On the July 5 episode of Powerrr, NWA president William Patrick Corgan announced the "Race to The Chase" tournament, which would determine Trevor Murdoch's number one contender to the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship at the event.[3] The tournament began the following week, where Thom Latimer, Brian Myers, and Nick Aldis advanced after defeating Chris Adonis, The Pope, and Tim Storm, respectively.[4] The following week, Aldis defeated Myers, Latimer, and Mike Knox - who earned a bye thanks to former champion Matt Cardona - in a four-way match for the finals to become the number one contender.[5][6] However, after Aldis made comments on Twitter alleging "goalpost-moving" that drew the ire of Corgan, the latter announced on the July 21 edition of Busted Open Radio that Aldis had been stripped of his #1 contender status and would be replaced by the NWA World Television ChampionTyrus.[7]
The Spectaculars (Brady Pierce and Rush Freeman) (with Rolando Freeman)[9]
On the June 14 episode of NWA Powerrr, Bully Ray, special master of ceremonies for the night, was confronted by Mike Knox and VSK of the Cardona Family. Knox initially acted in kind to Ray, due to their past as members of Aces & Eights in Impact Wrestling. However, after accusing Ray of "leaving him high and dry" in Impact, Knox and VSK would attack him before putting him through a table.[10] For the next several weeks, Knox would continue to disparage Bully Ray's name, while claiming to see Ray everywhere he goes.[citation needed] During an appearance on Busted Open Radio on July 21, NWA President Billy Corgan announced that Ray would make his NWA in-ring debut against Knox in a tables match on Night 1 of NWA 74.[11]
On the July 26 "EmPowerrred" edition of Powerrr, Taya Valkyrie defeated KiLynn King to become the number one contender for the NWA World Women's Championship. Later in the main event, current champion Kamille defeated Chelsea Green to retain the title, with her and Valkyrie facing each other in the main event of Night 1 of NWA 74.[12][13][14] Earlier that day, the NWA announced the return of the "Burke Invitational" - formerly the "NWA Women's' Invitational" - where rising female wrestlers compete in a gauntlet match on Night 1 for the Burke Cup and a Women's World Championship match on Night 2.[15]
The following wrestlers were announced as participants:
On the July 5 episode of Powerrr, NWA World Junior Heavyweight ChampionHomicide had an interview with Kyle Davis praising the Morton Family (Kerry and Ricky Morton). Though he gave credit to the father and son, he claimed Kerry still didn't have an "it" factor" to make it in professional wrestling, but still offered him a title shot at NWA 74.[19] The following week saw Kerry respond, talking about how the championship was one held by his father, and that he wanted to uphold the prestige of that title.[20]
On Night 2 of the Crockett Cup, The Hex (Allysin Kay and Marti Belle) defeated Pretty Empowered (Ella Envy and Kenzie Paige) to retain the NWA World Women's Tag Team Championship.[22] The two teams would have a rematch at Alwayz Ready, where Pretty Empowered would win the titles after Envy struck Belle with a low blow.[23] A third match would take place on the July 2 episode of NWA USA, where Pretty Empowered retained due to Envy hitting Kay with one of the title belts.[24] On August 3, after an episode of Busted Open Radio, it was announced that Pretty Empowered will again defend the titles against The Hex in a Kingshighway Street Fight on Night 2 of NWA 74.[25]
At GCW Downward Spiral, Matt Cardona suffered a torn bicep during his match against Blake Christian.[26][27] The injury forced him to vacate many of the championships he held at the time, including the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship, which he was scheduled to defend at Alwayz Ready. On August 5, the NWA announced that Cardona would make his in-ring return on Night 1 of NWA 74, facing an opponent of his choosing.[28]
At Alwayz Ready, The Commonwealth Connection (Doug Williams and Harry Smith) won the NWA World Tag Team Championship from La Rebelión (Bestia 666 and Mecha Wolf 450).[23] The two would face off in a rematch under Lucha Rules at the following "Knox Out" Powerrr taping, where The Commonwealth Connection retained.[29] After defeating The OGK (Matt Taven and Mike Bennett) in their rivalry, with assistance from Bestia's father Damián 666, La Rebelión will face The Commonwealth Connection on Night 1 of NWA 74 for the titles.[30] However, on the day of the show, it was announced that Smith withdrew due to illness; the titles were subsequently vacated. Hawx Aerie (Luke and PJ Hawx) would replace The Commonwealth Connection to face La Rebelión for the now-vacant titles.[citation needed]
The Miserably Faithful (Judais, Sal The Pal, and Gaagz The Gymp) (with Father James Mitchell) defeated The Ill Begotten (Alex Taylor, Jeremiah Plunkett, and Danny Dealz) by pinfall
1 ^ Mike Knox was afforded a bye due to his friend and former champion Matt Cardona's sway
2 ^ Tim Storm previously lost his privilege to challenge for the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship but was allowed in the tournament by champion Trevor Murdoch
3 ^ Tyrus replaces Nick Aldis due to unconfirmed reasons
Burke Invitational gauntlet match entrances and eliminations
