Category: MLW

MLW Announces Partnership With Dragon Gate

Announced at Saturday night’s MLW Fightland TV tapings, MLW and Dragon Gate have formed a partnership. Major League Wrestling’s Court Bauer said the working relationship between MLW and Dragon Gate is “coming soon.”

“The gate to the Americas has been opened. @MLW x @dragongate_pro,” Bauer wrote on Twitter.

Post Wrestling reported the two companies had been in talks and signed the deal over the past week. MLW wants to bring Dragon Gate talent to the States, once they go through the process of securing their visas. This process can take time, so no word yet on when talent will begin making appearances.

MLW signed with ICM Partners, who will sell TV and streaming rights for MLW. MLW Studios will also launch, which will create original scripted and non-scripted programming for the promotion.

https://twitter.com/courtbauer/status/1223837793199194113

MLW has put out a video (seen below) about the two companies working together, along with a press release:

KOBE, JAPAN / NEW YORK — Major League Wrestling and Dragon Gate Pro-Wrestling of Japan today announced the formation of a strategic alliance.

MLW and Dragon Gate Pro-Wrestling will fuse forces to launch a new collaboration focused on a talent exchange and opportunities to share content and participate in other projects.

“The collaboration between MLW and Dragon Gate is a very special opportunity to produce unique events, showcase spectacular talent and create a new canvas for Japanese and American cooperation,” said Court Bauer, CEO and founder of MLW. “We are ecstatic about this partnership.”

Dragon Gate is a world-renowned wrestling organization based out of Kobe, Japan that has revolutionized wrestling.

Transcending traditional Japanese wrestling with its distinct mixture of strong style wrestling and Mexican lucha libre, Dragon Gate is a spectacular packaging unlike any other Japanese organization.

With popular wrestlers such as Ben-K, YAMATO, Shun Skywalker and Narauki Doi among others, Dragon Gate delights fans around the world with their thrilling high-flying acrobatics and inventive moves.

A vibrant trendsetting organization, Dragon Gate emerged in 2004 and reimagined Japanese wrestling in its own vision. Today, Dragon Gate is one of Japan’s most prominent organizations with a global reach, including introducing their SVOD service.

More details on first chapter of the MLW x Dragon Gate collaboration will be revealed soon.

https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1224371694170669056

Source: Wrestling Inc.

MLW Fusion Preview 2/1/20

This week on FUSION, fans are in for a triple treat featuring a no holds barred clash, a World Middleweight Championship bout and the first-ever singles meeting between MJF and Marshall Von Erich.

Since being dethroned at SuperFight, MJF has run his mouth about what he’d do if he ever got in the ring with one of the Von Erichs.  Now the big mouthed New Yorker will get his chance as he battles Marshall Von Erich in their first ever singles clash.
With Ross doing media in Israel, what will happen as MJF with a reloaded Dynasty in-toe squares off with one of Dallas’ favorite sons?
After gaining victory on Injustice last week, Drago aims for a clean sweep as he looks to wrestle the World Middleweight Championship away from the slippery hands of the defending champion Myron Reed.
Will the first Mexican Middleweight Champion be crowned? Will AAA receive MLW championship gold? Will Myron Reed continue his hot streak as champion? The implications of this title match are significant.
After a cowardly attack in his home country of Canada, Davey Boy Smith seeks to strike down CONTRA’s ‘technical assassin’ Simon Gotch in a No Holds Barred battle!
Will Gotch be able to best the 2019 Opera Cup winner, or will the Hybrid fighter be in his element as MLW takes down the ropes and suspends the rules in a fight that can only be decided by knockout or submission?
PLUS: Exclusive comments from Mance Warner after last week’s “Last Tangle In Texas”!

Join Rich Bocchini, AJ Kirsch and Alicia Atout from the sold-out NYTEX Sports Centre in Dallas/Ft. Worth for a night of top ranked action.

Matches:
  • Marshall Von Erich vs. MJF
  • No Holds Barred Match: Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Simon Gotch
  • World Middleweight Title Match: Myron Reed (champion) vs. Drago

New Feature Movie On The Von Erich Family Being Developed

Filmmaker Sean Durkin is currently working on a feature film about WWE Hall of Famers The Von Erich Family, according to Deadline.

Durkin is working with producers Tessa Ross and Juliette Howell, under their House Productions banner, on the movie about the legendary family of pro wrestlers. BBC Films boss Rose Garnett is co-financing development of the project, along with House.

“I’m very excited about this one,” Durkin told Deadline about the Von Erichs movie. “It’s another family portrait, about a wrestling family who revolutionized the sport and then suffered tragedy.”

“Sean is an extraordinary filmmaker and we’re excited to be working with him,” added Tessa Ross.

It looks like the movie will look at the legendary Von Erichs that have passed, their last surviving brother, Kevin Von Erich, and his sons who currently wrestle for Major League Wrestling – MLW Tag Team Champions Ross & Marshall Von Erich.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

MLW Fusion Preview 1/18/20

MLW invites you to experience history in the making as the 2019 Opera Cup comes to a close with the tournament finals on this week’s MLW FUSION.

After 71 years the Opera Cup will be presented to a new winner as Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Brian Pillman Jr. clash in the finals.

Will Smith’s power, technique and sheer size be too much for Pillman? Or, will Pillman’s tenacity prove unstoppable? Tune in to see the Hart Foundation collide before a capacity crowd in New York City.

Complimenting Opera Cup finals is a World Middleweight Championship bout.  In his first title defense, Myron Reed will take on Japan’s El Lindaman. Will the powerful middleweight from Japan bring gold back to the #StrongHearts? Will Injustice prevail as their momentum surges?

Following the heinous attack on Konnan, Savio Vega has challenged Gino “El Intocable” Medina to a New York Street Fight.  The “Brawling Boricua” is not happy with the disrespect shown to his fellow hermano and looks to beat some respect into the newly minted member of the Dynasty.

A new Lifestyles of the Rich and Dynastic brings viewers into the rarified air of the tony 21 Club in midtown Manhattan.  The Dynasty toast their newest member with champagne and caviar. Is this foursome now unstoppable?

Will Tom Lawlor feel the heat for his attack on the Von Erichs? You may be surprised to hear who he is in hot water with!

Will the Opera Cup alternates Injustice interrupt the historic Opera Cup?

Plus, Alicia Atout provides an exclusive with both finalists.

MLW Fusion Preview 1/11/20

The semi-final round of the Opera Cup come to a close as Timothy Thatcher competes with Brian Pillman Jr. for a dance with destiny in the tournament finals.

Thatcher’s exceptional execution has reigned supreme thus far.  Will the catch wrestler’s experience, size and ring generalship be too much for the up and coming 2nd generation Pillman?

Will Pillman defy the odds and mirror his opening round performance displaying his tenacity and heart are intangibles Thatcher can’t match?  Tune in to find out!

Following Tom Lawlor’s exhibition bout and heinous conduct last week, the Von Erichs have accepted Tom’s challenge for a World tag team title match against the Spirit Squad.  Has Lawlor manipulated his hired goons into a scenario to dethrone Ross and Marshall Von Erich?

The high-profile league-wide recruitment of Gino Medina continues…. and Konnan has some truth bombs for the blue-chip luchador. The next chapter of the courtship of “El Intocable” continues on this week’s FUSION.

Meanwhile, Opera Cup alternates Injustice promise to make a statement as they circle their opportunity to enter the Opera Cup.

Showtime Interested In MLW

As previously reported, there has recently been talk of some big news breaking regarding MLW and a major partnership.

Wrestling Inc. has been able to confirm with sources close to the situation that there is interest in MLW from Showtime. There isn’t currently any other specifics known.

While Showtime has not aired any wrestling programming, they have had interest in the genre in the past. The network was in talks with AEW just last year.

Major News Story On MLW To Break Soon?

It’s believed that a major news story on Major League Wrestling will be breaking soon.

There’s no word yet on specifics of the story, but PWInsider reports that there has been a lot of talk on a huge story involving MLW and a new partnership that will be revealed imminently.

MLW Founder, Owner & CEO Court Bauer has been in Los Angeles several times over the past few weeks to meet with potential TV and licensing partners, which appears to be related to the story dropping soon. Word is that the story has a lot of potential to transform MLW’s future in a positive way.

Wrestling Inc Managing Editor Nick Hausman reached out to Bauer, who confirmed that the forthcoming news will be, “transformative to MLW’s immediate and long-term future.”

Bauer, a former WWE creative team writer, originally launched MLW back in 2002, but they shut down in 2004 and later resumed events in the summer of 2017. They are currently based out of New Rochelle, New York. MLW has a weekly TV deal with beIN Sports, and a deal with FITE TV for streaming content. MLW’s current line-up of champions are: MLW World Heavyweight Champion Jacob Fatu, MLW National Openweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone, MLW World Tag Team Champions The Von Erichs, and MLW World Middleweight Champion Myron Reed. A women’s division was launched in November of last year.

Stay tuned for updates on the MLW story that is expected to break soon.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

MLW Fusion Preview 12/28/19

This week on MLW FUSION join Rich Bocchini and AJ Kirsch as they look back at the best of 2019 in Major League Wrestling!

See the wildest brawl in the history of MLW as LA Park challenges Jacob Fatu for the World Heavyweight Title from Saturday Night SuperFight!

Timothy Thatcher battles Davey Boy Smith Jr. in a spectacular clash between two catch wrestling ring generals.

Experience the biggest moments in MLW in 2019! The top 10 craziest things in MLW!

Plus MORE!

MLW Fusion Preview 12/21/19

A double main event headlines this week’s Fusion featuring two major Opera Cup opening round bouts… but what is Tom Lawlor up to?

“Filthy” Tom Lawlor has a special announcement, but will he have to contend with Ross Von Erich?  After being betrayed by his former friend, Ross looks to avenge his brother’s attacker and get payback on traitor Tom Lawlor.

Will Lawlor be able to elude Ross, or will he come face to face with some Texas justice?

A dream match is featured in the main event as the opening round of the Opera Cup comes to a close.  For the first-time ever Low Ki fights Davey Boy Smith Jr.

The “Lone Wolf of Brooklyn” Low Ki has made it his goal to claim the prestigious Opera Cup and he has the credentials to be an instant favorite to go all the way. A former World Heavyweight Champion, Low Ki is the rare athlete who can match Davey Boy Smith’s striking skills, grappling and submission skills.

Standing in Low Ki’s way is the man whose grandfather last won the Opera Cup in 1948: Davey Boy Smith Jr.  Smith along with the Hart family have donated the family heirloom to the league and has revived the historic Opera Cup tournament to celebrate the sport’s history and reintroduce the coveted cup.

Fighting for his family’s legacy and the coveted Opera Cup trophy, Smith promises to match Low Ki hold for hold, move for move and strike for strike as the two strong style combatants collide.

The return of the Opera Cup tournament after a 71-year hiatus continues in another opening round bout.

In a match no one expected, MLW matchmakers and the Hart/Smith family have selected MJF and National Openweight Champion Alex Hammerstone for an opening round Opera Cup match.

For the first-time ever the Dynasty will clash as the Burberry wearing New York loudmouth MJF wrestles his fellow Dynasty team member and reigning National Openweight Champion Alex Hammerstone in a match that could forever alter the relationship between the two elitists.

All week Richard Holliday and his father/lawyer have attempted to derail the Opera Cup match.  MLW ultimately prevailed with the Hart family getting their wish of having the Dynasty fight each other in the historic opening round of the Opera Cup.

The Phoenix powerhouse has been stacking wins since marching into MLW earlier this year. Defeating the Hart Foundation and collecting the National Openweight Championship has put Alex Hammerstone in the rarified air as one of the most dominant forces in MLW.

MJF, who has been in the league for 2 years has enjoyed a reign as both the World Middleweight Champion and as World Tag Team Champions with fellow Dynasty member Richard Holliday.  MJF has been a fierce challenger since joining the league in October 2017.

With Holliday, Hammerstone and MJF forming the Dynasty in the spring, the trio of elitists have been virtually unstoppable while entangled in a bitter feud with the Hart Foundation.  Now, the Hart/Smith family may have the last laugh, given their influence on matchmaking for the Opera Cup.

Will the Dynasty crumble? Will the Dynasty endure and take home the Opera Cup? Find out on this week’s FUSION.

After the off-camera chaos a few weeks ago, Jimmy Havoc clashes with rival Mance Warner in a Prince of Darkness match. What happens when Ol Mancer and England’s Most Dangerous man are cloaked in hoods and must rely on their instincts to defeat the other? Tune in to find out!

Join Rich Bocchini and AJ Kirsch from the Melrose Ballroom in New York City for a night of top ranked action.

Matches:

  • Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Low Ki – Opera Cup opening round match
  • MJF vs. Alex Hammerstone – Opera Cup opening round match
  • Jimmy Havoc vs. Mance Warner – Prince of Darkness Match

Killer Kross To Make MLW Debut In February

MLW  announced yesterday on Twitter that Killer Kross will be making his MLW debut on February 1, 2020.

Killer Kross will make his debut during MLW’s FIGHTLAND. The event marks MLW’s return to the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

As noted yesterday, Kross was released from Impact Wrestling. It was back in May when he asked for his release from Impact.

Below is MLW’s announcement:

https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1207835272647467008

Source: Wrestling Inc.