Sin Cara & AAA, Konnan on AAA US, Zorro, AAA game on 360

Another AAA TV taping announced – for April! They’re already locally promoting a 04/16 show in San Luis Potosi’s Auditorio Miguel Barragan. The biggest star listed on the talent list is not listed by name, but “a huge surprise.” It’s not going to be a surprise by the time we get to April. Things can always change, but I assume they’re referring to Sin Cara or whatever we’ll be calling him, and he’s lined up to be debuting before then. On a recent MLW Radio VIP podcast w/Dr. Lucha (subscribers only, you should buy and listen for yourself), Konnan dropped that AAA would have a big surprise two weeks before Rey de Reyes (late Feb/early March.) Let’s be very clear on this: Konnan by no means hinted it was Sin Cara, but that’s the only person who would be a big surprise. It’s been expected Sin Cara would sign with AAA and it seems like there’s at least a verbal deal between them in place.

That Konnan podcast was good for a lot of AAA US info, but there was other stuff that was interesting. Konnan mentioned Rey Misterio Jr. was, at one point, slated to get knee replacement surgery which would’ve affected his quality of life (and probably ended his career), but instead tried stem cell therapy. Rey says he feels at 80% now, so Konnan’s looking into to doing the same instead of getting a hip replacement. If it works for him, the Konnan retirement tour can happen.

The podcast was mostly about AAA US; Konnan’s under a NDA but there are things he could talk about. There are a lot of non-wrestling people involved in putting together a wrestling show (Starlight Runner is working on the history/show bible, Burnett’s group will write/produce, Factory Made makes the contacts), but Konnan’s believes these are all very smart and successful in what they do – Burnett didn’t have a history of producing game shows on islands, but he figured out Survivor.  Konnan also finds these people much more willing to listen and discuss the wrestling aspects than past people they’ve worked with and Dorian retains the final say on product. The project has taken long than expected because they’ve gotten so many people involved, but getting it right is more important than getting it quick.

Konnan confirmed the idea of running monthly specials and PPVs. They want to be a normal US wrestling company (or whatever a normal company was before the WWE Network and TNA basically giving up on PPV.) AAA US would not tour until the second year. Konnan expanded on the “five luchadors save lucha libre” with the idea that each other luchador will “protect” a state or a region. California, New York and Florida are mentioned. Konnan praised his roster, which he does often – “I thought in 1994 we had the best roster in the world…I want to have that roster again. This is the best roster we’ve had in 10 years.” Konnan also talked about the wrestling he wants to see: “The style we’re going to bring to the US is a hybrid of lucha libre, New Japan, and MMA.” The general idea is to make AAA US – and the entire El Rey network – something for anyone who’s likes good stuff. It may be made from a American latino perspective, but it’s aim is to appeal to everyone.

There’s still a lot they’re figuring out; Konnan mentioned a meeting in a few days where more things were going to get worked out. Top guys will keep their name but other guys may get new names. The format of the one hour TV show (reality vs normal wrestling) is still undecided: “it’s going to be a lot of wrestling with a lot of reality.”  Konnan has no idea if the show will be offered by El Rey in any other way (iTunes/Amazon/Hulu), it’s not something he’s involved in.

AAA in Mexico will not change it’s touring schedule; it appears like they’re planning to take a season’s worth episode in one chunk, so maybe they’ll just have a few days there instead of taping in Mexico. Everyone on the roster will be involved, but not at first. Konnan feels he’s got a much better chance to get over new guys in US than Mexico, due to the problems with the Televisa slot and the extra support they’re getting. It sounds like the long term hope is this gives them some leverage with Televisa, but short term they’d really like to have CMLL’s hour to go to 2 hours – they’ll need to find a new sponsor to pay for it first.

Konnan touched on Guerra de Titanes. He explains his desire to turn tecnico as running out of things to do as a rudo: “I’ve done everything you can do except for taking a dump on the Mexican flag. How would it be if I turned babyface?” Konnan was overruled, and it sounds as if Nuevo Sociedad might have not happened – or happened right then – if Konnan had turned tecnico. (By the way, the full name of the group may actually be “Nuevo Sociedad, Which Is Nothing Like The Foreign Legion.”) Nuevo Sociedad is going to exist in the background, but will not be a focal point of TV going forward.

There is some good stuff and stuff I’m skeptical about. Wrestling wise, I don’t understand how those styles are supposed to work together (or even what “New Japan” style since they seem to go out of their way to have a variety of styles; maybe he just meant Tanahashi matches), but agree they do have a whole bunch of people who could have good match should they be given the opportunity. I’m less worried about the amount of non-wrestling people influenced on the product because Konnan makes a good case about them being good at what they do, but I’m also not totally comforted by the failsafe of Dorian having final say on the AAA US product. He’s presumably had the same final say on the AAA Mexico product and it’s not been strong of late. (Konnan would point out here that AAA gets the best non-soccer ratings on their channel on that day; I’d counter by pointing out that if that rating was so valuable, they’d have that second hour already and be running bigger buildings.) The one great takeaway is Nuevo Socidead not being a big deal; I’m already ahead of the game not caring about that.

Today’s Arena Mexico show is headlined by the latest Negro Casas versus Blue Panther match. That’s stemming from the family vs family trios matches, which go on with Felino & Valiente (unrelated, too bad Black Warrior is long gone.) The national trios champions, who are well over due for a title defense, team up in the semimain against the random trio of Mephisto, Misterio and Terrible, Vangellys and Virus. Hechicero and Star Jr. make their Arena Mexico debuts as well. Over in Guadalajara, Atlantis and Mr. Niebla have another singles match.

Last night, Shocker defeated Rey Bucanero in Puebla. Earlier, Rey Bucanero said his doctor forbade him from working out while he was coming back from his latest injury, so he feels it make take him about four months to get back in best condition.

Zorro has a rational, reasonable explanation for joining Nueva Sociedad: Konnan was the only one who got him professional help for his mental problems. Where was Joaquin and Marisela when Zorro was sweeping up floors and didn’t even know who he was? Where was La Parka where Zorro was wandering in the unknown for a year? (Please ignore every skit with Zorro at a doctors ends with the psychiatrist declaring Konnan is the reason Zorro is crazy.)

Marco Corleone is listed on this weekend’s Arena Neza show, which would be his first match back since his foot injury. Arena Neza seems to be more active to start 2014.

MedioTiempo has an interview La Vaquerita about her trip to Japan and her goals for 2014. She suffered a knee injury in her final match in Japan, and is hoping to be back at the end of February.

R de Rudo had a recap of this weekend’s WMC show, bringing attention to Rey Bucanero not being in the main event. El Pancracio has their own recap and lists Rey Bucanero in one of the the earlier matches. Pancracio seems tied in with the promotion somehow, but there are pictures and Rey Bucanero is in them – just not in the advertised match. Bucanero was scheduled for a show in Arena Neza, so that’s probably the reason for the card shuffling.

If you’ve got an XBOX 360 (and have access to the US store?), the Lucha Libre AAA video game is now available for download for $10. That’s a good price for that game. It’s not very deep and the boss characters are super cheap, but you’ll get a few hours out of it and the roster is surprisingly still relevant for a 3.5 year old game. Zorro has the best looking finishing animation, if I remember right.

LuchaWorld has KrisZ’s news update.

DJ Hyde is the mystery CZW wrestler in the ChilangaMask Kaientai vs Aeroboy vs Masada four way match.

Arena Aficion has a multiman copa match today to celebrate it’s 62th anniversary.

KDNA received their LuchaMania Monterrey award for best local promotion.

Fuego en el Ring interviews Sangre Nueva Jr.

Lucha Libre in Japan

01/19 Ray Produce:
2) Marcela b Yuhi
I thought this was a title match, but does not appear to be one – just a REINA 3rd anniversary match.
3) Ray [O] & Leon b Meiko Satomura & La Comandante [X]

Purolove.com’s recap of the event says Lady Afrodita & Isis were were announced as missing the show (and their stint in REINA) due to visa problems.

Lineup

IWRG (SUN) 01/26/2014 Arena Naucalpan
1) Alfa & Omega vs Kaling Black & Matrix Jr.
2) Hip Hop Man & Sky Ángel vs Araña de Plata & Hijo De La Bestia
3) Dragón Celestial, Emperador Azteca, Látigo vs Anubis Black, Douki, Fulgor
4) Golden Magic, Hijo De Dos Caras, Máscara Púrpura vs Hijo de Máscara Año 2000, Trauma I, Trauma II
5) Cien Caras Jr. vs Vampiro Canadiense [IWRG IC HEAVY]
Cien Caras Jr. is the champion. Sixth defense.

IWRG’s heavyweight championship has rarely been meaningful in the promotion. The last two title changes were on a disqualification, and winning by being the second to last person in the cage. It’s gone thru long periods of not being defended, periods of the champion not actually being in the country. Vampiro winning the title, doing nothing with it and vacating it years later would fit in perfectly.

IWRG’s news page says they’re off this Thursday and may return on 01/30 but haven’t decided yet.

CMLL (SUN) 01/26/2014 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Raycko vs El Tapatío
2) El Brillante vs Acertijo
3) El Divino & El Ídolo vs Évola & Infierno
4) Esfinge vs Demonio Rojo
5) Sky Kid & Smaker vs Espectrum & Exterminador
6) Diamante Azul, Shocker, Titán vs Olímpico, Terrible, Vangellys

A show. Raycko is new, horribly spelled name.

CMLL (MON) 01/27/2014 Arena Puebla
1) Metálico & Robin vs Centauro de Fuego & King Jaguar
2) Astral, Asturiano, Shockercito vs Blue Center, Demus 3:16, Saurón
3) Sagrado, Starman, Tritón vs Cancerbero, Raziel, Virus
4) La Máscara, Máscara Dorada, Mistico, Valiente, Volador Jr. vs Kráneo, Morphosis, Mr. Águila, Olímpico, Reaper [cibernetico]
5) Atlantis vs Negro Casas

That’s random! I have this as their first ever three falls singles match, but can’t believe that’s correct. They met in an early round 2012 Universal tournament match.

The rise of the Invasors is still strange. Volador/Reaper in that one, as well as Estetas del Aire again people who may one day get a title match.

That’d be a really quick return for Astral. Centaruo de Fuego’s first match here since September.

Tercera again comes dangerously close to teaming the CMLL Cadetes del Espacio.