TripleMania on US PPV, Flyer misses show (and 2nd round), Lucha Underground preview

photo by Alexis Salazar/CMLL

CMLL (TUE) 07/21/2015 Arena México [CMLL]
1) Angelito & Fantasy b Pequeño Olímpico & Pequeño Universo 2000
2) Canelo Casas, Metálico, Okumura DQ Leono, Pegasso, Delta Starman
Delta replaced Starman. Canelo Casas replaced Puma on Tuesday. Metalico fouled Leono
3) Disturbio b Boby Zavala [En Busca de un Idolo] Cuarta temporada del torneo (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
Disturbio got the big win over Zavala. Atlantis was guest judge, and gave 10s to everyone (like Brazo de Plata, though it wasn’t intentional comedy.) Both Disturbio & Zavala scored a 10 (Atlantis), 8 (Gladiador), 8 (Shocker), 7 (Tirantes) for 33.
4) Guerrero Maya Jr. b Tritón [En Busca de un Idolo] Cuarta temporada del torneo (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
Triton replaced Flyer, who said he had a foot injury. Guerrero Maya won with a double underhook piledriver, and scored a 10, 8, 8, 8 for a 34.
5) Marco Corleone, Stuka Jr., Valiente b Kamaitachi, Puma, Tiger
Tiger, Puma and Kamaitachi replaced Euforia, Gran Guerrero & Niebla Roja.
6) Ángel de Oro, Mistico, Volador Jr. b Ephesto, Pólvora, Terrible
straight falls. Polvora demanded a title shot against Angel de Oro.

All Flyer really need to do last night is show up. 10 total judging points, lower than anyone else has cored, would have been enough for him to advance. All the focus on the Disturbio versus Esfinge assumed Flyer would get those easy points. Since he didn’t, both Esfinge & Disturbio going to advance. Flyer hasn’t wrestled since last Monday in Puebla – the show that didn’t air live. He did have some problems in that match, but did not appear to suffer a foot injury. Flyer was pulled from last Tuesday’s show, and that change was made some days in advance. Star Jr. suffered his injury in training, it’s possible Flyer may have done the same, if he’s actually hurt.

Flyer posted on Facebook about his injury during the show last night. CMLL (as usual) just gave the usual fuerza majore non-explanation.

If Flyer’s really hurt, then any concern about him advancing may be moot – maybe he’s not able to wrestle next round anyway. The timing is suspicious at the very least: Esfinge was thought to be the in-house favorite by people who know things, and Flyer missing the show seems ensure Esfinge advancing. Of course, they could’ve also just as easily had Disturbio lose, but Flyer’s the guy who the judges and the guy who decides the finishes have thought was the worst. Worth noting that it would’ve been Disturbio, not Esfinge, who would’ve been out had Flyer shown up.

Lucha Underground

Tonight’s Lucha Underground is episode 37, PenUltimaLucha. It’s the final episode before Ultima Lucha. (There is an episode next week. They’ll explain the deal during tonight’s show.) Matches announced on the show

  • Johnny Mundo versus Texano
  • the Mack versus Cage
  • a match for the final Aztec Medallion

There’s also a vignette from the show out which shows the last Medallion being handed out. It’s a pretty big spoiler, you may want to wait. It’s also a totally different medallion than the match. That again will make much more sense on the show.

Again, this is the last build to UltimaLucha. Pentagon/Vampiro is pretty much set in place from last week, but all the major matches get touched on one last time. Mundo/Texano addresses both of their matches. Prince Puma will make an appearance. The Aztec Medallions will be further explained. There are still other matches and a stipulation to be announced for UltimaLucha, and they may even move forward on the Black Lotus storyline. It’s looks to be a pretty busy show, and all reports said this was a start of a great set of episodes to close out the season.

TripleMania on US PPV

Conventional PPV! A new English language AAA site has the list of providers –  it seems like they got cleared by all the major ones. Prices

  • $30 in HD
  • $20 in SD
  • $19 if you choose the iPPV instead (which has HD/SD/3D)

The FAQ mentions there will be English language commentary.

(Price is still undetermined if you can’t find anyone who will actually sell you floor seats to the show.)

If I was home, I’d probably still just choose the iPPV. I think I’m in the minority; a lot of people would prefer paying the extra $1 or $10 to just get in straight on their current TV setup even at this point of streaming devices. This is going to open the show up to a much bigger US/Canada audience.

That’s part of a new English language AAA site and Twitter account, and all of that’s probably related to Court Bauer saying on this week’s MLW Radio that he was working with AAA to expand their English presence. There’s a roster page; I’d guess they would include people who figure to be on the show (so Dinastia has a chance, but the Mini Psycho Clown photo is wrong.)

Other News

Sin Salida will air on SamuraiTV on 08/16. That’s probably the best bet for the main event to air complete anywhere.

LuchaWorld recaps Friday’s En Busca de un Idolo.

+LuchaTV has Crazy Boy & Pesadilla looking for a tag team title shot  and a top 10 from the 07/11 CaraLucha show.

Black Terry Jr. has highlights of Ray Rowe vs Cavernario and the first part of the tag team tournament.

Segunda Caida reviews random worth watching CMLL form a couple months ago, a review of Lucha Underground episode 33 and Maximo, Mistico, Volador Jr. vs Rey Bucanero, Terrible, Ultimo Guerrero. It seems strange to me to see Fox 2 sports logo on a video now.

SuperLuchas looks back at a Canek versus Dos Caras title match, and a Villanos/Brazos title change (one were we didn’t previously know the date.)

Lestat says Monday night was the first step to something big for him after 14 years of disappointment and work. That’s a lot of disappointment.

13 people (looks to be all men) were approved for lucha libre licenses in Puebla. Asturiano, Toro Bill, Policeman and Yoyo Garduno were the judges.

Rey Escorpion and Solar were filming a commercial for Domino’s Pizza.

Monsther Clown talks about his Villanos match.

Homero Simpson betrayed Minion Morado in Arena Popo.

Voices of Wrestling and Last Real Heels have audio reviews of last week’s Lucha Underground.

There’s Destructor Negro versus Gotico feud in Xalapa.

Lucha Libre in Japan

07/22 NOAH:
Bengala b Hajima Ohara [GJHL]
Super Crazy b Atsushi Kotoge [GJHL]
Both are 2-0! They’re going all the way! I apparently can’t read the tournament matches!

Lineups

CMLL (TUE) 07/28/2015 Arena México
1) Stukita & Último Dragoncito vs Mercurio & Pequeño Olímpico
2) La Vaquerita, Marcela, Skadi vs Amapola, Dalys, Zeuxis
3) Delta, Fuego, Guerrero Maya Jr. vs Dragón Rojo Jr., Hechicero, Rey Escorpión
4) Leono vs Metálico [hair]
5) Bárbaro Cavernario, Mr. Niebla, Negro Casas vs Atlantis, La Máscara, La Sombra
6) Ángel de Oro © vs Pólvora [MEX LH]
Angel de Oro’s 4th defense

  • 07/07 Leono, Star Jr., Stigma b Cancerbero, Metálico, Raziel – tecnicos win in straight falls, Leono & Metalico botch finish
  • 07/14 Akuma, Metálico, Sangre Azteca b Leono, Molotov, Oro Jr. – rudos took 1/3, Metalico & Leono not involved in any finish
  • 07/21 Canelo Casas, Metálico, Okumura DQ Leono, Pegasso, Starman – Metalico fouled Leono

So. We’ve been watching CMLL Tuesday undercard matches for seven weeks now, and I don’t think a single person said “looks like they’re doing a Metalico/Leono match.” They’re doing a Leono/Metalico match! I have no idea why! Metalico did foul Leono last night, but there’s no indication they were building towards this match at all prior to that. It’s an all time poor build for a poor sounding match. I have no idea why you would put together a Leono/Metalico hair match and expect that to be something people would be interested in seeing. CMLL has 100+ luchadors and they’re going with Leono/Metalico as a match.

If Leono is Hulk Hogan, is Metalico Honky Tonk Man? (I don’t think Leono is Hogan because I’d bet Metalico wins.)

Angel de Oro is the greatest test of Polvora’s singles match super powers yet.

Way to bring back Stukita when there’s no internet stream any more. Given the six match lineup, that match may not air.

CMLL (TUE) 07/28/2015 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Explosivo & Nautilius vs Joker & Relampago
2) Flyer, Magnum, Oro Jr. vs Arkángel de la Muerte, Disturbio, Maléfico
3) Esfinge, Magnus, Tritón vs Hijo del Signo, Nitro, Okumura
4) Blue Panther, Blue Panther Jr., Super Porky vs Morphosis, Olímpico, Pierroth
5) Diamante Azul, Mistico, Volador Jr. vs Shocker, Terrible, Vangellys

Flyer back in action, or at least listed back on action. The 3/4/5 finishers are all on this show, and the 8th finisher is booked ahead of them.

King Jaguar unmasked, En Busca de un Idolo first round ends, Euforia/Maximo

King Jaguar unmasked

CMLL (MON) 07/20/2015 Arena Puebla
62nd Anniversary Show
1) Camorra, Cholo, Inquisidor b Arkalis, Asturiano, Black Tiger
Rudos took 2/3.
2) Metatrón, Pegasso, Rey Samuray b Policeman, Rey Apocalipsis, Toro Bill Jr.
Pegasso replaced Starman. Rey Apocalispis & Toro Bill bring roosters to the ring and have them fight. They also have fake mustaches on their masks, and tried putting Rey Samurai in a bag. Tecnicos took 1/3 of a fun match.
3) Boby Zavala, Hechicero, Okumura b Fuego, Stigma, Tritón
Rudos took 1/3 in a good match.
4) Ephesto, Luciferno, Mephisto b Ángel de Oro, Blue Panther, Valiente
Hijos del Infienro took 2/3
5) Lestat b King Jaguar [mask]
Seconds were Asturiano & Policemean. Lestat beat King Jaguar with a code red to take the masks (falls 2/3). King Jaguar is Gustavo Lopez, 40, 25 years a luchador, from Puebla. He promised revenge and attacked Lestat in the post match.
6) Euforia, Rey Bucanero, Terrible b Marco Corleone, Máximo, Rush
Rudos took 2/3, Euforia beating Maximo in each fall to set up a title match next week.

40 GIFs from the show.

Stream worked great last night. It started on time and never had any problems. YouTube has a lot of benefits over Terra on our side of things (it’s a lot easier to watch without a computer for one), and this was a better experience. It’s only one show but hopefully it keeps up this way.

The show is supposed to be posted on YouTube for on demand viewing eventually, but it may be a few days. The middle four matches are worth watching when it does turn up. Money was thrown in after the fourth match, but the second and third were more entertaining to me. Rey Apocalispis & Toro Bill are a thoroughly entertaining local tag team act. The mask match lost steam as it went along, but it was suitably epic for the moment. The third match was a better than usual version of those six guy’s usual match. The opener was better than a DF opener but nothing special, and the main event was mostly just about setting up the title match (and finishing up quick; the show had gone long by that point.)

Tonight’s the last En Busca de un Idolo matches. It may already be over. Disturbio currently trails Esfinge by 47 points. He can pick up a maximum of 60 points tonight. No one’s gotten a perfect 40 from the judges so far, but it’s happened in past years. That most optimistic outcome would give Disturbio a 13 point lead. Disturbio’s been ahead of Esfinge in the fan poll the last five weeks, so that would clinch him the win.  It’s much different this week: Esfinge has nearly 5000 more votes than Disturbio. It looks like that’d give Esfinge 15 more points than Disturbio, which means Disturbio could pick up the maximum amount of points tonight and still come up a couple short.

The poll will be open until probably noon tomorrow, so there’s still time for something to change. It’ll have to change a little bit if Disturbio wins and scores well with the judges and it’ll have to change a lot of Disturbio gets 6s and 7s tonight. The scoring system for the fan poll is never consistent, so it’s unlikely we’ll be absolutely sure if Esfinge or Disturbio advanced – unless Disturbio simply loses to Boby Zavala tonight to end it.

Guerrero Maya versus Flyer is also happening! It’s really just a dry run for a rematch on a Friday sometime soon. Maya and Zavala has first place in round one on the line, which doesn’t seem to mean much. Titan is the only person to win the first round and the overall competition. (Vangelis & Cavernario were second in the first round.)

The actual main event tonight is Volador Jr., Mistico, Angel de Oro vs Terrible, Ephesto and Polvora. Tonight ends the En Busca de un Idolo matches on Tuesday nights – and the Tuesday Terra broadcasts which go with it – but Angel de Oro & Polvora are likely to continue the singles matches with a Light Heavyweight title match next week. The undercard has been changed around a bit; the Guerreros are off, and Puma, Tiger & Kamaitachi take over in the semifinal, and Canelo Casas is added to the second match. That makes the Terra broadcast less interesting, though internet favorite Angelito is wrestling in the opener.

Guadalajara has Ingobernables versus Mephisto, Mr. Niebla and Ultimo GUerrero.

CMLL removed the minis match from Friday’s show (Acero, Shockercito, Último Dragoncito vs Demus 3:16, Mercurio, Pequeño Nitro), instead inserting a women’s match (Estrellita, La Vaquerita, Lluvia vs Dalys, La Seductora, Tiffany). Dalys has had a rivalry with Dark Angel the last two weeks; maybe she isn’t around this week?

Leyendas Inmortales in Arena Queretaro tonight; they’ll be honoring Carlos Maynez on the show. This is one time where their roster works out, since many of the headliners worked for the UWA.

Guadalajara’s Toxico, who wrestled in CMLL in the past, lost his mask in Arena Jalisco to Aguila Guerrera. He was revealed to be Luis Demetrio Enríquez, 35 a professional. years old. That’s the same name gave at a previous mask loss. There’s some wrong with his age (or just our luchawiki data), since we’ve had him as 49.

+LuchaTV has final words from Nicho and Pagano before their hair match. Nicho’s hair is very long, but Pagano was bald before all of this so who knows. There’s also a promo for Leo vs Hombre Bala Jr.

RobViper has a music video of March 17 CMLL

LuchaWorld has KrisZ’s news update, this week’s Poster-Mania and En Busca de un Idolo from Friday.

Black Terry Jr. has highlights of the Traumas vs Dr. Cerebro & Caifan and Barbaro Cavernario versus Ray Rowe.

Caifan won the Perros del Mal Light Heavyweight championship from Arez in Monterrey. The advertised main event was Ultimo Ninja versus a mystery silhouette which looked a lot like Fenix. There was no Fenix – and no Ultimo Ninja either.

Tigre Colosal took Baby Rock’s hair in Puebla.

Puma & Tiger asked Epydemius & Ultimo Ninja for a tag title shot in Monterrey.

There’s video of the AAA in Culican house show on Facebook.

SuperLuchas looks back to LA Park versus Pierroth, mask vs mask.

Lineups

CMLL (SAT) 07/25/2015 Arena Coliseo
1) Bengala vs Apocalipsis
2) Acero vs Mercurio
3) Magnus vs Espanto Jr.
4) Molotov vs Súper Comando
5) Star Jr. vs Sangre Azteca
6) Marcela & Skadi vs La Comandante & Tiffany
7) Atlantis, Stuka Jr., Volador Jr. vs Gran Guerrero, Rey Bucanero, Shocker

Comandante is back. No particular program going on in the main event.

CMLL (MON) 07/27/2015 Arena Puebla
1) Asturiano, Paris, Zaeta Roja vs Canelo Casas, Fuerza Chicana, Policeman
2) Estrellita, Lluvia, Marcela vs Amapola, La Comandante, La Seductora
3) Lestat, Stigma, Stuka Jr. vs Hechicero, King Jaguar, Sangre Azteca
4) Ángel de Oro, Titán, Valiente vs Dragón Rojo Jr., Negro Casas, Pólvora
5) La Máscara, La Sombra, Último Guerrero vs Mr. Niebla, Rey Escorpión, Volador Jr. [Relevos Increíbles]
6) Máximo © vs Euforia [CMLL HEAVY]
Maximo’s 3rd defense.

This show doesn’t look quite as good as last night’s show.

The Euforia/Maximo title switch wouldn’t have any effect on the Universal tournament numbers (which still needs someone to pick up a second title.) Maximo’s probably winning. Ultimo Guerrero and Rey Escorpion are on the wrong sides in the semifinal.

great match round up, week of 2015-07-4

rating matches TV Show taped
excellent Drago vs Fénix, Laredo Kid, Daga, Steve Pain, Aerostar, Bengala,Súper Nova, Súper Fly, Hijo del Fantasma [Alas de Oro] AAA on Televisa: 2015-07-04 2015-06-14
great Hernandez, Jack Evans, Johnny Mundo, Súper Fly vs Aerostar, Alberto el Patrón, Drago, Sexy Star Lucha Underground: 2015-07-08 2015-04-12
good the Mack vs Cage Lucha Underground: 2015-07-08 2015-04-12
good Mil Muertes vs Son of Havoc Lucha Underground: 2015-07-08 2015-04-12
ok Monsther Clown, Murder Clown, Psycho Clown © vs Averno, Chessman, Cibernético and Electroshock, Hijo de Pirata Morgan, Parka Negra for the AAA World Trios Championship AAA on Televisa: 2015-07-04 2015-06-14
ok La Parka, Myzteziz, Rey Mysterio Jr. vs El Mesías, Johnny Mundo, Pentagón Jr. AAA on Televisa: 2015-07-04 2015-06-14
ok Fuego, Stigma, Tritón vs Okumura, Tiger, Virus CMLL Guerreros del Ring on 52MX: 2015-07-04 2015-06-22
ok Atlantis, Delta, Naito vs Kráneo, Olímpico, Ripper CMLL Guerreros del Ring on 52MX: 2015-07-04 2015-06-22
ok La Máscara, La Sombra, Rush vs Euforia, Gran Guerrero, Último Guerrero CMLL Guerreros del Ring on 52MX: 2015-07-04 2015-06-22
ok Marco Corleone, Naito, Rush vs Rey Bucanero, Shocker, Terrible CMLL Lucha Azteca: 2015-07-04 2015-06-19
ok Ángel de Oro, Stuka Jr., Super Porky vs Bárbaro Cavernario, Felino, Okumura CMLL Lucha Azteca: 2015-07-04 2015-06-19
ok Euforia, Gran Guerrero, Último Guerrero vs Dragón Rojo Jr., Rey Escorpión, Thunder CMLL Lucha Azteca: 2015-07-04 2015-06-19
ok Metatrón, Soberano Jr., Starman vs Arkángel de la Muerte, Metálico, Nitro CMLL on CadenaTres: 2015-07-04 2015-06-30
ok Fuego, Stuka Jr., Titán vs Kráneo, Olímpico, Ripper CMLL on CadenaTres: 2015-07-04 2015-06-30
ok Ángel de Oro, Atlantis, La Máscara vs Dragón Rojo Jr., Hechicero, Pólvora CMLL on CadenaTres: 2015-07-04 2015-06-30
ok Eléctrico & Último Dragoncito vs Demus 3:16 & Mercurio CMLL Titanes del Ring: 2015-07-04 2015-06-26
ok Pegasso, Starman, Tritón vs Okumura, Sangre Azteca, Virus CMLL Titanes del Ring: 2015-07-04 2015-06-26
ok Magnus & Sensei vs Akuma & Espiritu Negro CMLL on Terra: 2015-07-10 2015-07-10
below average Acero & Aéreo vs Pequeño Universo 2000 & Pequeño Violencia CMLL on CadenaTres: 2015-07-04 2015-06-3

Important Notes

  • The Alas de Oro is a repeat from the PPV airing, which is going to keep happening unless I just remove the TV shows which are TripleMania repeats. FWIW, the rating was based on the PPV match, which was a few minutes longer than the TV version. (I didn’t compare, but it was more than just the pause for Fenix’s injury.) You may find it hard to believe that match could’ve possibly kept going even longer if you saw that on TV, but it did.
  • There’s also no AAA TV recap for the same repeat reason.
  • Not a single CMLL match I watched from this week scored a rating over “OK”. I never was able to watch the Women’s cibernetico; my impression is that might have been rated ‘good’. Careful readers may note I’m not bothering to catch most any En Busca de un Idolo match I haven’t seen live.
  • These lists are going to be depressing once En Busca de un Idolo disappears.