The National Wrestling Alliance has locked up the television exclusivity of two of its top out LGBTQ talents.
News broke on NWA’s social media accounts over the last days of Pride Month that the company signed out pro wrestlers Max The Impaler and Rolando to new “long-term” contracts that keep them exclusive to NWA televised programming for an undetermined amount of time.
Max The Impaler, the 2023 QWI 200 number-one ranked wrestler, currently reigns as the NWA Unified Television champion after unifying the Men’s and Women’s Television titles earlier this year, becoming the first out non-binary transmasculine wrestler to hold both championships.
“We are ecstatic to know that Max The Impaler will remain an integral part of the NWA’s family and future,” NWA COO Joe Galli said in a statement. “They embody the unique characters and intensity which have always made the National Wrestling Alliance so memorable.”
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Rolando, formerly known as Rolando Freeman, has challenged for multiple NWA titles since debuting for the company in 2022. He has also appeared for NWA satellite promotions Kross Fire Wrestling and Exodus Pro Wrestling.
“The National Wrestling Alliance is building the team of talent to carry our legacy going forward,” Galli said. “Signing these stars to long-term contracts only adds to our excitement. The NWA firmly believes each reinforces its rich history, legacy and tradition.”
Their deals will keep their American televised wrestling appearances exclusive to the NWA, whose main program “NWA Powerrr” airs on The CW’s streaming app. Both wrestlers are still available for independent appearances on non-televised events.
Both have built strong followings in promotions outside of the NWA. Max The Impaler is a major foreign star for Japanese Joshi promotion Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling in recent years, holding the TJPW International Princess and Princess Tag Team championships during their tenure.
Ronaldo is a popular talent in the Southeast U.S., most notably in Alabama-based promotions New South Pro Wrestling and Retinal Wrestling. He is a former New South Pro Wrestling champion, a title affectionately referred to as “Humongold” due to its outrageous size.
The signings come as the NWA prepares for its biggest event of the year, “NWA 76,” which celebrates the 76th anniversary of the NWA’s founding, on August 31.
