Leo Riano says there was a rumor a few weeks ago that lucha libre would be leaving broadcast TV in Mexico and the rumor has gotten stronger. That’s the GalaTV shows, and we’ve seen that network make weekend programming changes each year in time with the start of the NFL season (which starts next week.) The wording suggest to me that the rumor is the shows would still exist and probably still within the greater Televisa universe of networks, but maybe on a Televisa Deportes cable channel instead of the current free to all channel. I don’t want to delve into too heavy because it’s acknowledged as just a rumor, but it’d obviously be bad news for both promotions and have some very interesting ripple effects – the wrong network could seriously harm AAA, the right one could allow them to regain the rights to sell their US TV shows after all.
WWE officially announced the Mexico tour. Venues:
10/16: Plaza de Toros Santa Maria, Queretaro – culture shock
10/17: Arena VFG, Guadalajara
10/18: Arena Ciudad de Mexico
10/19: Arena Monterrey
This week’s WON mentions AAA might be running Heroes Inmortales in Guadalajara, which would be around the same time as the WWE show. Alberto Del Rio, Rey Misterio and Big Show were announced for the tour. The WWE.com tour page adds the Wyatt Family and CM Punk. Sin Cara’s name was not mentioned. Resume fantasy booking!
Terra will broadcast Friday’s Arena Mexico show, replacing the usual Sunday broadcast. They’ve already announced the 09/13 show as airing as well, so it’ll be at least two of the next three Fridays.
WWL has essentially moved it’s 09/06 show from Nuevo Laredo to Saltillo. There were issues with the Nuevo Laredo venue, so they’ve moved 3.5 hours to the southwest. Lineup is the same.
Tercera Caida airs today at 5:30 pm, while there’s a Fusion show scheduled for 6pm on Friday. Either AAA takes another big break after the Toluca show, or there should be a couple new Fusion episodes in the next few weeks.
Hijo del Santo gives some attention to someone in need of an ego boost – Dr. Wagner Junior! This week’s column is about talking about Wagner as perhaps the most complete luchador in Mexico. I often wonder who Santo is writing this column for – maybe people who do not actually watch lucha libre – because he takes effort to explain Wagner’s normal gestures and catch phrases as if Wagner had not been a mainstay for the last 20 years. At the same time, Santo also repeatedly mentions he prefers Wagner Sr.’s look and style over his son’s, but the people seem to like his son’s and other similar slightly cutting remarks. I can’t tell if he’s being weird or just building up the feud for the mask match. Santo makes sure to get in the shot on AAA (the promotion that made him a tentpole of the promotion didn’t treat him with respect.)
LA Park, building up his own match with Dr. Wagner in Tijuana, still says he doesn’t want Hijo del Santo in a mask match.
Blue Panther says he’s been training with his sons in preparation for his hair match with Averno. Panther says he and Averno have agreed to submission rules and hopes Averno doesn’t take it back (which suggests this is not an official stipulation and may be ignored in the actual match to the great annoyance of people watching.) If Averno keeps up his side of it, Panther feels this might be the greatest match in the history of CMLL.
Cibernetico is a bit concerned about La Secta and Perros del Mal maybe having secretly planned this whole thing to set Cibernetico up for a beatdown on Friday night. Cibernetico reminds Perro that he was attacked too and he’ll get revenge on La Secta with or without him.
Black Terry Jr. highlights of Gym Rivera versus Gym FILL.
LuchaWorld has KrisZ’s news update and the start of the 2012 top 100!
Links
Lucha Libre In Japan
Violento Jack lost to Jun Kasai in the semifinals of the PAIN Limit match in a “double dangerous cross-board deathmatch”. Jack offered a handshake of respect after the match, but it was a setup to a powerbomb instead. Kasai would go onto lose in the final. I’d guess it’s not the end for Jack and Kasai.
NOAH introduces Fenix. They have Fenix for 4 Fusion title defenses, which is the same number as the luchawiki (which is probably wrong.)
Zeuxis & Vaquerita get their REINA Tag Team Championship title match on 09/08.
Lineups
CMLL (TUE) 09/03/2013 Arena Mexico
1) Aéreo & Pequeño Halcón vs Pequeño Violencia & Pequeño Warrior
2) Pegasso, Starman, Stigma vs Arkángel de la Muerte, Canelo Casas, Disturbio
3) Diamante, Hijo del Fantasma, Sagrado vs Namajague, Puma, Virus
4) Fuego vs Boby Zavala [lightning]
5) Blue Panther, Máscara Dorada, Thunder vs Averno, Ephesto, Mephisto
6) Rush, Terrible, Vangellys vs Negro Casas, Shocker, Valiente [Relevos Increíbles]
Between this match, Puebla and the anniversary match, that’s three different increible matches where Rush is on the pseuedo-rudo side. Hmm. Meanwhile, Rush was in SuperLuchas this week, saying he didn’t want to be a rudo because all the fans cheer for the rudos and he doesn’t want to be cheered.
I need some Thunder/Dorada teamwork spots. Namajague, Puma and Virus is a great evil crew. Maybe Disturbio can make friends with Canelo now that Zavala has left him behind. Skipping the opener is fine.
CMLL (TUE) 09/03/2013 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Esfinge & Metatrón vs Ráfaga & Sádico
2) Hombre Bala Jr., Oro Jr., Súper Halcón Jr. vs Bárbaro Cavernario, Cancerbero, Raziel
3) Rey Cometa, Stuka Jr., Titán vs Kráneo, Morphosis, Psicosis
4) Pólvora vs Ángel de Oro [CMLL WELTER]
Polvora is champion. Fifth defense.
5) Atlantis, La Sombra, Marco Corleone vs Hiroshi Tanahashi, Último Guerrero, Volador Jr.
Tanahashi’s Guadalajara appearance on this trip.