Reminder: The Tapatia awards for the best in lucha libre are open thru January 28th.
Other Reminder: The first NJPW World FantasticaMania show is early tomorrow morning, 3:30am. The SamuariTV show may be out later today.
Leo Riano’s column says there’s movement in AAA & Alberto talks. Dorian Roldan, on a recent Zona Ruda, mentioned they were negotiating with a big national name. He didn’t say who, but the assumption was Alberto. Riano says Dorian, Alberto and Fantasma talked at the Impact taping this week, and now Alberto will “probably” be seen in AAA. Fantasma was also invited to appear on the benefit show Alberto is throwing on Saturday (though AAA still has to giver their approval.)
Riano also mentions something I’ve see elsewhere: AAA was holding tryouts at their spot shows at Irapuato & San Luis Potosi. Averno & Chessman were leading them. On the surface, AAA would seem to have plenty of people already after Llave a la Gloria contest last year, but maybe they’re assuming not all of those people are going to stick with them.
The Crash’s women tryout did occur later. La Avispa, all the way from Washington, was among those there and posted a photo of other people who tried out. I recognize Lady Drago & Diosa Atenea among them. Monterrey’s Lady Flammer was also among the group trying out. She’s already worked co-promoted The Crash/Revolucha shows in her hometown and would be most likely person to be brought in.
The Box Y Lucha commission of Tepic, Nayarit says they’ll no longer license boxers or wrestlers over the age of 35. The president of the organization explains they don’t believe it’s safe for people to participate in that age, and people who are allowed to participate in lucha libre forever inevitable end up in a wheelchair or have other quality of life issues. Ringo Mendoza is specifically cited here and said to be paralyzed, which they’re assuming is a wrestling related injury. Mendoza has been mentioned as being in poor health before, though I don’t believe anyone’s said he’s paralyzed, and his health issues seem to be not from a specific incident but instead a lifetime of wrestling. EDIT: Ringo Mendoza was on Informa last year, saying he had been paralyzed and regained some movement after a surgery.
This is more a thought experiment than anything to be concerned about. Nayarit is the quietest wrestling scene in Mexico; I only had one event (an AAA spot show) in the state in 2017. It probably would only affect local wrestlers, but even then they could go to Sinaloa or Jalisco to get a license if they were denied in Tepic. (Assuming anyone even checks licenses.) Something like this age restriction would be very tough to actually apply, but it’s an interesting idea. 35 seems too young for a cut off like that. 50 might be a better idea, even with some people over 50 who are very good. The damage might be done by that point, but the chance of a serious injury seems to go up greatly with age. (Fray Tormenta is wrestling tomorrow in San Luis Potosi, is 72, and that seems like a really bad idea no matter how little he actually does.)
Chario 12 (02/05 @ Arena Naucalpan) so far
- Manchitas, 19 y Medio and Gato de Ecatepec vs Tony Cirio, Luis Cirio y Many Cirio
- Leon Rojo, Angel o Demonio, Ovett vs Arez, Impulso Belial
- Ricky Marvin & Keyra vs Corsario Negro Jr. & Drako vs Psique & Skyman
Averno was on the latest Zona Ruda.
Lucha Sorpresa has recent lucha reviews.
MedioTiempo has a Lady Shani interview. And one more video interview with Lady Shani, who says she’d like to travel to Impact or Japan. She had an interview with ESTO too recently which didn’t seem to get posted online. Faby has seemed to do zero interviews.
Lanzelot says Australian Suicide is a tough opponent, but also has lost his mind. He notes Australian Suicide’s presidential campaign, which is a real thing. He’s vowed to expel Lanzelot from the country if he wins (the presidency, probably not fthe title.)
Lineups
IWRG (SUN) 01/21/2018 Arena Naucalpan
1) Dragón Orus & Shadow Boy vs Leroy & Lunatic Xtreme
2) Odín vs Demonio Infernal
3) Diablo Jr. & Eterno vs Fly Warrior & Séptimo Rayo
4) Emperador Azteca vs Cerebro Negro
5) Black Dragón, Dinamic Black, Dragón Fly vs Liderk, Rayan, Spector
6) Chico Che, Hijo del Alebrije, Veneno vs Hijo del Pantera, Internacional Pantera, Rokambole Jr.
7) Bombero Infernal, Imposible, Villano V Jr. vs Dr. Cerebro, Trauma I, Trauma II
Cerbero & Emperador had words after the main event last week, so that singles match makes some sense. The Dynamic Dragons are back together facing the Comando Elite.
CMLL (SUN) 01/21/2018 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Owen vs Frenético
2) Johnny Dinamo & Principe Daniel vs Demonio Maya & Thunder Boy
3) El Divino & Tigre Blanco vs Destello & Exterminador
4) Omar Brunetti, Rielero, Vaquero Jr. vs Guerrero de la Muerte, León Blanco, Ráfaga
5) Joker, Metatrón, Neutrón vs Difunto, Magnum, Sádico [Relevos Increíbles]
Joker had issues with the other rudos last week. Difunto is the current Occidente middleweight champion.
CMLL (TUE) 01/23/2018 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) El Alteño & El Divino vs Mr. Trueno & Rey Trueno
2) Eléctrico, Mágico, Magnus vs Arkángel de la Muerte, Freezer, Metálico
3) Blue Panther Jr., Starman, The Panther vs Hijo del Signo, Misterioso Jr., Sagrado
4) Blue Panther, Carístico, Valiente vs Johnny Idol, Máscara Año 2000, Sam Adonis
5) Diamante Azul vs Terrible
Electrico starting in the main division a few days earlier than advertised.
CMLL (TUE) 01/23/2018 Arena México
1) Shockercito & Stukita vs Pequeño Olímpico & Pierrothito
2) La Jarochita, La Vaquerita, Sanely vs La Comandante, Metálica, Tiffany
3) Magia Blanca, Pegasso, Stigma vs Sangre Azteca, Tiger, Universo 2000 Jr.
4) Esfinge, Rey Cometa, Tritón vs Hechicero, Pólvora, Vangellys
5) Mephisto © vs Titán [CMLL WELTER]
9th defense
6) Guerrero Maya Jr., Marco Corleone, Stuka Jr. vs Mr. Niebla, Pierroth, Rey Bucanero
This is Guerrero Maya’s first Arena Mexico main event since 2015, when CMLL was still doing the trio with Atlantis & Delta. Remember Delta? I’d rather see Delta than that rudo side.
I really want to see Titan’s run of good fortune continuing with a championship win. Titan singles matches just seem more fun than Mephisto ones. It seems doubtful it’ll happen, CMLL’s pretty heavy on tecnico champions already and also heavy on not having title changes.
MEXA WRESTLING (SAT) 01/27/2018 Arena San Juan Pantitlan, Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl, Estado de México
1) Leo, Mike, Rafy, Teelo vs Astrolux, Lunatik Fly, Pumita, Torito
2) Metaleón vs Centvrión
3) Keyra vs Lady Flammer
4) Freelance & Mike Segura vs Corsario Negro Jr. & Drako
5) Aramis vs Toxin vs Ricky Marvin
6) Trauma I & Trauma II vs Arez & Eterno
Full card for htis show looks pretty good. Metaleon and Centvrion seem headed to a mask match at some point.