Davey Boy Smith Jr. Withdraws From MLW Title Match; Replaced By NJPW Star

Haus of Wrestling received the following from MLW in an email blast announcing that “Filthy” Tom Lawlor will return to the promotion this Saturday at Slaughterhouse. He replaces Davey Boy Smith Jr. in the main event against MLW World Heavyweight Champion Alex Kane. Lawlor previously wrestled for MLW from 2017 until 2020 and is now with NJPW, where is a former NJPW Strong Openweight Champion. He is also a former MLW World Heavyweight Champion.

MLW recently announced a “landmark strategic alliance” with CMLL and NJPW, which likely paved the way for Lawlor’s return.


NEW MAIN EVENT SET FOR SATURDAY

Tom Lawlor returns to MLW

MLW today announced a new main event of “Filthy” Tom Lawlor vs. Alex Kane (Champion) for the World Heavyweight Championship at MLW Slaughterhouse live and exclusively on FITE+ this Saturday, October 14 at Philadelphia’s 2300 Arena.

Grab tickets at http://MLW2300.com and the 2300 Arena box office. Tickets start at $15.

72 hours out from Slaughterhouse, the World Heavyweight Title Fight has changed.

The original challenger, Davey Boy Smith Jr., has withdrawn from the bout and has been placed on the emergency injured reserved list.

With DBS out, league officials conferred with Don King, promoter of the Bomaye Fight Club and World Champion Alex Kane, through the night and early morning hours on the status of a title fight this Saturday.

Kane, vowing he fights for the people, insisted on giving fans a title fight this weekend, which set the stage for a shocking return to the league: “Filthy” Tom Lawlor.

“Tom is a great guy, but he was PISSED at what Kane said about him during that MLW media event a few weeks back,” said MLW CEO Court Bauer. “Getting a cage fighter mad isn’t something I’d recommend Kane do again. (Tom) has been dying to get a fight with Kane and so when the spot opened up, he was the first call we made. I want to also acknowledge and thank New Japan Pro Wrestling for aiding in facilitating this. They came through in the clutch.”

Making claims and allegations that was Lawlor was ducking him, Tom didn’t hesitate to take the title fight, which was fast-tracked to contract signatures by MLW and New Japan this morning.

Lawlor, the first fighter to win the Battle Riot (2018), 2020 Opera Cup winner and a former MLW World Heavyweight Champion enjoyed an extraordinary 4-year stint in Major League Wrestling. Since exiting in 2021, Lawlor has been a force in New Japan Pro Wrestling, becoming the inaugural NJPW Strong Openweight Champion.

Tom Lawlor now returns to MLW, starting a new “filthy” chapter… but will it start with a new title reign? It goes down at Slaughterhouse LIVE and exclusively on FITE+. Sign up for your FITE+ subscription now.

Lock in your tickets now at http://MLW2300.com and see it go down Saturday, October 14 in Philadelphia at http://www.MLW2300.com


Haus of Wrestling has partnered with Inside The Ropes to present An Afternoon With Kevin Nash And Sean Waltman on November 25 at Joe’s Live in Rosemont, IL, ten minutes from the All-State Arena. Tickets are now available at JoesLiveRosemont.com.