MLW Fusion: Surprise small package, surprise death machine, and surprise butt cheeks

MLW Fusion was back from the Melrose Ballroom in New York City for episode 53. The show featured MJF and Brian Pillman Jr. continuing their factions’ rivalry, Rich Swann and Myron Reed with tag team flippy stuff, LA Park’s open challenge being answered by a death machine, and a drive-by mooning.

On to a recap and review of the show...

MJF vs Brian Pillman Jr.

MJF was joined by Richard Holliday and Alexander Hammerstone. Brian Pillman Jr. went solo without his Hart Foundation buddies. Pillman came out with a pretty snazzy jacket, in terms of wrestling fashion.

Holliday and Hammerstone were ejected early after being caught interfering. The story of the match was MJF working over Pillman’s already tender shoulder. Pillman eventually got some momentum with a flying crossbody and a powerslam. For the finish, MJF was arguing with the ref about a two count, so Pillman used a surprise small package for the 1, 2, 3. MJF was left in a state of shock.

After the match, Kaci Lennox tried to interview MJF on the entrance ramp. MJF shouted, “I don’t got time for this, you bimbo. That was a fluke, and you all know it.”

Promo time

Salina de la Renta held a press conference to announce she will be the executive producer of MLW Fusion on May 4 (Cinco de Mayo weekend).

Sami Callihan wanted to cut a promo but was pissed off because the camera light was so bright. Callihan said he had left MLW to go find himself after getting his ass kicked by LA Park in Miami. He figured it out and has plans now that he is back. Cause chaos, piss people off, beat LA Park, and have a match against Mance Warner. In the Battle Riot, Callihan took notice of the Southern Psycho. “He’s a messed up (mentally) individual like me and I respect people like that.” Callihan proposed a main event next week of himself against Mance Warner, because it would equal ratings.

The cameras were snooping in the stairwell to catch a conversation between Alexander Hammerstone and Richard Holliday. Hammerstone was pissed about being ejected earlier, expressed desire to hurt the Hart Foundation, and upset about MJF’s loss reflecting poorly on the Dynasty. Holliday tried to calm the big man down so they could enjoy their reservations at the 21 Club in New York City. Once the duo spotted the cameraman, he ran away.

Jimmy Yuta & Lance Anoa’i vs Rich Swann & Myron Reed

Rich Swann and Myron Reed entered again with the word justice taped over their mouth. They controlled much of the bout. Highlights include a standing moonsault by Lance Anoa’i, a combo move of a slingshot leg drop by Reed and a running senton by Swann, a combo move by Anoa’i of dropkicking Reed while also Samoan dropping Swann, and a super dope running cutter by Reed from the entrance ramp into the ring.

For the finish, Jimmy Yuta slingshotted himself into a low blow by Swann. Reed hit a facebreaker on Anoa’i followed by a splash from Swann onto Anoa’i, who was still on Reed’s knees. The pin came after two consecutive 450 splashes from the bad guys.

More promos

Mance Warner was regaling some fellow with tales of fisticuffs while drinking light beer. Kaci Lennox asked Warner for his thoughts about Sami Callihan’s challenge. Knee pad up, knee pad down. “Sami, ole Mancer gonna fight you, baby.”

Tom Lawlor went over a list of past injuries, but the worst was Jacob Fatu squishing his internal organs. Fatu and the Contra Unit will be feeling pain when Lawlor puts them unconscious.

Open Challenge: LA Park vs ???

Salina de la Renta got on the mic to say Jimmy Havoc was injured with a paper cut. Instead of Havoc vs LA Park, she offered an open challenge to whoever wants some.

Enter Sami Callihan.

Most of the match was the two brawling at ringside with a beer can, an umbrella, those metal posts that hold up velvet ropes, and a replica championship belt. Once in the ring, Callihan powerfully pushed out of a pin cover to send Park crashing on top of the referee. Callihan then accidentally pump-kicked the ref in the corner after Park moved out of the way.

Callihan used a baseball bat to hit Park in the head. To clarify in case you didn’t watch, Callihan didn’t swing the bat. It was like how HHH puts his hand in front of his sledgehammer when dishing out blows. Callihan covered for more than a three count but the ref was still dazed out of his mind.

Ricky Martinez and Hijo de LA Park hit the ring to stomp Callihan. Mance Warner came out for the save. Low Ki swung the numbers back into Promociones Dorado’s favor. Daga ran out to continue his feud with Low Ki. The big move was Daga with a tope con hilo onto everyone who interfered.

Callihan was gearing up to take flight next. As he turned around to run the ropes, Park speared him. The ref was awake again and counted the win for Park.

Butt cheeks

Alexander Hammerstone and Richard Holliday left the building to get their car, but the vehicle wasn’t where it was supposed to be. The Hart Foundation drove by, in the Dyansty’s wheels, cackling with laughter as Brian Pillman Jr. mooned their rivals.

MLW

---

Episode 53 of MLW Fusion was a solid affair. MJF vs Brian Pillman Jr. felt old-school with the way MJF worked Pillman’s shoulder. That style was a nice change of pace. Rich Swann and Myron Reed followed with some very cool flippy stuff. Reed’s running cutter was awesome. They convinced me as a duo to keep an eye on. If Swann and Reed can pick up some winning momentum, then a tag team title match against the Hart Foundation would be hot fire.

The main event was a nice work around from Jimmy Havoc being unable to compete. It had a surprise with Sami Callihan challenging LA Park, a mishmash of interference to set up a possible relationship between Callihan and Mance Warner, and an ending that made me gleefully smile when Park speared Callihan. I was all excited to see Callihan take flight, then boom! Park crumpled him. I was not expecting that.

It will be interesting to see if Sami Callihan and Mance Warner end up becoming friends. They are both crazy hardcore fellows. With the trend of alliances forming in MLW for a possible future trios title, who could be a third wheel on Callihan and Warner’s light beer wagon? Outside of an ECW veteran, I’m drawing a blank. Who do you think would be a good fit?

Which was your favorite match of episode 53? Which was your favorite maneuver? Did Brian Pillman Jr.’s butt cheeks bring you a barrel of laughter as it did for me?

MLW Fusion airs on beIN SPORTS Saturday nights at 9 pm ET / 6 pm PT. New episodes are posted on YouTube Mondays at 7 pm ET. Fusion is also broadcast in the UK, Ireland, and Israel.