By Mark Worrall@hoohoowozza
This week’s Fushion tapings continue to come from New York as a different episode than usual takes place as we have a special edition that is solely based around Salina De La Renta. In fact this is a Salina produced show that gives the Puerto Rican full control to run Fushion in whatever way she sees fit as the episode opens with Salina talking on the phone promising whoever she is speaking to a fantastic show as she is running the whole thing! Low-Ki, working out attempts to cut the phone call insisting that tonight’s match he has with Daggo is very important to which Salina just brushes him off telling him that he makes the matches, she is all business.
Salina is all over this episode, even from the opening with regular commentators Rich Bocchini and Jim Cornette attempting to put over the show are interrupted with De La Renta claiming by the time the show is over everyone will see that she should have been running the show from day one!
There is a small segment featuring Sami Callihan who is angry that he was kicked out of the building by Salina, and Callihan has hijacked a cameraman and is trying to get back into the building, there is a small argument between the two as it appears that Callihan has no keys.
LOW KI def. DAGGA
Dagga is attacked on the ramp during his entrance by Low-Ki as they initially brawl on the ramp before Dagga takes down Low-Ki once in the ring and starts a portion of domination it is fair to be said from Dagga, who really hits some good spots that even a thumb to the eye from Low-Ki cannot stop the Mexican’s advantage has he is basically all over the former World Champion who simply cannot cope with Dagga’s consistent offence being on the receiving end of a suicide dive that sees both ringside, brawling with each other as commentary put over that this is a rematch over half a year in the making! Low Ki does turn things around after countering a suplex planting Dagga onto the top rope and suddenly the pace drops as Low-Ki methodically picks at his opponent looking for submission moves attempting to grind him down as both wrestlers begin to look tired and so does the match as it goes a little too long as both gain a second wind with Low Ki finally finding a bridging suplex and uses the rope as leverage to pin poor Dagga. Cheap win for Low-Ki here, Dagga looked impressive with his fast pace, not a bad opener.
Salina is back as she announces the brackets for the upcoming four man National Championship tournament with Gringo Loco facing Alex Hammerstone, and Brian Pillman Jr up against Rich Swann.
Another clip of current MLW champion ‘Filthy’ Tom Lawlor claiming that he will take on all comers for his title! He is then seen sparring. Would be nice to see him actually on the show!
Backstage again as Sami Callihan as somehow got into the building and sneakily attacks Ricky Martinez, and then steals his phone!
EL HIJO DE LA PARK def. GRINGO LOCO
El Hijo is the actual son of La Park and faces Chicago native Gringo Loco whose love of Lucha Libre sees him as a decent opponent even for El Hijo as some nice wrist lock exchanges and the traditional rolling style of Lucha is appreciated by the fans as chants of ‘Lucha Libre’ echo around the room. El Hijo takes early control with some awesome athletic moves sending Loco, via Hurricanrana to ringside that the crowd really enjoy as they become even more vocal, even when Loco counters some of El Hijo’s high spots. Credit to Loco who nailed a terrific super Falcon Arrow from the top rope that had me believing that this was done, however El Hijo just missing the third arm to stay in the match and then continuing to counter a piledriver attempt from Loco who is dropped onto the back of his neck and match over. Gringo is a big lad but can roll the Lucha style and was pretty impressive in what was a good match. Salina, who accompanied El Hijo seemed happy enough with her mans victory.
A segment follows with the ‘Contra’ unit making a warning to Barrington Hughes who remains undefeated in MLW, however a matchup next week will see Barrington facing Jacob Fatu and they threaten to end Hughes’s undefeated streak.
Another Callihan segment as he calls Salina from the phone that belongs to Ricky Martinez stating that she has stuck her nose in his business as Salina speaks in Spanish that infuriates Callihan who says he is not done yet!
Gringo Loco v Alex Hammerstone is hyped up for next week as we go to the main event.
LA PARK def. PENTAGON JR
Pentagon is attacked on the entrance ramp and this begins quite a long portion of control from La Park who, at 53 is going to be methodical throughout his offence, however for a big man Park looked impressive in doing so as he slowly wore down his Mexican counterpart, sending around ringside using the post as offence as well as the ring side stairs. Pentagon took the punishment as Park strutted around the ring eating up the crowd chants, although somewhat divided between the legends of Mexican wrestling. Salina’s involvement turned the match to Pentagon’s favour as she received a smacker on the lips for interfering from Pentagon who found himself back in the match and a slingbade from the aforementioned saw the first pin attempt of the match. Back and forth they went, hitting moves that from the visual size of both men they simply should not be doing, but this is Lucha! La Park’s buckle to buckle suicide dive was absolutely breathtaking and would see the winding down of the main event as La Park took Pentagon Jr’s breath away with a perfectly timed spear and Salina sees another of her men victorious! Postmatch Salina thanks the crowd for their money that La Park receives which is the usual Lucha custom and declares that she will celebrate in Miami or another place other than this dump, no doubt referring to New York!
Towards the entrance ramp is a large gift that Salina declares is from the sponsors, approaching the gift with La Park, Mance Warner attacks the Mexican Legend as this week’s MLW Fushion goes off the air.
Salina’s control of the show saw this edition become very Lucha Libre heavy, which is fine as MLW seem to do this better than other American shows. Crowd seemed into the wrestling and of course the legends working the main event were excellent. A dip from the previous week’s episode with Lucha being the main focus, and Salina being in almost every angle as the intimidating female boss is something we have seen before. Her comment at the start of the show about her running the show from day one however remains questionable!
Fushion is really worth the one hour a week that it airs for and continues put out what is an enjoyable product, be sure to check out the show.
