There was an IWRG show last night. None of the usual places have results for it. It’s not a big surprise, it didn’t look all that interesting. It doesn’t leave me much to talk about.
New lucha libre site Lucha Central is live with a quiet launch before WrestleMania. I’m sure there will be more promotion down the line. They’ve put up a hard camera version of Fenix vs Flamita from October, the best quality version of that match to turn up.
CMLL has bios of Mascara Ano 2000 & Satanico to hype the Arena Coliseo Anniversary show. They’ll be selling the CMLL 85 years book there at this show only. (There’s no permanent merchandise stand inside of Arena Coliseo, which seems like something that could be fixed.)
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter mentions both Jack Evans and Angelico asked for their releases from Lucha Underground after Season 4. Angelico was said to be turned down, while Evans believes he’ll be getting released (but had not as of yet.) Evans is also no longer working for The Crash.
Way back after Season 1, the WON implied Jack & Angelico had an option to leave after that season and WWE interest but had decided they wanted to stick out together in LU to see where it went. Things change. The story today says they were under the impression that LU was going to become something taped twice a season, and so the “seven season” contract was only going to be a 3.5 year deal. It’s obviously not gone that way, even though there are people with the promotion who still are holding out hopes it might happen (as talked about and mentioned as being very unlikely on the last MMM show.)
The WON also mentions Mesias was initially told he was winning his first round Rey de Reyes match and then losing in the final. That changed during the day, and included an AAA front office person being what Mesias felt was disrespectful, which convinced Mesias to leave once Lucha Underground Season 4 was over.
Since there’s space to fill, this is a decent enough place to note I’m going to New Orleans the next couple of days for WrestleMania weekend shows. I’ll probably write a “Friday” update tonight, and I should be back in time to write something on Sunday. Maybe nothing on Saturday. I hope MarcaClaro has their feed working right this week, but you should just go watch the LU/Impact show or find something else to do instead of relying on me to stream if it’s geoblocked.
I’ll be around The Sugar Mill for the three shows (including The Crash & LU/Impact) on Friday. My plans for Saturday are to find out what a “beignet” is, maybe eat a beignet, try to walk in a park to inhale fresh air, and go to NXT. I may end up at CZW too. I dunno. I’m leaving midday Sunday, so I may just be bumming around a hotel for a couple hours that morning. (I dunno if there will be a podcast.)
04/22 Lucha Memes vs CaraLucha in Coliseo Coacalco
- Indystrongibles (Arez, Belial, Impulso) vs Neza Kings (Danger, Andy Boy, Guerrero Mixtico)
- Toros Locos (Toro Negro II, Toro Negro Jr., Torito Negro) vs Demasiado, Aramis, Alas de Acero
- Skyman, Toxin, Fly Warrior, Yoruba vs Drako, Corsario Negro Jr., Fresero Jr., Gato de Ecatepec
- Templario (c) vs Dr. Cerebro for the CaraLucha The Best Championship (new)
MDA announced LA Park vs Mesias vs Rush on 04/29 in Arena Coliseo Monterrey.
Also, MDA, Lucha Libre Boom and Lucha Memes announced they’ll be working together on a show soon.
Lineup
IWRG (SUN) 04/08/2018 Arena Naucalpan
1) Mexica & Shadow Boy vs Celestial Boy & Dragón Bane
2) Black Dragón & Dragón Fly vs Gallo Frances & Soma
3) Leo, Mike, Rafy vs Demon Rocker, Devil Rocker, Machine Rocker
4) Spector vs Teelo, Capo Del Norte
5) Emperador Azteca, Imposible, Internacional Pantera vs Dr. Cerebro, El Hijo del Medico Asesino, Máscara Año 2000 Jr.
6) Hijo De Canis Lupus, Mr. Electro, Veneno vs Ovett, Trauma I, Trauma II[super libre]
There’s a lot of people here who I haven’t bothered to set up much for. The Fake indie Soul Rockers were Devil/Machine/Soul, so Demon being in the group means either Ultimo Gladiador has joined up or maybe there’s a lot more fakes?
That AAA has gone after Penta & Fenix and others for using names that they feel are two similar to the ones they own and have seemingly never gone after these Rockers – never even trademarked the names as far as I can tell – is quite a thing. I’m not looking for AAA to go after these guys either, but if they can let them go them use these characters, it’s hard to see how the characters are an issue. It’s been hinted to me that there’s some deal to allow these non-AAA guys use AAA’s characters, but it feels like that should be offered to everyone or it comes off as vindictive.
CMLL (TUE) 04/10/2018 Arena México
1) Magnus & Robin vs Akuma & Cholo
2) Eléctrico, Fuego, Pegasso vs Disturbio, Hijo del Signo, Nitro
3) Magia Blanca vs El Coyote, Fugaz, Príncipe Diamante, Maquiavelo, Reyko, Principe Daniel, Príncipe Odín Jr. [Torneo Nuevos Valores, battle royal]
4) ? vs ?? [Torneo Nuevos Valores, 8f]
5) ? vs ?? [Torneo Nuevos Valores, 8f]
6) ? vs ?? [Torneo Nuevos Valores, 8f]
7) ? vs ?? [Torneo Nuevos Valores, 8f]
8) ? vs ?? [Torneo Nuevos Valores, quarterfinal]
9) ? vs ?? [Torneo Nuevos Valores, quarterfinal]
10) ? vs ?? [Torneo Nuevos Valores, semifinal]
11) Ángel de Oro, Mistico, Niebla Roja vs Felino, Mr. Niebla, Rey Bucanero
12) Dragón Lee vs Mephisto
CMLL almost always avoids doing a singles match on a show with a lot other singles matches. It makes for a really long card. This is an exception, but it also might be a reason to keep your expectations in check for a Dragon Lee match. Still nice we’re getting one.
Facebook rumors were correct about Templario & Audaz being out. Hopefully that means they’re doing something more, but it’s hard to figure why they picked the people they did for this tournament without hem. Flyer seems like a heavy favorite now, since anyone coming out of this block isn’t likely to get seriously pushed any time soon with a win (and even Flyer’s probably looking at maybe getting in the Drone/Rey Cometa/Pegasso midcard pool.)
Principe Odin Jr. has a new character, but they’re still acknowledging he used to be Artillero and has been around since 2005 under his previous name. He is not a new star in any manner of speaking. He’ll still probably lose in the first round, and it’s more a problem to likes of Thunder Storm and Ikaro who work the trainee shows but can’t break the actual roster.
That block is about as wide open as it can be. Magia Blanca appears on shows a bit more often than the rest of the actual rookies and has been around a little bit longer, but he’s not really pushed. The Guadalajara crew (Fugaz, Principe Daniel, and Reyko) have one YouTube match between them, so no idea what to expect from them. A rudo would normally make sense as a base for Flyer, but Coyote & Maquiavelvo haven’t been that much better than anyone else on this list.
Diario Basta interviews Principe Diamante, Magia Blanca, and Maquiavelo about the tournament. Maquiavelo talks about Audaz as a guy he has to beat, so he didn’t know about the changed field when that was done. Principe Diamante says he started training with CMLL in 2010, which means it took six years for him to crack the roster.