Sagardo fouled Drone on a corner handstand, or at least that was the attempt. It is a tiny bit suspicious there’s a lot of Sagrado related mayhem of late but it still may mean nothing.
Thoughts:
Star Jr.
Ring of Honor star Rush won a fall in seconds and apparently didn’t realize they still do a three fall, judging by the way he gave up fighting for about three minutes. Angel de Oro laying on the mat doing nothing didn’t help. The third fall was full of starts and stops, not getting to any flow until late. Even then, they messed up a spot so badly that I’m not sure if it was a Destroyer and Code Red. This is skippable.
The fourth match didn’t totally come together. Maya frustrating Hechicero by outwrestling him is fun, but the rest of the match didn’t come together to something great. Audaz looked sloppy in his big third fall run, not that it stopped CMLL from replaying his misapplied ringpost headscissors. Vangellys wasn’t an ideal fit for this match and still won.
The third match felt off. The long two falls for a match that isn’t going three is always strange, it just feels off when those falls are going much longer than usual. Drone was off in this entire match, up to losing his mask taking a Canadian Destroyer from Tiger in the second fall. Star Jr. had his struggles too.
Aguila Blanca showed more as a guest wrestler than most of the segunda tecnicos, including the two segunda tecnicos in this match. They opened the match open more to allow him to do dives that aren’t normally allowed in the second match, but he also hit his big spots when given that chance. Being a fresh person in a stagnant group of people also helps (but can quickly go away with uninspiring performances; see Magia Blanca.) I don’t know if he would be this good every week but he was good in this match. Dick Riviere took a kick to the face nicely.
I’m not sure Demonio Infernal really earned the blood here – his seemed to start bleeding after a slingshot to the post that was too obviously shoulder first – but the blood looked really cool with his facepaint so it is all OK. This felt quicker than the 11 minutes and didn’t seem to develop totally, though the last few minutes were nicely back and forth. It was still entertaining but felt like they were holding back a bit for the title match set up for next week.
head to head tope
Aramis, Imposible, Metaleón vs Dragón Bane, Eterno, Golden Magic
(IWRG @ 03/31, 12:57, great, Internetv Deportes)
There’s some shakiness early that might throw you off this match. (Dragon Bane blows a flip, a couple of headscissors don’t come off.) Stick with it, and you’ll get the crazy action trios match a lot more effective than those first minutes. Eterno is at an elite level as a base and continues to have great chemistry together. Dragon Bane looks cool and doesn’t do the over the top things that frustrate about Dragon Bane matches. Golden Magic and Metaleon have a few good sequences, though it feels weird when they end up being the most important ones. This felt on the level to the much liked trios match on the Cuervo Benefit show, easily worth your time.
Metaleon and Golden magic
Wotan vs Fly Starin a super libre match
(FILLM @ 03/16, 13:39, good, Carxyus Pro.)
HOT TAKE: Carxyus is the best lucha libre video editor in Mexico.
This is very much a “what are they thinking” match, right thru the point where Fly Star does a dive to nowhere on the very firm Arena San Juan floor. Then it just gets stuck trying to top it. At least is a match that totally earned a finish that usually is hard to believe. If your desires in lucha is people hitting each other very hard, hurting themselves nearly as hard, and bleeding a lot, this is the match you should watch. (Also, if you want to see what Wotan looks like unmasked since he pretty much is wearing his mask as bandana by the end.) The hard-hitting nature of a match alone isn’t usually enough for me to love it, but it was that style match about as strong as they could go.
I don’t understand how Arena San Juan has any seats left
I was worried this was clipped up when I saw the length. This turns out to be instead an indie version of lightning match, albeit one that only seems like it gets going just a couple minutes before it wraps. Latigo keeps Dragon Bane in check for most of the match, though Dragon Bane takes a flip bump so wildly that the referee seems concerned. He should not be that concerned. Latigo is perhaps the strongest person in Mexico because he’s the only luchador who I’ve seen powerful enough to block a Destroyer attempt. At least the first time. This was totally solid but could’ve still used like three minutes.
Dragon Bane feels the power of Latigo
Ángel Estrella Jr., Auzter, Black Dragón, Cheff Benito, Chicanito, Mexica, Neza Kid, Puma de Oro vs Barrio Latino, Gemelo Diablo, Holocausto, Kid Jaguar, Piloto Infernal, Poético, Sky Ángel, Tarasco II Jr. [Copa Higher Power]
(IWRG/FILL @ 03/20, 35:57, good, Internetv Deportes)
This was a solid cibernetico, hitting the usual bits, and held together for having a lot of young wrestlers. It doesn’t strike means extraordinary and is a really big time commitment for the quality. Chicancito was the best of the IWRG guys I don’t see much, moving around well and having a bit of charisma. Black Dragon probably should’ve stayed to the end instead of Mexica, who did a knees first 450 splash as his big spot. None of the visiting luchadors particularly stand out, though no one’s in this was terrible. Watching the ITV version of IWRG remains a special amount of annoying. There doesn’t appear to be any effort to find out the names of the visiting luchadors for any of these matches, which seem like an important detail to have. Everyone besides Kid Jaguar is referred to as “a student from Golpeador’s school.” I guess should feel lucky they know the IWRG luchadors names. If you find yourself on this show as a guess, definitely wear gear with your name on it. There’s a double backdrop spot that would make for a cool GIF if InterneTV could’ve panned the camera at all.
Ángel de Oro vs Mephisto
(CMLL ACG @ 04/30, 7:59, ok, thecubsfan)
This is another Guadalajara match I’m checking off a list, marking it down more to make sure I don’t spend time watching it twice. It is so generically a CMLL big match that I might just do that, with Mephisto doing the same four spots he does in every match and Angle de Oro not really switching it up all that much either. The last few minutes turns into just getting each other on the top rope for spots over and over again. It is more impressive that Titan & Dragon Lee have gotten some emotion out of this setup because there’s not much here. The only surprising thing here is confetti being shot off at the finish, which seemed to shock and scare Terror Chino. People who don’t watch a lot of CMLL and are not as dulled by their usual single match structure. will probably like this more than me. You probably have seen a lot of CMLL if you’re digging into Guadalajara matches.
CMLL (MON) 06/10/2019Arena Puebla [CMLL, Lucha Central]
1) Meyer, Millenium, Tigre Rojo Jr. b Black Tiger, Centella Roja, Fuerza Chicana Tecnicos took 2/3.
2) Arkalis, King Jaguar, Pegasso b Corsario De Fuego, El Malayo, El Perverso Debut of Corsario de Fuego (from Xalapa). Tecnicos took 1/3.
3) Felino, Misterioso Jr., Tiger b Esfinge, Fuego, Tritón Rudos took 1/3.
4) Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón b Euforia, Gran Guerrero, Templario NGD took 1/3.
5) Máscara Año 2000, Rey Bucanero, Terrible b Ángel de Oro, Niebla Roja, Último Guerrero [Relevos Increíbles] Team Terrible took 1/3, the last with Terrible using the ropes to beat UG. That set up a (non-title) singles match.
Semi-main reads like it was entertaining but maybe not much of the rest. CMLL is only promotion in the world where someone could pin the heavyweight champion, challenge him to a match and not think to include the title. It is the singular obsession in most every other promotion and is something not even thought about in CMLL.
Today’s CMLL main event is a bit of a mystery. Last Tuesday’s main event was absolutely building towards a Diamante Azul/Forastero match. Diamante Azul is now off the table and it isn’t clear who might get next week’s singles match instead. Soberano replaced Diamante in the match. he also just had a singles main event, which might mean Stuka or the returning Titan are more likely to get an opportunity. It is also possible CMLL will just pass on doing anything, as they often do. Forastero is scheduled to team with La Bestia del Ring & Terrible, who are more occupied elsewhere.
The singles match that we know will happen is Virus versus Drone. Virus lightning matches are strangely rare; this is the first one he’ll have on a live stream since July. Virus showed how great he can still be in his career match with Metalico. Drone has looked good in trios matches and will get the best possible chance to do just as well in a singles match. This should be one worth seeking out, even if CMLL B-show stuff isn’t in your usual stuff to watch.
The rest of the card is far more ordinary. Hechicero & Mephisto get to break out the matching masks while teaming with Ephesto against Atlantis, Audaz and Kraneo. The women get a rare fourth match on the card, though the match itself (Dalys, Isis & Tiffany vs Jarochita, Marcela and Sanely) feels very not rate. Espiritu Negro makes an infrequent appearance teaming with Cancerbero & Raziel against Oro Jr., Robin and Super Astro. Mini Kaligua makes a stream for the first time this year, teaming with Angelito against Pequeno Olimpico & Pequeno Violencia. Kaligua disappeared from end January to mid May, so it is likely he’s been dealing with some injury issues. CMLL streams the show at 7:30 pm on YouTube.
Nacion Lucha Libre
NLL (THU) 07/11/2019Sala de Armas Magdalena Mixhuca, Ciudad México, Distrito Federal
1) Relámpago vs Heddi Karaoui
2) Christi Jaynes, Stephanie Vaquer, Thunder Rosa vs Lady Flammer, Reina Oscura, Sexy Star
3) Dual, Hijo De Dos Caras, Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. vs Batab El Guerrero, Bram, La Máscara
4) Daga & Flamita vs Puma King & Rey Horus Flamita probably is in Dragon Gate on this date.
5) Fresero Jr. & Mr. Iguana vs Bestia 666 & Black Taurus and Laredo Kid & The Tiger
6) Penta 0M & Rey Fénix vs Chavo Guerrero Jr. & Mecha Wolf 450
7) Solar I vs Negro Navarro vs Damián 666 vs Canek
8) Alberto el Patrón, Hijo del Fantasma, Rey Wagner vs Apolo (Puerto Rico), El Mesías, MVP
I’m going to write a lot of words below. The shorter version is we see 1-3 of these start-ups every year, this one looks to be making the same mistakes they all do, and they all last just a few shows before heading into “we’ll have news real soon!” land. I’d be shocked if this was still a thing by the end of the year; I saw the press conference and gave it four shows tops. It seems to have more money behind it so maybe it’ll last longer than Liga de Campeones did but it has all the makings of a group not long for this world. Everyone at the press conference seemed happy at the end and I could only just imagine the money being set on fire. This is doomed and anyone who pays attention to start up lucha libre promotions knows this is doomed, but the good thing is wrestlers can apparently find new people with money who can get sucked in by the wrestler’s star power and make some poor decisions.
Nacion Lucha Libre held a press conference today to introduce the promotion. Alberto is the focus, as the lead wrestler and face of the company. They’ve got a TV deal with ImagenTV, an over the air network in Mexico, to air the shows on Sunday Saturday nights at 10:30 pm to midnight. The opening press conference pushed the many stars they have participating and a Mexico versus the World aspect. Chavo Guerrero Jr. was brought in as the subtle heel guy bringing in the foreigners to improve Mexican wrestling. Kamille – a tall-blond-women who you could possibly know from NWA shows working as Nick Aldis’ bodyguard – followed to cut a more traditional heel promo and get into an argument with Sexy Dulce. Kamille is scheduled to appear on the debut show and not wrestle; she is a trained wrestler but appeared to be out until the NWA bit came along. Mesias also cut a pro-Puerto Rico promo (and was called Mesias.) Tinieblas & Dos Caras will be honored at this show and Fantasma appeared to endorse the show. Some of the other wrestlers – Fantasma & Mascara among them – were at the press conference but didn’t get much to say. MVP, Carlito, Roberto Rodriguez and Wagner sent into video promos.
Carlito is not booked on this show, so his involvement suggests at planned future shows. A 90-minute weekly show means Nacion Lucha Libre has to run just about every second week, maybe every third. No other dates were announced. Nacion Lucha Libre does have other shows booked thru the summer, away from Mexico City that wouldn’t conflict with this, they just decided not to tell anyone about them at the press conference
That’s part of a general feeling of sloppiness and lack of preparation in the presentation. Flamita is listed but isn’t going to be on this card unless they’re flying him back and forth from Japan. Dulce Garcia is listed as Sexy Star; they realized it enough to awkwardly dub it out of the video. The Tiger from Nuevo Laredo is the wrestler booked, but they used a photo of Tiger from CMLL. Zeuxis was booked on these shows, is not, is still lurking in the crowd image. The press conference started late and had sound issues. This was day one, where Nacion had as much time as they wanted to get ready and be organized. They were not organized. It probably isn’t going to get much better on day 30.
Salas de Armas is 3,000 person building most famously used by the Perros del Mal promotion (though probably most frequently used by Toryumon Mexico in stronger days for that group.) This group has some sponsors, but they can only lose money running a show with that many names (and that many flights) in that small of a building. The Crash at least tried Gimnasio Juan de la Barrera when they went for this sort of concept. It failed for them and I’m not convinced this is going to work any better for Nacion Lucha Libre, but it’d at least give them a shot. Maybe this first show can be looked at as a loss leader to build up the TV, except that TV is Sunday at 10:30 pm, not exactly a time one would expect people to find the show. Sunday at 10:30 pm also suggests it may be a time buy. No one from ImagenTV was introduced at the press conference, which points the same direction. There was no mention of a digital strategy for their show, or anything else along those lines you might expect from a promotion operating in the year 2019.
As mentioned, Kamelle appears in segments around the NWA Heavyweight Championship. Bram is a UK wrestler who tends not to get a lot of work in the US outside of that NWA orbit as well. (Bram is a former TNA wrestler who was arrested of domestic violence in 2015. This was while he was still married to Charlotte Flair, though she was not the woman involved. The charges were dropped a few months later, but accusations still follow him around and have caused European fans to talk promotions out of using him at times. He posted a statement about the accusations in 2017. He wrestled on the NWA Crockett Cup show.) There’s little chance Bram comes up to get booked here unless there’s more going on. Alberto versus Nick Aldis for the NWA Heavyweight Championship seems a match that would fulfill both the NWA’s and Alberto’s goals if Nacion Lucha Libre lasts long enough.
Dr. Wagner, Fenix, Penta, Puma King, Daga, Laredo Kid, Taurus and Flamita all are on this show, reminding us that none of them are on any sort of AAA exclusive contract (and possibly under nothing more than a handshake or a LU legal notice.) AAA will probably be unhappy to see them working these shows but it is unclear if they can do about it; they’re not exactly going to stop pushing Wagner right now. CMLL might also not be thrilled about The Crash guys working these shows either, but if they’re going to use the foreigners and not the regular guys, they can hardly be upset about Bestia & Horus & Damian getting work. Also, most of those guys being treated like midcarders barely worth a mention shows how off the pulse Nacion Lucha Libre is at the moment. All due respect Apolo but no one in Mexico knows who Apolo is even though he’s been used the same Evil Puerto Rican fashion by AAA and other promotions. (Apolo was in the Lucha World Cup. No one knows this.) Apolo is probably not going to work this time either, but he’s big and he’s foreign and I guess the people in charge are convinced that’s what draws people. I hope Apolo gets a great payday out of this, it isn’t his fault.
I have no idea who Dual & Batab el Guerrero are supposed to be. They may be sponsored gimmicks. This is the only press conference that drove me to wikipedia to find out if MVP is actually Puerto Rican because his match is billed as US vs Mexico. He does not appear to be so. Canek should be honored with Tinieblas and Dos Caras and it is absurd that he’s still wrestling.
Maybe the matches are going to be good? 4 & 5 look good, though I’d trade hiding Chavo Guerrero in the three-way tag for anyone else teaming with MechaWolf in the 6th. Lucha Brothers don’t come cheap and it’d make more sense to put them in a place to succeed. Wasting them in a match to get Chavo Guerrero over as a lead heel was a bad idea when they did in the first few episodes of Lucha Underground and is even more of a bad idea now. But this is a group coming from a totally different mindset, that thought the most important people to focus on past Alberto were Chavo Guerrero Jr. and Kamille. I don’t know.
Other Notes
AAA/EMW is running next in Tijuana on 07/12. Michael Elgin (moving over from The Crash), Eddie Edwards are the outsiders brought in. Willie Mack continues to serve his Lucha Underground imposed sentence. I think that’s Arkangel Divino on the poster and he hasn’t been around AAA in a few months.
IWRG (SUN) 06/16/2019Arena Naucalpan
1) Iron Kid & Príncipe Aéreo vs Fulgor I & Fulgor II
2) Jessy Ventura, Óscar El Hermoso, Soy Raymunda vs Oficial 911, Oficial AK47, Oficial Fierro
3) Coco Rojo, Coco Verde, Cocolores vs Black Terry, Bombero Infernal, Nitro
4) El Hijo De Huracán Ramírez, Internacional Pantera, Máscara Sagrada Jr. vs Cerebro Negro, El Hijo del Medico Asesino, Fly Warrior
5) Aramis vs Demonio Infernal
6) Capo del Norte, Capo del Sur, Máscara Año 2000 Jr. vs Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón
7) Dragón Bane, Hijo de Canis Lupus, Negro Casas vs Hechicero, Trauma I, Trauma II
This is the annual of Festival de las Mascaras show. That usually means previous generations of IWRG wrestlers making their return under their old masks. There’s only a little bit of that this year. The focus instead is instead on bringing back Vampiro to honor him. Between Vampiro, Negro Casas, the Dinamitas vs Dinamitas match and even the Hechicero appearances, there are many things here that would be a big deal on a standalone IWRG show. It should be a big turnout with all of this happening together.
(Again, this means Vampiro isn’t at Verano de Escandalo. Vampiro could still be on the AAA payroll but it doesn’t seem like he’s doing any work for/with them at the moment.)
This wasn’t going to be released until tonight but La Parka posted it early for some reason? Maybe he’s unhappy about being the semi-main? Maybe he wanted this post to be even later.
Daga is probably winning the Latin America title. Drago’s had some time with it and Daga’s story is better if he actually wins a title. If the pattern holds, his US bookings will pick up immediately for unrelated reasons and we won’t see a title defense until 2020.
I don’t know what’s going on in the third match but I like it. I don’t what’s going on with Hijo del Tirantes wrestling in the second match but I don’t like it (unless it means the Faby feud is over.) Vanilla makes her first appearance this year and has been working spot shows all this time. Low Rider hasn’t been on AAA TV since September.
Mephisto & Volador Jr. beat Niebla Roja & Terrible in the Torneo Increible de Parejas final (19:36 [5:42, 4:24, 9:30], 1/3, ok, VideosOficialesCMLL)
What happened:
Triton & Esfinge have finally found a third person to pose with
Volador & Terrible won the tournament
Mr. Niebla snuck in a foul on Caristico to win the match. That set up a singles match the following week.
Thoughts:
It was sort of amazing that these four went thru the motions of trying in the main event, given how desperately they did not care for the first two falls. This was dreadful for the first ten minutes. I’m not sure I would’ve thought much of the third fall if it hadn’t followed what came before, the bar was lowered so much. They went thru their usual stuff for a while, which was better than doing nothing at all, but really not worth the extended length of this match. It added it up to something that was technically ok, but boring enough at the start that I wouldn’t think most people would sit thru and it wasn’t enough of a reward at the end for that time commitment. CMLL got the effort they probably should’ve expected from four guys who knew this match was big in name only and should’ve used someone who would’ve been more excited about it.
Nothing super in the semi-main, but they knew they only had about five minutes to work and made it five hard minutes. Peste Negra took most of the match and were super active. Casas & Soberano had a couple of good sequences leading into their title match this weekend. Caristico & Mr. Niebla seems like a bad idea but at least it is a different bad idea.
The tecnicos seemed more motivated than usual in the tercera. The motivation didn’t always pay off but effort is always nice in Arena Puebla. Triton trying to repeat the Fenix spot got laughs from the crowd but I’m just happy he’s keeping up with lucha outside of CMLL. Tiger remains Audaz’s best opponent but it was really strange for Audaz to wrestle the whole with his entrance coat on.
CMLL (SAT) 06/08/2019Arena Coliseo [CMLL]
1) Inquisidor & Yago b Sangre Imperial & Sonic
2) Amapola, Dalys, Reyna Isis b La Guerrera, La Vaquerita, Skadi Rudas took 1/3.
3) Príncipe Diamante b Súper Astro Jr. [lightning]
4) Átomo, El Gallito, Microman b Chamuel, El Guapito, Mije tecnicos took 2/3.
5) Drone, Titán, Valiente DQ Mephisto, Rey Bucanero, Templario Drone replaced Diamante Azul earlier in the day. Tecnicos took 2/3. Templario welcomed Titan back from NJPW by pulling his mask for the DQ.
6) Atlantis, Atlantis Jr., Místico b Cavernario, Felino, Mr. Niebla tecnicos took 2/3.
Drone replacing Diamante Azul was part Diamante Azul being pulled off all shows the upcoming week. No reason given. Azul has only been back for a few matches after missing a month of CMLL due to what said to be an injury but never really specified. Azul has been wrestling in a shirt, as if he might still be injured and unable to work out. Though, Azul worked indie shows during that last CMLL absence and is listed for one at Arena Lopez Mateos on Sunday.
CMLL (SUN) 06/09/2019Arena México
1) Fantasy & Shockercito b Pequeño Olímpico & Pierrothito tecnicos took 2/3.
2) Akuma, Nitro, Sangre Azteca b Magia Blanca, Retro, Star Jr. rudos took 1/3
3) Fuego, Guerrero Maya Jr., Stigma b Dark Magic, Hijo del Villano III, Misterioso Jr. Rudos took 2/3.
4) Rey Cometa NF Pegasso [lightning] Match stopped quickly after Pegasso was knocked out taking a Rey Cometa tope.
5) Ángel de Oro, Niebla Roja, Soberano Jr. b Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón tecnicos took 1/3 and asked for another trios title match.
6) Carístico, Kráneo, Volador Jr. b Gilbert el Boricua, Terrible, Tiger Kraneo replaced Diamante Azul on Saturday. Tiger replaced Ultimo Guerrero.
There’s replay footage of the Pegasso injury here. Rey Cometa got attention to stop the match right after the dive. Cometa & Pegasso have been friends for a long time and was distraught about what occurred. CMLL has footage of Pegasso on a backboard that seems concerning but later posted a promo from Pegasso assuring everyone he was OK. Pegasso is booked in Arena Puebla tonight and I hope he takes that one off. Princesa Sugehit has not been listed on any new shows since her injury; this week’s Box Y Lucha teases the idea that it could be career ending. I suspect that’s just a tease.
Both Tiger & Puma got main events on the same day.
Since I got the CMLL on TV Mexiquense show working as a weekly recording, I thought I’d give the CMLL on Teleformula (A Ras de Lona) show another shot to see if I can get it to record. I’ve tried in every few months since it started with no luck. Maybe they changed something on their side because I can now record it as well. It is all up on YouTube. Video quality isn’t great but it should help pick up a few matches that don’t turn up or only show up on NJPW World, at least until things change again. Both Teleformula & Mexiquense are airing the Sunday show; this past week, they both aired Soberano/Casas. Not sure if either will end up airing Cometa/Pegasso. Not just because of the injury, both those CMLL B-shows tend to stay away from lightning matches.
Tonight’s Arena Puebla show has a main event rematch, Ultimo Guerrero again teams with Angel de Oro & Niebla Roja against Mascara 2000, Rey Bucanero and Terrible. Last week seemed to set up UG against Terrible, though it is always subject to change in Puebla.
NGD takes on the other Guerrero members in the semi-main, a rare match between those two rudos teams. Esfinge, Fuego, and Triton face Felino, Tiger, and Misterioso in the tercera. A Corsario de Fuego debuts in the second match, a lineup that’ll probably be changed without Pegasso. The Xalapa Corsario de Fuego doesn’t mention the booking, but that isn’t exactly a common name. Centella Roja has been a tecnico since 2015 but is the latest local wrestler to be flipped sides without a turn, listed as a rudo in the opener. The show streams at 9 pm as normal.
Arena Coliseo Monterrey was sold out and looked full even before the show started. If the Multimedios TV deal was going to have an effect anywhere, it was definitely going to be here. Might be the venue, since this seemed like a better crowd than Arena Jose Sulaiman earlier this year. The fans were into the show all night long, really helping the main event feel like a big deal.
Laredo Kid versus Hijo del Vikingo was the best match I’ve seen from Mexico and maybe anywhere this year. The tag match before it was really great too. Both of those matches would be worth your $5 for a Twitch subscription (and then you won’t have to deal with commercial interruptions during Verano de Escandalo this weekend.) Rob and I both had the thought that AAA should put Vikingo/Laredo out themselves to capture on the buzz and plug their upcoming events, but it seems their TV deals prevent AAA from doing something like that at the moment. This won’t turn up on YouTube until mid/late July on the current schedule.
Outside the main event (and a run of fouls in the semi-main), this was a pretty clean show by AAA standards. No Tirantes on the show at all, so a women’s match actually ended with a man getting involved. Verano de Escandalo already has Chik Tormenta vs Keyra vs Lady Shani, so that may be turned into a Reina de Reinas match to take care of both Tormenta & Keyra’s earned title matches. Other than a Konnan promo hyping the Lucha Brothers vs Young Bucks, there wasn’t a strong creative push for Verano de Escandalo (though it was still mentioned a lot.)
Pagano, Jack Evans, Sammy Guevara, and Killer Kross all missed the show with no explanation by AAA.
AAA has another Saturday/Sunday back to back next weekend, in Cancun and Merida. The Sunday show is Verano de Escandalo, the Saturday show doesn’t have anything special. Besides the Young Bucks and Lucha Brothers on Sunday, Scarlett Bordeaux is scheduled in for the weekend.
IAW (SAT) 06/08/2019 Gimnasio Hercules, Ciudad de México, Distrito Federal
1) Ancla Jr. b La Fuerza, Santy Hernández, Psique [NERW REVIVAL]
2) Candy Swing & Casquivano Jr. b Ángel Jr. & Baronessa
3) Dash b ? [IAW NUEVO VALORES] no one seems to know who was in this match besides the winner (it is Nuevo Valores). Not the Monterrey Dash.
4) Aerodinamyc b Rencor Negro Jr., Kunay, Shura [IAW JUNIOR]
5) Demonio Infernal & Lilith Dark b Atomik Star & La Heroína Atomic needed help to get to the back after picking up an injury in the match
6) Belial b Energia, Tromba No Arez (moved up) so this became a three way.
7) Arez & Látigo b Iron Kid & Negro Casas win via foul! Negro Casas demanded a rematch.
I have not seen the main event but I want to see it. Hercules seemed full for this show, though it’s a small amount of people they can fit in around the exercise equipment.
Mexa Wrestling (SAT) 06/08/2019Arena San Juan Pantitlan, Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl, Estado de México [+LuchaTV, Lo Mejor de Lucha Libre]
1) Torito Negro b Calibus, Príncipe Aéreo, Sobredosis, Black Dragón, Auzter, Sherekan, Baby Star
2) Negro Navarro & Solar I b El Mimo & Toro Negro
3) Centurion, Dinamic Black, Fulgor I, Imposible, Mr. Leo b Fly Warrior, Murciélago Plateado, Poseidón, The Tiger, Último Maldito
4) El Diablo & Lady Flammer b Hija De Gatubela & Metaleón
5) Arkángel Divino b Jack Evans, Aramis, Pumita
6) Rey Horus b Steve Pain
7) Golden Boy & Símbolo (Monterrey) b Trauma I & Trauma II “poliemico duelo.” Traumas wanted revenge.
Didn’t hear anything particular about the matches, though it seemed to be overall positive reviews. No idea how Jack ended up here but not in AAA the next day.
IWRG (SUN) 06/09/2019Arena Naucalpan [Black Terry Jr. (Flickr), The Gladiatores]
1) Auzter b Neza Kid
2) Avisman, Lady Flammer, Shil-Kah b Jessy Ventura, Lilith Dark, Príncipe Aéreo
3) Fulgor I, Fulgor II, Torito Negro b Alas de Acero, Black Dragón, Iron Kid
4) Lunatic Extreme & Metaleón b Hijo del Alebrije, Relámpago, Demonio Infernal, El Hijo del Medico Asesino, Aramis, Trauma I, Ovett, Imposible, Trauma II, Chico Che, Fly Warrior, Sinn Bodhi, Zumbi, Internacional Pantera [MEXICO CHAMP, battle royal]
5) Aramis b Sinn Bodhi [MEXICO CHAMP, 8f]
6) Trauma II b Eterno [MEXICO CHAMP, 8f]
7) Hijo del Alebrije b Relámpago [MEXICO CHAMP, 8f]
8) Internacional Pantera b Zumbi [MEXICO CHAMP, 8f]
9) El Hijo del Medico Asesino b Ovett [MEXICO CHAMP, 8f]
10) Trauma I b Demonio Infernal [MEXICO CHAMP, 8f]
11) Imposible b Chico Che [MEXICO CHAMP, 8f]
12) Metaleón b Lunatic Xtreme [MEXICO CHAMP, 8f]
13) Aramis DQ Trauma II [MEXICO CHAMP, quarterfinal] DQ for excessive violence
14) Hijo del Alebrije b Internacional Pantera [MEXICO CHAMP, quarterfinal]
15) El Hijo del Medico Asesino b Trauma I [MEXICO CHAMP, quarterfinal]
16) Metaleón b Imposible [MEXICO CHAMP, quarterfinal]
17) Aramis b Hijo del Alebrije [MEXICO CHAMP, semifinal]
18) Metaleón DQ Trauma I [MEXICO CHAMP, semifinal]
19) Aramis NF Metaleón [MEXICO CHAMP, final] match stopped when Metaleon arm injury was too much to go on. Aramis refused the belt with the idea they’d try the match again later on, though that might be much later on.
I believe the Metaleon arm injury might have actually come in the Trauma I match before. Metaleon was in obvious pain and getting checked on by the doctor in between matches and probably shouldn’t have wrestled the final. Metaleon was diagnosed with a broken arm, which makes it a bit amazing he did as much as he did.
Does anyone want 19 match shows? Am I old for saying 19 matches is too much for one show? It was still a 3-hour show which is shorter than my Warrior Wrestling/ROH TV exhibition last month but I’m not sure I would do that one again either.
The same column also mentions the hinted at Alberto el Patron led wrestling shows is the Nacion Lucha Libre that popped up last month. The plan is to include Tinieblas Jr. and other independent wrestlers (which probably means the same crew that works the FULL shows.) Planchitas says Nacion wanted to use AAA luchadors but there are still problems between AAA & Alberto. They’re hoping to get on over the air on ImagenTV. There’s no mention of when this all might happen. An Alberto led promotion is going to be a tougher sell in 2019 without something to heat him back up and is generally odd timing if we’re to believe he’s really still doing an MMA fight sometime this fall.
This is a week late, but Roberto Figueroa says his La Esquina Network is going to expand to cover other promotions, including KAOZ in Monterrey and MexaWrestling. These are said to be exclusive, which would mean the end of MexaWrestling on +LuchaTV. There are hints at deals with IWRG & PALL and the Nacion/Alberto group as well. Mexa & IWRG seem to be on opposite sides of the PALL split at the moment, but that’s all subject to change.
Lucha Memes/TWE/MexaWrestling on 06/29 in Arena San Juan
08/23 non-tournament match: UnMexicans (Byron & Kaientai) vs El Cartel de Los Culichis (Mr. Iguana & Fresero Jr.)
Other News
NJPW announced the return of the Super J Cup. This can also be interrupted as “we’re sorry those NJPW US February shows were disappointing, we’re doing something special to try and win people back.” CMLL participation was mentioned in the promo and confirmed by CMLL. It is a 16 man 3-night tournament, which seems like it should give CMLL luchadors an edge due to constant practice in that format but never quite works out that way. The Super J Cup has tended to use representatives from as many groups as possible (not just the best 16 names like BOSJ), so it is possible CMLL might only have the one (Dragon Lee) representative. Titan was only the CMLL rep in 2016 version. Running this in North America might change. The previous BOSJ also featured a CMLL trios match on the final day and that seems possible again.
The legislation to create a Pachuca lucha libre commission is one of four bills left before the local council to settle. It didn’t get a vote either way last time it was proposed and is still being looked over in committee at this point.
Lineups
CMLL (SAT) 06/15/2019Arena Coliseo
1) Acero & Aéreo vs Pequeño Universo 2000 & Pierrothito
2) Halcón Suriano Jr., Magnus, Príncipe Diamante vs Grako, Hijo del Signo, Sangre Azteca
3) Drone, Dulce Gardenia, Fuego vs Misterioso Jr., Pólvora, Virus
4) Guerrero Maya Jr., Rey Cometa, Stuka Jr. vs Dark Magic, Hechicero, Vangellys
5) Titán vs Templario
6) Atlantis, Místico, Volador Jr. vs Ephesto, Luciferno, Mephisto
This is the one show I haven’t been able to record (because it may not be recorded) so of course Titan/Templario are getting a rematch there.
Dark Magic hasn’t appeared on a stream since mid-April. Maybe they’re just keeping him on the weekend shows to get more experience before putting him back in front of TV crowds. It does remind me a little bit of the end of the Grey Shadow run, where he fell out of favor with the bookers and was kept only on Sunday shows in what came off like an attempt to get Rocky Romero to quit. Romero jumped to AAA instead.
Dulce Gardenia has been training with CMLL of late for this match, which is another attempt by CMLL to find a replacement for Maximo. Gardenia is from Torreon and has been a regular around those shows.
Dr. Wagner Jr., Psycho Clown, La Parka, Puma King beat Blue Demon Jr., Rey Escorpión, Texano Jr., La Hiedra
(14:36, Dr. Wagner pin Blue Demon following Galeno del Mal frogsplash, ok, 02:49:17)
What happened:
Draztick corner tope con giro
Dr. Wagner wore a Silver king tribute outfit in his first AAA TV appearance since the death of his brother. Galeno del Mal seconded Wagner. Demon beat up Galeno, setting up Galeno getting involved for the finish.
Daga challenged Drago to a title match, and Drago accepted. Pagano also wanted an extreme match with Chessman.
Eterno replaced Jack Evans, doing the same Demonio Infernal trio character as in IWRG. It’s his first AAA appearance since 2014.
Early in the show, Daga comes out to again say he’s here to win championships and mocks the fans for never having traveled to Europe and not knowing lucha libre. Daga talks about Tessa about being the best women’s wrestler in the world, which gets him interrupted by Taya. Taya comes out to generally get in Daga’s face about his attitude towards everyone and Mexico. Daga does not react well and gets slapped and forearmed to start a fight. Tessa makes the save for Daga. Johnny Mundo is not here to make the save, so Laredo Kid does instead, with Daga & Tessa running out. Konnan points out this is a match happening at Verano de Escandalo. Later, Daga helped Tessa win with a clothesline right in front of the referee
Konnan adds himself to the announce crew for the show, with Hugo Savinovich at AEW instead. La Parkita and Tiger Boy were dropped from the opener. Eclipse Jr. is still Lanezlot. I’ve just noticed the referees are wearing generic shirts instead of sponsored ones, but that might have been going on for a few tapings.
Thoughts:
Faby hard powerbomb
The usual AAA main event format finished off, with the rudos dominating, the técnicos running thru all their offense, and then madness on the finish. Non match participant Galeno del Mal getting the winning the move was not madness I would’ve predicated but AAA is hard to predict that way. La Hiedra was out of place being the one to catch Puma King’s dive and Texano taking table bumps for La Parka was odd, but they got thru it ok.
Pagano & Chessman featured heavily in the semi-main, which was not great for what I wanted to see. Also wasn’t great how the cameras mostly missed the mist spot; it was a rough day for camera switching again. Announcers heavily pushed a Daga/Drago match and they did a big series late in the match of reversals, but it didn’t come off smoothly. This match did have a lot of big spots that worked well, with Murder Clown continuing to be a highlight worker. Borderline match for me, could see going higher.
Parkita tornillo
The Jinetes del Aire match was their best as a trios away from Poder del Norte. Eterno looked great, helping Myzteziz look so much better than he had in recent appearances. Eterno and Vikingo was a great combination too, and another moment where the crowd totally rallied behind Vikingo. Laredo Kid was a super worker in this one. I’m not sure where he was going with Suicide on the springboard spot but everything else came off tight. Super Fly did well, Suicide didn’t do as much rudo work but his offense kept the match moving when the rudos were in control. This was a fun watch.
The women’s match was really good, something where the trios match just flowed really well to the finish. The rudas worked well together on the control segment. Tessa continued to blend well into the AAA matches. Keyra pulling out a rope flip moonsault was cool. The tecnica comeback got a strong reaction and they hit all their big moves good. The finish of Daga interfering and Tirantes allowing it because he’s evil (not that anyone calls a DQ here) made sense and was a less a direct Tirantes involvement than usual, but it was still weird to people not used to working in AAA. AAA building to the undercard mixed tag is also very weird.
Psycho ringspot dive
Flamita & Dinastia opened with a beautiful exchange to start their match. It wasn’t really as consistent as that the rest of the way. Flamita shined as being more complete and more polished than his opponents here. Dinastia particularly was up and down all match. The botched flip he did before the stand off Flamita would’ve gotten him killed in front of a harder crowd. This one more was just indifferent. There was good action between Parka Negra & Dinastia leading to the finish and it makes sense for the técnico who is sticking around to get the win, but AAA’s going to miss Flamita when he’s gone.
The mixed match seemed as though it was headed to a handicap match with Hamburguesa being disinterested in participation, but it rounded into a much better match as it went along. Lady Maravilla’s evil plans are finally consistently working for her; it feels like it’s looking to a mixed tag title match and maybe AAA will reshuffle cards to make it happen. Tiger Boy was active in his return to a stream. He took a big bump off a Hamburguesa shot and Villano III Jr. immediately took a bigger one. Villano’s not going to lose his death spot, not when it finally has him winning matches. Draztick Boy had really nothing to do except like a one minute stretch late in the match mostly with Maravilla. He still looked great and got in a Spanish Fly to the floor on Tiger Boy just for fun. Draztick being in the matches Flamita has been the last few months while Flamita returns to Dragon Gate would be good more.
Saying the AAA minis opener was better than all the CMLL minis match this year doesn’t mean really mean much. This match explained the problems. I’m not sure the CMLL minis are any less talented than La Parkita but La Parkita gets to do a lot more than they do and the action moves along a lot better in these matches than the CMLL versions of them. Eclipse looks cooler than Lanzelot and he was on point this one. The rudos kept up well and that match finished pretty excitingly.
