NWA Talent Reportedly Growing Frustrated with Billy Corgan Over His Leadership of NWA

As noted before, the National Alliance Wrestling’s television deal with The CW was believed to have been negatively affected by a controversial cocaine spot that took place at last month’s NWA Samhain event.

Haus of Wrestling’s Nick Hausman reported that his sources stated that Corgn had withdrawn from those close to him on Tuesday and did not want to discuss the situation involving the fallout of the cocaine spot hurting their talks and deals with The CW.

Hausman reported that one source spoken to within WWE stated that their talks with The CW for a television deal for NXT had accelerated following NWA’s controversial incident. This source reportedly stated “No segment ever done in wrestling has had that severe of consequences to the promotion than the Samhain Coke Spot.”

Several NWA talent spoken to reportedly stated that they have grown frustrated with Corgan’s current leadership of the company. Hasuman reported that in the past, Corgan had Dave Lagana and Pat Kenney to help out with the NWA’s creative process and general communication with talent but following Lagana’s release and Kenney suffering a stroke last year, communications with talent lessened. One source spoken to reportedly described Kenney as the “Johnny Ace of the NWA” following his move into a talent relations role in regards to being someone you only talks to if you are in trouble or getting signed. Corgan reportedly has been in charge of contract offers and creative since then.

Talent spoken to reportedly stated that due to Corgan’s busy touring schedule with The Smashing Pumpkins, several feel that he has been unavailable to relay his creative ideas in between NWA tapings. Several talent reportedly also stated that they are routinely not told the booking plans for NWA tapings until the day of the show and in some cases as late as around one hour prior to its start. One source spoken to reportedly stated that they were empathetic to Corgan’s struggle to balance his music and pro wrestling careers, but they are hopeful that Corgan will put together a team of creative people around him to help filter his ideas.

Hasuman also reported that several talent contracts are currently set to expire in June of 2024 and Corgan intends to start talks to re-sign as many of them possible in February of 2024. Several of those talents reportedly are already looking into other places for their careers and are not keen in staying in the company due to their current frustration over Corgan’s leadership. This feeling reportedly has not been helped by WWE’s recent announcement of their new television deal for NXT to The CW.

Making matters worse for talent reportedly has been Corgan giving various talents “tests” to see how they react and to prove their loyalty to the NWA, which was stated to have not been well-received. Hausman reported that some of these tests include making talent who are “over” come in to work and lose right away just to see how they react and Corgan being overly critical towards a talent who has done nothing wrong just to see how they take it.

Another source of talents frustrations with Corgan revolve around a restriction in place for talent taking outside bookings. This restriction reportedly only applies to younger talent who are under contract and are less than twenty-five years old. Corgan reportedly signs younger talent to deals because he wants “first dibs” on them before they become big stars and does not want them to be booked to lose in other promotions. This reportedly has affected NWA talent getting bookings with other companies such as AEW due to this restriction. Older talent under contract reportedly do not have this restriction in place for their outside bookings due to Corgan not putting the same level of investment towards them.

In a statement to Hausman, EC3 responded and refuted the claims and issues made by other NWA talent towards Corgan and the company.

2) This has never been communicated to me via talent or otherwise, and I communicate with all. A truly professional wrestler should be prepared for anything at anytime. They should be able to perform based on whatever opportunity is provided. “Plans in advance” OFTEN change.
There isn’t one wrestling company that this isn’t the case for.

While sometimes knowing in advance can be beneficial, perhaps in envisioning long form character arc and story told, a lot of the best moments and actions come when capable talent are put on the spot and trust their skills and intuition in the moments.

The day of the show provides AMPLE time if a talent requires to verbatim script a promo or “put together a match.” Neither should take long especially if/when a talent is confident in character, work, and ability.

Personally, I prefer to have a direction, then allowed the open canvas to create how I achieve that direction. I know WHO I AM and WHERE I WANT TO GO. I think others should trust themselves to do the same. It’s how good stories are told.

EX: Tonight on NWA POWERRR (6:05) I have a promo segment that I was informed of day of the show. I was given the destination that is taking us. I conversed with the talent involved on their goals and mission and end business for the segment. Then I had 5 hours till it was filmed. I was pleased with how it turned out.

By being present in the moment, you are always prepared for anything.

Continued in a moment have to do something

2) infrastructure is great and required on all facets of a growing business. Infrastructure is more imperative on a BUSINESS END than a CREATIVE END.

True creativity is a collaboration, and talents should be absolutely thankful they have freedom to explore as creatives because before they know it, they will work their asses off to one day maybe get an opportunity to BE A MUTE.

I don’t know what facets of growth are being held up that we would require a bakers dozens of low level Hollywood writers who have never seen wrestling, never been in a fight for anything, or never had an experience in athletic victory/defeat.

If it’s about promotional material or who is “being pushed” it’s not rocket science on who that is, but it’s also a HUGE OPPORTUNITY for a talent who might not be, to put themselves out there, show why they are special, and capture that. Simply by utilizing the team we have, from socials, to peers, a talent can send a promo to the team, get it aired. A talent can try an idea they have, film it, it can air. A talent can EASILY (and this is rare) TALK TO THE BOSS and pitch ideas.

I watched our boss sit and listen to a bunch of promos from extras (who don’t really have a shot), watch a bunch of practice matches from extras (who aren’t TV ready) and offer that to all.

Just because a talent is there, and semi being utilized, doesn’t mean anything is handed. Entitlement and complacency will have them, what, Anonymously bitching to the internet?

Post a seminar I did, I spent hours discussing non contracted talents with WPC so we can provide them legitimate feedback, again, even if they aren’t close to TV ready.

Why? Because we love this and share the same ideals that people deserve opportunity and the truth. I don’t think people understand the rarity of a boss who would put that time in. Took me a long time to find one.

Again, back to creative, I’d prefer one’s overall vision accompanied by a handful of trusted, experienced, smart “wrestling people” to see it through.

Again though, hindsight 20/20 sometimes there can be too much freedom and people do dumb things.

I hope that answer was sufficient.

4) I know only my business, and my business alone as far as contracts and older talent etc. I’m very happy with mine as I get to represent and grow the brand, while also challenge myself with other creative endeavors in wrestling and beyond. While NWA is my home, I can spread our, and my own, brand on multiple fronts.

This industry is a constant test. Being “frustrated by tests” is, just, something I’d never say or complain about (to the internet.) If I am challenged to do something, in lieu of frustrated complaining, I’d channel that frustration to take whatever test I’ve been given, and get better by accepting the challenge. Even if it’s just a “F-U” to the person who put me through it.

It’s not “gaining approval.” It’s showing competency and will. It’s showing you want it. It’s showing you have value. It’s showing you’re worth investing in.

If that’s too much, don’t come. I have countless people reaching out to me daily trying to get in.

And also, as I’ve said to the locker room before, I am ALWAYS AVAILABLE if anyone ever wants to or needs to have a conversation. I don’t know if I’ll be right, but I will give my best effort and opinion in complete confidence.