AAA has announced the full lineup for this year’s Triplemania.
A press conference was held today confirming the card for the show, which takes place August 14 in Arena Ciudad de Mexico. The main event will have Psycho Clown and Rey Escorpion battling in a hair vs. mask match. Previously announced for the show is Kenny Omega defending the AAA Mega Championship against Andrade el Idolo and Impact Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo facing AAA Reina de Reinas Champion Faby Apache in a title for title match.
Other matches on the card include a Copa Bardhal battle royal, with Mamba, Mr. Iguana, and Drago being the first names announced. The Lucha Brothers will defend the AAA Tag Team Championship in a three way against El Hijo del Vikingo & Laredo Kid and Taurus and a mystery partner, and a Marvel Lucha Libre exhibition, with no names announced.
Here is the full card for TripleMania. A press release mentioned that the media outlets for the show would include “Space, Facebook, Azteca, Cinepolis y Multimedios”.
Psycho Clown vs. Rey Escorpion in a mask vs. hair match
Kenny Omega vs. Andrade el Idolo for the AAA Mega Championship
Deonna Purrazzo vs. Faby Apache for both the AAA Reina de Reinas and Impact Knockouts titles
Pagano, Chessman, and Murder Clown vs. Puma King and two mystery tag team partners
Lucha Brothers vs. El Hijo del Vikingo & Laredo Kid vs. Taurus & a mystery partner for the AAA Tag Team titles
Copa Bardahl (Drago, Mr. Iguana, and Mamba announced)
Federacion Wrestling has postponed their debut pay-per-view event after Andrade El Idolo, Rush, and the rest of La Faccion Ingobernable pulled out of the show.
The promotion sent out a press release confirming the show will no longer take place on Saturday, June 19, providing information on refunds. The promotion later released another statement claiming that the show will be rescheduled due to logistical issues.
Andrade was the first to pull from the event, then Rush and the rest of La Faccion de Ingobernable pulled out soon after. Rush cited logistical problems as the reason he was pulling from the event. Andrade said that he “did not reach a good agreement” with the company.
The main event for the show was to feature Andrade, Bestia del Ring, Rush and a mystery partner facing The Briscoes, Matt Taven & PJ Black. Elsewhere on the card, Dragon Lee was scheduled to team with Bandido against Fenix & Penta El Zero M. Kenny King was scheduled to compete in the Torneo Copa Federacion tournament.
Federacion Wrestling has announced Andrade for their debut pay-per-view event on June 19.
It was announced during an online press conference that Andrade will join ROH talent Rush, Bestia del Ring, and a surprise partner against Matt Taven, PJ Black, and two of their own surprise partners. Andrade’s first post-WWE booking was announced earlier this week against Alberto el Patron, however that is not scheduled to take place until July 31.
In addition to ROH talent, AEW stars Penta El 0 M and Rey Fenix will take on Bandido and Dragon Lee. Red Velvet and Tay Conti will also be on the show, competing in a six-woman trios match with a mystery partner against Miranda Alize, Zeuxis, and Ayako Hamada.
Other matches include Futuro and Brillante Jr. vs. Shoko and Barabas and a triple threat match with Rey Horus facing Flamita and a mystery opponent. A Torneo Copa Federacion Wrestling has also been announced and will feature 20 participants, which will be announced throughout the month of May.
Ordering information for the show is located here, with options for cryptocurrency and PayPal.
CMLL has announced that they and Bandido have mutually agreed to part ways.
The company announced Bandido’s departure in a tweet posted this evening. Bandido wrestled for CMLL as recently as April 3, where he teamed with Caristico and Diamante Azul to defeat Euforia, Ultimo Guerrero, and Templario in a trios match. He had been working regularly for the company since 2019.
Bandido’s departure comes as a long-awaited match between Volador Jr. and Bandido was finally held on March 26, where Volador defeated Bandido to retain the NWA World Historic Middleweight title. The match had been scheduled twice, but was delayed due to Bandido contracting COVID-19, as well as new COVID restrictions in Mexico preventing CMLL from holding any shows.
Despite the departure, Bandido is a regular for Ring of Honor, who have a working relationship with CMLL and New Japan Pro Wrestling. Bandido most recently appeared at the ROH 19th Anniversary event that aired on March 26, where he defeated Flamita and Rey Horus in a three-way bout.
The full card for next month’s TripleMania XXVIII has been announced.
The show, which will take place on December 12, will not feature fans in attendance. It will be headlined by a hair vs. hair match, with Pangano and Chessman putting their hair on the line.
In the co-main event, Kenny Omega will defend the AAA Mega title against Laredo Kid. Omega has been champion since October 19, 2019, but has been unable to enter Mexico to defend the title due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The other title match will feature Tag Team champions Fenix & Pentagon Jr. defending against Myzteziz Jr & Octagon Jr. and Rey Escorpion & Texano Jr. in a three-way match.
Here is the full card for TripleMania, which will take place at Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City:
Pagano vs. Chessman in a hair vs. hair match
Kenny Omega vs. Laredo Kid for the AAA Mega title
Arcano & Leyenda Americana vs. Terror Púrpura & Venenoide
Monsther Clown, Murder Clown, and Psycho Clown vs. Blue Demon Jr., Hijo de LA Park, and LA Park
Faby Apache vs. Lady Maravilla, Chik Tormenta, Lady Shani, La Hiedra, and Hades in a Copa TripleMania match
Fenix & Pentagon Jr. vs. Myzteziz Jr. & Octagon Jr. vs. Rey Escorpion & Texano Jr. for the AAA Tag Team titles
Maximo, Mr. Iguana, and Niño Hamburguesa vs. Carta Brava Jr., Mocho Cota Jr., and Tito Santana
We’ve got a heavy-historical double-issue of the Wrestling Observer out this week. Our lead story looks at the career and final appearance of The Undertaker. We look at his famous matches, the WrestleMania streak, how long it’s been since he actually worked a full schedule, the dream match that did happen and why, and the one that never happened and why.
Also in this issue:
Survivor Series with match-by-match coverage, star ratings, poll results and interest level of the show.
The $39 million settlement of a lawsuit against WWE, the largest settlement of a lawsuit in pro wrestling history, why it was settled, testimony key witnesses were going to make, who sued, what the judge in the case said, crazy facts about the case, and testimony on what really happened in Saudi Arabia the day the WWE talent couldn’t get out of the country.
A story on the life of Bob Ryder, the start of TNA, the business numbers behind the start and how it got so deep in debt, what saved the company in 2005 and 2015 and Impact releases a statement on his death.
How Dana White is expecting a packed house for a UFC show sooner than you think and how that ties into what has been booked.
Major front office changes in WWE, and background of the decisions and people who are in and out, Xavier Woods and WWE negotiate a mainstream deal, NXT Takeover lineup notes, Lana documentary, Undertaker talks most famous matches and how Vince talked him into ending the streak, how WWE & AEW TV shows did this past week as compared to major sorts, U.K. Heritage Cup, former college football star has WWE interest, value of WWE stock right now and top ten most-watched shows on the WWE Network from last week.
Full coverage of UFC 255, details behind the show, match-by-match coverage and poll results.
The induction of Marc Ratner into the UFC Hall of Fame. We look at his background in boxing, his connection to pro wrestling, and his role in okaying an angle that literally changed the power structure of pro wrestling where Vince McMahon needed his approval. We look at why two different proposed dream match involving WWE stars didn’t happen as well as how Floyd Mayweather’s unbeaten streak stayed in tact due to a decision by Ratner as well as his role in making UFC treated as a sport, and how UFC was able to get Ratner to join the promotion.
2019 Business Year in review, with the biggest attendances, biggest PPV numbers, who headlined the most major shows, UFC business, WWE business and what Becky Lynch did in 2019 that no woman in the history of pro wrestling had ever come close to.
An updated list of the biggest drawing cards in pro wrestling history, comparing Jim Londos with Hulk Hogan, who Sam Muchnick said were the biggest draws ever, where Hogan ranked with Austin and Rock, and every annual attendance record from 1931 to the present and what record is likely never to be beaten.
NOAH’s Pro Wrestling Chronicle show and the Go Shiozaki ivs. Katsuhiko Nakajima main event.
A feature on the seven different Triple Crown award winners of the last 40 years, as well as those who came one step from doing so.
Stats for MVP, Most Outstanding, Best on interviews, Best Tag Team and others over the past 40 years as well as who seems to deserve more Hall of Fame consideration.
A feature on European villain Klaus Kauroff, who passed away this past week.
Television business, looking at stats not available elsewhere to get the deepest read into how shows are doing, what categories are doing well and how shows compare with previous weeks and one year ago.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
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For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE
We’ll have a major story in next week’s issue on the death of Carlos Alvarado Gonzalez, better known as Bobby Lee. Lee, who passed away yesterday at the age of 70, was one of the biggest drawing cards in pro wrestling in 1978 as the heel opponent in what many consider El Santo’s last great feud. To understand show big this feud was, the 1978 match where Canek won the UWA world heavyweight title from Lou Thesz (Thesz’s last world title loss and the creation of Mexico’s first world heavyweight title since EMLL recognized the NWA title), one of the biggest matches in Mexican wrestling history, was actually the semifinal underneath Santo vs. Lee. Lee also had a major mask vs. mask match at Sumo Hall in Tokyo, losing to the first Tiger Mask, Satoru Sayama. His career ended early due to an injury but he was considered one of the all-time biggest local sports stars in his home of Leon, Guanajuato. Lee, known as “The Best of 78,” his career best year, was 70.
We got one report that Smackdown was a mess as the show was still being worked on a few hours ago. Nobody knew anything which is why nothing has been advertised. Vince McMahon arrived at about 12:30 p.m. Another person confirmed people not knowing anything until Vince came, but said that has been the case almost every week of late and it’s nothing new.
The Globe & Mail in Toronto reported that the Rogers Center, formerly Skydome, may be demolished and that a new smaller stadium would be built on the same location. Rogers Center or Skydome hosted the 1990 WrestleMania with Hulk Hogan vs. Ultimate Warrior, the 2002 WrestleMana with Hulk Hogan vs. The Rock, both of which set box office records, and the 2013 Georges St-Pierre vs. Jake Shields fight that set what was at the time the UFC gate record and had 105,000 ticket orders the first weekend tickets were put on sale, making it one of the two biggest first weekend ticket demands in the history of pro wrestling and MMA.
Weigh-ins for tomorrow’s UFC show. The Curtis Blaydes vs. Derrick Lewis main event is off because Blaydes tested positive for COVID:
ESPN+ at 8 p.m. Eastern:
Luke Sanders (140) vs. Nate Maness (139.5)
Sumudaerji (126) vs. Malcom Gordon (126)
Gina Mazany (125.5) vs. Rachael Ostovich (125.5)
Martin Day (135.5) vs. Anderson Dos Santos (135)
ESPN at 10 p.m. Eastern:
Jonathan Pearce (145.5) vs. Kai Kamaka (145)
Ashelee Evans-Smith (135.5) vs. Norma Dumont (139.5)
Spike Carlyle (145.5) vs. Bill Algeo (146)
Migue Baeza (171) vs. Takeshi Sato (170)
Josh Parisian (265.5) vs. Parker Porter (263)
Anthony Smith (205) vs. Devin Clark (204.5)
Dumont forfeited 30 percent of her purse for missing weight by 3.5 pounds. Through dieting and lifting she had built her natural weight up to 170 to compete at 145. Then she was offered the fight at 135 and had to drop 35 pounds to make it, and well, didn’t come close.
Weigh-ins for tomorrow’s Jones-Tyson boxing PPV:
Badou Jack (188.4) vs. Blake McKernan (186.8)
Jake Paul (189) vs. Nate Robinson (181)
Mike Tyson (220.4) vs. Roy Jones Jr. (210)
New Japan runs live at 4 a.m. Eastern late tonight from Fujisawa live on New Japan World with tag team tournament matches:
Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano vs. Jeff Cobb & Great O’Khan
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toa Henare vs. Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale
Taichi & Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Evil & Yujiro Takahashi
Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. Shingo Takagi & Sanada
Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa
Dragon Gate’s Gate of Origin show airs live from Sendai tonight at 1 a.m. Eastern (10 p.m. Pacific) with BxB Hulk & Kai vs. Kzy & Yamato for the Twin Gate titles and Kazama Sakamoto & SB Kento & Takashj Yoshida defending the Triangle Gate titles against Genki Horiguchi & Susumu Yokosuka & Yasushi Kanda
CMLL has an iPPV tonight from Arena Mexico:
Reyna Isis vs. Princesa Sugehit – world women’s champion vs. Mexican women’s champion, in the opener
Black Panther & Blue Panther vs. Felino & Tiger in a father-and-son tag match
The Leyenda de Azul elimination match with Diamante Azul, Sanson, El Terrible, Forastero, Angel de Oro, Niebla Roja, Valiente, Cuatrero, Kraneo, Blue Panther Jr., Rey Bucanero, Vangellys, Guerrero Maya Jr., Stuka Jr., Cancerbero and Ephesto
Ultimo Guerrero vs. Euforia for CMLL heavyweight title
WWE
Promotion for the TV show Young Rock. (thanks to Barry Werner)
The WWE Network will be releasing a new “Best of NXT in Progress, Volume 2” special that includes matches like Roderick Strong vs. Tommy End (Aleister Black),Jeff Cobb vs. Matt Riddle, Samoa Joe vs. Rampage Brown and Tyler Bate & Trent Seven vs Riddle & Keith Lee and Samoa Joe. This was first reported by Ringside News.
FITE’s new series “The Count” debuts tonight. Among those on tonight’s first episode are Mike Tyson, Roy Jones Jr., Rampage Jackson and Cung Le. The show debuts at 9 p.m. Eastern for free.
Pro Wrestling NOAH returns to PPV on 12/6 with English commentary. The main event has the two longest reigning GHC champions in history facing off as Go Shiozaki defends against Takashi Sugiura
Combate Americas announced an extension of its deal with Snapchat through January with ten more weekly episodes.
Bare Knuckle Fighting has a 12/11 show in Biloxi, MS with Mark Godbeer vs Sam Shewmaker and Tyler Goodjohn vs. former Pride star Charles “Crazy Horse” Bennett.
CWE has canceled its scheduled shows this week in Alberta due to COVID restrictions. They had shows this week scheduled in Grand Prairie, Red Deer and Calgary. Right now they are hopeful of making up the dates with shows on 1/7 in Calgary, 1/8 in Red Deer, 1/9 in Grand Prairie and 1/10 in St. Albert.
Canadian independent wrestler Adam Knight’s new book “Prairie Fire” is available for pre-order from Amazon. It is his third book of his Urban Fantasy Series.
Jersey All Pro Wrestling has inked a deal with IWTV uploading shows from 1998 to 2001 including a Rey Mysterio vs. Low Ki match.
A Vice News article regarding Mexican wrestling during the pandemic (thanks to Eirbina)
A match between Kenny Omega and Laredo Kid for the AAA Mega Championship is currently planned for Triplemania in December.
AAA made the announcement in a press conference this afternoon. The company said (via luchablog) that it hopes to run Triplemania in December. However, running the event would be based on Mexico City improving its current orange COVID-19 health tracker status or permission granted by the local government. Dorian Roldan said that there are no plans to hold Triplemania in an empty arena.
Omega and Laredo Kid were originally scheduled to have their match back at Rey de Reyes in March, but the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Omega has been AAA Mega champion for 371 days, defeating Fenix at Heroes Inmortales back on October 19, 2019.
Other matches announced for Triplemania in today’s press conference include Pangano vs. Chessman in a hair vs. hair match, and Arcano and Leyenda Americana vs. Terror Púrpura & Venenoide.
A look at the WWE draft is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer.
We look at the different moves made, why they were made, look at the depth charts with both brands to see what is and isn’t lacking, talk the return of talent, talent being kept apart, the whys behind some moves, and the rosters of both brands.
The new issue also covers:
The G1 Climax tournament, with match-by-match coverage of every show this past week, with star ratings and poll results. We look at the quality of shows, matches being built up, who have been the stars and best matches of the tournament.
The Cena wedding, how much Linda McMahon has donated to Trump’s campaign, lots of WWE injury updates, Lawsuit updates, Total Bellas notes, U.K TV ratings, new WWE documentary, how wrestling stacks up to other sports on TV, WWE filming an indie star for documentary, upcoming TV bouts, WWE market value, a new WWE book, and the most-watched shows on the WWE Network this past week.
Saturday’s UFC show from Abu Dhabi and the ramifications of the top matches.
A feature on Len Rossi, one of the biggest stars in Tennessee and Alabama from 1958 to 1972, his career in the ring, his life after wrestling, his tag team partners and most well-known angles. It’s a look back at a unique era of pro wrestling and how Rossi was a key to change in a unique time.
The indictment of the former Alberto Del Rio on a sexual assault and kidnapping case.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I did our weekend show which is up on the site, plus Garrett Gonzalez and I ran down the news of the week and plans going forward in a Friday night show also up on the site.
Principe Aereo, real name Luis Angel Sanchez, 23, passed away last night from an apparent heart attack in a match at Arena San Juan Pantitlan in Nezahualcóyotl (just outside Mexico City). He was working for the MexaWrestling promotion. He took two slaps to the chest, which were not hard, and a heel kick that didn’t appear to make contact. He then collapsed. The match was immediately stopped. He was rushed to the hospital, which was across the street from the arena, and he passed away before he made it there. The show continued even though the promoters were aware that he had died. Among his trainers was Bandido.
Dr. Greg Marra, who saw the tape of Sanchez’s death, noted this to us: “I’ve seen in the hospital a few times, teenagers coming into the ER in cardiac arrest after getting hit in the chest with either a lacrosse ball or hockey puck. Usually it happens when the heart is in between beats and it ends up going into ventricular fibrillation, And they essentially face plant to the ground, which would need a portable defibrillator, which these cases I’ve seen, had in the past, and the kids survived. my educated guess would be that the chop was in between beats and the rhythm was thrown off and he went into V fib. And they just go down instantly when it happens. I went to medical school in Mexico, I’ve spent 5 years of my life there and I know how it is there, and it doesn’t surprise me after living there, that they wouldn’t have a portable defibrillator on hand. Just wanted to pass that along.”
New Japan will have a press conference at 2 a.m. late tonight Eastern time live on New Japan World going over plans through the 11/7 Power Struggle show in Osaka, which would include a number of shows in late October and early November. From angles shot last night, expect these matches coming up: Hirooki Goto & Toru Yano & Yoshi-Hashi vs Taichi & Desperado & Douki for the six-man titles, perhaps Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi vs. Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano for the IWGP tag titles, Minoru Suzuki vs. Shingo Takagi for the Never title, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Desperado vs Bushi & Hiromu Takahashi for the IWGP jr. tag titles, Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. KENTA for the U.S title briefcase, Tetsuya Naito vs. Evil for the IWGP title and Jay White vs.Kota Ibushi for the Tokyo Dome briefcase. Will Ospreay and Kazuchika Okada will probably be involved in tag matches most nights.
We also have polls for all three Sumo Hall shows, thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with the best and worst match for each show and polls on overall G-1 MVP and G-1 tournament best match to [email protected]
As far as trending numbers of Google for the past week, for yesterday the Vasily Lomachenko vs. Teofimo Lopez Jr. fight was by far the biggest thing of the week with 1 million searches. Last night’s UFC show had 100,000 searches for Brian Ortega, putting it in 10th place. On Thursday, Nikki Bella was No. 19 based on her talking about her relationship and wedding plans.
WWE
Braun Strowman attended a 2,000 person bike rally yesterday in Daytona Beach.
WWE is reporting that Dave Mastiff of the U.K. brand was married this weekend.
Paul Wight (Big Show) was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the East Europe International Film Festival for his role in the movie “Marcus.”
UFC
Krzysztof Jotko suffered a broken toe and has pulled out of his 10/31 fight with Makmud Muradov. Kevin Holland will be the replacement.
Umar Nurmagomedov, who was scheduled to face Sergey Morozov on 10/24, has pulled out due to a staph infection.
Insane Wrestling Revolution from Friday night in Monroe, MI before 150 fans at Rhino’s Big Daddy’s Boat Yard: Rohit Raju b Trey Miguel, Mysterious Movado b Benjamin Boone, Nate Bock b Reggie Collins, Dave Powell won Battle Royal, Kenny Urban b Sam Beale, Rhino & DBA b Jack Price & Tommy Vendetta (managed by Jon. E. Bravo) in an extreme boatyard brawl that ended up with a staple gun and fighting in the crowd. The next show is 11/20 with Rhino and Heath. (thanks to Paul Meade and Leonard Brand)
CWE on 11/6 in Winnipeg at the Holy Eucharist Parish Center with a one-night tournament to crown the new CWE champion with first round matches of Danny Duggan vs. Tommy Lee Curtis, Kevy Chevy vs. Dragneel, EZ Ryder vs. Adam Knight and Mentallo vs Bobby Schink. There will also be a tag title match with AJ Sanchez & Kevin O’Doyle vs. Bobby Collins & Rob Stardom
Chris Jericho did a Talk is Jericho episode on the CWE promotion with Danny Duggan and A.J. Sanchez.
CWE from last night in Gladstone, Manitoba: Sammy Peppers b Tyler James, EZ Ryder b Cory Diamond, AJ Sanchez & Kevin O’Doyle b Danny Duggan & Mentallo, Johnny Malibu b Kevin Cannon, Bobby Collins b Mike Mission in a no DQ match. Next show is Thursday in Calgary.
American Wrestling Federation from last night in Winter Park, FL: Nick Quinones b Justin Cross, Cameron Xross b Chris Ramirez, Djokovic Rabbit b Rip Ruiz via forfeit, Andy English b Eric Marranca, Justin Cross b Andy English, Jimmy Taylor b Nick Quinones to win the Team Vision Dojo rookie title, Deon James & Kenny Vendetta & Tone Harrow b Dashing Kam & Brian Atomic & Ada Vaile in a street fight (thanks to Al Haft)
The state of Nuevo Leon in Mexico has banned a number of activities due to COVID and pro wrestling shows are on that list.
San Diego television covered the death of Espantito, an AAA regular mini from the 90s who lived in the city. The Observer covered it but he passed away earlier this week due to COVID.
CZW will have taped PPV shows in November featuring old footage that will include people like Penelope Ford, Joey Janela, John Silver, Alex Reynolds. Blade and The Young Bucks.
Juggalo Championship Wrestling from last night in Milford, MI: Weedman b Alex Van Zant, The Nerds b Scumdogs, Randi West b Thunder Kitty, Freedom Ramsey b Joseph Schwartz & Tanner Nix & Trill Bill & Nick Maus & Nate Bock, Breyer Wellington b Mysterious Movado, Rhino b Jackson Stone (thanks to Leonard Brand)
With a huge feature on the crazy story of the original Hollywood Blonds tag team with the death of Jerry Brown, we’ve got a double issue this week of the Observer up on the site right now.
Our lead story looks at this year’s G-1 tournament looking at every card, the stories going into the card, the restrictions, the odds, and the new Will Ospreay, start time for every show, complete lineups, comments by Kenny Omega and Jon Moxley regarding this year’s new format.
Also in this issue:
Update on WWE Clash of Champions, with the matches announced, updates on titles not yet announced with matches and keys to the show.
The situation with Matt Riddle and Samantha Tavel.
Daniel Cormier getting COVID and a new UFC product being pushed.
Changes at the USA Network, Sasha Banks with a major acting gig, Update on Jeff Hardy, details behind the Paul Heyman/Roman Reigns pairing, new contracts signed in WWE, wrestler teases gimmick change, Mandy Rose angle, law being talked about reglated to the Sonya Deville incident, Retribution update, this coming week’s WWE television, Randy Orton new business, Ivar injury update, Ronda Rousey update, Next NXT Takeover, weird TV moment, Sports & International ratings, Jimmy Jacobs talks WWE protocol and Vince McMahon, injury update, movie with WWE performers, market value of WWE and the most-watched shows on WWE Network.
This past week’s UFC show with the stories behind the show and match-by-match coverage.
New Japan’s last show this past week before G-1, held at Korakuen Hall, with the matches and angles and what is being pushed.
Our huge feature covers the life and career of Jerry Brown, who teamed with Buddy Roberts to form the Hollywood Blonds, one of the greatest heel tag team acts of all-time. This major feature looks at their beginnings, their heyday in Quebec and Florida, places they went, who they faced, as well as the other territories they went, championships they held, the second version of the Hollywood Blonds people don’t remember, the mentality of the act and some crazy Jerry Brown stories, with lots of comments from Bill Watts, who put the team together.
Ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
MONDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back with Wrestling Observer live tonight covering BTE, Raw, Japanese tournaments and talking Jack Brisco as well as taking e-mail questions for the show to [email protected].
Today would have been the 79th birthday of Jack Brisco, who passed away more than ten years ago. The front page has a huge story on his career.
There is a special Tuesday edition of Dynamite for one-hour before the two-hour live show in the normal time slot on Wednesday. The show will air after NBA coverage later at night with Brandi Rhodes vs. Anna Jay, Shawn Spears vs. Matt Sydal and Scorpio Sky vs. Benjamin Carter with Chris Jericho as announcer.
The CMLL 87th anniversary show takes place on Friday night and both women’s title contenders as voted by fans, Princesa Sugehit, who was to face Marcela for the CMLL women’s title, and Lluvia, set to face Metalica for the Mexican national women’s title, tested positive for COVID-19. There was an outbreak at Arena Mexico. There are lots of questions including Ultimo Guerrero, who is Lluvia’s boyfriend, who at this point is still listed for the show. The show is still happening and CMLL has announced that Lluvia and Sugehit will be getting title shots on Friday night shows when they can return.
G-1 returns on Wednesday morning on 5:30 a.m. from Sapporo:
Yuya Uemura vs. Gabriel Kidd
Jeff Cobb vs. Shingo Takagi
Kazuchika Okada vs Yujiro Takahashi
Minoru Suzuki vs Taichi
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Will Ospreay
Jay White vs. Kota Ibushi
We currently have polls going on for the first two G-1 shows from Osaka over the weekend with thumbs up, down, or middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]. We will also be doing polls for the Wednesday and Thursday shows this week. Kevin Kelly is recording English commentary and those will go up a few days later. The last three nights will have live English language commentary
Results from today’s Champion Carnival show at Korakuen Hall:
A block – Jake Lee b Kuma Arashi
B block – Shotaro Ashino b Shuji Ishikawa
A block – Zeus b Suwama
B block – Kento Miyahara b Yuma Aoyagi
With Suwama as Triple Crown champion, Zeus may end up with a title shot. The Carnival tournament resumes on Saturday night.
The N-1 tournament starts at 5:30 a.m. Eastern from Korakuen Hall tomorrow morning with Kenou vs. Shuhei Taniguchi, Kaito Kiyomiya vs. Masa Kitamiya, Go Shiozaki vs. Kazushi Sakuraba and Naomichi Marufuji vs. Takashi Sugiura
WWE
Raw tonight has Keith Lee vs. Drew McIntyre; a match with Angel Garza & Andrade vs. Seth Rollins & Murphy vs. Dominik Mysterio & Humberto Carrillo for the shot at the Street Profits on Sunday’s Clash of Champions PPV, and Braun Strowman vs.Dabba Kato in Raw Underground. Mike Johnson reported the return of Tom Phillips after two weeks and that Jerry Lawler is there. It would be no surprise to see Randy Orton get involved in the Lee vs. McIntyre match.
Tonight’s Monday night football game with the New Orleans Saints vs. Las Vegas Raiders will air on both ABC and ESPN. It will be interesting to see how the ratings end up and how this affects Raw doing its go-home show. Raw is not expected to do a good number tonight with the only wild card if Strowman vs. Kato has interest.
WWE inked a new deal with iQlYI Sports, for streaming in China. The shows will air in both Mandarin and English and will be available starting 9/22 with Raw and Smackdown airing live. The company will also start a subscription on-Demand service carrying the PPV shows.
The WWE Network is adding eight episodes of Velocity from May 25, 2002 to May 1, 2004.
Names announced for the NXT women’s Battle Royal for a title shot are Rhea Ripley, Candice LeRae, Tegan Nox, Xia Li, Shotzi Blackheart, Kacy Catanzaro, Aliyah and Kayden Carter.
NXT UK on Thursday has Kay Lee Ray vs. Piper Niven for the women’s title and Walter vs Saxon Huxley. The draw for the Heritage Cup tournament will also take place.
Stevie Ray announced his retirement on Facebook. He beat Michael Johnson via decision in his last fight in October and signed a four-fight deal after, but his knees are in bad shape. He said at this stage of his life he’s not up for a year of rehab and major surgery.
AEW
Dark tomorrow night has
Dark Order (Alan Angels & Preston Vance) vs. Ryzin & Xander Gold
Ben Carter vs. Lee Johnson
Will Hobbs vs. Serpentico
Stu Grayson & Evil Uno vs. Fuego del Sol & Rembrandt Lewis
Billy & Austin Gunn vs. Cruz & M’Badu
Penta El Cero M & Rey Fenix vs. Maxx Stardom & Dontae Smiley
Serena Deb vs. KiLynn King
Joey Janela & Sonny Kiss vs. Kevin Blackwood & Daniel Garcia
The Butcher & The Blade vs. Calvin Stewart & Puf
Ricky Starks vs. Christopher Daniels
Eddie Kingston vs Brian Pillman Jr.
MISCELLANEOUS
The UWN PPV show tomorrow night has:
Thunder Rosa vs. Priscilla Kelly for the NWA women’s title
Eli Drake vs. Watts
Danny Limelight vs. Kevin Martenson
Friendship Farm vs. Real Money Brothers
Chris Dickinson will appear on the UWN PPV show a week from tomorrow and Serena Deeb faces Allysin Kay..
CWE announced that due to the U.S./Canada border being closed as well as others not allowed in from foreign countries that their next tour will not have previously advertised Shane Douglas, Vincent, Jimmy Jacobs, Simon Marcellus Prime, The Mercenary, Koda Jacobs, Robin Lekime, Lory, Matt Taven or Silas Young. Shows in Alberta and Manitoba are limited to 100 fans but they are going to run. However at this point with crowds much lower than break even being allowed in Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Ontario, they can not host events in those provinces. None allow crowds of more than 50 people. It’s really notable with the size of crowds allowed in the U.S. and all our problems and how cases are so much lower in Canada yet the restrictions remain more stringent.
There is a BBC 3 documentary series called “Step Into the Ring” that will follow a group of aspiring wrestlers from Norwich in a reality show form, including one wrestler who has terrible vision, one with PTSD, one who is autistic and one who has Down’s Syndrome.
AAA has announced shows on 10/1, 10/29, 11/12 and 12/10 at 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park, IL. All shows will be limited to only 50 fans, masks are required and social distancing is required. Tickets will go on sale tonight at 8 p.m. Central time at http://aawpro.ticketleap.com Announced for 10/1 are Mance Warner, Hakim Zane (Rohit Raju), Karam, Matt Justice, Stephen Wolf, Hyan, Christi Jaynes, Gringo Loco, Steve Manders, Benjamin Carter and Travis Titan.
The last major promotion that was still running regular events in front of live crowds has shut down.
CMLL, the world’s oldest wrestling company, announced today that effective immediately, starting with tonight’s show at Arena Coliseo in Mexico City, everything is on hold. They had already announced late last night that their Guadalajara shows on Sundays and Tuesdays were off.
Shows announced as well for tomorrow, Tuesday and Friday at Arena Mexico, the famed cathedral of Lucha Libre, are canceled. This coming Friday’s show was one of their biggest events of the year, El Homeaje a Dos Leyendas, built around Felino vs. Cavernario in a hair vs. hair match.
Lucha Libre AAA’s Rey de Reyes event, which was scheduled for March 21 in Merida, has also been postponed.
It now appears that last night’s show at Arena Mexico will be the last pro wrestling event before a live crowd for the current time period.
UFC runs tomorrow night in Brasilia, Brazil, with no fans allowed. It is moving up in time and the entire card will air on ESPN because ESPN has no other live sports to air, starting at 3 p.m. Eastern
Veronica Macedo (135.5) vs, Bea Malecki (136)
Bruno Silva (125.5) vs,. David Dvorak (126)
Myrna Bueno Silva (126) VS. Maryna Moroz (126)
Rani Yahya (136) vs. Enrique Barzola (136)
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (171) vs. Alexey Kunchenko (170)
Amanda Ribas (115.5) vs, Randa Markos (116)
Jussier Formiga (126) vs. Brandon Moreno (126)
Francisco Trinaldo (156) vs. John Makdessi (155)
Johnny Walker (206) vs. Nikita Krylov (206)
Renato Moicano (155.5) vs. Damir Hadzovic (155)
Demian Maia (170.5) vs. Gilbert Burns (170.5)
Kevin Lee (158.5) vs,. Charles Oliveira (156)
Lee missed weight by 2.5 pounds. Oliveira agreed to take the fight. Lee forfeits 20 percent of his purse for missing weight.
CMLL at Arena Mexico tonight on the CMLL YouTube page
Audaz & Rey Cometa & Soberano Jr. vs. Hechicero & Luciferno & Rey Bucanero
Titan vs. Polvora
Atlantis Jr. & Flyer vs. Templario & El Hijo del Villano III in the tournament final for the Mexican national tag title
Caristico & Cavernario & Diamante Azul vs. Negro Casas & Felino & Volador Jr,. in an incredible partners match
Are you interested in attending our annual F4W/WON convention? We will hold it during AEW Double or Nothing weekend. For more information, check this post for activities and prices.
A story on the Corona Virus and pro wrestling and MMA shows around the world is the lead story in a double-issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter this week.
We go through:
Where everything stood at press time for large and small promotions all over the world, as well as other sports.
Which companies can survive this period the best and how this threatens the future of many companies and wrestlers, a well as WWE and other name indie talent that likely can’t be coming to the U.S. because of travel bans.
This is one of the biggest stories to have faced the world in our lifetime, and it affects every business, but sports and entertainment businesses, like all, will take an unforeseen shock.
The issue also covers:
Rob Gronkowski and WWE, what is believed to be the extent of the deal, who is Gronkowski, his prior experience in WWE, what he had said about doing pro wrestling in the past and what kind of impact his being in WWE could have.
The series of copycat lawsuits filed by a number of legal firms against WWE, the claims in the cases and a response by Jerry McDevitt to the cases.
The situation with David Starr being pressured out of wXw and Progress, the attempt to unionize wrestlers in the U.K. and companies that have jumped on board.
Full coverage of the Elimination Chamber show with notes on the show, updated plans for WrestleMania, business notes and match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
Update WWE PPV talks, Davey Boy Smith in Hall of Fame, salary of WWE’s top executives, the change in Paul Levesque’s backstage role, how talent contracts have changed, who owns the most WWE stock, XFL ratings and how this week changed the narrative, Cena movie delayed by a year of release due to Corona Virus, Rousey in WWE offices, change that was made in Friday tapings, Canadian ratings, UFC star talks about doing WWE, injury updates, more on a new athlete that just started, plus he most-watched shows on the WWE Network and details of all NXT & WWE arena events over the past week.
An extensive feature on Wayne Bridges, one of the biggest names in European pro wrestling during the 70s and 80s. We look at his sports background before pro wrestling, how he could into pro wrestling, his unique role in some major movies, his Japanese tours and his time in North America, the history of the world heavyweight title as recognized in the U.K., plus his biggest run as world heavyweight champion, appearing on the big Wembley and Royal Albert Hall shows, tragedies in his life and much more. This is a great history piece about an era of pro wrestling that a lot of U.S. fans aren’t aware of.
Complete coverage of UFC 248, including the show, what happens next, the judging, who the media thought won the key fights, and business notes.
Oregon wrestling in the 80s and its top heel, Rip “The Crippler” Oliver, who passed away last week. We look at the atmosphere when he first arrived, his life and career before Oregon, his attempts to leave and why he always ended up back, his records set, biggest feuds, extensive title history, the 1982 tag team tournament at the Omni in Atlanta,Billy Jack Haynes, Roddy Piper, Buddy Rose and the death of the Don Owen territory.
Update the situation with Scott Steiner.
End of an era, as after 41 years, Stu Sacks leaves Pro Wrestling Illustrated and a career in wrestling journalism that goes back 50 years to his childhood.
Regarding the Wednesday numbers, we’ve got full details, demos that each side won, how every segment did and what match ended up as the difference maker.
All the WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.
In-depth looks at the ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
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FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE
At this point, as far as major sports and sports entertainment events on television, it looks like UFC and pro wrestling are the few things still happening.
WWE has officially moved tonight and Monday’s Raw show to the Performance Center. While they have not announced a move of Wednesday’s show there, Full Sail has closed the building until the end of April and we are told that they are going with the idea that the Performance Center will be the site of NXT every Wednesday with no fans allowed for at least the next month.
The City of Jacksonville has closed down all city facilities, which includes Daily’s Place and sent out a tweet about an hour ago confirming that. As of 6:30 p.m., AEW was still planning to run empty arena shows at Daily’s Place probably for the next month at least, since the 4/1 show in Milwaukee and 4/8 show in St. Louis have been canceled. As of this writing, the shows are still being taped every Wednesday in a closed set. Originally they were going to have media and families allowed but not fans, but AEW confirmed to us earlier today that no media will be allowed to attend.
It would really make sense if they can do a show to tape all day and try and get 2-3 shows in the can as possible because even if they can get the first event in, things can get worse. While a taped show isn’t optimum, at this stage of the game one has to prepare for the worst. Really that goes for WWE as well. It’s probably best to tape a second show on Monday and Wednesday.
The WWE 3/22 Madison Square Garden show has not been canceled by WWE but with New York not allowing gatherings of more than 500 people, the show can’t take place.
Pro wrestling relies so much on crowd response. In the early days of Ultimate Fighter they aired fights with no crowds and even no announcers. It wasn’t like watching a modern show but it did work in the early years of that show and right now options are limited.
There is nothing official on WrestleMania as of this moment. There were stories going around regarding a new date at the stadium in June earlier today. I can’t imagine the show taking place on April 5 although at this moment it is still on and key people have told me today that they believe it will take place in the stadium that day. Those in the company are pretty emphatic there will be a WrestleMania this year.
There has been heavy criticism of UFC for still running. There has been less on WWE since it falls below the radar and really none on AEW.
A number of Mania week independent events are still on. If WWE cancels, it’ll fall apart. While WWE can survive the hit, a lot of companies can’t.
Michael Bochiccio of Highspots did a video Q&A and said the convention has not been canceled due to the liability he would assume by doing so on their own. He said just hotel rooms if he were to cancel would bankrupt WrestleCon and perhaps HighSpots as well. He told Vice that if the convention falls through he would have to sell his house.
Bryan and my show has been canceled for WrestleMania week.
There is nothing new from Japan at all. At this point the 3/31 show at Sumo Hall for New Japan is on and All Japan is to start back 3/23. Obviously that is all subject to change.
Mexico is running events, including the MLW taping tonight in Tijuana. Arena Mexico is running as planned on its regular full schedule at this point, but as we’ve seen in this country, things can change quickly.
We will be taping a show later today with Dr. Alex Patel, a reader and critical care physician heavily involved in COVID-19 planning efforts in Canada. I also spoke at length with one of the leading sports doctors in the country who has been in the trenches of this story for a long time because of its potential impact on the Olympic games.
Regarding AEW & NXT ratings on Wednesday, both were down similarly in the first hour. For reasons I can’t explain, after the NBA news broke, AEW dropped significantly, as one would expect. NXT didn’t drop at all, and I have no explanation for that.
WWE
WWE stock rose to $35.86 per share as the market rebounded,up $3.48 per share on the day. I see a lot more bad days than good days with the market until things get back to normal.
Regarding tonight’s show in Detroit, we were told that while plans were being discussed and established on Wednesday night for the show to be moved, it was not official until the announcement.
Bet Online has these odds on who Rob Gronkowski’s first opponent will be. The leading picks are:
Cesaro +300
Robert Roode +350
Dolph Ziggler +400
Mojo Rawley +500
Sheamus +500
Jinder Mahal +600
Riddick Moss +600
King Corbin +600
Will he win the WWE or Universal title by 12/31 -1750.
Odyssey Cinemas in Northern Ireland announced that would be screening WrestleMania live at all of their theaters, although a lot can obviously change.
Kenny McIntosh’s show with Kevin Owens scheduled for 3/20 in Glasgow has been moved to 6/5.
UFC
Tickets for UFC on 5/2 in Oklahoma City headlined by Jack Hermanson vs. Chris Weidman and Claudia Gadelha vs. Marina Rodriguez went on sale today.
Alexa Grasso vs. Ji Yeon Kim has been announced for 6/27 in Austin, TX.
AEW
The company has put tickets on sale for 5/6 in New Orleans and 5/13 Rio Rancho, NM.
WrestleTalk and Will Ospreay have announced a show for Monday night at 229 The Venue in London at 3 p.m. Eastern time and 7 p.m. local time with Will Ospreay, Rampage Brown, David Starr, Kyle Fletcher, Robbie X , the OJMO, Bea Priestley and Nathan Cruz.
OTT announced they would stream last year’s ScapperMania card for free at 8 p.m. local time tomorrow, which was headlined by an incredible Walter vs. Jordan Devlin match.
Northeast Wrestling announced that they will reschedule their 3/27 show in Waterbury, CT, which was to feature Matt Hardy. No new date was announced.
Savio Vega will be doing seminars before CWE shows on 3/26 in Morden, Manitoba, 3/27 in Winnipeg, 3/28 in Regina, Saskatchewan and 3/29 in Saskatoon. Saskatchewan. All seminars are $100 before 3/19 and $150 after, whle if you attend two you can get both at $125 by 3/29 and $175 after.
Silas Young will be on CWE shows 5/11 to 5/22 in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta.
As best we can tell, the AAW show on 3/20 at the Logan Square Auditorium in Chicago is still on. The card has Mance Warner vs. Fred Yehi for the AAW heavyweight title, Kris Statlander vs. The Hyan, Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett & ACH vs. Sami Callihan & Jake Crist & Jessicka Havok, Gringo Loco & Black Taurus vs. Aramis & Arez, Curt Stallion vs. Ace Austin and more. It should be noted that Black Taurus was in Germany last week and in theory he should not be allowed in the U.S.
East Bay Wrestling is running tomorrow night at 7 PM. in Pacheco, CA at 110 Second Av S #08.
Glory has postponed its 3/28 show in Antwerp, Belgium and 5/30 show in Miami, FL. They will announce new dates for both cities. The next show on the schedule is 6/20 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
MCW has moved its 3/14 show in Hollywood, MD to 5/29; its 3/15 show in Joppa, MD to 5/30, its 3/21 show in Culpeper, VA until the fall and the 4/17 show in Essex, MD until the fall.
The Cauliflower Alley Club has said that they have no plans to move their scheduled 4/26 to 4/29 reunion dates in Las Vegas.
ONE will be doing empty arena shows through 5/29, with dates of 4/17, 4/24, 5/1 and 5/8.
Joey Janela was announced for the June World Series Wrestling tour of Australia.
PWA has said its 3/20 show in Sydney will be going on as scheduled. Melbourne Championship Wrestling has announced its 3/21 show in Melbourne will also go on as advertised.
PCW’s show in Melbourne at a stadium doesn’t look good since Australia is recommending no non-essential gatherings of more than 500 people, while the PCW show was expected to draw closer to 2,000.
RevPro in he U.K. say that they will be continuing their regular schedule.
Legacy Fighting announced its 3/20 show in Phoenix has been canceled. The 4/3 show in Colorado and 4/17 show in South Dakota are under review.
Jose Christian Alvarado Ruiz, best known as Maximo, a former CMLL world heavyweight champion and star exotico, reportedly suffered a heart attack earlier today.
Alvarado, 39, the son of the legendary Super Porky, Brazo de Plata (Jose Alvarado Nieves), was admitted to a private hospital early today. The reports are that he has recovered and is in stable condition, while still under observation. He will remain in the hospital resting for at least 24 hours.
Super Luchas reported the story earlier today.
Alvarado started wrestling in 2000 and became a regular with CMLL three years later. He became a star as the exotico Maximo, wearing a toga type outfit in pink.
Maximo’s career hit its peak in 2015 when he defeated El Terrible to win the CMLL heavyweight title. But in 2017, footage was shown of a number of members of the Alvarado family destroying Ultimo Guerrero’s car at the private Arena Mexico parking lot. CMLL fired Maximo and stripped him of his title.
He wrestled for The Crash first, but moved to AAA as Maximo Sexy in 2018. Even with his past popularity and star power, he was not figured strongly into the AAA booking of late.
Two of the Muñoz family members will clash in November against Fenix and Pentagon Jr.
The Crash announced during this evening’s show that Rush & Dragon Lee will meet Pentagon Jr. and Fenix on their 8th anniversary event in Tijuana on November 1. However, Rush later said that it could be any Muñoz family members, meaning father Bestia del Ring could be part of the match.
Dragon Lee is part of the NJPW Super Junior Tag Tournament that takes place later this month and has not been cancelled from that tour.
Rush and Dragon Lee were released from CMLL just hours after the 86th anniversary event took place last weekend, with CMLL claiming it was due to the two not living up to the standards of the organization. There is ongoing turmoil behind the scenes which had led to younger wrestler’s guarantees being cut.
There is also a power struggle ongoing that has led to Sofia Alonso, who was put in charge of the promotion following Paco Alonso’s death, being demoted.
Jonathan Gresham and CIMA were also announced for the anniversary show.
AAA’s biggest card of the year, TripleMania XXVII, takes place tonight in Mexico City.
The card will be headlined by Blue Demon Jr. putting his mask on the line against Dr. Wagner Jr.’s hair.
AEW will be represented on the card, as a rematch from Fyter Fest will take place. Kenny Omega, making his AAA debut, will team with The Young Bucks to take on Pentagon Jr., Fenix & Laredo Kid.
In a most interesting six-man tag team match, former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez will make his professional wrestling debut, teaming with Psycho Clown and AEW’s Cody Rhodes against Taurus, Texano Jr. and a mystery partner. Cody is seeking revenge after an attack by his opponents several months ago.
Other title matches include Keyra defending the Reina de Reinas championship in a TLC match and Big Mami & Nino Hamburugesa defending the mixed Tag Team Championship in a four-way bout against AEW’s Sammy Guevara & Scarlett Bordeaux, Lady Maravilla & Villano III Jr., and Australian Suicide & Vanilla.
The pre-show starts at 8 p.m. EST on AAA’s Twitch account, with the main card starting an hour later.
**********
Astrolux, Arkangel Divino and Dragon Bane defeated Aramis, Arez and Toxin
This was a wild opener, exactly the kind you need on a big show like this. If you love matches that go 200 miles an hour with tons of hot spots, this is for you.
Dragon Bane and Aramis have good chemistry with one another, they start things off. Lots of fast action. Lots of dives to the outside that takes everyone out. Triple 450 splashes by Divino, Arez and Bane for a two count.
Astrolux came in and faced off against both Toxin and Aramis, then tagged in Divino who did a cool springboard super rana off the top rope. Toxin jumped on Divino and laid out Bane with a reverse rana.
Bane did a crazy tornillo on the outside, with Aramis following up with a big dive. Arkangel cut off Toxin and gave him a hurricanrana to the outside that wiped everyone out. Astrolux soon followed with a running spanish fly to the outside.
After all the wreckage, Dragon Bane landed a 630 on Arez for the win.
They opened with a ceremony that involved flags with the AAA logo and the two people who were in charge of AAA, founder Antonio Pena and Joquain Roldan.
Lady Maravilla & Villano III Jr. defeated Big Mami & Nino Hamburgeresa, Scarlett Bordeaux & Sammy Guevara and Australian Suicide & Vanilla for the AAA Mixed Tag Team titles
In-ring wise this was just there. Lots of stuff going on. Some cool moves, and Hamburgeresa and Mami are way over, but they’re very limited.
Bordeaux and Vanilla went at it soon after the bell. She planted Vanilla with an iconoclasm as Suicide came in for the save. They took out Guevara with a 619 by Suicide into a German suplex by Vanilla. Suicide took out Guevara with a big dive.
Big Mami came in and confronted Bordeaux, then hit Vanilla with a Gory bomb. Maravilla and Villlano came in and confronted the champions. After botching some sort of double team maneuver badly, Villano lifted Hamburgeresa on his shoulders and planted him. They stacked both Maravilla and Villano together as Hamburgeresa hit a running cannonball in the corner.
Vanilla and Suicide came back in with stereo dropkicks as they took out people on the outside with splashes. Bordeaux and Guevara came back in, but Guevara was dispatched as Big Mami stinkfaced Bordeaux in the corner.
They built up to a spot where Hamburgeresa took out everyone with what I guess was a dive to the outside. That led to Big Mami laying everyone out with a crossbody to the outside. Back in the ring, everyone went after one another. Big Mami whipped Maravilla but she fell, grabbing her leg. Nino Hamburgeresa, who is currently in a love triangle between her and Mami, tended to Maravilla as Big Mami splashed Villano. Right before she was able to cover, Maravilla low blowed Hamburgeresa and rolled him up for the titles.
Big Mami cut a promo after the match, calling out Lady Maravilla.
El Hijo del Vikingo, Myzsteziz Jr. and Golden Magic defeated El Nuevo Poder del Norte (Mocho Cota Jr., Carta Brava Jr. and Tito Santana & Pimpinela Escarlata, Mamba and Maximo
This was alright, much like the other matches with fast paced action.
Everyone came out and did things to start things off. Mystesis, Tito Santana, El Hijo de Vikingo came in. Puedo de Norte came in dominated until Vikino took out one of them with a giant hurricanrana. Mamba took out Myzsteziz outside which allowed Pimpi and Maximo to come out with big dives. Golden Magic followed, then Vikingo, but I don’t know what he did because the camera freaked out upon execution.
Vikingo and Mystesis brought out a table. Back in the ring, Maximo was dragged out of the ring by Norte as Mocho did a big dive that sent Maximo through the table. Golden Magic took out Mamba and delivered a 450 but Pimpi came in and broke it in. Norte came back in, but Maximo and Mamba came in for the save. The other team all did stereo sunset flips for a near fall.
Pimpi took out everyone on the outside with a dive, Cota followed soon after. Brava and Vikino were in the ring as Vikingo landed a running death valley driver into the turnbuckle, then hit the inverted 450 splash for the win.
Pagano won the Copa TripleMania
The good news is that since the rules were explained this year, it was better than the other Copa Triplemania matches in the past. It’s still a battle royal, and not a very good one, but at least it was more coherent.
Daga and Eclipse Jr. started things off. Seems like minute intervals in between entrants. Drago came in, then Superfly, followed by Murder Clown, who came in and started to throw people around, including a fallaway slam/samoan drop combo on a number of wrestlers. Drago and Superfly took chokeslams.
Aerostar came next on top of a platform way above the ring. If you thought his last insane stunt didn’t scare him, well you’re right because he did a big crossbody at least 20-30 feet in the air. Monsther Clown. Aerostar ripped up Monsther’s mask; Monsther then retaliated with a steel chair shot. Puma King followed next.
Superfly was the first eliminated as Konnan came out next. He’s wearing a Donald Trump t-shirt. He low blowed Drago and watched as the Clowns and Daga beat up everyone else. Chessman entered next, then guess who? Vampiro. Konnan wasn’t happy about that. Vampiro took everyone out as he and Konnan went at it, with Vampiro eliminating Konnan.
Pagano came next as Vampiro just straight up left without being eliminated. Averno came in, then Rey Escorpion, followed by La Parka, who i think is the last person in. Daga and Averno work together against Puma King but he fights through, taking out Averno with a top rope hurricanrana for an elimination. Chessman grabs Puma King soon over and dumps him to the outside.
Meanwhile, Dave the Clown comes in and distracts La Parka long enough for him to be rolled up and eliminated. Pagano and Daga went at it, with Pagano scoring the elimination over him by dumping him to the floor. Rey Escoprion comes in and legdrops Rey Escorpion. Despite working with him, Escorpion gets upset with Escorpion as he ends up getting eliminated.
The last two are Pagano and Chessman. Pagano hit a cutter that Chessman took badly as Chessman countered with a spear. Pagano fought back and finished him off with an air raid clash off the top rope for the win.
The lights went out as suddenly LA Park was in the ring with his sons. Park jumped Pagano and destroyed the trophy as the sons beat him up with a steel chair. He said a lot of words that I know are bad words. I believe he made a challenge to Pagano, mask vs. hair. He then said some words to Marisela Peña before leaving. I dont think this is the hair vs mask match people want, but it’s probably the one that is most feasible.
Keyra came out to the ring in a wheelchair, as she blew out her knee a couple of weeks ago. It seems like the title is now vacant and the winner of the TLC match will become the new Reina de Reinas champion. Chika Tormenta turned over her wheelchair and was beating on her when Ayako Hamada came out to take Keyra’s place.
Tessa Blanchard defeated Lady Shani, Taya, Faby Apache, Chik Tormenta and Ayako Hamada in a TLC match to win the Reina de Reinas championship
This felt like a shorter version of a standard type of hardcore ladder match. Everyone worked hard and did spots you’d expect in a TLC match. A good brawl.
Hamada came to the ring and started beating on people with the chair. Lots of weapons. Taya introduced a staple gun and stapled 8×10’s on Tormenta’s forehead. Faby got the gun and put a few staples on Taya’s head as well.
Taya took out Hamada with chair shots as they were both on the ladder, but Tessa came in and took her out with a Canadian destroyer. Shani planted Tessa with a sitout piledriver. She introduced a piledriver as she gave Hierda a DDT into the tacks.
Tormenta set Taya on top of a ladder but Tessa attacked her and shoved her off the post, sending her to the floor and missing the ladder. Tormenta was taken out by medical staff as Taya and Tessa battled on top of the ladder. Tessa got the better of it and grabbed the title.
Faby Apache wasn’t happy and spat at Tessa after a confrontation. Taya also got into it with Tessa.
Cain Velasquez, Cody Rhodes and Psycho Clown defeated El Texano Jr., Killer Kross and Taurus
Killer Kross was the mystery tag team partner.
So if you’re wondering how Cain did, I can tell you…he looked good! He was protected well and did some cool spots, including a hurricanrana. The match as a whole was designed to get him over as a wrestler, and while the match wasn’t much to speak about it, it did its job well overall.
Psycho Clown and Texano start things off. Psycho gets the better of things and tags in Cody, while Taurus is tagged in. Cody hits a long vertical suplex and a superkick that sends Taurus tagging in Killer Kross. Cody motions to Cain and tags him in.
Nobody wants to fight Cain as they all tag in one another. Taurus tags in and landed a hurricanrana. Yes. Kross came in and after Cain slapped him, his partners came in and took out everyone.
Texano came in with his rope and started attacking Psycho Clown in the ring as Kross posted Cain on the outside. He threw him back in which allowed Texano to whip Cain with the rope. Cain came back with a spinning heel kick to Kross as he and Psycho Clown double teamed Taurus, with Cody joining in. Taurus was taken to the outside where Cody did a suicide dive. Kross was set up on a table that collapsed as Psycho Clown went on the apron. Cody set it back up as Psycho splashed Kross through the table.
Cain grabbed Texano, rolled him around then put him in the kimura for the submission.
Cain’s wife and daughter were seen at ringside after the match. The rest of Los Mercenarios came in and jumped Psycho Clown as Cody and Cain chased them off, then celebrated with people at ringside, including a photo op with Marisela Peña.
Pentagon Jr., Fenix and Laredo Kid defeated Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks
This was real good, about on par with their Fyter Fest match. The crowd wasn’t as hot as that match, but it picked up towards the closing moments of the match, giving it a hot finish.
Nick and Fenix were in first and traded some really nice offense. Omega and Pentagon Jr. followed. The Elite hit superkicks on their opponents, but they countered with huge dives to the outside.
Matt worked on Fenix in the ring as Nick and Omega beat up the others on the outside. The Elite continued to dominate the match, putting everyone in stereo sharpshooters. Pentagon avoids a crossbody attempt by Nick as he fights off the trio. Fenix comes in and makes the save, with Pentagon giving Matt a piledriver on the apron.
Laredo followed with a spanish fly on Omega and a swanton by Fenix, but Matt pulled out the referee before he could count to 3. Lucha Bros. and Laredo Kid took everyone out with superkicks as a ref bump soon followed. A flurry of offense sends everyone down except Omega. Fenix hit a cutter, but the referee was still out.
The Elite land a triple low blow as they all plant their opponents with powerbombs. Nick assisted with a double Indytaker, but Fenix pulled out the referee. Omega ripped off the mask of Fenix He lifted him for the One Winged Angel but Fenix grabbed the mask and hit a reverse rana that looked pretty ugly, he landed right on his head.
After an assisted package piledriver, Laredo Kid hit a 450 splash on Omega. They then hit another assisted package piledrive, this time on Matt. Laredo Kid and Fenix hit double suicide dives as Pentagon covered Matt for the win.
Kenny Omega took the mic after the match. He told Fenix that he wanted his belt (AAA Mega title) and he’ll come back to Mexico to get the title shot. Fenix said he’s excited about this match and his answer is yes. Omega says he’s happy that he accepted his challenge, but he just made the biggest mistake of his life as he will prove that AEW is better than AAA.
Blue Demon Jr. defeated Dr. Wagner Jr. in a hair vs. mask match
This was one of the bloodiest brawls I’ve seen in some time. Both men bled early and by the end there was literal puddles of blood everywhere. Blood and guts is a term that’s been thrown around a lot recently; if you want to see a real bloody match, this is going to be it for some while.
They started outside of the ring as they brawled. Wagner was already bleeding about a minute into the match. Demon blasted Wagner with a beer bottle. Wagner took down Demon but Demon jumped right back. They brawled around the ring, and when back in the ring Wagner began to rip Demon’s mask.
Blue Demon, who is literally pouring blood out of his forehead, grabs a hammer and starts attacking Wagner with it. He sinks in a Fujiwara armbar, but Wagner grabs the ropes. Wagner throws him headfirst into a baking sheet on the post.
Demon applies another submission, but Wagner grabs a leg and gets himself free. Wagner tapped at one point, but heel ref Tirantes didn’t see it. Wagner rolled him up, but Demon kicked out. He also kicked out of the Wagner driver. After a third, Blue Demon’s entourage pulled the ref away. He came into the ring with a literal ragged looking rock. Wagner’s reps took Blue Demon away as Blue Demon blasted Wagner with the rock and got the pin.
After the haircut, Dr. Wagner Jr. said that he is officially retiring from pro wrestling. Cubsfan is saying he is literally booked for a match tomorrow, so write this one down. Blue Demon says that none of the Wagners will ever come close to being what his son will be.
Francisco “Paco” Alonso, one of the most powerful players in the pro wrestling industry for more than 30 years passed away yesterday at the age of 67.
Alonso, who was the only person voted into the Hall of Fame in 2008, had been running CMLL, then known as EMLL, its original name, since taking over from his uncle, Salvador “Chavo” Lutteroth Jr., in 1987, who preferred working as a boxing promoter. Alonso’s grandfather, the original Salvador Lutteroth, founded EMLL, the first major pro wrestling company in Mexico, in 1933.
Alonso took over in the middle of a wrestling war with the UWA promotion, and through wrestling getting on television, presided over a huge boom period almost immediately built around new stars like Konnan, Octagon, Atlantis, Rayo de Jalisco Jr. and veterans like Perro Aguayo and Los Hermanos Dinamita.
At the time, both companies were doing great business, but then Alonso’s booker, Antonio Pena, made a deal with Televisa, the largest network in Mexico, to start a wrestling company in 1992, and suddenly EMLL had even stronger and more heated competition. In the EMLL vs. UWA war, the sides were at times at odds and at other times had a relationship to a degree that the biggest stars were able to work for both companies simultaneously.
But with the CMLL vs. AAA war, it was very different. For the most part the companies have always been at war.
Alonso was a quiet major player. He largely kept himself out of the public eye and gave no public interviews. He was able to forge a working relationship with New Japan Pro Wrestling, which had previously worked with AAA, and led to the New Japan/CMLL/ROH/Rev Pro alliance.
He had great advantages as a promoter since the company itself had built its own arenas, so he paid no rent meaning it was relatively easy to break even, as well as making money renting the arenas for other events.
Chris Jericho, who was really broken up about Alonso’s death, noted that Alonso was the first promoter to give him a big push, giving him the name Corazon de Leon, meaning Lion Heart, in 1993 and putting him in main events during a boom period.
Over the decades the company has had many boom periods, notably 1988-1992, and a second boom period behind Mistico (now Caristico), Dr.Wagner Jr., El Hijo del Santo, Negro Casas and Ultimo Guerrero in the mid-00s.
In 2008 when he was voted into the Hall of Fame, it was estimated conservatively that Alonso’s company and top talent from 1975, when he became a key player in the office, to 2008 had drawn more than 80 million fans to live events.
