CMLL results catch up (two titles changes, Fantastica Mania Mexico, Los Infernales split)

Thank you to everyone who reached out to check on me while I was away for personal reasons. Today’s post is just about CMLL, and I’ll have more as I find time to put it together over the next few days.

CMLL

CMLL (FRI) 05/26/2023 Arena México [AS, CMLL, Estrellas del Ring, Kaiser Sports, The Gladiatores, thecubsfan]
1) Angelito b Galaxy [lightning20230526cmll_match1Angelito vs Galaxy in a lightning match.mp4 (posted by luchablog vault (Google Drive)) CMLL | Galaxy cae rendido ante El Angelito (posted by mluchatv)
6:36
2) Capitán Suicida, Fuego, Volcano b Crixus, Kráneo, Raider 20230526cmll_match2Capitán Suicida, Fuego, Volcano vs Crixus, Kráneo, Raider.mp4 (posted by luchablog vault (Google Drive)) CMLL | Volcano, Suixida y Fuego derrotan a Raider, Crixus y Kraneo: Kemonito es el REY (posted by mluchatv)
11:38.
3) La Jarochita b La Catalina [lightning20230526cmll_match3La Jarochita vs La Catalina in a lightning match.mp4 (posted by luchablog vault (Google Drive)) CMLL | La Catalina cae derrotada ante La Jarochita en match relámpago (posted by mluchatv)
9:28
4) El Coyote & Rugido b El Audaz, Felino Jr., Guerrero Maya Jr., Hombre Bala Jr., Rey Samuray, Zandokan Jr. [MEX MIDDLE, seeding battle royal20230526cmll_match4El Audaz vs Rugido, Guerrero Maya Jr., El Coyote, Hombre Bala Jr., Felino Jr., Rey Samuray, Zandokan Jr. for the Mexican National Middleweight Championship and in a Number One Contenders Match match.mp4 (posted by luchablog vault (Google Drive)) CMLL - ELIMINATORIA POR EL CAMPEONATO NACIONAL MEDIO /ARENA MÉXICO / 26-05-23 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
vacant title (Templario won CMLL MIDDLE)
5) Guerrero Maya Jr. b Audaz [MEX MIDDLE, quarterfinal20230526cmll_match5Guerrero Maya Jr. vs Audaz for the Mexican National Middleweight Championship and in a tournament quarterfinal match.mp4 (posted by luchablog vault (Google Drive))
3:02
6) Rey Samuray b Zandokan Jr. [MEX MIDDLE, quarterfinal20230526cmll_match6Zandokan Jr. vs Rey Samuray for the Mexican National Middleweight Championship and in a tournament quarterfinal match.mp4 (posted by luchablog vault (Google Drive))
2:53
7) Felino Jr. b Hombre Bala Jr. [MEX MIDDLE, quarterfinal20230526cmll_match7Felino Jr. vs Hombre Bala Jr. for the Mexican National Middleweight Championship and in a tournament quarterfinal match.mp4 (posted by luchablog vault (Google Drive))
2:52.
8) Rugido b El Coyote [MEX MIDDLE, quarterfinal20230526cmll_match8Rugido vs El Coyote for the Mexican National Middleweight Championship and in a tournament quarterfinal match.mp4 (posted by luchablog vault (Google Drive))
2:59.
9) Guerrero Maya Jr. b Zandokan Jr. [MEX MIDDLE, semifinal20230526cmll_match9Guerrero Maya Jr. vs Zandokan Jr. for the Mexican National Middleweight Championship and in a tournament semifinal match.mp4 (posted by luchablog vault (Google Drive))
3:09.
10) Rugido b Hombre Bala Jr. [MEX MIDDLE, semifinal20230526cmll_match10Hombre Bala Jr. vs Rugido for the Mexican National Middleweight Championship and in a tournament semifinal match.mp4 (posted by luchablog vault (Google Drive))
2:51
11) Atlantis Jr., Star Jr., Volador Jr. b Euforia, Hechicero, Mephisto 20230526cmll_match11Atlantis Jr., Star Jr., Volador Jr. vs Euforia, Hechicero, Mephisto.mp4 (posted by luchablog vault (Google Drive)) CMLL - MEPHISTO - HECHICERO - EUFORIA VS STAR JR. - ATLANTIS JR. - VOLADOR JR/ARENA MÉXICO /26-05-23 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
9:35. Straight falls, setting up a trios title match next week.
12) Soberano Jr. b Dragón Rojo Jr. [Copa Jr. VIP, final20230526cmll_match12Soberano Jr. vs Dragón Rojo Jr. [Copa Jr. VIP] and in a tournament final match.mp4 (posted by luchablog vault (Google Drive)) CMLL - FINAL DE LA COPA JR. VIP / DARGÓN ROJO JR. VS SOBERANO JR. / ARENA MÉXICO / 26-05-23 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) Soberano (posted by La Tijera Lucha Libre)
12:54 via sitdown piledriver. Dragon Rojo got stretchered out (like everyone does for that move.)

This is already distant past and I wasn’t in a note taking mood. My recollection is Soberano/Dragon Rojo was better than the Templario/Dragon Rojo matches, but I’m not any higher on something built around Dragon Rojo. That result does point to a Soberano/Dragon Rojo/Templario match for September.

The tournament felt like everyone was told they had five minutes from the moment they walked out to the moment they returned, which is why that tournament style isn’t much good. Capitan Suicida, Fuego and Volcano may be ending up another trio, because that’s the second time they’d been together in a short order.

CMLL (SAT) 05/27/2023 Arena Coliseo [CMLL]
1) Acero, Aéreo, Shockercito b Full Metal, Minos, Pequeño Polvora
2) Valiente Jr. b Sangre Imperial [lightning]
3) Amapola, La Guerrera, Skadi b La Magnifica, La Vaquerita, Metálica
4) Cancerbero, Difunto, Luciferno b Dulce Gardenia, Espíritu Negro, Rey Cometa
5) Euforia b Yota
6) Atlantis, Blue Panther, Volador Jr. vs Bárbaro Cavernario, Dragón Rojo Jr., Fuerza Guerrera

Yota loses both of his singles matches on his way out. That’s normal for NJPW wrestlers finishing up excursions, but it was obviously a strange situation this time. I did see a couple of Japanese fans pointing out Yota was unlikely to beat Sanada if he couldn’t win in CMLL, but it didn’t seem like many and it didn’t seem to affect the title match at all.

CMLL (SUN) 05/28/2023 Arena México [CMLL]
1) Dr. Karonte II b Cachorro [lightning]
2) Astral, Neón, Oro Jr. b Apocalipsis, Cholo, Disturbio
tecnicos took 2/3
3) Robin b Diamond [lightning]
4) Arlequín (Jalisco), Furia Roja (Jalisco), Guerrero de la Muerte b Magia Blanca, Magnus, Okumura
Team Jalisco took 2/3
5) El Hijo del Villano III, Felino, Misterioso Jr. b Gemelo Diablo I, Gemelo Diablo II, Kráneo
Team Felino took 2/3
6) Panterita del Ring Jr., Valiente, Volador Jr. b Hechicero, Stuka Jr., Yota
Tecnicos took 2/3

This was Yota’s last match here, he’s not expected to make another return. CMLL’s going curiously strong with the Jalisco guys. The social media pushed them as “the new generation from Jalisco,” but they’ve all been around for a decade.

CMLL (MON) 05/29/2023 Arena Puebla [Porra Fresa]
1) Espíritu Maligno & Sombra Diabólika b Amnesia & Brave Star
2) Mercurio, Minos, Pequeño Polvora b Acero, Shockercito, Último Dragóncito
3) Perverso, Prayer, Siky Ozama b Crixus, Difunto, Zandokan Jr.  (posted by )
4) Euforia, Hechicero, Mephisto b Gemelo Diablo I, Gemelo Diablo II, Sagrado Facebook video (posted by )
5) Atlantis Jr. & Soberano Jr. b Ángel de Oro & Niebla Roja Facebook video (posted by )
sets up a tag title match next week

It’s odd CMLL had Los Infernales win here in retrospect.

CMLL (TUE) 05/30/2023 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara [FDDE, thecubsfan]
1) Dulce Kitty, Luna, Sexy Sol b Atenea, Nexy, Valkiria  (posted by Martes de Glamour Oficial )
Dulce Kitty picked up an injury.
2) Estrella de Jalisco I (2000s) & Estrella de Jalisco II (2000s) DQ Mr. Trueno & Rey Trueno and Mágico & Magnum and Gran Kenut & Jabalí  (posted by Martes de Glamour Oficial)
Malefico & Exterminador attacked and unmasked Estrellas de Jalisco I & II (Gallo & Rafaga).
3) Bestia Negra, Demonio Maya, Principe Daniel b Ángel Rebelde, Optimus, Trono  (posted by Martes de Glamour Oficial)
4) Crixus b Halcón Negro Jr.Ángel Negro Jr.El Gallero  (posted by Martes de Glamour Oficial)
5) Bárbaro Cavernario, Dulce Gardenia, La Fashion b Arlequín, Furia Roja, Guerrero de la Muerte  (posted by Martes de Glamour Oficial )
6) Stephanie Vaquer & Zeuxis © b Hera & Olympia [OCCIDENTE WOMEN TAG]  (posted by Martes de Glamour Oficial)
first defense

The main event was said to go surprisingly well given the experience level of Valiente’s daughters.

I was really confused by the “Estrellas de Jalisco” thing last week, and even more so when I saw Gallo & Rafaga walk out of this match. The announcers explained and I caught on: Gallo & Rafaga wrestled as Los Estrellas de Jalisco in the 00s before taking on their more famous gimmicks and were going back to those identities for a match featuring a lot of older wrestlers. Of course, it ended with a run-in from the rudos of that day. The announcers pointed out this building’s anniversary show is coming up.

CMLL (TUE) 05/30/2023 Arena México [CMLL, FDDE]
1) Micro Gemelo Diablo I, Micro Gemelo Diablo II, Micro Sagrado b Átomo, Chamuel, Micro Ángel
2) Astral, Diamond, Oro Jr. b Dr. Karonte I, Dr. Karonte II, Inquisidor
tecnicos took 1/3. Astral suffered an injury taking a frontcracker from one of the Karontes.
3) Amapola & La Catalina b La Jarochita & Sanely
rudas took 2/3
4) Star Black b Sagrado [lightning]
sets up a MEX HEAVY title match
5) Dark Panther, Fugaz, Panterita del Ring b Felino, Felino Jr., Rey Bucanero
Tecnicos took 2/3
6) Ángel de Oro, Gran Guerrero, Niebla Roja b Esfinge, Valiente, Volador Jr.
Rudos took 1/3

Like I said last time it happens, Star Black is going to keep getting heavyweight title shots until he wins. CMLL likes him and there’s just not too many other heavyweights.

Los Dr. Karontes seem to be injuring their opponents on a regular basis. This would be a great gimmick for a doctor team – they hurt you and they put you back together – but it’s not a gimmick with these guys.

CMLL (FRI) 06/02/2023 Arena México [CMLL, thecubsfan]
1) Mercurio & Pierrothito b Angelito & Galaxy
9:36
2) Futuro & Max Star b Halcón Suriano Jr. & Neón
11:28 Team Max Star took 1/3.
3) Akuma, Dark Magic, Espanto Jr. b Dulce Gardenia, Espíritu Negro, Rey Cometa
Ola Negra attacked Atrapsuenos post match, though the announcers seemed to ignore it
4) Guerrero Maya Jr. b Rugido [MEX MIDDLE, final]
10:46. Vacant title (Templario), final of last week’s tournament. Maya is the 62nd champion.
5) Atlantis Jr., Star Jr., Volador Jr. b Euforia, Hechicero, Mephisto © [CMLL TRIOS]
17:46. Mephisto & Hechicero had problems late, directly leading to their loss. Atlantis Jr., Star Jr. and Volador Jr. become the 34th champions. Hechicero blamed Mephisto for the loss, the two fought post match, and Hechicero seemed to say he was done with Los Infernales. Euforia did not pick a side.
6) Místico, Panterita del Ring Jr., Soberano Jr. b Fuerza Guerrera, Stuka Jr., Último Guerrero
14:35. Ultimo Guerrero cut off Soberano from breaking a pin and held him near the ropes, the first time they’ve touched in a match in months and months. (They didn’t touch the rest of the match.) Tecnicos took 2/3.

I saw the Soberano/Ultimo Guerrero interaction as accidental, like something that happened because they needed to for the match to make sense, but nothing planned. Ultimo Guerrero was back out of the way once Soberano was doing sequences and back the other way. Again, no one reporting on lucha libre in Mexico ever seems to notice or comment on this. That main event also came off like Fuerza Guerrera was booked for the show against Octagon or Atlantis, then whoever it was couldn’t appear, and they just had no idea what to do with him. He looked old. Panterita del Ring Jr. looked stupendous.

The trios title change was a surprise and also one that felt completely overshadowed by the split up. They were literally celebrating in the background of a shot of Mephsito/Hechicero shoving each other. It went from 0-10 so quick that you’d wonder about the Anniversario if the Dragon Rojo stuff hasn’t been so built up over the last few months. Maybe that just gives you an idea of scale: this felt like a big feud quickly (and Mephisto is a guy who’s ripe for a mask match.) The match was pretty good and the out-of-nowhere angle was done very well.

Guerrrero Maya Jr. and Rugido wasn’t perfect – it was a little clunky, and these guys aren’t over enough to the casuals for a finisher tease sequence to get over – but I still thought it was good. The promise of Guerrero Maya Jr. getting a title and defending it against challengers is big.

The guys in the second match went for it and it didn’t quite work all the time. The physical tools are there with the new guys – Neon has an impressive-looking leap to the top rope he pulled out a couple of times here- it’s just going to be a matter of putting it together all in one match.

CMLL (SAT) 06/03/2023 Arena Coliseo
1) Full Metal, Pequeño Olímpico, Pequeño Violencia b Aéreo, Fantasy, Pequeño Magía
2) Enfermero Jr. b Cachorro [lightning]
3) Capitán Suicida, Halcón Suriano Jr., Valiente Jr. b Apocalipsis, Cholo, Disturbio
4) Magia Blanca & Magnus b El Coyote & Okumura
5) Fuego, Fugaz, Hombre Bala Jr. b Pegasso, Rey Samuray, Stigma
6) Atlantis, Atlantis Jr., Panterita del Ring Jr. b Gran Guerrero, Stuka Jr., Último Guerrero

Nothing particular to say about this one, but generally notable there’s very few substitutions on these shows as late.

CMLL (SUN) 06/04/2023 Arena México [CMLL]
1) Leono & Robin b El Hijo De Centella Roja & Prayer
2) Raider b Halcón Suriano Jr. [lightning]
3) El Audaz, Star Black, Volcano b Cancerbero, Luciferno, Virus
4) Zandokan Jr. b Okumura [lightning]
5) Bárbaro Cavernario, Gran Guerrero, Último Guerrero b Panterita del Ring Jr., Star Jr., Volador Jr.
6) Euforia & Soberano Jr. b Valiente & Valiente Jr. [Copa Dinastia, quarterfinal]
7) Hijo de Stuka Jr. & Stuka Jr. b Misterio Negro & Misterioso Jr. [Copa Dinastia, quarterfinal]
8) Hijo de Stuka Jr. & Stuka Jr. b Euforia & Soberano Jr. [Copa Dinastia, semifinal]

Team Stuka advancing is a mild surprise, a good way to feature people who aren’t getting as much attention. Valiente Jr. seems like he’s found a regular role on this roster, Hijo de Stuka not as much.

The opener is Hijo de Centella Roja’s first CDMX appearance outside of the Torneo de Escuela. Didn’t seem like it would be a sure thing for him, but CMLL is going pretty deep on those. Tonalli, in an IWRG interview, claimed he’s still with CMLL but they wanted to focus on other Torneo de Escuela guys at the moment. The reality seems is CMLL is using more people than ever, even if for a match or two, and there are probably specific reasons if a guy as talented as Tonalli isn’t being used. We’ll see if he keeps showing up with RGR.

CMLL (SUN) 06/04/2023 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara [thecubsfan]
1) Eclipse & Obeses b Chesmo & Palcry Domingo Familiar, Arena Coliseo de Guadalajara (posted by Martes de Glamour Oficial )
guessing on names, totally wrong
2) Estrella De Jalisco Jr. I, Estrella De Jalisco Jr. II, Último Ángel b Obek, Rav, Temerario Domingo Familiar, Arena Coliseo de Guadalajara (posted by Martes de Glamour Oficial)
Raven now Rav? Obelisk now Obek?
3) Dulce Kitty & Sexy Sol b Atenea & Valkiria Domingo Familiar, Arena Coliseo de Guadalajara (posted by Martes de Glamour Oficial)
4) Estrella de Jalisco I (2000s) DQ ExterminadorJavier Cruz Jr.NeutrónMágicoLeón BlancoGran KenutFlashRey TruenoBobby BlackPepe AguayoBlack BoyEl Hijo Del CalaveraMr. TruenoEstrella de Jalisco II (2000s)Jabalí Domingo Familiar, Arena Coliseo de Guadalajara (posted by Martes de Glamour Oficial)
Sides set pre-match (no battle royal)! A: Javier Cruz Jr., Neutron, Magico, Leon Blanco, Gran Kenut, Estrella de Jalisco I Flash, Rey Trueno vs B: Exterminador, Bobby Black, Pepe Aguayo, Black Boy, Hijo del Calavera, Mr. Trueno, Estrella de Jalisco II, Jabali. Exterminador unmasked Estrella de Jalisco I (Gallo) for the DQ.
5) Adrenalina, Explosivo, Fantástico b Barboza, Draego, Persa Domingo Familiar, Arena Coliseo de Guadalajara (posted by Martes de Glamour Oficial)
6) Místico b Averno Domingo Familiar, Arena Coliseo de Guadalajara (posted by Martes de Glamour Oficial)

This is the return of the Sunday show. It’s an afternoon start, as they’ve done for the irregular charity shows in this venue. The turnout seemed down from Tuesdays but maybe still OK? It’s hard to know what OK will be for this venue, starting now with lower wattage lineups. The main event played the hits.

CMLL (MON) 06/05/2023 Arena Puebla
1) Asturiano, Meyer, Millenium vs Rencor, Rey Apocalipsis, Sombra Diabólika
2) Volcano vs Siky Ozama [lightning]
3) Esfinge, Fugaz, Stigma vs Magia Blanca, Magnus, Rugido
4) Místico, Panterita del Ring Jr., Volador Jr. vs Gran Guerrero, Stuka Jr., Último Guerrero
5) Ángel de Oro & Niebla Roja © vs Atlantis Jr. & Soberano Jr. [CMLL TAG]
9th defense

A main event title change seems unlikely after Atlantis Jr. picked up a title on Friday. It could be good, as could the semi-main. Siki Osama is a rare local who can match Volcano in height.

CMLL (TUE) 06/06/2023 Arena México
1) Angelito, Kaligua, Pequeño Magía vs Mercurio, Minos, Pequeño Polvora
2) Skadi & Tiffany vs La Magnifica & Metálica [Relevos Increíbles]
3) Halcón Suriano Jr. vs Vaquero Jr. [lightning]
4) Blue Panther, Dark Panther, Volcano vs Gemelo Diablo I, Gemelo Diablo II, Kráneo
5) Sagrado © vs Star Black [MEX HEAVY]
4th defense, second versus Star Black
6) Atlantis, Panterita del Ring Jr., Star Jr. vs Averno, Bárbaro Cavernario, El Hijo del Villano III

Villano getting a main event opposite Atlantis is going to be a big deal for him, even if it’s just a random Tueday night. Four defenses in eight months is pretty active for a heavyweight champion in CMLL.

CMLL (TUE) 06/06/2023 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Astro Oriental, Avispón Negro Jr., Bello Antuan vs Minotauro, Mortis, Rumbero
2) Flash & Pepe Aguayo vs Estrella de Jalisco I (2000s) & Estrella de Jalisco II (2000s) and Exterminador & Maléfico and Mr. Trueno & Rey Trueno
3) Okumura vs Arlequín [lightning]
4) Pegasso, Perverso, Rey Samuray vs Bestia Negra, Black Boy, Cris Skin
5) Apocalipsis, Cholo, Disturbio vs Leo, Omar Brunetti, Príncipe
6) Esfinge & Fugaz vs Furia Roja & Guerrero de la Muerte
7) Magia Blanca, Magnus, Rugido vs Difunto, Principe Daniel, Zandokan Jr.

Semi-main is the double tag team champions versus likely challengers.

CMLL (FRI) 06/09/2023 Arena México
1) Diamond vs Raider [lightning]
2) Guerrero Maya Jr., Rey Samuray, Stigma vs Difunto, Furia Roja (Jalisco), Zandokan Jr.
3) La Jarochita, Lluvia, Sanely vs La Catalina, Stephanie Vaquer, Zeuxis
4) Atlantis, Gran Guerrero, Stuka Jr. vs Euforia, Soberano Jr., Valiente [Relevos Increíbles]
5) Mephisto vs Hechicero
6) Dragón Rojo Jr., Místico, Último Guerrero vs Templario, Titán, Volador Jr. [Relevos Increíbles]

They’re wasting no time getting to Mephisto/Hechicero. Soberano feels like he belongs in the main event, but then they’d have to find someplace else to put Ultimo Guerrero probably. Diamond/Raider could be good (and Diamond could use a good night.) Furia Roja gets a Friday appearance.

Titán returns to Mexico on that show after wrapping up a successful Best of the Super Juniors tour. His final league match with Hiromu Takahashi, the semifinal match with El Desperado and the final against Master Wato were heavily praised. Titán lost in the final while still dramatically raising his stock. You can see the planning if you look carefully – Titán was the one getting pinfalls in the junior tag feud last week, Titán pulling the upsets over Takahashi, and Desperado saves those victories as big moments Wato can still chance – but it still was shocking in the moment. I don’t know what’s next for Titán, but I don’t think he’s returning to the “3-6 in the group” stage soon.

Titán/Wato got a five-star rating in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. I believe that makes Titán only the second active CMLL wrestler to get a five star rating, joining Dragon Lee. Both of their matches took place in NJPW; there’s never been a CMLL match rated five stars in that newsletter. (The Villano III/Atlantis match got 4 3/4, which is technically not five stars if emotionally the same.) Titan advancing to the finals got a small bit of Mexican sports/wrestling media attention. His celebration following the semifinal win was the cover of Box y Lucha 3553. You should never underestimate how much doing well on an international stage means to both Mexican wrestlers and their fans.

(Thing that probably isn’t going to happen but would be great if it did: if NJPW will not let any of the AAA wrestlers appear on Forbidden Door, AEW should turn into the skid and bring in Titán and anyone else they can get for a weekend and cross off ‘booking a current bucket list CMLL wrestler’ from the bucket list. Titán truly is a NJPW guy so CMLL’s not going to object, and AAA’s going to be fine with whatever AEW is doing as long as they’re still getting Omega. I’d sneak in Vaquer and Volador if possible too but Titán is the actual reasonable one.)

The big upcoming co-promotion show people in Mexico are talking about is now (edit: not) Forbidden Door, but Fantastica Mania Mexico. I had heard (and written here) about the possibility of this tour since about the end of the Japan version. Maybe for me it came off flatter because I’ve had three months to think about it and who could be part of it. Mexican fans seemed to be much more excited. It’s not as large amount of wrestlers as CMLL sends to Japan, but it does have an A level name in Naito and a popular secondary guy in Desperado. That’s better than CMLL’s been getting from NJPW.

CMLL publicized the 06/30 show. They actually announced matches for other shows that week on Informa, just didn’t put them out on social media. (You can tell the real reach of Informa in how those didn’t get mentioned. It’s hard to get people to report on things now unless you spoon-feed it to them in small easy-to-digest portions. It’s not just a CMLL issue.)

CMLL (MON) 06/26/2023 Arena Puebla
4) Magia Blanca, Magnus, Rugido, Volador Jr. vs Bushi, Naito, Rocky Romero, Titán
5) Averno, Mephisto, Satánico vs Atlantis, El Desperado, Tiger Mask IV

CMLL (TUE) 06/27/2023 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
4) Averno, Rey Bucanero, Último Guerrero vs Bushi, Naito, Titán
5) Blue Panther, Fuerza Guerrera, Satánico vs El Desperado, Rocky Romero, Tiger Mask IV

(The Guadalajara show will include everyone wearing their old masks for the night.)

CMLL (FRI) 06/30/2023 Arena México
1) Audaz, Capitán Suicida, Hombre Bala Jr. vs Akuma, Dark Magic, Okumura
one fall match
2) Lluvia & Zeuxis vs La Jarochita & Stephanie Vaquer
3) Satánico vs Tiger Mask IV
Satanico 50th Anniversary match.
4) El Desperado vs Máscara Dorada 2.0
5) Bushi, Naito, Titán vs Atlantis Jr., Místico, Soberano Jr.
6) Rocky Romero © vs Volador Jr. [NWA WELTER]

I don’t have a defense number because I haven’t done the work to add all the “Dan the Dad” matches to the luchadb yet. I’ll work on it. This main event feels like the end of the story, but the All Star Junior festival show still exists as another possibility.

Naito last visited in 2019, which I recall as a not-so-serious match. That one had Rush & Terrible involved and this one might be more intense.

There are many good Mistico stories. One of my favorites was his returning to Arena Mexico in 2015 and declaring he would now be known as “Mistic 2.0.” The mocked name never made it to a match, with him claiming it was all a ruse to fool people who might want to steal his real new name (Caristico.) “2.0” is a dated suffix for people who know “technology” is a thing which exists but prefers to avoid interacting with it; perfect for CMLL. In theory, naming this guy “2.0” allows 1.0 Metalik to return and keep his name, though I don’t know if he wants to be Mascara Dorada even in CMLL at this point (and he’s still waiting for his US residency so he can’t be in CMLL.) For what it’s worth, CMLL filed for (just) “Mascara Dorada” as a trademark back on April 28th in a few categories they hadn’t covered before. Everyone’s going to end up calling him Mascara Dorada within a few weeks anyway, with or without the 2.0.

Mascara Dorada 2.0 is probably Panterita del Ring Jr. CMLL hasn’t made it official, but he’s widely believed to be the plan.

The slightly elevated prices for the Friday show caught some attention. The June 23rd show from runs between 150 and 630 pesos, while the FantasticaMania show goes from 300 to 780. (Ticketmaster lists a higher top price, so maybe there are ringside tickets labeled with a bigger price that aren’t still on sale.) It’s up, but not a lot compared to the biggest shows of the year.

What stuck out to me is this show isn’t listed as a PPV yet. JCR mentioned it will be a PPV on Informa, so it’s like a 95% chance it’s just the higher price point and CMLL’s slow on putting it up, and a scant percentage CMLL is going to offer the big crossover show on a platform the crossover audience might actually find. I expect it’ll be up on NJPW World eventually, but it would be a fine time for the “oh no PPV won’t work, guess we have to show this big match for free” issue to pop up again.

Satanico wrestled the original Tiger Mask before he was Tiger Mask, and before most of you were born. Tiger Mask IV may be closer to the end of his career than 72-year-old Satanico, but he’s a Tiger Mask so Satanico is excited to fight him as his career reaches 50 years. CMLL also is booked for 60-year-olds by 60-year-olds, and this checks off some boxes. Informa mentioned Blue Panther, and Atlantis will similarly be honored in upcoming months.

The Satanico celebration also mentions Lluvia & Zeuxis finally teaming up as Las Infernales. A female version of Satanico’s group featuring women he’s trained has been thrown out in interviews as an idea for years I still can’t explain why people are so attached to this idea. I’m glad they’re at least finally getting it, and it makes sense to do it on a show honoring Satanico. The only miss is Dark Silueta is not yet ready to come back from injury to be the third person in the trio, perhaps she’ll make an appearance at ringside. The male Los Infernales group not being involved stuck out as strange when this card was announced, but it makes more sense now.

I saw people wondering if Mercedes Mone might have been on this show had she not been injured on the last NJPW Strong show because this is the NJPW tie-in show. I don’t believe so; it’s important to understand how long and how loudly people have been pushing for this “Las Infernales” concept; that was always going to be the priority for a show honoring Satanico. I remain skeptical Mercedes is coming to Arena Mexico but, if it ever is going to happen, it’ll probably be an event where Mercedes is the main (and many only focus), not along with another batch of people.

Naito, Bushi, Desperado and even Tiger Mask appearing on this show means they’re all very likely to be among the NJPW wrestlers appearing on on the 06/25 Forbidden Door show. Going from Toronto to Puebla will be a long day, but the adjacent dates aren’t a coincidence. CMLL’s just announcing them first because they need to sell some tickets, AEW’s gotten that worked out for Toronto already.

Enrique Lutteroth Camou, said to be the oldest of the 2nd generation Lutteroth children, passed away. CMLL’s press release said he promoted shows at Arena Coliseo Monterrey for “four decades.” I don’t know much about him beyond that. CMLL didn’t mention an age. There is more info on him on Facebook: he was 95, living in Garza Garcia, and worked in the hotel industry. His most famous hotel seems to be Hotel Coral & Marina, who said Lutteroth actually passed away last Tuesday and re-posted a longer bio from a recent anniversary. Enrique Lutteroth had a degree in architecture from UNAM, and is said to be the person in charge of building Arena Coliseo Monterrey (under the direction of his father.) That hotel bio says Enrique promoted wrestling from 1954 to 1966, then took over running Hotel Country Club in Tijuana when his brother Hector decided to leave that role for politics. He stayed in the hotel business the rest of his life, founding Ensenada’s Hotel Coral & Marina in 1996 and serving as the president until his death. He’s also credited with founding the Nuevo Leon Boys & Girls Club.

Max Star said he was so nervous for his Arena Mexico debut that he almost fell down the stairs. He’s hoping the programming department holds a tournament for the now-vacant national lightweight title and that he gets to be part of it. Teaming with Volador in the Gran Alternativa and going to Japan are his other goals.

Atlantis suggests his mask is worth 50 billion dollars. I think you could take a few zeros off that and still get him to lose his mask.

3 thoughts to “CMLL results catch up (two titles changes, Fantastica Mania Mexico, Los Infernales split)”

  1. glad to see you back on the onlines, bro
    was shoot scared for a hot minute

    not to be morbid, but there will one day be a day without a cubsfan, as we all shall pass
    does the USA lucha scene have anything for a backup plan?

  2. I hope all is well with you and yours Cubs. Prayers and positive vibes headed your way sir.

  3. Glad to see you back Cubs, hope all is ok.

    When do we need to worry Dragon Rojo/Soberano/Templario becomes the dreaded cage match now Mephsito/Hechicero are fueding…

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