Let’s catch up on this week’s news in MLW and preview Saturday night’s episode of Fusion.
Dr. Wagner Jr. signed
Bien, bien, bien. MLW bagged another lucha libre legend. They have signed Dr. Wagner Jr. to compete at the next event, Kings of Colosseum in Chicago on July 6. Wagner won’t be alone. His son, Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr., will be joining him in a tag match against another top family in the lucha libre world.
Los Parks vs. Dr. Wagner Jr & Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. signed for July 6 in Chicago https://t.co/LWCtnQmTc3 pic.twitter.com/tzmBM8NNti
— Major League Wrestling (@MLW) June 6, 2019
Dr. Wagner Jr. will keep up his feud with LA Park. The two teased a hair vs mask bout after AAA’s Triplemania XXVI last year, but it never came to fruition. Blue Demon Jr. stepped in to get the coveted main event slot against Wagner for Triplemania XXVII on August 3, 2019.
This signing shows that once again MLW aims to deliver epic feuds when other promotions drop the ball. Earlier this year, they signed Rush to fight LA Park, however, wrestling politics got involved and Rush went to Ring of Honor instead, which has a relationship with CMLL.
Quick Hits
MLW announced they will be bringing a show to Dallas on September 7. The event known as War Chamber will be the homecoming of the Von Erichs. Tickets go on sale this Monday, June 10. Visit MLWTickets.com to purchase. The upcoming schedule is Kings of Colosseum in Chicago on July 6, Never Say Never in New York on July 25, then War Chamber in Dallas on September 7.
War Chamber is a badass name for an event. It was rumored that WWE acquired the War Games name from MLW. Here’s to hoping War Chamber is the replacement. MLW has quite a few heated feuds that could be settled with war. Tom Lawlor and friends vs the Contra Unit, the Hart Foundation vs the Dynasty, Mance Warner and Sami Callihan vs Promociones Dorado are some off the top of my head.
Next is a photo of alleged stooge Doug Markham’s slashed tire. The incident was previously reported, and now we have evidence. Referee Markham is pointing toward Myron Reed and Rich Swann. Are there any Cagesiders willing to admit to tire slashing experience that can weigh in on if this looks legit?
Markham’s tires slashed; claims to be victim of “wrestler aggression” https://t.co/TiAZl182WH pic.twitter.com/mLizNu2vb3
— Major League Wrestling (@MLW) June 4, 2019
Alexander Hammerstone picked up gold by winning the National Openweight Championship, but he may have lost another jacket.
The @MLW jacket stealing has continued
— Kaci (@MissKaciLennox) June 2, 2019
✌ out Milwaukee
Thanks @alexhammerstone ! pic.twitter.com/9JK6HlYUUP
I don’t know if that is just a good joke or if Lennox actually did take Hammerstone’s jacket. Salina de la Renta was the first to cop Hammer’s style. This is a running goof I’ll be keeping my eye on, but I’m not sure Hammerstone has any more clothes to spare.
Inside Major League Wrestling
Jonathan and Kristina Snowden debuted a new weekly podcast named Inside Major League Wrestling. It was an interesting listen. Hear it here. The show was broken down into three segments: an interview with MLW CEO Court Bauer, an insightful review of Fusion, and an interview with Alexander Hammerstone.
Here are some quick points from the Bauer interview that stuck out to me.
- MLW will definitely be hitting PPV in the future.
- They try to use a moneyball strategy when signing talent.
- In regard to women’s wrestling, MLW doesn’t have the time capacity on television to do a meaningful division right now. Bauer wants to wait to do it right instead of rushing it. He wants a women’s division to live up to his standards. It is a matter of when, not if.
- When asked about the top guys of MLW, Bauer referenced Paul Heyman’s Smackdown six. The Fusion five are Salina de la Renta, Tom Lawlor, Teddy Hart, Davey Boy Smith Jr., and Brian Pillman Jr. The shows have been focused to build up de la Renta, Lawlor, and the Hart Foundation.
There are more interesting topics, such as the Contra Unit, Teddy Hart’s cats getting on TV, the National Openweight Championship being a stepping stone title, and perhaps a trios division in 2020.
The interview with Alexander Hammerstone was more of a look inside wrestling rather than the more common shoot style. It touched on Hammerstone’s philosophy about wrestling psychology, generating emotion, fundamentals of old school wrestling that still work today, and wrestlers getting their shit in. “You be the frosting. I’ll be the cake.” The conversation made me a Hammerstone fan. Not that I want to root for his character, but more like I want to see him on Fusion and will boo accordingly.
For those MLW die-hards out there, I recommend the podcast (here). It clocks in at one hour and forty-three minutes. The Hammerstone chat begins around the one hour mark.
Davey Boy Smith Jr. wants to stretch MJF on Fusion
Saturday night’s episode of MLW Fusion will feature Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs MJF, Kotto Brazil vs Richard Holliday, and Air Wolf vs Ace Austin.
Davey Boy Smith Jr. is a man with a big appetite, especially for carrots.
Holy smokes what a breakfast I had this morning pic.twitter.com/n1uRfLWzHH
— Davey Boy Smith Jr. (@DBSmithjr) March 24, 2019
He’ll be looking to burn off those calories by stretching MJF.
@MLW I’m looking forward to stretching MJF beyond physical limits and keeping my @MLW undefeated streak intact! I have a few surprises in store for this one, stay tuned..... pic.twitter.com/mYFokKE9Rn
— Davey Boy Smith Jr. (@DBSmithjr) May 18, 2019
I’m excited to see Smith in singles action in MLW. I don’t keep track of his career in Japan, so this bout can be a demonstration of Smith’s skills. It looks like MJF will be in a world of pain if he doesn’t bring backup. I can’t envision how he could possibly win without cheating.
On the undercard, Air Wolf is looking to keep his momentum rolling after the huge upset over Fenix. Ace Austin partook in a little trash talk on Twitter.
A sleeper? Lil pup, I’m a #SUPERSTAR. The only thing that’s a sleeper about this match is you. The WORLD is watching me. Enjoy the second hand clout from being in the ring with the #OneTrueAce https://t.co/xSLbVyE72z
— The One True Ace (@The_Ace_Austin) June 1, 2019
Also on the broadcast, Tom Lawlor will address being abducted last week by the Contra Unit, Salina de la Renta will share the line-up for next week when she executive produces again, and Myron Reed will speak about his quest for justice.
Is there anybody on the MLW roster that you like to see be stretched more than MJF? Are you watching Ace Austin or Air Wolf? Will the Contra Unit cause more calamity?
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.