While it wasn’t hyped beforehand, the big attention getter of CMLL’s press conference yesterday was the ongoing Perro/Wagner/Mistico issues. Wagner’s still talking like might join the Perros if Aguyao beats him. and he’d want to fight Perro in a hair vs mask match if he lost. Given those stips, I think Perro may rather lose.
Mistico “wasn’t scheduled to be there”, but showed to say he’d be prepared for the winner next week. Mistico also decided to be a problem solver – instead of the anniversary main event being Perro vs Mistico or Mistico vs Wagner or Wagner vs Perro, why not have a three way. Perro, paraphrased: “Sure, why not.” Wagner, paraphrased: “Uh, can I get back to you on that?”
Mistico also said he’d learn some Kung Fu while in China for next week and during the Olympics. (Some stories say he’ll only be back for a few hours before Friday’s show.) I’m more excited for the Kung Fu then the teased triangle match.
Also at the event, Rey Bucanero and Volador Jr. presented the X Cup Trophy. (Superluchas notes that some of the press didn’t know CMLL had won.) In tandem with this, CMLL announced the foreign team for next week’s Gran Prix. It’s the TNA Guests (AJ Styles, Christoper Daniels, Jay Letha, Sonjay Dutt, Alex Shelly and Chris Sabin), plus Alex and Marco. The Mexico side will be announced after tonight’s show – theoretically, it’s dependent on who’s in the main event next week. Maybe the GA winner will get a spot?
The teased new wrestler turns out not to be a new person. Diamante Negro (Jr.) will now be Dragon Rojo Jr. (though I wonder if he’ll drop the Jr. quick enough.) Diamante Negro’s grandfather wrestled as Dragon Rojo (Leonel Rivas, aka El Moro), and actually lost his mask exact 30 years ago at the anniversary show and Diamante Negro has chosen to honor him by taking up the identity. SuperLuchas notes the mask very much resembles a different Dragon Rojo Jr.: one of the luchadores of Los Campeones de la Lucha Libre, a new animated movie by the creators of Mucha Lucha. No idea if this is a tie-in; CMLL didn’t say anything about it during the press conference, but the masks are so close, it has to be something.
ESTO previews the Gran Alternativa. Ovaciones says El Brujo will be out 6 months. They also say he hurt his knee on Tuesday, so who knows.
CMLL (FRI) 07/18 Arena Mexico
1) Molotov & Starman vs Calígula & Méssala
2) Mascarita Dorada, Shockercito, Tzuki vs Pequeño Violencia, Pequeño Warrior, Pierrothito
3) Astro Boy & Héctor Garza vs Ángel Azteca Jr. & Shocker and Axel & Blue Panther and Dos Caras Jr. & Metalik and Diamante Negro Dragon Rojo Jr. & Último Guerrero and Atlantis & Skandalo and Bronco & Mr. Niebla and Brujo & Villano V [Gran Alternativa]
4) Dr. Wagner Jr. vs el Hijo del Perro Aguayo [Leyenda de Plata, semifinal]
I like Rojo/UG and Perro Jr. And Wagner not joining the Perros.
Many places wrote about the Spain tour today: ESTO (who says Tigre Hispano and Rafael el Maya will be the refs) and Univison (who mention Leobrado Magadan will be the going as the announcer.)
Comando Negro has retired.