MLW Fusion

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MLW Fusion
GenreProfessional wrestling
Created byCourt Bauer
StarringMLW roster
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons5
No. of episodes135 (as of March 3, 2022)
Production
Executive producersSean O'Heir
Nelson Sweglar[1][2]
Camera setupMulticamera setup
Running time60 minutes
Release
Original networkbeIN Sports USA (2018–present)
fubo Sports Network (2020–2021)
YouTube (2020–present)
Picture formatHDTV 1080p
Original releaseApril 20, 2018 (2018-04-20) –
present
Chronology
Related showsMLW Fusion: Alpha (2021)
MLW Azteca (2022)
External links
Website
MLW Fusion: Alpha
GenreProfessional wrestling
Created byCourt Bauer
StarringMLW roster
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes13
Production
Camera setupMulticamera setup
Running time60 minutes
Release
Original networkYouTube
beIN Sports USA
Picture formatHDTV 1080p
Original releaseSeptember 22 (2021-09-22) –
December 16, 2021 (2021-12-16)

MLW Fusion is a professional wrestling television program produced by Major League Wrestling (MLW) that premiered on April 20, 2018. Originally airing in the United States on beIN Sports USA,[3][4][5][6][7] new episodes have been streaming worldwide on MLW's YouTube channel since November 2020.

A thirteen-part mini-series, titled MLW Fusion: Alpha (stylized as MLW Fusion: ALPHA), aired from September 22 to December 16, 2021.

History[]

2018–2020[]

Show logo used from 2018 to May 2020

Major League Wrestling announced their partnership with beIN Sports on March 30, 2018, in which the network would air a weekly television series.[8] Subsequently, MLW announced their television tapings would take place at Gilt Nightclub in Orlando, Florida.[9][10][11] MLW Fusion would air on Friday nights beginning on April 20, 2018.[12] On September 19, it was announced that MLW signed a deal for the show to be streamed through FITE TV,[13] and to air on beIN Sports in Spanish.[14]

On November 29, it was announced that Fusion would be broadcast live for the first time on its December 14 episode, during MLW's Zero Hour event.[15][16][17] Since then the company would continue to air periodic live specials.

In January 2019, Fusion added its first international broadcast partner, EGO TV in Israel.[18] In February 2019, MLW announced that Fusion would be moving from Friday to Saturday nights.[19]

After the conclusion of the MLW vs AAA Super Series on the May 9, 2020 episode, Fusion would go on a haitus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A spinoff series, titled Pulp Fusion, was uploaded weekly on MLW's YouTube channel in the interim beginning on May 29, 2020.[20]

"The Restart" and Fusion: Alpha (2020–2021)[]

Logo used from November 2020 to December 2021. A variation of this logo was used for Fusion: Alpha

On September 10, MLW announced that Fusion would move to Wednesday nights on fubo Sports Network.[21] On October 10, it was revealed that Fusion would return on November 18 at 7pm EST and new episodes would also premiere on MLW's YouTube channel on the same night.[22] With the move to YouTube and Fubo Sports, Fusion abandoned its original year-round, weekly format; a special "season finale" aired on May 5, 2021.[23][24]

During the premiere of Battle Riot III on July 24, 2021, MLW announced a new season of Fusion to air on "a new home" in the Fall, and a new, four-part mini-series titled MLW Fusion: Alpha (stylized as MLW Fusion: ALPHA) to lead into the new season.[25][26][27] Initially announced to air in August, Fusion: Alpha was later re-announced on September 6, 2021, as "a new season and series from MLW" to premiere on September 22 on MLW's YouTube channel, and would also air on Saturdays and Mondays on Bein Sports.[28][29][30]

Beginning October 19, 2021, Fusion: Alpha would also stream on FITE TV.[31] On December 7, MLW announced that the series finale of Fusion: Alpha will air on December 15, 2021,[32][33] though the final episode would instead air on December 16.[34]

2022–present[]

During the January 27, 2022 episode of MLW Azteca, a five-part mini-series taped during the MLW Azteca/The Crash show in December 2021, it was announced that MLW Fusion would return for a new season on February 10.[35][36]

Production[]

Filming locations[]

Initially, Fusion had been taped at Gilt Nightclub in Orlando, Florida. In May 2018, MLW announced they would be holding television tapings at the Melrose Ballroom in New York City, New York on July 19, marking the first time tapings were held outside the state of Florida.[37] Subsequent tapings have been held at various venues around the United States.

From Fall 2020 until 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MLW would return to Gilt Nightclub to tape their programming behind closed doors.[38] From July to December 2021, MLW programming was taped at the 2300 Arena from the promotion's home base in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[39]

Special episodes[]

See also: List of Major League Wrestling events
Episode Date Notes
Battle Riot[40] July 27, 2018 Featured the first ever Battle Riot match
WarGames September 14, 2018 Featured the WarGames match
Fright Night [41] October 26, 2018 Featured the first "Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal" match
MLW Fusion Live[42] December 14, 2018 First ever live broadcast
Christmas Day Special[43] December 25, 2018 Featured PCO and Brody King's last match in MLW. The special wasn't included in the series' official episode count.[44]
SuperFight[45] February 2, 2019 Special live broadcast
Intimidation Games March 2, 2019 Special live broadcast
MLW Fusion presented by Salina de la Renta May 4, 2019 First Fusion episode hosted by Salina de la Renta.[46]
Battle Riot II April 5, 2019 Special live broadcast featuring the Battle Riot match
Fury Road June 1, 2019 Special live broadcast
MLW Fusion presented by Salina de la Renta June 15, 2019 Second Fusion episode hosted by Salina de la Renta.[47]
Kings of Colosseum July 6, 2019 Special live broadcast
War Chamber September 14, 2019 Featured the War Chamber match
Jimmy Havoc's Slaughterhouse October 19, 2019 Fusion episode hosted by Jimmy Havoc.[48]
"Saturday Night SuperFight" pre-show November 2, 2019 The live pre-show to MLW Saturday Night SuperFight
MLW Fusion on Thanksgiving November 28, 2019 Featured Jacob Fatu vs Ross Von Erich for the MLW World Heavyweight Championship[49]
Opera Cup opening round December 14, 2019 The beginning of the 2019 Opera Cup.[50]
MLW Fusion presented by The Dynasty February 15, 2020 Fusion episode hosted by The Dynasty.[51]
Fusion 100 March 7, 2020 The 100th episode of MLW Fusion [52]
AAA vs MLW April 18, 2020 The beginning of the Super Series with Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide.[53]
The Restart November 18, 2020 The return of Fusion after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Opera Cup opening round November 25, 2020 The beginning of the 2020 Opera Cup.[54]
Kings of Colosseum January 6, 2021 Special broadcast
Salina de la Renta's MLW Fusion January 13, 2021 Third Fusion episode hosted by Salina de la Renta.
Filthy Island February 17, 2021 Special episode of Fusion held in Hawaii at Tom Lawlor's Filthy Island.
Never Say Never March 31, 2021 Special broadcast
Season Finale May 5, 2021 Features the first appearance of Azteca Underground's Cesar Duran.[55]

Fusion: Alpha Special episodes[]

Episode Date Notes
Opera Cup opening round October 13, 2021 The beginning of the 2021 Opera Cup.[56]
War Chamber November 17, 2021 Special broadcast[57]
Fusion on Thanksgiving 2021 November 25, 2021 Featured the ladder match for the vacant MLW National Openweight Championship[58]

Roster[]

Main article: List of Major League Wrestling personnel

The wrestlers featured on Major League Wrestling take part in scripted feuds and storylines. Wrestlers are portrayed as either villains or heroes in the scripted events that build tension and culminate in a wrestling match.

Commentators[]

Commentators Dates
Tony Schiavone and Rich Bocchini January 11, 2018 (2018-01-11) – July 19, 2018 (2018-07-19)
August 3, 2019 (2019-08-03) – October 7, 2019 (2019-10-07)
Tony Schiavone and Rich Bocchini/Matt Striker July 19, 2018 (2018-07-19) – February 23, 2019 (2019-02-23)
Rich Bocchini and Jim Cornette March 2, 2019 (2019-03-02) – July 27, 2019 (2019-07-27)
Rich Bocchini and A.J. Kirsch October 14, 2019 (2019-10-14) – May 23, 2020 (2020-05-23)
Rich Bocchini and Saint Laurent November 18, 2020 (2020-11-18) – March 24, 2021 (2021-03-24)
September 22, 2021 (2021-09-22) – October 6, 2021 (2021-10-06)
October 20, 2021 (2021-10-20)
Ray Flores and Saint Laurent March 31, 2021 (2021-03-31) – May 5, 2021 (2021-05-05)
Rich Bocchini and Joe Dombrowski October 13, 2021 (2021-10-13) – present

Broadcast history[]

Channel Time slot Years
BeIN Sports Friday 8:00pm April 2018 - February 2019
Saturday 9:00pm February 2019 – May 2020
Saturday 10:00pm November 2020 – present
YouTube Wednesday 7:00pm November 2020 – December 2021
Thursday 8:00pm February 2022 – present
Fubo Sports Network Wednesday 7:00pm November 2020 – May 2021

See also[]

  • List of professional wrestling television series

References[]

  1. ^ "Major League Wrestling: Fusion (TV Series 2018– ) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Retrieved 2018-09-21.
  2. ^ Barasso, Justin (March 8, 2018). "Bruce Prichard Joins Major League Wrestling". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2018-09-16.
  3. ^ "MLW: FUSION DEBUTS TONIGHT AT 8 PM ON BEIN SPORTS, COMPLETE DETAILS". PWInsider.com. Retrieved 2018-09-21.
  4. ^ "Jeff Jarrett Reviving Global Force Wrestling, Hulk Hogan Appearance, Tonight's 'MLW Fusion' Preview". WrestlingInc.com. Retrieved 2018-09-21.
  5. ^ "MLW Fusion Results - 4/20/18 (Debut show on beIN Sports with Austin Aries, Pentagon Jr) - WWE News and Results, RAW and Smackdown Results, Impact News, ROH News". wrestleview.com. Retrieved 2018-09-21.
  6. ^ "MLW Intimidation Games TV taping details, tickets on sale now - Pro Wrestling Dot Net". prowrestling.net. 13 April 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-21.
  7. ^ "Major League Wrestling Signs TV Deal". prowrestlingsheet.com. 26 March 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-21.
  8. ^ "BEIN SPORTS ADDS MAJOR LEAGUE WRESTLING TO ITS GROWING SPORTS ROSTER". Major League Wrestling. March 30, 2018. Retrieved 2018-06-16.
  9. ^ "2018 Story". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2018-09-21.[dead link]
  10. ^ "Matches set for 5/3 MLW Fusion TV Taping in Orlando - WWE News and Results, RAW and Smackdown Results, Impact News, ROH News". wrestleview.com. Retrieved 2018-09-21.
  11. ^ "SIX MAN TAG ADDED TO STACKED MLW MAY 3RD MLW BEIN SPORTS TV TAPING IN ORLANDO". PWInsider.com. Retrieved 2018-09-21.
  12. ^ "FUSION recap for April 20, 2018". MLW: Major League Wrestling®. April 21, 2018.
  13. ^ "▷ MLW Videos & Streams - FITE".
  14. ^ "MLW SIGNS DEAL TO LAUNCH SPANISH LANGUAGE VERSION OF FUSION, NEW SIGNINGS, CHANGES TO SCHEDULE, PILLMAN AND MORE NEWS". Pro Wrestling Insider. September 19, 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-19.
  15. ^ "BAUER TEASING 'BLOCKBUSTER' DEAL FOR MLW". Pro Wrestling Insider. November 22, 2018. Retrieved 2018-11-22.
  16. ^ "MLW TO AIR FIRST LIVE SPECIAL ON BEIN SPORTS". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. November 29, 2018. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
  17. ^ "MLW Fusion to Be Broadcast Live on beIN Sports for the First Time". Sports Illustrated. November 29, 2018. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
  18. ^ "MLW partners with Ego TV to bring FUSION to Israel". MLW: Major League Wrestling®. 17 January 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  19. ^ "MLW Fusion moving to Saturday nights on beIN Sports". WON/F4W - WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, UFC News, UFC results. 2019-02-12. Retrieved 2019-02-12.
  20. ^ MLW Debuts New Weekly Digital Series Pulp Fusion
  21. ^ "MLW moves to Wednesday nights". MLW.com. 2020-09-10. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
  22. ^ "YouTube to air Fusion Wednesday nights". MLW.com. 2020-10-10. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
  23. ^ "MLW Fusion Results (4/21): TJP Vs. Bu Ku Dao, Hammerstone Holds A Press Conference, More". Pro Wrestling Insider. April 21, 2021. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  24. ^ "MLW Fusion Preview (5/5): Lio Rush Vs. Myron Reed II, Richard Holliday In Action, More". Pro Wrestling Insider. May 5, 2021. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  25. ^ Oliver, Iain (July 24, 2021). "MLW Battle Riot III results: A new World title challenger is crowned". Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
  26. ^ "MLW Battle Riot Results: Powell's review of the Battle Riot III match for a shot at the MLW Heavyweight Championship, new MLW series, Fusion returning to a new home in the fall". . 2021-07-24.
  27. ^ Mini-series Fusion: ALPHA announced MLW.com
  28. ^ Fusion: ALPHA premiere 2021/09/06 MLW.com
  29. ^ "MLW Fusion: ALPHA Premiere Date Revealed". . 2021-09-07.
  30. ^ Fusion ALPHA premieres September 22, 2021/09/07/ MLW.com
  31. ^ "MLW'S FUSION: ALPHA TO DEBUT ON FITE.TV FOR FREE". PWInsider. 2021-10-19. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
  32. ^ "MLW Azteca Premiere Date And Details Revealed". Wrestling Inc. December 7, 2021.
  33. ^ MLW AZTECA anthology mini series coming
  34. ^ Fusion ALPHA Preview: Tajiri vs. Aoyagi, Park vs. Homicide.html
  35. ^ MLW Azteca Results 1_27_22
  36. ^ MLW Azteca Report: Alex Hammerstone vs. Octagon Jr.
  37. ^ "MAIN EVENT ANNOUNCED FOR MLW NYC DEBUT NEXT MONTH". PWInsider. 2018-05-31. Retrieved 2018-09-16.
  38. ^ "MLW FUSION RESULTS: JACOB FATU VS. DAVEY BOY SMITH JR. TITLE MATCH". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Weekly. November 19, 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  39. ^ Oliver, Iain (July 24, 2021). "MLW Battle Riot III results: A new World title challenger is crowned". Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
  40. ^ "beIN SPORTS TO AIR TWO HOUR MLW SPECIAL: MLW BATTLE RIOT, FRIDAY, JULY 27". PWInsider.com. Retrieved 2018-09-21.
  41. ^ "MLW TO AIR FIRST-EVER HALLOWEEN SPECIAL 'FRIGHT NIGHT' NEXT WEEK ON BEIN SPORTS". PWInsider.com. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
  42. ^ MLW.com (2018-11-29). "beIN SPORTS to air MLW Fusion LIVE Friday night Dec 14". MLW: Major League Wrestling®. Retrieved 2019-02-12.
  43. ^ "MLW FUSION CHRISTMAS DAY SPECIAL RESULTS: PCO VS. BRODY KING". Wrestling Observer Newslleter. 27 December 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  44. ^ Major League Wrestling_ Fusion - Season 3 - IMDb
  45. ^ "MLW 'SuperFight' Results (2/2/19): New Champions Crowned, Kotto Brazil In Action, More | Fightful Wrestling". www.fightful.com. Retrieved 2019-02-12.[permanent dead link]
  46. ^ MLW Fusion 2x19 "Pentagon Jr. vs LA Park 2, Low Ki vs. Daga" - Trakt.tv
  47. ^ MLW Fusion 2x25 "Flamita vs. Horus, Callihan vs. Warner" - Trakt.tv.html
  48. ^ MLW Fusion 2x43 "Jimmy Havoc's Slaughterhouse" - Trakt.tv
  49. ^ MLW Fusion 2x49 "MLW Fusion on Thanksgiving: Jacob Fatu vs Ross Von Erich | World Heavyweight Title Match" - Trakt
  50. ^ MLW Fusion 2x51 "Brian Pillman vs. TJP | Opera Cup Opening Round" - Trakt.tv
  51. ^ MLW Fusion 3x07 "MLW Fusion #97 presented by Dynasty | Von Erichs vs. MJF & Holliday | Hammerstone vs. Aerostar + more" - Trakt.tv
  52. ^ MLW Fusion 3x10 "Fusion #100 | Fatu vs. CIMA | Pillman vs. Havoc | Smith vs. Stevens" - Trakt.tv
  53. ^ MLW Fusion 3x15 "Super Series - Stage 1 | Alex Hammerstone vs. Laredo Kid | MLW AAA Super Series" - Trakt.tv
  54. ^ MLW Fusion 3x29 "MLW Fusion #111: Opera Cup Opening Round" - Trakt.tv
  55. ^ Fusion Recap: Rush/Reed 2 Closes Out Season Finale, ‘El Jefe’ Reveals Himself
  56. ^ Fusion ALPHA Recap: 2021 Opera Cup Kicks Off With Tom Lawlor vs. Davey Richards
  57. ^ ▷ MLW Fusion Alpha, Episode 9 - Official Free Replay - FITE TV
  58. ^ ▷ MLW Fusion Alpha, Episode 10 - Official Free Replay - FITE TV

External links[]

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