Platt’s MLW Fusion Review & Report for 8/3/2018

⏰ Set an alarm! ⏰

We’re just 1️⃣ hour away from a monster episode of #MLWFusion!

Tonight: @JimmyHavoc vs @Brodyxking @deviousjourney vs @RealJackSwagger @TheSamiCallihan
vs. @StricklandShane @FlyinBrianJr makes his TV debut and MUCH MORE!https://t.co/2mX0yFSl8e pic.twitter.com/utKSNmNcZ0

— Major League Wrestling (@MLW) August 3, 2018

Greetings and Salutations! Tonight’s Fusion opens with a recap of Sami Callahan’s brutal attack on Shane Strickland.  Sami then cuts a promo explaining that he attacked his former friend for the money (fair enough). Next, we cut to Tony Schiavone and Matt Striker previewing tonight’s festivities including the main event with Swerve seeking revenge against Callahan.  I prefer this announce team. While I’m not the biggest Striker fan, it’s nice to have a traditional play by play and color commentator.

MATCH 1: BRODY KING VS. JIMMY HAVOC

We’re under way on #MLWFusion with @JimmyHavoc vs. @Brodyxking!

And we’re already brawling on the outside! Flying suicide dive/DDT combo from Havoc! pic.twitter.com/8EeUv58KhQ

— Major League Wrestling (@MLW) August 4, 2018

I really dig Havoc’s character. The only issue is that Aleister Black does it better.  Typical big guy vs little guy match with Havoc trying to chop King down to size.  Ultimately, Havoc picks up the win.

WINNER: JIMMY HAVOC

Excited for @FlyinBrianJr’s @MLW TV debut tomorrow night on @beINSPORTSUSA.  As @JRsBBQ would say, he’s a blue chipper with franchise potential. Tune in 8p for #MLWFusion. pic.twitter.com/Gs1NNwnfo0

— Court Bauer (@courtbauer) August 3, 2018

Up next we’re introduced to Brian Pillman Jr. The interview is interrupted by  Kevin Sullivan, who does a outstanding job of putting Jr over.  Pillman Jr is relatively new to the industry, but obviously is the seed of wrestling royalty. The cosign from The Taskmaster doesn’t hurt, but he still has huge shoes to fill. If he’s half the performer his dad was, he’ll be money.  Even still, I’d cut the faux mullet if I was him.

We then cut to Low Ki excepting his payoff from the Shane Strickland bounty from Salina de la Renta followed by Filthy Tom Lawler celebrating is Battle Riot victory.

MATCH 2: JAKE HAGER (W/ COL ROB PARKER) VS. SIMON GOTCH

Jake Hager puts Simon Gotch away with a HUGE boot to the face.

It’s a W for the #StudStable over #TeamFilthy … but we don’t believe these factions are done with each other … do you?#MLWFusion pic.twitter.com/BVgYM0RGEr

— Major League Wrestling (@MLW) August 4, 2018

Both The Dirty Blondes and Team Filthy were at ringside(though it didn’t play into the finish).  A shade above a squash match, with Hager(formally Jack Swagger) looking pretty strong. The finish comes with Hager delivering a boot to the face after being spat on by Gotch.

WINNER: JAKE HAGER

Kacey Jordan’s interview with Aria Blake is rudely interrupted by MJF to discuss next weeks middleweight title match versus Joey Janella(MJF is awesome btw).  Next we get the MLW Heavyweight Top 10 which is as follows:

10. ACH
9. Ray Fenix
8. Teddy Hart
7. John Hennigan
6. Jake Hager
5. Sami Callahan
4. Pentagon Jr.
3. Jimmy Havoc
2. Shane Strickland
1. Tom Lawler

I really like the top 10 gimmick. It reminds me of old school WCW and it goes a long way in presenting the product as a legitimate sport.

Konnan is shown backstage having a conversation with Fenix before being interrupted by Salina de la Renta who hastily pulls him away from K-Dawg. This is followed by a hype video for the incoming LA Park and what I believe to be the official breakup of Team TBD. I hope that’s it for them. Quit teasing it and break up already!

Next we find Teddy Hart, being Teddy Hart while confronting ACH and Rich Homie Swann backstage. Hart thinks the two are laughing at him and goes all Teddy Hart on them!

MAIN EVENT: SHANE ‘SWERVE’ STRICKLAND VS. SAMI CALLIHAN (W/DEATH MACHINES)

It’s main event time on #MLWFusion … @StricklandShane looking for revenge against @TheSamiCallihan! pic.twitter.com/QvLoTghvuH

— Major League Wrestling (@MLW) August 4, 2018

Callihan is one of the best pure heels in the business bar none! Swerve did a good job of playing up the knee injury which would factor in the finish.  It was a good tv main event. Ultimately, Callihan picks up the victory in what was a surprising finish in my view.

And a vicious piledriver from @TheSamiCallihan gives him a win over @StricklandShane … but we have a feeling this isn’t the end of the feud …

Thanks for joining us on #MLWFusion this week! pic.twitter.com/80LHn7fPXt

— Major League Wrestling (@MLW) August 4, 2018

WINNER: SAMI CALLIHAN

Overall all an okay show. Not terrible, but a bit of a letdown after the hot show that was Battle Riot. It was good to see Teddy Hart and be introduced to Pillman Jr. Next weeks show should be good with Joey Janela vs MJF and  John Hennigan vs the aforementioned Hart. If you haven’t yet, I highly recommend checking out Fusion as week in and week out, it’s one of the most entertaining hours of television.