''MLW Underground Wrestling'', also known as ''MLW Underground'', is 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 ...

television program produced by

Major League Wrestling Major League Wrestling (MLW), is an American professional wrestling promotion based in New Rochelle, New York. The promotion was founded in 2002 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by former WWE writer Court Bauer. The promotion markets its product as ...

(MLW) that originally premiered on February 7, 2023, on

Reelz Reelz (formerly known as Reelz Channel) is an American digital cable and satellite television network owned by Hubbard Broadcasting. The network's programming was formerly devoted to entertainment-oriented programming focusing on the Hollywood ...

in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

. The show takes its name after the promotion's original television series, ''

MLW Underground TV ''MLW Underground TV'' is a professional wrestling television series that was produced by Major League Wrestling (MLW) from 2003 to 2004. The series was hosted by former Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) commentator Joey Styles. Reruns of the ...

'', which was produced from 2003 to 2004.

History

On January 20, 2023, MLW announced a broadcast deal with the American cable channel

to produce a new flagship show titled ''MLW Underground Wrestling''. As part of the agreement, Reelz would also air past MLW content in a two-hour block including the series; a re-edited version of

Battle Riot IV Battle Riot IV was a professional wrestling supercard event produced by Major League Wrestling (MLW) that took place on June 23, 2022 at the Melrose Ballroom in New York City. It was the fourth event under the Battle Riot chronology. Matches fr ...

(which took place on June 23, 2022, and later aired on November 3, 2022, on the

streaming service Streaming media is multimedia that is delivered and consumed in a continuous manner from a source, with little or no intermediate storage in network elements. ''Streaming'' refers to the delivery method of content, rather than the content it ...

Pro Wrestling TV) aired immediately after the series premiere. The premiere episode featured segments from the 2022

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 ...

event, which was originally taped for the promotion's other weekly series, ''

MLW Fusion ''MLW Fusion'' is a professional wrestling television program produced by Major League Wrestling (MLW) that originally premiered on April 20, 2018 on beIN Sports USA. On November 10, 2022, the series began streaming on Pro Wrestling TV. A thir ...

'', with the

Last Man Standing match Many types of wrestling matches, sometimes called "concept" or " gimmick matches" in the jargon of the business, are performed in professional wrestling. Some gimmick matches are more common than others and are often used to advance or conclude a ...

between

Alexander Hammerstone Alex Rohde (born January 17, 1991), better known by his ring names Alexander Hammerstone or simply Hammerstone is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to Major League Wrestling, where he is the current MLW World Heavyweight ...

and

EJ Nduka Ezekwesiri "EJ" Nduka Jr. (born August 28, 1988) is an American professional wrestler, professional IFBB bodybuilder, former professional gridiron football and arena football defensive end outside linebacker. As a professional wrestler, he is ...

for the

MLW World Heavyweight Championship The MLW World Heavyweight Championship is a world heavyweight championship owned and promoted by Major League Wrestling (MLW). It is the promotion's principal championship. The championship was established on September 26, 2002 during the MLW Re ...

serving as the main event. On February 28, it was reported by

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

that MLW's deal with Reelz would conclude after 10 weeks. In a statement made to PWInsider, the network confirmed that "No decisions have been made by MLW or REELZ and we are both committed to a good outcome for MLW, its fans and REELZ." In March 2023, it was announced that

Battle Riot V Battle Riot V was a professional wrestling supercard event produced by Major League Wrestling (MLW) that took place on April 8, 2023, at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was the fifth event under the Battle Riot chronology. The ma ...

would air on April 25 as an episode of ''Underground Wrestling''.

Production

Special episodes

Broadcast history

Though Reelz's linear channel and programming would be picked by

NBCUniversal NBCUniversal Media, LLC is an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate corporation owned by Comcast and headquartered at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, United States. NBCUniversal is primari ...

-owned streaming service

Peacock Peafowl is a common name for three bird species in the genera ''Pavo (genus), Pavo'' and ''Afropavo'' within the tribe Pavonini of the family Phasianidae, the pheasants and their allies. Male peafowl are referred to as peacocks, and female pea ...

shortly after the show's launch, ''Underground Wrestling'' and all MLW programming are blacked out on the service due to a pre-existing exclusivity agreement with

WWE World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., d/b/a as WWE, is an American professional wrestling promotion. A global integrated media and entertainment company, WWE has also branched out into other fields, including film, American football, and vario ...

International

In February 2023, it was announced that ''Underground Wrestling'' would air on Ayozat TV in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

starting March 6. On March 23, 2023, it was announced that Premier Streaming Network will distribute ''Underground Wrestling'' outside of the U.S.

References

{{Professional wrestling in the United States 2023 American television series debuts American professional wrestling television series Underground Wrestling Reelz original programming