We have a brand new National Wrestling Alliance World Junior Heavyweight Champion!

At NWA 78, which was recorded on Saturday, July 25th, live from the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, PA, Hayden Backlund captured the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship. This marks Backlund’s first title since signing with the promotion earlier this year. Backlund defeated Richard Adonis, Damian Fenrir, and Axton Ray in a stellar four-way match in the early going of the NWA 78 card.

The title was vacated by owner Billy Corgan when he stripped the former champion, Spencer Slade. Corgan noted behaviors “unbecoming of a champion” coming off the heels of the Federation of Champions’ post-match attack on Bryan Idol’s mother. The attack happened two weeks ago on an episode of NWA Powerrr. Now, Hayden Backlund will lead the charge for the junior heavyweights. Backlund has an immensely bright future ahead of him, and this is truly just the beginning. The National Wrestling Alliance truly broke the mold when they signed Backlund. A complete game-changer.

Backlund is also one half of the Black Label Pro Tag Team Champions. Alongside Trevor Outlaw, as Hot Commodity, Backlund has held these titles for the past 493 days, with no signs of either man slowing down. He is also a former NCCW Heavyweight Champion, which he held for 378 days, as well as a Daddy Yeah! Pro Champion for 120 days. So, it’s safe to say that in his young career, he’s no stranger to gold.

Catch NWA Powerrr on Comet and CHARGE! at 4 PM ET/3 PM CT/1 PM PT every Saturday, or on the Tubi app.

Had to wait forever to share this. But congratulations, @Hayden_Backlund for becoming the NEWWWWWW NWA Jr. Heavyweight Worlds Champion!

So beyond well deserved. We’ve spent many fun nights on Fortnite together, and I’m beyond grateful and thankful for you. I can’t say in words… pic.twitter.com/E3Nlj50mDo— Scott Mitchell (@Scott44Mitchell) August 31, 2026