Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 13, 2026

MLW Open Draft

The MLW Open Draft was a draft used by the American professional wrestling promotion Major League Wrestling (MLW) to refresh its roster in preparation for the promotion's return to live touring following the COVID-19 pandemic. Wrestlers were selected by MLW's various stables among eight rounds, beginning on May 20, 2021, and concluding on July 10, 2021.

Last revised
Jun 13, 2026
Read time
≈ 5 min
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1,115 w
Citations
40
Source
Wikipedia ↗
MLW Open Draft
General information
SportProfessional wrestling
DateMay 20–July 10, 2021
Overview
LeagueMajor League Wrestling
Teams5150
American Top Team
Azteca Underground
Contra Unit
The Dynasty
Injustice
MLW
Team Filthy

The MLW Open Draft was a draft used by the American professional wrestling promotion Major League Wrestling (MLW) to refresh its roster in preparation for the promotion's return to live touring following the COVID-19 pandemic. Wrestlers were selected by MLW's various stables (referred to by MLW as "fight teams") among eight rounds, beginning on May 20, 2021, and concluding on July 10, 2021.a1

Background

On April 21, 2021, it was announced that MLW would hold their first event with ticketed fans since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic on July 10.2 This event would mark the first time that live-ticketed fans would attend an MLW event since AAA vs MLW in March 2020.2

As part of the preparations for the return to live touring, Alicia Atout, on the May 5, 2021 episode of Fusion, announced that an open draft would be taking place on MLW's website and official YouTube channel where various wrestlers from the MLW roster, as well as free agents from various promotions in Japan, Mexico, and the independent circuit, would be drafted by the promotion's stables in an effort to refresh the roster.34 Later on the episode, former Lucha Underground authority figure Dario Cueto was revealed to be "El Jefe", the mysterious figure who sacrificed Salina de la Renta for not paying him for providing financial assistance to Renta's group Promociones Dorado.567 The new ring name of Cueto would later be revealed to be "Cesar Duran", with Duran representing his own stable called Azteca Underground.8 Azteca Underground, 5150, American Top Team, Contra Unit, The Dynasty, Injustice, Team Filthy, and MLW were the stables that wrestlers could possibly get drafted to. The draft began on May 20.9

Selections

The first round of the open draft began on May 20 with various wrestlers, including both members of the MLW roster and free agents, being drafted in the succeeding rounds. The final round concluded on July 10 at Battle Riot III.10

Round 1 (May 20)

Davey Richards source ↗
Wrestler(s) Fight team
Marshall and Ross Von Erich MLW11
Gino Medina
King Muertes Azteca Underground12
Davey Richards MLW1314

Round 2 (May 27)

Wrestler(s) Fight team
Gringo Loco MLW15
Tom Lawlor Team Filthy15
King Mo American Top Team15
Alex Kane16

Round 3 (June 3)

Savio Vega source ↗
Wrestler(s) Fight team
Savio Vega MLW17
Zenshi17
Lee Moriarty18
Aramís Azteca Underground19

Round 4 (June 10)

Wrestler(s) Fight team
Calvin Tankman MLW20
Mads Krügger Contra Unit20
Arez Azteca Underground21

Round 5 (June 17)

E. J. Nduka source ↗
Wrestler(s) Fight team
TJP MLW22
Violence is Forever (Dominic Garrini and Kevin Ku) Team Filthy22

Round 6 (June 24)

Wrestler(s) Fight team
Ikuro Kwon, Josef Samael, and Daivari Contra Unit23
Bu Ku Dao MLW23
E. J. Nduka2425

Round 7 (July 1)

Wrestler(s) Fight team
Jordan Oliver Injustice26
Kit Osbourne Team Filthy26
Matt Cross Azteca Underground2728

Round 8 (July 10)

Wrestler(s) Fight team
Danny Rivera 515029
Slice Boogie 515030
Dr. Julius Smokes 515031
Notes

Notes

  1. Although MLW claims the draft picks are conducted by the promotion's stables, the results are actually predetermined by MLW's bookers as the draft is a storyline.
References

References

  1. "Inaugural Open Draft kicks off Thursday". Major League Wrestling. May 18, 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  2. "🚨 MLW to return with crowds July 10". Major League Wrestling. April 21, 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  3. "Alicia Atout with BREAKING NEWS tonight on FUSION". Major League Wrestling. May 5, 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  4. Jeremy Thomas (May 5, 2021). "MLW Announces Open Draft, Will Take Place Online". 411Mania. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  5. Jason Powell (May 5, 2021). "MLW Fusion Results: Powell's review of the season finale featuring Lio Rush vs. Myron Reed for the MLW Middleweight Championship, El Jefe's arrival, Laredo Kid vs. Gringo Loco, Richard Holliday in action". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  6. "🚨 Azteca Underground's El Jefe REVEALED!". Major League Wrestling. May 6, 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  7. Marc Middleton (May 7, 2021). "Salina De La Renta Confirms Her MLW Departure, Comments On Possibly Going To WWE". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  8. Justin Barrasso (May 13, 2021). "MLW's Court Bauer on Azteca Underground: 'We're Very Excited to Show Where This Goes Next'". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  9. "Supershow the Game to sponsor 2021 Open Draft". Major League Wrestling. May 12, 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  10. "Open Draft to conclude at Battle Riot". Major League Wrestling. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  11. "2021 Open Draft Round 1 Results". Major League Wrestling. June 3, 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  12. "Muertes signs multi-year deal with MLW". Major League Wrestling. June 3, 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  13. Joseph Currier (May 20, 2021). "DAVEY RICHARDS JOINS MLW ROSTER, WILL DEBUT THIS JULY". WON / F4W. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  14. "Davey Richards signs with MLW". Major League Wrestling. May 21, 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  15. "2021 Open Draft Round 2 Results". Major League Wrestling. May 27, 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  16. "Alex Kane signs with MLW". Major League Wrestling. May 28, 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  17. "2021 Open Draft Round 3 Results". Major League Wrestling. June 3, 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  18. Josh Nason (June 3, 2021). "MLW ADDS LEE MORIARTY & ARAMIS FOR NEW SEASON, OPERA CUP TO RETURN". F4W / WON. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  19. "Aramis signs multi-year deal with MLW". Major League Wrestling. June 4, 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  20. "2021 Open Draft Round 4 Results". Major League Wrestling. June 10, 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  21. "Arez drafted by Cesar Duran". Major League Wrestling. June 10, 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  22. "2021 Open Draft Round 5 Results". Major League Wrestling. June 17, 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  23. "MLW Open Draft Round 6 results: EJ Nduka joins the promotion". Daily DDT. June 25, 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  24. "EJ Nduka signs with MLW". Major League Wrestling. June 24, 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  25. Justin Barrasso (June 25, 2021). "Physically Imposing EJ Nduka Ready to Make His Mark in MLW After WWE Release". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  26. "2021 Open Draft Final Round Results". Major League Wrestling. July 1, 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  27. "Matt Cross returns to MLW". Major League Wrestling. July 1, 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  28. Josh Nason (July 1, 2021). "MATT CROSS JOINS MLW FOR NEW SEASON, TWO OTHERS RETURNING". WON / F4W. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  29. "5150's Rivera signs with MLW". Major League Wrestling. September 8, 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  30. "Slice Boogie of 5150 inks deal". Major League Wrestling. September 10, 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  31. "Dr. Julius Smokes signs with MLW". Major League Wrestling. September 12, 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
External links