Tag: mlw fusion results

MLW Fusion results: Two-out-of-three falls Tag Team title match

Posted on by Iain Oliver

Big Takeaways —

  • Due to some interference from Austin Aries, The Dynasty retained their MLW Tag Team titles after defeating The Hart Foundation two falls to one.
  • Injustice’s Jordan Oliver defeated Zenshi as their feud continues. 
  • Two big matches are booked for next week: Mance Warner vs. Jimmy Havoc in a Bunkhouse Brawl and Timothy Thatcher vs. Douglas James.

Full Recap —

Fusion opened with a recorded message from Josef Samael (not so) fresh and bloodied from the War Chamber match last week. He said the war with the Von Erichs isn’t over and he will take them all out once and for all.

Jordan Oliver defeated Zenshi (7:11)

Fellow Injustice members Kotto Brazil and Myron Reed accompanied Oliver and were interfering throughout.

Oliver kept up with Zenshi’s rolling and lucha-style arm drags and reversals in the opening moments, but he was finally halted with a standing Shooting Star Press.

Zenshi had to deal with Injustice’s interference early as he kicked Reed away as he climbed the turnbuckle. Oliver met Zenshi up the turnbuckle and looked to have caught him with a hurricanrana off the top, but Zenshi landed on his feet after a full rotation and rolled to his apparent safety in the opposite corner. However, Injustice’s numbers game played to their advantage in that corner as Brazil was waiting to trip him behind the ref’s back — and Oliver followed in with a basement dropkick to the face.

Zenshi fought back with a slingshot headscissor takedown and then took out Reed with a Shooting Star Press to the floor. He then hit Oliver with a slingshot DDT and slingshot twisting senton (both from the apron), but Oliver kicked out at two.

Zenshi hit a Sliced Bread neckbreaker, but Brazil pulled the ref out before he could count to three, pulling his shoe off in the process.

Inside the ring, Oliver hit a cutter as the referee was throwing Brazil out. Reed — complete with a D’Lo Brown chest protector for his apparent broken ribs — interfered again with a beautiful 450 splash that let Oliver cover Zenshi and pick up the win.

After the match, Injustice put the boots to the official until Gringo Loco ran out with a chair to make the save. This feud continues.

– A video hype package for “The Bone Collector” Dominic Garrini aired. He will be coming to MLW this fall.

– Mance Warner challenged Jimmy Havoc to a Bunkhouse Brawl match. He said he is going to bust Havoc up.

– A good recap and hype video played for tonight’s main event between The Dynasty and Hart Foundation, which led into Lifestyles of the Rich and Dynastic with Richard Holliday in the gym. He had a message for us “consumers” and said tonight we will see that there is only one Dynasty in MLW, not the Hart Foundation, The Dynasty.

– Rich Bocchini asked the Von Erichs who they were pulling for in the main event. They said the Harts have the edge for them — but ultimately it doesn’t matter, as the Von Erichs are coming for Tag Team gold.

– Salina de la Renta was backstage with a message for Jacob Fatu. She said LA Park will take care of him, and before she could talk about Warner, Havoc appeared and said he has him sorted. He said Warner is screwed and he will end up drinking Warner’s blood.

MLW Tag Team Champions The Dynasty (MJF & Richard Holliday) defeated The Hart Foundation (Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Teddy Hart) in a two-out-of-three falls match to retain their titles (22:54)

We were told there was an altercation between Teddy Hart and Austin Aries backstage as Aries thinks Hart has been shunning him since he announced he wants a shot at Hart’s MLW Middleweight title.

The Dynasty stalled early on with a game of rock, paper, scissors and added some jaw-jacking with the crowd. The Hart Foundation jumped them and they began brawling around ringside. The commentators took a good three minutes complaining about the referee saying that he didn’t start the match and didn’t call for the bell to ring. It clearly rang as you could see the timekeeper ringing it and we heard it ring. This wasn’t a passing comment either, they talked about it for minutes.

Oddly, a few minutes later Bocchini and Tony Schiavone brought up the bell ringing again. They questioned if referee Doug Markham was suffering from injuries at the hands of Injustice’s attack a few weeks ago. Given that we saw and heard the bell ring, this was all very awkward.

The match built up slowly with some good chain wrestling from Smith as you would expect. The action spilled to the outside again, with all four wrestlers briefly disappearing backstage. Back in the ring, The Hart Foundation hit a pair of symmetrical Northern Lights suplexes for two counts.

The Dynasty got the advantage when MJF clocked Hart from the apron and Holliday followed up with a big lariat. Smith got the hot tag and ran wild on Holliday. He hit a diving headbutt off the top rope, but Holliday kicked out at two. Smith hit a piledriver, but Holliday kicked out again. Fifteen minutes in and we were still 0-0.

A few moments later, we had our first fall that seemed out of nowhere with little crowd reaction. Smith had a sleeper on Holliday, but the Dynasty member dropped down to escape with a jawbreaker. He then ran off the ropes and knocked Smith down with an apparent shoulder block. Feeling the effects of the grueling match so far, Holliday fell back to the ropes to rest, but MJF reached up and pushed Holliday into the center of the ring, where he fell on top of Smith and the ref counted the pin. 1-0 Dynasty via Holliday’s jaw breaker/shoulder block combo.

A replay during the 30-second rest period showed that Holliday and Smith’s heads collided on the shoulder block.

After the rest period, MJF knocked Hart off the apron to focus on the groggy Smith. MJF helped him to his feet and hit him with a right hand, but that just woke Smith up. Smith hulked up and knocked MJF down.

Hart tagged in and hit a Canadian Destroyer. He then hit Holliday with a lung blower/Lumbar Check. Hart gave MJF a Canadian Destroyer from the top rope and a springboard twisting moonsault to pick up the fall and level the score. 1-1.

After the rest period, MJF was out, and the commentators were screaming at Hart to cover him. But strangely, Hart picked him up to his feet to hit his hammerlock DDT, but Holliday broke that up with a big boot. Smith then took Holliday out and brawled around ringside, which distracted the referee.

Out of nowhere, Aries appeared and hit Teddy Hart with the MLW Middleweight title belt. He then grabbed Hart and hit him with a brainbuster on the apron, knocking him down to the floor and knocking him out.

The referee began to count Hart out as Smith realized and desperately tried to lift him back into the ring in time. He got Hart up but couldn’t turn and drop him on the apron in time, so the referee counted to 20 (20 counts in MLW) and called for the bell and awarded the fall and the match to The Dynasty.

2-1 to The Dynasty via Teddy Hart countout.

Hart was helped to the back after the match, knocked out cold at the hands of Austin Aries.

Next Week —

  • Mance Warner vs. Jimmy Havoc in a Bunkhouse Brawl
  • Timothy Thatcher vs. Douglas James

MLW Fusion results: War Chamber 2019

Posted on by Iain Oliver

The Big Takeaways —

  • “Filthy” Tom Lawlor, Low Ki, Marshall Von Erich & Ross Von Erich (w/ team captain Kevin Von Erich) defeated CONTRA Unit (MLW World Heavyweight Champion Jacob Fatu, Josef Samael, Ikuro Kwon & Simon) Gotch in the MLW War Chamber.
  • Leo Brien debuted a new look and gimmick.
  • LA Park will cash in his golden ticket for a shot at Fatu’s MLW World title at the MLW Saturday Night SuperFight PPV in the Chicago area on November 2.

Full Recap —

From the sold-out NYTEX Sports Centre in Texas, MLW Fusion opened with a video package hyping up the War Chamber main event.

Leo Brien defeated Brandon Banks (1:27)

Brien has a new look and gimmick: a wild, rough-house, cowbell-swinging throwback — he is even throwing in some Berzerker style barks to add to his crazed in-ring style.

The match was short, sharp, and to the point. Brien hit a big boot, used a biel across the ring by the ears, and followed up with a running powerslam called the Oklahoma Stampede to get the win.

Brien looked good here, and you could see him facing off against the likes of Mance Warner, LA Park, and Tom Lawlor in the future. Hopefully this restart will be the start of big things for him.

 – LA Park and Salina de la Renta stormed the ring at the end of the match. They slapped Banks around and laid out the referee with a chair. Park set up said chair in the corner and rested his legs on the downed official to listen to de la Renta.

De la Renta introduced her destroyer, “the greatest wrestler in the history of Mexican sports, the greatest luchador in lucha libre,” LA Park. She announced that Park will cash in his golden ticket for a shot at the MLW World Heavyweight Championship at the MLW Saturday Night SuperFight pay-per-view. It’s taking place in Cicero, Illinois on November 2.

– Teddy Hart had a recorded message from a Calgary hockey rink. He said he takes wrestling seriously as a sport due to his upbringing in ice hockey. He said nothing gets him going more than the thought of going to Dallas to beat up MJF and Richard Holliday.

– We had a great recorded promo from the Von Erichs. It was intertwined with old archive footage of the Dallas Sportatorium and pictures of the Von Erich family. The family was at the site of the Sportatorium as Kevin Von Erich was talking about all his memories being back there. Ross & Marshall Von Erich said they had never been there before as they didn’t want to go without their dad. 

Tom Lawlor, Low Ki, Ross Von Erich & Marshall Von Erich (w/ team captain Kevin Von Erich) defeated CONTRA Unit (MLW World Heavyweight Champion Jacob Fatu, Josef Samael, Ikuro Kwon & Simon Gotch in the MLW War Chamber (30:19)

They followed the traditional War Games rules with two competitors starting and the coin toss winning team gaining the one-man advantage throughout the alternating entrances. The finish could only take place when all eight wrestlers were in the ring and you could win by pinfall, submission or surrender.

It was a single ring cage with no roof, but barbed wire circled the top of the cage to stop anyone from entering or exiting.

Simon Gotch and Marshall Von Erich were in first and fought for the first five minutes. Kevin Von Erich came out with Marshall and got a huge ovation from the Dallas crowd. Marshall had a quick start, but they slowed it down soon to pace themselves for the long match ahead.

Josef Samael was out for CONTRA next. After another brief flurry from Marshall, CONTRA used the advantage to break him down. They stayed in control until Tom Lawlor came out to even the odds.

Lawlor and Marshall immediately had the advantage — but after only two short minutes, MLW World Heavyweight Champion Jacob Fatu came in for CONTRA. Marshall and Lawlor went straight for him, but Fatu ended up catching Lawlor off the top with a Samoan drop and slamming Marshall with a big uranage.

Fatu hit his handspring moonsault on both his opponents, kicking and squashing Lawlor against the cage before moonsaulting on Marshall. Samael bit Lawlor’s ear for good measure.

Low Ki evened the odds next. On arriving, he slammed the cage door on Samael — a little nod to the Dallas history with the Freebirds and Von Erichs. In the corner, he slammed elbows to the top of Gotch’s head, but CONTRA soon took back control.

Their advantage increased with their fourth and final member entering the ring. Ikuro Kwon went straight to Low Ki and they exchanged kicks and strikes — hopefully we will see them facing off in the future. Low Ki can bring a freshness to this feud and create some new matchups.

We were told Ross Von Erich was suffering from the flu as the countdown to his arrival started. Ross entered like a house on fire as the Von Erich theme song blasted around the arena. He floored Gotch, Samael, and Kwon as Marshall Claw slammed Gotch. Samael was bleeding heavily from the door shot from Low Ki earlier.

Ross reversed a pop-up powerbomb with a hurricanrana on Fatu, but the champion came back and remained strong. He choked Ross with his wrist tape soon after.

With all competitors in there, the match broke down into a hard-hitting exhausting brawl. Lawlor eventually got the champion down in the corner and hit a basement dropkick for a two count.

Marshall slammed Fatu and then dropped Kwon on top of him for good measure. Samael mouthed off at Kevin through the cage but was battered by Marshall for his trouble.

Fatu had Ross up for a Samoan drop, but Marshall applied the Claw. It was only briefly though, as the champion fought out and spun Ross around so he kicked his brother in the head. Fatu then successfully hit his big pop-up Samoan drop.

Samael and Ki climbed the cage and Samael had his face rammed into the barbed wire. A masked CONTRA member tried to climb the cage on the outside, but Kevin pulled him off and applied the Claw to take him down.

Lawlor came close to being pinned: He had Samael in a rear-naked choke, but Samael broke the hold when he jabbed his spike into Lawlor’s hand. Kwon then sprayed mist into Lawlor’s eyes and Fatu hit him with a superkick and triple-jump moonsault. Low Ki made the save at the last moment with a double foot stomp on Fatu.

Marshall saved his brother from a Gotch piledriver. He applied the Iron Claw, then pulled Gotch to the corner. Ross went underneath and lifted Gotch on his shoulders. Marshall — still applying the Claw — went to the top rope and they slammed Gotch to the middle of the ring. They pinned Gotch and picked up the win to the delight of the Texas crowd.

Kevin Von Erich joined Lawlor, Low Ki, Marshall, and Ross in the ring to celebrate.

Next Week —

MLW Tag Team Champions The Dynasty (MJF & Richard Holliday) defend their titles against The Hart Foundation (Teddy Hart & Davey Boy Smith Jr.) in a two-out-of-three falls match.

MLW Fusion results: ‘Filthy’ Tom Lawlor tries to regain his title

Posted on by Iain Oliver

** The Big Takeaways**

  • With this being the final build towards War Chamber, we learned the final participant to join Tom Lawlor and the Von Erichs in their battle against CONTRA Unit is Low Ki.
  • With help from Josef Samael, Jacob Fatu defeated Tom Lawlor and retained the MLW World Heavyweight Title. 
  • An amazing six-man tag led off which is must-see for fans of non-stop, fast-paced action. 

** Show Recap **

CONTRA Unit’s propaganda video opened up this week’s episode of MLW Fusion. They warned Jacob Fatu’s opponent for tonight, “Filthy” Tom Lawlor, that they will bloody him up, bust his head open down to the white meat and told him that his time was over. 

Injustice (Kotto Brazil, Myron Reed, and Jordan Oliver) defeated Gringo Loco, Air Wolf and Zenshi (10:04)

This was a fantastic flip-filled, action-packed (some would say spotfest) six man tag. This was worth watching if this is your type of match. All six put in a lot of effort and the match did not disappoint. Injustice continued their tirade across MLW with their cheating ways coming to fruition in the end. Zenshi, Loco, and Wolf were all great opponents which should hopefully set up multiple singles and tag combinations in the future. 

Loco’s team took control early on. Zenshi hit a step up enzugiri on Oliver, Loco hit a senton on Brazil, and Zenshi hit a TKO on Reed, but all three put on the brakes on a trifecta of dives to the floor as Injustice moved at the last minute. 

The action was fast-paced with Brazil, Loco, and Zenshi all hitting dives outside in quick succession, and Air Wolf finished off the aerial assault with an Asai moonsault onto all competitors on the floor. The airborne attacks continued inside the ring as Zenshi slingshot himself off the top rope onto Oliver, then Loco squashed him with a split-legged moonsault. 

Injustice slowed the pace down as they beat down Air Wolf, but Zenshi soon got the hot tag and ran wild. He hit a handspring flip double kick to the two opponents on the apron, a double cutter to Reed and Brazil, and then another handspring flip kick to Oliver. 

Brazil scarily broke up an Air Wolf bridging German suplex near fall with a splash off the top rope. That looked like it could have broken Wolf’s neck if it was millimeters off target. 

Zenshi put on the brakes on a suicide dive to Oliver on the outside, twisted in mid-air, and connected with a 619 instead. But Reed was right behind him and ran, jumped over the rope, grabbed Zenshi on the apron and landed a cutter to the floor in a great spot.

Referee Doug Markham got knocked down when Loco accidental knocked Reed into him. With the referee down, Reed took out brass knuckles but Loco reversed and used them on him instead. 

The finish came when Air Wolf got caught with a Jordan Oliver springboard stunner from the apron and a Kotto Brazil Shiranui (non-rope walk sliced bread #2) in quick succession. Markham got beat up after the bell for his trouble. 

– MLW and The Crash Lucha Libre will co-promote a show in Tijuana, Mexico, this October.

– The War Chamber match, taking place live from Dallas next Saturday, will air on the September 14th edition of Fusion.

 – The Von Erich Brothers, along with Kevin Von Erich, cut a recorded message for CONTRA Unit. They said Dallas is a different place with the Von Erichs there and War Chamber will be a great night for them. Marshall called out CONTRA for trying to blind him on two different occasions. They will fight for the defenseless and defeat the undefeated. 

– A promo video for “The Bone Collector” Dominic Garrini aired, hyping up his debut with MLW this fall. 

– We then saw highlights from Alexander Hammerstone in Pro Wrestling NOAH before a training promo aired. Georgia Smith was in the gym with him and they had a lovers tiff over the amount of weight Hammer was lifting. Not wanting to be outdone, he added more and strained on the lift as the camera cut away. 

MLW World Heavyweight Champion Jacob Fatu defeated “Filthy” Tom Lawlor (15:14)

Josef Samael took the mic before the ring entrances and riled up the crowd before Jacob Fatu made his way out. Fatu continued getting the crowd to a fever pitch just in time for the arrival of his opponent. 

Lawlor came out like a house of fire and took Fatu off his feet with a cross body off the top. He blocked a superkick and knocked him down again with a clothesline. An enzugiri and an overhead back suplex followed for an early near fall for the challenger. 

Lawlor’s early flourish was soon halted when he went back up to the top but the champion caught him out of mid-air and crushed him with a big Samoan drop. Fatu focussed his beat down on Lawlor’s ribs with diving headbutts, thrust kicks, and Irish whips. 

Fatu hit his handspring moonsault which was pivotal in him winning the title in their last encounter. He went for the Rikishi hip attack in the corner but Lawlor moved. The challenger then tried to choke the champion over the top rope and slowly began to mount a comeback. 

The comeback was short-lived as. As Lawlor was distracted by Josef Samael on the outside, Fatu launched his 300+lb frame through the ropes with a suicide dive. Lawlor tried to fire up and bulldog Fatu on the floor but the Samoan used Lawlor’s momentum and dropped him ribs first on the guardrail. 

Back inside Lawlor locked in a rear naked choke that only got the champion to a knee. Fatu was weary and missed a pair of avalanches in the corner. Lawlor rallied and hit some knees in the corner and then an airplane spin into a death valley driver. 

Lawlor hit a running knee and a driven knee to the face for a close near fall as the momentum was shifting in favor of the challenger. Lawlor then followed up with a huge overhead German suplex and an exploder suplex into the corner, the champion was in trouble. 

Samael got involved and cost Lawlor the match and the title. Behind the official’s back, he struck Lawlor in the back on the head with his railroad spike. Lawlor fell to the ground which gave Fatu the opening to hit his amazing Triple Jump Moonsault to the already injured ribs and pick up the 1-2-3. 

Simon Gotch joined his CONTRA counterparts after the bell to lay a beatdown on Lawlor. The Von Erichs ran in to make the momentary save but the numbers game played to CONTRA’s advantage when Ikuro Kwon joined in. 

It was not until Low Ki ran in and saved Lawlor and the Von Erichs that the numbers game evened out. The four-on-four War Chamber match was made as Low Ki is the final participant joining Tom Lawlor and the Von Erich brothers to take on CONTRA Unit next week.

** Next week **

  • MLW War Chamber live from Dallas, Texas. 

MLW Fusion results: Teddy Hart vs. MJF

Posted on by Iain Oliver

Big Takeaways —

  • Teddy Hart retained the MLW Middleweight title against MJF in a good action-packed main event.
  • El Hijo de LA Park lost out to Zenshi in a middleweight division match.
  • Mance Warner was arrested by NYC police and Salina de la Renta was behind it.
  • The war of words continued between Contra Unit and Tom Lawlor and the Von Erichs ahead of their War Chamber match in two weeks.

Full Recap —

We opened with commentator Rich Bocchini letting us know that Mance Warner was arrested earlier in the day and that more information about the arrest would be available later in the broadcast.

Zenshi defeated El Hijo de LA Park (5:57)

Salina de la Renta was not with Hijo as she was on her way back from giving her statement against Warner at the police station, the latter in custody for his chainsaw intimidation antics last week.

Hijo hit an early suicide dive after a smooth lucha opening sequence. He continued his assault on the outside with a powerbomb on the apron but back inside he could only get a two count. A backbreaker German suplex combo followed as Bocchini and Tony Schiavone talked about Hijo’s father and the MLW World title shot he holds.

Zenshi hit a slightly botched springboard hurricanrana off the top rope but was able to mask it with a quick standing shooting star press. He then wiped the error from everyone’s minds when he hit a corner to corner, coast to coast basement dropkick to the amazement of the NYC crowd.

Hijo rallied and countered an Alabama slam with a Mexican Destroyer but only got a two count. They traded back-and-forth for a while until Zenshi finally hit a twisting cutter to pick up the victory. Hijo smacked Zenshi with a chair after the bell and posed to the jeers from the crowd.

— Ricky Martinez will be the first MLW wrestler to compete in The Crash promotion in Mexico this September.

— Kaci Lennox interviewed Low Ki where he brought up Contra Unit, letting them know he will be making them aware of his professional presence.

— Contra Unit had their message for ‘Filthy’ Tom Lawlor and the Von Erich brothers. Fatu warned Lawlor while Gotch warned the Von Erichs that they will destroy them at War Chamber on September 7.

— Minoru Tanaka will return to MLW on October 5.

— Bocchini then interviewed de la Renta and Jimmy Havoc backstage. Salina said she was behind Warner getting arrested. Havoc warned him that then when he got out, Promociones Dorado will still be there to ruin his life.

— Bocchini then interviewed Lawlor and Marshall/Ross Von Erich and asked them who they had to team with them in the War Chamber against Contra Unit. They kept their cards close to their chest and did not disclose their fourth member. However, they did say their skulls will be crushed when they go to war in two weeks.

— We had an update about Alexander Hammerstone currently competing in Pro Wrestling NOAH’s N1 tournament as the MLW National Openweight Champion defeated Go Shiozaki in his debut match.

— Lifestyles of the Rich and Dynastic was next where Holliday bragged that they all currently held MLW gold. MJF bad mouthed Teddy Hart, adding that he never lost the Middleweight title that Teddy currently holds. Filmed before he left for Japan, Hammerstone said that because they had won all the gold in MLW, he was going to win some in Japan.

Teddy Hart defeated MJF (w/Aria Blake) to retain the MLW Middleweight title (12:01)

MJF took the mic before the match but New York told him to shut the f*ck up. He called himself the fastest rising star in professional wrestling, reminded us he never lost the MLW Middleweight title and called Teddy Hart “a bum, just like Bret.”

MJF tried to cheap shot Hart after distracting him with a handshake, but the veteran saw it coming and reversed a kick to the gut with a lungblower powerbomb as you do. A hanging hammerlock DDT (Dungeon DDT) followed which got a two count from the ref and an over the top reaction from Blake at ringside.

Hart went for an Asai moonsault to MJF on the floor but the AEW star grabbed his girlfriend and used her as a human shield which distracted Hart so MJF could take the advantage. He dropped Hart on the guardrail throat first and then lawn darted him headfirst into the ring post.

MJF wore Hart down, focusing on the throat and chest after the guardrail attack, but Hart recovered and hit a Code Red out of the corner, a Canadian destroyer, and a split-leg moonsault to the floor.

Hart then came off the top with a DDT then followed up with a top rope shooting star corkscrew elbow drop for a two count. He went for another split-leg moonsault but MJF got his knees up. MJF drilled him with a DDT and a pendulum piledriver for a two count of his own.

Aria hit Teddy Hart with a low blow behind the official’s back but was then ejected from ringside for her persistent interference. This gave Hart the time to recover and hit a Canadian Destroyer which won him the match and kept him his title.

Next Week —

  • ‘Filthy’ Tom Lawlor will cash in his rematch clause to challenge Jacob Fatu for the MLW World Heavyweight title.
  • The Dynasty vs. Hart Foundation feud will continue as Richard Holliday takes on Brian Pillman Jr.

MLW Fusion results: LA Park vs. Jimmy Havoc NYC street fight

Posted on by Iain Oliver

Big Takeaways —

  • LA Park defeated Jimmy Havoc in a New York City street fight, tearing the house down — and each other apart — in the process.
  • In a battle of alliteration, Austin Aries defeated Ace Austin.
  • It was another bad night for Salina de la Renta as Konnan continued with his blackmailing and Mance Warner continued his path of chaos through Promociones Dorado.
  • Kevin Von Erich will be ringside during the War Chamber match next month. It will be Tom Lawlor, Ross & Marshall Von Erich, and a partner against Contra Unit (Jacob Fatu, Josef Samael, Simon Gotch & Ikuro Kwon).

Full Recap —

– We opened backstage with Mance Warner and his chainsaw. He threatened Ricky Martinez and the rest of Salina de la Renta’s Promociones Dorado stable, saying he is going to cut them all down.

Mance Warner defeated Ricky Martinez (w/ Salina de la Renta) (2:14)

De la Renta introduced Martinez, who got the upper hand on the Southern Psycho with a middle rope-assisted low blow as Warner was entering the ring.

Martinez’s advantage was brief as Warner soon cut him off with a headbutt as Martinez was coming off the middle rope. A running knee from Warner was quickly followed up by a big lariat and the one-two-three.

De la Renta entered the ring after the bell and spat in Warner’s face. Warner, who was celebrating with a beer, took a sip and returned the lovely gesture at the Empress of Promociones Dorado, but de la Renta ducked — and it was Martinez who ended up with an unwanted beer bath.

– Lifestyles of the Rich and Dynastic was up next. Richard Holliday was in a hotel room in Las Vegas admiring the view from his room. A female friend entered and took Holliday’s attention away from his wealthy ramblings and the camera faded to black.

– We saw a recap of Alexander Hammerstone injuring Savio Vega last week via his Nightmare Pendulum. There was also a recap of Marshall Von Erich getting mist spat in his eyes two weeks ago.

– A recorded message from Marshall then played and he said his vision is a bit impaired — but he will be at War Chamber in Texas for the four-on-four war against Contra Unit, and he is bringing Kevin Von Erich with him.

– Rich Bocchini then interviewed de la Renta as she was backstage, but Konnan quickly interrupted and again blackmailed her into giving him his three demands.

– H2tv was up next. Brian Pillman Jr. had Alexander Hammerstone’s jacket from last week. Teddy Hart called out The Dynasty for their dress sense before Pillman urinated all over Hammerstone’s jacket.

Austin Aries defeated Ace Austin (08:46)

Which Austin is better? Disregarding Stone Cold, in this instance it was Aries, but Ace continued to look great and put on a solid match.

Aries slowed Ace early on by dodging a springboard leg drop and following up with his European uppercut off the top rope. However, Ace shuffled his deck and recovered to hit a draping middle rope swinging neckbreaker soon after.

Ace hung Aries in the tree of woe, but Aries fought out and landed a stunner out of the corner. Aries shifted gears and picked up the pace with a discus forearm, a rope-assisted neckbreaker, and a suicide dive.

Back in the ring, Aries went up top but Ace rolled away and picked up his cane. However, the referee saw it. As his back was turned disposing of the cane, Ace went low and hit Aries, then rolled him up for a near fall.

Ace then went for the kill and ran at Aries, but the veteran caught him coming in, lifted him high, and dropped him with the brainbuster for the win.

Aries took the mic and called out Middleweight Champion Teddy Hart after the match.

– A cameraman caught up with The Dynasty earlier in the day. Hammerstone called out The Hart Foundation and called them the criminals they know they are. Aria Blake arrived with Hammerstone’s jacket, but he gave it one sniff and tossed it away. MJF yelled that the jacket touched his face and Holliday was right in there offering to clean him up.

– Douglas James was announced as MLW’s newest signee.

– Rich Bocchini and Tony Schiavone then announced another partnership, this time with Martial Arts Research Systems (MARS). They will provide the league with data analytics on injuries, performance, and TV viewership.

LA Park defeated Jimmy Havoc in a New York City street fight (12:42)

De la Renta was ringside with a face like thunder as she watched two of her wrestlers battle each other. This was the first of Konnan’s three wishes de la Renta has granted him in their ongoing cell phone blackmail issue.

Havoc turned his back on Park, which was a bad move as he ate a chair shot to the back for his disrespect. Havoc rallied though and hit a few nice arm drags and a suicide dive to the outside, where he repaid the favor and hit Park with his chair.

Garbage cans, cooking sheets, and steel chairs were all put to good use on the outside. Inside the ring, Havoc came off the top with a double foot stomp onto a chair and hit a running bulldog onto a wooden board. The same wooden board was then used by Park as he hung Havoc in the tree of woe. He placed the board in front of Havoc and destroyed it — and Havoc’s face — with a basement dropkick.

On the floor outside the ring, Park set up another wooden board between two chairs but crashed and burned as he missed a double foot stomp from the top rope! Back inside, Havoc brought out a staple gun and used it to staple Park in the head, chest, and groin.

It was then Havoc’s turn to crash and burn as Park powerslammed him into a three-chair structure in the corner. Park then hit an amazing top rope springboard corkscrew and finished off Havoc with a spear into the chair structure.

De la Renta entered the ring after the bell and shook both participant’s hands. Park and Havoc eventually shook hands too. De la Renta got on the mic and called out Konnan, Mance Warner, and Jacob Fatu, saying that none of them will take her down.

This brought out Warner, who came through the crowd wildly swinging his chainsaw around. De la Renta, Havoc, and Park all ran from the ring and backed up the ramp as Fusion went off the air.

Next Week —

  • Teddy Hart will defend the MLW Middleweight title against MJF.

MLW Fusion results: Savio Vega makes his debut

Posted on by Iain Oliver

Big Takeaways —

  • Alexander Hammerstone retained his MLW National Openweight title against the debuting Savio Vega
  • Contra Unit announced their fourth and newest member, Ikuro Kwan
  • Bestia 666 picked up his second victory against Rey Horus
  • Konnan got the upper hand on Salina de la Renta…again
  • The Opera Cup will return in December
  • MLW has another partner: The Crash Lucha Libre from Mexico

Full Recap —

Bestia 666 defeated Rey Horus (9:38)

Salina de la Renta was left frustrated by Horus’ Promociones Dorado negotiations so she summoned her devil to take him out.

After an early flourish by Horus, Bestia switched places and took him out with a suicide dive — driving him through the guardrail. A superkick floored Horus inside as the commentators mentioned the notable slower pace to the usual MLW lucha matches.

The pace picked up when Horus sent his opponent to the outside with a spinning headscissors and took to the sky as he ran and dove over the corner ring post, landing a senton on Bestia on the outside.

Back inside, Horus reversed a powerbomb with a sunset flip and then hit a standing Spanish fly for a close two count. Horus’ attack continued as he arm dragged Bestia off the top rope after initially having his spinning victory roll off the top blocked. He followed up with a big satellite DDT that got another close two count.

The finish came after a brief forearm exchange on the top rope. Bestia hit the ropes and crotched Horus, which gave him the time he needed to grab him in the Muscle Buster position but jump down onto his knees, compacting Horus and picking up his second victory in MLW.

– De la Renta took the mic after the match and said that after that performance, it shows she is the best promoter around. She then threatened Konnan to give her her phone back, which brought him out.

Konnan brought up de la Renta’s sketchy contract negotiations with Savio Vega and holding off on his signing bonus. This brought out the Caribbean star who stood on the apron and tore up the contract offer to the delight of Konnan and the crowd.

– This week’s Lifestyles of the Rich and Dynastic featured gifts of gold Rolex watches from MJF which made National Openweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone cry and more jokes and taunts to Teddy Hart courtesy of Richard Holliday.

– H2tv had Teddy Hart showing Brian Pillman Jr. how to backflip on his hotel room bed.

– The Opera Cup was then introduced and announced as returning on December 5. The original concept was an annual multi-day tournament held in various opera houses between Boston and New York. The last champion was Stu Hart in 1948 and Teddy Hart donated the cup to MLW to bring back the tradition and crown a new winner in 2019.

– Contra Unit’s weekly propaganda video featured them introducing their new member who temporarily blinded Marshall Von Erich last week: Ikuro Kwon, a pit fighter who has fought in the slums of Singapore, the tar pits of India, and has burned men with coals.

– Kaci Lennox was then backstage with Ross Von Erich and Tom Lawlor with an update on Marshall’s condition. Ross told us he is in Hawaii with an eye specialist. Lawlor wants more than an eye for an eye, because they are going to war.

– The newest MLW partnership with The Crash Lucha Libre promotion in Mexico was announced.

– Lennox was backstage with Mance Warner and his trusty whiteboard. Lennox wanted to know his game plan, but Warner had her draw trees on the whiteboard and then took a chainsaw to it, telling de la Renta he is going to cut down Promociones Dorado one “tree” at a time.

Josef Samael & Simon Gotch defeated Ariel Dominguez & Jay Sky (:31)

Gotch took out both Dominguez and Sky with big boots before tossing Dominguez across the ring with a suplex. One quick tag later to Samael to lock in his Camel Clutch and this match was over. While caught in the Clutch, Samael brought out the railroad spike and drove it into Dominguez’s mouth. Gotch added insult to injury with a Gotch piledriver.

MLW National Openweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone (with MJF and Richard Holliday) defeated Savio Vega to retain his title (7:40)

The three Dynasty members used their belts to “cheers” each other before the bell. MJF was Ric Flair strutting around ringside to try and rile up the fans. The commentary team talked up Vega’s high profile in Puerto Rico and his history of wrestling in New York in the 90s.

This was a good simple match that played to Vega’s strengths. They kept it simple in the opening exchanges: headlocks, shoulder blocks, and hip tosses. Hammerstone got the advantage after Vega crashed in the corner. A powerslam followed that got the champ a close two count.

MJF and Holliday were riling up the crowd at ringside, audibly shouting “That all you got, fatboy?!” to one in the front row. Inside the ring, Hammerstone floored Vega with a big boot. He went up top but missed a missile dropkick. Vega fired back with chops and a stiff kick to the sternum, but MJF removed a turnbuckle pad as Holliday distracted the referee.

Hammerstone threw Vega into the exposed turnbuckle and then hit the Nightmare Pendulum for the win, crushing Vega’s legs underneath him in the process.

After the bell, Brian Pillman Jr. appeared from the crowd, knocked down Richard Holliday, and ran off with Hammerstone’s red leather jacket. Vega then got helped to the back by medics as MJF and Holliday berated him from the ramp.

Next week —

  • LA Park vs. Jimmy Havoc in a New York City street fight
  • Mance Warner vs. Ricky Martinez

MLW Fusion results: Hart Foundation vs. Dynasty ladder match

Posted on by Iain Oliver

The Big Takeaways —

  • We saw a second title switch in as many weeks as The Dynasty defeated The Hart Foundation to become the new MLW Tag Team Champions.
  • Mance Warner took out three more Promociones Dorado members as he focuses in on Salina de la Renta and LA Park.
  • Low Ki doesn’t get paid by the hour as he again made short work of an opponent.
  • Ace Austin and Air Wolf’s feud continued.

Full Recap —

After a recap video involving The Dynasty and The Hart Foundation leading up to tonight’s ladder match, we jumped straight into the opening contest of the night, a rematch between Ace Austin and Air Wolf.

Ace Austin defeated Air Wolf (7:18)

This was a very good outing for both as they traded wins after Austin picked up the victory by using an ace up his sleeve. Commentators played up Air Wolf’s recent MLW wins over Fenix and Austin himself and also that he has been training in Mexico with the best luchadors around.

We got some nice chain wrestling exchanges to open up. They countered quick pinning combinations, ending in a double down and a nice ovation from the Chicago crowd. Shortly after, Air Wolf hit a springboard arm drag after dodging some high kicks from Austin. He then planted a penalty kick to the chest but only got a one count.

They went to the outside, with Austin cartwheeling on the apron and landing a side kick to the head. The tone of the match then changed when Austin back suplexed Air Wolf onto the guardrail and posed back in the ring as the referee counted Air Wolf on the outside.

Air Wolf was met with a baseball slide as he tried to re-enter the ring, and Austin continued his heelish tactics by grabbing at Air Wolf’s mask.

Air Wolf fought back and ran up the turnbuckles, hitting a Pele kick to the back of Austin’s head. Air Wolf looked to be in control as he ascended the top rope, but Austin distracted the referee with a folded up playing card.

When Air Wolf leapt off the top, Austin’s cane magically appeared out of mid-air (or Austin’s tights) and he used it to crotch Air Wolf between the legs. Austin followed up with his running blockbuster finisher The Fold to pick up the win by dubious means.

– Salina de la Renta was backstage with Ricky Martinez. Martinez was wanting another shot at Low Ki when de la Renta got a phone call from Jimmy Havoc — or so she thought. She answered and it was Mance Warner on the other end.

Warner said Havoc was lying in a pool of blood and he has “the golden ticket” so was away to drink some light beers. De la Renta ordered Martinez to go get the ticket back.

– We got a dramatic video package highlighting last week’s title change when Jacob Fatu defeated “Filthy” Tom Lawlor to become the new MLW World Heavyweight Champion.

Low Ki defeated Ariel Dominguez (0:17)

Low Ki got a standing ovation from the Chicago crowd during his entrance as we were told he has officially moved down a weight division to middleweight. The MLW middleweight division has also gained Austin Aries in recent weeks.

Ki and Dominguez circled briefly, but Low Ki struck him with a knee to the jaw to pick up yet another very quick KO victory.

– We then had a pre-recorded Dynasty video filmed earlier this week from Martha’s Vineyard. Alexander Hammerstone was working out and getting a tan while Richard Holliday was reading the paper in his suit.

They were talking strategy for the Tag Team title ladder match, which was aggravating MJF. MJF screamed that he was not afraid of heights, but Hammerstone didn’t believe him.

– De la Renta then had an update on Ricky Martinez and his search for the golden ticket. Martinez was on Facetime and he had found another one of Warner’s life-sized, wrapped-up presents.

Martinez took a sledgehammer to it — but it was all a ruse. De la Renta saw what was coming as Warner appeared from behind and beat him up. Warner took the phone and told de la Renta that was another one down, and that he still had her golden ticket.

– Konnan bumped into de la Renta backstage and wound her up by telling her that Dr. Wagner Jr. will be in MLW soon.

The Dynasty (MJF & Richard Holliday w/ Aria Blake) defeated The Hart Foundation (Brian Pillman Jr. & Teddy Hart) in a ladder match to win the MLW Tag Team titles (17:26)

This was a great match filled with death-defying Hart stunts and good cowardly actions from MJF. All members of both factions got involved at one point, but it was the numbers game of The Dynasty that rang true as Holliday was able to grab the belts and the victory for his team.

A fan was pushed back off the guardrail by security as he mouthed off to MJF as The Dynasty entered ringside.

Before the match got underway, the cameras cut backstage with de la Renta, LA Park, and El Hijo de LA Park as they were trying to leave the arena. As LA Park left, Warner jumped in and locked the gate behind him, locking him out. He then jumped Hijo and knocked him out cold with a chain wrapped around his fist, taking out his third Promociones Dorado member of the night.

They teased dissension again in The Dynasty ranks as they discussed tactics at ringside. MJF could be heard saying, “Stick to the game plan, stick to the game plan” over and over while Holliday asked “Don’t you trust me?!”

They brawled around ringside — and Hart ate a ring post face-first. Inside, Pillman hit Air Pillman on MJF, then Hart reappeared to hit a Lumbar Check on Holliday. The Dynasty brought the ladders to ringside, but The Hart Foundation met them with a double baseball slide that knocked them down. Hart then hit a huge springboard moonsault to the floor that took out everyone.

Hart put a ladder in the ring but was pushed off and hung on the top rope by MJF. MJF then teased climbing the ladder and only got up one rung before demanding Aria Blake climb the ladder for him. The crowd chanted “a**hole” at MJF as Pillman reappeared, but Blake tried to take him out with a crossbody. Of course, Pillman moved and she landed on MJF instead.

The Hart Foundation double teamed MJF, which culminated in a slingshot into the underside of a ladder. Holliday reappeared and took them both out with a running ladder shot. Hart took a suplex onto the ladder resting in the corner as The Dynasty took control. Holliday back suplexed Hart onto a ladder and they both whipped Pillman rib-first into a ladder in the corner.

The Dynasty clashed and argued on who should climb the ladder. MJF slapped Holliday and told him to climb it, but Hart grabbed him by the tights, mooned the crowd, and slammed him to the mat. MJF then tried to climb, but Pillman superkicked him off and hit a Death Valley Driver.

Hart was in form with his inventions as he had both Dynasty members on the apron. He put MJF in the piledriver position and Holliday in the DDT position and hit a dueling see-saw piledriver/DDT combo on them. A slingshot, corkscrew elbow, and a tilt-a-whirl Canadian Destroyer followed as The Hart Foundation looked in complete control.

Pillman brought a table/door out and set it up on two folding chairs on which Hart slammed himself, squashing MJF through it with a death-defying high corkscrew moonsault from the top rope.

Hammerstone then came out and pulled Pillman off the ladder and powerbombed him into the corner. Hammerstone brought his own table out and set it up at ringside. He looked to suplex Pillman through it from the ring to the floor, but Davey Boy Smith Jr. came out, broke it up, and running powerslammed Hammerstone through his own table.

Holliday and Pillman then climbed the ladder and exchanged right hands at the top as Blake climbed up onto Pillman’s back. Pillman fought her off — but as this was going on, MJF handed Holliday a steel chair. Pillman turned and was met with a chair shot to the head, knocking him off.

That left Holliday alone at the top to unhook both title belts and win them for The Dynasty. Replays of the death-defying moves played as The Dynasty celebrated in the ring, holding all their gold as MLW Fusion went off the air.

Next Week —

  • We will hear from the new MLW World Heavyweight Champion Jacob Fatu and the rest of Contra Unit.

MLW Fusion results: Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. MJF

Posted on by Iain Oliver

Big Takeaways —

  • Contra Unit continued their assault across MLW, focusing on “Filthy” Tom Lawlor and members of Team Filthy.
  • The feud between the Hart Foundation and the Dynasty is far from over as they continued to clash on this week’s episode.

Show recap —

– We opened with a recap from last week’s live MLW Fusion where we saw Alexander Hammerstone defeat Brian Pillman Jr. to become the first-ever MLW National Openweight Champion, and we also saw Teddy Hart successfully defending his MLW Middleweight title against Jimmy Havoc.

– Rich Bocchini was backstage with the new Openweight Champion Hammerstone in Hammer’s personal gym. He said that he might not be everyone’s favorite wrestler — but he is everyone’s National Openweight Champion.

Hammerstone said he is the one that gave Dynasty a destiny. He ended up bullying Bocchini into lifting one of his weights and then ended up squatting with him up on his shoulders.

– From the commentary table, Bocchini and Jim Cornette gave an update on MLW World Heavyweight Champion Tom Lawlor, saying he is looking for the Contra Unit. They then hyped up tonight’s main event between MJF and Davey Boy Smith Jr.

Richard Holliday (w/ Aria Blake) defeated Kotto Brazil (5:17)

Holliday used his size and strength to control Brazil from the start. Brazil flurried with speed and agility when he could but was continually knocked down by his larger opponent.

Brazil went for a tilt-a-whirl into a front choke, but Holliday powered through with a big suplex. Brazil kept fighting and hit a big one-legged dropkick from the top rope but soon after ate a big clothesline from Holliday and a gutwrench powerbomb to give the Dynasty member the win.

Air Wolf defeated Ace Austin (10:39)

The commentary team played up “the biggest upset in MLW history” when Air Wolf defeated Rey Fenix a few weeks ago — and he gave us another big win tonight with a high flying face-first slam. The commentators also mentioned that Salina de la Renta has been scouting Air Wolf recently after his big win against one half of the Lucha Brothers.

Both competitors exchanged early reversals and seemed to be very evenly matched. But as Air Wolf was taking his first risk going for a springboard, Austin pushed him off the top rope to the outside and followed straight away with a suicide dive. Back inside, Austin hit a springboard spinning savate kick for a two count.

After taking too much time on the outside, Austin missed his big top rope springboard leg drop, which gave Air Wolf the opening to mount a comeback. Air Wolf hit a snap German and a spinning double underhook suplex but only got a two count.

Austin fought back with a pair of kicks and a big slam before rolling Air Wolf into a spinning suplex of his own for another two count.

Austin crotched Air Wolf on the top rope but couldn’t capitalize as Air Wolf fought back, flipped Austin into the ring, and leapt off and hit a face-first slam that crumpled Austin to the mat and gave Air Wolf the win. Austin looked like he injured his knee the way he fell taking the finishing move.

– Salina de la Renta was backstage letting us know that on next week’s MLW Fusion, where she is the executive producer, the main event will be Sami Callihan vs. Mance Warner in a falls count anywhere, loser leaves MLW match.

 – Lawlor vs. Jacob Fatu was booked for the July 6 show Kings of Colosseum. We then heard from Lawlor as he cut a backstage promo on Contra Unit. He said he didn’t sign up to be stabbed in the back each time he sees Contra. Together with the Von Erich brothers, they are going to clean up MLW.

– The cameras then caught up with Warner and Callihan, who gave their opinion on de la Renta’s announcement. Callihan said they both like to fight, like to scrap, and are going to give Cornette a stroke.

Callihan said he was winning, but Mancer said he was winning and Callihan is going home. They shook on it, but Mancer said they can shake for now but when the bell rings: It. Is. On.

– We then heard from Low Ki and he said he was prepared for his match with Ricky Martinez next week. He said Martinez has sealed his fate and he is on the professional’s list.

– We then had a Contra Unit video package where they said Lawlor is a glutton for punishment. They asked him how it felt to get scalped last week. They said they are the global dealers in violence and said they are going to slice Lawlor and the Von Erichs until they get to the white meat.

Davey Boy Smith Jr. defeated MJF (w/ Aria Blake, Richard Holliday, and Alexander Hammerstone) (11:32)

Bocchini said Smith is undefeated in singles action in MLW, and Cornette told us Smith’s debut in MLW was back in 2004. Dynasty played a huge part in this match, continually interfering to help MJF, but when the Hart Foundation came to help their buddy and even the odds, it was Smith who picked up the victory.

MJF stalled early and hugged Blake ringside while Smith baited him into the ring. Smith then bieled MJF into the ring from the apron, skinned the cat, and hit a big boot in the early exchanges, but it wasn’t long before the rest of Dynasty distracted Smith and gave MJF the advantage.

Dynasty focused their attack on Smith’s knee via the ring post. MJF distracted the referee while Hammerstone and Holliday added insult to injury.

MJF tried to wrestle Smith to maintain his leg attack, but that is easier said than done against the amateur wrestling ace. Smith was able to reverse a knee lock with one of his own. Smith kept trying to mount an attack but his knee kept giving out each time.

MJF choked Smith with a scarf two times while Holliday distracted the ref. On the third attempt, Smith reversed it and choked MJF himself. The referee, of course, was quick to turn and reprimand Smith.

Smith fought back and had MJF on the top rope and hit a gigantic standing superplex. He followed up with a Northern Lights suplex — and in good storytelling couldn’t keep the bridge for the pin because of is injured leg. However, he was able to hit a powerslam soon after and keep the pinfall for a two count.

Smith was in control as MJF started begging off. Smith did not comply and instead hit a Tombstone piledriver before he headed to the top rope. He dove off and hit a diving headbutt a la Dynamite Kid, but he hurt his knees as they smacked the mat and he couldn’t fully capitalize.

Smith took his time to make the cover, which gave Holliday the chance to put MJF’s feet on the ropes to break the count.

Brian Pillman Jr. ran to ringside and took out Holliday. In the ring, Hammerstone distracted Smith but was knocked off the apron with a big right hand. Smith ran at MJF, who moved. Smith hit the corner and MJF schoolboyed him with his feet on the ropes. The referee counted one, two, and stopped as he noticed the blatant cheating.

Teddy Hart had also made his way to ringside and was brawling with Hammerstone. Smith hit MJF with the running powerslam to pick up the win.

– Before we went off the air, the cameras cut to the back to show us Simon Gotch putting the boots to a helpless Lawlor. Ariel Dominguez (Lawlor’s training partner) was also lying in a pool of blood with Jacob Fatu standing over him.

Josef Samael then threw a fireball at the camera as the feed was cut and the episode ended.

Next week —

  • Sami Callihan vs. Mance Warner in a falls count anywhere, loser leaves MLW match
  • Low Ki vs. Ricky Martinez
  • Flamita vs. Rey Horus

MLW Fusion results: Pillman vs. Swann in National title semifinals

Posted on by Iain Oliver

Mance Warner & Sami Callihan defeated El Hijo de LA Park & Ricky Martinez (presented by Salina de la Renta) (8:09)

Before they entered, we saw a pre-taped meeting of the minds between Warner and Callihan in the parking lot. They talked strategy before taking off for the liquor store.

We also saw a pre-tape from earlier this evening where the cameras caught up with Salina de la Renta and Martinez. De la Renta was asked about Low Ki’s contract status, when LA Park will be cashing in his title shot, and if they will be at next week’s World Championship match between “Filthy” Tom Lawlor and Avalanche Robert Dreissker. De la Renta just laughed and walked off.

If you were looking for a traditional two-on-two tag team encounter featuring Mance Warner and Sami Callihan, please think again. This match started as you would expect given that Warner and Callihan were teaming together. From the opening bell, these four went to the outside to brawl, chop, whip each other into the guardrail, chop some more, whip with camera cables, hit each other with umbrellas, and hit a few double-team moves before chopping each other some more.

They eventually made their way into the ring at the five-minute mark, with Hijo getting a two count after catching Warner with a superkick. Hijo was so enraged with the official’s apparent slow count that he began to grind above Warner, who showed his appreciation by punching Hijo in the groin.

Traditional tag rules were then in play as Callihan got on the apron and reached for a tag. Jim Cornette questioned why Callihan would now start following the rules after the wild brawl. Meanwhile, Warner was beat down some more with a double-team low blow into the ring post and a frog splash by Hijo, but after another grind by Hijo, Warner fought back with a headbutt to create a double down.

Callihan and Martinez got the hot tags, but it was Callihan who ran wild, eventually hitting Martinez with a piledriver to pick up the victory.

The brawl continued after the bell. Hijo jumped Callihan, Callihan tried to rip Hijo’s mask off, and Martinez tried to tear Callihan’s nose off his face. They brawled on the outside and then through the crowd and out of sight.

– The cameras caught up with the four wrestlers backstage, but LA Park joined the fight and a three-on-two beatdown followed. While Callihan was floored, de la Renta joined her henchmen and grabbed him by the face and rubbed salt into the wound. Promociones Dorado walked off with Warner and Callihan laying on the floor.

– Another hype video aired for the returning Austin Aries.

Minoru Tanaka defeated Daga (10:18)

A fantastic technical matchup that turned very stiff towards the end. The commentary team hyped this being Mexican strong style vs. one of the originators of Japanese strong style.

Tanaka took the early advantage after a spinning side kick and a middle rope missile dropkick. After Daga kicked out at two, Tanaka immediately locked in an armbar, but Daga then rolled through and switched to a rear naked choke.

Daga had the advantage and hit a running headscissor takedown, then two dives to the outside: a suicide dive through the ropes and a middle rope springboard corkscrew splash that floored both of them.

Back inside, Daga missed a double foot stomp. Tanaka was able to roll him up in a heel hook, but Daga stretched and just about reached the rope to break the hold. Tanaka kept his attack focused on the lower limbs of Daga with a dropkick to the knee. Daga tried to take a breather on the outside, but Tanaka hit him with an Asai moonsault from the middle rope down to the floor.

Daga had to fight through the pain in his ankle to eventually get Tanaka with a double stomp to the neck and a superkick to the jaw, but he only managed a two count. Daga then got an ankle lock of his own and a dropkick to the knee. But as Cornette called it, “When Daga goes low, Tanaka goes high” when Tanaka caught Daga with a kick to the face.

They traded forearms until Daga flipped Tanaka over in a hurricanrana and got the closest two count of the match so far. He came millimeters close again seconds later with a German suplex, but again Tanaka kicked out at the last possible moment.

Daga was looking to finish Tanaka off but ran straight into an enzuigiri to the back of the head. Tanaka then rolled up Daga in a cross armbreaker and grabbed the leg, which rolled Daga onto his shoulder for the referee to count the three.

– We had MJF on his cell phone cutting a promo on the Von Erich brothers, who are coming to MLW. He said the Von Erich dynasty is a thing of the past and there is only one true Dynasty in MLW — and that is his.

– A pre-taped video promo from Contra Unit aired next. They called out Barrington Hughes again and brought up Jacob Fatu’s quick victory last week. They turned their attention to Tom Lawlor and warned the MLW Heavyweight Champion that Contra Unit are here, and the mighty will fall next week.

– We then had a rebuttal from Lawlor, who said that he has been all around the world in the best countries in the world, and also some war zones and he is ready for his next challenger: Avalanche. He said that, like an Avalanche, when Robert Dreissker reaches the top of the mountain, he will crumble.

– We then saw a quick shot of a poll given to the MLW fans, asking who should be Lawlor’s next opponent. Davey Boy Smith Jr. won the poll and Rich Bocchini said officials were discussing potential dates for that match.

Brian Pillman Jr. defeated Rich Swann (w/ Myron Reed) in a National Openweight Championship tournament semifinal match (6:44)

Referee Doug Markham inspected Swann and Reed for foreign objects, only furthering their hatred towards the MLW officials. Markham threatened to raise Pillman’s hand if Swann didn’t get into the ring and start the match. He did — but it wasn’t long before Reed was interfering, helping Swann to kick out of an early pinfall attempt.

Reed got on the apron and distracted the official, which helped Swann kick out of another pin. Pillman got his revenge when, after dodging a clothesline from Swann, he dropkicked through the ropes right into Reed’s face.

Pillman then hit a springboard crossbody for a close two count, but when hitting the 10 punches in the corner, Reed pulled Pillman off the ropes behind the referee’s back.

Swann had the advantage again after Reed’s continued interference and kept on the Hart Foundation member, wearing him down and distracting the referee whenever he could so Reed could get his cheap shots in.

Swann hit a huge kick to the head and a DDT, then got in the referee’s face and told him to count the pinfall correctly. Pillman kicked out at two, so Swann was enraged with the referee, who was having none of Swann’s intimidation games and shoved him down to the mat.

Reed got on the apron, but Pillman ran Swann into Reed and O’Connor rolled him up for the win — with assistance from the quick count from the referee.

– Backstage, Kaci Lennox was with Alexander Hammerstone. She asked him about Pillman being his opponent in the finals of the National Openweight title tournament. Hammerstone talked up being bigger than Pillman and said just because Pillman’s dad was a great wrestler, doesn’t make Pillman one himself.

Hammerstone said Pillman will have the best seat in the house — lying on his back looking up — when Hammerstone is crowned the National Openweight Champion. He said when that happens, Pillman will not be making his dad proud.

Next week —

  • MLW World Heavyweight Champion Tom Lawlor defends against Avalanche Robert Dreissker
  • Ace Romero & Barrington Hughes vs. Contra Unit (Jacob Fatu & Josef Samael)

MLW Fusion results: LA Park vs. Pentagon Jr.

Posted on by Iain Oliver

– We opened backstage with Salina de la Renta and Low Ki. De la Renta was on the phone talking about expanding Promociones Dorado’s offices to Rio and San Diego, but Low Ki was more interested in his upcoming fight with Daga.

Low Ki tried to get de la Renta to focus on the job at hand. But for the second week in a row, she blew him off and told him to focus on the matches — and she will focus on the business. Trouble brewing in Promociones Dorado.

– Rich Bocchini and Jim Cornette welcomed us to a special Cinco de Mayo edition of MLW Fusion, with the episode presented by Salina de la Renta. Bocchini read out a self-scripted introduction for de la Renta as Cornette couldn’t believe his ears.

De la Renta told us after tonight she will have shown why she should have been in charge since day one.

Low Ki defeated Daga (10:40)

The main story of the match was  that even though Low Ki beatdown Daga throughout, he couldn’t put him away cleanly. Once Daga began his comeback and was looking dangerous, Ki had to cheat in order to come away with the victory.

As Low Ki made his entrance — notably without de la Renta — we cut to Sami Callihan as he was trying to break into the arena. He had been locked out and banned by de la Renta, but that wasn’t stopping him as he was using a knife to try and break into the building.

As Daga was entering, he and Low Ki met each other on the ramp and the fight was on. We were told this was the scene of the crime where Low Ki tried to rip off Daga’s ear the last time they were in New York City.

Daga hit an early suicide dive and got a two count after a dropkick to the back of the neck. His early advantage was thwarted when Ki reversed a suplex and dropped Daga gut-first on the top rope. They went back outside for some more ringside brawling before Ki tried to wear him down with a rear chinlock.

Ki attacked with chops, thrusts, and stiff kicks, but Daga kept kicking out and momentarily fighting back. He reversed a whip to the corner to alleviate a bit of pressure, but Ki sprung out of the corner with a dropkick right to the face. Daga hip tossed Ki out of an abdominal stretch, but a headbutt soon floored him again.

Two dragon screws changed the swing of the match and they both began exchanging chops and forearms as Daga’s momentum was gaining. He hit a hard clothesline and went up top but missed a drop foot stomp. Ki followed up with a quick running dropkick into the corner.

They both then went up to the top rope, with Daga getting caught up in the tree of woe. Ki was looking for a double foot stomp, but Daga yanked him off the top rope by the trunks. Daga then hit a huge missile dropkick that knocked Low Ki so hard that he bounced back up to his feet.

Daga charged him in the corner, but Low Ki was able to switch into a fisherman suplex and — unbeknownst to referee Doug Markham — get his feet up on the ropes for extra leverage and the win.

– Backstage, de la Renta announced the semifinal brackets for the National Openweight Championship tournament: Gringo Loco vs. Alexander Hammerstone and Brian Pillman Jr. vs. Rich Swann.

– We were told that Tom Lawlor’s next opponent for his MLW World title will be Avalanche Robert Driessker. We cut to Lawlor, who said that you take on all comers when you are the MLW World Heavyweight Champion. It doesn’t matter the size of the opponent or where they are from.

We then had a quick music video of Lawlor wrestling and training with fellow Team Filthy member Ariel Dominguez.

– We cut back to Callihan, who had broken into the building. He met Ricky Martinez in a hallway, jumped him, and stole his phone.

El Hijo de LA Park (presented by Salina de la Renta) defeated Gringo Loco (5:52)

A quick but fanatic lucha spotfest took place next as Hijo was able to counter a powerbomb into his Hijo Driver to pick up the win.

They did an opening with rolls, arm drags, and cartwheels, getting a “lucha libre” chant from the New York crowd. Hijo launched himself over the top rope and landed on Loco on the outside, hitting a hurricanrana before jumping back into the ring to follow up with a suicide dive for good measure.

Back inside, they went to the top rope. Hijo went for a Spanish Fly, but Loco grabbed him and hit a big sit-out slam for a close two count. They went back and fourth before Hijo hit a sunset flip slam for a close two count of his own.

Hijo went to the top again, but Loco crotched him on the top rope. Loco went up to join him and hit a massive falcon arrow for another close two count. Loco popped right up after the pin, but Hijo reversed a powerbomb attempt into his Hijo Driver (a reverse tombstone with Loco on his back) to pick up the win.

– We had a Contra Unit video package where they called out Barrington Hughes after he got involved in their beatdown of Ace Romero recently.

– The backstage cameras then caught up with Callihan on his crusade. He used Martinez’s phone to call de la Renta and warn her he wasn’t finished with Promociones Dorado.

LA Park (presented by Salina de la Renta) defeated Pentagon Jr. (11:53)

An amazing showcase for the Mexican legend and de la Renta’s right-hand man. Age has no boundaries as LA Park rewound 20 years to defeat Pentagon with some amazing high-flying efforts.

Park met Pentagon at the entrance stage to start this wild brawl. Referee Frank Gastineau was giving them some leeway as they brawled around ringside using steps, guardrails, and ring posts. Park strutted around the ring as the bell rang to officially start the match when they finally made their way inside the ring.

Park whipped Penta with his belt, but the referee let him off with it. De la Renta then choked Pentagon right in front of the referee and kicked him behind his back. She tried to interfere again up on the apron, but Penta planted a kiss on her for good measure.

De la Renta then got caught up with Park, which gave Pentagon the opportunity to fight back and hit a huge tope con hiro on Park.

Pentagon hit a slingblade, but Park quickly retaliated with a German suplex for a two count. Park put Penta on the top rope, but Penta slipped out and hit a lungblower/backstabber off the ropes for a two count of his own. Park escaped out of a piledriver and hit a running knee for another near two count.

An enzuigiri and a superkick by Pentagon put him back in charge, but Park got a foot on the ropes to break the pinfall attempt. Pentagon then ate a big boot and a suplex into the corner, which only set up an amazing, huge dive from Park has he ran corner to corner, dove through the ropes, and splatted Pentagon on the outside.

Park continued his jaw-dropping aerial assault for a wrestler of his age, hitting Pentagon with a spinning heel kick off the top rope when they were back in the ring! He then hit Pentagon with a spear to pick up the win.

– De la Renta took the mic after the match and bad mouthed New York City and the live crowd. She said they were going to open a gift from their sponsors and brought out a big gift-wrapped box.

Park went to open the gift, but who popped out? None other than the Southern Psychopath Mance Warner. We went off the air as Warner and Park brawled across the entrance set.

Next week —

  • Barrington Hughes vs. Jacob Fatu
  • Gringo Loco vs. Alexander Hammerstone

MLW Fusion results: Six-man tables match

Posted on by Iain Oliver

– We opened with two thirds of Dynasty (Richard Holliday and Alexander Hammerstone) in the parking lot after finding MJF’s car. The Hart Foundation had given it their own makeover — complete with pizza boxes, empty drink bottles, and discarded condoms…what a party!?

– Rich Bocchini and Jim Cornette hyped up the new National Openweight Championship with the finals of a four-man tournament taking place on June 1 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The package included media clippings from around the world.

Jordan Oliver defeated Kotto Brazil (6:32)

Oliver made his MLW debut here and lived up to his nickname — “The real-life Spider-Man” — with some nice aerial attacks. He picked up the win after the ever-athletic Brazil was distracted by Ricky Martinez and Salina de la Renta.

Quick start from Brazil, but Oliver got the upper hand on the outside when Brazil missed a crossbody and collided head-first with the ring post. After a short amount of heat, Brazil came back by reversing a suplex with a hurricanrana, then hitting two big clotheslines and a tilt-a-whirl headscissors. He hit a blockbuster off the top rope and then a big frog splash for a two count.

Salina de la Renta and Ricky Martinez arrived at ringside and distracted Brazil long enough for Oliver to schoolboy Brazil, but he only got a two count. Another Oliver two count followed after a slingshot stunner. Brazil then hit a stunner of his own that knocked Oliver to the outside, so he followed up with two suicide dives — doing his best to drive over the guardrail and land in the front row each time.

On his attempt at a third, Martinez grabbed his ankle, but Brazil took him out with a big diving forearm. Brazil got back into the ring but was still distracted by Promociones Dorado, which gave Oliver the opportunity to hit a huge springboard cutter and pick up the surprise win.

 – Avalanche Robert Dreissker from wXw in Germany has signed on for an MLW World Heavyweight Championship shot against “Filthy” Tom Lawlor. We saw a short promo from Avalanche hyping up the match.

– We then saw a recap of an injury angle from moments ago where Dynasty attacked Brian Pillman Jr. backstage and it looked like they separated his shoulder with a chair shot after trapping his arm.

Rey Horus defeated Ace Austin (14:12)

We heard that this is the first time these two have squared off and also that Horus is the cousin of Rey Mysterio Jr. We saw a lot of his families’ athleticism in this match. Horus picked up the win after a spectacular modified hurricanrana/victory roll off the top rope.

They began with chain wrestling, which was a bit of a slower start than we are used to with these two. Bocchini said as much on commentary, but Cornette wisely said that you wouldn’t go running 100 mph into a guy that you had no knowledge of and you need to expect a feeling out process to take place. They hyped up the National Openweight tournament and speculated if the winner of this match would enter themselves into it.

The pace quickened but they stayed at a stalemate, matching each other with leg trips, kick outs, and dodges of superkicks. Austin hit a savate kick to the side of the head, then a soccer kick off the apron to Horus while he was on the floor. He stayed on top but kept a slower pace, trying to wear Horus down.

Horus had his mask ripped off him in the corner but quickly replaced it. Kaci Lennox gave us an inset update on Pillman Jr., saying it wasn’t looking good for him to compete later on. All the while Horus was making his comeback, hitting a big kick that knocked Austin out of the ring and landing a superb slingshot corkscrew crossbody for good measure.

Austin tried to cut Horus off the top rope, but Horus landed on his feet and hit a Spanish Fly for a two count. They traded chops, then different variations of kicks before Austin hit a twisting brainbuster for a close two count.
Horus cut Austin off on the top rope and finished him with a springboard victory roll off the top for the win.

– Salina de la Renta blew off Low Ki backstage when she didn’t have time to speak to him as she was on the phone with what sounded like LA Park.

– We caught up with “Filthy” Tom Lawlor. He said finally Jimmy Havoc — the only person to beat him in MLW — is out of the equation. Lawlor can now do what he wants to do — defend the MLW World title against all comers. He called out Avalanche and LA Park, and said he isn’t backing down from anyone.

Dynasty (Alexander Hammerstone, MJF & Richard Holliday) defeated The Hart Foundation (Davey Boy Smith Jr., Teddy Hart & Brian Pillman Jr.) in a tables match (11:56)

Only Smith and Hart (and his cat) came out for the Hart Foundation, with Pillman being absent after the earlier attack by Dynasty. Holliday and Hammerstone played up the friction between them as they couldn’t decide who should start the match, so they ended up getting jumped by Hart.

Smith superkicked Holliday, then gorilla press slammed Hart into Hammerstone and MJF, who caught him, but Smith followed up with a double dropkick to knock all of the Dynasty members to the outside.

They briefly brawled on the outside, but Teddy Hart then hit one of the highest moonsaults from the top rope to the floor that I have ever seen, taking out his three opponents in the process. They continued to brawl on the outside — complete with suplexes on the concrete floor.

In the ring, Hart hit Holliday with his delayed hammerlock DDT, then hit a combo pendulum piledriver/DDT to Hammerstone and MJF while they hung in the ropes. The Hart Foundation then obliterated MJF with a powerslam off the top rope (Smith), a moonsault off the top (Hart), a flying headbutt off the top (Smith), and finally a slingshot moonsault for good measure (Hart).

On the outside, Smith was taken out by Hammerstone, so the numbers game quickly escalated for the Dynasty as they were able to hit a double assisted spike tombstone on Hart. Smith fought back into the ring, where he and Hammerstone had a stare-off while holding up opponents in vertical suplexes. Holliday made the save for MJF, which let Hammerstone hit his suplex on Hart.

The numbers game played in Dynasty’s advantage again as they singled out Smith and set up a table in the corner of the ring, but Pillman made the save from the back and was a house of fire, taking out everyone with superkicks. The Hart Foundation hit a double assisted Canadian Destroyer on Hammerstone, then a Doomsday Canadian Destroyer on MJF (while standing on Hammerstone’s back in the corner) — amazing!

All seemed lost for the Dynasty, but their fortune turned in a blink of an eye. Holliday ran in and double low blowed Hart and Smith and took Pillman down with a shoulder drop. Hammerstone then powerbombed Pillman through the table in the corner for the win.

– Kaci Lennox was backstage with Salina de la Renta and she announced Gringo Loco vs. El Hijo de LA Park and Daga vs. Low Ki for next week. De la Renta is the executive producer of next week’s episode.

MLW Fusion results: LA Park vs. Sami Callihan

Posted on by Iain Oliver

Quick results —

  • Brian Pillman Jr. defeated MJF
  • Myron Reed & Rich Swann defeated Jimmy Yuta & Lance Anoa’i
  • LA Park defeated Sami Callihan

Full recap —

– We opened this week’s episode with a recap from last week’s Battle Riot from New York City over WrestleMania week.

Highlights included MJF smashing a champagne bottle over Teddy Hart’s head, “Filthy” Tom Lawlor being staple gunned in the forehead before retaining his title against Jimmy Havoc, a Dan Severn suplex, Myron Reed gloriously failing to crossbody both Ace Romero and Barrington Hughes at the same time, Contra Unit’s attempt at a human bonfire, LAX showing up, Alexander Hammerstone using Ariel Dominguez as a barbell for his shoulder press workout before being dumped out by Davey Boy Smith Jr., and Sami Callihan then eliminating Smith before being chopped out himself by eventual winner and new number one contender LA Park.

– Jim Cornette and Rich Bocchini welcomed us to New York and hyped up an appearance from MLW World Heavyweight Champion Tom Lawlor.

Brian Pillman Jr. defeated MJF (w/ Richard Holliday and Alexander Hammerstone) (7:53)

A good match to progress the Dynasty vs. Hart Foundation feud and also the ascension of both wrestlers. The story of the match was Pillman’s shoulder injury, with MJF focusing his attack on it. Pillman withstood the arm-based attacks to get the win out of nowhere to the shock of MJF and the Dynasty.

We learned that Teddy Hart was not there with Pillman due to the champagne attack last week. The referee was quick to eject Holliday and Hammerstone after they got involved one time too many early on. MJF took Pillman down with a shoulder drop in what Cornette called the “Divorce court.” He continued his assault on the shoulder until Pillman hit a crossbody off the top, a running forearm, chops, a superkick, and a powerslam for a two count.

MJF pulled the referee in front of him, eye poked Pillman, hit a double foot stomp to the injured shoulder, and still only got a two count after a schoolboy. MJF took too much time and let Pillman roll him up in a small package for the three count.

– Kaci Lennox tried to grab a word with MJF after the match, but he cut her off, called her a bimbo, and said that the result was a fluke before storming off. Charming.

– Salina de la Renta held a press event earlier on where we found out that on May 4 she will be the first female executive producer in wrestling history. She told us to stay tuned to find out when LA Park will be cashing in his title shot.

– Sami Callihan was backstage, telling us he has been around the world and has finally found out who he is. He is the Death Machine, the Worldwide Desperado, and the Draw in MLW. He is going to cause chaos, piss people off, and beat LA Park tonight. He challenged Mance Warner to a match next week on Fusion too.

– Cameras caught up with Richard Holliday and Alexander Hammerstone. Hammerstone wanted to get his hands on the Hart Foundation, but Holliday wanted to leave and make their reservation at the 21 Club instead. They eventually noticed the camera and chased it away.

Myron Reed & Rich Swann defeated Jimmy Yuta & Lance Anoa’i (8:42)

A really good tag match filled with great athleticism and aerial maneuvers. Reed and Swann still had “justice” taped over their mouths in their attempt to show their disdain against the officials in MLW. They feel officials are being biased against them. Referee Doug Markham checked Reed and Swann for foreign objects.

A chop from Yuta fired up Swann as he turned up the aggression with some chops of his own, then tagged in Reed for him to hit a springboard leg drop and his own running senton double-team combination.

Anoa’i got the hot tag and hit a dropkick to Reed with Swann on his shoulders, with Swann being dropped with a Samoan drop. Anoa’i’s momentum was soon halted as he went up top and missed a 450 splash. Then, out of nowhere, Reed hit a cutter when he ran from the stage and jumped from the ramp over the top rope and into the ring.

Yuta had to make the save and then tried to take out Swann with a dive to the outside, but Swann caught him with a mid-air low blow to render him speaking high pitched for the rest of the night. Inside the ring, both Swann and Reed went to the (same) top rope. Swann hit a middle rope 450 double knees to the chest and Reed hit a traditional 450 splash for the win.

– Mance Warner was backstage with Kaci Lennox. He accepted Sami Callihan’s challenge and said he will take Callihan’s head off when his knee pad goes up….then down.

– Tom Lawlor then told us that for 22 years he has been putting everything on the line because he wanted to call himself a champion. He talked us through the injuries he has suffered throughout his career but told us none of that compares to Jacob Fatu’s splash off the top of the steel cage. He warned Contra Unit that he is going to put them unconscious.

LA Park defeated Sami Callihan (7:16)

A wild brawl ensued from the get-go as they brawled outside with beer cans, umbrellas, and VIP rope posts. Park crotched Callihan on the ring post and then hit him with a replica championship belt before they eventually made their way into the ring.

Park hit a clothesline and went for the pin — as Callihan kicked out, he pushed Park right on top of referee Frank Gastineau. The referee was helped up by Park but ate a big boot to the face by Callihan as Park just moved out of the way in time.

Park went for a spear on Callihan but missed and hit the middle turnbuckle, breaking it in the process. Callihan hit Park with a baseball bat and went for the cover. He got the visual three count, but there was no referee there to count the pin.

Ricky Martinez and El Hijo de LA Park came out and started putting the boots to Callihan, but Mance Warner quickly ran out and made the save. Low Ki was out next and then he, Hijo, and Martinez began a three-on-one attack on Warner.

Daga then ran out and made the save and kicked Low Ki, Hijo, and Martinez to the outside. He then took out the four other additions to the match with a tope con hilo. But back in the ring, Park took Callihan out with a spear and picked up the victory.

After the match, Promociones Dorado beat down Warner, Daga, and Callihan four-on-three.

Before we went off the air, the cameras were out in the parking lot and caught up with Richard Holliday and Alexander Hammerstone looking for their car. They saw it alright, and a lot more than they bargained for. MJF’s car rolled past them, windows down, with Teddy Hart driving, Davey Boy Smith Jr. in the passenger seat, and Brian Pillman Jr.’s butt sticking out of the back seat window.

Next week —

  • Sami Callihan takes on Mance Warner
  • Ace Romero vs. Josef Samael

MLW Fusion results: Teddy Hart defends the Middleweight title

Posted on by Iain Oliver

Quick Recap:

  • Daga defeated Ariel Dominguez
  • Ricky Martinez defeated Air Wolf
  • MLW Middleweight champion Teddy Hart defeated Myron Reed

Show Recap:

– We open backstage with Salina de la Renta, flanked by El Hijo de LA Park, on the phone talking to someone about gaining an advantage at Battle Riot. She tells Hijo to go to “that place” they were talking about and give that person whatever they want. She then says, “Just when you thought Promociones Dorado was over, “We are back…bitch!”

– A recap from last week is shown when Teddy Hart was arrested for allegedly throwing a brick through MJF’s car’s window. We then see the 3-on-1 beatdown given to Brian Pillman Jr. by Dynasty (Alexander Hammerstone, MJF and Richard Holliday). Hart will issue an open challenge for his MLW Middleweight title tonight.

Daga defeated Ariel Dominguez (7:48)

Low Ki was on commentary as they were playing up a rematch between he and Daga. We get a recap from the last time Daga and Low Ki were in the ring together, complete with Low Ki trying to rip Daga’s ear off.

A big dropkick from Daga starts us off. Jim Cornette tells us Daga is not as quick as Dominguez, so he will need to hit some high impact moves to stop him. Daga stayed in control and began whipping him from corner to corner, connecting with a forearm, clothesline and slap to the face after each whip. An enzuigiri, superkick and lariat floored Dominguez for a two count. A standing moonsault also got a two count with Daga dominating the opening exchanges but Dominguez showing heart kicking out each time.

Dominguez fought back with a back elbow, flying clothesline, and a springboard DDT for a two count of his own. Dominguez low-bridged Daga and landed a springboard cross body to the outside. Back in the ring, Dominguez went for a second springboard DDT but Daga caught him. Dominguez slipped out the back and rolled through looking for a German suplex, but Daga landed on his feet and took back control with a right hand straight to the temple.

Daga planted Dominguez on the back of his head with a German suplex then impaled him on the mat with a big delayed DDT for the win. Daga confronted Low Ki at the commentary table after the match and officials pulled them apart before any contact could be made.

– We saw what happened after last week’s Fusion where Salina de la Renta was going to give a post match interview with LA Park, Ricky Martinez, Hijo and Low Ki, but out of nowhere, Mance Warner jumped Park. Eventually, the numbers game gave the advantage to Promociones Dorado as Warner was eventually beaten down.

– We then cut to Myron Reed with a selfie recorded message for Teddy Hart and his open challenge tonight. He says that if he gets a fair, unbiased official he will beat Teddy and take his belt.

– This week’s episode of H2TV had Hart, Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Brian Pillman Jr. together again. Teddy questions their “dynasty” name, and tell them that they have more years in the business than them, and that they have become diamonds.

Ricky Martinez (w/ Salina de la Renta) defeated Air Wolf (6:25)

Air Wolf immediately jumped in the ring and went for Martinez with a pair of head scissors, a dropkick, a springboard dropkick and then a big running crossbody over the top rope. On the outside, de la Renta got in Wolf’s face which gave Martinez the opportunity to take the upper hand but Wolf caught him with his own right hand to prevent it. Martinez pulled Wolf off the guardrail, smacking the back of his head in the process. After the quick start from Wolf, Martinez was in control jus like that.

In the ring, Martinez locked Wolf up between his legs and rammed his head repeatedly off the mat. A slingshot suplex nearly didn’t come off but Martinez powered him over and got a two count from it. Air Wolf had some hope when he caught a kick from Martinez, but the Sicario quickly turned that into a big neck breaker to floor the aerial luchadore again. Air Wolf did fight back shortly after and got a two count of his own after a 619 on the bottom rope and a springboard DDT.

Air Wolf landed on the back of his head again as he was on the top rope but Martinez kicked the back of his leg and Wolf fell to the mat. Martinez then picked up the three count after a pop-up knee to the chin.

– We saw a video package from Contra Unit highlighting their reign of terror so far in MLW. Jacob Fatu said how the mighty have fallen, how he has done things that God has turned his eyes away from, and that they will salt the earth with the ashes of their enemies.

– The Dynasty were backstage with a message for the Hart Foundation. They said they have shattered the illusion of the Hart Foundation and exposed the fraud that is Teddy Hart. Hammerstone said he saw Pillman shed a tear when Teddy’s necklace shattered last week. “Real diamonds don’t shatter…real diamonds like them, he said, adding the Hart Foundation are in for a real treat at Battle Riot as they will cement themselves as the most dominant force in MLW.

– New participants were announced for Battle Riot Friday of WrestleMania weekend: Avalanche Robert Dreissker from wXw, Jimmy Yuta, Rey Horus, Kotto Brazil, Ricky Martinez, Lance Anoa’i, Myron Reed, Richard Holliday, Rich Swann, Jordan Oliver, Leo Brien, Michael Patrick and Dan “The Beast” Severn.

– MLW World Champion “Filthy” Tom Lawlor had a recorded message for Jimmy Havoc. He described him coming over the pond bringing objects, staple guns, thumb tacks, pizza cutters, and anything he can get to have an advantage in MLW. Lawlor went on the say he has had one bump in the road during this past year, and that bump has been Jimmy Havoc. He said we haven’t seen Havoc since Tom sent him to the hospital, and he is going to be the one going to hospital again when they meet again in New York City.

– Daga was backstage where he told us he is looking for Low Ki and wants a rematch with him.

– Salina was backstage on the phone again, saying she sent him (Hijo) a long time ago and he should have been back by now. She bumped into LA Park and told him she couldn’t find his son. LA Park said he will handle it.

MLW Middleweight Champion Teddy Hart (w/ Brian Pillman Jr and Davey Boy Smith Jr.) defeated Myron Reed to retain (10:59)

They exchanged arm ringers with Hart flipping out of his. They then exchanged hard right hands before Hart hit a big powerslam, but began holding his ribs, still feeling the effects of the beating from MJF and Holliday a few weeks ago. Hart then hit a big powerbomb lungblower and a springboard moonsault but again grabbed his ribs and was not able to capitalize. He was not able to whip Reed off the ropes and was showing he was in a lot of trouble.

Reed took advantage of Hart’s injury by kicking and stomping at his ribs. Hart then took an Irish whip to the corner, face first like his uncle Bret, but tried to fight back with a German suplex, but Reed landed on his feet and kicked him in the ribs again to floor him. A big double knee facebreaker followed for a two count and we nearly had a new champion.

Reed threw Hart to the floor and launched him ribs first into the guardrail. He then hit a huge frog splash back in the ring and got another very close two count when Hart kicked out at the last minute. Reed got in the referee Frank Gastineau’s face as he argued the two count which gave Hart the chance to capitalize. He got Reed down to the mat and tried to apply an armbar, but couldn’t due to the pain in his ribs. He struggled to get to the middle rope and took too much time which let Reed hit a dropkick and then a big springboard hurricanrana back into the ring.

Reed missed a big springboard 450 splash as we heard that Promociones Dorado were freaking out backstage as they still couldn’t find El Hijo de LA Park. Hart finally locked in a hammerlock to Reed then planted him with a DDT. Hart could only get an elbow on top of him so Reed easily got his shoulder up from the pin. A neckbreaker set up Reed for a springboard moonsault but Reed got the knees up and Teddy kicked out at the last minute.

This infuriated Reed so he got into the referee’s face again. He threatened to hit him which gave Hart a final opportunity as Reed’s back was turned. Hart hooked him up and rolled him up long enough for the three count and the win.

– Backstage, de la Renta told us that Promociones Dorado was back as they had found Hijo. She was going to let him tell us himself but when he walked into the shot, he hit LA Park with a right hand. Hijo took his mask off to reveal Mance Warner underneath. We then went off the air with Warner and LA Park brawling backstage.

Next week: Battle Riot II live.

MLW Fusion results: LA Park vs. Mance Warner death match

Posted on by Iain Oliver

Quick recap —

  • Gringo Loco defeated Myron Reed
  • Alexander Hammerstone defeated Brian Pillman Jr.
  • LA Park defeated Mance Warner in a death match

Full rundown —

– We opened backstage with Teddy Hart and Davey Boy Smith Jr. as we were told by commentator Rich Bocchini that the Chicago Police Department had arrived at the arena to arrest Hart for vandalizing MJF’s vehicle.

Before being escorted away, Hart told Smith to let MJF know that when Hart sees MJF on the street, he is f*cking dead. Brian Pillman Jr. arrived at the scene shortly before MJF and Richard Holliday, who rubbed salt in the wound.

Gringo Loco defeated Myron Reed (7:21)

A great showcase for both competitors as Loco continued his good run of form with a solid win. Reed showed a lot of strong offense, which should set him up for a good 2019 in MLW.

Reed came to the ring with tape covering his mouth with “Free Swann” written on it, adding a little character to his already stellar in-ring ability. We saw a quick recap of the Swann situation and we learned he has been suspended from MLW for attacking officials and Bocchini a few weeks ago.

Referee Doug Markham thoroughly checked Reed before ringing the bell — as Reed has a history of hiding foreign objects and using them in his matches.

Loco kept one step ahead of Reed during the opening exchanges by rolling and cartwheeling out of all of Reed’s attacks. Reed finally got Loco down with an enzuigiri and a double knee facebreaker out of the corner. With Loco on the outside, Reed had his back facing out and looked like he was being clotheslined and eliminated from a battle royal (minus the clothesline), but he caught Loco in a headscissors and took him down in a very innovative way.

Reed was having trouble with the official, complaining of slow counts and complaining that he was in the way. It seemed to be distracting Reed, as Loco was able to fight back and hit a powerbomb and piledriver. He looked to finish Reed off with a suplex, but Reed spun in mid-air and dropped Loco with a stunner. Moments later, Reed ran at Loco but was caught with a standing Spanish Fly in the middle of the ring.

The high-flying action continued as Loco flattened Reed on the outside with a tope con hilo. Reed caught Loco on the top rope with a step-up kick, then nearly dropped Loco on his head with a springboard hurricanrana. A 450 splash then got Reed another close two count as he got right in Markham’s face to complain about the count.

Loco hit a big springboard cutter while Reed was distracted, then went to the top rope and crushed Reed with a corkscrew splash for the win.

After the match, Reed got right in the referee’s face again to complain about the count — and ended up grabbing him by the shirt and slapping him across the face. Reed then approached the announcer’s table before the officials dragged him to the back.

– Mance Warner was backstage with Kaci Lennox talking about his death match later with LA Park. Warner had his white board with him again and gave us insight into his tactics for the death match: #1 Light beers, #2 Eye pokes, #3 Knee pad up, knee pad down. He said that adds up to the pay window and Ol’ Mancer picking up the win.

– Matt Striker announced “Filthy” Tom Lawlor vs. Jimmy Havoc for the MLW World Heavyweight title in a street fight in New York on April 4.

He also announced new names for the 40-man Battle Riot match on April 5: Mance Warner, Daga, Air Wolf, and Barrington Hughes. Previously announced names include LA Park, Rey Fenix, El Hijo de LA Park, Brian Pillman Jr., Gringo Loco, Pentagon Jr., Minoru Tanaka, Ken Kerbis, Davey Boy Smith Jr., Ace Austin, Teddy Hart, Alexander Hammerstone, Ace Romero, MJF, and Low Ki.

– MJF and Richard Holliday were backstage laughing because they had a text from superintendant Johnson from the Chicago Police Department with a mugshot of Teddy Hart. They want to put the mug shot on  shirts, mugs and a billboard in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

– Contra Unit (Simon Gotch, Josef Samael, and Jacob Fatu) were backstage. They explained that Contra are the crusaders of nihilistic terror. They said they want the gold and the power. Fatu said they are the international dealers in violence, Gotch said business is good, and Samael said you cannot burn a kingdom made of fire.

– A pre-taped promo from Ace Romero cut in at the end of Contra’s, with Romero saying that he is coming for Contra Unit after their beatdown on him last week.

Alexander Hammerstone (w/ MJF and Richard Holliday) defeated Brian Pillman Jr. (5:23)

MJF took the mic and tried to start mouthing off, but the crowd drowned him out each time. He finally told us that he had a public service announcement for everyone: Teddy Hart is in jail, yet again, because he is a white trash scumbag. MJF told everyone he is better than them and they know it.

Pillman ran to the ring and smacked Hammerstone with a right hand to kick things off. MJF got on a headset for some more mouthing off as Hammerstone ate a superkick from Pillman inside the ring. Pillman had the early advantage, but Hammerstone eventually overpowered him and took control after a big spinebuster.

Hammerstone locked in a chinlock as we heard that Hart had arrived in the local Chicago PD, indicating that he and his bailer Davey Boy Smith Jr. wouldn’t be here to help Pillman, who was fighting back against his larger opponent and was able to hit a powerslam for a close two count.

Hammerstone got the advantage back when MJF distracted Pillman, which let Hammerstone gorilla press and drop Pillman throat-first on the top rope. On commentary, Jim Cornette let us know of Pillman’s father’s troubles with his throat and voice as Hammerstone clotheslined and hit the Nightmare Pendulum to pick up the victory.

All three members of The Dynasty stomped and beat down Pillman after the match. Hammerstone took Hart’s chains that he gave to Pillman earlier in the night and broke them in front of his face.

– The cameras caught up with MLW World Heavyweight Champion “Filthy” Tom Lawlor, with him telling us that when you’re the champ, your work is never done. He was in the gym training, sparring, and rolling as he told Jimmy Havoc that he can take Brexit back over the pond and drown with the scum.

LA Park (presented by Salina de la Renta) defeated Mance Warner in a death match (18:38)

A wild and crazy way to finish off this week’s Fusion episode. Park picked up the victory after eventually overcoming Warner’s stubbornness and toughness.

Park threw a chair into the ring as he was making his way around ringside soaking in the applause. Warner got his own strong ovation from the Chicago crowd as he unveiled the star spangled banner, slapped hands, and gave eye pokes/too sweets to the fans at ringside.

Dueling chants erupted. They went face-to-face, nose-to-nose, and head-to-head as they sized each other up. Warner looked in his element staring into the eyes of Park — and the crowd sensed this could be something worth watching. Barring noses and foreheads, they did not touch for the first few moments.

With the USA and Mexican flags donning each side of the ring, Park shoved Warner and strut his world famous strut. Warner responded with a shove and a strut of his own, which didn’t go down too well with the Chicago crowd. A quick eye poke did though as we were off and running in our main event death match.

Warner took Park to the outside and began choppin’… and choppin’ before whipping Park into the guardrail. An “LA Park” chant began as it seemed he had a solid fan base in Chicago. They briefly brawled through the crowd and reappeared ringside with a table.

Back in the ring, Warner drove a chair into Park’s midsection before using it to assist him in a step-up into a tornado DDT. Park then brought his knee pad up — and the crowd responded when he took his knee pad down and hit Park with two running knees to the head.

Warner introduced a Singapore cane from under the ring and used it to execute a side Russian leg sweep — but only got a two count. Warner sat Park on a chair in the middle of the ring and hit a few headbutts, which knocked himself a bit loopy. He tried his knee pad spot again, but I guess the headbutts took too much out of him as Park caught him and dropped him back, shoulder, and possibly head-first onto the chair.

Park took the advantage and hit Warner across the arm, shoulder, and face with the chair as Warner tried to roll for cover. On the outside, Park placed Warner on the table before squashing him (and the table) with a running senton. He then rested the broken table against the guardrail and drove Warner through it with a powerslam. Cornette let us know that anything goes, but to win you have to pin your opponent inside the ring.

Back inside, Park used his belt to whip Warner across the back — but the Eye Poke God liked it! Warner took off his own suspenders and they began a whipping battle. The materials were soon swapped for forearms and chops as they went back and forth again, visibly slowing as the action was taking its toll. Warner took off his shirt, but Park eventually floored his opponent and got a two count.

Park introduced a replacement piece of the ring’s wooden paneling to the ring and set it up between two seated chairs. Warner was placed on the wood as Park climbed the ropes and hit another flattening senton, which crushed Warner, the wood, and the two chairs, but it only got a two count.

A brutal wooden segment shot to the head floored Warner again for another two count. Park kept on his brutal attack as he collided with Warner and the guardrail with a suicide dive to the outside.

Referee Frank Gastineau had an earful from Park as Warner kicked out of another two count. The action continued back and forth before Warner caught Park with a kick in the corner and hit a DDT, bringing him back into the ring for a two count of his own. The count was broken by Park grabbing the bottom rope — and Cornette did mention how absurd it was that you could use all these weapons, chairs, and tables, but by using the traditional rope break rule, you could not be beaten.

Warner then went for a dive of his own…so he ran, stopped, stepped through the ropes, sat on the apron, and eye poked Park through his mask. Back inside, Warner launched a chair at him for another close near fall.

Warner climbed the corner and Park launched a chair back at him, which cascaded off of Warner’s head and spun into the crowd. We heard a shriek from the crowd as Cornette told us it seemed to clip someone.

On the replay of the chair shot, we missed Park bringing Warner back into the ring and a close near fall. A missile dropkick and a spear followed as Park picked up the win, giving Warner his first loss in MLW.

El Hijo de LA Park and Salina de la Renta joined Park in the ring to celebrate as the episode went off the air.

Next week —

  • Teddy Hart defends his MLW Middleweight title

MLW Fusion results: Contra Unit attacks Ace Romero

Posted on by Iain Oliver

Quick recap —

  • Ace Austin defeated DJZ in a Battle Riot qualifying match
  • Alexander Hammerstone defeated Isaias Velasquez
  • Ace Romero defeated Simon Gotch by DQ

Full rundown —

We had a video recap from last week’s action where Contra Unit attacked “Filthy” Tom Lawlor after the champ had successfully defended the MLW World Heavyweight title against Low Ki inside a steel cage.

Ace Austin defeated DJZ in a Battle Riot qualifying match (6:00)

Austin told us in an in-set promo that he is going to the Battle Riot as he always has an ace up his sleeve — and he certainly pulled one out here. A relatively short, but very good match between these two athletic middleweights.

Arm twists and wrist holds started us off. Austin went for a few quick roll-ups, but DJZ had his number each time. On the floor, DJZ blocked a soccer kick from Austin from the apron, but Austin escaped his grasp with a cartwheel before smoothly transitioning into the ring and back out through the ropes to connect with a dropkick to the face.

Still on the outside, DJZ whipped Austin to the guardrail, but Austin leapt over and into the crowd to dodge. DJZ followed up and launched himself over the rail with a flying shoulder block.

Back in the ring, DJZ hit Austin with a springboard back elbow and went for a forward roll into a DDT, but Austin reversed that into a gutbuster. He then sat DJZ on the top and from the apron leapt up and brought him into the ring with a reverse frankensteiner. Austin followed up with a leg drop from the top rope but was only able to get a two count.

DJZ was back in the match after hitting a double up-kick while flat on his back and then back suplexing Austin, twisting him in mid-air and landing him face-first onto DJZ’s knee. DJZ couldn’t believe he only got a two count, but he looked like he was getting closer to the win.

DJZ leapt to the top for another back elbow, but Austin transitioned in mid-air and planted him with a uranage. After an exchange of kicks and dodges, Austin found himself on the top rope and ate a powerbomb for his troubles.

Austin looked in bad shape as DJZ lined him up, forward rolled, and looked to finish him off — but as DJZ rolled and sprang to his feet, Austin met him with a standing blockbuster to pick up the victory.

– Salina de la Renta was backstage being asked about her plans, but she accidentally ended up covered in light beer when she turned and bumped into Mance Warner. De la Renta left pissed off, but Warner was equally as pissed as he had lost a cold one.

– Dr. Nelson Sweglar was then on the phone with Rich Bocchini saying Tom Lawlor has suffered fractured ribs, blood in his lungs, a swollen spinal cord, and a possible subdural hematoma. He is not sure when Lawlor will be cleared to return to the ring.

– Kaci Lennox was backstage with Mance Warner. He said that last week he got that W, hit that pay window, and got the cash. He called out Tom Lawlor — he wants his gold, LA Park — he will poke his eyes out through his mask, and Teddy Hart — he was locked up with him before and will go with him again in the ring.

– We had a pre-taped promo from Contra Unit member Simon Gotch next. He was angry that Ace Romero took his $20,000 after Romero beat him a few weeks ago. But tonight he will find out the difference between a man fighting for money and a man fighting for a cause.

– We were then shown a recording from earlier where Alexander Hammerstone was interrupted on the phone when talking about a “dynasty” backstage. Hammerstone was asked about competing in the Battle Riot and confirmed he will be in the match. Hammerstone said that he will win it.

– Ace Austin was backstage and told us that he will win the Battle Riot as he only needs one opportunity. We then saw a quick recap from Rich Swann’s recent attitude change.

Alexander Hammerstone defeated Isaias Velasquez (3:43)

Hammerstone continued his impressive start in MLW, but it wasn’t as clear cut as it seemed. Velasquez showed great potential here and could be a good hand in the middleweight division. 

Velasquez came right out of the blocks hitting a dropkick, a high knee, and an enzuigiri. Hammerstone left his feet briefly when Velasquez low bridged him out of the ring, but any advantage was short lived as Hammerstone swiftly powerbombed his smaller opponent onto the ring apron.

Back in the ring, a pair of knees to the head knocked Velasquez to the mat and a huge overhead head-and-arm suplex sent him flying across the ring. Velasquez stunned Hammerstone, though, as the big man then missed a splash in the corner, so Velasquez did not give up and hit a step-up kick and a running knee to the head.

Velasquez’s momentum was short lived, and he was quickly crotched on the top turnbuckle as Hammerstone regained his composure. Hammerstone joined him up on top to hit a massive delayed vertical standing suplex from the middle rope and finished him off with his Nightmare Pendulum for the three count.

– MJF and Richard Holliday were backstage hyping up their Tag Team title match next week against the Hart Foundation. MJF was about to show us an after party “dynasty” style but ended up screaming at some runners about Beluga caviar. They said they are going to relax with a nice drive in their new wheels, which their parents had just bought for them.

– El Hijo de LA Park ran into Mance Warner backstage (who was still drinking where he met Salina de la Renta earlier). They had a quick confrontation and ended up brawling away out of sight. Brian Pillman Jr. swooped in to take the free beer Ol’ Mancer left.

– Matt Striker gave us an updated list of the Battle Riot competitors: Ace Austin, Low Ki, Pentagon Jr., Davey Boy Smith Jr., NOAH’s Minoru Tanaka, Teddy Hart, Alexander Hammerstone, MJF, Richard Holliday, and Ace Romero.

– We then cut to a recorded interview with the Hart Foundation from earlier this week. They were asked about MJF and Holliday’s tag team challenge. Smith said they were lucky that he wasn’t there when they attacked Hart two weeks ago — and he will break them when they step into the ring with the Hart Foundation.

– We were then backstage with Salina de la Renta again. Hijo de LA Park stumbled into the picture looking the worse for wear after his altercation with Warner. De la Renta got on the phone and told “Ricky” that she has a task for him.

Ace Romero defeated Simon Gotch by DQ (3:54)

A short match, but the post-match angle really developed the new Contra Unit and showed they really mean business. Romero looked good as always. For a man his size, he can do amazing things in and outside of the ring.

Gotch got a big boot and right hands in from the start, but Romero just ran him over and knocked him down. Romero then missed a splash in the corner but rallied and pounced Gotch right out of the ring.

The 400+ lbs Romero then unbelievably connected with a suicide dive through the ropes!

Back in the ring, Romero missed another big splash in the corner and Gotch took advantage with kicks to the back of the head. A “Where’s your mustache?” chant got Gotch’s attention for a moment as the announcers mentioned his change of appearance.

A step-up kick knocked Romero down, but it was only momentarily as he soon fought back up to his feet. Romero then picked Gotch up in an airplane spin position, but the referee called for the bell when Jacob Fatu and Josef Samael of Contra Unit hit the ring.

A three-on-one beatdown ensued when all three stomped Romero in the corner. Samael soon brought out a spike and drove it into Romero’s forehead! Samael continued to jam it into Romero’s forehead time and time again. Officials couldn’t get into the ring to stop them, and Bocchini and Jim Cornette were going crazy on commentary.

Contra Unit put coins in Romero’s eyes to send a message to the rest of the locker room. Cornette’s voice was rising and rising as he said fans were trying to rush the ring to get at Fatu and Samael.

Gotch finished by draping Romero in the Contra flag before eventually leaving the ring. We went off the air with EMTs in the ring attending to Ace Romero.

Next week:

  • The Hart Foundation defend the MLW Tag Team titles against MJF & Richard Holliday