MLW Roundup: Von Erichs title defense, free agent DBS Jr., more!

Let’s catch up on the latest news in MLW and preview tonight’s episode of MLW Fusion.

Von Erichs to defend the tag titles on Fusion

Tonight’s episode of MLW Fusion is jam-packed with action. The topper is the Von Erichs defending the MLW World Tag Team Championship against the Contra Unit duo of Jacob Fatu and Simon Gotch. Contra has expressed their desire to claim all the gold in MLW. Fatu already has the MLW World Heavyweight Championship in his clutches. The next order of business is the tag team prize.

To add extra temptation for viewers, a future title shot against Fatu could be on the line if one of the Von Erichs can pin the Samoan Werewolf.

As an interesting side note of history, this match will be another chapter in the lengthy legacy feud between the Von Erich and Fatu/Anoa’i families.

The Opera Cup rages on with a semifinal matchup between Richard Holliday and Low Ki. In the opening round, Holliday solved the riddle known as TJP, while Low Ki found redemption in a rematch against Davey Boy Smith Jr. This is a tough one to call. Low Ki is the favorite, but Holliday is a star on the rise. Winning the Opera Cup would put Low Ki back in the upper echelon of fighters in MLW. For Holliday, the Opera Cup would attach credibility to his name and could become a career-defining moment.

As good as the top two bouts should be, I’m actually more intrigued for Calvin Tankman versus Zenshi. Tankman breezed through his debut squash match, so this battle with Zenshi should give us a better gauge on his abilities. Zenshi has sweet moves himself and will hopefully provide an entertaining challenge for Mr. Heavyweight Hustle.

Also on the card is the debut of Team Filthy’s newest tag team. Dominic Garrini will partner with Kevin Ku as Violence is Forever. If you’ll recall, Garrini went on a worldwide mission to find Team Filthy’s newest member. It resulted in Garrini going missing in the Amazon jungle then emerging with Ku by his side. Since no opponents are yet named, this contest will probably be a showcase squash.

As if all those matches weren’t enough, Alicia Atout will interview Alexander Hammerstone, Salina de la Renta will provide another message from around the world, and The Black Hand of Contra will speak. For the record, Court Bauer insists that Logan Creed is not under the mask as Mads Krugger.

MLW Fusion streams on Fubo Sports Network Wednesday nights at 7 pm ET and 10 pm ET, posts on YouTube Wednesdays at 7 pm ET, and airs on beIN SPORTS Saturday nights at 10 pm ET. You can also check out MLW streaming on demand with DAZN. In addition, MLW is broadcast in over 20 countries.

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Quick hits

Court Bauer partook in a media call last week. The biggest nugget of information was the confirmation that Davey Boy Smith Jr. has completed his contract with MLW. They appear to be parting ways.

When one door closes, another one opens. Bauer dropped this tantalizing tease:

With Davey’s spot on the roster opening up, there will be a familiar face arriving soon to fill it. I’m a little surprised it hasn’t leaked yet. This one is a big surprise.

I have no clue who it could be. It seems like all the big stars who were released by WWE have been scooped up by now. My random guess is EC3 just because he has stated his desire to make the rounds in various promotions. Outside of former WWE wrestlers, Josh Barnett would be a pretty cool addition to MLW.

MLW announced that there will be a special event aired on January 6. Bauer stated that the Kings of Colosseum show will be stacked with title fights in an effort to make it a tentpole event for MLW. Hammerstone, Contra Unit, Von Erichs, Lio Rush, and Tom Lawlor are confirmed.

This reminds me of when MLW began their live specials of Fusion before the pandemic hit. Those shows had prime fights for episodes branded as the name used for the event taping. Basically, they were super awesome hour-long episodes of Fusion giving us the goods right away instead of having to wait down the line.

In a possibly related story, MLW has delayed the previously planned show with Salina de la Renta as executive producer due to her questionable Contra Unit dealings. The original date was supposed to be January 6. Details are sticky due to contractual obligations MLW has toward Salina. A resolution to this ordeal may be reached before the end of the year.

Richard Holliday has dynastic plans in his future if, or should I say when, he wins the Opera Cup. The Caribbean Champion plans to leverage that achievement into lucrative sponsorships. Holliday stated, “When I win this, expect that old dusty piece of tin to be melted down and rebranded the Cartier Cup.”

If the world returns to normal in 2021, MLW may take the Opera Cup on the road next year. Host city candidates include Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Dallas, New York, Baltimore, and Chicago. MLW is also considering changing the format to a round robin tournament.

Big news on the debate of whether Gino Medina quit or was fired from the Dynasty. MLW released the following update:

Holliday’s lawyer/father insists Gino had his Dynasty membership revoked and did not in fact quit.

Hammerstone and Holliday are still agitated over Medina’s departure.

Once Holliday handles Savio Vega in an eventual rematch for the Caribbean Championship, it would be interesting to see Medina get the next crack. The islands would be torn on who to root for. The consumer niños would proudly support Holliday, but the mamacitas would be hoping for a taste of Medina.

Colonel Parker has his eye on recruiting the Von Erichs for the Stud Stable. I find it highly unlikely that Ross and Marshall would seek guidance away from their father, Kevin. That hasn’t stopped Parker from trying. He has showered the Von Erichs with gifts ranging from, “high dollar Stetson hats to custom-made cowhide leather vests.”

If anyone was interested in seeing Alicia Atout wrestle, it doesn’t seem to be in the cards at this moment.

If you enjoyed last week’s Fusion, some of the praise should go toward Josh Hess. He took the reigns as senior producer.

We’ll close with a new shirt for Calvin Tankman.

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