Before we go forward, let’s go back. Last five Anniversary main events:
2003 – Shocker beat Tarzan for his hair, Pierroth beat Violencia for his mask. Pierroth had been pushed hard all year (and prior), but Violencia wasn’t much. That match wouldn’t have worked alone, but Shocker (at his peak) and Tarzan (way up there, and won the previous year main) was really two of the top guys, who’d been opponents regularly going back to early 2002, having an really important match.
2004 – Universo 2000 loses his match to Canek, with Dr. Wagner Jr. and Rayo de Jalisco Jr. also involved. Even though it’s a multi-man match and those usually lose something, there was no sucker in the bunch. Universo was slightly lower the rest, so it wasn’t a big surprise he lost, but I do remember suggestions Canek might lose it (around the time it was changed to a fourway), and it was far different then usual situation of promising a big deal and delivering a little. Universo was a top guy years, always near the very top. If/when the other guys lose their mask someday, it’ll be huge news. This was a very big match.
2005 – Hector Garza loses his hair to Universo 2000 with Perro Aguayo Jr. also involved. This was more usual – Garza wasn’t on the same level, and the match existed to do a big match while putting off the big match they were actually building to (because no one had agreed to lose yet?) Still, the Perros were a hot rudo act, they ran a big angle to set it up being a triangle instead of a tag, and Garza wasn’t a guy who lost his hair a lot at this point.
2006 – Mistico takes Black Warrior’s mask. Black Warrior wasn’t really used as a top guy until this feud, but he was pushed as one for the 9-10 months leading up to the feud, trading wins and beating a guy who hadn’t really been beaten before this. Mistico was Mistico – he was in the hot Santo zone where no challenger would really be thought to have a chance, but you’d have to see it because it was Mistico in a big match. The promotion revolved around this feud, as much as CMLL ever revolves around one feud.
and then, last year and this
2007 – Blue Panther takes Lizmark Jr.’s mask – a quicky rudo turn that doesn’t have much behind, a tease of this direct match, CMLL backing off the match and doing a multiman cage match for lack of any idea, and Panther beating Lizmark in the end anyway. Both guys are among many who appear in semis and mains, drifting aimlessly without much momentum. The match only means anything becuase everyone (besides Villano V) else who would lose would mean something, but even then it’s iffy. CMLL makes no attempt at anything else on the card.
(and at this point, if you’re concerned about reading what probably will happen this year, you probably shouldn’t click on the link)
2008 – Blue Panther versus Villano V in a mask match. Blue Panther has been pushed slightly strong in the last 12 months (probably because something like this was planned), and has completely won his feud with Ultimo Guerrero, but it was resolved so quietly that I don’t think anyone noticed. Villano V [LAST SPOILER WARNING] would be wrestling in matches with Hijo del Solitario and Hijo del Anibal in Arena Neza if he and his brother hadn’t agreed to lose their masks at some point. They were barely used in anything significant, and probably would’ve lost them previously if not for badly timed injuries. Until this feud, both V5 and V4 were rudo filler, used to round out a Perros side or work a tercera with veterans. CMLL only seemed to start pushing this feud as a major deal when everyone else started to get hurt and there were no other otpions. (And even then, they’ve been a bit iffy on this.)
In CMLL’s defense, everyone did get hurt. Maybe this really would’ve been Perro vs Mistico, or Averno vs Mistico or something else that would’ve had us marking this date as really important. At the same time, there’s no reason they should have a dozen top guys wandering around aimlessly and yet be so lacking of a second major feud that they have to bring back Park vs Wagner. And there’s no reason they should’ve spent so much time with Niebla and Wagner if they didn’t believe in the match enough to do the blowoff.
This card, as is, might have actually worked well for a June show or some other month major show, but it falls short as the biggest card of the year and it can be blamed just as much on lack of foresight as bad luck.
With the inflated ticket prices and the low attendees of late, I’d be shocked if this show sold out. Blue Panther and Villano V may have some pull among older fans, but I don’t know if it’s enough to make them want to pay high prices to see their big match. Even at his peak, I’m not sure if Villano V was ever a draw – V3 sure, “the Villanos” maybe, but V4 or V5 individually, nah. At his peak, Blue Panther was, but I think we’re a distance away from that now. If Park/Wagner was a draw, wouldn’t IWRG be doing pretty big business? If TNA was a draw, why didn’t their house show happen? CMLL Titles are not a draw.
The only things drawing here
– the 75th anniversary, which is enough for people to talk their way into believing this is more than it is
– a notable name (inside the lucha world, not the mainstream world) losing their mask – it makes no difference who
I think that’s enough for just over 12,000 people to show up. But even that may be high.
Match by match…
1) Alex Koslov, La Sombra, Maximo vs Damián 666, Mr. Águila, Texano Jr.
2) Hijo del Fantasma, La Máscara, Volador Jr. vs Averno, Ephesto, Mephisto
Okay, maybe not exactly match by match. There’s a common theme of Perro rudo teams in both these matches (Ephesto might as well be one.) I’m repeating what I’ve read elsewhere, but it’s worth saying again: the Perros have nothing with Perro. I like some of the parts, but CMLL isn’t doing anything with them when Perro Jr. isn’t around. At least when Hector Garza was around, they’d be brought up a level, but apparently Averno and Mr. Aguila aren’t Hector Garza.
Opener will probably turn to comedy and probably should be, and probably the Perros win just to give them a win. Second match is more high flyer showcase, which makes sense for the tecnicos to win. Second match is probably going to be best match on the show. Don’t forget that this show starts a half hour early, which should give these matches a little more time than they’re used to. (Or at least they will until Wagner/Park goes long, which is the best bet of the night.)
3) Dos Caras Jr., Hector Garza, Marco Corelone vs Heavy Metal, Lizmark Jr., Mr. Niebla
There’s the Marco/Lizmark feud here, and not much else. Niebla has other issues which have little to know to this, Metal and Dos and Garza are just hanging out here.
Theoretically, it’s The Heavyweight Champion, Four Top Contenders (and Heavy Metal), but no one is seeing the match like that and it’s more CMLL cramming six more guys on the card for a payday.
4) LA Park vs Dr. Wagner Jr.
This is the second Park/Wagner singles match in Arena Mexico. The first was back in June of 2006, which didn’t draw too well then and got Park suspended for the wildness of the brawl (though it might have covering up some CMLL/Park issues.) Nothing much has changed, accept Park was actually a tecnico last time he was in this building. Who knows if he still is.
Park is a rudo in IWRG, where this match took place this past June for the UWA Title. They drew a good house there, though Arena Mexico is a little bit bigger and lot more costly. That match too was much more a street fight then a title match, and surely this one will be instead.
I think the right move is to have Wagner win, clean, because there’s no point in doing any other finish unless there’s a for sure mask match (and there’s never a for sure mask match with these two.) With those involved, I doubt there will be a clean finish, and figure Park to win via foul.
5) Atlantis, Negro Casas, Último Guerrero vs Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Sonjay Dutt [CMLL TRIOS]
I don’t think there’s any particular traction with the CMLL/TNA feud; the TNA guys who up once a month, have a match, then vanish without a sound for 28 days. The match have been good, but they’d have to be really great to make up for the lack of anything going on. The way they’re still talking about Ultimo vs Alex makes it sound like that’s the ultimate plan, but I don’t think has enough legs to do a title switch and the titles switching back after the fact. It’s the Trios titles, so those belts disappearing for months wouldn’t be tragic or anything, but I don’t think they’re intersting in doing many more matches here with part time guys. Invasion angles have worked in CMLL before, but this one isn’t with so little presence by the invaders.
This should/could be good, and I think the champions retain.
6) Blue Panther vs Villano V [mask]
and so we come to this. This’ll be entertaining in at least one aspect; Panther’s move is an armbar and Villano V has a messed up shoulder, but it’s possibly to messed up for Panther to really attack. Either the smart technical wrestler doesn’t do the obvious thing, or V5 puts him through a long night.
It’s going to be a long night for Villano V anyway. It’s a nice sign that he’s working this week leading up to this match and not coming in totally cold, but he’s still returning before someone normally would with that injury. V5 surely wouldn’t be coming back this soon if this wasn’t the main event of the anniversary show. V5 also wasn’t an exciting wrestler while healthy, though I’m sure he’ll be going all out here.
Mistico and Perro Aguayo Jr. are there to keep the fans intersted in it, but it’s unclear about how much they’ll actually be able to besides stand there and wave a towel. Then again, maybe that’s all you’d want – it’d be pity if this match turned into a subplot for a feud that doesn’t need anything else to build it up.
Blue Panther will win.
I think Panther vs Villano was an undercard deal but with everything falling apart, they ended being the top guys.
I wonder if they asked Shocker to job his hair and he rather went away than doing it. I doubt Aguayo would have either, he’s probably they top paid guy in CMLL so he doesn’t need the money and is not a “team guy” type of guy.
I guess Niebla wants to repeat the Villanos’ route, Villanos have probably made more money now that dropping the hoods 2 months into their “return”. But maybe it has more to do with Wagner not willing to do the match (he would be in debt to CMLL) and CMLL not finding anything else to do with Niebla.
Even more surprising than Wagner or Panther bashing, is that no one has really said much about the TNA match, seems the boards don’t care at all and the boards are hardcore TNA fans compared to the everyday casual fan, so it ain’t looking good for them, the “nationalism” will play its part providing some heat, but I doubt it will make much difference in term of drawing.
The thing that bugs me the most is the randomness of the undercard, had they used the usual opener guys, maybe they would have saved the show by working hard, but with the guys they ended booking, I’m concerned by a poor GdR-like effort.
I’m thinking the TNA guys will win the Trios titles. That will probably lead to a Hair/mask match with the Guerreros and MCMG.
The Trios title match is the only one that intrests me for this event. Park/Wagner is going to suck and so is the main. And like Chui said, The undercard is probably going to feature GDR level mailing it in.
With Perro and Mistico injured, now people can say, “they would’ve been the main event if they weren’t hurt”. LOL. We’ll never see Perro Jr., lose his hair. Not happening.
Panther vs. Villanos was being built since before Perro and mistico were hurt. This was the main event all along.
I think the match quality will be good. I also think we could see an upset, and Panther will lose his mask.
Never? Never say never in wrestling.
FWIW, I believe it was Jose who told me Perrito refused to job his hair to Universo in 2005 which is why Garza got involved. Perrito did the same once again a few months later and balked a few days before the show so Universo stepped up and lost his hair for the good of the business (plus he got extra cash for being a team player).
OPENER:
I can’t believe La Sombra is here instead of the segunda. This should be La Mascara’s spot or even Fantasma’s kid. Sombra has been TEARING IT UP lately. Match should be comedy based aside from Sombra and (hopefully) Aguila’s flying. It’ll be the usual 8-9 highspot-fest that all CMLL PPV opening matches are. I actually expect this to be better than the segunda b/c the PdM would love to put in a good performance and show up the guys following them.
Boy, that Texanito hair win over Heavy Metal really elevated him, huh?
SEGUNDA:
Same 8-9 minute spotfest. I wouldn’t expect a GdR-like effort for a major show like this but that’s just it… “I wouldn’t expect”. It could very well happen. I’m assuming it won’t though and we’ll see a ton of flying in this, even from the rudos since aside from Aguila the rudos won’t get to shine in the opener. They should really use this match as a way to clarify whether Efesto is a Perro De Mal or not. If he isn’t – please seperate him and have him join a new group. If he is – can we let him wear the colors and not be stuck in limbo? Tecnicos should go over here to counter the rudos win in the opener plus you know La Mascara/Fantasma’s kid are winning on this show.
(BTW I meant to say – rudos are winning the opener b/c the Perros need to look strong for being booked so low.)
TERCERA:
Unless something has changed dramatically, I’m pretty sure next Friday has Corleone vs Lizmark Jr. in a hair match so this match should be based around them and them only. Niebla is so wasted here it isn’t funny. The least they could do is have him feud with Dos Jr. over the forgotten Heavyweight Title. I’d guess Lizmark Jr. cheats to pin Marco en route to losing his hair OR winning Marco’s hair depending on the rumors. Either way this will be two falls. Trust me.
THE SHITTY MATCH:
What can you say about this one? Two egomaniacs who will try to steal the show and will go long for the sake of going long and defying whatever orders they are given. My guess is they’ll brawl into the crowd to cover up for the fact they can’t work inside the ring. Should be a fun match live and come off bad on TV. It’ll be interesting to see how the crowd treats both guys as you’d figure they’d be pro-Wagner but since you figure it’d be like that they’ll probably try to get themselves over by cheering Parka while Chui cries (kidding!). I can’t even predict which of these guys will agree to job for the other so I’m gonna go with a double countout or double DQ for shoving the ref. What are the Vegas odds on one of these guys laying down for the other anyhow? They don’t even do clean finishes on tiny Tlalnepantla shows in front of 20 fans.
Let’s all just hope Parka doesn’t wear his ugly colorful outfits.
Here’s a fantasy angle: Have Niebla come out dressed as Parka to start the match and attack Wagner only to ripoff his Parka mask to reveal himself. Nice way to advance that angle that is heading nowhere fast.
I also have a question: Wasn’t Parka a tecnico the last time he was around?
As for the question of why there is no Heroes deal – my guess is they saw what a mistake it was the last time they tried it on PPV and just scrapped it. Remember when they honored Black Shadow? It was a totally rushed ceremony and they basically took longer to get the people into the ring than the entire ceremony lasted so they probably don’t want to risk something like that interrupting the flow of the matches. Wouldn’t it be something if Villano III came out for a special appearence? Just as long as they don’t let him wrestle.
SEMI-MAIN:
I’m betting on a title change b/c:
a) If they’re heading to UG taking Shelley’s hair, Shelley has to get the big win here.
b) CMLL could give a shit about losing their titles and just doing a tournament if the TNA guys never return.
I think it’d be interesting if the TNA guys won the belts and at some point in the future we got to see Sombra, Volador and anyone except La Mascara go to TNA to bring the belts back. Of course the commision would probably disapprove of that and order a tournament for new champs. What am I trying to say?
NO MATTER HOW THIS MATCH ENDS – THE TITLES WILL END UP VACATED SOON.
I just hope they have a better match than the Aug 29th show b/c that match was horrific in so many ways.
75TH ANNIVERSARY MAIN EVENT:
That sounds more exciting than the match really will be, huh?
First off – Mistico and Perrito aren’t being brought to the show to stand there and look pretty. They will get involved. My guess is it’ll be limited. Probably Perrito trips Panther, Mistico kicks Perrito and then hits him with a tope suicida or plancha (since he probably can’t dive through the ropes) and then they both get sent to the back leaving the two veterans to do a straight finish.
The two guys will likely work the slow older style b/c it’s what they are used to AND Villano V is hurt so it’s not good for him to be catching lots of dives and taking big bumps. I worry the crowd will turn on the match though b/c the rest of the matches on this show plus the current style will teach them to hate the slower style. It’s not gonna be a good situation for these two.:/
Obviously Panther should be winning here. It would be a horrible decision to give Villano the win since he means nothing and he’s hurt so it would make Panther look terribly weak. Plus you have the rumors that Panther wants to lose his mask to Ultimo Guerrero soon (maybe next September at the latest) so you have to assume he’s not gonna be a dumbass and agree to lose it here. It is quite hilarious to read the ByL people thinking he’ll lose and retire tonight. Not happening.
Panther will win with the armbar and people will say ‘fraude’ b/c someone will update the Wiki somehow. That’s my final prediction!
If the action delivers it’ll be a good show but I highly doubt this will get any “great show” or “show of the year” comments. It really could have been so much more which is the thought that should stick with everyone all night as the show takes place.
Now how am I gonna kill the next 5 hours? Should I make alternate predictions?
What excuse should CMLL use for pulling the PPV? I’d say, “TNA did not want their talent appearing on PPV for another company”. Both groups in Mexico seem so disorganized, at a time WWE is expanding their presence in Mexico
I’m guessing it’ll be on PPV just not “announced” as a PPV. I mean some people bought it already…
@Rob: yet others swear on byl that they called SKY and were told it was canceled. Never heard of so much controversy and secrecy over a PPV.
Welcome to CMLhell.
Man… my IE won’t load SuperLuchas any more, right after I posted the mini’s are better than the women AND put up my anniversary predictions in English which everyone there doesn’t like.
Esto has this:
http://www.oem.com.mx/esto/notas/n857285.htm
“El Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre dudó en programar esta contienda en duelo directo, pero la opinión de los aficionados y la calidad de ambos gladiadores, son garantía de un gran espectáculo donde el gran triunfador será el público que asista al embudo de la Doctores, pues no será transmitida la contienda en Pago Por Evento.”
OK, they say they chose the mano a mano over a multiman deal because “the public asked for it” and now the public who asked for it is not buying the tickets.
@Rob: they cunt about you writing in English, yet they’ll go 8 pages deep on a thread about WWE in Mexico? Makes no sense.
Embarassment. Just an embarassment.
@luchalibrelive!: There’s one nice guy there who translates my English stuff which is cool.
Might be the same guy who translated your stuff on superluchas.
Boxing on TV AZTECA from ArMex did a 13 rating, but an amazing 83 share.
I’m predicting that we’ll hear WWE does a 4.0 every week on Azteca. It’s a little late for kids, but it’s a Friday. That would not be so bad.
1) Alex Koslov, La Sombra, Maximo vs Damián 666, Mr. Águila, Texano Jr.
2) Volador Jr., Hijo del Fantasma, La Máscara vs Averno, Ephesto, Mephisto
Where’s Sagrado? He’s the guy missing from that match Pierroth (CMLL employee) called crap. I don’t see these guys trying hard at all, there are enough mailing ins with Averno/Mephisto in GdR to expect anything better here, with the Arena empty and the crowd moving around the aisle looking for their seats for them to take it to the air.
With the PPV being pulled over, they won’t be seen at all on TV, so add another nail to the sleepwalking coffin. Anyone really care about who wins?
3) Dos Caras Jr., Hector Garza, Marco Corelone vs Heavy Metal, Lizmark Jr., Mr. Niebla
I guess they turn this into a Dos Caras Jr vs Mr Niebla thing. It’s too early for Lizy to lose his hair, although he has not have that many dates to work so who knows. I hope the Corleone to AAA rumor is bogus(as it turned out to be a couple of months back), but it might be telling a story about the CMLL guys in the locker not being that happy. If Corleone jumps to AAA will the Corleone name be dropped? I say Dos Caras pins Heavy and nothing is settled.
4) LA Park vs Dr. Wagner Jr.
This won’t be aired either. They”ll brawl all over the place and end up DQ and suspended, which is probably what they both want since they will be able to tour all over Mexico giving fans the match that “CMLL dumb guys wouldn’t want you to see”.
5) Atlantis, Negro Casas, Último Guerrero vs Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Sonjay Dutt [CMLL TRIOS]
If CMLL could have made the Ultimo vs Shelley hair match, they would have done it tonight, it is not happening so I don’t see CMLL jobbing the titles unless the Negro-Guerreros break up happens.
6) Blue Panther vs Villano V [mask]
* Mistico and Perro Aguayo will be in their corners.
The only way I could see Panther losing is because CMLL needs to have a legend falling in their biggest show in decades… add quotations to that… and Villano XXL ain’t it. Mistico being the cornerman makes it impossible for Panther to lose, CMLL wouldn’t want to side their main guy with a loser. Well, I could see a foul by Aguayo and a posterior Mistico/Panther vs Villano/Aguayo double stip match for Mistico to finally avenge things, but, Aguayo is not losing this or next year, and Villano is not lasting that much for anyone to want to consider him for any future stuff.