Let’s catch up on this week’s news in MLW and preview Saturday night’s episode of Fusion. Tom Lawlor will get his rematch tonight against heavyweight king Jacob Fatu, Mance Warner is fresh out of jail and heading for a bunkhouse match, and War Chamber has several more matches signed for the card.
Heavyweight title fight tonight on Fusion
Saturday night’s episode of MLW Fusion has the biggest match that could be made right now as Jacob Fatu defends his Heavyweight Championship against former champ Tom Lawlor.
Fatu gained golden glory by defeating Lawlor in the live special for Kings of Colosseum back in mid-July. Ever since then, Contra Unit has been brawling with Lawlor and the Von Erich brothers. So much so that they will compete in a War Chamber match on September 7. The winner of Lawlor vs Fatu will provide much needed momentum into the caged showdown.
Other matches for this episode include Brian Pillman Jr. vs Richard Holliday in another chapter of the Hart Foundation against the Dynasty and the new trio named Injustice (Myron Reed, Jordan Oliver, and Kotto Brazil) will wrestle Gringo Loco, Air Wolf, and Zenshi.
MLW producer Alex Greenfield is excited for us to watch this episode by teasing a “genuine by-god Moment™” during Fatu vs Lawlor and the Dynasty being entertaining douchebags. If that’s not enough, then get pumped with Lawlor’s promo for the MLW Heavyweight title match.
MLW Fusion airs on beIN SPORTS and PlayStation Vue 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, Israel, and Africa.
Fusion Fallout
If you’ll recall, Salina de la Renta ratted on Warner for his chainsaw mischief two weeks ago. That landed Ole Mancer in jail.
Good news. Mance Warner has been bailed out by his uncle to the tune of $20,750. Warner promptly issued a challenge.
After being bailed out of jail, @ManceWarner immediately issued a challenge, a challenge that was quickly accepted.
— Major League Wrestling (@MLW) August 29, 2019
It's Mancer vs @JimmyHavoc in a Bunkhouse Match!
Act quick, we're tracking a sellout, only $10 GA tickets remain at https://t.co/4fPJxysChR pic.twitter.com/MGyOS8Ux21
A bunkhouse match against Jimmy Havoc! Warner is coming prepared by, “packing up his ’92 Dodge RAM with pitchforks, bales of hay, lariats, cowbells, his lucky spittoon and whatever else can fit into his pick-up.” Dallas is in for a wild night.
War Chamber
War Chamber is set to go down September 7 from Dallas. Five new matches were added this week. The card so far is:
- War Chamber: Contra Unit (Jacob Fatu, Josef Samael, Simon Gotch, & Ikuro Kwan) vs Tom Lawlor, Von Erich brothers (with father Kevin Von Erich), & ???
- 2/3 Falls Tag Team Championship: MJF & Richard Holliday vs Teddy Hart & Davey Boy Smith Jr.
- Austin Aries vs Brian Pillman Jr.
- Bunkhouse Match: Mance Warner vs Jimmy Havoc
- LA Park & Hijo de LA Park vs Magnus & Septimo Dragon
- Timothy Thatcher vs Douglas James
- Ace Austin vs Air Wolf
- Debut of Dominic Garrini
Salina de la Renta brought in new competition for the Park family. Magnus is the cousin of Caristico (WWE’s original Sin Cara) and has competed in CMLL. Septimo Dragon is mentioned as one of 2019’s breakout luchadores in Mexico.
As for Timothy Thatcher vs Douglas James, the press release starts off with a question that is all you need to know to get excited about those two. “What happens when arguably the best scientific pro wrestler in the world faces a No Gi jiujitsu World Champion and undefeated kickboxer?”
Dominic Garrini is the newest signing to MLW. Garrini is, “a feared and respected grappler,” and, “one of the most accomplished Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners in the sport.”
Tickets are still available (here), but snap them up quick if you are interested. A sell-out is expected soon.
beINTheRing with Court Bauer
Court Bauer was the first guest for a new beIN Sports show called beINTheRing. In part 1 of the 3-part series, Bauer discusses the beginnings of MLW with stories about Satoshi Kojima, Gary Hart, CM Punk, and Teddy Hart vs Daniel Bryan. It is a very interesting profile, and I highly recommend spending the 12 minutes to watch.
Quick Hits
As mentioned in MLW’s newsletter (sign up here), MLW is concerned that Salina de la Renta and Promociones Dorado may sabotage MLW’s new relationship with The Crash. “Salina de la Renta wants to be the sole pipeline to great athletes in Mexico and this relationship has... complicated things for the Puerto Rican promoter and empresaria.” That sure would be an interesting side story for MLW’s show in Tijuana on October 5.
Savio Vega is recovering from Alexander Hammerstone’s crippling Night Terror Pendulum finisher. Vega has been doing physical therapy in Puerto Rico and will soon head to Miami for a week, “under the league’s supervision, per Dr. Nelson Sweglar.”
Jordan Oliver has been in the lab making music for the new Injustice trio.
Footage has been posted of Alexander Hammerstone kicking ass in a violent manner during his matches in Japan for NOAH.
A reminder that MLW merch is on sale for Labor Day weekend.
MLW Fans! Do we have a treat in store for you. It's the Labor Day sale at https://t.co/WI9aMQm0XZ
— Major League Wrestling (@MLW) August 30, 2019
Get 20% all of your favorites NOW! Act quickly, sale ends Tuesday Noon ET. https://t.co/WI9aMQm0XZ pic.twitter.com/uOiklqT66D
We’ll close with birthday wishes for Salina de la Renta’s dog, Dr. Pepper.
Hi ! I’m Dr.Pepper and my birthday is in August, I’ll be 3 soon.... just kidding suckers I’m a dog, I’ll be 21 pic.twitter.com/rgFvlLNhE7
— Salina de la Renta (@salinadelarenta) July 28, 2019
Who are you picking to win tonight, Jacob Fatu or Tom Lawlor? Will Brian Pillman Jr. end his losing streak to the Dynasty? Do you expect big things for Injustice as a trio?