We are about 48 hours away from the return of Major League Wrestling! After 20 weeks of offseason, Saturday Night Fire takes place this Saturday from the MLW Arena! The winter break allowed some in MLW time to reflect on the first season and all the momentous things that occurred. For others, it was a long break that only fueled their fire for this season even more! The following is a preview of what we can expect this Saturday and the rest of the season!

The biggest occurance when MLW Ultraclash went off the air late Saturday afternoon on October 26, 2002 was no doubt the forming of the Hierarchy! E-Money had returned with a vengence after being out of sight and mind for 2 months. Earlier in the night, Money revealed a season long charade as being the man behind the mask of the Masked Intraviac! He appeared as the masked comedian after The Sickness successfully defended his MLW Xtreme title against Nemesis. Using a bat and the help of Nemesis, Money beat down The Sickness, took off the mask and told The Sickness that he had his chance to get Money and won't get another.

Money then visited his "collegues" in the Corporate Connection, ABH Matt Casey and the Hot Shot Eddy Cashmere. He introduced the newest member, Nemesis and even accompanied Casey to ringside for his International Championship defense. However, Money disappeared during the match.

It wasn't until after PAT defeated Ryan "Shotgun" Morris for the MLW Championship in the main event that Money appeared again. Nemesis was at ringside for the match and he and PAT beat down Shotgun following the match. Then, "Here To Stay" by Korn hit the loudspeakers and Nemesis commented that we would now see the "Pissed off Party" that was plaguing the MLW boards for the past 2 months. Nemesis and PAT held up the former MLW Champion as a masked and hooded figure came to the ring. When the mask came off, it was once again Money! Money assisted in the beatdown of his archrival, Shotgun, and even turned on his partners, ABH and The Hot Shot! Money said that The Hierarchy was now in control!

With the lucrative madman Money, the unstoppable force Nemesis, and the MLW Champion PAT together, who knows how much destruction will come to MLW this season. However, a couple of weeks ago, Money commented that he had been diagnosed with an injury that will keep him out of action for an undisclosed amount of time, maybe end his career. MLWwrestling.com caught up with Money for his comments on this season and his injury.

"MLW Season II is just around the corner. For me, I can't turn that corner but I will address all that at the first Fire on that said date. Me not wrestling will not put a damper on what my goal is. I was sent to do a job and I will. I am in MLW for one reason, to extract a cancerous, festering cell that has always existed in MLW. And by brutal, divine force, I will prove my point. I may not be active but the rest of my Hierarchy is. One way or another, this season, that cancerous cell will reveal itself and it will be taken out of the picture, PERMANENTLY!"

Nemesis was a force to be reckoned with last season. He first layed out Nightstalker 2 at Spring Slugfest last year, but he made his wrestling debut in August. Nemesis immediately made an impact by defeating ABH Matt Casey on Fire and almost winning the MLW Xtreme Championship at Summer Madness. He went to war with the winner of that match and the MLW Xtreme Champion, The Sickness. The two tried to prove who was most Xtreme in September and October until their showdown for the title at Ultraclash. Nemesis once again just missed winning the title, but the attack he and Money layed on the champion shows that this Xtreme war is far from over and Nemesis will be more ruthless this year. Nemesis had these comments on this season. "This season you’re all going to see a new side of Nemesis. No more Mr. Nice Guy. This year I’m meaner, faster and stronger; and with Money and Pat right by my side I don’t there’s anyone that’s going to be able to stop me. MLW, all I have to say is FEAR ME!"

PAT had a huge season last year. From his great match in the semi-finals at Spring Slugfest with ABH Matt Casey, to returning from his "firing", to winning the MLW Championship at Ultraclash, PAT was on a roll. However, will the first MLW Xtreme Champion have what it takes to fight off those who want the most coveted title in backyard wrestling? PAT seems to think so. "The Hierarchy is going to be the most unstopable force in the backyard wrestling world. As long as we are together I will always have this title. Beware all who cross us this season!"

Perhaps the biggest question on everyone's mind is what has been growing through Ryan "Shotgun" Morris' mind the past 20 weeks? At Ultraclash, he was 1 count away from retaining the MLW Championship. However, his world came crashing down as The Hierarchy revealed its master plan. The same plan that had haunted Morris for weeks leading up to Ultraclash. The letters, the videos, the CDs. It seemed as if someone was out to get the MLW Champion and all along it was Money and his thugs! But, have The Hierarchy bitten off more than they can chew? The past has proven that Shotgun can be pretty ruthless himself. His most prized possession was taken from him in an instant at the end of last season and payback can be expected from the MLW veteran. "You wanna know what I've been doing for the past 5 months? I've been thinking about Ultraclash over and over again. But in the same way, my thinking of the past feeds my fury for the future. The Hierarchy wants to fight? I'll give them a f---in war!"

Notorious Neil made his unexpected return at Ultraclash as well. After losing the MLW Championship to Shotgun at Patriot Games in July, it was believed that Neil would retire due to a neck injury. However, there he was, dressed like a 1920s gangster in the ring at Ultraclash. This wasn't the same Notorious Neil we remembered. He told Shotgun and all of MLW what he told us when we contacted him. "The HATE is back in MLW! I'm gonna wake up hate and F--- each one of you up. I'm coming after each and every one of you one by one. I'm HARD ALL HARD! You all better recognize just who the hell I am, brethren!"

Big D ended MLW's first season on top of the world as the new MLW International Champion! It was a long, hard road for D. His numerous matches with the Hot Shot helped make him MLW's Technical Wrestler of the Year. However, D could never win the big match. He lost twice to the Hot Shot for the MLW International Championship. He lost to Shotgun for the MLW Championsip. But on that day in late October, against two Corporate Connection members, Hot Shot and ABH, D was determined to win. With his career on the line, D overcame insurmountable odds and finally won the big one! But as D will find out, he is no longer the hunter, but the hunted! Whether he will adapt to this change, only time will tell.

ABH Matt Casey ended his season by being pinned by Big D and losing the MLW International Championship. He was also duped by Money and The Hierarchy and was staring up at the sky as Ultraclash came to an end. However, ABH evolved so much as a wrestler as the season went on. From his matches with his partner The Hot Shot, Shotgun, and The Sickness to his final MLW Match of the Year performance at Ultraclash, ABH is back and better than ever! Will Casey look to regain his gold from Big D, or are bigger things in store for MLW's cockiest wrestler?

The Hot Shot Eddy Cashmere had a blockbuster 2002. That's why he was named MLW's MVP! He was the first International Champion of the new generation, he competed in both Matches of the Year (with ABH/Big D and his Triple Threat Theater Match with Shotgun), and he even had a run as owner of the company! But, he too was down for the count at the hands of The Hierarchy at the end of Ultraclash. His ownership now taken away, the Hot Shot finds himself needing to prove himself once again this season. In a message received from the Hot Shot while in Hedonisim 3: "This season is a simple one for The Hot Shot. Since I have already won the International Title, its on to bigger and better things and thats the MLW Championship, the only championship that matters and the final part of the prophecy of The Hot Shot, aka The Future Legend, Master of the Universe, Citizen of the World, Life of the Party, Center of Attention, Mr. Everynight and soon MLW Heavyweight Champ, and all that stands in my way will find out what the Hot Shot Eddy Cashmere is all about, because i am the Future and The Future is Mine!!!"

The Sickness made his MLW return at the first Saturday Night Fire in June, apparently brought in by Money to get rid of PAT. Sickness didn't waste any time and was able to score clean pinfall victories over PAT and Shotgun on his way to winning the MLW Xtreme Championship at Summer Madness in August! He became a marked man as Nemesis immediately made his stake for the title known. At Ultraclash, Sickness put on one of his best performances in the most Xtreme match in MLW history as he defeated Nemesis to retain his title! However, Money's attack has left many questions surrounding the Xtreme Champion. Can The Sickness battle The Hierarchy on his own? How long will he hold the Xtreme Title now that Nemesis has Money and PAT by his side? These questions will surely be answered this season.

This season may also mean the rise of several new MLW superstars. Already, the "Puerto Rican Sensation" Kid Krazy and Jay the Ref have made it clear that they can compete with some of MLW's finest. Krazy has once again been deported due to the Supervillian. Jay scored an upset victory over Big D late last season. Also, who knows who will join MLW as the season goes on. It will only make the competition better.

MLW's "enhanced" talent pool also will be back this year. Chainsaw Chuck, the xtremely old legend, had this to say. "The Chuckster will raise more mayhem and violate more small creatures and MLW Superstars this season! Let the mayhem begin bastards!" Nightstalker 2 apparently has a few tricks up his sleeve as well. "Ahhhhhh! The Halloween Deathmatch at Ultraclash was an awakening! Ahhhhhhhh! Nightstalker 2 will pound more ass than the stars of "Queer as Folk" Ahhhhhhh!" The Supervillian, the original Nightstalker, Handust, and others are expected to be back this season as well.

MLW will also finally crown Tag-Team Champions this season. Early reports say a tournament will take place sometime after Spring Slugfest. What teams there will be and who will be the first to hold the gold will be seen very soon!

MLW's first season in the backyard was one to remember. Most sequels suck, but this isn't a movie! Season II won't feature any clones (who would want to clone us?), but there will be plenty of action! MLW will show why it's all about the wrestling this year! Season II begins this Saturday, March 15th!