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Let’s catch up on this week’s news in MLW and preview Saturday night’s episode of Fusion.
MLW vs AAA Super Series
MLW has returned to Mexico. This time, they have a new dance partner. MLW and AAA put on a Super Series competition of matches with talent from each promotion vying against one another.
The action from Tijuana kicks off with a title fight main event for Fusion. Alexander Hammerstone will defend his National Openweight Championship against Laredo Kid. This matchup has potential to be the best bout of the entire Super Series. Hammer has shown he has the skills to hang with luchadores. He also has the power to bust Laredo like a watermelon. Laredo has been a top name on the luchador radar as the next to break through for international popularity.
The other feature bout will be a Barrio Street Fight. Mance Warner and Savio Vega get the opportunity to bleed against Pagano and Mortiz. This contest could get as wild as MLW allows. All four are no stranger to pain.
My biggest question for this episode will be the presentation of Pagano. MLW has been running creepy clown hype videos. That doesn’t really match his current persona in Mexico. Pagano is a fan favorite with the catchphrase, “Without a clown, there is no party.” Pagano will of course be cheered heavily in his home country for this episode, but I’m wondering if MLW will air a backstage promo to get Pagano some heel heat for worldwide viewers.
The preview also teases an update on Brian Pillman Jr. after being curb stomped by Injustice, Psycho Clown’s answer to the trios challenge from LA Park, and Tom Lawlor with a message for the Von Erichs.
Who are you rooting for between Alexander Hammerstone and Laredo Kid? Who will have the craziest spot in the Barrio Street Fight?
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.
Fusion fallout
After last week’s main event on Fusion, MJF is gone from MLW. He lost a Loser Leaves Town empty arena match to Mance Warner.
MLW CEO Court Bauer appreciated MJF’s presence.
For nearly 3 years @The_MJF has left an indelible mark on @MLW. Unapologetically arrogant, dynastic & morally bankrupt. There’s no ceiling for the depravity within his young, impure soul. We all paid a great price for his presence. And we’d do it again in a heartbeat. Adios, kid.
— Court Bauer (@courtbauer) April 7, 2020
MJF pulled one last rib on his way out the door.
I have no idea what you are talking about.
— Maxwell Jacob Friedman™️ (@The_MJF) April 5, 2020
I was very exhausted and I thought it was the Cab number!!!!!!! https://t.co/wFZq5VUbEv
Bauer shared that the episode did well on beIN SPORTS.
Wow! Just got the numbers for #MLWFusion on @beINSPORTSUSA. @ManceWarner vs. @The_MJF loser leaves MLW match was the 3rd highest rated broadcast in MLW history.
— Court Bauer (@courtbauer) April 8, 2020
Fun fact: Mance main evented the #1 and #3 top rated broadcasts. Proud to have ol Mancer raising hell here in @MLW.
When @ManceWarner originally smashed the record for his match with @JimmyHavoc earlier this year, every promoter all of a sudden wanted his number. They are a year late to the game. Mance is money and a great guy.
— Court Bauer (@courtbauer) April 8, 2020
The remaining Dynasty members have put a target on Warner’s back. Rumors speculate that they plan to injure Ole Mancer and end his career. As for Warner, MLW is teasing he may challenge for the National Openweight Championship, join Savio Vega to compete in Puerto Rico, create a signature beer with Lagunitas Brewing Company, and is “lobbying for a brass knuckles match tournament.” I hope all four come true at the same time. We could sip on a certified Mancer brew while watching a brass knuckles match for the National Openweight Championship in Puerto Rico.
Quick hits
beIN SPORTS will now be airing Fusion seven days a week. New episodes will still be on Saturdays. Airtime is 10 pm ET throughout the week.
MLW CEO Court Bauer provided an interview with MLW.com. He addressed how the coronavirus pandemic has affected business. The entire interview (here) is definitely worth reading for MLW fans. Two items in particular caught my eye. Bauer teased an ambitious wrestling festival with various promotions participating once the world gets back to normal. That concept for a show sounds like it is in the very early stages of discussion, so don’t get your hopes up. The second item is that MLW has 50 episodes ready to roll if the lockdown lasts until 2021. Bauer didn’t specifically say what the content would feature, but my guess is classic MLW shows from before the company’s revival in 2017.
Colonel Robert Parker is still planning on a managerial comeback with MLW, even though his attempts to promote shows on barge boats were thwarted by the US Coast Guard.
Mance Warner has a new shirt for sale.
@ManceWarner shirt now out at https://t.co/2vWjFCZ6cm pic.twitter.com/SUt7scNRI0
— Major League Wrestling (@MLW) April 7, 2020
The MLW merch shop is housed by Pro Wrestling Tees, which is offering 20% off through April 13 at 1 pm ET. The code is SPRINGFLING.
Alicia Atout put out a vlog for her trip to San Diego and Tijuana for the AAA Super Series. It included a short chat with AJ Kirsch.
Dutch Mantell debuted a new podcast on the MLW Radio Network.
We’ll close with a funny story from Bauer.
Times like this we need a laugh. Here's a true "only in wrestling" story: a certain @MLW wrestler refused to check his email because of concerns about the virus. Thankfully, after a conversation and powering up his antivirus software, he is back in the game. Can't make this up
— Court Bauer (@courtbauer) April 8, 2020
Who’s your guess as to the subject of that tale?