Thursday, July 22, 2021
Thunder Rosa Leaves The NWA For AEW (And How That Was Allowed To Happen)
Thunder Rosa is officially All Elite. (Sarcastic "yay" added here)
AEW announced this afternoon that Rosa has signed with the company, welcoming her to the team.
I know that I'm one, of many fans who are thrilled with this because she was doing great with the NWA. And knowing how AEW botches everything they get it'll just be a matter of time before they botch her push or botch how they present her.
When it happens, you can come to me and tell me I was right, again. I usually am when it comes to things like this.
Rosa, who is also celebrating her 35th birthday today, responded to the announcement and called the signing one of her biggest accomplishments.“Never in my life doubt that I would be where I want to be! Today one of the biggest accomplishments in my career has been announced! #lameramera Is FINALLY WHERE SHE BELONGS,” she wrote.
Rosa made her AEW debut back on the September 2, 2020 Dynamite show, while still the NWA World Women’s Champion. She defeated Serena Deeb that night, and then would lose to then-AEW Women’s World Champion Hikaru Shida at All Out just three days later. She has continued to work for AEW and the NWA since then, while also making a few indie appearances. Rosa appeared at Impact Wrestling’s Slammiversary event this past Sunday for a “one-shot deal” appearance, as the surprise opponent for Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo, who retained. Rosa had been with the NWA since October 2019. She won the World Women’s Title from Allysin Kay at the Hard Times 2020 pay-per-view, becoming the first-ever Mexican born wrestler to win the strap. She then dropped the title to Serena Deeb back on October 27, 2020 at a UWN/NWA Primetime Live event, holding the title for 277 days. Rosa indicated earlier this year that she was looking forward to becoming a free agent in 2022, and that she was under contract to the NWA through the end of this year.
Thunder Rosa was able to sign with AEW after a buyout was reportedly orchestrated with the NWA. The news wasn’t a total shock as Rosa has been working with AEW, but the fact that she was able to sign with the company was a surprise because her NWA contract ran through the year. We noted before that Rosa had talked about being excited over her free agency in 2022, and that her NWA contract ran through the end of this year.
In essence a buyout of Rosa’s NWA contract was worked out. There’s no word yet on specifics of the buyout, but we will keep you updated. Rosa reportedly requested her NWA release as far back as 2020, but that was rejected at the time.
It was also noted that AEW officials, especially boss Tony Khan, are very careful about not tampering with contracts. AEW reportedly wanted to play by the book with the Rosa – NWA situation. It’s been reported in the past that Khan and NWA owner Billy Corgan have often worked together directly, but it remains to be seen if they personally handled the Rosa deal.
Rosa defeated KiLynn King on this week’s AEW Dark episode. She also worked Wednesday’s Elevation tapings in Garland, TX, for a match that will air next Monday night. Her local opponent has not been identified yet.
Let's hope that AEW doesn't fuck it up like they have with 90% of the other talent they have and fucked up.
Anyone wanna take any bets I'll be correct that AEW will fuck it up? I'll GLADLY, take your money. That's how good AEW is at fucking things up.
Lance Storm vs Mike Bennett (Ring Of Honor)
At Best in the World, Mike Bennett proved his pure wrestling bonafides against Jonathan Gresham. Look back at his classic bout against another technical wrestling icon, Lance Storm.
CWF (Florida) - Terry Allen (Magnum T.A.) vs Kevin Sullivan
Championship Wrestling from Florida - Summer 1983. Terry Allen vs. Kevin Sullivan with the Purple Haze at ringside. Paul Boesch sits in for a vacationing Gordon Solie. Pat Tanaka is the referee. Tanaka's father was Duke Keomuka who was one of Eddie Graham's partners in the CWF promotion.
CWF (Florida) - 30 Days in the Hole - The Beatdown (Humperdink Gets Beat Down By Lord Alfred Hayes & Bobby Jaggers)
Championship Wrestling from Florida - Fall 1980. After serving out his 30 days as Dusty Rhodes' personal valet, Sir Oliver Humperdink returns to reclaim his wrestlers. Lord Alfred Hayes has other ideas. After this incident, Humperdink turns face and becomes Rooster Humperdink; Dusty's "advisor" (he was never referred to as Dusty's manager). Hayes and Humperdink had matches throughout the state of Florida until the beginning of 1981.