together, as we saw them do last week. This led to Doc Gallows teaming with Joe Doering to take on Rich Swann and Willie Mack this week. The finish of the match came shortly after Doering tossed Swann off the top turnbuckle and then him and Gallows gave Mack a double choke-slam and got the pin.

After the match, VBD and the Good Brothers continued the assault on Mack, Swann, as well as Heath and Rhino who were in Mack and Swann’s corner. This led to Eddie Edwards coming out with a kendo stick to make the save.

Steve Maclin Attacks Trey Miguel

X-Division Champion Trey Miguel defeated John Skyler with a meteora this week. As he was heading to the back after the match, however, he was attacked by Steve Maclin. Maclin then dragged him backstage to end the segment.

After the break, we cut to a video of Miguel tied up backstage while being taunted by Maclin.

Chris Bey Picks Up Win Over Laredo Kid

Laredo Kid had to contend with HIKULEO on the outside and it cost him this match here. After a crazy back and forth match, Laredo Kid looked like he had the match won. Bey was prone on the mat and Laredo went to the top. HIKULEO got up on the ring apron, however, and Laredo eventually took him out with a diving attack to the floor. The distraction allowed Bey to recover. Bey then countered a diving attack from his opponent into a cutter and got the 3-count.

Deonna Purrazzo vs Mickie James At Hard To Kill Made a Texas Death Match

Footage of Deonna Purrazzo and Knockouts Champion Mickie James getting into a confrontation at an autograph signing aired. We then cut to a clip of Purrazzo and James being told their match at Hard to Kill will now be a Texas Death Match by Gail Kim.

Tenille Dashwood defeats Jessie McKay

The short-lived alliance between the Iinspiration and the Influence continues to implode. This week Jessie McKay took on Tenille Dashwood in singles competition. McKay looked like she had the match wrapped up after delivering a big boot but Kaleb pulled the referee out of the ring. This led to Madison Rayne attacking Cassie Lee and McKay coming out of the ring to deal with her. As McKay got back in the ring, Kaleb grabbed her foot, which allowed Tenille to hit the spotlight kick for the win.

Chelsea Green Knocked Out By Chair Shot During Hard To Kill Contract Signing

The main event of the show featured a contract signing for the Impact World Championship match at Hard to Kill. Consistent with how such segments usually go, this one eventually broke down into a brawl. Morrissey signed the contract and promptly left. Moose then called Chelsea Green some names and Cardona attacked. Moose put Cardona through the table and then taunted him with his title belt.

It looked like Moose was going to leave but he turned around and came back. He wrapped Cardona’s neck in a chair and looked like he was going to hit him with another chair but Chelsea Green stopped him. Cardona then went to go hit Moose with a chair but missed and hit Green. Cardona checked on Green as Moose laughed and made his way to the back to end the show.

Coming Up In Impact Wrestling

December 18th, Throwback Throwdown II

Hard to Kill – January 8th, 2022

• Impact World Championship
  Moose (c) vs Matt Cardona vs W. Morrissey
• Knockouts Championship
  Texas Death Match
  Mickie James (c) vs Deonna Purrazzo
• Ultimate X Match For The #1 Contendership to the Knockouts Championship
  Lady Frost vs Rachael Ellering vs Tasha Steelz vs Jordynne Grace vs Chelsea Green vs Rosemary
• Josh Alexander vs JONAH

Impact Wrestling on 12/9 featured Eric Young vs Rhino in a street fight and furthered the build to Hard to Kill.

Impact Quick Results 12/9:

1. Deonna Purrazzo & Matthew Rehwoldt defeated Mickie James & Chris Sabin
2. Rohit Raju vs Lawrence D – No Contest
3. FinJuice (Juice Robinson & David Finlay) defeated The Learning Tree (VSK & Zicky Dice) 
4. Street Fight
   Eric Young defeated Rhino
5. Decay (Rosemary, Havok, Black Taurus & Crazzy Steve) defeated The IInspiration (Cassie Lee & Jessie McKay) & The Influence (Tenille Dashwood & Madison Rayne)
6. Matt Cardona defeated W. Morrissey via DQ

Deonna Purrazzo Pins Knockouts Champion Mickie James In Tag Team Action

This week opened up with Deonna Purrazzo teaming with Matthew Rehwoldt and going up against Mickie James and Chris Sabin. After a back and forth match, James hit Purrazzo off the top rope with a diving attack but Purrazzo countered into a pinning combination. Rehwoldt held onto Purrazzo’s arm from the outside, giving the Virtuosa added leverage and she got the 3-count. Purrazzo and James will meet with the title on the line at Hard to Kill.

Josh Alexander Calls Out JONAH

Josh Alexander returned to the Impact Zone this week. He interrupted the match between Rohit Raju and Lawrence D, leading to the ref throwing the match out. Alexander called out JONAH. Scott D’Amore came out and said that JONAH would not be coming out because he’s not in the building. He then announced that Alexander would face JONAH at Hard to Kill.

FinJuice Defeats The Learning Tree

David Finlay & Juice Robinson took one step further to getting back in the tag title hunt this week. They took on two members of Brian Myers’ Learning Tree in VSK and Zicky Dice. The finish of the match saw them hit a backbreaker elbow drop double-team move for the win. VSK and Dice were seen arguing with each other after the match.

Eric Young Defeats Rhino In A Street Fight

Despite Eric Young telling the other members of VBD not to come out for the match, there was a lot of interference here. Joe Doering and Deaner came out but were thwarted by Heath. Willie Mack and Rich Swann also came out to help Young but this brought out the Good Brothers, who attacked Swann and Mack. This left Rhino and Eric Young in the ring together and Young delivered a low blow and a piledriver for the win.

After the match, VBD and the Good Brothers beat down the babyfaces. There appears to be some alliance made between the two teams.

Decay Defeats The Iinspiration and the Influence

Before this match it appeared as though the Influence and the Iinspiration weren’t seeing completely eye to eye. In a backstage interview they debated what the name of their group should be. Madison Rayne doesn’t seem impressed with the Iinspiration. The finish of this match started when Taurus tossed Dashwood to the outside and everyone but Kaleb with a K moved out of the way. Madison Rayne then started arguing with the Iinspiration over them not helping to catch Dashwood. Dashwood was tossed back in the ring and Rosemary hit her with a spear and got the 3-count while Rayne and the Iinspiration were still arguing.

Participants Announced For the Knockouts Ultimate-X Match

The participants for the Knockouts Ultimate X match at Hard to Kill were announced. Gail Kim made the announcement as they were welcoming Lady Frost to the division. The participants in the match will be Lady Frost, Rachael Ellering, Tasha Steelz, Jordynne Grace, Chelsea Green and Rosemary.

Matt Cardona Defeats W. Morrissey Via DQ

The stipulation for this match was that if W. Morrissey could defeat Cardona, Cardona would be removed from the world title match at Hard to Kill. Moose was shown watching this match from a private suite. Morrissey was disqualified for shoving the referee while he was beating up Cardona in the corner. He then delivered a big boot to the referee following the end of the match. Morrissey continued the attack on Cardona until Chelsea Green came out. Moose also came out and told Morrissey to pick up Cardona and continue the attack. Morrissey hit Moose with a boot instead. He then shoved Chelsea Green out of the way but Cardona delivered a double-leg takedown and kicked Morrissey out of the ring. Cardona was left with the Impact world title in the ring to end the show.

Coming Up In Impact Wrestling

December 18th, Throwback Throwdown II

Hard to Kill – January 8th, 2022

• Impact World Championship
  Moose (c) vs Matt Cardona vs W. Morrissey
• Knockouts Championship
  Mickie James (c) vs Deonna Purrazzo
• Ultimate X Match For The #1 Contendership to the Knockouts Championship
  Lady Frost vs Rachael Ellering vs Tasha Steelz vs Jordynne Grace vs Chelsea Green vs Rosemary
• Josh Alexander vs JONAH

At the conclusion of NWA’s Hard Times 2 PPV, Matt Cardona appeared and attacked NWA World Heavyweight Champion, Trevor Murdoch. Following the show, correspondents from FITE TV caught up with Cardona and asked him why he aligned with Mike Knox and beat down Murdoch.

“I came just to cheer on Trevor,” Cardona said. “Trevor and I go way back. We used to ride together, we used to work out in the gym together believe or not. He was not happy to see me. I don’t know if he’s upset that he hasn’t had an action figure in over a decade, that’s not my fault.”

Cardona also spoke about aligning with Mike Knox at the end of the PPV. Knox attacked Murdoch, allowing Cardona to hold up the NWA World Heavyweight Championship for a moment.

“Mike Knox, people don’t understand the history I have with Mike Knox. We’ve been best friends for over a decade, almost two decades. So, the Pope puts his hands on Mike Knox, of course I’m going to intervene.”

Cardona also spoke about Mick Foley, who came out at the end of the PPV as well. Foley told Cardona he was an embarrassment to Long Island.

“Mick Foley comes out trash talking me. Mick, are you just following me everywhere? Stop, stop following me, bro. I’m the king, the deathmatch king and the king of Long Island.”

Cardona’s full comments can be heard in the Tweet below:

The NWA Hard Times 2 PPV featured not only a number of interesting matches but it also saw a few former WWE stars making surprise appearances at the show.

The first of them was the wrestling legend Mick Foley who brought the Christmas spirit with him. He said he is keeping a close eye on the show and warned the talents against crossing the line.

Dirty Dango also made his debut for the promotion during the Hard Times 2 PPV. He showed up with JTG after the tag team titles match.

The bout saw La Rebelión defeating The End to retain their championships. Dango and JTG pointed at the winners from the curtain before heading to the back.

Though probably the most impactful debut of the night was of Matt Cardona. He showed up after Trevor Murdoch defeated Mike Knox to retain the NWA worlds heavyweight championship in the main event of Hard Times 2.

Cardona pretended to come out to congratulate Murdoch. This allowed Knox to hit Murdoch with a low blow. The whole incident upset Mick Foley.

The hardcore legend sent Da Pope after Cardona but Pope was taken out by the former WWE star. Matt Cardona then got in the ring and held up the world title, to make his intentions clear and end the show.

• Matt Cardona On Potential WWE Return

Matt Cardona has built a spot for himself in the independent circuit since his release from WWE, and he has no interest in going back anytime soon.

The former WWE star recently had an interview with WrestlingInc. He discussed things such as what was the lowest point of his wrestling career and more.

He was also asked about a potential return to WWE or AEW. Cardona claimed that he is forever grateful for his time in WWE but at the same time, he has no intention of going back anytime soon:

“I’ve not been talking to WWE, listen, I love WWE. I love my time there; I am forever grateful for my time. The only thing I ever wanted to do was be a WWE Superstar.

If it wasn’t for WWE, I wouldn’t have been able to create my podcast and have the time of my life right now.” said Matt Cardona, “I’m not saying, ‘never say never,’ but I have no intentions of going back anytime in the near future.”

Though the former champion later mentioned how he previously won the IC title the last time WrestleMania was in Dallas. He claimed that he would be open to a Hall Of Fame induction when the PPV returns to the area next year.

Elsewhere in the interview, Matt Cardona also revealed that he had a chat with AEW president Tony Khan a couple of months ago. Although he explained that he wasn’t offered a deal to return to the promotion.

Matt Cardona was put into many embarrassing storylines during his stint with WWE. He has revealed which one he considers the worst.

The former WWE star recently had an interview with WrestlingInc. He discussed things such as how he is able to reinvent himself and more.

Speaking of his tag team with Mojo Rawley, Cardona said that it was worse than being thrown off the stage in a wheelchair by Kane:

“It’s a career-low. That’s definitely below (being pushed on the stage by Kane), the worst thing ever in my career. I wouldn’t bring The Hype Bros anywhere. Dean Muhtadi as a human being, love him. Mojo, hate him, tough sh*t, not happening.

He can come backstage and hang out in my private dressing room,” said Matt Cardona, “but we will not be in front of the people on camera together ever again.”

• Matt Cardona Has Officially Retired From Deathmatches

The former GCW champion continued by explaining that he has already won the tag team titles at WrestleMania. He doesn’t want to be a tag team wrestler anymore.

Matt Cardona and Mojo Rawley formed The Hype Bros in NXT in 2015. The team lasted till 2017 before Rawley attacked his partner and turned heel.

Matt Cardona’s run as the “deathmatch king” has quickly come to an end.

Cardona took the wrestling world by storm with his polarizing victory over Nick Gage back in July. With the win, Cardona captured the GCW Championship. Fans pelted the ring with garbage as Cardona celebrated and flipped the bird at the crowd.

At the time, Matt Cardona labeled himself as the new gold standard of deathmatches. Here’s what he told Sports Illustrated.

“Tasting my own blood and hearing those boos, I knew we had something special, but it was all worth it. I’m the new deathmatch king.

“Originally, I thought we could have a little celebration in the ring after I won. I have the Major Wrestling Figure podcast and we have a sponsorship with Pabst Blue Ribbon, so I wanted to do a toast in the ring after I won with Pabst Blue Ribbon. But I couldn’t even get to the beer because they were throwing so much crap at me. It wasn’t like it was a water bottle here or there. That stuff was coming at me. It was crazy.”

Now that he’s lost the GCW gold to Jon Moxley, Cardona claims to be done with deathmatches.

“I have retired from Death Match Wrestling.”

Matt Cardona followed up with this post.

“That was my last deathmatch. I will always love and respect that style. Thanks for all the years of support from the DM fans. I appreciate you.”

This is the same tweet that Rickey Shane Page put out weeks ago and he responded with the following.

“You know……I….I respect it.”

Matt Cardona knows just how to get under the skin of GCW fans. After defeating Nick Gage to win the GCW Championship earlier this summer, Cardona has now unveiled a specially designed GCW “Spinner” title. Text on the belt also refers to it as the GCW “Universal” Championship.

He unveiled the new belt on social media recently:

Cardona became the 20th wrestler to win the championship when he defeated Nick Gage for it at GCW Homecoming Night 1. Gage is the only person to have won the title more than once. His 2 reigns and 828 days spent with the belt are both records.

Cardona spoke with Sports Illustrated after winning the title from Gage. During the interview, Cardona talked about how it is his first world championship.

“This title is a big deal. I was fortunate in WWE to win the tag team title twice, the intercontinental title, and the United States title,” Cardona said. “But the GCW title is my first world title. So people are absolutely crazy if they don’t think I’m going to treat this as the biggest thing in the world. I took the title to Disneyland and posed in front of the castle.”

GCW Champion and Pabst Blue Ribbon spokesman, Matt Cardona, was recently Chris Jericho’s guest on Talk is Jericho. During the discussion, Cardona spoke about his brief time in AEW and why it didn’t lead to something more permanent.

“AEW, it just didn’t work out at the time,” Cardona said (transcriptions via WrestlingNewsCo). “There’s so many people there, and there just wasn’t anything for me at the time.”

Cardona has wrestled twice for AEW. His first match was on the July 30th, 2020 episode of Dynamite when he teamed with Cody Rhodes and defeated the Dark Order’s John Silver and Alex Reynolds. He then teamed with Dustin Rhodes, QT Marshall, and Scorpio Sky to defeat the Dark Order at All Out 2020.

“No hard feelings, not to say I’ll never be there again because I would love to be. Obviously, there’s no doubt AEW is the place to be. It’s the talk of the wrestling business every single week. Timing is everything, and it wasn’t the right time.”

In addition to his run in GCW, Cardona is also currently active in Impact Wrestling. He defeated Rohit Raju on the Emergence show on Impact Plus last month. Cardona also teamed with his partner Chelsea Green and made it to the semi-finals of Impact’s Homecoming King and Queen tournament in July.

The Impact Emergence card has been finalized.

Tomorrow night (Aug. 20), Emergence will air on Impact Plus. In the main event, Christian Cage will defend the Impact Wrestling World Championship against Brian Myers. Also set for the card will be an X-Division Title clash between champion Josh Alexander and Jake Something. The Impact World Tag Team Titles will also be on the line as Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson meet Violent By Design, and the team of Rich Swann and Willie Mack.

We now have four more matches to round out the event. On the go-home show for Emergence, it was announced that Decay will collide with Tasha Steelz, Savannah Evans, Fallah Bahh & No Way. Another newly announced matchup is Deonna Purrazzo and Matthew Rehwoldt vs. Melina and Trey Miguel.

Also announced on the recent episode of Impact is a one-on-one match between Matt Cardona and Rohit Raju. It was also revealed that Madison Rayne is making her return to take on Taylor Wilde.

Here’s a look at the final Emergence card.

• Christian Cage (c) vs. Brian Myers – for Impact Wrestling World Title
• Josh Alexander (c) vs. Jake Something – For X-Division Title
• Impact World Tag Team Championship:
• The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson) (c) vs. Violent By Design vs. Rich Swann & Willie Mack – for Impact Wrestling World Tag Team Titles
• Deonna Purrazzo & Matthew Rehwoldt vs. Melina & Trey Miguel
• Decay vs. Tasha Steelz, Savannah Evans, Fallah Bahh & No Way
• Matt Cardona vs. Rohit Raju
• Madison Rayne vs. Taylor Wilde
• Steve Maclin vs. Petey Williams

Matt Cardona picked up one of the biggest wins of his wrestling career when he defeated Nick Gage to become the new GCW world champion at Homecoming night 1.

The former WWE star recently had an interview with Sports Illustrated where he opened up about his big win and discussed what it means to him.

Cardona first commented on the wild crowd reaction to his victory. He explained that hearing the boos made him realize that they had something special, before claiming himself as the new deathmatch king:

“Tasting my own blood and hearing those boos, I knew we had something special, but it was all worth it. I’m the new deathmatch king.”

• Matt Cardona Reflects on Six Months with IMPACT Wrestling

The GCW championship is the first world title of Cardona’s career. Discussing how the title win is a big deal for him, Matt Cardona said that people are crazy if they don’t think he is going to treat it as the biggest thing:

“This title is a big deal. I was fortunate in WWE to win the tag team title twice, the intercontinental title, and the United States title,

But the GCW title is my first world title. So people are absolutely crazy if they don’t think I’m going to treat this as the biggest thing in the world. I took the title to Disneyland and posed in front of the castle.”

Matt Cardona also discussed the negative crowd reaction at the Homecoming special that stemmed from his victory. He claimed that he is not trying to be a heel.

According to the former US champion, he was just being himself. He had fans in the arena too but it just happened to be that the vocal fan base there were the ones who didn’t want him to win.

Former WWE star Matt Cardona shocked everyone and became the new GCW world heavyweight champion by defeating Nick Gage during tonight’s GCW: Homecoming night 1.

The main event of the show saw Gage defending his title against the former Zack Ryder in a brutal match that left both the competitors bloodied.

Nick Gage was in control for the majority of the match. He used multiple light tubes and a pizza cutter among other things on Cardona during the bout.

Chris Jericho’s Judas theme played at one point in the match. While the hooded figure that showed up, ended up not being Jericho, the distractions continued even after that.

The 44OH! faction came out and attacked Gage not long after this. Former GCW champion RSP came out in Gage’s aid and the two managed to fight off the attackers.

Though this alliance was short-lived as RSP ended up low-blowing Nick Gage. This allowed Matt Cardona to hit a Rough Ryder on his opponent and win the match.

Fans started throwing trash in the ring immediately after the bout ended. Cardona ran off the arena to save himself, leaving Cage in disbelief.

This ends Nick Gage’s 100+ days long championship reign with the title. Now it would be interesting to see what the promotion has planned for Cardona’s title reign.

• Alex Shelley’s Return To Wrestling Announced By GCW

Matt Cardona is a wrestler making headlines these days, going after GCW champion Nick Gage. He is also celebrating his first six months with IMPACT wrestling. A lot can happen in such a short time, and Matt was all too happy to talk with Steel Chair about his change in fortunes.

“It’s been a lot of fun, I’ve got a lot of opportunities, and I thank the Impact Wrestling management for those opportunities. That’s why I came to Impact Wrestling.”

Matt Cardona is known primarily from his days in WWE, and many might feel he was never allowed to reach his full potential. His Wrestlemania moment was kept to just that, dropping the title the very next day. If any run could summarize a career with WWE, then that would be it.

However, Cardona is looking to the future, and he has his eyes firmly set on the big prize. “It doesn’t matter if it’s Kenny or Sami Callihan or Moose. It doesn’t matter to me, if you have that Impact title, I want it.”

When asked about who he would love to wrestle on the IMPACT roster, Matt Cardona wasted no time in reeling off two names. “Tommy Dreamer, who’s still around. I thought I retired him over 10 years ago (December 2009 in WWE), but he’s still kicking. If I need to retire him for good, one last hardcore match, I would love to do that. Eddie Edwards, I’ve teamed with, but I’ve never wrestled him. I love his style, I love what he’s done with himself over the past couple of years, more violent style and again. Someone I’d love to get in the ring with, maybe a hardcore match with him.”

Matt Cardona Enjoys the Creative Freedom Offered by IMPACT

After working in an environment that took creative control away from its talent, Matt Cardona is relishing the creativity afforded to him by IMPACT.

“We’re all artists, and we have this blank canvas now to just draw whatever we want, and that’s the best part about Impact, all this creative freedom and all these opportunities, and I think the sky is the limit with Impact. I think it’s on the up and up. All the wrestlers there in that locker room are hungry, they all want Impact to keep getting better and better.”

Matt Cardona is only 36 years old. He has a long future ahead of him. His recent change in attitude including his feud with Nick Gage has made him one of the stars to watch.

Nick Gage will face Matt Cardona at GCW Homecoming on July 24th. Gage recently appeared on Busted Open Radio and issued some comments directed at his upcoming opponent.

“Listen, I’m going to carve Matt Cardona up,” Gage said on the show. “He needs to understand what he’s getting himself into. I’m going to break a lightube over my f***ing head and then I’m going to take that sharp piece off that light tube and I’m going to stab him with it. And then I’m going to keep it in his skin and I’m going to go right down his f***ing body.”

“He’s going to feel that burn, man. This guy has no clue what he is getting himself into.”

Cardona appeared on Busted Open last month and didn’t sound concerned about his match with Gage, however.

“I have to be a man and shut him up. Deathmatch wrestling, I respect the hell out of it. It’s not for me or my style, but when I dropped him with the DDT, I sliced my elbow on the glass. I’m doing the offensive move. There’s no doubt that it’s dangerous and real. I was walking to the back wondering where the blood was coming from, and it was coming from me. Am I crazy for getting involved? Probably.”

Gage will be putting his GCW title on the line in the match. So far, the only other confirmed match for Night 1 of GCW Homecoming is 2 Cold Scorpio taking on the Grim Reefer.

Gage’s comments can be heard in the below Tweet:

GCW Champion and Deathmatch King Nick Gage recently appeared on the NotSam Wrestling podcast. The Game Changer Wrestling Champ discussed a number of topics on the show, including his upcoming opponent for GCW Homecoming, Matt Cardona.

Cardona recently appeared at GCW’s Zombie Walk event, hiding under a ‘druid’ costume and pulling off Jon Moxley mannerisms before hitting a Paradigm Shift DDT on Gage. Matt Cardona then revealed who he really was to a massive reaction of boos from the GCW crowd.

Speaking on the NotSam podcast, Nick Gage would say how much respect he has for Cardona as a pro wrestler, grinding in WWE even when the company would not give him the push that he necessarily deserved.

Nick Gage on Matt Cardona

“Before he did all that clown sh*t and I was messing with him on Twitter, I had mad respect for that guy” Nick Gage began. “We’re talking about a guy who had been in WWE for over a decade. Him and Brian Myers, I just respect them.”

“I’m a wrestler at heart and I respect them grinding all those years at that place and they would never give him a shot” Gage continued. “He climbed the ladder and won the Intercontinental Title in front of 100,000 people. How awesome was that?”

Nick Gage finished by promoting the match between the two at GCW Homecoming, saying that it is going to be far more violent than Cardona is used to.

“Now, he’s going to get in the ring with me, there will be glass surrounding him, and we’re gonna go” Gage stated. “He steps into my world and he knows what it is. It’s violence, blood, gory, and I’m going to cut him and he’ll feel that burn. All the stuff we use in GCW is real. We don’t use fake glass or snip the barbed wire.”