top six stories of the last two weeks

Averno left CMLL to work with Sin Cara again. In a rare move, CMLL actually acknowledged Averno had left the promotion. Sin Cara, Averno and various local promoters used Kid’s Day/Labor Day weekends to run a week full of shows around Mexico. The two, teaming with AAA wrestlers or independents, drew good crowds though not consistently sold out ones. Sin Cara, Averno haven’t been officially announced as working for AAA yet, but it’s coming soon. AAA TV lineups on 05/17 and 05/24 have luchadora sorpresa spots which are holding a spot for Sin Cara & Averno.

Mistico II is out of action for an indefinite time after getting into a motorcycle accident. The accident took place Friday, and CMLL has only said Mistico broke a couple of bones in his leg. Mistico has been more forthcoming on his own Facebook, saying he had four screws put in his leg and vowing he’ll be 1000% in “a few months.”

AAA announced Verano de Escandalo would take place on 06/07 in Orizaba, Veracruz. Psycho Clown challenges Texano Jr. again for the Mega championship (the first TV defense in 7 months) will be on the card, and challenges were made for a Blue Demon Jr./Chessman Latin American championship match. The other big development from AAA’s weekend of tapings was the debut of “Bengala” – not the CMLL luchador using the same name, but Ricky Marvin under a mask. Marvin is a fine addition, putting him under a mask is a bit more mysterious.

La Sombra, Rush and La Mascara have formed a rudo outlaw group. All three are now basically doing Rush’s “most hated tecnico” character, only they’re now not getting along with any one else. The three are saying they’re not tecnicos or rudos, but they’ve been repeatedly turning on their tecnico partners and rudos have tended to work as tecnicos against them. The build here is to set up a Negro Casas & Mr. Niebla tag challenge versus La Mascara & Rush (and continue to Casas versus Rush beyond that.) The story has taken a strange turn – that tag title match was announced for this Friday, then everyone involved was abruptly pulled from the card this Monday with no explanation.

The En Busca de un Idolo tournament continues on – but to what, we don’t know. Hechicero continues to lead over all, with his dominance in internet polling passing pushing him far beyond Cavernario (who’s doing better in the other phases of the competition.) Soberano has a little bit of lead for third. Cachorro, Star Jr., Guerrero Negro Jr. and Dragon Lee are all close in a battle for fourth – which may or may not matter. The youngsters in this tournament have looked much more adept at putting together good matches than would be expected for their experience, which is the most important outcome.

El Dandy lost to Satanico in his “retirement” match, as the main event of the 04/27 Chilanga Mask show. Satanico faked a foul, causing El Dandy to lose by disqualification. The good news for Dandy is interest in the Satanico/Dandy retirement tour has grown, and he’s now got at least three more matches after what was billed as the end. In the undercard, AAA’s Eterno worked as a surprise wrestler in a four way tag match that also included CMLL luchadors, and Black Terry beat Aero Boy in a very good match.

– Dr. Wagner Jr. defeated La Park in the main event of the Masked Mania show. Negro Navarro defeated Solar in the second biggest match. The iPPV had issues during the middle of the show, but the two biggest matches got thru clean.

– Stuka Jr. won the CMLL Reyes del Aire, in what would be Averno’s final match for the promotion (for the time being.)

– Mascara Ano 2000 Jr. won the annual IWRG Rey del Ring 30 man royal rumble match.

– Mascara Dorada will be part of the NJPW BOSJ (and probably lose more than he’ll win, because JAPAN)

– Demonio Maya won the Occidente Middleweight championship from Fuego

– People who kept their titles: Escorpion, Flamita (in Dragon Gate!), Mephisto, Angelico & Jack Evans, Hijo de Pirata Morgan

– One ref lost his hair to another in IWRG.

Cameraman does not watch what he’s filming, goes down hard.