or you can wait for them to show up on wrestlingdom.com and pretend they wrote it. Whichever.
– Shelly Martinez will start on 10/24.
– AAA’s strategy for bringing in the US wrestlers: they think only 2 companies will make it in Mexico, and don’t think they can compete with WWE in Mexico on money, production, or stars (which doesn’t say much for them) so they’re trying to counter them by doing more acrobatic wrestling.
me: I guess they can’t find anyone in Mexico to do this. This also makes no sense given the Jack/Aerostar match which was anything but, and the other hundred problems with this idea
– US indy workers Low Ki, Generico, and Ruckus are supposed to start in November, and they’d like to get Pac from the UK at around the same time (Pac and X-Pac, it’s like the Mosco feud but less compelling.) They’d run a Low Ki/Jack/Teddy vs Generico/Ruckus/Pac feud.
Ultimately, it seems like they’re trying to invert boom era WCW: Mexicans on top, people from the US/Canada/Europe underneath to provide the really good matches. It comes off like there’s a handful of current guys they feel like they need, but native midcarders are unnecessary; those who want to see Mexican wrestlers wrestling lucha libre will buy tickets when the top guys are on the cards, and the foreigners are being brought to tap into a separate fan base.
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I would like to see AAA concentrate more on the wrestling itself. I don’t see any benefit in them trying to copy old WWE or WCW ideas. Hands down the wrestling is way superior to WWE, so they should stick with what they do best
“Low Ki/Jack/Teddy vs Generico/Ruckus/Pac”
Well there’s a fued from hell.
Ruckus vs Evans could be the first match to have a 1,000 moves with everyone of them more pointless than the next.
God if they are bringing in American talent, I don’t understand why they don’t work with CHIKARA talent? At least that promotion is Lucha based and I wouldn’t mind see Skyade or Pantera in AAA. No one wants to see Ruckus or Low Ki.
I agree, seems like they are kinda fishing up people nobody wants to see
Isn’t Pantera suppose to be joining AAA soon?
There’s lots of spectacular fliers working the indys in Mexico, who could be brought in and would probably be a lot cheaper. They are going to have fly Low-Ki, PAC, Generico, etc in because none of these guys are moving to Mexico. Low-Ki and PAC will continue to work Japan no doubt, Generico and Ruckus are under ROH contracts and being booked through them, so ROH is the priority.
It seems alot like the old WCW days, bring in a name people recognize, no matter if they fit into the mix or not
Ruckus and Generico are awesome, so no problem with them being brought in.
Ruckus Awesome? Those two words don’t go together. It’s only a matter of time before they bring in Rob’s favorite tag team, Cheech and Cloudy.
Only matter of time before they bring in the most overrated tag team in wrestling, Mark and Jay Briscoe.
@Tim: Ruckus has been great for three years now.
@Kyle: @Kyle: Briscoes are indeed on the list mentioned in the Observer, but it sounded more wishlist-ish and less reality so I didn’t mention them.
It’s reverse-racism. All the Mexicans are being discriminated against. The irony of all this is one guy who is fueling this reverse-racism is the same guy who is suing another company for racism.
I’m not saying Konnan is the sole person pushing this new-found discrimination, but it’s not just dumb luck that every foreign wrestler who has been brought in happens to be buddies with him. Is someone really going to try and tell me that Dorian Roldan has a closet full of Johnny The Bull DVD’s and was dying to bring him in and give him work? If a few months ago I had met Dorian Roldan walking the street and told him about a great Pac vs Ruckus match I just saw, would he not have looked at me with the most blank expression in the world?
Konnan isn’t the only person in the company who has buddies and knows the American scene. One of the bookers was quite fond of a promotion called WSX and many of the foreigners coming in were pulled from that horrible promotion that died a quick death.
The reason I choose to single out Konnan is for the simple reason that he has always been the most spoken out about issues like this. When the Mexicans were being discriminated against in WCW – who did we get weekly quotes from? Konnan. When TNA was discriminating against all Latinos – who did we get weekly quotes from and eventually a lawsuit? Konnan. It bothers me that someone can be so two-faced in a matter like this.
The main thing that bothers me though is my favorite promotion in the world is digging it’s own grave. This is a promotion that really could never die if managed properly. AAA has always been a simple promotion to book. Pena knew this and was good at it. He’d always have his crazy ideas and try them out and if they worked – yay. If they didn’t work – it’s okay, there are always the constants around to fall back on like Octagon, a version of Parka and some new stripper on top of the cards. What happens when the economy dies and the Americans leave? What happens when the Americans begin to act like true Americans and refuse to job for their Mexican counterparts? It’s such a sad situation that is only going to keep getting sadder with every new foreigner brought in. Just remember – for every Pac you see join AAA will be a hard working AAA vet like Pimpinela or Decnis who will soon enough be out of a regular job. And unlike they’re American counterparts, they can’t come to America to wrestle b/c they’ll face the same racism they do back home.
I would honestly like one of these internet radio shows to get Konnan on and ask him questions that WE come up with here on Cubs’ blog, not the softies he usually gets thrown his way. Ideally I’d love to ask Konnan a few question on a call-in show but that would seem impossible. Konnan has done so many interviews that there are a *TON* of quotes you can throw his way and make him look dumb. Of course in the end Konnan would stick to the “I don’t run anything in AAA, I’m just a performer” line.
Konnan tried his hardest to kill AAA in 1996. He came back in 2004 after begging for forgiveness. In 2006 when Pena died Konnan went on and on about how sad he was to have ever left AAA and how he would honor Antonio Pena by continuing to help AAA grow. Soon enough Konnan will be one of the many that will be credited for killing a promotion that was never in any trouble to begin with. It turns out Konnan and his buddy Eric Bishoff have a lot in common after all.
Man i used to like AAA Over WWE Because there wrestling was way over them and i liked them because they were different.Know i lost interesent in them because they are copying WWE which bothers me and they edit too much stuff and they repeat the same matches all the time.I liked AAA Because there was ACTUALLY Lucha Libre now adays is more wwe work style instead of lucha libre it just pisses me off.
Man i used to like AAA Over WWE Because there wrestling was way over them and i liked them because they were different.Know i lost interesent in them because they are copying WWE which bothers me and they edit too much stuff and they repeat the same matches all the time.I liked AAA Because there was ACTUALLY Lucha Libre now adays is more wwe work style instead of lucha libre it just pisses me off.
I got to agree with Peter here. I’ve been watching less and less AAA. Mostly because Estrelltia isn’t booked and Zorro isn’t on enough. The mini’s are pretty bad except for Octagoncito and Mini Abismo, the Mid card are the same matches and the main scene is just all Konnan all the time. And no Daniel, more Latin Lover won’t help things.
it isnt smart for them to book the Briscoes anyway, they no show anything thats not ROH or NOAH. Pac is the only foreigner being brought in thats worth watching. El Generico is nothing without Kevin Steen. Ruckus is all show, no wrestling. Low Ki can wrestle, but he doesnt fit in AAA and he wont be of any use in his matches, making it pointless to bring him in.
all the money that they are throwing away on all this foreign talent can be used to get native talent that can actually draw. 2 natives that can draw are better than 15 foreigners no one in Mexico has ever heard of. at least Latin Lover is supposed to be comng back.
Latin Lover and Hijo del Santo are the only 2 indys who maaaaaaaaaay draw, and they’re much more expensive than 15 foreigners.
Chui – I understand you think AAA is fine and nothing will happen to the promotion but are you personally enjoying the foreigners being brought in and do you want to see more?
That’s probably true but all these foreigners aren’t draws either. It took Jack and Teddy several months to get over to the level they are and they are over do to their crazy spots (and because girls find them attractive. Jack in particular). But if you have 20 foreigners who do the same crazy spots they are no longer going to be seen as anything special. I do think if Jack and Teddy are to remain a team they need a partner and maybe someone like PAC would work. But feuding with a foreign team not named D-Mex at this point is retarded.
@Rob: What foreigners?
It’s all talk for now, since AAA is not MMA, one can be sure Meltzy is just typing some balooney just as that knife fight or the 30,000 dollars for Panther. Koslov and Romero don’t even count since they were here from the start and were not brought in.
The rest, are just rumors, the fact is, Latin Lover is back, Manson will probably be back soon, Laredo Kid is back as well, once the indy charity shows ends, Scorpio will be back, if health allows it.
I still rather see those foreigners than Soli, Anibal, Fake Dinamitas, Senior Dinamitas, Rayo, etc.
And I’m pretty sure AAA could be doing better, and so is CMLL, but it’s the natural thing to have guys going thru bad times, they’re doing half the ratings from 2 years ago, but that was bound to happen. There won’t be a new boom until the economy recovers.
You blame Konnan for everything, yep, the company is spinning around a guy who can’t bump, but was it any different from AAA 97-2005? The Chessman turn was horribly done, if it wasn’t for the rampart run by certain hat, it would be the worst thing in the year, and that’s all Chessy and Ciber’s dumbness, not Konnan. Guys leaving for IWRG is more the fault of Marisela not willing to pay them more than Konnan, etc.
PS I’ve never liked Konnan, not before, not now, but I’m not blind.
I think what bothers me is that they had some pretty solid wrestlers to begin with. For them to bring in some American wrestlers as attractions is all well and good, but they can’t count on them to bring in the fans for the long haul. Crazy spots aside, I think most fans woould prefer some solid mat work and hard fought wrestling. Or I would anyway, thats what attracted me to watch AAA to begin with
That’s why they have Cibernetico. Of course if he gets injured, AAA will be like CMLL and screwed. God knows El Drunko Octagon can’t carry the company.
I just don’t think people lie X-Pac can carry it off. I mean you can only take show much crotch chopping, Hearing Suck It, and him sticking his tongue out. It only goes so far
@xuisaw: Well I happen to have been a huge Konnan mark till 1999 or so. I still think he can be productive in a manager role and an idea guy but he can’t be the main idea guy nor be involved in the main angles b/c it goes to his head too fast.
But forget the word foreigner for now. How do you feel about the recent AAA acquistions? Or rather – are you happy and looking forward to watching the following wrestlers: Rellik, X-Pac, Alex Koslov, Rocky Romero? And have you been happy/are enjoying the matches with the roster additions so far this year: Chris Stone, Nicho, Escorpion Negro, Jack Evans, Teddy Hart and Vampiro?
@Rob: Rob, I agree with you. Konnan is like Dusty Rhodes was with the NWA in the 80’s. He should step back from the main event spot as a wrestler and idea man
I’m not chui but I think the Hart Foundations continue to have the best matches on the cards until recently. I mean you can only do so much with Joe Lider. Chris Stone and Nicho are decent and I haven’t seen the other guy. Vamp is god awful of course but he’s still over and Mexicans think he’s Mexican so whatever.
With their track records, I’d expect Vampiro and Nicho to both be gone soon. Hell, Vampiro may already be. I think Vampiro needs to retire for good or at least quit with the unprotected head shots. The guy’s going to be brain dead one day if he keeps up that shit plus his neck is beyond fucked.
“it seems like they’re trying to invert boom era WCW:”
Maybe we will see La Parka dressed as DDP?
i’ve been happy with Nicho, but thats just cause i’m a huge fan of his, so his matches filled with missed spots and botchery dont really bother me. i’m hoping he stays around.
@ xuisaw:
obviously, Santo back in AAA would draw, but what i meant was 2 native guys could draw better than the 15 foreigners. Zumbido, Fuerza Guerrera, & Tarzan Boy could all out draw the foreigners that are coming in. Hart v2 & Koslov may draw better than Tarzan Boy, but everyone else cant. AAA also had the chance to get Black Warrior more than once and didnt. i’d rather have Black Warrior than Romero, Rellik, Ruckus, Generico, Evans, etc.
Tarzan Boy can’t even draw in Monterrey or IWRG much less AAA. Black Warrior, Zumbido and Tarzan boy aren’t reliable like Jack and Teddy have been. They need to find a way to bring back Intocable. Now that guy can draw.
We’ll see in a year if this will have a negative affect on the company.Personally, I think it will not.
@ Tim:
Teddy Hart reliable? did you just start following wrestling?
@USAUSA1: But you’ve never had a negative word to say about AAA or Konnan.
@Rob:
Well,the signings of Nicho and Romero was bad decisions. Bringing in Lashley for one match was a lame move(not bad but lame). They kill Vampiro heat to quick(but then again Vampiro was no help).
I just think AAA hasn’t made a move that will hurt the company future like most here think. You guys talking about these guys being expensive. AAA wouldn’t bring these guys in if they couldn’t afford them. Other than Xpac I seriously doubt these guys are that expensive. I doubt AAA is losing money. Guys who leave AAA these days always end up returning because there no other place to go.
I just don’t see the big deal, there still more mexicans on television for AAA than foreigners.
The Pena era is over. It’s a new AAA and lucha libre world. I know what AAA trying to do and we knew they were changing.The lucha fans will decide at the end of the day.
@USAUSA1: I’m sorry but bringing in a guy named RELLIK who nobody knows or can identify b/c he has a mask and painted face is just dumb. You could have given that same look to Toxico and it would mean the exact same thing plus save you from paying airfare and lodging. It’s stupid to bring in Americans to play roles that Mexicans could be doing.
Even if the guys aren’t expensive – they still cost money. Why are you paying Americans to do jobs that Mexicans can do?
“I just don’t see the big deal, there still more mexicans on television for AAA than foreigners.”
Wait till the November tapings. When there are more foriegners than Mexicans, will you finally admit there MIGHT be a problem?
You should log onto that message board that Konnan visits and tell him to look up the term reverse-racism.
Bigger draw in 2008 Mexico: Rellik or Killer?
WWE is reforming the New Generation Hart Foundation. They worked FCW in Tampa on Thursday. Maybe they’ll give Teddy another try.
Are you saying Rob that Rellik is worse than bringing back GROON or Luzbel? Would you really rather see Los Capos in AAA than Jack Evans or Teddy Hart?
@ LLL:
no they arent. they attempted to do that with Teddy, Harry Smith, Nattie Niedhart, and T.J. Wilson awhile ago. after Teddy left they used Ted Dibiase Jr. to fill his place. Teddy is gone and Niedhart is already up and established as a wrestler, not a valet/manager. Smith and Wilson were the Stampede Bulldogs but Wilson didnt click with the WWE style right away so they sent up Smith without Wilson. after Smith violated the Wellness Policy, they are correctly assuming he’s his father’s son and are going real slow with him to make sure he wont screw up again. Wilson has been doing more singles stuff then tag and WWE is waiting until they find the right place for him to bring him up. Dibiase Jr. is up and is established in a seperate unrelated tag team.
also, WWE doesnt book FCW, Steve Keirn does. WWE usually breaks up teams that were established in their developmental territories as they have their own writers and bookers and those guys decide who wrestles where and when. so things that happen in FCW are not things that WWE is planning or wants to happen. so WWE is not reforming anything. if the Stampede Bulldogs used that name on Thursday then it was Steve Keirn who decided to create the team in FCW, not WWE.
Dusty Rhodes books FCW with Steve Keirn looking over the promotion.
@ Tim:
i would rather see the Capos then Evans and Hart. especially if it was the jr capos too.
I don’t really believe in “draws” in this day in age. It’s all about promoting and branding. AAA is a strong brand and at this point, the name is the draw same as CMLL to a much lesser extent. For example,TNA has four of the biggest names in wrestling history and can barely sell out a live show at a cafe in Las Vegas. Their biggest show of the year only sold 5000 tickets.
If the plan is too push mexicans on the top of the card, I don’t see the reverse racism.
I think AAA is trying to become a mixture and more global(yeah I understand they don’t have to, but they obviously got other plans). If Konnan thinks bringing in foreigners will improve match quality than more power to him. Will they draw? No,but who else will. I think they plan on doing more shows in the US,so having these guys will make it easy access for travel reasons as well.They moving at a slow pace but that is expected.
I’m personally excited to see Low Ki coming in. Here is a guy that can be a major asset to the company in the future. I’m not too thrill about Ruckus but he’s okay. El Generico is good and I haven’t seen enough PAC to judge.
“Wait till the November tapings. When there are more foriegners than Mexicans, will you finally admit there MIGHT be a problem?”
For someone who is trying to argue for racism, you sure seem to have a problem with the # of non-Mexicans used by AAA.
… because I’m saying the Mexicans are being discriminated against.
Mexicans discriminating against Mexicans? The hell?
Konnan and Melendez are not Mexican.
What have Konnan and Melendez to do with this?
They’re not running AAA, never were.
Konnan is in charge of foreign talent and Melendez books the show.
But they don’t run the company. The Roldan’s do.