MLW Underground Review – April 18, 2023
Kicking off this week’s Underground with a video package that recapped the calling card attacks and the unveiling of The Calling faction. It cut to footage of Alex Hammerstone & 2nd Gear Crew.
Backstage Davey Boy Smith Jr. drew his Battle Riot number while Sam Laterna stood by. She asked him for thoughts on his number. He said it doesn’t matter what the number is, he will win the match.
Footage aired from last week’s show of Smith defeating Alex Kane in the No Ropes Catch Wrestling Match. Joe Dombrowski noted that Smith regained control of the Opera Cup and promoted the tournament.
War Chamber Match
MLW World Champion Alexander Hammerstone & 2nd Gear Crew (1 Called Manders, Matthew Justice & Mance Warner) vs. The Calling (Akira, Delirious, Dr Cornwallis & Ricky Shane Page)
Ricky Shane Page & 1 Called Manders started the War Chamber Match with Page used the wrench that he brought to the ring with him. Manders ended up with the wrench and used it on Page. Manders wedged the wrench in the mouth of Page as the show cut to a break.
After the break Akira was the 2nd entrant for The Calling & he joins Page in double teaming Manders. Matthew Justice was the 3rd entrant for 2nd Gear Crew & Hammerstone.
Justice threw a chair at Akira & Page. Manders recovered and also worked over Akira & Page with a chair of his own & the 3rd entrant for The Calling was Delirious & they work over Justice & Manders.
MLW World Champion Alexander Hammerstone was the 3rd entrant for his team. Hammerstone suplexes Akira and powerbombed Delirious onto Page and then Akira. The final entrant for The Calling was Dr Cornwallis & The Calling dominated.
Mance Warner was the final entrant for 2nd Gear Crew & Hammerstone. They cut to a break shortly after he entered the cage. After another break Hammerstone was down in the ring while 2nd Gear Crew did a steel chair toast and then threw chairs at 2nd Gear Crew.
They cut to a split screen shot. Hammerstone was helped to the back, leaving his team short-handed. Justice smokes Page with a chair to the head then the gas mask henchmen walked to the ring and pulled a table out from underneath the ring.
After a 3rd break the table ended up inside the cage. Manders set up a couple of chairs back to back on top of the table. Page stood on the top rope then Warner suplexes him onto the chairs and through the table.
Warner went for the pin but Delirious leapt from the top rope and broke up the pin. Justice followed up with a top rope splash of his own before Page hits Justice with a DDT to get the win.
Winners: The Calling (27:30)
After the match The Calling joins Raven on the stage.
Dombrowski & Matt Striker spoke about Featherweight Champion Taya Valkyrie dodging Delmi Exo previously.
A brief Exo promo aired. Exo said Valkyrie had a foot out the door and added that she’s coming for the Featherweight Title.
Footage aired of Valkyrie declining to speak to an MLW camera crew.
An ambulance was shown arriving at the building while Dombrowski said they would speak with Bauer after the break.
A video package touted the return of of the flagship MLW Fusion returning this summer. Graphics listed no billionaires, no paid hype, just hardcore to the f’n bone. It also touted no rules and anything goes.
Sam Laterna interviewed Court Bauer in the backstage area and asked for an update on Alexander Hammerstone. Bauer said Hammerstone was in a lot of pain. He said he’s known Hammerstone for half a decade and he’s never seen him like this. Laterna asked if there would be an interim MLW World Champion crowned. Bauer said he doesn’t like that sort of thing. She asked if the MLW World Title could be vacated and a new MLW World Champion could be crowned via the Battle Riot match.
Alex Kane showed up and yelled Bomaye before Bauer could answer. Kane said it seemed like Bauer needed to crown the uncrowned king of MLW. Davey Boy Smith Jr shows up and recalled beating Kane when they last met. Kane punches Smith. Mr. Thomas got involved and then a bunch of wrestlers started brawling.
A video package hyped the Battle Riot match for next week’s show and listed a number of the entrants to close out this week’s Underground.
