Usually, my previews of tournament focus on all the different possibilities that could happen. This is not one of those previews. Templario & Ultimo Guerrero are almost definitely winning this block of the Gran Alternativa, and likely winning this tournament. It’d take something like Templario breaking a leg for it not to happen. He’s very good, he’s got a partner who wins a whole lot, and there’s barely a credible opponent. You can reach and think that maybe CMLL thinks nearly as highly of Audaz, or maybe Universo 2000 Jr. gets a sympathy push, but they’re all extreme long shots. This is less a competition than an obvious coronation.
What would make for a strong coronation is a good bunch of wins leading up to that crowning. In that vein, it’s a tremendous disappointment Audaz & Dragon Lee aren’t still a team to provide the best of those possible wins. It makes all the sense for Dragon Lee not to be here – there’s no reason for him to risk his health with three possible matches when he’s unlikely to be 100% anyway – but a big build to Kraneo & Audaz definitely doesn’t have the same appeal. A tournament path where UG & Templario beat Valiente & Principe DIamante, Caristico & Star Jr. and Kraneo & Audaz doesn’t have a tremendous amount of excitement in it.
It’ll be up to Soberano and Negro Casas to provide the excitement. It’s a no time limit one fall match, following on their 10 minute draw last month. The irony is that was probably Negro Casas’ longest singles match of the year. They’re a good bet to go under 10 this time, because Casas seems to feel he’s better in shorter amount (and probably knows better than me.) A shorter length will keep the pace pretty fast, and this should be worth watching after.
The main event is Mistico, Volador and Angel de Oro against Mephisto, Lucifierno, and Ephesto, which figures to be a quick showcase for the tecnicos. Titan, Triton, and Esfinge versus Dragon Rojo, Polvora and Hechicero looks like the better trios match; perhaps they’ll follow up on the Esfinge/Hechicero feud elsewhere. That wouldn’t be normal for CMLL, but Hechicero works smarter than most. Fuego, Pegasso and Stigma versus Disturbio, Raziel and Cancerbero promises to be a match, and Aereo & Acero versus Mercurio & Pequeno Violencia might not even be that much.
CultIcon has a preview of the show. The show airs at 8:30pm, on Marca.com and Facebook, though there’s no link for that when I wrote this. I’m probably not going to be around, so you’re on your own if the feeds don’t work. Or you need to bug me very loudly.
CMLL looks back at Polvora winning the 2010 Gran Alternativa.
ROH & CMLL announced Atlantis will appear on ROH’s on June 15 show in San Antonio and June 16th. Wrestling Observer mentions Guerrero Maya Jr. & Stuka Jr. will also appear. CMLL luchadors working those Texas shows has been a consistent part of the relationship, one of the few reliable parts of the relationship.
I loudly voiced my opinion that Atlantis in ROH was a not a good idea on Twitter. Atlantis was slowing down even before his knee injury, but he could’ve figured out some way to get thru the ROH matches if he was there a year ago or three. He was doing fine at FantasticaMania. This year’s version of Atlantis has not looked good and seems to be getting worse, as if the knee hasn’t healed right for him or if age suddenly caught up. He seems to be sticking around primarily so he can team with his son, and is also saying that son isn’t going to be ready to wrestle until maybe late this year or next. Atlantis just seems to be intent on surviving until then, which doesn’t make for great matches. (And probably means he won’t be losing his mask any time soon.)
Atlantis is working in ROH because Atlantis wants to be in ROH. It wouldn’t be happening any other way. Atlantis’ only US major promotion appearance was a one match appearance on WCW Worldwide, where the announcers pretended he was Lizmark Jr. for the entire match. I’d suspect part of him wants a real US major promotion appearance to check it off his career list, and that’s what this is all about for him. I just also think the memory he’s going to leave for people who’ve never seen him before and will only see him there will not be a greatly positive one.
The flip side is these are not really big ROH shows, so a bad match on a normal house show far away from home is not really that big of a deal. The Texas shows seemed to draw well, from what I saw going back thru them a couple months ago, and they’ll likely be streamed on ROH’s service this year. That’s still not that many people – it’s not like Atlantis is in danger of being an anchor on a PPV or a TV taping, it’s just something only the dedicated of ROH fans are going to ever see. If ROH had to use Atlantis, there are worse ways to use him.
Rey Mysterio Jr. was announced for the 06/02 Heroes of Lucha Libre show a few days ago. SoCalUncensored adds that Rey was originally planned for a later show, and moved up because of concern about how that June show is going to do. They also appear to be offering discounts.
An interview with Mil Mascaras has him noting he’s not been giving many calls for work later, and theorizes it’s because he’s a serious wrestler and they don’t want serious wrestlers nowadays.
+LuchaTV has a new Aqui La Lucha.
A profile of Pachuca rudo Tiger Japan.
Lineups
CMLL (TUE) 05/15/2018 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Capitán Cobra & Principe Daniel vs Exterminador & Frezzer
2) Magnus, Star Black, Star Jr. vs Cancerbero, Guerrero de la Muerte, Raziel
3) El Audaz, Rey Cometa, Soberano Jr. vs Cavernario, Dragón Rojo Jr., Felino
4) Hechicero © vs Esfinge [NWA LH]
fifth defense
5) Atlantis, Diamante Azul, Volador Jr. vs La Bestia Del Ring, Rush, Terrible
The title match is happening on a Tuesday. Hechicero is also just wrestling in this building three times over four days. I do not expect a title change.
CMLL (TUE) 05/15/2018 Arena México
1) Retro & Sangre Imperial vs Cholo & Espíritu Negro
2) Bengala, Oro Jr., Stigma vs Arkángel de la Muerte, Príncipe Odín Jr., Yago
3) Estrellita, La Maligna, Princesa Sugehit vs Dalys, La Metálica, Zeuxis
4) Pólvora vs Sagrado [lightning]
5) Blue Panther, Titán, Tritón vs Ephesto, Luciferno, Mephisto
6) Carístico, Niebla Roja, Stuka Jr. vs Mr. Niebla, Shocker, Último Guerrero
Tuesday shows often aren’t great but this one is particularly unpromising. Shocker’s back for the first time in a month. Arkangel hasn’t been around for two months. Espiritu Negro makes his first appearance since Sangre Imperial broke his face last year, immediately face Sangre Imperial. The lightning match is no good, the women’s match doesn’t seem promising. Maybe the semimain will be good but it’s not a great sign when 2018 Epehsto & Luciferno are in the best match.
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I bet you Atlantis barely knows anything about ROH. He probably doesn’t even know what the letters stand for. :)
That’s ROH booking a guy with name value with Latinos, hoping he can draw some fans to their Texas shows.
Atlantis also had a match on Worldwide against Len Denton. They called him Atlantis and everything.