MLW has added a Middleweight title match to their June television tapings.
It was announced today that Teddy Hart will defend his Middleweight Championship against Jimmy Havoc at MLW’s tapings in Waukesha, Wisconsin on Saturday, June 1. The tapings are taking place at the Waukesha Expo Center.
Hart is the second Middleweight Champion in MLW history. He won the title in a ladder match in December after MJF had to vacate it due to injury.
Hart also holds the MLW Tag Team titles with Davey Boy Smith Jr. Smith will face MJF in a singles match at the tapings in Waukesha, continuing The Hart Foundation’s storyline with The Dynasty (MJF, Richard Holliday, and Alexander Hammerstone).
Havoc returned to MLW over WrestleMania week, with Tom Lawlor retaining his World Heavyweight Championship against Havoc.
Lawlor facing Contra Unit in a tag match (Lawlor’s partners have yet to be revealed), Sami Callihan vs. Mance Warner in a falls count anywhere match, and the National Openweight title tournament finals are also set for the June 1 tapings, along with the MLW debuts of Ross & Marshall Von Erich and Adam Brooks.
– We open backstage with Salina de la Renta, flanked by El Hijo de LA Park, on the phone talking to someone about gaining an advantage at Battle Riot. She tells Hijo to go to “that place” they were talking about and give that person whatever they want. She then says, “Just when you thought Promociones Dorado was over, “We are back…bitch!”
– A recap from last week is shown when Teddy Hart was arrested for allegedly throwing a brick through MJF’s car’s window. We then see the 3-on-1 beatdown given to Brian Pillman Jr. by Dynasty (Alexander Hammerstone, MJF and Richard Holliday). Hart will issue an open challenge for his MLW Middleweight title tonight.
Daga defeated Ariel Dominguez (7:48)
Low Ki was on commentary as they were playing up a rematch between he and Daga. We get a recap from the last time Daga and Low Ki were in the ring together, complete with Low Ki trying to rip Daga’s ear off.
A big dropkick from Daga starts us off. Jim Cornette tells us Daga is not as quick as Dominguez, so he will need to hit some high impact moves to stop him. Daga stayed in control and began whipping him from corner to corner, connecting with a forearm, clothesline and slap to the face after each whip. An enzuigiri, superkick and lariat floored Dominguez for a two count. A standing moonsault also got a two count with Daga dominating the opening exchanges but Dominguez showing heart kicking out each time.
Dominguez fought back with a back elbow, flying clothesline, and a springboard DDT for a two count of his own. Dominguez low-bridged Daga and landed a springboard cross body to the outside. Back in the ring, Dominguez went for a second springboard DDT but Daga caught him. Dominguez slipped out the back and rolled through looking for a German suplex, but Daga landed on his feet and took back control with a right hand straight to the temple.
Daga planted Dominguez on the back of his head with a German suplex then impaled him on the mat with a big delayed DDT for the win. Daga confronted Low Ki at the commentary table after the match and officials pulled them apart before any contact could be made.
– We saw what happened after last week’s Fusion where Salina de la Renta was going to give a post match interview with LA Park, Ricky Martinez, Hijo and Low Ki, but out of nowhere, Mance Warner jumped Park. Eventually, the numbers game gave the advantage to Promociones Dorado as Warner was eventually beaten down.
– We then cut to Myron Reed with a selfie recorded message for Teddy Hart and his open challenge tonight. He says that if he gets a fair, unbiased official he will beat Teddy and take his belt.
– This week’s episode of H2TV had Hart, Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Brian Pillman Jr. together again. Teddy questions their “dynasty” name, and tell them that they have more years in the business than them, and that they have become diamonds.
Ricky Martinez (w/ Salina de la Renta) defeated Air Wolf (6:25)
Air Wolf immediately jumped in the ring and went for Martinez with a pair of head scissors, a dropkick, a springboard dropkick and then a big running crossbody over the top rope. On the outside, de la Renta got in Wolf’s face which gave Martinez the opportunity to take the upper hand but Wolf caught him with his own right hand to prevent it. Martinez pulled Wolf off the guardrail, smacking the back of his head in the process. After the quick start from Wolf, Martinez was in control jus like that.
In the ring, Martinez locked Wolf up between his legs and rammed his head repeatedly off the mat. A slingshot suplex nearly didn’t come off but Martinez powered him over and got a two count from it. Air Wolf had some hope when he caught a kick from Martinez, but the Sicario quickly turned that into a big neck breaker to floor the aerial luchadore again. Air Wolf did fight back shortly after and got a two count of his own after a 619 on the bottom rope and a springboard DDT.
Air Wolf landed on the back of his head again as he was on the top rope but Martinez kicked the back of his leg and Wolf fell to the mat. Martinez then picked up the three count after a pop-up knee to the chin.
– We saw a video package from Contra Unit highlighting their reign of terror so far in MLW. Jacob Fatu said how the mighty have fallen, how he has done things that God has turned his eyes away from, and that they will salt the earth with the ashes of their enemies.
– The Dynasty were backstage with a message for the Hart Foundation. They said they have shattered the illusion of the Hart Foundation and exposed the fraud that is Teddy Hart. Hammerstone said he saw Pillman shed a tear when Teddy’s necklace shattered last week. “Real diamonds don’t shatter…real diamonds like them, he said, adding the Hart Foundation are in for a real treat at Battle Riot as they will cement themselves as the most dominant force in MLW.
– New participants were announced for Battle Riot Friday of WrestleMania weekend: Avalanche Robert Dreissker from wXw, Jimmy Yuta, Rey Horus, Kotto Brazil, Ricky Martinez, Lance Anoa’i, Myron Reed, Richard Holliday, Rich Swann, Jordan Oliver, Leo Brien, Michael Patrick and Dan “The Beast” Severn.
– MLW World Champion “Filthy” Tom Lawlor had a recorded message for Jimmy Havoc. He described him coming over the pond bringing objects, staple guns, thumb tacks, pizza cutters, and anything he can get to have an advantage in MLW. Lawlor went on the say he has had one bump in the road during this past year, and that bump has been Jimmy Havoc. He said we haven’t seen Havoc since Tom sent him to the hospital, and he is going to be the one going to hospital again when they meet again in New York City.
– Daga was backstage where he told us he is looking for Low Ki and wants a rematch with him.
– Salina was backstage on the phone again, saying she sent him (Hijo) a long time ago and he should have been back by now. She bumped into LA Park and told him she couldn’t find his son. LA Park said he will handle it.
MLW Middleweight Champion Teddy Hart (w/ Brian Pillman Jr and Davey Boy Smith Jr.) defeated Myron Reed to retain (10:59)
They exchanged arm ringers with Hart flipping out of his. They then exchanged hard right hands before Hart hit a big powerslam, but began holding his ribs, still feeling the effects of the beating from MJF and Holliday a few weeks ago. Hart then hit a big powerbomb lungblower and a springboard moonsault but again grabbed his ribs and was not able to capitalize. He was not able to whip Reed off the ropes and was showing he was in a lot of trouble.
Reed took advantage of Hart’s injury by kicking and stomping at his ribs. Hart then took an Irish whip to the corner, face first like his uncle Bret, but tried to fight back with a German suplex, but Reed landed on his feet and kicked him in the ribs again to floor him. A big double knee facebreaker followed for a two count and we nearly had a new champion.
Reed threw Hart to the floor and launched him ribs first into the guardrail. He then hit a huge frog splash back in the ring and got another very close two count when Hart kicked out at the last minute. Reed got in the referee Frank Gastineau’s face as he argued the two count which gave Hart the chance to capitalize. He got Reed down to the mat and tried to apply an armbar, but couldn’t due to the pain in his ribs. He struggled to get to the middle rope and took too much time which let Reed hit a dropkick and then a big springboard hurricanrana back into the ring.
Reed missed a big springboard 450 splash as we heard that Promociones Dorado were freaking out backstage as they still couldn’t find El Hijo de LA Park. Hart finally locked in a hammerlock to Reed then planted him with a DDT. Hart could only get an elbow on top of him so Reed easily got his shoulder up from the pin. A neckbreaker set up Reed for a springboard moonsault but Reed got the knees up and Teddy kicked out at the last minute.
This infuriated Reed so he got into the referee’s face again. He threatened to hit him which gave Hart a final opportunity as Reed’s back was turned. Hart hooked him up and rolled him up long enough for the three count and the win.
– Backstage, de la Renta told us that Promociones Dorado was back as they had found Hijo. She was going to let him tell us himself but when he walked into the shot, he hit LA Park with a right hand. Hijo took his mask off to reveal Mance Warner underneath. We then went off the air with Warner and LA Park brawling backstage.
Chico Adams & Vertigo Rivera defeated Contra Unit (Josef Samael & Jacob Fatu) by DQ
MLW Tag Team Champions The Hart Foundation (Teddy Hart & Davey Boy Smith Jr.) defeated The Dynasty (MJF & Richard Holliday) by DQ
Full rundown —
Mance Warner joined Jim Cornette and Rich Bocchini at the commentary table for the opening match on this week’s edition of MLW Fusion.
Puma King defeated Hijo de LA Park (10:07)
On commentary, Warner played up the ongoing story between himself and Salina de la Renta’s Promociones Dorado. In a flashback to 2000 when Chris Jericho and Kane feuded after a spilled cup of coffee, this feud has kicked off with a spilled beer on last week’s episode of Fusion.
They started with a lucha opening sequence. They exchanged dives to the outside early on as de la Renta was getting involved and grabbing Puma’s legs from the get-go. Hijo hit Puma with a chair on the outside, which the referee seemed to let go.
The chair action continued in the ring as Hijo sat Puma in the corner. He set a folded chair between Puma’s legs, then swung and hit a home run with a chair right where the sun doesn’t shine.
As Hijo whipped Puma with a television camera cable on the outside, de la Renta asked Cornette and Bocchini why they were talking to “this redneck bitch” on commentary. Warner calmed himself down with a nice light beer and reminded us that his granny always told him not to hit a woman.
Puma King fought back with a good old-fashioned kick to the buttocks and a more flashy pair of tilt-a-whirl backbreakers. The referee was definitely letting the rules bend as Puma decided to take some revenge from earlier by repeating the groin-based chair shot spot Hijo delivered to him.
They exchanged near falls when Hijo hit a Code Red and then Puma soon after hit a pop-up powerbomb. Hijo hit Puma with a chair to the back while he was on the top rope, but Puma caught him and was still able to deliver a headscissors to bring him back into the ring. Hijo kept fighting with a step-up kick and a Spanish Fly from the top rope that got a close near fall.
After another de la Renta leg trip, Hijo hit a Gory Special reverse piledriver but didn’t go for the cover. Instead, he went out to the commentary table and spat at Mance Warner — who got up and spat right back at him!
As Hijo turned his back, Warner got Cornette’s world famous tennis racket and hit Hijo over the back with it. Warner rolled him back in, and Puma was waiting and hit a big double knee face breaker from the top and rolled Hijo up with la magistral cradle for the win.
Puma King and Mance Warner then shared a beer at ringside to celebrate.
– Backstage, we heard from MJF and Richard Holliday as they were impersonating The Hart Foundation. They were about to start really mouthing off, but we were interrupted by this week’s edition of H2tv.
– Brian Pillman Jr. was working out in the pool by his coach Davey Boy Smith Jr. Smith let MJF and Holliday know that — all joking aside — they are going to hurt them when they step inside the ring tonight.
– MLW World Heavyweight Champion “Filthy” Tom Lawlor was backstage with a pre-taped promo from earlier in the week. We were told that his “doctor” from last week was bogus and the real doc had confirmed this during the week.
Lawlor was coming out of the hospital and said he didn’t care what the doctors had to say — what they don’t know about is what is inside fighters’ hearts. Lawlor said that he wants to fight any of the three “bastards” from Contra Unit.
Lawlor said they tried to finish his title reign before it even started, but he is going to finish their MLW run before it begins. He told them to get ready to watch their world burn.
Chico Adams & Vertigo Rivera defeated Contra Unit (Josef Samael & Jacob Fatu) by DQ (1:15)
A very quick demolition squash for Contra Unit — even though they lost by disqualification. It was much more of an angle than a match, as it did not take long for Contra Unit to go to their usual tactics: foreign objects and demolition.
There was some really good old-school heel work from Samael and Fatu. They seem to easily be able to push the crowd’s buttons and rile them up to (almost) riot levels. Cornette certainly helps this along and helps create the riotous feel they are going for with this new unit.
Samael used his wrist tape to choke Adams while we learned that Fatu is from the famous Samoan family — but he’s the black sheep of the family and was not allowed to train with them.
Fatu got in a nice pop-up Samoan drop before Samael brought his spike out and was disqualified for using it to bludgeon the forehead of Adams.
Fatu hit two amazingly athletic springboard moonsaults from the corner onto Adams, but the real take home point came seconds later as Samael used flash paper to throw fire into the face of Rivera. The EMTs tried to then take Adams out on a stretcher, but the EMTs picked him up and set him up perfectly for Fatu to hit a third and final springboard moonsault.
A fan threw a water bottle at Samael — who opened it and threw it back at them. This opened the floodgates, literally, as the ring began being bombarded with bottles, cups, and rubbish of all sorts. Officials began to frantically calm both the fans and the wrestlers down and Contra Unit were quickly ushered to the back.
Cornette screamed that a fan had jumped the guardrail, but they cut away before we could see anything for ourselves.
– Matt Striker gave us breaking news that LA Park will be in the Battle Riot. He began running down other confirmed names: Sami Callihan, Hijo de LA Park, Rey Fenix, Brian Pillman Jr., Gringo Loco, Ken Kerbis from Israel, Pentagon Jr, Teddy Hart, MJF, Davey Boy Smith Jr, Ace Romero, Alexander Hammerstone, Minoru Tanaka from Pro Wrestling NOAH, and Low Ki.
– LA Park was backstage and said he is going to win the Battle Riot. Short, simple, straight to the point. Done.
MLW Tag Team Champions The Hart Foundation (Teddy Hart & Davey Boy Smith Jr. w/ Brian Pillman Jr.) defeated The Dynasty (MJF & Richard Holliday) by DQ (11:03)
MJF took the mic before the match and was trash talking Stu Hart, stomping on the ground and talking down to him saying he left his legacy in the hands of the “idiot” Teddy Hart. MJF said The Dynasty is better than them and they know it.
MJF rolled out and stalled at the start a couple of times and tagged Holliday in before making any contact with Hart. Holliday tried the same, but Hart turned and got his shot in on MJF and knocked him off the apron and into the guardrail.
The Hart Foundation took the early advantage with Hart hitting a Code Red and Smith hitting a double underhook suplex. Smith followed up with a 20-second delayed vertical suplex and Hart hit a Pillman-assisted moonsault from the middle of the top rope. MJF made a blind tag, and after a forearm to the back of the head, took back the advantage for The Dynasty.
On the outside, MJF distracted the ref as he rammed Hart into the apron, attacking his already injured ribs. He whipped him, hard, into the guardrail as Hart was having trouble breathing. Holliday went for a Sharpshooter, but Smith quickly broke it up with a pair of right hands. MJF then interfered with a pendulum piledriver and The Dynasty got a close near fall.
MJF locked in an abdominal stretch, but Hart fought out and hit a tornado Canadian Destroyer to knock both of them down. He was visibly coughing up blood as he tagged in Davey Boy Smith Jr. — who ran wild with a big boot, 10 punches in the corner, German suplex, uppercuts, chops, and a big biel on Holliday right onto MJF in the corner. He got MJF in a double chicken wing suplex for a close two count.
A big sit-out powerbomb by Smith on MJF got another very close two count as Holliday broke it up at the last minute. The Hart Foundation then went for the double-team Canadian Destroyer, but Alexander Hammerstone interfered with a chair and hit both Hart and Smith as the referee called for the bell and the disqualification.
Pillman tried to help but got laid out with the chair too. The crowd chanted “bullsh*t” as Hammerstone, Holliday, and MJF beat down The Hart Foundation. The three Dynasty members stood tall in the middle of the ring as Fusion went off the air.
Teddy Hart defeated MJF to retain the MLW Middleweight title
Full rundown —
– This week’s episode opened with H2tv with Davey Boy Smith Jr. talking about the culture and his time in Japan. He talked up the culture, technology, and the people, and he met a native and spoke a little Japanese with her.
– Matt Striker and Rich Bocchini welcomed us to South Philadelphia as they hyped up the main event between Teddy Hart and MJF, and also the debut of Alexander Hammerstone.
– We cut to a pre-taped promo from Salina de la Renta where she sarcastically congratulated new MLW World Heavyweight Champion “Filthy” Tom Lawlor for being equally as dumb as the fans. She said that Low Ki is entitled to a contractually obligated rematch and she wants it at Intimidation Games in Chicago.
Ace Austin defeated Rich Swann (5:10)
Swann continued his recent cocky attitude change throughout this match. He swaggered down to the ring as his in-set promo told us that there is nothing but electricity when he enters an arena, and he told us to get ready to party all night long. However, he was not ready for a party at the end — with Austin winning in surprising fashion.
Swann went for a handshake to start things off — but he pulled back and danced a little in Austin’s face to annoy him. They exchanged arm ringers and standing headlocks, but we were quickly interrupted by a graphic quickly flashing on the screen for “Contra” which also included the words “Operaciones,” “Nihilistica,” and “Armada.” The announcers made no reference to this as we sharply went back to the action.
Austin escaped from a headlock with a headscissors, but Swann cartwheeled out of it with no harm done. Austin responded with a cartwheel reversal of his own as they both started mirroring each other with leg sweeps, quick pin attempts, dropkicks, and finally a nip up.
Swann eventually got the advantage with a big knee to the gut, but Austin fought back with a takedown, kick to the back of the head, basement dropkick, and a clothesline splash in the corner (a la The Miz). He went for a springboard to the top rope, but Swann shoved him off the top to the outside to take back the advantage.
On the outside, Swann hit a stiff chop before rolling Austin back in. Austin tried to fight back with forearms and chops of his own, but Swann retaliated with more chops and a big high kick for good measure. The plucky Austin didn’t back down, spinning around and hitting a high kick of his own.
Both wrestlers then exchanged spinning back fists, kicks, and chops before hitting a pair of big boots that knocked each of them to opposite corners. Swann charged — but Austin hit him with a springboard knee to the face.
Austin took the opportunity of Swann’s positioning, climbed the corner to the top rope, and hit a big reverse splash and went for the cover. The referee seemed hesitant to count the three and stalled after the two count, but he eventually counted to three as Swann did not kick out.
Rich Bocchini entered the ring for a word with Swann, but before he could say anything, Swann smacked the referee and knocked him to the outside. He snapped and was screaming at the ref that it was a two count. Bocchini asked him why he has been a different person in the last few months, and Swann responded by punching him in the face too!
Swann went and grabbed the ring announcer and tossed him to the ground before making his way out of the arena.
Alexander Hammerstone defeated Ariel Dominguez (3:36)
Hammerstone made his MLW debut here in a very impressive outing. He was billed as 251 lbs and looked every bit of it against the smaller, quicker Dominguez. In an in-set promo, Hammerstone said that the future has arrived in MLW.
Hammerstone immediately grabbed Dominguez by the throat and backed him up to the corner. He got him up in a Gorilla press slam, but Dominguez slipped out. No worries for Hammerstone, though, as he just booted Dominguez right in the face and knocked him across the ring.
Hammerstone then deadlifted Dominguez around the waist and held him for a few seconds before tossing him with a German suplex, with Dominguez flipping in mid-air and landing on his face.
A hard right hand hit for Hammerstone. He began toying with Dominguez before raining down right hands and forearms on the ground. He hit a huge pumphandle delayed fallaway slam that the crowd wanted one more of — but Hammerstone picked him up, looking to comply with the baying crowd, and just dropped him to the mat. He told the crowd that they did not control his matches.
Dominguez didn’t give up. He crawled to his feet, but Hammerstone got him and went for a suplex. Dominguez managed to slip out. Hammerstone then ran to Dominguez in the corner, with Dominguez getting the boots up and going for a springboard. Hammerstone clobbered him with a big forearm in mid-air to halt any progress the Team Filthy member was making.
Hammerstone picked Dominguez up and hit a tall stalling suplex, catching him on the way down into a Side Effect slam for the win.
– Mance Warner was outside the building in a pre-taped promo for his first appearance on MLW Fusion. He was straight on point and wasn’t being paid by the hour as he pointed out his truck he has rented for the weekend and the car he has bought outright.
Warner called himself the Southern Psycho, the Eye Poke God, and the Master of the Pop-Up Headbutt. He told us we will see him soon as he will be in action next week.
MLW Middleweight Champion Teddy Hart defeated MJF to retain his title (11:14)
MJF took the mic before the match. Before he could say anything, the Philly crowd were telling him to shut the duck up — or something very similar. MJF said he is the fastest growing superstar in wrestling and if anyone still likes the old ECW, they are white trash.
MJF started trash talking Teddy Hart and calling himself the real Middleweight Champion, saying he never lost his belt. MJF told Hart, for the first time in his life, jailbird, to grab his nuts, come out without the Hart Foundation, and face him and show everyone why MJF is better than him and everyone knows it.
Hart came out alone, and it was revealed that the rest of the Hart Foundation were back in Calgary celebrating their 90 years of wrestling in the territory. Hart wanted a handshake as the match started, but MJF pie-faced him instead. He then invited MJF to get the crowd to chant for him but instead pulled his trunks down when he turned his back on him.
Hart then went for more crowd adulation — but MJF jumped him for the early advantage.
MJF threw him to the outside and Hart seemed to collide head-first with the corner of the guardrail. He slowly made his way back into the ring — but as he was stepping through the ropes, MJF distracted the referee and kicked the rope right between Hart’s legs. He continued his assault by ramming Hart into the corner and hitting an overhead exploder suplex.
MJF got a two count with a side headlock on the mat and kept it locked in while he jaw-jacked with the crowd.
Hart fought back to his feet and arm dragged MJF off of him. Hart then had his eyes raked but was able to jump through a whip to the corner, stand on MJF’s back, and land a seamless Code Red for a two count of his own. He then hit a big powerbomb lungblower and followed up with a huge moonsault for another close two count.
In the corner, Hart lined MJF up and connected with a big uppercut. MJF fought back and launched himself off the middle rope with a double foot stomp to Hart’s arm. Hart found himself on the apron, where MJF hit him with a delayed piledriver for a very close near fall. As Hart kicked out, MJF moved straight into an armbar — adding insult to injury by biting the fingers when the referee wasn’t looking. Hart got his foot to the ropes to break the submission.
They made their way to the top rope in the corner — and Hart was able to get the advantage via a good old-fashioned wedgie. MJF dropped to the mat and Hart hit a perfect Canadian Destroyer from the top rope, but the momentum from the move popped MJF back to his feet and right into the referee, knocking him down.
Hart picked MJF up and hit a hammerlock DDT and got a visual three count — but the referee wasn’t around to make the count.
MJF fell to the outside and came back in with a chair as Hart was trying to revive the ref. Hart turned just in time and kicked MJF below the belt. Hart used the chair under MJF’s chin and hit an electric chair lungblower followed by a middle rope corkscrew moonsault for the win.
– Backstage, Hart was making his way through the Gorilla position to be interviewed by Kaci Lennox — but out of nowhere he was attacked by Richard Holliday. MJF quickly joined him for the two-on-one beatdown.
MJF used a chair to the gut of Hart and they both took turns pummeling Hart with shots to the back and head. Holliday held Hart as MJF launched a bin at him before they both whipped him into a garage door.
MJF told Hart he hoped he learned a lesson. We ended the show with Hart writhing in pain on the ground saying that MJF and Holliday had broken his rib.
Next week —
Mance Warner makes his MLW debut against Jimmy Yuta
The first episode of MLW Fusion in 2019 opened up with a video recap of the shocking events that concluded last week’s Low Ki vs. Konnan match: Low Ki stabbing a foreign object into the back of Konnan before Tom Lawlor made the save and sent Promociones Dorado running.
Tony Schiavone and Rich Bocchini welcomed us to the show and hyped up this week’s main event of Teddy Hart vs. Pentagon Jr. and also mentioned we would be hearing from the injured Kotto Brazil.
LA Park (w/ Salina de la Renta) defeated Gringo Loco (12:19)
Bocchini mentioned that Gringo Loco has exclusively signed with MLW as he made his way to the ring. We had a cut-in promo from de la Renta during LA Park’s entrance saying her New Year’s resolution is a year of the revolution of violence in Promociones Dorado.
Loco was over with the local Miami crowd as they took turns working the corners to warm the fans up. After a cheap shot from Park, they immediately went to the outside and up through the fans for a bit of crowd brawling. Park used a sign from one of the fans as a weapon before they made their way back to the ring. He kept on the offensive with a hard clothesline before removing his belt to use on the hurting Loco.
Park had the crowd in his hands as he was using their enthusiasm for Loco against them with each belt shot to the back.
They went to the outside again — where Park set up two chairs seat-to-seat before powerbombing Loco on top of them. The crowd erupted in a “USA” chant as Park taunted them some more by draping a Mexican flag over his head and telling them to “suck it.”
Back in the ring, Loco fought back and hit Park with a huge springboard apron-to-ring middle rope cutter but only got a two count. He kept his momentum running with a tope con hilo to the outside.
They made their way to the entrance stage, but Loco suddenly made his way up the lighting grid at the side of the main screen in the arena. He steadied himself on the top, then lined up and dove off with a crossbody from the top of the lighting grid! The crowd appreciated it and gave him a “holy sh*t” chant, quickly followed by “This is awesome.”
After a slow start for Loco, he was giving himself a really good showing and looked to end the match by going up to the top rope — but he took too much time and missed a corkscrew splash. This gave Park the chance to get back into the match that he dominated so much of in the opening sections.
After some kicks in the corner, Park threatened the referee to stop getting in his way. As he turned to inflict more damage, the referee got physically involved and ended up restraining him by holding his arms back. This gave Loco an opening to kick Park, who fell back on top of the referee and flattened him on the mat.
Loco went up top and went for a frog splash, but Park moved and he squashed the referee instead. Park capitalized on the mix-up, and as Loco was checking on the referee, Park steadied himself and hit Loco with a huge spear for the win.
– Kaci Lennox was backstage with Kotto Brazil and wanted to know his side of the story regarding his injured eye. He said he was in the club in Miami and Ricky Martinez came out of nowhere and attacked him with a champagne bottle to the eye. Brazil said the doctor has told him he needs to wear an eye patch until it heals. He said he is coming for Martinez and he has only one eye, but it is on him so he better run.
– We saw another recap of last week’s conclusion of the Low Ki vs. Konnan match, and Tony Schiavone told us that members of Promociones Dorado have been fined the following amounts of money: Low Ki: $15,000, Salina de la Renta: $15,000, Ricky Martinez: $7,500, Hijo de LA Park: $7,500.
– There was a phone interview with Bocchini and Konnan where they discussed last week’s goings on. Konnan said he has a concussion, a possible punctured kidney, has blood in his urine, and is going through tests. He said what Low Ki has started, he is going to end.
– Low Ki was then backstage where he was trash talking Tom Lawlor and hyping up their MLW World Heavyweight title match in February. He called himself Genghis Khan and said Lawlor is no conqueror. He said he is going to tear Lawlor’s heart out in front of his children and make an example out of him. An example that no one will ever forget.
– We then cut to a recorded message from Fred Yehi. He was talking to Low Ki and said he is back after his three-month trip to Germany. Yehi said he has been keeping up to date with MLW and the goings on between the champion and Yehi’s teammate Tom Lawlor. He challenged Low Ki to a fight next week.
– Kaci Lennox was backstage, this time with Ace Romero. Lennox asked Romero what he is going to spend his $20,000 on. He said that he is here for the real prize, the ultimate prize, he is here for the MLW World Heavyweight Championship.
– We cut to Tommy Dreamer holding a Singapore cane. He was talking to Brian Pillman Jr. about the cane being a thing of beauty and how, when it hits you, the wood opens and cuts your skin. He said he was caned for real when he took 13 shots from the Sandman. He said Pillman does not know the pain that he is about to experience next week in their Singapore cane match.
Teddy Hart (w/ Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Brian Pillman Jr.) defeated Pentagon Jr. (11:16)
A hard-hitting but fast-paced encounter closed the first episode of MLW Fusion in 2019. We saw footage from last week where Pentagon was attacked by Promociones Dorado at the end of the show. Schiavone questioned if Pentagon was fully fit to be fighting Teddy Hart tonight.
The two wrestlers traded hard shots to open the match. Pentagon looked in control and was looking to suplex Hart out of the ring from the apron, but in mid-air Hart twisted and countered with a cutter across the top rope. He then followed up with a slingshot piledriver through the middle ropes that knocked Pentagon down to the floor.
Hart followed up with a huge moonsault off the top rope to the outside to kick off the high-risk action. On the outside, Smith Jr. and Pillman Jr. took turns holding Pentagon so that Hart could get some cheap shots in. But it wasn’t for long as Pentagon reversed a whip and sent Hart face-first into the ring post and got his revenge on Pillman and Smith with some kicks and right hands.
Back on the apron, Pentagon reversed a Hart piledriver attempt and followed up with an unbelievable and brutal looking Canadian Destroyer to the ring apron! Pentagon quickly rolled the limp Hart back into the ring and followed up with a package piledriver but, amazingly, Hart kicked out at two.
Pentagon then followed up with another astonishing aerial attack as he dove off the middle rope. Hart was bending forward getting back to his feet, and in one fluid motion, Pentagon planted his feet by Hart’s head, jumped, and hit another Canadian Destroyer. He dragged a lifeless Teddy Hart to the center of the ring — but again Hart kicked out at two.
A “This is awesome” chant from the crowd started up again as Pentagon hit some hard chops to the “woo” of the crowd. Hart evaded an attack in the corner and followed up with a dropkick to make an opening for himself. He took full advantage of it with a big moonsault for a two count of his own.
A neckbreaker was followed up with a huge middle rope springboard moonsault elbow drop — but again only received a two count. Pentagon then caught Hart in the corner and hit a hard superkick to the gut. He avoided some elbow strikes and in doing so wrapped Hart up before hitting him with a pumphandle slam, shifting mid-air into a modified Pentagon Driver! Hart kept himself alive in the match by just getting his shoulder up at the last moment.
Pentagon put Hart up on the top rope and looked like he was going for a German suplex — but Hart fought out of it, knocked Pentagon off, and hit a rolling senton bomb to take back the advantage. He then quickly followed up with a top rope Canadian Destroyer and a springboard moonsault for another amazingly close two count.
Both wrestlers looked out of gas as the referee started the double down 10 count. Hart stumbled to the corner and began climbing. He wearily dove off looking for a tornado DDT, but Pentagon caught him and floored him after an arm ringer.
Pentagon looked for an armbar, but Hart slipped out and hit a lungblower, a cradle DDT, and finally a power bomb lungblower to pick up the win and wrap up this amazing matchup.
Next week —
Tommy Dreamer vs. Brian Pillman Jr. in a Singapore cane match.
Kicking off two straight nights at the venue, MLW was at the Scottish Rite Temple in Miami, Florida on Thursday for a set of television tapings called “Never Say Never.” MLW will hold a live special on beIN Sports and tapings tonight.
– Tom Lawlor defeated Simon Gotch in a “no holds barred fight”
There were no ropes for this match and you could only win by knockout or submission. After the match, Lawlor cut a promo about challenging Low Ki for the MLW World Heavyweight Championship at MLW Superfight on February 2.
– Salina de la Renta and Ricky Martinez came out. De la Renta cut an anti-Miami promo, mentioning that it’s Konnan’s city. Konnan interrupted her and said he will become MLW World Heavyweight Champion by defeating Low Ki at Friday’s tapings.
– Brian Pillman Jr. & Davey Boy Smith Jr. defeated Tommy Dreamer & Barrington Hughes
Pillman pinned Dreamer after giving him a low blow with a cane. PIllman and Dreamer will face each other in a Singapore cane match at tonight’s tapings.
– Kotto Brazil defeated Vandal Ortagun
Ricky Martinez laid out Brazil after the match.
– Hijo de LA Park defeated DJZ
DJZ was making his MLW debut here.
– Dezmond Xavier defeated Andrew Everett
Xavier and Everett were both making their MLW debuts.
– Ricky Martinez defeated Gringo Loco
– Dragon Lee defeated Rich Swann
This was also Lee’s MLW debut.
– Ace Romero defeated Ariel Dominguez
Barrington Hughes came out after to have a staredown with Romero.
– Rush defeated Shane Strickland
Rush said he wants to face LA Park and is bringing Los Ingobernables to the United States.
– LA Park defeated Sami Callihan in a “falls count anywhere in Miami” match
– MLW World Heavyweight Champion Low Ki defeated Fred Yehi to retain his title
– Teddy Hart defeated Pentagon Jr.
Pentagon & Fenix were originally scheduled to defend their MLW Tag Team titles against the Hart Foundation on this show before Fenix suffered a groin injury last month.
MLW has also revealed that Pentagon Jr. vs. Teddy Hart will be the main event of the December 13 tapings. Pentagon & Fenix were originally scheduled to defend their MLW Tag Team titles against two members of The Hart Foundation (Teddy Hart, Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Brian Pillman Jr.) in the main event of the December 13 show, but Fenix is out of action for the remainder of 2018 due to a groin strain. The Hart Foundation will accompany Hart against Pentagon, and Pentagon will be accompanied by Konnan.
