Day: November 12, 2012

Traumas (and Octagon Jr.) off AAA Fusion show, Infierno Rockers, Dr. Wagner Jr., FULL Barcelona

thecubsfan 4 Comments

AAA Fusion Lineup Changes

There’s been changes in Sunday’s AAA Fusion card. AAA actually hasn’t announced the show themselves yet, but the lineup was promoted on last week’s Tercera Caida. The new card has Samuray del Sol replacing Octagon Jr. in the tercera. It’s the same guy either way, but the Octagon Jr. idea could use some more build up before it happens and should debut on a much bigger show. It’s not quite like debuting a new Mistico, but the concept of “Octagon Junior” should be treated as nearly as huge a deal, and it seemed like it was just going to be rolled out with no fanfare. Pulling back there is smart.

The more notable change are the Traumas coming off the card. They’re also listed as working a show with CMLL wrestlers that day and will be on that show instead. What I have been told is the Traumas were unhappy being scheduled for the opener in Neza – they feel working first two matches are beneath them at this time – and that’s why they said they would not attend. Hijo del Perro Aguayo talked them into going anyway. This time, the Traumas were never told they were booked for 11/18 by AAA, and had already accepted the CMLL spot show and an IWRG booking. If you recall, Vampiro mentioned the same thing when he didn’t get attend the Arena Neza show – he was never told about the booking and could not have accepted because he had other commitments.

The communication issues is one problem, one that should be easily fixed. Booking the Traumas in early matches is not as easily fixed. No young indy wrestlers have been as aggressive and dedicated to protecting their brand as the Traumas. They project themselves as a young independent stars; there’s a lot of young luchadors but there’s almost none who can get themselves booked out  on their names (and not on a promotion’s name) alone. The Traumas are not going to do anything to endanger that. There are stylistic issues between them and CMLL, but I suspect they could get past those if they were brought in to Arena Mexico as stars and not guys who have to work to get out of the first and second matches like a Hijo del Signo. I’m not sure anyone of their age can make the same decision in Mexico right now, but it’s working for the Traumas.

Enrique Yniesta has a short podcast talking about the previous Fusion shows. Among other items, he felt the Fusion show in Arena Lopez Mateos suffered from too many shows in that building and area in a short time, and Arena Neza attendance was held down because of “insecurity.” Neza has a bad but earned reputation and that was a late show. He’s picking Daga to advance on this show – I think that’s a fine pick.

The Infierno Rockers

Ok. Let’s see if I can finally get this right. You may want to skip down three paragraphs if you don’t want the back story. Semental is Machine Rocker. Konnan revealed this, he’s usually reliable. (Not always, get to that later.) The easiest way to tell the Rockers apart is by seeing how many sleeves they have, and Machine has been the guy with no sleeves.

Devil Rocker, the smallest of the Rockers and the one who has sleeves on both of his arms, is former Poder del Norte/Militia member Tito Santana. I am happy for him, if only because people will stop being confused on which Tito Santana is wrestling for AAA.

We’ve gone thru a lot of guesses on the third rocker, Soul Rocker, the guy with one sleeve. Decnnis was a possibility, but then he turned out to be hundreds of miles away from where the Rockers were wrestling one day, which kind of rules him out. Tigre Cota was the current guess, since he was Tito’s partner and had similarly disappeared. Except the rumors which had Decnnis & Extreme Tiger leaving also had Tigre Cota leaving, and the first two are confirmed gone. And Soul Rocker has shown some wacky comedy tendencies that are unlike Tigre Cota.

It turns out Tigre Cota is not Soul Rocker. I have been told Soul Rocker is Picudo. Picudo has been with AAA since the early days, appearing on the third ever show they ran and was part of early feuds with Rey Misterio Jr. and Perro Aguayo Jr. Picudo left AAA in 2009 about not being used enough, worked a bit with other people who had left AAA, may have started training luchadors, and then disappeared the last year. The only match listing I have for Piduco this year is an May AAA spot show, teaming with Tito Santana of all people. That’s about two months before the Rockers debuted. Picudo’s most memorable run in AAA was part of Los Vatos Locos, who AAA have frequently brought up for their similarities to the Infierno Rockers.

Other News

On today’s MLW Radio podcast, Konnan said Dr. Wagner is under contract for a year more, but he’s already trying to get a new deal done but taking it public. As Konnan noted, it’s exactly what he did with CMLL. For me, one of Dr. Wagner Jr.’s greatest skills is endearing support from the public, but one of his greatest weakness is how much time he spends trying to get that support. He’s just at it again.

Konnan also said he watched AAA Fusion, and it’s a half hour show featuring matches with just one match with young wrestlers. That’s completely wrong. I was going to make some sort of sarcastic joke here, but I will stick with “that’s completely wrong.”

FULL has a poster for a show in Barcelona, Spain, on March 9th next year. Tineiblas Jr. has previously announced he was planning on taking the promotion to Spain next year, but this is the full talent list: Tinieblas Jr., Dr. Wagner Jr., Mesias, Ramses (Silver King), Super Parka, Pimpinela Escarlata, Dante, Oriental, Veneno, Alan Stone, Hijo del Pirata Morgan, Laredo Kid, Dark Angel, Sexy Lady, Cinthia Moreno, Ludark, La Maestra, Maribel, Mascarita Dorada, Mini Halloween, Ultimo Chingon, Caribe Caliente, Kidman and Tigre de Santa Julia. I believe the Kidman on the show is not the ex-WWE guy pictured, but a Spanish wrestler (as are a few others.) I can’t imagine Dark Angel will end up working this show, but then it’s a surprise everyone Mesias & Wagner would go to Spain for what must be an extended time (a week or two?) around the time AAA would be running Rey de Reyes. Card subject to change.

Ozz won the main event of his 14th anniversary show, held in his hometown of Uruapan. It was a free show drawing 3000 people. Ozz, Cuervo and Espiritu beat Argenis and locals Justicia Infernal and Guerrero Nocturno, and set up a rematch for Dia de Reyes (01/06/2013).

Segunda Caida’s EricR watches 10/08 CMLL Puebla.

Ring Belles has the first of what looks to be an ongoing column of Taya Valkyrie talking about her experiences in Mexico.

Joe Lider talks about his Monterrey appearances.

Kcidis previews Atlantis & Diamante Azul vs Terrible & Tama Tonga.

DJ Spectro has an article about the debut of Bobby Lee and a rare Gran Hamada hair loss,

Luchas2000 #646 has Dr. Wagner Jr. vs LA Park.

Copa LLF is this weekend.

Lineups

CMLL (SUN) 11/18/2012 Arena Mexico
1) Shockercito & Último Dragoncito vs Mercurio & Pequeño Universo 2000
2) Dalis la Caribeña, Dark Angel, Marcela vs La Comandante, Mima Shimoda, Tiffany
3) Fuego vs Namajague [lightning]
4) Ángel Azteca Jr., Rey Cometa, Triton vs Misterioso Jr., Puma, Sangre Azteca
5) Blue Panther, Delta, Hijo del Fantasma vs Kráneo, Mr. Águila, Olímpico
6) La Sombra, Marco Corleone, Máscara Dorada vs Tama Tonga, Terrible, Tiger

Maybe Tama is staying forever! He’s found a niche of being everyone’s third man, first Dragon & Escorpion, now the replacement Bucanero.

Angel Azteca not showing up has only moved him on lineups. He may (not) main event soon if he keeps this up! (This is ridiculous.)

Switching “Puma King” to Puma is awful and we should not let this go yet.

Namajague and Fuego should be fun, but it’s only great if Namajague does the Fuego dance.

CMLL

CMLL (SUN) 11/18/2012 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Azteca de Oro & Javier Cruz Jr. vs Acertijo & Relampago Azul
2) Black Metal & Virgo vs Demonio Maya & Demonio Rojo
3) Gallo, Máscara Mágica, Smaker vs Espectrum, Maléfico, Ráfaga
4) Eros & Leo vs In Memoriam & Infierno [mask, hair]
Eros’ mask and Leo’s hair versus Infierno’s mask & In Memoriam’s hair.
5) Diamante, Máximo, Sagrado vs Black Warrior, Vangelis, Volador Jr.

Black Warrior still exists! His first match since the title match. Aguila’s still in circulation, so the title change doesn’t seem to signal either one of them leaving immediately, but they just wanted different champions.

11/11 IWRG AYM TV Results – Cerebro Negro new WWS Welterweight Champion

thecubsfan

IWRG (SUN) 11/11/2012 Arena Naucalpan [IWRG, The Gladiatores]
1) Araña de Plata & Epidemia b Dragón Celestial & Serpiente de Oro
Serpiente de Oro turned on his partner.
2) Alan Extreme & Eita b Cerebro Negro & Dinamic Black and Dr. Cerebro & Relámpago and Carta Brava Jr. & Golden Magic [seeding battle royal, WWS WELTER]
Canis Lupus was originally listed in the tournament, but replaced by Eita. Eita was making his return from Japan. Usual seeding battle royal – no actual teams, but duos bunched together after elimination.
3) Carta Brava Jr. b Golden Magic [WWS WELTER, quarterfinal]
4) Dr. Cerebro b Relámpago [WWS WELTER, quarterfinal]
5) Cerebro Negro b Dinamic Black [WWS WELTER, quarterfinal]
6) Eita b Alan Extreme [WWS WELTER, quarterfinal]
7) Dr. Cerebro b Carta Brava Jr. [WWS WELTER, semifinal]
Dr. Cerbero beat Carta Brava Jr. with a Cerebrina.
8) Cerebro Negro b Eita [WWS WELTER, semifinal]
Cerbero Negro won with a back suplex.
9) Cerebro Negro b Dr. Cerebro [WWS WELTER, final]
Cerbero Negro gave Dr. Cerbero his own Cerebina, Dr. Cerbero appeared to kick out, the referee counted three again. Fans were unhappy and wanted a rematch.
10) Canis Lupus, Oficial AK47, Oficial Fierro b La Cobra, Trauma II, Veneno
Canis Lupus moved up to this match, replacing Hijo del Solitario (who did no-showed the previous Sunday’s show.) It’s the character’s first match in months, and The Gladitores says it’s a new one. Fierro replaced Toxico. Rudos won, taking falls 1/3.11) Bestia 666, Damián 666, Oficial 911 b el Ángel, Pantera, Trauma I
Originally announced as an atomicos, proceeded without Factor & Hijo de Pirata. Rudos took 1/3. 911 and Angel feuded heavily, 911 pinning Angel with a Styles Clash for the win. Angel & 911 agreed to a deal – Angel will give 911 a shot at his Middleweight title, but 911 must agree to a mask vs mask should he lose.

(results corrected at 11pm)

Show will, cross your fingers, air tonight on AYM Sports.

Looks like this is the beginning of a new Cerebro/Cerebro story. Which makes up for the Angel one which didn’t go anywhere. (Maybe Elisa will get to the bottom of it!) 911 vs Angel sounds fun too, and Canis vs Cobra has potential to be a quicky mask match.

CMLL FantasicaMania talent list announced, Noche Briticana show announced

thecubsfan 1 Comment

CMLL released new on two international (related) events in the last 24 hour.

Coming up first is Noche Briticana, a special Arena Mexico show on 12/07. The announcers mentioned it in passing on last night’s Terra broadcast, and Ticketmaster already has some details.

BRITISH NIGHT una lucha con causa… es un evento que están organizando la Embajada Británica y el Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre para recaudar fondos para la Fundación John Langdon Down. Los luchadores Ultimo Guerrero y La Sombra se disputarán “Las Joyas de la Corona” en un ambiente muy británico en la cual, la arena México tendrá música y motivos ingleses. El público podrá ver y tocar el “London Bus” (el camión de doble piso inglés) y verá guardias reales dentro de la arena México. Este evento será el 7 de diciembre a las 8:30 p.m. en la majestuosa Arena México.

As you can read, it’s a copromtoion with the British Embassy, and will include British music, a double decker bus, and Buckingham Palace soldiers. It sounds like an Ultimo Guerrero vs La Sombra singles main event, but I guess they could also be just leading teams.

The John Langdown Down Foundation helps children with Down’s Syndrome. That weekend is the same as the annual Televisa supported “Teleton” to help special needs children, so there’s probably some connection there, though it appears CMLL may be donating a different charity.

That date would seem to mean any major CMLL year end show wouldn’t happen until later in December. However, there’s yet to be any hint of CMLL actually running a major show in December. (I haven’t seen any CMLL TV this weekend yet, so maybe you know something I don’t.) It is possible CMLL says Ultimo Guerrero vs Sombra with British people is enough and calls it a year. We won’t know that for certain for a few weeks, but it’s possible.

In a dream world, Sombra wins the main event when new rudo faction of Rey Escorpion, Dragon Rojo, and Hooligan (british! going for revenge on his old partner!) cost Ultimo Guerrero the match. I dream too much, but Hooligan’s got to be on the card. He’s the only British guy they’ve got! Volador dressing up as one of the Sargent Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band alone is not going to be good enough.

CMLL & NJPW also announced the CMLL participation for the three day FantasticaMania event. Tecnicos are Mistico, Titan, La Sombra, Rush, La Mascara, Mascara Dorada, Maximo, and Diamante. Rudos are Volador Jr., Mephisto, Dragon Rojo Jr., Rey Bucanero, Euforia, Misterioso and Okumura. It’s not stated, but I expect Namajague will be back in NJPW in January and would also be on these shows, in addition to the regular NJPW wrestlers. CMLL is also sending ring announcer Ivan and edecan Bruni.

Mistico and Titan are the tecnicos making the NJPW debut. Euforia is the only rudo making his debut here. NJPW also introduces Rey Bucanero, who’s been in NJPW as part of the team with Ultimo Guerrero prior but not in many years (and not under the current regime.) It’s a total of 14 CMLL wrestlers this time, up from 9 on previous shows.

The tour is being promoted around the first appearance of the new Mistico. NJPW mentions the previous one was IWGP Junior Heavyweight championship, setting the bar for this one (though I’d imagine that’s not something happening this year.)

Titan earned this spot by winning En Busca de Un Idolo, but the 2nd (Euforia), 3rd (Mistico) and 4th (Diamante) place finishers all got in as well. That makes the winning a bit cheap (though true to most reality shows), but I’m not certain Titan would’ve made it if he didn’t make the final 2 of the tournament given where he was before the tournament. This is still a win for #porraTitan.

There is plenty of pressure on the younger guys, but La Mascara might have the most to prove. Mascara was embarrassingly poor on the first FantasticaMania shows, looking in no condition to perform on both shows. It was said Mascara was ill and tried to work thru it (and the wrestlers on the show defended him against criticism), but everything he tried looked abysmally bad. Just having OK matches would be a vast improvement, but the Brazos have a great reputation in Japan and I’m certain La Mascara will be motivated to raise his families name back up.

FantasitcaMania had four title matches in 2011 involving CMLL wrestlers (and one that was between NJPW & DDT), and two in 2012. FantasticaMania expands to three days this year, and so the title match number is likely to increase. Titan (National Welterweight), Rush (CMLL Light Heavyweight), La Mascsara (National Light Heavyweight), Dragon Rojo Jr. (NWA & CMLL Middleweight), Rey Bucanero (NWA Light Heavyweight) all have major CMLL titles. Dragon Rojo’s already stated he’ll defend against either Jushin Lyger or Prince Devitt on these shows. Lyger makes more sense. Rush being a spotlight match (rematch vs Yujiro? Goto?) seems to fit with CMLL goals, as well as Mascara Dorada getting a big match (Bucanero is not doing much with his belt). Titan vs Euforia would also be a fun showcase for both guys, and it’d be weird if Volador and Sombra weren’t involved in something big. There’s a lot of possibilities. Unless there’s a title change between now and January, there won’t be a CMLL pairs or trios title on the line (though Okumura and Namajague are still facing Stuka & Fuego a lot.)

NJPW and CMLL will announce actual matches at a later time, probably early January, and we’ll likely know if any of these will be an iPPV around the same time. There will also likely be CMLL participation on the 01/04 NJPW Toyko Dome show. That usually includes 1 or 2 guys who don’t end up working these shows.

11/11 CMLL Arena Mexico results – Polvora wins the CMLL Welterweight Championship

thecubsfan 1 Comment
CMLL

CMLL (SUN) 11/11/2012 Arena Mexico [CMLL]
1) Metálico, Metatrón, Molotov b Espanto Jr., Guerrero Negro Jr., Herodes Jr.
Metatron had a new mask. Tecnicos took 1/3. Second fall finish was screwed up somehow – Guerrero Negro was supposed to pin Metalico but Metalico left, so Espanto had Metatron pull off his mask for the DQ but the music guy thought the tecnicos won the fall (or thought it was supposed to be a two fall match. Rest of the match was not much better.
2) Goya Kong, Lady Afrodita, Luna Mágica b Mima Shimoda, Princesa Sugheit, Zeuxis
Sugheit replaced Dalys on Sunday. A Zeuxis tornillo in the second fall was the highlight of the match. Tecnicas took 2/3.
3) Delta, Pegasso, Sagrado b Cancerbero, Hijo del Signo, Raziel
Delta replaced Starman on Tuesday. Terra announcers said Euforia & Polvora were officially out of the group (or, those guys are going places and these guys are staying where they are.) Delta went for the moonsault in the first fall, but rudos cut him off and beat him. Delta’s mask was accidentally pulled off in the second fall (seemed like an actual mistake), then the third fall was a quick tecnico win. Cancerbero suffered a left shoulder injury.
4) Pólvora b Máscara Dorada [CMLL WELTER]
Mascara Dorada is champion. Polvora’s second was his brother Inquisidor, Dorada’s second was former Guadalajara trios partner Metatron. Dorada won the first with a torito, Polvora the second with a powerbomb, and then Polvora won the championship an Inqusidior Storm.
5) Dragón Rojo Jr., Rey Escorpión, Volador Jr. b Shocker, Super Porky, Valiente
Shocker is now using Gangnam Style. Escorpion powerbombed Valiente for the win.
6) Tama Tonga b Diamante Azul
Tonga pulled Azul’s mask to win again.

I did not see this show! Based on what I’ve read on Twitter – and used up there, thank Rob & Fredo – that sounds like it was a good thing. What I ended up watching was not much better and had a unsatisfying result though not as sad as the fourth match.

CMLL hasn’t had too many plans for Mascara Dorada this year; he’s just been around, and occasionally in Japan. He doesn’t have a set rival – they seemed to head that direction with Psicosis but then dropped it – or a tag or trios partner. The title match last fall with Mephisto seemed like a break thru moment, and Dorada has become a steady main eventer, but he’s one in need of a stronger support by someone in CMLL management. Dorada’s talent is not in doubt, but he hasn’t been able to use it as much as he should this year and this is a sad way to end it.

Perhaps next year will start better for him. He’s on FantasticaMania (and I’ll get to that next), the WON’s reported NJPW is high on him, and those shows are usually filled with title matches.

This had been an interesting year to be Polvora – he spent most of the year as national champion, he was somewhat humiliated in En Busca de Un Idolo, he had a few good title matches, and he ends up as a world champion (with the bodybuilding contest still to come.) This might not be the end of it for him; if you want to start New Mistico off with a full feud with a beatable guy, Polvora is your man. He’s worked well with guys working Mistico’s style, he’s got a title belt New Mistico could win, and he’s really got a mask New Mistico could win (and it’s be the right time for Polvora to lose it.) I would not have picked Polvora as a world champion because there was still mileage in him being an ex-champion trying to win a title back, and there are more deserving rudos to choose from, but this might be a start of a bigger program.

Tama Tonga & Diamante Azul is more easily understandable. I don’t think Terrible & Tonga are winning the tag titles on Tuesday, but I was so completely wrong about this title match.