Day: June 29, 2018

After five weeks of LA Park versus Rush, CMLL goes a different direction tonight. Cibernetico, Zorro and Sharly Rock Star debut as Klan Kaoz. It’s a faction started in the Zorro-led Kaoz promotion in Monterrey that’s only one run show so far, so right now it’s just an easier way of saying “here are some people you might remember from a certain era of AAA.”

Cibernetico & Sharly have been on CMLL shows in the past, while Zorro hasn’t been around Arena Mexico in nearly two decades. All are sort of comparable to Rey Bucanero at this point in their career. Cibernetico was a bigger star than Bucanero, but all four are similar long past their physical primes. You can count on them to show effort in a big match, like tonight’s debut is, but they also shouldn’t be expected to have great matches. All probably could offer lucha libre a lot more with their minds than their bodies, but the economics of the Mexican wrestling business has left them still in the ring. They’re not at all a good stylistic match for Caristico, Volador, and Valiente – either a younger guy needed to be added to Klan Kaoz or an older guy needs to be added to the tecnico side – and it’s tough for me see past that to figure out if this is going to draw or not. With this match, both AAA & CMLL are kind of both running inter-promotional feuds against promotions which don’t really exist – CMLL against a variety of ex-AAA guys, AAA against ELITE as a stand-in for CMLL. I’m not sure if there’s still enough interest in this era of AAA to bring curious people to Arena Mexico, especially following the much bigger Park/Rush matches.

King Phoenix and Cavernario should bring some curious independent onlookers, curious to see what Fenix will do in his singles opportunity. I think there’s more pressure on Cavernario, who didn’t seem like he could keep up with one of the skilled luchadors in the world last week. Cavernario has the reputation of being one of the best wrestlers in CMLL and often lives up to that, but Fenix has gotten his own rep as one of the best by adapting well with people who aren’t working his usual style. Cavernario’s got to show that ability tonight.

A lot of solid matches without anything big for the rest of the show. Angel de Oro & Niebla Roja (maybe) team with Atlantis to face NGD again. Maya, Cometa, and Stuka take on Ephesto, Mephisto and Templario, which should be a nice chance for the young rudo. Okumura, Kawato San and Disturbio take on Pegasso, Star Jr. and Stigma in the second match, and Magnus & Principe Diamante face Espanto Jr. & Hijo del Signo in the opener.

Beyond the matches, Amapola, Mascara 2000 and Tony Salazar will receive the Copa Bobby Bonales award. Pheonix/Cavernario is listed as a full three fall match, so this figures to be a long show.

Lucha Central has their own preview.

As always, the Friday night show is supposed to be streamed on Marca and Facebook. Both appear to be regionblocked at the moment, which means I’ll probably be streaming on Twitter. Check the pinned Tweet for info later.

Dragon Lee will be wrestling on the NJPW CEO show tonight. He teams with Taguchi to face Roppongi 3K. The entire show will stream for free on CEO’s Twitch channel starting at 7 (though I think the main card may not start until 7:30.) I’m not sure about match order, but I think Lee’s match will be on before the CMLL show starts or just about the time of the opener. I’m not sure if it’ll be available later.

Niebla Roja is also listed as teaming with Mistico against Rey Bucanero & Shocker in Tijuana tonight. I suspect he works Arena Mexico and not that date. Shocker is listeda as working about 4 different shows in that area of the country this weekend. Today would’ve been the show of the ColiseoMania show, which would’ve meant Fenix wouldn’t be in for this show.

CMLL had a non-streamed press conference yesterday with Atlantis & Octagon, talking up Octagon’s appearance on Atlantis’ 07/13 anniversary show. They’re also doing the bit where they hype it as Octagon’s first match in Arena Mexico since leaving for AAA. It’ll be his 9th Arena match over the last three years, and his second CMLL Arena Mexico show. He last appeared on the legend’s show in November 2017, where he was loudly booed by the crowd.

Impact announced a Pentagon Jr. vs Sami Callihan mask versus hair match on their 07/22 Slammiversary PPV. Pentagon is surely winning. It is funny that now AAA has a mask match that could mess with their big main event (even done by a partner), while they’re running a mask match that could mess with CMLL’s big main event.

 

Garza Jr. posted video of him working out at home, so I don’t think he’s in NXT.

Lucha World has the latest Lucha Report.

+LuchaTV has a new Aqui esta la Lucha.

Segunda Caida reviews LA Park vs Caristico in ELITE.

Excelsior has an interview with Tony Salazar.

Principe Diamante & Star Jr. were on Marca’s weekly CMLL interview.

EMW will have Psycho Clown vs LA Park vs Hijo del Fantasma on 07/27 in Tijuana.

Lineups

CMLL (TUE) 07/03/2018 Arena México
1) Stukita & Último Dragóncito vs Pequeño Nitro & Pequeño Olímpico
2) Astral, Eléctrico, Príncipe Diamante vs Akuma, Hijo del Signo, Metálico
3) Drone, Fuego, Pegasso vs Misterioso Jr., Sagrado, Sangre Azteca
4) Audaz vs Universo 2000 Jr. [lightning]
5) Ephesto, Luciferno, Mephisto vs Black Panther, Blue Panther Jr., Kráneo
6) Ángel de Oro, Diamante Azul, Niebla Roja vs Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón

Diamante Azul is back and the Flyer/Forastero feud is not. Audaz and Universo 2000 Jr. does not seem like an especially great fit for either of them but maybe we’ll be surprised.