the (end of) 2022 Tapatia Awards are still open until the end of this month.
CMLL
Today’s show
CMLL (FRI) 01/20/2023 Arena México
1) Leono, Neón, Valiente Jr. vs Apocalipsis, Enfermero Jr., Nitro
2) La Jarochita, Lluvia, Princesa Sugehit vs Metálica, Reyna Isis, Tiffany
3) Blue Panther, Panterita del Ring, Valiente vs Euforia, Hechicero, Mephisto
4) Ángel de Oro, Bárbaro Cavernario, Niebla Roja vs Dragón Rojo Jr., Oráculo, Templario
5) Volador Jr. © vs Rocky Romero [NWA WELTER]
9th defense
Rocky Romero versus Volador Jr. is most of the story tonight. It’s a rematch twenty years in the making; Romero won that time and won again last week. Volador’s history with the (NWA) Historic Welterweight Championship is beating everyone, except when it comes to set up an apuesta match. He lost the title to both La Sombra (Andrade) and Matt Taven (he’s Matt Taven), then won it back before the eventual apuesta match. There’s logic here in Romero winning the title here and then losing it back as part of Fantastica Mania in about a month. CMLL doesn’t always follow logic, and you’re also kind of betting on an apuesta match if you’re betting on a title change.
Romero seems like he’s sticking around through at least next Friday, and a rematch out of this would explain why Volador isn’t in the Reyes del Aire tournament.
(CMLL and NJPW can’t really announce full cards for FantasticaMania until this show ends – even if Volador retains, he’s probably defending it on those shows. They could announce lineups on Saturday. Or they could on any of the fifteen or so days that follow.)
There’s not a lot else interesting here, but the semifinal might explain what’s going on with Oraculo and Angel de Oro. The CMLL guy is still the Mexican Light Heavyweight champion, though Oraculo can’t challenge for that one unless there’s something we don’t know.
CMLL (MON) 01/23/2023 Arena Puebla
1) Black Tiger & Meyer vs Fuerza Chicana & Rencor
2) Asturiano, Millenium, Rey Samuray vs King Jaguar, Multy, Siki Osama
3) Arkalis, Flyer, Valiente Jr. vs Cancerbero, Luciferno, Virus
4) El Audaz, Negro Casas, Panterita del Ring Jr. vs Bárbaro Cavernario, Stuka Jr., Templario
5) Ángel de Oro, Atlantis Jr., Volador Jr. vs Gran Guerrero, Oráculo, Rocky Romero
Asturiano is back so that injury took him about twice as long to recover as he originally thought. The usual mix of main event feuds.
Polvora told MedioTiempo that he failed his college entrance exam and was looking for something to do to get in physical shape when his brother Vaquero suggested he try wrestling. He just did it as training and something to do and he didn’t ever expect to become a professional wrestler until he was two years in, and Tony Salazar told him he was going to debut. (Polvora also says his brother Vaquero is retired; his brother Vaquero sure seems to be the person under the Inquisidor mask, but both he and Polvora always deny it.) Mexico seems like the only country where some people train in wrestling just to train it, like a workout class or martial art, with no plans of doing anything beyond those training sessions.
Dragon Rojo’s one goal is to main event an Aniversario show.
CMLL is doing the December 2022 match of the year voting for a spot on the 2023 Best Of shows to take place in 2024. You’ll have to trust me that it makes sense. The only two nominated matches are Atlantis Jr. vs Gran Guerrero (December 9) and Mistico & Panterita del Ring vs Gran Guerrero & Raider (December 23.)
The cast for the upcoming (01/25) Netflix drama Contra las Cuedras did press interviews in Arena Mexico this week. This show is being advertised prominently in Arena Mexico with ads on the video boards and even on the stairs to the rings. Stephanie Vaquer’s talked about having a small role on the show. This interview mentions Ludark, Therius, Diosa Nix, Diosa Celta, and Lady Apache as participating also in the production of the show. Outside of Mexico (and around WWE TV), this show is being promoted around a Rey Mysterio cameo. That bit never comes up in the Mexico press.
AAA
The Rey de Reyes lineup was announced Thursday.
AAA TV (SUN) 02/05/2023 Poliforum Zamna, Mérida, Yucatán
1) Aerostar, Mr. Iguana, Niño Hamburguesa vs Kento, La Parka Negra, Takuma
2) Vampiro vs Sam Adonis, Jack Cartwheel, Arez [Rey de Reyes, semifinal]
3) Psycho Clown vs Bandido, Abismo Negro Jr., Komander [Rey de Reyes, semifinal]
4) Pagano vs Bestia 666, Flamita, Aramis [Rey de Reyes, semifinal]
5) Hijo Del Vikingo vs Mecha Wolf, Myzteziz Jr., Gringo Loco [Rey de Reyes, semifinal]
6) Chik Tormenta vs Sexy Star, Lady Shani, ?, La Hiedra [Reina de Reinas torneo]
7) ? vs ??, ???, ???? [Rey de Reyes]
This feels like a throwback to the earliest Rey de Reyes, where the tournament was the entire show. They’d include at least a title match by the early 2000s (though the last major show seemed to indicate most people didn’t care about a title match either way.) The long-simmering feuds remain on simmer, the big angle of LFI from Madero isn’t followed up on. Only La Rebelion beyond the TV regulars; no one from AEW or other unusual names. This lineup breaks up the monotony of regular TV tapings and it’s fine if it’s presented like that. It’s not as fine if they expect to charge 23 USD for it on FITE. (It’s not listed at all on FITE at this point.) It doesn’t seem like it’s going to draw well, but also Merida gets few big wrestling shows a year so maybe it’ll be fine.
The Facebook responses to the local promoter’s post seems disappointed with the amount of big names on the card, at the price of tickets on the show. There are more of those level of names on the 02/10 EMW/AAA spot show in Tijuana than seemingly major show.
Sam Adonis and Psycho Clown seem locked in their group. Vikingo normally would come out of his group, but this might be the time to give Gringo Loco a win if AAA truly believes they’re doing a Loco/Vikingo hair match. Pagano, Bestia, Aramis and Flamita is the most open-ended, though Pagano is positioned as the biggest star of that foursome. Maybe Adonis wins the whole thing to strengthen him as a Psycho Clown opponent.
Reina de Reinas started as a tournament similar to Rey de Reyes, then eventually became a normal championship. We haven’t had a normal tournament in quite some time. AAA says the women’s winner gets a sword too. Chik Tormenta seems the most dangerous person to give a sword of those in the match, but also giving her a big win after the mask loss fits.
AAA has a TV taping in Queretaro on Saturday, the first of the year. Pentagon & Psycho Clown face Daga & Sam Adonis in the main event. Komander vs Jack Cartwheel meet in a singles match, which might be a good challenge for two wrestlers who haven’t done many TV singles matches. Iguana & Hamburgesa meet Kento & Takuma in a rematch from Madero.
The semi-main has La Rebelion & Pagano versus Vampiro, Aramis, Willie Mack. There’s a Rebelion/Pagano/Vampiro story that hasn’t been developed much on television, as previously discussed. What sticks out to me is that Vampiro is just a regular part of AAA’s roster now. He returned as a special attraction in 2022 and now he’s just working every taping. AAA must believe they need the extra star power Vampiro provides, the same reason as Alberto’s back for the big show. The everyday AAA roster has a lot of talent but few people who’ve been pushed (and gotten over) as important people. A result of building the big show around guest stars and doing little in between them is Vampiro going from a special attraction to a weekly figure.
AAA on Space is at the usual time of 6:30 pm CT. It’s part of the Noche de Campeones. If you bought the PPV, you’ve seen everything from this week and next week’s PPV except for the Marvel Lucha Libre. I think I’m still streaming this. I expect at least five people asking if the show is live or if I’m streaming the Queretaro show (which isn’t streaming.)
vague unconfirmed AAA TV schedule
- 01/21 & 01/28: Acapulco/Noche de Champions
- 02/04 & 02/11: Queretaro
- 02/18 & 02/25: Merida/Rey de Reyes
(AAA needs about two more tapings in February for TV purposes before the Lucha World Cup.)
Marvel Lucha Libre did premiere on Disney+ on Wednesday. It is only available with a Latin American IP address. It’s five episodes but they’re short; it’s 85 minutes total. The wrestling action is brief, and mostly the matches taped back in 2020 in front of no fans. Friend of the site Alan has a thread on the show; I really haven’t seen much talk about it. This looks like a busy weekend but I may track the show down.
Angel del Amor revealed he was a body double for Gran Mazo during the series.
Promociones Junior announced they’ll be hosting an AAA TV taping in San Luis Potosi on April 8th. Way too soon for a lineup.
AAA will now allow Hijo del Vikingo matches can to be streamed live in the US, as long as they’re behind a paywall. This means Vikingo’s match in GCW with Gringo Loco on Friday and with Flamita & Rey Horus in Warrior Wrestling on Saturday will now air. (The previous GCW match will be added to that show soon.) RobViper announced the policy change during an interview with Hijo del Vikingo on Highspots TV, just as they both found out. Vikingo was booked a lot in the US at first but didn’t have much left after this weekend, largely because the no-streaming policy made it too much of a nuisance to use him. (Vikingo also noted in that interview that his first two matches – the Phoenix match for AAA and the Los Angeles match for GCW – just didn’t go as well as he expected and he didnt’t really click until the match in DEFY with Nick Wayne.) The matches this weekend are going to be key for Vikingo to get that buzz back.
(Dropping the streaming ban for Vikingo is another indication the AAA/Los Angeles show isn’t happening; no need to keep him off streaming until then if isn’t happening.)
Gringo Loco faces Arez on Saturday’s GCW show.
Laredo Kid is returning to wrestling on the March 26th IWC Legacy (Colorado) show. He hasn’t wrestled since getting hurt in October and this is a quick return on that sort of injury. At one point, he was telling people he’d like to return at Rey de Reyes, so getting the crazy luchador to rec9ver for one month more is a small victory.
You can also cross out the Lucha Brothers’ Republic of Lucha promotion off for that WrestleMania weekend; their social media announced their next show will be April 30th, a month after the WWE tourists leave town. They’re teasing Jacob Fatu vs Pentagon and Speedball vs Fenix as the two big matches.
WrestlingInc has an interview with Konnan about AAA’s decision to bring back Alberto. I do not believe it’s going to change anyone’s mind on that decision, but at least you can read how AAA talked itself into this decision. Konnan’s view is that no one besides Alberto and Saraya knows the truth of that relationship, but Alberto has had to deal with the consequences of his behavior for the last few years, claims to have become a better person, and is completely off drugs. Konnan believes Alberto’s changes to be true and says he’ll never work with Alberto again if he finds out they’re false.
The interview frames Alberto’s return as a Konnan decision, although obviously, the Roldans had to sign off on something like this. Konnan talks about Alberto being out of the business for two or three years, though Alberto was introduced with his Nacion Lucha Libre logo (still on the air despite those rumors last week.) Alberto’s also talked about as if his rocky relationship with Saraya was the only spot of trouble he’s gotten into. Most people would argue Alberto’s already been given a second chance following other incidents, and maybe also chances three through eight. AAA is not giving Alberto “a chance”; he’s a key part of their marquee events. They’ve brought Alberto back because they think they can make some money with him and he’ll be gone if he causes trouble that prevents making that money.
Big Lucha
Big Lucha and GALLI a co-promoting a show in the Chicago area on Sunday
Big Lucha , GALLI (SUN) 01/22/2023 Walther Christian Academy, Melrose Park, Illinois
1) Missa Kate vs Sussy Love
2) Torero & Viajero (Indie) vs El Potro de Oro & Sobrino Azteca
3) Dreamerbreaker vs El Bandolero, Skayde [GALLI DISCOVERY]
4) Bendito & Elemental vs Gravity (Indie) & Komander (Indie) and Joey Marx & Mason Conrad
5) Bandido (Indie), Galeno del Mal, Rey Horus vs Action Jackson, Emperador Azteca, Flamita and Axel Rico, Chuko, J. Manny [Copa Beginning]
It looks like a fun show if not a show of high end matches. It’ll air on ProWrestling.TV live for 10 USD. I assume it’ll turn up elsewhere at some point but I don’t know.
It doesn’t appear to be an official Big Lucha show, but many of the Big Lucha wrestlers are wrestling on a Skayde promoted show in Coliseo Ecatepec on 02/19. That venue often makes YouTube.
IWRG
IWRG Retro returned last night:
- 2001-07-12: Paramedico & Colt vs Tigre Metalico & Zonick 2000
- 1999-01-17: Brazo Cibernetico, Halcón Dorado Jr., Mr. Niebla (IWRG) vs Bombero Infernal, Dr. Cerebro, El Brazo
- 2001-07-12: Blue Demon Jr., Hijo del Rayo de Jalisco Jr. (Rayman), Rayo de Jalisco Jr. vs Blue Panther, El Enterrador, Negro Navarro
The main event was up on YouTube previously, but the other two were not as much.
IWRG , LLB (THU) 02/16/2023 Arena Naucalpan
1) Gravedad Cero, Oro Blanco, Voltio vs Rey Azteca Jr., Rurus, Súper Boy
2) Barba Azul II, Barba Gris, Brazo Azul vs Brazo de Platino, Demencia, Sangre Suicida
3) Mary Caporal & Princesa Azul vs ? & Sagitarius
4) Cerebro Negro & Hijo De Carta Brava vs Impulso & León Dorado
5) Gallego, Hell Boy, Romano García vs Carta Brava, Cerebro Negro, Fantasma de la Ópera
6) Dr. Karonte I & Dr. Karonte II vs Puma de Oro & Tonally and Lunatik Xtreme & Ovett Jr.
7) Atlantis Jr. & Místico vs Hijo del Villano III & Volador Jr.
This is billed as IWRG show but Fantamsa de Opera is teaming with Carta Brava and Cerbero Negro, it’s really a Lucha Libre Boom show. CMLL wrestlers in the main event, Karontes involved because Mistico is booked and just more names.
Other News
LuchaWorld has this week’s Poster-Mania.
Segunda Caida writes about some 2022 Arena Naucalpan.
Puebla luchador Galactico/Galack Xtrem passed away recently. He was an active luchador recently, unclear what happened.
The Cassandro movie debuts in Sundance tonight. It was previously announced as going up on Amazon Prime, but no date has been announced. This is a movie that seems set up to appeal to movie award voters, and we’ll get a better idea if that appeal is successful after it’s Sundance run. IndieWire has an interview with star Gael Garcia Bernal and director Roger Ross Williams, and Garcia says he watched lucha often growing up in Guadalajara. Hijo del Santo plays himself in the movie.
Arena Neza announced “Medio Metro” as managing Maximo and Bugambilia on their 01/28 show. I had no idea, but it turns out Medio Metro is a viral video star who fits with those two personalities. You never know how viral video stars translate to actually selling tickets but it’s usually worth bringing them in to see.
I assumed the 02/26 Saltillo KAOZ (with local promoter AOZA) show was off after KAOZ canceled the show the next day in Monterrey. Turns out no; both KAOZ and AOZA say the Saltillo show is still on. That’s a more expensive show if they’re not spreading expenses like flights over two shows, but there’s nothing stopping from running it if they want it to happen. I guess AOZA is helping more than The Crash & Robles.
MLW announced they’ll start airing on REELZ on February 7th. They’re airing new episodes Tuesdays at 7 pm, picking up off the current TV. A new TV sounds like really good news for that promotion. MLW also announced a Real1 vs Microman vs Mance Warner vs ? in a dumpster match for their 02/04 show. EMW (Tijuana) is teasing MLW for their 02/10 show, though I believe that’s MLW wrestlers showing up rather than a taping.
DTU is opening a new school in Tulancingo in February. The previous one closed and it sounds like this is a short term plan.
A radio interview with Black Fury, talking about being a woman in wrestling.
