IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #102
Date: March 21, 2020
Location: 2300 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: AJ Kirsch, Rich Bocchini

I’m not sure what is left from this show, but there assuming they taped their event in Mexico, they might have another four weeks left after this one. We’ll get to that later though as this one is all about fallout from last week. Therefore, it’s time for an eight man tag with Team Filthy vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr./the Von Erichs/Killer Kross, which could be a big deal. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening recap looks at last week’s brawl which set up the eight man tag.

Mance Warner has been attacked by the Dynasty and therefore, Maxwell Jacob Friedman is banned from the building. Warner will be in the corner of Richard Holliday’s mystery opponent though.

El Lindaman vs. Zenshi

Feeling out process to start with the stronger Lindaman going for a waistlock, only to get rolled up for two. They spin up to a standoff and Lindaman slaps the hand but spins around into a discus forearm to rock Zenshi. That earns Lindaman a face first flip onto the mat and Zenshi hits a standing moonsault to the back for two. Zenshi dives to the floor, only to have Lindaman nail his own running flip dive.

After Lindaman poses on the stage a bit, he drives Zenshi back first into the apron. Back in and it’s time to work on Zenshi’s bad shoulder, with a Fujiwara armbar sending him over to the rope. A legdrop to the arm sends Zenshi to the apron, where he uses the good arm for a handstand into a kick to Lindaman’s head. Zenshi grabs a good looking slingshot neckbreaker but has to fight out of another armbreaker attempt.

A northern lights suplex sends Zenshi into the corner and a German suplex rocks him again. That’s fine with Zenshi, who hits a Pele for the double knockdown. The strike off goes to the stronger Lindaman until Zenshi starts the flips. A jumping kick to the head looks to set up a running cutter, which is countered into something like a Blue Thunder Bomb. Lindaman tiger suplexes him for the pin at 8:14.

Rating: C+. This is one of the places where MLW is at its best: taking two talented wrestlers who have never had the real chance to shine on their own (Zenshi has to a bit but only in spurts) and letting them have a nice TV match. Lindaman used technique and power to beat the high flier and that’s one of the easiest stories to tell. If you have people who can do the work, the match will follow and that’s what happened here.

Smith and company are ready to win because they have friends. Kross’ eyes are creepy as usual.

Mance Warner won’t say who his mystery man is.

Richard Holliday thinks the opponent could be Mance’s garbage truck driver or Kwang.

Contra Unit is ready to embark on a mission and prepare for the upcoming war. They still have soldiers hidden among us.

Pagano is still coming.

Holliday says he shouldn’t be in this match because Warner was too drunk to pick an opponent.

Injustice attacked Brian Pillman Jr. when he was with some fans. Davey Boy Smith Jr. made the save.

Richard Holliday vs. ???

Warner comes out and introduces…..Blue Meanie as the ECW name de jour. Dancing ensues as Warner sits in on commentary. Holliday even tries the dancing as there is no contact in the first minute. The fans don’t like the idea of Holliday dancing so they dance together until Holliday jumps him from behind over two minutes in. A clothesline drops Meanie so Holliday can dance again, only to have Meanie duck a clothesline. Some right hands get two but Holliday elbows him in the back of the head for two. Holliday heads outside to yell at Warner and have a beer, but Warner spits his in Holliday’s face, drawing the countout at 5:23.

Rating: D. Now this is the kind of harmless match I can tolerate. Meanie didn’t do anything to make him look close to Holliday’s level and Holliday lost because he did something stupid. This isn’t going to do any real damage and furthers Holliday vs. Warner. This was perfectly fine booking if you just had to have the ECW guy in there.

Injustice doesn’t seem to like AAA or Brian Pillman Jr.

Top Ten:

10. King Mo

9. Low Ki

8. Mance Warner

7. Maxwell Jacob Friedman

6. Richard Holliday

5. Brian Pillman Jr.

4. Tom Lawlor

3. Davey Boy Smith Jr.

2. Myron Reed

1. Alexander Hammerstone

Low Ki is ready to fight King Mo whenever he’s ready. Low Ki: “Mo, you look a little bit punch drunk. When I’m done with you, you’ll be kick s*** faced.”

Mo hasn’t seen Low Ki knock anyone out because he’s a low key fraud. They fight next week.

And now, I kid you not, cooking with LA Park and Hijo de LA Park. Seriously they make sausage and eggs while talking about how great they are and promise to win matches. It turns into a metaphor for what people will need to beat them. Park eventually quits because he has no salt. This goes on for nearly five minutes.

Warner has challenged MJF to an Empty Arena Loser Leaves MLW match.

Team Filthy vs. Von Erichs/Davey Boy Smith Jr./Killer Kross

Team Filthy is Tom Lawlor, Erick Stevens, Dominic Garrini and Rip Von Erich. Hold on though as Lawlor has to insult Philadelphia and its fans before we can get going. The fans tell him to shut the f*** up so Lawlor tells them there are kids in the crowd….and screw this place. It’s a big brawl around the ring to start until Lawlor and Ross wind up inside to officially get things going. A Sling Blade gets Ross out of trouble and it’s a running boot to the face in the corner to rock Lawlor again.

Lawlor takes Ross down though and the beating is on in a hurry. Stevens comes in and gets suplexed into Ross in the corner so Rip can kick him in the back. An enziguri allows the hot tag to Kross though and suplexes abound. A spinwheel kick drops Kross, who pops right back up to glare at Lawlor. Everything breaks down and Rip hits Smith low before grabbing a chair. Marshall cuts him off with the Claw though and it’s the claw slam into the moonsault for the pin at 7:49.

Rating: C. Just a match for the most part here and that’s all it needed to be. Rip is out there for the sake of taking the fall and there is nothing wrong with that. Don’t make this more complicated than it needs to be, especially given all of the people involved here. Smith vs. Lawlor could be a good brawl down the road, and there are other options in there on top of it. They didn’t burn those off here either and that’s a good sign.

Post match Kross says we’re not done and grabs a board. As that is set up in the corner, Stevens and Garrini beat up Ross outside. That’s not important though as Rip is powerbombed through the board to…..set up one more brawl into the back. King Mo breaks a board over Kross’ back, siding with Team Filthy to end the show. That’s an interesting twist.

Overall Rating: C+. I liked this show well enough as the booking made sense throughout, even if the wrestling itself wasn’t all that great. I’d assume that they have some matches taped from Mexico and that could keep them going for a few weeks, even though those shows tend to be in their own universe instead of following the major stories. Good stuff this week though, and hopefully they continue in the future.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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

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

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #101
Date: March 14, 2020
Location: 2300 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: AJ Kirsch, Rich Bocchini

Things have suddenly changed around here as the wrestling world has all but shut down outside of WWE and AEW. That doesn’t leave much for MLW, but if my math is right, they should have about two weeks left after this. Once those shows are done, we could be in for some lighter shows, if there are any shows at all. We have one here though so 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 World Title match with Jacob Fatu retaining and Cima being taken away in a body bag.

Opening sequence.

No one has seen Cima since last week and his whereabouts are unknown.

Killer Kross is facing Tom Lawlor tonight, though commentary does acknowledge that Kross has signed with WWE.

Earlier today, Injustice interrupted a Konnan interview to talk trash about Laredo Kid. Konnan called Reed talented but said he’s always taking shortcuts to win.

Middleweight Title: Myron Reed vs. Laredo Kid

Reed is defending and has the rest of Injustice with him while Kid has Konnan. Feeling out process to start until neither can get two off quick covers. That means a standoff as Jordan Oliver is still talking trash. Kid snaps off a hurricanrana and takes him to the floor, only to chop the chest protector. That doesn’t work, but a double chop staggers Reed, followed by a slap to the face to really knock him around. Reed is right back up with a reverse fireman’s carry slam into a low superkick for two.

A slingshot legdrop gets two but Kid snaps off a Michinoku Driver. The moonsault gives Kid two but Reed snaps off a springboard cutter (that looked good). Reed gets caught on top for a dragon superplex, with Kid flipping over as well to land on Reed’s back for the nearer fall. A belly to back faceplant drops Reed again but Kotto Brazil has to be suplexed for interfering. Oliver gets superkicked off the apron and it’s a suicide dive to drop Brazil again. The distraction lets Reed hit a slingshot cutter to the floor though, setting up the springboard 450 to retain at 8:45.

Rating: C+. I liked this as Kid was trying to overcome the odds but just couldn’t get there. They’ve done a good job of making Injustice into an annoying stable that you want to see get what’s coming to them, but at the same time, Reed has turned into a heck of a performer. He can hit those cutters from anywhere and he had a solid performance here against a talented challenger.

The Dynasty is working on getting an injunction against Mance Warner because they have more important things right now. What matters though is marketing, so it’s time to rebrand Gino Medina as Gino The Untouchable. Tonight, Gino is going to send Mance back to the swamp to beat up more alligators. The team being out of touch on who they’re fighting is amusing, even without MJF.

Pagano is coming.

Mance Warner vs. Gino Medina

Richard Holliday is here with Warner as this is fallout from the Dynasty attacking Mance’s uncle. Gino jumps him to start and stomps away in the corner but Warner chops his way to freedom in a hurry. They head outside for more chopping with Warner getting the better of it and sending him into the barricade.

Back in and Gino gets in some choking in the corner to set up the chinlock, which works as well as your average chinlock. A running knee in the corner into a low superkick drops Warner again. Warner pops back up and hits a running knee to the head for two so Gino grabs a rollup with jeans for two. You don’t do that to Warner though, who rolls Gino up with tights for the win at 4:58.

Rating: C. This was a quick one to give Warner some revenge on the Dynasty, but I’m not sure how much there is to Medina. I keep saying it isn’t clicking yet but that has been the same feeling I have every single time he is out there. It’s not that he’s terrible or anything, but he’s just kind of there and not living up to all of the hype that they give him.

Post match Warner is very pleased and it’s time to drink. Gino slaps the referee and Holliday approves.

Colonel Robert Parker is coming back. Good as I liked him well enough in his first run.

The Von Erichs went to their father’s house in Hawaii to ask for some advice about Team Filthy. They want a fight in Texas, with Ross saying they have to stand up to these people. As long as it’s on friendly ground right?

The Top Ten is back:

10. King Mo

9. Low Ki

8. Mance Warner

7. Maxwell Jacob Friedman

6. Richard Holliday

5. Brian Pillman Jr.

4. Tom Lawlor

3. Davey Boy Smith Jr.

2. Myron Reed

1. Alexander Hammerstone

We get a special award presentation as Brian Pillman Jr. has won Pro Wrestling Illustrated Rookie of the Year….for the second year in a row! Pillman is proud to join the list of wrestlers to win the award and now he’s hungry for a shot at the Middleweight Title. And a third straight rookie of the year! And some cheesesteaks!

Myron Reed wants to know why he didn’t win the award because he can wrestle circles around Brian Pillman Jr. As for Konnan, he can keep sending his men at him and he’ll keep knocking them down.

Erick Stevens says it didn’t go well last week and he wants revenge. Tom Lawlor doesn’t think much of Killer Kross (“If that is your real name.”) and is ready to show him what a real fighter is.

The Dynasty is upset about the Warner loss but the lawyer/father is going to get involved.

We look at Cima being taken out in a body bag again last week.

The body bag is loaded into a van and Josef Samael says take it to Ikuro Kwon at the Gashel (I think?) house.

Killer Kross vs. Tom Lawlor

Lawlor has Team Filthy with him. The fans seem into Kross and he can do that evil smile rather well. Kross kicks him in the chest to start and pounds away in the corner as the dominance begins early. They head outside with Kross hammering away even more, including a belly to back drop onto the apron. Back in and Lawlor hits a spinwheel kick to rock Kross for the first time Lawlor starts working on the arm. That includes a Pentagon Jr. arm snap, meaning Lawlor can throw in some shadow boxing.

Kross’ comeback is cut off with a kick to the back and the arm gets crunched again. A guillotine goes on but Kross suplexes his way out without much effort. Kross gets in a t-bone suplex but Lawlor is back with a bunch of strikes of his own. A high angle suplex doesn’t do much to Kross and knees to the head just make him smile. The Krossjacket Choke goes on with Lawlor flailing out to the floor into a double heap. Team Filthy jumps Kross for the DQ at 10:27.

Rating: C-. Kross is someone who has everything he needs, at least until the bell rings. I’m not sure what it is but there’s something I don’t care for about his matches. He’s better off as a bodyguard/muscle of someone who wrestles the occasional match. His facial expressions are outstanding and he looks great, but a full match isn’t his strong suit.

Post match the beatdown is on but Davey Boy Smith Jr. and the Von Erichs run in for the save. Smith challenges them to an eight man tag next week and Lawlor accepts to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. This company can have some weird shows at times and this was one of them. They have so many things going on at once and they don’t do the best job in the world of focusing on things. It’s like there isn’t a top story and while that can be one thing, it can make for some weak shows at times. The wrestling was fine enough, but it’s a show that moved stories forward rather than doing anything on its own, making this a mostly skippable week.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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

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

IMG Credit: Major League Wreslting

Fusion #99
Date: February 29, 2020
Location: 2300 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: AJ Kirsch, Rich Bocchini

We’re off to a new taping cycle and that means some big things are in store. This time around that means we have the return of LA Park, who is teaming up with his son to face Contra. I know Park isn’t the biggest deal to a lot of fans but he has a strong reputation around here and that could help things. Let’s get to it.

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

Contra is ready to take things worldwide and tonight they’re conquering the Parks.

Opening sequence.

AJ Kirsch tries to bring Mance Warner to the ring but it’s the Dynasty (minus Maxwell Jacob Friedman) instead. Richard Holliday, with the Caribbean Title, says that Kirsch failed to entertain the fans but they need to be educated instead. Therefore, it’s time for Rich Talk, so Holliday makes it clear that the fans are breathing rarefied air. He puts over Alexander Hammerstone as the most dominant champion in MLW, allowing Hammerstone to call the fans fat.

Hammerstone brags about Gino Medina and says he’s ready to crush Konnan, who comes out to interrupt. Konnan talks about how great the fans are in Philadelphia before starting with the insults. He only offered Gino a spot because of Gino’s father so violence is threatened, only to have Mance Warner, Savio Vega and Logan Creed cut them off. Warner sees a problem in the Dynasty stepping to Konnan like this so let’s have a six man tag instead. The fight is on and ring the bell.

Savio Vega/Mance Warner/Logan Creed vs. Dynasty

Konnan is on commentary and it’s a big brawl to start. With everyone else on the floor, Creed chokes on Holliday, who manages to knock him down to one knee. Hammerstone and Medina take Holliday’s place but can’t beat him down. We settle down to Hammerstone and Creed starting things off, with Creed getting choked in the corner to slow him down for the first time. Hammerstone pulls him into the corner again so Medina can choke this time.

A heck of a release German suplex drops Creed but he pops back up with a clothesline. The hotish tag brings in Vega for the spinwheel kick but the Dynasty is back in to take over. Everything breaks down and Creed hits a double chokeslam on Hammerstone and Medina. Vega is sent into the post but Creed dives onto Medina and Hammerstone, with Warner being smart enough to step to the side. In the melee, Holliday hits Vega with the Caribbean Title and steals the pin at 5:59.

Rating: D+. I’m not sure what they were going for here as Warner would seem to be the one that they wanted to push, but this was far more about Creed than anyone else. It wasn’t much of a match either, but the Dynasty winning is fine, especially with Vega taking the fall. The Dynasty vs. Warner/Creed is good, though they’re going to need someone other than Vega if they want it to work.

Post match Konnan sneaks in and hits Medina with the slap jack. The losers and Konnan consume beer.

Post break Konnan is still in the ring but here’s Injustice to interrupt him. Jordan Oliver says it’s awesome that Konnan is almost as old as the building and you can see the dust falling off of his face. These people like Konnan but they like trash too so that doesn’t mean much. Konnan laughs it off and says Oliver would be traded around prison for some Cinnabons. Cue Brian Pillman Jr. with a chair to chase off Injustice.

Injustice vs. Zenshi/Laredo Kid

Pillman is on commentary and it’s Oliver/Kotto Brazil for Injustice with Myron Reed at ringside. Hold on though as Injustice has to undergo an extensive check for weapons. Kid and Zenshi jump them to start with Zenshi and Oliver officially starting. Oliver gets launched over the top so Zenshi can dive onto both Oliver and Myron Reed. Back in and Kid hits a Michinoku Driver for two but Reed pulls Kid down for a crotching against the post. Kid gets taken into the corner and sent head first into the middle buckle.

A German suplex out of the corner gets two but Kid pops Oliver upside the head so Zenshi can come in with a backflip kick to Brazil’s head. Kotto is right back with a Code Red out of the corner with Zenshi having to make a save. Zenshi tornado DDTs Oliver to the floor but Brazil is right back with a baseball slide to Zenshi’s face. Back in and a slingshot Stunner sets up a crucifix bomb to finish Kid at 6:38 (with a double pin, which the referee doesn’t mind).

Rating: C+. It was rather fast paced throughout and that’s what you want out of something like this. Jordan is one of the most unintentionally entertaining performers outside of the ring but he can back it up in the ring. They didn’t bother with anything but flying around the ring like crazy here and that’s what they should have done.

Post match Injustice goes after Pillman but Kid and Zenshi get up for the save without Pillman having to do a thing. Kid even counts the pin on Reed and holds up the title.

Tom Lawlor and Team Filthy can’t believe that people in Texas are so annoyed at the Texas flag being used in various ways. They don’t like anything Texas related, including Texas toast or Walker Texas Ranger. If the Von Erichs love Texas so much, why do they have Hawaii on their trunks? Lawlor agrees that Erick Stevens is a mercenary but they have formed a bond. The Von Erichs are more hat than cattle so Team Filthy is taking them out.

Video on LA Park vs. Jacob Fatu from Superfight.

Killer Kross is still coming. The interesting thing at this point is which promotion he debuts for first.

Injustice isn’t happy with Pillman interfering when he can’t even make 205 Live. Reed: “You’re fat bro.” They have their own crazy white boy and they’ll be watching Pillman vs. Jimmy Havoc next week.

Jimmy Havoc is ready to give Pillman a lethal dose of acid rain.

The Von Erichs swear revenge against Team Filthy.

Intimidation Games is coming, with AAA’s Pagano making his debut.

King Mo doesn’t like Low Ki.

Los Parks vs. Contra Unit

Lumberjack match and it’s Simon Gotch/Josef Samael for Contra. The Parks do their chair dance but Contra jumps them from behind to start. Some chair shots to the back keep the Parks down and it’s time to choke in the corner. The Parks are back with a double dropkick to the floor so the lumberjacks can blow off some steam. Back in and the Parks use the chairs to take over but Samael and Park clothesline each other down. Hijo tells Gotch to hit him so the slugout is on.

A hurricanrana puts Gotch into the corner and it’s a charge from Park. That lets Hijo swivel his hips a bit but Samael pulls out the spike to stab Hijo down. Now they bother to settle down to a regular tag match with Samael stomping at Hijo and yelling at Park. Hijo is sent outside and this time the lumberjacks just throw him back inside. A Backstabber gets Hijo out of trouble and the hot tag brings in Park to beat up both of them. The spear hits Samael and Hijo gets Gotch’s spike. Gotch is knocked cold and Hijo moonsaults onto the lumberjacks, leaving Park to flip dive onto Gotch for the pin at 9:04.

Rating: C. The lumberjacks didn’t change much here and that’s always a possibility in a match like this. The Parks still don’t keep my attention most of the time but they kept it short and chaotic enough to make it better. It’s fine to have them back, but they’re not exactly a thrilling team in the first place.

Overall Rating: C+. They’re setting up some things for the future and I’m looking forward to seeing what that is going to mean in the future. The wrestling was hit and miss here and as can be the case, that’s not the most important thing on an MLW show. I’m curious to see where things go from here and Intimidation Games could be good, depending on what they put together for it.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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

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

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #98
Date: February 22, 2020
Location: NYTEX Sports Center, Dallas, Texas
Commentators: AJ Kirsch, Rich Bocchini

We have to be about finished with these Dallas tapings right? They’re coming up on the big one hundredth episode and that should be a special one given how things work around here. This week should be more about the Von Erichs and that’s a good idea given how things are going in their signature place so far. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Tom Lawlor turning on the Von Erichs way back on Thanksgiving. Since then, Lawlor has reopened the Team Filthy Dojo and sent various goons against the Von Erichs. Tonight, it’s a grudge match with Ross.

Opening sequence.

We look back at Mance Warner paying off Grogan to get inside, where he cost the Dynasty the Tag Team Titles.

Grogan says he was hired to do a job but they were horrible people. His name is Logan Creed and the heathen has been unleashed.

Moonshine Mantell vs. Logan Creed

The fans are behind Moonshine, a Texan, here because he’s a Texan named Moonshine. Mantell gets shoved out of the corner without much effort and Creed hammers away with the big shots to the ribs. The chops make it worse as the squashing seems to be on. A chokebreaker drops Moonshine again and a big boot puts him on the floor. That means a big man dive over the top and a jackknife finishes Mantell at 3:30.

Rating: C. Now that’s more like it as Creed looked awesome and decimated Mantell in short order. He’s a big man who can do some cool stuff in the ring and look like a monster while doing so. What more could you want from someone in this situation? This was a heck of an entertaining squash and Creed could be a player around here, at least in a monster role.

Alexander Hammerstone explains various sodas to Gino Medina when Richard Holliday comes up to yell about Creed. Hammerstone: “They had a sale at Giants R Us! He was on clearance!” Holliday rants about how he would have preferred another jet (Holliday: “A fifth would have been nice!”) but they agree to take care of Mance Warner instead.

Come to these shows!

Pro Wrestling Illustrated has a new Top Ten contenders to the World Title:

10. Dominic Garrini

9. Low Ki

8. Jimmy Havoc

7. Richard Holliday

6. Tom Lawlor

5. Mance Warner

4. Brian Pillman Jr.

3. Myron Reed

2. Alexander Hammerstone

1. Davey Boy Smith Jr.

Erick Stevens is here to make an impact so he’s going after the toughest guy around. That would be Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Stevens wants a fight.

Erick Stevens vs. Douglas James

Stevens drives him into the corner to start and James isn’t having any of that. They go to the mat with James getting the better of it, earning himself a shove from the bigger Stevens. A hurricanrana into a sunset flip has Stevens in trouble, including needing to pull his trunks up. James sends him outside but the suicide dive is cut off with Stevens dropping him on the apron.

Back in and Stevens slaps him in the face, which just fires James up. Stevens pounds away even more but James is back with some kicks to the legs. That earns him a chokeslam for two and we take a break. Back with James scoring with a superkick and hitting some running knees to the face for two. Some YES Kicks just fire Stevens up more but James forearms him in the head to take care of that. Stevens is right back with a fireman’s carry gutbuster and a scoop brainbuster (the Sarasota Screwdriver) finishes James at 8:34.

Rating: C+. This was a different kind of match as ti was a good back and forth fight with Stevens not exactly being a dominant force throughout. That’s ok though, as the idea was to make both of them look good. Stevens looked solid enough and should be a player, though I’m not sure if this was the right way to go. Still though, hardly bad by any stretch.

Warner and the Dynasty have a bit of a staredown but someone has attacked Warner’s uncle.

Contra is ready to fight, even though Ikuro Kwon is off to Japan. Jacob Fatu is ready for everyone from AAA.

Killer Kross is still coming.

Tom Lawlor isn’t worried about Davey Boy Smith and the Von Erichs teaming up. If Smith wants to be friends with them, he better be ready to lose at least an eye.

We look at Injustice costing Brian Pillman Jr. the World Title last week.

Injustice says we told you so and promise to cause more havoc.

Jimmy Havoc says Warner was the better man so it’s time to regroup and see who is next for the ultra violence.

We look back at King Mo and Dan Lambert laughing at Low Ki training with the Gracies.

King Mo vs. Dr. Dax

Dax is a big man in a mask. Mo can’t suplex him so Dax tries a slam, only to get caught in a rear naked choke for the tap at 1:09. Mo continues to surprise me during this run.

LA Park is coming back next week to team with his son against Contra.

Ross Von Erich vs. Tom Lawlor

Lawlor wears his cowboy gear and has Dominic Garrini with him, complete with a hobby horse. Ross goes right at him to start and the fans are behind Von Erich, shockingly enough. A trip to the floor goes badly for Lawlor but he catches Ross on the way back in. That means a missed elbow though and Ross hits a slingshot hilo for two. The referee stops to inspect an eye poke to Lawlor, allowing Garrini to trip Ross down.

Choking on the mat and in the corner keep Ross in trouble, followed by a chop to put him in even more trouble. A kick to the chest fires Ross up and he hits a dropkick to send Lawlor into the corner. Ross hits a Sami Zayn Helluva Kick and a double underhook DDT (with Lawlor landing on his head) gets two. The Claw is loaded up, drawing in Garrini for the DQ at 7:04.

Rating: C+. Ross looked more fired up than usual here and that was the way the match should have gone. Lawlor was his usual entertaining villain as he is just so easy to hate. Putting the Von Erich over in Dallas is your only real option and they both put in a good effort here.

Post match the beatdown is on but Marshall Von Erich runs in for the save. The Claw is loaded up again but Stevens runs in to take them both out, allowing Lawlor to swing his cowbell around again. A trashcan is brought in as Lawlor gyrates on the Texas flag. The flag is thrown in the trash to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This was better than their recent stuff with three good matches and a hot angle to end the show. Lawlor vs. the Von Erichs is a smart way to get the team over and give Lawlor some heat so they’re on their game there. Other than that we had two debuts and another solid Mo performance, plus Warner vs. the Dynasty heating up. Rather good show here and one of their best in a while.

Results

Logan Creed b. Moonshine Mantell – Jackknife

Erick Stevens b. Douglas James – Sarasota Screwdriver

King Mo b. Dr. Dax – Rear naked choke

Ross Von Erich b. Tom Lawlor via DQ when Dominic Garrini interfered

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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

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

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #97
Date: February 15, 2020
Location: NYTEX Sports Center, Dallas, Texas
Commentators: AJ Kirsch, Rich Bocchini

I could go for the theme being forever. This is a special edition of the show as the Dynasty is running things, meaning we can get that sweet theme song over and over. All of the team is in action tonight, including Richard Holiday/Maxwell Jacob Friedman challenging the Von Erichs for the Tag Team Titles. Let’s get to it.

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

We get a Dynasty opening sequence. Like it would be anything else.

Rich has to read an intro prepared by the Dynasty, including referring to the viewers as “consumers”.

We look at Mance Warner not being too high on the Dynasty. As a result, Warner has been banned from the “permises”, as it says on the flier.

We look at Gino Medina joining the Dynasty.

Septimo Dragon vs. Gino Medina

Richard Holliday is on commentary and Septimo (not an actual dragon according to the graphic) has Konnan in his corner. Gino gets sent to the floor in a hurry and it’s a moonsault from the apron, followed by a suicide dive for a bonus. Back in and they flip over each other before missing kicks to the head. That means an early stand off and the fans are rather pleased. Dragon hurricanranas him to the floor before walking on his hands to avoid another kick.

Another headscissors gets pushed off with Dragon crashing into the ropes for two. The chinlock goes on to keep Dragon down but he fights up and hits a big top rope armdrag. Medina rolls outside to get in Konnan’s face but Dragon breaks it up with a top rope Asai moonsault. Back in and a kick to the face sets up a standing Spanish Fly for two on Medina. A springboard tornado DDT gets the same but Medina is right back with a small package with a foot on the ropes for the pin at 6:48.

Rating: C. Pretty entertaining lucha match with the usual collection of flips and dives, though I’m not sure how interesting Medina really is. He looks good in the suit and sounds like a good idea but I’ve yet to see the big match/moment from him. Granted he doesn’t exactly have a long resume and it’s not like he’s been awful by any stretch.

Post match Holliday comes in for the beatdown with Medina stealing the mask. Konnan makes the save with a slapjack.

Here’s what’s coming in the Tag Team Title match, as written by the Dynasty.

Mance Warner is locked out because he didn’t meet the dress code.

Warner says that’s not going to work.

Erick Stevens is still coming and actually gets here next week.

National Openweight Title: Alexander Hammerstone vs. Aerostar

Hammerstone is defending and Konnan is on commentary to talk about everyone coming up from Mexico. Aerostar starts fast by running the ropes for a middle rope dropkick. Hammerstone gets low bridged to the floor and we take a break. Back with Aerostar having shrugged off a bunch of power moves during the break and hitting a corkscrew crossbody for two.

The Nightmare Pendulum is countered into a small package for two (with Konnan complaining about the speed of the count, as he should). Hammerstone crotches him on top and that means a delayed superplex for two, with Hammerstone’s face perfectly switching from smug to angry. A German suplex drops Aerostar on his head but a powerbomb is reversed into the Canadian Destroyer for two. With nothing else working, Hammerstone pulls the mask off for the pin at 8:10.

Rating: B-. The action was better here with Hammerstone showing off the power rather well. Aerostar got to fight back with the flying and lucha stuff, though I’m not wild on both masks being ripped off in a row. At least it was two different forms of cheating for the actual falls, but this one felt repetitive after what we saw fifteen minutes ago.

We get another Filthy Does Dallas video with Tom Lawlor and Dominic Garrini standing on the grounds where the Sportatorium formerly stood. As expected, they relieve themselves on the ground.

Warner promise to wreck things.

Killer Kross is coming.

We recap the Death Squad jumping the Hart Dynasty with the Von Erichs making the save.

Jacob Fatu tells Cima to bring it.

Cima will bring it in three weeks on episode #100.

Davey Boy Smith Jr. and the Von Erichs share a family history because Stu Hart trained Fritz Von Erich. They have each others backs and Davey is watching Tom Lawlor.

Warner isn’t allowed in but buys off the security guard with beer because MJF is an a******.

LA Park is coming back.

Video on the Dynasty’s dominance.

Tag Team Titles: Dynasty vs. Von Erichs

The Dynasty is challenging but after their entrance, they step off to the side without coming down the aisle. We get some old school flower gifts for the Von Erichs but the Dynasty run in from behind for the opening bell. The champs get sent into the barricade and they head inside for the first time with Ross being chopped in the corner. Boot choking abounds and Holliday gets two off a neckbreaker.

Ross’s legs are wishboned and MJF shouts about how Marshall is RIGHT THERE if Ross can get over to him. Ross manages to escape but Holliday pulls Marshall off the apron. The Paisan elbow gets two and MJF’s suplex is good for the same. Holliday’s gets the third near fall in a row with MJF demanding a faster count. The chinlock goes on for a bit before MJF wants a double suplex. Ross counters into a double neckbreaker though and the hot tag brings in Marshall to clean house (albeit at a bit of a slow pace).

A Cannonball in the corner sets up a standing moonsault for two as everything breaks down. Ross hits a big dive onto MJF, leaving Marshall to take Holliday up top. That just means a Market Crash to set up MJF’s top rope splash. Ross dives over the referee (cool visual) for the save as Hammerstone comes to the ring. Cue Warner to chair him down though, drawing out Medina for the brawl to the back. A double dropkick puts Holliday on the floor and the Claw/belly to back suplex combination finishes MJF to retain the titles at 12:38.

Rating: C+. They went with the formula stuff here as the fans wanted to cheer the Von Erichs. It’s true that they’re very green but there is something about them that makes fans get behind them. This is the kind of place where they can gain experience and working against a good (albeit also young) team like the Dynasty is going to help that out a lot.

Overall Rating: B. I had a good time with this one as they had a nice theme going throughout the night. The Dynasty is still one of the best things going in MLW and it’s a shame that MJF is going away soon (if not after this). Warner vs. the Dynasty is a good idea, if nothing else for the culture clash, and maybe we can get some fresh blood near the top of the card. Good show here, with the presentation making it work.

Results

Gino Medina b. Septimo Dragon – Small package with a foot on the ropes

Alexander Hammerstone b. Aerostar – Rollup

Von Erichs b. Dynasty – Claw/belly to back suplex combination to Friedman

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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

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

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #96
Date: February 8, 2020
Location: NYTEX Sports Center, Dallas, Texas
Commentators: AJ Kirsch, Rich Bocchini

The Dallas swing continues as we continue the Hart Foundation vs. Contra, which should have some long term potential. If nothing else, we already have a big match tonight as Brian Pillman Jr. challenges Jacob Fatu for the World Title. It seems to be a setup for the much bigger match with Davey Boy Smith Jr. challenging but that sounds like waiting for. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening video looks at Contra vs. the Hart Foundation, which does sound like a war.

Opening sequence, with Contra interrupting to promise Pillman’s destruction.

The announcers run down the card.

Here’s Tom Lawlor, in a Von Erichs shirt and with an unnamed bodyguard, to get things going, complete with (I believe) new music with slow lyrics of “I HAVE COME TO KILL YOU”. Lawlor says it’s great to be back and points out how great his Von Erichs shirt is. It represents the dollar store Von Erichs, rather than the Von Erichs that we remember.

The fans demand he take the shirt off so Lawlor does as they ask and then cleans himself with it in rather disrespectful ways. Lawlor throws it to a fan who throws it back. Lawlor: “Just like the Von Erichs, YOU FAILED!”. He has found a new family in the members of Team Filthy so here’s the new star in his debut as part of the team. Tonight he’ll be facing someone who should be on Botchamania rather than in this ring.

Dominick Garrini vs. Zenshi

Garrini judo throws him down to start so Zenshi grabs a wristdrag. A headscissors into a victory roll gets two and Zenshi flips out of a German suplex. Garrini has a seat on the mat and tells Zenshi to bring it, which is exactly what happens with a running hurricanrana for two. Another headscissors out of the corner drops Garrini and a dropkick gets two. Zenshi’s shooting star press is pulled into a triangle choke but that’s broken up as well.

Garrini starts stomping him in the corner but Zenshi flips him over for a moonsault dropkick. A hurricanrana puts Zenshi on the floor, albeit after his face hits the apron. Back in and Zenshi’s 450 is countered into a judo throw for some stomps to the arm. It’s bad enough that the trainer comes in to check on Zenshi, who stomps on the arm even more. The cross armbar goes on and the referee stops it at 6:58.

Rating: C. This was an interesting twist as Zenshi dominated a good chunk of the match but lost in the end when Garrini cranked it into another gear. The match was a bit of a clash of styles but the point here was to make Garrini look like a killer and that’s what they did. Let Zenshi stick with the high flying stuff though because that’s where he shines.

Post match Lawlor says there’s nothing wrong with what Garrini did because they’re martial artists and that’s what they do.

Contra’s Death Squad goes after Brian Pillman Jr. but Davey Boy Smith Jr. makes the save.

Video on Contra vs. Hart Foundation.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman has had caffeine for the first time and can’t stop talking or jumping up and down. Anyway, there have been threats of a lawsuit against MLW so the Dynasty is going to get to produce their own episode. That will include Gino Medina vs. Septimo Dragon, Alexander Hammerstone vs. Aerostar and Richard Holliday/MJF vs. the Von Erichs for the Tag Team Titles. MJF was hilarious here in a different way.

Richard Holliday vs. Savio Vega

The still hyped up MJF is on commentary, sending Kirsch into a facepalm. After a hug with MJF, Holliday lets him hold the Air Pods. After a quick promo from Savio on how much he loves his Caribbean Title and offering to take Alicia Atout salsa dancing, we’re ready to go. MJF thinks Vega reminds him of an old Kwang. They stare at each other to start and Holliday mocks the Puerto Rican vest as we wait about forty five seconds before the first contact.

Rating: D+. As usual, Vega was one of the worse in-ring performers around here, though I can see why he would be a big help as far as agenting goes. That being said, it’s not a good visual to have him in there with so many bad matches. Holliday continues to look awesome though and would be a huge star if he wasn’t surrounded by so much other talent.

Post match Holliday takes the Caribbean Title with him and says his lawyer/father is going to make this a title match.

Davey Boy Smith Jr. tells Brian Pillman Jr. that the game plan is on. The Von Erichs come in to say they’ve got Pillman’s back too.

Killer Kross is coming.

Battle Riott III is coming in July.

MLW has a working relationship with Dragon Gate. The more talent they can bring in, the better.

We look back at Gino Medina joining the Dynasty and attacking Konnan.

LA Park is coming back.

We look at Injustice complaining about the referees so the referees will be graded with the good referees getting big matches. As long as we don’t have to see any of this, they’ll be fine.

AAA and MLW will be running a co-promoted show on March 13 in Mexico.

The Dynasty is running next week’s episode.

Mance Warner is asked about the Dynasty. Mance: “A*******.” He gives Alicia a light beer and leaves.

Zenshi wants revenge.

MLW World Title: Jacob Fatu vs. Brian Pillman Jr.

Fatu is defending and has Josef Samael in his corner. Pillman gets chopped in the corner to start and Fatu holds up the Contra flag. A toss sends Pillman into the corner but Fatu misses sitdown splash. Some kicks to the chest don’t do much to Fatu, who is right back with a chop.

Pillman’s middle rope crossbody is countered into a spinning release Rock Bottom. The nerve hold is broken up with a jawbreaker and some kicks to the head stagger Fatu. Now the springboard crossbody puts Fatu down and Air Pillman drops him again. Cue Injustice for a distraction though, allowing Fatu to run Pillman over. The handspring moonsault gets two and a pair of double jump moonsaults finish Pillman at 5:30.

Rating: C-. This could have been a lot worse though it was just a step above a squash. That being said, Fatu is not supposed to be sweating over just about anyone, which is going to make the big title change that much better. That would seem to be Smith down the road, and that’s going to be a heck of a fight. Pillman is getting there, but he still needs ring time, as would anyone with as little experience as he has.

We see a clip of the Death Squad attacking Smith and the Von Erichs during the match to explain where they were. Again: well done on covering something like that because it would leave a hole otherwise.

Overall Rating: D+. Not much of a show this week and that is the kind of thing that is going to happen every now and then. The matches were designed to set up some stuff for the future but we didn’t get much on this show, which made this a bit harder to watch. It’s not terrible by any means, but it’s nothing worth seeing save for Fatu’s usual awesomeness.

Results

Dominic Garrini b. Zenshi via referee stoppage

Richard Holliday b. Savio Vega – Suplex into a swinging neckbreaker

Jacob Fatu b. Brian Pillman Jr. – Double jump moonsault

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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

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

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #95
Date: February 1, 2020
Location: NYTEX Sports Center, Dallas, Texas
Commentators: AJ Kirsch, Rich Bocchini

The Dallas shows continue and for the first time in forever, they won’t include Mance Warner vs. Jimmy Havoc. The big story seems to be the slow build towards Davey Boy Smith vs. Jacob Fatu for the World Title, which could be a heck of a match. There are other things going on at the same time though, including a Middleweight Title match this week. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of the Hart Foundation vs. Contra, which would be a lot better if Teddy Hart was still around.

Davey Boy Smith is ready to take out Simon Gotch tonight in a no ropes match, with a win coming by knockout or tap out. Gotch can pick his own execution.

Opening sequence.

We look back at Injustice getting in an argument with Konnan last week, setting up tonight’s Middleweight Title match with Drago challenging Myron Reed.

Simon Gotch vs. Davey Boy Smith

The ropes are gone and you win by knockout or tap out only. Gotch has Josef Samael with him. Smith takes him down and gets ground control with a side choke but Gotch spins out and forces Smith out to the floor. Back in and they exchange kicks to the legs until Smith grabs the head and spins him down to the mat. A headlock takeover into an armbar keeps Gotch in trouble so he counters with a headscissors.

That’s broken up in a hurry and it’s another standoff. Smith takes him down again but gets hit in the head a few times to break that up. A top wristlock has Gotch in more trouble and Smith elbows him in the head to make it even worse. Back up and Gotch slugs away so Smith tells him to do it harder. That’s what Smith does and Gotch goes down in a heap. Gotch takes him down for a change though and kicks at the leg.

That doesn’t get him very far either though as Smith reverses into a cross armbreaker. Samael makes a save from the floor though and Gotch can go back to the ankle. Now it’s Smith getting up again for some more hard forearms, only to get pulled down into a kneebar. Smith powers up again with some belly to back suplexes into a Saito suplex, which is good enough to give Smith the knockout win at 8:03.

Rating: C. Your mileage is going to vary here as it might not have been the most thrilling match in the world but it did a great job of making Smith look like a machine. What matters here is making him look like a threat to the indestructible Jacob Fatu and that might be where we’re going sooner rather than later. Say over Wrestlemania weekend?

Alexander Hammerstone is back from a tour of Japan and has a sponsorship deal with a Japanese soda company. He’s rather happy with the 10,000 Yen payday….until Richard Holliday explains that he’s making about $91. It doesn’t matter though as they’ll get his lawyer/father to get them on more shelves to make the Dynasty more money.

We look back at Mance Warner defeating Jimmy Havoc in their final showdown.

Warner is off to celebrate and then he wants some gold. Like the National Openweight Title.

Video on the Team Filthy Dojo, which is open for business again.

And now, Filthy Does Dallas, which means Tom Lawlor and Dominic Garrini go to a western store so they can look like real cowboys. Not like those fake Von Erichs you see.

Middleweight Title: Myron Reed vs. Drago

Reed is defending and has the rest of Injustice with him. Oliver thinks we’re in Houston but it doesn’t matter considering this place looks just like Oklahoma. They run the ropes to start with Drago flipping over him and trying a backsplash, only to injure himself on the chest protector. Reed hits an enziguri and two knees to the chest out of the corner connecting for two. A dragon sleeper goes on but Dragon backflips his way to freedom.

That earns him a belly to back suplex and a slingshot legdrop for two from Reed. Drago launches him to the floor where Injustice makes a catch, allowing Drago to hit a dive onto all three of them in a big crash. Back in and Drago hits a powerbomb, followed by another one for two. Oliver comes in so Drago superkicks Reed to the floor and hits a running Canadian Destroyer to take Oliver down. Another distraction lets Kotto Brazil get in a low blow and Reed hits a springboard 450 to retain at 4:44.

Rating: C. Drago got to showcase himself here in a failed attempt but there is only so much you can do when you are down three to one. They’re doing a nice job of setting Reed up as someone who could be a rather annoying heel champion, meaning someone could take the title from him in a big moment. Nice match, though the cheating was the way things should go.

Low Ki is ready to face King Mo, when Mo and his trainer Dan Lambert come in. Mo brings up that he knocked out Low Ki’s trainer to take some steam away.

Air Wolf has been attacked.

Contra is ready to end the Hart Foundation.

Air Wolf was attacked by members of Contra’s Death Squad.

We recap the Von Erichs vs. the Dynasty, setting up tonight’s main event.

Marshall Von Erich vs. Maxwell Jacob Friedman

Tom Lawlor is on commentary, and MJF has Alexander Hammerstone and Gino Medina with him. Before the match, MJF says the Von Erichs, just like everyone here and tonight, another member of the family goes six feet under. Points for having the guts to go there. Hold on though as Medina and Hammerstone are ejected before the bell. The fans are behind Marshall and Lawlor seems to hate it.

They lock up and go all the way outside without letting it go. The lockup stays on and they even get back inside for a standoff. Friedman offers a handshake and Marshall actually falls for it, only to come back with an armdrag and a dropkick. The threat of a Claw sends MJF bailing to the floor but Marshall chops the post by mistake. MJF puts the fingers inside the turnbuckle hook and pulls on the other arm to take away the Claw.

Back in and MJF hammers away for two before cranking on the hands again. A knee drop to the hand makes it even worse as MJF is rather good at working on an arm/hand. Marshall powers up and gets in an overhead belly to belly to put them both down. A dropkick puts MJF in the corner and Marshall hits a Cannonball for a bonus.

Marshall powerslams him for two but MJF hides behind the referee before the Claw can go on. The injured hand hits the buckle so MJF takes him down into a Fujiwara armbar with a pull on the fingers. A long crawl allows a rope break and Marshall knocks him down again, setting up a moonsault for two. Cue the rest of the Dynasty for a distraction so MJF can grab a rollup with feet on the ropes for two more. Marshall is right back up with the Claw for the tap at 10:30.

Rating: C+. They told a simple story here as MJF gets to show off his ability to take someone down by a body part. It works well every single time and that’s what happened here. Marshall gets to make a comeback win and look like a hero, which is the right way to go in Dallas. Solid match, though it’s also MJF’s last match in MLW. There’s a chance that he’ll be in a vignette or two soon enough to write him off, but he belongs on a bigger stage.

Post match Lawlor tries to bring in a chair but Marshall fights him, plus the Dynasty, off at the same time to end the show. We do get a mention from commentary that Ross is off on a promotional appearance so they did cover that rather large problem (well done).

Overall Rating: B-. There was a different energy to this show and it felt like the concept they’re shooting for: a good mix of everything that they can offer. That makes the show a lot more fun to watch and that’s what I was feeling here. It felt like a better blend instead of focusing on one or two stories and it makes for a more entertaining show. Good stuff here and I could go for more like this.

Results

Davey Boy Smith Jr. b. Simon Gotch via knockout

Myron Reed b. Drago – Springboard 450

Marshall Von Erich b. Maxwell Jacob Friedman – Claw

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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

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

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #94
Date: January 25, 2020
Location: NYTEX Sports Center, Dallas, Texas
Commentators: AJ Kirsch, Rich Bocchini

It’s barbed wire night and that means it can only be two people involved. Yes somehow we’re getting another violent match between Mance Warner and Jimmy Havoc, two guys who I liked at one point and now never want to see again. Maybe this can wrap it up and we can move on to ANYTHING else, but for some reason I have my doubts. Let’s get to it.

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

AJ Kirsch is in the ring to welcome us to the show but here’s Contra to cut him off. During their entrance, we see a still photo of the team attacking Davey Boy Smith Jr. at an NHL event over the weekend. Josef Samael goes big by referencing the Kennedy assassination by saying the MLW Camelot falls here as well. The Hart Foundation has a history of tragedy and we hear about Contra throwing a fireball at Teddy Hart back in November. Cue Davey Boy Smith Jr. down the aisle and Brian Pillman Jr. (in disguise, through the crowd for no apparent reason) to clear the ring.

Opening sequence.

Here’s everything you just saw.

Quick preview of the rest of the show.

Earlier today, Konnan was talking about how AAA is coming to MLW but before he can answer a question about Gino Medina, Injustice interrupted him with their usual insults. Konnan isn’t impressed and wants some more respect so Oliver swears a lot. Konnan hopes Oliver is never in prison because he would get traded for some Cinnabons.

Injustice vs. Drago/Puma King vs. Taurus/Low Rider

Fallout from said backstage segment and it’s Kotto Brazil/Jordan Oliver for Injustice. As a bonus, next week it’s Drago vs. Myron Reed for the Middleweight Title. They actually go a full eight seconds with the formality of having people on the apron before everything goes nuts. Low Rider hits a springboard double armdrag on Drago and King and that’s about as good as I can do with the play by play in something like this. Rider kicks King in the face and adds a springboard flip dive onto Injustice, leaving Taurus to clean house inside.

Taurus powerslams Drago into King in the corner and then spears King in half. Injustice comes back in for the save and it’s Rider being sent hard into the corner, setting up an assisted sitout powerbomb to give Brazil two. A double belly to back suplex doesn’t work so King tags Rider on the back (Seriously?) to come in and plant Brazil. King powerbombs Jordan and it’s a Backstabber into a dropkick to make it worse. It’s Taurus back in to clean house again until King launches Drago into a hurricanrana.

Cue Myron Reed for a distraction to cut Drago off, allowing King to DDT Taurus for two. Now it’s Injustice getting to clean house, including a suicide Stunner from Oliver to King. Rider is back up with a springboard Codebreaker to Brazil, with Taurus blasting him with a clothesline to make it worse. A powerbomb/Backstabber combination destroys Oliver and Taurus plants Brazil on the apron. Drago catapults Rider into a cutter from King, who then flip dives onto Taurus. The Dragon’s Tail (spinning, twisting rollup) pins Rider at 7:30.

Rating: C+. This was exactly what it should have been with everyone getting a chance to shine and the #1 contender picking up the pin over someone who got to shine throughout. They shouldn’t have tried to do anything but go nuts with lucha stuff here and we got a good, fun and logical match out of it.

Video on Mance Warner vs. Jimmy Havoc with Mance recapping everything and wanting to destroy Havoc once and for all.

Fightland is coming.

Buy merch!

We look back at Davey Boy Smith Jr. winning the Opera Cup.

Smith is proud of his win and hopes Stu Hart is proud of him. This is the first of many accomplishments for him and he’s coming for the World Title.

Contra’s Josef Samael saw fear in Smith’s eyes earlier when he looked at Simon Gotch. Therefore, how about Smith vs. Gotch in a no ropes match where you only win by submission or knockout?

Chandler Hopkins vs. Low Ki

Hopkins is a country boy who has wrestled in AAA. They stare at each other for a bit to start until Ki cranks on the arm for a bit. That’s broken up and Hopkins works on a hammerlock of his own, only to have Ki pull him into the corner for a hard kick to the chest. A chop and headbutt in the corner put Hopkins in the corner for some pain. Ki shoves off the running hurricanrana attempt but Hopkins pops back up and hits a hurricanrana driver. Hopkins’ rolling Downward Spiral gets two but he misses a shooting star. Ki dropkicks him into the corner and sits on Hopkins’ back for a choke with his boot for the win at 5:47.

Rating: C. This was a lot better than I would have bet on and Hopkins got to impress a lot more than you would have expected. That’s one of the places where MLW gets to shine: bringing in some unknown names and showcase them like this. Maybe Hopkins can turn into something, but what matters is he was given a chance here.

Low Ki shows some post match respect.

Smith accepts Gotch’s challenge. He’s still not a great promo though and a mouthpiece wouldn’t be a bad thing.

Tom Lawlor brags about new student Dominic Garrini and talks about how he’ll be hurting people. Garrini points out that he’s been here before but ignore everything he has done before because everything is new. Oh and Lawlor has brought a sponsor back: Condom Depot.

Erick Stevens is still coming.

The Fightland Control Center announces Alexander Hammerstone defending the National Openweight Title against T-Hawk, Killer Kross vs. Tom Lawlor and Low Ki vs. King Mo.

We look back at the Von Erichs winning the Tag Team Titles from the Dynasty at Saturday Night SuperFight.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman is impressed by Marshall Von Erich’s lineage but Marshall isn’t all elite. Oh and Mance Warner is an inbred who needs to watch his match next week.

We look at the first barbed wire match in MLW history, back in 2003 between Terry Funk and Steve Corino.

Jimmy Havoc and Priscilla Kelly aren’t scared of the barbed wire match because Jimmy loves hurting people. He enjoys blood and wouldn’t mind drinking Mance’s.

The Von Erichs crush apples to show what is happening to MJF next week.

Parental guidance is suggested for the following..

Mance Warner vs. Jimmy Havoc

The ropes have been replaced by barbed wire and Jimmy has Priscilla Kelly. Rich calls this the final encounter, which is the best news anyone could hear. Even the announcers have gloves on in case the wires break. Havoc has his baseball bat and Warner has the chair but both weapons shots miss. They pause before hitting the wire though and it’s already time to tease the wire to the head.

Havoc discus punches Warner but gets sent into the wire anyway. A few whips into said wire make it worse and Warner grabs the chair again. Warner hits him in the back but Havoc is right back with a suplex into the wire. Havoc drives it into Warner’s head before downgrading things a bit with a staple gun shot to the head. Warner’s shirt is ripped off and then stapled to his back, only for Havoc to rip it right back off.

To mix things up a bit, Havoc busts out some bolt cutters and cuts off a piece of the wire. The already bleeding Warner gets the wire wrapped inside of his mouth to draw even more blood. Havoc hits him in the head with the barbed wire bat and there’s a stomp to make it worse. Warner tries to fight back but gets flipped off. That’s fine with Warner, who hits him low with the bat. Havoc grabs the staple gun to stab Warner between the legs (both commentators: “Right in his bucksnorts!”).

Not that it matters again as Warner spinebusters him on the side of a chair (egads) and brings in some extra boards. That takes too long though as Havoc Death Valley Drivers him through a board for two. Warner chokeslams him through a board bridged between two chairs for two more. The wire around the arm looks to set up a lariat but Kelly gives Havoc powder. It goes into Havoc’s eyes of course though and the barbed wire lariat….doesn’t even get a cover. Instead, Warner piledrives him onto a bunch of stuff for the pin at 10:37.

Rating: C+. This was the kind of thing that made sense for the story, even though I wasn’t wild on what they were doing. It was how they should have gone here though as you can’t go from violence to non-violence, especially with the way these two go. What mattered here was it felt like the ending and there is no reason for them to come back again. I’m not big on the violence, but at least it worked for what it was supposed to be.

Overall Rating: B-. Good show for the most part here with three matches that were all at least decent. The best thing here though was that some times wrapped up and it felt like we were actually getting somewhere for a change. That hasn’t been the case in a long time now and hopefully we can go somewhere else going forward. Fightland looks good and things can start up in the next few weeks. This wasn’t too bad though and if we’re really done with Havoc vs. Warner, things are looking up.

Results

Drago/Puma King b. Taurus/Low Rider and Injustice – Dragon’s Tail to Rider

Low Ki b. Chandler Hopkins – Seated choke with boot

Mance Warner b. Jimmy Havoc – Piledriver onto a chair

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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

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

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #93
Date: January 18, 2020
Location: Melrose Ballroom, New York City, New York
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, AJ Kirsch, Byron Saxton

It’s time for a big one as we wrap up the Opera Cup with a Hart Foundation clash. In a match that is in no way inspired by the European Title Tournament final from 1997 between Davey Boy Smith and Owen Hart, we have Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Brian Pillman Jr. Other than that we’re on the road to Fightland which could be an interesting night. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening video looks at the history of the Opera Cup, which hasn’t been awarded in 71 years. We also see how both Smith and Pillman got to the finals as they’re making this into a big deal.

Opening sequence.

Middleweight Title: El Lindaman vs. Myron Reed

Reed is defending and earlier today, he talked about being like Cassius Clay because no one can control him. Lindaman goes straight with the power by driving Reed into the corner and hitting a Downward Spiral for two. The chinlock goes on before Lindaman goes with the stomps to the back. A Boston crab is loaded up but the rest of Injustice offers a distraction.

Back up and a quick Stunner sets up a springboard cutter into a reverse sitout gordbuster for two on Lindaman for a change. Reed tries another springboard but gets dropkicked out of the air, setting up something like a standing Iconoclasm for another near fall. That’s enough for Reed, who snaps him throat first across the top. The running cutter into the frog splash (with chest protector) retains Reed’s title at 7:05.

Rating: C. Lindaman is a smaller guy but he wrestles a stronger style, which is a very weird combination but he’s making it work. I’m not sure if the Strong Hearts are going to become a big deal around here but they’re good for some one off matches like this. Injustice has gone from little more than a joke to a nice stable so well done on upgrading themselves.

Brian Pillman Jr. says he has a bad shoulder injury but he isn’t about to drop out of the Opera Cup. The final isn’t going to be about the Hart Foundation and Pillman is going to show that he belongs in there.

Video on Mance Warner vs. Jimmy Havoc in a barbed wire match next week. Warner is ready to make Havoc bleed.

King Mo wants the winner of the Opera Cup. For now though, he wants Jacob Fatu and the World Title.

We look back at Gino Medina joining the Dynasty in beating down Konnan.

The Dynasty introduce Gino to the Gift Train and give him his official card. Gino talks about Konnan being the former Hulk Hogan of Mexico, which sends Hammerstone into a mini rant about how Konnan has no tan and is the Hogan of nothing. They do a four way Dynasty pinkie swear. These guys grow on me every week.

It’s the Fightland Control Center, including Brian Pillman Jr. vs. Jimmy Havoc, Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Erick Stevens and the return of LA Park.

Savio Vega vs. Gino Medina

Street fight so the weapons are already in the ring. Vega talks about fighting for Konnan because it’s time for some revenge. The bell rings and Vega starts swinging the kendo stick to put Gino outside early. Gino gets posted and trashcan lidded down but he kicks a chair out of Savio’s hands. A trashcan goes over Savio’s head and Gino kicks it down for two. Some pizza trays to the head get Vega out of trouble but Gino knees him in the back of the head.

A slap to the face wakes Savio up again so he chops Gino down for two. That’s not exactly a hardcore move but Vega can barely move so I’ll take what I can get. Vega knocks him out to the floor, only to have a chair wrapped around his neck and rammed into the post. That’s only good for two so Savio tries a spinwheel kick but connects with more of an elbow for two instead. Vega knocks a chair away from Gino but here’s the Dynasty for a distraction, setting up a low blow into an enziguri for the pin on Vega at 8:35.

Rating: D. This was a rough one as Vega just isn’t very good these days. Granted that might be due to his age and I don’t see much of a point to putting him in the ring. It also doesn’t help that we’ve now seen two matches from Gino and neither have been all that good. Maybe he needs better opponents, but my hopes aren’t exactly high so far.

We look back at Tom Lawlor jumping the Von Erichs last week.

Davey Boy Smith Jr. talks about how important it is to win the Opera Cup. He is a bit surprised that Pillman made the finals and they are family. For tonight though, it’s all about winning.

The Opera Cup will be back next year.

Injustice has been kicked out of the building.

Opera Cup Finals: Brian Pillman Jr. vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr.

Pillman has a very bad shoulder coming in. After the Big Match Intros, we’re ready to go. Feeling out process to start with Pillman teasing a chop but backing up before he does anything. Pillman’s headlock keeps Smith down for a bit with Smith not being able to roll his way out of escaping. Smith gets up and slams him down, setting up a double arm crank.

This time it’s Pillman getting up and spinning around to crank on the arms as well. Pillman sends him outside for a kick to the chest and a springboard splash crushes Smith again. Smith is back with a whip into the barricade and some chops of his own as the power is becoming too much to maintain. Back in and we hit the chinlock, followed by a suplex and another chinlock.

Pillman has to grab a rope, which isn’t normally how you would get out of something like that. Smith slams him to set up a legdrop, only to miss the top rope legdrop. They trade some near falls but Pillman’s don’t have a ton of energy behind them. Another pinfall reversal sequence gives us more twos so Pillman connects with a low superkick.

Air Pillman connects for two in the first good near fall. Pillman misses the spinning crossbody though and the running powerslam gives Smith his own two. Now the top rope headbutt connects for two and Smith is stunned. A powerbomb gets the same and the Crossface goes on to finally go after Pillman’s arm. Pillman rolls him up for two but can’t break the hold, meaning he has to tap at 17:14.

Rating: B-. It was kind of hard to believe that Pillman was winning here as Smith has seemed to be the obvious choice for the tournament since it was announced. You know, because the cup literally belongs to him and everything. It was fine for a short tournament and there was a nice near fall off Air Pillman but it was just pretty good for the most part.

Post match Smith celebrates with the cup and hugs Pillman. More celebrating ends the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This felt like a pretty big TV show and I’ll take what I can get out of any weekly episode. The tournament was the big focus here and it was nice to see them having a good final. It isn’t likely to mean anything, but moving Smith up higher in the MLW ranks is a good thing. He’s a pretty complete package in the ring and while his promos could use some work, the wrestling is hard to ignore. There are some issues with some of the stories around here but they’re in a nice enough groove to get by on the good things that they have.

Results

Myron Reed b. El Lindaman – Frog splash

Gino Medina b. Savio Vega – Enziguri

Davey Boy Smith Jr. b. Brian Pillman Jr. – Crossface

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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

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

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #91
Date: January 4, 2020
Location: Melrose Ballroom, New York City, New York
Commentators: AJ Kirsch, Rich Bocchini

We’re still in New York to start the new year and it’s time for the semifinals of the Opera Cup. The first set of matches were pretty good and hopefully the semifinals and finals should be fine. Other than that, because it has been at least a week, we have another Jimmy Havoc vs. Mance Warner match. Let’s get to it.

Mance Warner yells about how he and Jimmy Havoc have fought several times. They’ve busted each other open and now Jimmy has left him bandaged up. Havoc needed his princess to help bust him open so Warner is going to put all that in his pockets and carry it with him to Dallas, Texas for their barbed wire match. That’s all well and good, but was there a reason why he was looking just off the center of the camera?

Opening sequence.

Here’s Tom Lawlor, in a Von Erichs shirt, with someone we don’t know. All anyone wants to talk to Lawlor about is the Von Erich family but that’s because they’re idiots. The only people dumber than them are these fans and Lawlor sees a lot of fakes in the crowd. In the back though, he sees a couple of fake Von Erichs (my kingdom for a Lance reference) so tonight, Tom wants to face the greatest Von Erich: Lance’s son (SWEET!) RIP VON ERICH!

Tom Lawlor vs Rip Von Erich

Rich: “Who the h*** is this ham and egger???” Lawlor offers Rip (who is a bit short but looks fine enough otherwise) a test of strength before shouldering him down. Rip tries another shoulder and bounces off of Lawlor before it’s time to work on the wrist. Now it’s a half crab as Lawlor starts in with the torture. Rip fights up, spins around a few times, and misses a discus punch. That sets up the airplane spin so Rip tries the Claw, earning himself a rear naked choke, complete with a Claw, to give Lawlor the win at 3:20.

Rating: D. It was an idea but they didn’t go far enough with the joke. Lawlor isn’t a big guy but Rip looked more like a regular jobber and not the kind of person you would really make fun of here. It helped when he was inept in the ring, but the joke really didn’t set in at the beginning.

Post match Lawlor celebrates his victory over the Von Erichs. He’s ready for people to be cheering for him instead of the Von Erichs. Cue Ross and Marshall (it took long enough) but the Spirit Squad of all people jump them from behind and the big beatdown is on. Even the corner man helps in with the stomping.

It’s the Zero Hour Control Center, focusing on Gino Medina and the AAA partnership. Oh and barbed wire of course.

We look at Contra attacking the debuting Stronghearts last week.

Richard Holliday and Alexander Hammerstone want Gino Medina in the Dynasty when Salina de la Renta comes in to laugh at the. Hammerstone says stop c*** blocking them but she doesn’t know what she’s blocking.

Davey Boy Smith Jr. is ready to out wrestle Hammerstone to make the finals of the Opera Cup. Fatigue is going to set in on Hammerstone and the submissions are coming.

Opera Cup Semifinals: Alexander Hammerstone vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr.

Non-title, Holliday is with Hammerstone and MJF is on commentary because we’re a lucky audience this week. After MJF is bored with Smith and refuses a handshake with AJ without a lot of hand sanitizer, we’re ready to go with a battle over wristlocking. Smith takes him down for a double arm crank with AJ talking about leverage. MJF: “AJ the word is shut your mouth and stop making eye contact.”

Smith it sent hard into the ropes and has to skin the cat, only to have Holliday grab his foot. Hammerstone hits a bicycle kick (MJF: “HE GOT A BICYCLE!” The old school references are on fire this week!) and they go outside with Smith being dropped back first onto the barricade. Back in and Hammerstone stomps away in the corner as MJF goes into a tirade about a suggestion that he isn’t the leader of the Dynasty.

Hammerstone puts on the chinlock and demands that the referee ask him in Canadian (heard something similar before and it’s still funny). That’s broken up in a hurry so Hammerstone hits a dropkick (MJF: “THE MEAT CASTLE! GETTING AIR! AJ, was that dropkick tough enough???) for two, setting up something like a seated abdominal stretch. Smith fights back up and wins a slugout, including some right hands in the corner.

A big boot into the legdrop sends MJF into a short rant about how un-American these fans are for cheering for a Canadian. The Nightmare Pendulum is loaded up but Smith counters into the Crossface, only to have Holliday offer a distraction. MJF: “There’s clearly a bug on his kickpad!” Hammerstone kicks Holliday by mistake (MJF: “WHAT’S GOING ON??? NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”) and it’s a running powerslam into a Swan Dive to give Smith the pin at 8:55. MJF: “WHO THE H*** IS STU HART???”

Rating: C+. The wrestling was fine here but it was the MJF show as he was one of the most entertaining and hilarious guest commentators I’ve ever seen. He knows exactly what he is and who he is supposed to be and that’s a great thing for everyone. I’m sure he won’t be in MLW forever, so enjoy him while you can until he gets to AEW full time.

Post match Hammerstone loads up a handshake but Holliday pulls him away.

Brian Pillman Jr. is used to being the underdog because he left his home at 13 and no one helped him get into wrestling. Cue Injustice, who thinks they should be getting this interview time. They threaten Pillman with violence, because if Pillman is hurt, they get his spot as the alternates.

Contra is ready to destroy the Strong Hearts.

Erick Stevens is coming.

Video on Low Ki.

Strong Hearts vs. Contra

Cima is getting a World Title shot against Jacob Fatu in February so there are some future tie-ins here. Gotch and Cima chop it out to start with Cima shrugging off a takedown and hitting a dropkick. Another dropkick to the back sends Gotch into the corner and it’s Lindaman coming in for his own shot to the back. The much smaller Lindaman is brought into the Contra corner and the stomps/chops begin.

Gotch rakes him with the boot in the corner and it’s Fatu coming in for the real beating. Gotch’s suplex makes it worse for Lindaman and he’s smart enough to drag things back into the corner. There’s a low superkick from Fatu but Lindaman slugs away and even manages to get him up for a slam. Unfortunately he can’t turn it over though and Fatu falls on top of him with a big crash.

Lindaman finally gets over and it’s Irie, the big man, coming in with a slingshot splash for two on Gotch. To mix it up a bit, Irie piledrives Samael onto Gotch for the double knockdown and it’s time for the hoss fight between Irie and Fatu. An exchange of clotheslines doesn’t go very far but Fatu gets the better of an exchange of crossbodies. A handspring moonsault gets two on Irie and everything breaks down with all six heading outside.

Irie hits a suicide dive on Fatu, who jumps back inside to hit his own, giving us those crazy eyes. Back in and Fatu can’t quite beat up all three of them at once, allowing Cima to knee him in the head, setting up Lindaman’s bridging German suplex for two. Lindaman hits a big flip dive onto Gotch but Fatu hits a pop up Samoan drop on Cima. The double springboard moonsault finishes Cima at 11:01.

Rating: C+. I’m really not sure how smart it is to have the World Champion pin the debuting #1 contender with his finisher after a pretty dominant six man tag. Cima can do a lot of things in the ring but that doesn’t seem like the best idea in the world. That being said, Fatu is a total monster and I can go for seeing him do whatever he wants out there, just like this.

Lawlor challenges the Von Erichs to defend their Tag Team Titles against his two best students.

Overall Rating: C. This could have been a lot worse and I’ll take what I can get. The matches were ok, but the show doesn’t really have a major direction at the moment. Cima being thrown out there as the next #1 contender doesn’t do much for them and the Opera Cup seems to be the top story. That’s not exactly great stuff, though it’s still an entertaining enough show. Just get a bigger top story soon, plus more MJF talking is always appreciated.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also -available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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

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