NWA NATIONAL TITLE NARRATIVE: Can EC3 Control The Thrillbilly?
“Control Your Narrative,” the National Wrestling Alliance has heard time and time again since EC3’s arrival in Summer 2022.
What that means, exactly, remains open for debate. What is not, however, is that the world-traveled veteran wrote a new chapter in his “narrative” at NWA 312, where EC3 became the new National Heavyweight Champion.
“Do I have your attention now?” EC3 asked immediately following his pay-per-view title victory over The Great Cyon.
“Here I sit, EC3, the NWA National Heavyweight Champion,” the pompous competitor continued, “The Nostalgia Wrestling Alliance has a new notch in its historical annals.”
For many reasons, the newly-crowned champ has reason to brag. It was unquestionably a hard-fought win. EC3 battled the odds, like Cyon’s father and manager Austin Idol at ringside. The multi-time champion pushed forward even without new associate BLK Jeez at his side.
By all accounts, EC3 proved the better competitor that night in Chicago. The new champ’s comments shortly after, however, ingratiated him to few.
“I am the National Champ, and I am no false idol,” he ranted. “I have more fundamentals than Jack. I’m not your buddy, guy. I’m more tailor-made than Terry himself. I’m clearer than dusty and tussle harder than Tully.”
NWA purists presumably caught EC3’s only modestly-hidden references. Translating for the less informed, he took Seussian potshots at a who’s who of his predecessors.
Though best known to NWA’s current generation as the managerial mind behind IdolMania Sports Management, Austin Idol became the inaugural National champion in 1980. Jack Brisco won the belt later that year. A half-decade removed, Buddy Landel, Terry Taylor, Tully Blanchard and “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes held the title in succession.
It’s evident EC3 sees himself as better than all — controlling the National Title Narrative for months to come. Whether he can has yet to be seen. The very night he captured the title, a new face emerged as his first challenge.
In the biggest victory of his NWA career, “The Thrillbilly” Silas Mason won the inaugural Bob Luce Memorial Battle Royale. Having outlasted over 20 other competitors, the Blount County, TN, native earned a future shot at the National Title.
It’s a monumental opportunity for “Big Daddy Thrill.” For months, he doggedly chased former champion Cyon, who denied him an opportunity and downplayed his 6’5”, 280-lb. challenger.
Now there’s been a changing of the guard — and Mason’s title shot is guaranteed. With the contract signed, many close to the situation wonder if this could be the moment “Thrilly” and main squeeze “The Lovely” Pollo Del Mar predicted for nearly a year.
Since the couple’s debut last June, “The Thrillbilly” has been on an upward trajectory. Even before hitting his stride, Mason impressed fans and critics alike standing toe-to-toe with some of the NWA’s most respected powerhouses.
Mason honed his talents against then World’s Champion Trevor Murdoch, Chris Adonis and fellow newcomer Dak Draper. During the “Champion Series,” he was a standout for Team Tyrus — and become one of NWA’s most dominant (and popular) competitors.
“There ain’t a man in the National Wrestling Alliance who can step to and defeat ‘Big Daddy Thrill,’” a confident Del Mar told backstage interviewer May Valentine on a recent edition of NWA Powerrr.
“And once we win that National Title,” the perky and polarizing personality continued, “We’re going to be defending it all over the world!”
Now the battle lines are drawn and the stage is set. EC3 and Mason go to war in the night one Main Event at NWA’s upcoming two-night Crockett Cup spectacular.
Can the former two-time IMPACT World Heavyweight Champion and defending National title-holder fend off the seemingly undeniable rising star? It’s not a given, considering the roll “The Thrillbilly” has been on of late.
It’s entirely possible the Crockett Cup could continue what many insiders consider Mason’s meteoric rise through the National Wrestling Alliance.
“To be honest, I can’t remember the last time someone came in as a virtual unknown and impressed the way ‘The Thrillbilly’ has,” admits former World’s Champion and current NWA commentator Tim Storm.
“We all know what EC3 is capable of; he’s champion for a reason,” Storm went on to say, “But I think we’re only scratching the surface of what Silas can do — and we might very well see the beginning of that at Crockett Cup.”
Naturally, EC3 has a different take. He dismisses the possibility as quickly as it’s presented.
“Silas is a tremendous competitor — someone I might even like to team with at some time,” he said.
“With my guidance, I could help Silas take control of his career and become what he’s meant to be,” the smug competitor expanded, “But that is not happening at my expense…or costing me this title.”
Only time will tell. It’s yet to be seen who emerges victorious June 3 in Winston-Salem, NC. Either way, it seems destined the real winner will be anyone watching the match!
