Wagner doesn’t have to wait until Verano de Escandalo, getting his deserved title shot right away. The Doctor has gotten the better of Psycho in this feud and that doesn’t seem like it’s changing. It’s weird Murder & Monster aren’t seconds, and probably a set up for a storyline.
Bengala versus Ricky Marvin certainly jumps out. Ricky Marvin was Bengala, then he was back to being Ricky in Naucalpan, but Bengala lives on. It has to be someone new getting a chance with the character, but no idea whom. The photo on the poster is the Ricky Marvin Bengala.
Opener would be Atomic Boy’s first TV match since July 21, 2013, when he, and the Alberije and Cuije of the moment were all added to the Mexican Powers in an angle which was immediately dropped. He’s been spotted rarely since and has alluded to injuries keeping him out of action. Atomic Boy is strangely listed on an 04/03 Arena Xalapa show, and is on an April AAA spot show, so maybe he’ll be back in circulation more.
Or maybe he just made it because Fenix is hurt – he suffered an injury at Lucha Underground which will keep him out of the ring a little while – and Argenis got moved out of the opener to replace him. There’s other seeming replacements on this show. Mary Apache is on TV for the first time in about 10 months, likely taking a spot which would’ve gone to Goya Kong. Soul Rocker, the last Rocker left standing, is the position which often went to Carta Brava.
And then the semimain mystery spot might normally have gone to Hijo del Fantasma, who’s missing in action. (He’d make sense as an Octagon Jr. opponent, who’s much higher here than he has been since his debut.) His only two TV appearances have been the previous show in this venue, and the Rey de Reyes qualifier. King Cuerno was not seen at Lucha Underground the past two weekends – they’re taping out of order enough that he could be added back in later, but it’s not like he’s hanging out in Europe with Angelico. This all fits with the idea Fantasma is the mystery AAA/LU type who’s currently trying to get out of his deal – everyone else has turned up. Maybe the mystery spot will end up being Fantasma if they work it out – maybe they just don’t know yet.
On the other side, Mesias and Texano are back to teaming again, though it may be a temporary situation since there’s no obvious title contender on the other side. I can’t see them doing Texano/Parka and Texano/Garza is a reach unless Verano de Escandalo is in Monterrey.
No sign of the Damian/Halloween/Nicho/Pagano group, though the Perros del Mal match is an obvious spot for them to get involved. No sign of Angelico, who should be back by this point – but maybe he’s needed in Los Angeles early for Lucha Underground.
You need to go out of your way to watch Cavernario/Dorada. It was significantly better than their match in NJPW last year. Main event didn’t have much time left – it started 2 hours into the show, when most shows have been done here of late – but they crammed in a lot of time and it’s a fun watch if you still have YouTube going.
There appear to be some issues going on in the openers with people not being on the same page or just choosing to do different things. It’s taken those matches down a lot of late.
Tonight’s the second part of Gran Alternativa. Rey Escorpion and Fujin advanced last week. The teams in this week, veterans listed first
Rush & Golden Magic
Volador Jr. & Esfinge
La Mascara & Stigma
Mascara Dorada & Pegasso
Mr. Niebla & Warrior Steel
Mephisto & Yago
Pierroth & Raijin
Terrible & Sanson
This is billed as Golden Magic’s debut in CMLL. Warrior Steel is hyped as 135 kg (280 lbs); this is the first time most of us will have seen him or Yago.
It’s almost definitely a tecnico team advancing to the final. Esfinge & Volador are the favorite, because it’s hard to imagine Rush making it thru three matches with a random partner without betraying him. (Any match with him and Mascara will be something.) CMLL’s full preview is here.
Semimain is the Guerreros versus Atlantis, Mistico, Valiente. Second match has Misterioso & Sagrado in their first match since their leader (maybe?) quit their group. I’m not really sure why those two should continue to be phony Puerto Ricans but I’m sure they still will be.
Show starts 7:30pm local, which is still one hour later than usual due to daylight savings time. It’ll air on CMLL & YouTube.
A Turiluchas mention from Friday says they had two busses, and Diamante was hosting one of them. That’s booked out thru CMLL, so that means Diamante is back with the promotion on some level and should be expected on shows again soon – or they just desperately needed a second guy and he was around.
Lucha Azteca 7 has a website, where all the content is restricted from the US. It’s mostly preview videos. The CMLL Informa plugs have been pretty clear the Thursday day is one week only, which make me wonder if the Elite days are going to stay on Wednesday.
Box Y Lucha did not put a new issue this week due to Easter, but sent subscribers a digital version of their 1000th issue (from 1971). They also have expanded their subscription options, now offering 26 issues for 450 and 52 issues for 800 pesos ($46 USD). ByL’s publishing schedule has been irregular enough the last few years that 52 issues might take a lot longer than a year to come out, but a year of issues for less than a dollar is a pretty good deal.
IWRG (WED) 03/30/2016Arena Naucalpan Torneo FILL XLIX
1) Kabra Kan & Rey Flecha vs Skanda & Último Caballero
2) Charly Boy & Guerrero 2000 vs Ángel De La Muerte I & Ángel De La Muerte II
3) Ninja Olimpus vs Galaxy, Vardeus, Omega, Matrix Jr.
4) Centvrión, Hijo del Alebrije, Látigo vs Acero, Picudo Jr., Violencia Jr.
5) Adrenalina, Alas de Acero, Aramis, Blue Monsther, Dragón Fly, Freyser, Power Bull, Shadow Boy vs Atomic Fly, Fly Star, Keiser Drago, Keshin Black, Komachi, Marduk, Salchichita, Toxin Boy [Copa Higher Power] Gym FILL (Black Terry) vs Gym Zeuz (Oficial 911)
These schools feuding back in August, though this is their first time this facing this year.
This feud switched from Terrible/Valiente to Bucanero/Valiente in the off week. Recent Arena Coliseo Anniversary main events:
2015: Mistico (II) beat Ripper
2014: minis cage match (Pequeno Halcon)
2013: Dragon Rojo (c) b La Sombra [CMLL MIDDLE]
2012: Ultimo Guerrero b Shocker
2011: Rush b Rey Bucanero [CMLL LH]
2010: Mistico beat Atlantis
2009: Blue Panther, Hector Garza, Shocker b Averno, Mephisto, Ray Mendoza Jr.
2008: Dos Caras Jr., Mistico, Shocker vs Atlantis, Toscano, Ultimo Guerrero
CMLL (MON) 04/04/2016Arena Puebla
1) Meyer & Zaeta Roja vs Ares & Guerrero Espacial
2) Asturiano, Pegasso, Starman vs Espíritu Maligno, Metálico, Policeman
3) Delta, Fuego, Stuka Jr. vs Bobby Z, Okumura, Skándalo
4) La Máscara, Máscara Dorada, Valiente vs Cavernario, Mr. Niebla, Negro Casas
5) Dragón Lee, Mistico, Rush vs Dragón Rojo Jr., Pólvora, Rey Escorpión
Mistico’s partners are swapped out, but it’s still the Revolucionarios on the other side. Probably an Escorpion/Mistico match coming. Dorada and Cavernario cross passes again in the semimain, but probably will be a bit calmer. Delta is booked but is no sure bet to appear.
DTU (SAT) 04/09/2016Autolavado VM, Tulancingo, Hidalgo
1) Chalapa Boy & Radical vs Fandango & Kronico
2) Masizito & Porrito vs Erwing & Irwing
3) Exotico & Star Warrior vs Gran Cobra & Hormiga Star Warrior is debuting, the son of Black Warrior
4) Rocky Lobo vs Lanzeloth, Johnny Idolo, Jimmy
5) Drastik Boy & Pesadilla vs Fujin & Raijin
6) Ángel o Demonio vs Paranoiko, Drako
7) Ovett & Sharlie Rockstar vs Cíclope & Miedo Extremo
Last DTU show with Fujin & Raijin challenging for the tag titles, Rocky Lobo & Lanzeloth agreeing, andn ow they’re just facing other people. It happens.
AAA Sanchez (FRI) 04/15/2016Arena Neza
1) Sky Man vs Rayo Star
2) Andy Boy, Danger King, Guerrero Mixtico vs Carta Brava Jr., Motocross, Vampiro Metálico
3) Aerostar, Faby Apache, Neza Kid vs La Hiedra, Mike Segura, Súper Fly
4) Fénix & Octagón Jr. vs Parka Negra & Taurus
5) Monsther Clown, Murder Clown, Psycho Clown vs Averno, Joe Lider, Pentagón Jr.
Main event is a rematch of Psycho Circus versus Perros del Mal, except Daga is (still) not showing up in Neza, so the Perros are teaming with their enemy Averno. Makes a lot of sense. Carta Brava Jr. quits AAA, is just about in the same spot we’d expect if he was still in AAA. Makes a lot of sense.
What happened:Mascara Dorada defeated Bárbaro Cavernario in a match which combined both men’s wiliness to try crazy things. Rey Escorpion both fouled and unmasked Mistico in the main event.
What was good:The title match, definitely. The main event was pretty good and the fourth match was not bad. Avoid the first half of the show.
