Fusion #112
Date: December 2, 2020
Location: Gilt Nightclub, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Jared Saint. Laurent, Rich Bocchini

The Opera Cup continues this week with another first round match. Other than that we are going to be seeing more from Contra, whose reign of terror continues over the whole show. I’m not sure what that is going to mean but it could be interesting see where they are heading from here. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with Low Ki and Davey Boy Smith Jr. talking about their rematch from last year’s Opera Cup when Smith escaped with a win.

Opening sequence.

Contra hacks the feed to start and says that they are preparing for their next strike while everyone in American is eating their chemistry infused poultry. We are introduced to Mads Krugger, the masked man who took out Hammerstone two weeks ago. He is the poison that has been injected into MLW and carnage will follow.

Opera Cup First Round: ACH vs. Laredo Kid

Kid’s AAA Cruiserweight Title isn’t on the line. They trade arm control to start until Kid grabs a rollup for two. The quick headlock is broken up and it’s another standoff. Kid shoulders him down and a missile dropkick puts ACH on the floor. That means the big dive to take ACH down again because that’s what a good luchador is going to do.

ACH sends him outside for a change though and it’s a kick from the apron to drop Kid again. There’s a snap suplex on the floor and a backbreaker gives ACH two back inside. A tilt-a-whirl backbreaker gets the same and ACH dropkicks him out to the floor. Kid is back in with a neck snap and Three Amigos get two on ACH for a change.

There’s a Michinoku Driver into back to back moonsaults to give Kid two more but ACH is right back with a sunset bomb out of the corner for the same. Kid crotches him on top though and it’s a springboard cutter for the next near fall. ACH is back up to crotch him on top though and the brainbuster finishes Kid at 14:10.

Rating: B-. This was all about having two people go out there and do their flips and dives and cool looking moves for a long time and that’s exactly what they did. I’ve lost a lot of interest in ACH since his crazed tirades against WWE, but at the same time he can do some rather impressive stuff in the ring. Kid is the same, and they had a very entertaining match here.

Post match ACH says he’s the new game and wants his next opponent.

We look at Tom Lawlor advancing to the semifinals last week.

Lawlor says Team Filthy is coming for the Tag Team Titles with Kevin Coo coming next week.

The Von Erichs are still in Hawaii and are going crazy about Contra. Ross thinks he might have clawed a shark to death.

We look at Davey Boy Smith winning the Opera Cup last year.

Salina de la Renta is in Mexico because she has business getting rid of Konnan. She sings in Spanish and it seems to be a threat.

Another clip from Smith vs. Ki.

Mads Krugger vs. Ariel Dominguez

Krugger is wearing exactly the same gear (down to the colors) that Braun Strowman wore in the Wyatt Family. The much smaller Dominguez gets thrown around the ring with ease to start before diving into a one armed chokebreaker. A half nelson facebuster (think a Glam Slam but with a half nelson instead of a double chickenwing) to finish Dominguez at 1:47.

Post match Contra’s Death Squad comes out to put Dominguez in a body bag.

We look at the end of Smith winning the Opera Cup. It wasn’t that memorable of a match.

We look at Richard Holliday arguing with Gino Medina last week.

Holliday dedicates his first round win to Alex Hammerstone and…..yeah let’s dedicate the second round match to him as well.

Next week: Contra vs. the Von Erichs for the Tag Team Titles.

Opera Cup First Round: Low Ki vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr.

Low Ki has Masahiro Chono inspired gear and it’s a feeling out process to start. Smith powers him onto the apron so Ki is right back to take it to the mat. That’s reversed into a headlock on the mat as commentary recaps the history between Low Ki and Dan Lambert and company. The headlock is switched into an armbar but Ki gets to his feet and strikes away. A dragon screw legwhip takes the knee out and Smith seems to be hurt. That works for Ki, who stomps away on the knee, only to get snap suplexed back down.

Ki gets in some elbows to the head in the corner until Smith dumps him outside in a heap. A suplex brings Ki back in for two more and it’s back to Ki’s arm. Smith takes him down by the arm and it’s a seated armbar to keep Ki in trouble. Ki manages to get in a quick victory roll for two so Smith hits a German suplex. The armbar goes on again but Ki escapes another German suplex attempt and hits the double stomp.

A springboard kick to the head connects and it’s something like a Black Widow to send Smith bailing to the rope. Ki dropkicks him into the corner but Smith catches Ki on top. The superplex is broken up but Ki charges into a powerslam. The running powerslam is countered into a dragon sleeper in the ropes. That’s broken up as well, so Ki goes with a victory roll for the pin at 20:13.

Rating: B. This was a heck of a match with both guys doing their thing really well. Smith is a unique mixture of power and submissions while Ki is the striking and submissions. It was a great back and forth match with the two of them looking awesome. Word on the street is that this is it for Smith in MLW, so at least he went out with a good one.

Here are the updated brackets:

ACH

Tom Lawlor

Low Ki

Richard Holliday

Low Ki says his opponents have options: pinfall, submission, go to sleep. It’s all the same to him.

Overall Rating: B+. Now that was a good use of an hour with a pair of awesome matches and the new Contra monster looking awesome. I had a great time with this show and it’s the kind of thing I was hoping for with the whole relaunch. Very good show and hopefully we get more like this going forward.

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 #105
Date: April 11, 2020
Location: Auditorio de Tijuana, Tijuana, Mexico
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, AJ Kirsch

It’s time to head back to Mexico for the Super Series with AAA. The company taped an event in Tijuana consisting of nine matches and for the moment, that’s all they have in the can. That should get them three to four weeks and after that, Fusion could go away for a good while. I’m not sure what that is going to mean but we have a few weeks to get there. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a look at Mexico and how important wrestling is around here. In other words, this is a big deal because they’re working with AAA this time around.

Opening sequence.

We have an opening ceremony, with what I assume is the Mexican National Anthem. It’s certainly coming off as important so well done.

We run down the card.

Mance Warner is proud of getting rid of MJF and now he wants the rest of the Dynasty gone. Apparently the rest of the team went to something called a donkey show and that’s not cool. Savio Vega is ready for the street fight tonight. Mance: “Ole Mancer doesn’t know what Savio said in the middle but it sounds good!”

Mortiz/Pagano vs. Savio Vega/Mance Warner

Street fight and Alexander Hammerstone is on commentary. For some reasons they have to tag to start so it’s Savio and Pagano to get things going. They stare each other down until Savio slaps him in the face and hammers away. Savio knocks Mance off the apron by mistake so Mance throws some blind punches over the barricade. Pagano gets sent outside as well and the fight really gets going with everyone brawling on the floor.

Mance pelts a chair at Mortiz’s head and it’s time for the slow motion brawling that you knew was coming. Some chair shots have Mortiz down as Hammerstone wants to know about Vega’s history of tetanus shots. Mortiz is left on the floor as the other three get inside, meaning it’s time for skewers to Pagano’s head (Hammerstone: “THAT’S NOT HOW YOU DO IT SAVIO!”).

Mortiz gets back up so Savio and Mance go outside, meaning it’s a big flip dive from Pagano, who still has some skewers in his head. Mortiz hits his own dive to send everyone through a board against the barricade for the big knockdown. Back in and Pagano puts the chair in the corner but Warner takes it out and throws the thing at Pagano’s head for two more. Warner and Mortiz trade chair shots to the head (with Mance at least putting an arm up) as the hood of a car is thrown in.

Savio powerbombs Mortiz onto the hood and strikes it out with Pagano. Warner is back up to break a chair over Pagano’s head but Ortiz hits Warner in the head with something made of metal. With that out of the way, it’s time to light a table on fire but Warner chokeslams Mortiz through it instead. Hammerstone has to leave to go get his order from the pharmacy as Pagano throws in some doors. A spear puts Warner through one of the doors in the corner for two so Warner sends him through the other one.

That’s only good for two as this just keeps going. Mance hits a running knee to the head and let’s bring in a table for fun. Before that can be used though, here’s Hammerstone to kick Warner in the face, allowing Mortiz to splash Warner through the table. Savio tries to bring in a chair but opts to punch Pagano down instead, only to dive into a crotching on the chair. Pagano hits a running Blockbuster to pin Vega at 16:00.

Rating: D+. It was entertaining at times but the problem is this going WAY too long. There were long parts that could have been cut out with the same match taking place and that’s not a good sign. Hammerstone costing Warner the win keeps them going but sweet goodness this took a lot longer than it should have.

AAA – 1

MLW – 0

King Mo has been suspended for a month and fined $10,000 for attacking Killer Kross.

Tom Lawlor isn’t happy with Mo being suspended because everyone is against Team Filthy. That’s why he and Dominic Garrini are entering the tag team division to take the Tag Team Titles from those cowards the Von Erichs.

Alexander Hammerstone and Richard Holliday wake up very hungover in the wrong hotel room. Gino Medina is nowhere to be seen because he’s gone off with some girls. And yes, they did go to a donkey show. Hammerstone: “After this, only two, three more donkey shows at the most.” They’re not sure if they can wrestle tonight.

Here’s the Top Ten.

10. Dominic Garrini

9. Low Ki

8. Richard Holliday

7. Mance Warner

6. King Mo

5. Tom Lawlor

4. Brian Pillman Jr.

3. Myron Reed

2. Davey Boy Smith Jr.

1. Alexander Hammerstone

We look back at Injustice attacking Brian Pillman Jr., earning themselves a month’s suspension. Must be going around at the moment.

Injustice isn’t paying any fine and they have no remorse over what they did. They would do it two more times. See, they know where you are but you don’t know where they are. Why does no one ever think of asking the cameraman?

Davey Boy Smith Jr. says Brian Pillman Jr. is injured and eating through a straw but he’ll be back. As for a rumored World Title fight, he’s talking business with the boss.

Contra Unit is preparing for the upcoming war. The infiltration of the infidels is underway.

Konnan is excited about the Laredo Kid vs. Hammerstone match but here’s Injustice (so much for hiding) to interrupt. They want the AAA Six Man Tag Team Titles but Konnan isn’t impressed. The title match is on, because Konnan can reverse MLW suspensions.

Psycho Clown accepts LA Park’s challenge and is on the hunt.

Here’s who else is involved in the Super Series.

Hammerstone doesn’t want to hear about the Dynasty’s losing streak because all he does is win.

National Openweight Title: Alexander Hammerstone vs. Laredo Kid

The Kid is challenging and gets shoved down by some raw power to start. It works so well for Kid that he tries it again but some strikes work a bit better. A headscissors puts Hammerstone on the floor and that means a big dive. Back in and Hammerstone is fine enough for a gorilla press into a swinging Side Effect. A delayed butterfly suplex (the Spinal Countdown for a clever name) gives Hammerstone two and it’s time to head outside.

That means a hard whip over the barricade to send Kid flying but he’s right back in with a missile dropkick. Hammerstone is knocked to the floor this time and there’s a suicide dive to rock him again. Back in and a pair of moonsaults gives Kid two but Hammerstone grabs a reverse AA for his own near fall.

A clothesline turns Kid inside and Hammerstone sits him on top. Kid knocks him right back down and hits an excellent looking 450 for his own two. Hammerstone, with his chin busted, hits a bicycle kick but clotheslines the referee by mistake. Therefore, Kid’s super Spanish Fly gets no count so he has to throw the referee back in. That lets Hammerstone hit a German suplex into a powerbomb into the Nightmare Pendulum to retain at 10:41.

Rating: B-. I got into the power vs. speed match here with Kid trying as hard as he could but coming up short. Hammerstone continues to be a monster and as soon as his deal with MLW is up, he’ll be the subject of quite the bidding war. That being said, what was the point of the hangover deal earlier? It was never mentioned once here and Hammerstone was his usual self.

AAA – 1

MLW – 1

We hear about Mance Warner freaking out in the back to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. This show was much better about making the show feel like it was in the regular continuity instead of taking a big side trip into Mexico where nothing matters. The Super Series is a simple concept but it’s enough to keep the show moving and give them something to do. The opener running sixteen minutes didn’t help things, but overall, it was a good enough night and I liked what I saw so well done.

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: Impact Wrestling

Impact Wrestling
Date: June 28, 2019
Location: Melrose Ballroom, New York City, New York
Commentators: Josh Matthews, Don Callis

It’s the next to last show before Slammiversary and that means things are getting interesting around here. They’ve done a rather nice job of making Rich Swann look like a star and hopefully that continues this week. At the same time they have to build up Sami Callihan vs. Tessa Blanchard some more, which could be anywhere from a train wreck to a big success. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

The North vs. Deaners

Well it’s better than the Desi Hit Squad….I think. Alexander and Jake start things off with Alexander’s headlocks and shoulders not working well. Jake’s works a bit better and it’s off to Cody, who gets two off Jake’s clothesline. Everything breaks down for a bit and Page gets knocked into a gutbuster for two. Jake comes back in and gets stomped down in the North corner for all of a few seconds before it’s back to Cody. A full nelson backbreaker gets two on Cody and Page stops to yell at a fan.

Alexander’s suplex keeps Cody in trouble and Page grabs a chinlock. Cody fights up and neckbreakers his way to freedom so Jake can come back in and clean house. A splash in the corner brings Cody back in rather soon but what looked to be a Magic Killer is broken up. Jake and Alexander slug it out with Jake no selling a German suplex. Some double teaming puts Jake on the floor and it’s Cody getting thrown off the top. The double Neuralizer gives Page the pin at 10:02.

Rating: D+. I’m still not getting the appeal of either of these teams and neither of them are helping the shows for the most part. The North are the better options and thankfully they haven’t been focusing on being from Canada for the most part. The Deaners….my goodness how long did they put into this idea? Maybe eighteen seconds?

Taya Valkyrie and Rosemary have a meeting in the back about the Monster’s Ball but Rosemary would rather talk about her upcoming title shot. They have a tag match tonight but Taya is worried about their outfits not matching. Rosemary says it’ll be fine. Rosemary: “Trust us.” Taya: “Us?”

Brian Cage is not cleared to compete.

We look at Moose attacking Tommy Dreamer at a House of Hardcore event. Forgive me for not feeling the emotional impact of Tommy Dreamer getting beaten up.

Slammiversary/the rest of the night rundown.

Su Yung/Havok vs. Rosemary/Taya Valkyrie

Taya and Rosemary argue over who is going to start until Havok takes Taya into the corner for some choking. Havok switches it up a bit with choking in another corner before handing it off to Yung. Since Yung is kind of all over the place, her best offense is to let Havok kick Taya in the head. The bloody glove comes out but it’s already back to Havok, who Taya climbs over and makes the tag off to Rosemary. A quickly broken Last Chancery causes everything to break down and it’s Havok vs. Rosemary on the floor. Rosemary kicks a chair into Havok’s face and it’s a double countout at 5:02.

Rating: D+. At least the characters are more interesting here. I’m also glad they didn’t have a pin for a change as you want to keep everyone strong heading into Monster’s Ball. I don’t know why that’s so complicated as countouts and disqualifications can be your friend in a situation like this. A little short, but at least the ending was right.

Post match the brawl continues with Rosemary busting out the tacks. Havok saves Su from going into them but Su hits Havok by mistake. James Mitchell has to come in and keep the peace.

Ace Austin isn’t happy with losing to TJP last week but it wasn’t fair because he didn’t know TJP worked here. TJP comes in, makes fun of his time in WWE, and a rematch is set for next week.

The Deaners drink the loss away when the Desi Hit Squad comes in to mock them. More beer is consumed.

Slammiversary rundown.

Flashback Moment Of The Week: X-Division Title ladder match at Slammiversary 2014.

Eddie Edwards goes to church to confess about his love of violence. The priest turns into Killer Kross, who talks about Eddie trying to find himself. Eddie will wait for Slammiversary while Kross stays and threatens the priest.

John E. Bravo talks to the other referees and says Johnny Bravo completes him. Rich Swann comes in to go after Bravo but Impact and Willie Mack come in. A tag match is made for later.

Sami Callihan vs. Fallah Bahh

Madman Fulton and Scarlett Bordeaux are the seconds here. Bahh glares Sami down for daring to chop him but a Fulton distraction works a bit better. That’s good for an ejection so we’re down to one on two. Sami gets in a clothesline and grabs a chinlock, which works so well that they do it again. Bahh gets back up and hits a running splash, followed by the running hip attack. It’s too early for the Banzai drop so Sami bites the arm. A few kicks to the face set up a hanging Cactus Special for the pin on Bahh at 6:43.

Rating: D. This was back to the old style for Bahh and that isn’t the best thing in the world. He’s not the most interesting guy in the world at his best and this was worse than the previous few times he’s been out there. I’m not sure how bad it’s going to be with Scarlett gone, but it’s not like she did anything here.

Post match Sami says that’s how you get over as only a man can do. Sami wants to say something to Tessa but wants to do it to her face so get out here. Tessa comes out and jumps over the ropes, despite Sami holding the ropes open for her. Sami says Tessa wants to be treated as an equal so he bicycle kicks her. She pops back up and hammers away until the Crists run out, allowing Sami to get in a baseball bat shot to the ribs. Tessa spits in his face so it’s a Cactus Special to leave her laying.

Rascalz vs. Laredo Kid/LAX

Konnan is out with LAX/Kid. It’s a staredown to start but Kid springboard dives onto the Rascalz and we start fast. The ring is cleared out until it’s Kid springboard crossbodying Miguel and then moonsaulting off the top onto everyone else. Back from a break with Miguel getting caught in a reverse powerbomb for a series of splashes for two. Miguel flips out of a belly to back suplex from Santana and makes the tag to Wentz for a breather.

Everything breaks down and Santana sends Miguel into Xavier for a spear. A Batista Bomb plants Wentz so Xavier grabs a running Spanish Fly. Miguel’s enziguri to Kid gives us the big knockdown for a much needed breather. Everyone gets up for the big slugout with the Rascalz getting punched down and stacked up. Kid’s 450 onto all three gets two but the Rascalz are back up to send Kid outside. Santana follows him out and it’s a series of kicks to take Ortiz down. The top rope Meteora gives Miguel the pin at 10:15.

Rating: B. This was pure action from start to finish and that’s all you could ask for out of such a match. The Rascalz have been rolling as of late and Laredo Kid has been a great surprise whenever he shows up. Rascalz vs. LAX is likely going to steal the show at Slammiversary, but then someone is bound to steal LAX because they’re too good to keep around.

Madison Rayne thinks Jordynne Grace deserves a rematch but Kiera Hogan comes in to say this isn’t a sisterhood. She’s a selfish b**** just like all of them, but Kiera is the only one to admit it. Rayne isn’t going to let her bring the ugliness out of the locker room so they’ll fight at some point.

The Rascalz argue over which of the three of them will fight at Slammiversary. They’ll figure it out in a Rascals Extravaganza next week.

Slammiversary card. Again.

Brian Cage arrives and comes in even though he isn’t cleared.

Here’s Cage in the ring for a chat. Cage calls out Michael Elgin, who sent him to the hospital and put him on the shelf. Now Cage is back though and he’s ready for Slammiversary. Cue the doctor, who gets beaten up before he can say anything. Elgin comes in and hits a buckle bomb, followed by an Elgin Bomb.

Elgin holds up the title as Cage pulls himself up, only to get Elgin Bombed right back down. It’s table time and Elgin powerbombs him through it again, which is enough to draw Callis up from commentary. He yells at Elgin and gets dropped, setting up a teased Elgin Bomb but cage is back up. The brawl is on to finish the show. Good segment, though attacking Callis might not have the impact that they were hoping for.

Overall Rating: C-. The main event was the best thing about the show but it wasn’t quite enough to save the whole thing. What worked well here was the direction towards Slammiversary as you can see the build on every match. That’s a good sign as a lot of cards these days barely get any build beyond the bare minimum. It’s well done here though and while the weekly wrestling is up and down, the build has been solid and that’s the more important thing.

Results

The North b. Deaners – Double Neutralizer to Cody

Rosemary/Taya Valkyrie vs. Havok/Su Yung went to a double countout

Sami Callihan b. Fallah Bahh – Hanging Cactus Special

Rascalz b. LAX/Laredo Kid – Top rope Meteora to Ortiz

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: AEW

Fyter Fest
Date: June 29, 2019
Location: Ocean Center, Daytona Beach, Florida
Commentators: Excalibur, Alex Marvez

We’re back for round two and things are already being shaken up a bit. This isn’t going to be anything like Double Or Nothing as this is taking place at a gaming festival. That’s going to mean a change in the way the audience reacts but at the moment, getting AEW wrestlers in the ring and in front of people is what matters most. Let’s get to it.

Pre-Show: Best Friends vs. So Cal Uncensored vs. Private Party

The winners get into a match for a bye in the Tag Team Title tournament and it’s Kazarian/Sky for SCU. Trent shoulders Isaiah down to start and Chuck does the same. It’s off to Sky vs. Quen with the former hitting a rather spinning backbreaker. Trent comes in again and gets double teamed by SCU but Quen springboards in with a crossbody to Trent and Sky. That means some house cleaning and dancing, followed by a heck of a tornado DDT onto Chuck.

A big flip dive has the ring cleared as Private Party gets quite the showcase moment. SCU pulls Isaiah to the floor to take over and it’s the Best Friends taking over, including the hug (with the fans going nuts again). Trent’s northern lights suplex gets two on Cassidy and Chuck adds Soul Food. A spinning kick to the face drops Trent but since Quen is down, Cassidy has to dive over and bring in Kazarian instead.

Everything breaks down and Trent gets run over, setting up a gorgeous shooting star press to give Quen two. Chuck is back up with the short piledriver to Quen, setting up Trent’s sliding knee for two more. Quen gets put on top for a belly to back superplex but manages to land on his feet, setting up a super hurricanrana to send Trent into a cutter from Cassidy. Quen hits a big dive over the top onto Sky, leaving Trent to hit a knee to Cassidy’s face. Strong Zero gives the Friends the pin at 15:57.

Rating: B-. The sloppiness was high with this one but that has to be expected in a match built around spot after spot. They needed to trim things down a little bit here and the winners get a chance to get a bye in a tournament? Isn’t that overthinking things a bit? Finally, still no explanation on who these people are, who I’m supposed to cheer for or anything about them really. I know who they are, but what about the people trying this out for the first time? This shouldn’t be this hard. The action was very entertaining, but slow down and get some of the details right first.

Post match the Dark Order (the former Super Smash Bros) appear on screen to say the Best Friends will be their first. A snap of their fingers makes the lights go out. Back up and the minions are around three sides of the ring. Excalibur: “They are completely surrounded!” After establishing that we are apparently in a sitcom, the lights go out again and the minions disappear.

Leva Bates vs. Allie

Bates (formerly known as Blue Pants) is one of the Librarians and gets into a long shush-off with Peter Avalon (the other Librarian). She also rips on the fans for not reading enough but the fans shout that they can’t read. Is there some joke here from the webseries that is sailing over my head here?

Allie takes over to start and knocks Leva outside but Avalon trips Allie up. Back in and a fisherman’s buster gives Bates two, followed by a northern lights one for the same. The fans actually start a HOOKED ON PHONICS chant as Bates grabs the Rings of Saturn, complete with a shush as Allie is in trouble. That’s broken up but Allie gets dropkicked into the corner, setting up some slingshot knees to the chest.

Now it’s a READING RAINBOW chant as Allie makes her comeback with a neckbreaker and a sliding forearm in the corner. Bates gets in a Backstabber out of the corner and a Pedigree (with the camera missing the impact) gets two. Avalon tries to throw Bates a book but Allie intercepts it and hits the BSE for the pin at 8:50.

Rating: D+. This was every indy match you could imagine and the librarian deal got annoying in a hurry. Maybe I just don’t get the joke but it isn’t funny and I need a little better reason to boo someone because they don’t read. It was just a match and not exactly a great way to showcase the women’s division.

Alex Jebailey vs. Michael Nakazawa

Jebailey is the CEO of the gaming convention and not a wrestler. Therefore, this is a hardcore match. Before we get going, Nakazawa talks about an unspecified issue the two of them had last year and tricks Jebailey into telling him about a previous leg injury. Jebailey manages a hiptoss and grabs a waistlock so Nakazawa busts out the baby oil to escape. That makes Jebailey and the referee slip before they head outside, with Jebailey whipping Nakazawa into the barricade.

Back in and a gaming console to the back gives Jebailey two and it’s time to go up to the set. Nakazawa gets choked in a kiddie pool (part of the jokes about Fyre Fest and the “luxurious” accommodations being bad) but comes back with a pool float to the head. They go back to ringside where Nakazawa chokes with a GameCube controller and spears him off the apron through a table. Nakazawa lets him up at two and pulls out a thong, but Jebailey ties his arm into it.

Jebailey comes back with a SCARY German suplex that drops Nakazawa on top of his head. And now, a bag of…..some kind of button toys that I’m not familiar with is poured out on the mat. Nakazawa’s powerbomb is countered into a backdrop onto them but Nakazawa shoves the thong into the referee’s face. There’s no count for Jebailey’s Majistral cradle so it’s another thong shot to the face to give Nakazawa the rollup pin at 8:50.

Rating: F. Look back at what happened here, pick two things, and count those as the reasons for the rating.

Jon Moxley tells us to stay tuned because he’s going to show us who he is.

The opening video looks at how Double or Nothing started an empire and tonight it’s time to raise the game. Tonight it’s time to show us why AEW is here to stay.

The announcers run down part of the card.

Christopher Daniels vs. Cima

The announcers give us a bio on Daniels, because of all the people on this show, they think Daniels needs an explanation. Feeling out process to start until Daniels is sent outside for a baseball slide. Back in and a reverse Rings of Saturn has Daniels in trouble until a foot reaches the rope (with JR explaining why that is a break). A tilt-a-whirl backbreaker is broken up and Cima is sent outside with his back going into the barricade.

Back in and a running STO gets two and the Arabian moonsault sets up a Crossface. Daniels gets driven into the corner though and Cima hits a rolling palm strike. The Iconoclasm gets two but Daniels is right back with a Blue Thunder Bomb for two. Angel’s Wings gets two but Cima kicks him in the head. A Liger Bomb sets up something like a fisherman’s driver for two more and Cima can’t believe the kickout. White Noise sets up a top rope Meteora to finish Daniels at 9:43.

Rating: C+. This was the highest quality match on the show so far and that isn’t surprising whatsoever. You had two veterans who know what they’re doing and were able to have a solid match with a story included. Cima winning makes sense as we heard about his upcoming match against Kenny Omega, making this a perfectly fine opener.

Yuka Sakazaki vs. Riho vs. Nyla Rose

Rose offers to shake hands to start but then jumps both of them, turning it into a handicap match early on. A double cover is escaped by a double bridge but Rose slams them both to set up a double camel clutch. That’s broken up and Sakazaki knocks them to the floor for a big dive (nearly losing her balance on the way up).

Back in and Sakazaki and Riho strike it out with Riho getting the better of things. Rose is back up so Riho knocks her into the ropes for a 619. Riho’s top rope double stomp keeps Rose down and a jumping version has Sakazaki down. Rose breaks up the cover and chokeslams Sakazaki for two. A suplex sends Sakazaki to the floor and Riho gets draped over the top.

Rose jumps to the top for a jumping knee to the head but misses a Swanton. Back up and Rose catches Riho’s high crossbody….and then catches Sakazaki at the same time for a VERY cool visual. Riho tries a top rope splash but hits knees, allowing Rose to fold her up with a German suplex. With Sakazaki down, Rose hits a Death Valley Driver for a delayed two on Riho. Rose loads up a powerbomb but gets rolled up to give Riho the surprise pin at 13:05.

Rating: B. They do realize that they have a pretty unique monster in Rose right? The match was a good bit better than I was expecting and once they got into their rhythm, it was a good showcase for all three. That’s a good thing too because they still did very little to tell us about the women or who they were. I get that they’re talented, but a few details wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs. Jungle Boy vs. Adam Page vs. Jimmy Havoc

Kip Sabian is on commentary and gets the winner of this, presumably at Fight For The Fallen. Before the match, Friedman grabs the mic to make fun of the crowd for being nerds who got shoved into lockers a lot. Friedman: “That mother of yours, whose basement you live in? She swallows.” Friedman used to love video games….and then he lost his virginity. Jungle Boy is carried to the ring on Luchasaurus’ shoulders, with the announcers dubbing them A Boy and His Dinosaur and the Jurassic Friends. Friedman and Page feel like they’re on a different planet here and that’s both a good and bad sign.

Havoc and Friedman head outside, leaving Page to kick Jungle Boy in the face. Jungle Boy snaps off a running hurricanrana but gets caught in Havoc’s Michinoku Driver. Friedman comes in to steal a rollup two but bails when Page is back up. A slingshot dive takes Friedman down, followed by Havoc’s running flip dive from the apron. Friedman teases a dive of his own but stops to make a rather rude gesture to the fans.

With everyone on the floor, Jungle Boy hits a very quick moonsault to take all three out. Back in and Jungle Boy powerbombs Friedman for two as everyone gets in again. The Tower of Doom sends Jungle Boy flying into Friedman Havoc’s Acid Rainmaker is broken up so Page hits a pop up powerbomb on Jungle Boy. Friedman and Page slug it out with Friedman taking out Page’s bad knee. A Sharpshooter (with a Bret Hart pose) is broken up and Page puts on his own version.

That’s broken up as well and Friedman hits a hanging piledriver for two. Jungle Boy makes the save but Havoc throws him onto Luchasaurus. Another hanging piledriver is broken up and Havoc gets two off a double stomp. The Acid Rainmaker is blocked with a poke to the eye and Page adds the Buckshot lariat to drop Havoc. Deadeye finishes Havoc at 9:52.

Rating: C. Page feels like the chosen one and while I’d bet on Jericho winning the title at All Out, they have something special with him going forward. Friedman’s promo before the match made him feel like the guy you want to see get destroyed and that’s a very valuable name to have. Jungle Boy and Havoc feel like pure gimmicks and while that’s not terrible, they don’t feel anywhere near as important.

We look at Cody vs. Dustin Rhodes from Double Or Nothing and the great post match promo that set up their tag match against the Young Bucks. Darby Allin respects Cody but promises to give him his first loss.

Cody vs. Darby Allin

Allin is a tortured soul who lost faith in humanity after his uncle was killed in a car wreck when he was five with Allin in the car. He even brings in a body bag with Cody 1-1 painted on it. Allin works on a hammerlock to start and backflips up off the escape. Cody grabs a headlock so Allin walks the ropes for a high angle armdrag to send Cody outside. Back in and Cody sends Allin hard into the corner for a nasty crash to the floor, leaving Cody to do the slow motion pushups.

Back in and Cody starts stomping away before sending Allin outside again. Allin grabs the arm to send it into the post but Cody is right back in control as Allin comes in again. Cody goes with a double underhook to keep Allin down before a release suplex drops Allin again. Another suplex is loaded up but Allin grabs the bad arm as he’s upside down for the escape.

A Fujiwara armbar stays on Cody’s arm so Cody gets outside, meaning it’s a fast suicide dive from Allin. Cody slams him onto the steps and adds his own suicide dive for good measure. Back in and Allin gets two off a Code Red before heading up, only to get pulled down with a reverse superplex. They head to the apron with Allin biting the hand to take Cody down.

Allin heads up top and tries the Coffin Drop (jumping straight backwards), landing square on the apron as Cody moves away. Back in and Cody puts him in the body bag and hits the Disaster Kick for two. The bag comes off and we have a minute left. Cody whips him with the weightlifting belt but Cross Rhodes is broken up. The second attempt connects for two but time runs out at 20:00.

Rating: B. I’m not sure on having Allin survive that long as taking a close loss here wouldn’t have hurt him, but this was the breakout performance that they were shooting for. Allin looked smart and completely capable of holding his own against a top name like Cody. Cut out the body bag part and this is even better. Well done match with the arm playing a major role for a good story. I’m impressed.

Post match Cody and Brandi want five more minutes but here’s Shawn Spears with a gruesome, no hands chair shot to Cody, who is busted open badly. Wrestlers, including Friedman, come out to chase Spears off. Cody very slowly walks to the back with some help. It’s a good moment, but I do not want to ever see a chair shot like that again. Period.

Lucha Bros/Laredo Kid vs. Young Bucks/Kenny Omega

The Bucks are in Street Fighter (I think?) gear and Omega lays out a man who runs up onto the stage for their entrance. I’m not a fighting game guy so I’m missing this one. Ring announcer Justin Roberts gets in a ROUND ONE FIGHT and it’s Nick working on a wristlock to Kid to start. The flips begin and both miss dropkicks to give us a standoff. Kid hits a springboard high crossbody for no cover as Nick gets up and spits in his face.

All six get in for a big standoff and it’s a trio of superkicks to send Kenny and the Bucks to the floor. An Asai moonsault and stereo running flip dives take them out again and the non-luchadors are in trouble. Back in and stereo superkicks to Nick set up a reverse hurricanrana from Kid. We settle down to Matt rolling northern lights suplexes on all three of them, including both Pentagon and Fenix at the same time.

Omega comes in to a big reaction and hits a backbreaker on Kid. The Terminator dive is loaded up but Pentagon cuts it off with CERO MIEDO. They slug it out with Omega hitting (or coming close to it) a sliding dropkick into the leg, followed by the running Fameasser. Matt comes back in for a German suplex on Kid and the series of top rope dives crush him for two. A spear accidentally hits Nick though and it’s off to Pentagon to pick up the pace.

That means a Backstabber to Omega to send him outside, followed by a running hurricanrana. Another spear allows the tag to Omega and it’s the snapdragon on Pentagon. Matt gets sent outside so Pentagon backdrops Fenix over the top and onto him for a huge crash. A super Spanish Fly plants Omega but Nick makes the save, only to take a running Canadian Destroyer from Pentagon. The Superkick Party is on but the luchadors hit superkicks of their own.

Not to be outdone, Omega and the Bucks hit Hadoukens, followed by a triple Liger Bomb for two each. The Bucks start their usual series but Pentagon hits a Sling Blade to take Nick down on the floor. Omega nails Kid with the V Trigger but Fenix cuts him off with a cutter. Matt gives Fenix a cutter of his own and that means a Meltzer Driver on the floor. Since that would kill him though, Fenix dives in to make a save, leaving Omega to hit the Tiger Driver 98 for two on Kid. Another running knee sets up the One Winged Angel to finish Kid at 20:30.

Rating: B. Yeah it was good and athletic, albeit with most of the usual issues from the Bucks and Omega (though only two V Triggers, which is acceptable for once). You knew the Bucks weren’t going to lose because they almost never do, though at least the match was rather entertaining.

Jon Moxley vs. Joey Janela

Anything goes and unsanctioned. They’re on the floor in a hurry and brawl into the crowd for a bit. Back to ringside and Janela posts him before going for the first table. Moxley comes back and grabs a chair, with Janela being slammed onto it. Since long term selling isn’t going to be a thing in this match, Janela is right back up and puts Moxley (with a bloody eyebrow) in the chair for a high crossbody. Moxley gets sent outside and finds a chair wrapped in barbed wire.

The chair is driven into Janela’s chest so the fans dub Moxley “YOU SICK F***!” Moxley takes a bow, which takes a little too long as Janela hurricanranas him onto the barbed wire. A chair shot to the back gets two on Moxley and another table is brought in. Janela doesn’t like that one though so it’s a Russian legsweep off the apron through the table at ringside. Back in and Moxley drives him through a table in the corner for no cover. Instead he loads up two more tables on the floor but Janela flips him off.

Moxley beats him up some more and it’s time for a barbed wire board. Janela is back with a running AA through the barbed wire though the table and let’s get a ladder. With Moxley on the table on the floor, Janela climbs the ladder in the ring and drops the big elbow. And now, it’s another barbed wire board (Goldenboy: “He’s got one too?”), with this one being bridged between the ring and the barricade.

That takes too long though and Moxley grabs a DDT, followed by an AA through the barbed wire board. It’s time for the thumbtacks but Moxley takes off Janela’s boots and socks. Janela saves himself so Moxley hits a release suplex onto the tacks instead. That’s not enough though and Moxley sends him feet first into the tacks to draw some screaming. Janela flips him off again so Moxley pulls out more tacks for the Paradigm Shift (Dirty Deeds) onto said tacks for the pin at 20:00.

Rating: D. Your individual tastes may vary but I’ve never been a fan of this kind of match. It’s violence for the sake of violence and that isn’t the most entertaining thing in the world. Moxley is capable of having a good match without this stuff but I guess he needed to prove something or other. It’s nowhere near as bad as some of the nonsense death match garbage, but it’s still nothing I needed to see.

Post match Omega runs out with a V Trigger to Moxley, who is laid on the pieces of table. A springboard double stomp crushes Moxley and Omega takes him up to the set. Omega uses some of the equipment for the band that never showed up, including a guitar shot to the back. Moxley isn’t going to be helped out so Omega runs back out with a trashcan to take Moxley out again. A Paradigm Shift to the trashcan leaves Moxley laying, but he smiles at Omega to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. There are a few factors here (the kind of show and the price among others) but this was another heck of a show. The action was good up and down the card and they were in and out in less than three hours. I could have gone without the chair shot to Cody (which is just dumb, dangerous and unnecessary) and some more character stuff early on, but I had a good time with this and never got bored. It’s a smart move to not have every event be the big time show as this won’t have near the expectations, making it feel that much better. Very good followup, if you ignore the awful preshow.

Results

Cima b. Christopher Daniels – Top rope Meteora

Riho b. Yuka Sakazaki and Nyla Rose – Rollup to Rose

Adam Page b. Jungle Boy, Jimmy Havoc and Maxwell Jacob Friedman – Deadeye to Havoc

Cody vs. Darby Allin went to a time limit draw

Kenny Omega/Young Bucks b. Laredo Kid/Lucha Bros – One Winged Angel to Laredo Kid

Jon Moxley b. Joey Janela – Paradigm Shift

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

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

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

Opening sequence.

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

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

Laredo Kid/Taurus vs. Lucha Bros

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

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

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

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

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

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

Video on Jimmy Havoc, who is back soon.

The Hart Foundation invokes the Freebird Rule in regards to…well the only thing that the Freebird Rule applies to.

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

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

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

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

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

MLW World Title: Tom Lawlor vs. Low Ki

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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