MLW Fusion Results, Highlights, and Grades: Hart vs Swann
The final matches from MLW War Games highlight tonight’s episode as we inch closer to Fury Road. Brian Pillman Jr makes his in-ring singles debut while the leader of the Hart Foundation, Teddy Hart, takes on a recovering Rich Swann in the main event.
The Hart Foundation and Rich Swann & ACH have cultivated a hatred between each other that has grown over the past several months in MLW. Last week, Davey Boy Smith Jr was able to pick up a win over ACH in an underwhelming match between the two. Can Swann avenge the loss of his partner against Teddy Hart tonight?
Tonight’s episode kicks off with the Lucha Bros being removed from the arena by ICE agents to Konnan’s protest. The Tag Team Champions’ hands are bound behind their backs as they are lead off camera. On commentary, Tony Schiavone exclaims, “Damn it! What is happening in MLW?!”
Hard agree, Tony.
Grade: C’mon now. You’re better than this!
This is maybe the least MLW-feeling thing that’s happened on an MLW Fusion show so far. Up to this point, most of the storylines have been based around competition or professional rivalries – at the most, people just disliking one another and wanting to beat ’em up.
This felt out of left field and got a groan and an eye roll from me. I don’t know that I was necessarily offended by the storyline (but also, I’m a white guy living in America and wrestling has a tendency to grab for the lowest-hanging fruit at times so I suppose I’m conditioned to expect it), but more so it felt like lazy writing. I understand needing to add another element to the feud between de La Renta and Konnan, but there was probably a better way to do it.
To his credit, MLW CEO Court Bauer responded to the negative backlash from fans and viewers via Twitter fairly quickly after the episode aired:
The Propaganda Foundation
Before any action kicks off in the ring, we’re taken to remarks from The Hart Foundation earlier in the week. The claim is that Hart and Smith concussed Rich Swann during their match at Battle Riot leading to ACH and Swann deeming the pair unsafe.
Hart fires back here with his tried and true statement that the media, especially in the US, is nothing more than a propaganda machine trying to bury The Hart Foundation with untruths.
Hart laments that the stories everybody hears about him are negative, but they look past his contributions to the sport and the effort he’s put in over the years. Closing out, Teddy makes his intentions known that The Hart Foundation is coming for the MLW Tag Team Championships.
Grade: Fine. Continued character building for Hart, who still comes off a little wooden to me.
Hart’s delivery always feels off to me for some reason. It’s not that it doesn’t feel natural, because every word that comes out of his mouth is something I think he actually believes – that’s the type of character and personality he’s developed throughout his career.
Swann did legitimately suffer an injury at Battle Riot, which could explain why that match felt so awkward to me at the time as someone watching at home. Swann will look to redeem himself and leave Hart laying later tonight.