Tag: mlw opera cup 2025

MLW crowns 2025 Opera Cup winner

Posted on by Ethan Renner

MLW has crowned the winner of the 2025 Opera Cup at its MLW x Don Gato Live Wrestling Special event.

For the second consecutive year, Mistico is the Opera Cup champion, defeating Volador Jr. in the finals at Thursday night’s show.

Mistico becomes the second two-time winner of the Opera Cup since its 2019 revival, and the first to win the trophy in consecutive years.

Full results from Thursday’s MLW event which can also be watched in the embedded video below:

MLW x Don Gato Live Wrestling Special —

  • Killer Kross defeated Matt Riddle
  • 2025 Opera Cup finals: Mistico defeated Volador Jr.
  • Bunkhouse match: MLW World Heavyweight Champion Mads Krugger defeated Brock Anderson to retain the title
  • MLW Cruiserweight Champion Templario defeated Guerrero Maya Jr. and Ikuro Kwon in a triple threat to retain the title
  • Shotzi Blackheart defeated Priscilla Kelly
  • Atlantis & Atlantis Jr. defeated Difunto & Barboza, Felino & Felino Jr., and Blue Panther & Hijo Del Blue Panther in a four-way gauntlet match
  • Diego Hill defeated Okumura and Stigma in a Lightning match
  • Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson defeated MLW Tag Team Champions The Skyscrapers (Bishop Dyer & Donovan Dijak) via DQ, Skyscrapers retain the titles
  • Scarlett Bordeaux defeated Isla Dawn

Injury forces change to MLW Opera Cup tournament

Posted on by Joseph Currier

An injury has forced MLW to make a change to its Opera Cup 2025 tournament.

With Zandokan Jr. out of action with a knee injury, he will no longer be able to continue in the Opera Cup. MLW has announced that fellow CMLL luchador Star Jr. will be replacing him in the tournament, setting the stage for a Volador Jr. vs. Star Jr. matchup in the quarterfinals. That will take place at MLW’s Slaughterhouse event in Long Beach, California on October 4.

“MLW President Cesar Duran has activated Star Jr. as the alternate to replace Zandokan Jr. A standout in CMLL, Star Jr. enters the Opera Cup fresh, healthy, and amid a career-defining year in Mexico. His lightning-quick offense and relentless drive have made him one of lucha libre’s most talked-about rising stars,” the promotion wrote.

“Opposite him will be one of Mexico’s most decorated luchadores: Volador Jr. The CMLL main eventer made his MLW debut this past Saturday, defeating Titan in an explosive opening-round bout that electrified Long Beach. Representing his faction Los Depredadores — alongside Rugido and Magnus — Volador Jr. enters the quarterfinals looking to continue his path toward Opera Cup glory.”

Zandokan had defeated Blue Panther Jr. in the first round before being sidelined by his knee injury requiring surgery.

Here is the updated Opera Cup tournament bracket:

Left side —

  • Mistico vs. Ultimo Guerrero
  • Austin Aries vs. Paul London

Right side —

  • Volador Jr. vs. Star Jr.
  • Satoshi Kojima vs. Bishop Dyer

All four quarterfinal matchups are happening at Slaughterhouse, which will be held at Thunder Studios in Long Beach and is set to air live on YouTube and beIN Sports.

The Opera Cup trophy has been won by Davey Boy Smith Jr., Tom Lawlor, Davey Richards, and Mistico during its history in MLW.

“It’s a proving ground — not just for glory, but for legend,” MLW wrote about the tournament.

MLW reveals bracket for 2025 Opera Cup tournament

Posted on by Joseph Currier

MLW has revealed the full slate of first-round matches for the 2025 Opera Cup tournament.

The 16-competitor tournament began at MLW’s tapings in New York City at the end of June and will continue to play out through November at events in the Los Angeles, Dallas, and Chicago areas. The field of competitors includes talent from MLW along with CMLL and NJPW wrestlers like Mistico, Ultimo Guerrero, Volador Jr., KUSHIDA, Satoshi Kojima, and more.

Here are the matchups that will be taking place in the opening round:

Bracket A —

  • Mistico vs. Ikuro Kwon
  • Ultimo Guerrero vs. Esfinge
  • Austin Aries vs. KUSHIDA
  • Paul London vs. Okumura

Bracket B —

  • Volador Jr. vs. Titan
  • Zandokan Jr. vs. Blue Panther Jr.
  • Satoshi Kojima vs. Bobby Fish
  • Bishop Dyer vs. Anthony Greene

Dyer is former WWE wrestler Baron Corbin, who just won the MLW Tag Team titles with Donovan Dijak last week.

Aries returned to MLW as a commentator earlier in 2025 and will be competing for the promotion for the first time in nearly six years.

Since the Opera Cup was introduced to MLW in 2019, it has been won by Davey Boy Smith Jr., Tom Lawlor, Davey Richards, and Mistico. The winner is presented with the Opera Cup trophy.

“It’s a proving ground — not just for glory, but for legend,” MLW wrote.

Matches will begin airing on MLW’s Blood & Thunder special on August 9, which will be broadcast on the promotion’s YouTube channel as well as beIN Sports.