Tag: zandokan jr.

CMLL star undergoes successful knee surgery

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Zandokan Jr. has undergone successful surgery to repair the knee injury that recently forced him out of action.

The injury happened when Zandokan & Difunto lost to AEW Tag Team Champions Bandido & Brody King at a CMLL event on September 12. Zandokan did briefly continue to work matches after that before it was revealed that he would need to have surgery. That operation has now been completed.

“Thank God the operation was successful,” Zandokan posted on Instagram. “I’ll be back with you all soon!”

Along with forcing Zandokan to miss time for CMLL, the injury caused a change to MLW’s Opera Cup 2025 tournament. He defeated Blue Panther Jr. in the first round and was slated to face Volador Jr. next. Instead, Star Jr. replaced Zandokan and lost to Volador in the quarterfinals. The semifinals will be Volador vs. Satoshi Kojima and Mistico vs. Austin Aries.

Zandokan is a member of Galeon Fantasma — a heel trio with Difunto and Barboza.

Injury forces change to MLW Opera Cup tournament

Posted on by Joseph Currier

An injury has forced MLW to make a change to its Opera Cup 2025 tournament.

With Zandokan Jr. out of action with a knee injury, he will no longer be able to continue in the Opera Cup. MLW has announced that fellow CMLL luchador Star Jr. will be replacing him in the tournament, setting the stage for a Volador Jr. vs. Star Jr. matchup in the quarterfinals. That will take place at MLW’s Slaughterhouse event in Long Beach, California on October 4.

“MLW President Cesar Duran has activated Star Jr. as the alternate to replace Zandokan Jr. A standout in CMLL, Star Jr. enters the Opera Cup fresh, healthy, and amid a career-defining year in Mexico. His lightning-quick offense and relentless drive have made him one of lucha libre’s most talked-about rising stars,” the promotion wrote.

“Opposite him will be one of Mexico’s most decorated luchadores: Volador Jr. The CMLL main eventer made his MLW debut this past Saturday, defeating Titan in an explosive opening-round bout that electrified Long Beach. Representing his faction Los Depredadores — alongside Rugido and Magnus — Volador Jr. enters the quarterfinals looking to continue his path toward Opera Cup glory.”

Zandokan had defeated Blue Panther Jr. in the first round before being sidelined by his knee injury requiring surgery.

Here is the updated Opera Cup tournament bracket:

Left side —

  • Mistico vs. Ultimo Guerrero
  • Austin Aries vs. Paul London

Right side —

  • Volador Jr. vs. Star Jr.
  • Satoshi Kojima vs. Bishop Dyer

All four quarterfinal matchups are happening at Slaughterhouse, which will be held at Thunder Studios in Long Beach and is set to air live on YouTube and beIN Sports.

The Opera Cup trophy has been won by Davey Boy Smith Jr., Tom Lawlor, Davey Richards, and Mistico during its history in MLW.

“It’s a proving ground — not just for glory, but for legend,” MLW wrote about the tournament.

CMLL wrestler to undergo knee surgery

Posted on by Joseph Currier

CMLL star Zandokan Jr. will be spending some time on the sidelines as he recovers from a knee injury.

On Instagram this week, Zandokan indicated that he would be out of action after suffering a knee injury on CMLL’s September 12 event. He worked a couple of dates after the injury, including still competing at the CMLL 92nd Aniversario, but Dave Meltzer confirmed that Zandokan will now be having surgery.

“He’s having knee surgery from the injury that he suffered a week ago Friday in the match with Bandido & Brody King against Zandokan & Difunto. So he’ll be out of action for a while, which is too bad. He was really having a year,” Meltzer said on Wrestling Observer Radio.

“He was a guy that they were really focusing on to build to being one of their top stars. He had had a really big year this year. He beat Star Jr. for his mask. He won the Copa Junior, beating Mascara Dorada in the finals. He’d gotten the championship match with MJF. He’d gotten the [AEW] Tag Team Championship match. Headlined a lot of shows. The trio [Galeon Fantasma] was on fire, but they’re going to have to pause for a while until he gets back.”

Along with his CMLL work, Zandokan is an entrant in MLW Opera Cup 2025 and has been set to appear at Fantastica Mania UK for RevPro next month. There haven’t been any announcements made by MLW or RevPro regarding his status.