IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #68
Date: July 27, 2019
Location: Cicero Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, Jim Cornette

We’re getting closer to the end of the summer and that means things are getting a little better around here. Things have been that much more interesting over the last few months and the shows have been getting better as a result. This week’s main event is Contra vs. the Von Erichs in an unsanctioned match, which could go several different ways. Let’s get to it.

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

Here’s Salina de la Renta to rant about Mance Warner being annoying, though he did get rid of Sami Callihan for her. Tonight though she has someone from the firey pits to deal with Warner.

Bestia 666 vs. Mance Warner

Death match. Bestia isn’t waiting around and suicide dives onto Mance to get things going before the bell. Warner pelts a chair at him and rips at Bestia’s face before fishooking his mouth with a turnbuckle. As in the hook from a buckle, which just happened to be at ringside. Bestia is back with a whip into a barricade and grabs the kendo stick to blast Warner over the back.

Warner headbutts his way out again and tries a chop, which hits the post at full force to make me cringe again. The hand is fine enough for a DDT onto the apron, which is the closest they’ve gotten to being in the ring. Warner pulls out some weapons, including some chairs, a board and of course thumb tacks. The tacks go onto the chair but Bestia sends Warner face first into them instead. They FINALLY get in the ring with Bestia putting a trashcan over Warner and blasting him with a chair. A trashcan to the head gets two with Cornette saying it shouldn’t count because it’s under a rope. Dude, come on now.

Warner is back with a spear through the board in the corner for two and it’s time to slap it out. A pop up headbutt rocks Bestia and it’s a piece of board to the head for a delayed two. Warner’s running knee gets two but Salina slips Bestia a red bag. Bestia gets tied into a chair but Warner spends too much time yelling at Salina, allowing Bestia to throw powder into his face. A MuscleBuster through a chair finish Warner at about 10:00 (I didn’t hear an opening bell).

Rating: C. This is one where your individual taste is going to vary as I’m not big on hardcore for the sake of hardcore. It didn’t go too far that it’s ridiculous, but Warner losing again isn’t the best idea if he’s going to be the one to go after Salina and company. I know it’s his signature thing, but they do these brawls a little too often and I’m getting numb to them.

Salina has the Golden Ticket back.

Opening sequence.

We see Georgia Hart and Alexander Hammerstone seeming to get rather close in an elevator. Oh dear.

The Dynasty dodges questions about Georgia and brags about how awesome they are.

MLW is going to have a working relationship with Pro Wrestling Noah. Fine enough.

Contra doesn’t want the fans throwing things at them again or they’ll hurt the Von Erichs even more.

Ricky Martinez vs. Low Ki

Salina is here with Ricky and has changed her clothes in the five minutes she has been gone. Konnan is on commentary. Martinez throws a jacket in Ki’s face and dropkicks his knee out to start things off in a hurry. An elbow in the corner keeps Martinez in control as Konnan talks about what he’s found in Salina’s phone.

Ki hits a palm strike for a breather and the Liger Kick knocks Martinez out of the air for a cool visual. Martinez manages to send him into the buckle and a middle rope Codebreaker gets two. Hold on though as Salina goes after her phone with the distraction letting Ki grab the dragon sleeper for the knockout win at 4:13.

Rating: C-. This was very hard hitting while it lasted but I’m having some trouble caring about Konnan vs. Salina as it has been going on for months now. The phone deal is at least something fresh instead of having the same stuff over and over again. Ki has surprised me as well as he has gone from someone I never cared for to someone solid in his role.

Post match Salina seems to offer Ki a spot back on the team but he walks away.

The Von Erichs are ready to bring Contra to justice, Texas style. Oh good grief.

Kotto Brazil is tired of all the interference around here, just like Myron Reed and Jordan Oliver. They say JUSTICE over and over.

Tom Lawlor’s life has been a nightmare lately but he loves the fighting. He wants his World Title back though and is getting his rematch at Never Say Never. That’s not enough though as he and the Von Erichs are coming for Contra in the War Chamber (seems to be WarGames).

We recap the Georgia Smith/Alexander Hammerstone deal.

The Hart Foundation sees the video for the first time and aren’t happy.

Contra Unit vs. Von Erichs

It’s Samael and Gotch for Contra here. The Von Erichs waste no time and go straight for the Claws but get thrown off in a hurry. Gotch dragon screw leg whips Ross as Marshall sends Samael into the barricade. Ross’ knee is fine enough to be sent into the ropes so Gotch can knee him in the ribs. What looks like a crossface chickenwing keeps Ross in trouble and it’s Samael and Marshall getting back inside.

Ross fights back to save his brother from the double teaming but gets sent outside again. That means Marshall gets to make the Texas comeback this time and it’s a double dropkick to Gotch. Marshall hits a moonsault for two with Gotch making a save. Samael and Marshall clothesline each other as Ross has a chair. As luck would have it, Samael busts out the fireball but Ross uses the chair to block it. A chair to the head gives Marshall the pin on Samael at 6:24.

Rating: C+. The action was better here and the wild brawl felt more appropriate here, mainly because it was different from the way the opener went. The Von Erichs are a nice addition to the roster and while they have a long way to go, they’re getting the ring time that they need here. Nice match too.

Post match Contra goes after the Von Erichs again and the riot squad comes out to break things up. The Von Erichs want to keep fighting and we cut to the back where Jacob Fatu is beating up the squad. Tom Lawlor comes in for the fight for a hot ending to the show.

Overall Rating: C. This show got better after the main event but it wasn’t their best effort overall. The problem here was having too much brawling on one show, which tends to be a problem around here. What did work though was the storytelling, as they’re coming up with some creative enough ways to keep things moving without feeling tired. That helps so much and it did so here. Just keep it up and give us the big payoffs, which they tend to do well enough. This wasn’t their best show, but it’s still an easy hour to watch.

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 #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

Fusion #66
Date: July 13, 2019
Location: Cicero Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, Jim Cornette

It’s the fallout show from Kings of Colosseum and the big story if Jacob Fatu of Contra winning the World Title in pretty decisive fashion. That means one of those “new era” shows, but that’s not all for tonight. We also have the Dynasty challenging the Hart Foundation for the Tag Team Titles in a ladder match which has a lot of potential. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a preview of the ladder match, with Cornette calling it the most dangerous match in MLW. Moreso than WarGames/War Chamber?

Opening sequence.

Ace Austin vs. Air Wolf

Rematch from a few weeks ago when Wolf won. They fight over a lockup to start and Austin goes straight for the mask like any heel against a luchador. A headlock takeover takes Austin over with a headlock and a crucifix gets two. The pinfall reversal sequence is on with neither being able to get very far and Wolf can’t hit a springboard Downward Spiral.

Austin misses a kick to the face as well so it’s a spinning headscissors instead. Wolf’s running kick to the chest gets two but Austin kicks him in the chest to send Wolf outside. A belly to back onto the barricade makes it even worse for Wolf and it’s time to grab the cane. That goes nowhere so Austin hits a sliding kick to the face and tugs at the mask again. Again you don’t do that so Wolf gets in a shot but seems to slip off the top when trying something.

Thankfully Austin’s hand was on his chest so they can call it a shove, which is better than nothing (good save by commentary too as they say Wolf’s ankle might have been hurt). Back in and Wolf runs the corner for a Pele before going up top. Austin throws a playing card at the referee though and pulls out the cane to knock Wolf out of the air. The Fold finishes Wolf at 7:18.

Rating: C+. This had some moments but I’m surprised they had Wolf get pinned so soon after giving him a big push. Austin winning is fine though as I’ve been a fan of his since he debuted. Setting up a rubber match is a cool idea and this is the kind of a company that could give them a chance to do it right.

We look back at Fatu winning the World Title last week.

Ricky Martinez is begging Salina de la Renta for one more shot at Low Ki when Jimmy Havoc calls. It’s Mance Warner though, who seems to have taken LA Park’s golden ticket. Martinez is sent to get it back.

We get a longer look at the World Title match.

Ariel Dominguez vs. Low Ki

This one could hurt. Low Ki knees him in the chest for the knockout at 17 seconds. Dominguez did better than I thought.

The Dynasty was at their holiday compound and Hammerstone was training in the sun while the other two decided they just needed to climb. MJF snaps that he is NOT afraid of heights but he needs to talk to them. See, Holliday deserves more so MJF is giving him the spot in the ladder match. MJF and Aria Blake go off to ahem, get some lunch.

Martinez calls Salina and is spying on Warner. Actually it’s a big box, which Martinez beats on but finds that it’s empty. Martinez goes away and Warner comes in to say one more down.

Post break Salina is freaking out about Warner when Konnan comes in to gloat. There are some more people coming to MLW to deal with her.

Post entrances for the main event, LA Park is locked behind a gate, leaving Warner to punch Hijo de LA Park with a chain. That leaves Salina to run away from a stalking Warner.

Tag Team Titles: Hart Foundation vs. Dynasty

The Foundation is defending in a ladder match and it’s Teddy Hart/Brian Pillman Jr. vs. Maxwell Jacob Friedman/Richard Holliday. Cornette is right there to explain the Freebird Rule, which is usually explained but not with the exact history behind the idea. The Harts hammer away to start and it’s already time for the chair shots to the ribs. A suplex onto the chair has Holliday in more trouble but he’s fine enough to post Hart right back.

Air Pillman drops MJF but Holliday is back in to jump Pillman from behind. Hart comes back in with Project Ciampa to Holliday, sending the Dynasty outside to grab a ladder. Said ladder is dropkicked into their faces, leaving Pillman to corkscrew dive onto both of them. Hart’s Asai moonsault hits all three of them and can someone take away the air horn from the squeeze happy fan? MJF shoves Hart off the ladder and into the ropes but can’t bring himself to climb very fast.

Aria Blake tries to go up instead but opts for a crossbody, which hits MJF by mistake. MJF gets sent into the ladder in the corner and then gets catapulted face first into the ladder for a bonus. Holliday is back in with a lifting swinging suplex to Pillman, followed by dropping Hart onto the ladder in the corner. A double suplex sends Hart into the ladder again but stop for some posing. The ladder is set up but the Dynasty stops to argue over who is going up.

Holliday shoves him away and goes up but MJF stops to smirk, allowing Hart to pull Holliday down for a big crash. Pillman hits a superkick and Death Valley Driver on MJF before pulling the ladder down for some reason. The Dynasty gets low bridged and Stunned on the top rope, leaving Hart to hit a hanging DDT/piledriver. A Canadian Destroyer hits MJF and it’s time to bridge a board between some chairs. That means a corkscrew moonsault through MJF through the wood, though Hart comes up injured as well.

Cue Hammerstone to pull Pillman off the ladder for a buckle bomb and everyone is down. Holliday suplexes Hart onto the steps and here’s Davey Boy Smith Jr. to powerslam Hammerstone onto (not through) the table. Holliday and Pillman climb at the same time but Blake climbs onto Pillman’s back. He elbows her down (without seeing who it was), allowing Holliday to chair Pillman down. That’s enough for the win and the titles at 17:26.

Rating: B. There were some spots where they went on a little long but what we had here was quite entertaining with everyone looking good and showcasing themselves well. The Hart Foundation had to lose some of their gold at some point so having the Dynasty win the titles made a lot of sense. It was an awesome match too and that’s what you go for with a spotfest like this.

Overall Rating: B+. Rather strong show here with all of the matches working well and a big title change at the end. What matters most here is keeping the momentum rolling after last week’s special, which tends to be one of the hardest things to pull off. Now keep doing it with some different talent and everything should be fine.

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 #64
Date: June 29, 2019
Location: Waukesha County Expo Center, Waukesha, Wisconsin
Commentators: Jim Cornette, Rich Bocchini

It’s another Contra show here and that means things could get interesting again. This time around it’s Josef Samael vs. World Champion Tom Lawlor as Lawlor gets ready for his showdown with Jacob Fatu for the World Title next week. Samael is the designated fall guy so you can probably guess what is coming tonight. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a video from Contra, threatening to destroy Lawlor tonight.

Opening sequence.

Marshall and Ross Von Erich come to commentary to say they’ll have Lawlor’s back.

Adam Brooks vs. Austin Aries

The hometown boy Aries now has a thicker beard and is in the long tights this time. Aries catches a kick to the leg to start and takes Brooks to the mat as we go with some amateur stuff. Brooks gets a hammerlock but Aries reverses into a front facelock. A hard armdrag puts Brooks back down and it’s a basement dropkick to send him outside. Brooks sends him into the corner and hits a sliding dropkick of his own.

A springboard Stunner gives Brooks two and a low superkick keeps Aries down on the floor. Back in and Aries gets in a shinbreaker into a belly to back suplex to put Brooks in trouble. Some knees to the head keep Brooks down and Aries hits the middle rope elbow to Brooks’ seated back. The neckbreaker over the ropes sends Brooks to the floor but the suicide dive is blocked with a forearm.

Brooks gets in a slingshot DDT but can’t follow up. Aries is right back with the Horns of Aries (Last Chancery) until Brooks makes the rope. Brooks sends him to the apron but dives into a Death Valley Driver onto the apron, with Cornette going into a rant about how dangerous that is. He’s right you know. The 450 hits Brooks’ knees though but his Swanton hits Aries’ knees. A discus forearm sets up the brainbuster to give Aries the pin at 12:00.

Rating: C+. Aries may not have the best backstage attitude but he is one of the best in-ring performers around today. You’re all but guaranteed to get a watchable (at worst) match and he’s a good hand to have around here. He can do just about anything from carry the World Title to feud for the midcard or Middleweight Title. That’s a very valuable asset to have and Aries is someone who can do it.

Post match Aries is interviewed by says don’t interrupt the fans, who continue their AUSTIN ARIES chants. Aries talks about how he doesn’t put his life on social media but that doesn’t mean he’s been sitting at home. This is professional wrestling instead of sports entertainment or cosplay wrestling. He is the last real magician of professional wrestling because he can make everyone believe.

That’s why he’s here in MLW, which is the only place that follows the weight limits. He’s been the World Heavyweight Champion several times but he hasn’t been a heavyweight a day in his life. Aries is a middleweight, and that’s bad news for Teddy Hart. I’m more than down for that.

We look back at the Dynasty attacking Teddy Hart and stealing his Tag Team Title last week.

The Dynasty was in Martha’s Vineyard at a house Richard Holliday’s dad bought after he shut down an orphanage. Alex Hammerstone is going for a Hogan tan. Holliday: “87 or 91?” Oh and they’re the Tag Team Champions because possessions is nine tenths of the law. MJF and Aria Blake leave to go, ahem, fix her nails.

Samael is out for Lawlor’s blood before Jacob Fatu takes the title.

Savio Vega is coming.

We look back at last week’s wild six man tag and the wilder post match brawl.

Jacob Fatu vs. Ariel Dominguez/Sam Black

Fatu jumps them both while the music is still playing. An overhead belly to belly sends Dominguez flying and a superkick drops Black. A crazy high pop up Samoan drop plants Dominguez and it’s the double springboard moonsault (perfect) for the pin at 1:20. Fatu looked outstanding here.

Post match the beatdown is still on with the rest of Contra running in to take both jobbers out.

Salina de la Renta doesn’t want to talk about a goat f***** (uncensored) like Mance Warner. With her voice changing, she talks about how she knows how hard it is for men to see a 22 year old woman in control.

Kings of Colosseum rundown, with an open challenge from Hammerstone, Myron Reed vs. Rey Horus and a live Jim Cornette Experience with Salina.

Mance Warner is looking forward to the 4^th of July and promises to take care of Salina and Promociones Dorado. It’s time to start headhunting and the fireworks are starting when he comes after the team. The beer goes down and the hat goes around as Mance promises to have blood running down his hands. After he mows his lawn that is. Rather good promo from Mance here, who sounds like he is speaking as himself every time.

Tom Lawlor vs. Josef Samael

Non-title and Salina (in a completely different outfit and with her hair done differently) is watching in the back with Ricky Martinez. The fight starts fast with Lawlor knocking him down but getting chopped in the corner. That’s fine with Tom, who comes back with shots of his own with one big one knocking Samael outside. Lawlor sends him into the barricade and post and is even smart enough to block the low blow on the way back inside.

Samael manages to get in a whip to send Lawlor throat first into the ropes and the champ is in trouble. One heck of a clothesline blasts Lawlor and we hit the camel clutch. With that not going far enough, Samael pulls Lawlor’s head against the post. Lawlor comes back with a suplex and we cut to the back to see the Von Erichs fighting the rest of Contra. Back in the arena, Samael’s spike gets caught in the turnbuckle so Lawlor spinwheel kicks him down. Lawlor grabs the spike and shoves the referee down for the DQ at 7:50.

Rating: C. This was all it needed to be. They didn’t need to do anything more here other than keep Lawlor fighting and have Contra cause more chaos. It’s clear that Fatu is the real star of the team and that’s the reason why he’s getting the big title shot against Lawlor. I can’t imagine that match goes to a finish, but the ending could be interesting.

Post match the brawls are still on in the back and in the arena to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. It says a lot when a minute long squash pushed the show that much further up the line but Fatu looked that impressive. What mattered here was getting things ready for the big title match at Kings of Colosseum. Couple that with the first steps towards Aries vs. Hart and things are looking up around here. This place has gotten rather good in a hurry and they’re getting ready to move up on the list of best promotions around at the moment. Not bad for a company that really relaunched fifteen months ago.

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 #63
Date: June 22, 2019
Location: Waukesha County Expo Center, Waukesha, Wisconsin
Commentators: Jim Cornette, Rich Bocchini

It’s time for a big match with Contra getting in a rare six man tag against Tom Lawlor and the Von Erichs. You would think that this would make more sense in Dallas but Lawlor vs. Contra has been built up for months now and hopefully things go well. Other than that, we’re building to Kings of Colosseum later in the summer. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with Jimmy Havoc narrating a funeral for Sami Callihan, who even has a tombstone. Salina de la Renta says rest in peace you warthog.

Opening sequence.

Teddy Hart vs. Richard Holliday

Non-title. Maxwell Jacob Friedman is on commentary and gets in some rather nice jabs at Wisconsin and Hart, occasionally at the same time. Teddy hands Rich his big necklace and stares Friedman down, sending him behind Cornette in the process. Cue Holliday to jump Hart from behind and the beatdown is on. A belt shot leaves Teddy laying and Friedman steals one of the Tag Team Title belts. No match.

We recap Salina de la Renta setting up Sami Callihan vs. Mance Warner in last week’s Loser Leaves MLW match where Warner got rid of Callihan.

Earlier today, Warner was by the river and drinking some beers. He promises to come for every member of Promociones Dorado with lariats, including taking off LA Park’s ten pound head. As usual, Warner has the very wordy version of everything he says.

Jordan Oliver vs. Isaiah Velasquez

Standby match after the previous one didn’t happen. See how easy it is to make it seem like the show isn’t that scripted? Oliver has a bandanna tied at the side and seems rather annoying. Oh and he has been told to watch out for crooked referees and calls himself the Sauce God. Do I need to explain this guy much more? Isaiah ducks a charge to start and grabs an early rollup for two. Oliver misses a big boot and gets headscissored down. Isaiah sends him outside for a running kick from the apron but tosses Oliver right back in.

Something close to a crotching sets up a springboard DDT (which didn’t come close to connecting, to the point where Rich said it was a cutter (close enough)). Some forearms in the corner have Isaiah in more trouble but he comes back with a few of his own. They trade kicks to the face as we see Myron Reed in the back with a JUSTICE sign. Velasquez hits a middle rope spinning crossbody for two but has to roll out of a top rope double stomp. Oliver is right back with a Stunner and middle rope cutter for the pin at 4:33.

Rating: D. This one really didn’t work and a lot of that was due to Oliver not being all that great. His wrestling wasn’t the strongest (rather sloppy would be a good way of putting it) and his gimmick/look felt like they belonged on the indy circuit about fifteen years ago. Not a very good match, but it could have been a lot worse.

Video on the Von Erichs, who are a pretty cool signing for the company.

Some big shows are coming up.

We look at Flamita beating Rey Horus last week. Salina may be interested in him.

We recap the opening match not taking place and the ensuing beatdown of Teddy Hart. The Hart Dynasty have decided that they want revenge in the ring.

A video shows Alexander Hammerstone’s car leaving the arena.

Low Ki vs. Tom Coffey

Running forearm knocks Coffey out in nine seconds.

Post match, Low Ki wants Contra. The Pandora’s Box that they opened is coming their way.

Contra talks about all the violence they’ve spread over MLW and all the people they’ve hurt. Tonight, it’s a massacre in Milwaukee.

Dr. Wagner Jr. is coming.

We look at the Teddy Hart attack again.

Kings of Colosseum Control Center, focusing entirely on Lawlor vs. Fatu for the World Title.

We recap Lawlor vs. Contra, with Lawlor bringing in the Von Erichs to even things up.

Contra vs. Tom Lawlor/Marshall Von Erich/Ross Von Erich

Tornado tag rules (meaning No DQ) and this is the brothers’ in-ring debut. Hold on though as Simon Gotch needs to go nose to nose with a fan before we’re ready to go. Lawlor comes through the crowd to jump Fatu before the bell with Marshall and Ross joining in a few seconds later. House is cleaned early on and it’s stereo claws to Gotch and Samael. Fatu shrugs off a chair shot from Lawlor though and breaks up Ross’ claw.

Marshall, the bigger Von Erich, takes Fatu down with a clothesline and the brawl is on. Contra takes over and gets Marshall alone in the ring with Fatu hitting a superkick. Lawlor is in with a rear naked choke on Fatu as the Von Erichs are already back up. The crowd cringes at something we can’t see as Marshall suplexes Samael. Ross dropkicks a chair into Fatu’s head and a double dropkick has Fatu on the floor. Lawlor unloads on Fatu with kicks to the chest as Samael takes over on Ross.

Fatu is back with a belly to back suplex onto the apron but Samael gets smart by taping Lawler to the post. That leaves the Brothers to get beaten down with a chair but the referee finds a knife to cut Lawlor free. Hold on though as Lawlor runs up the aisle, leaving Fatu to crush both of them with the moonsault. Lawlor comes back with a board, which he breaks over Fatu’s head to no avail. A low blow works a bit better as the Brothers are back up to help clean house. The Brothers hit a double claw slam for the pin on Gotch at 7:18.

Rating: B-. That was a lot of fun and I had a good time with it. The Von Erichs looked rather good in there and that’s all they needed to do. Lawlor vs. Fatu can be the hoss fight title match and that’s rather appealing. Fatu looked like a monster here and Gotch is the weak link of the team in the ring anyway so this was exactly what it should have been.

Post match the brawl continues with everyone using the broken wood. Eventually referees and agents break it up but some of them are taken out in the process. As he’s helped up, Contra comes back down to beat him up even more. The Von Erichs make the save as Fatu knocks out the ring announcer. Lawlor runs back out with another piece of wood as the fans are rather into this whole thing.

We’re still not done though as a referee gets powerbombed through a table and hit with a chair. They even come up to the commentary booth to mess with stuff as Lawlor and the Brothers pose in the ring to end the show. The brawl was a bit too long but rather entertaining, which is all that matters.

Overall Rating: C. The main event and post match brawl helped a lot but there was only so much that could be done to save the earlier part of the show. It wasn’t the best show in the world but the ending helped a lot and now we should be ready for the big showdown at the Chicago show. The energy was here, though they could have done something a lot better than that first match. As usual, the majority was good but it still needs some tweaking.

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 #62
Date: June 15 2019
Location: Waukesha County Expo Center, Waukesha, Wisconsin
Commentators: Jim Cornette, Rich Bocchini

It’s a special show as Salina de la Renta is in charge again. That means things should be a little bit more interesting than usual, as Salina is awesome in a variety of ways. She’s one of the best villains in wrestling today and I could go for a show centered around her. Just give us some more storyline advancements on the good side, including either Mance Warner or Sami Callihan leaving the company. Let’s get to it.

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

Salina’s leg welcomes us to the show and runs down the card. She’s very happy about getting rid of either Warner or Callihan.

Opening sequence, featuring Salina and her goons.

Callihan and Warner can’t get in the building due to Salina’s orders. Jimmy Havoc, now apparently Salina’s newest lackey, won’t let them in and the two of them aren’t happy. Of note: Sami kicks a door here, which apparently got him in hot water with the company because he did serious damage.

Rey Horus vs. Flamita

They go with the wristdrags and flips to start with neither being able to get in much of note. Both guys flip to their feet and the fans are rather appreciative. A running headscissors puts Horus down on the floor. That means the big moonsault from the top and now we stop for the required floss dancing. The chinlock goes on for a bit, followed by even more dancing that Cornette thankfully ignores.

Horus is back up with an AJ Styles drop down into a dropkick and a hurricanrana of his own. The big flip dive to the floor drops Flamita again and the fans are right back into this. Back in and Horus kicks him in the head for one but Flamita grabs a Muscle Buster into two knees to the chest for two of his own. An overhead belly to belly into the corner gets two on Flamita and it’s time for the slow chop off.

Horus’ sunset flip is rolled through into a basement dropkick but he’s right back up for another dropkick of his own. A spear into the very twisting tornado DDT sets up another DDT for two on Flamita and they’re both down as Cornette tries to figure out how they come up with this stuff. They talk trash and forearm it out until Horus gets two off a spike hurricanrana. Flamita is right back with a tiger driver into a frog splash for two of his own, followed by a 450 for the pin at 13:20.

Rating: B. This was a very entertaining lucha match and that’s exactly why they were on the show. These matches don’t need to mean anything long term because they’re designed to be a bunch of flashy moves. That’s what we got here and the match was a lot of fun, which was exactly what they were shooting for.

Video on Contra’s destruction and chaos.

Tom Lawlor has the Von Erichs backing him up against Contra. They’re actually here this week, with Lawlor saying Contra talks about the world burning at their hands. Next week: Contra goes to sleep at Lawlor’s hands. Good line.

Savio Vega is coming. Ok then.

Low Ki vs. Ricky Martinez

Salina de la Renta takes credit for tonight but mocks the fans for liking cheese. Low Ki charges straight at him to start so Martinez bails to the floor, meaning it’s time for a chase. Martinez gets thrown back inside but a Salina distraction lets Martinez get in a shot to the ribs. A running dropkick to the head gets two and we hit something like a camel clutch.

That’s broken up in a hurry and Low Ki hits the double stomp for a needed breather. The bodyscissors goes on as Cornette tries to figure out how Salina’s dress stays on (fair enough). Back up and Martinez pulls the referee in front of a Low Ki charge and a kick to the face gets two. Low Ki is back up and one heck of a clothesline….actually knocks Martinez out for the KO win at 5:53.

Rating: C. Low Ki as the anti-hero is something that could have some interesting legs and it worked well enough here. Put him together with Lawlor or someone like that to go after Contra and we could be in for something rather appealing. Martinez is still fine in this role and he’ll be back without much effort.

Post match Low Ki and Salina say something we can’t hear.

Sami Callihan and Mance Warner argue over who gets promo time and over who is going to be riding a horse out of MLW.

Video on LA Park. That gut makes him a lot harder to take.

Dr. Wagner Jr. is coming.

Salina yells at Martinez and the F bombs are flying.

The Dynasty is getting ready for Richard Holliday’s match with Teddy Hart next week so Richard makes fun of Hart’s gear. They have to explain the joke to Holliday and then make cat jokes. Hammerstone seems to brag about being the only champion but backs down in a hurry.

Mance Warner vs. Sami Callihan

Hardcore rules and the loser leaves MLW. Sami spits water on Cornette and Bocchini, which was pretty much it for him in MLW in case you need a spoiler. Cornette throws a chair at him and the swearing is on in a hurry, with some rather real insults thrown in there. They slug it out on the floor and Cornette is going full blast, though he does make sure to say that he wants Mance to win to get rid of Sami (because he knows how to make this sound strong in kayfabe).

It’s already time to go into the crowd and over to the merchandise stand with Sami throwing various things at him. They ram each other into a fence around the stands and Sami suplexes him onto a bleacher for two. A trashcan goes over Warner’s head and they trade headbutts with Warner, the one whose head was covered in plastic, getting the better of it. Sami pelts a chair at him and takes a bow as Cornette rants about all the diseases Sami has in his mouth.

It’s time to fight by the concession stand (Cornette: “Is this Tupelo?”) and there’s a spork to Sami’s head. Warner puts the Tabasco sauce in Sami’s mouth as Teddy Hart is watching the fight. They actually get in the ring and of course it’s time for the staple gun. A sunset flip is broken up with a staple to Mance’s head and Sami puts a trashcan around him for a bonus.

Warner is busted open and Sami staples a dollar to his arm. Another one is stapled to his head as Cornette accurately says that this has nothing to do with wrestling. Warner fights back and finds a piece of wood from underneath the ring. The wood is sets up between two chairs but Sami catches him on top with a super piledriver for two. Since a jumping middle rope piledriver through a table is only good for two here, Warner hits a weak spear through more wood in the corner for two of his own.

With nothing else working, they sit down in a pair of chairs and slug it out until they spit at each other for a change. Sami tombstones him near a chair for two and STAPLES HIS TONGUE TO THE WOOD. Warner rips it back off and knees Sami in the head for one. Another running knee drives the wood into Sami’s head for the pin at 18:12.

Rating: D+. Your individual tastes on this one are going to vary but that’s the case with any wrestling (or whatever you want to call it) like this. Getting rid of Callihan is a good thing as he and Warner are similar enough that it doesn’t make sense to have both of them around. Couple that with his issues with Cornette and it’s a good idea to get rid of him. If nothing else maybe we can cut down on the amount of hardcore matches around here, which would be a welcome change. As for the match, it was long, disturbing at times and as Cornette said, had little to do with wrestling. That’s kind of the point, but it doesn’t help much.

Overall Rating: C+. Featuring some of these shows around Salina is a good idea as she’s the best character in the promotion and some of her bigger issues is with the second best in Warner. They did a very good job of mixing up the styles here and it fit the Fusion idea as well as they could have. There is still some fine tuning to do but for what they’ve been doing lately, it’s been fairly successful.

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 #61
Date: June 8, 2019
Location: Waukesha County Expo Center, Waukesha, Wisconsin
Commentators: Jim Cornette, Rich Bocchini

It’s back to the regular show after last week’s Fury Road special. That makes for something a little less important but possibly better as they don’t have to feel like they’re under so much pressure. The big stories out of last week are the continuation of the Dynasty vs. the Hart Foundation and Tom Lawlor vs. Contra. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Alexander Hammerstone winning the inaugural National Openweight Title over Brian Pillman Jr. last week.

Hammerstone was at his training facility earlier while an unnamed blonde held the title. He talks about where all of Pillman’s hard work got him but says Richard Holliday and Maxwell Jacob Friedman chose to follow around him. Hammerstone picks up Rich Bocchini to show off his strength and draw some screaming.

Opening sequence.

We look back at Contra attacking Lawlor, who wants revenge instead of an arrest.

Kotto Brazil vs. Richard Holliday

Holliday has the rest of the Dynasty with him, including Aria Blake, who I forgot was a thing around here. Friedman and Hammerstone head to the back though and it’s only two on one. Note that we’re just over eight minutes into the show at the opening bell and we’ve already had a recap and a segment. Why is that so hard for other companies to pull off? The cocky Holliday shoves Kotto down to start and then hammers him into the corner for a bonus.

Kotto’s bad eye is still all messed up for a rather disturbing visual. Holliday cuts off a comeback with a right hand to the ribs but Brazil springboards over him. A guillotine choke is countered into a suplex though as Holliday is getting to show off a lot more than usual here. Kotto finally gets in a Stunner as Cornette wants to know if Kotto is related to Bobo. A top rope kick to the chest has Holliday in more trouble but a heck of a clothesline cuts him off again. Holliday hits a gutwrench powerbomb for the pin at 5:15.

Rating: C-. This was a rather nice squash from Holliday, who doesn’t get to show what he can do all that often. He looked rather good in the ring here though and that’s a bright spot for his future. At some point you need to be able to do more than just stand around in a suit so letting him have a showcase match like this is a smart move. At the same time you have Kotto, who the fans still love because he’s easy to get behind. That’s a valuable person to have and Kotto plays the role well.

We look at last week’s title match and what we just saw.

Air Wolf vs. Ace Austin

They trade headlocks to start, followed by Austin’s quickly reversed armbar. Wolf hits a hurricanrana and it’s a standoff as we hear about Salina de la Renta possibly recruiting him, which could be interesting. A dropkick puts Austin on the floor but Austin is ready for the obvious dive. Wolf gets shoved off the top and out to the floor, allowing Austin to hit a dive of his own. After some fans call Wolf a fake luchador, he’s fine enough to smack Austin in the head on the way back in.

Austin goes right back to the arm though and Wolf can’t keep anything going. A dropkick sends him into the corner and Wolf has to check his teeth underneath the mask. Wolf gets tied in the Tree of Woe but he’s able to avoid a top rope splash. A snap German suplex and a swinging butterfly suplex give Wolf two and it’s time to start kicking at the chest.

Austin is back with a kick to the head though and a spinning suplex gets two on Wolf. Back up and a hard clothesline turns Wolf inside out but Austin is down as well. Wolf spins up for a kick to the head but gets crotched on top. That’s not the biggest problem in the world though as Wolf shoves Austin down and hits….I think a top rope Downward Spiral for the pin at 10:38.

Rating: C+. I’m not huge on the guy but they’re trying something with Wolf and that’s a good idea. He’s got a long way to go, but pushing someone by giving them wins is the way to go and wins over names like Fenix are going to make the fans buy into him. This was a nice match with some extra time and that made it feel a lot more important. Not bad at all here.

Myron Reed protested outside the arena earlier today.

Salina de la Renta is in charge of next week’s show and already has a main event set: Mance Warner vs. Sami Callihan in a falls count anywhere loser leaves MLW match.

The next live special is Kings of Colosseum with a main event of Tom Lawlor defending the World Title against Jacob Fatu. Now that could be very interesting.

An intense Lawlor says he’s been beaten up before and now Contra has cut him as well. He signed up for a beating but not to be stabbed in his back. Now he wants to take care of Contra and he’s found some guys to help deal with him. That would be the Von Erichs and it’s time to clean this place up. That…..could go a few different ways.

Callihan and Warner dub themselves the Midwest Mega Powers but they like to fight each other. Next week, they’re going to make Cornette want to quit because it’s going to get that violent. They don’t seem to agree on who is going to win though and THEY TURN THEIR HATS AROUND. Sami pulls out a staple gun, though Mance is more worried about it being sanitary.

Low Ki is ready for Ricky Martinez, who is officially on his list.

Contra talks about being ready for Lawlor and the Von Erichs. Violence is promised.

Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Maxwell Jacob Friedman

The rest of the Dynasty is here but Smith is on his own. Friedman bails to the floor at the bell and we hit the stall button for over a minute until Smith pulls him inside. The beating is on as the announcers talk about drugging people. Smith skins the cat and hits a big boot for two but has to stop and yell at Hammerstone. That’s enough of a distraction to let Friedman wrap the leg around the post to take over.

Friedman is smart enough to talk to the referee, allowing Holliday and Hammerstone to stay on the leg. We settle down to Friedman cannonballing onto the leg but Smith pulls him down into a leglock due to some rather high level grappling skills. A cross armbreaker is broken up as well and Friedman uses a Holliday distraction to choke with the scarf. Holliday tries it again so Friedman gets a shirt but Smith takes it away and chokes this time.

Unfortunately this time the referee catches him so Smith has to go with an enziguri for a Flair Flop. The Contra logo pops up on the screen and we come back with Smith hitting a top rope superplex for two. The powerslam gets the same and a jumping Tombstone knocks Friedman silly. Instead of covering though he hits a Swan Dive for two, with Holliday putting the foot on the rope.

Cue Brian Pillman Jr. to finally take care of Holliday but Friedman gets in a chop block. The Sharpshooter is broken up but Smith has to go after Hammerstone. Friedman’s rollup with feet on the ropes gets caught as Teddy Hart comes out to take care of Hammerstone. Friedman yells at the referee and gets shoved into the running powerslam to finally finish Friedman at 11:30.

Rating: B-. The story worked well though there was a little too much going on here. Smith’s knee was fine enough at the end, though I can buy him powering through and being able to muscle someone as small as Friedman up for the win. It also makes sense that Smith was fine when the Harts came out to even the odds so while it makes sense, it was a little too messy.

We cut to the back where Contra has attacked Lawlor again, plus Lawlor’s training partner Ariel Dominguez. Josef Samael throws fire at the camera to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This felt like a show where they covered everything to be covered in a good way. Above that though, I want to see where the stories are going so now I have a reason to keep watching. MLW has been on a nice little role at the moment and I’m liking then more every week. That’s a good place to be in and if they can keep it up, they should be fine.

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 #59
Date: May 25, 2019
Location: Melrose Ballroom, New York City, New York
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, Jim Cornette

It’s time for a big night around here as the World Title is on the line with Tom Lawlor defending against Avalanche. They’ve done a very good job of making these World Title matches feel important as the champ is very rarely in the arena, yet almost always makes a brief appearance, even in a pre-taped cameo. It’s been working well for me and hopefully that continues here. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Lawlor winning the title and promising to face anyone from all over the world, including Avalanche from Germany.

Opening sequence.

We look at Brian Pillman Jr. beating Rich Swann in last week’s main event.

The Dynasty is preparing for Alexander Hammerstone to win the National Title and all the money that it’s going to bring in. They don’t like the Hart Foundation and Hammerstone has a big arm.

Ace Romero/Barrington Hughes vs. Contra

That would be Josef Samael/Jacob Fatu for Contra here. The brawl is on in a hurry with Romero and Fatu having an early standoff. Samael busts out his spike though and knocks Romero cold, leaving Fatu to hit the moonsault for the pin on Hughes at 1:12. Again, exactly what it should have been.

Post match the beatdown stays on as the announcers talk about the lights flickering, though they don’t seem to be changing that much. The big guys are left laying.

Salina de la Renta plays coy about LA Park cashing in his title shot.

Earlier today, Contra attacked the Lucha Bros and Fenix took a fireball to the face.

Video on the Von Erichs, who are still coming.

Fenix has been tended to and lost a lot of skin from the fireball.

Video on Contra attacking Tom Lawlor.

Lawlor says he doesn’t get shaken by anything and people should be worried about how to get the title off of him. It doesn’t matter if you’re a bag of bones, guys from an 80s video game or an avalanche from German because he’s ready.

Fury Road Control Center, now with the Contra logo popping up without being acknowledged.

We look back at Teddy Hart winning the Middleweight Title and holding the belt for several months since. Jimmy Havoc is coming for the title because he’s willing to do anything to hurt his opponents.

Mance Warner goes to the pay window, which has three floors: jobbers at the bottom, midcarders in the middle and old Mancer right at the top with the main eventers. That’s what he does every time and gets paid to do it. That southern voice is easy to like and this was short and to the point, with Mance mentioning being from the south, drinking light beer and poking eyes. What more do you need to know about him in about forty seconds?

Promociones Dorado vs. Chris Pagan/Troy Hollywood

It’s Low Ki and Ricky Martinez for Dorado here, though Low Ki doesn’t seem happy with Salina. Dorado jumps them before the belly with Pagan being knocked silly on the apron. A hard clothesline drops Hollywood and it’s a top rope double stomp to the back to give Low Ki the pin at 1:10. The night of squashes continue.

Post match here’s Contra and the fans are VERY interested. Martinez and Salina bail though and Low Ki gets beaten down, including a great looking pop up Samoan drop. That’s how you book something interesting: build up two people (including destroying a team each tonight) and then put them against each other because it’s hard to imagine either of them losing to the other. Then sell tickets.

The Hart Foundation give Pillman tips for facing Hammerstone next week with the big suggestion being to tire him out. Pillman knows Hammerstone is big and strong but his dad told him about the size of the fight in the (yellow) dog. This win is for his family. Not a great promo from Pillman, though the story is there.

We look at what happened to Contra tonight.

Low Ki is still in the ring.

Backstage interviewer Kasey Lennox is distraught over what Contra has done all night.

We recap tonight’s Contra stuff (second time in three minutes) and the hint that Park could cash in his World Title match tonight.

MLW World Title: Robert Dreissker vs. Tom Lawlor

Lawlor is defending and Dreissker is called Avalanche. They’ve done well with making Lawlor feel like a big deal and so much of that is he’s rarely in action. Make that a special occasion. Lawlor strikes away to start and gets knocked into the corner with no effort. Some kicks to the leg work a lot better for the champ and now the strikes to the chest have some more success.

Avalanche gets knocked down so Lawlor can kick at the chest and hit a running seated clothesline for two. A hard kick sends Lawlor outside and Avalanche crushes him with a splash against the post. Back in and Dreissker hits the required big splash for two, followed by a big shoulder to send Lawlor flying. There’s a hard whip into the corner and Lawlor is in even more trouble.

More strikes give Lawlor a breather but Dreissker gives him a northern lights suplex to cut the champ off again. Lawlor manages a release German suplex though and the comeback is on. Forearms in the corner take Dreissker down but he’s right back with another running splash. The Vader Bomb misses though and a hard knee to the face drops Dreissker. The rear naked choke retains the title at 7:52.

Rating: C+. This wasn’t a masterpiece or anything but it had a fine enough story and that’s all you can really expect. Dreissker doesn’t have a resume around here and there’s no issue between the two of them aside from Dreissker wanting the title. They did what they could with what they had and it came out well enough.

Post match here’s Contra again and the beatdown is on. Fatu hits the moonsault and they drape the Contra flag over him, with Lawlor still trying to grab the title for a nice touch.

We cut to the back where Salina de la Renta tells LA Park to cash in now but Sami Callihan and Mance Warner jump him to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. This might be the best show they’ve done yet as it felt like big stuff was happening here. I wanted to see more of what they were going for and Contra looked like monsters all over again. Throw in the World Title match and building up to next week’s live special and I’m not sure what more you could ask for. They probably could have cut one or two of the recaps and done another promo or something, but this was a very good show and on another level than most of what they do.

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 #56
Date: May 4, 2019
Location: Melrose Ballroom, New York City, New York
Commentators: Jim Cornette, Rich Bocchini

It’s the Salina de la Renta show as she is the executive producer tonight, which basically means guest GM. Thankfully we don’t usually have bosses around here so it’s actually a new idea and Salina is one of the best performers around. It’s also a night for her boys to get some revenge and some grudge matches have already been signed. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a shot of Salina, ala the days of Eric Bischoff running Raw.

A shirtless Low Ki warms up in front of Salina as she is on the phone, talking to someone about expanding their operation. She doesn’t care that he’s worried about facing Daga tonight.

Opening video, featuring a lot of shots of Salina and her cronies. Things are looking up.

Salina is at the commentary booth, where Rich has to read off her introduction. Cornette looks like he wants to stab her and Salina makes a woman on top joke.

We’re ready for the first match but Sami Callihan has commandeered a cameraman and uses a knife to break into the building. More on this later.

Low Ki vs. Daga

They slug it out on the ramp to start with Daga taking him inside for the right hands on the mat and in the corner. A hurricanrana sends Ki outside and of course that means the suicide dive. Some right hands knock Ki around ringside and a dropkick to the back of the head gets two inside.

Ki drops him face first onto the top turnbuckle though and a power drive elbow gives Ki two of his own. We hit the reverse chinlock and then the forward version, followed by the trio of the submissions with an abdominal stretch. That’s broken up and they slug it out until Daga hits a running clothesline for his own two.

The banged up Daga goes up top but misses a top rope double stomp, allowing Low Ki to go up top. A superplex attempt goes badly as Daga gets caught in the Tree of Woe but the top rope double stomp is broken up by a pull of the trunks to send Low Ki crashing down. Back up and Daga tries a butterfly suplex but gets reversed into a northern lights suplex. A pair of feet on the ropes is enough to pin Daga at 10:39.

Rating: C+. Daga has taken some time to grow on me but this was a solid enough match with Low Ki getting the logical win. Ki hasn’t done much since losing the World Title but this was a loose end that needed to be tied up before he could move on to something else. Granted the ending could leave the door open for a rematch down the line as well. Not bad here.

Salina unveils the brackets for the Openweight National Title tournament:

Gringo Loco

Alexander Hammerstone

Brian Pillman Jr.

Rich Swann

Pillman vs. Hammerstone could be a good final, but with an hour a week, three singles titles and a tag title is rather excessive.

We look back at LA Park winning Battle Riot II.

Tom Lawlor doesn’t care where Avalanche comes from because he’ll fight anyone. His delivery is getting better and that was by far his biggest flaw. We also get a quick training montage as he grapples with Ariel Dominguez. This took less than a minute total and got the champ on the show. That’s rather well done.

Callihan has gotten inside and beats up Ricky Martinez, stealing his phone in the process.

Hijo de LA Park vs. Gringo Loco

They fight over a wristlock to start and it’s a wristdrag from Hijo into a standoff. Gringo flips out of a hurricanrana and they both flip forward into a second standoff. A missed charge sends Gringo to the floor, setting up a slingshot hurricanrana. The suicide dive rocks Gringo, cutting off the commentary’s discussion about Salina’s dress. Back in and Park’s super Spanish Fly is countered into a super Samoan driver for two and Salina….looks exactly the same as she does most of the time.

A Code Red (which Cornette has to describe because he doesn’t know the name) gets two as Rich tries to figure out how Cornette doesn’t know who Kenny Powers is. Park goes up again but gets reversed into a super Falcon Arrow for an awesome looking crash. That’s only good for two and they’ve lost me on the rest of the match. Gringo’s piledriver is countered into a kneeling belly to back piledriver for the pin at 5:56.

Rating: C-. So Gringo is in the title tournament and loses here? This tournament is getting messier every day. They completely lost me when the great Falcon Arrow didn’t finish Park, who popped up for the finish just a few seconds later. Sometimes you need to go with what’s handed to you and they didn’t do that here.

Contra is ready for Barrington Hughes.

We recap Callihan’s actions tonight. All two of them.

Sami looks through the phone and finds Salina’s number. Salina is furious at Ricky for not answering but gets so mad that she speaks Spanish when she knows it’s Sami. He tells her to callate and shut up (that’s some overkill) while promising surprises tonight.

Next week: Barrington Hughes vs. Jacob Fatu and the tournament begins.

LA Park vs. Pentagon Jr.

Park jumps him on the ramp for the second use of that same opening in three matches. They fight on the floor with Park posting him to knock Pentagon silly. The steps to the head make it even worse as it’s all Park so far. With Pentagon rocked pretty badly, they head inside for the first time with the opening bell probably making the ringing in Pentagon’s head even worse.

Park ties the strands of the mask to the ropes for a few open shots and it’s time to slowly walk around. Some belt shots to the back and chest keep Pentagon in trouble as Cornette tries to figure out which supernatural creature best describes Salina. Pentagon finally fights back with right hands as the announcers argue over how much Park weighs. A Park distraction lets Salina go after Pentagon’s mask so he kisses her back, much to her annoyance. An armdrag sends Park outside for a running flip dive against the barricade.

Back in and the Sling Blade gives Pentagon two but Park is right back with a release German suplex for two. Park seemed to bang up his knee though so Pentagon kicks him in said knee and hits the Backstabber out of the corner. A running knee gives Park two more but it’s clear that he can barely move. The low superkick puts Park down again but he’s right back up with a suplex into the corner. Park is fine enough for a heck of a suicide dive and a top rope spinwheel kick (it’s good enough for the Special move in No Mercy and it’s good enough here). The spear finishes Pentagon at 10:19.

Rating: D+. There were some spots in here that worked but this was another instance of Park walking around the ring while the other guy did all the work until the last two minutes or so. Park isn’t exactly the most thrilling guy in the world to watch and that was the case here, as I still have an issue believing that he can beat someone of Pentagon’s caliber this close to clean.

Post match Salina complains about New York and how bad it smells (WHY IS THAT THE HOW NEW INSULT IN WRESTLING???). They have a big gift from their sponsors though and….it’s Mance Warner to brawl with Park. So what in the world was the point of all the Sami stuff???

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #54
Date: April 20, 2019
Location: Melrose Ballroom, New York City, New York
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, Jim Cornette

You can see some stories coming into focus at the moment and that makes for some interesting stories. Tonight’s main event is Mance Warner vs. Sami Callihan, which should be a good way to go. Well maybe not good but at least a fun brawl. The problem is the main events are getting more and more brawl based and that can only last for so long. Let’s get to it.

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

Air Wolf/Rey Horus vs. Lucha Bros

Pentagon swears at Wolf in Spanish and we’re ready to go, allowing Cornette to rant about how much he can’t stand traveling in New York. Fenix and Wolf trade arm holds on the mat until a springboard armdrag sends Fenix outside. Pentagon superkicks Wolf down but Horus grabs an armdrag on Pentagon to take over again. Wolf and Horus’ dives are blocked by stereo kicks to the face and the fight heads outside with Fenix chopping Horus against the barricade.

Some more keep Wolf in trouble and Pentagon even takes the glove off to make it even better. The Bros unload with the superkicks, including a double shot to a kneeling Wolf. The flipping wheelbarrow splash gets two on Horus so it’s back to the chops between Wolf and Horus. A quick springboard Downward Spiral takes Fenix down so Pentagon comes back in for another superkick.

The Pentagon Driver gets two with Horus making the save this time around. Horus dives into a kick to the ribs but is fine enough to grab a Spanish Fly for two more. Not to be outdone, Fenix hits the spinning kick to the head, setting up the Black Fire Driver for another near fall. The Bros have had it though and it’s a double superkick into the spike Fear Factor for the pin at 7:43.

Rating: C+. Oh like this was going to be anything other than good. The Bros are one of it not the best tag team in the world today and they make anyone with them look that much better. Air Wolf has gotten so much better since his debut and while he’s still not great, he’s turned into someone who can have a good match against anyone. Having it be against the Lucha Bros just made it really easy.

Video on Contra vs. Tom Lawlor.

Salina de la Renta won’t say when LA Park will cash in his title shot because it doesn’t make sense to say when they’ll go for the title. She calls Sami Callihan a warthog so here’s Sami to break up the press conference.

Ace Romero vs. Josef Samael

The fight starts on the ramp with Samael already bailing. A chop has no effect on the huge Romero but kicking the ropes as he gets inside certainly does. Some crossface shots keep Romero in trouble but he drops backwards onto Samael for the breather. Romero goes up top and gets slammed down, with the crash knocking the referee off his feet. To go really old school, Samael loads up the boot and kicks Romero in the face for the pin at 3:13.

Rating: D. Romero is a monster but Samael shouldn’t have been selling that much in one of his first matches. The team is an awesome group but Samael isn’t the most thrilling guy in the world. Believe it or not he’s a former NWA World Champion, which thankfully hasn’t been mentioned yet. You can figure out why it’s a good idea on your own.

Post match the beatdown is on until Barrington Hughes comes in and gets beaten down as well.

Lawlor says if Contra wants to be famous, come after the champ. He’ll face any combination of them face to face, man to boys. It’s time to remind people how filthy he can be, and he has friends coming.

We look at LA Park winning Battle Riot II.

We look back at Sami going after Salina earlier tonight.

Ricky Martinez comes up to Sami and the fight is on in the stairwell.

We look back at the Hart Foundation stealing the Dynasty’s car.

We see the Harts inside the car, with smoking and cats doing various cat things. They imply that something is in the glove compartment and also suggest that MJF did various, uh, favors, to get into the Dynasty. Hart: “With those tight pants of his.”

Gringo Loco vs. Puma King

How many times can we see this match? Loco dives over him to start, setting up an anklescissors for no effect. Cornette goes into his regular explanation of why luchadors roll around so much as they flip to a standoff. Puma won’t shake hands, instead going with a spinebuster and low superkick. The top rope hurricanrana sends Loco to the floor for the springboard dive.

Back in and King hits what looked to be a low blow but Loco is fine enough for a springboard cutter for two of his own. King hits a heck of a pop up powerbomb and goes up top, only to get caught in a super Spanish Fly for two more. Puma grabs a superplex and rolls into a second but the third is blocked. The top rope hurricanrana is countered into a tiger bomb to give Loco the pin at 6:53.

Rating: C-. The match was fine but it feels like we’ve seen this one a few times now. The point of this show is to mix the styles up but having the two people who wrestle a similar style doesn’t work over and over. It was entertaining, but I rolled my eyes when I saw who was going to be involved.

Salina has a proposition for Mance Warner if he’ll take care of Sami for her. Warner turns the hat around but his granddaddy Mad Dog taught him what happens if you lay down with women like him. He’ll pass on those fleas. Salina: “Well….uh….your genitalia has fleas!”

The Dynasty drinks Red Bull with MJF saying they’re not firing on all cylinders. The losses have been flukes and they want to take the Hart Foundation down. We get a group cheer, but Hammerstone doesn’t seem convinced.

Sami Callihan vs. Mance Warner

After Cornette gets in a shouting match with Callihan, the brawl is on in a hurry. They fight to the floor with Sami choking against the barricade but the first eye poke gets Mance out of trouble. Beer can shots to the head keep Sami down but he finds a chair and drives it into Warner’s throat. A suplex on the floor (after several block attempts) just wakes Warner up so Sami gives him another one onto an open chair.

As tends to be the case in every MLW main event, countouts and DQ’s aren’t a thing as Mance sends Sami to his knees off a chop. They head inside with a chair being thrown in and the bell rings….which seems to be a mistake. Mance uses the distraction to chair Sami in the back as the announcers get in an argument about Sami being a guest on Cornette’s podcast. Sami gets creative by tying Mance up with his own suspenders and wrapping a chair around his neck. Warner is back up with a Bionic elbow but the drop toehold sends the chair into the throat again.

That doesn’t seem to do too much damage as Mance sits him in the corner and hits a headbutt. Sami is right back with a Tombstone through the open chair….for two. If that’s not going to be the finish, don’t do the spot. A table (with only one leg) is brought in and set up in the corner with Sami spearing him through it for one. Back up and Sami spits in his face so it’s a lariat into the knee to the face for two more. Mance loads up something in the corner but Ricky Martinez and Hijo de LA Park run in to jump him for the DQ at 10:05. Yes a DQ after all that.

Rating: C. The near falls were ridiculous here but the problem is that it was another brawl in the main event. That has been the case way too many times lately and it’s getting really repetitive. Warner not losing is a help, but he needs to get a pin in one of these matches at some point.

Post match Sami makes the save and it’s a handshake between Callihan and Warner. They keep brawling with Part and Martinez to end the show.

Overall Rating: C-. I liked most of the show but it’s starting to feel repetitive around here. It seems that almost every show is nearly the same and a lot of the feuds are going longer than they should. It’s still an entertaining show and doesn’t feel long at all, but they need something fresh in here to keep things going.

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