IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #49
Date: March 16, 2019
Location: Cicero Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Commentators: Jim Cornette, Rich Bocchini

We’re still in Chicago and that’s a good thing at the moment. The last few shows have been entertaining and there’s a good chance that this is going to be more of the same. In this case we’re going to have the Hart Foundation looking for revenge on Maxwell Jacob Friedman and Richard Holliday, who recently attacked Teddy Hart. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We recap Contra’s actions to date, including last week’s destruction of Ace Romero.

Opening sequence.

El Hijo de LA Park vs. Puma King

Mance Warner sits in on commentary, which is one of the best things possible around here. As Cornette gives us a lucha history lesson, they trade a bunch of rolls and flips as Warner suggests punching someone in the face. A running hurricanrana sends Park to the floor for a middle rope dive. That’s enough time for Cornette and Warner to talk about Warner’s hometown of Bucksnort, Tennessee, with Cornette being more than comfortable with the southern hick style of humor.

Salina de la Renta trips Puma to the floor and that means a suicide dive from Park. A chair to the back has Puma in more trouble and a Salina distraction lets Park low blow him with a chair. There’s a whip with a TV cord as Cornette is wondering how we haven’t had a DQ yet. Fair enough. Back in and King hits a tilt-a-whirl slam as we hear about Mance’s cigar smoking grandmother running a speakeasy.

King grabs some chairs of his own, one of which goes between Park’s leg and gets crushed by another (Mance: “He done broke it off!”). Code Red gives Park two and King’s powerbomb gets the same. Puma heads up but gets chaired in the back (with the chair breaking) to tie him into the Tree of Woe.

That’s broken up with an anklescissors and a Rick Rude hip swivel of all things. Puma gets caught with a super Spanish Fly for two and there’s a belly to back kneeling piledriver. Instead of covering though, Park goes outside and spits at Warner. Mance spits right back and hits him with Cornette’s racket, leaving King to hit a top rope Codebreaker into la majistral for the pin at 10:08.

Rating: B-. Good action, funny commentary and a build towards next week. Throw in Salina and I’m not sure what else you could ask for in a match like this. Cornette fitting right in there with Warner helped too and I had a really good time here. They also didn’t stay too long, which can be a problem with matches like this (or and kind actually).

Warner high fives Puma post match.

MJF and Holliday combine to imitate Teddy Hart before saying they’re winning the titles.

Teddy Hart says they’ll retain while Brian Pillman trains in a pool.

Another look at Contra Unit.

Last week’s call from the head physician was in fact a fake. That makes sense.

Tom Lawlor doesn’t care what the doctors have to say. They’re great at their job but they don’t know what’s in a fighter’s heart. So they’re not a cardiologist. Lawlor wants any of the Contra Unit. He’s going to end their time in MLW before it gets off to a start. As usual: good energy but needs coaching.

Contra Unit vs. Chico Adams/Vertigo Vera

Jacob Fatu/Josef Samael for Contra here and they jump the jobbers before the bell. We get some more details of the team, including that Fatu is part of the Anoa’i family is considered the black sheep, meaning he didn’t train with them and doesn’t speak to them. The Samoan drop plants Adams and Josef brings in the spike for the DQ at 1:13.

Post match Fatu hits a pair of springboard moonsaults (he’s got some size to him too so that’s impressive stuff). The nearly required fireball goes into the other jobber’s face and the medics finally come in. We also get the jobbers’ names as they’re being taken out, though Fatu isn’t done and hits a third moonsault to Adams as he’s on the stretcher. Fans start throwing things into the ring and we go to a test pattern to make things even better. Rather impressive squash here and Contra look like monsters and it got even better with the post match stuff.

Battle Riot II Control Center with LA Park, Sami Callihan, El Hijo de LA Park, Fenix, Brian Pillman Jr., Gringo Loco, and newcomer Ken Kerbis being added to the namesake match.

Salina de la Renta and LA Park say he’ll win Battle Riot.

Jimmy Havoc needs to return already.

Quick recap of MJF and Holliday injuring Teddy Hart a few weeks back.

Here are MJF and Holliday for the main event with Friedman mocking the fans for not speaking English. He looks down at the mat to talk to Stu Hart and says Teddy has ruined the Hart Family legacy. The only legacy that matters now is the Dynasty’s.

Tag Team Titles: Hart Foundation vs. Maxwell Jacob Friedman/Richard Holliday

Friedman and Holliday are challenging and it’s Teddy/Davey Boy Smith Jr. defending though Teddy is very banged up. We’re not ready to go just yet though as MJF has to shove Brian Pillman on the floor first. The bell rings and MJF bails to the floor as the stalling continues. Holliday joins him before taking the tag and we finally get the first contact after over a minute in.

MJF gets knocked off the apron, leaving Holliday to get sunset flipped into a belly to back suplex from Smith. The delayed vertical suplex makes it even worse for Holliday and the top rope moonsault connects, though it hurts Hart’s bad ribs. A shot to the ribs is enough to put Teddy in trouble though and now MJF is willing to come in for some stomping. Teddy bails to the floor and a whip into the barricade bangs up the ribs even more, with Cornette nearly getting knocked over in the process.

Back in and Holliday puts on a Sharpshooter (BECAUSE OF COURSE HE DOES) with Smith making a quick save. Friedman comes in with the hanging piledriver into an abdominal stretch, with an assist from the apron of course. Teddy gets out and, just because of course, snaps off a headscissors into a Canadian Destroyer. That’s enough for the tag off to Smith and it’s time to clean house. A tiger suplex gets two on MJF and a Batista Bomb gets the same. The Doomsday Destroyer is loaded up but here’s Alexander Hammerstone of all people to chair down the Harts for the DQ at 11:00.

Rating: C+. Not too bad here and I’m rather interested in the Hammerstone deal. It didn’t make a ton of sense to have three Harts against two villains and adding in a monster to cancel out Davey is a good move. Friedman and Holliday didn’t feel like threats to the titles but putting that kind of muscle with them changes things and extends the feud’s life. Smart idea there, and even better since Hammerstone didn’t have anything to do.

Post match the beatdown is on (with Cornette calling MJF a dyslexic masseuse because he rubs you the wrong way) with the Harts being cleared out to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. I had a good time with this show as they started taking care of some of the new stars they have around. With some of the bigger companies lurking around the MLW talent, new stars need to be presented and that’s what they did here. Nice show, and with Battle Riot coming up, there’s another chance to set things up. I like Hammerstone and Warner getting pushes and stories, so hopefully the smart booking continues.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2000 Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Part 1 (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/02/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-thunder-reviews-volume-vii-january-june-2000/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #48
Date: March 9, 2019
Location: Cicero Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, Jim Cornette

We’re officially done with Intimidation Games, meaning the still World Champion Tom Lawlor seems to be done with Low Ki. He’s just getting started with Contra though, the group which debuted last week to attack Lawlor in a heck of a beatdown. This could get interesting as we go forward. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of last week’s steel cage title match and Contra’s ensuing debut and beatdown. That splash off the cage still looked great.

Opening sequence.

Battle Riot Qualifying Match: Ace Austin vs. DJZ

On his way to the ring, Ace talks about the respect he has for DJZ but tonight is about going to Battle Riot. Ace’s slight of hand magic is a rather nice touch, though that might just me being a lifelong fan of magicians. They fight over arm control to start as Cornette is mocking DJZ’s shaved head. Austin sends him outside, cartwheels over him on the apron, and scores with a dropkick to keep DJZ in trouble. A quick superkick gets DJZ a breather but Austin sticks the landing on a whip over the barricade.

Back in and DJZ knocks him into the corner but the rolling DDT is countered into a jawbreaker. Austin anklescissors him off the top and nails a spinning middle rope Fameasser for two. DJZ is fine enough to nip up into a dropkick (always cool to see) and a knee to the head gets two more, with Cornette being shocked by the kickout. A springboard in the corner doesn’t work so well for Austin as he gets powerbombed down in a big crash. DJZ rolls towards him though but gets caught with the Fold (running Blockbuster) for the pin at 6:00.

Rating: C+. Austin has caught my eye both here and in Impact and he’s definitely someone worth keeping around. He has a different enough style and the magic/cards thing is a unique enough gimmick. Let him stick around places like this to get some experience on the bigger stages and see where he can go from there. Fun opener, as is the case around here more often than not.

Salina de la Renta doesn’t like Mance Warner and Fred Yehi being loud and it gets worse when Warner spills beer on her.

Jimmy Havoc is still coming back.

We look back at Contra attacking Lawlor again.

Rich talked to the doctor on the phone but can’t get any update on Lawlor due to privacy issues. He then goes on to list off all of Lawlor’s injuries because the doctor doesn’t know what privacy means. The doctor sounded rather weird and while I don’t think they’re going for one, it sounded like an impostor for the sake of an angle.

Simon Gotch, of Contra, is ready to beat up Ace Romero for costing him $20,000.

Alex Hammerstone is on the phone with someone and says he’s in. He gets mad at the camera being there but does say he’s in Battle Riot (sounded like something different from the phone call).

We look at Rich Swann losing it a few weeks ago and attacking Rich.

Alexander Hammerstone vs. Isaias Velasquez

Hammerstone’s music is very loud, to the point where it sounds like they’re intentionally trying to drown out commentary. Velasquez goes at him in the corner to start and scores with a jumping knee to little effect. Attempts at an Irish whip and an armdrag go nowhere and an enziguri just annoys Hammerstone. Velasquez does manage to knock him outside, where Hammerstone hits a Last Ride onto the apron. Back in and a scary t-bone suplex drops Velasquez on his head, followed by a rather delayed superplex. The Nightmare Pendulum finishes Velasquez at 3:45.

Rating: D+. They’ve got something with Hammerstone, who looks more and more like Sid Vicious every time I look at him. Hammerstone looked awesome here and could be a star around here for a long time. That’s one of the best things about MLW at the moment: they’re building up this lesser known talent and turning them into something, which is how you grow an audience.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman and Richard Holliday are on their way to an after party but don’t like what they find and yell a lot. They’ll chill during a joy ride in their new car.

Warner and Yehi share another beer when El Hijo De LA Park comes up to get in a fight with Warner, likely at Salina’s orders. Brian Pillman Jr. comes up and finishes Warner’s beer.

The Battle Riot Control Center announces Low Ki, Teddy Hart and Ace Romero for the match.

The Hart Foundation is ready for MJF and Holliday next week.

Salina rants about Warner and calls Ricky Martinez to deal with him.

We look back at Gotch issuing an open challenge and losing $20,000 to Romero.

Ace Romero vs. Simon Gotch

Romero wastes no time in shouldering Gotch down in a single big shot. A suicide dive (Cornette: “Looks like a flying bus!”) drops Gotch again but he’s fine enough to kick Romero down back inside. The fans are more interested in finding out what happened to Gotch’s shaved mustache. More kicks to the leg and head drop Romero in the corner but Gotch would rather go outside and yell at commentary. Back in and Romero starts swinging but Contra comes in for the DQ at 3:55.

Rating: D+. There’s something about Romero that draws you to him, which you don’t get from most big guys. I like watching him and they did the smart thing here by not having him lose to Gotch. At the same time you don’t want Gotch losing his first match as part of (and probably leader of) the new group. The time didn’t do them any favors, but they did the right thing.

Post match the beatdown is on with a railroad spike to the head busting Romero open. The three of them beats Romero down even more and put coins over his eyes. Romero gets covered with the flag as a fan tries to jump the barricade. Contra finally gets out of the ring and leaves to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. This show was all about focusing on the new stars and it did very well in that regard. There’s more than enough interesting and unknown talent who look like people who could turn into stars down the line. Couple that with building up the return of Lawlor to go to war with Contra and you could have some very good shows going forward.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2000 Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Part 1 (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/02/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-thunder-reviews-volume-vii-january-june-2000/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Defiant Wrestling

Defiant Loaded #6
Date: January 13, 2019
Location: 02 Academy, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
Commentators: Dave Bradshaw, James R. Kennedy

So I took a look at this back when it was called WhatCulture Pro Wrestling but they’ve since rebranded to Defiant so someone wanted me to look at it again. We’re in England of course (as opposed to Newcastle Upon Tyne, Indiana) and the big draw here is Pac (Neville) facing David Star in Pac’s hometown. I wonder if he’ll be over. Let’s get to it.

We open with a recap of the previous show with various clips of various wrestlers and matches with no context.

A guy named General Ameen is looking for who stole General Phantasmo’s glasses. While he’s gone, he needs a guy named Simon Miller (who used to work for What Culture) to run things tonight. Simon, who looks like a younger, deflated Goldberg, says he’ll handle things while Ameen investigates things. Ameen is off to the battlefield.

Opening sequence as I try to figure out what in the world I’ve gotten myself into.

South Coast Connection vs. The Models

This is an open challenge from the South Coast Connection (Ashley Dunn/Kelly Sixx) with the Models (Danny Hope/Joey Hayes) answering. The Models do their strut before the bell as I try to remember that Kennedy isn’t Drew McIntyre (the voice resemblance is uncanny). Hayes dances out of Dunn’s headlock to start so Dunn goes with a dropkick to take over. A leg lariat gets two but Hayes drives him into the corner for the tag off to Hope. That lasts all of ten seconds before it’s back to Hayes for a snap suplex.

The Models get into a rhythm of double teaming but Hope takes too much time dancing on the ropes (seems to be a bad trend for them) and gets punched out of the air. It’s off to Sixx for the first time and everyone else is sent outside with a suicide dive taking out Hope. Back in and Hope catches Sixx, allowing Hayes to enziguri him down for two. Sixx breaks up a double suplex and sends Hayes outside, leaving Hope to take a spike over the back reverse piledriver (Adam Page’s Rite of Passage) for the pin at 5:58.

Rating: C. Completely watchable match here and a nice choice for an opener, as tag matches often are. The announcers did a good job of playing up the Models as being a big deal on the indy scene with a ton of experience so the win actually means something. Not a great match or anything but for a pretty quick win for the Connection, it was all it needed to be.

Post match Dunn says it’s usually not the best time here in Newcastle because nine times out of ten it’s negative. They recently fought a guy named Benji (the fans seem to like them) but he lost. They’re the kind of guys you can come up to at a bar and get a bit more time from them than the bigger stars. It’s time they remind you who they are, drawing a WHO ARE YA chant. Will Ospreay brought them here and they’re going to email him and have him fix things. They’re about to be elevated. I’ve heard worse heel turns and Dunn isn’t the worst talker.

Lana Austin didn’t agree to face Bea Priestly, especially not in a falls count anywhere match. The word WHAT is shouted a lot as she finds out about the stipulation.

Ameen asks Benji if he knows about Phantasmo’s glasses but Benji says just get some new ones because they only cost two pounds. Ameen: “To the battlefield!”

After a very big and full of praise introduction, here’s British wrestling legend Marty Jones for a chat. He’s been hearing the British wrestling is finished for a long time and now look at all this. Jones talks about some of the great times and makes some soccer jokes before talking about running a training school in Oldham. He’d like to introduce us to two of his students, who happen to be the nephews of the Dynamite Kid, who passed away about six weeks earlier. These two are part of the Breakout Division, which seems to be a newcomer division (hence the name Breakout more than likely). Tonight, we’re going to have an exhibition.

Thomas Billington vs. Mark Billington

These two are seventeen and fifteen with Jones saying they haven’t even been training for nine months yet. They start fast with Mark grabbing a belly to back to back suplex and some armdrags into a wristlock as Jones watches on. Some monkey flips can’t get Thomas anywhere other than into a standoff but some legsweeps work a bit better to put Thomas down.

Thomas catches him on top and slips while trying a superplex. A jumping Tombstone knocks Mark silly and the Swan Dive (required) makes it even worse. Instead of covering, Thomas tries a suplex and they fall out to the floor in a hard heap for a double nine. And here’s the Connection, now in Ospreay shirts, for the no contest at 4:04.

Rating: N/A. There’s something weird about rating a match between two people who combine to be only slightly older than I am. They certainly have some energy to them and they know how to do some things, but at the same time they were packing in way too much stuff for four minutes. To be fair though, that’s kind of the point of an exhibition. It’s not fair to rate two trainees the same way I’d rate professionals but they were trying and could have been far worse.

Post match the Connection says they don’t want to hear from an old man like Jones, who asks the fans for some applause for these two young boys. Jones wants to know who the Connection thinks they are because as much as Ospreay has taught them, it’s not as much as his boys know. Jones even insults the Connection’s hair before leaving. I’d assume a tag match is imminent.

John Klinger recently came back and won the Ringmaster tournament. He rants in German before switching back to English to say he will thrill us.

An unnamed guy has a very closeup interview, talking about hidden Easter eggs in videos he’s been sending in. He talks about 801 days passing since he set foot in WCPW and how Primate must remember. Primate needed help to beat him when the unnamed guy was told he was too wild for YouTube.

Now Primate has become the face of Defiant while this guy has kept making movies until someone kept coming back to have him pick up the slack. He’s started pre-production and is ready to be back to deal with Primate. They were going to make the rise of the Sick Boy and the premiere is soon. Heck of a promo here and I can live with not saying the guy’s name as the fans probably know who he is. I want to see more from this guy and his feud with Primate so this blew away everything else on the show so far.

Omari vs. Conor Renshaw

The announcers can’t stop talking about what we just saw and I can’t blame them. Renshaw goes right at him and scores with a suplex for two. Omari superkicks him down and gets two of his own off a gutwrench suplex. A springboard double stomp to the back sets up a swinging Downward Spiral (the O Zone) to finish Renshaw at 1:28. Just a step above a squash and Omari looked good while it lasted.

Post match Omari talks about Nathan Cruz attacking him recently. If Cruz is really the Mr. Professional that he claims to be, he’ll face Omari next week.

Ameen yells at Miller (on the phone) for not getting his dry cleaning on time. Martin Kirby (Internet Champion) comes in to be interrogated about the glasses. The only thing Kirby is guilty of is stealing the show. He’s so awesome that he’s not even going to defend the title anymore. Ameen pulls out the Defiant Rule Book (clearly not a phone book with a piece of paper on the front), which says he has to defend the title for free on YouTube. Actually hang on, as Kirby knows a rule of his own: if he wins the title from someone from Europe, he doesn’t have to defend the title if he doesn’t want to. Ameen: “WHY DID I PUT THAT IN THERE???”

Mark Haskins (again, not named) wants the Anti-Fun Police next week. They need some name graphics around here.

Preview for next week’s show.

Preview for Unstoppable.

David Starr vs. Pac

Starr is a cocky guy with approximately 192 nicknames. Pac’s (with a great video saying ERROR: GRAVITY LOST) Open The Dream Gate Title isn’t on the line. The fans sing what sounds like a song about Pac coming home. Starr gets a chant of his own and they lock up after over a minute of soaking it all in. A shoulder puts Pac down but he nips up to show off a bit. Pac is back up and moonsaults over Starr out of the corner before kicking some invisible dirt behind him.

Starr gets serious by tearing the tape off of his shoulder as the songs continue, this time with Starr being treated rather badly. They go to the mat with Starr not being able to get very far by pulling on the leg. A crisscross lets Starr get two off a Thesz press, followed by a crotch to the head. The crowd lets Starr know that he screwed up (more colorfully of course) and the fight heads outside with Starr going into the barricade. Back in and Starr’s comeback is countered with a kick to the head and the big middle rope moonsault drops him again.

Starr is trying but Pac is feeling it so far. A missile dropkick gives Pac one and we hit the chinlock. Back up and a brainbuster onto the knee gives Starr his first big offense nearly ten minutes in. Starr picks up the pace with a victory roll and a top rope elbow for two each, followed by a gutwrench faceplant. Product Placement (arm trap German suplex) is blocked and Pac grabs a slingshot cutter for a rather pleased reaction. Pac’s still great looking top rope superplex makes Starr bounce before the two count and the fans aren’t sure about this aggressive side.

They slug it out until Pac superkicks him but Starr nails an elbow to the face. Back to back lariats get a nice near fall but Pac blocks a superplex attempt. The Red Arrow misses and Starr grabs a Crossface. Thankfully Pac realizes that he’s a few inches from the rope and moves his leg over for the break. Starr doesn’t know what to do so it’s a Canadian Destroyer, which is countered into a backdrop to bump the referee. Pac kicks him low and the Red Arrow finishes Starr at 19:15.

Rating: B+. Yep he’s still got it and I continue to be astounded that WWE felt Enzo Freaking Amore was the way to go instead of Pac. The guy can go like this and looks like that but for some reason he wasn’t good enough to do anything but put over the goon with the catchphrases? Starr looked great as well, but that tends to be the case more often than not.

Post match World Champion Rampage comes out to stare Pac down before heading to the ring and granting Starr a title shot at Unstoppable. Starr accepts and promises to beat the censored out of Rampage because he’s really good at professional wrestling

Overall Rating: B-. Much like last time, I could see myself watching this more regularly. The wrestling was more than passable with an awesome main event and a really good promo from someone who seems to be named Sick Boy. They have some talent around here and I could go for watching some more of this. It’s more proof that it’s not about the size of the stage or budget (though those help) but rather how well you present what you have. Pac felt like a star here and they set up a heel turn for the Connection. It went well and there were things that made me want to come back. Not too bad at all.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2000 Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Part 1 (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/02/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-thunder-reviews-volume-vii-january-june-2000/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Intimidation Games
Date: March 2, 2019
Location: Cicero Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Attendance: 2,200
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, Jim Cornette

It’s time for another live special as MLW certainly doesn’t take its time getting to these things. This time around we have World Champion Tom Lawlor defending against former champion Low Ki in a cage, which should last a bit longer than last time’s short title match. Let’s get to it.

Opening sequence.

Bocchini has to talk over the ring announcer hyping things up.

Jim Cornette is now on commentary because I need another reason to like this place.

Laredo Kid/Taurus vs. Lucha Bros

Pentagon and Taurus start things off as Cornette is already praising everything he can find. Taurus dares to block CERO MIEDO so Fenix comes in to kick him in the head. Everything breaks down (I’m glad they didn’t waste time) with Kid springboarding in for a missile dropkick, followed by an Asai moonsault onto Pentagon. Taurus isn’t about to be outdone as he hits a corkscrew dive for good measure.

Fenix moonsaults onto both of them but Taurus headbutts the heck out of Pentagon to knock him silly. That leaves Fenix to get double teamed inside but you know the selling isn’t lasting that long, meaning Pentagon is right back in to make a save. Fenix is back in with the springboard kick to the face and a Superman forearm in the corner. The wheelbarrow splash gets two on Taurus and it’s off to the double submission but the Bros have to let them go because….I guess common sense.

Cornette gets to talk about some historic Chicago wrestling, which is far more his speed and the first time he doesn’t sound like he’s trying to keep up. Pentagon and Laredo Kid chop it out and we take a break. Back with Taurus striking away at Pentagon and somewhat connecting with a spinning top rope crossbody. Fenix is right back in with more kicks to Taurus’ head but has to slug it out with Kid in the corner.

Kid kicks Fenix down but gets caught on top with a kick from Pentagon. Taurus is right there with a powerbomb to send Pentagon onto Fenix, setting up a 450 onto the Lucha Bros pile. The Contra logo pops up as the Bros are right back up with more kicks. Rich: “It’s hard to tell which team is in control at the moment.” Cornette: “YOU THINK???” The spike Fear Factor to Kid with Fenix diving onto Taurus is enough for the pin at 10:58.

Rating: B. The lucha tag work was the usual entertaining stuff but the entertaining part was listening to Cornette having next to no clue what was going on here. It’s not his style and that’s not surprising given his background. It’s cool to see the Bros still around here as they add some star power and guarantee one good match after another. Lucha tags are almost always fun and that’s what we got here, in a smart way to start the live show.

Post match Fenix thanks everyone involved and says this is his life.

Video on Jimmy Havoc, who is back soon.

Cornette explains the Freebird Rule. This place is really good at making sure fans know what’s going on.

Battle Riot II Control Center. The show, featuring their forty man Royal Rumble style match, is on April 5 and so far Pentagon Jr., Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Pro Wrestling Noah’s Minoru Tanaka.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman and Richard Holliday want a shot at the Tag Team Titles. I mean, they haven’t teamed together before so they sound like viable contenders to me. Friedman calls out the Harts for being lame because the Friedmans are a much more important family.

Salina de la Renta says Low Ki isn’t talking and promises revenge tonight.

The fans want wrestling, likely because it’s been a long time since the first match ended. I’m assuming they’re playing it safe for the sake of timing after SuperFight’s match ran so short, which makes sense but isn’t the most practical move in the world.

MLW World Title: Tom Lawlor vs. Low Ki

Lawlor is defending and it’s pinfall/submission/escape. Low Ki jumps him before the bell and the door is locked with Lawlor in early trouble. As the Contra logo comes up again, the announcers talk about the 46lb weight difference which should give Low Ki the speed advantage. Makes enough sense. Lawlor comes back and starts in on the arm, including a Pentagon Jr. snap.

Since it’s not Lucha Underground, Low Ki is right back up and sends him into the cage. A high heeled shoe from Salina goes into Lawlor’s ribs and it’s time to start the kicks to the chest. Some rams into the cage get two and we hit the abdominal stretch. Lawlor comes back with a suplex but Low Ki knees him in the head on the way down for a counter that the announcers miss. Lawlor’s powerbomb is countered with another shot to the head and a jumping stomp to the chest gets two.

Low Ki misses a kick to the face so Lawlor plants him with a spinning belly to back faceplant. An ankle lock has Low Ki in trouble but he’s out fast enough. That lets him grab a roll of quarters (oh yeah Cornette works here) but Lawlor knocks it out of his hands. Lawlor goes for a climb but gets caught in a choke from behind. That’s enough for Low Ki to get above him and stand on top, with Lawlor shaking the cage to crotch him for a rather scary moment.

Both guys sit on top of the cage for the slugout with Lawlor getting his second leg over. Low Ki does the same and they start kicking at each other instead of dropping the four feet down to the floor to win. Low Ki’s arm is tied in the cage but Lawlor climbs horizontally away from him to throw more kicks. They ram each other into the cage as the fans aren’t exactly sure why this is still going. With nothing else to do and logic kicking in, stereo slams into the cage puts them both down with Lawlor hitting the ground first to retain at 15:01.

Rating: B. Illogical ending aside, this felt like a big time main event and the kind of match that these two should have been having. It felt like the kind of match that should be headlining a major show and Lawlor winning for the second time, even by a split second, is a good way to wrap up the show.

Post match Simon Gotch and two unnamed guys (one is Samoan) come in and beat Lawlor down. Rich thinks this is the work of Salina but she and Low Ki are both long gone. The Samoan goes to the top of the cage for the Superfly Splash. The fans are very impressed as Gotch pulls out a CONTRA flag to cover Lawlor to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. Now this was more like it as MLW continues to do the big shows in the right way. The company knows how to do something like this and that’s a good sign. Cornette was a positive surprise (ok maybe more for me than anyone else) and he can offer a different style to the show. The ending worked well also and I’m wanting to see where things go from here, as Lawlor needs a new challenger. Very solid show here and they nailed the big stuff.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2000 Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Part 1 (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/02/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-thunder-reviews-volume-vii-january-june-2000/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Ohio Valley Wrestling

Ohio Valley Wrestling
Date: February 25, 2019
Location: Davis Arena, Louisville, Kentucky
Commentators: Gilbert Corsey, Ted McNaler, Josh Ashcraft

I’m hoping the rubber show is an improvement as I’ve watched two shows so far and the second was pretty much a disaster. I believe this is the go home show for the Impact show but it’s kind of hard to tell given the way the shows are posted around here. Hopefully this one is better though or I’ve wasted some money on the Impact show. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Sami Callihan, the Crist Brothers, Madman (Sawyer) Fulton and Ace Austin are in the front row, though I wouldn’t quite associate Fulton and Austin with Impact.

We recap Callihan spitting in Tony Gunn’s face last week.

Here’s Gunn to a decent face reaction to say that things are going to be a little different this week. Gunn issues a challenge for Sami to come in the ring right now but Callihan doesn’t bite. Ok he probably does but not here. Gunn spits at him so the fight is on immediately. The rest of the Impact guys jump the barricade and the beatdown is on with Sami grabbing the OVW Title to knock Gunn silly. Some of the locker room runs out for the big brawl. Commissioner Dean Hill finally comes out to break things up. Good segment, though it showed the complete lack of star power in OVW.

The War Kings come in to see King’s Ransom and the one on one match for the future title shot isn’t happening.

Drew Hernandez vs. Justin Smooth

I’m still not sure what the original issue is here. Hernandez offers a handshake which gets about the reception you would expect. Smooth is ready for the low blow and a right hand knocks Hernandez outside. The chase is on with Drew catching him by the legs for a crotching against the post. Another low blow keeps Smooth in trouble but he’s fine enough to kick Hernandez away.

Hernandez blasts him with a clothesline for two and loads up his own version of Street Justice. That’s blocked as well and Smooth hits a very weak atomic drop. A spinebuster works a bit better and Smooth loads up the low blow but stops to think about it. The delay lets Hernandez kicks him away, leaving him set up for the Sting falling low blow in a nice spot. Street Justice finishes Hernandez at 5:50.

Rating: D. Smooth has a great look and some potential but he needs a lot of ring time to make things come together. I’m sure he’ll get a chance at some point on his physique and build alone. Hernandez is pretty much a low blow and nothing else, which isn’t quite enough to make me care about him as a heel or anything else for that matter. The ending was fine but they spent WAY too much time in the chase.

Sinn Bodhi promises to make things weird next week. This is set to the Sanford and Son theme to make things that much better.

TV Title: Gauntlet Match

Shiloh Jonze is defending and it’s KTD and Crimson to start. Crimson is about a foot taller than KTD and does the hand on the head to block right hands. Some right hands to the body stagger Crimson but he’s right back with a beating in the corner. The referee gets shoved though and that’s a DQ to get rid of Crimson at 1:25. The beatdown continues until King’s Ransom runs in for the save to chase Crimson off but KTD can’t continue so it’s Brandon Espinosa in third and Melvin Maximus in fourth.

Brandon tries his luck with forearms and a low superkick for two but a running powerslam (with Melvin almost dropping him) gets rid of Espinosa at 4:23. Jaden Roller, Espinosa’s partner, is in fifth and gets powerslammed out at 4:43. Big Zo is in sixth as Melvin is exhausted despite being out there for about a minute and a half.

Melvin hits a hard shoulder but can’t slam the big guy. Instead it’s a Samoan drop into the Zo Bomb to get rid of Melvin at 7:23. Shiloh Jonze is in seventh to complete the field and brings Big D. out with him. Zo beats both of them up and avoids three straight elbows from D, which hit Jonze by mistake. A running crossbody finishes Jonze at 9:19.

Rating: D. Now this felt like an instance where they had nothing to do this week and just wanted to get in and out as fast as they could. That made for a bad match as they were rapid firing the eliminations with nothing having a chance to mean anything. On top of that, how was Melvin tired after two powerslams? That’s just sad.

Jaylee yells at Cali for taking the title last week. A woman makes a cameo to say she can hear them down the hall and they need an inside voice.

Thunderkitty vs. Miss Hannah

Thunderkitty is billed as 97 years old but doesn’t exactly do anything to fit the gimmick save for having a black and white entrance. They fight over a lockup to start until Hannah misses a charge in the corner. Hannah cartwheels away and gets in a few right hands. A quick distraction of the referee lets Thunderkitty poke her in the eye and grab a small package (again with the shoulder up) for the pin at 3:03.

Rating: D-. Egads this show needs to end now, or at least move on to something worthwhile. This was more terrible stuff with Thunderkitty doing nothing to make you think she’s any kind of an interesting gimmick. I’ve seen her multiple times in different promotions and it’s been the same each time. Did the crowd know about the gimmick or was it something you had to hear mentioned on commentary? If you didn’t hear it in the arena, I don’t know how you would have known otherwise.

Colton Cage calls Dustin Jackson in jail (which looks a lot like a locker room) and gets in the expected taunting. Dustin promises to get out and make it up to Dani, who happens to be next to Cage. A lot of ARE YOU SERIOUS BRO’s are shouted.

The Void comes out for a match but Crazzy Steve and Aamon jump them from behind. As the announcers recap the feud (The Void used to be their minions while they were all part of Abyss’ Army but they’ve broken free because they were always blamed for everything. It took ten seconds to recap and now I’m caught up. It’s not that hard.), the Void fights back but Winters misses a dive to the floor.

Another dive connects but the beatdown is on again with Steve pulling out a plastic bag to suffocate Winters (as he did to Chace Destiny a few weeks ago). Chace makes the save but Aamon brings in a chair. A spike DDT onto the chair destroys Nigel so referees can finally break it up. These guys are good villains and this has been the best thing about the three shows so far.

We look at the opening brawl.

Here’s Commissioner Danny Davis (he was the play by play guy for years so it’s nice to hear that voice again) to address things from earlier. He’s been on the phone with the Impact bosses and at the Impact show, it’s the Crist Brothers/Madman Fulton/Ace Austin vs. four stars to be named, plus Gunn vs. Callihan. This brings out Gunn but here’s Sami for the fight. The rest of the Impact guys run in but some of the locker room comes in and the brawl is on. Gunn hits a big dive and the Impact guys are taken out to end the show.

Overall Rating: D. Well it was somewhat better, but at the same time it was some of the weaker wrestling I can remember seeing in a long time. Part of the problem is that so much of this show feels like it’s being used to build towards the Impact show, but with only one match officially announced, they’re lacking for stories on the rest of the weekly TV. Hopefully things are better when the Impact roster is here, because these three weeks didn’t instill me with confidence.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2000 Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Part 1 (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/02/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-thunder-reviews-volume-vii-january-june-2000/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Ohio Valley Wrestling

Ohio Valley Wrestling
Date: February 18, 2019
Location: Davis Arena, Louisville, Kentucky
Commentators: Gilbert Corsey, Ted McNaler, Josh Ashcraft

Last week’s show was a rather mixed bag but I think I can call it more good than bad. With that one out of the way, I have something close to an idea of what to expect on this one, which should help pave the way for Impact Wrestling showing up next month. We’ll probably get another TV Title gauntlet match this week due to whatever reason they think that’s a good idea. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

The announcers welcome us to the show and talk about the race to be on the big Impact show. Ted talks about his wife Brittany Devore recently losing the Women’s Title and wanting her rematch tonight….as Sami Callihan and Jake Crist are sitting in the front row and shouting a lot. More on this later I’m sure.

TV Title: Gauntlet Match

Justin Smooth is defending but it’s Dimes in first and Nigel Winters in second. Dimes works on the knee to start before it’s off to an early pinfall reversal sequence. It’s off to the arm but Dimes can’t get the Change Maker (seems to be some kind of an armbar) so it’s a quickly broken crossarm choke instead.

Neither of them can get a hiptoss so Nigel misses a charge in the corner. Dimes misses a top rope stomp as well but the Change Maker (ah it’s a Crossface) goes on. Nigel rolls through again and dropkicks Dimes in the back to block a handspring. It’s already back to the Change Maker but Nigel reverses into a cradle for the pin at 5:00.

Drew Hernandez is in third and misses an early splash into the corner to give Nigel two. A sleeper works a bit better for Nigel and a stomp to the back keeps Drew in trouble. He unhooks a buckle pad on the way back up to distract the ref and the trademark low blow finishes Nigel at 6:46.

Justin Smooth is in fourth and sends him into the exposed buckle. Street Justice misses though as Drew bails to the floor and we take a break. Back with Smooth forearming away in the corner but Drew heads outside again at the threat of another Street Justice. A spinebuster takes Drew down back inside but this time Hernandez pulls the referee in front. The low blow is blocked and Smooth kicks him low for the DQ at 10:58, losing the title in the process. Shiloh Jonze with the Entourage is in fifth and dances over for the one finger pin to get rid of Hernandez at 11:55.

Melvin Maximus is in sixth and it’s one on one for the title. Some hiptosses have Jonze in trouble but the Entourage finally gets involved with a quick trip to let Jonze take over. A Hennig necksnap and a chinlock keep Melvin down but for some reason Jonze thinks it’s a good idea to hit a monster in the face. The bearhug goes on until Melvin goes the Entourage, allowing Jonze to Superman punch him in the throat. That and some feet on the ropes are enough for the pin and the title at 15:43.

Rating: D+. Yeah as you had to imagine was coming, there isn’t much of a future to having so many people from the midcard in the same match week after week. Jonze winning the title feels like something that isn’t going to make it past next week as I don’t think OVW’s version of Grandmaster Sexay is going to make it to the Impact show.

Here’s Brittany Devore to say she was cheated out of the Women’s Title on Friday so let’s have a rematch right now.

Women’s Title: Jaylee vs. Brittany Devore

Jaylee is defending and comes out with two women named Cali and Valerie Vermin (who combine to form the It Girls). They’ve been promised title matches first, but Jaylee agrees to give Brittany the title shot tonight. Well that….is likely a screwy finish coming. Brittany charges at her for some bad looking right hands but the It Girls trip her down. Jaylee’s rollup retains the title at 38 seconds.

And indeed, Cali wants her title match RIGHT NOW.

Women’s Title: Cali vs. Jaylee

Jaylee is defending and loses the title in three seconds to a rollup, despite her shoulder being up at one.

The Void wants Crazzy Steve back so they can end this, no matter what the cost.

King’s Ransom isn’t done with the War Kings because they got cheated last week. They have a challenge for the champs: next week one member of each team face off and it’s either a title shot or King’s Ransom walks away.

Here’s OVW Champion (it’s a good looking belt too, kind of a cross between the Winged Eagle and Attitude Era title designs) Tony Gunn for a chat. He’s going to be a fighting champion and it’s time to run off the people who don’t belong here. Callihan and Crist aren’t impressed from the front row and cut him off with an OVE chant.

We get another creepy Sinn Bodhi promo, which really are highlights around here.

Here’s Cash Flo with some money in his hand. It’s time for the Cash Flo Chop Shop Challenge, meaning he’ll put up $1000 to anyone who will face him in a chop off. The interviewer runs away and it’s Ashton Cove, a rather small guy with tape over his nipples, taking the challenge first. Cove tries to tape himself up even more but a single chop sends him outside.

William Lutz, also in a JOB Squad shirt, is the fourth challenger. They trade two chops each and the third makes Lutz tap. Sam Thompson is fifth (yes there have been five challengers) and they trade four chops each as Thompson refuses to quit. The fifth is too much for Thompson to get up from but he doesn’t tap. Here’s Big Zo (the only person of some size) to take the challenge. Flo says the Chop Shop is closed, wrapping this up after a ridiculous THIRTEEN MINUTES.

We look back at Dustin Jackson accidentally knocking out Dani last week despite swinging for Colton Cage.

Here’s Dustin to ask Dani (with a nasty black eye) for his forgiveness because it was an accident. She comes over to him as he gets on one knee but here’s Cage to arrest Jackson for domestic violence. Colton laughs as Dustin is taken away to end the show.

Overall Rating: D-. Maybe last week’s show was a lucky shot because this felt like a bunch of people who had no idea what they were doing here. The show felt all over the place (a thirteen minute chopping exchange) and while the ending angle wasn’t bad, this show was dying for another match in the middle to bridge the gap a bit. There were moments that weren’t bad, but this was a near disaster on almost all levels.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2000 Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Part 1 (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/02/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-thunder-reviews-volume-vii-january-june-2000/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #46
Date: February 22, 2019
Location: 2300 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Matt Striker, Rich Bocchini

Things have gone well in Philadelphia so far and there’s a good chance that’s going to be the case again here. This time around we have the debut of the rather redneck Mance Warner, which could go in a variety of ways. Other than that we have what should be some awesome lucha as Rey Horus faces Aerostar. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of the end of last week’s show with Richard Holliday and Maxwell Jacob Friedman attacking Teddy Hart and possibly breaking his rib.

Opening sequence.

Lance Anoa’i vs. Rich Swann

Swann was suspended last week but is wrestling while on appeal. Before the match, Swann thanks the fans for being by his side and walking step by step with him. The announcers suggest that a concussion has turned Swann a little more evil, which is kind of a stretch of a story. Swann loads up the test of strength which turns into the dance, as it tends to do. A big kick to the head staggers Lance, who is right back with a backdrop which sends Swann into a 450.

The Samoan drop sends Swann outside for the big flip dive, followed by the CONTRA sign popping up again, which still isn’t acknowledge by commentary. Back in and Swann rakes the eyes (must be the concussion again) before ripping at the face. A pull of the hair gets a four count, with Swann explaining the rules to the referee like a villain should. An abdominal stretch keeps Lance in trouble, naturally starting the comeback a few seconds later.

Swann gets caught with a Stinger Splash into a running hip attack in the corner for two. A Rock Bottom doesn’t work as well as Swann slips out and hits a Lethal Injection for one. Swann kicks him in the head but Lance is right back with one of his own. The 450 misses though (nice one too despite Lance being bigger than a cruiserweight) and Swann grabs a rollup with a hand on the ropes for the pin at 7:07.

Rating: C-. Swann’s heel run is going better than I was expecting it to as he’s rather easy to dislike. At the same time, Lance was more impressive than usual here, as he isn’t the most thrilling guy in the world most of the time. With the right amount of time, both of these guys could become something interesting around here.

Tom Lawlor says it doesn’t matter how Low Ki is training for their cage match because Low Ki is coming into his world. The blackout is coming in Chicago, just like the Contra logo pops up again here.

We look at the Friedman/Holliday attack again.

Friedman talks about beating Hart down like a dog and paying off Holliday in a smart move. They both come from good families who aren’t filled with drugs, meaning Friedman is just better. He’ll prove that when he takes the Middleweight Title back.

Mance Warner has the interviewer hold a white board so he can write his plan for tonight:

1. Light beer

2. Eye pokes

3. Knee pad up, knee pad down

4. Lariats

Mance wants anyone who wants to get in the ring with the Mancer because he’s going to keep getting those W’s. He’s got some strong charisma.

Video on Aerostar.

Jimmy Yuta vs. Mance Warner

Yuta’s mask even lights up ala Mustafa Ali. Warner chops and swings away in the corner and seems to like it when Yuta hits him back. Yuta’s Octopus Hold is quickly broken up and Warner drops him with a windup headbutt. Yuta knocks him to the apron and joins him out there, where Warner asks him to hang on a second. For some reason Yuta does and Warner DDTs him on the apron. The first eye poke connects but Yuta is right back up with a suicide dive. Back in and something like an Angle Slam gives Yuta two so Warner headbutts him. The kneepad goes up and down to set up a knee trembler, setting up a lariat for the pin at 5:31.

Rating: C+. Warner isn’t exactly polished but he’s a lot of fun and does exactly what you would expect from him. He does feel like an old southern brawler and the entertaining promos are going to be more than enough to carry him. I liked what I saw here and he beat a big enough name to mean a little something. Well done here.

Davey Boy Smith talks about his love of cats and dogs. Teddy Hart says he’s trained in a shoot world and would love to see Smith choke Brock Lesnar out. They’ve saved all of their money over the years and are here for the gold.

Intimidation Games Control Center, featuring a bunch of names being announced but no new matches.

Video on Rey Horus.

Aerostar vs. Rey Horus

They fight over the armdrags to start and get the required covers with no counts. Double flip ups give us a standoff until Horus slides to the floor for the sole purpose of taking a dive from Aerostar. Back in and Aerostar hits a top rope corkscrew crossbody as Striker has literally not stopped talking about how important lucha libre is for the last two minutes. Horus sends him outside for the big running flip dive over the ropes for two back inside.

Aerostar kicks him in the head and hits a top rope reverse shoulder block (that’s a new one) for two of his own. Horus slams him in front of the corner but Aerostar shoves him outside for the running springboard flip dive. Back in and Aerostar hits a rolling cutter but Horus snaps off a Spanish Fly. Aerostar heads up top but gets pulled down with a super victory roll to give Horus the pin at 7:35.

Rating: B-. Entertaining luchaing here but nothing that we haven’t seen done much better time after time. It’s the kind of thing that is going to work every time though because these matches are very exciting, with those dives always looking crisp. It worked for a main event on the go home show and the fans liked it so well done on all accounts.

Salina de la Renta says she doesn’t speak Spanish so the interviewer asks to see Low Ki in English. That’s not happening either because Low Ki is training with some UFC fighters. When asked if they can talk to LA Park, she remembers that she can’t speak English and yells in French.

One more Contra logo wraps things up.

Overall Rating: C+. This wasn’t your traditional go home show and that’s ok, though Intimidation Games is looking like a far cry from SuperFight. That being said, it helps when you have more than a handful of matches announced in advance, though the cage match alone should carry things. Warner’s debut was fun and it was a good main event so this was a really easy sit for just under an hour.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2000 Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Part 1 (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/02/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-thunder-reviews-volume-vii-january-june-2000/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Ohio Valley Wrestling

Now this is going to be very different. I spent a lot of years watching OVW TV and got to see a bunch of people in the WWE developmental system before they came up to the main roster (hence the old motto: “Tomorrow’s Superstars Today!”). However, Lexington stopped getting the TV show years ago so I haven’t seen this promotion in probably ten years. Then I heard that Imp

act Wrestling was doing a One Night Only show in Louisville with OVW this Saturday and since that’s only about an hour and fifteen minutes away, I’m taking in the show. So I won’t be lost, I’ll be looking at the three most recent OVW TV’s.

I’m not sure what day the TV actually airs so we’ll go with their dates on YouTube.

Ohio Valley Wrestling
Date: February 11, 2019
Location: Davis Arena, Louisville, Kentucky
Commentators: Gilbert Corsey, Ted McNaler, Josh Ashcraft

In something that I don’t get to say very often, I’m coming into this completely blind. I don’t know these wrestlers, I don’t know their stories and I don’t know what they do. That can be fun though as it lets me see what kind of stuff I’m getting into as an outsider, meaning they need to show me something. Let’s get to it.

Opening sequence, featuring a bunch of shots of wrestlers with their names included. That’s very helpful indeed.

The announcers (two of whom I recognize from back in the day) recap the recent Saturday Night Special (their big shows) and talk about everything we’ll be seeing, including a new OVW Champion and a tag team winning a tournament to get a guaranteed title shot.

Here’s OVW owner Al Snow to thank everyone for allowing OVW to exist. He has a big announcement though: on March 2, Impact Wrestling is coming for a super show. Didn’t I just say that? Snow wants the best of OVW on the show, which is why champions are guaranteed to be on the card, though there will be some other spots available. This brings out to guys who seem to be named the Entourage and are rather white rappers.

Shiloh Jonze wants in on this show but the other one (unnamed) wants in as well, triggering a fight. A big guy names….well Big Zo actually, comes in to say that they’re both stupid. This brings out Melvin Maximus, who says he’s a two time TV Champion and a former OVW Champion. On March 3, Snow is going to have to make a choice. Actually not as the show is on March 2, which thankfully Snow points out. Now it’s Adam Revolver (another guy I remember) to suck up to Snow as the small entrance way is getting very full.

We’re not done yet as Cash Flo comes in to say the grown folks are talking right now. Flo insults them all (rather badly too as he sounds like he’s having to think of every show) until Drew Hernandez comes out to say he’s proven how worthy he is. He’s proven how much better he is than Heavyweight Champion Tony Gunn and Justin Smooth, which brings out Smooth as well.

Snow has had it and says that it’s true a champion is guaranteed a spot, including possibly the TV Champion (Smooth). He explains the TV Title, which is defended every week in a gauntlet match where the title can change hands on a countout or a DQ. Therefore, let’s have everyone here in a gauntlet match tonight with the winner being guaranteed to be on the big show.

This was really long and felt like a WWE segment with some people who feel like just slightly above average indy wrestlers. Now that being said, they all want something and their motivations are clear, so at least the segment made sense and wasn’t something where you needed an explanation of what was going on. I did however need an explanation of who these people were as even some name graphics would have helped.

Dimes/Eddie Knight vs. The Void

Yes Dimes, who looks to be about sixteen. The Void are Chace Destiny and Nigel Winters, two guys in Void shirts. The audio is really off here as the ring announcer comes in very clearly and sounds great but McNaler sounds like he’s about three feet from the microphone and can barely be heard over the entrance music. Dimes and Knight take turns working on Winters’ arm as the announcers talk about Destiny being suffocated by a plastic bag last week. It’s off to Destiny for his own arm cranking as all four of them are barely above the top rope.

The arm work continues as they’re certainly in first gear but it’s looking crisp enough and I’ll take that over bad execution of more complicated stuff. A legsweep takes Dimes down and a double Japanese armdrag does it again. Dimes manages to get up top but gets dropkicked out of the air as we hear about the Void being the minions of the evil Crazzy Steve and Aamon who broke away from their control. That’s a fine explanation of a backstory and explains their rather heelish sounding names. Something close to a Demolition Decapitator (with a fist drop instead of an elbow) finishes Dimes at 3:53.

Rating: D. This seemed to be a starter win for the Void, who felt like faces in gear that looked heelish, which actually fit the backstory. In other words, while the wrestling wasn’t all that great, the commentary was a nice feature and kept me from having a bunch of questions about what I was watching. The arm work dominated this match and that’s not the most thrilling stuff in the world, but I’ll take it over botching everything left and right.

Before the Void can be announced as the winners, Aamon appears in the balcony to say the worms have forgotten where they came from. The sheep wander away from their home but a good shepherd will bring them back to the flock, no matter what they have to go through first. This was effective stuff as Aamon sounded really creepy and came off like a threat to the Void, who aren’t the most impressive looking people in the first place.

We get a sitdown interview with new OVW Champion Tony Gunn, though the audio is now just only coming through one ear instead of both for some reason. We see a clip of Gunn defeating Abyss to win the title and Gunn talks about being away from OVW for over a year due to an injury. He’s worked hard to get here and is ready to face anyone either from OVW or from outside.

His first title defense will take place at a house show on February 16 against the winner of a Rumble that night. Gunn is cool with that because he’s ready for anyone. As for Impact Wrestling, he took the title from their Hall of Famer, so he’s ready for anyone else. Gunn isn’t a bad promo and I can see his star power, at least on this level.

King’s Ransom (the winners of the Nightmare Cup tournament, two guys with a great look) want their Tag Team Title shot against the War Kings RIGHT NOW so here are the champs (Crimson/Jax Dane). However, they want to be defending the titles at the Impact show. After some insults from the champs, Ransom (Leonis Khan and Maximus Khan) jump the two of them and the match is on.

Tag Team Titles: King’s Ransom vs. War Kings

The War Kings are defending and wrestling in street clothes. Maximus slips out of Dane’s fireman’s carry and it’s quickly off to Leonis for a splash in the corner. A double hiptoss keeps Crimson in trouble and a rollup gives Leonis two. It’s back to the bigger Dane, who shoves both challengers away without much effort. Leonis gets two off a crossbody as everything breaks down. The referee gets crushed by a Stinger Splash and the King’s Landing (a double spinebuster) plants Crimson. Another referee comes in after a fifteen second cover to count two. Dane comes in with a belt shot to the head for the DQ at 4:12.

Rating: C-. Now this was more like it with two teams who looked like professional wrestlers. The War Kings are established names (Dane is a former NWA World Champion) and the King’s Ransom have a great look (almost like muscular Usos). I could see the latter team going somewhere with some more polish, and that’s exactly the point of a place like this.

We look back at Snow setting up the gauntlet match.

TV Title: Gauntlet Match

Justin Smooth is defending and it’s Dave Low (the other rapper from earlier tonight) in first and Zo in second. The huge Zo misses a charge into the corner but shrugs off a kick to the face. David dives off the top but gets caught in a World’s Strongest Slam. A Zo Bomb (Vader Bomb) gets rid of David at 39 seconds.

Shiloh Jonze is in third and charges right into a shoulder block. Zo clotheslines him out to the floor and Big D. (the rappers’ friend, a big man in a black wig) gets on the apron, only to have Zo take the wig away. That means some hairy dancing, followed by rapid fire elbows in the corner. Low offers a distraction so Big D. can come in….and get knocked outside again. Jonze charges into Zo’s hips in the corner and another Zo Bomb gets rid of him at 2:34.

Melvin Maximus is in fourth and has the muscles to match up with Zo. The lockup doesn’t go to either of them so Zo spinwheel kicks him down. It’s too early for the Zo Bomb though and Melvin electric chairs him down for the elimination at 4:41. Adam Revolver, who has been having issues with Maximus, is in fifth as we take a break. Back with Melvin punching his way out of a Figure Four so Adam’s manager Shannon the Dude comes in for a failed interference attempt. They brawl on the floor where, in a classic booking move, Shannon grabs Melvin’s foot from underneath the ring so Adam advances by countout at 8:03.

Smooth is in sixth and hits a quick flapjack to take over in a hurry. Revolver slaps on a sleeper but gets driven into the corner in a hurry. What looked to be a bicycle kick (or maybe a running knee to the chest) gets rid of Revolver at 9:30. Drew Hernandez is in seventh but before anything can start, Colton Cage and Dustin Jackson fight their way to ringside. Jackson’s girlfriend Dani comes to the barricade to yell at them to cut it out as Smooth and Hernandez stand around and watch.

Dani comes over the barricade and Colton accidentally knocks her down. Drew FINALLY remembers that he’s in a title match and jumps Smooth from behind….with a low blow for the DQ at 12:23. Another low blow connects and it’s Cash Flo in eighth to complete the field. Flo chops away on the downed Smooth with a seated senton busting up the ribs. A release German suplex has Smooth in more trouble so Flo goes up and dives (despite Smooth being in the opposite corner) into Street Justice (now clearly a bicycle kick) to retain Smooth’s title at 15:18.

Rating: D+. I’m really not sure what the point is in a gauntlet match unless it’s a way to get this many people onto the show at once. The wrestling wasn’t anything great but some of the people stood out more than others, with Smooth having a great look but clearly in need of a lot of ring time. Smooth retaining is fine, though I’m not sure how many weeks in a row something like this is going to work.

Overall Rating: D+. This was up and down to put it mildly, with some people looking like they have potential to go somewhere with more seasoning and some looking like low level indy talent who have no business being out of a training class. That being said, I had a good time with some of what happened here and kind of want to keep going with the show. There’s enough stuff to keep my interest and the stories are certainly easy to follow. Hopefully the next two weeks hold up a bit better, but what we got here was acceptable.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2000 Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Part 1 (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/02/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-thunder-reviews-volume-vii-january-june-2000/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #45
Date: February 15, 2019
Location: 2300 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Matt Striker, Rich Bocchini

We’re still in Philadelphia and it’s time for a title to be on the line. In this case that would be the Middleweight Title, which should be a fun match between Maxwell Jacob Friedman challenging Teddy Hart. This promotion has become a home for the Hart Foundation, which is quite the odd development. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with what looks like a fan created Hart Foundation music video. Not a bad one either.

Davey Boy Smith Jr. explains where he got a custom made Egyptian wool shirt in Japan. He offers a lot of praise for Japan in general and is working on his Japanese. A fan, who I believe was very prominently featured during Sandman’s entrance last week, comes in so some flirting can ensue.

Opening sequence.

Earlier this week, Salina de la Renta posted a video on Instagram making fun of Tom Lawlor and the fans (or marks as she calls them). She’s fine after the loss because Low Ki has a guaranteed rematch, which he’ll be using at Intimidation Games.

Ace Austin vs. Rich Swann

Swann is freshly heel and talks about bringing the party with him wherever he goes. They go basic to start with Austin working on an armbar as a random graphic pops up, saying CONTRA. It’s not acknowledged, which makes things a little more interesting. Some armdrags have Swann down and it’s time to for the rapid fire near falls into stereo dropkicks for a standoff. Swann lays on the top rope for a breather but Austin drop toeholds him down for a kick to the back.

Something off the top is shoved down though with Austin crashing onto the bare floor. A chop off goes to Austin back inside and a springboard spinning kick to the face gets two. Austin goes up and hits a top rope Vader Bomb for….the pin at 5:40? That was weird as the referee didn’t seem ready to count and even stopped at two before the three went down. Odd indeed.

Rating: C. It was fun while it lasted as both guys are talented with Austin being a nice surprise who has come out of nowhere. Swann as a heel has some potential too as you know he can do everything needed in the ring. He wasn’t going to get very far as smiling face though so this is a nice change.

Post match Swann beats up the referee and says that was two. Bocchini gets beaten up for trying an interview and Swann goes after the announcer as well, drawing some hard booing.

Ariel Dominguez vs. Alexander Hammerstone

This is Hammerstone’s debut and Dominguez is still rather small. Hammerstone growls about how he’s anything but normal and the future has arrived. Dominguez gets choked into the corner to start and an armdrag is blocked with raw power. There’s a Brogue kick to knock Dominguez silly and Hammerstone throws him with a German suplex. Hammerstone grabs a pumphandle and walks him around the ring before tossing Dominguez with a suplex.

The fans chant ONE MORE TIME but Hammerstone goes for a delayed vertical instead, allowing Dominguez to slip out. You don’t do that to Hammerstone though as it’s a hard clothesline to drop Dominguez. The Nightmare Pendulum (Hellevator) finishes Dominguez at 2:36. Hammerstone was impressive here and a lot better than when I saw him a few years ago.

Lawlor vs. Low Ki II is a cage match. The Contra thing pops up again as this is being announced. Also announced for the show: Taurus/Laredo Kid vs. the Lucha Bros.

Mance Warner is a very southern guy who has a bunch of nicknames while drinking light beer and talking about the semi truck engine he rented for the weekend. He’s certainly a fast talker.

Here’s MJF for his title shot but first, he needs to call Philadelphia white trash for liking ECW. As for Hart, the fans cheer for him even though MJF never lost the title. Why aren’t they chanting for him instead? Hart can come out here tonight and face him one on one because MJF is ready to prove that he’s the better man.

Middleweight Title: Teddy Hart vs. Maxwell Jacob Friedman

Hart is defending and has his cat Mr. Velvet with him. MJF won’t shake hands so Teddy goes to the corner for some posing instead. They switch places and Hart pulls the trunks down in a funny bit. Friedman sends him outside in a heap and kicks the rope for a low blow on the way back in. Why that isn’t a DQ isn’t made clear but Friedman suplexes him down into a headlock. Yes a headlock not a chinlock. That stays on for a lot longer than you might expect until Hart fights up and walks MJF’s back into the sunset flip for two.

The top rope Lionsault is good for the same and Hart goes with the right hands to the face. Hart spends too much time talking though and gets his arm stomped, followed by the hanging piledriver for two. The Fujiwara armbar goes on and MJF even bites the hand to make it worse.

Hart makes the rope so MJF puts him on top, where Hart pulls his trunks WAY up for some pain. The ref gets bumped and a hammerlock DDT plants MJF for no count. With Hart checking on the referee, MJF grabs a chair but gets kicked low because Hart is a good bit more intelligent. The electric chair Backstabber sets up the corkscrew Lionsault to retain the title at 11:13.

Rating: C. Nice enough match here as Friedman is your classic cruiserweight heel: stays on the ground and works a lot of submission holds, which is an idea that has worked forever. Fans are going to cheer for someone like Hart because of the flips and don’t want to see MJF keeping it on the mat, while also being such a jerk. They kept it simple here but did it well, which is a lot better than doing something complicated and messing it up.

As Teddy comes through the curtain, Richard Holliday jumps him as MJF comes in to say it’s his belt. It seems that we have a payoff as the double beatdown ends the show.

Overall Rating: C+. I liked this show as, just like last week, they didn’t focus on the main event scene and instead pushed their other stories to keep them interesting. It makes for a good show with Hammerstone looking rather impressive. Keep doing what they’re doing and things will be fine.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 1997 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/11/20/new-paperback-complete-1997-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #44
Date: February 8, 2019
Location: 2300 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Matt Striker, Rich Bocchini

We’re done with SuperFight and now we’re on the way towards Intimidation Games because MLW is actually making some steps forward around here. Tom Lawlor won the World Title in a very short match, which might have been due to time constraints. Fair enough, though you can imagine the rematch coming from here. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The opening video looks at SuperFight, which was a rather snappy little show.

Opening video.

Myron Reed vs. DJZ

They fight over arm control to start with no one getting anywhere. Reed bails into the ropes, followed by a cartwheel to stay away. DJZ gets a bit more serious with a dropkick into a jawbreaker to put Reed in some early trouble. A trip to the floor lets DJZ hit a suicide dive, followed by a nice slingshot splash back inside. Reed is right back up with a dive of his own (no hands) before going with a chinlock to slow things down. Reed: “He’s going to sleep!” Then why are you not using a sleeper? Young whippersnapper.

The comeback doesn’t take very long (I guess DJZ wasn’t very sleepy) as DJZ grabs a jumping neckbreaker. Reed is right back with the springboard cutter and DJZ’s tornado DDT is shoved off. An O’Connor roll is reversed into another one and Reed grabs the tights for the pin at 6:26.

Rating: C. Perfectly watchable showcase match for both guys here with DJZ suddenly being a somewhat respected name. Reed is someone who needs a lot more ring time but you can see the potential inside of him. A little more time for both guys is going to do them some good though they’re doing well enough here.

The Hart Foundation answers some questions about Valentine’s Day. Brian pleads the fifth about which girlfriend he’ll spend the holiday with, though he’s known for stacking them up like pizza. Teddy asks about his cats and uses a certain word. The solution to spicing up a twenty five year marriage: leave. Davey is indeed single and fills out his shorts. Finally: no hair, though they do like these beIN Sports sunglasses. This was funnier than it had any right to be.

Gringo Loco vs. Puma King

These guys are both rather popular. They start with the flipping that doesn’t make any actual contact and covers for some far falls. Of course it’s a standoff, which certainly pleases the fans. Puma takes over in the corner but we stop to dance, because dance breaks have made it to MLW. Loco flips forward to get a breather and they trade hurricanranas. One of them sends Loco outside and Puma is right after him with a dive. Back in and King nails a superkick, followed by more dancing.

They run the ropes and for no logical reason, King bails outside, setting up a flip dive from Loco. Back in and a spinning Vader Bomb gets two but King is right back with a top rope Codebreaker. Gringo catches him on top though and a springboard cutter gets two. Puma’s Code Red gets the same and it’s time to fight on the corner at the same time. The required super Spanish Fly finishes King at 7:38.

Rating: C+. Yeah this worked and they did exactly what was advertised here. They flew around, hit big spots and played to the crowd. Really, what else were they supposed to do? The match was entertaining and didn’t overstay its welcome, which is a great result for a TV match like this.

Tonight: the future of the Lucha Bros is revealed.

MJF doesn’t want to hear about Teddy Hart’s redemption because he doesn’t get it. Why are we praising someone who messed up in the first place? Where is the praise for MJF, who never did anything wrong? He’s never been to jail or done drugs, so now it’s time for him to get back the title he never lost.

Tommy Dreamer says Brian Pillman Jr. is coming into his house tonight. He has a mystery partner and because he’s been around for so long, he had about 2000 people to pick from. It’s going to be Sandman and I don’t know why they don’t just say so.

Jimmy Havoc is coming back.

Brian Pillman Jr./??? vs. Tommy Dreamer/???

Street fight for what should be obvious reasons. Before the partners are revealed, Pillman grabs a mic and says the smart marks have been waiting for him to have a microphone in this arena. Without saying much, he announces Davey Boy Smith Jr. as his partner. Well he had two realistic options and he picked one of them. Dreamer’s partner is of course Sandman, who comes through the entrance in a visual that feels completely wrong.

The first spit of a beer lets us start things off in a brawl, as it certainly should be. They actually get inside with Sandman falling down off an elbow drop attempt. We settle down to Dreamer getting kicked in the back to put the Harts in control, allowing Pillman to hit a good looking dropkick. The delayed suplex gets the fans to cheer against the ECW guys for a change, though Sandman’s swearing brings them back.

Smith hurts his head off a headbutt attempt and walks into a DDT, allowing the hot tag to Sandman. Everything breaks down and Dreamer hits his cutter on Smith as Sandman has found a cane. The slow chase is on and Dreamer finds some chairs. Pillman goes underneath the ring and finds….the Blue Meanie. The distraction lets Sandman get in the first cane shots to Pillman but Sandman gets dropped. Back in and Dreamer gets powerbombed through the chairs for a pin at 8:08.

Rating: D+. I’m not sure why I didn’t mind this as much as the Ring of Honor match from Sandman. Maybe it’s how serious that was treated compared to this, but for some reason this was a lot more acceptable. For one thing Sandman wasn’t doing much here and that’s best for everyone. His entrance is still cool and that’s why you bring him in. Not a very good match, but the ending was the right call.

Dreamer and Sandman get the heroes’ farewell.

Next week: MJF vs. Hart for the Middleweight Title.

The Lucha Bros say they’ll be around MLW. They’ll fight anyone anywhere anytime because they’re the best tag team in the world.

Tom Lawlor staggers out of a strip club, seemingly still drunk from last night with the title. That was funny.

Overall Rating: C. This one really did fit the idea of a fusion of a bunch of styles and that’s a good idea. You had three different matches on here and it made for a very breezy show. As usual, MLW is good at being able to go through a bunch of stuff without having any of them seem weak or unimportant. It keeps things fresh and that was the case here.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 1997 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/11/20/new-paperback-complete-1997-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6