MLW: Don't Sleep On It

 

Happy New Year Everyone! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season spent with family & friends, some relaxing and recharging. And goals to crush in 2023!

Starting 2023 off highlighting a mini-major as I like to call the promotion, Major League Wrestling (MLW). MLW first debuted in 2002 to help fill a void left by WCW and ECW closing respectively, the company closed it's door just two years later. In 2017 Court Bauer decided to bring it back and they have been on a tear ever since.

If you've been unsure about MLW, here are five reasons you should not sleep on them.

5. Doesn't Require As Much Commitment

On average WWE has about 12 hours of TV programming a week, not including the monthly pay-per-views. Raw itself is a major commitment especially with it's 3 hour runtime and more misses than hits (Even in the Triple H era). AEW has roughly 5-8 hours a week or more depending on how long Dark and Dark Elevation run on YouTube, and if they have a pay-per-view running and how long that will be.

MLW has a weekly one hour show MLW Fusion. Which is brisk with quality matches and doesn't require an intense commitment. They've sprinkled in "mini-series" as they like to call them, such MLW: Alpha and MLW: Azteca but the core programming always happens on Fusion.

4. Influences

MLW has taken influences from various fellow pro wrestling promotions and MMA organizations as well. Rolled them up into a ball and spit out their own product while still acknowledging the products they took inspiration from.

Watching the product you see Lucha Libre sprinkled in, ECW and Japanese death matches, MMA with the Fight Teams, Japanese Strong Style. Even some of the WWE entertainment focus gets thrown in the blender.

They took a big leap with their inspiration last year when they ran the MLW Azteca series, which was a spiritual continuation of Lucha Underground. They even bought back Cesar Duran to help drive the storyline.

3. Alternative

I mentioned ECW as a influence, and watching MLW may put some folks in the mind of ECW. The product is not as violent but just as gritty and to the point. They embrace a hybrid method welcoming all forms of wrestling styles.

The presentation is also not as glamorous as WWE or AEW with the bright lights and big stages. It truly comes off a pure fight contest between it's competitors. Tale of The Tape is used very frequently to drive home differences between competitors. They have distinct rules for how bouts are scheduled, what styles are welcomed and how champions are crowned.

The promotion also balances attention between all of it's respective divisions in a organized manner. 

2. Talent Legacy

Some of your favorite wrestlers in the WWE and AEW systems got their big break in MLW or some went back MLW to hone their craft a bit more. Some of the talent who came through MLW doors include

MJF

Salina De La Renta (Really hope she returns to wrestling)

Shane Strickland 

Brian Pillman Jr.

Lucha Brothers

Jeff Cobb

Joey Janela

DH Smith

Matt Riddle

Austin Aries

Sami Callihan

And a host of way more talent such as MVP, John Hennigan, Norman Smiley, CM Punk, Christopher Daniels, Raven, Jerry Lynn, Paul London. The list  goes on and on and highlight MLW has an eye for talent.

1. Talented Roster That's Not Too Big

With all the talent that has come through the door, their current roster dare I say can compete with the best of them. Due to the size of the roster they don't have a ton of depth, but they have a core group they build around, bring in talent on a rotating basis and successfully utilize them in the time constraints that they have. 

The two cornerstones of MLW are Jacob Fatu and Alexander Hammerstone, two beasts that MLW is lucky that they were able to snatch them up before one of the bigger players did. One of the best pure wrestlers in the world in Davey Richards, Myron Reed and Alex Kane of Bomaye Fight Club. EJ Nduka and Calvin Tankman, Lince Dorado, Enzo who goes by Real 1. Taya Valkyrie has joined the roster (while still working Impact) to help build their woman's roster, which currently only has four woman on the roster.

In total there's about 40 or so active wrestlers on the roster and they make it work. Which allows fans to become invested in these performers and their characters, and what happens to them.

MLW is a perfect alternative to fans who prefer a different product than what WWE or AEW maybe offering. Their roster is top notch and the focus with this brand is on WRESTLING. If you need to dip your toe in the water check out their YouTube page. If you want to jump in head first they can be found on beIN Sports for those of you who havent cut the cord and get that channel. For the cord cutters they can be found on Pro Wrestling TV (PWTV).

Trust me you won't be disappointed