British indie promotion RISE: Underground Pro Wrestling is denying that they’ll be working with Jimmy Havoc after his return was seemingly set up at their last event.
The 41-year-old Havoc (James McAhren) has not wrestled anywhere since being named in the #SpeakingOut movement of 2020, where he was accused of rape, abusive behavior, and assault. But news broke over the weekend that Havoc had been called out by wrestler Brett Semtex at RISE’s SummerSesh event ahead of a potential match for the promotion this October.
That won’t be happening, though, with RISE issuing a statement saying that they have not booked Havoc and will not be working with him.
“After the match on Saturday, Brett Semtex made a comment that has caused some confusion online. We’d like to clarify that the person mentioned by Brett is not booked by RISE, was not booked, and won’t be working with us,” RISE wrote. “Thank you to everyone who came to SummerSesh for another amazing night at the Brudenell! Your continued support means everything to us. All of the fallout from the show is coming this week.”
Havoc — a hardcore wrestler who got his start on the UK indies — was under contract with AEW at the time of #SpeakingOut but was released by the company after the allegations against him emerged online. He entered rehabilitation for mental health and substance abuse challenges after the allegations were made.
RISE will be in Sheffield, England on October 24-25 for the promotion’s Games of Death weekend. The weekend will include a death match tournament.
Semtex lost the RISE Championship to Amir Jordan in their title match at SummerSesh.
After coming up short at Revolution, Thunder Rosa is getting the chance to earn another shot at the AEW Women’s World Championship.
AEW has announced that a number one contender’s match between Rosa and Leyla Hirsch will take place on Dynamite this Wednesday. The winner will challenge Britt Baker for the AEW Women’s World title on the St. Patrick’s Day Slam edition of Dynamite the following week (Wednesday, March 16).
Baker retained her title against Rosa at Revolution tonight after Jamie Hayter and Rebel interfered throughout the match. Rosa gave Rebel a spear off the apron and took out Hayter, but Baker hit a stomp on Rosa when she came back into the ring and then pinned her.
Hirsch defeated Kris Statlander on the Buy-In show for Revolution.
St. Patrick’s Day Slam is being held in Rosa’s hometown of San Antonio, Texas.
At last year’s St. Patrick’s Day Slam, Rosa defeated Baker in an unsanctioned lights out match. It was the first-ever women’s match to main event an episode of Dynamite.
Sammy Guevara defending his TNT Championship against Scorpio Sky is also set for this Wednesday’s Dynamite. Wardlow will challenge the winner of that match for the TNT Championship at St. Patrick’s Day Slam. Wardlow got the title shot by winning tonight’s Face of the Revolution ladder match.
AEW has released three roster members: Jimmy Havoc, Bea Priestley and Sadie Gibbs, confirmed by Dave Meltzer.
As of this time, the reasons for the releases are not known.
With Havoc, the company released a statement on June 19th that they would evaluate his status in the company after he completed rehabilitation for both mental health and substance abuse challenges. The 36-year-old born James Mcahren was accused of rape, abusive behavior, and assault as part of the #SpeakingOut movement and in their previous statement, AEW said they were aware of the allegations.
The 24-year-old Priestley had eight matches in AEW over the span of a year with the last one coming in a tag match on the March 11th Dynamite.
The 28-year-old Gibbs had three matches in AEW dating back to August 31 of 2019 and none in 2020. Her last appearance was in a tag match on the October 30th Dark. Of the three, she is the only one to acknowledge the release on social media, thanking the company for the opportunity.
AEW has released a statement saying they will evaluate Jimmy Havoc’s status with the company as he undergoes treatment following allegations of rape and assault.
We wish Jimmy Havoc all the best as he receives treatment and counseling in an effort to overcome the mental health and substance abuse challenges in his life. We are aware of various reports related to Jimmy. We are evaluating his status with our company and will address it when he has successfully completed his rehabilitation.
A woman who had a previous relationship with Havoc wrote regarding her experiences with Havoc, detailing a verbally abusive relationship from an unstable Havoc. She followed with another story detailing a rape allegation from another woman, who wrote that Havoc raped her after repeatedly saying no while both shared a bed.
An assault allegation came from a man who said that Havoc punched him in the face after a PROGRESS Wrestling event.
In recent days, people who have experienced assault and abuse from those in professional wrestling have used the hashtag #SpeakingOut to tell their stories on Twitter. Promotions have either cut ties or launched investigations in the wake of these allegations.
The next two shots at the AEW tag team titles have been spoken for.
On Wednesday’s Dynamite, Kip Sabian and Jimmy Havoc defeated SCU, earning themselves a shot at champions Kenny Omega and Hangman Page on next week’s show. The duo (3-1 since they started teaming up) won when they hit their combination Michinoku driver/dropkick combo on Scorpio Sky.
As the match closed, Excalibur announced that whoever comes out of next week’s match as champions will defend against Best Friends at Fyter Fest. The show doesn’t have a date as of this writing, but already has AEW World Champion Jon Moxley vs. Brian Cage headlining.
Chuck Taylor and Trent are on a six-match winning streak dating back to early April and earned the shot with a win over Private Party at Double or Nothing.
Since defeating SCU for the titles on the Jericho Cruise in January, Page and Omega are 3-0 but haven’t defended the titles since beating the Young Bucks at February’s Revolution pay-per-view due to the pandemic.
This week’s AEW Dark will feature nine matches, nearly all of which include talents making their first in-ring appearances in nearly two months.
In one of the featured matches, Luther will face Jimmy Havoc for the first time ever in a match that was supposed to happen back in February and got remade on this past week’s Road to Double or Nothing YouTube show. Luther was last in action on the February 26th Dark in a win over Sonny Kiss while Havoc has been a regular on both Dark and Dynamite during the pandemic.
In other matches announced:
Orange Cassidy vs. Jason Cade: This will be Cassidy’s third solo outing (1-1) and first since a win over Jimmy Havoc on the April 22nd Dynamite. This will be Cade’s AEW debut after last being seen on the March 3rd WWE Raw in a losing effort to Aleister Black.
Fenix vs. Alan Angels: Fenix was last seen on the March 18th Dynamite as the Lucha Bros defeated Best Friends. This will be his first AEW singles match since a January 15th Dark loss to Joey Janela. This will be Angels’ third AEW match (0-2) and his first since his much-discussed loss to Kenny Omega on the April 22nd Dynamite.
Private Party vs. Lee Johnson & Musa: PP have been on the shelf since the March 11th Dynamite when they teamed with Joey Janela in a losing effort to the Death Triangle. Johnson and Musa teamed up in a losing effort to Best Friends on the April 28th Dark.
Britt Baker vs. Skyler Moore: A day before she’ll be in a four-way on Dynamite, Baker will look to start a winning streak against Moore. This will be Moore’s sophomore effort in AEW as she lost to Awesome Kong on the January 1st Dark.
Kris Statlander vs. Dani Jordyn: Statlander has been out of action since the March 18th Dynamite when she lost in a four way. This will be Jordyn’s AEW debut.
Jurassic Express vs. Mike Reed & Ryan Rembrandt: A day before they return to tag team action on Dynamite, the Express will team up for the first time since the March 18th Dynamite when they defeated The Butcher & The Blade. Reed teamed with Corey Hollis in a losing effort to Joey Janela and Sonny Kiss on the March 18th Dynamite while this will be the promotional debut for Rembrandt, a Nightmare Factory trainee.
Colt Cabana vs. Shawn Dean: Cabana will be looking to snap a two match losing streak against Dean who is 0-3 in his young AEW career.
#10 vs. Jon Cruz: The newest Dark Order member and former Preston Vance will look to go 2-0 in his new gimmick as he faces Cruz who was last seen on the March 18th Dynamite, teaming with Matt Sells in a losing effort to QT Marshall and Dustin Rhodes.
Tony Schiavone and Cody were the broadcast team. Schiavone opened the show by saying that they had three matches for us this week. In fact, there were only two matches.
Jimmy Havoc defeated Shawn Dean
This was little more than a squash, going just under four minutes. Dean is another QT Marshall student. He looked fine here.
A collar and elbow tie-up led to a stalemate. Dean offered a handshake and Havoc accepted.
Each targeted the other’s left arm. Both hit Japanese-style arm drags. Havoc dodged a charge into the corner, then suplexed Dean into the buckle.
Havoc hit a ripcord lariat and tried some small joint manipulation by going after Dean’s fingers. Dean forced a rope break.
The finish saw Havoc hit an implant DDT and pin Dean.
Havoc ended up with a bloody mouth somehow near the finish.
Best Friends (Chuck Taylor & Trent) defeated Lee Johnson & Musa
This was a perfectly fine tag match.
We have seen a lot of Johnson of late. He has good upside. Musa moves well but doesn’t stand out beyond that.
Taylor and Musa began. They did a basic sequence of tackles, drop-downs, leapfrogs, and the like. Taylor hit a basement dropkick. Both tagged out.
Trent and Johnson got tags. Trent hit some forearm strikes. Johnson took a flip bump off a lariat. Trent hit a rope-assisted Northern Lights suplex for a near fall.
Musa and Taylor tagged back in. Musa hit a nice rolling dropkick. Trent came back with a plancha to Musa. Trent speared Johnson on the floor. Back inside, Taylor hit soul food on Musa. Best Friends hugged.
The finish saw Trent set up Musa for their version of Strong Zero. Taylor hit the move off the top, and Trent pinned Musa to get the win.
AEW announced their lineup for Tuesday’s Dark featuring three competitors preparing for a no DQ, no countout match on Dynamite.
In the first match, Jimmy Havoc will look to snap a two match losing streak when he faces Shawn Dean. He was on last Wednesday’s Dynamite in a losing effort against Orange Cassidy while Dean recently made his AEW debut in a losing effort to Shawn Spears.
In the other match, Best Friends will face Lee Johnson and Musa in tag team action. Trent and Chuck Taylor were last on the April 8th Dynamite picking up a victory over Kenny Omega and Michael Nakazawa. Johnson has been a constant presence in AEW in past weeks, losing to QT Marshall, Brodie Lee, and Wardlow while Musa will be making his AEW debut.
Wednesday’s Dynamite will feature the Best Friends vs. Havoc and Kip Sabian in the aforementioned no DQ, no countout tag team match.
Next week’s AEW Dynamite has been rounded out with three new matches joining the final two TNT Championship tournament bouts.
Darby Allin vs. Sammy Guevara and Kip Sabian vs. Dustin Rhodes were announced for next week’s show, completing the quarterfinals. The Guevara-Allin winner will face Cody in the semifinals, while the Rhodes-Sabian winner will face Lance Archer, who defeated Colt Cabana on tonight’s show.
Allin and Guevara had a confrontation tonight after Guevara defeated Suge D. “The Spanish God” cut a promo calling Allin a face-painted weird and was about to attack Suge D again when Allin came in for the save.
The two semifinalists will compete in a match at Double or Nothing on May 23 to determine the first ever AEW TNT champion.
Also made for next week was Orange Cassidy of Best Friends returning to singles action against Jimmy Havoc. The match stems from an attack on tonight’s show when Havoc appeared from the crowd and DDT’d Cassidy, who was at ringside for the Chuck Taylor vs. Kip Sabian match.
Additionally, Brodie Lee and Kenny Omega will each be in action next week, but their opponents were not announced.
With last week’s announcement of their Blood & Guts match being postponed indefinitely, AEW began to fill some holes for this week’s edition of Dynamite by adding Cody vs. Jimmy Havoc to the show Sunday.
The two have never faced each other in AEW, but did have a no DQ, no countout singles match for the BPW title in April 2017 that Cody won.
Cody was on last week’s show on the losing end of a six-man tag match featuring The Elite vs. The Inner Circle.
Havoc was last seen defeating Severino Corrente in early-March to extend his singles winning streak to three (Sonny Kiss, Marko Stunt), all on AEW Dark. He hasn’t been on Dynamite since the November 20th Dynamite Dozen battle royal.
As of this point, there is a Chris Jericho-Matt Hardy confrontation booked for the show in addition to a parking lot brawl between the Lucha Bros and the Best Friends, and a lumberjack match between Wardlow and Luchasaurus.
The broadcast is set to go live from Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, FL, in front of an empty arena due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The Big News: Death Triangle ran in after the main event to lay a beating on five babyfaces. It took three more, in the form of Best Friends and Orange Cassidy, to run them off.
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When looking up this episode on YouTube I couldn’t help but notice the large number of episodes (including this one) where the thumbnail is of the Jurassic Express.
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Jurassic Express (with Marko Stunt) defeated Kip Sabian & Peter Avalon (with Penelope Ford & Leva Bates)
Speaking of the Jurassic Express, they are here to kick off Dark this week. Avalon, who comes into this match at 0-10, took forever to start his promo. He got as far as saying we were in Denver before the Express’ music began. This doesn’t seem right, but the graphic indicates this is only the second time Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus are teaming together in a two-on-two tag match.
Jungle Boy ran wild on both heels and was going for some sort of slingshot maneuver, but Penelope tripped him up and Sabian took over. Sabian and Avalon worked well together. Avalon missed a beautiful moonsault, giving Jungle Boy room to crawl for a tag. However. Ford grabbed one of Leva’s books and threw it into the ring to distract the referee, so the heels kept control.
Unfortunately for Sabian and Avalon, their ladies could not get along. Bates and Ford began arguing with one another, which distracted the team long enough for Luchasaurus to get the tag. He had it almost had it won with a moonsault to Avalon, but Sabian bum-rushed into the pile, breaking up the cover. Luchasaurus gave Sabian the tail whip, allowing Jungle Boy to pin Avalon following an assisted cutter.
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Tony Schiavone and Dasha Gonzalez previewed the rest of the show. Dasha wanted to know why Tony was wearing a Nightmare Family shirt. Turns out 20% of the proceeds of that shirt up until March 14 will be donated to Planned Pethood.
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Jimmy Havoc defeated Severino Corrente
I believe “Severino Corrente” loosely translates to “lamb being led to slaughter.”
Corrente had his fingers yanked back. Most people would be like “I’m done”. Instead Corrente punched Havoc to no avail. Jimmy used a discus elbow to the face and went for some sort of fireman’s carry, but Corrente raked the eyes.
Corrente started to build momentum, but then he ran chest-first into Jimmy’s feet. He did duck an Acid Rainmaker and used a German suplex into the corner turnbuckles. He tried to fishhook Havoc, but instead Jimmy bit his fingers. A series of impact moves followed, including a leg hook DDT and finished off Corrente with an Acid Rainmaker for the pin.
Havoc beckoned to the back, daring Luther and Mel to come out. Unfortunately, you get what you ask for, as Luther flew down the ramp and attacked Havoc from behind, eventually laying out Havoc with a DDT on the ramp.
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Hikaru Shida defeated Abadon
Abadon is one of the most unique looking wrestlers on the roster. She has done her face paint to look like blood is seeping from her forehead into her eye and down her cheek. She is certainly a sight to behold. By comparison, Hikaru Shida does not look like she has blood coming out of her eye.
Some of the crowd chanted for Abadon to “eat her soul” despite being the heel and Shida being very well liked. Abadon tried to eat Shida’s hand, which threw off the number one ranked contender. Abadon looked really good here and I really hope she’s not one and done. Abadon had her tied in the ropes and licked Shida’s face. Shida was not happy about this, possibly for more than one reason.
Abadon didn’t sell for much, but she definitely felt it when Shida used a running knee in the corner and a missile dropkick. Shida nailed a knee to the back of the head, but Abadon almost won with the Edge-a-matic. Shida finally managed to hit a Shining Wizard for the win.
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Backstage, Dasha asked Jimmy Havoc for an update on his injuries. Havoc thanked Luther for doing it, so being the nice guy Luther is, he attacked Havoc again and had to be dragged away.
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The Librarians were telling us about the newest book of the month, which is Written In The Stars. They came upon Colt Cabana, who was listening to a podcast instead of reading a book. Avalon kept recommending authors, so Colt recommended podcasts. This led to a challenge for a match.
Leva went back and told Colt she loves his podcast.
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Private Party defeated Sonny Kiss & Brandon Cutler
A few weeks ago, Cutler almost beat Private Party by himself when his partner, Shawn Spears walked out. So how will things be when he has a loyal partner? Either way, Cutler is dueling it out with Peter Avalon for the worst record in AEW at 0-9.
Cutler did a great job countering Isiah Kassidy and Marq Quen, much like he did the last time they met. This time Sonny got involved and it ended up in a standoff. Excalibur wondered if Quen and Sonny got their hair done at the same place, which led Taz to say he thinks they go to the same “Dye-ist”. While this conversation was going on, Kiss went down to a combo Rude Awakening/Double Foot Stomp, giving Private Party the advantage.
Private Party mimicked Kiss while getting the heat on him. Cutler got the hot tag and used a beautiful springboard double clothesline. Cutler looked good, laying a beating on both men. We did have a contrived spot where Kassidy was laying on the middle rope and had to stay hanging there while Cutler did moves to Quen first.
Get out the hammer and nails, because this team of Cutler and Kiss are BUILDING MOMENTUM! Kiss went for a boot on Quen, but Marq moved and Kiss ended up in the splits. Quen went for what turned into a Moonsault with double knees. Cutler got in and started doing moves without getting a tag. The referee kept telling him he’s not legal, but Cutler ignored him and hit the TPK on both members of Private Party. Kiss went to the middle rope, but Kassidy prevented him from leaping off. Quen tagged in as Private Party nailed Kiss with the Gin and Juice for the win.
Suddenly, from out of nowhere (or just off the camera), Death Triangle ran in to attack Private Party! PAC, Pentagon and Fenix ended up laying out not only them, but also Cutler and Kiss, who tried to make the save.
PAC took the mic and told all of AEW that if they continue to disrespect athletes of their caliber, they’ll get exactly what they asked for. Joey Janela tried to run in for the save, but was also laid out. Best Friends and Orange Cassidy then hit the ring to send the Death Triangle reeling as the show closed
In the first barbed wire match in MLW since 2003, Mance Warner defeated Jimmy Havoc in a bloody battle.
Drago & Puma King defeated Taurus & Low Rider and Jordan Oliver & Kotto Brazil in an incredible triple threat tag team match.
Low Ki returned to action and defeated the debuting Chandler Hopkins in a competitive match.
** Show review **
Rich Bocchini welcomed us to Dallas, Texas, for a new episode of Fusion, and cut to AJ Kirsch in the ring who was hyping up the crowd but was interrupted by CONTRA Unit (MLW Champion Jacob Fatu, Josef Samael and Simon Gotch). As they were entering, we saw an image from earlier in the week when Gotch and Samael attacked Davey Boy Smith Jr. in Canada.
Samael told us that Dallas was a place filled with false idols and that wrestling’s Camelot (Dallas) will fall at the hands of CONTRA. Moments later, Smith Jr. stormed the ring, and with a little help from Brian Pillman Jr. who entered from the crowd, the Hart Foundation ran off CONTRA Unit to the back.
Drago & Puma King defeated Taurus & Low Rider and Jordan Oliver & Kotto Brazil (w/Middleweight Champion Myron Reed) in a triple threat tag team match (7:31)
This was an amazing triple threat tag with highspot after highspot with everyone shining at some point. This is a match to watch this week if this is your style as the action came quick and fast and did not let up at all. Honestly, why should it with the talent on show? It got a well deserved standing ovation from the Dallas crowd.
As Injustice were making their way to the ring, we had an inset video showing them confront Konnan while he was being interviewed by Alicia Atout earlier in the evening. Konnan asked if they had beef, and Oliver told him they have beef with all the old f*cks. Konnan warned them he had Drago waiting for them tonight and for Reed next week.
Low Rider took everyone out one at a time in the opening exchanges, finishing his flurry with a slingshot rolling senton from the top rope onto Injustice on the outside. Inside, Taurus used his power to powerslam Drago into Puma in the corner then took them down with clotheslines and spears.
Oliver and Brazil then took control with double teams including a back suplex assisted sit-out powerbomb onto Rider. King and Drago came in to even the score and took out Oliver with a backstabber dropkick to the gut. They then sent Taurus flying around the ring with a headscissors and arm drags.
Drago took out Reed with a dive to the outside and then came back in to hit Taurus with an around the world DDT. Oliver then hit Puma King with a springboard stunner and then a suicide dive stunner on the outside. Kotto was flying as well with a huge frog splash on Drago but Low Rider made the save.
Taurus and Low Rider then took out Injustice with a springboard facebuster and an inside out clothesline to Brazil, and a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker/powerbomb/backstabber combination from the top rope on Oliver. Brazil then got dropped head first on the apron by Taurus.
The finish to this insane match was Drago twisting and rolling up Rider after he and Puma King had obliterated he and Taurus. This was incredible action.
— We heard from Davey Boy Smith Jr. fresh from the ring off his Opera Cup win last week. He said the Cup win means the world to him and hopes that Stu Hart is smiling down on him. He said he did it for the fans and the love of professional wrestling, and this is a stepping stone to the top of MLW and the MLW heavyweight title.
— CONTRA’s propaganda video this week was Josef Samael telling us that the Hart Foundation are scared, especially Smith. Samael then challenged Smith to a no holds barred, no rope, no rules, winner declared by knockout or submission match against Simon Gotch.
Low Ki defeated Chandler Hopkins (5:50)
Hopkins is another star coming in from AAA and he kept up with Ki in this one. This was a nice slower scientific match after the wild opener. The slow start came to life when Ki caught Hopkins with a dropkick while Hopkins was charging him in the corner. Chops, knees, and elbows followed but Hopkins fought back with a headscissor driver and a rolling flat liner.
Hopkins tried to follow up a ushigoroshi with a shooting star press, but Ki moved and locked in a calf assisted chokehold to pick up the submission win. Ki shook Hopkins’ hand after the match.
— Smith Jr. was again backstage but live this time. He said he hadn’t forgotten about the fireball CONTRA threw at Teddy Hart, and he accepted the challenge for the match against Gotch. He said Gotch’s choices are to get knocked out or tap out.
— Alicia Atout was then interviewing Dominic Garrini and “Filthy” Tom Lawlor. Lawlor explained that Garrini had joined Team Filthy and read out all his accolades. Garrini said people forget about him because of the luchadores and the Von Erichs. Lawlor finished by letting us know that Team Filthy are now sponsored by Condom Depot.
— After an Erick Stevens hype video and a reminder from MLW Superfight when the Von Erichs defeated MJF and Richard Holliday for the tag team titles, Atout then caught up with MJF and his huge bodyguard Grogan. MJF called himself the fastest rising star in professional wrestling and that is why he is going to prove that Marshall Von Erich is less than him. He then called out Mance Warner and said he was going to give him a lesson in professional wrestling.
— We saw highlights from the last barbed wire match in MLW between Terry Funk and Steve Corino from 2003.
— Atout was certainly put to work this week. She interviewed Jimmy Havoc and Priscilla Kelly. Kelly said they were not scared as they live and breath violence. Havoc said this is just a normal Saturday night to him, and there is nothing he likes better than causing pain to someone else. He called himself insane and said he would drink Warner’s blood.
— She must have been exhausted as she next interviewed the Von Erich brothers. They crushed apples in their hands and warned MJF that this is his future.
— We had a parental advisory warning before the main event, and even the announce team had protective gloves and wire cutters at the ready in case any wire came close to their table.
Mance Warner defeated Jimmy Havoc (w/Priscilla Kelly) in a no ropes barbed wire match (10:34)
Havoc brought a barbed wire baseball bat with him…like we needed more of that stuff. They teased hitting the wire for a few moments, but Havoc was first to hit it torso and neck first after Warner sidestepped a lunge. That was followed up with an Irish whip that sent him back first into the wire. Warner pushed him headfirst and then a drop toehold sent him face first into the wire to bust him open.
Havoc fought back with a chain assisted right hand, a DDT, and a suplex into the wire. Havoc then attacked Warner’s knee with a chair too before pushing him headfirst into the wire himself. He then used a staple gun to Warner’s forehead and whipped him into the wire. He took off Warner’s shirt and stapled it to his back, before pulling it back off. Ouch.
Havoc then used wire cutters to cut a string of wire and use it across Warner’s forehead and then around his mouth. He then used his baseball bat across the back and forehead too. There was a real wrestling move next as Havoc used a curb stomp and attempted a pinfall, but Warner kicked out.
They gave each other the double middle finger before Warner rammed the baseball bat between Havoc’s legs, but Havoc retaliated seconds later with a staple gun shot between Warner’s legs or “the Bucksnorts” as the commentary team called it.
Warner then chokeslammed Havoc into a seated chair lying on its side, but moments later was on the receiving end of a death valley driver through a wooden board in the corner of the ring. Warner got his revenge with a chokeslam through some more wooden boards but Havoc kicked out. Havoc then had his plan of throwing salt in the eyes thwarted as Warner punched it back in his face, hit a clothesline with wire wrapped around his arm, and hit a piledriver onto a chair to pick up the win.
** Next Week **
MJF vs Marshall Von Erich
MLW Middleweight Champion Myron Reed vs. Drago
** In Two Weeks **
MLW World Champion Jacob Fatu vs. Brian Pillman Jr.
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.
Mance Warner and Jimmy Havoc’s feud will continue with another stipulation match at MLW’s Opera Cup television tapings.
It was announced today that Warner will face Havoc in a Prince of Darkness match at the Opera Cup. The tapings are taking place at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York on Thursday, December 5.
For the Prince of Darkness match, MLW wrote that Warner and Havoc will “both be cloaked in thick black hoods in a spectacular and bizarre match where danger lurks at every corner.”
Warner defeated Havoc in a falls count anywhere match on this week’s MLW Fusion, but Havoc attacked Warner with a fork in a post-match angle. They’ve already been announced for a no ropes barbed wire match at MLW’s Zero Hour tapings in North Richland Hills, Texas on January 11.
Here’s the updated lineup for the Opera Cup tapings:
Opera Cup tournament semifinals and finals
Strong Hearts (CIMA, El Lindaman & Shigehiro Irie) vs. CONTRA Unit (Jacob Fatu, Ikuro Kwon & Simon Gotch)
Opera Cup tournament first-round match: Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Shinjiro Otani
Opera Cup tournament first-round match: Alexander Hammerstone vs. MJF
Opera Cup tournament first-round match: Timothy Thatcher vs. Richard Holliday
Opera Cup tournament first-round match: Brian Pillman Jr. vs. TJP
Prince of Darkness match: Mance Warner vs. Jimmy Havoc
Mance Warner defeated Jimmy Havoc in a falls count anywhere match that went all over Orlando, including Havoc’s own apartment.
Zeda Zhang defeated The Spider Lady by dq in MLW’s first ever women’s division match when Spider Lady would not let go of the mandible claw. She then unmasked to reveal herself as Priscilla Kelly.
Alex Hammerstone beat the gutsy Douglas James to retain his National Openweight title.
Ross Von Erich will replace his injured brother Marshall when he challenges Jacob Fatu for the MLW world title on Thanksgiving night.
** Full Review **
We opened backstage where the cameras caught Marshall Von Erich after he was attacked by a masked assailant. Tom Lawlor and Ross Von Erich were quickly on the scene but Marshall could be heard saying his knee popped and that the attacker hit him with a pipe.
Mance Warner defeated Jimmy Havoc in a falls count anywhere match (13:53 on-screen action, match went through the entire show)
Warner jumped Havoc while he was entering the arena. They threw chairs at each other while the fans fled for their safety. At ringside, Havoc ate another chair to the face while he was looking under the ring. Warner brought out a wooden board but was rammed headfirst into the ring post and was on the receiving end of an eye poke.
Inside the ring, Warner set up the wooden board in one corner and a chair in another. Havoc had brought in a bag from under the ring but it was Warner who emptied thumbtacks in another of the empty corners.
Havoc saw the tacks and ran from the ring, through the crowd, and out into the parking lot. He then committed grand theft auto as he stole a car and drove off. Warner, chasing Havoc, jumped in the passenger seat of a waiting car and took the cameraman and a referee with him, speeding off in hot pursuit. To be continued…
— Lifestyles of the Rich and Dynastic had Richard Holliday and Alexander Hammerstone sunbathing with Holliday in a full suit and Hammerstone in very small trunks and baby oil. Holliday wanted to know about Hammerstone’s promise of a huge gift for the Dynasty and if he guessed right, Hammerstone would tell him. Holliday guessed it was a giant egg (Gobbledy Gooker-style) but Hammerstone said that was a stupid idea and no one would ever do that. Holliday then guessed giant AirPods or if it was something from the Mexican pharmacy, but both were incorrect.
Zeda Zhang defeated The Spider Lady by disqualification (4:37)
This was a historic moment as this was MLW’s first-ever women’s match. However, it did not last long and was only here to set up future matches and storylines. The Spider Lady crawled to the ring and was announced as hailing from the world famous Parts Unknown. The commentary team of Rich Bocchini and AJ Kirsch both mentioned they found her oddly familiar so a big unveiling was on the cards.
The Lady kicked away a handshake and went straight for the eyes, but Zhang hit some early strikes and kicks to fight back. The referee had to pull Zhang off Lady in the corner, and Lady took advantage and kicked at Zhang’s heavily braced knee. She kept her focus on the knee by wrapping it up the ropes and kicking away at it. Spider Lady then locked in a mandible claw and kept it locked in even though Zhang was in the ropes. Doug Markham counted to five a few times and even tried pulling her off but couldn’t get the mysterious woman off her, so he called for the bell for the disqualification win for Zhang.
After the bell, the referee finally got her off Zhang and she unmasked herself to reveal Priscilla Kelly. She kicked Markham below the belt then licked his bald head before leaving the ring.
Mance Warner vs. Jimmy Havoc continued
We caught up with Warner in hot pursuit of Havoc. Havoc pulled up at an apartment complex and Warner chased him up a flight of stairs into what we were told was Havoc’s apartment. He did warn us last week he was going to hit him with his own frying pan. They hit each other with cookie sheets and fought into the bathroom where Havoc’s head was flushed down his own toilet. Havoc’s promise then came true as he hit Warner with his frying pan and got a two count on his couch. They fought back down to the cars and Havoc got away again, but Warner, the referee, and cameraman were once again in hot pursuit. To be continued….
— We then heard that Ross Von Erich will replace his injured brother Marshall against Jacob Fatu on Thanksgiving night because of the earlier assault from the mystery attacker.
— The Opera Cup first round matches were officially announced: Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs Shinjiro Otani, Timothy Thatcher vs Richard Holliday, Brian Pillman Jr. vs TJP, and Alex Hammerstone vs MJF.
— We then caught up with Priscilla Kelly, MLW’s newest member of the women’s roster. She told us that she is the queen of doing the unexpected and shocking people. She said MLW women’s division is lacking a mind that is strong enough to get inside the mind of every other female on the roster and make them question themselves, their work, and their sanity. She is there to make them all question their place and their sanity.
MLW National Openweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone (w/Richard Holliday) defeated Douglas James to retain (9:30)
Holliday accompanied Hammerstone out to the ring and joined the commentary team, much to their chagrin. He called Hammerstone “Meatcastle” throughout the match.
James came out the blocks at 100 mph. He charged Hammerstone straight away and got two quick two counts. Hammerstone tried to use his power but ate a dropkick to the face. He hit an ace crusher next for another two count. He then hit some kicks to the chest but Hammerstone caught the last one, got to his feet, and threw James across the ring with a head and leg suplex.
Hammerstone then took control. He hit a delayed double underhook suplex and powered him across the ring into the corner. James fought back with some stiff kicks but Hammerstone again reversed a whip into the corner and hit a big pump kick to the head. James had another hope spot where he caught Hammerstone with a knee to the head but the champion again retaliated with a big suplex, tossing James halfway across the ring.
They found themselves up on the top rope in the corner. Hammerstone went for a superplex but James slid out and was able to grab him with a German suplex off the middle rope. James followed up with another big suplex, a superkick to the nose. and a running Meteora for a close two count.
James went up top, but Hammerstone caught him and bealed him off the top, hit a pump kick, a German suplex, and a sitdown powerbomb for what looked like the end, but James somehow got his shoulder up at the last second.
Hammerstone got James up and hit a gutwrench Burning Hammer, but once again James kicked out. Hammerstone got frustrated and started screaming at him, but the ever courageous James slapped him across the face. This only angered the big man and Hammerstone hit the Nightmare Pendulum moments later to pick up the win.
— TheWarner vs. Havoc car chase drove past Full Sail University before we headed to another break.
— We then had a press conference of sorts with ‘Filthy’ Tom Lawlor and Friday’s signing of a multi-year deal with MLW. He said he is going to bring the MLW world title back home, the Von Erichs are great, the sky is his limit and the world is his oyster. He said all that matters is ‘Filthy’ Tom Lawlor is staying with MLW and it’s about time the batter takes a swing and knocks it out the park.
Mance Warner vs Jimmy Havoc continued
They stopped in the parking lot of Full Sail University and Warner had his driver throw moonshine in Havoc’s face, but England’s most dangerous man fought back by biting Warner’s nose and ear. They then fought into the back seat of the same car and they drove back towards the arena.
After another short break, we were back at the MLW arena where Havoc and Warner finally made their way back into the crowd. Warner stapled dollar bills to Havoc’s head and shoulder. Warner got one himself but pulled it out and busted himself open.
They got into the ring and Warner went face first into the chair in the corner and ate a drop toehold onto another chair. Havoc then hit a death valley driver through the ring board in the corner and then dropped him with a death valley Michinoku driver onto the thumbtacks but Mancer somehow kicked out.
Havoc then got a fork and rammed it into Warner’s head as they made their way up the ramp. Havoc then went for the Acid Rainmaker with the fork, but Warner ducked and got a schoolboy on Havoc for the surprise pinfall win.
After the bell, Havoc threw a chair at Warner and used the fork on his head, groin, and ear so it looks like this feud will continue.
— A CONTRA Unit propaganda video closed this week’s Fusion. Josef Samael said CONTRA has a special surprise for the Von Erich brothers, and that Thanksgiving night will be the end to the new hope, and we will have to say goodbye to Ross Von Erich.
**This Thursday on MLW Fusion on Thanksgiving, free on YouTube **
MLW Champion Jacob Fatu vs. Ross Von Erich
King Mo makes his MLW debut vs. Ricky Martinez
Kotto Brazil and Jordan Oliver vs. Gringo Loco and Zenshi
