MLW Fusion Episode 164 feat Taya Valkyrie (w/Cesar Duran) vs. Trish Adora Recap & Results

Watch at https://video.prowrestlingtv.live/shows/mlw-fusion/season/1/episode/0-1

Aired on Thursday, 01/26/2023

Fusion started off with Cesar Duran making his entrance. He said he was giving a gift to the fans even though they did not deserve it. After a buildup, Duran introduced Sam Adonis, who made his entrance and walk to the ring. His opponent was already in the ring. A local wrestler by the name for Johnny Patch.

The broadcast team for this episode are Joe Dombrowski and Matt Striker. Ring Announcer is Tim Barr.

Opening Match: Sam Adonis Vs. Johnny Patch – This match was geared solely to make Sam Adonis look strong and a force to be reckoned with. Adonis, who is the younger brother of WWE’s Corey Graves, made short work of Patch. He finished off Patch with the Orange Blossom Thunder Driver to pick up the win. Result: Sam Adonis defeats Johnny Patch via pinfall.

The broadcast team announced Richard Holliday would speak after the break to give fans an update on his status. They announced Yamato will be in action. As well as the main event of night for the Women’s Featherweight Championship, Taya Valkyrie (C) vs Trish Adora.

Back on the stage, Sam Laterna interviewed Adonis and Duran. Laterna asked Adonis why he would align himself with someone the likes of Cesar Duran. Duran took issue to this, with Adonis having to calm down Duran. He then told the crowd in attendance, who were being loud and vocal, to shut their mouths. Adonis cuts a great promo and gets heat saying he spent the past five years of his life beating up lucadores in Mexico City. He doesn’t have to wear a stupid mask or do flips around the ring like an idiot, he beats people up!

A video then airs for Alex Hammerstone vs. EJ Nduka in a Last Man Standing match for the MLW World Championship. This is to main event MLW’s new show Underground’s, debuting February 7 on Reelz. A brief video then showcases Trish Adora and cuts to advertise her main event title match tonight. An ad then aired for MLW’s Superfight on February 4th in Philadelphia. A video also teased a Lio Rush return to this event.

Alex Kane delivered a backstage promo with Mr. Thomas standing by. Kane spoke about rebranding the current Opera Cup, to the Oprah Cup. He said he would win the cup, the Battle Riot, and the MLW Heavyweight Championship. A cameraman then catches up with Davey Boy Smith, Jr in the parking lot. Smith laughed at the idea of the Opera Cup being renamed to the Oprah Cup. Smith said it can be renamed whatever, he doesn’t care. However damaging the cup is a different story. Smith said he would dish out some serious punishment and payback to Kane for damaging the cup. And that he would not wrestle Kane, but will hurt him!

Next Match: Shun Skywalker vs. Yamato for the Open the Dream Gate Championship (The match was listed courtesy of Dragon Gate. It appears to be a match held back in August of 2021 in Kobe, Japan). While this was a great match, I have to question why they would show a match from a year and four months ago, especially one already televised live? The only explanation I can think of is that MLW is running out of taped content. I’m basing this on the fact that some matches and content from the Blood & Thunder tapings, are yet to be seen. We are closing in on new tapings for MLW Superfight on February 4th, which most likely means some of the remaining content is being moved to the MLW Underground debut on Reelz. Either way, this is a fantastic match and one I didn’t mind seeing again. It really showcases the best of what the Dragon Gate promotion offers. It was actioned packed with high spots and near falls. In the end, it was Yamato who came out on top, beating Shun Skywalker to win championship. Results: Yamato defeats Shun Skywalker to win Open the Dream Gate Championship.

Next, Richard Holliday sat in studio and delivered a pre-recorded address to viewers. Holliday said he wanted to speak candidly because not everyone is on, or pays attention to social media. Holliday said in September of 2022, he was diagnosed with cancer in the form of Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He said while it was a shock, he keeps telling himself it’s not the news that you get that defines you as a person, it’s how your react to it. Holliday said he has been in the gym five to six days per week and that he is training his ass off! His doctors have been shocked by how well his body has responded and handled chemotherapy. He said he is doing better each and every day. While he does not know when he will be able to return to the ring and the world of pro wrestling that he loves and misses so dearly, he said he will miss the fans until then. He said this is not at all a goodbye or even a see you later, but considers it a see you soon and can’t wait for that day to return. Holliday closed by saying that “when you breathe rarified air, you fight!”

The broadcast team advertises & hype the main event again. Upcoming fight shows and dates are listed. Lince Dorado and Microman vs. Delirious and Mini Abismo Negro match was announced for next week’s Fusion episode. Footage was shown of Microman backstage eating, when Cesar Duran and Sam Adonis approached him. Adonis picked up a trashcan and proceeded to dump it on Microman, then put the trashcan over him. Lince Dorado showed up and took issue with what they did. Footage aired of Jacob Fatu defeating Ben-K in the main event last week. Jacob Fatu, Juicy Finau, and Lance Anoa’i were all shown talking together in an outdoor area. Jacob Fatu mentioned his recent wins, while Juicy Finau pointed out that he and Lance Anoa’i still remain unbeaten. Anoa’i said they are all about to be dripping in gold. They all then proceeded with an SST chant. Joe Dombrowski did a good job promoting and hyping Hammerstone vs. Nduka for MLW Underground on Reelz. He also announced that Real 1 (a.k.a Enzo Amore) will “shoot” on the premiere episode on February 7 airing on Reelz.

Main Event: Taya Valkyrie (w/Cesar Duran) vs. Trish Adora for the MLW Featherweight Championship. This was a very lackluster match. Both wrestlers had moments but nothing memorable. The match did however, solidify Taya Valkyrie as a heel by aligning herself with Duran. Cesar Duran assisted Valkyrie twice in this match. First when Valkyrie distracted the referee, while Duran tripped Adora from under the bottom rope. Valkyrie then dove at Adora, who caught her. Duran reached in from under the bottom rope again to trip Adora, causing Valkyrie to fall on top of her. This resulted in the three count and an end to the match. Result: Taya Valkyrie (C) defeats Trish Adora by pinfall with help from Cesar Duran.

* COMING SOON: PREVIEW OF MLW SUPERFIGHT CARD ON 2/4/2023. AS WELL AS RESULTS & TV TAPING NEWS FROM THIS NIGHT*