The newly-created CMLL Dream Matches event was announced on Wednesday’s CMLL Informa with three AEW stars confirmed for the show.
The event, set for Friday, December 19 in Arena Mexico, will see new CMLL Heavyweight Champion Claudio Castagnoli defend against Ultimo Guerrero in a first time ever match.
Castagnoli defeated Gran Guerrero last week to win the title. The 58-year-old Ultimo Guerrero is looking for his third run with the gold and his first since 2021.
In a match featuring two competitors in the Continental Classic tournament, CMLL Historic Welterweight Champion Mascara Dorada will defend against “Speedball” Mike Bailey in another first time ever match. Dorada has held the title for more than 700 days with just three title defenses in that time.
In a rematch from July’s Fantastica Mania, Neon will take on Kevin Knight after defeating him in that match.
Those two matches come out of last month’s Viernes Espectacular where Neon and Dorada defeated Knight and Bailey.
During CMLL’s Sunday show in Arena Mexico that streamed free online, Blue Panther pinned Ultimo Guerrero with an armdrag off the top turnbuckle to win the MLW National Openweight title for the first time. After the match, Panther’s son celebrated with him, putting the title around his waist. Guerrero shook hands with Panther and placed him on his shoulders as they celebrated in the ring.
This was the second time the two squared off in Mexico this year for the National Openweight title. They previously met back on August 8, with Guerrero retaining. He had held it since May, defeating Matthew Justice at a CMLL vs. MLW event that also took place in Mexico City.
Panther, 65, has seen newfound popularity in the United States over the last year after he faced Bryan Danielson in a singles match. In the time since, he has made appearances for Ring Of Honor, most recently challenging for the ROH Pure Championship in a losing effort against Lee Moriarty at Supercard of Honor back in July.
NJPW and CMLL legends are set to clash over the MLW World Heavyweight Championship next month.
Satoshi Kojima will defend his World Heavyweight Championship belt against CMLL’s Ultimo Guerrero at MLW Slaughterhouse on Friday, October 4. The show is taking place from The Coliseum in St. Petersburg, Florida and will air live for free on MLW’s YouTube channel.
For more than seven months now, Kojima has held the MLW World title. He had a title defense against Mads Krugger at MLW Fightland this past weekend, but the match ended in a disqualification after Contra Unit interfered and Krugger threw a fireball at Kojima. There was then a post-match angle where Matt Riddle and AKIRA made the save for Kojima.
Kojima celebrated his 54th birthday on the day of Fightland.
Everyone at MLW congratulated me.
I am moved by having someone do something like this for me in a foreign country.
Ultimo Guerrero, 52, has only wrestled for MLW once before, losing to Atlantis Jr. in May. MLW posted a video on Sunday with him calling out Kojima for this title match.
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including why Bryan presumes the Dynamite rating will be back to normal this week and also why there are still many red flags, Jamie Kellner and WCW, the new WWE Indianapolis deal, did the Wyatt Sicks kill everyone, and more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Ultimo Guerrero explained the mask issues that took place on Collision.
The CMLL legend took to Facebook to explain why he was constantly adjusting his mask, which could be seen throughout the match. Guerrero wrote that he arrived at the building not knowing that he needed to wear a mask, as he had lost it back in 2014. A member of AEW’s staff ended up having to make him a mask in under an hour. Guerrero praised the staff member and said he respected that person for their hard work.
Okada defeated Guerrero in what had been a title eliminator match for the Continental title, pinning him after removing the mask and planting him with the Rainmaker.
CMLL stars have frequently made appearances on AEW programming in the weeks leading to Forbidden Door, which takes place on June 30 in New York. Hechicero will take on MJF, while Stephanie Vaquer will face Mercedes Mone in a match that will be for both the TBS and New Japan Strong titles.
A big interpromotional match is set for tonight’s AEW Collision as AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada will meet Ultimo Guerrero in a title eliminator match.
This will mark the AEW debut of the CMLL legend as stars from both CMLL and NJPW continue to make appearances ahead of next Sunday’s Forbidden Door.
A second CMLL star, Hechicero, will also be in action taking on Matt Menard.
Will Ospreay will defend the AEW International title against Brian Cage. Ospreay made the save for MJF after he was jumped by the Gates of Agony on Wednesday and after a backstage confrontation, Ospreay accepted a title challenge for tonight.
The rest of the card will see Samoa Joe, Hook & Katsuyori Shibata vs. The Premier Athletes; Chris Jericho & Big Bill taking on Private Party; and The Patriarchy taking on The Iron Savages. Toni Storm & Mariah May be in action against Leyla Hirsch & Lady Frost while The Kings of the Black Throne (Malakai Black & Brody King) will compete.
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Sir Elton John took the week off as this week’s Collision comes live – to tape – from Allentown, PA. Tony Schiavone & Nigel McGuinness were on the call.
Hook, Katsuyori Shibata & Samoa Joe defeated The Premier Athletes (Ari Daivari, Josh Woods & Tony Nese) (w/Mark Sterling)
This is what I want AEW’s trios division to look like. Some established groups, but more groups of singles guys coming together for a common cause. Whether it be to win Trios gold, or menace the Premier Athletes as Hook, Shibata, & Joe have come together to do. This was nothing special, but a useful enhancement match.
The Athletes got their hands on Hook to get a moment of control, but Hook was able to fight his way to the corner for a tag to Shibata. Shibata and Woods got after it on the mat as both are former ROH Pure Champions, but Nese broke it up with a stomp. Shibata took a page out of Samoa Joe’s playbook by walking out of the way of a Nese moonsault.
A distraction and a double shoulder tackle scored the Athletes a one count on Joe, but Joe swept Daivari’s leg and got the tag to Hook. Hook ran wild until Woods sent him flying into the corner with a German suplex. Shibata came in and ran wild before getting Nese to submit to a cross-arm breaker.
Bullet Club Gold was backstage, sans Jay White. They complained that AEW refuses to recognize Juice Robinson as a Trios Champion, while they have the House of Black & Death Triangle breathing down their necks for title matches. They warned PAC to look out for Jay White in the Owen Hart Memorial Tournament, because he’d hurt him.
The Learning Tree (Big Bill & Chris Jericho) (w/Bryan Keith) defeated Private Party (Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen)
This was far more competitive than you would think. Private Party looked fine, but they’re not over and feel like a relic from AEW’s past.
Big Bill has Tony Schiavone’s quote about him being “Too much man” across his tights, with Schiavone noting that this is the first time he’s seen his name across another man’s backside. Bill dominated Quen to start the match. Kassidy tagged in and went after Jericho with a flurry of offense. Kassidy hit Silly String for a nearfall before Keith cut off Quen with a trip on the floor.
After a commercial, Quen hit a high cross to Jericho to get the tag to Kassidy. Kassidy ran wild on both Jericho & Bill, getting a nearfall with a sunset flip. Jericho went for a Lionsault on Quen, but Quen got his knees up and held Jericho in place for a Kassidy dive to Bill on the floor. Private Party hit a pair of top rope moves, with Jericho kicking out of a 450. Kassidy springboarded into a big boot from Big Bill for a nearfall.
Jericho caught Kassidy’s hurricanrana attempt into the Walls of Jericho, but Kassidy got to the ropes. Big Bill tagged in and got a nearfall with a double-rotation Bossman Slam. Bill chokeslammed Quen onto Kassidy for another nearfall. Private Party knocked Bill into Jericho on the top rope, allowing them to hit a modified Gin & Juice for a nearfall. Big Bill distracted the referee, allowing Keith to hit Kassidy with a set of brass knuckles to help Jericho score the win.
The Learning Tree put the boots to Private Party before Samoa Joe, Katsuyori Shibata, & Hook made the save. Joe made the challenge for a trios match between the teams at Forbidden Door.
AEW Continental Title Eliminator Match – Kazuchika Okada defeated Ultimo Guerrero
I wondered why Guerrero wrestled with his mask on here, but remasking Guerrero so Okada could get heat for unmasking him was a good call for a one-off TV match in Forbidden Door season. The match was clunky, as the two didn’t have the smoothness you’re used to seeing in AEW. They pulled it together by the end to have a good enough TV match.
The normally unmasked Guerrero controlled things early on as Schiavone ran down his credentials as a long-time star in CMLL. Guerrero clubbered on Okada in the corner before an attempt at a submission got Okada to the ropes. Guerrero fought off the neckbreaker out of the corner, but a second attempt scored for Okada as we went to commercial.
Both men went down with clotheslines as we came back from the break. Guerrero knocked Okada to the apron, then baseball slid him to the floor. Guerrero threw Okada back in the ring but got caught with a dropkick. Okada went for the mask, but Guerrero pulled him out of the corner to hit a powerbomb for a nearfall. Guerrero went for a reverse superplex, but Okada clawed at the mask to escape. Guerrero ducked a Rainmaker attempt, but after snatching the mask off, Okada hit a Rainmaker to win.
Top Flight were backstage with Lexy Nair. Dante Martin reminded everyone that he broke his leg in the last ladder match he was in. He had to be a little crazy to get in another ladder match, but it’ll take a little crazy to get the TNT Title. Lio Rush – who earned a spot in the ladder match with a win over Action Andretti last night – told Dante that he had his back last week, but he wants the TNT Title just like Dante does. They had a tense staredown.
We got a video package on The Patriarchy’s focus on the Trios Titles, and their attack on Buddy Matthews last week.
The Patriarchy (Christian Cage, Killswitch & Nick Wayne) (w/Mother Wayne) defeated Iron Savages (Boulder, Bronson & Jacked Jameson)
Less Iron Savages on my TV, please.
Christian sent his guys to the ring before joining Schiavone & a fawning McGuinness on commentary. The Savages did their sauce bit before Killswitch headbutted Bronson. Wayne preened, allowing Bronson to do the dumb bit with Boulder’s chest. Killswitch beat these dorks up, chokeslamming Jameson onto Boulder on the floor. Killswitch hit a chokeslam on Bronson, then tagged in Wayne to hit Wayne’s World. Christian then went to the ring to hit the Killswitch – the move, not the wrestler – for the win.
We got a video recapping Mercedes Mone’s surprise appearance in Arena Mexico to confront her Forbidden Door opponent, Stephanie Vaquer. The two got into a scrap ending with Mone holding both titles high.
Mariah May & Toni Storm (w/Luther) defeated Lady Frost & Leyla Hirsch
Storm and May got in a little trouble in this match, with Storm having to cover May up as Frost hit the Frostbite. Storm got the win after dual hip attacks and a Storm Zero to Hirsch.
Serena Deeb was backstage. She started the year on a hot streak, but then suffered three of the toughest losses of her career. She will fight to turn the tide, and she challenged anyone to come to Buffalo next week for Collision.
House Of Black (Brody King & Malakai Black) defeated LSG & MSG
This was a swift death for the locals, as the House of Black got a quick win with Dante’s Inferno. After the match, Ian Riccaboni asked how it felt to be out there without the injured Matthews. King said that revenge was never a straight line, and that they felt nothing. Alright.
Hechicero (w/Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona) defeated Matt Menard
Hechicero caught Menard on a leapfrog and dropped him on his head. He followed up with a rising knee in the corner and a back body drop. Menard avoided another rising knee, hitting ten punches in the corner before hitting a Diamond Cutter for a nearfall. Hechicero came back with a choke over the ropes and a twisting dive into the ring. Hechicero got the win with the twisting leg drop and a Rings of Saturn variant.
We got a Jeff Jarrett video package. Jarrett spoke candidly and emotionally about his memories with Owen Hart. He said that the Owen Hart Memorial Tournament meant more to him than anything in his career, and it meant the world to him to get the chance to win the tournament in Owen’s hometown.
(This was a stellar video package, with earnest and genuine emotion from Jarrett talking about his late friend. It gave his entry into the Owen a real emotional hook.)
We got a rundown of next week’s Dynamite before getting a look at next week’s Collision card, which will feature Deonna Purrazzo vs. Hikaru Shida in a Hart Foundation Tournament match.
AEW International Title Match – Will Ospreay defeated Brian Cage to retain
A strong defense for Ospreay, and a strong main event for a largely uneventful Collision. Ospreay allowed Cage to muscle him around, including that wild powerslam off the ropes. Ospreay got another good win leading up to the Forbidden Door main event against Swerve.
These two got after it at the bell, with Cage jumping Ospreay to start and tossing him away on a headscissor attempt. Ospreay low-bridged Cage before hitting a house show dive as we went to a commercial break.
After the break, Ospreay fought out of a bear hug and hit an enzuigiri. Daniel Garcia looked on as Ospreay hit a Phenomenal Forearm for a nearfall. Ospreay got back body dropped out of a Stormbreaker attempt, leading to Cage dumping Ospreay with a German suplex. Cage hit an apron superplex for a nearfall. Ospreay reversed a powerbomb into a hurricanrana into the corner. Ospreay hit a forearm off the top rope, but after a series of reversals, Cage dropkicked Ospreay out of the sky on an Oscutter attempt.
Cage went for a discus lariat, but Ospreay flipped through and hit a powerbomb as the match reset. Cage eventually caught Ospreay with an F-5 for a nearfall. After a commercial, Ospreay fired up and caught Cage with a pair of Scorpion Kicks, but Cage laid him out with a lariat. Cage hit a pair of powerbombs for a nearfall. Ospreay maneuvered out of another powerbomb and hit a DDT. Cage caught Ospreay on a handspring for a German suplex, but Ospreay rolled to his feet and hit a Hidden Blade for a nearfall.
Cage powered Ospreay to the corner, then caught Ospreay with a gamengiri. Ospreay stuck Cage’s head in the corner and hit a Cheeky Nandos kick. Cage cut off a hurricanrana and hit a sick powerslam off the ropes for a nearfall. Cage hit a lariat that sent Ospreay up-and-over to the top rope, but Ospreay hit the hurricanrana he was looking for. Ospreay got caught with a forearm but came back with a Stundog Millionaire and a poisonrana. Ospreay only got a nearfall with the OsCutter, but the Hidden Blade put Cage down for the count as Ospreay retained the International Title.
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
A matchup of Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Famers is set for this week’s AEW Collision.
AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada will face Ultimo Guerrero in a title eliminator bout on this week’s Collision set to air on Saturday, June 22.
Okada was inducted into the WON Hall of Fame in the Class of 2021, while Guerrero was inducted in the Class of 2019.
An International title bout is also set for Saturday’s episode.
Will Ospreay will defend the International Championship against Brian Cage on Collision in a match made official on Wednesday’s Dynamite.
Also added to the Collision lineup, Samoa Joe, Hook & Katsuyori Shibata will take on Tony Nese, Ari Daivari & Josh Woods of Premier Athletes on the show.
Already announced for Collision, Chris Jericho & Big Bill will face Private Party in tag team action.
The Saturday, June 22 Collision is being taped Thursday night, June 20.
The updated card for the show:
Kazuchika Okada vs. Ultimo Guerrero in a Continental title eliminator
Will Ospreay defends the International Championship against Brian Cage
Samoa Joe, Hook & Katsuyori Shibata vs. Tony Nese, Ari Daivari & Josh Woods
Despite more positive COVID-19 tests, CMLL’s 87th Aniversario is still scheduled to take place.
CMLL announced on Wednesday that Ultimo Guerrero and Bandido have both tested positive for COVID-19 and are off this Friday’s 87th Anniversary show. Ultimo Guerrero, Gran Guerrero & Euforia were scheduled to defend their CMLL World Trios titles against Hechicero, El Terrible & Templario. Bandido was supposed to challenge Volador Jr. for the NWA World Historic Welterweight Championship.
Titan defending his CMLL World Welterweight Championship against Soberano Jr. has now been added to the Anniversary show card, along with Volador Jr. defending the NWA World Historic Welterweight Championship against Templario. The winner of Volador Jr. vs. Templario will face Bandido in October.
A rough translation of CMLL’s statements on the two positive COVID-19 tests is available below:
Ultimo Guerrero —
CMLL communicates that Ultimo Guerrero, CMLL World Trios Champion, has tested positive after the COVID-19 tests performed on the cast. The match for the World Trios titles that was scheduled for the 87th Anniversary show will be postponed.
After the above, CMLL has decided that a match will be held for the World Welterweight Championship, where Titan will defend his title against Soberano Jr. at the 87th Anniversary show
CMLL reiterates its commitment to strictly comply with the guidelines established by the health authorities.
Bandido —
CMLL communicates that after the COVID-19 tests carried out on the cast, the official challenger of the NWA World Historic Welterweight Championship, Bandido, has tested positive, so he will not be able to participate in the 87th Anniversary show.
Therefore, his place will be taken by Templario – second place in the voting – who will challenge the current champion, Volador Jr., and the winner of said match will face Bandido in the month of October.
CMLL reiterates its commitment to strictly comply with the guidelines established by the health authorities.
Ultimo Guerrero and Bandido are the third and fourth wrestlers to be removed from the Anniversary show card due to positive COVID-19 tests. Princesa Sugehit and Lluvia were also removed from the card after testing positive. Ultimo Guerrero is Lluvia’s boyfriend.
Here’s the updated lineup for the Anniversary show:
CMLL World Micro-Estrellas Champion Chamuel defends against Microman
CMLL World Welterweight Champion Titan defends against Soberano Jr.
NWA World Historic Welterweight Champion Volador Jr. defends against Templario
CMLL World Women’s Champion Marcela defends against Dalys
Mexican National Women’s Champion La Metalica defends against Reina Isis
Mexican National Trios Champions El Cuatrero, Forastero & Sanson defend against Cancerbero, Raziel & Virus
CMLL World Tag Team Champions Caristico & Mistico defend against Espiritu Negro & Rey Cometa
The full card for CMLL’s 86th anniversary show has been announced.
The main event is a seven man steel cage match where the last person inside the cage will lose their hair. Ciber The Main Man, Ultimo Guerrero, Gilbert el Boricua, Volador Jr., Negro Casas and Big Daddy will be the participants in this match.
Another high profile match has Marcela defending the CMLL World Women’s championship against Dalys la Caribena. A minis mask vs. mask match is also set, with Microman challenging Chamuel.
Additionally, a Mexian Naitonal Trios title match will take place as champions Forastero, Cuatrero and Sanson will defend against the team of Caristico, Mistico and Valiente.
Here is the full card for this year’s anniversary show, which takes place on September 27th at Arena Mexico:
Ciber the Main Man vs. Ultimo Guerrero vs. Gilbert el Boricua vs. Volador Jr. vs. Negro Casas vs. Big Daddy where the last man in the cage loses their hair
Forastero, Cuatrero and Sanson vs. Caristico, Misticio and Valiente for the Mexican National Trios titles
Microman vs. Chamuel in a mask vs. mask match
Mephisto, Ángel de Oro and Niebla Roja vs. Gran Guerrero, Euforia and Dragon Lee
Marcela vs. Dalys la Caribena for the CMLL World Women’s title
Dulce Gardenia, Diamante Azul and Titan vs. Hijo del Villano III, Hechicero and Rey Bucanero
Stigma, Audaz and Rey Cometa vs. Misterioso Jr, Tiger and Virus
Jushin Thunder Liger will be facing off with three opponents in his CMLL farewell match.
CMLL announced yesterday that Liger will face Caristico, Negro Casas, and Ultimo Guerrero at their show on Friday, July 19. The event is taking place at Arena Mexico in Mexico City.
It will be a “Relevo CMLL” match. Two wrestlers will be in the ring at a time, with them being able to tag in and out. There will only be one fall in the match.
Liger announced at a press conference in March that he’ll be retiring at the Tokyo Dome in January 2020. NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 14 is taking place at the Tokyo Dome on January 4 and January 5.
Liger, Juice Robinson & Toru Yano vs. Tetsuya Naito, Shingo Takagi & BUSHI is set for the opening night of this year’s G1 Climax in Dallas, Texas on July 6. Liger has also been announced as the producer of NJPW’s Super J-Cup tournament, which is being held in Tacoma Washington on August 22, San Francisco, California on August 24, and Long Beach, California on August 25.
With less than a month until the show, WWE has revealed the name and announced the first three matches for their return to Saudi Arabia.
The third show in WWE’s controversy-filled 10-year deal with the Saudi General Sports Authority will take place at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah on Friday, June 7. It will air live on the WWE Network and is titled “WWE Super ShowDown,” which is the same name the company used for their event in Melbourne, Australia last October.
A look at the new AEW television deal with TNT and other aspects of starting up is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Look at the detail of the two nights being considered and the arguments for each night, international television, streaming, why the price is what it is, and how long talks have been going on for the TNT deal.
Read a lengthy bio on Silver King, a breakdown of what happened in the ring when he passed away and what lessons can be learned by it. Look at the start of his career, and his going to All Japan as a teenager.
Read the updates on the next two WWE PPV shows.
Read a detailed article on Lars Sullivan, from his background, to his fine, to the questions asked, to what got him in trouble, why he was fined now, why he wasn’t before and a lot of the questions regarding all this.
Also look at changes to WWE Network, Vince McMahon talks the move to FOX, WWE gets award nominations, tons of new news on the XFL, what happens to Vince McMahon when the XFL starts, why Percy Watson left the company, and an update on the Mauro Ranallo’s situation.
Have a look at the legend of Tom Magee, the match with Bret Hart and the WWE documentary.
Read complete coverage of UFC 237 with match-by-match coverage and poll results.
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THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE
People are raving about today’s Will Ospreay vs. Rocky Romero match in the Best of the Super Juniors tournament.
There is some interest on the Bellator side in WWE’s Jack Gallagher. No deal has been reached but there is talk.
The Kazuchika Okada vs. Seiya Sanada IWGP title match from Dontaku in Fukuoka will air tomorrow night on AXS TV.
Arisa Hoshiki beat Momo Watanabe today to win the Wonder of Stardom title at today’s show at Korakuen Hall. Results were: Natsuko Tora & Andras Miyagi won three-way over Leo Onozaki & Hina and Starlight Kid & Hanan, Death Yama San won three-way over Natsu Sumire and Saya Iida, Toni Storm d Kagetsu 15:00, Hana Kimura & Jungle Kyona & Konami b Mayu Iwatani & Tam Nakano & Saki Kashima to win the Artist of Stardom trios titles, Bea Prietley b Hazuki to keep the World of Stardom title, Hoshiki b Watanabe. (thanks to Shannon Walsh and wrestlingwithdemons.net)
WWE
Dolph Ziggler will be appearing at the Oz Comic Con in Melbourne, Australia on 6/8 and 6/9.
Nikki & Brie Bella will be at the Wine and Food Experience at Cincinnati’s Riverfront on 10/5. (thanks to Brian Henke)
UFC
After Markus Perez pulled out of his fight with Deron Winn on 7/22 in Greenville, SC, UFC inked Bruno Silva as Winn’s next opponent.
MISCELLANEOUS
CMLL will have a somewhat major show on 5/31 with hair vs. hair matches with both Kaho Kobayashi vs. Amapola and Ultimo Guerrero vs. Mascara Ano 2000.
DAWG on 5/25 in Glassboro, NJ at the Max Fit Sports Center.
Joey Ryan vs. Indi Hartwell has been added to the 6/21 World Series Wrestling show in Melbourne, Australia. Pentagon Jr. & Fenix vs. Flip Gordon & Brian Cage was announced for the 6/22 show.
Combate Americas announced a 6/21 show on Univision from Hidalgo, TX and the State Farm Arena headlined by Enrique Gonzalez (7-3) vs. Alejandro Martinez (4-3) in a 150 pound fight.
Former UFC fighter Joe Riggs makes his pro boxing debut on 5/23 on a Roy Jones Jr. show on 5/23 from Tucson, AZ at the Casino del Sol AVA Amphitheater. Riggs, out of Phoenix, face David Damore (1-6-3) of Glendale in a four-round fight. The show will air on UFC Fight Pass.
AAW on 5/31 in Austin, TX at the Blue Genie Art Bazaar has Jessicka Havok vs. Priscilla Kelly for the AAW title, Eddie Kingston vs. Mance Warner, Pentagon Jr. & Fenix vs. Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett and Ace Romero vs. Ryan Davidson, plus Sami Callihan, Jake Something, Juventud Guerrera, Thunder Rosa, Josh Alexander, Myron Reed, Jimmy Jacob and more.
AWS announced that they will be shutting down with their final show on 11/30 at the American Legion Hall in South Gate, CA.
CWE on Saturday night in Keeseekoose First Nation, Saskatchewan at the Keeseekoose School.
Ed in San Antonio presents PODER~! at the FSW arena on Friday 5/24 – Showtime is at noon – Main event: Bryan Alvarez vs. Logan Stunt
Empire dinner on Friday 5/24 at 8:30 p.m. at Texas de Brazil – Price is $82 – All you can eat meat and salad, sodas, tea, and coffee, plus dessert included
Empire suite party on Friday 5/24 for those who were not able to get the Q&A package – Price is $25
[Advertisement] You can watch the Roast of Ric Flair, a discussion with Cody & the Bucks about All Elite Wrestling, and twenty other shows for just $59 at STARRCASTonFITE.com. The package includes the live feed plus on demand with unlimited replays on any smart device, PC, etc. For the best service pre-ordering is encouraged at STARRCASTonFITE.com.
Ric Flair, Ricky Steamboat, and Jim Ross are going to do a panel at Starrcast discussing their 1989 trilogy.
Cody & the Young Bucks will be doing a Q&A as part of their panel about All Elite Wrestling just 48 hours prior to Double or Nothing in Las Vegas. Starrcast will be streaming it on FITE and allowing viewers the chance to ask questions.
Arn Anderson and Sting both have panels at Starrcast on May 24th. Tony Schiavone will taking questions from fans watching at home on FITE for the Q&A portion of the show.
The Young Bucks and Joey Janela will be guests for Colt Cabana’s live Art of Wrestling show on May 24th.
Bret Hart and Tom Magee will discuss their now infamous match from 1986 with Sean Mooney on Saturday, May 25th in Las Vegas.
All of the above can be watched live or demand by pre-ordering today at STARRCASTonFITE.com.
The NJPW/CMLL Fantastica Mania 2019 tour continued today in Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall.
The main event saw the CMLL Family Tag Team Tournament winners Dragon Lee & Mistico face off against the CMLL Brothers Tag Team Tournament victors, Ultimo Guerrero and Gran Guerrero.
The only singles match on the show saw NJPW veteran Satoshi Kojima taking on CMLL’s Terrible.
Full results and match reports can be found below:
A solid opener featuring a mix of decent work and the usual Taguchi comedy.
Flyer and Gedo started out. Ishimori jumped in for an illegal double team, but Flyer sent him to the floor. Flyer hit a tope con hilo. Taguchi went for a pescado, but Ishimori and Gedo moved — and he took out Flyer by mistake.
Gedo and Ishimori worked over Taguchi. Taguchi missed with two hip attacks on Gedo, but then hit a third. Taguchi hit a springboard hip attack on both Gedo and Ishimori, then hit a series of hip attacks on both. Taguchi hit a Kokeshi for a near fall on Gedo.
Taguchi used an ankle lock on Gedo, but Ishimori broke it up and applied an ankle lock of his own.
Flyer hit a frankensteiner. Taguchi hit a pescado. Flyer hit a springboard crossbody, and then used a powerslam. Ishimori made his own comeback, then used an ankle lock on Flyer for the submission.
Ishimori used an ankle lock on Taguchi after the match.
ANGEL DE ORO & TITAN DEFEATED CUATRERO & TEMPLARIO
These guys had a great match, well worth going out of your way to see.
Titan and Templario kicked things off with a really nice sequence, exchanging holds, takedowns, and covers. Angel and Cuatrero followed with an equally great sequence, ending with Angel sending Cuatrero to the floor with a headscissors. Angel teased a dive, but ended with a handspring into a pose in the ring. Really cool stuff.
Titan almost did a Sasuke Special, but Templario moved and powerbombed him on the floor. Cuatrero and Templario doubled up on Titan for a bit, but Titan made a comeback and sent them to the floor. Angel hit a golden triangle, and Titan hit a tope con hilo.
Back inside, Angel hit a quebrada for a near fall, then hit a great dropkick. Titan and Templario had a chop battle. Templario hit a sit-out powerbomb for a near fall. Templario hit a German for a two count.
Templario went for a gutwrench powerbomb off the middle rope, but Titan turned it into a rana, then hit a moonsault to the floor.
Cuatrero got a near fall off a powerbomb. Angel applied La Mecedora and got the submission win.
Everyone was working at half speed here. The match didn’t have a lot of heat, and it was sloppy in places.
Shingo out-powered Fujin early, so Raijin jumped in and exchanged lariats with him. Shingo and SHO is a future Intercontinental title match for sure, right?
Shingo used a brainbuster and a front facelock on Raijin. BUSHI jumped in and went for Raijin’s mask. Naito attacked Henare and Fujin on the floor and sent them into the crowd. Back inside, Naito and BUSHI hit stereo low dropkicks to Raijin. Shingo hit some elbow drops, then hit a senton for a near fall.
Shingo blocked a spear, but Raijin hit a German. Naito and Henare got tags and traded strikes. Henare hit a tackle and a Samoan drop for a near fall. Naito came back with an enzuigiri, and he used a draping neckbreaker.
Henare hit a spear on Naito, then hit a suplex on BUSHI. Fujin got a tag and hit a back elbow on BUSHI. Fujin and Raijin hit stereo dropkicks on Shingo, then stereo knees on BUSHI. Shingo broke up a 3K attempt, and BUSHI hit a backstabber. BUSHI hit the insurrection on Fujin for the pin.
BUSHI and Shingo unmasked SHO and YOH after the match.
Not much here. Atlantis Jr. has potential, but he’s still incredibly green. Liger always looks great, but Atlantis is fairly immobile.
OKUMURA attacked Atlantis Jr. before the bell. Atlantis started off, and Sanson and Forastero ran into him so he could do his offense. They ran into some hip tosses and arm drags. Liger jumped in. OKUMURA’s second, his wife Mima Shimoda, jumped in, and Liger suplexed her.
Sanson and Forastero worked over Atlantis. Liger broke up a pinfall. Forastero and Sanson crotched Atlantis on the post. Liger hit a crossbody off the post to the floor.
Atlantis Jr. and OKUMURA exchanged near falls — until OKUMURA hit a DDT for the pin.
OKUMURA and Sanson removed Atlantis and Atlantis Jr.’s masks after the match.
This wasn’t so much a match as a series of crazy dives. It was awesome in that regard.
They started off hot, with everyone hitting their flashiest offense. Caristico, Cavernario and Namajague got sent outside, and Volador, Soberano, and Audaz hit stereo tope con hilos to the floor.
Back inside, Caristico and Cavernario worked over Volador. Soberano jumped in, but fell victim to a Swanton Bomb from Caristico. Audaz entered, but he also found himself worked over three-on-one.
Audaz broke up a human pyramid spot with a flying rana. Everyone hit big dives to the floor. They did a tower of doom spot. Volador hit a top rope splash. Soberano hit a high cross off the top. Cavernario hit a Canadian Destroyer. Volador hit a Canadian Destroyer. Volador unmasked Caristico, and there was a scramble to get his mask back on.
All six men were in the ring. They did a row boat spot. Volador hit a rana into the middle of the row boat for a near fall. Audaz and Soberano hit dives to the floor. Caristico used La Mistica on Volador for the submission.
TERRIBLE DEFEATED SATOSHI KOJIMA
I have no idea how to review this match. Kojima can still go. Terrible can do some stuff well and has a great look, but he’s not a great worker or anything. The crowd was very forgiving. They worked a slower pace.
They locked up. Terrible broke cleanly against the ropes, but then kicked Kojima low. They traded chops, and Terrible won the exchange. Kojima took a bump off a chop. Kojima hit a shoulder tackle and flexed his pecs.
Terrible hit a dropkick, and Kojima rolled to the floor. They fought on the outside. Terrible posted Kojima. Terrible used an eye rake and bit Kojima. Back inside, Terrible hit a knee drop, then posed on the turnbuckle. Terrible hit a series of strikes to the chest. Kojima countered with machine gun chops.
They fought on the top rope, and Kojima hit a superplex for a two count. Kojima hit a top rope elbow for a near fall. Kojima hit a rolling elbow and clotheslined Terrible to the floor. Kojima hit a plancha. Terrible recovered and posted Kojima’s lariat arm.
Kojima countered a suplex attempt with a DDT and a cutter. Terrible blocked a brainbuster and hit a vertical suplex for a two count. Terrible hit a top rope splash for another two count.
Kojima backdropped out of a suplex attempt, and hit a brainbuster for two. Terrible ducked a lariat, then hit a series of strikes. Terrible hit a Styles Clash for the pin.
LIJ came out to pose with Terrible after his win.
DRAGON LEE & MISTICO DEFEATED ULTIMO GUERRERO & GRAN GUERRERO
A really fun match. After a lot of stalling early, the pace really picked up and they worked hard for the last 15 minutes.
Ultimo whipped Mistico with a piece of his gear before the bell, so Ultimo and Mistico started off the match. Ultimo stalled and worked the crowd. The two shook hands before locking up. Ultimo removed his mask. Mistico removed his mask, revealing another mask underneath.
Ultimo used a Romero Special. Mistico rolled through into an inverted figure four. Ultimo rolled to the ropes, but he sold his knee big. They rolled outside. Mistico hit a flying rana on the floor.
Back inside, Dragon and Gran jumped in. Ultimo pulled Dragon to the floor and sent him into the barricade. The Guerreros took control, doubling up on Mistico. They hit a tandem press slam off the top, sending Mistico to the mat. Dragon jumped in and ate a brainbuster from Gran. The Guerreros raised the roof.
Dragon hit a dropkick on Ultimo, then a suplex on Gran. Mistico ran wild with ranas. Dragon and Mistico hit topes. Mistico and Dragon used tandem offense on both Guerreros. Mistico hit a standing moonsault for a near fall. The Guerreros hit stereo baseball slides. Gran hit a tope, and Ultimo hit a diving leg lariat off the post to the floor.
Gran and Dragon ended up the legal men. Dragon hit a Spanish fly for a near fall. Mistico hit a frankensteiner on Ultimo. Dragon hit a jumping knee to Ultimo, then used a crossface, but Ultimo reached the ropes.
Dragon went for a top rope rana, but Ultimo turned it into a powerbomb off the second. Dragon and Ultimo fought on the top rope. Dragon hit a double stomp, but Gran broke up the pin. Dragon hit a suicide dive. Gran hit a powerbomb on Mistico for a two count.
Mistico hit a top rope frankensteiner on Gran for a near fall. Mistico used La Mistica for the submission win.
Prior to Best in the World, episode #354 of Ring of Honor television was taped in New York City on June 2.
Kenny King defeated Jonathan Gresham
This match was full of incredible chain wrestling from both men. It seemed like Gresham had a kip up, a pin, or a reversal for everything King threw at him. There were quite a few arm drags from each man, including a nice Mexican arm drag sequence from King, off of which he used some arm submissions to slow down the speedier Gresham.
It looked like Gresham had the upper hand after a long chain of cradle attempts and a moonsault, but King was able to finally get a hold of him and land the Royal Flush slam for the pin.
Josh Woods defeated Facade
Shane Taylor joined Ian Riccaboni and Colt Cabana to scout Woods. This was a showcase of Woods’ offense, which consisted of some strong striking and some impressive deadlift-style suplexes.
Facade wasn’t able to get much offense in, but he did do some impressive moves using his superior agility. He walked the top rope out to the middle and landed a dropkick, which he followed up with a running double-jump front flip dive. Woods finally countered Facade into a rolling German suplex, which led to a big slam off his shoulders for the pin.
Woods confronted Taylor and wanted to fight him right then, but Taylor said no because he doesn’t fight for free.
Backstage, The Dawgs were looking for a third man so they can enter the six-man tag team gauntlet next week. They went into Shane Taylor’s dressing room and offered him an I.O.U. as payment to join their team. Taylor said no and that they already owe him money — and if they pay him again in change, there will be trouble.
A video package aired hyping the no disqualification match next week between Bully Ray and Cheeseburger.
Matt Taven defeated Ultimo Guerrero
Taven cut off Guerrero and distracted the referee so TK O’Ryan could choke Guerrero. On the outside, Guerrero took over and tossed Taven into the crowd and also threw O’Ryan around for good measure.
Taven took advantage after Guerrero missed a splash from the top to the floor. Taven did a dive to the floor over the top rope but connected with O’Ryan instead. This allowed Guerrero to sit both men on a chair so he could hit them both with a running splash. Guerrero chopped away at Taven until Taven was able to connect with a running knee and a moonsault. Taven put Guerrero on the top turnbuckle and went for a hurricanrana, but Guerrero turned it into a huge powerbomb.
Taven regained control and went back up top, but Guerrero grabbed him. Guerrero was distracted by The Kingdom, which allowed Vinny Marseglia to pop a balloon in Guerrero’s ear. Taven then hit the Climax spike DDT for the pin.
Taven ended the show with a promo about his greatness, and said he will always be better than Guerrero.
One of CMLL’s biggest stars will be next to challenge the Ring of Honor champion.
It was announced on Ring of Honor’s website that Ultimo Guerrero will challenge Dalton Castle for the Ring of Honor world title at New York City Excellence on June 2. It would be the first time a CMLL star has challenged for the title since the company forged a relationship with Ring of Honor back in 2016.
They did an angle back at the 16th anniversary show where Ultimo Guerrero stole the ROH title during a match with him and Volador Jr. against Jay Lethal and Dalton Castle. He later handed it back, with announcers speculating that he might want a title match down the line.
Titan, also from CMLL, has been signed for the event. He is set to face Cody. Other names signed for the show include The Kingdom, Silas Young, The Briscoes, Sumie Sakai, The Young Bucks. Kenny King, Jay Lethal, Adam Page, Bully Ray and a host of other talent.
New York City Excellence, a television taping, will be held at the Hammerstein Ballroom on June 2 in New York City.
