Billy Corgan Buys the NWA
May 1, 2017 15:27:36 GMT -5
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Post by flame3169118 on May 1, 2017 15:27:36 GMT -5
In a long post detailing both the history of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and Smashing Pumpkins’ frontman Billy Corgan’s history in the wrestling business, PWInsider is reporting Corgan has purchased the NWA.
What exactly that means is an open question.
The exclusive story from PWInsider does not have any quotes from the former TNA President, but says multiple sources confirmed, “the deal in place would see Corgan purchase the name, rights, trademarks to the NWA as well as the rights and possession of the NWA championship belt.” It does not have answers as to what that means for independent promotions currently affiliated with the Alliance, or its On Demand video service.
In the heydays of the territories, the NWA was THE governing body for regional promotions, and its championships the most well known and prestigious. When Vince McMahon took the then-WWF national, the Alliance became much less essential to the business. It’s name was associated with WCW and TNA over the years, and the NWA has had relationships with Japanese promotions from time-to-time. During the current decade, the Alliance came to be owned by Texas promoter & lawyer Bruce Tharpe, whose business model has been to license out the name to promotions for a fee.
Corgan was involved with ECW as an on-screen performer and behind the scenes with Chicago indie Revolution Pro before investing in and taking on creative for TNA last year. He attempted to turn his investment into a purchase of the company, but after an unsuccessful court challenge, accepted a buyout from current owners Anthem Entertainment.
Purchasing the NWA could be an entry back into the game, giving Billy a recognizable brand he can build up as he sees fit. Or, it could be something else entirely.
We’ll have to wait to hear from him. But for folks who liked the direction TNA seemed to be going under Corgan in 2016, this could be good news... and a lot of fun to speculate about.
What exactly that means is an open question.
The exclusive story from PWInsider does not have any quotes from the former TNA President, but says multiple sources confirmed, “the deal in place would see Corgan purchase the name, rights, trademarks to the NWA as well as the rights and possession of the NWA championship belt.” It does not have answers as to what that means for independent promotions currently affiliated with the Alliance, or its On Demand video service.
In the heydays of the territories, the NWA was THE governing body for regional promotions, and its championships the most well known and prestigious. When Vince McMahon took the then-WWF national, the Alliance became much less essential to the business. It’s name was associated with WCW and TNA over the years, and the NWA has had relationships with Japanese promotions from time-to-time. During the current decade, the Alliance came to be owned by Texas promoter & lawyer Bruce Tharpe, whose business model has been to license out the name to promotions for a fee.
Corgan was involved with ECW as an on-screen performer and behind the scenes with Chicago indie Revolution Pro before investing in and taking on creative for TNA last year. He attempted to turn his investment into a purchase of the company, but after an unsuccessful court challenge, accepted a buyout from current owners Anthem Entertainment.
Purchasing the NWA could be an entry back into the game, giving Billy a recognizable brand he can build up as he sees fit. Or, it could be something else entirely.
We’ll have to wait to hear from him. But for folks who liked the direction TNA seemed to be going under Corgan in 2016, this could be good news... and a lot of fun to speculate about.
