Freelance loses his hair (again), Atlantis/Rush tonight in Puebla

photo by Black Terry Jr.

IWRG (SUN) 04/16/2017 Arena Naucalpan [+LuchaTV, Black Terry Jr. (Flickr), Estrellas del Ring, The Gladiatores]
1) Skanda b Lunatic Extreme
2) Aramis b Shadow Boy
3) Danny Casas & Heddi Karaoui b Black Dragón & Demonio Infernal
4) Herodes Jr. © b Hijo de Pirata Morgan [IWRG JUNIORS]
second defense
5) Máscara Año 2000 Jr. L Trauma I, Dr. Cerebro, Freelance, Pantera I, Gringo Loco, Apolo Estrada Jr., El Hijo del Diablo, Leo, Bobby Lee Jr. [cage, semifinal]
Gringo Loco made his return to IWRG after 6.5 years, replacing super Mega.
6) Veneno L Trauma II, Villano IV, Cerebro Negro, Black Terry, Hijo del Alebrije, Imposible, Emperador Azteca, Golden Magic, Diablo Jr. [cage, semifinal]
Hip Hop Man was kicked out of the match for not having enough hair to lose a hair match, and Hijo del Alebrije replaced him.
7) Freelance L Máscara Año 2000 Jr., Veneno [cage, mask, hair]
Match was supposed to be Mascara Ano 2000 Jr. & Veneno, but Freelance attacked Veneno when eh tried to escape for no known reason. Freelance climbed in, and ended up being the last guy in when Veneno & Mascara escaped. Mascara gets credit for the win, and wants a direct match with Veneno.

This is Freelance’s second hair match here in Arena Naucalpan about 10 months (though the other show wasn’t an IWRG show.) Freelance was there, could’ve just lost one of the cage match and lost his hair, but IWRG decided to break their own rules – because they’re saving the big Veneno/Mascara 2000 Jr. match for another day, I guess. Freelance and Veneno weren’t even feuding, and no one really has a reason why Freelance came out. IWRG didn’t defraud anyone, because it’s not like they were promoting a specific final match, and they do these things because they believe their audience likes this sort of controversy. I hope they’re right for their sake but it looks silly from out here.

Today’s Arena Puebla show has an Atlantis versus Rush in a singles match. Atlantis is fairly consistent in singles matches, while Rush is fairly inconsistent. They could get a lot of drama out of it but it’s unclear strong the match will be.

Caristico, Mistico & Dragon Lee try teaming up again after Friday night, with more coherent opposition: Negro Casas, Mascara and Ultimo Guerrero. This should be the showcase match people were looking for Friday, though may not all out because it’s a Puebla show. The rest of the show is a random trios matches which might be good but without a sure bet and a lot of questionable people. Johnny Idol, Maximo & Titan take on Kraneo, Ripper and Sam Adonis. Espiritu & Policeman meet after their hair match, with Drone, Stigma, Disturbio and Olimpico fitting in. Astro, Electrico and Ultimo Dragoncito take on Joker, Pequeno Nitro and Pierrothito in a minis trios. The show opens with Arkalis & Vega against Perverso & Rey Apocalipsis

CultIcon also has a preview. The show airs at 9pm on CMLL’s YouTube page.

Jeff Jarrett is in Mexico for meetings. A Twitter account says he’s there for a TripleMania press conference tomorrow; it’s a random account, so I’m not sure it’s correct, but it makes some sense. Not even neccesarily about Jarrett wrestling on TripleMania, but Jarrett had success promoting a NJPW show as a PPV, AAA would like to be back on US PPV, so maybe there’s a match there. He might also be interested in bringing in AAA luchadors for the Impact wrestling tapings this week (and navigating the thorny issues of who’s allowed to work and how close they work with The Crash & LAX guys.)

Okumura is under going neck surgery today. There’s no word on how long he’ll be out, but they’ll probably know more after surgery.

MDA & Lucha Memes announced a combo show on 05/07 in Monterrey, which probably pairs with the show in Naucalpan on 04/28.

A video feature on Rey Bucanero’s lucha libre school teaching children.

Lineup

CMLL’s changed Friday’s lineup. The Guerreros are out, and Sam Adonis, Mr. Niebla and Pierroth replace them in the semimain.

CMLL (SAT) 04/22/2017 Arena Coliseo
1) Shockercito & Stukita vs Pequeño Olímpico & Pequeño Violencia
2) Fuego, Pegasso, Soberano Jr. vs Disturbio, Sangre Azteca, Templario
3) Dalys © vs Estrellita [CMLL WOMEN]
9th defense. Esterllita’s 3rd challenge
4) Ángel de Oro, Blue Panther, Guerrero Maya Jr. vs Máscara Año 2000, Sam Adonis, Vangellys
5) Atlantis, Carístico, Marco Corleone vs Gran Guerrero, Kráneo, Mephisto

CMLL’s booked Marcela & Estrellita almost exclusively as Dalys’ challengers. Lluvia got a title shot, and Jarcohita got one on an Elite show, but that’s about it. If Esrellita wins, it’ll probably just be Dalys & Amapola as challengers.

CMLL (SUN) 04/23/2017 Arena México
1) Magia Blanca & Sangre Imperial vs Camorra & Templario
2) La Vaquerita, Marcela, Skadi vs La Seductora, Metálica, Tiffany
3) Drone, Fuego, Rey Cometa vs Metálico, Puma, Tiger
4) Ángel de Oro, Guerrero Maya Jr., Stuka Jr. vs Bobby Villa, Dragón Rojo Jr., Pólvora
5) Carístico, Marco Corleone, Máximo Sexy vs Rey Bucanero, Terrible, Vangellys

Templario works both weekend shows after not getting booked for six months. Metalico seems like he’s slightly getting moved up.

CMLL (SUN) 04/23/2017 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Micro vs El Destructor
2) Capitán Cobra & El Yaqui vs Demonio Rojo & Thunder Boy
3) Black Sugar, Fantástico, Mágico vs Évola, Gran Kenut, Mr. Apolo
4) Nautilius & Star Black vs Mr. Trueno & Rey Trueno
5) Explosivo, Omar Brunetti, Vaquero Jr. vs Espectrúm, Exterminador, Maléfico

Semimain is a rematch from this past week.