Month: September 2009

CMLL (FRI) 09/25 Arena Mexico [SuperLuchas, Record, Cesar, Fuego en el ring
1) Flash, Metro, Stuka Jr. b Arkangel de la Muerte, Loco Max, Skándalo
2) Pierrothito b Eléctrico [MEX LIGHT]
3) Ephesto, Mephisto, Texano Jr. b La Máscara, Toscano, Volador Jr.
4) Ángel de Plata & Héctor Garza b Averno & Pólvora [Gran Alternativa, torneo, quarterfinal]
5) Shigeo Okumura & Yujiro b Rouge & Toscano [Gran Alternativa, torneo, quarterfinal]
6) Ángel de Oro & Místico b Atlantis & Camorra [Gran Alternativa, torneo, quarterfinal]
7) Mr. Niebla & Tiger Kid b Blue Panther & Rey Cometa [Gran Alternativa, torneo, quarterfinal]
8) Shigeo Okumura & Yujiro b Ángel de Plata & Héctor Garza [Gran Alternativa, torneo, semifinal]
10) Ángel de Oro & Místico b Mr. Niebla & Tiger Kid [Gran Alternativa, torneo, semifinal]
11) Shigeo Okumura & Yujiro b Ángel de Oro & Místico [Gran Alternativa, torneo, final]
12) Último Guerrero b Jushin Liger [CMLL HEAVY]

They had Toscano work the tercera, and then he had to come back and work the tournament too. Rough.

All 8 novatos were introduced for the tournamnet (and the seeding battle royal). When Semental entered, Yujiro showed up as well. Yujiro said he was now refusing to team with non-Japanesse and wanted Okumura in the spot instead. Semental refused to give up his spot, but Okumura & Yujiro beat him up, and Okumura entered the tournament in his spot.

Ages of Gran Alternativa winners, oldest to youngest.

(We don’t have birthdates on Chicago Express and, surprisingly, Misterioso II. )

years names
17.65 La Sombra
21.66 Místico
22.33 Rey Bucanero
23.48 La Mascara
23.65 Shocker
24.54 Tony Rivera
25.17 Sicodelico Jr.
25.19 Tigre Blanco
25.55 Hector Garza
25.61 Alan Stone
25.71 Dragon Rojo Jr.
27.09 Ultimo Guerrero
37.34 Okumura

Man, Sombra was young. Still is. And I forget how close Ultimo Guerrero is to 40. Also the Okumura thing, that too.

Seriously, CMLL, you didn’t need to throw away this tournament like that. If you want to push the non-Lyger trio as a top threat, a threat to Mistico, you could’ve saved some time and heartache and just booked a trios match. No Limit vs Mistico, Panther, and Garza or Toscano or Shocker or not whoever. Do the same ending, have the rudos surprisingly beat Mistico, and save this tournament for a time where you actually might get something out of it. Wasted opportunity, obviously.

Now, I guess CMLL’s ideas here is we’re supposed to be angry, just furious at No Limit and Okumura for taking Semental’s spot and bending the rules like that. It just doesn’t come off that way – it’s more looks like CMLL was completely ineffectual in running it’s own events.

Speaking of, the main event was short enough to probably not be all that notable enough of a match, but long enough that anyone who saw the end of it missed the last train out. This is neither a new problem, nor one CMLL seems interested in fixing, but if the big match yuor’e selling the card around is frequently disappointing because you run out of time to put it on, you’re hurting your return bsuiness. Start the show sooner or run it more efficiently, just figure it out.

This week, Liger won the first in under two, UG won the second in under two, then used the ropes to pin Liger in the third. Liger has another title chance on Monday.

There’s not enough scandals in AAA, so this weekend will see the release of a controversal Konnan interview, AAA’s site proclaims. They do not say who it’s about, but DJ Spectro does: Cibernetico.

Meanwhile, AAA is still threatening legal consequences to Charly Manson (pictured here with Perro Jr. & a shirt…) and refuses to announce a change to the card because they think they can intimidate Charly into showing up, but says they may anyway have an ace up there sleeve like Cibernetico (who’s already on the card) or Latin Lover (who’s not.) I think people will go home from tonight’s show happy, but only if they’re the type of people who enjoy disasters.

Segunda Caida has Cassandro 6th on it’s top wrestlers of 2008 list and watches 03/19/09 IWRG.

Lineups much later.

AAA TV (FRI) 10/09 Arena Xalapa [KrisZ, box y lucha?]
1) Mascarita Sagrada 2007, Mini Charly Manson, Octagoncito vs Mini Abismo Negro, Mini Histeria, Mini Psicosis
2) Fabi Apache & Mari Apache vs Cinthia Moreno & Sexy Star
3) Laredo Kid, Octagón, Súper Fly vs Cuervo, Escoria, Ozz
4) Dr. Wagner Jr., Electroshock, Último Gladiador vs Go Shiozaki, Kenzo Suzuki, Sugi
5) El Mesías, La Parka Jr., Marco Corleone vs Cibernético, Joe Lider, Nicho el Millionario

2009 AAA TV Taping
Projected Air Date (#909)
Mexico: 10/16
US: 10/31

Will the minis champion make it on TV for the first time in 8 months? No, they’ll probably cut this show to 2 hours.

Stuff we can figure out about Saturday’s show based on this lineup
– looks like Mesias and Cibernetico are having another match
– looks like Sexi Star & Fabi Apache are having another match

Eh.

Super Fly returns, but that sure looks like finally the completion to the rudo turn (Octagon tries to set him straight, Super Fly pretends to listen and then turns on him.)

No Gronda, no usual cruiserweights. OK with that.

Televisa Deportes has quotes from the Roldans about Charly Manson’s departure. Charly told Marisela (in person) that he was no longer comfortable in AAA and wanted to leave. Joaquin says they’ve been quiet, because there is a contract involved and there may be legal consequences. (I hope they try, because it’d be fantastic to have that contract in public record. Also, kinda would figure there was no contract.) There will be a hair match Saturday, but there’s not even hint at a replacement. Either they have no idea, or they’re still hoping to change Charly’s mind.

In it’s newsletter, AAA says they’ll have live coverage of Heroes Imortales. I *think* I will too, for the mystery main event if no other reason, but I’ve got some other things going on Saturday.

IWRG (THU) 09/24 Arena Naucalpan [EdR]
1) Guizmo b Extrano
2) Imperio Azteca & Miss Gaviota b Black Thunder & Hijo del Signo
3) Eragon & Jack b Blasfemia & Xibalba
4) Bushi, Exodia, Freelance b Avisman, Gringo Loco, Tóxico DF
5) Chico Che & Rigo b Arlequin Amarillo & Arlequin Rojo [hair]

Rudos took the first, tecnicos the second. Chico Che accidentally fouled Rigo, and Rojo pinned him to make it 2 on 1. Chico Che managed to plancha Rojo to even it up. As Chico & Amarillo fought, Rojo came in. Referee noticed and kicked him out, missing Rigo throw a drink in Amarillo’s face. Chico Che tied him up for the win. Rojo lost his mask and hair in 8 days. IWRG!

Freelance pinned Avisman in straight falls, so that’s setting up a title match rather soon.

ESTO highlights the lightweight title match, which has totally been lost in the shuffle and probably should’ve been saved for a different show. (Also, everyone expects Pierrothito to romp to a win.)

Tiger Kid wants to win the Gran Alternativa and then team with Pesta Negra from there. So he’s got the same ideas as everyone one else. He’s ready to face any of the tecnicos, but he particularly hopes he and Niebla run into Mistico so he can gain some revenge for Negro. I don’t quite see that happening.

Luchando Libre previews the tournament and the big title match.

Ovaciones pegs Mistico/Oro, Averno/Polvora and Toscano/Rouge as the favorites.

Shocker talked about his situation in GDL – interviews appears on both Fuego en el Ring and SuperLuchas – and says CMLL thought he was hurt (and he did hurt his nose – hmmm), so they pulled him off the anniversary show, but he obviously isn’t hurt because he worked the Guadalajara shows. He was planning on meeting with CMLL yesterday to sort it out and hoped to still end up on tonight’s show. I don’t know how this will turn out, but he doesn’t sound like someone who wants to leave CMLL.

Fuego en el Ring also has an interview with Mistico, who says NJPW sent their best to take their title back, so he’s going to train 100% this week to beat Liger. Mistico feels like he’s the lucha libre equivalent of (Mexican soccer team) America – people come to boo him or cheer him, he’ll just worry when the people stop doing anything at all. Also, Metal Blanco is sad.

Estrella del Ring talks to Xiablva, who says he hasn’t been in IWRG due to the economy but will back soon. They also talk to his son nephew, Crazy Rock. You can totally see the family relationship in the face. EdR is also having a trivia contest for Pandemonium masks.

AAA has a bio of Go Shiozaki. It’d be nice if they introduced him on TV before just throwing him out there, but probably not.

AAA doesn’t mention it on their site, but DTU says they’re opening AAAcademia, a training school affiliated with AAA. DTU having a school is great enough on it’s own, but with the hope of making to a promotion that doesn’t want new Mexican wrestlers and doesn’t pay them all that much just takes it up a new level.

Sounds like a AAA spot show in Toluca was canceled – after all the fans were already in the building. Promoter said it was due to finical issues.

DJ Spectro has an interview Legionario about his career.

CMLL (MON) 09/28 Arena Puebla
1) Black Tiger, Lestat, Milenium vs Mr. Rafaga, Sauron, Siki Osama
2) Ángel Azteca Jr., Ángel de Plata, Sensei vs Artillero, Pólvora, Súper Comando
3) Flash, Metro, Stuka Jr. vs Euforia, Nosferatu, Skándalo
4) Atlantis, Black Warrior, Mr. Niebla, Último Guerrero vs Naito, Ray Mendoza Jr., Shigeo Okumura, Yujiro
5) Místico vs Jushin Liger [IWGP JH]

Between this and Friday’s match, perhaps Liger is giving back his wins on his way out of Mexico.

CMLL (TUE) 09/22 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara [Fuego en el Ring]
1) Saturno & Virgo b El Divino & Meteoro
2) Infierno & Mr. Trueno b Palacio Negro & Virgo
3) Máscara Mágica & Satánico b Hierro & Metal Blanco
4) Dragon Rojo Jr., Skándalo, Virus b Horus, Metro, Neutrón
5) Atlantis, Mr. Niebla, Último Guerrero b La Máscara, Místico, Shocker

Atlantis & Ultimo Guerrero beat Mistico & La Mascara with Atlantidas for the clean win. Astaroth, fresh off winning a mask, was replaced by Virgo.

Perros del Mal held a press conference yesterday, announcing Lizmark Jr., Oriental, and Charly Manson as new members of the promotion. The Gladitores has video interviews with Lizmark Jr., Oriental, Perro Jr. & Damian 666.

Charly Manson did not appear, so that seems a bit questionable. (Someone was wondering why we conisder Alex’s firing an AAA storyline and Charly’s quiting real. The quickest explanation is Alex’s quitting took place on TV and no other Mexican promotion is going with it, and Charly’s didn’t occur on TV and other promotions are treating as real.) If you haven’t seen it, SuperLuchas linked to video of Charly on Tercera Caida, the interview that really got this rolling.

Of the two that were actually there, both Lizmark & Oriental talked about getting new and increased opportunities with Los Perros. Lizmark says he was never given a reason why he was frozen out from Friday night shows, but now he’s willing to dedicate himself fully to wrestling. (Now?) Oriental says he impressed Perro on the Neza show, and that’s why he’s here. Perro Jr. lists Lizmark Sr. as among the group when naming names, which I believe is new.

ESTO has an article on the recent movement. Nothing new on the stories we already know, but Panico is quote as saying Olimpico may be coming back to CMLL. Olimpico left due to lack of opportunities quite like Hijo del Lizmark just did, but it doesn’t seem like he found them. Also, Alex Koslov is now a blond. Someone please give the man a job.

SuperLuchas has interview with Mistico from Guadalajara. He’d like to face Felino for his mask on the year end show. I’ve been figuring No Limit will still be around by then (they were supposed to be in TNA for 6 months and CMLL for 6, but they fled TNA early) and the main event will end up involving them, but I don’t really know anything. Mistico confirms what was mentioned on Tercera Caida – it’s him and Liger fo the IWGP belt on Monday in Puebla.

Gran Alternativa coverage:
– ESTO has the novatos posed together. You know, let’s throw everything out and have Semental win. We haven’t had a good side horns wrestler since Violencia lost.
– NotiMex talks to Rey Cometa, Polvora, Camorra and Semental. Semental says he and Yujiro don’t have a translator, but they’re figuring things out. Where’s Okumura when you need him? Polvora says he and Averno have teamed in spot shows, so they’re ready to team. Camorra says Atlantis has actually known him for a long time, and helped him a lot in his career. Cometa says Panther has been giving him all sort of tips in the gym, when to hit and when to dodge.
– Box Y Lucha looks back to the first few tournaments.
– Ovaciones has the generic preview
– Cesar is picking Tiger Kid.
Everyone seems to have Villano 4 and Alan Stone as the 2003 winners, which nicely clears up the confusion there.

CMLL has the full Tuesday results; only notable story was Vangelis fouling Fabian, rudos losing that match in two. They also confirm it was Seuxis in the women’s match; she’s so anonymous, other reports list her as Lluvia in a new outfit.

Estrella del Ring talks to Turbo about being mistaken listed on CMLL cards (Turbo thought he was booked, then found out not so much – but he still hopes to make it to CMLL someday.) They also talk to Angel De Oro, but not the CMLL Angel de Oro or the Panamanian Angel de Oro, but a separate Acapulco based Angel De Oro. Totally not confusing.

Fuego en el Ring has part 1 of an interview with Vengador, who’s most known as wrestling in Guadalajara with that name but apparently went pretty much everywhere else under other names. Speaking of Fuego, kcidis shows some concept art for their new mascot.

AAA mentions Chessman did the chat due to force majure (did anyone see it? I checked and didn’t), hypes the Torneo Antonio Pena and spots two Black Tigers. AAA also seems surprised joke answer The Animal finished second in the Who Will Be The Surprise in the Torneo Pena. It’s the internet, polls are not to be trusted and joke answers do well. (Though the polls here are GREAT.)

Sangre Azteca says Misterioso is part of Poder Mexica, and tells us to shout it from the rooftops. Hooray (Let’s all pretend Sangre gets to make such decisions, or gets to book them to stay that way.) Sangre notes La Mascara has been a pain lately, so much so that he remembered they were feuding and might take his mask, if only La Mascara wasn’t so scared to face him.

Cesar looks at CMLL’s World Heavyweight Title being actually worldwide for the first time in a long time.

You know the unknown Barbaro who debuted in Arena Puebla this past week? There’s actually an interview with him. He’s the son of Ultimo Barbaro, and has been training at Unidad Deportiva Mario Vazquez Rana and hopes to move up from the openers.

Fabian el Gitano is willing to put his mask on the line, if it’ll get him a shot at Texano’s NWA light heavyweight title. Fabian notes he’s not considered a true technical wrestler (!!!), but he still feels he delivers good performances and deserves to fight the best. He’s be willing to face Averno or Ultimo Guerrero, and he’s challenged Nosferatu, Euforia and Misterioso II to mask matches, but those rudos are just too scared of him.

Bix wrote about the Lucha Va Voom show over at CageSideSeats. New York Press also has a story about the show. Sounds like everyone really liked it.

The new Ras de Lona went up yesterday, and is all a Mistico/Negro preview. I forgot how great his combo masks with Warrior & UG were.

Slammin’ Stan is tonight at 9pm CST. Check it out here