FIGHTS: Will the NWA's Master Plan in New Japan blow up in their face?

by Bowie Ibarra

Newly-crowned NWA champ 'The Ironman' Rob Conway will be the NWA's representative going into this weekend's NJPW Supershow, 'Invasion Attack'.  The word on the street is that he'll be facing NJPW stalwart, Satoshi Kojima, who is not only a vet in the ring, but has a lariat that would make Stan Hanson proud.  It's a big weekend for wrestling fans, but also a big weekend for Conway.

You might remember when the NWA President Bruce Tharpe took to the YouTubes to call out NJPW and insult them and their fans with his planned run at their organization.  I couldn't help but notice Tharpe didn't have then-champ 'Tokyo Monster' Kahagas present for the taping.  When I saw that, there was a sense that Tharpe was holding his cards to the vest.  He fast-tracked Kahagas to the championship belt only months before in a 16-man title tournament that had Kahagas show up in the final by his decree.

Did Tharpe lose confidence in his golden boy?  Was he just holding his cards to the vest, knowing that Kahagas was, indeed, a fighting champion and, knowing his schedule, considered that Kahagas might lose the belt somewhere along the way?

Either way, Tharpe has pushed all in with the new champ, Rob Conway.

Rob Conway?  I know, right?

Wrestling fans outside of San Antonio might remember Rob Conway as an arrogant WWE wrestler.  He's gone on the indy wrestling circuit for some years now, keeping his skills sharp and waiting for an opportunity.

It came March 16 when then champ Kahagas was set to face challenger NWA-Branded Outlaw Heavyweight Champ Jax Dane.  When Dane was jumped by the NWA World Tag Champs The Kingz of the Underground, taking Dane out of contention, Conway was granted a shot and won.

Check out the historic match here:

Say what you will about Rob Conway, but the fact remains that the guy was able to take that golden opportunity and cash it out.  The guy has been looking for a big break for a while now, and he got it.

But now his first title defense is going to test not only Conway, but an entire organization.  The NWA invading Japan could be great, or it could fizzle out.  A lot of that rests on Conway's performance against the tough-as-nails Kojima. 

But is Conway ready?  It's my opinion that he is.

Let's face it, the guy was able to beat Kahagas, who was on an unbeaten streak since he won the belt late last year.  Kahagas might have got the belt under shady circumstances, thanks to Tharpe.  But he still showed he was a quality champ by defending it all over the US.

Conway is a good representative for the NWA in Japan.  He has WWE credentials, has kept his skills sharp since then, and has the potential to do well.

Ironically enough, 'The Vanilla Godzilla' Jax Dane will be at his side as they travel to the Land of the Rising Sun.

When put in perspective, this is the opportunity Conway has been waiting for years to have.  Now that NWA has given him the ball, here's hoping he makes it out of Japan healthy and with a victory for NWA.

That win alone will easily propel him to a great title run as NWA champ.

Best of luck, champ.

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BOWIE V. IBARRA is the author of the 'Down the Road' zombie horror series from Permuted Press and Simon and Schuester. 

His combat sports themed book, PIT FIGHTERS: BAPTISM BY FIRE, features a luchador from Mexico who transitions to mixed martial arts competition.  It is available in paperback and on Kindle for .99 cents.

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FIGHTS: NWA World Title Follow-up = Tokyo Monster jumps finalists

by Bowie Ibarra

I have to admit it was a shady start to such a prestigious world professional wrestling title tournament.  As mentioned before, I'm not sure why the tourney was rushed and how entrants such as Biggie Biggs were worthy to have their names engraved alongside such legends as Dusty Rhodes, 'Wildfire' Tommy Rich, and Ric Flair.

But as it turned out, the shady start to this tournament ended even shadier as the NWA National Heavyweight Champion, Tokyo Monster Kahagas, who was one of many worthy NWA competitors passed over as a participant, was entered as a ringer for the final.

It's another example of how great (and shady-as-f**k) management can make or break a wrestler and lead them to gold.  In this case, it was Dontay Brown who finagled his charge, Kahagas, into the main event.

As reported by Tony Brooklyn, NWA Vice-President and CFO:

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE: On November 2 at NWA DAWG in Clayton New Jersey, Tokyo Monster Kahagas pinned Damien Wayne to become the new NWA™ World Heavyweight Champion.

Kahagas was a last minute entrant in to a scheduled eight man elimination match that advertised Chance Prophet, Justin "The Gift" Kincaid, Lance Erikson, Anthony Nese, "Greek God" Papadon, "Phat Daddy" Biggie Biggs, Lance Anoa'i and Wayne.

With only Wayne and Prophet remaining in the ring, Kahagas' manager Dontay Brown emerged with the reigning NWA™ National Heavyweight Champion. Brown was on the phone with NWA President R. Bruce Tharpe. Brown informed NWA™ Head Official Fred Richards that Tharpe had approved Kahagas' entry in to the match. Richards confirmed Brown's claim by speaking directly with Tharpe and allowed Kahagas' participation. Wayne then surprised Prophet with a quick pile driver and secured a three count. Shortly thereafter, Kahagas finished off Wayne with a "TMD" (Tokyo Monster Driver).

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To be honest, I'm not sure why NWA President R. Bruce Tharp made this move to tarnish his own tournament.  This only adds to his questionable reputation, and I imagine Dontay Brown found some sort of legal looophole in how the event was organized, and probably greased Tharps palm for good measure to allow this ultimate travesty (eat your heart out, Chris Trew).  Hell, the legal eagle Tharp might have been in league with Brown and Kahagas in the first place, for all I know. 

The way I see it, that's what the NWA gets for throwing this event together so fast.  Had they taken the time to organize as they should have, get their ducks in a row, and set things up correctly, Brown, Tharp, and ultimately, Kahagas, couldn't take advantage like they did.  

But its over now, and Kahagas now has a target on his back.  Specifically from the two warriors who earned their shot at the title in the sanctioned tourney, Chance Prophet and Damien Wayne, who had some words for Kahagas.  Here's hoping Brown (and Tharp) are providing enough dough for Kahagas, because he'll be taking the lumps.

This brings up another question brought up by a fan:  If the old NWA rules apply, does Kahagas have to drop the national title now?  And if so, will there be another (hopefully better organized and legally protected) tournament for that title?

Though it was a shady start to a new era for the NWA, its a charged beginnig to what I anticipate to be an interesting run for Kahagas, whose name is now along side such greats as Harley Race, Bobo Brazil, and Sting.

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Bowie V. Ibarra is the author of the 'Down the Road' zombie horror series from Permuted Press and Simon and Schuester.  His combat sports themed book, Pit Fighters: Baptism by Fire , features a lucha libre expert  who transitions to mixed martial arts competition.

Enjoy the blog?  Share it with your friends using the 'Facebook', 'Blogger' and 'Twitter' buttons below.

Agree?  Disagree?  Leave a comment below using your Google+ or Blogger account.

You can network with Bowie and explore his other titles at his personal website, ZombieBloodFights.com.