MLW Roundup: Hart vs Havoc & Pillman vs Hammerstone live title fights tonight, Flamita signed, more!

Let’s catch up on this week’s news in MLW and preview Saturday night’s episode of Fusion. A Fury Road live television special has two championship bouts for your pleasure. Plus, health updates on the Lucha Bros and a new signing.

Two title fights tonight on MLW’s live special

MLW is coming at us tonight with a live episode of Fusion from Fury Road in Milwaukee. Two title fights are on tap.

First things first though. If you have been curious to check out MLW or are a periodic viewer, then last week’s episode is great point to jump in as the Contra Unit went wild. It is one of the best episodes of Fusion to date. I’m not sure how well it will come across if you don’t know the stories, but it will definitely provide a taste of how MLW gets down. The stories aren’t too complicated, so it should be easy enough to not feel lost.

For the regular viewers who may not have seen every Fusion episode yet, MLW producer Alex Greenfield posted a list of his favorites.

The reason I mention to watch last week’s episode is because it seems like it will be the kick-start of a surging Summer plot line for Fury Road and beyond. Greenfield stated that there will be mouth-watering wickedness. MLW CEO Court Bauer commented that tonight’s show will set the stage for the entire summer.

With that in mind, let’s go over tonight’s one hour live special. Teddy Hart will defend his Middleweight Championship against Jimmy Havoc, Alexander Hammerstone and Brian Pillman Jr. are competing in a tournament final to win the National Openweight Championship, and Gringo Loco vs Myron Reed should be a crowd-pleaser.

Hart vs Havoc and Gringo Loco vs Myron Reed don’t really have a story build-up. They are more like cool matches for the sake of cool matches. Side stories to keep an eye on will be how Hart defends against Havoc’s tactical crotch assaults and if Reed can fully focus despite referee bias in past bouts.

The match with the most build is Hammerstone vs Pillman. In a four man tournament, Hammerstone defeated Gringo Loco and Pillman defeated Rich Swann to advance to the finals for a chance to become the inaugural National Openweight champion. View the semi-finals highlights here.

The two also have heated beef between their respective groups, the Dynasty and the Hart Foundation. However, both are confident enough to fly solo, so I’m not expecting any interference.

In preparation, Hammerstone rented out a gym to train uninterrupted. Richard Holliday noticed that Hammer is shoulder pressing more than Pillman weighs. Hammerstone even canceled all wresting engagements to focus. He called out party boy Pillman, but it backfired.

Twitter beefs are not Hammerstone’s strength. First, Salina de la Renta clowned him. Now, Pillman took him behind the woodshed. Luckily for Hammerstone, words don’t count for much once the bell rings. Although, it will be interesting to see if Hammerstone seeks a psychological edge by spewing disparaging words about Pillman’s father.

In addition to the fisticuffs, Tom Lawlor will announce his next Heavyweight Championship challenger. I’ll be crossing my fingers for Davey Boy Smith Jr. Salina de la Renta will provide information about a new deal she brokered. The preview also mentioned:

CONTRA Unit promises to continue their campaign to disrupt and destroy MLW. Who is next in the crosshairs of the global dealers in violence? Only the outsiders Jacob Fatu, Josef Samael and Simon Gotch know for sure.

After running roughshod in New York, I don’t know how the Contra Unit is going to top themselves.

Here is the full Fury Road card as advertised. Unannounced bouts will probably pop up.

• Middleweight Championship: Teddy Hart vs Jimmy Havoc
• National Openweight Championship Finals: Alexander Hammerstone vs Brian Pillman Jr.
• Gringo Loco vs Myron Reed
• Tornado Tag Team Match: Tom Lawlor & the Von Erichs vs Contra Unit
• Falls Count Anywhere: Sami Callihan vs Mance Warner
• Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs MJF
• Austin Aries vs Adam Brooks
• Air Wolf vs Ace Austin
• Richard Holliday vs Kotto Brazil
• Flamita vs Rey Horus
• Low Ki vs Ricky Martinez

The last two matches on the list were added this week. They both have potential to steal the show. Flamita has been on the up-and-comer radar for awhile now. For Lucha Underground fans, you may remember him as Night Claw. You can pretend his bout against Rey Horus is actually against El Dragon Azteca Jr. Low Ki vs Ricky Martinez will be hot. Low Ki will attempt to dish out punishment for Martinez abandoning him against the Contra Unit.

In a last minute addition, Alex Greenfield will be battling the barricade.

Round one went to the barricade at the New York set of shows. It pulled off a surprise leg sweep for victory.

Sources say Greenfield has been training with a bunny for the rematch. I’m predicting Greenfield uses rabbit-style to win.

If you are in the Milwaukee area, limited tickets are available for purchase (here). There will also be a meet and greet with Jim Cornette.

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.

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News and notes

Let’s run down a few quick bits. Some come from the MLW newsletter. Sign up (here) if you desire.

We were provided with a health update for Fenix and Pentagon. After a FIREBALL!!!, Fenix suffered third degree burns on his face but his eyes are okay. Pentagon, well, goodness gracious. Check out these horrifying details.

Pentagon wasn’t as fortunate. With injuries reportedly focused around the eyes, Pentagon is currently receiving care for a partially crushed orbital bone and still to be determined cornea damage. Moments after the footage cut out, witnesses saw the 300 pound Jacob Fatu repeatedly gouging Pentagon’s eyes on the floor. Moments later, the massive Samoan lifted Pentagon up above his head… with his thumbs hooked into Penta’s eye sockets to pick up the luchador.

Dude, what the heck? It sounds like Fatu almost ripped Pentagon’s head off. I thought Fatu was related to the Anoaʻi family, not the eyeball popping Haku/Meng. Good thing the Lucha Bros have excellent recuperative powers, because they have a June 16 date with the Young Bucks at AAA’s Verano de Escándalo.

In managerial news, Low Ki’s partnership with Promociones Dorado seems all but over after they ditched him when confronted by the Contra Unit. He is being pitched by competing managers. Low Ki’s rival, Daga, also may be on the market for a manager. In a twist, Daga could end up signing with Promociones Dorado.

Flamita has a July tour in Japan. He will become an MLW regular starting in September.

MLW scouts visited USA Wrestling trials and also an boxing show featuring Masayuki Ito against Jamel Herring as the feature bout. There was a tease of bringing a boxer in as a crossover attraction.

MLW closed a deal to have a show in Dallas. No date mentioned as of yet.

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What are your predictions for Fury Road? How much pain will the Contra Unit cause? Who would you like to see manage Low Ki or Daga?