MLW Fusion Episode 88
From the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York
Available on beIN Sports and YouTube
By Dylan Hager
Time for another episode of MLW Fusion! AJ Kirsch and Rich Bocchini are on commentary. This week starts off with all three members of Injustice already in the ring. Injustice wants to know why they are not in the Opera Cup, and they refuse to leave the ring. King Mo comes out and he is ready for a fight. ACH makes his return to MLW, and he is ready to team with Mo. Looks like we have a tag team match!
Kotto Brazil and Jordan Oliver (with Myron Reed) vs King Mo and ACH
American Top Teem's Dan Lambert joins commentary for this match. Injustice attacks before the bell, but ACH quickly gains the advantage. ACH and King Mo get in a bunch of offense early. The ref stops Mo from illegally getting into the ring, which allows an Injustice triple team of ACH. ACH finally gets the hot tag. Mo and ACH regain the advantage. King Mo hits a gut wrench powerbomb on Kotto and transitions right into a knee-bar of sorts to get the submission victory. Decent match. ACH looked good in his return, but how long will he be around? King Mo looked okay, but he still has a lot of room to improve in my humble non-wrestler opinion. I would love to see Mo or ACH get a shot at Reed's Middleweight Title. Winner: King Mo and ACH
We get a video package hyping the Opera Cup. They announce Timothy Thatcher vs Richard Holliday and TJP vs Brian Pillman Jr for later tonight. But wait? Didn't they advertise Davey Boy Jr vs Low Ki and MJF vs Hammerstone for tonight?
We see Konnan and Gino Medina talking in the stairwell.
Time for another episode of the Rich and Dynastic. Hammerstone and Holliday are in a bar. Max joins them, and it is time to exchange Hanukkah/Christmas gifts. MJF gives Holliday a pair of GIANT air pods. Holliday loves the gift. Holliday has "Max Mini" as a gift for MJF. It's a shorter guy that is supposed to be MJF's double. MJF hates it, and they get rid of "Max Mini." Fun segment.
Opera Cup First Round: Timothy Thatcher vs Richard Holliday
This match ruled. The match is even at the start, with each man exchanging moves. Holliday goes for a rollup and holds the tights, but Thatcher kicks out at 2. Timothy Thatcher is a freaking man, but Richard stays right with Thatcher. Holliday hits the 2008 from the middle rope for a near fall. Thatcher locks in the arm-bar and gets the win. Thatcher will face the winner of TJP vs Pillman in the semi finals. This was a much better match than I expected. Holliday looks better coming out of this match than he did coming in. Winner: Timothy Thatcher
Alicia Atout is backstage with Salina de la Renta. Before the interview can really get started, Gino walks by, and Salina leaves to talk with him. Looks like both Konnan and Salina are interested in Mr. Medina.
We cut to Mance Warner who challenges Jimmy Havoc to another fight.
We next see Ross and Marshal Von Erich talking to their father, Kevin. They are complaining about what Filthy Tom did to them. Kevin tells them to keep their good side and handle their business in the ring.
We get a Contra video package telling us Kwon is on a crusade in Japan.
Next we get a video from the Stronghearts. Cima, Lindaman, and T-Hawk are coming to MLW, and they are challenging Contra.
Opera Cup First Round: TJP vs Brian Pillman Jr.
Main event time! The match starts off with a bunch of great technical wrestling. TJP uses several creative escapes and seems to be slightly ahead of Pillman. The two exchange a number of submissions and counters. TJP locks in the Muta Lock and Octopus, but neither get the job done. TJP hits a big Tornado DDT, but Pillman kicks out at two. Pillman goes for a springboard, but TJP kicks Pillman to the outside. The two battle for position on the top turnbuckle. TJP hits a huge superplex and floats right into a brain buster, but he only gets a 2 count. Pillman avoids a detonation kick and lands a huge knee. Pillman hits a neckbreaker and scores the pinfall victory. Solid match! It's going to be Pillman Jr. vs Thatcher in the semi finals! Winner: Brian Pillman Jr.
Solid episode of MLW Fusion. During the main event, they announced Low Ki vs Davey Boy Jr, MJF vs Hammerstone, and an announcement from Filthy Tom for next week.