In April 2021, MLW announced a television deal with
Vice TV.[4] A block of MLW programming, including reruns of MLW Fusion, began airing on Saturdays starting May 1.[5] On September 17, 2021, it was announced that Vice TV would air Fightland on October 7, following a new episode of its original documentary series, Dark Side of the Ring. As an expansion of the channel's
professional wrestling programming, and their previous agreement with MLW, Fightland marks the first wrestling event to air on Vice.[6]
Storylines
The card consisted of matches that resulted from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayed
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 were played out on MLW's weekly television program, Fusion, and the league's social media platforms.[7]
The main storyline heading into Fightland was the feud between
MLW National Openweight ChampionAlexander Hammerstone and
MLW World Heavyweight ChampionJacob Fatu of
Contra Unit. At the end of the
AAA vs. MLW Super Series on the May 10, 2020 episode of Fusion, Contra Unit attacked various wrestlers and staff before ultimately taking over MLW headquarters (a
storyline explanation for MLW's hiatus during the
COVID-19 pandemic).[8] Hammerstone was among members of the MLW roster seen taking back MLW headquarters in a video uploaded to MLW's
YouTube channel on October 29, 2020.[9][10] Hammerstone campaigned for a World title shot throughout 2020 and into 2021, as he was ranked #1 in MLW by
Pro Wrestling Illustrated.[11] At the end of the April 21, 2021 episode of Fusion, Hammerstone once again challenged Fatu to a title match.[12] The following week, on the penultimate episode of the season, Contra leader
Josef Samael denied the challenge on Fatu's behalf, claiming that he ultimately controls who gets to fight him.[13] On June 10, 2021, it was announced that
Battle Riot III will take place on July 10, and that Hammerstone would be the first entrant.[14] Hammerstone would ultimately win the titular match, earning a World title match against Fatu.[15] On September 1, 2021, Hammerstone revealed he will face Fatu at Fightland, and put his own National Openweight title on the line in a
Title vs. title match.[16][17]
On August 31, it was announced on MLW's website that
Tajiri would be making his MLW debut at Fightland.[18] On September 16, it was announced that
Myron Reed would defend the
World Middleweight Championship against Tajiri, Arez and
Aramis in a four-way match at Fightland.[19]