Month: June 2017

IWRG (SUN) 06/25/2017 Arena Naucalpan [+LuchaTV, The Gladiatores]
1) Tentáculo b Power Bull
debut of Tentaculo
2) Atomic Star & Lunatic Xtreme b Climax Jr. & Shaolin
3) Alas de Acero & Aramis b Metaleón & Picudo Jr.
Picudo Jr. replaced Demonio Infernal
4) Dinamic Black, Gallo Frances, Pantera del Japon DQ Eterno, Látigo, Tyson La Bestia
straight falls. Latigo replaced Cerebro Negro.
5) Heddi Karaoui, Trauma II, Villano III Jr. b Emperador Azteca, Hijo del Pantera, Pantera I
Hijo turned on his partners for screwing up and mask challenges followed.
6) Cerebro Negro, Máscara Año 2000 Jr., Trauma I DQ Hijo De Dos Caras, Imposible, Veneno
Dos hit Mascara with a chain. Cerebro Negro replaced Black Warrior.
7) Black Warrior, Hijo de Pirata Morgan, Pirata Morgan b Oficial 911, Oficial AK47, Oficial Fierro [hair]
3 v 3 hair match. Black Warrior replaced Pirata Morgan Jr. Piratas took 1/3. Hijo pined Ak-47 for the deciding pin.

Getting Black Warrior as a sub seems totally unfair. Black Warrior subbing for someone who no showed is also kind of unusual.

Tonight’s CMLL Puebla show is highlighted by Dragon Lee versus Negro Casas. It feels like they’ve had good matches in the past, but really it’s just been the Leyenda de Plata final from 2015. They’ve matched up a couple times in Guadalajara, but this is the first time we’ll get to see them. The lightning match might be the better format for them, it’ll allow them go at a fast pace and not worry about fall breaks.

The actual main event has Ultimo Guerrero as the third Ingobernable for a night, facing Terrible, Rey Bucanero and Niebla Roja. The fourth match is Drone, Johnny Idol, and Stuka Jr. versus the Felino family; it’s probably going to be the second best match. Ares & Espiritu Maligno, who slightly started feuding with each other last week, continue to be on these shows in trios matches. Arkangel, Canelo, Fuego & Pegasso will be around them. There’s a tag team women’s match with Dalys & Amapola against Sanely & Estrellita; it’s a rematch from last week where the rudas were DQed, so there’s probably a title match coming out of it. Dalys defending against Estrellita fits. Local favorites Asutriano & Vega take on Perverso & Joker in what could be a good match if they had no handicuffs. The show will stream at 9pm CT on CMLL’s YouTube channel like normal.

Drago & Hijo del Fantasma will represent AAA in an international four way tag title match with LAX. The Impact storyline is LAX has been going to other promotions to create havoc so now they’ve got other promotions coming there. The real life story is what the heck.

Back at the TripleMania press conference in April, Impact and AAA (Dorian Roldan) announced there’d be wrestlers going back and forth between the companies. This immediately seemed to be an issue, since Lucha Underground wrestlers were said specifically not permitted by their contracts to appear on any one else’s television. This was something specifically enforced on an Impact show where a referee was blurred because he was on LU contract. After AAA made this announcement, both Vamprio and Eric Van Wagenen said Lucha Underground luchadors would not be appearing on Impact due to that contract. You can thread a needle to make everyone correct: technically, they’re right now only scheduled to appear on a PPV and not the TV show, and perhaps there’s different rules for that. Penta, Fenix, Drago and others have appeared on (relatively small) streaming services since being on Lucha Underground without LU appearing to raise a contract issue, maybe this is being seen as the same thing.

It’s still weird for the LU people to be so definitive about these guys not appearing elsewhere and then it to mostly just happen. It comes off as if they were being creative with the truth or overruled. Dorian Roldan, in position of being in charge of Lucha Underground live events, maybe just decided this was a live event worth pursuing. In the end, they only thing the LU side seems to have gotten so far was AAA not to putting the two people who are feuding on LU together in Impact – Aerostar was the original rumor, Fantamsa is in his place. Both Impact & AAA’s press releases on this match avoid mentioning Lucha Underground by name, even though that’s the place where most American fans would know Drago from and Fantasma being included would be a bigger deal if they said he was King Cuerno.

Just to be clear, I have no problem with AAA wrestlers on Impact. If AAA still plans on doing a TripleMania US PPV, getting some courtesy mentions on another PPV could be a help. I don’t expect many people to be buying an Impact PPV but people who buy an Impact PPV are probably more open to buying just about any wrestling PPV if they’re made aware of it. (So, it’d be a really good idea if AAA was sure of it’s TripleMania date and plans by this Sunday so those could be correctly promoted, and if there was English language information some place handy so curious people could find it. The press release keeps the August 26 date.) But I generally don’t see a problem with LU being allowed to be anywhere on TV that might help promote the show – there’s no real LU advantage to having the referee blurred or Ricochet being kept off the NJPW shows this weekend in LA – and those haven’t been allowed. The exception here seems to be solely to help AAA and not really anyone else.

The press release says it’s a four promotional match, with LAX, Drago/Fantasma and two other teams to be mentioned. NOAH’s probably the third team, since they’ve both got a relationship there. Both NOAH & Impact say they have a relationship with the Crash. It would seem to be political impossible to get The Crash & AAA guys in the same match, but Impact is already doing the impossible (and Mexican promotions historically have gone the extra mile just to be associated with Impact) so I can’t rule it out. LAX is headed to Puerto Rico’s WWL soon, and probably that’s the better answer. The press release also mentions AAA wrestlers will be on the November Impact show as well.

 

Lucha Underground has an eBay store now. That seems random, but I’d guess it was just what they could get done.

AAA posted last week’s Zona Ruda, which included a Brazo de Plata appearance as part of a father & son (& son) segment.

ANCLA WWCI (SAT) 06/24/2017 Arena San Juan Pantitlan, Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl, Estado de México [Black Terry Jr. (Flickr), Carxyus]
1) Black Fury & Diosa Quetzal b Bastet & Hahastary
2) Thunder Stroom b Black Warrior Jr.
3) Drako b Danger, Lokillus, Yoruba, Toxin, Belial, Guerrero Mixtico, Kronoz
4) Astrolux & Black Metal b Fly Warrior & Látigo
Fly Warrior replaced Centvrion (injury)
5) Demus 3:16 b Black Terry
6) Hijo de LA Park, LA Park, Terremoto DQ Ancla, Arez, La Máscara
Maximo tried to help La Mascara win, but the ref called the DQ.

In a post match bit, Maximo warned the fans that they should be careful about their cars, then mocked them for not having enough money to afford cards. They are so casual about this.  Show didn’t seem to do especially well given LA Park on top, but it was about what CaraLucha shows used to be doing.

LLB NOBA (SAT) 06/24/2017 Arena Lopez Mateos [+LuchaTV, R de Rudo]
1) Avantar, Channer, Optimus b Fandango, Licántropo, Lunatik Extreme
2) Cazador, Demonio Chino, Enigma b Keiser Drago, Kilvan, Shadow
Keiser Dragon replaced Yoruba
3) Carta Brava Jr. (IWL), Cerebro Negro, Fantasma de la Ópera b Ángel o Demonio, Fresero Jr., Herodes Jr.
4) Fly Star, Fly Warrior, Glen Calavera, Látigo, Metaleón, Séptimo Rayo, Yoruba b Aspirantito, Atomik Star, Eterno, Freelance, Limbo, Toxin, Tromba
LLB vs Indy Nation (with some subs; Centvrion was there but unable to wrestle due to injury.) Fly Warrior nearly won his second match in under two hours, having pinned Eterno for the win, but the ref missed and Eterno went onto win.
5) Hijo de LA Park & Mr. Águila b Emperador Azteca & Golden Magic
6) Dr. Wagner Jr. b LA Park [super libre]
so many fouls and Wagner sneaking in a casita

A bunch of people working twice Saturday night. A promotion that says they’re not going to do any foul finishes would have a big advantage over everyone else (but a lot of people who they couldn’t use, I suppose.)

CMLL (SAT) 06/24/2017 Arena Coliseo [CMLL]
1) Grako & Yago b Fiero & Sonic
debut of Sonic
2) Espanto Jr., Metálico, Nitro b Bengala, Leono, Príncipe Diamante
Leono suffered a knee injury. Rudos took 1/3.
3) Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón b Blue Panther, Blue Panther Jr., The Panther
Rudos took 1/3
4) Ángel de Oro, Niebla Roja, Soberano Jr. b Dragón Rojo Jr., Hechicero, Pólvora
5) Ephesto, Luciferno, Mephisto b Diamante Azul, Valiente, Volador Jr.
Mephisto pulled off Azul’s mask to set up the win.

A show.

CMLL (SUN) 06/25/2017 Arena México
1) Artillero & Templario b Magia Blanca & Sangre Imperial
2) Raziel, Sagrado, Virus b Astral, Star Jr., Stigma
Rudos took 1/3. Raziel replaced Misterioso (moved up) on Monday
3) Dragón Rojo Jr., Misterioso Jr., Pólvora b Drone, Fuego, Guerrero Maya Jr.
Misterioso replaced Morphosis on Monday. Rudos took 2/3. Misterioso took Drone’s mask this time.
4) Diamante Azul, Titán, Valiente DQ Kráneo, Pierroth, Rush [Relevos Increíbles]
tencicos took 1/3, Rush unmasking Azul for the DQ (two straight days where Azul’s unmasked)
5) Euforia, Shocker, Último Guerrero DQ Carístico, Mistico, Niebla Roja
UG unmasked Niebla Roja again. Roja wants a mask/hair match.

They were teasing that apuesta match more heavily here, but it’s hard to see where it fits in. The fans wouldn’t seem to accept Niebla Roja defeating Ultimo Guerrero or see UG beating Niebla Roja as a big deal. Niebla Roja/Gran Guerrero (in a title match) seems like a more likely outcome

Hijo del Santo defeated El Bandido in the final of the Lucha Libre World/Todo x el Todo tour on Saturday. It was streamed on Facebook live (and plays better on demand – no buffering.) As far as I can tell, it’s Santo’s first singles match in 3.5 years. You could tell, he looked rusty and it felt like Bandido was mostly chosen as a guy who’d be easy for Santo to move around.

Rush talking about wanting only to face LA Park in an apuesta match is nothing new at this point but, out of context, it’s so weird one of the top luchadors in CMLL is repeatedly building up a match with someone who appears to be banned from wrestling in the promotion.

Ultimo Guerrero & Terrible won their match on the ROH PPV Friday. They both competed on the TV taping on Saturday. UG’s match with Matt Taven aired on the first week of TV and gave the indication there’s more to come with those two. Terrible was an extra guy in a six way match on week three, I believe.

This week’s AAA TV is up.

LuchaWorld has the latest news update.

An interview with Fuego Latino from Ciudad Madero.

Lineups

IWRG (WED) 06/28/2017 Arena Naucalpan
1) Voltar vs Guerrero 2000
2) Fly Tiger & Keiser Drago vs Adrenalina & Power Bull
3) Ángel Oriental, Seiya, Verdeus vs Atomic Star, Lunatic Xtreme, Skanda
4) Guerrera & Luna Mágica vs Cristal & Lady Sensación
5) Black Dragón, Dinamic Black, Dragón Fly vs Diablo Jr., El Hijo del Diablo, Imposible
6) Emperador Azteca, Internacional Pantera, Pantera del Japon vs Cerebro Negro, Dragón Yuki, Ovett

Main event has visiting Japanese luchador versus visiting Japanese luchador. Mariachi Locos team up for the first time in a final. Luna Magica is still wrestling.

CMLL (SAT) 07/01/2017 Arena Coliseo
1) Fiero & Retro vs Apocalipsis & Espíritu Negro
2) Estrellita, La Jarochita, La Vaquerita vs La Comandante, La Seductora, Zeuxis
3) El Gallito & Microman vs Mije & Perico Zakarías
4) Drone, Fuego, The Panther vs Cancerbero, Cuatrero, Universo 2000 Jr.
5) Johnny Idol, Rey Cometa, Soberano Jr. vs Hechicero, Misterioso Jr., Sagrado
6) Carístico, Diamante Azul, Niebla Roja vs Euforia, Gran Guerrero, Último Guerrero

Minis make another Saturday appearance, booked higher than the women. No carry over from the Diamante Azul/Mephisto bit from this weekend.

CMLL (SUN) 07/02/2017 Arena México
1) Magia Blanca & Príncipe Diamante vs El Coyote & Grako
2) Fantasy, Shockercito, Stukita vs Mercurio, Pequeño Olímpico, Pierrothito
3) Marco Corleone, Rey Cometa, Valiente vs Cavernario, Ephesto, Kráneo
4) Diamante Azul vs Rush
5) Carístico, Mistico, Niebla Roja vs Euforia, Shocker, Último Guerrero

Hooray for doing the Diamante Azul/Rush match on a non streamed Sunday show.

CMLL (SUN) 07/02/2017 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Capitán Cobra vs Quca
2) El Yaqui & Javier Cruz Jr. vs Gitano & Mr. Apolo
3) El Alteño & Johnny Dinamo vs Demonio Rojo & Évola
4) El Divino, Mágico, Neutrón vs Guerrero de la Muerte, Nautilius, Ráfaga
5) Sky Kid & Smaker vs Mr. Trueno & Rey Trueno and Explosivo & Star Black and Frezzer & Furia Roja [OCCIDENTE TAG, semifinal]

Gallo & Esfinge were tag team champions. Gallo hasn’t been in this building since February and this seems to indicate he’s not coming back this time.

LLB NOBA (WED) 07/12/2017 Arena Naucalpan
1) Fly Star vs Toxin Boy, Tromba
2) Atomic Star, Chico Che, Hijo del Alebrije vs Fandango, Shadow, Yoruba
3) Fantasma de la Ópera vs Fresero Jr., Ángel o Demonio, Cerebro Negro, Ovett, Herodes, Carta Brava Jr. (IWRG)
4) Arez, Aspirantito, Belial, Freelance, Suicida vs Baxter, Emperador Azteca, Eterno, Golden Magic, Imposible
LLB vs IWRG
5) Garza Jr. & Zorro vs Pirata Morgan & Sharlie Rockstar
6) Daga & Penta 0M vs ? & LA Park and La Máscara & Máximo

After a week of not getting IWRG lineups until the day before the show, they’ve now got three Naucalpan shows announced: the Wednesday one up there, the Festival de Mascaras next Sunday, and this one in a couple weeks. Garza Jr. is still listed as a Rebelion member but it appears he’s not one.

CMLL (FRI) 06/23/2017 Arena México [CMLL, ESTO, Marca, Ovaciones]
1) Arkángel de la Muerte & Disturbio b Flyer & Robin
2) Eléctrico, Shockercito, Stukita b Mercurio, Pequeño Nitro, Pequeño Violencia
3) Estrellita, Marcela, Princesa Sugehit DQ Amapola, Dalys, Zeuxis
Zeuxis was DQed this time for unmasking Sugehit.
4) Vangellys b Pierroth [lightning]
Vangellys used the ropes to get the win. Pierroth and Vangellys agreed to a hair match. Rush & Pierroth attacked Vangellys.
5) Ángel de Oro, Dragón Lee, Niebla Roja b Gran Guerrero, Negro Casas, Rey Bucanero
Gran Guerrero & Niebla Roja feuded.
6) Diamante Azul, Marco Corleone, Volador Jr. b Cavernario, Euforia, Rush [Relevos Increíbles]
Diamante Azul beat Rush

I’ve seen none of this show yet, but it doesn’t sound like it was any better than it seemed on paper. The three feuds prior to the show kept on, but only Vangellys & Pierroth got to verbalize challenges. That’s how CMLL says that’s the one happening soon.

Claro had problems with their feed once again, not getting it running until the second match was going. It looks like it was probably something on the Arena Mexico side this time, since CMLL’s own recording doesn’t pick up until the third match. Still, this only happens on Fridays and never an acknowledgement something was wrong until they’ve got it working again.

Next week’s opener is much better than usual, so I hope they finally get it working. Since the problem always seems with the start of the feed, it’d be smart if they just started it earlier to get it working. Put a countdown timer up there or a logo like NJPW does, but they could at least use it to sort out whatever’s wrong that night.

Post show, Rush said the only mask he’s looking for is LA Park’s. CMLL books Diamante Azuls strong when he’s around, he’s not around much, and Rush/Azul still feels like a backup Anniversario plan if they’ve got nothing better (and if Azul sticks around long enough.)

The Crash (FRI) 06/23/2017 Auditorio de Tijuana, Tijuana, Baja California [@jorgegccr, 126f, R de Rudo, The Crash]
1) Oraculo b Black Danger
mask match challenges continue with these two.
2) Rey Horus © b Matt Sydal, Lio Rush, Sami Callihan [The Crash CRUISER]
First defense for Horus.
3) Douglas James, Jack Evans, Joey Ryan b Bestia 666, Hijo de Pirata Morgan, Mr. 450
Joey Ryan replaced Flip Gordon (ROH). Jack and Bestia continue to make challenges.
4) Jeff Cobb & Keith Lee b Brian Cage & Willie Mack
5) Penta Zero M & The King b La Máscara & M-ximo
Rey Escorpion ran in post match, continuing his alliance with Mascara & M-ximo
6) Nicho el Millionario L Daga, Garza Jr., Damián 666 [hair, cage]
Order of escape was Damian, Garza and Nicho. Garza betrayed Daga to escape, which appeared to be more than usual lucha cage match mishaps post match – Garza may have turned rudo and distances himself from La Rebelion. Nicho said he’d be back in eight months after knee surgery.

Garza was invited to join Los Ingober Indies, which may also be how they’re getting around that trademark. It didn’t appear he accepted, but this was pushed as a situation in progress rather than just a one off thing. Edit: Sure looks like Garza’s quit the group on Facebook.

This show seemed to draw well as usual. Nicho’s booked thru next weekend, so it may be his surgery is still a few days off.

The Crash’s next Tijuana show will be 07/14. That’s only three weeks away, so a lineup might be out next week.

Ultimo Ninja beat Zach Sabre Jr. on last night’s Martinez Entertainment/CTLL show (Texas). ZSJ can’t buy a win in lucha promotions.

The Hijo del Santo/Bandido title match Santo was advertising didn’t happen, or at least didn’t happen on the first day of the tour. They did the Santos over Bandido & Silver King instead in Manchester. That seems more like a last day of tour match.

AAA will air the minis title match, the OGT trios and the main event for the Mexico City taipng today.

Saturday

• Arena Coliseo will have Hijos del Infierno versus Volador, Valiente and Diamante Azul. Mephisto fouled Valiente last week, so that’s the match probably being set up. CMLL usually avoids title matches during the Unviersal tournament, but that one would actually have no effect on the tournament (Mephisto and Valiente would be in either way.)
• Lucha Libre Boom is at Arena Lopez Mateos with Dr. Wagner Jr. versus LA Park, where Dr. Wagner will inevitable indicate he’d like to face LA Park in a mask match maybe more than the guy he’s facing.
• Arena Coliseo Guadalajara has a sponsored show.
• Lucha Libre World & Todo x el Todo finish their England tour tonight.

Sunday

• Arena Mexico will have Caristico, Mistico, Niebla Roja versus Euforia, Shocker and Ultimo Guerrero
• Arena Coliseo Guadalajara has a 10 man cage mask match, with no real obvious loser and a Joker/Vaquero title match.
• Arena Naucalpan has a 3v3 hair match with the Oficials vs the Pirata Morgans. The Morgans are the favorites.
• MDA has Hijo de LA Park & LA Park vs La Mascara & Mxmo, and they’ve said they’ll announce information on their next show with Alberto during the event.

Lady Shani & Zuzu Divine defeated La Hiedra & Lilith Dark to win a women’s tag team in Arena Aficion.

Arena Lopez Mateos will have La Mascara versus Penta 0M on 07/16.

El Hijo del Santo & Rey Mysterio Jr. are among those being advertised for a 09/17 show in Cicero (Chicago). I’m a little skeptical on this one.

Powerbomb.TV announced their title tournament will include a opening round match in RIOT.

Lucha Underground posted a Joey Ryan promo for his match with Taya, full of puns.

Rockstar Pro Wrestling of Ohio is working with ChilangaMask for shows on 09/15 in Dayton, which better explains why ChilangaMask is running that day and 09/16 in New Jersey.

Lineups

CMLL (FRI) 06/30/2017 Arena México
1) Drone, Pegasso, The Panther vs Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón
2) Guerrero Maya Jr., Rey Cometa, Titán vs Pólvora, Ripper, Virus
3) Atlantis, Blue Panther, Soberano Jr. vs Dragón Rojo Jr., Mephisto, Sam Adonis
4) Misterioso Jr., Pierroth, Rush vs Rey Bucanero, Terrible, Vangellys [Relevos Increíbles]
5) Volador Jr. vs Dragón Lee, Ángel de Oro, Valiente, Negro Casas, Shocker, Luciferno, Hechicero [CMLL Universal, battle royal]
the Copa Bobby Bonales will also be handed out
6) ? vs ?? [CMLL Universal, 8f]
7) ? vs ?? [CMLL Universal, 8f]
8) ? vs ?? [CMLL Universal, 8f]
9) ? vs ?? [CMLL Universal, 8f]
10) ? vs ?? [CMLL Universal, quarterfinal]
11) ? vs ?? [CMLL Universal, quarterfinal]
12) ? vs ?? [CMLL Universal, semifinal]

The Universal tournament is early; the only time it’s been earlier was the first one in 2009. CMLL will have tournaments on Friday nights for 9 of 13 weeks, or 6 of 7. I guess the good thing is they’re just about running out of them.

CMLL attempts to have exactly 16 champions for this tournament every year. It doesn’t always work out, but CMLL title match changes thru the year are done with the 16 number in mind, especially during the last few months before the tournament. It’s a odd and not useful way to handle championships, and causes situations like Shocker to be tag champion while being hurt for a half year because it’s easier than figuring out which two people who aren’t champions can win the titles instead while still getting Negro Casas in it. And it also means a guy like Shocker has to get back in the ring in time for the Universal tournament, possibly just to have a five minute match. Maybe this would be worth the effort if it meant more, but Valiente’s crazy win last year has long been forgotten – if that level of result isn’t going to have lasting results, then maybe CMLL shouldn’t be booking their year around this tournament.

The placement of this tournament seems to explain how and why they handled the heavyweight and light heavyweight titles like they did: they weren’t going to have time to put them on a Friday show with the Gran Alternativa happening, but they had to get new champions ASAP because of this tournament.

Mephisto, Niebla Roja, Marco Corleone, Mistico, Ultimo Guerrero, Soberano Jr., Atlantis and Ephesto are left for Block B.

Atlantis and UG (twice) are the other former winners. There’s no obvious direction except for Volador & Ultimo Guerrero being in the finals of everything and being on opposite blocks here. Valiente’s win really most everyone in play. (Not you, Luiciferno.)

The final of the Universal tournament will take place on 07/14. That may also be the date for Vangellys/Pierroth.

This is also the Copa Bobby Bonales show, though Copa makes it sound like a competition and it’s more an award for service. Blue Panther (2009), Negro Casas (2010), Atlantis (2011) and Ultimo Guerrero (2014) have been given them in the past. Volador or Shocker would fit.

Super Astro (SAT) 07/29/2017 Arena Lopez Mateos
1) Candy White, Diva Salvaje, Keyra, Pegasuz vs Estrellita, Hijo del Alebrije, Lady Maravilla, Yuriko
2) Emperador Azteca, Metaleón, Mr. Leo vs Diamante, Fly Warrior, Imposible
3) Lizmark Jr. & Ninja Jr. vs Fresero Jr. & Máscara Año 2000 Jr.
4) Flamita & Rey Horus vs Trauma I & Trauma II
5) Mr. Niebla & Shocker vs Hijo De Dos Caras & Silver King
6) Gran Guerrero, Mr. Electro, Último Guerrero vs La Bestia Del Ring, Rey Escorpión, Septiembre Negro Jr.
7) Hijo de LA Park & LA Park vs Dragón Lee & Rush

This promotion doesn’t seem to run the same venue twice, one of a number of things unusual about it. For all Rush seems to have the freedom to do in CMLL, it’s only in the indies where he can get people to promote Pierroth under his new name (one they don’t have to pay the original Pierroth to use.)

IWRG FILL (WED) 06/21/2017 Arena Naucalpan [+LuchaTV, The Gladiatores]
1) Craken, Matrix Jr., Satán X b Destructor, Dinámico, Dranzer
2) Adrenalina, Skanda, Warrior Jr. b Fly Tiger, Keiser Drago, Voltar
3) Blue Monsther, Celestial Boy, Shadow Boy b Acero, Auzter, Vórtize
4) Hijo del Pantera, Lunatic Xtreme, Toxin b Hijo del Alebrije, Kanon, Leo
Hijo del Alebrije replaced Dragon Fly, Hijo del Pantera replaced Skanda, worked rudo, and snuck in a foul on Alebrije.
5) Ángel Oriental, Aramis, Atomic Star, Black Dragón, Demonio Infernal, Diablo Jr., Dinamic Black, Power Bull b Aeroboy (Estado De México), Alex Pain, Centella Salazar, Danny Barrio, Homonimo, Payachucho, Stone Magic, Último Conde [Copa Higher Power]
Gym FILL (Bombero Infenal) versus Gym Cuatitlan (Robin Maravilla)

Main event looks like about what you expect out of the Copa Higher Power

Super X (THU) 06/22/2017 Big Daddy Latino, Tlalpan, Distrito Federal [+LuchaTV, R de Rudo]
1) Superxtar b Aeroboy, Eterno
2) Mini Rey Misterio DRAW Mini Juventud Guerrera
double pin
3) Marcela b Sanely
Marcela replaced Lady Apache
4) Huracán Ramírez DQ Hijo De Dos Caras
Dos fouled Huracan
5) Sam Adonis b Súper Crazy
after a match that went all around the night club, Adonis used the ropes to beat Crazy
6) Juventud Guerrera b Dragón Lee
Guerrera won after a mask pull. Dragon Lee asked for a rematch.

I can’t tell who is Mini Juvy from the photos (only they look way too big to be the ex-Mascarita Sagrada.)

After three weeks of a Gran Alternativa, and spotlight title matches on the last three CMLL streams, tonight’s CMLL show is easy to miss. CMLL’s not designed it to be that way, there are storylines going on that they very much would like us to care about, but those feuds are either running in place or not that interesting to start with. There’s a lower chance of good matches than usual.

Maybe one of the three rivalries will move to a next step tonight. One is Niebla Roja versus the Guerreros (as the semimain tonight, with Angel de Oro, Dragon Lee, and Niebla Roja versus Gran Guerrero, Negro Casas, and Rey Bucanero.) Another is Pierroth versus Vangellys, who face in a dreadful lightning match. The last is Zeuxis & Princesa Sugehit, who are joined this week by Estrellita, Marcela, Dalys and Amapola. All feel like they have the upside of a secondary apuesta match on the Anniversary show, but there’s three of those and probably only one is going to take place in September. If one or two are happening in July, then it’s time to start making that clear. If they’re not happening until August, or just not actually happening, maybe this show means nothing.

The main event has nothing to do with anything. Diamante Azul makes his latest return, this time teaming with Volador and Marco against Rush, Euforia and Barbaro Cavernario. It’s listed as a relevos increíbles match because CMLL still treats Rush a tecnico despite not being one for years. CMLL also is talking up a Rush/Diamante Azul feud we haven’t seen. Stukita makes a more exciting return in the minis match, with Electrico & Shockercito against Mercurio, Nitro and Violencia. The opener has Arkangel & Disturbio versus Flyer & Robin, with all the advantages to the veteran rudos.

The show will air at 8:30pm on ClaroSports and probably on Facebook. CMLL has also been covertly streaming the broadcast and posting it publicly on their channel within an hour of it airing the last couple weeks. I may not be around to record today (and even if I do, the frequently dying streams may my kill my recording), so probably keep an eye on the official channel if you want to watch it later.

The Crash is also back tonight in Tijuana. The main event is a four way cage match with Daga, Garza, Damian and Nicho, where the loser loses their hair. Everyone, myself included, assumed Nicho was losing his hair when this was announced, as a farewell before getting his leg operation. Nicho’s booked at least thru next weekend, so it may not be as quick a goodbye as thought. Still, only he or Damian should be losing this match.

The semimain has Penta & Fenix against Mascara & M-ximo, which might also be a place for someone new to show up. Jeff Cobb & Keith Lee take on Brian Cage & Willie Mack in a battle of large agile people. Jack Evans & Bestia 666 continue to feud in the tercera trios, and Rey Horus defends his newly won cruiserwieght title against Lion Rush, Matt Sydal and Sami Callian in the second match. Black Danger and Oraculo, who’ve been feuding towards a mask match, open the show.

The Crash’s show is believed to be not streamed anywhere, though you may want to check in on their Facebook later on to be sure. It may show up at some time, in some place, but they’re not saying. Konnan’s said they’d have the video worked out by “next month”, so this would possibly be the final show with this issue. Fancams should turn up as usual.

ROH announced Ultimo Guerrero & Rey Bucanero will face Mistico & Atlantis on 08/19 in Liverpool as part of their UK tour. That’s the best match they could do with those four. UG versus Mistico would be the match to run on the show the next day. That’s all fine and good.

ROH’s text piece hyping this is bad. Whoever wrote it believes the Mistico coming to CMLL is Caristico, not the Munoz brother who’s been Mistico for years now. The photo in the piece is Mistico II, but the background information is all about Mistico I’s history with these two guys. Advertising Caristico as Mistico would make CMLL really unhappy, so I don’t think that’s happening here – I think whoever wrote this just doesn’t know CMLL at all. The piece generally reads like it was written based on a history that article that hasn’t been updated since 2010 (they’re not sure if Atlantis & Mistico will be able to be friends), so I’m wondering if it’s just some wikipedia out there that hasn’t been updated. Maybe whoever wrote it just stopped following lucha libre around 2010, which would definitely explain why Rey Bucanero is booked for this tour, he was still great at that point.

ROH actually has a PPV tonight. It’s the one with The Kingdom versus Terrible and Ultimo Guerrero. It’ll probably be better than the CMLL show, though it’ll also cost you about $40. They’ll also probably continue to treat the CMLL guys like WCW treated it’s luchadors during the Nitro era, with the promotions and announcers not bothering to learn or care much about them. That is going to drive me nuts if I watch the show so I’m going to do my best not to do that. It’s probably going to mean nothing to the ROH fans who don’t really know these guys anyway.

Lucha Memes is running Gimnasio Hercules on 07/15
1) Los Traumas vs Freelance & Mike Segura

MDA says they’re bringing Alberto to Monterrey sometime in July. They’re promising more details at their show Sunday.

MedioTiempo has a video feature on Guerrero Maya Jr.’s trip to the Powerbomb.TV show.

The Dr. Wagner Jr. plane paint job took eight people four days to finish.

+Lucha has an interview with Penta 0M.

Lineups

IWRG (SUN) 07/02/2017 Arena Naucalpan
IWRG Festival de Mascaras, 2017
1) Black Dragón, Dinamic Black, Dragón Fly vs Hip Hop Man, La Mosca, Pibe Alfajor
2) Orito & Panterita (Freelance) vs Demonio Infernal & Eterno
3) Cerebro Negro & Veneno vs Bombero Infernal & El Hijo del Diablo
4) Oficial 911, Oficial AK47, Oficial Fierro vs Mega, Omega (09), Súper Mega
5) Imposible © vs Súper Nova [IWRG Rey del Ring]
second defense
6) Internacional Pantera, Mr. Electro, Trauma I vs Groon XXX, Guerrero Maya Sr., Máscara Año 2000 Jr.
7) Carístico vs Black Warrior
8) Villano III Jr., Villano IV, Villano V Jr. vs Negro Navarro, Texano Jr., Trauma II
Villano V Jr.’s debut under that name

IWRG’s annual show where everyone can wear their masks for one night and old names are brought back. The main event is a sort of Villanos versus Misionerios match, and Caristico vs Black Warrior is a big feud from almost a decade a go now. It’d normally be impossible for AAA and CMLL wrestlers to be on the same show, but Caristico might be able to get away with it (though a change still seems possible.)

AAA EMW (FRI) 07/21/2017 Auditorio de Tijuana, Tijuana, Baja California
1) Drago vs Mamba, Estrella Divina [EMW MIDDLE]
first defense
2) Argenis, El Hijo del Medico Asesino, La Parka vs Dave The Clown, Monsther Clown, Murder Clown
3) Faby Apache vs Taya ©, Lady Shani [Reina De Reinas]
first defense
4) Pagano vs Mil Muertes [EMW HEAVY]
new championship
5) Johnny Mundo © vs Hijo del Fantasma, Texano Jr. [AAA HEAVY]
second defense when announced

This is a house show, but AAA’s main titles are being defended so it’s notable. Tijuana is the only place Taya & Mundo are working off TV for AAA. In fact, this is currently the first match Taya’s scheduled to work for AAA since the last show in Tijuana – between the car accident and maybe scheduling issues, Taya & Ayako had a match that AAA themselves thought was awesome and then haven’t been back on TV at all. They’ve failed to take advantage of whatever momentum was there.