This Week on MLW 19/01/2020

The Opera Cup tournament came to a close on this weeks MLW with Davey Boy Smith Jr facing off against fellow Hart Foundation member, Brian Pillman Jr and was the main event of the show. Davey Boy Smith Jr had made his way to the final with impressive performances against Loki in the first round and Alexander Hammerstone in the Semi Final. Brian Pillman Jr was considered the underdog of the tournament but managed to make his way to the final with an excellent match against the “Cruisergreat” TJ Perkins, and despite Injustice’s best attempt to take him out of the competition, Brian Pillman not only made it to the match but he gained a well fought pin fall over Timothy Thatcher. To kick off the show proper, the opening match was contested for the MLW Middleweight title, El Lindaman of the Strong Hearts of OWE (Oriental Wrestling Entertainment) Vs Injustice member and current MLW Middleweight Champion Myron Reed. Myron Reed was of course accompanied to ring by his Injustice cohorts, Kotto Brazil and Jordan Oliver, they attempted to help their fellow stable member but were taken out by a couple of amazing dives from the 5ft 3inch star over the top rope. Despite taking out Myron’s back up out, he was unable to get the better of him, and Myron Reed landed an incredible array of some jumping and diving Cutters followed by spring board 450 for the pin. We then had an interview segment with Alicia talking to Brian Pillman Jr to get us hyped for tonights Main event, this followed by a promo from former MMA star King Mo and video segment promoting next weeks main event, a barb wire match between Mance Warner and Jimmy Havok, Up next fans were treated to another brilliant obnoxious promo/segment featuring the Dynasty, as members MJF, Richard Holliday and Alexander Hammerstone welcome there newest recruit “Intocable” Gino Medina as they laugh about how they put a beat down on Latin legend Konnan. This leads us into our second match up of the show a street fight between Gino Medina and Puerto Rico Legend Savio Vega. The Match up starts with Savio Vega showing of the martial arts back ground he has, (flash backs to when he was Kwang early in his career in the WWE), showing people how to actually use a kendo stick. Savio is looking for some revenge for what Medina and the Dynasty did to Konnan. Chairs, stop signs, pizza trays and many other weapons are deployed by both guys. Gino’s new found friends the Dynasty worked themselves into the match causing a distraction and allowing him to pick up the win following a low blow. The Next segment leads us into the main event, as we have an interview with Davey Boy Smith Jr as he talks about his family and friendship as mentor to Pillman. This followed by video package talking about the History of the Opera Cup and how Davey Boy Smiths grandfather, the legendary Stu Hart, was the last winner of the Opera Cup 71 years ago. The main event kicks off, finally the final of the Opera Cup is here, Brian Pillman Jr is being labelled as underdog as he has been all tournament. He is still sporting a shoulder injury picked up in the first match vs TJ Perkins, which was made worse by the attack from injustice and his semi final against Tim Thatcher. Davey Boy Smith Jr is motivated by his family’s legacy, as he uses his significant power advantage to gain the control of the match, but Brian as the underdog keeps fighting back and Davey Boy just cannot seem put the younger Brian away. Despite all his efforts and all of the kick outs and fight backs, Brian just cannot get past Davey Boy’s strength and experience as Davey Boy locks in the Crossface to get the submission victory and is crowned the first winner of the Opera cup in 71 years. Opinion This was great episode of MLW this week, the Opera Cup has been presented excellent throughout with some great matches along the way and the final was no different, a truly excellent match that I would definitely give 4 stars. I am not fan of the amount of hardcore matches MLW tend to have, and the Match between Gino and Savio was as expected, this match was just a bad match. I would much rather see Gino in normal one on one match with anyone other than Savio I give this a 1 star review. However the opening Match between Myron Reed and El Lindaman was an action packed fast paced opener with a couple of excellent spots a decent 3 and half star match. As always MLW is free to watch on youtube.