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MLW MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP SET FOR ORLANDO

By Mike Johnson on 2026-01-06 11:32:00

MLW announced:

Templario defends World Middleweight Title against KUSHIDA at Battle RIOT

Orlando metro area to host World Middleweight Championship on January 29.

ORLANDO, FL – Major League Wrestling (MLW) today announced an MLW World Middleweight Title Fight: Templario (champion) vs. KUSHIDA at MLW Battle RIOT VIII on Thursday, January 29 at the Osceola Heritage Park Events Center in Kissimmee, FL.  

???? Buy tickets starting at $10 as part of MLW’s fan Appreciation Night at http://www.MLWLive.com and Ticketmaster. 

Since capturing the MLW World Middleweight Championship in Dallas this past September, Templario has embarked on a relentless crusade to establish his legacy as champion. Widely regarded as the powerhouse of the middleweight division, Templario brings a rare blend of brute strength, explosive offense, and unforgiving physicality that sets him apart from his peers. His reign has been defined by domination, as the champion has taken the fight beyond MLW, defending the title internationally, including championship bouts in CMLL, underscoring his belief that a true champion must prove himself everywhere.

Templario has been a force in MLW since debuting last February, immediately establishing himself as one of the most dangerous competitors on the roster. Among his most notable accomplishments is scoring the only pinfall over Mistico during a tag team encounter in MLW—an achievement few can claim and a moment that cemented his credibility as a championship-caliber threat. Cold, methodical, and driven by a stoic sense of purpose, Templario carries himself as a modern-day warrior, viewing the championship not as a prize, but as a symbol of dominance meant to be defended through force.

Challenging him at Battle RIOT is KUSHIDA, one of the most accomplished New Japan Pro-Wrestling grapplers of his generation. A multiple-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, KUSHIDA’s career has been defined by championship success, technical brilliance, and an unmatched ability to control the pace of a match. Synonymous with his Back to the Future–inspired persona, KUSHIDA has vowed that when Battle RIOT arrives, he’s ready to hit 88 miles per hour, promising that if his plan succeeds, Templario will be “outta time” when the dust settles.

With the MLW World Middleweight Championship on the line, Battle RIOT presents a collision between raw power and championship-tested precision. Templario seeks to continue his dominant reign and further carve his legacy as the division’s most imposing champion, while KUSHIDA looks to turn back the clock and add another world championship to his storied résumé. 

One will walk out with the gold—proving once again that time, power, and legacy all collide at Battle RIOT.

Grab your seats at MLWLive.com and Ticketmaster! Don’t miss MLW’s return to the Orlando metro area for the first time in six years!

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