At Saturday night’s MLW Battle Riot VII event, Alex Hammerstone made his return to Major League Wrestling, introduced by Cesar Duran, who hailed him as a franchise player.
Hammerstone stated he wasn’t back just for the crowd reaction — he returned to enter the Battle Riot match and reclaim the MLW World Championship. His last MLW appearance was in 2023, when he lost to Jacob Fatu.
HAMMERSTONE IS HERE!!!#MLWRiot is streaming NOW & FREE:
▶️ https://t.co/tROwbeGoaE pic.twitter.com/5JFd3ZHNV4— MLW (@MLW) April 6, 2025
Austin Aries also made his return to Major League Wrestling (MLW) at MLW Battle Riot VII, serving as part of the commentary team alongside Joe Dombrowski.
Aries previously competed in MLW in 2018 and 2019, notably wrestling ACH on the debut episode of MLW Fusion in 2018.
Another unexpected face, as @joe_dombrowski introduces his new broadcast tag-team partner… @AustinAries!#MLWRiot ️ https://t.co/wN1Nj1llQl pic.twitter.com/hjJhmHZQXG
— MLW (@MLW) April 6, 2025
At MLW Battle Riot VII, Mistico officially relinquished the MLW World Middleweight Championship, announcing his move up to the heavyweight division as he sets his sights on the MLW World Heavyweight Championship.
Mistico, who held the title for 401 days with eight successful defenses, was originally set to defend it against Templario, but was forced out due to injury.
DID THAT JUST HAPPEN?!? @caristicomx vacates his MLW Middleweight title due to injury, before @The_IkuroKwon mists @RealCesarDuran and steals the championship!#MLWRiot ▶️ https://t.co/wN1Nj1llQl pic.twitter.com/78BlcTCUUb
— MLW (@MLW) April 6, 2025
Místico renuncia al Campeonato Peso Medio de MLW y cuando se lo daba a Cesar Duran este es atacado por Kudo Kwan o como se llame, y este se roba el cinturón. #MLWBattleRiot #BattleRiotVII #CMLL #MLW pic.twitter.com/rsxfrIvdA6
— IcnWRW (@IcnWrw) April 6, 2025
Shoko Nakajima dethroned Delmi Exo to capture the MLW Women’s World Featherweight Title at MLW Battle Riot VII. Nakajima secured the win with a DDT followed by a top-rope senton.
This marks her first reign as the MLW Women’s Featherweight Champion, and she is also an active competitor in TJPW.
AND NEW ‼️ Join us in congratulating Shoko Nakajima, who just captured the MLW Women’s World Featherweight Championship at #MLWRiot!
Watch LIVE https://t.co/wN1Nj1llQl pic.twitter.com/ZHE2rfzKGT
— MLW (@MLW) April 6, 2025
Also at MLW Battle Riot VII, a mysterious teaser aired hinting at a new arrival. The video featured symbolic imagery including a bullet, beer, and a tape recorder, along with the message “They’re Coming” and the number 626. It concluded with a shot of two men standing back to back, fueling speculation about a possible tag team debut or return.
Good Brothers coming to MLW ?? #MLWRiot pic.twitter.com/xhna7g2OBL
— (@WrestlingCovers) April 6, 2025
MLW Battle Riot VII delivered some major surprises as 40 competitors fought for a shot at the MLW World Heavyweight Title.
Alex Hammerstone made his return and entered at number one.
Raj Dhesi (formerly Jinder Mahal in WWE) was the first surprise entrant at number two.
Chris Adonis (formerly Chris Masters) joined the action as another surprise at number 22.
Independent star Titus Alexander appeared unexpectedly at number 38.
The final shock came at number 40 with the entrance of wrestling legend Rob Van Dam.
THE SURPRISES CONTINUE!! 😮@alexhammerstone enters Battle RIOT at No. 1, followed by @RajTheMaharaja at No. 2!
Watch #MLWRiot NOW: https://t.co/wN1Nj1llQl pic.twitter.com/RHjMQNp7M1
— MLW (@MLW) April 6, 2025
MEAT vs MEAT@ChrisAdonis has entered the Battle RIOT and is going face to face vs. @alexhammerstone!#MLWRiot 🥩 https://t.co/wN1Nj1llQl pic.twitter.com/s6jk8eccqZ
— MLW (@MLW) April 6, 2025
Entering the Battle RIOT at No. 40…
ROB VAN DAM!!!#MLWRiot ▶️ https://t.co/wN1Nj1llQl pic.twitter.com/xpBqDIWazP
— MLW (@MLW) April 6, 2025
Matt Riddle won MLW Battle Riot VII, successfully retaining his MLW World Heavyweight Title. Entering the match at #25, Riddle outlasted all competitors.
The match concluded with Riddle shoving Rob Van Dam — who had entered at #40 — off the top rope as RVD attempted a Five-Star Frog Splash, securing the victory.
BRO IS HERE!!! 🤙
MLW World Champion Matt Riddle has entered the Battle RIOT, taped-up ribs & all!
But will he survive and escape L.A. with the “Mega Belt”? ▶️ https://t.co/wN1Nj1llQl pic.twitter.com/9R0sTIWhtU
— MLW (@MLW) April 6, 2025
AND STILL! 🤙 Somehow @SuperKingofBros survives, leaving MLW Battle RIOT with his MLW World Heavyweight Championship!
Watch the replay of #MLWRiot now:
▶️ https://t.co/tROwbeGoaE pic.twitter.com/ADWkM4Nu0S— MLW (@MLW) April 6, 2025
