MCW Clash of the Titans 2026 Review (29/08/2026)

By Mick Robson

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Coming this week, with Patreon getting first access- recap of last night's Backstage Segment wrestling storytelling/comedy show. Featuring the likes of The Velocities, Sam Osborne, Albie Anne Troska, and more!

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The opening video recaps the stellar Ballroom Brawl event from the previous month (Arena review here), and now we keep things rolling at Melbourne’s top wrestling promotion with Clash of the Titans! Queensland’s Mitch Ryder looks to keep his MCW momentum going against a man who has had several featured spots recently on AEW and ROH, the Loose Ledge, Adam Brooks. Also, The Big Man, Jamie Tagataese, made his presence felt during the Ballroom Brawl, and here faces Jarvis. Plus championship battles aplenty, with MCW’s World Champion, Robbie Thorpe, taking on the incomparable Matt Hayter! 

Let’s do this! 

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What a treat to see the gorgeous Jem Stone serving as ring announcer this evening in the Thornbury Theatre! She always brings amazing energy. 

The Physicals joins Simon Takla and Nims Azoor for guest commentary, looking resplendent in their suits! 

Match 1: MCW Tag Team Championship- The Clydesdale & Lucky O’Leary vs. Water Rapids (Mitch Waterman & Ryan Rapid) (c) 

The Clydesdale’s ego appears even larger than usual, coming off his massive- and tainted- win against Adam Brooks at Ballroom Brawl. Yes, The Red Hot Dale is the MCW Intercommonwealth Champion. 

Mitch and Clyde trade headlocks and shoulder blocks early, then end up in a...grind-off?- as Mitch returns Clyde’s disrespectful taunt to a strong response from the MCW faithful. Things get a little more serious as Rapid tags in with some impactful offense on the new champ, taking the time to make a hand gesture to Lucky in the process. I think he’s telling him that he’s number one. 

Lucky hits a clothesline from the apron before tagging into the match. “The Human Nuke”- tremendous nickname- quickly asserts himself in the match with his clear power and physicality advantage over the high-flying Water Rapids. Waterman manages to fight back though, showing why he’s a former MCW World Champion by thwarting the double team attack of Lucky & Clyde, and getting the hot tag back to Rapid! Rapid comes in blazing with a springboard standing moonsault on Clyde, followed by a tornado kick. Elevated DDT spikes the substantially sized noggin of the Dale into the mat, and suddenly the Water Rapids are right back in this! 

Water Rapids with their best tandem offense- Waterman moonsault, followed by a Rapid 450- but Lucky bulldozes through to break up the pin. Waterman soon makes him pay by clearing him from the ring and hitting a tope con hilo! Water Rapids set up for the Coast to Coast on Clyde but Lucky makes the save again! Clydesdale detains Referee Edwin while Lucky blasts Waterman in the head with the horseshoe... and it’s all over! 

Winners: Lucky & Clyde (at 10:48) 

Thoughts: Another month, another championship for the Clydesdale through some... unethical means. But you can’t argue with results, and one of the more impressive young talents in MCW is now a double champ. And the real MVP of that match was Lucky O’Leary, continually inserting himself at the perfect moments to turn the tides for his team. A strong, newsworthy opener, as the record setting reign of the Water Rapids is finally over. 

Quick on camera with the commentary team as they thank Banks Arcade for the use of their song as the theme for the show- Rockstar. MCW do make some banger choices for their music, to be sure. 

Match 2: Alissa Webb vs. Erika Reid 

Alissa is a luchadora from Peru, and Erika is one of the absolute standouts in Australian wrestling, soon set to participate in Buddy Matthews, Rhea Ripley and Slex’s wrestling masterclass, Spyda X BodyBiz.  

They start technical with the wristlocks and rolling escapes, but Alissa shows some early aggression with a sharp kick to the back! A crushing senton connects for a near fall as the Thornbury Theatre appreciates Webb’s game. Erika fights back but soon falls victim to a shotgun dropkick and a facewash boot in the corner. Alissa is determined to impress in her MCW debut! 

Erika fires up and fires back with some chops, and Alissa returns a blistering one right back! She grounds Erika and flattens her with a running cross body for a near fall. Erika reverses a move into a short arm clothesline and makes a comeback with high impact, chaining a Eat Defeat and a TKO into a sudden near fall of her own. With the playing field evened, they trade some pin attempts, with Erika going into a bridge that gets the 3! 

Winner: Erika Reid (at 6:50) 

Thoughts: A spirited outing from Webb, but commentary set up mid-match that Erika had her eyes on MCW Women’s Champion Shay Kassidy, so there was only one way this could go. Fun but ended kind of quickly- if there’s one thing I’d like to see MCW do a bit more of, it’s focus on the women’s division. The talent is there, but it feels like the time given isn’t too much more than what women got in WWE in the Divas era, which is a shame. Ballroom Brawl got a bit more than usual, but 5-10 minutes for the women seems to be about the MCW average per show from what I’ve seen lately. 

Post-match, Ari Nicole makes her entrance, helping Webb up and locking eyes with Erika Reid. Ari is an excellent talent and a huge potential boost to MCW’s women’s division. She was meant to debut in February, but injuries got in the way. Recently returning and making a splash over at PCW, I’m excited to see what Ari can do here. 

Match 3: Mitch Ryder vs. Adam Brooks 

As cliche as it is to say, big fight feel here. Ryder is unquestionably one of the standout wrestlers from QLD, while Brooksy has an argument to be one of the best in all of Australia, and certainly in MCW. Brooks is also in INSANE shape right now. 

Incredible intensity from the lock up. This is about pride and determining who the best is. Ryder reverses position, hits a waistlock takedown and- no pun intended- rides Brooks for a moment. Evenly matched. They trade strike attempts, blocking and evading. Brooksy accelerates and kicks Ryder out of the ring, before hitting a running penalty kick across the apron. Ryder looks to come back with a slingshot German but it’s blocked, and soon after, high risk scores for Ryder with a massive Whisper In The Wind! 

Ryder takes advantage of the opening, landing some solid boots and forearms to the face of Brooks. Brooksy doesn’t take that lying down though, and boots Ryder right back. Ryder drapes Brooks over the ropes and nails a springboard dropkick. I haven’t seen a great deal of Ryder but he’s impressing big time with flashy, impactful offense. Brooksy blocks another high flying move by hitting his version of a Cheeky Nando’s, followed by a suplex into the corner. Hard to beat the Loose Ledge when it comes to flashy, impactful offense! 

Low tope by Brooks ricochets Ryder into the barricade. Brooks stacks moves until a powerbomb is countered into a rana by Ryder. Ryder looks for a slingshot German but is countered with a Backstabber! The theme of being evenly matched is truly unrelenting in this one. Brooksy walks for miles inside the pit of danger as he nails the powerbomb. Only a 2 count though! 

Brooks looks for the Swanton but Ryder gets the knees up! A follow up crucifix gets a VERY close near fall. Looking to keep up the pressure, Ryder locks in a crossface but Brooks escapes. Brooks ends up on the apron and Ryder nails a slingshot German suplex from the ring to the apron! My god, that looked brutal. I don’t know how that didn’t break Brooksy’s neck! As if that wasn’t enough, Ryder gets Brooks back in and connects with a 450 Splash- but Brooks somehow kicks out! 

These two seem to have thrown everything at each other, but they’re going to have to find a little more. They end up on the apron again- oh no- and Brooksy nails a rana off the top to the outside! A shotgun dropkick into the barricade brings more pain to Ryder and the people of Queensland. Back in the ring, Brooksy delivers the Swanton- and the Ledge delivers another legendary performance in the Thornbury Theatre! 

Winner: Adam Brooks (at 16:03) 

Thoughts: If there was any lingering doubts about whether Mitch Ryder was among the best in Australian wrestling, those doubts were shattered in this match. Adam Brooks is capable of having a good match with basically anyone, but to have a match of that calibre? Mitch Ryder brought his working boots and planted them in the face of the Loose Ledge. A tremendous match, about as great a match as you’re going to see in Aussie wrestling this year. 

Brooks and Ryder shake hands. Zero shenanigans as Ryder leaves with respect. "Yes, this is Adam Brooks' house, but he's had one hell of a guest in it." Excellent line from Nims Azoor. 

Match 4: Anth Cava vs. Edward Dusk 

Dusk saunters out as commentary describes him as "more unhinged than ever". Cava, meanwhile, is one of the first graduates of the MCW Academy and a "locker room leader." The table is set, let's see what goes down between two of MCW's best. 

Wrestling holds soon give away to strikes as Dusk lays in the forearms and knees. Even Referee Edwin is intimidated by the imposing presence of Dusk. He isn't above breaking the rules either, as he rakes the eyes, then gets a table out! Cava has heart and tries to fight back, but Dusk Spears his heart right out of him! Not literally. But it was brutal! 

A big takedown by Cava creates an opening, and he lands some ground and pound. The cutoff comes when Dusk shoves the ref out of the way, and uses the moment to hit a low blow! He then launches a vicious attack targeting the right hand of Cava, before hitting the Wicked End to, well, end it! 

Winner: Edward Dusk (at 7:58) 

Thoughts: A dominant display by Dusk. Cava had some flashes, but this was one-sided fare seemingly designed to get Dusk over further as a major threat in MCW, beyond the rules, beyond reason, and more dangerous than ever. Highly effective. 

Post-match, Dusk grabs a steel chair and wraps it around the leg of Cava, prompting GM Tony Villani to come out to stop it. Dusk grabs him by the throat and hurls him to the outside through the table! Gino Gambino confronts Dusk next, and that- along with MCW crew members as security- is enough for Dusk to take his leave. Wow. 

Match 5: Jamie Tagataese vs. Jarvis 

Jarvis is the 2026 Ballroom Brawl winner, and he seems like a massive deal as he makes his entrance from the Thornbury Theatre balcony. 

It doesn't get much more massive than the Big Man though, as Tagataese tosses Jarvis across the ring to start. Jarvis needs to use his speed and evasiveness, and scores with a rana, sending Tagataese into the turnbuckle. Jarvis tries to chain some moves together, but the Big Man is having none of it, effortlessly scooping him up with a spinebuster! 

Tagataese continues to sustain the beatdown, looking to claim the $2000 bounty that Rocky Menero placed on Jarvis a couple of months ago. He continually whips Jarvis into the corners, using momentum along with his power and size. Jarvis creates some space and looks for a springboard, but Tagataese turns him inside out with a clothesline. An uphill battle here for the man they call The Greatest. 

Jarvis comes back with some rapid pin attempts and lands an enziguri, which barely slows Jamie. A trifecta of handspring Stunners finally drops Tagataese to a knee! Springboard time for Jarvis, but it's blocked with a huge powerbomb for a near fall! Tagataese looks to be unstoppable here. Jarvis calls Tagataese a "pussy", enraging the New Zealander, and Jarvis sends the charging bull to the outside. Jarvis goes for the suicide dive, but is caught and suplexed onto the apron! A furious Tagataese grabs a steel chair, but Jarvis avoids damage and hits him back with it! 

Winner: Jamie Tagataese (via DQ) (at 10:59) 

Thoughts: Similarities to the previous match, where it's designed to get one man over as a killer, but in this case, you're not going to make the Ballroom Brawl winner the sacrificial lamb, so Jarvis had more moments against Tagataese than Cava got against Dusk. What was interesting is how Jarvis never seemed to land consecutive shots on Tagataese through the match- except for one time which barely stunned him. Made Tagataese look like an absolute weapon, since Jarvis is established at the top of the card, still hit some of his best offense, and the Big Man just absorbed it. And having no definitive winner means this can be revisited down the line with higher stakes. Great stuff. 

Main Event: MCW World Championship- Matt Hayter vs. Robbie Thorpe (w/ Rocky Menero) (c) 

Their match at Ballroom Brawl was ruled a no contest after all kinds of shenanigans, so Hayter gets a second crack here. 

During the ring introductions, Hayter kicks the "officially licensed manager" Rocky Menero's head off. Well, that's one way to deal with that problem. And we're underway!  

They fight outside the ring and into the crowd. Ooh, it's gonna be a wild one. Hayter back drops Thorpe back to ringside, and when we get in the ring to actually ring the bell, chops are on the menu from challenger to champion. The 6'6" Thorpe cuts him off with a couple of massive body slams. Our MCW champ is a physical specimen, no doubt.  

"Robbie's a wanker" chants break out through the Thornbury Theatre. Whether that's true or not, it doesn't stop Thorpe from picking apart Hayter. Hayter tries to come back with his signature tornado DDT, but Thorpe blocks it and lawn darts him into the turnbuckle! Hayter kicks out and the punishment continues. He gets another opportunity as he avoids a Thorpe charge, causing the shoulder to hit the ring post, as the crowd gets behind Hayter. Thorpe cuts him off again with a clothesline. Thorpe sets up for a top rope guillotine leg drop across the apron, but Hayter moves! Could this be it? Hayter goes for a moonsault to the outside- and scores! 

Hayter lands more big chops and finally the tornado DDT for a great near fall. They battle to the stage and somehow avoid disaster out there. Back to the ring and Thorpe looks for his massive springboard leg drop from the stage... but Hayter counters mid-air with a superkick! They're pulling out all the stops with not just their biggest moves, but counters for their biggest moves. They fight to the apron and Hayter hits the Dudebuster! Hardest part of the ring etc etc... but that seriously looked devastating.  

They make it back to the ring but both are running on fumes. They slug it out. Hayter lands another superkick but Thorpe returns fire with a rebound lariat! A chorus of boos then signals the arrival of Edward Dusk, who got involved in a major way last month at Ballroom Brawl. Rocky Menero returns to stop him- hey, he finally did something good!- and Hayter thanks him with another superkick. In the chaos, Thorpe hits Hayter with the title belt, undetected by the ref... but Hayter kicks out at 1! Fighting spirit! The Thornbury Theatre comes unglued. He hits a pair of superkicks- and Thorpe kicks out! Thorpe comes back moments later with a moonsault that still only gets 2! Unreal. They're going to need to find another level to finish this. A defiant Hayter gives Thorpe the double bird and slaps him- and that does it. Thorpe turns Hayter inside out with another clothesline, followed by the Chickenwing... and after a struggle, Hayter taps. 

Winner: Robbie Thorpe (at 21:54) 

Thoughts: What a war. Halfway through the show, I was convinced that Brooksy vs. Ryder had match of the show easily- in fact, one of the best matches of the year in Aussie wrestling. Then Hayter and Thorpe came out and did THIS? It fed into the observation I made at Ballroom Brawl- Robbie Thorpe doesn't need Rocky Menero. It just adds an extra layer of hateability to see someone that talented use shortcuts. Here, Thorpe had to rely on himself for 95% of this match, and it was wild. Hayter is incredible- he may be from Adelaide, but I'm pretty sure he's an adopted son of Melbourne now. Incredible. 

Post-match, Thorpe isn't happy with Menero, presumably for not being there during the match. Then the lights go out and Caveman Ugg's music hits. He appears on the screen to issue a challenge to Robbie Thorpe for Endgame. Thorpe then tells Menero, "Don't ever raise your voice to me again, or you're done!" Thorpe leaves and Hayter cracks Menero with yet ANOTHER superkick! Comically, they cue Hayter's music almost in sync with the superkick connecting. Hayter plays to the crowd to end the show. 

Overall Thoughts 

Much like PWA following King of the Metro strong with The Climb, MCW followed Ballroom Brawl equally strongly with Clash of the Titans. Two immense matches that absolutely lived up to the show name, and a largely great undercard that helped establish more names near the top of the card. All the pieces are in play for MCW to end the year strong with Endgame, and the return of Caveman Ugg after a year away is another major boost to a promotion already firing on all cylinders. If you haven't watched MCW, get over to YouTube and rectify that ASAP! 

Overall Score: 9/10 

Until next time, take care.