Wrestling Summit
| The Wrestling Summit Copa de Lucha | |
|---|---|
| Information | |
| Promotion | NWA Wrestling |
| Date | September 22, 2006 |
| Attendance | 3,800 |
| Venue | Orleans Arena |
| City | Paradise, Nevada |
The Wrestling Summit[1] or La Copa de Lucha was a professional wrestling event held on September 22, 2006 at the Orleans Arena in Paradise, Nevada. Promoted by NWA Pro Wrestling, the event was a ground-breaking attempt to mix the American professional wrestling style with the Mexican lucha libre style. The event was a huge success and spurred the NWA to tour across the nation with the hybrid combination.
The Event
La Copa de Lucha
The Wrestling Summit featured a 4-team international tag team tournament called La Copa de Lucha. The four countries represented were:
- Team
Canada: Canadian Spymaster A and Canadian Spymaster B - Team
Japan: Black Tiger and Puma - Team
Mexico: Phoenix Star and Zokre - Team
U.S.A.: Joey Ryan and Karl Anderson
In the first round, Team Mexico was able to outlast the technically superior Team Japan while Team U.S.A. easily handled the relatively unknown Team Canada. On their way to the ring for the finals, Team U.S.A. enraged the mostly Latino crowd by calling for immigration and throwing flour tortillas into the stands. The crowd responded by throwing back not only the tortillas, but also everything they could get their hands on. The entire match was fought amid a downpour of popcorn and beer. In the end, Team Mexico capitalized on a mistake by Team U.S.A. and captured the Copa de Lucha trophy. This match sparked a near two-year feud between “Los Luchas” (Phoenix Star and Zokre) and “The Real American Heroes” (Ryan and Anderson).
Other Matches
In addition to the tournament and the double main event, The Wrestling Summit featured matches with top caliber wrestlers from around the word. Those matches included:
- Sean “Syxx-Pac” Waltman defeated
Cuba’s Rocky Romero - Konnan and Human Tornado defeated Aaron Aguilera and Al Katrazz
Brazil’s Kafu and Babi Slymm defeated Colt Cabana and 
Kazakhstan’s The Plague- Derek Sanders and Durango Kid def. NWA British Commonwealth Champion
Ireland’s Paul Tracey and Zarco
Double Main Event
The first half of the double Main Event saw a rekindling of a classic SoCal wrestling feud between “Scrap Iron” Adam Pearce and “The Future” Frankie Kazarian. Kazarian took the early advantage, but a low kick behind the referee’s back helped Pearce secure the victory.
In the event’s finale, Mexican legends El Hijo del Santo and Rey Misterio, Sr. took on the team of L.A. Park and Fobia in a traditional 2 out of 3 falls Lucha Libre match. In the end, the technico team of Santo and Misterio outwrestled the rudo team to the crowd’s delight to pick up the win.
Notes
- This event was the first NWA DVD[2] to be produced and released by Big Vision Entertainment.[3] It featured Todd Keneley and David Marquez on commentary.
- At multiple times during the event, manager C. Edward Vander Pyle came to ringside to scout potential talent. Vander Pyle would put together his stable of Pearce, Ryan and Anderson when the NWA returned to the Orleans Arena with Fiesta Lucha.
- Ron Killings was advertised to be at the event, but cancelled after all promotional materials were distributed. Mil Mascaras was also advertised, but was unable to make the event due to a minor injury. They were replaced by Rocky Romero and Human Tornado.