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UnWrest (MLW, 12/21/18)- Proof That Less is More


MLW continues to prove how to book a wrestling show and hook an audience.



MLW Thoughts (Written After Watching The Show)

- The show opens with Salina de la Renta and Ricky Martinez in the ring. Salina cuts a promo on the Miami crowd being a bunch of losers, which explains why Konnan calls it home. Enter Konnan, who cuts a promo on Salina, Ricky, and Low Ki. He's taking Low Ki's MLW World Championship tonight because he's already in his head.

- After a video of the Hart Foundation cutting down Tommy Dreamer and Barrington Hughes, Pillman and Smith team up to face those two in a tag team match. Another unique match here as Hughes was too big for either Pillman or Smith to individually take out. However, when Dreamer got the tag, Pillman was able to catch Dreamer with a low blow and roll him up for a pin. The commentators tried to cover this as a heel tactic, but Dreamer did low blow Pillman in their previous match together. So, is it really heel-ish for someone to give another wrestler a "receipt?"

- DJZ takes on Hijo de LA PARK. (Side comment: Can someone please book DJZ vs. Mustafa Ali so we can get the light up jacket match? Then, have Chris Jericho do a run in and accuse them of stealing his gimmick from 7 years ago.)
DJZ and Hijo at one point fight to a stalemate. DJZ shows himself to be a dumb babyface by shaking hands with Hijo and setting himself up to be clotheslined. Lol. What follows is a hard hitting Lucha style match with a lot of bumps on the floor by both men, including some assaults on DJZ. Salina gets involved a couple times, and the last time allows Hijo to hit a Gutwrench Piledriver for a 3 count. Good match here again on MLW.

- Andrew Everett takes on Dezmond Xavier next. Another fun, hard-hitting Middleweight Division match here as both of these young guys just put on a show for a few moments. Sure, there were a couple rough spots, but it seemed like an athletic competition, which is rare given the wrestling environment we see today. Very well done match that ends with a beautiful Corkscrew Senton off the top by Xavier for the win.

- The main event is a No Ropes, No Holds Barred Fight between Filthy Tom Lawlor and Simon Gotch. This was an MMA style fight with more of a focus on Strong Style hits and submission wresting. The finish sees Tom Lawlor catch Gotch in a Rear Naked Choke for the referee stoppage. Thus, Lawlor gets his revenge on Gotch for his betrayal a few months back and now turns his attention towards his Feb. 2019 match against Low Ki. The last part was made clear in a post-match interview where Lawlor told Low Ki (who was on commentary for this match) that he was coming for him. Good setup for the future big money match for the promotion and a fun main event.

Overall, MLW proved that less is more. I got more enjoyment out of a 49 minute episode oF MLW than I have for MONTHS from a 180 minute episode of Raw. And it wasn't as if this hour wasn't busy. This was a packed show with a lot of great wrestling in it. They were able to do storylines in this as well (Konnan and Salina's promo at the beginning and a Konnan promo from the streets of Miami). A tight, well-operated show here. The entire show is worth a view.

Until next time, take care of yourselves. Spread some awesomeness.


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