Tag: alex hammerstone

Hammerstone vs. Holliday title match to headline MLW Kings of Colosseum

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A World Heavyweight Championship grudge match is going down at MLW’s next set of television tapings.

Alex Hammerstone defending his MLW World Heavyweight Championship against Richard Holliday will headline MLW’s TV tapings at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia on Friday, May 13. “Kings of Colosseum ’22” is the name of the tapings.

Hammerstone and Holliday were formerly stablemates as part of The Dynasty. On an episode of MLW Fusion this February, Holliday turned against Hammerstone and got together with Alicia Atout. 

Last October, Hammerstone became MLW World Heavyweight Champion by defeating Jacob Fatu in a title vs. title match. Hammerstone vacated the MLW National Openweight Championship after winning the World title.

Hammerstone vs. Holliday is the first match that’s been announced for Kings of Colosseum. MLW wrote about the matchup:

The main event has been set for MLW’s only card at the 2300 Arena for 2022 and it’s a big one as the Dynasty finally collides in a World Heavyweight Championship clash months in the making.

After the dynastic betrayal by Richard Holliday in Dallas earlier this year, Holliday has touted himself the brains behind Hammerstone’s meteoric rise as well as taken credit as the founding father of the Dynasty itself! Going as far as proclaiming to be the ‘Sole Proprietor’ of the Dynasty, Holliday has put Hammerstone — the man he once called his best friend — in his crosshairs.

Some point to the emergence of Alicia Atout and her relationship with Holliday as poisoning the dynastic bond between Hammer and Holliday. 

Did Alicia Atout twist situations and put the blame on Hammerstone for the Dynasty’s problems with Cesar Duran? Others wonder if Holliday is bitter over Hammer’s success. 

Insisting that the media use the term ‘Clout Couple’ when referring to this rarefied romance, Holliday has seemingly snapped as Atout encourages a bloody war against Hammerstone.  

From a shocking beating in Dallas to the crimson suit drenched in Hammer’s blood at SuperFight, Hammerstone has found himself at a loss of not only a friendship but a vicious onslaught at the hands of someone who knows him better than anyone in the sport. 

Now the stage is set for the most personal feud in MLW history and the stakes couldn’t be higher as Hammerstone looks to thunderclap Holliday back to his posh and privileged Westport, CT life once and for all… but does Holliday have the upper hand with Atout by his side and his much hyped ‘strategic dominance’?

Find out Friday night, May 13 in Philadelphia at MLW Kings of Colosseum!

Six-man tag match set for MLW Azteca Underground tapings

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Rivals Alex Hammerstone and Richard Holliday are facing off in six-man tag team action at MLW’s Azteca Underground event in Dallas.

MLW has announced that Hammerstone & The Von Erichs (Marshall & Ross Von Erich) vs. Holliday, King Muertes & Mads Krugger will take place at the Friday, April 1 Azteca Underground tapings. The tapings are being held at Gilley’s Dallas.

Hammerstone and Holliday were formerly stablemates in The Dynasty. On an episode of MLW Fusion that aired last month, Holliday turned against Hammerstone and got together with Alicia Atout.

Atout will be in Holliday’s corner for the six-man tag match.

Hammerstone is the current MLW World Heavyweight Champion. He won the title from Jacob Fatu last October.

MLW also has a set of television tapings at Gilley’s Dallas on Thursday, March 31. “Intimidation Games” is the name of that set of tapings.

The updated card for the Azteca Underground show is listed below:

  • Azteca Apocalypto match: LA Park vs. Jacob Fatu
  • Alex Hammerstone & The Von Erichs vs. Richard Holliday, King Muertes & Mads Krugger
  • Bandido vs. Flamita
  • nZo vs. KC Navarro
  • MLW National Openweight Champion Alex Kane defends against Puma King, ACH, and Myron Reed in a four-way match
  • Mexican strap match: Aramis vs. Gino Medina
  • Aerostar, Microman & El Dragon vs. Arez, Mini Abismo Negro, and a mystery partner
  • Octagon Jr. vs. Matt Cross
  • Chik Tormenta vs. Holidead

MLW SuperFight results: Alex Hammerstone vs. Davey Richards World title match

Posted on by Iain Oliver

Taped recently in Charlotte, North Carolina, MLW SuperFight 2022 was headlined by three scheduled title matches and a grudge match between nZo and KC Navarro.

Emilio Sparks caught up with Alicia Atout and Richard Holliday as they teased interfering in tonight’s Hammerstone vs. Davey Richards MLW World title match. They also said they have business with Cesar Duran to take care of.

MLW National Openweight Champion Alex Kane (w/ Mr. Thomas) defeated Calvin Tankman and ACH in a three-way to retain the title

Kane and Tankman continued their feud which also included ACH who had a brief backstage pull-apart with Kane last week which inserted him into this match. Tankman had his knee heavily taped after last week’s attack by Kane and his bodyguard Mr. Thomas during their championship singles match.

Having ACH in the match brought out the high flying aspect of things as Kane and Tankman brought the power and strength.

Kane rammed Tankman head first into the ring post multiple times before he suplexed ACH all over the ring as he took firm control in his title defense.

ACH fought back and hit a deadlift German on Kane, but then missed a plancha to the floor. To make matters worse, he also ate a spinning back fist by a recovered Tankman. Kane ducked Tankman’s big elbow to the back of the head and suplexed his opponent using his injured knee.

Tankman caught ACH coming off the top rope and squashed Kane in the corner with a buckle bomb, but ACH quickly shook it off and hit a suicide dive to Kane on the floor.

In the ring, ACH took out Tankman’s knee but Kane got back in to interrupt a Texas cloverleaf, hitting ACH with a superkick and a leg trap suplex to pick up the win to retain his title.

– Backstage, Emilio Sparks met with EJ Nduka who said he is watching the title matches tonight, hinting that he will be challenging for either the Openweight or World titles in the future, not mentioning (and seemingly overlooking) the tag titles.

– Backstage, Tag Team Champions 5150 attacked the Von Erichs’ ankles with steel chairs putting their tag title match in jeopardy. It was later confirmed that the Von Erichs were indeed injured and the title match was off. I did suspect something like this would happen as the usual MLW format is three matches over a one-hour show.

Moments later, 5150 cut a promo on the Von Erichs, shouting about everyone with a famous name getting “a free pass” to challenge them and wanted the best tag teams to step up. There was a nice tease at the future direction as Slice Boogie wanted to challenge the biggest in the locker room with Julius Smokes adding “there will be justice.” I immediately thought of “The Judge” EJ Nduka and, later in the night, they attacked Nduka during a meet and greet with the fans.

– TJP is back in MLW and wants to add the MLW Middleweight title to his impressive list of junior and cruiserweight title honors. He called out champion Myron Reed and told him to watch out.

nZo defeated KC Navarro

Shortly after his debut, nZo jumped Navarro and injured him by buckle bombing him into the ring post, putting Navarro out of action for months. This was supposed to be Navarro’s revenge, but nZo jumped him during his entrance, whipped him into the guardrail, and buckle bombed him into the ring post again.

nZo rolled a lifeless Navarro into the ring and asked him via the mic if he still wanted to fight. Navarro valiantly shouted, “How you doing, bitch?” and the referee rang the bell.

nZo continued the attack on the neck with backstabbers, rope-assisted guillotines, and slamming him hard on the floor.

In the ring, Navarro had a last attempt by grabbing the ropes during a pin, but nZo just pulled his lifeless body up and hit Eat The Feet finisher for the win.

nZo got on the mic after the match and lectured Navarro about using your special abilities and about how you respond to getting your ass kicked. nZo said Navarro had heart, and after having the crowd in the palm of his hands cheering and clapping, he extended his hand in a show of tough love and respect.

But, of course, all was not as it seemed as nZo showed his true colors and quickly knocked Navarro down and hit his finisher once more.

MLW World Champion Alex Hammerstone defeated Davey Richards to retain the title

Richards became the number one contender after winning the 2021 Opera Cup and we were promised a classic title match when the hype video for this match closed last week’s Fusion episode. 

The aforementioned Holliday and Atout bought some front row seats from fans. If the lady behind Holliday was not a plant, she played along excellently as she furiously stared a hole in the back of Holliday’s head as he flaunted his cash and disgust at the other fans around him.

Putting things in place for the exciting ending to the match, Hammerstone and Richards teased their finishers early as the champion escaped the ankle Lock and Richards wriggled out of the Nightmare Pendulum.

The main story of the match unfolded as Richards focused on Hammerstone’s previously injured ankle by draping it over the guardrail and running all his weight into it. Inside the ring, he continued with locks and holds putting pressure on the ankle as he looked to set up for his ankle lock finisher.

A figure four had Hammerstone in pain and Richards transitioned into the Trailer Hitch, but Hammerstone somehow powered to the ropes to break.

Hammerstone blocked a suplex attempt while playing into the big vs. small story they were also telling throughout the match.

Hammerstone sat up like The Undertaker after a running soccer kick to the chest and shook off more attempts to chop him down as Richards went to the legs, knees and ankles some more. Hammerstone caught Richards in a gorilla press and dropped him with a swinging uranage. 

The match was delicately balanced as Richards caught Hammerstone’s leg and hit a dragon screw to turn it back in his favor. But, he then missed a double foot stomp and ate an exploder suplex into the corner.

The back and forth continued as Richards again had Hammerstone on the apron with his leg draped over the ropes. Richards came off the top with a foot stomp and as Hammerstone rolled into the ring, Richard went up again, hitting another double foot stomp for a two count.

Richards immediately rolled into his ankle lock. Hammerstone rolled and pushed him out, but Richards bounced off the ropes with a soccer punt. Richards got him up but Hammerstone reversed a suplex into the Nightmare Pendulum. Richards instinctively rolled to the outside to avoid the pin.

A small package fired Richards up but Hammerstone ran over him with a clothesline. A Burning Hammer couldn’t keep Richards down but a second Nightmare Pendulum did the job as Hammerstone retained his title in this hard-fought victory.

After the match, Hammerstone confronted Holliday at ringside but Atout sprayed pepper spray into his eyes and Holliday busted him open by ramming him into the steel ring post. Holliday was wearing a white shirt and suit, ending the show with a great visual as after putting boots to him the blood-soaked Holliday was held back by security as the injured champion lay on the ground.

Next week:

  • TJP vs. the debuting Buddy Matthews
  • The debuting Rok-C vs. the debuting Miranda Gordy
  • A medical update on EJ Nduka and the Von Erichs

MLW SuperFight spoilers: Hammerstone vs. Davey Richards

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Here are results from tonight’s MLW SuperFight television tapings that were held in Charlotte, North Carolina.

  • Ikuro Kwon defeated Ken Broadway. After the match, Kwon called out Jacob Fatu. Fatu attacked Kwon, leading them to brawl to the back.
  • Cesar Duran came out with a masked Azteca foot soldier. Duran insulted Charlotte until Ricky Steamboat came out. Steamboat informed Duran that MLW had placed him under investigation, and until the investigation was complete, Duran would have to leave. After Duran was escorted out by security, Steamboat chopped the masked soldier out of the ring. Richard Holliday and Alicia Atout then came out. Holliday asked Steamboat for a title match against Alex Hammerstone. Steamboat instead put him in a match against Matt Cross.
  • EJ Nduka and mystery partner Calvin Tankman defeated 5150 to win the MLW Tag Team titles.
  • Richard Holliday defeated Matt Cross.
  • nZo defeated KC Navarro. nZo attacked Navarro in the aisle as he entered, crotching Navarro then pinning him.
  • Prior to the next match, Holliday and Alicia Atout came out and took two seats from fans.
  • Alex Hammerstone defeated Davey Richards to retain the MLW World Championship. After the match, Hammerstone confronted Holliday. Holliday attacked, sending Hammerstone into a corner post and busting him open. Savio Vega and other security came out to break things up.
  • Puma King, Octagon Jr., and Micro Man defeated Arez, Gino Medina, and Mini Abismo Negro (with Dr. Dax). Medina attacked the referee after the match.
  • Killer Kross defeated Budd Heavy via referee stoppage.
  • Gangrel defeated Gnarls Garvin following the impaler DDT. Gangrel used a sickle to bloody Garvin during the match.
  • MLW Middleweight Champion Myron Reed defeated TJP.
  • Alex Kane defeated ACH and Calvin Tankman in a three way match to retain the the MLW National Openweight title. Kane pinned ACH to retain.
  • Mads Kruger defeated Jacob Fatu in a stairway to hell match after interference from Kwon.
  • Marshall and Ross Von Erich defeated Ricky & Kerry Morton. After the match, the two teams argued until 5150 came in and attacked both teams. The Von Erichs and The Morton then joined together and took out 5150 to close out the tapings.

MLW will next run on March 31 with their Intimidation Games tapings at Gilley’s in Dallas, Texas.

Hammerstone vs. Davey Richards World title match set for MLW SuperFight

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Davey Richards is getting a shot at the MLW World Heavyweight Championship.

It was announced via Sports Illustrated today that MLW World Heavyweight Champion Alex Hammerstone will defend his title against Richards at MLW’s SuperFight tapings on Saturday, February 26. The tapings are being held at the Grady Cole Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Richards was the winner of MLW’s 2021 Opera Cup tournament. He defeated TJP in the finals.

Hammerstone became MLW World Heavyweight Champion by defeating Jacob Fatu in a title vs. title match at Fightland last October. Hammerstone was MLW National Openweight Champion going into the match but voluntarily relinquished that title after defeating Fatu.

It was announced last month that Hammerstone and Richards have both signed new multi-year deals with MLW.

Richards made his debut for MLW in July 2021. Prior to last year, he hadn’t wrestled since 2017.

“This is a story people will invest in,” Hammerstone told Sports Illustrated. “Davey is a veteran with more experience than almost everyone on our roster. He’s now my new measuring stick, a test that’s providing a new challenge for me as heavyweight champion.

“We’re presenting a new era in MLW. Davey’s rise here has been meteoric, but I’m the top of the mountain. Both of us are at the top of our game, and both of us are going to deliver.”

“An opportunity like this is why I chose to come back [to pro wrestling],” Richards said. “I did not come back to make friends. I came to make history.

“I came back to end things my way — and my way is being the best wrestler in the world. That will be signified by winning the MLW World title.”

Before SuperFight, Hammerstone will defend his title against Pagano in a falls count anywhere match at MLW’s Blood & Thunder tapings in Dallas, Texas this Friday.

MLW Azteca results: Pagano vs. Savio Vega hardcore match, two title defenses

Posted on by Iain Oliver

The MLW Azteca era continues from Tijuana, Mexico, with the fallout from World Champion Alex Hammerstone being kidnapped from the arena last week at the orders from Cesar Duran. 

Savio Vega stepped up for the locker room as he faces Pagano in a hardcore match following Pagano turning on Hammerstone last week. Also, two MLW titles are on the line with Alex Kane defending the National Openweight title against Aerostar and 5150 defending the Tag Team titles against Destiny and Skalibur.  

A video package recapping Duran stacking the deck against Hammerstone and Richard Holliday aired. Holliday was removed from the building before Pagano turned his back on Hammerstone and helped Taurus and King Muertes beat down the champion. The video ended with Karlee Perez telling Duran, “Do you understand that this is a force that we can’t easily control once it’s released, right?”, teasing something big is on the horizon.

Duran then addressed the viewing audience from his office. He called the fans “filthy renegades” and said they have turned our backs on him after sticking up for Hammerstone. He is in complete control of MLW and everyone should use Hammerstone as an example as everyone needs to bend the knee and respect his power.

MLW Tag Team Champions 5150 (Slice Boogie and Rivera) defeated Skalibur and Destiny to retain the titles

We saw our first glimpse of the special outdoor arena in Tijuana. It was daylight as 5150 made their entrance after they had cut a promo against the MLW tag division, hyping up their next match against The Von Erichs in Dallas at the end of the month.

Konnan was out with 5150.

After an early break, Destiny and Skalibur hit dives onto the champions on the floor. 5150 played the heels well as they cheated behind the referee’s back as Konnan bad-mouthed the three rows of fans facing the camera that made up the crowd.

Rivera had a close two count after Boogie launched him across the ring to knock Skalibur off the apron before Boogie hit a big Vader bomb elbow onto Destiny, but the crowd favorite kicked out at two.

Skalibur flew through the air as he got the hot tag and helped Destiny power bomb Rivera onto Boogie as the action broke down. Moments later, Rivera spike DDT’d Destiny as Boogie held him and slammed him with a powerful German. 

Skalibur got caught with a big boot and the 456 Headcrack: a double foot stomp from Rivera while Skalibur was on Boogie’s shoulders, followed by a death valley driver for the win and successful title defense.

Konnan got on the mic and called out Aerostar and Drago who answered the challenge and brawled with the champions.

— Alicia Atout met up with Savio Vega who said Duran promised to give him the IWA back if he can beat Pagano in tonight’s hardcore match. Duran had purchased the Puerto Rican-based company in storyline last season.

— Emilio Sparks caught up with nZo who explained why he attacked KC Navarro recently. He said it was about respect and that he taught Navarro a lesson: he should never turn his back on anyone. Later in the night, we heard that nZo has been suspended because of the attack and because he didn’t issue an apology.

— It was announced that Davey Richards has signed a multi-year contract with MLW. Later in the night, he was attacked and his Opera Cup trophy was stolen was allegedly stolen.

— The speculation on Hammerstone’s whereabouts continued when Holliday tried to get into a room guarded by three masked henchmen of Duran. Atout then dragged him off, saying it wasn’t worth it and he was just playing into his games.

— 5150 were backstage when a masked Duran associate gave them a piece of paper saying they will defend the titles against Aerostar and Drago next week.

MLW National Openweight Champion Alex Kane (w/ Mr. Thomas) defeated Aerostar to retain the title

Kane used his power advantage early on, but Aerostar hit a corkscrew plancha and a headscissors takeover to begin the power vs. high flyer story that played throughout the match.

The commentators talked about the ongoing storyline between Kane and Calvin Tankman, talking about how Tankman was arrested and Kane made it legally impossible for Tankman to be here tonight. Rich Bocchini questioned if Kane was dodging Tankman.

Aerostar slipped out of a suplex and Aerostar hit a step up tope dive to the floor on top of both Kane and Mr Thomas. Aerostar then went up top, but as Thomas distracted the referee, 5150 ran out, pushed Aerostar off the top, and clocked him with a big clothesline. 

Kane then quickly locked in a Kata ha jime and the referee called for the bell as Aerostar passed out.

— Sparks then caught up with Duran backstage and asked him where Hammerstone was. An odd-looking masked henchman took some orders from Duran before taking a dressing down from him too. Then, before Duran could get anything of value out to Sparks, EJ Nduka appeared and asked Duran the same question about Hammerstone. Nduka was invited into Duran’s office to talk privately and he begrudgingly went in as Sparks chased down the henchman.

— We saw a darkened room where Mads Krugger was tied up in chains and held by more of Duran’s masked henchmen. Karlee Perez was there and after Krugger said he wanted Jacob Fatu, Perez said he will first face Bestia 666 next week.

— Sparks was then outside as he had been following the odd-looking henchman from earlier. We saw him go down some stairs as Sparks was in close pursuit.

Pagano defeated Savio Vega in a hardcore match

Pagano hit a slingshot elbow for an early two count. Some chops, big right hands and clotheslines followed before the hardcore action started as they brawled around ringside.

The outdoor setting gave them a few different environmental objects to use. An example: there was a steel gate that Vega went headfirst into, busting him open.

Pagano hit a springboard dropkick from the top rope before he set Vega on the top rope and brought out a bag of thumbtacks. Pagano went up but Vega fought him off and front suplexed him face and chest first into the thumbtacks. When getting to his feet, Pagano picked up a handful of tacks and threw them in Vega’s face as he came off the top rope.

Pagano then put a chair on top of Vega as he tried to get his eyesight back and hit a moonsault from the top rope onto the chair to pick up the win. Duran keeps the IWA after all.

 — We then caught back up with Sparks who followed the odd masked henchman down a darkened corridor. We passed two locked rooms that had “Salina” and “Killstop” handwritten on them. We heard female screams to indicate this is where Salina de la Renta has been all this time since Duran made his first appearance.

The masked henchman was at the door at the end of the corridor that had “Hammerstone” written on it. The champion had his arm through a small window and the henchman by the throat. The henchman took the mask off and it was Holliday who unlocked the door and helped Hammerstone escape as MLW Azteca went off the air.

Next week:

– MLW Tag Team Champions 5150 (Slice Boogie and Rivera) vs. Aerostar and Drago in a title match

– Mads Krugger vs. Bestia 666 in a Tijuana street fight

World title match added to MLW Blood & Thunder tapings

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Alex Hammerstone has an opponent for his first MLW World Heavyweight Championship defense.

Hammerstone will defend his title against Pagano in a falls count anywhere match at MLW’s Blood & Thunder tapings in Dallas, Texas on Friday, January 21. The tapings are being held at Gilley’s Dallas.

The title match was set up by an angle on the premiere episode of MLW Azteca. Hammerstone & Pagano teamed together to defeat King Muertes & Taurus in an Apocalypto match in the main event of the show. But after the match, Pagano turned against Hammerstone. Pagano, Muertes, and Taurus beat down Hammerstone until he was carried away by a group of Azteca henchmen.

The attack was ordered by MLW authority figure Cesar Duran after the issues he’s had with Hammerstone.

Hammerstone won the MLW World Heavyweight Championship from Jacob Fatu in a title vs. title match at Fightland last October. Hammerstone was MLW National Openweight Champion heading into that match but voluntarily relinquished the title after becoming World Champion.

Here’s the updated card for Blood & Thunder:

  • Falls count anywhere match: MLW World Heavyweight Champion Alex Hammerstone defends against Pagano
  • Texas Tornado match: MLW Tag Team Champions 5150 (Slice Boogie & Danny “Limelight” Rivera) defend against Marshall & Ross Von Erich
  • Jacob Fatu vs. Mads Krugger
  • MLW National Openweight Champion Alex Kane defends against Calvin Tankman
  • Rok-C vs. Miranda Gordy
  • Davey Richards vs. ACH

MLW Azteca results: Alex Hammerstone & Pagano vs. King Muertes & Taurus

Posted on by Iain Oliver

This week saw the debut of the new MLW Azteca miniseries from from Tijuana, Mexico, as Cesar Duran attempted to stack the deck against MLW Heavyweight Champion Alex Hammerstone, teaming him with Pagano to take on King Muertes and Taurus in the main event.

Duran cut a passionate promo in front of the live crowd, welcoming them to his “Theatre of Violence” before the new opening video package.

Aramis, Destiny and Myzteziz Jr. defeated Arez, Black Danger and Dinamico

The Aramis vs Arez feud continued here as they faced off on opposite sides of an exciting trios match that was a great way to start the show. The non-stop action sprawled inside and out of the ring as no tags were required.

Rich Bocchini and Joe Dombrowski explained the rudos and technicos heel/face disposition before mentioning most US-based rules are not in play which explained the dives, pinfall breaks and constant flow of action once one member left the ring without tagging.

After an opening sequence of multiple dives, Destiny hit Danger with a cutter from the top rope and Myzteziz Jr hit a torneo and a top rope head scissors on Arez. Aramis landed on his feet after flipping from the top rope, followed by a running Spanish fly in quick succession.

The rudos team had all three of their opponents pinned after Dinamico hit a top rope 630, Arez hit a top rope double foot stomp and Danger hit a springboard crucifix bomb but the technicos all kicked out.

After a break, the action continued with the technicos getting their chance to shine by hitting three big moves at the same time: Myzteziz and Aramis came off the top ropes with 450 splashes while Destiny flew through the ropes like a torpedo with a headfirst dive to the floor.

Arez and Aramis were left in the ring where Aramis hit his aeroplane spinning powerbomb for the win. 

This was a good match that didn’t overstay its welcome. Danger is one to watch as he had some impressive and fluid dives and springboards here.

— MLW National Openweight Champion Alex Kane was highlighted with a video package showing him winning the title and his recent storyline with Calvin Tankman before he was interviewed by Alicia Atout. 

Kane said that he pressed charges against Tankman because he assaulted him and his bodyguard and tried to steal their car. Kane will defend his title against Aerostar next week and if he retains, he will defend against Tankman at the MLW Blood & Thunder in Dallas, Texas, on January 21.

— Duran and Karlee Perez summoned King Muertes to their office to explain the main event for tonight. Muertes promised to make Hammerstone and Pagano no more as Duran said he would partner them with a mythical beast: Taurus.

— We saw a recap of the tension and ongoing storyline between Hammerstone and Duran. Duran wanted to befriend Hammerstone and get him on his side, but after rejecting a gift from Duran, Hammerstone was attacked by Duran’s storyline brother Matanza Duran (Jeff Cobb). Matanza didn’t get the job done, so this led to tonight’s main event with Duran bringing in more monsters to take out Hammerstone.  

Psycho Clown defeated Richard Holliday (w/ Alicia Atout)

Atout joined the commentary team and explained that Holliday basically begged for her to join him to ringside. “The Wild Brawling Clown” was a heavy favorite with the children in the crowd and fans at ringside.

This was mainly used to get Atout on commentary to further develop the storyline of Duran’s dodgy dealings within MLW and his feud with Hammerstone.

Atout explained that Duran has caused friction, infighting and paranoia within the locker room since joining MLW. She also mentioned it was her journalistic duty to investigate Duran’s role in him joining MLW and the goings-on around the unnamed Salina de la Renta leaving. 

Compared to the opening match, this seemed slow which wasn’t a surprise. Holliday interrupted a second suicide dive with a right hand to take control but after the break, there was a chop battle which ended with a Psycho Clown power slam. Holliday came back with a torture rack neckbreaker for a two-count.

As Holliday was climbing to the top rope, one of Duran’s masked assailants came to ringside and dragged Atout to the back. This distracted Holliday which allowed Clown to meet him on the top rope and a top rope Spanish Fly for the win.

— MLW Tag Team champions 5150 cut another of music video-style promo as they hyped up their title defense against the Von Erichs brothers in Dallas on January 21.

Kevin and Marshall Von Erich responded from their training camp in Kauai, Hawaii. Kevin was there hyping them up and getting them ready for their return to their hometown.

— Backstage, Duran was confronted by Holliday as he demanded to know where Atout was. Duran said she was safely locked in her locker room and he moved her there “to keep her safe from Psycho Clown.”

He then introduced a suspect looking local policeman from Tijuana who had a few questions for Holliday about an apparent incident in a nightclub the night before, something he knew nothing about. Holliday was dragged off after telling Duran he will be hearing from him (and not his lawyer-slash-father as he calls him).

MLW Champion Alex Hammerstone and Pagano defeated IWA Caribbean Champion King Muertes and Taurus in an Apocalypto match

Muertes looked strong here which should set him up for some high-profile matches this year in MLW.

An Apolocalypto match is a Texas Tornado match with weapons. A steel chair was used early on by Hammerstone while Taurus hit Pagano with a garbage can lid. On the outside, Taurus speared Pagano over the guardrail and into the front row. Hammerstone and Muertes joined them, knocking the full guardrail down in the process and continuing to barrage straight into fans and bystanders.

Taurus whipped Hammerstone with a camera cable while Muertes suplexed Pagano on the entrance stage. Hammerstone hit a pump kick to Taurus in front of the commentary table as the ringside brawling chaos continued.

After the break, weapons were strayed around the ring as Taurus and Muertes seemed in firm control. Cookie sheets, trash cans and a chair were all used before Muertes and Pagano were left nose-to-nose in the ring. 

The heavyweight Muertes hit a spinning headscissors takedown before hitting a spear for a near fall. Hammerstone came in and hit a torture rack TKO onto a garbage can for a two count.

Hammerstone’s team looked in control as he backdropped Taurus through a massive wooden floorboard in the corner of the ring, Pagano hit Muertes with a blockbuster before hitting Taurus with a one-armed running powerslam on a chair. They both hit poor Taurus with a power bomb/top rope clothesline combination.

It was Muertes’ turn to take some offense as Hammerstone hit a German suplex and a power bomb as Pagano took to the air and took out Taurus on the outside with a rolling dive before putting him through another wooden board.

Inside the ring, Muertes was hit with a Nightmare Pendulum from Hammerstone which was the end as the MLW champion picked up the win for his team.

Duran appeared on the ramp to get Hammerstone’s attention, motionining with the cutthroat gesture. Hammerstone turned around, only to be smacked in the face by his tag partner Pagano. A three-on-one beatdown then ensued as the luchas stomped the champion. 

Since Holliday was taken away by Tijuana “police” earlier in the night, that left Hammerstone alone to be beaten down. Duran’s masked assailants then carried Hammerstone out of the ringside area as MLW Azteca went off the air.

Next week:

– MLW National Openweight Champion Alex Kane vs. Aerostar title match

– MLW Tag Team champions 5150 vs. TBA title match

– Bestia 666 in action

Alex Hammerstone signs new multi-year contract with MLW

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Image: MLW

MLW’s World Heavyweight Champion has signed a new contract with the promotion.

Alex Hammerstone confirmed to Fightful that he’s signed a new multi-year contract with MLW. The deal replaces Hammerstone’s old contract that he signed in 2019 and was coming due.

Hammerstone told Fightful that MLW’s schedule was an attractive reason to re-sign with the company. The contract allows him to work indies, but he’s unable to appear for nationally televised promotions.

This October, Hammerstone became MLW World Heavyweight Champion by defeating Jacob Fatu in a title vs. title match. Hammerstone was MLW National Openweight Champion going into that match, but he vacated the title after becoming World Champion. Alex Kane later won a five-way ladder match to become the new National Openweight Champion.

Hammerstone got his World Heavyweight title shot by winning this year’s Battle Riot match.

Hammerstone, Richard Holliday, EJ Nduka, Jeff Cobb & Savio Vega defeated Fatu, Mads Krugger, Ikuro Kwon, and two Sentai Death Squad members in a War Chamber match last month.

War Chamber match set for November MLW TV tapings

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Team Hammerstone and Contra Unit are going to war at November’s MLW television tapings.

MLW has announced that Alex Hammerstone, Richard Holliday, EJ Nduka, and a partner will face Contra’s Jacob Fatu, Mads Krugger, Ikuro Kwon & Josef Samael in a War Chamber match at next month’s TV tapings in Philadelphia. The tapings are being held at the 2300 Arena on Saturday, November 6.

Hammerstone defeated Fatu to win the MLW World Heavyweight Championship at Fightland last week. On this Wednesday’s episode of Fusion: Alpha, Samael said Fightland wasn’t the end and the final battle between Hammerstone and Contra is in sight. Samael challenged Hammerstone to face Contra in a War Chamber match. Hammerstone responded by accepting the challenge.

Later in the episode, Kwon tried to attack Hammerstone but was taken out by Nduka. Nduka said he’s tired of Contra’s nonsense, and Hammerstone offered Nduka a spot on his War Chamber team.

The War Chamber is MLW’s version of a War Games match. It features a cage with barbed wire on top of it.

Here are the rules for the War Chamber match:

  • A coin toss determines which team enters first.
  • 1-on-1 for 5:00 in stage 1 of the War Chamber.
  • The winner of the coin toss comes out for 2-on-1.
  • Alternating teams have wrestlers enter every 2 minutes.
  • Once all combatants are in the War Chamber, victory is won by submission, surrender or pinfall.

Alex Hammerstone relinquishes MLW National Openweight title

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Image: MLW

After becoming a double champion in MLW, Alex Hammerstone voluntarily relinquished one of his titles.

This week’s episode of MLW Fusion: Alpha featured a segment where Hammerstone announced that he was relinquishing the MLW National Openweight Championship. Hammerstone became MLW World Heavyweight Champion by defeating Jacob Fatu in a title vs. title match at Fightland last week.

Hammerstone told MLW authority figure Cesar Duran (formerly known as Dario Cueto in Lucha Underground) that he was relinquishing the National Openweight title because it was the right thing to do. Hammerstone said he’s always hated people who pull the ladder up once they’re finished climbing it. Hammerstone said that, with him winning the World Heavyweight Championship, the National Openweight title is now someone else’s opportunity.

Hammerstone is the only wrestler who has held the National Openweight title since it was introduced in June 2019.

Also on this week’s Fusion: Alpha, Hammerstone accepted Contra Unit’s challenge for a War Chamber match. Hammerstone, Richard Holliday, EJ Nduka, and a partner will face Contra’s Fatu, Mads Krugger, Ikuro Kwon & Josef Samael at MLW’s War Chamber tapings in Philadelphia on Saturday, November 6.

Alex Hammerstone signs new multi-year deal with MLW

Posted on by Joseph Currier

MLW’s National Openweight Champion has signed a new contract with the company.

It was announced this weekend that Alex Hammerstone has signed a new multi-year deal with MLW. He’s the second member of The Dynasty to sign a new deal with MLW recently. Last week, it was announced that Richard Holliday has signed a new multi-year agreement with the promotion.

“This deal was one we needed to get done for the league and its future,” MLW CEO Court Bauer said in a press release. “We identified Alex as someone worthy of being tagged a franchise player. Alex is an exceptionally rare type of athlete and person. We are delighted he is calling MLW home for the foreseeable future.”

Hammerstone is the only wrestler that’s held the MLW National Openweight Championship. He defeated Brian Pillman Jr. in the finals of a tournament in June 2019 to become the inaugural champion.

In the press release announcing his new contract, Hammerstone hyped that he wants to become MLW World Heavyweight Champion. “I don’t want to just make money and retire. I want to create a legacy. MLW has given me that platform,” Hammerstone said. “Not only that, I still have a lot to do in this company. I still have a lot of goals. If you haven’t noticed someone has that World Heavyweight Championship and it ain’t me and that just don’t sit right.

“I have a platform here at MLW to explore everything I can to do and test myself against the best out there and that’s what is important to me. I want to thank everyone out there and hope you follow me on this journey.”

Gino Medina is also part of The Dynasty with Hammerstone and Holliday. MJF was formerly in the stable before departing MLW.