NWA 73 HOT TAKE

For 73 years, The National Wrestling Alliance has reigned over the world of professional wrestling, the hopes of the competitors to dreams of the fans and beyond. From its origins within a hotel conference room in Waterloo, Iowa to stadiums around the globe and beyond, The initials of the NWA have long inspired greatness, stroked competition and inspired glory for all eyes that have scanned across them.

Whether it be hard times, four raised fingers, the greatest wrestler on God's green earth or the glorious number 6:05, the National Wrestling Alliance is synonymous with presenting the best in true professional wrestling from every corner of the globe to the discerning professional wrestling fan that lived and died by "The King of Sports" and all those who vied to prove themself as the best athlete, the best fighter, the best competitor on the globe.

All sports and cultures evolve with time but in the National Wrestling Alliance, the most important cornerstones stand forever like great redwood trees, stoic and strong. No matter the century, the NWA remains focused on the importance, the grandeur of its champions and their championships, utilizing a roster of mavericks, individualists and rebels who like those great redwoods, stand strong, a grappling rebellion that puts forth the best of today and epitomizes the best of yesteryear to forge the grandest future.

The NWA may be 73 years young, but the clashes of champions, the grit of the grappling, the emotional whirlwind that it transcends will stand immortal.

Therefore it is only fitting that the NWA's events this weekend emanate from the historical and magical Chase Ballroom, which was the centerpiece of infinite hours of wrestling greatness presented under the National Wrestling Alliance banner. Sam Muchnick, like NWA President William Corgan today, lived to bring the best of wrestling for an audience he respected and adored in St. Louis and those ideals, those dreams, those standards still live on today, empowering the men and women of the National Wrestling Alliance - and all of its fans tuning in live on FITE.TV.

It all begins on Saturday August 28th with NWA Empower, the first-ever all women's professional wrestling event produced by the National Wrestling Alliance with the legendary Mickie James at the helm.

In the main event, it will truly be strength vs finesse as NWA Women's World Champion Kamille takes on technical wrestling marvel Leyla Hirsh of All Elite Wrestling, whose height is accentuated by her savage intensity inside the ring. Impact Wrestling Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo crosses promotional borders to take on the NWA's Melina Perez, who seeks to split The Virtuosa apart and take the championship for herself.

Then, during an event that will be forever remembered as the night new NWA traditions are forged, a tournament to crown the NWA Women's Tag Team Champions will be held. Not to be outshined by the glittery glow of any championship, the first-ever NWA Women's Invitational Cup Gauntlet, featuring a bevy of veterans and young in-ring influencers clashing for a championship match at NWA 73 will commence live on FITE.

Then, Sunday evening, for the first time in decades, the most prestigious prize in professional wrestling will be on the line inside the Chase Ballroom as Trevor Murdoch continues his pursuit of the NWA World's Heavyweight Champion Nick Aldis. The British star and the pride of the Midw have battled from Atlanta to Charlotte and beyond, evoking images of classic brawls and battles of yesteryear for the Ten Pounds of Gold. At NWA 73, it all comes to a head with one man raising his hand full of pride and the other forever defeated, their place in history forever embedded in the time capsule of NWA history.

Witnessing all this live will be perhaps the greatest living and breathing embodiment of what the National Wrestling Alliance means to the generations of fans, "Nature Boy" Ric Flair. The multi-time World Champion is the Hall of Famer by every definition and for the first time in many, many years, he'll Wooo and he'll strut and he'll wheel and deal as only Ric Flair can on an NWA broadcast. There are moments in time where history is promised and live on FITE, Flair at NWA 73 is one of those moments.

NWA 73 will feature dream matches across the board for championships and beyond. Mickie James will make in-ring NWA debut, facing one of the most popular female competitors in the world, Kylie Rae. The NWA Women's Champion that emerges victorious at Empower will have 24 hours to prepare and defend against the Women's Invitational winner.

NWA National Champion Chris Adonis will find out if he'll be in luck or just sorry when he defends against The Cowboy James Storm - with the winner knowing that down the line, they'll have to face the victor of the NWA 73 Battle Royal. NWA World Tag Team Champions Aron Stevens and Kratos face Mexico's mightiest in Bestia 666 and Mecha World.

The legendary Austin Idol leads NWA TV Champion Tyrus into six man tag team competition alongside the unknown Masked Man and rising star Jordan Clearwater to face former TV Champion The Pope and his allies The End. A "Brawl in the Lou" has been promised with Thom Latimer, former NWA World Champion Tim Storm and Crimson's careers all intersecting as they seek to emerge from the battle bruised but victorious.

Fans had witnessed The POWERRR of the National Wrestling Alliance, following it Into the Fire and through Hard Times. Now, they get to celebrate the greatest of all birthday celebrations, raising a glass to all that is pure and prestigious about professional wrestling, sitting ringside for Wrestling at the Chase in the 21st Century, the best way possible, live on FITE.

Saturday August 28th - NWA Empower Live on FITE:

*Produced by Mickie James.
*NWA Women's World Champion Kamille vs AEW's Leyla Hirsh.
*Impact Wrestling Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo vs Melina Perez.
*NWA Women's World Tag Team Championship Tournament Semi-Final: The Hex (Allysin Kay & Marti Belle) vs Hell on Heels (Renee Michelle & Sahara 7)
*NWA Women's Tag Team Championship Tournament Semi-Final: Red Velvet & KiLynn King vs The Freebabes (Jazzy Yang & Hollyhood Haley J & Miranda Gordy)
*NWA Women's Tag Team Championship Tournament Final to crown Champions.
*NWA Women's Invitational Cup Gauntlet: Bianca Carelli vs Chelsea Green vs Debbie Malenko vs Lady Frost vs Jamie Senegal (with Pollo Del Mar) vs Jennacide (with Taryn Terrell) vs Kiera Hogan vs Masha Slamovich vs Tootie Lynn vs Thunder Kitty to earn NWA 73 Women's World Championship Match.
*AAA's Chik Tormenta vs AEW's Diamante vs The NWA's Kylie Rae.

Sunday August 29th - NWA 73

*Ric Flair to appear.
*NWA World's Champion Nick Aldis vs Trevor Murdoch.
*NWA Women's World Champion Kamille (or Leyla Hirsh, should she win the Championship) vs The Winner of NWA Empower Women's Invitational Gauntlet.
*NWA National Champion Chris Adonis vs Cowboy James Storm.
*NWA World Tag Team Champions Aron Stevens & Kratos vs Mecha World & Bestia 666.
*Mickie James vs Kylie Rae.
*Thom Latimer vs Crimson vs Tim Storm in "Brawl in the Lou."
*NWA TV Champion Tyrus & The Masked Man & Jordan Clearwater with Austin Idol vs The End & The Pope, Elijah Burke.
*12 Man Battle Royal to determine top contender for the NWA National Championship.

Mike Johnson is the lead reporter for PWInsider.com and has been writing about professional wrestling since 1996. He can be found on Twitter @MikePWInsider and MikeJohnsonWrites.com.