Ladies and gentlemen, we are expanding our horizons! Tonight, we’re turning our attention to Major League Wrestling, where MLW Fusion brings tournament action, championship rivalries, and a collection of wrestlers who appear perfectly willing to beat the living hell out of one another.
And here’s the best part: you can watch it for free on Tubi!
That’s right, folks. Tubi, the same streaming service where Thalia spends an alarming amount of time watching horror movies featuring questionable acting, questionable special effects, and women who apparently have difficulty keeping their clothes on, is also home to professional wrestling.
Naturally, she’s already informed me that this makes MLW part of her department.
I’ve informed her that she’s welcome to watch, but the wrestling coverage belongs to the scorpion.
Tonight’s episode comes from Philadelphia’s legendary 2300 Arena, with two Opera Cup quarterfinal matches, a heavyweight collision, and several major developments ahead of MLW Saturday Night SuperFight.
And I must say, the lineup has my attention.
Opera Cup Quarterfinal: Matt Riddle vs. Ikuro Kwon
Our main event features Matt Riddle taking on CONTRA Unit’s Ikuro Kwon in an Opera Cup quarterfinal, with a place in the semifinals hanging in the balance.
Riddle is one of those wrestlers whose relaxed personality can sometimes make you forget just how dangerous he is once the bell rings. His combination of striking, submissions, and explosive offense makes him a legitimate threat against practically anybody, and a tournament like the Opera Cup provides an excellent opportunity to demonstrate those abilities.
Kwon, meanwhile, represents something more sinister.
Known as the Concrete Dragon, Kwon brings the ruthless mentality of CONTRA Unit into a tournament that the faction has already threatened to corrupt. Josef Samael has made no secret of his contempt for the Opera Cup’s traditions, and a Kwon victory would bring CONTRA another step closer to getting its hands on the prestigious trophy.
Now, I appreciate a good villain as much as anybody, but threatening to destroy a historic wrestling trophy because you don’t like what it represents?
That’s the kind of behavior that makes me wish somebody would bring back the old-fashioned wrestling commissioner who could suspend people for being complete jackasses.
Adding another complication is MLW National Openweight Champion Austin Aries, who is expected to be in attendance scouting the competition. Aries has his own ambitions involving the Opera Cup, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes his presence felt before the evening is over.
Stinger’s Pick: Matt Riddle. Kwon is dangerous, and CONTRA Unit’s involvement always raises the possibility of outside interference, but I’m going with Riddle to overcome the odds and advance to the semifinals. Whether he’ll be allowed to do it without somebody sticking their nose into the match is another question entirely.
Opera Cup Quarterfinal: Diego Hill vs. LaBron Kozone
The evening’s other Opera Cup quarterfinal brings us a matchup with a little history behind it, as Diego Hill faces LaBron Kozone.
Kozone helped mentor Hill earlier in his career, which means we’re getting one of professional wrestling’s oldest and most reliable stories: the student attempting to surpass the teacher.
And when it’s done properly, that can make for some excellent wrestling.
Hill brings speed, athleticism, and high-flying offense into the encounter, while Kozone relies on physical strength, experience, and a powerful lariat capable of ending a match in a hurry.
What interests me most is the familiarity between these two competitors. Kozone knows what Hill is capable of because he helped develop some of those abilities, but Hill also understands his former mentor’s tendencies and weaknesses.
The question is whether that knowledge will be enough to overcome the difference in physical styles.
And unlike some wrestling tournaments, where the brackets seem to exist primarily as an excuse for somebody to interfere and set up another match, the Opera Cup offers both men something meaningful to pursue.
Stinger’s Pick: Diego Hill. I’m going with the younger competitor to score a breakthrough victory. Kozone’s experience makes him dangerous, but I like the story of the student finally getting the better of the teacher.
Besides, if you’re going to tell that story, you might as well give the kid his moment.
Wolfgang vs. The Beastman
Now THIS is the sort of match that makes me appreciate professional wrestling.
Wolfgang versus The Beastman.
No elaborate explanation necessary, ladies and gentlemen. Two enormous men are going to climb into a wrestling ring and attempt to knock each other into next Thursday.
Wolfgang represents the Glasgow Boys, who have been making life miserable for the Good Brothers ahead of their Chicago Street Fight at Saturday Night SuperFight. Following the attack on CJ Gallows, the rivalry has become increasingly personal, and Wolfgang has every reason to make another intimidating statement tonight.
Unfortunately for him, his opponent is The Beastman, a 347-pound powerhouse who isn’t exactly known for backing away from a fight.
Mark Coffey will accompany Wolfgang, while Kimchee will be in The Beastman’s corner, so there’s always the possibility that this contest turns into something more chaotic than a straightforward heavyweight match.
I certainly hope not.
Sometimes I just want to watch two big men collide until one of them can’t get up.
Is that really too much to ask?
Stinger’s Pick: The Beastman. Give me the 347-pound monster to survive the Glasgow Boys’ intimidation tactics and pick up the victory. And if he happens to flatten somebody who interferes, consider that a bonus.
Killer Kross Addresses the Skyscrapers
MLW World Heavyweight Champion Killer Kross has a serious problem on his hands, and his name is Josh Bishop.
Actually, make that two problems, because Donovan Dijak isn’t exactly sitting quietly in the background.
Following last week’s violent confrontation in the streets of Philadelphia, Kross is expected to address his condition and the growing threat posed by the Skyscrapers.
With a Last Man Standing World Heavyweight Championship match against Bishop approaching at Saturday Night SuperFight, the champion can hardly afford to enter the encounter already battered and broken.
Of course, considering the men involved, I suspect the idea of avoiding unnecessary physical punishment hasn’t occurred to anybody.
Kross has built his reputation around intimidation, intensity, and making opponents question whether they really want to fight him. Bishop, however, seems entirely willing to accept the challenge, and their escalating hostility suggests that the eventual championship encounter could become one of the most violent matches on the SuperFight card.
I’ll be listening closely to what Kross has to say tonight.
Stinger’s View: I enjoy a championship rivalry that feels personal, especially when both men have legitimate reasons to want to destroy one another. The important thing now is making sure their Last Man Standing match delivers on the hostility they’ve established.
And preferably without twelve additional wrestlers running into the ring.
Tessa Blanchard Sends a Message Ahead of Her MLW Debut
Tessa Blanchard is preparing to make her MLW debut at Saturday Night SuperFight, where she’s scheduled to face Keyra, and tonight she’ll have something to say before stepping into the ring.
Blanchard is certainly no stranger to professional wrestling, and whatever opinions people may have about her, there’s no denying that she possesses considerable in-ring experience and ability.
Her arrival gives MLW another recognizable name in its women’s division, and the matchup with Keyra offers an opportunity to establish what kind of role she’ll play moving forward.
I’m interested in hearing how Blanchard approaches the occasion, particularly whether she’s coming into MLW expecting to be treated as an established star or intending to prove herself against the competition.
Personally, I’ve always preferred the second approach.
A reputation can get you through the door, but sooner or later you’ve got to deliver between the ropes.
And speaking of women’s wrestling, I would like to point out that I have now covered several different promotions without once mentioning Chantel Monroe.
Well, until just now.
Moving along!
Yota Tsuji Issues a Challenge
New Japan Pro-Wrestling standout Yota Tsuji is coming to MLW Saturday Night SuperFight, and he’s looking for somebody willing to step into the ring with him.
Tonight, we may discover who intends to answer that challenge.
Tsuji brings an imposing physical presence and an aggressive style that should translate well to MLW’s atmosphere. The opportunity to see him compete against someone from the MLW roster is intriguing, especially with the promotion continuing to bring together talent from different wrestling organizations.
And that’s something I genuinely appreciate.
Professional wrestling doesn’t have to exist inside one company’s little universe. Sometimes it’s refreshing to see competitors from different promotions meet without everybody pretending the rest of the wrestling world doesn’t exist.
Let’s find out who has the courage to accept Tsuji’s challenge.
Shotzi’s Championship Attracts More Challengers
MLW Women’s World Featherweight Champion Shotzi has plenty of potential challengers circling her championship.
H.A.T.E. has been making its presence felt, CONTRA Unit has Masha in the picture, and the undefeated ZAMAYA continues building momentum through sheer physical dominance.
Tonight, MLW Insider Rich Bocchini is expected to speak with ZAMAYA, giving viewers another look at one of the division’s emerging threats.
The women’s championship picture is becoming increasingly interesting, and I like having several credible competitors positioned around the title rather than focusing exclusively on one rivalry.
Shotzi has the championship, but keeping it may become more difficult as these challengers continue making their intentions known.
The Glasgow Boys Have a Message for the Good Brothers
As if Wolfgang’s match against The Beastman weren’t enough, the Glasgow Boys also have a message for the Good Brothers ahead of their Chicago Street Fight.
The rivalry has grown nastier following the attack on CJ Gallows, and whatever the Glasgow Boys have prepared tonight is unlikely to be an apology.
Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson have plenty of reasons to want revenge, and with the MLW World Tag Team Championship picture involved, the stakes extend beyond personal pride.
I’m interested in seeing how MLW continues building this feud, although I’m beginning to suspect that the Chicago Street Fight will require an especially sturdy collection of furniture.
Stinger’s View:
Tonight’s MLW Fusion has the makings of an entertaining wrestling program, with two Opera Cup quarterfinals providing meaningful stakes, a heavyweight collision promising plenty of punishment, and several important rivalries moving closer to Saturday Night SuperFight.
Matt Riddle versus Ikuro Kwon is my match to watch, although Diego Hill and LaBron Kozone could very well steal the show if they’re given enough time.
And I have to say, I appreciate MLW making its programming available free on Tubi. Wrestling fans already have enough subscriptions to manage without needing another one just to follow a promotion.
Of course, this arrangement has created an unfortunate situation here at Titanquisitor.
Thalia has informed me that because MLW airs on Tubi, she intends to conduct her own review of the program.
I asked what qualifications she possesses to review professional wrestling. She informed me that she’s watched plenty of muscular men in their underwear.
I suppose I walked right into that one.
MLW Fusion airs tonight, Thursday, October 29, at 8 PM ET, streaming free on Tubi.
We’ll be watching from the rafters, ladies and gentlemen, and if MLW delivers the kind of wrestling I’m hoping for, you can expect plenty more coverage here at Titanquisitor!
Until the final bell, remember: It may be shit sometimes, but Wrestling Matters.
— Stinger, reporting from the rafters of Titanquisitor Hall!
