Alex Taylor Douses Slade's World Junior Heavyweight Title Hopes
Alex Taylor retained the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion on NWA Powerrr.
Alex Taylor’s title reign continues.
Taylor defended his National Wrestling Alliance World Junior Heavyweight Championship on the most recent NWA Powerrr. The member of The Southern Six overcame No. 1 contender Slade in hard-hitting action on the April 1 episode of NWA’s Tuesday night flagship.
“It was just too easy, Daddy!” the champion said after the hard-earned victory.
“I told the world before, and I’ll keep saying it until they ALL hear it,” Taylor states. “No matter how great Slade was as an amateur, this isn’t the National Wrestling Alliance, baby — and I’m the greatest junior heavyweight in professional wrestling today!”
Taylor’s confidence is on-brand, but it’s also an oversimplification of events. Throughout the encounter, the challenger more than proved he deserved the title opportunity.
In the eyes of many, Slade was fighting with a disadvantage, given the absence of Rolando. Even fervent Southern Six and Taylor supporter Danny Dealz says Slade’s partner and manager not being at ringside was a leg-up for the champ.
“Slade was certainly thrown off because ”El Jefe” wasn’t there,” admits Dealz, who provided color commentary during the encounter.
William Patrick Corgan, joining the broadcast team on Powerrr, confirmed Slade was unhappy Rolando was MIA. The NWA President and owner said it was certainly suspect during “unquestionably the biggest match” of the challenger’s career.
Dealz could not agree more. A former manager in his own right, Dealz explains the benefit of Slade having his faithful second present.
“Rolando helps Slade with in-ring strategies and providing moral support,” Dealz says. “Slade is getting a crack at the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship, and his brother goes missing?! I’d be mad too!”
No. 1 contender Slade had his opportunity at Alex Taylor’s NWA World Junior Heavyweight title on April 1.
Multiple times Slade had Taylor on the ropes, gaining several near falls on the champion. Despite his best efforts, Taylor notched a decisive win — although it was not without controversy. With Slade’s amateur headgear removed, the champ boxed his ear drums, possibly rupturing them, setting him up for Taylor’s signature “The Green Whistle” and a pinfall.
Regardless of the outcome, or the circumstances surrounding it, Joe Galli suggests Slade remains a star on the rise. As lead broadcaster for NWA Powerrr, Galli expects to see “The Spectacular One” back in the title mix sooner rather than later.
“Slade was a fraction of a second from pinning the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion,” Galli says.
“This time, Alex Taylor escaped with the title,” Galli concludes. “Next time he steps into the ring with Slade, though, I don’t know if we’ll have the same outcome!”
Both men are expected to see action May 17, when the 2025 Crockett Cup comes to Philadelphia. NWA’s annual tag team tradition — which Taylor and Southern Six partner Kerry Morton won last year — will take place at the city’s famed 2300 Arena.
That night, champion Thom Latimer defends the NWA World’s Heavyweight Title against ECW legend and former World’s champion Rhino. The Jax Dane Memorial Heavyweight Tournament also concludes. On the same card, WWE superstar Natalya makes her NWA in-ring debut.
Tickets to the 2025 Crockett Cup are on sale now.
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The 2025 Crockett Cup
The NWA’s annual tag team tradition returns to Philadelphia’s 2300 Arena on May 17. Tickets on sale now.
NWA POWERRR
New episodes of NWA Powerrr stream worldwide each Tuesday, 6:05pm EST, on the National Wrestling Alliance X (formerly Twitter) Account.
LATIMER VS. RHINO AT THE CROCKETT CUP
The NWA World’s Title is on the line May 17 when champion Thom Latimer faces ECW legend and former champion Rhino at Philly’s 2300 Arena. Learn more.
