{"id":121645,"date":"2023-12-06T07:00:23","date_gmt":"2023-12-06T12:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=121645"},"modified":"2023-12-05T20:28:52","modified_gmt":"2023-12-06T01:28:52","slug":"alex-hammerstone-jacob-fatu-iii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2023\/12\/06\/alex-hammerstone-jacob-fatu-iii\/","title":{"rendered":"Match Point: Alex Hammerstone vs. Jacob Fatu III"},"content":{"rendered":"

Match Point is an ongoing series at Last Word on Pro Wrestling, where we look at intriguing matchups in indie wrestling and beyond. They may be dream matches, first-time matchups, or hotly anticipated rematches. This edition will focus on the third meeting between Alex Hammerstone and Jacob Fatu.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Each promotion has an era-defining trilogy. With WCW, fans think of Ric Flair<\/strong> vs. Ricky Steamboat<\/strong>. Ring of Honour fans think of CM Punk<\/strong> vs. Samoa Joe<\/strong>. New Japan fans think Kenny Omega<\/strong> vs. Kazuchika Okada<\/strong>. Some eras mark the end of growth periods, like the final Wrestlemania<\/strong> match between The Rock vs<\/strong>. \u201cStone Cold\u201d Steve Austin<\/strong>. A potential era-defining trilogy for Major League Wrestling (MLW) is just around the corner.<\/p>\n

At the Melrose Ballroom in New York, Alex Hammerstone takes on Jacob Fatu in a match being taped for a future episode of Fusion<\/strong>. Two of the independent scenes most dynamic heavyweights will clash for a third time. The history behind their first two bouts, each fighter\u2019s character arc mixes modern dynamic heavyweight action with traditional wrestling storytelling.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=JUoeEc7hYh8<\/p>\n

Alex Hammerstone vs. Jacob Fatu III: What to Know Before the Match<\/h2>\n

MLW’s Role\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Before the Pandemic, MLW had gained notoriety for being a promotion to watch. Hybrid wrestling matches showcased up-and-coming wrestlers who were cutting their teeth before going to WWE and later AEW. The likes of Swerve Strickland, Matt Riddle, Darby Allin, Karrion Kross, <\/strong>and MJF<\/strong> gained attention in MLW.<\/p>\n

The promotion has made its World Heavyweight Championship feel prestigious. Champions have been given long reigns; title matches are promoted like big boxing fights and those wrestlers who hold the strap exude an old-school\/MMA style presence that makes them seem believable credible ass-kickers, and wins and losses carry consequences. Even when top wrestlers lose, MLW often books satisfyingly clever finishes that fit the characters and context.<\/p>\n

This booking, alongside the sheer talents of Alex Hammerstone and Jacob Fatu, has allowed their first two matches to be must-watch affairs.<\/p>\n

The Fight to Hold Up the Company\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The first two World Heavyweight Championship matches between Alex Hammerstone and Jacob Fatu had more to them than title implications. These bouts felt like a contest between two Atlas\u2019 competing to hold the company on their shoulders. With other MLW mainstays, like Richard Holliday <\/strong>and Myron Reed<\/strong>, Fatu and Hammerstone were signed to exclusive MLW contracts in 2020. Differently, Fatu and Hammerstone became the two company leaders during the Pandemic. Fatu led MLW into the Pandemic and Hammerstone took the company through to the tail end of COVID, before dropping the championship to Alex Kane<\/strong>.<\/p>\n