Fusion #129
Date: March 24, 2021
Location: Gilt Nightclub, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Jared St. Laurent, Rich Bocchini

It’s the go home show for Never Say Never and that means very little for this week. I’m still not sure how many things there are to get excited about around here, but maybe they can have some kind of energy going into the big show. We have a chain match this week, but somehow even that doesn’t sound exciting. Let’s get to it.

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

Josef Samael rants about Injustice causing problems for Contra so next week, things will be settled. Then there is Calvin Tankman, who has been talking about coming after Fatu. So many have said that and then fallen, just like Tankman. That’s next week though, because he has to survive tonight.

Opening sequence.

Gino Medina vs. Zenshi

Zenshi takes him down to start so Gino bails into the corner. They trade some quickly broken holds and counters until Gino is sent outside. A quick switch lets Zenshi sweep the legs from the floor but Gino is back up for the stomping in the corner. Zenshi snaps off a hurricanrana and hits a standing moonsault for two but Gino is back with a chop for two.

An abdominal stretch lasts for about two seconds before it’s off to a double arm crank instead. It’s time for the tried and true going for the mask but Zenshi elbows him down and gets two off a Spanish Fly. A handspring seated crossbody gives Zenshi two more but Gino kicks him in the head for the pin at 7:13.

Rating: C. It was another just kind of there match from Medina, which tends to be the norm for him. I’m not sure what is missing from him but nothing ever really seems to click. Maybe a gimmick of some sort would help, but he just kind of comes and goes without making an impact. Zenshi is good, but it isn’t like he stands head and shoulders above everyone else.

Tom Lawlor is claiming an injury before tonight’s main event.

Myron Reed talks about how he lost everything at Kings of Colosseum and then got attacked by Contra. Next week, he has Daivari.

Gringo Loco vs. Mil Muertes

Salina de la Renta is here with Muertes, who does not think much of Loco’s dancing. A spear and some right hands put Loco down as the dominance begins. Another right hand puts Loco on the floor and Muertes rams him into various things. Muertes chops the post but catches Loco in a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Back in and a catapult sends Loco throat first into the bottom rope, followed by a spinning chokeslam for two. A powerslam is good for the same and Salina gets in some choking on the ropes. Loco gets up to the middle rope but spins into the Downward Spiral to give Muertes the pin at 7:30.

Rating: C-. Muertes’ offense is rather devastating looking but at the same time, it is a little bit obvious that he doesn’t really move. He is one of those monsters who just kind of waits for you to come get to him, which is one of the more interesting versions. I’m not sure where he is going, but the presentation alone is one of the best things in MLW.

Alex Hammerstone isn’t happy with Mil Muertes taking the National Openweight Title. The challenge is on for April 14.

Tom Lawlor is out but we’ll make it 2-2 instead of 3-3.

Video on Calvin Tankman.

Here are the tag team rankings:

5. Dirty Blonds

4. Contra

3. Injustice

2. Violence Is Forever

1. Von Erichs

Bu Ku Dao is out 2-3 weeks and TJP has been fined.

Calvin Tankman vs. Zad

Zad is from the Sentai Death Squad. Tankman Pounces him to start and hits a spinebuster, followed by a backfist to the back of the head for the fast pin at 1:02.

Post match Contra comes in but Injustice runs in for the save to help Tankman clean house.

The Von Erichs are ready for Violence Is Forever without or without Tom Lawlor.

Salina de la Renta accepts Alex Hammerstone’s challenge for April 14 but yells at a question about Azteca Underground. Someone from Azteca Underground comes up though and Salina seems to be in trouble.

Tom Lawlor says Violence Is Forever is ready for the Von Erichs.

Here’s what’s coming at Never Say Never.

Von Erichs vs. Violence Is Forever

The ring ropes have been replaced by chains and Tom Lawlor is here too. It’s a brawl to start with the Von Erichs taking over early on. Violence Is Forever is sent into the chains but a Lawlor distraction lets Violence Is Forever take over. An Indian Deathlock into an STF has Marshall in trouble but Ross is back up to clean house.

Dominic pulls Marshall into a heel hook but Ross makes a save. The Von Erichs are sent into the chains and something like a GTS into a dragon suplex gets two. Lawlor tries to throw in some brass knuckles but an interception allows Marshall to knock Ku out. The claw slam/belly to back suplex combination finishes Garrini at 7:30.

Rating: D+. This was a weird one because the chains really didn’t have much involvement here. They were more of a detail than a feature, as this was hardly the kind of violent match you would expect when there are chains instead of ropes. The action itself was fine, but there is only so much you can do with this kind of a gimmick.

A Never Say Never ad wraps us up.

Overall Rating: C-. Yeah this was the MLW show that I have come to dread: uninteresting stories, just ok wrestling and almost nothing I’m going to remember. Never Say Never is just about a guaranteed finale for me as the show isn’t all that entertaining. You might get something decent every now and then, but overall things just are not all that great. Next week is going to be another Contra show, which has been the case for a very long time now. The show needs something fresh, but it seems less and less likely every week.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Fusion #117
Date: January 13, 2021
Location: Gilt Nightclub, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Jared St. Laurent, Rich Bocchini

We’re done with Kings of Colosseum and while the Middleweight Title did change hands, the show did not exactly feel like a big deal. This week’s show could be though as Salina de la Renta is in charge and the Tag Team Titles are on the line. You can’t really tell in recent months though as the relaunch hasn’t gone so well. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence, featuring a lot of de la Renta.

Salina is at the commentary booth and orders Bocchini to put on a mask because he is too early for television. She runs down the card and we’re ready to go.

Low Ki vs. Budd Heavy

A running forearm knocks Heavy cold in 7 seconds. Well that worked.

Post match Low Ki says Tom Lawlor got away with one and he isn’t done.

We look at Lio Rush winning the Middleweight Title.

Rush says his catchphrases to celebrate.

Konnan isn’t here to do commentary but Salina knows what happened.

We go to a clip from San Diego, with Salina in a dark room and holding a candle. Apparently Mil Muertes may have killed Konnan, whose name Salina won’t use.

Filthy Island is coming on February 17.

We look at Mads Krugger vs. Alex Hammerstone going to a double countout last week.

Krugger says he saw fear in Hammerstone’s eyes last week. If Hammerstone is man enough, bring the Openweight Title to Contra’s lair.

Mil Muertes vs. Brian Pillman Jr.

Salina is here with Muertes and Pillman bails straight to the floor. Back in and Pillman rolls around to grab a headlock, only to be scared out to the floor again. A clothesline lets Muertes hammer away and a belly to back suplex drops Pillman again. The chinlock goes on before Muertes hits some clotheslines in the corner. A Downward Spiral finishes Pillman at 3:28.

Rating: C-. This was the kind of squash that Muertes needed to have for his debut and he looked like a monster. I’m curious to see where things go with the mini Lucha Underground crossover, but it isn’t likely to be anything more than one or two people. What we got here worked, though it would seem that Pillman won’t be around long as he was treated like a complete jobber here.

Richard Holliday doesn’t like the lack of respect he is receiving as Caribbean Champion. Anytime Savio Vega wants one more shot, come and get it so we can settle this.

Tom Lawlor insists that he will call the Tag Team Title match down the line. He doesn’t know why ACH is getting a World Title shot before him after he beat ACH in the Opera Cup tournament. Fair point.

Injustice isn’t happy with what Contra did to them last week.

We get some news that Promociones Dorado has been sold but Salina storms off.

Alex Hammerstone is playing the long game to become the new World Champion so he’s ready for another match with Mads Krugger. Sure he’ll come to the Contra lair.

Here’s the Top 10.

10. Laredo Kid

9. ACH

8. Myron Reed

7. Mads Krugger

6. Richard Holliday

5. Lio Rush

4. LA Park

3. Low Ki

2. Tom Lawlor

1. Alex Hammerstone

Tag Team Titles: Von Erichs vs. LA Park/Hijo de LA Park

The Von Erichs are defending and Tom Lawlor is guest referee. Salina is here with the Parks and has a new bodyguard with her. The Parks jump them to start and we’re off in a hurry with the champs in trouble. The stomping ensues in the corner, including Park hitting a belt shot to Ross’ back. Now a medal stool is brought in for some more shots to put the champs down. The Von Erichs manage a double dropkick to the floor to set up a double dive for their first burst of offense.

Back in and Marshall chops away at Park in the corner, setting up an exchange of running clotheslines in the corner. Ross comes back in and superkicks Hijo into a Falcon Arrow for a very slow two. Some superkicks drop Ross and a Code Red gets two as we are suddenly having tags after seven minutes of anarchy. A clothesline gives Park two and Marshall is knocked to the floor for the huge suicide dive.

Everything breaks down again and Lawlor goes down, clutching his knee. As a result, the champs get a rather delayed two, and then Lawlor’s arm seizes up as well. The Parks’ stereo rollups get very fast two counts but Lawlor is low bridged to the floor. Back in and the Claw Slam hits Hijo for no count. Instead Salina comes in to mace Marshall and it’s a pair spear to drop him again. Cue LA Park Jr. to deck Ross and Park adds another spear for the pin and titles at 10:36.

Rating: C. This was much more of an angle instead of a match but it was also a good way to get the titles off of the Von Erichs. They had held the titles for over a year (with an asterisk) and managing to get the belts on the Parks while keeping the Von Erichs strong was a heck of a trick. It was nice to see them paying attention here and you can set up the Von Erichs vs. Team Filthy from here.

Of note: the Promociones Dorado logo appears at the end, with a statement saying “a subsidiary of Azteca Underground Inc.”. Oh my indeed.

Overall Rating: C. I think I liked this one more than Kings of Colosseum and it almost felt even bigger. The title change feels more important and the Lucha Underground tease is certainly intriguing. MLW has been hit or miss at best since the return and while this wasn’t a great show, it made me a little more curious about what is coming and that hasn’t been the case very often lately.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Kings of Colosseum 2021
Date: January 6, 2021
Location: Gilt Nightclub, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Jared St. Laurent, Rich Bocchini

It’s a special show this time around as we’re getting to look at one of the company’s big events for free. There are three title matches tonight as things are indeed feeling stacked. The Tag Team, Middleweight and National Openweight Titles are all on the line, meaning this is going to be a big show. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening video looks at Alexander Hammerstone wanting the World Title and needing to go through Mads Krugger to get there. Krugger is ready for him.

Tag Team Titles: Von Erichs vs. Dirty Blondes

The Blondes, with Ariya Blake, are challenging and this is a Bunkhouse (country themed street fight) match. It’s a brawl to start (as it should be) with Marshall Von Erich being sent outside in a hurry. Ross Von Erich hits a quick dropkick though and everyone heads to the floor for the brawl. They waste no time in brawling to the back and then outside with Marshall being sent into a plastic table. Back inside and a cowbell to the head drops Leo Brien. Blake gets in a cheap shot and chokes Ross a bit, which has absolutely no effect. The Claw/belly to back suplex combination finishes Brien at 3:53.

Rating: C-. Where’s the other ten minutes of this? They had no time here and when you spend so much time brawling outside on the floor/outside, there isn’t exactly much time to set up your finish. What we got was good enough but they needed way more time for this to go anywhere.

The Von Erichs say anyone can come get a shot.

Simon Gotch isn’t here to face Jordan Oliver for some reason.

We look at Tom Lawlor defeating Low Ki to win the Opera Cup.

Lawlor talks about taking the cup everywhere, from the bathroom to the filthiest clubs in Vegas. He’s so proud that he has even had another cup made. This is the first time that he has been sober since winning the tournament and now they’re heading to FILTHY ISLAND.

Lio Rush has heard Myron Reed call himself Mr. Hot Fire but no one is hotter than him.

Reed is ready to show Rush what he’s all about.

Here’s the top ten:

10. Mads Krugger

9. Calvin Tankman

8. Laredo Kid

7. ACH

6. Richard Holliday

5. Myron Reed

4. LA Park

3. Low Ki

2. Tom Lawlor

1. Alex Hammerstone

Gotch vs. Oliver is officially postponed.

Middleweight Title: Lio Rush vs. Myron Reed

Reed is defending and has Jordan Oliver with him. Rush goes for the ankle to start but gets caught in a wristlock. That’s broken up in a hurry too and it’s time to run the ropes, with Reed hitting a slingshot belly to back drop. A legdrop gets two on Rush, who is right back with an elbow to the face. Rush starts doing his running dodges (those are always great) and Reed is sent to the floor for a suicide dive.

Back in and Rush takes his back with a chinlock to keep Reed in trouble. That’s broken up and Reed’s springboard cutter is blocked. A 540 kick to the face drops Reed again and Rush kicks at the chest. We’re back to the chinlock for a bit more but this time Reed fights up with a clothesline. That sends Rush outside so Reed hits a big running dive over the top. Back in and a springboard uppercut connects as commentary puts over Reed’s comeback skills. A fireman’s carry slam into a low superkick gets two on Rush so he rolls outside.

That’s enough for Rush to pop up and switch places with Reed, setting up a bottom rope Asai moonsault from Rush. A twisting Unprettier gives Rush two back inside and a clothesline cuts off the crisscross attempt. Reed gets in some shots to the face and they slug it out until Reed enziguris him to the apron. The always cool looking running over the top cutter takes Rush down to the floor but the frog splash misses back inside. Rush’s springboard Stunner connects, setting up the Final Hour for the pin and the title at 14:19.

Rating: B. Rush winning here is the right move as he’s a far bigger star than a good chunk of the entire roster, but they did a good job of keeping Reed from looking like a loser. You can’t have Rush win without breaking a sweat and what you got here was a solid back and forth match. Rush can hold the title for a good while and put someone over whenever he loses the title.

Rush says he’s awesome and no one is stopping him.

Alex Hammerstone is asked about his title match but Contra hacks the feed and promises a new soldier.

Tom Lawlor’s Filthy Island is coming soon.

Salina de la Renta promises her own show next week and the main event will be Los Parks challenging for the Tag Team Titles, in exchange for rejoining Promociones Dorado. Tom Lawlor will be the guest referee to make it completely fair.

Myron Reed says Lio Rush was the better man tonight but he’ll get the title back. Contra jumps Reed and Jordan Oliver, with Daivari joining in as the new soldier.

National Openweight Title: Alex Hammerstone vs. Mads Krugger

Krugger is challenging. They don’t waste time and start the brawl on the floor, with Hammerstone getting in a belt shot to the head. Hammerstone’s clothesline out of the corner doesn’t do much good inside and a big boot puts him on the floor. Krugger drops him face first onto the apron and they’re back inside with Hammerstone managing a belly to belly.

A running clothesline takes Krugger down this time and there’s a pump kick to the face in the corner. Another suplex gives Hammerstone one but it’s way too early for the Nightmare Pendulum. They take turns hammering away in the corner and brawl to the floor again for the double countout at 6:24.

Rating: C. This was just the teaser as it seems that they are going to have some kind of gimmick rematch, which makes sense given the nature of this one. Krugger should be winning the title soon so Hammerstone can move onto the World Title, which could make for an interesting showdown. Good stuff here, with Krugger dominating but not destroying Hammerstone, meaning there is enough of a reason to do this again.

Overall Rating: C+. The Middleweight Title match carried this show as there was almost nothing else worth seeing on the whole thing. It was the only match that got any significant kind of time and while it was good, it was barely enough to make the show worthwhile. I was expecting something a little longer overall here, but this was shorter than most regular episodes of Fusion. It’s fine enough because of Rush vs. Reed, but that’s all that’s here.

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:

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WCCW TV
Date: March 29, 1986
Location: Dallas Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas
Commentator: Bill Mercer

I liked the previous show so let’s take another look at the Dallas boys. As usual it’s just another random show and that means there is no way of knowing what we have coming up. I can go with more of that in a promotion I’m not overly familiar with, so hopefully they live up to the expectations I have from an unrelated show about fourteen months ago. Let’s get to it.

Opening sequence.

Mercer runs down the card.

Steve Regal vs. Brickhouse Brown

Say it with me: not that Steve Regal. Brown is a lot smaller than you probably would expect and grabs a headlock to start. A sunset flip doesn’t even give Brown one and it’s time to fight over the wristlocks. Brown elbows the arm but gets caught in a top wristlock for his efforts. Back up and Brown isn’t having this being sent face first into a buckle, meaning it’s time to crank on Regal’s arm again.

The armbar goes to the mat and Brown drives some knees into the arm. Regal gets up and pokes him in the eye before stomping in the ribs. We have two minutes left in the ten minute time limit as Regal knees him in the ribs. Brown knocks him into the corner and then pulls him right back out for a crash. A dropkick into a legdrop gets two on Regal as the time limit expires at 10:00 (or 9:40, which is pretty good for the 80s).

Rating: D. This was the stereotypical match from this era with both guys working on the arm for about eight minutes and then remembering that they were supposed to try to win the match. That doesn’t make for an interesting match when you can tell what they are going for from the start, making it just a boring use of most of the time until you get to the finish. Neither was exactly exciting here either, making this a rather lame way to open the show.

Post match Brown wants to keep going but Regal bails. Smart man as that arm work can be treacherous.

From earlier this month.

Six Man Tag Team Titles: Von Erichs vs. Fabulous Freebirds

The Freebirds are defending and we’re joined in progress with Kevin putting Gordy in a sleeper and then a bodyscissors to make it worse. It’s off to Lance (erg Lance), who gets caught in a camel clutch from Hayes. We hit the ten minute call as Hayes elbows him in the face and hands it back to Gordy for the Oriental Spike (that’s the name).

Kevin and Kerry come in for the save and it’s back to Hayes, who gets caught in a suplex. Kerry and Roberts get the double tags as everything breaks down again. A rollup should finish Roberts but Gordy comes in to make the save. Roberts is able to get the cover on Kerry to retain at 5:59 shown. I won’t rate a match with so much time missing, but it seemed like a hot match, as tends to be the case with these people. Except Lance.

Steve Simpson vs. Rick Rude

Rude’s WCWA (same company as WCCW) World Title isn’t on the line and he has Percy Pringle (Paul Bearer) in his corner. Rude’s tights don’t have any painting on them but they do have pockets for a unique look. Feeling out process to start with Rude throwing him around but getting caught in a monkey flip. Simpson grabs a headscissors to take Rude to the mat and doesn’t even let him go down there.

Rude headlocks his way to freedom as commentary tells us how to vote for Rude’s next challenger. A northern lights suplex drops Simpson for two and we hit the abdominal stretch. That’s broken up in a hurry and Simpson unloads in the corner but a monkey flip is blocked. A DDT (known as the Rude Awakening here) finishes Simpson at 6:18.

Rating: C-. Not much to this one as Rude was still getting the hang of things and was nowhere near the star that he would become. It’s impressive to see how fast he became such a star because you could see elements here, but he had a long way to go before he would hit that next level. Simpson looked great but didn’t showcase himself all that well. Granted that wasn’t the point of this one.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

We see Bruiser Brody interrupting a main event to challenge Terry Gordy to a fight. Gordy came out and the fight was on as the main event was completely forgotten.

Fantastics vs. John Tatum/The Grappler

The brawl is on before the bell with the Fantastics clearing the ring as we’re told this is under Texas Tornado rules. They do manage to get in the introductions, with Sunshine in the Fantastics corner and Missy Hyatt with the villains. The Fantastics pull them back in and then throw Tatum right back to the floor. Grappler doesn’t like them going after his mask and Fulton is sent into the corner. An atomic drop puts Rogers down but Fulton is back up to clean house. Missy grabs Rogers’ foot though and the catfight is on with Sunshine covering her with ketchup. The distraction lets Fulton roll Grappler up for the pin at 4:18.

Rating: C. As usual, the Fantastics know how to work up an audience but this was much more about Sunshine vs. Precious, who had some of the most entertaining catfights of their day. Taking some fries and ketchup to Missy’s face would drive her crazy and the fans reacted as a result. Sometimes you don’t need to make things more complicated than they need to be and that was the case here.

A quick preview of next week’s show wraps us up.

Overall Rating: C-. The opener brings this down a bit but the rest of the show was fun enough. As tends to be the case with World Class, it feels like you need to watch a good bit of the shows to really get the hang of things, but what we got here was still good enough. They don’t exactly fill in the backstories, but it’s like Memphis: you don’t need much of a reason to watch people fight in front of a crowd this hot.

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 #113
Date: December 9, 2020
Location: Gilt Nightclub, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Jared St. Laurent, Rich Bocchini

Last week’s show was the best since the Restart and we’re in for some good stuff if they can keep that up. What matters here is capitalizing on the momentum and the big piece is in place as the Von Erichs defend the Tag Team Titles against Contra. That could go either way so let’s get to it.

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

Contra says MLW hasn’t taken control of anything and promises to bring the heroes to their knees. Look at what they have done to Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Alex Hammerstone. Tonight, they come for the Tag Team Titles.

Opening sequence.

Zenshi vs. Calvin Tankman

Zenshi’s legsweep has no effect to start and a dropkick to the back just annoys Tankman. A hurricanrana sends him into the corner and a kick to the head staggers the monster a bit. That’s about it for the offense though as Tankman plants him with a spinebuster and chops away in the corner. Tankman sends him flying but Zenshi knees his way out of a suplex. A handspring Pele rocks Tankman for a bit but he hits Zenshi in the throat. The Tankman Driver finishes Zenshi at 3:44.

Rating: D+. This was designed to make Tankman look like a cross between a tank and a man, which worked out well enough. Having him shrug off everything Zenshi threw at him made for some good visuals, as Tankman seems to be someone they want to push. Given how many names they have lost/are losing, that is one of the most important things they can do at the moment.

Tankman says that’s just a small taste so line him up some more opponents. Heavyweight Hustle is going to knock them all down.

We look back at Richard Holliday and Low Ki winning their first round Opera Cup matches.

Salina de la Renta is at the Aztec Ruins (labeled as such) where she is looking for a certain man. Salina talks about a man being caught in a horrible earthquake in Mexico City in 1985 (uh oh) but a witch brought him back to life. She whips out a knife, licks it, and says she is summoning Pascal Mendoza. This isn’t going to go well.

Dan Lambert doesn’t like Low Ki moving forward in the tournament while King Mo is sitting on the sidelines.

Violence Is Forever vs. Jason Dugan/Robert Martyr

Violence Is Forever is Team Filthy’s Kevin Ku/Dominic Garrini and the jobbers don’t even get first names to start things off. Garrini takes Dugan over with a quick judo throw but a cross armbreaker attempt sends Dugan bailing to the ropes. Ku comes in to step on Dugan’s arm and a brainbuster/kick to the head combination (better known as Chasing the Dragon but not called that of course) finishes at 1:54.

Low Ki is ready to kick Richard Holliday’s Air Pods out.

Holliday hopes Low Ki’s bravado can handle his rarefied air.

We look at Myron Reed challenging Lio Rush.

Rush says he needs no introduction as he is on the way to the studio to record another hit. He won’t be facing Reed on December 23 because Rush is coming for the title on the first show of the new year. Until then, Reed can eat his off brand cereal and train like never before.

We get a sitdown interview with Alex Hammerstone, who isn’t worried about Mags Krugger. He’s also cleared to wrestle so he’ll be back in the ring next week.

Contra hacks the feed and Krugger wants Hammerstone at Kings of Coliseum on January 6.

Opera Cup Semifinals: Low Ki vs. Richard Holliday

Holliday starts fast by stomping Low Ki down in the corner, followed by a hard elbow to the face. Ki is right back with a running elbow of his own and a hard chop, only to get dropped face first onto the turnbuckle. It’s time to start working on Ki’s leg and a belly to back suplex gets two. Holliday switches gears by moving to the arm….followed by a backbreaker as he is certainly mixing things up.

Ki comes back with a choke out of the corner but Holliday falls down into the ropes for the break. Back up and Holliday hits a quick clothesline and they’re both down for a bit. It’s Holliday back up with a heck of a pop up sitout powerbomb for two, meaning it’s time to yell at the referee. A spinebuster gets the same as commentary is getting way into this. Ki dropkicks him into the corner, setting up the Warrior’s Wrath (top rope double stomp) for the fast pin at 9:19.

Rating: B-. This started picking up the pace at the end and that’s great to see from Holliday. I know he gets most of his attention for the talking but he has surprised me in the ring more than once. Ki has been WAY better in MLW than anywhere else I remember seeing him and that’s a great surprise. Both guys were working here and I could have gone with five more minutes.

Post match Ki grabs the Caribbean Title. Sweet on a possible rematch.

We go to the Kings of Coliseum Control Center with Reed defending the Middleweight Title against Lio Rush confirmed.

Reed says it’s time but Rush isn’t taking the title from him.

Tag Team Titles: Contra Unit vs. Von Erichs

Simon Gotch and Jacob Fatu are challenging for Contra. The brawl starts on the floor with the music still playing and the champs taking over. Ross and Simon get in the ring to officially start with Ross snapping off a fisherman’s suplex. Fatu isn’t having that and comes in with the superkick to take over.

Some kicks to the chest don’t do much as Fatu pulls him back in by the leg. It’s back to Gotch for the chinlock for a bit but Fatu comes back in and gets low bridged to the floor. The hot tag brings in Marshall to clean house as everything breaks down. A hurricanrana sends Fatu outside and Marshall claw slams Gotch through a board at ringside. Cue Jordan Oliver and Violence Is Forever for the brawl and double DQ at 7:14.

Rating: C-. This didn’t have time to get very far and that might be for the best. You absolutely don’t want Contra losing but I can see why you don’t want them to win the titles yet. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a rematch at Kings of Coliseum or on a big Fusion, but for now it was just an ok at best match and the ending came when it should have.

Overall Rating: C. The show had more energy this week and hopefully that keeps up because it helped a bit here. The wrestling wasn’t as good as it was last time around but at least they had a nice show for the most part. They still aren’t hitting their stride with the big matches most of the time but at least the show was decent enough as a whole. I want to see where some of these people go and that’s a good sign for the future.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Hidden Gems #13
Date: 1980

Texas Championship Wrestling TV
Date: October 27, 1980
Location: Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas
Commentator: Boyd Pierce

So this is a different one with a full episode of the Texas Championship Wrestling TV, which would eventually morph into World Class Championship Wrestling. These shows are very rare, hence why they make a lot of sense as a Hidden Gem. Believe it or not, the show is about the Von Erichs. Let’s get to it.

Opening sequence, with a bunch of still shots.

Tim Brooks vs. Ted Heath

They go into the corner to start with the British Heath getting in a shot to the ribs off the break. What a villain. Some circling goes to Heath as he takes over on the hammerlock, allowing Pierce to talk about how awesome Heath was as an amateur wrestler in the UK. The wristlock into the hammerlock keeps Brooks in trouble until he reverses into a hammerlock of his own. Ever Pierce acknowledges that they’re not moving very much out there, even as Heath takes over with another hammerlock.

A headscissors takes Brooks down, allowing him to hit a quick splash onto the arm. After some pausing for Heath to hold his arm, we get a rather fired up test of strength with Brooks kicking him in the ribs to take over. Heath backflips out of things though and takes Brooks down in a pretty impressive counter (how British of him). Brooks takes him right back down and drops some knees, only to have the arm bent around the rope. They go into the corner with Brooks getting a chain to the throat and the bearhug goes on.

Heath breaks out of that and gets in the chain as well, sending Brooks running off like a true coward. Imagine that: running when an angry man is swinging a steel chain at you. Get some backbone man! We have three minutes left in the fifteen minute time limit and it’s Brooks coming back in to beg away again. With the chain taken away, Heath starts in on the leg and chops Brooks on the mat but a splash hits knees. Brooks drops a leg for the pin at 13:27.

Rating: D+. This was a weird one as it felt like they ran out of time for what they were trying to do and threw together a quick finish. Heath was decent enough here but Brooks was a heel around the territory for a long time. It would have worked better had they gotten to the bigger stuff earlier, but that ended just came out of nowhere and felt like it was from a different match.

Brian Blair vs. The Jackyl

The Jackyl is a masked man replacing the injured Bulldog Brower. Blair slugs away to start with Jackyl staggering around until he falls down. A headlock takeover lets Blair keep him in trouble as the announcer talks about how AMAZING the Von Erichs are. Jackyl finally goes with a pull of the hair to escape and it’s right back to the headlock takeover to lay on the mat some more.

After another minute or so of just laying there on the mat, they get up to their knees for more headlocking. Blair switches to a front facelock as we hit five minutes in….somehow. They FINALLY break it up and it’s time for Jackyl to go with the foreign object. Blair fights back with right hands and a knee drop, meaning we hit the front facelock again. It’s time to go after the mask but Jackyl drives him up against the ropes for the sake of identity.

Some right hands have Blair in trouble and it’s off to the chinlock because this match hates me. Blair reaches up and pulls the mask half off so Jackyl cranks on the chinlock a bit more to keep things hidden. That works so well that they do it again but this time, Blair gets away and blindly swings. The slug it out from their knees until Jackyl slams him down, only to miss a legdrop. An atomic drop into a middle rope elbow to the head rocks Jackyl again and an abdominal stretch into the pin finishes Jackyl at 11:56.

Rating: D. This did get a little better once they started doing something but the first five or six minutes were spent ENTIRELY on the mat in one hold after another. That’s not wrestling, that’s not psychology and that’s not effort. This was the two of them laying there for half of the match and that was horrible. Once they got up and tried to do something it got up to acceptable, but just laying there like that isn’t worth anyone’s time.

Post break (and shower and dressing), Blair talks about all of the physical stuff he has to do to stay in shape. Oh and stay away from drugs and cigarettes. He’s been an athlete since he was six years old and now he does some rodeo along with wrestling. Blair likes the idea of Fritz Von Erich beating up Gino Hernandez too. The lack of charisma was strong here, as was Blair’s goodness being almost hard to take. Then again, different time and Fritz LOVED that kind of stuff so it makes sense.

Stan Stasiak vs. Bruiser Brody

The brawl is on in a hurry with Bruiser knocking him to the floor early on. Back in and they brawl in the corner, with Brody getting smart by working on the heart punch hand. Stasiak is fine enough to send him face first into the buckle and we hit the nerve hold. Brody fights up from his knees and stomps away in the corner so they can go outside. Some rams into the apron let Brody bites him in the head as the beating is on. Back in and the running knee misses Stasiak but the referee gets pushed away, allowing Stasiak to use a foreign object for the pin at 4:28.

Rating: C. That’s not the ending I would have bet on as Brody is Brody and it’s 1980 so why is Stasiak still being pushed as something? It wasn’t clean or anything though so it’s not like this is anything of note. It was one of the more entertaining matches on the show as well, mainly due to Brody’s crazy charisma.

Bruiser Brody/Von Erichs vs. Stan Stasiak/Gary Young/Pak Song/Gino Hernandez

That would be David/Fritz/Kevin here and there are a ton of stipulations. It’s an elimination match with pin/submission/over the top rope eliminations. Whoever is eliminated first can’t wrestle in Texas for six months, but if it’s one of the Von Erichs they can keep living in the state. Any of the other five have to get out of Texas altogether. Brody and Young start things off as there are two referees inside the ring for a weird look.

They run the ropes with a kick to the ribs putting Young in trouble, meaning it’s off to David for an armdrag takeover. David gets pulled into the corner though and it’s time for the villains to start taking their turns on him. Gino gets in some stomps but it’s off to Kevin, sending Gino BAILING to the floor. The villains take a breather on the floor and we settle down to Young front facelocking Kevin. Song’s chops put Kevin down but a dropkick puts him down. The Claw goes on and Song is pinned at 3:57.

We take a break and come back with Brody slamming Gino and cleaning house as only he can. Kevin comes in to get caught with a cheap shot, allowing Gino to throw him outside. Gino chokes Kevin so Fritz comes in to ship Gino with a leather belt. Kevin and Gino fall over the top for the double elimination and the credits roll as they fight on the floor at 6:56 shown.

Rating: D+. This didn’t have time to go anywhere but they got rid of Song so at least they got the important part done. The point of a show like this is to leave the fans wanting more and that is exactly what they managed to do. Granted I’m not sure how well it worked with no real backstory to the whole thing but the Von Erichs in the main event was the guaranteed main event.

Overall Rating: D. I wasn’t feeling this one at all as it just wasn’t an entertaining show. The promotion was built around personalities and the long form stories but none of those were on display here. It was a case of knowing almost everyone involved aside from the interview with Blair and the deal with Fritz whipping Gino. The promotion would get better but this wasn’t the time just yet. Bad show, but anyone can have an off 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 #102
Date: March 21, 2020
Location: 2300 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: AJ Kirsch, Rich Bocchini

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

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

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

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

El Lindaman vs. Zenshi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pagano is still coming.

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

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

Richard Holliday vs. ???

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

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

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

Top Ten:

10. King Mo

9. Low Ki

8. Mance Warner

7. Maxwell Jacob Friedman

6. Richard Holliday

5. Brian Pillman Jr.

4. Tom Lawlor

3. Davey Boy Smith Jr.

2. Myron Reed

1. Alexander Hammerstone

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

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

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

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

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

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

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

We look at Gino Medina joining the Dynasty.

Septimo Dragon vs. Gino Medina

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

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

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

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

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

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

Warner says that’s not going to work.

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

National Openweight Title: Alexander Hammerstone vs. Aerostar

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

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

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

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

Warner promise to wreck things.

Killer Kross is coming.

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

Jacob Fatu tells Cima to bring it.

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

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

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

LA Park is coming back.

Video on the Dynasty’s dominance.

Tag Team Titles: Dynasty vs. Von Erichs

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

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

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

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

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

Results

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

Alexander Hammerstone b. Aerostar – Rollup

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

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #92
Date: January 11, 2020
Location: Melrose Ballroom, New York City, New York
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, AJ Kirsch

We’re still in New York as the Opera Cup continues with the second semifinal match. Other than that we get the fallout from last week with Tom Lawlor and the Spirit Squad beating down the Von Erichs. Other than that, there is always the chance of Contra getting into some violence. Let’s get to it.

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

Injustice has attacked Brian Pillman Jr. in an attempt to get him out of the Opera Cup, where the three of them are the alternates. This included some arm damage and a “fan” shouting for security. Injustice swears about this being what happens if you leave them out.

Opening sequence.

We look back at Tom Lawlor beating up Rip Von Erich (Lance’s son in a great joke), drawing out the real brothers. The Spirit Squad then ran in to save Lawlor and beat down Ross and Marshall.

Tag Team Titles: Filthy Squad vs. Von Erichs

Non-title and Lawlor is on commentary. The Squad is now in martial arts gear as they are Lawlor’s top students. During the entrances, we see their official induction into Team Filthy in a good bit of continuity. Some fans give the Von Erichs flowers in a Sportatorium inspired moment. It’s a brawl to start with Mikey being knocked to the floor so Kenny can run into a double dropkick. Back in and Marshall gets taken down, allowing the Squad to start in on his bad leg. Marshall kicks Kenny away with little effort and it’s Ross coming in to clean house. The Claw/belly to back slam finishes Mikey at 2:18. Short and sweet.

Post match, Rip Von Erich tries to run in but gets beaten down as well.

We look at Pillman being attacked again. Pillman is still being looked at.

Lawlor jumps the Von Erichs and hits Marshall in the bad knee with some kind of weapon.

Here are both attacks that you just saw again.

Injustice makes fun of Court Bauer wanting to fine them. You can’t get them on any BS charges so they should be in the Opera Cup now that Pillman is out.

Video on Mance Warner vs. Jimmy Havoc, who have been fighting forever and now it’s going to be a barbed wire match.

Fightland Control Center, with Killer Kross and LA Park confirmed.

Erick Stevens is coming.

Pillman is arguing with the doctors behind closed doors. Pillman, with a very taped up arm, comes out of the room and says he’s cleared for tonight. Tonight, he’s taking out Timothy Thatcher and then he’ll deal with Injustice.

Contra talks about loving violence and promise an upcoming war. They’re coming for the Von Erichs and Davey Boy Smith Jr.

Here’s the returning Konnan for a chat. He talks about the partnership with AAA, which he helped put together. As for now though, he’s found the next big thing in Gino Medina. This brings out Gino with Konnan talking about Gino being the son of a member of Los Gringos Locos, which also included Konnan and Eddie Guerrero. Gino accuses Konnan of trying to manipulate him but Konnan says that would be Salina de la Renta, with sex references included.

Cue Salina to say Konnan has no sex life so Konnan says he’s at the top of the penthouse and Salina is in the basement garage. Now it’s the Dynasty joining in on things, with MJF suggesting that he can get Gino into AEW. Richard Holiday talks about how elite the team is and Hammerstone brags about his physique for a sales pitch. Gino shakes Konnan’s hand but then lays him out, with the Dynasty joining in as Gino joins the team.

Post break, we look at what we just saw.

We look at how Brian Pillman Jr. and Timothy Thatcher made the semifinals of the Opera Cup.

Opera Cup Semifinals: Brian Pillman Jr. vs. Timothy Thatcher

Pillman has a bad shoulder coming in. A running dropkick sends Thatcher into the corner and Pillman starts chopping away until Thatcher gets in the first crank on the arm to cut that off in a hurry. An elbow to the arm lets Thatcher glare down at him and the keylock goes on. Thatcher mixes it up with a half crab and a bow and arrow, followed by another more traditional armbar.

Now it’s a Disarm-Her until Pillman slips out and reverses a belly to belly into a crossbody for two. The arm is fine enough to grab a powerslam for two but the Dire Promise is broken up. Thatcher gets two off a suplex and we hit the chinlock. With that not working, Thatcher goes with a Fujiwara armbar but Pillman reverses into a rollup for the pin at 8:14.

Rating: C+. They didn’t quite get up into a higher level but Pillman fighting through adversity to win the match and go on to face his friend in the finals. Thatcher looked good as usual as there is always room for someone who can wreck some limbs. Not a great match, but it did what it was supposed to do.

We look at how Davey Boy Smith made the finals to preview next week’s big match.

Overall Rating: C. This was one of those shows where you would have been better off reading a recap rather than watching the show. The wrestling was watchable at best but everything was so fast that it didn’t mean much. I liked the Gino segment and I can always go for more of Konnan vs. Salina. Next week’s main event should be good in a British Bulldog vs. Owen Hart sense, which seems to be at least an inspiration. It wasn’t a great show, but it could have been worse.

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.

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