MLW Fusion emanated from Dallas for episode 76. Jordan Oliver vs Zenshi was the appetizer, while the Dynasty and the Hart Foundation were the main course in a 2-out-of-3 falls Tag Team Championship bout. Austin Aries made a contemptible appearance as a no-good MFer in an effort get noticed.
On to a recap and review of the show...
Ack! I was not expecting this image to open the episode.
A bloodied Josef Samael brought the heat in a chilling promo about last week’s War Chamber defeat. “I shed a gallon of blood in Dallas, TX, and it don’t even bother me a little bit. Von Erichs, it ain’t over. Not by a long shot. And your daddy, Kevin, I know he’s the heart of that family. And I’m gonna stick this stake (railroad spike) right in his goddamn heart and destroy you all once and for all in the name of Contra. Hail Contra!”
Jordan Oliver vs Zenshi
Jordan Oliver was accompanied by Myron Reed and Kotto Brazil. Reed wore a chest protector for his injured ribs. During the match, Tony Schiavone blurted out, “I had bruised ribs on my honeymoon, (dramatic pause) and we couldn’t go out dancing that night.” It was met with complete silence from Rich Bocchini.
Zenshi controlled the flow of the match with his unique style, but the Injustice trio acted unjustly by often interfering on behalf of Oliver. Highlights include a running shooting star press by Zenshi, Zenshi flipping out of a super hurricanrana from Oliver, a 619 leg sweep by Zenshi under the bottom rope, a running shooting star press by Zenshi off the apron, and a two move combo from Zenshi with a slingshot DDT then a corkscrew senton.
Zenshi (@TheAerialArtist) with a Slingshot DDT followed by a corkscrew senton to @TheJordanOliver #MLWFusion on @beINSPORTSUSA pic.twitter.com/CkMEetFQVW
— Major League Wrestling (@MLW) September 22, 2019
The match went off the rails after the corkscrew senton when Brazil pulled the referee’s leg to break the count. The ref for this bout was a new official, and I didn’t catch his name. He reminded me of a Texas version of Officer Farva from Super Troopers. After Brazil intruded, the referee argued with him on the floor. It was a lengthy discussion.
In the ring, Zenshi hit a handspring Pele kick and a running twisting neckbreaker. Brazil broke up the count again by pulling the ref’s leg. The ref lost his shoe. They argued up the entrance-way, and the ref shoved Brazil. Oliver capitalized on the distraction with a stunner. Reed followed with a springboard 450 splash aided by his new chest protector. Oliver made the pin, and the referee counted the win.
After the match, Reed clobbered the referee. Zenshi was beat down as well. Gringo Loco made the save with a chair to chase off Injustice. I didn’t recognize Gringo Loco at all in his casual street clothes. Brazil made sure to steal the referee’s shoe as they exited. Does Injustice have a shoe fetish? They snagged a different ref’s shoe last time they wrestled.
Ole Mancer back, baby
Mance Warner cut a promo in a parking lot with a variety of large trucks. Uncle Moonman bailed him out from New York jail. “I don’t say legal names on here. He’s got a little business on the side.” Warner is a free man looking to fight Jamie (Jimmy) Havoc in a bunkhouse brawl. Mancer plans on getting the win, hitting the pay window, and sending Havoc back to wherever he came from. “I got to start drinking, baby. I’m feeling good.”
Lifestyles of the Rich and Dynastic
Richard Holliday was solo talking about his vigorous training regimen at 6 a.m. The consumers will see the phonies that the Fraud Foundation really are. We will realize there is only one true Dynasty in MLW. Holliday closed by putting on tiny goggles to get his tan on.
Von Erichs choose Harts
The Von Erichs were asked to predict the winners of the Tag Team Championship main event. All three favored the Hart Foundation. Marshall closed by proclaiming their desire to chase gold. They’re coming for the titles.
Jimmy Havoc is bloodthirsty
#MLWFusion, celebrating @JimmyHavoc’s existence, since he is part of the 1% of the people in MLW that have a brain. pic.twitter.com/1RrTkkZs98
— Salina de la Renta (@salinadelarenta) September 24, 2019
Salina de la Renta spoke from the parking lot at night. LA Park will take care of her new problem, Jacob Fatu. Jimmy Havoc chimed in that he will take care of Salina’s other problem, Mance Warner. He will be drinking Mancer’s blood. Havoc said that while licking his lips like he hasn’t had a drop of liquid in days.
2-out-of-3 Falls Tag Team Championship: MJF & Richard Holliday vs Teddy Hart & Davey Boy Smith Jr.
Time for the tale of the tape for the main event.
The Dynasty was joined by Aria Blake. Davey Boy Smith Jr. wore a sweet short sleeve fur coat. Based on the size of the jacket, I wouldn’t be surprised if he raided his sister’s closet. Teddy Hart brought his Middleweight Championship to the ring. It was mentioned on commentary that Austin Aries was making a fuss backstage by accusing Hart of ducking him as a title challenger.
Once the bell rang, the Hart Foundation was chomping at the bit to fight. The champs stalled. Hart walked down Holliday to engage in fisticuffs on the floor. Davey Boy superkicked MJF while he was trash talking fans. Hart connected on a springboard moonsault to both Dynasty members.
Fall 1 was rather lengthy at about 15 minutes. The Hart Foundation dominated early by utilizing their Dungeon training. The Dynasty had enough and walked to the back. The Hart Foundation followed them behind the curtain. All of a sudden, MJF was thrown tumbling back on screen. Hart suplexed Holliday on the floor.
After double Northern lights supexes by the challengers, the champs finally got momentum when MJF cheap-shot kneed Hart in the kidneys while he was running the ropes. The Dynasty worked Hart over until Smith got the hot tag for a powerslam and diving headbutt. Holliday kicked out. Delayed piledriver by Smith. Holliday kicked out. Holliday hit a jawbreaker, then the two clashed heads while Holliday was running the ropes. MJF pushed Holliday forward to fall on top of Smith. 1 2, 3.
Fall 1: Richard Holliday pinned Dave Boy Smith Jr.
MJF tried to attack Davey Boy’s woozy head, but Smith came alive to pummel MJF. Hart was tagged in for a Canadian Destroyer. Holliday ate some clotheslines, a dropkick, and a lungblower. Hart went high risk, but MJF knocked the ropes out from under Hart’s feet. MJF set up Hart on the turnbuckles. Hart fought back and pulled off a super Canadian Destroyer. He followed with a springboard corkscrew moonsault to defeat MJF.
Fall 2: Teddy Hart pinned MJF.
MJF was still out cold. Hart set up a hammerlock DDT, but Holliday saved his partner with a big boot. Smith knocked Holliday out of the ring and pursued his opponent.
Austin Aries! Aries ran down to smash Hart with the Middleweight Championship belt and a brainbuster on the apron.
.@AustinAries just sent the Middleweight champion and the division a HUGE message!#MLWFusion on @beINSPORTSUSA pic.twitter.com/u85UaJwuB3
— Major League Wrestling (@MLW) September 22, 2019
Aries grabbed the title, but I couldn’t make out what he said, aside from f-ing expletives.
Hart’s neck was wrecked. He was down on the floor. MJF was out in the ring. Smith and Holliday were occupied with one another. The referee started making the twenty count for Hart to get back in the ring. MJF slowly awoke at 15. Smith made his way over to Hart and picked him up at 19. However, Smith was too slow to get Hart back in the ring.
Fall 3: Teddy Hart counted out. The Dynasty retained the Tag Team Championship.
After the match, MJF could barely get to his feet to enjoy the victory. Hart was carried out by Smith and MLW officials.
Boo, Austin Aries. That little rapscallion ruined the episode 76 main event of MLW Fusion. When Aries debuted in MLW, I was rooting for him. Aries executed his magician gimmick to perfection in the sense that I am now so invested in this story that I want to see Teddy Hart kick his ass in revenge. Boo, Austin Aries.
The Tag Team Championship main event wasn’t clicking for me. I think it took too long to get rolling. Also, the Fall 3 finish didn’t leave me satiated as closure to this chapter of the feud between the Dynasty and the Hart Foundation. I do have to give thumbs up for creativity on the finish to Fall 1. Out of the thousands of matches I’ve viewed in my life, I don’t think I’ve ever seen two wrestlers clunk heads together for a pinfall like that.
I will say that the idea of the Von Erichs kicking rich boy behind is enticing. I would have preferred the Von Erichs versus the Hart Foundation next, but there is plenty of time to tell that tale in the future. The Von Erichs dethroning the Dynasty will be a feel-good moment, if that does indeed occur.
Zenshi continues to impress. I’d like to see him wrestle the upper echelon performers, such as Teddy Hart and Low Ki. I’m curious to observe how Zenshi’s style meshes with the superstar veterans. I don’t think Zenshi would win, but they would be cool matches worth watching.
I’m picking Josef Samael’s promo as the best moment of the show. His intense delivery was matched in intensity by the bloody visual. I believed every word he said and genuinely fear for the life of Kevin Von Erich. If this were an action movie, Kevin would be a dead body plot point, or at least badly hospitalized. The harshness of Samael’s threats make me wonder what the Von Erichs will have to do eliminate the Contra Unit. Beating them in the War Chamber wasn’t enough. What step is the next level up after the War Chamber?
What was your favorite moment from episode 76 of MLW Fusion? Were you satisfied with the Tag Team Championship main event? Did Austin Aries’ interference get you pumped for a potential PPV showdown with Teddy Hart at Saturday Night SuperFight on November 2?
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.