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!
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 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!
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:
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.”
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.
MLW presents Fusion TONIGHT at 7pm ET featuring a first-ever 1-on-1 encounter nearly two years in the making, on Youtube and other platforms. (Learn more about where to watch.)
“Filthy” Tom Lawlor vs. Marshall Von Erich
Ross Von Erich vs. Dominic Garrini
Hijo de La Park vs. Bu Ku Dao
For the first-time ever Marshall will meet Tom Lawlor ONE-on-ONE, by newlawoffice.com!
Fresh off winning the New Japan Strong Openweight Championship, Lawlor looks to keep his winning streak intact but does an iron claw await him? Marshall spent a month on the sidelines with an injured knee. Cleared to return to competition, Marshall Von Erich is chomping at the bit to get the 2020 Opera Cup winner inside the squared circle.
Lawlor and the Von Erichs have a long history and were once best friends. Lawlor even recruited the Von Erichs to join MLW… only for Lawlor to become bitter and betray the Von Erichs. Now the stage is set for a big 1-on-1 clash. Who will have their hand raised?
In a prelude to the main event, Ross Von Erich will square off against world class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gold medalist Dominic Garrini. The bout marks Ross’ return to the states. The elder Von Erich had spent several weeks on an excursion in Japan training under the tutelage of Keiji Mutoh, better known as the Great Muta.
Despite going rogue on Azteca Underground’s proprietor, Salina de la Renta has been given one more opportunity by the mysterious El Jefe. With Los Parks last week seemingly unhappy with her, Salina finds herself at a crossroads after going into business for herself and ignoring El Jefe’s game plan for the Muertes/Hammerstone match.
Hijo de LA Park faces a man entering the middleweight contest with immense momentum in Bu Ku Dao. The 5′ fan favorite defeated TJP last week in the biggest win of his career. Could Salina face severe consequences if Hijo de LA Park losses?
Alicia Atout chats one on one with Alex Hammerstone as he responds to CONTRA and continues to push for his ultimate goal, a one on one World Heavyweight title fight with Jacob Fatu!
World Middleweight Champion Lio Rush and “The Young GOAT” Myron Reed take questions from the media ahead of their blockbuster World title rematch next Wednesday night!
Join Ray Flores, fight analyst Saint Laurent, and backstage correspondent Alicia Atout for a night of top ranked competition.
Fans can also watch nationwide on cable and dish via beIN SPORTS on Saturday nights at 10pm ET and on demand anytime, anywhere on DAZN. MLW airs on Fubo Sports Network and the Roku Channel on Friday nights 7pm / 10pm ET. Learn more about where to watch.
MLW presents Fusion TONIGHT at 7pm ET featuring a Middleweight grudge match on Youtube and other platforms. (Learn more about where to watch.)
Grudge Match: TJP vs. Bu Ku Dao
Rocky Romero vs. Gino Medina
King Mo vs. Robert Martyr
Tonight 5’ tall Bu Ku Dao faces the biggest challenge of his career: defeating the bigger, more experienced TJP on Fusion, presented by newlawoffice.com.
Teacher and student clash as popular underdog Bu Ku Dao returns to competition against the man he once idolized. The man who publicly humiliated his pupil. The man who attacked and sidelined Dao for over a month, his controversial former mentor TJP.
Can Bu Ku kick off a successful comeback and teach his former mentor turned tormentor a lesson in respect? Or will TJP wipe the ring with Bu Ku Dao and send him in a career freefall? Tune in and find out!
Fresh off vanquishing Mil Muertes, Alex Hammerstone has scheduled a press conference for this Wednesday night! What will the National Openweight Champ have to say?
In an exclusive, “The Interview Queen” Alicia Atout will speak with MLW CEO and Founder Court Bauer.
After challenging for the Caribbean Championship last week, Gino Medina looks to send a message to Holliday and the league as he faces off with Rocky Romero of New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
Is Salina de la Renta in trouble? MLW will investigate rumors of ongoing issues between the empressaria and Azteca Underground’s mysterious El Jefe following allegations Salina went into business for herself in the high stakes title fight last week.
Consumer alert! Caribbean Champion Richard Holliday is in the house and promises to drop an exclusive look at The Dynasty’s latest marketing campaign.
PLUS: American Top Team’s King Mo in action! “Filthy” Tom Lawlor, Marshall Von Erich, and more!
Join Ray Flores, fight analyst Saint Laurent, and backstage correspondent Alicia Atout for a night of top ranked competition headlined by a Middleweight grudge match.
Fans can also watch nationwide on cable and dish via beIN SPORTS on Saturday nights at 10pm ET and on demand anytime, anywhere on DAZN. MLW airs on Fubo Sports Network and the Roku Channel on Friday nights 7pm / 10pm ET. Learn more about where to watch.
After weeks of speculation, MLW revealed their big news tonight and announced that they are headed to Vice TV. No exact premiere date has been announced, but it was noted that MLW will debut on Vice TV in the spring.
MLW’s flagship show, MLW Fusion, currently airs every Wednesday night on YouTube and Fubo Sports. The show also airs on DAZN, beIN SPORTS, and the Roku Channel. A second MLW TV show has been rumored since January, and at one point the “MLW Rebellion” name was being tossed around. It was reported back in January that a second MLW TV series was being shopped to English and Spanish language networks, but there’s no word yet on if this is that same project.
UPDATE:
PWInsider has revealed new details, noting that the MLW – Vice TV debut will happen in May.
The plan is to initially feature MLW content from their library that will take advantage of the third season of Vice’s “Dark Side of the Ring” hit series, which premieres on Thursday, May 6. The strategy behind this is to help Vice TV viewers learn about MLW’s top stars, storylines and their history, and that, by using archived content, they prevent their first impression with new viewers being from empty arena content.
The actual date for MLW’s premiere on Vice TV has not been confirmed, but one would think that the promotion would premiere around May 6, which is the “Dark Side of the Ring” season three premiere. It’s believed that MLW will serve as the lead-in for the “Dark Side” documentary series.
If everything goes as planned, MLW is looking at returning to taping TV content in front of a live crowd in July. That content would then begin airing on Vice TV as soon as possible. It’s believed that the MLW shows on Vice will be taped, not live, but live TV from MLW is possible.
MLW’s new Vice TV deal will not replace the current deals with DAZN and beIN Sports. MLW’s flagship show, MLW Fusion, currently airs every Wednesday night on YouTube and Fubo Sports. The show also airs on DAZN, beIN SPORTS, and the Roku Channel.
MLW CEO Court Bauer is looking to get MLW on as many broadcast and streaming platforms as possible with the idea of creating unique programming across the board, when needed for as many content or TV deals as they can lock in. Their idea is that before, companies wanted to be in one place but these days you want to entrench yourself in as many places as possible to maximize revenue and to allow for different choices for fans to consume the content. If MLW can lock in five content or TV deals and then need to create content for all five of those deals, that will be their priority.
It was recently revealed that MLW had been in talks with the Discovery network. Those talks are still in progress and there could be other networks that the company is talking with.
We’ve noted how a second MLW TV show has been rumored since January, and at one point the “MLW Rebellion” name was being tossed around. It was reported back in January that a second MLW TV series was being shopped to English and Spanish language networks, but there’s no word yet on if this is related to the new Vice TV deal, or the talks with Discovery.
MLW presents Fusion TONIGHT at 7pm ET featuring a National Openweight title bout on Youtube and other platforms. (Learn more about where to watch.)
National Openweight Championship: Alex Hammerstone (champion) vs. Mil Muertes
World Tag Team Championship: Los Parks (champions) vs. The Dirty Blondes
Caribbean Championship: Richard Holliday (champion) vs. Gino Medina
For over a month Mil Muertes has paraded around Major League Wrestling as the illegitimate National Openweight Champion. Now Alex Hammerstone looks to send a thunderbolt straight through the “Man of 1,000 Deaths” and reclaim the belt that was literally stolen from him on this edition of Fusion, presented by newlawoffice.com.
Can Hammerstone conquer Azteca Underground’s undefeated luchador and finally regain his title belt or will Muertes nail the coffin shut on the longest title reign in league history?
In a match six months in the making, the Dynasty detonates as Richard Holliday puts the Caribbean Championship up for grabs against Gino Medina.
Gino vows to prove he’s beyond dynastic and is untouchable as he looks to dethrone his former “bro” and walk away with his first championship in MLW. However, he’ll have to hang in the rarefied air of the Carribean Champ. Who’s walking out of Orlando with the belt? Tune in and find out.
Fresh off a 30 day suspension following a reprehensible attack on Bu Ku Dao, Alicia Atout looks for answers as she chats one on one with controversial top ranked Middleweight TJP.
Salina de la Renta and league officials brokered the deal over the weekend and now in a late addition to an already stacked fight card, Los Parks are set to defend the World Tag Team Championships against the Dirty Blondes! Will Salina’s aggressive moves impress her new boss El Jefe? Or will Azteca Underground’s luchadores be toppled and lose the gold? It’s a high risk, high reward evening
PLUS: “The Young GOAT” Myron Reed speaks exclusively as he continues to call out and pressure Lio Rush for a World Middleweight title shot!
MLW cameras journey to Kauai, Hawaii as the legendary Kevin Von Erich presents Ross and Marshall with the opportunity of a lifetime.
Join Ray Flores, fight analyst Saint Laurent, and backstage correspondent Alicia Atout for a night of top ranked competition headlined by a blockbuster National Openweight title fight.
Fans can also watch nationwide on cable and dish via beIN SPORTS on Saturday nights at 10pm ET and on demand anytime, anywhere on DAZN. MLW airs on Fubo Sports Network and the Roku Channel on Friday nights 7pm / 10pm ET. Learn more about where to watch.
MLW presents Never Say Never TONIGHT at 7pm ET featuring a World Heavyweight Championship bout on Youtube and other platforms. (Learn more about where to watch.)
World Heavyweight Championship: Jacob Fatu (champion) vs. Calvin Tankman (challenger)
Myron Reed vs. Daivari
Grudge Match: Simon Gotch vs. Jordan Oliver
The rampaging rookie Calvin Tankman challenges the 2-year reign of World Heavyweight Champion Jacob at Never Say Never, presented by newlawoffice.com.
Since his debut Calvin Tankman has crushed the competition en route to an impressive undefeated streak in the league. Now, the ground will shake as Tankman looks to make history and topple CONTRA’s kingpin Jacob Fatu.
What happens when the unstoppable momentum of “The Heavyweight Hustle” meets the unmatched force of the “Samoan Smashing Machine”, with the World Heavyweight title on the line? Tune in and find out!
The war between CONTRA and Injustice reaches its final battle as “The Young GOAT” Myron Reed steps into the ring with CONTRA’s Iranian super soldier Daivari.
Daivari staked his claim as a dangerous force in the Middleweight division when he blindsided Reed at Kings Of Colosseum. Now, revenge lingers in the air as Reed finally gets his chance to step up and face off with CONTRA’s top ranked Middleweight.
The National Openweight Champion Alex Hammerstone has requested interview time ahead of his gigantic title fight against Azteca Underground’s monster Mil Muertes!
Jordan Oliver gets one more shot at CONTRA’s elite ring general Simon Gotch and it is a GRUDGE MATCH! Can Injustice’s young heavyweight make the most of this opportunity at redemption and walk back the challenge from CONTRA’s devious grappler?
Former “Dynastic Bros” turned rivals Richard Holliday and Gino Medina go head-to-head in an exclusive interview with Alicia Atout!
Join Ray Flores, fight analyst St. Laurent and backstage correspondent Alicia Atout for a night of top ranked fights headlined by top ranked, undefeated Calvin Tankman challenging Jacob Fatu for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Fans can also watch nationwide on cable and dish via beIN SPORTS on Saturday nights at 10pm ET and on demand anytime, anywhere on DAZN. MLW airs on Fubo Sports Network and the Roku Channel on Friday nights 7pm / 10pm ET. Learn more about where to watch.
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