Results
- Jay Lethal, Blake Christian & Lee Johnson def. Psycho Mike, Billy Gunn & Zach Gowen
- Flash Morgan Webster & Mark Andrews def. Gabriel Fuerza & Vaughn Vertigo
- Taylor Rising def. Alexia Nicole
- Rohan Raja def. Evil Uno (PWA Champion’s Grail)
Psycho Mikes bodyslam goals cost him the win
This week’s episode of Maple Leaf Pro: Mayhem, taped last month at the St. Clair College SportsPlex in Windsor, Ontario, opened with six-man tag action. AEW’s Lethal Twist trio of Jay Lethal, Blake Christian and Lee Johnson faced the incredibly eclectic group of Billy Gunn, Psycho Mike, and Zach Gowen.
The main focus here was Psycho Mike, whom they have been airing video packages on in previous episodes. He’s a fun worker with an entertaining persona, so it makes sense. Another Canadian talent, Michael Allen Richard Clark, was on commentary for this one.
For anyone unaware of Psycho Mike, he’s a character hyperfixated on scoring a bodyslam in his matches. Unfortunately, it’s rare that he’s able to score the simple move upon first, second, or third attempt. He tried for a bodyslam on Johnson early on, but he rolled out of the ring to avoid the move.
Gowen was isolated for a large part of this match. Gunn, who Mauro Ranallo pointed out is still going at 62 years old, got a hot tag and a huge pop from the Windsor crowd. He gave Christian a Famouser, but a follow-up pin attempt was stopped.
After a sequence where everybody got involved, Gowen tagged back in and tried for a moonsault. Christian dodged the move and instead hit a springboard 450 for a two-count. Mike got back into the match and was about to give Christian his long-awaited bodyslam, but had to give up on the move as Lethal came flying at him with a Lethal Injection attempt!
Mike caught Lethal, but then Lethal escaped the move! Mike caught Christian charging at him and scored the bodyslam, getting the Windsor crowd unglued. But, Mike’s focus on the bodyslam ended up costing him. The legal man in the match, Lethal, rolled up Mike immediately after, grabbing the tights, for the pinfall victory. The Lethal Twist got the win to get the match started.
We saw a video package talking about Mo Jabari’s upbringing, moving with his family to Canada. This package included comments from Bret Hart! Jabari is another great local name who certainly deserves a spotlight on this show.
Subculture, Taylor Rising score quick wins
In a match I was really looking forward to this week, the Subculture duo of Flash Morgan Webster and Mark Andrews faced Gabriel Fuerza and Vaughn Vertigo. The “Fight or Flight” duo of Fuerza and Vertigo have been a real highlight of the Ontario indies in recent years, so I was happy to see them get this spot.
Subculture were on a roll early on with some slick, exciting tandem sequences. Subculture knocked Vertigo out of the ring with a double headbutt, then scored stereo dives to the outside. Back in the ring, Andrews delivered a Stun-41 (Flipping stunner out of the corner), then Webster scored a Swanton Bomb to Vertigo’s back for the pinfall win. This was more of a squash than I had hoped (again, a hurdle this show will consistently have to deal with is having a short 44-minute runtime), but it was still a strong showcase of all four.
We got a video package teasing the arrival of PCO! Man, that’s a name I haven’t heard of in a while. He’s been working Juggalo Championship Wrestling dates and other indie bookings. For many, I’d imagine they haven’t heard of him since he suddenly quit TNA in early 2025 with a very public moment at GCW’s Hammerstein Ballroom card.
The co-main event saw Taylor Rising face off against Ontario indie wrestling vet Alexia Nicole. Women’s champ Gisele Shaw returned to the commentary desk for this one. This was a fast outing for Rising, connecting with a 619 then a Pedigree for the victory. Shaw was not impressed with this win.
A post-match clip showed Shaw once again approaching “cockroach” Dani Luna, whom she also had a confrontation with last week. Luna slapped Shaw and warned that the attack could be the “first of many” from her. I assume we’re getting Shaw vs. Luna sometime soon?
Rohan Raja defends PWA title, gets challenged to high-stakes showdown with Stu Grayson
The main event saw Rohan Raja, rival of MLP interim champ Stu Grayson, attempt to defend his PWA Champion’s Grail title against Grayson ally Evil Uno. The PWA Champions Grail is a title owned by the PWA, an alliance between MLP, Qatar Pro Wrestling, and Oceania Pro Wrestling (although it’s my understanding that the belt has never been defended in the latter of those two brands). Raja earned the belt at MLP’s first event back in October 2024.
Uno caught Raja off guard to start this one, landing a head kick immediately. Uno teased a tope suicida to the outside, but let up after Raja’s manager, Aurora Teves, got between the wrestlers. Raja was in control during the break, but Uno started to mount a comeback as the show returned.
Uno hit his trademark referee-assisted neckbreaker for a near fall. Raja worked his way out of a suplex then landed a chop block to the back of Uno’s left leg. The champ hit a backstabber for a two-count of his own.
Uno and Raja traded forearms in the middle of the ring, an exchange that ended after Uno hit a huge brainbuster onto his knee. Raja wisely rolled out of the ring to avoid a pin attempt. Teves slipped Raja his Champion’s Grail title, which he attempted to use as a weapon. The referee took the title away from Raja, a distraction which allowed Uno to hit a huge front kick then a DDT for a near fall.
Uno kept the pressure on Raja with a piledriver, but it still wasn’t enough to beat Raja. Uno came running off the ropes but ran into a Black Hole Slam from Raja. Uno took a Liger Bomb but survived with another kickout! Raja went for a single-leg crab, but Uno reached the ropes to break the hold.
With the referee looking away, Teves struck Uno in the head with the Champion’s Grail. This allowed Raja to slip in the Hunger Lock, putting Uno to sleep and ending the bout. This match got the perfect amount of time for the main event spot on this show; I enjoyed it.
Raja tried to continue with a post-match attack, but rival Grayson hit the ring for the save. The MLP champ got on the mic afterward and said he’s aware that Raja’s tactics recently are because he wants to get after his MLP title.
Grayson said he’s happy to give him a title shot, but wanted to up the stakes. Winner takes all: Grayson wants Raja to wager his title as well.
Adam Copeland is coming to Maple Leaf Pro
Before the show went off air, Maple Leaf Pro had a surprise to unveil.
We saw a video package with shots of the Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, where they’ll return this fall for Northern Rising 2. Then we heard a familiar Canadian voice talking.
“Some people chase moments, I create them,” said AEW’s Adam Copeland. “You asked if I was worthy? That’s the wrong question. The question is, is this place ready for one more unforgettable night?”
It looks like Copeland is heading to Northern Rising later this year. A huge get for the brand’s biggest event of 2026.
Here’s what was announced for next week:
- Evil Uno vs. TJP vs. Johnny TV vs. Jonathan Gresham
- Michael Richard Allen Clark vs. Luigi Primo
- Taylor Rising vs. Alice Crowley
- Brett Banks & Sheldon Jean vs. Flash Morgan Webster & Matt Morgan (Maple Leaf Pro Tag Team Championships)
