IWRG (WED) 07/27/2016 Arena Naucalpan [The Gladiatores]
1) Guerrero 2000 & Keiser Drago b Fly Tiger & Vardeus
2) Aramis, Fireman, Omega b Araña de Plata, Keshin Black, Skanda
3) Eddy Santos, Juana La Loca, Viajero Jr. b Avisman, Black Dragón, Yakuza
Avisman & Yakuza replaced Galaxy & Hijo del Alebrije.
4) Demonio Infernal b Dragón Fly
Demonio won in straight falls, leaving Dragon Fly blooded.
5) Judas el Traidor, Rosario Negro, Viajero Extremo DQ Black Terry, Hijo del Alebrije, Kanon
Hijo del Alebrije replaced Emperador Azteca. Judas tried to foul Terry twice, Terry stopped him both times, so Judas just faked his own foul for the DQ. Singles match was set up.
Elite tonight has a Teddy Hart versus Xtreme Tiger in a cage, a cage only in the hopes the the novelty of doing a cage match will make up for the lack of star power. (It probably will not, at least in ticket sales, but the match will likely be insane.) TV (and only TV) explained Teddy Hart is a replacement for Bobby Lashley, who “could not come back to Mexico.” Lashley’s price has gone up after signing a new deal with TNA, and I guess that’s a sign that Elite actually has some monetary limit. Teddy takes over Lashley’s results, which would include the June 2nd win in Liga Elite over Extreme Tiger. Everyone faces each other once, so there shouldn’t be another Tiger/Teddy match if any one’s paying attention. People being replaced in a tournament is silly itslef, but if tonight’s Tiger/Teddy counts in the standings, the Lige Elite tournament is officially a farce. In Elite’s favor, I guess, is this tournament has completely failed to get over as a concept and I’d be mildly surprised if anyone else in the press points out how it doesn’t make any sense. They’ll get away with it fine.
The other Elite match, Rey Escorpion versus Mascara Dorada, is also almost a rematch. Escorpion seems to have taken over Negro Casas’ spot in the tournament, despite Casas being back and wrestling otherwise. Casas was supposed to have faced Dorada in Liga Elite on 04/20, but it was the first of his many absences in the match, and Dorada faced La Mascara instead. Escorpion & Dorada should be a great combination, and we’re sure getting some good Dorada matches at the moment.
It’s a good Elite card overall. The semimain is Volador Jr., Angel de Oro & Golden Magic against Diamante Azul, Hijo de Dos Caras and Magno, as Diamante Azul continues to work as a rudo on Thursdays and a tecnico all other days. The tercera is a great looking match with Jinzo & Rocky Lobo versus Tiger & Puma. (DTU praised Ronnie Mendoza for his CWC appearance; Elite is still listing him as Jinzo and said nothing.) The second match is set up to be a technical wrestling fight, between CMLL’s Blue Panther & Hechicero versus Elite’s Heddi Karaoui & Pantera. Pantera wrestled in his mask last time in Arena Mexico, a mask he’s lost in Arena Mexico, and his match did not air on Elite last time. Not sure it’ll air this time either. The opener is a minis match with Astral & Ultimo Dragoncito versus Pierrothito & Pequeno Warrior. Warrior was the worst performing luchador in CMLL before he left in 2014 and hasn’t looked any better on the indies.
Again, CMLL has not put the Elite card on their own website.
ESTO has an interview with Sharlie Rockstar, who says he’s training wrestlers at Gimnasio Starman.
Leo Riano’s column in Record says LA Park & Rush were suspended for three weeks following their performance in their super libre match on the Elite show. It wasn’t for the violence, but specifically for the blood since a sponsor frowns on that. (Edgar’s freakout did happen after it was clear Rush was bleeding.) Riano notes the suspension is dumb and I agree. Rush did appear on the Leyenda de Plata show two weeks ago, so CMLL suspensions must be odd. A three week suspension would mean they’d both be free to appear starting with next week’s Elite show.
The same column mentions the Octagon reality show recently taped in Veracruz, where he decides a wrestler to get his original Dragon Dorado gimmick, will start airing in a month or so on AYM. The winner is already out; you can click here to find out, because it’s a faintly familiar team which is amusing if you remember how he ended up with that name.
Lucha Memes announced Chairo 5 on 09/25 in Arena Naucalpan. The first match is a pretty big deal
1: Volador Jr. vs Rey Horuz
They could have nothing the rest of the show and it’d still be a must see show. They’re again not allowing people to videotape the show, you’ll have to be there or not see it. It’s still unknown when CMLL will hold the Anniversary show; if it’s 09/23, it’s going to be a busy weekend (and that match still might be better than anything on CMLL’s show.)
CMLL’s changed Tuesday’s lineup, where Dragon Lee takes Diamante Azul’s place. I’d guess Diamante Azul is appearing in Guadalajara again as Caristico’s replacement.
CMLL has an articles on Rey Bucanero on his feud with Super Crazy and Maximo and Rey Escorpion’s title match next week.
Ronnie Mendoza says he’s proud of his performance in the Cruiserweight Classic, and would like to return to NXT or Japan. He was very nervous when they told him 2 million people would see his match on the network.
Cross Arm Breaker talks about Negro Casas vs Bestia Salvaje from October 18, 1996.
The new Podcast Boom includes an interview with Blue Demon Jr. (who’s noticeably not on TripleMania so far.)
Box Y Lucha’s today in history update mentions an Angel Blanco/Raul Reyes apuesta match we didn’t have on the luchawiki.