World Heavyweight Champion Shane “Swerve” Strickland had one goal in mind on Friday night’s episode of Major League Wrestling: FUSION: facing Jimmy Havoc. Would Swerve be sweeped or would Havoc, a man Swerve had never defeated in MLW competition, go 3-0?
Before Strickland and Havoc could take center stage, the broadcast kicked off with tag team action, followed by some high-flying lucha libre.
Below is your full Major League Wrestling: FUSION recap:
The Dirty Blondes (managed by Colonel Robert Parker) defeated Team TBD (Jimmy Yuta & Jason Cade)
Legendary manager and promoter Col. Robert Parker lead the Stud Stable’s Dirty Blondes into battle against Team TBD, the duo of Jason Cade and Jimmy Yuta.
During a back-and-forth matchup, MLW broadcaster Tony Schiavone announced that league officials have confirmed that World Tag Team Champions would soon be crowned. Both teams were well aware this match had implications with the World Tag Team Championship on the horizon.
Yuta and Cade utilized their quickness, striking ability and high-flying skills to gain an advantage over the Dirty Blondes team of Leo Brien and Michael Patrick. But then Colonel Parker got involved, grabbing Yuta’s foot as he came off the ropes to deliver a forearm to Patrick. Yuta went down hard, giving Patrick an opening. Patrick dropped an elbow on the back of Yuta’s head and secured the victory.
This budding rivalry between the Dirty Blondes and Team TBD may not be over. There was a hint of friction between Yuta and Cade in the aftermath of the pinfall. How will this outcome affect the MLW tag team scene? Will there be another opportunity for Team TBD to face the Dirty Blondes?
Garza Jr. (presented by Salina de la Renta) pinned Ultimo Ninja
Impresaria of Promociones Dorado Salina de la Renta, accompanied by a pair of bodyguards, led Garza Jr. into a matchup against Ultimo Ninja in your second match on Major League Wrestling: FUSION.
Garza Jr. began the match with his right shoulder wrapped. After a number of strikes and open-hand slaps from Ultimo Ninja, the brace on Garza Jr.’s shoulder came off. While that may have been a “wardrobe malfunction” for Garza Jr., the remarkable rudo used a wardrobe change to gain the advantage in a move of showmanship.
After coming to the ring in black and gold tights, Garza Jr. put up the stop sign to Ultimo Ninja, proceeded to strip off his black tights to reveal red trunks. He then used the tights to distract Ultimo Ninja and nail him with a standing side kick.
Ultimo Ninja regained control following a dive onto Garza Jr. that ended up in the front row of the MLW crowd. Shortly after the luchadores re-entered the ring, de la Renta reached through the ropes and ripped the mask off Ultimo Ninja. The masked grappler immediately covered his face with his hands, while Garza Jr. rolled him up for the pin. Is there anything de la Renta won’t do to secure a victory for her preferred luchadores?
Inside the Team Filthy Fight Camp
Prior to the main event, “Filthy” Tom Lawlor and Team Filthy were featured. The report gave a behind-the-scenes look at Lawlor’s tactics and hybrid training at Team Filthy’s Fight Camp. The UFC fighter was seen working with young fighters, educating them in his combination of MMA and professional wrestling. Of course, some of the tactics Lawlor was teaching could be classified as dirty … or shall we say “Filthy”?
Shane “Swerve” Strickland pinned Jimmy Havoc – Non Title Match
Jimmy Havoc entered this match with a 2-0 advantage over Shane “Swerve” Strickland in Major League Wrestling action. But the newly-crowned World Heavyweight Champion was ready to change the narrative. As Havoc literally asked for “Swerve” to hit him with knife-edge chops, Strickland told him “You beat me two times. I’m going to finish you tonight.”
That statement seemed to fire up England’s Most Dangerous Man. Havoc hit a thunderous lariat to score a near fall. This match had a little bit of everything. The referee went down after an inadvertent kick from Strickland. Havoc nearly pinned Strickland again after a low blow.
Strickland nailed a double stomp to the outside of the ring with Havoc draped over the ring apron. Swerve’s in-ring prediction then came to fruition. After rolling Havoc back into the ring, Strickland nailed the Swerve Stomp off the top rope and picked up the pinfall victory over Havoc.
WRAP-UP AND WHAT’S NEXT?:
Next week Sami Callihan will make his Major League Wrestling: FUSION debut as he battles MVP in the main event.
League officials have promised a Major League Wrestling Top 10 ranking very soon.
Will Havoc’s loss affect his potential ranking? Will Swerve be able to maintain his momentum? Keep tuning in to Major League Wrestling: FUSION on beIN SPORTS to find out!
As part of beIN SPORTS #FridayNightFury lineup, MLW airs to a nationwide audience every Friday at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. MLW: FUSION on beIN SPORTS is available on all major carriers, including DirecTV, Dish Network, Verizon FiOS, Comcast, Sling, Roku, Fubo TV and more. MLW fans can also stream beIN SPORTS using the beIN Connect app for wireless devices. Find out where you can watch MLW here.
Don’t miss MLW: Intimidation Games, a national television taping for Major League Wrestling: FUSION. The show this Thursday (May 3rd) at Gilt Nightclub in Orlando. Tickets are available, beginning at $15, at MLWTickets.com. A limited number of VIP packages are available, as well.
