IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #77
Date: September 28, 2019
Location: Nytex Sports Center, North Richland Hills, Texas
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, Tony Schiavone

The Dallas stretch continues with the fallout from last week’s pretty good show. We are in need of a new #1 contender to the World Title and with SuperFight on the horizon, they might need to pick up the pace a little bit. If nothing else we have something here between Teddy Hart and Austin Aries over the Middleweight Title. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Aries attacking Hart last week and knocking him cold with a brainbuster onto the apron.

Opening sequence.

Injustice says they need to look out for themselves because no one else will.

Injustice vs. Gringo Loco/Air Wolf

Myron Reed/Kotto Brazil for Injustice. Reed still has his chest protector and the referee finds a chain on Brazil during the weapons check. With that out of the way, Jordan Oliver slips Reed some brass knuckles. Hang on though as the referee finds the knuckles and gets rid of them before we get started. Brazil sunset flips Loco to start and gets stomped in the back for his efforts. Loco drops a standing moonsault for two and then sends him flying into the corner off an overhead belly to belly suplex. Wolf comes in and chops Reed in the chest protector for a bit of an “are you kidding me” look.

The rapid fire changes continue with Brazil sweeping Loco’s legs so Reed can drop a leg and take over. Brazil gets whipped into the corner for an uppercut to Loco and a dropkick gets two. The pace picks up a bit with Wolf getting in a kick to the head from the apron, allowing Loco to hit a belly to back faceplant. Wolf gets knocked off the apron so Loco electric chairs both of them at once (with Kotto on Reed’s shoulders as Reed is on Loco’s shoulders for a crazy visual). Since Brazil is dead, Wolf comes in (with a crowd shot that sees Brazil go from one side of the ring to the other) and gets the easy pin at 7:44.

Rating: D+. Oh yeah they had to edit something out of the ending because the ending came out of nowhere after a legitimate scary landing. That could have gone FAR worse and that’s a scary thought given how bad it looked in the first place. It wasn’t a good match in the first place as Injustice can only do so much in the ring, though Loco is an awesome performer with some great charisma.

Post match Injustice beats up the referee to blow off some steam.

Mance Warner’s uncle is here to watch the main event. Blood is promised, though Mance tells his uncle (named Moon Man) to no drink too much because they’re going out after the show.

Dominic Garrini is still coming.

During the break, Injustice attacked more referees.

Brian Pillman Jr. isn’t happy with Austin Aries injuring Teddy Hart. He’ll do something about it next week.

Salina de la Renta doesn’t want to talk strategy for the Bunkhouse Brawl.

The SuperFight Control Center tells us nothing new.

The Von Erichs are at a children’s hospital visiting the sick kids. The Dynasty shows up to say they should buy the place and turn it into a casino. MJF: “OH SNAP IT’S THE VON ERICHS! And you’ve got shoes on!” Their plans don’t sit well with the Von Erichs, so Holliday talks about trying to make the economy boom. His coffee is slapped out of is hands. MJF: “This isn’t the 1980s!”

Timothy Thatcher vs. Douglas James

James is a martial artist, though he’s rather small. They go with the grappling to start with the bigger Thatcher getting the better of it until we hit an early standoff. Neither can get very far with a grab of the leg so it’s a quick slugout with James taking him down by the leg this time around.

Back up and James scores with a clothesline to set up some kicks to the chest, only to have Thatcher pick the leg again. The chinlock doesn’t last long as James tries a cross armbreaker to no avail. Some gutwrench suplexes give Thatcher two but James is right back with a few superkicks for two. James tries a frog splash but hits knees, allowing Thatcher to grab a Fujiwara armbar for the tap at 9:01.

Rating: C+. I liked this one rather well as it showed a different style than most of what you get around here. That’s the kind of thing that can help keep things feeling fresh, which doesn’t happen enough at times. Thatcher is someone who looks good every time he’s out there and I could go with seeing him in a higher profile role.

Post match they exchange respect, with Thatcher offering to train with him. With that out of the way, Thatcher wants Tom Lawlor at SuperFight.

Jimmy Havoc promises to do bad things to Warner and licks a pitchfork.

Warner has the interviewer draw some items he’ll be using in the Bunkhouse Brawl. He isn’t happy with her artistic skills but the violence will tell the story.

Jimmy Havoc vs. Mance Warner

Bunkhouse Brawl, meaning anything goes. Havoc pulls out a shovel so Warner turns his back on him in a rather dumb move. The fight starts on the floor with Jimmy throwing a bail of rather abrasive hay at his head. Warner sends him head first into a whiskey barrel and it’s time to choke with a bull rope. Jimmy gets in a shovel shot to the head to take over, but because it’s a long match that’s only good for two back inside.

A rake across the head (with an actual rake) has Warner in trouble and allows the announcers to debate rake as a noun and verb. Warner gets in a poke to the eye and a rake to the face for two, meaning it’s time for a door. A pumpkin to the head misses as Warner throws it into the crowd by mistake, allowing Havoc to bust out the staple gun. With Warner down, it’s time for the second pumpkin….and Jimmy staples Mance’s tongue to said pumpkin. Rich: “WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT???”

Warner breaks it off and DDT’s Havoc onto the pumpkin, which gets stuck. The running knee to the pumpkin gets two as Tony is very confused. Some chairs are set up in the middle with a door laid on top of them, only to have Havoc Death Valley Drive him through another door in the corner. Now Warner’s tongue is stapled to the door over the tables. Havoc goes up but Warner rips the staple out and throws a pumpkin at him. A superplex through the table sets up the lariat to give Warner the pin at 11:39.

Rating: D+. I know I’m not the target audience for a match like this but I was in the same line of thinking of Tony here: at some point it gets ridiculous with stuff like stapling a tongue to a pumpkin. This just didn’t work very well as it was an entertaining enough brawl, but it came off as more silly than violent at times, which missed the point.

Post match Havoc pulls out some barbed wire to hit Warner in the head and draw some blood. The wire goes into Warner’s mouth with Havoc pulling back until referees break it up.

Overall Rating: C-. This was a good example of the hybrid idea behind the series but it was also an example of what happens when the matches just aren’t all that good. It wasn’t a terrible show by any means and they set up/advanced some stuff, but I wasn’t all that impressed throughout the show. SuperFight is starting to sound good though so they’re going in the right direction overall.

Results

Gringo Loco/Air Wolf b. Injustice – Electric chair to Brazil

Timothy Thatcher b. Douglas James – Fujiwara armbar

Mance Warner b. Jimmy Havoc – Lariat

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 #76
Date: September 21, 2019
Location: Nytex Sports Center, North Richland Hills, Texas
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, Tony Schiavone

It’s time for the fallout from last week’s War Chamber, meaning it’s time we get ready for the next World Title challenger. Since the champ’s team lost last week though, odds are we get to wait on that for a little bit. Instead tonight is about the Tag Team Titles, with the Dynasty defending against the Hart Foundation in 2/3 falls match. Let’s get to it.

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

After War Chamber, a bloody Josef Samael says this isn’t over with the Von Erichs. He’s coming for both the kids and David Von Erich himself. Hail Contra.

Opening sequence.

Jordan Oliver vs. Zenshi

The rest of Injustice is at ringside. Oliver flips out of a wristlock to start so Zenshi walks on his hands and armdrags him down instead. Back up and a springboard headscissors doesn’t work on Zenshi, who avoids a dropkick and hits a standing shooting star for two. An Injustice distraction lets Oliver grab a super anklescissors but Zenshi flips out of that too.

Kotto Brazil finally helps Oliver out with a trip so Oliver can chop away in the corner. That’s not slowing him down either as Zenshi comes right back with his own shots, including some to break out of a waistlock. Oliver finally gets in a belly to back for two and a dropkick to the back of the head makes it even worse. Zenshi gets sent to the apron but he’s fine enough to hit a shooting star off the apron to take Reed down.

A kick to the head into a corkscrew splash gives Zenshi two so it’s time for Brazil to yell at the referee. That means there’s no count off of Oliver’s backslide so Zenshi gets up and hits his running spinning cutter. That’s good for two as Reed pulls the referee out, allowing Oliver to hit a Stunner onto the apron. A springboard 450 from Reed, with his chest protector, finishes Zenshi at 7:10.

Rating: C-. Zenshi wasn’t interested in selling much here but it was a smart way to go with Injustice cheating all over the place for the win. It’s not like Oliver is all that interesting on his own so the trio is a better way to go. Not a very good match, but Zenshi can do some cool spots with that running cutter being a highlight.

Post match the beatdown is on until Gringo Loco makes the save with a chair.

Dominic Garrini is still coming.

Savio Vega has been cleared to return after being injured by Alexander Hammerstone. I’m sure four people are thrilled.

Mance Warner is out of jail thanks to his uncle and he’s looking for Jimmy Havoc. They’ll be having a Bunkhouse Brawl where anything goes in the building goes.

Video on the Hart Foundation vs. the Dynasty, which has been going on for a long time, meaning I’ve been tempted to write Hart Dynasty several times now.

Richard Holliday joins us from the gym at 6am….for a tan.

MLW is returning to Orlando.

We look back at War Chamber with the Von Erichs and Tom Lawlor defeating Contra.

The Von Erichs want the Tag Team Titles. Makes sense.

We look back at LA Parka and Salina de la Renta announcing their plans to challenge for the World Title at SuperFight.

Salina and Jimmy Havoc are ready to destroy Jacob Fatu and Mance Warner. By the end of tonight, Jimmy will be drinking Warner’s blood. Salina: “He’s my favorite.”

Tag Team Titles: Dynasty vs. Hart Foundation

Dynasty (Holliday/MJF with Aria Blake) is defending and this is 2/3 falls with Teddy Hart/Davey Boy Smith Jr. for the Harts. Thankfully we get some Big Match Intros, partially because the match deserves it and partially because they had half an hour and eating up some time is a good idea. Tony on seeing MJF on Rosie O’Donnell as a kid: “I never have advocated hitting children. You shouldn’t do it. But I wanted to smack that little son of a b**** in the mouth.”

The Dynasty does Rock Paper Scissors to determine who starts, ala the New Age Outlaws and the Outsiders. Teddy breaks it up and the bell rings so we hit the stall button as the champs walk around on the floor. Hart’s Arabian moonsault takes everyone down and it’s all Harts early. They keep fighting on the floor with Teddy sending MJF face first into the bell, with Tony saying the match just started and making fun of the referee. Pay attention chum. We settle down to Teddy kicking MJF out to the floor as Tony and Rich keep going about the bell not ringing before the fight.

Back in and Hart works on MJF’s arm, including the Rings of Saturn. Somehow MJF manages to shout at a fan while still screaming in pain because he’s that kind of a talent. With Hart in awe of MJF’s abilities, it’s Smith coming in to shove Holliday around. Smith wins a wrestle off and gets two off a headlock takeover. A keylock works a bit better, followed by a release German suplex to send Holliday flying.

That’s enough for the Dynasty to head to the back but they’re dragged back in rather quickly. Everyone gets back inside and an atomic drop has Holliday’s eyes bugging out. Hart gets two off a neckbreaker and a snap powerslam is good for the same. Holliday is back up with a spinning spinebuster for his own two and the champs start taking over. The Paisan elbow gets two and Blake goes to rake the eyes, only to have Teddy bite her fingers in a smart bit.

A reverse tornado DDT gets Hart out of trouble and it’s Smith coming back in to take over. We get what looked to be some miscommunication between Smith and Holliday but Davey hits a powerslam anyway. A top rope headbutt gets two on Holliday and a delayed piledriver is good for the same. Holliday jawbreaks his way to freedom from a sleeper and they collide for a knockdown. MJF shoves him onto Smith….for the first fall at 17:24. Tony: “I never would have believed that.”

We get a thirty second rest period and are told that Warner vs. Havoc is confirmed for next week. MJF hits Smith in the head and gets a rather scary glare, plus some hard rams into the buckle. Hart comes back in for the Canadian Destroyer, followed by Project Ciampa to Holliday. The super Canadian Destroyer sets up the moonsault elbow to tie it up at 20:11.

That lets us hear about Douglas James vs. Timothy Thatcher next week before we come back to Holliday breaking up Hart’s hammerlock DDT. Everything breaks down and Austin Aries comes out to hit Hart with a title belt, followed by a brainbuster onto the apron. Aries asks if he has Hart’s attention and drops the belt in the aisle as Hart is done on the floor. Hart can’t beat the count and the Dynasty retains at 23:46.

Rating: B. This got a ton of time, which is exactly what should be happening in a big match like this with a wrestling based gimmick. I like the ending as well as they set up a big showdown at SuperFight and the feud should be over, allowing the Dynasty to move on to the Von Erichs. It’s a good match and the time flew by, which is always a worry in a match this big and long.

Hart is out cold and has to be carried out to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This was all about the big main event and I liked what we got overall. The show was build around one match and that match more than delivered so it’s hart to argue against the whole thing. SuperFight is shaping up and that’s a good sign given how close that show actually is. I liked what we got here and with all of the big shows going on elsewhere, it’s nice to have a good, solid, hour long show for a change.

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

War Chamber
Date: September 14, 2019
Location: Nytex Sports Center, North Richland Hills, Texas
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, Tony Schiavone

It’s time for another big event here, though this one was not broadcast live. This time around it’s a big team gimmick match, which is really just a one ring WarGames. It’s Contra vs. Team Lawlor this time around, which should help set up the next challenger for Jacob Fatu’s World Title. Let’s get to it.

We open with a recap of Contra running roughshod over MLW, including taking the World Title from Tom Lawlor. Now it’s Low Ki/the Von Erichs/Lawlor vs. Contra in War Chamber, which is the most logical move you could have as the bigger feud of the Hart Foundation vs. the Dynasty isn’t a violent feud and wouldn’t fit.

Leo Brien vs. Blake Banks

Brien was one half of the Dirty Blondes, who I always liked. Now he seems to be a roughneck cowboy type and kicks Banks in the face to start. A toss by the ears makes it even worse and Brien finishes with an Oklahoma Stampede at 1:27. I approve.

Post match here are Salina de la Renta and LA Park to beat up both the referee and Banks so Salina can introduce Park. She gets straight to the point: Park is cashing in his Golden Ticket at Superfight in November.

We recap the Hart Foundation stealing Maxwell Jacob Friedman’s car and finding something in the glove compartment which got Teddy Hart a match with Friedman.

Hart is at a hockey rink in Calgary and talks about what he learned from the game. He played a lot of sports, including being a professional badminton player, but nothing gets him fired up like going to Dallas to beat up the Hart Foundation. When Alexander Hammerstone gets back from Japan, he’ll pay for his crimes against the Foundation.

Kevin Von Erich and his sons go to the sight of the former Sportatorium, with Kevin talking about the history and significance of the building. It was so hot there that he took his shoes off in the back and liked the feeling so much that he kept wrestling that way. They all take a pebble from the ground as Kevin talks about how amazing it is to have his sons follow in his footsteps. This was really cool and you can tell how much it means to Kevin.

War Chamber

Tom Lawlor, Low Ki, Ross Von Erich, Marshall Von Erich

Jacob Fatu, Josef Samael, Simon Gotch, Ikuro Kwon

It’s WarGames but with one cage and barbed wire over the top instead of a roof. The first two will start for five minutes before the team who won a coin toss earlier today gets a two on one advantage for two minutes. After those two minutes, the team that lost the coin toss evens things up for two minutes. You alternate until all eight are inside and then it’s first pin or submission to win. Kevin Von Erich is at ringside for a special bonus.

Simon Gotch and Marshall Von Erich start with Contra having won the coin toss earlier. Marshall knocks him into the corner to start and hits a Cannonball as the fans are rather behind the Von Erichs. A sliding lariat sets up a headlock takeover as David is coaching from ringside. There’s a suplex as they’re keeping it in first gear so far, as they should be doing. A front facelock has Gotch slowed even more but here’s Samael to make it 2-1.

That means Marshall gets taken to the mat but he manages to forearm his way to freedom without much effort. The beatdown is on again until Tom Lawlor is in to even things up (a bit before two minutes but close enough). It’s time to start whipping people into the cage as the clock speeds up again to bring in Jacob Fatu to make it 3-2. Tom and Marshall are waiting on him for the double teaming, earning themselves a Samoan drop and a swinging release Rock Bottom respectively.

There’s a handspring moonsault to Marshall for good measure and it’s complete destruction at Fatu’s hands alone. Samael bites Lawlor’s ear for a bonus until Low Ki ties it up again. House is cleaned as Marshall tries to hold Fatu back, leaving Low Ki to beat people up. Samael is busted bad as Fatu sends Lawlor into the corner to take him down again. With the ring getting full, here’s Kwon to make it even worse and complete Contra. Things go back and forth without much of note until Ross evens it up so that the match can “officially” start.

Ross cleans house with a hurricanrana to Gotch and a running boot in the corner to Fatu. That earns Ross a trip into the cage and Samael chokes Ross with some tape. Lawlor and Fatu slug it out in the corner as Contra starts taking over completely. Samael suplexes Ross for two but Ki is back up with elbows to Kwon’s head.

Due to reasons of insanity, Samael goes up top but gets stopped by the wire and comes back down. Lawlor and Fatu are the only ones left standing so Lawlor charges at him in the corner for a running shot to the face. The fans get behind the Von Erichs again and almost everyone is knocked down at the same time. Samael kicks Ross low but stops to yell at David, allowing Marshall to hit him from behind.

Lawlor has Gotch in a Muta Lock as Fatu hits a pop up Samoan drop on Ross. With everyone else down, Low Ki takes Samael up top so they can try to put each other in the barbed wire. Samael gets the worst of it but here’s a masked man to try and climb the cage. David Claws him down and the fans are VERY happy with that one.

Kwon saves Samael with the red mist to Lawlor and Fatu nails the double jump moonsault for two as Low Ki saves. The Von Erichs are both up though and it’s a Claw to Gotch, with a Doomsday Device to make it even worse. The Claw goes back on and you’re not getting out of that in Dallas as Gotch is pinned at 30:18.

Rating: B. It was long (very long) but it didn’t feel long and that’s a good sign. These guys beat the heck out of each other until the ending and it felt like the war that it was supposed to be. Gotch losing doesn’t mean a thing as Fatu is the member of the team who actually matters. I’m not sure who goes where from here as there isn’t much of a point in having this feud continue, so it’s time to do something new. Unfortunately that means LA Park, but you knew that was coming.

A lot of replays and celebrating end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. This was almost literally a one match show but that one match was quite good and the rest of the show was more than good enough. It would seem to be time to start the build towards Superfight now and that could be an interesting path for MLW, as they have a lot of ways to go, including a bunch of stuff that wasn’t covered here. Very good show, mainly because of that one single match. Now follow up on it.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #74
Date: September 7, 2019
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Rich Bocchini

We’re coming up on War Chamber and that could mean one of two things. We could be seeing a big preview of the upcoming special or we could be seeing a nothing, filler show that just kills off a week before we get to what matters. Or it could be a combination of both, which is likely going to be the case. Let’s get to it.

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

Konnan arrives and gets jumped by Promociones Dorado, with Salina de la Renta taking her phone back.

Apparently each match is going to be from a different location this week.

Jordan Oliver vs. Gringo Loco

From Chicago. Oliver says Loco acts like he can do whatever he wants, just like all the cops out here. While sounding like he’s about 10 years old, Oliver describes himself as young and dumb. Oliver jumps him before the bell and knocks Loco outside for a beating from Myron Reed. Back in and the stomping continues as we hear about Reed’s issues growing up. Loco dropkicks the leg out and hits a standing moonsault to the back. The handspring back elbow sends Oliver outside but he’s right back in for a big boot to the floor.

That means a suicide dive from Oliver and the chinlock goes on. Back up and Loco reverses a springboard hurricanrana into a sitout powerbomb and the fans wake up in a hurry. A split legged moonsault gives Loco two but it’s a thumb to the eye to slow Loco down. Oliver hits a pop up Stunner into a small package for two, only to have Loco enziguri him outside. The big flip dive drops Oliver and he claims a shoulder injury. The goldbricking is clear here but the distraction lets Reed hit Loco with a chair to give Oliver the pin at 7:43.

Rating: C. The flips were nice but this felt like it had two ending sequences and they should have wrapped it up after the Stunner. That’s part of the problem with matches like this: they just keep going for the sake of continuing, even when there isn’t a need to. It was a fine cruiserweight style match and Loco still gets a reaction so it’s hard to ask for much more.

War Chamber preview.

Low Ki says the question is whether his partners can trust him. The bigger question is if they can’t at this time. Their history is behind them and now he will go to war with them.

Richard Holliday vs. Brian Pillman Jr.

From New York. Before the match, Holliday calls it a conspiracy that the Hart Foundation really runs MLW. It’s no coincidence that Dynasty sounds so much like destiny, because they are the only true thing around here. Pillman chops away to start so Holliday does the same to keep us even early on. A dropkick (without full extension) and a dropkick put Holliday on the floor but he sweeps the leg to drop Pillman on the apron.

Back in and the heelish offense begins with a knee to the head getting two. Pillman misses an armdrag and gets kicked in the head as the announcers put over the idea that Pillman is making rookie mistakes. Holliday gets two off a swinging neckbreaker but misses a lariat, meaning the comeback is on. A victory roll and powerslam give Pillman two each but Holliday is right back with a Death Valley Driver for his own near fall.

With that not working, Holliday brings in a chair, which the referee grabs. The referee takes forever to get rid of the chair, allowing Pillman to throw his Rookie of the Year award to Holliday and drop to the mat (including holding his head for a bonus). That’s not enough for a DQ so Pillman kicks him low and grabs the straitjacket neckbreaker for the pin at 7:10.

Rating: D+. Not a great match but this feud has carried the promotion for a long time now. You can throw any combination of these two teams together and have a solid match so it’s not like this was a stretch. Pillman needs a lot more experience but he’s clearly very athletic and can do the basics more than well enough, meaning the match wasn’t terrible by any means. Not terrible, but there was a bit too much crammed in near the end.

Dominic Garrini is coming.

Buy our merch!

We recap last week’s World Title match with Contra costing Tom Lawlor his chance to get the title back. The big brawl was on after the match with Low Ki making the save to become the fourth member of Team Lawlor.

The Von Erichs don’t trust Low Ki but they’re willing to go to war with him. Contra’s reign of terror ends in Texas.

Mance Warner will deal with Salina de la Renta later because it’s all about Jimmy Havoc right now. He couldn’t drink while he was in the cell so he thought of ways to hurt Havoc. Warner has a blueprint of pain and he’s coming to f*** Jimmy up.

Show ads.

Lawlor is ready for War Chamber no matter how banged up he is. It is his destiny to make sure Contra doesn’t walk out on his own. He doesn’t know if Low Ki is trustworthy but he knows Low Ki is coming to cut off the snake’s head. After that, Lawlor is ready to take care of business.

N-1 Victory Tournament: Alexander Hammerstone vs. Go Shiozaki

From Nagoya, Japan in Pro Wrestling Noah and Hammerstone’s National Openweight Title isn’t on the line. They lock up to start as the arena is eerily silent (I get the culture aspect of it but it’s always jarring by comparison). Hammerstone takes him down by the leg but gets reversed into a headlock, which goes to a standoff. Shiozaki’s shoulder has no effect so Hammerstone tells him to do it again. A chop nearly has Hammerstone keeling over so he shoulders Go to the floor as we take a break.

Back with Shiozaki hitting a delayed suplex for two so Hammerstone kicks him in the face. A pair of German suplexes give Hammerstone two, only to have Shiozaki come back with a heck of a lariat. They forearm it out and then chop it out for a change of pace until Hammerstone hits the swinging sitout Rock Bottom (inaccurately called the Nightmare Pendulum) for two. Hammerstone can’t hit a Burning Hammer but can get a boot up in the corner. A powerbomb, with a VERY delayed count, gives Hammerstone two, followed by the Nightmare Pendulum (the real one) to finish Shiozaki at 12:44.

Rating: B-. This was the kind of match that Hammerstone needed. You can only get so much out of having him beat up smaller guys and Savio Vega so switching in someone as good as Shiozaki makes a lot of sense. I know Hammerstone isn’t going to win the tournament or anything like that but he got to showcase himself here, which makes both he and MLW look good.

Contra promises to win the War Chamber to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. I liked this show well enough as they had a nice mix of stuff. That being said, it wasn’t a show that you need to watch and you’re better off just taking the week off and getting ready for next week’s big showdown. They hyped up War Chamber rather well and the original stuff here was good enough. Nice show, but pretty skippable.

Results

Jordan Oliver b. Gringo Loco – Chair shot from Myron Reed

Brian Pillman Jr. b. Richard Holliday – Straitjacket neckbreaker

Alexander Hammerstone b. Go Shiozaki – Nightmare Pendulum

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 #71
Date: August 17, 2019
Location: Melrose Ballroom, New York City, New York
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, Tony Schiavone

Things are starting to get interesting again around here as we’re getting ready for the War Chamber in Dallas and then the big pay per view debut after that. What matters now is that Contra has its fourth member so Tom Lawlor and the Von Erichs need their own help. That could present some interesting options which is the right idea. Let’s get to it.

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

Mance Warner has a new way to deal with Salina de la Renta and has a chainsaw to cut down Ricky Martinez. There is no way this combination is going to end well.

Opening sequence.

Salina is in the ring to open things up. She wants to talk about Ricky Martinez so here he is in person, now billed as the greatest Cuban athlete of all time (a shot at Konnan).

Ricky Martinez vs. Mance Warner

Ricky crotches him on the ropes on the way in and scores with a springboard dropkick. Mance’s comeback is cut off by an RKO for two but Warner says bring it on. Some slaps to the face fire Mance up so Ricky is right back with a one knee Codebreaker for two. Martinez gets headbutted out of the air though and it’s kneepad up, kneepad down. The running knee sets up the lariat for the pin on Martinez at 2:17. Warner needed the win.

Post match Mance opens a beer but Salina spits in his face. Salina walks off so Mance throws the beer in Martinez’s face.

Richard Holliday is in his hotel room and brags about all the gold the Dynasty has. An unseen woman comes in and gets his attention.

We look at Savio Vega being injured by the Night Terror (yes Night Terror) Pendulum, which may be banned.

We look at Marshall Von Erich being blinded by Contra.

Marshall, wearing sunglasses, says he will be at War Chamber and he’s bringing Kevin Von Erich with him.

Salina doesn’t want to talk about Martinez when Konnan comes in to taunt her with the phone. He teases using her credit cards to order dinner and laughs off her threats of calling the cops, presumably due to what is on the phone. There has to be something illegal going on here.

Teddy Hart is smoking in a bathroom with his cats running around. Brian Pillman Jr. brings in Alexander Hammerstone’s jacket and relieves himself on it.

Austin Aries vs. Ace Austin

Tony realizes how annoying the name similarities are going to be, with Rich wanting to know WHO BOOKED THIS. Welcome to my life man. Aries goes for the arm to start but has to jump over Ace in the corner. A cartwheel sets up a clap around Ace’s ears as I try to not say Austin whatsoever. The middle rope elbow to Ace’s seated back gets one but Ace throws a card at him for a distraction. The boot choking begins in the corner and Ace slowly kicks him in the back.

Ace crotches him into the Tree of Woe and it’s time to choke at Aries, with Ace counting along with the referee. Aries gets in a jawbreaker and slugs away, followed by the fivearm to stun Ace. The suicide dive sends Ace into the barricade but he rolls away before the 450. A low blow sets up Ace’s rollup for two but Aries is right back with the brainbuster for the pin at 8:45.

Rating: C+. I like Ace a lot and Aries is still as consistent of a performer as you’ll find around here so the match was quite watchable. It’s pretty clear that Aries is coming for the Middleweight Title and a win at the pay per view wouldn’t shock me. It makes sense to give someone like him that kind of a rub as he brings prestige to the title, meaning it’s a bigger deal when someone beats him for the title. Good match here with Ace hanging in there with the established star.

Post match Aries says he’s coming for the Middleweight Title.

Hammerstone isn’t happy with the jacket situation. Aria Blake shows up with the jacket, which is now ruined.

Come to house shows!

A kickboxer has signed with MLW and will debut on September 7.

MLW is partnering with Mars Labs to enhance viewing experience.

War Chamber Control Center, which will include a celebration of Gary Hart.

LA Park vs. Jimmy Havoc

Loser Leaves MLW street fight. Park plays his chair so Jimmy plays his jacket, the former of which goes upside Jimmy’s back. Havoc comes back with some armdrags (Tony: “IN A STREET FIGHT!”) as Rich thinks Havoc could use some peanut butter sandwiches. The trashcan is brought in for a shot to La Park’s head….and let’s bring in the staple gun. Before we get there though, it’s some metal signs to the head, followed by a big, table sized piece of wood.

Havoc superkicks a chair into his face/chest as Salina is not looking happy at ringside. As Tony talks about wanting Salina to throw him in her pool (uh…..), Havoc and Park chop it out at ringside. Back in and Havoc hits a middle rope double stomp for two but Park is back with a shot to the face. A running knee to the head gives Park a delayed two and it’s Tree of Woe time.

The board is put in front of Havoc’s face for a running basement dropkick so the referee makes sure Havoc isn’t dead. That means another board, with Park bridging it over some chairs and laying Jimmy on top. There is no way this can end well and Park’s top rope double stomp goes through the table. Back in and Havoc chairs him on top, setting up a superplex for two.

The staple gun is used on Park’s head and then on the crotch, which the fans find rather sick. You don’t do that to a large skeleton man though and Park powerslams him onto four chairs for two (Rich on the kickout: “WHAT???”). Park goes up for a corkscrew moonsault (which is like a small car flying at you), followed by a spear through the chairs to get rid of Havoc at 12:42.

Rating: D+. This was a very good example of what is wrong with having Park as this mega star: there was no reason to believe that Havoc was winning, which would be the case whether or not this was a way to write him off for AEW. The match was your usual garbage brawl and Park’s offense was somewhat noteworthy given his size, but I’ve seen these people do something similar so many times now and it didn’t impress me again here.

Post match Salina tells them to shake hands and promises that Konnan and Warner aren’t taking her down. Neither will the World Champion (you knew they were going to deal with Contra eventually) but here’s Warner to interrupt. He comes through the crowd with the chainsaw and Promociones Dorado runs to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. This show did a good job with Mance Warner, who needed a chance to look stronger for a change. He wins occasionally but a lot of the time he comes off as more of a nuisance than a threat. That was different this week and that’s the best thing that could happen to him. Other than that the show just kind of came and went, but having a show that just holds the fort until we get to Dallas is an acceptable result.

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 #58
Date: May 18, 2019
Location: Melrose Ballroom, New York City, New York
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, Jim Cornette

We have to be coming up to the end of this taping cycle already. The big story tonight is the other semifinal match in the National Title tournament, which isn’t the most interesting thing in the world so far. The good thing though is that the shows have enough going on that it keeps things moving. Let’s get to it.

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

Bocchini gives us a quick rundown of tonight’s show.

Opening sequence.

Earlier this week, Sami Callihan was in a Bobcat because he wants to wreck things. Mance Warner came up and said he understood things and offered him half of a light beer. They get in the Bobcat and head to the liquor store.

Earlier today, Salina de la Renta didn’t want to talk about Low Ki’s contract status.

Promociones Dorado vs. Mance Warner/Sami Callihan

Hijo de LA Park/Ricky Martinez for Dorado here. It’s a brawl to start (well duh) with Cornette not being sure what to do here as he likes Warner but hates Callihan. They fight by the barricade with Callihan hitting a beer can to the head. A lot of spitting ensues and Park stomps on Callihan’s chest. The weapons are brought in to little avail and Sami starts whipping people. This includes a whip to Warner by request, because Warner is a little nuts. Sami and Warner’s spitting high five allows Dorado to hit double superkicks.

Mance gets double teamed inside until a low blow slows Park down. And yes, now it’s time for an actual match! Dorado crotches Mance against the post as we’re firmly in the “DQ’s don’t matter here” portion of the show. Park gets two off a slingshot splash and we hit the hip swiveling. Warner hits a headbutt and falls onto Park’s crotch in the old Sting spot. That’s enough for the hot tag off to Callihan so house can be cleaned. A very quick Cactus Special finishes Martinez at 8:08.

Rating: C-. Warner and Callihan had to get a win at some point after losing or going to a draw so many times. I know LA Park has to be protected at all costs but you have to rebuild some challengers for the sake of facing him later on. Callihan and Warner can do that, but it doesn’t work if they don’t have something like this every now and then.

Post match the brawl is still on with Callihan going for Park’s mask. That’s broken up and they fight to the floor and then into the back. LA Park comes in to help out and Dorado stands tall (in a very small hallway).

Austin Aries, with his Avengers style logo, is coming.

We look at Avalanche’s dominance in Battle Riot II.

Daga vs. Minoru Tanaka

Tanaka’s GHC Junior Heavyweight Title isn’t on the line. Feeling out process to start with Daga hitting a chop that seems to get Tanaka’s attention. Daga goes after the arm but Tanaka dropkicks him down and flips back to his feet. A cross armbreaker has Daga in trouble but he rolls out and gets most of a rear naked choke.

That’s broken up and Tanaka escapes a powerbomb attempt so Daga headscissors him to the floor. The required suicide dive hits Tanaka and a springboard corkscrew dive makes it worse. Back in and Tanaka rolls into a heel hook with some hard cranking until Daga makes the rope. Daga rolls outside and that means a middle rope moonsault from Tanaka.

They head in again with Daga’s knee being fine enough for a dropkick and low superkick for two, followed by an ankle lock. That’s broken up and Tanaka hits a hard kick to the chest to take over again. They forearm it out until Daga grabs a bridging German suplex for two more. Tanaka goes for the cross armbreaker again so Daga tries to roll out, which is reversed into a cradle to give Tanaka the pin at 10:19.

Rating: B-. This was a fun one with both guys working hard and showcasing themselves well. Tanaka is very smooth in the ring and Daga, while not someone I’ve liked in the past, has gotten a lot better in the last few months. Good match here and the kind of match that makes the Fusion concept make that much more sense.

The Von Erichs are coming.

MJF doesn’t want to hear about the Von Erich Dynasty because there is one dynasty in MLW and that is the Dynasty.

Fury Road Control Center, with announcements of Teddy Hart defending the Middleweight Title against Jimmy Havoc, Myron Reed vs. Gringo Loco and the National Title tournament final.

We look at Jacob Fatu beating Barrington Hughes last week.

Contra talks about their successes so far and promise more destruction.

Tom Lawlor isn’t worried about Contra because he’s ready to face everyone around the world. He’s ready for Avalanche next week.

We look back at Air Wolf defeating Fenix in a major upset. Air Wolf is up for a rematch but Fenix hasn’t said anything.

A fan poll says Davey Boy Smith would make a good challenger.

National Title Tournament Semifinals: Rich Swann vs. Brian Pillman Jr.

The winner gets Alexander Hammerstone for the title next week. Myron Reed is here with Swann while Pillman is here alone. Hang on though as we get a weapons check on Swann, who thinks the referee is biased against him. Swann finally agrees to get going so Pillman forearms away and grabs a powerslam for two with Reed pulling him off. A backdrop sends Swann into a 450 faceplant for another cover with Reed offering another distraction.

Swann finally gets in a superkick and a few forearms as things settle down. Pillman ducks a clothesline and dropkicks Reed through the ropes to take care of him, setting up a neck snap across the top rope. A high crossbody gives Pillman two and he hammers away in the corner until Reed trips him up. How this isn’t a DQ isn’t clear, as the “the bodies of the wrestlers blocked the referee’s view” explanation is quite the reach.

Swann throws him down by the head as we talk about the history of biased referees. A dragon sleeper doesn’t keep Pillman in trouble for very long so it’s a kick to the head into a DDT to give Swann two. Swann yells at the referee and gets shoved down for his efforts, allowing Pillman to roll Swann up for the fast counted pin at 6:44.

Rating: C-. This was almost all about the angle rather than the match and that’s not the worst thing in the world. Swann’s issues with the referee aren’t as important as the title and Pillman vs. the Dynasty so this was what mattered most. I’m sure Swann will be fine as his stuff is more than good enough while Pillman can move on to the title match next week.

Alex Hammerstone is cool with facing Pillman for the title because Pillman isn’t big. Pillman won’t be making his father proud at Fury Road.

Overall Rating: C. Fairly good show here though the very long taping cycle wrapping up couldn’t come sooner as still being in New York from Wrestlemania weekend makes the shows feel a little old. Hopefully the Fury Road special next week should be entertaining and a little pick up, though the shows are hardly terrible or even bad. I still don’t see the need for another title, but we’re way past the point of that being something that can be fixed in a hurry. Watchable enough show, but they still have a bit too much going on at once.

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

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #53
Date: April 13, 2019
Location: Melrose Ballroom, New York City, New York
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, Jim Cornette

We’re done with Battle Riot and that means it’s time to move forward to the next big show, which is probably taking place next month. LA Park is the new #1 contender but it could be a long time before he actually uses the title shot. World Champion Tom Lawlor also has to deal with Contra and that’s probably up first. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Battle Riot, including Teddy Hart taking a champagne bottle to the head, Tom Lawlor retaining the title and Battle Riot itself.

Opening sequence.

The announcers preview the show.

Brian Pillman Jr. vs. Maxwell Jacob Friedman

Richard Holliday and Alexander Hammerstone are here with Friedman but there’s no one with Pillman. Pillman goes with some shoulders blocks to start but gets tripped by Holliday, who gets ejected in a hurry. Hammerstone is gone as well, despite not getting caught doing anything. What a biased referee.

With Friedman left on his own, Pillman dropkicks him into the corner, setting up a heck of a slap. Friedman gets smart by going after Pillman’s injured shoulder, including a stomp onto the wrist. The arm gets wrapped around the rope as Friedman gets to show off his rather nasty limb wrenching skills. Friedman works on a top wristlock with Cornette in his element talking about the pressure and how much damage the hold is going.

A backsplash onto the arm gets two but Pillman finally comes back with a shot to the face in the corner. The high crossbody and a superkick have Friedman in trouble but the arm gives out on a whip attempt. Instead Pillman snaps off a powerslam for two, though the landing hurts the arm again. Friedman goes evil again by hiding behind the referee in the corner, allowing him to poke Pillman in the eye. A double stomp to the back gets two but Pillman grabs a small package for the pin at 11:55.

Rating: C. The more I see of Friedman, the more I like him. Not only can he cut a rather good, obnoxious promo but he knows how to work a body part like few others. For someone just twenty two years old, that’s some impressive talent. Speaking of a talented twenty two year old, Pillman seems to be getting it more and more every single time he’s in the ring and is miles ahead of where he was just a year ago.

Post match Friedman declares that a fluke.

We look back at Tom Lawlor’s press conference last week when he was jumped by Contra.

Earlier today, Salina de la Renta announced that she is going to be executive producing an episode of Fusion over Cinco de Mayo weekend. As for LA Park cashing in, stay tuned.

After yelling at a cameraman, Sami Callihan says he left for a bit so he could find himself again. Now that he’s figured that out, it’s time to figure out what he wants to do. When he was in the Battle Riot, Mance Warner got his attention because he’s crazy like Sami. Next week, they’ll fight because the world of MLW never sleeps and neither does he.

Holliday and Hammerstone yell about what happened but they have plans for tonight. Like parking in a handicap spot! They find the cameraman and violence seems imminent.

Jimmy Yuta/Lance Anoa’i vs. Rich Swann/Myron Reed

Swann and Reed get extra weapons checks as the bias continues. Yuta works on Reed’s arm to start and unloads in the corner with a series of stomps. Reed heads outside for a breather so it’s off to Swann vs. Lance, which doesn’t work well for Swann. An attempt at a running hurricanrana is countered with pure power.

A backdrop sends Swann into a 450 (cool) and Lance adds an elbow for two. The loud chops in the corner have Swann in more trouble but he’s fine enough to rake Yuta’s eyes. Reed comes back in for a forearm to the head and it’s Swann firing away his own chops. The stepover kick to the face sets up a slingshot legdrop from Reed into a running splash for two on Yuta. As usual though, the excessive double teaming is countered by a single armdrag and it’s back to Lance to clean house.

A Samoan drop/dropkick combination (yep) has the villains in trouble but Lance misses a 450. That lets Reed get his running start for the over the top cutter (still looks awesome) and a near fall on Lance. Swann kicks Yuta very low and it’s a Codebreaker into a splash on Lance’s back. A 450 into knees to the chest from Swann sets up a regular 450 from Reed for the pin at 8:42.

Rating: C. This felt longer than it was and that’s not often the best thing. Lance and Yuta weren’t the best team in the world, though Reed and Swann are a good enough heel combination. The match had good action but it was also a little messy, which made it something that was just kind of there. Not bad, but it needed some more polishing.

Mance Warner talks about poking an albino moose in the eye and getting in a fight in the back of a moving truck. Sami talks about thumbs up, thumbs down, but all he needs to worry about is kneepad up, kneepad down.

Tom Lawlor talks about all of the injuries he’s gone through over the years. You can break his insides but you won’t break his spirit, which Contra will learn the hard way.

LA Park vs. ???

Open challenge time as Jimmy Havoc is missing for some reason. As luck would have it, we have someone to answer.

LA Park vs. Sami Callihan

It was going to be him or Warner. Sami goes right at him and walks into a scoop powerslam. That’s what you get for trying to jump a skeleton man. They fight to the floor with Callihan hitting Park in the knee with an umbrella. That doesn’t have much of an effect as Park sends him into the barricade and grabs a metal post used to connect velvet ropes. Callihan takes the post away and hits Park in the ribs but again, there isn’t much of an effect.

A chair to the head sends Sami staggering in Salina’s direction so Park hits him again. They trade rams into the posts as Cornette tries to explain why there isn’t a DQ here. Callihan gets crotched against the post and a replica MLW World Title (Cornette: “IT’S A BELT!!!”) to the head makes it even worse. They head back inside after about four minutes on the floor and the ref gets bumped because….does it really matter?

Sami kicks the referee by mistake and avoids a charge to send Park shoulder first into the post. The baseball bat to the face connects but here are Ricky Martinez and Hijo de LA Park for the group beatdown. Warner runs in for the save but Low Ki comes in as well with Callihan not being able to do much good. Now it’s Daga running in to superkick everyone and hit the big running flip dive onto the pile. Callihan loads up his own dive but gets speared down to give Park the pin at 7:17.

Rating: C+. At this point, you just have to expect the No DQ matches with Park, mainly because I can’t imagine him trying to wrestle a regular match. Unfortunately you can’t imagine him losing either, which is understandable given his star power in Mexico, but it doesn’t help much with the drama. I’d be surprised if he loses his eventual cash in, though I’ll take building a heel up over a random win any day.

Post match the beatdown is on with Promociones Dorado standing tall.

Holiday and Hammerstone go to leave in Friedman’s car but the Hart Foundation steals it to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. The wrestling wasn’t all that great this time but they did a nice job with the storytelling. There are some big stories going on, though I’m not sure when those stories are actually going to end. It comes down to too much everyone fighting everyone at times, though there is still enough coherence to the whole thing to make it work well enough. Not a great show, but it certainly wasn’t boring.

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