Latest on the protest is in the post below.
IWRG (THU) 06/16/2011 Arena Naucalpan [Estrellas del Ring]
1) Alan Extreme & Keshin Black b Tritón & Volaris
Dark Devil replaced Keshin Black, Volariz replaced Dragon Fly.
2) Carta Brava Jr., El Pollo Asesino, Imposible b Comando Negro, Dinamic Black, Hijo del Pantera
Comando Negro replaced Eragon, which left him on the wrong side. He did not work with the tecnicos and the rudos triumphed.
3) Pantera b Último Gladiador, Bestia 666, Máscara Año 2000 Jr., Black Terry, Veneno, Multifacético, Oficial 911, Scorpio Jr., Trauma I, Oficial Fierro, Oficial AK47, Bobby Lee Jr., Cerebro Negro, Centurión, Villano IV, Pimpinela Escarlata, Drago, Dinamic Black, Fresero Jr., Dr. Cerebro, Avisman, Chico Che, El Hijo del Diablo, Golden Magic, Eterno, Bombero Infernal, Trauma II, Hijo del Brazo, Saruman [Rey del Ring]
Rules this year were new people joining the match every three minutes, and going out via pinfall. Dinamic Black worked twice. Scoprio and Bobby Lee returned to IWRG here. Pantera, now wearing his mask constantly, threw out Ultimo Gladiador to get the win. Estrellas del Ring has order entry and eliminations, this is listed in reverse order of elimination.
Estrellas del Ring has an interview with the winner. The Gladiatores coverage last night was really good.
Juicio Final
The build to Averno vs La Mascara has been major mask feud CMLL has done since Black Warrior vs Mistico. The matches have gotten the issue over strongly. The vignettes have increased interest; the Brazos Curse one was great, but I think the second one with Averno was very strong, and I hope this sets up more of this sort of thing in the future. It doesn’t seem like Mascara was their first pick for this spot, and I’m sure CMLL didn’t want the news about Averno getting out, but they’ve done a masterful job of playing the cards they were dealt. There’s a lot of issues for CMLL, but this program hasn’t been one.
A while back, Cesar wrote a piece abouth how there’s been no standout luchador of the year in either promotion yet*. It’s a reasonable argument. There’s guys who’ve had good stretches (like Guerrero Maya of recent) but there’s not been many big wins. Extreme Tiger won Rey de Reyes, and is slightly better than where he was, but is no break out guy. Terrible & Texano won at Dos Leyendas, are doing the same thing they’ve done. If I had to pick someone today, before tonight’s match, just from a storyline perspective, I would choose Averno. He started off the year strong against his eternal rival (1-1 is a fine record), but more so has seemed more confident and stronger since Mistico left town. Maybe it just helps not to take a La Mistica every third day, but he’s been more believable as a top rudo on his own rather than just a foil for someone else. Averno cleanly and conclusively won his feud with Mascara Dorada and he’s gotten the best of La Mascara for weeks, in ways few rudos in CMLL have in recent years. Averno match tonight has a chance to be the most important match of the year, and both guys will be motivated to make it the best they can. Averno is not going to win luchador of the year, because his year has about two more weeks left in it, but this six months stacks up with the best work he’s done in the last decade.
* – which was an obvious setup to declaring La Mascara as the leading candidate after tonight, but sometimes he’s obvious like that.
La Mascara says that if Averno is accusing him of being ugly, then Averno should take a look in the mirror. The ugly face shots are among the greatest parts of this feud. Mascara tells Fuego en el Ring about trying to end the “20 year curse” of Alvadors losing mask matches, he’s ready to take on Mephisto or Ephesto next, he figures he’ll stick with his name if he loses because that’s what the people know, but he’s doubling his training to make sure that doesn’t happen. Mascara confirms Brazo de Oro will be his second tonight, as he often is in big matches.
In a trios match last night, Averno unmasked Mascara, taking the DQ loss. Same as it has been.
Record conducted a poll over tonight’s main event: La Mascara (70%), Averno (30%).
El Kiss is picking Averno, with the idea that CMLL might just do it to surprise everyone (or at least 70% of them). He’s not the only one going that way (but I’m still sticking with what I wrote.)
CMLL Gaceta’s headline includes “Today is the day, there is no tomorrow”, which is funnier if they actually wrote it today. Hope they’re right!
TripleMania/AAA
According to Damian 666, Perro Aguayo Jr. will miss TripleMania due to an adverse medication to his cancer medication. The Perros say the medication can cause “a decrease in blood cell formation, inflammation of the liver, and neurological disorders.” There’s a high amount of skepticism about this story, as there been ever since Perro’s original illness. The neurological disorders line seems an explanation for Perro’s performance last Thursday in Naucalpan, where he looked like he shouldn’t be out there. And if Perro’s really on drugs that leave him in bad shape, why is he going back in the ring? That’s tremendously unsafe for him and the people he’s working with.
This is a story that I think would be a much bigger deal on another day, but it’s worth noting that the first year for Perro Aguayo Jr. back in AAA have not been close to the expectations. They had Bronco sized hopes for Perro, and have gotten Mini Universo sized returns. Perros vs Psychos has been useful for the Psychos, but it’s essentially a midcard trios feud they could’ve done with other midcard trios teams. Perro himself had a brief feud with Mesias before essentially being replaced by LA Park (with much better results) and nothing of note for months. AAA is not going to part ways with Perro unless he forces him, but his value continues to spiral downward.
LA Park says he’s restless and nervous going into Saturday’s match, but will die before giving up his mask. This is a pretty gruesome match if both guys are going to die before losing. Park wants Wagner next, and then Parka after.
LA Park and Mesias are in Tijauna tonight for a warm up match. They held a press conference yesterday, and Mesias looked non-kidnapped and non-beat (though he’s wear his sunglasses in all the photos. It does look sunny!)
Arturo Rivera says he will appear on TripleMania.
Other News
Tiger Kid is sick of all these Tapatios. Not Rayos, all the people in Guadalajara causing trouble for his family. He’s going to first embarrass Metal Blanco in GDL, and then he’s going to take care of issues with Gallo (standing up to Felino), Palacio Negro (general flippiness) and Los Truenos (pre-existing issues.) Tiger plans on beating Blanco this week in a rematch of a trios match, then beating Blanco for his title, then maybe taking his mask too.
Missing Forjando un Idolo match from yesterday: Alfa vs Bravo. I wonder if today’s matches will also be on YouTube?
LuchaWorld has Alfredo’s weekly ramblings on both big shows.
Discover more from luchablog
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Is the theory that tonight’s whole show won’t be on TV anywhere for six months or is only the main event being held back?
CMLL Gaceta said the whole show wouldn’t air. Which makes next TV’s show a mystery.
I think they’ll be airing the Reyes Del Aire from 1/1 which was never shown anywhere. The rest will be filler.
Hmmm, that would make running a huge angle (like the breakup of GdA) tonight seem idiotic.