03/25: Abismo Negro, Lucha Libre Expo, Mexico

Weird convergence of events yesterday. On the same day where the lucha community gathered for Abismo Negro’s wake in Mexico City, the lucha community also gathered to for a previously scheduled press conference to announce the third annual Lucha Libre Expo.

SuperLuchas has the most detailed coverage of Abismo Negro’s wake. The body was late in arriving, so there sounds like there was a lot of standing around and talking about what happened. Family, seemingly everyone from AAA was there. Joaquin Roldan is shown leaving Abismo’s mask on the (closed) casket, Mini Abismo is shown where his mask (Black Abyss is mentioned to be there too.) Plenty of other wrestlers who knew him came by – Santo and Heavy Metal turn up in pictures, and Winner’s old partner (and guy who took his mask) Super Calo was there as well, talking about living together with his wife during the early days of AAA (and even before) until their paths went in seperate directions. Tabasco Hoy mentions many wrestlers snuck in without their mask on, to keep the fans hanging around outside from causing a scene.

It’s mentioned that Abismo Negro will be cremated.

On Monday, Arena Puebla held a moment of recognition for Abismo. I do not believe CMLL did that for Anotnio Pena.

Tabasco Hoy has quote from Abismo’s father and el Noruego, the local wrestler who first trained him. There are more quotes from Calo, Santo and Villano V about Abismo elsewhere.

The cause of Abismo’s death is still being discussed, though I don’t think most of the answers will ever escape private discussion. Hijo del Santo says he doesn’t know if Abismo Negro used steroids, but lots of wrestlers are to the point where it’s become a bad copy of the problems in US wrestling. The article also talks to a doctor, who explains that an anxiety act might also explain the strange behavior that led to his death. Meanwhile, AAA is steadfastly sticking to their original story of it being a heart attack and refusing to address the problems with that story (which has done nothing but convince everyone there’s a lot more going on here.)

Earlier in the day, “Lucha Libre, La Experience” held a press conference. This will be third year of the Lucha Libre Expo, once again to be held Centro Banomex the first few days of May (May 1 – 3). CMLL, AAA, Perros del Mal, IWRG, DTU, Wagnermania, and “Luchas de Antano” (new group? UWE?) are all supposed to be putting on matches during the show. I think the Dinamitias might have announced their own group in here as well. Basically, everyone is going to be there. There will also be a second ring for guys like Ringo Mendoza to hold classes, and an MMA group will be part of the show. Tickets will be 150 for adults, 80 for kids for a single day, or 300 for all 3 days. That’s a fine value for $21.

DTU will have a fashion show as part of the festivities, so we can all learn the in look for barbed wire ths season. More notable, they’re bringing in Shiima Xion, el Generico, Jimmy Jacobs and Chris Hero for the show. I sure hope Crazy Boy gets Chris Hero the right visa. Mr. Reyes has lots more pictures of the event.

Ovaciones has the schedule of events as
05/01: IWRG and independents (which include Super Porky – apparently he rumors of him being out of AAA are true)
05/02: CMLL
05/03: AAA (Crazy Boy was there as DTU owner, but AAA otherwise did not have people there to speak for htem)

CMLL (TUE) 03/24 Arena Mexico [ESTO]
1) Puma King & Tiger Kid b Molotov & Starman
2) Pequeno Olimpico, Saturno, Shockercito DQ Fire, Pequeño Warrior, Pierrothito
3) Angel de oro, Angel de Plata, Fabian el Gitano b Euforia, Nosferatu, Skandalo
4) Felino, Lizmark Jr., Misterioso II b Blue Panther, Sagrado, Valiente
5) La Sombra, Mistico, Volador Jr. b Atlantis, Negro Casas, Rey Bucanero

Mistico fouled Negro while the referees were checking on dives for the pin, then continued to stomp on him post match. Crowd was totally pro-Negro, who made sure to point it out to Mistico.

Lizmark Jr. replaced Metal. Tecnico minis took in straight falls when Fire fouled Shockercito.

CMLL (TUE) 03/24 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara [MT
6) Flash & Mictlan b Satanico & Virus
7) Hector Garza & Shocker b Averno & Mephisto

Garza replaced Toscano. Recap for this is very great and in it’s angel vs demons metaphors. Semimain feels like an upset (/partial injustice.)

Fuerza Guerrera is demanding Jack Evans and Konnan be jailed or kicked out of the country for what they did to his son, and AAA needs to take some responsibility. Hijo de Cien Caras, Mascara Ano 2000 Jr. and Hijo del Santo are mentioned as supporting Juvi. The story says Juvi had to undergo hospitalized for nose surgery. Meanwhile, Juvi showed up at a Perros del Mal show Monday; he’d been booked there, and apologized for not being able to work. There is a picture, with Juvi’s nose taped up and wearing a neckbrace.

Rayo de Jalisco Jr. says the day he loses his mask is the day he ends his career. The interview also talks about him going to Japan and Korea to defend his WWA World Heavyweight championship. I believe all of this. The actual substance of the interview is yet another match with the Dinamitas, which everyone belives.

Guerreros del Ring magazine has launched a website – was it them, or Luchas 2000 who had one previously? They’re kinda low on content right now, but it’s early on. They’re using el Martinete as their message board; there’s a pre-existing relationship there, but more so it makes sense than created yet another board.

WrestlingObserver has it’s AAA recap

LuchaWorld has Robert with Monterrey 10/26/03 (Silva vs Damian & Haloween) and the CMLL MVS shows from 01/12 & 01/13.