Tonight’s the final of the Gran Alternativa. The impact of this tournament is sometimes overstated. It’s only the rare Mistico occasions where the winner gets vaulted to the top; most only get to move up one rung on the CMLL ladder. That also meant a lot more in days where there were fewer chances break thru to a higher level, but CMLL seems to be (forced into) finding more ways to elevate younger luchadors into bigger positions. Both guys in the final figure to at least reach the Stuka/Okumura level at some point, the winner gets there a bit faster.
The two teams this year are Soberano Jr., tecnico son of Euforia who will team with Volador Jr, and Cavernario, crazied haired rudo caveman who naturally teams with Mr. Niebla. Both guys are 20, which is very young even for CMLL’s current roster. Soberano is a daring high flyer who will undoubtedly do something spectacular in this match, but Cavernario is the more complete luchador who already has an identifiable character and an associate with a top level group. There’s an obvious role for him if he wins, and CMLL hasn’t really set up the same thing for Cavernario. (On the other hand, Cavernario having a role means he may advance anyway and doesn’t need the win.)
CMLL Gaceta’s preview of the final.
The Gran Alternativa is not expected to air on Terra, but more important matches for upcoming events may. Rush, Shocker and Negro Casas are all in the fourth match (which should air this week) and some or all of them may be in an apuesta match on Dos Leyendas in five weeks. It’s about time to make it clear that’s the match that’s actually happen if it’s actually happen, instead of just being one of a bunch of matches teased. Marcela and Dallys also meet in a lightning match, which should set up another singles match between them in the near future.
GALLI’s posted Bryce Benjamin vs Discovery as a teaser of this upcoming Sunday’s show. (Which I realized I can’t make.) You know, it’d be neat if AAA brought back Discovery for a one time surprise appearance to team him up with the new space cadets.
Arena Coliseo Monterrey tells the story of Angel Justiciero leading into his mask match this Sunday.
Fuego en el ring interviews Yuca el Potranquita.
Segunda Caida’s Eric R reviews Uprising Lucha Libre from 01/25/14.
CMLL and AAA luchadors on the same show in La Laguna.
ChilangaMexico says they’ll be heading west in May, with shows in Tijuana, Mexicali and Rosarito.
Lucha libre shows will not be allowed in Culiacan’s Gimnasio Juan S. Millan – so there’s still no building for local shows.
Kcidis has his own lucha memes about CMLL’s delayed matches.
More luchador resin figures.
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Opcion C ???
“t’s only the rare Mistico occasions where the winner gets vaulted to the top; most only get to move up one rung on the CMLL ladder.”
Just what ARE those rungs on the ladder? I mean, I know WWE has Main, Mid, everybody else; NJPW has Top 2/3, Mid, Everybody else. How is CMLL split up? And where do the wrestlers fall in those?
@Batman: This is a post in itself and I’m surely overthinking it, but I think there’s six theoritical levels
1: opener guys; mostly veterans who’ve been here forever and aren’t ever going to be pushed, but are reliable enough to be kept on forever. The odd rookie or transfer will work here, but only for a short time (a year?) as test – fail that, and you’ll need a new gimmick to escape and even that isn’t a guarantee. Typical members: Artillero, Super Comando, Bengala
2: usually work segundas, a mix of vets who slipped down from higher positions or younger guys hoping for a shot. You’re still not getting into singles feuds (unless it’s a mask loss to end your career type feud) and you’re only getting into tournaments to be one of the first guys out, but you have slightly more hope. Most new wrestlers stat at this level but escape after a couple years if they have promise. Typical members: Pegasso, Starman, Hijo del Signo, Raziel, Cancerbero. Soberano Jr. is in this group, as is last year’s runner up Hombre Bala.
3: the actual proper midcard! You may challenge for titles, you may actually even win lesser titles and get into secondary apuesta matches at this level. Guys at this level can have some success and make a name for themselves, but it’s also tough to break out from this level to something higher without someone in power getting behind you. Still, things can be OK here if things break right, like it seemed to be 2013. Typical members: Stuka (should have their tier named after him), Rey Cometa, Fuego, Misterioso, Sangre Azteca, Okumura. Zavala graduated to this level with his win last year. I think Cavernario is at this level already, but would definitely be here with a win.
4: upper level guys; can fit into the main event if it’s a trios but you wouldn’t want to put two guys on this level against each other. (Though CMLL has at times.) Credible enough to mean something when a top guy beat them but not a definite star on their own. Typical members: Mephisto, Blue Panther, Rey Bucanero, Felino. Figuring out this group is more figuring out who doesn’t belong in the top group.
5: main eventers, the guys who are actually stars to people who watch the shows (Atlantis), or very occasionally the guys they want to be able sell as stars (Mistico). Typical members: Volador, Rush, Sombra.
6: mega superstar, drawing card. No one’s in this group right now, it’s been empty since the decline of Mistico. Perro was on this level. Shocker had a short stint here. If last September went better, maybe Sombra had a shot at this, but that’s even a reach.
“6: mega superstar, drawing card. No one’s in this group right now, it’s been empty since the decline of Mistico. Perro was on this level. Shocker had a short stint here. If last September went better, maybe Sombra had a shot at this, but that’s even a reach.”
Hm… Negro Casas, Atlantis, Ultimo Guerrero are not in this group? Those guys are legends…
@Groden: Legends definitely, but not guys who are drawing huge crowds each week right now.
Thank you very much for the lengthy, informative reply. It’s always nice looking at how the roster is cut up, since, as your list shows, there does seem to be much more of a split in their roster.
So thank you for that, it’s nice to learn things.