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Welcome to this week's MLW Fusion TV report!
The show is emanating from the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia with Tom Lawlor and Joseph Dombrowski on the call.
The show opened up with footage of new MLW Champion Josh Bishop celebrating his title win in Chicago. He said he's the champ so he's exhilarated. Dijak hit the scene and wanted to fight. Bishop was ready to go but they were pulled apart.
Opera Cup Tournament Semi-Final: Austin Aries vs. LaBron Kozone
Kozone used his size and noticeable strength advantage to control the early exchanges. Aries caught Kozone with a basement dropkick, then played up that he was having an easy night. Kozone signaled for the Ballgame clothesline, but Aries wisely rolled to the floor. Aries raked Kozone across the back, but Kozone responded by flipping him to the floor. LaBron prepared to launch himself over the ropes, but Aries cut him off and plated him with a DDT on the floor. Aries connected with a splash for a near fall. He scores with the Pendulum Elbow. Kozone fought back with an enzuigiri, then dove through the ropes to the floor.
Back inside, he landed a series of spinning kicks to the ribs and a senton. Kozone continued his momentum with an Exploder. Aries countered by snapping Kozone's neck across the ropes, but Kozone quickly recovered, catching Aries with a backbreaker over the knee before delivering a standing powerbomb for a two count. Aries fired back with a discus forearm to the back of the neck before locking in the Last Chancery. Kozone appeared close to tapping out, but managed to get his foot on the ropes to force the break. Aries then introduced a weapon, striking Kozone with it for a nearfall. Kozone nearly stole the match with a rollup, but the action took another turn when he backed Aries into the corner and the referee was laid out by accident. Aries grabbed his belt, but Kozone caught him with a spinning kick to the head before he could use it. However, Aries caught him with a brainbuster directly onto the title belt for the pin.
Your winner, Austin Aries.
Kozone is going to be a star. Aries looked very good here as well.
They showed footage of CONTRA-Unit attacking Mistico at the Saturday Night Superfight PPV.
MLW Southern Crown Champion Trevor Lee was interviewed. The last time he was interviewed, he was attacked by Brick Savage, ruining the announcement of the arrival of his daughter. He challenged Savage to fight him in Philly.
They showed the ring crew "reinforcing the ring."
They announced a Cinco del Mayhem Scramble Match promoted by the Don Gato Tequila that sponsors the series.
JUMBO vs. three wrestlers in a handicap match.
Jumbo made the legendary George Napolitano dance at ringside, which was hilarious.
JUMBO SMASH. The end.
Your winner, Jumbo!
They pushed a Thanksgiving Night special.
Matt Riddle was interviewed. He said Austin Aries was on borrowed time
They said they have time for a bonus match - Beastman vs. ...
Jesus Rodriguez came out to announce Beastman's opponent but was attacked by CONTRA-Unit. Beastman was as well, Josef Samael declared themselves conquerers. They attacked several referees, Diego Hill hit the ring to make the save but was overwhelmed. Samael threw fire in Rodriguez's face.
Donovan Dijak was interviewed. He gave Josh Bishop everything and brought him into the fold. He repaid Dijak by not listening and not paying attention. He cost Dijak the MLW title. The crowd ripped on him so Dijak said he was done and stormed off. This was actually shot well before Bishop won the title (like, months before) so they smartly had his verbiage so vague it didn't specifically mention the title but the voiceovers around it with the announcers made it clear he wanted the title.
Scarlett Bordeaux & ZAMAYA & MLW Women's Champion Shotzi vs. H.A.T.E. (Saya Kamitani & RINA) & Lady Frost.
Zamaya and Rina started the match, while Shotzi and Saya opened with a fast-paced exchange of reversals before reaching a standoff. Lady Frost and Scarlett took over, trading offense before Scarlett appeared to catch Frost with a low kick. Frost responded with a series of chops, but Scarlett cut her off with a snap suplex. Zamaya reentered and connected with a corner clothesline. Shotzi followed with a rolling cannonball into the heels before diving through the ropes onto them. Scarlett also hit a dive, and Zamaya capped off the sequence by leaping off the apron onto her enemies. Saya took control of Scarlett, working her over with a series of stomps. Scarlett eventually fought back with a DDT, leaving both women down. Scarlett got to her feet and connected with an enzuigiri on Saya, but Zamaya answered with a clothesline. Rina then caught Scarlett with a running kick, while Saya drilled Shotzi with a running Kick. H.A.T.E. took advantage, choking Shotzi across the ropes and drawing boos from the crowd. Frost continued the assault with a series of forearm strikes in the corner, followed by a standing moonsault for a nearfall. She then used an article of clothing to choke Shotzi before the HATE duo connected with stereo running kicks to Shotzi's face. Rina followed with a knee drop off the ropes to Shotzi's ribs for another nearfall. Shotzi finally created some separation with an enzuigiri on Rina. Zamaya received the hot tag and immediately picked up the pace with a series of clotheslines. She added a headbutt, a fisherman's suplex, and a running knee for a nearfall, but Kamitani broke up the pin. Scarlett then connected with a Lungblower to Saya's face, while Frost answered with a German suplex on Scarlett and another on Shotzi. The action broke down, leaving everyone laid out. Rina attempted to regain control with a hip toss, but Zamaya popped back up and drilled her with a spear. Shotzi and Frost then charged at each other, exchanging punches in the middle of the ring. Frost attempted to finish things with an Air Raid Crash, but Shotzi countered at the last second, catching her with a surprise pin to steal the victory.
Your winners, Scarlett Bordeaux & ZAMAYA & MLW Women's Champion Shotzi!
Both matches this week were very good in the ring and this may have been Kozone's best showing to date. Given the taped nature of the show, MLW could only do so much to follow up the PPV but I thought they did fine here. Jumbo continues to be a fun throwback to the days of Andre the Giant or Haystacks Calhoun, just a big jolly giant who wipes out the opposition. They again presented CONTRA as a strong invading force. A quick, enjoyable hour. Perhaps the only criticism may be that it could have used a strong promo from Bishop as the new champ establishing his mission statement as champ, but they can do that in the weeks ahead.
Next week:
*Matt Riddle vs. Big Damo.
*MLW Southern Crown Champion Trevor Lee vs. Brick Savage.
*Don Gate Cinco del Mayhem: Diego Hill v. Templario vs. Soberano Jr. vs, Ikuro Kwan vs. Okumura.
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