Six matches have been announced for Tuesday’s edition of AEW Dark.
The new FTW Champion, Brian Cage, will make his first defense of the championship on the show. He will face current MLW star Brian Pillman Jr. Cage was awarded the FTW Championship by the creator of the title, Taz, this past week at Fyter Fest.
Cage was originally set to face AEW World Champion Jon Moxley on the second night of Fyter Fest. However, Moxley stayed at home due to his wife Renee Young testing positive for COVID-19. That match will instead take place next week at Fight for the Fallen.
Brandi Rhodes & Allie will team together to take on Rache Chanel & Dinamate. This continues a storyline between Rhodes, Allie, and QT Marshall.
Other matches announced include Sepentico & Luther vs. Brady Pierce & Pineapple Pete, Robert Anthony vs. Ricky Starks, Michael Nakazawa vs. Marko Stunt, and Jurassic Express vs. Brandon Cutler & Peter Avalaon.
Brian Pillman Jr. will make his AEW return on this week’s episode of Dark.
Pillman Jr., who was spotted in the crowd at night one of Fyter Fest last Wednesday, will face Shawn Spears. This will be his second in-ring appearance for AEW as the first took place at Double or Nothing 2019 in the Casino Battle Royal.
Pillman Jr. is under contract to MLW, but has an agreement that allows him to also work for AEW. Dave Meltzer noted Friday there is no issue from MLW’s side with the appearance.
Editor’s Note: You can watch this week’s Fusion below.
***The Big Takeaways***
With a little help from Middleweight champion Myron Reed and a title belt shot to the head, Jacob Fatu successfully defended the MLW World heavyweight championship against Brian Pillman Jr.
Dominic Garrini submitted Zenshi and Richard Holliday upset the Savio Vega in singles action.
We continued to build towards a Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs Jacob Fatu title match and a clash between Mance Warner and the Dynasty.
Speaking of the Dynasty, they will host their own MLW Fusion episode next week with all members in action.
***Full Review***
We opened with a CONTRA Unit vs. Hart Foundation hype video ahead of tonight’s main event between Pillman Jr. and Fatu. This is all leading to an inevitable Fatu vs Davey Boy Smith Jr. match down the road which, in my opinion, will be fantastic.
Dominic Garrini (w/ “Filthy” Tom Lawlor) submitted Zenshi (6:58)
Lawlor came out before the match with his new theme featuring the lyrics “I have come to kill you” playing over and over. He took the mic and riled up the Dallas, TX, crowd by taunting them about the Von Erichs. The crowd was chanting for him to take his Von Erich t-shirt off and he obliged, but not before spitting on it and shoving it down the front of his pants. He threw the shirt to the crowd but the Von Erich faithful threw it back akin to John Cena at ECW One Night Stand.
Styles make fights and this one worked really well. Zenshi tried to flip, roll, and leap around the ring in the early going, but the Team Filthy member matched him and used his ground game to keep a hold on Zenshi, not necessarily gaining a firm upper hand, but preventing Zenshi run wild like he usually does. Zenshi eventually got some offense in, but it felt like every high flying move Zenshi tried, Garrini was there to catch him and reverse into a submission hold.
He built some momentum and hit a pair of sentons, but when attempting a standing shooting star press, Garrini locked him in a head and arm lock. Garrini then took control with kicks and stomps to Zenshi’s arm but the high flyer fought back with a somersault dropkick in the corner. Zenshi then leveraged Garrini out the ring and hit his delayed springboard top rope crossbody to the outside.
Garrini then caught Zenshi front flipping off the top rope and again stomped at his arm. The referee held up the “X” sign and a medic entered the ring, but Garrini kept going and quickly hit a german suplex into a sit-out armbar that he calls the “Mighty Mouse” in tribute to this submission. Due to the already injured arm, the referee called for the bell straight away.
Alicia Atout interviewed Garrini and Lawlor after the match. She asked if Garrini may have gone over the top, but Lawlor butted in, called her Joe Rogan, and said Garrini did nothing wrong and Team Filthy will continue to show no mercy from now on.
— We saw footage from earlier when Pillman Jr. and Smith Jr. were jumped by some of CONTRA’s new Sentai death squad members as they entered the building. The Hart Foundation fought them off before the camera cut away.
— Atout then interviewed the Dynasty. MJF said Holliday’s lawyer/his father has organized next week’s MLW Fusion episode to be produced by the Dynasty where every match will have a member wrestling. Gino Medina will face Septimo Dragon, MJF and Holliday will face the Von Erichs in a rematch for the MLW tag titles, and Alex Hammerstone will defend his National Openweight title against Aerostar.
Richard Holliday defeated Savio Vega (5:02)
Atout caught up with Vega before the match. He had his Caribbean championship with him and said he represented all the Caribbean people, but Holliday represents the cowards. He also wanted to take Alicia salsa dancing.
MJF was on commentary and said Vega reminded him of Kwang…only if Kwang got really old, really fat, and really Puerto Rican. He also said no one wrestles in the Caribbean and they only vacation there, so no one cares about his championship.
They played up last year’s match between Hammerstone and Vega where Hammerstone dropped Vega directly on the knees and injured him with the Nightmare Pendulum, but of course, MJF couldn’t remember that. The commentary team said Vega hadn’t forgotten and was out for revenge.
Holliday caught Vega with a dropkick early on, but Vega rallied back and clotheslined him to the outside. Vega beat him around ringside before rolling him back in, but missed his spinning heel kick moments later when Holliday held onto the ropes, causing Vega to land hard on the mat. Holliday hit a big boot and his twisting “2008” neck breaker suplex to pick up the win.
After the match, Holliday took the Caribbean title with him and left alongside MJF.
— Backstage, the Von Erichs met the Hart Foundation and wished Pillman luck for his title match tonight. Pillman took them up on their offer of advice on fighting Fatu.
— We got a Killer Kross hype video, but after the news that he signed with WWE, it looks like he will only be making one appearance.
— We got a video for the announcement of MLW’s newest partner promotion (Dragon Gate) and then a video for the return of LA Park who will be back in action very soon.
— We got a video that showed the finish to last week’s match between Middleweight Champion Myron Reed and Drago where the referee botched the pinfall and had to count it twice. They played up to the storyline between Injustice and MLW and the announcers told us that MLW has agreed to have more thorough refereeing in MLW. We were told there will be grading for referees and the higher graded ones will be appointed the more important matches.
— Atout then caught up wth Mance Warner. She asked for his take on the Dynasty, and he replied with one word after drinking his light beer: “s**holes”. She said that was quite to the point, he agreed, gave her a light beer, and walked off.
— Zenshi then said was he out for revenge for Dominic Garrini trying to injure him earlier in the night.
MLW World Champion Jacob Fatu (w/Josef Samael) defeated Brian Pillman to retain (5:32)
Fatu rushed Pillman as the ref was handing the belt over at ringside, but his early advantage didn’t last too long. He missed a sitdown splash so Pillman fired up and had the champion grounded, but Fatu shook it off and knocked Pillman back down to take advantage.
Pillman went for a middle rope slingshot crossbody, but Fatu caught him and slammed him with a swinging uranage. Similar to his latest matches in MLW, Pillman didn’t give up and kept on fighting. He came back and hit Fatu with a superkick, flying forearm, and hit a successful springboard crossbody from the top rope this time.
We saw Davey Boy Smith Jr. fighting with more of CONTRA’s Sentai death squad, but he was helped out by the Von Erich brothers as Fatu missed a spear and hit the ringpost.
Pillman hit Air Pillman and went to the top to finish off Fatu, but Samael distracted the referee. Jordan Oliver and Kotto Brazil of Injustice came to ringside, but Pillman crossbodied them instead of Fatu. However, Myron Reed was lurking in the shadows and clocked Pillman with his Middleweight title and rolled Pillman back into the ring where Fatu hit his handspring moonsault. But, Pillman somehow kicked out.
Moments later, and after two double jump top rope moonsaults, Fatu pinned Pillman to retain his World title.
***On Next Week’s Fusion presented by The Dynasty***
National Openweight champion Alexander Hammerstone defends against Aerostar
MLW Tag Team champions Marshall and Ross Von Erich defend against MJF and Richard Holliday
Editor’s Note: You can watch this episode in full by scrolling down to the bottom of this post.
** The Big Takeaways**
Davey Boy Smith Jr. won the Opera Cup and continued his family’s legacy with the trophy as the last winner before Smith was his grandfather, Stu Hart, back in 1948.
Myron Reed successfully defended the MLW Middleweight title against El Lindaman.
With a little help from his new friends in the Dynasty, Gino Medina defeated Savio Vega in a NYC street fight.
** Full Review **
We had a video recap of the Opera cup highlights thus far, following Davey Boy Smith Jr.’s and Brian Pillman Jr.’s paths to the final.
MLW Middleweight Champion Myron Reed (w/Jordan Oliver and Kotto Brazil) defeated El Lindaman to retain (7:06)
We had a pre-recorded promo from Reed, Oliver, and Brazil as Reed made his way to the ring for his first title defense. Reed said he cannot be controlled and that they are at war with “the system”.
Reed tried to catch Lindaman off guard with a right hand to the jaw, but it backfired on the Middleweight champion as the OWE #StrongHeart just shook it off, took Reed down, and went to work. Injustice soon got involved from ringside, but Lindaman soon found an opening to launch himself over the top rope right on top of Oliver and Brazil.
Reed tried to then catch Lindaman off guard, but to no avail as he went for his own somersault plancha but landed on his buddies instead of his opponent. The StrongHeart was not finished as he jumped back in the ring and landed another somersault plancha on to Reed this time.
Lindaman hit some great kicks and strikes before dumping Reed on the back of his head with a German suplex. But Reed later reversed a suplex into a stunner and hit a springboard ace crusher and a sit-out reverse DDT (curtain call), but Lindaman kicked out before three.
Lindaman caught Reed with a dropkick off a springboard and planted him on his head for a close two count of his own. Reed briefly escaped Lindaman’s grasp by backing up the ramp, but the champion had a plan and quite a way to execute it. He ran down the ramp, leaped over the top rope and into the ring, hitting an ace crusher in the process before smoothly following up with a springboard 450 to pick up the win in his first successful title defense.
— Alicia Atout interviewed Brian Pillman Jr. earlier in the day. He said that he has a grade 3 AC joint separation, but Injustice could not keep him out of the tournament. He said Smith is an excellent martial artist but this match isn’t about the Hart Foundation any more. He is leaving it all on the line and wants to show the Hart family he can earn their respect and win the Cup.
— King Mo was backstage and said that it doesn’t matter who wins the Opera Cup tonight, the winner can face him. He then called out MLW World champion Jacob Fatu and told him to stop using the belt to hide his stretch marks, and that he is coming for him.
— Lifestyles of the Rich and Dynastic followed with a recap of last week where Gino Medina joined the Dynasty. The now foursome were celebrating with champagne as MJF asked Holliday where Grogan was. Holliday reassured that he was downstairs keeping people out of the VIP area and then thanked Medina for picking them over “that janitor” Konnan. Medina said Konnan used to be the Hulk Hogan of Mexico which enraged Hammerstone who then listed all the ways Konnan was nothing like Hogan: no tan, he’s fat, washed up, and a has-been. They sealed the deal with a four-way Dynasty pinkie shake.
Gino Medina defeated Savio Vega in a NYC street fight (8:33)
With an inset promo, Vega told Medina to be ready as it’s time to pay the price. He was not lying. The instant the bell rang, he was swinging his kendo stick and landing all over Medina’s body. Medina fought back and hit Vega with a chair, a trash can, and a stop sign, and then arrogantly tried to get the win by pinning Vega with only a foot on his chest.
Vega choked Medina on the mat and then tossed him to the outside where he went back to the kendo stick. However, Medina turned the tables and used a hockey stick across Vega’s back. Medina then wrapped Vega’s head in a steel chair and rammed it into the ring post.
Vega responded to the fans’ encouragement and hit a big backdrop and a spinning heel kick but only got a two count. Vega went to the well once too often and missed the next spinning heel kick, but then just hit the third one anyway. The Dynasty then came out and distracted Vega, which allowed Medina hit a low blow and a Kamagiri kick for the win. They danced and posed to celebrate.
— We were told that the New York State Athletic Commission is looking into Tom Lawlor’s use of nunchucks last week as they are illegal there. He could be looking at a fine or even a suspension.
— Atout then caught up with Davey Boy Smith Jr. ahead of the Opera Cup final. Smith said that being in the final means pride, passion, and glory. He said Pillman’s father was taught by his father in the Dungeon, and he is surprised Pillman has made it to the finals. But, he sees the passion and burning desire in him. Tonight, he means business.
Davey Boy Smith Jr. defeated Brian Pillman in the finals of the Opera Cup (16:57)
This was a great match to cap off a great tournament with a worthy winner given the performances and a nice, touching story about keeping the family tradition with the Cup alive. To tie in with the story and build, we were told Injustice had all been kicked out due to their threat on the participants in the Cup final, and also that the Opera Cup tournament will now be an annual tradition in MLW.
A handshake started us off, but Pillman threatened an early clean break with a cheeky back elbow but he didn’t follow through. Smith got the early advantage in the slow-paced opening segments, but Pillman eventually dropkicked Smith to the outside and hit a springboard splash to the floor. His success was short-lived as Smith floored him with a clothesline and a suplex on the floor outside.
The crowd momentarily brought Pillman back into it but Smith floored him again, this time with a headbutt. Smith missed a big flying legdrop from the top rope and Pillman fired up with right hands and a kick to the head. Pillman nearly picked up the win after rolling through a power slam for a close two count. He tried a backslide and an inside cradle for more close calls. They exchanged more two counts before Pillman rocked Smith with a superkick and a knee to the temple before hitting his Air Pillman springboard clothesline for another close near fall.
Pillman hit his Dire Promise swinging neckbreaker but Smith kicked out at two. Smith moved when Pillman flew through the air and hit him with the running powerslam, but Pillman somehow kicked out. They exchanged slaps as Pillman begged for Smith to give him his best shot. Smith obliged and hit him with a tombstone piledriver and a diving headbutt but Pillman dug deep and kicked out at the last moment to the shock and amazement of the crowd.
Smith powerbombed Pillman in frustration, but we got another kickout. As Pillman tried to roll to safety, Smith locked in the crossface submission. Pillman momentarily tried to roll out of it but the power of Smith was too much and he got back into position, sunk the lock in deeper, and gave Pillman no choice but to tap out.
Smith posed with his trophy after the match, raised Pillman’s arm, and was greeted with streamers from the New York crowd. Smith seemed genuinely emotional as he paraded the Cup around the ring and thanked the fans in the arena.
** Next Week **
Mance Warner vs. Jimmy Havoc in a no ropes, barbed wire match
A first-time matchup has been added to MLW’s Fightland television tapings.
MLW has announced that Brian Pillman Jr. vs. Jimmy Havoc (w/ Priscilla Kelly) is set for Fightland. The show is taking place at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Saturday, February 1.
MLW hyped that the match will have title implications in the middleweight division. Myron Reed is the promotion’s current Middleweight Champion.
Havoc faced Mance Warner in a no ropes barbed wire match at MLW’s Zero Hour tapings this past weekend, while Pillman Jr. challenged Jacob Fatu for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Pillman Jr. vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr. in the finals of the Opera Cup tournament will air on this week’s episode of MLW Fusion.
Pillman Jr. vs. Havoc is the third match that’s been announced for Fightland. Fatu will defend his World Heavyweight Championship against CIMA at the show, and Smith Jr. will take on Erick Stevens.
Brian Pillman Jr. overcame a separated shoulder to beat Timothy Thatcher in the Opera Cup to set up a final with Davey Boy Smith Jr. next week.
Gino Medina stabbed Konnan in the back and joined The Dynasty.
The Von Erichs made short work of Kenn Doane & Mike Mondo before being blindsided by Tom Lawlor and some nunchucks.
The episode is available to watch below:
Full Recap —
– Alicia Atout opened the show outside of the arena as she recapped some breaking news from earlier in the day. Brian Pillman Jr. was attacked by Injustice (Kotto Brazil, Jordan Oliver & Myron Reed) as he entered the building.
The beatdown was brutal as they smashed Pillman’s arm and put the boots to him. Atout told us Pillman had separated his shoulder and his spot in the Opera Cup semifinals against Timothy Thatcher was up in the air.
MLW Tag Team Champions Marshall & Ross Von Erich defeated The Filthy Squad (Kenn Doane & Mike Mondo) to retain their titles (2:20)
We saw a recap video from last week’s beatdown by Lawlor, Doane, and Mondo as Lawlor joined AJ Kirsch and Rich Bocchini on commentary. The Filthy Squad had karate gis that Lawlor had given them last week, making them officially members of Team Filthy. The Von Erich’s had their own in-set promo calling their opponents the jabroni Cobra Kai squad.
The Von Erichs jumped the Spirit — I mean Filthy — Squad before the bell, but Mondo quickly tripped Marshall’s ankle and the Squad beat him down in the opening moments of the match. Ross got a hot tag and ran wild, then seconds later tagged his brother back in for a Claw-assisted back suplex for the Von Erichs to pick up the quick win.
As the Von Erichs were celebrating, “Rip Von Erich” (Lawlor’s opponent from last week) unsuccessfully hit the ring and was quickly disposed of by the real Von Erich kin.
– Atout tried to interview the victorious Von Erich brothers backstage, but they were blindsided and jumped by Lawlor and his nunchucks.
– We then heard from Injustice after their attack on Pillman Jr. earlier in the day. They said they didn’t care about MLW’s rules or being charged for attacking Pillman. They said Pillman is out of the match so they should be the replacements and “You gotta lose money to make money.”
– Mance Warner then had a message for Jimmy Havoc via a video package of their bloody and weapon filled feud so far. They will meet in a no ropes barbed wire match in Texas.
– Atout then caught up with Pillman Jr. for an update on his injury. Pillman said he was cleared for his match tonight and he told Injustice that he is coming after them after he is done with the Opera Cup. Pillman also said he is going to kick Thatcher’s ass despite having a separated shoulder.
– CONTRA Unit’s propaganda video this week had Josef Samael preaching about violence and CONTRA’s strength. Jacob Fatu called out the Von Erichs, saying they want their gold and CONTRA will burn Davey Boy Smith Jr.’s legacy to the ground.
– Konnan then came to the ring and called out Gino Medina, who he called the next big thing in MLW. Medina talked about his dad and Los Gringos Locos — a group that Konnan was part of. Medina discussed what his dad told him about Konnan, and he accused Konnan of trying to use him as he was “untouchable.”
Konnan told Medina that he was trying to help him and that Salina de la Renta was the one using him. He said he didn’t know what was going down between them, who was going down…if she was going down.
Of course, this brought out de la Renta. She mocked Konnan for talking about her sex life “because he didn’t have one.” Konnan told Medina that he has shown him what she did with Low Ki, the paperwork with the Lucha Bros, and questioned why Medina would sign with her.
The Dynasty then came out. MJF told Medina that there is a reason he is the only member of the roster with two “Elite” contracts, and the crowd tried to rile him up with a “Cody” chant.
Richard Holliday asked the New York consumers to settle down and told Medina that when they are here everyone is breathing rarefied air. Alexander Hammerstone belittled Konnan and de la Renta and told Medina to side with the Dynasty.
So Medina had four choices: sign with Konnan, sign with de la Renta and Promociones Dorado, join The Dynasty, or reject them all. With a flirty smile, de la Renta tried to coax him out of the ring. Konnan tried for a handshake and Medina accepted…only to kick him in the gut and join The Dynasty in beating Konnan down.
The now four members of The Dynasty fist-bumped and posed for the crowd.
Brian Pillman Jr. defeated Timothy Thatcher in an Opera Cup semifinal match (8:11)
We had recaps of the quarterfinal victories for both Pillman and Thatcher before the injured and taped up — but still energetic — Pillman entered the arena.
Despite his injury, Pillman flew out the blocks with a dropkick and a flurry of strikes, but Thatcher gave him a stiff arm wringer that stopped him in his tracks. Thatcher focused on the injured arm with an attempted cross armbreaker but transitioned into a bow-and-arrow stretch. Thatcher then locked in a seated Fujiwara armbar, but Pillman didn’t give up.
Pillman eventually escaped Thatcher’s grasp, put everything behind his strikes, and knocked him down with a flying forearm and then a powerslam. Pillman went for his swinging neckbreaker finisher. Thatcher pushed him off, but Pillman turned that into a crossbody off the top rope.
Thatcher reversed Pillman’s finisher again into a double underhook suplex and then locked in a deep chinlock. Pillman suplexed out of it and hit Thatcher with a knee to the face. He then went for his finisher again. Thatcher dropped down into a Fujiwara armbar, but Pillman rolled around and rolled up Thatcher for the win.
Next Week —
Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Brian Pillman Jr. in the Opera Cup finals
Gino Medina vs. Savio Vega in a New York City street fight
Brian Pillman Jr. is getting a World title shot at MLW’s first show of the year.
MLW announced this morning that World Heavyweight Champion Jacob Fatu will defend his title against Pillman at their Zero Hour set of television tapings. The show is taking place at the NYTEX Sports Centre in North Richland Hills, Texas on Saturday, January 11.
MLW hyped up the title match:
There is unfinished business between CONTRA Unit and the remaining members of the Hart Foundation.
CONTRA Unit struck fast and with violence late last year when they took out Teddy Hart. Now young Brian Pillman readies for retribution and his first World title shot as he looks to conquer the seemingly unconquerable in the 300 pound Fatu.
Pillman, who along with Davey Boy Smith Jr., have vowed payback on CONTRA Unit, campaigned for a title match following his breakout performance in the 2019 Opera Cup. Matchmakers agreed that Pillman’s ranking in MLW’s top 10 in Pro Wrestling Illustrated warranted consideration for a championship bout.
Now official, Pillman will look to do what eluded his father: win the World Championship. Can the 2018 Rookie of the Year dethrone the undefeated World Champ?
Fatu has been MLW World Heavyweight Champion since winning the title from Tom Lawlor in July 2019. Fatu defending his title against CIMA has also been announced for MLW’s Fightland tapings in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 1.
Here’s the updated card for Zero Hour:
Jimmy Havoc vs. Mance Warner in a no ropes barbed wire match
MLW World Heavyweight Champion Jacob Fatu defending against Brian Pillman Jr.
Ross Von Erich vs. Tom Lawlor
National Openweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone defending against Aerostar
Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Simon Gotch in a no ropes, no holds barred match
Marshall Von Erich vs. MJF (If MJF wins, The Dynasty will get a Tag Team title shot against The Von Erichs. If Marshall wins, MJF can’t challenge The Von Erichs for the titles again.)
Savio Vega vs. Richard Holliday
Drago & Puma King vs. Taurus & El Hijo de LA Park vs. Injustice (Jordan Oliver & Kotto Brazil)
MLW has announced their first matchup for next month’s Opera Cup tournament.
TJP vs. Brian Pillman Jr. is set for the first round of the tournament. It’s 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 Opera Cup, with MLW hyping that they’ve “invited some of the best wrestlers from around the world to compete in this one-night single-elimination tournament.”
This will be the first time TJP has wrestled for MLW since the promotion relaunched in 2017. He previously appeared for MLW in 2004.
NJPW and Impact Wrestling are among the promotions TJP has wrestled for since being released by WWE this February.
Pillman Jr. is part of The Hart Foundation with Teddy Hart and Davey Boy Smith Jr. He recently feuded with Low Ki, with Low Ki defeating Pillman at MLW’s Saturday Night SuperFight pay-per-view earlier this month.
The build to Low Ki vs. Pillman began earlier this month with a backstage segment where — after Pillman lost to Austin Aries — Low Ki tried to give him advice about keeping his emotions in check. Pillman said Low Ki knows nothing about him. The next week, Pillman mocked Low Ki on an episode of H2tv.
A change to one of the bouts for Saturday Night SuperFight has also been announced, with Bestia 666 being added to Mance Warner and Jimmy Havoc’s Stairway to Hell match.
Saturday Night SuperFight will be available via traditional PPV and Fite TV. The one-hour pre-show starts at 7 p.m. Eastern time and will air for free on beIN Sports, MLW’s YouTube channel, Fite TV, inDemand, DirectTV, and Dish.
Here’s the updated lineup for the event:
MLW World Heavyweight Champion Jacob Fatu defending against LA Park in a no DQ match
MLW Middleweight Champion Teddy Hart defending against Austin Aries
MLW Tag Team Champions The Dynasty (MJF & Richard Holliday) defending against Ross & Marshall Von Erich in a Texas tornado tag match
Tom Lawlor vs. Timothy Thatcher
MLW National Openweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone defending against Davey Boy Smith Jr.
Mance Warner vs. Jimmy Havoc vs. Bestia 666 in a Stairway to Hell match
Low Ki vs. Brian Pillman Jr.
Gringo Loco, Puma King & Septimo Dragon vs. Injustice (Myron Reed, Jordan Oliver & Kotto Brazil)
Pre-show: Contra Unit (Simon Gotch & Ikuro Kwon) vs. Dominic Garrini & Douglas James vs. The Spirit Squad (Kenn Doane & Mike Mondo)
MLW has announced another match for next month’s War Chamber television tapings.
Austin Aries will face Brian Pillman Jr. at the event. It’s taking place at the NYTEX Sports Centre in North Richland Hills, Texas on Saturday, September 7.
Since returning to MLW in June, Aries has won matches against Adam Brooks and Ace Austin. MLW appears to be building to Aries challenging for Teddy Hart’s Middleweight Championship.
Pillman Jr. is part of The Hart Foundation with Teddy Hart & Davey Boy Smith Jr. At July’s Kings of Colosseum tapings, The Hart Foundation (Teddy Hart & Pillman Jr.) lost the MLW Tag Team titles to The Dynasty (MJF & Richard Holliday) in a ladder match.
Teddy Hart & Smith Jr. are challenging MJF & Holliday for the Tag Team titles in a two-out-of-three falls match at War Chamber. The show will be headlined by Tom Lawlor, Ross & Marshall Von Erich, and a partner facing Contra Unit (Jacob Fatu, Josef Samael, Simon Gotch & Ikuro Kwon) in a War Chamber match.
Kevin Von Erich will be in Lawler, Ross & Marshall’s corner for the match. The late Gary Hart will also be honored at the War Chamber tapings.
The MLW Tag Team titles will be on the line in a ladder match at Kings of Colosseum.
MLW has announced that The Hart Foundation (Teddy Hart & Brian Pillman Jr.) will defend their Tag Team titles against The Dynasty (MJF & Richard Holliday) in a ladder match at the promotion’s television tapings at Cicero Stadium in Cicero, Illinois on Saturday, July 6.
In another Hart Foundation vs. Dynasty match, Davey Boy Smith Jr. is challenging for Alexander Hammerstone’s National Openweight Championship at the Kings of Colosseum tapings. Smith & Hart were the Hart Foundation team that won the Tag Team titles, but Hart & Pillman are defending the titles in the ladder match.
MJF and Holliday attacked Hart on the most recent episode of MLW Fusion and took his Tag Team title belt.
Hart also holds the MLW Middleweight Championship.
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 Tag Team Champions The Hart Foundation (Teddy Hart & Brian Pillman Jr.) defending against The Dynasty (MJF & Richard Holliday) in a ladder match
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.
**********
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.
Mance Warner & Sami Callihan defeated El Hijo de LA Park & Ricky Martinez (presented by Salina de la Renta) (8:09)
Before they entered, we saw a pre-taped meeting of the minds between Warner and Callihan in the parking lot. They talked strategy before taking off for the liquor store.
We also saw a pre-tape from earlier this evening where the cameras caught up with Salina de la Renta and Martinez. De la Renta was asked about Low Ki’s contract status, when LA Park will be cashing in his title shot, and if they will be at next week’s World Championship match between “Filthy” Tom Lawlor and Avalanche Robert Dreissker. De la Renta just laughed and walked off.
If you were looking for a traditional two-on-two tag team encounter featuring Mance Warner and Sami Callihan, please think again. This match started as you would expect given that Warner and Callihan were teaming together. From the opening bell, these four went to the outside to brawl, chop, whip each other into the guardrail, chop some more, whip with camera cables, hit each other with umbrellas, and hit a few double-team moves before chopping each other some more.
They eventually made their way into the ring at the five-minute mark, with Hijo getting a two count after catching Warner with a superkick. Hijo was so enraged with the official’s apparent slow count that he began to grind above Warner, who showed his appreciation by punching Hijo in the groin.
Traditional tag rules were then in play as Callihan got on the apron and reached for a tag. Jim Cornette questioned why Callihan would now start following the rules after the wild brawl. Meanwhile, Warner was beat down some more with a double-team low blow into the ring post and a frog splash by Hijo, but after another grind by Hijo, Warner fought back with a headbutt to create a double down.
Callihan and Martinez got the hot tags, but it was Callihan who ran wild, eventually hitting Martinez with a piledriver to pick up the victory.
The brawl continued after the bell. Hijo jumped Callihan, Callihan tried to rip Hijo’s mask off, and Martinez tried to tear Callihan’s nose off his face. They brawled on the outside and then through the crowd and out of sight.
– The cameras caught up with the four wrestlers backstage, but LA Park joined the fight and a three-on-two beatdown followed. While Callihan was floored, de la Renta joined her henchmen and grabbed him by the face and rubbed salt into the wound. Promociones Dorado walked off with Warner and Callihan laying on the floor.
– Another hype video aired for the returning Austin Aries.
Minoru Tanaka defeated Daga (10:18)
A fantastic technical matchup that turned very stiff towards the end. The commentary team hyped this being Mexican strong style vs. one of the originators of Japanese strong style.
Tanaka took the early advantage after a spinning side kick and a middle rope missile dropkick. After Daga kicked out at two, Tanaka immediately locked in an armbar, but Daga then rolled through and switched to a rear naked choke.
Daga had the advantage and hit a running headscissor takedown, then two dives to the outside: a suicide dive through the ropes and a middle rope springboard corkscrew splash that floored both of them.
Back inside, Daga missed a double foot stomp. Tanaka was able to roll him up in a heel hook, but Daga stretched and just about reached the rope to break the hold. Tanaka kept his attack focused on the lower limbs of Daga with a dropkick to the knee. Daga tried to take a breather on the outside, but Tanaka hit him with an Asai moonsault from the middle rope down to the floor.
Daga had to fight through the pain in his ankle to eventually get Tanaka with a double stomp to the neck and a superkick to the jaw, but he only managed a two count. Daga then got an ankle lock of his own and a dropkick to the knee. But as Cornette called it, “When Daga goes low, Tanaka goes high” when Tanaka caught Daga with a kick to the face.
They traded forearms until Daga flipped Tanaka over in a hurricanrana and got the closest two count of the match so far. He came millimeters close again seconds later with a German suplex, but again Tanaka kicked out at the last possible moment.
Daga was looking to finish Tanaka off but ran straight into an enzuigiri to the back of the head. Tanaka then rolled up Daga in a cross armbreaker and grabbed the leg, which rolled Daga onto his shoulder for the referee to count the three.
– We had MJF on his cell phone cutting a promo on the Von Erich brothers, who are coming to MLW. He said the Von Erich dynasty is a thing of the past and there is only one true Dynasty in MLW — and that is his.
– A pre-taped video promo from Contra Unit aired next. They called out Barrington Hughes again and brought up Jacob Fatu’s quick victory last week. They turned their attention to Tom Lawlor and warned the MLW Heavyweight Champion that Contra Unit are here, and the mighty will fall next week.
– We then had a rebuttal from Lawlor, who said that he has been all around the world in the best countries in the world, and also some war zones and he is ready for his next challenger: Avalanche. He said that, like an Avalanche, when Robert Dreissker reaches the top of the mountain, he will crumble.
– We then saw a quick shot of a poll given to the MLW fans, asking who should be Lawlor’s next opponent. Davey Boy Smith Jr. won the poll and Rich Bocchini said officials were discussing potential dates for that match.
Brian Pillman Jr. defeated Rich Swann (w/ Myron Reed) in a National Openweight Championship tournament semifinal match (6:44)
Referee Doug Markham inspected Swann and Reed for foreign objects, only furthering their hatred towards the MLW officials. Markham threatened to raise Pillman’s hand if Swann didn’t get into the ring and start the match. He did — but it wasn’t long before Reed was interfering, helping Swann to kick out of an early pinfall attempt.
Reed got on the apron and distracted the official, which helped Swann kick out of another pin. Pillman got his revenge when, after dodging a clothesline from Swann, he dropkicked through the ropes right into Reed’s face.
Pillman then hit a springboard crossbody for a close two count, but when hitting the 10 punches in the corner, Reed pulled Pillman off the ropes behind the referee’s back.
Swann had the advantage again after Reed’s continued interference and kept on the Hart Foundation member, wearing him down and distracting the referee whenever he could so Reed could get his cheap shots in.
Swann hit a huge kick to the head and a DDT, then got in the referee’s face and told him to count the pinfall correctly. Pillman kicked out at two, so Swann was enraged with the referee, who was having none of Swann’s intimidation games and shoved him down to the mat.
Reed got on the apron, but Pillman ran Swann into Reed and O’Connor rolled him up for the win — with assistance from the quick count from the referee.
– Backstage, Kaci Lennox was with Alexander Hammerstone. She asked him about Pillman being his opponent in the finals of the National Openweight title tournament. Hammerstone talked up being bigger than Pillman and said just because Pillman’s dad was a great wrestler, doesn’t make Pillman one himself.
Hammerstone said Pillman will have the best seat in the house — lying on his back looking up — when Hammerstone is crowned the National Openweight Champion. He said when that happens, Pillman will not be making his dad proud.
Next week —
MLW World Heavyweight Champion Tom Lawlor defends against Avalanche Robert Dreissker
Ace Romero & Barrington Hughes vs. Contra Unit (Jacob Fatu & Josef Samael)
Two names have been added to the Double or Nothing Over The Budget Battle Royale.
This week’s episode of Road to Double or Nothing added former WCW star Glacier and MLW’s Brian Pillman Jr. to the battle royale. Glacier talked about being in the match, saying that he’ll be facing people half his age but they’re going to find out how good he still is.
Sonny Kiss, Brandon Cutler, Kip Sabian and Ace Romero have already been announced as a part of the battle royale.
Other matches that have been set for the show include PAC vs. Hangman page, SCU vs. CIMA and two members of the Oriental Wrestling Entertainment roster, Britt Baker vs. Nyla Rose vs. Kylie Rae, The Young Bucks vs. Lucha Bros. for the AAA World Tag Team titles and Kenny Omega vs. Chris Jericho.
Double or Nothing will take place on May 25 at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Mystery tag team match: Brian Pillman Jr. & Davey Boy Smith Jr. defeated Tommy Dreamer & The Sandman
Full rundown —
The opening video has been updated to include the Hart Foundation’s Doomsday Destroyer and Tom Lawlor winning the MLW World Heavyweight Championship from last week.
We opened from the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia with a quick recap of last week’s episode showing the final moments and title celebrations from Lawlor and the Hart Foundation.
Myron Reed defeated DJZ (6:24)
DJZ hit a combination of a dropkick, jawbreaker, and springboard back elbow to take the upper hand early on. Reed took a breather on the outside, but DJZ had other ideas and landed a suicide dive from the apron through the ropes, in front of the ring post, onto Reed on the outside.
DJZ followed up inside the ring with a splash and a springboard moonsault, but Reed got his knees up. This gave Reed the opportunity to land a huge dive to the outside of his own.
Back in the ring, DJZ hit a neckbreaker — but Reed was able to fight back and hit his suplex into a stunner combination and quickly a middle rope springboard cutter for a close two count. He jaw-jacked with the referee, which seemed to cost him some precious time as DJZ cut him off on the top rope and joined him up there.
Reed kicked DJZ off and hoped to land a flipping whoopee cushion, but DJZ caught him and planted him with a powerbomb. DJZ tried to follow up with the DZT, but Reed blocked it. DJZ then tried an O’Connor roll — but Reed rolled through, grabbed the tights, and held on for the win.
– H2TV was back with Teddy Hart and Brian Pillman Jr. for a Valentine’s Day Q&A session. Pillman was asked what girlfriend he will spend Valentine’s Day with, and Hart was asked what pussy (cat) he would be spending it with. They were asked if Davey Boy Smith Jr. is single and if he is as big as he looks on TV. Hart finished by saying that Pillman has gold in his future.
Gringo Loco defeated Puma King (7:37)
They quickly leapt into arm drags, roll-throughs, flips, and leg sweeps. Loco’s headscissors was reversed, and both tried pinfalls before nipping up at the same time to the adulation of the crowd.
Puma King took a cheap shot to take the advantage and bit Loco’s ear to add insult. Loco fought back and hit his headscissors, but Puma King quickly hit one of his own and followed up with a springboard splash to the outside.
A crossbody and superkick followed in the ring as Puma King stayed on the advantage. He evaded Loco by rolling out of the ring but was not expecting him to immediately spring over the top rope and land a rolling dive.
Back in the ring, Loco went up top and hit a second rope corkscrew elbow for a two count. Puma King fought back with a jumping codebreaker and rolled through into a Camel Clutch pinning combination for a two count of his own.
After an exchange on the top rope, Loco leapt off and hit a huge springboard middle rope cutter — but Puma King got his shoulder up at the last moment. Puma King came close with a Code Red but was visibly frustrated after another two count. He was then crotched on the top rope as he took too much time but caught Loco and took him off the top with a headscissor takeover.
Puma King sprung to the opposite corner — but Loco caught him again and was able to hit a huge Spanish Fly from the top rope to pick up the win.
– Matt Striker hyped up that we would be hearing from Pentagon Jr. and Fenix tonight on their future with MLW.
– MJF was backstage talking about Teddy Hart. He said he doesn’t get Hart and he wants the admiration that Hart gets. He wants the fans to thank him for being the good role model that Hart can’t be. MJF said that next week — he will beat down Teddy Hart and win back his MLW Middleweight Championship that he never lost.
– Cameras caught up with Tommy Dreamer earlier in the parking lot. He said Pillman should be honored to be in this building. He said Pillman is everything he doesn’t like — Pillman is coming to his house and will be lucky to make it out alive.
– We then had a Jimmy Havoc hype video saying that he will be back.
Brian Pillman Jr. & Davey Boy Smith Jr. defeated Tommy Dreamer & The Sandman (8:07)
Pillman came out himself and took the mic. He said he isn’t going to step into the ring with a washed up ECW junkie. He has the constitutional right to choose his own partner, and he picked Davey Boy Smith Jr.
Dreamer’s partner needed no introduction as the sounds of Metallica introduced The Sandman to the Philadelphia loyal. We got the full five-minute entrance — including fans downing beers, a Teddy Hart embrace, and The Sandman mopping up some tactically spilled beverage from some women.
Sandman made his way to the ring apron as the final chords played and he finished his sixth beer of the evening. Well, there is no way I can confirm that for a fact. He finished his sixth beer of his entrance and spat the last drops in Smith’s face.
The technical catch-as-catch-can masterpiece we were all hoping for was quickly ruined as, unpredictably, the action immediately spilled to the outside for a fist fight. Sandman smashed a beer over Pillman’s head, then Dreamer rammed him face-first into a fan’s boot.
In the ring, the ECW originals hit a double back elbow and double elbow drop. Sandman chopped and booted Pillman in the corner before Dreamer got in for some of his own.
Smith hit Dreamer from the apron to give the Hart Foundation the upper hand. Pillman hit a side Russian leg sweep to insult Sandman. Smith came in, legally this time, and hit Dreamer with a huge standing vertical suplex for a two count.
Dreamer had some hope with a DDT and got the hot tag to Sandman. He ran wild over Pillman with right hands and a white Russian leg sweep that Smith broke up the cover on. Out of nowhere, Dreamer hit a big cutter on Smith as Sandman found a Singapore cane and began to stalk Pillman around the ring.
Pillman scrambled in all four corners, finding his own cane, a piece of broken table, and finally a human being to stop Sandman in his tracks. Pillman lifted the hood off the ring dweller to reveal the Blue Meanie! Sandman went for the cane shot, Pillman pulled Meanie in front of him, and Meanie showed his true colors and waffled Pillman with a right hand. Sandman finally got his cane shot in.
In the ring, Dreamer had set up two chairs facing each other. He went for a Spiccoli driver on Smith, but Pillman hit him in the face with the Singapore cane. That gave Smith the opportunity to slip off and hit a big Pillman-assisted powerbomb through the chairs for the win. Dreamer and Sandman received a standing ovation as they left the ring.
– We cut backstage to see Pentagon Jr. & Fenix. Fenix said the Lucha Bros are here to take over the world as they are the best tag team in the world. Pentagon followed up saying they wrestle wherever they want, when they want, and they don’t care who it’s against. They will be in Chicago next month, they are staying in MLW, and they will be waiting for any tag team.
– Before the show went off the air, we cut to Lawlor staggering out of a club at 8 a.m. He just had an all-nighter with the MLW World Heavyweight Championship and said the work is never done when you’re “Filthy” Tom Lawlor.
Next week —
Teddy Hart defends the MLW Middleweight title against MJF.
