With the show fast approaching, the lineup for Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIV continues to take shape.
Two new matches have been added to Saturday’s card with AEW/ROH wrestler Nick Comoroto making his Bloodsport debut against Simon Gotch.
The other is Timothy Thatcher taking on Slade. It will be Thatcher’s tenth match in the format (3-5-1) while it’s Slade’s second (0-1).
The show, taking place in New Jersey during SummerSlam weekend, will air live via TrillerTV+ with a start time of 1 p.m. Eastern.
Nick Comoroto is making his Bloodsport debut this Sat and waiting to great him is multiple Bloodsport veteran – Simon Gotch.
I'm sure Gotch will have no issues in trying to explain what this mat has in store for Nick but Comoroto isn't looking to be let in zm- he wants to smash… pic.twitter.com/lOUJfSCABh
Comoroto returned to the ring on AEW Dynamite this April after spending almost nine months out of action following hip surgery. Since then, he’s regularly competed on the indies. Nicknamed “Freak Beast,” he got his start in wrestling at the Monster Factory training school and was signed to WWE from 2019-2020, training at the Performance Center and competing at NXT house shows.
Gotch has a 2-5 record in the seven Bloodsport matches he’s participated in. He was formerly one half of The Vaudevillains in WWE.
Here is the updated Bloodsport lineup:
GCW Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIV (Saturday, August 2) —
The following are results and spoilers from Friday’s TNA Wrestling’s TV tapings from Orlando, Florida. The company returns Saturday night with another set.
These come courtesy of PWInsider.
TNA Explosion:
Rhino defeated Champagne Singh. Digital Media Champion Crazzy Steve attacked Rhino afterward to set up a future match.
Jason Hotch defeated Rich Swann. AJ Francis was on commentary and cost Swann the victory.
Laredo Kid defeated Jai Vidal
Jake Something defeated Shera
TNA Impact:
Nic Nemeth defeated Trey Miguel. Steve Maclin attacked Nemeth afterward and was joined by all three Rascalz members.
TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champions Decay defeated Mila Moore & Savannah Gore
Brian Myers defeated Kevin Knight. KUSHIDA came out to save Knight after Myers, Eddie & Alisha Edwards were about to attack him post-match.
Frankie Kazarian cut a promo about why he betrayed Eric Young.
PCO defeated Deaner. Big Kon attacked PCO afterward and left him laying.
Grizzled Young Vets defeated TNA Tag Team Champions Ace Austin & Chris Bey in a non title match
TNA X Division Champion Chris Sabin defeated John Skyler
Alex Shelley defeated Eddie Edwards (w/ Alisha Edwards). KUSHIDA and Knight aided Shelley as Myers and Edwards were about to attack Shelley.
Zachary Wentz defeated “Speedball” Mike Bailey. Wentz and Trey Miguel attacked Bailey afterward and were joined by Maclin when Nemeth and Trent Seven made the save.
Josh Alexander defeated Alan Angels. Alexander was attacked by a masked man in the stands who revealed himself to be Simon Gotch. Gotch wrestled in TNA in a single match back in 2006.
TNA World Champion Moose defeated KUSHIDA. A brawl between Moose, Edwards and Myers and Shelley, Knight and KUSHIDA then broke out.
Steve Maclin (w/ The Rascalz) defeated Trent Seven (w/ “Speedball” Mike Bailey)
A former WWE tag team is reuniting for the first time in over six years.
Matthew Rehwoldt & Simon Gotch, former NXT Tag Team Champions The Vaudevillains, will be in action for House of Glory in Queens, New York on Friday, September 15. The show is named Fallout and is taking place at the NYC Arena. It will air live on Premier Streaming Network.
Rehwoldt (formerly known as Aiden English) & Gotch haven’t teamed together since 2017.
Rehwoldt & Gotch revealed last month that they would be reuniting on the indies. Rehwoldt, who stepped away from in-ring action in August 2022, stated that he would be taking a few wrestling bookings this year.
Rehwoldt is a commentator for Impact Wrestling, calling the show alongside Tom Hannifan.
“The former NXT Tag Team Champions have set their sights on HOG’s tag team division,” House of Glory wrote. “Who will they face at Fallout? Stay tuned to HOG Wrestling social media channels for match announcements.”
Matt Cardona and El Hijo del Vikingo are among the other wrestlers who will be in action at Fallout.
John Morrison will make his Bloodsport debut as he takes on Simon Gotch at GCW Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 8.
The event takes place Thursday, March 31, as part of The Collective during WrestleMania Week. Morrison will compete under his real name (John Hennigan).
On Sunday, Gotch posted an eerie video online requesting a match with Hennigan, seen below.
“So I suppose this should be directed at Josh Barnett, Game Changer Wrestling, and Brett Lauderdale. I would like to offer my services to settle the debate of what John is going to be called inside that ring because I don’t think it’s going to be Johnny Bloodsport. I don’t think it’s going to be Johnny Game Changer, I don’t think it’s going to be John Hennigan. You give me the match and I promise, he’s going to be Johnny F***ing Morgue.”
— Simon Gotch / サイモン・ゴッチ (@deviousjourney) March 5, 2022
After Morrison accepted, Barnett made it official. He was announced for the card last week while Gotch (2-4) will be making his seventh Bloodsport appearance.
Two championship matches are set for the Wednesday, March 3 episode of MLW Fusion.
MLW has announced that MLW World Heavyweight Champion Jacob Fatu will defend his title against Jordan Oliver on the March 3 edition of Fusion. Fatu’s Contra Unit stablemates Simon Gotch & Daivari will also challenge for Los Parks’ MLW Tag Team titles on that episode.
Fatu attacked Injustice (Oliver & Myron Reed) as they came to the ring to face Gotch & Daivari on this week’s Fusion. The match never got underway as a brawl between Contra Unit and Injustice broke out. Reed took out Contra Unit with a dive to the outside, then Reed gave Fatu a superkick in the ring and Oliver jumped off the middle rope and hit a cutter on Fatu. Reed called Oliver the next MLW World Heavyweight Champion and Oliver said he wants Fatu’s title.
Fatu has been MLW World Heavyweight Champion since July 2019.
Los Parks (LA Park & El Hijo de LA Park) won the MLW Tag Team titles from Marshall & Ross Von Erich last month. In storyline, Salina de la Renta was the executive producer of that Fusion episode and made Tom Lawlor the special guest referee. Lawlor favored Los Parks throughout the match.
“Filthy Island” is the theme of next week’s MLW Fusion. An Aztec Jungle Fight with Mil Muertes facing Savio Vega has been added to that show. It will also feature Low Ki vs. King Mo in a no holds barred fight, Rocky Romero in action, and Dominic Garrini vs. “Mauna Loa.” Team Filthy claimed that Mauna Loa is a 14-time Polynesian Pacific Champion.
A third match for MLW Kings of Colosseum is now official as Simon Gotch vs. Jordan Oliver was announced Tuesday.
The show will air on YouTube and their various streaming partners on Wednesday, January 6th, at 7 PM Eastern.
Oliver’s Injustice faction has been feuding with Gotch’s CONTRA group for most of the year with Gotch choking out Oliver during a September edition of their Pulp Fiction segments. Oliver challenged Gotch to a match several weeks ago during a Fusion promo segment which will be their first ever match against each other.
The Colosseum event will also feature Oliver’s teammate and Middleweight Champion Myron Reed vs. the debuting Lio Rush and National Openweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone vs. Mads Krugger in another grudge match.
This will mark Oliver’s in-ring debut since MLW’s November restart while this will be Gotch’s second match as he teamed with World Champion Jacob Fatu in a losing effort to Tag Team Champions The Von Erichs.
– After joining their broadcast team earlier this month, Alicia Atout has officially signed with MLW.
It was announced today that Atout has signed a multi-year agreement with MLW. She’s working as a correspondent/interviewer and host for the promotion.
“Alicia brings a passion and quality to MLW broadcasts and coverage unmatched in the sport,” MLW’s Court Bauer said. “We are very pleased to formalize Alicia’s future with MLW.”
Atout, who has previously done work for Impact Wrestling and AEW, noted that this is the first contract she’s signed in professional wrestling: “HUGE NEWS!! I’ve officially signed my first ever contract in professional wrestling and it’s with @MLW! Damn it feels good having a place to call home.”
– A no ropes, no holds barred match between Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Simon Gotch has been added to the lineup for MLW’s Zero Hour tapings. The show is taking place at the NYTEX Sports Centre in North Richland Hills, Texas on Saturday, January 11.
Here’s the updated card:
Jimmy Havoc vs. Mance Warner in a no ropes barbed wire match
Ross Von Erich vs. Tom Lawlor
National Openweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone defending against Aerostar
Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Simon Gotch in a no ropes, no holds barred match
Marshall Von Erich vs. MJF (If MJF wins, The Dynasty will get a Tag Team title shot against The Von Erichs. If Marshall wins, MJF can’t challenge The Von Erichs for the titles again.)
Next month’s Opera Cup event will see CIMA make his MLW debut.
MLW announced this morning that Strong Hearts (CIMA, El Lindaman & Shigehiro Irie) will face CONTRA Unit (MLW World Heavyweight Champion Jacob Fatu, Ikuro Kwon & Simon Gotch) in a six-man tag match at the Opera Cup television tapings. In storyline, the match was set up after an incident that CONTRA Unit got into in Japan.
CIMA is signed to AEW, where his Strong Hearts stable has also been featured. Lindaman & T-Hawk vs. The Young Bucks will air on this week’s episode of AEW Dark.
Strong Hearts vs. Contra Unit is the first non-tournament match that’s been announced for the Opera Cup. The tapings are taking place at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York on Thursday, December 5 and will feature a one-night, single-elimination tournament.
TJP vs. Brian Pillman Jr., MJF vs. Alexander Hammerstone, and Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Shinjiro Otani have been announced for the Opera Cup tournament. There will be four opening round matches, with the final one yet to be announced.
LA Park is getting a World Championship shot at MLW’s first-ever pay-per-view.
At tonight’s War Chamber television tapings, it was announced that LA Park will challenge for Jacob Fatu’s World Heavyweight Championship at MLW Saturday Night SuperFight on November 2. The PPV is taking place at Cicero Stadium in Cicero, Illinois.
In storyline, LA Park is getting the title shot by cashing in the golden ticket that he earned by winning this year’s Battle Riot match.
Fatu became the MLW World Heavyweight Champion by defeating Tom Lawlor at Kings of Colosseum this July. Fatu then retained against Lawlor at MLW’s Never Say Never TV tapings, with Fatu getting help from his Contra Unit stablemate Josef Samael.
Contra Unit (Fatu, Samael, Simon Gotch & Ikuro Kwon) are facing Lawlor, Ross Von Erich, Marshall Von Erich & Low Ki in a War Chamber match at tonight’s tapings in North Richland Hills, Texas. That match will air on beIN Sports next Saturday (September 14).
LA Park’s Battle Riot golden ticket is back with its rightful owner as Bestia 666 defeated Mance Warner in a Mexican Death Match to return the ticket to Promociones Dorado.
Low Ki upstaged Ricky Martinez and Salina de la Renta again.
The Von Erich brothers defeated Contra Unit once again in anther wild red-hot brawl.
Full Recap —
Salina de la Renta opened up Fusion this week with an in-ring promo on Mance Warner. She said he has been running around with idiot’s luck, but his luck is about to run out. She brought out his opponent for this week — Bestia 666.
Bestia 666 (w/ Salina de la Renta) defeated Mance Warner in a Mexican Death Match (10:01)
Bestia victoriously represented Promociones Dorado here, which means that LA Park’s golden ticket is back with its rightful owner and Park can now cash in his title shot whenever he wants. Bestia picked up the win in this hardcore weapon-filled death match with a little help from de la Renta at ringside
The match began with a suicide dive from Bestia as Warner was making his entrance — and the wild action did not give up from there. They brawled around ringside, with Warner fish hooking Bestia with the ring bell hammer. De la Renta nearly had a collision with Warner when Bestia whipped Warner into the guardrail. A kendo stick was ruined over Warner’s back and Bestia’s head.
Warner hit a DDT on the ring apron before bringing out a wooden sheet and a pair of steel chairs. He put thumbtacks on the chair, but Bestia reversed him and threw him head-first into the tacks.
Inside, Warner had a trash can put over his head and was smacked with a steel chair a few times. He was then hit with the same can for good measure but was able to kick out at two.
Bestia set up the wooden board in the corner of the ring but ended up being speared through it. Warner then hit his running knee pad up/knee pad down but only got a two count.
As Warner was setting up his next devilish plan, de la Renta slipped Bestia something, then distracted Warner long enough for Bestia to throw powder in his eyes. A blinded Warner was then hooked up and driven through two seated folding chairs with a Muscle Buster, losing the match in the process.
– We saw a video of MLW correspondent Georgia Smith (Davey Boy Smith Jr.’s sister) and Alexander Hammerstone getting into a hotel elevator together and having a quick kiss before the doors closed.
– Kaci Lennox then met with Richard Holliday, Hammerstone, and Aria Blake of The Dynasty. She asked Hammerstone if the rumors of his relationship with Georgia were true, but Holliday changed the subject and Blake told her they had “no comment.”
– The MLW & Pro Wrestling NOAH working relationship was then announced via a video package.
– We then had a Contra Unit propaganda video. Josef Samael threatened the crowd by saying if he saw anyone try to start a riot like last time they were in that building, they will turn up the violence against the Von Erich brothers.
Low Ki defeated Ricky Martinez (4:17)
This was a rematch from a few weeks ago when Martinez let de la Renta down by being knocked out early in his match with Ki. Konnan was on commentary for this match, saying he has secrets involving de la Renta that she will not want out.
Martinez lasted longer here than in their previous match. He took Ki out early with a low dropkick and stayed on top for the opening moments.
Ki fought back and caught Martinez coming off the top with a rolling heel kick. Martinez came close with a facebreaker, but de la Renta began berating him, telling him to finish the job.
Konnan began taunting Salina with her cell phone that he has in his possession. Inside the ring, Ki got Martinez in the dragon sleeper, but de la Renta was screaming at him not to tap or she will end his career. Martinez ended up passing out, giving the win to Low Ki.
Angry at the outcome of the match, de la Renta left Martinez in the ring as she tried to get Ki back in her good books, but he left her high and dry.
– We then saw developments from Kotto Brazil’s online accounts showing that he is getting frustrated with MLW officials. We cut backstage to Brazil, Myron Reed, and Jordan Oliver cutting a promo on the referees and officials in MLW. They all say they want Justice.
– The cameras had caught up with “Filthy” Tom Lawlor earlier that day. He said he has been living a living hell. He isn’t happy that Fatu stole his title, but what Fatu didn’t steal was his soul. He wants a rematch with Fatu in New York City. He also challenged Contra Unit to a match inside the War Chamber in Dallas, Texas and told them to be prepared to be dismembered.
– Lennox then caught up with Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Teddy Hart and showed them the video of Georgia and Hammerstone. Smith Jr. was not happy and stormed off looking for his sister.
Marshall & Ross Von Erich defeated Contra Unit (Simon Gotch & Josef Samael) in an unsanctioned match (6:24)
Another wild tag brawl involving these four. There was a red hot crowd too that was firmly behind the Von Erich brothers as they defeated Contra Unit once again.
Contra tried their old tricks of instigating a riot with the crowd by inviting them over the barrier for a fight. Before they could, the Von Erichs entered and the fight was on.
The Von Erichs started the match off by coming off the top rope and applying stereo Iron Claw holds to Contra Unit. Contra fought out with eye rakes. Gotch was going after Ross’ knee while Marshall and Samael brawled and chopped each other on the outside.
Back in the ring, the numbers game played in Contra’s advantage as they started working over Marshall’s leg too. The Von Erichs fired up and hit a double dropkick on Gotch and a double running attack on both their opponents stacked in the corner.
Marshall then hit a huge moonsault off the top rope onto Gotch, but Samael made the save for his partner.
On the outside, Ross kicked a steel chair into Gotch’s face and brought it into the ring. He went to swing. Samael threw fire at the brothers — but Ross blocked it with the chair and then clobbered Samael over the head with his makeshift shield. Marshall made the cover and picked up the 1-2-3.
The fighting continued after the bell as Contra jumped the Von Erichs. Referees and officials came out to break up the fight, but it was to no avail. Riot police even came out to separate them, but the Von Erichs wanted to fight some more. Marshall & Ross’ music played throughout the post-match brawl.
Backstage at the gorilla position, Jacob Fatu took out some riot police with a steel chair and went after the Von Erichs as they came through the curtain. Tom Lawlor then appeared and began fighting with Fatu as the officials, referees, and police tried to break them apart again.
If you thought last week’s Sami Callihan vs.Mance Warner falls count anywhere match was crazy, wild, and chaotic — you ain’t seen nothing yet. The Von Erichs debuted and looked great, picking up the win for their team against Contra Unit in the main event.
Full Recap —
– We opened with a mock funeral for Sami Callihan and his MLW career, complete with a headstone in the middle of a graveyard. Narrated by Jimmy Havoc, he mocked Callihan for losing last week’s loser leaves MLW match against Mance Warner as we saw clips from the brutal match.
Havoc warned Warner that he will eventually end up the same too. At the end, the camera panned out to show Salina de la Renta and Havoc side by side, dressed in black like some modern version of the Addam’s Family. De la Renta ended with “Rest in peace… you warthog.”
Richard Holliday vs. Teddy Hart ended in a no contest
MJF joined Rich Bocchini and Jim Cornette on commentary for what seemed to be our opening contest. As Hart was making his entrance, he approached the announce table and confronted MJF. This led to Holliday blindsiding Hart and MJF and Holliday beating Hart down.
MJF hit Hart with Hart’s own Middleweight title belt, then MJF and Holliday ran off with said belt.
– We had a video recap of the Warner vs. Callihan match from last week, including the events leading up to the encounter with de la Renta. We then cut to a taped promo from Warner saying he was played like a fool and was used to get Callihan out of MLW.
Warner challenged Ricky Martinez, El Hijo de LA Park, and finally LA Park himself. Warner ended by calling out Jimmy Havoc, saying he has a head like a baseball and he is going to hit a home run and send it back to the UK. One-by-one Warner is going to take Promociones Dorado out.
Jordan Oliver defeated Isaias Velazquez (4:34)
Oliver is now paying homage to 1992 WWF by dressing in a full body orange “Nailz” jumpsuit. Luckily, he was rather more athletic than the Big Bossman’s prison foe and finished off Velazquez with a cutter off the middle rope.
Velazquez had a bright start, evading Oliver’s attacks, hitting a high dropkick, and connecting with a soccer kick off the apron. But Oliver then crotched him on the top rope and hit what initially looked like a springboard DDT, but he spun to make it a cutter — his first of many. Myron Reed appeared in the crowd with his #Justice sign that the commentators mentioned.
Velazquez came close with a springboard takedown out of the corner, but he then missed a double foot stomp from the top. That let Oliver hit a springboard stunner from the apron, then Oliver leapt off the middle rope for a cutter to pick up the win.
– We saw cell phone footage of Dynasty leaving the building, apparently with Teddy Hart’s Middleweight title.
Low Ki defeated Tom Coffey (0:10)
Ki picked up the KO win with the same running elbow to the face that knocked Ricky Martinez out last week.
After the bell, the cameras caught Ki coming through the Gorilla position. He told us that the top level athletes come here to MLW. He called out Contra Unit and told them the Pandora’s box that they opened is now coming for them. Ki said that they are now in the sights of “the professional.”
MLW World Heavyweight Champion “Filthy” Tom Lawlor, Marshall Von Erich & Ross Von Erich defeated Contra Unit (Simon Gotch, Josef Samael & Jacob Fatu) in a tornado tag match (7:42)
The Von Erich brothers made an excellent debut and looked outstanding in this wild and mental main event. The action was everywhere and was non-stop from the opening bell.
Contra showed their first signs of vulnerability as Lawlor and the Von Erichs matched them for brawling, brutality, and balls. Weapons were swinging, fists were flying, and Von Erich dropkicks were launching high into the air. Gotch took the pinfall loss after a back suplex assisted Iron Claw slam from the Von Erichs.
Gotch got nose-to-nose with a fan at ringside as Fatu tried to bait others to come over the rail and try their luck. Someone did try their luck, not a fan, but Lawlor as he gave them a taste of their own medicine and blindsided Contra and jumped them from behind. He was closely followed by the Von Erich brothers as the tornado six-man brawl got underway.
The Von Erichs applied the Claw holds to Gotch and Samael before Fatu made the save. Marshall and Fatu then went at it, with the Von Erich brother getting the better of the Samoan. Samael and Gotch joined in — and quickly the numbers game played in Contra’s advantage.
Lawlor had a rear naked choke on Fatu on the outside, but Lawlor ate the guardrail soon after. Fatu entered the ring with a chair, but it was bounced back off his skull with a Von Erich dropkick. Fatu was then sent flying with a double dropkick from the brothers.
The fast and chaotic start slowed down as the six brawled around ringside. Lawlor was suplexed on the apron multiple times and was then duck taped to the ring post.
Samael used a steel chair on the Von Erichs before getting them into the ring. Fatu hit his springboard jump-up moonsault off the top rope onto both Von Erichs as Marshall jumped on top of Ross to try and soften the blow.
A referee cut Lawlor loose and he appeared with a piece of wooden board and obliterated it over Fatu’s head. No hands up, no protection, full on exploding wood straight over the head. Fatu stayed on his feet, so Lawlor went “Filthy” and kicked him between the legs to take him out of the action.
Samael was taken out with wood to the gut from Lawlor and a dropkick from the barefoot Marshall, who sprang to his feet and called for the Claw. He applied the Iron Claw to Gotch, and with the help from his brother Ross hitting a back suplex, they Iron Claw suplexed Gotch down to the mat for the win in their MLW debut, handing Contra Unit their first official pinfall loss.
Contra did not give up after the bell. Officials came out to break up the fighting as Lawlor and the Von Erichs held their own. During the melee, MLW producer Alex Greenfield fell and hit his head. When he eventually made it back to his feet, he was floored again and choked by Gotch to the disgust of Cornette and Bocchini.
Ring announcer Tim Barr also took a right hand from Fatu as the action and brawling was spilling everywhere. Lawlor reappeared and choked Fatu with one of Contra’s spikes. Bocchini made the call of the night to perfectly describe the scene: “This is nuts!”
Fatu put a referee through a table and Samael smacked the ref with a chair. They then went after Bocchini and Cornette on the entrance stage as Lawlor and the Von Erichs celebrated inside the ring.
The Von Erichs and Contra Unit are set to face off in an “unsanctioned match” at July’s MLW television tapings in Cicero, Illinois.
MLW has announced Ross & Marshall Von Erich vs. Contra Unit (Josef Samael & Simon Gotch) in an unsanctioned match for the tapings, which are being called “Kings of Colosseum” and will take place at Cicero Stadium on Saturday, July 6.
After it was announced in May that they had signed with the promotion, Ross & Marshall made their MLW debuts by teaming with World Heavyweight Champion Tom Lawlor and defeating Contra Unit (Jacob Fatu, Samael & Gotch) in a tornado tag match at this month’s tapings in Waukesha, Wisconsin. That match will air on this Saturday’s episode of MLW Fusion.
Lawlor will defend his MLW World title against Fatu at Kings of Colosseum. Dr. Wagner Jr. & El Hijo de Wagner Jr. vs. LA Park & El Hijo de LA Park has also been confirmed for the show.
Ross & Marshall will team with MLW World Heavyweight Champion Tom Lawlor against Contra Unit (Jacob Fatu, Josef Samael & Simon Gotch) in a tornado tag match at MLW’s television tapings in Waukesha, Wisconsin on Saturday, June 1. MLW had been hyping that Lawlor would be bringing partners to the show to continue his storyline against Contra Unit.
Lawlor has been feuding with Contra Unit since the group formed and attacked Lawlor in March.
Ross & Marshall signing multi-year deals with MLW was announced last week. They are the sons of Kevin Von Erich.
Teddy Hart defending the MLW Middleweight Championship against Jimmy Havoc, Sami Callihan vs. Mance Warner in a falls count anywhere match, Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs MJF, the debut of Adam Brooks, and the finals of the National Openweight Championship tournament are also set for the June 1 tapings, which are taking place at the Waukesha County Expo Center.
The National Openweight title tournament finals will feature Alexander Hammerstone facing the winner of the Rich Swann vs. Brian Pillman Jr. match that’s airing on this week’s episode of MLW Fusion.
Ace Austin defeated DJZ in a Battle Riot qualifying match
Alexander Hammerstone defeated Isaias Velasquez
Ace Romero defeated Simon Gotch by DQ
Full rundown —
We had a video recap from last week’s action where Contra Unit attacked “Filthy” Tom Lawlor after the champ had successfully defended the MLW World Heavyweight title against Low Ki inside a steel cage.
Ace Austin defeated DJZ in a Battle Riot qualifying match (6:00)
Austin told us in an in-set promo that he is going to the Battle Riot as he always has an ace up his sleeve — and he certainly pulled one out here. A relatively short, but very good match between these two athletic middleweights.
Arm twists and wrist holds started us off. Austin went for a few quick roll-ups, but DJZ had his number each time. On the floor, DJZ blocked a soccer kick from Austin from the apron, but Austin escaped his grasp with a cartwheel before smoothly transitioning into the ring and back out through the ropes to connect with a dropkick to the face.
Still on the outside, DJZ whipped Austin to the guardrail, but Austin leapt over and into the crowd to dodge. DJZ followed up and launched himself over the rail with a flying shoulder block.
Back in the ring, DJZ hit Austin with a springboard back elbow and went for a forward roll into a DDT, but Austin reversed that into a gutbuster. He then sat DJZ on the top and from the apron leapt up and brought him into the ring with a reverse frankensteiner. Austin followed up with a leg drop from the top rope but was only able to get a two count.
DJZ was back in the match after hitting a double up-kick while flat on his back and then back suplexing Austin, twisting him in mid-air and landing him face-first onto DJZ’s knee. DJZ couldn’t believe he only got a two count, but he looked like he was getting closer to the win.
DJZ leapt to the top for another back elbow, but Austin transitioned in mid-air and planted him with a uranage. After an exchange of kicks and dodges, Austin found himself on the top rope and ate a powerbomb for his troubles.
Austin looked in bad shape as DJZ lined him up, forward rolled, and looked to finish him off — but as DJZ rolled and sprang to his feet, Austin met him with a standing blockbuster to pick up the victory.
– Salina de la Renta was backstage being asked about her plans, but she accidentally ended up covered in light beer when she turned and bumped into Mance Warner. De la Renta left pissed off, but Warner was equally as pissed as he had lost a cold one.
– Dr. Nelson Sweglar was then on the phone with Rich Bocchini saying Tom Lawlor has suffered fractured ribs, blood in his lungs, a swollen spinal cord, and a possible subdural hematoma. He is not sure when Lawlor will be cleared to return to the ring.
– Kaci Lennox was backstage with Mance Warner. He said that last week he got that W, hit that pay window, and got the cash. He called out Tom Lawlor — he wants his gold, LA Park — he will poke his eyes out through his mask, and Teddy Hart — he was locked up with him before and will go with him again in the ring.
– We had a pre-taped promo from Contra Unit member Simon Gotch next. He was angry that Ace Romero took his $20,000 after Romero beat him a few weeks ago. But tonight he will find out the difference between a man fighting for money and a man fighting for a cause.
– We were then shown a recording from earlier where Alexander Hammerstone was interrupted on the phone when talking about a “dynasty” backstage. Hammerstone was asked about competing in the Battle Riot and confirmed he will be in the match. Hammerstone said that he will win it.
– Ace Austin was backstage and told us that he will win the Battle Riot as he only needs one opportunity. We then saw a quick recap from Rich Swann’s recent attitude change.
Alexander Hammerstone defeated Isaias Velasquez (3:43)
Hammerstone continued his impressive start in MLW, but it wasn’t as clear cut as it seemed. Velasquez showed great potential here and could be a good hand in the middleweight division.
Velasquez came right out of the blocks hitting a dropkick, a high knee, and an enzuigiri. Hammerstone left his feet briefly when Velasquez low bridged him out of the ring, but any advantage was short lived as Hammerstone swiftly powerbombed his smaller opponent onto the ring apron.
Back in the ring, a pair of knees to the head knocked Velasquez to the mat and a huge overhead head-and-arm suplex sent him flying across the ring. Velasquez stunned Hammerstone, though, as the big man then missed a splash in the corner, so Velasquez did not give up and hit a step-up kick and a running knee to the head.
Velasquez’s momentum was short lived, and he was quickly crotched on the top turnbuckle as Hammerstone regained his composure. Hammerstone joined him up on top to hit a massive delayed vertical standing suplex from the middle rope and finished him off with his Nightmare Pendulum for the three count.
– MJF and Richard Holliday were backstage hyping up their Tag Team title match next week against the Hart Foundation. MJF was about to show us an after party “dynasty” style but ended up screaming at some runners about Beluga caviar. They said they are going to relax with a nice drive in their new wheels, which their parents had just bought for them.
– El Hijo de LA Park ran into Mance Warner backstage (who was still drinking where he met Salina de la Renta earlier). They had a quick confrontation and ended up brawling away out of sight. Brian Pillman Jr. swooped in to take the free beer Ol’ Mancer left.
– Matt Striker gave us an updated list of the Battle Riot competitors: Ace Austin, Low Ki, Pentagon Jr., Davey Boy Smith Jr., NOAH’s Minoru Tanaka, Teddy Hart, Alexander Hammerstone, MJF, Richard Holliday, and Ace Romero.
– We then cut to a recorded interview with the Hart Foundation from earlier this week. They were asked about MJF and Holliday’s tag team challenge. Smith said they were lucky that he wasn’t there when they attacked Hart two weeks ago — and he will break them when they step into the ring with the Hart Foundation.
– We were then backstage with Salina de la Renta again. Hijo de LA Park stumbled into the picture looking the worse for wear after his altercation with Warner. De la Renta got on the phone and told “Ricky” that she has a task for him.
Ace Romero defeated Simon Gotch by DQ (3:54)
A short match, but the post-match angle really developed the new Contra Unit and showed they really mean business. Romero looked good as always. For a man his size, he can do amazing things in and outside of the ring.
Gotch got a big boot and right hands in from the start, but Romero just ran him over and knocked him down. Romero then missed a splash in the corner but rallied and pounced Gotch right out of the ring.
The 400+ lbs Romero then unbelievably connected with a suicide dive through the ropes!
Back in the ring, Romero missed another big splash in the corner and Gotch took advantage with kicks to the back of the head. A “Where’s your mustache?” chant got Gotch’s attention for a moment as the announcers mentioned his change of appearance.
A step-up kick knocked Romero down, but it was only momentarily as he soon fought back up to his feet. Romero then picked Gotch up in an airplane spin position, but the referee called for the bell when Jacob Fatu and Josef Samael of Contra Unit hit the ring.
A three-on-one beatdown ensued when all three stomped Romero in the corner. Samael soon brought out a spike and drove it into Romero’s forehead! Samael continued to jam it into Romero’s forehead time and time again. Officials couldn’t get into the ring to stop them, and Bocchini and Jim Cornette were going crazy on commentary.
Contra Unit put coins in Romero’s eyes to send a message to the rest of the locker room. Cornette’s voice was rising and rising as he said fans were trying to rush the ring to get at Fatu and Samael.
Gotch finished by draping Romero in the Contra flag before eventually leaving the ring. We went off the air with EMTs in the ring attending to Ace Romero.
Next week:
The Hart Foundation defend the MLW Tag Team titles against MJF & Richard Holliday
“Filthy” Tom Lawlor defeated Simon Gotch in a “no holds barred fight”
The Hart Foundation (Brian Pillman Jr. & Davey Boy Smith Jr.) defeated Tommy Dreamer & Barrington Hughes
Hijo de LA Park defeated DJZ
Dezmond Xavier defeated Andrew Everett
Low Ki, along with Salina de la Renta, and Konnan continued the build to their MLW World Heavyweight Championship match next week
**********
We opened this week’s episode of MLW Fusion from the Scottish Rite Temple in Miami, Florida with Salina de la Renta and Ricky Martinez in the ring as they cut a promo. She called Miami hell as it is surrounded by demons, “fat old men,” and “broke ass marks.” But she said that is okay because it is Konnan’s city. She said they can dedicate one night to Konnan because 2019 will be Promociones Dorado’s year.
Konnan interrupted them and deliberately called Martinez by the wrong name before saying no wonder Miami is surrounded with demons — especially as de la Renta is standing in the middle of the ring. He said he is already in Low Ki’s head and he is going to take the MLW World Heavyweight Championship here in the greatest city in the world.
Low Ki defends his title against Konnan in a no disqualification match next week.
It was announced that Kotto Brazil was injured by a champagne flute exploding into his eye. Witnesses put Ricky Martinez at the scene.
We had a recap of last week’s ladder match where Teddy Hart won the MLW Middleweight title before cutting to this week’s edition of H2tv. This week we had Teddy Hart and Brian Pillman Jr. in their hotel room with their cats. They called out Tommy Dreamer for cheating in his match with Pillman three weeks ago.
The Hart Foundation called themselves leaders and a pack of lions. They said Dreamer and Barrington Hughes will be another team that fails to stop the Hart Foundation.
The Hart Foundation (Brian Pillman Jr. & Davey Boy Smith Jr.) defeated Tommy Dreamer & Barrington Hughes (7:03)
A nice, solid tag team match that helped continue the Dreamer vs. Pillman feud and played off the finish from Dreamer and Pillman’s singles bout three weeks ago.
We cut straight to the arena where Dreamer was making his entrance. Hughes and the Hart Foundation were already in the ring.
It looked as though Pillman was going to start things off with Dreamer, but he quickly circled and tagged out, shouting “not today, not today.” So Smith started off for his team and, after a quick exchange with Dreamer, took the advantage with a big body slam.
Hughes tagged in, with Smith going for an unsuccessful body slam on the huge 469 lb man. Pillman tagged in and was unsuccessful with shoulder blocks and ate a back elbow from the big man.
A succession of quick tags helped Dreamer and Hughes keep the advantage over Pillman. After Smith got a sneak kick in from the apron, the Hart Foundation took back the advantage and started their beatdown on Dreamer. They took their time methodically breaking down Dreamer, using classic tag strategies to distract the referee and choke Dreamer on the middle rope. Smith hit a delayed standing vertical suplex for a two count as the Hart Foundation continued their assault.
Dreamer was able to block a piledriver attempt and get some respite with a running cutter out of the corner. Hughes and Pillman tagged in after the double down, but Smith had to break up a pinfall attempt after a huge belly-to-belly suplex by Hughes on Pillman. Hughes continued his attack with a uranage on Smith and blocked Pillman when he tried to hit him with his cane.
Dreamer tagged in and hit Pillman with the Dusty Rhodes flip, flop, and fly right hands and elbow to the head. He then went for a piledriver onto Pillman’s cane, but as the referee was distracted trying to get Hughes out of the ring, Pillman hit Dreamer with a low blow using the cane and rolled him up for the pin.
During the count we saw Smith was holding Hughes, stopping him from breaking up the pin.
Highlights from last week’s Rush vs. Rich Swann match and Rush’s post-match brawl with LA Park were shown. We then cut to a backstage promo where Rush, in Spanish, hyped up his main event match with LA Park on April 4.
Hijo de LA Park defeated DJZ (7:28)
Both wrestlers were coming off of losing efforts in last week’s live episode of MLW Fusion, so both were determined to make up for it this week. It was Hijo de LA Park that got the win after some outside distractions from Salina de la Renta and a brutal package piledriver.
We started really smooth and quick with exchanges of arm drags, quick pinfall attempts, and flip reversals. Hijo tempted DJZ in for a handshake and even let him raise his arm in a show of respect, before clocking him with a clothesline and a superkick to take the advantage.
They went to the outside — where Hijo continued his attack with an atomic drop onto the guardrail and then the ring post. After chants from the crowd, he dropped DJZ groin first again onto the guardrail. Hijo then slammed DJZ onto the entrance stage before rolling him back into the ring.
De la Renta had made her way to ringside and was cheering Hijo on. DJZ fought back and hit a big springboard back elbow from the middle rope in the corner. This comeback was only short lived. As Hijo fell to the outside and DJZ was going for a dive, De la Renta distracted him and the referee, which allowed Hijo to hit DJZ with his belt to take back the advantage.
Hijo hit DJZ with his belt again, this time in front of the referee, but we received an explanation to why this was not a disqualification, as the belt counts as part of Hijo’s ring gear. DJZ looked to get back into the match with a reversal out of a back suplex. But after another roll through, Hijo hit a hard rolling German suplex for the first two count of the match.
DJZ then caught a handspring back elbow attempt and hit a codebreaker of his own, knocking Hijo to the outside. DJZ was finally able to hit a huge tope con hilo to the outside, followed up by a springboard splash back into the ring and a lionsault — but Hijo got his knees up. DJZ fell to the outside this time, and it was Hijo’s turn to dive through the ropes with a big suicide dive.
Hijo went to the top rope back in the ring, but DJZ stopped him and joined him up top — where he hit a top rope standing hurricanrana!
DJZ tried to continue his momentum with a rolling, jumping DDT attempt, but Hijo caught him, threw him off, and grabbed DJZ in a tilt-a-whirl before turning him into a package piledriver to pick up the win.
Cameras caught up with Konnan, with him talking about having the homefield advantage in his title match with Low Ki next week. He has held 17 championships all over the world. Konnan said he has never fought for a title in Miami and that winning the MLW Heavyweight title would make the dream of coming home even more special.
Dezmond Xavier defeated Andrew Everett (5:47)
A quick match with neither wrestler gathering much momentum. A spectacular looking finish from the top rope saw Xavier pick up the victory.
The match started similar to Hijo de LA Park vs. DJZ with some exchanges, a few roll-through evasions, and some flip reversals. Xavier hit a big dropkick, but Everett came back with a step-up enzuigiri and a big springboard senton for a two count. After evading an attack in the corner, Xavier hit a big superkick to the back of Everett’s head and followed up with a 619 around the ring post. Xavier tried to finish Everett off with a somersault splash, but rolled through as Everett moved out of the way.
After another step-up enzuigiri in the corner, Xavier missed a handspring backflip splash. That allowed Everett to hit a reverse Pele kick and a spike hurricanrana, which only got a two count as Xavier got his foot on the ropes to break the pin.
Everett then took too long on the top rope, allowing Xavier to hit a huge Pele kick that knocked him off the top. Xavier went up himself and hit a big corkscrew senton bomb for the the win.
We cut to Tom Lawlor. He called Simon Gotch a weasel, a loser, and a chump. He said Gotch has been making jokes, but he is going to choke him out and make sure he can’t make any more of them. The only thing that is going to be there is a referee to make sure Gotch doesn’t die when he wraps his hands around Gotch’s throat.
“Filthy” Tom Lawlor defeated Simon Gotch in a no ropes, no disqualification match (5:43)
This was a hard-hitting main event that saw Lawlor find his revenge after Gotch betrayed him weeks ago. The only way to win was by knockout or submission. Low Ki was also on guest commentary for this match.
They immediately went to the ground, with Lawlor trying to lock in a choke. Gotch reversed with an armbar attempt, but he didn’t get it locked in and kicked Lawlor off into the guardrail.They brawled with forearms, chops, uppercuts, and knees on the outside as Lawlor got the upper hand. Gotch reversed a suplex attempt and suplexed Lawlor back onto the ring from the outside.
Back inside, Gotch hit a hard knee when Lawlor shot in for a takedown. They exchanged hard shots in the middle of the ring and Lawlor hit a high head kick to Gotch. The referee was checking on them each time they were knocked down.
They both fought back to their feet. Gotch hit a big head kick of his own, but Lawlor used the momentum and grabbed Gotch and hit a German suplex out of it.
Gotch fought back again and hit two big running knees, but Lawlor was feeling the emotion of the crowd and fighting up, seemingly unscathed, until another Gotch kick to the head finally dropped him to his knees. Gotch went for a piledriver, but Lawlor was not giving up and rolled through it straight into a rear naked choke.
The crowd was chanting for Gotch to tap. Low Ki was shouting for Gotch to fight out of it, but it was no use. The referee checked Gotch’s arm, he was out, and the ref called for the bell.
After the match, Lawlor was interviewed in the ring and said he has been waiting seven months for a shot at Low Ki’s title. He asked if Low Ki fancies himself as a professional. He said Low Ki has been running from him for seven months.
Lawlor said it is going to be a fight in February and that you are looking at the new MLW World Heavyweight Champion.
Next week —
MLW World Heavyweight Champion Low Ki defends against Konnan in a no DQ match
