MLW Fusion: Hammerstone advances, Fenix upset by scrappy rookie, Teddy Hart’s cat moonsaulting, more!

MLW Fusion from the Melrose Ballroom in New York City hit us with episode 57. The feature bouts were Fenix vs Air Wolf, Barrington Hughes vs Jacob Fatu, Ariel Dominguez vs Bryan Idol, and Gringo Loco vs Alexander Hammerstone in the National Openweight semi-final. We also saw a moonsaulting cat; a literal cat, not someone like Puma King.

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

Air Wolf vs Fenix

A handshake to start followed by unique mat work. The story was Fenix being better but the rookie Air Wolf rising to the occasion. Highlights include a fancy rope-bouncing arm drag by Fenix, Air Wolf with a leaping crossbody over the ropes to the outside, a sweet German suplex by Air Wolf with momentum from Fenix running the ropes, a deadweight German suplex by Air Wolf, and a double underhook twisting suplex by Air Wolf.

For the finish, Fenix had Air Wolf set up in a muscle buster position, but Air Wolf reversed into a roll up for the upset victory. Fenix laughed to himself afterward as if to say, “Good one, kid.”

MLW

Fenix raised Air Wolf’s arm, then left the ring so the king of canines could soak in the crowd support.

Austin Aries coming soon

An Avengers style graphic teased that Austin Aries is coming to MLW. Yes!

Salina de la Renta is peeved

Salina de la Renta was interviewed by Kaci Lennox about Mance Warner and Sami Callihan ruining her show last week. De la Renta implied that Warner is a chicken humper. They messed with the queen, so she is challenging them to fight members of Promociones Dorado next week. “I’m going to bring chaos to you, and chaos is going to bring you to the hospital.”

Barrington Hughes vs Jacob Fatu

Battle of undefeated big men. The referee was smashed between two bellies as he was trying to keep them apart before the opening bell. Barrington Hughes got the better of Jacob Fatu when exchanging chops. Running corner splash by Hughes. Hughes lost focus by looking around at the crowd. That’s when Fatu superkicked him in the face. Fatu ran up the corner to fly on a twisting, rotating body attack.

1, 2, 3. Fatu won in under a minute. He left without any Contra Unit destruction.

H2tv

Teddy Hart did most of the talking. He thanked the Lucha Bros for passing on the tag team titles then said both of their masks would be ripped off next time. Hart referenced scared cowards that dance around the ring. I don’t know who he was talking about. Hart then insulted MJF and his little ball sack.

Cut to the hotel room with Teddy Hart holding one of his cats. I believe it was Sherpa. Hart was talking about being kings of the jungle and others as smelly dogs. This caused Davey Boy Smith Jr. to burst out laughing. Sherpa did a moonsault.

The final topic was Rich Swann. Brian Pillman Jr. will be wrestling him in the National Openweight Championship tournament. Hart said Pillman wrestling Swann will make Pillman a better wrestler and a better person. Pillman wants a title belt for himself. Sherpa did another moonsault.

Grandpappy Hammer and weird Uncle Gary

Alexander Hammerstone cut a promo about how the Dynasty will celebrate when he wins the National Openweight tournament. Clubs, limousines, drinks, girls, a rented elephant. Mama Hammer, Papa Hammer, Grandpappy Hammer, and weird Uncle Gary Hammer will be there. The only thing missing was a, “U Can’t Touch This,” reference.

Tom Lawlor in an avalanche

Tom Lawlor cut a promo about his next challenger, “Avalanche” Robert Dreissker. When you are in avalanche, you don’t know which way is up or down, but you find out real quick. Lawlor has been getting filthy with his opponents in MLW. It will be no different with Avalanche. It’s too bad Ariel Dominguez wasn’t still on Lawlor’s back with the guillotine choke from last week.

Lawlor vs Dreissker for the World Heavyweight Championship will be in two weeks.

Bryan Idol vs Ariel Dominguez

This was Bryan Idol’s MLW debut. He looked good. Idol mostly dominated Ariel Dominguez. Highlights from Idol include a double underhook suplex into the corner, a swinging side slam, and a vertical suplex shoulderbreaker.

Dominguez had the fighting spirit after Idol missed a moonsault. The finish was on a satellite DDT by Dominguez. The little man used a tight grip to cradle the leg on the pin.

Ole Mancer and the smelly warthog accept

Mance Warner was responding to Salina de la Renta’s challenge from earlier. Sami Callihan literally popped up to join the promo. Callihan had a nice shot at La Pork (LA Park), because that’s all he looks like right now. Sami is mad that Salina ruined his match with Warner to prove who was better. Challenge accepted.

Mance Warner got up close and personal with the camera. Since Salina stopped them having a good time beating the shit out of each other, they are going to beat the shit out of her boys instead. Warner and Callihan both turned their hats around to gameplan.

The duo finished with a misunderstanding over whose tagline would end the promo. Thumbs up, knee pad up, thumbs down, knee pad down, thumbs down, knee pad up... Callihan handed Warner a light beer.

Frustration between Low Ki and Salina de la Renta

Kaci Lennox was snooping in the hallways with a cameraman. They overheard Low Ki and Salina de la Renta discussing their current relationship. The contract for their partnership is about to expire. Salina said he doesn’t understand all the work she’s been putting in to expand the Promociones Dorado brand, such as a reality show about her. Low Ki sarcastically pointed out, “Wonderful. The promoter is now the feature.” Salina suggested they take their conversation elsewhere as to not make a scene, then both walked off in opposite directions.

National Openweight semi-final: Gringo Loco vs Alexander Hammerstone

Alexander Hammerstone entered with MJF and Richard Holliday but dismissed them in confidence, or overconfidence. Hammerstone used his power, while Gringo Loco did flippy stuff. Highlights include a standing moonsault by Gringo Loco, a standard moonsault by Gringo Loco, and a bicycle kick by Hammerstone to Gringo sitting on the top turnbuckle.

The win went to Hammerstone after a superplex and a pendulum slam.

Hammerstone got on the mic after the match. Don’t describe him as a prospect. His destiny is to become National Openweight champ.

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Episode 57 of MLW Fusion felt a little low energy. The crowd and the announcers seemed worn out. That’s not to say the show wasn’t enjoyable, just that something felt off. I would say it was on a B-show level, but it was worth the time to watch. That goes to show that even when MLW isn’t hitting on all cylinders, they can still produce a good product.

Air Wolf vs Fenix was the type of match I’ve been expecting from Air Wolf after his hype. He showed a wider array of maneuvers this time. On the finish, I was thinking that would have been a nice, believable spot for an upset victory, but nah. Then, Air Wolf did get the surprise upset. Cool. Anything can happen in an MLW ring. It will be interesting to see where that momentum carries him.

Jacob Fatu vs Barrington Hughes was abrupt. I wanted more. That flying attack by Fatu was neat though. With the way Fatu has been crushing, I’d pick him as a favorite to win the Heavyweight Championship if he ever gets that opportunity against Tom Lawlor.

I’m not sure what to make of Ariel Dominguez vs Bryan Idol. At first, I thought it was going to be a showcase for Dominguez, but he got pummeled. Even though Idol lost, I want to see more of him.

I’d be shocked if Alexander Hammerstone doesn’t win the National Openweight Championship. They are setting him up strong. Enough so that if he does lose to Pillman or Swann, then it will create a memorable moment.

My favorite part was the promo with Mance Warner and Sami Callihan. I like that Warner and Callihan aren’t on the same page quite yet. They are friendly but still posturing to be cock of the walk between the two. I think I’ll wear a hat next week while watching them against Ricky Martinez and Hijo de LA Park so I can turn the hat around.

Oh, and Teddy Hart’s cat doing two moonsaults was cool too. I’ll never get enough of that.

Which match was your favorite from episode 57 of MLW Fusion? Which was your favorite moment? Who do you think will hand Jacob Fatu his first singles defeat?

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.