Silver King
There’s a lot of news sites producing articles on Silver King for search reasons, but there’s not a lot new. Dr. Wagner Jr. had posted a couple of video statements. There were minutes of applause in IWRG and CMLL. AAA posted a tribute video.+Lucha has done the same. NJPW will honor him before the May 22nd show. Dr. Wagner Jr. has put out statements, thanking people for their support and saying he’ll continue with his announced dates because he believes that’s what his brother would want him to do. Juventud Guerrera, who has normally is pretty active on social media, has been quiet since the incident. He and most of the wrestlers from the tour are believed to have returned home.
Some people who are talking about the situation:
- El Hijo del Santo defended the promotion/show, saying they had the best doctors and the ambulance was there almost immediately. There was no ambulance on sight, and the first person to attend to Silver King was a ringside photographer who happened to certified as a paramedic. The ambulance arrived 10 minutes after being called but Silver King had already been declared dead. As of Monday night, both Santo and Silver King’s body were still in London. R de Rudo says they’ve been told the body will return to Torreon on Friday. Santo is used to media deferring to him due to his fame, and it’ll be interesting if they’re more critical this time when he does return to Mexico or just go along with whatever he says.
- El Fantasma says he’ll get criticized for saying it, but deaths like Silver King’s are “bonita” for them – he died fast, he didn’t suffer, and he did it in a match. El Fantasmas’ role as head of the Mexico City lucha libre commission seems primarily concerned with wrestler safety. I’m not sure I’d want someone in that role who believes wrestlers dying in the ring is beautiful. El Fantasma says Silver King’s wrestling license was renewed by the Torreon commission on February 15th. That commission normally requires yearly medical exams and Fantasma says they sent that to him, implying he passed.
- Shocker tells ESPN that he’s required to get an EKG heart exam every year to get licensed, though he’s open to changing that to six months. Shocker also says every lucha libre show has a vigilant commission doctor, an ambulance and a replacement wrestler in case someone shows up unable to wrestle. This and Fantasma’s statement are what are supposed to happen in Mexico; it’s unclear what the policies were at this show in London. Obviously, there was no ambulance on site if they had to call one. Silver King’s death happening in London may have given it more attention but also gives the people in Mexico more freedom to treat as an exception that doesn’t apply to them.
- Kahn-Del-Mal believes Silver King’s death is worse than when his cousin Perro Aguayo Jr. passed away in the ring because at least Konnan & Rey Mysterio quickly realized the situation and acted accordingly. Kahn does not blame Juventud Guerrera & referee Black Terry, but says it has to be a learning experience about how to prepare for events like that
- AAA’s La Parka says changes haven’t been made after Perro Aguayo’s death.
- Euforia called for both heart and brain doctors to be present at shows.
LuchaWorld has a written obituary and a podcast on SIlver King’s life. Both are worth your time.
Segunda Caida starts writing about some of Silver King’s matches: part 1, part 2.
CMLL Results/Notes
CMLL (SAT) 05/11/2019 Arena Coliseo [CMLL]
1) Fantasy & Último Dragóncito b Angelito & Pequeño Violencia
Angelito replaced Pequeno Universo 2000
2) Magnus, Oro Jr., Robin b Apocalipsis, Grako, Yago
tecnicos took 2/3
3) Retro b Sangre Imperial [lightning]
4) La Comandante, La Seductora, Metálica b Marcela, Princesa Sugehit, Sanely
Rudas took 1/3.
5) Ángel de Oro, Atlantis Jr., Niebla Roja b Hijo del Villano III, Shocker, Templario
6) Carístico, Valiente, Volador Jr. b Ephesto, Luciferno, Mephisto
Silver King was remembered before the main event.
Retro talking about his win and Angel de Oro wearing his old gear passed as news here.
CMLL (SUN) 05/12/2019 Arena México [CMLL]
1) Inquisidor & Príncipe Odín Jr. b Príncipe Diamante & Sonic
2) Akuma, Espíritu Negro, Sangre Azteca b Arkalis, Eléctrico, Halcón Suriano Jr.
Rudos took 1/3.
3) Blue Panther Jr. b Tiger [lightning]
4) Dark Magic, Stigma, Virus b Flyer, Metálico, Pegasso [Relevos Increíbles]
Team Metalico took 1/3. Metalico snuck in a foul on Virus, who wanted a rematch.
5) Soberano Jr., Stuka Jr., Valiente b Felino, Rey Bucanero, Vangellys
tecnicos took 2/3
6) Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón b Ángel de Oro, Místico, Niebla Roja
Rudos took 1/3.
Virus and Metalico have promos that seem to indicate that’s the next hair match. Not really sure why. Virus would be the heavy favorite. Blue Panther Jr. did the lightning match winner promo.
CMLL (MON) 05/13/2019 Arena Puebla [CMLL, Lost in Lucha, Lucha Central, Porra Fresa]
1) Black Tiger & El Malayo b Millenium & Tigre Rojo Jr. 
Rudos took 2/3.
2) Olímpico, Sagrado, Universo 2000 Jr. b Drone, Fuego, Star Jr.
Olimpico replaced Misterioso. Rudos took 2/3.
3) Atlantis, Niebla Roja, Rey Samuray b Cuatrero, Sansón, Toro Bill Jr.
Tecnicos took 1/3. Rey Samuray (Volador) and Toro Bill (Cavernario) replaced wrestlers who moved into the tournament
4) Forastero & Mephisto b Stuka Jr., Stigma, Euforia, Gran Guerrero, Cavernario, Guerrero Maya Jr. [Torneo Increible de Parejas, battle royal]
Silver King was honored before the seeding battle royal.
5) Ángel de Oro & Euforia b Guerrero Maya Jr. & Shocker [Torneo Increible de Parejas, 8f]
6) Cavernario & Flyer b Negro Casas & Stigma [Torneo Increible de Parejas, 8f]
Cavernario replaced La Bestia del Ring
7) Mr. Niebla & Stuka Jr. b Gran Guerrero & Soberano Jr. [Torneo Increible de Parejas, 8f]
8) Mephisto & Volador Jr. b Forastero & Kráneo [Torneo Increible de Parejas, 8f]
Volador replaced Rush.
9) Ángel de Oro & Euforia b Cavernario & Flyer [Torneo Increible de Parejas, quarterfinal]
10) Mephisto & Volador Jr. b Mr. Niebla & Stuka Jr. [Torneo Increible de Parejas, quarterfinal]
11) Mephisto & Volador Jr. b Ángel de Oro & Euforia [Torneo Increible de Parejas, semifinal]
Mephisto & Volador will face next week’s winners on 05/27.
My guess is Rush got back from ROH too late to make this show, or too late to want to make this show, and La Bestia del Ring isn’t going unless one of his sons is going. Mephisto & Volador are two wrestlers I’m not at all excited to see in big matches at this point.
This show was blocked in the US for a few hours after it aired. I haven’t checked yet, but it seemed like the music issue was either Rey Samuray or Oro Jr. last time and Rey Samuray was back on this show.
Misterioso looks to be off all the shows this week; he was replaced by Disturbio for tonight’s show. Cavernario also replaces Shocker in Guadalajara tonight. Shocker’s not missing a show, he was just weirdly double booked in Arena Mexico & Guadalajara.
Tonight’s CMLL show is about normal for Tuesday. There’s one promising match – Templario and Guerrero Maya Jr. meeting in the lightning match – and a whole lot of other matches that are just sort of there. The Chavez brothers and Atlantis face Los Ingobernables in the main event. The old man trio of Shocker, Niebla, and Rey Bucanero face Audaz, Flyer, and Kraneo. The undercard includes Super Astro & Halcon Suirano Jr. appearances, as well as chance to find out if Metalico’s tecnico bit is more than just a Tuesday thing. The show streams at 7:30 pm on CMLL’s YouTube.
Guadalajara has Caristico, Volador, and Stuka versus Los Guerreros in a match where everyone has a title belt. There’s probably a title match coming, but your guess is as good as mine at which one.
There’s a strange situation with Matt Taven and CMLL. He was advertised as wrestling next Friday in the video promo, which is still up on CMLL’s YouTube channel. Taven was also listed for Saturday’s show, so he was going to be around a few days. CMLL issued new lineups Monday night, with Cavernario now in Taven’s spot on Friday. CMLL hasn’t explained the change, which is normal for them. Neither Ring of Honor or Matt Taven ever seemed to mention him appearing in CMLL this week. This seems like CMLL scheduled him without confirming the date with him, though I’m not sure that’s correct. Taven didn’t wrestle on the last night of the ROH TV tapings last night. He did do commentary and didn’t seem obviously hurt, but I guess it’s possible he just picked up a minor injury that would better handled by skipping this show. I don’t know.
CMLL Informa will have CMLL trainers Tony Salazar, Arturo Beristain, Virus, and Ultimo Dragoncito to celebrate Dia del Maestro. This also sounds like the crankiest possible segment. Mascara 2000, Kaho Kobayashi, Okumura and some of Diosas del Ring will also appear.
Robin talks about the effort it has taken to get where he’s at instead of living of his family name. Where he’s at appears to be anonymous opening matches on CMLL shows (and also he’s using his father’s gimmick.) He would like a title match with Electrico and has opened his own cafeteria.
In an interview from Friday Arena Mexico, Dragon Lee mentions he wanted to retire after the Hiromu Takahashi injury and had trouble sleeping for months about it.
Other Notes
PubliMetro has a recap of +LuchaTV’s interview with La Mascara. He implies his contract with AAA expired and says he tried to get a meeting with Dorian Roldan. When he didn’t get one, he felt unappreciated and decided to leave.
Cageside Seats points out that a recent Laredo Kid vlog revealed he’s working thru a bicep muscle tear.
PW Insider says Killer Kross asked to be released from his Impact contract. He was denied. Kross asking out suggests he had a pretty good idea he could get an AEW or WWE deal if he was free to sign with someone else. A WWE deal would end his time in AAA, an AEW deal would not. Right now, since Impact isn’t letting him go, it is moot and he’ll still be showing up in AAA.
AEW announced Best Friends vs Jack Evans & Angelico for Double or Nothing on 05/25. Jack Evans is listed on the AAA TV show in Queretaro but now won’t be there. AEW is the only place where Jack is signed so that’ll be the priority.
Squared Circle Sirens reported Chile’s Jessy was signed to a WWE NXT deal. Jessy was on one of the many Latin/South American wrestlers who were part of the tryout in Chile last December. On Twitter, Casey also mentions a woman from Brazil is coming in soon. Work visas and associated issues mean international WWE signings probably do not all proceed at the same pace, but this suggests WWE’s talked to people they’re interested in bringing in from that Latin American tryout. Dragon Bane, Keyra, and Lady Maravilla are the three Mexican names who came out from that group. There’s no indication of any of them finishing up in Mexico at this point.
DJZ officially started in WWE NXT today.
Blue Demon and Dr. Wagner headlined a show in Durango, the day after Silver King passed away. It did not draw well.
La Parka & Myzteziz Jr. appeared in Queretaro at a press conference for that TV taping.
06/08 MexaWrestling at Arena San Juan
Bengalee took Pupurua’s mask in a three-way match with Casandra on Sunday in Mexico City. Purpura is Luz Maria Olivares, 4 years a wrestler, from Puebla
Kienyke has a story on wrestling in Colombia.
LuchaWorld has this week’s Poster-Mania.
Lineups
CMLL (SAT) 05/18/2019 Arena Coliseo
1) Angelito & Fantasy vs Mercurio & Pequeño Olímpico
2) Avispa Dorada, La Guerrera, La Jarochita vs La Comandante, La Seductora, Tiffany
3) Oro Jr. vs Príncipe Diamante [lightning]
4) Drone, Fuego, Guerrero Maya Jr. vs Disturbio, Pólvora, Vangellys
5) Kráneo, Soberano Jr., Volcano vs Hechicero, Luciferno, Rey Bucanero
6) Ángel de Oro, Carístico, Niebla Roja vs Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón
Matt Taven was briefly in this main event in Sanson’s place.
Oro vs Principe Diamante is an interesting ranking match. It’d be a surprise if Diamante won but doesn’t seem impossible with how much Oro has been forgotten here.
CMLL (SUN) 05/19/2019 Arena México
1) Bengala & Leono vs Apocalipsis & Príncipe Odín Jr.
2) Kaligua, Shockercito, Último Dragóncito vs Mercurio, Pequeño Violencia, Pierrothito
3) Robin vs Hijo del Signo [lightning]
4) Flyer, Metálico, Pegasso vs Dark Magic, Stigma, Virus [Relevos Increíbles]
5) Atlantis, Atlantis Jr., Stuka Jr. vs El Hijo del Villano III, Negro Casas, Villano IV
6) Ángel de Oro, Niebla Roja, Volador Jr. vs Cavernario, Rey Bucanero, Terrible
The Metalico/Virus thing continues. Kaligua back for the first time since January.
IWRG (SUN) 05/19/2019 Arena Naucalpan
1) Ángel Estrella & Atomic Star vs Baby Star & Shercan
2) Alas de Acero, Iron Kid, Príncipe Aéreo vs Guerrero Olímpico, Marado, Mosca
3) 1 vs 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 [Rey del Ring]
IWRG’s annual royal rumble style match is going with “no names announced ahead of time” this year. Silver King was scheduled to be one of the 30.
The Crash (FRI) 05/24/2019 Auditorio de Tijuana, Tijuana, Baja California
1) Dinámico vs Tiago, Terror Azteca, Torito Negro, Ryan Kidd, Súper Caló Jr.
2) Star Boy, Viento, Zarco vs Animal, Demencia, Silver Star
3) Flamita vs Black Danger, Adam Brooks
4) Trauma I & Trauma II vs Ángel de Oro & Niebla Roja
5) Austin Theory & Carístico vs Hijo del Fantasma & Rey Horus
6) Penta 0M & The King © vs Bestia 666 & Mecha Wolf [The Crash TAG]
The notable thing here is the main event was a TLC match and now appears to be just a match. Doing a TLC match the night before Double or Nothing seemed like an untenable risk. Rebelion Amarilla should probably win unless The Crash has future days with Fenix & Penta locked in.