Major League Wrestling (MLW) presents Rise of the Renegades April 4th at the Melrose Ballroom in New York City, NY. The winner of last year’s Battle Riot, “Filthy” Tom Lawlor will defend the MLW World Heavyweight Championship against Jimmy Havoc hoping to get revenge over a loss last year. This is the first of two big shows for MLW, followed up with Battle Riot II the following night.
Ace Romero vs. Josef Samael
If someone busted me open with a spike we’d wanna fight ‘em too. “Acey Baby” gets to do just that against the diabolical Josef Samael. Whether or not this is a singles match is another question because it’s safe to say CONTRA UNIT will be nearby. This match will get ugly quick as Samael used the spike again in his debut match, and threw fire in the other opponents face after the bell. The pentagram on Samael’s singlet says it all, and Romero will need eyes everywhere if he has any chance of winning this match.
Gringo Loco vs. Hijo de LA Park (w/ Salina de la Renta)
Gringo Loco heads to the Big Apple with wins over Puma King and Myron Reed and a win over El Hijo puts him right in line for a Middleweight Title shot. El Hijo lost to Puma King recently on Fusion and has been caught up in Salina De La Renta’s feud with Mance Warner. El Hijo needs to take Loco seriously who he will fail to hit the pay window again in Manhattan. Both men love wild high spots from the top, so batten down the hatches folks!
MJF vs. Brian Pillman Jr.
These guys bring two completely different attitudes to the ring. One is a care-free, second-generation star who’s starting to make his mark with The Hart Foundation, and the other is a complete jerk. They’re wrestling styles are more similar. They both like to distract and take their opponent away from their gameplan. While Pillman is more unorthodox in his tactics, MJF is more measured in his attack. He’ll try to take Pillman out of his game with the usual arsenal of hair pulls, eye pokes, and leaving the ring. The Harts and Dynasty feud continue in singles competition as MJF tries to get back into the Middleweight Title picture and a win over Pillman would do just that.
Minoru Tanaka vs. Daga
At 45 years old, the Pro Wrestling NOAH Junior Heavyweight Champion is still as good as ever. He’s one of the best juniors in history and surprisingly still at the top of his game. Daga’s recent MLW contests have been a mixed bag. He was attacked brutally by Low-Ki during their title match in October but got a win against young Ariel Dominguez last time out.
Rey Fenix vs. Air Wolf
The 19-year-old Air Wolf dropped his MLW debut against Ricky Martinez and will make another attempt first victory against Rey Fenix. Air Wolf is a very talented luchadore who made his name in his home state of Minnesota with a different style than legends of Minnesota’s pro wrestling history like WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar, AWA Legend Verne Gagne, and Curt Hennig. He has a diverse aerial attack, but so does Mexican legend Rey Fenix. Rey and his brother Pentagon Jr. are one of the top tag teams in the world, but Fenix is outstanding in singles too. This is an enormous step up for Air Wolf
Sami Callihan vs. Mance Warner
Both of these guys have histories with Salina De LaRenta and come together in this clash of Death Match specialists. Callihan was the enforcer for Salina and returns seeking revenge. Now he faces Warner, who’s had his own issues with the leader of Promociones Dorado, but neither man can focus there. This one is going to be a knock down drag out, but that’s what these guys always do. You’re never disappointed when these two get in the ring and this one will be no different.
LA Park (w/ Salina de la Renta) vs. Pentagon Jr.
Two of the greatest Luchadores of all-time square off again. LA Park had a different opponent originally (ROH and CMLL star RUSH), but some would argue it got tougher. Pentagon is a high flyer but can stand and scrap with anyone. He’ll need to with his bitter rival. This isn’t your Granddaddy’s LA Park. He’s bigger and stronger than he was twenty years ago, but don’t let the expanded suit fool ya. This guy still jumps out the ring with quickness and Pentagon knows it. He can’t take Park lightly, but this match just feels like it’s going to get out of control quickly.
6-Man Tables Match: The Hart Foundation (Teddy Hart, Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Brian Pillman Jr.) vs. The Dynasty (MJF, Richard Holliday & Alex Hammerstone)
If anyone is going to have the guts to hit 6’5″ Davey Boy Smith Jr. with a chair it’s Alex Hammerstone. The West Coast star has been dominant since his arrival and joining up with the Dynasty may be just the right move with MJF and Richard Holiday. The Dynasty hit Davey with a chair, but also smashed Teddy’s bling. You don’t smash Teddy’s bling and not expect ramifications. The Harts have run things in MLW since their arrival and now hold the Tag Gold and the Middleweight Title (Hart), and aren’t ready to pass the torch. The young Dynasty is ready to take the torch and burn down the Foundation.
MLW World Heavyweight Championship, NYC Street Fight: “Filthy” Tom Lawlor (c) vs. Jimmy Havoc
England’s Most Dangerous man says, “There’s nothing I’m not willing to do to myself to hurt you.” If we heard that it would be over for us, but we’re not “Filthy” Tom Lawlor. The MLW World Champion loves a fight, and he has one with Jimmy Havoc. The British hardcore legend returns to America to win the title and Lawlor stands in his way. “Filthy” has a lot to contend with as Low-Ki tries to get another shot at Lawlor and Simon Gotch’s new friends CONTRA are causing quite the stir. Where will the Champion’s head be when the bell rings for this one?
