NWA World's Champion EC3 Celebrates 30-Plus Successful Title Defenses
EC3 has successfully defended the National Wrestling Alliance World’s Championship 30 times — across five countries and 14 states in the U.S.
Over the last year, EC3 has become synonymous with the National Wrestling Alliance’s “Ten Pounds of Gold.” Now the Cleveland native celebrates a new milestone in his reign as NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion.
Over the weekend, EC3 completed a successful series of European defenses. On July 6, EC3 fended off top European challenger Tristan Archer in the Main Event of Banger Zone Wrestling’s Not Afraid. The night after victory in Faches Thumesnil, France, he defeated Italian star Red Scorpion and Elijah (formerly WWE superstar Elias) at Wrestling Megastars La Notte dei Campeoni (The Night of Champions) in Italy.
Now bragging 30-plus successful defenses of the NWA World’s Championship, EC3 moves into rarified territory. Only one other NWA World’s Champion — Nick Aldis, during his historic 1,043 day reign — claims more successful defenses during NWA’s Lightning One Era under owner and President William Patrick Corgan.
”It’s a huge accomplishment for EC3,” states NWA Chief Operating Officer Joe Galli, “And it certainly earns him a place in modern National Wrestling Alliance history!”
EC3’s sprint into the NWA history books began in August 2023, when he won the company’s top prize at NWA 75. Since taking the title, which traces its lineage back over 100 years (to well before the 1948 formation of the National Wrestling Alliance), he’s defended the belt in 14 U.S. states and five countries over four continents.
In NWA alone, EC3 has faced a who’s who of top contenders. He’s taken on all comers at territory shows, television tapings, on pay-per-view and at Signature Live Events nationwide.
At Samhain, EC3 defended the belt against then-World Television champion Thom Latimer, cashing in his “Lucky 7” opportunity. He followed up by besting former multi-time champion “The Dane Event” Jax Dane at NWA's Return to Robarts.
The champion kicked off 2024 in winning fashion, defeating former World’s champion Matt Cardona at NWA Paranoia in a bloody “Ultimate Match of Death.” Hard Times 2024 saw him thwart an effort by “The Thrillbilly” Silas Mason to trade the National title. Finally, the champ turned away AAA superstar Sam Adonis at The Crockett Cup 2024.
Additionally, EC3 has put the belt on the line against top challengers worldwide. In May he defeated All Japan Pro Wrestling standout Ryuki Honda in Tokyo’s famed Korakeun Hall. A month prior, he overcame World Association of Wrestling’s Drew Marshall in England. His July 7 defense was the first time the belt’s ever been contested on Italian soil.
EC3 has no time to rest on his considerable laurels. The next colossal challenge to the champ’s dominance over NWA comes August 31 in Philadelphia. He puts the World’s title on the line against a to-be-determined challenger in the main event of NWA 76, the NWA’s largest Signature Live Event of the year.
The anniversary spectacular sees the National Wrestling Alliance return to Philly’s legendary 2300 Arena for the first time in three decades. In addition to EC3’s World’s title, all NWA titles are expected to be defended in “The City of Brotherly Love.”
Tickets to witness NWA 76 live and in person 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.