Month: December 2011

CMLL (TUE) 12/27/2011 Arena Mexico [CMLL]
1) Cholo & Zayco b Bengala & Camaleón
2) Astral, Fantasy, Shockercito b Mercurio, Pequeño Nitro, Pequeño Warrior
3) Diamante, Pegasso, Rey Cometa b Arkángel de la Muerte, Hijo del Signo, Nitro
Nitro & Signo replaced Cancerbero & Nosferatu. Seems like a net positive.
4) Olímpico, Psicosis, Virus b Black Warrior, Titán, Triton
Titan & Triton returned to their losing ways.
5) Ángel de Oro, Hijo del Fantasma, Super Porky b Averno, Dragón Rojo Jr., Mephisto
Angel de Oro beat Dragon Rojo clean with the mecedora. Dragon Rojo still did not want to put up his title, but the fans booed him into accepting the challenge.

CMLL sent out two press releases getting to some ongoing issues. First, they said the luchadors using the name El Consejo are former members of their promotion and do not represent them at all. CMLL declared they own the copyright on that name and other using are breaking Mexican laws. (CMLL won’t even mention AAA by name here.)

CMLL also refuted rumors they were selling Arena Coliseo, calling that a lie spread by those who have not visited their offices or called them. This press release has an quote attributed to Jose Luis Feliciano, speculating that it’s just confusion because they’re not running shows there to 1/22. That rumor has been going on for weeks unrelated to that, but maybe it’s just the first CMLL’s heard of it.

It’s great CMLL has finally gotten around to addressing these stories. They really should’ve picked a better day to do it.

Dia de la Inocenetes story round up (so far)

• Carlos Slim in talks to buy CMLL
• Sombra to WWE
• Atlantis vs Ultimo Guerrero for the masks in March
• Los Traumas to WWE so they can sell more masks
• Negro Navarro to WWE
• Shawn Michaels to TNA
• Dr. Wagner Jr. to CMLL
• WWE cancels tour to Spain
• WrestleMania 29 in Mexico
• Trauma I vs Oficial AK47 finish annulled (no wonder Traumas are going to WWE!)
• “I am quitting this forum” – oldie but goodie
• Dr. Wagner, Mesias, Zorro on the next Llaves y Candados show

Other News

La Catedral finishes up it’s round up of the CMLL roster with people who haven’t been around much. This articles goes deep, with thoughts on women who’ve had one match in Mexico City (Kiara, Lady Afrodita) and luchadors who appeared to quit and return home months ago (Principe.)

Estrellas del Ring has a year in review from Escuela de Lucha Libre in Acapuclo. Also, they have interviews with new champs Eterno and Carta Brava Jr.

Rob has highlights of CMLL 01/18/11, CMLL 01/21/11 and CMLL 12/13/11

Lucha Libre Cake writes about Atlantis & Rey Bucanero vs Chuck Taylor and Johnny Gargano from a July CHIKARA show. That match is online as part of CHKARA’s podcast.

Links

• X-Fly explains why he’s beating Violento Jack and Aero Boy again.
• Porra Fresa liked the very full Arena Puebla and meeting Vengador Azteca

Lineups

CMLL (TUE) 01/03/2012 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Esfinge & Virgo vs Evola & Metalik
2) Meteoro & Último Dragoncito vs Pequeño Nitro & Pequeño Warrior
3) Fuego vs Malefico
one fall match
4) Metro & Sangre Azteca vs Olímpico & Psicosis
5) Hijo del Fantasma, Máximo, Rush vs Mr. Niebla, Negro Casas, Pólvora

Not sure if the third match is a lightning match or just a one fall match with no time limit.

Quick results

Colibiri beat Silencioso to win the CROC lightweight title on Christmas Day in Arena Aficion. I have no idea what CROC stands for. Silencioso held the title at least back to 2009.

On the same day in Tijuana, Extassis took Tony Casanova’s hair and Hijo de Rey Misterio I (the first one) won a mystery championship and joined the Perros del Mal.

Los Gorilla kept the Juniors tag titles over Violento Jack, Aeroboy and Hijo del Medico Asesino on 12/23.

Not much more than results from the IWL Christmas show, but Groon XXX replaced Rayo in the main event. Groon’s only turned up very rarely since his injury on the Perros del Mal show in 2010.

Other News

Tomorrow is Dia de la Innocents. I’m not posting any joke stories, but if you read something that sounds funny (peculiar) on other sites, maybe it’s meant to be funny (hilarious).

At last update, Valiente was doing better but still under observation.

Rush says he’ll win the heavyweight title because he feeds on hatred. That’s what makes him a great rudo.

Demus’ facebook was hacked.

Ovaciones says the IWRG return to TV Azteca may happen in 2012. That’s a carrot on a stick story.

The Daily Mail has an article about Mexican women leaving the household and becoming luchadoras to make ends meet. This is kind of a story created out of thin air and not actually news.

It’s the time of year to start my favorite annual story: the lucha commission of Torreon (Laguna) announcing all luchadors have to get their license renewed. This is followed in a month by an article saying early licensing is almost over, and then by one noting almost no one’s actually gotten a license and everyone expressing total surprise this has happened (again).

LuchaWorld has KrisZ’s news update.

Lucha Libre (Titles) in Japan

Let’s see if I get this right. Ayumi has two title  defenses scheduled in Japan.

01/03 UNION (branch of DDT) @ Korakuen Hall: Ayumi (c) vs Cherry [CMLL WOMEN]
01/15 REINA @ (ex? Chiba Blue Field): Ayumi (c) vs Haily Hatred [CMLL WOMEN]
REINA recently bought this building from MichinokuPro and will be running there now.

Ayumi’s surely coming back to Mexico with the title sometime in 2012, but I guess it could change hands back and forth until then if CMLL’s okay with it. It could also change hands if CMLL’s not okay with it, that’s happened a couple times in Japan with their other belts. Seems unlikely though.

Links

• Ohtani’s Jacket watches La Fiera vs Jerry Estrada in a chain match. I’m jealous of someone who’s only seen good lucha chain matches.
• Estrellita is doing a Twitcam chat today at 1pm, which is hopefully sometime after I’ve posted it.
• Segunda Caida watches CMLL LATV on 12/10/11.
• R de Rudo runs thru the history of the DTU title.
• La Catedral has ten more evaluations of CMLL luchadors. I think we’ve got in his head, because this is a list that includes the likes of Bam Bam and Strong Man, and yet there’s no suggestion to turn anyone rudo.
• DJ Spectro visits an outdoor show.

Lineups

CMLL (FRI) 12/30/2011 Arena Olímpico Laguna de Gómez Palacio
1) Dany Fantom & Imperio Negro vs Camorra Jr. & Detector Jr.
2) Piloto Negro & Piloto Suicida vs Gringo Loko & Oso Negro
3) Agatha & Lady Star vs Gatubela & Piel Canela
4) Dragón Rojo Jr. & Último Guerrero vs Mr. Guerrero & V-57 [CMLL TAG]

The rudos (or at least three of them) were teamed up last Friday here, but turned on each other and set up this tag title match.

Fun fact: they’ve done listed that tag match five out of the last six weeks (and maybe the sixth week was a typo.)

IWRG (SUN) 01/01/2012 Arena Naucalpan
***IWRG 15th Anniversary***
1) Astro de Plata, Astro Rey Jr., Centurión vs ?, Gemelo Fantastico I, Gemelo Fantastico II
2) Chico Che, Dinamic Black, Saruman vs Alan Extreme, Carta Brava Jr., Comando Negro
3) Golden Magic, Trauma I, Trauma II vs Oficial 911, Oficial AK47, Oficial Fierro
4) Súper Nova, Texano Jr., Ultramán Jr. vs Canis Lupus, Eterno, Máscara Año 2000 Jr.
5) Multifacético vs Apolo Estrada Jr. [hair]

Not listed on IWRG’s site, but Ovaciones posted it (or nearly all off it.) They’ve celebrated Arena Naucalpan anniversaries, but rarely IWRG one. It’s neat to good one – looking thru the records, there’s doesn’t seem to be a really clear demarcation from just being regular shows at Arena Naucalpan to being IWRG – there’s just slowly some titles (and Japanese people.)

Apolo is the favorite in the main event, I believe.  01/01 is also this blog’s anniversary. I do need a haircut, but I do not think I will be facing anyone in a match.

CMLL (SUN) 01/01/2012 Arena Mexico
1) Höruz & Molotov vs Artillero & Super Comando
2) Bam Bam, Eléctrico, Último Dragoncito vs Demus 3:16, Pequeño Olímpico, Pequeño Violencia
3) Hombre Bala Jr. & Super Halcon Jr. vs Rayo Tapatío I & Rayo Tapatío II [mask]
4) Delta, Hijo del Fantasma, Metro vs Hijo del Signo, Negro Casas, Rey Escorpion
5) Ángel de Oro, La Máscara, Máximo vs Averno, Mephisto, Mr. Niebla
6) Rush vs Terrible [CMLL HEAVY]

Title match is a rematch from seven weeks ago. That one was for the light heavyweight title, and part of the reason I figure Terrible is winning is because Rush already has a title. (Not that CMLL minds doing another tournament.) There also seems to be a reconfiguration of TRT going on. It was Terrible & Texano as the tag team and Bucanero as singles/pseudo-leader, now it’s Tiger/Bucanero as the team and Terrible as pseduo-leader/singles. Not that means much in the big picture, it’s not like Bucanero is going to be losing his singles title, but it points in Terrible’s way here. Crowd will totally be behind Terrible, no doubt.

Terrible winning would be an interesting turn of events. Many people expected Terrible to leave, and there’s been situations in other promotions where wrestlers were promised title belts if they hung around longer. Not sure that’s what’s happening here, but the timing is there. Even if that’s not the reason why, Terrible & Texano have both come out of this tag team breakup pretty well. One’s a focal point of the biggest angle in AAA, the other may be heavyweight champ in CMLL.  A bit of divide and conquer.

Rayos putting their masks on the line and not getting out of the third match is awful lame; you’re hurting the importance of mask matches by putting them that low for the sake of not making other people unhappy to work lower matches. I’m sure the Rayos are losing their masks, but Halcon & Bala did not feel like the right team to win on 52MX this week.

PdM (SUN) 01/01/2012 Arena Lopez Mateos
4) Súper Nova vs Pesadilla, Peligro [PdM LH]
5) X-Fly vs Violento Jack, Aeroboy [PdM EXTREME]
6) Texano, Toscano, Zumbi vs ?, el Hijo del Perro Aguayo, Halloween

Taped for TVC Deportes.

CMLL (MON) 01/02/2012 Arena Puebla
1) Blue Center, Milenium, Stigma vs Espiritu Maligno, Policeman, Siki Ozama Jr.
2) Lluvia, Luna Mágica, Marcela vs La Seductora, Tiffany, Zeuxis
3) Diamante, Sagrado, Sangre Azteca vs Ephesto, Shigeo Okumura, Vangelis
4) Marco Corleone, Máximo, Rush vs Dragón Rojo Jr., Rey Bucanero, Terrible
5) La Máscara vs Volador Jr. [NWA MIDDLE]

La Mascara is running thru rudos rather quickly.

Close to Trio Senscaion vs new TRT in the semimain.

PdM (SUN) 12/25/2011 Arena Neza [Black Terry Jr. (flickr), The Gladiatores]
1) Black Lancer & Nemesis b Catolico & Pequeno Angel
2) Alan Extreme, Comando Negro, Fresero Jr. b Centurión, Dinamic Black, Guerrero Mixtico
3) Barba Roja, Black Terry, Pirata Morgan Jr. b Fenix (AAA), Trauma I, Trauma II
Fenix replaced Sugi San, Black Terry replaced Dr. Cerebro.
4) Dr. Cerebro, Súper Fly, Vampiro Metálico b Drago (AAA), Neza Kid, Súper Nova
Dr. Cerebro replaced Apolo Estrada. rudos won after sneaking in a foul on Super Nova. Nova & Neza feuded with Vampiro & Dr. Cerebro thru the match.
5) Dr. Wagner Jr., Monster Clown, Murder Clown, Psycho Clown b el Hijo del Perro Aguayo, Héctor Garza, Texano Jr., X-Fly
Texano was wearing TRT gear. Tecnicos took 1/3. Perro fouled Wagner and stole his mask, but the ref was otherwise occupied. Wagner got his mask back and fouled Perro for the win

IWRG WAGNER (SUN) 12/25/2011 Arena Naucalpan [The Gladiatores]
1) Charly Madrid, La Chiva, Miss Gaviota b Blazer, The Mummy, Tigre Lee
The Mummy replaced Abadon. Silver King Jr. also accompanied that team.
2) Ludark Shaitan & Ojo Diabólico Jr. b Demente Extreme & Sexy Lady [XMW MIXED TAG]  
The women started out in the match, then Silver King, Ultimo Gladiador, and Chessmsan ran in to attack champions Ludark & Ojo. Electro and Joe Lider made the save. Ludark got the pin to keep the titles, then the rudos came back again to beat up the women.
3) Apolo Estrada, Avisman, El Hijo del Diablo b Pasion Kristal, Polvo de Estrellas, Yuriko [EdM Trios, lumberjack]
Gringos are the current champions, though with Gringo Loco and not Apolo Estrada. They were presented as the champions here and this was considered a defense. Gringos were accompanied by Sherry. Copetes was referee and favored the AAA team, but he got chased off by the lumberjacks and IWRG referee Grillo ran in to make hte three count for Diablo on Polvo.
4) Super Mega b Joe Lider and Último Gladiador and Violento Jack [DTU]
Joe Lider came in as champion. Rey Vikingo was listed as participating but did not. Gladiador was eliminated first by Lider, though he claimed he got his shoulder up by 3. Super Mega beat Violento Jack. Joe Lider went to the top to beat Super Mega, but Gladiador came back with a light tube and hit Lider. Mega finishes him with a top rope Canadian Destroyer to win the title.
5) Head Hunter I b Taboo, Electroshock [IWRG HEAVY, bull terrier]
Taboo was the champion. Taboo & Electroshock tried to fight together to stop Head Hunter, but failed. Head Hunter won the title. Electroshock gave him credit for a win, but asked for a shot.
6) La Parka Jr. & Octagón b Chessman & Silver King [MEX TAG, cage]
Silver King and La Parka escaped first. Octagon was next. Silver had a glass of beer ready to throw in Octagon’s face, but Octagon avoided and Chessman took it. Parka pulled Silver King and Octagon escaped to keep the titles.

IWRG is off this week.

Lineups

CMLL (SUN) 01/01/2012 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) El Divino & Xavier Cruz vs Acertijo & Thunder Boy
2) Lady Apache, Luna Mágica, Marcela vs Amapola, La Seductora, Tiffany
3) Dragon Lee, Fuego, Titán vs Hooligan, Loco Max, Skándalo
4) Black Warrior, Guerrero Maya Jr., Sangre Azteca vs Cancerbero, Shigeo Okumura, Virus
5) Mr. Águila, Olímpico, Volador Jr. vs Dragón Rojo Jr., Pólvora, Rey Bucanero

Peculiar rudo vs rudo main event.

CMLL (SUN) 12/25/2011 Arena Mexico [CMLL, La Catedral]
1) Hombre Bala Jr., Sensei, Super Halcon Jr. DQ Inquisidor, Rayo Tapatío I, Rayo Tapatío II
Straight falls for the tecnicos, Rayos pulling Halcon & Bala’s masks in the first for the DQ and fouling them again in the second. Rudos dominated the entire match except the finish
2) Dalis la Caribeña, Goya Kong, Lady Apache b Amapola, La Seductora, Princesa Blanca
Tecnicas took 1/3 behind Goya splashes. Lady Apache and Princesa Blanca got into a fight as they were leaving, which didn’t seem to have much to do with the match.
3) Negro Casas, Pólvora, Volador Jr. b Dragon Lee, La Máscara, Valiente
Volador wore a Super Parka mask to the ring. Painful match. Rudos took first fall, tecnicos took the second fall. Valiente landed hard head first on the apron going for his dive, and was immediately taken to the hospital. Volador pinned Mascara with the backcracker.
4) Rush & Terrible b Marco Corleone, Mr. Niebla, Super Porky, Mr. Águila, Rey Bucanero, Hijo del Fantasma, Metro, Olímpico [CMLL HEAVY, #1 Contenders]
advertised as a decision match for the vacant title, but turned out to be just the final two earning a shot next week. Eliminations were Olimpico (by Metro), Fantasma (by Bucanero), Mr. Aguila (by Super Porky), Metro (Mr. Niebla), Super Porky (Terrible), Bucanero (by Rush), Niebla (by Marco) and Marco (by Terrible.) This left Rush vs Terrible, a rematch of a recent light heavyweight title match, as next week’s decision match.

CMLL’s done these ciberneticos where the final two people get a shot at a vacant title next week before – when they’re brought back the women’s and super light weight belts are the first two that come to mind – but they’re previously been clear about what the matches where. CMLL promoted a new heavyweight champion would be decided tonight, and just did not do it.

If this injury is anywhere near as serious as it sounds, it would probably take him off the 01/04 Tokyo Dome show.

Tercera Caida’s twitter says both the IWRG heavyweight (Headhunter, from Tabu) and DTU (Super Mega, from Joe Lider) titles changes hands. More tomorrow.

Other News

El Siglo de Torreon continues it’s interviews with visiting CMLL stars with Sombra. Sombra’s goal for 2012 is winning a mask, perhaps Mephisto or Volador’s. Sombra blames the downturn in lucha libre on the economy, on insecurity, and on the quality of lucha libre. They need to keep working hard to get the fans back. Sombra says he’s talked to Sin Cara, who told him he’s happy and planning on returning in two months. Sin Cara’s knee injury should keep him out a lot longer than that, but there was talk about him rushing back for WrestleMania. Sombra says he himself has never being invited to go WWE. Sombra has nice things to say about (still-yet-to-debut) Espanto Jr., who’s turns out to be Sombra’s cousin.

The MEXPW site is now hyping Supreme in matches which aren’t electrified cage matches against Damain 666. Something happened there, though I dunno what.

Rob posted the first ever Momentos Estelares. That should be back in the next month.

Links

• La Catedral has five more sets of CMLL recaps? I’ve counted at least 18 people he’s suggested should change sides next year.
• Ohtani’s Jacket reviews Blue Panther vs Negro Casas.
• Los Traumas celebrate the holidays.

CMLL (SAT) 12/10/2011 Arena Lopez Mateos [Luchas 2000 600]
***Exodia Benefit Show***
1) Amapola, Princesa Blanca, Princesa Sugheit b Dalis la Caribeña, Lluvia, Marcela
2) Ángel de Oro, Olímpico, Psicosis b Delta, Metro, Valiente
Angel de Oro & Olimpico replaced Alberije & Histeria.
3) La Máscara, La Sombra, Máscara Dorada b Averno, Olímpico, Volador Jr.
Olimpico, in his second match, replaced Mephisto
4) Brazo de Plata, Brazo de Platino, La Máscara, Robin b Felino, Mr. Niebla, Puma King, Tiger
La Mascara & Robin replaced Maximo & Brazo de Oro. Mr. Niebla replaced Negro Casas, out due to Panther’s martinete. Tiger did not get along with his partners.
5) Brazo de Oro & Máximo b Mephisto & Rush
6) Atlantis & Shocker b Rey Bucanero & Último Guerrero
Originally a trios with Rush & Niebla. Quick match.

Exodia, retiring due to injury, unmasked as Irving Bernal. He is 26 years old, 5 years a wrestler. Exodia’s now focusing on his other career of graphic design.

CMLL (FRI) 12/23/2011 Arena Mexico [CMLL, La Catedral]
1) Astral & Shockercito b Mercurio & Pequeño Nitro
Tecnicos took 2/3.
2) Amapola, La Comandante, Tiffany b Estrellita, Marcela, Silueta
Amapola replaced injured Zeuxis, in a change announced earlier in the week. Estrellita dressed like “Sexy Santa”, while Tiffany was the Grinch. Rudas took 2/3. Tiffany pinned Marcela using the ropes for the win.
3) Diamante, Fuego, Sangre Azteca b Euforia, Shigeo Okumura, Virus
Tecnicos took 2/3.
4) Pólvora b Stuka Jr. [lightning]
Super Polvora Driver for the win in under seven minutes.
5) Rey Bucanero, Terrible, Tiger b Hijo del Fantasma, Super Porky, Valiente
TRT take 1/3, are 2-0 as a team. Tiger & Bucanero taunted Felino (at the announce desk) after the match.
6) Marco Corleone, Máximo, Rush b Averno, Ephesto, Mephisto
Tecnicos take 2/3, Maximo pinning Averno with the kiss cradle. 2-0 for the new tecnico trio, who may be called “La Tercia Sensacion”.

La Catedral says this show was not taped for TV, but Felino being at the announce desk means they were using it for something. Perhaps this isn’t for the Televisa show, but some matches will still air on Fox Sports (like that one.)

Other News

El Siglo de Torreon talked to Ultimo Guerrero about the Crisis in Lucha Libre, in the guise of promoting one of his many appearances in Laguna this weekend. Guerrero seems to say the current downturn is just part of the natural ups and downs of lucha libre, and the best course of action is to train and improve the younger wrestlers now so they’ll be better able to get the most out of the next upswing. Guerrero mentions wanting to win the heavyweight title belt back; too bad he’s missing the tournament.

Luchas 2000 #600, from before Sin Piedad, had an interview with Blue Panther and his sons. Two of them already have lucahdor names: Black Silver and Cachorro (the name Panther used at the start of his carrer.) A third son was masked but too young to be a luchador.

Ras de Lona was the promised look back at the year, this one covering big hair, title and tournament matches from the last year (and just from Arena Mexico and Coliseo.)

Rob has highlights of 12/06/2011 CMLL

Sounds like a Ayumi’s first CMLL Women’s Championship defense will be against Hailey Hatred. They did a challenge at a show in Japan earlier today.

Links

• The Gladiatores interviews unmasked Oficial AK-47
• DJ Spectro has his thoughts on the IWRG show from being there live.
• Segunda Caida reviews 12/03/11 CMLL on LATV
• LA Park wishes you happy holidays
• La Catedral has threemoresets of look backs at CMLL luchadors

Lineups

CMLL (FRI) 12/30/2011 Arena Mexico
1) Metálico & Robin vs Bobby Zavala & Disturbio
2) Dalis la Caribeña, Estrellita, Lluvia vs Amapola, La Seductora, Tiffany
3) Sangre Azteca vs Raziel [lightning]
4) Delta, Guerrero Maya Jr., Metro vs Ephesto, Rey Escorpion, Shigeo Okumura
5) La Máscara, Máscara Dorada, Valiente vs Rey Bucanero, Terrible, Tiger
6) Marco Corleone, Máximo, Rush vs Mr. Águila, Olímpico, Volador Jr.

More of the two new trios, plus Mascara Dorada back in action. This is probably Valiente & Dorada’s last match before heading over to Japan.

Metro teams with Guerrero Maya & Delta more since he started to feuding with them, I’m sure. Lightning match is quite the matchup of a luchador who’s really good right now and one who is not so much.