Former UFC fighter and former MLW World Heavyweight Champion ‘Filthy’ Tom Lawlor was victorious in his in-ring debut for NJPW.
On NJPW’s Lion’s Break Collision, Lawlor fought NJPW veteran and LA Dojo coach, trainer Rocky Romero.
Lawlor sought to intimidate Romero right out of the gate backing him into a corner and raising a fist to his face.
Romero and Lawlor exchanged chops with Lawlor demanding more punishment.
“Come on! I love it, baby!” he yelled.
Romero stood Lawlor up in a corner lighting him up with chop after chop.
Lawlor gets in Rocky’s face. Courtesy: NJPW.
Lawlor trapped Romero on the mat laying in kick after kick forcing Romero to cover up as best he could. A cobra twist from Romero took a lot out of Lawlor and so does a DDT off the ropes.
Romero’s momentum was cut short though when Lawlor locked him in a Bararm Sleeper hold and he submitted.
UFC fans might remember when Lawlor dressed as The Shockmaster during a weigh-in in 2012.
Lawlor was suspended in 2107 for two years for failing a drug test. Lawlor had tested positive for Ostarine. Two months before his suspension was to end Lawlor was released from UFC. He left with a 6-5 record.
Lawlor makes Romero submit. Courtesy: NJPW.
“Rocky Romero was just one of many who have the bad idea, the wrong idea that they can step in against me a trained martial artists and one of the toughest guys on the planet for the last 15 years,” growled Lawlor in a post-match interview.
Jeff Cobb made a surprise appearance rushing the ring after the opening tag team match and getting a few shots in on not only Karl Fredericks but Clark Connors too.
Clark Connors, Karl Fredericks versus The DKC and Misterioso
Clark Connors grounds Misterioso. Courtesy: NJPW.
Misterioso comes out wearing a Scott Steiner like chainmail coif. Fredericks demands to start the match since he is not a Young Lion any longer. DKC doesn’t break cleanly in the ropes. Fredericks makes him pay with a series of nasty kicks. Connors slams DKC over and over to the mat until Misterioso flies in. Connors is outclassed by Misterioso who hits a springboard plancha off the apron and onto Connors on the floor. Connors and Misterioso get into a chop showdown until Fredericks tags in. Misterioso flies over the top rope taking out Connors leaving DKC and Fredericks to fight it out. Fredericks pins with his spiking elevated DDT.
Winners: Clark Connors, Karl Fredericks
Match Rating: 3.5 / 5
Rocky Romero versus ‘Filthy’ Tom Lawlor
Winner: ‘Filthy’ Tom Lawlor
Match Rating: 3.5 / 5
Lion's Break Collision Episode #3
The best episode yet despite there being no opening interview segment this week. A decent tag team match. I cannot wait to see more of Misterioso. Clark Connors reminds me of another stocky Benoit or Dynamite Kid. The main event featured some great technical wrestling and then some out and out brutality.