NWA World's Champ EC3 Reflects on European Title Defenses
After a whirlwind European tour, putting the National Wrestling Alliance World’s title on the line against three opponents in just two days, EC3 is enjoying a rare day off.
Not one to relish time away — “There’s always someone working to take your spot while you’re resting,” he says ominously — EC3 instead opts to use his downtime to speak to NationalWrestlingAlliance.com. It’s an opportunity for the World’s Heavyweight champion to heap praise on his opponents, the European promotions hosting his title matches and the importance of the tour to NWA’s future.
“This is what it means to be a real World’s champion,” EC3 said in an exclusive interview. “This is where the NWA needs to be, setting up the territories not only domestically but internationally as well.”
EC3’s first stop of the weekend was France. There he faced top European contender Tristan Archer July 6 on Banger Zone Wrestling’s Not Afraid.
“I’ve heard tales. I’ve heard of his legacy. I know of his standing in Europe and standing in the world of professional wrestling,” said EC3 of Archer, a former wXw World Unified Wrestling Champion.
“If the world doesn’t know about him, they should,” EC3 continued, calling Archer “a fantastic talent.” “Rarely do I feel this, but standing in the ring with him, I felt i was in the ring with someone who might dare to be an equal to me.”
The NWA World’s champion praised BZW’s “top-notch” event. He said the “boisterous, proud” French audience provided an “incredible atmosphere.”
“Again, sharing the ring with Tristan Archer, competing against a man of that caliber, defeating him — whether the ending was nefarious or not,” he said, “This is what we need to do as a company.”
Less than 24-hours later, “The Ten Pounds of Gold” were again on the line at Wrestling Megastars “La Notte dei Campioni” (“The Night of Champions”). It was the first-ever NWA World’s title defense in Italy.
“It’s obviously a great honor,” says EC3 of his historic moment. “It’s obviously tremendous business and obviously a great opportunity to bring the NWA, our style and presentation to a country that’s desperately longing for something of that nature.”
At the event, EC3 put the World’s title up against not one but two stars. He was challenged by The Red Scorpion and Elijah in triple-threat action.
“I had an opportunity to not only wrestle one of Italy’s finest in The Red Scorpion but to also meet an old friend Elijah,” stated EC3.
“I tried to make him sing Creed,” said the champ of coercing former WWE superstar “Elias” into a duet. “He wasn’t amused, but I thought it was incredible.”
EC3 walked away from the encounter, title still intact. According to the champion, it will not be his last trip to the country.
“Italy is awesome,” he said, “The NWA should have a presence and stronghold in Europe at all times.
EC3’s next significant test comes August 31 at NWA 76. An NWA World’s title match is expected to headline the night celebrating the promotion’s 1948 founding.
The biggest NWA Signature Live Event of the year, NWA 76 returns the company to Philadelphia’s legendary 2300 Arena for the first time in nearly 30 years. Tickets are on sale now.
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.