CMLL
Today’s show:
CMLL (FRI) 09/01/2023 Arena México
1) Astral, Leono, Robin vs Apocalipsis, Cholo, Disturbio
2) Capitán Suicida, Fuego, Halcón Suriano Jr. vs Crixus, Raider, Vegas
3) Blue Panther Jr. vs Magia Blanca, Fugaz, Magnus, Esfinge, Pólvora, El Audaz, Difunto, Futuro, Espanto Jr., Rey Cometa, Furia Roja [Copa Independencia, semifinal]
Polvora replaced Villano III Jr. on Sunday
4) Máscara Dorada & Templario vs Dragón Rojo Jr. & Titán [Relevos Increíbles]
5) Místico vs Soberano Jr.
Mistico versus a rudo Soberano should be good and might be great. Soberano has worked a lot as a rudo in Guadalajara this year and knows how to play the character well, the Arena Mexico crowd is very into Mistico, and the test is to see if they can get do enough unexpected to get people to believe Soberano actually has a chance.
The semi-main is an anniversary preview with some good wingmen. I don’t have any feel for who’s coming out of the Copa Independencia. CMLL replaced Fuego with “Pelon Encapucchado” (masked bald person) on Thursday. Not sure if there’s some issue with the Fuego name or if there’s a new character or if it’s even a fill-in.
CMLL does appear to have gone on another trademark spree in June and July, filing for Atlantis Jr., Templario, Vaquero Jr., and “Titan Inmortal”, the last of which are among those also still filed under Sofia Alonso’s names. The introduction of Atlantis Jr. is listed as May 12th, 2017, which seems well before his actual debut. There are also requests for FantasticaMania (one word), Copa Atlantis and “3rd Caida.” The people behind Mas Lucha were previously te people behind TV show Tercera Caida. I assume the CMLL trademark is unrelated – it’s also an Alonso trademark so they’ve probably wanted to recapture for a while.
CMLL announced Block B of Copa Independencia would have Dark Panther, Stigma, Dulce Gardenia, Hombre Bala Jr., Zandokan Jr., Akuma, Coyote, Crixus, Hijo del Villano III, Star Black, Max Star, and Rugido. CMLL likely will have a tecnico/rudo final, so we’ll know a lot more about who has a chance next week after this week.
There’s no explanation of why Villano III Jr. was pulled from tonight’s block. He’s working normally, doing an appearance later. Villano III Jr. did storm off last week’s Informa’s segment announcing this field last week. It may not have been a bit CMLL, and Julio Cesar Rivera knew about ahead of time and perhaps CMLL took him out of the tournament as a punishment. I don’t know, not implying I know, just trying to make sense of the little info we have.
CMLL (SUN) 09/03/2023 Arena México
1) Angelito vs Minos [lightning]
2) Halcón Suriano Jr. & Neón vs Brillante Jr. & Max Star
3) Guerrero Maya Jr., Pegasso, Stigma vs Akuma, Dark Magic, Misterioso Jr.
4) Dulce Gardenia, Espíritu Negro, Hombre Bala Jr. vs Cancerbero, Luciferno, Virus
5) Blue Panther, Panterita del Ring, Volcano vs Gran Guerrero, Niebla Roja, Rey Bucanero
6) Soberano Jr., Star Jr., Volador Jr. vs Bárbaro Cavernario, Dragón Rojo Jr., Terrible
A show, marking time.
CMLL (MON) 09/04/2023 Arena Puebla
1) Astro, Black Tiger, Millenium vs Dreyko, Fénix SO, Rey Apocalipsis
2) Halcón Suriano Jr., Meyer, Neón vs Apocalipsis, Cholo, Disturbio
3) Dulce Gardenia, Espíritu Negro, Rey Cometa vs Akuma, Dark Magic, Espanto Jr.
4) Magnus & Rugido © vs Fugaz & Stigma [MEX TAG]
second defense
5) Averno, Dragón Rojo Jr., Volador Jr. vs Ángel de Oro, Templario, Último Guerrero [Relevos Increíbles]
The main event is the Aniversario preview trios. A title change seems unlikely but not impossible.
CMLL (TUE) 09/05/2023 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Aradia, Frida, La Pantera, Luna, Magia Azul vs Atenea, Estrella Maldita, Tabata, Xenna, Yemaya
exhibition match
2) Black Boy, Thunder Boy, Yaky Boy vs Minotauro, Relámpago Azul, Rumbero
3) Metal Blanco & Palacio Negro vs Destello & Destructor
debut of new people under old names
4) Furia Roja, Guerrero de la Muerte, Ráfaga vs Arlequín, Bestia Negra, Cris Skin
5) Dulce Kitty, Náutica, Nexy, Sexy Sol vs Alondra, Gema Andrade, La Misteriosa, Lady Shadow
GDL vs Laguna
6) Adrenalina, Explosivo, Fantástico © vs Gemelo Diablo I, Gemelo Diablo II, Sagrado [OCCIDENTE TRIOS]
2nd defense
7) Euforia, Hijo del Soberano, Soberano Jr. vs Hijo de Stuka Jr., Insólito, Stuka Jr.
It’s strange to see an all-Torreon main event on a Guadalajara show. Metal Blanco and Palacio Negro were late 2000s gimmicks that became Triton and Titan in 2011. I believe it hurts new wrestlers to take over gimmicks like this, all of Mexican wrestling believes otherwise. The opener is all “new talents”, though some of those names have been in women’s matches before (and Aradia is a former Arena Coliseo Guadalajara edecan.)
It’s only two days into the Noche de Campeones voting, but the pattern in past years is people with big early leads do not get caught. That means Mascara Dorada/Titan and Zandokan & Los Villanos versus Atrapsuenos seem locks. None of the other categories are close, and the only category that got close was Minos taking a chunk of Pierrothito’s lead in the minis title match. Virus and Esfinge have solid leads in their matches. Stephanie Vaquer & La Catalina seem the strong favorites for the vacant women’s title.
It is interesting that CMLL put Vaquer & Zeuxis in the competition for the women’s title match but not Jarochita or Lluvia. It seems like a pretty strong hint on which team is winning the new tag titles on the Aniversario show.
NJPW fan podcast Keepin’ It Strong Style had Rocky Romero on as a guest on their 300th episode. They apparently have him on for every “00” episode, and the interview for this one was taped way back in mid-July to make it work. Romero talks about his CMLL run from about minute 9 to 22 on the podcast; he’s as proud of it in this interview as he is in others, and feels happy he’s also helping shine a light on a promotion (CMLL) that doesn’t get as much attention internationally. There are some behind-the-scenes notes. Romero’s story is that he thought he was never ever coming back to CMLL after the Grey Shadow incident and jumping to AAA feeling that burned that bridge forever. He was finally brought back for the 2022 Gran Prix, though under the idea it was going to be one appearance and no more. He wanted more, so when the interviewers before the Gran Prix kept asking him questions about Volador, Romero decided to go “Connor McGregor” crazy on Volador to create a feud. It go over and it’s progressed from there, though even Romero seems to have no idea how long it’ll last. He says he doesn’t know if he’s winning or losing any CMLL match until right before he goes out, so he had no idea he was beating Volador for the title the first time – Romero had assumed that was the end of the program. He was equally surprised to find out he was keeping the title in the most recent match, though he’s happy to do so and proud to be main eventing shows that are doing very well.
The Denver Bronco’s mascot Miles and five other team’s mascots will appear at the 09/08 Arena Mexico show for a lucha olimpica demonstration. I have no idea what that’ll be.
Arkalis said he struggled with depression while recovering from his recent leg issue. He mentioned CMLL sent him to a psychologist, and he recovered little by little.
La Metalica is putting her mask against long time Monterrey luchadora Tsunami’s hair on a show on the 9th; she told El Universal it was the most difficult match of her career.
MedioTiempo has an interview with Star Black, who is called Black Star in the headline. Star Black always sounds strange in English. It looks like someone translating the words from Spanish but not realizing the adjective comes in front of the noun in English.
AAA
AAA announced another taping already:
AAA TV (WED) 10/18/2023 Palenque de la Fenapo, San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí
1) Brazo de Oro, Centella, Drago vs Diva Salvaje, Dulce Kanela, Jessy Ventura
2) Lady Shani, Niño Hamburguesa, Sexy Star vs Chik Tormenta, Látigo, Toxin
3) Octagón Jr. & Willie Mack vs Forastero & Sansón
4) Negro Casas & Zorro vs Abismo Negro & Psicosis
5) Dralistico vs Laredo Kid, Taurus [#1 Contenders, AAA MEGA]
6) Pagano & Psycho Clown vs Sam Adonis & Texano Jr.
I believe AAA stated TripleMania was the end of the Psycho Clown/Sam Adonis feud. I guess not yet. I expect AAA will set up Dralistico versus Hijo del Vikingo the way everything has gone, but maybe they’re actually doing the Dralitico/Adonis program, and Laredo Kid or Taurus will get the shot. NGD does appear to be sticking around. Las Shotas are listed there – an out-of-date lineup? Not showing up at The Crash today?
the TV schedule for the rest of the year, at the moment
- 09/02 & 09/09 – Orizaba (airing on a two-month delay)
- 09/16 & 09/23 – the Showcenter card
- 10/01 (live) & 10/08 – Heroes Inmortales
- 10/14 & 10/21 – Mexico City
- 10/28 & 11/04 – SLP
- 11/11 – a skip week? leftovers?
- 11/19 & 11/25 – Guerra de Tianes from Juarez
- 12/02 & 12/09 – the 11/26 Showcenter show?
QT Marshall will defend the Latin American championship against Bobby Sharp in Montreal on 09/17. This is a great deal for QT to get himself more bookings. Unclear how it helps AAA.
Hijo del Vikingo wrestles Nick Gage tonight in GCW.
IWRG
IWRG (THU) 08/31/2023 Arena Naucalpan [IWRG, Mas Lucha]
1) Águila Roja & Rey Aztaroth (Estado de México) b Blue Win & Tornado
2) Arkano & Último Legendario b Mr. Mike & Ovett Jr.
3) Bengalee, Hatana, Sagitarius DQ Lolita, Sádika, Satania
Sadika splashed the referee for a DQ.
4) Hellboy & Shocko DRAW León Dorado & Mr. Leo and Noisy Boy & Spider Fly
MexiBoys were eliminated, then Shocko & Leon Dorado (so it was suddenly elimination) and then Hell Boy and Mr. Leo went to a draw.
5) Ivan Rokov b Hijo de Canis Lupus, Hijo del Pirata Morgan
Originally billed as a title match, which was quietly dropped. Rokov won via foul on Pirata. Crowd wanted one more fall (really?) but the commission said no. Lupus was angry with Pirata for losing so easily (?) and challenged him to a super libre match.
I don’t know anything about this show beyond the results up there. It’s been a long couple of weeks.
IWRG (SUN) 09/03/2023 Arena Naucalpan
1) Hatana & Sagitarius vs Amazonika & Satania
2) Centvrión, Gannicus, Rey Espartano vs Leo, Mosca, Rey Astaroth
3) Arkano, Dr. Cerebro Jr., Último Legendario vs Águila Roja, Cerebro Negro Jr., Mr. Mike
4) Gran Pandemónium, Hijo de Pandemónium, Pandemónium Jr. vs Cerebro Negro, Hip Hop Man, Ivan Rokov [EdM Trios, final]
5) Pig Decapitador, Pig Destroyer, Pig Destructor, Pig Pool vs Hell Boy, León Dorado, Mr. Leo, Shocko
6) Dr. Cerebro & Dr. Wagner Jr. vs Cibernético & Toxin
Wagner and Cibernetico should mean a large crowd for this show. It’d be strange to go through the process of a trios tournament just for La Pandemia to end up back with the belts, but it would also be strange to go through the process of a trios tournament to give it to a slightly different Hip Hop Man team. It’s just IWRG, a strange place.
Other News
Big Lucha announced they’d start to put up their show on Thursday. And then, they just didn’t do it. It showed up Friday afternoon. This is the second show in a row Big Lucha’s done this, and no one seems much upset about it.
Dragon Bane and Alpha Wolf say they’re headed to NOAH for three months.
2018 CMLL visitor Kaho Kobayashi got attention back in Mexico while wrestling in Japan for an entrance using a Valentín Elizalde song. Actually, Kobayashi says the person wrestling is her best friend La Pidita.
A profile of luchador/taxi derived Lirio de Plata.
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