Let’s catch up on the week’s major news in MLW.
The lead story is a ton of announcements regarding SuperFight on February 2 in Philadelphia.
Two title matches live at SuperFight
Last week, it was announced that MLW would be going live for one hour once again at SuperFight. The tag team title match between the Lucha Bros and Hart Foundation was listed for the show. It seemed safe to assume that would be the main event for that hour. Not so fast, my friend.
The actual headliner has now been announced.
World Title Bout to Headline Next Saturday’s FUSION LIVE special on beIN https://t.co/PTMBn1ZxjP pic.twitter.com/TsxmPifmUH
— Major League Wrestling (@MLW) January 22, 2019
Daaaaamn. That is going to be one heck of a show. Expect it to knock your socks right the F off. I love that we won’t have to wait for the two most anticipated bouts of the evening. I can’t decide which I am excited for most, the tag match or Low Ki vs Tom Lawlor for the heavyweight championship.
Tune in Saturday, February 2 at 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT on beIN SPORTS to watch those two title fights live. For the previous live show, I believe it was posted on YouTube the following day. That would make for a nice Super Bowl pre-show.
Also of note, the live episode of MLW Fusion will be sponsored by GoDaddy. MLW is moving on up. Fish don’t fry in the kitchen. Beans don’t burn on the grill. MLW is getting up that hill.
New signings
MLW announced the debut of Mance Warner at SuperFight and has not stopped there with talent acquisitions. They locked down 21 year old Ace Austin. MLW also signed Alex Hammerstone to the roster.
Debuting next Saturday at #SuperFight at @2300 Arena it’s… @alexhammerstone. pic.twitter.com/DdractT7oV
— Major League Wrestling (@MLW) January 24, 2019
Hammerstone will debut at SuperFight as well. Hammerstone is a 6’3” power wrestler and supposed to be one of the most physical specimens in the sport with snapping suplexes and explosive athleticism. I am intrigued.
In addition, there is a report by Solo Wrestling that mentions MLW has come to terms with the Almighty Sheik, but there has been no official word from MLW about that.
SuperFight match lineup
A handful of new bouts have been revealed for SuperFight. Let’s run down the card from top to bottom as it is currently scheduled.
- World Heavyweight Championship: Low Ki vs Tom Lawlor
- Tag Team Championship: Lucha Bros vs Hart Foundation
- Aerostar vs Rey Horus
- Ace Romero vs Simon Gotch
- Mystery tag partners: Tommy Dreamer & ??? vs Brian Pillman Jr. & ???
- Puma King vs Gringo Loco
- Rich Swann vs Ace Austin
- Grudge match: Ricky Martinez vs Kotto Brazil
- DJZ vs Myron Reed
- Debuts from Mance Warner and Alex Hammerstone
- Also: MJF, Jimmy Yuta, and Lance Anoa’i
That card is looking mighty fine. It should provide a month’s worth of entertaining TV. I’m looking forward to seven of the nine matches, and those other two (Swann vs Austin and DJZ vs Reed) should be enjoyable even though they don’t sizzle on paper for me.
Aside from the title fights, I’ve got my eye on the grudge match between Martinez and Brazil. I love a good grudge match, and it is nice to see two undercard guys getting a story. That bout could be a stepping stone up the MLW ladder.
Which match most excites you?
Say goodbye to MLW working with CMLL
After Rush signed with Ring of Honor, there has been speculation of his brother, Dragon Lee, following behind. A story by Last Word on Pro Wrestling seemed to imply that MLW would lose out on Lee as well.
MLW CEO Court Bauer set the record straight.
MLW has never had contracts talks with Dragon Lee. While I was told I can use other CMLL guys I was uncomfortable doing so. The only CMLL talent ever engaged was Rush. Once the political alliance demonstrated it was ironclad, @MLW moved away from CMLL talent.
— Court Bauer (@courtbauer) January 21, 2019
There you have it. Cancel out any talent sharing between MLW and CMLL. Unlike gasoline pipelines in Mexico, it seems that the pipeline between CMLL, New Japan, and ROH will not be tapped into. That’s too bad. MLW could have created plenty of unique matchups that we never would have anticipated until it was put together.
With rumors that MLW is focused on the Hispanic market in the USA, it will be interesting to see which direction MLW will head. Could they form a relationship with AAA? Luchadores such as Hijo del Vikingo, Niño Hamburguesa, and Myzteziz Jr. would fit in nicely. Or perhaps MLW focuses on the luchadores that represent Elite in AAA, such as Laredo Kid, Flamita, and Taurus. I’ve always been unclear about what type of contracts those fellows have with AAA, but they might be easier to secure seeing as Fenix, Pentagon, and Puma King are in similar situations.
Which luchadores would you like to see enter the MLW ring?
Sami Callihan vs LA Park tonight
Tonight’s episode of MLW Fusion will feature Sami Callihan against LA Park in falls count anywhere. That match should be a doozy with two wrestlers who are tough as nails. The story setup is that Salina de la Renta is at her wits end over Callihan failing to eliminate Tom Lawlor from his future title fight with Low Ki. As punishment, de la Renta arranged for LA Park to teach Callihan a lesson.
Oh, mama! A match the world has been waiting for is finally here. Barrington Hughes vs Ace Romero. That is over 850 pounds of super heavyweight action.
Kotto Brazil will also be in action. He signed a medical waiver to release MLW of any responsibility about his eye injury at the hands of Ricky Martinez.
MLW Fusion airs on beIN SPORTS Friday nights 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT with replays at 11 pm ET. New episodes are posted on YouTube Saturday nights at 6:05 pm ET.