SPOILER: MLW Battle Riot VIII Sees Former WWE Star Capture MLW World Title

Former WWE Superstar Killer Kross is the new MLW World Heavyweight Champion after surviving Battle Riot VIII, one of the promotion’s most demanding matches, held Saturday night in Orlando. Entering at number one, he outlasted 40 competitors to dethrone reigning champion Mads Krugger and take control of MLW’s top prize.

Kross went wire to wire, lasting the entire match and eliminating Krugger late to seal the victory. Battle Riot VIII featured several notable moments beyond the title change. In the Fusion Tapings, Scarlett Bordeaux forced Aleah James to tap out. Zamaya defeated Carolina Cruz. Diego Hill beat Adam Brooks, while Karissa Rivera appeared with a new managerial role. Shotzi Blackheart defeated Priscilla Kelly and issued a challenge to MLW Featherweight Champion Shoko Nakajima. The Good Brothers were attacked by The Skyscrapers after defeating Joe and Mark Coffey.

Austin Aries picked up a win over Trevor Lee and immediately called for another match with MLW National Openweight Champion Blue Panther, keeping his momentum alive. Alex Hammerstone defeated Bishop Dyer in a hard-fought contest after Dijak’s attempted interference was neutralized by Anderson and Gallows.

Outside the titular match in Battle Riot Taping, KUSHIDA captured the MLW World Middleweight Championship from Templario. The celebration was short-lived. KUSHIDA aligned with Ikuro Kwon, revealing Contra Unit gear and turning heel with a post-match attack. Previously, Mads Krule Krugger teased leaving Contra.

With Kross now the MLW Champion, the promotion resets its world title picture heading into 2026.

Killer Kross has been crowned the new MLW World Heavyweight Champion!#MLWBattleRiot pic.twitter.com/u8BtMvPk1m

— KN Wrestling (@knwrestling) January 30, 2026