MLW Underground Wrestling

Last updated
MLW Underground Wrestling
Genre Professional wrestling
Created byCourt Bauer
StarringSee Major League Wrestling roster
Opening theme“Enemies With Benefits” by VIOLENT IDOLS [1]
Country of originUnited States
No. of episodes13 (as of May 2, 2023)
Production
Camera setup Multiple-camera setup
Running time60 minutes
Original release
Network Reelz
ReleaseFebruary 7 (2023-02-07) –
May 2, 2023 (2023-05-02)
Related
MLW Underground TV (2003–2004)
MLW Fusion (2018–2023)

MLW Underground Wrestling, also known as MLW Underground, is a professional wrestling television program produced by Major League Wrestling (MLW) that originally premiered on February 7, 2023, on Reelz in the United States. The show takes its name after the promotion's original television series, MLW Underground TV , which was produced from 2003 to 2004.

Contents

History

On January 20, 2023, MLW announced a broadcast deal with the American cable channel Reelz to produce a new flagship show titled MLW Underground Wrestling. As part of the agreement, Reelz would also air past MLW content in a two-hour block including the series; a re-edited version of Battle Riot IV (which took place on June 23, 2022, and later aired on November 3, 2022, on the streaming service Pro Wrestling TV) aired immediately after the series premiere. [2] [3]

The premiere episode featured segments from the 2022 Fightland event, which was originally taped for the promotion's other weekly series, MLW Fusion , [4] [5] with the Last Man Standing match between Alexander Hammerstone and EJ Nduka for the MLW World Heavyweight Championship serving as the main event. [6]

On February 28, it was reported by Variety that MLW's deal with Reelz would conclude after 10 weeks. [7] [8] In a statement made to PWInsider, the network confirmed that "No decisions have been made by MLW or REELZ and we are both committed to a good outcome for MLW, its fans and REELZ." [9]

In March 2023, it was announced that Battle Riot V would air on April 25 as an episode of Underground Wrestling. [10] [11]

Production

Special episodes

EpisodeDateNotes
War Chamber April 18, 2023Special broadcast
Battle Riot V April 25, 2023Special broadcast

Broadcast history

Though Reelz's linear channel and programming would be picked by NBCUniversal-owned streaming service Peacock shortly after the show's launch, Underground Wrestling and all MLW programming are blacked out on the service due to a pre-existing exclusivity agreement with WWE. [7]

International

In February 2023, it was announced that Underground Wrestling would air on Ayozat TV in the United Kingdom starting March 6. [12]

On March 23, 2023, it was announced that Premier Streaming Network will distribute Underground Wrestling outside of the U.S. [13]

Related Research Articles

Major League Wrestling (MLW) is an American professional wrestling promotion based in New Rochelle, New York. The promotion was founded in 2002 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by former WWE writer Court Bauer. The promotion markets its product as "Hybrid Wrestling", with its roster featuring a mix of different wrestling styles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">E. J. Nduka</span> American football player and professional wrestler (born 1988)

Ezekwesiri "EJ" Nduka Jr. is an American professional wrestler, professional IFBB bodybuilder, former professional gridiron football and arena football defensive end outside linebacker. As a professional wrestler, he is best known for his time with Major League Wrestling, where he was a former MLW World Tag Team Champion. He previously competed for WWE where he was known as Ezra Judge. EJ Nduka is now signed with All Elite Wrestling AEW.

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MLW Fusion is a professional wrestling television program produced by Major League Wrestling (MLW) that originally premiered on April 20, 2018 on beIN Sports USA.

<i>MLW Underground TV</i> American TV series or program

MLW Underground TV is a professional wrestling television series that was produced by Major League Wrestling (MLW) from 2003 to 2004. The series was hosted by former Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) commentator Joey Styles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MLW World Middleweight Championship</span> Professional wrestling championship

The MLW World Middleweight Championship is a professional wrestling championship created and promoted by the American professional wrestling promotion Major League Wrestling (MLW). The title was unveiled on July 18, 2018, it is contested in MLW's middleweight division by wrestlers at a maximum weight of 205 lb (93 kg). The current champion is Místico, who is in his first reign as champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander Hammerstone</span> American professional wrestler

Alex Rohde, better known by his ring names Alexander Hammerstone or simply Hammerstone is an American professional wrestler and musician. He currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). He previously appeared in Major League Wrestling (MLW), where he was a former MLW World Heavyweight Champion, the inaugural and longest reigning National Openweight Champion, and the winner of the Battle Riot in 2021.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fightland (2021)</span> 2021 Major League Wrestling event

Fightland (2021) was a professional wrestling supercard event produced by Major League Wrestling (MLW), which was held on October 2, 2021 and was the third event under the Fightland chronology. Matches from the event were taped for MLW programming; the main card aired as a one-hour special on October 7, 2021 on Vice TV, while other matches would air as part of the mini-series, MLW Fusion: Alpha, on MLW's YouTube channel and BeIN Sports USA.

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Azteca Underground was a professional wrestling supercard event produced by Major League Wrestling (MLW), which took place on April 1, 2022, at Gilley's Dallas in Dallas, Texas. The event was a television taping for MLW Fusion on MLW's YouTube channel; the main event aired as part of the Rise of the Renegades special on June 9, 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle Riot IV</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fightland (2022)</span> 2022 Major League Wrestling event

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blood and Thunder (2023)</span> Major League Wrestling event

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">SuperFight (2023)</span> 2023 Major League Wrestling professional wrestling event

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References

  1. ↑ Underground official theme song revealed
  2. ↑ Rice, Lynette (January 20, 2023). "Reelz Becomes Official U.S. Home For Major League Wrestling". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  3. ↑ "MLW and Pro Wrestling TV Strike Streaming Deal". October 11, 2022.
  4. ↑ "FIGHTLAND'22 coming to Philly's 2300 Arena October 30". Major League Wrestling. August 15, 2022. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  5. ↑ Russell, Skyler (August 15, 2022). "MLW Returning To Philadelphia In October For 'Fightland 22'". Fightful. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  6. ↑ "MLW Underground Results (2/7): Alex Hammerstone Defends World Title Against EJ Nduka". fightful.com. February 7, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  7. 1 2 Schneider, Michael (February 28, 2023). "Peacock to Add 'On Patrol: Live' Network Reelz to Its Subscriber Offerings". Variety . Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  8. ↑ Johnson, Mike (March 1, 2023). "REPORT STATES MLW REELZ RUN WRAPS UP IN TEN WEEKS". PWInsider. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  9. ↑ "REELZ Issues Statement On Future Of MLW Underground". Fightful. March 2, 2023. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  10. ↑ "MLW Battle Riot V To Air On REELZ On April 25". Fightful. March 22, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  11. ↑ "April 2023 Premieres Showcase New Original Stories About Beloved TV Icons Elizabeth Montgomery, Robert Reed and Flip Wilson". The Futon Critic . March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  12. ↑ "UK TV Deal Announced For MLW Underground, Show To Begin Airing Every Monday On Ayozat TV In March". Fightful. February 16, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  13. ↑ Rice, Lynette (March 23, 2023). "MLW Underground Wrestling to Stream Internationally On Premier Streaming Network". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved March 28, 2023.
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