CMLL weekend results, Elite tournament lineup

photo by Alexis Salazar/CMLL
photo by Alexis Salazar/CMLL

CMLL (SAT) 06/18/2016 Arena Coliseo [CMLL]
1) Cholo b Bengala
2) Flyer b Apocalipsis
3) Star Jr. b Artillero
Artillero complained of a fast count.
4) Oro Jr. b Hijo del Signo
Oro wanted a post match handshake but Signo blew him off.
5) Fuego & Hombre Bala Jr. b Disturbio & Sangre Azteca
Tecnicos took 2/3
6) Ángel de Oro, Blue Panther, Máximo Sexy b Ephesto, Luciferno, Mephisto
tecnicos took 1/3.
7) La Máscara b Atlantis
Mascara took 1/3, the last by sneaking a foul.

Usual Saturday show. Don’t think Maximo is getting a trios title shot like in Guadalajara

SANCHEZ (SAT) 06/18/2016 Arena Neza [Estrellas del Ring, KronoSport, The Gladiatores]
1) Adamantium & Balak b Príncipe Negro & Royer Boy
2) Brazo Cibernetico, Maquiavelico, Shaolin b Astro Boy, Luzbel, Solaris
3) Centvrión, Fiero, Motocross b Fresero Jr., Leónidas, Vampiro Metálico
4) Carta Brava Jr. & Dr. Cerebro b Argos & Dr. Karonte Jr. and Flamita & Rayo Star and Flyer & Robin [Copa Caristico]
Rayo Star replaced Skayde. Carta Bravao & Dr. Cerbero beat Argos & Karonte as a surprise at the end.
5) Carístico & Cibernético b Mephisto & Mistico II
Cibernetico was pinned first, but Caristico beat Mistico and Mephisto in order to win.

Main event was a rematch from the incredible pairs tournament, and this was billed as a Caristico 16th Anniversary show. Attendance was 30-40% range. In post show interviews, Caristico declared he was the one and only true Mistico, and hoped CMLL would let him return to his original gear for a special occasion. That seems unlikely.

CMLL (SUN) 06/19/2016 Arena México
1) Demus 3:16 & Mercurio b Stukita & Último Dragóncito
2) El Cuatrero, Sansón, Skándalo b El Bandido, Pegasso, Stigma
Bandido’s debut. Rudos took 1/3.
3) Estrellita, Marcela, Princesa Sugehit b Amapola, Dalys, Tiffany
Tecnicas took 1/3.
4) Blue Panther, Blue Panther Jr., The Panther b Felino, Puma, Tiger
Panthers took 1/3.
5) Diamante Azul DQ Shocker
Azul took fall 1, Shocker took fall 2, Shocker pulled the mask for the DQ in the third fall.
6) Marco Corleone, Súper Porky, Volador Jr. b Euforia, Negro Casas, Rey Bucanero

The show was more notable live for the extra edecanes and dance numbers for Father’s Day.

AAA posted this week’s TV show. An AAA interview with Pagano points out he’s won every match with Psycho Clown so far, but says the issue isn’t over. Halloween is mentioned, so he still exists.

Goya Kong is listed as working a show next weekend in Tlaxcala, which is odd because it’s a CMLL heavy show (she had said she hadn’t left AAA) and she had been out due pregnancy.  Hope all is good, kinda afraid to look more into it.

TKD reviews XMW Primavera Explosiva show.

The latest Sopresa Es Lucha podcast has a feature on Rey Mysterio Jr.

Super Libre had many guests, including Diamante talking about trying to get backinto CMLL.

Lineups

ELITE (THU) 06/23/2016 Arena México
1) Tama Tonga vs Lio Rush, Kushida, Bram, PJ Black, Camacho, David Tita, Jinder Mahal, Volador Jr., Veneno, Heddi Karaoui, Sabú, Michael Elgin, DJZ [Campeonato Elite Mundial 2016]

14 people for what was billed as a 16 man tournament, which is about right for Elite. It should mean someone gets a second round bye on Saturday (and 7 matches on this show and 6 matches on the next.)  “Camacho” is the name listed for Chicano, which might not be right. PJ Black’s not actually allowed to work these shows and couldn’t even if AAA didn’t exist – he’s taping Lucha Underground on Saturday. Like every other lucha libre tournament, no one’s going to announce brackets until much later and it’s dumb/annoying.

It appears the winner of this gets a world title belt, because there’s just not enough belts to go around. Kushida is going to be in Mexico and has good a chance of wrestling Bram or Jinder Mahal in a singles match as Volador.

Mascara humiliates Mistico, UG retains title again, Cavernario hurt

Cometa stage dive
Cometa stage dive

CMLL (FRI) 06/17/2016 Arena México [@drluchajr, +LuchaTV, CMLL, SuperLuchas, Yahoo! Deportes]
1) Cancerbero & Raziel b Oro Jr. & Soberano Jr.
12:25. Rudos took 1/3.
2) Estrellita, Princesa Sugehit, Silueta b La Seductora, Reyna Isis, Zeuxis
17:32. Tecnicas took 1/3. Sugehit demanded a title match next week after beating Zeuxis.
3) Misterioso Jr., Rey Bucanero, Shocker b Ángel de Oro, Guerrero Maya Jr., Stuka Jr.
13:11. Rudos took 2/3.
4) Marco Corleone, Máximo Sexy, Rey Cometa b Cavernario, Mr. Niebla, Negro Casas
8:46. Tecnicos took 1/3. Cavernario suffered a facial injury was hurt in the first fall and taken to the hospital (which derailed the match)
5) Último Guerrero © b Valiente [NWA MIDDLE]
17:00. UG took 2/3 to retain the title. Good match. Sixth defense.
6) Diamante Azul, Mistico, Volador Jr. DQ Ephesto, La Máscara, Mephisto
8:53. Straight falls. Mascara fouled and unmasked Mistico.

I have this show recorded but haven’t seen it yet. It sounds like the title match was worth seeing and the rest is safe the skip. No update on Cavernario. He’s not booked on a CMLL card again until next Friday. He might have gotten cut on the stage dive, since Cometa was wearing his belt for it – the only other thing he took was a tope, and seemed like he was off by that point. His injury might have put whatever was happening with him and Cometa on hiatus. No sign of another big match for the Gran Prix show.

Mistico says he wants a mask match with La Mascara too.

CMLL now is putting up clips in 4K/Ultra HD on their YouTube channel. They’ve also got an interview up with Sam Adonis about his debut on Monday and being in the Gran Prix.

Sunday is the big Chairo 4 show, with Freelance vs Impulso and Caifan vs Mephisto.

Superluchas looks back at El Reo, who’s being honored on Sunday in Arena Lopez Mateos.

Ludark talks about her opponents in a five way women’s hardcore match next weekend at Salon Citall.

Bandido video promo for the next Cara Lucha show.

Wrestling with Words has a review of Rush & Silver King vs LA Park & Fuerza Guerrera.

SuperLuchas has an interview with award winning lucha libre photographer Annick Donkers.

Lineups

CMLL (TUE) 06/21/2016 Arena México
1) Fantasy & Último Dragóncito vs Pequeño Olímpico & Pequeño Violencia
2) Hombre Bala Jr., Soberano Jr., Star Jr. vs Cancerbero, Disturbio, Raziel
3) Estrellita, Lluvia, Marcela vs Amapola, Dalys, Tiffany
4) Blue Panther Jr. vs Misterioso Jr. [lightning]
5) Blue Panther, Guerrero Maya Jr., Rey Cometa vs Dragón Rojo Jr., Pólvora, Rey Escorpión
6) Stuka Jr., Valiente, Volador Jr. vs Euforia, Niebla Roja, Último Guerrero

A normal card. Revolucionarios are back teaming up after talk about them splitting up.

CMLL (TUE) 06/21/2016 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Capitán Cobra & Johnny Dinamo vs Linterna & Mr. Apolo
2) Oro Jr., Pegasso, Stigma vs Metálico, Sangre Azteca, Skándalo
3) Ángel de Oro, Esfinge, Tritón vs Furia Roja, Hechicero, Sagrado
4) Diamante Azul, Rush, Titán vs La Máscara, Rey Bucanero, Vangellys
5) Ephesto, Luciferno, Mephisto © vs Atlantis, Máximo Sexy, Mistico [MEX TRIOS]
5th defense

Title change seems unlikely: tecnico side is random, and Mistico already has a different trios title. Furia Roja/Esfinge continues in the tercera.

CMLL (FRI) 06/24/2016 Arena México
1) Shockercito & Stukita vs Mercurio & Pierrothito
2) Fuego, Guerrero Maya Jr., Titán vs Bobby Z, Puma, Tiger
3) Zeuxis © vs Princesa Sugehit [MEX WOMEN]
Zeuxis 5th defense.
4) Rey Cometa, Súper Porky, Valiente vs Cavernario, Felino, Mr. Niebla
5) Kushida, Marco Corleone, Mistico vs La Máscara, Shocker, Terrible
6) Atlantis, Diamante Azul, Volador Jr. vs Sam Adonis, Tama Tonga, Tangaroa

“Tangaroa” is “Tanga Roa” elsewhere, so maybe they’ll fix the spelling next week. Semimain seems like a waste of a Kushida match. Cometa/Cavernario carries on in the fourth match. Sugehit seems like she has a chance of winning. Second match could be pretty good and the opener has a Stukita appearance.

07/08 AAA TV Lineup (CDMX)

AAA

AAA TV (FRI) 07/08/2016 Gimnasio Olímpico Juan de la Barrera, Ciudad de México, Distrito Federal
1) ?, Faby Apache, Mary Apache vs La Hiedra, Lady Shani, Taya
2) Garza Jr., Niño Hamburguesa, Venum vs ?, Hijo de Pirata Morgan, Súper Fly
3) Fénix vs Daga
4) Aerostar, Bengala, Drago vs Averno, Chessman, Ricky Marvin
5) Monsther Clown, Murder Clown, Psycho Clown vs Damián 666, Nicho el Millionario, Pagano
6) ?, Pentagón Jr., Texano vs El Mesías, Hernandez, Johnny Mundo

Air Date: 07/23 and 07/30

I was skeptical and now I’m surprised: Johnny Mundo is indeed coming back, and in a match opposite of Pentagon. It’s no sure thing AAA will play up the finish of the Lucha World Cup, as they didn’t really on last week’s TV, but it’s at least possible they go somewhere with. The luchador sopresa in this match, among three on the show, fits as Hijo del Fantasma returning to team with his buddy Texano if he’s healthy enough to do so.

Semimain is a rematch from Xalapa back in March, where the Psycho Circus won by countout when the Perros del Mal attacked Los Fronterizos and drove them out of the building. No sign of Halloween wrestling again. Hope he’s OK. Similarly, the fourth match is a rematch from Arena Aficion, where the tecnicos beat the rudos to win a trios title shot. Both results might be reversed this time. The fifth match doesn’t look like one I’d like, and the fourth was disappointing last time out, but maybe it’ll be better here.

This is the first ever Fenix/Daga singles match, which seems really strange. It should be really good and it’d be great if they booked more singles matches between good people. It’s not clear where this fits in with Daga/Suicide and the three way #1 contender’s match on the previous show. (Perhaps there’s an outside possibility of Fantasma relinquishing the championship and this match becoming for the vacant title, but that’s me totally speculating.)

The mystery man in the segunda could be the same mystery person teaming with Los Froterizos in Ecatepec – it’d work OK if it was Bestia 666’s return. There’s no real need to hide an identity that low on the card unless something else sets it up and you don’t want to give that away yet.

The mystery in the opener could be more along the lines of AAA not having figured out who’ll be in that match. The five women listed are the only women working for AAA on TV still with AAA. La Hechicera occasionally shows up on spot shows, but doesn’t quite fit. Maybe the shocking return of Sexy Star? (Nah.) Maybe Lady Apache works another AAA show? Maybe someone from Lucha Underground comes in? Maybe any one of the few dozen indie women but they haven’t quite worked out which one?

Of note: this is not labeled as Verano de Escandalo. It is unlikely they’d use that name for tapings in Toluca or Oaxaca, and more likely we’re just not getting a show of that name this year. That’s fine – they’d lowered expectations enough for that show that it won’t be missed – but it does make you wonder where all the matches set up for that show and beyond are going to take place. If AAA runs a #1 contender’s match on one taping, it’s usually taking place on the next, but not this time. No sign of Texano/Wagner, no sure sign of the cruiserweight title match. Maybe the Apaches tag title challenge gets picked up here. None of those sound like sure bets for TripleMania, but there’s no obvious big show we’re they’re happening.

At the same time, this is the last big Mexico City show before TripleMania. If they’re going to run a big angle to set up a main event, this would be the time to do it.

Next taping is 07/17 in Oaxaca. Next AAA news should be the announcement of the August taping dates, including TripleMania.

Como Estaz 3×12: Killers Among Us

right click to download/rss

Rob and I went to the AAW show last night in Merrionette Park, with Aerostar vs AR Fox and Drago vs Chris Hero. We talk about that entire show and our experience there, Mascara Dorada in the Cruiserweight Classic, AAA’s upcoming cards, Elite’s weird international tournament, CMLL’s weird international tournament and other things I scarcely remember now. It went about an hour.

We taped this in my car at around 3AM; my car turned itself off at one point which caused the phone to stop recording for a moment. You didn’t miss much. My phone records audio much better than it conserves battery, so that’s nice. I was occasionally distracted by all the suspicious looking activity in a parking lot way early, so it may not be the most coherent podcast we’ve done but I think it’s still fine. Thanks to everyone who said hi at the show, and thanks to Yelp for finding us decent 24 hour diner.

06/16 AAA TV Results (Naucalpan)

AAA

AAA TV (THU) 06/16/2016 Arena Naucalpan [+LuchaTV, AAA]
1) Faby Apache & Mary Apache b Mamba & Taya
Mamba took the loss (so the Apaches still can’t beat Taya.)
2) Mini Histeria, Súper Fly, Taurus b Dinastía, Niño Hamburguesa, Pimpinela Escarlata
Taurus beat Nino.
3) Joe Lider & Pentagón Jr. b Damián 666 & Nicho el Millionario and Monsther Clown & Murder Clown
Psycho Clown came to the ring with his friends, and Pentagon Jr. took advantage to challenge for the LA title. It was agreed that if the Perros beat the Psycho Circus in this match, Pentagon would get a shot. They did, so he’ll challenge on the next show.
4) Dark Cuervo, Dark Scoria, Zorro © b Aerostar, Bengala, Drago [AAA TRIOS]
3rd defense (2nd on TV). Zorro said he’d continue making the sinners of AAA pay.
5) Dr. Wagner Jr. DQ El Mesías
Wagner & Mesias argued at the top of the show. Texano appeared before the match, offering a title match to the winner. Wagner won when Mesias unmasked him and was caught.
6) Pagano b Psycho Clown
Bloody match. They brawled all over the place, including thru the locker room. Pagano won after they both went thru a table covered in thumbtacks previously from an upper level.

Air Date: 06/25 & 07/02

The building was sold out, as it always is when they come to Naucalpan. There are a couple interesting matches on this, but it’s the sign of some direction that’s most promising. All the guys on the AAA Lucha World Cup team, and the one international guy who’s a regular here, have matches going forward. Pagano still won the main event, so he figures into this somehow too.

It’s different (and better) to see the luchadors making those challenges/matches themselves. No notable Tirantes spots, though the finish to the fifth match seems strange.

In addition to Ecatepec lineup, AAA’s announced two more new tapings and the road map to the big event of the year.

  • 07/03: Ecatepec
  • 07/08: Mexico City
  • 07/17: Oaxaca
  • 07/29: Toluca
  • a taping to be announced next week
  • TripleMania, date to be announced next week

TripleMania is either 08/21 and 08/28, I think, which means the extra taping is early in August. These might be some one show tapings, because it’s a lot more often than they’ve been running as of late. The end of the Lucha Underground season likely helps with that.

I’ve assumed Mexico City is the make up Verano de Escandalo date. Might still be right, but the focus is clearly past that event (whatever they call it) – everything is about “the Road to TripleMania.”

Volador wins Elite Rumble, CMLL preview, Furia Roja/Esfinge, CaraLucha

tonight

CMLL (TUE) 06/14/2016 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara[Martes de Glamour]
1) Mr. Trueno & Rey Trueno b Magnum & Neutrón
Rudos took 2/3
2) Amapola, La Comandante, Tiffany b La Vaquerita, Marcela, Skadi
Rudas took 2/3.
3) Furia Roja, Hechicero, Sagrado b Ángel de Oro, Esfinge, Tritón
Furia Roja and Esfinge are now feuding! Rudos took 1/3, Furia Roja pulling Esfinge’s mask to pin him.
4) Diamante Azul, Marco Corleone, Stuka Jr. bCavernario, Mr. Niebla, Pólvora
Diamante Azul replaced Valiente. Tecnicos took 2/3.
5) Atlantis, Máximo Sexy, Mistico b Ephesto, Luciferno, Terrible
Tecnicos took 2/3. Maximo wants a shot at the Hijos del Infiernos trios titles.

Furia Roja and Esfinge feuding has seemed set up for a couple weeks, but they’re just now getting to it.

ELITE (THU) 06/16/2016 Arena México [+LuchaTV, CMLL, ESTO, Medio Tiempo, SuperLuchas, Zocalo (Record)]
1) Astral & Eléctrico b Pequeño Violencia & Pierroth
2) Fujin, Okumura, Raijin b Emperador Azteca, Hombre Bala Jr., Metaleón
Hombre Bala Jr. replaced Rey Cometa, lost to Okumura.
3) Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr., Magno, Magnus b Golden Magic, Hijo De Dos Caras, Rey Cometa
Rey Cometa replaced Flamita. Rudos took 1/3.
4) El Hijo De Amo De Los 8 Angulos & Octagón DQ Fuerza Guerrera & Juventud Guerrera
Guerreras tied both Octagons to the ropes, Octagon came out of his mask, and the Guerreras were called for the DQ. They weren’t happy with that call.
5) Carístico b Máscara Dorada, Atlantis, La Máscara, Rush, Cibernético, Xtreme Tiger, Volador Jr., Diamante Azul, Rey Escorpión [Elite Rumble]
A belt was shown for the winner of next week’s Elite International tournament. Order of entry (new person every minute): Mascara Dorada & Xtreme Tiger started, Rush, Caristico, La Mascara, Diamante Azul, Rey Escorpion, Volador, Cibernetico, Super Crazy, Atlantis. Mascara Dorada was stretchered out after taking Escorpion’s La Roca, but said he was fine later. Volador, Diamante Azul, Caristico and Rey Escorpion were the final four. Volador beat Escorpion, Caristico beat Azul, and Volador beat Caristico with a La Mistica. He will now represent Mexico in next week’s tournament. Volador pointed out Caristico won the Elite Middleweight championship while he was in Japan and unable to fight for it, and wants to be the first challenger for the title. Caristico told Volador to represent Mexico well.

The Rumble might have been better than the last few weeks. Attendance looks up according to the pictures. It could be the Octagon debut, but reports had the crowd being harsh to them. The two shows next week are going to be a big test, with a lot of people who the audience doesn’t know (and Elite hasn’t done much to hype – just names and photos.)

Elite’s flyer for next week’s show listed Hernandez and Justin Gabriel in the tournament. Hernandez already is said not to be in – WWC’s Chicano says he’ll be going. Justin Gabriel is PJ Black’s WWE name, but now he’s Lucha Underground’s PJ Black. Cage wasn’t allowed to work in Elite, and Black wouldn’t be any different. (Dorian Roldan laughed at the idea.) It also lists 14 people for a 16 person tournament.

The most important match on CMLL’s card tonight is Valiente versus Ultimo Guerrero for Guerrero’s NWA Middleweight championship. UG’s recent defense with Stuka was very much his usual style and this figures to be the same, but Valiente getting a rare big singles match should make it fun.

The actual main event is Diamante Azul, Mistico, Volador versus Ephesto, Mephisto and La Mascara, continuing Mascara’s feud against the Munoz family. If Mascara/Pierroth is happening on 07/01, they need to make it clear tonight, which would mean Pierroth getting involved in that match. Same thing in the fourth match: Cavernario & Cometa are on opposite side of a trios match with Marco, Maximo, Niebla and Casas. If they’re doing a hair match in two weeks, it should be obvious tonight. (Next week seems more likely to be focused on the build to the Gran Prix itself.)

The undercard isn’t as dire as some recent shows, though there’s no sure strong matches. Angel de Oro, Guerrero Maya & Stuka Jr. take on Misterioso, Rey Bucanero, and Shocker in an unusual mix of sides. The women’s match is Zeuxis, La Seductora, Reyna Isis vs Estrellita, Princesa Sugehit, and Silueta, which might continue the Zeuxis/Sugehit title program. Opener is Oro & Soberano vs Raizel & Cancerbero.

CMLL’s article on tonight’s show focuses more on the Gran Prix show instead, pointing out people on opposite sides tonight will be partners in that tournament (or, in Marco’s case, be on the opposite side for those shows.)

The show will air as normal on ClaroSports.com at 8:30pm. I’m not going to be around, but I may try record it remotely.

There’s still no lineups for Tuesday’s CMLL shows. They’re going up later occasionally late, but they could be waiting for something to happen tonight.

I’m headed to AAW tonight – they’ve got Aerostar vs AR Fox and Drago vs Chris Hero.

Meanwhile, Flamita debuts tonight in Cleveland for AIW.

Canek explained the only reason his team lost was those 10 minute limits. He feels they were limited to about 70-80% of his capabilities because he was battling the clock instead of opponents. Canek said he does not rule out going to Japan to fight Akebono again, and does not plan on retiring.

RobViper has highlights of CMLL 11/06/15.

LuchaWorld has an interview with Mima Shimoda.

Segunda Caida reviews Negro Casas vs Hechicero.

El Lider will be honored by 51 years of lucha libre this weekend.

Lineups

Cara Lucha (FRI) 06/24/2016 Arena San Juan Pantitlan, Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl, Estado de México
1) ? vs ??
2) La Jarochita & La Magnifica vs Keira & Lady Maravilla
3) Centvrión & Látigo vs Mike Segura & Pantera I andFly Star & Toxin and Templario & Wasson
4) Toro Negro II, Toro Negro III, Toro Negro Jr. vs Andy Boy, Danger, Guerrero Mixtico
5) Trauma I & Trauma II vs Puma (CMLL) & Tiger
6) Bandido & Volador Jr. vs Flamita & Fly Warrior

An unusual Friday night show for CaraLucha. Elite’s new wrestler Bandido is in the main event, a mix of a Volador/Flamita rematch with young people getting a shot in the main event.

Semifinal has the Traumas vs the Cats. The Traumas always have lacked a good rival and Puma & Tiger seem like the right people to annoy them. Tercera is Neza Kings versus Toros. Tag match is various factions (and Templario & Wasson, who are not a faction I know of.) Not sure if that’s the Monterrey Magnifica or the Guadalajara Magnifica – it’d be quite the collection of women who worked for AAA but never got booked much if it’s the later.