From PWInsider.com:

"Smashing Pumpkins front man and former TNA Wrestling President Billy Corgan has agreed in principle to purchase the National Wrestling Alliance, PWInsider.com has confirmed with multiple sources. The deal in place would see Corgan purchase the name, rights, trademarks to the NWA as well as the rights and possession of the NWA championship belt."

 

Nothing about the NWA Classics on Demand footage, which I think Corgan would be crazy not to buy, but I don't know if that's separate from the actual NWA or what.

 

If the NWA Classics footage isn't included, I'm not really seeing anything tangible that Corgan would get out of this - other than the nostalgia of the NWA name, I guess? But maybe I'm missing something?

 

Of course, all of the newz sites are already reporting on this like it's a done deal, which doesn't sound like the case to me.

Say what you want, I get a kick out of the fact Billy fucking Corgan is a pro-wrestling super-fan.

There is something beautiful about him buying the NWA. I'm assuming the classics footage is separate but I'm not he would care about buying it.

 

If this goes through I'll be monitoring it with glee. Lots of possibilities on the table as long as NWA doesn't have books with a bunch of negatives.

I don't think the Houston footage would enter into this at all. I'm fairly sure that is owned independently by Bruce Tharpe and not by the NWA "organization" and the site is just called NWAOnDemand for marketing purposes.

I don't think the Houston footage would enter into this at all. I'm fairly sure that is owned independently by Bruce Tharpe and not by the NWA "organization" and the site is just called NWAOnDemand for marketing purposes.

Exactly. It's owned by Bruce and Valerie Boesch. Bruce was/ is the President of the NWA. I could be wrong, but that's how I read the landscape.

Rule It With Butterfly Wings, Billy.

I figured the NWA on Demand footage wasn't included. So, without that, what is the value of the actual NWA - other than nostalgia? Honest question.

Their are members, and it does have a name tied in with a history. The promoters of the NWA do have in roads in the towns they run. Corrigan may have connections to talent that could help increase attendance . Or he may just want to compete against TNA. It may be personal to him.

Also Bruce may work with Billy and use his media connections to help market the service.

I am also endless entertained by Billy Corgan's fandom/involvement in wrestling. The mere fact that we can say "Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins is buying the NWA" is amazing.

From Bruce Tharpe's FB pg.

 

Bruce Tharpe

1 hr · Spring Valley, NV ·

I am very excited for the future of the NATIONAL WRESTLING ALLIANCE.

As everyone knows by now - Billy Corgan and I have agreed on principle regarding his acquisition of the NWA brand. This decision comes after many weeks of negotiation and deep consideration.

Although Billy Corgan may be a fresh face to wrestling - he is an extremely successful businessman and has a deep admiration and respect for the NWA. He is also putting together a very strong team.

With the capital and business acumen that Billy Corgan brings to the table - I am confident that he has the ability to take the NWA to the next level. And I have promised to do all I can to help him succeed. I ask you to join me in supporting the new NWA regime in the future.

I am not leaving wrestling - but after four years at the helm of the NWA - I look forward to stepping back and allowing someone new and passionate to take control of this great and noble organization.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the NWA over the years and during my tenure. I also want to publicly thank Billy Corgan for his confidence and respect for this iconic brand.

The next few months are going to be really exciting for the National Wrestling Alliance - but most of all for the fans!

Not exactly sure the classic footage is worth its weight in gold. Sorry for those that love the service but it'd pretty much need to be built from the ground up to come across as meeting the standards of the market. I think the footage being out there is great though the service needs work ESPECIALLY since they'd want to put more focus on the modern product. Which probably should have been done.

 

The NWA itself will always have some level of cache. It might take a lot of elbow grease to get something out of it but there is name value there. Not sure the partnerships Billy could make at the moment. The Crash and AAA both being partners with TNA should be an issue.

 

Truly don't know if there is enough names left in the free market to make this work but I'm all for him trying.

Also answers questions about how NWA ON Demand is safe.

Also answers questions about how NWA ON Demand is safe.

Do we know the subscriber number?

Not a clue.

I see it as a loss leader that exists solely for me to get to watch wrestling that I want to see that there's no way in hell I'd be able to see otherwise, the likes of which absolutely does not exist outside of MAYBE the Portland footage (And even then we don't get the big Tuesday shows) due to a genie's wish that I forgot I made. Only crazy people take impossible gift horses for granted.

The footage is where its at. I am not sure if WWE, NJPW, AAA, or CMLL have even made offers to buy the name as the 'cache' people talk about do not translate into dollars. I cannot remember an indie show in the last 20 years that I was iffy about going to until I saw "NWA" attached to it. It really means absolute jack shit to the majority of modern fans. Wasn't the current owner ridiculed years ago when he made this purchase as he essentially purchased absolutely 'nothing'. Also, what does 'being a member' even mean in 2017? I can understand if this was the 70's, but in 2017 the majority of the hot indie acts are not tied to NWA and are not part of many (if any) NWA shows. I just don't get the appeal and lust over owning the name. The footage-- I completely understand--but the name? So what.

This really does feel like the ultimate money mark move. If he's starting a wrestling promotion/show, is NWA any better than Smashing Pumpkins Wrestling or whatever?

Per PWInsider the deal has been finalized and now includes the rights to the footage and the On Demand site.

Hopefully nothing changes. There's nothing even close to it in wrestling fandom right now. Not even a tiny bit.

I can't imagine Billy would have shelled out extra money to buy the footage without a desire to keep, if not upgrade, the current OnDemand site.

Does this mean NWA on Demand will finally end up on Roku and other streaming platforms now? I hope so...

My hope is with Billy's media connections he can make this have more eye balls on it. Plus it might be his only thing that is ready to make money for him now.

I think it's easy for him to see the value in Funk vs Race or what not, as a tie to the history and grandeur of the NWA. I hope he sees the value in continuing to allow out (steadily) the undercard matches.

Does this mean NWA on Demand will finally end up on Roku and other streaming platforms now? I hope so...

Here's hoping.