 |
| (Image Source: Major League Wrestling) |
Major League Wrestling (MLW), one of the fastest-growing wrestling leagues in the U.S., and Panini America, the world’s largest sports and entertainment collectibles company, recently announced a multi-year exclusive partnership. As part of the agreement, Panini becomes the official trading card, memorabilia, and collectible sticker partner of MLW. The partnership begins with Panini commemorating some of the most memorable moments from “MLW Summer of the BEASTS” which took place in New York City last June 26 by launching products on its Instant Card platform at www.paniniamerica.net. Additional MLW products from Panini will be available later this year at mass retailers including Walmart and Target, in hobby stores nationwide, as well as on Panini’s website.
“As MLW’s global presence continues to grow, partnering with Panini – the worldwide leader in collectibles – is the perfect next step. With the world’s top-ranked fighters throwing down in front of sold-out crowds, MLW is built on iconic moments. Now, thanks to Panini, fans can collect those moments and own a piece of the fight," said MLW Founder and CEO Court Bauer. With a roster of high-octane talent and a rapidly expanding international footprint, MLW is continuing to build momentum among media and fans alike. This partnership with Panini marks the league’s first entry into officially licensed trading cards and collectibles, giving fans a new way to connect with the action inside – and outside – the ring. “We are looking forward to this new partnership with MLW, as MLW continues to grow and expand internationally – we are positioned well to help them reach wrestling fans on a global basis and bring trading cards to wrestling fans,” said Panini America CEO Mark Warsop. Meanwhile, MLW has also revealed the official brackets for the 2025 Opera Cup featuring 16 of the top fighters from MLW, New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL). The tournament will unfold across four major U.S. cities — New York City, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Chicago — with opening round matches to kick off on August 9, 2025 at MLW: Blood & Thunder, airing nationwide on beIN SPORTS and streaming worldwide on MLW’s YouTube Channel. The tournament is divided into two sides, Bracket A and Bracket B, and will feature the following fights:
Bracket A
Místico vs Ikuro Kwon
Último Guerrero vs Esfinge
Austin Aries vs KUSHIDA
Paul London vs Okumura
Bracket B
Volador Jr. vs Titán
Zandokan Jr. vs Blue Panther Jr.
Satoshi Kojima vs Bobby Fish
Bishop Dyer vs Anthony Greene
 |
| (Image Source: Major League Wrestling) |
As MLW’s international alliances strengthen, the 2025 Opera Cup promises a world class field blending legacy, global talent, and rising stars in a battle for wrestling’s most enduring prize. Dating back to the 1880s, the Opera Cup is recognized as the oldest tournament in the sport of professional wrestling. As organized American sports emerged, the world’s finest grapplers converged on the grand opera houses of the era to compete in what quickly became the most prestigious tournament of its time. Wrestling legends such as William Muldoon, Leo Pardello, George Hackenschmidt, and Stu Hart all won the Opera Cup, forever linking their names to its unmatched legacy. The tournament became a crucible where greatness was forged and immortality was claimed. In 2019, the Opera Cup was revived by Major League Wrestling to once again showcase the pinnacle of the sport. Today, a new generation of fighters journeys to MLW to dance with destiny and battle for the historic trophy. From lucha libre icons to Japanese strong-style legends and MLW’s fiercest competitors, the 2025 Opera Cup brings together the past, present, and future of the sport in one defining tournament. Today, the Opera Cup lives on through Major League Wrestling where a new generation of grapplers steps onto the grand stage to dance with destiny. From lucha libre icons to Japanese strong-style masters, and MLW’s fiercest warriors, each seeks to claim the “classic” and secure their legacy in the annals of the sport. MLW President Cesar Duran, the mastermind behind the 2025 tournament, shared, “The Opera Cup is where history meets now. It’s a proving ground — not just for glory, but for legend.”
The road to the Opera Cup finals begins August 9. Who will rise? Who will fall? One will carve their name into history. Match announcements for additional rounds of the tournament taking place in Dallas, Los Angeles, and Chicago will be revealed in the coming weeks at MLW.com and MLW's social media accounts.
