EC3 Talks NWA’s Global Expansion, Nick Wayne On His Heel Run, Bushiroad/STARDOM

On a recent edition of the “Muscle Man Malcolm” podcast, NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion EC3 expressed his desire to see the National Wrestling Alliance expand into some international markets and collaborate with “high-level” companies overseas.

EC3 said, “I think international markets would be cool. I think collaborations with high-level international companies would be cool. I see growth in all aspects. Cleveland, Ohio, by putting boots to the ground, myself as the champion, being from Cleveland, I literally did everything I could to make sure that building had human beings in it. As world champion, I’m doing day one sh*t. I’m posting posters. I did about 34 interviews. But I am about the growth.”

He continued, “Where do I want us to grow? It would be nice in the sense, but I think the climate has changed so much that how content is distributed, things of that nature, it’s really gonna be about what’s next as opposed to what we think we needed from the past. Because TV deals in wrestling have been the coup de grace in every company since 1993. But it’s 2023. Things have changed. Obviously, that provides stability and a home base, so hopefully we find out what that is. But also to that, there’s so many other avenues for growth that by innovative like we are, we can capitalize on and be the first at something new.”

Nick Wayne is playing a heel character for the first time in his career on AEW television, and he recently spoke about the experience during a recent appearance on the “Busted Open Radio” podcast.

Wayne turned heel by betraying Darby Allin and allying with Christian Cage at AEW WrestleDream 2023.

You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:

On going heel for the first time: “I’ve never been hated until now.I’ve been a babyface, and I feel like it would write itself for me to be a babyface from like 14 or 12 until now. So, this is kind of my first time being an actual heel and being displayed as a bad guy. I’ve taken control in face versus face matches, but it was never [generating boos from the audience]. But now it’s like my first time being presented and wrestling and being put out there as a heel.”

On adjusting to the role: “I’ve only had two matches as a heel, but [with] all the segments and everything, it feels natural because I’m in there with the people I’m in there with. But it’s still something I’m kind of getting used to.”

Takaaki Kidani, the owner of Bushiroad has noted an “unreasonable schedule” as the cause of the recent series of STARDOM injuries.

Due to the unfortunate spate of injuries, STARDOM had to vacate the World of STARDOM and Goddesses of STARDOM Championships.

In a recent interview with Tokyo Sports, Kidani stated that STARDOM’s busy schedule is to be blamed for the sudden rise in injuries among talent. He said,

“The reason for the increase in injuries at Stardom is because of the unreasonable schedule. Next year, we will not hold big shows in the middle of the leagues.”

Tam Nakano vacated the World of STARDOM Championship on Monday, while Natsupoi and Saori Anou relinquished the Goddesses of STARDOM Titles after Natsupoi suffered a cervical hernia.

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