lucha libre on hold following Mexico City earthquake, LU

Lucha libre in Mexico is largely on pause following yesterday’s 7.1 earthquake in Puebla. Last night’s CMLL Arena Mexico show was canceled following earthquake, which brought building to the ground in Mexico City. This earthquake took place on the 32nd anniversary of an 8.0 earthquake in Mexico. Many places in Mexico City had or were in the middle of earthquake drills when then actual earthquake happened. The city is forever affected by the 85 earthquake – every building has exit signs in case of an earthquake, building codes were changed – but there’s still significant damage to many buildings in the city and in the rest of Mexico. It’s helped some amount, but there’s still obviously going to be a significant death toll when this is over. Mexico is still digging out today; the twitter feeds I follow that usually talk about lucha libre are passing along notices about volunteers needed at different locations, trying to reunite children and elderly with their families, and passing along emergency contact info.

CMLL’s arenas are said to be undamaged. They didn’t run because the city asked them, asked all big public shows, to go dark for the night in effort to clear the streets of as many unneeded people as usual. CMLL will probably run Friday if things settle down, though it’s possible they’ll need to pass an inspection before they can reopen to the public. CMLL hasn’t announced Informa is canceled today but assume it is.

(FWIW: The last canceled Arena Mexico show was the 07/21/2012 show, due to a protest around the nearby Televisa building. The last canceled CMLL DF show was a 09/01/2013 Arena Coliseo show due to a march, with a never rescheduled Hiroshi Tanahashi/Atlantis match as the match planned.)

The Guadalajara show went on as a scheduled. The DF wrestlers were already on the bus heading out there when the earthquake happened, and that location was unaffected by the earthquake. There’s no word about Arena Puebla, but it’s not mentioned among the buildings which were damaged in that city.

The DTU show scheduled in Morelos, near the epicenter of the earthquake, is canceled. The local promoter says the building seems fine, but has to be inspected before they can run an event and that’s not going to get done in time. Refunds are being offered at point of purchase. The Mexico City ExpoLucha show scheduled for Saturday is also canceled.

MedioTiempo has a roundup of fundraising activities. Polvora and Dragon Rojo are collecting donations of supplies at Arena Mexico today, and others will be doing the same at Arena NaucalpanDTU will be collection food on it’s upcoming shows. Arena Kalaka in Ciudad is holding a show tonight to raise money to send to Mexico City; Pagano will be part of that show. AAA edecan Bere will be signing autographs and taking photos tonigth in exchange for donations at Super Astro’s restaurant. There will likely be places for money donations in upcoming days.

Tonight’s Lucha Underground is episode 36 of the 40 episode season, entitled “The Rise of the Ring Announcer”. Matches on the show

  • Dante Fox vs Texano (clip)
  • Marty the Moth & Mariposa vs Fenix & Melissa Santos
  • Gift of the Gods championship match: Pentagon Dark vs Son of Havoc vs Drago vs Cortez Castro vs Paul London vs Saltador vs Mala Suerte

This is the final show of the June 12th taping, the last taping Rey Mysterio attended. He had a family obligation during Ultima Lucha weekend. If there’s going to be any resolution to Rey being dragged off by Matanza, it probably airs tonight (though they could and have aired things out of order.) The rest of the season is Ultima Lucha 3.

The preview says “More Ultima Lucha plans are made”; I’d expect we finally get the full list of Ultima Lucha matches after this. That main event seems like it should have an effect on the already announced Puma/Mundo match. Pentagon already believes he’s winning the Gift of the Gods in this promo and he’s not alone.

Melissa wrestling means Lucha Underground is short one ring announcer for the night.

10/21 Lucha Libre y Pasion in Arena San Juan

There’s a lucha libre expo scheduled for Oaxaca this weekend. That one appears to be still be on, with the idea of raising money for those suffering from the earlier earthquake this month.

A show on 09/30 in Arena Olimpica Laguna is listed as a Jerry Estrada farewell show. Feels like there’s been some of those in the past.

Segunda Caida doesn’t recommend the Warriors vs Terry/Diablo IWRG tag title match.

Lineups

ACG (SAT) 09/30/2017 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) El Alteño, Javier Cruz Jr., Johnny Dinamo vs Demonio Rojo, Linterna, Thunder Boy
2) El Rielero, Explosivo, Mágico vs Gran Kenut, Mr. Trueno, Rey Trueno
3) Silueta vs La Pantera [lightning]
4) Omar Brunetti & Vaquero Jr. vs Joker & Sádico and Esfinge & Magnum and Frezzer & Furia Roja
5) Flash, Flash I, Flash II, Rayo de Jalisco Jr. vs Ángel Negro, Ráfaga, Ráfaga Jr., Satánico

This is a benefit show for children suffering from cerebral palsy.