This week on MLW: FUSION, we found out who just may be the future face – or Ace – of Major League Wrestling, as “Filthy” Tom Lawlor and Shane “Swerve” finally locked up. The leader of “Team Filthy” came out on top, despite interference from the World Heavyweight Champion Low Ki and then dropped a bombshell announcement.
In addition, the Hijo de LA Park picked up a victory over Sammy Guevara . In addition, Kotto Brazil and Barrington Hughes – the Smash n Dash Connection – were victorious in their first match as a tag team.
“Filthy” Tom Lawlor defeated Shane “Swerve” Strickland
After weeks of build-up and both men claiming to be the the future, the franchise player – the Ace – of Major League Wrestling, Lawlor and Strickland finally battled it out, with World Heavyweight Champion Low Ki watching intently and adding commentary, along with our own announcers Tony Schiavone and Matt Striker.
Lawlor’s injuries to his left arm are well-documented. Early in the match, Strickland attempted to reinjure and take advantage of that left arm. The strategy was successful for most of the match for “Swerve.” Throughout the match, Lawlor was favoring the left arm, eventually the arm became virtually useless. Lawlor even hit a superplex and rolled through into a front chancery, nearly choking out the former champ.
Fighting with only one arm, Lawlor left himself open to numerous blows from Strickland. But “Filthy” Tom continued to show his fight and determination, rising to his feet after a vicious kick to the head to score a one-armed German suplex. Moments after a Lawlor Death Valley Driver, Low Ki left the broadcast position. With de la Renta distracting the official, the World Champion hit Lawlor with a rolling kick from behind, leading to a Swerve Stomp. It looked like Low Ki’s interference was going to pay off for Strickland, but Lawlor kicked out at the very last moment following the Swerve Stomp.
Lawlor’s toughness and grit have been on display in Major League Wrestling before. He outlasted 39 other men to win the first-ever Battle Riot, fighting for nearly 49 minutes. But this match may have been even more impressive. With Strickland looking to end it, Lawlor was able to reverse a fireman’s carry and climb on to Strickland’s back. He locked in a rear naked choke but couldn’t utilize the left arm. So he secured the hold by grabbing the tape around his right wrist with his teeth. After nearly 20 grueling minutes, that maneuver forced Strickland to tap out before his lights went out.
With the victory, Lawlor continues what has been an incredible run throughout the summer and early fall. He now has plenty of momentum heading into MLW: Fightland next month in Chicago. One must wonder if Low Ki and de la Renta saw Lawlor as the bigger threat to the World Championship, hence their interference. After the match, Lawlor made it clear that he is a threat and even announced his intentions.
With a contract for a title match any time he wants it, Lawlor announced he will challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship at MLW Superfight Feb. 2. Stay tuned to MLW: FUSION, MLW.com and MLW social media channels for more on this developing story.
For Strickland, the question for the former World Champion also centers around Low Ki. Prior to this matchup, “Swerve” had activated his rematch clause and will face Low Ki for the World Title Nov. 8 in Chicago. How will the outcome of this matchup with Lawlor affect that match? What state of mind will Strickland be in when he heads to MLW Fightland?
El Hijo de LA Park defeated Sammy Guevara
It wasn’t long ago that Salina de la Renta and Promociones Dorado represented Sammy Guevara. But when Guevara didn’t bring home the winner’s purse enough for de la Renta’s liking, she unceremoniously fired him over the phone. Adding insult to injury, de la Renta delivered his pink slip while in her Jacuzzi, filmed it and released it via social media.
Guevara returned to MLW looking for a little payback, while both grapplers were looking to impress League officials in an effort to move up the rankings in the Middleweight division.
In the end, de la Renta felt she was vindicated for her treatment of Guevara, as her new, young protégé was able to secure the pinfall. Guevara started off hot, but made a mistake. As he charged Hijo de LA Park, he was scooped up and set up for an inverted tombstone piledriver. Hijo dropped Guevara on top of his head with enough force to secure the pinfall victory for Promociones Dorado.
Smash n Dash Connection defeated Samoan Island Tribe
In singles action, Barrington Hughes has constantly asked MLW officials for more competition. But on tonight’s episode, Hughes and teammate Kotto Brazil debuted their new tag team, dubbed the Smash n Dash Connection. Hughes is still looking for competition, as he and Brazil picked up a victory over a very game Lance Anoa’I and his father Samu – the Samoan Island Tribe.
Samu and Anoa’I attacked before the bell and attempted to isolate the smaller Brazil. While Kotto utilized his quickness to grab a brief advantage. But the size and power of Anoa’I and Samu were too much for Brazil in the early-going. But when Anoa’I missed a splash off the top rope in an effort to put Brazil away, Kotto was able to make a tag to Hughes.
The Caramel Colossus and Kotto utilized some solid tag team maneuvers to take out Samu and weaken Anoa’i. With Lance alone in the ring, the Smash n Dash Connection hit a sliced bread, big splash combination to pick up the pinfall victory in their debut as a tag team.
MLW Fright Night Coming
A special Halloween episode of MLW: FUSION is coming next week (Oct. 26). MLW Fright Night will feature a Spin The Wheel, Make The Deal grudge match between Sami Callihan and Jimmy Havoc. It will also include LA Park vs. PCO. These matches will NOT be for the faint of heart.
Next Week
It’s almost Halloween and that means next week’s episode of MLW: FUSION is Fright Night and it won’t be for the faint of heart. In the main event, Sami Callihan and Jimmy Havoc will Spin The Wheel and Make the Deal. These two have been waging a war of words, throwing down backstage and begging League officials for a match with special, violent stipulations. MLW has decided to let fate choose what those stipulations will be. While we don’t know where the wheel will stop, we do know it’s going to be violent.
If that wasn’t scary enough, Mexico’s sinister skeleton LA Park will face off with the French Canadian Frankenstein on next week’s show. Bust open the Halloween candy a few days early and join us at 8 p.m. ET next week on beIN SPORTS!
Don’t Miss The Action!
Tune in at 8 p.m. ET every Friday. Set a reminder in your phone. Set your DVR. But whatever you do … don’t miss any action-packed episode of Major League Wrestling: FUSION.
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