Major League Wrestling (MLW) returns to the Big Apple and the Melrose Ballroom on Thursday, July 25 for Never Say Never. MLW is in full stride as they move into through the second half with tons of momentum. Tom Lawlor gets his rematch with Jacob Fatu, Teddy Hart meets MJF, and Jim Cornette will rehash the history of Lucha Libre each week.
Preview: MLW – Never Say Never (7/25/19)
Zenshi, Gringo Loco & Air Wolf vs. Injustice (Kotta Brazil, Myron Reed & Jordan Oliver)
This match will go everywhere. The high flying ability from these guys is enough to get the popcorn ready. Air Wolf may not get his rubber match with Ace Austin in New York, but a win with two other top middleweights would certainly get him back on track. Gringo Loco shines in matches like this, and Zenshi will do anything. Myron Reed may not have a personality that makes you brag about him, but his wrestling talent does. Once you get past the Injustice banter he is a high-quality prospect with a bright future in The League. His aerial game is as good as advertised, and Kotto Brazil back to full strength makes this team very dangerous.
Zenshi vs Hijo De LA PARK
Hijo wrestled with his Dad (LA PARK) beating the Wagner Jr’s (Dr. Wagner Jr. & Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr.) last time out, and returns against Zenshi in singles. He’s capable of performing the traditional Lucha moves, but he also brings his Father’s toughness to the Squared-Circle. Zenshi dropped one to Gringo Loco in his League debut earlier this month in Chicago and looks to rebound against the second-generation star. The aerial attacks will be on display in Manhattan.
“The Professional” Low KI vs Jimmy Yuta
Low Ki has found a new lease on life after departing Promocionis Dorado and looks to continue his knockout run against young Jimmy Yuta. Ki has found the beauty of the one-punch knockout has left a string of victims including Ricky Martinez, and young Ariel Dominguez with a perfect knee shortly after the bell. “The Professional” has won over the MLW fans who have clearly forgiven him for trying to assassinate Konnan. His drop-in class to Middleweight has been nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Brian Pillman Jr vs Richard Holliday
Pillman needs a win. He had multiple chances in the Ladder match to retain and was unable to get it done. Holliday was the hero for the Dynasty as they fought off Davey Boy’s interference to win the MLW Tag Titles, but the Most Marketable can’t afford to get complacent because despite his recent struggles Pillman is no easy task. Yes, he’s lost, but not to jobbers and slouches. Everyone has lost to Hammerstone and the Tag Title match certainly can’t be put on him when a raving lunatic jumped on his back steps from victory. The Harts need a win in this feud that has been wildly one-sided.
Bestia 666 vs Rey Horus
Salina has been trying for weeks to bring Rey Horus into the fold and now looks to Hell and has “summoned the devil” in Bestia 666. Maybe an overstatement, but this is a serious move. Horus is wildly talented and one of the top Luchadors stateside, but this isn’t your typical match. Bestia is here for one reason and that’s to take souls back. Salina brought him here for Mance Warner after he took out her entire brood the last few weeks, and with Ole’ Mancer in the building even the Devil himself may not be enough to stop the Southern Psychopath.
Austin Aries vs Ace Austin
Aries made his MLW debut to a hero’s welcome when he defeated Adam Brooks recently on Fusion. He made it clear after the victory that he will be competing in the League as a Middleweight saying, “I have never been a heavyweight a day in my life.” Ace comes off a slippery victory against another great young middleweight in Air Wolf. Aries is a major step up in competition. Whether or not you like Austin Aries or not you can’t deny his ability in the ring. A-Double is still one of the top grapplers in the game and looks fresh and ready after a short time away. Aries is a major threat to Teddy Hart’s Middleweight Gold. Look for Aries to make a major statement before the evening is over.
Mance Warner vs Ricky Martinez
We know Salina will stop at nothing to end Mance Warner‘s career, but the last time Ricky Martinez was tasked for revenge he got knocked out by Low Ki. Warner has run through Promociones Dorado and seems to be doing it all by himself. Martinez hasn’t had the best luck lately, but a win over El Jefa’s sworn enemy would get him back in her good graces. That’s easier said than done as Ole Mancer just sent Sami Callihan packing as part of the foiled plan of his adversary to rid herself of both.
MLW National Openweight Championship: Alex Hammerstone (c) vs Savio Vega
Hammerstone was nothing short of dominant in his victory over Davey Boy Smith Jr. on MLW FUSION #67. While it wasn’t the victory the Alpha Male wanted he left with the Championship. He delivered a pair of dropkicks the Rock-N-Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) would’ve been proud of. Both were right on the button and showed that he isn’t just the strongest wrestler. One kick was from the top turnbuckle and even more impressive was the second one from a standing position. DBS is 6’5 that’s not an easy task for anyone. If Hammer looks past the veteran Savio Vega he’d be making a big mistake. Vega is still active and even has a win over MJF in Cleveland this summer.
MLW World Middleweight Championship: Teddy Hart vs MJF
“MJF is scared like a dog crappin’ peach seeds.” – Jim Cornette prior to Ladder Match on MLW Fusion #66
The new MLW Tag Champion gets his hands on Teddy Hart after the attempted attack recently when MJF was doing commentary. This has been boiling since Hart beat MJF when the former Champ returned from a severe elbow injury that forced him to drop the belt late last year. Hart has been unstoppable as Middleweight Champion, but he has to be wary here. The Dynasty is on a major roll and has beaten the Hart’s repeatedly, so Teddy cannot afford to drop his belt too.
Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs Timothy Thatcher
This is a great contrast of styles. Thatcher is one of the best mat technicians on the planet and Davey Boy wants to overpower you with slams and suplexes. Smith got disqualified for attacking Hammerstone with a Chair in his recent National Title Match in the Windy City and looks to get back in the win column for the struggling Hart Foundation. Thatcher is not the guy you want to wrestle when you need a win. He’s very difficult to look good against because his opponents are constantly trying to untie themselves. A dangerous opponent for Junior.
LA PARK vs Jimmy Havoc
This will be insane. If you can be a methodical technician in a Death Match then Jimmy Havoc is your guy. The way he works keeps you invested the entire time and will do whatever it takes to win whether it be Staple Guns, canes, chairs, or tables. Not necessarily in that order. The resurgence of LA PARK in MLW has been spectacular by winning and losing the “Golden Ticket” and a match with “England’s Most Dangerous Man” won’t make things easier.
MLW World Heavyweight Championship: “Samoan Werewolf” Jacob Fatu (c) vs “Filthy” Tom Lawlor
“Filthy” wasted no time in executing his rematch clause and steps back into the ring with the New MLW World Heavyweight Champion “Samoan Werewolf” Jacob Fatu. We were told prior to the match that the Von Erichs would be there to help him out because of Contra. Yet Fatu needs no help to win and dominated Lawlor in the ring with a clean pin. It was a statement victory that put all the power in the hands of Josef Samael who whispers in the Werewolf’s ear and he follows the orders. The guidance is much more along the lines of Rasputin than Bobby Heenan. Not sure what Lawlor will be able to do this time that will change the outcome.
Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can catch MLW on BeIN Sports USA or the replay on their YouTube channel.
