Tradition. History. Respect

The first episode of NWA Hollywood opens with NWA Champion Adam Pearce talking about the importance of the NWA. He explains it pretty well. The governing body of Professional Wrestling. Much like the International Olympic Committee. Ring Announcer Angelo Trinidad, NWA Broadcaster David Marquez and wrestlers Andrew Hellman, Johnny Yuma and Nick Madrid follow. Each one of them put over the importance of NWA and how it is both staying true to its roots but adapting to the landscape of modern pro wrestling. I take this to mean less skits than other wrestling companies but a more advanced wrestling style, perhaps a mix of Lucha Libre and Puroresu influences along with the technical style.

A match from 1956 between Argentina Rocca and Lou Thesz is shown

Afterwards NWA Broadcaster Jeff Resnick, Adam Pearce, Willie Mack (wrestler), and Dave Marquez each talk about Lou Thesz and what he meant to the NWA. Thesz was a champion for decades and a consummate professional, both inside and outside of the ring.

Brief break and a return to an old midget tag match. This, I guess, is the segue they are using to verge into the "character" discussion. Don't see the connection between midgets and characters. They aren't playing a character, they were born that way. Announcer Todd Keneley mentions The Missing Link, due to his unusual look . Angelo Trinidad brought up Iceman King Parsons and refered to him as "Mr. T before there was a Mr. T". Adam Pearce mentioned Dusty Rhodes and even did a Dusty Rhodes impersonation. Willie Mack mentions "The Birdman" Koko B. Ware. While doing these they show pictures of the legends that are mentioned and Willie Mack could pass for a young Koko B. Ware. Jeff Resnick is talking about Kamala. Resnick does not mention exactly what Kamala's gimmick was. He was a Ugandan Cannibal.

An old match now between Abdullah The Butcher and Some Unfortunate Bastard. S.A.B's name was apparently Fred something. Abdullah wins. This takes the show to a break. After it returns another old match Carlos Colon vs. Dory Funk Jr. Back to the studio and James Morgan (wrestler) is talking about his favorite wrestler. His is Bret Hart, Nick Madrid picks Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho due to the size similarities between them and himself. Shaun Ricker (wrestler) picks Ric Flair because "he likes to talk, he likes to walk, he likes to do everything that I like to do". Dave Marquez picks "Classy" Fred Blassie. Johnny Goodtime (wrestler) says Sean Waltman, also for the size similarities. Adam Pearce also says Ric Flair. He does a better job than Shaun Ricker of explaining Flair. Speaking of Flair, a match follows of Ric's.

Break time again.

Todd Kenely talks about the influx of Lucha Libre talent into the NWA in recent years. Adam Pearce explains Lucha Libre's importance in Mexico very well too (I am sensing a pattern here). All this Lucha Talk leads to a lucha match that goes on for a while.

Brief talk on the Galaxy Theatre, which is where NWA from Hollywood is based. In this segment Dave Marquez lists off several venues that are no longer around and says the Galaxy Theatre is basically the only one they had left. I know it was not his intention but it really didn't make the Galaxy Theatre seem important. He gave off the impression that they were stuck with it. After that came the guys talking about how NWA Championship Wrestling from Hollywood gives them a great opportunity.

 

Overall: The show was not what I expected it to be. I planned on going through the NWA Hollywood Website and watching the episodes in order. It did a lot to explain what the NWA is and for that I do have to give it positive reviews. However what it does not do is explain who the people are. First impression wise, I am liking Adam Pearce (it helps that I have seen him before), he is well spoken and came across as a class act. Who I do not like is Jeff Resnick. Being as he is an announcer, this probably isn't a good thing. He gave me a morning DJ vibe. Like Ryan Seacrest. Jeff Resnick is like Ryan Seacrest.