Big Damo Explains MLW Signing, Contra Unit Role and Opera Cup Ambitions

Former WWE competitor Big Damo says loyalty, not just money, drove his decision to sign with Major League Wrestling (MLW) earlier this year. The 6-foot-3, 310-pound Belfast native, who joined Contra Unit upon arrival, told OutKick Dropkick in a recent interview that the promotion’s patience during an injury setback left a lasting impression.

“Honestly, the major reason was I was struggling with a minor injury and MLW were really, really patient with me and they waited until I recovered and came back to me,” Damo said. “So, I feel like I’ve got a bit of loyalty there. It’s kind of rare in wrestling normally when this kind of thing happens, they have to move on, and I’ve seen that at different parts of my career. They endeared themselves to me no end. But that they came back after because I had to miss what was going to be an original start day, which would have been January and I had to miss that unfortunately. So, they came back to me a couple of months later and then it was great to get started.”

Damo also cited MLW’s roster buildup over the past two years, along with its partnerships with Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Stardom, as factors in his decision.

“It’s an amazing roster and all their partnerships across the world whether it’s in Mexico or Japan with New Japan, CMLL, everything else. And now, you’re seeing you know a lot of the ladies of Stardom and stuff like that coming in. So, It’s a very intriguing roster and they’re making a big push to bring in a bunch of Europeans and you know there’s no bigger European than me.”

He also pointed to MLW’s distribution, which puts the weekly show “Fusion” on platforms including Tubi and Veeps.

Life Inside Contra Unit

Damo is one of several large competitors who have aligned with Contra, which the promotion treats as its most ruthless faction. Alongside him are Brick Savage, Kushida, Ikuro Kwon, Okumira, Josef Samael and Sentai Death Squad.

“Well, at this point with myself and Brick Savage, I think we could probably run through a brick wall,” Damo said. “So, it probably is the best time to say we’re probably the most feared we’ve been in a long time.”

He added: “Obviously, there’s been an incredible roster of people who’ve come through Contra all through the years, but right now we’re looking pretty good. It’s one of the coolest kind of collection of wrestlers I think that I’ve been a part of and now we’re in a situation where we’re putting the rest of the roster on notice. So, as I said, Brick Savage, a very recent addition, he can literally throw anybody around. So, I mean, he’ll make me look good, so that’s even better.”

Eyes on the Opera Cup

Unlike teammate Brick Savage, Damo isn’t chasing a title belt immediately. His near-term focus is the Opera Cup, a single-elimination tournament MLW revived in 2019. The event originated in the late 1800s and was discontinued in 1948, when Stu Hart won the trophy.

On “Fusion,” Damo faces Wolf Gang, with a potential next-round matchup against Matt Riddle looming.

“Always eyeing gold,” Damo said. “You know, with this Opera Cup, that’ll be the first step. I’m wrestling Wolf Gang this Thursday on Tubi. And then I’m looking at the likes of Matt Riddle. I’m looking at the likes of Killer Kross. These are people who I know very well and wouldn’t mind a little bit of gold around my waist as well. So, listen, I’m leaving everything on the table, but I’ll start with the Opera Cup because the Opera Cup, obviously, is probably the most historic tournament still going in pro wrestling. So why not make history, be the first Irish winner as well.”