NWA Powerrr Episode 4: Results, Grades, and Highlights

Aron Stevens vs. Ricky Starks

Stevens started off by turning a collar-and-elbow into a hammerlock before transitioning into a snapmare, but Starks slipped out and showed Steven his best Tetsuya Naito impression. Stevens attempted a fist drop, but Starks was too quick.

Starks followed up with a pair of right hands and a chop. He whipped Stevens into the ropes, but Stevens held on and caught a charging Starks in the face with an elbow. Stevens tried to send Starks into the buckle, but Starks stopped the momentum with his foot and drove Stevens’ head into the padding. He repeated the action in two other corners before hitting a pretty dropkick for a nearfall.

Starks applied an armbar, which Stevens got out of by asking the ref to check Starks while he hooked Starks tights to get to the ropes for a break. As the ref separated the two, Stevens kicked the ropes while Starks’ legs were caught in-between and immediately pounced.

He hit his signature Russian leg sweep that he floats out of, bowed Hunter Hearst Helmsley style, and drove his elbow into Starks’ heart for a nearfall. He then trapped Starks in the ropes and limply returned the slap that Starks gave him, only for Starks to answer with a clothesline.

Starks then got into his comeback, finishing the flurry off with a slingblade for a nearfall. Stevens then cut Starks off with a throat thrust and tried for a straightjacket neckbreaker, but Starks wiggled out and delivered a back body drop.

He spat on his hand and went for another slap, which caused Stevens to yelp in fear. An O’Connor roll from Starks followed and it was enough for the clean fall.

Winner: Starks via pinfall

Rating: ** This was quite good for the time they got. I had forgotten how good Stevens can be between the ropes and this was a good reminder. Starks also looked good and this combined with the stamp of approval he got from Aldis last week boosts his stock.

Afterward, Stevens did a “No, Yes” back and forth with the crowd, clearly in disbelief that he lost his first NWA match. This man is awesome.

Following another PPV plug and a reminder to #AskKamille, it was time for the main event. James Storm came out with The Wildcards, who he obviously picked to be his partners. Aldis, Anderson, and Cabana followed them.