Never Say Never (2023)

Never Say Never is a professional wrestling supercard event produced by Major League Wrestling (MLW). The event was first held in 2017 as a television taping for MLW's weekly program, Fusion. On the May 2, 2023 episode of MLW Underground Wrestling, it was announced that the 2023 edition of Never Say Never would take place on July 8, 2023, at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[1][2]

Also on May 2, 2023, a new partnership between MLW and FITE was announced, in-which MLW events would air live through FITE+. Never Say Never would be the first event to air as part of this agreement. It will be MLW's first live broadcast since the 2019 Saturday Night SuperFight pay-per-view event, which was also carried on FITE.[3]

The card will consist of matches that resulted from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portray villains, heroes, or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches, with results predetermined by MLW's writers. Storylines are played out on MLW's television programs, Underground Wrestling and Fusion, and the league's social media platforms.[4]

As a part of MLW's "Open Door Policy," several free agents are scheduled to appear at the event. This includes former WWE wrestler Gene Snisky,[5] independent wrestler Ichiban,[6] and the MLW return of Timothy Thatcher.[7] Additionally, on June 30, MLW announced the return of the MLW Open Draft, with the first two rounds taking place at Never Say Never.[8]

At Battle Riot V, Alex Kane won the titular match to earn a guaranteed match for the MLW World Heavyweight Championship.[9][10] A few weeks later on the May 2 season finale of Underground Wrestling, it was announced that Kane would challenge champion Alexander Hammerstone for the title at Never Say Never.[1][11][12]

Since Battle Riot V, The Samoan SWAT Team (Jacob Fatu, Lance Anoa'i, and Juicy Finau) began feuding with The Calling (Raven, Rickey Shane Page, and Akira), when Fatu eliminated every member of the Calling before he and Page eliminated each other. The two would continue brawling with each other in the back and by the entranceway.[9] On the May 2 episode of Underground Wrestling, The Calling would attack Fatu as he made his entrance, putting Fatu out of action for some time.[13] On June 1, MLW announced that Anoa'i and Fatu will defend their MLW World Tag Team Championship against Page and Akira of the Calling in a Fans Bring the Weapons match.[14]

On June 14, MLW announced that B3cca would have a live concert at Never Say Never.[15]

On June 20, wXw Women's Champion Ava Everett called out MLW World Women's Featherweight Champion Delmi Exo to a title vs. title match in the future.[16] Two days later, MLW announced on their website that Exo and Everett will face off at Never Say Never, with both titles on the line.[17]

On the June 15 episode of Fusion, after Sam Adonis had won his match, Mance Warner was having an interview on the entrance ramp. Adonis, not fond of his celebration being cut by a live interview, tried demeaning Warner by bringing up their past history in the Battle Riot, to which he was met with beer spat in his face by Warner. From there, Adonis' partner John Hennigan jumped Warner from behind, dragging him into the ring while Adonis went backstage. Adonis would later emerge with a leather strap, using one of the looped ends to choke Warner across the top rope.[18] Two weeks later, Adonis would defeat Warner in a Country Strap match.[19] Later in the show, a furious Warner challenged Adonis to a "Country Whipping Match," where both men would be armed with leather straps that they can use to whip their opponent with. Adonis accepted the challenge, and the match was made official for Never Say Never.[20]

The Second Gear Crew (Mance Warner, Matthew Justice, and 1 Called Manders) also found themselves feuding with The Calling, stemming from when the latter beat the former and Alex Hammerstone at War Chamber.[21] Additionally, Justice was supposed to take part in the Battle Riot, but an attack by The Calling forced Manders to take his place.[9] As a result, MLW announced that The Second Gear Crew (Justice and Manders) will face The Calling's Delirious and Dr. Cornwallis in a tag team match on July 8.