MLW Timeline of Events leading to Low Ki-“Filthy” Tom Lawlor World Heavyweight Championship Match, set for Feb. 2 at MLW SuperFight. The Lawlor-Low Ki matchup will air to a nation-wide audience, live on beIN Sports USA as part of MLW FUSION LIVE presented by GoDaddy.
July 12
Low Ki defeats Shane Strickland to win World Heavyweight Championship
July 24
“Filthy” Tom Lawlor wins Battle Riot, securing a contract for a World Title shot at a date of his choosing
August 17 MLW FUSION
– Low Ki defends World Championship against John Hennigan, after Hennigan was injured by Sami Callihan just moments before the match
– Lawlor defeats Parrow in a dojo challenge as part of his rivalry with the Stud Stable
August 31 MLW FUSION
– Lawlor defeats Jake Hager, effectively making Team Filthy victorious in feud with Stud Stable
Sept. 28 MLW FUSION
– Low Ki defeats Rey Fenix, when Salina de la Renta rips off Fenix’s mask, leaving him defenseless as he hid his face
October 4
– Lawlor announces his intention to cash in the Battle Riot contract at MLW SuperFight, slated for Feb. 2
October 19
– Lawlor defeats Shane Strickland in a battle over bragging rights to be called MLW’s “ace”
October 24
– Backstage prior to an MLW media event in Chicago, Lawlor confronts Low Ki for ducking him. Callihan attacks Lawlor from behind, choking him out while Low Ki taunts him. Lawlor later demands a match with Callihan.
November 9 MLW FUSION
– Low Ki defeats Daga in controversial fashion, nearly ripping his opponent’s ear off
– Callihan addresses Lawlor, stating “Anyone I set my sights on gets taken out.”
Nov. 16 MLW FUSION
– Low Ki taunts and challenges Konnan, who accepts opportunity to come out of retirement and challenge for World Heavyweight Championship
– Lawlor defeats Callihan in Chicago Street Fight
– Following Lawlor’s victory, former friend and Team Filthy mate Simon Gotch turns on Lawlor, tricking him into walking into a brutal beatdown by Promociones Dorado’s Ricky Martinez, Hijo de LA Park, LA Park and Low Ki
Nov. 23 MLW FUSION
– Low Ki defeats Shane Strickland
– Salina de la Renta is seen paying Gotch for his part in the Lawor attack the previous week
Nov. 26
– Lawlor breaks his hand in an MMA fight
December 3
– Lawlor addresses Gotch, as No Ropes, No Holds Barred match signed vs. Gotch
Dec. 7 MLW FUSION
– Lawlor nearly gets his hands on Low Ki, but de la Renta and Low Ki speed off as both Lawlor and Konnan were coming after Promociones Dorado
Dec. 14 MLW FUSION LIVE
– Lawlor finally gets his hands on Low Ki, who had been calling him out. The two battle throughout the arena
Dec. 21 MLW FUSION
– Low Ki was on commentary and visibly concerned as he watched Lawlor put Gotch to sleep in their No Ropes, No Holds Barred matchup
– Following his victory over Gotch, Lawlor calls out Low Ki, telling him he’s going to show him “a real professional fighter” in Philadelphia. Low Ki responds by saying his belt is going nowhere.
Dec. 28 MLW FUSION
– Low Ki and Promociones Dorado viciously assault Konnan in their No Disqualification match, which the official finally awards to Low Ki when Konnan is no longer able to defend himself
– Promociones Dorado continued to assault Konnan until Lawlor charged into the ring from the audience, chased off Promociones Dorado and saved Konnan from further injury
Jan. 4 MLW FUSION
– Low Ki to Lawlor: “You think you’re the conqueror? Well, I’m Genghis Khan.”
Jan. 11 MLW FUSION
– Lawlor overhears Callihan conspiring with de la Renta to take him out and sets a trap
– Callihan falls for Lawlor’s trap and Lawlor walks out of a room holding the hammer Callihan was looking to use against him.
Jan. 18 MLW FUSION
– Lawlor mocks Low Ki being “The Professional” stating he’s been “out-sourcing” all his work against Lawlor
Jan. 25 MLW FUSION
– Low Ki issues message to Lawlor, promising to “take things to an extreme” on Feb. 2 at 2300 Arena