Category: MLW

Vice TV To Air MLW Fightland As Their First Pro Wrestling Special

Vice TV is set to air their first-ever pro wrestling event – MLW’s Fightland event.

MLW is set to tape Fightland on Saturday, October 2 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. The show will feature a big Title vs. Title match, plus the beginning of the 2021 Opera Cup Tournament.

It was announced today that Fightland will air as a one-hour Vice TV special on Thursday, October 7 at 10pm ET, following the “Dark Side of the Ring” episode that airs that night, focusing on the controversial life and career of Ion Croitoru (aka Johnny K9, Bruiser Bedlam).

“’MLW Fightland’ on Vice TV blows up the tired, old wrestling format. Everyone has played it safe in presenting wrestling the same way for 25 years,” MLW CEO and founder Court Bauer told TheWrap. “‘MLW Fightland’ offers viewers a transparent, unfiltered all access look into the smoke-filled arenas of wrestling. We will present big fights and big stories with investigative reports giving viewers a raw, inside look at the very real world of wrestling.”

Below is the current Fightland card:

Title vs. Title
MLW World Heavyweight Champion Jacob Fatu vs. MLW National Openweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone

Fatal 4 Way for the MLW Middleweight Title
Tajiri vs. Arez vs. Aramis vs. Myron Reed (c)

2021 Opera Cup Tournament: Opening Round, Semi-finals
Alex Shelley, Bobby Fish, Lee Moriarty, Davey Richards, Tom Lawlor, TJP, Matt Cross, Calvin Tankman

Nicole Savoy vs. Holidead

MLW World Tag Team Champions Los Parks will be in action

MLW Announces New “ALPHA” Mini-Series, MLW – ViceTV Note

MLW “Fusion: ALPHA” will premiere on Wednesday, September 22 at 7pm ET via the official MLW YouTube channel. It will also air via beIN Sports on Saturdays and Mondays.

MLW has announced that their new ALPHA mini-series will feature “big matches, inter-promotional clashes, shocking alliances, and a new matchmaker in the form of Cesar Duran.”

ALPHA will find MLW “in the midst of a wrestling war with raids, jumps and the fear of invasion.”

On a related note, MLW CEO Court Bauer noted on Twitter that MLW’s project with ViceTV will be coming soon.

“Those asking about @ViceTV x @MLW… that’s coming soon too. [wink face emoji],” he wrote in the tweet below.

Stay tuned for more on ALPHA. You can see the new trailer below:

https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1435048548064796679

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Tag Teams To Reunite For Upcoming Dream Match

Two big tag teams will reunite on Saturday, October 30 for The Wrestling Revolver’s “Tales From The Ring” event in Clive, Iowa.

Jon Moxley and Sami Callihan will reunite as The Switchblades to face Eddie Edwards and Davey Richards of The Wolves. This is being billed as a Dream Tag Team Match.

The event will be hosted by Sami’s Wrestling Revolver promotion, on Saturday, October 30 at the Horizon Events Center in Clive, IA. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 8pm ET. The show will air live on FITE.TV.

Moxley filed to trademark “The Switchblades” and “The Switchblade Conspiracy” earlier this month.

This looks to be the first time Moxley and Callihan have teamed since the CZW Tournament of Death IX event in June 2010. This will be the first time The Wolves have teamed since a Beyond Wrestling event in March 2017. They split in February of that year on Impact Wrestling TV. Richards returned to the ring earlier this year after being away since July 2017. The Wolves are former two-time ROH World Tag Team Champions and former five-time TNA World Tag Team Champions.

Moxley and Callihan, then-wXw World Tag Team Champions, defeated The Wolves back on March 13, 2010 at the former ECW Arena.

https://twitter.com/RichardsWesley/status/1432512967321522180

Tajiri To Debut For MLW

Former ECW World Television Champion, WCW United States Champion and WWE Cruiserweight Champion Yoshihiro Tajiri is headed to Major League Wrestling.

MLW released a new video on Monday night to announce that The Japanese Buzzsaw will make his debut for the company at their Fightland TV tapings on Sunday, October 2 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

Tajiri, who turns 51 next month, most recently worked for AJPW in Japan. He worked the WWE Cruiserweight Classic in 2016, and was eliminated in the second round by Gran Metalik. In December 2016 he signed a WWE contract to work 205 Live in early 2017, but left the company in April. He noted in an interview that WWE decided against using him due to his age. He had suffered from a knee injury but was cleared to compete.

Tajiri also held the WWE Light Heavyweight Title, the WWE Tag Team Titles, the WWE World Tag Team Titles, and the ECW World Tag Team Titles.

There is no word yet on who Tajiri will be facing at the MLW tapings, but we will keep you updated. The Fightland tapings will also feature the opening round and semi-finals of the 2021 Opera Cup tournament, the MLW debut if Nicole Savoy, and more.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

MLW ‘Battle Riot III’ Preview 7/24/21

Major League Wrestling presents Battle Riot III tonight at 10pm eastern exclusively on MLW’s YouTube channel and simulcast nationwide on cable and beIN Sports.

40 men! 1 Ring! It’s time to riot. It’s time for the BATTLE RIOT presented by newlawoffice.com!

Witness the biggest MLW match of the year! Featuring a who’s who in the sport, including: surprises, legends and more! 

Having been denied a title shot, Alex Hammerstone’s only hope for a dream title vs title match is winning the Riot. Will it be Hammertime or will CONTRA Unit’s threats to terrorize the Riot mean the end of the road for Your Boy Hammer?

The rules are simple: this is a no disqualification bout, meaning weapons ARE permitted. A new man enters every 60 seconds. Elimination is by pinfall, submission or throwing a wrestler over the top rope… and the winner gets a title shot anytime, anywhere! The challenger has the key to unlock an instant title shot against whoever the champion is. 

The best fighters are traveling from around the world fans for the Battle Riot and a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship, including: 

Azteca Underground’s King Muertes! 

Ross & Marshall Von Erich! 

The hunt is on as Davey Richards looks to get into instant title contention by winning the Riot! 

Tom Lawlor vows to be the first ever 2-time Battle Riot winner. Can Filthy Tom pull it off? 

Journeying from Mexico, Aramis, Arez and the legendary LA Park all look to claim a guaranteed title shot! 

355 pound Calvin Tankman has been nearly unstoppable. Now the Heavyweight Hustle looks to steamroll over 39 other men.

World Middleweight Champion Myron Reed looks to ignite some hot fire as Injustice riots in South Philly. 

6’8” “The Judge” EJ Nduka promises justice will be served as he makes his MLW debut.

Who will outfight, outlast and outwit 39 other men? Tune in to find out!

PLUS: Rumors are swirling that Cesar Duran will be in attendance at the marquee event. Is “El Jefe” simply quenching his thirst for violence, or could the devious proprietor of Azteca Underground be looking to use the Battle Riot to scout potential fighters to add to his rank?

Join Rich Bocchini, fight analyst Saint Laurent, and broadcast journalist Alicia Atout as MLW presents Battle Riot III!

MLW Announces 2021 Open Draft Will Conclude At Battle Riot III

Major League Wrestling has announced that the 2021 Open Draft will conclude at Battle Riot III. 

Below is MLW’s full announcement:

If you were waiting for the Open Draft tonight, you will have to wait a little longer as the 2021 Open Draft will conclude this Saturday night at the Battle Riot.

MLW.com has learned that the final draftee will be revealed at a yet to be determined time during the show.

Who will wrap-up the first-ever Open Draft? Find out in Philly this weekend!

The 2021 Open Draft kicked off on May 21, 2021.

Davey Richards, Alex Kane, Matt Cross, EJ Nduka, TJP,  Lee Moriarty, Savio Vega, Calvin Tankman,  Zenshi, and Jordan Oliver are just a few who have been announced since May.

Battle Riot III is this Saturday, July 10 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

MLW Battle Riot III to air for FREE on beIN SPORTS

MLW has announced that the 40-wrestler Battle Riot III event will be televised on beIn SPORTS on Saturday July 24 at 10pm ET. 

Below is MLW’s announcement:

Major League Wrestling and beIN SPORTS will team-up to televise the 40-wrestler Battle Riot III event on Saturday July 24 at 10pm ET.  

“BeIN Sports has been the exclusive linear destination for every Battle Riot, and we’re elated to continue the tradition with a stacked match and give it to the fans for free on cable and satellite,” said MLW CEO Court Bauer. “This event will serve as an important chapter as we look ahead to the next season this fall.”

Set at the sold-out full capacity 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, the event features King Muertes, National Openweight Champion Alex Hammerstone, Ross and Marshall Von Erich, Davey Richards, CONTRA Unit, former World Heavyweight Champion Tom Lawlor and Team Filthy, TJP, EJ Nduka, Caribbean Champion Richard Holliday, World Middleweight Champion Myron Reed and dozens of other world class wrestlers.

MLW Battle Riot III will be available to stream for free on demand on MLW’s YouTube Channel later this month. Learn more at: www.youtube.com/majorleaguewrestling.

WHAT IS THE BATTLE RIOT?
A mash-up of a battle royal, royal rumble and anything goes street fight, this super-sized main event will feature 40 wrestlers with new participants entering the ring every 60 seconds.

There will be surprises! There will be legends! There will be WTF entries… and there will be no disqualifications!

Elimination is by pinfall, submission or by throwing an individual over the top rope.

Anything is possible in a Battle Riot!

WHAT DOES THE WINNER GET?
The winner gets a World Heavyweight Title Shot anywhere, anytime!  It could be that night; it could be in 6 months. The challenger has the key to unlock an instant title shot against whoever the champion is!

Davey Richards Signs With MLW

Pro wrestling veteran Davey Richards has signed with MLW

It was revealed in last night’s MLW Open Draft launch that Richards has signed with the company for the upcoming season. He will make his MLW debut on Saturday, July 10 in Philadelphia, PA.

“Davey isn’t just a world class workhorse, he’s a beast, one that’s going to instantly change the dimension of the in-ring product in MLW,” said MLW CEO & Founder Court Bauer in a press release issued to us today. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for Davey, he’s been one of my favorites to watch for over a decade and I’m happy to welcome him to our newly expanded roster.”

Richards, who announced back in April that he would be taking bookings for July, tweeted after the Draft announcement and noted that he has multiple offers when he announced his return.

He wrote, “Humbled that so many offers came in when I announced my return. @MLW houses the best in professional wrestling and I am Exctied to test myself against them. Let the hunt begin…….”

Others drafted in Round 1 of the MLW Open Draft last night were Gino Medina, King Muertes, Ross Von Erich, and Marshall Von Erich.

Richards is a former ROH World Champion, three-time ROH World Tag Team Champion, five-time TNA Tag Team Champion, former PWG World Champion, a three-time PWG World Tag Team Champion, and a former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion. He has been wrestling since 2004, but retired in 2020 due to knee injuries he suffered throughout his career. He previously took time off from pro wrestling to become a doctor.

The 2021 MLW Open Draft will continue next Thursday at 7pm ET via YouTube as Alicia Atout hosts Round 2. Below is video of Round 1 from last night:

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Court Bauer Talks MLW Possibly Working With WWE

MLW promoter Court Bauer sat down with Alfred Nonuwa of Forbes to talk about MLW’s move to Vice TV.

During the interview, Bauer was also asked about a potential partnership with WWE. It was reported by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter last week that MLW and WWE were in talks regarding a potential working relationship. A later report from PWInsider claimed there had been no talks between the two promotions.

Bauer played coy on while saying he’s open to all possibilities if the opportunity is right.

“A collaboration must have a long-term vision and a genuine commitment to enriching both parties,” said Bauer. “We’re having some interesting conversations with some interesting people, and if there is a two-way relationship that feels like it’s a win-win for the companies, the talent and the fans, and has a long-term sustainability to it, we’ll always examine it. You can’t do one-sided. I don’t kiss rings, I don’t need the validation.”

“We’re competing with two billionaires and still growing with deals like Vice TV and growing our footprint abroad with 20+ countries now airing MLW weekly. If, hypothetically, a company is motivated to pursue how it can disrupt a meaningful system or an opportunity where it enhances both parties’ businesses, yes you should evaluate the opportunity.”

Bauer continued, “It can’t just be that you get acknowledged by a billionaire, and then all of a sudden you say ‘okay, how can we serve you as a master?’ That’s not happening. If I do that, what’s the point of even being in business? It makes no sense. If both sides can get something out of it and it’s rewarding, and there’s a favorable strategy for both sides, that could be cool. Is it easy to get those type of things done? Absolutely not.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Reportedly In Talks With MLW About Possibly Working Together

WWE officials are reportedly in talks with MLW officials.

It was noted in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE does not like the reputation it has of not working with anyone in the modern pro wrestling world.

Regarding MLW and WWE, the talks are along the lines of the old EVOLVE deal or to a degree, the ECW deal from the 1990s. The idea is to give some of the developmental guys, who aren’t working WWE NXT, some work on TV. There is also the idea of WWE creating their own EVOLVE-like group as a weekly streaming show, but this would allow the talents to work on actual TV and get some more exposure than on Peacock and the WWE Network, and it also makes it seem like WWE is changing and modernizing.

There’s also the idea of alleviating the frustration of so many talents on the roster who sign with the company and then basically are never used, especially with no NXT live event running right now due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was also said that people see AEW having partnerships with NJPW, Impact Wrestling and AAA, and WWE wants to make it look like they are not set in their old ways and uncooperative,

There’s no word on if anything will come of the WWE – MLW talks or a timeframe on when something might happen, but right now within WWE there is a mentality to work with other promotions.

Source: Wrestling Inc.