Update in the NWA World Title Tournament

On June 30th, 2007 in Chula Vista, California, in front of a crowd of 350 people, The Shooter Brent Albright topped Fred Sampson to secure his way into the Semi-Finals. The match was originally planned to take place in the home state of Oklahoma, but due to excessive rain fall and flooding this qualifying match was moved to San Diego. The changing of the venues worked to the disadvantage of Albright, because the crowd was behind Sampson, which probably would not have been the case in Oklahoma. Many believed that the match would come to an end when Sampson landed his Bonecrushing Powerslam. Albright shocked the crowd with a Half-Nelson suplex for the 3 count.

July 13th 2007, Knights of Columbus Hall, 4315 N. Vincent Ave, Covina CA. Belltime 8:00pm. Obviously this is home field advantage for "Scrap Iron", however, Adam Pearce has never endured himself to the home crowd. For "Techincal Perfection" Chad Parham may have the edge in this match up. Parham ousted none other that the pride of the Mid-Atlantic, Damien Wayne, to advance in the tournament. "Scrap Iron" may have something to worry about. Pearce beat Aaron Aguilera. The bottom line is that this is yet another styles clash that should lead to an exciting match up. Pearce isn't new to wrestling high flying smaller wrestlers. Adam Pearce feuding for a stint in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla with TNA's Frankie Kazarian. And as depicted earlier in the video of Pearce vs. Pelle in ROH, Pearce is used to facing the guys with a lot of quickness. Parahm has proved he can compete with the bigger guys. Both men are champions in the repective territories. Chad is the Anarchy Heavyweight Champion. Adam is the NWA Heritage Champion.

Lighting struck once when "Techincal Perfection" was able to defeat "Mr. Mid-Atlantic" Damien Wayne. However, Lightning won't be stricking twice. My prediction is that Adam Pearce will be too much for Parham.

"Showdown in CrisisLand!" on Saturday, July 21st, 2007, Live @ Knights of Columbus Hall , 279 Quinnipiac Street in Wallingford, CT! Doors open at 6:30 pm. Bell time is 7:00 pm.
"One new matched confirmed this morning will bring CHIKARA into the NWA spotlight. Currently, the NWA is in the process of crowning a new World Heavyweight champion. As luck would have it, two of the quarter-finalists in the NWA title tournament happen to be participating in our July 21 Wallingford card, and thanks to both Director of Fun Leonard F. Chikarason and NWA Executive Director Bob Trobich, we're proud to announce that for the first time ever, Claudio Castagnoli will face Sicodelico, Jr., and the match has been sanctioned as a quarter-final bout in the ongoing NWA title tourney! Everyone here at CHIKARA is proud to know we'll be playing a small part in this historic title tournament!"

Sicodelico Jr. and Claudio Castagnoli will be facing off in CHIKARA. I don't believe this makes CHIKARA anything offical to the NWA, but just friendly. Much like the NECW who hosted 2 qualifying matches early on for the NWA. This would have to be considered home field advantage for Caludio, considering he has competed inside a CHIKARA ring very frequently. However, the pro-lucha enthusiasm from the crowd might put Sicodelico over with the crowd.

The bracketing thus far hasn't favored either man. This match up should remind many of the match up betweens Dean Malenko and Rey Mysterio Jr. The luchador vs. the mat technician. I am greatly looking forward to this match up. Sicodelico I feel is going to be the under dog in this match up. He has a great opstacle to overcome in Castagnoli. I predict Claudio will put Sicodelico Jr. away and advance to the Semi-Finals.