Konnan’s run with The Crash has ended. He’s no longer with the Tijuana based promotion after being added as the creative lead and onscreen authority figure just over a year ago. The Crash had been telling people who work for them that Konnan was out for days, but it’s unclear if they told Konnan until now. Konnan’s social media account (which is sometimes managed by others) had still been pushing The Crash on social media thru last night’s show in Ecatepec, though he was not seen in front of the crowd on the Tijuana show. The Crash is not running again until the 15th, so they decided to officially announce the change.
The press release isn’t up in Spanish on Facebook, and 411 Mania had the English version.
The Crash Lucha Libre brand is known for the way we treat people and value each and every single person that works in this company. Bettering the economical and habitual needs. Showing the support for each element and giving opportunity to new talent. In this way, the value and professionalism shown between each of its partners. Not being able to comply to the Crash Lucha Libre code of ethic, is something that we do not tolerate in this company. With that being said, We now announce that Carlos Santiago Espada “Konnan”, will no longer be working with The Crash. We thank him for the time and support and wish him the best in his future endeavors. We will be announcing the dates for 2018 with the best matches and our debut in the United States.
The Crash’s Code of Ethic is a new one on me, but it’s a kinder way of saying Konnan screwed up with them something major.
Konnan’s wrestling history is dotted with bad breakups with promotions, but seemed to be on good terms with The Crash. I was there just a few weeks ago in Naucalpan, and he seemed to be happy with what was going on. Usually, it’s Konnan getting annoyed with the promotion he’s working with and starting the break up, but I just say him in Nacualpan about three weeks ago and he seemed to be happy with The Crash. This time, it was the promotion who decided to break up with him. The story I’ve heard is The Crash were caught off guard by Konnan’s new job announcement as the lead writer of AroLucha. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported Konnan informed Impact Wrestling of this new job, and that group gave their approval. The Crash said is saying Konnan didn’t actually tell them of this new job, they found out around the same time everyone did, and they’re not ok with it. Very much not ok with it, apparently.
Arolucha is trying to start a US lucha promotion the same time The Crash is trying the same, and Konnan working for Arolucha could be seen as working against The Crash. Neither are really sure bets to make it in a crowded US market, but The Crash has at least built up some name value and would seem like the better bet of the two if you had to choose. It’s surprising Konnan would choose Arolucha over the Crash, but it’s possible he just thought he could do both and never got to make that choice.
This leaves a lot of questions going forward. The most pressing is Arolucha debut on Sunday; if The Crash had a problem with Konnan working that show, will they have a problem with luchadors who work that show? Will everyone just be allowed to work wherever, or will there be some split of “Konnan’s guys” and “The Crash’s guys” that’ll cause both promotions to change going forward? Start up wrestling promotions have a low rate of success as it is and “Arolucha” doesn’t seem like something worth going to war over, but there’s obviously strong feeling here.
This also seems to change affects The Crash’s relationship with other companies. Konnan was the point person for the relationship with Impact, though only Garza Jr. seems to be working both places at the moment. Does this actually help the CMLL relationship, since it seemed like it was more of a Nacho de la O deal and Konnan’s not beloved by the people of Arena Mexico? Does it even help the AAA/Crash relationship? AAA’s taking their anger out on Fenix and Penta, but it always comes off like they’re really angry at Konnan and those just are the guys they can get to easier. (Or, with no other big promotion to go to in Mexico, does Konnan and AAA mend fences themselves? Or does he just stay out of Mexico for the moment and focus on Arolucha?)
That Arolucha taping is Sunday. I’d suspect we’ll get a Konnan podcast or three before then.