Angel de Oro/Felino set up in CMLL, AAA in Juarez Sunday, CMLL Legends show, NJPW/Dragon Lee

CMLL (FRI) 11/15/2019 Arena México [CMLL, ESTO, Lucha Central, Marca, PubliMetro, R de Rudo, thecubsfan]
1) Espanto Jr. & Hijo del Signo b Retro & Sonic 
11:27. Rudos took 2/3.
2) Dalys, Reyna Isis, Tiffany b La Jarochita, Princesa Sugehit, Shoko Nakajima 
13:48. Rudas took 2/3.
3) Hechicero, Kawato, Okumura b Atlantis Jr., Audaz, Dulce Gardenia 
17:18. Rudos took 1/3. NJPW’s Tiger Hattori was special referee. He was honored with a plaque after the match. Chavo Lutteroth (II & III) were part of the presentation.
4) Ángel de Oro b Felino [lightning] 
6:38. Angel de Oro won using the ropes after Felino was caught twice doing the same. Oro challenged Felino to a hair match. Crowd booed Oro, as often, and he seemed to be going with it..
5) Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón b Star Jr., Stuka Jr., Titán 
17:27. Rudos took 2/3.
6) Gran Guerrero, Negro Casas, Último Guerrero b Místico, Soberano Jr., Volador Jr. 
9:32. Straight falls, the last when Casas snuck in a foul on Soberano

CMLL promos:

• Negro Casas & Los Guerreros
• NGD & Cien Caras
• Felino
• Angel de Oro
• the NJPW officials, Okumura, and the older Lutteroth

Press interviews:

• Volador Jr. (Box Y Lucha)
• Felino (Box Y Lucha)
• Angel de Oro (Box Y Lucha)
• Mistico (Box Y Lucha)
• the Lutteroths & the NJPW reps (Box Y Lucha)

This was a slightly better show than last week and CMLL did put things into, but they’re far short of exciting. The match that had the NJPW official in it was the best, which is consistent with the luchadors trying harder when NJPW people are around. Angel de Oro often gets booed by the CMLL crowd, but this team he seemed to be leaning into it. Not sure if the booking will go with it, or even if the idea is to make him a hated tecnico replacement for Rush. Ascribing a creative purpose to it may even be a reach. This would be the second veteran (the second Casas) to get a haircut payoff in a few months, right after general pay seemed to be cut. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to put Felino in a big match position at this point but it is conceivable someone’s trying to make up for the money that’s been taken away. It doesn’t make for the best shows, that just isn’t the priority right now.

The main event seemed headed to a Negro Casas/Soberano match but maybe they’ll change their mind next week.

The interview with the Lutteroths is peculiar. The younger Salvador Lutteroth doesn’t speak much. The older Lutteroth does, says his son is the person in charge of CMLL and has an unprompted bit near the end about how his father built all these arenas and there wouldn’t be any lucha libre in Mexico without him. It came off as a response to something, not a question one of the interviewers had, but something he had heard and wanted to fire back about. I’m not sure if it was anger about praise towards AAA, or praise toward Paco Alonso (making the point it is his father’s promotion, not Paco’s?) or something else going on in the mind of an old and rich man, but it came across strangely.

This whole Hattori being honored bit was something Sofia Alonso would’ve been in charge of in the last few years, even when Paco was still alive. Sofia was back, she turned up on social media, but she wasn’t officially on the show. I’d be interested to find out if that was her choice or the Salvadors’ decision. It may not be as big a deal to the fans in the building as it comes across on the internet. Every show uploaded to YouTube has plenty of “give the company back to Sofia!” comments, but there wasn’t any noticeable negative reaction to the Lutteroths in front of the crowd as has been seen in other similar situations.

Terrible’s thoughts on Rush & La Bestia del Ring leaving are basically “I didn’t need any friends, I’m fine by myself (with La Comandante.)” He’s already over in NJPW and losing in their World Tag League

There was also an Arena Neza show last night. Rush talked with the press after his match, making the point that he’s happy being his own boss now and big things are happening. He talked about forming a new group in Ring of Honor, something that’s been teased for months. In his last words before leaving, Rush mentions one of his brothers is going to NJPW soon. Mistico was left off the FantasticaMania tour, so this is obvious. The NJPW people surely talked to both CMLL and Dragon Lee while they were in town to work out what’s next, though probably not at the same time. Rush dropping that hint right now suggests those talks went fairly well. I’d expect Dragon Lee and Hiromu Takahashi will be in the same ring as each other once again in January (though the actual match may wait to February.) It is unclear if NJPW is running their Honor Rising co-promoted tour with Ring of Honor in February, but Dragon Lee sliding over to those shows instead of FantasticaMania would probably help all parties.

AAA is tomorrow in Juarez. AAA now has the stream start time as 6:45 CT; that’s nearly 2 hours after the poster time (which is listed in Mountain Time.) Maybe keep an eye on Twitch in case it rolls out earllier.

This is a lineup that is going to change. La Parka was scheduled for the main event. AAA’s policy to never change their posters means he’s still listed for the main event despite suffering injuries which may have ended his career. (Would AAA have changed the poster if Parka passed away?) AAA has locally been advertised a surprise wrestler in Parka’s spot, with no hints at the identity. The rest of the main event has Blue Demon teaming with Averno & Chessman against Pagano & Dr. Wagner & whoever will be their partner in a lumberjack match.

The other match subject to change is the four way match with Daga, Taurus, Brian Cage, and Flamita. Daga made a point of saying on Twitter he would not wrestle in AAA unless it was for one of the singles championships (his own or challenging for the other ones.) Daga was in Texas to wrestle this weekend, so he’s presumably making it to Juarez – it could be as simple as that four-way is now a title defense.

The semi-main has Psycho Clown, Nicho and Taya against Rey Escorpion, Texano Jr. and Ayako Hamada. Ayako is one of the women scheduled to challenge Taya for the Reina de Reinas championship at TripleMania Regia. Murder Clown, Pimpienla Escarlata and Mamba face Monster Clown, Parka Negra, and Arez in the second match. That seems like an easy win for the tecnicos, though Murder Clown could use a decent win before his cage match. Big Mami teams with Nino Hamburguesa and Mascarita Dorada against Keyra, Demus and Lady Maravilla in what might be the best match on the show. The Guerra de Titanes card will be out soon, we still don’t know who will be Big Mami’s partner to challenge Lady Maravilla and Villano III Jr., this seems like the time for that announcement. AAA cards typically have six matches, so it is possible something may be added along the way.

Lucha Central has a preview of the AAA show.

There’s another notable AAA show tomorrow. AAA is in Tunj, Colombia for a show Sunday. This was a two-show tour, the first show in a larger building got canceled, and it is a surprise the second one is still going ahead. No full card has been announced. Social media has promoted Maximo, Octagon Jr., Bengala, and Super Fly as appearing.

There’s plenty of other shows this weekend, some of which have started by the time you’re reading this

Saturday

• The biggest show in Mexicali in a long time is tonight, as the local Arena Nacionalista based group (along with likely some help) is running the bulling. The main event is Alberto vs Rush vs Penta. The semimain has Dragon Lee vs Rey Fenix vs Mechawolf vs Bandido. It’s listed as being taped for TV, though the better hope is some of the Tijuana video people make the two hour drive.
• Arena Lopez Mateos features the Casas Brother (rare Heavy Metal appearance) vs Mr. Aguila, Mr. Electro and Zumbido, who really should go by Mr. Zumbido for the night.
• tiny Mexico State promotion Mama Luchas has moved into their own building and is running Carisitco & Mistico vs Ultimo Guerrero & Gran Guerrero to celebrate
• MexaWrestling has a Toxin vs Lady Flammer main event where someone’s taking a Spanish Fly for sure. The luchadors who impressed in the small guys vs big guys match are back, though split among a couple of different matches.
• AIMA (no idea) is running CAR The Crash with Wotan vs Drako on top.
• Gimnasio Hercules is bringing in some northern Mexico names, with Epydemius teaming with Latigo against Arez & Erick Ortiz. That should be a really good match if goes out like they’re capable of doing. Iron Kid vs Belial is also on that show.
• Pro Wrestling Revolution in San Francisco has Flamtia vs Puma King and LA Park in the main event. This may eventually turn up on Twitch, but you’ll have to be there to see it live.
• Arena Coliseo has nothing in particular.

Sunday

• RCH runs their first show in over a year at Arena Naucalpan. Penta & Fenix are scheduled to wrestle Rush & Bestia del RIng. Latigo defends his mask against Atomic Star’s hair.
• Arena Azteca Budokan has their 58th Anniversary show.
• Black Mask Lucha Libre & Lucha Libre Vanguardia are running in Arena Jalisco, with a GCW Tag Team title match. Will Charly Manson & Makabre or Halloween & Joe Lider win the GCW Tag Team championships from Ciclope & Miedo Extremo? Probably not but it is listed as +LuchaTV show so you’ll see at least highlights eventually.
• Arena Mexico has nothing in particular.

Today

CMLL (TUE) 11/19/2019 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) El Divino, Fantástico, Mr. Samurai vs Cris Skin, Fúnebre, Paymon
2) Explosivo, Magnus, Retro vs Akuma, Disturbio, Guerrero de la Muerte
3) Black Panther, Esfinge, Fuego vs Dark Magic, Tiger, Universo 2000 Jr.
4) Fugaz, Soberano Jr., Titán vs Furia Roja, Hechicero, Rey Bucanero
5) Místico, Valiente, Volador Jr. vs Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón

NGD vs Mistico and friends in the main event again.

It didn’t really crystalize to me until this week, but Fugaz is not really the Triton replacement as much as he’s the Esfinge replacement as the local Guadalajara star who also works in Mexico City a bit. Which doesn’t bode well for Esfinge’s future.

CMLL (FRI) 11/22/2019 Arena México
1) Angelito & Último Dragóncito vs Pequeño Universo 2000 & Pierrothito
2) Blue Panther Jr., Drone, Stigma vs Kawato San, Okumura, Virus
3) Black Panther vs Esfinge [lightning]
4) Audaz, Kráneo, Star Jr. vs Hechicero, Rey Bucanero, Templario
5) Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón vs Stuka Jr., Titán, Valiente
6) Místico, Soberano Jr., Volador Jr. vs Gran Guerrero, Negro Casas, Último Guerrero

Main event rematch. Semi-main is almost a rematch. It feels like CMLL’s focusing on a smaller group of top wrestlers. They may also just have fewer top guys to focus on.

CMLL (FRI) 12/06/2019 Arena México
1) Ricky Boy, Skayde, Súper Muñeco vs Gallego, Mr. Cóndor, Rocky Santana
2) Atlantis Jr., El Audaz, Star Jr. vs Misterioso, Sagrado, Tiger
3) Blue Panther, Negro Casas, Virus vs Mano Negra, Negro Navarro, Súper Astro
4) Solar I vs Satánico
5) Carístico, Valiente, Volador Jr. vs Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón
6) Rayo de Jalisco Jr., Tinieblas Jr., Villano IV vs Canek, Fuerza Guerrera, Máscara Año 2000

CMLL only first announced the legends show last night and they’ve got a card for it. The main event will be one of the worst major arena matches of the year, which is no crime. It will feel criminal if anyone gets hurt during it. I hadn’t thought of Tinieblas Jr. in a while; he seemed to be loosely part of Nacion Lucha Libre for their first show and then hasn’t actually wrestled there.

Virus seems like a late replacement for someone. Atlantis would meet the standards of this show and isn’t booked. He hasn’t been on any show in two weeks, so perhaps someone finally got him to stop wrestling in obvious pain. I would guess there are people who will wrestle on this show in worst condition than Atlantis, but CMLL doesn’t see them as often to know it.

Ricky Boy will be working his first match in Arena Mexico since 1986 according to the luchadb. The database is missing the proper info, just like it’s missing the proper info on Skayde, but this is not someone with a lot of CMLL history coming back to the company. That’s really an El Toreo match, and also CMLL scrounging up whoever they can find. Ricky Boy disappeared as a regular after 1995 and it is unclear if he has just been wrestling indies off the radar or if he got another gimmick after his run as Elvis in AAA.