MLW Fusion results: Von Erichs vs. Los Parks, Mil Muertes debuts

The Big Takeaways:

Los Parks defeated The Von Erichs to win the MLW Tag Team Titles with more than a little help from special referee “Filthy” Tom Lawlor while Mil Muertes made his promotional debut.

Show Review:

Salina de la Renta was executive producer for this episode and was heavily featured throughout. She seems to be building a new stable after Promociones Dorado crumbled towards the end of 2019 when LA Park lost his Battle Riot-earned title shot to Jacob Fatu.

Low Ki defeated Budd Heavy (:08)

Ki looked to bounce back after his Opera Cup final loss to Tom Lawlor and did he ever. As the bell sounded, he ran and slammed Heavy with a swinging right arm, knocking him clean out for the quick knockout win. Ki called out King Mo afterward and told he and Dan Lambert that the medical attention Ki needed after Mo’s last attack has not been forgotten.

— While his single “Do You Remember?” played in the background, Lio Rush said that his newly won MLW Middleweight title proves that he is the right man in the right place at the right time. Former champion Myron Reed seems to have his next feud lined up already as he and Jordan Oliver called out CONTRA after they jumped them backstage last week at Kings of Colosseum as Reed was coming to terms after his loss.

— Rich Bocchini and Jared St. Laurent were supposed to be joined by Konnan but said they couldn’t find him. De La Renta came in and called for the tapes to roll where she insinuated he was dead and blamed him for making her unleash Muertes on the world. She threatened vengeance on everyone in MLW who has ever wronged her.

— Mads Krugger challenged Alex Hammerstone to another match for the National Openweight title, but this time “in the deep CONTRA underground.” Hammerstone later responded by saying he was in a marathon with the World heavyweight title being at the finish line. He called Krugger a hurdle in the marathon that he was going to jump over or kick it down.

Mil Muertes (w/ Salina de la Renta) defeated Brian Pillman Jr. (3:26)

This was Salina’s first in-ring appearance of the restart era and her storyline seems to be centered around building a new revised Promociones Dorado faction with Muertes as a central focus. She summoned Muertes from the Aztec ruins and the commentary team told us Muertes has so much hate for the world that De La Renta loves having him under her control.

One of Muertes’ tactics is to repeatedly strike a body part again and again and after clubbing Pillman with dozens of blows to the chest and neck, he finished him with a downward spiral called Straight to Hell.

This was Pillman’s first appearance since his unsuccessful Middleweight title challenge against then-champion Myron Reed. With his loss here, no ongoing storyline in MLW and his AEW team with Griff Garrison, it doesn’t take an expert to put 2+2 together regarding his future.

— A reminder of MLW’s partnership with IWA: Puerto Rico aired before Richard Holliday was back to calling out Savio Vega, calling him “Fraudeo Vega” and challenging him to a match for the IWA Caribbean title he holds.

— The Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 10 MLW contenders this week: Laredo Kid dropped two places to 10; ACH dropped two places to 9 even though he has a title shot lined up next week; Myron Reed dropped three spots to 8; Mads Krugger is up three to 7; 6 is Richard Holliday; 5 is the new Middleweight champion Lio Rush while LA Park (4), Low Ki (3), Tom Lawlor (2) and Alex Hammerstone (1) remain unchanged to round off the top 10. 

Bocchini broke the news to De La Renta that Promociones Dorado had been acquired which she had no idea about. She swore and stormed off.

Los Parks (LA Park & Hijo de LA Park w/ Salina de la Renta) defeated MLW Tag Team Champions The Von Erichs (Marshall and Ross) to win the titles (10:36)

Tom Lawlor’s Filthy Island is coming to MLW on February 17th, but the leader of Team Filthy had official business to take care of tonight as he officiated this tag title match featuring his fierce rivals, the Von Erichs.

The commentary team played up the odds being stacked against the Von Erichs. The match was under tornado tag rules and no disqualification. If anyone had any doubts over Lawlor calling things right down the middle, he deliberately got in the way and blatantly blocked the champions’ view as Los Parks jumped them before the bell even rang.

The tornado style brawling action continued as Lawlor tried to play up all the favorite heel referee traits, but the no disqualification rules hindered that slightly.

However, he was able to stall Marshall Von Erich as he rallied back against LA Park, which of course let LA recover, catch his breath, and fight back. He then brought out the slow cadence for the attempted pins for the Von Erichs and super fast counts for Los Parks. Lawlor even faked a cramp to stop counting to three for the champions.

The exchanges between Ross Von Erich and Hijo were brilliant while they lasted, and when Lawlor took a tumble out the ring toward the end of the match, he had the match won with a visual pinfall after a Claw slam.

De La Renta interfered and sprayed mace in Ross’ eyes and LA speared both Von Erichs. LA Park Jr (who was dressed identically to LA Park) got involved too and Lawlor was right there to roll in the ring and make the fast three count to give Los Parks the win and the titles.

Next Week:

• MLW World Heavyweight Champion Jacob Fatu defends against ACH