MLW Fusion Episode 91
From the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York
Available on beIN Sports and YouTube
By Dylan Hager
After last weeks highlight show, we are back with a new episode of MLW Fusion. As usual, AJ and Rich are our commentary team.
We start with a Mance Warner promo. Mancer is calling out Jimmy Havoc for Dallas. Mancer says that Priscilla gave Jimmy the win in their last match, but it is going to be a no rope, barbed wire match in Dallas. Mancer is going to get a win and hit the pay window. Another very strong promo by the Southern Psycho!
Commentary hypes up Davey Boy Jr vs Hammerstone in an Opera Cup semifinal match for later, and announce Stronghearts vs Contra as tonight's main event.
Filthy Tom makes his way to the ring. Tom says that everyone is talking about the Von Erichs, but the Von Erich's are idiots and morons. Tom insults the fans and calls the Von Erichs fake. He says he is going to defeat the greatest Von Erich and he brings out "Rip Von Erich." Rip is supposedly the son of Lance Von Erich.
Tom Lawlor vs Rip Von Erich
Filthy Tom uses his size advantage to just toy with Von Erich. Commentary makes it clear that this is just an exhibition and not an actual match. Lawlor slams Rip, puts on a half crab submission, airplane spin, and locks in a rear naked choke. Filthy Tom also applies a claw hold while the choke is locked in to mock the Von Erichs. Rip's arm falls three times, and the ref calls for the bell. Winner: Tom Lawlor
After the match, Tom brags about being undefeated against the Von Erichs. He says the fans should be chanting his name. Ross and Marshal make their way to the ring, but they are attacked from behind by the Spirit Squad. Filthy Tom, Kenny, Mikey, and Tom's unnamed corner man attack the Von Erichs to end the segment. The segment went a little long for my liking, but it definitely was not a bad segment. Filthy Tom is so good.
Next up is the Control Center for the January 11 "Zero Hour" show.
We get a recap video of Contra attacking the Stronghearts two weeks ago.
Outside the arena, Richard Holliday is talking up Gino Medina to Hammerstone. Salina interrupts the Dynasty and says that there is nothing they can offer Gino that she already hasn't. Man, everybody wants a piece of Gino!
Alicia Atout is backstage with Davey Boy. Smith says that the power advantage can be debated, but he is better than Hammerstone at technical and submission wrestling.
MJF joins commentary, and it is time for the next match.
Opera Cup Semi Final: Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs Alexander Hammerstone
Hammerstone is accompanied by Holliday. Even contest at the beginning of the match.Smith gets the advantage and works the arm until interference by Richard allows Hammerstone to gain the advantage. The fight goes to the outside where Hammer drops Smith back first on the guardrail. Back in the ring, Hammer shows off his dropkick and submission skills. Smith "hulks up" and makes a comeback. Smith lands ten punches in the corner and hits a big back drop. He follows up with a big boot and leg drop. Hammerstone comes back with a big elbow and super kick. Smith counters Hammerstone's finish into a crossface. Holliday get on the ring and distracts Smith. Holliday holds Smith for Hammer, but Smith moves and Hammer kicks Holliday. Smith lands a powerslam and diving headbutt for the win. Davey Boy moves on! After the match, Smith extends his hand, but Holliday keeps Hammerstone from shaking it. Solid match. Smith and Hammerstone have good chemistry. Winner: Davey Boy Smith Jr.
Alicia is backstage with Brian Pillman Jr. Pillman says that he is the underdog in the tournament. His father was an underdog, and he has been an underdog his whole live. Kotto Brazil interrupts. Kotto reminds Pillman that Injustice are the alternates for the tournament and says Pillman better be careful.
Josef Samael cuts a promo for Contra. He says they will break Stronghearts.
Erick Stevens is coming soon to MLW. Very cool! Big fan of Stevens.
We see a Low Ki highlight package, and it is time for the main event.
Contra Unit vs Stronghearts
Stronghearts are made up of CIMA, Shigehiro Irie, and El Lindaman. It is Samael, Simon Gotch and Jacob Fatu representing Contra tonight. CIMA and Gotch start the match and go right at it. CIMA gains the advantage, and Stronghearts get in a double team. Samael comes in, and all three members of Contra take turns working over Lindaman. Irie makes the hot tag and piledrives Samael onto Gotch. Irie and Fatu have a huge back and forth. The fight spills to the outside. Irie and Fatu exchange dives. Back in the ring, Stronghearts triple team Fatu. CIMA lands a double stomp and Lindaman suplexes Fatu, but the champ kicks out at two. Fatu lands a popup Samoan Drop and moonsault on CIMA for the win. Chaotic main event. A little weird that Fatu gets such a clean pin on CIMA since they have an upcoming title match. Good match. Winner: Contra Unit
We go backstage to Filthy Tom. Tom challenges Ross and Marshal to defend their titles against two of his students next week, and that finishes this weeks episode.
Next week we will have Pillman vs Thatcher in the second Opera Cup semi final, and it looks like the Von Erichs vs two members of Team Filthy. Should be another solid episode of Fusion!