IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #67
Date: July 20, 2019
Location: Cicero Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, Jim Cornette

Things are changing in a hurry around here with the titles going from one set of hands to another. Last week saw the Dynasty take the Tag Team Titles from the Hart Foundation in a pretty good ladder match but the feud isn’t over yet. This week we have Alexander Hammerstone defending the Openweight Title against Davey Boy Smith Jr. in what should be a heck of a match. Let’s get to it.

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

Salina de la Renta, in a skeleton suit, talks about Mance Warner getting on her nerves. We see a clip of Warner going through Promociones Dorado before Salina speaks what I’m assuming is Latin and uses wine to write on a white sheet. She has summoned the demon known as Bestia to deal with him.

Opening sequence.

The announcers talk about last week’s title change and Mance Warner stealing the Golden Ticket from LA Park.

Earlier today, Davey Boy Smith Jr.’s sister interviewed the Dynasty, who isn’t worried about Hammerstone’s defense. Richard Holliday thinks Smith couldn’t sell an Oreo to a glass of milk and Hammerstone says explaining his dominance to Smith is like explaining color to a blind person. The interview ends and Smith’s sister doesn’t have anything kind to say to any of them.

National Openweight Title: Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Alexander Hammerstone

Hammerstone is defending with the Dynasty out here and Smith all on his own. Before the match, Holliday says the consumers should be happy to be here because they’re breathing rarefied air. Maxwell Jacob Friedman says he smells poor people and explains the Hart Family being raised near a nuclear power plant. That’s why Teddy Hart wears so many weird outfits: he’s hiding his gills. Hammerstone says enough of the insults because it’s time to fight.

We get a rather aggressive lockup to start and Cornette yells about Friedman yelling at fans and taking focus off the match. Hammerstone’s headlock doesn’t get him very far and a shoulder exchange goes to a standoff. Smith skins the cat (because he can do that) and kicks Hammerstone in the face, meaning it’s time for a breather. That doesn’t last long as Smith goes outside and kicks away but a Dynasty distraction lets Hammerstone get in a shot to the throat.

Back in and Hammerstone manages a missile dropkick and Smith is in big trouble in a hurry. The chinlock goes on and Friedman uses the change to yell at more fans. That doesn’t last long and Hammerstone hits a crazy impressive dropkick for his size. Hammerstone hits a running powerslam for one on Smith and you know that’s firing him up.

Hammerstone hits one of his own, only to have Smith pop up with some rolling German suplexes. A bridging belly to back gives Smith two and it’s a top rope headbutt, which looked like a splash. There’s no cover though, allowing MJF to spit on the Canadian flag. That’s enough for Smith, who grabs the flag and beats up the Dynasty for the DQ at 9:30.

Rating: B. I could watch two monsters like this beat each other up for days. They went with the right ending by not having either of them job and the feud can continue. This thing has been going on for a long time now but hasn’t lost any steam, so at least they’re doing things the right way so far. Just don’t overstay the welcome and everything will be fine.

Video on the Von Erichs wanting to stop Contra. You can tell they’re serious because they’re cowboys.

Just in case it didn’t click the first time, we look at Warner tormenting Salina and company last week.

Konnan has Salina’s phone and tells her to be nice to him or a lot of secrets are coming out.

Video on Contra, who has taken over now that they have the World Title. Now they want contracts and they’re open to the highest bidder.

Next week: Contra vs. Von Erichs.

Mance Warner has made a list of things to do, which is the word KILL over and over. Salina can send the devil after him and he’ll be waiting with a chain around his fist. He rubs blood on his face and says he’s going headhunting.

Los Parks vs. Los Wagners

Salina is out with the Parks. That would be LA Park/Hijo de LA Park vs. Dr. Wagner Jr./Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. To clarify, I’ll be calling them Park, Hijo de Park, Wagner and Hijo de Wagner respectively and hoping for the best. The two fathers start things off with Wagner cleaning house early on. Everything breaks down and the Parks are sent outside for the double suicide dives.

Back in and Hijo de Park gets knocked down again, allowing both Wagners to beat up Park in the corner. Hijo de Wagner gets two off a Cannonball in the corner and Wagner hits a basement dropkick to Hijo de Park. Hijo de Wagner goes up top but gets caught in a springboard Spanish Fly from Hijo de Park, leaving Park to powerslam Wagner for stereo twos. Hijo de Park hits a Code Red on his dad to drive them into Hijo de Wagner for two as the air horns are strong here.

The Parks hit their own (and harder) stereo suicide dives to the floor and it’s time for a quick breather. Back in and the fathers slug it out until Park pulls Wagner’s mask off (he lost it in 2017 so it’s not the biggest deal). Wagner doesn’t seem to mind and pulls Park off the middle rope with a super cutter for two. Park headbutts the heck out of him as Cornette talks about seeing Mil Mascaras without his mask and not being able to believe it. Wagner’s DDT gets two on Park and we settle down into something resembling a tag match about eight minutes in.

The sons slug it out in the middle with Hijo de Wagner hitting a scoop spinning Angle Slam for two as the dads are now on the apron. A leg lariat takes Hijo de Wagner down for two and a Codebreaker out of the corner gives Hijo de Park the same. Hijo de Wagner is back up with a bunch of strikes for a double knockdown, which brings in the dads for a cover each. Must be a lucha thing.

The dads stay in (fair enough) with Wagner taking him down and stopping for some pushups. Park crotches him on top (breaking the turnbuckle pad in the process) but a top rope splash hits raised boots. Wagner hits a running flip dive off the apron, with his feet crashing into the announcers’ table on the landing. That leaves Hijo de Park to hit a Code Red for two on Hijo de Wagner, who is right back with a jumping enziguri on the apron.

They fight over an apron superplex until Hijo de Wagner settles for a regular version for two with Park making the save. Wagner is back in with a suicide dive onto Park, followed by a much harder one from Hijo de Park. Hijo de Wagner hits one of his own (Rich: “Oh no not again.”) as the announcers are rethinking their careers. Back in and Park spears Hijo de Wagner for the pin at 16:29.

Rating: B-. I’m not the biggest lucha fan in the world and there were some issues with the match, but what mattered here was this match felt big. These guys are clearly stars if not legends in lucha libre and that came across here. Park just hitting the spear for the win isn’t the best finish and they do it too often, but it came after a long and action packed match. I liked it and the aura was there so well done.

Overall Rating: A-. Sweet goodness the hour long wrestling shows have been strong across the board this week. This was another awesome night from MLW with the title stuff to start and then the big fight feel for the lucha main event. I didn’t think they could make that kind of a hybrid work and I’ve been proven very wrong. This company feels like it’s just clicking on all levels so far and I hope the business side backs it up. Awesome show here and worth seeing.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/05/31/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-in-your-house/

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

Kings Of Colosseum
Date: July 6, 2019
Location: Cicero Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, Jim Cornette

We’ve got another live show here and so far, the success rate for these has been pretty good. The shows tend to run a bit longer than a regular episode of Fusion, but that should probably be the case when the show is supposed to be bigger. The main event is MLW World Champion defending against Jacob Fatu in a match that could go either way. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a preview of tonight’s show, which doesn’t look bad.

The opening video looks at the major matches with no commentary.

National Openweight Title: Alexander Hammerstone vs. ???

This is Hammerstone’s Star Spangled Banner Challenge and the Dynasty is out in full force. Before anyone answers the challenge, Hammerstone says he represents a true American hero, unlike those dastardly Harts back there. That’s why he’s a fighting champion so he wants opponents from all corners of the world. He wants the cream of the crop, but he’s the creamiest of them all.

It’s Kotto Brazil answering the challenge and Cornette knows this one is going to hurt. Maxwell Jacob Friedman joins commentary and he rants about his microphone being off, meaning he throws the headset down and leaves in a huff as only he can. And now he’s back with the headset working, which Friedman blames on Court Bauer being scared of how great he is at commentary. Brazil starts fast with a middle rope spinning forearm as Friedman has Aria Blake sit on his lap so they can talk about whatever, ahem, pops up.

Kotto kicks at the ribs but gets shoved away and eats a bicycle kick. Hammerstone tosses him over his head with ease and a second toss cuts Brazil off again. The Nightmare Pendulum is broken up though and Brazil nails his tornado DDT. A missile dropkick puts Hammerstone down and a frog splash gets two. Richard Holliday offers a distraction though and a very delayed vertical superplex plants Brazil. The Nightmare Pendulum retains the title at 5:39.

Rating: C. Brazil has grown on me tremendously with a great version of fighting from underneath and making me believe that he could pull off the miracle. Hammerstone continues to be a monster who looks like he could be a big star no matter where he is and that’s an impressive deal for the future. Both guys looked good here, even in a short one.

Post match the Dynasty puts the American flag around Hammerstone and Friedman brags about him. Friedman isn’t done though and calls out the Hart Foundation for a Tag Team Title shot.

Cornette and Bocchini talk about the World Title match and how bad it would be if Fatu won.

Simon Gotch talks about how Contra attacked Tom Lawlor the last time they were here. A clean shaven Lawlor jumps him from behind and asks if Fatu is ready.

We get a quick look at Frank Gotch vs. George Hackenschmidt in 1911.

MLW will be on pay per view on November 2, including four title matches.

Myron Reed vs. Rey Horus

Reed has Jordan Oliver in his corner. Hold on as Reed needs to bail to the floor again as he and Oliver don’t think much of the fans. Reed gets in a shot to the face to start but a leg lariat takes him down. Back up and some running from Horus sends Reed outside for another breather. Reed’s headlock doesn’t work very well as Horus snaps off a running hurricanrana.

Oliver grabs Horus’ leg though, allowing Reed to duck a clothesline and kick Horus in the head. That’s enough to send Horus outside for a stomping from Oliver, which the referee somehow misses. Even commentary is ranting about how blind he must be to let that happen. Horus is right back up with a rope walk armdrag to send Reed outside, followed by a backdrop to send an invading Oliver onto him. For some reason the referee won’t let Horus dive so he dives over the referee instead.

Back in and Reed hits a running dropkick in the corner but a middle rope legdrop to the back of the neck gives Horus two. Something like a Stundog Millionaire drops Horus and Reed nails a springboard 450 for two of his own. A quick Spanish Fly gives Horus two more as the back and forth continues. Oliver offers a distraction though and Reed nails a springboard uppercut (the Louisville Slugger) for the pin at 8:42.

Rating: B-. This was the usual rather entertaining cruiserweight match as the roster knows how to do a match like this in their sleep. What matters though is they’re bringing in a lot of the lesser known names (like Reed) to see what they can do and develop some new stars. Good, fun match here and a great showcase on a live show like this.

The Hart Foundation agrees to defend against the Dynasty, but it’s in a ladder match with Brian Pillman and Teddy Hart defending. Pillman can’t believe he’s getting the chance and promises to make his family proud. I don’t see this ending well.

Cornette is in the ring for a live Jim Cornette Experience with Salina de la Renta. We hear some of her accolades, including the Female Entrepreneur (which she can’t pronounce) of the Year in Puerto Rico. Cornette brings up LA Park’s upcoming World Title shot, but that information is confidential. With that out of the way, Cornette asks about Konnan coming back with some fresh talent to go after Salina and company.

Well since Konnan isn’t here and doesn’t have his superstars anymore, he isn’t very good at his job. And he can’t please a woman. Cue Konnan to offer to show how pleasing he can be right now before switching over to some Spanish. He has a new crop of luchadors coming after Salina, which she calls typical Konnan. Apparently she has a secret that can humiliate Konnan and end his career once and for all. If he wants it to come out, keep trying her. Salina leaves and Konnan hits the catchphrase.

We look at Lawlor attacking Gotch again.

Dr. Wagner Jr. is coming.

The Dynasty is down with Pillman being involved but aren’t sure about the ladder part.

The show is being extended and we’ll see the end of the World Title match no matter what.

We look back at Contra attacking Lawlor and nearly causing a riot in Chicago.

We run down the tale of the tape for the World Title match and look at all the former World Champions, including from the old days of the promotion.

MLW World Title: Tom Lawlor vs. Jacob Fatu

Fatu is challenging and there are no Von Erichs to back Lawlor up. There’s also no Gotch with Fatu but Josef Samael is here. In case that isn’t enough, Salina is watching from the front row. After the Big Match Intros, we’re finally ready to go. Lawlor’s shots to the face don’t do much as Fatu sends him to and knocks him off the apron for a big crash. A whip into the barricade has Lawlor in trouble and he gets choked with the camera cord to make it even worse.

Back in and Fatu knocks him down again and a slam keeps Lawlor in trouble. Fatu’s middle rope headbutt misses and Lawlor goes straight for the choke, which is tossed away with ease. The second and third attempts slow Fatu down but he’s fine enough to drive Lawlor back first into the corner. The double springboard moonsault misses and a Samael distraction backfires as Lawlor gets in a low blow. Fatu misses his seated senton as Cornette is trying to get over how the low blow didn’t even take Fatu down.

That lasts all of two seconds as Fatu pops up and says bring it on so Lawlor grabs a guillotine choke. That’s switched into a DDT attempt but Fatu handstands his way out of it and busts out a handspring moonsault because of course he can do that. A missed charge in the corner lets Lawlor hammer away but it’s a superkick into the pop up Samoan drop. The double springboard moonsault gives Fatu the pin and the title at 7:58.

Rating: C+. This felt like an old Vader match or for something more modern, a Brock Lesnar squash as Lawlor threw everything he had at Fatu and couldn’t make a dent in him. That’s the kind of dominant performance that you need as Lawlor was the unstoppable force and got destroyed here, with Fatu looking like the new king of the monsters. It’s a good move, as Contra needed to win something and they did that in a big way.

Salina grabs her phone and leaves.

Contra celebrates as commentary panics to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. They’re getting better at these big matches and Fatu winning is the best thing that they could do. That man is an absolute gem and it’s a matter of time before he gets signed to a big company. I don’t know how long MLW can keep him around but my goodness this was a great performance. The rest of the show worked very well too and I’m looking forward to seeing where things go. The other day I saw someone ask when MLW surpasses Ring of Honor. They’re not there yet, but how much further is it?

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/05/31/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-in-your-house/

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

Fury Road
Date: June 1, 2019
Location: Waukesha County Expo Center, Waukesha, Wisconsin
Commentators: Jim Cornette, Rich Bocchini

We’re FINALLY done with the Wrestlemania weekend tapings and tonight it’s a live special with the finals of the National Openweight Title tournament to crown an inaugural champion. Throw in a Middleweight Title match and we have a nice little show here. Hopefully it can turn into a good big show, but I’m not getting my hopes up. 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 show with Contra dominating a lot of the roster.

Opening sequence.

World Champion Tom Lawlor is not here yet, either due to weather or traffic issues.

Myron Reed vs. Gringo Loco

Reed has his mouth taped and is holding up the JUSTICE sign again. Rich rants about Reed being checked for weapons despite never having one….and then the referee doesn’t check him anyway, making it a moot point. Loco goes outside early on and it’s a big flip dive to take him down. Back in and Loco starts the flips before dropkicking Reed’s legs out for a nice looking counter.

Reed’s hurricanrana is countered with a cartwheel and Reed is rather stunned. A jumping enziguri hits Reed’s raised arm but puts him down on the apron anyway, only to have him knock Loco down with a forearm. The slingshot legdrop gets two on Loco and it’s time for Reed to get cocky. We hit the chinlock to slow things down but Loco is right back up. Then he’s right back down after missing a moonsault, leaving Reed to charge….right into a running Liger Bomb for two.

A super Falcon Arrow (or a “super Falcon Arrow slam thing” according to Cornette) gets two more but since Reed somehow survived that, it’s a springboard cutter for two on Loco. The springboard 450 is good for the same but the referee accuses Reed of pulling out a foreign object. Since there’s nothing there, Reed has to hit a Stundog Millionaire to block a suplex. Another accusation from the referee has Reed annoyed so Loco grabs a spinning Tombstone for the pin at 8:35.

Rating: C+. Reed is an uninteresting character in an interesting story if that makes sense. It might be something that has been done before but it’s a story that can work well. Loco is becoming a cult favorite but he’s a cult favorite who can have some entertaining matches. This worked well and kept the story going so well done.

Post match Reed pulls out some brass knuckles to knock Loco silly.

Salina de la Renta will be executive producing another episode of Fusion on June 15.

We take a quick look at the Crusher, the Man Who Made Milwaukee Famous. Next week, he gets a statue in Milwaukee.

Tom Lawlor still isn’t here so he can’t be interviewed.

National Openweight Title: Brian Pillman Jr. vs. Alexander Hammerstone

For the inaugural title. Pillman’s hair is now bleached blond, which doesn’t work that well for him. Before the match, Maxwell Jacob Friedman says Brian Pillman Sr. would be sick at the sound of his own son. With the seconds gone, Pillman dodges early on and ducks a right hand, setting up a few chops. Forearms in the corner have Hammerstone in trouble and a running dropkick makes it worse. Hammerstone responds by kicking him in the face as the fans try to get behind Pillman again.

Pillman avoids a suplex though and dropkicks him out to the floor for a mostly missed dive. A running start around the ring gets Pillman swung into the barricade and a powerbomb onto the apron stays on Pillman’s back. Hammerstone runs him over back inside and there’s a hard whip into the corner. A little trash talking lets Pillman hits a superkick for two, followed by a spinning high crossbody for the same. The Swanton misses though and the Nightmare Pendulum makes Hammerstone the champion at 8:07.

Rating: C+. They did what they could do here as Pillman isn’t ready for the big epic match. The ending was the right call though as Hammerstone winning gives the Dynasty vs. Hart Foundation feud a little more life. That and Hammerstone is a monster and they would be nuts to have him lose so early. Just give us Smith Jr. vs. Hammerstone and I’ll be happy.

Post match Hammerstone says he was putting in the work while Pillman was riding his dad’s coattails. Now this title is Dynasty.

Austin Aries is still coming. Maybe in his hometown of Milwaukee?

The announcers are cut off by a video with the Contra feed. Contra seems to have taken over the production truck and we see a video of the team attacking Tom Lawlor.

Lawlor is bound and gagged but they take the tape off and choke him with it instead. They want him to learn that they can take anything at any time, including Lawlor’s hair, which is quickly cut.

The announcers apologize for making us see that, including the levels of violence shown. That’s not even the most violent thing Contra has done.

We recap the main event with Jimmy Havoc wanting to end Teddy Hart’s career resurgence.

Middleweight Title: Teddy Hart vs. Jimmy Havoc

Hart is defending and both guys bring chairs, though this isn’t billed as No DQ. We get some Big Match Intros to stretch things out a little bit longer. Hart wastes no time in moonsaulting for no reason other than to show off a bit, which draws a charging Havoc into the corner. Some chair shots to the ribs are perfectly fine with Cornette saying we have relaxed rules due to Hart being involved.

Hart forearms him down for two and it’s time to work on the arm as the announcers talk about all the weather and technical issues that have taken place today. We take a break and come back with Hart hitting a Backstabber, followed by a powerbomb Backstabber. The moonsault gets two more as we hear about Tom Lawlor staggering up to the ticket window and asking for help, though we won’t be seeing it. They head to the apron with Havoc trying an RKO onto a chair, with Hart’s face not getting anywhere near the thing.

Somehow Hart is busted anyway and Havoc goes with the paper cuts between the fingers and on the mouth. A suplex onto a piece of barricade makes it even worse for Hart and it’s time to head back inside. The chair is set up in the corner but, of course, Hart manages to reverse a whip to send Havoc into it instead.

Havoc reverses a super hurricanrana and gets the Sharpshooter (IT’S BECAUSE TEDDY IS RELATED TO BRET HART AND THIS HAS TO BE INCLUDED IN EVERY HART MATCH IN THE HISTORY OF EVER!!!), sending Hart over to the rope. As Cornette tries to figure out why that works in a match with weapons, Havoc hits a Canadian Destroyer but misses the Acid Rainmaker. Hart grabs a Canadian Destroyer of his own and it’s the lifting hammerlock DDT onto the chair to retain the title at 11:33.

Rating: C-. I wasn’t feeling this one as the weapons didn’t add anything and they really didn’t add anything to the match. Hart isn’t exactly a hardcore guy and it was just Havoc doing the short form version of his greatest hits. It’s not terrible and Hart’s weird charisma makes things work, but I could have gone for something rather different.

Post match the Dynasty comes in to beat down Hart, drawing out the Hart Foundation for the big brawl to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. For a live special, this worked quite well and would make me want to see what happens next. That’s exactly the point of something like this and I liked what I was seeing for the most part. There was no blow away match but I don’t think there really needed to be. What we got was good, though I’m more interested in where this is going than where it is here.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/05/31/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-in-your-house/

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 #57
Date: May 11, 2019
Location: Melrose Ballroom, New York City, New York
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, Jim Cornette

Things are starting to wrap up in this taping cycle and we’re coming up on a few big matches. Last week saw Salina de la Renta running things and a tease of a big fight with Sami Callihan but it wound up being Mance Warner instead. Therefore, there is a good chance we’ll be seeing Callihan going after Salina again soon. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Barrington Hughes/Ace Romero vs. Contra, which sounds like a sacrifice in the making.

Opening sequence.

Air Wolf vs. Rey Fenix

Wolf looks rather terrified and the announcers pick up on it. They shake hands to start with Fenix taking him to the mat for a hold that isn’t going to go anywhere. That’s reversed into a double arm crank from Wolf so Fenix flips up to his feet without much trouble. Fenix does a series of flips to get out of a wristlock and Wolf isn’t sure what to do here. They chop it out until Wolf gets in his first big(ish) offense with a springboard wristdrag.

Fenix is right back with his own armdrag to put Wolf on the floor but he’s right back in with a hurricanrana of his own. The big dive to the floor takes Fenix down again as he can’t figure out what to do with Wolf. Back in and Fenix’s rolling cutter is countered into a German suplex. Another German suplex gives Wolf two and a springboard Downward Spiral gets the same.

Fenix finally rolls through for a hard dropkick and they’re both down. Wolf gets tied in the ropes for a rope walk kick to the face as I want to throttle the fan with the air horn. That’s fine with Wolf, who is right back with a butterfly suplex into a DDT for two. Fenix catches him on top with a kick to the head but the Black Fire Driver is countered into a cradle to give Wolf the big upset at 9:48.

Rating: B-. That’s not the biggest surprise as the idea here was to give Wolf a rub before Fenix goes to MLW full time. Wolf hasn’t impressed me all that much yet but giving him some wins like this is a good idea, even if they don’t happen very often. Fenix brought him up a lot and that’s why they were put together.

Austin Aries is coming soon. Does he have to?

We look at Salina de la Renta’s problems with Sami Callihan and Mance Warner last week.

Salina isn’t happy with Mance, who she thinks does things to chickens. Next week, she wants Promociones Dorado vs. Callihan/Warner.

Barrington Hughes vs. Jacob Fatu

If there is any justice in the world, this should be about a minute long. Hughes knocks him into the corner for a splash but gets superkicked in the face. Something like a Whisper in the Wind (remember that Fatu is pushing 300lbs) finishes Fatu in 33 seconds. EXACTLY what it should have been.

The Hart Foundation is in a nice car and thank the Lucha Bros for dropping the titles. They don’t think much of MJF for a variety of reasons. As for Brian Pillman, he’ll gain a lot from competition, like a match against Rich Swann in the National Title tournament.

Alexander Hammerstone is looking forward to facing Gringo Loco in the tournament but he’s thinking about the celebration when he wins the title. MJF has even rented an elephant so Grandpappy Hammer and Weird Uncle Gary Hammer can come celebrate. He promises to win but leaves to take a call about the elephant.

We get the first Fury Road Control Center. We’ll see the tournament final to crown the first National Champion as well as the debuts of Ross and Marshall Von Erich.

Tom Lawlor is ready for Avalanche, because Tom is the only abominable snowman anyone needs to worry about.

Ariel Dominguez vs. Bryan Idol

Idol has some muscle on a somewhat small frame. Ariel gets sent into the corner for a running knee and a butterfly suplex into the same corner makes it even worse. A swinging layout Rock Bottom gets two as the not huge Idol is throwing around the tiny Dominguez. Idol gets two more off a shoulder breaker but misses a moonsault. That’s enough for Dominguez to hit a dropkick and tornado DDT, setting up a kick to the chest for two. A springboard tornado DDT into a small package (eventually as it was several covers before Dominguez tied the legs up) finishes Idol at 4:09.

Rating: D+. They lost me here as Dominguez is just too small and doesn’t do enough crazy athletic stuff to make up for it. The level of suspension of believe necessary for wrestling is very high at times and I can live with a lot, but this was just a bit too far. It’s not a bad match but I didn’t believe it and that’s a problem.

We look at Salina’s challenge again.

Warner and Callihan are in for the match. Warner’s eyes bugging out the whole time makes it that much better. Oh and it’s going to be a tag team fight instead of a match. I think that was already understood. They get in a bit of an argument over thumbs and kneepads going up and down.

Salina talks to Low Ki about his contract but Low Ki doesn’t like the promoter becoming the feature attraction. She even calls him Mr. Silvestri (his real name) to show you how serious it is.

National Title Tournament Semifinals: Gringo Loco vs. Alexander Hammerstone

The rest of the Dynasty lets Hammerstone do this one himself as the fans are way into Loco. Hammerstone powers him down to start as Loco is a little tentative to start. Loco gets thrown away again but manages to flip away for a standoff. The fans let Hammerstone know that he can’t do that and a running hurricanrana to the floor frustrates him even more.

Rating: C-. The botch was a one off miss as the rest of the match was perfectly fine. Hammerstone winning is the only call they had and a match against Pillman (or Swann) for the title could be rather entertaining. It’s clear that Hammerstone is a star in the making and pushing him like this is the only thing that can be done with him at the moment.

Post match Hammerstone says he’s a win away from the title because he’s no longer a prospect. Now, he’s the future champion.

Overall Rating: C. This wasn’t bad as they build towards the tournament and some stuff in the coming weeks, though the idea of another title when some of them don’t even make it onto the show doesn’t do much for me. I’m not sure how it’s going to go, but having so much stuff going on is going to become a problem. The show was good enough, but I’m worried about what’s coming in the future. Just stop doing so much stuff and let the stuff you have work well.

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 #50
Date: March 23, 2019
Location: Cicero Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Commentators: Jim Cornette, Rich Bocchini

We’re still in Chicago and that means things are getting interesting as we move closer to Battle Riot over Wrestlemania weekend. Unfortunately that makes these shows a bit dead, which is rather appropriate given that we’ll be seeing a Death Match this week between LA Park and Mance Warner, who hopefully is as entertaining in the ring than he is on the mic. Let’s get to it.

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

Cops have arrested Teddy Hart for vandalizing his car. In a nice bit of trickeration, you can’t see the cops and only see a red light on a door. Maxwell Jacob Friedman and Richard Holliday show up to laugh as Brian Pillman Jr. freaks out. Davey Boy Smith Jr. goes to bail Teddy out of jail.

Opening sequence.

Myron Reed vs. Gringo Loco

Reed comes out saying FREE SWANN. Loco is the hometown boy and even more popular than usual. We get a long weapons check on Reed before he takes Loco down with a wristlock. Flips and nipups give us a standoff so Reed forearms him in the face. Loco is back up with a flip off the middle rope and a pull of Reed’s leg gives us another standoff. Cornette can’t figure out how to describe Loco but thankfully Reed kicks Loco in the head to give commentary a new focus. A headscissors sends Loco to the floor but he’s right back in for a powerbomb into a piledriver.

Loco isn’t done as he nails a Spanish Fly for a double knockdown, allowing the announcers to talk about Battle Riot. A missed baseball slide sends Reed to the floor for a big flip dive. Back in and Loco gets crotched on top, setting up a springboard hurricanrana that nearly spikes Loco on his head. Reed’s springboard 450 gets two and it’s time to yell at the referee. That’s enough of a distraction for a springboard cutter from Loco into a Spiral Tap for the pin at 7:21.

Rating: B-. More lucha fun here, which they do quite well in this company. They’ve got a little something with the build towards Swann’s return and that’s one of the best things that could happen to them. You need stories to keep people’s attention and that’s what we had here. Nice match here too as Loco is still very over with the crowd.

Post match Reed slaps the referee down, likely earning himself a suspension of his own.

Mance Warner talks about going into the bosses’ office and swinging a chair until he got a match with Los Angeles Park. He’s got a plan for this match:

1. Light beers

2. Eye poke

3. Kneepad up, kneepad down

That adds up to the pay window and he’s going to take Park’s mask.

Battle Riot Control Center with the announcement of Jimmy Havoc challenging Tom Lawlor for the World Title. Smart move as Havoc was the last person to beat him. Also added to the Battle Riot: Mance Warner, Daga, Air Wolf and Barrington Hughes.

MJF and Holliday laugh their heads off at Teddy Hart’s mugshot and think it would make a great shirt. Or even better: on a billboard in Calgary.

We get a video from Contra Unit to explain their actions. On March 2, they took up their arms because they’re a global organization: the Crusaders of Nihilistic Terror Revolutions Armada. They’re here to infiltrate and take the gold because they’re international dealers in violence and business is good.

Ace Romero promises to make Contra pay the consequences.

Alexander Hammerstone vs. Brian Pillman Jr.

Hammerstone has MJF/Holliday with him while Pillman is on his own. Before the match, MJF grabs the mic and says he has a PSA for all of us: Hart is in jail again because he’s white trash. Pillman hits the ring and starts fast with some armdrags as MJF jumps on commentary to talk about killing the Hart Foundation. Cornette: “Now I know how people felt about me thirty five years ago.” Hammerstone sends him face first into the buckle to take over but Pillman shoulders him in the corner.

A running slap to the face gets on Hammerstone’s nerves and it’s a spinebuster to take Pillman down again. We hit the chinlock for a bit before Pillman is back up for a strike off. A crossbody gives Pillman one and a snap powerslam gets the same. MJF offers a distraction though and Pillman gets dropped throat first across the top rope as a result (nice touch with Pillman’s dad’s throat issues). The Nightmare Pendulum finishes Pillman at 5:21.

Rating: C-. Not too much here though Pillman got in some offense to keep it from being a squash. Hammerstone vs. Smith should be a heck of a match between two monsters and that’s a great thing to build towards. They’ve got something with Hammerstone and I think they know it this time around.

Post match the beatdown stays on with Hammerstone tearing up Pillman’s chains while Pillman is forced to watch.

Tom Lawlor is at his fight camp and promises to keep it out of Jimmy Havoc’s hands. I like this UFC/MMA style training stuff as it’s become a theme for Lawlor, which makes a lot of sense.

Mance Warner vs. LA Park

Death Match with the ring announcer saying Mance is from Buckshot, Tennessee rather than Bucksnort. Salina de la Renta even mocks the old Park dance from WCW. Warner puts the American flag on the ropes to make him even more popular but Park has his own fans too. They stare each other down and trade struts until the first eye poke has Park on the floor. The fight heads outside with Park being sent into the barricade as the announcers debate Park’s weight.

Park heads into the crowd with Warner dragging him right back, along with a table. Back in and Warner uses a chair for a springboard tornado DDT as Park can’t get anywhere so far. There’s the running knee to the head and Warner blasts Park with a few stick shots. Park gets sat in a chair for some headbutts, which stagger Warner even more. Another running knee is blocked though and it’s a belly to back suplex to drive Warner through a chair. They head outside again with Park putting him on the table….which breaks before anything can be done.

That’s fine with Park, who hits a running backsplash onto Warner onto the broken table. Since he’s apparently environmentally conscious, Park powerslams him through what’s left of the table again. Back in and Park whips him with a belt, which Warner seems to like. Warner takes off his suspenders and it’s time for a whip off. With that not working very well, they switch to punches and chops with Warner getting knocked down to one knee.

Park clotheslines him down for two and it’s time to bring in a bunch of chairs, plus a big piece of wood (because tables aren’t good enough). Said wood is bridged between the chairs and a top rope backsplash sends Warner through. The rest of the wood is broken over Warner’s head (great visual) and a suicide dive against the barricade keeps Warner in trouble. Warner takes forever to get back inside and the delayed cover gets two. A tornado DDT gives Warner two of his own, with Cornette wondering how a rope break is possible when anything else is legal.

Warner hits the eye poke and pelts a chair at Park’s head for two more. Park pelts a chair right back at Warner and we look at the replay, during which Park does something off the top that we don’t see and commentary doesn’t explain. That feels really out of place in a promotion that is usually far better in that area. The spear finishes Warner at 18:38.

Rating: B. This felt like the brawl that it needed to be and it never came close to feeling like a nearly twenty minute match. I still don’t get the appeal of LA Park (the appeal in America that is, as he’s a mega star in Mexico) but him beating Warner is far from something worth getting annoyed over. Warner is going to be fine with that great talking ability and the match was a good brawl.

Overall Rating: B. Nice stand alone show here as we get closer to Battle Riot. The problem is that, just like last year, Battle Riot itself is getting almost no build because no one is talking about winning the thing. Most of the roster is going to be involved so it wouldn’t be hard to have some quick promos about the match. Maybe the show itself will be better, but they’re not doing a great job of making me want to see it.

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: 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