In 2017, Major League Wrestling chose Orlando to relaunch one of the most successful promotions in the United States.
On Jan. 29, MLW returns to Central Florida when it brings its annual Battle Riot to the Heritage Park Events Center in Kissimmee. Tickets, which start at $10, go on sale Wednesday, Nov. 19, at MLWLive.com and Ticketmaster.
MLW’s first few monthly events were at the now-closed Gilt Nightclub off East Colonial Drive before the company expanded to a more nationwide footprint. But MLW CEO Court Bauer said the eager fans in the Orlando area deserved a return trip for the first time since 2019.
“Whenever we announce the location of a big event, we get so much feedback telling us to come back to Orlando,” Bauer said. “We’ve been to Miami/Fort Lauderdale, we’ve been to Tampa, but still we hear ‘come back home’ to Orlando from fans who are loud and proud about it.”
Battle Riot, which has become MLW’s biggest annual event, was a natural for the Kissimmee debut, Bauer said. It’s headlined by a 40-man match for the world championship, with eliminations by pin, submission, or battle-royal-style over the top rope. This will be the eighth show with the moniker; the last two were won by Matt Riddle, who was also part of the first relaunch show at Gilt.
“There will always be surprise entries, legends and returning stars – it’s wild,” Bauer said. “The world title (now held by Mads Krule Krugger) will be defended in the match, so that ups the stakes.”
MLW has been a major part of the recent popularity wave of pro wrestling, driven by record crowds in the largest promotions like WWE, AEW and TNA and a growing worldwide talent pool for companies of all shapes and sizes to provide alternatives. Bauer said his philosophy is an ever-changing buffet of talent, including affiliations with New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Mexico’s CMLL. Besides Krugger and Riddle, longtime familiar names include Killer Kross; Bishop Dyer (formerly Baron Corbin); Donovan Dijak; Austin Aries; Shotzi Blackheart and Blue Panther.
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MLW has added involvement from the entertainment industry as well, with Golden Globe winner Paul Walter Hauser getting in the ring and Danny McBride promoting his Don Gato tequila brand.
“I’m lucky to have so much to choose from, but I’m like a chef in a kitchen, mixing ingredients to see what has a nice flavor,” Bauer said. “We’ve had Satoshi Kojima come from Japan and win the world title; Mistico won a championship. Recently we’ve been focused on star power, a few more familiar faces.”
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Bauer is a New Yorker, born and raised, but he said bringing shows to the South always excites him.
“Coming back to Florida means I can show my appreciation for Southern wrestling style, learning from Terry Funk and Dusty Rhodes, and of course in Florida it goes all the way back to Eddie Graham. I can feel the soul of wrestling in these buildings.”
jreddick@orlandosentinel.com
