luchablog

indy (TUE) 02/26/2013 Arena Coliseo Monterrey [LuchaMania Monterrey]
1) Eclipso & Enviado b Aguila Azteca & Viernes 13
2) Lady Jaguar b Cruzito
Lady Jaguar has defeated men two weeks in a row.
3) Dark Genix & Misionero b Black Crazy & Chico de Barrio
4) Corazon Chicano & Dralion b Rey Imagen & Rey Orion
Good match.
5) Gato Fantasma & Silencio b Galactar & Pancho Tequila
Pancho Tequila is very charismatic.
6) Androide, Hijo Del Mongol Chino, Potro Jr. DQ Bengali, Difunto I, Monje Negro Jr.
Androide sided with the LUM invaders and refused to help his partners. Still, the ACM/Guapos Nice team nearly won before Potro I ran in for the DQ. Everyone beat up the tecnicos after the match.

photo by Black Terry Jr.

IWRG (THU) 02/28/2013 Arena Naucalpan [Black Terry Jr. (flickr), Estrellas del Ring]
1) Galaxie b Araña de Plata
One fall.
2) Ángel Del Amor & Mr. Leo b Fulgore & Imposible
Amor is 2-0 in IWRG.
3) Apolo Estrada Jr., Eita, Tomahawk b Black Terry, Chico Che, Freelance
Debut of Dragon Gate’s Tomahawk here. Apolo – wearing a Bizarros t-shirt – snuck in a foul on Black Terry for the win.
4) Dinamic Black, Dr. Cerebro, Golden Magic b Canis Lupus, Carta Brava Jr., Eterno
Dinamic Black led his team to the win, but was hurt and strechered out.
5) Hijo de Pirata Morgan, Tinieblas Jr., Veneno b Fuerza Guerrera, Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr., Máscara Año 2000 Jr.
Tecnicos took 2/3, the last when Mascara and Wagner hit each other by mistake and Mascara remembered he hated Wagner for help costing him his mask. Mascara attacked Wagner and left him for the tecnicos to pin.

There are two big weekends of lucha libre this March, and today kicks off the first. Over the next three days, AAA is running two TV tapings, CMLL is kicking off an important tournament and the longest reigning champions will defend their titles, and IWRG has a big mask match.  There’s others shows which might generate some news: a show in Tijauna tonight, the Emilio Charles Jr. tribute show on Saturday, an Arena Lopez Mateos show with TxT wrestlers the same day (still with Santo/V4 as a team at last check, which will be interesting at the least), benefit shows for Astro de Plata, Maximo & Super Porky in Monterrey (a good fit) and Polvora defending his title versus Mascara Dorada in Guadalajara (non-TV, as far as we can figure.) At some point, we might actually learn a match for Rey de Reyes, which would be thrilling.

The big show tonight is the AAA Fusion taping in Arena Neza. AAA is beating CMLL at it’s own game, running two tournaments on one night. They’re listed differnetly, but appear to be traditional AAA Spring staples under slightly different names. The AAA Fusion tournament is four fourway matches with a fourway final – that’s the traditional Rey de Reyes tournament structure and might have replaced it’s on the calender if the final is at Rey de Reyes as rumored. The women are in a tournament for the vacant women’s title, which is essentially the 2013 Reina de Reinas tournament just not named as such. (And maybe that’s headed to the Rey de Reyes card too.)

The one Fusion fourway we’re certain on includes Pentagon Jr., Aerostar, Ultimo Gladiador and Juventued Guerrera. Aerostar and Ultimo Gladiador are probably just happy Fusion exists so they can get on TV. Pentagon and Juvi are the favorites; I’m rooting for Pentagon but either one could fit in the final. The other group is a bit of fog. Angelico (returning) and Halloween are scheduled and they’ll be there, but Ricky Marvin is as well and he’s in Germany right now.  AAA has not addressed this at all, which is typical, and TVC Deportes has just stopped mentioning Ricky. (AAA’s Facebook plug for this card is highlighted by people sarcastically asking if Ricky will be using transporter technology to make this show.) There’s also a mystery spot in that group; I’ve originally been told it would be a US indy guy making his debut here, but now I’ve separately been told it’s a Mexican making their return. I dunno. There’s two open spots, both could be true, or I could end up totally wrong here. The new guy would normally be a favorite, but there may be three different new guys here. No idea how this will go.

The actual main event is a Rockers vs Psycho Clown main event – should be a Rockers win to set up the next title feud, but we thought that last time and were surprised – but the other important matches on the show are part of the Reinas de Reina tournament. There are four first round matches, with no hint of brackets  (or if there’s just a four way final later.) LuFisto makes her debut and should advance past Cinthia Moreno, and it’d be a shock for Faby Apache to lose to Sexy Lady. The other two matches – Mary Apache vs Lolita and new tecnica Jennifer Blake vs Taya Valkyrie – are more unpredictable. LuFisto appears to be here as a tecnica, which means they need two rudas to balance the match, but that’s also no sure thing.

Over in Arena Mexico, the Torneo Increíble de Parejas kicks off. The eight teams include two former tag champion teams (Volador & Sombra and Shocker & Mr. Niebla), three more teams who were recently in title matches against each other (Marco & Kraneo, Maximo & Aguila, Maya & Casas) and one guy who unmasked the other guy (La Mascara & Averno.) That last one seems like the pair least likely to get along enough to win even one match while the two title winning teams seem most likely to win the whole thing. I’m hoping the Voaldor & Sombra team stays intact long enough to go against Mephisto & Mascara Dorada or Negro Casas & Guerrero Maya, since they seem like the best chances for good matches in this format. Volador & Sombra and Shocker & Niebla seem like the favorites based on histories.

The most intriguing part of this tournament is the actually reveal of the second half of the brackets, which might be announced today (and might be changed later!) Atlantis has won this tournament every year they’ve held it, which makes it likely he’ll at least make the final. If last year is an indication of the final, the losing team in the final is destined to have an apuesta match in September, and there’s one person left in CMLL everyone expects Atlantis face for the masks. This is a sort of Groundhog’s Day deal – if you see/hear Atlantis is teaming with Ultimo Guerrero next week, then signs look good for a big 80th Anniversario. If Atlantis is teaming with anyone else, then it’s a long winter (and whoever wins this bracket might be the match instead.)

CMLL Gaceta‘s preview focuses on Mistico’s return, teaming with his brother Rush and Atlantis vs the Guerreros. (There’s Atlantis and Ultimo Guerrero again.) The undercard features more Amapola/Estrellita facing off. The opener has two teams who desperately need team names – Super Halcon & Hombre Bala facing Bobby Zavala & Disturbio.

The CMLL show in Queretaro last night seems about one third full.

A promoter in Tampico says AAA will be taping there in May.

Rob has highlights of 12/11/11 Perros del Mal, is running out of Perros del Mal shows.

Bill has highlights of Arena Coliseo Guadalajara 11/06/12.

Links

• Deportivo feels the H2L card is not strong enough.
• AAA luchadors were part of a party for children with limited resources.
• Carta Brava (IWL) and Dragon Rojo Jr. visited with a special needs child before this weekend’s IWL show.
• Texano says adding Argos will keep Consejo a great team.
• Porra Fresa has a preview of Monday’s card.
• CMLL promo for Amapola vs Estrellita.
• Highlights of the latest IWRG vs Konkreto cibernetico.
• Villano V says he may start promoting events at Palacio de los Deportes after he retires.
• Talavision is creating the offical t-shirt of Rey de Reyes (not pictured.)
• The Mexican football federation has officially banned headscissors. A sad day for wacky celebrations.

Lineups

GALLI (SUN) 03/03/2013 Arena GALLI
1) Dark Scorpion & El Traidor vs Negro Thunder & Will Moah
2) Chico Suave vs Jon Morales
3) GPA & Ripper vs Matt Creed & Pentagono
4) Golden Dragon & Joe Firoz vs Henry Maxwell & Muerte Extranjera
5) Aaron Solo, Darren Dean, Tony Kozina vs Discovery, Emperador, Funebre
6) Noriega & Ricky Cruz vs Mike Anthony & Punisher 747 [GALLI TAG]
Punisher & Mike are champs
7) Acid Jazz, Atomico, Lince Dorado vs Jake Shining, Mason Conrad, Ovirload

That is former IWRG mystery man Ricky Cruzz in the semimain as Noriega’s hand picked partner to challenge for the tag team title. It is a small world. I’m completely uncertain where I will be on Sunday, may be here.

LyC (TUE) 03/05/2013 Arena Coliseo Monterrey
1) Lady Jaguar vs Dark Genix
2) Galactar, Gemelo Muerte I, Gemelo Muerte II vs Los Legendarios
3) Silencio vs Dralion, Gato Fantasma, Rey Orion, Obsesion, Black Spirit, Kaientai, Xtreme Boy, Chico De Barrio,  Misionerio [Copa Crucero, First Part]
4) Androide, Hijo Del Mongol Chino, Mongol Chino, Potro Jr. vs ?, Bengali, Difunto I, Monje Negro Jr.

Poor Guapos Nice are stuck with Androide again this week. Maybe he can be reprogrammed?

Semimain is the first half of a flyer’s tournament, I think.

Dr. Wagner Jr. went to Saltillo to talk to college students about sexually transmitted diseases, and all this article about it wants to talk about is CMLL and AAA. A tremendous disappointment. The only info we get is the name of the program, “Ponte la Mascara”, a program to encourage condom usage. I have so many more questions, and the Wagner/CMLL/AAA thing is not nearly as weird. Dr. Wagner’s new new new new newest story goes this way: AAA wasn’t giving him enough work, so Wagner went to the independents to get some more, and CMLL contacted Wagner for him to come in so he could get some work. (That is not true.) “I don’t know how AAA found out”, says microphone friendly Dr. Wagner. Truly a mystery! Dorian was going to sue Dr. Wagner for a million dollars, so Wagner was forced to cancel his CMLL bookings and serve out his contract until 2014. AAA can’t stop him from working with El Hijo del Santo and Wagner will be working those dates. If Wagner and AAA are now agreeing he’s working with them until 2014, then maybe everyone can stop doing interviews with him about this for 10 months. Wagner might also wrestle for AAA, but I’m less interested in that part.

On his Facebook page, Horuz says he’ll be out about three months due to the knee injury he suffered on Tuesday.

El Fantasma wants CMLL wrestlers to sign up for the new lucha libre insurance plan. Fantasma mentions CMLL will help out wrestlers who’ve been hurt in their rings, but it doesn’t extend to outside the ring and it doesn’t cover their families. If something happens to your family while you’re already out hurt, you’re out of luck, and it’s too late to do anything when you’ve already used up your money paying bills. The insurance he’s offering covers the luchador’s families as well, and Fantasma says the insurance is free. This lucha libre healthy insurance program is a very small part of a greater Mexico City plan to enroll 700,000 uninsured people into free health care programs this year. AAA wrestlers were in attendance at a large event in Arena Ciudad Mexico to push the program.

Villano V/Ray Mendoza Jr. held a press conference for his retirement show yesterday. MedioTiempo and R de Rudo have recaps, and Black Terry Jr. has photos. Villano V explained here that he was retiring because he didn’t want to be a guy who hung around too long and went downhill physically. (Older brother Villano III, also at the press conference, thought that was a good decision but said he’d be wrestling for a while longer.) Villano V mentioned he’d asked CMLL to use their wrestlers, and some had expressed interested, but CMLL did not approve of that idea. Villano V took a shot at El Hijo del Santo’s wife, Gabriela Obregón, referencing the TxT veto and mentioning their money from their show would go to charity. Rayman and Cien Caras Jr. are off that card for that reason, with Heavy Metal and Mascara Ano 2000 Jr. replacing them.

Psycho Circus and Drago were part of a press conference for Sunday’s AAA TV taping. Not much new info. Drago mentions he’d like to face Psicosis, then get a shot at either Daga’s Cruiserweight title or even the DTU Alto Impact championship (currently held by Flamita.)

And another press conference, this one in Tijuana, to hype MV’s show at the Auditorio this Friday. Just pictures, no details.

Lucha Libre USA is starting to officially announce dates and locations for it’s 2013 shows. The first is April 14 in Ontario, South California. People listed for the shows: Blue Demon Jr., RJ Brewer, Jon Rekon (Strong Man), Petey Williams, Stevie Richards, Psicosis (II), Hijo del Fantasma (!), Super Crazy (is everywhere), Super Nova, Lizmark Jr., Mini Park, Pequeno Halloween, Mascara Pupura, Solar, Melina, and Shane Helms.

Sounds like Crazy Boy has been cleared for a return. Congrats to him.

Culinary Backstreets visits El Cuadrilátero, Super Astro’s original restaurant which turns 21 years old this year. I was surprised to find out it still exists, because interviews with Super Astro the last few years have suggested it was gone or at least in new ownership. This article explains it’s owned María Guadalupe Cortés, mentioned as Super Astro’s ex-wife, so that probably explains that. You can still get the giant Gladiador sandwich (or a smaller junior one.)

A few more details on the Monterrey lucha libre exhibit. Orlando Jimenez and Christian Cymet are responsible for the event; this is a traveling exhibit which has been in other locations. There will be panel discussions with Mil Mascaras, Tinieblas, Alushe, Chucho Mar Jr., Galactar, Mr. Line and others. The exhibit will be in el Museo del Noreste until June 30th.

Some CMLL wrestlers are headed to Morelos for a show there this weekend, and so the local promotion announced they’ll be having a Reyes del Aire match. This doesn’t quite work when the luchadors going are Ultimo Guerrero, Taurus, Rey Escorpion and Espanto Jr., not a flyer among them.

DTU is hinting AR Fox will be on their March shows, in that they’re mentioning it’s the CZW TV champion and linking to videos of AR Fox matches, but saving the official announcement until this week’s Tercera Caida. They’re also promising 2 Dragon Gate wrestlers for their 03/16 show in Tulancingo, who are probably Eita & Tomahawk.

Rob has highlights of 12/11/1994 AAA.

LuchaWorld has KrisZ’s news update.

magazine roundup

again, this is some Stuff I Learned;

Box Y Lucha #3110 (cover date 12/24/2012)

• the cover proclaims “Sin Cara (Antes Mistico), A La Arena Mexico!”. Now, I write about a lot of stuff here, and I forget almost all of it as soon as I’ve written it, but I like to think I’d remember if that one happened. It turns out to be a hilarious Dia de la Inocentes joke, which I’m sure everyone who spent money to buy the magazine thought was funny
• In an interview with Barbaro Cavernario (Guadalajara) mentions he’d like to team with his brotherm Demonio Maya.
• the story about Relampago training with Arkangel in hopes to get in CMLL. That one is one I’ve blocked out of my mind.
• Rey Bucanero talks about his knee injury, say he’s aiming for a March return (which still seems to be the case.) The knee was much more damaged than they thought; he and his doctor expected him to be out only 3-4 weeks, and it’s going to be around 4 months. Bucanero was very disappointed not to go to Japan.
• Sangre Azteca roots for America.

Box Y Lucha #3113 (cover date 01/14/2013)

• not a lot of new news. This is the week of Sin Cara’s gym opening and just prior to FantasicaManaia
• Fresero (both Jr. and Sr.) and Tinieblas Jr. visit the Box Y Lucha office.
• tease of a In Memoriam/Barbaro vs Esfinge/Smaker match for the vacant Occidente Tag Team titles, which doesn’t seem to have turned out.
• Oriental says he started his career as ‘Acorazado Moreno’, the same name his father used, for the first two years of his career, his favorite partner was Tsubasa and his favorite rivals were Abismo Negro, La Fiera, and Dynamite Kid.

Box Y Lucha #3114 (cover date 01/21/2013)

• Headline: “I [Averno] had talks with a North American promotion.” You don’t say! Averno maintains they were only talks, nothing more Averno says 2012 overall was a year of opportunities for him, some exploited, some not so much, but his plans are to be the best rudo in CMLL and make the Hijos de Averno the best trio. Averno talks about his father, Rodolfo Ruiz, who’s been missing from CMLL rings for a while. Averno says says his father had health issues 2.5 months ago, but is doing better and hopes to return to the ring soon. (Averno says Rodolfo would be back at the end of January, which does not appear to have happened, unless they’ve put him in Puebla and I’ve missed him.)
• Rey Cometa says, despite losing his mask, 2012 was a good year for him – he’s moved up the cards, gotten more opportunities, and is one of the best flyers in the promotion. He’s wants to show that a guy from Queretaro is as a good as anyone from Comarca Lagunera or Guadalajara.
• Herodes has 15 sons, most professionals in their field. Herodes Jr. and the masked Maquina Asesina are the only luchadors.
• Guadalajara’s Pirana is originally from Torreon.

Luchas 2000 #655 (cover date 01/21/2013)

• Karlo Colin talks to Hector Garza’s wife for an update – Hector was hospitalized for pneumonia, but recovered and is back at home. They appreciate all the support
• lots of push for the Brazos show
• interview with Alberto Munoz, one of only 7 people to win three different national championships (and possibly the most obscure one). I need to grab this one for the wiki later.
• Rayo de Jalisco mentions he’s got tours for “Europe, Asia, and Japan” in May or June, but he’s really like to face Canek in a mask match in 2013.
• Blue Demon mentions he’s only working in Mexico a bit because he’s on TV in the US so much.
• Perro Aguayo Jr. has plans for lots of shows in 2013, with lots of international talent.
• Metatron’s goal for 2013: be in Mexico City more.

Box Y Lucha #3115 (cover date 01/28/2013)

• A cover blurb says Hector Garza is in a fight for his life. You will find no article about Hector Garza in this magazine, but a brief mention of him at the end of the Palqiue Enmascarados column mentioning Hector is stable and fightning.
• magazine spells it “Thunderbir” in the headline, then “Thunderbird” in the text.
• Vangelis wants a shot at the world heavyweight title! I’m not sure I’m ready for Terrible vs Vangelis, though imagine if Rush had won that title. He still would like that match for the national light heavyweight title, but it’s not his focus right now.
• Fenix – who roots for Toluca – says his worst match was the one late last year where he was bizarrely teaming with Amazona & Ludark to face Kristal, Sadica, and Pasion Kristal. Yea, that was a weird one.

SuperLuchas #499 (cover date 02/17/2013)

• El Fantasma talks about the insurance program. He mentions it’s open to luchadors, boxers, announcers and referees. Fantamsa is asked about the XMW show where Astro de Plata show was hurt, and says it was not sanctioned by him – they had sanctioned the one where his son main evented, but noticed many problems. He read the promoter the riot act after he found out what happened (from Astro de Plata’s family) and the promoter must have an ambulance on hand and a plan to help any injured luchadors if he runs another show. After health insurance, Fantasma’s next goal is working on retirement benefits for the luchadors.
• A long interview with Konnan. A lot of stuff you’ve heard/seen in English restated for a Mexican audience: he doesn’t not like El Hijo Del Santo or Santo’s comments on Konnan and lays out his case for a page and half.  Konnan agrees that AAA has things to fix: luchadors using language on microphones they shouldn’t use in front of families, not dressing up like stars, rudos acting like tecnicos and a general lack of professionalism. Konnan complains that he and Dorian are doing the jobs of five people from WWE & TNA, the lack of merchandising, people who’ve been around for two years and still don’t know the luchadors or the feuds, and the lack of information on the website. Both Dorian and Konnan are very high on social media, teases the international announcement and feels there needs to be new faces on the top of the card – ‘if you see a poster for four years ago, it looks a lot like today’. Some luchadors need to understand they don’t have to leave, but they do have to move down to make room for new people. In answering criticism about the style of lucha libre, Konnan says people need to stop paying attention to internet people who don’t really know anything. Konnan ends with a long speech about how the economy is growing again and he hopes lucha libre grows with it.

SuperLuchas #500 (cover date 02/24/2013)

• Congrats on #500! It’s a low key celebration; a lot of the columns talk about it being the 500th edition, but it’s also more of a regular issue than a special edition. There is a nice feature on other lucha magazines which reached 500 and what they were writing about that time.

• Rush goes third person in an interview, which is so great. He doesn’t have much to say: Rush is never satisfied! Rush thanks his father for teaching him humility! Rush is the best rudo and will continue to give 1000%.
• Dark Angel, often featured in the magazine, talks about her career interlinked with Monterrey. Her first time on the cover was back when she lost her mask to Princesa Sugheit. Dark Angel feels 2013 will be full of changes, one of which is Angel herself heading to Japan in March to work for Stardom again for 3 months, including a 04/29 show at Sumo Hall. She mentions learning from the people she met in TNA and learning to take herself less seriously, and how she’d like an opportunity in WWE.

Links

• Perra del Mal talks to Faby Apache, Mary Apache, Lolita and Sexy Lady about tomorrow’s Reina de Reinas tournament.
• Cronicas Y Leyendas explains the reason behind the Televicentro 50s lucha promotion – they wanted something to popularize the network, and it was cheaper/easier to do wrestling in a studio than go to remote locations for soccer.
• Neat new lucha libre handmade figures, going on sale tomorrow.
• Phil @ Segunda Caida reviews more IWRG.
• AAA talks about Dinastia’s great first year.
• Hype for Fiebre Amarilla vs Stuka & Fuego.
• CMLL promo for Dos Leyendas.
• Psycho Clown papertoy.
• El Hijo del Santo talks about voice dubbing.

CMLL (MON) 02/25/2013 Arena Puebla [Porra Fresa]
Attendance: 1000
1) Asturiano, Black Tiger, Tigre Rojo Jr. b Akron, Blue Center, Saurón
Tecnicos took 1/3 with simultaneous pins in the third.
2) Metálico, Molotov, Pegasso b Hijo del Signo, Hooligan, Taurus
Tecnicos took 1/3. Metalico continued his winning form by submitting Signo.
3) Pequeño Olímpico b Astral [CMLL MINI]
Pequeno Olimpico came in as champ. He took falls 2/3, submitting Astral in the third for his third defense.
4) Ángel de Oro, Blue Panther, Máscara Dorada b Ephesto, Puma, Vangelis
Vangelis replaced Black Warrior. Weird finish to the first fall, where Panther had Ephesto pinned for three, but Ephesto was ruled to have submitted Panther before the three count. Dorada surprised Puma with a torito in the the second. Vangelis fell on Dorada in the third while catching a dive and Dorada looked hurt. Oro submitted Ephesto, and the tecnicos brought Dorada back in the ring after the match. Money was thrown in.
5) La Sombra, Mistico, Thunder b Kráneo, Psicosis, Volador Jr.
Volador Jr. replaced Olimpico. Tecnicos took 2/3, with pins by Thunder on Kraneo (spinning side slam) and Mistico on Psicosis (huracarrana). Mistico looked better this week.

photo by Black Terry Jr.

IWRG FILL (TUE) 02/26/2013 Arena Naucalpan [Black Terry Jr. (flickr), Estrellas del Ring]
1) Charly Boy & Dragón Blanco b Payaso Extremo & Skrull Metal
2) Aviador, Príncipe Azteca, Principe Rojo b Electro Boy, Hijo Del Rey Terko, Smog
“Atomic” appears to be Electro Boy listed as Atomic Boy again.
3) Blue Monsther, Matrix Jr., Power Bull b Alas de Acero, Fly Star, Ranchero
4) Ángel Del Amor, Apolo Estrada Jr., Seiya b Araña de Plata, Fulgore, Picudo Jr.
5) Centvrión, Dr. Siniestro, Dragón Celestial, Eita, Eterno, Galaxy, Imposible, Serpiente de Oro b Boycot, Flehyzer, Holkan, Jhon Crazy, Kiuby, Mr. Leo, Rey Tabú, Vuelo Espacial [copa Higher Power]
FILL vs Konkreto, though Fuerza Guerrera was not there for his students this time. Dr. Siniestro replaced Alan Extreme. Match came down to Imposible & Eterno vs Jhon Crazy & Mr. Leo. Mr. Leo, who has appeared on IWRG shows of late, didn’t get along with his team during the match and had a falling out at this point. Crazy used the ropes to beat Eterno, Leo argues with Crazy over tactics and accidental shots before fouling Crazy, Imposible pinned Crazy and then pinned Leo when Leo gave up. Gym Konkreto was very upset with Mr. Leo, who asked for asylum with the IWRG squad. Imposible seemed okay with it.

CMLL (TUE) 02/26/2013 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara [@acogdl]
1) Metatrón & Virgo COR Exterminador & Magnum
Tecnicos took 2/3.
2) Esfinge & Gallo b Bárbaro Cavernario & Maléfico
Tecnicos took 1/3, Esfinge beat Barbaro to set up a title match next week.
3) Astral, Fantasy, Último Dragoncito b Demus 3:16, Pequeño Olímpico, Pierrothito
Tecnicos seem to have won 2/3, though the last fall finish is unclear.
4) Hijo del Fantasma, Rey Cometa, Stuka Jr. DQ Namajague, Rey Escorpión, Shigeo Okumura
Straight falls. Okumura was DQed for excessive violence on Cometa in the second.
5) Averno, Mephisto, Terrible b Máximo, Shocker, Thunder
Rudos took 1/3, Terrible pulling Thunder’s mask for the win.

photo by CMLL

CMLL (TUE) 02/26/2013 Arena Mexico [CMLL]
1) Camorra & Guerrero Negro Jr. b Génesis & Robin
2) Cancerbero, Raziel, Virus b Arkángel de la Muerte, Nitro, Skándalo
Tuareg vs Cancerbero fight. Raziel snuck in a foul on Nitro for the win.
3) Soberano Jr. b Camaleón, Stigma, Höruz, Hombre Bala Jr., Akuma, Espanto Jr., Herodes Jr., Cholo, Bobby Zavala [Sangre Nueva, semifinal]
Sides were tecnicos vs rudos. Eliminations went Horuz (by Akuma), Cholo (by Camaleon), Horuz (by injuyr), Camaleon (Herodes Jr.), Espanto Jr. (Hombre Bala Jr.), Herodes Jr. (Stigma), Stigma (Bobby Zavala), and Bobby Zavala (Hombre Bala Jr.) That left Soberano & Hombre Bala Jr., two tecnicos, so who had to face off so there would be one winner. (This rarely happens.) Soberano beat Hombre Bala Jr. with something like Euforia’s Nirvana-lock. Soberano Jr. faces the 03/05 winner on 03/12.
4) Negro Casas b Delta [lightning]
Negro beat Delta in a 6 and a half minutes with a casita.
5) Diamante Azul, Super Porky, Valiente b Kráneo, Morphosis, Psicosis
Match had Angel de Oro on the tecnico side (Valiente took his place), and the Guerreros instead of Invasors. Morphosis wore his Histeria gear again. Porky won the match with a plancha.

Morphosis was in for the CMLL Light Heavyweight contenders cibernetico last month. This is his first trios match in Arena Mexico since September. My hunch is the rudo side changes was an typing error or miscommunication; Euforia, Niebla Roja and Ultimo Guerrero are listed as main eventing Friday’s show, and it’s exceptionally rare for the same trio to be in back to back Tuesday/Friday main events together. Angel de Oro could be the same thing, but he’s also had knee problems of late.

Soberano winning is a bit of a surprise and a nice win. It looks like an all out action match, including a quadruple dive spot and a stage dive bit. Hombre Bala (and CMLL) must be okay with the apron Spanish Fly bit because Bala did it to Soberano here again, and it wasn’t even the finish. Soberano’s stated goal is to team with his father and he’s now a step closer.

Mesias hypes Sunday’s AAA Sin Limite taping in SLP. The card rundown lists Konnan as a referee. That would normally seem like just a weird typo, but that’s how we found out Sexi Star was a guest referee for the match at Heroes Inmortales (and they never really ran an angle to explain it ahead of time.)

Tickets are on sale for the TxT return show on 03/23. The page lists the partial lineup for the show, which hasn’t been announced yet as far as I can find. There’s a minis match (Tzuki/Dorada vs Lobito/Rockerito) and a young guys match (Saruman/Dinamic Black vs Imposible/Alan Extreme), and something with Angel Blanco Jr., Hijo del Solitario, Dr. Wagner Jr. and Rayman which isn’t very clear. The main event will be Santo defending his WBC/CMB welterweight championship against a contender to be determined – two Americans and 1 Canadian will face off, winner vs Santo. The names of the outsiders are not mentioned. Ticket prices run from $590 ($46.10 USD) ringside down to $70 ($5.47 USD).

Meanwhile, Joaquin Roldan mentioned tickets for Rey de Reyes will run from $600 ($46.88 USD) down to $60 ($4.69 USD).

Bill has highlights of 11/24/11 IWRG.

Promo for Sunday’s Arena Lopez Mateos show and highlights of last week’s tribute to Lola Gonzalez and Fray Tormenta.

Rush’s match in Guatemala didn’t happen. Promotion says his plane was supposed to get in at noon, but it was delayed until 8pm (after the show.) They held a battle royal to set up a title match next week instead. Goya Kong is headed there on March 17.

La Copa has a bio on Flamita.

Phil @ Segunda Caida really likes Chico Che, Freelance, Hijo del Pantera vs Apolo Estrada, Avisman and Eita from 02/17.

A new lucha libre exhibit opens in Monterrey next Wednesday. They’ll have free shows every Sunday.

Indy luchador plans to go to CMLL, but not now.

Lineups

CMLL (MON) 03/04/2013 Arena Puebla
1) Centauro de Fuego & Siki Ozama Jr. vs Espiritu Maligno & Fuerza Chicana
2) Dalis la Caribeña, Lady Afrodita, Luna Mágica vs La Seductora, La Vaquerita, Zeuxis
3) Fuego, Sagrado, Stuka Jr. vs Arkángel de la Muerte, Hooligan, Vangelis
4) Rey Cometa vs Shigeo Okumura [lightning]
5) Felino, Mr. Niebla, Negro Casas vs Diamante Azul, Hijo del Fantasma, Máscara Dorada
6) Atlantis, La Sombra, Thunder vs Euforia, Último Guerrero, Volador Jr.

Prelude to H2L as a lightning match. If that women’s match is only slightly bad, everyone should celebrate. There are some bad possibilities there.

CMLL (TUE) 03/05/2013 Arena Mexico
1) Aereo & Pequeño Halcón vs Mercurio & Pequeño Universo 2000
2) Camaleón, Magnus, Molotov vs Akuma, Apocalipsis, Artillero
3) Génesis, Oro Jr., Robin, Sensei, Super Halcón Jr. vs Disturbio, Guerrero Negro Jr., Inquisidor, Taurus, Zayco [Sangre Nueva, semifinal]
winner faces Soberano Jr. next week
4) Guerrero Maya Jr., Super Porky, Valiente vs Black Warrior, Misterioso Jr., Olímpico
5) Felino, Mr. Niebla, Negro Casas vs Blue Panther, La Máscara, Máximo

Guerrero Maya and Black Warrior have a thing. I have no idea what that thing is, but Maya seems to annoy Warrior less than all the other young guys annoy him.

Super Halcon Jr. is the most advanced of this Sangre Nueva group and Oro Jr. is the most promising, but neither would be a good fit with Soberano in the final. I kind of want to see Zayco in the final because just to see what the match would be like, but Disturbio or Taurus seem better chances. Soberano moving from the 1′s to the 2′s would be fine, but none of the potential winners seem ready to move up to the 3′s on a regular basis. We’re supposed to be under the impression that Inquisidor is a new brother of Polvora (and Vaquero just happens to be standing off camera in all the pictures), but Sensei has been here under that name since 2005 and is 34 years old. I feel better knowing I’m still eligible for this tournament.

CMLL (TUE) 03/05/2013 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Black Metal & Sky Kid vs In Memoriam & Sádico
2) Starman & Stigma vs Nitro & Skándalo
3) Diamante, Fuego, Tritón vs Cancerbero, Raziel, Sangre Azteca
4) Bárbaro Cavernario vs Esfinge [OCCIDENTE MIDDLE]
Barbaro Cavernario is champion. Second defense.
5) Ángel de Oro, Delta, Hijo del Fantasma vs Averno, Ephesto, Mephisto
6) Marco Corleone, Rush, Thunder vs Euforia, Terrible, Último Guerrero

The Terrible/Thunder feud continues here. Might Thunder get his first singles match before his Arena Mexico debut?

Guadalajara brought back the Occidente titles to actually use them, not just hand them out like other places. Two seem like enough, and it’s a long time before they’re meaningful, but they’ve made a nice start of it.