(Image Source: National Wrestling Alliance) |
At NWA 76 last year, “Big Strong” Mims scored the biggest victory of his career, winning the National Championship in a four-way elimination match. On January 11, 2025, Mims has an opportunity to further cement his place in National Wrestling Alliance history. He’ll defend the belt at NWA SHOCKWAVE, just one day shy of the title’s 1980 inception. Manager BLK Jeez brags, ”Mims is on his way to a legendary and much talked about reign. His next step is in Dallas/Forth Worth!”
NWA legend-turned-manager Austin Idol became the first-ever National Heavyweight champion on January 12, 1980. In the nearly 45 years since, countless Hall-of-Fame competitors have held the belt, affording the title one of the longest and richest lineages in pro wrestling history. Jeez admits, “The National Heavyweight Championship has been carried by some of the greatest our industry has seen.” Throughout the ‘80s, mega-stars the likes of Dusty Rhodes, Ted DiBiase, Buzz Sawyer, Tully Blanchard and Wahoo McDaniels competed for the iconic title in notoriously bloody encounters. Now at over 100 days with the strap, the reigning champion has already surpassed the championship tenures of these greats. His manager continues, “Mims is a savage! From this point on, whenever you think or talk about the National Championship, you will respectfully mention the name of ‘Big Strong’ Mims. He’s unstoppable, bruh!” As champion, Mims indeed stands beside a Who’s Who of the National Wrestling Alliance. The National title proved a springboard to the “Ten Pounds of Gold” for many. Prior to winning “Sweet Charlotte”, Ron Garvin, Jax Dane, Trevor Murdoch, EC3 and reigning NWA World’s Heavyweight champion Thom Latimer all held “The Natty”. The belt was so prestigious, Jack Brisco, “Wildfire” Tommy Rich, Rhodes and Dane pursued it even after winning “The Big One”.
Jeez contends, “Let’s think about all of the others that have held this championship in recent memory. Murdoch…EC3… Latimer? Mims is more must see than all of them! Is that arrogant to say? Of course it is. It’s also true and a fact. The Church’s Money only speaks facts!” At NWA SHOCKWAVE, Mims brings the title to The OC Theatre in Forney, TX. He’s slated to put it on the line against a yet-to-be-named opponent, opening the opportunity for a new champion to be crowned on the eve of its anniversary. No matter who the challenger, Jeez promises, not happening. Jeez vows, “The Professional Heater and ‘Big Strong’ Mims will remain in the winners circle on the National Heavyweight title’s 45th Anniversary with a victory at NWA SHOCKWAVE! Mims is the blueprint for what success looks like in the NWA today,” he concludes. “With The Church’s Money in his corner, he will continue to dominate as your National Heavyweight champion as he makes his way to becoming the face of the National Wrestling Alliance….Naamean!”
(Image Source: National Wrestling Alliance) |
Also scheduled for NWA SHOCKWAVE is the opening rounds of a tournament to crown a new No. 1 contender to the NWA World’s Championship. NWA World Tag Team Champions Knox and Murdoch defend against The SlimeBallz while Carson Drake puts the NWA World TV title on the line against Alex Misery and more. These matches and more will be shown as multiple upcoming episodes of NWA's flagship weekly program NWA POWERRR in the coming weeks, airing every Tuesday night at 6:05 pm ET (Wednesday, 6:05 am PHT/HKT/SGT) on NWA's official X account. For more information and updates on NWA SHOCKWAVE, upcoming NWA Signature Live Events and the stars of the NWA, visit NationalWrestlingAlliance.com.