MLW Fusion

File:MLW Fusion.png

Major League Wrestling announced their partnership with beIN Sports on March 30, 2018, in which the network would air a weekly television series.{{cite web |url=https://mlw.com/2018/03/30/bein-sports-adds-major-league-wrestling-to-its-growing-sports-roster/|title=BEIN SPORTS ADDS MAJOR LEAGUE WRESTLING TO ITS GROWING SPORTS ROSTER |date=March 30, 2018|publisher=Major League Wrestling|access-date=June 16, 2018}} Subsequently, MLW announced their television tapings would take place at Gilt Nightclub in Orlando, Florida.{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/pro-wrestling/os-wrestling-mlw-orlando-2018-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230304111916/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/pro-wrestling/os-wrestling-mlw-orlando-2018-story.html |archive-date=March 4, 2023 |title=Major League Wrestling announces more Orlando shows in 2018 |work=Orlando Sentinel |last=Reddick |first=Jay |date=December 13, 2017 |access-date=September 21, 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/roh-indy-wrestling-news/103048-matches-set-for-5-3-mlw-fusion-tv-taping-in-orlando/|title=Matches set for 5/3 MLW Fusion TV Taping in Orlando - WWE News and Results, RAW and Smackdown Results, Impact News, ROH News|website=wrestleview.com|date=April 26, 2018 |access-date=September 21, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://pwinsider.com/article/117152/six-man-tag-added-to-stacked-mlw-may-3rd-mlw-bein-sports-tv-taping-in-orlando.html?p=|title=SIX MAN TAG ADDED TO STACKED MLW MAY 3RD MLW BEIN SPORTS TV TAPING IN ORLANDO|website=PWInsider.com|access-date=September 21, 2018}} MLW Fusion aired on Friday nights beginning on April 20, 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://mlw.com/2018/04/21/fusion-recap-for-april-20-2018/|title=FUSION recap for April 20, 2018|date=April 21, 2018|website=MLW: Major League Wrestling®}} On September 19, MLW announced a deal for the show to be streamed through FITE TV,{{Cite web|url=https://www.fite.tv/vl/p/mlw/|title = ▷ MLW Videos & Streams - FITE| date=May 12, 2024 }} and to air on beIN Sports in Spanish.{{cite web |url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/120414/mlw-signs-deal-to-launch-spanish-language-version-of-fusion-new-signings-changes-to-schedule-pillman-and-more-news.html?p=1|title=MLW SIGNS DEAL TO LAUNCH SPANISH LANGUAGE VERSION OF FUSION, NEW SIGNINGS, CHANGES TO SCHEDULE, PILLMAN AND MORE NEWS|date=September 19, 2018|publisher=Pro Wrestling Insider|access-date=September 19, 2018}}

On November 29, MLW announced that Fusion would be broadcast live for the first time on its December 14 episode, during MLW's Zero Hour event.{{cite web |url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/121961/bauer-teasing-blockbuster-deal-for-mlw.html?p=1|title=BAUER TEASING 'BLOCKBUSTER' DEAL FOR MLW|date=November 22, 2018|publisher=Pro Wrestling Insider|access-date=November 22, 2018}}{{cite web |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/indies/mlw-air-first-live-special-bein-sports-271266|title=MLW TO AIR FIRST LIVE SPECIAL ON BEIN SPORTS|date=November 29, 2018|publisher=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|access-date=November 29, 2018}}{{cite web |url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/2018/11/29/mlw-fusion-live-broadcast-bein-sports-tv|title=MLW Fusion to Be Broadcast Live on beIN Sports for the First Time|date=November 29, 2018|publisher=Sports Illustrated|access-date=November 29, 2018}} Since then the company continued to air periodic live specials.

In January 2019, Fusion added its first international broadcast partner, EGO TV in Israel.{{cite web|url=https://mlw.com/2019/01/17/mlw-partners-with-ego-tv-to-bring-fusion-to-israel/|title=MLW partners with Ego TV to bring FUSION to Israel|date=January 17, 2019|work=MLW: Major League Wrestling®|access-date=January 21, 2019}} In February 2019, MLW announced that Fusion would be moving from Friday to Saturday nights.{{Cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/other-wrestling/mlw-fusion-moving-saturday-nights-bein-sports-276821|title=MLW Fusion moving to Saturday nights on beIN Sports|date=February 12, 2019|website=WON/F4W - WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, UFC News, UFC results|language=en|access-date=February 12, 2019}}

After the conclusion of the MLW vs AAA Super Series on the May 9, 2020, episode, Fusion went on a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A spinoff series, titled Pulp Fusion, was uploaded weekly on MLW's YouTube channel in the interim beginning on May 29, 2020.[https://411mania.com/wrestling/mlw-debuts-new-weekly-digital-series-pulp-fusion/ MLW Debuts New Weekly Digital Series Pulp Fusion]

File:MLW_Fusion_2020_Logo.png

On September 10, MLW announced that Fusion would move to Wednesday nights on fubo Sports Network.{{cite web|url=https://mlw.com/2020/09/10/mlw-moves-to-wednesday-nights/|title=MLW moves to Wednesday nights|publisher=MLW.com|date=September 10, 2020|access-date=November 18, 2020}} On October 10, they revealed Fusion would return on November 18 at 7pm EST and new episodes would also premiere on MLW's YouTube channel on the same night.{{cite web|url=https://mlw.com/2020/10/30/mlw-returns-wednesday-nov-18-7pm/|title=YouTube to air Fusion Wednesday nights|publisher=MLW.com|date=October 10, 2020|access-date=November 18, 2020}} With the move to YouTube and Fubo Sports, Fusion abandoned its original year-round, weekly format; a special "season finale" aired on May 5, 2021.{{cite web |url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2021/04/mlw-fusion-live-ongoing-coverage-10/|title=MLW Fusion Results (4/21): TJP Vs. Bu Ku Dao, Hammerstone Holds A Press Conference, More|date=April 21, 2021|publisher=Pro Wrestling Insider|access-date=July 14, 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2021/05/mlw-fusion-preview-5-5-lio-rush-vs-myron-reed-ii-richard-holliday-in-action-more/|title=MLW Fusion Preview (5/5): Lio Rush Vs. Myron Reed II, Richard Holliday In Action, More|date=May 5, 2021|publisher=Pro Wrestling Insider|access-date=July 14, 2021}}

During the premiere of Battle Riot III on July 24, 2021, MLW announced a new season of Fusion to air on "a new home" in the Fall, and a new, four-part mini-series titled MLW Fusion: Alpha (stylized as MLW Fusion: ALPHA) to lead into the new season.{{cite web |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/mlw-results/mlw-battle-riot-iii-results-new-world-title-challenger-crowned-347891 |title=MLW Battle Riot III results: A new World title challenger is crowned |last=Oliver |first=Iain |date=July 24, 2021 |work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}{{Cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/07/24/mlw-battle-riot-results-powells-review-of-the-battle-riot-iii-match-for-a-shot-at-the-mlw-heavyweight-championship-new-mlw-series-fusion-returning-to-a-new-home-in-the-fall/|title=MLW Battle Riot Results: Powell's review of the Battle Riot III match for a shot at the MLW Heavyweight Championship, new MLW series, Fusion returning to a new home in the fall|date=July 24, 2021|publisher=Pro Wrestling Dot Com}}[https://mlw.com/2021/07/27/mini-series-fusion-alpha-announced/ Mini-series Fusion: ALPHA announced MLW.com] Initially intended to air in August, Fusion: Alpha was later re-announced on September 6, 2021, as "a new season and series from MLW" to premiere on September 22 on MLW's YouTube channel, and would also air on Saturdays and Mondays on Bein Sports.[https://mlw.com/2021/09/06/fusion-alpha-premiere/ Fusion: ALPHA premiere 2021/09/06 MLW.com]{{Cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/mlw-fusion-alpha-premiere-date-revealed|title=MLW Fusion: ALPHA Premiere Date Revealed|date=September 7, 2021|publisher=Fightful}}[https://mlw.com/2021/09/07/fusion-alpha-premieres-september-22/ Fusion ALPHA premieres September 22, 2021/09/07/ MLW.com] Beginning October 19, 2021, Fusion: Alpha also streamed on FITE TV.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/151992/mlws-fusion-alpha-to-debut-on-fitetv-for-free.html|title=MLW'S FUSION: ALPHA TO DEBUT ON FITE.TV FOR FREE|date=October 19, 2021|access-date=December 1, 2021|publisher=PWInsider}}

On December 7, MLW announced that the series finale of Fusion: Alpha would air on December 15, 2021, though the final episode would instead air on December 16.[https://mlw.com/2021/12/16/fusion-alpha-preview-tajiri-vs-aoyagi-park-vs-homicide/ Fusion ALPHA Preview: Tajiri vs. Aoyagi, Park vs. Homicide.html] MLW also announced a new "anthology mini-series" titled MLW Azteca, which was taped during the MLW Azteca/The Crash show in December 2021. The series premiered on Thursday January 6, 2022, on MLW's YouTube channel and FITE TV, and aired for five episodes.

During the January 27, 2022, episode of MLW Azteca, MLW announced that Fusion would return for a new season on February 10.[https://wrestlingheadlines.com/mlw-azteca-results-1-27-22/ MLW Azteca Results 1_27_22][https://www.postwrestling.com/2022/01/28/mlw-azteca-report-alex-hammerstone-vs-octagon-jr/ MLW Azteca Report: Alex Hammerstone vs. Octagon Jr.] On the June 23 episode, they announced that the current season would end with the Kings of Colosseum special on July 14, 2022. During the finale, MLW announced that Fusion would return for a new season in the Fall.{{cite web |title=MLW Kings Of Colosseum Results And Stream – July 14, 2022.html|url=https://www.wrestlezone.com/news/1307887-mlw-kings-of-colosseum-results-and-stream-july-14-2022|publisher=Wrestlezone|access-date=July 20, 2022 |date=July 14, 2022}}

On October 11, 2022, MLW announced a partnership with streaming platform Pro Wrestling TV (PWTV), bringing the promotion's programming library to the service beginning November 3. The new season of Fusion premiered on PWTV on November 10.{{cite web|url=https://mlw.com/2022/10/11/mlw-and-pro-wrestling-tv-strike-streaming-deal/|title=MLW and Pro Wrestling TV Strike Streaming Deal|date=October 11, 2022}} On January 20, 2023, MLW announced a broadcast deal with U.S cable channel Reelz to produce a new flagship show titled MLW Underground Wrestling, which premiered on February 7 and featured matches and segments that were originally taped for Fusion.{{cite web|last=Rice|first=Lynette|title=Reelz Becomes Official U.S. Home For Major League Wrestling|url=https://deadline.com/2023/01/reelz-official-home-major-league-wrestling-1235228530/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=January 20, 2023|access-date=January 20, 2023}} Following its premiere, BeIN Sports ceased airing Fusion, and the show's February 9, 2023, episode was postponed.{{cite web|url=https://mlw.com/2023/02/09/fusion-preview-2/|title=Fusion Preview|date=February 9, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/mlw-postpones-tonights-mlw-fusion/|title=MLW Postpones Tonight's MLW Fusion - 411MANIA|date=February 9, 2023}}

On the April 11 episode of Underground Wrestling, MLW announced that Fusion would return and feature the 2023 Super Series.[https://mlw.com/2023/04/11/underground-recap-four-way-fight-in-first-ever-league-dumpster-match/ Underground Recap: Four-Way Fight In First-Ever League Dumpster Match] On May 11, MLW's website revealed that the new season of Fusion would premiere on Bein Sports and Bein Sports Xtra in the U.S and Canada, on Friday, May 26.{{cite web|url=https://mlw.com/2023/05/11/fusion-kicks-off-new-season-on-cable-tvs-bein/|title=Fusion kicks off new season on Cable TV's beIN|date=May 11, 2023|access-date=May 23, 2023}} The following day, MLW announced that the season would air first on the MLW YouTube channel, beginning on Thursday, May 25.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/2023/5/12/23721178/mlw-fusion-return-date|title=MLW confirms return date for Fusion|date=May 12, 2023|access-date=May 23, 2023|publisher=Cageside Seats}}{{cite web|url=https://mlw.com/2023/05/12/fusion-returns-to-youtube-for-new-season/|title=FUSION RETURNS TO YOUTUBE FOR NEW SEASON|date=May 12, 2023|access-date=May 23, 2023}} On May 16, 2023, they announced that Fusion would also be included with a FITE+ subscription, as part of a larger partnership between MLW and FITE announced on May 2.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/mlw-fusion-now-included-fite-subscription-starting-season-premiere-525|title=MLW Fusion Now Included In FITE+ Subscription, Starting With Season Premiere On 5/25|date=May 16, 2023|access-date=May 23, 2023|publisher=Fightful}} MLW announced on May 24, 2023, that MLW Fusion would return to BeIN Sports on June 16; airing Fridays on BeIN Sports Xtra, and Saturdays on Bein Sports in the U.S and Canada. Fusion instead returned to BeIN Sports on Saturday June 24, 2023.{{cite web|url=https://mlw.com/2023/06/23/mlw-returns-to-cable-dish/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624110050/https://mlw.com/2023/06/23/mlw-returns-to-cable-dish/|archive-date=June 24, 2023 |title=MLW returns to cable & dish |work=MLW.com|date=June 23, 2023|access-date=June 24, 2023}}

Following the 2023 Fusion season finale, MLW revamped their event schedule to air two events every month; a live, premium event for Triller TV+ subscribers, and a free, taped special for BeIN Sports and MLW's YouTube channel.{{cite web|title=MLW Expands Schedule, Adding One Free Signature Event A Month|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/mlw-expands-schedule-adding-one-free-signature-event-month|website=Fightful|date=February 27, 2024|access-date=March 6, 2024}}

Initially, Fusion had been taped at Gilt Nightclub in Orlando, Florida. In May 2018, MLW announced they would be holding television tapings at the Melrose Ballroom in New York City, New York on July 19, marking the first time tapings were held outside the state of Florida.{{Cite web|url=https://pwinsider.com/article/117833/main-event-announced-for-mlw-nyc-debut-next-month.html?p=1|title=MAIN EVENT ANNOUNCED FOR MLW NYC DEBUT NEXT MONTH|date=May 31, 2018|access-date=September 16, 2018|publisher=PWInsider}} Subsequent tapings have been held at various venues around the United States.

From Fall 2020 until 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MLW returned to Gilt Nightclub to tape their programming behind closed doors.{{cite web |title=MLW FUSION RESULTS: JACOB FATU VS. DAVEY BOY SMITH JR. TITLE MATCH |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/mlw-results/mlw-fusion-results-jacob-fatu-vs-davey-boy-smith-jr-title-match-325441 |publisher=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Weekly |access-date=November 5, 2021 |date=November 19, 2020}} From July to December 2021, MLW programming was taped at the 2300 Arena from the promotion's home base in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

{{see also|List of Major League Wrestling events}}

{{Main|List of Major League Wrestling personnel}}

The wrestlers featured on Major League Wrestling take part in scripted feuds and storylines. Wrestlers are portrayed as either villains or heroes in the scripted events that build tension and culminate in a wrestling match.

MLW Fusion originally aired on Friday nights in the United States on BeIN Sports. In February 2019, the show moved to Saturday nights.

On November 18, 2020, new episodes of Fusion moved to Wednesday nights on fubo Sports Network and MLW's YouTube channel, with BeIN Sports now airing replays on Saturday nights.

With the premiere of MLW Azteca on January 6, 2022, MLW programming moved to Thursdays nights on YouTube; Fusion would return on February 10 of that year.

On November 10, 2022, MLW Fusion moved to Pro Wrestling TV, continuing to air on Thursday nights.

On May 25, 2023, Fusion returned to MLW's YouTube channel, and also began airing on FITE for FITE+ subscribers.

In addition to the U.S., MLW Fusion also airs on BeIN Sports in Canada and Puerto Rico. As of 2022, Fusion is currently carried by StarTimes and Wataaa Fight Channel outside of North America, Fight Klub Poland, and MBC in Mauritius.[https://mlw.com/where-to-watch/ How to Watch]

On July 5, 2022, MLW announced a new broadcast deal with Ayozat TV in the United Kingdom.{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/mlw-announces-new-uk-tv-deal|title=MLW Announces New UK TV Deal|date=July 5, 2022|access-date=July 7, 2022|publisher=Fightful}}

{{Portal|Television}}

• List of professional wrestling television series

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Official website|http://mlw.com/fusion/}}
• [http://www.beinsports.com/us/tag/mlw-fusion/ MLW Fusion on beIN Sports]
• {{IMDb title|tt8287416|Major League Wrestling}}

{{Major League Wrestling}}

{{Professional wrestling in the United States}}

Category:2018 American television series debuts

Category:2010s American sports television series

Category:2020s American sports television series

Category:American professional wrestling television series

Category:BeIN Sports

Fusion