CMLL sets an apuesta tournament and a women’s mask match for the 09/16 Aniversario, Mistico & Mesias added to the Gran Prix

In a CMLL Informa episode full of misdirection and early stream issues, CMLL announced the biggest matches for their most important show of the year.

The headliner is a resolution of the four different men’s feuds circling around. CMLL teased the idea that all four feuds would be settled on the show before revealing the actual concept: a one night tournament where the winning team will get to have their apuesta match. The four teams are no surprise if you’ve been following along

• Averno & Ultimo Guerrero, the only pair who will have their hair on the line
• Atlantis Jr. & Stuka Jr.
• Soberano Jr. & Templario
• Atlantis & Fuerza Guerrera

The first round matchups will be set by a battle royal during the show; we won’t know the bracket until midway through the night. The losing teams are done for this year, the two winning teams move onto the final, and the winning team after all that meets in an apuesta match to end the night. This follows the precedent of the 2013/80th Aniversario, where Volador & Sombra won the rights to have their mask match by defeating Atlantis & Ultimo Guerrero. Being in the main event of the Annivesary is an honor, so the logic is wrestlers shouldn’t ‘earn’ that honor by costing themselves matches.

Luchadoras La Jarochita and Reyna Isis will also meet in a mask versus mask match, which has been built up over the year.

CMLL also announced the return of Copa Independencia. The patriotic tournament will have blocks on September 2nd and September 9th, with the final also talking place on the 09/16 show. (There’s not room for much more of note at this point.) Last year’s Copa Indepndencia saw Volador Jr. defeat Gran Guerrero.

CMLL also announced the full 08/19 Gran Prix card. The biggest news is Mistico is cleared to return and has been added to Team Mexico. To balance it out, Mesias is returning to CMLL as part of Team World.

CMLL (FRI) 08/19/2022 Arena México
1) Esfinge, Fugaz, Star Black vs Hijo del Villano III, Okumura, Pólvora
2) Dark Silueta, La Jarochita, Lluvia vs Metálica, Princesa Sugheit, Reyna Isis [Relevos Increíbles]
3) Hechicero vs Euforia [CMLL HEAVY]
second defense
4) El Mesías, Kenny King, Lince Dorado, Matt Taven, Oráculo, Robbie Eagles, Rocky Romero, Tiger Mask IV vs Atlantis Jr., Místico, Soberano Jr., Stuka Jr., Templario, Titán, Último Guerrero, Volador Jr. [Gran Prix]

Mistico returning from injury to be on the team seemed to be known – at least Rocky Romero kept bringing up his name for some reason. The 7v7 format always felt like something was missing.

Mesias was part of CMLL as recently as the 2020 parejas increibles tournament; his last match is about a month before the shutdown. He was “Gilbert el Boricua” then, and he was very specifically Mesias now – even making a point in his promo that he belongs to no promotion, AAA included. Mesias has talked about gaining the rights to his name, though a lot of wrestlers seem to say that with nothing actually happening. CMLL seems to feel safe that they can call him that, we’ll see how it goes.

Hechicero finally gets his title match. Standard building stuff in the women’s match, and an opener that exists.