MLW Battle Riot ***Official Thread*** Full TV Special Uploaded to YT for Free on Pg. 2
 

2 hr show -- MLW's first big event, at the Melrose Ballroom (where Bound For Glory will be held) in NYC.

Will air on BeIn Sports at 8 Eastern/7 Central and then be uploaded to YouTube tomorrow night.

Good to hear that Tony Shiavone has work. I'm a fan of Low Ki, despite some of the weird things he does to burn bridges, so I'm glad he's got a belt somewhere too.

This match sounds pretty cool

Is Joey Ryan going to flip 39 dudes with his dong at one time?

It's almost guaranteed he'll do it. Do Court Bauer and MSL book it? MSL seems like the sort of dude who would be against the dong flip, but whether or not it makes the show remains to be seen.

Of that list, I hope Morrison wins.

How can famous dick wrestler Joey Ryan be in this when he was murdered by Hangman Page?

Famous zombie dick wrestler Joey Ryan.

MLW probably hired Papa Shango to bring back Joey Ryan undead or not.

Good camera work so far

OMG it feels so nice to hear Tony Schiavone again

Him and Striker make a good team I think.

Cool Promo Video for LA Park

Joey Ryan cutting a promo he had to 'cut the baby oil' for tonight

Is "Bein Sports" on DirecTV Now

I'll check I guess

Just want to see how the venue looks...

Simon Gotch and other people IDK drawing numbers for Battle Royal

Looks good IMO

Video Screen set-up/Camera Work is good
Tony <3 <3 <3

Don't have that channel on DirecTV Now it seems

NJPW is on "AXS TV" though

Where U watching MLW

It's in their sports package that's like $4.99 a month I believe.

Edit: Its $13.99 a month but you get every regional sports channel in the country. Games are usually blacked out though unless it your home market.

SLING

I watch NJPW on AXS too! What match is happening r/n on AXS?

Tony 'Has Never Witnessed Arrogance Like This' in his 'Entire Life'

re: MJF

Good Scarf on MJF

Really don't get MLW's weight divisions but its pro wrestling so who cares.

Entrance + Tony calling a pinfall


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BATTLERIOT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BATTLERIOT</a> <a href="https://t.co/dF7u3SObIK">pic.twitter.com/dF7u3SObIK</a></p>&mdash; Kenton (@TheKentonLane) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheKentonLane/status/1023006807638401024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https:/<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tony calls the 1-2-3 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLWFusion?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MLWFusion</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BATTLERIOT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BATTLERIOT</a> <a href="https://t.co/okJSbWi9ZZ">pic.twitter.com/okJSbWi9ZZ</a></p>&mdash; Kenton (@TheKentonLane) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheKentonLane/status/1023007078510669824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tony calls the 1-2-3 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLWFusion?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MLWFusion</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BATTLERIOT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BATTLERIOT</a> <a href="https://t.co/okJSbWi9ZZ">pic.twitter.com/okJSbWi9ZZ</a></p>&mdash; Kenton (@TheKentonLane) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheKentonLane/status/1023007078510669824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Battle Royal happening r/n...on entrant #4 and a new person every 60 seconds but also STREET FIGHT rules allowed


Also I agree w/ this tweet

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Brings me back to WCW. I appreciate how its a simple, straight ahead show.</p>&mdash; Will Mahoney (@HeelWillMahoney) <a href="https://twitter.com/HeelWillMahoney/status/1023007841798549504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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First time seeing 'Filthy' Tom Lawlor

Kenny from Spirit Squad surprise entrant

Is Pentagon in every non-WWE promotion?

Only complaint so far is lots of commercial breaks

but

commercials breaks are way shorter it seems

Kevin Sullivan has entered the Battle Riot!

Hornswoggle entering now

Hornswoggle just gave Pentagon a German Suplex

You can be eliminated by pinfall or being thrown over the top rope

omg barrington hughes is gigantic

Barrington Hughs is my favorite MLW wrestler.

Very fast paced match so far, #18 entering next

Heard alot about Fred Yehi but didn't know he was black.

Teddy Hart #20

20 more wrestlers to go...Kid Ref calling the action in the ring

Tom Lawlor seems like 'the star' of the match


Mikey from Spirit Squad just entered

I'm glad he didn't last long with that whistle.

h8 sami callihan

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Blue Meanie has Tony excited<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLWFusion?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MLWFusion</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BattleRiot?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BattleRiot</a> <a href="https://t.co/7KTTlbOR0E">pic.twitter.com/7KTTlbOR0E</a></p>&mdash; Kenton (@TheKentonLane) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheKentonLane/status/1023016086743261184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Sami Callihan is great. Feel like his Death Machine faction in MLW is almost exactly like OVE in Impact. Not sure if those two in Death Machine are from Ohio though.

Tony/Matt Striker good on commentary

very lighthearted but fun -- which is how I'd describe the whole show so far

BOBBY JAGGERS JR has entered the Battle Riot

Where is Shisen Kopf?!

These guys using their WWE names is odd. Has WWE let them or does MLW just not give a shit.

John Morrison/Impact/Hennigan #39

Jaker Hager doesn't get to use his WWE name. Makes those others even weirder but I guess they were not tely anything bifmg so they don't mind.

Nitro/Mundo

Triple A and everyone else who doesn't have beIN you can watch this tomorrow on youtube starting at 6:05.

I can't wait I guarantee I will be able to hear myself. I'm super f'n loud and it's such a small space. Glad you are enjoying the show Slik and Simple Fan.

Battle Royal down to Jack Swagger/Filthy Tom Lawlor

Lawler had a hell a performance but I was pulling for Jake Hager. Just gmfeel like he'd be a great World Heaveyweight Champion for MLW. Tom Lawler vs Low Ki should be a fight as well.

Venue is small and Impact has a bit bigger set up than MLW so they might have even less space. I think Impact can make it look pretty good though.

MLW has nice championships, way better than Impact's new ones.

Good opening video


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Great opening video for MLW <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BATTLERIOT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BATTLERIOT</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLWFusion?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MLWFusion</a> <br><br>Check it out <a href="https://twitter.com/TheCiaranJames?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheCiaranJames</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DrJonoSuave?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrJonoSuave</a> <a href="https://t.co/8GXoZuHkC9">pic.twitter.com/8GXoZuHkC9</a></p>&mdash; Kenton (@TheKentonLane) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheKentonLane/status/1023026140598951936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Tony intro'ing Matt Striker


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tony and Matt worked great together<br>Light-hearted, Fun and Fast-Paced show<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BattleRiot?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BattleRiot</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLWFusion?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MLWFusion</a> <a href="https://t.co/two8bxfkQ1">pic.twitter.com/two8bxfkQ1</a></p>&mdash; Kenton (@TheKentonLane) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheKentonLane/status/1023026742028644354?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Package Shoulder breaker by <a href="https://twitter.com/The_MJF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@The_MJF</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLFusion?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MLFusion</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLWBattleRiot?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MLWBattleRiot</a><a href="https://twitter.com/MLW?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MLW</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/beINSPORTS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#beINSPORTS</a> <a href="https://t.co/9ZWorq5i4R">pic.twitter.com/9ZWorq5i4R</a></p>&mdash; Jocay ���� (@Jocay19) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jocay19/status/1023005551301681152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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It's very small. The Observer reported something like 947 sold out Battle Riot. No possible way did that happen. They set up for 200 seated maybe MAYBE 300 but trust me it wasn't. And standing you could fit another 200. I work for a similar but much larger venue in NYC and I know what 1,000 people look like and they were nowhere close to that. I'd say 500 at best and that would be including staff.

was that just a one time thing with matt striker, he is so much better then rich. hope they keep striker that's a good team of tony and striker.

No he's full time MLW now.

I haven't seen MLW yet, but MSL (who I imagine is involved) is a big fan of WCW, boxing and trying to inject realism into wrestling, to some degree. If there are weight classes and an attempt to pass it off as a sport, I imagine that's largely a philosophy he would be on board with.

Almost as many replies as the Raw thread. Good for MLW.

good they are so much better then the wwe people

The thing that bothers me about MLW weight divisions is simply that the Middleweight champion is easily 30-40lbs heavier than their Heavyweight Champion. Lo Ki is not a heavyweight, so they need to address this quickly and get the strap off of him and onto Lawlor. Even then though Lawlor is just barely a Heavyweight. He fights at 185 and 205 in UFC. So he walks around probably 220... which yeah I guess that works in today's age of small wrestlers but still...

On another topic. Simon Gotch, who bought the rights to that name a few months ago, is all body fat. I couldn't believe the amount of fat on his body, it's really odd. When I saw him in person it was such an odd sight to see. I remember reading that WWE was down on him because he was fat but I was like "WTF are you talking about he's not fat", well he is.

On another topic, I'm not sold when it comes to Lawlor's mic skills to be "the top guy" in MLW. I haven't seen Battle Riot on TV yet, I'll watch it on youtube later but his promo came off like such a dick when they are obviously trying to push him as a babyface. I understand he is "Filthy" but he cut a heel promo for sure. So if they wanted to they should've just kept the belt on Strickland, who is much closer to Heavyweight than Low Ki, and had Lawlor build a match with him as a heel, and then after the match do a handshake and push him babyface.

that's the bad thing about mlw no one has bein good thing for youtube

Yeah that's what I really don't get about their weight divisions and why I was pulling for Hager. I'm all for having weight divisions but when your middleweight champion is heavier than the heaveyweight champion what's the point?

MLW just asked for questions on Twitter so I asked them (for the second time) to clarify.

The thing about MJF that is good for MLW is that WWE already has EC3 and body development aside there like no difference between them.

Yo, have they really put up every episode of the show on YouTube?

yep

I saw MJF's entrance, and he looks like he is supposed to be playing a cocky heel. It makes sense for him to be bigger than the smaller Heavyweight Champ. I do get the mental objection, but I think it's how you go about this. Cruiserweights in the WWE never work, because they always present it as a lower division and are never going to tell stories around it. Low Ki fighting out of his weight class because he's that experienced/good and a heel that is bigger than him slumming it in that division could be a potential story. I'd bear them out on this.

I like Hager enough, but he really does have that WWE stank on him. They're trying to wash it off and make him a deal because of his fight deals and amateur background (which is wise), but it's also a good idea to not smash TAFKA Jack Swagger over everyone on your roster either. Him being rejuvenated and hungry but still having to sharpen his skills to hang with the very best is probably a good position for him. For now. The match coming down between him and Hager is probably foreshadowing to where the belt is going.

There's lots MLW are doing that I really like, on paper. I can appreciate the booking moves and the way they are trying to get their product out and get feedback to fine-tune it. If it's on YouTube, I think I'll go and check it out.

I'm watching on Youtube and Joey Ryan said he had to cut 5lbs to make 205 so the Middleweight limit is 205.

Here is the full show, a little over 90 minutes, they uploaded it for free on YouTube:



<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k1j8A8GxvCw" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Ssems about right for a middleweight championship. Still weird to have cruiserweights as your heaveyweight champion though. Low Ki and Shane Strickland should be nowhere near the heaveyweight division.

I'd go everyone below 200 lbs is a cruiserweight with 200-215lbs for middleweight and above 215lbs would be the heaveyweights.

Their roster is pretty much ex WWE and ROH guys with a mix of current Impact guys and some young independent talent. It feels like its All In on weekly basis because you never know who's going to show up. Hager is the best guy on the roster out of the bunch though and would make a great heaveyweight champion, atleast way better than Low Ki.

When I was there live, Hager did a one on one with Simon Gotch and I couldn't believe how unspectacular Hager was. He has no charisma and no psychology. He played well in Battle Riot but he is not a top guy. The best "heavyweight" they have might be Lawlor. Another option is Sami Calihan. As I'm watching Battle Riot, Hager comes off a lot better on TV but man I tell you truly, live he was a zero.

He's looked pretty good on Lucha Underground as well but who doesn't.

I think when Low Ki faces Lawlor we will get the best MLW main event so far. Lawlor really has that strong style and obviously Low Ki is one of the originators of today's indie spirit so I expect Low Ki to make Lawlor shine. Lawlor is looking really good in Battle Riot. I'm at the last of it now with just Tom and Jake. Just like it was live this is the best part of the match.

I gotta say while I am very excited that Bound For Glory is so easily accessible to me, seeing this on TV, this venue is way to small for Impact's "flagship" PPV. But I understand they gotta do what they gotta do and it won't affect the show.

This is a post I made at F4Wonline.com the night of the show. I stood behind production and one of the board members asked me if I saw anything cool...

I agree and I think Impact will have a better looking set for the show but it might cost them some seating. I thought they should have had it in Mexico City with all the AAA talent being so heavily featured. Anything is better than Universal Studios though.

Oh shit if they could sell Arena Mexico that would be the ultimate.

If they keep the momentum they have I think they could do it next year.

“40 entrants, street fight rules apply, all weapons are legal

*only one person in the entire match uses a weapon*

Found it really boring, if I’m being honest. But I wish them well because more places for people to work is always a good thing.

Hager seems like he would be better in the tag team with someone with more dynamic than he is.

It reminded me a WCW/SmackDown hybrid in that it was so lighthearted and non-stressful to watch...the opposite of RAW which always feels like it 'needs your attention' and the angles are 'big and serious'...RAW is the 'grimdark' of wrestling shows IMO.

I kind of want wrestling I don't have to invest much into these days tbh...which probably sounds weird but it makes sense in my head.

Agreed, that was weird.

That's an interesting thought process you've got going on there. I'm sure it does make sense to you, but I'd disagree, if only semantically, because I don't think Raw requires any attention at all. I actually think you get punished for paying attention. But I do agree that it's way too much of a chore.

I wish they took it more seriously, to be honest. Raw recently had a giant goof named "Braun Strowman" bully a fat geek in a t-shirt into a port-a-potty and push him off a stage so he got covered in blue goo. That's not exactly what I associate with "dark." Something tonally feels very drab about it. Your main guy is a mopey dude in black riot gear who speaks in monotone. Everyone speaks in monotone. I can get your point there. The shows also probably do have a "watch this next, watch this next" annoying desperate plea to watch feel to them too.

I'm not trying to be argumentative, I just find different interpretations of the product interesting. Raw has had this sense of being the "shit show" for the longest time for me. I think that's why when people talk about the brand split, they have this idea of SmackDown being the "wrestling show," even though there is no real reason to frame it that way in the modern era.

I think what I meant by calling RAW grimdark was 'tonally drab' and the pace of the show 'creeps along'

Yeah, I'm with that.

H8 Jack Swagger so much, mostly based on his WWE gimmick being my personal most hated gimmick of all time

Watched some clips of MLW, seems good

Saw some "flamboyant gay wrestler" vs. some huge big fat guy, then "Su Yung" came out and attacked them both

Then Joey Ryan vs. some guy with a "rich guy" gimmick

Was very good and "campy," which is something that I like a lot

Feel like it would be very fun to see live... might go to the next show when they come here

The Patriot gimmick? Why do you hate it so much (genuinely curious)?

Just incredibly "insufferable" to me

But also I think I started watching wrestling again late into his WWE run, so mostly just saw him doing his fucking stupid "we the people" catch phrase and Zeb Colter saying racist things about Mexicans and he was supposed to be a face I guess? Was just like "jesus christ... what is this..."

"Cute girl" in front row of this show imo... w/ the glasses

Haha, that's fair enough. I missed the initiation of the character. I tuned out for a couple of weeks and I came back and Del Rio was magically a babyface and the World Champion and Jack Swagger was with Dutch Mantel and I was like "Whaaa?"

It's like it was a gimmick that was supposed to get genuine heat, but people a) Didn't get it and cheered, b) Got it and cheered, and a little bit of c) They are scared of heat so they eventually softened it up/made it just your usual racist or patriotic babyface gimmick.

Enormous insanely fat guy in the battle royal... nice

"Barrington Hughes"

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DSqlOg-WkAA02sf.jpg:small

Barrington Hughes seems 'really cool' IMO

I feel bad for Barrington Hughes’ toilet