Tag: Mlw National Openweight Title

MLW title changes hands during CMLL event

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Blue Panther has won gold.

During CMLL’s Sunday show in Arena Mexico that streamed free online, Blue Panther pinned Ultimo Guerrero with an armdrag off the top turnbuckle to win the MLW National Openweight title for the first time. After the match, Panther’s son celebrated with him, putting the title around his waist. Guerrero shook hands with Panther and placed him on his shoulders as they celebrated in the ring. 

This was the second time the two squared off in Mexico this year for the National Openweight title. They previously met back on August 8, with Guerrero retaining. He had held it since May, defeating Matthew Justice at a CMLL vs. MLW event that also took place in Mexico City.

Panther, 65, has seen newfound popularity in the United States over the last year after he faced Bryan Danielson in a singles match. In the time since, he has made appearances for Ring Of Honor, most recently challenging for the ROH Pure Championship in a losing effort against Lee Moriarty at Supercard of Honor back in July.

John Morrison to challenge for Openweight title at MLW Blood & Thunder

Posted on by Joseph Currier

In his return to MLW, the former John Morrison is getting a title shot.

It was announced today that John Hennigan, who is going by the name “Johnny Fusion” for the match, will challenge Davey Richards for the MLW National Openweight Championship at MLW Blood & Thunder on Saturday, January 7, 2023. The event is taking place at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia and is a television taping for MLW Fusion.

The match will be the first time Hennigan and Richards have ever faced each other. It’s Hennigan’s first time wrestling for MLW since 2018.

Richards won the MLW National Openweight Championship from Alex Kane this June. He’s since defended the title in MLW, the NWA, and at an NJPW event in the United States.

The updated card for MLW Blood & Thunder is listed below:

  • MLW World Heavyweight Champion Alex Hammerstone defends against Yamato
  • MLW Tag Team Champions EJ Nduka & Calvin Tankman defend against The Samoan Swat Team (Lance Anoa’i & Juicy Finau)
  • MLW National Openweight Champion Davey Richards defends against Johnny Fusion
  • Jacob Fatu vs. Ben-K

MLW National Openweight title to be defended at NJPW Music City Mayhem

Posted on by Joseph Currier

An MLW championship will be on the line at NJPW Music City Mayhem.

NJPW announced today that Clark Connors will challenge Davey Richards for the MLW National Openweight Championship at Music City Mayhem on Saturday, July 30. The pay-per-view is taking place in Nashville, Tennessee as part of Starrcast V.

Connors vs. Richards was confirmed for Music City Mayhem earlier this month, but Richards’ MLW National Openweight title being at stake is a new development.

Richards won the National Openweight title from Alex Kane at June’s MLW Battle Riot IV television tapings.

NJPW Music City Mayhem will begin at 3 p.m. Eastern time on July 30. The PPV will be available live via Fite TV.

Here’s the updated Music City Mayhem card:

  • No DQ match: Jon Moxley vs. El Desperado
  • KUSHIDA vs. Alex Shelley
  • FTR & Alex Zayne vs. Aussie Open & TJP
  • Hiromu Takahashi vs. Blake Christian
  • NJPW Strong Openweight Champion Fred Rosser defends against Big Damo
  • MLW National Openweight Champion Davey Richards defends against Clark Connors
  • Shota Umino, Fred Yehi & Yuya Uemura vs. Ren Narita, Kevin Knight & The DKC

Openweight title match added to MLW Blood & Thunder tapings

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A new title match is set for MLW’s first television tapings of 2022.

National Openweight Champion Alex Kane will put his title on the line against Calvin Tankman at MLW’s Blood & Thunder tapings in Dallas on Friday, January 21. The tapings are being held at Gilley’s Dallas.

This will be Kane’s first title defense since becoming MLW National Openweight Champion. He won the championship by defeating Alex Shelley, Myron Reed, Zenshi, and ACH in a five-way ladder match at November’s War Chamber tapings.

The National Openweight Championship was vacant going into that ladder match. Alex Hammerstone voluntarily relinquished the title after becoming MLW World Heavyweight Champion. He defeated Jacob Fatu in a title vs. title match at Fightland last October.

The feud between Kane and Tankman began when Tankman refused to join up with Kane and King Mo. Kane was an alternate in the 2021 MLW Opera Cup and tried to take Tankman’s spot by attacking him. When Tankman faced TJP in the semifinals, interference by Kane and his new cornerman Mr. Thomas led to Tankman losing.

Kane announced last month that he was leaving American Top Team and starting the Bomaye Fight Club with Mr. Thomas. There was also an angle last month where Tankman was arrested after attacking Mr. Thomas in the parking lot.

Here’s the updated card for the Blood & Thunder tapings:

  • Texas Tornado match: MLW Tag Team Champions 5150 (Slice Boogie & Danny “Limelight” Rivera) defend against Marshall & Ross Von Erich
  • Jacob Fatu vs. Mads Krugger
  • Rok-C vs. Miranda Gordy
  • Davey Richards vs. ACH
  • MLW National Openweight Champion Alex Kane defends against Calvin Tankman