Tag: filthy tom lawlor

NJPW Strong results: Tom Lawlor vs. Karl Fredericks

Posted on by Justin Knipper

Tonight was the first show of NJPW’s Ignition tour.

Fred Yehi and Wheeler Yuta defeated The DKC and Kevin Knight

Karl Fredericks earned tonight’s title shot by eliminating the current STRONG Openweight champion, “Filthy” Tom Lawlor, from an eight-man elimination tag team match on the show a few weeks back.

Yehi lifted DKC with one arm and slammed him to the mat early on in a nice display of power. Knight and DKC joined up moments later to double-hip toss the larger Yehi into the center of the ring. The Young Lions were aggressive with their double-team offense against Yehi, a logical strategy from the younger and less experienced team.

Yehi finally tagged out to a fresh Wheeler Yuta, who worked Knight over for a bit. At the five-minute mark, Yuta went to whip Knight into the ropes, but Knight reversed it, then landed a spectacular dropkick. Kevin Kelly accurately compared with legend Doug Furnas’ dropkick.

DKC tagged in and he and Yehi got into it with DKC getting the better of things this time around. DKC is unique in that he incorporates a karate-wrestling hybrid style of offense. I can’t really compare it with anything else other than Yoshi Kwan in early ‘90s WCW.

Yuta and Knight traded elbows and near falls towards the finish, but Yuta used a modified armlock cradle to pin Knight in 7:47.

Clark Connors defeated Rocky Romero

This was good. Connors went for a single-leg takedown early. They grappled for a few minutes with Connor as the aggressor. Romero was able to slow things down and put Connors in a headlock, but Connors exploded out of that. The two traded chops and elbows. Romero took Connors out with a lariat but wasn’t able to connect well due to slight exhaustion.

Romero hit a missile dropkick from the top ropes while Connors was draped over the ropes nearby. He started laying it in later, throwing Connors to the floor with a headscissors, then ran off the apron and caught him with a flying knee strike.

Romero blasted Connors with low kicks later in the match. When he went for Sliced Bread, Connors bounced off the opposite ropes and took Romero out with a spear. After a snap powerslam off the ropes, Connors used an authoritative backdrop suplex bomb on Romero for the pin in around ten minutes. This was Connors’ first singles win over Romero.

In the post-match interview, Connors was pumped. He explained how many times he had wrestled and lost to Romero in the past, which made his win that much sweeter. The rise of the “Wild Rhino” continues.

STRONG Openweight title match: “Filthy” Tom Lawlor (c) defeated Karl Fredericks to retain

Lawlor came to the ring with Team Filthy soldier JR Kratos. Aghast with Lawlor’s cocky-guy Flair strut, Kevin Kelly cried out that “Jackie Fargo is rolling in his grave.”

Lawlor threw hand-strikes and low kicks early on. As soon as Fredericks would gain any momentum, Lawlor would back into the corner for a rope break. He consulted Kratos at ringside.

Fredericks went for an armlock minutes later, but Lawlor escaped and went for a leg lock before Fredericks grabbed the bottom rope for a break. Fredericks would begin to get the upper hand once again, but Lawlor slipped under the bottom rope to the floor to regroup.

Back in the ring, Lawlor feigned a collar-and-elbow tie-up with Fredericks, then laid in a big knee to Fredericks’ gut followed by a few chops. Fredericks answered back with a hard shoulder block. The 6’1” Fredericks would then whip Lawlor into the ropes and leapfrog over him as if he were SANADA before landing a picture-perfect cross-body block. This man is limber.

When Fredericks charged at Lawlor in the corner, Lawlor ducked and back-body dropped Fredericks over the top and to the floor. Lawlor would work over Fredericks on the floor until the count of 15, where he’d then roll in and out of the ring in order to restart the count. In this ring-out, Lawlor ambushed Fredericks and clotheslined him over a guardrail. Lawlor would eventually re-enter the ring and leave Fredericks outside, but the “Alpha Wolf” was able to make it back into the ring at the count of 16.

Lawlor locked Fredericks in a cravat while throwing knee strikes. He took Fredericks down to the mat and laid in more low kicks. When Lawlor went for a running Penalty Kick, Fredericks caught his leg, stood up and threw chops. Ten minutes had elapsed at this point. Lawlor locked in a guillotine choke after jumping guard but Fredericks broke the hold with a rope break. Lawlor used a big slam that laid Fredericks out.

Moments later, Lawlor and Fredericks would exchange even harder strikes in the corner. When Fredericks went for his Shibata-inspired running dropkick in the corner, Lawlor launched himself at Fredericks with a spinning European uppercut. He locked in a standing ankle lock next but Fredericks escaped after connecting with a Pele kick which announcer Alex Koslov called an “impaler kick.”

Fredericks finally connected with the running dropkick but he could only garner a two-count. Fifteen minutes had gone by when Fredericks had Lawlor in a crossface submission. Lawlor escaped after pulling Fredericks’ hair and reversing the hold into a crossface of his own, but again it was for naught as Fredericks escaped to his feet. Lawlor blatantly pulled Fredericks’ hair again, but this time Fredericks countered into Manifest Destiny, his finisher. Lawlor looked to be out but was right next to the ropes, so he draped his leg over the bottom to break the count.

The two would then fight for leverage on the top rope. After a minute of back-and-forth exchanges, Lawlor planted Fredericks with a falling DDT off the top rope. Lawlor then used the PK to put Fredericks away at 18:04.

Afterward, Lawlor extended Fredericks his hand. He and Kratos lifted him off the mat. When Fredericks finally went to shake Lawlor’s hand, “Filthy” threw another low kick at Fredericks’ leg. He’d then strangled Fredericks as Kratos trash-talked until Satoshi Kojima came out for the save. When Kojima went to lariat his head off, Lawlor escaped from the ring.

“Hey! Tom Lawlor! Listen: I’m next challenger. . . I will kick your ass.”

Kojima’s short and sweet words for Lawlor indicated that he’ll likely be facing off with “Filthy” Tom soon for a chance at the STRONG Openweight championship. Lawlor was visibly furious as he headed to the back.

Final thoughts:

This was a solid episode that really felt like it was all about the main event. Fredericks and Lawlor had a great match, but I think their next down the road will be even better. I’m also looking forward to seeing more of Fred Yehi and Wheeler Yuta in action this summer based on how impressive they looked in tonight’s opener.

‘Filthy’ Tom Lawlor retires from MMA following PFL victory

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: PFL

The 14-year MMA career of “Filthy” Tom Lawlor has come to an end.

The emotional 38-year-old put his gloves in the cage following his unanimous decision win over Jordan Young at PFL 5 Thursday despite still being in the fourth and final playoff spot with the victory.

Lawlor, co-host of Filthy Four Daily with Bryan Alvarez on this website, leaves the sport with an 11-8-0-1 mark with no MMA titles to his name. 

Known for wearing various outfits to weigh-ins and to the cage during the time when UFC allowed such things, Lawlor was the victim of a two-year suspension from USADA in late-2016 for failing for Ostarine. He denied ever knowingly taking the drug, but any appeals and release requests so he could fight elsewhere were denied.

The UFC then released him less than two months before his suspension was up. Following a 2019 Ostarine violation by another fighter that resulted in a much shorter suspension, USADA admitted that if the case came up later, Lawlor’s punishment wouldn’t have been as long.

After becoming a three-time National Collegiate Wrestling Association champion at the University of Central Florida, Lawlor’s fighting career started in March 2007 and after six fights, he got an opportunity to be on the eighth season of The Ultimate Fighter (Frank Mir vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira). As part of Team Mir at light heavyweight, he lost in his first fight to Ryan Bader via first round knockout.

During his 6-5 run at middleweight, he picked up wins over Patrick Cote, CB Dollaway and Gian Villante while losing to eventual middleweight champion Chris Weidman and Corey Anderson.

After losing to Deron Winn on the undercard of the Oscar De La Hoya-promoted Tito Ortiz vs. Chuck Liddell III show, he signed with PFL. He had lost his debut against Antonio Carlos Junior (aka “Shoeface”) before Thursday’s win.

Lawlor resumed his pro wrestling career in 2014 and has already made a name for himself with his run in MLW (World Champion, Opera Cup winner, Battle Riot winner) and New Japan Pro Wrestling where he is the first-ever Strong Openweight Champion. He also frequently works for various indie promotions.

.@FilthyTomLawlor removes his gloves and places them at the center of the cage — despite currently sitting in fourth place in the 2021 PFL Light Heavyweight standings, which would qualify him for the Playoffs. Keep an eye on this situation as it develops. #2021PFL5
ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/hY0Gw3ETPU

— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 17, 2021

F4D: Tom Lawlor on Shingo vs. Okada, Mayweather vs. Paul, plenty more

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Filthy Four Daily with Bryan Alvarez and Filthy Tom Lawlor is back with tons to talk about including SmackDown, New Japan Strong, Okada vs. Shingo for the IWGP World title, Logan Paul vs. Floyd Mayweather and tons more!

A fun show as always so check it out in beautiful HD live every week or via replay at video.f4wonline.com! Click JOIN today!

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F4D: Tom Lawlor on what’s next for him in PFL, New Japan Strong

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Filthy Four Daily with “Filthy” Tom Lawlor and I is back with tons to talk about including his PFL fight this past weekend, what’s next in MMA for him, recaps of last Friday’s SmackDown with Daniel Bryan banished, New Japan Strong, and tons more.

A fun show as always so check it out in beautiful HD at video.f4wonline.com. Click JOIN today!

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NJPW Strong results: New Japan Cup USA 2021 finals

Posted on by Justin Knipper

Team Filthy (JR Kratos and Chris Dickinson) defeated Clark Connors and TJP

Good, hard-hitting opener. Connors got the tar beaten out of him in this match. Kratos launched him across the ring with a vertical suplex at one point. When Connors finally could tag out to partner TJP, the LA Dojo alum came into the match to clean the proverbial house. There was a spot where Connors had Dickinson in a Boston crab, while TJP locked Kratos in an octopus hold, a move symbolic of Antonio Inoki, founder of the first NJPW dojo in California.

Kratos powered out of the hold. Dickinson later spiked Connors with a brainbuster for two. The finish saw Connors try throwing Kratos in a Boston crab, but Kratos muscled out and reversed the hold into a huge wheelbarrow suplex for the win.

Rocky Romero defeated Wheeler Yuta via submission

Tonight saw Wheeler Yuta make his NJPW Strong debut. He looked very good despite the loss, which came across more as a “you’re-worthy-of-us” loss than anything. Yuta was in ROH’s Pure title tournament last year, and before that has traveled around the world working with various independents. It’s clear how much he has honed his craft and transformed his body over the past few years.

We saw smooth mat wrestling from both at the beginning. Romero went after Yuta’s left arm. The NJPW neophyte answered later with a forward-facing figure-four type submission before Romero could break the hold by grabbing hold of the bottom rope.

Yuta landed a nice flying cross body attack later on, then threw Romero into a figure four-STF submission hold. Romero escaped again, and later put Yuta on the mat with a low springboard dropkick. Romero delivered a sharp counter-kick into Yuta’s face, but Yuta ate it and immediately answered with a German suplex for two. Romero rallied back and put Yuta down with Sliced Bread, and eventually got him to tap out in an armbar after spending much of the match attacking Yuta’s arm.

This was good. Yuta is a good fit with the current roster.

NJPW Cup USA 2021 Finals: “Filthy” Tom Lawlor defeated Brody King via TKO to win the New Japan USA Cup and the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship

There’s not much better in life than a brawl, is there? Lawlor threw low kicks early. The much bigger King outmuscled Lawlor into the corner soon after, then laid in a few hard forearms into Lawlor’s chest. There was pensive energy from the match and between the two early in this. The volume and intensity started to rise when King threw a few huge knife-edged chops that sounded to echo throughout the venue. Lawlor rolled to the floor when he could for an early breather.

Lawlor tried trapping King outside the ring, baiting him to make chase. King didn’t bite, then quickly recovered, going right back on offense. He had Lawlor placed prone in the red corner when he went for a running cannonball, but Lawlor slipped out of the ring and out of harm’s way. “Filthy” Tom immediately went after King’s legs, smashing them against the ring post while on the floor. He stomped on King’s fingers, too. Lawlor kept King on the floor for as long as he could and took advantage of every second. After whipping King into the guardrail and working over his arm some more, Lawlor rolled back into the ring. The referee started the ring-out count, but King rolled in at the count of 13.

Lawlor tried knocking King off his feet with a few lariats, but King wouldn’t budge. He answered with a senton, squashing Lawlor. The two had another series of chops before King used an exploder to fold Lawlor into the corner post. He then connected with the same cannonball he’d attempted earlier on.

Later, Lawlor jumped onto King and locked on a guillotine choke. King carried Lawlor to the corner, placed him on top of the turnbuckle, then superplexed him off the top for two.

Lawlor recovered and threw on an ankle lock. King wouldn’t tap, so Lawlor flipped King to his back and used a jacknife pin, but King countered that and turned it into a jumping piledriver. After another close nearfall, King, exhausted, dropped a few more hammer forearms on Lawlor before the Filthy one powered up and planted King with an awesome-looking uranage. KIng kicked out at one and seemed to power up. He charged at Lawlor, who parried and dropkicked King low, in the knees. He locked in an STF, but no dice for Lawlor. He kicked King hard in the back with a penalty kick. On the next attempt, King caught his leg. Lawlor countered and locked in a rear naked choke, which neutralized King almost completely. Then, finally, Lawlor ripped King in the chest with a running PK, then put King in the same rear naked choke hold he used earlier. King let out a death rattle before losing consciousness; the referee eventually called for the bell.

“Filthy” Tom Lawlor is this year’s New Japan Cup USA 2021 winner, as well as the first-ever New Japan Strong Openweight Champion. NJPW’s Kaname. Tezuka presented Lawlor his giant New Japan Cup USA trophy and his Strong Openweight title belt. JR Kratos and Chris Dickinson celebrated in the ring with Lawlor after the match.

Lawlor said this win had been “a long time comin’” and that he was now, in fact, the strongest competitor on the NJPW roster. He explained how this part of the show is usually when someone comes out and challenges the victor, so he insisted his next opponent come out and face him. No one came out. Lawlor explained that’s what he figured would happen. Lawlor’s music hit, but suddenly, we realized who Lawlor’s next opponent would be: Chris Dickinson, or Lawlor’s team mate, took the mic and challenged Lawlor for his newly-won championship. Lawlor and Kratos were shocked. The new champion asked, “Is this really the right time to do this?” Dickinson answered that it was.

Final thoughts: King and Lawlor had a hell of a match tonight. It was basically a hardcore match without weapons. The story was great, and the last couple minutes of this were top-notch pro wrestling. I don’t know how else to describe it other than just that. Nothing flashy, nothing kitschy, just two fighters fightin’. Go out of your way to watch this over the weekend, and congratulations to the first-ever member of the F4W Empire  to simultaneously hold a New Japan title. History has been made.

NJPW Strong results: Eight-man tag team acton

Posted on by Justin Knipper

Clark Connors defeated Logan Riegel

Riegel came out with his twin brother, Sterling, in his corner. The DKC accompanied Connors to the ring tonight.

Riegel and Connors have had rivalry that’s simmering to a boil, a competitive matchup that really got going earlier this year in the semi-finals of Lion’s Break Crown tournament.

Connors used a sharp chop to the back against Riegel, and later snapped him over with a suplex not unlike the one Dynamite Kid would use.

Riegel made a comeback five minutes into the match with a snap suplex. He landed a slingblade to Connors, who was on the apron. When both were back in the ring, the pace kicked up a notch. The two traded lots of attempts at big moves, but it was only until Connors drilled Riegel with a spear that something connected. With under three minutes left in the match, Connors slapped on a Boston crab, which got Logan Riegel to tap almost immediately. Great stuff from both here.

Post-match, the DKC celebrated with Connors and mentioned that the two would “keep their roll goin’,” with DKC hopefully being next in line for a win.

Juice Robinson and ACH defeated Jordan Clearwater and Adrian Quest

Really good match for the amount of time it was given. It was short, but impressive. Clearwater and Robinson are really tall, and just about the same height, which is rare to see in NJPW these days in that they may be two of the tallest guys on the roster at the moment, excluding Hikuleo and regular NJPW guest, Brody King.

Robinson and Clearwater offered a nice exchange to a stalemate a few minutes in. ACH and Quest were in next, with the action feeling more explosive. I didn’t recognize Quest for a minute; he has a new blonde hairdo.

Robinson and ACH took control at around the five minute mark. Robinson was loud in his trash-talking, and Clearwater’s jaw jacking was effective as well. The Karl Anderson trainee made a hot tag a few moments later, clearing the ring. He and Robinson might turn out to be perfect rivals for one other down the road–  both are tall, lean dudes who move with a lot more ease than others their size.

A few minutes later, ACH and Quest were going at it, with Quest going for a walk-up swinging DDT that ACH blocked. ACH sent Quest spinning full rotation. ACH then spiked Quest with a brainbuster that’d make Dean Malenko proud, which got him the three count, to boot. 

What’s low-key notable about this was how great ACH was throughout. I didn’t notice him using much aerial offense in the ring lately, which is wild because if you’re reading this and are familiar with ACH, you know how good the guy is. Hoping he can make it to NJPW proper by next year to see some action.

Before the next match, a video package pumping up the main event came on featuring tonight’s team leaders, Jeff Cobb and “Filthy” Tom Lawlor. Cobb, who was wearing an awesome Stan Hansen shirt, explained that he wanted redemption from Rust Taylor for what happened after the match in last week’s episode, where Team Filthy went after Cobb. 

Lawlor, in an equally awesome Street Fighter II: Turbo parody shirt that read “FILTHY FIGHTING: TURBO,” appeared and explained that since he came to NJPW, his goal was to make a name for himself. He said that he left undefeated at Lion’s Break Collision earlier in the year, and that now that he’s back, he was there to stake his claim and prove why he should be at the top of the proverbial food chain. 

Cobb went on to explain how he was going to beat each one of the Team Filthy members, but also said he’d might as well beat them all up at once, like here, tonight.

Team Filthy (Tom Lawlor, JR Kratos, Rust Taylor & Danny Limelight) defeated Jeff Cobb, Fred Rosser, Rocky Romero, PJ Black

Team Filthy slid to the floor as soon as Cobb’s team entered the ring. The team strategized for a second, then pulled a Nexus, surrounding or engulfing all four corners of the ring before the bell. Remember, Rosser and Black were actually part of the original Nexus team ten years ago.

Once we heard the ding, all eight men went at it, total bedlam for a few seconds until things the ref settled things down. Cobb and Danny Limelight were in first, but Rocky Romero tagged in quickly and went after him hard, revenge for Limelight’s sneak attack on last week’s episode. Romero hung Limelight in a stalling vertical suplex, then tagged out to PJ Black and passed Limelight off mid-plex. Black then passed Limelight on to Rosser, who finally planted Limelight back first against the canvas.

The babyface team manhandled Limelight in their corner for a few minutes until Lawlor found an opening to tag Limelight out, or tag himself in, where he and Rosser then got into it. The two faced off on the last episode of NJPW Strong, as well. Lawlor landed a draping German suplex, laying Rosser out before stripping down from his regular jean shorts to his smaller, tighter battle shorts. 

He then tagged out to JR Kratos, new resident monster, as he brutalized Rosser with giant hammer strikes, suplexes and elbow drops before he tagged out to submission technician Rust Taylor. He immediately went to work on Rosser’s injured arm, locking him in a leg-hammerlock.

Team Filthy continued on working over Rosser, each member tagging in and out frequently and keeping Rosser in the blue corner before Rosser escaped, finally, and tagged out to ex-Nexus partner PJ Black. Black flew around the ring and tried hard to take out the much larger Kratos, as well as most of the other team. He looks good on offense almost always, especially this year.

The babyfaces were able to gain the upper hand a few minutes later, and at one point, Romero even had the team doing Forever Clotheslines in the corner on F4W’s “Filthy” Tom. Cobb landed his signature standing moonsault for two. Limelight made an appearance and beat on Romero for a few seconds until he was chased back out of the ring. Lawlor was able to lock on a rear naked choke, then went for a suplex but Romero reversed that into a surprise cradle for two. Lawlor was able to land the exploder suplex, eventually, then locked the sleeper hold back on, putting Romero out and picking up the win for his team. 

Team Filthy looked dominant here. If booked the right way, these four could become something bigger than I think anyone would expect, though that’s to be seen down the road. After all, we don’t know what the plan is for Team Filthy going into 2021.

After the match, Lawlor and his cohorts (his words) celebrated their win backstage. Lawlor said he wanted to “clear the air” and explain that Team Filthy wasn’t exactly a faction, but simply the best damn fighters on the roster who got together to help each other achieve their NJPW goals. I mean, I think technically that may be considered a faction, but hey, who am I to question “Filthy” Tom? They’re not a fight team but a “fight dream,” according to Rust Taylor.

Final thoughts:

Another solid show from the NJPW Strong crew. The first bout between Connors and Riegel was great. The tag match was really good but again, short, and that’s not necessarily bad. Think of it as a possible preview of what could become NJPW’s future prime players, depending on whether ACH, Clearwater and Quest will make it Japan next year–Juice is already part of the main mix, living overseas now.

If you’re someone who has kept up with the current crop of episodes, anything post-Lion’s Break Crown, you’ll enjoy this episode because it felt like it focused more on building deeper characters. Team Filthy could be the start of something very interesting, cool but also fresh, a “real threat” as Kratos worded it in the backstage promo. But he’s right, because one thing NJPW Strong has lacked this year is a lingering presence of threat, not just a week here and there when KENTA and Jay White are scheduled to appear. 

Team Filthy could fill the void if booked properly, and so far, so good. But that all depends on what the world looks like in 2021. All in all, yet another great episode of NJPW Strong.

Davey Boy Smith Jr., ‘Filthy’ Tom Lawlor announced for Bloodsport

Posted on by Josh Nason

The third edition of Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport saw several new names added over the last few days including two men that faced off against each other at last year’s event.

Barnett announced Monday that Davey Boy Smith Jr. will return for the third time and try to remain a perfect 3-0. The news follows Sunday’s announcement that former UFC light heavyweight and current PFL fighter “Filthy” Tom Lawlor will also return for action.

Smith and Lawlor faced each other at the second Bloodsport with Smith picking up a knockout win. This will be Lawlor’s second Bloodsport as he was part of the inaugural Matt Riddle version and submitted by WALTER.

Barnett also announced Sunday that longtime wXw veteran Alexander James will make his Bloodsport debut.

The three men join a lineup that includes Barnett, AEW World Champion Jon Moxley, Impact Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo, Homicide, Killer Kelly, Chris Dickinson, Calvin Tankman, Josh Alexander, Erik Hammer, Lindsay Snow and Kal Jak. No matchups have been announced as of yet.

The event is scheduled for Sunday, October 11th as part of GCW’s rescheduled The Collective weekend in Indianapolis, IN, originally slated for the canceled WrestleMania weekend in Tampa, Florida.

F4D: SemperFilthy’s Otoko Matsuri; UFC Vegas recap

Posted on by Mike Sempervive

Guess who’s back?

Following Saturday’s UFC Vegas 11 at the APEX, “Filthy” Tom Lawlor and I jumped on Twitch to join all of our homies for a MAN FESTIVAL and to run down everything that took place on the show.

This show isn’t just about a guy wearing a championship belt to hide their coconut tree and reminiscing about a horrorcore rapper threatening to kill them. Oh no, “Filthy” is a seasoned pro who breaks down Mackenzie Dern’s submission win, training with Kevin Holland, Khamzat Chimaev’s so-called record, being Florida bound, Florida Man Colby being pretty great, THE RULES, and so much more.

I also add words, am old, stir up fights, fill time, insult people, hawk my pride and is assaulted by my bastard son, all while trying my best which is really what counts. 

It truly is the post-fight show of the people, and for the people. It’s SEMPER FILTHY’S OTOKO MATSURI~!

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F4D: ‘Filthy’ Tom & Sempervive say goodbye to UFC Fight Island

Posted on by F4W Staff

Recorded live on Twitch late Saturday night, MMA fighter and pro wrestler “Filthy” Tom Lawlor and Wrestling Observer Live co-host Mike Sempervive reunited to talk about the really fun UFC show from Yas Island in Abu Dhab iand what we’ve learned as this four pack of events on Fight Island have wrapped.

Plus, the guys talk about Tom’s recent adventures in Paradigm Pro Wrestling, fighting under UWFI rules against fellow MLW roster member Calvin Tankman and his New Japan Lion’s Break match against Alex Coughlin, plus a whole lot more.

A fun show as always, so check it out~!

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F4D: ‘Filthy’ Tom & Sempervive head to UFC Fight Island

Posted on by Mike Sempervive

Image: USA Today

Recorded live Saturday night from our mighty Twitch channel, the highly tuned New Japan Lions Break athlete “Filthy” Tom Lawlor joined me for our extra professional UFC 251 post-show that says ‘Yas’ to the island life.

Counter-programmed by New Japan Pro Wrestling and due to the pay-per-view going VERY long, we analyze the entire show and I attempt to get Tom’s thoughts on UFC 100 plus his match next weekend against Calvin Tankman. It’s a fun show, as always, so check it out~!

FYI: Here’s all the details on how you can watch Wrestling Observer Live and other shows every day free on our Twitch stream.

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Left My Wallet: ‘Filthy’ Tom 1991 MTV Rock N’ Jock B-Ball Jam watchalong

Posted on by Antonio Garza

This week’s Left My Wallet is back with another watchalong as “Filthy” Tom Lawlor and I check out the first ever MTV Rock N’Jock B-Ball Jam from 1991.

Join us as we hop into the wayback machine for this this star-studded game featuring coaches Magic Johnson and “Coach” Craig T. Nelson’s Bricklayers and Violators.

The game featured Will Smith when he was in the first season of Fresh Prince of Bel Air; 90210’s Luke Perry aka the father of Jungle Boy; Mark Wahlberg when he was simply known as Marky Mark, Flea before the Red Hot Chili Peppers became household names, Jaleel White aka Steve Urkel exhibiting his killer crossover, and Morris Chestnut duking it out with NBA Hall-of-Famer Reggie Miller for MVP honors.

There’s also a dunk contest with Wahlberg, Flea, and Perry, a game of HORSE on actual horses, and Wahlberg using every chance he could to show off his Calvin Klein boxer briefs.

It’s our third watchalong and an extremely fun 30 minute rewind to the summer of ’91. 

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F4D: ‘Filthy’ Tom & Mike Sempervive recap UFC 250

Posted on by F4W Staff

Recorded live on our Twitch feed, check out former UFC light heavyweight and future PFL competitor “Filthy” Tom Lawlor join Wrestling Observer Live’s Mike Sempervive for our UFC 250 post show.

For an hour, Tom and MIke discussed UFC women’s featherweight champion Amanda Nunes’ dominant victory, the intrigue at bantamweight with Cody Garbrandt, Sean O’Malley, and Aljamain Sterling all picking up impressive wins, Conor McGregor’s retirement, and the rest of the card.

Here’s all the details on how you can watch Wrestling Observer Live every day free on our Twitch stream.

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MLW Fusion results: Team Filthy vs. Xtreme Tigre & Puma King

Posted on by Iain Oliver

The Big Takeaways:

  • “Filthy” Tom Lawlor and Dominic Garrini defeated Xtreme Tigre and Puma King on their way to a future showdown against the MLW tag champions, Marshall and Ross Von Erich. 
  • Averno defeated Douglas James
  • Mance Warner looked for revenge against MLW National Openweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone. 

Show Review:

Mance Warner was backstage and called out Alexander Hammerstone after he cost Warner his match last week, saying he wanted the champion’s gold. 

Avero (AAA) defeated Douglas James (MLW) (6:19)

Alicia Atout caught up with James who said he was going to show the world why he is the ultimate hybrid wrestler and that he will never say die.

After some early chain wrestling, James’ leg was swept on the apron and he was sent hurtling into the guardrail before being dropped face first on the apron as well. He went crashing through a wooden door at ringside as Averno lapped up the applause and took total control.

Back inside, Averno hit a turnbuckle powerbomb but James kicked out at two. James got to his feet and they exchanged chops and open hand strikes to the chest. James fired up with a pair of forearms and a flying clothesline. He then came leaping out the corner and hit a hurricanrana followed by a bottom rope suicide dive in quick succession. A running meteora followed in the ring before the referee made one of the slowest counts you’ll ever seen, making it easy for Averno to kick out.

The match then abruptly ended following James taking a forearm to the jaw. After a few camera cuts, we see James on the mat and the commentary team talking up the brutality of the shot. The replays showed James was already getting up after the blow, so perhaps a botched spot that was the finish kept James on the mat. Either way, it did not look like the planned ending.

The win put AAA 2-1 up in the series. 

*********

– Atout met with Davey Boy Smith Jr. who talked about the attack by Team Filthy back in Philadelphia. He said he would be wrestling in the MLW vs AAA series and also gave an update on Brian Pillman Jr. Pillman has been cleared because he knows a lot of “doctors” down in Tijuana.

– Atout then interviewed Injustice ahead of their AAA trios tag team title match in a few weeks. Myron Reed said they always bet against them, but they always walk out with the gold. Kotto Brazil said the Mexicans don’t respect them, but it doesn’t matter. Jordan Oliver said that Pillman has a lot of money because of the “Jr.” at the end of his name and, at the end of the day, they will get their justice.

– The cameras caught up with Hammerstone and Richard Holliday earlier in the day when they were crossing the border into Mexico. Holliday said they were undercover and hiding from Mexicans. Holliday said he is going to defend the Caribbean title, but doesn’t know against who. When told it was Chessman, he said he doesn’t play checkers.

– A few seconds of a Sirius XM radio interview with Dan Lambert aired as he was questioned about King Mo winning his match against Low Ki. He said Ki is lucky the match was in the ring and not a cage or it wouldn’t have lasted as long as it did.

– Pagano was backstage and had a challenge for MLW World Champion Jacob Fatu, saying there was no party without a clown.

– Atout then caught up with Hammerstone and said she was disappointed in what he did to Warner last week. Hammerstone said she should be looking to the future and got her a tanning session for his birthday, but they didn’t get much further as Warner jumped him. The two brawled throughout the back.

– Atout was certainly earning her birthday paycheck as she had “Filthy” Tom Lawlor and Dominic Garrini for an interview next. Lawlor said they had one thing on their mind: getting even with the Von Erichs. They want what they’ve earned: a shot at the MLW tag titles.

– After a very short break, you guessed it, Atout was backstage trying to find an update on the Hammerstone and Warner brawl. Behind her, an elevator door opened and the two both came tumbling out swinging right hands at each other.

“Filthy” Tom Lawlor and Dominic Garrini (MLW) defeated Puma King and Xtreme Tigre (AAA) (10:51)

Lawlor was wearing a fetching pair of “Von Erich trunks” aka very short Daisy Duke-style jean shorts. They didn’t help him in the early going as Tigre kicked him in the jaw after ducking an enzuigiri. Garrini then kicked Puma after the feline duo got the Mexican crowd to audibly get after Team Filthy. Puma caught Garrini with a powerslam and a senton, but Lawlor got the advantage behind the referee’s back and took control for his team.

Tigre eventually got the hot tag and came off the top with a seated senton right on to the…filthy part of Lawlor. Garrini tried to jump him from behind but Puma caught him with a dropkick. Puma then locked Garrini in a Rings of Saturn, but Lawlor re-emerged and locked in a cross armbreaker on Puma. Tigre then clamped on an arm lock on Lawlor so everyone was all tied up in submissions.

Garrini locked in his rear naked choke on Puma, but Tigre broke it up quickly. Tigre then reversed a monkey flip by headscissoring Lawlor out the ring. Garrini’s rear naked choke had to be broken up again, this time by Puma followed by him hitting Lawlor with a superkick. He then hit a middle rope springboard splash to the floor on Garrini and got a close two count with a magistral cradle back inside.

The mayhem continued right up to the finish where Lawlor hit Puma with a combo brainbuster/high knee strike with Garrini and locked in the rear naked choke once again on Tigre for the win, pulling MLW even at 2-2 in the series. 

We were then backstage at Atout’s birthday party, but Hammerstone and Warner brawled into the party and Hammerstone ended up going face first into the cake as Fusion went off the air. 

Next Week:

  • Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Brian Pillman Jr. vs. Texano Jr. and Escorpion Jr. 
  • Caribbean Champion Richard Holliday vs Chessman

MLW Fusion video & results: Killer Kross vs. ‘Filthy’ Tom Lawlor

Posted on by Iain Oliver

**The big takeaways**

  • Taped before he signed with WWE, Killer Kross picked up a DQ win over “Filthy” Tom Lawlor
  • A huge eight man tag was made for next week that will also feature Davey Boy Smith Jr. and the Von Erichs against the rest of Team Filthy.
  • Myron Reed successfully defended his MLW middleweight title against Laredo Kid in a great match filled with spectacular spots. 
  • Mance Warner cheated to win against Gino Medina. 

**Show review**

MLW Middleweight Champion Myron Reed (w/Jordan Oliver and Kotto Brazil) defeated Laredo Kid (w/Konnan) to retain the title (8:44)

This was a fantastic high flying encounter that featured some incredibly innovative spots. In the end, Reed won after distraction from his Injustice friends.

The announcers reminded us that Kid got the better of Reed two weeks ago when he laid him out and unofficially “pinned” him. Earlier in the day, Injustice clashed with Konnan backstage when Jordan Oliver told Konnan that Laredo Kid sucks. Konnan questioned Reed and asked him if he could win on his own without Injustice.

Kid knocked Reed down with a step-up kick and sent him out of the ring with a head scissors early on. On the outside, Kid tried to chop Reed but his loaded chest protector aided him, so his face felt the full force of a slap instead. Back inside, Reed backflipped and nipped up to avoid Kid’s attacks and floored him with a reverse death valley driver slam and a standing side kick to the face. The champion then came close with a springboard legdrop, but Kid kicked out and fought back moments later with a Michinoku Driver and two middle rope moonsaults. Reed reversed a suplex into a stunner and hit a big middle rope springboard crusher and a superkick.

Up on the top rope, Kid hit an unbelievable standing backflip slam. They were both standing on the top and Kid had Reed in a German suplex position but they both leapt off, backflipped, and Reed landed face first on the mat with Kid on top of him.

Kotto Brazil tried to interfere while Kid had Reed locked in a standing sharpshooter, but Kid grabbed him and threw him belly to belly outside the ring while keeping the submission locked in an impressive spot. Kid got rid of Oliver with a superkick, and both he and Brazil each ate a suicide dive. But, the distraction was all that Reed needed.

While Kid was on the apron, Reed launched himself over the top rope and hit a big ace crusher on the ring apron and moments later, the champion retained with his springboard 450 splash.

**********

Lifestyles of the Rich and Dynastic had Richard Holliday, Alexander Hammerstone, and Gino Medina discussing Mance Warner. Holliday said his lawyer/father is working on getting Warner out of their hair. Hammerstone called Warner, Logan Creed, and Savio Vega a group of idiots and Holliday remarketed Medina as “The Untouchable”. Medina said he is going to snap all Warner’s dirty fingers tonight.

**********

Mance Warner defeated “The Untouchable” Gino Medina (w/ Richard Holliday) (5:02)

Medina jumped Warner before the bell and got the better of the opening moments after a big kick to the side of the head. On the outside, they exchanged chops and Warner rocked him with a forearm to the jaw before throwing him into the guardrail. Back inside, Medina hit a jumping twisting kick to the head to take back the advantage but Warner came back with a ripcord headbutt and an impaler DDT for a close two count. Medina caught Warner before he could hit his running knee and dropped him on the top turnbuckle, hitting a running knee in the corner for a close two count of his own.

Medina went to the middle rope but was met with a headbutt followed by a running knee but Warner couldn’t put him away. Medina tried an O’Connor roll with a handful of tights, but Warner kicked him off and schoolboyed him with his own handful of tights to pick up the win. Medina slapped the referee after the bell and was furious.

**********

– Colonel Robert Parker will return to MLW in 2020. We were showing some of his MLW highlights as the announce team questioned who he will take under his wing.

– The Von Erichs were back home in Hawaii and had words for Tom Lawlor and the rest of Team Filthy. Marshall said they owe it to Texas to kick their asses while Ross said they were fighting for decency against filth.

– The new PWI top 10 contenders for the MLW heavyweight title were announced: King Mo, Low Ki, Mance Warner, MJF, Richard Holliday, Brian Pillman Jr., “Filthy” Tom Lawlor, Davey Boy Smith Jr., Middleweight Champion Myron Reed, and no. 1: National Openweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone.

– Alicia Atout then presented Brian Pillman Jr. with the PWI 2019 Rookie of the Year award. Pillman thanked all the previous winners including Randy Orton, Kurt Angle, and Steve Austin. He said it was an honor to win the award and wants a shot at the Middleweight title.

– Injustice then had a message for Pillman. Kotto Brazil said he should have won it last year, and Jordan Oliver should have won it this year. Myron Reed said Pillman needs to drop some weight before he comes at him. He called him a rookie and said he would wrestle circles around him. He also taunted Konnan to keep sending his guys, and he will keep knocking them down.

– Alicia Atout then met Erick Stevens and asked him about his loss last week to Davey Boy Smith Jr. He complained about a fast count. Lawlor called out Killer Kross and said he will show the difference between someone who pretends to be an MMA fighter, and someone who lives, eats and sleeps it.

– Backstage, the cameras caught the Dynasty arguing about the outcome of Medina’s match earlier. Holliday said his lawyer/father will be working to reverse the decision because Warner was drunk, and he cheated.

– CONTRA’s propaganda video had footage from last week after the show went off the air. The Sentai death squad loaded CIMA into the back of a car and took him to Ikuru Kwon.

Killer Kross defeated “Filthy” Tom Lawlor (w/ Dominic Garrini and Kit Osbourne) by DQ (10:43)

They had a tale of the tape and called this an interpromotional dream match as throughout the night, they mentioned Kross had signed with WWE. Kross has a great look and is good in the ring so should slot in fine in the WWE system.

Lawlor tried to catch Kross off guard with a spinning heel kick from the get go, but Kross ducked and kicked him in the chest instead. On the outside, they exchanged chops before Kross dropped Lawlor back first on the ring apron. Back inside the ring, Lawlor used the ropes to attack Kross’ eye and get some separation before eventually hitting his spinning heel kick.

Lawlor chopped Kross around the ring and then snapped his arm back while on the mat. Lawlor’s focus stayed on Kross’ arm before he hit a suplex and locked in a front choke. Kross didn’t let his arm drop for the third time and he fired up, throwing Lawlor off with a Northern Lights suplex. He then hit a big boot and a head and arm suplex before calling for “Doomsday” but Lawlor fought out and hit a flurry of strikes. Lawlor then hit a head and arm suplex of his own but Kross popped right up, so Lawlor floored him with a flying knee for a two count.

They exchanged strikes and Lawlor hit another flurry of knees to the head and forearms to the jaw. Kross just shook them off, smiled, and knocked Lawlor down with strikes of his own. Lawlor hit a thumb to the eye and both fell to the floor moments later. Out of nowhere, Team Filthy teammate Erick Stevens ran to ringside and started beating up Kross so the referee had no choice but to call for the bell.

Lawlor, Garrini, Stevens and Osbourne continued the beatdown in the ring but Smith Jr. and the Von Erichs ran in for the save. Smith then challenged Team Filthy to an eight man tag which Lawlor accepted as Fusion went off the air.

***Next Week***

  • Team Filthy (Tom Lawlor, Dominic Garrini, Erick Stevens and Kit Osbourne) vs. Killer Kross, Davey Boy Smith Jr., and the Von Erichs
  • Richard Holliday vs Mance Warner’s mystery man