Tag: Mr. Iguana

WWE NXT live results: Zaria returns, Lola Vice & Mr. Iguana team up

Posted on by Chris Aiken

Tonight’s WWE NXT will feature the return of Zaria after she brutally bid adieu to Sol Ruca in last month’s Last Woman Standing match, pushing her off the stage onto tables.

AAA Mixed Tag Team Champions Lola Vice and AAA’s Mr. Iguana will team up against Izzi Dame and Niko Vance as The Culling has been targeting the NXT Women’s Champion with the numbers in their favor.

Former WWE Evolve Women’s Champion Kali Armstrong will take on budding rival Jaida Parker after a recent confrontation.

The announced lineup is rounded out by Jackson Drake against Jasper Troy.

Our live coverage kicks off at 8 pm Eastern.

************

NXT is back on the air in front of a live studio audience from the Performance Center in Orlando. Highlights at the start recapped last week’s reset episode.

Much like the whole show last week, there are so many debuts and run-ins that hardly any stand out, except for Tavion Heights attacking NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo. Clips of that run-in concluded the video package, and this week began with Stone Cold Tony D opening a can in a backstage pull-apart brawl.

D’Angelo spears Heights over a folding table set up backstage, and they are quickly separated around grappling on the floor. Chaotic skit to start the show.

Opening the show from the sound stage is a match set up in a locker room skit from last Tuesday.

Jaida Parker vs. Kali Armstrong

—

They were in each other’s face before the bell, and the bout begins with a shoving match. They soon thereafter grapple with artful chain wrestling. The fight outside the ring and they collide both going for a lariat. Double down leads into a commercial break.

The match continues through the break, and Armstrong takes control soon after the show returns from commercials. Armstrong with a high cross, seemingly just for the heck of it. They go on to trade near falls.

Parker fires up and does a signature spot. Armstrong fights back, and eventually fights dirty. Armstrong rakes Parker’s face, and they do an awkward powerslam. Armstrong signals for a finisher, and she runs the ropes several times before flying into a shoulder tackle, much like the Ultimate Warrior. Armstrong then pins Parker after the finisher they dubbed “Kali Connection”. Armstrong goes over to establish her as a character on NXT, but the eye rake finish allows them to run it back.

Match result: Kali Armstrong defeated Jaida Parker via pinfall.

— Cameo from Fit Finlay as he cuts a promo on his son’s stable — Birthright. Finlay says they should be upholding tradition. Not being outmaneuvered by gamers with no pedigree, who are beneath them. Finlay has William Regal on speaker phone.

Regal says he has taken care of the matter, and he sent his son — Charlie Dempsey — back to the Snake Pit. Regal goes on to say Birthright has a six-man tag team match next Tuesday. Regal tells them to make the most to the opportunity and take care of business.

Evils gets a new name

The wrestler formerly known as Evil is the focus of a video package introducing himself to viewers. NXT is entering a new era, and this is his time to strike. He wants the biggest prize in NXT, which he says is the men’s NXT Championship. The items given to the champ, Tony D’Angelo, over the last few weeks were not gifts. Rather, it was a proclamation. Evil vows he and D’Angelo will meet for the NXT title, saying it is written in the rising sun. Naraku is revealed as his new name in WWE. Naraku debuts next week.

Jasper Troy vs. Jackson Drake (with The Vanity Project)

—

The match goes through a commercial break. Vanity Project assists by distracting Troy, so Drake can knock him off his feet as the show goes into commercials. Troy is pummeling Drake when the show returns from the break. Drake counters Troy to drop him into a DDT. Kip up by Troy, and he comes to life with a surge of force. Drake leaps off the top rope onto the arms of Troy. Big chokeslam by Troy, and Drake soon flees the ring.

At ringside, Troy smacks down Ricky Smokes. Brad Baylor is pressed over Troy’s head and tossed into the ring. Suddenly, Myka Lockwood runs in and body slams Troy on the floor. Lockwood debuted recently in a skit with Vanity Project. Lockwood’s assistance helps Drake set up a 450 splash on Troy, and Drake upsets Troy.

Match result: Jackson Drake defeated Jasper Troy via pinfall.

— Tristan Angels is featured in a personality profile.

— Rhea Ripley’s journey in NXT is the focus of an “NXT Origins” video package.

Potential contenders brawl over shot at NXT Women’s North American title

—

Zaria heads to the ring for a monologue, marking her first time to address the audience since besting Sol Ruca in a last woman standing match. Zaria says a change is in the air at NXT, and it could be anyone ballgame. For the first time in NXT, no one is holding Zaria back. No dead weight, nor fake partners. Zaria realizes she has to do it herself.

Zaria has her sights on the very thing that caused the rift between her and Ruca, which is the NXT Women’s North America Championship.

The reigning North American champ — Tatum Paxley — soon interrupts the monologue to confront Zaria in the ring. They are both soon interrupted by a fired up Lizzy Rain. She talks about the putting some heavy metal into the lineage of the Women’s North American title.

Out comes Nikkita Lyons for another interruption. Lyons cuts a promo that ultimately leads into a brawl with the potential contenders and the champion. Zaria stands tall and lays out the other three. Zaria stands over the champions and posing as the segment ends.

— Noam Dar returns to NXT in a backstage skit that sets up a match between him and Jackson Drake. Myka Lockwood walks in and Drake says he will accept a match with Dar for next week if Lockwood is in his corner for the bout.

— Kam Hendrix ambushes Tony D’Angelo in a backstage attack. Hendrix is pulled off D’Angelo as the show goes into a commercial break.

— NXT GM Robert Stone is rushing around backstage after the show returns from the commercial break. Stone grabs a headset and orders the mixed tag title match be moved up immediately because of the attack on D’Angelo postpones his match. The scheduled main event is up next.

AAA Mixed Tag Team Champions Lola Vice & Mr. Iguana (with La Yesca) vs. The Culling (Izzi Dame & Niko Vance with Shawn Spears) in a non-title mixed tag team match

—

They had a really good tag match, and even had comedy spots with La Yesca. They wrestled through a commercial break. For the finish, Iguana is powerbombed on the floor by Vance. Vice is distracted by Iguana getting laid out, and she eventually ate a running knee from Dame. Dame then scores a pin. Vice got a near fall in he match where Vance stopped the referee from counting.

In winning, Dame scores a pin on the reigning women’s champ. The Culling also have a win over the mixed tag champs. That would seem to set up a mixed title match, but the outcome here seems to focus on Dame challenging for the singles title.

Match result: Izzi Dame & Niko Vance defeated Lola Vice & Mr. Iguana when Dame pinned Vice.

— Tavion Heights rants to North American Champion Myles Borne over Heights’ match tonight getting canceled. In walks Robert Stone, who says he kicked Kam Hendrix out of the venus. Stone also says D’Aneglo is good to go, and the match with Heights is on for later tonight in the main event slot.

Zaria enters the scene to confront Stone. He informs her that she is booked in a tag match next with Zaria teaming with Nikkia Lyons against Lizzy Rain and Tatum Paxley. Zaria is upset as she is done with tag team wrestling. Stone says if she wants a singles title match, she must get through the tag match.

— Nattie Neidhart in a cameo appearance tells Jaida Parker she has gotten soft. This came after a frustrated Parker was wrecking the locker room.

DarkState (Cutler James & Osiris Griffin with Dion Lennox & Saquon Shugars) vs. Hank Walker & Tank Ledger

—

The match goes through a commercial break. Before the break, the dissension continues in Darkstate. Dion Lennox and Saquon Shugars must be separated at ringside after Shugars stops Lennox from using a metal folding chair. This plays on a similar spot from a previous episode. Lennox rages over Shugars blockmh a chair shot. Nevertheless, Darkstate is again in control as the match returns from commercial break.

They did several spots where teammates broke up a pinning attempt. Hot tag led to Hank & Tank running wild. They are cut off and Darkstate takes control again Darkstate catch Tank on a dive and slam him on Hank. Double-team powerbomb finisher by Darkstate, and James pins Hank.

Match result: Cutler James & Osiris Griffin defeated Hank Walker & Tank Ledger when James pinned Walker.

— Kelani Jordan has words with Lola Vice in a backstage skit. Kendal Grey takes up for Vice, but Vice scoffs at needing help. Jordan scoffs at Grey. Scoffs all around.

— Emily Agard is on assignment as a reporter looking to interview Keanu Carver. He does not want to speak on camera, so Agard gets the camera put down — but it still records the interaction. This was odd, but did its job in trying to get Carver over.

NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo vs. Tavion Heights in a title match

—

Good match, but the studio audience seemingly never bought the title being in jeopardy. Cheap finish did not help. Runs in both during the match and afterwards. This was overbooked like much of the show.

Lots of great offense by Heights, especially his variations of a suplex. They traded near falls, and the work itself was really good.

Spear by D’Angelo as they go home. Heights counters D’Angelo’s finisher before a sudden run in by Kam Hendrix, who was supposedly kicked out of the building earlier on by Robert Stone.

Heights thwarts the run-in, and Myles Borne runs down to the ring to do a flip dive out of the ring — in street clothes no less. Borne brawls Hendrix. Meanwhile, D’Angelo with his chokeslam finisher before pinning Heights. And still…

Match result: NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo defeated Tavion Heights to retain his title.

In a post-match angle, Mason Rook (Will Kroos) runs in to ambush D’Angelo. Rook lays out D’Angelo before identifying himself as the show goes off air.

Mixed tag team match part of next week’s WWE NXT lineup

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A mixed tag team match is part of next week’s WWE NXT lineup.

The AAA Mixed Tag Team Champions Mr. Iguana and Lola Vice will take on Niko Vance and Izzi Dame. After the two had an altercation last week, Vice came to the ring to call out Dame. Spears appeared on the video screen but it was a ruse as the rest of The Culling appeared in the ring. But Vice found help with her AAA tag team partner, who quickly helped her clear house.

Two more matches were also set for next week. Kali Armstong was boasting in the locker room when she was confronted by Jaida Parker, who didn’t seem impressed by the former EVOLVE Champion.

Meanwhile, Vanity Project were talking about their success in the tag team division while Jackson Drake boasted about his new relationship with Myka Lockwood. After the three agreed Drake should make an impact, he was confronted by Jasper Troy, who challenged him to a match for next week.

WWE NXT (May 5)

  • Mr. Iguana & Lola Vice vs. Niko Vance & Izzi Dame
  • Jaida Parker vs. Kali Armstong
  • Jasper Troy vs. Jackson Drake

Report: Mattel to produce action figures featuring AAA stars

Posted on by Ian Carey

Action figures featuring wrestlers from AAA could be hitting store shelves before the end of the year.

According to a report from WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select on Thursday, Mattel has “been given the green light” to produce action figures based on AAA talent, with Mr. Iguana specifically mentioned as a priority.

The company is said to be targeting the fall for the first batch of figures to go on sale.

The news comes less than a month after the release of the WWE 2K26 video game, which features several AAA wrestlers as playable characters, including El Hijo del Vikingo, Mr. Iguana, Flammer, and Psycho Clown. Additional DLC planned for later this year is set to include AAA wrestlers Lady Shani, Octagon Jr., La Parka, and Pagano.

WWE announced it was set to purchase AAA during the Countdown to WrestleMania show in 2025. WWE owns 51 percent of the company, while Mexico-based holding company Fillip owns the remaining 49 percent.

Mr. Iguana emotionally reflects on WWE Royal Rumble inclusion

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Being able to participate in WWE Royal Rumble 2026 was an emotional experience for Mr. Iguana.

Two members of the Lucha Libre AAA roster — Mr. Iguana and La Parka — made the trip to Saudi Arabia to appear as surprise entrants in the men’s Royal Rumble match last weekend. For Mr. Iguana, the moment was a dream come true and something he never thought would actually be possible. He was nearly moved to tears while speaking in a promo after the match.

“So far from home, but so close to everyone,” Mr. Iguana said. “A great experience. The dream came true and we’re here. A year ago, I didn’t know where I’d be. And today, I’m here with all these superstars on the other side of the world. I just want to thank the WWE Universe, the fans, and everyone. A dream came true. And honestly, it really moves me. It’s a wild ride that I never imagined possible. And it’s happening, and there’s so much to come. But listening to the reaction and everything, that’s why we’re here and we’ll continue here.”

Mr. Iguana — a former Mixed Tag Team Champion for AAA — has become a fan favorite with WWE audiences since AAA was acquired by WWE last year. He plays a comedic character alongside his puppet sidekick La Yesca.

In Mexico, AAA now airs on Fox every week. The card for the upcoming February 7 episode includes Mr. Iguana & Lola Vice challenging Ethan Page & Chelsea Green for the Mixed Tag Team titles.

WWE NXT Deadline live results: Oba Femi vs. Ricky Saints, two Iron Survivor Challenges

Posted on by Jeff Moss

WWE NXT holds their final special event of 2025 with tonight’s Deadline from San Antonio, Texas.

The NXT Championship will be on the line as Ricky Saints defends against former champion Oba Femi. Saints took the title from Femi at September’s No Mercy.

The show will feature two Iron Survivor Challenge matches with the winners earning future title shots.

In the men’s match, it will be Myles Borne vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Joe Hendry vs. Dion Lennox vs. Leon Slater while in the women’s, it will feature Kendal Grey vs. Jordynne Grace vs. Sol Ruca vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Lola Vice.

The NXT North American title will be on the line as Ethan Page defends against Mr. Iguana after the latter stole the former’s car, while former NXT Women’s Champion Tatum Paxley attempts to gain a measure of revenge against Izzi Dame who cost her the title at Gold Rush.

Our live coverage begins at 6 PM Eastern with the pre-show.

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It’s not a byline, feline or sideline! It’s NXT Deadline!

The show kicked off with a video recap of time itself and tonight’s card. Then Vic Joseph walked us through the Traditional Wrestlers Arriving To Work montage that we’ve come to know and love. After that, as promised, for the first time ever the NXT Championship kicked off an NXT PLE!

NXT Championship Match: Ricky Saints (c) vs. Oba Femi

Way back at NXT No Mercy, Ricky Saints managed to put down the absolute monster that is Oba Femi and win the NXT Championship. Naturally, a few weeks later, Femi demanded a rematch which Saints agreed to. During the legally mandated contract signing for said match, NXT General Manager Ava revealed that this would be the opening bout of Deadline.

Then, for reasons only he knows, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis, declared that the winner of the NXT Championship match would also face Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes at Saturday Night’s Main Event on Dec 13. It may be for the title, it may just be for laughs, but Femi is a superstar powerhouse in the making and Saints has main event written all over him. So either way, our eyeballs win!

The bell rang and Saints went right for Femi’s leg, trying to get the big man off his feet. He did not succeed and Femi threw him into the corner. Saints put Femi and a wristlock and managed to block Femi’s attempts to power out of it. Eventually though, Femi turned it into a backbreaker.

Femi then started yanking Saints arm, seemingly to pull it out of its socket. Saints defended himself, but it didn’t seem to have muchh effect as Femi dropped him Snakeyes-style on the top turnbuckle. Saints managed to fight back and do his best Undertaker impression by walking the ropes and going “old school.” That actually put Femi on the mat and Saints took advantage, stomping him.

Femi didged a dropkick though and caught Saints by the throat. Saints broke free and hit a missile dropkick from the top rope for the match’s first two count. Saints went for a crossbody but Femi caught him and turned it into a backbreaker. Femi then hoisted Saints above his head and dropped him onto the mat.

Femi tried some simple strikes, wearing Saints down bit by bit. He sent him into the corner and peppered Saints’ midsection with jabs. Duelling chants broke out as Femi and Saints traded shots in the ring. Saints seemed to power up, and hit a series of kicks and elbows that staggered Femi. Next, Saints hit a Hurricanrana followed by a spear and got a 2.75 count before Femi kicked out.

Saints then tried the unthinkable and attempted to lift Femi. It did not work out and they traded quick moves until Saints hit a stunner, complete with Femi doing a Scott Hall reaction in taking it. Saints then threw on a reverse boyd scissor/chin lock submission, but Femi stood up.

Saints kept it on tight though and Femi sank back to his knees. Digging deep he stood up and dropped Starkz gut-first onto the top rope. Femi charged and Saints pulled down the top rope sending him out. Saints then dove after him, driving Femi into the announce table. Femi took his time but beat the count out by scrambling back into the ring.

Femi picked up some steam and threw Saints into the corner. He then threw himself into the corner and hit an elbow. Saints tried to steal one, but Femi kicked out. Femi then planted Saints with a shoulder slam, but Saints kicked out as well.

Femi miscalculated a charge and went straight into the ring post. He rolled out to recover, but Saints charged from the apron. Femi saw it coming and clotheslined him. Saints rolled off onto the steps and Femi charged but Saints moved and Femi hit his knee. Saints then hit an arround the world DDT on the steel steps before putting Femi back in.

Saints hoisted Femi up, but Femi countered it into a jack knife powerbomb for a very near two-count. Saints charged and Femi caught him with a sit-out fall from grace powerbomnb. Saints struggled, but Femi pinned him 1-2-3 to reclaim the NXT title and a chance to take on Cody Rhodes at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Match Result: Oba Femi defeated Ricky Saints

Saints was a good champion, but Femi is just so powerful. Literally and as a character. This wasn’t a exciting as their first match, but was still very intense and a lot of fun.

-After an interview with Kendall Grey (spoiler: she’s happy to be in the Iron Survivor Challenge), Sol Ruca was shown on Facetime talking with Zaria. They decided that they need to talk when they are next in the same place. Then Ruca had to leave for the match.

Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge: Sol Ruca vs. Lola Vice vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Jordynne Grace vs. Kendal Grey

During NXT: Gold Rush NXT General Manager Ava announced that the participants in the men’s and women’s Iron Survivor Challenge matches would be selected by John Cena himself. Hey, Ava, isn’t that your job? No fair passing the buck to the guy on the way out the door! Anyway, Cena landed on Sol Ruca, Lola Vice, Kelani Jordan, Jordynne Grace, and WWE Evolve Women’s Champion Kendal Grey, reminding everyone that yes, Evolve is still a thing. The winner of this match also becomes the #1 Contender for the NXT Women’s Title and gets their shot at New Year’s Evil.

If you’re here, you probably know how Iron Survivor matches work, but if you’re with someone, a friend, or grandparent who doesn’t know, here’s how it works: 2 Wrestlers start off, with three more entering at 5-minute intervals. The goal is to have the most pinfalls and submissions at the end of the 25 minutes. If a wrestler is DQ’d, pinned or submits, they have to go to a penalty box for 90 seconds, which is so adorable I could squee.

0:00-5:00

Grey and Jordan were the opening contenders and Jordan started toying with the Evolve Champion. Grey fought back though, holding her own and looking good, working out of a bridge suplex and pin from Jordan.

Grey went to work on Jordan’s leg, stomping and slamming it. The two rolled through a few pinning combinations and Grey went to sweep Jordan out of the ring. Jordan jumped and stomped Grey on the ring apron (the Ironest part of the ring!) before tossing her back in for a Northern Lights suplex.

Grey started laying right hands into Jordan’s stomach, bit Jordan worked her into two quick pin attempts after a backbreaker. Jordan hung Grey up on the ropes and then landed a big leg drop. Jordan went up for a frog splash, but Grey dodged it. She hit a big slam after it though and pinned Jordan to get the first point.

5:00-10:00

Grace ran to the ring and immediately sent Jordan packing. She turned her attention to Grey, sending her face first into the turnbuckle. Grace hit the Grace Under Pressure and got a two count before Grey kicked out.

Grace hit a sunset flip bomb and locked in a submission lock, but Jordan returned an broke it up before Grey could tap. Grey and Jordan rolled each other up until Grey put an ankle lock on Jordon. Jordon rolled her up for a quick pin to get her first point in the match and set Grey to the penalty box.

That let Grace and Jordon go at it, trading shots and quick slams, but not giving up or gaining any points. As soon as Grey exited the Box, Grace was there to hit her with a lariat. Jordan hit a spinning dive on Grace and went back into the ring. Grace and Grey followed and Jordan went up top.

She threw off Grey and Grace once, but Grace stacked Grey and Jordan up for a supler plex.

10:00 – 15:00

Lola Vice sprinted to the ring and immediately got a pin on Grey, scoring a point. Grey went to the box and Vice took out Grace and Jordon with her patented brand of butt-based offense. She suplexed Jordon, but Jordon kicked out. Grace did the same, so Vice went back to stomping Jordon.

Grey came out of the box with some steam, knocking Vice down and arm dragging Jordon. She put Grace in a scissor submission and managed to roll her up for a pinfall and second point. Jordon grabbed Grey and stomped her into the corner.

Grey interrupted her split-legged moonsault and threw Jordan with a super German suplex. Vice tried to steal one by pinning Jordon, but Grey broke it up before she could get the point. Grey they put an arm lock on Vice. Grace kicked the penalty box door open and took out Jordon who was for some reason standing in front of it.

Grace then suplexed Grey and Vice, getting two counts from both. She grabbed Jordon and pinned her to get her first point in the match.

15:00 – 25:00

Ruca bounded to the ring and was attacked by Jordon who was supposed to be in the pentaly box. She injured Ruca’s knee and doctor’s helped her to the back.

In the ring, Grace was trying desperately to get pins, but no joy. Vice tried to focus on Grey, but Grace took her out with a shoulder block. She lifted Grey and slammed her, going for a Five Knuckle Shuffle in tribute to John Cena.

Jordan returned from the Box at that point and interrupted it. Vice took her down and Grey grabbed Jordan’s arms. Grey and Vice tried to throw her, but Jordon landed on her feet. Jordan then took a Spanish Fly on the outside and Ruca came charging down and pinned Jordan and Vice in quick succession.

Ruca then dominated the match with her knee in a brace. She cleaned house, but couldn’t get a pin. Grey jumped and Sol grabbed her, slamming her to the mat and slapping on a Dragon Sleeper. Grace then turned them both over in a half crab.

Vice stormed out of the Box and broke it all up. Ruca landed an X Marks The Spot, but then Grace Death Valley Drivered her. Grey hit Shades of Grey on Grace, but Jordan broke it up and stole the pin.

Grey and Vice threw hands in the corner while Ruca and Jordan did the same. Ruca dispatched Jordan and leapt onto Grey and Vice. Jordan Slammed Vice and went for a 450, but Vice moved. Grace ran back in and suplexed them both at the same time. She hit a Blue Thunder bomb on Jordan to pick up a Pin.

Vice pinned Grey and it was a 5-way tie with 2 minutes left.

Ruca slammed Grace spine first onto the ring apron and Vice locked a sleeper on her on the outside. Ruca broke the hold and climbed the stairs. She hit a Sol Snatcher from the steps and threw Vice back into the ring.

Ruca tried to get back in, but Jordan took her out with a cheap shot and hit a 450 on Vice in the ring. Grey came out and hit a Shaes of Grey on Vice to score a point with 3 seconds left. The clock rand out and the Iron Survivor was Kendel Grey!

Match Result: Kendal Grey (3) defeated Sol Ruca (2), Lola Vice (2), Kelani Jordan (2) and Jordynne Grace (2)

Wow that was a ton of fun! The action was fast a furious and with the penalty box, there were none of those awkward moments in multi-person matches where participants just disappear. Great match and effort by everyone involved.

-Backstage, Blake Monroe told GM Ava that she is offering up an open challenge for her North American Championship on Tuesday. Ava warned her that could cause her more problems than solve them, hinting that Monroe couldn’t defend the titie without help. Monroe seemed oblivious to this and the segment ended.

-Myles Borne was interviewed to let us know which entry spot he’s chosen for the men’s Iron Survival Challenge. He declared that after some thought, he will come out third. They were interrupted though by Jordynne Grace and Kelani Jordan brawling nearby.

NXT North American Championship Match: Ethan Page (c) vs. Mr. Iguana

At the start of November, Ethan Page and Chelsea Green defeated Mr. Iguana and La Hiedra to win the AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship. At the beginning of December, NXT General Manager Ava casually reminded Page that he also needed to defend his NXT North American Championship. Page scoffed, saying nobody wants to face him. Ava said she knew someone who did, before introducing Iguana, who then STOLE PAGE’S CAR. No police were called, but it was announced that Page and Iguana would face off at Deadline. No word on who gets the car.

The two locked up off the top with Page throwing Iguana to the mat, causing him to play dead as he does. Page acted like he’d never seen it before and didn’t hit him or pin him or anything.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Iguana came back to life as the crowd chanted for him. Page put on a wristlock and Iguana countered it into a rollup. Page kicked out and continued to be shocked and surprise by Iguana’s antics. Iguana ate a DDT while reaching for his puppet and Page pulled him up to the top turnbuckle.

Iguana hit Page with his puppet, sending him to the mat. Iguana leapt at him with a crossbody for a two count. Iguana then hit an Iguanarana (I don’t know if that’s actually what it’s called, but it should be) and sent Page to the outside.

When Iguana followed, Page grabbed him and sent him into the steel steps before throwing him back into the ring. Page hit a back elbow, knocking Iguana to the mat. He slapped him and Iguana went back to playing dead. Not as long this time though.

Iguana hit a headscissor followed by a flying shoulder to daze Page. He grabbed the puppet and had him “bite” Page’s hand. Iguana went up top, but Page powerslammed him, enraged. Page threw some stuff punches and big boots at Iguana, knocking him silly(er).

Page grabbed the puppet and blew snot on it before throwing it up the entrance ramp. Iguana popped up full of rage and chopped Page against the ropes, followed by a DDT. Page went up top with Iguana on his shoulders and set up a Super Ego’s Edge. Iguana countered it into a super hurricanrana.

Page left the ring and Iguana dove after him. Page went back in the ring and Iguana hit a missile headbutt from the top rope to get a two count. Iguana went back up top, but Page caught him and threw him off. Page then hit a Twisted Grin and got the pin to score the victory.

Match Result: Ethan Page defeated Mr. Iguana

Fun mid-card match from these two. Iguana is a silly character and Page played the equal parts of not taking him seriously and taking him too seriously perfectly. I thought the playing dead bit went on a bit too long, but I loved when Page got fed up and worked to end it. Great use of Iguana and Ethan Page is always great!

-Kendal Grey was interviewed backstage and seemed as shocked as anyone that she won the Iron Survivor Challenge. Sol Ruca came by and said that she wouldn’t have won if Ruca was at 100%. the scene switched to DarkState getting ready for the Iron Survivor Challenge. Oba Femi wandered by to make sure they knew he won his match. Dion Lennox said the Femi will see him at New Years Evil.

Tatum Paxley vs. Izzi Dame (with Niko Vance and Shawn Spears)

Tatum Paxley managed to defeat Jacy Jayne at Halloween Havoc to win the NXT Women’s Championship. However, in the rematch, Paxley was betrayed by The Culling with Dame attacking Paxley, resulting in her losing the title back to Jayne. Dame said that she betrayed Paxley because she didn’t listen to her and that Paxley acted like she was too good for The Culling. Dame then challenged Paxley to this match at Deadline. Jacy Jayne continued to be awesome, in case you were wondering. Which you should have been.

Spears and Vance got into the ring during Paxley’s entrance and leered at her. Dame tried to jump her from behind, but Paxley caught her. The two seemed to be moving towards maybe making up as friends, but Dame essentially winked at the crowd and Paxley caught her, kicking off the match with some punches.

Paxley hit a really cool spinning stomp and Dame bailed out of the ring. She begged Paxley not to leap on her, so Paxley climbed down and helped her up. They hugged and Dame immediately threw her into the steel stairs.

Dame threw Paxley back into the ring and put her through the paces. Paxley sent her to the corner and tried a crossbody but Dame caught her in a Military Press. She threw forearms in the corner and then hooked Paxley into a spinning backbreaker.

Dame continued playing mind games with Paxley, luring her in and then putting knees in her gut. Paxley countered a spin move into a sleeper hold, but Dame drove her into the corner to break it. Dame threw her into the ring post and then dropped a big boot on Paxley’s head.

Dame hit another backbreaker and then put on a Boston Crab to push Paxley to submit. Paxley dragged them both towards the ropes, finally touching them. The ref didn’t make her break the hold for some reason and instead she adjusted into a Walls of Jericho.

Paxley almost got a quick rollup, but Dame kicked out at two. She mocked Paxley for not fighting back hard enough and then slapped the proverbial taste out of her mouth. That brought a wild smile to Paxley’s face and she unleashed a flurry of kicks, slaps and slams, completely reversing the momentum of the match.

Paxley went up top, but Dame was able to punch her in the stomach once she got there. Dam scrambled up for a superplex, but Paxley threw her off and leapt. Dame met her with a dropkick and then a spinning neckbreaker, but Paxley kicked out of the cover.

The two former friends traded shots in the middle of the ring with Paxley landing a superkick. She grabbed dame in a crucifix and sent her to the apron. Paxley then rand into her, knocking them both out of the ring. She used the announce table as a springboard to kick Dame, then cleared it off.

Paxley picked up Dame and laid her out on the table. She climbed up and Dame begged her to stop. Paxley scooped her up and slammed her onto the table. Paxley threw Dame back in the ring, but Spears stepped in between them and handed Paxley her dolls.

Paxley stepped towards the ring and Spears grabbed the “Paxley” doll and ripped it’s head off. Paxley slapped him and got back in the ring where Dame was waiting with the big boot. She nailed it and pinned Paxley to get the win.

Match Result: Izzi Dame defeated Tatum Paxley

What that match did was tell a really, really good story. From Paxley going from defeated to rage, to the minimal but effective interference of Spears it was a story from start to finish. It leaves me asking where Paxley and the Culling go next, which is what I should be thinking!

-In the locker room, Ricky Saints was lamenting his lost to Oba Femi with Je’Von Evans. Evans tried to cheer him up, but Saints said that he will never get another chance to be champion because the “monster” Femi was back. Evans said that if he wins Iron Survival tonight, he won’t be waiting for New Year’s Evil. He did not elaborate on what that means.

-It was then announced via really, really long video that Shiloh Hill will be debuting in NXT on Tuesday.

Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge: Je’Von Evans vs. TNA X Division Champion Leon Slater vs. Joe Hendry vs. Dion Lennox vs. Myles Borne

Like the women’s match earlier, John Cena put together the participants of this match and picked Je’Von Evans, TNA X Division Champion Leon Slater, Joe Hendry, and Dion Lennox. The last spot was earned by Borne by defeating Trick Williams. And just to top it all off, whoever survives this match gets an NXT Championship match at New Year’s Evil. Got it? Cool, let’s fight!

0:00-5:00

Slater and Evans started the match which was 1000% the right call. The clock started and Evans went right for a springboard cutter. Slater dodged it and they bounced around each other. They tied up with Slater dropping down to take Evans legs out from under him.

Evans bounced back up and hit a headscissor. Slater and Evans grabbed each other’s feet and then negotiated letting them go. Evans tried to slip out, but Slater dragged him for it. Slater changed gears and threw some punches in Evans’ gut.

Evans hit a bouncing hurricanrana off the top rope, but Slater kicked out. Neither man could score a point. Evans threw Slater to the corner and the two traded tops. Evans knocked Slater unto the ropes, but Slater countered into a rollup and they went back and forth trying to steal a three.

Evans hit a quick hurricanrana and pinned Slater to get the first point of the match.

5:00-10:00

Miles Borne was the next entrant and he went right for Evans, dropping an elbow on his throat. Evans roared back with a superkick, but Borne hit a high angle suplex to get a two count. Evans tossed Borne out as Slater got out of the box and leapt on Evans, getting a two.

Borne came back into the rung and Slater kicked him before flipping over the ropes with Evans. They fought on the outside and Borne leapt onto both of them. He thew Evans back in and tried to pin him for a two count. Borne grabbed Slater for the same treatment, but again, kick out.

Borne put Slater in one corner, Evans in the other and rotated hitting them. Slater came back and chopped the air out of Borne’s lungs, surprising even him. Borne dispatched Evans and then knocked Slater to the mat. Evans kicked up at Borne and they threw forearms.

Slater went for a springboard, but Borne and Evans caught him in midair. Evans hit a suplex and a splash on Slater, but only got a two count. Borne had been sent to the ropes by Slater.

10:00-15:00

Dion Lennox came out next, charging to the ring and running rampant on Borne, Evans and Slater. Hit hit a northern lights suplex on Borne, but couldn’t get the pin. Slater popped up and hung Lennox up on the ropes. Evans pulled him off and threw hands at Lennox in the corner.

Slater and Evans took turns stomping Lennox while Borne recovered in the corner. Lennox went up top and Slater and Evans followed. Before either could do anything, Borne came over and got Slater in an electric chair. Lennox turned it into a doomsday device. Off of that he scooped up Evans and slammed him for a pin and a point.

Lennox and Borne went at each other, with Borne getting a headlock. Slater flew in through and Borne caught him and went for a pin. No dice as Slater kicked out. Slater kicked Borne to the mat and went up top, but Evans came out of the Box and shoved him off.

Evans flew at Borne and Lennox, hitting Borne with a splash to try and get a point, but Borne kicked out. Lennox grabbed Evans, but Borne pulled him down and went at Lennox as…

15:00-25:00

He appeared! Joe Hendry joined the match, scoop slamming Evans, then Borne, then Evans AND Slater at the same time. Hendry started a stomp with the crowd and was about to engage Slater, but Lennox interrupted. Hendry went toe to toe with him, throwing him out of the ring.

Hendry tossed Evans and Slater out there too and jumped over the ropes onto them. He got back in and hit Borne with a slam, pinning him for a point.

Hendry then got rolled up by Evans, but kicked out at two. Hendry, Slater and Evans traded pinning combinations until Evans and Slater started spamming superkicks, taking everyone out, including each other.

Borne got out of the penalty box, but Lennox was waiting for him and slammed the door on his head. In the ring, Evans and Hendry were getting bouncy as the clock approached 5 minutes remaining. Evans hit a coast to coast swanton, and then Slater took him out.

Slater hit a swanton 450 on Hendry and got himself on the board with a pin. Later then turned his attention to Evans until Borne broke it up. Lennox threw Slater aside and he and Borne went at it. Borne hit a cutter and picked up a point, tying the match with 3 and a half minutes left.

Lennox went over and started stomping Hendry in the penalty box. In the ring, Borne, Slater and Evans hit each other in triangle formation. Hendry got himself some mad and took out Lennox in the box before storming out and into the ring.

Things moved super fast after that as Evans, Hendry, Slater and Borne ran each other ragged. Lennox got out of the box and pulled Hendry out of the ring. Evans leapt down, but Lennox grabbed him and locked him in the penalty box.

Lennox got in the ring for a Standing Ovation from Hendry that rolled him out. Evans climbed out the top of the box and leapt on Lennox. Slater took out hendyr and then evans hit a top rope cutter on Slater t for a two count. Evans tossed out Borne, but boren came back in and head butted him Borne hit a Super Borne Again on Evans, but Lennox broke up the pin attempt.

Borne occupied Lennox while Slater hit a swanton 450 on Evans. Hendry threw Slater over the ropes and then Evans scooped up Borne in the ring to get a quick pin as the time ran out, winning the match and becoming the Iron Survivor!

Match Result: Je’Von Evans (2) defeated Leon Slater (1), Joe Hendry (1), Dion Lennox (1) and Myles Borne (1)

After the match, Evans celebrated until Femi’s music started to play and the Champ appeared at the top of the ramp they stared each other down and then the lights went out. A video of a mysterious figure played, and when the lights came up, Tony d’Angelo was in the ring.

He slammed Evans and stared at Femi who looked like he’d just seen a ghost, as the show ran off the air.

That was amazing! I love these Iron Survivor matches! The finish was so fast and furious that I’m definitely going to have to watch it again to take it all in. I love Evans as the winner and the return of d’Angelo was well done. All right a good night of matches, each having their own flavour.

Mixed Tag Team title match added to next AAA TV taping

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Championship match added to upcoming AAA TV Taping.

Earlier this year at WrestleMania 41, WWE announced its acquitision of Lucha Libre AAA. Since then, the two promotions have closely worked together including several cross-promotional PLEs. Earlier this month, Chelsea Green and Ethan Page defeated La Hiedra & Mr. Iguana to become the new AAA World Mixed Tag Team Champions. Less than a month into their reign, the duo have already defended their titles once and are set to defend it again at the next AAA TV taping.

In a latest social media update by Lucha Libre AAA, it was announced that Lola Vice and Mr. Iguana will challenge Page and Green for their Mixed Tag Team titles in Mexico City on November 22nd at the Gimnasio Olímpico Juan de la Barrera.

17-days into their title reign, the duo recently defended their championship against Thea Hail and Joe Hendry on the week one episode of WWE NXT Goldrush.

Match card for Lucha Libre AAA November 22nd TV Taping

The Alianzas AAA tour TV taping is set to take place on November 22nd at the Gimnasio Olímpico Juan de la Barrera in Mexico City. With a star-studded card, here are announced matches and segments that are set to take place:

  • La Parka vs. Galeno del Mal
  • Los Psycho Circus vs. El Ojo
  • Dragon Lee & El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Dominik Mysterio & El Grande Americano
  • Octagon Jr. vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Axiom
  • Chelsea Green & Ethan Page vs. Lola Vice & Mr. Iguana – AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship

New match, stipulation added to WWE NXT Halloween Havoc

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A new match and a stipulation has been added to NXT Halloween Havoc.

Saturday’s show will now see The Hardy Boyz defend the NXT Tag Team titles against DarkState in a Broken Rules match. During a DarkState promo on Tuesday’s NXT, The Hardyz interrupted and talked about DarkState’s attack last week, walking around Matt’s estate. Senor Benjamin, Matt’s wife Rebecca, and the Hardy children were all seen as the Hardyz walked into the Lake of Reincarnation. When they emerged, they became Broken Matt and Brother Nero. Matt said that their match at Halloween Havoc would now be a Broken Rules match, meaning anything goes.

Leon Slater and Je’Von Evans on Tuesday were looking to team together at Halloween Havoc after forming a bond following their match at Bound for Glory. After Slater successfully defended the TNA X Division title against Stacks, the two issued a challenge to anyone from the main roster or NXT. AAA’s Mr. Iguana and La Parka came out instead and the two teams agreed to meet on Saturday.

There is also a change to the Women’s NXT North American title match. After Sol Ruca announced she was not medically cleared, Blake Monroe came out and demanded she be given the title. Ruca and Ava ultimately agreed that Zaria could replace Ruca in the title match.

Here is the updated lineup for Halloween Havoc:

WWE NXT Halloween Havoc (October 25) —

  • NXT Champion Ricky Saints defends against Trick Williams
  • NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne defends against Tatum Paxley
  • Broken rules match for the NXT Tag Team Champions The Hardys defend against DarkState
  • Day of the Dead match: NXT North American Champion Ethan Page defends against El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr.
  • NXT Women’s North American Championship: Zaria defends for Sol Ruca against Blake Monroe
  • Leon Slater & Je’Von Evans vs. Mr. Iguana & La Parka

Mr. Iguana comments on The Undertaker’s backstage presence in AAA

Posted on by Ian Carey

Mr. Iguana spoke about having The Undertaker backstage at AAA during a recent interview.

Following Triplemania, Triple H called Taker “one of the biggest driving forces” behind AAA, something he said he would have had a hard time wrapping his head around twenty years ago. Konnan has also mentioned that Taker has been backstage at AAA events, something he attributes to Taker potentially eyeing a role in WWE creative.

In an interview with Adrian Hernandez of Unlikely, Iguana described The Undertaker as having a very “chill” vibe backstage.

“I met him back in the PC and in NXT, and he’s great,” Iguana said. “A lot of advice.”

“Him in AAA, it’s surreal for me because you walk around and you see this big guy (at) gorilla, and usually you see Konnan and you see the AAA wrestlers, and now you see the Undertaker there, the guy you have seen all your life when you were a kid. It’s surreal.”

“If I’m chill, he’s 100 percent more. All the time, never stressed. You never get the feeling that something’s bad or something’s missing. He’s all chill.”

Up next for Iguana, is AAA’s TV tapings in Monterrey on Sunday, September 7. He is scheduled to team with La Hiedra against Lola Vice and Lince Dorado on the show. The next AAA show to air live will be Worlds Collide in Las Vegas on September 12. Only one match is confirmed for that show, when Dominik Mysterio will challenge El Hijo del Vikingo for the AAA Mega Championship.

The full interview with Mr. Iguana is available below:

Report: AAA stars in Philadelphia ahead of WWE Raw

Posted on by Ian Carey

Two luchadores from AAA are reportedly in Philadelphia ahead of tonight’s WWE Raw at the Wells Fargo Center.

Fightful Español reports that Mr. Iguana and AAA Mega Champion El Hijo del Vikingo are in the city and expected to take part in Monday’s show.

Vikingo is reportedly set to continue his feud with Dominik Mysterio, after retaining his title against Dominik, El Grande Americano, and Dragon Lee in a four way match at Triplemania. AJ Styles interfered at the end of the bout, giving Dominik a Styles Clash moments before the finish.

As for Mr. Iguana, Fightful reports that WWE “has been very happy with him so far” and he is expected to appear across WWE programming periodically. Iguana teamed with Lola Vice and Nino Hamburguesa against Judgment Day at Triplemania. At one point during the bout, Iguana’s plush iguana doll named La Yeska was assaulted by Finn Balor’s new Demon-inspired puppet, Demonito, which is now selling on WWE Shop for $99.99 USD.

The full lineup for tonight’s Raw is available below.

WWE Raw lineup for Monday, August 18 —

  • WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch defends against Natalya
  • Women’s World Champion Naomi addresses her medical status
  • IYO SKY vs. Raquel Rodriguez
  • Bron Breakker vs. Jey Uso
  • Penta vs. Xavier Woods
  • We will hear from The Vision

AAA Triplemania XXXIII live results: Four-way Mega title match

Posted on by Josh Nason

The first AAA Triplemania of the WWE era emanates from Arena CDMX in Mexico City, airing live and free on YouTube.

The headliner will feature El Hijo del Vikingo defending his AAA Mega title in a four-way against WWE main roster talents Dominik Mysterio, Dragon Lee and El Grande Americano.

In a street fight, main roster members and reigning AAA Tag Team Champions Angel & Berto defend against Pagano & Psycho Clown.

In a mixed trios match, Judgment Day’s Finn Balor, JD McDonagh and Raquel Rodriguez face Nino Hamburguesa, Mr. Iguana & Lola Vice.

The Reina de Reinas title will be on the line in a three-way as Flammer defends against Faby Apache and Natalya.

The Latin American title will also be defended as champion El Mesias faces El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr.

The card is rounded out by a Copa Bardahl match, similar to a Royal Rumble in terms of entrances but eliminations happen via pin.

Our live coverage begins at 9 PM Eastern.

**********

I am the perfect audience for this as I’m not a regular, if any, watcher of either CMLL or AAA, but I’m obviously very familiar with the World Wrestling Federation. Will this hook me? Read on and find out.

I found it notable that the WWE stinger that airs at the beginning of all WWE shows also aired here, even though the sale hasn’t officially gone through yet. That was followed by a really well done intro video with nods to the past, the current, and the future.

Within the first few minutes, this 100% felt like a WWE production. Is that good or bad for the longtime fans? That’s not for me to say.

AAA executives, Triple H, Nick Khan, and Shawn Michaels were all in the ring to start the show, leading into the Mexican national anthem. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Khan ever on WWE so this is quite a moment for nerds like me.

Walk-ins from all the major talent were shown as were the AAA announce team. Corey Graves, Konnan and JBL are on the call with Jesus Zuinga as our ring announcer. Konnan will also be inducted into the AAA Hall of Fame by Rey Mysterio.

And with that, we’re off.

Copa Bardahl match

As you read above, this is Royal Rumble-style in terms of entrances but eliminations are by pinfall only.

La Parka was the first entrant, coming in with a Thriller knock-off song and full dance routine which I certainly did not hate. AAA Cruiserweight Champion Laredo Kid (who has worked plenty in TNA through the years) was as entrant two. Kid got a near fall off a 450 which led to Joaquin Wilde from WWE as entrant no. 3.

Shortly after, Abismo Negro Jr. was no. 4 and impressive quickly with his power moves. Then, Taurus (apparently a new version?) was in at no. 5 which as someone that regularly watches AEW, is a strange visual to say the least. Aerostar was in next at no. 6 and took his time getting into the ring. It’s hitting me that this is the perfect match to start this show with so many new fans watching that have zero idea who is in AAA (like me!).

Laredo Kid was eliminated by Aerostar by tossing him over the top which I thought was just by pin only, but I’m learning as we go. That led to Mecha Wolf (former NWA Tag Team Champion) as no. 7 and Cruz Del Toro from WWE was in at no. 8. Wolf eliminated Wilde over the top after spraying mist in his eyes.

Then, things picked up as WWE’s Otis was no. 9, tossing Aerostar over the damn ring post to eliminate him. He then did a worm on Negro Jr. The fans were loving this. Pimpinella was out at no. 10 which was a sight to see and then some. Taurus was then eliminated by a double Pimpinella and Otis clotheslineand I am already loving this show. Otis then teased kissing Pimpinella before accidentally eliminating Pimpinella after getting dropkicked over the top rope.

Cibernetico was in at no. 11, followed by the one and only MICROMAN at no. 12 who seems destined to appear in WWE by year’s end. After fighting off elimination, Cibernetico was eliminated by Otis who picked Microman up and used him as a weapon to do so. Well, then.

No. 13? WWE’s Omos. We’ll see how his NOAH training prepared him for this moment. The remaining people in the ring then all attacked him one-by-one and got taken out one-by-one. This led to, yes, a Microman and Omos interaction in an image that needs to be seen to be believed. Omos then picked Microman up by his head and people shrieked with what he might do. Shrieked, I tell you.

He then eliminated Negro Jr. and Del Toro at the same time before the final entrant was revealed: Octagon Jr. who won last year’s Copa Bardahl. Otis took his shot at Omos and failed, but Microman took advantage and pinned Otis to eliminate him. Omos then picked Microman up high above his head and threatened to toss him into the stands, instead tossing him onto Negro Jr. and Del Toro at ringside to eliminate him.

Parka, Octagon and Mecha Wolf then teamed up to try and take Omos out, but then turned on each other while Omos just awkwardly hung out in the corner. Parka eliminated Wolf and Omos eliminated Octagon with a big boot while he was on the apron.

That left the first entrant and Omos. Parka teased eliminating Omos and had him teetering on the apron, but Omos grabbed Parka with a chokehold and simply pulled him up over the ropes to throw him to the outside for the win.

This match was a lot of fun with a good blend of AAA and WWE talent. Omos has apparently returned, but I could see him go into mothballs again until next year’s Copa.

Match Result: Omos won the Copa Bardahl

-Dragon Lee did a backstage interview in both English and Spanish, neither of which moved me.

-It was time for celeb crowd shots which includes Triple H, Nick Khan and AAA execs, someone named Pipe Punk, and Dr. Wagner Jr. who was sporting a tremendous fur coat and glasses combo.

AAA Latin American Champion El Mesias (w/ Dorian Roldan) defends against El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr.

Mesias is 50 and has held the title for 280 days with three successful title defenses. My guess is the 33-year-old goes over here, but what do I know? Mesias was out in an homage to Doctor Doom of Marvel fame.

I do give WWE credit as they are not shying away from the majority of the presentation being in all Spanish minus the English commentary team. I wonder how long that will continue. One thing TKO must love is all the logos on the mat which is right up their financial alley.

Commentary did a great job establishing Mesias’ background with the elder Wagner Jr. and why there is history here. Father did not love when Roldan attacked his son on the outside of the ring and neither did the fans. Mesias then threatened to rip his son’s mask off in front of him. Konnan leaned into his rivalry with Wagner Jr., siding with Mesias.

Wagner Jr. rallied after a double clothesline spot, firing up and nearly getting the win after a big splash and then again after a power bomb and Wagner Driver. Roldan jumped up on the apron and his father could take it no more. However, Roldan put on his old mask to taunt the father but got socked anyway.

Mesias hit his big finisher, but Wagner Jr. kicked out. He got distracted by the father on the outside of the ring and got superplexed followed by another Wagner driver that got the pin and his first title win.

This started out a bit meh and got really fun when Wagner Jr. got involved on his son’s behalf which just added to the heat. Konnan’s annoyance on commentary only added to the fun.

Vero Rodriguez interviewed the new champion after the match while Konnan called him an ass kisser. This was only in Spanish, so I have no idea what he said.

Match Result: El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. defeated Mesias to become the AAA Latin American Champion

-Chuey Martinez interviewed Judgment Day in the back but took off when Rey Mysterio Jr. entered the frame. They disrespected him in both English and Spanish.

-A Cricket ad with Penta aired. Never saw that in AEW.

-A celebrity named Natalia MX (an “influencer”) was shown. Like with their other properties, WWE is leaning heavy into that culture.

Judgment Day (Finn Balor, JD McDonagh & Raquel Rodriguez) (w/ Roxanne Perez) vs. Nino Hamburguesa, Mr. Iguana & Lola Vice

Back when I was watching Valerie Loureda compete on Bellator undercards, I wouldn’t have guessed her higher calling would be in WWE as Lola Vice but she’s absolutely perfect for it.

This was a party match which the fans loved, especially Hamburguesa as the babyface in peril and Iguana, because, well, he’s Iguana. Hamburguesa eventually got the hot tag to Iguana who cleaned house. As Iguana was running wild, Balor jumped up on the apron to reveal…Demonito, his own puppet done up as his Demon character. Iguana was perplexed and Demonito ate the iguana. Yes, that is a sentence I just wrote in 2025.

Hamburguesa then brought in two burgers and gave Balor one which led to an Iguana enziguri to knock him out of the ring. Hamburguesa then hit a tope on Balor and McDonagh after a Iguana dive, leaving Vice and Rodriguez.

Perez shoved Vice off the top which led to Hiedra running out but she accidentally hit Vice and then chased Perez to the back. Rodriguez then hit her Tejana bomb for the pin and win.

Again, this was a fun party match. The end felt kind of flat with the run-in, but it is what it is.

Match Result: Judgment Day defeated Nino Hamburguesa, Mr. Iguana & Lola Vice

-Brian “El Shulito” Calderon (a singer with 1.1 million Instagram followers) was shown.

AAA Tag Team Champions Los Garza (Angel & Berto) defend against Psycho Clown & Pagano in a street fight

At one point, both Berto and Angel seemed destined to be released as they had no real fit on the WWE main roster. Yet, this team has revitalized them and feels right. This AAA relationship came at a perfect time.

I was interested if this would be a WWE street fight or a AAA street fight (maybe they are the same?) and this felt like the former. It basically stayed in the ring the entire time and felt like a house show street fight with kendo sticks, garbage cans and tables. There was an impressive double press slam on Pagano through a non-Slim Jim table in the ring which led to more tables being brought in. Pagano speared the champions through a table as they were trying to suplex Clown through it.

Pagano and Clown were put through side-by-side tables on the outside of the ring after a Jericho-style springboard dropkick by Berto while Angel had both men ensnared on the apron. Got that? Pagano and Clown rallied with “barbed wire,” wrapping it around Berto, followed by a Spanish fly off the top by Clown to give the challengers the title win in a bit of a surprise. That led to other Clowns coming out to celebrate.

The loss ends the two-month reign of Los Garza.

I do enjoy a good street fight, but this didn’t do anything for me.

Match Result: Pagano & Psycho Clown defeated Los Garza to win the AAA Tag Team titles

Rey Mysterio inducts Konnan into the AAA Hall of Fame

Mysterio spoke in Spanish, but there was also an English translator who was nearly impossible to hear as both men were talking essentially at the same time. Of note, there were “Alberto” chants to which Mysterio said “I’ll bring him. Wait on me.” or something to that effect.

The video featured R-Truth, Norman Smiley, Road Dogg and Penta giving their props in addition to a lot of WCW footage. Konnan thanked a lot of people, yelled at someone to sit down in the crowd twice, and put over the WWE relationship.

Assuming an increasingly English-speaking audience is the goal for WWE with these shows, production needs to figure out how to make the translator thing work as two men talking over each other is distracting.

-El Grande Americano was interviewed backstage in Spanish.

-Vikingo was also interviewed and heavily booed.

-During the night, ads also aired for WrestleMania in addition to the upcoming Canelo Alvarez fight being promoted by TKO.

-Attendance was announced as a sold-out 19,691.

-Briadana Deyanara Moreno (influencer) was shown followed by Mascarita Sagrada, Fantasma and Lady Shani which was quite a visual transition.

AAA Reina de Reinas Champion Flammer defends against Faby Apache and Natalya in a three-way

A loss here would end a 735-day reign (!) as champion for Flammer, one that began in August 2023 but only has five successful title defenses. Natalya came out as the Nattie Neidhart Bloodsport version of her character, aka “The Low Key Legend.” I could see a title change here for Natalya which would give her something notable on the resume.

Apache had a pin on Flammer, but did a super slow count for which the story wasn’t explained. He then did a quick count when Flammer attempted to pin Apache so clearly there’s a story. The fans were also chanting something at each other which wasn’t explained on commentary. Perhaps also distracted, Konnan did randomly say during the match that he can’t wait to see what AAA is like under WWE’s direction in the next year, two years and five years.

Natalya nearly got the win on a quick count on Apache, but Flammer took advantage of a distracted Apache who had just hit a Michinoku driver on Natalya, rolling her up for the pin with a quick count.

Afterward, Natalya and Apache got into it again and had to be separated.

Like the crowd, I wasn’t into this. This went just under 11 minutes and felt a lot longer.

Match Result: Flammer retained the AAA Reina de Reinas title in a three-way over Natalya and Lady Apache

The next Worlds Collide show was announced for Friday, September 12 at 10 PM Eastern from Las Vegas, right after SmackDown.

AAA Mega Champion El Hijo del Vikingo defends against Dominik Mysterio, El Grande Americano and Dragon Lee in a four-way

Americano came out with a mariachi band and sang his way to the ring which the crowd absolutely loved followed by Lee with dragon wings and a Chinese dragon. Then, there was Mysterio, the reigning WWE Intercontinental Champion who was beloved. Vikingo was shown backstage getting props from Rey Mysterio Jr. and also his father who was also roundly booed.

Of note, commentary didn’t say a god damn word during the entrances which I love, love, love. Let the performers have the moment and let us take everything in. Based on the reaction, the people want either Americano or Mysterio. Also, can we give props to Ludwig Kaiser for speaking perfect (I think) Spanish? Who knew that speaking multiple languages was such a plus in today’s WWE?

Perhaps too jacked up about the moment, Lee was off early, missing some kicks and a dropkick into the corner. He and Vikingo teamed up on the not-so-heels before competing against each other. It’s so wild to me to hear Vikingo booed considering how loved he is in the U.S.

As noted several times on commentary, this was, indeed, non-stop action (Total Nonstop Action, perhaps?). They went a little too strong into how great a match this was instead of just letting the action speak for itself.

Things broke down on the outside as the not-so-heels put Vikingo through the English announce table (EAT?) before turning on each other which distracted them from a Lee tope through the ropes. This also knocked out the broadcast team so it was quiet for a while.

Judgment Day came out to distract Lee and hold him in place for a 619 but Americano broke up the pin attempt. The LWO then ran out to even up the odds and the commentary team came back. Two of Americano’s mysterious masked men then came out to aid Americano and nearly won by pinning Lee after a Blockbuster.

He then tried to load the mask, but Lee prevented it and dove onto all the interfering parties on the outside of the ring. He then hit Operation Dragon on Americano, but Vikingo broke up the pin and nearly got one of his own after a 630.

Mysterio then put on his own Rey Mysterio Sr. mask, loaded it up, dumped Vikingo outside and headbutted both Americano and Lee, nearly getting the pin on Lee after a frog splash until a masked man pulled him off.

That was revealed to be AJ Styles who hit a Styles Clash on his rival Mysterio and then left. Vikingo took advantage, hitting a 630 to get the pin and successful title defense.

PHEW.

This was a beautifully chaotic WWE-style main event that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Match Result: El Hijo del Vikingo defeated Dominik Mysterio, Dragon Lee and El Grande Americano to retain the AAA Mega title

Triplemania Final Thoughts:

For a AAA noob like myself, this was an extremely entertaining three hours, capped by a fun main event. The street fight and women’s title match didn’t do much for me, but everything else checked the boxes for me. The WWE production gave it a familiar gloss which is either good or bad depending on your viewpoint.

If I’m a AAA hardcore, I’d love to hear from you. What did you think of tonight’s show and did it assuage your concerns about the future? Hit me up on X, BlueSky or good ol’ email.

Judgment Day six-person tag match set for AAA Triplemania

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Finn Balor, JD McDonagh & Raquel Rodriguez of The Judgment Day are heading to Mexico City for a six-person tag match at Triplemania.

WWE posted a Spanish-language promo today setting up that Judgment Day will battle Mr. Iguana, Nino Hamburguesa & Lola Vice at the Saturday, August 16 event. The show is airing live on WWE’s YouTube channel in both English and Spanish.

Triplemania will be a big night for Judgment Day, who also have Dominik Mysterio competing in the main event. That main event is a four-way bout with El Hijo del Vikingo defending the AAA Mega Championship against Dominik, Dragon Lee, and El Grande Americano.

Vice — former MMA fighter Valerie Loureda — competes in NXT and has also regularly been working AAA dates to gain experience. One of her AAA partners here — Mr. Iguana — has made multiple appearances for WWE since his breakout performance at Worlds Collide.

This is the first Triplemania event since WWE announced its acquisition of AAA. An appearance by Rey Mysterio is set for the show, with him inducting Konnan into the Lucha Libre AAA Hall of Fame. It’s also been confirmed that there will be a street fight with Angel & Berto defending the AAA Tag Team titles against Psycho Clown & Pagano.

WOR: WBD split, Gunther vs. Goldberg, Mr. Iguana origin story

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Dave Meltzer and I, Garrett Gonzales, are back with our Friday edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, talking about all the big news from today’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Here were some of the other things we discussed:

  • The WBD split and how it affects AEW
  • Whether sports streaming works for HBO Max or not
  • WWE & Netflix
  • Gunther vs. Goldberg
  • CM Punk vs. John Cena
  • Mr. Iguana’s origin story

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube (video sub needed)