AAA is back to the first week of a two week taping. They’ve been quietly posting previews on Fridays of late, so check back on that.
The show description for this week’s Lucha Underground spells Cueto wrong. At this point, it doesn’t look like El Rey will be doing a marathon of the series according to the upcoming schedule. (It’s just regular Miami Vice and movie showings.) Seemed like an obvious move, especially since they did it going in to Aztec Warfare. Still has time to change.
Tuesday Terra is gone. I assume they’re airing only the top four from Friday Terra, but who knows after last week.
Azteca likes airing women’s matches, so I assume the cibernetico will air in some form. It really makes more sense to air than the semimain.
There’s really no reason to record or post 52MX going forward, since all those Puebla shows will air on YouTube channel. I’m going to talk myself into doing it anyway, because YouTube channels go away and video files sometimes magically turn private.
This is a weak Puebla show; Maximo does go into a higher gear in big matches and the semimain will be noteworthy just to see if Sombra’s allowed to wrestle. All the other trios matches are a mixed bag. Opener is the first time Zaeta Roja will make video, and it’s always nice to get a read on the new guys.
if there’s no new AULL episode this week, I’ll assume it’s canceled.
CMLL (TUE) 07/21/2015Arena Coliseo Guadalajara [CMLL]
1) El Chakal & Sádico b Frezzer & Virgo
2) Gallo, Hombre Bala Jr., Súper Halcón Jr. b Cancerbero, Ráfaga, Raziel Tecnicos took 2/3
3) Misterioso Jr., Pierroth, Sangre Azteca DQ Blue Panther Jr., Esfinge, The Panther Blue Panther Jr. back (so if he was hurt on Friday, he was fine enough to go here.) Rudos took 1/3, the last when Esfinge unintentionally unmasked Sangre Azteca on a monkey flip.
4) Diamante Azul, Super Porky, Titán b Kráneo, Ripper, Vangellys Tecnicos took 2/3.
5) Mephisto, Mr. Niebla, Último Guerrero b La Máscara, La Sombra, Rush Rudos took 2/3. CMLL describes the third fall as the fans cheering for the rudos and distracting the Ingobernables into a loss. In reality, there was an incident between the Ingobernables and the fans. Security tried to pull all the luchadors away after the match and got them halfway up the ramp before Sombra broke free and went after the fans, kicking at some who had approached the ring. Rush followed, throwing back an umbrella. Police eventually got involved.
Cancha has a story and cell phone video on the incident between Sombra, Rush & the fans. The video starts after the initial incident, but before Sombra & Rush go back towards the fans again.
In the first fall, Mr. Niebla took a glass of beer from the fans and threw in the face of Rush. In the third fall, Rush got beer himself, tried to throw it at Niebla, and instead soaked the front row. (The article is unclear if this was Rush’s actual intention.) Those same fans, believed to be drunk, started throwing beer at the luchadors. The article says the luchadors attacked the fans after that. Ultimo Guerrero beat Mascara to end the match and security tried to pull Sombra, Rush, and Niebla away. That’s where the video picks up. Those same fans said or did something that enraged Sombra. He broke free, and Sombra kicked at them from the ring while they were standing next to the apron. Rush came in as support and threw theumbrella back at the fans. Niebla also came back in the ring and police had to get involved to break it up.
The president of the local box y lucha commission, Guillermo Sandoval, was at the Tuesday show. He told Cancha on Wednesday that Rush & Sombra are suspended from wrestling in Jalisco for three months. That’d last thru October 22nd. Since CMLL DF talent are only working Tuesdays, their first show back would be October 27th. Arena Coliseo and it’s management will also be punished in an unspecified way.
There probably should be something done about the security, which appeared to be insufficient for the incident, and should’ve been throwing people out as soon as they started thrown drinks at the luchadors. Maybe the outcome will be barrier are put up between the fans and the ring, like in Arena Mexico. That change seemed to occur in response to an incident between drunk fans and wrestlers too. It would require re-configuring seats to free up enough room, which would come at some cost. The easiest fix is Arena Coliseo Guadalajara being a lot more picker about who they allow to set in that front row on the opposite side of the entrances; there’s a group of about 10 seats which the luchadors end up diving in to or brawling near, and it frequently seems like the fans in those seats are drunk or otherwise unaware of what is going on. It occasionally makes for funny visuals but it’s not the safest situation.
The Metalico/Leono hair match for next Tuesday has vanished. This seems to be a late decision; they were advertised as going on CMLL Informa to promote the match just minutes before the match, but their match was pulled from the CMLL website a few hours prior. I’m not sure why it was there, I’m not sure why it’s gone, I’m not sure if it’ll just turn back up.
This week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter added a few details about TripleMania and it’s PPV. The important news was on the follow up podcast: Meltzer thinks the lineup probably will be announced in full on Friday (though notes elsewhere that the announcement of the PPV was actually delayed a week.) The WON also notes AAA had previously turned down offers to do the show as a PPV in the US as to not conflict with Lucha Underground. They’re apparently not concerned about that now, and you can read in to that what you want. Hugo Savinovich will be one of the English language announcers, with the other TBD.
AAA typically does Hall of Fame inductions on TripleMania. Perro Aguayo Jr. is certain to be inducted. Villano III may be honored as well. The show is scheduled to run three hours, which is shorter than most AAA shows. That probably means the event will only have six matches. We already know three (Myzteziz/Rey, Alberto/Cage, Villanos/Circus), there’s usually a Relevos AAA to get the minis/women/Mamba/Pimpi on, so that only leaves a couple matches to get a lot of people on the card. The La Parka/Cibernetico crew have to be worked in, and the guys who are seen on Lucha Underground have to be worked in. It’s going to be a challenge.
The Villanos/Psycho Circus really should be kept short. There’s an autograph signing for Villano III the weekend after TripleMania, and the people promoting have implied Villano III is signing because he can’t wrestle but could really use the income. That trios match has a chance of being the least well regarded match on a major PPV, but they’re doing the Villanos a favor by giving them a good payday in a big spotlight.
IWRG (SUN) 07/26/2015Arena Naucalpan
1) Aeroman & Alas de Acero vs Araña de Plata & Hip Hop Man
2) Dragón Celestial & Metaleón vs Enigma & Imposible
3) Emperador Azteca, Golden Magic, Súper Nova vs Apolo Estrada Jr., Avisman, El Hijo del Diablo
4) Hijo del Solar, Máscara Sagrada, Solar I vs Halloween Jr., Hijo de Máscara Año 2000, Universo 2000 Jr.
5) Negro Navarro, Trauma I, Trauma II vs Canis Lupus, Coloso Chris, Príncipe Orión
Panteras win the tag titles and aren’t back for the next show. Crazy Americans face off against the Navarros for whatever reason. An IWRG show.
ELL (SAT) 08/08/2015Auditorio de Tijuana, Tijuana, Baja California
1) Black Danger & Mirage vs Black Phantom & Xperia
2) Eternus & Lady Lee vs Destroyer & Ryan Kidd
3) Fantastik, Mr. Maldito, Platino vs Ángel Metálico, Jonathan, Star Dragón
4) Histeria & Psicosis II vs Tony Casanova & X-Torm
5) Hijo de LA Park & LA Park vs La Sombra & Rush
Evolution has mostly been running smaller buildings in Tijuana; this might be the first show at the big building and they’ve brought in Sombra, Rush and LA Park for it.
Texano Jr. defeated Johnny Mundo (5:50, DQ when the Crew ran in, GOOD)
The Mack defeated Cage (0:42, corner sunset flip, OK)
Fenix regained his Aztec Medallion (OK)
Ricky Mandell eliminated (0:42, thrown by Famous B)
Argenis eliminated (0:53, thrown by Famous B)
Killshot eliminated (1:50, shoved off the top by DelAvar Daivari)
Vincenzo Massaro eliminated (2:34, stunner by DelAvar Daivari)
Super Fly eliminated (2:47, monkey flip by Mascarita Sagrada)
The mystery of the medallions was finally explained on this show. Dario Cueto explained the seven medallion holders would fight at Ultima Lucha for a new belt, the Gift of the Gods. The holder of the belt can challenge for the Lucha Underground championship at any time, though they must inform Dario to give him at least a week to promote it. (“No cash-ins.”) The belt can be defended and the title shot can change hands. The medallions come back off the belt once it’s used, and begin being handed out again to repeat the process.
Six luchadors stepped in to attach their medallions to the belt. (Magnets!) Jack Evans, Aerostar, King Cuerno, Sexy Star, Bengala and Big Ryck all placed their medallions on the belt. Ryck was given his Medallion earlier in the show, as part of Dario trying to patch up their relationship. (Big Ryck also took some money.) Fenix was not there, with Dario happily noting Fenix had been destroyed by Mil Muertes.
Dario announced a battle royal (with the final two going to pinfall/submission) to determine the new holder of the Medallion. Fenix came out before Dario went any farther. He did not get the Medallion back, but did get placed in the battle royal – which he won, against some of the lower ranked LU competitors. No one quite explained why Fenix was late.
Dario had a busy night. He explained Ultima Lucha would in fact begin next week. (The August 5th show remains two hours; they’re expanding it.) Cage versus the Mack will be added to that show in falls count anywhere match, after Mack’s flash pin over Cage led to them brawling around the arena and laying out security. Dario promised to put any stray item he had laying around at ringside so they could use it too.
That wasn’t all for Dario: he informed Hernandez that the Lucha Underground fans on Twitter hated him. Hernandez wasn’t concerned until Dario decided to let those fans participate. Next week’s match will be a lumberjack strap match with the fans as lumberjacks (“Believer’s Backlash”.) Hernandez main concern was Dario having good insurance, suggested he wouldn’t be afraid to fight back.
The opener of the show was a competitive match between Texano & Johnny Mundo. Texano looks to have a chance to win until Mr. Cisco and Cortez Castro ran into attack him. Alberto made a surprising save, wanting to get after Alberto himself. Alberto and Texano were left alone in the wrong and had a testy staring contest before Alberto left.
The show was to end with a Prince Puma promo. Of course, that didn’t happen – Catrina and Mil Muertes interrupted before Puma said one word. They were the distraction to a Disciples of Death attack, but Puma fought them out and challenged Muertes to take him on right now. Muertes did, but Puma also took him out and landed the 630 senton to end the show. Striker pushed the idea of Konnan not being around; it’s unclear if he’ll be back for the title match.
Ultima Lucha Card (07/29 & 08/05)
Prince Puma (c) versus Mil Muertes for the Lucha Underground championship
Aerostar vs Jack Evans vs Bengala vs Big Ryck vs Sexy Star vs Fenix vs King Cuerno for the Gift of the Gods championship
Johnny Mundo versus Alberto el Patron
Angelico, Son of Havoc and Ivelisse (c) versus the Disciples of Death for the Lucha Underground Trios championship
Vampiro versus Pentagon Jr. in a Cero Miedo match
Hernandez versus Drago in a Believer’s Backlash match
Blue Demon Jr. versus Texano
the Mack versus Cage in a falls count anywhere match
The Mack/Cage was explicitly said to be taking place next week. They were less clear on the other ones, but they’re listed in the preview for next week. It probably will not be announced, but there will also be a ‘everyone who doesn’t have a match’ battle royal along the way.
thoughts
If the last one was kind of simple, this one was extremely busy. New belt, new match, new stipulation, new extra hour to the finale. There were matches too. Texano/Mundo was really fun while it lasted and something I’d enjoy seeing again down the road. They mixed well together, with Texano looking the best he’s been as a face and Mundo’s rudo antics working. They gave the Alberto/Texano staredown a moment to make sure everyone saw, and understood they weren’t still friends, which was nice. It’s like them going over the UltimaLucha card one more time, just giving time to make sure everyone knew what’s going and what’s coming up.
The battle royal had some good moments and some not as good. We got to see the alternate universe where Famous B was one of the top guys in the promotion, and it was not bad. It’s surprising to see Marty get the spotlight at the end instead Killshot or Daivari. It didn’t quite work out with the finish at the end (which looked like it was originally something much more complex, and even the cover up cradle they did should’ve been retried.)
Big Ryck getting a medallion like he did felt like they just ran out of time. Fenix got a big win after his long absence seemingly just to re-establish him as an important figure after his long absence. Big Ryck hasn’t been gone, but – as Dario noted – he hasn’t been a big figure since those early episodes. Ryck’s just been winning a lot of matches for Dario’s opponents.
I didn’t like doing the Prince Puma promo fakeout. It acknowledges how weird it is that he never talks, which doesn’t seem like something they’re going to ever address. They needed an excuse to do the fight and didn’t want to do the faceoff, but it’s a bait and switch. (And since the Mack/Cage match was a bit of a nonmatch, it was the second one on the show where they also had a DQ.)
It’s probably not as much an issue for most people, but I hope there’s an explanation of why Fenix was late and had to be in the battle royal (besides “they wanted to do a battle royal”.) That seems like too inexplicable to be ignored, and they usually go somewhere with those sorts of things.
The Mack/Cage post match brawl was good, but probably suffers a little bit by having the bad timing to come a couple days after Undertaker & Brock did a similar deal. (I think there’s a good chance Cage & Mack have a better match.)
The whole idea of the Aztec Medallions/Gift of the Gods title is interesting and opens up possibilities for the future. There are very clearly defined ways to get a title shot in Lucha Underground, and this opens up a new one without needing Puma to get beat or laid out to do so.
The fight at the end was fun. Mil Muertes is the killer, but the one big change they’ve made with Mil v2.0 is Catrina’s more obviously the one running the show. She’s not his valet, he’s her weapon.
Yet another boring Tuesday. It feels like we must be waiting for some good guys to get back in the mix to make things better, but there’s no cavalry coming.
CMLL (TUE) 07/21/2015Arena México [CMLL]
1) Angelito & Fantasy b Pequeño Olímpico & Pequeño Universo 2000
2) Canelo Casas, Metálico, Okumura DQ Leono, Pegasso, Delta Starman Delta replaced Starman. Canelo Casas replaced Puma on Tuesday. Metalico fouled Leono
3) Disturbio b Boby Zavala [En Busca de un Idolo] Disturbio got the big win over Zavala. Atlantis was guest judge, and gave 10s to everyone (like Brazo de Plata, though it wasn’t intentional comedy.) Both Disturbio & Zavala scored a 10 (Atlantis), 8 (Gladiador), 8 (Shocker), 7 (Tirantes) for 33.
4) Guerrero Maya Jr. b Tritón [En Busca de un Idolo] Triton replaced Flyer, who said he had a foot injury. Guerrero Maya won with a double underhook piledriver, and scored a 10, 8, 8, 8 for a 34.
5) Marco Corleone, Stuka Jr., Valiente b Kamaitachi, Puma, Tiger Tiger, Puma and Kamaitachi replaced Euforia, Gran Guerrero & Niebla Roja.
6) Ángel de Oro, Mistico, Volador Jr. b Ephesto, Pólvora, Terrible straight falls. Polvora demanded a title shot against Angel de Oro.
Official En Busca round 1 results:
Maya 538
Boby 533
Esfinge 393
Disturbio 391
—
Flyer 384
Canelo 322
Delta 305
BP Jr. 254
All Flyer really need to do last night is show up. 10 total judging points, lower than anyone else has cored, would have been enough for him to advance. All the focus on the Disturbio versus Esfinge assumed Flyer would get those easy points. Since he didn’t, both Esfinge & Disturbio going to advance. Flyer hasn’t wrestled since last Monday in Puebla – the show that didn’t air live. He did have some problems in that match, but did not appear to suffer a foot injury. Flyer was pulled from last Tuesday’s show, and that change was made some days in advance. Star Jr. suffered his injury in training, it’s possible Flyer may have done the same, if he’s actually hurt.
If Flyer’s really hurt, then any concern about him advancing may be moot – maybe he’s not able to wrestle next round anyway. The timing is suspicious at the very least: Esfinge was thought to be the in-house favorite by people who know things, and Flyer missing the show seems ensure Esfinge advancing. Of course, they could’ve also just as easily had Disturbio lose, but Flyer’s the guy who the judges and the guy who decides the finishes have thought was the worst. Worth noting that it would’ve been Disturbio, not Esfinge, who would’ve been out had Flyer shown up.
Lucha Underground
Tonight’s Lucha Underground is episode 37, PenUltimaLucha. It’s the final episode before Ultima Lucha. (There is an episode next week. They’ll explain the deal during tonight’s show.) Matches announced on the show
Johnny Mundo versus Texano
the Mack versus Cage
a match for the final Aztec Medallion
There’s also a vignette from the show out which shows the last Medallion being handed out. It’s a pretty big spoiler, you may want to wait. It’s also a totally different medallion than the match. That again will make much more sense on the show.
Again, this is the last build to UltimaLucha. Pentagon/Vampiro is pretty much set in place from last week, but all the major matches get touched on one last time. Mundo/Texano addresses both of their matches. Prince Puma will make an appearance. The Aztec Medallions will be further explained. There are still other matches and a stipulation to be announced for UltimaLucha, and they may even move forward on the Black Lotus storyline. It’s looks to be a pretty busy show, and all reports said this was a start of a great set of episodes to close out the season.
TripleMania on US PPV
Conventional PPV! A new English language AAA site has the list of providers – it seems like they got cleared by all the major ones. Prices
$30 in HD
$20 in SD
$19 if you choose the iPPV instead (which has HD/SD/3D)
(Price is still undetermined if you can’t find anyone who will actually sell you floor seats to the show.)
If I was home, I’d probably still just choose the iPPV. I think I’m in the minority; a lot of people would prefer paying the extra $1 or $10 to just get in straight on their current TV setup even at this point of streaming devices. This is going to open the show up to a much bigger US/Canada audience.
That’s part of a new English language AAA site and Twitter account, and all of that’s probably related to Court Bauer saying on this week’s MLW Radio that he was working with AAA to expand their English presence. There’s a roster page; I’d guess they would include people who figure to be on the show (so Dinastia has a chance, but the Mini Psycho Clown photo is wrong.)
07/22 NOAH:
Bengala b Hajima Ohara [GJHL]
Super Crazy b Atsushi Kotoge [GJHL]
Both are 2-0! They’re going all the way! I apparently can’t read the tournament matches!
So. We’ve been watching CMLL Tuesday undercard matches for seven weeks now, and I don’t think a single person said “looks like they’re doing a Metalico/Leono match.” They’re doing a Leono/Metalico match! I have no idea why! Metalico did foul Leono last night, but there’s no indication they were building towards this match at all prior to that. It’s an all time poor build for a poor sounding match. I have no idea why you would put together a Leono/Metalico hair match and expect that to be something people would be interested in seeing. CMLL has 100+ luchadors and they’re going with Leono/Metalico as a match.
If Leono is Hulk Hogan, is Metalico Honky Tonk Man? (I don’t think Leono is Hogan because I’d bet Metalico wins.)
Angel de Oro is the greatest test of Polvora’s singles match super powers yet.
Way to bring back Stukita when there’s no internet stream any more. Given the six match lineup, that match may not air.
CMLL (TUE) 07/28/2015Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Explosivo & Nautilius vs Joker & Relampago
2) Flyer, Magnum, Oro Jr. vs Arkángel de la Muerte, Disturbio, Maléfico
3) Esfinge, Magnus, Tritón vs Hijo del Signo, Nitro, Okumura
4) Blue Panther, Blue Panther Jr., Super Porky vs Morphosis, Olímpico, Pierroth
5) Diamante Azul, Mistico, Volador Jr. vs Shocker, Terrible, Vangellys
Flyer back in action, or at least listed back on action. The 3/4/5 finishers are all on this show, and the 8th finisher is booked ahead of them.