CMLL wrestler Magnus is officially adopting a classic NJPW gimmick.
On this week’s edition of CMLL Informa, it was revealed that Magnus will now be going by the name “Black Tiger.” He is the ninth wrestler to don the mask, which was originally introduced in the 1980s as a rival to Tiger Mask. The character has been portrayed by the likes of Mark Rocco, Eddie Guerrero, and Rocky Romero.
NJPW chairman Naoki Sugabayashi appeared on Informa and gave the character change his blessing. This comes after Magnus wore the Black Tiger mask during this year’s NJPW & CMLL Fantasticamania tour. The final night of the tour included a singles match where Tiger Mask defeated Magnus.
#CMLLInforma || Mensaje del Sr. Naoki Sugabayashi directamente desde New Japan Pro-Wrestling para el CMLL Informa.
Along with competing in CMLL, Magnus has made appearances for AEW/ROH and MLW. He is a former MLW Tag Team Champion and recently wrestled at MLW’s TV taping in Atlanta on March 14.
The babyface Tiger Mask character in NJPW is currently played by Yoshihiro Yamazaki, who will be retiring from the ring this July. He is the fourth iteration of Tiger Mask, following Satoru Sayama, Mitsuharu Misawa, and Koji Kanemoto.
A CMLL trios showcase match is now on the docket for this Tuesday’s AEW Dynamite taping in Austin, Texas.
Former Ring of Honor men’s TV Champion Atlantis Jr., Mascara Dorada & Templario will face Soberano Jr., Volador Jr. & Magnus in the match. It’s assumed it will be taped for next week’s ROH TV show as it has yet to be formally announced for Dynamite.
Of the six, only Soberano Jr. and Templario have yet to appear on either AEW or a Tony Khan-era ROH show.
CMLL talent is also scheduled for this Saturday’s AEW Collision in Houston, Texas, as Sammy Guevara, Dark Panther & Fuego vs. Hechicero, Barbaro Cavernario & Soberano Jr. was announced on Thursday.
As of this writing, only two other matches have been announced for Tuesday’s taping which is being done due to the crew heading to Australia for Grand Slam Australia:
AEW Tag Team Champions The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin w/MVP) defend against The Gunns (Austin & Colten Gunn)
MLW is set to play a part in NJPW x CMLL Fantasticamania 2025.
The tour is taking place this month and will conclude with two straight nights at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on February 27-28. It was announced today that MLW titles will be defended on both nights. The promotion has partnerships with both NJPW and CMLL.
– On night one, NJPW legend Satoshi Kojima and CMLL veteran OKUMURA will put their MLW Tag Team titles on the line against luchadores Rugido & Magnus. It’s a rematch from last year’s NJPW & CMLL Fantasticamania USA event, where Kojima & OKUMURA retained their belts.
That prior match between the teams happened during Kojima & OKUMURA’s first MLW Tag Team title reign. They are now two-time champs after regaining the belts from Minoru Suzuki & Ikuro Kwon in December.
– Night two at Korakuen Hall will be headlined by Mistico defending the MLW Middleweight Championship against Averno. Mistico has held the title since February 2024 and will reach one full year as champion if he wins this match.
“The first title that a young Mistico ever held was NWA’s World Middleweight Championship won from Averno back in January 2005,” NJPW wrote. “20 years removed, could it be Averno that ends a historic MLW title run?”
Both of the Korakuen Hall events will air live on NJPW World. Here are the full cards:
NJPW & CMLL Fantasticamania (Thursday, February 27) —
Volador Jr. vs. Templario
Ultimo Guerrero vs. Atlantis Jr.
Black Cat memorial: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Mistico, Mascara Dorada & Stigma vs. Taiji Ishimori, Averno, Soberano Jr. & Raider
Lightning match: Zandokan Jr. vs. Neon
MLW Tag Team Champions Satoshi Kojima & OKUMURA defend against Rugido & Magnus
Barbaro Cavernario & El Desperado vs. Hechicero & Ninja Mack
Xelhua & Max Star vs. Titan & KAMAITACHI
NJPW & CMLL Fantasticamania (Friday, February 28) —
MLW Middleweight Champion Mistico defends against Averno
Mascara Dorada vs. Soberano Jr.
Barbaro Cavernario vs. Hechicero
Templario, Neon & El Desperado vs. Volador Jr., Rugido & Magnus
Atlantis Jr., Stigma & Taiji Ishimori vs. Ultimo Guerrero, Satoshi Kojima & OKUMURA
A pair of title bouts are among the new matches set for Fantasticamania USA.
NJPW and CMLL are teaming up to present the show from San Jose, California on July 13. A Strong Openweight Championship match with Gabe Kidd defending against CMLL legend Ultimo Guerrero has been made official for the event. Plus, the MLW Tag Team titles will be defended in NJPW for the first time ever. Satoshi Kojima (NJPW) & Okumura (CMLL) are putting their belts on the line against Magnus & Rugido of the CMLL faction Los Depredadores.
This is Kidd’s first title defense since winning the Strong Openweight Championship from Eddie Kingston in a no rope Last Man Standing match this May.
At a CMLL event last month, Rugido teamed with Magia Blanca in a loss to Kojima & Okumura. It was Kojima & Okumura’s first title defense.
Kojima is a double champion in MLW, also holding the promotion’s World Heavyweight Championship.
NJPW’s Yota Tsuji vs. CMLL’s Barbaro Cavernario has been added to the Fantasticamania USA card as well. The show is taking place from Mt. Pleasant High School in San Jose and will air live on NJPW World pay-per-view.
The updated lineup is listed below:
NJPW x CMLL Fantasticamania USA (Saturday, July 13) —
Mistico & DOUKI vs. Rocky Romero & Volador Jr.
NJPW Strong Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd defends against Ultimo Guerrero
Yota Tsuji vs. Barbaro Cavernario
Zack Sabre Jr. & Bad Dude Tito vs. Hechicero & Virus
Stephanie Vaquer vs. Lluvia
MLW Tag Team Champions Satoshi Kojima & Okumura defend against Magnus & Rugido
Copa Fantasticamania: Adrian Quest vs. The DKC vs. Viento vs. Cucuy
Magnus from CMLL has qualified for the AEW Revolution All-Star Scramble.
On Friday’s Rampage show, Magnus defeated Matt Sydal in a bout to qualify for the All-Star Scramble set for Sunday’s Revolution pay-per-view.
The winner of the Scramble will receive a future AEW World title shot.
One spot remains in the match, with a Penta El Zero Miedo vs. Dante Martin vs. Bryan Keith triple threat qualifier set for Saturday’s Collision show deciding the final spot.
The updated card for Sunday’s Revolution PPV:
AEW Revolution, Sunday, March 3, 8 p.m. Eastern time on pay-per-view —
Sting’s retirement match: AEW Tag Team Champions Sting & Darby Allin defend against The Young Bucks’ Matthew & Nicholas Jackson in a tornado match
AEW World Champion Samoa Joe defends against Swerve Strickland & Hangman Page in a triple threat
AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm defends against Deonna Purrazzo
TNT Champion Christian Cage defends against Daniel Garcia
AEW Continental Crown Champion Eddie Kingston defends against Bryan Danielson
AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy defends against Roderick Strong
All-Star Scramble match for a future AEW World title shot: Chris Jericho vs. Wardlow vs. Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Lance Archer vs. Brian Cage vs. Magnus vs. TBD
Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli vs. FTR’s Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler
Will Ospreay vs. Konosuke Takeshita
AEW Revolution Zero Hour, Sunday, March 3, 6:30 p.m. Eastern time on AEW’s YouTube & social media channels —
Julia Hart & Skye Blue vs. Kris Statlander & Willow Nightingale
Previously: X Division Champion Low Ki retained his title in an excellent Ultimate X match.
Tonight: Ethan Carter III, Magnus, and James Storm battle in a triple threat number one contender’s match. Plus, Eddie Edwards & Alisha face Davey Richards & Angelina Love in a mixed tag team match.
Show Recap —
– Bruce Prichard came down to the ring with his personal protection Tyrus. Prichard was selling the injuries from EC3’s attack last week. He announced that EC3’s actions are under review.
Prichard then introduced Impact World Champion Bobby Lashley. Lashley wanted to know who he gets to beat up at Slammiversary. This brought out EC3 and he promised to beat Lashley for the title.
Of course, this brought out Magnus. He felt he was screwed over by Prichard and promised to win the title as well. James Storm interrupted and wanted to have the triple threat right now. Prichard announced that if they touch each other before the match later they’d be suspended.
– Jeremy Borash and The Pope were the announcers tonight. Josh Mathews will reveal his partner for Slammiversary later.
KM & Kongo Kong (w/ Sienna and Laurel Van Ness) defeated Mahabali Shera & Braxton Sutter (w/ Allie)
Van Ness distracted Shera to give the heels the advantage. Sutter got the hot tag and ran wild, then he brawled with Kong on the floor. Allie took out Sienna and Van Ness with a flying crossbody. Kong gave Shera a headbutt and KM rolled him up for the win.
All four guys brawled to the back, leaving Allie alone. Sienna and Van Ness jumped Allie until Rosemary came out. She teased joining the heels but instead spit green mist in Sienna’s eyes and hit the Red Wedding on Van Ness. The Impact Zone loved this angle.
VOW (Wilcox & Mayweather) defeated Fallah Bahh & Mario Bokara to advance to the GFW Global tag team tournament finals
The heels got the brief advantage, but the VOW controlled most of the match. The finish came when Bahh fell to the outside and VOW hit their finisher on Bokara to win the match.
– Josh Mathews came down to the ring and he asked Borash to join him. Mathews cried and apologized to J.B. Borash considered shaking Mathews’ hand.
This brought out J.B.’s attorney/tag team partner Joseph Park. Park asked Mathews a series of questions until Mathews snapped. He didn’t really want to apologize to J.B. Park challenged Mathews to a match.
They teased fighting until Mathews’ partner Scott Steiner made his return to Impact. Steiner chased J.B. away and attacked a fan. Mathews gave Park a low blow, then Steiner locked on the Steiner recliner on Park. J.B. tried to help but ran away. Josh Mathews was then back on commentary.
– In the back, Eli Drake and Moose brawled and Chris Adonis joined in on the attack.
Eddie Edwards & Alisha defeated Davey Richards & Angelina Love
Edwards and Richards brawled on the floor until Love raked Edwards in the eyes. Alisha dove off the top turnbuckle to the floor on Love and Richards.
Richards missed a double stomp and Edwards hit a belly-to-belly suplex in the corner. Alisha got the hot tag and brawled with Love. Alisha missed a crossbody off the top. Love set up for a kick, but Alisha rolled her up to win the match.
After the match, Richards handcuffed Edwards to the bottom rope. Love powerbombed Alisha through a table while Richards forced Edwards to watch.
– Rockstar Spud conducted an interview from the UK. He promised to get revenge next week. Spud’s mom was yelling at him in the background.
Ethan Carter III defeated Magnus and James Storm in a triple threat number one contender’s match
The first part of the match was a basic triple threat match with one guy staying on the floor while the other two fought in the ring. Magnus and EC3 worked together and gave Storm a double suplex on the ramp.
The heels used a chair, trash can, and kendo stick on Storm. EC3 accidentally hit Magnus with the kendo stick but apologized immediately. Magnus took the kendo stick and accidentally hit EC3. Magnus and EC3 went back and forth.
Storm made a comeback and ran wild on the heels. He used the chair and trash can. Storm gave EC3 a sick looking hangman’s DDT on the apron.
Storm caught Magnus with the superkick, but EC3 knocked Storm to the floor and covered Magnus for the win. EC3 is the number one contender for the Impact World Championship at Slammiversary.
Next Week: LAX vs. VOW in the GFW Global tag team tournament finals. Plus, Moose defends the Impact Grand Championship against Eli Drake
Previously: Alberto El Patron defeated Eli Drake to earn a shot at the GFW Global Champion.
Tonight: GFW Global Champion Magnus defends against Alberto El Patron.
Show Recap —
Andrew Everett defeated Dezmond Xavier, Caleb Konley, and Matt Sydal
All four guys traded hurricanranas and pinfall attempts to start the match. Konley scored a close near fall with a moonsault. Xavier was on the top turnbuckle when Sydal jumped up and caught him with a hurricanrana, but Xavier was able to land on his feet. Everett then hit the Frankendriver on Xavier to win the match.
– Jeremy Borash was once again in the crowd and harassing Josh Mathews on commentary.
– KM was at his hotel when he stole a pizza claiming to be “Billy.” KM ate the pizza and then refused to pay for it. He yelled at the delivery man and intimidated him.
– James Storm’s music hit but instead Ethan Carter III came out dressed as a cowboy. EC3 mocked Storm and sang him a country song. Storm’s music interrupted and the real James Storm ran out.
They brawled until EC3 managed to handcuff Storm to the ropes. EC3 took off his belt and viciously whipped Storm until his back turned bright red. EC3 tripped over a utility worker and whipped him too.
Laredo Kid & Garza Jr. defeated Idris Abraham & Hakim Zane in a first round GFW Global Tag Team Championship tournament match
A tournament will take place over the next few weeks to crown new GFW Global Tag Team Champions. The finish came when Garza Jr. hit a moonsault onto Abraham on the floor while Laredo Kid simultaneously hit a 450 splash on Zane to score the win and advance in the tournament.
Laurel Van Ness (w/ Kongo Kong) defeated Ava Storie
Laurel Van Ness is still wearing her wedding dress and is a horrible mess. Storie had the early advantage until Van Ness snapped. Van Ness used a curb stomp to the back to win the match.
– Another Rockstar Spud video aired of him rehabbing after the attack by Swoggle.
– LAX held a funeral for Decay. Santana, Ortiz, Diamante, and Homicide had their faces painted white. Santana and Ortiz each held an urn representing Abyss and Crazzy Steve. They came out to funeral music. Konnan pretended to be sad until he ordered LAX to spill the ashes. Rosemary watched from the rafters.
Konnan announced that LAX will enter the GFW tag tournament. Konnan ripped Impact and America. He got upset with a fan that was waving the American flag and pushed him down. The Veterans of War came out and brawled with LAX.
Impact Grand Champion Moose defeated Marshe Rockett to retain his title
All three judges gave the first round to Moose. Moose then used the Go to Hell to win the match in the second round.
After the match, Eli Drake and Tyrus jumped Moose. Chris Adonis ran out and joined in on the beatdown.
– McKenzie Mitchell interviewed Dutch Mantell in the back. He announced that next week the Ultimate X match makes its return.
Alisha Edwards (w/ Eddie Edwards) defeated Angelina Love (w/ Davey Richards) by DQ
Eddie Edwards had minor surgery on his knee so he was on crutches. Alisha used the Future Shock DDT, but Richards jumped on the apron. Alisha kicked the middle rope, which hit him low. Love attacked Alisha with a chain to cause the DQ and Richards attacked Edwards’ knee with the crutch after the match.
Alberto El Patron defeated Magnus to win the GFW Global Championship
Alberto El Patron and Magnus fought on the top turnbuckle and both crashed hard to the floor. El Patron missed a superkick and Magnus hit the Michinoku driver. He followed up with a big elbow for a close near fall.
El Patron made a comeback by hitting a backcracker and locked on the cross armbreaker. Magnus made it to the ropes to break the hold. Magnus locked on the cloverleaf submission, though El Patron made it to the ropes.
El Patron attempted the cross armbreaker again until Magnus took out his leg. El Patron attempted the double stomp but missed and landed on the bad leg. El Patron made another comeback and locked on the cross armbreaker to win the title.
Next Week: X Division Champion Low Ki defends against Andrew Everett and Trevor Lee in Ultimate X. Plus, James Storm vs. Ethan Carter III.
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back today with special guest Nick Aldis, AKA Magnus, to talk his new bodybuilding book up now at Amazon.com, his recent biceps injury, thoughts on the wrestling business as a whole and why we need to go back to simpler booking and more flashy characters, and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
