MLW Fusion’s first episode on Tubi aired Thursday from New York with three Opera Cup opening round matches, an MLW debut, and an attack on the Women’s World Champion by Stardom’s H.A.T.E.
Full results and notes:
Opera Cup opening round: Austin Aries def. Tracy Williams
Aries, the MLW National Openweight Champion, opened the show with a promo aimed at fans who talk about him “in the past tense.”
“I am the greatest professional wrestler in Major League Wrestling. I am the greatest professional wrestler in this business. You would think after I beat Blue Panther to become the Openweight Champion, you would think after I took Mistico’s mask, I shouldn’t have to explain it, but apparently I do. So now I’m gonna win the Opera Cup, so there’s no more confusion who I am.”
Williams had Aries in the Last Chancery counter and an STF late and dropped him head-first on the turnbuckle with a DDT variation. Aries bit Williams’ arm to escape the STF, sent him to the floor with a neckbreaker, and won with a running dropkick in the corner and the brainbuster. Aries’ title was not on the line.
The Good Brothers in Sri Lanka
In a taped segment from Sri Lanka, MLW World Tag Team Champions Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows said they were defending the titles there. Anderson also addressed CJ Gallows, saying he gets his MLW singles debut “in just a few weeks.”
Opera Cup opening round: Odyssey Jones def. Okumura
Odyssey Jones made his MLW debut in his home city against Contra Unit’s Okumura, accompanied by Ikuro Kwon. Commentary said Jones, billed at 375 pounds, is returning to the U.S. after two years in Japan and referenced a “super heavyweight initiative” in MLW. Okumura got a near fall with a Koji Cutter before Jones won with a splash.
Jones, to Rich Bocchini after the match: “First things first, what it do, New York? This is my tournament to win, baby.”
Shotzi Blackheart attacked by H.A.T.E.
MLW Women’s World Champion Shotzi Blackheart sat for an interview with Rich Bocchini about last week’s tag match with Lady Frost and the challengers circling her title, which commentary listed as Scarlett, Lady Frost and Zayda. Saya Kamitani and Rina of Stardom’s H.A.T.E. interrupted and attacked her, with Kamitani using a whip.
Shotzi, before the attack: “How does a champion stay focused when the whole world seems to be going to absolute s**t around you? You grab a seat. You keep your friends close. You choose your drink wisely, and you enjoy the show.”
Killer Kross calls Josh Bishop
MLW World Heavyweight Champion Killer Kross was shown on a phone call with Josh Bishop about MLW’s pitch to team them against Mistico and Austin Aries at Fightland next week. Kross said his neck still hurts “from getting chokeslammed 50 times.” Bishop agreed to the match and proposed setting their opponents on fire; Kross reminded him it isn’t a no-disqualification match.
Opera Cup opening round: Trevor Lee def. Mistico by count-out
MLW Southern Crown Champion Trevor Lee and two-time defending Opera Cup winner Mistico went most of the 20-minute time limit. Lee got near falls with a sliding forearm, a backbreaker and a bridging German suplex. Mistico hit a tope suicida, a mid-air reversal of a powerbomb into a hurricanrana, a Spanish fly and a series of enzuigiris.
Late in the match, a masked man in a scarf appeared at ringside. Commentary identified him as Austin Aries wearing the mask he took from Mistico. As Mistico set up for a move off the top rope, Aries pulled the referee out of the ring, then attacked Mistico and hit a brainbuster on the floor. The referee counted Mistico out at 20. Lee, who commentary said did not want to win that way, advances to face Aries in the second round.
Aries, on the microphone after the match: “It looks like Mistico will not be winning the Opera Cup this year, which means there’s only one man for the job, the one, the only Austin Aries.”
Mistico was attempting to become the first three-time consecutive Opera Cup winner. He and Aries are still scheduled to team next week at Fightland against Kross and Bishop.
Opera Cup second round
Advancing so far: Diego Hill and LeBron Cozone from last week’s opening round matches, and Aries, Jones and Lee from Thursday. Aries faces Lee in the second round. The remaining opening round matches were not addressed on the show.
MLW Fusion streams Thursdays at 8 PM ET on Tubi. MLW Fightland is next week. Note: if you can’t find it, search for “MLW Fusion” in the search box on the Tubi app or website.
