By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
Major League Wrestling Fusion (Episode 51)
Taped March 2, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois at Cicero Stadium
Aired March 30, 2019 on beIN Sports
Salina de la Renta was shown talking on the phone backstage and walking with El Hijo de LA Park. She told Park to go to that place they talked about and giving someone what he wants. Rich Bocchini noted on commentary that she was looking for an advantage in the Battle Riot. Salina looked into the camera and said, “Just when you thought Promociones Dorado was over, we’re back, bitch”…
The MLW opening aired… Rich Bocchini and Jim Cornette were on commentary and Tim Barr was the ring announcer. Bocchini hyped Friday’s two-hour Battle Riot live special, and this week’s show… Footage aired of Teddy Hart’s arrest from last week’s show…
1. Daga vs. Ariel Dominguez. Low Ki sat in on commentary and said he has a vested interest in the match. Dominguez performed a springboard dive onto Daga at ringside. It looked like Daga was supposed to catch him and was unable to do so. Dominguez went for a springboard move back inside the ring. Daga blocked it and went for a German suplex. Daga landed on his knees and punched Dominguez. Daga came back with a wicked German suplex and followed up with a modified brainbuster for the win.
Daga defeated Ariel Dominguez.
After the match, Low Ki stood up and jawed at Daga off-mic. Several referees quickly got between them. There was a “Daga” chant from some fans going into a break… [C]
Powell’s POV: There were some rough patches down the stretch, but it was a showcase win for Daga. Low Ki was good on commentary and this sets the stage for their match.
Footage aired of the Low Ki and Daga segment, then footage aired from last week of Mance Warner attacking LA Park following their death match. He was out numbered by the members of Promociones Dorado…
Myron Reed checked in from an outdoor location and said he was taking the open challenge that Teddy Hart issued for an MLW Middleweight Championship. Reed said that he would win if he gets an unbiased official unlike the referees he’s had recently… Bocchini hyped the next match going into a break… [C] An ad aired for Friday’s Battle Riot special…
Footage aired of Brian Pillman being attacked by The Dynasty last week…
Teddy Hart, Davey Boy Smith Jr., and Brian Pillman delivered a promo from an undisclosed location. Teddy mocked the Dynasty name and spoke about how long they’ve been wrestling and their family history in the industry…
2. Ricky Martinez (w/Salina de la Renta) vs. Air Wolf. Bocchini noted that Air Wolf is just 19 years old and is trained by Arik Cannon, Molly Holly, Ariya and Shawn Daivari, and Ken Anderson. Air Wolf went right at Martinez and took him down with a head scissors. Wolf tossed Martinez to the floor and then performed a big dive onto him at ringside. Salina got in his face and tried to distract Wolf, but caught Martinez sneaking up from behind and punched him.
Martinez came back with a shot on the floor and rolled Wolf back inside the ring. Martinez put Wolf’s head between his knees and drove it into the mat several times. Martinez performed a slingshot suplex and nearly dropped Wolf, but he pulled it off. Martinez jawed at Wolf and threw a kick, which Wolf stuffed and came back with a punch. Martinez cut him off and performed a neckbreaker for a two count. Wolf performed a bottom rope 619 and then performed a springboard DDT for a two count. Wolf went up top, but Martinez cut him off with a kick. Martinez followed up with a popup into a knee to the face and scored the clean pin…
Ricky Martinez defeated Air Wolf.
Powell’s POV: It’s great to see Air Wolf in MLW. He made a name for himself on the Midwest independent scene in a short amount of time, so it’s cool to see him finding a place in a national promotion. MLW recently announced that they signed Wolf to a contract, so look for him to become a regular. I’m also high on Martinez and he continues to impress. He did a nice job of drawing fans into the match with his heel antics. I’d love to see this become a long term rivalry.
A Contra Unit video aired and included highlights and words from Jacob Fatu, who said they will salt the earth with the ashes of their enemies… [C]
The Dynasty delivered a promo on the MLW set. Alexander Hammerstone said the Hart Foundation is a make believe fantasy. Hammerstone said he, Maxwell J Friedman, and Richard Holliday took it upon themselves to expose them as frauds. Hammerstone said they are the real Dynasty and they will dominate the Hart Foundation at Battle Riot…
Bocchini hosted the Battle Riot control center segment. He explained the rules of the Royal Rumble-like Battle Riot. He also announced Avalanche Robert Dreissker, Jimmy Yuta, Rey Horus, Kota Brazil, Ricky Martinez, Lance Anoa’i, Myron Reed, Richard Holliday, Rich Swann, Jordan Oliver, Leo Brien, Michael Patrick, and Dan Severn for the Battle Riot match along with previously announced entrants…
A Tom Lawlor video aired. He said Jimmy Havoc is the one bump in the road he’s had in MLW. He noted that Havoc hasn’t been in MLW recently. He said Havoc will once again be going to the hospital after their title match… A Daga promo aired. He said he’s back in MLW for his rematch with Low Ki and said he will end him… Bocchini hyped the television main event… [C]
Salina was shown talking on the phone backstage. She yelled at someone on the phone that he should have been back by now. She hung up the phone and told LA Park that she couldn’t find his son. Park said he would handle it. Bocchini noted on commentary that he’d never seen Salina so worried…
3. Teddy Hart (w/Davey Boy Smith Jr., Brian Pillman Jr.) vs. Myron Reed for the MLW Middleweight Championship. Both wrestlers played to the crowd by posing on the ropes. Fans cheered Hart and booed Reed. Cornette noted that Hart’s ribs were wrapped and he’s still battling a rib injury. Hart performed a nice powerslam early on. Hart performed a powerbomb into a lung blower, then came up selling his rib injury.
A short time later, Reed targeted the injury by kicking Hart’s ribs repeatedly. Reed performed a nice Codebreaker style move from the ropes for a near fall. Reed tossed Hart to the floor and then ran him into the barricade. Reed caught Hart on the ropes and performed a huracanrana. Reed followed up with a springboard 360, but Hart rolled out of the way. Hart came back with a wicked double wirstlock, hammerlock DDT. Hart followed up with a neckbreaker and then performed a sprinboard moonsault only to have Reed put his knees up. Reed covered Hart for two, then grabbed the referee by the shirt and threatened him. Hart performed a backslide and scored the pin…
Teddy Hart defeated Myron Reed to retain the MLW Middleweight Championship.
Bocchini hyped the Battle Riot live special…
Salina and LA Park were shown backstage. Salina said her faction is back on track and has a strategic advantage. Hijo de LA Park entered the room (or so it seemed) and punched LA Park in the face. The man unmasked and it was Mance Warner, who choked LA Park to close the show…
Powell’s POV: I’ve liked heel Reed on the undercard, but I didn’t really buy him as a threat to beat Hart for the Middleweight Championship. As such, Reed felt a little flat as an open challenger even if the match turned out to be entertaining. The finish left something to be desired, but they are telling a story with Reed and perhaps Rich Swann blaming the referees for their shortcomings. Ultimately, though, it felt like Reed gained something in defeat by getting some near falls on Hart. Overall, a solid show with good hype for the Battle Riot live special on Friday.
Check below for the new Pro Wrestling Boom Podcast with Jason Powell and guest PCO, who discusses the ROH and NJPW G1 Supercard event that will be held on April 6 at MSG, taking crazy bumps at age 51, what he still wants to accomplish in pro wrestling, and much more.
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