Mephisto & Volador Jr. beat Niebla Roja & Terrible in the Torneo Increible de Parejas final (19:36 [5:42, 4:24, 9:30], 1/3, ok, VideosOficialesCMLL)
What happened:
Triton & Esfinge have finally found a third person to pose with
Volador & Terrible won the tournament
Mr. Niebla snuck in a foul on Caristico to win the match. That set up a singles match the following week.
Thoughts:
It was sort of amazing that these four went thru the motions of trying in the main event, given how desperately they did not care for the first two falls. This was dreadful for the first ten minutes. I’m not sure I would’ve thought much of the third fall if it hadn’t followed what came before, the bar was lowered so much. They went thru their usual stuff for a while, which was better than doing nothing at all, but really not worth the extended length of this match. It added it up to something that was technically ok, but boring enough at the start that I wouldn’t think most people would sit thru and it wasn’t enough of a reward at the end for that time commitment. CMLL got the effort they probably should’ve expected from four guys who knew this match was big in name only and should’ve used someone who would’ve been more excited about it.
Nothing super in the semi-main, but they knew they only had about five minutes to work and made it five hard minutes. Peste Negra took most of the match and were super active. Casas & Soberano had a couple of good sequences leading into their title match this weekend. Caristico & Mr. Niebla seems like a bad idea but at least it is a different bad idea.
The tecnicos seemed more motivated than usual in the tercera. The motivation didn’t always pay off but effort is always nice in Arena Puebla. Triton trying to repeat the Fenix spot got laughs from the crowd but I’m just happy he’s keeping up with lucha outside of CMLL. Tiger remains Audaz’s best opponent but it was really strange for Audaz to wrestle the whole with his entrance coat on.
CMLL (SAT) 06/08/2019Arena Coliseo [CMLL]
1) Inquisidor & Yago b Sangre Imperial & Sonic
2) Amapola, Dalys, Reyna Isis b La Guerrera, La Vaquerita, Skadi Rudas took 1/3.
3) Príncipe Diamante b Súper Astro Jr. [lightning]
4) Átomo, El Gallito, Microman b Chamuel, El Guapito, Mije tecnicos took 2/3.
5) Drone, Titán, Valiente DQ Mephisto, Rey Bucanero, Templario Drone replaced Diamante Azul earlier in the day. Tecnicos took 2/3. Templario welcomed Titan back from NJPW by pulling his mask for the DQ.
6) Atlantis, Atlantis Jr., Místico b Cavernario, Felino, Mr. Niebla tecnicos took 2/3.
Drone replacing Diamante Azul was part Diamante Azul being pulled off all shows the upcoming week. No reason given. Azul has only been back for a few matches after missing a month of CMLL due to what said to be an injury but never really specified. Azul has been wrestling in a shirt, as if he might still be injured and unable to work out. Though, Azul worked indie shows during that last CMLL absence and is listed for one at Arena Lopez Mateos on Sunday.
CMLL (SUN) 06/09/2019Arena México
1) Fantasy & Shockercito b Pequeño Olímpico & Pierrothito tecnicos took 2/3.
2) Akuma, Nitro, Sangre Azteca b Magia Blanca, Retro, Star Jr. rudos took 1/3
3) Fuego, Guerrero Maya Jr., Stigma b Dark Magic, Hijo del Villano III, Misterioso Jr. Rudos took 2/3.
4) Rey Cometa NF Pegasso [lightning] Match stopped quickly after Pegasso was knocked out taking a Rey Cometa tope.
5) Ángel de Oro, Niebla Roja, Soberano Jr. b Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón tecnicos took 1/3 and asked for another trios title match.
6) Carístico, Kráneo, Volador Jr. b Gilbert el Boricua, Terrible, Tiger Kraneo replaced Diamante Azul on Saturday. Tiger replaced Ultimo Guerrero.
There’s replay footage of the Pegasso injury here. Rey Cometa got attention to stop the match right after the dive. Cometa & Pegasso have been friends for a long time and was distraught about what occurred. CMLL has footage of Pegasso on a backboard that seems concerning but later posted a promo from Pegasso assuring everyone he was OK. Pegasso is booked in Arena Puebla tonight and I hope he takes that one off. Princesa Sugehit has not been listed on any new shows since her injury; this week’s Box Y Lucha teases the idea that it could be career ending. I suspect that’s just a tease.
Both Tiger & Puma got main events on the same day.
Since I got the CMLL on TV Mexiquense show working as a weekly recording, I thought I’d give the CMLL on Teleformula (A Ras de Lona) show another shot to see if I can get it to record. I’ve tried in every few months since it started with no luck. Maybe they changed something on their side because I can now record it as well. It is all up on YouTube. Video quality isn’t great but it should help pick up a few matches that don’t turn up or only show up on NJPW World, at least until things change again. Both Teleformula & Mexiquense are airing the Sunday show; this past week, they both aired Soberano/Casas. Not sure if either will end up airing Cometa/Pegasso. Not just because of the injury, both those CMLL B-shows tend to stay away from lightning matches.
Tonight’s Arena Puebla show has a main event rematch, Ultimo Guerrero again teams with Angel de Oro & Niebla Roja against Mascara 2000, Rey Bucanero and Terrible. Last week seemed to set up UG against Terrible, though it is always subject to change in Puebla.
NGD takes on the other Guerrero members in the semi-main, a rare match between those two rudos teams. Esfinge, Fuego, and Triton face Felino, Tiger, and Misterioso in the tercera. A Corsario de Fuego debuts in the second match, a lineup that’ll probably be changed without Pegasso. The Xalapa Corsario de Fuego doesn’t mention the booking, but that isn’t exactly a common name. Centella Roja has been a tecnico since 2015 but is the latest local wrestler to be flipped sides without a turn, listed as a rudo in the opener. The show streams at 9 pm as normal.
Arena Coliseo Monterrey was sold out and looked full even before the show started. If the Multimedios TV deal was going to have an effect anywhere, it was definitely going to be here. Might be the venue, since this seemed like a better crowd than Arena Jose Sulaiman earlier this year. The fans were into the show all night long, really helping the main event feel like a big deal.
Laredo Kid versus Hijo del Vikingo was the best match I’ve seen from Mexico and maybe anywhere this year. The tag match before it was really great too. Both of those matches would be worth your $5 for a Twitch subscription (and then you won’t have to deal with commercial interruptions during Verano de Escandalo this weekend.) Rob and I both had the thought that AAA should put Vikingo/Laredo out themselves to capture on the buzz and plug their upcoming events, but it seems their TV deals prevent AAA from doing something like that at the moment. This won’t turn up on YouTube until mid/late July on the current schedule.
Outside the main event (and a run of fouls in the semi-main), this was a pretty clean show by AAA standards. No Tirantes on the show at all, so a women’s match actually ended with a man getting involved. Verano de Escandalo already has Chik Tormenta vs Keyra vs Lady Shani, so that may be turned into a Reina de Reinas match to take care of both Tormenta & Keyra’s earned title matches. Other than a Konnan promo hyping the Lucha Brothers vs Young Bucks, there wasn’t a strong creative push for Verano de Escandalo (though it was still mentioned a lot.)
Pagano, Jack Evans, Sammy Guevara, and Killer Kross all missed the show with no explanation by AAA.
AAA has another Saturday/Sunday back to back next weekend, in Cancun and Merida. The Sunday show is Verano de Escandalo, the Saturday show doesn’t have anything special. Besides the Young Bucks and Lucha Brothers on Sunday, Scarlett Bordeaux is scheduled in for the weekend.
IAW (SAT) 06/08/2019 Gimnasio Hercules, Ciudad de México, Distrito Federal
1) Ancla Jr. b La Fuerza, Santy Hernández, Psique [NERW REVIVAL]
2) Candy Swing & Casquivano Jr. b Ángel Jr. & Baronessa
3) Dash b ? [IAW NUEVO VALORES] no one seems to know who was in this match besides the winner (it is Nuevo Valores). Not the Monterrey Dash.
4) Aerodinamyc b Rencor Negro Jr., Kunay, Shura [IAW JUNIOR]
5) Demonio Infernal & Lilith Dark b Atomik Star & La Heroína Atomic needed help to get to the back after picking up an injury in the match
6) Belial b Energia, Tromba No Arez (moved up) so this became a three way.
7) Arez & Látigo b Iron Kid & Negro Casas win via foul! Negro Casas demanded a rematch.
I have not seen the main event but I want to see it. Hercules seemed full for this show, though it’s a small amount of people they can fit in around the exercise equipment.
Mexa Wrestling (SAT) 06/08/2019Arena San Juan Pantitlan, Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl, Estado de México [+LuchaTV, Lo Mejor de Lucha Libre]
1) Torito Negro b Calibus, Príncipe Aéreo, Sobredosis, Black Dragón, Auzter, Sherekan, Baby Star
2) Negro Navarro & Solar I b El Mimo & Toro Negro
3) Centurion, Dinamic Black, Fulgor I, Imposible, Mr. Leo b Fly Warrior, Murciélago Plateado, Poseidón, The Tiger, Último Maldito
4) El Diablo & Lady Flammer b Hija De Gatubela & Metaleón
5) Arkángel Divino b Jack Evans, Aramis, Pumita
6) Rey Horus b Steve Pain
7) Golden Boy & Símbolo (Monterrey) b Trauma I & Trauma II “poliemico duelo.” Traumas wanted revenge.
Didn’t hear anything particular about the matches, though it seemed to be overall positive reviews. No idea how Jack ended up here but not in AAA the next day.
IWRG (SUN) 06/09/2019Arena Naucalpan [Black Terry Jr. (Flickr), The Gladiatores]
1) Auzter b Neza Kid
2) Avisman, Lady Flammer, Shil-Kah b Jessy Ventura, Lilith Dark, Príncipe Aéreo
3) Fulgor I, Fulgor II, Torito Negro b Alas de Acero, Black Dragón, Iron Kid
4) Lunatic Extreme & Metaleón b Hijo del Alebrije, Relámpago, Demonio Infernal, El Hijo del Medico Asesino, Aramis, Trauma I, Ovett, Imposible, Trauma II, Chico Che, Fly Warrior, Sinn Bodhi, Zumbi, Internacional Pantera [MEXICO CHAMP, battle royal]
5) Aramis b Sinn Bodhi [MEXICO CHAMP, 8f]
6) Trauma II b Eterno [MEXICO CHAMP, 8f]
7) Hijo del Alebrije b Relámpago [MEXICO CHAMP, 8f]
8) Internacional Pantera b Zumbi [MEXICO CHAMP, 8f]
9) El Hijo del Medico Asesino b Ovett [MEXICO CHAMP, 8f]
10) Trauma I b Demonio Infernal [MEXICO CHAMP, 8f]
11) Imposible b Chico Che [MEXICO CHAMP, 8f]
12) Metaleón b Lunatic Xtreme [MEXICO CHAMP, 8f]
13) Aramis DQ Trauma II [MEXICO CHAMP, quarterfinal] DQ for excessive violence
14) Hijo del Alebrije b Internacional Pantera [MEXICO CHAMP, quarterfinal]
15) El Hijo del Medico Asesino b Trauma I [MEXICO CHAMP, quarterfinal]
16) Metaleón b Imposible [MEXICO CHAMP, quarterfinal]
17) Aramis b Hijo del Alebrije [MEXICO CHAMP, semifinal]
18) Metaleón DQ Trauma I [MEXICO CHAMP, semifinal]
19) Aramis NF Metaleón [MEXICO CHAMP, final] match stopped when Metaleon arm injury was too much to go on. Aramis refused the belt with the idea they’d try the match again later on, though that might be much later on.
I believe the Metaleon arm injury might have actually come in the Trauma I match before. Metaleon was in obvious pain and getting checked on by the doctor in between matches and probably shouldn’t have wrestled the final. Metaleon was diagnosed with a broken arm, which makes it a bit amazing he did as much as he did.
Does anyone want 19 match shows? Am I old for saying 19 matches is too much for one show? It was still a 3-hour show which is shorter than my Warrior Wrestling/ROH TV exhibition last month but I’m not sure I would do that one again either.
The same column also mentions the hinted at Alberto el Patron led wrestling shows is the Nacion Lucha Libre that popped up last month. The plan is to include Tinieblas Jr. and other independent wrestlers (which probably means the same crew that works the FULL shows.) Planchitas says Nacion wanted to use AAA luchadors but there are still problems between AAA & Alberto. They’re hoping to get on over the air on ImagenTV. There’s no mention of when this all might happen. An Alberto led promotion is going to be a tougher sell in 2019 without something to heat him back up and is generally odd timing if we’re to believe he’s really still doing an MMA fight sometime this fall.
This is a week late, but Roberto Figueroa says his La Esquina Network is going to expand to cover other promotions, including KAOZ in Monterrey and MexaWrestling. These are said to be exclusive, which would mean the end of MexaWrestling on +LuchaTV. There are hints at deals with IWRG & PALL and the Nacion/Alberto group as well. Mexa & IWRG seem to be on opposite sides of the PALL split at the moment, but that’s all subject to change.
Lucha Memes/TWE/MexaWrestling on 06/29 in Arena San Juan
08/23 non-tournament match: UnMexicans (Byron & Kaientai) vs El Cartel de Los Culichis (Mr. Iguana & Fresero Jr.)
Other News
NJPW announced the return of the Super J Cup. This can also be interrupted as “we’re sorry those NJPW US February shows were disappointing, we’re doing something special to try and win people back.” CMLL participation was mentioned in the promo and confirmed by CMLL. It is a 16 man 3-night tournament, which seems like it should give CMLL luchadors an edge due to constant practice in that format but never quite works out that way. The Super J Cup has tended to use representatives from as many groups as possible (not just the best 16 names like BOSJ), so it is possible CMLL might only have the one (Dragon Lee) representative. Titan was only the CMLL rep in 2016 version. Running this in North America might change. The previous BOSJ also featured a CMLL trios match on the final day and that seems possible again.
The legislation to create a Pachuca lucha libre commission is one of four bills left before the local council to settle. It didn’t get a vote either way last time it was proposed and is still being looked over in committee at this point.
Lineups
CMLL (SAT) 06/15/2019Arena Coliseo
1) Acero & Aéreo vs Pequeño Universo 2000 & Pierrothito
2) Halcón Suriano Jr., Magnus, Príncipe Diamante vs Grako, Hijo del Signo, Sangre Azteca
3) Drone, Dulce Gardenia, Fuego vs Misterioso Jr., Pólvora, Virus
4) Guerrero Maya Jr., Rey Cometa, Stuka Jr. vs Dark Magic, Hechicero, Vangellys
5) Titán vs Templario
6) Atlantis, Místico, Volador Jr. vs Ephesto, Luciferno, Mephisto
This is the one show I haven’t been able to record (because it may not be recorded) so of course Titan/Templario are getting a rematch there.
Dark Magic hasn’t appeared on a stream since mid-April. Maybe they’re just keeping him on the weekend shows to get more experience before putting him back in front of TV crowds. It does remind me a little bit of the end of the Grey Shadow run, where he fell out of favor with the bookers and was kept only on Sunday shows in what came off like an attempt to get Rocky Romero to quit. Romero jumped to AAA instead.
Dulce Gardenia has been training with CMLL of late for this match, which is another attempt by CMLL to find a replacement for Maximo. Gardenia is from Torreon and has been a regular around those shows.
Dr. Wagner Jr., Psycho Clown, La Parka, Puma King beat Blue Demon Jr., Rey Escorpión, Texano Jr., La Hiedra
(14:36, Dr. Wagner pin Blue Demon following Galeno del Mal frogsplash, ok, 02:49:17)
What happened:
Draztick corner tope con giro
Dr. Wagner wore a Silver king tribute outfit in his first AAA TV appearance since the death of his brother. Galeno del Mal seconded Wagner. Demon beat up Galeno, setting up Galeno getting involved for the finish.
Daga challenged Drago to a title match, and Drago accepted. Pagano also wanted an extreme match with Chessman.
Eterno replaced Jack Evans, doing the same Demonio Infernal trio character as in IWRG. It’s his first AAA appearance since 2014.
Early in the show, Daga comes out to again say he’s here to win championships and mocks the fans for never having traveled to Europe and not knowing lucha libre. Daga talks about Tessa about being the best women’s wrestler in the world, which gets him interrupted by Taya. Taya comes out to generally get in Daga’s face about his attitude towards everyone and Mexico. Daga does not react well and gets slapped and forearmed to start a fight. Tessa makes the save for Daga. Johnny Mundo is not here to make the save, so Laredo Kid does instead, with Daga & Tessa running out. Konnan points out this is a match happening at Verano de Escandalo. Later, Daga helped Tessa win with a clothesline right in front of the referee
Konnan adds himself to the announce crew for the show, with Hugo Savinovich at AEW instead. La Parkita and Tiger Boy were dropped from the opener. Eclipse Jr. is still Lanezlot. I’ve just noticed the referees are wearing generic shirts instead of sponsored ones, but that might have been going on for a few tapings.
Thoughts:
Faby hard powerbomb
The usual AAA main event format finished off, with the rudos dominating, the técnicos running thru all their offense, and then madness on the finish. Non match participant Galeno del Mal getting the winning the move was not madness I would’ve predicated but AAA is hard to predict that way. La Hiedra was out of place being the one to catch Puma King’s dive and Texano taking table bumps for La Parka was odd, but they got thru it ok.
Pagano & Chessman featured heavily in the semi-main, which was not great for what I wanted to see. Also wasn’t great how the cameras mostly missed the mist spot; it was a rough day for camera switching again. Announcers heavily pushed a Daga/Drago match and they did a big series late in the match of reversals, but it didn’t come off smoothly. This match did have a lot of big spots that worked well, with Murder Clown continuing to be a highlight worker. Borderline match for me, could see going higher.
Parkita tornillo
The Jinetes del Aire match was their best as a trios away from Poder del Norte. Eterno looked great, helping Myzteziz look so much better than he had in recent appearances. Eterno and Vikingo was a great combination too, and another moment where the crowd totally rallied behind Vikingo. Laredo Kid was a super worker in this one. I’m not sure where he was going with Suicide on the springboard spot but everything else came off tight. Super Fly did well, Suicide didn’t do as much rudo work but his offense kept the match moving when the rudos were in control. This was a fun watch.
The women’s match was really good, something where the trios match just flowed really well to the finish. The rudas worked well together on the control segment. Tessa continued to blend well into the AAA matches. Keyra pulling out a rope flip moonsault was cool. The tecnica comeback got a strong reaction and they hit all their big moves good. The finish of Daga interfering and Tirantes allowing it because he’s evil (not that anyone calls a DQ here) made sense and was a less a direct Tirantes involvement than usual, but it was still weird to people not used to working in AAA. AAA building to the undercard mixed tag is also very weird.
Psycho ringspot dive
Flamita & Dinastia opened with a beautiful exchange to start their match. It wasn’t really as consistent as that the rest of the way. Flamita shined as being more complete and more polished than his opponents here. Dinastia particularly was up and down all match. The botched flip he did before the stand off Flamita would’ve gotten him killed in front of a harder crowd. This one more was just indifferent. There was good action between Parka Negra & Dinastia leading to the finish and it makes sense for the técnico who is sticking around to get the win, but AAA’s going to miss Flamita when he’s gone.
The mixed match seemed as though it was headed to a handicap match with Hamburguesa being disinterested in participation, but it rounded into a much better match as it went along. Lady Maravilla’s evil plans are finally consistently working for her; it feels like it’s looking to a mixed tag title match and maybe AAA will reshuffle cards to make it happen. Tiger Boy was active in his return to a stream. He took a big bump off a Hamburguesa shot and Villano III Jr. immediately took a bigger one. Villano’s not going to lose his death spot, not when it finally has him winning matches. Draztick Boy had really nothing to do except like a one minute stretch late in the match mostly with Maravilla. He still looked great and got in a Spanish Fly to the floor on Tiger Boy just for fun. Draztick being in the matches Flamita has been the last few months while Flamita returns to Dragon Gate would be good more.
Saying the AAA minis opener was better than all the CMLL minis match this year doesn’t mean really mean much. This match explained the problems. I’m not sure the CMLL minis are any less talented than La Parkita but La Parkita gets to do a lot more than they do and the action moves along a lot better in these matches than the CMLL versions of them. Eclipse looks cooler than Lanzelot and he was on point this one. The rudos kept up well and that match finished pretty excitingly.
