MLW Fusion Episode 87
From the GILT nightclub in Orlando, Florida
Available on beIN Sports and YouTube
by Dylan Hager
Time for some MLW! This weeks episode is coming to us from Orlando. Rich Bocchini and AJ Kirsch are on commentary.
The show starts with a look back at last weeks World Title main event of Jacob Fatu vs Ross Von Erich, and of course the fallout from that match with Filthy Tom cracking Von Erich with a steel chair. Advertised for later is a sit down interview with Lawlor, a tag team main event of the Hart Foundation vs Contra Unit, and Mance Warner vs Jimmy Havoc.
Battle Royal: Participants are Timothy Thatcher, Myron Reed, Jordan Oliver, Kotto Brazil, Barrington Hughes, Gringo Loco, Leo Brien, Douglas James, Richard Holiday, Dominic Garrini, Savio Vega, Ricky Martinez, Grogan, Zenshi, Dr. Drex, and two members of American Top Team
The first match of the night is the battle royal! Alexander Hammerstone is joining commentary for this match. It is nice to see Barrington Hughes back on MLW Fusion, but the other wrestlers quickly team up and eliminate Hughes. Grogan, who was recently introduced to MLW by Hammerstone, looks dominant early. All three members of Injustice were eliminated earlier than I expected, especially given Reed's recent title win. Savio and Brien brawl to the back continuing their feud. Thatcher and Dom have some interaction. That is a singles match I would LOVE to see. Zenshi looked great in this match, escaping elimination on several occasions. Near the end, Zenshi, Holliday, and Dom are eliminated back to back to back leaving Grogan, Loco, James, and Thatcher as the final four. Korgan eliminates Gringo Loco and Douglas James. Thatcher goes over the top but stays on the apron. Grogan uses a big boot to send Thatcher to the floor and get the win. Pretty fun opening match! Winner: Grogan
We revisit the Teddy Hart vs Myron Reed Middleweight Title match. They show Joseph Samael throwing a fire ball into Teddy's face, and hype the Harts vs Contra main event still to come.
It is now time to talk to Filthy Tom. Tom says that his friendship with the Von Erichs was only benefiting the Von Erichs. It was Tom's war with Contra that brought in the Von Erichs, and the Von Erichs made everything about them. He makes it clear that Contra is the only thing worse than the Von Erichs, and moving forward his loyalty is only with himself. Moving forward he is going to do whatever he wants.
Next we see a hype package for the Opera Cup. MJF vs Hammerstone and Low Ki vs Davey Boy Jr in first round matches are announced for next week. Really can't wait to see the Ki vs Davey Boy match!
Swamp Fight: Savio Vega vs Leo Brien
This was a cluster in the best way possible. I don't remember this match ever being announced, but maybe I just missed it. Commentary tells us that the match took place earlier in the week, and it doesn't seem like Rich and AJ are exactly sure of the rules. Brien's bullrope and cowbell are used as weapons, and a couple tree branches are used because...well, they're in a swamp. Savio hits a spinning heel kick to get the three count, and uses the rope to choke Brien after the match. This was quick and fun. Always good to see Savio work! Winner: Savio Vega
Kaci Lennox is backstage with the Von Erichs. Ross says that he is heartbroken, and Marshall says that he is pissed off.
We see a hype video announcing the return of ACH to MLW.
We take another look back at last weeks main event. This time they run a scroll telling us that Mancer vs Jimmy has been canceled. They claim a backstage fight left Jimmy unable to compete. I'm not a fan of this at all. On a taped show, why hype a match early in the show just to not deliver the match. At least show some backstage "fight" or something. Anyway, I love Jimmy and Mance so I can't stay mad.
They show the video package hyping up the partnership between MLW and AAA. Personally, I'd love to see Killer Kross vs Timothy Thatcher or Davey Boy as a result of this partnership. Big move for MLW!
Main event time!
Contra Unit vs The Hart Foundation
Simon Gotch and Ikuro Kwon are representing Contra, and they are accompanied by Samael. With Teddy still being out of action, Davey Boy and Brian Pillman Jr. are representing the Harts. Davey Boy is sporting a nice black eye. We see solid work from Pillman and Kwon early. All four wrestlers had a chance to shine in this match. Not enough people talk about the greatness of Gotch. Smith held Kwon in the air for a 30-second delayed vertical suplex. Fun spot in the match with Smith hitting a big boot and doing a "Hogan pose" before hitting a leg drop. The Hart Foundation picks up the win after hitting an Air Pillman/Hart Attack combination. This was a solid tag match, and I loved the finish. As great as they are as singles, I wouldn't mind seeing Davey Boy Smith and Pillman Jr. team up more often.Winner: The Hart Foundation
Overall this was a solid show. Nothing special, but also nothing bad. I'm excited to see what is next for Filthy Tom and the Von Erich brothers. Also very excited for the Opera Cup to start next week!