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Rumor: NWA and TBS Negotiate TV Deal

Posted: Jan 11th 2018 By: Lamont Jackson - ThaSportsJunkies101.com

Rumor: NWA Returns to TBS After 31 Years?

The National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) might return to the TBS network after well over three decades.

Former Impact Wrestling President, Billy Corgan is reportedly in talks with TBS to air NWA shows on TBS.

Corgan purchased NWA last May, as his purchase became official the following October.

Billy Corgan has embraced an aim to rejuvenate the organization. This includes creating a new YouTube series entitled Ten Pounds of Gold to promote the prestigious NWA world title.

He apparently plans to make NWA the empire it once was in the past. He has stated in an interview,

We want to be part of a new revolution of how wrestling can be consumed by fans and matches can be presented. This NWA brand dates back to 1948. The past few years have not been as kind as we would have liked, but we plan on building this into a powerhouse over time.

Citigroup analyst, Tom Rollins confirmed that NWA had been signed.

TBS Turner Sports president, David Levy has spoke about NWA,

We’ll look [into] late afternoons with the NWA broadcasting and any additional opportunities that become available..

TBS has also noted,

We’re talking to NWA as we speak and if the right model comes into play. Hopefully, we’ll be able to obtain it; it’s possible. We feel like we’re playing with the house’s money. We have the schedule that we wanted, [which is] late afternoons. Is it possible that we pick up a couple [of] extra broadcast? It’s possible. We are talking with NWA, but TBS are only interested in deals that provide good value. Late afternoons with the NWA broadcasting is what we are looking at; 5:00pm – 8:30pm.

Sources have claimed that NWA has demanded a fee for their content to be aired. TBS didn’t comment on this matter.

NWA’s History

On February 7, 1986, TBS aired Superstars on the Superstation. The show featured Ric Flair defeating Ron Garvin to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. The championship is the most oldest and longest active (world) title in pro wrestling, currently held by Tim Storm. (Oklafan Editor's Note: This story was written prior to Storm's NWA World Title loss to Nick Aldis on December 9, 2017.)

Between 2008 and 2012, NWA has aired periodic television programs such as NWA Wrestling Showcase and NWA Championship Wrestling from Hollywood.

NWA was founded in 1948. However, ever since the late-1990s, the governing body of various branches and regional promotions has suffered from a decline of television recognition.

NWA has made more than just a few television deals within the last two decades, including a partnership with New Japan Pro-Wrestling in 2013 that lasted for a couple of years.

As of late, NWA has evidently focused on the internet/media platform than ever before; changing with times.

Writer’s Thoughts

NWA has an illustrious history of legends, historical matches, and sold-out venues.

I believe the NWA can rebrand themselves to once again become a hot topic in pro wrestling. NWA or at least the sole NWA World Heavyweight Championship deserves more recognition.

I’m still quite upset that WWE didn’t feature NWA’s title at Starrcade on November 25 in the Greensboro Coliseum which featured numerous NWA events.