Month: August 2019

CMLL (FRI) 08/30/2019 Arena México [+LuchaTV, CMLL, Lucha Central (Spanish), Notimex, Ovaciones, Publimetro, Voices of Wrestling]
1) La Jarochita & Marcela b Dalys & La Metálica 
tecnicas took 2/3.
2) Atlantis Jr., Audaz, Flyer b Hijo del Villano III, Rey Bucanero, Tiger 
Atlantis Jr. & Hijo del Villano continue to feud.
3) Microman DQ Chamuel 
Single fall match. Chamuel tossed his mask to Microman. Mask match challenges followed.
4) Cuatrero, Sansón, Templario b Ángel de Oro, Niebla Roja, Valiente 
Rudos took 1/3.
5) Ciber the Main Man, Gilbert el Boricua, Titán b Carístico, Místico, Último Guerrero 
Ciber & Gilbert had issues and both challenged UG after the match.
6) Cavernario, Diamante Azul, Dragón Lee, Forastero, Negro Casas, Rush, Soberano Jr., Volador Jr. b Big Daddy, Delirious, Jay Briscoe, Kenny King, Luke Hawx, Matt Taven, Mecha Wolf 450, Oráculo [Gran Prix] 
Order of elimination: Oraculo (Rush), Forastero (Kenny King), Soberano Jr. (Delirious), Luke Hawx (Barbaro Cavernario), Delirious (Rush), Kenny King (Diamante Azul), Diamante Azul (Jay Briscoe), Rush (DQed for weapon usage on Matt Taven), Mecha Wolf (Dragon Lee), Dragon Lee (Jay Briscoe), Matt Taven (Volador Jr.), Jay Briscoe (Barbaro Cavernario), Barbaro Cavernario (Big Daddy), Big Daddy (Negro Casas w/help from Cavernario), leaving Negro Casas & Volador Jr as the survivors on the Mexico side. As a surprise to most everyone but Volador, Volador kept fightning and eventually pinned Negro Casas (w/Big Daddy getting involved) to be the winner. Volador, Casas, Cavernario and Big Daddy all made hair match challenges.

CMLL promos: Marcela & Dalys building up their match. Atlantis Jr. happy to be on his first major show, Hijo del Villano III explaining he can beat Atlantis Jr. any time he wants. Microman and Chamuel talking about a mask match. Gilbert still wants a singles match with Ultimo Guerrero, Ciber still wants Ultimo Guerrero. Barbaro Cavernario & Negro Casas challenge Volador, Volador is willing to face Ciber.

Media interviews: Volador (Box y Lucha, +LuchaTV), Cibernetico (Box y Lucha, +LuchaTV), Gilbert (Box y Lucha, +LuchaTV), Microman (Box y Lucha, +LuchaTV), Chamuel (Box y Lucha, +LuchaTV)

CMLL will have an Aniversario press conference on Wednesday. It certainly looks like a cage match is coming. In isolation, the semi-main and the main event could be seen as a setting up individual matches. Together, it adds up to a cage match. I can already see a repeat of March at the press conference, where CMLL’s programming department tries to make the Cibernetico versus Ultimo Guerrero match but other people keep demanding to be involved.

1. Ultimo Guerrero
2. Cibernetico
3. Gilbert el Boricua
4. Volador Jr.
5. Big Daddy
6. Barbaro Cavernario
7. Negro Casas

CMLL cage matches typically have an even number of participants, usually between 8-12. Mecha Wolf 450 was surprisingly advertised for next Friday show, so perhaps add him to the list.

Big Daddy as the final foreigner in the Gran Prix is confounding, but his existence and push make some sense if he’s planned for a role in the cage match. The ROH guys wouldn’t be available on Aniversario weekend. Perhaps Oraculo but he was first out in the Gran Prix. Big Daddy also has a lot more hair than Dark Magic & Okumura, though it does make me wonder if Kawato was planned to be involved. (Luke Hawx has no hair.)

Volador got a strongly negative reaction for winning, which surely was the plan with him beating Negro Casas to do it. Volador has been bored and boring as a tecnico for some time, and this being the start of a flip back to the rudo side full time is certainly possible.

This progression of events feels like, much like the storyline, CMLL couldn’t get Ciber to agree to a hair match and changed plans. They had earlier chances to tease a cage match situation and waited until now to pull the trigger. Not sure if we’ll ever find out.

Chamuel & Micorman having a mask match seems pretty definitely happen. It’s still unclear when. Neither Micro mentioned the Aniversario show during the promo for the match, though it was brought up in the media interviews.

Though it didn’t seem to be advertised, this show was aired live in Mexico on cable station TUDN. If that worked out, I’d imagine the Aniversario show will be as well. There are websites which stream this channel, though they’re ad-heavy and shady. I don’t think I’ll be around to stream on that day but it might be a possibility to watch it live if it doesn’t stream again. (CMLL would be better just also giving ROH or someone the rights to transmit the show outside of Mexico)

I was at the GCW/BPW show last night. The Laredo Kid, Ophidian, Arez vs Black Taurus, Gringo Loco, KTB match was insane. KTB subbed for Rey Horus (missed flight) and fit in surprisingly well. They broke out a spot or two from the highly regarded PWG trios match that hasn’t been seen much yet, and they had some new creative ideas. A couple of things didn’t work out but it was very much a show of trying crazy things and hoping they worked out. A lot more did than did not. It’s a match worth checking out if you can.

Fenix & Penta beat LAX in a bonus match on the AAW show last night in what was said to be a great match. Fenix isn’t 100% but he’s going to be good enough for tonight’s AEW ladder match. I haven’t heard hints of any other AAA luchadors on the show; I kept thinking there’d be an AAA woman in the women’s casino battle royal but they’ve kept it quiet if it’s happening.

On last night’s Impact show, it sounded like the fourway with Golden Magic, TJP, Taurus and Trey went well. The reports on Big Mami/Taya and the tag turned trios match with Vanilla & Chik were not positive

AAA & Impact announced that Impact will be promoting their AAA in NY show. For practical effect, this means Impact wrestlers on the show, a documentary on Cain Velasquez and the show airing on Fight Network. (If you’re in Canada, you may no longer need to pay FITE for this show.) It seems peculiar to me to be engaging someone to promote to market these shows just two weeks before they happen but they could use the help. The LA show is not mentioned and no new matches are announced. Hopefully, that’s coming Monday.

The foreigners are part of Saturday and Sunday‘s CMLL shows. Super X runs Saturday night in Arena Neza. Sunday includes Lucha Libre Vanguardia (Dragon Gate Mexico but we can’t use that name) in CAR The Crash, a show with Flamita vs Bandido and Jimmy vs Aramis that I’m really looking forward to seeing. IWRG has Hijo de Canis Lupus vs Hechicero in a title match after their earlier single match went well. Warrior Wrestling outside of Chicago also has a lot of luchadors involved. I’m intended to be there.

ROH/CMLL matches for next week, pretty much all the CMLL related ones should be announced

09/06 Detroit

• Volador Jr., Triton vs Matt Taven & Vinny Marseglia
• Marty Scurll, Flip Gordon, PCO, Brody King vs Rey Bucanero, Okumura, Hechicero, Barbaro Cavernario
• Rush vs Stuka Jr. – new
• Bandido vs Jay Briscoe – new

09/07 Chicago

• Volador vs Matt Taven for the ROH Championship
• Rush vs Barbaro Cavernario
• Triton, Caristico, Stuka Jr. vs Jeff Cobb, Jonathan Gresham, Jay Lethal
• Silas Young & Josh Woods vs PJ Black & Okumura – new
• Bandido, Tracy Williams, Mark Haskins vs Flip Gordon, Brody King, PCO – new

09/08 Milwaukee

• Briscoes & Barbaro Cavernario vs Bandido, Tracy Williams, Mark Haskins
• Flip Gordon vs PJ Black vs Triton
• Caristico, Stuka Jr., Volador Jr. vs Okumura, Hechiceor, Rey Bucanero
• Rush & Jeff Cobb vs the Kingdom – new

That last one is interesting because it seems like ROH is headed to a Rush vs Cobb vs Matt Taven title match on 09/27. PW Insider reported earlier this week Matt Taven’s contract is up in September and has not resigned. I’m not sure how much a factor that’ll play into the result.

Tonight is CMLL’s Gran Prix show. CMLL brought back the concept as an annual event in 2016. The first two really got strong reactions in Arena Mexico. Last year match (won by Michael Elgin) did not. The match didn’t really gel and there was a lack of a big moment in the match for any of the luchadors. This year’s show might have a bit of a challenge, just because so many of the US/Puerto Rico team are making their first or second appearance ever in Arena Mexico. CMLL fans should know Matt Taven pretty well and Jay Briscoe’s been around a few times now, but the rest have mostly just been seen in interviews or a single match. The Mexico side is really good, with guys like Rush & Negro Casas guaranteeing crowd instead. Still, this is not a layup.

These Gran Prix shows have been either just the cibernetico or maybe one more notable match. This one is slightly busier. The semi-main has Ciber & Ultimo on the opposite side of a Friday night match for the 10th time in the last 11 weeks. This remains a strange situation: CMLL usually waits to put tickets on sale for their major shows until they have a main event. Tickets are already on sale for the 09/27 show, something CMLL has not yet promoted, and no main event has been announced. That main event seems certain to be Ciber & Ultimo Guerrero. Making that official in front of a Gran Prix crowd seems like a good idea. If they don’t make it official tonight, then CMLL’s getting into even stranger territory. Caristico, Mistico, Titan, and Gilbert were seemingly picked to be in this match at random.

The third big match includes the smallest luchador. Microman and Chamuel settle their recent issues in a one fall match tonight. There’s some mask ripping and fouls involved but this is really just the best two micros in the division getting to have a singles match on a big show. Microman & Chamuel have had singles matches on spot shows but this will be the first micros 1v1 match in Arena Mexico since the division was relaunched. There’s a chance this is setting up a bigger match sometime next month – Chamuel wants Microman in a mask match on the Aniversario show – though I tend to doubt it for scheduling reasons. The finish will make it pretty clear either way; if Microman gets the win, that’s probably it for now.

Angel de Oro, Niebla Roja, and Valiente takes on Sanson, Cuatrero, and Templario in what is a random trios match but could be a good one if they have time. Atlantis Jr., Flyer & Audaz versus Rey Bucanero, Hijo del Villano III, Tiger would be a similar version of the same if CMLL had someone better than Bucanero in that spot. Marcela & Jarochita face Dalys & La Metalica. Metalica’s gotta have a better match this time out. This may be the last time we see Marcela & Dalys on Friday nights until they come back from Japan.

Sanely & Avispa Dorada are taking photos with fans today, Fray Tormenta is autographing the CMLL book, Star Jr. is on the TuriLuchas and Avispa is in Freedoms. Either CMLL bought a lot of those books or they don’t sell many of them a night to still be doing autographs. It’s a good book that I’ve never gotten around to writing about.

CMLL says this show is not streaming live. In the past, that usually means the show will be posted to the CMLL YouTube channel sometime after midnight. CMLL isn’t promising a release time; I would recommend not scheduling your night around it.

Lucha Central has a preview of the show.

Speaking of Michael Elgin: Lucha Libre Real says he’s coming in for their 09/21 show.

I got to see Fenix last night at AAW. He’s in that zone where he’s good enough to go for Saturday’s AEW show while also not being 100%. There’s a slight limp, slight enough to miss if you’re not looking for it, and he wasn’t quite as smooth on his trickiest high spot as other times I’ve seen him. He was just a little bit off. Maybe a couple more days will help him because it doesn’t look severe, but he could probably use more time off than that.

Laredo Kid beat Ace Austin in the first round of AAW’s Jim Lynam Tournament. That’s the first time Laredo Kid has gotten a win in AAW in Chicago (though he did get a win when they’ve run in Austin.) I liked that match but of course I’m going to like a Laredo Kid match. He faces Myron Reed in the second round. I assume Reed is going to win but that sounds like a strong matchup.

I’m headed to BLP/GCW tonight to see Black Taurus vs Arez vs Gringo Loco vs Ophidan vs Laredo Kid vs Rey Horus (match subject to change) and then also wonder what I’m doing going to a show that starts at 11 pm. You can find me near a wall, slowly dying.

WR (THU) 08/29/2019 WR Arena, Atizapán de Zaragoza, Estado de México [+LuchaTV]
1) Athon Montañez, Francois Montañez, Pierre Montañez b Cachorro Lagunero, Dr. Cerebro, Hellspawn 
2) Stephanie Vaquer b Nicole Montañez 
Hellspawn helped Vaquer win
3) Audaz (CMLL) b Templario, Star Jr. 
4) Karaoui b Atomic Star 
5) Jean Montañez, Mr. Electro, Zumbi b Comando 1, Comando 2, Eterno 
Jean Montañez Jr. seconded his father. La Comandante was with the Comandos. Mr. Electro attacked Montanez after the match.
6) Blue Panther b Black Terry 
money thrown in
7) Ricky Marvin & Súper Crazy b Black Panther (CMLL) & Blue Panther Jr. 

(Pro) Wrestling Resurrection is one of the few promotions who have me on their mailing list, so I definitely got an email about the new they were setting up (along with promo pics of Jean Montanez & Mr. Electro). The press release didn’t actually have an address for the arena and didn’t mention they were running a show yesterday. It just popped up in +LuchaTV randomly, a show in an eight-sided ring. This is a weird promotion.

A show in Tampico scheduled to be headlined by Ultimo Guerrero, La Bestia del Ring and Mr. Aguila vs Cibernetico, Charly Manson and Mesias was said to draw more than 5,000 people.

There hasn’t had a Nieto del Santo update in a while. Hijo del Santo told Ovaciones that his son is studying abroad and will not wrestle in Mexico until he finishes. It does sound like he’s planning on wrestling again, which hasn’t always been clear.

Villano III Jr. visited his father’s tomb with his newly won AAA Mixed Tag Championship. He noted that they were in mourning for Villano III last year at TripleMania and this year he won a championship. V3 Jr. has no memory of that match, he suffered a concussion and did not know the finish when he got to the back.

Pro Wrestling Mexico in Arena Coliseo Monterrey on 09/22

• Dulce Kanela, Baby Xtreme, Mr. Iguana vs Iron Kid, Komander, Astrolux
  • not totally sure if this is a trios or a six way
• Ayako Hamada & Tessa Blanchard vs Scarlett Bordeaux & Chik Tormenta
• LAX (Ortiz & Santana) vs Jack Evans & Flamita
• El Divo & Toxin vs Rey Triton & Hijo de LA Park
• Crazy Boy & Crazy King vs Kaientai & Lord Byron
• LA Park & Nicho vs Kevin Kross & Daga – new

That’s probably the whole show.

That last match brings up another story about the AAW show last night. It was a good show but it was also a lengthy show. Nearly 3.5 hours when the show also confusingly starts a half later than the time I saw on the ticket is tough for a Thursday night. This was more problem just for me – I think a lot of people were starting a long weekend – but it was enough of a problem that I left within seconds of the main event finish. Which meant I was out in the street by the time Killer Kross made his AAW debut. I can not possibly escape this man. Is it possible he is stalking me from promotion to promotion? If so, does he appreciate me going to PWG shows? So many questions.

Dalys will be on the 09/16 Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling show as part of her and Marcela touring Japan.

LuchaWorld has the latest news update.

Puma has a video on his latest trip to Japan.

Tomorrow’s AAA spot show in Torreon was canceled.

Hijo de Canis Lupus feels he’s surpassed the original.

Lineups

CMLL (MON) 09/02/2019 Arena Puebla
1) Astro & Sonic vs Joker & Sombra Diabólika
2) Arkalis & King Jaguar vs El Malayo & Fuerza Chicana
3) Drone, Fuego, Toro Bill Jr. vs Perverso, Stigma, Universo 2000 Jr.[Relevos Increíbles]
4) Audaz vs Templario [lightning]
5) Mr. Niebla, Negro Casas, Volador Jr. vs Dragón Lee, Terrible, Valiente[Relevos Increíbles]
6) Euforia & Gran Guerrero © vs Ángel de Oro & Niebla Roja [CMLL TAG]
2nd defense

A strange card. Audaz and Templario finally get to have their singles match on a show we can see, main event is a rematch of a very good tag title match, and two relevos increibles matches. At least one of those is for no reason. It would be funny if Volador & Dragon Lee get immediately set up for a rematch to try and improve over the last one though I suspect that’s not the outcome.

IWRG (WED) 08/28/2019 Arena Naucalpan
no results for the opener
2) Güero Palma, Spider Fly, Voltex b Acero II, Ángel Dragón, Especie Maligna
3) Ángel Estrella Jr., Dragón de Fuego, Haziel b Astro Boy, Carnicero, Tromba
Not sure which Astro Boy.
4) Dick Angelo Jr., Mosca, Neza Kid vs Legendario, Magneto, Ovett Jr.
Ovett beat Mosca. Magneto replaced Legendario.
5) Adrenalina, Ambu, Black Metalic, Internacional Mara, Jorge El Salvaje, Manchas, Rugido, Versal b Atomic Star, Auzter, Black Dragón, Cheff Benito, Chicanito, Death Metal, Mexica, Puma de Oro [Torneo FILL]
IWRG (Black Terry) vs Welcome to My Barrio/Arena Tepito (Shu el Guerrero). Jorge Salvaje snuck in a foul on Black Dragon with Shu also getting involved.

IWRG noted there was a lot more support for the “road” team for this show than most FILL shows. Maybe that’s why Welcome to My Barrio is a focus for +LuchaTV, people seem to support it.

Myzteziz Jr. mentioned in a talk show appearance that he will be on the AAA New York show. No Vikingo still is sad, but maybe Myzteziz will get a bigger showcase. He’d be the rising high flyer in most situations, he’s just a bit overshadowed. I wish AAA would announce more for those shows

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter mentions AAA liked Joe Dombrowski’s work on TripleMania and so he’s permanently replacing Vamprio going forward. Larry Dallas is also in consideration, which I guess would be for Matt Striker’s spot.

The WON also mentions Delirious was scheduled to come to Mexico this week all along, to meet with CMLL officials about the future of their relationship with ROH. I think one request I’d have if I was Ring of Honor would be able to get a few guys on a regular basis rather than the wide variety they’ve gotten so far. Stuka seems to have made an impression with ROH fans because they’ve seen him so many times now and it would help the relationship for a few other of the midcard guys to get some focus. It’s a different mindset than CMLL is used to, where there are just pools of interchangable guys, but the US fans need to see the same guy many times to accept him.

Laredo Kid will face Carlos Romo in the first round of the Black Label Pro Turbo Graps 16 tournament on 09/21.

Pro Wrestling Mexico in Arena Coliseo Monterrey on 09/22

• Dulce Kanela, Baby Xtreme, Mr. Iguana vs Iron Kid, Komander, Astrolux
  • not totally sure if this is a trios or a six way
• Ayako Hamada & Tessa Blanchard vs Scarlett Bordeaux & Chik Tormenta
• LAX (Ortiz & Santana) vs Jack Evans & Flamita – new
• El Divo & Toxin vs Rey Triton & Hijo de LA Park – new
• Crazy Boy & Crazy King vs Kaientai & Lord Byron – new

Rey Triton is taking dates with (uncontracted) AAA talent while he’s still got a CMLL sponsored ROH tour. Though, to me, the wilder bit is booking Crazy Boy for a non-DTU show.

LuchaTalk has a new episode, which is news after how the last one ended.

A new lucha libre school is opening in Peru.

CMLL (TUE) 08/27/2019 Arena México [CMLL, Lucha Central, Ovaciones, The Gladiatores]
1) Angelito & Último Dragóncito b Mercurio & Pequeño Nitro 
Tecnicos took 2/3.
2) Robin b Grako [lightning] 
7:33, Robin winning with Tiger Bomb
3) Espanto Jr., Hijo del Signo, Nitro b Pegasso, Star Jr., Súper Astro Jr. 
Rudos took 1/3.
4) Black Panther, Blue Panther Jr., Guerrero Maya Jr. b Cancerbero, Raziel, Vangellys 
Tecnicos took 1/3.
5) Ephesto, Hechicero, Luciferno b Kráneo, Rey Cometa, Volcano 
Rudos took 2/3.
6) Audaz, Carístico, Stuka Jr. DQ La Bestia Del Ring, Mr. Niebla, Terrible 
Mr. Niebla pulled off Caristico’s mask for the DQ. Audaz replaced Soberano. Straight falls.

Robin talked about his two wins in three days while Caristico thanked everyone for supporting him and his father. Seems strange to me to give Caristico the win last night and do a DQ finish the night after. This show doesn’t sound good, with Grako having a particularly poor night.

CMLL (TUE) 08/27/2019 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara [CMLL]
1) El Alteño, Explosivo, Star Black b Difunto, Furia Roja, Guerrero de la Muerte
Tecnicos took 2/3
2) Átomo, El Gallito, Microman b Chamuel, Guapito, Perico Zacarías
tecnicos took 2/3.
3) Cuatrero, Sansón, Universo 2000 Jr. b Esfinge, Titán, Tritón
rudos took 1/3
4) Ángel de Oro, Cavernario, Diamante Azul, Dragón Lee, Euforia, Gran Guerrero, Negro Casas, Niebla Roja b Big Daddy, Dark Magic, Jay Briscoe, Kenny King, Matt Taven, Mecha Wolf 450, Okumura, Oráculo
Okumura, Dark Magic and Big Daddy replaced Gilbert, Luke Hawx, and Mark Briscoe. Diamante Azul replaced Stuka (double booked in Arena Mexico.) Eliminations: Dark Magic (Negro Casas), Okumura (Niebla Roja), Cavernario (Briscoe), Oraculo (Gran Guerrero), Niebla Roja (Kenny King), Euforia (Matt Taven), Angel de Oro (Big Daddy), Briscoe (Diamante Azul), Dragon Lee & Mecha Wolf DDQ, Kenny King (Diamante Azul), Gran Guerrero (Matt Taven), Matt Taven (Diamante Azul)
5) Volador Jr. © b Mephisto [NWA WELTER]
Volador took falls 2/3. Fourth defense.

I think I’m missing some eliminations there. There’s a small chance this might air on the Televisa Guadalajara 4 YouTube feed late Saturday night, but they’ve been blocking it from airing the CMLL show the last couple of weeks. Big Daddy did make it in. Luke Hawx looks like he was in Seattle yesterday but appears as if he’ll be in Arena Mexico by Friday.

The Rest of the World Team will be on CMLL Informa, which is always a weird ride of people not knowing what they’ve gotten themselves into. The Rest of the World team are doing media interviews today. Barbaro Cavernario, Forastero, and Soberano are listed as appearing as Team Mexico reps, which suggests Soberano is still in the Gran Prix at this point.

AAA briefly posted promo art with the slogan “You Can Make Dr. Wagner Jr. Great Again” to promote the AAA in NY show last night, then everyone (myself included) shook their head at it, and AAA deleted it within an hour. While there are definitely people who enjoy a reference to a slogan associated with the US Republican party, those people don’t generally include the Mexican and Latinx fans AAA would seem to want to draw for their shows. My guess is this was done by whoever AAA’s brought in to market the show because it doesn’t seem AAA’s usual art style. Whoever did it doesn’t seem to have a strong grasp on AAA’s appeal, which seems to have been a problem during this whole process. AAA luchadors talking about Slipknot’s masks is at least weird different.

(Also, Dr. Wagner Jr. is already great. That’s the kind of idea of why you’d want to see him. The bit didn’t even make sense.)

Twitch (and Subway) is running a half-price deal on channel subscriptions from September 3 to 24th. For AAA, you could sign up for $2.50 USD on September 8th and get both the Puebla and the (not yet announced) Culiacan show on 10/05.

The AAA promoters in Aguascalientes are teasing a Lucha Brothers appearance on their next show in October. I don’t think that’s a TV promotion. A rival Aguascalientes promotion is also teasing Fenix for their next show.

Over in DDT, Puma King became the Iron Man Heavymetal Champion on Sunday. Quite a weekend for 24/7 titles.

Vampiro’s Lucha Fight Club debuted with shows on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. They appear to be co-promoted by Versus Pro Wrestling, a promotion I’m not familiar with. The poster for the show had a big photo of Dr. Wagner Jr. Wagner does not appear in photos of any of the three shows. Septimo Dragon did appear on those shows. Attendance looks in the two digits for each show. Vampiro’s new podcast launches today. I know he’s announced dates for the next Lucha Fight Club shows but I can’t find them at the moment.

Lucha Time on 09/15 in Arena Coliseo Monterrey

• Dragon Lee vs Bandido vs Hijo del Espectro

They’ve locally done this bit where Hijo del Espectro is complaining promoters are picking names over ability and saying Dragon Lee & Bandido try 10% as hard in Mexico as they do elsewhere to set up this three-way. Everyone says Espectro is good and so this might be very good, but it doesn’t seem like the best tactic to build him up. He’s probably there to take the loss and setting it up as being beat by guys who aren’t even trying.

LuchaWorld has the latest Lucha Report.

CMLL (MON) 08/26/2019 Arena Puebla [Lucha Central]
1) Rey Apocalipsis & Toro Bill Jr. b El Perverso & Tyson La Bestia 
Rudos took 1/3.
2) Amapola & Tiffany b La Jarochita & Lluvia 
Rudas took 2/3.
3) Ángel de Oro, Flyer, Niebla Roja b Euforia, Gran Guerrero, Templario 
Tecnicos took 2/3, setting up another Oro/Roja vs Euforia/GG match next week.
4) Carístico, Dragón Lee, Hechicero, Stuka Jr., Terrible, Último Guerrero, Valiente b Dark Magic, Jay Briscoe, Kenny King, Matt Taven, Mecha Wolf 450, Okumura, Oráculo [cibernetico] 
Okumura replaced Mark Briscoe (injury). Big Daddy was nowhere to be found and Rey Bucanero just happened to get ejected for shoving Edgar before the match started, making the sides even. Order of elimination: Okumura, Dark Magic, Oraculo, Terrible, Stuka Jr., Kenny King, Hechicero, Valiente, Jay Briscoe, Dragon Lee, Mecha Wolf, Ultimo Guerrero, Matt Taven. Caristico got the win, dedicating to it to his late father, who was honored before the match.
5) Místico b Soberano Jr. 
Mistico took 1/3, with two very quick falls. Soberano had his left shoulder in a brace and was limited in using that arm.

Gran Prix was fun and the crowd really got into it. Mistico & Soberano would’ve had trouble following it even if both men had working arms. Soberano gets credit for gutting it out but probably shouldn’t have been allowed to wrestle. There should’ve been time for someone to check his shoulder injury (seemingly picked up on Thursday because he’s wearing the brace by Saturday) and stop him from wrestling before he went to Puebla, but off he went anyway. Not much luck with the Puebla tecnico/tecnico singles matches so far. It is possible Soberano gets pulled from Friday’s match, though he might just be allowed to do it again

Tonight’s Arena Mexico show is short on star power, with a lot of people in Guadalajara as part of that city’s version of Gran Prix. It may be shorter by the time it happens. The main event is scheduled to be La Besita del RIng, Mr. Niebla and Terrible against Stuka Jr., Soberano Jr., and Caristico. Dr. Karonte’s funeral service is tonight, but reports suggest Caristico will still wrestle tonight. Soberano probably should be given the night off even if they think he’s good for the Gran Prix, but we’ve also watched Atlantis work thru an obvious injury for months on Tuesday nights. Who knows.

Hijos del Infierno (Hechicero in for Mephisto) face Volcano, Kraneo and Rey Cometa, who was back Sunday night after his own injury scare. Cancererbo & Raziel get a rare fourth match spot, teaming with Vangellys against the Panther Brothers and Guerrero Maya. Espanto, Signo & Nitro are equally higher than usual, teaming against Pegasso, Super Astro Jr. and Star Junior. Robin and Grako meet in the lightning match, and Angelito & Ultimo Dragoncito open against Mercurio & Pequeno Nitro. This show stream at 7:39 pm on YouTube.

Big Daddy (Yum Yum) seems to have arrived in Mexico and will be on the Guadalajara show. Same situation there, a Gran Prix and a singles match (Volador/Mephisto in a title match) as in Puebla. This show does not stream.

Sofia Alonso is still in charge of CMLL according to multiple sources. The Facebook-based rumor that people were in a hurry to jump with had Chavo Lutteroth III coming in to take over. The problem is Chavo Lutteroth III had been part of running the company all along when Paco Alonso was running CMLL and just continued in his role on the business side of the company with Sofia. It is possible people weren’t used to hearing Chavo’s involvement and reached a poor conclusion. It’s also possible someone had an ax to grind with Chavo and wanted him to be blamed for things going on. It’s surely not the last time people are going to gossip about changes in the way CMLL has been run and it seems like a decent idea to take most of them with a grain of salt. Sofia is going to be in charge of CMLL as long as she wants to be in charge of CMLL. There’s talk about this on +LuchaTV’s podcast.

The same podcast mentions Kawato San has returned to Japan due to a health issue. Not sure what health issue or if/when he’ll return.

LA Park & Hijo de LA Park face Septimo Dragon & Magnus in Dallas on MLW’s 09/07 show. Septimo & Magnus appear to be in just to be lucha libre opponents for the Parks to beat. It is interesting to see CMLL luchadors back in MLW. On the other hand, MLW’s stated reason not to use CMLL guys is ROH might take them if they get over and being enhancement talent to the Park family probably isn’t going to get them over. (Also, Magnus might already be in Texas area at that time, making it easier to get him than from Mexico City.)

Triton has changed his name to Rey Triton on social media. as he prepares to leave CMLL.

CMLL covers Felino & Okumura’s trip to Ring of Honor.

Sanely, Coyote, Espanto Jr., Inquisidor and Polvora appeared at a press conference for the upcoming MexiCorreindo 5k/10K race CMLL is helping sponsor. The ad has been on the video signboards the last few weeks.

Pro Wrestling Mexico in Arena Coliseo Monterrey on 09/22

• Dulce Kanela, Baby Xtreme, Mr. Iguana vs Iron Kid, Komander, Astrolux
  • not totally sure if this is a trios or a six way
• Ayako Hamada & Tessa Blanchard vs Scarlett Bordeaux & Chik Tormenta

Lilith Dark is out 4-6 weeks after picking up a leg injury on the MexaWrestling show.

Golden Magic & Taurus are in a four-way on Impact this Friday. This is a streaming alternative to watch if you’re missing CMLL this Friday.

LuchaWorld has this week’s Poster-Mania.

Funcion Estelar writes about Tarasco Jr. and the history of that name in Pachuca.

Lineups

CMLL (SAT) 08/31/2019 Arena Coliseo
1) Acero & Aéreo vs Pequeño Olímpico & Pequeño Violencia
2) La Guerrera, La Maligna, La Vaquerita vs Amapola, La Comandante, Reyna Isis
3) Dulce Gardenia vs Misterioso Jr. [lightning]
4) Atlantis Jr., Diamante Azul, Titán vs Ephesto, Luciferno, Mephisto
5) Carístico, Dragón Lee, Euforia, Gran Guerrero, Místico, Último Guerrero vs Delirious, Kenny King, Luke Hawx, Matt Taven, Mecha Wolf 450, Oráculo [cibernetico]

Even Arena Coliseo gets a Gran Prix. Big Daddy and Jay Briscoe appear to be gone by this point.

CMLL (SUN) 09/01/2019 Arena México
1) Arkalis & Halcón Suriano Jr. vs Cholo & Inquisidor
2) Magia Blanca, Príncipe Diamante, Stigma vs El Coyote, Espíritu Negro, Príncipe Odín Jr.
3) Drone, Dulce Gardenia, Fuego vs Okumura, Sagrado, Virus
4) Valiente vs Vangellys [lightning]
5) Diamante Azul, Stuka Jr., Volador Jr. vs Delirious, Kenny King, Matt Taven
6) Dragón Lee, Místico, Rush vs Luke Hawx, Mecha Wolf, Oráculo

Not sure how long the foreigners are staying, but the ROH guys have shows on Thursday so this might be it.

IWRG (SUN) 09/01/2019 Arena Naucalpan
1) Lady Cat, Puma de Oro, Soy Raymunda vs Jessy Ventura, Lilith Dark, Neza Kid
2) Black Dragón, Dinamic Black, Freelance vs Apolo Estrada Jr., Fulgor I, Fulgor II
3) Toxin © vs Dragón Bane [TWE CHAMP]
4) Relámpago, The Tiger, Zumbi vs Ave Fénix, Demonio Infernal, Eterno
5) El Hijo del Medico Asesino © vs Hijo De Alebirje [IWRG JUNIORS]
6) Súper Nova, Trauma I, Trauma II vs Herodes Jr., Hijo de Pirata Morgan, Pirata Morgan
7) Hijo de Canis Lupus © vs Hechicero [IWRG IC HEAVY]

The title match was set up on Hechicero’s appearance.