Tag: John Hennigan

MLW Fusion results: The fallout from Never Say Never

Posted on by Iain Oliver

This week’s MLW Fusion was taped in Philadelphia and New York earlier this year as part of the promotion’s Battle Riot and War Chamber tapings earlier. Matt Striker and Joe Dombrowski were on commentary.

The episode also included recaps and the fallout from Saturday’s Never Say Never show, including Alex Kane defeating Alex Hammerstone to win the MLW Heavyweight title, and the shocking revelation of Don King being the financial backer of Kane and the Bomaye Fight Club.

We started with a post-match press conference from the event with Kane and Mr. Thomas. A sweaty and passionate new champion called out his doubters and naysayers before listing his accomplishments and what he had to overcome, both exaggerated and true, before winning the title. He then said Hammerstone still hasn’t earned his respect and he will beat him again if he comes because this is Alex Kane’s house, kingdom, and empire.

Taya Valkyrie then told Women’s Featherweight Champion Delmi Exo she is going to prove why she is “the craziest bitch” tonight as she attempts to regain her title. Valkyrie portrays the crazy multi-persona/serial killer character really well as she cheerfully and happily mentioned that she intends on ripping Exo limb from limb tonight.

Delmi Exo defeated Taya Valkyrie (w/John Hennigan) to retain the MLW Women’s Featherweight title

During the ring entrances, highlights were shown of Valkyrie attacking Exo two weeks ago, and curb stomping her onto the title. Valkyrie was fined and given a one week suspension for her actions. 

The match started hot and escalated when Valkyrie took control by using the ring post and dropping Exo face-first onto the apron. Valkyrie hit Sheamus’ 10 Beats of the Bodhran and even added in his mannerisms as she flaunted in front of Exo, but she took too much time showing off and let the champion back into the match.

The champion hit Valkyrie with a fisherman’s suplex, a low dropkick, and a dropkick from the middle rope for a near fall. It was not long before the challenger came back and hit a pair of curb stomps with the second one going into the bottom buckle.

Exo rolled through the Road to Valhalla and elbowed her way out of a second attempt before going for her Delmi Driver, but a distraction from Hennigan stopped her. Hennigan got up on the apron and, similar to the previous title match, Valkyrie collided with him. Exo then tried a roll-up but Valkyrie kicked out.

Valkyrie tried to take advantage of the distraction but Exo hit a tilt-a-whirl head scissors takedown into a Fujiwara armbar, getting the tapout and successful title defense.

– We saw another recap of Never Say Never where Mister Saint Laurent announced the drafting of Matt Cardona, who will be the newest member of MSL’s group, joining Davey Boy Smith Jr. who turned heel by attacking Microman on last week’s Fusion.

– Another recap showed the revelation of Don King as the Bomaye Fight Club financial benefactor which was followed by interviewer Sam Leterna trying to get a word with Court Bauer who only told her to never do business with the “crook” Don King.

– O’Shay Edwards joined Kevin Blackwood and Matt Cardona as the latest draft picks. Edwards will be officially coming to MLW soon to join the Bomaye Fight Club while we have already seen Edwards in MLW this year in the Battle Riot.

Ken Broadway defeated TJ Crawford

This was really good and brought the crowd into it, especially toward the end during the nearfalls.

The “Silver Sniper” Crawford got the early advantage with a big boot and dropped Broadway hard with a suplex. The bigger Broadway came back with a strong lariat that turned Crawford inside out.

Broadway got a close near fall after a power bomb and a face-first swinging Bossman slam to the shock of the commentary team. Crawford then got a near fall after some strikes, a middle rope dropkick, and a double underhook driver. As the match started heading toward the finish, you could hear the crowd getting more into it the longer it went on.

Crawford then hit a great standing spin kick to the jaw and a springboard stunner, which normally sets up his brain buster finisher. Broadway fought out of it and hit a penalty kick and a pop-up bridging German suplex that he calls the Travis Plex (in honor of Matt Travis) to get the pin and win.

– Another Never Say Never recap showed Ricky Shane Page and AKIRA from The Calling winning the MLW Tag Team titles, making AKIRA a double champion as he also holds the Middleweight title.

– We saw the brackets for the 2023 Opera Cup which begins next week. Davey Boy Smith Jr. will face Calvin Tankman in one semifinal while Tracy Williams and Tony Deppen face off in the other.

Willie Mack defeated John Hennigan (w/ Sam Adonis) and Lio Rush in a triple threat match to become the no. 1 contender to the MLW Championship

This was a great match and a great way to end a good episode.

This was great and fast-paced throughout. You can imagine the spots Rush and Hennigan were able to do as well as having the size, power, and impressive explosive agility of Mack. They all combined brilliantly.

Mance Warner was drinking light beers on commentary. Warner was out there to continue his feud with Adonis who accompanied Hennigan to the ring. Rush was also announced as representing New Japan’s CHAOS faction.

Hennigan and Rush distracted Mack by forming an alliance on the outside, but the main reason was to let Adonis distract Mack, which let both heels jump him at the onset.

Their alliance lasted all of 30 seconds as Rush tried a sneaky roll-up once Mack was disposed of. Rush and Hennigan then had a parkour-tinged minute of dodges, feints, and reversals. Mack re-joined the action, but promptly ate a springboard kick to the face from Hennigan. Mack then hit a Samoan drop to slow the frantic opening minutes down.

Rush hit a great poisonrana after reversing a gorilla press by Mack, but Mack came back with a pop-up forearm to the jaw. Later on, Rush hit his low dive combo through opposite sides of the ring, nearly sliding and ramming Mack into the front row in the process.

The finishing sequence saw Mack send Rush out after a missed frog splash and a stunner. Hennigan then reversed a Mack stunner. Adonis got involved and grabbed Mack’s leg from the outside, but Hennigan hit Adonis by accident, giving Mack the opportunity to roll up Hennigan for the win. 

Next week:

  • 2023 Opera Cup semifinal match: Davey Boy Smith Jr vs. Calvin Tankman

MLW Fusion live results: Jacob Fatu wins National Openweight title

Posted on by Josh Nason

This week’s MLW Fusion was taped during April’s War Chamber event from New York City’s Melrose Ballroom with Joe Dombrowski & Matt Striker on commentary.

The show featured two title matches and one title change as former MLW Champion Jacob Fatu defeated John Hennigan to take home his first Openweight Championship. 

MLW Tag Team Champions Samoan SWAT Team defeated The Mane Event and The FBI in a three-way to retain the titles

The Main Event (the masked Jay Lyon & Midas Black) are Northeast indie regulars and are very good with an entertaining act and some good combo work. One of those moves includes Black holding a hoop up through the second rope for Lyon to do a tope through.

That move was part of a sequence where all six men ended up on the outside of the ring via a variety of dives punctuated by SST’s Lance Anoa’i doing his own tope. The FBI’s Little Guido and Ray Jaz tried their best overcome the size of SST’s Juicy Finau to little effect.

https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1672033476101525505

The SST picked up the win and title defense with a Anoa’i frog splash (Samoan plunge) on Lyon for the win. This was an entertaining quick match.

– A well-done vignette for new MLW Middleweight Champion AKIRA and his Calling factionmates ran. They are calling out the Samons and said, among other things, that the Usos aren’t coming to help them.

– MSL confronted someone backstage about how royalties for Microman should go directly to him and not Microman. Davey Boy Smith Jr. then walked by and MSL chased after him.

https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1672034482684305408

– Footage aired of an irate Taya Valkyrie backstage after last week’s Featherweight title loss to Delmi Exo. Since this match was taped, she has competed for the AEW TBS title twice and had six total AEW matches.

– John Hennigan and Sam Adonis were each fined $2500 after their attack on Mance Warner last week. Warner then did a promo saying he wants Adonis in a leather strap match where he will bring Adonis to death’s door. That is set for next week.

Microman (w/ MSL) defeated Beastman (w/ Kim Chee)

This was a comedy match due to the sheer size difference. I have some long-standing questions about who owns the Kim Chee IP that I may need to do research on. I also didn’t realize Beastman was that active on the indie scene in the Mid-Atlantic/Ohio area. The things you learn on the Internet.

https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1672036999203803136

Beastman got distracted by accidentally knocking Kim Chee off the ropes and Microman then hit him low with Kim Chee’s stick which led to a very slow running spinning DDT that got him the win. This was awful.

– Davey Boy Smith Jr. was announced as the first entrant for the 2023 Opera Cup tourney but Alex Kane was banned due to him stealing the Cup earlier this year. Later, Kane couldn’t believe he was banned from the Oprah Cup (!), saying it was a conspiracy. He’s going to get revenge with next week’s Big Apple Grapple II: The Search for More Hoes (seriously!) and hopes his Never Say Never opponent — MLW Champion Alex Hammerstone will be there to watch. Kane is a pretty good talker.

https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1672038760748580865

– New for the Never Say Never event on July 8th: MLW Featherweight Champion Delmi Exo will defend her title in against wXw Women’s Champion Ava Everett in a title vs. title match; MLW Tag Team Champions Samoan SWAT Team face The Calling’s AKIRA & Rickey Shane Page in a fans bring the weapons match; Timothy Thatcher vs. Tracy Williams and a live musical performance by B3CCA.

Jacob Fatu defeated John Hennigan (w/ Taya Valkyrie) to win the MLW National Openweight title

Adonis was on with commentary and did a really good job. He is also a very good talker and has a career doing it after his in-ring days are done.

This one went nearly 18 minutes and was slow going in the early stages. Valkyrie got involved several times, including in the ring early in front of the referee as a distraction, which gave her man the advantage. I do agree with Bryan Alvarez that companies should get away from doing that unless it’s going to be a DQ.

Hennigan (fka John Morrison) was doing his best to avoid Fatu’s power which didn’t go so well at the midway point in an extended beatdown around the outside of the ring. Hennigan eventually regained the advantage using his kicks and rest holds on the former MLW Champion.

Fatu was relentless, hitting a big tope to the outside, a big splash from the top, and his signature running handspring moonsault for a nearfall. 

Then, things got wild.

Hennigan rallied and missed Starship Pain which brought Adonis to ringside. He distracted Fatu and Hennigan brought in a chair. As the ref took care of that, Valkyrie nailed Fatu with the title belt followed by a roll-up for a close nearfall.

https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1672042535697502209

That brought out Delmi Exo to offset Valkyrie while Warner attacked Adonis at the broadcast booth. The Calling were then shown brawling with Lance Anoa’i backstage and meanwhile, Fatu hit his moonsault for a nearfall thanks to Valkyrie pulling out the referee. Again, something that should be a DQ.

https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1672042787305340930

Juicy Finau then showed up to ringside to aid Exo who couldn’t handle Valkyrie on her own (but she just won the title so…). Back inside the ring, Hennigan nailed Fatu with a big kick to reset things. CHAOTIC, I SAY.

Hennigan unloaded his arsenal and hit Starship Pain for another nearfall which stunned him. 

Fatu rallied yet again and hit his Alley Use Samoan Drop followed by his finishing (and impressive) double spring moonsault to win the title. This turned out to be pretty entertaining when it was all said and done. He becomes the first MLW wrestler to hold both the main and Openweight titles.

Fatu then took the mic and said on behalf of the bloodline, he wanted to thank the fans. They are REALLY leaning into the WWE stuff.

Next Week:

  • Alex Kane’s Big Apple Grapple II
  • Mance Warner vs. Sam Adonis leather strap match

MLW Fusion results: John Hennigan vs. Willie Mack National Openweight title match

Posted on by Iain Oliver

This week’s MLW Fusion was taped in Philadelphia as part of the SuperFight and Battle Riot tapings earlier this year.

After Christian Cole called the Super Series the last two weeks, Matt Striker returned to join the ever-present Joe Dombrowski at the announcers’ table.

The Azteca Lucha faction (John Hennigan, Sam Adonis and Taya Valkyrie) cut a backstage promo. Adonis called out Mance Warner after he eliminated him from the Battle Riot match while Valkyrie laughed at the thought of Delmi Exo coming for her and her Featherweight title. They will face off next week.

Delmi Exo defeated B3CCA

Ahead of the title match next week, B3CCA must have read the writing on the wall as she came out of the blocks early with a combination of dropkicks, strikes and extravagant taunting. She even went as far as to cartwheel handspring into a simple slap which only seemed to fire Exo up.

She kicked B3CCA in the head and dropped her headfirst with a sit-out fisherman’s buster. B3CCA hit a springboard stunner for a close two count and got her in the Muta Lock and a single crab.

However, the number one contender used her smarts to roll and cause B3CCA to miss a top rope moonsault. This gave Exo the opening she needed for her Delmi Driver package piledriver to pick up the win before her big title shot next week. 

This was a good short match and another nice showcase for the women’s division.

– The Mane Event (Jay Lyon & Midas Black) cut a heartfelt, feel-good interview where they spoke out of character about their inspirations (House of Glory and Amazing Red) while we saw true backstage moments from their MLW debut. This felt different and was a very nice package to give the impression they will be in for a strong push soon.

– Sam Leterna interviewed Willie Mack who wasn’t willing to give up any secrets ahead of his Openweight title shot against John Hennigan.

1 Called Manders defeated Yoscifer El

El is an interesting character. Billed from “three to five thousand years ago,” he is a berzerker crossed with a White Walker crossed with Bruiser Brody crossed with a Genghis Khan character. Manders’ character is a bit more straightforward: a country-tough man of the Midwest.

This was a great big hoss fight filled with hard shots and slams with both men using their bodies to ram into each other. As good as it was, it was short-lived as Manders hit El with a big lariat to get the win.

– Ahead of his MLW title match with Alex Hammerstone at Never Say Never on July 8th, Alex Kane was eager to explain of all the injustices he has suffered: being number one in the Battle Riot, his National Openweight championship loss, and being left out of the Opera Cup tournament. He turned it on Court Bauer and told him the Bomaye Fight Club is for the people and he will bring a revolution to wrestling.

At the end of the show, the cameras caught up with Hammerstone who said Kane is talking like he is looking for an excuse and an easy escape for their title match. He thinks Kane is looking for either a cheap cash in or an injury to grant him the win because there is no way he will be a man and step up to a fair one-on-one contest.

– Taya Valkyrie again laughed off Delmi Exo’s chances of beating her next week, making fun of her name and saying she has beaten people all over USA and Mexico and it will be the same next week.

– Timothy Thatcher vs. Tracy Williams was announced for Never Say Never.

MLW National Openweight Champion John Hennigan (w/ Taya Valkyrie) defeated Willie Mack to retain the title

Mack got his shot after he disclosed that he may know the whereabouts of Cesar Duran, blackmailing his way into the match.

Mack put a stop to Hennigan’s early efforts with a massive pounce. Hennigan had to get dirty to get the real advantage where he could then use his array of kicks and strikes to slow Mack down.

After a slap to the face and trying to use Valkyrie as a human shield, Hennigan was on the end of a rampaging Mack who chopped his way into an advantage. But the resourceful Hennigan hit a desperation jawbreaker and a springboard kick to get right back into the match.

Hennigan hit his swinging neckbreaker Moonlight Drive for a close two count as Sam Adonis (at the announcers’ table) speculated that Duran will return in no time and make everything great again in MLW.

Hennigan went to the top rope, but took too long which allowed Mack to crotch him. Mack then joined Hennigan, but the crafty Hennigan was again able to trip him and make him crash to the mat.

The confidence was growing in Hennigan but that came crashing down as well when Mack dodged Starship Pain. Mack then exploded into a comeback with strikes and a red-hot pendulum slam. He then hoisted Hennigan up with ease for a Samoan drop, a kip-up and a standing moonsault for a crowd erupting close two count.

Hennigan slipped behind and struck him with a forearm to the back of the head, but Mack came back with a big pop-up forearm of his own.

Mack had a visual three count after his running step-up kick, but Valkyrie distracted the referee. Hennigan then accidentally kicked Valkyrie off the apron, distracting the referee again. It looked like Adonis was going to interfere and knock Mack out with the belt, but the challenger thwarted the heels’ antics and stunnered Adonis out of the ring.

Mack then hit a pop-up sit-out power bomb for a close two count that got a “this is awesome” chant from the crowd.

The heels still had one trick left up their sleeve. Hennigan kept his title belt in the ring and after a sunset flip, he made the referee get rid of it. As the referee’s back was turned, Valkyrie hit Mack in the back of his head with her title belt to give her man the tainted win and successful title defense.

Next week:

  • MLW Featherweight Champion Taya Valkyrie defends against Delmi Exo
  • MLW Middleweight Champion Lince Dorado defends against AKIRA and Lio Rush in a three-way
  • An update on Jacob Fatu’s injury status and news on his return

Morrison vs. Fatu title match set for MLW War Chamber tapings

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Jacob Fatu is getting a National Openweight Championship shot at MLW’s next set of television tapings.

It was announced today that John Hennigan (the former John Morrison) will defend his National Openweight title against Fatu at MLW War Chamber on Thursday, April 6. The show is taking place at the Melrose Ballroom in New York City.

This will be the first time Hennigan and Fatu have ever faced each other one-on-one. They took part in a triple threat match against each other for indie promotion All Pro Wrestling in 2019.

At MLW Blood & Thunder this January, Hennigan won the National Openweight Championship from Davey Richards. That match aired on MLW Underground last week.

Fatu is a former MLW World Heavyweight Champion but has never held the National Openweight title.

Here’s the updated card for the War Chamber tapings:

  • MLW National Openweight Champion John Hennigan defends against Jacob Fatu
  • MLW Women’s Featherweight Champion Taya Valkyrie defends against Delmi Exo
  • Mandy Leon makes her MLW debut

MLW Underground results: John Hennigan vs. Davey Richards

Posted on by Iain Oliver

This week’s MLW Underground action was taped in Philadelphia with Joe Dombrowski and Matt Striker on the call.

We opened with a trios brawl between the Bomaye Fight Club (Alex Kane, Mr. Thomas & Myron Reed) and Davey Boy Smith Jr. and the Billington Bulldogs. Kane was again talking trash and threatening the Hart Family’s Opera Cup heritage before the Bulldogs had heard enough and knocked Kane out.

Microman & MLW Middleweight Champion Lince Dorado defeated Delirious & Mini Abismo Negro

This was the usual comedy-laden match with Microman sprinkled in between the flying and high spots of the others.

Abismo was on the end of Microman’s spots this week as he rolled and flipped around the ring on the receiving end of a headscissors and low dropkicks. Delirious cut off Microman and began the beatdown of the mini superstar.

Dorado was again really good both in the ring and in the air, adding a sometimes much-needed injection of energy and speed between the comedy and heat spots on Microman.

Microman hit a pair of 619s before Dorado had to save his partner from a top rope Delirious splash. The champion shook it off and came down hard on Delirious with a plancha to the floor before Microman caught Abismo in a victory roll to pick up the win.

After the match, we had our first mystery attack in front of a live crowd as Dorado and Microman were kicked and stomped by three attackers in gas masks. They were wearing the same mask as Alex Hammerstone’s delivery man from last week who gave him a box with an octopus in it.

– Speaking of Hammerstone, he has his own theory of who the attackers are, pointing his finger at Jacob Fatu and the Samoan Swat Team.

– There was a medical update on Real1 after Mance Warner ran him over last week. Warner was released from prison by two people he is bringing to MLW: The 1 Called Manders and Matthew Justice.

Billie Starkz defeated Kayla Kassidy

This was short, but designed to give Starkz a victory on her way to an eventual matchup with Featherweight Champion Taya Valkyrie, which they teased at the end of the match.

Starkz took Kassidy out early with a dive to the floor but was on the receiving end of a few hard shots to the back of her head moments later. Kassidy slowed it down and nearly had Starkz put away with a Cradle Shock-style slam.

Starkz came back with three German suplexes and put away Kassidy with a great-looking Sugoi driver.

After the match, Sam Laterna interviewed Valkyrie on the stage and similar to last week, the interview got interrupted. This time, it was Starkz who interrupted Valkyrie but the Featherweight Champion ended up shooing Starkz away like she couldn’t be bothered.

– Alex Kane put a challenge out to the Billington Bulldogs. If they can beat Mr. Thomas and Myron Reed next week, Davey Boy Smith Jr. will get a shot at Kane.

– Juicy Finau then got some revenge for EJ Nduka attacking Lance Anoa’i a few weeks ago by jumping him as he entered the building. Finau and Anoa’i will be getting a shot at Nduka and Calvin Tankman’s MLW Tag Team titles in a few weeks.

John Hennigan (w/ Taya Valkyrie and Cesar Duran) defeated Davey Richards to win the MLW National Openweight title

This started at 100 mph from the opening bell and was a sprint to the finish. Hennigan tried to use underhanded tactics on the outside by leveraging Valkyrie and Duran to distract the champion as well as using the guardrail and even a pizza to try and get the upper hand. But, the champion always came back fighting. 

Richards locked in the Trailer Hitch, but Duran helped Hennigan escape by pushing the rope towards his newly signed talent. Hennigan then knocked Richards down with a big roundhouse kick.

The action then turned up a notch as Hennigan tried to piledrive Richards on the apron, but the champion slipped out and pulled back the mats on the outside to expose the concrete floor. Richards then tried to knock Hennigan off the apron onto the concrete with some running big boots, but then decided to suplex him into the ring. 

However, in doing so, Valkyrie grabbed Richards’ leg and made him drop Hennigan on top of him in another close two count for the challenger.

This was Hennigan’s chance and he capitalized with a running shining wizard to the head, but missed Starship Pain when Richards moved. Richards hit a penalty kick and a double stomp from the top rope, but Hennigan kicked out. A brainbuster followed as did another kickout.

In a sequence we have become accustomed to in MLW, Richards didn’t stop, flowing directly from the kickout into an ankle lock. Hennigan fought out, but Richards turned that into a Texas cloverleaf in what looked like a seamless neverending onslaught with nowhere for Hennigan to escape.

But Hennigan was not alone.

As Duran got on the apron to distract the referee, Valkyrie got involved again and hit Richards with her title belt which gave her man the opening to pin the knocked out champion and win the National Openweight title.

Next week on MLW Underground:

  • MLW Champion Alex Hammerstone defends against Lance Anoa’i
  • Lio Rush vs. Jacob Fatu
  • Billington Bulldogs vs. Mr. Thomas & Myron Reed

MLW Underground results: Alex Hammerstone vs. Yamato title match

Posted on by Iain Oliver

This week’s MLW Underground action was taped in January in Philadelphia at the Blood & Thunder TV taping with Joe Dombrowski and Matt Striker on the call.

After being knocked out by Real1 and a pair of brass knuckles during their street fight last week, Mance Warner was on the hunt for revenge and it did not take him long as we opened the show with footage from the parking lot with Warner running down Real1 with his car. 

Warner suggested he was drunk driving and then told Real1 to never steal from a redneck. Later in the night, we were told the authorities were en route to the arena and Real1 was being looked at by paramedics.

Sam Adonis (w/ Cesar Duran and Azteca Lucha henchmen) defeated Calvin Tankman (w/ EJ Nduka)

This match was short, but had good action. This was used to connect a lot of ongoing storylines and bring in the returning John Hennigan.

Duran put up one million pesos to anyone in the back who could beat Adonis before Adonis himself got on the mic and riled up the crowd Joel Gertner style in a nice ECW callback for the Philadelphia crowd.

Tankman’s MLW Tag Team championship partner EJ Nduka accompanied him to ringside and joined the commentary team. He discussed his recent run-ins with MLW Champion Hammerstone and more recently with the Samoan SWAT Team.

Last week, we saw Nduka badmouth Jacob Fatu before hitting Lance Anoa’i with a cinder block in the parking lot building up the upcoming title challenge from the SST.

Adonis seems to be getting a strong push in MLW and was able to put Tankman away after a low blow and a 450 splash off the top rope. Adonis had help from ringside with the henchmen getting involved, but Nduka chose not to help his partner and stayed at the commentary table.

After the match, Adonis got on the mic, said he wanted a title shot, and called out National Openweight Champion Davey Richards who gladly accepted via some right hands. Adonis bailed and the henchmen jumped Richards, giving Adonis the easy opening to lay a few boots himself.

This brought out the returning John Hennigan (fka Johnny Nitro, John Morrison, etc) with a steel chair. He cleared the ring of Lucha Azteca but then turned the chair on Richards, siding with Adonis and Duran. Hennigan joins his wife and MLW Featherweight Champion Taya Valkyrie in Duran’s stable. Duran, Hennigan and Adonis then stood over a fallen and battered Richards as Duran called this a new era of Azteca Lucha as he is collecting the best luchadors in the world.

https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1628231993438908416

The Billington Bulldogs (Thomas & Mark Billington) defeated The FBI (Little Guido & Ray Jaz)

Guido and Jaz sized up well with the Bulldogs, especially Guido, which made for a nicely-styled match.

Thomas kicked out of Guido’s Sicilian Slice and Mark got the hot tag which led to the closing moments of the match. Mark caught Jaz off the top rope and held him Hart Attack-style which let Thomas hit a top rope missile dropkick to pick up the pin and win.

The Bulldogs looked good here, hitting hard with nice execution, obviously focusing on their family heritage and the Stampede Wrestling style. Being in the ring with people like Guido and Davey Boy Smith Jr should help them too.

https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1628236806734114816

– We saw another tease of the recent mystery attacks that have been happening in MLW. The symbol is an A.O. and we have yet to find out the attacker’s identity, although this week they ramped up this storyline a bit. The symbol flashed during Hammerstone’s interview and also before the entrance for his match so this may indicate his next opponent– either with or without the title.

– Sam Laterna interviewed Richards after the attack by Hennigan, who they called Johnny Fusion. Richards said he has a few nicknames himself, most of all “The American Wolf.” He then called out Hennigan to a match anytime, anywhere. Duran interrupted via the big screen on the stage and booked Richards vs. Hennigan for the Openweight title for next week.

– An All Access segment with Jacob Fatu aired, showing a slightly different approach to his earlier All Access looks. This focused on his babyface run, talking up his fighting background but also his road back to challenge for the MLW title again. We then cut to a pre-recorded promo with Fatu in the parking lot where he hyped up his title challenge at SuperFight.

MLW Champion Alex Hammerstone defeated Yamato to retain the title

Before he collides with Fatu in their long-awaited rematch, Hammerstone had a hearty challenger here in “Japan’s no. 1 ranked wrestler.” The Dragon Gate native gave Hammerstone a scare in this slugfest, but he eventually fell to the champion’s power and the Nightmare Pendulum.

Earlier in the night, Hammerstone told Laterna that he is used to staying focused on the number of challengers that seem to attack him after he defends his title, so he is ready. He got riled up, saying he is staying champion whether it is tonight or at SuperFight against Fatu.

Similar to the opener, this had good solid in-ring action but also served as a backdrop to other ongoing storylines and future matches.

After a short break, Yamato had weathered the initial Hammerstone storm and was in control via a pump kick and corner dropkick. He then hit a big top rope superplex, but the champion also held on and as both got to their feet, he hit a suplex of his own.

A German suplex and sit-out powerbomb followed, but Yamato kicked out and came back with a Frankensteiner and jumping kick. Hammerstone then came back with a strong lariat and his Nightmare Pendulum in quick succession to retain his title.

After the match, a man in a gas mask came to ringside and gave the champion a box. Hammerstone was confused and when he opened the box, there was an octopus inside. Is this hinting at another debuting wrestler, his next challenger, the mystery attacker, or all of the above? If you connect the dots, it does bring up an interesting title challenger.

https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1628243446262792193

After the unboxing, Hammerstone was leaving the arena and confronted by Fatu who wanted to have their fight right now. Hammerstone, seemingly fed up with being called out or attacked, caught him off-guard with a pump kick and kickstarted a wild show-closing brawl around ringside. Security and officials tried to keep them apart as Underground went off the air.

https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1628243953140252673

Next week on MLW Underground:

  • MLW National Openweight Champion Davey Richards defends against Johnny Fusion

John Hennigan on being nervous for boxing debut, training with Josh Barnett

Posted on by Denise Salcedo

John Hennigan has had a long list of names in working for every major wrestling promotion out there including WWE, AEW, Impact and others.

However, the current MLW National Openweight Champion is adding a new bullet point on his lengthy resume outside the wrestling ring and in the boxing ring instead. On Saturday, April 15th, Hennigan will have his first officially sanctioned boxing match at Creator Clash 2 at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

Hennigan will be facing Harley Morenstein, a Canadian actor and host of the YouTube show Epic Meal Time. Morenstein took part in the first Creator Clash event and successfully defeated Arin Hanson via TKO. 

Creator Clash 2 features YouTube influencers taking part in boxing matches for charities such as the Paralympic Sports Association, The Longest Day Alzheimer’s Association, American Kidney Fund, The National Alliance on Mental Illness, and several others. 

Hennigan has been a fan of boxing for a long time but says he never thought about doing it. The whole thing came about because he attended the first show, cornering fighter Nathan Barnatt.

“At the time, I didn’t realize how big the event was gonna be, but I was excited to watch him fight in his first fight. When I went and saw how well he did and how excited everyone was…all the influencers who fought in Creator Clash 1 had a really good time,” he explained.

It was when the showrunners were putting together the card for Creator Clash 2 that Hennigan was asked if he would take part in it. 

Hennigan said he felt additional pressure to win the match given that he is a wrestler, especially from his wife, Taya Valkyrie.

“My wife (said) if I lose, expect to get knocked out twice on April 15th because she’s gonna knock me out,” he joked.

Hennigan said he’s been training with former UFC heavyweight champion and fellow pro wrestler Josh Barnett for the fight and also shared the very honest thing Barnett told him beforehand.

“When I asked him to train me, he said, ‘Sure John, I’ll train you but just so you know, boxing is your worst thing,'” he laughed. “He’s not wrong. I was like, ‘Josh, I know it’s my worst thing. That’s why I need you train me.” 

Hennigan describes training with Barnett is like “trying to box a grizzly bear.”

Hennigan feels he is getting better, but know he has a long way to go. Regardless, he hs is having a fun learning new skills for a different type of performance.

“It’s been fun: not just learning a new skill, but being under the gun, being forced to learn. I forced myself (into this) by putting pressure on myself by taking this fight which I feel is kind of a fun thing to have this crazy goal and this date hanging over my head which makes me extra motivated to train every day,” he said.

Because this is an entirely new sport for Hennigan, he said he is more nervous for this fight than any of his recent wrestling matches. 

“I think I am more nervous for this than I have been for a wrestling match in a long time because when I wrestle, I am very confident in my ability. I don’t have that confidence yet since I am just learning this craft. It’s fun and I like learning,” he said.

John Morrison announced for MLW Blood & Thunder

Posted on by Ian Carey

John Morrison is returning to Major League Wrestling. 

MLW announced Thursday on social media that Morrison will participate in Blood & Thunder next month in Philadelphia. It will be the first time he has performed in an MLW ring since 2018. He is being advertised for the show as “Johnny Fusion.” 

Two matches are confirmed for the event thus far. Alex Hammerstone is scheduled to defend his MLW World Championship against Yamato and Jacob Fatu is set to wrestle Ben-K. 

MLW Blood & Thunder takes place Saturday, January 7, 2023, from Philadelphia’s 2300 Arena. Matches on the show will be taped for future episodes of Fusion. The announced lineup is as follows:

  • MLW World Heavyweight Championship: Alex Hammerstone defends against Yamato
  • Jacob Fatu vs. Ben-K

Also announced for the show: 

  • Alex Kane and the Bomaye Fight Club
  • Real1
  • Davey Boy Smith Jr. & The Billington Bulldogs
  • World Tag Team Champions Hustle & Power (EJ Nduka & Calvin Tankman)
  • Lince Dorado
  • Women’s World Featherweight Champion Taya Valkyrie
  • Microman
  • Davey Richards
  • Mance Warner
  • Delirious
  • Sam Adonis
  • Cesar Duran
  • The Samoan SWAT Team
  • The FBI
  • La Estrella of DRAGONGATE

John Morrison unable to wrestle at GCW No Signal in the Hills 2 due to injury

Posted on by Ian Carey

John Morrison will not be wrestling at GCW No Signal in the Hills 2 but will still be attending the show. 

On Thursday, the promotion revealed that the 42-year-old is injured and has been removed from his scheduled match with Gringo Loco. Rocky Romero will now face Loco on the show. The event takes place Friday, July 15 from the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Los Angeles, California.

Morrison took to social media to comment on the news. 

“Hey guys I’m really bummed about missing the show and the shot for a singles match with @GringoLocoOG – the GCW card is stacked I am still planning on attending to check out the show and meet the GCW fans,” he wrote on Twitter. 

The nature and severity of Morrison’s injury are not known. The 42-year-old recently returned from a tour of Australia with World Series Wrestling. He performs as Johnny Downunder for the promotion and currently holds the WSW Heavyweight Championship.  

John Morrison appears on AEW Dynamite, faces Samoa Joe

Posted on by Bryan Rose

John Morrison appeared on tonight’s AEW Dynamite, going under the name Johnny Elite.

The open to tonight’s Dynamite saw Elite come out as the mystery joker opponent in the Owen Hart Foundation men’s tournament, facing Samoa Joe. The two had a back and forth match, with Joe picking up the win after the muscle buster. With the win, Joe advances to the semifinals of the tournament, where he will meet the winner of the Jeff Hardy/Adam Cole match set to take place later on Dynamite.

Elite, best known as John Morrison, was released from his WWE contract back on November 18 of last year. Since then, he has made appearances on AAA, most recently wrestling at Triplemania Monterrey on April 30, where he and Taurus defeated Dragon Lee & Dralistico and Laredo Kid & Jack Cartwheel in a three-way tag match. He is also scheduled to make his GCW debut at Downward Spiral on May 28, where he will be going under the name Johnny Game Changer.