What's Keeping MLW From Living Up to It's Potential?

 The MLW brand sparked with promise when they advertised the #Restart in November. Before then, they had a lot in their tank. The Hart Dynasty, The Opera Cup, Low-Ki, Los Parks, and Contra. Every week Fusion performed exciting matches on Fite TV. Titles were exchanged, hardcore matches drew blood, and Filthy Tom performed in twenty-minute matches.

The #Restart sounded like an amazing use of talent. Contra was bashing heads and starting feuds, Calvin Tankman was going to be a force to be reckoned with, and Alexander Hammerstone was going to get a major push.

The first episode aired on YouTube and it felt underwhelming. Alex Hammerstone started us with a 15-second squash. Brian Pullman Jr was supposed to have a satisfying grudge match with Myron Reed, but Myron tossed him aside like a rag doll. Likewise, Davey Jr. was hyped to give Fatu a fight for his life. Fatu defeated him with zero consequences. Future episodes had lackluster squash matches, decent tag teams, a quality Opera Cup, and little promise toward Triple-A stars performing. Hammerstone was featured in boring street brawls and Fatu worked over mid-carders. Nothing was more disappointing than the flagship Kings of Coliseum event where the only highlight was Myron Reed and Lio Rush facing off in the opening.

One wonders why MLW has become a diet version of themselves. They are not a company that shrinks back from powerful matches and gripping hype. Crowds were blown away by their hardcore antics and wowed by their luchador speeds. Where did that go?

Here's the problem. The 45 minutes of pre-recorded matches are not enough to deliver on their talent. They have so much and three quick matches on Youtube won't cut it. Another show to their lineup would cast some better spotlights on Fatu, Hammerstone, Tankman, Kruger, Myron, and Rush. We are hungry to see these men shine.

MLW has a lot going for it. They have fresh writers and a booking team that needs to get over their limitations. An extra hour each week could pump some blood into the roster. The MLW fans want more Zenshi, Fatu, Los Parks, Hammerstone, and Filthy Tom. A second show would elevate the talent and flesh out the stories.

I get it. It's easier said than done. But I have too much excitement for MLW's brand to let them get drained of relevance. NXT should be nervous that this great brand exists. Let's hope they can get out of their rut.