WATCH: Nick Aldis retains NWA World Hvt. Title against James Ellsworth in first match in Aldis Crusade (w/Keller’s Analysis)

“The National Treasure” Nick Aldis retains the NWA World Hvt. Title against James Ellsworth on Sunday, Feb. 11 in Los Angeles, Calif. Aldis defended against an opponent hand-picked by his manager Austin Idol. Ellsworth confronted Aldis and said he wouldn’t be a push-over, and he bragged about having come within a split second of beating A.J. Styles to become WWE Champion. Fans chanted, “You beat A.J.!”

In the match itself, which clocked in around six minutes Aldis scored a three count early after a suplex, but Ellsoworth draped his leg over the bottom rope during the count. After a replay and consulting with a second ref, the main ref restarted the match. Ellsworth rolled up a protesting Aldis for a near fall. Aldis, though, soon forced an Ellsworth tapout with his finisher, the Kingworth Cloverleaf.

After the match, it was revealed that Aldis would defend his NWA Title in April in Shanghai, China against Colt Cabana.

Watch the full match HERE.

Then check out part one of my interview with Nick Aldis on the Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Podcast HERE and look for part two tomorrow (Friday, Feb. 16) at PodcastOne.com’s Wade Keller Podcast Page.

(Keller’s Analysis: Aldis carries himself like an old school heel NWA World Hvt. Champion in this video. His clothes, his demeanor, his confidence all conveys that he thinks he’s superior to the fans, but not in a cartoonish way. He just comes across as smug, and the type of heel – with the right booking support and opponents – who can follow in the pattern of other traveling heel NWA Champions in past eras. It seems like a good fit. The match with Ellsworth was short, but built up nicely and pleased the crowd. It’s a fun 21 minute video worth your time.)

Then catch up on the critically acclaimed Ten Pounds of Gold series on YouTube, produced by Billy Corgan and Dave Lagana, HERE.