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53-608: The promotion originally ran live events until 2004, with these events seen on the television series, MLW Underground TV . MLW returned to promoting events in July 2017, and resumed weekly television programming with the premiere of MLW Fusion in April 2018. Following the closures and acquisitions of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now known as

106-468: A Fusion television special. MLW began introducing contracts as part of their growth strategy. In August, the promotion started a working agreement with Mexican-based promotion Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA). On September 19, it was announced that MLW expanded its partnership with beIN Sports to air Fusion in Spanish . In October, MLW announced a Halloween-themed, Fusion television special, and announced

159-519: A "strategic alliance". On August 23, MLW and The Crash announced they would co-promote their first event on October 5 at the Auditorio Fausto Gutierrez in Tijuana , Mexico . On February 1, 2020, MLW announced a working relationship with Japanese promotion Dragon Gate (DG), which would include a talent-exchange between the two promotions. After AAA vs MLW on March 13, 2020, MLW would take

212-450: A Community post on their YouTube channel that they had launched a membership program, later to be known as the "MLW Standard Pass". Subsequentially, past uploads from MLW's weekly programming library, and several full match videos, became paywalled. Ahead of Battle Riot VI on June 1, it was reported that MLW would be moving its streaming events to their YouTube channel as part of the rollout of its membership program. This subsequently ended

265-533: A color commentator starting March 2, 2019. He continued to work for the company for Rise of the Renegades , Battle Riot II , and Fury Road . He also worked unofficially in an agent-like role for the company. This includes coaching younger talent on their television presentation and promos. In addition to SuperFight and Intimidation Games, Rise of the Renegades and Battle Riot II were all revealed to have sold out. In April 2019, MLW would move their operations into

318-599: A corporate office building in New Rochelle, New York . On April 18, MLW announced the creation of a new title: the MLW National Openweight Championship , with the inaugural champion to be crowned during Fury Road in Waukesha, Wisconsin . In June 2019, International Wrestling Association (IWA-PR) owner Savio Vega was brought in as an on-air talent and backstage agent. This working relationship resulted in

371-534: A deal to produce a new series centered around Azteca Underground, featuring a different roster from that seen on MLW Fusion . In an update during Wrestling Observer Radio on November 1, 2021, Meltzer reported that tapings for the series were cancelled because MLW was unable to secure a TV deal. On July 7, 2021, it was announced that Shimmer Women Athletes co-founder Dave Prazak had joined MLW to help relaunch its women's division; later to be announced in September as

424-537: A good outcome for MLW, its fans and REELZ." On March 7, MLW filed an amended lawsuit against WWE, citing WWE's alleged interference with the promotion's deal with Reelz. In March 2023, MLW reached an agreement with the Premier Streaming Network to distribute MLW Underground Wrestling outside of the U.S. On May 2, 2023, a new partnership with FITE was announced, in-which MLW would produce live specials for subscribers to FITE+. The first event under this deal

477-508: A live, premium event for Triller TV+ subscribers; and a free, taped , TV special for Bein Sports and MLW's YouTube channel. MLW Azteca Lucha , the promotion's first event to take place at Cicero Stadium since Saturday Night SuperFight in November 2019, would break MLW's all-time box office record with the announcement that tickets were sold out on April 29. During the same month, MLW announced in

530-464: A new "anthology mini-series" titled MLW Azteca to premiere on Thursday, January 6, 2022, on MLW's YouTube channel and FITE TV . On January 11, 2022, MLW filed an anti-trust lawsuit against WWE , accusing them of interfering in television and streaming deals and poaching talent. Through the lawsuit, it was disclosed that a streaming deal with Fox Corporation -owned Tubi was terminated due to WWE allegedly threatening to pull their programming from

583-471: A new broadcast deal with Ayozat TV in the United Kingdom . Two days later, MLW announced an expanded agreement with beIN Sports USA to carry the promotion's programming on BeIN Sports Xtra, both through its FAST channel and across its over-the-air television station affiliates, on Friday nights. On October 11, 2022, MLW announced a partnership with streaming platform Pro Wrestling TV (PWTV), bringing

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636-470: A new media rights deal to stream their programming on DAZN . CEO Court Bauer also announced during the same month that reruns of MLW Underground TV would air on Bein Sports throughout the summer. In August 2020, MLW announced that Fusion TV tapings will resume in October of that year. On September 10, it was announced that MLW Fusion would move to Wednesday nights on fubo Sports Network . On October 10, it

689-554: A new program, MLW Fusion , which debuted on April 20, 2018. On October 8, MLW announced that it would be holding an event titled SuperFight on February 2. On November 9, MLW announced that the event would be held at the famous. 2300 Arena in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania . The card consisted of matches that resulted from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayed villains , heroes , or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that built tension and culminated in

742-592: A nightclub in Miami and was consequently hospitalized. Promociones Dorado member Ricky Martinez was later revealed to be the assailant and the MLW management suspended him on the December 28 episode of Fusion . Shortly after Brazil recovered from his injury, a match was made between Brazil and Martinez at SuperFight. The first match that opened the live broadcast featured The Lucha Brothers ( Pentagon Jr. and Rey Fenix ) defending

795-456: A partnership with Revolution Pro Wrestling . In June 2021, Wrestling Observer reported that MLW had ended its deal with DAZN. it was also reported that MLW had begun taping content in Los Angeles for a spinoff series that would "resemble Lucha Underground ", with plans to film vignettes in the summer and matches in the fall. It would later be revealed on August 4, 2021, that MLW had signed

848-701: A podcast network, initially focused on producing broadcast and digital content relating to the professional wrestling industry. Many prominent professional wrestling figures have appeared on the network, including former WWE and WCW stars Kevin Sullivan , Jim Duggan , MVP , current WWE executive Bruce Prichard , former WCW and current AEW commentator Tony Schiavone , former WCW and WWE manager Jim Cornette , and former WCW President and WWE executive Eric Bischoff . In 2017, MLW announced that it would once again be promoting wrestling events. Tickets for their first event, MLW One-Shot , went on sale on July 21, 2017. In

901-550: A six-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic . On April 21, MLW announced they had begun digitizing the 2003–2004 tape library, including the complete run of MLW Underground TV . On April 30, MLW announced a limited series titled MLW Anthology to air on Bein Sports starting May 16, 2020. Following the last episode of Fusion on May 9, 2020, a new digital spinoff series titled Pulp Fusion would launch on MLW's YouTube channel beginning on May 29, 2020. On June 9, 2020, MLW reached

954-685: A television series titled Underground TV , which ran between April 7, 2003, and February 14, 2004. The series was hosted by Joey Styles , later replaced by Kevin Kelly , and consisted of pre-taped matches from prior events. Furthering MLW's ties to ECW, the promotion highlighted many former ECW talents, such as Sabu , Terry Funk , Shane Douglas , and Steve Corino . This led to criticism of MLW for being an imitation of ECW in comparison to Ring of Honor , another Philadelphia-founded promotion that launched five months prior to MLW's formation. After shuttering in 2004 , Major League Wrestling would return in 2011 as

1007-453: A working agreement with Japanese-based promotion Pro Wrestling Noah , which would include a talent-exchange agreement and content collaboration between the two promotions. On August 8, MLW announced that they had reached a new deal with FITE TV to carry MLW pay-per-view events, with the first event being Saturday Night SuperFight. Four days later, MLW announced a working relationship with Mexican-based promotion The Crash Lucha Libre termed as

1060-662: A wrestling match or series of matches, with results predetermined by MLW's writers. Storylines were played out on MLW's television program Fusion . Tom Lawlor won the first-ever Battle Riot match at the namesake event on July 19, 2018, thus earning the right to challenge for the MLW World Heavyweight Championship at any place and any time of his choosing within six months. On the October 19 episode of Fusion , Lawlor defeated former champion Shane Strickland to cement his status as MLW's franchise player and then announced that he would challenge Low Ki for

1113-564: The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania . The event aired live on television as a two-hour special episode of Fusion on beIN Sports , and it was the first event under the SuperFight chronology. Fourteen matches were contested at the event, with nine matches being taped for future episodes of Fusion while three matches were broadcast live on SuperFight. The live broadcast notably featured two title changes as Tom Lawlor cashed in his Battle Riot opportunity to defeat Low Ki to win

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1166-654: The MLW Women's Featherweight division. During the television premiere of Battle Riot III on July 24, 2021, MLW announced a new season of Fusion to air on "a new home" in the Fall, and a new, four-part mini-series titled MLW Fusion: Alpha . Initially announced to air in August, Fusion: Alpha was later announced as "a new season and series from MLW" to premiere on September 22 on MLW's YouTube channel, and would air on Saturdays and Mondays on Bein Sports. On December 7, 2021, MLW announced

1219-572: The World Heavyweight Championship and The Hart Foundation ( Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Teddy Hart ) defeated The Lucha Brothers ( Pentagon Jr. and Rey Fenix ) to win the World Tag Team Championship . In July 2017, Major League Wrestling resumed promoting events for the first time since the promotion's original closure in 2004. The success of these events lead MLW to secure a television deal with beIN Sports for

1272-412: The World Tag Team Championship against The Hart Foundation ( Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Teddy Hart ). Smith ripped off Pentagon's mask, allowing Smith and Hart to nail a Canadian Destroyer to Fenix to win the titles. Next, Kotto Brazil made his return to MLW against Ricky Martinez. Brazil had applied a submission hold on Martinez making him tap out but Martinez' valet Salina de la Renta distracted

1325-479: The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. At the end of 2023, MLW would cease airing weekly television programming. Beginning at One Shot on December 7, 2023, select matches would be taped during MLW's live events, and later air as part of television specials produced for Bein Sports and MLW's YouTube channel. In 2018, after the promotion was revived, MLW signed some talent to exclusive contracts. It also gave MLW power over

1378-460: The WWE) in 2001, Major League Wrestling (MLW) was founded in 2002. Shortly after its founding, the promotion spent three months moving their headquarters from Philadelphia to New York . MLW styled itself as an alternative to WWE 's sports entertainment , following in the tradition of ECW. In 2003, MLW again moved their base of operations to Florida , and negotiated a deal with Sunshine Network to air

1431-492: The Wikimedia System Administrators, please include the details below. Request from 172.68.168.151 via cp1112 cp1112, Varnish XID 383580453 Upstream caches: cp1112 int Error: 429, Too Many Requests at Fri, 29 Nov 2024 05:32:33 GMT SuperFight (February 2019) SuperFight (2019) was a professional wrestling event produced by Major League Wrestling (MLW). It took place on February 2, 2019, at

1484-692: The World Heavyweight Championship against Low Ki in a steel cage rematch at Intimidation Games. On the February 16 episode of Fusion , Teddy Hart defended the World Middleweight Championship against Maxwell Jacob Friedman , who had been stripped off the title in 2018 due to an injury. Hart retained the title but MJF and Richard Holliday assaulted Hart in the backstage area during a post-match interview. MJF and Holliday formed an alliance called The Dynasty and began feuding with

1537-473: The World Tag Team Championship match to be "mighty fine in terms of excitement" and "The finish was curious from a booking and rumor perspective." According to them, the World Heavyweight Championship match was "thrilling" and "complimented the story that had been told to that point" but "the finish was abrupt." Tom Lawlor and Low Ki continued their rivalry after SuperFight as Lawlor would defend

1590-605: The debut of MLW Fusion in 2018 on beIN Sports USA , the promotion would once again resuming touring, returning to New York later that year. On September 18, 2018, MLW announced their debut in Chicago . On October 19, 2018, MLW announced that they would return to Florida to make their Miami debut. From Fall 2020 until 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic , MLW would return to Gilt Nightclub in Florida to tape their programming behind closed doors . From July to December 2021, MLW programming

1643-643: The end of 2002, MLW began running two shows a month and, in 2003, multiple shows in a weekend were held in New York. The first time MLW left New York was December 20, 2002, for King Of Kings from the War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida . The promotion primarily held events in Florida prior to closing its doors in 2004. MLW initially held shows in Florida since their revival in 2017. Soon after

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1696-752: The event drew the highest attendance in MLW history, shattering the previous attendance record of 1,536 people for the June 20, 2003 event, Hybrid Hell , in Florida. On November 29, Bauer announced that Fusion would be broadcast live on beIN Sports on December 14. This coincided with their two-day television tapings in Miami: "Never Say Never" and "Zero Hour"; the live episode was an hour of "Zero Hour"'s events. MLW continued to air live Fusion specials throughout 2019, including SuperFight in February and Intimidation Games in March. The company brought former manager Jim Cornette on as

1749-417: The hammer. This set up Ki and Lawlor's title match for SuperFight. On November 20, MLW announced that The Lucha Brothers ( Pentagon Jr. and Rey Fenix ) would defend the World Tag Team Championship against The Hart Foundation ( Teddy Hart and Davey Boy Smith Jr. ) at Never Say Never on the basis of Hart Foundation's dominant streak in the tag team division. However, Fenix suffered a groin injury and

1802-413: The match was "SEVEN MONTHS in the making and all they get is basically a seven-minute squash match". Arnold Furious of WrestleTalk considered it to be a "Very, very disappointing show". Cageside Seats staff appreciated the show, considering it to be "dynamite". According to the staff, "All three matches lived up to their marquee billing" and "Both title matches had a big fight feel." They considered

1855-452: The network's programming and live feed to be carried on the service. However, due to a pre-existing exclusivity agreement with WWE, MLW programming was blacked out on Reelz's live feed on the service. On February 28, it was reported by Variety that MLW's deal with Reelz would conclude after 10 weeks. However, in a statement made to PWInsider, the network confirmed that "No decisions have been made by MLW or REELZ and we are both committed to

1908-440: The now-defunct Lucha Libre promotion and television drama, Lucha Underground , into an angle involving IWA-PR. Talent formally associated with Lucha Underground were brought into MLW as part of the "Azteca Underground" stable. In April 2021, MLW announced a television deal with Vice TV . A block of MLW programming, including reruns of Fusion , began airing on Saturdays starting May 1. The agreement would further expand when it

1961-491: The performers' dates. Their wrestlers are allowed to perform for other promotions but have to prioritize MLW events. MLW's roster mainly consists of independent contractors who have also appeared in other promotions. MLW currently has working relationships with Revolution Pro Wrestling , New Japan Pro-Wrestling , Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre . As of November 28, 2024 MLW Underground TV Too Many Requests If you report this error to

2014-611: The promotion's partnership with TrillerTV. On June 26, 2024, David Marquez (founder of Championship Wrestling and the United Wrestling Network ) was announced as MLW's new head of production. It was also announced that David Sahadi (who previously worked in TNA Wrestling ) has joined MLW's production crew. In the beginning, MLW would hold one show a month, originally from the Viking Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania . By

2067-615: The promotion's programming library to the service. The partnership began on November 3, with the premiere of the Battle Riot IV event. MLW Fusion would return for a new season the following week on November 10. On January 20, 2023, MLW announced a new broadcast deal with Reelz in the United States, with a new weekly flagship show titled MLW Underground Wrestling premiering on February 7. In February, Reelz reached an agreement with NBCUniversal -owned streaming service Peacock for

2120-431: The referee, which led to Brazil grabbing her and Salina sprayed Brazil's eye with a Pepper Spray, allowing Martinez to roll him up for the win. In the main event, Low Ki defended the World Heavyweight Championship against Tom Lawlor . Ki nailed a Warrior's Way on Lawlor but got a near-fall . Ki tried to apply a Dragon Clutch on Lawlor but Lawlor countered it into a rear naked choke to make Ki pass out and win

2173-463: The same year, MLW announced it would run more shows in Orlando in 2018. Given the success of their independent outings, MLW was able to secure a television deal with beIN Sports for a new program, titled MLW Fusion , which debuted on April 20, 2018, on beIN Sports USA . Their first episode featured Pentagon Jr. against Fenix as the main event. In July 2018, the inaugural Battle Riot would air as

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2226-448: The sibling Fox broadcast network. The suit also alleges that WWE pressured Vice TV to withdraw from negotiations with MLW. In February 2023, the lawsuit was dismissed due to a lack of "sufficient facts to plausibly allege a relevant antitrust product market" and that their "allegations are insufficient to plausibly allege a relevant product market." MLW was given 21 days to file an amendment to their lawsuit. On July 5, 2022, MLW announced

2279-484: The signings of PCO and Richard Holliday as full-time members of the roster on October 18. It was also reported that Court Bauer and several MLW executives would travel to Monaco for Sportel, with intentions of making a big push internationally. Also announced was a project between MLW and Spiff TV. On November 8, 2018, MLW held a Fusion television taping, named Fightland , in Chicago at Cicero Stadium. Bauer claimed that

2332-453: The title against Konnan in a no disqualification match which ended in a no contest after Promociones Dorado members attacked Konnan until Lawlor made the save. On the January 11, 2019 episode of Fusion , Low Ki defeated Lawlor's Team Filthy member Fred Yehi while Salina de la Renta tried to set up Lawlor for an attack by Sami Callihan but Lawlor foiled the plan and attacked Callihan with

2385-446: The title at SuperFight. This led to the beginning of a feud between Lawlor and Ki's group Promociones Dorado as Lawlor would be attacked by Sami Callihan on the October 26 episode of Fusion , whom Lawlor defeated in a Street Fight on the November 16 episode of Fusion and then Lawlor's teammate Simon Gotch turned on him by setting him up to get attacked by Promociones Dorado. On the December 28 episode of Fusion , Low Ki defended

2438-413: The title match was postponed for a later date. On December 27, MLW announced that Lucha Brothers would be competing at SuperFight. On January 3, it was announced that the originally scheduled World Tag Team Championship match between Lucha Brothers and Hart Foundation would be taking place at SuperFight. On December 21, it was reported by MLW that Kotto Brazil had been attacked by an unknown assailant at

2491-444: The title. SuperFight received mixed reviews from critics. Jordon Lawrenz of PW Ponderings rated the event 4 out of 10, appreciating the World Tag Team Championship match considering it to be "pretty good, but even that could’ve been better, and was easily the best thing on the show." He panned the singles match between Ricky Martinez and Kotto Brazil as well as the quick ending to the World Heavyweight Championship match, citing that

2544-558: The use of the IWA Caribbean Heavyweight Championship in MLW storylines. On August 18, 2019, MLW teased the formation of its women's division, later announcing its official launch on October 18, 2019. The division's first official match would be later held at MLW Blood and Thunder on November 9, 2019. On July 5, it was announced that MLW would hold its first pay-per-view event, Saturday Night SuperFight , which would be held on November 2. On July 26, MLW announced

2597-430: Was Never Say Never on July 8. It would be MLW's first live broadcast since the 2019 Saturday Night SuperFight pay-per-view event, which was also carried by FITE. On the August 24, 2023 episode of Fusion , MLW announced a new partnership with New Japan Pro Wrestling would begin at Fury Road on September 3, 2023. On December 11, 2023, MLW and WWE reached a settlement in the former's antitrust lawsuit. MLW's lawsuit

2650-434: Was announced on September 17 that Vice would air MLW Fightland as a television special on October 7. On the April 21, episode of MLW Fusion , Bauer announced that MLW's "new season" would begin with their July 10, 2021 event at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia , later revealed to be Battle Riot III , and it would be their first event since the pandemic to have a live audience in attendance. On April 29, 2021, MLW announced

2703-449: Was dismissed with prejudice on December 26, 2023. It would later be revealed in a 10-K filing of TKO Group Holdings , the holding company created by that year's merger of WWE and the UFC , that they had paid $ 20 million to MLW. In December 2023, SE Scoops reported that MLW was "overhauling" their front office. In January 2024, MLW would revamp their event schedule to air two events every month;

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2756-422: Was revealed that Fusion would return on November 18 at 7pm EST and new episodes would also premiere on MLW's YouTube channel on the same night. In October 2020, MLW announced a "strategic alliance" with IWA-PR for the "celebration of inter-promotional events, direct support to the events of each of the companies and collaboration in other types of promotions". MLW would also began incorporating story elements from

2809-560: Was taped at the 2300 Arena from the promotion's home base in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The promotion would resume a regular touring schedule later that year, beginning with their second joint show with The Crash Lucha Libre in December. Matches and segments from the 2022 Fightland event that were originally taped for Fusion were later repurposed for the promotion's new weekly series, MLW Underground Wrestling , which premiered on February 7, 2023 on Reelz . From late 2022, and throughout 2023, MLW would predominantly host events from

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