01/20 AAA TV Lineup (Guerra de Titanes)

AAA

AAA TV (FRI) 01/20/2017 Gimnasio Olímpico Juan de la Barrera, Ciudad de México, Distrito Federal
Guerra de Titanes, 2017
1) Bengala, Big Mami, Dinastía, Pimpinela Escarlata vs Dave The Clown, Lady Shani, Mamba, Mini Psycho Clown
2) Faby Apache & Mary Apache vs Averno & Chessman
3) Hijo del Fantasma vs Garza Jr. [AAA CRUISER]
5th defense (4th on TV)
4) Aerostar vs Súper Fly, Argenis, Australian Suicide, Angélico, Carta Brava Jr. [cage]
final two will have a hair/mask match at Rey de Reyes
5) Pentagón Jr. vs Johnny Mundo [AAA LA]
2nd defense
6) La Parka, Psycho Clown, Texano Jr. vs Dr. Wagner Jr., El Mesías, Pagano

Air Date: 01/28 and 02/04.

This card did come out right away! It’s…ok? It’s OK.

The idea is it’s a major card by including two title matches and a cage match, but the main event being the usual TV trios match doesn’t feel like a major card. Maybe, if they were going to do two title matches, a Texano/Mesias or Texano/Pagano title match would’ve made more sense. I’m not eager to see those matches, but Texano hasn’t defended the heavyweight title since TripleMania. They’ll probably set something up here to get around it at Rey de Reyes, but there’s no reason anyone should take a title seriously if it’s defended once every half year.

I have no idea how Pentagon versus Mundo is going to end up. I know how it’s going to go, probably close to how it went in Aguascalientes (or how it goes in every AAA singles match), but I’m not sure of the results. Pentagon losing a title chance again hurts his momentum, and sends a very specific message about where AAA has him slotted (and how unlikely they are to change it.) But, Mundo’s their top rudo who’s not in a mask match at TripleMania, and AAA’s been very behind him in 2016. Maybe that just makes this very likely to have an unclean ending to stretch this out seven months or so. Mundo doesn’t have an obvious next opponent as it is.

The cage and the stipulation in the fourth match feel tacked on to dress up a midcard random trios match into a bigger deal. As always, it’ll probably make the match worse, but they’re hoping just the novelty of a cage still draws people. (We’ll find out Sunday?) The stipulation though: the only feud they’ve built up is Super Fly versus Aerostar, so either the outcome is really obvious, or they end up with a match no one wants to see as a surprise. Look, I’d like to see Angelico versus Carta Brava at Rey de Reyes, but I may be alone on that one and I’m not holding my breath. Worth remembering there was a hope Jack might be unfired by this show, but he’ll be off working indie bookings instead. AAA fans will be treated to La Parka in the main event instead.

I can’t think of why Garza Jr. is getting a title shot – I’d rather put him in the cage match and take anyone else out – but it appears they’re raking up Fantasma wins to get to a big number and Garza is just a next number.

An Averno & Chessman versus Mary Apache & Faby Apache rematch is not for me. I guess they’re saving Faby versus Hijo del Tirantes until Rey de Reyes. (AAA’s rigid structure is a problem here.) The opener is also a match.

2017 will be AAA’s 25th anniversary as a promotion, something they’ll be pushing all year. Next taping is probably around 02/04 somewhere in the Mexico State

great match roundup, week of 2016-12-10

somehow how not the deadliest looking spot on this show, or even in this match

Last week with five shows for a while. This week, I remember I’ve been meaning to put the good stuff above the cut line, since there’s no great stuff. The Battle of the Bulls matches were the best of the week even if I didn’t have them high enough. It’s possible (likely!) December just makes me miserable. I can’t imagine watching the Ultimo Guerrero/Valiente match from CMLL Retro and I believe you all would be disappointed in me if I did watch it.

actual good matches

rating matches TV Show taped
good Blue Panther Jr., Pegasso, The Panther vs El Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 13 DE DICIEMBRE DEL 2016 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL Internet Exclusives: 2016-12-13 2016-12-13
good Jeremiah Crane vs Killshot, Dante Fox, Mariposa [Battle of the Bulls] and in a tournament semifinal match Lucha Underground: 2016-12-14 2016-04-10
good PJ Black vs Jack Evans, Son of Havoc, Angélico [Battle of the Bulls] and in a tournament semifinal match Angelico vs Jack Evans vs PJ Black vs Son Of Havoc Battle Of The Bulls 12/14/16 (posted by El Rey Network) Lucha Underground: 2016-12-14 2016-04-10
good Flyer, Soberano Jr., Star Jr. vs Misterioso Jr., Okumura, Sagrado CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2016-12-16 2016-12-16
good Carístico, Valiente, Volador Jr. vs Euforia, Gran Guerrero, Último Guerrero CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2016-12-16 2016-12-16

Everything else watched Read More

IWRG Arena Naucalpan Anniversario card changes, Puebla preview

photo by Black Terry Jr.

IWRG (SUN) 12/18/2016 Arena Naucalpan [+LuchaTV, Black Terry Jr. (Flickr), Estrellas del Ring]
1) Black Dragón & Dragón Fly b Demonio Infernal & Picudo Jr.
Picudo & Demonio replaced Hip Hop Man & Dowki
2) Black Terry, Cerebro Negro, Dr. Cerebro b Danny Casas, Emperador Azteca, Freelance
Cerebro Negro snuck in a foul on Freelance
3) Cerebro Negro & Relámpago b Imposible & Pantera I
Killer Jr. did not appear, and was announced as removed from his upcoming mask match. Cerebro Negro replaced him in this match and won in straight falls, in a bloody mask ripping match. (Pantera’s face was full exposed at one point.) Cerbero challenged Pantera to a title match (and an apuesta match, but IWRG turned that one down), and Imposible & Relampago will replace Killer & Pantera in the 12/21 relevos suicidas.
4) Máscara Año 2000 Jr. © b Pirata Morgan [IWRG Rey del Ring]
Straight falls even with Hijo del Pirata getting involved. First defense. Pirata said he’d still win the hair match on the 21st.
5) Golden Magic, Mike Segura, Veneno DQ Mr. Águila, Oficial 911, Pirata Morgan Jr.
Mike Segura replaced Hijo de Dos Caras. Pirata ran in for the DQ and Mascara 2000 made the save.
6) Mr. Electro b Trauma I © [IWRG IC HEAVY]
Electro took falls 2/3 to win the title. Referee Sonrisas bled heavily after a Mr. Electro chair shot. Trauma falls on second defense

The new poster isn’t out, but the main three matches for Wednesday’s Arena Naucalpan Anniversary show appear to now be

  • Cerebro Negro defends the IWRG IC Welterweight Championship against Pantera I
  • Máscara Año 2000 Jr. vs Pirata Morgan, hair vs hair match
  • Golden Magic & Pirata Morgan Jr. vs Imposible & Relampago in a relevos suicidas
  • the losing team immediately faces off in a mask match

Everyone rightly expects Pirata Morgan Jr., who wasn’t even in IWRG until two weeks ago, to lose his mask. Relampago’s the second most likely choice, but he’s a big enough star that they’d just do the direct match if that was going to the final. It may be a situation where both Morgans lose on the same show. Killer Jr. appears to be out of the promotion – he could’ve balked at losing, he could’ve balked at not losing, no idea.

Hijo de Dos not showing up after last week’s incident with his brother is not a big surprise.

Today’s Puebla show has another annoying relevos incredible match. La Mascara, Marco and Maximo take on Ephesto, Mephisto and Volador, setting up another Volador/Mascara match as their Christmas special main event. It’s not really a special match to people who follow lucha outside of Arena Puebla, where it’s been seen three times in the last four months in Arena Mexico. These shows aren’t geared at the streaming audience at all, so none of that matters, but I’m hoping CMLL gets a bit more creativity for Christmas.

The rest of the card is a regular Monday affair. Angel de Oro, Atlantis & Johnny Idol are scheduled to take on Sam Adonis, Mr. Niebla and Cavernario. Barbaro hasn’t been on a stream since November 18th and just hasn’t been around much since then. (He and Titan have been in the Dominican Republic apparently filming a movie for part of that time.) He’s on Monday, Tuesday and the-yet-to-be-announced Sunday stream this week. The tercera is the Panther Boys & Stigma against Hechicero, Puma and Tiger, which is very familiar but still probably the best match on the night. La Vaquerita, Marcela, and Sanely face Amapola, Dalys and Metalica in a cage match preview, and Black Tiger, Lestat & Millenium open against Ares, Fuerza Chicana and Policeman.

CultIcon also previews this show. It’ll air on CMLL.com & YouTube at 9pm.

LuchaWorld has the latest news report.

Super Libre had Ringo Mendoza, Soberano Jr., Valiente, Triton and others on this week.

WrestleCircus in Austin will have Laredo Kid & Rey Fenix vs Extra Talent-ed (Ricky Starks & Aaron Solow).

Aerostar, Huracan Ramirez Jr., Ciclon Ramirez Jr. and Hijo del Pantera are advertised for Chicago on 01/20.

Lineups

CMLL (SUN) 12/25/2016 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Capitán Cobra & Micro vs Destello & Destructor
2) Fugaz, Sky Kid, Smaker vs Linterna, Mr. Apolo, Mr. Brisa
3) Javier Cruz Jr., Metatrón, Tritón vs Gran Kenut, Joker, Mosco X Fly
4) Esfinge & Gallo vs Exterminador & Maléfico
5) Neutrón vs Frezzer, León Blanco, Mr. Trueno, Nautilius, Pitbull I, Magnum, Star Black, Infierno, Ráfaga [cage, mask]

Neutron losing his mask would be the biggest news to us from his Mexico City run, but some of these guys have been around Guadalajara. Some, like Freezer & Nautilus, seem new. It may be more obvious locally or whenever yesterday’s results turn up, but it seems like anyone could lose right now.

Semimain is the tag team champions teaming up for the first time as a 2v2 team since their title match. That’s likely setting up a rematch on 01/01.

12/17 AAA TV results (Chilpancingo)

AAA

AAA TV (SAT) 12/17/2016 Plaza de Toros Belisario Arteaga, Chilpancingo, Guerrero [AAA]
1) Ángel Guerrero, Black Silver Jr., Último Samurai b Apolo Estrada, Guerrero Azteca, Temible Ares Ii
dark match
2) Lady Shani, Mamba, Mini Psycho Clown b Big Mami, Dinastía, Máscara de Bronce
Shani beat Dinastia.
3) Argenis, Lanzeloth, Niño Hamburguesa b Carta Brava Jr., Dave The Clown, Soul Rocker
Argenis beat Carta Brava.
4) Angélico, Australian Suicide, Garza Jr. b Hijo de Pirata Morgan, Parka Negra, Súper Fly
Angelico won with the Fall of the Angels. Australian Suicide replaced Bengala. Moved up a spot.
5) Averno, Chessman, Ricky Marvin b Dark Cuervo, Dark Scoria, Zorro
Marvin cheated to beat Zorro.
6) Aerostar & Drago © b Monsther Clown & Murder Clown and Daga & Joe Lider [AAA TAG]
Super Fly attempted to cost Aerostar the title to the Traidor Clowns, but Psycho Clown helped the champs win. The rudos continued to attack after the match (and the Perros walked off instead of making the save), with Argenis running out to help Drago & Aerostar. The tag champs invited him to from a trio with them. 2nd defense.
7) Hijo del Fantasma, Psycho Clown, Texano Jr. DQ Dr. Wagner Jr., El Mesías, Pagano
Earlier in the show, Wagner/Pagano/Murder/Monster nicknamed themselves Potencial Universal (a play off the Potencial Mundial nickname for the Psycho Circus.) They may also still be known as the Traidors. Psycho responded to them, and introduced the returning Goya Kong. Monster & Murder ran in for the DQ. Goya ran in, but also surprise attacked her brother, fouling Psycho Clown. Goya explained she was angry that Psycho Clown was obviously going to embarrass their family by losing his mask at TripleMania.

Air Date: 01/14 & 01/21

By next June/July/August/whenever TripleMania happens, Psycho Clown’s wife, baby, dog and exploding guitar may also turn on him. It’s tough out there for the lead tecnico. Goya was already working on the ruda side on AAA spot shows. She’s taking the bookings which might have gone to Taya, and it sets her and Big Mami as touring opponents. Doing the angle where she turns on Psycho (rather than just ignoring the difference like they’ve done with Psycho and Mini Psycho) is a surprise, but fits their pattern of doing whatever they can to make Psycho look like an underdog for this entire year build up. The concept of the Brazos family being embarrassed by one of their family members losing a mask match is bordering on ludicrous, but perhaps we’re supposed to think she’s having a ludicrous thoughts because she’s a ruda.

Aerostar & Drago keeping the titles is a pleasant surprise, and perennial third wheel Argenis gets to be an actual third wheel. His tag team with Suicide seems broken up, but at least Suicide is back at all – it wasn’t clear if he was going to be after the mask loss.

OGT got help from Hijo del Tirantes as usual – it’s kind of their finishing move – but they really should be done with both the Xinetez and the Apaches at this point. Averno’s team has now beaten Zorro’s team four straight times, it’d take some explanation come up with a fifth.

So ends the AAA year. No idea when we’ll see the 01/20 Guerra de Titanes card. They could wait until it gets a lot closer, they could just put it on today to have something to push for the next month. There are matches they seem to be teasing (Mundo/Pentagon, Fabi/Tirantes) but there’s no telling if they’ll actually happen.