Former NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion EC3 has officially announced his departure from the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). In a statement released via X, the veteran wrestler confirmed that his tenure with the promotion has ended, reflecting on a significant run that saw him hold the company’s top prize for over a year.
“The Top 1% Was Never a Gimmick”
In his statement, EC3 expressed gratitude for the opportunities he was given during his time with the brand. He emphasized that his “Top 1%” moniker represents a standard rather than just a character, stating, “The Top 1% was never a ‘gimmick.’ It is a standard. Future actions will reflect that.”
A Historic Championship Reign
EC3’s time in the NWA was defined by a dominant reign as the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion. He captured the title at NWA 75 on August 27, 2023, by defeating Tyrus in a Bullrope Match, a victory that forced Tyrus into retirement.
Reflecting on his “Overman Year,” EC3 highlighted the statistics of his championship run, noting that he logged “over 80 defenses, across four continents.” He cited several specific career highlights from this period, including:
- Retiring Tyrus: A moment he cheekily addressed with, “You’re welcome.”
- Samhain in Cleveland: A title defense against Thom Latimer in his hometown.
- “Ultimate Match or Death”: A high-profile bout against Matt Cardona.
- Jax Dane: Defending the championship in his only match against the former champion.
His reign lasted 370 days before he eventually lost the title to Thom Latimer at the NWA 76th Anniversary Show on August 31, 2024. Prior to winning the world title, EC3 also held the NWA National Heavyweight Championship, which he won at NWA 312 in April 2023 before relinquishing it to pursue the heavyweight crown.
Backstage Influence and Territory Development
Beyond his in-ring performance, EC3 noted his contributions to the NWA’s infrastructure. He revealed that he helped establish Exodus Pro as the NWA’s first official territory. According to EC3, this initiative was built on “standards, self-directed creativity, and legitimate talent development,” with multiple wrestlers from the system eventually graduating to the NWA main roster.
Background
EC3 (Michael Hutter) officially signed with the NWA in February 2023 after initially debuting at NWA 74 in August 2022. His arrival followed the merger of his own promotion, Control Your Narrative (CYN), with the NWA in 2022. Prior to his NWA tenure, he was a two-time TNA World Heavyweight Champion and a four-time WWE 24/7 Champion.
— ecIII (@therealec3) January 1, 2026
