By Jason Powell, Prowrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
Major League Wrestling TV (Episode 32)
Taped in November 8 in Chicago, Illinois at Cicero Stadium
Aired November 23, 2018 on beIN Sports
Last week’s show as preempted on beIN Sports and aired on Friday night as a doubleheader. If you missed my review of last week’s show, check it out here.
A recap aired of Tom Lawlor beating Sami Callihan in last week’s street fight, and of Simon Gotch betraying Lawlor afterward…
Salina de la Renta was shown backstage. She kicked a small briefcase filled with cash to Gotch. Salina said she would double Gotch’s pay to take out Lawlor in Miami. Gotch said he wants her trust and for no money he wants to teach Lawlor that he is the end and he’s coming for Lawlor…
After the MLW opening, Tony Schiavone and Rich Bocchini checked in on commentary. Bocchini said Lawlor would address Gotch’s betrayal next week…
1. Kotto Brazil vs. Trey Miguel. Maxwell J Friedman sat in on commentary and acted like he thought Miguel was Ricochet. Brazil was featured in a pre-taped promo and said no one knew who he was the first time he faced Miguel. Schiavone wondered where Aria Blake was and said he had a spot for her. MJF called Schiavone a creeper.
Late in the match, Brazil performed a pair of suicide dives. MJF said the moves look cool, but he questioned whether they are effective. Brazil followed up with a flip dive onto Miguel. Back in the ring, Brazil performed a springboard into a headbutt for a two count. Miguel came back with a top rope meteora and a springboard cutter for a two count. Brazil came back with Sliced Bread and scored the pin…
Kotto Brazil defeated Trey Miguel.
Powell’s POV: A well worked match. Schiavone positioned MJF being on commentary as the MLW Middleweight Champion scouting potential opponents and played up MJF being leery of Brazil.
Footage aired of Shane Strickland arriving at the building and being asked by “reporters” what’s up with him and MLW. Strickland put his earbuds in and ignored them… A Rush video aired and touted that he arrives on Fusion in two weeks… Bocchini hosted the control center for the Miami shows…
Brazil was shown backstage in street clothes discussing his title shot against MJF, who quickly attacked him from behind and put the boots to him…
Teddy Hart and Brian Pillman Jr. cut a backstage promo about Pillman’s match against Tommy Dreamer. They mocked Dreamer for his ongoing tribute to Dusty Rhodes. Pillman referred to himself as the dream eater…
The broadcast team hyped Dreamer vs. Pillman, and Pentagon Jr. and Fenix vs. LA Park and Hijo de LA Park for next week..
2. Marko Stunt vs. Gringo Loco. Stunt avoided Loco going for a corkscrew move from the top rope. A short time later, Stunt twisted around Loco and drove him face first into the mat before pinning him. Bocchini called it a Middle School Miracle…
Marko Stunt defeated Gringo Loco.
Powell’s POV: A showcase win for Stunt. It doesn’t really come off like a miracle for Stunt to win given all the buzz about him. He certainly seemed like the favorite on paper to be booked to win this match. Unfortunately, this will probably be the last we see of Stunt unless he had another match on this set of tapings. Stunt suffered a broken leg in an independent match recently.
Low Ki and Salina were shown backstage crossing paths with Stokely Hathaway…
3. Low Ki (w/Salina de la Renta, Ricky Martinez) vs. Shane Strickland for the MLW Championship. Ray Flores handled the in-ring introductions for the title match. Bocchini noted that the first part of the match was all at the pace that Low Ki set. Later, Strickland performed a sit-out powerbomb for a two count.
Low Ki came back with a running dropkick in the corner for a two count of his own. Low Ki went for a move from the top rope that Strickland avoided, yet resulted in Ki taking out the referee. REF BUMP!!! Strickland went on the offensive and worked over Low Ki at ringside before tossing him back inside the ring.
Strickland performed a Swerve Stomp and tried to revive the referee. Strickland got a visual pinfall and a second ref ran out to make a count, but Low Ki kicked out at the last moment. Martinez jawed with the second ref. Strickland approached him. Low Ki grabbed Strickland from behind and pulled some of his hair out. Low Ki covered Strickland and scored the pin…
Low Ki defeated Shane Strickland to retain the MLW Championship.
Afterward, Strickland took the mic and vented about how he puts his body on the line and sacrifices everything to be the franchise of the company, but they let Low Ki walk around with his title. Hathaway was shown watching from the crowd. Strickland said the fans are part of the problem too. Strickland addressed Court Bauer as the person “who books” MLW. He said Bauer is the problem. Strickland said he was terminating his MLW contract. His mic cut out and MLW officials showed up at ringside and attempted to calm him down…
Powell’s POV: A soft match finish. I would have preferred to see Low Ki get a strong win if Strickland is WWE bound, but it looks like they are turning him heel and presumably pairing him with Hathaway. In order to get to the turn, I guess they felt they needed that type of finish. I enjoy the Low Ki character in MLW, but I’m still waiting for him to have memorable title defenses. Overall, though, a good show in terms of storytelling with the build to the MLW Middleweight Championship match, and the Strickland turn. I just hope Court Bauer will resist the temptation to make himself an on-air regular.
Check below for the new Pro Wrestling Boom Podcast with Jason Powell and Jake Barnett discussing the All Elite Wrestling potential startup promotion.
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