Sofia Alonso interview, Puebla preview, Naucalpan

Golden Dragon

PALL (SUN) 07/28/2019 Arena Naucalpan [+LuchaTV]
1) ? b Fantasma De La Opera Ii Licha Libre Arena Naucalpan (posted by Internetv Deportes)
2) Aero Panther, Dragón Suicida, Vengador Radioactivo b Fight Panther, Mandala, Samurya Jr. and Lady Pink, Optimus, Radioactivo Licha Libre Arena Naucalpan (posted by Internetv Deportes)
3) Black Dragón, Chico Che, El Divino, Golden Dragón, Shadow b Amnesia, Extreme Fly, Mr. Chivo, Súper Nono, Vaquero De Texas Jr. Licha Libre Arena Naucalpan (posted by Internetv Deportes)
Chico Che snuck in a foul on Super Nono
4) Calibus, Cobre, Jitsu, Moria, Pesadilla b Aspirantito, Atomic Star, Belial, Impulso, Mike Segura Licha Libre Arena Naucalpan (posted by Internetv Deportes)
5) Aeroboy & Draztick Boy b Kid Silver & Marshe Rockett and Eterno & Toxin Licha Libre Arena Naucalpan (posted by Internetv Deportes)
Toxin was the surprise wrestler.
6) Carta Brava Jr. (LLB), Fantasma de la Ópera, Mike Segura b Camuflaje, Crazy Boy, Malkriado Licha Libre Arena Naucalpan (posted by Internetv Deportes)
Camuflaje replaced Poseidon. Mike Segura was the Lucha Libre Boom mystery wrestler. Fantasma beat Crazy Boy by foul to continue their feud, with rematch challenges.
7) Dragón Bane & Hijo de Canis Lupus DQ Trauma I & Trauma II Licha Libre Arena Naucalpan (posted by Internetv Deportes)
Traumas DQed for fouls/mask pull.
8) Pagano b DemusCrazy KingWotan Licha Libre Arena Naucalpan (posted by Internetv Deportes)

Seemed like a good turn out for what was essentially a Lucha Libre Boom show with DTU participation. Haven’t heard much on the matches; this is one of those ITV shows where it’s streamed but they don’t advertise it (or at least not any place where I spot it.)

I watched the fifth match primarily to have something to talk about. There’s some good moments and some that don’t quite come together, but overall fun. Chicago’s Rockett working as a giant is a trip but comes off well. Aeroboy & Draztick Boy have talked a lot this year about wanting to get something as a tag team going and you can see how that would work well if they found a place to give them some momentum at it. I also checked out a bit of the tercera to see how Golden Dragon did. He did well, his opening exchange was had some nice stuff.

Excelsior has an interview today with Sofia Alonso. It appears to be her first outside media appearance since the death of her father and Sofia becoming CMLL president. Sofia is her was his only child and she mentions he did things with her that he would’ve done with a son: Paco showed her how to shoot a gun at age 6, taught her chess, took her to F1 races, and of course to lucha libre. She remembers feeling like Alice in Wonderland when she was backstage at lucha libre events, seeing people like Gigante Silva, Atlantis, Universo 2000, Cien Caras, Blue Panther, and Negro Casas. She has her own collection of masks given to her when luchadors would visit her home and says the family itself has a private collection of lucha libre artifacts.

Sofia Alonso did not always plan on running CMLL though. She calls it a happy accident, something she couldn’t imagine leaving once she started, “la lucha libre es mi vida.” She instead left Mexico to study in England from 2012 to 2015, earning a masters degree in sociology with studies in gender & international development. She planned on working on gender equality back in Mexico before she got involved with CMLL about three years ago. Sofia was in charge of the advertising sponsorships, the relationships with TV networks, the partnerships with foreign companies and with the tourism departments until she became in charge of everything upon her father’s death. Paco Alonso had Sofia shadow him, so she has familiarity with the programming, press and production areas which now are also her responsibility. They have meetings every Friday and she doesn’t want to sit in her chair, she doesn’t feel like a substitute.

Sofia describes her challenges are to make sure the luchadors feel calm working with her and that CMLL remains “serio y stable”. She wants to work with the existing departments to keep their existing level of performance and see where they can evolve. Sofia says this is a big challenge but it’s a big opportunity to continue her father’s work.

Sofia’s asked how she was picked to be in charge of CMLL. She simply says “no one else knows what to do like I do.” Almost all the rest of the Lutteroth family lives in Baja California and she was the only one family member working in CMLL with her father. Sofia’s asked if people have questioned a woman being in charge of a business which consistents mostly of men. Sofia acknowledged that’s been asked while definitively stating there’s no man who could do this job better than she can. “This is not a matter of gender, but of knowledge and competence for the position.”

Sofia’s long term goals include the continued international expansion of lucha libre. They have to continue tours outside the country as well as being on over the top (OTT) services in other countries. They’re looking to make new alliances and boost talents. She’s asked about other promoters in Mexico and doesn’t see them as legitimate competition – they don’t have 86 years of history, they didn’t give birth to Mexican wrestling, they’re not comparable.

I feel good about the direction of CMLL in the long term after that interview. I also feel like it’s going to be an interesting next few years.

CMLL’s Arena Puebla show has a couple of feuds carrying over from last week. Mephisto fouled Angel de Oro last week in the semi-main. They meet again, with basically the same crew. Mr. Niebla replaces Lucifierno, teaming with Ephesto and Mephisto against Angel de Oro, Niebla Roja, and Stuka. Metalica cheated to defeat Marcela last Monday and match up again in a singles match. Metalica defeated Marcela in under five minutes last time they did this lightning match, leading to a title match.

The main event has an incredible trios of Caristico, Volador, and Euforia against the Munoz family team of Dragon Lee, La Bestia del Ring, and Rush. That’s probably more about the family teaming than the odd team on the other side. The Panthers team with Stigma against Felino, Tiger and Hijo del Villano III. Malayo & Perverso team with Virus against Electrico, Millennium, and Rey Samuray. Local heroes King Jaguar & Policeman team with Meyer and Somrba Dibaolika respectfully in the opener. The show streams at 9 pm on CMLL’s YouTube channel.

Cain Velasquez is said to be arriving in Mexico tonight around 7 pm. (This seems the most likely flight.)

Azteca says TripleMania will start airing on their channel at 9 pm. The show is scheduled to start at 8 pm, so they’ll probably be missing the first two matches. That still leaves a lot more show than Televisa has shown in past years. Space is starting their broadcast at 8 pm. I assume Azteca is doing their own broadcast, so that means there will be three different teams going.

Lineups

IWRG (SUN) 08/04/2019 Arena Naucalpan
1) Arquero vs Neza Kid
2) Atomic Star, Auzter, Puma de Oro vs Apolo Estrada Jr., Mosca, X-Corpio
3) Jessy Ventura & Pasion Cristal vs Demonio Infernal & Eterno and Herodes Jr. & Hijo de Pirata Morgan [lumberjack]
4) El Hijo del Medico Asesino vs Hijo del Alebrije
5) Látigo vs Séptimo DragónDragón BaneFreelance
6) El Mesías & Máscara Año 2000 Jr. vs Hijo De Dos Caras & Mr. Niebla and Trauma I & Trauma II
7) Hechicero vs Hijo de Canis Lupus

Hechicero outside of CMLL is more interesrting of late. Fifth match should be good too.

great match roundup, week of 2019-07-13

I wanted to remember the moment where they told Villano III to stop with the violence even if no one Twitter is going to understand this GIF

recaps

All 2019 round-up posts2019 MOTYC list

AAA TV tapings continue to be the best TV product, even with this one having some notable flaws. I didn’t recommend a lot from the show but that doesn’t the show was enjoyable. I guess the same thing with this Friday CMLL show, which was an easy watch even without having high-end matches. There are some things more important than individual match rating, which is a good note for a post that is pretty much only match ratings.

I thought for a good moment about including Valiente/Terrible on the watch later list but then remembered it seemed like it was just eight minutes long.

Recommended matches

rating matches TV Show taped
great Golden Magic & Lady Shani vs La Hiedra & Villano III Jr.  (posted by Lucha Libre AAA (Twitch)) AAA on Twitch: 2019-07-18 2019-07-18
good Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón © vs La Bestia Del Ring, Rush, Terrible for the Mexican National Trios Championship LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 15 DE JULIO DE 2019 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2019-07-15 2019-07-15
good Arkángel Divino, Big Mami, Dinastía, Eclipse vs Lady Maravilla, Látigo, Parka Negra, Último Maldito  (posted by Lucha Libre AAA (Twitch)) AAA on Twitch: 2019-07-18 2019-07-18
good Aerostar, Laredo Kid, Puma King vs Averno, Chessman, Eterno  (posted by Lucha Libre AAA (Twitch)) AAA on Twitch: 2019-07-18 2019-07-18
good Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón, Volador Jr. vs Euforia, Gran Guerrero, Soberano Jr., Templario in a relevos increíbles match LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 19 DE JULIO DE 2019 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2019-07-19 2019-07-19
good Hijo de LA Park, LA Park, LA Park Jr. vs La Bestia Del Ring, Místico, Rush LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 19 DE JULIO DE 2019 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) MÍSTICO, BESTIA DEL RING Y RUSH vs LA PARK, HIJO DE LA PARK Y LA PARK JR (07-19-2019) (posted by HVSLuchaLibre) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2019-07-19 2019-07-19
good Jushin Liger vs CarísticoNegro CasasÚltimo Guerrero[Relevo CMLL] LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 19 DE JULIO DE 2019 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) NEGRO CASAS vs CARÍSTICO vs ÚLTIMO GUERRERO vs LIGER (Relevos CMLL 07-19-2019) (posted by HVSLuchaLibre) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2019-07-19 2019-07-19

Other Matches Watched

rating matches TV Show taped
ok Rey Samuray & Tigre Rojo Jr. vs Fuerza Chicana & Toro Bill Jr. LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 15 DE JULIO DE 2019 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2019-07-15 2019-07-15
ok Marcela & Skadi vs Dalys & Reina Isis LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 15 DE JULIO DE 2019 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2019-07-15 2019-07-15
ok Kráneo, Stigma, Titán vs Ephesto, Luciferno, Mephisto LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 15 DE JULIO DE 2019 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2019-07-15 2019-07-15
ok King Jaguar vs Perverso for the hair LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 15 DE JULIO DE 2019 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2019-07-15 2019-07-15
ok Ángel de Oro, Soberano Jr., Volador Jr. vs Gran Guerrero, Negro Casas, Último Guerrero LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 15 DE JULIO DE 2019 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2019-07-15 2019-07-15
ok Black Panther, Blue Panther Jr., El Audaz vs Dark Magic, Okumura, Virus LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 16 DE JULIO DE 2019 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2019-07-16 2019-07-16
ok Blue Panther vs Felino in a lightning match LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 16 DE JULIO DE 2019 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2019-07-16 2019-07-16
ok Kráneo, Stuka Jr., Titán vs Hechicero, Rey Bucanero, Vangellys LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 16 DE JULIO DE 2019 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2019-07-16 2019-07-16
ok Ángel de Oro, Niebla Roja, Valiente vs Euforia, Gran Guerrero, Mr. Niebla LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 16 DE JULIO DE 2019 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2019-07-16 2019-07-16
ok Impulso & Low Rider vs Astrolux & Freelance  (posted by Lucha Libre AAA (Twitch)) AAA on Twitch: 2019-07-18 2019-07-18
ok Faby Apache, Niño Hamburguesa, Taya vs Chik Tormenta, Dave The Clown, Tessa Blanchard  (posted by Lucha Libre AAA (Twitch)) AAA on Twitch: 2019-07-18 2019-07-18
ok Daga & Taurus vs Cody Rhodes & Mjf  (posted by Lucha Libre AAA (Twitch)) AAA on Twitch: 2019-07-18 2019-07-18
ok Dr. Wagner Jr., Pentagón Jr., Psycho Clown vs Blue Demon Jr., Rey Escorpión, Texano Jr.  (posted by Lucha Libre AAA (Twitch)) AAA on Twitch: 2019-07-18 2019-07-18
ok Sonic & Súper Astro Jr. vs Cancerbero & Raziel LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 19 DE JULIO DE 2019 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2019-07-19 2019-07-19
ok Ángel de Oro, Esfinge, Niebla Roja vs Ephesto, Hechicero, Luciferno LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 19 DE JULIO DE 2019 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2019-07-19 2019-07-19
ok Marcela © vs Amapola for the CMLL World Women’s Championship LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 19 DE JULIO DE 2019 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) MARCELA vs AMAPOLA (Campeonato Femenil CMLL 07-19-2019) (posted by HVSLuchaLibre) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2019-07-19 2019-07-19
not rated Magnus & Retro vs Akuma & Espanto Jr. LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 16 DE JULIO DE 2019 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2019-07-16 2019-07-16
not rated Drone, Fuego, Magia Blanca vs Disturbio, Hijo del Signo, Sagrado Disturbio Cmll, Sagrado e H del Signo vs Drone, Fuego y Magia Blanca. 1a caida (posted by Princesa Dorada) Disturbio Cmll, Sagrado e H del Signo vs Drone, Fuego y Magia Blanca. 2a y 3a caidas (posted by Princesa Dorada) LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 16 DE JULIO DE 2019 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2019-07-16 2019-07-16

 

CMLL weekend shows, NLL in Fresnillo, LA Park stars in popular (?) video

CMLL (SAT) 07/27/2019 Arena Coliseo [CMLL]
1) Fantasy & Kaligua b Pequeño Nitro & Pequeño Universo 2000
tecnicos took 2/3
2) La Guerrera, Marcela, Skadi b La Seductora, Metálica, Reyna Isis
Marcela replaced Vaquerita. Tecnicas took 1/3.
3) Pegasso, Star Jr., Stigma DQ Okumura, Olímpico, Sagrado
tecnicos took 1/3, the last when Stigma was unmsaked by the rudos.
4) Rey Cometa b Tiger [lightning]
Cometa won with a Spanish Fly.
5) Atlantis, Atlantis Jr., Stuka Jr. b Hechicero, Rey Bucanero, Vangellys
straight falls clean
6) Euforia, Gran Guerrero, Templario b Ángel de Oro, Kráneo, Niebla Roja
Guerreros took 1/3.

Rey Cometa would like some new challenges. Rey Cometa and Puma King’s feud was in 2012, so he’s about to reach seven years of facing the same family.

There was a private show in Arena Mexico the same night. One report mentions Sanely picked up a leg injury and Titan & Barbaro Cavernario had another very good match. Interesting how that’s booked for a private show and not done as a rematch on one where CMLL’s selling tickets.

NLL (SAT) 07/27/2019 Centro de Convenciones, Fresnillo, Zacatecas [El Sol de Zacetecas, Lo Mejor de Lucha, The Gladiatores]
1) Mini Fuego & Viento Negro Jr. b Black Star & The Panther Jr.
2) Águila Del Espacio, Ecoloco, Hijo Del Enfermero b Serpiente India Jr., The Panther (Zacatecas), Toxico Jr.
3) Batab El Guerrero b DualAzrael (Nuevo León)
No Baby Xtreme.
4) Dulce Sexy & Lady Flammer b Reina Oscura & Stephanie Vaquer
Kamille attacked Dulce Sexy
5) Emperador Azteca (Indie) & Séptimo Dragón b Súper Nova & the Tiger (Tamaulipas)
win via foul
6) Brazo De Oro Jr., Fresero Jr., LA Park Jr. b Galeno Del Mal, Hijo De Wagner, Hijo Del Espectro
Galeno/Wagner/Espectro are trying to become a trio, lost in their debut.
7) Apolo & Bram b Hijo del Fantasma & La Máscara
Rudo team was scheduled as Carlito (moved up) and Chavo (??). Kamille helpedthe rudos win.
8) Carlito & MVP b Alberto el Patrón & Hijo De Dos Caras
Bram was moved down for Carlito. Bloody match.

Seemed like a good turnout, though it also seemed like it may have been a sold show at a fair. Next show is next Sunday in Monterrey. and that may be the more interesting test given the saturation in that market.

Rudos winning in the main event is a surprise after how the first show was booked, but I assume Kamille was responsible somehow. Chavo Guerrero was at a comic con in London so probably shouldn’t have been advertised here. Those first two matches seemed intended to be dark matches but may end up airing if they’re going to air four matches a week.

LA Park Jr. was on this show. The other two Parks were up in the Pacific Northwest for DEFY Wrestling. LA Park & Hijo de LA Park did their usual recent comedy violence bit of emptying a bottle of water on the back of a hapless referee, stuffing the water bottle down the referee’s pants, and hitting the referee with a strap. He also did last week on the Martinez show that streamed on +LuchaTV. Video of the bit in DEFY made it to Twitter, which the promotion retweeted. There doesn’t seem to have been much of a negative reaction to the bit live. In the video, it looks like the referee didn’t know what was happening and was uncomfortable, though the bit is more humiliating than dangerous. A fury broke about the video, criticizing LA Park & DEFY. DEFY quelled that anger by announcing LA Park & Hijo de LA Park would not be forever banned from DEFY. Fans of LA Park’s work in Mexico responded by mocking the promotion and the people who offended for such a thing as soft. And there are other people who believe the whole thing might be a work because DEFY RT-ed the original bit and hasn’t undone that.

I think it’s not a work in that sense, in that they’re setting up some storyline LA Park return. I also think LA Park and his son were probably returning any time soon – getting LA Park to Seattle is neither cheap nor easy – though I guess I wouldn’t have ruled it happening a year or three down the line. (Which is somewhere past ‘forever’ in wrestling terms anyway.) I think the inconsistency in DEFY’s responses is they personally didn’t have a big issue with the LA Park because they knew what they were getting with LA Park, but then were convinced they had to make some sort of statement to avoid it blowing up into a bigger thing. LA Park gets to say he got banned by another wrestling promotion, which only helps the LA Park mythos.

CMLL (SUN) 07/28/2019 Arena México [CMLL]
1) Shockercito & Último Dragóncito b Pequeño Olímpico & Pequeño Violencia
tecnicos took 1/3
2) Cancerbero, Nitro, Raziel b Arkalis, Oro Jr., Retro
rudos took 1/3
3) Dulce Gardenia, Flyer, Rey Cometa b Dark Magic, Disturbio Kawato San, Misterioso Jr.
tencicos took 2/3
4) Máscara Año 2000 b Blue Panther [lightning]
Mascara won in 9:53 via small package, 7 seconds short of a draw.
5) Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón b Kráneo, Místico, Volcano
NGD took 2/3, the last with Sanson taking Mistico’s mask. Sets up a singles match between the two.
6) La Bestia Del Ring, Rush, Terrible b Ángel de Oro, Atlantis, Soberano Jr. [Relevos Increíbles]
Ingobernables took 1/3

Mistico/Sanson seems like a fun idea and would be a first time ever singles match. Not as confident about Mascara & Panther going 10 minutes.

Dark Scoria talked to his hometown paper about his “entry into CMLL.” This seems to be framing his appearance on the Lucha Libre Real Arena Coliseo show as joining CMLL for more than that, which doesn’t seem to be the case. I guess El Siglo de Durango has the scoop if Scoria & Escoria are suddenly wrestling terceras.

La Parka’s Record column has some scheduling notes for the pre-TripleMania week. Cain Velasquez is scheduled to arrive in Mexico on Monday to continue his training. It reads like there may be some press event of show off that training. The “setting of the scenario of TripleMania XXVII” will begin on Wednesday, which I originally thought meant another press conference running down the matches but probably actually literally means they’re starting to set up the TripleMania stage.

The latest restart of Argentina’s Titanes en el Ring is scheduled for 08/18, with a second show on 09/21. This concept seems to be relaunched every year.

A referee took a bad bump out of the ring on a DTU promoted show in Tuxpan. DTU says the referee (El Consentido) is ok.

MexaWrestling “Summer Course” on 08/10 in Arena San Juan Pantitlan

Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr.’s NOAH appearance is official as part of the NOAH N1 singles tournament, running from 08/10 to 09/16. He’s in a five-man block and looks to be an underdog in all those matches.

Lucha World has the latest Lucha Report.

ordinary CMLL Friday night show, PWG lucha trios raves, NLL second show

Luiciferno get sent

CMLL (FRI) 07/26/2019 Arena México [CMLL, ESTOMarcaOvacionesthecubsfan]
1) Akuma & Sangre Azteca b Magia Blanca & Magnus LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 26 DE JULIO DE 2019 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
11:59. Rudos took 1/3. Sangre Azteca replaced Espanto Jr. Akuma picked up a leg injury some point late in the match.
2) Drone, Fuego, Guerrero Maya Jr. b Hijo del Villano III, Misterioso Jr., Tiger LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 26 DE JULIO DE 2019 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
13:23. Rudos took 1/3. Hijo del Villano III replaced Kawato San.
3) Audaz, Soberano Jr., Titán b Ephesto, Luciferno, Mephisto LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 26 DE JULIO DE 2019 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
12:43. Tecnicos took 1/3.
4) Cavernario b Valiente [lightningLUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 26 DE JULIO DE 2019 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
7:48. Cavernaria.
5) Ciber the Main Man, La Bestia Del Ring, Rush b Negro Casas, Rey Bucanero, Último Guerrero [Relevos IncreíblesLUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 26 DE JULIO DE 2019 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
8:37. Straight falls. UG powerbombed Rush but Ciber pulled the ref out, fouled UG, and Rush got the pin. Both sides fought again after the match.
6) Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón DQ Carístico, Místico, Volador Jr. LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 26 DE JULIO DE 2019 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
11:22. NGD took 1/3, the last by DQ when Forastero tossed his mask to Volador. Tecnicos (as the Dream Team) asked for a trios title match anyway. NGD offered a rematch before both sides fought.

CMLL posted promos Ciber (still wants a title match) and Barbaro Cavernario (King of 1v1 matches).

This was generally a tourist show. This was enjoyable if this was the only time you get to see the CMLL or if you really love CMLL. It was also similar to so many other CMLL shows they run that it came off as competent but forgettable. Bigger stuff happened last week and may arrive the next six weeks, this was just a show in between.

Odd to do that main event to set up a title match, but maybe the title match isn’t actually happening next week. CMLL ought to really save it for the Aniversario show if they’re going to do NGD/Dream Team.

CMLL gave the name “CMLL Universal Femenil” to the women’s tournament starting next Friday. That’s the obvious name to go with for what they wanted the tournament to be.

The Rey Horus, Flamita, Bandido versus Puma King, Laredo Kid, and Black Taurus match from PWG last night was said to be outstanding, the best match on the show. Bandido is the only person of that bunch currently in the promotion’s Battle of Los Angeles tournament. PWG stopped announcing names for that tournament last week, which I assume was to see how some people would do on this last show before the tournament to see if they belonged in the tournament. Those six guys seemed like they belonged, though there’s probably not many spaces left for them.

AAA is off this weekend. They’ll be back the next two weekends. One of them is rather big. It’s a slow weekend in general, but there are a few notable shows:

Saturday

  • Nacion Lucha Libre has their second taping, in the unusual choice of Fresnillo, Zacatecas. It appears to be a sold show to a fair, with low ticket prices, so they should have no problem getting a good crowd. The main event is Alberto & Hijo de Dos Caras vs Bram & MVP. This show should begin airing in a week from today, with Nacion finishing up the rest of the Mexico City taping today.
    • I did watch the first episode this week. Bandido/Rey Horus and Park/Wagner are fun matches but the television and promotional aspects didn’t impress me. There are just basic matches and nothing more than hoping the announcers get the wrestlers over. The biggest revelation is Kamille isn’t there just to be someone for Sexy Dulce to beat, she’s there to be the lead heel (male or female) in the promotion from the way it was presented. She’s the one who confronted Alberto in the opening segment and is leading the heel army, in something similar but not exactly like Salina de la Renta in MLW. Whoever’s in charge is enamored with her looks, because there’s no other reason to make this decision – her promos are fine but her promos are also in English.
  • Tijuana indie Tr3s Caidas has the biggest show of its short existence in Auditorio de Tijuana. Dragon Lee vs Bandido headlines, Bestia & Rey Horus face Jonathan & Tony Casanova and Flamita & someone in the semimain. (Flip Gordon was scheduled, is out with injury, no replacement has been announced.) Puma King vs Black Destiny is third from the top.
  • Arena Coliseo has a Rey Cometa vs Tiger lightning match.
  • LA Park, Hijo de LA Park and Drago make their way to Pro Wrestling Revolucion in King City, California.

Sunday

ROH announced Felino & Okumura for their 08/24 (Atlanta) and 08/25 (Nashville). It’ll be Felino’s debut in the promotion and Okumura’s return since being in their initial trios tournament long ago.

ROH also mentioned Dragon Lee will be working more dates with them, and that several wrestlers will be headed to Mexico soon. That sounds like the Gran Prix. We know that can’t happen in CMLL on 08/23 at the soonest (because the CMLL Universal Femenil wraps on the 26th.) ROH has TV tapings that weekend so it’s probably out, as is the 09/06 weekend. August 30th is the week if it is happening before the anniversary show.

Cain Velasquez posted a training video. It looked more impressive than I was expecting.

Daga returned to Impact TV last night, being inserted in to LAX to replace an injured Santana. Reports are pretty clear Ortiz & Santana leaving Impact for elsewhere, so Daga being included might just not be another one-off appearance but the start of how they’re going to finish up the current LAX members.

Golden Magic talked about the concept of being a new Jinete del Aire on a TV show. If they’re going to do this, they need to have matching gear next week.

We’re probably due one more AAA press conference before TripleMania. The annual pilgrimage is on Thursday, so that day wouldn’t be it and it’d probably make sense earlier in the week. Nothing’s been announced that I know of.

Ex-AAA luchador Intocable is now working dates as a stand-up comedian. (Actual video proof.) Intocable was a generic handsome cowboy man who never showed any comedic sides.

Morelos luchador El Corsario passed away Thursday at the age of 92. I was thinking I’ve seen his name on cards lately, which doesn’t make sense for a 92 year old guy, and then realized I’d seen his name on cards from the 1966 shows I’ve been working on with the likes of Santo.

Monclova luchador Black Toro reached 30 years of wrestling.

CMLL on Marca: 2019-07-26

all he had to do was stand up, Ciber bent over

Recapped: 07/26/2019

Matches:

Sangre Azteca & Espanto Jr. beat Magia Blanca & Magnus
(11:59 [5:22, 3:00, 3:37], 1/3, ok, 00:00:29)

Drone, Fuego, Guerrero Maya Jr. beat Hijo del Villano III, Misterioso Jr., Tiger
(13:23 [4:11, 4:40, 4:32], 1/3, ok, 00:20:47)

Audaz, Soberano Jr., Titán beat Ephesto, Luciferno, Mephisto
(12:43 [3:24, 4:26, 4:53], 1/3, ok, 01:06:50)

Cavernario beat Valiente in a lightning match
(7:48, Caverneria, ok, 01:06:50)

Ciber the Main Man, La Bestia Del Ring, Rush beat Negro Casas, Rey Bucanero, Último Guerrero in a relevos increíbles match
(8:37 [1:50, 6:47], ok, 01:19:40)

Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón beat Carístico, Místico, Volador Jr
(11:22 [3:38, 3:43, 4:01], 1/3 DQ, ok, 01:38:24)

What happened:

a dangerous place to pose

Forastero tossed his mask to Volador to draw a DQ and win the main event. The tecnicos – the Dream Team – asked for a title shot anyway. NGD only offered a rematch before attacking the tecnicos again.

Ultimo Guerrero may have defeated Rush with a powerbomb if Ciber hadn’t pulled out the referee. Ciber fouled UG, with Rush picking up the win. Both sides fought again after the match, with Rey Bucanero making sure to strongly visibly support his old tag partner.

Hijo del Villano III replaced Kawato San.

Akuma seemed to pick up a right knee injury in the opener. Sangre Azteca replaced Espanto.

Thoughts:

a Magia Blanca highlight

The main event followed the pattern of most of the card. The moves were generally there, and it was probably a fun show to jump in if you watch CMLL a few times a year. The spirit wasn’t much there, and many of the matches felt like reassembled versions of matches seen many times over. The main event was the best of these kind of matches, but it was still one of those matches. NGD did some of the stuff they do weekly, the tecnicos came back to do some of the stuff they do, and a finish that made no sense within the match or what they’re going with next. Volador again seemed unable or uninterested in doing as much as his teammates, though he was still the center of things at the end. The rematch might be better than this, but a lot of stuff felt like we’d seen the rematch already.

Only the semi-main broke from the repetitive match feel because the lame brawling parts were different from usual. Rush & Casas did meet again and find some good energy. Ciber & UG was the opposite, with Ciber finding a new way to make the barricade leap dive go wrong. I guess barricade dives are not an issue for a cage match. There was a moment where Rey Bucanero tried running early and he probably shouldn’t try running again. The crowd was way into Ultimo Guerrero and will get into any sort of big match finish but this concept wasn’t a lot better than the one on one match.

Rush gets got

The lightning match seemed a comprise, a Valiente showcase match in exchange for a Cavernario won. Valiente took most of the match and Valiente is not a thrilling singles match competitor. He did a couple of impactful dives. Cavernario took big bumps for his offense but didn’t get much of his own until the finish moments.

The tercera was nothing you haven’t seen before from these same group of tecnicos. They executed pretty well, with Soberano looking extra springy on his knees when he wasn’t taken his required Canadian Destroyer, but it’s exactly the sort of match that blends in with the fifty other very similar ones. Audaz still could use some conversion of his evasion flips into some cooler offense. His springboard guillotine 450 splash for the finish didn’t go so well.

Tiger & Guerrero Maya led a professional segunda that was missing a little bit of excitement. They found some of it with the special triple pin but, but the match didn’t stand out much despite the charisma of some of the wrestlers. Fuego seems to wasted in CMLL as a guy working segundas, but there’s no real great solution for him. Villano III needs to spend the week working on kicks to the chest. The first fall ending sequence was well done.

The opener was in the usual range. The rudos don’t do much while in control and the match was lacking pace. The corner dropkick Akuma came up woefully short. Magia Blanca did have some better-looking offense than usual, looking smooth even if some spots didn’t get much rudo help. Sangre Azteca has been doing the same four spots since about 2011, so this was an appropriate show for him to resurface on.

salute splash

AAA on Twitch: 2019-07-18 (Aguascalientes)

Psycho Clown and a mass of people

Recapped: 07/18/2019

All matches were aired live from Palenque de la Feria, Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes.

Matches:

Freelance, Astrolux beat Impulso, Low Rider
(9:07, Astrolux 450 splash Low Rider, ok,
00:28:02)

Latigo, Último Maldito, Lady Maravilla, Parka Negra beat Dinastia, Arkangel Divino, Eclipse Jr., Big Mami
(14:08, Lady Maravilla chair shot Big Mami, good,
00:55:11)

Golden Magic & Lady Shani beat La Hiedra & Villano III Jr.
(10:10, Lady Shani jumping spinning DDT Villano III Jr., great,
01:22:23)

Dave The Clown, Chik Tormenta, Tessa Blanchard beat Faby Apache, Niño Hamburguesa, Taya
(9:21, Tessa hammerlock DDT, ok,
01:40:26)

Aerostar, Laredo Kid, Puma King beat Averno, Chessman, Eterno
(12:41, Puma King code red Eterno, good,
02:00:02)

Daga & Taurus beat Cody Rhodes & MJF
(14:00, Daga & Taurus pin MJF, ok,
02:30:23)

Dr. Wagner Jr., Pentagón Jr., Psycho Clown beat Blue Demon Jr., Rey Escorpión, Texano Jr.
(15:39, Wagner Driver on Blue Demon, ok,
02:54:52)

What happened:

Laredo Kid tornillo

Dr. Wagner cleanly defeated Blue Demon in the main event. The show actually opened with Demon declaring Wagner had made it personal and he’d beat him at TripleMania. Wagner ended the show saying the support of the Wagnermaniacos fans would help him get the win.

Taurus spent a lot of his match Cody Rhodes avoiding fighting him. He and Daga did manage to defeat MJF. Cody singlehandedly took Daga & Taurus out post-match until Texano & Escorpion ran in. Cody got revenge by beating up Escorpion & Texano after the main event, with Taurus ducking out on him again.

Monster Clown, not otherwise on the show, destroyed Aerostar after his match. Aerostar had about destroyed himself on a dive moments earlier and seemed a bit out of it.

Tormenta does a full somersault on a dropkick

Tessa, through the benefit of some questionable counting skills by Hijo del Tirantes, beat Taya in their trios match.

Villano III Jr. was clearly in the ropes for the finish of his match with Lady Shani, but that was also obviously the planned finish. The announcers didn’t ignore it, but it did not appear to be an angle.

Lady Maravilla won her match with a blatant chairshot to the head of Big Mami. An upset Nino Hamburguesa blew off Maravilla’s advances to check on Mami, then stormed off.

The announced Cage versus Kross match did not happen. Neither man was mentioned.

Thoughts:

Arkangel and Maldito

The last show before TripleMania was a lot like many of them leading up to this point. The early matches were full of energy, some of it producing great results. The late matches were heavy on brawling and the crowd emotion even if the work itself wasn’t that impressive. Those last couple of matches suffered from the show being long and starting at a late hour, though the live crowd seemed to enjoy it. The audience generally seemed more into the show than previous Aguascalientes shows, with one noticeable extension.

The main event wasn’t quite as maniac as the previous matches. There was blood and punches, but it wasn’t as over the top as it had been in Zapopan. Wagner & Escorpion brawling over to the announce booth was fun, there just wasn’t as much fun moments in this one. The crowd loved Penta, he just had basically nothing to do here. I hope they got him to tape vignettes or something while he was there because otherwise this seemed like an under-utilization of finally having him in. The Cody/Mercenarios fight during the post-match felt artificially forced in and was rightly swiftly ignored to get back to the final Demon/Wagner match. Demon & AAA managed to turn the crowd against Demon and for Wagner, which was a good sign. Wagner works better as the tecnico and Demon as the rudo right now, so hopefully, they can get the same reactions at TripleMania.

The AEW/AAA match didn’t work at all. It was a repeat of the Young Bucks match at Rey de Reyes, where it came off as an AEW issue dropped into an AAA show. That’s despite this actually being something that was built up on an AAA show and Konnan trying to make it clear that Cody was the face in this feud. It didn’t work. Cody spending the first few minutes trying to get the crowd to chant for him also didn’t work. I enjoy MJF’s act generally and he did a good job of playing his character on this show, but the cute AEW bit of MJF being a heel while Cody is unaware actively harmed the chances of this match getting over. The crowd already didn’t know what to make of this match and they were even more confused with people on both teams playing heel and the only face being the foreigner. Taurus playing chicken from Cody seemed totally out of character too; that’s how Rey Escorpion might play it, but Taurus has always been a killer monster with a weakness of over aggression, not a chicken. Daga was fine, Daga didn’t use any knucks so I have no problem with Daga (except he probably shouldn’t have been involved with the pinfall.) The only good news here is none of this likely matters; Cody will be teaming with Psycho Clown at TripleMania and so the crowd will know what the story of the match is supposed to be. But they could’ve used Psycho Clown or someone like him in this match in MJF’s spot.

Aerostar would keep hopping up forever if there was enough ropes

The Aerostar match was good solid fun until his dive went very wrong at the end. It’s one he never has an issue with and seemed pretty shook up. Eterno probably needs a bigger win to have his credibility at this level, but he worked well enough to be that high up on the card. (And they’ve had Dave this high too, without ever giving him a win.) Laredo Kid was more in the background than usual this year.

The Tessa/Taya trios barely had any Tessa. She seemed to disappear for a long stretch in the middle and wasn’t getting in the ring for much of anything besides interacting with Taya. That doesn’t suggest much for the TLC match. Faby & Hamburguesa got over as much as usual and Tormenta had a lot of work bumping for them. The biggest problem with the match was it being a normal one after some insanity, but it was fine for the spot on the card.

Latigo ends Arkangel

Villano III had a performance for the ages. He took all the energy he usually uses to take silly bumps to instead make Golden Magic take silly bumps instead. He may have been a bit too rough – everyone seemed more concerned about Lady Shani early on than would be expected for just selling. At least Shani was more willing to fall into the crowd than Cody. Golden Magic still looked good despite being on the wrong side of most of the violence and Shani got a win she needed at the end.

The segunda had about as much action as the opener with a little bit more steadiness. Ultimo Maldito & Arkangel Divino did the same things they always do but, if we’re only seeing them every six months, they’re still pretty impressive. Latigo worked well with the smaller guys and continues to be the glue guy in these matches. Big Mami was super over, easily the most over character in this match. The finish was a bit lame after near 15 minutes, but at least it did serve an immediate purpose.

The opener had great energy, with all four guys trying for something memorable. It sure was memorable when Astrolux about killed himself a few times. It’s a hard match to recommend because there are spots so blown that the crowd laughs at them. That’s balanced out by the effort level; these guys were doing everything they could. And many things they could not. Freelance was the only luchador who looked exciting and didn’t have something go wrong, while everyone else could stand another shot at it.

Master of the spinebuster