Salina de la Renta is pregnant and from a storyline perspective, it could cause ripples within the operations of Major League Wrestling.
Salina revealed her pregnancy during the MLW ’24 Anniversary Show on June 22, weeks after the diabolical Cesar Duran dropped the bombshell that he was her long-estranged father. That shocking news was dropped during Battle Riot VI and de la Renta was clearly shaken by the family ties.
However, Salina decided to take the power in her own hands by giving Duran a belated “Father’s Day gift,” showing that Cesar was soon to be a grandfather. Duran showed astonishment but eventually displayed enthusiam for the prospect.
If fans had any doubt that Salina’s pregnancy was storylined-based, both de la Renta and MLW disregard such speculation with Salina actually revealing her baby bump online.
Duran did lean into the controversy of all by posting “what a scandal” on X.
Duran and de la Renta have been at odds for years on MLW programming as it’s been a constant power struggle between the father and daughter duo. At one time Duran was appointed as MLW matchmaker, but now strictly finds himself in a managerial role, just like de la Renta has been.
Salina just made her return to Major League Wrestling earlier this year and her contention with Duran culminated at Azteca Lucha, a sold-out show in Chicago. Both Duran and Salina had luchadores compete against one another in order to earn the rights to a mysterious key, but the battle turned to a stalemate. Now with it becoming a family affair, the drama will continue between the two talents.
The next event on tap for MLW is Blood & Thunder which takes place on July 12 in St. Petersburg, FL.
MLW is making waves in the Windy City following a five-year hiatus from the great wrestling city of Chicago.
Major League Wrestling announced yesterday that tickets for its upcoming AZTECA Lucha event on May 11 is sold out and it did so in historic fashion. The event has smashed the company’s all-time box office gate record. The league’s website did tell its fanbase to keep tabs in case the production set-up offers more space, but as of now there are no tickets available.
MLW CEO Court Bauer expressed his excitement for the news, noting that 2024 has been a good start for the promotion.
“Thank you, Chicago. To sell out the biggest arena we run is a huge triumph. This is a big milestone as MLW’s best year of business to date in the history of the league. From our Boss Fight Studios action figures selling out to arenas selling out, this is an unprecedented era for MLW. None of this happens without the fans’ support, the wrestlers’ work in and away from the ring, and the grind of our production team and front office. We’re all pumped to now bring it on May 11. Chicago and fans watching on TrillerTV+ are in for a very special night.”
If the name of the event didn’t give you the hint, the card for AZTECA Lucha is extremely lucha libre focused as Cesar Duran (formerly Dario Cueto of Lucha Underground) is in the middle of a power struggle with Salina de la Renta. The two promoters are waging war with lucha talent and up for grabs is a mysterious key that Duran currently holds possession of.
The headline match for the show is Mistico defending the MLW World Middleweight Championship against Barbaro Cavernario. Matt Riddle will also be taking on Joshua Bishop and Rickey Shane Page will put his National Openweight Championship on the line against Bad Dude Tito.
MLW is still making moves, and booking stories after their $20 million antitrust lawsuit settlement came in from WWE. Now, Salina de la Renta is signing her own talent.
Salina de la Renta of Major League Wrestling recently announced the “signing” of Bad Dude Tito, adding to her growing influence within the organization. In a social media clip, she presented a contract bearing the name Promociones Dorado, suggesting Tito’s affiliation. She also took a jab at Mistico for good measure.
de la Renta’s New Signing
Salina de la Renta’s recent actions are causing a stir. Major League Wrestling shared a video clip on social media where she announced the “signing” of Bad Dude Tito. In the video, Salina presented a contract bearing the name Promociones Dorado, suggesting that she has brought Tito into the group.
While addressing Mistico, Salina conveyed her feelings through a veiled gesture, offering flowers with a smirk as a token of her disdain. She expressed her dissatisfaction with Mistico’s success and warned Cesar, suggesting that their reign with the MLW Middleweight Championship won’t last long. With determination evident in her words, Salina unveiled her surprise, revealing the signing of Bad Dude Tito, leaving a challenge that has yet to be accepted.
“Mistico, I have a present for you. It’s flowers.[Laughs] I hope that you take these as a token of my hatred and despise. Congrats. You brought Cesar what he wanted. You guys have the MLW Middleweight Championship. But if I were you, and now I’m talking to you, Cesar, I would not celebrate so much because that won’t last long. Because while you were over there in Boyle Heights parting, I was grinding as always because this is my life. This is what I do 24/7. Oh, so I have a surprise for you too. [Pulls out a contract] What is this? It looks like I just signed Bad Dude Tito. [Laughs] So what are you going to do about that?”
WWE and MLW reached a resolution in the antitrust lawsuit that had persisted since 2022. The legal dispute, involving allegations of antitrust practices and talent poaching, concluded with a $20 million settlement.
A 10-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission confirmed the finalization of the settlement agreement on December 22, 2023. The filing outlined the lawsuit’s origins, noting MLW’s initial complaint on January 11, 2022, which accused WWE of meddling with MLW’s contractual relationships with certain media platforms. Allegations included anticompetitive behavior, violating the Sherman Antitrust Act and California law.
On December 22, 2023, the parties informed the court of a $20.0 million settlement agreement and agreed to voluntarily dismiss the case with prejudice, leading to its official dismissal on December 26, 2023. Although the lawsuit faced dismissal in February 2023, MLW refiled with amendments, leading to a judge’s denial of a motion to dismiss in June.
That $20 million settlement number was revealed as part of TKO’s earnings report. Now, MLW has a lot more money to spend.
SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more, in the pro wrestling world. Keep checking back for more updates!
The Melrose Ballroom in New York City was SOLD OUT and for good reason as Intimidation Games packed a punch with three promotions coming together under Major League Wrestling! Not one, not two, not three, but four titles were on the line in The Big Apple and the PLE starts off in a big way with World Middleweight gold!
MATCH 1
MLW World Middleweight Championship
Mistico (with Cesar Duran) vs. Rocky Romero (c) (with Salina de la Renta)
Rocky had a gameplan in place for this match, but it was saturated in disrespect as the champion attempted to get Mistico off his game by nearly tearing the challenger’s mask off his face.
The whole fight, which was full of many close calls, was teetering back and forth between both luchadors and even though Rocky tried to get Mistico off his game by literally ripping his mask, it didn’t deter the challenger from achieving his goal. He stayed true to his high-flying strategy and caught Rocky off-guard with his unbelievable headscissors to fujiwa armbar, causing the champ to immediately tap out!
WINNER and NEW MLW World Middleweight Champion: Mistico
Post-fight, Duran wanted Rocky to put his hair on the line in a hair vs. mask fight, but Rocky was not obliging.
MATCH 2
NYC Street Fight
The Calling vs. AKIRA & Jake Crist
AKIRA and Crist waste zero time in attacking Rickey Shane Page and Sami Callihan as they take The Calling out and then dive on top of them to the outside.
The battle lives up to the stipulation as weapons are certainly used with Sami resorting to paper cuts and RSP making the most of his brute strength. RSP was cagey throughout this entire fight as he used size and speed against his former tag partner in AKIRA. However, both AKIRA and Crist did have an unexpected ace up their sleeve.
It was reported that Raven was lurking in the Melrose Ballroom somewhere, but when Cannonball went to get the tables from underneath the ring, they got the Blue Meanie instead!
Boards were broken, but spirits weren’t as AKIRA almost relished in the challenge at fighting RSP and Sami. He nearly was about to get the win with The Death Penalty, but was fought off and Crist got tangled with RSP. Sami took the opportunity to low blow Crist and RSP got him in a backslide and 1-2-3!
AKIRA immediately goes on the attack to RSP and chaos ensues as the numbers games gets the advantage for The Calling. However, help is on the way as Jimmy Lloyd comes running down to help ward The Calling off! Sami wanted the trio to fight more, but sure enough, Raven appears on the big screen.
Raven asks that that Sami and RSP want to steal the name The Calling? Call his new faction The Response – “quote the Raven, nevermore.”
We see Tom Lawlor, MSL and Davey Boy Smith Jr are in the men’s bathroom and they feel it’s a good time to stake their claim for the World Tag Team gold. The Bulldog is relieving himself and doesn’t wash his hands as he makes clear it’s either “tap or snap” for Second Gear Crew.
MATCH 3
Bobby Fish vs. Alex Kane (with Mr. Thomas & Faye Jackson)
Alex Kane is clearly focused and needs to be tonight against a game Bobby Fish. Fish is very much feeling confident and shows it in his offense.However, both men are quick to lock up and they work the ground game. Kane starts off on the offensive, and even locks in the Fade To Black early. Fish may have got a cheap shot in and then focuses on the left knee. It becomes a target for Bobby.
He has Kane on the defensive quite a bit in the bout, but Fish a little too cocky and he gets taken to Suplex Island. Sure enough, Kane finds the right opportunity and chokes Fish out in the Fade To Black!
WINNER: Alex Kane
Kane gets on the mic to acknowledge the fans in NYC, but AJ Francis stops the celebration. He says that many fans don’t even realize BOMAYE came from Muhammad Ali, but ended up dropping a bombshell on the group. “Some people in your ranks, may not be as loyal as you think they are.” The crowd “ooo’s” at that one as both Mr. Thomas and Faye dismiss that notion.
WTF (Tom Lawlor & Davey Boy Smith Jr. w/ MSL) vs. Second Gear Crew (c)
WTF make it a point to try to take Manders out of the equation as DBS goes back to his hoss fight ways by delivering stiff elbows to the Corn Belt Cowboy. Matthew Justice rises to the occasion and splashes the sports entertainment out of DBS and Lawlor. However, once Manders gets back in, WTF take control. They go for the Hart Attack on Manders but Justice puls Lawlor out. SGC focus on DBS and hit him with a harsh spear and lariat combo. That’s curtains but Lawlor pulls referee Frank Gastineau out!
A table get presented and Lawlor is the one to fall victim to it. He gets Tornado DDT’ed by Justice through it in an amazing double team. Lawlor is twitching in pain as Manders covers: 1-2-no! MSL, who came in wearing a helmet to the ring, gets slugged by Manders. However, out comes Brett Ryan Gosselin and it allows DBS to grab the helmet and hits Manders with it. He gets covered by Tom Lawlor: 1-2-3. New champs!
WINNERS and NEW MLW World Tag Team Champions: WTF
The feed soon cuts and we see Mads Krule Krugger. He’s ready for one last war and he’s going to unleash his “new blood” into the league. “HAIL CONTRA!”
MATCH 5
NJPW World Television Championship
Bad Dude Tito vs. Matt Riddle (c)
Both Riddle and Tito are game for this fight as each competitor shows speed, athleticism and strength is shown. Suplexes are readily exchanged before kicks and strikes are exchanged. Tito gets the better of the exchange with a massive lariat.
Tito says he’s gonna rip Riddle’s head off. However, Riddle hits a fisherman’s buster and then follows up with a Broton Bomb for two near falls. “BRO” chants echo throughout the Melrose Ballroom.
Tito spinebusters Riddle down and hits a frog splash for his own near fall. More strikes are exchanged. Riddle goes on a flurry but Tito slows him down when he gets his knees up. Tito knows how to grapple and it’s evident in this match.
Hard forearms are traded between the two and then so are strikes and suplexes. Tito hits a blue thunder bomb and it’s a near fall. Only 15 minutes in this fight. Riddle manages to hit a package tombstone and it’s good for the pinfall win.
WINNER
and STILL NJPW World Television Champion: Matt Riddle
Salina de la Renta walks out with a bag of cash and issues the challenge to anybody in the back. Out comes a game Zoey Cannon from Boston. A quick boot to the corner then a massive roundhouse knocks Zoey out cold quickly. The ref calls for the bell.
WINNER: Janai Kai
We cut to Cesar Duran who is smiling proudly in his office with the Middleweight Title sitting in front of him. He issues a new challenge to Salina. He wants her best luchador in the War Chamber. Who will she chose?
It’s main event time.
MAIN EVENT
MLW World Heavyweight Championship
Minoru Suzuki vs. Satoshi Kojima (c)
It should be noted that Kojima hasn’t competed in MLW or NJPW since his last Major League match. However, these two men know one another way too well and Suzuki is sadistic in his gameplan, greatly torquing the leg of Kojima.
Strong style and fighting spirit is greatly shown in this fight, but sportsmanship is out the window as Minoru makes plenty of moments to taunt his longtime rival. Kojima does hit Suzuki with a Kojima cutter and a lariato, but doesn’t get all of the latter. However, the two-time champ perseveres and nails a crisp one on the undefeated fighter in MLW and gets the emphatic 1-2-3!
WINNER and STILL MLW World Heavyweight Champion: Satoshi Kojima
An interesting person was spotted at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, FL and that’s Salina de la Renta.
Fightful Select reported today that Renta was training at WWE’s training facility. However, it was stated that it’s unknown whether that consisted of in-ring, workouts, tryouts or promo class.”
The belief is WWE will or has offered her a contract as the company has shown interest in her in the past.
Dave Meltzer pointed out in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that she was closing her merchandise store at the end of the summer.
Meltzer wrote, “often that would mean someone has struck a deal with a promotion that won’t allow them to merchandise independently, but we’ve had no verification of her going to WWE.”
Renta is best known for her time in Major League Wrestling. Her contract with the promotion expired recently. She has been open about her options in the wrestling business as she publicly announced her departure from MLW.
She was the first female analyst to be on MLW Fusion’s Spanish announce team and served as an Executive Producer for an episode. Renta went as far as polling her followers on Twitter about which promotion she should join next.
Last night on MLW Fusion, the former Dario Cueto from Lucha Underground, now known as El Jefe, was revealed as the leader of Azteca Underground. Salina de la Renta had been abducted by one of El Jefe’s representatives and delivered to him in the show’s final scene. El Jefe informed Salina that he is building a new temple and this requires a sacrifice. While the camera cut away, it is assumed that Cueto made Salina that sacrifice.
According to comments Court Bauer made to Post Wrestling, the scene was Salina de la Renta’s send-off from the promotion. She is now gone from MLW.
“I think the character deserved a big prominent focus and a great send-off in the last scene of this era of MLW.”
MLW is looking to bring in some fresh names to its roster. They announced on Fusion last night a “2021 Draft” that will take place between now and MLW’s return on July 10th.
Salina de la Renta tweeted this out-of-character message about the end of her run with MLW:
“Nothing to cry about. Everything comes to an end and we’re grateful for those awesome memories. It’s also part of evolution and you gotta start somewhere, this the ending of a chapter in a book with many more chapters to come.”
MLW is on hiatus. The next show is scheduled for July 10th at Philadelphia’s 2300 Arena.
The season finale of MLW Fusion airs this Wednesday on YouTube. It will be the final first-run show for the next two months.
MLW boss Court Bauer recently announced that the promotion will take a hiatus until July, when the return in front of a packed house at Philadelphia’s 2300 Arena.
With the “Season Finale” show falling on Cinco de Mayo, MLW is teasing a big angle involving Azteca Underground.
This Wednesday is Cinco de Mayo!!! A day of grand festivities and consequences. 😈
Scheduled for this week’s show is Myron Reed challenging Lio Rush for the World middleweight title. Richard Holliday will also be in action although an opponent has yet to be named.
Azteca Underground
The Azteca Underground angle is expected to make a big impact in the promotion shortly. Last week on MLW Fusion, Salina de la Renta escaped from El Jefe’s handlers via helicopter after falling out of favor with the organization.
The Lucha Underground style faction has yet to reveal who “El Jefe” is but many are speculating it could be Dario Cueto. Konnan is expected to return to the promotion shortly as well.
MLW News and Notes
In addition to the Azteca Underground angle, MLW is said to be looking to freshen up its roster. PW Insider noted that the company is in the midst of negotiating with new talent. An MLW source stated the company is looking to have “a focus on bringing in high profile talent.”
Calvin Tankman is said to have impressed a lot of people in MLW as well. He had a high-profile match against Jacob Fatu for the MLW World Heavyweight Championship at Never Say Never.
The biggest match the company is building to continues to be Alexander Hammerstone challenging Jacob Fatu. It is rumored that this match could take place on a special event broadcast on DAZN.
A mysterious group known only as “Azteca Underground” has infiltrated Major League Wrestling. The group’s owner has never been named but is said to have a lot of money and is referred to as “El Jefe” frequently on Fusion. Azteca Underground has purchased Salina de la Renta’s “Promociones Dorado” faction.
Former Lucha Underground Champion, Mil Muertes, has arrived in the promotion as well. He defeated Savio Vega in an Azteca Jungle Fight on MLW’s special “Filthy Island” event. Muertes then returned to MLW on Fusion this week, attacking Alexander Hammerstone and stealing his National Openweight Championship.
MLW recently Tweeted out a link to the Azteca Underground website with a clip of Muertes’ attack on Hammerstone:
The Azteca Underground website has received some updates since it was first published. Currently, the mysterious webmaster is asking his followers to help with rental space:
Another section of the website states that Azteca Underground is hoping to uncover some lost artifacts:
Details of the artifacts is also included on the website:
So far, the only official members of Azteca Underground are Mil Muertes, Salina de la Renta, LA Park, LA Park Jr. and El Hijo de LA Park. Los Parks currently hold the MLW World Tag Team titles after winning them from Ross & Marshall Von Erich.
Salina de la Renta appears to be bringing some aspects of the cult-favorite show, Lucha Underground, into MLW. This started when she summoned former Lucha Underground Champion, Mil Muertes to the promotion. Recently in MLW, Salina’s Promociones Dorado faction was purchased by a mysterious group named Azteca Underground.
On MLW Fusion, Salina referred to the owner of Azteca Underground as someone very wealthy. Los Parks commented this week that they know who the owner is but are keeping the information secret.
There is a section on the Azteca Underground website labeled “The Proprieter.” It has a picture of someone standing outside a building from a distance. Some say the picture resembles the former Lucha Underground owner, Dario Cueto.
While the performer behind the Mil Muertes character owns the rights to it, it’s not clear if MLW would be able to use the name, Dario Cueto. They could just go with Cueto’s “El Jefe” nickname. The El Rey Network, which formerly aired Lucha Underground, has gone out of business, however.
Recently on Fusion, Mil Muertes defeated Savio Vega in an “Aztec Jungle Fight.” This match was setup after Vega refused an offer from Salina to purchase a share of his IWA promotion in Puerto Rico.
Major League Wrestling is coming back soon. New episodes of Fusion are expected to begin airing next month. Storylines for the promotion’s restart have been taking shape on episodes of MLW Pulp Fusion. One storyline involves Salina de la Renta being exposed as a spy operating on behalf of Contra Unit.
“For nearly two years the league, fans and athletes have all speculated and theorized on who could be enabling CONTRA to gain access to arenas with heavy security as well as access to MLW’s headquarters and production trucks. Now, all evidence points towards Salina de la Renta,” reads an MLW press release.
Salina de la Renta In MLW Storylines
In MLW storyline, Contra Unit is a faction that has taken over the company. The last episode before the pandemic featured members of the faction taking over MLW offices in New York. On a recent episode of Pulp Fusion, Konnan revealed that he discovered Salina has been working with the faction.
It appears that Salina de la Renta’s Promociones Dorado was struggling financially. Salina is believed to have owed a significant amount of money to the “wrong people” which may have led to her aligning with Contra Unit.
The 23-year-old from Puerto Rico now lives in the Orlando area.
“All options are on the table, including suspending her license to promote in MLW,” said Court Bauer.
Last year, Salina spoke with SI.com about being the first Latina to serve as an executive producer on a wrestling show.
“This is a sign of change. Not only for women, but for Latinos as a whole. We are often not in a position of power or influence in American wrestling. For MLW to encourage me, and others, to break barriers is important and yes, historic. It is a huge honor to be able to be the first-ever at something.”
Salina de la Renta is officially back with Major League Wrestling (MLW). According to MLW, she is now under an exclusive deal with the fight league.
As the founder of Promociones Dorado, she represents the top stars of Latin America in professional wrestling, other sports leagues, TV and film.
Salina de la Renta has managed some of Mexico’s top luchadores, such as LA Park, Pentagon Jr. and Rey Fenix. She is widely considered one of the most powerful and influential people in MLW history.
After a reign of dominance in MLW, de la Renta vanished when Promociones Dorado clashed with CONTRA Unit at Saturday Night SuperFight back in November 2019.
MLW Signs Streaming Deal With DAZN
The Empresaria made her shocking return on this week’s episode MLW Pulp Fusion. Check out her return at the conclusion of the video embedded below.
