Stephanie Vaquer leaves CMLL for WWE, Galeno del Mal talks NOAH, new trios champs

CMLL

CMLL (MON) 07/08/2024 Arena Puebla [CMLL, Grada, Porra Fresa]
1) Astoreth & Lady Metal b Diablita Roja & Hera 
2) El Malayo & Rey Apocalipsis b El Perverso & Prayer
3) Vegas & Xelhua b Arkalis, Astral, El Audaz, Eléctrico, Multy, Pegasso, Rayo Metálico, Valiente Jr. [CMLL BARROCO, semifinal] 
Order of elimination: Rayo Metalico (Audaz), Electrico (Arkalis), Audaz (Pegasso), Arkalis (Vegas), Hombre Bala (Astral), Pegasso (Valiente Jr.), Valiente Jr. (Xelhua), Multy (Vegas) leaving Vegas & Xelhua for next week.
4) Ángel de Oro, Hechicero, Templario b Flip Gordon, Neón, Star Jr.
5) Gran Guerrero, Último Guerrero, Volador Jr. b Akuma, Atlantis Jr., Místico 
Volador beat Mistico via mask pull, asked for a title match next week. Gran Guerrero earlier got away with a foul on Akuma.

I was sure there was a title match being set up for next week. I had the wrong one. Adding a title defense to Mistico/Volador makes a little different than other Mistico singles matches. It’s possible Akuma/Guerrero could set up a title match next week, though it’s rare CMLL books that way of late.

I was a little worried CMLL had gone cold on Xelhua given his lack of Mexico City appearances, but he’s gone far here and he’s back in Arena Mexico on Friday. Now to worry about where Forneo’s gone. People disappear for all sorts of mysterious reasons. (I wrote that line Tuesday afternoon, had no idea.)

CMLL (TUE) 07/09/2024 Arena México [CMLL, thecubsfan]
1) Mercurio & Pequeño Olímpico b Acero & Aéreo
8:49.
2) Diamond, Retro, Robin b Grako, Inquisidor, Sangre Imperial
14:49
3) Capitán Suicida, Guerrero Maya Jr., Volcano b Cancerbero, Kráneo, Okumura
13:16.
4) Futuro, Hombre Bala Jr., Max Star b Apocalipsis, Cholo, Disturbio © [MEX TRIOS]
17:08. Indestructibles fall on their 2nd defense. Futuro, Bala and Star are the 44th champioins.
5) Atlantis b Blue Panther [lightning]
6:47. Atlantis won via well applied cradle.
6) Máscara Dorada, Neón, Star Jr. b Bárbaro Cavernario, Dragón Rojo Jr., Terrible
10:02. Tecnicos challenged for the CMLL Trios championship.

I was sure Los Indestructibles wouldn’t lose to as random a trio as this, but I guess that’s the right way to end the accidental surprise title reign. The rudos have won matches with a triple cavernaria, but got it turned against them and lost there. The match itself was very CMLL formula for a big trios match, done well enough though very familiar. It was Good, especially for a Tuesday show, but there may be better days to come in this new reign. Futuro is now a double champion. Hombre Bala Jr. wins a national title, something that seemed very likely early in his career and very unlikely for the rest. My guess is this is quietly the end of the Neon/Futuro/Max Star team – these guys will be plenty busy together and Neon seems to be moved up away from them. This match is probably also the end of Los Indestructibles in serious title contention, though they’ll surely stick together.

Atlantis was unusually good (for 2024 Atlantis) in his lightning match.

CMLL (TUE) 07/09/2024 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara [CMLL]
1) Bello Antuan, Cosmos, Último Ángel b Eclipse Jr., Thunder Boy, Yaky Boy
2) Chamuel, Kemalito, Periquito Sacaryas b Átomo, Mije, Tengu
3) Adira, Náutica, Nexy b Emperatriz, Lady Shadow, Miss Guerrera
4) Dulce Gardenia b Ráfaga [lightning]
13:42 minutes (lightning matches are 15 minute time limit here for some reason)
5) Barboza, Gallero, Zandokan Jr. b Brillante Jr., Fugaz, Star Black
Gallero beat Star Black after a mask pull
6) Stephanie Vaquer b Tessa Blanchard [lightning]
7) Esfinge, Místico, Volador Jr. b Averno, Euforia, Templario

Stephanie Vaquer was emotional after her match with Tessa Blanchard, atypically so for her. She broke character to hug her rival and signal to the crowd. It came off like a goodbye. It was one. CMLL announced Stephanie Vaquer was leaving CMLL and NJPW for “personal reasons” immediately, and would not being making her scheduled appearance at FantasticaMania USA in San Jose on Saturday. La Planchitas subsequently reported Stephanie Vaquer had offers from both AEW and WWE and choose WWE. That report says the deal “will not be made official in the new few hours or days” but is expected to be a multiyear deal. Vaquer later announced her own departure from CMLL, saying she was leaving through the front door. She apologized for not appearing on upcoming shows, saying it is due to the “terms between the companies.” Vaquer never says she’s going to WWE, but that’s the only destination her statement can be referring to. Vaquer thanked CMLL’s Salvador Lutteroth for his positive words and also thanks her friends and colleagues.

Fightful has since reported Vaquer was at Sunday’s NXT show. That also means that when Record posted a story Sunday saying Vaquer was deciding between AEW and WWE, Vaquer had actually already decided on WWE. Record subsequently got to announce she was taking the WWE deal. While Record is a generally reliable source, they’ve been a promotional partner of AAA for years and AAA and Record have used each other get out favorable stories. Take that for what you will.

I’m stunned this signing happened so quick; Vaquer being in NXT on Sunday means it came together in under a week after Forbidden Door – or that this was in the works well before Forbidden Door.  Record’s statement about it not being made official suggests there’s still paperwork and maybe visas to go, there’d be no need to finish up with CMLL now to if that was all there was to it. WWE has a show in Mexico City on Saturday. I’ve got more about it in a bit, when I previously thought about it connected to different stories. Record’s report – “not official in a few hours or a few days” makes it sound like the Vaquer signing is still a ways off from being announced. Yet, everything in this process is moving fast, and WWE wanting to get Vaquer out in front of that crowd would fit with their style of announcements and the speed in getting this done. Booking issues aside, Vaquer literally could not go to San Jose for FantasticaMania if part of the deal in her WWE signing is appear in Arena Ciudad de Mexico that same Saturday night. Even if WWE just wanted that date and otherwise was fine with Vaquer finishing up well, it would be impossible to explain why Vaquer was missing that show and title defense beyond a WWE signing – that would force all these announcements to come out now. (CMLL working with AEW would also encourage WWE to do this signing in a way that most inconvenienced CMLL.)

Vaquer leaving without working her finals international dates – notably both this FantasticaMania show and the RevPro show – also means her relationship with CMLL is not ending well, regardless of what Vaquer says. As mentioned in the last post, CMLL is willing to let people out of their contracts if they get a big offer, but part of it is CMLL wants them to leave in a positive way. They don’t want to be posting “she’s quit and now we’re changing these cards”, they want the “graduation” moment of Mascara Dorada/Metalik’s departure, or Dark Angel’s Farwell match to go back farther. Vaquer’s match happened without CMLL telling anyone it was her last match, that’s not how they want to do things.

CMLL’s announcement mentions Stephanie Vaquer will be giving up the CMLL Women’s World and Tag Team championships. The singles title will be decided in a three way on Saturday’s FantasticaMania including scheduled opponent Lluvia and new participants Willow Nightingale and Viva Van. My assumption is Nightingale was added to for star power reasons, and Van was added to be the actual person defeated by new champion Lluvia. CMLL and NJPW immediately had new FantasticaMania match graphics ready for this announcement; this was a change they were aware was coming prior to this morning and were just waiting for Vaquer to finish up in Guadalajara to announce it. There is no mention of how the tag team championships will be decided. Those belts were created to be something for two teams – Lluvia & La Jarochita and Zeuxis & Vaquer – and neither of those teams currently exist. Now looks like a point to downsize back to one women’s tag title championship.

Stephanie Vaquer was great for CMLL. CMLL was great for Stephanie Vaquer. She sharpened her skills, figured out her personality, and got international opportunities. She also brought her Mexican opponents up to higher levels, and got people who never even would’ve considered paying attention to the CMLL Women’s division (or CMLL entirely) to see it out just for her. Vaquer set a higher standard, and CMLL got behind for doing so. CMLL was also supportively publicly and privately in her case against Cuatrero. Vaquer was full time with CMLL for about four years, maybe less once you throw out the pandemic stoppages. She going to be remembered for what she accomplished even in that time. It’s up to the other women and CMLL itself if they want to continue pushing that division forward.

The other part of this signing is if WWE is going to go hard after any CMLL (or AAA) wrestlers that gets over on US TV, it’s harder for CMLL to put people on AEW. WWE were well aware of Dragon Lee before he was on AEW TV, but it was AEW TV that seemed to cause them to make the move. WWE knew of Vaquer before she wrestled on Forbidden Door, but that seems to have been the factor to get them to jump on it. It’s partly not wanting to be left behind – if AEW has enough of an interest to use them, then WWE is going to have an interest (and vice versa) – but it’s either going to require a change in approach for CMLL contracts or a change in how their wrestlers are visible. I don’t think the AEW/CMLL relationship is in any great danger – the Jericho announcement tonight is good proof of that – and I don’t think WWE will ever be interested in signing every CMLL (or Mexican) wrestler who gets over in AEW. It does highlight a big issue with CMLL contracts and the general Forbidden Door concept; the other promoters don’t want it to be an audition but it has become one.

Apart from professional wrestling, I’m thinking a lot about how Stephanie Vaquer signing with WWE and moving to US as a result may affect her ongoing domestic violence case against former partner Cuatrero. He’s been held in jail since last April on bail, because the judge believes he has the potential to harm Stephanie Vaquer if released and because his social media follows have threatened her. We have very limited information on the trial – just occasional leaks about pre-trial motions – and have no idea when it might resolve. Vaquer moving to the US means Cuatrero is less of a threat to her; even out of jail, she’ll be a country away (and he may not be able to leave Mexico.) There’s still the very real social media threats. It’s additionally going to be tougher for her to continue participating in this trial if she’s no longer Mexico based – Zoom and Teams and other video meeting software does exist, but there’s emotional disconnect as well.

It’s long seemed like a likely resolution to this case was Vaquer working her way to a full time job in the United States, Vaquer deciding to focus on her new life rather than continue to fight this battle, Cuatrero being released with no real resolution, and both sides forever claiming they were the wronged party. I don’t know if that’s how that part of the story will conclude, but it moved on big step closer to that kind of ending today.

Friday’s lineup:

CMLL (FRI) 07/12/2024 Arena México
1) Fuego, Valiente Jr., Xelhua vs Crixus, Espanto Jr., Vegas
2) Blue Panther Jr., Dark Panther, Hijo de Blue Panther vs Akuma, Difunto, Zandokan
3) Esfinge, Titán, Valiente vs Averno, Euforia, Soberano Jr.
4) Templario vs Último Guerrero
5) Ángel de Oro vs Volador Jr., Máscara Dorada, Flip Gordon, Brillante Jr., Futuro, Villano III Jr., Stigma [Leyenda de Plata, final]

A rare Friday night with just the main men’s division; no women, no minis, no micros (though they’ll still work as mascots.) The Averno/Volador feud gets a week off with Volador being in the tournament, but Esfinge and Euforia are stuck together.

CMLL (MON) 07/15/2024 Arena Puebla
***71st Anniversary***
1) Astoreth, Sanely, Skadi vs Amapola, Lady Amazona, Zeuxis
2) Vegas vs Xelhua [CMLL BARROCO, final]
3) Rey Samuray, Stigma, Volcano vs Espanto Jr., Rey Bucanero, Sagrado
4) Gran Guerrero vs Akuma [lightning]
5) Hijo de Octagón & Octagón vs Atlantis & Atlantis Jr. and Euforia & Soberano Jr. and Hijo de Stuka Jr. & Stuka Jr.
6) Místico © vs Volador Jr. [NWA MIDDLE]
9th defense

CMLL previously announced this lineup on Informa. The changes are the main event becoming a title match and Vegas/Xelhua set as the tournament final. (I’m not sure Guerrero/Akuma was a lightning match previously.) Vegas/Xelhua will not air on TV based on it’s position. However, CMLL did stream the Arena Puebla Anniversary show last year so perhaps it’ll turn up again.

CMLL Informa tonight has

• Mistico
• Mascara Dorada, Villano III Jr. (Leyenda de Plata)
• Ultimo Guerrero & Templario (match on Friday)
• Esfinge & Euforia (feud)
• Neon (RevPro)
• Star Jr., Max Star, Hombre Bala Jr. (new trios champs)
• Vegas & Xelhua (Barroco championship)

CMLL posted another emoji teaser, then later confirmed it’ll be a Chris Jericho video announcement tonight on Informa. I expect that video to include Jericho naming the date for a match with Mistico, which Mistico will obviously accept.

There’s really just two meaningful options for that Mistico/Jericho date to “Aniversario” or “any other Friday night*.” CMLL could probably get an additional giant crowd by putting Jericho on a separate show; Aniversario is going to draw well with or without him. My guess is Jericho’s preference is to be on the biggest CMLL show of the year, and CMLL would benefit in ways beyond ticket selling from having extra attention on their biggest night. My impression is it’ll be on Aniversario, but I’m not reporting that as a fact.

(* – ok, “any other Friday night” means not the 07/19 Leyenda de Plata final and not the 08/23 Gran Prix, and probably not the 09/06 pre-Aniversairo show. Which does start to cut down the options.)

Mistico talked about his faith with “Desde La Fe.” I would’ve paid attention but someone shows up and started training in the Arena Mexico ring about 17 minutes in and I spent my energy on trying to figure out who it was. Seems about Angelito’s height and agility.

An interview with Guadalajara’s Adira to hype the 07/20 Mexico City versus Guadalajara show.

Box y Lucha 3611 has Felino and Esfinge/Euforia cover.

AAA

There is no AAA news today.

IWRG

IWRG (THU) 07/11/2024 Arena Naucalpan
1) Drakula Ng vs Fauno
2) Calibus & Tornado vs Guerrero Mixtico & Simon Blanco
3) Multifacetico Jr. vs Príncipe Centauro
4) Hell Boy & Hijo de Canis Lupus vs Bendito & Tonalli
5) Águila Roja, Hijo del Pirata Morgan, Puma de Oro vs Arez, Látigo, Toxin

That could be a good IWRG show but I don’t trust them.

Other News

WWE is in Mexico this weekend. They’re running Saturday in Arena Ciudad de Mexico and Monterrey. Cody Rhodes versus Santo Escobar will headline; Escobar hasn’t had the best of luck in Arena Ciudad de Mexico. (Not the mask loss, the title loss, or the other title match loss, being booked in that bad cage match was the bad luck.) The Mexico City show has sold out, and there were few tickets left for Monterrey last I checked. This will likely cue up another round of discussions about a WWE PPV or a TV taping. This would also be a good time to announce any deal with AAA if there’s anything to it, though it is hard to believe AEW would allow Singh and Jarrett to appear on TripleMania if AAA signaled it was working with WWE. (And if AAA really is working on a deal with Indian group, they may value Singh more than any WWE deal at the moment.)

Lucha Libre Acapulco posted an alarming message on their Facebook: “La Arena Coliseo (Acapulco) to close it’s doors.” It is less alarming in the comments; they’re closing their doors to do some remodeling and fix the roof. The shows there – about once every six weeks – will go on pause after a show on August 4th. That Arena Coliseo Acapulco building was a regular CMLL stop from when it was opened in the late 1950s until the 2000s, and has seen starts and stops since then.

Mas Lucha caught up to Galeno del Mal before he heads back to Japan for NOAH. Galeno says this tour is just a week long, and they’re talking about him possibly returning in September. Galeno reveals this tour almost didn’t happen, because someone stole his passport and visa at TripleMania Tijuana. (It’s not clear if he meant literally at the building or at some other point during the trip.) He was totally depressed for two and a half weeks, thinking he was going to miss NOAH and his GCW dates, but his mother and sister helped him reassemble al the paperwork he needed.

Galeno thanks CIMA and Mr. Suzuki for being the first to bring him to GLEAT but he’s NOAH from now on. NOSAWA talked to Galeno when he was working the All Japan tag league, telling Galeno he’d like to pair him with his brother in NOAH someday. His brother passed along a more firm offer to join, during the period where Wagner3 was champ, and told him he needed to make an “adult decision.” Galeno worked the dates he agreed with GLEAT but decided to pass on a June tour wiht GLEAT, and talked to NOAH about coming in instead. Galeno is excited for he and his brother’s match against the Golpeadors on 07/13, saying the fans told him that same match they had in The Crash was a “10 out 10.”

Galeno says AAA did talk to him about a longer term agreement after his two appearances, but he’s only agreed to the TripleMania Mexico City date at this point. Galeno says, being 22, he just wants to work everywhere he can right now – the implication is he’s not interested in being full time with a Mexican company right now. Galeno talks later about wanting to be ready for anything that comes up, it being matches in Japan, in AEW, in WWE, wherever. That gets to talking about how that NOAH show will also include WWE’s AJ Styles, and Galeno hopes that leads to WWE people getting a look at him too.

An article on the El Salvador lucha libre scene. I haven’t seen a poster from local building Arena Triple C in years, but apparently it is still running. It’s one of those micro promotions where there’s a bunch of different no longer updated pages Facebook and it’s rough to find an active one.

A visit to Arandu’s school in Tijuana.