Tom Lawlor Wins MLW World Title
Low Ki’s reign of terror came to an end at MLW: SuperFight.
Twenty-four hours before Super Bowl LIII, Major League Wrestling held its biggest card in company history – MLW SuperFight – at the mecca of pro wrestling: 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia.
A line of freezing fans wrapped around the corner of Swanson and Ritner, anxious to witness a title match seven months in the making. “Filthy” Tom Lawlor, a former UFC fighter-turned-wrestling superstar, earned an opportunity at the MLW World Heavyweight Championship last July, outlasting 39 other competitors in the inaugural MLW Battle Riot. Since then, undefeated champion Low Ki has made life extremely difficult for his opponent. He and business partner Salina de la Renta have thrown many obstacles in Lawlor’s path, including the betrayal of his teammate Simon Gotch.
Meanwhile, Low Ki has hung onto the gold by any means necessary, turning back the challenges of various luchadores, the legendary Konnan and even former champion Shane Strickland. Whether it’s ripping Rey Fenix’ mask off, yanking out Strickland’s hair, tearing off Daga’s ear or even shanking Konnan, Low Ki has illustrated that morals don’t apply to his code of survival.
.@MLW announces they set a new all-time box office record for the promotion here tonight in Philadelphia 👏👏👏
— WrestleZone on Mandatory (@WRESTLEZONEcom) February 3, 2019
Undoubtedly the main event of the evening, the title fight was actually the fifth match on the card, just in time to close out MLW’s live one-hour broadcast on beIN Sports. Lawlor charged the ring as “New Champ” chants echoed throughout the old ECW Arena. Low Ki entered next, accompanied by da la Renta and pyro. As soon as the bell rang, the slugfest was on!
The champion targeted Lawlor’s arm, sending him shoulder-first into the steel post and then yanking on it while tangled in the ropes. Low Ki then pulled a door out from under the ring and placed it in the corner. He charged Lawlor, but the challenger stepped aside and Low Ki punched right through the door.
Lawlor followed up by attempting a superplex, but Low Ki countered and with his opponent hung in the tree of woe, the champion crashed into his chest with a double foot stomp. Sensing the end was near, the crowd was breathless as Low Ki made the cover, but Lawlor kicked out right before the three count. Frustrated, Low Ki applied the Dragon Sleeper, but the former UFC star rolled through into a rear naked choke, forcing Low Ki to pass out to win the title.
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”9″ display=”basic_imagebrowser”]The crowd rejoiced as Low Ki’s reign of terror had finally ended, marking the dawn of the “Filthy” era in MLW. Lawlor celebrated by letting fans in the front row touch the belt as de la Renta flipped out over losing her meal ticket.
That wasn’t the only championship to change hands – the Hart Foundation (Teddy Hart and Davey Boy Smith Jr. with Brian Pillman Jr. by their side) defeated Rey Fenix and Pentagon Jr. to win the MLW Tag Team Titles. A dream match that lived up to the hype, both teams were adored by the crowd, even more so after the thrilling encounter. Hart and Pentagon traded Canadian Destroyers; one in the ring, one on the apron and finally, one off of Davey Boy Smith Jr.’s shoulders.
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”10″ display=”basic_imagebrowser”]However, Davey Boy Smith Jr. wasn’t done for the night. He was revealed as Brian Pillman Jr.’s mystery partner for a collision with Tommy Dreamer and his mystery partner…Sandman. Of course, the crowd erupted as the ECW icon poured beer down the throats of bloodthirsty fans as their brethren sang along to “Enter Sandman.”
Surprisingly, Sandman actually wrestled, something he rarely does anymore. Smith held Dreamer in a suplex for at least 15 seconds, impressing even Dreamer’s partner. Sandman then stalked Pillman around the arena with a Singapore cane until Blue Meanie appeared from under the ring, only to get sucker punched by Pillman. Back inside the ring, Dreamer went for a Death Valley Driver on Smith, but got whacked by Pillman. The Hart Foundation then hoisted him up for a powerbomb through steel chairs, ending the feud with Dreamer.
Full results
Teddy Hart retained Middleweight Title against MJF
Rey Horus def. Aerostar
Gringo Loco def. Puma King
Hart Foundation def. Tommy Dreamer & Sandman
Ace Austin def. Rich Swann
Ace Romero def. Simon Gotch by disqualification
Myron Reed def. DJZ
Sheik & Jacob Fatu def. a couple of jobbers
Mance Warner def. Jimmy Yuta
Tom Lawlor def. Low Ki to win the MLW World Heavyweight Championship
Ricky Martinez def. Kotto Brazil
Hart Foundation def. Lucha Bros to win the MLW Tag Team Titles
Alexander Hammerstone def. Ariel Dominguez
Rich Swann def. Lance Anoa’i
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