Nick Aldis put his NWA World Heavyweight Championship on the line against Trevor Murdoch at NWA 73. Murdoch would have to retire if he couldn’t win the title.
Notes from the match:
Things started with Aldis attacking Murdoch from behind as Murdoch was giving his family to his family. They fought into the crowd but the match had not officially started because the bell had not rung by this point. They fought their way up to the stage area. Aldis slammed Murdoch on the wood stage as officials, including Billy Corgan and Pat Kenney yelled at Aldis to get back in the ring. Corgan looked like he wanted to fight Aldis.
After several minutes, they made their way back to the ring and the match officially got started. Murdoch fought back with punches in the corner of the ring but Aldis came back with a boot to the face and an Angle Slam. Aldis followed up with a Lou Thesz press. Aldis tried to do the Flair spot of the top but Murdoch caught him and slammed him. Murdoch tried a move off the top but Aldis caught him and he attempted the figure four but Murdoch countered into a pin attempt and then a figure four leg lock. After Aldis broke free, Murdoch went for a move in the corner but he crashed into the ring post.
Aldis was pushed by the referee Robert King because Aldis tried to bully him. Murdoch accidentally pushed Aldis into King, which meant that Murdoch could not win until the referee got back up. The match continued with the referee knocked out and Aldis on offense. Aldis taunted Murdoch’s son in the crowd. Aldis attacked the timekeeper and then set up a table at ringside. Aldis dove off the top rope and hit an elbow on Murdoch through the table. Aldis brought Murdoch back in the ring and another referee ran out to make the count but Murdoch kicked out.
Murdoch fought back and hit the Code Red but Aldis kicked out of the pin attempt. Murdoch went for a move off the top but Aldis cut him off and hit a tombstone piledriver. Aldis hit an elbow off the top but Murdoch kicked out of the pin attempt. Murdoch hit Aldis with open hand chops in the corner and then a superplex off the top rope. Aldis kicked out of the pin attempt. Murdoch went for the bulldog off the top but Aldis moved and then locked in the clover leaf submission. Murdoch made it to the bottom rope. Both men traded punches from their knees up to their feet. Murdoch hit a Harley Race piledriver and then the bulldog off the top. Murdoch got the pin to win the title.
Ric Flair walked out to celebrate with Murdoch. Murdoch was also joined by his family. Flair put over Murdoch for being a great wrestler and representing Harley Race. Murdoch said he never dreamed this moment would happen. He said the fans are the reason why he kept going. Murdoch said he doesn’t know what is in his future but he will represent the title to the best of his ability. He said that he hopes to be as good as Harley Race someday. Murdoch ended by thanking everyone for their support.
Click here for complete NWA 73 results.
