CMLL (& NFL mascots) at Arena Mexico tonight, legends cibernetico on Dia de Luchador

CMLL

Tonight’s show:

CMLL (FRI) 09/08/2023 Arena México
1) Kaligua & Pequeño Magía vs Mercurio & Pierrothito
2) Lluvia & Stephanie Vaquer vs La Jarochita & Zeuxis
3) Dulce Gardenia vs Star BlackStigmaDark PantherHombre Bala Jr.Max StarZandokan Jr.AkumaRugidoHijo del Villano IIIEl CoyoteCrixus [Copa Independencia, semifinal]
4) Volador Jr. vs Bárbaro Cavernario
5) Atlantis Jr., Máscara Dorada, Místico vs Guerrero Maya Jr., Templario, Titán [Relevos Increíbles]

It’s a show of good matches with not much obvious story to them. Guerrero Maya in a Friday main event – his first one in 12 years – is a cool novelty. It may have to do with the NFL Mexico mascots deal they’re doing, since the preview art has many of them wearing NFL themed gear or colors

  • Mistico – Denver Broncos (lead sponsor)
  • Atlantis Jr. – Dallas Cowboys
  • Mascara Dorada – Los Angeles Rams
  • Templario – Las Vegas Raiders
  • Titan – Arizona Cardinals?
  • Guerero Maya – Kansas City Chiefs?

Mascots for those six teams are scheduled to do some amateur wrestling at 7:30, so the stream will start an hour early. Who even knows what that’ll be. The KC Wolf hasn’t appeared in the promotional stuff so far but I believe they had a game last night. He might just be a late arrival.

Cavernario/Volador is an interesting test to see what both are willing to do in a random Friday singles match. The mixed partners match will probably fall apart but it is at least the best women involved, and the minis match has a good selection as well.

The Copa Independencia is the big event of the night. CMLL just ran Esfinge/Zandokan so that’s probably not getting run again. Akuma got his big match with the hair match, so maybe it’s Rugido’s turn? That’s my best guess.

It’s on Boleita/Neerme for $5 USD as usual.

CMLL (SAT) 09/09/2023 Arena Coliseo
1) Micro Gemelo Diablo I & Micro Gemelo Diablo II vs Mije & Periquito Sacaryas
2) La Magnifica, La Vaquerita, Metálica vs Amapola, La Guerrera, La Maligna [Relevos Increíbles]
3) Arkalis, Pegasso, Rey Samuray vs El Coyote, Okumura, Pólvora
4) Valiente vs Felino [lightning]
5) Espíritu Negro, Rey Cometa, Volcano vs Gemelo Diablo I, Gemelo Diablo II, Sagrado
6) Atlantis Jr., Soberano Jr., Star Jr. vs Ángel de Oro, Hechicero, Niebla Roja

A show.

CMLL (SUN) 09/10/2023 Arena México
1) Galaxy & Shockercito vs Minos & Pequeño Violencia
2) Astral, Diamond, Valiente Jr. vs Dr. Karonte I, Dr. Karonte II, Raider
3) Blue Panther Jr., Flyer, Magia Blanca vs Difunto, Felino Jr., Misterioso Jr.
4) Reyna Isis vs La Catalina [lightning]
5) Blue Panther, Panterita del Ring, Valiente vs Magnus, Rey Bucanero, Villano III Jr.
6) Dragón Rojo Jr., Terrible, Volador Jr. vs Euforia, Niebla Roja, Soberano Jr.

Not much with the anniversary here.

CMLL (MON) 09/11/2023 Arena Puebla
1) Amnesia & Millenium vs Dreyko & Rey Apocalipsis
2) Micro Gemelo Diablo I & Micro Gemelo Diablo II vs Átomo & Chamuel
3) Meyer vs Disturbio [lightning]
4) Espíritu Negro, Rey Cometa, Stigma vs Cancerbero, Luciferno, Virus
5) Máscara Dorada, Soberano Jr., Titán vs Crixus, Difunto, Zandokan Jr.
6) Atlantis Jr., Star Jr., Volador Jr. vs Ángel de Oro, Dragón Rojo Jr., Niebla Roja

Atlantis Jr., Star Jr., and Volador Jr. are the trios champs that no one remembers are the trios champions.

CMLL (TUE) 09/12/2023 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Adira, Alondra, Lady Shadow vs Hatanna, La Pantera, Sexy Sol
2) Katara, Magia Azul, Náutica vs Centinela, Perse, Valkiria
3) Barboza, Draego, La Fashion, Persa vs Bestia Negra, Leo, Omar Brunetti, Vaquero Jr.
4) La Jarochita & Lluvia vs Stephanie Vaquer & Zeuxis
5) Templario & Último Guerrero vs Averno & Dragón Rojo Jr.
6) Místico & Volador Jr. vs Ángel de Oro & Niebla Roja

A lot with the Aniverasrio here! Top two matches preview the apuesta match, match 4 is a dry run of the tag title match.

The CMLL Japan Women’s championship has been vacant since Dalys left for AAA. CMLL Lady’s Ring will have a decision match between Dark Silueta and Japanese wrestler Kohaku on their 09/17 show. That means Dark Silueta is probably winning the belt and Kohaku is likely coming to Mexico in October.

On Informa, CMLL announced a legend’s cibernetico for their 09/22 Dia de Luchador show. CMLL likes to do legend’s themed matches for this annual event, and it helps to bring people in when about a dozen people will be on their way to England for the FanasticaMania UK shows. It’ll be a 12 person cibernetico with pre-determined sides; in other words, CMLL decided they can’t risk these guys taking battle royal eliminations.  Group A is Felino, Aguila Solitaria, Solar, Black Terry, Octagon and Satanico. Group B is Atlantis, Blue Panther, Panterita del Ring, El Pantera, Negro Navarro and Rocky Santana. This is a one night match; I think the Group A/B designation confused the WON today into thinking this was a multiweek event. A cibernetico generally sounds like a better way to get the legends in long enough to do a few trademark moves and get them out of the way before it gets too much. We’ll see how it works in practice, but the idea seems solid.

The field itself is interesting. (International) Pantera (II) has not wrestled in CMLL since 2006. He lost his mask to Misterioso in a cage match that year, then left a few months later. Pantera has generally wrestled under the same mask for the decade and a half since. Pantera’s claimed that CMLL didn’t pay him the full amount owed to him for the mask match, and so he felt he had the right to put it back on. He also made it clear you weren’t supposed to ask him about the mask, and so people stopped asking. Pantera’s mask/unmasked status is irrelevant for this show – the commission will allow everyone to wear their old mask if the so choose for the night – but it does change the story. Either CMLL’s done something to resolve the situation, or the real situation was just an older wrestler who didn’t want to look like an older wrestler coming up with a story to allow him to cover up his face.

Fuerza Guerrera is a notable omission. He wrestled as recently as Sunday in Merida, so it doesn’t appear to be an injury issue. Guerrera is scheduled to be on the Aniverasrio show, so maybe we’ll get more information this weekend.

NJPW announced a couple of CMLL matches for their 10/28 Las Vegas show

  • Atlantis, Mistico, Tanahashi and Atlantis Jr. vs Rocky Romero, Tiger Mask, Soberano Jr., and Adrian Quest
  • Lluvia & Johnnie Robbie vs Stephanie Vaquer & Zeuxis

Johnnie Robbie is a NJPW LA Dojo trainee. The atomicos is an Atlantis 40th anniversary match, though it might also be about Mistico and Romero. October is CMLL’s women’s wrestling month so it might be until November for the Mistico/Romero feud to pick back up in Mexico. Robbie being included here means she’s at least a possibility for the CMLL Gran Prix, which we should start to hear about after the Aniversario. Dave Meltzer had previous heard Giulia versus Stephanie Vaquer was planned for this show, so I wonder if this is a sign they’re holding it off for a later date or if Giulia got a more interesting opponent.

Mundo Deportivo has an interview with Titan.

AAA

Space will finish off the Orizaba taping:

  • Lady Shani, Reina Dorada, Sexy Star vs Flammer, La Hiedra, Viva Van
  • Myzteziz & Octagón Jr. vs Argenis & Puma King
  • Dalys & Negro Casas vs Chik Tormenta & Daga

Vary Morales posted Thursday about challenging QT Marshall for the AAA Latin American championship in some US indie promotion, then deleted the post. He probably just announced it too soon.

Octagon Jr. did some press to hype the Gimnasio Juan de la Barrera taping, talking about being in AAA four years and possibly challenging for the Latin American championship.

Negro Casas talked about the time he wrestled in a telenovela.

IWRG

IWRG (THU) 09/07/2023 Arena Naucalpan [Mas Lucha]
1) Ryu & Tornado b Adrenalina & Thunder Storm LIVE | La Puerquiza por los Campeonatos Estatales de Tríos (posted by mluchatv)
2) Sádika & Satania b Bengalee & Sagitarius LIVE | La Puerquiza por los Campeonatos Estatales de Tríos (posted by mluchatv)
Sadika & Santaia took out Sagitarius before hse made it to the ring, then beat Bengale. They’re doing by Las Diosas de la Destrucción.
3) Cerebro Negro Jr. b Dr. Cerebro Jr. LIVE | La Puerquiza por los Campeonatos Estatales de Tríos (posted by mluchatv)
Negro snuck in a foul on Doctor.
4) Brazo Celestial, Brazo Cibernetico, Brazo De Oro Jr., Pig Decapitador b Arkano, Hell Boy, León Dorado, Mr. Leo LIVE | La Puerquiza por los Campeonatos Estatales de Tríos (posted by mluchatv)
Brazo de Oro Jr. beat Hellboy, setting up a title match.
5) Gran Pandemónium, Hijo de Pandemónium, Pandemónium Jr. b Pig Destroyer, Pig Destructor, Pig Pool [EdM TriosLIVE | La Puerquiza por los Campeonatos Estatales de Tríos (posted by mluchatv)
First defense. Clean win.

I read Mas Lucha’s recap of the main event, which didn’t say anything about the finish, and thought it must’ve been so weird as to be indescribable. Nope, frog splash, two guys covering, no mask pulls or fouls. Unexpected. Crowd seemed to be about normal for a Thursday, which may mean that was the right decision – the pigs appear to have peaked.

IWRG (SUN) 09/10/2023 Arena Naucalpan
1) Águila Oriental & Blue Win vs Águila Roja & Histeriosis
2) Noisy Boy, Pequeño Arkano, Spider Boy vs Centurion, Gannicus, Rey Espartano
3) Hellboy, Shocko, Último Legendario vs Cerebro Negro, Cerebro Negro Jr., Kiki Roberts
4) Ivan Rokov vs Sádika
5) Diva Salvaje, Jessy Ventura, Mamba vs León Dorado, Mr. Leo, Tonalli
6) Hijo de Canis Lupus vs Toxin [RGR HEAVY]

The main event looks good until it becomes an IWRG match. Ivan Rokov vs Sadika is one for the sickos. Canada’s Florida’s Kiki Roberts is back for a least a little while; he’s listed on at least one card for the holiday weekend.

Other News

Michoacan luchador Genio (Jorge Gerardo Huape Mora) passed away on Wednesday. He was a second generation wrestler, and one of five brothers who were in lucha libre.

CMLL Tuesday results, Pelon Encapuchado

CMLL

CMLL (TUE) 09/05/2023 Arena México [CMLL]
1) Brillante Jr., Futuro, Histórico b Apocalipsis, Cholo, Disturbio FUNCIÓN COMPLETA DESDE LA ARENA MÉXICO - MARTES 05 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2O23 SOLO MIEMBROS (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
2) Sanely & Skadi b Hera & Olympia FUNCIÓN COMPLETA DESDE LA ARENA MÉXICO - MARTES 05 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2O23 SOLO MIEMBROS (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
3) El Audaz, Pelon Encapuchado, Volcano b Kráneo, Okumura, Pólvora FUNCIÓN COMPLETA DESDE LA ARENA MÉXICO - MARTES 05 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2O23 SOLO MIEMBROS (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
4) Esfinge, Fugaz, Star Black b Cancerbero, Luciferno, Virus FUNCIÓN COMPLETA DESDE LA ARENA MÉXICO - MARTES 05 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2O23 SOLO MIEMBROS (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
5) Máscara Dorada TLDRAW Templario [lightningFUNCIÓN COMPLETA DESDE LA ARENA MÉXICO - MARTES 05 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2O23 SOLO MIEMBROS (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
Dorada was closer to winning as time ran out. Rematch of a match from April 21st, which also went to a time limit draw.
6) Atlantis, Octagón, Titán b Hechicero, Terrible, Último Guerrero FUNCIÓN COMPLETA DESDE LA ARENA MÉXICO - MARTES 05 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2O23 SOLO MIEMBROS (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)

Mascara Dorada/Templario was good, but not close to their previous lightning match. It’s very strange for Templario to be going to a draw about 11 days before he main events the Aniversario. CMLL done a lot of things logically this year but the last build to this Aniversario show hasn’t been especially strong in Arena Mexico. Templario himself hasn’t looked especially locked in the last few months.

The attendance was not great for this show, especially considering Atlantis and Octagon together are supposed to be a special draw.

Hershey Mexico sent out a press release hyping Pelon Encapuchado. They specify you can see him Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays in Arena Mexico during September and October, which sounds like “Fuego” will be returning in November.

CMLL (TUE) 09/05/2023 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara [Arena Coliseo Guadalajara, Mas Lucha]
1) Black Boy, Thunder Boy, Yaky Boy b Minotauro, Relámpago Azul, Rumbero Campeonato de Tercias de Occidente!! (posted by Martes de Glamour Oficial )
2) Destello, Destructor, Johnny Dinamo b Eclipse Jr., Halcón Suriano Jr., Temerario Campeonato de Tercias de Occidente!! (posted by Martes de Glamour Oficial )
3) Aradia, Atenea, Frida, Katara, Magia Azul, Xenna b Centinela, Estrella Maldita, La Pantera, Luna, Perse, Yemaya Campeonato de Tercias de Occidente!! (posted by Martes de Glamour Oficial )
Billed as an exhibition match, whatever that means. Perse is ex-AAA Persephone, ex-Black Widow. A female referee also debuted in the match.
4) Dulce Kitty, Náutica, Nexy, Sexy Sol b Alondra, Gema Andrade, La Misteriosa, Lady Shadow Campeonato de Tercias de Occidente!! (posted by Martes de Glamour Oficial )
GDL vs Laguna
5) Furia Roja, Guerrero de la Muerte, Ráfaga b Arlequín, Bestia Negra, Cris Skin Campeonato de Tercias de Occidente!! (posted by Martes de Glamour Oficial )
6) Adrenalina, Explosivo, Fantástico © b Gemelo Diablo I, Gemelo Diablo II, Sagrado [OCCIDENTE TRIOSCampeonato de Tercias de Occidente!! (posted by Martes de Glamour Oficial )
2nd defense
7) Euforia, Hijo del Soberano, Soberano Jr. b Hijo de Stuka Jr., Insólito, Stuka Jr. Campeonato de Tercias de Occidente!! (posted by Martes de Glamour Oficial )

Perse making her debut in the greater CMLL universe seemed likely since Villano III Jr. made the move. CMLL debuting a female referee in Arena Mexico in October would fit with the theme. I’m moving my odds of an all-woman’s Arena Mexico in October show to 70/30.

Pierrothito’s votes went ahead of Minos in the battle to get a Pequeno Estrellas title match with Mercurio. That category is getting far more votes than any other category. It’s still many days left, but it seems likely the minis will main event the Noche de Campeon show.

Nmas has an interview with Mistico about his career.

Brillante Jr. was working on a degree in civil engineering,  but it’s currently on hold as gets used to living in Mexico City and wrestling in CMLL.

I held up posting to see if there would be a CMLL Informa appearance list, but no such luck yet. Their patterns suggest today should have some information on the Dia de Luchador show on 09/22, maybe including guests.

AAA

I caught up on Saturday’s AAA TV. It’s not a great watch, because it appears to take place in a black, soundless void, but the matches themselves are fine. All three matches were just A Lot Of Stuff, and the opener was pulled off the most impressive stuff. It had a specific focus (showcase new Drago and Centella) the other also lacked.

Dinamico got promo time in a vignette and before his match to put over Mexicali group. He demanded Sexy Star, also from Mexicali, join the faction. It’s an actual direction for both the group and Sexy Star, though it’d be odd if it actually went anywhere. Pagano worked the main event as a rudo with La Rebelion, which is odd with his current direction. But, it’s very obviously a filler taping and none of this matters enough to think about.

AAA seems to have skipped uploading Verano de Escandalo on their YouTube channel, jumping from one TripleMania to another to catch up. It feels like it indicates how irrelevant that show (and all non-TripleMania shows) are, but it’s really more just trying to get the channel more current.

Pagano is working with the Ciudad Juarez government to create a local lucha libre museum. This is part of their second annual lucha libre marathon show, which appears to have thirty-one matches announced this year.

IWRG

IWRG (THU) 09/07/2023 Arena Naucalpan
1) Ryu & Tornado vs Adrenalina & Thunder Storm
2) Bengalee & Sagitarius vs Sádika & Satania
3) Dr. Cerebro Jr. vs Cerebro Negro Jr.
4) Hell Boy, León Dorado, Mr. Leo, Shocko vs Brazo Celestial, Brazo Cibernetico, Brazo De Oro Jr., Pig Decapitador
5) Gran Pandemónium, Hijo de Pandemónium, Pandemónium Jr. vs Pig Destroyer, Pig Destructor, Pig Pool [EdM Trios]
first defense

It seems weird they’d do the big Pandemia/Pigs match on a Thursday but then that probably means this isn’t the big match.

Hip Hop Man says he’ll host a royal rumble in Arena Naucalpan on 09/21, in celebration fo wrestling in Mexico for ten years.

Other News

Mas Lucha will air Arena GDL’s anniversary show as a subscription show this Saturday. Rayman, Rocky Casas and Makabre will meet in a three-way match. Casas seems the most likely to lose.

Ayako Hamada has been running a tournament where the winning wrestler will get to wrestle in Japan. The final is Saturday. Pily La Ametralladora, Aqua, Datura and Dayami are the final four, out of eighteen who competed. A Yahoo article specifics the winner will go to Meriken Pro Wrestling. I’m unfamiliar with that promotion but it looks like they run small weekly shows in Kobe and stream them on YouTube. The Hamada show also has a Faby/Ayako match advertised, which sounds like great fun if it happens as scheduled.

Box y Lucha posted their weekly 1950s Box y Lucha drop. This one has both 1956 and 1957 issues, filling in some gaps from previous releases.

Segunda Caida writes about more Panama lucha libre, but really more about Kendo.

Mistico dethrones Soberano, Esfinge advances in Copa Independencia, Pelon Encapuchado

CMLL

CMLL (FRI) 09/01/2023 Arena México [CMLL, Kaiser SportsThe Gladiatores]
1) Apocalipsis, Cholo, Disturbio b Astral, Leono, Robin CMLL - DISTURBIO - APOCALIPSIS - CHOLO VS LEONO - ROBIN - ASTRAL / ARENA MÉXICO/01-09-23 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
9:40
2) Capitán Suicida, Halcón Suriano Jr., Pelon Enacpuchado b Crixus, Raider, Vegas CMLL-VEGAS-CRIXUS-RAIDER VS HALCÓN SURIANO JR.-CAPITÁN SUICIDA-PELÓN ENCAPUCHADO/A. MÉXICO /01-09-23 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
11:09. Pelon Enacpuchado is Fuego as a sponsored character for Pelon Pelo Rico.
3) Esfinge b Blue Panther Jr.Magia BlancaFugazMagnusPólvoraEl AudazDifuntoFuturoEspanto Jr.Rey CometaFuria Roja [Copa Independencia, semifinalCMLL - 1a. FASE COPA INDEPENDENCIA / ARENA MÉXICO / 01-09-23 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
About 32:00. Polvora replaced Villano III Jr. on Sunday
4) Máscara Dorada & Templario b Dragón Rojo Jr. & Titán [Relevos IncreíblesCMLL - DRAGÓN ROJO JR. - TITÁN VS TEMPLARIO - MÁSCARA DORADA / ARENA MÉXICO / 01-09-23 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
14:40. Dorada & Templario had matching outfits as if a regular team.
5) Místico b Soberano Jr. CMLL - MANO A MANO / SOBERANO JR. VS MÍSTICO / ARENA MÉXICO / 01-09-23 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
16:44. Mistico won clean on a third La Mistica attempt.

The stream had frame rate issues during the Copa Independencia, then the sound was two seconds off from the video for the rest of the night. I’m not sure if it’s me being old, or latent trauma from trying to get the AAA streams to work, but I just have a very hard time staying interested in a show when the audio and video go out of sync. If you can get past that – or just wait until it’s fixed on YouTube – the top three matches all were worth watching. I’d rank Mistico/Soberano as below the Titan match but above the Takahashi match, but also why do we have to always rank things, it serves little purpose. Dorada & Templario were a cool looking team but I can’t tell what CMLL is doing with Templario past the Aniversario show, if there’s even a plan past that. (Like the Sugehit/Zeuxis mask match and others, this seems much more about the loser losing than the winner winning.)

I didn’t write down the elimination order because those were happening when the feed was breaking, but the final two of Copa Independencia were Esfinge and Rey Cometa. I know in my head Esfinge was winning because he hadn’t used Nudo Egipica to that point, and my heart hoped for a miracle which didn’t arrive. Esfinge feels like the successor to La Mascara, a guy who gets is fine at best but gets more attention than a fine at best guy should get. La Mascara at least had the obvious family connections, while Esfinge’s family (former Guadalajara booker Magnum) was exiled from the promotion after some accusations. There is some real Esfinge popularity – he’s winning his Night of Champions poll at last check – but I don’t get why he’s picked over so many others.

“Pelon Encapuchado” (no accent in Pelon) was the biggest talk after the match, with lots of Takes about CMLL having a sponsored character being out of character for a serious promotion. Snack company Pelon Pelo Rico was the sponsor this time, but CMLL’s done similar things in the past. The current Diamante Azul Diamante Azul was ‘Metro’ for years to promote that newspaper. Pelon Encapuchado returns on Tuesday.

CMLL (SAT) 09/02/2023 Arena Coliseo [CMLL]
1) Acero & Aéreo b Full Metal & Pequeño Polvora
2) Crixus, Futuro, Halcón Suriano Jr. b Cachorro, Diamond, Inquisidor
Crixus replaced Grako
3) La Catalina, Stephanie Vaquer, Zeuxis b La Jarochita, La Magnifica, Skadi
4) Felino & Felino Jr. b Blue Panther Jr. & Dark Panther
5) Cavernario, Euforia, Stuka Jr. b Star Jr., Titán, Valiente
6) Ángel de Oro, Dragón Rojo Jr., Niebla Roja b Atlantis Jr., Máscara Dorada, Volador Jr.

Nothing much to say about this one.

CMLL (SUN) 09/03/2023 Arena México [CMLL]
1) Minos b Angelito [lightning]
2) Brillante Jr. & Max Star b Halcón Suriano Jr. & Neón
3) Akuma, Dark Magic, Misterioso Jr. b Guerrero Maya Jr., Pegasso, Stigma
4) Dulce Gardenia, Espíritu Negro, Hombre Bala Jr. b Cancerbero, Luciferno, Virus
5) Blue Panther, Panterita del Ring, Volcano DQ Gran Guerrero, Niebla Roja, Rey Bucanero
Rey Bucanero was eliminated but came back in to attack Blue Panther anyway.
6) Soberano Jr., Star Jr., Volador Jr. b Bárbaro Cavernario, Dragón Rojo Jr., Terrible

The Rey Bucanero/Blue Panther bit is weird enough to be an angle but not definitely one. CMLL recap noted it was unusual to see past Aniversario opponents Gran Guerrero and Niebla Roja back on the same team.

CMLL (MON) 09/04/2023 Arena Puebla [Porra Fresa]
1) Dreyko, Fénix SO, Rey Apocalipsis b Astro, Black Tiger, Millenium
2) Halcón Suriano Jr., Meyer, Neón DQ Apocalipsis, Cholo, Disturbio
Disturbio fouled Meyer
3) Akuma, Dark Magic, Espanto Jr. b Amnesia, Espíritu Negro, Rey Cometa Facebook video (posted by )
Amnesia replaced Dulce Gardenia.
4) Magnus & Rugido © b Fugaz & Stigma [MEX TAGFacebook video (posted by )
second defense
5) Averno, Dragón Rojo Jr., Volador Jr. DQ Ángel de Oro, Templario, Último Guerrero [Relevos Increíbles]
Dragon Rojo unmasked Templario

The Aniversario guys aren’t matching up Tuesday or Friday; maybe they’ll have one more swing it at next weekend? Dulce not showing up is another sign whomever wins the Night of Champions voting is going to win the belts.

CMLL (TUE) 09/05/2023 Arena México
1) Brillante Jr., Futuro, Histórico vs Apocalipsis, Cholo, Disturbio
2) Sanely & Skadi vs Hera & Olympia
3) El Audaz, Pelon Enacpuchado, Volcano vs Kráneo, Okumura, Pólvora
4) Esfinge, Fugaz, Star Black vs Cancerbero, Luciferno, Virus
5) Máscara Dorada vs Templario [lightning]
6) Atlantis, Octagón, Titán vs Hechicero, Terrible, Último Guerrero

Mascara Dorada and Tempalrio were good partners and probably good opponents on Tuesday. Emergency Torneo de Escualo Historico gets a third booking!

CMLL (FRI) 09/08/2023 Arena México
1) Kaligua & Pequeño Magía vs Mercurio & Pierrothito
2) Lluvia & Stephanie Vaquer vs La Jarochita & Zeuxis
3) Dulce Gardenia vs Star BlackStigmaDark PantherHombre Bala Jr.Max StarZandokan Jr.AkumaRugidoHijo del Villano IIIEl CoyoteCrixus [Copa Independencia, semifinal]
4) Volador Jr. vs Bárbaro Cavernario
5) Atlantis Jr., Máscara Dorada, Místico vs Guerrero Maya Jr., Templario, Titán [Relevos Increíbles]

No real Aniversario preview match on the final Friday is highly irregular. This is a good lineup and Aniversario looks like it’s going to sell out anyway, but it’s a pattern break.

The Copa Independencia winner from this block is probably a rudo. CMLL’s listed them in depth chart order, so you can read that as Zandokan as the favorite.

The Aniversario show is up to purchase on Boletia. It’s 13USD before fees.

The two competitive Night of Champions categories are the CMLL Pequeno Estrellas championship and the CMLL Light Heavyweight champioship. Minos currently leads Pierrothito to face Mercurio, though the lead there has changed multiple times during the weekend. Averno’s supporters are cutting into Esfinge’s lead for the Light Heavyweight Championship, and would get Averno in to first place in a couple of days if it stays it is. (It almost never does.) That minis battle is getting the most votes of any category, but right behind it is actually the CMLL Welterweight Championship. Fugaz gets a lot of votes, but Mascara Dorada is getting even more a day. Fugaz isn’t catching up, but it’s giving it a chance to be the main event.

Heraldo Deportes interviewed Dragon Rojo Jr., who mentioned he was so skinny when he started that others made fun of him. The article notes that six Torreon/Gomez Palacios luchadors have lost their mask on the Aniversario in the last fifteen years (Black Warrior, Blue Panther, Ultimo Guerrero, La Sombra, Niebla Roja, and Stuka Jr.) They throw in Volador Jr. but I think Monclova counts as a different region. Anyway, Dragon Rojo wants not to disappoint his hometown fans.

Angelito credits Negro Casas for getting him to CMLL. He was a kid accompanying his luchador dad to the ring and doing a couple spots for fun on a show with CMLL wrestlers, and Casas asked if he actually was trained. Angelito admitted no, and Casas demanded he demonstrate his skills if he’s going in the ring. Angelito tried some holds with Casas, who was impressed Angelito knew to work the left side. (Angelito’s uncle and father had taught him that much.) Casas introduced Angelito to Ultimo Guerrero and Atlantis, and encouraged him to train and come to CMLL.

AAA

I’m behind on watching everything; haven’t seen AAA TV (it’s on the Drive),, haven’t seen the big DTU tag match, and haven’t seen much. Maybe tonight.

AAA posted a normal hype bit for their Mexico City taping, talking about the Octagon Jr. versus Mecha Wolf versus Bestia 666 versus Drago match #1 contenders match for the Latin American championship. They hyped it as “QT Marshall is waiting to make his first defense!” AAA had previously hyped QT’s defense versus Gravity on Rampage as the first defense. What’s happening here is that AAA normally only counts defenses that air on TV, so the CDMX defense would be QT’s . I don’t know that’s a sensible policy in 2024, but fine, whatever. The problem is QT Marshall’s deal is he’s going to be defending the title everywhere, be in AEW or Progress or whatever random group Marshall is going to wrestle with in Montreal. It ultimately is just another thing to laugh about with AAA.

Las Shotas did work The Crash on Friday so I presume they’re out of AAA but I don’t really know. The only place these things are discussed are on Konnan’s podcast and I haven’t listened to that in three weeks. Maybe I’ll catch up this week.

Villano IV told La Tijera says he hopes to recover from a recent operation and still have the retirement match he and Pentagon talked about after last year’s mask match. The story going around after that operation was Villano IV was totally done and wouldn’t be returning, so I’m choosing to take this as a sign that the situation wasn’t as bad as originally thought (though he should probably still not wrestle.)

Psycho Clown is not on the next two TV AAA TV tapings. It turns out there’s a reason for skipping at least one of them. Psycho Clown showed up on NOAH’s event on Sunday in Osaka, attacking El Hijo del Dr. Wagner. Wagner had been receiving mystery messages for a while, and they’re playing off the Dr. Wagner Jr./Psycho Clown mask match. Psycho will challenge Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. for the GHC National Championship on September 24th in Nagoya and will be working the tour leading up to it.

I’m intrigued how Psycho is going to do in another environment; I don’t expect NOAH to do the same interference-heavy matches we see in AA, but I’m less certain if it’ll still be a weapons heavy match or something else. It might get to subscribe. Obviously, the idea is to get some lucha libre fans interested in checking that out; another big title match is Los Golpeadores (Dragon Bane and Alpha Wolf) wrestling Ninja Mack & Alejandro for the junior tag titles. (They were scheduled to challenge Chris Ridgeway and Daga, but Ridgeway is out with an injury.) Wrestle Universe, NOAH’s streaming site, has done some crossover with Mas Lucha in the past and this might be a good time to use a couple of their announcers to make it more palatable for Spanish language viewers.

I do not believe there is currently an AAA/NOAH agreement and instead guys like Daga and Psycho Clown are working directly and individually with NOAH (and booker NOSAWA.) Psycho Clown disappearing from Mexico for a month does say something about the relative disparity between the two companies. AAA’s big shows outdraw NOAH’s big shows (outside Muto retirement events), but the only way Psycho Clown is going to Japan for a month is if he’s getting paid well. He’s never seemed like the guy who grew up on Japanese wrestling and really wanted to be there, like Daga – it’s a money move.

Dorian Roldan appeared on the EntreFirmas podcast, which mostly focus on how copyrights and intellectual rights work in business (and lucha libre in this case.) There are not many wrestling scoops in there; there is a show ending discussion about how AI could change production and music generation for wrestling someday if that’s more what you’re looking for.  Roldan’s asked about enforcing AAA’s trademarks and says it depends on the promoter and the event, and it’s even tricky if they want to do it. It’s hard to track down an ‘underground’ promoter, and the cost of suing is high compared to the reward. There’s a discussion about the differences in the US. Roldan puts over the power of a Cease and Desist as super strong, like a person who’s been on both sides of those.

IWRG

IWRG (SUN) 09/03/2023 Arena Naucalpan [IWRG, Mas Lucha]
1) Hatana & Sagitarius b Amazonika & Satania IWRG | Amazonika y Satania vs Hatana y Sagitarius | Lucha completa (posted by mluchatv)
2) Arkano, Dr. Cerebro Jr., Último Legendario b Águila Roja, Cerebro Negro Jr., Mr. Mike IWRG | Último Legendario, Dr. Cerebro Jr. y Arkano vs Mr. Mike, Águila Roja y Cerebro Negro Jr. (posted by mluchatv)
3) Centvrión, Gannicus, Rey Espartano b Fly Star, Mosca, Rey Astaroth IWRG | Gannicus, Rey Espartano y Centurión vs Rey Astaroth, Mosca y FlyStar | Lucha completa (posted by mluchatv)
4) Gran Pandemónium, Hijo de Pandemónium, Pandemónium Jr. b Cerebro Negro, Hip Hop Man, Ivan Rokov [EdM Trios, final (posted by mluchatv)
Hip Hop Man was busted open and left the match. Pandemia won the vacant titles, then were attacked by the Pigs.
5) Pig Decapitador, Pig Destroyer, Pig Destructor, Pig Pool b Hell Boy, León Dorado, Mr. Leo, Shocko IWRG | La Puerquiza Extrema vs Hellboy, Shocko y Los Lion Brothers | Lucha completa (posted by mluchatv)
6) Dr. Cerebro & Dr. Wagner Jr. b Cibernético & Toxin IWRG | Dr. Wagner Jr. y Dr. Cerebro vs Cibernético y Toxin | Lucha completa (posted by mluchatv)
Wagner won via foul

Hip Hop Man implied La Pandemia wasn’t professional with him in the match. I believe the incident starts 17m35s into this video. Pandemia were going for a triple powerbomb spot, Hip Hop Man doesn’t go up right, and then they’re definitely kicking him in the head as Cerebro Negro tries to move it on. There may have been something that preceded it because it escalated quickly. Another day in IWRG.

ManiaCop 360 has quit IWRG. Again, this is someone who IWRG had stopped booking taking the stance they’ve left IWRG. (This seems more a IWRG HR problem of not telling people when they’ve been let go.) Maniacop560 hasn’t wrestled in Naucalpan since April. I believe ManiaCop 360 is also Garra Mortal Jr., though IWRG did something with both guys appearing at once to throw people off.

IWRG will have a technical wrestling “no ropes” tournament on 09/14. I can’t wait to see what that actually turns into.

Other News

El Mago announced he’ll be wrestling Ultimo Dragon on the 10/28 Pro Wrestling Revolucion show. In a Instagram post, Mago mentions his goal when he started wrestling was to wrestle Ultimo Dragon, Shawn Michaels, and Rey Misterio Jr., so he’s getting one of them. (The former Draztick Boy didn’t cross paths with Ultimo Dragon in his Japanese trips.) Mago hasn’t wrestled in Mexico this year. He mentions he’s left home (Hidalgo) to work elsewhere for the last seven months, trying to get better and find opportunities he wasn’t getting before. It’s off my radar, but Cagematch has him in wrestling in California over the last few months.

Mas Lucha posted highlights from the recent Big Lucha show. A Viajero promo confirms he and Brujo de Iztapalpa will have their mask match in December. Big Lucha posts one match from this show on their channel daily. I know Japan’s Stardom has done that, but I’m unsure if anyone else does. I presume it’s about trying to make the content last as long as possible. They did post a video where Black Generation were responsible for the video crew for posting the show late.

Rey Fenix was back wrestling on Sunday.

Milenio has a long article on visiting Zona 23.

A profile on Titan’s del Ring’s La Masa.

Segunda Caida reviews more Monterrey lucha libre.

Box y Lucha 3667 has a Damian 666 and Esfinge on the cover.

 

Soberano/Mistico tonight, Noche de Campeones early leaders, AAA to SLP

CMLL

Today’s show:

CMLL (FRI) 09/01/2023 Arena México
1) Astral, Leono, Robin vs Apocalipsis, Cholo, Disturbio
2) Capitán Suicida, Fuego, Halcón Suriano Jr. vs Crixus, Raider, Vegas
3) Blue Panther Jr. vs Magia BlancaFugazMagnusEsfingePólvoraEl AudazDifuntoFuturoEspanto Jr.Rey CometaFuria Roja [Copa Independencia, semifinal]
Polvora replaced Villano III Jr. on Sunday
4) Máscara Dorada & Templario vs Dragón Rojo Jr. & Titán [Relevos Increíbles]
5) Místico vs Soberano Jr.

Mistico versus a rudo Soberano should be good and might be great. Soberano has worked a lot as a rudo in Guadalajara this year and knows how to play the character well, the Arena Mexico crowd is very into Mistico, and the test is to see if they can get do enough unexpected to get people to believe Soberano actually has a chance.

The semi-main is an anniversary preview with some good wingmen. I don’t have any feel for who’s coming out of the Copa Independencia. CMLL replaced Fuego with “Pelon Encapucchado” (masked bald person) on Thursday. Not sure if there’s some issue with the Fuego name or if there’s a new character or if it’s even a fill-in.

It’s on PPV as always.

CMLL does appear to have gone on another trademark spree in June and July, filing for Atlantis Jr., Templario, Vaquero Jr., and “Titan Inmortal”, the last of which are among those also still filed under Sofia Alonso’s names. The introduction of Atlantis Jr. is listed as May 12th, 2017, which seems well before his actual debut. There are also requests for FantasticaMania (one word), Copa Atlantis and “3rd Caida.” The people behind Mas Lucha were previously te people behind TV show Tercera Caida.  I assume the CMLL trademark is unrelated – it’s also an Alonso trademark so they’ve probably wanted to recapture for a while.

CMLL announced Block B of Copa Independencia would have Dark Panther, Stigma, Dulce Gardenia, Hombre Bala Jr., Zandokan Jr., Akuma, Coyote, Crixus, Hijo del Villano III, Star Black, Max Star, and Rugido. CMLL likely will have a tecnico/rudo final, so we’ll know a lot more about who has a chance next week after this week.

There’s no explanation of why Villano III Jr. was pulled from tonight’s block. He’s working normally, doing an appearance later. Villano III Jr. did storm off last week’s Informa’s segment announcing this field last week. It may not have been a bit CMLL, and Julio Cesar Rivera knew about ahead of time and perhaps CMLL took him out of the tournament as a punishment. I don’t know, not implying I know, just trying to make sense of the little info we have.

CMLL (SUN) 09/03/2023 Arena México
1) Angelito vs Minos [lightning]
2) Halcón Suriano Jr. & Neón vs Brillante Jr. & Max Star
3) Guerrero Maya Jr., Pegasso, Stigma vs Akuma, Dark Magic, Misterioso Jr.
4) Dulce Gardenia, Espíritu Negro, Hombre Bala Jr. vs Cancerbero, Luciferno, Virus
5) Blue Panther, Panterita del Ring, Volcano vs Gran Guerrero, Niebla Roja, Rey Bucanero
6) Soberano Jr., Star Jr., Volador Jr. vs Bárbaro Cavernario, Dragón Rojo Jr., Terrible

A show, marking time.

CMLL (MON) 09/04/2023 Arena Puebla
1) Astro, Black Tiger, Millenium vs Dreyko, Fénix SO, Rey Apocalipsis
2) Halcón Suriano Jr., Meyer, Neón vs Apocalipsis, Cholo, Disturbio
3) Dulce Gardenia, Espíritu Negro, Rey Cometa vs Akuma, Dark Magic, Espanto Jr.
4) Magnus & Rugido © vs Fugaz & Stigma [MEX TAG]
second defense
5) Averno, Dragón Rojo Jr., Volador Jr. vs Ángel de Oro, Templario, Último Guerrero [Relevos Increíbles]

The main event is the Aniversario preview trios. A title change seems unlikely but not impossible.

CMLL (TUE) 09/05/2023 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Aradia, Frida, La Pantera, Luna, Magia Azul vs Atenea, Estrella Maldita, Tabata, Xenna, Yemaya
exhibition match
2) Black Boy, Thunder Boy, Yaky Boy vs Minotauro, Relámpago Azul, Rumbero
3) Metal Blanco & Palacio Negro vs Destello & Destructor
debut of new people under old names
4) Furia Roja, Guerrero de la Muerte, Ráfaga vs Arlequín, Bestia Negra, Cris Skin
5) Dulce Kitty, Náutica, Nexy, Sexy Sol vs Alondra, Gema Andrade, La Misteriosa, Lady Shadow
GDL vs Laguna
6) Adrenalina, Explosivo, Fantástico © vs Gemelo Diablo I, Gemelo Diablo II, Sagrado [OCCIDENTE TRIOS]
2nd defense
7) Euforia, Hijo del Soberano, Soberano Jr. vs Hijo de Stuka Jr., Insólito, Stuka Jr.

It’s strange to see an all-Torreon main event on a Guadalajara show. Metal Blanco and Palacio Negro were late 2000s gimmicks that became Triton and Titan in 2011. I believe it hurts new wrestlers to take over gimmicks like this, all of Mexican wrestling believes otherwise. The opener is all “new talents”, though some of those names have been in women’s matches before (and Aradia is a former Arena Coliseo Guadalajara edecan.)

It’s only two days into the Noche de Campeones voting, but the pattern in past years is people with big early leads do not get caught. That means Mascara Dorada/Titan and Zandokan & Los Villanos versus Atrapsuenos seem locks. None of the other categories are close, and the only category that got close was Minos taking a chunk of Pierrothito’s lead in the minis title match. Virus and Esfinge have solid leads in their matches. Stephanie Vaquer & La Catalina seem the strong favorites for the vacant women’s title.

It is interesting that CMLL put Vaquer & Zeuxis in the competition for the women’s title match but not Jarochita or Lluvia. It seems like a pretty strong hint on which team is winning the new tag titles on the Aniversario show.

NJPW fan podcast Keepin’ It Strong Style had Rocky Romero on as a guest on their 300th episode. They apparently have him on for every “00” episode, and the interview for this one was taped way back in mid-July to make it work. Romero talks about his CMLL run from about minute 9 to 22 on the podcast; he’s as proud of it in this interview as he is in others, and feels happy he’s also helping shine a light on a promotion (CMLL) that doesn’t get as much attention internationally. There are some behind-the-scenes notes. Romero’s story is that he thought he was never ever coming back to CMLL after the Grey Shadow incident and jumping to AAA feeling that burned that bridge forever. He was finally brought back for the 2022 Gran Prix, though under the idea it was going to be one appearance and no more. He wanted more, so when the interviewers before the Gran Prix kept asking him questions about Volador, Romero decided to go “Connor McGregor” crazy on Volador to create a feud. It go over and it’s progressed from there, though even Romero seems to have no idea how long it’ll last. He says he doesn’t know if he’s winning or losing any CMLL match until right before he goes out, so he had no idea he was beating Volador for the title the first time – Romero had assumed that was the end of the program. He was equally surprised to find out he was keeping the title in the most recent match, though he’s happy to do so and proud to be main eventing shows that are doing very well.

The Denver Bronco’s mascot Miles and five other team’s mascots will appear at the 09/08 Arena Mexico show for a lucha olimpica demonstration. I have no idea what that’ll be.

Arkalis said he struggled with depression while recovering from his recent leg issue. He mentioned CMLL sent him to a psychologist, and he recovered little by little.

La Metalica is putting her mask against long time Monterrey luchadora Tsunami’s hair on a show on the 9th; she told El Universal it was the most difficult match of her career.

MedioTiempo has an interview with Star Black, who is called Black Star in the headline. Star Black always sounds strange in English. It looks like someone translating the words from Spanish but not realizing the adjective comes in front of the noun in English.

Satanico was critical of the Undertaker for refusing to sign autographs for fans at a Japanese airport some long time ago.

AAA

AAA announced another taping already:

AAA TV (WED) 10/18/2023 Palenque de la Fenapo, San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí
1) Brazo de Oro, Centella, Drago vs Diva Salvaje, Dulce Kanela, Jessy Ventura
2) Lady Shani, Niño Hamburguesa, Sexy Star vs Chik Tormenta, Látigo, Toxin
3) Octagón Jr. & Willie Mack vs Forastero & Sansón
4) Negro Casas & Zorro vs Abismo Negro & Psicosis
5) Dralistico vs Laredo KidTaurus [#1 Contenders, AAA MEGA]
6) Pagano & Psycho Clown vs Sam Adonis & Texano Jr.

I believe AAA stated TripleMania was the end of the Psycho Clown/Sam Adonis feud. I guess not yet. I expect AAA will set up Dralistico versus Hijo del Vikingo the way everything has gone, but maybe they’re actually doing the Dralitico/Adonis program, and Laredo Kid or Taurus will get the shot. NGD does appear to be sticking around. Las Shotas are listed there – an out-of-date lineup? Not showing up at The Crash today?

the TV schedule for the rest of the year, at the moment

  • 09/02 & 09/09 – Orizaba (airing on a two-month delay)
  • 09/16 & 09/23 – the Showcenter card
  • 10/01 (live) & 10/08 – Heroes Inmortales
  • 10/14 & 10/21 – Mexico City
  • 10/28 & 11/04 – SLP
  • 11/11 – a skip week? leftovers?
  • 11/19 & 11/25 – Guerra de Tianes from Juarez
  • 12/02 & 12/09 – the 11/26 Showcenter show?

QT Marshall will defend the Latin American championship against Bobby Sharp in Montreal on 09/17. This is a great deal for QT to get himself more bookings. Unclear how it helps AAA.

Hijo del Vikingo wrestles Nick Gage tonight in GCW.

IWRG

IWRG (THU) 08/31/2023 Arena Naucalpan [IWRG, Mas Lucha]
1) Águila Roja & Rey Aztaroth (Estado de México) b Blue Win & Tornado
2) Arkano & Último Legendario b Mr. Mike & Ovett Jr.
3) Bengalee, Hatana, Sagitarius DQ Lolita, Sádika, Satania
Sadika splashed the referee for a DQ.
4) Hellboy & Shocko DRAW León Dorado & Mr. Leo and Noisy Boy & Spider Fly
MexiBoys were eliminated, then Shocko & Leon Dorado (so it was suddenly elimination) and then Hell Boy and Mr. Leo went to a draw.
5) Ivan Rokov b Hijo de Canis LupusHijo del Pirata Morgan
Originally billed as a title match, which was quietly dropped. Rokov won via foul on Pirata. Crowd wanted one more fall (really?) but the commission said no. Lupus was angry with Pirata for losing so easily (?) and challenged him to a super libre match.

I don’t know anything about this show beyond the results up there. It’s been a long couple of weeks.

IWRG (SUN) 09/03/2023 Arena Naucalpan
1) Hatana & Sagitarius vs Amazonika & Satania
2) Centvrión, Gannicus, Rey Espartano vs Leo, Mosca, Rey Astaroth
3) Arkano, Dr. Cerebro Jr., Último Legendario vs Águila Roja, Cerebro Negro Jr., Mr. Mike
4) Gran Pandemónium, Hijo de Pandemónium, Pandemónium Jr. vs Cerebro Negro, Hip Hop Man, Ivan Rokov [EdM Trios, final]
5) Pig Decapitador, Pig Destroyer, Pig Destructor, Pig Pool vs Hell Boy, León Dorado, Mr. Leo, Shocko
6) Dr. Cerebro & Dr. Wagner Jr. vs Cibernético & Toxin

Wagner and Cibernetico should mean a large crowd for this show. It’d be strange to go through the process of a trios tournament just for La Pandemia to end up back with the belts, but it would also be strange to go through the process of a trios tournament to give it to a slightly different Hip Hop Man team. It’s just IWRG, a strange place.

Other News

Big Lucha announced they’d start to put up their show on Thursday. And then, they just didn’t do it. It showed up Friday afternoon. This is the second show in a row Big Lucha’s done this, and no one seems much upset about it.

Dragon Bane and Alpha Wolf say they’re headed to NOAH for three months.

2018 CMLL visitor Kaho Kobayashi got attention back in Mexico while wrestling in Japan for an entrance using a Valentín Elizalde song. Actually, Kobayashi says the person wrestling is her best friend La Pidita.

A profile of luchador/taxi derived Lirio de Plata.

Noche de Campeones matches, FantasticaMania talent list, IWRG

CMLL

CMLL (MON) 08/28/2023 Arena Puebla [Porra Fresa]
1) Blue Shark & Meyer b Hijo del Perverso & Rencor
2) Reyna Isis b Zeuxis Facebook video (posted by )
3) El Coyote & Okumura b Pegasso & Rey Samuray
4) Fugaz & Stigma b Magnus & Rugido Facebook video (posted by )
Tecnicos won, setting up a MEX TAG match next week
5) Hechicero DQ Euforia Facebook video (posted by )
Euforia DQed for excessive rudoismo (wouldn’t let go of the hold)
6) Ángel de Oro, Templario, Último Guerrero DQ Averno, Dragón Rojo Jr., Volador Jr. Facebook video (posted by )
Dragon Rojo unmasked Templario, Volador fouled Angel de Oro

I had to wait until Informa to figure out who won the main event: Porra Fresa oddly didn’t list and neither media outlet mentioned it. The brief highlights on Informa served a purpose.

Blue Shark is an unmasked wrestler, and apparently earned his wrestler’s license last year.

CMLL (TUE) 08/29/2023 Arena México [CMLL, Kaiser SportsThe Gladiatores]
1) Micro Gemelo Diablo I & Micro Gemelo Diablo II b Mije & Periquito Sacaryas FUNCIÓN COMPLETA DESDE LA ARENA MÉXICO - MARTES 29 DE AGOSTO DE 2O23 SOLO MIEMBROS (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
2) Eléctrico, Oro Jr., Valiente Jr. b Dr. Karonte I, Dr. Karonte II, Enfermero Jr. FUNCIÓN COMPLETA DESDE LA ARENA MÉXICO - MARTES 29 DE AGOSTO DE 2O23 SOLO MIEMBROS (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
3) El Coyote, Okumura, Pólvora b Arkalis, Pegasso, Volcano FUNCIÓN COMPLETA DESDE LA ARENA MÉXICO - MARTES 29 DE AGOSTO DE 2O23 SOLO MIEMBROS (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
4) Magia Blanca, Magnus, Rugido b Hijo del Villano III, Villano III Jr., Zandokan Jr. FUNCIÓN COMPLETA DESDE LA ARENA MÉXICO - MARTES 29 DE AGOSTO DE 2O23 SOLO MIEMBROS (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
5) Atlantis DQ Último Guerrero [lightningFUNCIÓN COMPLETA DESDE LA ARENA MÉXICO - MARTES 29 DE AGOSTO DE 2O23 SOLO MIEMBROS (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
Ultimo Guerrero pulled off Atlantis’ mask for the DQ in 9:01.
6) Euforia, Soberano Jr., Stuka Jr. b Místico, Templario, Titán [Relevos IncreíblesFUNCIÓN COMPLETA DESDE LA ARENA MÉXICO - MARTES 29 DE AGOSTO DE 2O23 SOLO MIEMBROS (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
Soberano beat Mistico cleanly after a setup by Euforia, and Mistico pointed out Soberano wouldn’t have his father’s help on Friday.

The main event was a lot of fun. Atlantis looked better in the semimain until he tried to do the Atlantida for the finish, and they had to improvise another finish.

Villano III Jr. did wrestle here, and is doing appearances for CMLL this weekend. No idea why, but he did a dramatic bit where he walked out of Informa last week and that may have not been cleared in advance.

CMLL (TUE) 08/29/2023 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara [Arena Coliseo Guadalajara, Mas Lucha]
1) Gallo Jr. & Rafaga Jr. b Calavera Jr. I & Calavera Jr. II  (posted by Martes de Glamour Oficial )
2) Fantasy, Shockercito, Último Dragóncito b Mercurio, Pequeño Violencia, Pierrothito  (posted by Martes de Glamour Oficial )
3) Esfinge, Fugaz, Star Black DQ Leo, Omar Brunetti, Vaquero Jr.  (posted by Martes de Glamour Oficial )
Vaquero unmasked Star Black
4) Gemelo Diablo I, Gemelo Diablo II, Sagrado b Adrenalina, Explosivo, Fantástico  (posted by Martes de Glamour Oficial )
sets up an OCCIDENTE TRIOS match
5) Reyna Isis © b Valkiria [MEX WOMEN (posted by Martes de Glamour Oficial )
first defense
6) Arlequín, Atlantis Jr., Ráfaga b Bárbaro Cavernario, Demonio Maya, Principe Daniel Disfruta de una función inigualable en la Arena Coliseo con los tradicionales Martes de Glamour  (posted by Martes de Glamour Oficial )

The fourth match almost had a disaster.

CMLL (SAT) 09/02/2023 Arena Coliseo
1) Acero & Aéreo vs Full Metal & Pequeño Polvora
2) Futuro, Grako, Halcón Suriano Jr. vs Cachorro, Diamond, Inquisidor
3) La Jarochita, La Magnifica, Skadi vs La Catalina, Stephanie Vaquer, Zeuxis
4) Blue Panther Jr. & Dark Panther vs Felino & Felino Jr.
5) Star Jr., Titán, Valiente vs Cavernario, Euforia, Stuka Jr.
6) Atlantis Jr., Máscara Dorada, Volador Jr. vs Ángel de Oro, Dragón Rojo Jr., Niebla Roja

This seems more star power than the average Saturday. Not sure why.

CMLL Informa announced Block B on Copa Indepdencia

Copa Independencia Block B (09/08)

  • Dark Panther
  • Stigma
  • Dulce Gardenia
  • Hombre Bala Jr.
  • Star Black
  • Max Star
  • Hijo del Villano III
  • Rugido
  • Akuma
  • Zandokan Jr.
  • Coyote
  • Crixis

CMLL is holding a post-Aniversario after party at Club Los Angeles starting at 8pm. More info is here. CMLL seemed to say they were going to debut a new wrestler at the party. I guess they technically said they were going to debut a “new personage,” so it could be a mascot or something.

Updated 09/23 Fantastica Mania UK talent list

  • Atlantis Jr.
  • Magia Blanca
  • Hechicero
  • Okumura
  • El Audaz
  • Capitan Suicida
  • Sangre Imperial
  • Zandokan Jr.
  • Guerrero Maya Jr. – new
  • Titan – new
  • Ultimo Guerrero – new

That’s the complete list. It’s some good additions at the end. Okumura and Sangre Imperial don’t thrill me but it’s a strong lineup otherwise. Atlantis Jr. and Hechicero will also appear on 09/24 ReyPro show.

The 09/29 CMLL show will be the Noche de Campeones show. As always, the matches are determined by fan vote and voting will be done on CMLL’s website. (It wasn’t live as I went to post). These six titles are on the line this year:

  • the CMLL Women’s Championship, which is vacant. The top two vote gets of Skadi, Zeuxis, Hera, Stephanie Vaquer, Amapola, and La Catalina will meet for the vacant title.
  • Mercurio will defend the CMLL Pequeno Estrellas championship against Angelito, Minos or Pierrothito.
  • Barbaro Cavernario will defend the CMLL Light Heavyweight championship against Averno, Esfinge or Dark Panther
  • Los Atrapasuenos (Rey Cometa, Espiritu Negro and Dulce Gardenia) defend the Mexican National Trios championship against Zandokan, Villano III Jr. and Hijo del Villano III or Apocalipsis, Disturbio and Cholo or Enfermero Jr., Dr. Karonte Jr. I, and Dr. Karonte Jr. II
  • Titan will defend the CMLL World Welterweight Championship against Fugaz, Mascara Dorada or Astral
  • Mistico will defend the (NWA) World Historic Middleweight Championship against Virus, Dragon Rojo Jr. or Star Jr.

I didn’t have strong feelings about who should win last year. I do feel stronger this year. Mistico versus Virus on a big stage in 2023 would be fascinating. It’s also unlikely; Dragon Rojo coming out of the Aniversario show figures to get a lot of support. Titan defending against Mascara Dorada is the obvious pick there, as is Atrapsuenos versus Zandokan and the Villanos. (That seems like the most likely title change of the defended titles.) Either Averno or Dark Panther would be good Barbaro Cavernario challengers, but CMLL runs big Averno singles matches and they don’t run big Dark Panther ones, so that’s the one I’d prefer here.

The women’s match is fascinating. The women always get a lot of votes in these contests, but the structure of it promotes more voting. About half of these matches are decided on quickly, with one person/team running away with it. There’s less of a motivation to vote. The women’s match is top two, and so that’s going to keep fans voting in it longer and more often than the other categories. (That match will almost certainly main event this show based on having the most votes.) The fan support for the women doesn’t always line up with how they’re pushed in CMLL. I think the default expectation is Zeuxis and Vaquer in the final, but Hera and even Skadi have fanbases, and Catalina has left over WWE fans who she can mobilize if she so chooses. Be prepared for an unusual champion to come out of all of this.

IWRG

IWRG , FILL (TUE) 08/29/2023 Arena Naucalpan [IWRG, Mas Lucha]
1) Cosmic & Rossel b Carnicero & Último Caballero LIVE | Torneo FILL 108: GYM Naucalpan vs GYM Tehuacán + 4 luchas más (posted by mluchatv)
2) Danessa & Hatana b Dehyna & Kali LIVE | Torneo FILL 108: GYM Naucalpan vs GYM Tehuacán + 4 luchas más (posted by mluchatv)
3) Milagro, Rey Gato, Sumed Black b Adrenalina, Cheff Benito, Súper Cometa LIVE | Torneo FILL 108: GYM Naucalpan vs GYM Tehuacán + 4 luchas más (posted by mluchatv)
Cheff Benito and Milagro had issues post match
4) Black Shadow Jr. & Thunder Storm b Arceus & Rey Esparatno LIVE | Torneo FILL 108: GYM Naucalpan vs GYM Tehuacán + 4 luchas más (posted by mluchatv)
Advertised as Arceus, Ryu, Tornado vs Black Shadow Jr., Rey Espartano, Thunder Storm
5) Águila Oriental, Águila Roja, Axoltol, Fussion, Ovett Jr., Rey Astaroth, Súper Boy b Belial, Black Killer, Caudillo Jr., Dracula Jr., Leyenda Oscura, Misterio Azul, Vali [Copa High PowerLIVE | Torneo FILL 108: GYM Naucalpan vs GYM Tehuacán + 4 luchas más (posted by mluchatv)
FILL vs Gym Explosion (Tehuacan), who wanted revenge after their loss

I have no thought about this show. They’re back on Thursday.

IWRG (THU) 08/31/2023 Arena Naucalpan
1) Blue Win & Tornado vs Águila Roja & Rey Aztaroth (Estado de México)
2) Arkano & Último Legendario vs Mr. Mike & Ovett Jr.
3) Bengalee, Hatana, Sagitarius vs Lolita, Sádika, Satania
4) Hellboy & Shocko vs León Dorado & Mr. Leo and Noisy Boy & Spider Fly
5) Ivan Rokov vs Hijo de Canis LupusHijo del Pirata Morgan [IWRG Rey del Ring]

IWRG’s been building to that main event for a while. I suspect Tornado missing the Tuesday show means he’s not actually on the Thursday one.

RGR will be running an Independence weekend show at Naucalpan.

IWRG , RGR (SUN) 09/17/2023 Arena Naucalpan
1) Noisy Boy & Spider Fly vs León Dorado & Mr. Leo 
2) Legado & Ryu vs Águila Roja & Histeriosys
3) Hijo de Canis Lupus vs Vito Fratelli [IWRG Rey del Ring]
4) Satania & Zyra vs J-Rod & Keyra
5) Diva Salvaje & Mamba vs Hijo del Fishman & Rey Espectro
6) Galeno del Mal vs Coronel VIPHell BoyCerebro NegroTonalliDr. CerebroHijo del Pirata MorganJessy Ventura [cage, mask, hair]
7) Diamante Azul (Indie) vs Forastero [RGR SUPREMO]

The Rey del Ring on 09/17 sure seems to telegraph who’s winning Thursday, but it is IWRG.

In other IWRG news, Super Comando, Mocho Cota Jr. and Tito Santana are the IWRG IC Trios champions. They won the titles in Nuevo Laredo from Espartaco, Latino and Tempestad, who I forgot even had the titles until I saw the poster.

Mas Lucha announced they’ll have their annual Torneo Supremo on October 15th.

Other News

10/21 RIOT “Funacion A Beneficio de Tablon”

Big Lucha will start putting up their most recent show on Thursday.

The Cassandro movie will open New York’s Latino Film Festival on 09/15. It’s supposed to be in theatres that day as well. That’s a Friday with no CMLL show, and I guess I’m probably going to the movies to see a luchador instead if it’s available near me. No promises to live tweet the results. El Paso will get a screening on the 12th.

Segunda Caida watched Panamian wrestling and gets tied up by a lot of Spider-Man.

Box y Lucha 3566 has a lot of things on the cover. Box y Lucha also released another bunch of 1957 Box y Luchas, though not exactly following along from the last ones. This is the fifth week in a row, so now it’ll be weird if it didn’t have one.

Box y Lucha also tries to explain the history of the Fray Diablo gimmicks. This is what I understood:

  • Fray Diablo I (2018) becomes Misericordioso
  • Fray Diablo II (2018) becomes Fray Diablo Jr. (2nd) then Humilde Jr.
  • Fray Diablo II (2021) becomes Neylux
  • Fray Diablo I (2022)
  • Porthos becomes Fray Diablo II (2023) then Fray Diablo Jr. (2023)

Takahashi/Mistico draw, AAA to Jalisco, Big Lucha

CMLL

CMLL (FRI) 08/25/2023 Arena México [CMLL, Estrellas del Ring, thecubsfan]
1) Brillante Jr., Leono, Oro Jr. b Dr. Karonte I, Dr. Karonte II, Raider CMLL - DR. KARONTE 1 Y 2 - RAIDER VS LEONO - ORO JR. - BRILLANTE JR. / ARENA MÉXICO / 25-08-23 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
10:03
2) Fuego, Robin, Valiente Jr. b Apocalipsis, Cholo, Disturbio CMLL - CHOLO - APOCALIPSIS - DISTURBIO VS VALIENTE JR. - ROBIN - FUEGO / ARENA MÉXICO / 25-08-23 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
10:32
3) Esfinge, Fugaz, Star Black b Hijo del Villano III, Villano III Jr., Zandokan Jr. CMLL-ZANDOKAN JR.-VILLANO III JR.- H. DEL VILLANO III VS ESFINGE-STAR BLACK-FUGAZ/A. MÉXICO/25-08-23 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
11:05
4) Valiente b Misterioso Jr. [lightningCMLL - MATCH RELÁMPAGO - MISTERIOSO JR VS VALIENTE / ARENA MÉXICO / 25-08-23 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
5:35
5) Bárbaro Cavernario, Hechicero, Último Guerrero b Averno, Euforia, Mephisto CMLL - MEPHISTO - EUFORIA - AVERNO VS B. CAVERNARIO - U. GUERRERO - HECHICEROARENA MÉXICO / 25-08-23 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
15:34. Ultimo Guerrero replaced Terrible. Averno unmasked Hechicero for the DQ. Hechicero wants a 1v1 match.
6) Hiromu Takahashi, Soberano Jr., Titán b Atlantis Jr., Místico, Volador Jr. [Relevos IncreíblesCMLL - TITÁN-SOBERANO JR-HOROMU TAKAHASHI VS ATLANTIS JR- VOLADOR JR - MÍSTICO/ARENA MÉXICO/25-08-23 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
18:01. Soberano Jr. won via foul. Mistico wants a 1v1 match. Atlantis Jr. replaced Mascara Dorada.

A blah show. Sobearno’s rudo antics were the most interesting thing on the show, maybe the only interesting thing on the show. Ultimo Guerrero and Averno doing little at all before their apuesta match was weird, but maybe a product of a late sub.

Mascara Dorada explained on Instagram that he tested positive for COVID; which explains his absence from Tuesday and this show. He was also originally advertised for the upcoming Tuesday Guadalajara show and pulled from that. He is advertised on next Friday’s show. Other names have quietly been removed from shows; I’m not sure if there are others who tested positive or if it’s a coincidence.

CMLL (SAT) 08/26/2023 Arena Coliseo [CMLL]
1) Acero, Aéreo, Galaxy b Mercurio, Pequeño Polvora, Pequeño Violencia
2) Disturbio, Nitro, Vegas b Astral, Cachorro, Eléctrico
3) Diamond, El Audaz, Hombre Bala Jr. b Futuro, Max Star, Neón
4) Espíritu Negro, Rey Cometa, Volcano b El Coyote, Kráneo, Pólvora
5) Soberano Jr. & Titán b Gran Guerrero & Stuka Jr.
6) Ángel de Oro, Dragón Rojo Jr., Niebla Roja b Bárbaro Cavernario, Hechicero, Hiromu Takahashi
Hechicero replaced Terrible

Hombre Bala beat Futuro but I think Bala isn’t a lightweight anymore.

CMLL (SUN) 08/27/2023 Arena México
1) Angelito, Kaligua, Pequeño Magía DQ Full Metal, Mercurio, Minos
2) La Guerrera, La Vaquerita, Skadi b Amapola, Hera, Metálica
3) Adrenalina, Explosivo, Fantástico b Enfermero Jr., Inquisidor, Sangre Imperial
4) Guerrero Maya Jr. b Difunto [lightning]
7:01
5) Audaz, Blue Panther, Star Jr. b Cancerbero, Luciferno, Virus
Audaz replaced Pantera del Ring a few hours before the show.
6) Atlantis Jr. & Volador Jr. b Stuka Jr. & Templario
straight falls
7) Místico © DRAW Hiromu Takahashi [NWA MIDDLE]
6th defense, first since Sep 2022. Double pin finish after Takahashi attempts at winning via foul fouled. Mistico wanted to restart the match, but Hirmou refused. Mistico proposed going to Japan to challenge Takahashi for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship

CMLL streamed this whole show for members, after previously saying it’d just be the title match. The show was overall better than Friday but you really don’t have to go out of your way to watch it. Mistico versus Takahashi was Hiromu playing heavy rudo, so much that it never really felt like a big serious title match. It was fun for Takahashi to play the Mistico enemy of the month, but it also never turned into something more than that (like the Mistico/Titan match did.)

NJPW major singles champions don’t lose singles matches outside of NJPW and Takahashi winning Mistico’s title wouldn’t make much sense, so a draw was the only way to get out of it. It didn’t look like the match up meant anything extra to attendance.

CMLL (TUE) 08/29/2023 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Gallo Jr. & Rafaga Jr. vs Calavera Jr. I & Calavera Jr. II
2) Fantasy, Shockercito, Último Dragóncito vs Mercurio, Pequeño Violencia, Pierrothito
3) Leo, Omar Brunetti, Vaquero Jr. vs Esfinge, Fugaz, Star Black
4) Adrenalina, Explosivo, Fantástico vs Gemelo Diablo I, Gemelo Diablo II, Sagrado
5) Reyna Isis © vs Valkiria [MEX WOMEN]
first defense
6) Arlequín, Atlantis Jr., Ráfaga vs Bárbaro Cavernario, Demonio Maya, Principe Daniel

It’s a weird looking main event, but its names shuffled there with no Mascara Dorada. The minis make a rare Guadalajara match.

CMLL (TUE) 08/29/2023 Arena México
1) Micro Gemelo Diablo I & Micro Gemelo Diablo II vs Mije & Periquito Sacaryas
2) Eléctrico, Oro Jr., Valiente Jr. vs Dr. Karonte I, Dr. Karonte II, Enfermero Jr.
3) Arkalis, Pegasso, Volcano vs El Coyote, Okumura, Pólvora
4) Magia Blanca, Magnus, Rugido vs Hijo del Villano III, Villano III Jr., Zandokan Jr.
5) Atlantis vs Último Guerrero [lightning]
6) Místico, Templario, Titán vs Euforia, Soberano Jr., Stuka Jr. [Relevos Increíbles]

This is another card that feels a little bit bigger, maybe because they’re trying to sell these as subcription shows. They weren’t running Atlantis/Ultimo Guerrero singles matches on Tuesdays before (and Guerrero should probably win.) Villanos and Zandokan will be at it again.

CMLL (FRI) 09/01/2023 Arena México
1) Astral, Leono, Robin vs Apocalipsis, Cholo, Disturbio
2) Capitán Suicida, Fuego, Halcón Suriano Jr. vs Crixus, Raider, Vegas
3) Blue Panther Jr. vs Magia Blanca, FugazMagnusEsfingePólvoraEl Audaz, DifuntoFuturoEspanto Jr.Rey CometaFuria Roja [Copa Independencia, semifinal]
4) Máscara Dorada & Templario vs Dragón Rojo Jr. & Titán [Relevos Increíbles]
5) Místico vs Soberano Jr.

Mistico beat Soberano Jr. in a singles match in Arena Puebla last month and beat Soberano Jr. last year in Copa Jr.  It’s the first full length match they’ll do in Arena Mexico

Dorada/Tempalrio versus Dragon Rojo/Titan builds towards the Aniversario match. Copa Independence had been announced earlier, but Villano III was part of that group and Polvora is in his spot now. Match Two is Crixus and Vegas filtering into the regular matches.

CMLL and the NFL’s Denver Broncos did a co-promotion last month in Arena Mexico. It’s apparently continuing from there, as CMLL announced. The Broncos’ mascot Miles and “five of his friends” will do something with Tony Salazar before the 09/08 show as a promotional event. In exchange, Mistico, Volador Jr., Atlantis Jr. and Templario will head to Denver for an exhibition match prior to the 10/22 Broncos game against the Packers. There’s a commemorative t-shirt as part of the event and a special Mexico-themed Denver Broncos jersey will be sold in October.

Dragon Rojo talked about his workout and dieting routine with Heraldo Deportes.

AAA 

AAA held a press conference on Monday afternoon. There was a brief Komander interview to promote the 09/23 show in Mexico City, but most of the attention was on Heroes Inmortales. AAA ran Guadalajara’s Fiestas del Octobre fair last year, and it was one of their best-attended shows of the year. (That was the show with Laredo, Vikingo, and Taurus and the great crowd shows that are a part of Vikingo’s AEW entrance video.) AAA and Fiestas del October are working together again this year, running a show on 10/01 as this year’s Heroes Inmortales. The lineup leaves a little bit to desired.

AAA TV (SUN) 10/01/2023 Auditorio Benito Juárez, Zapopan, Jalisco [HBO Max press release]
***Heroes Inmortales, 2023***
1) Mini Vikingo, Mr. Iguana, Niño Hamburguesa vs Dinámico, Kamik-C, Skalibur
2) Dulce Kanela vs MaravillaSexy Star???Lady ShaniCentellaEstrellitaChik Tormenta [Copa Antonio Pena, semifinal]
3) Forastero & Sansón vs Dave The Clown & Murder Clown and Chessman & Parka Negra [#1 Contenders, AAA TAG]
4) Dalys & Negro Casas vs Abismo Negro Jr. & Flammer [AAA MIXED TAG]
5) Hijo Del Vikingo & Myzteziz vs Dralistico & La Bestia Del Ring
6) ? vs ??
7) Octagón Jr. & Pentagón Jr. vs Qt Marshall & Sam Adonis

One of the trademarks of recent years of AAA is making sure there’s at least one straight ‘great’ action match on the show. I’m not sure what that is here. I think the guys in the main event believe they can be that, but will instead be called on to do a screwy finish to get more heat on QT. (AAA also aired a vignette on TV where Sam Adonis and Dralistico had a shoving fight, which may also play into the main event somehow.) Beyond that – maybe the opener comedy/spotty opener is the best match on the show? Maybe the three way trios match will be in a way most NGD matches in AAA haven’t been? It’s hard to find the thing to look forward. Good matches or even big matches is not really a concern for AAA on this one though: this is a fair show, most tickets are likely going to be free with admission to the fair, they can do whatever and be fine.

Myzteziz & Hijo del Vikingo versus Dralisico & La Bestia del Ring is terrible. The upcoming Hijo del Vikingo versus Nick Gage match in GCW does not appear to be a good mix of wrestlers but at least Gage is over to that fanbase. Dralistico and Bestia del Ring are not Nick Gage. The one thing we can learn is whatever happened with the LFI guys at TripleMania, Rush and AAA must still be on great terms if they’re booking Besita del Ring on shows.

QT Marshall AEW associate Harley Cameron will be in his corner for the main event. I’m sure she’ll get heat. I’m sure about the same amount of people who knew who Aaron Solo will know Harley Cameron.

Octagon in the main event seems to suggest he’s beating Mecha Wolf, Bestia 666 and Drago to win the AAA Latin American #1 contenders match in Mexico City, but it doesn’t have to make sense that way. It sure doesn’t make sense that there’s another #1 contender’s match happening for the tag titles and La Rebelion aren’t included. (I guess NGD are favored?) Dalys & Negro Casas seem locks to end the nothing title reign of Abismo and Flammer, especially since Flammer now has her singles title. It doesn’t seem worth speculating about the Copa Antonio Pena, since AAA’s taught us that every women’s singles match will just be a bunch of interference.

This show will air on Space and Mexico’s HBO Max live. It’s a week earlier than originally announced, which throws off the TV schedule: the Mexico City show will now air out of order, after this Heroes Inmortales. Out of order is the norm though: the Copa Antonio Pena battle royal will air a week after the final if AAA goes as usual. It’s AAA, it’s fine.

PW Insider, reporting on an Impact talent meeting, says wrestlers were told they would be going to be Mexico in November for a taping with AAA. This will air on Impact’s TV, the reporting is unclear if this will be an AAA TV event as well. Impact taped in Mexico a few times pre-pandemic and seemed to plan to do more in 2020 before the world shut down. It usually meant AAA wrestlers in cameos rather and maybe a match or two on the show, rather than the a full crossover show. Impact hasn’t been bringing AAA wrestlers to their shows, and I don’t believe Laredo Kid or Taurus wrestled on their most recent taping.

QT Marshall defended the AAA Latin America on Friday’s edition of AEW Rampage, then again versus Chuck Mambo on Saturday in the UK’s Progress promotion. AAA acknowledged these defenses in ways they don’t always for non-AAA or AEW TV matches. They’re very invested in the QT stuff.

Myzteziz Jr. was in attendance at Arena Mexico on Friday. It’s normal for AAA wrestlers to watch a CMLL show and vice versa, but it’s unusual for them to put it on social media.

Big Lucha

CMLL , Big Lucha (SAT) 08/26/2023 Arena Big Lucha, Iztapalapa, Distrito Federal [Mas Lucha, The Gladiatores]
1) Mr. Win b NordicoRaiderOdisseo MendozaLimboAtómico Jr.Ursus MendozaEpidemiaSangre NuevaBlue MonstherDoble RValentinoGolden DragónAuzterTorito NegroSteel DragónBlack SkaydeHeliosTirano [Torneo Leyenda Viviente]
listed as 20, but we only have 19 names
2) Brujo De Iztapalpa & Viajero b Andrómeda & Carito [relevos suicidas]
Flamita changed the match around to a parejas increibles, where the winning team would get an apuesta match. Mas Lucha says the winners advance to the apuesta match, while the Gladiatores says it was the losers.
3) Skayde b Forneo [last man standing]
bloody match. Foreno could not stand after going through a table.
4) Cometa Maya, Morfosis, Radioactivo DQ Magia Blanca, Magnus, Rugido
Depredadores unmasked Radioactivo & Morfosis
5) Iku, Orbita, Vengador DQ Gemelo Diablo I, Gemelo Diablo II, Sagrado
Vengador replaced Elipse, but Elipse and Jack Evans made the save post match.
6) Bendito, Flamita, Yutani DQ Euforia, Mephisto, Rey Bucanero
excessive rudo behavior
7) Averno & Místico b Templario & Volador Jr.
8) El Potro de Oro b Emperador Azteca © [BIG LUCHA CHAMP]
Potro de Oro won the title. Bandido made a surprise appearance to congratulate him post match; he’d been announced as out of the promotion just a few weeks prior.

The Big Lucha/Bandido continues to be nicest breakup ever. It didn’t seem like Bandido was back, but was just showing up to put a happy face on whatever split happened by appearing one more time. Bandido didn’t appear to have a cast or anything on his wrists, so he may be back wrestling soon.

Potro de Oro winning surprised me; Emperador Azteca seemed like the long-term champion. I’ll have to see how it comes across. (Big Lucha hasn’t said when this is going up, but they started to post the last show on the Thursday after it aired.) Big Lucha won all their matches with the CMLL wrestlers but all of them were DQs, which is not a great sign for that relationship. Jack Evans making a save against CMLL wrestlers on the same night he was on AAA’s TV is strange. I could not find a third source to figure out what was happening in match two, though I think both of those match ups are going to apuestas eventually.

IWRG

IWRG (SUN) 08/27/2023 Arena Naucalpan [IWRG]
1) Mr. Mike, Ovett Jr., Sagitarius b Águila Roja, Amazonika, Rey Astaroth
Mr. Mike replaced Super Boy
2) Noisy Boy & Spider Fly b León Dorado & Mr. Leo
3) Caballero de Plata, Leo Cristiani, Máscara Sagrada Jr. b Karoui, Mosca, Rey Halcón
4) Cerebro Negro, Hip Hop Man, Ivan Rokov b Lolita, Ludark Shaitan, Satania [EdM Trios, semifinal]
5) Gran Pandemónium, Hijo de Pandemónium, Pandemónium Jr. b Hell Boy, Mr. Leo, Shocko [EdM Trios, semifinal]
Mr. Leo (working twice) replaced Puma de Oro.
6) Tonalli & Toxin b Aramis & Hijo de Canis Lupus
Toxin beat Canis Lupus after a mask pull

The main event was said to be just OK, which is under what those guys should be capable. The one advantage of IWRG is it’s an easy to access platform (on non-subscriber weeks), and it’s a chance to have a match in the way they want where people can see it. The match they wanted to have on this night was a b-match.

IWRG , FILL (TUE) 08/29/2023 Arena Naucalpan
1) Cosmic & Rossel vs Carnicero & Último Caballero
2) Amazonika & Hatana vs Dehyna & Kali
3) Adrenalina, Cheff Benito, Súper Cometa vs Milagro, Rey Gato, Sumed Black
4) Arceus, Ryu, Tornado vs Black Shadow Jr., Rey Esparatno, Thunder Storm
5) Águila Oriental, Águila Roja, Axoltol, Fussion, Ovett Jr., Rey Astaroth, Súper Boy vs Belial, Black Killer, Caudillo Jr., Dracula Jr., Leyenda Oscura, Misterio Azul, Vali [Copa High Power]
FILL vs Gym Explosion (Tehuacan)

Mas Lucha says they’ll stream this show live on Tuesday, which is different from recent trainee shows. I want to know how Belial ended up representing a gym from Tehuacan.

Other Notes

On Saturday, DMT Azul and Forastero had a match in Arena Lopez Mateos that had a couple of unusual occurrences. They brawled into the crowd, which is anything but unusual, and a fan ran up to Azul and lightly shoved him from behind. The fan appeared to be very drunk. Azul turned around and went after the fan until security swarmed the situation. A commissioner stopped the match because Azul attacked the fan, but that happened many minutes later and maybe after the planned finish (DMT Azul blatantly fouling Forastero.) It read Saturday like maybe Arena Lopez Mateos had ‘discovered’ a new way to get out of all the main event matches they do without a finish. On Sunday on video, it was more clear it was a drunk fan and a commission acting slowly.

Following Sunday’s All In PPV, AEW’s MJF was asked about other international locations he’d like to run. He immediately mentioned Estadio Azteca, professing an unexpected giant love for Mexico and Mexican culture. (MJF does these interviews in-character, but his love of Mexico didn’t fit his normal hatred of everything not Long Island. It was likely a genuine feeling.) Various other international destinations were brought up during the press conference, and AEW chief Tony Khan mentioned they’d be interested in going to all places if it made sense. It’s very unlikely it will make sense for AEW to run Estadio Azteca in the near future; they’ve barely just gotten back on streaming in the country, and they don’t currently have enough of a Mexico fanbase to help fill an 80K building. All In London had a television presence in the UK for years. AEW can revisit this idea when they get that sort of longevity – and when they can go at least one show without the Mexican fans complaining about the commentary.

It would also take AEW booking around a top Mexican star for an extended period. AEW has many great Mexican wrestlers who can be stars, but are mostly there to have an entertaining match and be at least somewhat credible before losing to the actual top stars. Orange Cassidy defends the AEW International Championship against Penta on Wednesday; it will be a shock if Penta wins. I don’t think an AEW show in Mexico City should be lots of Mexican wrestlers or outsiders added in. The success of All In London was because it was the AEW roster for the most part, not because they pandered to the live audience with lots of wrestlers. You do still need some stars, they had Will Ospreay as a top star, and they need someone like that for Mexico. AEW has people who could fill that role, but they need to be positioned in a more special way for a lot longer to get there.

AEW also mentioned they’ll be running WrestleDream on 10/01 in Seattle. It’s an Antonio Inoki tribute show but it also appears to be the start of another annual PPV. Khan mentioned he talked to NJPW about participating and expects they will participate. The ripple effect of it the Mexican talent may be de-emphasized for that PPV cycle since they’re unable to wrestle NJPW wrestlers due to NJPW/CMLL agreement. It appears dependent on if the shows are billed as “AEW WrestleDream” or “AEW/NJPW WrestleDream”; NJPW seems to object if they’re promoting the show, but not if they’re simply sending talent. This situation does feed into the above problem: it’s really hard to build a Mexican wrestler into a top star if they have to disappear for one or two PPVs a year, and it’s probably something that needs a resolution before AEW can consider running Mexico at Estadio Azteca level.

Monterrey referee Oso Panda (Alfredo Alatorre), passed away Saturday. He also wrestled as Kalani.

A profile of Mazatlan’s Andy Blake.

Segunda Caida writes about more 1992 Monterrey.