The MLW Middleweight Championship has officially been declared vacant.
MLW announced today that the Middleweight title has been vacated due to MJF (Maxwell Jacob Friedman) not being cleared in time for his scheduled title defense at MLW’s live Fusion episode on beIN Sports on Friday, December 14. MJF tweeted on November 25 that he had suffered a fractured elbow and noted that his recovery time would be 4-6 weeks.
There will be a four-way ladder match to decide a new Middleweight Champion on the December 14 live special from the Scottish Rite Temple in Miami, Florida. The ladder match will be Dezmond Xavier vs. Kotto Brazil vs. Andrew Everett vs. Jason Cade. It would have been a five-way match with MJF defending his title if he was cleared to compete in time.
The winner of the ladder match will be the second Middleweight Champion in MLW history. MJF defeated Joey Ryan in July to become the inaugural title holder.
The first four wrestlers have been confirmed for this year’s Survival of the Fittest tournament.
Ring of Honor announced Andrew Everett and Jonathan Gresham for Survival of the Fittest today. They join Tracy Williams and Marty Scurll in the lineup for the one-night tournament, which will take place in Columbus, Ohio on November 4 and air live on HonorClub. The first round of Survival of the Fittest will lead to a six-man elimination match in the final. The winner will receive a future shot at the ROH World Championship.
This will be the first time Everett has wrestled for ROH since 2015. Last month, Everett announced that he had been granted his release from Impact Wrestling. He thanked the company for the opportunities he received there and noted that he felt he needed to test the waters in free agency.
Williams will be making his ROH debut in the tournament after departing EVOLVE Wrestling.
Andrew Everett announced tonight that he has been granted his release from Impact Wrestling.
Everett posted the news tonight on his Twitter account. “Earlier today I was granted my release from IMPACT wrestling,” he posted. “I had great times with the company, and I’m grateful for the opportunities that I received while under contract. At this moment, I feel that I need to test the waters in free agency…allowing myself find a new direction in my craft. It’s exciting to see what awaits me in my career. Thank you for all your support, and again, thank you IMPACT Wrestling for bringing the Skywalker to a larger audience.”
Everett, 26, joined Impact in October of 2015 where he participated in that year’s Bound for Glory as part of the Ultimate X match. He later joined forces with Trevor Lee and was part of the Helms Dynasty with Shane Helms. After being kicked out, he mostly participated in X Division matches.
Most recently, he teamed with DJZ as Z&E to defeat Scott Steiner and Eli Drake for the Impact tag team titles. They eventually lost the titles to the current champions LAX at an Impact taping this past April.
Previously: Austin Aries declared the Grand Championship to be the top title in Impact.
Tonight: El Hijo Del Fantasma, Drago & Aerostar take on DJ Z, Dezmond Xavier & Andrew Everett. Also, Su Yung battles Rosemary.
Show Recap —
– Eli Drake came down to the ring and noted that Scott Steiner had the night off. He pointed out that he’s the only person with a guaranteed title shot.
He announced that he’s cashing in his World Championship title shot next week. This brought out Pentagon Jr. and they had a brief staredown.
– Earlier today, McKenzie Mitchell interviewed Kiera Hogan about her match tonight against Taya Valkyrie. Tessa Blanchard interrupted, but Hogan told her to sit down and watch her defeat Valkyrie.
– Backstage, the returning Grado greeted Joseph Park after working out his green card issues. Aries approached and told them everything will workout despite Pentagon Jr. being the Impact World Champion.
OVE defeated KM & Fallah Bahh
OVE gained control and isolated KM in their corner. Bahh got the hot tag and ran wild, then he and KM both did the steamroller spot on OVE. OVE fought back and sent KM to the floor. For the finish, Jake Crist hit a series of kicks to Bahh’s head and rolled him up for the three count.
After the match, KM apologized for the loss and shook Bahh’s hand. KM laughed as Bahh walked away.
– Mitchell Interviewed Moose backstage. Moose promised to win the Impact World Championship in 2018. Jimmy Jacobs interrupted, challenging Moose to face Kongo Kong next week. Moose accepted.
Taya Valkyrie vs. Kiera Hogan ended with no winner
Valkyrie hit a spear to start the match and was firmly in control, but Hogan made a fiery comeback to take the advantage.
Blanchard came out and attacked Hogan. She beat Hogan all around ringside before nailing her with the hammerlock DDT.
Brian Cage defeated Mick Moretti, Slex, and Brodie Marshall in a fatal four-way match (from World Series Wrestling in Australia)
Moretti nailed Cage with an F-5, but Cage jumped right up to his feet. Cage gave Moretti and Slex a double fallaway slam and nailed a no-touch tope con hilo onto all three on the floor.
Cage went for the discus lariat, but Slex ducked it and executed a German suplex. Cage landed on his feet and hit the discus lariat. He then hit the Drill Claw for the win.
DJ Z, Dezmond Xavier & Andrew Everett defeated Drago, El Hijo Del Fantasma & Aerostar in a lucha libre rules six-man tag match
This was a really good match with lots of fast-paced action, high flying, and innovative moves. Xavier trapped Aerostar in the ropes, with Everett and DJ Z hitting double springboard dropkicks. Everett and DJ Z attempted a double Lionsault but missed.
Xavier hit a flip dive over the top rope, followed by DJ Z hitting a huge dive to the floor as well. Aerostar hit La Bombita, wiping out everyone on the floor. DJ Z hit a frog splash, Xavier hit a final flash, and Everett connected with an awesome looking toe-touch moonsault for a three-way near fall.
Xavier climbed to the top rope, but Aerostar walked across the second rope and caught him with a hurricanrana. Aerostar shoved Everett off the top to the apron, but DJ Z hit the ZDT on Aerostar for the win.
– Backstage, Austin Aries ran into Eli Drake and said he hopes Drake wins next week because Aries knows he can beat him.
Flashback Moment of the Week: Zema Ion (DJ Z) defeated Sonjay Dutt, Kenny King, and Mason Andrews in Ultimate X
Dutt nailed King with a springboard dropkick and a standing Shooting Star Press, but he injured his shoulder on the landing. Eventually, Dutt returned to the match. Dutt and Ion climbed to the top of the X structure and traded shots. Ion sprayed hairspray in Dutt’s eyes and pulled down the belt.
– KM and Bahh discussed their loss from earlier. KM promised to train Bahh. Another employee was found knocked out backstage marked with a red X.
– Last Friday, Eddie Edwards was released from jail after attacking Sami Callihan in the hospital. Tommy Dreamer showed up to pick him up but didn’t want to hear Edwards’ explanation.
X Division Champion Matt Sydal defeated Taiji Ishimori to retain his title
Sydal worked over the leg and locked on a half-crab. Ishimori made a comeback and hit a double foot stomp for near fall. Ishimori hit the tombstone into the double knees, but Sydal fought back and hit a pump handle driver for the win.
– Dreamer tried to talk some sense into Edwards. Dreamer mentioned that he wasted years obsessed with defeating someone, referencing his past feud with Raven. Edwards didn’t want to hear the advice and walked off.
– Backstage, Allie promised to watch Rosemary’s back tonight. Rosemary refused the help and made Allie promise that she will stay in the back no matter what happens.
– At the LAX Clubhouse, Santana and Ortiz were angry because they lost the belts, have no money, and Konnan is still missing.
Su Yung vs. Rosemary never got started
Yung and Rosemary brawled around ringside before the match could start. Yung gave Rosemary the Panic Switch on the floor, and The Undead Bridesmaids came down to the ring with a casket.
Allie ran down and attacked Yung. Rosemary ordered Allie to leave, but she refused. The Undead Bridesmaids attacked Allie and held her down. Rosemary grabbed a kendo stick, but Yung misted her in the eyes.
Yung gave Rosemary a Panic Switch off the stage through a table. She then stuffed Rosemary in the casket as Allie watched.
Next Week: Impact World Champion Pentagon Jr. defends against Eli Drake.
Previously: Alberto El Patron defeated Magnus to win the GFW Global Championship.
Tonight: X Division Champion Low Ki defends against Trevor Lee and Andrew Everett in Ultimate X. Plus, Ethan Carter III battles James Storm.
Show Recap —
Impact Wrestling Tag Team Champions LAX (w/ Konnan, Homicide & Diamante) defeated Laredo Kid & Garza Jr. in a first round GFW tag title tournament match
The other members of LAX attacked Laredo Kid on the floor. Garza Jr. ran wild on the heels but got caught by a hurricanrana from Diamante from the apron to the floor. LAX used the powerbomb/blockbuster combination on Laredo Kid to advance to the semifinals.
– Josh Mathews was overcome with joy when he noticed that Jeremy Borash wasn’t in the audience this week.
– In the back, Bruce Prichard was on the phone when Magnus approached and blamed him for losing the title. Magnus promised to show what he’s made of.
Kongo Kong (w/ Laurel Van Ness) defeated Braxton Sutter (w/ Allie)
Kong missed the cannonball in the corner and Sutter made a comeback. However, he couldn’t knock Kong off his feet. Kong splashed Sutter and drove him head-first into the mat for the win.
After the match, KM and Sienna ran out and joined in on beating Sutter while Van Ness forced Allie to watch. Mahabali Shera ran out to make the save. Sutter challenged KM and Kong to a tag match next week.
– McKenzie Mitchell interviewed Karen Jarrett. She announced that next week Eddie Edwards & Alisha will face Davey Richards & Angelina Love. Magnus showed up and pushed her out of the way.
James Storm defeated Ethan Carter III by DQ
Magnus joined the announcers on commentary for the match. Storm brought a leather strap to the ring. They brawled until EC3 took over and controlled the match. Storm made a comeback and they brawled on the floor. Storm grabbed the leather strap, but Magnus stopped him. Bruce Prichard ran out and sent Magnus to the back.
During the commercial, EC3 jumped Storm from behind as Magnus was ejected from ringside. EC3 hit the TK3 and brought in the strap. EC3 knocked down referee Brian Stiffler and viciously whipped him with the belt for the DQ.
James Storm attacked EC3 and set up for the Last Call when Magnus ran back out and attacked Storm. Magnus and EC3 argued until Prichard ran back out. He announced a three-way number one contender’s match for next week. EC3 knocked him down to end the segment.
– A Rockstar Spud rehabbing video aired. Doctors told him to retire, but he will defy their orders and return next week.
GFW Global Women’s Champion Sienna (w/ KM) defeated ODB to retain her title
Sienna mocked ODB but missed a splash in the corner and ODB took over. Sienna yanked ODB off the turnbuckle and hit the Silencer to retain the title.
– Jeremy Borash came out to the ring, which infuriated Mathews. J.B. hired an attorney and announced that he has been reinstated effective immediately. J.B. introduced his attorney — the returning Joseph Park.
Mathews pointed out that Park is Abyss and called him an idiot. Park challenged Mathews to find a partner to face him and J.B. at Slammiversary. Mathews left and J.B. was now on commentary.
X Division Champion Low Ki defeated Trevor Lee (w/ Gregory Shane Helms) and Andrew Everett in Ultimate X to retain his title
This was one of Impact’s best main events in a long time. Low Ki and Everett fought on the apron and Lee shoved them both off into the guardrail. Everett nailed a springboard shooting star press to the floor on Lee.
Lee brought in a chair, but Low Ki punched it back into Lee’s face and injured his hand in the process. Due to the injured hand, Low Ki struggled to grab the cable several times. Lee caught Low Ki and executed a German suplex, but Low Ki landed on his feet and hit a double foot stomp on Lee.
Low Ki tried to climb up again, but his hand was still hurting. Everett knocked off Low Ki, then Helms hit a neckbreaker off the top on Everett. Lee stood on Helms’ shoulders and they tried walking across. Low Ki took them both out with a kick.
Low Ki still couldn’t grab the cable because of his injured hand from punching the chair. So he climbed above the cable and onto the X structure surrounding it and crawled to the center. At the same time, Lee and Everett climbed the cable to the center. Low Ki knocked them both off and grabbed the belt to retain.
Next Week: James Storm, Ethan Carter III, and Magnus face off in a three-way number one contender’s match. Braxton Sutter & Mahabali Shera vs. KM & Kongo Kong will take place as well. Also, Eddie Edwards & Alisha face Davey Richards & Angelina Love in a mixed tag.
