On the heels of Australian wrestling promotion GWA (PWAQ) giving notice to the NWA that they have decided to withdraw their application due to "borderline criminal actions" by another NWA licensee the problems and controversy surrounding the new NWA are beginning to mount.
After Ring Warriors withdrew from the NWA and after a match between Bruce Santee and NWA World Champion Kahagas turned into a semi-shoot affair NWA COO Fred Rubenstein stood by longtime friend and promoter Howard Brody, for which NWA President Bruce Tharpe and VP Chris Ronquillo have reportedly turned on Rubenstein and are said to be in the midst of trying to oust him as part of the Board of Governors. NWA Coastal parted ways shortly after Ring Warriors left as Rubenstein business associate Phil Varlese chose to side with Rubenstein.
NWA Grindhouse, once touted as the future of the new NWA pulled out last month citing "creative differences" which is a sentiment echoed by a number of licensees and it is thought that other NWA promotions will soon be leaving the governing body.
Since Tharpe gained control of the NWA from Pro Wrestling Organization, LLC he has been the center of controversy. While Tharpe has said he wants nothing more than to regain respect for the NWA and make it a prominent part of the wrestling business again a series of questionable business decisions and what many see as poor booking decisions have done little to help strengthen the company and appears to have only made it more laughable.
Recently Tharpe was awarded a default judgement against former NWA promoter David Marquez and former NWA President Bob Trobich for a reported $48,000 and sources close to Tharpe say he will soon be attaching property and seeking garnishments against the two in order to satisfy the judgement. That lawsuit and recent action against Mid-Atlantic Legends convention promoter Greg Price have convinced many that Tharpe and Ronquillo are apt to bully or intimidate those who speak out against them. A deal had reportedly been arranged with Price in which the NWA would be made available vendor space at the upcoming convention in Charlotte, N.C. a public apology and other trivial details and the lawsuit would be dropped. After the agreement was reached and presented to Tharpe he allegedly requested a "fine" or "fee" in the area of $800 be paid to which Price refused and the lawsuit continues.
A source close to the NWA has said that Tharpe is allegedly interested in selling the NWA brand to a Japanese interest. There are issues the NWA is or soon will be dealing with where the international brand is concerned since the NWA had deals, reportedly in perpetuity, with Blue Demon in Mexico and Zero 1 in Japan. Mounting legal bills and the threat of further legal action against Tharpe and Ronquillo are thought to be behind the decision to see if there is any interest in the NWA brand.
As the drama that has become the NWA continues to unfold word has come recently that Tharpe has grown unhappy with Ronquillo as well. Ronquillo is on the forefront of most of the correspondence with NWA licensees and those who would challenge the NWA and their decisions and his tersely worded emails, which many believe border on threatening, intimidation and bullying and much of that is projecting negatively on Tharpe who touts his "spotless" record as an attorney in Texas.
There is another hearing set for January 28, 2013 in Cameron County, Texas that, unless there is another delay, will be a jury trial involving Tharpe, Ronquillo and members of PWO LLC.
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