Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter
We reported earlier this week that Sami Callihan is legitimately done with MLW after losing a “Loser Leaves Town” match to Mance Warner. The match took place on a recent edition of “MLW Fusion”. For what it’s worth, there were plans for him to return to the company down the line but due to damage he caused to the venue in the match, MLW decided to just let him go.
The original idea was for Callihan to lose and then miss the July 6th event show due to his Impact Wrestling commitments. That would have put him out of action for a month. Following the Impact broadcasts, he would have made his return to MLW TV on the July 25th show under a mask in New York and feud with Promociones Dorado. There were even backstage interviews that were shot to promote his return and the match.
MLW officials are claiming that Callihan caused the company to have to pay $2,700 in damages to the venue in Waukesha, WI, during his match with Mance Warner. Court Bauer claims Callihan broke a new $15,000 bleacher, as well as other property, and “dinged a garage door pretty bad.” He was apparently fired over the incident.
In addition to the damages, Callihan reportedly spit in Jim Cornette’s face during the TV taping. There are conflicting reports on how that went down, though One version suggests that it was a work because people would buy into heat between the two. Cornette bashed Callihan on his podcast some time ago after Callihan accidentally injured Eddie Edwards when hitting him in the face with a baseball bat on Impact Wrestling. It’s said that some, possibly all, of what happened between them going back to April was part of an angle, as it was allowed to air on TV. If the comments weren’t planned, it would have been edited off TV.
Another source claims that the spit wasn’t planned but also wasn’t edited off the broadcast. Callihan simply tried to play up the backlash over Cornette’s comments about Sonny Kiss earlier this month. MLW believes Callihan was trying to play up his own angle.
Either way, everyone seems to agree that at some point it turned into a shoot and the heat is now real. Callihan reportedly believes Cornette got him fired and Cornette will always react to those who try to insult him publicly. Also, Callihan’s return was set to be on a show that Cornette wouldn’t have worked. For those unaware, Cornette works on a show by show basis with MLW and didn’t want to work the New York show.
Another person claims that Cornette actually went backstage to check on Callihan after the match and they hugged. Another person says Cornette was fine, and never seemed mad about the incident or brought it up after. It’s believed that if it was a shoot, he would have had a different reaction. Another person said that it was a shoot, but Cornette just laughed it off, claiming it was “good heat” and “smart for Callihan to do it.” People were expecting things to go down differently, as Davey Boy Smith JR and Low Ki were backstage to break things up if something happened, but nothing did. Callihan was definitely upset when he got backstage, but nothing happened.
Both Callihan and Cornette even had exchanges on Twitter over it.
I spit in @TheJimCornette’s face tonight @MLW, and he did NOTHING.
Then went out and had a “Garbage” wrestling match of the year with @ManceWarner.
You should probably watch it when it airs on @beINSPORTS. #FuckJimCornette #IStandWithSonny pic.twitter.com/Sl0cWC0c42
— The DRAW (@TheSamiCallihan) June 2, 2019
It’s doesn’t matter what company. Real recognizes real. @SonnyKissXO tonight was for you.
— The DRAW (@TheSamiCallihan) June 2, 2019
Worth it. #FuckJimCornette https://t.co/gnwy7GaxL6
— The DRAW (@TheSamiCallihan) June 18, 2019
Enjoy obscurity, chubby. You couldn't hang with the pros even though you had a shot, now you're back to the mud show circuit you belong in.
— Jim Cornette (@TheJimCornette) June 18, 2019
STILL worth it.#FuckJimCornette https://t.co/sFhYfraESP
— The DRAW (@TheSamiCallihan) June 18, 2019
Also, MLW wasn’t happy with Callihan’s hashtag #IStandWithSonny because they didn’t want to be associated with that controversy, even to advance an angle. Callihan reportedly really believes Cornette got him fired and doesn’t believe the damages had anything to do with it, even when those in the company claimed Cornette wasn’t to blame. Multiple people have said it was due to the building damages and MLW officials have said they likely lost the building and will never be allowed back in if Callihan is on the show again. MLW added that Callihan was also an agent, so they lost a top star and agent over this entire incident.
(h/t – 411 Wrestling)
