‘MLW: Fusion’ Wrestling Review (Jan 11th 2020)
Welcome to this week’s Major League Wrestling: Fusion review, right here on Nerdly. I’m Nathan Favel and we’ve got more of the Opera Cup tournament. As long as they sing once they win the thing, then I’m happy. That being said, if they even think about dancing…THEY’RE FIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRED! Okay, let’s get right to it.
Match #1: The Von Erichs (Marshall & Ross Von Erich) defeated The Filthy Squad (Kenn Doane & Mike Mondo) – Major League Wrestling World Tag Titles Match
The following is courtesy of mlw.com:
It doesn’t take long for the action to start as Ross & Marshall go right on the attack. They give that offensive attakc an exclamation point with a double dropkick on Doane. That tide soon changes when the Squad isolate the younger Marshall. The Filthy Squad live up to their new name by attacking Marshall’s taped knee (which Tom has a hard time denying that he was the one who attacked Marshall). Ross gets the tag in to restore order for the brothers and it’s not long before the two hit The Claw Slam for the 1-2-3!
My Opinion: 2.4 out of 5 – This didn’t go very long for a title match…or any match really. Why would anyone want to watch a short title match (beyond Goldberg defending the World Championship Wrestling World Title)? It’s nice to see the old Spirit Squad get booked to actually wres…wait, they didn’t get to do that here either. I guess it feels like they’re back in the WWE all over again. The Von Erichs winning was the right call and that’s that.
Match #2: (Main Event) Brian Pillman Jr. defeated Timothy Thatcher – Opera Cup Semi-Finals (Round 2)
The following is courtesy of mlw.com:
Pillman enters favoring that left shoulder of his and you have to believe Timothy Thatcher smells blood in the water. Thatcher comes out with a grin and even points at Brian’s bum shoulder. The bell rings and Brian breaks out strategy by catching Tim off guard with a double drop kick. Pillman keeps using his legs to his advantage, but it’s not long for Timothy to wrench Brian’s shoulder down. The sweet science has begun. Thatcher goes for an arm breaker, but Brian rolls him on his shoulders for a pinfall break-up. Thatcher keeps Brian grounded and stretches the back before going back to the arm of his opponent. Thatcher really cranks back on the arm of Pillman who shows the heart of a lion as he refuses to tap out. Textbook suplex by Thatcher with a rollover lateral press for a near fall. This somehow charges Brian up and he finds himself on the attack of Thatcher. Thatcher soon charges at Brian but Pillman’s awareness is on point as he catches him with a powerslam and a two count. Pillman gets back to his airborne strategy with a leaping crossbody out of the corner for another near fall. Pillman surprisingly continues the offensive attack, but out of nowhere, Thatcher catches him in the Fujiwa armbar! Fans have to think it’s just a matter of time before Brian taps, but “The Loose Cannon’s” kid musters up enough to grab Thatcher and roll him up for a three count out of the blue! Pillman advances!
My Opinion: 3.4 out of 5 – It was still a bit too short for my taste, but this did make good use of that time and delivered a fast, fierce fight to the finish that got us a strong finalist for the Opera Cup. BP Jr. has come a long way in just a few years and is really a fine fighter to watch. I thought that Timothy Thatcher was fantastic, as usual, and is one of the most reliable wrestlers in the sport. It was a wise decision to have Timothy go as far as he did in the Opera Cup, but I get the allure/need to push the two remaining Hart Foundation members for the future. I liked the urgency of the ground-and-pound and the tension of the whole fight. This would be a fine pairing for future cards, if the booking allows. Overall, this was not long enough to really enjoy what these guys were doing together, but it was good while it lasted.
News Of The Night:
- Gino Medina joined The Dynasty by attacking Konnan and turning down Selina de la Renta.
- The Von Erichs attacked “Rip Von Erich” and were attacked by Tom Lawlor, post-match.
- Brian Pillman Jr. survived a separated shoulder from an attack by Injustice, which starts a feud between Pillman and the faction.
- CONTRA Unit is waging war on Davey Boy Smith Jr.
- Mance Warner and Jimmy Havoc will fight in a No Ropes Barbed Wire Match in Texas.
- Gino Medina fights Savio Vega in a New York City Street Fight, next week.
- Davey Boy Smith Jr. fights Brian Pillman Jr. in the Opera Cup finals, next week.
Final Verdict: 2.8/5
The main event, combined with the build for several interesting angles did this show a service, but the lack of wrestling really hurt this episode.
