Team Mexico 2006

Reading the lines and reading in between lines of the last couple of Observers, it sounds like TNA wants to bring in Mistico for their upcoming World X Cup series of matches/shows. It’s far from a certainty – TNA is supplying wrestlers to AAA and so CMLL isn’t going to be happy helping out a promotion who’s helping out their competition, and something will have to be done. Something’s going to have to get ironed out, and there’s a lot of time between now and May (when the World X Cup is supposed to be happening) for plans to change many times.

Let’s assume they work it out somehow and Mistico comes in. If they’re running it like they’ve run it in the past, it’ll be a team of 4, and they’ll be looking for flashy guys. Who’d you team him with?

I guess this depends on what the point of Team Mexico.

Getting The Band Back Together: For long time TNA recognition, fill out the rest of the spots with previous Team Mexico members: Heavy Metal, Mr. Aguila and Hector Garza, Juventud Guerrera. That last spot is iffy – Abismo is the only one who didn’t end up jumping from AAA but would be a better fit.

Top Workers: Ultimo Guerrero, Rey Bucanero, Dr. Wagner. This is all quite fictional, but I can’t imagine Santo in TNA as hard as I try. While I think bringing in top guys would be cool to me, I don’t know how much name value they’d be worth to the TNA’s fanbase. Just like AAA bringing in Ron Killings and Samoa Joe this week, I’m sure there are internet/international savvy people who know who the outsiders are and may be impressed by them, but there doesn’t seem to be enough crossover fans to make it worth bringing them in for a one-shot. (It’s a whole different story if this was part of educating people on the lucha stars to make money down the road, which doesn’t seem likely unless they get more TV time.)

Spot-tastic: Volador Jr., Mr. Aguila, and Stuka Jr. (though you could argue with that last spot.) This would be quite the high flying move exhibition that they may be looking for. You could probably fit a Virus or Misterioso or a Tigre here too; there’s people to choose from if you’re going this route. This wouldn’t be a good option if you’re trying to just push Mistico rather than the whole team, because he could get overshadowed or at least not stand out as much. You could go the other way…

los Guerreros: Hooligan, Sangre Azteca, Loco Max. Focus on bump taking rudos to be the bump taking enforcers while Mistico does Gretsky work. Hooligan and Sangre are obvious must haves, but you could play around with the last spot. You may have to slightly over think this, though. I don’t know how well the TNA fans would accept a guy who’s named “Dr. X”, for instance.

Budget Plan: I have no idea what anyone makes, but if all you’re really concerned is getting Mistico over and just want three good guys to fill out the team, TNA really could just canvass the segundas and openers and pull three guys from there. Of the top of my head, Caligula, Mesala and Flecha would be fine.

There’s other ways you can go, but those are my ideas. My big idea, and if you happen to know anyone in TNA, please pass it along: Make sure the lucha guys actually have their visas. And then double check and triple check and check five more times.

03/07 news: Aficion preview, Super Lucha cover

Ovaciones previews the Coliseo and Aficion cards today. They point out the oddness of the Aficion card:

CMLL (TUE) 03/07 Arena Aficion
1) Astro Boy, Kid Tiger vs Leon Guerrero, Skandalo
2) Chris Hero, Claudio Catagnoli vs Batman, Skayde
Claudio is still listed as a North American!
3) Rey Bucanero, Titan vs Black Warrior, Exotico
Warrior’s now a rudo, but he’s teaming with tecnico ‘Exotico’ – it’s going to be a long night for him.
4) Dr. Wagner Jr., Silver King vs Mascara Ano 2000, Universo 2000
Silver King was a rudo here when he was working as Black Tiger, but I think they’ll forget that.

The note on Arena Coliseo show points out it’s La Mascara’s first main event.

This Sunday’s Arena Solidaridad will be a Texano Sr. tribute, with Texano Jr. and Santo on the card.

The newest Super Lucha (#151) cover has made it’s way on the boards:

You may not be able to make it out at that size, but Juvi’s wearing a Captain Charisma t-shirt. It’s kinda a in-joke and kinda Juvi being Juvi; according to the WON, he called Christian and tried sucking and playing off a non-existent friendship up to get a shot in TNA.

Box Y Lucha’s main site appears to be down, while the forum is still up. Maybe they’re doing a redesign?

A little more later.