IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

MLW Zero Hour
Date: January 11, 2018
Location: Gilt Nightclub, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, Tony Schiavone

We’re back to the early days of the promotion here as the one off shows continue. I’m not sure what to expect from this show as it has been a good while since the previous one, but they’re usually pretty good at getting us caught up in short order. Now hopefully the action can work as well. Let’s get to it.

We open with a video on the chaos of Jimmy Havoc, who brings suffering and death to everyone. Shane Strickland wants to come into Havoc’s world in a deathmatch. Jimmy thinks Shane is trapped with him but Jimmy is trapped with Swerve.

Opening sequence, complete with card rundown.

Commentary explains what we’ve got coming up.

Jeff Cobb and Matt Riddle arrive but Tom Lawlor and Seth Pettruzelli jump them and crush Cobb’s arm in the car door Barry Windham style.

Dirty Blondes vs. Jason Cade/Jimmy Yuta

The Blondes run a crisscross to warm up. There’s nothing significant there but I like the team so it’s nice to see them doing anything. Cade can’t do much with the bigger Leo Brien to start as Tony complains about Michael Patrick’s use of tobacco. A slap to the face annoys Brien and the running hurricanrana is blocked. The dropkick sends Brien over to Patrick, who gets enziguried by Yuta.

Another dropkick to the knee and a sliding version to the head give Yuta two as the tobacco rant continues. The high five double elbow gets another two but the power finally takes over with Patrick taking Cade into the corner so Brien can knee him in the back. A handspring knee to the face drops Brian so it’s Yuta coming in to clean house (even if it hadn’t had time to get very dirty).

The Bleach Job (double Alabama slam) gets two on Yuta with Cade making a save. Cade kicks Brien down but Patrick shoves him off the top, only to spit his tobacco juice into Brien’s face (bump up Tony’s foreshadowing by one). Cade’s frog splash into Yuta’s top rope elbow is good for the pin at 7:13. Yuta being stunned by the win is a great visual.

Rating: C. Completely watchable tag match here as power vs. speed is always something that is going to work. What matters here is getting the show off to a good start with the crowd having something to cheer about. It wasn’t a great match or anything but it served its purpose perfectly well.

Update on Cobb: there is no update.

Here’s Saieve Al Sabah for an unscheduled chat. He’s here to introduce us to himself as the divine leader (Tony: “Sounds like my preacher on Sunday.”) and asks for silence so he can educate us (Tony: “Yeah he definitely sounds like my preacher.”). He won’t talk until there is quiet but breaks his own rule to talk about a revolution. Cue Mike Parrow (who Al Sabah knocked out with brass knuckles last time).

Mike Parrow vs. Vandal Ortagun

Parrow sends Al Sabah over the top and we’re ready to go. Ortagun dropkicks the knee out to start and gets an early two off a low superkick. That just earns him a chokeslam but Al Sabah is on the top with the knuckles. Parrow grabs him by the throat but Ortagun goes after Parrow, allowing Al Sabah to use the knuckles for the DQ at 1:22.

Post match Ortagun poses with Al Sabah. So we’ve got the start of a heel stable.

There is speculation that Lawlor and Pettruzelli were out to gain an unfair advantage by trying to break Cobb’s arm. After that bombshell, Matt Riddle says the match is happening in the ring, in the street or at Chili’s.

Here’s when MLW is running events in Orlando again.

Brody King vs. Maxwell Jacob Friedman

MJF is the same as he would be in AEW, mainly because it’s a character that could work for years. Before the match, MJF talks about the significance of the show being called Zero Hour. After the show is over, he will have zero losses and the people in front of him are all zeroes. He’s winning the upcoming World Title tournament because he’s better than you and you know it.

MJF shoves him, only to be shoved right back down for his efforts. That means some stalling on the floor but King sends him into the corner for a heck of a chop. Another one in another corner sets up a toss across the ring as MJF looks like he’s in way over his head. The Cannonball misses though and MJF forearms away in the corner. A stomp to the wrist starts in on the arm work, including a springboard flying armbar for two.

The sleeper goes on so Brody just drops down onto his back for the pretty easy break. The comeback is on with some running shots, including a running dropkick to give King two. A sitout chokebomb gets two on MJF but he kicks King in the face and hits a hanging piledriver for his own two. King goes outside so MJF tries an Asai moonsault (!) but misses, earning himself an apron bomb. Back in and Cradle Shock finishes MJF at 7:08.

Rating: C. Not bad here though I’m a little surprised by the ending. MJF is someone you expect to see winning more often than not, but there does come a point where a monster like King should be winning here. The action wasn’t bad, but you can see the complete package of MJF and it’s great to watch that development over the years.

Stokely Hathaway promises that Low Ki is ready to end MVP tonight.

Barrington Hughes wishes us a happy new year and promises to be bigger, badder and more dominant in the new year.

The next match aired on the first Fusion.

Barrington Hughes vs. Chico Adams

The 469lb Hughes wins with a Rock Bottom at 9 seconds. Probably as long as he should be going.

Cobb needs an x-ray but he’s wrestling unless he’s dead.

Salina de la Renta has Sammy Guevara hold her bag so she can talk about bringing in the best Latino stars.

Sammy Guevara vs. Darby Allin

Sammy has Salina de la Renta in his corner. Allin chills in the corner to start and Sammy tells him to bring it on. An early takedown goes to Sammy and we hit the posing. Sammy grabs a rollup for two and that’s enough to make him walk up the aisle and pose. Back in and Darby rolls him up for two, quickly followed by a springboard corkscrew splash for the same. Sammy chills on the floor again and then flips Darby off back inside. That earns him a Fujiwara armbar, sending Sammy bailing straight to the rope.

The stalling continues as we hear more about Salina being a power broker. Allin follows him outside and gets sent head first into the steps, only to stick the landing on a toss over the barricade. The Coffin Drop off the barricade nails Sammy but Salina grabs Darby’s leg, meaning Sammy can avoid a running charge against the post. Back in and Sammy puts him in the fireman’s carry for some squats, setting up the Samoan drop for the arrogant two.

A running knee to the face drops Allin for two more but Darby is right back up. Another charge misses as Sammy backflips over him (cool) and hits a good dropkick for another near fall. Allin knees his way out of a suplex though and snaps Sammy’s arm across the top. It works so well that he does it again but Salina’s distraction lets Sammy raise his knees to block the Coffin Drop.

The shooting star (not a 450 Rich) hits Darby’s back for two more and you can feel the fans getting behind Allin here. As Rich corrects himself on the 450/shooting star (fair enough), Darby pulls him into the Fujiwara armbar. That’s broken up in a hurry so it’s a Code Red for two more. They slug it out until Allin grabs the Last Supper for the pin out of nowhere at 14:36.

Rating: B. Allin just has this weird charisma to him and it’s the kind of thing that you can’t teach. This could have been on any given AEW show and that made it one of the best things on the show so far. They had a heck of a back and forth match and you can see the star power in both of them.

Post match, more yelling ensues.

MJ Jenkins vs. Santana Garrett

Feeling out process to start with Garrett flipping away from her for some polite applause from Jenkins. Some armdrags have Garrett down but she grabs one of her own. They mess up the Booker T. spinning sunset flip out of the corner spot with Jenkins taking a knee to the head and she seems a little rocked by it.

Jenkins wakes up enough to hit a fall away slam for a delayed two and we hit the standing cravate. Garrett fights out for a headbutt and clothesline, followed by a crossbody for two. A Stratusphere out of the corner sends Jenkins flying and the handspring elbow in the corner gets another near fall. Garrett hits a superkick and finishes with the shining star press (handspring moonsault) at 6:25.

Rating: D+. This exists and that’s about all I can say for it. Garrett is rather talented but there’s just something missing from her that completes the whole package. One thing I’ve likes about MLW is they haven’t forced a women’s division in. They could probably find the talent to make one happen, but it isn’t really necessary and they haven’t tried to make one fit where it isn’t needed/a viable option.

Tom Lawlor and Seth Petruzelli wants Matt Riddle because he doesn’t have good technique.

The next match actually aired on the first episode of Fusion three months later so I’ve done this one before.

Rey Fenix vs. Pentagon Jr.

Salina is here with Pentagon, who is introduced as Penta El Cero but his graphic says Pentagon Jr. Fenix offers a handshake but gets the CERO MIEDO treatment. Some kicks to the head have Fenix in early trouble but he’s right back with kicks to the head of his own and it’s a double knockdown.

Back up and Fenix bounces along the ropes (including bouncing on his back onto the top rope), setting up an armdrag to the floor and a suicide flip dive. They head back in where Pentagon dropkicks him out of the air for a nice counter to take over again. Pentagon heads outside and chops him against the post before, of course, chopping the post by mistake. A running hurricanrana from the apron into the crowd (albeit in slow motion as it’s hard to roll over people) has Pentagon in more trouble.

Back in again and Fenix starts kicking him in the head, followed by a triple springboard missile dropkick for two. A Backstabber out of the corner gives Pentagon two so Fenix grabs some rollups for a near fall each. Fenix catches him on top with a super C4 for two more but charges into a powerbomb backbreaker.

Tony tries to figure out why the fans are cheering a rudo (I….don’t know how to handle Tony talking about rudos), followed by Pentagon backdropping him into a powerbomb for a sweet landing. We even get a catchphrase with Tony dropping “What’s major league? THAT’S MAJOR LEAGUE!” The Fear Factor gives Pentagon the pin at 14:09.

Rating: B. Like I said, kind of a layup with Pentagon being one of the biggest indy stars around at the moment and Fenix being crazy levels of exciting most of the time. You don’t need to do much more than let these two go insane and do all kinds of high flying stuff. Pentagon winning makes sense and while I doubt they would put the title on someone so hot, it’s cool to see him getting a big win.

MLW has a bunch of podcasts!

We recap the big tag match. Tom Lawlor likes to teach people how to cheat in MMA by getting a little dirty (or filthy for that matter). Matt Riddle saw him beat Jeff Cobb through some shenanigans and it’s time for revenge. Lawlor is tired of hearing about Riddle and knows he can surpass him. Then Riddle made him pass out in a rear naked choke last time so then they both brought in some friends for the tag match.

Jeff Cobb/Matt Riddle vs. Seth Petruzelli/Tom Lawlor

Lawlor and Petruzelli have the rest of Team Filthy with them. Cobb is wrestling with his wrist/arm taped up. Riddle and Petruzelli start things off with Riddle throwing him down without much effort. A quick cross armbreaker attempt doesn’t work for Petruzelli so he tries a triangle choke, which fails just as quickly. It turns into a strike off with an exchange of kicks to the legs with Riddle telling him to kick and Petruzelli checking Riddle’s kicks.

Riddle finally gets smart by sweeping the leg but he knows he can’t tag the injured Cobb. Lawlor comes in and gets rolled with gutwrench suplexes. Cobb comes in for the first time for a corner splash and a one armed Samoan drop for two on Lawlor. The running uppercut with the bad arm connects, which of course does more damage to Cobb than Lawlor. It’s time to start in on the arm as I try to get my head around Tony Schiavone talking about Matt Riddle.

The villains take turns on the arm with Lawlor hitting a middle rope ax handle and working on an armbar. A double suplex gets two and it’s right back to the arm, because they’re smart heels. Cobb starts fighting back so Lawlor is immediately around the ring to pull Riddle off the apron in a move that always works. Lawlor clotheslines him in the back of the head but kicks Petruzelli in the face by mistake, allowing Cobb to get in a suplex.

The hot tag brings in Riddle and it’s time to clean house. The Bro To Sleep into a bridging German suplex gets two on Lawlor so it’s Petruzelli getting in a cheap shot to slow things down. Everything breaks down with Cobb coming in for the save, allowing him to launch Petruzelli off the top and into a jumping knee from Riddle. The powerbomb into the Final Flash knee finishes Petruzelli at 14:11.

Rating: C+. It’s a nice enough tag match but it feels like a part in a much bigger story. Odds are it continues for at least the next show if not longer and that’s not the worst thing. It doesn’t make for the most thrilling match here, and Cobb’s arm injury wasn’t exactly the biggest selling point. Still though, not too bad and that’s all you can ask for here.

We recap MVP vs. Low Ki. MVP grew up in the rough part of Miami and had to learn how to fight. He even got pretty good at it, but he wanted that rich lifestyle that you see in the city. That wasn’t going to happen working nine to five though so he tried robbing a bank, earning himself nine years in prison. While he was in there, someone told him about where he could train to be a wrestler. Then he signed a contract with a company that gave him the limousine world he wanted.

Eventually he made it here to MLW, where he signed with Black Friday Management. The group was set up in 2004 by Gary Hart and Low Ki and now they want what MVP promised them. MVP is done with them but doesn’t like them being aggressive in trying to get him back. Therefore, if MVP wins, he’s out of his contract. If he loses, Low Ki has beaten the heck out of him so it’s all fair anyway.

Low Ki vs. MVP

Black Friday Management boss Stokely Hathaway handles Ki’s entrance. MVP goes after Hathaway to start but Low Ki makes the save and the slugout is on. Low Ki wins a quick exchange of strikes and it’s an early standoff. MVP sends him into the corner for some forearms but the running big boot misses. The handspring splash misses as well though and MVP’s big boot hits this time around. They head outside with Stokely offering a distraction so save Low Ki from a big barricade shot to the face.

MVP is sat in a chair but Low Ki spends too much time posing and gets said chair pelted at his head. Serves him right. A whip sends Low Ki through some chairs and they keep brawling into the crowd. Back in and MVP avoids the top rope stomp to the back and hits a heck of a clothesline. Low Ki climbs onto MVP’s shoulders for a dropkick in a cool spot but then decks the referee. MVP takes him down and hammers away and another referee comes down to throw it out at 9:43.

Rating: C+. This was much more a fight than a match and that’s what makes sense here. They billed it as a superfight so it wouldn’t have made sense to have them trying to get rollups. It was a physical brawl and the ending sets up a likely gimmick rematch next time around so well done.

Post match security comes out to hold them apart and the fans are not happy.

We have brackets for the World Title tournament:

MVP

Tom Lawlor

Matt Riddle

Jeff Cobb

Shane Strickland

Kenny King

MJF

Jimmy Havoc

There will be alternates just in case, though Low Ki has been banned from the tournament for attacking the referee. That’s a rather fast decision.

A rather serious Shane Strickland promises to cross a line tonight against Jimmy Havoc. Tonight, Havoc is trapped in the match with him.

Shane Strickland vs. Jimmy Havoc

Deathmatch and Priscilla Kelly and Darby Allin are here with Havoc. Actually never mind as Jimmy says he’s got this and sends them to the back. Shane meets him in the aisle and hits a jumping knee to the face. That’s enough to knock Havoc into some chairs and Shane buries him underneath said chairs for a bonus. Rich says that he’s just been told these two are in the World Title tournament. You mean the tournament we saw brackets for before the match? Why did he need to be told that again?

They make it to ringside where Jimmy pulls out a barbed wire chair. Shane sends him head first into a regular chair and starts cranking on the arm. The fight goes into the crowd and they wind up near commentary (fan: “TONY! RUN!”), with Shane dropping him behind the bar. Jimmy DDTs him onto said bar and loads up a table near the ring. A missed charge sends Shane through the table and they get inside for the first time, over six minute in.

Havoc wedges the barbed wire chair into the corner but stops to use a staplegun on Shane’s shoulder. That just wakes Strickland up and he no sells some more staples. Instead it’s a staple going into Jimmy’s head as Shane is rather serious. Fans: “YOU SICK F***!” Rich: “Pretty much!” Shane staples a five dollar bill to Jimmy’s head and then staples another bill into his own shoulder.

There’s a staple to the crotch and then Havoc goes into the barbed wire chair in the corner. They head outside again with Shane being slammed off a big speaker and onto a couch for a big crash. Back in and Havoc adds some chairs, but first he needs to slice open Shane’s fingers and mouth with a dollar. Havoc busts out the tacks and puts them in Shane’s mouth, but Shane blocks the big boot.

Instead he puts them in Havoc’s mouth and they slug it out, with neither stopping to spit out the tacks. Both guys go down with Shane getting up first and putting Havoc in a chair. The top rope double stomp knocks Havoc into the tacks for two so let’s get the barbed wire. Shane ties up the arm and tries to tie him up with the wire but Havoc finds the staplegun to escape.

Rating: B-. They beat the heck out of each other here and it was a fun hardcore style match. That’s what Havoc gets to do and I can understand the idea of Strickland not being able to win on Havoc’s turf. That being said, Strickland had some good promos earlier in the night and it’s kind of a shame to see him lose here.

Post match, Havoc actually helps him up in a show of respect.

We get a post show interview with Santana Garrett, who isn’t worried about Priscilla Kelly not showing up. Garrett leaves and finds and finds a weird shrine to her, including the word WONDER over a bunch of photos of her. There’s a monitor set up showing Garrett’s house and a video of Kelly watching her sleep, even rubbing her face. Kelly says SHH and Garrett is greatly disturbed to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. You really do get the fusion idea that the company would go for later with these early shows. There is a little bit of everything on this show and nothing really close to bad. While I would have had the tag match main event the show from a story perspective, it wouldn’t have been able to follow the deathmatch. I’ve always liked this promotion and the standalone shows have been good too. Nice stuff here, though there isn’t much worth going out of your way to see on its own.

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 Wrestling

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

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

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

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

Opening sequence.

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

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

Moonshine Mantell vs. Logan Creed

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

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

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

Come to these shows!

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

10. Dominic Garrini

9. Low Ki

8. Jimmy Havoc

7. Richard Holliday

6. Tom Lawlor

5. Mance Warner

4. Brian Pillman Jr.

3. Myron Reed

2. Alexander Hammerstone

1. Davey Boy Smith Jr.

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

Erick Stevens vs. Douglas James

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

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

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

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

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

Killer Kross is still coming.

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

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

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

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

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

King Mo vs. Dr. Dax

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

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

Ross Von Erich vs. Tom Lawlor

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

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

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

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

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

Results

Logan Creed b. Moonshine Mantell – Jackknife

Erick Stevens b. Douglas James – Sarasota Screwdriver

King Mo b. Dr. Dax – Rear naked choke

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

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

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

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

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

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

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

The announcers run down the card.

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

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

Dominick Garrini vs. Zenshi

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

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

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

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

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

Video on Contra vs. Hart Foundation.

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

Richard Holliday vs. Savio Vega

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

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

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

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

Killer Kross is coming.

Battle Riott III is coming in July.

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

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

LA Park is coming back.

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

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

The Dynasty is running next week’s episode.

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

Zenshi wants revenge.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Results

Dominic Garrini b. Zenshi via referee stoppage

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

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

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

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

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

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

Opening sequence.

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

Tom Lawlor vs Rip Von Erich

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

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

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

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

We look at Contra attacking the debuting Stronghearts last week.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Contra is ready to destroy the Strong Hearts.

Erick Stevens is coming.

Video on Low Ki.

Strong Hearts vs. Contra

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fusion #86
Date: November 28, 2019
Location: Gilt Nightclub, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: AJ Kirsch, Rich Bocchini

This is a special show with MLW running a special Thanksgiving edition. That’s a good idea, and it seems to be serving as this week’s Fusion anyway. It’s all about the World Title with Jacob Fatu defending against Ross Von Erich, who is substituting for his injured brother Marshal. It isn’t clear who attacked Marshall, but there is a good chance we’ll find out tonight. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with an old ad about Thanksgiving before Contra takes over to say this is going to be their night.

Opening sequence.

Injustice vs. Zenshi/Gringo Loco

Elimination rules with Kotto Brazil and Jordan Oliver for Injustice. Before the match, Oliver says that he usually doesn’t like Thanksgiving but he’s feeling hungry tonight. He’s hungry for money, but also for justice. Myron Reed gets thrown out at the bell so Zenshi and Loco are free to double spinebuster Oliver. A split legged moonsault gets one on Oliver and Zenshi backflips into a seated pose.

That leaves Loco to hit a big dive to the floor, allowing Zenshi to hit a slingshot corkscrew Swanton. A cartwheel moonsault gives Loco two on Oliver and it’s Brazil getting in a cheap shot from the apron. Brazil gets two off a Backstabber and we hit the reverse chinlock. Loco, sporting a bloody nose, is tripped back down so Oliver can hit a springboard elbow to the back of the head.

A springboard 450 gives Brazil two but Loco is up for the tag a few seconds later. That means Zenshi can come in with a 450 clothesline (that’s a new one) to Oliver. A Pele and running shooting star take Brazil down, setting up a middle rope 450. Loco’s Swanton gets two and Zenshi’s insane diagonal flipping Coast to Coast makes it even worse.

Oliver takes Loco down though and it’s Brazil’s By Any Means Necessary (running Sliced Bread) for the pin on Zenshi at 8:16. Loco is back up with a Tombstone to eliminate Brazil at 9:11 though and it’s down to one on one. But wait, as Oliver suddenly realizes he has a knee injury, allowing Reed to run back down for a distraction. Oliver is back up with the middle rope cutter to finish Loco at 9:48.

Rating: C-. The elimination rules were just a detail here and a needless detail at that. It’s a nice nod to history and all that jazz but could you come up with something that made it work a bit better? Injustice has completely surprised me though as there was no reason to believe they would be anything special but they’re actually quite a nice act with some surprises in them.

King Mo is ready to beat up Ricky Martinez.

Interviewer Kaci Lennox looks for Priscilla Kelly in the bowels of the building….and eventually gets jumped by Kelly instead. The Mandible Claw knocks Kaci out and the cameraman takes a beating of his own.

Video on King Mo.

King Mo vs. Ricky Martinez

We haven’t seen Martinez in a bit and I miss that music, though that might be because he normally has Salina with him (not this time). Mo does get a star’s reception so there’s a little something there at least. They talk trash to start and Martinez gets chased to the apron, where he manages to snap Mo’s throat across the top. A springboard is speared out of the air though and it’s a gutwrench powerbomb into a kneebar to make Martinez tap at 1:42. Well that worked, and I’ve never been anything close to a Mo fan before.

We look back at last week’s Falls Count Anywhere match with Mance Warner beating Jimmy Havoc, only to have the feud continue because it can never end.

Warner tells Havoc not to mess with him again because he got a W against Havoc last time. Then Havoc went after him again so Warner isn’t about to forgive Havoc. It’s always an eye for an eye, which Warner says over and over.

Video on Jacob Fatu.

Various shows are coming.

Next week: a battle royal and the return of Salina de la Renta.

Tom Lawlor gives Ross Von Erich a pep talk, calling himself part of the family.

MLW World Title: Ross Von Erich vs. Jacob Fatu

Fatu is defending and it’s Tom Lawlor and Josef Samael as the seconds. They take their time to start with Fatu shoving him around, followed by a swinging collar and elbow to send Ross flying again. Ross’ dropkick works a bit better but he runs into an uppercut to stop that offense cold. Fatu misses a backsplash and Bronco Buster though, allowing Ross to snap off a Cannonball.

The kickout sends him outside though and Fatu takes over again with a superkick. A heck of a headbutt sends Ross to the apron and Samael gets in his required cheap shot. The nerve hold goes on and does so again after a quick break. Fatu’s sitout powerbomb gets two more as he’s surprised that Ross is hanging in there. A crossbody gives Ross a breather and some Sling Blades have Fatu down again.

There’s a missile dropkick to put Fatu on the floor where Lawlor thinks about a cheap shot but stops himself. Fatu gets taken down again by a suicide dive and it’s the Claw back inside. With Fatu in trouble, he falls over the top for the break and they’re both down on the floor. It’s Fatu up first and taking things into the crowd to keep destroying Ross.

Back to ringside and the chop hits post but what was supposed to be a superkick (more like a hip strike) sends Ross into the referee. For some reason that earns the referee a running Umaga attack in the corner, followed by the pop up Samoan drop to Ross. The moonsault connects for no count because, you know, Fatu ended the referee. Even Samael doesn’t see the logic in that one.

Fatu’s Stinger Splash hits post and Ross nails the spinning high crossbody. Samael’s chair is dropkicked into his face so Lawlor picks it up….and hits Ross in something that isn’t the biggest surprise. After some profanities about the Von Erichs, Lawlor leaves so Fatu can hit the double jump moonsault and retain at 14:58.

Rating: C. The match dragged a lot at times but Ross hung in there well enough to get to the heel turn. There wasn’t much of a reason to believe that a title change was possible so it was all about getting to a pretty obvious heel turn. That worked well enough too and it’s about as good of a main event as you could get in this situation. Fatu continues to be a monster and the more I see of him, the more you can feel WWE drooling.

Overall Rating: C-. The biggest problem here is the opener as it really didn’t add anything of feel special in the slightest. The main event came off as a big deal and had the angle to close the show so that’s a positive, as is the very effective King Mo debut. Overall, the show felt mostly special, but there is nothing you need to watch, which holds things back a good bit. Fatu is becoming the special attraction though because someone built like that shouldn’t be able to do those things.

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 #84
Date: November 16, 2019
Location: GILT Nightclub, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, AJ Kirsch

We’re still in Orlando and things are starting with a bang after the pay per view debut. This time around is a big match with Davey Boy Smith Jr. facing Tom Lawlor, who may be on his way out of the promotion. Above all else though is Contra, who looks like they are going after the entire promotion. Let’s get to it.

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

Tom Lawlor and the Von Erichs fire each other up for their matches. They have each others’ backs you see.

Opening sequence.

Ikuro Kwon vs. Marshall Von Erich

Josef Samael and Ross Von Erich are the seconds and for some reason the Von Erichs don’t have their belts with them. That’s always annoying. Kwon blocks a Claw attempt on the floor and they head inside for the first time. Marshall snaps off a suplex but Samael trips him up and Kwon takes over. A series of kicks put Marshall down for two and some more strikes knock him into the corner. Marshall blocks a kick to the ribs so Kwon kicks him in the face, only to get caught by a heck of a clothesline. The Claw goes on but Samael comes in for the DQ at 3:49.

Rating: C-. They didn’t bother wasting time here before the angle advancing finish and that’s the right way to go. Contra vs. the Von Erichs is going to be a big main event down the line and there is no point in having a bad match with too much time here. The Von Erichs are especially green and letting them have some short form matches like this is a better idea.

Post match the brawl is on but doesn’t last long.

MJF has had Botox put into his face after the Claw from the Von Erichs. Richard Holliday talks MJF into seeing his face and Holliday immediately demands the face be covered again. Alex Hammerstone comes in and doesn’t have a lot of sympathy for them losing the titles. He has a big gift for them but won’t say what it is. It’s bigger than the titles though.

We see the first matches for the Opera Cup, including Brian Pillman Jr. vs. TJP and Hammerstone vs. MJF.

Dynasty vs. Dominic Garrini/Douglas James

Before the match, Holliday tells the fans to quiet down….and gets a call from his lawyer/father (which is what it says on his phone). He doesn’t like being interrupted in the ring so they’ll deal with this later. Holliday shoves Garrini in the face to start and actually gets a handshake, which results in a judo throw. The threat of a choke freaks Holliday out because Garrini HAS HIS AIR POD!

Hammerstone comes in for the test of strength but Garrini pulls him straight down into a triangle choke. That’s broken up with the raw power so it’s off to James for the first time. Some kicks to the chest have Hammerstone down and a kick to Holliday knocks him off the apron. That might have damaged the Air Pod so Holliday comes in and hammers away on James to take over.

A tilt-a-whirl backbreaker gets two and it’s Hammerstone coming in again to stay on the back. Hammerstone declares him just too small, setting up James’ dropkick for the knockdown. It’s back to Garrini vs. Holliday and the throws are on in a hurry. Hammerstone has to break up the cross armbreaker so James takes him down with a Meteora. They head to the floor for the dueling slugouts, including James hitting a tornado DDT on Hammerstone. Garrini dives back in just in time to beat the count at 7:03.

Rating: C. I liked this better than I was expecting to with Garrini and James looking good in a big upset. They were also smart enough to not have the Dynasty, even in a different incarnation, lose another match in short order. Hammerstone continues to look like the big breakout star (at least in the ring) and I could see the split coming sooner rather than later.

Post match, Hammerstone storms off.

Teddy Hart is pretty banged up after last week.

Myron Reed thinks we should be celebrating his name instead of worrying about Hart.

Lawlor and the Von Erichs get a phone sent to them in the mail. Samael issues a challenge for a fight against Jacob Fatu on Thanksgiving night. The contract is included as well and Marshall signs to face Fatu.

The women’s division is coming this month.

Zeda Zhang is ready to represent MLW and show why she brings the pain. Next week, she’s taking Spider Woman’s mask.

We see Mance Warner’s challenge to Jimmy Havoc for Falls Count Anywhere.

Havoc accepts and promises violence, even if they fight back to his apartment.

We look at King Mo’s press conference from last week.

Mo is ringside.

Tom Lawlor vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr.

We get a handshake to start and Davey wrestles him to the ground to shake Lawlor up a bit. Back up and Lawlor puts him into the corner for a clean break before it’s time to head to the mat. Davey goes for the armbar before switching to a failed rear naked choke attempt. Lawlor rolls him up for the break and Smith heads to the apron for a bit. More grappling gives us another clean break as King Mo looks rather interested in what is going on.

A fireman’s carry into a headlock has Lawlor in trouble for all of a few seconds as the lack of advantages continues. Back up and some shoving lets them go to the slugout, though Davey gets in a great fake by teasing a right hand and picking the ankle instead. The ankle lock is reversed as well and they go outside where Lawlor wins a slugout to take over. Back in and Lawlor starts in on the arm but Davey is right back with a rear naked choke.

With that not working, Davey headbutts him into the ropes for a change. Three Amigos are good for two and we hit the chinlock. That’s broken up as well so Lawlor goes with the kicks to the chest, only to get dropped on his head with a belly to back suplex. Lawlor can’t get the rear naked choke so Davey drops him with a hard shot to the face. A t-bone suplex doesn’t work as Lawlor’s legs give out from underneath him, though he’s fine enough for a Russian legsweep.

Lawlor tries to roll into something but Davey reverses into the Sharpshooter for a sweet counter. With that not working, Davey goes with a Crossface but Lawlor is too close to the rope. Back up and they slug it out until Lawlor pokes him in the eye (not clear if it was intentional), setting up Hirooki Goto’s GTR for the pin at 15:47.

Rating: B. I’m really starting to like these matches as they do them infrequently enough to make them work. It also helps that these two are both well versed in this style of wrestling and made a story out of the whole thing. They had a good match here and while Smith isn’t there yet, you could put him out there as a World Title contender later on without much trouble.

Post match Lawlor talks about his contract coming up. Maybe he’ll get raw or lay the smack on someone, but he’s the hottest thing in wrestling.

Overall Rating: C+. Another show that was a bit up and down but overall came off as entertaining. That’s not a bad way to use about fifty minutes and the show worked just fine. The company continues to do things right as they do some good stuff without the main eventers being around every week. That’s very important and something so many companies can’t figure out.

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

Saturday Night SuperFight
Date: November 2, 2019
Location: Cicero Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Commentators: AJ Kirsch, Rich Bocchini

So this is a big deal as MLW is having its first pay per view. This is something that is a long time in the making and the card actually looks pretty good. The main event is LA Park challenging Jacob Fatu for the World Title in a match that could be anywhere between a disaster or a blast. Other than that, all three titles are on the line and we should be in for some good stuff.

Since we have to have more wrestling all the time, there is an hour long pre-show, which basically serves as this week’s Fusion but isn’t listed as such.

We open with a long recap of the big stories, which is always a good way to start.

Pre-Show: Leo Brien vs. Savio Vega

Feeling out process to start with Savio’s hammerlock being the big thrill of the first minute. They fight over said hammerlock and then yell at each other a bit, followed by a trade of slaps. Savio’s jumping kick to the…..chest I guess, sends Brien outside. That goes nowhere and it’s Brien hitting a knee in the corner to take over. A suplex sets up a chinlock for a short while until Savio fights up, only to get kicked in the face. There’s a spear to drop Vega again but Brien misses a middle rope elbow. Vega fights back but the referee gets distracted, allowing Brien to get in a bell shot. The big elbow finishes Vega at 6:57.

Rating: D+. I know Vega is a name and is working backstage but that doesn’t mean he should be in the ring. He certainly wasn’t a disaster but there really wasn’t anyone else they could have put out there? It’s not like he has a lot of value so the win doesn’t exactly mean much for Brien. They’re pushing someone new though and that’s a good sign.

Post match Brien goes after him again but gets spinwheel kicked down. Vega gets in some kendo stick shots and stands tall. Well tall enough at least.

Video on Mance Warner vs. Jimmy Havoc in the Stairway to Hell match. Havoc has gone all violent so Warner whipped out a chainsaw and wants barbed wire hanging above the ring this time. And we’ll throw in Bestia 666 in just for a bonus.

Gino Medina is….here tonight actually.

Gino Medina vs. Air Wolf

Gino is billed as a Latin heartthrob. They go to the mat to start and get a grand total of nowhere early on. A rollup gives Medina two and he shoves Wolf down by the mask. Wolf gets in a headscissors and a dropkick for his own two so Medina comes back with an enziguri. The chinlock goes on for a bit until Wolf sends him into the bottom corner for a 619. An exchange of kicks to the head goes to Wolf but Medina hits a running knee in the corner. Eat Defeat (with a wide gap between the foot and the jaw) finishes Wolf at 4:17.

Rating: D+. Medina didn’t showcase himself very well here while Wolf looked like a future star, as has been the case multiple times now. That being said, you can’t judge someone off of one match but this was pretty disappointing, especially after all of the weeks of vignettes about Medina. Hopefully the next one is better, which is certainly a possibility.

MJF gives Richard Holliday his sunglasses.

SuperFight rundown.

Cue Injustice to protest….or maybe advertise….the fact that they are on the pay per view.

Hijo de LA Park vs. Zenshi

Salina de la Renta is here with Park. Zenshi starts fast and flips in for a hurricanrana to put Park on the floor. That means a crazy high dive but Salina grabs Zenshi’s leg, allowing Park to score with an enziguri. The suicide dive drops Zenshi and Park gets in a chair shot as Salina yells at the referee….who can see the chair shots. Zenshi gets crotched on the barricade as I continue to wonder why this referee exists.

That’s good for a very delayed two and it’s time for some stomping. Zenshi kicks at the legs and hits a 619 over the top into a neckbreaker for two. Salina breaks up another springboard attempt but this time Zenshi is fine enough to sweep the leg into a slingshot corkscrew hilo for two more. Park is right back with a running corner dropkick and a Code Red gets two.

They head up top with Park hitting a super Spanish Fly, only to get enziguried right back down. Just to show off, Zenshi hits (ok with with me here) a crazy long flip dive coast to coast diagonally across the ring. It only grazes Park’s leg but dang that was almost incredible. Park is back with another kick to the head though and a belly to back package piledriver is good for the pin on Zenshi at 7:53.

Rating: C. Zenshi is another one of the names around here who could become something if they are given a bit of a push. Park may not be for everyone but he has the cool costume like his dad but minus about 50lbs. His matches have been fine enough though and he could become something as well, given how his stuff with Salina is going fairly well.

Post match Salina addresses the ladies and gentlemarks and naturally switches from English to Spanish because that’s what you do in a promo if you speak both languages. Cue Contra for their match, but Salina of course won’t get out of the ring because she’s rather stubborn. Thankfully she gets the hint and bails before getting killed.

Contra vs. Douglas James/Dominic Garrini vs. Spirit Squad

That would be Kwon/Gotch for Contra and Ken/Mikey for the Squad. Before the opponents come out, Gotch pounds a chair against the floor for no logical reason. The Squad is from the University of Parts Unknown (the Dean better be named Douglas) and they are JACKED. Ken and James start things off with the former grabbing a headlock, allowing him to take James down and strike the pose.

Some elbows keep James in trouble until Kwon tags himself in and gets a hard dropkick from James. Mikey gets in a hair pull from the apron and everything breaks down in a hurry with the fight heading to the floor. James and Kwon chop it out in the ring until Kwon dives onto the pile. Back in and Garrini pulls Mikey down into a cross armbreaker. That’s broken up and Ken gets in a cheap shot of his own from the apron to take over again.

A snapmare faceplant gives Mikey two on Garrini and it’s Gotch coming in to stomp on Garrini as well. Garrini gets in a suplex to drop Gotch and it’s Kwon coming in to face Ken. James tags himself in and starts kicking people in the face, one of which makes Ken DDT Kwon. Everything breaks down and Garrini break sup whatever the Squad had planned and grabs a choke on Ken. The referee breaks that up and Kwon mists Mikey, setting up the piledriver from Gotch for the pin at 6:43.

Rating: C. Contra should NOT be having this much trouble against the Spirit Squad and a thrown together team. I’m not sure why they needed to take this long for what should have been a squash. Their teammate is the World Champion and the team as a whole was in the main event of the most recent major show. It wasn’t long or bad but it was set up wrong.

The announcers preview the card one more time to wrap up the preshow.

The opening video is your standard, yet well done, preview.

Opening sequence, complete with graphics identifying the wrestlers in each match. How nice that is for a change.

Tag Team Titles: Dynasty vs. Von Erichs

The Dynasty is defending and this is Texas Tornado. Hold on though as MJF grabs the mic to tell the fans that they need to shut up and that the Von Erichs suck, plus a mocking of the Claw. Richard Holliday calls the Von Erichs fake Texans who live in Hawaii and you know those are fighting words.

The Von Erichs hit the ring and send the champs outside with some fast double dropkicks, only to be sent into the barricade on the floor. MJF tears up a sign and hits Marshall in the head with the bell as the beating continues. Ross gets taken inside and a lifting swinging neckbreaker gets two. A double armbar makes things even worse until Ross sends the champs together.

Marshall comes back in with a double clothesline, setting up stereo Cannonballs in the corner. Something like a double powerbomb gets two on Holliday but he’s fine enough to superplex Ross down. MJF’s top rope splash connects for two with Marshall having to moonsault in for the save. The Claw/belly to back suplex combination finishes MJF at 9:46.

Rating: C. This was a pretty basic match that seemed designed to protect the still very green Von Erichs. That is the right play too as you don’t want them going out there and looking terrible in one of their biggest matches to date. Just let them get in, do their stuff, and win the titles for the feel good moment, as they did here.

Davey Boy Smith Jr. fires up Brian Pillman Jr. for his match against Low Ki.

Injustice vs. Gringo Loco/Septimo Dragon/Puma King

Lucha rules but hang on as we need to check Injustice for weapons. With that out of the way, the big brawl is on and everyone heads to the floor. Back in and Loco and Oliver trade misses before heading outside again. Dragon and Reed come in with Dragon hitting a running Spanish Fly. It’s King with a few superkicks and a faceplant to Kotto and a reverse powerbomb makes it even worse.

Double moonsaults from Dragon and Loco and a double reverse gorilla press slam puts Oliver back down. The dives are on and the fans certainly seem to approve. Back in and it’s King and Dragon being sent outside so Injustice can suplex Loco down. Brazil’s Sling Blade gets two but Oliver’s top rope hurricanrana is countered into a sitout powerbomb for the double knockdown.

Everything breaks down again and Dragon’s top rope double stomp crushes Reed. Loco’s Tombstone gets two on Reed and it’s some very hard dives from Injustice. Reed hits his running jumping over the top cutter on Loco, setting up the standing Sliced Bread on Dragon. Brazil adds the springboard 450 for the pin at 10:16.

Rating: C+. I’m not sure how smart of an idea it was to have the first two matches both be wild fights but Injustice is getting somewhere as a midcard heel stable. Some of the dives and flips looked really good here and I was getting into the match by the end, which I wouldn’t have expected from Injustice. Nice addition here and a good way to keep the crowd going.

We recap Austin Aries vs. Teddy Hart for the Middleweight Title. Hart has been champion for a long time but Aries is here to show that he is the greatest middleweight in the world. He gave Hart a brainbuster onto the apron to knock him cold so Hart is here to retain the title and get some revenge.

Middleweight Title: Teddy Hart vs. Austin Aries

Hart is defending and has Mr. Velvet the cat with him. Aries hits the suicide dive before the bell (common theme tonight) and we’re ready to go in a hurry. Well Hart isn’t ready but that’s kind of the point. Aries can’t hit a brainbuster on the floor but he can hit a missile dropkick for two inside. They’re already back on the floor with Hart hammering away but barely being able to stand.

Back in and Hart hits his springboard spinning legdrop for two to send Aries outside again. Aries grabs the Death Valley Driver onto the apron to mess up Hart’s head even more, setting up the slingshot hilo for two. It’s off to a leglock of all things, though Aries does put a foot on Hart’s head to make it worse. A middle rope elbow to the jaw gets two and the Last Chancery goes on.

That doesn’t last long either so it’s Hart coming back with shots to the face and a Backstabber. A belly to back gets two but Hart hits his head again. Aries scores with the discus forearm to take right back over but spends too much time talking trash, allowing Hart to hit a Project Ciampa out of the corner. Hart puts him on top, only to come back with the sunset bomb for two.

The Last Chancery goes on in full, sending Hart on the slow crawl to the rope. Hart’s super Canadian Destroyer is countered with a crotching and now the brainbuster connects….for two. Aries freaks, as he probably should given how protected that move really is. Hart rolls outside and ducks the suicide dive to send Aries face first into the barricade. Aries has to be muscled back inside and he grabs a quick rollup for two, only to get caught with the Canadian Destroyer to retain Hart’s title at 18:32.

Rating: B. They took their time here and set up a good story with a better match to make it the best thing on the show so far. Hart was fighting through his injury and still managing to pull off the win, which was arguably an upset, in the end. I’m rather surprised that Aries lost, mainly because I have no idea who is supposed to take the title off of Hart now.

Josef Samael congratulates Hart on his win but says he has a target on him. So that’s what’s next for Hart. Anyway, Jacob Fatu will retain the World Title tonight.

The women’s division is coming.

Low Ki vs. Brian Pillman Jr.

Ki offered some advice to Pillman and got blown off, setting this up. Pillman starts fast with the chops in the corner and hits the running slap for a bonus. They head outside with Pillman striking away as they walk around ringside. Ki gets the better of the striking (well duh) and it’s a kick to the chest to set up the Figure Four necklock back inside.

Some kicks to the face set up a chinlock on Ki, followed by a spinning chop to the back of the neck. A powerslam gives Pillman two but the double arm neckbreaker is broken up. Ki kicks him in the head a few times and the referee might want to stop this. Pillman fights up and wants to fight so it’s the rolling Liger kick to knock him cold for the stoppage at 8:12.

Rating: C. This was shorter than I was expecting and it was just ok. It felt like a big TV match more than a pay per view one but at least they are getting something with Ki being all angry and violent. Pillman is still pretty green and needs ring time, but one of the good things about this place is being able to have him in there with a bunch of different styles. It certainly wasn’t bad and while it could have had more time for the story to develop, it went the way it should have.

MLW is partnering with AAA. That’s a good thing for MLW as the star power and more variety are nice additions.

Tom Lawlor vs. Timothy Thatcher

They’re both shoot style guys and Thatcher challenged him for the fight. Thatcher also has Douglas James with him. They slug it out to start with Thatcher being knocked outside and the fight heading out there as well. Lawlor’s guillotine is countered with a ram into the barricade and they head back inside for some attempts at pulling on limbs.

Thatcher kicks him in the head and gets a bow and arrow hold, only to be reversed into a blocked cross armbreaker. The half crab works better on Lawlor but he’s out in a few seconds, setting up a seated strike off. Lawlor gets in a Figure Four but Thatcher rolls over into the ropes pretty quickly.

We go old school with an airplane spin to make Thatcher dizzy, though he’s fine enough to pick the ankle. Lawler gets to the ropes to save his arm and it’s time to slug it out again. Thatcher hits a belly to belly so Lawlor hits one of his own for the double knockdown. They head outside again with Thatcher being sent into the barricade this time and then getting chopped around ringside.

Back in and some YES Kicks have Thatcher in more trouble but he’s right back with a butterfly suplex. The Fujiwara armbar goes on but this time Lawler reverses with a German suplex. Thatcher gets in his own suplex so Lawlor grabs a Tombstone for two. They both grab arms with Lawlor hitting a pumphandle suplex for two. That’s enough for Lawlor as he unloads with strikes to make Thatcher cover up, meaning it’s time for the rear naked choke to give Lawlor the win at 15:27.

Rating: B. That’s the kind of match that they were supposed to have and it was rather entertaining. These guys beat each other up with strikes and submissions until one of them won. They even told a nice story with Thatcher being the one who believed he could hang with Lawlor, only to find out that he was in over his head because Lawlor was a professional fighter who knew exactly what to do in this situation. Heck of a fight too.

Post match Thatcher is busted open but Lawlor says he can do anything he wants around here because MLW is going to stay filthy.

We recap Mance Warner vs. Jimmy Havoc….and vs. Bestia 666, who is here after Havoc attacked his father in a bit of a forced addition. Anyway this is Stairway to Hell with barbed wire above the ring and anything goes, with wins coming by pinfall or submission.

Mance Warner vs. Jimmy Havoc vs. Bestia 666

Warner and Bestia start brawling on the floor to start with Warner getting the better of it, only to head outside to poke Havoc in the eye. Bestia’s dive is cut off by a trashcan to the head, followed by the staple gun to Havoc’s crotch. Mance goes outside and gets some dollar bills from the audience to staple to various parts of Havoc. You know, like Thesz used to do to Gotch.

It’s Warner up first to get the barbed wire but a double teaming takes it away. Havoc rips up Warner’s face and it’s time for the barbed wire to be put on a trashcan. A suplex sends Warner through both of them but Havoc sends Bestia into the announcers’ table (Rich: “ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? HOW MANY TIMES???”). Back in and Bestia backbreakers him onto the edges of two open chairs, only to have Havoc get up and slam him off the ladder onto the same edges in your HOW IS HE MOVING spot of the march.

Warner comes back in and takes the wire to the head, followed by the wire going into Bestia’s crotch. Back up and Warner’s lariat hits Havoc but Bestia superkicks Warner down. Bestia mocks the kneepad up, kneepad down before bridging a door between two chairs. You don’t mock kneepads though and Warner superplexes Bestia through the door for the pin at 14:02.

Rating: C. This is another case where your mileage may vary but what matters here is keeping the violent insanity to one match instead of doing it over and over. This was your designated violence match and while it didn’t go as far as some others (that’s a good thing), it felt like a lot of violence for the sake of violence. I’m also not big on the feud continuing as Bestia was tacked on to take the fall, but that’s wrestling for you.

Post match Havoc jumps Warner and piledrives him onto a piece of the barricade. An Acid Rainmaker leaves Warner laying.

There will be a special Fusion on Thanksgiving. Just what the world was waiting for.

We recap Alexander Hammerstone vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr. They’re the hoss monsters of their respective groups and this has been built for a long time. Hammerstone even hooked up with Smith’s sister to get in his head, which seemed to work well.

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

Smith is challenging. Davey shoves him away to start before headlocking Hammerstone down. The arm cranking begins with Smith working on one arm and then both at once for a bonus. Hammerstone can’t power out of it so it’s off to the ropes instead. The choking in the corner doesn’t get Hammerstone very far so he hits a delayed vertical suplex.

Smith pops right back up and waits for Hammerstone to turn around in a good visual. We see how it’s really done to send Hammerstone outside, setting up a ram into the barricade. Back in and Hammerstone pulls the turnbuckle pad off but Smith hammers away in the corner instead of eating steel. Hammerstone slugs right back and even hits a missile dropkick for two. He takes too long going up though and it’s a superplex, setting up a Swan Dive for two on the champ.

They take turns no selling release German suplexes so Smith rolls some German suplexes for another near fall. Smith can’t get the Crossface as the Dynasty comes out for a distraction. Hammerstone sends him into the exposed buckle for two and the shock is real. Smith is right back up but can’t get the running powerslam. Instead he tries an O’Connor roll but Hammerstone reverses into his own rollup and grabs the rope to retain at 13:29.

Rating: B-. I wasn’t feeling the ending but at least Smith was protected and didn’t lose clean here. Hammerstone is a genuine monster and whoever beats him is going to get a heck of a rub. I didn’t like the ending though as it felt out of place in the match after two guys beat each other up for so long. It was good while it lasted, but I could have gone with a hotter finish.

Post match Smith is ticked.

Quick recap of LA Park vs. Jacob Fatu for the World Title. Park won Battle Riot II to get a title shot so it’s time to cash in. This has turned into Promociones Dorado vs. Contra, which is quite the fight.

MLW World Title: LA Park vs. Jacob Fatu

No DQ, Park, undefeated, is challenging and Fatu is a monster. Salina de la Renta and Josef Samael are here as seconds. Before the match, Park grabs the mic and rants in Spanish. They circle, shove and slug it out with Park getting the better of it off a pair of clotheslines. A running knee puts Fatu on the floor and there’s a suicide dive, which is like a flying bus at this point.

Back in and Fatu starts firing off the headbutts to take over and some shots to the face put Park in trouble. The mask is torn and it looks like we already have some blood flowing. Park gets whipped into the barricade as the beating continues on the floor. Even Salina is looking worried as they head into the crowd to continue Park’s destruction. Back in and Park gets knocked into the corner but snaps off a powerslam for two and a breather.

Fatu superkicks him down and hits a handspring moonsault for his own two. With nothing else working, Park goes up top and hits something like a Whisper in the Wind. What all else fails, throw your large body at the other guy. They head outside again with Park nailing a chair to the back, followed by literally breaking the bell over Fatu’s head. Park headbutts away, which sounds rather idiotic against a Samoan. After not knocking himself silly, Park whips away with the weightlifting belt.

Fatu, now busted as well, runs the corner for a flying shoulder to send Park outside for a huge running dive to crush Park again. There’s a table set up in for corner as Park is thrown back in, only to avoid the moonsault. Samael throws a fireball at the referee though, which might be taking things a bit too far. That brings Salina in….and Park’s spear misses Samael, sending Salina through the table instead. The Samoan drop sets up the double jump moonsault to retain the title at 20:00.

Overall Rating: B+. This is a case of the show having nothing bad and being under some good circumstances. MLW has come a long way in about a year and a half and they gave us a good first pay per view here. Almost all of the wrestling was completely watchable to very good and the stories got to pay off in a logical way. On top of that we also got some stuff to set up the future. This was a really nice success and I hope people bought it to see what MLW can do.

Results

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

Injustice b. Septimo Dragon/Gringo Loco/Puma King – Springboard 450 to Dragon

Teddy Hart b. Austin Aries – Canadian Destroyer

Low Ki b. Brian Pillman Jr. via referee stoppage

Tom Lawlor b. Timothy Thatcher – Rear naked choke

Mance Warner b. Jimmy Havoc and Bestia 666 – Superplex through a door to Bestia

Alex Hammerstone b. Davey Boy Smith Jr. – Rollup with a grab of the rope

Jacob Fatu b. LA Park – Double jump moonsault

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

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 #73
Date: August 31, 2019
Location: Melrose Ballroom, New York City, New York
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Rich Bocchini

This show is all about the World Title, which is the case for the first time in far too long. Tonight we’ll be seeing Jacob Fatu defending the World Title against Tom Lawlor in Lawlor’s rematch after dropping the title. Fatu hasn’t done much with the title since winning it in the first place so maybe they can get things back to normal tonight. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with Fatu promising to finish what he started with Lawlor and finish him for good.

Opening sequence.

Injustice vs. Zenshi/Air Wolf/Gringo Loco

Injustice would be Myron Reed/Jordan Oliver/Kotto Brazil, who promise to get justice. Oliver and Loco start things off with Oliver holding up one of his signs. Loco flips away instead before catching Oliver in a Regal Roll. A standing moonsault gets two and it’s Wolf coming in for the first time. Oliver sends him to the apron so Wolf chops him from there for a change.

Zenshi’s standing moonsault gets two and everything breaks down, allowing Wolf to slam Oliver. That lets Loco springboard off of the back of Brazil (in a fireman’s carry) for a Swanton. Injustice bails to the floor but pull most of the good guys outside. That lets Brazil hit a suicide dive onto Wolf and it’s time for the parade of dives. Back in and Zenshi’s slingshot splash gets two on Oliver but Reed and Brazil take Loco down.

It’s Wolf in trouble with Reed forearming him in the face, allowing the villains to keep taking turns. Wolf hits a Pele out of the corner though and it’s a hot tag to Zenshi to clean house. A 619 over the top rope sets up a double slingshot faceplant sets up a hard suplex on Reed. Brazil dives in way late for the save but thankfully the referee slowed down his count.

Oliver and Zenshi head outside and it’s Reed hitting a running cutter to the floor (sweet) to take Zenshi out. Back in and Reed pulls out some brass knuckles but Loco takes them away and gets in a shot of his own. Brazil kicks them away from Loco and hits a middle rope X Factor. Reed adds a slingshot cutter to Wolfe and it’s a standing Sliced Bread from Brazil for the double pin on Wolf at 10:03.

Rating: B. This was a lot of fun with both teams doing a bunch of crazy stuff. It was the kind of entertaining cruiserweight match that you can almost always make work because the talented people are allowed to go out there and fly around. It helps when you have a bunch of people who aren’t huge stars as you can make some new stars with a match like this.

Mance Warner has been bailed out of jail.

War Chamber rundown. The main event will air the next week on TV.

Kevin Von Erich talks about his sons having the family heart, which they’ll do in Dallas. Ross and Marshall promise to dethrone Contra.

Dominic Garrini is coming.

Video on Alexander Hammerstone’s recent trip to Pro Wrestling Noah.

Hammerstone is training and isn’t worried if he might have a match against Davey Boy Smith Jr. at Super Fight. Georgia Smith is on a treadmill and says she and Davey lifted that much weight when they were kids. The weight is increased and muscles flare.

MLW World Title: Jacob Fatu vs. Tom Lawlor

Fatu is defending and Josef Samael handles his introduction. Whomever has the gold controls the league so Contra is in charge of everything. They slug it out before Lawlor can even get inside and it’s a high crossbody to put Fatu down. A superkick is blocked and Lawlor takes him down with a discus lariat. Fatu gets dropped with an enziguri into a belly to back for two as Lawlor is very fired up here.

The first Samoan drop gives Fatu two and it’s time for the slow beatdown in the corner. A running headbutt hits Lawlor in the ribs and Fatu bites him for a bonus. We get a lot of walking around from the champ, allowing Lawlor to hammer away in the corner. Fatu superkicks him right back down though and a handspring moonsault crushes Lawlor again. A running kick misses though and Fatu gets caught in the ropes, allowing Lawlor to hammer away.

Hold on though as Lawlor needs to go after Samael, allowing Fatu to hit a heck of a suicide dive. Back in and the pop up Samoan drop doesn’t quite work, allowing Lawlor to grab a sleeper. That’s switched into a choke so Fatu slams him into the corner for the break. Fatu tries to charge once too often though and goes head first into the post. Lawlor pulls him off the corner for an airplane spin into a Death Valley Driver and a near fall of his own.

Some YES Kicks….just wake Fatu up again so Lawlor hits a running clothesline to the back of the head but can’t quite follow up. An exploder suplex sends Fatu hard into the corner and a big boot makes it worse, only to have Samael get in a spike shot. The double jump moonsault to the back retains the title at 15:13.

Rating: B. These guys beat each other up and while the finish wasn’t clean, it did a very good job of making me think that Lawlor could pull off the upset. Fatu is the kind of monster we don’t see very often around here and it was good to see him destroy someone. At the same time though, it’s kind of awkward to go from a pinfall in the World Title match to the War Chamber in a week. Kind of weird booking there but it came after a good match.

Post match Samael and Simon Gotch come in for the beatdown, drawing out the Von Erichs for the big brawl. The Von Erichs come in for the save but Ikuro Kwon is out to beat the good guys down. This brings out Low Ki to make the real save, becoming the fourth member of Team Lawlor.

Overall Rating: A-. This was all that you could have asked for with a pair of rather good matches and a big reveal at the end. That being said, this one did seem to be a little less important, even with the World Title on the card. It has been devalued so much by everything else going on and while Fatu is still awesome, the whole thing feels like it was secondary to stuff like the Hart Foundation vs the Dynasty. Very good show either way though and that’s what MLW has been needing.

Results

Injustice b. Zenshi/Air Wolf/Gringo Loco – Assisted standing Sliced Bread to Wolf

Jacob Fatu b. Tom Lawlor – Double jump moonsault

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

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

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

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