Major League Wrestling returns to New York City for the 2019 edition of Never Say Never! Their New York home is the Melrose Ballroom, where all of the exciting action is set to go down. There will be grudge matches, title matches, and first-ever encounters. Action like only MLW can bring to you with today’s top stars. Enough chit-chat, let’s get down to the brass tacks!
Brian Pillman Jr. vs. Richard Holliday
The feud between The Dynasty and the Hart Foundation continues at Never Say Never. Holliday, who is now one half of the MLW World Tag Team Champions, doesn’t believe all the hype around the second generation sensation. He looks down on the bleach blond 2018 Rookie of the Year. With this match, he will look to show the MLW faithful (the consumers in Holliday’s world) that Pillman isn’t all he’s cracked up to be. Brian’s win/loss record in MLW has been in the toilet as of late, so this is his opportunity to turn things around.
Rey Horus vs. Bestia 666 presented by Salina de la Renta
Salina de la Renta is in for a busy night at Never Say Never. Every single member of Promociones Dorado is in action, including her newest recruit Bestia 666. Bestia, the son of Mexican legend Damien 666 made his debut at the last set of MLW tapings earlier this month. He was specifically selected for Salina’s war against Mance Warner. To earn his keep in Promociones Dorado though, he must carry out all of his mistress’ orders. Rey Horus was once on Ms. de la Renta’s radar as a potential candidate for Promociones Dorado. However, his loss to a debuting Flamita on episode 62 of MLW Fusion changed her mind. Horus then lost to Myron Reed. A win against someone he knows well would put Horus back on the map to MLW matchmakers. If Bestia were to fail his mistress so soon, it could prove even worse for him.
Austin Aries vs. Ace Austin
When Austin Aries came to MLW, he made his intentions very clear. He wants the MLW World Middleweight Championship and he’s not going to stop until he gets it. Aries’ first challenge was laid to waste in Milwaukee, Australian sensation Adam Brooks. Now he will have to contend with wrestling’s answer to Gambit, Ace Austin. The 22-year-old Atlantic City native has been steadily rising in the crowded Middleweight division. A protegee of the Anoa’i clan promotion WXW, he’s slowly been building his reputation in the ring. Will Ace’s star continue to rise, or will Aries cast him aside in his surge for the title?
Low-Ki vs. Jimmy Yuta
Also signed in middleweight action are Low-Ki and Jimmy Yuta. Yuta is making his return to MLW following a tour with wXw in Germany. Yuta also has been popping up for Game Changer Wrestling and Beyond Wrestling. His task at Never Say Never is not an easy one, as Low-Ki has been on a knockout streak, literally. The last three matches Low-Ki has been involved in have ended in under a minute via knockout. Following his departure from Promociones Dorado earlier this year, he’s been looking to prove why he was a dominant champion and undefeated for 15 years.
Zenshi vs. Hijo de LA Park presented by Salina de la Renta
Lucha libre meets middleweight action at Never Say Never. Hijo de LA Park will take on MLW newcomer, Zenshi. Salina de la Renta would love nothing more than to have all of the gold in MLW under her control. Now she will seek to push Hijo de LA Park to the top in a crowded division for the MLW World Middleweight Championship. They will take on the South American double champion in Zenshi. Zenshi is still the current Chile Lucha Libre International All Star Champion as well as the LWA International Champion in Peru. Hijo de LA Park is a highly capable luchador, employing both high-flying moves and the brawling style of his father. The Spirit Dragon will look to defend the skies as he looks for his first win in MLW.
Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Timothy Thatcher
One of the dream matches scheduled for Never Say Never is this one. Both of these supreme athletes are elite mat technicians, grapplers, and strikers. Davey Boy Smith, Jr. is a second-generation star who has trained under both Japanese and American masters such as Josh Barnett and Minoru Suzuki. He’s also trained in other combat sports, such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu and kickboxing. In addition to these skills, he has tremendous height on his side as well.
Thatcher is a grizzled veteran from California, mainly competing in Europe these days. He is a member of the hallowed Ringkampf stable in wXw, meaning “wrestling match” in German. Their mantra is simple, Die matte ist heilig; the mat is sacred. Also a student of Barnett, Thatcher has had the privilege of working with his stablemates in Axel Dieter Jr. and WALTER. He’s also tangled with some of the world’s most elite wrestlers such as Zack Sabre Jr., David Starr, and Jonathan Gresham, among others. A masterclass in technical pro wrestling will be on display here.
LA Park vs. Jimmy Havoc
This one is a dream match that we’ve really had to wait for. It was originally scheduled for MLW’s last set of tapings in NYC but had to be postponed. Now is the time for these two harbingers of pain and death to finally go to war. LA Park is a legend around the globe, known for his destructive nature and devious methods. He’s currently undefeated in singles competition in MLW and also holds a golden ticket for an MLW World Heavyweight Championship match whenever he would like. Jimmy Havoc is known as England’s Most Dangerous Man who has now brought his particular brand of chaos to North American soil. Havoc has taken down other heavy hitters such as “Filthy” Tom Lawlor and Shane “Swerve” Strickland in the past.
In an interesting caveat, Salina de la Renta has ties to both sides. She, of course, presents LA Park as part of Promociones Dorado. Havoc has also been on her side of things in the war with Sami Callihan and Mance Warner. He even presided over Callihan’s funeral following his loss in a loser leaves MLW match. Whatever bonds are there will be tested in this match. Additional security will also be on hand, as this match will most certainly get out of control quickly.
Gringo Loco, Zenshi, & Air Wolf vs. Injustice (Myron Reed, Jordan Oliver & Kotto Brazil)
The squad of Myron Reed and Jordan Oliver have found another follower and given themselves a name. The trio now known as Injustice will fight together for the first time at Never Say Never. The Haitian Sensation had been a beacon of light in MLW, but his trials have worn him down to the point of accepting the offer from Oliver and Reed. The trio seeking justice will take on three other amazing middleweight contenders. Gringo Loco, who’s seen the kind of justice Oliver and Reed espouse first hand, teams with Air Wolf and Zenshi.
Mance Warner vs. Ricky Martinez presented by Salina de la Renta
This one is a grudge match. Another chapter in the war between Mance Warner and Promociones Dorado. Salina de la Renta is salivating at the idea of Mance Warner being destroyed by her Sicario, even if his performance as of late has been underwhelming. Mance Warner is not afraid though, he’s hot under the collar and fixing to start taking Salina’s goons out. In the past couple of weeks, he’s managed to isolate various members of Promociones Dorado and get some retribution in. Now in an official match, Ol’ Mancer will square off with his first challenge in Ricky Martinez. Will the Southern Psychopath be derailed or with Ricky fail his mistress once again? What will happen to Martinez if that happens?
National Openweight Champion vs. Caribbean Champion
Alex Hammerstone vs. Savio Vega
In another huge match for Never Say Never, we have the legendary Savio Vega’s MLW debut. The Pride of Puerto Rico will challenge the big man from the Dynasty, Alex Hammerstone. This match is also for Hammerstone’s National Openweight Championship. Savio specifically requested this match, which MLW management happily granted the 30-plus year veteran. Vega is perhaps best known by the masses for his time in the WWE in the 90s, but his legend extends far beyond that. Speaking of legends, Hammerstone’s is yet to be written, but if you ask him, it’s being written as we speak. He’ll have a chance to put his money where his mouth is against one of the very best in Savio Vega.
World Middleweight Championship Match
Teddy Hart (c) vs. MJF w/Aria Blake
In perhaps the most bitter section of the feud between the Hart Foundation and The Dynasty involves these two men. Back in late 2018, MJF was forced to relinquish the MLW World Middleweight Championship match due to injury. Teddy Hart was a surprise entrant in the ladder match to determine the new champion. MJF has still not gotten over this, having felt Hart was unworthy of holding “his” championship. In MJF’s rematch for the title, he was unsuccessful in unseating Teddy. After the match, Holliday and MJF joined forces and attacked Teddy and thus The Dynasty was born.
Fast forward to now, and the Hart Foundation has taken some heavy blows. First, Brian Pillman, Jr. lost to Alex Hammerstone in the National Openweight Championship tournament finals. Next, MJF and Holliday again attacked Teddy and stole one of the MLW World Tag Team Championships. Finally, the mouthy trust fund children toppled Teddy and Brian in a ladder match to win the tag team titles. Now we’re back full circle, where this whole rivalry and blood feud started; with MJF and Teddy Hart battling over the World Middleweight Championship.
World Heavyweight Championship Match
Jacob Fatu (c) vs. “Filthy” Tom Lawlor
To score the crescendo to Never Say Never, we have a rematch for the MLW World Heavyweight Championship. The unstoppable behemoth that is Jacob Fatu stunned the world when he upset “Filthy” Tom Lawlor at Kings of Colosseum. Lawlor used all his arsenal and nothing seemed to be able to weaken the Samoan Werewolf. Something that Tom Lawlor is not used to is having his hard strikes and submissions thwarted with hardly any effort. Fatu proved to be an absolute lethal animal in the ring and was able to pin Lawlor.
CONTRA Unit has been doggedly chasing and attacking Lawlor for months, ever since MLW Superfight in February. Now the group has the advantage, the world title resides in their camp. Lawlor wasted no time in demanding his contractually obligated rematch for Never Say Never. The anger burns deeper inside the former champion, which can be a good motivator, however it can also make you reckless. That recklessness could bite Lawlor in the ass if he’s not careful. There’s also Simon Gotch and Josef Samael to take into account. They aren’t booked in any official matches yet for the show, so they will most certainly be lurking.
Speaking of those who are also going to be on hand at Never Say Never, Lawlor’s friends Ross and Marshall Von Erich are going to be there. Konnan and Ariel Dominguez and other unannounced names will also be at the Melrose Ballroom on July 25th. If you can’t make it out for the show, all of the action is being taped for future episodes of MLW Fusion. They air weekly on Saturdays on beINSports, also being available on YouTube and Fite.TV for later viewing.
Originally written by Brandi Wagner
