Originally published at MLW FUSION: Lio Rush vs. Myron Reed 2, Identity of El Jefe revealed
MLW Fusion #131 – “Season Finale”
May 5th, 2021
GILT Nightclub – Orlando, FL
Commentary: Ray Flores & Saint Laurent
Gringo Loco vs. Laredo Kid
Laredo Kid comes out with a new AAA Cruiserweight Title as he refuses to admit he tapped and lost the title to Lio Rush. The match starts fast with Gringo showboating a bit to slow down the action. They trade off a couple of arm drags that cause Gringo to take a breather to the outside. Back inside, Laredo blocks a springboard from Gringo and heads to the outside himself. They square off in the middle of the ring again with each trading reversals until Laredo hits a hurricanrana off the top rope sending Gringo back outside where Laredo hits another hurricanrana off the apron. Laredo hits a couple of stomps and a running forearm with Gringo in the corner. Gringo catches a flying Laredo and hits an inverted DDT for a couple of pin attempts. They trade off chops on the ropes until Laredo takes a diving somersault from Gringo on the outside in quick fashion. Gringo tries to hit a moonsault off the top rope, but Laredo dodges it and hits a bottom rope moonsault. As he goes up again, his moonsault gets caught and Gringo drops him for a 2 count. Laredo hits a hurricanrana to Gringo who was on the ropes for a close 2 count. Laredo places Gringo on the top rope, they fight a bit until Laredo hits a somersault belly-to-belly superplex for the pin.
Winner: Laredo Kid by pinfall at 9:19
Daddy Josef’s Protection
We go to Alexander Hammerstone who is responding to Josef Samael being angry that Samael denied his match request with Jacob Fatu. Hammerstone says he was going to cause havoc and be angry, but that’s what Samael wants. Now he is thinking straight and if Samael was such a master manipulator, why hasn’t he manipulated him? As long as Fatu has the MLW World Title, he might be the Baddest man in MLW but why is Samael protecting him. If he is so invincible, why is he ducking Hammerstone, and after all the victories he still thinks he’s unbeatable but Samael doesn’t think that and knows Fatu’s reign of terror is almost done. Hammerstone is the only person with the chance to take the belt off Fatu, and when they meet that championship is coming home with Hammerstone. So maybe once Daddy Josef stops protecting him, we will finally get the fight people want.
Upcoming Fight Schedule
- 5/8 – MLW on VICE TV
- 7/10 – MLW New Season – Philadelphia (2300 Arena)
- 9/11 – MLW Dallas
- 11/6 – MLW Chicago
MLW 2021 Open Draft
Alicia Atout says she spoke to MLW officials and yes, Josef Samael can indeed gatekeep any challengers to the MLW World Title, but there is one caveat. That being the 40-man MLW Battle Riot, and this demands a bigger roster so MLW will be hosting an open draft on MLW.com and YouTube and it starts next week. The officials are talking to free agents, top international wrestlers, and phenomenal prospects, who are all in the mix.
Philly Reckoning Coming
Marshall Von Erich congratulates Ross for his outstanding showing, and Ross says going to Japan was huge for him and Keiji Mutoh taught him to keep learning. Marshall says he isn’t making excuses for his bad knee but makes a promise that there is a reckoning coming July 10th in Philadelphia, and he is coming for ‘Filthy’ Tom Lawlor with the Iron Claw.
Richard Holliday vs. Ariel Dominguez
The much bigger Holliday places Dominguez on the top rope just to punch him down before he starts stomping on his face. Dominguez tries to fight back but runs into Holliday’s boot. Holliday easily ends Dominguez with the 2008 twisting suplex for the pin.
Winner: Richard Holliday by pinfall at 1:36
Alicia Atout stops Holliday to interview him, but they quickly get interrupted by Gino Medina. They start talking trash and Holliday tells Medina to respect his time and go to the back. Medina starts to, but when Holliday’s back is turned, he jumps him from behind and attacks Holliday. Medina says to Holliday “You didn’t fire me, I quit, bitch” and hits a DDT onto the wooden floor.
Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 10
- 10: Rocky Romero
- 09: Ross Von Erich
- 08: Calvin Tankman
- 07: Myron Reed
- 06: Mil Muertes
- 05: Richard Holliday
- 04: Mads Krugger
- 03: Lio Rush
- 02: Filthy Tom Lawlor
- 01: Alexander Hammerstone
- MLW World Heavyweight Champion: Jacob Fatu
MLW World Middleweight Championship: Lio Rush (c) vs. Myron Reed
Ray Flores notes that Westside Gunn and Wale are sitting in the VIP section for this match tonight. Rush and Reed start the match face to face before Rush pushes him away. They lock up with Rush flipping his way out and telling Reed to ‘bring it’. Reed is able to knock Rush down in response, as Rush tries to run the ropes Reed teases running with him and they stop and do it again a couple of times. Rush hits a leapfrog but misses a springboard cutter, reverse a bit until Reed hits a dropkick. They cross the ropes, but Reed catches a springboarding Rush, drops him on the mat, and hits a leg drop while Rush is on the ropes, followed by a guillotine leg drop that knocks Rush to the outside. Rush runs back in and they keep ducking and dodging each other’s moves with Rush hitting an Enziguri for a 2 count. They continue dodging, but Rush knocks Reed down and hits a standing frog splash to the back of Reed for a two-count. Rush starts kicking at the legs of Reed and hits a back body drop for a 2 count. Rush climbs onto the back of Reed and holds on to his waist to wear him down as he starts cracking back the fingers of Reed. Reed fights out and hits a jawbreaker, but Rush is able to knock Reed to the outside where Rush misses a moonsault and receives a flying crossbody by Reed. Back inside, Reed knocks Rush down with a couple of forearms, a couple for reversals with Reed ending up with a pin attempt for a 2. Reed runs right into the boot of Rush, and Rush hits a poison rana followed by a standing Spanish Fly for a 2 count. Reed hits a dropkick, but Rush quickly knocks Reed to the outside and hits a suicide dive followed by another twisting dive. Back inside, Reed catches Rush who was trying to do a springboard cutter, and hits an inverted suplex followed by a flying cutter and Death Valley Driver for a 2 count. Both men showing fatigue, with Rush going to the top rope just for Reed to roll to the apron. Rush goes to grab him, but Reed fights back and hits an Enziguri followed by a cutter to the floor attempt, but Rush catches him, hits a poison rana, throws him to the inside, and hits the Final Hour frog splash for a 2 count as Rush took a while to recover and cover Reed. Rush teases going back to the top but instead takes off his wrist tape and puts Reed on his shoulders. Reed reverses out, hits the Captain Crunch and the No Cap Splash for the pin.
Winner: Myron Reed by pinfall at 15:56, to become NEW MLW World Middleweight Champion
Jordan Oliver and Calvin Tankman come in to congratulate Reed, as Reed teases Rush who walks to the back.
El Jefe is…
We go to Boyle Heights where we see the kidnapped Salina de la Renta being put into an office by the masked luchador from last week. We see the former owner and proprietor of Lucha Underground, Dario Cueto. Cueto says he’s a generous man but it wasn’t just him that she has failed. Salina failed his believers and when he rescued Promociones Dorado from bankruptcy and Salina from the gutter, he gave her access to the best luchadores on Earth and all he wanted was gold and violence. It is alright because in fact, it couldn’t be more perfect, as he is building a new temple and Salina should know that requires certain sacrifices. As the Luchador goes to attack Salina, Dario gets a phone call and says he will see him there on July 10th, in Philadelphia.