Tag: templario

New World Middleweight Champion crowned at MLW Battle Riot VIII

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

KUSHIDA has defeated Templario at MLW Battle Riot VIII to become the new MLW World Middleweight Champion.

In the final moments of the match, KUSHIDA dropped Templario with a leg hook brainbuster to secure the victory and the title.

After the match, Ikuro Kwon confronted KUSHIDA. However, instead of going after the new champion, Kwon attacked the defeated Templario. Following this, Kwon handed KUSHIDA a CONTRA shirt.

While the 42-year-old initially hesitated, he later accepted the shirt, signifying his heel turn and alliance with CONTRA.

The victory marked KUSHIDA’s first Middleweight Title reign. Before this, Templario’s title run lasted for 138 days (ending when the match was taped on January 29th, 2026). Throughout his title reign, he made three successful title defenses.

MLW Battle Riot VIII results

  • Shotzi Blackheart defeated Priscilla Kelly
  • Scarlett Bordeaux defeated Aleah James
  • Austin Aries defeated Trevor Lee
  • The Good Brothers defeated Mark and Joe Coffey
  • Diego Hill defeated Adam Brooks
  • Karissa Rivera promo
  • Zamaya defeated Carolina Cruz
  • Alex Hammerstone defeated Bishop Dyer
  • KUSHIDA defeated Templario for the MLW World Middleweight Championship
  • Battle Riot – Killer Kross entered at number 1 and won the match, becoming the new MLW World Heavyweight Champion.

Bandido set to challenge for CMLL Middleweight title

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Bandido is heading back to CMLL.

The company announced that the ROH World Champion will be heading to Arena Mexico on January 18. But he won’t be defending the ROH World Championship. Instead, he’ll be challenging Templario for his CMLL World Middleweight Championship. The show is set to be called Fin De Semana International, an event featuring international talent. 

Bandido is already set to have a busy week. On Wednesday, he will challenge MJF for the AEW World Championship. He earned the title match shortly before MJF regained the title at Worlds End, defeating Ricochet to win the Dynamite Diamond Ring and a future championship match. Bandido made history as being the first person in six years to hold the ring aside from MJF.

Thanks to AEW’s strong relationship with CMLL, Bandido has made multiple appearances for CMLL in the last year, including in September when he teamed with Mistico to defeat Dinfunto and The Beast Mortos. He also successfully defended the ROH Championship in October, defeating Hechicero in a rematch from earlier in the year.

Templario has been champion since May of 2023, defeating Dragon Rojo Jr.

Kushida to challenge for MLW Middleweight title

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Kushida has the chance to win his first-ever MLW gold later this month at Battle Riot VIII.

The promotion has announced an MLW Middleweight Championship match between Templario and Kushida for the January 29 Battle Riot event. The show is being held in Kissimmee, Florida and will be broadcast live on MLW’s YouTube channel.

A decorated junior heavyweight, Kushida has held titles in NJPW and WWE but has yet to win an MLW championship. The company has become his wrestling home in the United States. He is still under contract with NJPW and is a coach at their dojo in Los Angeles. He will be holding a seminar at the dojo on February 1.

Templario — a star for CMLL — has been MLW Middleweight Champion since September with three successful defenses.

The Battle Riot card will be headlined by a 40-man battle royal where the winner earns a future shot at MLW World Heavyweight Champion Mads Krule Krugger. In addition to their title bout, Kushida and Templario will both be competing in that match. Alex Hammerstone, Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, Killer Kross, and Bishop Dyer (the former Baron Corbin) are among the other entrants.

MLW Battle Riot VIII (Thursday, January 29) —

  • 40-person Battle Riot match for future MLW World Heavyweight Championship shot
  • MLW Middleweight Champion Templario defends against Kushida

CMLL notes: New NJPW Strong Tag Champions, Templario, AEW stars announced

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Notes from Friday’s CMLL show in Arena Mexico.

New Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions were crowned when Angel de Oro and Niebla Roja defeated Templario and TJP to win the titles. Towards the end of the match, it appeared that Templario suffered a right leg injury and was unable to continue further. After the match was over, TJP raised the hand of the new champions, who posed with the titles.

Templario & TJP won the titles back in May, defeating the World Class Wrecking Crew at NJPW Resurgence. With the company choosing not to run any events in the United States in the second half of the year, the duo had mainly been defending the titles in Mexico leading to tonight’s match.

AEW talent was announced for next Friday’s event. Komander and The Beast Mortos will appear, though it is not known who their opponents will be. Meanwhile, JetSpeed will take on two thirds of the Sky Team, Mascara Dorada and Neon.

Friday’s event, the third sellout in as many weeks with over 16,000 attending, had a Linkin Park theme as banners were seen in the arena featuring members of the band. The main event had Atlantis Jr. and Neon defeating Volador Jr. and Hechicero.

MLW announces match for vacant Middleweight title

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A new MLW Middleweight Champion will be crowned at the promotion’s Fightland event next month.

MLW has announced that CMLL star Templario will face off against Ikuro Kwon on September 13 with the vacant Middleweight title on the line. The winner will be the first wrestler to hold the belt since Mistico — who had been champion for 401 days — had to relinquish it due to injury this April.

Templario was scheduled to challenge Mistico for the Middleweight title at April’s Battle Riot event prior to Mistico being forced off the card. There was instead a three-way match where Templario defeated Esfinge and Hechicero.

Despite not being able to compete then, Mistico still appeared at Battle Riot and vacated the Middleweight Championship. There was an angle where Kwon physically stole the title belt on behalf of Contra Unit.

Fightland 2025 is taking place at the NYTEX Sports Centre in North Richland Hills, Texas and will air live on MLW’s YouTube channel.

MLW Fightland 2025 (Saturday, September 13) —

  • MLW World Heavyweight Champion Matt Riddle defends against Donovan Dijak
  • Templario vs. Ikuro Kwon for the vacant MLW Middleweight Championship

Mistico injury forces change to MLW Battle Riot VII card

Posted on by Joseph Currier

An injury to Mistico has forced MLW to change up its plans for Saturday’s Battle Riot event.

Mistico was scheduled to defend his MLW Middleweight Championship against Templario at the Battle Riot show. That match is now off the card, but Templario will be in action in a three-way bout against fellow CMLL stars Hechicero and Esfinge.

Though he is unable to wrestle, Mistico is still making the trip to Long Beach, California for an appearance at Battle Riot.

“Despite being unable to compete due to injury, Mistico will still be in Long Beach for Battle RIOT VII and the MLW Fan Expo to meet and greet fans. He will also make a special appearance during Battle RIOT VII for an in-ring interview, ensuring that supporters can still see one of lucha libre’s biggest stars,” MLW wrote.

“And although Mistico cannot compete this Saturday, he will be watching from ringside with keen interest, preparing for his in-ring return and scouting the winner of this must-see clash.”

Mistico is dealing with a partial triceps tear, an ankle ligament injury, and lower back pain. As of the most recent update, it was believed that he would not need surgery and will be out of action for 2-3 weeks. He remains MLW Middleweight Champion, having held the title for more than a year now.

Battle Riot will air live on MLW’s YouTube channel for free on Saturday night. It has a start time of 10 p.m. Eastern.

Here is the updated card:

MLW Battle Riot VII (Saturday, April 5) —

  • MLW World Heavyweight Champion Matt Riddle defends his title in 40-person Battle Riot match
  • MLW Women’s Featherweight Champion Delmi Exo defends against Shoko Nakajima
  • Templario vs. Hechicero vs. Esfinge
  • Atlantis, Atlantis Jr. & Star Jr. vs. Ultimo Guerrero, Barbaro Cavernario & Magnus
  • HIMAWARI vs. Janai Kai
  • MLW Middleweight Champion Mistico will appear for an in-ring interview

CMLL trios showcase announced for AEW Dynamite & ROH taping

Posted on by Josh Nason

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)
  • MJF vs. Dustin Rhodes

Templario replacing HENARE at NJPW Strong Style Evolved

Posted on by Ethan Renner

NJPW’s United Empire faction has a new member to replace the injured HENARE.

In a vignette posted to NJPW’s social media channels Monday, CMLL star Templario was revealed as the newest member of United Empire, with the added announcement that he will replace the injured HENARE on Sunday’s Strong Style Evolved event in Long Beach.

Nine matches are set for the Sunday, December 15 Strong Style Evolved event. The show will stream live on NJPW World at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time for subscribers, with Triller also offering the show as a PPV for non-subscribers. The updated lineup:

  • NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Hazuki
  • NJPW Strong Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd defends against Ryohei Oiwa
  • NJPW Strong Tag Team Champions Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson) defend against West Coast Wrecking Crew (Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs)
  • Jack Perry & Konosuke Takeshita vs. Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji
  • Hiromu Takahashi & Titan vs. Templario & Jakob Austin Young
  • TJP vs. Kevin Knight vs. Kosei Fujita vs. Clark Connors
  • Lio Rush vs. Hechicero
  • Mina Shirakawa vs. Johnnie Robbie
  • Matt Vandagriff vs. Zane Jay

Wrestling Observer Live: Why outside drama shouldn’t overshadow the in-ring action

Posted on by Jim Valley

It’s WWE SummerSlam Saturday and it’s time for Wrestling Observer Live.

Brand-new WWE Tag Team Champions on Smackdown are giving The Bloodline momentum heading into tonight which looks to be a good card.

MJF faced Templario in Arena Mexico, but more people seem interested in backstage feuds which is too bad.

Today, I also discuss the G1 in Osaka, Stardom’s Five Star Grand Prix, surprises in GCW, and no matter who’s to blame, WWE needs to be more careful about who they let on camera.

Click here to listen (sub needed)

MJF’s AEW International title challenger set for upcoming CMLL event

Posted on by Bryan Rose

MJF’s opponent for Arena Mexico is set.

Templario won a one-night tournament during CMLL’s Tuesday event. He defeated Averno in the finals of the tournament, winning after hitting a powerbomb off the top rope. He will now face MJF for the AEW International title on August 2.

Other participants in the tournament included Esfinge, Flip Gordon, Rugido, Stuka Jr., Valiente, and Zandokan Jr..

Right after defeating Will Ospreay for the International title, MJF appeared via video on a CMLL Friday event and said that his near-hour match against Ospreay was the easiest match of his life. He said that the best thing he could do to help the world internationally was to take the title to “those masked morons in Mexico.”

AEW wrestlers have made frequent appearances since CMLL solidified their relationship with AEW. Their show this coming Friday will have Death Triangle (PAC, Penta El Zero Miedo, and Rey Fenix) in action. Chris Jericho will also face Mistico on their 91st Anniversary show on September 13.

Shelley challenging for ROH title at Summer Supercard, trios match set

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The lineup for ROH’s Summer Supercard event is starting to take shape.

Alex Shelley will be challenging for the ROH World Championship at the show. Matt Taven is the current champion and is defending his title against Jay Lethal at ROH’s Manhattan Mayhem television tapings on July 20.

After taking a hiatus from pro wrestling in July 2018, Shelley returned at June’s post-Best in the World tapings and set up that he’d be challenging the winner of Taven vs. Lethal. Shelley, Lethal & Jonathan Gresham vs. The Kingdom (Taven, Vinny Marseglia & TK O’Ryan) is set for ROH’s Mass Hysteria show on July 21.

A CMLL trios match has also been announced for Summer Supercard. Caristico, Soberano Jr. & Stuka Jr. will team against Barbaro Cavernario, Hechicero & Templario. Cavernario and Templario will be making their ROH debuts in the match.

Summer Supercard is being held at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on Friday, August 9, which is during SummerSlam weekend in the city. Summer Supercard will feature wrestlers from ROH, NJPW, CMLL, and the NWA. The show will air live on HonorClub.

Since NJPW’s G1 Climax will still be going on, none of the participants in the tournament will be wrestling at Summer Supercard.

NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion Nick Aldis will defend his title against a member of Villain Enterprises (Marty Scurll, PCO, Brody King, or Flip Gordon) at Summer Supercard. In storyline, Scurll gets to choose which of the four Villain Enterprises members will get the title shot.