How Neville Could Fit Into MLW
Credit: MLW.com
MLW is a breeding ground for factions at the moment. Studs, Filthy fighters, Death Machines and second-generation fighters make up a large portion of the roster making it clear that strength in numbers is an asset. A Neville run in MLW may require allies to watch his back.
If you aren’t already in a faction in MLW, chances are you’ve felt the brunt of one of them. Sami Callihan and The Death Machines have been prominently dismantling fighters for months as they slice their way through the roster. They’ve already been successful in running MVP from the promotion and look to repeat the outcome with Shane Strickland as their target at War Games.
Strickland, to his credit, has surrounded himself with allies in Barrington Hughes and Kotto Brazil. While the trio isn’t as defined as a unit as Callihan’s goon squad, they have shown that they will stand by one another and back each other up when trouble arises. Recently, Brazil made a name for himself by rescuing Hughes from a three-on-one beat down from Callihan, Scott and Fulton.
Colonel Robert Parker’s Stud Stable hasn’t been as dominant as some other groups in MLW but they’ve still made their presence known. The Dirty Blondes have been a constant factor in the tag team division despite being unable to capture the MLW World Tag Team Titles. Jake Hager was inches away from winning Battle Riot and earning himself a guaranteed shot at the MLW World Heavyweight Title. Parrow has shown himself to be physically dominant but recent mishaps have put him on thin ice with Parker and the Stable. Still, even with the potential dismissal of Parrow from the group, Parker would still retain a trio under his employ.
Team Filthy only recently expanded to a threesome with the addition of Fred Yehi to a group consisting of Tom Lawlor and Simon Gotch. Lawlor survived 39 other men in Battle Riot to stake his claim as a contender for the MLW World Heavyweight Title. In doing so he tempted the hands of fate by eliminating not only the Stud Stable’s Hager but Kotto Brazil and Sami Callihan as well. Lawlor has not endeared himself or his faction to the other groups in MLW.
Lastly, The Hart Foundation is set to make waves wherever they see fit in the promotion. They have yet to pick their spots yet, though the future is truly unlimited for Teddy Hart, Davey Boy Smith Jr and Brian Pillman Jr. A twosome could easily slot themselves into contention for the MLW World Tag Team Titles while considering the third man for the World Middleweight or World Heavyweight titles.
If Neville rears his head into MLW, he may want to consider bringing a small army along with him. While MJF showed that he could make it to the top of his division on his own, he convinced Aria Blake to join him in order to retain his title against Joey Janela. Low Ki, despite not having the full force of a faction behind him, rarely travels anywhere without business partner Salina de La Renta.
Who would be Neville’s ideal choices for partners in crime if he were to arrive as a trio? Perhaps a troupe of former WWE superstars who feel spurned by the company? Possibly a recruitment of unlikely associates from the current MLW roster? For anyone venturing into this era of Major League Wrestling, one thing is for sure – without backup, you’re a helpless baby seal swimming with sharks.