Gran Alternativa continues tonight, Copa Bobby Bonales to return

tonight

CMLL’s Gran Alternativa continues tonight. The winner of today’s eight team block of rookie/veteran tag matches face Ultimo Guerrero & Sanson next week.

Most of the teams don’t look to have much of a shot, as always. At least one of Mephisto & Raziel, Astral & Valiente, Angel de Oro & Oro Jr., Akuma & Pierroth, and Canelo & Negro Casas will win a match because someone has to, but would be shocking finalists. Caristico & Soberano would normally be the overwhelming favorites, only it would both set up a rematch of the Copa Junior held just weeks ago. (Caristico doesn’t seem to get the big wins either in this CMLL run, but simply advancing to the final is not a big win, next week would be.) Flyer & Volador are a dark horse team; Volador’s one of the most important people in CMLL, but Flyer is one of the least important, rarely escaping the opening matches. Drone & Niebla Roja might be the smart pick, since it would continue the Roja/Guerrero issue and Drone’s used as high on the card than as any rookie here. He’s also been doing these forever.

Past Gran Alternativa experience:
4: Hombre Bala (2011 first round w/La Mascara, 2012 first round w/Marco, 2013 final with Atlantis, 2014 first round with Maximo)
3: Oro Jr. (2013 first round w/Mascara Dorada, 2014 semifinals w/Sombra, 2016 first round w/Valiente
2: Akuma (2013 first round w/Mephisto, 2014 first round w/Rey Bucanero)
2: Soberano Jr. (2013 semifinals w/Sombra, 2014 finals w/Volador)
1: Flyer (2016 quarterfinals, w/Atlantis)
1: Canelo Casas (2014 first round w/Negro Casas)
1: Raziel (2012, semifinals w/Volador)
0: Astral

ESTO has an interview with Mephisto and his rookie, 23 year vet Raziel. They think experience will give them the edge. I think they probably could’ve stuck an actual rookie in the match since they’ll only be around for maybe five minutes. This is Raziel’s only second Gran Alternativa – he was in the 2012 one prior.

It’s a packed show with four other matches. Dragon Lee returns to Arena Mexico tot team with his brother Msitico and Dragon Lee against the Guerreros in what should be a fast paced match. Guerrero Maya Jr. & Misterioso meet in the lightning match. (Maya won the one singles match they’ve had five years ago.) Sugehit & Zeuxis again face off in the women’s match, which feels like it should be going somewhere. A midcard title match next week could fit with a tag main event. Metalico & Arkangel take on Principe Diamante & Robin in the usual level of opener.

The show will air at 8:30 on ClaroSports and the MarcaClaro Facebook page.

David Aceves posted a photo of him with Sofia Alonso and a Copa Bobby Bonales, which occasionally pops up  in CMLL honor of his Aceves’ father. Bobby Bonales was an early luchador, Aceves was a silver medal. The Copa has a date of June 30, 2017, so I guess it’s happening in three weeks. It’s been less a competition and more just something awarded by Aceves in the past: Ultimo Guerrero was given it in 2013. Atlantis was given it in 2011.

DTU is running tonight in Tijuana. Ciudad Madero, a city AAA’s repeatedly tried to run a big show and been unable, will host a The Crash filled show today: Rey Mysterio, Daga & Garza take on Bestia, Damian and Psicosis in the main event.

IWRG has Festival de las Mascaras, on 07/02 Arena Naucalpan
1: Dragon Fly, Dinamick Black, Black Dragon vs Hip Hop Man, Pibe Alfajor, Mosca

Fuego en el Ring has the latest edition of their podcast.

LuchaWorld has their latest podcast and news update.

Zona Ruda had Averno cooking food on his grill and I’m clearly watching the wrong AAA show.

Kcidis draws the new CMLL champ

Lineups

Lucha Memes (SUN) 06/18/2017 Coliseo Coacalco, Coacalco, Estado de México
1) Alas de Acero & Aramis vs King Rocker & Rey Samurai
2) Arez, Belial, Impulso vs Blue Tiger, Hijo Del Vikingo, Perverso Jr.
3) Rey Apocalipsis vs Eterno
4) Sádico & Terry 2000 vs Multifacetico (Puebla) & Prayer
5) Toxin vs Arkalis
6) Iron Kid vs Demus 3:16

Quick turn around for Lucha Memes with an all indie crew. It’s kind of a home/home with the Arena Puebla show, with the first five matches all Mexico City/Mexico State versus Puebla. Hijo del Vikingo is the recent standout on AAA shows. Arkalis & Rey Samuray in an environment with no limits is interesting.

Lucha Memes also announced they’ll be putting together a Chairo show with the ROH/NJPW talent coming in for the 09/01 CMLL Gran Prix.