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Tim Storm: NWA’s Top Man

Posted: Nov 16th 2017 By: Wrestleville.com

On Sunday, November 12th, NWA World Heavyweight Champion Tim Storm successfully defended his belt against a worthy competitor, Nick Aldis, a 14 year veteran of the business. The match took place near Los Angeles, California, and was hosted by Championship Wrestling From Hollywood. The match garnered significant media hype, and the buzz that surrounded the event was probably just what new owner Billy Corgan was hoping for, after he officially took over the historic wrestling promotion back in October. Wrestleville talked to Tim about the match and his thoughts about his future with the NWA moving ahead.

Q: How does it feel to be the current NWA World Champion considering all the changes that have taken place since the new ownership?

A: Everyday is Christmas for me. Every day that I wake up and know that I am NWA’s World Champion is another great day for me. This is more than what I have ever expected and more than what a lot of people expected. There are a lot of people that say I deserve it, and there are a lot of people that say I don’t. That’s not for me to determine. All I can do is my best in the situations that I’m put in. I’m very blessed and thankful that I am getting this opportunity, and that’s how I’m going to approach everything. I get up every day, eat right, go to the gym, and prepare for my next title defense because I am the current NWA World Champion. It would be easier not to do that, but that’s just not how I’m made.

Q: What did it mean for you to successfully defend your title to Nick Aldis with the match being broadcasted live on Facebook?

A: I didn’t know it was going to be broadcast live on Facebook, but it would have been the same match either way. Nick Aldis is phenomenal. He is one of the best I’ve ever been in the ring with. I saw a skill level that I haven’t seen in a long time, and it was a serious challenge. Nick has to be one of the top unsigned independent free agents out there.

Q: Why do you think Nick is so good?

A: In his own words, he was thrown into the spotlight at a very young age with some of the top names in the business. He benefited from that and took full advantage of it. His knowledge and his skill level are what strikes me. I don’t know why he isn’t under contract in New York or somewhere. He is very impressive. I experienced some things in the ring with him that I haven’t experienced in my 20 years of wrestling. It was definitely a learning experience for me, and I’m going to be better for it.

Q: What kind of response have you gotten in regards to the match from the fans and your peers?

It was an old-school NWA match and we told a good story. The match took place in a small ring with two big guys. We both got tangled up in the ropes a little bit. I think Nick said that I got an advantage from the ropes and he is questioning the finish. My response to that is yes, the ropes were definitely something we ran into, and if anything, it was a disadvantage. I got tangled up in them. I’m really proud of the match. I think the story was a good one and it was extremely physical. That was 3 days ago, and I still feel like I was hit by a semi-truck. There were some people that were critical of the match, but most of the feedback over the last couple days has been very positive. I knew it was going to be a battle of wills instead of a battle of skills. I tried to make it a little more physical and when it was over, we were both beat down. In the end, I was fortunate to still be the World Champion.

Q: While the match was being broadcasted on Facebook, many comments referred to the wrestling as being classic or old school. Was it important to have that kind of a match?

A: It was. The NWA is a name that brings both history and a legacy. I think both of us wanted to go in there representing that in a positive way. The match got a lot of media attention, so we wanted to put out a good product. I didn’t want to have a match like every single match that you see on TV. Let’s be truthful, there’s a lot of things that I can’t do, and I won’t even try. The fans got some classic things in the match that were representative of NWA matches in the past. Many people know I usually don’t go to the top rope, but Dusty Rhodes beat Harley Race for the title with that move. Unfortunately, I slipped a little, but was trying to represent some common aspects of prior NWA champions.

Q: Do you think this match was what you and the NWA needed at this time to showcase the promotion going forward?

A: I think what we needed was a classic NWA style of a match, and I think we did that. If I could do it all over again, I probably would hit him with my finisher in the middle of the ring and finish him. If he could do it all over again, he would probably tap me out with his finisher, but that’s not how the match ended, and I was fortunate enough to get the win. I think the response from the NWA has been absolutely positive. We’re on a slow build and that has been the intent from the very beginning. I don’t know where this is going, or how it’s going to end, or how long I’ll continue to win matches. Every time I win a world title match it’s a pleasure and an honor.

Q: What is your response to Billy Corgan’s open challenge to your title?

A: I got my third or fourth shot at the NWA World title from Jax Dane, but he didn’t have to do that. He had beaten me three other times. Because he was willing to do that for me, I want to be a fighting champion. Anybody that the NWA wants to sanction a match with, I’m 100% behind it. Dane gave me that shot and I’d love to give as many title shots to people as I can.

Q: What has the company told you about their upcoming plans, and how do they expect to market the NWA product?

A: Basically, what I and a lot of people have been told is that William Corgan has a 20-year plan. A lot of people say that sounds ridiculous. Sometimes promotions rush things that should take six months, but they are done in 6 weeks, and that product doesn’t always deliver. What William Corgan and Dave Lagana have set out to do, is only make commitments that they know that they can follow through on. How many times have we seen a promotion go out with great talent and great funding and be out of money after a few shows? It was because they made commitments that they couldn’t keep. That’s not going to happen here, because this is going to be a slow rollout. I know for a fact we’re ahead of schedule for what they originally predicted and set out to do, so they are very happy with the way that things are going.

Q: How vital is it for the NWA to work with a successful promotion such as Championship Wrestling From Hollywood?

A: William Corgan and Dave Lagana have a plan. It’s been said if the NWA doesn’t have any affiliates, how can it be the National Wrestling Alliance? They believe that every wrestling organization should be able to work with each other as long as it’s mutually beneficial. We are open to working with any wrestling organization as long as the result can be beneficial to both parties. I know there are some things in the works that I can’t reveal, but there are some potentially huge things set to happen. The NWA has been reaching out to some organizations, and some other organizations have been reaching out to the NWA. Some of these plans are so big that they rattle my nerves a little bit. We’ll see what happens. There is nothing official right now. When Corgan and Lagana know something, I’m sure they will announce it.

Q: What are you’re expectations regarding your role as champion, and what can the fans expect to see from the NWA in the near future?

A: As the World Champion, it really is a match by match schedule. If I don’t win this Friday, my schedule as NWA Champion is done. I have to continue to win and to continue to be successful. That is just the bottom line. It’s going to be interesting and fun. Fortunately for me, my happy place is being in the ring. I love wrestling, and I love being given the opportunity to do what I love to do. Every day is a great opportunity for me.