By Jon
VENUE: Gilley’s (Dallas, TX)
COMMENTATORS: Rich Bocchini & Joe Dombrowski
Alexander Hammerstone makes his biggest World Heavyweight Championship defense so far as he battles his two biggest rivals, Jacob Fatu and Mads Krugger, in a triple threat match. Microman also returns to Dallas, teaming with Aramis and KC Navarro against Arez, Mini Abismo Negro, and Gino Medina in trios action.
CHAMPIONS
- MLW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: Alexander Hammerstone
- MLW WORLD MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION: “The Young GOAT” Myron Reed
- MLW NATIONAL OPENWEIGHT CHAMPION: Alex Kane
- MLW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Hustle & Power (Calvin Tankman & “The Judge” EJ Nduka)
LINEUP
- Microman, KC Navarro, & Aramis vs. Arez, Mini Abismo Negro, & Gino Medina
- Alexander Hammerstone [c] vs. Jacob Fatu vs. Mads Krugger for the MLW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
RESULTS & NOTES
REVIEW
*****
RESULTS
- Arez, Mini Abismo Negro, & “Intocable” Gino Medina [w/ Gangrel] defeated Microman, Aramis, & KC Navarro via pinfall (11:35 shown)
- Alexander Hammerstone [c] defeated Mads Krugger & Jacob Fatu via pinfall to retain the MLW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (13:20 shown)
NOTES & HAPPENINGS
- Intimidation Games ended with Jacob Fatu laid out, courtesy of Bestia 666. Cesar Duran then appeared with one of his masked henchmen, and took a good look at the carnage before stepping over Fatu and going on with his day.
- Richard Holliday attempted to join commentary for the main event but was attacked by Alexander Hammerstone during the latter’s entrance and then escorted out by Atlas Security. Holliday would return later in the show, hitting Hammerstone with the 2008 and almost costing him the World Title but luckily for our boy Hammer the ref had been laid out before Fatu’s springboard moonsault to take advantage of the situation did not yield a win.
- 5150 (Rivera, Hernandez, & Julius Smokes) revealed that they had stolen the WCWA World Championship The Von Erichs had donated to a college in Texas and were going to take a road trip with it. More to follow next week presumably.
- Alex Kane & Mr. Thomas made it known that they were on the hunt for Tag Team gold, and confronted the champs (and hated enemies) Calvin Tankman & EJ Nduka backstage leading to a yelling match.
- MLW will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of their first ever show in June and announced that MLW originals The SAT (Joel, Jose, & Will Maximo) would be returning to the company for the occasion.
- Gino Medina stole Aramis’ mask after getting the win for his team in the opening trios match to add insult to injury; this was also Microman’s first loss since joining MLW.
- Announced for next week’s show: 2022 Opera Cup winner Davey Richards vs. Richard Holliday.
- Taya Valkyrie announced for MLW return next month at Kings of Colosseum
- An angry Myron Reed challenged the Masked Man who attacked him to show up on next week’s show and reveal himself.
*****
REVIEW
ASSORTED THOUGHTS & TANGENTS
-The opening trios match went a bit long for my taste (almost 12 minutes), but was a decent way to open the show. Microman was a ton of fun to watch, and I’m glad to see KC Navarro in action as I really dug his super brief stint in Impact in (I think) 2021. Gino Medina stealing Aramis’ mask was a premium dirtbag move, though I miss Dynasty-era Medina. Felt like most of his personality went out the door when that whole story ended.
–Hammerstone vs. Krugger vs. Fatu is my match of the night. I always forget Krugger can fly until he does and it wows me every time. Having a terrible memory rules sometimes. Fatu getting the visual win over Hammerstone and then not taking the pin was a good way to keep him strong even in defeat. Hammerstone vanquishing his two biggest foes, and finally getting the Nightmare Pendulum on Krugger to boot, was a good way to tie up those loose ends as his title reign continues on. Very much looking forward to his match with Holliday next month at Kings of Colosseum. I hope MJF is okay seeing his best friends bicker like that.
-I audibly went “EYYYY” when Dave Marquez showed up in a backstage interview segment. Best voice in pro wrestling, always happy when he shows up even if it’s for a brief moment.
FINAL VERDICT
MLW Intimidation Games 2022 is a decent episode of television, both matches having their moments but only the World Title match needing to be watched if you’re pressed for time.
