Dragon Rojo vs Sombra (and Mascara Dorada vs Negro Casas) set for next week, AAA La Gran Sorpresa, TxT TV

CMLL (SUN) 03/31/2013 Arena Coliseo
1) Bengala & Leono b Apocalipsis & Inquisidor
tecnicos took falls 2/3.
2) Hijo del Signo, Hooligan, Nosferatu b Metálico, Sensei, Soberano Jr.
tecnicos took fall 1, rudos took fall 2, Hooligan & Sensei double pinned in the third, and Signo snuck in a foul on Metalico for the win.
3) Amapola, La Comandante, Tiffany b Dalis la Caribeña, Estrellita, Luna Mágica
Rudas took 1/3, Amapola beating Estrellita clean
4) Hijo del Fantasma TLDRAW Tiger [lightning]
Seemed to go past the 10 minute mark, but still a time limit draw. Both talked generically about a no time limit rematch.
5) Blue Panther, La Sombra, Super Porky b Averno, Dragón Rojo Jr., Olímpico
Polvora was originally announced, but subbed for Olimpico on Monday. Sombra took all the rudos out in seconds, dived onto Dragon Rojo, and the other teccnicos beat the other rudos to take the first. Rojo and the rudos came back in the second, but Sombra won the third. Sombra (did not have his title) challenged Dragon Rojo (did have his title) to a title match next week. DR said no. Sombra challenged to a mask match. DR walked off. Title match happening anyway.
6) Diamante Azul, Mistico, Valiente b Euforia, Niebla Roja, Volador Jr.
Rudos took fall 1, tecnicos took fall 2, and Mistico beat Volador clean with La Mistica in the third. Volador seemed to be either hurt or pouting after a botched spot late in the third. He seemed fine the rest of the way. Post match interview had Mistico (out of breath) talking while the other two stood there and were silently shooed away.

Main event stuff came off as trolling, though I’m sure they think this is actually getting Mistico over. He was resoundingly booed this week.

Announcers mentioned the title match as happening about 10 minutes after it was turned down, so there was really not reason for it to be turned down. It may have been mentioned over the house microphones as people were leaving after the main event, and CMLL fans who might care about a title match probably figured it was happening as soon as Dragon Rojo walked out with the belt, but it still was not most effectively done. Sometimes I think they don’t call it ‘professional wrestling’ in Mexico because lucha libre ain’t all that professional.

Genickbruch timed the lightning match as 10:29 on a ten minute draw. Like I said. Hijo del Fantasma apparently defended (and kept?) his Mexico City light heavyweight title at the fair outside of Palacio de los Deportes on Saturday. Those were the shows which handed out the titles last year and there appear to be many lucha shows again, so I suspect they’re also Signo promoted and the DF titles will be defended.

CMLL (SUN) 03/31/2013 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara [@acogdl]
1) El Piraña b Brillante
2) Rey Trueno b Virgo
3) Exterminador b Smaker
Exterminador snuck in a foul on Smaker.
4) Sádico b LeoEl HippieDemonio RojoAcertijoBlack MetalÉvolaAzteca de OroSky KidJocker [cibernetico]
Battle royal determined sides (Azteca de Oro, Black Metal, El Hippie, Leo, Sky Kid vs Acertijo, Demonio Rojo, Évola, In Memoriam, Sádico). The debuting Jocker replaced In Memoriam. Jocker and Sky Kid were the first two out. Black Metal was hurt on a dive and strechered out. Demonio Rojo & Acertijo fouled Leo & Hippie, and Sadico took advantage to win.
5) Atlantis, Delta, Máscara Dorada b Felino, Negro Casas, Rey Bucanero
Dorada pinned Negro with a casita in the third fall, then challenged for a title shot (NWA Welter) next week. Negro accepted.

photo from the Luchas 2000 show Saturday, taken by Black Terry Jr.

Dorada winning in his hometown would be a great story. Thinking that’s not the story which will be told, but he’s got a chance.

IWRG results, DTU results (posting results themselves lasted 1 show) and the ones from that picture over on the left hopefully tomorrow. The big news from what I saw of the IWRG show was Trauma I’s bad knee going on again. They set up a tag title match next week and he’ll probably be working on it because he’s a luchador, but it seemed serious on TV.

AAA TV announced their next taping would be on 04/15 in Leon, and are calling it La Gran Sorpresa. They had listed this taping a while back, but never mentioned it on their website and did mention the Veracruz one, so I mistakenly believed they’d just rescheduled. Both are on, and AAA will essentially be taping three weekends in a row – Fusion next Saturday, Leon the following Monday, and Veracruz the Saturday after that.

AAA’s used the La Gran Sorpresa title before. Memorable, they ran a show under that name in 2007, where the planned surprise didn’t come thru, they had Extreme Tiger return to make up for it, and then did the actual surprise weeks later (which I can’t remember.) This might go smoother. No idea what it’s supposed to be, but it’d make sense for it to be something with the split. That Leon show should be the next lineup to come out, and it should be out soon. The way AAA’s been operating this year, it may be kept quiet until after next weekend’s Fusion taping.

AAA also confirmed the Reina de Reinas and Fusion title match from Rey de Reyes would be airing on Fusion this week. It’d make sense for matches for matches from Veracruz or Leon to end up on Fusion as well, they seem to be taping more TV than they need.

Speaking of TV, Todo x El Todo did air on CadenaTres this Sunday. They had promoted it a bit on the network, but the programming grid only listed it as Espacial (so those not following Hijo del Santo on Twitter might have not know it happened.) The minis match and the IWRG match aired this week, and they’ll have a two hour show next week. 3 hours of TV split over two weeks is the same way they did it for TVC Deportes.

Konnan says Rob will be seeing more of Aerostar after April, so probably the roster split is happening in April?

Jennifer Blake mentioned she hurt her ankle on the Naucalpan show, but it was doing better after being iced.

Porra Fresa has a detailed biography (and interview) with ex-Arena Puebla luchador Toro Bill, who talks about his start, his name, the circumstances behind his mask loss (a no-show), his title wins, and why he left Arena Puebla. This is good, hope we get more of these. Porra Fresa also has a preview of tomorrow’s tournament final.

The latest LuchaWorld podcast is up.

Rob has highlights of late 2011/early 2012 AAA, AAA 05/26/07 and CMLL 03/15/13.

Bill has highlights of 03/10/13 CMLL.

Mistico and Hijo del Fantasma are working at a fair in Veracruz Monday night.

Lucha Libre in Japan

03/31 NOAH: Taiji Ishimori defeated Ricky Marvin to keep the GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship (second defense.)  Super Crazy won in a tag match in the undercard. That’s the end of their tour. Super Crazy was scheduled to go to the US for now canceled Extreme Rising shows. I’d expect both to turn up in Mexico (and probably at least guest appearing in AAA) soon.

03/29 AAA TV Results (Naucalpan)

photo by Black Terry Jr.

AAA TV (FRI) 03/29/2013 Arena Naucalpan [Black Terry Jr. (flickr)R de Rudo]
1) Atomic Boy, Flamita, Jinzo b Gran Apache, Lucky Boy, Niño de Ébano
Apache bled. Atomic Boy challenged him to a mask vs hair match.
2) Argenis, Bugambilia, Dinastía b Argos, Mamba, Mini Abismo Negro
3) Crazy Boy, Joe Lider, Willie Mack b AR Fox, Dr. Cerebro, Eterno
AR Fox and Willie Mack, on the DTU shows this week, were added to the match. Nino Hamburguesa was with Crazy Boy. Money thrown in.
4) Faby Apache & Jennifer Blake b Mary Apache & Taya Valkyrie
Jennifer thanked the fans (in Spanish) from English.
5) Daga & el Hijo del Perro Aguayo b Cibernético & Cuervo [super libre]
Piledrivers, chairs, beer bottles and a table were all used.
6) Blue Demon Jr. b Texano Jr.
Non-title rematch. Demon won with a German suplex.

photo by Black Terry Jr.

Air Date:  04/06 & 04/13. That figures this weekend is the last part of Rey de Reyes to air (title match and Rey de Rey final on Televisa, Psycho Circus vs Rockers added on UTDN and Fusion/Reina de Reinas only airing on Fusion.) It would also mean AAA doesn’t appear to have any TV for the weekend of April 20th – their next taping is also the 20th in Veracruz, a few hours after the TV show airs.

AAA Fusion is airing matches from AAA Sin Limite tapings. Perhaps AAA Sin Limite will air some matches from AAA Fusion’s taping 04/06 Arena Lopez Mateos? Or the Fusion and Reina matches will end up airing on Sin Limite as well? I dunno. You may know by the time this gets posted.

Nothing new storyline wise, at least as mentioned in the recap. Show appears to be a complete sell out.

Mr. Aguila beats Shocker, Monterrey

photo by CMLL

CMLL (FRI) 03/29/2013 Arena Mexico [CMLL]
1) Demus 3:16 & Pierrothito b Astral & Shockercito
Astral was strechered out.
2) Metálico, Pegasso, Tritón b Arkángel de la Muerte, Nitro, Skándalo
Metalico replaced Starman.
3) Diamante, Fuego, Rey Cometa b Morphosis, Sangre Azteca, Vangelis
Originally announced with Olimpico and Stuka, but they were replaced by by Sangre Azteca and Diamante. Olimpico was moved to Sunday.
4) Rey Escorpión b Máscara Dorada [lightning]
Rey Escorpion won via powerbomb in 7:50, despite a Dorada stage dive.
5) Averno, Ephesto, Mephisto b La Máscara, La Sombra, Máximo
Averno beat La Mascara.
6) Mr. Águila, Rey Bucanero, Terrible b Marco Corleone, Rush, Shocker
Mr. Aguila snuck in a foul on Shocker.

indy (TUE) 03/26/2013 Arena Coliseo Monterrey [LuchaMania Monterrey]
1) Tequilita b Mini HatorMini Androide
2) Epidemius & Gato Fantasma b Dark FenixChamaco GurrolaBlack CrazyEl EnviadoMisioneo [Copa Cruicer, third phase]
Gato Fantasma & Epidemius move onto face Dralion, Rey Orion, Galactar and Slayer Boy (despite Slayer Boy not having won in any of these matches – Scravos did.)
3) Black Crazy, El Enviado, Rey Imagen b Gemelo Muerte I, Gemelo Muerte II, Rico Rodriguez
Skayde’s appearance was ‘postponed’, but no Dralion and Silencio either. Black Crazy & Enviado worked twice.
4) Chico Latino, Galactar, Kaientai b Genocida, Iron (Monterrey), Zayco (Monterrey)
Announced as a street fight, turned out not to be a street fight. A fourth Legendario ran in to help Genocida’s crew, but instead turned on them and helped the Gran Mafia Extranjera. He unmasked as Lord Byron Elias, Kaientai’s usual partner in crime.

AAA posted their version of the UTDN show from Thursday.

CMLL Gaceta has a good piece about the history of luchadors wrestling Arena Coliseo.

Rob has highlights of October 2002 CMLL, 07/28/06 Madero, and 07/30/06 Monterrey.

La Magnifica seems to be defending her QPPLC championship (?) in Aguascalientes this weekend.

Profile of luchador Aski of Dallas.

Video of Dark Angel in Stardom.

Lineups

CMLL (MON) 04/01/2013 Arena Puebla
1) Black Tiger & Tigre Rojo vs King Jaguar & Siki Ozama Jr.
2) Astral, Eléctrico, Stukita vs Demus 3:16, Pequeño Universo 2000, Pierrothito
3) Fuego, Starman, Stigma vs Hooligan, Nitro, Skándalo
4) Stuka Jr. vs Namajague [lightning]
5) Marco Corleone, Máximo, Rush vs Euforia, Niebla Roja, Último Guerrero
6) Atlantis & Volador Jr. vs Rey Bucanero & Shocker [Torneo Increible de Parejas]

Porra Fresa has his preview.

I’m thinking Rey Bucanero & Shocker, but I’ve been wrong here.

Segunda is the return of Electrico from a broken leg suffered all the way back in August. And the opener would be Tigre Rojo’s first appearance here since last May.

CMLL (FRI) 04/05/2013 Arena Mexico
1) Camaleón & Molotov vs Bobby Zavala & Disturbio
2) Pegasso, Starman, Tritón vs Cancerbero, Raziel, Virus
3) Blue Panther, Delta, Guerrero Maya Jr. vs Olímpico, Puma, Vangelis
4) Máximo vs Tiger [lightning]
5) Ángel de Oro, Diamante Azul, Stuka Jr. vs Dragón Rojo Jr., Pólvora, Rey Escorpión
6) Atlantis, Shocker, Thunder vs Averno, Mephisto, Mr. Águila

Shocker and Mr. Aguila continue to feud. Revolucinarios team in the semimain.

AAA Naucalpan & Arena Mexico previews

AAA has it’s first post-Rey de Reyes taping (late) tonight in Arena Naucalpan. The headline match is a rematch of the Rey de Reyes title match, Blue Demon Jr. vs Texano Jr., with the title on the line again. I felt pretty sure Texano was going to win their match in Monterrey; I’m not nearly as sure about his chances in this rematch. There’s no reason to do this match twice in short order with Demon losing, so something must going on. The taping otherwise looks like a typical post-major show AAA taping, with recent feuds replayed – Cibernetico vs Perro in a semimain tag match, the new Taya vs Jennifer feud in the woman’s match – and not a lot new yet. Dinastia and Mini Abismo do face each other in the segunda, with everyone expecting them to have a title match before long. Crazy Boy & Joe Lider vs Dr. Cerbero & Eterno in the usual IWRG guest appearance. We’re also hoping for information abut the brand split announced at Rey de Reyes.

Today’s Arena Mexico show is a lower interest show compared to the rest of March Friday night show. The main event appears to focus on the new Mr. Aguila vs Shocker feud, but there are more issues contained. It has Rey Bucanero vs Shocker when both will team up on Monday in the finals of their incredible pairs match and it has two of the current trios champions (Marco & the ailing Rush) versus two of like challengers (Rey Bucanero & Terrible). Lightning match has Rey Escorpion vs Mascara Dorada, which could be very good.

Bill has highlights CMLL 12/04/12 Guadalajara.

LuchaWorld has KrisZ’s news update.

Arena Queretaro has an interview with local wrestler Ursus.

R de Rudo interviews Stukita about his Guadalajara debut.

Pesadilla is working a charity show on Saturday.

Eric R & Phil watch Stuka & Cometa vs Okumura & Namajague.

Photos from the DTU contract signing.

El Hijo del Santo lists all the wins he and his father had in March.