By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
Major League Wrestling Fusion (Episode 73)
Taped July 25, 2019 in New York, New York at Melrose Ballroom
Aired August 31, 2019 on beIN Sports
Fusion opened with a Contra Unit video regarding the MLW Championship match between Jacob Fatu and Tom Lawlor… The Fusion opening aired… The broadcast team was Rich Bocchini and Tony Schiavone, and the ring announcer was Tim Barr…
1. “Injustice” Myron Reed, Jordan Oliver, and Kotto Brazil vs. Gringo Loco, Air Wolf, and Zenshi. Bocchini said Brazil’s complaints about the referee checking him for weapons prior to matches was all a setup so that he could get away with stashing weapons. Air Wolf was isolated for a stretch. Zenshi took a hot tag and worked over all three members of Injustice.
Late in the match, Air Wolf performed a German suplex into a bridge on Oliver, but Brazil splashed him off the top rope to break up the pin. Cool spot. In the ring, Gringo hoisted up Reed on his shoulders and Reed’s legs hit the referee. REF BUMP!!! Reed pulled out brass knuckles. Loco ended up with the weapon, but Brazil prevented him from using them. In the end, Oliver and Brazil teamed up to hit a couple of moves on Air Wolf, then they both pinned him to win the match.
Myron Reed, Jordan Oliver, and Kotto Brazil defeated Gringo Loco, Air Wolf, and Zenshi.
After the match, the referee approached Reed about the brass knuckles. Brazil clotheslined the referee and then the Injustice members put the boots to him…
Powell’s POV: I like the three babyfaces, but they are all singles wrestlers who teamed up for this match. Meanwhile, Injustice are an actual faction, so it was logical to give them the win while trying to establish them. It was an entertaining spot fest style match with some innovative spots and really good athleticism.
An ad aired for the MLW and The Crash combo show that will be held on October 5 in Tijuana, Mexico… An ad aired for the MLW Saturday SuperFight pay-per-view that will be held on November 2…
Bocchini recapped Mance Warner being arrested last week and said he had to cool out until his uncle from Bucksnort, Tennessee bailed him out…
A shot aired of Tom Lawlor working out in his locker room…
Bocchini hyped the MLW War Chamber event for September 7 in Dallas and said the War Chamber match will air a week later on Fusion… An ad aired for MLW merch…
A video hyped that Dominic Garrini is coming to MLW this fall…
Powell’s POV: MLW has announced that Garrini’s debut will take place on the Dallas show.
Alex Hammerstone was shown training. He said he was training for the Pro Wrestling Noah tournament. He said people are wondering if Davey Boy Smith Jr. will get a rematch at the MLW Openweight Championship. Hammerstone got flustered, then Georgia Smith mocked the amount of weight he was lighting. Hammerstone said he expects that from Richard Holliday, who was shown working out, but not from her…
Bocchini ran through the tale of the tape for the MLW Heavyweight Championship match. A roll call of MLW Champions video aired…
Powell’s POV: I like that MLW is taking a page out of the NJPW playbook by listing their former world champions. I hope that becomes the norm.
Josef Samael stood in the ring and cut a promo about Contra Unit, saying they are the global dealers of violence. Fans booed. Samael said he doesn’t need their approval. Samael said that whoever controls the championship controls the league. Samael introduced Jacob Fatu as “the god of war” and then Fatu made his entrance. Tom Lawlor’s entrance followed and he received a favorable reaction…
2. Jacob Fatu (w/Josef Samael) vs. Tom Lawlor for the MLW Heavyweight Championship. Lawlor made it to the apron and then Fatu met him and they traded punches. The bell rang to start the match. Lawlor knocked Fatu down and then performed a top rope cross body block. Lawlor went up top again and leapt at Fatu, who caught him on his shoulders and performed a Samoan Drop that led to a two count.
Later, Samael distracted Lawlor and then Fatu performed a dive through the ropes that drove Lawlor into the ringside barricade. Bocchini noted that Samael reminded Fatu that Lawlor has to beat him, he doesn’t have to beat Lawlor. Lawlor came back by running Fatu into the ring post. Back inside the ring, there appeared to be a botched popup Samoan drop by Fatu. Lawlor applied a rear naked choke. Fatu broke it by backing into the corner of the ring.
Fatu charged at Lawlor, who moved, causing Fatu to crash into the post. Lawlor followed up a short time later with an airplane spin into a Death Valley Driver for a two count. Lawlor threw a knee to the head of Fatu and picked up another near fall. Lawlor performed a German suplex and then an exploder suplex into the corner. Samael climbed onto the apron. Lawlor grabbed Samel, then turned and kicked Fatu. Samael hit Lawlor from behind with a spike, then Fatu performed a moonsault on Lawlor’s back, while Bocchini emphasized that Lawlor had a broken rib, and scored the pin.
Jacob Fatu defeated Tom Lawlor to retain the MLW Heavyweight Championship.
After the match, Simon Goth ran out and the Contra Unit trio put the boots to Lawlor. Ross and Marshall Von Erich ran out to save Lawlor. New Contra Unit member Ikuro Kwon ran out and helped his faction. MLW officials ran out and tried to get Contra Unit to stop, but they worked over the babyfaces and a couple of referees. The Contra Unit music stopped playing and then Low Ki’s music played and he headed to the ring. The babyfaces rallied once the numbers were even and the teams brawled to close the show…
Powell’s POV: A good match with a finish that protected Lawlor and set up the need for another rematch. The post match scene was strong with Low Ki stepping up to help the babyfaces and presumably emerging as the partner of Lawlor and the Von Erichs in the War Chamber match. Overall, a good hour of television with a strong build to the War Chamber match.
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