NWA Hard Times (2024)
{{short description|2024 National Wrestling Alliance pay-per-view event}}
{{Infobox wrestling event
|name=Hard Times (2024)
|image = NWA Hard Times 2024.jpg
|caption = Promotional poster featuring various NWA wrestlers
|tagline =
|theme =
|promotion = National Wrestling Alliance
|attendance =
|date = March 2, 2024
|date_aired = April 9, 2024,
April 16, 2024,
April 23, 2024,
April 30, 2024,
May 7, 2024
|venue = Dothan Civic Center
|city = Dothan, Alabama
|liveevent = Y
|event = Supercard
|lastevent2 = Paranoia
|nextevent2 = Crockett Cup
|event2 = Hard Times
|lastevent3 = 3
|nextevent3 = V
}}
The 2024 Hard Times (also known as Hard Times 4) was the fourth Hard Times professional wrestling event promoted by the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). It took place on March 2, 2024, at the Dothan Civic Center in Dothan, Alabama. The event was initially announced as a pay-per-view, but was instead used as a TV taping for NWA's flagship show NWA Powerrr, mapped into five episodes that aired on The CW app.
Sixteen matches were contested at the event. In the main event, EC3 defeated "Thrillbilly" Silas Mason to retain the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship.
Production
= Background =
NWA Hard Times is an annual professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the National Wrestling Alliance. The inaugural Hard Times event took part on January 24, 2020, and the second event took place on December 4, 2021, making it a recurring annual pay-per-view event.{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=NWA Hard Times results: Powell's live review of the NWA TV Title tournament, Nick Aldis vs. Flip Gordon, Aron Stevens vs. Scott Steiner for the NWA National Title, Allysin Kay vs. Thunder Rosa for the NWA Women's Title, NWA Tag Title Triple Threat|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2020/01/24/nwa-hard-times-results-powells-live-review-of-the-nwa-tv-title-tournament-nick-aldis-vs-flip-gordon-aron-stevens-vs-scott-steiner-for-the-nwa-national-title-allysin-kay-vs-thunder-rosa-for-th/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=January 24, 2020|access-date=February 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320140308/https://prowrestling.net/site/2020/01/24/nwa-hard-times-results-powells-live-review-of-the-nwa-tv-title-tournament-nick-aldis-vs-flip-gordon-aron-stevens-vs-scott-steiner-for-the-nwa-national-title-allysin-kay-vs-thunder-rosa-for-th/|archive-date=March 20, 2023|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Justin|first=McClelland|title=12/4 NWA HARD TIMES 2 PPV REPORT: Murdoch vs. Knox, Aldis vs. Latimer, Kamille vs. Melina, more|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2021/12/05/12-4-nwa-hard-times-2-ppv-report-murdoch-vs-knox-aldis-vs-latimer-kamille-vs-melina-more/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=January 24, 2020|access-date=February 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930054330/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2021/12/05/12-4-nwa-hard-times-2-ppv-report-murdoch-vs-knox-aldis-vs-latimer-kamille-vs-melina-more/|archive-date=September 30, 2022|url-status=live}}
On October 28, at Samhain, NWA announced that their next PPV would be Hard Times, and on January 4, 2024, they announced that the event would be held on March 2, 2024, at the Dothan Civic Center in Dothan, Alabama.{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/nwa-hard-times-2024-be-first-nwa-pay-vew-2024|title=NWA Hard Times 2024 To Be The First NWA Pay-Per-View Of 2024|first=Robert|last=Defelice|publisher=Fightful|date=October 28, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/nwa-hard-times-2024-emanate-dothan-alamba-3224|title=NWA Hard Times 2024 To Emanate From Dothan, Alabama On 3/2/24|first=Robert|last=Defelice|publisher=Fightful|date=January 4, 2024}} After NWA programming moved to The CW's app, the event would instead air as episodes of Powerrr.
= Storylines =
The event featured professional wrestling matches that involved different wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds and storylines. Wrestlers portray heroes, villains, or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that built tension and culminate in a wrestling match or series of matches. Storylines were produced during the seventeenth season of the NWA's weekly series, Powerrr.{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/pro-wrestling.htm|title=How Pro Wrestling Works|last=Grabianowski|first=Ed|date=January 13, 2006|access-date=September 14, 2023|work=HowStuffWorks, Inc.|publisher=Discovery Communications|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131129050844/http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/pro-wrestling.htm|archive-date=November 29, 2013|url-status=live}}
Results
{{Professional wrestling results table
|caption = First episode (aired on April 9, 2024)
|results = {{cite web|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/misc-news/308464-spoilers-nwa-hard-times-tv-tapings-matches-taped-on-3-2-in-dothan-al/?amp|title=SPOILERS: NWA Hard Times TV tapings: Matches taped on 3/2 in Dothan, AL|work=Wrestleview|date=March 3, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thesmackdownhotel.com/events-results/ppv-special/nwa-hard-times-2024|title=NWA HARD TIMES 2024|work=TheSmackDownHotel|access-date=March 13, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/nwa-powerrr-4924-results-new-nwa-junior-heavyweight-champion-crowned-and-more|title=NWA Powerrr (4/9/24) Results: New NWA Junior Heavyweight Champion Crowned and More|work=Fightful|first=Robert|last=DeFelice|date=April 10, 2024|access-date=June 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240410202521/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/nwa-powerrr-4924-results-new-nwa-junior-heavyweight-champion-crowned-and-more|archive-date=April 10, 2024|url-status=live}}
|match1 = Joe Alonzo defeated Colby Corino (c) by pinfall
|stip1 = Singles match for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship
|time1 = 8:20
|match2 = Ruthie Jay and La Rosa Negra defeated Reka Tehaka and Tiffany Nieves by pinfall
|stip2 = Tag team match
|time2 = 6:06
|match3 = Spencer Slade (with Rolando Freeman) defeated "Magic" Jake Dumas by pinfall
|stip3 = Singles match
|time3 = 5:40
|match4 = The King Bees (Danni Bee and Charity King) (c) defeated Pretty Empowered (Ella Envy and Kylie Paige) 2-1
|stip4 = Pretty Rules match for the NWA World Women's Tag Team Championship
|time4 = 7:58
}}
= Pretty Rules match =
| style="font-size: 100%" class="wikitable"
!Score !Winner !Decision |
| 1–0
|Danni Bee |Pinned Ella Envy |0:18 |
| 1–1
|Kylie Paige |Pinned Danni Bee |4:07 |
| 2–1
|Charity King |Pinned Ella Envy |7:58 |
{{Professional wrestling results table
|caption = Second episode (aired on April 16, 2024)
|results = {{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/nwa-powerrr-41624-results-nwa-world-tag-team-title-match-and-more|title=NWA Powerrr (4/16/24) Results: NWA World Tag Team Title Match and More|work=Fightful|first=Robert|last=DeFelice|date=April 17, 2024|access-date=June 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418073839/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/nwa-powerrr-41624-results-nwa-world-tag-team-title-match-and-more|archive-date=April 18, 2024|url-status=live}}
|match1 = The Fixers, L.L.C.(Jay Bradley and Wrecking Ball Legursky) defeated Tim Storm and J.A.C. by pinfall
|stip1 = NWA United States Tag Team Championship tournament first round match
|time1 = 6:57
|match2 = Taylor Rising defeated Miss Star by pinfall
|stip2 = Singles match
|time2 = 4:48
|match3 = Blunt Force Trauma (Damage and Carnage) (c) (with Aron Stevens) defeated The Immortals (JR Kratos and Odinson) by pinfall
|stip3 = Tag team match for the NWA World Tag Team Championship
|time3 = 7:47
}}
{{Professional wrestling results table
|caption = Third episode (aired on April 23, 2024)
|results = {{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/nwa-powerrr-42324-results-kenzie-paige-defends-nwa-us-tag-title-tournament-continues|title=NWA Powerrr (4/23/24) Results: Kenzie Paige Defends, NWA US Tag Title Tournament Continues|work=Fightful|first=Robert|last=DeFelice|date=April 24, 2024|access-date=June 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418073839/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/nwa-powerrr-41624-results-nwa-world-tag-team-title-match-and-more|archive-date=April 18, 2024|url-status=live}}
|match1 = Daisy Kill and Talos defeated Mecha Wolf and Alex Misery by pinfall
|stip1 = NWA United States Tag Team Championship tournament first round match
|time1 = 6:51
|match2 = Kenzie Paige (c) defeated Natalia Markova by pinfall
|stip2 = Singles match for the NWA World Women's Championship
|time2 = 8:05
|match3 = The Miserably Faithful (Max the Impaler, Judais, and Gaagz the Gymp) (with Father James Mitchell) defeated Magnum Muscle (Mims and Dak Draper) and Carson Drake by pinfall
|stip3 = Six-person tag team match
|time3 = 7:07
}}
{{Professional wrestling results table
|caption = Fourth episode (aired on April 30, 2024)
|results = {{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/nwa-powerrr-43024-results-tag-team-steel-cage-match-headlines-last-call-match-more|title=NWA Powerrr (4/30/24) Results: Tag Team Steel Cage Match Headlines, Last Call Match, More|work=Fightful|first=Robert|last=DeFelice|date=April 30, 2024|access-date=June 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503102402/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/nwa-powerrr-43024-results-tag-team-steel-cage-match-headlines-last-call-match-more|archive-date=May 3, 2024|url-status=live}}
|match1 = The Kidz (Alexander Lev and Jackson Drake) defeated The Slimeballz (Sage Chantz and Tommy Rant) by pinfall
|stip1 = Tag team match
|time1 = 7:21
|match2 = AJ Cazana (with KC Cazana and Joe Cazana) defeated Anthony Andrews (with Austin Idol and Zyon) by pinfall
|stip2 = Last Call match
{{small|The winner picked which opposing member was fired from the NWA; Andrews was picked and thus was fired.}}
|time2 = 4:23
|match3 = Knox And Murdoch defeated The Southern Six (Alex Taylor and Kerry Morton) (with Ricky Morton) by escaping the cage
|stip3 = Steel Cage match
|time3 = 10:29
}}
{{Professional wrestling results table
|caption = Fifth episode (aired on April 30, 2024)
|results = {{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/nwa-powerrr-5724-results-ec3-defends-against-silas-mason-new-national-champion-crowned-more|title=NWA Powerrr (5/7/24) Results: EC3 Defends Against Silas Mason, New National Champion Crowned, More|work=Fightful|first=Robert|last=DeFelice|date=May 8, 2024|access-date=June 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513051217/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/nwa-powerrr-5724-results-ec3-defends-against-silas-mason-new-national-champion-crowned-more|archive-date=May 13, 2024|url-status=live}}
|match1 = A. J. Francis defeated Bryan Idol by pinfall
|stip1 = No Disqualification match
|time1 = 7:05
|match2 = Thom Latimer defeated Blake "Bulletproof" Troop, Paul Burchill and Zyon (with Austin Idol) by pinfall
|stip2 = Four-way match for the vacant NWA National Heavyweight Championship
|time2 = 5:20
|match3 = EC3 (c) defeated "Thrillbilly" Silas Mason by pinfall
|stip3 = Singles match for the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship
|time3 = 12:49
}}
= NWA National Championship Tournament brackets =
{{#invoke:Build bracket|main
| rounds = 2
| seeds=yes
| team-width=140px
| score-width=55px
| col1-teams-per-match=2
| col2-teams-per-match=4
| col1-matches=3,5,7,9
| col2-matches=5
| col1-col2-paths=3-5,5-5,7-5,9-5
| RD1=First Round
NWA Powerrr
{{small|(January 14)}}
{{small|(aired March 19 and 26, April 2)}}
| RD2=Final
Hard Times 4
{{small|(March 2)}}
{{small|(airing TBC)}}
| RD1-seed1 = 1
| RD1-seed2 = 8
| RD1-team1 = Thom Latimer
| RD1-team2 = Carson Drake
| RD1-score1 = Pin
| RD1-score2 = 4:33{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=391472|title=NWA Powerrr#150|work=Cagematch.net|access-date=April 10, 2024}}
| RD1-seed3 = 3
| RD1-seed4 = 6
| RD1-team3 = Blake "Bulletproof" Troop
| RD1-team4 = Bryan Idol
| RD1-score3 = TKO
| RD1-score4 = 5:54{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=390280|title=NWA Powerrr#148|work=Cagematch.net|access-date=April 10, 2024|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}}
| RD1-seed5 = 4
| RD1-seed6 = 5
| RD1-team5 = AJ Cazana
| RD1-team6 = Zyon
| RD1-score5 = 7:24{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=390835|title=NWA Powerrr #149|work=Cagematch.net|access-date=April 10, 2024|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}}
| RD1-score6 = Pin
| RD1-seed7 = 2
| RD1-seed8 = 7
| RD1-team7 = Burchill
| RD1-team8 = "Magic" Jake Dumas
| RD1-score7 = Pin
| RD1-score8 = 5:34{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=390835|title=NWA Powerrr #149|work=Cagematch.net|access-date=April 10, 2024|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}}
| RD2-seed1 = 1
| RD2-seed2 = 3
| RD2-seed3 = 5
| RD2-seed4 = 2
| RD2-team1 = Thom Latimer
| RD2-team2 = Blake "Bulletproof" Troop
| RD2-team3 = Zyon
| RD2-team4 = Burchill
| RD2-score1 = Pin
| RD2-score2 = 7:05
| RD2-score3 = –
| RD2-score4 = –
}}
References
{{reflist}}