Rob Van Dam, Raj Dhesi among surprise debuts at MLW Battle Riot VII

Major League Wrestling’s Battle Riot VII on Saturday night marked the first time the MLW World Championship was defended in the match.

Entering at number 25, champion Matt Riddle successfully defended his title in the 40-person Rumble-style gauntlet. The story going into the match was that Riddle was dealing with broken ribs following an earlier attack by Dijak and the debuting Bishop Dyer (formerly known as Baron Corbin).

Rob Van Dam made his MLW debut, entering at number 40. He and Riddle briefly worked together to eliminate Dyer and Dijak, leaving them as the final two. After hitting a Rolling Thunder, RVD climbed to the top rope for the Five Star Frog Splash, but Riddle recovered and shoved him off the turnbuckle and to the floor.

Riddle is now the first two-time winner and the first to win in back-to-back years.

Also making their MLW debuts in the match were former WWE Champion Raj Dhesi (fka Jinder Mahal) and Chris Adonis.

Former MLW World Champion Alex Hammerstone returned to the promotion, entering at number one. His last MLW appearance was a loss to Jacob Fatu in December 2023.

Other notes from the show:

  • Mistico vacated the MLW Middleweight Championship. He was originally scheduled to wrestle on the show but was pulled from the card last week due to injury. Moments after he handed the title to Cesar Duran, Ikuro Kwon misted Duran and stole the belt.
  • TJPW’s Shoko Nakajima defeated Delmi Exo to become the new MLW Featherweight Champion.
  • Austin Aries returned to the company as part of the commentary team.

The full show is available via YouTube:

MLW Battle Riot VII results:

  • Atlantis, Atlantis Jr. & Star Jr. defeated Barbaro Cavernario, Magnus & Ultimo Guerrero
  • Janai Kai defeated HIMAWARI
  • Templario defeated Hechicero, Esfinge in a three-way match
  • Shoko Nakajima defeated Delmi Exo to win the MLW World Featherweight Championship
  • Matt Riddle won the 40-person Battle Riot to retain the MLW World Championship