CMLL’s been off and on FSE the last month and isn’t listed on the schedule. That’s because it’s done, at least on the US version of the channel, effective the end of 2008. The latest WrestlingObserver says the deal expired at the end of the year.
Outside 52MX (which almost no one gets since Comcast dropped it last May), there’s no more CMLL TV matches in the US. And, depressingly, the CMLL Mexico TV shows seem to be missing from the usual torrent sites. Was that always Lover_Ice’s video being uploaded by someone else, and so it’s not there because he didn’t want to deal with paying for megaupload bandwith and no one else is doing it? Because there had to be a better solution for him.
Gotta figure out what package LATV is on. If it’s on the general channels (because it’s a WGN digitial alternate channel here), I don’t need to keep the Spanish Language package. If it’s not…well, I like the show, but I don’t like the show for $16 a month (and I really could use the $16 extra.)
AAA (THU) 01/01 Arena Cuatro Caminos de Nuevo Laredo [El Manana]
3) Rio Bravo & Tito Santana II b Hombre Sin Miedo & Laredo Kid [AAA NORTH TAG]
Article says they’re taking the next two months off at this building.
CMLL (MON) 01/05 Arena Puebla [hugo999 @ box y lucha]
1) Black Tiger (Puebla), Centella de Oro, Tigre Rojo b Karisma, Mr. Rafaga, Siki Ozama Jr.
2) Asturiano, Blue Center, Lestat b Ares, Espiritu Maligno, Fuerza Chicana
3) Hijo del Fantasma b Euforia, Sagrado, Nosferatu, Valiente, Virus, Loco Max, Pegasso, Skandalo, Mascara Dorada [ciber]
4) Sangre Azteca b Mictlán [MEX WELTER]
5) Hector Garza, La Sombra, Volador Jr. b Mephisto, Terrible, Texano Jr.
Garza replaced Shocker in the main event. Sangre retained his title. Order of elimination was Dorada, Skadnalo, Pegasso, Loco, Virus, Valiente, Nosferatu. This left Euforia against both Sagrado and Fantasma. Euforia got Sagrado but Fantasma got him for the win.
CMLL (TUE) 01/06 Arena Coliseo [Ovaciones, ESTO]
1) Ángel Azteca Jr. & Angel de Oro b Camorra & Semental
2) Pequeño Warrior b Mascarita Dorada, Último Dragoncito, Pequeño Violencia, Pequeno Ninja, Pequeño Halloween, Pequeño Damian 666, Nino de Acero, Bam Bam, Mr. Águilita [cibernetico, Pequeno Reyes del Aire]
3) Euforia, Lizmark Jr., Nosferatu b Mictlán, Sagrado, Toscano
4) Héctor Garza, Místico, Shocker b Atlantis, Mr. Niebla, Negro Casas
Mistico got Atlantis clean with La Mistica. ESTO includes a random anecdote about Jerry the Haitian.
Order of elimination:
1) Mr. Aguilita
2) Bam Bam (!)
3) Nino de Acero
4) Pequeno Damian 666
5) Pequeno Halloween
6) Pequeno Ninja (double elimination with Halloween)
7) Pequeno Violencia
8) Ultimo Dragoncito
Warrior got the upset win via foul. Of course. Only amapola had this right.
CMLL (TUE) 01/06 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara [mt]
6) Blue Panther, La Máscara, La Sombra b Black Warrior, Dragon Rojo Jr., Sangre Azteca
7) Rey Bucanero b Máximo [CMLL LH]
Yay. Bucanero took the first and third falls. There was a moment of applause before the semi for Aguila India, who passed away on Sunday.
Ovaciones has a big preview of the minis cage match, with comments from Pierrothito, Mascarita Dorada, Ultimo Dragoncito, and Pequeno Universo. Tzuki no-showed the group photo. In Refoma (via Jazzo), Pequeno Warrior thinks the cage match favors the rudos – the tencicos won’t be able to fly – and plans on taking Mascarita Dorada’s mask. He warns the people that after he does, Mascarita Dorada will be revealed to be such ugly man, it may scare the fans.
There’s also a story about Nitro undergoing double knee surgery on Saturday which will put him out six months, and MS2 talking about returning and wrestling on the Perros del Mal shows.
Luchas2000 #452 has Ultimo Guerrero with the heavyweight title, Damian 666 on the Tijuana AAA show and the minis cage match.
IWRG (THU) 01/08 Arena Naucalpan
1) Galatik & Halcon 2000 vs Avisman & Epidemia
2) Fenix & Goleador vs King Drako & Nemesis (IWRG)
3) Black Terry, Cerebro Negro, Dr. Cerebro vs Barba Roja, Capitán Muerte, Pirata Morgan Jr.
4) Miss Gaviota vs Oficial AK47, Oficial Fierro, Demony, Jack, Trauma II, Anticristo Jr., Oficial 911, Eragon, Pendulo, Trauma I, Gemelo Fantastico II, Chico Che, Fantasma de la Ópera, Zatura, Gemelo Fantastico I, Veneno, Bushi, Toxico AAA, Ultramán Jr. [lumberjack strap]
I totally don’t understand how the main event is supposed to work.
IWRG (SUN) 01/11 Arena Naucalpan
1) Imperio Azteca vs Avisman
2) Eragon & Galactik vs Anticristo Jr. & Nemesis (IWRG)
3) Coco Blanco, Gemelo Fantastico I, Gemelo Fantastico II vs Black Terry, Cerebro Negro, Dr. Cerebro
4) Trauma I, Trauma II, Zatura vs Oficial 911, Oficial AK47, Oficial Fierro
5) ?, Fuerza Guerrera, Pendulo vs Arlequin, Bushi, Pierroth II
AAA (SUN) 01/11 Arena Coliseo Monterrey
1) Epydemius vs Sicario
2) Guerreor Blanco vs Diabolik [vale tudo]
3) Jorobad del Mal 1 & Jorobad del Mal 2 vs Ejecutor & Mr. Secuestro
4) La Momia & Virtual X vs Rio Bravo & Tito Santana II [AAA NORTH TAG]
5) Aerostar & El Alebrije vs Jesse & Tigre Cota
According to a thread on Box Y Lucha, ex-CMLL and occasional AAA wrestler Explosivo passed away in a car accident. There’s no second source to confirm this; a quick check of a couple newspapers turns up nothing (the post mentions they’re waiting for more details) and no one else is reporting this yet. On the other hand, if you check the previous posts from the writer, most of them have to do with Explosivo, so he might know better than most.
CMLL
AULL (THU) 01/01 Arena Lopez Mateos [sololuchas]
1) Aguila Dorada & La Parkita b Espectrito de Ultratumba & Mini Love Machine
2) Oficial del Terror I, Oficial del Terror II, Oficial del Terror III b Cococolores, Shrek, Super Pinocho 3000
3) Hijo de Enrique Vera & Ojo de Tiger jr. b Coco Rojo Jr. & Rambo Jr.
4) Andy Barrow & Enrique Vera DQ Coco Rojo & Rambo
5) Cocolores & Super Muneco b Batman & Ice Killer [losers advance]
6) Gran Markus & Shu el Guerrero b Espantapajaros & Super Raton [losers advance]
7) Coco Verde & Super Pinocho b El Enfermero & Ojo de Tigre [losers advance]
8) Batman & Ice Killer b El Enfermero & Ojo de Tigre [losers advance]
9) El Enfermero & Ojo de Tigre b Espantapajaros & Super Raton [losers advance]
10) Super Raton b Espantapajaros [mask]
Espantapajaros is Joel Rodriguez, 15 years a wrestler. Joel Rodriguez is also the name of El Cortado – looks like the same guy.
IWRG (SUN) 01/04 Arena Naucalpan [SoloLuchas]
1) Imperio Azteca b Shuriken
2) Goleador & Miss Gaviota b Anticristo Jr. & King Drako
3) Gemelo Fantastico I, Gemelo Fantastico II, Jack b Fantasma de la Ópera, Trauma I, Trauma II
4) Oficial 911, Oficial AK47, Oficial Fierro b Freelance, Ultraman, Zatura
5) Bushi, Capitán Muerte, Veneno b Fuerza Guerrera, Multifacético, Pendulo
Veneno got away with a foul on Multifacetico for the win. In the tercera, the Traumas did not get along with Fantasma de la Opera, leading to their loss.
CMLL (SUN) 01/04 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara [MT]
3) Blue Panther & Neutrón b Malefico & Satánico
4) Héctor Garza, Hijo del Fantasma, La Máscara b Atlantis, Dragon Rojo Jr., Negro Casas
Not much of note here. Mascara was about to be finished by the Atlantida but Garza kicked the rudo in the midsection and Mascara fell on top for the pin. Fine job by La Mascara. Garza got sunset flip on Negro casas for the other pin.
Ovaciones previews today’s Reyes Magos show in Arena Coliseo (Pequeno Reyes del Aire) and Guadalajara (Maximo vs Rey, and I’m worried about Rey’s chances on a day for kids.)
[poll id=”13″]
Mistico is wrestling in Durango on Thursday. No one else is mentioned. The promoter mentions he had to ask for Mistico months in advance of actually getting him.
Box Y Lucha’s Forum is running year end of awards. Nominations to cut it down to a top 5 now, and then voting later.
Spain-based travel blog Pasaba Por Alli visits Arena Mexico and find it better than US wrestling. They link to arenamexico.com.mx, which I didn’t realize was being updated (or forgot.)
CMLL (SUN) 01/04 Arena Coliseo [Ovaciones]
1) Sensei & Starman b Artillero & Súper Comando
2) Cosmico, Electrico, Mini Fantasy DQ Pequeño Halloween, Pequeño Universo 2000, Pequeño Warrior
3) Fabián el Gitano, Máscara Púrpura, Máximo b Bronco III, Skandalo, Vangelis
4) Terrible, Texano Jr., Virus b Mascara Dorada, Sagrado, Valiente
5) Mr. Niebla, Rey Bucanero, Último Guerrero b Shocker, Toscano, Volador Jr.
Toscano did not get along with his partners on occasion. Shocker ended up in the main event as part of the Dos Caras shuffle; Sagrado was added to the semimain. Mini rudos got DQed for excessive violence, which won’t be a problem next week.
Ovaciones also includes it’s lucha year in review.
AAA (SUN) 01/04 Arena Coliseo Monterrey [RFC]
1) Baby Fox & Rey Imagen b Jorobados del Mal I & Jorobados del Mal II
2) Ejecutor & Mr. Secuestro b Aguila Extrema & Relampago Azul
3) Tigre Cota b Chris Stone [bull terrier]
4) Kenzo Suzuki, Monje Negro Jr., Tiffany b Dama de Hierro, Mascarita Divina, TDN
5) Rio Bravo & Tito Santana II b La Momia & Virtual X [AAA NORTH TAG]
Poder del Norte retains. We don’t have a title history for this one; should we? I think it’d help out, to clarify the many different names it’s listed under.
Mistico/SportsNavi
NJPW announced Mistico returns to their promotion on 02/15 for a singles match with Mephisto. It’ll be just the one match for now, but they’re building to something here. Judging from the pictures, Mistico was wearing the CMLL Welterweight Championship to the ring, while Averno had his NWA Middleweight Championship. He should’ve brought all three belts!
From Sinola, local wrestler Psicolpe talks about himself and Monster Truck I starting up with AAA. I guess they means a dark match? Psiclope talks about winning the mask of El Hechicero of Tijuana, who’s said to be the brother of Black Abyss.
ESPNDeportes has a blog entry about Hijo del Santo and marketing. In EXOnline, Santo mentions returning to Europe in the summer (perhaps for a russian roulette tournament) and trying to break a Guinness record at the celebration of his father’s passing. It’s sound as if they’re going to try and have the most people ever to draw the same thing (Santo) at the same time, or something along those lines.
Box Y Lucha #2904 has the Zero Hour CMLL Minis Cage match as it’s cover. Stories inside include a story about the Hijos de Pirata Morgan going to the US in March (what month is CHIKARA’s King of Trios? March? Perhaps?), the Traumas noticing everyone who Negro Navarro beats up is taking out on them, and Perro Aguayo Jr. saying they’re not interested in going to AAA. Mascarita Dorada also responds Freelance’s “I’m better” story last week by saying “prove it”, and that needs to happen ASAP.
CMLL (MON) 01/05 Arena Puebla [hugo 999 @ Box Y Lucha]
1) Black Tiger (Puebla), Centella de Oro, Tigre Rojo vs Karisma, Mr. Rafaga, Siki Ozama Jr.
2) Asturiano, Blue Center, Lestat vs Ares, Espiritu Maligno, Fuerza Chicana
3) Loco Max vs Euforia, Nosferatu, Virus, Skandalo, Valiente, Hijo del Fantasma, Pegasso, Mascara Dorada [ciber]
4) Sangre Azteca vs Mictlán [MEX WELTER]
5) La Sombra, Shocker, Volador Jr. vs Mephisto, Terrible, Texano Jr.
What we’ve got here is a clever way of putting the same amount of guys on the card but still doing the singles match. This is Arena Puebla’s first discounted show, which means 60 for ringside and down to 25 for the cheapest seats. ($4.42 -> $1.85). I do not possess the burning hatred of Mictlan present in others, but there’s another possible title change that’d be an injustice. Let’s all just hope Sangre is adding another X-ed out picture to his Wall Of Defeated Men this time tomorrow. Second match is a rematch from last week.
CMLL (FRI) 01/09 Arena Mexico
1) Molotov & Starman vs Inquisidor & Pólvora
2) Lluvia, Marcela, Princesa Blanca vs Amapola, Princesa Sujei, Rosa Negra
3) Stuka Jr. vs Euforia [lightning]
4) Mascara Dorada, Máscara Púrpura, Valiente vs Felino, Shigeo Okumura, Virus
5) Héctor Garza, Hijo del Fantasma, La Máscara vs Heavy Metal, Terrible, Texano Jr.
6) La Sombra, Místico, Volador Jr. vs Averno, Ephesto, Mephisto
Obvious statement time: main event could be good. Stuka and Euforia have fought once or twice. The ex-Trios champs continue to team up more after they stopped being champs.
This is the third straight week Okumura’s been in the 3rd from the top. That’s higher than usually and normally indicates there’s a feud I’m overlooking, but these are all different tecnicos than last week.
I didn’t post 2008 records for those with few matches, but Lluvia is currently undefeated in Mexico City. That looks to be over this week. At least Marcela is not (that?) hurt.
CMLL (SUN) 01/11 Arena Mexico
1) Pegasso & Rey Cometa vs Calígula & Méssala
2) Flash & Stuka Jr. vs Euforia & Nosferatu
3) Blue Panther, Mark Corleone, Shocker vs Ephesto, Terrible, Texano Jr.
4) La Sombra, Místico, Volador Jr. vs Black Warrior, Mr. Niebla, Rey Bucanero
5) Mascarita Dorada vs Pequeño Olímpico, Shockercito, Pequeno Ninja, Tzuki, Pequeño Universo 2000, Pierrothito, Pequeño Warrior, Nino de Acero, Último Dragoncito, Fantasy, Electrico, Cosmico [mask, cage]
Not to be a downer, but are we sure this is a good idea? Minis main eventing a show with a big match is a fine idea (this might be the first one; I hope someone does the research on it – besides me), but I don’t know that an 11 person cage match is really the best way to do it. That’s a lot of people in a little space with nowhere to dive and ropes not working as usual. The best case scenario is the eliminations go fast and the time gets spent on a long one on one sequence to end it. I’ll put the poll up later in the week.
Will Flash & Stuka ever be in a tag match against a team besides Nosferatu & Euforia? Dunno, but this promotion is some kind of loaded when those two matches are you openers.
There’s no offical announcement, but these two cards feel like CMLL’s starting up again.
Mistico & Averno in NJPW: Mistico, Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt b Averno, Jado & Gedo (9:50, Mistica on Averno)
It’s what you’d expect for the finish. SuperLuchas points to cell phone (?) video of the entrances for the tecnicos. You can’t really hear it there, but the fans were aware and into Mistico, who looked good in the match. Looks like he was wearing a title to the ring but not sure which one.
In post match interviews, Mistico said he plans to return to Japan in Feburary. NJPW runs a tour from 01/30-02/15, but it’d be a surprise if CMLL let him go for 2+ weeks. Maybe just part of that? Mistico also said he would be interesting in challenging for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title or perhaps defending one of his own. Averno got to point out that he and Mephisto took the tag titles from Mistico, so Averno beating Mistico is actually possible at times. Just not this one. Mistico is 2-0 over Averno in Asia!
Mascara Sagrada (original) talks about wrestling in Saltillo for the first time in 12 years. Sagrada says he’s getting close to retiring and will hand the gimmick over to a son.
SuperLuchas # is their 2008 Year End Summary & Awards. Some highlights
Luchador of the Year: Dr. Wagner Jr.
Best Tecnico: Mistico
Best Rudo: Konnan
Best Trio: Oficiales
Accion had extended highlights once again this week.
CMLL: Arena Mexico main event. I screwed up the finish description, apparently. There was a ref bump, but the only cheating was Shocker using the confusion to cradle Terrible, and pull the trunks on the pin.
AAA: Dark Family vs Porky/Laredo/Super Fly from Xalapa. That means they’re doing two weeks from each post-GdT taping; no Best of, maybe less editing. If they do that with the Chilpancingo taping, that means one show with two (new) matches or a dark match making air.
WWE: women’s battle royal. Of course. Rey Misterio Jr. won his match and can’t get on this show when there’s a women’s match. Announcer pointed out Melina was latina at least five times during this segment.
indy (SUN) 01/04 Arena Olimpico Laguna de Gomez Palacio [El Siglo de Torreon]
1) El Gato vs Guerrero Azteca
2) Camorra Jr. & Judicial vs Aguila Salvaje & Fuerza Infernal
3) Detecetor Junior & New Warrior vs Aguila de Espacio I & Aguila de Espacio II
4) Coco Amarillo vs Rey Fobia [FILL LH]
The title is listed as “Semicompleto de Monterrey”, so you’d think it’d be FILL, but maybe not? I can’t think of how Coco Amarillo would have it.
(FRI) 01/02 Arena Mexico [Ovaciones, ESTO]
1) Astro Boy & Tony Rivera b Camorra & Policeman
2) Amapola, Hiroka, La Nazi b Marcela, Princesa Blanca, Sahori
3) Ángel Azteca Jr. b Puma King [lightning]
4) Máximo, Mictlán, Stuka Jr. b Euforia, Nosferatu, Shigeo Okumura
5) Dragon Rojo Jr., Negro Casas, Sangre Azteca b La Máscara, Mascara Dorada, Sagrado
6) La Sombra, Shocker, Volador Jr. b Black Warrior, Terrible, Texano
In the third fall of the main event, Shocker accidentally knocked down the ref. Terrible decided to fake a low blow. Instead of standing there and arguing, Shocker just covered him, and the ref revived to count the win for the tecnicos.
Marcela suffered an injury in the second match – ESTO calls it serious – and was strechered out in the second fall. Tecnicas still managed to win without her, which doesn’t seem like the direction they were headed there. Correction: Rudos won 3 on 2. CMLL.com teases a Princesa Blanca vs Sahori match, which sounds very scary (just as much for Marcela being out.)
Ovaciones says NWE (the European group) will be running it’s first show in Mexico in February. No date or location announced, but the main event is expected to be Juvi vs Perro Jr. for the NWE Cruiserweight Title. Juvi’s been building that match up in the press for a while. It reads as if it’ll be a joint Perro/NWE production based on the names announced (RVD, Dragon, all the Perros, Wagner, Super Crazy, etc.) NWE currently has TV on Mexico’s version of 52MX.
IWRG is running a 20 man cage match next Thursday. Back to back Thursday cage matches for them.
Lineup(s)
CMLL (TUE) 01/06 Arena Coliseo
1) Ángel Azteca Jr. & Angel de Oro vs Camorra & Semental
2) Mascarita Dorada vs Último Dragoncito, Bam Bam, Nino de Acero, Pequeno Ninja, Pequeño Damian 666, Pequeño Halloween, Mr. Águila, Pequeño Warrior, Pequeño Violencia [cibernetico, Pequeno Reres de Aire]
3) Mictlán, Sagrado, Toscano vs Euforia, Lizmark Jr., Nosferatu
4) Héctor Garza, Místico, Shocker vs Atlantis, Negro Casas, Mr. Niebla
No typo, this is a Tuesday show in Arena Coliseo, first in almost exactly a year (01/08/07).
Previous Pequeno Reyes de Aire winners:
01/04/08: Mascarita Dorada (over Mini Damian)
07/13/07: Mini Damian 666 (over Bam Bam)
Maybe this is going to be an annual first week of the year tradition? Big week for the minis, with this and the cage match on the following Sunday.
Main event will be Garza’s first match back in Mexico City in a month; he starts up Sunday in Guadalajara.
Tickets for this show are discounted: $1 for children, 50, 30, 25 for adults.
No Friday lineup up yet. I’ll edit it in when it turns up (and I have a chance).
