MLW Fusion recap & reactions: Alexander Hammerstone is victim of body switch mind games in Baklei Brawl

MLW Fusion returned for episode 120 with Injustice pounding Contra, Lio Rush lining up his next challenger, Los Parks defending the tag titles, and mysterious mind games in the shadows of the Baklei Brawl between Alexander Hammerstone and Mads Krugger.

Let’s break it all down.

Jordan Oliver vs Sentai Death Squad

Daivari accompanied the masked Contra Unit soldier, while Myron Reed was ringside to support Oliver. Reed was wearing a black chest protector to replace his destroyed red one. Reed had a promo edited in before the match. Did Contra forget that Injustice beat up some suckers to take their masks back when MLW regained access to their headquarters? Injustice had been plotting that sneak attack for awhile. Now, Contra knows what’s up. Reed proposed a tag match of Injustice against two members of Contra.

For the scheduled contest, Oliver tweaked his knee on a big boot. His limping looked like legit pain. Oliver dominated the Contra goon and won with a springboard cutter at 1:25.

In a backstage promo, Oliver had words for Fatu. Oliver is not the same kid from a year ago. Now, he is a 220-pound heavyweight. Oliver is coming for Fatu’s gold.

Salina de la Renta issued a message for Savio Vega. She rubbed in his loss to Richard Holliday for the IWA Caribbean Championship. Times must be tough in this pandemic, and rumor has it that IWA is lacking money. They could use an investor. The new owner of Promociones Dorado has deep pockets and made IWA a very generous offer.

Alicia Atout confirmed that MLW is investigating any corruption in Tim Donaghy being referee in last week’s strap match victory for Richard Holliday.

The Von Erichs are not invited to Filthy Island, even though it is close to their ranch in Hawaii. Marshall wants to give them a Texas ‘how do you do’ greeting with a bull rope around Dominic Garrini’s fat head. Invited or not, the Von Erichs are showing up to Filthy Island.

MLW World Tag Team Championship: Los Parks vs TJP & Bu Ku Dao

Salina de la Renta and her security dude were ringside. It looked like she was wearing some sort of women’s fashion singlet and socks.

LA Park blasted TJP out of the ring as the bell rang. TJP was fired up to get back at LA Park. The luchador goaded TJP into the ring for a referee intervention, so Los Parks could both stomp on Dao. Later, TJP did manage to sneak in some punches to Hijo de LA Park when the referee was occupied with Papa Park. The beginning of the match looked like a back alley brawl.

The good guys took control with a tandem slingshot plancha and suicide dive.

Dao locked in a whirling crossface to Hijo, while TJP used an octopus stretch on LA Park. LA Park muscled out to toss TJP onto Dao to break both submissions.

After a double clothesline between Hijo and Dao, Salina created a referee distraction for LA Park Jr. to sneak out from under the ring and pull a switcheroo with Hijo.

Even though Jr. was wearing a different outfit, nobody seemed to notice. Jr. hit Dao with a shoulderbreaker for victory at 8:20.

After the match, TJP shed off a handshake from Dao and punched him instead. TJP was frustrated and unhappy with his protege.

Mads Krugger cut a promo, but his voice was a little too distorted for me to understand clearly. I think the gist was trash-talk about bringing pain to conquer Alexander Hammerstone.

Lio Rush addressed the fans about Laredo Kid’s challenge for the MLW World Middleweight Championship. Rush doesn’t know who Laredo is, but he heard Laredo has his own title in the AAA Cruiserweight Championship. Rush proposed an interpromotional title versus title match for next week.

Calvin Tankman returns next week.

Team Filthy spoke from Filthy Island, which appeared to be a green screen with a coastal backdrop. They promoted activities of getting stretched by Dominic Garrini, getting stuffed by Kevin Ku, and being put to sleep by Tom Lawlor. MLW put up the disclaimer, “MLW makes no guarantee regarding information contained herein nor does MLW assume any liability whatsoever in the event Filthy Island is a fraudulent business venture. Wrestlers and fans take 100% risk journeying to Filthy Island.” Atout announced King Mo vs Low Ki for Filthy Island.

Alexander Hammerstone was in the middle of nowhere waiting for the Baklei Brawl. He is going to find Krugger, whoop his ass, then find Fatu. This distraction won’t stop Hammerman from getting at Fatu and the MLW World Heavyweight Championship.

Gino Medina still claims that he left Dynasty and wasn’t kicked out by Holliday.

Gino Medina vs Gringo Loco

Lucha libre action to start until Medina slowed it down to grind Gringo. The top move was a corkscrew moonsault from Gringo Loco.

Gringo went high risk again for a moonsault, but Medina got his feet up. Medina pounced with a fireman’s carry toss into the corner and a running knee. Gringo surprised Medina with a roll-up attempt, but Medina reversed for top position to earn the 1, 2, 3 at 5:28.

Backstage, Medina explained why he is untouchable. Nobody can touch him in or out of the ring. Gringo Pendejo learned that Gino is fine and devine. All of a sudden, Gringo Loco fell from the sky with a flying attack. The two men started brawling.

Josef Samael accepted Injustice’s challenge. Daivari and Simon Gotch will represent the Contra Unit.

Baklei Brawl: Mads Krugger vs Alexander Hammerstone

Hammerstone was waiting by a liquid nitrogen factory. He shouted into the darkness eager to fight. Krugger emerged from the shadows. Punch, kick, punch, grunt, punch, back elbow. The two behemoths brawled outdoors. Krugger smashed a metal gate into Hammerstone and threw a wood pallet at him. Hammerman dodged and fired back with a bicycle kick. Hammer reversed an Irish whip to send Krugger crashing against a metal dumpster.

Somehow in the darkness, Contra pulled a body double switch. Hammer slammed the man against the dumpster and pinned him for a three count. After that sucker went down so easily, it was only then that Hammer realized Krugger had been replaced. Krugger used the cloud of confusion to appear out of nowhere for a big punch to Hammerstone’s face.

Krugger stated that Contra has big plans for Hammer. A second punch put Hammerstone down.

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Episode 120 of MLW Fusion was absolutely ridiculous, and I say that in a good way.

The Baklei Brawl was what it was. In the moment, I was confused while watching. Excited but confused. This feud between Alexander Hammerstone and Mads Krugger is one that will likely become more enjoyable upon rewatching after understanding the direction of the story. The mind games of the body switch was hilarious. The finish left lots of questions. I’m not sure if anyone technically won the match. Were Krugger’s threats an implication that they kidnapped Hammerstone after the cameras faded to black? What will be the next step in the elevation of stipulations for Hammer to conquer Krugger?

Los Parks’ style of fighting with zero respect for the rules is a hoot. It is like a blitzkrieg of brawling. It’s funny how they pull off luchador magic with LA Park Jr. and nobody in the ring ever notices the obvious differences between LA Park Jr. and Hijo de LA Park.

Gringo Loco’s surprise invasion of Gino Medina’s air space was good for a pop. I’m not sure why the babyface attacked Medina after losing clean. It is probably because Medina has a punchable face and attitude. The actual match was a good way to build Medina up so he is worthy of sniffing rarefied air in an eventual contest against Richard Holliday.

Marshall Von Erich stole the show with his eagerness to strangle Dominic Garrini. His mocking voice about jiu-jitsu not being able to counter a bull rope was priceless. Jared St. Laurent had the line of the night for commentary in reference to justifying Los Parks cheating. “Their name is Los Parks. Their name is not two Parks.” That simple logic cracked me up.

Next week should be more savvy on the wrestling side with Lio Rush versus Laredo Kid. Having both titles on the line adds unpredictability to the mix. Rush allegedly worked as Aracno (a Spider-man gimmick) at AAA’s Triplemania XXVIII, so AAA might not mind Rush winning AAA gold. Rush will probably win, but you can’t count out Laredo. That luchador is highly skilled.

Share you thoughts on MLW Fusion. Which match or moment stole the show?

MLW Fusion streams on Fubo Sports Network Wednesday nights at 7 pm ET and 10 pm ET, posts on YouTube Wednesdays at 7 pm ET, and airs on beIN SPORTS Saturday nights at 10 pm ET. You can also check out MLW streaming on demand with DAZN. In addition, MLW is broadcast in over 20 countries.

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