Ohio wrestling has another reason to celebrate.
The Hardway, the team of Jack Vaughn and Dalton McKenzie, are the new NWA United States Tag Team Champions after defeating The SlimeBallz to open Hard Times 6 in Atlanta. The championship victory aired during Saturday’s episode of NWA Powerrr, officially crowning the Ohio duo as one of the National Wrestling Alliance’s premier tag teams.
The Hardway earned the opportunity by winning a four-way No. 1 contenders match on an earlier episode of NWA Powerrr, setting the stage for a showdown with The SlimeBallz at Hard Times 6. When the opportunity arrived, Vaughn and McKenzie made the most of it, defeating the longtime champions to capture the coveted titles.
For Ohio wrestling fans, the victory carries even more significance. Both Vaughn and McKenzie proudly represent the Buckeye State, making this championship win a major moment not only for the team, but for Ohio’s independent wrestling scene as a whole. Both men have spent years building their reputations across the Midwest, and their success in the NWA is another reminder of the high level of talent that continues to emerge from Ohio.
While the championship match took place during the June 6 Hard Times 6 television tapings in Atlanta, NWA’s television schedule meant the title change wasn’t revealed to fans until the August 1 episode of NWA Powerrr. Tape-delay broadcasts have become common for the promotion, allowing fans to experience major moments as the episodes air.
The championship marks the first NWA United States Tag Team Title reign for The Hardway and represents another major milestone for one of the fastest-rising teams in the National Wrestling Alliance.
From everyone at WrestleOhio, congratulations to Jack Vaughn and Dalton McKenzie on bringing another prestigious championship home to Ohio.