The wrestling world has reacted to John Cena’s announcement that his final match will come at WWE WrestleMania 41 in April of next year.

At WWE Money in the Bank 2024, Cena surprised the fans in Toronto with an unannounced appearance at the event. The 16-time WWE World Champion spoke openly about his career before sharing the news that he plans to retire from in-ring competition next year. The topic of Cena’s retirement has been broached several times in recent years, as John has been well aware that his days in the ring have been numbered for some time.

Reaction To John Cena’s Announcement

Cena’s announcement understandably had the wrestling world abuzz with many taking to social media to share their reactions. On Twitter, Baron Corbin made his claim to face Cena in what will be John’s final match.

Corbin isn’t the only Superstar with their eyes on John Cena. Former Raw Tag Team Champion Omos also wants a piece of Big Match John.

‘Filthy’ Tom Lawlor reacted to Cena’s retirement by using the same verbiage that John used to announce the death of Osama Bin Laden after WWE Extreme Rules 2011.

WWE CCO Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque, who spoke highly of John after Money in the Bank, shared a video of the pair backstage following Cena’s announcement.

Cena’s announcement has surpassed the realm of professional wrestling. On Twitter, the Orlando Magic wished John a happy retirement.

The MLB also praised Cena and thanked John alongside an image of the 16-time World Champion throwing a pitch.

John Cena Reveals Details Of 2021 Wrestling Retirement

This recap was originally written by SEScoops’ Dominic DeAngelo on MLW.com.

Atlanta is more than ready to riot as the historic Center Stage is sold out for Battle Riot VI. We first see Salina de la Renta enter the building after a brief interview with David Marquez and she arrived just in time for the World Featherweight Title fight to kick off the festivities!

MATCH 1
MLW World Featherweight Championship
Delmi Exo vs. Janai Kai (c)

This match was Kai’s toughest to date as a rejuvenated Delmi showed that she was studying tape of the champion Kick Demon and CONTRA’s latest member. Delmi actually had the champ dead to rights but Salina de la Renta came out to confront Cesar Duran who was at ringside and attempted to spray him in the face. Duran ducked and it caught Delmi in the face instead. Kai took advantage and dropped Delmi with a harsh boot for the 1-2-3.

WINNER and STILL MLW World Featherweight Champion: Janai Kai

Backstage we see David Marquez sitting with Emmy-award winning actor Paul Walter Hauser who made media waves in May announcing that he was entering the Battle Riot. Hauser is all types of ready and even has the “classic” WCW costume of Arachnaman for good luck. Ernest The Cat Miller, Jimmy Yang and ICP’s Violent J all come to introduce themselves to Hauser and as he’s rubbing elbows, a hand slips in and steals Hauser’s good luck charm!

• Actor Paul Walter Hauser Enters MLW Battle Riot VI

MATCH 2
Ritual Combat Match
AJ Francis vs. Alex Kane

The rules for a “Ritual Combat” match are simple: sit on the throne for ten seconds untouched and you are the rightful “King” of BOMAYE. The elders are introduced and needless to say the two names are legendary: it’s Teddy Long and Mark Henry!

The fight begins and Francis is quite dominant, putting his ruthlessness and strength to good use. Kane encounters some close calls when it comes to the ten count, but the former World Champion musters up the energy to stop it on numerous occassions. That’s even after being body slammed on an open chair and powerbombed off the apron! Even Mark Henry makes it known that he’s not all too enthused with AJ’s actions

Francis goes to finish Kane by setting up a table but it’s Kane who puts AJ through through it with a superplex! Kane walks up the entryway, sits on the throne, and AJ can’t answer the ten count!

WINNER and KING of BOMAYE: Alex Kane

Post-fight, both Henry and Long make it clear that Kane earned his throne the right way.

We see Mads Krugger and he promises that the new crusader in CONTRA Unit will shake the league at its foundation.

It’s World Title fight time. And we get to catch the first glimpse of the new World Championship!

MAIN EVENT #1
MLW World Heavyweight Championship
Tom Lawlor (with MSL) vs. Satoshi Kojima (c) (with Okumura)

Tom Lawlor literally came loaded for this match as the official pull out all sorts of foreign objects out of Lawlor’s gear. Due to that, he ruled that MSL must leave the arena within 10 seconds or he’d forever be banned from MLW! MSL fell on his way out and we’re off to the races.

Even without the weapons, Lawlor showed exactly why he was a former MLW World Champion as he had Kojima’s number greatly in this match, wearing the champ down with submission holds and hard strikes. However, Lawlor eventually got caught by a Lariato! One didn’t keep him down, but two did and Kojima fights through pain to retain once more!

WINNER and STILL MLW World Heavyweight Champion: Satoshi Kojima

Before we get to the Riot match, Salina aimed to seek out her revenge on Cesar Duran. She had some help pinning him down with Bad Dude Tito and it seemed like she had Duran dead to rights. However, Duran began singing Salina a familiar lullaby that clearly had the Bruja shaken. It was one her mother sang. Duran stood up and presented her footage on the big screen and we see photographs of a young Salina, then older photos of her mother – with a young Cesar Duran. Duran reveals that his happens to be Salina’s “papa” and de la Renta is a broken mess! Duran laughs manically as this throws a clear wedge in the ongoing power struggle between the two!

MAIN EVENT #2
Battle Riot VI

The first two entrants to this fight happen to be fitting. Entrant #1 is your World Middleweight Champion Mistico while entrant two is MLW original Jimmy Yang!

What a Riot this was as we had surprise appearances from the likes of CW Anderson and Scotty Riggs, and Tom Lawlor tried to enter on three different occassions as himself, The legendary Masked Assassin, and using Paul Walter Hauser’s Arachna-Man costume!

Speaking of Hauser really shined in the Riot. He actually eliminated Lawlor nearly upon entry and lasted a very good while until Sami Callihan took him out! Another newbie to the ring, YouTube sensation Chris Danger also showed up, actually hitting Violent J with a stunner and eliminating him!

However perhaps the biggest surprise of the Riot was the newest CONTRA member. Mads Krugger wasn’t lying when he said his newest soldier was earth-shattering as it was MINORU SUZUKI. No one was safe in the ring with Minoru running rampant. Suzuki even helped to eliminate last year’s winner, Alex Kane. After that, there’s only five remain as Riddle is ganged up on.Suzuki is a big threat but it’s Riddle who knees him out!

The final four ended up being Davey Boy Smith Jr., Timothy Thatcher, Matt Riddle and Sami Callihan. Riddle has to fight on the apron against Callihan and Smith and Thatcher joins on the apron to help him! Thatcher pulls Davey off but both men hit the floor are eliminated. Riddle ultimately ends up putting Sami down seconds later and he’s your Riot winner!

WINNER: Matt Riddle

This recap was originally written by SEScoops’ staff writer Dominic DeAngelo on MLW.com. 

If you thought the war was over – think again as War Chamber 2 commences down in St. Petersburg on Saturday night. Who began to get things on a roll but Cesar Duran as he unveils his newest acquisition, Virus. He’s looking to continue to keep Salina de la Renta off her game as she has Star Jr. ready for him to face.

MATCH 1
Virus (with Cesar Duran) vs. Star Jr. (presented Salina de la Renta)

The lucha style was in full effect on this match, but this battle was hard-hitting as Virus and Star Jr. slugged it out. Star floored Virus with a really hard shot, but Virus got some impact back with an extremely impressive avalanche bomb from all the way up top. That could have been curtains for Star Jr.

However, Star Jr secured the victory via submission with a modified leg and arm stretch. Virus had no choice and the ref called for the bell!

WINNER: Star Jr.

We cut to see World Titan Federation who expressed their enthusiasm in facing Alex Kane and Mr. Thomas. Davey Boy Smith Jr and Tom Lawlor have words for their opponents, but can they deliver?

Outside of the arena, there’s Matthew Justice and Bill Alfonso, daddy! The two make a perfect pair and Justice warns CONTRA Unit that he’s ready to continue their war.

MATCH 2
Brett Ryan Gosselin (with MSL) vs. Budd Heavy

It’s been awhile since we’ve seen Budd Heavy, but BRG doesn’t wait for any pomp and circumstance for the hometown Heavy as he immediately goes on the attack. BRG hits a massive lariat before hitting a spinning fisherman’s for the 1-2-3.

WINNER: Brett Ryan Gosselin

Post-fight, Gosselin makes clear he’s ready to make an impact in MLW and then takes a couple more shots on Heavy before he and MSL leave.

Salina de la Renta is elated as she’s with her mother and they’re making plans to celebrate about the big victory by Star Jr. tonight.

MATCH 3
MLW World Tag Team Championships
Alex Kane & Mr. Thomas vs. Word Titan Federation (Tom Lawlor & Davey Boy Smith Jr.) (with MSL)

AJ Francis joins commentary as Alex Kane aims early to take the champs to Suplex Island, but it wasn’t Lawlor nor DBS getting suplexed. Kane uses Mr. Thomas to toss into Tom!

WTF does slow the pace and isolate Alex Kane as DBS traps Kane in a modified Indian Deathlock. Mr. Thomas was figuratively and literally a big factor change in the fight as once he got tagged in he became an unstoppable force.

Unfortunately, Francis became a vocal distraction for Kane and the former World Champ took his eye off the prize. MSL slides in a tag belt to Tom and as Mr. Thomas hoists Lawlor up for a powerbomb gets smacked with the gold. Lawlor falls on top of Thomas for the pinfall W.

WINNERS and STILL MLW World Tag Team Champions: Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Tom Lawlor

Post-fight, we see WTF backstage relishing in their win as MSL shows that he happens to hold the new version of the MLW World Heavyweight Title. In comes Satoshi Kojima and Okumura. Kojima lets DBS know in Japanese that they’re coming for those titles in Chicago!

MATCH 4
Sofia Castillo vs. Zayda

The first part of this fight started out with Sofia and Zayda feeling one another out and attempting to wear one another down with fundamentals. However, Zayda underestimated Sofia who catches her in the corner then hits a beauty of a stunner on the ring apron.

Zayda attempts to reset and almost hits her “I’m Prettier” finisher, but Sofia breaks free. Zayda does end up catching her with the move and it’s good for the victory.

WINNER: Zayda

We see AKIRA, Raven, Jake Crist and Jimmy Lloyd. Raven makes it known that he created The Calling and tonight in War Chamber, he’s going to put an end to it. “Quoth the Raven, nevermore.”

MATCH 5
Timothy Thatcher vs. Matt Riddle

Arguably the most anticipated match of the evening – this rematch delivered. Thatcher and Riddle put on a chess match of hard hitting technique. Both men put their strength to the test and in turn, challenged one another’s endurance. Thatcher rocked Riddle hard with three straight European uppercuts and Riddle fired back with some unique submission attempts to take Thatcher off his game.

Riddle ends up rocking Thatcher enough by hitting his “Brostone” piledriver for the 1-2-3.

WINNER: Matt Riddle

Post fight, Riddle drops a bombshell that he does indeed plan to hold that MLW World Heavyweight Gold and he plans to punch his ticket by entering this year’s Battle Riot!

While Riddle is on cloud nine, the tone has changed for WTF. CONTRA has decided to set their sights on the Superstars as they one-by-one take out Richard Holliday, Davey Boy Smith Jr and Tom Lawlor!

MATCH 6
MLW World Heavyweight Championship
Bad Dude Tito (presented by Salina de la Renta) vs. Satoshi Kojima (c)

Bad Dude has pulled a page out of Minoru Suzuki’s book as he really brings it to Kojima and it’s clear Tito wants that World Title. Kojima is still fighting through injury, but the champ does look unphased by his ailments.

Tito not only has the size but the speed to get Kojima off his game, giving him very little window to get any offense in. However Kojima threads the needle by catching Bad Dude with a sudden Lariato and gets the 1-2-3!

WINNER and STILL MLW World Heavyweight Champion: Satoshi Kojima

MAIN EVENT
War Chamber II Match
Death Fighters vs. The Calling

Jake Crist is the first entrant into War Chamber which means The Death Fighters has the man advantage for starters! His opponent is someone he’s very familiar with in Sami Callihan. Before the bell rings, the two make it physically clear there’s no love loss between one another. Trash can lids really hammered that point home.

Callihan and Crist find one another outside of the Chamber and it doesn’t take long for Crist to don the crimson mask. The third man out is Akira, but The Calling get a jump on him and he’s down and out. This allows Rickey Shane Page to enter and rub salt in the wound to his former tag partner.

Crist does his best to weather the storm that is Sami and RSP and avoids a trash can lid shot. Thankfully, it’s enough for Jimmy Lloyd to enter to even the odds and he does just that with a steel chair.

Out next is Cannonball as the real estate for the two rings lessens with his presence. A bloody AKIRA finally comes to and gets involved but The Calling thwarts his efforts in a big way. They lay him out on a table and allows Cannonball to come crashing down on him from the top of the cage!

However Tampa Bay explodes when out comes Raven! He lays The Calling out with some stiff kendo stick shots and then pulls a page out of his arsenal by nailing a tandem drop toe hold onto a steel chair to Cannonball!

AKIRA gets to exact some really devastating punishment to the final entrance, Dr. Cornwallace as he throws a cinder block at a trash can, ramming the steel into the big man’s groin! The final fight finally commences but the violence amps up as thumbtacks get introduced. Both Cannonball and Jimmy Lloyd feel the effects of that. Lloyd also crashes through a door bridged across the two rings and Crist ultimately takes everyone out with a huge dive from up top.

The focus then gets on RSP and AKIRA. RSP has the death fighter sandwiched between a table and a door. RSP climbs the ropes and leaps
off to senton on top of AKIRA, but the latter moves and takes advantage! AKIRA nails a Raven Effect DDT and then uses a kendo stick to lock in a crossface on RSP! However, Jimmy Lloyd levels him up with barbed wire and RSP has no choice but to tap!

WINNERS: The Death Fighters

Post-fight, AKIRA gets on the mic and thanks everyone in the arena and at home. He says to believe in Major League Wrestling and trust the AKIRA way. Raven then gets on the mic and tells the fans that AKIRA is the future of pro wrestling!

We cut to see Salina de la Renta walking with her mother as Cesar Duran watches them, swinging the very key that’s at stake for Azteca Lucha in Chicago!

The return of The Rock during this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown has certainly had the wrestling world talking about this unique booking decision. 

On the February 2, episode, The Rock confronted his cousin Roman Reigns in the closing moments of the broadcast. Prior to this, Cody Rhodes spoke about what it means to ‘finish the story’ and added that though he’s coming for Roman Reigns, it won’t be at Wrestlemania 40.

The Wrestling World Reacts

Cody and The Rock shared an embrace during SmackDown, in what many have seen as confirmation that Rock will face Reigns at WrestleMania instead of Rhodes. Many online have disagreed with the idea, given Rhodes’ heartbreaking loss to Reigns last year and how his story has always been about winning the WWE Championship (now part of the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship) that his father never captured. 

On Twitter, Brandi Rhodes referred to her husband as a quarterback, indicating that he is a reliable hand that WWE can count on. 

Quarterback

— Brandi Rhodes (@TheBrandiRhodes) February 3, 2024

Mr. Money in the Bank Damian Priest of the Judgment Day found the situation interesting and is excited for WrestleMania 40. 

Interesting… #WrestleMania gonna be good! #Señor

— Damian Priest (@ArcherOfInfamy) February 3, 2024

Danielle Moinet, better known to WWE fans as Summer Rae, was far from pleased, stating that after two years of build, this twist doesn’t make sense. 

Imagine handing over your Wrestlemania match that you beat 29 other ppl for…AFTER a two year build

I’m all for twists & turns but make it make sense! Gosh I hope we are ALL wrong. I hope it all makes sense next Fri in a Rock Roman promo, that is if either of them show up to tv

— Summer Rae (@DanielleMoinet) February 3, 2024

Amanda Huber, who worked with Cody in AEW, used Dr. Cox from Scrubs to make her views clear on this twist. 

Mood.

?????? pic.twitter.com/3V52TT50jh

— Amanda (@MandaLHuber) February 3, 2024

Echoing Cody’s comment about taking everything from Reigns, Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful said that this storyline is doing much more harm to the American Nightmare. 

This isn't "taking everything from Roman." It's taking everything from Cody pic.twitter.com/YqMkFZ6pf2

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) February 3, 2024

Drew McIntyre used an old GIF of Cody to share his take on the situation. 

pic.twitter.com/ymFCuPgsPY

— Drew (@DMcIntyreWWE) February 3, 2024

Filthy Tom Lawlor suggested another way Cody could finish his story. 

Cody Rhodes should finish his story by winning the USA 2024 Presidential election.

— “Filthy” Tom Lawlor (@FilthyTomLawlor) February 3, 2024

Hopefully, we all get a clearer picture on this situation on next week’s episode of WWE Monday Night Raw. 

Game Changer Wrestling held its last event of the GCW Collective with Black Label Pro: Norm. The event was held at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas.

The main event saw Levi Everett vs. Big Beef in a Texas Death Match. The commentators acknowledged that the card changed due to availability or injury throughout the show. Wrestling legend Meng couldn’t make the event for unknown reasons. Black Label Pro wanted Meng to reunite with the Barbarian to face The Workhorsemen(JD Drake & Anthony Henry). Impact Wrestling talent PCO suffered an injury before the event.

The event aired on FITE and is available for $12.99 on Video on Demand. Wrestling fans can also watch all GCW Collective events for $139.99.

Black Label Pro: Norm Quick Results

1. The Barbarian defeated Calvin Tankman
2. Billie Starkz defeated Shazza McKenzie
3. EFFY defeated Charlie Haas
4. Kobe Durst defeated Jessica Troy
5. Warhorse vs. Big Damo
6. The Workhorsemen defeated “Speedball” Mike Bailey & Davey Richards
7. Anthony Greene defeated Alex Zayne, Blake Christian & Black Taurus in a Four-way Match
8. Kevin Blackwood, Carlos Romo & Titus Alexander defeated Violence is Forever(Kevin Ku & Dominic Garrini) & Tom Lawlor. After the match, Violence is Forever attacked Lawlor and Blackwood returned to the ring to help Lawler.
9. Kody Lane defeated Dan the Dad, Devon Monroe, Jody Threat, Puf and Shane Sabre
10. Levi Everett defeated Big Beef

Overall Thoughts on Black Label Pro: Norm

The event had some fun matches despite the changes in the card. Some of the changes worked out better, like The Workhorsemen vs. Bailey and Davey Richards. Both teams worked hard and could be considered one of the best matches of the show. Bailey and Richards worked well together and could be a tremendous tag-team for other independent wrestling promotions.

Another standout match was the Four-way Match. It had a good blend of comedy spots, high-flying action, and physicality. The Barbarian vs. Calvin Tankman match was solid, but fans may be disappointed that Meng couldn’t attend the show. Regardless, the final event of GCW Collective delivered a good show.

Tom Lawlor has spoken out after his MLW contract has wrapped up.

Lawlor made the transition from the MMA world to the wrestling industry back in 2014. At the time, he was still fighting but he began to find success inside the squared circle. In 2017, he signed with MLW.

Lawlor’s true breakthrough in wrestling was with MLW. He captured the promotion’s World Heavyweight Championship. His hard work earned him a spot on the NJPW Strong show. He is the current NJPW Strong Openweight Champion.

Tom Lawlor Says Goodbye To MLW

Fightful first dropped the report that Tom Lawlor would not re-sign with MLW. Lawlor took to his Twitter account to confirm the news.

“As of today, I am a free agent in the world of professional wrestling. Thank you to MLW, Court Bauer, Mister Saint Laurent, and beIN Sports for the time & effort they put in with me. But mostly I’d like to thank the MLW staff, wrestlers past & present, and fans for the 4 years of memories!”

Time will tell what’s next for Lawlor. For now, he’ll continue to be a fighting champion on NJPW Strong. SEScoops will keep you posted on the future of Tom Lawlor.

Former MLW world heavyweight champion “Filthy” Tom Lawlor is on his way out of the promotion after his recent casket match, according to latest report.

After a successful run with Court Bauer’s fight league, Lawlor’s two-year contract with the company is expiring soon. The UFC fighter turned pro wrestler is planning to leave MLW when his contract is up, according to a report by Fightful.

Lawlor has already been written off TV with his recent casket match against King Muertes. The bout saw Tom losing to the current Caribbean heavyweight champion.

Sources within the company have confirmed the departure of the veteran talent as well. According to the site, they all spoke very highly of the former champion.

Filthy Tom Lawlor’s Future

Tom Lawlor has previously expressed interest in an MMA return. He said that while he left his glove in the ring after his last fight with Jordan Young in June, he is not officially retired. Lawlor had won this match by unanimous decision.

He is also currently working with NJPW. The MMA star made his debut for the Japanese promotion in July 2020 and became the first-ever NJPW strong open weight champion in April this year.

Lawlor made his MLW debut back in 2017 and he has been one of the promotion’s top stars since. Apart from a reign with the MLW world title, he won the 2018 battle riot match as well as the 2020 opera cup tournament.

There is no word yet on if the MLW star has any interest in joining the WWE or the AEW roster. We will have to see how his NJPW deal affects his future plans.

MLW Fusion on 4/28 featured the Von Erichs and Team Filthy continuing their rivalry. Tom Lawlor would take on Marshall Von Erich in the main event. The full show is available in the player below:

MLW Fusion 4/28 Quick Results:

1. Ross Von Erich defeated Dominic Garrini
2. Bu Ku Dao defeated El Hijo de LA Park
3. Tom Lawlor defeated Marshall Von Erich via referee stoppage

The Von Erichs Strike First Against Team Filthy

The first match of the night also featured the rivalry between the Von Erichs and Team Filthy. Ross Von Erich picked up the victory over Dominic Garrini in just over 5 minutes after countering a suplex into a modified falcon arrow.

After the match, the two factions came to blows in the ring and had to be separated by referees.

Tom Lawlor Enlists Help From Tim Donaghy

After Garrini’s loss to Ross Von Erich, Team Filthy got nervous. They were shown in the back discussing strategy and Lawlor called someone. It was later revealed that Lawlor called disgraced former NBA official, Tim Donaghy. Lawlor was later shown in the back giving an envelope to Donaghy.

Later in the show, Lawlor and Donaghy confronted Marshall Von Erich and forced him to take a drug test. When Von Erich returned with a full cup, however, he just tossed it back in Lawlor’s face instead.

Bu Ku Dao Picks Up Another Big Victory

After a recent victory over his former mentor, TJP, Bu Ku Dao picked up another big win this week on Fusion. He picked up the victory over Azteca Underground’s El Hijo de LA Park after a diving flat-liner.

Immediately after the match ended, a worried-looking Salina de la Renta stormed away from the ring area. Later in the show, she was shown being shoved into the back of a car by a masked assailant, possibly an associate of “El Jefe.” She appeared to have escaped later, however.

Bu Ku Dao cut a promo after the match saying he hates TJP, that it’s his time now, and his victory this week was dedicated to his parents.

Lio Rush No Shows Media Event

Middleweight champion Lio Rush no-showed a media event ahead of next week’s title match against former champion Myron Reed. MLW would later announce that he has been fined for missing the event.

Tom Lawlor Defeats Marshall Von Erich In The Main Event

In the night’s main event, Marshall Von Erich and Tom Lawlor would go one-on-one. Von Erich came out with his knee taped up and Lawlor made a point to target the injured limb throughout the match. This included hitting Marshall with a wrench to the knee while the referee’s back was turned.

The match looked to be over around the 11-minute mark when Von Erich hit the Claw Slam but surprisingly, Lawlor kicked out. Shortly after, Lawlor locked in the leg lock and Marshall passed out due to pain. The ref called for the bell and Lawlor picked up a huge victory via referee stoppage.

Team Filthy and the Von Erichs continued the fight after the match with ACH coming out to help the brothers. The brawl would spill to the back and all around the arena to end the show.

Coming Up In MLW

MLW’s upcoming schedule looks like this:

Saturday May 1st:

• MLW debuts on VICE TV at 12 PM.

Wednesday, May 5th, 2021

• MLW World Middleweight Championship
  Lio Rush (c) vs Myron Reed
• Richard Holliday vs TBA

Wednesday, May 12th, 2021

• MLW Underground Classic episode featuring Terry Funk vs Steve Corino

July 10th, 2021

• MLW begins a new season with a show at Philadelphia’s famed 2300 Arena

Major League Wrestling presented the go-home show for next week’s Never Say Never event this week. The main event featured a chain match pitting the Von Erichs against Team Filthy’s Kevin Ku and Dominic Garrini.

The full show can be viewed in the player below:

MLW Fusion 3/24 Quick Results:

1. Gino Medina defeated Zenshi
2. Mil Muertes defeated Gringo Loco
3. Calvin Tankman defeated Sendai Death Squad Member #1
4. Chain Match
   The Von Erichs defeated Team Filthy

Gino Medina Uses Under-Handed Tactics To Score Victory Over Zenshi

Gino Medina took a shortcut to victory this week when he faced Zenshi in singles competition. Zenshi had just hit a kick in the corner and looked as though he was in control. Medina then rolled him up into a small package for a 2-count but as Zenshi kicked out, Medina grabbed at his mask and nearly removed it. As Zenshi was adjusting his mask, Medina hit a question-mark style kick to the back of the head and got the pin.

Mil Muertes Picks Up Win, Will Face Alexander Hammerstone On April 14th

Azteca Underground’s Mil Muertes came out for his match with Gringo Loco this week wearing Alexander Hammerstone’s National Openweight Championship. Muertes stole the title from Hammer recently after Salina de la Renta suggested she wanted the belt in her stable.

Muertes put away Loco with the Straight To Hell flatliner. After the match, Hammerstone cut a backstage promo and agreed to give Muertes a shot at the title belt he stole on April 14th.

Later in the show, Salina said she agreed to Hammerstone’s challenge. El Jefe’s representative then told her that the proprietor of Azteca Underground was not happy and wants to meet with her.

MLW Tag-Team Top-5 Rankings

MLW released new top-5 rankings this week for its tag-team division.

MLW Tag-Team Champions: Los Parks (LA Park, El Hijio de LA Park, & LA Park Jr.) (Azteca Underground)

1. The Von Erichs (Ross & Marshall Von Erich)
2. Violence is Forever (Kevin Ku & Dominic Garrini)
3. Injustice (Myron Reed & Jordan Oliver
4. Contra Unit (Simon Gotch & Daivari)
5. The Dirty Blondes (Leo Brien & Mike Patrick)

Calvin Tankman Makes Quick Work Of Sendai Death Squad Member

1-week before he takes on Contra Unit’s Jacob Fatu for the MLW World Championship, Calvin Tankman made quick work of a Sendai Death Squad member on this week’s edition of Fusion.

After the match, Daivari, Simon Gotch, and Jacob Fatu marched to the ring. The members of Injustice then came out to help Tankman and a wild brawl erupted. Tankman gave Daivari the Tankman Driver and stood tall in the ring to end the segment.

Chain Match Between The Von Erichs and Team Filthy Headlines Fusion

Tom Lawlor removed himself from this match on short notice citing injuries. MLW league officials are a little skeptical of his claims, however. Instead of a 6-man match with the Von Erichs teaming with ACH, the match was changed to a 2-on-2 contest with Lawlor and ACH both removed from the bout.

The ropes were replaced with chains for this bout, creating a unique match environment. Lawlor was on the outside with his arm in a sling and frequently got involved in the match. The finish came when Lawlor attempted to toss brass knuckles into his stablemates but missed and they landed in the hands of Marshall Von Erich. He decked Kevin Ku and then delivered the Iron Claw-slam with his brother on Garrinni for the win.

Coming Up At MLW Never Say Never

Next week in MLW, it’s Never Say Never 2021. The lineup is below:

• Jordan Oliver vs Simon Gotch
• Myron Reed vs Daivari
• MLW World Championship
  Jacob Fatu (c) vs Calvin Tankman

Major League Wrestling Fusion this week featured a triple threat for the tag-team titles, a middleweight title bout, and the return of Mil Muertes. The full show is available on YouTube and key takeaways from the show are below.

MLW Fusion 3/17 Quick Results:

1. MLW Middleweight Championship
   Lio Rush (c) defeated Brian Pillman Jr.
2. Mil Muertes defeated Mike Parrow
3. MLW Tag Team Championships
   Triple Threat
   Los Parks (c) defeated Injustice and Contra Unit

Lio Rush Retains Over Brian Pillman Jr.

Last week on Fusion, Lio Rush put an open contract up on the wall in the back. Evidently, Brian Pillman Jr. was the first to answer the call and he was granted a shot against Rush this week. After a back and forth match, Rush hit a springboard stunner off the bottom rope followed by his patented frog splash for the win.

Top-10 Rankings Released

After releasing top-5 rankings for its middleweight and tag-team divisions the previous two weeks, MLW released top-10 rankings for its singles division this week.

MLW World Champion: Jacob Fatu (Contra Unit)

1. Alexander Hammerstone (National Openweight Champion) (Dynasty)
2. Tom Lawlor (Team Filthy)
3. Low-Ki
4. Mil Muertes (Azteca Underground)
5. Calvin Tankman
6. Mads Krugger (Contra Unit)
7. Richard Holiday (Dynasty)
8. Myron Reed (Injustice)
9. Gino Medina
10. Jordan Oliver (Injustice)

Mil Muertes Defeats Mike Parrow

Azteca Underground’s Mil Muertes defeated Mike Parrow this week. Presented by Salina de la Renta, Muertes pinned Parrow after delivering his patented “Straight to Hell” flatliner. That’s 2 wins in a row for the former Lucha Underground Champion, who defeated Savio Vega at Filthy Island.

Muertes and Alexander Hammerstone appear headed to a big match. Last week, Muertes stole Hammerstone’s National Openweight title. Hammerstone cut a promo on the “Man of 1000 Deaths” this week but it is still not clear when he might be able to get his hands on him.

TJP Suspended, Bu Ku Dao Injured

A scheduled match between TJP and Bu Ku Dao did not take place this week. Alicia Atout reported that Bu Ku Dao was injured, there had been some type of incident, and TJP has been suspended. We will likely find out more in the coming weeks.

3-on-3 Chain Match Upcoming Between Team Filthy and The Von Erichs & ACH

Tom Lawlor wants revenge for how the Von Erichs ruined his Filthy Island event. Lawlor cut a promo this week saying him and Team Filthy want to face the Von Erich brothers and their Texan ally, ACH, in a chain match. That match will take place next week.

Azteca Underground Dominates as the Mystery of El Jefe Deepens

This week fans were treated to an expose segment on Azteca Underground. The piece noted that the mysterious “El Jefe” is looking for rental property somewhere, preferably with no police presence nearby.

Azteca Underground’s Los Parks would also defend the MLW tag-team championships this week. The match was originally just to be between Los Parks and Injustice but after members of Contra Unit were involved in a brawl in the back, they were added to the match as well. In the end, it would be LA Park hitting the Spear on Jordan Oliver for the win.

Los Parks and Salina de la Renta celebrated in the ring with the belts to close the show. It was a good night for their Azteca Underground stable.

Coming up in MLW

Next week:

• Chain Match
  Tom Lawlor & Team Filthy vs Ross & Marshall Von Erich and ACH

Never Say Never – March 31st

• MLW World Championship
  Jacob Fatu (c) vs Calvin Tankman
• Jordan Oliver vs Simon Gotch
• Myron Reed vs Daivari

Major League Wrestling presented Fusion this weekend on BeIN Sports and YouTube. The show emanated from Texas again this week and featured the main event of Tom Lawlor taking on Ross Von Erich.

MLW 2/22/20 Quick Results:

1. Logan Creed defeated Moonshine Mantell
2. Erick Stevens defeated Douglas James
3. King Mo defeated Dr. Drax
4. Ross Von Erich defeated Tom Lawlor via DQ

The full show can be viewed in the player below:

Here are 6 takeaways from MLW Fusion 2/22/20:

Team Filthy Adds Member, Attack The Von Erichs Texas Style

Last week’s episode of Fusion saw the Von Erich brothers successfully retain the MLW tag team titles against the Dynasty in front of a raucous Dallas crowd. This week, Ross Von Erich took on Tom Lawlor in the night’s main event.

Ross looked to have Lawlor set up for the Iron Claw but Team Filthy member Dominic Garrini interfered and caused the DQ. Marshall Von Erich came out to even up the odds but Erick Stevens ran out and appeared to join Team Filthy as he joined in on the beatdown on the Von Erich brothers. With the 3-on-2 advantage, Team Filthy used cowbells and bull rope to attack the Von Erichs and then even disrespected the state flag of Texas in the middle of the ring to close the show.

ATT’s King Mo Makes Dr. Drax Tapout

King Mo has continued to train with American Top Team since signing with MLW. He took on the dastardly Dr. Dax this week after having antagonized Low-Ki in a backstage segment recently. Mo pointed out that Low-Ki trains with the Gracie family and earlier in his career, Mo KO’d Roger Gracie.

King Mo made Drax tap to the rear-naked choke for the victory.

Gorgon/Grogan Gone, Logan Creed Has Arrived In MLW

Last week on MLW, Mance Warner was able to gain access to the building only after bribing the Dynasty’s giant to allow him in the building. This week, the former Gorgon/Grogan announced that his name is Logan Creed and he is no longer a member of the Dynasty.

Creed kicked off this week’s episode of Fusion in a match against Moonshine Mantell. He picked up the victory with a power-bomb.

Erick Stevens Wants Davey Boy Smith Jr.

Before he joined Team Filthy in the night’s closing segment, Erick Stevens cut a promo in the back saying he’s targetting a match with Davey Boy Smith Jr. The commentary team noted that Stevens was not wasting any time in MLW by challenging the top contender to Jacob Fatu’s MLW World Championship.

Stevens took on Douglas James this week on Fusion. He’d pick up the victory with his Sarasota Screwdriver finisher.

MLW Top-10 Rankings From Pro Wrestling Illustrated

MLW aired a segment this week featuring a countdown of the top-10 wrestlers in the promotion as determined by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. The PWI top-10 for MLW is as follows:

MLW World Champion: Jacob Fatu (Contra Unit)

1. Davey Boy Smith Jr. (Opera Cup Winner) (Hart Foundation)
2. Alexander Hammerstone (National Openweight Champion) (Dynasty)
3. Myron Reed (Middleweight Champion) (Injustice)
4. Brian Pillman Jr. (Hart Foundation)
5. Mance Warner
6. Tom Lawlor (Team Filthy)
7. Richard Holliday (Dynasty)
8. Jimmy Havoc
9. Low-Ki
10. Dominic Garrini (Team Filthy)

Coming Up In MLW

Los Parks return next week. This will be LA Park’s return to the promotion after dropping the MLW World title match to Jacob Fatu at SuperFight. Injustice will also take on the team of Zenshi and Laredo Kid.

MLW has a joint show coming up on March 13th with AAA in Tijuana:

MLW is back in Chicago’s Cicero Stadium in April. Chris Dickinson’s MLW debut is being advertised for the show:

Major League Wrestling presented a special episode of Fusion this week on BeIN Sports and YouTube. As per an agreement with Richard Holliday’s lawyer/father, the Dynasty was put in charge of producing this week’s show from Dallas.

MLW Fusion 2/15/20 Quick Results:

1. Gino Medina defeated Septimo Dragon
2. National Openweight Championship
   Alexander Hammerstone (c) defeated Septimo Dragon w/Konnan
3. MLW Tag Team Championships
   Ross & Marshall Von Erich (c) defeated MJF & Richard Holliday (the Dynasty)

The Von Erichs Win Big In Texas

This week’s episode of Fusion was filmed in Dallas and this Texas crowd loved the Von Erichs. The NYTEX Sports Centre looked to be a standing room only crowd and they were all cheering for Ross and Marshall as they took on MJF and Richard Holliday. This was the Dynasty’s contractually obligated title rematch after having dropped the belts to the Von Erichs at Saturday Night SuperFight last November.

The Dynasty used every dirty tactic they could think of including attacking the brothers before the bell. Near the end of the match, with all competitors down on the mat, Hammerstone came out to cause some interference. He was followed by Mance Warner, however, who found a way into the building after having been banned by the Dynasty. Warner hit Hammerstone with a chair shot and then began brawling with Gino Medina, who came out as well.

With the outside interference fended off, the Von Erichs hit the Claw Slam for the victory and the live crowd went crazy!

Mance Warner Evades Dynasty’s Security

Mance Warner played a big role in helping the Von Erichs retain their titles in the main event this week. He was not even supposed to be in the building, however. The Dynasty had Warner banned but Warner found a way in regardless. The Dynasty had Gorgon posted outside to prevent Warner from entering but after Warner offered the big man a few light beers, Gorgon noted that MJF is “an asshole” and allowed Warner to enter the building and make the big save in the main event.

Tom Lawlor and Dominic Garrini Disrespect The Dallas Sportatorium Grounds

Since episodes of Fusion began to be taped from Dallas, Tom Lawlor and his Team Filthy stablemate Dominic Garrini have been featured in spoof episodes of TV’s “Dallas.” This week, Lawlor and Garrini warned the Von Erichs not to “piss away” their time as tag champs and then motioned as if they were going to urinate on the hallowed grounds of the Dallas Sportatorium, though the camera cut away before they did.

Gino Medina Defeats Septimo Dragon

The newest member of the Dynasty, Gino Medina, would kick things off on this week’s Dynasty produced version of Fusion. Medina joined the Dynasty after turning down Konnan’s offer of mentorship and then joining his new stablemates in an attack on the legend. This week, Konnan recruited Septimo Dragon to take on Medina. Dragon would give him all he had but Medina was able to take advantage of his ring positioning at the end of the match, using the ropes for leverage as he got a 3-count from a small package.

The Dynasty kept on the attack after the match, even unmasking Septimo in the process. Konnan would run-in with a slapjack to make the save.

Alexander Hammerstone Resorts To Underhanded Tactics Against Aerostar

Konnan was on commentary for this match and continued to build up the rivalry between him and the Dynasty. Hammerstone had a significant power advantage during this match and made use of this fact often. Aerostar began countering much of Hammerstone’s high-impact offense, however, and that may have led the big man to panic. He opted to rip the mask off Aerostar and roll him up for a quick pin rather than win in a more honorable fashion. Konnan took Aerostar to the back while covering his face with a towel.

Coming Up In MLW

Jacob Fatu will defend the MLW World Championship against CIMA in 3 weeks:

MLW is continuing to promote its upcoming working relationship with Dragongate:

Zachary Cooper has just signed with the league:

Killer Kross will debut with the promotion soon. Kross took part in the Philadelphia tapings before signing with WWE recently:

The promotion returns to Chicago in April:

Erick Stevens is coming to MLW:

Next Week On MLW

Next week’s episode will be the last from the Dallas tapings. It will feature Ross Von Erich vs Tom Lawlor, Erick Stevens will make his MLW debut against Douglas James and King Mo returns!

Major League Wrestling presented a new episode of Fusion on BeIN Sports and YouTube this weekend. The show featured a semi-final match in the Opera Cup and was headlined by Contra Unit taking on Strong Hearts from OWE.

Here are 6 takeaways from MLW Fusion 1/4:

Tom Lawlor Defeats An Imposter Von Erich

Tom Lawlor said he was going to take on a member of the Von Erichs this week but neither Ross nor Marshall seemed to know anything about this. Lawlor then unveiled it was the son of Lance “Von Erich” he would be taking on in Rip Von Erich. Lance Von Erich was billed as a Von Erich cousin in 1985 but was not actually related to the family.

Lawlor didn’t have much trouble with the imposter Von Erich, who even tried an Iron Claw attempt during the match. Lawlor won with a rear-naked Iron Claw to further insult the Von Erich family legacy, however. He would get on the mic after the match and further antagonize Ross and Marshall.

The Spirit Squad Align With Tom Lawlor Against The Von Erichs

After Lawlor defeated Rip Von Erich this week he got on the mic and referred to Marshall and Ross Von Erich as a bunch of “Hawaiian Hillbillies” which brought the brothers out from the back. Lawlor had likely foreseen this happening, however, and was prepared. The members of the Spirit Squad came out from the back, giving them and Lawlor the numbers advantage over the boys.

It looks like Lawlor has enlisted the help of the cheerleading team in his rivalry with Ross and Marshall. It wouldn’t be the last time we would hear from Lawlor during the show either.

Davey Boy Smith Jr. Moves On To The Opera Cup Finals

Before Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Alexander Hammerstone clashed in a semi-final Opera Cup tilt, Smith cut a promo where he basically said he was going to make Hammerstone piss himself and tap out. Hammerstone didn’t submit to Smith but he did drop the fall.

Smith would have to deal with outside interference from the Dynasty’s Richard Holliday throughout the match but after making a familiar-looking comeback, Smith had things back in his control. The Dynasty attempted to double-team Smith but the Hart Foundation member ducked and Hammerstone hit his stablemate instead before being power-slammed by Smith and taking the loss. After the match, Smith attempted to shake Hammerstone’s hand but Holliday wouldn’t allow this to take place despite Hammerstone seeming willing.

With the win, Smith Jr. now awaits the winner of Timothy Thatcher vs Brian Pillman Jr. in next week’s semi-final match.

Kotto Brazil Picking A Fight With Brian Pillman Jr.?

Brian Pillman Jr. was interviewed in the back regarding his semi-final Opera Cup match next week. During the interview, Pillman was interrupted by Kotta Brazil. The Injustice member informed Pillman that he was an alternate in the tournament and should perhaps watch his back.

Pillman didn’t seem too intimidated but are Brazil and Pillman on a course to a match between them?

Contra Unit Defeats Strong Hearts

OWE’s Strong Hearts took on Simon Gotch, Josef Samael, and Jacob Fatu from Contra Unit this week. This match came about as a result of a backstage attack from Contra Unit to the OWE faction on a previous episode of Fusion.

The members of Strong Hearts were able to demonstrate their tag-team prowess during this match but in the end, nothing they could do was going to defeat Jacob Fatu. The MLW World Champion hit a moonsault on CIMA for the win as he continues to look unbeatable.

The Von Erichs To Take On 2 Of Tom Lawlor’s Top Students

At the end of the show this week, Tom Lawlor cut a backstage promo on the Von Erichs. Lawlor challenged the Von Erichs to put their MLW World Tag Team titles on the line against two of his top students from “Team Filthy.” We should find out more about if Ross and Marshall will accept Lawlor’s challenge on future episodes of MLW Fusion.

MLW Fusion 1/4 Quick Results:

1. Tom Lawlor defeated Rip Von Erich
2. Opera Cup (semi-final)
   Davey Boy Smith Jr. defeated Alexander Hammerstone
3. Contra Unit defeated Strong Hearts

MLW Fusion from 12/28 on BeIN Sports presented a Best of 2019 show featuring some of the top matches and angles from the last year. The main event from MLW’s PPV debut this year, Jacob Fatu vs LA Park, was the featured match on the show.

Here are 5 takeaways from MLW Fusion 12/28:

Is Jacob Fatu An Unstoppable Champion?

The featured match on this week’s episode of Fusion was the main event from the promotion’s PPV debut “Saturday Night SuperFight” on November 2nd in Chicago’s Cicero Stadium. LA Park earned a title shot by winning the 2019 Battle Riot match and presented an opportunity for Selina de la Renta to bring the MLW World Championship back into Promociones Dorado.

What Selina failed to fully appreciate, however, is how dominant a champion Jacob Fatu is. On Fusion this week, a recap video of the Contra Unit’s takeover of the promotion was shown before LA Park vs Jacob Fatu closed the show.

While Fatu’s unique ability was on full display during this match, it would take some outside help from Josef Samael for him to retain his title. In the end, it would be a fireball from Josef Samael and a missed spear that saw Selina driven through a table which would lead to the finish. Fatu finished his opponent off with a moonsault from the top.

With a new year on the horizon, one has to wonder who will be the next to challenge Jacob Fatu?

MLW’s Top-10 Craziest Moments Of The Year

During one segment of the show this week, MLW counted down the top-10 craziest moments of the year from 2019. Those moments were:

1. Contra’s fireball and Selina de la Renta being speared through a table
2. Jacob Fatu wins the World Heavyweight Championship
3. War Chamber Match
4. Mance Warner vs Jimmy Havoc’s entire feud
5. Tom Lawlor turning on the Von Erichs
6. Jacob Fatu jumping off the top of a steel cage
7. Mance Warner using a chainsaw on Promociones Dorado
8. Contra Unit taking out the Lucha Bros
9. Ross Von Erich and Tom Lawlor brawling in the streets of New York
10. Priscilla Kelly debuting as Spider Lady

Tom Lawlor Turning On The Von Erichs Recapped

One of the top stories of the year in MLW was recapped on the show this week. Tom Lawlor turned on the Von Erichs during a world title match between Ross Von Erich and Jacob Fatu on Thanksgiving. Lawlor would later state he plans on reforming “Team Filthy” and is currently looking for new stablemates.

A recap of Ross Von Erich and Tom Lawlor brawling in the streets of New York was also shown on this week’s episode.

Davey Boy Smith Jr. Moves Closer To World Title Shot

The opening match from Fusion’s “Best of 2019” show featured Davey Boy Smith Jr. submitting a game Timothy Thatcher. The commentary team peppered in mentions about how important this match was in the MLW rankings during the bout, possibly to communicate to the audience that Smith might not be far away from an MLW World Championship match. Will Smith find himself in the title picture as MLW moves into 2020?

Smith picked up the submission victory on Thatcher with a crossface after power-bombing his way out of a triangle hold.

Coming Up In MLW

MLW’s next big event takes place on January 11th, 2020 from Dallas, Texas. Announced matches for the show are below:

• Barbed Wire Match
  Mance Warner vs Jimmy Havoc
• Ross Von Erich vs Tom Lawlor
• Marshall Von Erich vs Maxwell Jacob Friedman
• National Openweight Championship
  Alex Hammerstone (c) vs Aerostar
• Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs Simon Gotch
• Richard Holliday vs Savio Vega
• Puma King & Drago vs Hijo de LA Park & Taurus vs Kotto Brazil & Jordan Oliver (Injustice)

Major League Wrestling presented Fusion on BeIN Sports and YouTube this weekend. The show featured two Opera Cup opening round matches and a “Prince of Darkness” match between rivals Jimmy Havoc and Mance Warner.

Here are 5 takeaways from MLW Fusion 12/21:

Ross Von Erich and Tom Lawlor Brawl In New York

In a backstage segment this week, Tom Lawlor announced that he is reforming his old stable “Team Filthy.” Lawlor was quickly interrupted by Ross Von Erich, however, who was looking for revenge on Lawlor. The two brawled on the streets of New York with Lawlor trying to flee the fight every chance he could get.

Cameras caught up with Lawlor and Von Erich brawling to close the show. Lawlor was able to flee the scuffle by hopping on a subway as its doors closed, separating him from his rival. These two will meet in single’s action when MLW returns to Dallas for “Zero Hour” on January 11th.

Davey Boy Smith Jr. Advances To Semi-Finals Of The Opera Cup

• Opera Cup 2019 (1st Round)
  Davey Boy Smith Jr. defeated Low-Ki

Davey Boy Smith Jr.’s grandfather Stu Hart was the last man to win the Opera Cup when he did so in 1948. In order to advance to the semi-finals, Smith would have to defeat former MLW World Champion Low-Ki.

The finish of this match saw Low-Ki counter a power slam attempt into a submission. With Low-Ki on his shoulders, however, Smith countered the submission into a pinning combination and got the 3-count to win and advance.

Priscilla Kelly Aligns With Jimmy Havoc

• Prince of Darkness Match
  Jimmy Havoc defeated Mance Warner

Jimmy Havoc and Mance Warner opened up this week’s edition of Fusion with a “Prince of Darkness” blindfold match. Havoc rarely abided by the rules of the match, however, and took his blindfold off twice during the contest.

After the second time Havoc took his blindfold off, the referee diverted his attention to admonish him. This allowed Priscilla Kelly to run-in and give Warner a low blow. Havoc then delivered the Acid Rainmaker for the win. What role will Priscilla Kelly play when these two meet again on January 11th in Dallas and the ropes are made of barbed wire?

Alex Hammerstone Wins Inter-Dynasty Match

• Opera Cup 2019 (1st Round)
  Alexander Hammerstone defeated Maxwell Jacob Friedman

Richard Holliday’s lawyer/father was not able to prevent this match from taking place. The Hart Foundation is said to have had a say in the brackets for this tournament and perhaps they made it so the members of Dynasty would have to face each other here.

Both wrestlers tried to get the other one to lay down with the old “Fingerpoke of Doom” spot. Finally, Hammerstone just dropkicked MJF and the match was underway. While MJF would try his best to take as many shortcuts as he could during the match, Hammerstone ultimately picked up the win with a powerbomb.

After the match, Holliday was able to get Hammerstone and MJF to shake hands. MJF then collapsed after doing so, still feeling the effects of that big powerbomb from Hammerstone.

Contra Attack Strong Hearts

CIMA was seen backstage this week introducing the members of Strong Hearts to MLW. The members of Contra Unit attacked, however. This likely wasn’t how CIMA wanted his group to make their debut. Future matches between these two factions are likely to be scheduled soon.

MLW Fusion 12/21 Quick Results:

• Prince of Darkness Match
  Jimmy Havoc defeated Mance Warner
• Opera Cup 2019 (1st Round)
  Alexander Hammerstone defeated Maxwell Jacob Friedman
• Opera Cup 2019 (1st Round)
  Davey Boy Smith Jr. defeated Low-Ki

This weekend, Major League Wrestling presented its final episode of Fusion from the recent Orlando tapings. The main event this week featured the Hart Foundation going up against Contra Unit in tag team action. Tom Lawlor would also explain why he turned on the Von Erichs.

The episode can be viewed in the player below:

Here are 7 takeaways from MLW Fusion 12/7:

Hart Foundation Pick Up Measure Of Revenge On Contra Unit

• Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Brian Pillman Jr. (Hart Foundation) defeated Ikuro Kwon & Simon Gotch (Contra Unit)

Teddy Hart was released from MLW’s roster recently but in storyline, he was taken out by Contra Unit’s Josef Samael with a fireball. Samael hit Hart with the fireball during a middleweight championship match he would lose to Injustice’s Myron Reed.

The remaining members of the Hart Foundation, Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Brian Pillman Jr., picked up a measure of revenge this week when they defeated Ikuro Kwon and Simon Gotch from Contra Unit. The finish of the match saw Pillman and Davey Boy deliver a modified Hart Attack on Gotch for the win.

Tom Lawlor Explains Turning On Von Erichs

On the Thanksgiving day special of MLW Fusion, Tom Lawlor turned his back on the Von Erichs. During the world title match between Jacob Fatu and Ross Von Erich, Lawlor hit Ross with a chair, allowing the champion to retain his title.

In a backstage segment this week, Lawlor explained he is not loyal to Contra Unit and did what he did because he was sick of the Von Erichs making it all about them. Lawlor said he’s not loyal to Contra or the Von Erichs, he’s only loyal to himself.

Grogan Wins Battle Royal

• Grogan wins Invitational Battle Royal

The giant Grogan was introduced in a backstage segment featuring the Dynasty recently. The 6ft 8 300lbs newcomer to MLW has wrestled under the name Logan Creed as well. National Openweight Champion Alex Hammerstone was on commentary during this match and bragged about bringing in the big man.

Grogan was well-featured in this battle royal and would eventually toss out Timothy Thatcher to secure the victory. Big things could be in store for the Dynasty with Hammerstone’s “Big Gift” now in the faction.

Savio Vega Beats Leo Brien In A Swamp Match

• Swamp Match
  Savio Vega defeated Leo Brien

As this week’s MLW Fusion was taped in Orlando’s Gilt Nightclub, the nearby Florida swamps provided the venue for this match between Leo Brien and Savio Vega. Each wrestler used whatever weapons were at his disposal in this one, with Brien’s bull rope coming into play often.

The finish came when Brien missed hitting his opponent with the cowbell and Savio countered with a spinning back heel kick for the win.

After the match was over, however, Savio didn’t show any mercy to his opponent and continued the assault.

Von Erichs Thought Of Lawlor As A Brother

The Von Erich family is used to betrayals. Whether it is Michael Hayes hitting Kerry Von Erich with a steel cage door or Tom Lawlor hitting Ross Von Erich with a steel chair, those betrayals often occur during world title matches, or so it seems.

A backstage interview with Ross and Marshall Von Erich aired this week and featured an upset Ross saying he thought of Lawlor like a brother. Marshall Von Erich warned Tom that he was going to see him soon and Lawlor better hope he doesn’t seem him in the ring.

Taipei Deathmatch Cancelled

A Tapai Death Match between Mance Warner and Jimmy Havoc had been scheduled and advertised for this week but did not air. A news bulletin scrolled across the bottom of the screen during the episode that the match had been canceled due to a backstage attack.

When MLW heads to Dallas in the new year, however, Warner and Havoc are scheduled to face each other in a barbed wire match.

Opera Cup Begins Next Week

On next week’s episode of Fusion, MLW will air two of the opening round matches from the Opera Cup. The promotion taped the tournament on December 5th, 2019 inside New York’s Melrose Ballroom.

It will be an inter-Dynasty match-up as Richard Holiday’s lawyer/father was not able to prevent the match between Hammerstone and MJF next week. Davey Boy Smith Jr. will also look to start his journey to capturing the Cup last won by his grandfather when he takes on former MLW World Champion Low-Ki.

Airing next week:

• Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs Low-Ki
• Alex Hammerstone vs Maxwell Jacob Friedman

Other opening-round matches:

• Brian Pillman Jr. vs TJP
• Richard Holiday vs Timothy Thatcher

Quick Results MLW Fusion 12/7:

1. Grogan wins Invitational Battle Royal
2. Savio Vega defeated Leo Brien in a Swamp Match
3. Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Brian Pillman Jr. (Hart Foundation) defeated Ikuro Kwon & Simon Gotch (Contra Unit)

“Filthy” Tom Lawlor has signed a new deal with Major League Wrestling, shortly after it appeared he was done with the promotion. According to MLW’s Court Bauer, contract negotiations went into overtime but they eventually were able to secure an exclusive deal with the former MLW World Champion and UFC veteran.

“We went into extra innings to get this done,” said MLW CEO Court Bauer. “Tom’s talent, passion, and leadership are second to none. We’re all beyond pleased to have his continued presence in MLW for years to come.”

Lawlor was also quoted in MLW’s press release on his signing:

“After months and weeks of trying to figure out the next step in my career, I have come to the conclusion that indeed there is no place like home, and no where that I would rather continue to swing for the fences than in Major League Wrestling,” said Tom Lawlor. “I’m happy to announce that myself and management have come to terms that will keep me in the ring with the top talent, wrestlers, and fighters under the MLW banner. While I was able to reach the peak of the mountain and become world champion in the past, I have since realized that there are entire new ranges for me to conquer and I look forward to getting to the summit alongside the fans and supporters of MLW. Stay filthy!”

MLW Signs Tom Lawlor To New Exclusive Deal

Lawlor will compete on December 5th, 2019 at MLW’s Opera Cup event. It’s not clear if he will be entered into the tournament itself, however. There is still one opening-round match in the tournament yet to be revealed.

MLW has recently also locked up Contra Unit’s Josef Samael and MLW World Champion Jacob Fatu to new deals.

• Jacob Fatu Signs Long-Term Deal with Major League Wrestling
• CONTRA Unit’s Josef Samael Re-Signs With MLW

Lawlor faced the Hart Foundation’s Davey Boy Smith Jr. in the main event of the most recent episode of MLW: Fusion. The full episode can be viewed in the player below:

“Filthy” Tom Lawlor is wrapping up with Major League Wrestling (MLW). The former UFC fighter turned pro wrestler has been a key component of MLW since the promotion’s relaunch in the fall of 2017.

He won the MLW Battle Riot event in 2018 and later went on to capture the MLW World Heavyweight Championship from Low Ki. He held the title for nearly 6 months before losing to the reigning champ, CONTRA Unit’s Jacob Fatu.

Tom Lawlor has yet to comment on his departure from MLW. However, MLW boss Court Bauer acknowledged the news with a gracious tweet posted late Wednesday night. Bauer thanked Tom for his two years with MLW, who he said was with them from the very beginning.

“I wish him continued success with the next chapter of his career,” Bauer wrote. “First class dude who despite being filthy is somehow all class all the same time.”

Tom Lawlor is instantly one of the hottest free agents in professional wrestling. With the competition heating up between WWE-AEW and New Japan Pro Wrestling expanding their operations in the United States, Lawlor will have no shortage of options to consider as he looks to the next chapter of his career.

Lawlor’s final appearance for MLW will be the December 5th Opera Cup live event from the Melrose Ballroom in New York City.

Major League Wrestling will present War Chamber from Texas this Saturday September 7th. The Contra Unit has been feuding with former MLW World Champion Tom Lawlor and the Von Erich brothers as of late leading to the two sides squaring off in a War Chamber match to headline the show.

MLW has just confirmed that Low-Ki will be the 4th member of Lawlor and the Von Erichs team in the match. The Contra Unit will consist of MLW World Champion Jacob Fatu, Simon Gotch, Josef Samael, and recent addition to the faction Ikuro Kwon. Low-Ki ended the last episode of Fusion by rescuing Lawlor and the Von Erichs from Contra.

The rules of the War Chamber match are similar to previous War Games bouts:

• “A coin toss determines which team enters first.
• 1-on-1 for 5:00 in stage 1 of the War Chamber.
• The winner of coin toss comes out for 2-on-1.
• Alternating teams have wrestlers enter every 2 minutes.
• Once all combatants are in the War Chamber, victory is won by submission, surrender or pinfall.”

The War Chamber match will air on MLW Fusion in 2 weeks on BeIN Sports and then released the following Monday on YouTube.

MLW War Chamber Lineup

• War Chamber Match
  Tom Lawlor, Low-Ki, Ross & Marshall Von Erich vs Josef Samael, Simon Gotch, Jacob Fatu, and Ikuro Kwon
• MLW Tag Team Championships
  2 of 3 Falls
  Richard Holliday & MJF (Dynasty) vs Teddy Hart & Davey Boy Smith Jr. (Hart Foundation)
• Austin Aries vs Brian Pillman Jr.
• Bunkhouse Match
  Mance Warner vs Jimmy Havoc
• Los Parks vs Magnus and Septimo Dragon
• Douglas James vs Timothy Thatcher
• Zenshi vs Jordan Oliver

Major League Wrestling and FITE TV announced a partnership today which will see the app stream future MLW PPV events. The promotion’s first PPV, MLW Saturday SuperFight will take place on November 2nd live from Chicago’s Cicero Stadium.

“MLW® today announced a new digital partnership with combat sports network FITE TV, to stream Major League Wrestling’s Pay-Per-View events on its streaming platform to customers throughout the world,” a press release for the partnership reads.

The cost of the first MLW PPV is listed at $19.95 with pre-ordering beginning on September 4th.

• MLW War Chamber Main Event Announced (9/7)

Before MLW heads to Chicago for Saturday SuperFight, however, the promotion will head to Dallas. MLW will present the Von Erichs in front of a wild live Texas crowd on September 7th for War Chamber. Contra Unit will take on the Von Erichs, Tom Lawlor, and a mystery partner in a War Chamber match to headline the show.

• MLW To Host 2019 Opera Cup Tournament

About FITE

“As the leading independent over-the-top combat sports service provider, FITE has 1.5 million registered users of the digital platform.  FITE has streamed more than 2,200 live combat sports events since launching in February of 2016. The global streaming platform also boasts over 25,000 hours of on-demand content that includes weekly programming in the form of shows, instructional videos and documentaries featuring mixed martial arts, boxing and pro wrestling,” a FITE press release reads.

Jacob Fatu defeated Tom Lawlor to win the MLW World Championship on Saturday’s live episode of Fusion from Chicago. The promotion has recently announced that the former champion plans on cashing in his rematch clause for MLW’s Never Say Never event on July 25th.

Additonally, new MLW champion Jacob Fatu and his faction of Contra Unit have evidently disappeared.

“Meanwhile, Jacob Fatu and CONTRA Unit have reportedly gone abroad. Where are the self-described global dealers in violence? No one knows for sure but with CONTRA supposedly having shadowy connections to the darkest corners of the world, it is only a matter of time before the trio release a statement,” MLW’s press release for the match reads.

• Jacob Fatu Captures MLW World Heavyweight Championship

MLW: Never Say Never

MLW’s Never Say Never event will take place July 25th from New York’s Melrose Ballroom. The confirmed lineup so far for the show is below:

• MLW World Championship: Jacob Fatu (c) vs “Filthy” Tom Lawlor
• LA Park vs Jimmy Havoc
• Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs Timothy Thatcher

MLW On PlayStation Vue

The promotion also recently announced fans without cable can see the show live Saturday nights via PlayStation Vue.

• MLW Fusion To Broadcast On PlayStation Vue

Major League Wrestling will present the 2nd ever Battle Riot event tonight inside New York’s Melrose Ballroom. In what has already become a signature event for the promotion, 40 wrestlers will compete in a no-rules, weapons-legal, battle royal where eliminations occur via pinfall, submission, or being thrown over the top rope.

The 2019 Battle Riot will air live tonight on beIN SPORTS from 8PM – 10PM. MLW’s normal Saturday evening timeslot will air a replay tomorrow. Episodes of Fusion are normally added to the promotion’s YouTube channel on Sunday’s at 12 PM. If you are in the area, limited tickets were recently made available.

2019 Battle Riot Lineup:

1. Battle Riot II Participants:
2. Teddy Hart
3. Pentagón Jr.
4. Low Ki
5. Davey Boy Smith Jr.
6. MJF
7. Rey Feníx
8. Brian Pillman Jr.
9. Sami Callihan 
10. Daga
11. Dan “The Beast” Severn
12. LA Park
13. Hijo de LA Park
14. Ricky Martinez
15. Rey Horus
16. Mance Warner
17. Alex Hammerstone
18. Gringo Loco
19. Rich Swann
20. Minoru Tanaka
21. Richard Holliday
22. Jimmy Havoc
23. Air Wolf
24. wXw Shotgun Champion Emil Sitoci
25. “Avalanche” Robert Dreissker
26. Ken Kerbis
27. Ariel Dominguez
28. Jordan Oliver
29. Ace Austin
30. Lance Anoa’i
31. Barrington Hughes
32. Myron Reed
33. Kotto Brazil
34. Jimmy Yuta
35. The Dirty Blondes

5 entrants have yet to be confirmed.

The winner will receive a shot at the MLW World Championship at a date of their choosing. The promotion has also advertised there will be surprises, WTF entrants, and legends.

MLW Storylines

MLW also held a show last night in Melrose Ballroom. The matches from that event will air on Fusion in the coming weeks.

• Spoilers: MLW Rise of the Renegades Results (4/4)

Last year’s Battle Riot winner, Tom Lawlor, would wait until SuperFight earlier this year to cash in his title shot. When he did, however, he defeated Low-Ki inside the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia to take the title. He later defended it inside a steel cage against the former champion in Chicago. Last night, he wrestled Jimmy Havoc in a NYC Street Fight. That match will air on Fusion in the coming weeks.

MLW Factions

MLW features several factions which are worth noting.

The Hart Foundation faction of Davey Boy Smith Jr, Teddy Hart, and Brian Pillman Jr. began their tenure in the promotion as heels but have quickly won over the support of the MLW faithful. Promociones Dorado and the CONTRA Unit are other factions fans might want to keep their eyes on.

Salina De La Renta’s Promociones Dorado formerly had the MLW World Championship in their midst but with that gone, the faction is turning to the likes of Ricky Martinez, LA Park and Hijo De LA Park to do Salina’s bidding. She’s targetted Mance Warner as a rival but he might prove to be tougher than she expects.

Simon Gotch, Jacob Fatu, and Josef Samael look to have started guerrilla warfare in MLW. Their CONTRA faction caused near-riot conditions last month in Chicago. Battle Riot seems to be a fitting match for them to have success in.

MLW Fusion is moving to Saturday nights. Major League Wrestling recently presented a live show on Saturday, February 2nd from the 2300 Arena and are now making the move to Saturdays permanent.

BeIN Sports’ and MLW’s desire for more live specials played a role in the move.

“With the majority of our cards on Saturday nights and beIN interested in doing more live broadcasts in 2019, it made sense to move the show to Saturdays,” said MLW CEO Court Bauer.  “Saturday night wrestling has a history dating back decades. It’s an honor to bring that tradition back starting this Saturday night on beIN.”

The show will begin airing at 9 PM est.

MLW Fusion’s Spanish broadcast will move to Monday nights on BeIN SPORTS en Espanol.

• Hart Foundation Win MLW Tag Team Gold

WWE Smackdown Live! is currently scheduled to debut on Fox’s Friday night schedule beginning October 4th. It is not clear if they will remain in the Friday night slot long-term, however.

MLW Fusion Live

MLW presented its second live show from the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia on February 2nd, 2019. The Hart Foundation continued its dominance of the promotion that night, winning the MLW tag titles. They defeated the Lucha Bros in the show’s opener. Tom Lawlor then won the MLW World Championship from Low-Ki in the night’s main event.

“Starting this Saturday February 16^th, MLW will move to Saturdays on beIN SPORTS and to Monday nights on the Spanish network, beIN SPORTS en Espanol,” states an MLW Press Release.

Here are a few news items for Major League Wrestling:

– Former PROGRESS World Champion Jimmy Havoc returns to MLW soon. Havoc had memorable battles with Sami Callihan, Tom Lawlor, Joey Janela, Shane Strickland and Darby Allen last year.

– Earlier this week, “Filthy” Tom Lawlor was attacked during his first press conference as the new World Heavyweight Champion. No further details are available at this time.

– MLW returns to Philadelphia’s 2300 Arena on Saturday, June 1st. Tickets for this MLW Fusion TV taping go on sale this Friday morning at MLWNOW.com.

– MLW continues to express gratitude for Pentagon Jr. and Rey Fenix. The Lucha Bros. lost the MLW World Tag Team Championships to the Hart Foundation at Superfight. The former champions have agreed to work for All Elite Wrestling (MLW).

Click here for more details on Pentagon & Fenix to AEW.

https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1092782334343110656

On Saturday night in the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, “Filthy” Tom Lawlor defeated Low Ki in the main event to become the new World Heavyweight Champion on Major League Wrestling’s SuperFight show.

This marked the end of not only the six-month old reign, but Low Ki’s 15-year MLW undefeated streak.

The early portions of the match saw the competitors go back and forth against each other, however, things took a turn when Low Ki brought a wooden door into the match from underneath the ring. Low Ki tried to put Lawlor through the door but it backfired as Lawlor sent Low Ki through the door instead.

• Also Read: MLW SuperFight: Hart Foundation Score Tag Team Gold

Towards the end of the match, Low Ki used the dragon sleeper to make Lawlor tap out but Lawlor was too aware to fall for it and reversed it into a rear naked choke to make Low Ki submit.

You can check out Lawlor’s reaction after the match:

https://twitter.com/mlw/status/1091880848339668992?s=12