Blood and Thunder (2023) was a

professional wrestling Professional wrestling is a form of theater that revolves around staged wrestling matches. The mock combat is performed in a ring similar to the kind used in boxing, and the dramatic aspects of pro wrestling may be performed both in the ring o ...

supercard event produced by Major League Wrestling (MLW), which took place on January 7, 2023 at the

2300 Arena 2300 Arena is a multipurpose indoor arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania used primarily for professional wrestling, boxing, mixed martial arts, and concert events. Originally known as Viking Hall, the venue has since been named Alhambra Arena, The ...

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...

. It was the third event under the

MLW Blood and Thunder Blood and Thunder is a professional wrestling supercard event Event may refer to: Gatherings of people * Ceremony, an event of ritual significance, performed on a special occasion * Convention (meeting), a gathering of individuals engaged in ...

chronology, and also featured wrestlers from the Dragon Gate promotion. Originally a television taping for '' MLW Fusion'', matches and segments from the event would also air on the promotion's new flagship series, '' MLW Underground Wrestling'', which premiered on February 7, 2023.

Production

Background

On November 2, 2022, MLW announced that Blood and Thunder took place on January 7, 2023 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

Storylines

The supercard consists of matches that result from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayed

villains A villain (also known as a "black hat" or "bad guy"; the feminine form is villainess) is a stock character, whether based on a historical narrative or one of literary fiction. ''Random House Unabridged Dictionary'' defines such a character as ...

heroes Heroes or Héroes may refer to: * Hero, one who displays courage and self-sacrifice for the greater good Film * ''Heroes'' (1977 film), an American drama * ''Heroes'' (2008 film), an Indian Hindi film Gaming * ''Heroes of Might and Magic'' ...

, or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches, with results predetermined by MLW's writers. Storylines are played out on MLW's weekly series, '' Fusion'' and '' Azteca'', as well as the league's social media platforms. Through MLW's "Open Door Policy", several free agents have been signed on for the event. This includes Game Changer Wrestling mainstays Billie Starkz and

Rickey Shane Page Rickey Shane Page (born March 1, 1984) is an American professional wrestler who is currently wrestling on the independent circuit. Page started out as a backyard wrestler before making the transition to professional wrestling, where he was trai ...

, as well as the MLW return of Johnny Fusion (formerly known by his real name of John Hennigan). Several names from MLW's partner Dragon Gate will also be featured, including

Ben-K is a Japanese professional wrestling, professional wrestler, currently signed to Dragon Gate (wrestling), Dragon Gate under the ring name Ben-K. Professional wrestling career Dragon Gate Debut and early career (2016–2017) Nakamura attended ...

, La Estrella, and

Yamato was originally the area around today's Sakurai City in Nara Prefecture of Japan, which became Yamato Province and by extension a name for the whole of Japan. Yamato is also the dynastic name of the ruling Imperial House of Japan. Japanese his ...

. On the January 13, 2022 episode of ''MLW Azteca'', 2021 Opera Cup winner

Davey Richards Wesley David Richards (born March 1, 1983) is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to Major League Wrestling (MLW), under the ring name Davey Richards, and is the current MLW National Openweight Champion in his first reign. ...

was found to be attacked, with the Opera Cup Trophy haven been stolen from his possession. For much of the year, speculation rose about who stole the trophy. At

Fightland Fightland is a website covering mixed martial arts (MMA). Launched in September 2012, it is part of Vice Media, Inc. network channels. Vice Media states that ''Fightland'' is a joint venture with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). ''The Ne ...

, 2019 Opera Cup winner

Davey Boy Smith Jr. Harry Francis Smith (born August 2, 1985) is a Canadian professional wrestler, best known under the ring name Davey Boy Smith Jr. and his real name Harry Smith. He currently performs for the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), where he was one ...

- making his return to MLW in nearly two years - teamed with his cousins The Billignton Bulldogs (Thomas and Mark Billington) to defeat The Bomaye Fight Club (

Alex Kane Alex Kane (born October 21, 1993) is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to Major League Wrestling where he is the current MLW World Champion in his first reign he's also a one time MLW National Openweight Champion. Pro ...

, Myron Reed, and Mr. Thomas). After the match, Smith cut a promo accusing Kane of haven stolen the Opera Cup Trophy, while promising to make Kane submit the next time they wrestle. That was proven true when it was revealed that Kane now possessed the trophy on the December 2 episode of ''Fusion''. The trophy, now with visible damage, had been renamed the "Bomaye Cup of the Gods" by Kane; and stated that even if MLW were to hold the Opera Cup tournament again, he would still keep the trophy. On December 14, MLW announced on their website that Kane and Smith will face each other at Blood and Thunder. Additionally, MLW announced on December 27 that The Billington Bulldogs will face The BFC's Reed and Thomas in a tag team match.

Results

References

{{MLWPPV, Blood and Thunder 2023 in Philadelphia 2023 in professional wrestling Major League Wrestling shows January 2023 sports events in the United States Professional wrestling shows in Philadelphia