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Tag: 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

  • MLW Fusion Results (5/30/26): Austin Aries Returns, Riddle Signs With Kross

    MLW Fusion Results (5/30/26): Austin Aries Returns, Riddle Signs With Kross

    MLW Fusion came back Saturday with a two-hour season premiere streaming free on YouTube, kicking off a new era headlined by Austin Aries vs. Trevor Lee. Here’s everything that went down.

    Quick Results

    • Shotzi def. Priscilla Kelly
    • Scarlett def. Aleah James
    • Austin Aries def. Trevor Lee
    • The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson) def. Joe Coffey & Mark Coffey
    • Diego Hill def. Adam Brooks
    • Zamaya def. Carolina Cruz
    • Alex Hammerstone def. Bishop Dyer

    News & Notes

    • Aries headlines the new era. Austin Aries beat Trevor Lee in the spotlight match of the night, then called out MLW National Champion Blue Panther after the win.
    • Kross opens the door. MLW World Champion Killer Kross held a press conference announcing an open contract for any challenger. By night’s end, Matt Riddle had signed it, setting up a title showdown. Alex Hammerstone was visibly unhappy that someone beat him to the signature.
    • Good Brothers vs. Skyscrapers heats up. Gallows and Anderson brawled with The Skyscrapers (Donovan Dijak & Bishop Dyer) backstage early, then beat the Coffey brothers. The Skyscrapers later taunted them with the MLW Tag Team Titles, sparking another fight.
    • Shotzi stays hot. Shotzi topped Priscilla Kelly and called out MLW Women’s World Champion Shoko Nakajima.
    • Contra resurfaces. A Contra video aired showing Mads Krugger being “killed.”
    • Celebrity cameo. Actor Danny McBride appeared at the Fusion press conference alongside Don Gato.

    What’s Next

    Matt Riddle vs. Killer Kross is now set for the MLW World Title, with Hammerstone lurking after being passed over. Aries’ callout points toward a National Title program with Blue Panther, while the Good Brothers and Skyscrapers are clearly on a collision course over the tag straps. Fusion returns next Saturday at 6:05 PM ET on YouTube.

  • 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.”

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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…\”

  • Blue Panther on CMLL-MLW Partnership & Winning Title At 65

    Age is but a number for Blue Panther. The legendary luchador proudly wears the MLW National Openweight Championship after winning it in September against Último Guerrero. This was the veteran’s first singles title win in two decades. It also happened in Arena Mexico during a CMLL event, mere days after Blue Panther celebrated his 65th birthday.  

    “I received the opportunity to face a great luchador in  Último Guerrero,” Blue Panther reflected. “I had the victory on a special day because it was September 21, the [National Day of Lucha Libre]. The 21st of September, every year is a special day for lucha libre, for every luchador. So, it was an important victory in my career. I’m so proud to be the MLW National Openweight Champion.” 

    The partnership between MLW and CMLL continues to grow going into the new year. A shining example of this comes on February 7 in Chicago when MLW presents Lucha Apocalypto 2026. 

    “I’m enjoying this moment. I enjoy being on every MLW show. I’m hoping it’s a sold-out MLW show,” Blue Panther said. “That would be so great. For sure, it will be a sold-out show with MLW and CMLL superstars. I’m so happy to be in Chicago with all the Latin American fans and be part of lucha libre. Also, this partnership with MLW and CMLL is so important because lucha libre is going to new places to new countries to new shows to new cities. I consider that it’s so important for CMLL and lucha libre to be in different parts of the world.” 

    Blue Panther’s love and dedication for the business remains stronger than ever. During a recent interview, he took a moment to take out his phone to share photos of past wars. Bloody battles from the 1980s with one particular visual of him flying through the air. The legendary figure, like others in lucha, were revolutionary and ahead of their time. This high-flying, fast-paced style continued to evolve to what we see today. 

    “I’m open to facing any MLW or CMLL superstar,” the champ said. “I would like the person from MLW or CMLL to take the decision of who wants to face Blue Panther for CMLL National Openweight Championship. I prefer an American luchador because I want to exchange the style, my style, with the new generation of style. I would like to face these challenges in the future for the championship.”  

    Along with holding the gold solo, Blue Panther takes pride in seeing his sons follow him. Still active, he gets to work alongside and guide Blue Panther Jr., Black Panther, and El Hijo de Blue Panther. He joined the latter as Los Divinos Laguneros in a fun four-way showcase during the MLW X Don Gato Tequila show in November. 

    “That’s so important for lucha libre,” Blue Panther said of the family heritage. “All this tradition. I’m so happy my sons have been in lucha libre. At first I didn’t want them to become luchadores, but day-by-day for all of them, it was all lucha libre. It was something that would happen in the future when they were child. Now they are luchadores. I’m so happy for all of them because they respect lucha libre. I like that they respect the traditions, as a sport, the mask, everything.” 

    It has been fun for Blue Panther to see lucha explode in popularity. He attributes a lot of that to accessibility thanks to technology. 

    “The different platforms that help us a lot in CMLL is the fact that everywhere in the world can see lucha libre,” he said. “That there is a main company in lucha libre, and it is CMLL. With 92 years of history, I think it’s something important for all of us for the roster, for the luahdors, for everyone in lucha libre. Before, it didn’t happen; before, we didn’t have these platforms. Before it was in the magazines, the newspapers, but right now all around the world people can see us on the phone, TV, social media. The platform, the technology, it’s helping CMLL show lucha libre around the world.” 

    As for what keeps him competing at a high level after so many decades, he attributes it to discipline, passion, and genuine love of lucha libre. Blue Panther added, “I’m so grateful. I’m not thinking of retiring from lucha libre. I still want to prove why I love lucha libre and why lucha libre is my passion.