‘MLW: Fusion’ Wrestling Review (Aug 17th 2018)
Welcome to this week’s Major League Wrestling review, right here on Nerdly. Let’s get right to the action.
Match #1: New Era Hart Foundation defeated Rich Swann/ACH
The following is courtesy of MLW.com:
Teddy Hart and Davey Boy Smith Jr. are looking to make waves in MLW as the New Era Hart Foundation, along with their young friend Brian Pillman Jr. Smith and Hart made waves in MLW’s tag team division Friday night, scoring a victory over Rich Swann and ACH. Swann and ACH will be challenging the Lucha Bros. for the World Tag Team Championship next week. But one has to wonder where the Hart Foundation stands in the pecking order after their convincing – if not controversial – victory over Swann and ACH.
The Hart Foundation was in control of the contest early. But ACH was able to lock in a sharpshooter on Teddy Hart. The very same maneuver that won Hart’s uncle Bret numerous matches and titles was broken up when Smith came in and landed a massive kick. Pillman made his presence felt later in the match. As Swann climbed to the top turnbuckle for a high-risk offensive maneuver, Pillman crotched him with the cane that he’s been seen with ever since he signed with MLW. That sent Swann into the clutches of Hart, who executed an electric chair lung-blower and covered Swann for the 1-2-3.
My Take: This was a fine match and a strong debut for this latest incarnation of the Hart Foundation.
Match #2: Tom Lawlor beat Mike Parrow – Dojo Challenge
The following is courtesy of MLW.com:
“Filthy” Tom Lawlor challenged the Stud Stable – namely Jake Hager – to a match at the Jungle MMA Gym in Orlando on last week’s show. This week, Col. Robert Parker and his boys accepted the challenge. Well, sort of. While Lawlor had challenged Hager, it seemed he wanted no part of “Filthy” Tom in his own dojo. So, Col. Parker put Parrow in the matchup with Lawlor inside the octagon at Jungle MMA.
Parrow held his own with the No. 1-ranked wrestler in MLW and the Battle Riot winner. The big man from the Stud Stable landed a big right hand and later had Lawlor down on the mat for some ground and pound action. Parrow showed his impressive strength by lifting Lawlor off the ground and tossing him into the cage. But Lawlor found an opening. He was able to secure an arm bar on Parrow and locked it in. After just a few moments, with Lawlor threatening to break his arm, Parrow tapped out.
My Take: This was a pre-taped vignette at the Jungle MMA Gym. As these thing go, this was pretty good. Think of this as you would the vignette match between Owen Hart and Ken Shamrock back in the late 1990s.
Match #3: Main Event – World Heavyweight Championship Match Low Ki (C) defeated John Hennigan
The following is courtesy of MLW.com:
In Friday night’s main event, Low Ki ended up taking out John Hennigan with a switchblade kick to retain the World Heavyweight Championship. But he was helped by Sami Callihan and the Death Machines, who attacked Hennigan backstage just moments prior to Hennigan’s World Championship opportunity. Weeks ago on MLW: FUSION, we saw Low Ki and Salina de la Renta seem to strike some sort of tenuous business relationship with Callihan. It apparently paid off for the champion this week on MLW: FUSION.
Hennigan came to the ring with a wrap around his ribs after the attack from Callihan. Low Ki worked over the back, ribs and midsection of Hennigan throughout the match. Hennigan was the recipient of a body slam outside the ring on the concrete floor, as well as numerous strikes to the ribs and back. Hennigan had a solid flurry of offense late in the match. He caught Low Ki with a spinning hook kick, which set up an opportunity at a beautiful slide-out, rope-assisted German suplex. Hennigan followed that with a flash kick, but was only able to score a near fall. Hennigan also scored with a Spanish Fly but didn’t cover the champion. When he went to the top rope looking for Starship Pain and missed, Low Ki had his opening. The Professional hit a very Shane Strickland-esque double stomp off the top rope, which set Hennigan up for the switchblade and the three-count.
My Take: This was great. I could really go for another one of these between these two guys as soon as possible.
News Of The Night:
- Abyss will fight for Sami Callihan’s team at War Games.
- Tommy Dreamer will fight for Shane Strickland’s team at War Games.
- Tom Lawlor attacked Seth Petruzelli.
- Pentagon and Fenix now fight with Konnan.
Final Verdict: This was a great card that flowed like a strong river down the rocky bank. That means it was good… I think.