NWA World's Champ EC3 Exclusive Interview: 'I'm a Franchise Player'
National Wrestling Alliance World’s Heavyweight Champion EC3 is moving into unchartered territory.
Already the first man to defend the “Ten Pounds of Gold” in Italy, EC3 is now the second-longest reigning champion of the Lightning One Era.
“Comparison is the thief of joy,” says the typically cerebral EC3 when presented with that fact. “I’m not looking at the past of the NWA as much I’m looking to what can happen and what I can create in the future.”
EC3 won the coveted championship at NWA 75. He’s successfully defended more than 30 times since, taking the belt to five countries on four continents. With 330 days and counting as champion, should he retain until NWA 76 on August 31 in Philadelphia, he’ll pass one year with the belt.
All are landmark accomplishments which see EC3 nipping on the heels of his predecessors. Since NWA President William Patrick Corgan purchased the National Wrestling Alliance on Oct. 1, 2017, only one grappler has held the NWA World’s Title longer or defended it more.
“I do not compare myself to anybody,” insists EC3. “The goal is to be proud of myself as a champion and an individual.”
While EC3 might refuse to draw correlations, the numbers tell their own story. Since the NWA formed in 1948, 57 men have held the World’s Heavyweight title. EC3 ranks 21st overall for cumulative days as champion, claims the 24th longest (of 101 total) title reign and is one of only 17 wrestlers to hold the belt for 330 days or longer.
“What I am, and who I am, is a franchise player. I am, in a sense, maybe even a martyr for a cause,” says EC3 in an interview exclusive to NationalWrestlingAlliance.com.
“The cause, of course, is to make the National Wrestling Alliance what it should be, and what it can be, the greatest ‘wrestling’ promotion on the planet,” the champion continues, “To bring back the lineage of the NWA championship as the premier championship in wrestling. I mean to not only bring it back but carry it forward.”
To that end, should he remain champion, EC3 will defend the World’s Championship in the main event of NWA 76, the company’s biggest Signature Live Event of the year. There’s a long way to go before heading to Philly’s 2300 Arena, the champion notes, and more challenges ahead.
“Everything I do in the present is to make myself the greatest NWA champ,” EC3 states.
“What has happened in the past has been great and historic,” EC3 concludes, “But what we can do in the future will set the tone in wrestling for a very long time.”
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NWA 76 is being filmed for release on future episodes of the company’s weekly flagship broadcast NWA Powerrr. Continue to check NationalWrestlingAlliance.com for additional talent announcements and NWA 76-related news as it breaks.
NWA 76, the National Wrestling Alliance’s anniversary spectacular and biggest Signature Live Event of the year, comes to Philadelphia’s historic 2300 Arena on August 31, 2024.
This event marks the NWA’s historic return to Philly’s most iconic pro wrestling venue for the first time in more than 30 years.
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