Major League Wrestling returns tomorrow in Philadelphia for Battle Riot III. The promotion will welcome back fans for the first time since the pandemic as they invade the famed 2300 Arena.
The show will kick-start a new season for the promotion, one that has been built up in recent weeks with an official draft. The show is officially sold out.
MLW announced today that the show will air at a later date on BeIN Sports.
What Is Battle Riot?
Battle Riot is similar to a Royal Rumble style battle royal with wrestlers entering at different times. In Battle Riot, 40 wrestlers will take part entering the ring in intervals of 1 minute. Eliminations can occur by throwing a wrestler over the top rope but also by pin and submission.
The winner of the match earns the right to challenge the MLW World Champion at a time and place of their choosing. Tom Lawlor won the first Battle Riot in 2018. LA Park won the second Battle Riot in 2019. The event did not take place last year due to the pandemic.
Battle Riot III Entrants
The entrants for this year’s Battle Riot are below:
- Tom Lawlor
- Alexander Hammerstone
- King Muertes
- Mads Krugger
- Richard Holliday
- TJP
- Myron Reed
- Marshall Von Erich
- Ross Von Erich
- Davey Richards
- Josef Samael
- Ikuro Kwon
- Simon Gotch
- Calvin Tankman
- Savio Vega
- King Mo
- EJ Nduka
- Gino Medina
- Lee Moriarty
- Shawn Daivari
- Bu Ku Dao
- Alex Kane
- Aramis
- Gringo Loco
- Zenshi
- Kit Osbourne
The 14 remaining spots leave plenty of room for surprises.
Richard Holliday vs King Muertes – Caribbean Championship
Azteca Underground’s Cesar Duran (the former Dario Cueto) has arranged for his King Muertes to receive a shot at the Caribbean Championship at Battle Riot. He’ll take on Richard Holliday under Caribbean rules, meaning anything goes. Duran is scheduled to be part of the tapings and will be live in Philadelphia to lead his mysterious faction. Muertes represents a significant threat to Holliday’s title.
Davey Richards vs TJP
Davey Richards is returning to the ring with MLW. He’ll take on TJP at Battle Riot III in a match that will have technical wrestling fans excited. TJP will be looking to deal a blow to Richard’s return while Richards will be looking to show the wrestling world he hasn’t lost a step.
MLW 2021 Draft Concludes
MLW has also announced that its 2021 Draft will conclude at Battle Riot. This could possibly mean many surprise new additions to the roster will be unveiled on the show.
Bunkhouse Brawl Pits The Von Erichs vs Team Filthy
This match was announced late last month, but no longer appears on MLW.com. It is not currently clear it is still taking place.
There is perhaps no bigger rivalry in MLW than the Von Erichs vs Tom Lawlor and his Team Filthy. That rivalry will continue at Battle Riot III when the Von Erichs take on Team Filthy in a Bunkhouse Brawl. Team Filthy cost the Von Erichs the tag belts earlier this year while the Von Erichs ruined Lawlor’s “Filthy Island” festival. This will be a brutal grudge match between two rival factions.