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 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:
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.
This week’s MLW Fusion was taped in Philadelphia as part of April’s Battle Riot tapings with Rich Bocchini and Matt Striker on the call.
We opened with a recap of how we got to tonight’s main event for the Opera Cup with highlights from Davey Boy Smith Jr. defeating Calvin Tankman and Tracy Williams defeating Tony Deppen in the tournament semifinals.
MLW National Openweight Champion Jacob Fatu vs. Rickey Shane Page went to a double disqualification
In recent weeks, Page and The Calling have taken out Fatu’s bloodline of Juicy Finau and Lance Anoa’i in backstage attacks. This week, Fatu was out for revenge but also to keep his National Openweight title.
Fatu wasn’t waiting and opened this bloody fistfight with a dive through the ropes as Page was circling the ring for his entrance. A top rope senton bomb from the champion followed, as well as a triple jump springboard Arabian moonsault. Page came back with a running crossbody and, after a break, slammed Fatu onto a chair.
The brutality and gruesomeness were turned up a few notches as Page used a screwdriver to repeatedly jab into the sole of Fatu’s foot, followed by him piercing Fatu’s cheek with it and then biting Fatu’s toes. The final act broke the Philadelphia crowd into a “You sick f*ck” chant.
But the champion was not down for long. In true Samoan fashion, he no-sold a drop-toe hold onto a chair in a nice callback to the old ECW days. Fatu took out Page with another dive to the floor and came off the top again with a crossbody. Fatu’s handspring moonsault followed to continue the high flying and aerial display from the champion.
Raven distracted Fatu, which allowed Page to throw a chair at his head, but his sick idea of dropping Fatu on a sideways chair backfired as Fatu reversed and hit Page with a pop-up Samoan drop onto it instead. That looked brutal.
An “ECW” chant broke out at the sight of a table being set up in the ring. More chairs were used to set up Fatu on the table. Page then climbed to the top rope and hit a huge jumping senton, squashing both Fatu and the table, but that only got a two count.
In a match where weapons were allowed, we got a double DQ after both Page and Fatu shoved down the referee — a sensible finish for setting up their next weapons match but a confusing one given that the match had no disqualifications.
The two will square off in a Weapons of Mass Destruction match at September’s Fury Road streaming special.
– The teases we have seen in recent weeks will come to a head next week. We will see what worlds will collide, we will enter the realm and see kingdoms collide. This could be connected to a special announcement that will also take place next week.
– Matt Cardona cut a poolside promo on his Fury Road opponent Mance Warner. Cardona said he is not coming to take anyone’s spot because he already has his own at the top and the rest of the locker room can jump on his back.
MLW Featherweight Champion Delmi Exo defeated Paris Van Dale to retain
B3CCA has been desperate to get a title match against Exo. This week, she interrupted Exo’s pre-match interview with Sam Leterna but the champion shot her down, saying she needs to earn her shot and not continue this delusional dream.
This was quite short, but displayed what Exo can do in a short space of time. She hit some machine gun chops, a fisherman’s suplex and, after a short comeback from Van Dale, her Delmi Driver to retain her title.
B3CCA continued her campaign, but took it to a different level as she attacked Exo with a guitar as she was leaving the ringside area.
– We saw another tease for KUSHIDA coming in. This time the dates set on the Delorean were August 17 (for this episode of Fusion), September 3 (Fury Road) and May 12, 1983 (KUSHIDA’s birthday).
– Ahead of their MLW heavyweight title match at Fury Road on September 3rd, Alex Kane accused Willie Mack of not taking his match seriously by mocking his weight. Kane then teased a warm-up match against someone in Mexico. Kane already wrestled Delirious from the Mexico tapings two weeks ago, so will there be another warmup match for the champion before Mack gets his shot?
Davey Boy Smith Jr. (w/ Mister Saint Laurent) defeated Tracy Williams to win the 2023 Opera Cup tournament
The crowd booed Smith and taunted him with “Microman” chants as we started. Smith turned heel recently and aligned himself with MSL by attacking Microman.
Williams initially used some speed to out-wrestle Smith as well as focusing on Smith’s bandaged knee that he injured during his first round match against Tankman.
Striker’s tongue once again made him sound like a fool saying Smith’s new look of denim jeans was a tribute to Brian Pillman and Bret Hart… to which Bocchini corrected him saying it’s actually a homage to his dad, the British Bulldog.
If you ignore Striker trying to take away the focus from what is in the ring, the action was very good. It picked up with a forearm battle but the larger Smith eventually got the advantage, hitting a suplex and then an impressive top rope leg drop for a close two count.
Smith hit his Bulldog powerslam but couldn’t fully take advantage as he landed on his injured knee. Williams got a foot on the ropes to break the pinfall followed by a tilt-a-whirl Fujiwara armbar but quickly transitioned to an ankle lock. Smith powered out and snapped back into control with a quick power slam.
Smith then hit the power bomb he couldn’t land earlier. The referee counted to two and it looked like Williams just raised his shoulder off in time but it wasn’t clear. Smith quickly transitioned to a crossface and Williams tapped out. There was potentially a miscommunication at the finish, but they quickly recovered.
This was good but threatened to be ruined by Striker on commentary.
Leterna interviewed MSL and Smith on the stage as the crowd booed them both. MSL called Philadelphia a sh*thole and insulted the women of the city. They want to hold next year’s tournament in Canada but more importantly, they sent out a challenge saying they want the MLW heavyweight title
Next Week:
A special announcement
Willie Mack will take on Ken Broadway, Love Doug, Nolo Kitano and O’Shay Edwards in a scramble match
The following are spoilers from Saturday’s MLW Battle Riot V event in Philadelphia, PA, with the Battle Riot match itself airing on April 25th on Reelz.
The taping followed Thursday’s War Chamber TV taping which saw several title changes and the kickoff to the Opera Cup tournament.
Spoilers come courtesy of PWInsider:
1 Called Manders defeated Yoscifer El
MLW Champion Alex Hammerstone defeated Mr. Thomas to retain the title. Real1 was originally scheduled to challenge Hammerstone.
B3CCA defeated Brittany Blake
Davey Boy Smith Jr. turned heel as he attacked Microman and is now aligned with MSL.
MLW Tag Team Champions Samoan SWAT Team (Lance Anoai & Juicy Finau) defeated Second Gear Crew (1 Called Manders & Mance Warner) to retain the titles in a hardcore match
MLW National Openweight Champion Jacob Fatu vs. Rickey Shane Page went to a no contest
FBI (Little Guido & Ray Jaz) defeated The Mane Event (Jay Lyon & Midas Black)
Willie Mack defeated John Hennigan & Lio Rush in a triple threat
MLW Middleweight Champion AKIRA defeated Lince Dorado to retain the title
wXw Champion Shigehiro Irie defeated Calvin Tankman to retain the title
Mandy Leon (w/The Calling) defeated Billie Starkz
Sam Adonis defeated Mance Warner in a strap match
Davey Boy Smith Jr (w/ MSL) defeated Tracy Williams in the Opera Cup finals
MLW Featherweight Champion Delmi Exo defeated Taya Valkyrie to retain the title
Alex Kane won the 40-person Battle Riot V match to earn a future MLW title shot.
Participants included Alex Kane, Willie Mack, Jesus “Ricardo” Rodriguez, Lince Dorado, Calvin Tankman, Lance Anoa’i, Microman, several masked Azteca minions, Juicy Finau, Beastman, Little Guido, Sam Adonis, Mance Warner, Jimmy Lloyd, Mr. Thomas, TJ Crawford, Ken Broadway, AKIRA, Delirious, Raven, Dr. Cornwallis, Jacob Fatu, Kim Chee, Midas, Taya Valkyrie, Jay Lyon, Ray Jaz, Lio Rush, Tracy Williams, Duke “The Dumpster” Droese, Rickey Shane Page, 1 Called Manders, John Hennigan, Davey Boy Smith Jr, Shigehiro Irie and Gene Snitsky.
Major League Wrestling has announced the return of the Opera Cup.
The eight-man tournament will make its return at the upcoming Fightland/Fusion TV taping in Philadelphia, PA, on Saturday, October 2nd.
Both the opening round and semifinals will take place on October 2nd while the finals will take place on November 6th, also in Philadelphia, at Intimidation Games. Both shows will emanate from the historic 2300 Arena with no participants yet to be announced.
The Opera Cup was brought back to wrestling in 2019 after a 71-year hiatus with Davey Boy Smith winning that year’s tournament.
Before its return, the tournament was held around the world in multiple places and boasted winners like George Hackenschmidt, Stu Hart and others. After Hart won the Cup in 1948, it was retired and went into the possession of the Hart family. Teddy Hart eventually donated it to MLW in 2019 which helped reignite the format.
Former MLW World Champion Tom Lawlor won the 2020 tournament.
Editor’s Note: You can watch this episode in full by scrolling down to the bottom of this post.
** The Big Takeaways**
Davey Boy Smith Jr. won the Opera Cup and continued his family’s legacy with the trophy as the last winner before Smith was his grandfather, Stu Hart, back in 1948.
Myron Reed successfully defended the MLW Middleweight title against El Lindaman.
With a little help from his new friends in the Dynasty, Gino Medina defeated Savio Vega in a NYC street fight.
** Full Review **
We had a video recap of the Opera cup highlights thus far, following Davey Boy Smith Jr.’s and Brian Pillman Jr.’s paths to the final.
MLW Middleweight Champion Myron Reed (w/Jordan Oliver and Kotto Brazil) defeated El Lindaman to retain (7:06)
We had a pre-recorded promo from Reed, Oliver, and Brazil as Reed made his way to the ring for his first title defense. Reed said he cannot be controlled and that they are at war with “the system”.
Reed tried to catch Lindaman off guard with a right hand to the jaw, but it backfired on the Middleweight champion as the OWE #StrongHeart just shook it off, took Reed down, and went to work. Injustice soon got involved from ringside, but Lindaman soon found an opening to launch himself over the top rope right on top of Oliver and Brazil.
Reed tried to then catch Lindaman off guard, but to no avail as he went for his own somersault plancha but landed on his buddies instead of his opponent. The StrongHeart was not finished as he jumped back in the ring and landed another somersault plancha on to Reed this time.
Lindaman hit some great kicks and strikes before dumping Reed on the back of his head with a German suplex. But Reed later reversed a suplex into a stunner and hit a springboard ace crusher and a sit-out reverse DDT (curtain call), but Lindaman kicked out before three.
Lindaman caught Reed with a dropkick off a springboard and planted him on his head for a close two count of his own. Reed briefly escaped Lindaman’s grasp by backing up the ramp, but the champion had a plan and quite a way to execute it. He ran down the ramp, leaped over the top rope and into the ring, hitting an ace crusher in the process before smoothly following up with a springboard 450 to pick up the win in his first successful title defense.
— Alicia Atout interviewed Brian Pillman Jr. earlier in the day. He said that he has a grade 3 AC joint separation, but Injustice could not keep him out of the tournament. He said Smith is an excellent martial artist but this match isn’t about the Hart Foundation any more. He is leaving it all on the line and wants to show the Hart family he can earn their respect and win the Cup.
— King Mo was backstage and said that it doesn’t matter who wins the Opera Cup tonight, the winner can face him. He then called out MLW World champion Jacob Fatu and told him to stop using the belt to hide his stretch marks, and that he is coming for him.
— Lifestyles of the Rich and Dynastic followed with a recap of last week where Gino Medina joined the Dynasty. The now foursome were celebrating with champagne as MJF asked Holliday where Grogan was. Holliday reassured that he was downstairs keeping people out of the VIP area and then thanked Medina for picking them over “that janitor” Konnan. Medina said Konnan used to be the Hulk Hogan of Mexico which enraged Hammerstone who then listed all the ways Konnan was nothing like Hogan: no tan, he’s fat, washed up, and a has-been. They sealed the deal with a four-way Dynasty pinkie shake.
Gino Medina defeated Savio Vega in a NYC street fight (8:33)
With an inset promo, Vega told Medina to be ready as it’s time to pay the price. He was not lying. The instant the bell rang, he was swinging his kendo stick and landing all over Medina’s body. Medina fought back and hit Vega with a chair, a trash can, and a stop sign, and then arrogantly tried to get the win by pinning Vega with only a foot on his chest.
Vega choked Medina on the mat and then tossed him to the outside where he went back to the kendo stick. However, Medina turned the tables and used a hockey stick across Vega’s back. Medina then wrapped Vega’s head in a steel chair and rammed it into the ring post.
Vega responded to the fans’ encouragement and hit a big backdrop and a spinning heel kick but only got a two count. Vega went to the well once too often and missed the next spinning heel kick, but then just hit the third one anyway. The Dynasty then came out and distracted Vega, which allowed Medina hit a low blow and a Kamagiri kick for the win. They danced and posed to celebrate.
— We were told that the New York State Athletic Commission is looking into Tom Lawlor’s use of nunchucks last week as they are illegal there. He could be looking at a fine or even a suspension.
— Atout then caught up with Davey Boy Smith Jr. ahead of the Opera Cup final. Smith said that being in the final means pride, passion, and glory. He said Pillman’s father was taught by his father in the Dungeon, and he is surprised Pillman has made it to the finals. But, he sees the passion and burning desire in him. Tonight, he means business.
Davey Boy Smith Jr. defeated Brian Pillman in the finals of the Opera Cup (16:57)
This was a great match to cap off a great tournament with a worthy winner given the performances and a nice, touching story about keeping the family tradition with the Cup alive. To tie in with the story and build, we were told Injustice had all been kicked out due to their threat on the participants in the Cup final, and also that the Opera Cup tournament will now be an annual tradition in MLW.
A handshake started us off, but Pillman threatened an early clean break with a cheeky back elbow but he didn’t follow through. Smith got the early advantage in the slow-paced opening segments, but Pillman eventually dropkicked Smith to the outside and hit a springboard splash to the floor. His success was short-lived as Smith floored him with a clothesline and a suplex on the floor outside.
The crowd momentarily brought Pillman back into it but Smith floored him again, this time with a headbutt. Smith missed a big flying legdrop from the top rope and Pillman fired up with right hands and a kick to the head. Pillman nearly picked up the win after rolling through a power slam for a close two count. He tried a backslide and an inside cradle for more close calls. They exchanged more two counts before Pillman rocked Smith with a superkick and a knee to the temple before hitting his Air Pillman springboard clothesline for another close near fall.
Pillman hit his Dire Promise swinging neckbreaker but Smith kicked out at two. Smith moved when Pillman flew through the air and hit him with the running powerslam, but Pillman somehow kicked out. They exchanged slaps as Pillman begged for Smith to give him his best shot. Smith obliged and hit him with a tombstone piledriver and a diving headbutt but Pillman dug deep and kicked out at the last moment to the shock and amazement of the crowd.
Smith powerbombed Pillman in frustration, but we got another kickout. As Pillman tried to roll to safety, Smith locked in the crossface submission. Pillman momentarily tried to roll out of it but the power of Smith was too much and he got back into position, sunk the lock in deeper, and gave Pillman no choice but to tap out.
Smith posed with his trophy after the match, raised Pillman’s arm, and was greeted with streamers from the New York crowd. Smith seemed genuinely emotional as he paraded the Cup around the ring and thanked the fans in the arena.
** Next Week **
Mance Warner vs. Jimmy Havoc in a no ropes, barbed wire match
MLW returned to the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York on Thursday night for their Opera Cup television tapings. The show featured a one-night, eight-man tournament to crown the Opera Cup winner.
– Brian Pillman Jr. defeated TJP in an Opera Cup tournament first-round match
– Davey Boy Smith Jr. defeated Low Ki in an Opera Cup tournament first-round match
Smith Jr. was originally supposed to face Shinjiro Otani, but Low Ki was announced as his new opponent after Otani withdrew from the tournament.
– Timothy Thatcher defeated Richard Holliday in an Opera Cup tournament first-round match
– Alexander Hammerstone defeated MJF in an Opera Cup tournament first-round match
Two members of The Dynasty faced off here.
– Tom Lawlor defeated “Rip Von Erich” in an exhibition match
It was advertised that Lawlor would be facing a Von Erich family member. He cut a promo on Ross and Marshall Von Erich before the match and claimed Rip Von Erich was “the son of Lance Von Erich.” Lawlor defeated him with the Iron Claw.
Lawlor got back on the microphone after until being confronted by Ross and Marshall. Kenn Doane and Mike Mondo of The Spirit Squad attacked the Von Erichs.
– MLW Middleweight Champion Myron Reed defeated El Lindaman
– An Injustice promo aired. They then appeared, complained about MLW, and refused to leave the ring. King Mo then entered, followed by the returning ACH.
– King Mo & ACH defeated Injustice (Kotto Brazil & Jordan Oliver)
– Brian Pillman Jr. defeated Timothy Thatcher in an Opera Cup tournament semifinal match
– Davey Boy Smith Jr. defeated Alexander Hammerstone in an Opera Cup tournament semifinal match
Smith Jr. advanced to face his Hart Foundation stablemate Pillman Jr. in the finals.
– There was a segment where Konnan, Salina de la Renta, and The Dynasty all tried to recruit Gino “El Intocable” Medina. Medina chose Konnan at first, but he then attacked Konnan and joined The Dynasty.
– MLW Tag Team Champions Ross & Marshall Von Erich defeated Kenn Doane & Mike Mondo
– Jimmy Havoc defeated Mance Warner in a Prince of Darkness match
Havoc won after Priscilla Kelly got involved.
– Gino “El Intocable” Medina defeated Savio Vega in a New York street fight
The Dynasty caused a distraction for the finish.
– CONTRA Unit (MLW World Heavyweight Champion Jacob Fatu, Ikuro Kwon & Simon Gotch) defeated Strong Hearts (CIMA, El Lindaman & Shigehiro Irie)
– Davey Boy Smith Jr. defeated Brian Pillman Jr. to win the Opera Cup tournament
Ahead of the tapings taking place tomorrow, there’s been a change to the lineup for MLW’s Opera Cup tournament.
MLW announced today that Shinjiro Otani has withdrawn from the tournament. He was scheduled to face Davey Boy Smith Jr. in the first round.
With Otani off the show, it will now be Smith Jr. vs. Low Ki in the opening round.
The Opera Cup is a one-night, eight-man tournament. MJF vs. Alexander Hammerstone, Timothy Thatcher vs. Richard Holliday, and Brian Pillman Jr. vs. TJP are the other first-round matches.
The Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York is hosting the Opera Cup tapings tomorrow night. Here’s the updated lineup for the event:
Opera Cup tournament semifinals and finals
Strong Hearts (CIMA, El Lindaman & Shigehiro Irie) vs. CONTRA Unit (Jacob Fatu, Ikuro Kwon & Simon Gotch)
Opera Cup tournament first-round match: Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Low Ki
Opera Cup tournament first-round match: MJF vs. Alexander Hammerstone
Opera Cup tournament first-round match: Timothy Thatcher vs. Richard Holliday
Opera Cup tournament first-round match: Brian Pillman Jr. vs. TJP
Prince of Darkness match: Mance Warner vs. Jimmy Havoc
Exhibition match: Tom Lawlor vs. a member of the Von Erich family
In storyline, Lawlor requested the match and is saying that his opponent is set. MLW wrote that both Ross and Marshall Von Erich “are baffled by the announcement claiming they haven’t been approached about such a bout.”
Lawlor, who has signed a multi-year deal to stay with MLW, turned against the Von Erichs by hitting Ross with a steel chair and causing him to lose a title match to World Heavyweight Champion Jacob Fatu on MLW Fusion’s Thanksgiving special. Lawlor said “F*ck CONTRA” and “F*ck the Von Erichs” after hitting Ross with the chair.
The Opera Cup tapings are taking place at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York this Thursday. The updated card is listed below:
Opera Cup tournament semifinals and finals
Strong Hearts (CIMA, El Lindaman & Shigehiro Irie) vs. CONTRA Unit (Jacob Fatu, Ikuro Kwon & Simon Gotch)
Opera Cup tournament first-round match: Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Shinjiro Otani
Opera Cup tournament first-round match: Alexander Hammerstone vs. MJF
Opera Cup tournament first-round match: Timothy Thatcher vs. Richard Holliday
Opera Cup tournament first-round match: Brian Pillman Jr. vs. TJP
Prince of Darkness match: Mance Warner vs. Jimmy Havoc
Tom Lawlor vs. a member of the Von Erich family in an exhibition match
“King Mo” Muhammed Lawal will be in action at MLW’s Opera Cup television tapings.
MLW announced today that Lawal has “signed an open contract” for a match at the tapings. His opponent has yet to be revealed.
Lawal made his MLW debut at the promotion’s Blood & Thunder tapings earlier this month. The night before that, Lawal had his mixed martial arts retirement fight against Andrew Kapel at Bellator 233. The American Top Team member was knocked out by Kapel in the first round.
Lawal had the MLW logo on his T-shirt and fight shorts at Bellator 233.
The Opera Cup tapings are taking place at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York on Thursday, December 5. Here’s the updated card for the show:
Opera Cup tournament semifinals and finals
Strong Hearts (CIMA, El Lindaman & Shigehiro Irie) vs. CONTRA Unit (Jacob Fatu, Ikuro Kwon & Simon Gotch)
Opera Cup tournament first-round match: Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Shinjiro Otani
Opera Cup tournament first-round match: Alexander Hammerstone vs. MJF
Opera Cup tournament first-round match: Timothy Thatcher vs. Richard Holliday
Opera Cup tournament first-round match: Brian Pillman Jr. vs. TJP
Prince of Darkness match: Mance Warner vs. Jimmy Havoc
Mance Warner and Jimmy Havoc’s feud will continue with another stipulation match at MLW’s Opera Cup television tapings.
It was announced today that Warner will face Havoc in a Prince of Darkness match at the Opera Cup. The tapings are taking place at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York on Thursday, December 5.
For the Prince of Darkness match, MLW wrote that Warner and Havoc will “both be cloaked in thick black hoods in a spectacular and bizarre match where danger lurks at every corner.”
Warner defeated Havoc in a falls count anywhere match on this week’s MLW Fusion, but Havoc attacked Warner with a fork in a post-match angle. They’ve already been announced for a no ropes barbed wire match at MLW’s Zero Hour tapings in North Richland Hills, Texas on January 11.
Here’s the updated lineup for the Opera Cup tapings:
Opera Cup tournament semifinals and finals
Strong Hearts (CIMA, El Lindaman & Shigehiro Irie) vs. CONTRA Unit (Jacob Fatu, Ikuro Kwon & Simon Gotch)
Opera Cup tournament first-round match: Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Shinjiro Otani
Opera Cup tournament first-round match: Alexander Hammerstone vs. MJF
Opera Cup tournament first-round match: Timothy Thatcher vs. Richard Holliday
Opera Cup tournament first-round match: Brian Pillman Jr. vs. TJP
Prince of Darkness match: Mance Warner vs. Jimmy Havoc
– Shinjiro Otani is coming to MLW for next month’s Opera Cup tournament.
MLW announced today that “Pro Wrestling ZERO 1 has entered the legendary Shinjiro Otani into the 2019 Opera Cup,” with him set to face Davey Boy Smith Jr. in the first round. The one-night single-elimination tournament is taking place at MLW’s television tapings at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York on Thursday, December 5.
This is the third opening round match announced for the Opera Cup. TJP vs. Brian Pillman Jr. and MJF vs. Alexander Hammerstone are also set. There’s one first-round match that is still left to be announced.
– MLW has also announced that Alicia Atout has joined their broadcast team as a correspondent and host. Atout was formerly an interviewer for Impact Wrestling and, though she wasn’t signed to the promotion, did some work for AEW.
“Alicia is both incredibly talented and hardworking, and has been a standout with her Vlog series AMBY,” MLW’s Court Bauer said. “We couldn’t be more pleased that she’ll be joining MLW starting this December on MLW FUSION.”
“AHH BIG NEWS! I’m soooo proud and excited to announce that I’m the newest member of the @MLW family,” Atout tweeted. “Truly can’t wait to start this new journey and be back on your TV screens. Absolutely crazy.”
Two members of The Dynasty will face off in the opening round of MLW’s Opera Cup tournament.
MLW has announced that MJF will face his Dynasty stablemate Alexander Hammerstone in the first round of the Opera Cup. The one-night single-elimination tournament is being held at MLW’s television tapings at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York on Thursday, December 5.
There will be four opening round matches in the tournament. TJP vs. Brian Pillman Jr. and MJF vs. Hammerstone are the first two matchups to be announced.
MJF and Hammerstone are part of The Dynasty with Richard Holliday. Hammerstone is also the current MLW National Openweight Champion.
Hammerstone retained his National Openweight title against Davey Boy Smith Jr. at MLW’s Saturday Night SuperFight pay-per-view earlier this month. MJF & Holliday lost the MLW Tag Team titles to Ross & Marshall Von Erich in a Texas tornado tag match at the PPV.
MLW has announced their first matchup for next month’s Opera Cup tournament.
TJP vs. Brian Pillman Jr. is set for the first round of the tournament. It’s being held at MLW’s television tapings at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York on Thursday, December 5.
There will be four opening round matches in the Opera Cup, with MLW hyping that they’ve “invited some of the best wrestlers from around the world to compete in this one-night single-elimination tournament.”
This will be the first time TJP has wrestled for MLW since the promotion relaunched in 2017. He previously appeared for MLW in 2004.
NJPW and Impact Wrestling are among the promotions TJP has wrestled for since being released by WWE this February.
Pillman Jr. is part of The Hart Foundation with Teddy Hart and Davey Boy Smith Jr. He recently feuded with Low Ki, with Low Ki defeating Pillman at MLW’s Saturday Night SuperFight pay-per-view earlier this month.
