CMLL (TUE) 11/08/2011 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara [Fuego en el Ring]
1) Black Metal b Evola
2) Metatrón & Super Halcon Jr. b Mr. Trueno & Rey Trueno
Metatron replaced Hombre Bala.
3) Metal Blanco & Palacio Negro b Puma King & Tiger
4) Princesa Blanca b Marcela [MEX WOMEN]
Seconds were Tiger and Silueta. Marecla had the win, but the ref was busy with Silueta, and Tiger snuck in a kick for the win.
5) Ephesto, Mephisto, Mr. Niebla b La Sombra, Máscara Dorada, Sagrado
Mr. Niebla, Sombra, and Sagrado replaced Averno, La Mascara and Maximo. A lot double booking. Mephisto & Ephesto beat Sombra for the win.

National champion > World Champion. That makes no sense at all. I’d like to reiterate my belief that the people who book Mexico City and the other locales don’t ever actually talk to each other. (That’d also explain Puma and Tiger teaming here all the time.) Really, if you absolutely had to do Princesa Blanca vs Marcela on this day, why not have the more important title on the line? It would actually work as a story since Blanca’s beaten Marcela many a time already, and the title belts wouldn’t seem so dumb and pointless.

I’m sure Ayumi is winning the CMLL title when Marcela heads to Japan. It explains a lot.

Other News

This week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter had a lot of lucha info. The eyegrabber is Mascarita Dorada (who says he still owns that name) was among those who tried out for WWE, impressed, and will be offered a contract. Minis in WWE do not have a great track record; they’ve brought in Mexican in 1997 and 2005, only lasting a few months at a time, but the pay is so much better that it’s surely worth trying. Dorada is too small to work with almost anyone on their roster; they’ll surely be bringing in people to work with Dorada, but exactly who is unknown. Dorada’s doing a lot of touring with Pierrothito as an opponent and Pierrothito was in WWE for the 2005 Juniors Division, but he’s got a pretty good spot in CMLL that he probably wouldn’t get back if he left. Demus and Pequeno Halloween seem like decent possibilities, but there is no actual news on any other other names; WON does mention other luchadors are expected to be offered contracts, but we still don’t know who.

A lot of AAA injuries: Drago (elbow) and Argos (shoulder) are out two months due to injuries. Crazy Boy’s long absence from all shows is due to a knee injury; surgery didn’t go well, so he’ll be getting another one and be out well into 2012. Relampago is out an undetermined amount of time after messing up his ankle at the last AAA TV taping. All those tecnicos going down probably explains why AAA’s moving up Fenix  much faster than usual. Mortiz and Semental are done for the year due to “personal reasons”, but are expected back in 2012.

Todo x el Todo drew only 1,300, less than we had heard. The Tijuana show with Santo the next day drew only 1,200. The Monterrey show did do well, but it doesn’t seem like what Santo is doing is going well overall.

New rumor of the day – Pato Soria wasn’t fired, but instead called to Mexico City to run Arena Mexico. Seems unlikely, but they haven’t kept too much quiet about these changes.

LuchaWorld has KrisZ’s news update.

El Luchador

Just a few brief thoughts on the last two episodes. Last one is up on YouTube.

After the first episode, I mentioned how the Man in Black bit felt like it strained the credibility of the real-ish nature of the show. They’ve downplayed him for Tony Salazar in more recent episodes, but there are other aspects of the show that are piercing the reality bubble. Rey Bucanero having a speakerphone conversation about the strip club show he was promoted while unaware his wife was standing right behind him was something off a bad sitcom. There are mature ways to set up that conflict that don’t seem such manipulated cliches. Felino, the man who portrays a homeless smelly possibly drunk man who dances with a parrot, lecturing his son Tiger about taking lucha libre more seriously seems like a very forced storyline to set up the conflict between him and Bucanero. Magnus & Dragon Lee meeting two women, and getting the CMLL van to take them to the canals for a double date was highly improbable.

These are actually fine enough wrestling skits, but the show has felt like too much of an extension of their lucha libre characters (without really much lucha libre) instead of a peek behind the curtain. The show may be working better with casual fans who aren’t as familiar with this characters, but the too obvious scripted storyline stuff detracts for me.

There is stuff I’ve liked on the show. Shocker’s storylines feel more genuine than the other ones on the show, and help to explain some of the random stuff from this summer. Shocker getting stripped of his title right when he was about to come back is because the title tournament will be the focus of episode four, and Shocker’s inability to return is probably an plot of another episode. Even though his argument with his significant other is just as set up for the cameras, it came off as much more organic than Bucanero and his wife.

The show is really not doing Magnus any favors. He got wrestled to a draw (or worse) versus a random high school student, he looks like a klutz compared to his good friend Dragon Lee, he suffers a bad looking injury while flipping around the ring, he’s the first eliminated in the only match he’s in, and yet he still comes off as overly confident. The show has done a great job of making Dragon Lee look like a future star – besides the flashy moves, he’s able to be in the ring dancing with Rey Bucanero and be on a boat with Magnus at the same time! – but they haven’t really come up with a reason we should be rooting for Magnus.

Still an entertaining show for what it is.

Links

• La Comandate vows to strike down the tecnicas who’ve been taking advantage of her absence
• LatinNation posted the show that included the  Masked Republic segment on their site; it’s about 17 minutes in.
• Damian hypes this weekend’s Perros del Mal show.
• Another press conference for the FULL Tinieblas show

CMLL (TUE) 11/08/2011 Arena Mexico [CMLL, Record]
1) Mercurio & Pequeño Universo 2000 b Aereo & Pequeño Halcón
2) Bronco, Hooligan, Inquisidor b Molotov, Starman, Tigre Blanco
3) Ángel Azteca Jr., Mr. Cacao, Pegasso DQ Arkángel de la Muerte, Loco Max, Skándalo
straight falls for the tecnicos, rudos fouling Cacao in the second. He and the Tuareg fought more after the match. Angel Azteca Jr. replaced Sangre Azteca.
4) El Alebrije, Histeria Psicosis, Olímpico b Delta, Hijo del Fantasma, Toscano
5) Héctor Garza, La Máscara, Rush DQ Averno, Terrible, Texano
Mascara beat Averno again. Problem was, Averno was not captain this week. Mascara had Texano in the campana, but Averno ran in and yanked off his mask. Terrible replaced Ultimo Guerrero, Hector Garza replaced Shocker.

Averno was also listed as working Guadalajara, so perhaps Ultimo ended up there?

A fresh round of “Averno is about to debut in WWE” rumors were going around yesterday. There’s nothing new to those; these were based on people misunderstanding a conversation they may not have even heard themselves. What happened was, in talking about the Epico/Hunico attack on Sin Cara on last week’s SmackDown! on a WrestlingObserver podcast, Bryan Alvarez guessed that maybe it was setting up Averno coming in as Sin Cara’s tag partner. It was only one of a few names Bryan suggested – Bryan Danielson was another – but he was not trying to report anything, just trying to see if the puzzle pieces would fit together. This week on SmackDown!, without spoiling anything, it’s no longer a 1 on 2 feud and doesn’t seem to be setting up a 2 on 2 tag feud. Nothing that happens necessarily means Averno is debuting in WWE imminently.

We do know Averno did agree to come in to WWE back before his mask match, did work out for WWE when they were in Mexico, and is a bit anxious to finally make the move he thought he was happening months ago. If you’re looking for signs, this title feud with Mascara is a better one – Averno’s s definitely losing this title and losing a big match to La Mascara before he leaves, and this could take care of both of those requirements. Still, whenever I’ve figured Averno is losing a title this summer, he manages to keep it and stick around. Plus, even if he loses this one, he still has the CMLL Trios titles to lose to before he goes. Don’t start assuming he’s showing up in WWE before he loses both of those titles.

Mr. Cacao says he met with Paco Alonso about coming in for more shows.

Other News

AAA announced their TV schedule for Saturday: It’s all matches from Xalapa, but they’ve broken them up over the two TV different Televisa shows:
Regional Broadcast (3-5p): matches 1, 2, 3, 4
National Broadcast (4-5p): matches 4, 5

La Parka, Jack, Fenix vs Cibernetico, Scoria and Billy is the match being shown on both shows, which makes a lot of sense with La Parka’s turn being the most important bit on the taping. And, assuming this is the plan going forward, it explains why they’re taping six matches going forward; no repeat that way. The obvious problem is the two shows are airing at the same time. The only way this makes sense is if there’s two difference audiences watching two different shows, but then why would you just not air the main event on the regional show if you don’t think those people are going to watch the national one?

AAA is silly, but usually not this silly. My hunch is there’s something Televisa involved in here, but AAA would be much better off if they could get either the regional show to start one hour earlier, or the national show to start one hour later, and avoid the overlap entirely. CMLL has done the same thing a lot – the FOX show will run up against the main Televisa show from time to time – but it’s two different networks there. This is the same one fighting against itself.

Tiffany talks about her injury rehab to CMLL. When she left, her shoulder injury was attributed to Goya Kong. Now that she’s about to come back and needs someone to feud with it, it’s all Estrellita’s fault.

Daga says he was only in AAA for the one show, “I can not say for whether or not I’m in AAA”. That’s more him being unsure what AAA wants to do with him. Daga mentions IWL, Lucha POP, but not so much the Quien Por Para La Corona.

La Catederal reminds people that Apolo Dantes was not seen as some great man when he was removed from running Arena Coliseo Guadalajara a few years ago, and shouldn’t be seen as some sort of savior coming back. The big changes need to happen elsewhere.

The main event of the next DTU show will be LA Park vs Joe Lider vs Super Mega.

DJ Spectro writes about his friend, Septiembre Negro.

Magnus says he’ll be back at Arena Mexico soon, wearing

Links

• AAA has a very good video package of La Parka explaining his move to the rudo side.
• Sagrado posted a message on his facebook, so I guess he’s okay?
• CMLL will be participating in a Walk against Diabetes.
• Segunda watches tecnico Pirata Morgan
• R de Rudo episode 332 is up.

Lineups

CMLL (SUN) 11/13/2011 Arena Mexico
1) Bengala, Höruz, Robin vs Camorra, Cholo, Zayco
2) Dragon Lee, Metálico, Sensei vs Cancerbero, Nosferatu, Raziel
3) Diamante, Metro, Sangre Azteca vs Rey Escorpion, Shigeo Okumura, Yoshihashi
4) Blue Panther, Héctor Garza, Super Porky vs Averno, Mephisto, Volador Jr.
5) Rush vs Terrible [CMLL LH]

Fan Appreciation show. The builds are just getting shorter; this is a one week setup. I don’t know if the main event will be any good, but I’m interesting in them having a try at it.

I want to start a weekly post where we come up with names for vitally important groups (or moves) that no one’s gotten around to naming. High on the list of items that need names: the evil axis of Camorra, Zayco, Cholo and Disturbio (maybe?), who only seem to be teaming with each other.

CMLL (TUE) 11/15/2011 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Javier Cruz Jr. vs Thunder Boy
2) Leo & Robin vs Artillero & Súper Comando
3) Bam Bam vs Pequeño Violencia [lightning]
4) Gallo, Metal Blanco, Palacio Negro vs Misterioso Jr., Puma King, Tiger
5) Atlantis, Hijo del Fantasma, Toscano vs El Alebrije, Mr. Águila, Psicosis

Another fun looking Guadalajara show. That’s two straight weeks for the Cats vs Joven Tapatios, so there’s probably another combination of the four in a title match coming up here.

They haven’t teamed up Puma & Tiger in Mexico since their falling out (for the El Luchador show), but they’ve been ignoring that in Guadalajara. I prefer ignoring it.

LyC (SUN) 11/06/2011 Arena Coliseo Monterrey [RFC]
1) Black Poison & Core b Drako & Exterminio
2) Artillero (MTY) & Demencia b Maravilla Azteca Jr. & Rey Orion
3) Gemelo Muerte I, Gemelo Muerte II, Misionero b Dralion, Gato Fantasma, Silencio
4) Golden Boy, Rey Demonio Jr., Simbolo b Hijo del Ninja, Ninja, Ninja Jr.
Rudos took 2/3. Simbolo tried to recruit Hijo del Ninja before the match. Hijo del Ninja did not agree, but had problems with the rest of his family during the match, and Ninja banned him from appearing at next week’s show.
5) Angel Dorado Jr., Big Neurosis, Máscara Púrpura b Androide, Furor, Genocida

No full results from Puebla yet. Pictures indicate rudos won the semifinal and final. Twitter messages last night said Sagrado was hurt in his match.

The rumor of Apolo Dantes taking back over management of Arena Coliseo Guadalajara were right on; Dantes announced he was back in charge on a radio show earlier today, replacing Pato Soria. He also suggested the Sunday shows would include independent wrestlers. Dr. Lucha has been saying CMLL may actually sell Arena Coliseo Guadalajara and withdraw from promoting there. If Dantes is actually bringing in independent wrestlers for Sunday shows, that probably means CMLL talent is at least withdrawing from those shows.

The explanation for the Hijo de Rey Misterio vs Hijo de Rey Misterio feud is the original suffered a knee injury, so his cousin (Horus, probably not really his cousin) took his place, but now the original wants his gimmick back.

Rob has highlights of 11/02/10 CMLL, 11/09/10 CMLL, 11/12/10 CMLL, 11/15/10 Puebla, and 04/30/10 AAA, 10/25/11 CMLL,

LuchaWorld has KrisZ’s news update.

Links

• Io Shirai and Nosawa’s hotel room was robbed, thieves taking all the money.
• Angelico returns to Mexico as part of the December Lucha POP show.
• Pimpi talks about his new trio.
• La Parka makes derisive gestures while complaining about AAA not sending their stars after him.
• The Gladiatores talks to the winner and loser of the Castle of Terror, and Mascarita Platedita
• Groon XXX opened a gym.
• R de Rudo talks to Kung Fu Jr.
• Estrellas del Ring talks to Eterno’s valet La Masiza.

Lineups

IWRG (THU) 11/10/2011 Arena Naucalpan
1) Kevin & Ojo de Tigre Jr. vs Imposible & Rambo Jr.
2) Centurión & Tritón vs Alan Extreme & Bizarro
3) Bugambilia del Norte, Dinamic Black, Saruman vs Carta Brava Jr., Comando Negro, Eterno
4) Golden Magic, Pantera, Zumbi vs Apolo Estrada Jr., Avisman, King Drako
5) Hijo de Máscara Año 2000, Hijo de Pirata Morgan, Pirata Morgan vs Silver Kain, Tabú, Último Gladiador

Both IWRG lineups via KrisZ. Tabu wrestled in IWRG far more than he wrestles in AAA (where he hasn’t been mentioned since being beaten up and stretchered out at Verano de Escandao.) He did end up with the IWRG heavyweight title, so this is likely a set up to someone (Mascara Ano?) facing him for it.

Comando Negro sticking around is a slight surprise. Eterno wanted to move to the rudo side previously.

LyC (SUN) 11/13/2011 Arena Coliseo Monterrey
1) Core, Demencia, Scravos vs Kratos, Maravilla Azteca Jr., Rey Imagen
2) Ninja & Ninja Jr. vs Hijo Del Mongol Chino & Mongol Chino
3) Dralion, Gato Fantasma, Silencio vs Gemelo Muerte I, Gemelo Muerte II, Misionero
4) Big Neurosis, Golden Boy, Simbolo vs Genocida, Máscara Púrpura, Rico Rodriguez

family vs family in the second match, rematch of a well received match in the third.

IWRG (SUN) 11/13/2011 Arena Naucalpan
1) Oficial AK47 vs Alan Extreme, Apolo Estrada Jr., Avisman, Black Terry, Carta Brava Jr., Centurión, Chico Che, Cien Caras Jr., Comando Negro, Dinamic Black, Eragón, Eterno, Oficial Fierro, Freeyser, Golden Magic, El Hijo del Diablo, Hijo de Máscara Año 2000, Imposible, Machín, Máscara Año 2000, Multifacético, Oficial 911, Pirata Morgan, Oficial Rayan, Oficial Spartan, Trauma I, Trauma II, Zumbi, Bugambilia del Norte [Rey del Ring, #1 Contenders]

The annual sort-of-Rumble match. Last Rey del Ring is Pantera; the winner should get a shot at him. They usually sneak in a tag match as an opener, but it’s mostly a big tournament.

CMLL (MON) 11/14/2011 Arena Puebla
1) Stigma & Tigre Rojo Jr. vs Policeman & Siki Ozama Jr.
2) Lady Apache, Luna Mágica, Marcela vs La Comandante, Princesa Blanca, Princesa Sugheit
3) Dragon Lee, Fuego, Pegasso vs Arkángel de la Muerte, Skándalo, Virus
4) Black Warrior, Blue Panther, Sagrado vs Ephesto, Misterioso Jr., Pólvora
5) Hijo del Fantasma, La Máscara, Shocker vs Averno, Mephisto, Último Guerrero
6) Máscara Dorada vs Dragón Rojo Jr.

Those two have had a few singles matches. After his title win last Friday, Mascara Dorada (likely jokingly) noted he’s learned a lot this year, including a pretty submission hold. That was the armbar he used to win last week; maybe Dragon Rojo needs to be ready for it here.