After successfully retaining his World Heavyweight Championship against Satoshi Kojima at Blood & Thunder, Killer Kross was here to address the fans. He encouraged anybody to step up to him right now, and looky here, the Skyscrapers walked through that door.
I didn’t think I’d see Bishop Dyer after they lost their Tag Team Championships to the Good Brothers, and he’s now US Champion on SmackDown, but his milk ass appeared. Donovan Dijak was hyping up his teammates with the kind of repetition I’m not fond of. Josh Bishop went straight to brawling with Kross after quickly re-introducing himself.
I even think Dijak and Dyer were surprised that that happened out of nowhere. Nevertheless, Kross was somewhat impressed if not bamboozled.
Our first fight of the evening was a Lightning match with Zamaya and Angélica Risk. Wasting little time, Zamaya was pouncing on Risk real quick as she shoved her by the throat into the turnbuckles. Those crossfaces were frightening to watch. Angélica was putting up some noticeable defensive moves, but were they up to par? Ha! Not really. That lariat complete stunned Risk, followed by a winning Death Valley Driver.
During an interview with Matt Riddle, the Rude Dude mentioned that he helped Killer Kross strategize a way to beat Kojima, so the champ owes him. To piggyback off that, Riddle announced that he will be entering this year’s Opera Cup Tournament that begins in four weeks.
I’m so glad more women are making their way to MLW and filling up the division. Corrine Joy and Jazzy Yang have made it as Shotzi welcomed them backstage by offering one of them a non-title match next week. Yang won the “Rock, paper, scissors” game they were playing, yet Lady Frost had to have her say.
Kushida vs. Trevor Lee (c) – MLW Southern Crown Championship match
Lee’s first title defence against someone commentary still won’t get over the fact that he’s changed, Kushida. The numbers game was a huge pain in the ass when Okumura would step in-between to help Kushida take a breather, and Trevor a missed chance to inflict any damage. As they return inside the ring, Kushida delivered a harsh kick to his opponent’s face.
Lee’s arm has been targeted and presumed to be a setup for the Hoverboard Lock. Lee was in trouble. Kushida tossed the champ outside, and Okumura took that as an opening to hammer a couple of blows to the neck. Trevor was literally tied up in the middle of the ring, having his left arm crushed in ways I’m not even sure how to describe while his face was being bulldozed as well.
Despite his limb being compromised, Trevor continued to fight, yet Kushida remained intact, so his strikes were far more impactful. That running armbar was brutal for Lee, but it wasn’t enough. Of course, CONTRA were pissed because they believe the count was too slow. Luckily, the champ retaliated with a clothesline. A backbreaker was painful, but not conclusive in putting Kushida away, so Lee floated into a half Boston crab.
Trevor had that submission in deep, so Okumura pulled Kushida to safety. A double collision paused the match. There’s been plenty of times where Trevor came close to retaining his title, yet Okumura was right there to spoil everything. Kushida was desperate that he used his martial arts belt to choke Trevor.
At some point, Lee kicked Okumura before he could stomp the absolute hell out of Kushida with a Cave-In. Lee may have won this match, but CONTRA has been hijacking the show. Their addition to the group just tore through Trevor, he might have broken some teeth. Security did as one would expect, barely a dent, as Ikuro Kwon and Big Damo descended as well.
Winner: Trevor Lee
Austin Aries (c) vs. Mistico vs. Averno – 3-Way MLW National Openweight Championship match
After the tomfoolery subsided, Averno and Austin temporarily team up to take out the “problem” being Mistico. The masked Luchador saw that coming and fought back the best he could. Mistico was dropped on a table by Averno. They targeted Mistico’s ribs, back, leg, as he’s being worn out flat.
No matter how many times Mistico found himself at a disadvantage, the fans kept chanting his name. A few moments, Aries and Averno have attempted multiple pin falls, but since this is a Handicap match pretending to be a 3-way, neither was willing to allow the other to succeed. Mistico witnessed their petty squabbling and leaped into action.
Mistico was left with Averno for a few minutes, he nearly got the win. Later on, Aries came swooping back in to save his title from ending up in someone else’s hands. A neckbreaker from Austin to Averno using the ropes looked messed up and indefinite. Mistico took down Averno was a tornado springboard, and Aries by pushing him face first into a post.
All three men were down for a bit, yet Aries decided to revel in his asinine behaviour by removing Mistico’s mask and put it on. They were unable to earlier. He retained with a brainbuster to Averno, while Mistico was far too shocked to intercept that.
Winner: Austin Aries
TOP PHOTO: Aries holding the title and the mask. Courtesy of MLW
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