Although I could do without the seizure-inducing opening to the show, MLP Mayhem’s premiere had the promotion hitting the ground running. They sure as hell packed a lot into that 40 minutes.
Your Mayhem commentators Mauro Ranallo and Don Callis in the ring. Callis is introduced as “AEW’s Maestro Of Malice”.
“Daddy’s back!” replied Callis.
Just a reminder folks, don’t trust any man who doesn’t wear socks with his shoes.
Ranallo called MLP the ultimate proving ground for superstars from all over the world.
The crowd chants:
MLP! MLP! MLP!
Stu Grayson (MLP Interim Canadian Champion) (c) versus Jonathan Gresham – MLP Canadian Championship Match
In case you missed it, Grayson is the “interim” champion because recognized champ Josh Alexander is injured. Grayson heads into the crowd raising the belt high in the air. Nice to see Sam Leterna as MLP’s ring announcer. She totally deserves this spotlight. As he is making his way to the ring, Grayson puts his hand out to Scott D’Amore’s mom who is at ringside and then pulls his hand back. She swats him on the shoulder as he goes by. An irritated Gresham turns around and playfully threatens the woman. Heels will be heels, after all. They bury the hatchet with “mom” giving him an air kiss on the cheek. Awww.
The crowd chants…
Stu! Stu! Stu!
…as they lock up.
Gresham gets a quick two count with a roll-up after trying to put Grayson in a Fujiwara armbar. Grayson takes Gresham down with a shoulder tackle. Gresham wonders which city bus hit him.
Both men exchange chops. A Frankensteiner and a drop kick sends Gresham to the apron. Grayson splashes Gresham and then sits beside him on the apron mocking his agony.
“Ravenous” Rohan Raja who has the PWA Champion’s Grail is seen watching the match on a monitor in the back with his manager Aurora Teves.
Gresham offers to shake Grayson’s hand. What does Gresham think this is? 1972? The shake hands and Gresham tries to kick Grayson in the stomach but Grayson blocks him. Grayson chops Gresham, tackles him in corner and dumps him with a backdrop driver.
Gresham fakes a back injury so he can work over Grayson’s legs and knees with all manner of submissions.
Gresham climbs to the top rope. Grayson meets him there with a suplex. A running knee strike from Grayson and a Torture Rack into the Nightfall Backbreaker.
Winner: …and still MLP Canadian Champion, Stu Grayson.
Raja addresses us, the camera and Grayson. He isn’t impressed or entertained at all by Grayson. He calls himself the “standard bearer”. He promises to take down the champ.
A segment with MLP Canadian Women’s Champion, Gisele Shaw. She’s carried the division since the start and it belongs to her.
Psycho Mike’s second grade school teacher chats about his student and his intensity. We see pics of Mike with “crazy eyes”. He was a “little bit different from the other kids.”
Gama Singh Jr. chats with us from the middle of the ring. He prides himself on being the only second generation star in the company. His dad was always hated and disrespected. He tells everyone to shut up when he talks. Johnny Swinger is on the apron the entire time encouraging his pal.
Out comes Rhino.
Gama Singh Jr. versus Rhino
Singh attacks Rhino from behind. Rhino takes him down with shoulder tackles and elbow smashes. GORE!
Winner: Rhino
A promo from First Faction, the tag team champions. Brent Banks and Sheldon Jean don’t need anyone’s approval or respect. The old guard has fallen.
A segment with Grayson. He is feeling the pressure as a symbol of excellence. “Canadian pro-wrestling cannot mess this up.”
Grizzled Young Veterans versus Jessie Bieber and Johnny Deluca
The Veterans win with their double Codebreaker.
Winners: Grizzled Young Veterans
Johnny TV segment. When a network wants star power they know who to call. He picks through Skittles in his dressing room tossing the colours he doesn’t like. I almost didn’t recognize him without the long hair. He claims to be MLP’s leading man. He calls TJP a “supporting star”. He looks like the “final boss in an energy drink commercial”.
Johnny TV is definitely a big win for MLP.
Alice Crowley versus Gisele Shaw (c) – MLP Canadian Women’s Championship Match
Crowley takes it to the champion throughout most of the bout. Shaw wins with a devastating knee strike.
Winner: Gisele Shaw
Stu Grayson is seen outside. Someone is laid out on the ground in the parking lot. It is Aurora Teves!
Raja attacks him from behind. Grayson fights back but is slammed into a bunch of extra barricades. Raja tries to push an equipment case into Grayson. Grayson hurdles it and drop kicks Raja. Grayson gets the upperhand in this brawl but Teves punches him in the “lower abdomen” from behind. Raja throws Grayson into the side of a truck. Grayon land on the equipment case.
“So, this is Mayhem, huh? Welcome to my kingdom!” Raja spits in Grayson’s face.
