IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Never Say Never
Date: December 12, 2017
Location: Gilt Nightclub, Orlando, Florida
Attendance: 250
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, Tony Schiavone

I’m still at it with these one off shows that MLW ran before they got a full time TV show. This is their second such show after a pretty good first edition. A few months have passed and there isn’t much to preview here as there wasn’t much set up to build towards a second show. If most of the cast is back though, this should be fun. Let’s get to it.

The opening video has a Christmas theme with places at a table set for various wrestlers. Jimmy Havoc is there with a glass of wine to say Happy Christmas. That was creepy in a way.

Opening sequence.

Tom Lawlor vs. Matt Riddle

Well this could be good. It’s almost weird seeing Lawlor with clean looking hair. Feeling out process to start as they trade some light punches with neither going anywhere. Some grappling goes the same way with Lawlor holding him up against the ropes. Riddle takes him down into a rear naked choke but Lawlor makes the rope in short order. Some heavy forearms in the corner keep Lawlor in trouble so his unnamed corner men take him to the floor for a much needed breather.

Lawlor is right back with a triangle choke but Riddle gets out again so it’s a release German suplex, with Riddle bouncing back to his feet first. That’s fine with Lawlor as he throws Riddle with another German suplex, this time for two. Riddle pops up again and hits a jumping knee to the face, setting up the Bro To Sleep (that’s so corny that it’s awesome) into a bridging German suplex for two more.

A backsplash gives Riddle another two but Lawlor t-bones him down. Lawlor’s piledriver is countered into a backdrop driver with Riddle holding him on his back and dropping down (cool) but Lawlor is right back with a Tombstone for one. Riddle starts striking away and picks him up for a Tombstone of his own, only to slam Lawlor down onto his back instead. Lawlor slaps on a Fujiwara armbar and rolls into a double arm crank. That goes nowhere so he tries a cross armbreaker, with Riddle rolling out and elbowing him in the face. The rear naked choke goes on and Lawlor flips the fans off before passing out at 14:56.

Rating: B. They played to their strengths here but it’s so strange to see Lawlor take a clean fall. He would go on to become one of the top stars in the promotion and having Riddle just beat him like this is very strange. Riddle wouldn’t be around long though as he was all but destined to be in WWE. Given his look and skill level so soon into his career, it really was just a matter of time.

Post match Lawlor’s corner men interrupt Riddle’s interview so he beats them up too. Riddle says if Lawlor wants to bring in his bros, Riddle can bring in his buddy Jeff Cobb for a tag match next month. Lawlor doesn’t say anything.

MVP is ready for his match tonight when Stokely Hathaway comes in to make an offer. That’s not cool with MVP, which doesn’t work for Hathaway. MVP basically tells him not to do anything stupid and to be wise.

Saieve Al Sabah vs. Mike Parrow

Fallout from last time when Parrow powerbombed him. Saieve jumps him before the bell but gets shoved away with ease. Some snap jabs work a bit better, though for all of three seconds as Parrow suplexes him down. One heck of a clothesline knocks Saieve out of his show (dang) and a big toss sends him outside for a great looking bump. Parrow powerbombs him into the post, followed by a fall away slam into the corner for two more. Saieve gets in a shot to the knee and pulls out some brass knuckles. The powerbomb is broken up with right hands to Parrow’s head to give Saieve the pin at 3:38.

Rating: D+. Saieve’s bumping looked great but the booking didn’t work very well. Parrow dominated him but then loses in the last few seconds after Saieve gets in two or three shots? I’ve never been a fan of that kind of booking and the knuckles finish didn’t felt way out of place. Parrow looks awesome though and that’s going to keep him around for a good while.

Dirty Blonds vs. Seth Petruzelli/Rhett Giddins

The Blonds are a southern team with some size to him while Petruzelli is the striking coach at the WWE Performance Center. Another pre-bell attack (with Tony pointing out how common they’ve been tonight) doesn’t work for the Blonds as stereo superkicks put them on the floor. Giddins starts with Leo Brien (partner of Michael Patrick) with both guys taking their time early on. Brien shoulders the heck out of him but Giddins pops back up for a slam.

That means a breather on the floor, where they take Petruzelli off the apron. Giddins gets choked down and Petruzelli gets knocked off the apron again. The Blonds take turns beating on Giddins as Tony is having a great time listing off the old southern wrestlers that have inspired them. A chinlock doesn’t last very long so Patrick knees Giddins back down. The diving tag attempt is broken up again with Petruzelli being pulled down for the third time.

We hit the nerve hold for a bit but Giddins fights up and kicks him in the face. A discus punch and rolling out of the way of an elbow are enough for the tag to Petruzelli, who receives almost no reaction whatsoever. Petruzelli barely gets to do anything before a low blow cuts him down. Giddins comes back in off a blind tag and a hard clothesline finishes Brien out of nowhere at 8:28.

Rating: D. I wasn’t feeling this one, even though I like the Blonds quite a bit. Giddins looked good but it felt like they were limiting Petruzelli’s in-ring time. That made for a weird match and the ending felt really sudden. This was easily the weakest thing that they’ve done so far but maybe it was just a one off.

Barrington Hughes, a 400lb+ monster, warms up with a huge meal of pizza, burgers and fries. He’d like his privacy though and tells the cameras to leave.

Barrington Hughes vs. Andrew Merlin

Trash talk, elbow to the head, seated senton to crush Merlin at 22 seconds. Bocchini: “Maybe nine seconds?” I didn’t know King Kong Bundy was now wrestling as Barrington Hughes.

Chelsea Green, who is scheduled to face Santana Garrett, has been attacked by a woman we can’t see.

Vandal Ortagun vs. Jimmy Yuta

Ortagun used to be in NXT on the Florida circuit. They trade chops to start as we hear about Yuta currently being a student. You don’t hear that every day. Ortagun gets dropped onto his face for a running kick as the announcers talk about Ortagun’s time in NXT. It’s so weird hearing Tony talk about modern wrestling. A chop block cuts Yuta down and it’s time for the Ric Flair knee work package.

The leg gets wrapped around the middle rope and there’s a dragon screw leg whip for two. Yuta fights up and hits a backdrop, followed by a rollup into a superkick. Thankfully Tony explains that the knee injury prevented it from being at full strength because he knows how to do his job. Ortagun takes him down by the knee again and the half crab goes on. Yuta grabs the rope and is right back with a Blue Thunder Bomb. The top rope elbow is enough to finish Ortagun at 6:21.

Rating: C. Yuta has grown on me a lot over the last few months and there’s potential in there to be a perfectly good high flier. He’s got a good look and can wrestle a pretty good match. That’s not bad for someone so young. Ortagun is a good choice for a spot like this as he’s got the experience to make anyone look good, which is what you want for someone young like Yuta. Nice match here.

Jimmy Havoc and Darby Allin are ready to hurt Shane Strickland and John Hennigan in the main event. A lot of blood is promised.

Santana Garrett vs. Leva Bates

Bates is better known as Blue Pants and she dances to the ring. She’s also not the person who attacked Chelsea as the hair color doesn’t match. Santana takes her to the mat to start and holds onto a headlock. Back up and Bates shoves her away, only to get rolled up for two. Bates has no choice but to shake her hand as Garrett is toying with her so far. Something like the Black Widow is broken up and Bates kicks her in the back.

That earns Bates a high five but she’s mean enough to grab a rollup for two of her own. Santana gets in something close to a Last Chancery for a few seconds but Bates slips out and puts on a Crossface. That’s broken up as well and Garrett is back with a front facelock. Tony starts talking about Larry Zbyszko teaching Garrett psychology, which isn’t the kind of thing you expect most commentators to bring up.

Bates trips Garrett down and poses before hitting a slingshot rolling spear for two. Garrett loses her headband so Bates stomps on it, which just ticks her off again. They start shoving and shouting at each other until Bates charges into a raised boot in the corner. A Russian legsweep gets two and Garrett goes after her in the corner, only to get caught in the Tree of Woe. Bates hits the top rope double stomp but goes back up and gets hurricanranaed back down. Garrett hits a handspring moonsault (cool) for the pin at 14:38.

Rating: C+. Garrett really is a solid worker and I’m a little bit surprised she hasn’t been signed up by a bigger name company. They told a nice little story here and while Bates was in over her head, she fought her way through it and they had a nice match as a result. Not too bad here, which is better than having a women’s match for the sake of a women’s match.

Post match Garrett poses and the same woman who attacked Green runs in for a kick to the knee.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman has a promo in the back but there’s no audio.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs. Joey Ryan

These two are joined at the hip. Friedman brags about being awesome and undefeated, both of which will still be the case after the match. The bell rings but Joey has to give away a lollipop and oil up. With that out of the way, Joey offers him a chance to touch it. He tries to force Friedman’s hand down there so Friedman escapes and demands that the fans stop encouraging it.

Friedman tries an atomic drop and that’s probably a sprained MCL at least. Joey tries to make him touch it again and now it’s time for the lollipop from the trunks. That’s finally enough for Friedman, who kicks him in the ribs and sends Joey shoulder first into the post. An armbar goes on for a bit until Joey sends him to the apron but Friedman comes back with a springboard Codebreaker to the arm. Ryan gets in a spinebuster for two but Friedman bails to the floor before the superkick.

Of course that means a suicide dive to take Friedman down again but he’s right back with a powerbomb inside. Friedman goes for the lollipop, only to have his arm chopped to put it into his own mouth. That means the superkick so Ryan can drop to his back as Friedman does the comical fall onto the crotch. The staggered Friedman takes a Canadian Destroyer but Ryan goes for the crotch again, allowing Friedman to poke him in the eye. Another armbar makes Ryan tap at 8:22.

Rating: C-. I don’t know if it’s listening to Ryan’s very good out of character interviews or just how dedicated he is to the gimmick, but the guy is growing on me. Friedman going over makes sense as he’s the kind of guy who is going to be around here more frequently. Ryan is a bigger name too and a win over him means a little more. Perfectly fine comedy match here.

Post match Joey offers a handshake but gets flipped off. I think you can guess where that hand goes, setting up the special suplex.

Plug for the MLW podcasts. Some of those aren’t half bad either.

MVP has nothing to say about his discussions with Stokely Hathaway.

MVP vs. Brody King

King is a very big guy with a ton of tattoos. They stare each other down to start but MVP stops to yell something at the crowd that I can’t make out. The battle over the lockup goes nowhere so King kicks him in the face to take over. A backsplash (with some height) gets one and a running splash in the corner hits MVP again. MVP misses a boot in the corner and gets kicked out to the floor for his failed efforts. King throws him over a pile of chairs onto the concrete for a crash.

You don’t put a wrestler near chairs as MVP uses one to crack him a few times but he can’t suplex him onto the open chair. A slugout goes to MVP but Hathaway pops up for a distraction, allowing King to shove MVP onto the chairs again. They finally get back in so King can hit a tilt-a-whirl slam for two. King misses a dropkick but, as usual, the Ballin Elbow takes FOREVER to set up, allowing King to clothesline him back down.

A gutwrench sitout powerbomb gets two more but another powerbomb is countered with a hurricanrana. MVP gets in a t-bone suplex and they’re both down with MVP holding his back. His back is so messed up that the Playmaker takes too long, allowing King to hit a Michinoku Driver for two of his own. King misses a spinning high crossbody though and a running kick to the head finishes him off at 11:53.

Rating: C. Nice power brawl here but MVP still doesn’t do much for me. He’s a guy who used to be someone but there’s very little about him that stands out in any of his modern matches. King is good in a Luke Harper type big man enforcer role and that’s a job you could have for a very long time going forward.

They shake hands post match.

The announcers talk about an upcoming World Title tournament. So this place has a bit more of a future.

Sammy Guevara vs. Jason Cade

Sammy has Salina de la Renta with him. We have to stall for a few seconds so Sammy can take off his shirt and that means a dueling chant of MILK FIRST vs. CEREAL FIRST. This is what the two of them have been talking about on Twitter as of late, because that’s what wrestling has become. Just picture Race and Brisco having that discussion. Sammy takes over to start by sending him to the floor but Cade slides back inside for a dropkick. Cade’s dive is blocked by a jumping knee to the floor and now Sammy gets in a dive.

Cade is right back in for a dive of his own but this time he spends too much time bragging and gets hit with a dive as well. Since that’s not enough, Cade slides back in for another dive. Fans: “CEREAL FIRST!” Back in and the announcers debate types of cereal as Cade scores with some chops. A Russian legsweep puts Guevara on the apron but they think better about going to the top at the same time. Salina offers a distraction so Sammy can hit a top rope double stomp (kind of) onto the apron.

Sammy stays on the ribs by running the ropes before stopping for a chinlock. He’s no Kevin Owens but Sami Zayn is no Salina. Cade fights up and hits a Russian legsweep into the corner, followed by a springboard crossbody for no cover. A handspring Codebreaker gets two with Salina screaming or a kickout. Sammy is fine enough for a Spanish Fly and a low superkick but a shooting star misses.

They trade strikes to the face, miss strikes to the face, and then hit strikes to the face at the same time for a double knockdown. It’s Cade up first with a running knee to the face and a Code Red for two. Sammy kicks him off the top for a crash and now the shooting star press connects for a near fall of his own.

Rating: C. This felt like the required indy match and while that’s fine, it was a little long for this late in the card. I like Cade, but he’s not someone who gets big wins most of the time. That’s not the worst place to be on the card as he’s going to put in watchable matches, but I’m not sure on Sammy. He has the pieces, but hasn’t put them together just yet. More time would help, which is the case for so many of these younger guys.

Hathaway swears vengeance on MVP.

Shane Strickland talks about being proud of beating Ricochet last time but Darby Allin and Jimmy Havoc attacked Shane to ruin his moment. They want to give Shane what he wants so Shane is ready to fight with John Hennigan at his side.

Shane Strickland/John Hennigan vs. Darby Allin/Jimmy Havoc

No DQ and the thumbtacks are poured out before the good guys come out. Hennigan makes the mistake of charging in before Shane shows up. He fights out of a double suplex so Shane can even things out (coming through the crowd for some reason) and the fight is on with Allin dropkicking Hennigan almost into the tacks. Shane throws Allin into them instead and Hennigan powerbombs Havoc onto Allin onto the tacks for a good visual. Havoc’s chop hits post (though he pulled up) and it’s already time for a table.

With chops not working, Havoc pokes Shane in the eye to cut him off. Hennigan and Allin get back inside and fight on the corner but head to the floor instead. Havoc busts out a staple gun and you can hear the groan in Tony’s voice. That means a piece of paper gets stapled to Shane’s face (Tony: “WHAT AM I WATCHING???”) and another to his back. Shane is right back with a staple into Havoc’s head as the announcers are losing it. Tony: “Ok. We have lost our minds.”

They trade off with Allin armdragging (that feels out of place at the moment) Shane but being left alone in the ring. Havoc isn’t done with the staples and here’s Allin to flip dive onto the two of them. It’s time for a bunch of chairs in the ring (Tony: “After a staple gun, a chair is kind of a disappointment for me.”) with one of them being wedged in the corner. Havoc gets extra evil by cutting Hennigan’s fingers with the edge of the paper (a kind of brilliant way to go in a hardcore match) and Bocchini says that’s worse than the staples. I mean….maybe?

Havoc has a seat in a chair but Hennigan gets back up and backdrops him onto two unfolded chairs. That actually gets two as the announcers are surprised that you can get pins here. Fair enough given the level of carnage here. Shane comes back in with a 450 on Allin and it’s time for a cookie sheet. Allin flips out of a German suplex and hits Shane in the knee with Hennigan having to come back in for a save.

Allin’s Coffin Drop is countered into an armbar and Shane snaps the arm back for a snap that actually made my mouth come open and the rest of me cringe. Havoc comes back in for some forearms but gets catapulted into a cookie sheet to the head. Strickland kicks him in the head but Havoc knocks Hennigan down and takes Shane to the apron. One heck of an enziguri staggers Havoc and an AA off the apron sends him through a table. Back in and Starship Pain only gets two on Havoc but the crowd reaction isn’t that strong as they’re going too long here.

Havoc tries to beg and then gets caught going for the double low blow. As Hennigan and Strickland look to deal with him, Allin dives off the balcony with a chair to take them both out and they’ve got the crowd right back. Allin sets up another table but takes too long, allowing Hennigan and Strickland to put him on it instead. They both go up top but here’s the woman who attacked Garrett to shove Hennigan to the floor. A double superplex puts Shane through a table for two and the woman throws in a chain. Havoc wraps it around his arm and clotheslines the heck out of Shane for the pin at 18:49.

Rating: B. They knew what they were going for here and then executed it. Havoc and Allin are good hardcore guys and it’s impressive to have them beat some big names like Hennigan and Strickland. On top of that, it was a heck of a violent match with the announcers actually adding a lot in that “this is insane” style. There’s also something great about Tony watching this violent stuff and it made things that much better.

Hathaway has a press conference to talk about MVP where he talks about MVP being in prison earlier in the 2000s. Someone negotiated a deal with WWE and then another with New Japan. That someone is of course Hathaway, who is now in charge of Black Friday Management (the heel stable started by Gary Hart in the original MLW). Therefore, Hathaway controls MVP so he’ll be facing Low Ki next month.

Overall Rating: C+. I had a good time here and that’s what matters most on the second show in a promotion’s lifespan. They offered a nice balance of stuff from start to finish and the show never started to drag. I want to see where things go from here and that’s the most important thing they can do. It’s pretty impressive to see how well they’ve hit the ground running and if they can keep that up, they might have a hit on their hands.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Smackdown Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/09/07/new-book-kbs-complete-smackdown-2003-reviews/

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

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

IMG Credit: Lucha Underground

Lucha Underground
Date: October 24, 2018
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Los Angeles, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

It’s a big night here as we have the final regular show before Lucha Underground. There’s even a title on the line tonight with the Gift of the Gods Title up for grabs in a seven way elimination match. Other than that we’re going to be seeing a bunch of build towards the biggest show (or shows I guess) of the year. Let’s get to it.

The opening video looks at the seven names in the Gift of the Gods Title match.

Next week: Son of Havoc vs. Killshot in a mask vs. mask match and the Trios Titles match.

Gift of the Gods Title: King Cuerno vs. Big Bad Steve vs. Hernandez vs. Aerostar vs. PJ Black vs. Jake Strong vs. Dante Fox

The title is vacant coming in and this is under elimination rules. Fox starts fast by kicking people in the face, including one to put Strong on the floor. Cuerno and Black double team Fox to slow him down before heading outside. That leaves Fox to hit a springboard imploding flip dive onto the pile for the huge crash. Back in and Hernandez rocks Fox back and forth before running him over. That’s fine with Fox, who backslides Hernandez for the pin at 2:29.

Back from a break with Strong starting to clean house and everyone fights to the floor. The camera cuts back and forth between the various fights, including Strong powerbombing Fox against a wall. Steve and PJ get back in with Famous B. slipping Steve a wrench to clean house. Aerostar gets a shot as well but it’s Strong coming back in to ankle lock Black for the elimination at 7:13.

Strong snaps the ankle for fun and we take another break. Back again with Strong and Steve slugging it out until Cuerno comes back in for a kick to Strong’s face. Cuerno and Steve team up on Aerostar with Steve hitting a pop up cutter and Cuerno adding a dropkick. That means it’s time for the two of them to slug it out with Cuerno getting the better of things, as you probably expected. Steve’s vest gets opened up for the hard chops but a double clothesline puts them both down.

And now here’s Drago with a forklift (and a helmet, because safety first) to raise Aerostar WAY up (as high as you would be on top of a cage at least) for the dive onto Cuerno and Steve. That’s enough to eliminate Steve at 13:14 and we take another break. Back again with Strong forearming Aerostar in the back and slowly stomping Cuerno. A powerslam gets two on Cuerno and the ankle lock goes on with Aerostar making the save so more people can fight Strong. That means an ankle lock for Aerostar, who taps at 17:04. We’re down to Fox, Strong and Cuerno, who knees Strong in the head as we take another break.

Back again with Cuerno watching Aerostar be taken to the back as Fox’s knuckles are bleeding. They all get in with Cuerno knocking both of them to the floor for the big suicide dive on Strong. Fox goes onto the top of the entrance and hits a big flip dive to take both guys down again. Cuerno is thrown back in and a 450 gets two with Strong making the save. The Thrill of the Hunt gives Cuerno two on Fox but he misses a running knee in the corner.

Strong is back in with the Vader Bomb, only to have Fox hit a springboard middle rope cutter for two. One of the longest Swantons I’ve ever seen hits Strong’s raised knees and for once, it hurts the person’s knees. Cuerno kicks both of them in the face and everyone is down again.

Strong wins a three way slugout but gets double dropkicked to the floor. The Fox Catcher (scoop brainbuster) gets rid of Cuerno at 28:51 and we’re down to two. The fight starts on the floor with Fox hitting a dropkick off the apron. A jackknife cover gets two as the fans are behind Fox….who gets caught in the ankle lock for the eventual tap at 33:04 to make Strong champion. Fans: “THIS IS BS!”

Rating: B-. I liked the match, but it’s kind of hard to argue with the fans’ opinion at the end. Strong hasn’t exactly been impressive in his time around here but he’s been given the strongest push of anyone not named Matanza. It feels like the old TNA days with a WWE reject coming in and taking over, which isn’t the right way to go in a place like this. The rest of the match was entertaining and Fox looked great, but Strong winning was about as obvious as you could get. I understand why they did it, but that’s not the most interesting thing in the world.

Strong breaks his ankle for a bonus.

Johnny Mundo is on the roof when Aerostar appears. He says Johnny isn’t ready for Matanza and will be just another sacrifice to the gods. Johnny says he doesn’t need a partner but here’s Drago with the gauntlet (Remember that?). Mundo puts it on and says he feels like a god before playing with it like he’s about five years old to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. I can go with the idea of the one match show as you don’t want to overdo the builds that are already set up. That being said, the match we got wasn’t all that great but the Mundo gets the gauntlet stuff was fun and the right call. I’m wanting to see Ultima Lucha, but one more video package or series of vignettes might have helped. The season is ending just about when it needs to and that’s a good sign.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Smackdown Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/09/07/new-book-kbs-complete-smackdown-2003-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 #27
Date: October 19, 2018
Location: Melrose Ballroom, New York City, New York
Commentators: Matt Striker, Tony Schiavone

We’re onto a fresh taping cycle and back in New York with a major main event. This time around we have Shane Strickland facing Tom Lawlor in a match that belongs on a big stage. I’m not sure what to expect from the rest of the show but this promotion knows how to build up multiple things at the same time. Let’s get to it.

The opening video looks at Strickland vs. Lawlor, with Shane talking about how people think he’s lost his edge.

Opening sequence.

The announcers preview the main event.

El Hijo de LA Park vs. Sammy Guevara

Park has Salina, who fired Sammy a few months back, in his corner. Sammy gets sent outside for an early suicide dive but he’s right back up with one of his own. Back in and Park scores with a high crossbody for no cover, opting instead to kick Sammy into the corner. Guevara manages to backflip over the rather tall Park (that’s impressive) and then dropkick him down.

Park’s own high crossbody still gets no cover as the announcers talk about next week’s Halloween special. A running Canadian Destroyer gives Park two more to send Sammy outside with Park moonsaulting after him. Back in and Sammy misses his own moonsault but is right there with a standing shooting star for two. Park gets two of his own off a super Spanish Fly but Guevara hits a low superkick. Guevara misses a charge though and gets caught in an over the shoulder piledriver to give Park the pin at 5:38.

Rating: D+. This one didn’t do it for me for the most part as Guevara is good for a spot like this but Park feels like a knockoff of his father (the name doesn’t help). The problem here is the story not being the most thrilling, as it’s not something that Salina needs to be involved in. She’s the best manager in the promotion (and one of the best around today) but this story doesn’t feel up to her level. The match was fine for an opener, just not that interesting.

Tom Lawlor says you know what to expect from him. He ran through 39 people in the Battle Riot and is the ace around here. But who are you getting from Strickland? The World Champion or the guy who won’t even show up?

Rush is still coming.

Konnan isn’t impressed by Salina’s actions last week and promises to have the Lucha Bros take out LA Park and Hijo de LA Park.

Samoan Island Tribe vs. Smash N Dash Connection

That would be Samu/Lance Anoa’i vs. Kotto Brazil/Barrington Hughes. The Samoans jump them from behind and Samu slams Kotto to start. Thankfully it’s off to Lance in a hurry for a sunset flip Backstabber (cool) but he makes sure to cut off the ring before covering. It’s back to Samu as Striker explains Samoans having hard hands. A clothesline takes Kotto down and Lance comes in to spit at Hughes.

Kotto gets up a boot in the corner but Lance slams him down to break up a hot tag attempt. Lance suckers Hughes in but superkicks him twice before the huge one can even get in. A double Stroke gets no cover as Lance misses a top rope splash instead, allowing the tag to Hughes (already with one foot over the ropes before he comes in. Hughes tries a headbutt for no logical reason as everything breaks down. Lance gets thrown into a spear on Samu and it’s Sliced Bread off Hughes’ chest into a splash to give Hughes the pin at 6:15.

Rating: D. I’m sorry what now? You have Samu, the 55 year old wrestler whose top claim to fame since the 1980s is being part of a famous family, and his son takes the pin? Lance isn’t a star or anything, but what’s the point? Just having someone pin Samu can be spun as a rub. I really don’t get this one, as Lance might not be a star, but do you really need to have him take a fall here? Someone explain this one to me.

A quieter than usual Sami Callihan says he’s ready for Jimmy Havoc next week because Havoc falsely believes he’s the most violent wrestler in the world. They used to be friends but next week, only one man walks out.

Stokely Hathaway is coming.

Shane Strickland says this is his house and MLW would be hard pressed to find someone like him.

Fightland card rundown.

Salina laughs off Konnan’s words and sees a bright future for her men.

Jimmy Havoc likes the possibilities of next week. No matter what the wheel lands on, the match will be in his favor. New York will run red with Callihan’s blood.

Tom Lawlor vs. Shane Strickland

Low Ki is on commentary and when asked about the marks the two have made on MLW, he says he just sees two marks in the ring. Feeling out process to start with Lawlor headlocking him to the mat to no effect. Low Ki actually goes into some of the best analysis I’ve ever heard, talking about what every move is designed to do as well as what it’s looking to set up. If nothing else, it makes Striker sound that much more useless.

Lawlor goes to the apron but slips, allowing Shane to snap the arm over the top rope and kick him to the floor. Another kick to the arm lets Shane wrap the arm around the barricade. Lawlor clotheslines the post by mistake (you know, because you go for left armed clotheslines all the time), allowing Shane to start in on the arm back inside. Shane can’t get an armbar of various forms so he jumps on Tom’s back and pulls back on both arms leaving Tom to bite the ropes for the break. That’s not something you see every day.

Some Low Ki style kicks (Low Ki: “I wonder where he learned that.”) and a discus lariat sets up the rolling cutter for two. Shane takes too much time going up though and Lawlor hits a spinning kick to the head to slow things down. A top rope superplex into a front chancery has Shane in trouble. That’s reversed into a suplex for the double knockdown though as both guys get a breather.

Back up and Lawlor wins a slugout so Shane grabs the bad arm in a smart move. A Falcon Arrow gives Lawlor two but Shane pops up with a jumping knee to the face as Low Ki has gone silent. Lawlor is fine enough for a one armed German suplex and Low Ki gets up as Lawlor slaps on a rear naked choke. Salina comes out for a distraction and Low Ki kicks Lawlor in the head.

Shane doesn’t cover, opting to drape Lawlor over the barricade for a double stomp to the back instead. Back in and a regular double stomp gets two so Low Ki asks Shane why he can’t get a pin. Another snap of the arm sets up a knee to the face but Lawlor manages a one arm choke while biting on the arm tape because he has one arm….for the tap at 16:40.

Rating: B. I was actually surprised by the finish, which is even more impressive when I knew the ending beforehand. Lawlor is being treated as the undisputed star of the promotion and that puts him on a heck of a path to a fight with Low Ki. Shane is on his way to rock bottom, which could make for a heck of a comeback story down the line. Good main event here, with a lot of stories being told at the same time.

After a quick look at next week’s show, Lawlor says he’s cashing in his World Title shot at Super Fight on February 2. That’s quite a long time away and I’m not sure what they’re supposed to do until then.

Overall Rating: C+. I liked the main event a lot but they were lacking a lot in the first half of the show. I’m wanting to see the Fightland show and next week’s card is looking good as well. MLW knows how to build up their shows but more importantly they’re actually good once the shows take place. This show is nothing that’s going to blow you away, but for a weekly one hour TV show that keeps you wanting to come back, Fusion is good stuff.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Smackdown Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/09/07/new-book-kbs-complete-smackdown-2003-reviews/

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

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

IMG Credit: Lucha Underground

Lucha Underground
Date: October 17, 2018
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Los Angeles, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

We’re two weeks away from the start of Ultima Lucha and most of the card has already been set up. I’m not sure what we’re going to be seeing in those two weeks as it’s all about building up the matches, many of which are already set. Hopefully they don’t throw in too many twists, though one or two wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening recap does its regular job.

Jake Strong comes in to see Antonio Cueto, who has been rather impressed with Strong’s work. Antonio is willing to give him a title shot but Cueto has another idea. He gives Strong one of the Aztec Medallions and says tonight, Strong can move forward. Strong says to save one of Matanza’s sacrifices for him, followed by saying this temple is now his, albeit in a demonic voice. Antonio looks worried as Strong leaves.

Antonio is in the arena to say he’s already awarded the seven Aztec medallions to Aerostar, PJ Black, Hernandez, Big Bad Steve, King Cuerno, Jake Strong and Dante Fox. He doesn’t like the number seven though, meaning right now we’re having a battle royal where the winner can choose one person to be out of next week’s Gift of the Gods Title match.

Battle Royal

It’s a brawl to start (as it should be) with Aerostar doing the big spinning headscissors to take Steve down. Steve gets sent to the apron and actually stops to pose, allowing Aerostar to 619 him out. Serves the nitwit right. Hernandez jumps over the ropes in the corner, poses on the apron as well, and gets double dropkicked out. Egads there are some stupid people around here. Strong puts Black and Cuerno on the apron so Fox can kick them both off, followed by Aerostar being tossed as well. Fox and Strong are the only two left, with Strong clotheslining him to set up the final elimination and the win at 3:12.

Rating: D. Well, they did keep it short and that’s better than anything else they could have done here. There was no reason to believe that anyone outside of Aerostar was going to give Strong a challenge here so the match went as it should have. Strong is clearly someone they want to push as a star, lack of charisma aside.

Post match Strong says he’s not throwing anyone out of the match because he can beat them all. That’s cool with Antonio, who gives Strong Johnny Mundo for a warmup tonight.

The Mack vs. Killshot

Son of Havoc is watching from the balcony. They trade hand walks to start until Mack dropkicks him in the chest to take over. Some running kicks in the corner rock Killshot so he kicks Mack in the face as well before grabbing his nose. Mack gets knocked outside but hands on by his feet, setting up the Killstomp to the floor. Back in and a snap German suplex takes Killshot down and there’s the Stunner, only to have Mil Muertes come in for a spear on Mack and the DQ at 2:50.

Post match Son of Havoc runs in to chase Killshot off, leaving Muertes to hit the Flatliner on Mack.

Striker is in the ring to interview XO Lishus and Ivelisse. They’ve been challenged to a three way elimination Trios Titles match at Ultima Lucha but Joey Ryan is injured. They have a new partner though, so here’s Sammy Guevara. Before Sammy can say anything though, here’s Famous B. to say Guevara has a seven year deal (haha) with no breaks (haha again) with Infamous Inc. If Sammy wants to wrestle at Ultima Lucha, he can team with Texano and Dr. Wagner. Sammy beats Famous B. up and throws the contract in the trash. The can is put on B.’s head for a superkick, because wrestling contracts work that way.

Ultima Lucha rundown.

Jake Strong vs. Johnny Mundo

Strong easily takes him down with a waistlock so Mundo pops up with the Disaster Kick. That’s fine with Strong, who knocks him outside without much effort. Some running clotheslines in the corner and another to the back of the head look to set up the Vader Bomb but Mundo gets his feet up. Mundo is back up but it’s way too early for the Moonlight Drive. A trip to the apron goes badly for Mundo, as Strong sends him into the post and they fight into the crowd.

Mundo’s kick is countered into an ankle lock but Mundo escapes and powerbombs him off the balcony. Back in and the Countdown to Impact actually connects (how rare) for two. They slug it out on the top until Strong gets knocked down, only to run the ropes for the belly to belly superplex.

The Vader Bomb gets two and the ankle lock goes on again. That’s broken up as well and now the Moonlight Drive gets two. For some reason Mundo tries a superkick and gets ankle locked again and the roll through doesn’t work. Instead Johnny throws his elbow pad off and kicks Strong low for the break. A one legged Starship Pain gets two and the ankle lock goes on again for the clean tap at 13:12.

Rating: C+. Mundo’s, shall we say, questionable offense aside (don’t throw kicks at a guy who uses the ankle lock), this was a fun match and the best thing that could have happened to Strong. I know he doesn’t have the most in depth character, but a win like this is the kind of thing that should help launch him up the charts as we’re almost to Ultima Lucha. Now just get the Gift of the Gods Title on him.

Post match the ankle lock goes on again and here’s Matanza to pick the bones. Swagger leaves so Taya comes in for the failed save. Matanza gives Taya the Wrath of the Gods as Johnny is busted open. Antonio comes out to watch to get Matanza to end the show.

Overall Rating: C-. This is the weird time of the season where the entire big show is set and we’re stuck waiting on actually getting there. The wrestling wasn’t the point tonight as the first two matches were barely three minutes long each and the main event was thrown together during the show. I do want to see Ultima Lucha though, and that wasn’t the case just a few weeks back.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Smackdown Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/09/07/new-book-kbs-complete-smackdown-2003-reviews/

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Brian Pillman Memorial Show
Date: April 29, 1998
Location: Norwood Middle School, Norwood, Ohio
Attendance: 1,002

I think the title of this show sums up the idea well enough. Pillman passed away on October 5, 1997 in a horrible surprise, leaving behind a family with far less support. As Pillman was revered in the wrestling industry, a series of memorial shows were put together for the sake of helping Pillman’s kids. This is the first one and you might have heard of some of the people on the show. Let’s get to it.

This event was promoted by the Heartland Wrestling Association out of Cincinnati, which was WWF developmental for a good while.

There is no commentary here (fan cam) and there’s a chance I won’t know some of these people so please bear with me.

The roster is in the ring to open the show….and we’re cut to the opening match. Ok then.

Trailer Park Trash vs. Nick Dinsmore

Trash was the first OVW Heavyweight Champion and Dinsmore is better known as Eugene, the most successful OVW wrestler of all time. Dinsmore, who looks much smaller than usual, which is an accomplishment given how small he was, gets taken into the corner to start and the fans chant for Trash. A monkey flip doesn’t work as Dinsmore sticks the landing and grabs a belly to belly.

Things reset so Dinsmore speeds things up with a pair of dropkicks and a clothesline to the floor. The announcer says five minutes gone by, meaning we missed about a minute and ten seconds at the beginning. Or the wrestling tradition of never knowing how to tell time continues. Trash runs around on the floor for some serious stalling and, believe it or not, it still works. Back in and Trash’s armbar is countered into a hiptoss to put him on the floor again. The fans think Trash is a crybaby and Dinsmore certainly encourages their sentiments.

Trash rakes the eyes to take over and gets two off a flying clothesline as we’re firmly in the old style heel vs. face formula here. A bulldog lets Trash strut (oh he’s a southern wrestler) before getting two (they never learn). Trash is a bit better flier than Ric Flair as a guillotine legdrop connects. He misses the second though (again: they never learn) and Dinsmore gets in the right hands, followed by a backdrop as this is as wrestling 101 as you can get (not a bad thing). The bridging German suplex takes out the Trash at 11:22.

Rating: C. I could have a good time with this show as it’s a classic example of basic wrestling but they’re doing it well. More important than the wrestling though is knowing how to work the crowd. Both guys were playing to them very well and it made them care about something that wasn’t exactly thrilling. You didn’t have both of them doing all kinds of big high spots and overblown moves, but rather getting the most out of the least work. Now why can’t more people get that straight?

The announcer gets in the ring and lists off some states, which I think is where the fans are all from. The audio is almost incomprehensible, but that’s not really the point at the moment.

Steve Dunn/Reno Riggins vs. Brian Taylor/The Bounty Hunter

Dunn is part of Well Dunn, Riggins was a longtime WWF jobber, Taylor is an HWA regular who stopped wrestling in 1999 and Bounty Hunter is an indy guy who wrestled in the Eastern Championship Wrestling days of ECW. During Hunter’s entrance, the ring announcer goes to the aisle and something happens that we can’t see. It seems that we’re having a change of personnel here as Sunny will now be ring announcer. Well if you insist.

This is non-title though it’s champions vs. champions as Riggins and Dunn are the Music City Wrestling Tag Team Champions and Hunter and Taylor are the HWA Tag Team Champions (though they have no belts). However, from the records I can find, the MCW Tag Team Titles should be held by Dinsmore and Rob Conway at the moment. Eh those records can be sketchy at best or they might have just handed the titles to Dunn and Riggins to make this sound better.

Taylor and Dunn start things off with Steve complaining of a hair pull. Well maybe you should lose the mullet dude. It seems that Riggins and Dunn are the heels here, which you wouldn’t expect when one of their opponents is named Bounty Hunter. Taylor shoves him down again to show off the power and that means more Dunn stalling. Dunn and Riggins clear the ring until Taylor comes back in for a running clothesline.

It’s off to Hunter for the good sized power offense, including a big boot to the chest. The chinlock goes on for a bit before Riggins eats a double elbow to the jaw. The blind tag brings Dunn back in but the fans don’t seem thrilled with him and his partner. Riggins rakes Taylor’s eyes and gets in a nice powerslam before handing it off to Dunn for a snap suplex. As was the case earlier on, they’re not doing anything incredible here but they’re doing it efficiently.

Taylor gets sent to the floor and punched in the back, followed by Dunn picking Riggins up for a low Fameasser. That’s a big enough spot to draw a gasp from the crowd and we hit the chinlock. That’s broken up and Taylor gets two off a rollup, only to have Riggins hit a running dropkick to keep him in trouble. Egads what a southern match. A DDT is finally enough for the hot tag off to Hunter and everything breaks down. With the referee distracted, Dunn gets in a belt shot to knock Hunter out for the pin at 12:24.

Rating: C+. These matches are better than I was expecting as they’re certainly not doing anything out of the ordinary here but they’re doing it well enough that it’s going fine. I’m digging what we’re getting here and I can tell what’s going on without being told. That’s the same of a good match and wrestlers that know what they’re doing.

Flash Flanagan vs. Bull Pain

Flash was a big deal in OVE and Pain is a German guy with an unnamed manager. They get aggressive over a lockup to start and it’s Flash getting the better of a chop off. A running jackknife cover gives Flash two but Pain pounds him down without much effort. Flash clotheslines him to the floor and hits a Cannonball off the apron, earning himself a nice chant.

Back in and Flash keeps up the pace with a Japanese armdrag but an armbar slows things back down. That stays on for a good while until Flash runs the ropes, only to be tripped by Pain’s unnamed manager. They head outside with Pain hammering away and then cutting off a comeback attempt back inside.

Flash gets stomped a few times but still manages to get two off a sunset flip. Bull hits a nice frog splash for the same and the unnamed manager’s distraction lets him follow up with a low blow. A second splash misses and Flash starts the comeback, including a difficult looking backdrop. Pain is right back up with a superplex for two more but a missed charge lets Flash hit a Blockbuster for the pin at 12:27.

Rating: C. Just like earlier, this wasn’t the highest level stuff but it was more than watchable. Flash was someone who had a ton of potential in OVW but never went past that one company for some reason. Pain is a perfectly fine midcard heel with a bit of a smaller Albert vibe and that’s not the worst place to be.

Chip Fairway/Shark Boy vs. Terik the Great/Sean Casey

Fairway is a golfer (it was the 80s), Shark Boy you know (despite him having a costume that looks like a horrible prototype of his more famous look), Terik is a foreign heel and Casey was an OVW guy. Shark and Terik start things off with a wristlock not getting Terik very far. Both guys try dropkicks and that means a double knockdown because neither connected with a chest. Casey and Fairway come in for most wristlockery with Fairway (who is a face for reasons I can’t comprehend) taking him to the mat.

Shark comes back in for a right hand to Casey and the villains are sent to the floor for some dives. Casey and Terik are pulled back in and knocked down just as fast, leaving Fairway to shoulder Casey a few times. A double back elbow gets two as the really long shine continues. Casey grabs a powerbomb attempt and walks Shark back to the corner, allowing Terik to neck snap him on the top to take over, in a spot that was a little bigger than you might have expected.

Terik drops a springboard spinning legdrop for two and it’s back to Casey for a dropkick. An old fashioned slingshot suplex gets two more with Fairway having to make a save this time. That’s enough to draw a SHARK BOY chant, which dies off pretty quickly. Terik puts on a double underhook neck crank of all things, thankfully being smart enough to keep his shoulders off the mat. They head outside with Casey cutting off a comeback with an ax handle from the apron.

Fairway makes another save, leaving Terik to hit a running kneeling Muscle Buster (FREAKING OW MAN!) for two more. Terik botches a springboard moonsault though and falls outside, finally allowing the hot tag to Fairway. A spinebuster sets up a Texas Cloverleaf on Terik but it’s Casey making the save this time. The referee tells Terik to get out, allowing Shark to come in with a twisting high crossbody for the pin on Casey at 19:50.

Rating: B-. Who in the world would have expected this to go twenty minutes or be the match of the night up to this point? This was actually a very nice tag match, even with no reason for these four to be fighting. They did the same thing that the other wrestlers have done so far: done things well enough to get the crowd going and make them want to see the good guys win. It’s wrestling 201 or so and when it works, it always works.

Chris Candido vs. Al Snow

This is before Snow became a major name, though he was the hottest thing in ECW, though he was only a few months away from the WWF. Candido is one half of the ECW Tag Team Champions at this point. The Head craze is in full swing here, though there are only a few of the Styrofoam ones in the crowd. They both drop to their knees and cross their arms at each other (ok then) until Snow drops to the floor to consult Head.

The third chinlock in less than four minutes goes on….as the announcer says ten minutes. That’s a heck of a cut in there for whatever reason. Back up and Candido chops away in the corner until Snow switches places with him and chops even faster. A good looking enziguri sends Candido into the corner and it’s time to pound away with Head in the corner (they like those in this match).

Snow hits a slingshot splash onto the floor, which draws an ECW chant for some reason. Likely because in ECW, doing anything is worthy of cheering. Back in and Snow hits a high crossbody with Candido rolling through for two. A clothesline gives him the same, as does a superplex with Snow bouncing quite well.

Snow faceplants his way out of trouble and does the Sting face first fall onto the crotch. The moonsault and Swan Dive both miss but here’s Sunny (in a different outfit) to break up the Snow Plow. Candido saves her from taking one, only to walk into one himself for the pin at 14:14 show (of what seems to be about twenty minutes).

Rating: B-. It’s nice to see two guys who can handle this much time without having to resort to obvious stalling or something stupid to fill in time. It makes for an entertaining match because they know how to keep things going on their own. Candido really was one of the most underrated guys you’ll ever find as he did come off as a natural talent no matter what he was stuck doing.

The fans show the heads at Candido and Sunny, who throw them back in a funny moment.

We cut to Steve Austin (reigning WWF Champion) in the ring (makes sense) and the ring announcer possibly selling something. Austin leaves but comes back for one more double middle finger.

We see the check presentation to Pillman’s family. Brian’s widow Melanie, pregnant at the moment, is in the ring and what sounds like a pastor gives her over $23,000. Melanie thanks the fans for everything. I’m not sure how true it is, but I’ve heard various stories that say she uh, wasn’t exactly using the money for what she was supposed to so this isn’t as inspiring as it might seem.

Terry Taylor, in the production area, is acknowledged for some reason.

Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit

Oh I think this could work. Jericho is WCW Cruiserweight Champion but I don’t think this is a title match. Benoit has Woman with him. Before the match, Jericho says he wants us to want him….and other things I can’t quite understand. I think he talks about the fans knowing they’re here to see him. With that out of the way, Benoit say something else I can’t understand but Jericho really doesn’t like it. Maybe he said Woman had better hair? The bell rings and someone is on the mic outside the ring.

Whatever they say has Jericho freaking out until they go to a wrestling sequence to start. This goes very badly for Jericho so he wants a test of strength instead. Benoit starts going down so he switches it into a pinfall reversal sequence and a standoff. Jericho actually gets the better of a wristlock and blows a kiss to Woman, earning himself a beating in the corner. That’s enough to send Jericho outside where he chases Woman inside, earning himself a chop from Benoit and a slap from her, meaning it’s time for more stalling.

Back in and Jericho works on a headlock as the fans seem to be behind him. Benoit enziguris him down but gets drop toeholded into the bottom buckle for his efforts. Back in and a delayed vertical suplex sets up the chinlock to keep Benoit down. Jericho pulls him into a weird submission where he pulls on the arm like a hammerlock but wraps his leg around Benoit’s head for a bonus.

That switches to a looks crossface chickenwing but Benoit gets up again, this time into a rollup for his own near fall. The chinlock goes on again until Jericho stops to yell at the crowd. Back up and Benoit holds the ropes to avoid a dropkick, setting up a catapult into the top turnbuckle.

A belly to back superplex puts them both down and it’s time to chop it out. Benoit’s German suplex attempt is countered into a failed Liontamer attempt so Jericho knocks him down instead. Another Liontamer attempt is reversed into a victory roll but the Swan Dive misses again. Jericho tries a rollup but gets reversed into the Crossface for the tap at 13:00.

Rating: B. Well of course these two have the best match of the night. It’s not like there was any doubt that this would be awesome as both of them were near the top of their game right now and wanted to show off what they could do. Of course these two would go on to have some of the best matches in the WWF when they had the chance but it’s cool to see them rocking this smaller stage too.

Overall Rating: A-. I had a really good time with this show and that was quite the surprise. With a show like this, you don’t know what to expect as it could be a mess with a few bigger names putting in a low level effort at the end. Instead, you had a bunch of guys who have clearly been very well trained leading up to the bigger main event and that made for a heck of a show. Nothing on here felt like an indy match but rather a show full of people trying their best and showing what they can do. Good show here, and a worthy tribute.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Smackdown Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/09/07/new-book-kbs-complete-smackdown-2003-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 #26
Date: October 12, 2018
Location: War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, Tony Schiavone

We’re still in Fort Lauderdale and have to be near the end of this taping cycle. Things are still interesting around here and the road to the next big show is already starting to look good. They’ve built up some rather nice feuds over the next few weeks and if the matches are as good as the stories, they’ll be fine. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

The Hart Foundation is claiming another conspiracy because Rich Swann apparently had a concussion in his match with Teddy. That’s not fair to them you see, because no one talks about the positive things that Teddy has done for the business. There’s something so great about Teddy’s sour face.

Vandal Ortagun vs. Brian Pillman Jr.

This is Pillman’s singles debut and the Hart Foundation is at ringside. The fans are behind Pillman, as you probably could have guessed. Pillman shoves him into the corner for the patronizing pat to the chest and then some stomping to really take over. Ortagun stops a charge in the corner with a raised boot but Pillman snaps off a scoop powerslam (good one too). A hard knee to the face gets two and it’s off to a seated abdominal stretch. Back up and Ortagun forearms away, followed by a sideways Backstabber for two. Pillman is right back up with a spinning chop to the back and a swinging neckbreaker for the pin at 4:37.

Rating: D+. Well he needs a much better finisher (as do most people who use the swinging neckbreaker variations) but you can see his dad shining through here, which is a very good sign. This was just a squash and you can only get so much from such a match, but that’s how you bring along someone without much ring experience.

Post match the Foundation throws Ortagun to the floor.

Rush is coming soon.

Jimmy Yuta vs. Hijo De LA Park

This is Park’s debut and Salina de la Renta is out with him. Yuta takes him down by the leg to start and a very loud fan wants Park’s leg broken. Park’s wristlock goes nowhere so they trade armdrags until it’s a standoff. A bow and arrow has to be broken since Yuta’s shoulders are on the mat so he goes with a jumping backsplash for two instead. Some chops cut Yuta down again and Salina is rather pleased. Or she’s just evil. You never can tell with her.

Yuta gets sent outside for a suicide dive, allowing Part to throw him inside again for a whip with a belt. A Rock Bottom backbreaker into a German suplex gives Park two and it’s time to trade the chops. Yuta gets two off a sitout powerbomb and Park gets the same off a running Codebreaker out of the corner. Park misses a moonsault though and it’s a reverse implant DDT to give Yuta the pin at 7:02.

Rating: C. Uh….ok then? Yuta is someone who can be built into something around here and there’s nothing wrong with that as he’s a young, talented guy. That being said, I’m not sure what the point is in having Park lose right before he’s going to get a title shot at a big show. Especially in his debut. At least the match was pretty good, as Yuta is starting to find his footing.

Stokely Hathaway (a good heel manager) is coming back.

Tom Lawlor laughs off the idea of Shane Strickland not showing up.

Jimmy Havoc is ready to fight Sami Callihan in any kind of match. It was Callihan running away from him when they fought through this building and Havoc will make him run away again.

Rich Swann is ready for Teddy Hart tonight. ACH is ready to have Swann’s back.

Fightland Control Center. The Lucha Bros will defend against LA Park and his son, plus Shane Strickland gets his World Title rematch against Low Ki.

Teddy Hart vs. Rich Swann

The Hart Foundation and ACH are here as well. We get a handshake and hug with Hart getting on the ropes to pose a bit. Swann does the same and of course gets jumped from behind by the smarter veteran. A kick to the face sends Hart into the corner but Smith grabs the foot, allowing Hart to hit a torture rack backbreaker to take over again. Hart’s snap powerslam (must be a stable signature) lets him talk some trash, including bragging about the awesomeness of Canada.

A hammerlock DDT gets two and a Lionsault gets the same, albeit with Hart pulling him up at two. The top rope moonsault hits raised knees though and Swann flips over him, followed by a backflip into a dropkick. Now the Lethal Injection connects for two and a low superkick keeps Hart in trouble. A good looking frog splash gets two more but Hart is right back with an ankle lock. That goes nowhere so Hart heads up top, only to be taken down with a hurricanrana.

Hart bails to the floor and gets taken down by a suicide dive, leaving Swann to stare Smith down. That’s enough of a distraction for Hart to grab a snap suplex on the floor. Since the chairs are locked together, Hart settles for a piece of barricade instead but first, it’s a suplex on the platform. Swann hits a desperation flip dive off the platform but Hart shrugs it off and slams him onto the piece of barricade.

An Arabian moonsault onto Swann onto the barricade has him in even more trouble and a hanging piledriver (think the Orton DDT but a piledriver instead) knocks Swann silly. Bocchini points out the concussion, which is the kind of detail that you would forget as it was only mentioned once earlier. Swann is somehow fine enough to superkick him on the apron and hit a quick cutter.

Both guys are barely able to stand up so Smith lifts Hart back inside. That just earns him a Phoenix splash for two so Swann heads up again, only to get distracted by Smith again. He’s fine enough to roll through a hurricanrana though and puts on a Sharpshooter (although with a completely different method of starting).

Like any good Canadian, Hart isn’t about to give up to a Sharpshooter and dives over to the rope. Smith offers ANOTHER distraction (because ACH is the most worthless friend ever) and Hart hits a low blow to set up a super Canadian Destroyer. The electric chair backbreaker is enough for the pin on Swann at 18:52.

Rating: B. The stuff on the floor took up too much time but this was a heck of a fight with both guys trying to out perform each other. Hart is known for his crazy athleticism and high flying abilities so having someone like Swann go out there and hang with him every step of the way is a good sign. ACH basically disappeared halfway through the match and was completely worthless so Swann didn’t exactly lose clean here. Good match, as the Hart Foundation continues their rise.

Overall Rating: B-. This was the show about the middleweights and there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s the same thing that has worked for years in NXT: focus on one thing one week and a different one later, but treat both of them as important. That’s what they did here and it will help them down the road. Instead of having these smaller guys treated like they’re lower on the totem pole, you have them just waiting for their next time on the grand stage. Those are two different things and it goes a long way in the future.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Smackdown Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/09/07/new-book-kbs-complete-smackdown-2003-reviews/

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

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

IMG Credit: Lucha Underground

Lucha Underground
Date: October 10, 2018
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Los Angeles, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

We’re only a few weeks away from Ultima Lucha and that means we’re getting closer to the end of the season. Last week saw a few matches being announced for the show and I’m starting to get fired up for the whole thing. The problem though is they’re not exactly going with the standard Lucha Underground formula, which is what got them here in the first place. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap, with a focus on Johnny Mundo and Taya’s ruined wedding from a few weeks back.

Taya is in the ring to call out Antonio Cueto. Antonio comes out so Taya yells at him for ruining the wedding and sacrificing two of her friends. That’s fine with Antonio, who gives her a match right now.

Taya vs. Matanza

Taya slugs away to start and actually knocks Matanza down for some running knees in the corner. Antonio is starting to panic but Matanza running her over makes things a bit better. Taya can’t hit a tornado DDT but reverses a suplex into a sleeper. A moonsault gets two on Matanza but here’s Johnny Impact to save Taya from Wrath of the Gods at 2:37.

Post match Johnny beats up Matanza, who seems to shrug it off.

Ultima Lucha rundown, which looks pretty good.

The Mack/El Dragon Azteca Jr. vs. Fenix/Mil Muertes

Tornado rules and that’s quite the heel team. It’s a brawl to start, because that’s how tornado tags work. Dragon faceplants Muertes as Fenix and Mack fight on the floor. Fenix comes back in and chops Dragon for a rope walk wristdrag to send Dragon outside. That means Mack comes back in to run Fenix over, leaving him to swallow his fear and slug it out with Muertes.

A running clothesline puts Mack on the floor and Muertes powerbombs Fenix onto Dragon for good measure. Fenix goes up for a Doomsday….I think seated senton but Dragon ducks, sending Fenix into a Stunner from the Mack. More Stunners abound and the villains are sent to the floor. Dragon’s crazy spinning DDT drops Fenix but Fenix dives onto Muertes and Dragon on the floor. Mack hits a dive of his own so it’s Fenix and Dragon kicking each other in the head back inside.

Now it’s time for Mack and Muertes to kick each other over and over until Muertes gets two off a German suplex. Fenix is right back up with a running kick to Mack’s head but accidentally kicks a cameraman down. A super hurricanrana gets two on Mack and a springboard double stomp to the back puts Mack on the floor. Back inside, Muertes goes shoulder first into the post but he’s fine enough to headbutt Dragon out of the air. Fenix throws Mack back in and it’s a Black Fire Driver and Flatliner to give Muertes and Fenix stereo pins at 9:47.

Rating: B. That should set up the faces for wins at Ultima Lucha and there’s nothing wrong with that. It helps when you get a heck of a match along the way there with four people jumping and diving all over the place, which is one of the things this place does best. Really fun match here, but were you expecting anything else?

Here are Brenda and Famous B. for a chat. B. was running a wedding just six weeks ago and he saw his life flash before his eyes. He was scared and never wants to feel like that again, so he’s got a new client: himself, because he’s not healed and coming out of retirement. Cue Ricky Mundo and it’s time for a match.

Famous B. vs. Ricky Mundo

Ricky wastes no time in pounding B. down in the corner and choking away before shrugging off an enziguri. A spinning neckbreaker finishes B. at 1:32 in a total squash.

Post match Ricky says he unleashed Matanza at the wedding because he’s tired of Johnny and Taya treating him like a nobody. As long as Taya is in the way, Johnny will never respect him. That’s why Ricky wants to face Taya at Ultima Lucha, and he puts Brenda in a Crossface as a preview.

Pentagon Dark vs. Reklusa

Reklusa is in less clothing than she usually wrestles in and even Vampiro seems impressed. She dives onto Pentagon on the way in and takes him outside for some fingers to the eyes. A whip into the barricade keeps Pentagon in trouble but he’s right back with an apron powerbomb. They head inside for the running chop to Reklusa’s chest and it’s back to the floor for a hard whip through the chairs.

One heck of a superkick rocks Reklusa as they’re certainly not holding back here. Back in and a hurricanrana sends Pentagon to the floor again, this time for a top rope hurricanrana. A suicide dive into a tornado DDT keeps Pentagon in trouble but can’t finish him off. Another loud superkick gives Pentagon two but Reklusa spins around into another tornado DDT.

The Pentagon Driver only gets two more but the Fear Factor is broken up. That’s fine with Pentagon as he goes with a bigger one onto the apron….for two? Really? A low blow into a Canadian Destroyer gives Reklusa two so Pentagon is right back with a running Fear Factor for the pin at 9:43.

Rating: B+. Well that was awesome. Reklusa looked great (in more ways than one) and the match was one of the hardest hitting that I’ve seen on this show in a long time. They beat the heck out of each other and Reklusa actually looked like a star, after being more of a gimmick character anywhere else. She’s not likely to have many more appearances this season but it was cool to see look this awesome in one of her only matches.

Post match Pentagon loads up the arm but lets it go and pulls out a bag of tacks. Marty Martinez runs in with a barbed wire baseball bat to break up another Fear Factor. Reklusa grabs a can of gasoline and Marty pulls out a lighter but blows out the flame to end the show.

Overall Rating: A. Two excellent matches and two others that were so short that they didn’t mean anything. This was a heck of a show with both big matches looked great. I can go with a show that is all about action like this and Lucha Underground does it as well as anyone does at the moment. Awesome night here and one of the best they’ve ever done.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Smackdown Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/09/07/new-book-kbs-complete-smackdown-2003-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 #25
Date: October 5, 2018
Location: War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, Tony Schiavone

Fury Road has come and gone but it’s going to be a few weeks before we get there. Why a show that has been around about six months can figure out the scheduling better than Ring of Honor is beyond me, but who am I to complain? The main event here is LA Park vs. Pentagon in a Mexican Massacre match. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with Low Ki narrating a video about being Fenix last week, which shows how he and Salina de la Renta will triumph over Konnan. Tonight LA Park will take care of Konnan.

Opening sequence.

Earlier today, Maxwell Jacob Friedman and Aria Blake came to see Salina to ask for help with Joey Janela. Low Ki seems intrigued.

Ricky Martinez vs. Jake St. Patrick

Martinez pauses for a conference with Salina before taking him down for some headscissors faceplants on the mat. St. Patrick gets thrown into the corner for some chops and a hard running lariat. A top rope Codebreaker finishes St. Patrick at 2:12. Total squash.

Tom Lawlor is training in Las Vegas and promises to beat Shane Strickland to prove that he’s the best in the world.

Simon Gotch vs. ???

This is another Prize Fight Challenge for $2000 and the challenger is….Gangrel??? Well sure. Gangrel, who loses a bit without the music and awesome entrance, goes straight at him to start and hammers away in the corner, followed by the running elbow. Gotch sleepers him so Gangrel uses the fangs to escape….and that’s a DQ at 1:03. They can’t have Gangrel take a pin from Gotch? What a bizarre segment.

ACH doesn’t know why Davey Boy Smith Jr. is getting booked after what the Hart Foundation did to Kevin Sullivan. He’s ready to bite like a bulldog.

We look back at Jimmy Havoc vs. Sami Callihan from last week. Spin the Wheel Make the Deal airs on October 26’s Halloween special.

Callihan loves the idea of spinning the wheel and lists off some options, including Coal Miner’s Glove.

We get the first Fightland (November 8 show in Chicago) Control Center with Shane Strickland getting his World Title rematch against Low Ki.

Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. ACH

ACH dropkicks him at the bell and starts in with the flipping. That just annoys Bulldog so he puts ACH on top for a forearm to the jaw. A superplex is countered into a rollup for two on Smith and a deadlift German suplex is good for the same. ACH takes way too much time going up and tries jumping from the other ring’s top rope for a frog splash, allowing Smith to get away pretty easily. The running powerslam finishes ACH at 2:29, in a loss you wouldn’t expect to be that emphatic.

Konnan is ready for the big main event when Salina (in a different outfit) interrupts. She thanks him for making Pentagon a sacrifice for LA Park. They switch to Spanish and don’t seem to like each other.

Rush, a big name luchador, is coming.

Tale of the tape for Park vs. Pentagon.

LA Park vs. Pentagon

Mexican Massacre, which seems to mean street fight. Salina, in a third outfit, and Konnan are here as well. They go nose to nose to start until Parka pelts a trashcan at him to take over early on. It’s already time to go for Pentagon’s mask, which is torn in half in quite the sign of disrespect. Of course it’s table time with Park going near the production area to clear one off and bring it to the ring, because he needs to wreck as much stuff as possible.

A dustpan to the back keeps Pentagon in trouble and Salina is very pleased. Park hits him in the shoulder with a studded belt and it’s time for some good old fashioned choking. A hurricanrana sends Park to the floor and there’s the big flip dive. One heck of a chair shot to the head has Park’s mask messed up as well and they head back inside. Pentagon hits a top rope double stomp for two and throws some Spanish insults at Salina.

Park clotheslines him down for two of his own but Pentagon kicks him in the knee in the corner to set up the Alberto double stomp. A snap powerslam near a trashcan sets up a backsplash for two on Pentagon, followed by the suicide dive on the floor. Back in and Park hits something like a Lethal Combination for two more but Pentagon is right back with the Sling Blades. Park trashcans him down for another near fall and it’s time for another table. That takes too long though, allowing Pentagon to hit a Backstabber.

Some trashcan shots to the head have Park in trouble but he’s fine enough to come off the top with a spear through the table for a rather close two. Pentagon kicks him low for two more and takes his frustrations out on the referee with a trashcan to the back. Park kicks him low and grabs a cover, with the referee counting a fast pin at 15:56.

Rating: B. The ending was a bit of a relief as I was worried that they were going to put Park over clean here, which would have been a bit of a headscratcher. What we got here, along with an acceptable ending, was a heck of a fight that felt like the violent spectacle they were hoping to have. I liked what I saw here, which tends to be the case with Pentagon no matter where he is.

Post match Park rants in Spanish, which Salina translates to a challenge for the Tag Team Titles. Pentagon seems to accept to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. This was a weird show with a bunch of squashes and then a long match to wrap things up. That makes things rather unbalanced as the squashes weren’t exactly important, but it did give us multiple Salina appearances and that’s a very good thing. This needed some more star power, but at least the main event was strong.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Smackdown Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/09/07/new-book-kbs-complete-smackdown-2003-reviews/

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

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

IMG Credit: Lucha Underground Twitter

Lucha Underground
Date: October 3, 2018
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Los Angeles, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

It’s definitely Ultima Lucha time as we’re starting to see the card coming together. As of last week we have the Lucha Underground Title match, though there’s always the chance that things are going to change before we get there. Other than that, Mil Muertes is going to be facing the Mack in what should be destruction but might be something a little more interesting given the stage. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap looks at the variety of stories going on around here.

The announcers talk about Marty the Moth Martinez winning the Lucha Underground Title two weeks ago, much to Matt’s shock.

Joey Ryan/XO Lishus/Ivelisse vs. Rabbit Tribe

It’s a brawl to start with Ivelisse armdragging London down, though he seems to like it. El Bunny (I love this team) comes in instead and springboard crossbodies Lishus to take over. The slingshot Bronco Buster connects as the White Rabbit isn’t exactly pleased. London drops Lishus on his head as the White Rabbit shakes his head no.

Ivelisse comes in and starts cleaning house with Joey getting the tag to throw London into Lishus’, uh, hips. The Rabbits send everyone outside though and White Rabbit tags himself in for the menacing stare at Joey. Back to back superkicks have no effect so White Rabbit Saito suplexes Joey down. Ryan is done so the White Rabbit pulls out a white glove and puts on a Mandible Claw for the knockout at 5:20.

Rating: D+. Just a way to introduce the White Rabbit here and that was rather successful. That being said, wouldn’t it make a little more sense to do that earlier in the season instead of doing it with a month to go? He has a great look (it’s awesome in TNA as well) and can wrestle a monster style quite well, but I’m not sure how much time they have to get anywhere with him at this point.

The glove is bloody as it comes out of Joey’s mouth.

Ultima Lucha is two weeks this year and starts on Halloween night. Freshly announced: Fenix vs. Dragon Azteca Jr. in a 2/3 falls match.

Killshot vs. Son of Havoc

Havoc slugs away in the corner to start and a dropkick puts Killshot on the floor. The suicide dive is countered into an F5 into the barricade and Killshot steps on the hand while going after the mask. They go face to face for some yelling until Killshot gets low bridged to the floor. He lands on his feet so Havoc is right there with a dive to take him out.

Back in and Killshot goes for the mask again, only to get get taken down with a cutter for two. Killshot puts him in the corner though and a knee to the back sets up a running Killstomp for two more. An exchange of loud shots to the face goes to Killshot but he can’t get in a cross armbreaker, allowing Havoc to reverse it into a cradle for the pin at 6:36.

Rating: C. They beat each other up well enough here and you can pencil them in for a mask vs. mask match at Ultima Lucha. This has been a good feud where the matches have made up for a not that interesting (though not bad by any means) story and that’s perfectly fine. These two hitting each other really hard for twelve minutes will be more than fine, even with Striker ranting like a moron.

Post match Killshot jumps him from behind and unloads with brass knuckles shots to the head. The mask comes off with Havoc covering his face on the mat. Cue Antonio to make the mask vs. mask match.

Here are Marty Martinez and his still unnamed female friend for a chat. Martinez talks about this journey beginning when Sexy Star embarrassed his family. That’s why he sent Reclusa (the woman) after her and now she has Star’s mask. So there’s your explanation for where she went. The only person to humiliate Martinez more than her was Pentagon Dark and now Martinez has his championship. The only person left is his sister Mariposa, to whom Martinez owes a huge thank you. For that thank you, come have a title shot.

Lucha Underground Title: Mariposa vs. Marty Martinez

Martinez is defending and this is No DQ. A headbutt doesn’t bother Marty as he kicks Mariposa low and hammers away in the corner. Striker: “This is like making love in a hammock.” They head outside with Mariposa being sent into a variety of things and getting busted open in the process. Marty: “BLEED SISTER! BLEED!”

That’s only good for two back inside and Marty smiles as only he can. They’re back outside in short order with Mariposa sending him into the barricade a few times, only to get posted for her efforts. Reclusa sends in a chair which of course goes across Marty’s back as the fans are behind Mariposa.

The chair is pelted at Marty’s head and since that works so well, Mariposa buries him under about eight chair, throwing each one at him about four times each. Somehow Marty isn’t dead so Mariposa drop toeholds him into a chair inside for a rather near fall. A Samoan drop through the chair gets two but Reclusa breaks up the Butterfly Effect. The package piledriver retains the title at 9:14.

Rating: B. Now that was a lot of fun as they managed to make what should have been a dull match into something very entertaining. Mariposa throwing the chairs at Martinez went on so long that it went from silly to awesome, which is a hard trick to pull off. Marty winning was obvious, but it was a good time to get there.

Post match Marty cradles Mariposa and thanks her for his new focus. As for Pentagon, he wants Ultima Lucha to be a Cero Miedo match, which he’ll dedicate to Mariposa. Speaking of Mariposa, Martinez breaks her arm ala Pentagon. Cue Pentagon to chase Marty off and accept the challenge to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. Now we’re getting ready for Ultima Lucha and while I’m still not blown away by a lot of the things they have going on, I like it a lot more than I did just a few weeks ago. The main event should be fun but given how this place works, you know they have something planned for a surprise. Good show here, and that’s what the series needed at the moment.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Smackdown Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/09/07/new-book-kbs-complete-smackdown-2003-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 #24
Date: September 28, 2018
Location: War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, Tony Schiavone

We’re getting closer to Fury Road and that means things are starting to pick up. It also means that we’ll be getting something entertaining tonight with MLW World Champion Low Ki defending against Fenix. In other words, taking two talented guys and letting them have a long match should work fine. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Sami Callihan and Jimmy Havoc have started fighting in the back before their scheduled match tonight. Both guys go for the eyes and seem to be heading towards the arena.

Opening sequence.

Jason Cade vs. Myron Reed

Cade has Rhett Giddins in his corner. Reed is nice enough to let the referee check him for weapons and Cade dropkicks him in the corner for his efforts. A sunset flip gets Reed out of trouble and a dropkick puts Cade on the floor. Giddins offers a distraction so Cade can take over again as the beating continues. We hit the chinlock and go split screen to see Havoc and Callihan still fighting.

Back to full screen and Reed hurricanranas his way out of a powerbomb attempt, followed by a nip up into an enziguri. Reed scores with a running forearm in the corner and another enziguri, followed by the top rope seated senton for two. Cade knees him in the face for the same, only to be kicked in the face for his efforts. A superkick rocks Cade again but he’s fine enough to elbow Reed in the face.

Reed gets buckle bombed so he pops right back up with a reverse hurricanrana to plant Cade again. Cade scores with another superkick but Reed springboards into a cutter for two. Something like a Cradle Shock (which Tony calls a sitout powerbomb) gives Cade two more so he takes Reed over to the other ring, only to have Reed reverse a suplex into a Stunner.

Just to show off, Reed gets a running start and dives over both ropes for a cutter to wreck Cade. Another diving cutter over the top rope drops Cade onto Giddins but Giddins is fine enough to crotch Reed on top. A backslide driver (that’s a new one) of all things finishes Reed at 9:54.

Rating: C+. Reed looked like a star here, even if he used that cutter once or twice too often. That running cutter looked awesome and I was hoping to see Reed win here, which I didn’t expect coming in. Cade is fine for a midcard heel and having the bigger Giddins as an enforcer is a classic story that will work fine here. This was a very nice surprise.

Post match Cade grabs the mic but Jimmy Yuta runs in and dropkicks him down.

Post break, Yuta promises to play dirty along with Cade.

Fury Road rundown, including Maxwell Jacob Friedman defending the Middleweight Title against Cade and Yuta. Makes sense.

Brody King is ready to face Tommy Dreamer and show him some real violence at Fury Road.

Callihan and Havoc are still fighting with Havoc being choked down until a wet floor sign to the head gets him out of trouble. They fight into the men’s room with Callihan getting a face full of soap. After a break, Havoc can’t find Callihan.

Shane Strickland is ready to prove that he’s still the ace when he faces Tom Lawlor.

Friedman and Aria Blake try to get in to see Salina de la Renta but get shut down.

Cade isn’t happy with Yuta for interfering in his match and swears vengeance.

Court Bauer makes Callihan vs. Havoc: Spin the Wheel Make the Deal for Fury Road. I’m down.

Lawlor is ready to beat up Strickland and prove that he’s the present and the future. He wants to prove that this is a filthy world, not Shane’s house.

Video on Salina de la Renta vs. Konnan in a battle over talent and power.

MLW World Title: Low Ki vs. Rey Fenix

Fenix is challenging and we get the Big Match Intros. They stare each other down to start without much happening in the first minute. Fenix starts speeding things up and hits his springboard armdrag to send Low Ki outside, meaning the big flip suicide dive to drive him into the barricade. The loud superkick has Low Ki in even more trouble and a standing moonsault gets two back inside.

Low Ki dropkicks him down though and Fenix invites the champ to kick him in the chest. One heck of a chop on the floor sends Fenix over the barricade and the pace stays slow. Back inside and we hit the neck crank with Low Ki going after the mask. A double stomp gets two and they head outside again, this time with Fenix being catapulted face first into the post (DING!) to draw some blood.

Fenix gets chopped even more and can barely stand as the referee starts checking on him to make sure this can keep going. Of course Fenix gets up and screams before losing a chop off. Fenix does an Undertaker situp but can’t do much more after that, despite the fans loudly cheering for him. So he really is like Undertaker. One heck of a chop slows Low Ki down so he kicks Fenix into the corner again.

Low Ki grabs him by the hands and goes up top, only to have Fenix grab a double springboard into a hurricanrana. A rolling cutter gets a delayed two on the champ and the Ki Crusher is blocked. Instead Ki kicks him out of the corner for two and the top rope double stomp gets the same.

The big kick is countered into a rollup for two more and they both head up top. Fenix gets the better of it with a springboard Spanish Fly and the kickout shocks them both. A reverse hurricanrana drops Ki on his head but Salina takes Fenix’s mask off, setting up a great looking top double stomp to the back to retain the title at 14:28.

Rating: B. These two beat the heck out of each other and they got somewhere with the idea of Fenix fighting from behind. Those near falls were awesome and Fenix is someone easy to cheer for, making this quite the match. They can save Pentagon vs. Ki for later on or whenever Ki gets a partner for the big tag war. Very fun brawl here and they beat each other up as you would have wanted to see them do.

Salina yells in Spanish and poses with Low Ki.

In the back, Havoc and Callihan are still fighting as they go outside. Callihan gets knocked down some steps and calls Havoc crazy. Havoc: “I know it!” Callihan runs away from Havoc’s kendo stick to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. It’s a good sign when you have two matches on a show and both of them are either good or quite good. Throw in the whole Havoc vs. Callihan thing that set up a big gimmick match for the special show and this was a heck of a night. I want to see Fury Road and that’s a good sign going forward. Really strong show this week and one of the better Fusions to date.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Smackdown Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/09/07/new-book-kbs-complete-smackdown-2003-reviews/

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

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