Tony Schiavone — Photo Credit: MLW Wrestling

MLW Signs TV Deal; Lucha Underground Stars Set To Appear

March 26, 2018

Sports Illustrated today broke the news that MLW has signed a deal to launch a new weekly TV series with beIN Sports.

Starting on April 20, MLW will be featured in beIN Sports’ “Friday Night Fury” fight block at 8 p.m. EST, with a replay airing at 11 p.m. EST.

MLW‘s Court Bauer had the following to say on the deal in the article:

“We’ve been in talks since the fall, and they were very impressed with our product,” said Bauer. “We offer a different presentation because we identify ourselves as a combat sport, but we have a lot more creative freedom than every other combat sport to give the most high-octane presentation.”

The article also notes that beIN Sports has a large reach with 50 Million households and that MLW will paid a rights fee for the content.

MLW has also made arrangements for Lucha Underground stars Rey Fenix and Pentagon Jr. to appear as regular competitors on the upcoming TV series.

You can read the entire Sports Illustrated article here.

beIN Sports is a network on the rise with NCAA Football, soccer, and other sports programming. MLW presents pro wrestling as sport, and less ‘sports entertainment’ which could reach casual sports fans in a unique way. The timing here works really well for both sides to make a successful alternative wrestling show on TV.