Game Changer Wrestling began a tour of Japan on Monday, but two wrestlers who were scheduled to be there were unable to attend.
The indie promotion announced that TNA star Masha Slamovich and mini luchador Microman could not make the trip over to Japan due to travel issues. The three-show tour began today at Shinjuku Face in Tokyo and will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday with events at Tokyo Square and Korakuen Hall.
Slamovich was the TNA Knockouts World Champion prior to recently dropping the belt to NXT’s Jacy Jayne at TNA Slammiversary. That was a title vs. title match where both the Knockouts Championship and NXT Women’s Championship were on the line.
Along with her TNA work, Slamovich is the World Champion of GCW’s sister brand Jersey Championship Wrestling. She was scheduled to defend the title against 1 Called Manders at today’s show. Instead, there was a non-title match with Manders facing Kazusada Higuchi of DDT Pro Wrestling.
Miyu Yamashita and Mao will be replacing Slamovich in her remaining matches on the tour. It will be Yamashita, Shotzi Blackheart & Dark Sheik vs. Super Crazy, Jordan Oliver & Alec Price on Tuesday, then Mao & Rina Yamashita vs. Oliver & Price on Wednesday.
Replacements for Microman’s remaining matches have not been announced yet. He’s a freelancer in Mexico and the United States and had previously worked for MLW.
Due to travel issues, Masha Slamovich & Microman will be unable to attend this weeks events in Japan.
Masha will be replaced by: 7/28: Kazusada Higuchi (vs Manders) 7/29: Miyu Yamashita (w/ Shotzi & Sheik vs YDNP/Super Crazy) 7/30: Mao (w/Rina vs YDNP)
— GameChangerWrestling (@GCWrestling_) July 28, 2025
The three GCW shows from this week’s Japan tour are not being broadcast live but are still airing on TrillerTV+ later in the night on the same day that they take place.
This week’s MLW Fusion was taped at Philadelphia’s 2300 Arena with Joe Dombrowski and Matt Striker on the call.
Ichiban defeated TJ Crawford
This was Ichiban’s first match on Fusion after making his debut at Fury Road by defeating Tracy Williams. Crawford has made a few appearances for MLW so far, all losing efforts. This was a good match to showcase the ability of both and give Ichiban a solid win.
Ichiban is crisp and has a good rapport with the fans. Crawford got the heat by faking an eye injury to delay Ichiban on the top rope, followed by him then crotching the high-flying striker. He hit a nice double underhook sit-down slam but arrogantly went for a cover that Ichiban easily kicked out of.
Ichiban fought back with a stunner, handspring elbow and springboard dropkick. His momentum was stopped, but only momentarily, as he got a close nearfall after a crossbody.
They exchanged strikes until Ichiban hit a long satellite DDT before getting the crowd to chant “one” (Ichiban is Japanese for number one) as he leapt and hit his jumping downward spiral to pick up the win.
As Crawford was leaving, a hooded figure came out and whispered something in his ear before walking off together.
– Backstage, Mance Warner and the Second Gear Crew hyped up Microman and gave him their favorite weapons to use against Sam Adonis. After the match, Warner promised Coronas and “bonitas mamacitas.”
Sam Leterna then interviewed Adonis who called himself Mexico’s top box office attraction and Mexico’s top draw. He says he is going to teach Microman some respect.
B3CCA defeated Tiara James
B3CCA defeated Maki Itoh at Fury Road to become the number 1 contender to Delmi Exo’s MLW Featherweight title. Love Doug, who is smitten with B3CCA, joined the commentary team with roses for her but she brushed him off each time he tried to get her attention.
James looked good here with a crossbody, gut buster and a running senton. Later, a spinebuster got her a close two count.
B3CCA took advantage and hit a middle rope dropkick and a running big boot in the corner. Her arrogance nearly got the better of her as James was able to sneak in a schoolgirl but she came back with an eye rake and her impressive top rope 450 splash to pick up the win.
After the match, she wanted the camera to follow her and not show Love Doug as he tried to get her attention.
– Salina de la Renta returned to MLW at Fury Road and tonight, we heard from The Empresaria. She told Leterna, who she thought was former MLW interviewer Alicia Atout, that she was behind the disappearance of Cesar Duran, Taya Valkyrie and John Hennigan. She promised to continue dropping bombshells.
– Leterna was earning her keep tonight as she then interviewed Jacob Fatu about his upcoming match with Minoru Suzuki at MLW Slaughterhouse on October 14th. De la Renta interrupted and threatened Fatu after what he did to her at 2020’s SuperFight in his match against LA Park.
Microman vs. Sam Adonis went to a no contest
This had the usual Microman comedy spots with Adonis making fun of his height, plus the usual heat spots with Adonis bullying and teasing to tear off the mask.
Adonis got the heat with a big boot and brought a chair into the ring to repeat what he did last week. Instead, Microman dropped Adonis with a drop toe hold onto the chair and was closing in on victory when Snisky (the former Snitksy) ran out and pulled the referee out for the disqualification.
Snisky backed Microman into the corner and threatened to punt Microman but the Second Gear Crew ran out to save Microman for the second week in a row. They hoisted Microman to the top rope and he splashed Adonis for good measure. They all then shared a beer to celebrate getting one over MSL and his World Titan Federation.
– MLW Champion Alex Kane held a press conference where he questioned who his next opponent was, saying Tom Lawlor ignored his offer to cash in his automatic rematch clause. MSL then interrupted and Kane said he would choke out Davey Boy Smith Jr. again if he had to.
– The Calling were in the house and as Fusion was going off the air, we saw them brawling backstage with the Second Gear Crew who had a little help from Jimmy Lloyd.
This week’s MLW Underground was taped in Philadelphia during January’s Blood & Thunder TV taping with both Joe Dombrowski and Matt Striker on the call.
Microman defeated Real1
This played into the ongoing storyline between Real1 and Mance Warner. Both had previously knocked each other out in matches but then Warner increased the aggression by running Real1 over with his truck. Then two weeks ago, Real1 defied the laws of modern medicine by miraculously recovering, rising from his wheelchair to cause Warner to lose to Ricky Shane Page in a hardcore match. Warner has recently taken Microman under his wing and has been watching out for him.
Mister Saint Laurent emphatically introduced his superhero client before Real1 entered and smack talked Microman, focusing on his height and size. He even called back to his WWE days by spelling out the one word he wanted to use to describe Microman: “D-W-A-R-F.”
The match itself was more of an angle with Real1 bringing a chair into the ring early on, only to be planted face-first into it after mocking Microman by using him as Simba from the Lion King. Warner then gave Microman a cane to use on a knocked out Real1 behind the referee’s back, followed by him standing on top of his fallen mouthy opponent to get the win.
– After being attacked last week by Raven, Ricky Shane Page and AKIRA (aka The Calling), MLW Champion Alex Hammerstone came out to say he wants revenge and wants The Calling in a War Chamber match. Later in the night, it was announced that the challenge was accepted and it will be on Reelz in three weeks.
At the end of the episode, Hammerstone recruited The Second Gear Crew (Mance Warner, 1 Called Manders & Matthew Justice) to be his partners in the match.
– Ahead of tonight’s main event, we saw a video package on the history of the Opera Cup. It focused on more recent events where Alex Kane stole the Cup from Davey Richards and continues to disrespect both the Cup and its history. Davey Boy Smith Jr. hyped up his match with Kane while warming up backstage. During Smith’s promo, we had a cut-in from The Calling. After the Chamber, could he be next on their hit list?
AKIRA defeated Mike Law
Similar to Page’s debut in his hardcore match with Warner, AKIRA had a choice of blood-stained weapons to choose from as he walked to the ring. He wasted no time in trying to use a sickle he chose before dropping Law with an elevated reverse DDT in a quick match.
– Numerous members of the MLW roster were announced for Battle Riot V that will air on Reelz on April 25th.
– Kane had his chance to hype up the main event with the rest of the Bomaye Fight Club alongside him.
– Where is Cesar Duran? A few weeks ago, he was supposedly kidnapped by his own henchmen, put under a hood and taken away. This week, we again heard from MLW Featherweight Champion Taya Valkyrie and MLW Openweight Champion John Hennigan in a tongue-in-cheek plea to help find Duran by calling their 1-900-LUCHA number.
– 1 Called Manders from the Second Gear Crew said he loves to fight and drink beers and wants to add MLW gold to his belt buckle. He will face Page next week in a hardcore match as part of the hype for the War Chamber match.
– Before the bell for the main event, we cut backstage to see The Calling attacking EJ Nduka. Could this be the last time we see Nduka in MLW? The commentary team played up The Calling attacks being out of control.
Alex Kane (w/ Mr. Thomas & Myron Reed) defeated Davey Boy Smith Jr. (w/ Mark & Thomas Billington)
Reed joined the commentary team and said the only Bomaye game plan he was willing to disclose was to “win, win, win.”
This was described as a catch wrestling vs. grappling match, but Kane hit a dive through the ropes early on before hitting a hard German suplex to the mats on the outside.
Kane followed up with a splash on the apron as the commentary team played up the focused attack on Smith’s neck. Kane continued to slowly beat down Smith with a combination of suplexes and strikes.
Smith’s first comeback consisted of hulking up and popping up from a German suplex. This started a battle of German suplexes from both until Smith finally got the upper hand and kept Kane on the mat. After a strike exchange, a powerslam, a neckbreaker, and a leg drop followed as Smith took advantage.
Smith took to the sky to hit a top rope leg drop for a close nearfall. Kane briefly came back with a flatliner, but when he went to the top rope, he was caught by Smith who planted him with his powerslam finisher.
Smith looked to have had the match won, but Thomas got on the apron to distract the referee and sneak some liquid into the ring. Kane threw the liquid into Smith’s eyes and again suplexed him on his neck to pick up the tainted pinfall win.
After the match, Smith had to clean his eyes as Sam Laterna caught Kane on the stage to question what he did. The Bomaye Fight Club blew off the question and instead turned it into a “Bomaye” chant.
Next week:
Lio Rush in action
1 Called Manders vs. Ricky Shane Page in a hardcore match
MLW Underground (April 18th):
MLW Champion Alex Hammerstone & The Second Gear Crew vs. The Calling in a War Chamber match
Two matches have been added to the lineup for MLW SuperFight.
The promotion revealed on Thursday that a dumpster match involving Real1, Microman, Mance Warner, and a “wildcard entrant” will take place on the show. Lio Rush vs. Davey Richards has been scheduled for the event as well.
This will be the third singles match between Richards and Rush. Richards defeated Rush on a DEFY show in 2017 and Rush defeated him at PWG It’s A Long Way To The Top on November 21, 2021.
MLW.com wrote the following on the match:
Training hard in St. Louis at the Team Ambition gym, Richards vows to hold nothing back as he battles the brilliant and braggadocios Rush.
With immense momentum on his side, the “Man of the Hour” Lio Rush enters the big fight fresh off an extraordinary global tour, competing in high-profile bouts from Japan to Europe.
Now, the two will collide in what promises to be a world class showcase of combat excellence as they step into the MLW ring and hope to punch their ticket to a world title fight.
Real1 has been involved in a rivalry with both Warner and Microman as of late. He faced Microman earlier this month at Blood & Thunder and had a street fight with Warner in October at Fightland. Both match have yet to air on MLW programming.
MLW SuperFight takes place Saturday, February 4, 2023, from the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. It will be the third straight event MLW has held in the venue.
The announced lineup is as follows:
MLW Champion Alexander Hammerstone defends against Jacob Fatu
Real1 vs. Microman vs. Mance Warner vs. TBA in a Dumpster Match
Lio Rush vs. Davey Richards
Rickey Shane Page vs. 1 Called Manders in a hardcore match
MLW Featherweight Champion Taya Valkyrie defends against Delmi Exo
Dragon Gate Open the Gate Tag Team Champions Natural Vibes defend against TBA
The former Enzo Amore is set to face off with MLW’s smallest wrestler at Blood & Thunder.
MLW has announced that Real1 vs. Microman has been added to the lineup for Blood & Thunder 2023, which is taking place at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia on Saturday, January 7. The event is a television taping for MLW Fusion.
“The match came about at the insistence of Microman, who lobbied league officials to book the bout. Microman was disrespected by being literally punted by Real1 out of the ring at a critical moment in Battle RIOT IV,” MLW wrote.
“The vicious elimination not only was brutal but cost Microman a coveted opportunity to win the Battle Riot and be granted a title shot anytime, anywhere.”
Jacob Fatu won Battle Riot IV and will be getting a future MLW World Heavyweight Championship match against Alex Hammerstone. Fatu is facing Dragon Gate’s Ben-K at Blood & Thunder.
The updated card for the Blood & Thunder tapings can be seen below:
MLW World Heavyweight Champion Alex Hammerstone defends against Yamato
MLW Tag Team Champions EJ Nduka & Calvin Tankman defend against The Samoan Swat Team (Lance Anoa’i & Juicy Finau)
MLW National Openweight Champion Davey Richards defends against Johnny Fusion
“The smallest wrestler in the world” is now under contract with MLW.
It was announced today that Microman has signed a multi-year deal with MLW. The mini luchador made his MLW debut on last week’s episode of Fusion, teaming with Aramis & El Dragon to defeat Arez, Gino Medina & Mini Abismo Negro in a trios match.
The 23-year-old Microman was introduced on Fusion as part of an angle where MLW’s Mister Saint Laurent hyped that he had scoured the world in search of the “best pound-for-pound fighter.”
Microman was also in action at MLW’s SuperFight tapings in Charlotte, North Carolina this past weekend. Spoilers for those tapings can be found here.
Microman made his in-ring debut in 2017. He departed CMLL last year.
MLW’s full announcement regarding the signing of Microman is available below:
Major League Wrestling (MLW) today announced the signing of Microman to a multi-year deal.
Microman thrilled and amazed fans with his MLW debut on FUSION this past week as he defied the odds, physics and the enormity of his opponents to impress and win the match and the heart of fans around the world.
‘Not since the days of Andre the Giant has there been someone so special that they bring pure wonderment and joy like you experience when Microman competes,’ said MLW CEO Court Bauer. “Inch for inch, Microman may just be the greatest wrestler the world has ever seen and I’m excited to share this one of a kind inspiring athlete with the world.’
Standing just one meter in height, Microman is a mini luchador.
Microman comes to MLW after taking Mexico by storm where he appeared in car commercials for the McLaren 570S Coupe sports car as well as competing for some of Mexico’s top lucha organizations, Microman now makes the leap to Major League Wrestling.
‘The world’s greatest wonder,’ Microman is the smallest wrestler in the world.
