MLW Fusion: Killer Kross in a filthy fight with Tom Lawlor

MLW came strong for episode 101 of Fusion. The action from Philadelphia featured Laredo Kid challenging Myron Reed for the Middleweight Championship, Mance Warner taking it to the Dynasty’s Gino Medina, and the debut of Killer Kross in a filthy fight against Tom Lawlor.

If you have been curious to catch a glimpse of WWE’s recent high-profile signing, then watching Kross on this show will give you a taste of what to expect. You might even become a fan of MLW in the process. To clarify, this was taped before Kross officially put pen to paper for WWE.

On to a recap and review of the show...

MLW World Middleweight Championship: Myron Reed vs Laredo Kid

Prior to the bout, Konnan was interviewed backstage by Alicia Atout. Injustice rolled up talking smack. Myron Reed said that if Konnan has a problem, he can be next. Konnan replied that there is no beef on his end. Konnan questioned if Reed could win by himself. If Reed wants his legacy to be cheating and taking shortcuts, then bring it. Laredo Kid is not a punk-ass.

Konnan, Kotto Brazil, and Jordan Oliver were all ringside. Injustice would often attempt interference tactics. This was a hotly contested affair. Laredo had the momentum edge, while Reed had the numbers edge. The move of the match was an inverted Spanish Fly by Laredo.

For the finish, Laredo had Reed trapped in a standing leg submission. Brazil ran into the ring and was promptly suplexed by Laredo while still holding the submission tight. That led to back-to-back suicide dives from Laredo to take out Brazil and Oliver. Reed attacked Laredo by jumping over the ropes for a cutter off the apron. A springboard 450 splash won the match as Reed retained his championship.

Lifestyles of the Rich and Dynastic

Richard Holliday’s lawyer/father was working on an injunction against Mance Warner. The Dynasty doesn’t have time to deal with Ole Mancer’s crew of idiots. They need to prepare for upcoming title matches. Holliday then transitioned the talk to rebranding Gino Medina. “El Intocable” will now become “The Untouchable,” which is just the English translation of intocable. Gino is going to break Warner’s grimy fingers in their match.

A hype video played for Pagano. It had a creepy smile song, since Pagano uses clown face paint.

Gino Medina vs Mance Warner

Richard Holliday was ringside, but he did not play a role in the match. Gino Medina had momentum most of the time, except for Warner with a few well-placed head attacks such as a headbutt and an elevated DDT. For the finish, Medina tried to roll up Warner with a handful of jeans. Warner kicked out. The force sent Medina into the ropes, and Warner rolled up Medina with a handful of tights to win. Medina was irate and slapped the referee for his incompetence.

News & Promos

Colonel Parker is coming back to MLW.

The Von Erichs got advice from papa Kevin. They were all upset about how Tom Lawlor disrespected the Texas flag. Kevin mentioned how those actions show desperation. Marshall said they owe it to Texas to kick those cowards’ butts in Texas. Ross closed with there being a war between decency and filth.

PWI released their top 10 contenders to the MLW World Heavyweight Championship:

10. King Mo
9. Low Ki
8. Mance Warner
7. MJF
6. Richard Holliday
5. Brian Pillman Jr.
4. Tom Lawlor
3. Davey Boy Smith Jr.
2. Myron Reed
1. Alexander Hammerstone

PWI presented Brian Pillman Jr. with the 2019 Rookie of the Year award. Pillman is hungry for another year of rookie of the year. He celebrated the unanimous 69% vote.

Injustice claimed Pilman won Rookie of the Year based on his last name. Reed told Pillman to lose weight then challenge for the Middleweight title. Reed also had words for Konnan. Keep sending luchadores, and Reed will keep beating them.

Team Filthy here. Things didn’t go to plan last week in Erick Stevens’ loss to Davey Boy Smith Jr. Stevens claimed it was the fastest three-count ever seen. He asked Tom Lawlor to use his contacts to get the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission on the phone. Lawlor said they need to focus on tonight. He has a lesson to teach Killer Kross. There is a difference between someone who pretends to be an MMA fighter and someone who eats, breathes, and lives it.

The Dynasty was backstage trying to calm Gino Medina about his loss. It was a fast count. Richard Holliday’s lawyer/father will be heavily involved in this. Mance Warner cheated. Medina complained that he didn’t come here to lose. Holliday said it will be fine. The Dynasty always wins in the end.

Video of Contra’s Sentai Death Squad loading CIMA’s body into a van. Josef Samael told them to take CIMA to the Gasho House. Ikuro Kwon will know exactly what to do.

Tom Lawlor vs Killer Kross

Tom Lawlor was flanked by Dominic Garrini and Kit Osbourne. Killer Kross’ entrance video contained footage from Lucha Underground and his own personal short films, which can be viewed on YouTube. Kross received a raucous response from the crowd.

MLW

The two fighters stared each other down. Lawlor pushed Kross in the chest. Fisticuffs ensued as Kross tenderized Lawlor. Lawlor grabbed momentum after pulling the top rope back to whip into Kross’ eyes while an arm submission had been applied. Lawlor struck with a spinning heel kick then worked Kross’ joints with lots of roaring and grunting.

Kross slammed Lawlor, but Lawlor kept an arm lock latched in until Kross reached the ropes with his foot. Lawlor later got a guillotine choke. Kross was fading, so the referee checked his status. 1, 2, Kross came alive at 3. Kross powered up into a release overhead suplex.

That led to more strikes by Kross and an exploder suplex.

Kross called for the Doomsday Saito suplex. Lawlor fought out then unleashed a barrage of strikes. Suplex by Lawlor. Kross popped up with intensity. He immediately ate a running knee. Kross kicked out of a pin cover and started smiling.

For the finish, Kross grabbed Lawlor for a suplex, but Lawlor escaped by dumping Kross over the ropes. That’s when Erick Stevens ran down to tackle Kross against the ring. That should go down as a DQ win for Kross.

Davey Boy Smith Jr. ran down to clean house on Team Filthy. The Von Erich brothers came in as reinforcements. Smith grabbed a mic. They evened the score at 4 vs 4, so an 8-man tag challenge was issued to Team Pansy. Lawlor accepted as the show closed.

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The headline news from this episode was the debut of Killer Kross. Given his short-term circumstances with MLW, they handled it perfectly. He went toe-to-toe with Tom Lawlor and looked impressive. With the interference and subsequent 8-man tag main event for this upcoming show, MLW provided a nice little story arc that made sense and brings excitement.

The match between Kross and Lawlor started a little slow, but the intensity was boiling and carried over to the fans. I’m glad the finish was a set-up to squeeze a second match out of Kross. If not, then it would have been very unsatisfying since Kross wouldn’t be back to settle the score.

Myron Reed and Laredo Kid provided the flash for this episode. Both wrestlers busted out crazy moves. While the match didn’t make me believe Laredo was going to win at any point, it still delivered entertainment.

Gino Medina looked good in the ring against Mance Warner. That was Medina’s best outing with MLW. He looked smooth and on point. Ole Mancer did as he does to steal the win. That was a nice touch as payback and also a stepping stone for building Medina’s character.

What was your favorite moment from episode 101 of Fusion? Did the debut of Killer Kross live up to your expectations?

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, Africa, and France.

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