Two members of The Dynasty will face off in the opening round of MLW’s Opera Cup tournament.
MLW has announced that MJF will face his Dynasty stablemate Alexander Hammerstone in the first round of the Opera Cup. The one-night single-elimination tournament is being held at MLW’s television tapings at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York on Thursday, December 5.
There will be four opening round matches in the tournament. TJP vs. Brian Pillman Jr. and MJF vs. Hammerstone are the first two matchups to be announced.
MJF and Hammerstone are part of The Dynasty with Richard Holliday. Hammerstone is also the current MLW National Openweight Champion.
Hammerstone retained his National Openweight title against Davey Boy Smith Jr. at MLW’s Saturday Night SuperFight pay-per-view earlier this month. MJF & Holliday lost the MLW Tag Team titles to Ross & Marshall Von Erich in a Texas tornado tag match at the PPV.
MJF & Richard Holliday defeated LA Park Jr. & El Hijo de LA Park to retain their MLW Tag Team titles.
The Crash Heavyweight Champion Rey Horus defeated MLW National Openweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone by DQ.
Jimmy Havoc will be in charge next week as he presents “Jimmy Havoc’s Slaughterhouse,” with two matches booked so far.
Oraculo defeated Black Danger and Ricky Marvin.
Full Recap —
MLW Fusion was in Mexico this week — the Auditorio Fausto Gutierrez Moreno in Tijuana to be precise. This was a collaborative show with one of their newest partners: The Crash Lucha Libre. AJ Kirsch was also debuting on commentary alongside Rich Bocchini.
Fusion opened with a video from this past Friday. Salina de la Renta bumped into The Dynasty outside the arena. MJF, Richard Holliday, and Alexander Hammerstone were bad-mouthing Mexico and luchadores, saying all the wrestling in Mexico is terrible and all luchadores are ugly (that’s why they wear masks).
De la Renta then called out Holliday saying his father/lawyer stopped a scheduled match between The Von Erichs and The Dynasty, so she challenged them to face Los Parks tonight instead. Before MJF or Holliday could make up another excuse, Hammerstone jumped in and accepted on their behalf.
Oraculo defeated Black Danger and Ricky Marvin in a three-way match (6:23)
All three seemed to come out to the Karate Kid theme “You’re the Best,” which gave this a bonus point from me.
Danger and Marvin double-teamed Oraculo early, with Marvin hitting a step-up kick and a DDT. Oraculo fought back on the outside and had a brief chop battle with Danger, but Marvin was soon back to regain the numbers advantage.
Marvin accidentally rocked Danger with a flying kick when Oraculo dodged the incoming attack. Oraculo rallied with a springboard Ace Crusher, a flying headscissors takedown, and an Asai moonsault to the floor. But he wasn’t done. Back inside, he hit a springboard hurricanrana on Marvin for a two count.
Marvin and Danger’s alliance disintegrated as Marvin took over control. He attacked the knees of both his opponents and then flattened Oraculo with a spinning cutter.
Danger hit a double underhook piledriver on Oraculo, but somehow Oraculo rallied moments later with a Canadian Destroyer and then caught Marvin coming off the top with a kick to the head.
Oraculo then hit a poison rana on Danger and finished him off with a 450 splash for the win.
– Kaci Lennox was backstage with Brian Pillman Jr. and Low Ki. Ki was talking to Pillman about his emotions and said that is why Pillman failed against Austin Aries last week. He said what Pillman has got himself into isn’t checkers, it’s chess. Pillman stormed off telling Ki he knows nothing about him.
– MLW cameras caught up with The Dynasty again. This time it was from earlier in the day and they explained why they were not wearing their suits. Holliday: “the poverty line would be lined around the corner trying to get some money from us.” MJF: “I don’t want to get stabbed… It’s Tijuana!”
They then heavily implied that Hammerstone had just bought steroids — legally — from the pharmacy, shouting “I can never have enough!” when MJF told him he had enough already.
– De la Renta then had some words for Jacob Fatu. She said both Fatu and LA Park were undefeated but it would be Park who will take Fatu’s MLW World Heavyweight Championship when they meet at Saturday Night SuperFight on November 2.
Josef Samael interrupted and said she has intelligence, beauty, and she craves power, before offering her a spot in CONTRA. De la Renta considered but chose violence instead. Speaking of violence, in walked Jimmy Havoc — who is the executive producer of next week’s MLW Fusion “because of Halloween or some bollocks like that.”
Havoc booked a Tijuana street fight between a member of CONTRA and a member of Promociones Dorado. Samael picked himself, and de la Renta told him she has “the right person for him.”
The Crash Heavyweight Champion Rey Horus defeated MLW National Openweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone by DQ in a title vs. title match (13:34)
The Dynasty caused the DQ in this great little match when it looked like Horus was moments away from walking away with both belts.
Hammerstone ordered MJF and Holliday to the back before he started overpowering Horus in the early going. On commentary, AJ Kirsch said Hammerstone was built like a “Shick Brithouse” moments before Hammerstone hit a stalling pumphandle fallaway slam.
On the outside, Hammerstone dropped Horus face-first on the ring apron but took too much time getting back into the ring and ate a suicide dive for his troubles. Horus then hit a leg drop from the middle rope for a close two count.
But — moments later — Hammerstone nearly took Horus’ head off with a huge lariat that turned the Crash Heavyweight Champion inside out.
Horus kept fighting. He fought out of a stalling suplex and then baited Hammerstone in as he toppled to the floor. Horus then brought the crowd alive again with an amazing somersault plancha over the corner ring post right down on top of Hammerstone. He then hit a slingshot splash and a high crossbody off the top for a close two count.
Horus went up top again for his 450 splash, but Hammerstone caught him and slammed him off the top. In very quick succession, Hammerstone hit a bicycle kick, a German suplex, and a sit-out powerbomb for another very close near fall.
Hammerstone missed a spear in the corner and ate a step-up kick. Horus then hit a springboard DDT for a two count. He shoved the ref for the apparent slow count, and as they were jaw jacking in the corner, Hammerstone came charging and squashed the ref by accident.
Hammerstone then got the visual three count after he hit a big boot and The Burning Hammer — a reverse/face-first Death Valley Driver — but the referee was still down. Hammerstone then realized the ref was down and brought a chair into the ring and clobbered Horus over the head with it. The referee groggily counted a slow one…two… but Horus got his shoulder up at the last minute.
Horus reversed a powerbomb into a Code Red for another close two, then KO’ed Hammerstone with a drop toe hold into the chair. He went up top and hit his 450 splash, but MJF and Holliday had run down to ringside. They dragged Horus out of the ring and put the boots to him for the disqualification.
– Video packages for Jimmy Havoc’s Slaughterhouse next week and Gino Medina’s upcoming debut later this fall aired before MLW hyped up the Saturday Night SuperFight matches for their PPV on November 2.
MLW Tag Team Champions The Dynasty (MJF & Richard Holliday) defeated Los Parks (LA Park Jr. & El Hijo de LA Park) w/ Salina de la Renta to retain their titles (8:54)
A good lucha rules tag match was this week’s main event, but the finish seemed rushed as it came out of nowhere.
MJF got on the mic before the match and had tremendous heat without saying a word. He told the Mexican crowd that he couldn’t wait until Donald Trump built the wall. Hijo then came back at them in Spanish to the delight of the crowd.
Hijo hit a backstabber on Holliday before he and his brother steamrolled Holliday in the corner with forearms and dropkicks one after another.
The Dynasty then took control for the majority of the match. They wore down Hijo with armbars and chinlocks. Holliday beat him down before MJF came in for an eye poke, a double suplex, a double Ric Flair strut, and a high-fiving tandem elbow drop.
The Dynasty were gyrating in front of de la Renta too long as Hijo was able to crawl and tag in his brother, LA Park Jr., who ran wild on the tag champs. He kicked MJF out of the ring, and with a little help from Hijo, basement dropkicked Holliday in the mouth. MJF then broke up a pin after a big splash.
The Parks’ double-teaming continued with a Samoan drop/rolling neckbreaker combo. The Dynasty were outside taking a breather when the Parks hit them with a pair of suicide dives.
But MJF tripped LA Park Jr. coming back into the ring, slamming him face-first on the apron and then head-first into the guardrail, while Holliday kicked the ropes low on Hijo behind the referee’s back. Holliday then hit The Market Crash — a gut-wrench powerbomb — onto Hijo and picked up the win out of nowhere with an MJF-assisted jackknife cover.
Next Week —
Jimmy Havoc is in charge as he presents “Jimmy Havoc’s Slaughterhouse.”
MLW has confirmed two new matches for their Saturday Night SuperFight pay-per-view.
Tom Lawlor vs. Timothy Thatcher is officially set for the PPV, which is taking place at Cicero Stadium in Cicero, Illinois on Saturday, November 2. MLW National Openweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone will also defend his title against Davey Boy Smith Jr. at the event.
Both matches were announced on this week’s episode of MLW Fusion.
On last week’s Fusion, Thatcher defeated Douglas James and then issued a challenge to Lawlor for SuperFight. A promo by Lawlor then aired on this week’s show, with Lawlor saying he’ll knock Thatcher’s teeth down his throat.
Hammerstone’s feud with Smith is part of The Dynasty’s program with The Hart Foundation.
Hammerstone became the inaugural National Openweight Champion by defeating Brian Pillman Jr. in the finals of a four-person tournament this June. Hammerstone defended his title against Smith in July, and the finish of the match was Smith getting disqualified for attacking The Dynasty with a flag pole after MJF disrespected his Canadian flag.
Saturday Night SuperFight will be headlined by MLW World Heavyweight Champion Jacob Fatu defending his title against LA Park in a no DQ match. The show will air live on traditional PPV and Fite TV.
The final build to MLW War Chamber took place with all competitors getting promo time before the big match next week.
The main event came from Pro Wrestling NOAH’s N-1 Victory tournament as Alexander Hammerstone defeated Go Shiozaki.
The Hart Foundation vs. the Dynasty feud continued when Brian Pillman Jr. beat Richard Holliday.
Injustice continued their winning ways, again with a little help from some foreign objects, as Jordan Oliver toppled Gringo Loco.
** Show review **
This week’s MLW Fusion opened with Konnan arriving at the building earlier in the day. He was walking and talking through the parking lot and out of nowhere, LA Park, El Hijo de LA Park, and Bestia 666 jumped him and knocked him to the ground. Salina de la Renta then appeared and took back her phone out of his pocket and walked away saying that Konnan was now powerless.
Jordan Oliver (with Myron Reed) defeated Gringo Loco (7:30)
We had recap videos from last week’s amazing six-man tag match featuring Oliver, Reed, and Kotto Brazil taking on Loco, Air Wolf. and Zenshi. Oliver got an in-set promo during his entrance talking about Reed picking up broken ribs when Loco hit him with brass knuckles in last week’s match.
Eagle-eyed and regular viewers of Fusion will notice the venue of this match and that it took place at a previous set of tapings before last week’s six man tag actually took place. Others will also notice Jim Cornette at the announcer’s table, but it was Tony Schiavone and Rich Bocchini who did a great job on commentary to keep the continuity of the feud going despite the jump in the timeline.
Reed interfered in the early going which eventually led to Oliver hitting a suicide dive to the outside. Loco fought back and hit a big powerbomb followed up by a split-legged moonsault for a two count.
Oliver then poked Loco in the eyes behind the referee’s back while he was disposing of Reed’s “Injustice” sign after he tried to get it involved. Oliver then hit a jumping stunner and a small package for a two count of his own.
Loco knocked Oliver to the outside so Loco dove and landed a big tope over the top rope on top of both Oliver and Reed. Back in the ring, Oliver feigned an injury so the referee was distracted again. With his back turned, Reed got involved and hit Loco with a chair, which led to Oliver getting the tainted 1-2-3, but a victory nonetheless.
— Low Ki had a word for his partners “Filthy” Tom Lawlor and the Von Erichs next week in War Chamber. He said with the recent events in MLW and despite their history over the MLW World title, he is their best option.
Brian Pillman Jr. defeated Richard Holliday (7:09)
Back in New York, Holliday got on the mic before the match and said that the Dynasty runs MLW and not the Hart Foundation. Pillman had his Rookie of the Year trophy with him.
Holliday got the advantage early when he blocked a kick while Pillman was on the apron and used his momentum to swing him down hard on it. Pillman fought back with chops, a flying forearm, and an elbow in the corner. He then reversed a figure four attempt for a close two count and hit a nice power slam for another two.
Moments later, Holliday hit a rolling senton for a close two count but was frustrated with the referee so he brought in a chair to finish Pillman off. The referee wrestled the chair off him and had his back turned when Pillman threw Holliday his Rookie of the Year trophy and hit the mat feigning injury ala Eddie Guerrero.
Holliday protested his innocence to the referee who eventually believed him and disposed of the trophy, but as his back was turned again, Pillman kicked Holliday low and hit him with his Rolling Straitjacket Neckbreaker to pick up the win.
— Dominic “The Bone Collector” Garrini is coming to MLW this fall.
— The Von Erich Brothers had a recorded message, saying that they hope that Low Ki can honor his word and have their back in the War Chamber. This was a great video package with the brothers chiming in that they will have the homefield advantage in the Chamber, that they will put an end to CONTRA, and that they are fighting for their future and for MLW, and there is no way they are letting CONTRA raise their flag in Texas.
— Mance Warner had a message for Jimmy Havoc after he and Salina de la Renta had him arrested a few weeks ago. He said he is coming to f*ck Havoc up.
— Rich Bocchini then had a video conversation with Lawlor. Bocchini asked if Lawlor was ready for War Chamber after CONTRA did a number on his ribs last week. Lawlor said nothing will stop him and it is his destiny that he makes sure that Gotch, Samael, Kwan, and Fatu didn’t walk out of the Chamber on their own. He said he doesn’t know if he can trust Low Ki, but he can count on him to be the professional and rip the head off of CONTRA Unit, and he is ready for whatever comes next.
Alexander Hammerstone defeated Go Shiozaki
This match was taped in Japan for Pro Wrestling NOAH, one of MLW’s newest partners, and was part of their annual N-1 Victory tournament. Bocchini let us know that Shiozaki debuted back in 2003 and was the protege of Kenta Kobashi.
They started slow and got a respectable round of applause for a clean break out of the corner. Shiozaki then tried a shoulder block but Hammerstone didn’t budge. Shiozaki retaliated with a chop and another attempt but Hammerstone bulldozed him with a shoulderblock of his own.
After the commercial break, Shiozaki was in control. He muscled Hammerstone over in a delayed vertical suplex but the MLW National Openweight Champion fought back with a German suplex that got a slow two count from the NOAH official.
Shiozaki floored Hammerstone with a hard lariat. At the beginning of this match, the crowd was relatively quiet, but were into it by this point. Both got to their feet and went head-to-head and began a forearm exchange. Hammer eventually hit a sit-out urinagi slam that Bocchini incorrectly called the Nightmare Pendulum.
Hammer then went for the Burning Hammer, a move made famous by Kobashi, but Shiozaki fought out and returned with a ripcord lariat. He missed a second lariat then ate a boot and an enzugiri in the corner. Hammerstone fought back and hit a high knee and a powerbomb for a two count. After the kick out, he picked up Shiozaki and hit him with the actual Nightmare Pendulum for the win.
— We went off the air with a CONTRA Unit propaganda video. They said Lawlor was a broken man, the Von Erichs are blinded by pride, and the black flag on CONTRA will wave high over Dallas. Gotch told the Von Erichs to rest their heads as they have no one else to look up to. “You want a war? CONTRA will take you to war.” It was interesting (telling?) that they didn’t mention Low Ki at all in the promo.
** Next week **
The War Chamber Match: ‘Filthy’ Tom Lawlor, Low Ki, Marshall Von Erich and Ross Von Erich vs CONTRA Unit: MLW Champion Jacob Fatu, Josef Samael, Simon Gotch, and Ikuro Kwan
Alexander Hammerstone retained his MLW National Openweight title against the debuting Savio Vega
Contra Unit announced their fourth and newest member, Ikuro Kwan
Bestia 666 picked up his second victory against Rey Horus
Konnan got the upper hand on Salina de la Renta…again
The Opera Cup will return in December
MLW has another partner: The Crash Lucha Libre from Mexico
Full Recap —
Bestia 666 defeated Rey Horus (9:38)
Salina de la Renta was left frustrated by Horus’ Promociones Dorado negotiations so she summoned her devil to take him out.
After an early flourish by Horus, Bestia switched places and took him out with a suicide dive — driving him through the guardrail. A superkick floored Horus inside as the commentators mentioned the notable slower pace to the usual MLW lucha matches.
The pace picked up when Horus sent his opponent to the outside with a spinning headscissors and took to the sky as he ran and dove over the corner ring post, landing a senton on Bestia on the outside.
Back inside, Horus reversed a powerbomb with a sunset flip and then hit a standing Spanish fly for a close two count. Horus’ attack continued as he arm dragged Bestia off the top rope after initially having his spinning victory roll off the top blocked. He followed up with a big satellite DDT that got another close two count.
The finish came after a brief forearm exchange on the top rope. Bestia hit the ropes and crotched Horus, which gave him the time he needed to grab him in the Muscle Buster position but jump down onto his knees, compacting Horus and picking up his second victory in MLW.
– De la Renta took the mic after the match and said that after that performance, it shows she is the best promoter around. She then threatened Konnan to give her her phone back, which brought him out.
Konnan brought up de la Renta’s sketchy contract negotiations with Savio Vega and holding off on his signing bonus. This brought out the Caribbean star who stood on the apron and tore up the contract offer to the delight of Konnan and the crowd.
– This week’s Lifestyles of the Rich and Dynastic featured gifts of gold Rolex watches from MJF which made National Openweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone cry and more jokes and taunts to Teddy Hart courtesy of Richard Holliday.
– H2tv had Teddy Hart showing Brian Pillman Jr. how to backflip on his hotel room bed.
– The Opera Cup was then introduced and announced as returning on December 5. The original concept was an annual multi-day tournament held in various opera houses between Boston and New York. The last champion was Stu Hart in 1948 and Teddy Hart donated the cup to MLW to bring back the tradition and crown a new winner in 2019.
– Contra Unit’s weekly propaganda video featured them introducing their new member who temporarily blinded Marshall Von Erich last week: Ikuro Kwon, a pit fighter who has fought in the slums of Singapore, the tar pits of India, and has burned men with coals.
– Kaci Lennox was then backstage with Ross Von Erich and Tom Lawlor with an update on Marshall’s condition. Ross told us he is in Hawaii with an eye specialist. Lawlor wants more than an eye for an eye, because they are going to war.
– The newest MLW partnership with The Crash Lucha Libre promotion in Mexico was announced.
– Lennox was backstage with Mance Warner and his trusty whiteboard. Lennox wanted to know his game plan, but Warner had her draw trees on the whiteboard and then took a chainsaw to it, telling de la Renta he is going to cut down Promociones Dorado one “tree” at a time.
Josef Samael & Simon Gotch defeated Ariel Dominguez & Jay Sky (:31)
Gotch took out both Dominguez and Sky with big boots before tossing Dominguez across the ring with a suplex. One quick tag later to Samael to lock in his Camel Clutch and this match was over. While caught in the Clutch, Samael brought out the railroad spike and drove it into Dominguez’s mouth. Gotch added insult to injury with a Gotch piledriver.
MLW National Openweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone (with MJF and Richard Holliday) defeated Savio Vega to retain his title (7:40)
The three Dynasty members used their belts to “cheers” each other before the bell. MJF was Ric Flair strutting around ringside to try and rile up the fans. The commentary team talked up Vega’s high profile in Puerto Rico and his history of wrestling in New York in the 90s.
This was a good simple match that played to Vega’s strengths. They kept it simple in the opening exchanges: headlocks, shoulder blocks, and hip tosses. Hammerstone got the advantage after Vega crashed in the corner. A powerslam followed that got the champ a close two count.
MJF and Holliday were riling up the crowd at ringside, audibly shouting “That all you got, fatboy?!” to one in the front row. Inside the ring, Hammerstone floored Vega with a big boot. He went up top but missed a missile dropkick. Vega fired back with chops and a stiff kick to the sternum, but MJF removed a turnbuckle pad as Holliday distracted the referee.
Hammerstone threw Vega into the exposed turnbuckle and then hit the Nightmare Pendulum for the win, crushing Vega’s legs underneath him in the process.
After the bell, Brian Pillman Jr. appeared from the crowd, knocked down Richard Holliday, and ran off with Hammerstone’s red leather jacket. Vega then got helped to the back by medics as MJF and Holliday berated him from the ramp.
Next week —
LA Park vs. Jimmy Havoc in a New York City street fight
Davey Boy Smith Jr. submitted Timothy Thatcher in Thatcher’s first MLW appearance and then challenged Openweight Champion Alex Hammerstone.
Contra Unit accepted Tom Lawlor’s challenge to a War Chamber (War Games) match and debuted a new member who took out Marshall Von Erich.
Full Recap —
Low Ki defeated Jimmy Yuta by referee stoppage due to knockout (:31)
After a quick recap video of last week’s action, we opened with another quick Low Ki squash. Yuta hoped to last longer than his predecessors but ultimately succumbed to a very familiar KO outcome via a Low Ki big boot.
Replays showed Ki’s big boot was more of a soccer kick and as his boot was still rising, the instep connected with Yuta’s jaw and knocked him right out.
– Contra Unit’s propaganda video this week was them accepting Tom Lawlor and the Von Erich brothers’ challenge to a War Chamber match, but said it would be four-on-four, meaning both sides have one spot to fill.
– We were shown a confrontation between Konnan and Salina de la Renta from earlier in the day. Jimmy Havoc accompanied de la Renta and was not too happy when Konnan made her agree to book him vs. LA Park at a later date. Konnan is in possession of de la Renta’s phone and is blackmailing her to comply to his demands or he will let her secrets out.
– Dynasty debuted their new segment: “Lifestyles of the Rich and Dynastic.” This week, they were at a Porsche dealership waiting on their new purchase. They laughed and joked about Teddy Hart failing the wellness policy and therefore the Hart Foundation would not be able to cash in their rematch clause for the Tag Team titles.
Marshall and Ross Von Erich defeated The Spirit Squad (Kenn Doane & Mike Mondo) (1:56)
Doane got on the mic and said all the New York sports teams suck and that they were not here because of their last names. They issued an open challenge that was accepted by the Von Erich brothers.
The brothers came out guns blazing and beat down the Spirit Squad with fists and a pair of double dropkicks. As well as their entrance music, their dominance continued throughout including a gigantic moonsault from Marshall and a claw assisted back suplex from Ross. Marshall picked up the win after pinning Doane following the suplex.
Josef Samael and Simon Gotch from Contra Unit attacked the Von Erichs after the bell. They brawled briefly before Contra were joined by a masked assailant, who unmasked and spat mist into Marshall’s eyes. EMTs and officials entered the ring to help Marshall, but Contra put the boots to them as well. They eventually left as we saw Marshall was bleeding from the eyes.
Gringo Loco defeated Zenshi (3:55)
This was a bonus due to the two short matches on the show.
We got a very athletic opening from both as cartwheels, headscissors, and backflips filled the opening minutes. Myron Reed and Jordan Oliver were seen in the crowd calling for “justice”. Back at ringside, Zenshi hit a nice handstand hurricanrana from the apron to the outside. He then hit a slingshot corkscrew senton back into the ring for a close two count.
Zenshi hit a 450 from the bottom rope for another near fall. But he went to the well once too often as Loco caught him after a handspring and planted him with a tombstone piledriver to pick up the win.
– Kaci Lennox was backstage with Davey Boy Smith Jr. He didn’t want to talk about the rumored relationship between his sister, Georgia, and Alexander Hammerstone. He did want to talk about his opponent tonight: Timothy Thatcher. He said they have trained together and knows how tough he is, but when he locks him in a submission, there will be no escape.
Lennox didn’t let up about the Georgia/Hammerstone issue possibly causing a distraction, but Smith didn’t get to answer as Brian Pillman Jr. barged in saying “Girls will be girls…and boys will be boys” before walking off with Lennox.
Davey Boy Smith Jr. defeated Timothy Thatcher by submission (14:46)
A scientific master class that turned into a strong style battle was our main event this week. Smith had an early hammerlock, using his legs instead of his arms — but Thatcher then applied a standing heel hook while Smith was lying on his back. Thatcher focused on Smith’s legs during the early exchange of holds.
Thatcher tried to keep Smith on the mat as much as he could and kept going back to the heel hook at every opportunity. He hit a belly-to-belly to keep the big man down and keep his focus on the lower limbs of his opponent.
Smith blocked a second belly-to-belly into a cross armbreaker, but Thatcher transitioned back into the heel hook again. Smith was able to reverse the hook into a Sharpshooter that Thatcher broke with a rope break.
They then started a forearm and uppercut exchange with both keeping their hands down and letting the shots come straight in. Smith ducked and went for a backslide and then a small package, but Thatcher kicked out both times.
They exchanged forearms again, but it soon escalated to open hand chops before Smith hit a German suplex for a two count. Thatcher switched and hit a release version of his own. Smith hit another two Germans, followed by a Tiger suplex, but Thatcher kicked out at the last moment.
Thatcher fought and locked in a cross armbreaker, but Smith powered off his back. Thatcher transitioned into a triangle choke, but Smith powered up again and slammed Thatcher down to break the submission. Smith then slid seamlessly into a crossface that made Thatcher tap for the submission win.
Georgia came out to the stage to interview Davey after the match. He thanked the fans but quickly turned the interview onto Hammerstone. He shot Georgia a look before saying that it doesn’t matter if Georgia wants to stay silent, the more important thing is Hammerstone is hiding from him. He said it wont be long before he gets him in the ring and locks in the crossface chicken wing.
He left by telling Georgia, “I won’t be light on your boyfriend.”
Next week —
Alexander Hammerstone will defend the MLW Openweight title against the debuting Savio Vega.
MLW’s newly-formed working relationship with Pro Wrestling NOAH will see Alexander Hammerstone make his NOAH debut this summer.
Hammerstone has been announced for NOAH’s N-1 Victory tournament, which was formerly called the Global League. Hammerstone will be in the A Block with Naomichi Marufuji, Takashi Sugiura, Go Shiozaki, and Masa Kitamiya.
Katsuhiko Nakajima, Shuhei Taniguchi, Kenoh, Masaaki Mochizuki, and El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. will be in the B Block of the round-robin tournament. Each wrestler will face everyone else in their block one time.
The N-1 Victory tournament will begin on August 18 and conclude with the winner of the A Block facing the winner of the B Block on September 16. The winner of the tournament will challenge for Kaito Kiyomiya’s GHC Heavyweight Championship on November 2.
Hammerstone is MLW’s National Openweight Champion and part of the Dynasty stable with MJF, Richard Holliday, and Aria Blake.
MLW announced their alliance with Pro Wrestling NOAH last week, with the partnership including a talent-exchange agreement and content collaboration.
Savio Vega is getting a title shot in his MLW debut.
MLW has announced that National Openweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone will defend his title against Vega at next week’s Never Say Never television tapings. Dave Meltzer reported that Vega will be both an agent and a part-time wrestler in MLW and was recommended by Steve Austin.
Hammerstone became the inaugural National Openweight Champion by defeating Brian Pillman Jr. in the finals of a four-wrestler tournament last month. Hammerstone also defeated Gringo Loco in the tournament.
Never Say Never is taking place at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York on Thursday, July 25. Here’s the updated lineup:
MLW World Heavyweight Champion Jacob Fatu defending against Tom Lawlor
LA Park vs. Jimmy Havoc
Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Timothy Thatcher
MLW Middleweight Champion Teddy Hart defending against MJF
Austin Aries vs. Ace Austin
Rey Horus vs. Bestia 666
National Openweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone defending against Savio Vega
The feud between The Dynasty and The Hart Foundation will continue with a National Openweight Championship match at MLW’s next set of television tapings.
MLW announced today that Alexander Hammerstone will defend his National title against Davey Boy Smith Jr. at their TV tapings in Cicero, Illinois on Saturday, July 6. The tapings are called “Kings of Colosseum” and are being held at Cicero Stadium.
Hammerstone is part of The Dynasty with MJF and Richard Holliday. He defeated The Hart Foundation’s Brian Pillman Jr. earlier this month in the finals of MLW’s National Openweight title tournament.
Davey Boy Smith Jr. currently holds the MLW Tag Team titles with Teddy Hart.
Here’s the updated lineup for Kings of Colosseum:
MLW World Heavyweight Champion Tom Lawlor defending against Jacob Fatu
LA Park & El Hijo de LA Park vs. Dr. Wagner Jr. & El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr.
MLW National Openweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone defending against Davey Boy Smith Jr.
Ross & Marshall Von Erich vs. Contra Unit (Josef Samael & Simon Gotch)
MLW’s first National Openweight Champion will be crowned on tonight’s Fury Road live special from the Waukesha County Expo Center in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Alexander Hammerstone and Brian Pillman are facing off to determine the inaugural National Openweight Champion. This is the final match in a four-man tournament. Hammerstone defeated Gringo Loco to get to the finals, while Pillman defeated Rich Swann.
There will also be another title match on tonight’s live special, with MLW Middleweight Champion Teddy Hart defending against Jimmy Havoc. Hart has been Middleweight Champion since winning the title in a ladder match in December 2018.
Hart is the second Middleweight Champion in MLW history, with the title having been vacated by MJF due to injury prior to Hart winning it. Hart & Davey Boy Smith Jr. also hold the MLW Tag Team titles.
Gringo Loco vs. Myron Reed rounds out the lineup for tonight’s one-hour special. It will begin on beIN Sports at 9 p.m. Eastern time.
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Gringo Loco beat Myron Reed
Fast paced match with Reed doing various forms of the Cutter, mostly off the ropes. Reed had a near fall while grabbing the ropes and the ref broke it up. While arguing with the ref, Reed was distracted which allowed Loco to hit a Tombstone piledriver for the win.
Reed beat down Loco after the match
Selena dela Renta announced that she will the executive producer of the MLW show on June 15th.
National Openweight tournament finals – Alexander Hammerstone beat Brian Pillman Jr to become the first champion
People used to always say that Hammerstone looks like Triple H. He looks way more like Chris Jericho with his shorter hair. He’s also supposed to be 6 ft 3 but there’s no way he’s more than 5’11”.
Pillman took it to Hammerstone to start. Crowd solidly behind Pillman. Hammerstone’s Dynasty stablemate Richard Holliday briefly joined the commentary basically to say Pillman’s father would be ashamed of him. Pillman has his hair bleached blond and looks more like Michael Hayes Jr. Hammerstone brutalized Pillman on the outside, slamming him into the barricade and onto the ring apron before rolling him back into the ring.
Hammerstone channelled early Hunter Hearst Helmsley, using the high knee repeatedly to control the match inside the ring. Pillman had a brief comeback after Hammerstone argued with the ref, hitting a superkick and a cross body for a 2 count. He missed a top rope splash, which allowed Hammerstone to hit his finisher, The Nightmare, to get the win and the title.
Hammerstone cut an in-ring promo after the match and lambasted Pillman for his partying lifestyle and living off his Dad’s name. He said he worked hard and earned the title.
Contra attacked Filthy Tom in the parking lot and kidnapped him. They showed a taped vignette with Tom bound and gagged. They then gave him a hair cut and said they could take anything at any time.
Cornette and Bonini explained that Contra Unit not only kidnapped Tom but also took over the production truck and that a couple of those individuals quit as a result and they apologized for what we’d seen and said it would never air again.
Main event for the MLW Middleweight title – Champion Teddy Hart retained his title with a win over Jimmy Havoc
Both these guys were at least weekend’s Double or Nothing show. Havoc was a featured performer in the Battle Royal and later in the show. Hart was wandering through the crowd, posing for pictures with fans, seemingly there for his uncle Bret’s appearance. When we last saw Havoc on an MLW live special, he had a sick match with Tom Lawlor where he stapled Lawlor’s forehead, opening a huge gash, before getting pinned by the World champ.
Hart came out with both his middleweight and tag team title but without stablemates Pillman Jr and Davey Boy Smith Jr. Both guys brought a chair into the ring with them, previewing the violence that’s likely to come in this title match.
Hart took the early advantage with punches and then hit a springboard moonsault for the first two count. Hart worked over Havoc’s arm in a submission attempt as we went to commercial with 6 minutes left in the broadcast window.
Back from commercial and Hart is still in control. Havoc has literally not had any offence thus far. Cornette says they will be commercial free for the rest of the broadcast and will go past the top of the hour if necessary. Hart hit a lungblower and then a backbreaker.
Apparently, Lawlor escaped his captivity and made his way to the ticket window, trying to get into the building. Cornette said they are attempting to get him to the hospital.
Havoc reversed a pildriver attempt and then slammed Hart into a chair that was on the apron. Hart was busted open from that and Havoc hit him in the head with a chair as his head was against the ringpost. Havoc then used an 8×10 photo to cut Hart’s hand and mouth before slamming him into a guardrail. Back in the ring, Havoc hit Hart in the head with a chair again and got a two count.
Hart got the advantage by slamming Havoc into a chair that was wedged into the turnbuckles. Havoc then secured a sharpshooter, which the crowd booed heavily. Hart bleeding like crazy from his forehead as he tries to fight it off and he made it to the ropes for a break. Hart threw a chair into Havoc but Havoc hit a Canadian Destroyer. Havoc missed the Acid Rainmaker and then hit a Destroyer of his own.
Hart then hit a Hammerlock DDT onto a chair for the pin to retain the belt.
The Dynasty attacked Hart after the match but the Hart Foundation was out for the save. They announced that MJF will face Davey Boy Smith Jr on next week’s MLW show.
A Jacob Fatu vs. Barrington Hughes promo video opened up this week’s episode of MLW Fusion. Hughes is undefeated in MLW, but he has never met anyone like Contra Unit’s Fatu.
Air Wolf defeated Rey Fenix (9:48)
A surprise upset for Air Wolf as he put away one half of the former MLW Tag Team Champions. Jim Cornette told us Air Wolf wanted this more than he wanted to breathe, and Rich Bocchini said it could be a breakthrough match for Air Wolf.
It seems with All Elite Wrestling’s debut looming ever closer, MLW is looking for replacements to fill the hole the Lucha Bros will make if they leave full time.
They did chain wrestling to begin, which got the fans involved in dueling chants for both wrestlers. The tempo picked up after they traded chops, with Air Wolf being sent to the outside by an arm drag from Fenix coming off the top rope. However, Air Wolf soon sent Fenix outside himself and hit a running crossbody over the top rope to the floor.
Inside, Air Wolf hit a snap German suplex followed by a delayed version, getting a close two count. Cornette questioned if Fenix should have had a different game plan coming into this one and if he has maybe underestimated Air Wolf.
A jumping face plant/flatliner got Air Wolf another two count as he kept on top of Fenix, thwarting every comeback attempt by the Lucha Bro. They again traded chops while Fenix was on the apron. A moment of lapsed concentration gave Fenix the opening to smack Air Wolf in the face with a hard dropkick and momentarily change the momentum of the match.
With Air Wolf sitting on the middle rope, Fenix tightrope walked across the top rope and kicked him in the face. Air Wolf fought back with another suplex as the commentary team were surprised he was still in this match.
Fenix gave Air Wolf a step-up tornado kick while he was on the top rope. He then went for a Muscle Buster off the top, but Air Wolf slipped out and rolled up Fenix and got the surprise three count victory.
Fenix raised Air Wolf’s hand after the match as the commentary team played up the big win for Air Wolf.
– We then saw a graphic of a new arrival — Austin Aries is coming to MLW soon.
– Kaci Lennox was backstage with Salina de la Renta. De la Renta called out Mance Warner and Sami Callihan, saying they caused chaos last week on the show she was producing. She then challenged them to a match next week against Promociones Dorado and said she will bring the chaos to them, and the chaos will put them in the hospital.
Jacob Fatu defeated Barrington Hughes (0:30)
Cornette called this a match between a Samoan man-eater, and a man who eats everything else. This did not take long at all and sounded like there was a lot of crowd sweetening going on.
Contra Unit are on a collision course with MLW World Heavyweight champion “Filthy” Tom Lawlor, so it made sense to keep Fatu really strong heading into a potential match with the champion.
Hughes backed Fatu up in the corner with some chops and hit an avalanche. Fatu superkicked his way out of the corner, then hit a standing Hughes with a Whisper in the Wind style top rope corkscrew, which knocked Hughes down long enough for Fatu to get the three count.
– H2tv was up next. Teddy Hart thanked the Lucha Bros for handing them their MLW Tag Team titles and said he hopes they meet again in the future. He then called out MJF and called him a pansy and a momma’s boy.
Hart called Rich Swann awesome and he warned Brian Pillman Jr. about him for his National Openweight Championship semifinal match. Pillman said the Hart Foundation respects Swann, but he is not going to lie down for him. He said Teddy has a title, Davey Boy Smith Jr. has a title, and Pillman is coming to take the National title.
– Alexander Hammerstone had a recorded message for Gringo Loco. Hammerstone said he was concentrating on celebrating after he wins this National title tournament. There will be clubs, limousines, drinks, and MJF has even rented an elephant. Momma Hammer is coming, Papa Hammer is coming, Grand-papi Hammer too. Even weird Uncle Gary Hammer is flying in to celebrate. Gringo Loco isn’t putting the breaks on their celebrations.
– Ross & Marshall Von Erich have signed to MLW and will make their MLW debuts on June 1 in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
– Tom Lawlor was in his gym with a promo for Avalanche. He said he has been drowning his opponents in sweat, tears, and spit — getting filthy. The only abdominal snowman Avalanche needs to worry about is Lawlor.
Ariel Dominguez defeated Bryan Idol (4:07)
The 5’2” Dominguez was quoted as being the smallest competitor in MLW. He has been training with Lawlor — and it showed throughout this match. A guillotine choke helped him pick up a win and send him on his way up the ranks.
Idol took Dominguez out with a knee to the face and a single-leg dropkick. He suplexed him into the top turnbuckle and nearly landed on his head as he kept on the pressure. Idol got a close two count after a swinging side slam.
Dominguez rolled through a suplex, but Idol kept hold of him and hit a shoulder breaker for another two count. He then went up top and missed a big moonsault, which gave Dominguez the opening for his comeback. Dominguez fired up with a clothesline, chops, and a standing dropkick, flooring his opponent.
A suplex, roll through, and kick to the face got Dominguez a two count, but Idol got back into it with a big right hand. Dominguez fell to the apron but was able to springboard up and hit a twisting DDT. After a struggle on the mat, Dominguez was able to keep Idol locked in a guillotine choke and grab a leg long enough to pick up the win.
– Mance Warner and Sami Callihan cut a promo on Promociones Dorado and Salina de la Renta. They accepted the challenge to a tag match against Ricky Martinez & El Hijo de LA Park, but Warner said it wasn’t a tag team match, he was coming for fingers, arms, and legs.
Warner said de la Renta had stopped them beating each other up, so they are going to beat Promociones Dorado up instead. Thumbs and knee pads up…and down.
– The cameras caught up with de la Renta and Low Ki talking backstage. They argued about Ki’s contract being up for renewal. Ki was frustrated that the promoter is becoming the feature, and as de la Renta noticed the camera, she suggested they take their conversation elsewhere.
Alexander Hammerstone (w/ MJF and Richard Holliday) defeated Gringo Loco in a National Openweight Championship tournament semifinal match (4:55)
Hammerstone sent MJF and Holliday to the back before the match began. Cornette called Loco one of his guilty pleasures and an amazing athlete. He said Loco has added on muscle but it hasn’t altered his agility.
The story of the match was Hammerstone’s strength vs. Loco’s speed — and it was the strength that won in the end after a superplex and a Nightmare Pendulum to send Hammerstone into the tournament final.
Loco took the early advantage, hitting a standing moonsault and a spike headscissors takedown and knocking Hammerstone to the outside. However, Hammerstone had the dive scouted and met Loco with a kick to the face. Hammerstone then dropped Loco face-first on the apron on the outside.
Back inside, Loco fought back and hit a springboard moonsault to a standing Hammerstone for a two count. Loco used his speed to dodge an attack and hit a big back body drop. He then went up top again, but Hammerstone crotched him and joined him up in the corner.
The camera cut away on what could have been a dangerous tumble to the floor, but when we cut back Hammerstone hit a superplex off the middle rope. He then put Loco away with the Nightmare Pendulum to advance to the National Openweight Championship finals.
Hammerstone took the mic after the match and told everyone he is one win away from the National Championship. He said it didn’t matter if it was one win or 1,000 wins, he is getting it either way. Hammerstone said he is not a prospect — he has destiny and that is why he is the next National Champion.
Next week —
Brian Pillman Jr. vs. Rich Swann in a National Openweight Championship tournament semifinal match
Mance Warner & Sami Callihan vs. El Hijo de LA Park & Ricky Martinez
Teddy Hart defeated MJF to retain the MLW Middleweight title
Full rundown —
– This week’s episode opened with H2tv with Davey Boy Smith Jr. talking about the culture and his time in Japan. He talked up the culture, technology, and the people, and he met a native and spoke a little Japanese with her.
– Matt Striker and Rich Bocchini welcomed us to South Philadelphia as they hyped up the main event between Teddy Hart and MJF, and also the debut of Alexander Hammerstone.
– We cut to a pre-taped promo from Salina de la Renta where she sarcastically congratulated new MLW World Heavyweight Champion “Filthy” Tom Lawlor for being equally as dumb as the fans. She said that Low Ki is entitled to a contractually obligated rematch and she wants it at Intimidation Games in Chicago.
Ace Austin defeated Rich Swann (5:10)
Swann continued his recent cocky attitude change throughout this match. He swaggered down to the ring as his in-set promo told us that there is nothing but electricity when he enters an arena, and he told us to get ready to party all night long. However, he was not ready for a party at the end — with Austin winning in surprising fashion.
Swann went for a handshake to start things off — but he pulled back and danced a little in Austin’s face to annoy him. They exchanged arm ringers and standing headlocks, but we were quickly interrupted by a graphic quickly flashing on the screen for “Contra” which also included the words “Operaciones,” “Nihilistica,” and “Armada.” The announcers made no reference to this as we sharply went back to the action.
Austin escaped from a headlock with a headscissors, but Swann cartwheeled out of it with no harm done. Austin responded with a cartwheel reversal of his own as they both started mirroring each other with leg sweeps, quick pin attempts, dropkicks, and finally a nip up.
Swann eventually got the advantage with a big knee to the gut, but Austin fought back with a takedown, kick to the back of the head, basement dropkick, and a clothesline splash in the corner (a la The Miz). He went for a springboard to the top rope, but Swann shoved him off the top to the outside to take back the advantage.
On the outside, Swann hit a stiff chop before rolling Austin back in. Austin tried to fight back with forearms and chops of his own, but Swann retaliated with more chops and a big high kick for good measure. The plucky Austin didn’t back down, spinning around and hitting a high kick of his own.
Both wrestlers then exchanged spinning back fists, kicks, and chops before hitting a pair of big boots that knocked each of them to opposite corners. Swann charged — but Austin hit him with a springboard knee to the face.
Austin took the opportunity of Swann’s positioning, climbed the corner to the top rope, and hit a big reverse splash and went for the cover. The referee seemed hesitant to count the three and stalled after the two count, but he eventually counted to three as Swann did not kick out.
Rich Bocchini entered the ring for a word with Swann, but before he could say anything, Swann smacked the referee and knocked him to the outside. He snapped and was screaming at the ref that it was a two count. Bocchini asked him why he has been a different person in the last few months, and Swann responded by punching him in the face too!
Swann went and grabbed the ring announcer and tossed him to the ground before making his way out of the arena.
Alexander Hammerstone defeated Ariel Dominguez (3:36)
Hammerstone made his MLW debut here in a very impressive outing. He was billed as 251 lbs and looked every bit of it against the smaller, quicker Dominguez. In an in-set promo, Hammerstone said that the future has arrived in MLW.
Hammerstone immediately grabbed Dominguez by the throat and backed him up to the corner. He got him up in a Gorilla press slam, but Dominguez slipped out. No worries for Hammerstone, though, as he just booted Dominguez right in the face and knocked him across the ring.
Hammerstone then deadlifted Dominguez around the waist and held him for a few seconds before tossing him with a German suplex, with Dominguez flipping in mid-air and landing on his face.
A hard right hand hit for Hammerstone. He began toying with Dominguez before raining down right hands and forearms on the ground. He hit a huge pumphandle delayed fallaway slam that the crowd wanted one more of — but Hammerstone picked him up, looking to comply with the baying crowd, and just dropped him to the mat. He told the crowd that they did not control his matches.
Dominguez didn’t give up. He crawled to his feet, but Hammerstone got him and went for a suplex. Dominguez managed to slip out. Hammerstone then ran to Dominguez in the corner, with Dominguez getting the boots up and going for a springboard. Hammerstone clobbered him with a big forearm in mid-air to halt any progress the Team Filthy member was making.
Hammerstone picked Dominguez up and hit a tall stalling suplex, catching him on the way down into a Side Effect slam for the win.
– Mance Warner was outside the building in a pre-taped promo for his first appearance on MLW Fusion. He was straight on point and wasn’t being paid by the hour as he pointed out his truck he has rented for the weekend and the car he has bought outright.
Warner called himself the Southern Psycho, the Eye Poke God, and the Master of the Pop-Up Headbutt. He told us we will see him soon as he will be in action next week.
MLW Middleweight Champion Teddy Hart defeated MJF to retain his title (11:14)
MJF took the mic before the match. Before he could say anything, the Philly crowd were telling him to shut the duck up — or something very similar. MJF said he is the fastest growing superstar in wrestling and if anyone still likes the old ECW, they are white trash.
MJF started trash talking Teddy Hart and calling himself the real Middleweight Champion, saying he never lost his belt. MJF told Hart, for the first time in his life, jailbird, to grab his nuts, come out without the Hart Foundation, and face him and show everyone why MJF is better than him and everyone knows it.
Hart came out alone, and it was revealed that the rest of the Hart Foundation were back in Calgary celebrating their 90 years of wrestling in the territory. Hart wanted a handshake as the match started, but MJF pie-faced him instead. He then invited MJF to get the crowd to chant for him but instead pulled his trunks down when he turned his back on him.
Hart then went for more crowd adulation — but MJF jumped him for the early advantage.
MJF threw him to the outside and Hart seemed to collide head-first with the corner of the guardrail. He slowly made his way back into the ring — but as he was stepping through the ropes, MJF distracted the referee and kicked the rope right between Hart’s legs. He continued his assault by ramming Hart into the corner and hitting an overhead exploder suplex.
MJF got a two count with a side headlock on the mat and kept it locked in while he jaw-jacked with the crowd.
Hart fought back to his feet and arm dragged MJF off of him. Hart then had his eyes raked but was able to jump through a whip to the corner, stand on MJF’s back, and land a seamless Code Red for a two count of his own. He then hit a big powerbomb lungblower and followed up with a huge moonsault for another close two count.
In the corner, Hart lined MJF up and connected with a big uppercut. MJF fought back and launched himself off the middle rope with a double foot stomp to Hart’s arm. Hart found himself on the apron, where MJF hit him with a delayed piledriver for a very close near fall. As Hart kicked out, MJF moved straight into an armbar — adding insult to injury by biting the fingers when the referee wasn’t looking. Hart got his foot to the ropes to break the submission.
They made their way to the top rope in the corner — and Hart was able to get the advantage via a good old-fashioned wedgie. MJF dropped to the mat and Hart hit a perfect Canadian Destroyer from the top rope, but the momentum from the move popped MJF back to his feet and right into the referee, knocking him down.
Hart picked MJF up and hit a hammerlock DDT and got a visual three count — but the referee wasn’t around to make the count.
MJF fell to the outside and came back in with a chair as Hart was trying to revive the ref. Hart turned just in time and kicked MJF below the belt. Hart used the chair under MJF’s chin and hit an electric chair lungblower followed by a middle rope corkscrew moonsault for the win.
– Backstage, Hart was making his way through the Gorilla position to be interviewed by Kaci Lennox — but out of nowhere he was attacked by Richard Holliday. MJF quickly joined him for the two-on-one beatdown.
MJF used a chair to the gut of Hart and they both took turns pummeling Hart with shots to the back and head. Holliday held Hart as MJF launched a bin at him before they both whipped him into a garage door.
MJF told Hart he hoped he learned a lesson. We ended the show with Hart writhing in pain on the ground saying that MJF and Holliday had broken his rib.
Next week —
Mance Warner makes his MLW debut against Jimmy Yuta
