Month: March 2009

03/31: Lineups

thecubsfan 15 Comments

(I typed all of that, and somehow I still missed the Ultimo Guerrero restaurant story – go read KrisZ again and notice that all the pictures of luchadors appears to be from La Laguna – and I still haven’t found time to watch Ras de Lona. Busy day.)

indy (THU) 04/02 Arena Olimpico Laguna de Gomez Palacio [El Siglo de Torreon]
1) Camorra & Pequeno Star vs Autentico & Eterno
2) Black Boy & Dorado Jr. vs Arana Cibernetica I & Arena Cibernetica II
3) Sexy Piscis & Stuka I vs Mr. Guerrero & Psycho
4) Villano V vs Ultimo Guerrero [CMLL HEAVY]

They’ve been here the last few weeks, and this should be the finish to the program here.

AAA Marquez (SAT) 04/04 San Diego Sports Arena
1) Fabi Apache, Octagoncito, Pimpinela Escarlata vs Decnnis, Mari Apache, Mini Abismo Negro
2) Crazy Boy & Super Fly vs Jack Evans & Teddy Hart
3) Charly Manson, Cibernetico, Mesias vs Electro Shock, Joe Lider, Ozz
4) La Parka Jr., Marco Corleone, Vampiro vs Killer Clown, Psycho Clown, Zombie Clown

Only the top 3 are listed, but I assume the opener is still happening. Same lineup for LA. Lots of reshuffling; thankfully they backed down from doing Charly vs Lider in a singles match. Did Chessman go AWOL? Did he defect? Will he have a singles match versus his true rival, a table? Who can say. Konnan’s booked elsewhere, at least on Sunday, so it can’t be a total Lucha Listen-In reunion show.

No lineup for Las Vegas, conspicuously. I guess it’ll be the same lineup, though they could do something different for TV. (Though, wouldn’t they have announced that before announcing the Neza lineup? Need to stop thinking about this.)

indy (SUN) 04/05 Deportivo Lee Roy [El Siglo de Torreon]
1) Black Steel vs Belico
2) Discipulo & Herrero vs Guerrero Audaz & Terrorista
3) Baby Marvin, Ecliptico, King Lagunero vs Averno (Laguna), Indio Wama, Licantropo
4) Empereador Azteca & Piloto Negro vs Caballero Halcon I & Kain
5) Black Jet & Diabolico I vs Autentico & El Eterno

Eterno took Mr. Violencia’s mask on Sunday.

CMLL (SAT) 04/11 Arena Xalapa [Arena Xalapa]
1) Crazy Man & GMC vs Full Contack & Jaguar
2) Cosmos & Planetario vs Amenaza & Yuke
3) Dark Angel & Marcela vs Princesa Blanca & Princesa Sujei
4) Mictlan vs Ricky Estrada, Tony Rivera, Gore, Leono, Perro Mocho Jr., Texano Jr., Gabriel o Gabriela, Virus, Vangelis [cage, hair]
5) Mr. Niebla, Negro Casas, Rey Bucanero vs Hector Garza, Mistico, Volador Jr.

Wagner (WED) 04/15 Estadio de la Revolucion
1) Sexy Piscis vs Stuka I, Chamuco Trevino, Psycho, Moro III, Maquina 27, Empereador Azteca, Rey Sagitario [Copa Dinastia Wagner]
2) Killer Clown, Psycho Clown, Zombie Clown vs Cuervo, Escoria, Ozz
3) Silver King vs Charly Manson
4) Dr. Wagner Jr. & Mesias vs Konnan & Zorro

AAA (WED) 04/15 Auditorio Miguel Barragan
1) Black Lord, Halcon Dorado, Lover Boy vs Black Sabah, Migra I, Migra II
2) Mascarita Sagrada 2007, Mini Charly Manson, Octagoncito vs Mini Abismo Negro, Mini Chessman, Mini Histeria
3) Fabi Apache & Gran Apache vs Cinthia Moreno & Oriental [AAA MIXED TAG]
4) Black Abyss vs Psicosis
5) El Alebrije, El Elegido, Vampiro vs Chessman, Espiritu, Kenzo Suzuki

Even though Psicosis is leaving, he’s still turning up on lineups. (FWIW, Mascara Divina also is turning up on spot show lineups.) Interesting to see Black Abyss is still there, but I wouldn’t take it seriously until it occurs; I would take it more as an indication they haven’t figured out what they’re going to call him (or it hasn’t gotten far enough down the chain) than he’s going to stay with that name.

CMLL (SAT) 04/18 Cancha German Evers [Noroeste]
1) Mascarita Dorada & Shockercito vs Pequeño Damian 666 & Pequeño Warrior
2) Hijo del Fantasma & Maximo vs Loco Max & Skandalo
3) Amapola vs Dark Angel [CMLL WOMEN]
4) Dragon Rojo Jr. & Sangre Azteca vs Mictlan & Sagrado
5) La Sombra, Mistico, Volador Jr. vs Black Warrior, Mr. Niebla, Rey Bucanero

Dark Angel and Cassandro, still not on the TNA tapings.

03/31: IWRG, GDL, Konnan, suspensions (two different articles)

thecubsfan 7 Comments

IWRG (SUN) 03/29 Arena Naucalpan [Dr. Spectro]
1) Garra de Aguila b Keshin Black
2) Latin Brother & Miss Gaviota b Arafath & Judas el Traidor
3) Gemelo Fantastico II, Trauma II, Turbo b Black Thunder, Hijo del Signo, Oficial Fierro
4) Trauma I b Bushi and Toxico AAA and Freelance and Multifacetico and Xibalva and Andy Barrow and Cerebro Negro and Capitan Muerte and Chico Che and Universo 2000 and Bobby Lee Jr. and Pierroth II and Hijo de Pierroth (IWRG) and Mascara Ano 2000 Jr. and Arlequin and Zatura and Dr. Cerebro and Gemelo Fantastico I and Oficial 911

This was another “eliminated wrestler is a lumberjack with a strap” match.

CMLL (SUN) 03/29 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara [mt]
5) Averno, Mephisto, Texano Jr. b Atlantis, Rey Bucanero, Ultimo Guerrero

Texano not only beat Atlantis clean in the third fall, but he also remembered Atlantis has a belt. Texano made the challenge, and it seems like it they’re setting it up here for next week (which would be two days after the fan appreciation show) or the week after.

indy (SUN) 03/29 Arena Pavillon del Norte [Vanguardia]
1) Zorro Plateado & Zorro Plateado Jr. b Indio Kikapoo & Zorro Galactico
2) Overnator, Piloto 2000, Popeye DQ Gran Markus, Gran Markus Jr., Green Femon
3) Rayo de Jalisco Jr. b Mascara Ano 2000 [WWA HEAVY]

Link has highlights of the match.

On luchalibreaaa.com, Konnan responds to Cibernetico’s comments about him: “I believe the drugs, steroids, and growth hormone have harmed the little intelligence he has left“. Well then. Konnan basically tells Cibernetico to get over it.

The promoter in Cancun who got caught putting someone else under the Abismo Negro mask is being suspended from promoting for two years, with fines (possible for AAA as well) yet to be determined. Even after everyone realized it could not have been Abismo Negro in that match because he would’ve been dead by then (and Black Abyss was on the opposite side, so it was surely some local), the promoter was still trying to claim it was the real Abismo Negro in the match. It’s a tough punishment, but he kinda dug his own hole and everyone involved shoudl’ve probably been much more apologetic about it from the start.

Previews of tonight’s show: both ESTO and Ovaciones focus on the Fire/Shockercito match. Fire would seem to be the underdog, but Shockercito’s name was spotted on a Perros del Mal lineup again.

This show, by the way, the one with the rushed hair/hair mask is NOT a Fan Appreciation show. That show is not until…next week. Why didn’t they just wait? There’s also a Sunday Fan Appreciation show on 04/12. I could not begin to guess what match they’re headlining either show with.

SuperLuchas has started selling official wrestlers gear the last few months, mostly indy guys. Today, they’re adding Atlantis. CMLL, of course, only has $150 professional Ultimo Guerrero and Mistico masks you can buy.

Not to make comparisons, but TO MAKE AN EASY COMPARISON: AAA (or the Dos de Tres staff, whatever difference that makes) posted the Winners/Super Calo mask match on YouTube.. That’s how you’re supposed to use the internet. Obviously, the next Dos de Tres is all about Abismo.

DTU interviews Shiima Xion about working their show.

Box Y Lucha #2915 has Abismo Negro’s death, and interviews with Super Porky and Pirata Morgan leaving AAA (posted by DJ Spectro). Super Porky says he’s working with ex-WWE-er Eugene on 04/18, which sounds like a MOTYC.

Guerreros del Ring #184 has Abismo Negro.

Luchas 2000 #464 has Abismo Negro, Villano V, and the guys leaving AAA.

In LA last Sunday, there was a lucha show to fight domestic violence. The idea is to spread the message that fighting if for lucha libre, but women should use the laws of the US to protect themselves.

LuchaWorld has Alfredo and KrisZ on the news.

WrestlingObserver has their AAA TV Recap.

(Lineup dump in a bit.)

04/10 AAA TV Taping (Neza)

thecubsfan 24 Comments

AAA TV (FRI) 04/10 Explanada del Estadio Neza 86, Neza [AAA]
1) Aerostar, Fabi Apache, Mari Apache vs Billy Boy, Cinthia Moreno, Sexy Star
2) Crazy Boy vs Extreme Tiger [AAA CRUISER, torneo]
3) Alan Stone vs Escoria [AAA CRUISER, torneo]
4) Laredo Kid, Super Fly, Ultimo Gladiador vs Electro Shock, Jack Evans, Teddy Hart
5) Dr. Wagner Jr. & Mesias vs Joe Lider & Nicho el Millionario
6) Cuervo, Ozz, Silver King vs La Parka Jr., Latin Lover, Marco Corleone

2009 AAA TV Taping Chart – I’ve heard and mentioned conflicting reports, but I’m currently working under the idea that only one show on the US Tour (Las Vegas) is being taped.
Projected Air Date #885
Mexico: 04/26
US: 05/16

That’d be Dr. Wagner Jr.’s first AAA TV match, maybe his first match as an official part of the company. You know, I like the chances of the tag team champs winning a non-title match here, especially if the plan is still to do Mesias/Wagner. It’ll also be the first chance to see how (or if) they’re going to play the Silver King/Dr. Wagner relationship.

Otherwise, not a lot of movement going on, as we’ve come to expect this far out from a major show. (There’s about 7 weeks of TV after this to TripleMania.) Billy/Apache and Super Fly/Electroshock feuds are touched on, Latin Lover and Marco is interesting on a meta-level (assuming Latin shows.)

Not strong favorites in either cruiserweight match. Crazy Boy would seem to be ahead of Extreme Tiger, but they’ve done a lot to keep Tiger visible when they’ve had no real idea for him (lots of other guys who could not say the same.) Alan Stone is probably above Scoria, but Scoria might be a better fit to work the match Crazy Boy or Extreme Tiger would want to work next round – if even these are supposed to be brackets, which isn’t clear.

AAA has announced the next taping in Aguascalientes, but no date except “end of the month”. It’ll be probably a couple week break between tapings (which will allow the TV show to catch up a bit.) They could use the break.

03/30: Coliseo, AAA departures

thecubsfan 7 Comments

CMLL (SUN) 03/29 Arena Coliseo [Ovaciones]
1) Rayo Tapatio I & Rayo Tapatio II b Cholo & Zayco
2) Fantasy, Pequeño Olímpico, Tzuki b Pequeño Damian 666, Pequeño Universo 2000, Pequeño Violencia
3) Amapola, Princesa Sujei, Rosa Negra b Dark Angel, Marcela, Sahori
4) Hijo del Fantasma, Mictlan, Sagrado b Ephesto, Lizmark Jr., Terrible
5) Blue Panther, Dos Caras Jr., Mistico b Mr. Niebla, Negro Casas, Skandalo

Mistico got Negro with a castia for the win, and wants a title rematch. They may just end up adding the title stip to the GDL match this Friday if they think it’ll help. Skandalo was filling in for Metal, still out hurt.

Ovaciones says the tecnicas lost the third match in the sub-headline, but says that they won in the body of the article.

Ovaciones has an interview with Villano V, who says the change to Ray Mendoza Jr. is permanent, to honor his father.

indy (SUN) 04/05 Arena Solidaridad [Josedjesus @ LMDLL]
1) Baby Fox, Sky, Turbina vs Boomerang, Kokox Klan, Misionero
2) Axl, Burrito, Furor vs Black Demon, Mongol Chino Jr., Sexy Psicis
3) Monje Negro II, Monje Negro III, Monje Negro Jr. vs Centurion Negro, Karonte, Mongol Chino
4) Histeria, Maniaco, Psicosis II vs Diluvio Negro I, Estrella Dorado Jr., Gato Volador
5) Antifaz del Norte, Blue Demon Jr., Hator vs Aventurero, Diluvio Negro II, La Park

This would seem to confirm that Psicosis and Histeria out of AAA. Dr. Landru says Pirata Morgan (and Hijo de Pirata Morgan) have left AAA, with Alebrije possibly also going. Pirata’s already turning up on indy lineups too.

FWIW, on the long ‘Daniel being his usual completely absurd self and everyone trying to get him to act sane’ comment thread – it seemed like there was an assumption AAA decided it no longer wanted Super Porky. Super Porky could’ve decided he no longer wanted AAA.

Pretty much all of the AAA guys of a similar age and a similar level have left; perhaps El Brazo is the last one left? Who knows how long he lasts. There’s probably now enough guys who were in AAA from 97 to 07 to run an AAA nostalgia promotion.

On the last Wrestling Observer Radio show, Dave Meltzer killed the quality of the AAA show, saying Jack, Rocky and Pimpi were the only ones who stuck out as good, and hated the Psycho Circus match (though noted Parka was the most over guy on the show.) In the comments, Sexington sounds like he enjoyed it more.

Box Y Lucha remembers Dinamico I, who passed away yesterday from a heart attack after his match.

Dr. Wagner Jr. has decided he’s ignoring that Canek beat Cibernetico to earn a shot at his title – he’s only doing the title match if he faces (and beat) both of them back in a triangle match.
Lizmark Sr. talks about proper lucha libre training.

Dos de Tres March has Vampiro on the cover. I like how there’s an article on the Psycho Circus as an Atomicos champs, an angle already long forgotten (and a story that could’ve only been written during a very short time.)

03/29: AAA US, lineups

thecubsfan 4 Comments

AAA Marquez (FRI) 03/27 Save Mart Center, Fresno, CA [f4wonline]
1) Decnnis & Mini Abismo Negro b Mascarita Sagrada 2007 & Pimpinela Escarlata
2) Jack Evans & Joe Lider b Crazy Boy & Super Fly
3) Vampiro b Silver King
4) Killer Clown, Psycho Clown, Zombie Clown b Rocky Romero, La Parka Jr., Laredo Kid
5) Charly Manson, Cibernetico, Mesias b Cuervo, Escoria, Ozz

Show opened with a video tribute to Abismo Negro (as did the next one.) Silver King took Chessman’s spot, facing Vampiro (with Jack and Konnan interfering and Hijo de Tirantes working as a rudo) while Rocky Romero replaced Abismo and lost to the Clowns.

Parka got fouled, pinned. Jack pinned Super Fly after a 630 and his feet on the ropes.

AAA Marquez (SAT) 03/28 Arco Arena, Sacramento, CA [f4wonline]
1) Decnnis & Mini Abismo Negro b Mascarita Sagrada 2007 & Pimpinela Escarlata
2) Crazy Boy & Súper Fly b Jack Evans & Joe Lider
3) Vampiro b Silver King
4) Killer Clown, Psycho Clown, Zombie Clown b Chessman, La Parka Jr., Laredo Kid
5) Charly Manson, Cibernetico, Mesias b Cuervo, Escoria, Ozz

Same results the previous night in Fresno, except for the tag match, which the tecnicos won. I would presume Chessman (replacing Abismo on this show) turned on his partners.

AAA’s show this week in Mexico (3 weeks from now in the US) opened up with a half hour tribute to Abismo Negro, replacing his first round match from Rey de Reyes.

AAA has announced one match for the 04/20 taping in Neza: Alan Stone vs Scoria in the cruiserweight tournament. That’s a tough one to guess; probably more dependent on what they need for other matches. They’ve also posted classic pictures from the 80s and 90s.

Psicosis (II) talks about most luchadors having non-lucha jobs, because wrestling doesn’t pay enough. This is really an article to promote a card:

indy (THU) 04/09 Jai Alai de Caletilla, Acapulco [La Jornada]
1) American Tiger vs King Panther
2) Histeria, Psicosis II, X-Fly vs Juventud Guerrera, Kunamy, Super Nova

That looks more like an indy lineup than an AAA one. Maybe Psicosis gets to promote his own shows, outside of AAA, but then it’s not just a local gym show with Juvi (who may no longer be on the card) and Super Nova on the card. But you wouldn’t have thought they would have Histeria and Psicosis win on the last taping if they were on the way out. It’s a bit mysterious.

Wagnermania has a video interview from FCW where LA Park challenges Perro Aguayo Jr. to a mask vs hair match.

SuperLuchas #308 has a big feature on Abismo Negro. All of the magazines will probably have something similar. The SuperLuchas profile matches the original idea for the Abismo Negro gimmick was El Juez, a take off of Judge Dredd. There’s also an interview with Juvi, who’s still looking for AAA to take some action against Konnan and Jack Evans, and Fuerza Guerrera, who would be willing to fight either man.

LuchaWorld has KrisZ’s news update, Robert on < ahref=http://www.luchaworld.com/?p=1115>Arena Solidaridad 04/08 and 04/22 and CMLL 10/20/07, and Alfredo on this weekens’s AAA TV episode.

IWRG (THU) 04/02 Arena Naucalpan
1) Eragon & Mascara Magnifica vs Avisman & Comando Negro
2) Capitan Muerte & Jack vs Azuka & Hijo del Signo
3) Hijo de Pierroth (IWRG) & Pierroth II vs Arlequin & Arlequin Verde
4) Trauma I, Trauma II, Zatura vs Freelance, Gemelo Fantastico I, Gemelo Fantastico II and Oficial 911, Oficial AK47, Oficial Fierro and Black Terry, Cerebro Negro, Dr. Cerebro

Four way trios main event.

Pierroth (FRI) 04/03 Arena Azteca Budokan
1) Marco Rivera, Platino, Sexy Man vs Anticristo Jr., Belcebu, Victor Doom
2) Hijo de Huracan Ramirez, Super Brazo, Ultraman Jr. vs Arlequin, Jaque Mate Jr., Veneno
3) Canek Jr., Hijo del Cien Caras, Mascara Ano 2000 Jr., Mascara Sagrada vs Dr. Wagner Jr., Hijo de Pierroth (IWRG), Huracan Ramirez, Pierroth II

Pierroth tribute shows.

UWE (SAT) 04/04 Plaza de Toros el Cortijo
1) Danny Boy & La Flecha (Skayde) vs Rocky Santana & Romano Garica
2) Black Shadow Jr., Huracan Jr., Matematico Jr. vs Azabache Negro, Rey Cobra, Sismo
3) Solar I, Super Astro, Ultraman vs Black Power, el Signo, Negro Navarro
4) Canek, Dos Caras Sr., Mil Mascaras vs ?, Dr. Wagner Jr., Scorpio Jr.

One of two UWE shows, with Canek scheduled to face a man from his past (this time for sure.)

IWRG (SAT) 04/04 Arena Xochimilco
1) Latin Brother vs Comando Negro
2) Eragon & Miss Gaviota vs Carta Brava Jr. & Vampiro Metalico
3) Chico Che, Gemelo Fantastico I, Gemelo Fantastico II vs Fantasma de la Opera, Hijo del Signo, Mixteco Jr.
4) Negro Navarro, Trauma I, Trauma II vs Black Terry, Cerebro Negro, Dr. Cerebro
5) Freelance, Fuerza Guerrera, Super Porky vs Hijo de Pierroth (IWRG), Mascara Ano 2000 Jr., Oficial 911

I hope the semimain is a title feud.

CMLL (SUN) 04/05 Arena Coliseo
1) Rayo Tapatio I & Rayo Tapatio II vs Caligula & Messala
2) Leono, Metalico, Tigre Blanco vs Bronco III, Puma King, Tiger Kid
3) Princesa Blanca, Princesa Sujei, Rosa Negra vs Lluvia, Marcela, Sahori
4) Hijo del Fantasma, La Mascara, Mascara Dorada vs Ephesto, Felino, Lizmark Jr.
5) Blue Panther, Hector Garza, Shocker vs Averno, Mephisto, Ray Mendoza Jr.

(former) TIGER, TIGER, LION VS PUMA, TIGER, HORSE! I approve of this segunda!

Theoriticallly, Lluvia or Princesa Sujei could be wrestling unmasked for the first time here.

IWRG (SUN) 04/05 Arena Naucalpan
1) Azuka & Goleador vs Black Thunder & Mixteco Jr.
2) Freelance, Multifacetico, Turbo vs Black Terry, Cerebro Negro, Dr. Cerebro
3) Trauma I & Trauma II vs Gemelo Fantastico I & Gemelo Fantastico II
4) Oficial 911, Oficial AK47, Oficial Fierro vs Hijo de Pierroth (IWRG), Mascara Ano 2000 Jr., Tetsuya Bushi

Traumas vs Gemelos would be a tecnico/tecnico match, unless something is going down this weekend.

indy (FRI) 05/01 Coliseo Centenario de Torreon [El Siglo de Torreon]
1) Olimpico vs Damian 666, Intocable, Super Crazy, X-Fly, Mr. Aguila [mask, hair, cage]
2) Dr. Wagner Jr. vs el Hijo del Perro Aguayo, Cibernetico

X-Fly’s hair will be grown back by then (unless he loses it again before then.) Cage may be electrified.

about Abismo Negro’s death

thecubsfan 10 Comments

Gawker asks “Did Steroid Panic Kill Ex-WWE Wrestler?” Well, yes, probably, but why are we talking about Chris Benoit?

The article actually turned out to be about Abismo Negro (Abismo working in WWE – and apparently as Maniaco when Maniaco was Abismo Negro; AAA is confusing, ask Dr. Lucha) and not only pushes the steroids idea and the drug violence. It’s tough rule out anything with what’s being made public here, but both seem unlikely at this point

I only bring this up because Dave wrote a detailed story – explanation? educated guess? it’s just stated as is – about Abismo’s death. Might have this out there if everything else is going to be guessed:

Abismo Negro’s last match was not Rey de Reyes on 3/14 in Guadalajara, but a house show on 3/16 in Mazatlan. He was described as despondent at the show, complaining, even though he had just returned, that he wasn’t being used well enough or paid well enough. Others felt he was lucky that he was even taken back after all the no- shows and drug problems. He wasn’t booked on another show for a few days, so he stayed in Mazatlan and went on a cocaine binge, and ended up no-showing the cards on 3/20 and 3/21, and then, apparently having run out of cash, he took a bus back home to Mexico City on 3/22 instead of going to Monterrey, where he was booked. The current belief is he suffered a heart attack, collapsed, and fell into the river where he drowned.

It is not news that Abismo Negro had a cocaine addiction, and it’s not a surprise it led to his death (just that end result was heart attack/drowning instead of the more conventional overdose.) AAA was not surprised he died a drug related death, just that he died one that particular day.

AAA’s spoken their condolences to Abismo’s family and honoring his professional career by not using his name again. What they haven’t said yet is how they’ll work to prevent this happening again. If Abismo Negro was the only one abusing drugs as he did, AAA wouldn’t have allowed it to continue. That he got away with it, and kept coming back despite continual problems with it, indicates it’s common enough in AAA where everyone’s allowed to do whatever as long as they make the next show.

I don’t run a wrestling company, so maybe I’m not seeing a lot of what they see. Thankfully, I don’t also have to console grieving widows either. AAA said anything about the underlining problems here, treating this death like a random occurrence. I hope they’re proved to be correct, but every underlining indicator suggests Abismo Negro’s passing will not be remembered as a unique moment, but as the first in a depressing trend.