Month: August 2020

It was a busy weekend.

Results

Vanguardia (SAT) 08/29/2020 Tulancingo, Hidalgo [Critero Hidalgo, Mas Lucha]
1) Máscara De Ángel b Alfa Jr. 
2) Billy & Murdock b Falcón Fire & Misionero 
Los Fugitivos win in their debut
3) Gasparín Jr. & Símbolo Azteca © b Kill Korton & Tromba and Príncipe Aéreo & Resplandor [BMLL TAG] 
Tromba & Kill Korton replaced Amensia & Aster Boy. Gasparin & Simbolo retained but were attacked after the Hunters (Moria & Drolux) after the match.
4) Draztick Boy © b Eclipse Jr., Cobre, Látigo [BMLL CRUISER] 
very good match. Draztick Boy defeated Cobre.
5) Crazy King, Fly Star, Miedo Extremo b Caballero de Atena, Dragón Boy, Jitsu, Rey Dragón [infierno death match] 
Santy Hernandez interfered, but Ciclope returned from his forever ban to run him off and throw him in an ice cream truck. Macizos won, then Crazy King challenged Fly Star for the 4×4 championship (which seems to be treated now like a regular title and no longer a 24×7 deal.)

I saw most of this, and it was easily the best of the three shows Vanguarida has run during this period. Draztick Boy’s match was very good as normal, there were a lot of ideas in the three way tag, and the main event was the expected spectacle. Maybe too much of one; there were about three different big moments which felt like they should be the end of the match and it instead kept going. It’s tough to say no to ideas.

This was a drive-in show. The original idea (and the idea for the next show) was to use a soccer field. Perhaps because they got shut down, this ended up in what appeared to be someone’s back yard. It was a tight fit and it didn’t seem like all the vehicles had ideal views. A few people could be spotted outside of their cars or on top of a van in once case, though it seemed like most stayed in. This was also billed as live though it was obviously recorded.

Vanguardia says they’ll be back with another drive-in show in September. This one will be a 50 peso iPPV instead of airing free.

DTU (SUN) 08/30/2020 Pachuca, Hidalgo [Lucha Noticas, Mas Lucha, R de Rudo]
1) Crazy Boy b Blaze
Blaze officially joined DTU after the loss.
2) Aero Panther, Dragón Suicida, Príncipe Aéreo b Dariux, Meta Tiger, Samuray Jr.
3) Yoshioka b Kaleth, Kevin, Hormiga, Fly Warrior
Baby Extreme moved up.
4) Brazo Celestial, Brazo Cibernetico Jr., Brazo De Oro Jr. b Black Fire, Paranoiko, Pesadilla
5) Hijo De Dr. Pólux Jr. b Avorto, Corsario Negro Jr., Chaneke, Sick Boy
6) Dr. Wagner Jr. & Shun Skywalker b Baby Xtreme & Camuflaje
Dr. Wagner Jr. (Ultimo Guerrero) and Baby Xtreme (Audaz) announced as replacements on 08/22. Galeno del Mal helped his father win. Halloween led an attack by members of the DTU roster against Wagner after the match, setting up a Wagner Family vs DTU match for the next show.

This was an iPPV and I didn’t see many comments about the match. It should eventually be added to the Mas Lucha service.

DTU says their next show will be a free w/requests for donations show. They’ll be moving from iPPV to donations just as Vanguardia is moving from donations to iPPV, which seems about right for this weird rivalry. It suggests those iPPVs aren’t doing so great, but it could also DTU wanting more attention; again, I saw little about this show when it aired. DTU’s Facebook teases that next show might be in Torreon instead of Tulancingo.

Ace Austin is the current DTU Alto Impacto champion. I only remember about this because there’s a new Ace Austin promo about the title. Austin won the title in April 2018 tour, came back in August, and still retained it, then hasn’t returned to DTU since. This was before Austin started up with Impact Wrestling; he’s come back to Mexico for those tapings but not for DTU. There was a quick title switch and back and forth in the US in 2018 and the belt hasn’t been mentioned since; it seemed like the next mention would be the belt being vacated. Instead, Ace Austin’s video proposes a tournament to determine a challenger, who he’ll defend against when he returns to Mexico. No idea when that title match will be but the timing suggests the tournament will begin on September’s DTU show.

IWRG (SUN) 08/30/2020 Arena Naucalpan [Lucha Central, Mas Lucha, SuperLuchas, The Gladiatores]
1) Rey Halcón Jr. b Atomic Star  
2) Toxin b Puma de Oro  
3) Dragón Bane b Yoshioka  
4) Demonio Infernal & Fresero Jr. b Trauma I & Trauma II  
5) Shun Skywalker b Hijo de Canis Lupus [IWRG Rey del Ring]  
winner faces last year’s winner Demonio del Aire next week

The main event is getting strongly positive reviews. I have Skywalker listed there as the Rey del Ring winner but the recaps suggest the match with Demonio Infernal (last year’s winner) is actually the championship match. It’s not exactly how they’ve done in the past but it makes no difference.

AULL (SAT) 08/29/2020 Arena Lopez Mateos [R de Rudo]
1) Sádico b Dante, Yakuza, Alas de Oro [semifinal] 
2) Terry 2000 b Sepulturero, Dragón Force, Centella Oriental [semifinal] 
3) Leviatham b Chucho el Roto, Euro, Alas De Plata [semifinal] 
4) Último Gladiador b Rocky Santana, Yoruba, Filder [semifinal] 
5) Lady Kat & Lilith Dark b Mary Caporal & Miku 
6) Sádico b Leviatham, Último Gladiador, Terry 2000 [final] 
Sadico beat Gladiador to win.

Corrected on 09/01

AULL (SAT) 08/29/2020 Arena Lopez Mateos [Furia de Titanes, R de Rudo, SuperLucha]
1) Sádico b Dante, Yakuza, Alas de Oro [quarterfinal] 
2) Leviatham b Chucho el Roto, Euro, Alas De Plata [quarterfinal] 
3) Terry 2000 b Sepulturero, Dragón Force, Centella Oriental [quarterfinal] 
4) Último Gladiador b Rocky Santana, Yoruba, Filder [quarterfinal] 
5) Leviatham & Sádico b Alas De Plata & Dante [semifinal] 
6) Terry 2000 & Último Gladiador b Centella Oriental & Rocky Santana [semifinal] 
7) Lady Kat & Lilith Dark b Mary Caporal & Miku 
8) Sádico b Leviatham, Último Gladiador, Terry 2000 [final] 
Sadico beat Gladiador to win.

I, like perhaps many of you, pointed out AULL announcing a crowd limit of 30% capacity was silly because AULL shows rarely draw close to that. I was wrong. If anything, it looks like they went over 30%. Friday, there were still videos going up promoting this show as an iPPV. Instead, it went up for free on Facebook on Saturday and on YouTube on Sunday.

IAW (SAT) 08/29/2020 Gimnasio Valiente, Ciudad de México, Distrito Federal [Box Y Lucha 3437, Carxyus]
1) Santy Hernández © b Kevin [NERW REVIVAL] 
2) Jitsu © b Tromba [IAW JUNIOR] 
3) El Mimo b Acero II, Tiger Metal 
4) Baby Love b Hera, Lilith Dark [IAW WOMEN] 
5) Látigo b Arez, Energía, Iron Kid [IAW CHAMP] 

This was a taped show with fans in attendance. The main event seems worth checking out.

Other News

Ten of Mexico’s thirty-two states are in the yellow health code as of today. There are busy local indie scenes in Ciudad Juarez, Xalapa, Acapulco, and elsewhere which could begin to run empty arena shows should they choose today. It’s likely not financially viable for those shows to happen, though many indie shows don’t seem financially viable in the best of times. If I understand the rules correctly, Tabasco can become the first state to reach green health status (public functions open to 50% capacity) when the map next updates on September 11th. Mexico City, Mexico State, Tijuana, Puebla, Guadalajara and Monterrey remain in orange, so it is up to local lawmakers in those regions to decide the rules. CMLL likely needs Mexico City to move to yellow on 09/11 to be able to put fans in the building for the Aniversario show, though they could continue to get special permission outside of this system.

Former AAA luchador Geo passed away on Thursday. He was a tag team part of Neo (Skayde) under that name. I didn’t realize until reading the obituaries that he also played AAA luchador Operativo and wrestled under Via Lactea under other names. Current luchador Geo is believed to be his son.

Bandido replaces Star Jr. in Friday’s CMLL semi-main. CMLL seemingly has stuck to its policy of not acknowledging card changes, even when Bandido is probably going to sell a couple more PPVs. It was Star Jr. on Wednesday and Bandido by Friday when CMLL sent out the lineup to the press.

Arena Coliseo Guadalajara’s social media is teasing something. Either they’ve taped an outdoor show or they’re running one soon.

El Planchitas wrote over the weekend that the free loans the Mexico City lucha libre commission had been signing luchadors up were not as free as they signed. Their claim was that other luchadors working on the behalf of the commission made up a paperwork fee to charge the loanees. It wasn’t alleged to be a large big amount – 50-100 pesos on a 1,500 loan – but every pesos matters right now. SuperLuchas points out a statement by the Mexico City commission saying the story is false and asking people to come to them with proof if they’ve been illicitly charged a fee on these loans.

It’s confusing to me why the Mexico City Lucha Libre commission is putting out statements on a random Facebook account in between cooking videos when it would cost nothing to create an actual social media account and be slightly professional.

Blue Demon Jr., in an interview with El Hijo del Santo, talked about the abuse he suffered as a child. MedioTiempo quotes the interview and I can’t find where it came from. This is a little complicated and he is not saying Blue Demon (Sr.) or his family abused him. Blue Demon Jr. was taken in by the Demon family when he was six months old, when his birth mother Iliana said she couldn’t take care of him. Blue Demon Jr. return to live with his birth mother around the age of 6.5 years old and claims Iliana and her then partner would beat him. He also says they’d lock him in a wooden box at night, while the adults went to work. Demon eventually learned to make believe it was an airplane to cope with the situation.

Chinapaluchas luchadors Mr. Jerry, Gran Felipe and Cicloncio visited a market in Xochimilico and put people not wearing face masks in holds. (They also gave out facemasks.) That’s really good viral iPPV marketing.

Octagon, in promoting the legends iPPV on 09/06 I’ve almost already forgotten about, says the wrestlers will be COVID-19 tested before the show. He also says the mask match with Fuerza Guerrera is happening really soon, and I’m not sure about that one.

09/19 MexaWrestling @ Arena San Juan (will be part of Mas Lucha’s Premium Channel)

• Toxin, Fly Warrior, Black Danger vs Fly Star, Lunatik Xtreme, Sobredosis in a tables and chairs match
• Baby Xtreme vs Dragon Bane (c) for the IWRG Rey del Aire championship – new
• Fulgor I & Fulgor II vs Epydemus & Alex Black – new

MLW says they’ll be restarting in November and teased the idea of NJPW and AAA involvement. That seems like one of those things MLW throws out just to get attention.

Lady Shani’s appearance on the women in wrestling panel is here.

Psycho Clown is now available for Zoom birthday parties.

Chik Tormenta, while thanking people for well-wishes, says she’ll be 100% to return by the end of the pandemic. That doesn’t narrow it down.

A Criterio Hidalgo piece looks at 30% capacity for Hidalgo lucha libre buildings. They list Arena Aficion as 2,846. It’s slightly higher than I would’ve guessed but I’m more likely to believe it as a real number because it’s not a round number. The article’s actual point is most of the other lucha libre focused buildings in Pachuca are too small for the promoters to run at 30% and not lose a lot of money. I would point out that Arena Aficion is running shows seemingly just to run them with hardly any people in attendance so maybe that can be opened up to more promoters if safe.

El Sol del Tampico has an interview with KBW promoter Arsenal. They mention him as a retired wrestler but he’s still wrestling a few shows a year. I guess that does make you retired in lucha libre.

Luchadors in Orizaba say they’ve been unable to get sponsorship to run empty arena shows, though they may try another no-fans show (where I guess people just wouldn’t get paid.) Plans to build a new lucha libre arena in that city have halted.

Cronica.com.mx has an interview with Tampico luchador couple R-15 and Reina Siria. His non-wrestling job is a taxi driver, and he’s seeing about 20% of normal business during the pandemic; they’re struggling to have enough money for food. It’s notable that this R-15 mentions being an AAA luchador. Many indie wrestlers say they wrestled for AAA or CMLL when they really just appeared on a spot show with them, but there was a R-15 who appeared for AAA in the late 90s who disappeared into the ether. Maybe he just went back to Tampico. (That R-15 did lose his mask, this one is masked in an interview, but that could also mean nothing.)

Arena Vidal in Chetumal still can’t reopen, so they’re looking for permission to run drive-in shows.

NVNoticias has a long bio Oaxaca luchador El Tetrico.

Upcoming Shows

Lucha Memes, LLB (WED) 09/16/2020 Arena Lopez Mateos
1) Gremlin vs Kastigador (Queretaro), Vengador
2) Rey Marte vs Domino, Imperio
3) Drako & Fantasma de la Ópera vs Cerebro Negro & Corsario Negro Jr. [Relevos Increíbles]
4) Fly Star vs Toxin
5) Freelance vs Mike Segura
6) Aramis vs Baby Extreme
7) Arez vs Ricky Marvin [cage]

The show is advertised as not being recorded. Maybe that’ll change. Memes, in particular, has often talked about studying the rest of the wrestling (and combat sports) business and trying to be innovative. It makes it strange that this show is not being sold digitally when all their peers, big or small, are trying the same. It’s a retro approach combined with matchmaking targeted at the type of knowledgable fans who might be willing to pay.

The poster bills Aramis versus Baby Extreme as a first-time match. RIOT would like you to know they had a match for them back in February 2019.

VPR , Invasion Indy (SUN) 09/13/2020 Arena Neza
1) Brazo De Oro Jr., Flayer Boy, Senky vs Aztlán, Kanon, Survivor
2) Lolita, Luis Cirio Jr., Tony Cirio Jr. vs Black Widow, Laberinto, Punker Bizarro
3) Skayde & Súper Nova vs Herodes & Hijo del Pirata Morgan and El Dragón (Chihuahua) & Impostor (Chihuahua)
4) Cuervo & Ricky Marvin vs La Máscara & Máximo
5) Dr. Wagner Jr. vs Blue Demon

I only found out about this full card by looking for Geo info. That probably is not an ideal marketing strategy though eventually, they’ll get Blue Demon or Dr. Wagner out there to talk about it. This card isn’t great but it’ll sell or not based on interest in that match. Like the last Neza show, this is an iPPV for 112 pesos.

There’s a lot of shows happening this weekend, at least by the standards of pandemic lucha libre. Many will be streamed in one form or another.

• Friday at 8 pm, Mayan Wrestling Lucha Libre is running an iPPV with wrestlers from the Yucatan area. It’s a sign up through Whatsapp, pay via bank account, watch on Facebook for 50 pesos. (I’m going just call that’s a Whatsapp PPV for the rest of these.)
• Saturday has a few shows
  • Vanguardia’s rescheduled drive-in show is scheduled to air at 8 pm on Mas Lucha. The main event is an inferno death match; or at least I think that’s the main event because the card was five movie posters and the order was never said. This might be a taped show.
  • Arena Lopez Mateos reopens with an AULL card. It’s an all locals card where the bigger names are Ultimo Gladiador and Rocky Santana, a Rey de Reyes style 16 tournament. They’re having limited attendance and it’s a Whatsapp PPV at 45 pesos today and 75 pesos tomorrow.
  • IAW’s All Play show will start to air on 08/29. This show was taped last week with fans in attendance. This is going up free probably on their YouTube channel.
  • There was a big Guadalajara show announced for this day early during the pandemic (on the idea things would be fine by now) but I’ve seen no sign it’s still happening.
• Sunday also has some shows
  • the taped DTU iPPV will air at 5 pm. It’s a Whataspp PPV for 50 pesos in advance and 70 pesos in the first. The previous two DTU shows are now on Mas Lucha’s premium channel and this one is likely the same.
  • IWRG continues with weekly Sunday shows at 3:45 pm, this one with Shun Skywalker versus Hijo de Canis Lupus in the Rey del Ring tournament final. They’re asking for donations in addition to ticket sales, and they’re not charging for the feed. (Given how badly the feed worked the last two times, that’s really for the best.)
  • GALLI’s streaming a show with Mascarita Sagrada. I don’t think a card has been announced but I assume Gringo Loco is going to try to beat up a mini.

Most of these iPPVs are probably only going to be bought by people who would’ve attended the shows but currently can not. I don’t expect large numbers or that we’ll ever hear bout them. DTU has been the one group who’ve broken through on iPPVs; it’s given them an identity they’ve lacked for the last few years. I’d guess they’ll keep going with them even as partial attendance is allowed, but I don’t know the numbers.

Mexico’s health ministry is expected to release an updated map of coronavirus health status around the country tonight. Mexico City has already announced they’ll remain in orange. While the effects of the coronavirus (schools, gatherings) still seem a Mexican news focus, the virus itself seems to have fallen far into the background. I know there’s supposed to be a map update just by keep track of the days but it doesn’t seem like people are reporting on it beforehand. States passing regulations to get around the original rules has mitigated their effects.

Pentagon Jr. was pointedly referred to as “Pento el Zero M” on AEW commentary last night. That’s the name he owns and uses on social media, while the “Pentagon Jr.” name is owned by AAA (or Lucha Libre FMV by AAA) in the US. Rey Fenix has pretty seemingly always gone by that self-owned name in AEW. Penta switching names indicated in the past issues between him and AAA, but no one’s said anything about an issue. It’s also possible that whatever agreement there is between AAA and AEW was originally supposed to wind down at TripleMania this past weekend with Omega dropping the title, and no new deal has yet been reached. I think the most likely reasoning is Rey Fenix & Penta el Zero M now have merchandize in Hot Topic under those names and would prefer to be marketed on TV under those same names to eliminate confusion. I am tired of figuring out Penta and Fenix name changes though.

Box Y Lucha posted CMLL’s virtual press interviews with Sanson, Metalica, and Retro who says his inspirations are Dos Caras and Mitsuharu Misawa. That’s a pair. This sentence was going to be pointing out the weirdness of Retro doing an interview when he’s not even a candidate to be on a show but he gave interesting info so it’s good.

CMLL has a video trailer for their September 4th show. Did they shoot new green screen footage for Felino & Barbaro Cavernario?

Sofia Alonso will apparently not be appearing as part of a panel on women in lucha libre today. Lady Shani replaces her on the discussion taking place on the Mexico Consulate of Houston’s Facebook page. AAA’s been promising Shani’s appearance heavily, while CMLL never mentioned Alonso appearing. There was no explanation of the change.

Daga & Tessa Blanchard will appear on a US wrestling show for the first time since the start of the pandemic on the Warrior Wrestling’s September shows. Tessa hasn’t wrestled since her falling out with Impact Wrestling. Daga did pop up on the KAOZ empty arena shows but his current status with Impact is a shrug emoji. Tessa and Daga got married last weekend; their Instagram photos show they had guests but I hope everyone who has that sort of function gets a chance to do it again when traveling and groups are easier.

09/16 ???? @ CAR The Crash

• Ricky Marvin vs Arez (c) vs Latigo for the NWG Master Championship

NWG is a Guadalajara promotion – this is the first time I know of the belt being defended outside of that city – and their logo doesn’t appear on the poster. The building logo is on the poster, the Taco & Grill sponsor logo is on the poster, maybe one of them are the promoters?

09/19 MexaWrestling @ Arena San Juan (will be part of Mas Lucha’s Premium Channel)

• Toxin, Fly Warrior, Black Danger vs Fly Star, Lunatik Xtreme, Sobredosis in a tables and chairs match

The match graphic is clear: this isn’t a standalone show, this is part of the existing Mas Lucha service. The text does not say it’ll be live.

A promoter in Saltillo believes local government will not permit shows until next year.

Wednesday’s CMLL Informa announced the potential challengers for the seven championships on the line for their Aniversario show, taking place on September 25th. You can vote here.

• Mexican Women’s Championship (La Metalica champion)
  • Lluvia
  • Reyna Isis
  • La Jarochita
  • Estrellita
• CMLL Women’s Championship (Marcela)
  • Princesa Sugehit
  • Amapola
  • Dalys
• CMLL Micro Estrellas Championship (Chamuel)
  • Microman
  • El Guapito
  • Gallito
• Mexican National Trios Championship (NGD)
  • Negro Casas, Felino, Tiger
  • Valiente, Guerrero Maya, Esfinge
  • Blue Panther, Black Panther, Blue Panther Jr.
  • Virus, Raziel, Cancerbero
• CMLL Trios Championship (Los Guerreros)
  • Mephisto, Luciferno, Ephesto
  • Titan, Audaz, Star Jr.
  • Barbaro Cavernario, Hechicero, Terrible
• CMLL Tag Championship (Mistico & Caristico)
  • Angel de Oro & Niebla Roja
  • Diamante Azul & Stuka Jr.
  • Flyer & Atlantis Jr.
  • Rey Cometa & Espiritu Negro
• NWA Welterweight Championship (Volador Jr.)
  • Soberano Jr.
  • Templario
  • Bandido

There’s no word about how long the polling will be open; I’d guess at least until next week’s Informa, maybe longer. The polling is being done on the website itself; the polling software records IP addresses to prevent duplicate voting. It’s unclear why some categories for four options and others three. I count 74 luchadors and luchadoras who were regular parts of CMLL who are not going a candidate in any category. Dulce Gardenia, Dark Magic, Drone, Fuego, Kraneo, Misterioso, Okumura, Polvora, Sanely, Sagrado, Shocker, Stigma, Rey Bucanero, Vangellys, and Volcano are the more prominent wrestlers. (It’s strange CMLL thought enough of Okumura & Vangellys to put them on the special show earlier this month but didn’t find a way to wedge them into a team for the Aniversario.) It does not appear most wrestlers were told if and how they’d be included, with CMLL keeping it secret it until it aired on Informa. It likely led to some upset feelings and awkwardness.

A Marcela interview conducted before the announcement but published after has her specifically saying she’d prefer to face a Lluvia, Jarochita or Sanely, not the those who’ve had those chances before. Those people are getting those chances again. Marcela also says the long layoff has given her a chance to reflect and she’s now thinking of retiring in one or two years. Likewise, Metalica said she really wants to face Sanely in the title match, and Sanely is not an option. (Metalica’s dream is to reach Ring of Honor.)

A lot of these title choices allow for about the same quality of match no matter who wins. The Mexican National Trios titles have four challenging teams who should all be good no matter who is picked. I lean towards picking people who are unlikely to get this opportunity outside of the freak occurrences which have led towards a fan-driven poll. CMLL allows Espiritu Negro & Rey Cometa to do interviews talking about how they want to earn a tag team championship, but they’ve been already slotted at a level far below that tag titles and the last decade of booking has shown that it’s nearly impossible to escape your slot. Los Cancerberos could work very hard for the next ten years and they’ll likely never get a trios championship opportunity outside of this poll. Might as well give it to them. I favor Bandido in the main event because Volador/Templario has already happened and Volador/Soberano will happen if they stick around in CMLL long enough, but there’s no guarantee when if/when we’ll see Bandido in CMLL again.

I think everyone understands Microman is going to win his poll, though it seems a little bit of a waste. Microman versus Chamuel is probably the only title match on this card which would be a draw under normal circumstances. Maybe Volador versus Bandido, but the belt doesn’t make a big difference there. Microman and Chamuel is the eternal feud of the division and Microman hasn’t got his title win yet, so the title means something. All the other matches may be part of a good show, but don’t mean as a match cold. It’s hard to believe CMLL would give away Microman’s win in front of no fans, but maybe they’ll rate the importance of creating a moment on the Aniversario show higher. (CMLL deciding not to include Zacarias, who is popular enough that he might’ve upset Microman, suggest they’re ok with Microman winning.)

CMLL also announced the first of the three lead up cards:

CMLL (FRI) 09/04/2020 Arena México
1) Diamond vs El Coyote
2) Audaz & Guerrero Maya Jr. vs Espíritu Negro & Rey Cometa
3) Marcela & Princesa Sugehit vs Dalys & Reyna Isis
4) Euforia, Gran Guerrero, Último Guerrero vs Flyer, Star Jr., Volador Jr.
5) Bárbaro Cavernario vs Felino
not a hair match

The idea is this is a special card because the Homenaje a Dos Leyendas main event is (kinda) happening. I don’t know that it’s strong enough to move anyone who was on the fence. Not sure anything can do that. The people who are going to watch all the CMLL shows have already bought in and there aren’t really many matches CMLL has that are going to pull people who weren’t happy with these shows back when they were free.

CMLL did deliver on their promises singles match, though that seems like a way of marketing less people getting work. This show has 18 luchadors on it, where a normal CMLL card is around 28. I would assume it’ll continue that way at least until CMLL can open it Arena Mexico for 30% capacity.

CMLL’s current prices (97 pesos for the smaller shows, 259 for the Aniversario, 483 for the complete package) expire next Thursday. CMLL’s posted an English promo with FantasticaMania commentator Mavs Gills to promote the show.

CMLL also announced they’ll start to issue refunds for Homenaje a Dos Leyendas on September 1st. It’s not a blanked deal; you’ll need to come to the Arena Mexico ticket office to exchange the tickets for cash (or show ID if you need a credit card refund.) The Homenaje a Dos Leyendas show has been listed as postponed on Ticketmaster’s website for some time and now is no longer listed. The joke when the pandemic started was maybe Barbaro Cavernario versus Felino would instead become the Aniversario main event. There’s a decent chance it might be held off until 2021’s Homenaje a Dos Leyendas if CMLL can’t fill most of the building until then.

Luchadors from Ciudad Juarez say they’re working a 09/16 Invasion Indy show in Arena Neza. No show has been announced yet (though they’re surely correct.) The Arena Neza Facebook account also took issue with the Mas Lucha graphic stating their capacity is 2,100, saying its instead only 1,000. I know Mas Lucha asked promoters about capacity because it came up with the Arena San Juan (which is obviously too high but they went with the promoter’s number anyway), so I’m guessing someone who runs Arena Neza gave them the 2,100 number too.

Mexa Wrestling announced they’ll be returning on 09/19 with a 30% capacity show. The show will also be an iPPV with Mas Lucha. No details yet on cost or if the show will be live.

El Sol de Hidalgo talked to Crazy Boy about what DTU was doing for their shows during the pandemic. They’re telling people to stay home if they feel even a little sick, they’re sanitizing the wrestlers and their luggage as they arrive, and they’re making face masks mandatory except during matches. They don’t appear to be COVID testing.

I watched part of the Deporte Puebla interview with Arena Puebla luchadors. Benjamin Mar again said they’ve got a card ready and waiting with CMLL’s Mexico City office for approval and would like to return with 30%. It sounds like they’re going to need permission from local Puebla officials (in the department for mass gatherings) before they can open up.

Former CMLL wrestler Guerrero Negro Jr. says he’s signed with Texas’s Team Wrestling Association. That appears to be the promotion behind this Facebook page (an indie group who probably are signing but likely did invite him to come in for a show.).

100 luchadors in Tijuana received care packages to help them out during COVID.

Hot Topic is now selling a lot of Masked Republic Legends of Lucha Libre shirts online. Most are Fenix and Penta shirts, and there’s a Solar and Psicosis design mixed in.

Critica has a longer obit for Panama luchador Joe Panther.

Lineups

IWRG (SUN) 08/30/2020 Arena Naucalpan
1) Shadow Boy vs Rey Halcón Jr.
2) Toxin vs Puma de Oro
3) Yoshioka vs Dragón Bane
4) Demonio Infernal & Fresero Jr. vs Trauma I & Trauma II
5) Shun Skywalker vs Hijo de Canis Lupus [IWRG Rey del Ring]
winner faces last year’s winner Demonio del Aire next week

It’s both Golepadors versus both Dragon Gate exports. I’d think Yoshioka has to win because Shun is not and they’re better of splitting them, but I’m not certain of it. These cards remain stripped down, especially with no 15 man match. (It’d probably a good thing if more cards were more stripped down and there was a higher bar to get booked, but it won’t stay this way.)

Felino, Volador, Mistico, and Mascara 2000 will appear on today’s CMLL Informa show. The biggest news on this show is going to be the list of possible challengers for each of the seven titles on the line on Aniversario. We don’t know much about this process will work: the number of challengers and how exactly the vote will be done are still to be revealed.

Volador and Mistico are both defending titles on that show, so the challengers will probably be announced during their segment. Felino’s mask loss is airing Saturday, so that’s the topic for his segment. Mascara 2000 doesn’t have an obvious news hook, but he hasn’t been on Informa proper since the start of the pandemic so maybe he’ll have some memories of the apuesta matches which have aired in previous weeks. Or maybe he’s a challenger for one of the titles; they need lots of challengers.

The Informa also mentions more info on the Ticketmaster Live streaming shows, which begin a week from Friday. Those shows are in “Phase 2” of the graduated ticket prices: you have until September 3rd to purchase them before prices go up (and the bundle package goes away entirely.) The two biggest questions not answered last week seem to be “why should I buy it if it’s going to air on TV shortly after?” and “what matches will be happening on the non-Anniversario shows?” All news in CMLL flows through Informa, so it feels likely they’ll announce at least the September 4th card there instead of the old system of posting it on the website over the week.

Sofia Alonso hasn’t been seen in a lucha libre in around a year, since Salvador Lutteroth (father and son) apparently took over management of the promotion from her. She’ll be back in a public forum as part of a panel discussion of women in lucha libre on Facebook. It’s being put on by the Mexico Consulate in Houston and will air on their page on Friday at 5 pm. The Salvador Lutteroth III’s appearance on the Comic-Con appearance didn’t break any big news and this similar panel likely will not, but speaking appearance by Lutteroth’s are so rare to all be notable. CMLL promoted the Comic-Con appearance and has not mentioned the Sofia Alonso one. It’s only been announced for a day so maybe that’ll change.

Mas Lucha points out this will be the second straight Aniversario with a La Metalica singles match. Last year’s match with Dalys was among the worst matches anywhere in the world. Metalica’s probably not getting a third Aniversario singles match regardless -singles matches are rare on this show, she wouldn’t be getting this one if a normal card could take place. I think Metalica’s also likely to lose the title to whoever she faces (and so that challenger poll takes on great importance.) Still, I agree with column’s point that Metalica really has to come through this time or accept she won’t get another chance.

There will be a similar Facebook panel discussion, this one on the history of Arena Puebla, tonight on the Deporte Puebla Facebook page at 5 pm. Asturiano, Stigma, Toro Bill Jr., and Benjamin Mar will appear.

CMLL’s Guadalajara Facebook posted a video of Vaquero Jr. returning to Arena Coliseo Guadalajara for the first time since the start of the pandemic. CMLL hasn’t said anything about when Guadalajara and Puebla might return to running; it is probably not in their control.

I’ve been neglectful in my role as the one person who pays attention to Exatlon Mexico news, so this cast reveal of the upcoming season 4 is actually a week old. The season concept is bringing people from past seasons back. No luchadors are on the starting cast included. That doesn’t mean they won’t be there eventually: Laredo Kid & Myzteziz were among the usual many mid-season replacements. (If you’re Hijo del Octagon – the authorized one – it definitely seems like you’d be better on this show than trying to find indie bookings the next six months.)

Welcome to Mi Barrio returns tonight with the start of a 24 person tournament. Not sure how many matches are airing. It’s a YouTube “Premiere”, which means it was taped in advance. It’s 24 people and 22 matches, so it’ll be going for a few weeks at any rate.

Lucha Libre Vanguardia’s Rey del Ghetto show from April 1st will air on IWTV with Spanish and English commentary on Sunday. This was an early pandemic show. It was built around an eight-man tournament, which came off an attempt to do a GCW Bloodsport show with only a few people who were familiar with the concept. It was not my favorite show. It aired on +LuchaTV live, but is now behind their premium paywall.

Lucha Libre Boom & Lucha Memes are running Double Power on 09/16 (September) from Arena Lopez Mateos

• Gremlin vs Kastigador vs Vengador

“Double Power” is the name AAA & LLI/UWA used for their combo shows when LLI was dying a slow & painful death, but maybe other people have different assocations with that name. September 16th is typically one of the busiest lucha libre days of the year. I have zero idea what to expect this year: anything from everyone trying to run as if it was normal to only a few shows getting approved is possible.

The poster also mentions they’re banning filming the show; usually that would mean the promotion is filming it themselves, but it’s less clear with Lucha Memes.

KeMonito’s online store has gotten a new round of publicity.

Cassandro has been doing lots of interviews since the announcement of the movie; here’s a long interview with Excelsior.

Mas Lucha put up their latest episode of the En+carados podcast, talking a lot about their Mucha Crema memories in the first half of the podcast. Also, I think they accidentally gave credit to me for a Virus introduction Alfredo posted.

IWRG thanked fans for coming out for their return show on Sunday and said they’re planning on running again on Sunday. The Gladiatores has a video report on what it was like to have a normal show.

La Opinion has an interview with Poza Rica (but originally Veracruz’s) Principe Halcon.

Retired Panamaian wrestler Joe Panther (Jose Eugenio Corro Rios) passed away Tuesday from a heart attack.

IWRG (SUN) 08/23/2020 Arena Naucalpan [Lucha Central, Mas Lucha, The Gladiatores]
1) Freelance b Chicanito  
Freelance replaced Neza Kid
2) Puma de Oro b Fly Star 
3) Dragón Bane b Lunatic Xtreme  
4) Hijo de Canis Lupus b Death Metal, Chavin, Capo del Norte, Oficial AK47, Herodes Jr., Hijo del Pirata Morgan, Heddi Karaoui, Alas de Oro, Trauma I, Mike, Lolita, Séptimo Dragón, Ludark Shaitan, Diosa Quetzal [IWRG Rey del Ring, semifinal]   
winner faces Shun Skywalker in final. Names not announced until day of show.

Hijo de Canis Lupus winning was not much of a surprise when Dragon Bane didn’t win the other half of this qualifier. One point IWRG has going for it the last decade or so is they’re always trying to push a new luchadors who came through their training school and Los Golpeadors are that act right now. Canis Lupus is the heavy favorite over Shun Skywalker in the qualifier final (next week?) and a slight favorite over prior champion Demonio Infernal when that match happens.

Mas Lucha’s stream had problems through the night, as they had in the previous Rey del Ring show. The second and third match are missing parts and I think the rumble went the same way. You’re best waiting to see if Mas Lucha posts the full recording lately or checking another channel.

Mas Lucha mentions every luchador was tested for COVID-19. The ringside camera people all appeared to be wearing face shields or gas mask style masks. It probably would better if they were COVID-10 tests too but I’m not the one who has to pay for that. Fans were temperature checked and given sanitizer as they came in the building. A moment of silence was held for all COVID-19 victims after the Maine vent.

Turnout seemed close to the planned 30% but maybe a little less. It’s going to be tough to figure if empty spaces mean unsold tickets or spacing issues.

DTU, Legend, and the Chinampalucha shows individually announced Ultimo Guerrero and other CMLL luchadors were no longer on their upcoming cards on Friday. There’s no statement from CMLL about this, as usual. Ultimo Guerrero has not made a comment.

The changes to each card:

• 08/30 DTU (taped iPPV): the main event is now Dr. Wagner & Shun Skywalker versus Camuflaje & Baby Extreme. No replacement for Baby Xtreme in the six (now five)-way.
• 09/05 Chinampalucha (taped iPPV): most of the card changed, with Zumbido/Ciclonico main event. Looks like only Mosca added.
• 09/12 Legend (Arena Lopez Mateos): the main event is now Mesias & Sharlie Rockstar versus Dr. Wagner Jr. & Joe Lider

The 09/12 Legend show change was the first to come out. Ultimo Guerrero & Gran Guerrero were to face Joe Lider & Dr. Wagner, so that removal initially looked like CMLL enforcing their rule against their wrestlers appearing in matches with AAA wrestlers. (Dr. Wagner thought he same, and uploaded a video promo insisting he was an independent and no longer an AAA wrestler.) Ultimo Guerrero also had been advertised for an autograph signing on 09/12, though normally a luchador would change the autograph signing date and keep the wrestling booking. The Chinampaluchas & DTU changes soon followed. There are no AAA luchadors on those shows, so we’re left with CMLL pulling Guerrero from every booking for other reasons.

RobViper threw out the best guess I’ve heard on this: maybe CMLL doesn’t want their luchadors on shows without COVID-19 testing now that they’re going to be running again and are seemingly doing their own testing. Lucha libre shows aren’t the only place one can get coronavirus, but it does remove one vector. The issue here is CMLL isn’t running a full schedule, likely will not be running one for some time, and is believed to not be paying the wrestlers when there are no shows. (Luchadors have talked about CMLL advancing their Christmas bonus early in the pandemic, but we haven’t heard about much more.) It’s possible that key top guys like Ultimo Guerrero are still getting something, it’s less likely someone Audaz is being helped out.

CMLL has a video from Miki Motoi explaining how to purchase the show for Japanese fans.

The Mas Luchas subscribe via their own website option for 99 pesos option appears to be back, so I really have no idea why it wasn’t working before. You can also still pay 50 pesos more to subscribe directly via YouTube.

This year’s TripleMania was scheduled for this past Saturday. AAA has not said when TripleMania will not take place. It no longer feels a certainty TripleMania will happen. Chessman versus Pagano in a hair match was one of those announced matches. Chessman did an interview over the weekend still building it up and threatening to retire Pagano immediately. Like CMLL, AAA is going to have trouble affording apuesta matches if they can’t put people in the building.

I didn’t pick up on this before, but the 08/29 AULL Arena Lopez Mateos show is an iPPV. It’ll be 45 pesos before the show, 65 pesos on the day of the show, order through Whatsapp.

Mas Lucha has Miguel Reducindo’s remembrance of Mucha Crema. As always, he has details you don’t get anywhere else. He talks about Crema leaving CMLL in 2006 perhaps being because his asking price went up after appearing on a MTV award show and over some unhappiness about his son Mario Gaytan not being given chances to announce.

Rayo de Jalisco says he was lazy…when the quarantine started, because he figured they’d just be out a month. He got to work in the gym when it became a lot longer. He told this to ESTO in promotion of the 09/06 iPPV match with Canek.

Diario de Queretaro has a bio of long time local team Dragones de Oriente. They reached 35 years in wrestling year and admit they were planning on retiring in 2020. They were hoping to do it with a final big show and suggest they’re more likely to just hang up quietly rather than wait for big shows to be possible again. These two are among those who trained Rey Cometa and it turns out Dragon de Oriente I previously wrestled as Rey Cometo.

Pachuca passed rules for a city-specific lucha libre commission on Friday. This had been in the works since November 2018. The lucha libre community want to represented specifically by a commission focusing on their issues. A five-person board still needs to elected, with the luchadors themselves voting in the election.

Tijuana officials held a meeting on formally splitting lucha libre into its own commission. Boxing, lucha libre, and MMA are currently all under the same management. Like Pachuca, the idea here is luchadors would be better served by having lucha libre people in control. I wonder if this was sparked by the recent commissioner who attempted to ban extreme and intergender wrestling (and shortly after was no longer a commissioner.) This is just at the start of process. Damian 666 and (Super) Rhyno appeared at the meeting.

Dr. Wagner Jr. opened a wrestling school in Torreon with the help of the Coahuila Sports Institute (a state governmental group.) Classes are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights at Arena Campeones.

MicromanFever translates a Munoz video talking about accidents they’ve had.