CMLL FantasicaMania talent list announced, Noche Briticana show announced

CMLL released new on two international (related) events in the last 24 hour.

Coming up first is Noche Briticana, a special Arena Mexico show on 12/07. The announcers mentioned it in passing on last night’s Terra broadcast, and Ticketmaster already has some details.

BRITISH NIGHT una lucha con causa… es un evento que están organizando la Embajada Británica y el Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre para recaudar fondos para la Fundación John Langdon Down. Los luchadores Ultimo Guerrero y La Sombra se disputarán “Las Joyas de la Corona” en un ambiente muy británico en la cual, la arena México tendrá música y motivos ingleses. El público podrá ver y tocar el “London Bus” (el camión de doble piso inglés) y verá guardias reales dentro de la arena México. Este evento será el 7 de diciembre a las 8:30 p.m. en la majestuosa Arena México.

As you can read, it’s a copromtoion with the British Embassy, and will include British music, a double decker bus, and Buckingham Palace soldiers. It sounds like an Ultimo Guerrero vs La Sombra singles main event, but I guess they could also be just leading teams.

The John Langdown Down Foundation helps children with Down’s Syndrome. That weekend is the same as the annual Televisa supported “Teleton” to help special needs children, so there’s probably some connection there, though it appears CMLL may be donating a different charity.

That date would seem to mean any major CMLL year end show wouldn’t happen until later in December. However, there’s yet to be any hint of CMLL actually running a major show in December. (I haven’t seen any CMLL TV this weekend yet, so maybe you know something I don’t.) It is possible CMLL says Ultimo Guerrero vs Sombra with British people is enough and calls it a year. We won’t know that for certain for a few weeks, but it’s possible.

In a dream world, Sombra wins the main event when new rudo faction of Rey Escorpion, Dragon Rojo, and Hooligan (british! going for revenge on his old partner!) cost Ultimo Guerrero the match. I dream too much, but Hooligan’s got to be on the card. He’s the only British guy they’ve got! Volador dressing up as one of the Sargent Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band alone is not going to be good enough.

CMLL & NJPW also announced the CMLL participation for the three day FantasticaMania event. Tecnicos are Mistico, Titan, La Sombra, Rush, La Mascara, Mascara Dorada, Maximo, and Diamante. Rudos are Volador Jr., Mephisto, Dragon Rojo Jr., Rey Bucanero, Euforia, Misterioso and Okumura. It’s not stated, but I expect Namajague will be back in NJPW in January and would also be on these shows, in addition to the regular NJPW wrestlers. CMLL is also sending ring announcer Ivan and edecan Bruni.

Mistico and Titan are the tecnicos making the NJPW debut. Euforia is the only rudo making his debut here. NJPW also introduces Rey Bucanero, who’s been in NJPW as part of the team with Ultimo Guerrero prior but not in many years (and not under the current regime.) It’s a total of 14 CMLL wrestlers this time, up from 9 on previous shows.

The tour is being promoted around the first appearance of the new Mistico. NJPW mentions the previous one was IWGP Junior Heavyweight championship, setting the bar for this one (though I’d imagine that’s not something happening this year.)

Titan earned this spot by winning En Busca de Un Idolo, but the 2nd (Euforia), 3rd (Mistico) and 4th (Diamante) place finishers all got in as well. That makes the winning a bit cheap (though true to most reality shows), but I’m not certain Titan would’ve made it if he didn’t make the final 2 of the tournament given where he was before the tournament. This is still a win for #porraTitan.

There is plenty of pressure on the younger guys, but La Mascara might have the most to prove. Mascara was embarrassingly poor on the first FantasticaMania shows, looking in no condition to perform on both shows. It was said Mascara was ill and tried to work thru it (and the wrestlers on the show defended him against criticism), but everything he tried looked abysmally bad. Just having OK matches would be a vast improvement, but the Brazos have a great reputation in Japan and I’m certain La Mascara will be motivated to raise his families name back up.

FantasitcaMania had four title matches in 2011 involving CMLL wrestlers (and one that was between NJPW & DDT), and two in 2012. FantasticaMania expands to three days this year, and so the title match number is likely to increase. Titan (National Welterweight), Rush (CMLL Light Heavyweight), La Mascsara (National Light Heavyweight), Dragon Rojo Jr. (NWA & CMLL Middleweight), Rey Bucanero (NWA Light Heavyweight) all have major CMLL titles. Dragon Rojo’s already stated he’ll defend against either Jushin Lyger or Prince Devitt on these shows. Lyger makes more sense. Rush being a spotlight match (rematch vs Yujiro? Goto?) seems to fit with CMLL goals, as well as Mascara Dorada getting a big match (Bucanero is not doing much with his belt). Titan vs Euforia would also be a fun showcase for both guys, and it’d be weird if Volador and Sombra weren’t involved in something big. There’s a lot of possibilities. Unless there’s a title change between now and January, there won’t be a CMLL pairs or trios title on the line (though Okumura and Namajague are still facing Stuka & Fuego a lot.)

NJPW and CMLL will announce actual matches at a later time, probably early January, and we’ll likely know if any of these will be an iPPV around the same time. There will also likely be CMLL participation on the 01/04 NJPW Toyko Dome show. That usually includes 1 or 2 guys who don’t end up working these shows.

Rey Bucanero takes gold from a ghost, Dr. X/Fuego, IWL

new champ/photo by CMLL

CMLL (TUE) 06/21/2011 Arena Mexico [CMLL, Record]
1) Camaleón & Höruz b Bronco & Ramstein
2) Hooligan, Nitro, Skándalo b Ángel Azteca Jr., Pegasso, Rey Cometa
Rudos took 2/3.
3) Blue Panther, Fuego, Sangre Azteca DQ Dr. X, Ephesto, Felino
Straight falls for the tecnicos. Dr. X pulled Fuego’s mask yet again.
4) Rey Bucanero b Hijo del Fantasma [NWA LH]
Bronco was Rey’s second, Fuego got his mask back and was in Fantasma’s corner. Fantasma won fall 1, Bucanero took fall 2 in quick falls. Fantasma toped Bucanero at least three times in the last fall and went for the Phantom Lariat, but Bucanero evaded and finished him with the Buca Storm. Bucanero takes the vacant title.
5) Ángel de Oro, La Sombra, Strong Man b Mr. Niebla, Rey Escorpion, Shinsuke Nakamura
Strong Man & Oro beat Nakmaura & Escorpion in the third.

The Fantasma Curse is still intact. (Though he can’t be that cursed if he’s getting high profile singles matches.) Bucanero needs to wear that belt in every TV announcing appearance.

Fuego/Dr. X feud in review:
04/19: Dr. X pulls Fuego’s mask for the DQ
05/03: Fuego has Dr. X beat, Dr. X tosses his mask to Fuego to draw the DQ
05/10: Dr. X fouls Fuego for the DQ
05/17: Fuego pins Dr. X clean!
06/07: Dr. X pulls Fuego’s mask for the DQ
06/14: Fuego pulls Dr. X’s mask off in anger for the DQ
06/21: Dr.  X pulls Fuego’s mask for the DQ

7 matches, 6 DQs. They need a super libre match.

Upcoming AAA TV Schedule

06/30: Tizayuca, Hidalgo
07/09: Veracruz, Veracruz
07/16:  Orizaba, Veracruz
07/24: Tulancingo, Hidalgo
07/31: Plaza de Toros, Nuevo Progreso, Guadalajara (Verano de Escandalo)

That’s a quick turnaround for AAA, only 4 weeks of tapings. Judging from the taping dates, my guess is AAA will air one week of TripleMania next weekend.

IWL

(An IWL section!)

IWL held a press conference Tuesday to hype their July 3rd card and talk about some changes with the promotion. The name of the promotion is changing from “Independent Wrestling League” to “International Wrestling League.” As part of being international, their 07/03 card will be broadcast on internet PPV provider Go Fight Live. Record reports they announced a $10 price, but it says $15 on the website.

The card, same as posted previously (but with new guesses on alignments!)

IWL (SUN) 07/03/2011 Deportivo Tlalli, Tlalnepantla, Estado De Mexico
1) Epidemia & Heavy Boy vs Centinela & Quimico Jr.
2) Eterno, Freelance, Tribal vs Cerebro Negro, Cyborg, Veneno
3) Suicida vs Low Rider, Pesadilla [IWL INTERNET]
4) Heddi Karaoui vs Zumbi [brazilian shoot fight]
5) Fantasma de la Ópera, Mad Man Pondo, Zumbido vs Ángel o Demonio, Super Crazy, Tony Rivera

It’s a different card! Main event should turn into a hardcore match, semimain should be MMA style. I’m not interested in either of those styles, but they do at least stand out. There’s matches in the undercard that I might give this a chance if it was $7.50, but there’s a stack of lucha up to my eye that I need to get to before spending $15 on this. (That’s another problem: there is no shortage of lucha libre out there right now.)

July 3rd is going to be a tough date to draw much from the US – dead center of a three day weekend with people getting out for fireworks and festivities. The other concern is simply IWL’s ability to transmit an iPPV; this is their first one, and it’s mostly reliant on the internet connection speeds at Deportivo Tlalli, an unanswerable question until show time.

The Gladiatores has video from the press conference. Low Rider talks about his match.

Other news

Psycho Circus now have a Mini Clown as mascot. He’s the third mascot AAA’s added since the start of the year, plus Guapito is back on TV. In other news, Drago had huge wings at TripleMania. The group has a new facebook page and Twitter.

CMLL in Japan

NJPW 06/22: Jushin Liger, Karl Anderson (O), Giant Bernard b Mascara Dorada (X), Kushida, Hiroshi Tanahashi

Aww. One more match tomorrow (a wacky 10 man tag) and then a flight home.

Links

Lineups

CMLL (MON) 06/27/2011 Arena Puebla
1) Blue Center & Silver vs Centauro de Fuego & Siki Osama
2) Estrella Mágica, Lluvia, Luna Mágica vs Amapola, La Seductora, Mima Shimoda
3) Astral, Bam Bam, Eléctrico vs Demus 3:16, Pequeño Nitro, Pierrothito
4) Ángel de Oro, Delta, Diamante vs Misterioso Jr., Pólvora, Rey Escorpion
5) La Máscara, La Sombra, Rush vs Averno, Mephisto, Mr. Niebla

They’re getting two years of Mascara/Averno rematches in two weeks.

Bucanero following treasure map to gold, Amapola wins (as usual), Sin Cara

Bam Bam

CMLL (TUE) 06/14/2011 Arena Mexico [CMLL, Record]
1) Höruz & Robin b Artillero & Súper Comando
2) Astral, Bam Bam, Shockercito b Pequeño Nitro, Pequeño Olímpico, Pequeño Warrior
3) Dr. X, Loco Max, Nitro DQ Ángel Azteca Jr., Ángel de Plata, Fuego
straight falls for the rudos, with Fuego yanking off Dr. X’s mask in the second. It was no accident this time, Fuego just got annoyed and pulled his mask off.
4) Dragón Rojo Jr., Héctor Garza, Olímpico b Black Warrior, Sangre Azteca, Valiente
Rudos took 1/3.
5) Rey Bucanero b La Sombra, Blue Panther, Atlantis, Máximo, Texano, Felino, Sagrado [NWA LH, cibernetico, semifinal]
First four out were Sagrado (via Felino), Felino (Blue Panther), Texano (Sombra), Maximo (Atlantis). Atlantis and Panther were having it out in the middle of the ring when Bucanero & Sombra each pulled them into cradles. Bucanero beat Sombra with the Buca Destroyer for the win. He faces Fantasma next week.

 

Hmm, cursed guy or long time tag partner of the guy added to the programming department? The Fantasma curse is completely over if he can pull this one off.

CMLL (TUE) 06/14/2011 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara [Fuego en el Ring]
1) Virgo b Leo
2) Camaleón & Trueno b Exterminador & Templario
rudo team could not work together.
3) Guerrero Maya Jr., Hombre Bala, Starman b Arkángel de la Muerte, Ráfaga, Skándalo
4) Amapola b Lluvia [CMLL WOMEN]
Lluvia took the first fall, but the champ won the last two to hand onto her belt
5) La Máscara & Toscano b Mr. Águila & Volador Jr.
Toscano replaced Rush (who the recap mentions had been behaving badly here of late.) Rudos took the first, tecnicos took the last two and three clean.

We have that as defense #22 for Amapola, Lluvia’s second try.

Other News

Ultimo Guerrero tells Terra “I think the time of the Guerreros de Atlantida is just about over.” Ultimo is not pleased with Atlantis for taking Shocker’s spot in the Forjando un Idolo, and he may have to part ways if it ends up costing Ultimo 3 points on Friday. UG already has plans for the breakup: Dragon Rojo can stay, and Escorpion takes Atlantis’ spot.

Do you want to see La Mascara vs Averno? Then you probably need to book a ticket to Mexico City right now. CMLL Gaceta says the match will not air on TV on the Saturday show, and the new policy is these sorts of matches will not air anywhere for six months – which would probably mean the December recap/highlight season. Two quick points here

1) CMLL is a promotion in Mexico City that really only cares about Mexico City, and more specifically the number of seats filled in Arena Mexico. This is a great push to get people in the city to make sure they come to your show (and make sure it’s the show they have to see in person if they see any show that weekend, hint.) The world outside the borders of Distrio Federal can take a long walk off a short pier. Any debate about CMLL taking action because of their national TV rating is pointless, because they don’t care! (You can make a debate about Televisa doing something, if you must.)

2) Even CMLL is admitting Maximo & Brazo de Plata vs Doble T was not a big deal match now! I don’t think that was supposed to happen there.

A quick note about the Sin Cara/CMLL copyright deal: people are misunderstanding what that is. Sin Cara will be able to use that name in Mexico while in WWE without a problem, and they’ll be able to sell t-shirts and masks and all sorts of usual things. The only way that can’t happen is if CMLL sues to protect their copyright, and they won’t do that because they’ll surely lose. Unless Mexican law works strangely, it doesn’t matter that CMLL got it in a couple weeks earlier if it’s clear that’s WWE came up with the idea (and it is.) This will have no affect on WWE and CMLL is hoping WWE doesn’t ever even notice their claim.

This is not about WWE. This is a pre-empetive strike on Sin Cara himself. If he leaves WWE and comes back to Mexico, he won’t be able to use the Mistico in Mexico because CMLL owns that, and now he won’t be able to use the Sin Cara name either (if this holds up). Sin Cara could also take CMLL to court over it, but it’ll be a lot tougher for an individual and personally expensive. In theory, CMLL could bring him back to their promotion to use either name, but that’s unlikely to happen without a change in ownership. Sin Cara will more likely be stuck changing to yet another name. (Probably something starting with an ‘A’.)

LuchaWorld has KrisZ’s news update.

Links

Lineups

CMLL (MON) 06/20/2011 Arena Puebla
1) Tigre Rojo & Tigre Rojo Jr. vs Ares & Fuerza Chicana
2) Metálico, Stigma, Trueno vs Bobby Zavala, Puma King, Tiger Kid
3) Ángel Azteca Jr., Ángel de Plata, Guerrero Maya Jr. vs Arkángel de la Muerte, Loco Max, Skándalo
4) Hijo del Fantasma, Metro, Sagrado vs Histeria, Olímpico, Vangelis
5) La Máscara, La Sombra, Rush vs Averno, Mephisto, Mr. Niebla

I don’t have full results for Monday’s Puebla show, but the locals vs Tuareg match ended with the Tuareg just winning and the locals giving them credit for being good wrestlers. Scratch that idea for the July anniversary show.

Looks like the week after Juicio Final shows are all going to be “see Averno or La Mascara unmasked for the first time!” everywhere.

I guess Tigre Rojo turned back tecnico when that feud with the Black Tiger’s disappeared?

CMLL (SUN) 06/19/2011 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Javier Cruz Jr. vs Metalik
2) Hombre Bala Jr. & Super Halcon Jr. vs Malefico & Ráfaga
3) Shockercito & Último Dragoncito vs Olímpico & Pequeño Violencia
4) Metal Blanco, Palacio Negro, Stuka Jr. vs Puma King, Rey Escorpion, Tiger Kid
5) Black Warrior, La Sombra, Valiente vs Mr. Niebla, Negro Casas, Pólvora

Card is totally different than the one I posted earlier in the week. Semimain is a rematch, but we never got the results from last Sunday.

CMLL (WED) 06/22/2011 Arena Queretaro
1) 1 & 2 vs 3 & 4
2) 1, 2, 3 vs 4, 5, 6
3) Disturbio & Principe vs Alex Guajardo & Galaxy
4) Dalys la Caribeña, Dark Angel, Marcela vs Amapola, Princesa Blanca, Princesa Sugheit
5) La Máscara & La Sombra vs Averno & Mephisto

Wednesday! Tuesday is the traditional date here. Possibly because the La Mascara & Averno show is in Guadalajara that night?

I assume that’s a different Disturbio or it’s a relevlos match or there’s some Queretaro angle going on the rest of us are not privileged to.

Perro Jr. talks return, Guerrero still the champ, Diamante/Signo advance

CMLL

 

CMLL (FRI) 04/29/2011 Arena Mexico
***Arena Mexico 55th Anniversary***
1) Dr. X, Hooligan, InquisidorPegasso, Sensei, Starman
2) Hijo del Fantasma, Sangre Azteca, ValienteMisterioso Jr., Shigeo Okumura, Vangelis
3) Hijo del SignoPuma King [Forjando un Idolo]
Hijo del Signo [6] submitted Puma Kind [0] to move on.
4) DiamanteHombre Bala Jr. [Forjando un Idolo]
Dimanate [9] pinned Hombre Bala Jr. [3] to complete his clean sweep. Signo moves on with Bala’s win.
5) Último GuerreroHirooki Goto [CMLL HEAVY]
Rudo took the first fall, but Guerrero came back to win the final two to keep the title.
6) La Máscara, La Sombra, RushAverno, Mr. Niebla, Negro Casas
Despite Tirantes refereeing, the tecnicos still won in straight falls. Heavy feuding between Averno

Perro Aguayo Jr. held a press conference to talk about his surgery and announce his return. Tons of reports: MedioTiempo, Mi Lucha Libre, The Gladiatores, Estrellas del Ring, Record

Perro says he’s on food reactions, his blood will be tested regularly, he’s on medication, he’s not able to lift the weight he used to, but the doctors encouraged him to get back to work ASAP. Huh. Perro’s hair is shorter – he says the hospital did what Mistico or Wagner couldn’t do. A lot of challenges towards Wagner to keep that feud going. Perro spoke out against rumors that he’d actually been in rehab for substance abuse, declaring them false and his illness real. Since he mentioned it, the time span of his disappearing act was much close to the normal rehab stint than a operation on a vital organ, but he does have a surgical scar in his favor.

Ras de Lona included the official formation of a trio that’s been going for about ten days. Terrible & Texano announced they’ve left Hijos de Averno & Rey Bucanero had left Pesta Negra to form a new trio. (They asked for names, which never ever goes anywhere, and I thought they had a name.) Zacarias tried to join the group, and they all kicked him away. Zacarias latched on to Bucanero’s leg, but Terrible & Texano pulled him off. Zacarias gestured at the rudos, and they all chased him away.

Other stuff: Both the 05/08 and 05/15 Sunday shows are in Arena Mexico. DragonMania is probably 05/14 in Arena Mexico as well, so a lot of shows. Those are discounted shows, as are the 05/10 (1 peso for kids) and 05/03 (Fan Appreciation) shows. Cheap tickets before WWE comes to town? Strong push for Ultimo Guerrero vs Rey Escorpion (new change was quickly mentioned and then treated as no big deal.)  Goto talked in Spanish about the title match.

AAA in AJPW
04/30: Suwama (O), Shuji Kondo, Hiroshi Yamato b Ryota Hama (X), Super Crazy, Bushi
That wraps the tour.

Links

Lineup

Ras de Lona had

CMLL (TUE) 05/03 Arena Mexico
4) Metro, Sangre Azteca, Diamante vs Misterioso II, Virus, Raziel
5) Brazo de Plata, Black Warrior, Maximo vs Mr. Niebla, Hector Garza, Dragon Rojo Jr.

CMLL (FRI) 05/05 Arena Mexico

?) Metal Blanco vs Guerrero Maya Jr. [winner gets in the Forjando un Idolo playoffs]
5) StrongMan, Blue Panther, Rush vs Terrible, Texano, Rey Bucanero
6) and then the show ran long and I didn’t see this one.

Will update if full lineups turn up.

Update: Lineups

CMLL (TUE) 05/03/2011 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Javier Cruz Jr. vs In Memoriam
2) Mr. Trueno & Rey Trueno vs Evola & León Blanco
3) Guerrero Maya Jr. & Starman vs Infierno & Malefico
4) Ángel de Oro, Delta, Magnus vs Cancerbero, Euforia, Pólvora
5) La Sombra, Rush, Toscano vs Mr. Águila, Olímpico, Psicosis

Main event is a rematch from last week, so they’re setting up something for next week. No idea what.

Note Maya is on this card.

CMLL (TUE) 05/03/2011 Arena Mexico
1) Camaleón & Robin vs Artillero & Súper Comando
2) Bam Bam, Mini Maximo, Pequeño Halcón vs Pequeño Nitro, Pequeño Olímpico, Pequeño Warrior
3) Fuego, Pegasso, Rey Cometa vs Arkángel de la Muerte, Dr. X, Skándalo
4) Diamante, Metro, Sangre Azteca vs Misterioso II, Raziel, Virus
5) Black Warrior, Máximo, Super Porky vs Dragón Rojo Jr., Héctor Garza, Mr. Niebla

Fan Appreciation Show, but since they’re coming back with another cheap ticket the following week, some match is being set up here. Couldn’t tell you what.

This is Bam Bam’s only second DF match since losing his title two months ago, and he hasn’t been appearing much elsewhere.

CMLL (FRI) 05/06/2011 Arena Mexico
1) Dalys la Caribeña, Goya Kong, Luna Mágica vs Estrellita, La Comandante, Princesa Blanca
2) Ángel de Plata, Delta, Stuka Jr. vs Pólvora, Shigeo Okumura, Yoshihashi
3) Diamante vs Fuego [Forjando un Idolo, quarterfinal]
4) Ángel de Oro vs Group Charly second place [Forjando un Idolo, quarterfinal]
5) Blue Panther, Rush, Strong Man vs Rey Bucanero, Terrible, Texano
6) La Máscara, La Sombra, Máscara Dorada vs Atlantis, Averno, Último Guerrero

No tiebreaker match. Maybe I misunderstood? CMLL’s Forjando un Idolo page also says there will be a tiebreaker match if neither Guerrero Maya or Metal Blanco gets a bonus point. That won’t happen until after Sunday’s show and Maya is supposed to be in GDL on Tuesday, so that just leaves an added match to Monday. (Or Maya just getting pulled off GDL show. Or CMLL just ignoring it. Or doing match in an empty arena and putting it up on YouTube for fun.)

Main event is sort of top rudos vs top tecnicos (who happen to be the trios champs.) With Rush, Strong Man, Terrible and Texano on the show too, they’ve loaded it up with their big names even if they don’t have a big match.

IWRG Thursday results, Bucanero out, Ozz, Panther, Averno, lineups

IWRG (THU) 05/28 Arena Naucalpan [py]
2) Carta Brava Jr. & Vampiro Metalico b Galactik & Mascara Magnifica
3) Diva Salvaje, Goleador, Miss Gaviota DQ Avisman, Fantasma de la Opera, Xibalva
4) Angelico, Chico Che, Freelance b Capitan Muerte, Durango Kid, Tetsuya Bushi
5) Oficial 911, Oficial AK47, Oficial Fierro b Trauma I, Trauma II, Zatura [IWRG IC TRIOS]

DQ was for Fantasma fouling Gaviota. In slightly different IWRG news, Mr. Reyes has photos of Freelance and others doing MMA matches.

Rey Bucanero will undergo surgery this week on his left knee, following being injuried by Ephesto at the end of Tuesday’s title match. Rey will be out six months, hoping to be back before Christmas and get his rematch. Bucanero hopes Ultimo Guerrero and Atlantis can get some revenge on him, but he wants Ephesto’s mask.

Record talks Ozz about his career (though no mention of anything before Ozz.) The name comes from the old HBO prision TV show, and Ozz says he got the role when they needed someone after Charly Manson’s injury, and based his look on pictures he saw in metal magazines.

Blue Panther plans on going to El Fantasma to demand a rematch date versus Averno, after Ephesto distracted him. Panther was happy with the battle, and realizes he’ll have to wait until after the Chapions tournament, but he wants a rematch with no seconds to get involved.

Meanwhile, Averno is looking to win the champions tournament, then get his mask match with Mistico. Averno has no recollection of any interference in his match.

Cesar writes about Friday’s Arena Mexico show.

Indy Profiles: DJ Spectro writes about Monje Loco, Proyecction Luchistica does the same for Zaico, Guizmo and Oasis.

SuperLuchas #317 has Konnan on the cover. Not a lot new, except he wants the Juvi case to go to court because he feels like Juvi & Fuerza just are trying to get money out of this and Konnan wants to make an example out of them. There’s also an interview with Fantasma, who says Jack and Silver King are still banned from working in DF and AAA will be fined if they work TripleMania as planned.

Box Y Lucha 2924 has Cibernetico complaining about Perro Jr.

LuchaWorld has Robert on CMLL TV 02/23/08 and Cadena 3 02/09/08, as well as KrisZ’s news update.

Lineups

IWRG (THU) 06/04 Arena Naucalpan
1) Avisman, Fantasma de la Opera, Tetsuya Bushi vs Diva Salvaje, Miss Gaviota, Pendulo
2) Trauma I, Trauma II, Zatura vs Black Terry, Cerebro Negro, Dr. Cerebro
3) Angelico, Bobby Lee Jr., Scorpio Jr. vs Fuerza Guerrera, Pirata Morgan, Ricky Cruzz

The return of Ricky Cruzz. He was here last June wrestling as the masked Ricky Cruzz, lost his mask, and revealed his real name was Ricky Cruz. Never would’ve figured it out.

IWRG (SAT) 06/06 Arena Xochimilco
1) Guizmo vs Radamantis
2) Eragon & Mascara Magnifica vs Avisman & Vampiro Metalico
3) Chico Che, Goleador, Jack vs Azoka, Carta Brava Jr., Fantasma de la Opera
4) Bobby Lee Jr., Trauma I, Trauma II vs Oficial 911, Oficial AK47, Oficial Fierro
5) Angelico, Tinieblas Jr., Zatura vs Ricky Cruzz, Tetsuya Bushi, Veneno

CMLL (SUN) 06/07 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Molotov & Trueno vs Puma King & Tiger Kid
2) Ceusis, Marcela, Sahori vs Hiroka, La Nazi, Magnifica
3) Mascara Dorada, Stuka Jr., Valiente vs Euforia, Nosferatu, Virus
4) Blue Panther, Shocker, Volador Jr. vs Atlantis, Dos Caras Jr., Ultimo Guerrero

SuperLuchas spells the new woman’s name “Seuxis”. Dunno what’s right yet.

IWRG (SUN) 06/07 Arena Naucalpan
1) Freelance, Pendulo, Turbo vs Avisman, Black Thunder, Tetsuya Bushi
2) Trauma I, Trauma II, Zatura vs Arlequin, Arlequin Rojo, Arlequin Verde
3) Angelico, Bobby Lee Jr., Olimpico vs Oficial 911, Oficial AK47, Oficial Fierro

Funny, I don’t remember asking for another Arlequin.

CMLL (SUN) 06/07 Arena Coliseo
1) Principe Valiente & Sensei vs Apocalipsis & Ramstein
2) Guerrero Maya Jr., Hijo de Ultraman, Starman vs Dr. X, Hooligan, Loco Max
3) Bam Bam, Mascarita Dorada, Pequeño Olímpico vs Pequeño Damian 666, Pequeño Violencia, Pequeño Warrior
4) Maximo, Mictlan, Sagrado vs Heavy Metal, Lizmark Jr., Misterioso II
5) Hector Garza, Hijo del Fantasma, La Mascara vs Black Warrior, Naito, Yujiro

Maybe the trios title for next week’s Fan Appreciation show? Or maybe the minis title?

Ephesto defeats Bucanero, AAA & CMLL schedule updates

CMLL (TUE) 05/26 Arena Mexico [Ovaciones, Avellaneda @ box y lucha]
1) ApocalipsisRamsteinRayo Tapatio IRayo Tapatio II
2) AmapolaCrazy StarLa SeductoraMarcelaSahoriStar Fire
3) Pequeño Damian 666Pequeño WarriorPierrothitoBam BamMascarita DoradaShockercito
4) FelinoMr. NieblaNegro CasasLa SombraMisticoVolador Jr.
5) EphestoRey Bucanero [CMLL LH]

Ephesto is the 11th Champion. Rey tookk the first fall, Ephesto took the second. In the third, Ephesto threw Rey out of the ring, where he hurt his left knee. The match was paused to check on Rey’s knee, and the doctor said Rey could do more, ending the match. Rey was taken to the hospital, and Ephesto got the belt. Could be a story, could be an injury, could be a real knee injury that they turned into a story to write him out, we’ll have to wait to see. Bucanero is supposed to be in Acapulco today, and then on the Sunday Coliseo show.

Can anyone think of a CMLL title change before on a ref stop? I guess they could’ve ruled it a CO too.

Total rudo night, and the main event wasn’t the only one affected by injuries. Rookies Star Fire (right leg) and Crazy Star (neck) both were hurt in the women’s match.

Shockercito and Mini Damian will have their hair match next week.

Lizmark says he’s going to retire on July 4th, after a Luchas 2000 Arena Coliseo show. Lizmark’s been calling himself self-retired in recent years, not having wrestled much in recent years. Lizmark says he doesn’t feel like he’s at the top of his game anymore, and probably wouldn’t beat able to successfully defend his mask, so he’s getting out while he still can. Lizmark plans to continue running his gym, and notes that he retired to do that one before in 1992, but was convinced by Antonio Pena on to join AAA and started up again. Lizmark feels his best work was in the 70s and 80s.

AAA says the next taping is June 7th in Pachuca, so that Acapulco taping was either a mistake or rescheduled. BTW, AAA mentioning me on their site and accusing me of professionalism feels so strange. “Critical of all promotions and wrestlers” is hilarious accurate. It is clear that I like lucha libre, right?

CMLL has an updated list of their June notable shows. Some of this is repeat info, but just to put all in one place:

06/02: Tuesday Fan appreciation show (Mini Damian/Shockercito)
06/08: GDL Sunday Fan appreciation show
06/12: Kid’s Day makeup show! There’s nothing kids like better than seeing part 2 of a three part pointless tournament. Actually, I take my hat off to CMLL here for it’s scheming – if you’re taking your kids to this show for cheap tickets, you’re surely less likely to walk up and buy tickets to TripleMania the next day. And it’s easier than building a match people want to see!
06/14: Sunday Fan appreciation show
06/19: Friday Arena Puebla appreciation show (plus the tournament final in Arena Mexico)
06/21: GDL 50th Anniversary show; the date is pretty close to accurate, so it may not be a show just to run against an indy show.

WagnerMania is closing on June 26th. The last part of the notice mentions they’ll be doing a new page on lucha libre, and I hope they do, because they’ve done a good job with the current site.

Kcidis looks at the evolution in rudo struggles.

Box Y Lucha has an interview with Matematico & Cotorreando con Box Y Lucha has a tearful interview with Axxel.

SuperLuchas has Santo gear.

Luchas 2000 #471 has Santo in AAA, the champs tournament in CMLL and Canek & Villano III on their own show on the 4th.

Segunda Caida watches 05/14/09 IWRG. Ohtani’s Jacket also checks out IWRG: Black Terry vs Fantasma de la Opera from 2007, and the 05/21/09 show

LuchaWorld has Robert on CMLL 52MX 05/31/08 and 06/07/08 and Cadena3 2/2/2008 – in retrospect, it’s great that they’ve forgot the Fabian/Diamante feud – plus KrisZ’s news update.

CMLL (WED) 06/10 Arena Coliseo Acapulco [poster]
1) Pequeño Universo 2000, Pequeño Violencia, Pierrothito vs Saturno, Shockercito, Ultimo Dragoncito
2) Black Silver Jr., Hijo de Black Silver, Ludwig Star vs El Destroyer, la Orca, Pez Tigre
3) Cien Caras Jr., Euforia, Hijo de Pierroth (IWRG), Pierroth II vs Fabian el Gitano, Marco Rivera, Tony Rivera, Vangelis
4) Misterioso II, Terrible, Texano Jr. vs Atlantis, Mr. Niebla, Rey Bucanero and Lizmark Jr., Shocker, Veneno and Villano III, Villano IV, Villano V [Copa Pierroth]

Benefit show for Pierroth, which accounts for the IWRG names. Though, there’s been enough periodic rumors that the Junior Capos are headed to CMLL that I wouldn’t be surprised if this lineup is a hint.

CMLL (SAT) 06/20 Auditorio Benito Juarez [Notiver]
1) Flash & Stuka Jr. vs Arkangel de la Muerte & Skandalo
2) Dark Angel & Marcela vs Amapola & Princesa Blanca
3) Sagrado & Valiente vs Dragon Rojo Jr. & Sangre Azteca
4) Blue Panther, Hijo del Fantasma, La Mascara vs Misterioso II, Mr. Niebla, Negro Casas
5) Atlantis, Dos Caras Jr., Ultimo Guerrero vs Mistico, Shocker, Volador Jr.

Intersting to see them do full shows for someplace besides Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara.