"Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity. To seize everything you ever wanted in one moment. Would you capture it or just let it slip?" ― Eminem
Many years ago, after the original iteration of MLW disappeared from this world, one vision, one hope, one shot brought it back to life, resurrecting Major League Wrestling like a phoenix from the ashes, streaking brightly against the dark night sky.
That One Shot event in Florida led to the rise of the current MLW revolution, the MLW Underground's return, MLW Fusion: Alpha, and so much more with a roster of ravenous, talented combat sports artists all seeking to make their name and fortune.
New York City's Melrose Ballroom will host this Thursday's FITE+ presentation of Major League Wrestling's One Shot 2023, available for all subscribers as MLW's superstars look to achieve greatness while fending off the might of Mister Saint Laurent's villainous World Titan Federation.
In recent months, MLW has come under fire from the WTF, as stars from outside the boundaries of MLW have become interlopers, attacking and injuring beloved competitors, including MicroMan. While others, including Jacob Fatu, have stepped to the front lines of the battle, a demoralizing twist of fate saw former MLW World Heavyweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone turn his back on Major League Wrestling and swear his allegiance to the WTF. As the battle lines are drawn and blood stains the streets of NYC red, one can only wonder what will unfold this Thursday.
The Battle for MLW World Championship
The major question that will be answered is the state of the MLW World Championship. Since battling his way to champion, Alex Kane, promoted by Don King and the Bomaye Fight Club, has been seemingly impossible to defeat, his brutal suplexes and strikes taking out infinite competitors around the world. While Kane is anything but a hero seeking the adulation of others, he finds himself in the unique position of defending the honor of MLW as he defends the championship against WTF's Matt Cardona.
The self-proclaimed Indy God is one of the sport's sleaziest competitors but also one of its most successful. It will be Cardona's diabolical stylings against the ground and pound, no quarter given and no mercy provided intensity of Alex Kane, the collision of two unique pro wrestling strategies that make MLW so appealing for FITE+ subscribers.
The Unearthed Revelation
The true revelation waiting to be unearthed is this: With the power of WTF backing Matt Cardona in his home State of NY, can he stop the path of rage that has been Alex Kane's calling card in recent months? If he can, what happens to the balance of power within Major League Wrestling? What if MSL decides to auction Cardona - and the title! - to the highest bidder in professional wrestling? Kane and Don King already hold the title with a firm grip that has led to countless souls trying to capture the title, but is the devil MLW knows better than the unknown that the promotion could be submerged into should the words "New World Champion" be announced at One Shot this Thursday?
Satoshi Kojima vs Tom Lawlor
The WTF's reign of terror won't end with just Matt Cardona as Filthy Tom Lawlor, who has terrorized wrestling rings and MMA cages across the globe steps into the squared circle on behalf of WTF, looking to throw down and decimate a true legend. New Japan Pro Wrestling's Satoshi Kojima will return to MLW, the promotion he helped first put on the international map back in 2002, for the first time in 20 years this Thursday live on FITE+, seeking to strike down the might of Tom Lawlor and in doing so, unravel the power of the World Titan Federation.
This is a must-win encounter for each competitor. For Kojima, this is a homecoming and one that will be covered with great interest back in Japan, so the last thing the master of the lariat wants is to dishonor himself or New Japan Pro Wrestling, much less MLW. For Lawlor, he's seeking the gigantic bounty that obviously has been offered by WTF to help eradicate MLW, especially since they moved heaven and earth to set the stage for him to MLW and get him this bout with Kojima.
Lawlor has always been a brash man but one who could back his words with his fists. At One Shot in NYC, he has the ultimate opportunity to do just that. Can his Kamigoye lead to ultimate victory for the former UFC fighter? The world will discover that this Thursday.
"Life is a first impression. You get one shot at it. Make it everlasting." ― J.R. Rim
International Championship Encounters
The international flavor of Major League Wrestling will also be on full display with a series of amazing championship encounters live on FITE+ from New York City as well. MLW World Featherweight Champion Janai Kai, who shocked the entire wrestling world with her brutal offensive maneuvers and intensity en route to capturing the championship, will have to contend with someone just as brutal and demented this Thursday as Maki Itoh.
Janai Kai vs. Maki Itoh
Indeed, while Kai's martial arts brutality is something to behold, there may be no one in professional wrestling that one can compare to "The Fired Idol", the vulgar and insane Maki Itoh. Itoh has headlined worldwide, making headlines in The United States, Canada, Japan and elsewhere before making her way to MLW's Featherweight Division. Having already captured The DDT Pro Ironman Heavymetalweight Champion and the Tokyo Joshi Pro International Princess & Tag Team Championship titles in the past, Itoh is seeking Kai's MLW Featherweight Championship, but to do so, she'll have to strategize a way past Janai Kai's physicality and ferocity. Can Itoh shock the world or will she find herself just another victim?
Delmi Exo vs. Miyu Yamashita
Meanwhile, former Featherweight Champion Delmi Exo is seeking her own personal retribution when she marches into New York City, challenging the debuting Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling Princess of Princess Champion Miyu Yamashita, who steps right into her MLW debut with a championship defense. Discerning fans of puroresu already know that the 28-year old sensation may indeed be the one of the most dangerous competitors in the world. The first-ever Tokyo Princess of Princess Champion is considered the Ace of the TJPW promotion, a true shining star ready to take out all comers and now she's come Stateside to prove herself. For Exo, this is a bout that she must win if she's seeming to shatter the dark clouds that have loomed overhead since she shockingly lost her Featherweight title. For Yamashita, this is a moment of greatness. Two very talented souls will collide on FITE+, their careers in the balance.
Lucha Libre Prestige
MLW One Shot will also see the greatness of pure lucha libre prestige on display as dual titleholder Rocky Romero will defend the MLW World Middleweight Champion and CMLL World Welterweight Championships against Mascara Dorada. While these competitors have teamed in the past, it will be an absolutely different story playing out for fans on FITE+ as these world renowned fighters take to the stratosphere and the mat in an attempt to showcase their greatness and ability. With two championships on the line, this bout is an international incident playing out in real-time. Lucha libre has always been about the mastery of a freestyle of pro wrestling where one places themselves into great danger in order to decimate the opposition and live in NYC, these competitors have one shot to hold two championships!
New York City has witnessed the rise of gangs and the fall of the mafia, but nothing has ever prepared the city that doesn't sleep for the brutality, the insanity and the overwhelming chaos that is Major League Wrestling. FITE+ subscribers will stand witness to a collection of fighters, rogues and malcontents as they charge into battle for the heart and soul of MLW, the prestige of international championships and the pride of victory, all live this Thursday!
Mike Johnson is the lead reporter for PWInsider.com and has been writing about professional wrestling since 1996. He can be found on Twitter @MikePWInsider and MikeJohnsonWrites.com.
