Tag: mlw results

MLW Reload results: Matt Riddle in action, Satoshi Kojima vs. Sami Callihan

Posted on by Iain Oliver

MLW’s first free signature event of the year aired Saturday with Reload, taped earlier this month as part of the Kings of Colosseum tapings from Philadelphia’s 2300 Arena with Joe Dombrowski and Matt Striker on the call.

A “Sessions with Saint Laurent” segment featuring MLW Champion Alex Kane kicked things off. Saint Laurent tried to sign Kane to his WTF stable, even giving him a custom WTF entrance song to try to tempt the champ. Kane didn’t buy into Saint Laurent’s elaborate promises and ended up tearing up the contract presented to him.

Zayda (w/ Saint Laurent) defeated Notorious Mimi

Striker mentioned both competitors being heels and the fans not liking either, but Mimi worked as the babyface and had the fans shouting “yay” in a boo/yay strike exchange. Moments later, Zayda tried to pull a fast one and get a pin with her feet on the ropes.

Mimi hit a nice back kick for a two count and had momentum in her favor as she climbed to the top, but Zayda knocked her off and hit an Unprettier to pick up the win.

After the match, Dombrowski tried to get an interview with Zayda but Saint Laurent took over and pushed him to the side. In a long line of WTF comparisons to mid-90s WWF, we were told “The Federette” was America Online’s most downloaded person in all of 2023 before she said she wanted a Featherweight title shot. 

However, that might interfere in Saint Laurent’s business dealings with Salina de la Renta, so he said he would handle it and talk to Salina.

– Mistico will take on Averno at MLW Superfight on February 3rd. Other matches announced include Alex Kane vs. Satoshi Kojima for the MLW title, Sami Callihan vs. AKIRA in a “Callihan Rules” match, Yuji Nagata vs. Jacob Fatu, and Ichiban vs. Rocky Romero for the Middleweight title in a two out of three falls match

– Minoru Suzuki was announced for Intimidation Games on February 29th from New York City.

Good Brother #3 defeated Steph De Lander (w/ Saint Laurent)

De Lander cost Mance Warner his “MLW career” when she interfered in his loser leaves MLW match against Matt Cardona. But, luckily a close friend of Warner, the masked Good Brother #3 who bears a striking resemblance to Warner, was quick to step into Warner’s shoes to try to exact some revenge for his fallen Southern friend.

De Lander offered a handshake and then kissed Warner, I mean Good Brother, before rolling him up for a sneaky fast two count. Moments later, she crashed into the ring post on the outside which let GB set up some weapons in the ring.

Inside the ring, De Lander tried to give GB a lap dance but he quickly swapped positions, got on the mic, had some music play, and began stripping down. As he was getting into it, De Lander kicked him low, rammed his face into the chair, and used another chair to crack across his skull.

De Lander speared GB through a board in the corner, but only got a two count. GB blocked a Cardona-style boot in the corner and got a two count of his own after throwing a chair at De Lander.

Another low blow slowed GB down. De Lander then got on the mic and said they shouldn’t fight but instead, they should show love. GB got on the mic and said he thought he had found the one and even proposed to her to which she said yes.

After toasting with a cold beer, GB asked for a kiss so she closed her eyes and puckered up, but when she opened them, she received an eye poke from the Eye Poke God and rolled her up to pick up the pinfall win.

– In front of their 80s-inspired green screen and neon WTF banner, Tom Lawlor and Josh Bishop took turns hyping up what each other was going to do to Matt Riddle and Alex Kane, eventually settling on “just watch.”

– A bloody AKIRA, fresh off his Taipei death match with Ricky Shane Page, told Sami Callihan he is ready for him at Superfight.

Ichiban defeated Jimmy Lloyd

In what could be seen as a clash of styles, Ichiban started with a tope con hilo but early on, Salina de la Renta and Jesus Rodriguez came out to distract their foe. Lloyd took advantage with a big neckbreaker.

Rodriguez took a cheap shot from the outside, but it only motivated Ichiban to fight back and hit Lloyd with a stunner, missile dropkick, and his custom Code Red. He tried to hit Lloyd with a dive but got caught mid-air and was dropped on his head on the floor.

Lloyd brought out two ladders but another distraction by Rodriguez cost Lloyd the match when he accidentally got knocked off the apron. That led to Ichiban hitting Lloyd with his face-first finisher after jumping from the top rope and catching Lloyd climbing a ladder in the ring.

Nao Kakuta defeated Moka Miyamoto

This was advertised as a Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling showcase match and did not disappoint in the short time it got.

Striker was doing his usual best to take away from those in the ring as after a lock up and wrist lock, he said it was nothing he hadn’t seen before.

Some differences I noticed from other featherweight division matches were the stiffer strikes, or so they seemed, and the more brutal underhanded tactics by using the hair, kicks to the head, and upper body.

Miyamoto took two attempts, but she eventually hit her big standing chop to Kakuta for a two count. However, the ever-aware Kakuta immediately tried to hook her arms and roll her up, showing she was still aware of her surroundings.

Miyamoto locked in an abdominal stretch as she began to try her comeback but Kakuta cut her off, hit her with a flatliner and then a twisting fireman’s carry into a stunner to pick up the win. 

After the match, Love Doug came out to console Miyamoto and tell her she was brave and show her how brave he was by asking her out. He asked the Philadelphia crowd if they thought she should say yes. They agreed, and so did Miyamoto, so the lovebirds left together.

Delmi Exo defeated Tiara James

James has still to be pinned in MLW while Exo has been flirting with the idea of joining Salina de la Renta’s Promociones Dorado after coming off two recent big defeats. Azteca henchmen stood guard at the side of the stage during the match.

Striker questioned Exo’s ability, saying something was missing as of late and even pointed out she didn’t keep an early hold on or didn’t have the ability to keep it on.

Exo went for the Delmi Driver early, but James powered out and hit a running clothesline. Exo slid out the back and quickly rolled up James to pick up a surprise win. This was a bit of a letdown since they were hyping up James’ undefeated streak throughout the short match.

Afterward, Exo called out Featherweight champion Janai Kai who obliged De la Renta and came out to the ring. Kai seemed fine with fighting Exo there and then, but Zayda and Saint Laurent then came out. A quick war of words followed but De la Renta ended up slapping Saint Laurent,

Exo took down Kai and Saint Laurent shook it off to hold Zayda back from De la Renta (who she was aiming for in the first place). As she was leaving, Exo was handed a key by the Azteca Henchmen.

Alex Kane & Matt Riddle defeated WTF (Josh Bishop & Tom Lawlor) (w/ Saint Laurent)

The two former UFC fighters (Lawlor and Riddle) started with a mat battle that ended with Lawlor hitting a side Russian leg sweep and locking in an Octopus hold. Riddle escaped and just missed a big penalty kick to the head.

Kane came in and helped Riddle moonsault on to Lawlor before unloading his array of suplexes. Bishop was in next to use his size and power to ground Kane.

WTF worked over Kane but he fought back and was close to tagging in Riddle, but Lawlor ran around the ring and pulled him off the apron. Kane then took Lawlor out with a dive to the floor which let Bishop wait and grab Kane with a big Bossman slam. Lawlor added insult by DDT’ing Kane on the floor, too.

WTF then used old-school heel tag team tactics by enraging Riddle to distract the referee so they could illegally tag each other in and out, just because they could. Lawlor hit a Bronco Buster to rile up the fans and Riddle even more. He got cocky and tried a second, but Kane moved and Lawlor went crashing where no man wants to crash.

Kane slipped out of an Outsider Edge and hot-tagged Riddle. He hit a Bro-ton splash, penalty kick and German suplex to Bishop while Kane suplexed Lawlor. Richard Holliday tried to interfere, but Kane suplexed him too. Riddle went up top and won the match for his team after a Super Bro-ton bomb from the top rope. 

After the match, there was a backstage brawl between the World Titan Federation and the Second Gear Crew.

Satoshi Kojima defeated Sami Callihan

As Kojima was making his entrance, Callihan jumped him and the fight was underway.

Callihan introduced some weapons from underneath the ring and papercut the webs of Kojima’s fingers and the sides of his mouth. The bell rang for the start of the match which sprung Kojima into life with a big clothesline.

Machine gun chops followed on the outside to which Callihan responded with some hard chops of his own. Inside the ring, Callihan went after the fingers of Kojima, used his hair to move him around, and used his fingernails to scratch at his skin. He even lobbed a mouthful of spit towards the referee.

The spit followed as he lubricated his hand before chopping Kojima’s chest, but moments later, Kojima fired back and unloaded more machine gun chops.

Kojima tried to go to the top rope, but Callihan caught him and drove him to the mat with a death valley driver for a close nearfall. Callihan then tried a piledriver, but Kojima blocked it and dropped him with a DDT.

Callihan blocked a Koji Cutter and hit a backdrop driver. Kojima responded by absorbing a pair of lariats and then hit a Koji Cutter for a one count.

Callihan defiantly got in Kojima’s face and was met with a big lariat, but Callihan kicked out at two. He could not kick out of a running lariat as Kojima picked up a big win ahead of his MLW heavyweight title fight at Superfight. 

After the match, Kojima told us he ate bread this morning and that he will eat some after the match. If we were not aware, he loves bread. 

The show finished up with Alex Kane who dismissed Kojima’s chance at taking the title from him. Kane talked through his six successful title defenses and told Kojima he would be another of his successful defenses. He said what he will do to Kojima at Superfight will make the crowd uncomfortable.

As the show was going off the air, a quick flash of an old logo we have not seen for a long time appeared on screen: that of CONTRA Unit.

MLW Kings of Colosseum notes: Matt Riddle debut, Alex Kane vs. Richard Holliday

Posted on by Ian Carey

MLW presented Kings of Colosseum on Saturday at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. 

The show featured Alex Kane defending the MLW Heavyweight Championship against Richard Holliday and Matt Riddle vs. Jacob Fatu. 

MLW Kings of Colosseum notes:

TJPW’s Hyper Misao made her MLW debut on the show. She was defeated by Featherweight Champion Janai Kai after being distracted by Salina de la Renta on the outside.

Josh Bishop and our own Tom Lawlor were unsuccessful in winning the MLW Tag Team Championships from Second Gear Crew’s Matthew Justice and 1 Called Manders. They were defeated after Justice gave Bishop a death valley driver onto a set of stacked tables, although the tables did not break.

Bishop and Lawlor wore gear inspired by Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. They attacked their opponents after the match and left them laying before heading to the back. 

Sami Callihan was revealed as the newest member of The Calling. He helped Rickey Shane Page defeat AKIRA in a bloody Taipei Death match to retain the MLW National Openweight Championship. 

Love, Doug was victorious in a “Love is Blind” blindfold match against Brett Ryan Gosselin. The angle here is that Doug had been obsessed with B3CCA, only for Gosselin to reveal he is her boyfriend. After Doug was victorious, someone handed him flowers at ringside because now he has his own admirers. 

A video announcing the legendary Mistico will make his MLW debut on February 3 at Superfight aired. 

In the semi main event of the evening, Alex Kane successfully retained his MLW World title for the seventh time. He defeated Richard Holliday via referee stoppage with a rear-naked choke. 

After the match, they announced Kane has set a record for most choke-out victories as MLW Champion. It was also announced that his next challenger will be the first-ever MLW World Champion, Satoshi Kojima. The Bread Club leader then came out and was presented with some celebratory bagels, which he tossed into the crowd. 

Callihan then came out to confront Kojima. He also spit water in the ring announcers face before getting into a pull apart with Kojima. A match between the two was later announced for MLW Reload on January 20. The show will air on YouTube and BeIN Sports. 

Salina de la Renta and Rocky Romero discussed Mistico coming to MLW in a backstage segment. Salina was not happy that MLW is bringing him in. She announced Averno will wrestle Mistico at Superfight. 

In the main event, they played up on commentary how Riddle has faced members of Fatu’s family, alluding to his matches in WWE against the Bloodline. The finish here saw Riddle with Fatu in a rear-naked choke but he then transitioned to something of a crossface and Fatu tapped out. 

After the match, Fatu and Riddle hugged and showed each other respect.  

Matt Striker’s commentary during the main event caused some controversy. Striker said of Riddle during the broadcast, “Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. The court of public opinion would love to see Jacob Fatu slap the taste out of Matt Riddle’s mouth. But the court of public opinion does not convict, I’m sorry. I know it’s the world in which we live but, it’s not the case.”

On Sunday, Striker posted the following statement to X:

I’ve given this a lot of thought. Could not sleep. My critics are right. I was wrong. Tone deaf. Trying to use the guise of art or character portrayal is self preservation. Thank you to those that shone light on this. It is now on me to stand in that light. I will be better

There were also a series of technical interruptions that caused the screen to briefly distort during the show. This is likely to set up a future angle. 

MLW Kings of Coliseum 2024 results:

  • Alec Price, Dylan McKay & Marcus Mathers defeated Griffin McCoy, TJ Crawford & Tony Deppen
  • MLW Women’s Featherweight Champion Janai Kai w/Salina de la Renta & Jesus Rodriguez defeated Hyper Misao to retain her title
  • MLW Tag Team Champions The Second Gear Crew (Matthew Justice & 1 Called Manders) defeated Tom Lawlor & Josh Bishop w/Mister Saint Laurent & Zayda
  • MLW National Openweight Champion Rickey Shane Page defeated AKIRA
  • MLW World Heavyweight Champion Alex Kane defeated Richard Holliday to retain his title

Coming up next for MLW:

MLW Reload on January 20 on YouTube/BeIN Sports announced lineup:

  • Satoshi Kojima vs. Sami Callihan
  • Good Brother #3 (rumored to be Mance Warner) vs. Steph de Lander
  • Nao Kakuta vs. Moka Miyamoto
  • Zayda w/Mister Saint Laurent vs. Notorious Mimi
  • Matt Riddle vs. TBA

MLW Superfight on TrillerTV February 3 announced lineup:

  • MLW World Heavyweight Champion Alex Kane defends against Satoshi Kojima
  • Mistico vs. Averno w/Salina de la Renta

MLW Holiday Rush results: Matt Riddle appears, Hammerstone vs. Fatu

Posted on by Iain Oliver

MLW’s special year-end Holiday Rush event comes after last week’s season finale of MLW Fusion and ahead of January’s Kings of Colosseum.

Ichiban vs. Salina de la Renta, an MLW Tag Team title match, and Jacob Fatu vs. Hammerstone were the main advertised matches. Those, and the rest of tonight’s matches, were taped earlier this month at the One Shot tapings at the Melrose Ballroom in New York. 

Joe Dombrowski and Matt Striker were on commentary.

AKIRA defeated Alec Price, Brett Ryan Gosselin, J Boujii, Love Doug and Nolo Kitano in a scramble match

Doug jumped BRG as he made his entrance to continue their feud over being the love interest of the “International Pop Superstar” B3CCA. These two continually clashed throughout the match and will meet in a blindfold match at the January 6th tapings.

Price, AKIRA, Boujii and Kitano picked up the pace early with a rotation of switching one-on-one highspots. Doug turned a five-way sleeper hold train into a love train by switching from chokehold to hug, but Kitano quickly put a stop to that with a missile dropkick.

AKIRA based a Tower of Doom spot that saw Boujii as the unfortunate top layer of the double superplex.

Doug and AKIRA brought a Santa sack into the match and used it to blindfold BRG before double-superkicking him. Doug and AKIRA then turned their attention to each other. Doug hit a superb looking rebound clothesline, but had to be aware of a roll-up and springboard cutter from Boujii.

This began a series of nearfall finishers as Kitano, AKIRA, and Price – complete with a dive to all opponents on the floor – were all involved, but it was the prizefighter AKIRA who picked up the win after his Death Penalty reverse DDT was enough to put Price away.

After the match, AKIRA got on the mic and cut a babyface promo about his time in The Calling. He called Ricky Shane Page a leech and said The Calling’s storm won’t last. He was interrupted by Page, Cannonball, and a gang of masked goons. AKIRA fought most off, but Page hit his devastating DDT to once again stand over his fallen ex-friend…or did he? AKIRA kicked him low to show he still has fight left. AKIRA will face RSP in a Taipei Death Match at Kings of Colosseum.

– Backstage, we saw Promociones Dorado getting ready for Salina de la Renta’s match against Ichiban, but she was quickly distracted by a bag left in her office. Last week on Fusion, one of Cesar Duran’s henchmen’s masks was left in her office, so it seems she is spooked and may not be as strong and powerful as she tries to show.

– A vignette for the return of Sami Callihan at Kings of Colosseum aired.

Zayda (w/ Saint Laurent) defeated Notorious Mimi and Tiara James in a three-way

James was on the losing end of another three-way last week involving Delmi Exo and Featherweight Champion Janai Kai so she was looking to get back to winning ways here.

Before the match, we saw WTF member Zayda trying to negotiate a future title match for herself. Saint Laurent said he would talk to De La Renta to get a match with Kai.

Mimi hit a tilt-a-whirl slam, but it looked like a missed tilt-a-whirl headscissors by Zayda as she left the ring to leave Zayda and James to work the next spot. James ended up coming off the middle rope with a double dropkick to her opponents and then dropped Mimi with a gutbuster and spinebustered Zayda on top of her too. James looked strong going into the finish.

MSL had to save Zayda and interrupted a pinfall attempt after a rolling neckbreaker. That outside distraction let Zayda hit an Unprettier on James to pick up the win.

– Hyper Misao will make her MLW debut against Kai at Kings of Colosseum in January.

– MLW returns to Chicago on May 11th for Azteca Lucha.

Josh Bishop (w/ Saint Laurent) defeated Matthew Justice

This played into Bishop’s size and power vs. Justice’s daredevil toughness. Justice rallied time after time in the early going, fighting off a wind-up sidewalk slam, a backdrop to the apron, and a spinebuster into the ring post by diving through the ropes and baseball sliding into his larger opponent.

This tough guy match turned into a weapons bout as a table and chair were brought into the ring. Bishop used a table to ram into Justice’s head as he was on the top rope.

Justice hit a spear for a nearfall, but another interference distraction from MSL let Bishop lift Justice in an Outsider’s Edge position and toss him through the table that was resting in the corner to pick up the pinfall win. Bishop lifted Justice’s MLW Tag Team title belt after the match, and both ended up brawling to the back.

Later on in the show, the two continued their brawl to the roof of the building. A table was set up there for some reason, so Justice used it to hit a death-defying elbow drop after climbing to a higher level of the rooftop area.

Tony Deppen (w/ Griffin McCoy & TJ Crawford) defeated Kevin Blackwood

This was very quick but served as a nice step in the ongoing feud between Blackwood and Deppen’s gang of goons. Blackwood looked in control as he tried to get some revenge for the continued attacks and taunting he had received in recent weeks.

Deppen had pulled the turnbuckle pad off at the start of the match. After being knocked off the apron earlier, McCoy and Crawford interfered again, this time causing Blackwood to collide with the exposed buckle. That gave Deppen the opening to roll up Blackwood and get the tainted win.

– WTF’s Jayda introduced Richard Holliday who complimented her tan before announcing he is officially a member of the World Titan Federation, hyping up his MLW title match vs. Alex Kane at Kings of Colosseum.

– A vignette for the returning Matt Riddle, who will face Jacob Fatu at Kings of Colosseum, aired.

https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1738881706122223710

Wasted Youth (Dyln McKay & Marcus Mathers) defeated The Mane Event (Jay Lyon & Midas Black) and TJ Crawford & Griffin McCoy to earn a future MLW Tag Team title shot

The popular Mane Event were unfortunately on the receiving end of another loss as Wasted Youth won themselves a future tag title shot. Wasted Youth have a bright future as they are an exciting and explosive duo. McCoy and Crawford continued their wicked ways, teaming for the first time here.

Wasted Youth hit a nice backstabber/lionsault combo, but McCoy and Crawford came in with some nice double-team moves of their own — especially a twisting suplex throw into a sit-out power bomb. Lyon ran down the ramp and dove into the ring through the circus hoop to break up the pin.

The action was non-stop and packed with high-flying and double-team moves. Wasted Youth picked up the win after a shooting star press and 450 splash on Black while Lyon was taken out with a Fosbury flop to the floor.

Ichiban defeated Salina de la Renta (w/ Jesus Rodriguez, Janai Kai & Rocky Romero) by DQ

This was short, but it was here to continue the story of Ichiban’s quest towards Romero’s Middleweight title.

Kai, Romero and Rodriguez tried to interfere early, but Ichiban thwarted them all. This left Salina alone, who tried to negotiate with Ichiban before literally blindsiding him with a spray to the eyes. This caused the DQ, but allowed the Promociones Dorado team to lay a beating on Ichiban and remove his mask. Mascara Dorada came out to help Ichiban and chase away the dastardly heels.

Bomaye Fight Club (Alex Kane & Mr. Thomas) defeated MLW Tag Team Champions The Second Gear Crew (1 Called Manders & “Good Brother 3” Mance Warner) by DQ

Freebird Rules were in effect here as the masked Warner, ahem Good Brother 3, stepped into Matthew Justice’s shoes to represent the champions.

With no ongoing storyline between the teams and with both being babyfaces, it was a quiet opening as they exchanged holds and slowly warmed up into a strike battle between Thomas and Manders.

SGC hit Thomas with a double suplex off the top rope so Kane had to come in for his team and begin a one-man comeback consisting of suplexes and a splash on the apron.

Kane locked in an ankle lock on Manders, but broke it off when he noticed Jayda and Saint Laurent at ringside. Warner hit his running knee, but Kane regained his focus and suplexed him out of the ring.

Saint Laurent grabbed Kane’s ankle and the champion left the ring to confront the corrupt promotor, but Richard Holliday, with a glass of bubbly, also appeared at ringside. Kane and Holliday came face to face and Kane ended up with the champagne in his face. They came to blows as the referee called for the bell and called a disqualification win for the Bomaye Fight Club which also meant no title change.

Tom Lawlor and Josh Bishop came in with chairs to lay waste to the three members of the SGC but this ended up in security pulling them all apart as the commentators hyped up Alex Kane vs Richard Holliday on January 6th.

-Backstage Janai Kai and Delmi Exo confronted each other and came to blows. After being pulled apart two of Cesar Duran’s masked men appeared and handed Exo an envelope… interesting.

– After the end of the last match, it was announced that Matthew Justice & 1 Called Manders would defend their MLW tag titles against Josh Bishop and Tom Lawlor at KOC.

Jacob Fatu defeated Alex Hammerstone (w/ Saint Laurent)

Before they started, we had the popular “MEAT!” chant as the two long-term rivals sized each other up.

Hammerstone took the early advantage, but Fatu came back with an early run-up twisting moonsault from the top rope and a dive through the ropes to the floor. A brawl on the floor ensued with Hammerstone going headfirst into the ring post.

Fatu dove off the top with a senton bomb for a two count. Hammerstone then pulled the referee in the way to stop Fatu from hitting a superkick. This slight distraction gave Hammerstone the opening to hit a running pump kick to get the heat.

Hammerstone posed and flaunted as he slowly hammered Fatu, focusing on the lower back. A brief disagreement with the referee let Fatu hit him with a desperation savate kick, a running hip attack, and a Vader bomb for a close two count of his own.

Hammerstone got his knees up on Fatu’s handspring moonsault and then hit a powerslam and underhook suplex for another nearfall.

Fatu fought back and hit an amazing move. With Hammerstone sitting on the top rope, Fatu climbed up from the apron to meet him. Then, from balancing on the top rope, Fatu jumped and hooked Hammerstone with a hurricanrana, sending him the full way across the ring.

As momentum was swinging towards Fatu, Hammerstone desperately pushed the referee into the ropes which meant Fatu crotched himself on the top. Hammerstone then climbed to meet his foe and hit his own impressive top rope move with a top rope overhead belly-to-belly suplex.

A strike exchange followed as fatigue was setting in. Hammerstone slipped out of a Samoan drop and hit his standing pump kick, a release German suplex and a sit-out power bomb for a nearfall. Hammerstone immediately lifted up Fatu and hit his Nightmare Pendulum but somehow Fatu kicked out of that as well.

Fatu caught Hammerstone and hit his pop-up Samoan drop and quickly hit his signature double-spring top rope moonsault but Hammerstone hooked Fatu’s arms during the pinfall and nearly caught him out with a crucifix pin.

Fatu hit two more savate kicks, a Samoan Spike and another double spring moonsault to finally pin Hammerstone for the first time in his MLW career.

Saint Laurent looked disgusted with Hammerstone for losing and walked out on him. Hammerstone rolled out of the ring to meet Fatu at ringside and after a tense moment, they both hugged in a show of respect.

Post-match promo

After the match, Hammerstone got on the mic and said he could be getting himself in hot water but only has good intentions. He talked about his contract situation but said above all else, tonight he feels grateful. He mentioned his failed tryouts for WWE, Impact Wrestling and Lucha Underground and they all passed on him apart from MLW.

Without a tryout match, Court Bauer signed him to a three-year contract because he saw something in him. He said a lot of people say things about MLW and Court, and it has not been all sunshine and rainbows but they took a little boy and turned him into a wrestling superstar. 

He went on to say that he wants to say that MLW is built with bricks made up of Hammerstone’s DNA, but in reality, Hammerstone is built with bricks made up of MLW’s DNA.

He named Ricky Shane Page, 1 Called Manders, Josh Bishop and Alex Kane being the names to take MLW forward. Bauer came out and hugged Hammerstone before they both walked to the back.

As his MLW contract ends on Jan 1st, if this was his last appearance in MLW, this was a nice send-off for the former champion. Hammerstone was pushed really strong from the start of his MLW run as part of MJF’s Dynasty stable. He will be remembered for his undefeated National Openweight title run and his two-year World title run against numerous top-level names. His recent surprise return as a heel fooled a lot of fans as the story had hints of reality where Hammerstone was airing his contract grievances before showing up and siding with Saint Laurent and the renegade WTF group.

Before going off air, we saw a video Riddle just posted to X from Las Vegas. In it, he said he was excited to get back to MLW because the MLW World Championship has eluded him since 2018. He then said that he was excited to fight the baddest man in the world in January and told Jacob Fatu he would be seeing him soon.

MLW Fusion results: Matt Cardona vs. 1 Called Manders

Posted on by Iain Oliver

This week’s matches were taped in September and October at the famous 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. Joe Dombrowski and Matt Striker announced the matches.

We opened with a Slaughterhouse recap video package. Highlights included:

  • The Calling’s Talon being electrocuted inside the Chamber of Horrors at the hands of Mance Warner and Matthew Justice.
  • Rocky Romero defeating AKIRA to win the MLW Middleweight title.
  • Janai Kai (making her MLW debut) defeating Delmi Exo to win the MLW Featherweight title.
  • Salina de la Renta now controlling three titles worldwide (including Romero’s CMLL World Historic Welterweight title).
  • AKIRA and Ricky Shane Page having a miscommunication during RSP’s match with 1 Called Manders.
  • Minoru Suzuki defeating Jacob Fatu.
  • Alex Kane successfully defending his title against Tom Lawlor then Matt Cardona calling out the champion and ending the show with a brawl.

We were told security had been tripled for this show following the brawl that took place to close out Slaughterhouse.

Ichiban defeated Love Doug

MLW interviewer Sam Laterna interviewed Doug earlier in the day. Doug said things with B3CCA were not going so well, but he had a treat for her tonight. Doug has been smitten with B3CCA since joining MLW but the International Pop Sensation has knocked back his advances every time.

This was a number one contender match for the Middleweight title, currently held by Rocky Romero. Doug showed some smooth groundwork as he rolled Ichiban up in some different pinfall attempts, showing he can wrestle as well as play his loveable, loving character well during his matches.

We had an early “Both These Guys” chant for this babyface match as they went non-stop and from spot to spot. Doug got out of a Boston crab attempt by throwing rose petals into Ichiban’s eyes.

Ichiban fought back with a jawbreaker and a jumping downward spiral to get the pinfall win. He’s now the top contender for Rocky Romero’s title. This was good and made Love Doug look good despite losing.

– After the match Sam Laterna interviewed Doug, who looked disappointed, that was until a B3CCA background dancer delivered him a letter telling Doug she would come to one of his matches.

– Sam Laterna then caught up with Tom Lawlor. Lawlor returned to MLW at Slaughterhouse last weekend in a losing effort to Alex Kane. This week he questioned the Slaughterhouse referee before turning his attention to Don King. He called him worse than the biggest scumbags on the planet. He announced he has joined Saint Laurent’s World Titan Federation (WTF) in the image of Sports Entertainment.

– Tony Deppen and TJ Crawford then plotted to attack someone else after they put Kevin Blackwood on the shelf recently. But we were then told that Tony Deppen has been suspended for refusing to pay his fines for attacking Blackwood.

– The Second Gear Crew drank some beers and told Matt Cardona he was getting a cowboy ass-whoopin’ tonight.

– We had a promotional video for the upcoming debut of Miyu Yamashita, the Ace of Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling, and the current TJPW Princess of Princess Championship holder.

– Saint Laurent then told Sam Laterna that 1 Called Manders refusing to join the WTF was the biggest mistake of his life.

Bomaye Fight Club (J Boujii & Mr. Thomas) defeated The Mane Event (Jay Lyon & Midas Black)

The Mane Event have great double team chemistry, using their circus hoop to bring a new edge to their double team dives to the outside. Lyon and Black isolated J Boujii, the latest member of the Bomaye Fight Club, and had to dig deep to kick out of a double team neckbreaker uranage combination.

Boujii fought back with a tornado DDT, Mr. Thomas got the hot tag and booted and slammed The Mane Event before coming very close with a bossman slam.

Black speared Thomas to stop the big man in his tracks, if only momentarily, with some slingshot help from Lyons but Boujii saved his partner and floored his opponents with a big impressive springboard double cutter. Thomas then launched Boujii over the top rope onto his opponents and hit Lyons with a pop-up spinebuster to pick up the win.

– We heard from MLW World Heavyweight Champion Alex Kane after he successfully defended his title at Slaughterhouse against Lawlor. Kane said that this is not Sports Entertainment, he will not tolerate the WTF’s disrespect, and told them to keep sending them for him to suplex and tap out.

– We saw a buzzed Mance Warner in the parking lot looking for some weapons. He found a screwdriver and promised some violence.

– Coming off of a successful Slaughterhouse show, Salina de la Renta told us that she holds three titles in two different promotions and that she will be next week’s Executive Producer of Fusion.

Matt Cardona (w/ Saint Laurent) defeated 1 Called Manders

After beating Manders’ SGC stablemate Mance Warner in a Kiss My Foot match at Fury Road in September, Cardona took on another member of the Second Gear Crew with Saint Laurent on commentary.

The story on commentary was Manders knocking back Saint Laurent’s WTF in favor of staying with the Second Gear Crew. This was a good solid back-and-forth match, with Manders looking strong and Cardona always trying to take the easy way out, even using his shirt to choke Manders.

Manders built good momentum and floored Cardona with a strong lariat for a close two-count. Manders missed a shoulder charge but still had the wherewithal to backdrop Cardona out of the ring when he went for his famous Broski Boot.

Upon re-entering the ring, Saint Laurent and Cardona must have thought they had the match won when MSL distracted Manders, Cardona kicked the middle rope into Manders’ lower region and set up to hit his Radio Silence finisher, but Manders caught him and hit a sit-out powerbomb for another close two count.

Cardona pulled the ref in front of Manders as he went for his big lariat finisher, and in the small moment of distraction, Cardona hit Radio Silence to get the pinfall win.

Cardona then grabbed the mic from Sam Laterna as she tried to interview him after the match. He announced he was still undefeated and mentioned Warner by name, who gleefully appeared and beat up Cardona.

This match was recorded before Slaughterhouse so there was no mention of Cardona being in line for the next world title shot against Alex Kane, or that Filthy Tom Lawlor had joined the WTF earlier in the night, but it did extend the WTF vs Second Gear Crew feud with the appearance from Mance Warner to close the show with another brawl.

Next week:

– Salina de la Renta will be the Executive Producer.

MLW Fusion results: Alex Kane vs. Snisky

Posted on by Iain Oliver

This week’s MLW Fusion was taped in Philadelphia at the famous 2300 Arena earlier this month with Joe Dombrowski and Matt Striker on the call.

The Second Gear Crew (1 Called Manders & Matthew Justice) w/ Mance Warner defeated The Calling (Cannonball & Talon) in a Texas Tornado match

This week’s continuation of the SGC vs. Calling feud was a tag team weapons-filled brawl. The Calling had chairs thrown at their unprotected heads in the early going, and the chairs had a strong presence throughout the opening.

The SGC came back into the match when Talon went crashing through a seated chair with a missed senton. Manders then powerslammed Talon into Cannonball, squashing him in the corner.

The massive Cannonball broke up a double pin by splashing and crushing everyone, coming after Justice and Manders had taken Talon out with a spear and clothesline at the same time.

Cannonball dropped Manders on his head with an underhook piledriver. Justice then took out Cannonball with a senton dive to the floor followed by Manders flooring Talon with a clothesline. Justice got the win after a top rope splash.

– Love, Doug continued his quest to win the heart of featherweight title no. 1 contender B3CCA this week by practicing singing her a song backstage.

– TJ Crawford and Tony Deppen both attacked and injured MLW newbie Kevin Blackwood last week. This week, Deppen said he is only here for money, but he saw a younger version of himself in Crawford and they are both there to take over MLW.

– After being on the end of an “expose” last week that hinted at him breaking away from MLW to form his own organization, Mr. Saint Laurent responded by calling it slander and preposterous.

Shane Strickland defeated Ricochet (2017)

– We had a special match from October 2017 when MLW returned with MLW One Shot where Strickland defeated Ricochet. There was a video package that introduced a “This Week in MLW” segment where we saw MJF, Darby Allin, MVP, Sami Callihan, and others perform on the show. But it was Strickland and Ricochet that had their main event match shown in its entirety. Tony Schiavone helped call the action, which was really good as you would imagine.

The match, perhaps surprisingly, started slow and involved Ricochet playing heel while mat wrestling Strickland to the ground, but they were pacing themselves as they ended up going over 30 minutes with crisp great action. They incorporated some strong strikes in between a great showing of athleticism and innovative feints and dodges.

Ricochet burst out a poisonrana, a rolling Northern Lights suplex into a brainbuster, and a springboard 450 splash but it was Strickland who got the submission win with an armbar. I would highly recommend checking this out.

– We heard from MLW Champion Alex Kane who called his mystery opponent tonight a ho, saying he will send him to Ho Island because it doesn’t matter who it is.

– After announcing Rocky Romero as part of her stable last week, Salina de la Renta strongly hinted this week that she is behind the new CMLL partnership. She said the deal would come at a price and that she would see us at Slaughterhouse.

– AKIRA responded to the announcement of his match vs. Rocky Romero at Slaughterhouse. He said Romero will need his eyepatch for real after he is finished with him.

MLW World Champion Alex Kane defeated Snisky in a non-title match

Saint Laurent’s mystery opponent for Kane was the muscle man from his World Titan Federation, Snisky. The former WWE wrestler brought out a gurney with him, but it played no part in the match.

The commentators questioned how Kane would be able to suplex Snisky given the size difference between the two, but we found out almost immediately as Kane hit him with a normal suplex and then two Germans.

Snisky slowed it down with a big boot, a series of elbow drops, and a body slam, but when he went up to the top rope, you knew it would be trouble. Snisky missed a somersault senton which gave Kane the opening to take his back, lock in the rear naked choke, and pick up the submission victory to close the show. 

MLW Azteca results: Pagano vs. Savio Vega hardcore match, two title defenses

Posted on by Iain Oliver

The MLW Azteca era continues from Tijuana, Mexico, with the fallout from World Champion Alex Hammerstone being kidnapped from the arena last week at the orders from Cesar Duran. 

Savio Vega stepped up for the locker room as he faces Pagano in a hardcore match following Pagano turning on Hammerstone last week. Also, two MLW titles are on the line with Alex Kane defending the National Openweight title against Aerostar and 5150 defending the Tag Team titles against Destiny and Skalibur.  

A video package recapping Duran stacking the deck against Hammerstone and Richard Holliday aired. Holliday was removed from the building before Pagano turned his back on Hammerstone and helped Taurus and King Muertes beat down the champion. The video ended with Karlee Perez telling Duran, “Do you understand that this is a force that we can’t easily control once it’s released, right?”, teasing something big is on the horizon.

Duran then addressed the viewing audience from his office. He called the fans “filthy renegades” and said they have turned our backs on him after sticking up for Hammerstone. He is in complete control of MLW and everyone should use Hammerstone as an example as everyone needs to bend the knee and respect his power.

MLW Tag Team Champions 5150 (Slice Boogie and Rivera) defeated Skalibur and Destiny to retain the titles

We saw our first glimpse of the special outdoor arena in Tijuana. It was daylight as 5150 made their entrance after they had cut a promo against the MLW tag division, hyping up their next match against The Von Erichs in Dallas at the end of the month.

Konnan was out with 5150.

After an early break, Destiny and Skalibur hit dives onto the champions on the floor. 5150 played the heels well as they cheated behind the referee’s back as Konnan bad-mouthed the three rows of fans facing the camera that made up the crowd.

Rivera had a close two count after Boogie launched him across the ring to knock Skalibur off the apron before Boogie hit a big Vader bomb elbow onto Destiny, but the crowd favorite kicked out at two.

Skalibur flew through the air as he got the hot tag and helped Destiny power bomb Rivera onto Boogie as the action broke down. Moments later, Rivera spike DDT’d Destiny as Boogie held him and slammed him with a powerful German. 

Skalibur got caught with a big boot and the 456 Headcrack: a double foot stomp from Rivera while Skalibur was on Boogie’s shoulders, followed by a death valley driver for the win and successful title defense.

Konnan got on the mic and called out Aerostar and Drago who answered the challenge and brawled with the champions.

— Alicia Atout met up with Savio Vega who said Duran promised to give him the IWA back if he can beat Pagano in tonight’s hardcore match. Duran had purchased the Puerto Rican-based company in storyline last season.

— Emilio Sparks caught up with nZo who explained why he attacked KC Navarro recently. He said it was about respect and that he taught Navarro a lesson: he should never turn his back on anyone. Later in the night, we heard that nZo has been suspended because of the attack and because he didn’t issue an apology.

— It was announced that Davey Richards has signed a multi-year contract with MLW. Later in the night, he was attacked and his Opera Cup trophy was stolen was allegedly stolen.

— The speculation on Hammerstone’s whereabouts continued when Holliday tried to get into a room guarded by three masked henchmen of Duran. Atout then dragged him off, saying it wasn’t worth it and he was just playing into his games.

— 5150 were backstage when a masked Duran associate gave them a piece of paper saying they will defend the titles against Aerostar and Drago next week.

MLW National Openweight Champion Alex Kane (w/ Mr. Thomas) defeated Aerostar to retain the title

Kane used his power advantage early on, but Aerostar hit a corkscrew plancha and a headscissors takeover to begin the power vs. high flyer story that played throughout the match.

The commentators talked about the ongoing storyline between Kane and Calvin Tankman, talking about how Tankman was arrested and Kane made it legally impossible for Tankman to be here tonight. Rich Bocchini questioned if Kane was dodging Tankman.

Aerostar slipped out of a suplex and Aerostar hit a step up tope dive to the floor on top of both Kane and Mr Thomas. Aerostar then went up top, but as Thomas distracted the referee, 5150 ran out, pushed Aerostar off the top, and clocked him with a big clothesline. 

Kane then quickly locked in a Kata ha jime and the referee called for the bell as Aerostar passed out.

— Sparks then caught up with Duran backstage and asked him where Hammerstone was. An odd-looking masked henchman took some orders from Duran before taking a dressing down from him too. Then, before Duran could get anything of value out to Sparks, EJ Nduka appeared and asked Duran the same question about Hammerstone. Nduka was invited into Duran’s office to talk privately and he begrudgingly went in as Sparks chased down the henchman.

— We saw a darkened room where Mads Krugger was tied up in chains and held by more of Duran’s masked henchmen. Karlee Perez was there and after Krugger said he wanted Jacob Fatu, Perez said he will first face Bestia 666 next week.

— Sparks was then outside as he had been following the odd-looking henchman from earlier. We saw him go down some stairs as Sparks was in close pursuit.

Pagano defeated Savio Vega in a hardcore match

Pagano hit a slingshot elbow for an early two count. Some chops, big right hands and clotheslines followed before the hardcore action started as they brawled around ringside.

The outdoor setting gave them a few different environmental objects to use. An example: there was a steel gate that Vega went headfirst into, busting him open.

Pagano hit a springboard dropkick from the top rope before he set Vega on the top rope and brought out a bag of thumbtacks. Pagano went up but Vega fought him off and front suplexed him face and chest first into the thumbtacks. When getting to his feet, Pagano picked up a handful of tacks and threw them in Vega’s face as he came off the top rope.

Pagano then put a chair on top of Vega as he tried to get his eyesight back and hit a moonsault from the top rope onto the chair to pick up the win. Duran keeps the IWA after all.

 — We then caught back up with Sparks who followed the odd masked henchman down a darkened corridor. We passed two locked rooms that had “Salina” and “Killstop” handwritten on them. We heard female screams to indicate this is where Salina de la Renta has been all this time since Duran made his first appearance.

The masked henchman was at the door at the end of the corridor that had “Hammerstone” written on it. The champion had his arm through a small window and the henchman by the throat. The henchman took the mask off and it was Holliday who unlocked the door and helped Hammerstone escape as MLW Azteca went off the air.

Next week:

– MLW Tag Team Champions 5150 (Slice Boogie and Rivera) vs. Aerostar and Drago in a title match

– Mads Krugger vs. Bestia 666 in a Tijuana street fight

MLW Anthology results and video: LA Park

Posted on by Iain Oliver

Video —

Big Takeaways —

MLW took a trip down memory lane as we visited 2002 and the early bouts of LA Park as La Parka as he took on Shocker and Sabu.

Full Recap —

As the global lockdown has prevented MLW from filming their next scheduled round of Fusion tapings, the league debuted their latest show, Anthology, to fill the void. This week’s episode focused on the legendary luchador LA Park, showing two matches from the MLW vault as the original voice of MLW Joey Styles called the action.

LA Park was originally known as La Parka and that is what he is known as back in 2002 when these matches took place.

We opened with a great video highlight package showing us LA Park’s recent accomplishments in Mexico and from the early years of MLW. We saw highlights of MLW’s first-ever event where Park took on Jerry Lynn from the ECW arena and transitioned that into our first match of the night.

La Parka defeated Shocker from the Manhattan Center in New York City in September 2002 (13:47)

Park suckered Shocker in for a slap to the face before they exchanged a lightening quick lucha-style back-and-forth pinfall/reversal sequence until nipping up to their feet simultaneously. Shocker kicked Park out of the ring and feigned a dive to the floor by hand-springing off the ropes and posing in the middle of the ring.

Park baited Shocker out of the ring and caught him with a boot coming in. A few moments later, he ran Shocker over with a hard shoulder block before he strut his famous strut across the ring. Park was dumped on the back of his head twice before being slingshot out of the ring and eating a springboard splash while on the floor.

A few moments and a swing in momentum later saw Park knock Shocker to the outside with a spinning heel kick and land a big corkscrew suicide dive. Inside the ring, he hit a big somersault senton bomb but only got a two count.

Park then brought a chair into the ring but ended up getting the chair dropkicked into his own face before being dumped on the outside. Shocker then went for a suicide dive through the ropes, but Park finally got him with the chair, mid-air, right between the eyes in a perfectly timed chair shot swing.

Shocker got his feet up when Park came off the top rope to give himself a bit of leeway, but Park then hit him with a dropkick when Shocker tried to come off the top as the match started breaking down. Park hit a missile dropkick but was crotched on the top rope moments later. Shocker then hit him with a big superplex from the top rope, a magistral cradle, a spear in the corner, and a Bronco Buster — but he couldn’t put Park away.

Park crotched Shocker with his boot on a second Bronco Buster attempt before heading to the top rope once again and won the match after hitting his signature springboard corkscrew body block.

– We saw some historical footage in the build to the next match between LA Park and Sabu, again from 2002. Park had attacked Sabu’s manager, Bill Alfonso, so when Park was talking to the MLW cameras he was jumped by Sabu and was spiked in the head for good measure.

Sabu (w/ Bill Alfonso) defeated La Parka from the War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in December 2002 (19:39)

Park threw a chair at Sabu’s face before the bell even rang, and that would have normally set the tone for the rest of the match, but they actually began with some chain wrestling as they both tried to gain the early upper hand. Park locked in an early Camel Clutch that Sabu escaped from, and rightfully so with it being one of his signature holds, and moments later to rub salt in the wounds he locked in his own version on Park.

They both found themselves on the top rope. Park was shoved off but landed on his feet on the apron and was still able to clothesline Sabu into the ring. Park missed a slingshot but rolled through and then ate a tornado DDT from Sabu. A second DDT was dodged and Park hit a spinning heel kick.

Park then launched Sabu head-first over the guardrail and into the first row. The crowd scattered as Park hit him with a chair to the head, whipped him into the rail, and then flew off the top rope and into the crowd onto Sabu with a huge crossbody.

Park then set up a table at ringside and rocked Sabu with another chair shot to the head. Park then set up Sabu to spear him from the apron through the table, but as he ran Sabu hit him with a dropkick to the knees that sent Park head over heels over the top rope and through the table.

Sabu got a pair of scissors and went to work stabbing Park in the forehead and ripping his mask away before dumping him into the crowd. Alfonso threw a chair to Sabu in the ring and Sabu then hit his chair-assisted top rope crossbody into the crowd on top of LA Park.

Park was bleeding heavily from his forehead as he slowly made his way back into the ring. Sabu pummeled him on arrival in the ring and went back to work on his forehead with the scissors. Sabu misplaced a middle rope slingshot, so Park hit a standing enzuigiri before setting up Sabu in a tree of woe and dropkicking a chair into Sabu’s face.

But Park then missed a spear in the corner and fell to the outside, only to be squashed by a somersault plancha over the top rope by Sabu. Alfonso helped set up another table at ringside for Sabu to hit his chair-assisted Arabian facebuster from the top rope and through the ringside table.

Sabu came off the top rope and ate a boot to the face, but Park only got a two count. Park went up top, but Sabu caught him and hit a springboard hurricanrana from the top rope and crushed him with a chair-assisted Arabian facebuster. Park kicked out, but a triple-jump moonsault moments later sealed the deal and won the match for Sabu.

Alfonso cut a backstage promo after the match and challenged Park to another match, but an angry Park jumped him and shoved him down, screamed at the camera, and then stormed off. 

From the extreme scenes of blood, guts, chair shots, and broken tables, we cut back to modern-day MLW and Marshall Von Erich was in his backyard chopping up some bamboo. This was the start of quick-cut mini promos from the Von Erichs, Myron Reed, The Dynasty on Zoom, Tom Lawlor, Mance Warner, and other MLW stars talking about their quarantine and lockdown adventures.

Lawlor had relocated the Filthy Dojo to his garage, Holliday has grown a mustache, Warner was out buying light beers, Savio Vega stood in front of a portrait of himself and called out Holliday, Lawlor and the Von Erichs bad-mouthed each other, and the show finished with LA Park telling CONTRA Unit to go f*ck their mothers.

Next Week —

MLW Anthology featuring Mance Warner.

MLW Fusion results: Two title matches in Tijuana

Posted on by Iain Oliver

Big Takeaways —

  • MJF & Richard Holliday defeated LA Park Jr. & El Hijo de LA Park to retain their MLW Tag Team titles.
  • The Crash Heavyweight Champion Rey Horus defeated MLW National Openweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone by DQ.
  • Jimmy Havoc will be in charge next week as he presents “Jimmy Havoc’s Slaughterhouse,” with two matches booked so far.
  • Oraculo defeated Black Danger and Ricky Marvin.

Full Recap —

MLW Fusion was in Mexico this week — the Auditorio Fausto Gutierrez Moreno in Tijuana to be precise. This was a collaborative show with one of their newest partners: The Crash Lucha Libre. AJ Kirsch was also debuting on commentary alongside Rich Bocchini.

Fusion opened with a video from this past Friday. Salina de la Renta bumped into The Dynasty outside the arena. MJF, Richard Holliday, and Alexander Hammerstone were bad-mouthing Mexico and luchadores, saying all the wrestling in Mexico is terrible and all luchadores are ugly (that’s why they wear masks).

De la Renta then called out Holliday saying his father/lawyer stopped a scheduled match between The Von Erichs and The Dynasty, so she challenged them to face Los Parks tonight instead. Before MJF or Holliday could make up another excuse, Hammerstone jumped in and accepted on their behalf.

Oraculo defeated Black Danger and Ricky Marvin in a three-way match (6:23)

All three seemed to come out to the Karate Kid theme “You’re the Best,” which gave this a bonus point from me.

Danger and Marvin double-teamed Oraculo early, with Marvin hitting a step-up kick and a DDT. Oraculo fought back on the outside and had a brief chop battle with Danger, but Marvin was soon back to regain the numbers advantage.

Marvin accidentally rocked Danger with a flying kick when Oraculo dodged the incoming attack. Oraculo rallied with a springboard Ace Crusher, a flying headscissors takedown, and an Asai moonsault to the floor. But he wasn’t done. Back inside, he hit a springboard hurricanrana on Marvin for a two count.

Marvin and Danger’s alliance disintegrated as Marvin took over control. He attacked the knees of both his opponents and then flattened Oraculo with a spinning cutter.

Danger hit a double underhook piledriver on Oraculo, but somehow Oraculo rallied moments later with a Canadian Destroyer and then caught Marvin coming off the top with a kick to the head.

Oraculo then hit a poison rana on Danger and finished him off with a 450 splash for the win.

– Kaci Lennox was backstage with Brian Pillman Jr. and Low Ki. Ki was talking to Pillman about his emotions and said that is why Pillman failed against Austin Aries last week. He said what Pillman has got himself into isn’t checkers, it’s chess. Pillman stormed off telling Ki he knows nothing about him.

– MLW cameras caught up with The Dynasty again. This time it was from earlier in the day and they explained why they were not wearing their suits. Holliday: “the poverty line would be lined around the corner trying to get some money from us.” MJF: “I don’t want to get stabbed… It’s Tijuana!”

They then heavily implied that Hammerstone had just bought steroids — legally — from the pharmacy, shouting “I can never have enough!” when MJF told him he had enough already.

– De la Renta then had some words for Jacob Fatu. She said both Fatu and LA Park were undefeated but it would be Park who will take Fatu’s MLW World Heavyweight Championship when they meet at Saturday Night SuperFight on November 2.

Josef Samael interrupted and said she has intelligence, beauty, and she craves power, before offering her a spot in CONTRA. De la Renta considered but chose violence instead. Speaking of violence, in walked Jimmy Havoc — who is the executive producer of next week’s MLW Fusion “because of Halloween or some bollocks like that.”

Havoc booked a Tijuana street fight between a member of CONTRA and a member of Promociones Dorado. Samael picked himself, and de la Renta told him she has “the right person for him.”

The Crash Heavyweight Champion Rey Horus defeated MLW National Openweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone by DQ in a title vs. title match (13:34)

The Dynasty caused the DQ in this great little match when it looked like Horus was moments away from walking away with both belts.

Hammerstone ordered MJF and Holliday to the back before he started overpowering Horus in the early going. On commentary, AJ Kirsch said Hammerstone was built like a “Shick Brithouse” moments before Hammerstone hit a stalling pumphandle fallaway slam.

On the outside, Hammerstone dropped Horus face-first on the ring apron but took too much time getting back into the ring and ate a suicide dive for his troubles. Horus then hit a leg drop from the middle rope for a close two count.

But — moments later — Hammerstone nearly took Horus’ head off with a huge lariat that turned the Crash Heavyweight Champion inside out.

Horus kept fighting. He fought out of a stalling suplex and then baited Hammerstone in as he toppled to the floor. Horus then brought the crowd alive again with an amazing somersault plancha over the corner ring post right down on top of Hammerstone. He then hit a slingshot splash and a high crossbody off the top for a close two count.

Horus went up top again for his 450 splash, but Hammerstone caught him and slammed him off the top. In very quick succession, Hammerstone hit a bicycle kick, a German suplex, and a sit-out powerbomb for another very close near fall.

Hammerstone missed a spear in the corner and ate a step-up kick. Horus then hit a springboard DDT for a two count. He shoved the ref for the apparent slow count, and as they were jaw jacking in the corner, Hammerstone came charging and squashed the ref by accident.

Hammerstone then got the visual three count after he hit a big boot and The Burning Hammer — a reverse/face-first Death Valley Driver — but the referee was still down. Hammerstone then realized the ref was down and brought a chair into the ring and clobbered Horus over the head with it. The referee groggily counted a slow one…two… but Horus got his shoulder up at the last minute.

Horus reversed a powerbomb into a Code Red for another close two, then KO’ed Hammerstone with a drop toe hold into the chair. He went up top and hit his 450 splash, but MJF and Holliday had run down to ringside. They dragged Horus out of the ring and put the boots to him for the disqualification.

– Video packages for Jimmy Havoc’s Slaughterhouse next week and Gino Medina’s upcoming debut later this fall aired before MLW hyped up the Saturday Night SuperFight matches for their PPV on November 2.

MLW Tag Team Champions The Dynasty (MJF & Richard Holliday) defeated Los Parks (LA Park Jr. & El Hijo de LA Park) w/ Salina de la Renta to retain their titles (8:54)

A good lucha rules tag match was this week’s main event, but the finish seemed rushed as it came out of nowhere.

MJF got on the mic before the match and had tremendous heat without saying a word. He told the Mexican crowd that he couldn’t wait until Donald Trump built the wall. Hijo then came back at them in Spanish to the delight of the crowd.

Hijo hit a backstabber on Holliday before he and his brother steamrolled Holliday in the corner with forearms and dropkicks one after another.

The Dynasty then took control for the majority of the match. They wore down Hijo with armbars and chinlocks. Holliday beat him down before MJF came in for an eye poke, a double suplex, a double Ric Flair strut, and a high-fiving tandem elbow drop.

The Dynasty were gyrating in front of de la Renta too long as Hijo was able to crawl and tag in his brother, LA Park Jr., who ran wild on the tag champs. He kicked MJF out of the ring, and with a little help from Hijo, basement dropkicked Holliday in the mouth. MJF then broke up a pin after a big splash.

The Parks’ double-teaming continued with a Samoan drop/rolling neckbreaker combo. The Dynasty were outside taking a breather when the Parks hit them with a pair of suicide dives.

But MJF tripped LA Park Jr. coming back into the ring, slamming him face-first on the apron and then head-first into the guardrail, while Holliday kicked the ropes low on Hijo behind the referee’s back. Holliday then hit The Market Crash — a gut-wrench powerbomb — onto Hijo and picked up the win out of nowhere with an MJF-assisted jackknife cover.

Next Week —

Jimmy Havoc is in charge as he presents “Jimmy Havoc’s Slaughterhouse.”

  • Jimmy Havoc vs. Damian 666 vs. Savio Vega
  • Josef Samael vs. ??? (from Promociones Dorado)

MLW Kings of Colosseum results: Tom Lawlor vs. Jacob Fatu

Posted on by Iain Oliver

The Big Takeaways —

  • Jacob Fatu defeated “Filthy” Tom Lawlor to win the MLW World Heavyweight Championship.
  • A Tag Team title ladder match will air on next week’s MLW Fusion.
  • Konnan returned and interrupted Salina de la Renta’s interview with Jim Cornette. De la Renta is holding a devastating secret over Konnan’s head and is threatening to reveal it to the world.

Full Recap —

 – Jim Cornette and Rich Bocchini welcomed us to this MLW special and ran down the card, which includes a live edition of the Jim Cornette Experience with Salina de la Renta.

MLW National Openweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone defeated Kotto Brazil to retain his title (5:39)

Hammerstone took the mic before the match and called the fans “inner city sweathogs” and called The Hart Foundation felons. MJF blamed Court Bauer for his headset not initially working as he joined Cornette and Bocchini on commentary. Richard Holliday and Aria Blake were around ringside too.

Brazil used his speed to his advantage in the early stages, including a headscissor takedown, a dropkick to the face, and a cradle. But it didn’t take long for Hammerstone’s power to come into effect as he launched Brazil across the ring and floored him with a pump kick to the jaw.

Hammerstone went for his Nightmare Pendulum finisher, but Brazil avoided it and hit a satellite DDT. Brazil then hit a big dropkick from the top rope and followed up with a frog splash from the top, but Hammerstone kicked out at one.

Brazil went to the well once too often and was distracted by Richard Holliday while he was on the top rope. Hammerstone joined him up there and hit a big delayed middle rope superplex. He then planted Brazil with the Nightmare Pendulum and picked up the win to retain his title.

MJF took the mic after the match and called The Dynasty the greatest faction in professional wrestling history. The crowd were chanting “Perro” at him, but he shot them down and challenged The Hart Foundation for their MLW Tag Team titles.

– We cut backstage to Simon Gotch, who warned Tom Lawlor that the last time they were in this arena, Contra Unit was born. He pointed out the door where Gotch led Lawlor to his ambush. But as he said that, the door opened — and there stood a newly buzz cut Tom Lawlor.

Lawlor beat up Gotch and slammed him into the door. Lawlor told Josef Samael and Jacob Fatu that he hopes they’re ready for their fight later on, because he is. He said tonight the door closes on Contra.

– We then saw an advertisement for MLW’s pay-per-view on November 2 in Cicero, Illinois.

Myron Reed defeated Rey Horus (8:22)

Jordan Oliver joined Reed at ringside and they had their “Justice” placards with them. It was a quick start to the match, with Horus sending Reed to the outside numerous times.

Horus looked to dive onto Reed throughout the match. Oliver distracted him on this occasion, which gave Reed the opportunity to get back into the ring and hit Horus with a step-up enzuigiri. Oliver then put the boots to Horus on the outside behind referee Doug Markham’s back.

Horus fought back and sent Reed to the outside. He was about to get his dive in when Oliver stormed the ring and sprinted at Horus, so Horus dropped down with the top rope and Oliver tumbled to the outside. Markham delayed Horus’ dive again, deciding to read the riot act to Oliver and Reed on the outside, so Horus launched himself over Markham, over the top rope and right on top of his two foes on the outside.

Back inside, Horus ended up hitting a springboard guillotine leg drop for a two count. He then went for a brainbuster, but Reed turned in mid-air and hit a cutter. Reed then followed up with a springboard 450 splash but only got a two count.

They exchanged forearms until Horus caught Reed coming off the ropes with a running Spanish Fly. Horus knocked Oliver off the apron, but the distraction was enough to allow Reed to springboard from the apron and land a big flying European uppercut that floored Horus long enough for Reed to pick up the victory. Reed is calling that the Louisville Slugger. He and Oliver put the boots to Horus after the bell.

– Georgia Smith was backstage interviewing her family members Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Teddy Hart. They accepted Dynasty’s challenge for their Tag Team titles — but made the match next week a tag team ladder match.

Smith Jr. then said he wants to give Brian Pillman Jr. the shot at defending the titles. He said you need to become fearless to become limitless — and he wants Pillman to take no prisoners against The Dynasty.

– Jim Cornette then interviewed Salina de la Renta. She immediately told him to address her as Miss de la Renta. She denied to answer when questioned about whether or not LA Park would cash in his title shot tonight.

De la Renta moved onto Konnan, saying his two “stars” are not here so he must suck at his job. She also said he must not be able to pleasure a woman, and that brought Konnan out to confront her. Konnan announced that he has another crop of luchadors that he has already signed up, so she can’t exploit them like she usually does.

De la Renta said this is typical of Konnan, but she has a little secret of her own. A secret that will bring Konnan to his knees, humiliate him, and end his career. She threatened him by saying if he wants to know this secret, keep trying her and she will spill.

– We cut backstage to a Dynasty photoshoot where Hammerstone revealed to MJF that The Hart Foundation have accepted their challenge — but under ladder match rules. MJF looked less than pleased to hear the stipulation and couldn’t stop Richard Holliday from accepting on his behalf. He ended up storming off, with the commentary team joking that MJF doesn’t like heights.

Jacob Fatu defeated “Filthy” Tom Lawlor to win the MLW World Heavyweight Championship (7:17)

Fatu was accompanied by only Josef Samael, as Lawlor took out Simon Gotch earlier in the night. De la Renta was sitting in the front row watching the action and keeping tabs for her Promociones Dorado member LA Park, who can cash in a World title shot at anytime.

Fatu didn’t let Lawlor enter the ring and it took Samael and referee Frank Gastineau to create some space.

They exchanged big right hands from the get-go — and it didn’t take long for the action to spill to the outside. Samael distracted Lawlor while he was on the apron and Fatu ran and sent Lawlor flying right on top of the security guardrail. Fatu tossed him around outside and choked him with a cable. He dropped Lawlor back-first on the apron, chest-first on the guardrail, and head-first on the ring bell.

Back inside, Fatu thwarted Lawlor’s attacks but missed a middle rope headbutt. Lawlor locked on a rear naked choke, but Fatu threw him off. He tried again and had better luck for a few seconds, but Fatu tossed him again. A spinning heel kick and a dropkick slowed Fatu some more, but Fatu squashed Lawlor in the corner on the third choke attempt.

Fatu caught Lawlor coming off the top and hit a big Black Hole Slam. Fatu then went for his triple-jump moonsault but missed. Samael was distracting the referee, so Lawlor went filthy and kicked Fatu below the belt. Lawlor then went for a sunset flip. He didn’t get the big man over and luckily moved at the last minute as Fatu went for the big sit-down splash.

Lawlor then hit his own Yes Kicks, but they still didn’t faze Fatu. Fatu hulked up to his feet, so Lawlor delivered some knees to the head and locked in another choke. But it was again to no avail as Fatu escaped after a few seconds.

Lawlor then went for an RKO style cutter, but Fatu put his hands on the mat and used a handstand to block it. Fatu then hit a back handspring moonsault but only got a two count.

Lawlor fought back with some Chop and Roll Express chops, fists, and a spinning clothesline in the corner. He went for another spinning clothesline, but Fatu met him with a superkick and a pop-up Samoan drop. Fatu then lined Lawlor up and hit his triple-jump moonsault to become the new MLW World Heavyweight Champion.

Fatu celebrated with his newly-won title as Cornette and Bocchini questioned the future of MLW with Fatu as their champion.

Next Week —

  • Teddy Hart & Brian Pillman Jr. defend the MLW Tag Team titles in a ladder match against MJF & Richard Holliday.

MLW Fusion results: Lawlor vs. Samael, Austin Aries in action

Posted on by Iain Oliver

The Big Takeaways —

  • Austin Aries re-debuted and defeated Adam Brooks in a good match.
  • “Filthy” Tom Lawlor and the Von Erichs are still brawling and fighting with Contra Unit — all of which builds to next week’s MLW World title match between Lawlor and Jacob Fatu.

Full Recap —

– Josef Samael and Jacob Fatu opened this week’s Fusion with a video package from Contra Unit. Samael hyped up his match with Tom Lawlor tonight and said he would soften him up for Fatu next week.

– In the arena, Rich Bocchini and Jim Cornette interviewed Marshall & Ross Von Erich after their impressive debut last week. They said they have Lawlor’s back, he can trust them, and they gave him their word and their word is their bond.

Austin Aries defeated Adam Brooks (12:02)

This was a good match that was given a little more time than usual. Bocchini reminded us that Aries competed in the opening match of the debut episode of MLW Fusion, defeating ACH. He then said Aries has been traveling the world since then, collecting titles and generally annoying promoters.

Bocchini later said some find Aries difficult, but the live crowd seemed to love him, giving him a loud “Austin Aries” chant to welcome him back. Aries looked trimmed down since his 205 Live and Impact Wrestling stints in recent years.

Aries used his signature headstand escape from a Brooks headscissors and followed with a dropkick to the mouth. However, Brooks (who was making his MLW debut here) was in control for most of the early exchanges, hitting a springboard cutter for an early two count.

Brooks went for a package stunner (with Aries on his back), but Aries slapped his ears and hit a shinbuster, an overhead suplex, and some ground and pound to take back control. A running forearm in the corner was then followed by a middle rope uppercut to the back of the neck from Aries.

Aries’ middle rope work continued with a neckbreaker across it, sending Brooks to the outside. He got the crowd going and went for a dive, but Brooks cut him off with a right hand. Brooks followed with a slingshot DDT, but he was too worn out to make the cover.

Both were feeling the effects of the match as we entered the 10-minute mark. Brooks hit a dropkick in the corner, but Aries soon rolled through and locked in his Horns of Aries bridging choke submission. Brooks made it to the ropes in time.

After a quick exchange, Aries hit a Death Valley Driver on the ring apron, which Cornette was quick to remind us is the hardest part of the ring — because, of course, after being told this after every apron bump we all immediately forget this fact and have to be reminded of it each and every time something happens there.

Aries then missed a 450 splash off the top as Brooks got his knees up. Brooks then followed with an over-the-head neckbreaker on the knee for a close near fall. He quickly went up top, but this time he missed as Aries got his knees up on a senton bomb attempt. Aries followed up with a discus five-arm, a running dropkick in the corner, and his signature brainbuster for the win.

After the bell, Kaci Lennox interviewed Aries in the ring as the crowd was chanting his name. He grabbed the mic from her and told her not to interrupt them and showed her out by holding the ropes open.

Aries said it was good to be home. He said that just because he hasn’t been on social media doesn’t mean he hasn’t been busy. Since leaving his “former employer,” he has set his sights on the war in professional wrestling. Not sports entertainment or “cosplay pro wrestling” — he called out those who have the costumes but can’t display the magic. He calls himself the last true magician of wrestling and he makes them all believe.

Aries praised MLW for their use of weight limits and divisions and admitted that he has been Heavyweight Champion in places, but he’s never been a heavyweight in his life. He proclaimed he is a middleweight and said that was bad news for Teddy Hart. He said people might think Hart is an asshole — but not compared to this asshole.

– We then had a Dynasty recorded message for the Hart Foundation. There were more subtle hints of Alexander Hammerstone turning against the two rich boys (MJF and Richard Holliday) by giving them looks of disgust and anguish as they bragged about their wealth. They had Hart’s Tag Team title belt in front of them after stealing it last week, saying possession is nine tenths of the law.

– Another Samael promo on Lawlor aired. The Savio Vega hype video from last week was shown as well.

Jacob Fatu defeated Ariel Dominguez & Sam Black (1:23)

Fatu bieled Dominguez across the ring, hit a superkick and handspring moonsault to Black, and landed a huge push-up Samoan drop on Dominguez and a hip attack in the corner on Black.

Fatu then piled his dirty laundry — I mean opponents — in the middle of the ring and squashed them — literally and figuratively — with his triple jump moonsault. The commentators questioned if this would be the fate of Lawlor next week.

After the bell, Simon Gotch and Josef Samael of Contra Unit joined the ring and beat down the two helpless competitors. There was no sign of Lawlor or the Von Erichs.

– Lennox was backstage with Salina de la Renta and asked her if she went too far with the loser leaves town match with Mance Warner and Sami Callihan. De la Renta explained that the ratings went through the roof, so she obviously gave the fans what they wanted.

De la Renta then questioned why they were talking about a “goat f*cker” when they could be talking about her. She finished by saying it must be so hard to see a 22-year-old in control.

– Warner had a recorded message for de la Renta and Promociones Dorado. He warned them that he is going to take all of them out.

Josef Samael defeated MLW World Heavyweight Champion “Filthy” Tom Lawlor by DQ in a non-title match (7:52)

We were told the Von Erichs were in Lawlor’s locker room and had his back if Contra Unit tried anything. Bocchini also told us that LA Park was backstage and watching on too.

They quickly went to the outside for some brawling. Lawlor — one half of the Chop and Roll Express — chopped Samael against the ring post. Back inside, Samael threw Lawlor chest and throat first into the ropes and took him down for an armbar. We had cut-ins with de la Renta and Ricky Martinez watching on. The commentary team were speculating if LA Park will cash in his title shot tonight or not.

We saw that Contra Unit and the Von Erichs were brawling backstage and keeping each other from ringside. Back in the ring, Samael took his spike from his boot and ran with it at Lawlor, but the champion moved and the Contra Unit maniac stabbed the turnbuckle instead.

After connecting with a spinning heel kick, Lawlor got disqualified for shoving the referee to the mat after he tried to stop Lawlor from going after Samael with the spike.

– Fusion went off the air with Lawlor and Samael brawling at ringside, and the Von Erichs, Fatu, and Gotch fighting backstage.

Next Week —

  • MLW World Heavyweight Champion Tom Lawlor defends against Jacob Fatu
  • Myron Reed vs. Rey Horus
  • “The Jim Cornette Experience” with Salina de la Renta

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: National title tournament semifinal match

Posted on by Iain Oliver

A Jacob Fatu vs. Barrington Hughes promo video opened up this week’s episode of MLW Fusion. Hughes is undefeated in MLW, but he has never met anyone like Contra Unit’s Fatu.

Air Wolf defeated Rey Fenix (9:48)

A surprise upset for Air Wolf as he put away one half of the former MLW Tag Team Champions. Jim Cornette told us Air Wolf wanted this more than he wanted to breathe, and Rich Bocchini said it could be a breakthrough match for Air Wolf.

It seems with All Elite Wrestling’s debut looming ever closer, MLW is looking for replacements to fill the hole the Lucha Bros will make if they leave full time.

They did chain wrestling to begin, which got the fans involved in dueling chants for both wrestlers. The tempo picked up after they traded chops, with Air Wolf being sent to the outside by an arm drag from Fenix coming off the top rope. However, Air Wolf soon sent Fenix outside himself and hit a running crossbody over the top rope to the floor.

Inside, Air Wolf hit a snap German suplex followed by a delayed version, getting a close two count. Cornette questioned if Fenix should have had a different game plan coming into this one and if he has maybe underestimated Air Wolf.

A jumping face plant/flatliner got Air Wolf another two count as he kept on top of Fenix, thwarting every comeback attempt by the Lucha Bro. They again traded chops while Fenix was on the apron. A moment of lapsed concentration gave Fenix the opening to smack Air Wolf in the face with a hard dropkick and momentarily change the momentum of the match.

With Air Wolf sitting on the middle rope, Fenix tightrope walked across the top rope and kicked him in the face. Air Wolf fought back with another suplex as the commentary team were surprised he was still in this match.

Fenix gave Air Wolf a step-up tornado kick while he was on the top rope. He then went for a Muscle Buster off the top, but Air Wolf slipped out and rolled up Fenix and got the surprise three count victory.

Fenix raised Air Wolf’s hand after the match as the commentary team played up the big win for Air Wolf.

– We then saw a graphic of a new arrival — Austin Aries is coming to MLW soon.

– Kaci Lennox was backstage with Salina de la Renta. De la Renta called out Mance Warner and Sami Callihan, saying they caused chaos last week on the show she was producing. She then challenged them to a match next week against Promociones Dorado and said she will bring the chaos to them, and the chaos will put them in the hospital.

Jacob Fatu defeated Barrington Hughes (0:30)

Cornette called this a match between a Samoan man-eater, and a man who eats everything else. This did not take long at all and sounded like there was a lot of crowd sweetening going on.

Contra Unit are on a collision course with MLW World Heavyweight champion “Filthy” Tom Lawlor, so it made sense to keep Fatu really strong heading into a potential match with the champion.

Hughes backed Fatu up in the corner with some chops and hit an avalanche. Fatu superkicked his way out of the corner, then hit a standing Hughes with a Whisper in the Wind style top rope corkscrew, which knocked Hughes down long enough for Fatu to get the three count.

– H2tv was up next. Teddy Hart thanked the Lucha Bros for handing them their MLW Tag Team titles and said he hopes they meet again in the future. He then called out MJF and called him a pansy and a momma’s boy.

Hart called Rich Swann awesome and he warned Brian Pillman Jr. about him for his National Openweight Championship semifinal match. Pillman said the Hart Foundation respects Swann, but he is not going to lie down for him. He said Teddy has a title, Davey Boy Smith Jr. has a title, and Pillman is coming to take the National title.

– Alexander Hammerstone had a recorded message for Gringo Loco. Hammerstone said he was concentrating on celebrating after he wins this National title tournament. There will be clubs, limousines, drinks, and MJF has even rented an elephant. Momma Hammer is coming, Papa Hammer is coming, Grand-papi Hammer too. Even weird Uncle Gary Hammer is flying in to celebrate. Gringo Loco isn’t putting the breaks on their celebrations.

– Ross & Marshall Von Erich have signed to MLW and will make their MLW debuts on June 1 in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

– Tom Lawlor was in his gym with a promo for Avalanche. He said he has been drowning his opponents in sweat, tears, and spit — getting filthy. The only abdominal snowman Avalanche needs to worry about is Lawlor.

Ariel Dominguez defeated Bryan Idol (4:07)

The 5’2” Dominguez was quoted as being the smallest competitor in MLW. He has been training with Lawlor — and it showed throughout this match. A guillotine choke helped him pick up a win and send him on his way up the ranks.

Idol took Dominguez out with a knee to the face and a single-leg dropkick. He suplexed him into the top turnbuckle and nearly landed on his head as he kept on the pressure. Idol got a close two count after a swinging side slam.

Dominguez rolled through a suplex, but Idol kept hold of him and hit a shoulder breaker for another two count. He then went up top and missed a big moonsault, which gave Dominguez the opening for his comeback. Dominguez fired up with a clothesline, chops, and a standing dropkick, flooring his opponent.

A suplex, roll through, and kick to the face got Dominguez a two count, but Idol got back into it with a big right hand. Dominguez fell to the apron but was able to springboard up and hit a twisting DDT. After a struggle on the mat, Dominguez was able to keep Idol locked in a guillotine choke and grab a leg long enough to pick up the win.

– Mance Warner and Sami Callihan cut a promo on Promociones Dorado and Salina de la Renta. They accepted the challenge to a tag match against Ricky Martinez & El Hijo de LA Park, but Warner said it wasn’t a tag team match, he was coming for fingers, arms, and legs.

Warner said de la Renta had stopped them beating each other up, so they are going to beat Promociones Dorado up instead. Thumbs and knee pads up…and down.

– The cameras caught up with de la Renta and Low Ki talking backstage. They argued about Ki’s contract being up for renewal. Ki was frustrated that the promoter is becoming the feature, and as de la Renta noticed the camera, she suggested they take their conversation elsewhere.

Alexander Hammerstone (w/ MJF and Richard Holliday) defeated Gringo Loco in a National Openweight Championship tournament semifinal match (4:55)

Hammerstone sent MJF and Holliday to the back before the match began. Cornette called Loco one of his guilty pleasures and an amazing athlete. He said Loco has added on muscle but it hasn’t altered his agility.

The story of the match was Hammerstone’s strength vs. Loco’s speed — and it was the strength that won in the end after a superplex and a Nightmare Pendulum to send Hammerstone into the tournament final.

Loco took the early advantage, hitting a standing moonsault and a spike headscissors takedown and knocking Hammerstone to the outside. However, Hammerstone had the dive scouted and met Loco with a kick to the face. Hammerstone then dropped Loco face-first on the apron on the outside.

Back inside, Loco fought back and hit a springboard moonsault to a standing Hammerstone for a two count. Loco used his speed to dodge an attack and hit a big back body drop. He then went up top again, but Hammerstone crotched him and joined him up in the corner.

The camera cut away on what could have been a dangerous tumble to the floor, but when we cut back Hammerstone hit a superplex off the middle rope. He then put Loco away with the Nightmare Pendulum to advance to the National Openweight Championship finals.

Hammerstone took the mic after the match and told everyone he is one win away from the National Championship. He said it didn’t matter if it was one win or 1,000 wins, he is getting it either way. Hammerstone said he is not a prospect — he has destiny and that is why he is the next National Champion.

Next week —

  • Brian Pillman Jr. vs. Rich Swann in a National Openweight Championship tournament semifinal match
  • Mance Warner & Sami Callihan vs. El Hijo de LA Park & Ricky Martinez

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: 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