Intimidation Games (2024)

Last updated
Intimidation Games (2024)
MLW Intimidation Games 2024.jpg
Promotional poster featuring various wrestlers
Promotion Major League Wrestling
DateFebruary 29, 2024
City Queens, New York
VenueMelrose Ballroom
Event chronology
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SuperFight 		Next →
War Chamber
Intimidation Games chronology
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2022 		Next →
—

Intimidation Games (2024) was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by Major League Wrestling (MLW). It took place on February 29, 2024, at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York, and streamed live on Triller TV. It was the fourth event under the Intimidation Games chronology.

Contents

Additional matches were taped for MLW's "Once Upon A Time In New York" special, which aired on BeIN Sports USA and MLW's YouTube channel on March 16.

Production

Background

On November 7, 2018, MLW announced on their website that it would hold an event in Chicago on March 2, 2019 titled Intimidation Games, which was first held as a television taping for Fusion on May 3, 2018. [1] [2] The 2019 event was a live televised special episode of Fusion which aired on beIN Sports USA on March 2, 2019, thereby establishing Intimidation Games as a reoccurring event. [3]

On December 18, 2023, MLW announced that the fourth Intimidation Games would take place on February 29, 2024, at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York. [4] [5]

Storylines

The card consisted of matches that result from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayed villains, heroes, or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that built tension and culminate in a wrestling match or series of matches, with results predetermined by MLW's writers. [6] Storylines were played out across MLW's social media platforms.

Per MLW's "Open Door Policy," several free agents would be announced for the event, including the MLW return of Bobby Fish. [7] and the debut of former WWE wrestler A. J. Franci$. [8]

On December 27, 2023, MLW announced on their website that Matt Riddle will be in action at Intimidation Games. [9] During The Burning Crush, which aired on February 17, 2024, Riddle in vignette challenged anyone from New Japan Pro-Wrestling to meet him at the event. Later, it was announced that Bad Dude Tito of TMDK would be Riddle's opponent. [10] [11] Several days later on Night 1 of NJPW The New Beginning in Sapporo, Riddle defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to capture the NJPW World Television Championship, with MLW announcing that his match with Tito at Intimidation Games will be for the title. [12]

During the Reload special on January 20, 2024, Minoru Suzuki was announced to be returning to MLW at SuperFight. [13] His opponent would be revealed as Satoshi Kojima at SuperFight. [14] Later in the night, Kojima would defeat Alex Kane to win the MLW World Heavyweight Championship, thus making his match with Suzuki at Intimidation Games a world title match. [15] [16]

When Místico was announced to debut in MLW at SuperFight, [17] Promociones Dorado promoter Salina de la Renta was confused as she had not authorized the deal. As her stable was the main pipeline for Latin American wrestlers to MLW, she was suspicious. As such, de la Renta would accompany Místico's rival Averno for their match at SuperFight. [18] Over the next several weeks, several signs began pointing to Cesar Duran, former MLW matchmaker and owner of Azteca Underground – which had previously purchased Promociones Dorado in 2020 – returning to the company.[ citation needed ] Duran had been kidnapped and reported missing since the summer of 2023, though his masked Azteca henchmen would still maintain a presence.[ citation needed ] It was eventually revealed that de la Renta orchestrated Duran's disappearance after he held her captive back in 2021.[ citation needed ] At SuperFight, Duran fully returned to announce Místico for his match, where he beat Averno. [15] After the match, MLW announced that Místico would challenge Promociones Dorado's Rocky Romero for the MLW World Middleweight Championship at Intimidation Games. [14] [19]

Results

Intimidation Games
No.Results [20] StipulationsTimes [21]
1 Místico (with Cesar Duran) defeated Rocky Romero (c) (with Salina de la Renta) by submission Singles match for the MLW World Middleweight Championship [19] 17:58
2 The Calling (Rickey Shane Page and Sami Callihan) defeated Akira and Jake Crist by pinfall New York City Street Fight [22] 11:08
3 Alex Kane (with The Bomaye Fight Club (Mr. Thomas and Faye Jackson)) defeated Bobby Fish by referee stoppage Singles match [23] 10:11
4World Titan Federation (Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Tom Lawlor) (with Mister Saint Laurent) defeated The Second Gear Crew (Matthew Justice and 1 Called Manders) (c) by pinfall Tag team match for the MLW World Tag Team Championship [24] 11:18
5 Matt Riddle (c) defeated Bad Dude Tito by pinfall Singles match for the NJPW World Television Championship [12] 5:03
6 Janai Kai (with Salina de la Renta) defeated Zoey Cannon by referee stoppage Singles match [25]
If Cannon had lasted with or beat Kai in 5 minutes, she would have won $5,000.		0:16
7 Satoshi Kojima (c) defeated Minoru Suzuki by pinfall Singles match for the MLW World Heavyweight Championship [16] 16:25
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match
Once Upon A Time In New York (March 16)
No.Results [26] StipulationsTimes [27]
1Brett Ryan Gosselin (with Zayda) defeated Dyln McKay, Cannonball, Marcus Mathers, Love, Doug and Ichiban by pinfall Six-way scramble 6:16
2 Bad Dude Tito (with Jesus Rodriguez and Salina de la Renta) defeated Azteca Sesenta y Seis by pinfall Singles match 1:24
3 A. J. Franci$ (with Mister Saint Laurent) defeated Mr. Thomas (with The Bomaye Fight Club (Alex Kane and Faye Jackson)) by pinfall Singles match [28] 2:22
4 Delmi Exo (with Cesar Duran) defeated Zayda (with Brett Ryan Gosselin) by pinfall Singles match to determine the #1 contender to the MLW World Women's Featherweight Championship [29] 4:17
5 Matt Riddle defeated Davey Boy Smith Jr. (with Josh Bishop) by pinfall Singles match 11:55
6 Star Jr. (with Salina de la Renta) defeated Magnus (with Cesar Duran) by pinfall Singles match [30] 8:34
7 Alex Kane and CozyMax (Shigeo Okumura and Satoshi Kojima) defeated World Titan Federation (Josh Bishop, Richard Holliday and Tom Lawlor) (with Mister Saint Laurent) by pinfall Six-man tag team match [31] 9:50

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References

  1. ↑ "MLW RETURNS TO CHICAGO MARCH 2, 2019". Major League Wrestling. November 7, 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  2. ↑ Brad Davis (May 5, 2018). "Spoilers: MLW Fusion Tapings Results (5/3)". SE Scoops. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  3. ↑ Joseph Currier (February 4, 2019). "MLW ANNOUNCES INTIMIDATION GAMES LIVE SPECIAL, SUPERFIGHT II". Wrestling Observer Newsletter . Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  4. ↑ Defelice, Robert (December 18, 2023). "MLW Intimidation Games 2024 To Emanate From New York City On 2/29/24". Fightful.
  5. ↑ Thomas, Jeremy (December 18, 2023). "MLW Intimidation Games Set For New York City in February". 411Mania.
  6. ↑ Grabianowski, Ed (13 January 2006). "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks. Discovery Communications. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
  7. ↑ "Bobby Fish joins MLW, will fight in NYC". Major League Wrestling. February 6, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  8. ↑ "AJ Franci$ arrives in MLW at Intimidation Games Feb 28". Major League Wrestling. February 18, 2024. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Matt Riddle is coming to NYC Feb. 29". Major League Wrestling. December 27, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Burning Crush Recap: Jacob Fatu Fights Mads Krule Krugger In Baklei Brawl". Major League Wrestling. February 17, 2024. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Matt Riddle vs. Big Bad Tito at Intimidation Games". Major League Wrestling. February 20, 2024. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  12. 1 2 "NJPW World TV Title Fight added to Intimidation Games this Thursday". Major League Wrestling. February 26, 2024. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Minoru Suzuki fights at Intimidation Games in NYC Feb 29". Major League Wrestling. January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  14. 1 2 "Minoru Suzuki vs. Satoshi Kojima, Mistico vs. Rocky Romero Announced For MLW Intimidation Games". February 3, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  15. 1 2 "SuperFight Recap: Kojima Crowned New World Champion In Unprecedented Victory". Major League Wrestling. February 3, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  16. 1 2 "Kojima vs. Suzuki World Title Fight in NYC". Major League Wrestling. February 5, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Místico to debut at SuperFight". Major League Wrestling. January 10, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Místico vs. Averno at SuperFight Feb 3 in Philly". Major League Wrestling. January 11, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  19. 1 2 "Místico vs. Romero title fight signed for NYC". Major League Wrestling. February 7, 2024. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  20. ↑ Black, Matt (February 29, 2024). "MLW Intimidation Games Results – February 29, 2024: Satoshi Kojima Defends Against Minoru Suzuki". wrestlezone.com. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  21. ↑ Vetter, Chris (February 29, 2024). "MLW "Intimidation Games" results (2/29): Vetter's review of Satoshi Kojima vs. Minoru Suzuki for the MLW Championship, Matt Riddle vs. Bad Dude Tito for the NJPW TV Title, Alex Kane vs. Bobby Fish". Pro Wrestling Dot Net.
  22. ↑ "Street Fight! Calling & RSP vs. AKIRA & Jake Crist in NYC". February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  23. ↑ "Kane vs. Bobby Fish signed for NYC Feb 29". February 13, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  24. ↑ "World Tag Team Title Fight signed for Feb. 29 in NYC". Major League Wrestling. February 20, 2024. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  25. ↑ "5 minute $5000 challenge at Intimidation Games in NYC". February 22, 2024. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  26. ↑ Black, Matt (March 16, 2024). "MLW Once Upon A Time In New York Results – March 16, 2024: Matt Riddle Takes On Davey Boy Smith Jr". Wrestlezone.
  27. ↑ Vetter, Chris (March 17, 2024). "MLW "Once Upon a Time in New York" results: Vetter's review of Matt Riddle vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr., Satoshi Kojima, Alex Kane, and Okumura vs. Tom Lawlor, Richard Holliday and Josh Bishop". Pro Wrestling Dot Net.
  28. ↑ "AJ Franci$ vs. Mr. Thomas set for NYC Feb 29". February 23, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  29. ↑ "Delmi Exo vs. Zayda #1 contenders match set for NYC". February 14, 2024. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  30. ↑ "CMLL's Star Jr. vs. Magnus set for NYC Feb 29". February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  31. ↑ "CozyMAX in action February 29". February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
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