The crowd was electric from the opening bell at MLW Battle Riot 2026, setting the tone for a night of high-stakes championship action and dramatic twists. With the MLW World Heavyweight Championship on the line in the signature Battle Riot match and a stacked undercard, fans were treated to one of the most memorable events in Major League Wrestling history.

Kushida vs. Templario – MLW Middleweight Championship

Kushida and Templario received a thunderous ovation as they made their entrances, with Kushida drawing sustained chants from the crowd while Templario was met with a mixed reaction. The opening moments saw both competitors exchange technical holds and submissions, each testing the other’s ability to counter. The pace intensified quickly, forcing Kushida to regroup outside the ring after a series of early exchanges. The two have met before, but this match succeeded the previous with great moments from sit out powerbombs and a armbar counter from a top rope move. Kushida won with his patented small package piledriver known as “Back to the future” becoming the new MLW Middleweight Champion receiving a standing ovation from the crowd who could not get enough of Kushida. Ikuro Kwon came out to make his intentions known only to stomp a badly beaten Templario with Kushida joining Ikuro Kwon and becoming the newest member of Contra, upsetting the fans as they loudly boo’d Kushida.

MLW Battle Riot – 40-Man Match for the World Heavyweight Championship

The Battle Riot began with Killer Kross entering at No. 1 to loud chants of support. He was quickly joined by former MLW World Heavyweight Champion and two-time Battle Riot winner Matt Riddle, reigniting a rivalry rooted in their history of submission-based encounters.

As the match unfolded, the chaos escalated with a mix of established stars and surprise appearances. Local favorite Cha Cha Charlie energized the Florida crowd, while reigning champion Mads Krule Krugger entered amid rising tension. Memorable moments included Paul Walter Hauser’s entrance, Don Gato’s wild rampage wielding a wooden board, and Stallion Rogers making an impressive MLW debut, highlighted by a cutter and double foot stomp combination alongside Riddle.

Internal conflict within Contra Unit became a focal point as its members—including the newly aligned Kushida—turned on Krugger. When Davey Boy Smith Jr. ‘s music hit, Contra henchmen ambushed him backstage, followed by the returning Babathunder emerging with a body bag. Former Contra member Simon Gotch also joined in the assault on Krugger. Despite eliminating several Contra members, Krugger was eventually eliminated by an unidentified newcomer.

The match featured several standout moments, including the surprise return of Festus, portrayed once again by Luke Gallows, earning him another opportunity to compete in the Battle Riot.

In the final moments, the two men who started the match—Riddle and Kross—remained. Kross eliminated Riddle to win the Battle Riot, becoming the MLW World Heavyweight Champion and the second competitor in history to win the match from the No. 1 entry, following Alex Kane.

After the victory, Kross addressed the crowd with an emotional promo, thanking fans who had supported him throughout his professional wrestling journey.