Volador defeats Andrade, Sin Salida, Lucha x El Barrio

CMLL

CMLL (FRI) 12/29/2023 Arena México [AS, CMLL, Estrellas del Ring, FDDE, Kaiser Sports, Publimetro, thecubsfan] Attendance: 16500
1) Apocalipsis, Cholo, Disturbio b Diamond, Oro Jr., Robin   
11:20
2) Cancerbero, Kráneo, Vegas b Capitán Suicida, Fuego, Volcano   
11:28. Kraneo left the match hurt in the second fall
3) Esfinge, Fugaz, Star Black b Crixus, Difunto, Zandokan Jr.    
15:20
4) Stephanie Vaquer © b La Jarochita [CMLL WOMEN]   
14:31. 3rd defense
5) Máscara Dorada, Místico, Titán b Averno, Euforia, Mephisto    
14:59
6) Volador Jr. b Andrade el Idolo    
14:05. Andrade’s last match for this run

The main event was pretty good, though short of the match of the year level it could’ve been with those two. It went a little shorter than the biggest CMLL matches of the year. Andrade later posted a photo of being on a 12:30 am plane back to the US, so getting out of Arena Mexico in timely fashion may have been a requirement. They worked hard for the time they went, it just felt like the finish came a little quicker than normal.

That’s it for Andrade. It was very obviously it for Andrade for now with the way the match ended. Volador winning completely clean, Andrade/Volador embracing like the feud was over, and CMLL’s schedule filled up with the Best of, Gran Alternativa and FantasticaMania over the next few months. That all became moot by Saturday, when worked leaked and later was confirmed that Andrade had finished in AEW and is expected to be back in WWE as soon as Monday. The CMLL run for Andrade was a bucket list item, and also one of a couple of ways for him to try to pick up some heat before returning WWE, hoping to better his chances there in a second run. I hope it works better for him this time, I have no confidence WWE will be good for Andrade, but it is also clearly the place Andrade wanted to be from about the moment he left. I’m really glad we got this fun month with Andrade returning to CMLL, and I’m not unsure if we’ll ever see him in the Arena Mexico ring again.

In retrospect, Andrade sure seemed to enjoy lying about about so many things if he was always going back to WWE on 01/01. He’s a wrestler, lying is a big part of what they do, but he definitely wanted to misdirect the press as much as possible – and all for not, since the truth got out before he turned back up in WWE anyway and WWE seems to be happy to have that extra buzz.

Andrade is currently the The Crash heavyweight champion. He never got the belt because a previous champion (LA Park) still has the phsyical item. I guess that’s OK now? What a weird title.

(This is nothing about nothing but, given what we know now, can anyone make sense of the ‘AAA wanted to bring in Andrade but he decided to work CMLL’ story? AAA was done running TV tapings for the year before Andrade even showed up in CMLL. The pieces do not fit.)

Jarochita/Vaquer was pretty good. The crowd booed Vaquer but there were never chants or other indications of why they might be booing. It came off as tencica/ruda stuff even if that’s not usually how they react to women’s matches. The semimain had some slips but was overall a strong match but suffered from a couple of atypical slips. Mistico was the most over guy on the show. Fugaz was way off during portions of the third match. Kraneo suffered a cut somehow in the second match and left to get the bleeding treated; it didn’t seem serious.

Tessa Blanchard and Reyna Isis were spotted watching the show from the seats by fans. They weren’t mentioned on the broadcast.

I really don’t believe the seating capacity of Arena Mexico in 2023 (or 2024) is really 16,500 but I don’t know what it actually is.

CMLL (FRI) 12/29/2023 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Mortis & Rav b Amenaza Negra Jr. & Ponzoña Jr. 
2) Adira, Dulce Kitty, Náutica b Hatanna, Katara, Magia Azul 
3) Estrellita Mágica & Lady Metal b Estrella Maldita & Lady Amazona 
Alondra, Andormeda and Lady Shadow scheduled but moved into their own match
4) Alondra & Andrómeda b Lady Shadow & Reyna Suriana 
5) Dulce Gardenia & La Fashion b Furia Roja & Guerrero de la Muerte 
Exoticos asked for an OCCIDENTE TAG title shot
6) El Malayo, Rey Apocalipsis, Siki Osama Jr. b Adrenalina, Explosivo, Fantástico © [OCCIDENTE TRIOS] 
Champs fall on their 3rd defense
7) Atlantis Jr., Brillante Jr., Flip Gordon b Bestia Negra, Ráfaga, Rafaga Jr. 
Brillante Jr. replaced Soberano Jr. due to injury, then later swapped from 2v2 to 3v3 with the Rafagas added
8) Black Boy L Maléfico, Exterminador, Destructor, Javier Cruz Jr., Rumbero, Yaky Boy, Thunder Boy, Maximus, Atilus, Rey Urano, Demonio Rojo [mask, hair, cage] 
Exterminador won the mask of Black Boy (Carlos Dominguez Mercado, 30 years old, 2 years a professional wrestler)

This one definitely wasn’t a sell out; the crowd was noticeably down from a normal Tuesday. This show was announced only a few days in advance and with a cage match featuring few important people, so this result is unsurprising. Black Boy saying he was 30 and had been wrestling professionally for 2 years seems unlikely; maybe he was under another name as independent and doesn’t consider that professional.

CMLL (SAT) 12/30/2023 Arena Coliseo [CMLL]
1) Micro Gemelo Diablo I & Micro Gemelo Diablo II b Átomo & Chamuel
2) Amapola, Metálica, Tiffany b Andrómeda, La Vaquerita, Magia Azul
3) Espíritu Negro, Fuego, Rey Cometa b El Coyote, Okumura, Pólvora
4) Dark Panther, Star Jr., Valiente b Akuma, Dark Magic, Sagrado
5) Atlantis Jr., Titán, Volador Jr. b Mephisto, Stuka Jr., Templario
Mephisto replaced Soberano
6) Máscara Dorada b Bárbaro Cavernario
said to be a great match

I think that main event airs next Saturday on HeraldoTV.

CMLL (MON) 01/01/2024 Arena México
***Sin Salida, 2024***
1) Futuro & Valiente Jr. vs Arlequín & Draego
2) Andrómeda, Reyna Isis, Tessa Blanchard vs Marcela, Stephanie Vaquer, Zeuxis
3) Máscara Dorada vs Ángel de Oro [lightning]
4) Atlantis Jr., Flip Gordon, Místico vs Bárbaro Cavernario, Dragón Rojo Jr., Terrible
5) Último Dragóncito vs Pierrothito, Fantasy, Mercurio, Minos, Aéreo, Pequeño Polvora, Pequeño Magía, Pequeño Olímpico, Shockercito, Pequeño Violencia, Acero, Angelito, Full Metal, Kaligua, Galaxy [cage, mask, hair]

CMLL is back Monday with Sin Salida on PPV. There are options to buy it both USD and Mexican Pesos. You should buy it in pesos. CMLL sent out a discount code – CMLL44 – for those affected by the issues on the 12/22 PPV. The small problem is the USD purchase link has no place to enter a coupon code, it only shows up on the Mexican Peso form. I have no idea how that happens, but you’re best using the discount on the one that lets you use the discount.

The minis issues started with Pequeno Violencia fouling Aereo, so the reverse is still the most likely outcome. These CMLL New Year’s Day cage matches routinely are the lowest people on the totem pole taking the big loss, the variance is more in who gets the win.

(The Monday Puebla show still hasn’t turned up for members, a week later. There’s no explanation. What a weird company.)

CMLL (TUE) 01/02/2024 Arena México
1) Aéreo, Shockercito, Último Dragóncito vs Full Metal, Pequeño Olímpico, Pequeño Violencia
2) Guerrero Maya Jr. vs El Coyote [lightning]
3) La Vaquerita, Marcela, Skadi vs Amapola, Metálica, Tessa Blanchard
4) Esfinge, Fugaz, Star Black vs Cancerbero, Difunto, Virus
5) Atlantis, Star Jr., Valiente vs Bárbaro Cavernario, Dragón Rojo Jr., Terrible
6) Hechicero, Máscara Dorada, Místico vs Averno, Titán, Volador Jr. [Relevos Increíbles]

A random partners main event and a Los Barbaros semimain.

CMLL (TUE) 01/02/2024 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Diablita Roja (Puebla) & Estrelita Mágica (Puebla) vs Adira & La Pantera [OCCIDENTE WOMEN TAG, torneo]
2) Emperatriz & Miss Guerrera vs Dulce Kitty & Nexy [OCCIDENTE WOMEN TAG, torneo]
3) Espíritu Negro, Halcón Negro Jr., Rey Cometa vs Infierno, Mr. Trueno, Rey Trueno
4) Dark Silueta & Valkiria vs Andrómeda & Náutica
5) Blue Panther & Okumura vs Maléfico & Satánico
6) Furia Roja & Guerrero de la Muerte © vs Dulce Gardenia & La Fashion [OCCIDENTE TAG]
third defense

Zeuxis & Stephanie were the initial Occidente Women’s Tag Team champions. They defended it once (against the Valiente sisters) and then gave the titles up upon winning the CMLL World Women’s trios championships. The titles are being relaunched for the women who work here regularly, which is a decent purpose. The full tournament field hasn’t been announced.

CMLL (FRI) 01/05/2024 Arena México
1) Astral vs Capitán Suicida
rematch from February 14. One fall match
2) Pegasso, Rey Samuray, Stigma vs Futuro, Max Star, Vegas
rematch from May 7. 2/3 fall match.
3) Reyna Isis & Tessa Blanchard vs Dark Silueta & Zeuxis
Replaces Espiritu Negro & Rey Cometa vs Akuma & Dark Magic. 2/3 fall match.
4) Esfinge vs Cavernario
rematch from September 29. One fall match.
5) Lluvia vs Stephanie Vaquer
Rematch of November 14? 1 fall
6) Soberano Jr. vs Templario
rematch from January 6. 2/3 match.

This is a change from what was announced on Informa, with the Atrapsuenos/Ola Negra match removed and two women’s matches being added. My theory is CMLL is running a women’s tag title match next week, they belatedly realized they needed to move Lluvia/Vaquer to another date to get in it, and the other tag match got bumped to next week. Just a guess.

The strength of this lineup is on Soberano/Templario. Soberano missed Friday’s Guadalajara show and Saturday’s Coliseo show with an injury, so this may not work out great.

AAA

AAA on Space aired part 2 of the Best of

• Psycho Clown vs Sam Adonis
• Hijo del Vikingo vs Jack Cartwheel vs Mike Bailey vs Daga
• Komander vs Kuuaki vs La Estrella vs Mecha Wolf

Notable that none of the TripleMania tournament aired, which was meant to be the big thing of 2023. They aired a Psycho/Adonis match and they showed parts of those tournament matches in a show ending clip package, but not among their best of the year matches. Some of those matches picked were good and maybe even the best AAA matches of the year, but wouldn’t have been in consideration if they happened in previous years. It was not a good year for AAA matches.

Aramis announced Friday he’s finished up with AAA. He’s leaving AAA on good terms, thankful for his time there, and says he’s going to focus on international work.

AAA plucked Aramis from the indie scene in 2018 and he was a regular through 2023 (outside of a pandemic break.) Aramis was and still is an impressive young high flying tecnico with technical ability. He had a bunch of good matches but never much of a direction. He had some random title matches, participated in tournaments, but didn’t win anything notable. He had a grand total of one singles match on TV in five years. This year, AAA ran a vignette where Vampiro was taking Aramis under his wing. They did team together a bit, along with Willie Mack and Jack Evans, but the story never developed past that and was dropped when Vampiro was dropped. Aramis hasn’t actually appeared on AAA TV since TripleMania Mexico City, though he was part of the 12/12 Bardahl special which may air next week. Aramis was listed on the 01/06 taping and then replaced by Arez; I’d been forewarned that Aramis was probably done in AAA already and wouldn’t be working that show.

Arez is kind of a reason for Aramis’ departure, though not in a negative fashion. Arez publicly requesting his release from his MLW contract and MLW responding that he had already been released (and AAA had failed to tell Arez that) is how Aramis discovered he too was released from MLW. There were negative feelings on all sides about that situation but it also meant Aramis was free to pursue a contract from other US promotions. I believe Aramis has decided to leave AAA because he feels he has a shot at signing a deal elsewhere. Beyond that, AAA seems to be taking back some control over international bookings from the individual wrestlers in 2024, and those who have benefited from picking up a lot of US dates may not want to have AAA a part of that.

Lucha x el Barrio announced 22 wrestlers will participate in the 01/06 final round of their tournament to find a new AAA wrestler. As with previous rounds, the people advancing are listed purely by their participation number. Facebook page Lucha Mex has what they say are the full list of 22. I’m dubious this is completely correct, but it’s more than I was able to find.

1. Skayler (Morelia)
2. Dick Angelo 3G
3. Legendario
4. Black Shadow II
5. Epydemius Jr.
6. Osiris
7. Shere Khan
8. Lady Wind
9. Rey Espartano
10. Dragon Suicida
11. Kenji
12. Steven Manson
13. Vengador (Queretaro)
14. Radioactivo
15. Princes Azul
16. Alfa Jr.
17. Hija del Vikingo
18. Thunder
19. Mary Caporal
20. Andy Panda Jr. (Morfosis)
21. Forneo

I know Black Andromeda and Rey Espectrito said they qualified too, which is 23 names for 22 spots. I think Mr. Leo and Leon Dorado Jr. are also part of this, and then we’d be way over.

The finals of the Lucha x El Barrio competition will stream starting at 2 pm next Saturday on social media. I suspect it’ll be 3-4 matches and with these people, and then one more match as part of the TV taping.

Other Notes

Damian 666 has been sidelined by back surgery and is getting an update on his ability to return to the ring in February. In the meantime, he’s now the head of the Tijuana commission and is disappointed by how few new wrestlers show up to get licensed; there were only three last years. There are new wrestlers, they’re just going to places that don’t check licenses – Rosarito is mentioned here.

Hidalgo’s Ola Blanca talk about winning a local sports award.

An article (or more a press release) about Lucha Libre Cancun’s year.

An interview with El Yetti.

The Trauma I/Wotan mask match is set for 02/03 in Arena Lopez Mateos, with a card and everything.

Site Notes

No post Monday. Maybe a magazine history post on Tuesday and back to normal on Wednesday. My big New Year’s Eve plans are to work on the La Tapatia award ballot (and to finish doing some laundy), so that should be out soon.

This is the last post of Year 21 of doing this blog. I want to have some great statement about the year or this blog but I don’t really have one today. 2023 was a rough year for me personally; I’m glad to see it over. I don’t know what 2024 will bring.

Other stuff going on in my life made it a harder year to keep doing the luchablog and the assorted project. I think I did OK at this blog, even while changing the way and times I’m doing most of the work. It was a good year for getting more attention on the stuff I did, though I think most of that attention only goes to the Twitter account and little of it spreads elsewhere. I’d like to focus more on longer/bigger projects and less on the daily grunt work – not just news entries, but tracking down and entering posts and sorting through video links – but it also feels like if I don’t do those things, there’s no one else out there left doing them. I’ve tried to be more accepting that I’ll never be able to accomplish everything I want to do, but picking and choosing what to do (and not be bothered by those I can’t) is something I still struggle with.

A goal I didn’t achieve this year was to try to create a new (5+ minute) video a month for YouTube. There are people I’m never going to reach with text and probably not going to reach with Twitter than maybe I’ll reach with a video. I didn’t come close to getting that done in 2023, so I’ll try again in 2024. I’d also like to try to, if not migrate, then to diversify my social media presence. I’ll never have as big a platform on Twitter on any other social media again, but fewer people are around that on Twitter. That’s a reason to do YouTube videos, but maybe it’s a reason to invest the time in recreating some of the lucharobot stuff for Instagram, or for finding a purpose for my bluesky account beyond just posting links. It’s just a matter of figuring out what to stop doing to start doing something else.

I have thoughts about the year in lucha libre, but I’ll save it for one of those videos in hopes that I get it done. I hope you found something interested to read here in the last twelve months, and thanks for reading.