MLW Roundup: Davey Boy Jr. vs Pillman Jr. in Opera Cup final, Killer Kross has an opponent, more!

Let’s catch up on this week’s news in MLW and preview Saturday night’s episode of Fusion. The Opera Cup tournament final airs tonight, Killer Kross has an opponent for Fightland, and we have teasers from the Zero Hour taping.

If you missed the news earlier this week, check out MLW signing with a Hollywood talent agency in efforts to secure a better TV deal.

Hart Foundation fight in Opera Cup final

The final for the Opera Cup tournament is here. It goes down tonight on Fusion. The Opera Cup trophy will be awarded to a winner for the first time in 71 years. MLW brought back the tournament when the Hart family donated the heirloom. Stu Hart was the last wrestler to win the honor, so it is only fitting that two Hart Foundation members meet in the final.

Davey Boy Smith Jr. will take on Brian Pillman Jr. Smith defeated Low Ki and Alexander Hammerstone on his path, while Pillman bested TJP and Timothy Thatcher to move on. Smith is a strong favorite in my book. He has too much experience, power, and stamina. Pillman will also have to deal with the lingering effects of an injured shoulder at the hands of Injustice. The only way I see Pillman winning is by a strategically surprise pin, much like what happened to Thatcher.

In other action, Myron Reed will be defending the Middleweight Championship against El Lindaman of the Stronghearts. That is a heck of a test for Reed. If he retains, it will tell us what type of champion he will be; skillful or cheater with interference from Injustice.

The preview also mentions Savio Vega vs Gino Medina in a street fight as payback for putting the boots to Konnan, Lifestyles of the Rich and Dynastic, and more on the feud between Tom Lawlor and the Von Erich brothers.

MLW Fusion airs on beIN SPORTS and PlayStation Vue Saturday nights at 9 pm ET / 6 pm PT. New episodes are posted on YouTube Saturdays at 6:05 pm ET. Fusion is also broadcast in the UK, Ireland, Israel, and Africa.

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Killer Kross has an opponent for Fightland

Killer Kross made major news when he signed on to appear at MLW’s Fightland on February 1 in Philadelphia. MLW has such a dynamic roster that the list of quality opponents for Kross was quite lengthy. Who will get the honor of welcoming Kross to an MLW ring?

“Filthy” Tom Lawlor.

Excellent choice. That match doesn’t need any story to sell interest. Expect a Bloodsport grappling type of fight. The press release states that Kross has a background in Vale Tudo Pankration. According to the Internet Wrestling Database, they have competed against each other once before. Kross got the upper hand as he was victorious in that bout from September 2019 with Warrior Wrestling.

That wasn’t the only top notch match announced for Fightland. Alexander Hammerstone will defend the National Openweight Championship against T-Hawk from the Stronghearts. Davey Boy Smith Jr. will fight Erick Stevens. Brian Pillman Jr. is set to compete against Jimmy Havoc, with Priscilla Kelly by Havoc’s side.

MLW also teased AAA luchadores to be available for the event. No names have been mentioned yet.

Here is the Fightland card so far:

• World Heavyweight Championship: Jacob Fatu vs CIMA
• Killer Kross vs Tom Lawlor
• National Openweight Championship: Alexander Hammerstone vs T-Hawk
• Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs Erick Stevens
• Brian Pillman Jr. vs Jimmy Havoc (with Priscilla Kelly)
• LA Park returns

Enjoy this hype video Fightland. I’m posting it, because I like the funky groove.

That jam comes from the song, “Easy Rider,” by Action Bronson, who sampled, “Adımız Miskindir Bizim,” by Mazhar ve Fuat. Shout out to MLW for listing the song info.

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Zero Hour teasers

We’ll close with teasers for Zero Hour, which was filmed last Saturday in Dallas. I don’t consider these spoilers, since no results are mentioned. That said, proceed at your own risk if you want everything for the Fusion episodes from Dallas to be a complete surprise.

The show appears to have been a financial success for MLW.

Back to discussion for battle of the best tan, here’s Alicia Atout with a golden shade.

Atout needs a group photo with Alexander Hammerstone, Richard Holliday, and Brian Pillman Jr., so we can judge who won.

Hammerstone broke out his smashy boi double underhook elevated suplex against Aerostar for the first time in MLW. Hammer’s strength on this move is amazing.

Hammerstone’s Dynasty bro, Dick Holliday, got in on the firsts as well with the debut of a talking segment called, “Rich Talk.”

The show got wild with a riot from Dallas fans.

There is a clip (here) of the riot, but I’m not going to post it since the participants qualify as a spoiler. If you discuss it in the comments, please use the spoiler bar. Many Cagesiders who enjoy MLW prefer not to know any spoilers. Thanks.

Last up is a bloody photo of Mance Warner after his no ropes, barbed wire match against Jimmy Havoc. I’ll give a countdown, since it is not suitable for work or if blood makes you squeamish.

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Who are you rooting for in the Opera Cup final? Does Tom Lawlor as Killer Kross’ opponent make you happy? Which AAA luchadores would you like to see for Fightland?

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