Major League Wrestling rolls into Dallas for another action-packed supercard for their MLW Fusion tapings. The crown jewel is the War Chamber match itself, featuring the members of CONTRA Unit against Ross and Marshall Von Erich, “Filthy” Tom Lawlor and Low-Ki. In the Von Erich family corner will be the legendary Kevin Von Erich. Also set for this show are a bunkhouse match and lucha libre a-plenty! Let’s take a look at what the War Chamber has in store.
Ace Austin Open Contract Challenge
Ace Austin has signed an open contract for a match at War Chamber. The 21-year -old Middleweight sensation is itching to break out in the crowded division. Austin combines his love of skateboarding with parkour training along with his traditional wrestling skills. After enjoying an exciting rivalry with Air Wolf, it will be interesting to see who steps up to take on the Ace of Spades. Will his overconfidence be his undoing or will this open challenge match provide the statement he’s looking for?
Zenshi vs. Jordan Oliver
These two Middleweights will face off in sky combat at War Chamber. Recently on MLW Fusion, they both involved in an exciting trios bout that sadly got out of hand. Oliver is a member of the stable Injustice with Myron Reed and Kotto Brazil. During this match against Zenshi, Gringo Loco, and Air Wolf, the members of Injustice sought to skirt the rules and cheat. This leads to their victory and raised the ire of their opponents. Following this, Zenshi asked for a singles match with someone from Injustice and Oliver has accepted the challenge. This will be the 19-year-old’s biggest challenge in MLW to date. Will he step up and make his Injustice brothers proud, or will Zenshi’s experience and otherworldly aerial style triumph? Or perhaps will it come down to a skirting of the rules once again, as surely Myron Reed and Kotto Brazil will be lurking at ringside.
Gringo Loco & Air Wolf vs. Injustice (Myron Reed & Kotto Brazil)
Speaking of Injustice, Reed and Brazil are also scheduled for action at War Chamber. They will take on the remaining pair of that trios match, Gringo Loco, and Air Wolf. While Zenshi will take on Jordan Oliver in singles action, they will take on the remaining members in a tag team match. Gringo Loco was the recipient of most of the instances of cheating by Injustice. He will be seeking justice of his own alongside the 19-year-old Minnesota sensation. All four of these wrestlers are superior athletes and high-caliber competitors.
Dominic Garrini vs. Ariel Dominguez
Known as the Bone Collector, Dominic Garrini is making his MLW debut at War Chamber. Garrini is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor bordering on expert; he has competed in over 200 competitive jiu-jitsu matches and has won gold medals among other accolades. He was trained at the AIW Academy in Ohio under Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae. These days, he’s part of a tag team with Kevin Ku and they’re known as both Sadkampf and Violence is Forever. Now as he joins the MLW roster, The Crippler of Canton has the opportunity and the platform to continue to grow his legend. Diminutive Ariel Dominguez is not one to be easily written off. Dominguez was a top-ranked collegiate wrestler out of the University of Iowa. He’s also been expanding in his training, working with Team Filthy and Tom Lawlor. On paper, these two match up well, with the size factor being the potential difference maker.
Timothy Thatcher vs. Douglas James
In another huge debut for MLW, the Undeniable Douglas James will be on hand at War Chamber. He will be taking on the rugged and scientific wrestler, Timothy Thatcher. Thatcher has found his niche in Europe, where the emphasis on strong mat skills is more prominent. He is best known perhaps as part of Ringkampf with WALTER and Axel Dieter, Jr. When he finds time in his busy schedule, Thatcher will still make select appearances in the US. Thatcher recently took part in an incredible match with Davey Boy Smith, Jr. on MLW Fusion.
When faced with a former No Gi jiu-jitsu World Champion and an undefeated kickboxer in Douglas James, it will be an interesting styles clash. James relies heavily on various strikes and being able to out-maneuver his opponents. Thatcher being the mat technician as well as a brawler can play both sides of the aisle. This is a dark horse type of match, which could potentially steal the show just like the match with Smith did.
Los Parks (LA Park & Hijo de LA Park) presented by Salina de la Renta vs Septimo Dragon & Magnus
Once again, Salina de la Renta has proven herself the power broker who can make magic happen. She has set up this incredible traditional lucha libre style tag team match for War Chamber. This means that “tags” are not necessary, if one wrestler is thrown from or leaves the ring, his partner may enter the ring. Her Grim Reaper, LA Park, will partner with his son Hijo de LA Park to represent Promociones Dorado. Their opponents are Séptimo Dragón and Magnus, young rising stars in Mexico.
Séptimo Dragón has worked for companies like MLW’s newest partner, The Crash Lucha Libre. His nickname is Rey del Aire, King of Air, as he can perform incredible acrobatic moves and moves at lightning speed. Dragón’s partner is also a rising star, having worked for CMLL and other companies in Magnus. Magnus, son of Tony Salazar and cousin to Caristico, is also a crossover star as he appears in the television program El Luchador. Now as both superstars look to expand their horizons internationally, this is just the opportunity that they need.
Austin Aries vs. Brian Pillman Jr.
As Austin Aries continues to work his way towards a Middleweight Championship match, his next obstacle will be at War Chamber. After picking up wins over Adam Brooks and Ace Austin since his return to MLW, A Double will take on Brian Pillman Jr. Pillman, a second-generation star and fellow member of the Hart Foundation, is also a key player in the Middleweight Division. His feedback is also valuable to the current Middleweight Champion, Teddy Hart. Another victory could put Aries that much closer to a title shot. A win would also benefit Pillman, who is still looking to find his way after failing to capture the National Openweight Championship and losing the Tag Team Championships.
Bunkhouse Match
Mance Warner vs. Jimmy Havoc presented by Salina de la Renta
The war between Salina de la Renta and Mance Warner has been escalating to dangerous heights over the summer. Mance has caused Salina to lose her beloved cell phone, stole LA Park’s Battle Riot golden ticket, assaulted all members of Promociones Dorado, and threatened them with a chainsaw. This particular antic did end up with Ol’ Mancer going to the slammer, but he was bailed out the following day by his uncle. In Dallas, at the War Chamber, Salina’s personal advisor Jimmy Havoc will go to war with Mance Warner. It will be a bunkhouse match, a Southern wrestling favorite.
The rules for this match are shockingly simple: anything goes. If it’s not nailed down, it’s fair game to use. Beyond no disqualification and weapons matches, this one is bound to go all over the arena. England’s most dangerous man is no stranger to foreign objects and enjoys employing them to inflict punishment. The Summer of the Southern Psychopath has led them to Dallas, but only one will make it out alive.
MLW World Tag Team Championship Two out of Three Falls Match
The Dynasty (MJF & Richard Holliday) (c) vs. The Hart Foundation (Teddy Hart & Davey Boy Smith, Jr.)
The war between these two groups has also been raging through all of 2019. As the former champions, the Hart Foundation are exercising their rematch clause. Since both teams have traded pinfall victories, and the last match was a ladder match, it was decided that this would be a two out of three falls match. The Dynasty go into this with the champion’s advantage, but the lack of their powerhouse in their corner. Hammerstone is currently still away on an excursion with MLW’s partner, Pro Wrestling NOAH. MJF and Richard Holliday will only have each other to rely upon in this contest. This is something both are certainly capable of, just choose to not make a mainstay of their repertoire. Teddy Hart will partner with his cousin in Davey Boy Smith, Jr. in this attempt to bring the tag team gold back to Canadian hands.
War Chamber Match
Marshall & Ross Von Erich, Tom Lawlor & Low-Ki (cornered by Kevin Von Erich) vs. CONTRA Unit (Simon Grimm, Jacob Fatu, Josef Samael & Kwon)
In the penultimate match of War Chamber is the match that the event is named after. Per MLW, a War Chamber is defined as a match in which they will be “locked in a carbon steel chamber with the perimeter of the top fortified with barbed wire, two teams of four will clash in combat that only the War Chamber can contain.”
The rules of the War Chamber:
- A coin toss determines which team enters first.
- 1-on-1 for 5:00 in stage 1 of the War Chamber.
- The winner of coin toss comes out for 2-on-1.
- Alternating teams have wrestlers enter every 2 minutes.
- Once all combatants are in the War Chamber, victory is won by submission, surrender or pinfall.
You will notice the similarities to the legendary War Games match, however, this cage will not have a top and has the addition of barbed wire. CONTRA Unit has added a fourth member to their brand of destruction by the name of Kwon. He has only furthered the group’s arsenal of tactics and the chaos they deliver. Kwon sprayed mist into the eyes of Marshall Von Erich, putting him on the shelf for a time.
Now Marshall and Ross will team again with their friend “Filthy” Tom Lawlor and the newest addition to their team is Low-Ki. Low-Ki was attacked earlier this year by CONTRA Unit and left laying. The Professional hasn’t forgotten this and will certainly relish the opportunity for revenge. They will all be mentored by Kevin Von Erich, who is no stranger to war. Will CONTRA Unit finally be stopped? Or will Dallas just be another location of destruction in their wake?
Also scheduled to be in action at War Chamber are The Spirit Squad. There will also be a very special tribute to the legendary wrestler, manager, promoter and booker Gary Hart. Gary was an influence and mentor to MLW owner, Court Bauer. Hart was also influential in the Dallas and overall Texas wrestling scene for many years. If you don’t have tickets to MLW’s debut event in Dallas, don’t worry about missing any of the great action. One hour will air live on September 7th on beINSports, and the rest will air as part of future episodes of MLW Fusion. The world of MLW never stops, and it was announced on September 6th that MLW will return to Dallas on January 11, 2020! Tickets for this show will go on sale on September 10th.
