MLW Makes Grand Return To New York
The star-studded affair features the first Battle Riot.
MLW returns to New York for the first time in 16 years, bringing its most star-studded event to Queens this Thursday.
The main event features the inaugural Battle Riot – a 40-man hardcore Royal Rumble in which you’re eliminated by pinfall, submission or being thrown over the top rope. The winner receives a shot at the MLW World Heavyweight Championship at any time of his choosing.
Most of the participants have already been announced, and it’s a who’s who of the wrestling world. MLW stars like Sami Callihan, “Filthy” Tom Lawlor, Jimmy Havoc, Low Ki and MJF are scheduled to enter, as well as international talent like Drago and Davey Boy Smith Jr. Indie standouts such as Joey Ryan and “PCO” Pierre Carl Ouellet have also thrown their names into the mix.
Plus, there will be legends entering the fray, including Kevin Sullivan and Konnan, who will be competing for the first time in five years. “It’s an immense honor to have Konnan come out of retirement and do his thing in an MLW ring — especially in NYC,” MLW CEO Court Bauer said in a press release. “We’re going to stack the undercard. You got to when you come to NYC. This is going to be our biggest show ever in sheer numbers, matches and star power.”
In the semi-main event, new MLW World Heavyweight Champion Low Ki will defend the gold against John Hennigan just three days before Hennigan’s return to Impact at Slammiversary. Low Ki shocked the world by slaying former champion Shane Strickland on July 12 in Orlando, receiving the $60,000 bounty in the process.
As if Strickland hasn’t suffered enough, the “Swerve” will have his hands full in New York with Sami Callihan. The “Worldwide Desperado” has been the talk of the wrestling world all year long, wreaking havoc in Impact, House of Hardcore and especially MLW. With his Death Machine followers by his side, Callihan has stacked the deck against the resilient hero.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScXkWejH2jo
In other championship action, lucha libre comes to the Northeast as Pentagon Jr. and Rey Fenix defend the MLW World Tag Team Titles against Drago and Rey Horus. Aerostar was originally scheduled to be Drago’s partner, but the Lucha Underground star was unable to compete. Now Drago and Horus, mentored by his cousin Rey Mysterio Jr., look to snatch the gold from de la Renta’s Promociones Dorado and bring the belts home to Mexico.
History will be made as MLW crowns its first World Middleweight Champion when Maxwell J. Friedman faces Joey Ryan. A spinoff of the cruiserweight division, all middleweights must weigh 205 pounds or less. It’s a bit of a stretch for Ryan to be competing because his notorious cock probably weighs in excess of that. Regardless, the icon of sleaze will square off against Vineyard Vines’ favorite customer.
One of wrestling’s most celebrated dynasties will embark on a new era as Teddy Hart and Davey Boy Smith Jr. align with Brian Pillman II to form the new Hart Foundation. The trio of second and third-generation grapplers will take on the up-and-coming duo of ACH and Rich Swann in what is sure to be a breathless encounter.
Also on the card, Brody King battles Jimmy Havoc and PCO makes his MLW debut against the returning Homicide.
MLW Battle Riot take place at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, NY on Thursday, July 19.
Tickets are available at www.MLWTickets.com.
MLW: Fusion airs Fridays at 8 p.m. EST with a replay at 11 p.m. EST on beIN Sports. For more information, visit mlw.com and www.beinsports.com.
About Author
