Major League Wrestling
An American professional wrestling promotion presenting a hybrid-style sports-entertainment product through live events, television, streaming and international partnerships.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Major League Wrestling (MLW) is an American professional wrestling promotion founded in 2002 by former WWE writer Court Bauer. It was created during the period following the closures and acquisitions of World Championship Wrestling and Extreme Championship Wrestling, when the North American wrestling market was dominated by WWE and emerging independent promotions. MLW initially positioned itself as an alternative to conventional sports entertainment, emphasizing a blend of wrestling traditions and describing its product as “Hybrid Wrestling.” Its programming has incorporated technical wrestling, lucha libre, hardcore wrestling, catch wrestling, strong-style influences and sports-oriented presentation. The promotion’s first operating period focused on live events and recorded television. In 2003, MLW produced Underground TV, a program that aired on the Sunshine Network and featured matches recorded at earlier events. The company used a roster that included several established performers associated with ECW and WCW, including Sabu, Terry Funk, Shane Douglas and Steve Corino. MLW ended its initial event operations in 2004, but the brand later continued in a different form as a podcast and digital-content network. That phase broadened MLW’s media activities and included interviews and appearances by notable wrestling figures. MLW returned to live event promotion in 2017. Its renewed activity led to a television agreement with beIN Sports and the launch of MLW Fusion in April 2018. Fusion became the promotion’s principal weekly television platform, while Battle Riot, SuperFight, Intimidation Games, Fury Road, Fightland and other branded events supplied recurring tent-pole programming. MLW also expanded its distribution through Spanish-language programming, digital platforms, pay-per-view services and international broadcasters. Its event strategy has alternated between taped television specials, live broadcasts and premium streaming events. A major part of MLW’s business model has been cooperation with other wrestling organizations. The promotion has announced or used talent exchanges and content relationships with AAA, Pro Wrestling NOAH, Dragon Gate, The Crash Lucha Libre, International Wrestling Association of Puerto Rico, Revolution Pro Wrestling and New Japan Pro-Wrestling. These arrangements have allowed MLW to present internationally recognizable wrestlers and cross-promotional storylines while maintaining a distinct roster and television identity. MLW also launched and later developed women’s wrestling initiatives, including the Women’s Featherweight division. The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted MLW’s event schedule after March 2020. During the hiatus, the company digitized portions of its earlier video library, produced archival and digital series such as MLW Anthology and Pulp Fusion, and pursued additional distribution agreements. New television production and live-audience events gradually resumed in 2021. In subsequent years, MLW worked with platforms and broadcasters including Vice TV, Ayozat TV, beIN Sports, Pro Wrestling TV, Reelz, Premier Streaming Network, FITE and Triller TV-related services. MLW’s most significant legal dispute involved WWE. In 2022, MLW filed an antitrust action alleging interference with prospective television and streaming arrangements and alleged talent-related conduct. The case was amended in 2023, then settled later that year and dismissed with prejudice. A TKO Group Holdings filing subsequently disclosed a $20 million payment associated with the settlement. MLW continued operating after the settlement and announced changes to its event and distribution model, including a schedule combining premium live events with free or taped television specials. The promotion remains an active independent wrestling brand whose core activities are event promotion, original wrestling programming, media distribution, talent development and inter-promotional collaboration.
History
MLW was founded in 2002 in Philadelphia by Court Bauer, a former WWE writer. Its creation followed the disappearance of WCW and ECW from the national wrestling landscape. The new promotion presented itself as an alternative to WWE’s sports-entertainment format and drew on several wrestling traditions, especially the credibility and intensity associated with independent wrestling and ECW. Soon after formation, the company moved its headquarters toward New York and later shifted its base of operations to Florida. During its first active period, MLW promoted live events and produced recorded television. Underground TV began airing on the Sunshine Network in April 2003. The show used pre-recorded matches and was initially hosted by Joey Styles, with Kevin Kelly later taking over hosting duties. MLW’s early roster included former ECW performers such as Sabu, Terry Funk, Shane Douglas and Steve Corino, which gave the company an identifiable connection to the recently closed promotion but also led to criticism that it was too closely imitating ECW. MLW ceased its original event operations in 2004. In 2011, MLW returned as a podcast and digital-media network. This period kept the brand active through interviews, audio programming and wrestling-related broadcast content. Guests and contributors included prominent figures from the histories of WWE, WCW and other promotions. The company eventually moved back into event promotion. In 2017 it announced new live shows, beginning with One-Shot, and expanded its planned schedule in Florida and elsewhere. The revival accelerated in 2018. MLW secured a beIN Sports agreement and launched Fusion, its weekly television program, in April. The company created recurring event brands including Battle Riot and produced live or near-live television specials. It also introduced performer contracts and sought international reach through partnerships with AAA, Pro Wrestling NOAH, The Crash Lucha Libre, Dragon Gate and other promotions. MLW expanded Spanish-language distribution on beIN Sports and explored additional international media and commercial relationships. In 2019, it added the National Openweight Championship, launched a women’s division, held its first pay-per-view event, and continued developing partnerships with IWA-PR and other organizations. The March 2020 pandemic interruption forced MLW to suspend its normal event cycle. The company used the pause to digitize its 2003–2004 video archive and develop archival and digital programs, including MLW Anthology and Pulp Fusion. It also pursued streaming distribution through DAZN and later expanded its television presence through Vice TV. New production resumed toward the end of 2020, and Battle Riot III in 2021 marked the return of a live audience after the pandemic hiatus. MLW subsequently developed Fusion: Alpha and MLW Azteca projects, although a planned Azteca Underground series did not proceed after the company was unable to secure a television deal. From 2022 onward, MLW concentrated on expanding distribution and defending its position in the wrestling-media market. It announced agreements with Ayozat TV, beIN Sports Xtra, Pro Wrestling TV, Reelz, Premier Streaming Network and FITE. The Reelz arrangement became connected to MLW’s litigation with WWE because MLW alleged that WWE had interfered with its media opportunities. The original lawsuit was dismissed in 2023 for inadequate pleading of a relevant antitrust market, but MLW amended the action. The dispute ended with a settlement in December 2023; a TKO Group Holdings filing later disclosed a $20 million payment connected to the settlement. In 2024, MLW reorganized its event calendar around two monthly programs: a premium live event for subscribers and a taped television special distributed through broadcast and online channels. The company continued producing Fusion-related programming and international collaborations, while Azteca Lucha’s sellout at Cicero Stadium indicated strong demand for selected live events. MLW’s continuing identity rests on its hybrid wrestling concept, flexible media distribution, cross-promotional relationships and status as an independent alternative to the largest U.S. wrestling organizations.
- 2024
Event model restructured
[1]MLW introduced a schedule pairing monthly premium events with television specials.
- 2023
WWE dispute settled
[1]The litigation was settled and dismissed with prejudice in December.
- 2022
WWE antitrust suit filed
[1]MLW filed litigation alleging interference with media deals and talent recruitment.
- 2021
Live-audience events return
[1]Battle Riot III marked MLW’s return to an event with a live audience after the pandemic interruption.
- 2020
Pandemic hiatus
[1]MLW suspended its regular live-event cycle and shifted toward archive and digital programming.
- 2019
Women’s division announced
[1]MLW announced a formal women’s division and later staged its first official match.
- 2018
Fusion premieres
[1]MLW Fusion debuted on beIN Sports USA.
- 2017
Live promotion resumes
[1]MLW announced new live wrestling events, beginning its modern promotional era.
- 2011
Digital-media revival
[1]The MLW brand returned as a podcast and wrestling-content network.
- 2004
Initial event operations end
[1]MLW shut down its first period of live event promotion.
Products and positioning
Independent professional wrestling promotion with a hybrid, sports-oriented identity and an international partnership model.
Weekly television wrestling program · 2018
MLW Fusion
MLW’s principal weekly wrestling television series, launched in 2018 on beIN Sports. Fusion combines filmed matches, interviews, promos and ongoing storylines, and has subsequently appeared through multiple broadcast and streaming arrangements, including digital distribution.
Archived television series · 2003
MLW Underground TV
The original MLW television program, built from matches recorded during the promotion’s first operating period. It aired in 2003–2004 and later became part of the company’s archival and rerun library.
Weekly television wrestling program · 2023
MLW Underground Wrestling
A weekly flagship program announced for the Reelz network in 2023. It extended MLW’s television output beyond Fusion and was also intended for international and streaming distribution.
Professional wrestling event series · 2018
Battle Riot
A recurring MLW event brand centered on a large multi-competitor match and associated storylines. Battle Riot has been used as both a live event and a television special and became one of the promotion’s recognizable annual properties.
Premium wrestling event · 2019
MLW SuperFight
A branded MLW event used for major matches and television specials. The series formed part of the promotion’s expansion of live and near-live programming after the launch of Fusion.
Premium live wrestling event · 2018
MLW Never Say Never
A recurring event title used for MLW live programming. In 2023, Never Say Never became the first live special produced under MLW’s FITE+ arrangement.
Controversies
2022
Antitrust litigation against WWE
MLW alleged that WWE interfered with prospective television and streaming agreements and engaged in conduct affecting MLW’s access to talent. The case was initially dismissed for insufficiently pleaded market facts, amended in 2023 and ultimately settled.
2022
Major League Wrestling sues WWE
MLW Media LLC sued WWE, alleging that WWE undermined competition and monopolized the U.S. professional wrestling market through anticompetitive business practices. WWE denied the allegations and said it would defend itself.
Marketing campaigns
- 2021Women’s Featherweight division relaunch
United States
MLW brought in Dave Prazak to help relaunch its women’s wrestling initiative, later identifying the project as the Women’s Featherweight division.
Outcome. The division became part of MLW’s broader effort to diversify its roster and televised offerings.
- 2020MLW archive and digital-content program
United States · Digital markets
During the pandemic hiatus, MLW digitized its early video library and created archival and online programs including MLW Anthology and Pulp Fusion.
Outcome. The campaign kept the brand visible while live-event production was suspended and increased the utility of MLW’s historical footage.
- 2018MLW international expansion and Spanish-language distribution
United States · Mexico · International
MLW combined its beIN Sports television launch with partnerships in Mexico and Spanish-language distribution, using international talent relationships and translated programming to broaden the reach of Fusion.
Outcome. The initiative helped establish MLW as a promotion built around cross-border talent exchanges and multi-language media distribution.
Brand decisions
2024
Two-event monthly scheduleStrategyBackground
MLW sought to balance premium subscriber programming with broad-reach television content.
Action taken
The promotion introduced a monthly schedule featuring a premium live event and a separate free or taped television special.
Aftermath
The model aligned MLW’s live-event calendar with subscription streaming and broadcast distribution.
2023
Settlement of WWE litigationOtherBackground
MLW’s amended antitrust case alleged interference with media opportunities and was being litigated against WWE.
Action taken
MLW and WWE reached a settlement in December 2023, after which the case was dismissed with prejudice.
Aftermath
A TKO Group Holdings filing later disclosed a $20 million payment associated with the settlement.
Settlement payment. $20 million (2023)
2020
Shift to archival and digital programming during COVID-19StrategyBackground
The pandemic halted MLW’s normal event schedule after March 2020.
Action taken
MLW digitized its early tape library and produced archive-focused and YouTube programming while pursuing streaming distribution.
Aftermath
The company maintained a content pipeline until new television production and live-audience events could resume.
2018
Launch of MLW FusionProduct launchBackground
MLW needed a regular media platform to support its revived live-event operations.
Action taken
MLW premiered Fusion on beIN Sports USA and used the program to present matches, interviews and storylines.
Aftermath
Fusion became the promotion’s central weekly television property and supported later broadcast and streaming partnerships.
2017
Return to live event promotionStrategyBackground
After operating as a digital-content network, MLW sought to re-establish itself as an active wrestling promoter.
Action taken
The company announced new live events and expanded its planned event schedule.
Aftermath
The return created the foundation for the beIN Sports television agreement and the modern MLW event cycle.
Recent events
Major League Wrestling sues WWE[3]
Reported:
MLW Media LLC sued WWE, alleging that WWE undermined competition and monopolized the U.S. professional wrestling market through anticompetitive business practices. WWE denied the allegations and said it would defend itself.
MLW extends partnership with MARS[4]
Reported:
Major League Wrestling extended its partnership with Martial-Arts Advance Research Systems to expand its work with the MARS innovation lab.
MLW and NERDS Clothing announce apparel collaboration[5]
Reported:
Major League Wrestling and NERDS Clothing announced a partnership to create an exclusive MLW x NERDS collection, which is planned to include T-shirts, jackets and other items.
MLW announces streaming distribution agreement with Digital Original Entertainment[6]
Reported:
Major League Wrestling announced a distribution agreement with Digital Original Entertainment. Under the agreement, MLW content, including MLW FUSION, is to air on the DOE TV Network, with MLW FUSION set to premiere in September.
MLW and Wildcat announce championship belt licensing deal[7]
Reported:
Major League Wrestling and Wildcat Championship Belts announced an agreement to manufacture and sell replica belts featuring MLW championships.
MLW announces event distribution on FITE[8]
Reported:
Major League Wrestling announced that FITE would stream the league’s slate of special events on pay-per-view, starting with MLW SuperFight that night.
MLW and iNDEMAND announce pay-per-view distribution partnership[9]
Reported:
Major League Wrestling announced a distribution partnership with iNDEMAND to bring MLW events to pay-per-view, beginning in May.
MLW agrees television distribution deal with MBC[10]
Reported:
Major League Wrestling announced a television distribution agreement with Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation. The agreement will bring MLW's weekly flagship series, MLW FUSION, to the network's lineup in spring 2020.
MLW and Dragon Gate announce strategic alliance[11]
Reported:
Major League Wrestling and Dragon Gate Pro-Wrestling of Japan announced a strategic alliance focused on talent exchange, sharing content, and other projects.
MLW and AAA announce partnership[12]
Reported:
MLW announced that it had formed a new partnership with AAA, with crossovers, surprises and supershows expected as part of the alliance.
Sources13 sources
- 1Major League Wrestlingen.wikipedia.org
- 2Major League Wrestling official websitemlw.com
- 3Major League Wrestling sues WWEpatch.com
- 4MLW 延长与 MARS 的合作关系prowrestling.net
- 5MLW与NERDS Clothing宣布服装合作prowrestling.net
- 6MLW宣布与Digital Original Entertainment达成流媒体发行协议wrestlinginc.com
- 7MLW 与 Wildcat 宣布冠军腰带授权协议411mania.com
- 8MLW宣布通过FITE分发赛事ewrestlingnews.com
- 9MLW 与 iNDEMAND 宣布按次付费发行合作wrestlinginc.com
- 10MLW与MBC达成电视发行协议prowrestling.net
- 11MLW与Dragon Gate宣布建立战略联盟prowrestling.net
- 12MLW与AAA宣布建立合作关系411mania.com
- 13MLW announces special partnership with AAAcagesideseats.com
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