DST reminder
If you’re in the US or some locations in the world, Daylight Savings Time starts late Saturday night/early Sunday morning. Clocks move ahead one hour; every show starts one hour later. Mexico, outside of border towns, does not switch its clocks for four more weeks. It’s not as big a deal with fewer people watching Mexican wrestling live, but things like my Twitch stream of AAA will be affected.
This starts Saturday night, so tomorrow’s AAA show on FITE and today’s CMLL show on Ticketmaster are not affected.
CMLL
CMLL has their weakest Friday night show in the last stretch tonight. The bulk of the show is the loser’s advance tag team featuring the luchadoras, where the final will take place on next week’s show. The top men’s match is an atomicos match with a Los Depreadores (Volador, Magia Blanca, Magnus, Rugido) against a random combination of rudos (Negro Casas, Templario, Dragon Rojo Jr., and Coyote.) Volador and his guys were rudos feuding with Mistico last week and now might be tecnicos next week. The opening two matches are nothing special. It’ll air on TicketmasterLive for the usual 99 pesos. It’s a show to skip if you only get these shows occasionally, though I’m not sure there’s anyone left who does that.
This is anecdotal, take it with a grain of salt, but it seems like CMLL is giving away more tickets to show than they’ve done in a long, maybe even more than the pandemic. It’s not a huge papering of free tickets, but what used to be just major media partners (radio, TV) getting a few tickets to give out seems to have been extended to many of the digital media which cover the shows as well. I’ve seen it pop up more on social media. I see it as a marketing message – “it’s safe and fun to come back to Arena Mexico now.” It seems like a message getting received. I’m not sure tonight’s show will draw well, but the last two Friday nights have been good turnouts and next week’s Homenaje a Dos Leyendas might be one as well.
Weekend lineups
CMLL (SAT) 03/12/2022 Arena Coliseo
1) Acero & Aéreo vs Full Metal & Minos
2) Eléctrico, Sangre Imperial, Suicida vs Cholo, Grako, Inquisidor
3) Arkalis, Pegasso, Stigma vs Akuma, Dark Magic, Espanto Jr.
4) Blue Panther, Dark Panther, Star Jr. vs Dragón Rojo Jr., Hijo del Villano III, Misterioso Jr.
5) Atlantis Jr., Gran Guerrero, Último Guerrero vs Euforia, Hechicero, Mephisto
The main event is a rematch, probably setting up a singles match for next week.
CMLL (SUN) 03/13/2022 Arena México
1) Angelito & Último Dragóncito vs Mercurio & Pequeño Violencia
2) Cachorro, Halcón Suriano Jr., Panterita del Ring Jr. vs Cholo, Inquisidor, Raider
3) Diamond, Okumura, Volcano vs El Audaz, Misterioso Jr., Nitro [Relevos Increíbles]
4) Esfinge, Fugaz, Star Jr. vs Felino Jr., Pólvora, Rey Bucanero
5) Místico, Stuka Jr., Titán vs Dragón Rojo Jr., Sagrado, Terrible
Nothing special going on here. Diamond really lost out being in that tercera instead of with the rest of the Depredadores on the Friday night show.
CMLL (MON) 03/14/2022 Arena Puebla
1) Fénix SO vs Guerrero Espacial
2) Millenium & Valiente Jr. vs El Perverso & Nitro
3) Halcón Suriano Jr., Kráneo, Volcano vs Hijo del Villano III, Misterioso Jr., Okumura
4) Atlantis, Negro Casas, Rey Bucanero vs Ángel de Oro, Niebla Roja, Stuka Jr. [Relevos Increíbles]
5) Místico & Templario vs Atlantis Jr. & Gran Guerrero
Atlantis Jr. wrestled on a lot of Mondays. The main event is a rematch, they may be doing a Stuka/Atlantis Sr. feud in the semimain.
CMLL (TUE) 03/15/2022 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Cosmos, Micro, Último Ángel vs Destello, Ponzoña, Temerario
2) Bello Antuan, El Divino, Mágico vs Gran Kenut, Jabalí, Thunder Boy
3) Miss Olympia, Náutica, Sexy Sol vs Dark Silueta, Hera, Valkiria
4) Explosivo, Gallo, Joker vs Cris Skin, Mr. Trueno, Rey Trueno
5) Místico & Soberano Jr. vs Atlantis Jr. & Gran Guerrero
CMLL CDMX wrestlers are back in Guadalajara. Valiente’s daughters are on the opposite side of the match night.
CMLL (TUE) 03/15/2022 Arena México
1) Acero, Acero, Angelito vs Mercurio, Minos, Pierrothito
2) Chamuel vs Micro Gemelo Diablo [CMLL MICRO]
second defense
3) Hijo del Villano III, Misterioso Jr., Okumura vs Akuma, Dark Magic, Espanto Jr.
4) Suicida vs Eléctrico, Halcón Suriano Jr., Inquisidor, Stigma, Asturiano, Adrenalina, Fantástico [CMLL SL]
vacant title
5) Star Jr., Titán, Volador Jr. vs Gemelo Diablo I, Gemelo Diablo II, Sagrado
CMLL is finishing up its To Do list on Tuesday. The Super Lightweight Championship has been vacant since Kawato returned from injury in 2019 to announce he was giving up the belt due to injury. It didn’t make much sense at the time either, though I’m sure CMLL thought they were going to decide a new champion much quicker then two and half years. This feels like an incomplete field – CMLL’s been essentially running lightweight preview matches as Friday openers, and Panterita del Ring Jr. has been a big part of them – but the wording on the poster suggests it’s a one-night thing. Occasional Puebla title challenger Asturiano is in for it, as are Adrenalina and Fantastico from Guadalajara. It might be a pretty good match; I’d rather pay for this Tuesday show than the Friday one.
It’s hard to think of anything less serious from the “serious and stable” company to have a Micro Gemelo Diablo challenging for a title and CMLL doesn’t know which one it is. If he wins, can either man defend it?
ESTO has an interview with Dulce Gardenia, promoting him as the sole representative of the LGBT+ community while also pointing out the one LGBT+ representative is a heterosexual male. It’s meant to be read more positively than it comes across to me.
AAA
Arez vs Penta from Aguascalientes is up on Facebook. That show, in a 7,000 seat venue, seems to have drawn very well.
AAA has a two-taping weekend. They’re in Monterrey on Saturday for the kickoff of the Showcenter events and then in Merida on Sunday. Only the Saturday show, a 5 pm CT start time, airs live. It’ll be on FITE for 19 USD. Larry Dallas may be calling the show alone; Joe Dombrowski is calling Warrior Wrestling (where Psycho Clown will be on Saturday too.) The Merida show will air on TV starting in late March.
The Monterrey lineup:
AAA TV (SAT) 03/12/2022 Showcenter Complex, San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo Leon
1) Reina Dorada vs Maravilla [Showcenter Tournament, torneo]
2) Baby Extreme, Dulce Kanela, Komander vs Dinámico, Emperador Azteca, Mamba
3) Taurus vs Hijo de LA Park [Showcenter Tournament, torneo]
4) Mr. Iguana, Niño Hamburguesa, Pimpinela Escarlata vs Abismo Negro Jr., Látigo, Toxin
5) Chik Tormenta vs Estrellita [Showcenter Tournament, torneo]
6) Laredo Kid, Myzteziz Jr., Octagón Jr. vs Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón
7) Hijo Del Vikingo vs Flamita [Showcenter Tournament, torneo]
I’m totally confused on the status of the main event. What we know if Vikingo has some sort of foot injury, missed his match in Ciudad Madero, and his status is unclear. The WON reported Vikingo would be out six weeks due to the injury. Vikingo wrestled last night in Aguascalientes, likely after that WON report was written. Vikingo is a young guy who seems to wants to wrestle all the time and AAA isn’t a company likely to stop him, so he’ll probably keep going and we’ll all have to hope it works out for him.
This is an interesting card for a definite b-show. Unfortunately, it’s priced at $19 and FITE can’t promise to deliver the main event or even two announcers. If Vikingo can go, his match with Flamita will be interesting. We hardly see Hijo de LA Park away from his father and brother, so him in a singles match with Taurus has some intrigue. Laredo and the company will probably get the best out of NGD. I don’t feel certain about this lineup at all but there’s some upside here if it comes off.
Monterrey’s RIOT promotion posted a response to a “grande” promotion and ended with Saturday’s date. Probably not a coincidence.
The AAA lineup for Merida is still the original one from January. We can be pretty sure it won’t happen as scheduled. AAA’s essentially a women’s match – Sexy Star, Lady Shani, and Las Toxicas are all billed as being added to the card – without talking about what’s being removed from the show. I think Dragon Lee/Laredo Kid/Willie Mack/TBA will end up as the main event of the show and who knows what else gets changed or added. This show will air on TV on 03/26 and 04/02 (though not sure if I’m streaming from Dallas.)
I’m still skeptical Lucha Brothers versus FTR will happen, but we’ll probably find out tonight. Fenix and Penta are still being advertised to face The Briscoe Brothers tonight for House of Glory. I could see them being there to sign autographs but I’d be surprised if Fenix was wrestling – no one involved is promoting that match as still happening. I’m very tired of trying to pick up social media clues if people are wrestling or not wrestling. Maybe it’ll get better past this dated Merida lineup, but there’s no great excuse for these changes to (not) be handled as they have been for the last two shows. Maybe it’s just an internet/me thing and the AAA fans in Merida will be fine if FTR/Lucha Brothers doesn’t happen; nothing is going to change unless they care. Meanwhile, AAA will keep talking about being a worldwide promotion while pulling small-time indie garbage.
AAA on Space starts at 6:45 this week, which means it’s up against the last hour of AAA on FITE. They’ll start the Ciudad Madero taping:
- Argenis vs Dinamico vs Drago Kid vs Maravilla vs Parka Negra
- Las Shotas (Mamba, Diva Salvaje, Jessy Venutra) vs Mexican Powers (Crazy Boy, Nino Hamburguesa, Xtreme Tiger) vs Baby Extreme, Sexy Star, Pimpienla Escalrata
- Los Mercenarios (Rey Escorpion, Taurus, Villano III Jr.) vs La Empresa (DMT Azul, Puma King, Sam Adonis)
I plan on recording this show and putting it up on the Google Drive on Saturday night and streaming it on Sunday.
AAA, who talks about being very excited about coming back to the US, has yet to mention or RT the lineup for their show in Dallas on WrestleMania weekend. They’ve listed it on a calendar of events and no more. FITE lists the show as part of a package WrestleCon shows, so it’s airing there. I presume it’ll be made individually available at some point. The lineup for the 04/02 USA vs the World show (also part of that package) hasn’t been announced yet, but it included a few Mexican wrestlers in past years and I think it will again.
IWRG
IWRG (THU) 03/10/2022 Arena Naucalpan [IWRG, Mas Lucah]
1) Prince Turbo & Rey Eclipse vs Baby Star & Súper Cometa 
2) Bengalee & Sagitarius DQ Mary Caporal & Satania
3) Cerebro Negro Jr., Limbo, Yorvack b Águila Oriental, Águila Roja, Spider Fly
4) Big Boy, Big Mike, Limbo b Apolo Estrada Jr., Billy Jones, Chris Stone Jr.
Limbo (working twice) replaced Chico Che (moved up) and surprised Apolo Estrada with a pin. Estrada’s partners weren’t happy.
5) El Hijo del Medico Asesino, Hijo del Fishman, Hijo del Pirata Morgan b Big Chico Che, Diva Salvaje, Jessy Ventura
Big Chico Che replaced Maximo but broke up with his partners.
IWRG keeps the lights down lown on Thursday to give it a different feel. They were down so low that ring seemed half in shadow in the video I saw. It also hid that drew better than usual, though three shows in a week Naucalapn still seems like a tough sell. Las Shotas and Los Strippers were feuding before and seemed back at it again, but it might have just been a one week thing. There was a long pause before the fourth match as if they only then confirmed Maximo wasn’t going to make it to this show and needed time to readjust the final two matches. Maximo was promoting the show as recently as the day prior.
Sunday’s IWRG show:
IWRG (SUN) 03/13/2022 Arena Naucalpan
1) Spider Fly & Villarreal vs Kenji & Rey Aztaroth
2) Caballero de Plata & Hell Boy vs Backter & Vudu Max
3) Estrella de Oro, Genex, Legendario vs Cerebro Negro Jr., Fulgor, Yorvak
4) Asterboy & Freelance vs Puma de Oro & Toxin
5) Alpha Wolf, Dragón Bane, Séptimo Dragón vs Accion Jackson, Dick Angelo 3G, Tonalli
6) Travis Banks © vs Cerebro Negro [IWRG IC MIDDLE]
Banks/Cerebro was set up two weeks ago. Toxin isn’t getting pulled into Merida as a replacement apparently.
Other News
Lucha Memes (MON) 03/21/2022 Centro Civico Tulpetlac, Ecatepec, Estado de México
1) El Bendito vs Miike
2) Gringo Loco (Indie) vs Keyra
3) Corsario Negro & Drako vs Dante & Thunder Storm and Freelance & Lunatik Fly and Astrolux & Black Metal
4) Gringo Loco (Indie) & Miike vs Noisy Boy & Spider Fly
5) Calibus & Perro de Guerra Jr. vs Avisman & Judas el Traidor and Drolux & Moria and Epitafio & Leviatham
6) Alas de Acero, Gringo Loco (Indie), Iron Kid vs Corsario Negro Jr., Drako, Miike
This show, “Ace of Base” is a two-ring show. The galaxy brain idea is to see if (Big) Mike or Gringo Loco is the better base by having them wrestle three matches in one night. I’m not sure if this idea has connected with anyone beyond the promoter, but the matches could be good if the show doesn’t kill Gringo Loco and Mike.
MLW announced Arez, Mini Abismo Negro Jr. and ? versus Microman, El Dragon, and Aerostar for their 04/01 show.
Robles announced a 04/29-05/01 weekend tour in Mexico City, Merida and Cancun. Robles has not taped their shows themselves, so we’ll probably see a dozen fan cams of the Mexico City show and maybe nothing from the other two. The Mexico lineup and the Cancun one are vaguely the same
ROBLES (FRI) 04/29/2022 Gimnasio Olímpico Juan de la Barrera, Ciudad de México, Distrito Federal
1) ? vs ??, ???, ????, ?????, ?????
2) Microman vs Guapito
3) Brazo Celestial, Brazo Cibernetico, Brazo de Oro vs Bugambilia, Máximo, Pimpinela Escarlata
4) Big Mama, Dark Angel, Diosa Quetzal vs Baronessa, Estrellita, Keyra
5) Mecha Wolf & Rey Horus vs Hijo de LA Park & LA Park Jr. and Doberman & Ricky Marvin
6) Dragón Lee, Dralistico, El Bandido vs Carlito, Flamita, Taurus (Indie)
7) ?, La Bestia Del Ring, Rush vs Chris Masters, LA Park, Marco Corleone
The mystery main eventer is “Nuevo Ingobernable”, which is probably Dementor (Vangellys). La Mascara has been the wrestler leader of this group since Alberto quietly disappeared, so it’s very strange not to see him on these cards at all. I guess he could be the new Ingobernable just after being kicked out of the group, though that seems unlikely for even indie lucha. He’s advertised as wrestling in Guadalajara this weekend, so it’s not an injury. Maybe he’s moved to behind the scenes for these shows. Semi-main could be great with someone else besides Carlito; he and Chris Masters always seem to be a package deal.
The big talking point from these cards was the return of Dark Angel. She hasn’t wrestled in Mexico since finishing up on the 82nd (2015) Aniversario show; she took a WWE backstage job, was working there until one of their round of cuts, and has posted social media content traveling around in van since then. She and Marco Corleone seemed good friends when they were both in Mexico, so my guess is that connection got her back in the ring for the first time in a long time. Robles paying well surely helps and there are no match quality expectations to meet on these shows. These shows are simply about as many names as they can get to show up and Dark Angel is still a name in Mexico.
The Merida and Cancun lineups aren’t interesting on their own, though the Merida lineup being the same day as TripleMania Monterrey tells a bit who’s booked for that AAA show. The LA Parks, Dragon Lee, Dralistico, and Estrellita all are missing from that Robles lineup, so they’re probably booked in Monterrey. Rush, Dr. Wagner, Keyra, Pimpinela, Big Mami, Microman, and the Rebelión Amarilla crew are booked in Merida, so they won’t be on Rey de Reyes. Some of those people probably weren’t ever expected to be there or there in any important role, but Microman is surprising given his role.
AAA seemed to asking their contracted wrestlers not to work on Robles shows for completion reasons, so we can also presume Microman, Keyra, and Pimpinela join Big Mami as people who are just working on a per date basis with AAA. Pimpinela is someone who seemed like they’d be with AAA forever, but COVID affected budget probably meant some tough cuts.
Robles putting advertising out for their big show in Merida just before AAA’s own taping in Merida probably didn’t help feelings between those two groups.
NOAH announced Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. will be returning to the promotion “soon”, like Alpha Wolf & Dragon Bane.
LuchaWorld has this week’s Lucha Report.