SEScoops

Category: MLW

  • Joe Coffey Talks MLW, Training With Dwayne Johnson & Future

    Joe Coffey Talks MLW, Training With Dwayne Johnson & Future

    Joe Coffey has been wrestling for more than 17 years, and the chip on his shoulder remains. The well-traveled veteran feels renewed motivation these days, especially when it comes to thinking about all the potential opportunities in MLW. He made his debut alongside his brother Mark and longtime running mate Wolfgang. Together the trio known as GBOT (Glasgow Boys on Top) made their presence felt during MLW Fusion’s premiere on May 30.

    “It was great seeing Fusion on Saturday. It was really good. It was fantastic,” Coffey said, “MLW has a very high quality setup. I think seeing that back on Saturday just proved it’s a major promotion. It’s making a lot of noise. I’ve gotten a lot of great feedback as a whole…We’re just getting started here. I’m excited to see where it goes.” 

    During the show, the Coffey brothers faced the Good Brothers (Doc Gallows and “Machine Gun” Karl Anderson). It was a match Joe had wanted with the tag division starting to heat up. 

    “They are great in the locker room,” Coffey said. “They are great to have around. That’s why they are called the Good Brothers. It was a great experience…To be able to do it on a platform like MLW with the crowd that was there that night and to showcase that during the premiere for Fusion. There was no better fit I think.”  

    The performer enjoyed his time in MLW so much he committed to the company by signing a contract in March. He felt like it was the right fit. 

    “To speak with Court [Bauer] as well, it’s something we thought would be a good idea. I think I have a lot to prove as well,” Coffey said. “…I feel like I’ve been wasted the last couple of years. I just want to go prove myself and show character work and show what I can do in the ring. I want to show people who I am again. I thought MLW was a good place to do that.” 

    Beyond the ring, the driven Scot also upped his training in the gym as well. For him, it’s not just for maintenance and health reasons. It’s about building a “suit of armor” to lessen the chance of injury. Confidence has never been an issue for the talent, even after his time with WWE ended. After all, not many could say they trained and helped Dwayne Johnson get ready for WrestleMania like he and the rest of the formerly named Gallus did in 2024. 

    “We’re very thankful to be trusted to have that opportunity,” Coffey said. “…It was on us. He was really good. He was super cool with us. Proper humble as well. It was just a good experience. Of course, he is The Rock and has the aura and that. Once I laced my boots up it was more let’s go, come on. I don’t care who you are.

    “When you step through the ropes, you’re anyone. It doesn’t matter. You’re just another pro wrestler to me. I just wanted to get going. I just wanted to get in and wrestle and test myself. Being in there with Dwayne, it’s amazing to see how he works on a different level taking into account how the crowd would react. There are only certain people in the world who can do that. It’s just really cool to work with him. It was absolutely brilliant.”

    The landscape of the industry is constantly changing and evolving. Big news came from across the pond that Nikki Cross and her husband Big Damo acquired Progress Wrestling. Coffey has high hopes for the promotion’s future under this power couple. 

    “I was as shocked as anyone [when I found out]. He kept it quiet, and I was traveling with him the last couple of weeks,” Coffey said. “It’s great. I think Progress couldn’t be in the hands of two better people. Two great human beings. It will be interesting to see where they go with it. Progress has always had a history with high level professional wrestling. I think it’s only going to go up. The sky is the limit. I’m looking forward to seeing what will happen with it.”

    Coffey feels the same way about MLW when it not only comes to tag teams, but in the singles ranks as well. He has enjoyed sharing the squared circle with opponents from all walks of life.  

    “The roster is stacked. I’ve got to mix it up a little bit with Diego HIll in Battle Riot. It would be great to work and wrestle with him. Even someone like Paul Waler Hauser. Someone who still has very much a massive name value but very much new to this job,” Coffey said. 

    “That would be a fun and interesting one, going back to being in the Battle Riot with him. There are so many people. Even people who I worked alongside with but not necessarily got the chance to get in the ring with like Bishop Dyer, Dijak. Kross is another one. He has that big shiny MLW title, which I have my eye on as well. There is such a good mix of people who have been doing this for a while and who are familiar with the fans. Then you have got people who are starting out and making things for themselves. I’m hoping I can check a few off the MLW bucket list as well.”

    Watch MLW Fusion on Saturdays 6:05 p.m. ET on YouTube, 9 p.m. ET on Veeps, and 10 p.m. ET on beIN Sports

  • Trevor Lee Opens Up About MLW, Becoming Dad & Post-WWE Run

    Trevor Lee Opens Up About MLW, Becoming Dad & Post-WWE Run

    Trevor Lee has a fresh perspective now more than two years after his WWE release. The chapter for the former Cameron Grimes may have ended, but his pro wrestling dream has not. His love of the business continued to grow, especially knowing the quality of promotions for him to work. Among them is Major League Wrestling, which is gearing up for its own next era as it brings back MLW Fusion. The weekly series returns May 30 at 6:05 p.m. ET on YouTube and Live Nation’s streaming platform Veeps for the first time in three years.  

    “I think it’s very exciting,” Lee said. “A lot of fans have been wondering where this MLW content is because they’ve been seeing MLW running live shows. But they have been wanting that digital footprint, the storylines to follow along with. It’s very exciting that we have that now.”

    During the premiere episode, Lee steps into the ring with veteran Austin Aries. He believes the episode will showcase why MLW has been a place to spotlight new talent like Diego Hill and established names like his first-time opponent. 

    “When it comes to me and Austin Aries, I remember around 2008 when I was a kid getting into watching more Ring of Honor and stuff like that. Austin Aries was one of those guys who was a prime at that time,” Lee said. “Then you watch his career from TNA up into WWE, he was always a top guy and always had great matches. I’ve always wanted to wrestle him. For MLW to give me that opportunity was awesome.” 

    Lee is looking forward to what else 2026 brings to him and MLW. He cited partnerships with CMLL and now Stardom only adding to the possibilities. He added, “It’s very exciting to see where MLW is going.”

    It has been a life-changing time for Lee, who became a father in April. Having his daughter Aubrey added another layer of purpose for him.  He is also grateful to wife Emily Profitt for helping find the work-life balance. 

    “I was always leaving my wife behind., but she is a grown woman and can take care of herself. But now I’m leaving her and my newborn daughter behind. That’s a bigger workload that gets put on my wife. That’s tough,” Lee said. “That’s the type of thing I think about now in wrestling gear wrestling. That’s okay because that is what got our beautiful future. That’s what led me to this point where I’m good to be a father, have a safety net where I feel I can raise someone in this world. It sucks to leave, but it’s great to know I have the ability to do [what I do]. It gives you a little bit more something to fight for. I used to feel like I did wrestling as a very selfish endeavor. It was always very fun for me. Now it’s not. It’s cool to go into that next chapter of my career and be able to do it for a new fan.” 

    When it comes to transitioning into being a parent, he turned to one of his best friends Joaquin Wilde for guidance. Lee said the current WWE superstar inspired him. 

    “He has a five-year-old daughter right now. Watching that whole process going from being DJ and playing the DJ horn to being a great dad was truly incredible to watch,” he added. “It’s kind of funny because what I’m finding and learning is that a lot of the wrestlers are apparently cursed. That if you’re a wrestler you end up having your first child as a daughter. It’s a great curse to have. I’ve seen a lot of my peers now being little suckers. It’s cool to watch that process. Now I completely get where they are coming from.”

    From losing family to losing his job at WWE, Lee has been through it all. The 32-year-old found all the adversity made him tougher. 

    “When I was very young I had a brother and sister who passed away. That was my first trauma in life,” he said. “I didn’t know how to handle it as a kid. It led to rage. It led to me having this rage where I would get into fights at school and didn’t know how to control that. Professional wrestling helped me contain that monster, that little demon I was. From that point on, it always came back to that. Wrestling would  help with that. Wrestling would help get me better. It did suck to lose my dream job. The best part of professional wrestling is there is not just one company to wrestle for now. You can continue to do this and do this on a great level without being at WWE. It was very interesting to fight that battle, that sadness, but I’m glad to be where I’m at today. To be performing for MLW and be on the first episode of the three-year wait for MLW and glad to be in a match people will be pretty excited to see.” 

    The Battle RIOT VIII in Orlando reinforced his belief that MLW was the place he wanted to be. It also helped lead to his decision to sign with the promotion. 

    “It was also nice to see how calm the atmosphere was,” Lee remembered. “Every business is moving into a very corporate structure. That is okay. That’s how you maximize profits and do all that stuff and go to the moon if you will. At the same time, this is still professional wrestling. It still is rugged, carnival stuff. MLW has that good mix where there is a lot of good talent there. For instance ,Austin Aries, Donovan Dijak, Bishop Dyer, Matthew Riddle. Guys who have been all over. Why micromanage these guys when they’ve gotten themselves to this point. Let us be the talent we think we are and we are and help create as well and have this as a group process and see what we can do together. MLW has done that very well.”

  • Danny McBride Brings Don Gato Mystery To MLW Fusion Premiere

    Danny McBride Brings Don Gato Mystery To MLW Fusion Premiere

    MLW Fusion will reveal the secret origins of Don Gato during its two-hour season premiere this Saturday, May 30, as Major League Wrestling builds a new mystery storyline around the masked luchador character.

    Actor and comedian Danny McBride, joined by his friend Steve, narrates the reveal, walking MLW’s audience through a backstory the promotion is billing as one of the strangest threads of its relaunch. Don Gato doubles as the mascot of Don Gato Tequila, the brand McBride backs and fronts as spokesman.

    A Storyline Built Around Danny McBride’s Tequila Brand

    MLW introduced the Don Gato character in 2025, framing him in storyline as a luchador turned tequila entrepreneur. The partnership has already produced a televised special, MLW x Don Gato: Lucha de los Muertos, which ran in Charleston, South Carolina on November 20, 2025.

    The crossover carried into the new year, with Don Gato and McBride appearing at MLW Battle Riot VIII in Orlando in January. Saturday’s premiere moves the act onto Fusion itself, with MLW treating the secret origins segment as an ongoing angle rather than a one-off cameo.

    How To Watch The MLW Fusion Premiere

    The premiere is the first new weekly episode of Fusion since December 2023, ending a stretch in which MLW ran taped specials in place of regular television. The company first announced the weekly revival earlier this year. The two-hour special airs free on the MLW YouTube channel at 6:05 PM ET, streams on VEEPS, and gets a 10 PM ET encore on beIN Sports.

    MLW is billing Trevor Lee vs. Austin Aries as the first major fight of the new era, with ZAMAYA’s promotional debut and a women’s match carrying title implications also booked. SEScoops has the full season premiere card and start times. The relaunch continues with a New York City event on June 11 and back-to-back shows in Philadelphia on June 12 and 13.

  • MLW Partners With VEEPS to Stream Weekly MLW Fusion and Quarterly PPV Supercards

    MLW Partners With VEEPS to Stream Weekly MLW Fusion and Quarterly PPV Supercards

    Major League Wrestling has announced a new partnership with VEEPS that will bring weekly wrestling programming to fans worldwide, starting this Saturday, May 30.

    Under the deal, MLW’s flagship weekly series MLW Fusion will stream every Saturday night on Veeps.com/MLW, alongside YouTube and beIN Sports. Programming will be free to viewers worldwide.

    What’s Included in the Partnership

    • Weekly Saturday Night Programming — New episodes of MLW Fusion every Saturday night featuring marquee matches, special events, and exclusive digital content.
    • Quarterly PPV Supercards — VEEPS and MLW will co-produce quarterly premium live events featuring title matches and major tentpole moments throughout the year.
    • Exclusive Merch Drops — Limited-edition merchandise collections available only during premiere streams, along with giveaways and special offers for VEEPS audiences.
    • Music Culture Integration — VEEPS will work with MLW to create crossover moments connecting wrestling audiences with artists across metal, country, punk, hardcore, and alternative communities.

    MLW Fusion is available across web, mobile, and connected TV platforms including Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Samsung TV.

    What They’re Saying

    “Professional wrestling thrives on weekly storytelling and passionate fan communities,” said Kyle Heller, Co-founder of VEEPS. “MLW has built an incredibly loyal audience and a strong creative identity, and we’re excited to bring that energy to fans every Saturday night on VEEPS.”

    Court Bauer, CEO of Major League Wrestling, added: “VEEPS understands fandom, community, and culture in a way that naturally fits MLW. With the incredible momentum MLW has built over the past year, partnering with the VEEPS and Live Nation ecosystem gives us the ability to bring together MLW Fusion, major events, exclusive merchandise drops, and immersive fan experiences all in one place.”

    Background

    The partnership marks a significant expansion of VEEPS’ live sports and entertainment slate, following the platform’s recent streaming of Danny Wimmer Presents’ Blood4Blood in partnership with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.

    MLW Fusion is executive produced by Court Bauer, Paul Walter Hauser, and Bryan Walsh. The first new episode streams Saturday, May 30.

  • MLW Fusion Returns Saturday (5/30/26): Card & How To Watch

    MLW Fusion Returns Saturday (5/30/26): Card & How To Watch

    MLW Fusion returns Saturday, May 30, 2026, with a two-hour season premiere streaming free on the MLW YouTube channel at 6:05 PM ET, the promotion’s first new weekly episode since December 2023.

    Major League Wrestling brings its flagship series back in the historic 6:05 PM ET Saturday slot. MLW CEO Court Bauer has called that time “sacred ground,” tying it to the territory-era Saturday night wrestling once carried on Ted Turner’s networks. The premiere leans heavily on MLW’s recent run of signings, with Shotzi, Trevor Lee, and debuting prospect ZAMAYA all booked for the opener. Here is the full card, start times, and how to watch.

    How to Watch MLW Fusion

    DateSaturday, May 30, 2026
    VenueThe Signal, Chattanooga, Tennessee (premiere taped May 9)
    Channel/StreamMLW YouTube channel (free), with a 10 PM ET encore on beIN Sports
    US Start Time6:05 PM ET / 5:05 PM CT / 3:05 PM PT
    UK Start Time11:05 PM BST
    India Start Time3:35 AM IST (Sunday, May 31)
    DurationTwo-hour season premiere special (regular episodes run one hour)

    The season premiere is the first new episode of Fusion since December 2023, ending a stretch in which MLW ran monthly taped specials rather than weekly television. After the two-hour opener, the series settles into hour-long episodes every Saturday on YouTube, with a 10 PM ET encore airing on beIN Sports. MLW announced the Fusion revival back in January and spent the months since taping content across the country, including a sold-out Chicago television taping.

    MLW Fusion Card for May 30, 2026

    Here are the matches announced for the two-hour season premiere:

    Trevor Lee vs. Austin Aries

    MLW has billed this as the first major fight of Fusion’s new era. Trevor Lee, one of the promotion’s headline free-agent additions, draws an opening-night spotlight against veteran Austin Aries. The company is positioning it as a featured showdown between two competitors looking to make an immediate statement, and a strong showing would push Lee toward the front of MLW’s new wave.

    Shotzi Blackheart vs. Priscilla Kelly (Title Implications)

    Two undefeated competitors finally collide, and MLW says the winner moves a step closer to challenging MLW Women’s World Champion Shoko Nakajima. Shotzi enters with momentum since arriving in the promotion, positioned as one of the division’s most unpredictable threats. Priscilla Kelly has built her own case as a contender and wants the result that keeps her in the title picture.

    ZAMAYA vs. Carolina Cruz (ZAMAYA’s MLW Debut)

    ZAMAYA makes her promotional debut against Carolina Cruz. Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported that MLW signed the West Coast prospect with plans to give her a “star maker” push as the company refreshes its roster for the future. Cruz steps in looking to spoil one of the most talked-about arrivals of MLW’s new season.

    Scarlett Bordeaux vs. Aleah James

    The women’s division gets additional spotlight on the premiere as Scarlett Bordeaux meets Aleah James.

    Adam Brooks vs. Diego Hill

    Adam Brooks and Diego Hill round out the announced lineup for the season opener.

    A New Era for MLW

    Fusion’s return runs alongside a busy live schedule. MLW has events set for New York City on June 11 and Philadelphia on June 12 and 13, giving the revived weekly series a steady pipeline of content. Bauer has framed the relaunch as MLW planting its flag on Saturday nights for fans raised on that broadcast tradition.

    Follow SEScoops for results and full coverage of MLW Fusion’s season premiere.

  • MLW Fusion Returns May 30 in Iconic 6:05 ET Saturday Slot

    MLW Fusion Returns May 30 in Iconic 6:05 ET Saturday Slot

    MLW Fusion 605 Saturdays

    Major League Wrestling will revive its flagship weekly series MLW Fusion on Saturday, May 30, with a two-hour season premiere streaming free on YouTube at 6:05 PM ET. An encore presentation will air the same evening at 10 PM ET on beIN Sports.

    MLW announced the premiere Tuesday from its Charleston, South Carolina headquarters, locking in broadcast details after months of speculation. Subsequent episodes will air weekly at the same 6:05 PM ET Saturday slot, returning the company to a year-round, hour-long format for the first time since Fusion went on hiatus in December 2023.

    MLW Fusion 6:05 PM ET Saturdays

    The time slot itself is the story. Georgia Championship Wrestling settled into the 6:05 PM ET Saturday block on Ted Turner’s WTBS in 1972, and the slot remained the foundation of Southern wrestling for nearly three decades through WCW Saturday Night before disappearing from cable in 2000. MLW’s pivot to that exact airtime, 24 days after Turner’s May 6 death at age 87, reads as a deliberate tribute.

    “6:05 is sacred ground,” MLW founder and CEO Court Bauer said in the company’s announcement. “That time slot belongs to the history of this sport as made famous by legendary Ted Turner. We’re not just bringing back a weekly show, we’re planting our flag and celebrating wrestling’s southern soul. MLW Fusion is back, it’s free, and it’s built for the fans who remember what Saturday night wrestling felt like.”

    Loaded Roster Heading Into the Premiere

    MLW has stacked the deck for the relaunch through an aggressive talent acquisition push. Recent signings include Shotzi, Lady Frost, and Trevor Lee on the free agent front, alongside Scottish heavyweights Joe Coffey, Mark Coffey, Wolfgang, and Big Damo from the UK independent scene. Prospects Brick Savage, Zamaya, and Jay Bishop round out the developmental layer.

    They join a roster led by reigning MLW World Heavyweight Champion Killer Kross, who captured the title at Battle Riot VIII on January 29 by going wire-to-wire from the No. 1 entry. Former UFC star Matt Riddle, Mexican box office draw Místico, The Good Brothers, The Skyscrapers (Bishop Dyer and Donovan Dijak), Satoshi Kojima, “Filthy” Tom Lawlor, and Austin Aries form the established core.

    The Fusion launch also coincides with a packed live event slate. MLW returns to The Melrose Ballroom in New York City on June 11, followed by a two-night Philadelphia stand on June 12 and 13. Both events are expected to serve as Fusion television tapings.

    Fusion originally premiered on beIN Sports on April 20, 2018, and ran for five seasons before its final 2023 episode aired on December 14. The MLW Fusion 2026 premiere airs Saturday, May 30 at 6:05 PM ET on the company’s official YouTube channel.

  • Krule Apologizes for Berwyn Eagles Club Altercation

    Krule Apologizes for Berwyn Eagles Club Altercation

    Krule has issued a public apology for his role in a March 28 altercation at Berwyn Eagles Club that led to the Chicago venue permanently ending all wrestling events.

    In a statement posted Monday, Krule acknowledged throwing the first punch during a confrontation with a fan at a Ruthless Pro Wrestling show. He sustained an injury to his side during the altercation, but declined to pursue an investigation when law enforcement contacted him. He told police he believed he had probably fallen on something during the altercation.

    Speaking as himself rather than as a character, Krule took full responsibility for what happened while also providing context about what led to the confrontation.

    “Regardless of the situation and the things that occurred, it was my job to be a professional,” Krule stated. “I could have been a professional and I failed. Thus, I accept full responsibility for everything that occurred.”

    He explained that the fan had multiple incidents involving him throughout the night, including physically shoving him at his entrance and again during another fan’s merchandise purchase. Krule also apologized for not immediately correcting misinformation that circulated on social media following the incident.

    Berwyn Eagles Club announced on April 9 that it would no longer host wrestling events as a result of the altercation. AAW Pro Wrestling held the venue’s final wrestling event on April 24, with Seth Rollins appearing on the show. A GoFundMe has been launched to support the venue owner, as wrestling was the venue’s primary source of income.

    Since the incident, Krule has competed in two matches and lost both the Undisputed IWTV Independent Wrestling World Title and the REVOLVER World Title to Mance Warner.

  • Lissy Almeida Named MLW’s First Female Ring Announcer

    Lissy Almeida Named MLW’s First Female Ring Announcer

    Major League Wrestling has signed Lissy Almeida as its official ring announcer, making her the first woman to hold the role in company history. She has inked a multi-year deal with the promotion.

    Almeida got her break with the promotion in January, serving as an announcer to warm up the crowd at a Florida event. According to sources within MLW, the company came away impressed with her energy and how well she worked within the team environment, leading to the long-term commitment.

    You can follow Lissy Almeida on Instagram @Lissyalmeida.

    MLW Continues Roster Expansion

    The signing is the latest move in what has been an aggressive talent acquisition push by MLW as the promotion marches toward the return of MLW Fusion. Details on the new season of the flagship series have not yet been announced.

    MLW has been on a significant growth trajectory of late, taping new episodes of Fusion at a sold-out Cicero Stadium in Chicago and hosting Fantastica Mania USA in Charleston alongside NJPW and CMLL. The company has also recently signed former WWE performer Trevor Lee to a contract, further stacking its roster ahead of the new season.

  • MLW Fightland Returns to Charleston on September 12

    MLW Fightland Returns to Charleston on September 12

    Major League Wrestling is returning to Charleston, SC on Saturday, September 12 for Fightland, one of the promotion’s marquee annual events, paired with a Fusion TV taping.

    The event takes place at Festival Hall in downtown Charleston. Tickets go on sale this Wednesday at 10 a.m. ET at MLWgo.com, with prices starting at $10.

    Charleston Sellout Streak Continues

    Charleston has become MLW’s home base, with the promotion headquartered in the city. Every MLW event held there has sold out well in advance, including the most recent Fantastica Mania USA show on April 12, which sold out days before the event.

    Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets early. MLW says demand for Fightland is expected to be even higher than recent shows.

    What Is Fightland?

    Fightland is one of MLW’s signature supercard events, running annually since 2018. Last year’s edition took place in North Richland Hills, Texas, where Mads Krule Krügger cashed in his Gravity Gamble contract to win the MLW World Heavyweight Championship in a dramatic triple threat finish.

    No matches have been announced yet for the September 12 card. MLW is expected to reveal matchups in the weeks ahead.

  • Austin Aries Opens Up How MLW Helped Rejuvenate His Pro Wrestling Love Again

    Austin Aries Opens Up How MLW Helped Rejuvenate His Pro Wrestling Love Again

    Austin Aries had a storied career, a few years ago reached a crossroads if he even wanted to stay in the business anymore. However, the veteran found his love for pro wrestling again thanks to experiences like in MLW. 

    “Getting back in MLW and stepping into the commentary booth. At that point I wasn’t really sure how much in-ring wrestling I really had in front of me,” he said. “You have to really love this to be able to dedicate yourself and put in the work outside the ring just to get yourself ready for those 15 to 20 minutes inside the ropes. To get back with MLW and do the commentary and see the product they were putting out there. Then they had me interested in being a competitor and letting me be me.” 

    His first few matches against Kushida, Paul London, and Mistico helped show “The Greatest Man That Ever Lived” still had a passion for this. He realized, “There is still magic dust left in my bag that I can sprinkle here and there. That reinvigorated me to get back into the ring full-time.” Aries, who is about to turn 48, felt a fire lifted under him and something left to give. Aries traced an Eat, Pray, Love-like experience as something that helped bring clarity in recent years. 

    “I stepped away for a while in the midst of COVID in 2020, I basically sold everything and went to Mexico for a year-and-a-half and went on my own journey that had nothing to do with wrestling,” he recalled. “It’s something I’ve never done. I’d live, eat, breathe, everything wrestling since I was 22 and a kid. You can get consumed by it which could be a good thing. That’s what you need to do sometimes to make it to the top, but that can also be a bad thing. 

    “Sometimes you don’t have any sense of self worth outside of this  bubble of pro wrestling. For me that year-and-a-half of rediscoring myself outside of Austin Aries and pro wrestling, I’m finding that value as a human being allowed me to come into this space with a different perspective. A little more mature. I love pro wrestling, but it’s not everything I am and everything I do and everything I’m about. I think that allowed me to come back with a fresh perspective.”

    His mindset these days is to offer guidance to the next generation of young talent who are trying to get to the places he has been. For him, in large part, success comes from dedicating yourself to the process, putting in those 20-30 hours outside the ring, hitting the gym, letting the body recover, and repeat. Aries also still has that chip on his shoulder in a different way, answering naysayers wondering if he could still go in the ring or if he still has it. 

    “I’m here, in my opinion, putting out some of my best performances, athletically, psychologically, and stepping in there with Trevor Lee, who is in their physical prime and going toe-to-toe, “he said. “It motivates me and is a testament to a lifestyle I’ve lived for 26 years now. I stopped eating animals and have been a strict vegan for 15 years. I do think that’s paying off for me now.” 

    Aries has been passionate about nutrition and health related topics for much of his life. He even wrote a book “Food Fight: My Plant-Powered Journey from the Bingo Halls to the Big Time.” The author is also in the editing process of his next one, which he describes more as a manual pulled from what he has learned over 25 years navigating the food system. Aries breaks down food and diet in a digestible way. 

    He looks at those who came up with him like AJ Styles, proud of the legacy left. Aries is happy for his colleague for what he has accomplished. 

    “As they say father time is undefeated,” Aries. “I’m going to give him a hell of a battle, but he is coming for all of us. The fact AJ was able to perform at the level he did for as long as he did is amazing. I would say the hardest gimmick in wrestling is being the super athletic guy. The match athletic guy, that’s the first thing you’re going to age out of. The fact he really didn’t. That’s a testament to him that he was able to walk away and we’ll always remember AJ Styles as that peak guy. You look at a guy like Ric Flair. If you saw Ric Flair in the early 1980s like I did compared to if you saw him in the 2000s. Those are two different versions. AJ Styles, we’re only going to remember one version. This guy who was always at his peak athletically. He had so much athleticism to spare, even if he lost a couple of steps he is still two steps ahead of everybody else. Well deserved retirement.” 

    Aries is also happy to see pro wrestling as a more collaborative space. An example of this is MLW teaming up with NJPW and CMLL for Fantastica Mania USA 2026 from the Festival Hall in Charleston South Carolina. 

    “That was one of my gripes. I never understood why we couldn’t work together,” Aries said. “We’re all fighting for crumbs instead of working together to build a bigger cake so to speak. I got caught up in that early in my career with TNA and Ring of Honor and back and forth and positioning themselves. The talent gets caught in the middle a lot of times, which is unfair. It’s nice to see, especially with MLW, they’re willing to work with anybody as long as it’s value for value. 

    “The fans are ultimately the winners because you get to see these unique matchups. It gets us out of this tribalism that is in everything politics, sports, pro wrestling. Everyone is very tribalistic  in the mentality where it’s us versus them. We can start moving away from that and start saying hey we can work together. We can have differences of opinions but still sit together and enjoy a meal together and have a conversation and agree to disagree respectfully. I think it’s great my plan is to get there early, find the guys I’m wrestling with, try to offer them as much Don Gato Tequila as they are willing to drink before the match and get a competitive advantage.”

    The decorated performer is right now enjoying the ride and living in the present. He says all unhappiness is rooted in living in the past or future. His idea is that now experiences bring him joy. With that in mind, Aries sees big things for the future of MLW and is looking forward to being a part of it. 

    “With MLW, I know right now I’m a guy who wants to make a pillar and continue to anchor this,” Aries said. “ With that said, I’m not worried about where we’re at in two months or three months, six months. As far as I’m going to be on all their shows for the rest of 2026. I’m happy with that. The biggest thing is they trust me to be me. They are not micromanaging me. They see the value in what I bring to the table. As an artist, a lot of times that is what you want. You trust me to paint the fixture the right way.” 

  • MLW Fantastica Mania USA 2026 Preview: Card & How to Watch

    MLW Fantastica Mania USA 2026 Preview: Card & How to Watch

    MLW & NJPW Presents CMLL Fantastica Mania USA 2026 takes place this Sunday, April 12, from Festival Hall in Charleston, South Carolina, marking the first-ever U.S. edition of the historic Fantastica Mania series to be co-produced by Major League Wrestling.

    Key points:

    • Historic Tri-Promotion Showcase: MLW, NJPW, and CMLL converge for one night featuring championship gold, including the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship and the MLW World Middleweight Championship
    • How to Watch: Live at Festival Hall in Charleston; the event will also be taped for MLW Fusion and is expected to stream on NJPW World
    • Tickets: Limited standing room only tickets remain at MLWgo.com

    What to Expect

    The event marks MLW’s first major hometown showcase since relocating its headquarters to Charleston, and the promotion has assembled one of the most talent-dense international cards in company history. MLW founder Court Bauer called it a moment to “make history” in the Holy City, crediting collaboration with NJPW and CMLL leadership to bring the event together.

    No specific matches have been formally announced as of Thursday. MLW has confirmed a deep roster of participants across all three promotions, and tickets are nearly gone due to overwhelming demand. Check MLW.com for any last-minute bout announcements before Sunday.

    Confirmed Participants

    IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion DOUKI

    DOUKI arrives in Charleston as the reigning IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, bringing championship stakes to the event. The title represents NJPW’s most prestigious junior heavyweight prize, and any championship action at Fantastica Mania USA would mark a significant moment for American fans.

    MLW World Middleweight Champion KUSHIDA

    KUSHIDA enters as the MLW World Middleweight Champion, aligned with CONTRA Unit after dethroning Templario at MLW Battle RIOT VIII. Once celebrated for technical brilliance, KUSHIDA has embraced a more ruthless edge under the CONTRA banner, creating a volatile wild card with international competition converging on his home promotion’s turf.

    El Desperado

    El Desperado is regarded as one of the most dangerous junior heavyweights in the world, building his reputation on technical precision, ruthless targeting of limbs, and a cold-blooded finishing instinct. His presence alongside DOUKI sets up dream matchup possibilities in Charleston’s junior heavyweight scene.

    Taiji Ishimori

    Known as the “Bone Soldier,” Ishimori is one of the most accomplished junior heavyweights of his generation, blending high-speed aerial offense with bone-jarring impact. His NJPW history with both DOUKI and Desperado makes his spot on the card particularly intriguing.

    Satoshi Kojima

    Satoshi Kojima returns to MLW for the Charleston event, with his previous MLW appearance coming in the Opera Cup semifinal last October. Kojima is one of the most decorated figures in MLW history and his return to the company’s hometown show carries significant weight.

    Último Guerrero

    Último Guerrero arrives as a former MLW National Openweight Champion and a cornerstone of Mexico’s most prestigious arenas, known for his dominance and main event-caliber performances across decades. He also competed at last year’s MLW vs. CMLL event in Arena Mexico, where he defeated Matthew Justice to capture the MLW National Openweight Championship.

    Místico

    Místico returns to MLW for the Charleston event. A two-time Opera Cup Champion and former MLW World Middleweight Champion, he is one of the greatest box office attractions in Mexican wrestling history. His championship history with KUSHIDA adds another layer to the middleweight storyline heading into this weekend.

    Additional Confirmed Talent

    Also advertised for the event are MLW World Heavyweight Champion Mads Krule Krugger, Killer Kross, The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows), Bishop Dyer, Donovan Dijak, Matthew Justice, and Diego Hill. Lady Frost is also scheduled to make her MLW debut in Charleston.

    Full Card

    MatchNotes
    DOUKI (c) vs. TBAIWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship (if defended)
    KUSHIDA (c) vs. TBAMLW World Middleweight Championship (if defended)
    Additional matches TBAFeaturing MLW, NJPW, and CMLL talent

    Specific matchups have not been fully announced as of Thursday. Check back at MLW.com for updates as they are confirmed before Sunday’s bell.

    How to Watch

    • Date/Time: Sunday, April 12, 2026, 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT
    • Venue: Festival Hall, 56 Beaufain Street, Charleston, South Carolina
    • Tickets: Limited SRO tickets available at MLWgo.com
    • Streaming: Event taped for MLW Fusion; expected on NJPW World
    • Doors Open: 6:00 PM ET; Meet & Greets 6:00-6:30 PM

    Don’t Miss SEScoops Coverage

    Stay tuned to SEScoops.com for live results, match recaps, and post-event fallout from Fantastica Mania USA 2026.

  • Shotzi Teases MLW Fusion Broadcast Details Coming Soon

    Shotzi Teases MLW Fusion Broadcast Details Coming Soon

    Shotzi says fans won’t be waiting much longer to find out where and when MLW Fusion will return to television. The former WWE star teased that Major League Wrestling will announce broadcast details for its flagship show soon.

    Speaking with WrestleZone Managing Editor Bill Pritchard ahead of her appearance at MLW’s Fantastica Mania event on April 12, Shotzi addressed the status of Fusion. The promotion has been taping content for the show’s return but has not yet revealed its broadcast home.

    “Trust me, it’s killing me that [the broadcast details are] not out yet. But I can tell you that it will be soon. You guys won’t be waiting long,” Shotzi said.

    Why Shotzi Signed With MLW

    Shotzi signed with MLW last month after spending ten months touring the independent scene following her WWE departure. She explained that creative freedom and the ability to continue working other promotions made the decision easy.

    “I told myself that I wouldn’t sign anywhere for like the next year or two. I definitely needed a year or two to find my footing and just have a good time and just have that freedom and that creativity,” she said. “I’d already committed to so many dates with MLW and I have so much fun there, I get my TV fix there. The storylines that I’m doing at MLW are just fulfilling me creatively.”

    She continued: “They really value my input and they really understand my character, so it was just like a no-brainer to me. I just didn’t want to go back into that same situation where I sign somewhere and then I’m stuck in catering and I’m not able to wrestle, have fun, and be creative. But with MLW, I have all of that, and I’m still able to go to Japan or Mexico, wrestle for all these other companies, and do me.”

    Shotzi Praises MLW Creative Direction

    The wrestler expressed excitement about what MLW has planned for Fusion once it returns to television. She praised the promotion’s creative approach as distinct from other wrestling companies.

    “Just seeing what we have in store for Fusion, I’m really excited about because it’s nothing like what’s happening in any other wrestling company. The creative at MLW is unlike any other. I’m excited for everyone to see it once it finally airs,” Shotzi said.

    MLW has already hosted several live events that served as Fusion TV tapings. Shotzi will compete at MLW’s Fantastica Mania event on April 12.

  • Scarlett Bordeaux Talks MLW Run, WWE’s Ticket Prices & Paranormal Investigations

    Scarlett Bordeaux Talks MLW Run, WWE’s Ticket Prices & Paranormal Investigations

    Scarlett Bordeaux is ready for her close-up. More than a pretty face, the “Smoke Show” has enjoyed getting back into the ring for some wrestling. Bordeaux began to find herself again through matches in a number of companies including Major League Wrestling. She picked up wins against Blair Onynx, Aleah James, and fellow WWE alum Isla Dawn. 

    Bordeaux also was able to pick up some gold along the way winning the Romanian Pro Wrestling (RPW)Queen of the Castle Title. She has a lot to be thankful for. Not to mention the fact her husband Killer Kross stands the MLW Heavyweight Champion. Is MLW gold in her future as well? With her current win streak, the answer may sooner than later be yes. However, there is a lot of women who may have something to say about that including the likes of Priscilla Kelly, Shotzi, and the recently signed Lady Frost to name a few. 

    “The talent is absolutely stacked right now,” she said. “Even though those are my girls and friends, whoever I’m going to have in front of me we are going to fight. We will put aside that friendship because when we are in that ring, we know what is important and will give each other our best to see who comes out on top.” 

    There is a level of satisfaction for Bordeaux, who along with her husband Kross, started a new chapter post-WWE last year. Ever since, they are busier than ever. 

    “I feel like we made the right choice based on how happy we are,” she said. “We’re getting to perform and show what we can do. We’re going to Mania week. My husband is co-running two of his own shows that are getting very close to selling out, which is amazing. I think we made the right choice right now. 

    Bordeaux continued, “I do like the fact WWE is being forced to turn around from what they are doing and lowering ticket prices for fans. We’ve all been saying that, all the wrestlers for a very long time. I’m glad things are changing for the fans. Truthfully, they make the show and come first. If we don’t have them, we don’t have a show. They don’t have WWE. So, I’m glad they’re changing. I’m glad we are doing our own thing while all that gets sorted out. Hopefully, we can come back when that is all better.”

    MLW has been keeping pricing down for families to enjoy live pro wrestling. Bordeaux reveals she is set to compete during the company’s next event MLW & NJPW Present: CMLL Fantastica Mania USA fueled by Don Gato Tequila on April 12. Bordeaux thought the Festival Hall in Charleston venue was one of her favorites they’ve been to the last time the show ran there. 

    “[Charleston] is amazing,” Bordeaux said. “It feels super haunted and creepy, but the building itself is beautiful. The fans are amazing. It was such a loud, fun crowd the last time we were there. Danny McBride was there. I’m happy he has been able to be part of MLW as well. MLW has really given me a chance right now to not be boxed in with one role. I’ve been able to wrestle again thank God. I’ve been able to manage and get to do everything and not be stuck in one role. It has given me a lot of fun and freedom.”

    Just because Kross and Bordeaux are no longer with WWE doesn’t mean they don’t stay in touch with their former colleagues. “We still communicate with everyone. Producers, people in the office, wrestlers, we’re talking nonstop,” Bordeaux said. “It’s funny though up until December, even until January, people still thought it was a work. People just thought this was a work and we were just taking this long hiatus and coming off the indies and coming back. I don’t know if people still think we’re hiding something from them. We keep in contact with everyone. Sometimes it feels like feelers, but we’re very happy with what we’re doing right now. I wouldn’t change a thing.” 

     Along with wrestling, one of Bordeaux’s passions is exploring the paranormal and ghostly with bestie Shotzi. Together they’ve filmed over the years at some of the most notorious places in the world for their YouTube series. They scout locations on their travels including one recent stop at the Squared Circle Expo where they spent time at the Indiana State Sanatorium. Bordeaux looks to one day do the Ancient Ram Inn and Dracula’s castle. But there is one place don’t expect the ladies to visit. 

    “The Catacombs. That came up with our videographer looking at European stuff. None of us want to do the Catacombs in Paris,” she said. “I don’t know why. There is just something so terrifying being trapped underground.” 

    As for someone they want to join them for a future investigation, the two have someone “Freshly Squeezed” in mind. “We would love to have Orange Cassidy right now because he told us he is a big believer of the paranormal,” she said. “It’s an experience he has always wanted to have. That is someone we would love to have.” 

    The bombshell has enjoyed taking audiences on her travels alongside Kross. The two have had some powerful moments shared from Romania for a sense of homecoming and Ethiopia. 

    “Over the years we’ve had many people tell us just through our social media clips traveling would say, ‘I felt I was there with you. I wish I could do that.’ I feel like this was for them,” Bordeaux said. “Even for our close friends and family who are busy with work and real life, but tell us they spent this money on this brand-new designer purse. I’m like you could be spending money on good food, go to that concert, have that experience. It was also to push people in that direction that materialism and things aren’t as important as having real-life experiences. It doesn’t have to be traveling across the world and going to Africa. It could be literally going to your favorite concert or play or even going to see a movie with someone you care about. Get out of the house and go do something for yourself.” 

    Maybe even perhaps check out a pro wrestling show. 

  • Trevor Lee Signs MLW Deal, Eyes CMLL and New Japan

    Trevor Lee Signs MLW Deal, Eyes CMLL and New Japan

    Trevor Lee has officially signed a contract with Major League Wrestling, the former WWE star confirmed in an interview with Fox News Digital, and will continue competing as the promotion’s Southern Crown Champion.

    Lee, who worked in WWE under the name Cameron Grimes, had been making sporadic appearances for MLW following his release. He competed at MLW Eric Bischoff’s One Shot, appeared at Battle Riot VIII in January, and worked a number of Fusion tapings before inking the deal.

    He captured the MLW Southern Crown Championship in a Bunkhouse Stampede match against Andrew Everett, Beastman, Diego Hill, Festus, Ikuro Kwon, Jesus Rodriguez, Josh Bishop, Matthew Justice, and Paul Walter Hauser.

    Lee on Why He Chose MLW

    Speaking to Fox News Digital, Lee pointed to MLW’s partnerships with CMLL and New Japan Pro-Wrestling as major factors in his decision.

    “I really liked the ability to be able to work with CMLL, to be able to work with New Japan,” Lee said. “So, it’s really cool to see what’s going to come out of this.”

    Lee, 32, also praised MLW’s positioning in the industry, describing it as a step up from the independent circuit while acknowledging it operates in a different space than WWE.

    “MLW isn’t WWE, but they’re not an indie either. They’re right there,” Lee said. “It’s nice to be able to be at a place that can represent you well, show you well, and also give you a good batch of talent to work with.”

    Goals With the Promotion

    Lee said his primary goal is to shed the “comedy promo act” label he carried in WWE and prove himself as an in-ring performer capable of elite-level matches.

    “I just want to be able to show that I’m more than just like a comedy promo act. I can have these elite tier matches and that’s really what my goal is with MLW,” he said.

    Lee named Austin Aries, Matt Riddle, and Donovan Dijak among the MLW roster members he hopes to face, along with talent coming through MLW’s CMLL and New Japan partnerships.

    Lee joins a growing list of former WWE performers in MLW that includes Riddle, Killer Kross, Scarlett Bordeaux, Shotzi Blackheart, Dijak, Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson, and others.

    Lee previously expressed interest in working for AEW following his WWE release in 2024, before ultimately landing with MLW.

  • MLW Returns to Arena México May 1 for Second Annual CMLL Clash

    MLW Returns to Arena México May 1 for Second Annual CMLL Clash

    Major League Wrestling will return to Arena México on May 1 for the second annual MLW vs. CMLL interpromotional event, continuing what has become one of the most active international partnership strategies in independent wrestling.

    The announcement, made during CMLL’s weekly Informa broadcast and confirmed on MLW.com, sets up a rematch between the two promotions at the venue widely known as the Cathedral of lucha libre. Last year’s inaugural card on May 2, 2025, marked the first time an American wrestling promotion co-produced a show from the historic arena.

    What Happened at Last Year’s Event

    The first MLW vs. CMLL event delivered real consequences. Ultimo Guerrero defeated Matthew Justice to capture the MLW National Openweight Championship, while Los Depredadores (Magnus and Rugido) took the MLW World Tag Team Championships from CozyMax (Satoshi Kojima and Okumura). Místico headlined with a win over KUSHIDA, and Donovan Dijak and Ikuro Kwon earned MLW’s lone victory of the night in a tag team elimination match. Paul London wrestled Neon to a no-contest.

    CMLL then defended those captured MLW titles on its own weekly cards throughout the rest of 2025. Ultimo Guerrero racked up five successful defenses of the Openweight Championship before Blue Panther took it from him in September. The relationship wasn’t just a one-night thing; it became part of CMLL’s regular programming.

    A Pattern Two Decades in the Making

    MLW’s international strategy didn’t start with CMLL. It traces back to the promotion’s founding in 2002, when Court Bauer launched MLW with the blessing of All Japan Pro Wrestling. The original concept was to build a North American brand operating within the AJPW ecosystem, blending styles from day one. Satoshi Kojima first appeared in MLW during that initial run and would later become one of the promotion’s most important champions after the 2017 relaunch, holding both the World Heavyweight and World Tag Team titles.

    When MLW returned as a full-time promotion, the international playbook expanded rapidly. A working agreement with Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide brought a wave of lucha talent to MLW Fusion starting in 2018. A collaboration with Mexican promotion The Crash led to an MLW Azteca taping in Tijuana in December 2021. Partnerships with Pro Wrestling NOAH and Dragon Gate brought Japanese fighters into the roster mix, and Yoshihiro Tajiri won the MLW World Middleweight Championship in late 2021, later defending it in AJPW.

    The 2023 Alliance That Changed Everything

    The current structure took shape on September 27, 2023, when MLW, CMLL, and New Japan Pro-Wrestling announced a three-way strategic alliance for crossover events and talent exchanges. The deal had been in discussion since early July, and it required MLW to shift away from AAA talent entirely to align with CMLL’s exclusivity expectations.

    KUSHIDA’s MLW debut at Fury Road in September 2023 kicked off the NJPW side. That same month, MLW brought in Maki Itoh from Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling. The CMLL pipeline opened in October, with Salina de la Renta positioned as the central on-screen figure linking the promotions. By early 2024, CMLL luchadores were regular fixtures on MLW programming.

    The alliance produced co-promoted events on both sides of the border. MLW’s Azteca Lucha at Cicero Stadium in Chicago has become its own annual tradition, featuring CMLL talent prominently. The sold-out 2024 edition brought CMLL general manager Salvador Lutteroth Lomelí as a special guest and showcased matches between the two rosters. A second co-promoted event, Lucha Apocalypto, followed in November 2024, also at Cicero Stadium.

    NJPW’s Battle in the Valley 2024 in San Jose featured MLW talent alongside AEW and CMLL fighters, showing all three alliance partners working on a single card.

    Beyond the Americas

    MLW’s reach hasn’t been limited to Mexico and Japan. In 2021, the promotion partnered with Revolution Pro Wrestling in the United Kingdom. In 2022, a deal with One Pro Wrestling sent then-World Heavyweight Champion Alex Hammerstone across the Atlantic for his first UK match. MLW signed a broadcast agreement with Ayozat TV for UK distribution that same year. A partnership with Oceania Pro Wrestling in Australia expanded the promotion’s footprint even further, with plans for talent exchange and broadcast collaboration. The promotion also forged a relationship with Germany’s Westside Xtreme Wrestling in 2023, which saw wXw wrestlers bring their titles to MLW shows.

    What’s Coming in 2026

    The May 1 event in Mexico City sits within a packed international calendar for MLW. Just weeks before, on April 12, MLW and NJPW will co-present CMLL Fantastica Mania USA from Festival Hall in Charleston, South Carolina, MLW’s new headquarters city. That event will feature NJPW’s Taiji Ishimori, El Desperado, DOUKI (the reigning IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion), and Kojima returning alongside MLW’s own roster and CMLL luchadores. Another Azteca Lucha event is also scheduled for Cicero Stadium later in 2026, with CMLL talent expected to appear.

    No matches have been announced yet for the May 1 Arena México show. Given last year’s card produced two title changes and a Místico main event, expectations are high. Additional details on matchups and participating fighters are expected in the coming weeks.

    For MLW, the strategy is straightforward: use partnerships to give its roster international exposure while bringing in talent that would otherwise never appear on an American independent card. For CMLL, holding MLW championships on their weekly programming adds a cross-promotional layer to a product built on tradition. The relationship runs both directions, and it runs deeper than a handshake deal once a year.

  • Teddy Long Set for MLW\’s Atlanta Return on March 14

    https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2026/03/\"Teddy

    Teddy Long is heading back to where it all began. Major League Wrestling has announced that the WWE Hall of Famer will make his return to Center Stage in Atlanta on Saturday, March 14, when MLW hosts an MLW FUSION TV taping.

    Long\’s ties to Atlanta run deep. He managed the dominant tag team Doom and the Skyscrapers, served as an advisor to Ron Simmons during his championship reign, and became a respected power broker in the industry — with Center Stage serving as the backdrop for many pivotal moments in his career.

    Long last appeared in MLW during the summer of 2024, when he and Mark Henry made a surprise appearance at MLW Battle Riot VI in Atlanta. His sudden return raises plenty of questions: Is he scouting new talent? Backing a rising star? Or does he have a major announcement in store?

    Fans can secure tickets for the March 14 MLW FUSION taping at Ticketmaster or the SEScoops Tickets page.

  • Killer Kross: Standing Atop MLW Mountain\’ After Title Win

    Killer Kross put his endurance to the test in Battle Riot VIII where he won the MLW Heavyweight Championship. He stood as the sole survivor in the 40-man match during the event taped in Kissimmee, Florida on January 29. The 40-year-old prepared for the night by restricting calories and increasing water and electrolytes, as well as focusing on cardio by hiking, climbing, and running. He spent the first two weeks of January in Africa, traveling through Ethiopia. The time in the mountains made all the difference. 

    His latest achievement meant even more knowing his mom, who overcame cancer, was in attendance. Adding to the special evening was the fact that mom didn\’t know the main event result. 

    \”She knew nothing,\” Kross recalled. \”This was the first time she saw me perform live since she finished her treatments. For people who don\’t know when you\’re going through cancer treatments your immune system is compromised, so you can\’t be around a lot of big groups of people. You kind of have to hunker down and protect yourself. She really didn\’t know what was going to be happening. She just knew the aspects of the match and what the performance was going to be about and all the stakes involved. But she knew nothing.\”  

    The former WWE superstar has been in demand, given his strong connection to fans. He sat down with MLW before coming back about how things would potentially go. Those conversations went well.

    \”I thought they were sensible,\” Kross said. \”I thought they were fair. I thought they were a challenge. I enjoy challenging performances. I\’m not looking for an easy road. I\’m not looking to roll in and rest on my laurels and reap the benefits. I\’m not saying there is anything wrong with that at all. Dues are dues, but I really miss challenging performances. I want to be challenged out there because that resonates with the audience. If everything is a breeze, there are benefits to that. You probably physically feel better. Things being easy and clearing good money is a dream scenario for most people in life, but I\’m just different. 

    \”I like being challenged. I feel like when you accomplish those challenges, the reward is that much sweeter and more real when there is skin in the game and something on a line, I think that\’s the component that makes a wrestling show really special for people to watch because they know and are smartened up and know there is real shit going on here. Despite whatever their preconceived notions are about pro wrestling, they can feel when someone has to show up and you\’re not able to roll in on cruise control. There will be some shit involved here. That night is what it felt like for me. That\’s what it was all about.\” 

    Kross has always enjoyed the MLW locker room, but he felt even more so now with numerous veterans. He sees this as elevating the product. 

    \”People who know who they are in the ring. People who understand different market audiences. People who understand what the business should be beyond what is just on the paper given to them, for the betterment of the audience. In my opinion, we\’re lucky to have who we have. This is a solid roster,\” Kross concluded. 

    Among those new names that have entered the mix is Kross\’ wife Scarlett Bordeaux. A veteran in her own right, the \”Smoke Show\” has been getting more time to shine.

    \”When she went to WWE there was a long period people were just being introduced to her for the first time,\” Kross said. \”They had no access to Telemundo or were familiar with the Latin American countries airing or promoting AAA. A lot of people didn\’t even know she was a wrestler. She wasn\’t presented as a wrestler, only occasionally. The moments she was given on TV were very small, so nobody could see her go. 

    \”Now in MLW she is being given matches where people can actually see what she can do. Her original fan base that has followed her everywhere for almost 15 years are like finally. Everyone wins. I think MLW giving her the ability and time to perform not only is good for her because she is having fun and scratching that itch, but I feel the fans are being rewarded and feel that people who haven\’t seen her perform are getting something new, fresh and special.\” 

    Kross can see a bright future for MLW. One where the promotion has the potential to find itself with a new TV platform. 

    \”MLW has the type of roster and internal team that in my opinion can produce something episodically every week,\” he said. \”I absolutely believe that. I know there is such a thing as wrestling fatigue. If there are too many options, people aren\’t going to watch this, that, and the other thing. But in respect to that, MLW is a very strong alternative to what a lot of people are able to see on television. So if they are watching something and feel it\’s the same thing over and over again, MLW will give you something different. 

    \”They are aiming to give you something different. They are not looking to do a copy paste of things they\’ve previously done. They are looking to refresh things and make things exciting and perhaps do the things other places are not able to do. I think in terms of television distribution and things, respectively, I\’m not in those conversations. At one point, if we do cross that bridge I\’d love to be in those meetings and be able to talk to them. I feel like the time I\’ve been able to have independently and the elbows I\’ve been able to rub up against being a free agent independent, I\’ve learned a lot of the mechanics of all that. I think I can be a value in those conversations…\”

  • MLW Returns to Philly in June for 2-Night Event

    Major League Wrestling announced they will return to Philadelphia for the first time in over two years with back-to-back shows on June 12 and 13 at the 2300 Arena.

    The two-night event will include tapings for the new season of MLW Fusion and the promotion\’s signature Summer of the Beasts event. Both shows are sponsored by Don Gato Tequila, the brand launched by actor Danny McBride.

    Tickets go on sale Friday, February 27 at 10:00 a.m. ET through MLW2300.com, with prices starting at $15.

    MLW has announced several talents scheduled to appear including newly crowned MLW World Heavyweight Champion Killer Kross, Shotzi, Matt Riddle, and the CONTRA Unit faction.

    The Philadelphia return holds special significance for MLW, as the promotion held its first event Genesis at the 2300 Arena in June 2002.

    The June shows will also mark MLW\’s 24th anniversary in the wrestling business.

    The event will also feature a special appearance from Don Gato as part of MLW\’s ongoing partnership with the tequila brand.

  • Killer Kross Wins First World Title Since WWE Exit

    Killer Kross is a world champion.

    The star formerly known as Karrion Kross in WWE was part of the MLW Battle RIOT VIII event tonight, from Osceola Heritage Park’s Events Center in Kissimmee, FL. Mads Krule Krügger defended his World Title in a 40-man battle royal that main evented the show, and Kross entered the match at #1.

    The final contestants of the bout apart from the winner were Austin Aries, Donovan Dijak, Bishop Dyer, and Matt Riddle. Killer Kross eliminated both Riddle and Hammerstone in the end to win the match, and his first world title since leaving WWE:

    The 40-year-old was joined by his wife Scarlett Bordeaux in the ring for the post-match celebration. Kross went on to cut a promo, dedicating his win to his mother who had been at the ringside for the first time to watch him wrestle live.

    Killer Kross and Scarlett left WWE in August last year, after being offered only 24 hours to sign a new contract. Kross has been active in the independent circuit since then, having shared the ring with the likes of Matt Cardona, Darby Allin and Jimmy Jacobs for various promotions.

  • MLW Fusion New Season Taping Set for Sold-Out Chicago Show

    Major League Wrestling has confirmed that this Saturday\’s sold-out event at Cicero Stadium in Chicago will serve as an official television taping for the new season of MLW Fusion, the promotion\’s flagship series that has been off the air since December 2023.

    The February 7 event — originally announced as \”Lucha Apocalypto\” — marks the first Fusion taping of 2026 and the show\’s first new content in over two years. MLW had announced the Fusion revival on January 20, though this Saturday\’s taping comes ahead of the previously announced March 14 taping in Atlanta.

    The taping carries significant storyline weight following Battle Riot VIII, which airs today (February 5) on MLW\’s YouTube.

    Chicago Remains MLW\’s Hottest Market

    Saturday\’s sellout marks the fourth consecutive sold-out event at Cicero Stadium since 2024.

    MLW has already announced a return to Cicero Stadium on November 7, with tickets going on sale February 9. Fans attending Saturday will receive exclusive early access to those tickets.

    MLW Fusion previously aired on beIN Sports and YouTube. Broadcast details for the 2026 season have not yet been confirmed.

    The promotion has also announced an upcoming Fusion taping in New York City, with tickets going on sale February 13.

    Visit sescoops.com/tickets for more information.

  • Mister Saint Laurent Out at MLW, Josef Samuel Returns

    Mister Saint Laurent is no longer with Major League Wrestling, marking a significant backstage shake-up for the promotion as it gears up for an ambitious 2026.

    PWInsider reports that with Saint Laurent\’s departure, MLW has made several personnel changes. Josef Samael, best known as the founder and leader of the infamous CONTRA Unit faction, has returned to the company and will head up Talent Relations going forward.

    Former WWE announcer Rich Bocchini, who appeared on SmackDown and NXT under the name Rich Brennan from 2014–2016, is also back with MLW and will work under Samael in the talent relations department. Bocchini previously served as MLW\’s lead play-by-play announcer from 2017–2022.

    Additionally, former WWE NXT writer and producer Nick Bonanno has returned to MLW as a Producer, overseeing promos and pre-tapes.

    MLW\’s creative direction continues to be led by President Court Bauer with Alex Greenfield heavily involved.

    Saint Laurent had been a key figure in MLW since the promotion\’s 2017 relaunch, serving in multiple roles including Chief Operating Officer, commentator, and on-screen manager of the World Titan Federation faction.

    The changes come at a pivotal time for MLW. The promotion recently announced the revival of its flagship series MLW Fusion, with TV tapings scheduled for March 14 in Atlanta and April 12 for the Fantastica Mania USA event. MLW will also return to New York City at The Melrose Ballroom on June 11 for a Fusion taping, with tickets going on sale February 13. Battle Riot VIII, taped January 29 in Kissimmee, Florida, airs this Thursday, February 5 at 8 PM ET on YouTube and beIN Sports.

    MLW also has upcoming dates in Chicago, Charleston, SC — where the company is now headquartered — and Atlanta.

  • Danny McBride to Appear at MLW Battle Riot VIII Thursday in Florida

    Don Gato, the undefeated luchador behind Don Gato Tequila, will appear at MLW Battle Riot VIII this Thursday in Kissimmee, Florida, alongside actor and comedian Danny McBride.

    The appearance comes as part of the tequila brand\’s Florida launch. Earlier in the day, Don Gato and McBride will host a bottle signing at ABC Fine Wine & Spirits in St. Cloud from 3:00-5:00 PM, with select MLW wrestlers also in attendance.

    Battle Riot VIII Details

    MLW\’s biggest event of the year takes place at the Osceola Heritage Park Events Center in Kissimmee on Thursday, January 30, with a bell time of 7:30 PM. Don Gato is expected to be in attendance, observing the action from ringside.

    Tickets for MLW Battle Riot VIII are available now — visit our tickets page to browse all upcoming wrestling events and secure your seats.

    McBride, best known for HBO series Eastbound & Down, Vice Principals, and The Righteous Gemstones, has been involved with the Don Gato brand for years after meeting the luchador during time spent in Mexico.

    \”While I was filming Don Gato and having cool times, I was introduced to the best additive-free tequila I\’ve ever had,\” McBride said. \”I\’m just happy Florida finally gets to meet him.\”

    The promotion recently announced its flagship show, MLW Fusion, is returning soon.

  • Joe & Mark Coffey: \’Orlando Our Second Home\’ for MLW Battle Riot

    Joe and Mark Coffey are looking to make 2026 their year. For the Scottish brothers, all eyes are on the Major League Wrestling Battle Riot VIII. They’re among the 40 top participants in the elimination match. The big event is set to take place January 29 from the Events Center at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Fl. Given the history the two share in Central Florida, it’s even more meaningful. 

    “Orlando has essentially become our second home for us as we settled in here before. We’re looking forward to the opportunity of getting in the mix of MLW, especially coming back to Orlando,” Joe said. “It’s the first time in six years MLW has been in Orlando, so there is a sense of anticipation and excitement, as I’m sure the fans will be that night. I don’t think there is a better way for myself and Mark to get in the mix when there is a title on the line as well. So to be debuting for a championship is very exciting to us.” 

    Mark added, “Orlando is a second home to us now. That being our first night in MLW, it certainly doesn’t feel like we’re away from home. It very much feels like a home game for us. We’re really excited for it.” 

    Joe makes no bones about the challenges the two have faced, especially over the past six months. The brothers along with their Gallus running mate Wolfgang were released from WWE last May. If that wasn’t enough, they had visa issues. After all they’ve been through, he is happy to get down to the business back in the United States and demonstrate their skills on a high level. 

    “There is a massive chip on my shoulder. I’m not going to lie,” Joe said. “I have been a professional wrestler for 16 years and wrestled at elite levels with elite people, Hall of Famers, world champions…MLW to me is one of the top wrestling leagues in the world. I want to showcase what I can do and what we can do as a group. It’s that simple. I’m a very hard-nosed individual. I say it like I see it. That will translate in the pro wrestling ring as well, especially in the Battle Riot.” 

    Mark feels MLW is an exciting place right now. The former mult-time champion sees the big names within the brand. He is up for meeting the best of them.

    “For us, we don’t need our hand held,” he said. “This is a chance for us not to hold anyone’s hand. We’re walking out there to prove ourselves to prove ourselves against the top talent in the industry right now.” 

    As brothers, the duo have been grateful to have each other to lean on during the good and bad times. Mark describes their dynamic similar to back home in Glasgow. They have each other’s back…unless it comes down to the two of them in the Battle Riot. 

    “Me and Joe will fight absolutely everyone and then we’ll fight each other,” Mark said. “Nobody could push your buttons like your sibling. When it comes to this past year, and you need someone by your side, there is nobody to have by your side than your brother. Again, that’s exactly what you’re looking for when you enter something like Battle Riot….We were always close growing up. We’ve traveled the world together. It has made us closer. It has been a fun journey.” 

    Another familiar face that could prove an ally in the Battle Riot is Wolfgang, who has also been announced. Could we see the trio take over MLW? 

    “I feel we’ve built an identity as a unit. Going forward just now, we are the GBOT We are the Glasgow Boys On Tour,” Joe said. “We are taking this act on the road. We’re letting everyone see how good we are and reminding people that, oh by the way, we are absolutely class at this.” 

    Mark added: “It will be exciting to see Wolfgang in there. Probably one of the most unpredictable wrestlers I’ve ever met in my life, which is exciting for me to tag along with personally. Sometimes he shows up and he is the most classic pleasant guy in the world. Other days he shows up, and it’s prepared for battle. You never know what you’re going to get. I\’m excited for everyone in MLW to experience that firsthand.” 

    Beyond the big showdown, the team also could see going for gold within the tag ranks. That means potentially crossing paths with The Skyscrapers Bishop Dyer and Donovan Dijak. They are proud to represent Scotland. A country that has given pro wrestling some of the notable names in the industry including WWE Undisputed WWE Champion. Joe takes pride being among 20 or so who have gone on to work for major companies around the world. He cites the exposure and success of Insane Championship Wrestling. As for the future, Mark says they are taking it one day at a time. 

    “It’s freedom. It’s almost like we’re modern day pirates where you can just roam around work here, there, and work with whatever your schedule allows you to or wants you to,” he added. “With MLW, it’s a case of wanting to get this first one under our belt because it’s such an exciting company right now. We’re really excited to be a part of it.” 

    Joe continued, “MLW is also a place we’ve always had eyes on as well. Before moving to the States, we were friendly with a lot of people there. Paul London has stayed in touch with us for a long time and always spoke very highly of it. It’s just getting that opportunity and taking it in with both hands and seeing where it goes.” 

    The possibilities are endless in the Coffey bros eyes. Building on momentum, they could even see MLW running Scotland one day. 

    “We’d absolutely love to see that and do it,” Joe said. “We’ve seen a lot of companies grow. We were with ICW for a long time. There are similarities with growth. It was always a pleasure to watch it expand because with that company for example, we’ve done 7,000 tickets at an arena there. The scope is there. Ultimates everywhere. MLW is no different. It puts on an elite level product, so why not reach for the stars and start tuning in everywhere.”

    Mark added, “I think MLW is a company the UK fans would absolutely attach themselves to. It has that atmosphere the UK fans love. I think they would love it.” 

  • MLW Fusion Returning in 2026, Weekly Show Revival Confirmed

    Major League Wrestling has officially announced the return of MLW Fusion in 2026. The promotion released a promo video on their YouTube channel today (January 20) with the message:

    \”You waited, you demanded, soon it returns… MLW Fusion 2026.\”

    As first reported by Sean Ross Sapp on Fightful Select in September 2025, MLW had been in talks to develop a new weekly show. The company moved away from the weekly format several years ago, with the last episode of Fusion airing in December 2023.

    First MLW Fusion Taping of 2026

    While a specific premiere date was not included in the announcement, MLW has already scheduled their first Fusion TV taping for March 14, 2026, at Center Stage in Atlanta.

    That event will feature appearances from Shotzi, CONTRA Unit, The Skyscrapers (Bishop Dyer & Donovan Dijak), The Good Brothers, Alex Hammerstone, and others.

    MLW in 2026

    The Fusion revival comes during a period of expansion for MLW, which relocated its headquarters to Charleston, South Carolina in November 2025. The company maintains its longstanding broadcast partnership with beIN Sports, with programming also available on YouTube.

    Coming up for MLW is Battle Riot VIII on January 29 at the Osceola Heritage Park Events Center in Kissimmee, Florida. The event features a 40-man Battle Riot match where the winner earns a guaranteed title shot against current MLW World Heavyweight Champion Mads Krule Krügger.

  • MLW Sells Out February 7 Return to Cicero Stadium

    Major League Wrestling has sold out its February 7, 2026 return to Cicero Stadium in Chicago, marking the promotion\’s fourth consecutive sellout at the venue.

    The February event continues MLW\’s remarkable success in the Chicago market, with all four Cicero Stadium shows since May 2024 selling out in advance. The venue previously hosted sold-out MLW events on May 11, 2024, November 9, 2024, and May 10, 2025.

    The February 7 show, titled Lucha Apocalypto 2026, was rescheduled from its original November 15, 2025 date. MLW has promised a stacked card featuring title fights and major action.

    \”Your energy, loyalty, and unwavering support continue to raise the bar and fuel the momentum behind Major League Wrestling,\” MLW stated in thanking Chicago fans.

    Cicero Stadium, located eight miles from downtown Chicago, has become MLW\’s strongest market in the United States. The November 2024 event set an all-time attendance record for MLW in the U.S.

    MLW announced it is already planning its next Chicago show, with details to be revealed soon.