This week's MLW Underground was taped in Philadelphia during February's Superfight TV taping with Joe Dombrowski and Matt Striker on the call.
Last week, Lio Rush was announced as being in action this week, but it appears his match vs. Davey Richards has been postponed or plans have changed to air it due to Richards' recent real life issues.
Real1 and Mance Warner issues
The trouble between Real1 and Mance Warner continued this week with the build-up to their four-way dumpster match next week that also includes Microman and Matthew Justice.
Real1 opened the show with his usual heat-invoking mic work against Microman, poking fun at his height, and poking fun at the Southern Psycho’s upbringing and hometown.
Warner was happy to take the bait and come out, bringing a chainsaw with him for good measure. He was joined by Justice wildly swinging a steel chair and even Microman who was hiding inside a trash can. This was all too much for Real1 as he darted out of the arena before Warner, Justice and Microman shared some beers on the stage.
Ricky Shane Page (w/ AKIRA & Raven) defeated 1 Called Manders in a hardcore match
This helped build the upcoming War Chamber match where these two will be on opposing sides. The Chamber match will also feature the rest of Page’s group, The Calling, against MLW Champion Alex Hammerstone and the rest of the Second Gear Crew. We saw a quick recap from last week of how Manders, Warner and Justice came to team with Hammerstone during the entrances.
Page picked a weapon from a blood-soaked operating table on his way to the ring, a signature of The Calling’s entrance,
Throughout the match, Raven was speaking to the announcers which could be subtly heard in the background as Manders and Page slammed and rammed each other into chairs inside the ring.
Page got spinebustered into thumbtacks and powerslammed into a wooden board in the corner, but after a break, he was back in control with a frog splash from the top rope. Manders then used his cowbell on Page before flooring him with a tough clothesline for a nearfall.
A table was set up which led to the innovative finish. Manders got hit with a chair and ended up underneath the table. Page was on the middle rope and came off with a senton through the table, crushing Manders underneath to pick up the pinfall victory.
Open The Twin Gate Tag Team Champions The Natural Vibes (BIG BOSS Shimizu & Kzy) defeated The FBI (Little Guido & Ray Jaz) to retain the titles
This was the MLW debut for The Natural Vibes, and it was an entertaining, fast-paced, yet short sprint of a match from the outset. Jaz looked good here with his size advantage and he kept up with the pace of the Dragon Gate crew, especially Kzy when he was in the ring.
Shimizu came in for the hot tag and took out the FBI with a big body block, a flapjack, and a chokeslam before Kzy came off the top with a big frog splash to pick up the pin on Jaz.
– Alex Kane and Mr. Thomas picked their Battle Riot numbers out of the traditional bingo tumbler but kept the close to the chest.
MLW Middleweight Champion Lince Dorado defeated Delirious to retain the title
These two have built up a small rivalry over the last few months being on the opposing sides of multi-man matches involving Microman and some of Cesar Duran’s hired luchadors. This week, they finally met one-on-one in a solid main event.
Lio Rush came out during the entrances and reminded us all that he is the best MLW Middleweight champion in history and joined the commentary table to heavily hint at a future title shot.
Throughout the match, he would taunt Dorado and try to distract him, including as the bell rang so Delirious tried a few roll-ups to catch him off guard but the champion kicked out.
Dorado came back to dominate the opening moments with a suplex, springboard armdrag, running headscissors and a dropkick. Delirious dropped Dorado back-first on the ring apron before contemplating using the title but dropping it in front of Rush.
Dorado’s back continued to take punishment as Delirious focused his attack with a backbreaker and a surfboard. Dorado came back with a springboard la quebrada.
The referee got in the way of Dorado which stopped his momentum in his tracks. Delirious then hit his Panic Attack running knee strike in the corner followed up by his Shadows Over Hell splash from the top rope, but the champion kicked out at two.
After a break, Dorado hit a springboard stunner and then a big plancha from the top rope to the floor. He then powerbombed Delirious back in the ring and put him away with his shooting star press finisher.
After the match, Rush got into the ring with the title (Delirious had dropped it in front of him) and reluctantly handed it to Dorado. As Dorado eventually got hold of his title, he turned to leave when Rush hit his bottom rope springboard stunner and then laid him out with a belt shot. Rush then left with the belt.
Before Underground went off the air, the cameras went to the back to see Davey Boy Smith Jr. chasing off Kane and Thomas as they had beaten down Thomas Billington and knocked his teeth out.
Next week:
Matthew Justice vs. Microman vs. Real1 vs. Mance Warner in a four-way dumpster matchAlex Kane vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr. in a no ropes catch wrestling match
April 18th:
In a War Chamber match, MLW Champion Alex Hammerstone & Second Gear Crew vs. The Calling
April 25th:
Battle Riot VClick Here: WORLD CUP Rugby Shop