Major League Wrestling returns to Texas on Saturday, January 11th for a loaded card titled Zero Hour. This will be the first event of the year for MLW, and features title matches, grudge matches, and much more! Per usual, this event is a TV Taping and will air on MLW Fusion in the coming weeks.
Erick Stevens vs. Douglas James
Erick Stevens has made a surprise return to the wrestling world and recently had an amazing match with David Starr in Beyond Wrestling. MLW has noticed that Stevens is looking to make his name known worldwide once again, so he will be making his MLW debut at Zero Hour against a very hungry upstart, that being Douglas James. James recently got a shot at Alex Hammerstone’s National Openweight Championship, but ultimately fell short. While James is still relatively new to MLW, he has yet to pick up a singles victory. A victory for James over the experienced Erick Stevens would be massive and put him right back in line for another title opportunity.
Dominic Garrini vs. Zenshi
Both Dominic Garrini and Zenshi have made frequent appearances in MLW for the past few months, but neither has managed to pick up a big win or gain any momentum. This match pits two very different styles against each other, as Garrini is an experienced grappler, and he will certainly try to slow down and ground the high flying, fast-paced style of Zenshi. Both men are desperate for a win, making this a must-see match, and one of the sleepers on this loaded card.
Gino Medina vs. Septimo Dragon w/Konnan
Gino Medina is undefeated in MLW so far, recently picking up a victory over the legend Savio Vega. “El Intocable” is a ferocious luchador who inked a multi-year deal with MLW just a month ago. Konnan is bringing Septimo Dragon to MLW, as he tries to put an end to the cocky and stylish Gino Medina’s undefeated run. This is a very intriguing match, as Konnan will have Septimo Dragon more than prepared to take down “El Intocable”, however, Medina plans on continuing to climb up the ranks in MLW, while keeping his undefeated streak in the process.
Drago and Puma King vs. Hijo De LA Park and Taurus vs. Injustice (Kotto Brazil and Jordan Oliver)
While many may not know everyone in this match, it has the potential to steal the show at Zero Hour, and be one of MLW’s best matches of the year. Both Drago and Puma King and Hijo De LA Park and Taurus are very fun luchador teams that have appeared in MLW before. Injustice’s own, Myron Reed, recently captured the MLW Middleweight Championship, and the rest of Injustice would love some gold of their own. Jordan Oliver set the world on fire recently with his exchange with Blake Christian, so a whole new audience will be watching him in this match. The duo of Oliver and Kotto Brazil have some experience together, which will certainly help them in this match. No matter the outcome, the fans will be the real winners here. On top of that, expect a tag title match for the winning team in the near future.
Richard Holliday vs. Savio Vega
Savio Vega is a legend in the business of professional wrestling and is continuing to perform in the ring even at 55 years of age. Richard Holliday is the complete opposite of Vega, a cocky youngster who will do anything it takes to pick up a victory. Vega debuted for MLW in the summer of last year, but nearly suffered a career-ending injury thanks to Hammerstone. The Dynasty has been harassing Vega ever since, leading to this encounter. A win for Holliday would be the biggest of his career, however, one can never count out Savio Vega.
No Holds Barred
Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Simon Gotch
This is not your typical No Holds Barred match. Davey Boy Smith Jr. challenged Simon Gotch to a no ropes, no holds barred fight, and Gotch gladly accepted. The only way to win this match is by knockout or submission. The Texas audience is in for a treat, as these two will do whatever it takes to knock out or submit their opponent. The stipulation doesn’t favor either competitor, as both have grappling and catch wrestling experience. Smith recently won the Opera Cup, a grueling tournament that required Smith to win three matches in one night. On the other hand, Gotch hasn’t been in singles competition in MLW for quite some time, so how will that affect him?
Marshall Von Erich vs. MJF
There is a lot up for grabs in this match! If MJF wins, The Dynasty will receive another shot at the MLW Tag Team Championships, however, if Marshall Von Erich wins, The Dynasty will never be able to challenge The Von Erichs for the tag titles. Ever since Saturday Night Superfight where Marshall and Ross Von Erich captured the MLW Tag Titles, The Dynasty hasn’t given up, and MJF has continued to run his mouth. Both men have a ton of pressure going into this match, but MJF and The Dynasty certainly have the numbers advantage, especially after the recent actions of “Filthy” Tom Lawlor.
Ross Von Erich vs. Tom Lawlor
Tom Lawlor has been a fan favorite in MLW since he debuted. His world title reign was beloved by the fans and he took The Von Erichs under his wing. Once Marshall and Ross Von Erich garnered more attention than Lawlor though, he turned his back on them. Just like that, Lawlor threw away his mentorship, friendship, and everything else, all because of jealousy. This is a first time match, but does Ross Von Erich have enough in his arsenal to defeat “Traitor Tom” and avenge what Lawlor did to him and his brother on Thanksgiving? We’ll find out at Zero Hour.
National Openweight Championship
Alex Hammerstone (c) vs. Aerostar
Alex Hammerstone is the current MLW National Openweight Champion, and he is the only champion to date. He won the title back at Fury Road 2019 and has been champion for over 220 days. With five successful title defenses under his belt, Hammerstone looks to continue his dominant title reign against top luchador, Aerostar. Aerostar has only appeared in MLW once before, that being a losing effort to Rey Horus. Horus took Hammerstone to his limit in Mexico a few months back when the two faced off in a “Winner Take All Match”. That said, Hammerstone has defeated the likes of Davey Boy Smith Jr., Kotto Brazil, Savio Vega, and Douglas James, so Aerostar will need to step up his game if he wants to shock the world and become the new MLW National Openweight Champion.
MLW World Heavyweight Championship
Jacob Fatu (c) vs. Brian Pillman Jr.
Brian Pillman Jr. has been begging for a title match in MLW. Many expected to see Pillman vs. Myron Reed at Zero Hour, but MLW management was impressed with Pillman’s run in the Opera Cup and has rewarded him with an MLW World Championship match. Pillman might have picked off more than he can chew, as champion Jacob Fatu has been on an absolute tear, with no one coming anywhere close to stopping him. This is Pillman’s first shot at the MLW World Championship, but does he have what it takes to stop Fatu?
No Ropes Barbed Wire Match
Mance Warner vs. Jimmy Havoc
Mance Warner and Jimmy Havoc have been feuding for eternity in MLW, but finally, in Texas, this feud comes to an end. These two have fought in a Bunkhouse match, a Stairway to Hell match, a Falls Count Anywhere match, and even a Prince of Darkness (Blindfold) match, but this stipulation tops them all. Before Zero Hour ends, all of the ropes will be removed and replaced with Barbed Wire ropes. This is a match that hasn’t taken place on American soil in over a year and is certainly a first in MLW. Both men love hardcore, violent, bloody wars, but is this going too far? Neither man believes so, as Mance is up 3-1 in the series, but when all is set and done in Texas, this feud will end with a definitive winner. Viewer’s discretion will be advised for this one, as both men will be risking their lives, all to outdo the other.
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.
