MLW Roundup: Tom Lawlor free agent, Casket match on Fusion ALPHA, more!

The world of MLW never sleeps. Let’s catch up on all the news from the past week.

Tom Lawlor officially announced his status as a free agent.

Lawlor racked up the accolades during his run with MLW. “Filthy” held the MLW World Heavyweight Championship for 154 days, won the 2018 Battle Riot, and won the 2020 Opera Cup. It appears that Lawlor left on good terms with MLW CEO Court Bauer.

Out with the filthy, and in with the filthier? MLW announced the signing of Gnarls Garvin.

That name is new to me, but I love the description from the press release. Sign me up for certified hoss action.

A scowl on his face and wired to raise hell, Gnarls Garvin is a smash mouth, hard-hitting heavyweight.

A certified hoss, “Big Beef” promises to run over anyone in the ring… and leave mud tracks in the wake of the destruction he causes.

The brawling bad man from Champions Trailer Park in Louisville, Garvin has a history of violence both in and away from the ring. One infamous story involves Garvin biting off a chunk of an eyebrow in a tussle… and he isn’t shy about threatening to do it again, if need be.

With tobacco dripping from his lip, this certified hoss is an emerging force in the heavyweight division of Major League Wrestling.

Get a glimpse of the man’s skills through his highlight reel.

My quick take is that Garvin seems like a cross between Mance Warner and Brody King. “Big Beef” will debut at the MLW War Chamber live event on November 6.

Speaking of the War Chamber show, the lineup is filling out with more official matches. Los Parks will clash with Konnan’s 5150 crew in a street fight for the tag titles. TJP and Calvin Tankman will meet in the Opera Cup semifinals. A women’s tag match was booked between the Sea Stars (Ashley Vox & Delmi Exo) and Top Dogs (Davienne & Skylar).

The War Chamber card so far includes:

• War Chamber: Alexander Hammerstone, Richard Holliday, EJ Nduka, ??? & ??? vs. Jacob Fatu, Josef Samael, Mads Krugger, Ikuro Kwon, & Sentai Death Squad
• National Openweight Championship ladder match: Alex Shelley vs. Myron Reed vs. Zenshi vs. Alex Kane vs. wild card wrestler
• MLW World Tag Team Championship street fight: Los Parks (c) vs. 5150
• Opera Cup semifinal: TJP vs. Calvin Tankman
• LA Park vs. Homicide
• nZo vs. Matt Cross
• Aramis vs. Arez (winner receives briefcase full of cash)
• Willow Nightingale vs. Holidead
• Sea Stars vs. Top Dogs
• Warhorse vs KC Navarro

The mystery slots for the Alexander Hammerstone’s team would be a good fit for the Von Erichs. Richard Holliday would likely protest, but he didn’t even realize this bout would be contested inside the War Chamber.

In a future title bout announcement, Tajiri will defend the MLW World Middleweight Championship against Atsuki Aoyagi in All Japan Pro Wrestling on November 28.

Onto more urgent news, Wednesday night’s episode of Fusion: ALPHA airing on YouTube at 7 pm ET may feature a sacrifice with King Muertes booked for a casket match. Details on his opponent have not yet been revealed, however, it is safe to assume Muertes is looking to take someone’s soul. Based on the story breadcrumbs from past episodes, could it lead to a reunion with Lucha Underground’s Catrina?

Fusion: ALPHA will also have a tag bout between Willow Nightingale & Zoey Sky and the Sea Stars as well as an open prize fight challenge from “Suplex Assassin” Alex Kane.

What was your favorite moment from Tom Lawlor’s MLW career? Which match from War Chamber are you most interested in watching? Who do you suspect will be King Muertes’ opponent in the casket match?