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Writer's pictureAndrew Robert More

MLW #98 Recap and Review


This weeks MLW, is still in Dallas Texas, and the Main Event is Ross Von Erich Vs Tom Lawler. The show kicks off with a video package of when Tom Lawler betrayed Ross, hitting him with a chair during his championship match against Jacob Fatu. Other matches on this weeks episode of MLW include the debut of Erick Stevens as he faces off against Douglas James and King Mo will also have some in ring action.

A video recap of last weeks Dynasty produced episode, focussing on when Dynasty bouncer Grogan/Gorgan allowed Mance Warner into the building. Which led to the Von Erichs defeating MJF and Richard Holliday to retain their Tag Team Championships in last weeks main event, as Mance would go on to cause a distraction during the match.


Logan Creed Vs Moonshine Mantel

The first match features a repackaged Grogan/Gorgan now going by Logan Creed as he faces of against Moonshine Mantell. We get a video package from Logan, explaining his new name and that he is no longer working for Dynasty and thanks to Mance the Heathen has been unleashed. Moonshine Mantel is no small boy in fact he’s big beefy boy, but he looks small against the 7ft Logan Creed. Moonshine tries his best, but Logan is just too big and too powerful, its not quite a squash match but not that far from it.

Logan showed of his power and his athleticism as well, when he dives over the top rope before throwing Monnshine back in to the ring. After a Powerbomb that would make Kevin Nash proud, it’s an easy win for Logan. Logan Creed was very impressive in this Match showing us that he is more than just another big guy.

3 Stars


Video Package

Lifestyles of the rich and Dynastic: Alexander Hammerstone and Gino are drinking the Japanese Soda that Hammerstone a got sponsorship deal with. Then in comes Richard Holliday who starts to admonish Hammerstone for bringing Grogan/Gorgan into the Dynasty after some back and fourth they come to an agreement that it is all Mance Warners fault, and that they should take everything from him as revenge.

This is another excellent Dynasty segment and goes to show they don’t always need MJF, which is good as you have to believe MJF will go over to AEW full time when his MLW deal runs out.


MLW on Tour;

  • March 13th, AAA x MLW, Tijuana

  • April 18th, Intimidation Games, Chicago

  • May 2nd, Dallas, NYTEX Sprots Centre

  • July 16th, Never Say Never, New York

  • July 18th, Battle Riot 3, Philodelphia

Tickets Available at MLWTickets.com


PWI Top Ten MLW Wrestlers for the MLW Championship;

10. Dominic Garrini

9. Low Ki

8. Jimmy Havok

7. Richard Holliday

6. Tom Lawler

5. Mance Warner

4. Brian Pillman Jr

3. Myron Reed

2. Alexander Hammerstone

1. Davey Boy Smith Jr


Erick Stevens Vs Douglas James

Before the match kicks off there is a pre recorded promo from the debuting Erick Stevens, as he lays out his game plan for MLW, to “find the biggest, toughest guy in the place and challenge him”, saying that here, it is Davey Boy Smith, so he lays out a challenge for him.

Apparently there were very few people who wanted to step up and face Stevens in his debut match, but former MMA and Kick Boxer, Douglas James was happy to face the challenge of Stevens. Stevens attempts to bully James early on but James shows Stevens his technical prowess, Stevens is much more of a brawler there's not much pretty about his offence, he also seems to enjoys the pain from kicks he receives from James. Stevens begins to overwhelm James with his brawling style, James starts to counter with technical strikes of his own. Stevens tries to work a style similar to the Bruiserweight Pete Dunne, and is eventually overwhelms James, Stevens then picks up the win thanks to the Northern light suplex brainbuster, which he calls the Sarasota Screwdriver.

Decent debut for Stevens, he did great job getting his style over. I really like James, he looked good despite the defeat.

3 and Half Stars


Back Stage Incident

It would seem that Dynasty have started to take the revenge on Mance Warner, by attacking his uncle. However we only see the Dynasty passing Mance and letting him know that they have left him present round the corner.


Video Promos

Contra brag how they are the global dealers in violence, stating they’ve dispatched Ikuro Kwon to Japan to deal with Cima and the stronghearts. They then turn their attention to the upcoming AAA x MLW event in which they state no Lucha wants to dare to challenge them.

An interviewer catches Tom Lawler early in the day, he asked Tom on his opinion on the Von Erichs and Davey boy Smith’s new relationship and he states that it does not bother him. That he’d take out Davey Boy Smith with no issue, and as for their family legacy it was better in the past and should be left there.

Two weeks ago Injustice members Jordan Oliver, Kotta Brazil, and middleweight champion Myron Reed cost Brian Pillman Jr his championship shot. A camera crew catches up with them back stage straight after the event. They let Pillman know that its not over between them and that he should continue to watch his back.

Back stage, a camera team capture Jimmy Havok with Priscilla Kelly as he talks on his matches with Mance Warner, stating he’s happy leaving that to one side and that they will regroup to find their next victim of their brand of ultra violence.

These were all excellent promos, as none of them are obviously scripted, they all came off as true to their persona.


King Mo Vs Dr Dax

Before the Match kicks off we get replay of the back stage confrontation between King Mo and Low Ki over who will be knock out King at MLW. Dr Drax is a local competitor and he is big guy, he hits King Mo with couple of big shots which King Mo over sells, King Mo eventually manages to take Dr Dax’s back and lock in a rear naked choke for a tap out victory.

This was just a squash match and not a good one, King Mo does not seem natural in the ring despite his pedigree, and since his story line with Low Ki is about knock outs, why did this match finish with a submission.

Not Even worth rating.


Next Week on MLW

  • LA Park returns next week and will team with his son El Hjlo de LA Park against Contra Unit’s Joesf Samael and Simon Gotch in the first MLW Lumber Jack Match.

  • Laredo Kid and Zenshi team up to take on Injustice members Jordan Oliver and Kotta Barzil

  • Mance Warner will speak inside the ring.

Ross Von Erich Vs Tom Lawler (Grudge Match)

Tom Lawler comes to ring with a Cow Bell and a light up Cowboy hat, he is accompanied by his corner man (not named) who is riding a toy hobby horse, this of course angers the Dallas crowd, who then erupt with cheers as Ross Von Erich makes his way to the ring.

Ross comes out hard and fast and he is looking to punish Lawler for costing him his title shot, they spill outside the ring and Ross just continues to punish Lawler. Eventually its Lawler’s corner man who gives Tom a chance to take control of the match. In which he unleashes his MMA back ground with Knees an Suplexes before using some dirty tactics, such as choking Ross in the corner, he also spends time winding up the Texas crowd. Ross all of sudden fires up doing his best impression of the Hulkster with the no sell, but the crowd loves it and they fully support the Von Erich boy. The corner man gets involved once more, Ross lays him out. Out comes Domminic Garrini and he attacks Ross.

The match ends in a DQ. As they begin to double team Ross, out comes Marshall Von Erich to make the save and they get the upper hand. Suddenly out comes Erick Stevens, it would seem he is a new member of Team Filthy, as they beat down the Von Erichs 3 on 2, one fan throws a trash can at them from the crowd, which they then use as weapon. They then do unspeakable things to the Texas State flag, before throwing it into the trash can. The fans look ready to riot as Team Filthy slide out the ring and make their way to the back.

This was great Match the crowd were super into it, I thought there would be riot at the end. I’ve talked a lot about Marshal Von Erich being a stud with bright future ahead of him, and to be honest the same thing could be said about Marshall, he was excellent in this match. Tom Lawler really does play heel quite well, his legitimate back ground in MMA has transitioned perfectly to wrestling, I am sure MLW are happy he re signed.

4 Stars


Final Thoughts

Great show, overall the early matches were obvious squashes so they were short and sweet, the main event was excellent and fans were so into the match, I did not like the DQ finish at first but on second watching it was perfect way to finish the match. The Promos from some of the MLW roster are really good and with the likes of Injustice, Contra, Dynasty and Mance Warner they really have some really great talent. Everything that happened on this weeks show from the matches to the promos, everything helped to move storylines forward.

4 Stars


Andrew More

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