NWA returning to St. Louis for 75th-anniversary show
ST. LOUIS — For the third consecutive year, a prestigious wrestling promotion is returning to the Gateway to the West. The National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) is returning to St. Louis for its 75th-anniversary show, titled NWA 75.
NWA will be holding its upcoming show from the legendary Khorassian Ballroom at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel, 212 Kingshighway Blvd.
The Khorassian Ballroom was home to NWA’s televised program in the greater St. Louis area Wrestling at the Chase. The program was the brainstorm of St. Louis Wrestling Club president Sam Muchnick and Harold Koplar. Koplar is better known as the founder of the TV station KPLR 11. Furthermore, Koplar was also the owner of the Chase Park Plaza Hotel at the time.
From 1959 until 1983, the program, along with the St. Louis Wrestling Club’s membership in the NWA, featured many televised matches. Many of these matches would feature wrestling legends such as Harley Race and “Cowboy” Bob Orton.
2021: NWA returns to the Chase
After Wrestling at the Chase ended in 1983, the NWA had never returned to St. Louis during the remainder of the territory era.
That all changed in 2017 when Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan bought the fledgling promotion. It also marked the end of the territory era, focusing on a structure as a singular promotion.
In 2021, Corgan and his company Lightning One, Inc. made an announcement that NWA would be returning to its roots in St. Louis with its 73rd-anniversary show, NWA 73.
That show would end with Missouri native William Mueller (better known as Trevor Murdoch) winning the NWA World Heavyweight Championship against Nick Aldis. Murdoch was trained by the late wrestling legend and fellow Missourian Harley Race.
The four-day event would include television tapings for its program NWA Powerrr. The other major event was an all-women show called NWA Empowerrr.
NWA 74: Return to the Chase, part deux
The incredible showing in 2021 led Corgan to return to St. Louis once again last year, this time shortening the weekend to two nights.
Night one would conclude with Kamille retaining her NWA World Women’s Championship against Taya Valkyrie. Murdoch would retain his World Heavyweight Championship to conclude night two against Tyrus.
The clear difference between the 2021 and 2022 events was that outside of the shows themselves, there was no repeat of the Empowerrr show. Television tapings for Powerrr would still be taped during this event.
Back to the Chase again in 2023
75 years as a wrestling promotion is nothing to scoff at. It is a testament to its enduring impact on professional wrestling. As an organization, it is a catalyst for the growth and development of the industry. It further provides a platform for wrestlers to showcase their skills and entertain fans the world over.
The legacy of the NWA includes many icons of the industry in addition to Race. It has also been a platform for the likes of Ric Flair, Lou Thesz, and “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes.
The company’s transition in the past six years from a territorial system to a single organization is proof of its resilience and commitment. This is not only in its efforts to adapt to changing times in the industry but also in its goal to remain relevant.
NWA 75 is currently scheduled for August 26-27. Corgan promises to deliver two unforgettable nights of action, excitement, and athleticism.
“We are honored to return to St. Louis for NWA 75 and celebrate this incredible milestone in our organization’s history,” said Corgan. “The Chase Park Plaza holds a special place in the hearts of all wrestling fans. We are dedicated to putting on an unforgettable show for our loyal supporters in the St. Louis area. Please join us as we make history and showcase the very best of professional wrestling.”
Ticket information
Tickets for NWA 75 will go on sale to the public on Wednesday, July 19 at 10 a.m. Central Time. Wrestling fans can secure their seats for this historic event at NWATix.com. To make the experience even more special, a two-night ticket bundle deal will be available for general admission seats. This will allow fans to enjoy both nights at an exclusive price.
Doors will open at 5 p.m. on both sides, with the first bell going off at 6 p.m.
Exclusive merchandise will also be available for purchase at both events.
NWA 75 also available on pay-per-view
For those unable to attend the event in person, NWA 75 will be available for purchase via pay-per-view through FITE. Fans can enjoy the excitement and drama of NWA’s landmark anniversary from the comfort of their own homes.
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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.
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