Tag: mlw never say never

New champions crowned at MLW Never Say Never, Don King appears

Posted on by Ian Carey

Major League Wrestling presented its first live event on FITE+ on Saturday night. 

MLW Never Say Never 2023 took place from Philadelphia’s 2300 Arena. The show featured multiple title changes including in the main event as Bomaye Fight Club’s Alex Kane ended the 600+ day MLW World Heavyweight Championship reign of Alex Hammerstone. 

The mystery financial backer of Kane’s Bomaye Fight Club was revealed before Saturday’s main event. The legendary boxing promoter Don King appeared via video to announce he is the man bankrolling the faction.

https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1678028217364430849

Hammerstone tapped out to a rear naked choke after a match that went 22 and a half minutes. The Bomaye Fight Club then hoisted the new champion up on their shoulders and celebrated in the ring before Kane cut a promo. He thanked the fans for all their support and led them in a chant of “Bomaye is for the people” as the show went off the air.  

Kane becomes the 10th wrestler to win the MLW World title. The title dates back to 2002 but was inactive from 2004-2018. Hammerstone’s reign ends after 644 days (2nd all-time). His 16 successful title defenses are the most in the history of the belt. 

The Calling won the promotion’s tag titles on the show as well. They defeated the Samoan Swat Team after Page gave Lance Anoa’i a Super Raven Effect through a table. The storyline is that Raven has told each member of The Calling the secret to his DDT finisher. 

Delmi Exo is now a double champion. The MLW Featherweight Champion wrestled wXw Women’s Champion Ava Everett in a title vs. title match on the show. Exo won with a Delmi Driver and now holds gold in one of Europe’s top promotions. 

Timothy Thatcher may have been injured during his match with Tracy Williams. He started favoring his neck early and then was unable to continue after taking a DDT. Thatcher walked to the back without needing assistance, however. 

Jacob Fatu successfully retained his National Openweight title against Calvin Tankman in the opener. 

Matt Cardona and Kevin Blackwood were announced as selections in the MLW Open Draft. 

They also ran an angle where B3CCA gave a musical performance and a fan wearing angel wings ran up to the stage. Security carried the fan away as he yelled out that he loved B3CCA. 

MLW Never Say Never 2023 results:

  • MLW National Openweight Champion Jacob Fatu defeated Calvin Tankman to retain his title
  • MLW Featherweight Champion Delmi Exo defeated Ava Everett to win the wXw Women’s title
  • Tracy Williams defeated Timothy Thatcher via referee stoppage 
  • Mance Warner defeated Sam Adonis in a Country Whipping match
  • The Calling (AKIRA and Rickey Shane Page) defeated The Samoan Swat Team (Juicy Finau & Lance Anoa’i) to win the MLW Tag Team Championships. 
  • Alex Kane defeated Alexander Hammerstone to win the MLW Heavyweight Championship. 

Upcoming MLW shows on FITE+

  • MLW Fury Road 2023, September 3
  • MLW Slaughterhouse , October 14
  • MLW Fightland 2023, November 18
  • MLW One Shot 2023, December 7

Hammerstone vs. Alex Kane title match set for MLW Never Say Never

Posted on by Josh Nason

Alex Hammerstone’s next MLW title defense is confirmed as he will take on no. 1 contender Alex Kane at MLW Never Say Never.

The show will air live on FITE+ on Saturday, July 8th from Philadelphia as the kickoff of their new live event deal with FITE.

Kane earned the shot with his win in this year’s Battle Riot match that gave him a title opportunity anywhere at any time. He will be looking for his second MLW title reign as he held the promotion’s Openweight Championship for over 200 days.

At the time of the title defense, Hammerstone will have held MLW’s top prize for over 600 days and will be trying for his 16th title defense. He has been out since early-April with a torn adductor and would like to return to in-ring action in mid-May.

While they had a singles match for a California indie promotion in 2021, this will be Hammerstone and Kane’s first match against each other in MLW.

MLW to air live events on FITE+

Posted on by Josh Nason

As mentioned by company founder Court Bauer in an interview recently, MLW will move into the live event business and will do so with FITE.tv.

Announced Tuesday, live MLW events will now air on FITE+, their monthly subscription service that gives viewers access to all GCW and Wrestling Revolver events in addition to other indies who have come aboard the service since it refocused last year.

The deal will begin with Never Say Never from Philadelphia’s 2300 Arena on Saturday, July 8th. It’s unknown how many events per year is part of the contract and how many years the deal is for.

While not specifically mentioned, it appears no other weekly MLW TV programming will be moving to FITE as part of the deal. It’s also unknown if matches from the live events will then make up future TV episodes of Fusion or Underground.

While the future of where Underground can be seen domestically is still unknown due to MLW’s situation with Reelz, new episodes of Fusion will being airing on beIN Sports and YouTube on Thursday, May 25th.

MLW Never Say Never TV taping spoilers: Fatu vs. Lawlor rematch

Posted on by F4W Staff

Submitted by Anthony Ramos

MLW returned to the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York on Thursday for their Never Say Never set of television tapings.

– Contra Unit laid out Ariel Dominguez & Jay Sky.

– Mance Warner defeated Ricky Martinez

– Low Ki defeated Jimmy Yuta

Low Ki won in about a minute with a KO elbow.

– Davey Boy Smith Jr. defeated Timothy Thatcher

This was an excellent matchup. Georgia Smith, Davey’s sister, came out to interview him after. Davey called out Alexander Hammerstone and said that his sister was dating Hammerstone and he was not happy.

– Ross & Marshall Von Erich defeated The Spirit Squad (Kenn Doane & Mike Mondo)

The Von Erichs answered The Spirit Squad’s open challenge. For some reason, the Von Erich music played through the whole match.

Contra Unit came out after and attacked the Von Erichs with help from a new member that spit mist on one of the Von Erich’s eyes.

– Injustice (Kotto Brazil, Myron Reed & Jordan Oliver) defeated Gringo Loco, Air Wolf & Zenshi

They had a great lucha match.

– Brian Pillman Jr. defeated Richard Holliday

– Bestia 666 defeated Rey Horus

There was then a Salina de la Renta segment with Konnan where Konnan gave de la Renta back her missing phone but said that he told Savio Vega that she was withholding a bonus paycheck from him. Vega came out and ripped up his contract with de la Renta

– MLW National Openweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone defeated Savio Vega to retain his title

MJF and Richard Holliday were at ringside and interfered a bunch

– Austin Aries defeated Ace Austin

They had a good match. After winning, Aries cut a promo and said that this was a new him and he’s coming for the Middleweight Championship. He mentioned that the last time he was at the Melrose Ballroom was controversial. Aries then got into it with a fan and they had a shoving match and had to be separated.

– MLW Middleweight Champion Teddy Hart defeated MJF to retain his title.

Hart won a crazy match when he jumped off the top rope and hit a Canadian Destroyer. Aria Blake had been thrown out from ringside prior to that. Queens absolutely loves Hart — he gets the biggest pop every time he’s here.

– MLW World Heavyweight Champion Jacob Fatu defeated Tom Lawlor to retain his title

Great match. Contra Unit attacked Lawlor after to add insult to injury. The Von Erichs attempted the save, but they were thwarted as it was four-on-three. Low Ki then made the save and sent Contra packing.

Lawlor and Low Ki, who feuded for months, had a staredown in the ring and shook hands to a roar from the crowd.

– Zenshi defeated El Hijo de LA Park

Zenshi won in a great lucha match.

– LA Park defeated Jimmy Havoc in a street fight

This was an absolutely wild street fight. De la Renta made Park and Havoc, who are both members of Promociones Dorado, shake hands after.

Mance Warner came out with a chainsaw while Park and Havoc were splitting up the dollars people were throwing in the ring and chased them away. Warner then did a victory lap around the arena, taking pictures with fans and drinking beers.

Before everyone left, Teddy Hart came out to thank everyone for coming out on a work night and said the boys in the back are appreciative that we support them and allow them to travel the world. The crowd doused him in “Teddy” chants, but he said he wanted to hear an MLW chant to end the night.

Savio Vega challenging for National title at MLW Never Say Never

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Savio Vega is getting a title shot in his MLW debut.

MLW has announced that National Openweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone will defend his title against Vega at next week’s Never Say Never television tapings. Dave Meltzer reported that Vega will be both an agent and a part-time wrestler in MLW and was recommended by Steve Austin.

Hammerstone became the inaugural National Openweight Champion by defeating Brian Pillman Jr. in the finals of a four-wrestler tournament last month. Hammerstone also defeated Gringo Loco in the tournament.

Never Say Never is taking place at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York on Thursday, July 25. Here’s the updated lineup:

  • MLW World Heavyweight Champion Jacob Fatu defending against Tom Lawlor
  • LA Park vs. Jimmy Havoc
  • Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Timothy Thatcher
  • MLW Middleweight Champion Teddy Hart defending against MJF
  • Austin Aries vs. Ace Austin
  • Rey Horus vs. Bestia 666
  • National Openweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone defending against Savio Vega
  • Low Ki vs. Jimmy Yuta

MJF to challenge for Middleweight title at MLW Never Say Never

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The Middleweight title will be on the line at MLW’s television tapings in New York City later this month.

MLW has announced that Middleweight Champion Teddy Hart will defend his title against MJF at Never Say Never. The tapings are taking place at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York on Thursday, July 25.

MJF was the inaugural MLW Middleweight Champion but had to relinquish the title in December 2018 due to an injury. Hart then won the vacant title in a ladder match.

The Hart Foundation (Hart, Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Brian Pillman Jr.) have been involved in an ongoing program with The Dynasty (MJF, Richard Holliday & Alexander Hammerstone). MJF & Holliday won the Tag Team titles from Hart & Pillman in a ladder match that aired on last weekend’s episode of MLW Fusion.

Here’s the updated card for Never Say Never:

  • MLW World Heavyweight Champion Jacob Fatu defending against Tom Lawlor
  • LA Park vs. Jimmy Havoc
  • Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Timothy Thatcher
  • MLW Middleweight Champion Teddy Hart defending against MJF
  • Austin Aries vs. Ace Austin
  • Rey Horus vs. Bestia 666
  • Low Ki vs. Jimmy Yuta

Austin Aries vs. Ace Austin set for MLW Never Say Never

Posted on by Joseph Currier

MLW has announced Austin Aries’ opponent for Never Say Never

Aries vs. Ace Austin is set for the tapings, which are taking place at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York on Thursday, July 25. This will be Aries’ second match for MLW since returning to the promotion.

After having had one match for MLW in February 2018, Aries returned at last month’s tapings in Waukesha, Wisconsin and defeated Adam Brooks. Aries then cut a post-match promo where he set his sights on the Middleweight title.

Teddy Hart is the current Middleweight Champion.

Ace Austin also wrestles for Impact Wrestling. Aries departed Impact after losing their World title at Bound for Glory 2018.

In a rematch from Kings of Colosseum, Jacob Fatu will defend his newly-won World Heavyweight Championship against Tom Lawlor at Never Say Never. Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Timothy Thatcher, LA Park vs. Jimmy Havoc, and Rey Horus vs. Bestia 666 are also set for the tapings.

World Heavyweight title rematch set for MLW Never Say Never

Posted on by Joseph Currier

MLW has announced when Tom Lawlor will be getting his World Championship rematch.

Jacob Fatu defending his World Heavyweight Championship against Lawlor is set for MLW’s Never Say Never tapings at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York on Thursday, July 25. This will be Fatu’s first defense of the title.

Fatu became MLW World Champion by defeating Lawlor in the main event of last weekend’s Kings of Colosseum live special. Along with Josef Samael and Simon Gotch, Fatu is part of MLW’s Contra Unit stable. The group debuted and attacked Lawlor at Intimidation Games this March.

Before losing the title to Fatu, Lawlor had been MLW World Champion since defeating Low Ki in February.

Two other matches have been announced for Never Say Never thus far. LA Park will face Jimmy Havoc, and Davey Boy Smith Jr. will take on Timothy Thatcher. Thatcher is making his MLW debut at the show.

LA Park vs. Jimmy Havoc announced for MLW Never Say Never

Posted on by Joseph Currier

MLW has announced a first-time matchup between LA Park and Jimmy Havoc for later this month.

Park vs. Havoc is set for MLW’s Never Say Never set of television tapings at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York on Thursday, July 25. The match was originally set for MLW’s April 5 event in Queens, but Havoc was unable to wrestle at the show due to injury.

LA Park won the Battle Riot match on April 5, getting a future shot at MLW World Heavyweight Champion Tom Lawlor that he has yet to cash in.

Havoc challenged for the MLW Middleweight Championship at last month’s Fury Road live special, losing to Teddy Hart.

Ahead of Never Say Never, MLW has a set of TV tapings in Cicero, Illinois this Saturday (July 6). LA Park will team with El Hijo de LA Park against Dr. Wagner Jr. & El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. at those tapings.