INSIDERS AGREE: Tyrus Must NOT Turn His Back on EC3 Before 'NWA 75'
“EC3 forgets nothing. He’s been waiting years, not just to be a World’s Champion again, but to get his revenge. Tyrus can’t afford to turn his back — not even for a second,” one source says.
At NWA 75, National Wrestling Alliance World’s Heavyweight Champion Tyrus puts the title — and his career — on the line against No. 1 contender EC3 in a bullrope match.
On the surface, it’s simply another, epic battle for the National Wrestling Alliance World’s Heavyweight title. On Aug. 27, at the NWA 75 pay-per-view, champion Tyrus puts the belt on the line against No. 1 contender EC3.
Of course, there are the added stipulations, which make it much more interesting. For reasons still unclear to many, the champion requested a bullrope match — and upped the ante considerably, putting his career on the line in the main event of the two-day anniversary spectacular.
EC3 relinquished the NWA National title for a shot at Tyrus and the World’s Heavyweight championship. Now a bullrope match with the belt and Tyrus’ career on the line main events Night 2 of NWA 75.
For the former National champion, it’s more than just a chance to win the most coveted World’s Heavyweight championship in professional wrestling (his third World title, but first in the NWA). It’s a rare opportunity to retire his opponent!
Beneath all that, though, insiders say this is much more than just a World’s title match. They say it is actually a very pointed, extremely personal confrontation more than a half-decade in the making.
Years ago, when both worked for TNA, the men were thick as thieves. Then acting as a special enforcer, for months Tyrus protected World Champion EC3.
“At the time, everyone knew Tyrus was the primary reason EC3 was so incredibly successful,” says one grappler, who worked closely with the two in 2016 and — until recently — competed in the NWA as well.
“Tyrus ran interference for him,” says the source, “Even though it helped make him a two-time TNA World Champion, I think EC3 became bitter some folks thought he only had the belt because of Tyrus.”
More importantly, the source says, EC3 could blame Tyrus for playing a role in his forced departure from the company. By 2018, their relationship had fallen apart, leading to Tyrus defeating EC3 by pinfall only weeks before he received a “pink slip” which ended the latter’s tenure with IMPACT.
“Daddy, EC3 was sent packing — and Tyrus was the last person to defeat him before he left,” says NWA manager Aron Stevens, also in TNA at the time.
Will Tyrus say good-bye to his beloved “Twelve Pounds of Gold”…and career…at NWA 75? Find out Aug. 27 in St. Louis — or live on PPV through FiteTV.
“That’s got to be a tough pill to swallow,” Stevens said, “And a guy with an ego like EC3 doesn’t forget that. At NWA 75, you can bet he’s got more on his mind than just becoming NWA World’s champion!”
Now many years down the road, the roles are reversed. Tyrus is NWA World’s Heavyweight champion; EC3 seeks to reestablish himself as one of pro wrestling’s top names. The battle lines are drawn for a war that, for the men involved, could either be career-redefining…or career-ending.
“We’ve heard it time after time; EC3’s here to ‘control his narrative.’ It’s possible that means re-writing everything fans know of his career to date and successes in other companies,” notes Joe Galli.
“What absolutely goes without saying,” NWA’s senior broadcaster continues, “Is winning the NWA World’s heavyweight title and retiring Tyrus on our biggest pay-per-view event of the year absolutely will write a whole new chapter of his ‘narrative’ moving forward.”
Tim Storm won’t speculate on why EC3 might target Tyrus beyond the obvious: The NWA World’s Championship. He does share an opinion which seems to differ from others on what the match might mean to both competitors.
Most consider the stakes highest for the champion — who will be forced to retire if he does not win. Former NWA World’s champion Storm, though, is certain both men “are feeling the pressure”… for entirely different reasons.
“If Tyrus loses, it’s a done deal; his career is over. It’s pretty cut and dry. But if EC3 can’t get the job done, then what?” Storm asks.
“His career will continue,” he asserts, “But he’s already relinquished the National belt just to get this shot at the title. I don’t think EC3 has a clue what to do if he doesn’t walk out as champ.
“For a guy all about ‘control,’ that thought must scare him to death,” Storm concludes, “And I think he’ll do anything necessary to make sure he never has to face it. If I were Tyrus, I’d be very, very careful.”