Major League Wrestling (MLW) brought its first pay‑per‑view of the year to Cicero Stadium in Chicago, delivering a night that lived up to its “Choose Violence” tagline. Local fans witnessed a series of high‑stakes matches that reshaped the promotion’s landscape heading into 2027.
Josh Bishop captures the MLW World Heavyweight Championship
In the main event, Josh Bishop faced reigning champion Killer Kross in a Last Man Standing match for the MLW World Heavyweight Championship. Bishop entered the bout confident, promising not to succumb to Kross’s infamous sleeperhold. The contest turned brutal, with both men using tables and chairs as weapons. Bishop ultimately secured victory by delivering his signature Exit 187 move, sending Kross through a wooden table. After a decisive ten‑second count, Bishop was crowned the new heavyweight champion, positioning himself as the future face of the company.
Austin Aries vs. Matt Riddle for the National Openweight Title
The co‑main event featured a hard‑fought battle between veteran Austin Aries and rising star Matt Riddle for the MLW National Openweight Championship. The 30‑minute contest saw both competitors exchange blows, cutters, and high‑impact maneuvers. With five minutes remaining, Riddle appeared to have the upper hand, but time expired before a final pin could be secured. Aries retained the title, though Riddle’s performance earned him a strong showing and a vocal crowd demanding overtime.
Tessa Blanchard’s debut energizes the women’s division
Highly anticipated newcomer Tessa Blanchard made her MLW debut against seasoned competitor Keyra. Blanchard quickly established dominance, delivering a thrust kick followed by a DDT that put Keyra away. The victory signaled Blanchard’s intent to challenge the reigning MLW Women’s World Champion Shotzi Blackheart and underscored the growing depth of the women’s roster, which also includes Scarlett Bordeaux, Zamaya, and Masha.
International talent shines in Chicago
Japanese IWGP Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji faced American challenger Trevor Lee in a showcase of global wrestling talent. Lee displayed aggression with multiple high‑risk moves, but Tsuji’s experience prevailed. After a brief exchange, Tsuji executed a decisive Gene Blaster, securing the win and reinforcing his status as a top international competitor.
Tag team and singles action rounds out the card
The night also featured a Chicago Street Fight where Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows retained the MLW Tag Team Championship against Mark and Joe Coffey. In a singles bout, Masha defeated Zamaya, while Ultimo Guerrero emerged victorious in a triple‑threat match against Templario and Titan.
Overall, Saturday Night SuperFight delivered a mix of veteran skill and fresh talent, giving Chicago fans a memorable night and setting the stage for compelling storylines in the months ahead.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
