Rey Mysterio’s LU status, Volador/Casas tonight in Puebla

Trauma II, new Heavyweight Champion/photo by Black Terry Jr.
Trauma II, new Heavyweight Champion/photo by Black Terry Jr.

No full IWRG results yet, but I put picture up there as if there would be so let’s just go with it.

SuperLuchas writes Rey Mysterio was signed to Lucha Underground for a single season, and is now a free agent. I’ve heard the same thing but couldn’t confirm it. There’s been also other hints his deal was just one season for Rey for a while, despite the deal originally being announced as a two year deal. Everyone expects him to go back to WWE if they give him the part time deal he wants. He may just not be able to do it until after his Lucha Underground episodes air. The Super Luchas post mentions Dr. Lucha speculating Rey would be back in WWE around SummerSlam, and I think that’s based on Season 2 being done airing by that point.

(It’s theoretically possible for Rey to end up resigning with Lucha Underground, but the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has repeatedly mentioned there’s cash & creative differences between LU & Rey and those would have to get solved.)

This is another unseen consequence of taping so much in advance: Rey appears to be gone from Lucha Underground before he’s even set foot in the Temple. It’s what will make Season 3 tough, because the episodes will be sitting around while the people on those shows will be off to do other things.

Volador Jr. faces Negro Casas tonight in Arena Puebla for Volador’s NWA Welterweight Championship. It’s the eighth time they’ve met since about Christmas 2013, with Casas narrowly leading 4 wins to 3. All three Volador wins have been for this same NWA Welterweight championship. Volador’s held this title since November 2013, outside of a two month stretch of Sombra beating him for the belt and losing it back on his first defense. Maybe the same thing could begin tonight: Casas could win the title as a way to build up the hair match and to prove Casas stands a chance against Volador in a hair match at Dos Leyednas. If Volador keeps the title, it’s more a status quo title defense not indicating anything either way.

The problem with this title match is CMLL Puebla main events have been disappointing. It’s a long drive from Mexico City, and the emphasis of main event luchador seems to have been more on getting out of there as quick as possible so they can grab a late dinner and get back on the road home. I don’t blame them for that, but it does make this a lot less interesting match than if it was happening in Arena Mexico.

last 10 Puebla main event match times
02/08: 10:23
02/01: 09:41
01/25: 10:15
01/18: 08:44
01/11: 08:41
01/04: 08:19 - trios title match
12/28: 16:15 - cage match
12/21: 14:27 - Atlantis vs UG title match
12/14: 07:03
12/07: 10:05
Average is 10:23, 9:44 if you drop out the cage match.

There’s some decent stuff on the undercard but nothing exceptional – which is actually good news if you’re hopping for a good main event, because maybe they’ll go short and the main event will go longer. Best match might be Asturiano, Robin, Sobernao Jr. versus Artillero, Rey Apocalipsis, Toro Bill Junio. Opener is Arkalis & Paris versus el Malayo & King Jaguar. Show starts at 9pm CT on YouTube, with a link on CMLL.com.

Maximo won the War City Exotico championship on the WMC show on Saturday. Diva Salvaje took Sexy Canela’s hair in the main event.

Segunda Caida watches Black Terry vs Hechicero.

Rey Horus talks about joining Lucha Underground and facing Dragon Lee.

A new lucha facility has been set up in Sonora – inside the Hermosillo prison.

Lineup

CMLL ELITE (SUN) 02/21/2016 Arena México
1) Astral & Eléctrico vs Demus 3:16 & Príncipe Diamante
2) Estrellita, Lluvia, Marcela vs Cinthia Moreno, Esther Moreno, Rossy Moreno
3) Jinzo, Metaleón, Rocky Lobo vs Fujin, Heddi Karaoui, Okumura
4) Dragón Lee vs Extreme Tiger
5) Ángel de Oro, Golden Magic, Máscara Dorada vs Euforia, Hijo de Lizmark, Mephisto
6) Súper Crazy & Volador Jr. vs Felino & Negro Casas

No Caristico or Cibernetico because they’re booked in Monterrey, but it’s a fun card. Any Dragon Lee singles match is going to be fun. Third match is going to be weird; Karaoui seems to be on Raijin fill in duty on these shows. Second match is the teased Moreno reunion.

Cibernetico invited Hijo del Lizmark to join the Hell Brothers, which is the explanation for him being back another week.