We open this week’s episode of MLW Fusion with clips from MLW/WTF One-Shot. We then go to WTF headquarters and Mister Saint Laurent’s office. MSL cries to Tom Lawlor about failing at One-Shot. Lawlor talks up MSL while drinking a bottle of whisky. MSL said they will get it back at MLW’s Holiday Rush as we go to the intro music for the show.
Now, in the arena, Joe Dombrowski and Matt Striker are on commentary. Dombrowski promoted MLW’s Holiday Rush on December 24th and then advised that before coming on the air, The Calling attacked Akira. However, Akira still intends to face RSP for the MLW Openweight Championship tonight.
Wrestlers come out for a battle royal in the opening contest for this season’s finale episode of MLW Fusion.
MLW Battle Royal Match
The final 5 contestants were Matthew Justice, Mr. Thomas, Masked Good Brother III, Josh Bishop, and Tom Lawlor
Masked Good Brother III eliminated Tom Lawlor. Josh Bishop eliminated Masked Good Bro III. Bishop also eliminates Mr Thomas. The last two are Matthew Justice and Josh Bishop. Bishop powerbombed Justice over the top rope and through a table outside the ring to win the battle royal.
Result: Josh Bishop wins MLW Battle Royal
Next, we are shown the history of The Calling and what led to the bad blood between Akira and RSP. Dombrowski promotes the match tonight between the two for the MLW National Openweight Championship.
Then, we are shown clips of Saint Laurent’s Bodybuilding Contest at One-Shot won by Alex Hammerstone, which was interrupted by Jacob Fatu. The cameras cut to Fatu, who cuts a promo on Hammerstone in front of the BetOnline backdrop. He challenges Hammerstone to the trilogy match at Holiday Rush and states he will dog-walk Hammerstone’s ass all over NYC. Dombrowski confirms the match and announces it for MLW Holiday Rush on December 24th.
Our next contest is a triple-threat match for the MLW Featherweight Championship. Tiara James comes out first, followed by Delmi Exo. Last, the champion Janai Kai comes out with Salina de la Renta.
MLW Featherweight Championship Triple-Threat Match: Janai Kai (c) (w/Salina de la Renta) vs. Delmi Exo Vs. Tiara James
All three competitors took turns trying to gain some advantage early in the match. Both Exo and James worked together at points in the match on Kai.
In the closing moments, Exo had James in a Boston Crab when Salina sprayed something in Exo’s face behind the ref’s back, causing Exo to break the hold. Kai hits James with a spinning kick to the body to get the three count and win.
Result: Janai Kai (c) defeats Tiara James & Delmi Exo to retain championship
Dombrowski promotes MLW Holiday Rush and announces another match. Don King was able to secure a tag team title match when MLW Tag Team Champions SGC (Matthew Justice & 1 Called Manders) will take on the BFC (Alex Kane & Mr. Thomas)
Next, we watch a funny pre-recorded video of 1 Called Manders and Masked Good Brother III talking outside.
Masked Good Brother III said he dislikes talking about his feelings. He pushes and keeps it deep down inside, down to his balls, until he eventually breaks stuff. He said he wished Justice was there but that they would talk to him later. He gives Manders an elf hat as a Christmas gift. Then, he talks about the SGC, the MLW tag team titles, and the Freebird rules. He said he never met Mancer but heard he was great! But he thinks they are all family now. They take a selfie to send to Justice. And ended with Masked Good Brother III wishing MLW and all the fans a Merry Christmas!
Dombrowski hypes up the National Openweight championship tonight as we go to a commercial break.
Back from break, Tony Deppen emerges with TJ Crawford and Griffin McCoy. Next, Nolo Kitano comes out with his Anunnakis for the next match.
Tony Deppen (w/TJ Crawford & Griffin McCoy) vs. Nolo Kitano (w/Anunnakis)
The match starts with back-and-forth action. Kitano hits a suicide dive through the ropes onto Deppen outside the ring.
After trading forearms and slaps, Kitano hits a spinning DDT on Deppen, who rolls out of the ring to Crawford and McCoy, who is at ringside. Kitano hits a tornado over the top rope onto all three of them.
Back in the ring, Deppen grabs the ref, Kitano breaks it up, and during the distraction, Deppen hits Kitano with a low blow and then a knee to the back of his head to pick up the three-count.
Result: Tony Deppen defeats Nolo Kitano
Deppen grabs the mic and cuts a promo on Kevin Blackwood. The crowd chants, “You suck.” Blackwood’s music plays, and he tries to come out, but officials stop him from getting to the ring.
Next, we are shown the history between Brett Ryan Gosselin and Love, Doug. Dombrowski announced a Love Is Blind match between the two at MLW Kings of Coliseum on January 6th.
A video package is shown with RSP, who cuts a promo on Akira. He closes by saying trust in Raven. Trust in The Calling as we go to a commercial break.
We go to Salina de la Renta’s office, where Salina talks with Rocky Romero and Janai Kai. Salina finds an Azteca lucha mask and asks who put it there. Ichiban shows up and Salina starts insulting him. She said she knows what he wants and he’s not getting it! She then offers a challenge to Ichiban. If he faces Salina and beats her at Holiday Rush, he can get a title shot.
Back in the arena, the next match is ready to begin.
TJ Crawford (w/Griffin McCoy & Tony Deppen) vs. Kevin Blackwood
Blackwood attacks Crawford and hits him with a clothesline at the start of the match. Blackwood takes control of the match as Deppen tries to join the commentary team.
McCoy distracts Blackwood allowing Crawford to hit a Falcon Arrow and take control of the match. Later in the match Crawford puts Blackwood in an abdominal stretch. McCoy tries giving Crawford more leverage, but is caught by the ref who ejects him from ringside.
Blackwood hits some kicks on Crawford in the corner and then hits a double stomp from the top rope onto Crawford to get the pinfall and win.
Result: Kevin Blackwood defeats TJ Crawford
Next, Alex Hammerstone cuts a promo on Jacob Fatu and their trilogy match. Hammerstone states he’s always had Fatu’s number, he’s 2-0 against him and will prove once and for all that he’s the better man. We then get a run down of MLW’s Holiday Rush card.
We go to Alex Kane and Mr. Thomas who talk about MSL and how he had no shot at beating him for this title. Kane then promotes their Holiday Rush MLW tag team title match with the Second Gear Crew, stating there is no beef there, but Mr. Thomas wants some tag team gold and the hat of Manders. Kane finishes the promo stating MSL can keep sending guys at him but they won’t beat him. He’s a fighting champion and immortal. And that’s on “Bomaye!”
It’s now main event time!
MLW National Openweight Title Match: Rickey Shane Page (c) vs. Akira
Akira brings a knife to the ring. He is wearing a bandage around his head and torso. Both trade blows with each other. RSP then rolls out of the ring and both start brawling on the floor.
RSP attacks the ribs of Akira. Akira then yells at RSP to strike him. RSP lands a chop but Akira gives him the finger and lands some body blows, along with a kick to the head. Akira hits a Northern Lights suplex for a 2 count. And then a running kick in the corner for another 2 count. Akira gets his knife but RSP elbows him. He then hits a Raven Effect DDT to get the pinfall in what was an unusual quick ending.
Result: Rickey Shane Page (c) defeats Akira to retain championship
After the match, other members from The Calling come down and tie Akira to the ropes, while RSP hits him with strikes and headbutts. Akira is bleeding, as RSP has hair clippers, and then grabs a mic. RSP welcomes Akira to a what he calls Carcosa court. He continues by saying Akira is going to pay for his transgressions. He takes the hair clippers and shaves Akira’s head. The Calling make their way out of the ring to close out the episode.