MLW Roundup: Contra threatens restart, new night for weekly TV, more!

Let’s catch up on the week’s news in MLW and preview the latest episode of MLW Underground.

The big news this week was the announcement of MLW’s weekly date for a new night. The fresh cuts will go to fubo Sports Network first on Wednesday nights at 7 pm ET and a replay at 10 pm ET, starting next week. fubo can be streamed for free on Pluto TV, LG Channels, Samsung TV Plus, The Roku Channel, Vizio Channels, Plex, and XUMO. The show can also be viewed via subscription on fubosportsnetwork.com.

(A reminder that the MLW restart will occur with new episodes in November. Classic material from MLW Underground is airing in the meantime.)

My first thought was Wednesday being a tough sell for fans with NXT and AEW competing in the 8 pm to 10 pm slot, then I saw the times allow for MLW to either be an hors d’oeuvre or dessert for the evening.

If you can’t make the appointment for Wednesday on fubo, MLW will still be in its 10 pm Saturday time slot for beIN SPORTS. Their programs will also be on demand with DAZN, but there has been no mention yet if fresh shows will be available on Wednesdays as well.

Those options are in addition to MLW’s various local cable deals in over 20 countries.

All of that good news may be a moot point if MLW can’t solve the riddle of Contra. The Contra Unit perfectly executed a hostile takeover of MLW’s headquarters back in May. In regard to the restart, Josef Samael sent a message threatening MLW’s extinction.

It will be very interesting to see how MLW gets out of this pickle. MLW has no leverage. I don’t see any trades taking place, since Contra already has everything they want.

All of this drama does show one thing. MLW CEO Court Bauer must be a heck of a negotiator to secure these new viewing deals despite Contra’s presence occupying operations. I’d love to hear Bauer’s sales pitch on a resolution to this fiasco.

---

Pulp Fusion

MLW’s storylines continue to evolve in Pulp Fusion. For context in this particular episode, Alexander Hammerstone and Richard Holliday discussed the Hogan ‘91 tan earlier in the week.

On to Pulp Fusion.

The format of Pulp Fusion is a quick cut montage of promos intermixed with each other. Let’s break it down.

• Richard Holliday and Alexander Hammerstone chatted about the MLW restart. Holliday was upset about Hammerstone’s tan tweet and not being able to achieve the Hogan ‘91. Hammer explained that the Hogan ‘91 is not about a spray. It’s about charring your skin to get a deep bronze. They bickered over gimmicks. Holliday challenged Hammerstone to a bet. If Holliday has a sweeter tan, Hammer has to go vegan for a week. Hammer shot back that Holliday has to give up coffee for a week if he wins. Both men were on edge.
• King Mo is on his grind and hustle. He handled his business by knocking out Low Ki.
• Konnan is more than happy to reveal salacious information from Salina de la Renta’s phone. It could put her behind bars.
• Salina responded that Konnan is still pathetic. His threats have no power over her. Maybe she’ll spill the goods next week.
• Team Filthy was back with Kevin Ku. He believes in three things. Team Filthy, Kookies and Kream, and violence.
• Logan Creed is gunning for Contra, Dynasty, and Team Filthy. He is coming to claim his throne. The age of the heathens has begun.
• The Von Erichs did upside down exercises. Papa Kevin spoke about Gary Hart’s inspiration on Court Bauer. Marshall connected the past to the present.
• Alicia Atout badmouthed Holliday. His lawyer/father is trying to put her on a list to get banned from entering the USA. Atout claimed Holliday was a scared, petty man.
• Myron Reed and Jordan Oliver were in good spirits despite the attack last week by Brian Pillman Jr. If Pillman wanted a title shot at Reed, all he had to do was ask. Pillman would also need to stop being a fatty and make the weight. Oliver threatened to break Pillman’s jaw. They will wipe Pillman off the map, and that is justice.

The Dynasty were top dogs this week. I could listen to them discuss the Hogan ‘91 for hours. Their reactions to the bet was humorous. I wonder if they had to film this more than once due to breaking out with laughter. Holliday peering into the camera with one eye made me crack.

Good to see another beatdown has not deterred Injustice from releasing hot air. Their delusions of grandeur never cease to amaze me. Reed does bring up a good question about Pillman making weight. Pillman has been eating spinach and stacking plates to put on size over the break. I guess Pillman will just have to settle with Oliver’s hair as a trophy.

---

MLW Underground

Kojimania will be running wild in MLW’s blast from the past. The feature bout will be Satoshi Kojima defending the MLW Heavyweight Championship against Johnny Smith. The footage is from All Japan. If Kojima can get past Smith, then he will face Mike Awesome next week.

The preview makes this episode sound like a one match show. Promos will be from Los Maximos, Simply Luscious, Raven about CM Punk, and Terry Funk in regard to the no-ropes barbed wire match against Steve Corino.

Check it out here on YouTube.

MLW’s weekly program (Fusion, Anthology, and Underground) airs on beIN SPORTS Saturday nights at 10 pm ET / 7 pm ET. New episodes are posted on YouTube Saturdays at 6:05 pm ET. You can also check out MLW streaming on DAZN. In addition, MLW is broadcast in over 20 countries.

---

Quick hits

Court Bauer chatted with DAZN about the restart. The conversation is more geared towards new fans. For die-hards, there might not be any new information. Check it out here.

In other Twitter tidbits from Bauer, the plan is to team up Dominic Garrini and Kevin Ku for the tag division as Violence is Forever. Bauer also teased signing someone we know very well for the restart.

Colonel Robert Parker promoted a Labor Day hot dog eating contest. The press release provided double entendre about going hog wild for foot longs at the 69th annual contest. Parker is keen on coming back to MLW, but he is tight-lipped on his plans.

We’ll close with an amusing anecdote from Marshall Von Erich.

Clark Kent was my first thought upon seeing Ross Von Erich wearing glasses. Truth, justice, and the Von Erich way.

Do you see Dominic Garrini and Kevin Ku becoming future MLW tag champs? Who are your guesses for the mystery signee that we know very well?

---