Friday’s weird schedule (Central US Time)
- ROH starts at 6 pm
- preshow at 5 pm though it’s not necessarily relavant.
- CMLL starts at 9:30 pm
- AAA starts to stream on Space/HBO Max at 10:30 pm
- it’s been a while since this was the only option, so a reminder: Space/HBO will only stream the later
ROH should be almost over by the time CMLL starts. Komander also pops up on AEW Ramapage but it’s a battle royal so you may not see him for long.
CMLL
News outlets are dutiful reporting as if CMLL will have all three apuesta matches on the Aniversario show. (La Presna, Publimetro, AS, and Kaiser Sports, Record) Some directly say it’s happening, others report the three matches being signed without the necessary caveat of CMLL doing the exact same thing last year and only doing one apuesta match. ESTO is the only one who calls out what’s actually happening.
CMLL did not say they were doing three apuesta matches, they just led people to believe that might happen. People will be upset when CMLL reveals it’s a tournament or something, but they will still go to the Aniversario show. Maybe the lesson of the week is you can still safely annoy the fans if the show you’re running is big enough.
Three teased apuesta matches is an odd number. I wonder if there might be yet a fourth to be added and, of course, CMLL couldn’t explain the rules for whatever they’re actually doing until that fourth feud gets revealed. There’s no one else making challenges that would immediately fit into that spot, but Averno & Ultimo Guerrero also didn’t exist as a feud until seven days ago.
The one non-Aniversario announcement on Wednesday’s Informa was the National Lightweight title tournament. I wrote about this when it was unveiled in Torreon a week so, and now we’re getting full fields as the lineups are announced. As a reminder, this competition will have four qualifying tournaments with local wrestlers for that region. Two wrestlers will come out of every region, and those four wrestlers will meet in a final next Sunday.
- 07/23 Arena Mexico: Astral, Diamond, Neon, Oro Jr., Futuro, Max Star, Inquisidor, Halcon Suriano Jr.
- 07/24 Arena Puebla: Rayo Metálico, Black Tiger, Amnesia, Astro, Fénix SO, Meyer, Espíritu Maligno, Dreyco
- 07/26 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara: Gallo Jr., Ráfaga Jr., Último Ángel, Eclipse, Rav, Obek, Temerario, Persa
- 07/28 Arena Coliseo Tony Arellano (Torreon): Sparko Jr., Platino, Clasico, Hassan, Brillante Jr, Misterioso Blanco, Misterioso Negro
This is nothing like CMLL would’ve done in 2022 and 2019. The people who don’t follow CMLL regularly won’t see it but this a promotion making serious changes.
Today’s show:
CMLL (FRI) 07/21/2023 Arena México
1) Angelito & Pequeño Magía vs Full Metal & Minos
2) Capitán Suicida, Halcón Suriano Jr., Valiente Jr. vs El Coyote, Okumura, Pólvora
3) La Jarochita, Lluvia, Sanely vs La Catalina, Reyna Isis, Stephanie Vaquer
4) Gran Guerrero, Stuka Jr., Último Guerrero vs Averno, Euforia, Mephisto
5) Místico vs Rocky Romero, Metalik, Volador Jr., Templario, Titán, Máscara Dorada 2.0, Dragón Rojo Jr. [Leyenda de Plata, semifinal]
Templario and Dragon Rojo fighting to continue their Aniversario feud makes sense in isolation. However, they’re already scheduled to do that match in Puebla on Monday, so CMLL’s unlikely to do it again on Friday. It would also be surprising to see one without the other. That leaves the other six, and plenty of possible combinations. (Reminder: this is a final two advance to next week situation.) I kept thinking Dorada/Romero had a chance for the final, but it seems too soon for 2.0 to win this tournament and there’s no sense in him losing it either. I don’t know what it’s going to be, but it should be pretty good. The rest of the show is fine. It’s on boletia as the new normal.
CMLL (SAT) 07/22/2023 Arena Coliseo
1) Hera, Olympia, Skadi vs Dulce Kitty (Jalisco), Nexy (Jalisco), Sexy Sol
2) Apocalipsis, Cholo, Disturbio vs Barboza (Jalisco), Draego (Jalisco), Persa (Jalisco)
3) Fuego, Halcón Suriano Jr., Volcano vs Bestia Negra, Cris Skin (Jalisco), Ráfaga (Jalisco)
4) Misterioso Jr. vs Halcón Negro Jr. [lightning]
5) Cancerbero, Luciferno, Virus vs Leo (Jalisco), Omar Brunetti, Vaquero Jr.
6) Metalik, Soberano Jr., Terrible vs Gran Guerrero, Hechicero, Titán [Relevos Increíbles]
Likewise, a Mexico City versus Guadalajara show is also something CMLL of even last year wouldn’t have tried. The prior priority above of all was “make sure the Mexico City guys get [x] amount of bookings per week” and now they’re much more open to other ideas.
This is not Omar Brunetti’s Mexico City debut. He debuted in Arena Coliseo as Black Metal in 2013. He and another Guadalajara guy worked a weekend of shows as a sort of tryout. Black Metal returned to Guadalajara and eventually lost his mask. His Guadalajara opposite also went back to Guadalajara for the rest of the year, but Barbaro Cavernario came back to Mexico City the next January and basically never left.
CMLL (SUN) 07/23/2023 Arena México
1) Bengala & Robin vs Grako & Raider
2) Amapola, La Maligna, Tiffany vs La Magnifica, La Vaquerita, Metálica [Relevos Increíbles]
3) Astral vs Diamond, Neón, Oro Jr., Futuro, Max Star, Inquisidor, Halcón Suriano Jr. [MEX LIGHT, semifinal]
final 2 advance
4) Panterita del Ring, Star Jr., Valiente vs Gemelo Diablo I, Gemelo Diablo II, Sagrado
5) Atlantis Jr., Máscara Dorada 2.0, Metalik vs Bárbaro Cavernario, Dragón Rojo Jr., Rocky Romero
The elimination order of this group is going to be as interesting as the final two. Astral seems the highest ranked of this batch and Inquisidor is the only person who challenges for this title, so they’re the default best two to move on. Diamond, Oro Jr., and Halcon Suriano Jr. are regulars who have stalled or fallen backwards. Neon, Futuro, and Max Star are the new class – have they surpassed the regulars?
The main event could be fun. The semi-main does continue whatever’s going on with Valiente and Los Malditos. I don’t like it that Raider’s slipped into the opener but I guess he doesn’t pass as lightweight?
CMLL (MON) 07/24/2023 Arena Puebla
1) Asturiano & Xelhua vs Centella Roja & Hijo de Centella Roja
2) Rayo Metálico vs Black Tiger, Amnesia, Astro, Fénix SO, Meyer, Espíritu Maligno, Dreyco [MEX LIGHT, torneo]
3) La Jarochita & Lluvia vs Hera & Olympia
4) Halcón Suriano Jr., Star Black, Stigma vs Felino, Felino Jr., Rey Bucanero
5) Templario © vs Dragón Rojo Jr. [CMLL MIDDLE]
first defense
6) Metalik, Místico, Octagón vs Fuerza Guerrera, Rocky Romero, Último Guerrero
Match 3 is probably setting up a rematch for next week, and probably not a great one. Note Rocky and Metalik both seem to be hanging around after the Leyenda de Plata.
There seems to be an attempt to use different people then in the BARROCO championship. Black Tiger, Astro and Espiritu Maligno have gotten shots in Mexico City before; two out of those three is the most likely outcome. I’m rooting for Fenix (Siki Osama) for maximum confusion.
CMLL (TUE) 07/25/2023 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Black Boy, Thunder Boy, Yaky Boy vs Gran Kenut, Jabalí, Ponzoña Jr.
2) Gallo Jr. vs Ráfaga Jr., Último Ángel, Eclipse, Rav, Obek, Temerario, Persa [MEX LIGHT, torneo]
3) Sanely vs La Catalina [lightning]
4) Adrenalina, Explosivo, Fantástico vs Blue Panther Jr., Cachorro, Dark Panther
5) Arlequín, Hechicero, Terrible vs Averno, Euforia, Mephisto
6) Máscara Dorada 2.0, Metalik, Rocky Romero vs Hijo del Villano III, Soberano Jr., Villano III Jr. [Relevos Increíbles]
I know it’s a Tuesday Guadalajara show, but Villano III Jr. main eventing a show this quick is going to make him feel like he absolutely made the right decision. That main event is headed to a Soberano/Metalik match.
Averno hanging out with Los Infernales again, versus Hechicero. It’s Guadalajara, so Satanico would be around to be part of any angle.
I have no guess on who’s coming out of this block. These eight are all guys who haven’t even been pushed much in Guadalajara. I guess the second generation guys are the best bet?
AAA
The Verano de Escandalo lineup
AAA TV (FRI) 07/21/2023 Arena San Marcos, Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes
***Verano de Escandalo, 2023***
0) Bestia Infernal, Príncipe Seir, Sauron vs Águila De Guerrera, Drakus, Pigman
1) Diva Salvaje, Dulce Kanela, Jessy Ventura vs Dinámico, Kamik-C, Skalibur
2) Jack Cartwheel, Laredo Kid, Willie Mack vs Antifaz del Norte, Látigo, Tosscano
(Space/HBO Max may pick up around here)
3) ?, Dalys, Negro Casas vs La Hiedra, Nicho el Millionario, Puma King
4) Forastero, Hijo de Máscara Año 2000, Sansón vs Abismo Negro, Psicosis, Toxin [AAA TRIOS]
8th defense, 5th on TV. Hijo de Mascara 2000 replacing Cuatrero (jail).
5) Octagón Jr., Pagano, Vampiro Canadiense vs ?, Daga, Taurus
6) El Patrón Alberto, Hijo Del Vikingo, Psycho Clown vs Cibernético, Gringo Loco, Sam Adonis
Gringo Loco is coming all the way from Japan for this – a match with Vikingo to continue a feud with no destination. (Those weren’t followed up on TripleMania Tijuana, but you can add that and the Psicosis/Arez stuff to feuds that haven’t gone anywhere.) It’ll be impressive if Gringo makes it from Tokyo and Aguascalientes and it would be impressive, but I’m fine if the man takes a belated birthday break and skips out on this one.
It would be weird for NGD to stay champions while Cuatrero is in jail, but I don’t know that AAA has many plans for the Vipers as champions, either. It doesn’t feel like it matters who has any of these belts, which is the problem wit AAA titles. There has been no update on Cuatrero’s status in months.
I was unaware, but lucha libre Facebook has apparently talked themselves into the mystery person teaming with Dalys and Negro Casas being another member of the Casas family – maybe Heavy Metal or Felino. I just figured it was meant to be a mixed tag match and Puma was meant to defend wrestle Fenix, they combined the two when Fenix wasn’t around and the mystery person is the new Drago or whoever is available. Felino hasn’t been around CMLL much in the last few months so I guess it’s possible. He is booked Monday though. Felino jumping doesn’t seem likely given the terrible experience Felino says he had last time he jumped to AAA. Heavy Metal’s made cameos the last couple of years in AAA so that could fit.
Match 2 probably was intended to keep warm midcard feuds – Latigo/Cartwheel, Laredo/Antifaz, the Toscano/Willie one everyone forgot existed – and now might be more about building Cartwheel up for a title match. Note that match and the opener likely won’t air on the live stream. It may air next week or the week after, who knows.
The sentiment I saw about TripleMania Tijuana from English-speaking fans was mostly (and heavily negative), so it’s worth pointing out the Wrestling Observer Newsletter poll on the show leaned slightly positive. 26 people liked the show, 20 people didn’t like the show, 6 people were in the middle. It’s a smaller number of respondents than most PPV polls, but a win is a win.
Facebook page La Realdidad de la Lucha Libre points out Texano Jr. actually couldn’t have physically been the person who gave Pagano that martinete all the way back in February because he was wrestling in a show in Tlaxcala that day. It was two guys who attacked Pagano back then and just one guy in Chihuahua, so I wonder if plans changed or if there just weren’t real serious plans.
ROH
ROH’s Death Before Dishonor tonight includes two lucha libre matches
- Lucha Brothers (c) vs the Kingdom vs Aussie Open vs Best Friends for the ROH Tag Team Championship
- Komander vs Gravity
This show is a 40 USD show, sold on Bleacher Report and Honor Club in the US and on FITE internationally. It is not part of the ROH weekly Honor Club subscription, and some fans are going to struggle with that concept.
Komander versus Gravity is truly just “Komander’s on TV and never wins, who can we put him against to get a win that’ll be exciting, we have Gravity’s number that’ll work.” It probably doesn’t warrant more thinking than that. HOWEVER, I’m going to do more thinking. Gravity is good, people will like some of the signature things he does in this match, but there are also like a dozen wrestlers in Big Lucha who are as good or better than Gravity who also have visas. The one big thing Gravity has over everyone else is a brother under AEW contract, and everyone knows that. It’s how he got those Dark bookings, and those Dark bookings led him to be on AEW/ROH’s call list for a spot like this. It’s great in the short term for Gravity, it’s probably going to cause more problems in the long term for happiness there. (It may have already been a factor in Exastis and Elemental exiting.)
I like Gravity, I’m glad he’s getting a PPV chance and I hope he makes the most of it. I would’ve really liked to see someone like Flamita in that spot. (There are a bunch of other names I would’ve picked over Gravity as well; many of them are scheduled to work the AAA show.) I like face/face match ups – tonight’s CMLL main event will be great – but if AEW wants to showcase their young high flyers, they need to give them some rudos to work off of. Right now they have Gringo Loco and not much help for him.
The Lucha Brothers haven’t defended these ROH tag titles since winning them in April. The ROH explanation is they’ve been busy with lucha libre commitments and won’t be going forward. That was an important lucha libre story if ROH’s saying Penta will be working less lucha libre (AAA) dates the rest of the year. To people who follow ROH, it was an explanation that didn’t hold a lot of water – Fenix and Penta have been around a decent amount, working six/eight man tags with Komander & Vikingo instead of defending those titles.
There’s no particular build to this tag team match beyond them being four teams that exist in the great AEW/ROH sphere. The show is overall like that – the men’s title match was set up two days ago (and changed a couple of times), the women’s match was set up less than a week ago, the TV title was set up with a tournament that might have not been meant to be a tournament when they started filming because something changed there, the trios title match features challengers who haven’t been part of this version of ROH. The TV itself is behind a paywall, which started out with a 12K subscribers and quietly seems to have diminished because the promotion doesn’t feel vital enough to justify the cost when so much is availabe. (CMLL’s in the same situation.) ROH is not a good place and it’s hard to know what’s it’ll look like in a year, or if it’ll even continue to exist in this form.
Death will probably still be a good show, but not one people are all that excited for. It’s a show that’s happening because ROH scheduled a PPV for this date, not because they had a PPV card ready. There are a lot of fair questions to be asked about if this version ROH needs to exists. I think they’ll prove it to some extent with the quality of this show but it needs to be much more than that.
IWRG
IWRG (THU) 07/20/2023 Arena Naucalpan [IWRG]
1) Baby Star & Legado b Adrenalina & Rey Aztaroth 
2) Candy Swing, Lolita, Rey Halcón b Danessa, Fussion, Hatana
3) León Dorado, Mr. Leo, Puma de Oro DQ Imposible, Relámpago, Shocko
4) Tonalli NC Hell Boy
Tonalli attempted to give Hell Boy a martinete, the referee broke it up, so Toanlli gave the referee a martinete. Seems like a DQ but the commission ruled it a no contest maybe because Hell Boy fouled Tonalli after.
5) Hijo de Canis Lupus & Noisy Boy DQ Hijo del Pirata Morgan & Puma de Oro
Puma de Oro replaced Latigo. Mystery Russian Ivan Rockov attacked Hijo del Pirata Morgan. Announcers seemed to think it was a DQ with Pirata’s team winning, but IWRG’s results said it was a DQ with Lupus’s team winning.
I was going to go back and watch those two top matches and I have less interest in doing so after seeing the finishes.
IWRG’s gone with both Ivan Rockov and Ivan Rokov so far; I guess they don’t have to decide until he wrestles. He’s wrestled elsewhere as “Ivan Markov”; that’s the name you’ll find him in the match databases. He’s said to be husband of Natalia Markova but there was some uncertainty if that was an active relationship. IWRG seemed to be a three-way match with Ivan, Pirata and Lupus, but also it’s IWRG so Rokov could disappear before it ever happens. He doesn’t seem to have any particular knowledge of IWRG outside of it being a place in Mexico where he could wrestle and they’d treat him like a big star.
Other News
WWE makes a visit to Mexico this weekend. They’re in Mexico City on Saturday and Monterrey in Sunday. WWE’s weirdly billing this as the first ‘Supershow’ since 2019 and the first ever in Monterrey. They ran both of those buildings last year, but I guess they weren’t brand-combined super shows. Roman Reigns will defend his title against Rey Mysterio in Mexico City only; that should draw better than the last few WWE shows in Mexico.
WWE top ticket prices are much more expensive than AAA in the same building, but their expenses are also much higher. The ticket map on SuperBoletos indicates WWE will cut off about 25% of the arena, so AAA should outdraw WWE in terms of people in the building.
In the distant past, WWE trips to Mexico City included quiet tryouts and WWE wrestlers quietly popping up at CMLL venues. That hasn’t seemed to happen as much the last few years, and COVID might have been part of it. It’s less of an issue now.
Shocker is back in rehab. Shocker’s mother, Sanjuana Reyna, appeared on TV Azteca talk show Ventaneado on Wednesday to talk about her son’s condition and ask that his fellow wrestlers run a charity show for him. (Radioforumla has a summary.) Reyna mentioned it was the third time Shocker has gone to rehab. Shocker was living with her after a previous stint, knew that many addicts relapsed after three months, and was so concerned that he moved out at that mark rather than make her deal with it. He did relapse; she believes this was due to a love relationship gone bad. She says some promoters were paying Shocker with drugs rather than money. Reyna talks to Shocker every Sunday in his treatment center and says he’s feeling good, but she wants him to go from rehab to a psychiatric clinic, and then to the long-needed jaw operation. The problem is the cost of the jaw operation is out of reach; she couldn’t afford it even if she sold her home, and that’s why she’s asking for help. Reyna says she’s told by others she needs to cut ties with Shocker and his issues, but can’t bring herself to do it as a mother.
Milenio interviewed Torreon luchador Cavernario Galindo Jr., who is in the hospital after suffering a stroke. It reads like he’s been there for a while and may not be able to leave it; he mentions various aliments he’s had and that he was given last rites at one point. Galindo Jr. retired in 2017 and tells some colorful stories about his life, including two times when he thought he was going to be killed by fans.
Record interviews current Leon luchador Latin Star (Jose G. Sanz), who’s bigger wrestling business is making boots for wrestlers in WWE, AEW and Impact as Wrestling Boots Zahar. He started out being the sales guy and his friend Martin Zavala the boot maker in 2013, and had to take over making the boots when Zavala passed away in 2017. He was still also wrestling, including some shows in the US. Lance Archer saw his boots on a show in Texas, and that opener the door to some international business. Business among US wrestlers really picked up aaf Mickie James showed the boot on social media.
Periodico La Voz interviews Monclova’s interviews Mario Ayala.