Tag: MLW

MLW Has Filed An Anti-Trust Lawsuit Against The WWE

Court Bauer’s Major League Wrestling promotion has filed an anti-trust lawsuit against the WWE.

The WWE legal team is working overtime this week … and probably for the next few months.

MLW (Major League Wrestling), the New York-based professional wrestling promotion founded by former WWE writer Court Bauer, has filed an anti-trust lawsuit against World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. MLW is alleging that WWE interfered in some of its business deals and even pressured some third parties to pull the plug on their existing arrangements with MLW.

“WWE’s pattern of predatory and exclusionary conduct has hampered competition in the U.S. wrestling market by deprivingMLW and other competitors of distribution channels, and its conduct has harmed consumers by depriving them of content and keeping prices high,” MLW’s lawsuit states.

MLW claims that WWE sabotaged a “lucrative” agreement between MLW and streaming platform Tubi, which is owned by Fox. According to the lawsuit, a WWE executive contacted Fox and asked Fox to terminate the MLW deal.

As you might recall, WWE and Fox signed a $1 billion broadcast deal in 2018 that facilitated SmackDown’s move from USA Network to Fox. WWE signed another big-money deal with Fox in 2020.

WWE allegedly implied that they would cease doing business with Fox if their demands were not met. Soon thereafter, Fox informed MLW that it had canceled the company’s Tubi contract, which ultimately led to a downturn in MLW’s profits and ticket sales.

MLW also claims that WWE interfered in its deal with VICE TV when WWE senior vice president Susan Levison called VICE to inform the network that Vince McMahon was unhappy that VICE had agreed to air MLW programming As a result, VICE only aired one MLW show.

“WWE has been wrongfully depriving its competitors of critical opportunities for many years, but its latest conduct has been even more unconscionable,” Bauer said in a statement. “I think we speak for the rest of the professional wrestling world when we say that this anti-competitive behavior has to stop.”

In a statement of its own, WWE disputed MLW’s claims.

“WWE believes these claims have no merit and intends to vigorously defend itself against them,” the WWE statement read.

Source: TheSportster

MLW Fusion: ALPHA Preview 12/15/21

This weeks show is billed as the series finale of the MLW Fusion Alpha miniseries. MLW will return with the MLW Azteca miniseries starting Thursday, January 6. Alpha streams tonight on the MLW YouTube page and FITE TV at 6CT/7ET. The show will be replayed Saturdays on beIN Sports at 9CT/10ET.

-Tajiri vs. Atsuki Aoyagi for the MLW Middleweight Championship

Join Rich Bocchini, Joe Debrowski, and broadcast journalist Alicia Atout as MLW presents Fusion: ALPHA!

MLW Fusion ALPHA Preview 12/8/21, NZO Debut

MLW Fusion Alpha streams Wednesdays on the MLW YouTube page and FITE TV at 6CT/7ET. The show is replayed Saturdays on beIN Sports at 9CT/10ET. 

The following matches and segments are advertised for tonight’s Major League Wrestling Fusion Alpha online show.

-MLW Heavyweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone in action.

-Los Parks vs. 5150 in a Street Fight for the MLW Tag Titles.

-NZO vs. Matt Cross.

MLW War Chamber Preview 11/17/21

Major League Wrestling returns tonight at 7pm ET with WAR CHAMBER, streaming worldwide for free on MLW’s YouTube channel, Fite.TV and Saturdays on beIN Sports. 

  • WAR CHAMBER: Hammerheads vs. CONTRA Unit: Hammerstone, Richard Holliday, EJ Nduka, Savio Vega and Cesar Duran’s mystery partner vs. Jacob Fatu, Mads Krugger, Ikuro Kwon and The SENTAI Death Squad

Major League Wrestling’s two and half year war with CONTRA reaches its final battle as World Heavyweight Champion Alex Hammerstone and his team meet the global dealers in violence inside the WAR CHAMBER, presented by newlawoffice.com.

Hammerstone leads a team joined by Dynastic teammate Richard Holliday, 6’8 IFBB Bodybuilding and football standout “The Judge” EJ Nduka, legendary brawler Savio Vega and a mystery partner handpicked by one “El Jefe” Cesar Duran. 

Standing in their path to victory however is the best within CONTRA’s ranks in the form of CONTRA’s kingpin Jacob Fatu, the “ Black Hand of CONTRA” Mads Krugger, pit fighter Ikuro Kwon, and the SENTAI Death Squad.

Can Hammer and his team take out CONTRA inside the WAR CHAMBER and purge MLW of the international cabla once and for all, or will CONTRA conquer MLW?

5150 speak on the introduction of “The Notorious 187” Homicide to the crew and re-up on their calls for a World Tag Team title shot following the chaotic ending to their trios match with Los Parks last week.

PLUS: While rumors swirl regarding Cesar Duran’s handpicked 5th man on Hammerstone’s WAR CHAMBER team, “El Jefe” has already sent more shockwaves through the league by promising to unveil yet another surprise. What could Azteca Underground’s proprietor have in store for his loyal believers? 

Join Rich Bocchini, Joe Debrowski, and broadcast journalist Alicia Atout as MLW presents WAR CHAMBER! 

MLW Fusion: ALPHA Preview 11/10/21

Major League Wrestling returns tonight at 7pm ET with Fusion: ALPHA, streaming worldwide for free on MLW’s YouTube channel, Fite.TV and Saturdays on beIN Sports. 

  • Opera Cup Semi-Finals: Davey Richards vs. Bobby Fish
  • World Tag Team Champions Los Parks vs. 5150
  • 12 Man Survival Tag Team Match: EJ Nduka, Richard Holliday, Savio Vega, The Blue Meanie, Warhorse, and Zenshi vs. Ikuro Kwon, KC Navarro, King Mo, Gino Medina, Kevin Ku and The Beastman with Kimchee

Opera Cup semi-final action headlines an action packed edition of Fusion: ALPHA, presented by newlawoffice.com.

“The American Wolf” Davey Richards rumbles with outsider Bobby Fish in a high stakes Opera Cup semi-finals match to determine the first wrestler who will move on to the 2021 Opera Cup finals.

Can Davey outgun an all elite striker and move one step closer to completing what many view as the comeback of the year, or could Bobby Fish quite possibly knock off a heavy tournament favorite and show up in another promotion with the Opera Cup trophy in a couple weeks? 

In trios action, Los Parks step into the ring with 5150. Cesar Duran’s thirst for violence is sure to be quenched as Los Campeones finally step into the ring with Konnan’s new crew in front of a rabid South Philly crowd.

The final countdown to War Chamber begins. CONTRA’s forces are strengthening and with just seven days remaining until the monumental event, the question remains: WHO will step up and join forces with Hammerstone, Richard Holliday and EJ Nduka to battle the global dealers in violence inside the demonic structure? 

Cesar Duran has requested a special meeting with Willow Nightingale. As rumors of an impending Women’s Featherweight Championship tournament continue to pick up steam, what sort of devious proposition could El Jefe have in store for The Babe With The Power?

PLUS: Just seven days before they join forces with their boy Hammer in War Chamber, EJ Nduka and Richard Holliday lead an star squad into battle as they team with Savio Vega, Warhorse, Zenshi, and the Blue Meanie to take on CONTRA’s Ikuro Kwon, KC Navarro, King Mo, Gino Medina, Kevin Ku, and The Beastman with Kimchee in 12 on 12 Survival Tag action!

Join Rich Bocchini, Joe Debrowski, and broadcast journalist Alicia Atout as MLW presents Fusion: ALPHA! 

MLW Fusion ALPHA Preview 11/3/21

Major League Wrestling returns tonight at 7pm ET with Fusion: ALPHA, streaming worldwide for free on MLW’s YouTube channel and Saturdays on beIN Sports. 

  • Caribbean Champion King Muertes in action!
  • Willow Nightingale and Zoey Sky vs. The Sea Stars
  • Alex Kane Prize Fight Open

The monstrous King Muertes is unleashed this week on Fusion: ALPHA, presented by newlawoffice.com!

Cesar Duran has signed the current Caribbean Champion to compete in singles competition, but details regarding his opponent remain scarce at this time.

Could this late match addition be some sort of  power move against one of El Jefe’s detractors? What member of the MLW roster has drawn the ire of Cesar Duran and could be sacrificed to The Man of 1,000 Deaths this Wednesday night?! Tune into ALPHA and find out!

The future of the National Openweight Championship will be announced!

Tom Lawlor has an ultimatum for Cesar Duran???

The war of words between World Tag Team Champions Los Parks and 5150 turns violent!

Willow Nightingale returns from injury to team with Zoey Sky against the top ranked tandem of The Sea Stars. Can The Babe With The Power stay focused while her attacker Holidead still lurks in the shadows?

An exclusive update on Calvin Tankman’s 2021 Opera Cup status following The Heavyweight Hustle’s brutal assault at the hands of Alex Kane and King Mo last week.

PLUS: Alex Kane challenges the sports best to come and get this work in the Alex Kane Open Prize Fight Challenge! Does anyone have what it takes to collect Kane’s hefty cash prize and curb the momentum of The Suplex Assassin?

Join Rich Bocchini, Joe Debrowski, and broadcast journalist Alicia Atout as MLW presents Fusion: ALPHA! 

MLW Fusion ALPHA Preview 10/20/21

Stream 7pm tonight on YouTube and FITE.TV worldwide for FREE

Major League Wrestling returns tonight at 7pm ET with Fusion: ALPHA, featuring a Caribbean Championship match, streaming worldwide for free on MLW’s YouTube channel and Saturdays on beIN Sports. 

  • Caribbean Championship: Richard Holliday vs. King Muertes
  • Opera Cup Opening Round: Matt Cross vs. Calvin Tankman
  • Nicole Savoy vs. Holidead

Richard Holliday finds himself on the receiving end of Cesar Duran’s never ending thirst for violence as the Caribbean Champion defends his title against “The Man of 1,000 Deaths” King Muertes, presented by newlawoffice.com. 

League coorespondent Alicia Atout’s jaw dropping expose on MLW matchmaker Cesar Duran  shocked many but it may have had grave consequences for the current Caribbean Champion Richard Holliday.

In an effort to show his lust for revenge rivals his thirst for violence, MLW’s devious matchmaker has dispatched the monstrous King Muertes to dispose of Holliday and send a clear message to Alicia and everyone in the league: NO ONE crosses El Jefe.

Has Holliday’s frienemy, Alicia, sealed a dire fate for the Caribbean champion, or can Holliday unleash a dynastic title defense and put away Cesar Duran’s death dealer? Tune into ALPHA and find out.

As War Chamber looms, CONTRA has threatened to unleash a flurry of attacks. How will MLW respond and who will the World Heavyweight Champion Alex Hammerstone recruit for his team? 

The Opera Cup opening round continues with a clash of high octane power and speed as The “Heavyweight Hustle Calvin Tankman collides with veteran Matt Cross! Which of these hybrid styles is enough to propel one of these hungry competitors to the Semi-Finals of the Opera Cup? 

World Middleweight Champion Tajiri has returned home to Japan to a hero’s welcome. This week, take an inside look at the latest updates from the new World Middleweight Champion.

Submission specialist Nicole Savoy looks to make a statement in her MLW debut. Standing in her way: the dangerous and demented Holidead. 
Join Rich Bocchini, fight analyst Saint Laurent and broadcast journalist Alicia Atout as MLW presents Fusion: ALPHA!

“Filthy” Tom Lawlor Leaving MLW

Top MLW star “Filthy” Tom Lawlor is leaving the company.

Lawlor’s two year contract is expiring soon, and he is finishing up with the company, according to Fightful Select. MLW sources confirmed the departure and spoke very highly of the veteran talent.

Lawlor is done with MLW as of now as the recent Casket Match was a way to effectively write him out of the storylines. That match saw Lawlor lose to MLW Caribbean Heavyweight Champion King Muertes at the Fightland taping in Philadelphia earlier this month. There was still some time left on Lawlor’s contract, but it will expire before MLW’s next set of TV tapings in November.

The leader of Team Filthy first started working with MLW in 2017 and is a one-time MLW World Heavyweight Champion. He won the Battle Riot match in 2018, and won the Opera Cup Tournament in 2020.

Lawlor is currently working for NJPW after making his debut for the promotion in July 2020. He became the first-ever NJPW Strong Openweight Champion back in April after winning the New Japan Cup USA tournament, defeating Brody King in the finals.

Lawlor has expressed interest in returning to MMA, and said while he left his gloves in the ring after his last bout, he is not officially retired. Lawlor remains under contract to the PFL (Pro Fighters League). The former UFC star last fought on June 17 of this year, defeating Jordan Young by unanimous decision at the PFL 5 event in Atlantic City. He currently has a MMA record of 11-8-1.

There is no word on if the 38 year old Lawlor has interest from AEW or WWE, or what his contract status is with NJPW.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

MLW Fusion ALPHA Preview 10/13/21

Major League Wrestling returns tonight at 7pm ET with Fusion: ALPHA, featuring the opening round of the 2021 Opera Cup, streaming worldwide for free on MLW’s YouTube channel and Saturdays on beIN Sports. 

  • Tom Lawlor vs. Davey Richards – Opera Cup Opening Round
  • Calvin Tankman vs. Lee Moriarty
  • Delmi Exo vs. Brittany Blake

FIGHTLAND fallout! What’s next for NEW World Heavyweight Champion Alex Hammerstone? What’s the fate of the National Openweight Championship? Rumor has it Hammerstone and Cesar Duran have a very important meeting.

8 men. One shot at history. The 2021 Opera Cup begins tonight, presented by newlawoffice.com.

A technical shoot out between two dangerous grapplers kicks off this year’s tournament as 2020 Opera Cup winner Tom Lawlor tests his violent knockout power and dirty tricks against the multidimensional submission game of Davey Richards.

Can “Filthy” Tom take Davey out early and advance on to going back-to-back and reclaim the cup for one more year? Or will “The American Wolf” make a statement and eliminate the decorated former MLW World Heavyweight Champion? 

In the wake of FIGHTLAND, how will CONTRA retaliate on MLW and Hammerstone?

The Heavyweight Hustle rumbles with the master of TAIGASTYLE! Power collides with technique as Tankman readies for the Opera Cup against another competitor in non-tournament action. Could we see a preview of the Cup finals in this clash?

The Featherweights thrive as ½ of the Sea Stars Delmi Exo makes her MLW singles debut against devious rule breaker Brittany Blake. 

A scandal unraveled? Broadcast journalist Alicia Atout has an exclusive expose as she examines matchmaker Cesar Duran. Following last week’s Embedded, what scoops will Alicia score this week? Tune in to find out!

Injustice takes to the streets with a message for 5150!

Join Rich Bocchini, Joe Dombrowski and broadcast journalist Alicia Atout as MLW presents Fusion: ALPHA! 

MLW Fightland Results 10/7/2021

MLW World Middleweight Championship: Myron Reed (c) vs. Tajiri vs. Arez vs. Aramis

Winner: Tajiri and new MLW Middleweight Champion

Title vs. Title/No Disqualification: Jacob Fatu (w/Josef Samael) (MLW World Heavyweight Championship) vs. Alex Hammerstone (Openweight National Championship)

Winner: Alex Hammerstone and new MLW World Heavyweight Championship

* Next Wednesday (10/13), on the series finale of Fusion: Alpha, “Filthy” Tom Lawlor will battle Davey Richards in the opening round of the 2021 Opera Cup Tournament. King Muertes is also scheduled for action.

* Then, on Saturday, November 6, MLW will return to the 2300 arena in Philadelphia for their next set of tapings. It’s reported that the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay will make his MLW debut at those tapings!

* Lastly, on Thursday, November 25, MLW Fusion will return on Thanksgiving Day.