the lucha thread

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Always thought this forum needed a lucha thread so here it is ;D

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AAA 6/13 – Palacio de los Deportes de Mexico City (Triplemania) (SKY PPV) (The building looked very full and the crowd was molten hot for everything plus the whole presentation was major league so money well spent)

1. Handicap Match: La Secta del Mesias (Cuervo/Escoria/Espiritu/Ozz) beat La Fuerza Aerea (El Angel (subbing for Laredo Kid)/Aero Star/Super Fly) – Espiritu inserted himself in the match and they let him like it was no big deal.

2. Alan Stone/Brazo de Plata/Octagon defeated Black Abyss/Histeria/Psicosis – Only thing of note here was that Porky dressed up as Elvis.

3. 3 Way Elimination Match: Mexican Power (Crazy Boy/Ricky Marvin/Ultimo Gladiador (subbing for Juventud Guerrera who is in Spain working for NWE) beat American Dragon/Jack Evans/Teddy Hart and La Familia de Tijuana (Extreme Tiger/Halloween/TJ Extreme) when Crazy pinned Jack. La Hermandad (Joe Lider/Nicho el Millionario/X-Fly) attacked the MP’s after the match and spraypainted their name on Crazy. La Familia was eliminated first after Teddy pinned Halloween. This was what you would expect a total spotfest but very fun. Dragon & Marvin had some good exchanges.

Los Guapos VIP would debut their newest member after the match as El Brazo helped out Decnis, Scorpio Jr., & Zumbido destroy his brother Brazo de Plata in the parking lot.

4. Caballera contra Caballera: Fabi Apache w/Billy Boy defeated Mari Apache w/Gran Apache – Fabi juiced here with her sister biting the cut making it flow more. Mari then juiced after a drop toehold by Fabi into an exposed turnbuckle that Mari undid. Billy & Apache both broke up nearfalls by interfering with the count but Hijo del Tirantes kept the match going. Apache would eat a tope suicida on the floor by Billy after he tried to help Mari. Fabi would eventually win clean with a Dragon Suplex hold in a damn good Japanese-style match. Apache wanted to get his head shaved instead of Mari so they started shaving him, which didn’t take long as Mari then demanded they shave her bloody head too so they obliged. Fabi then hugged her sister as their father embraced them both as Billy looked confused.

5. Extreme Match: Vampiro battled El Mesias to a draw. This was a weapons du jour with tables, trashcans, ladders, light tubes, and more used with Vamp’s back being rendered a bloody mess after being hit with the tubes. La Secta would interfere of course trying to hold Vamp up for a fireball but Ozz ate it instead. Vamp would put Mesias through two tables on the floor as time ran out for the draw. They would continue brawling after the match but the fans HATED this finish. There was a funny moment though as Vamp walked over to the desk before the finish and hit Arturo Rivera knocking him out of his chair.

6. Electroshock/Bobby Lashley/Kenzo Suzuki beat Chessman/La Parka Jr./Silver King when Kenzo fouled Parka Jr. behind the ref’s back. Kenzo had his son come out dressed just like him and doing his schtick with him in a cute moment. Charly Manson came out in a wheelchair before the match to introduce Silver King who was masked along with using Bad Medicine as his theme as the surprise luchador and King was escorted to the ring by WBA & WBC Super Flyweight champ Cristian Mijares (probably the most popular active boxer in Mexico.) Lashley got a huge pop when he came out and looked in great condition. Parka Jr. is mega over and he had dancers in full costume dancing to Thriller as he entered the ring. Chessman put himself through a table with a missed moonsault on Electroshock then Lashley slammed King on top of the pile. Lashley was very well protected here not taking much offense but getting a lot in. Parka’s reactions to Lashley though was great. The match itself was what you would expect with Chessman looking great and Lashley looking powerful & everyone else filling their spot.

7. AAA Super Mega World Heavyweight Title: Cibernetico w/Joaquin Roldan (c) vs. Zorro w/Konnan – Ciber was insanely over here as the crowd went bananas for his intro chanting his name. This was what you would expect from these two and sure enough Konnan would get involved by knocking out Tirantes and becoming the referee then knocking down President Roldan who would juice. Ciber would make a comeback though getting rid of Konnan then giving Zorro a chokeslam with Roldan counting three. Ciber would celebrate in the ring with his belt after the match as La Legion even including Sean Waltman would come to the ring to help their fallen comrades as Ciber, Roldan, and the others celebrated on the stage. Konnan & Zorro would promise revenge on Ciber on the microphone as they left the ring to end the show.

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EMLL June 13 – Arena Mexico (PPV) (standing room only sellout)

1. Flash & Mascara Purpura & Stuka Jr. beat Arkangel de la Muerte & Escandalo & Loco Max

2. La Triada del Terror (Averno & Ephesto & Mephisto) defeated Grey Shadow & Sagrado & Valiente

3. Dr. Wagner Jr. & La Sombra & Volador Jr. beat Los Guerreros del Atlantida (Atlantis & Rey Bucanero & Ultimo Guerrero) – Mr. Niebla jumped Wagner after the match cementing his entry into Los Guerreros. Wagner got a standing ovation which lasted a few minutes.

4. CMLL Trios Titles Tournament – Finals: Hector Garza & Hijo del Fantasma & La Mascara defeated Blue Panther & Dos Caras Jr. & Mistico after Garza used a Mistica on Mistico in the 3rd fall to win the titles.

5. Steel Cage Match where the last man in loses his hair: Hijo del Texano left Heavy Metal in the cage to get shaved. Shocking finish eh. Order of Elimination: Alex Koslov & Damian 666 & Marco Corleone & Damian el Terrible & Mr. Aguila & Shocker & Negro Casas & Perro Aguayo Jr. & Hijo del Texano

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Averno, Rey Bucanero, Ultimo Guerrero and Volador Jr supposed to be featuring in TNA's world x cup

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Santo interview in the sun (English paper for those who haven't seen it.


LUCHA LIBRE LEGEND ... El Hijo del Santo
El Hijo del Santo: Behind the maskBy SIMON ROTHSTEIN

WHEN lucha libre wrestling comes to London in July many fans won’t know what to expect.
They may have caught CMLL, AAA or Jack Black’s recent movie on the sport, but will not have seen enough of the action that currently makes Mexico the hottest grappling spot on the globe.
So we tracked down the country’s most famous wrestler – and the son of the biggest lucha libre – for an exclusive interview and introduction to the sport.

Can you introduce lucha libre to us British fans and tell us a bit about how it differs from the American and British versions of wrestling we are used to?


The main characteristic of Mexican wrestling is that it has great technique and is spectacular. Another is that we manage to get families and people of all backgrounds together to have a good time.
A great difference to British, American or even Japanese wrestling is that in lucha libre there is a lot of magic and this is because of the outfits and principally the mask.
This aspect of lucha is one that we inherit in our culture which makes it more magical, and with it we are able to connect with our people.


What can we expect when lucha libre comes to London in July?


A great party!
You will see a contact sport but a great part of it is close to art. This is because in lucha we wrestle close to the canvas where you will see a lot of movement with ‘castigos’, holds and locks, it becomes harmonious and this beautiful skill converts into art.
Aside from all that you will see a lot of colour, masks, great personalities and spectacular high flying moves over the ring and out of the ring, all of this music, lights, I don’t know¿ you cannot miss it.


Can you describe the importance and history of the mask to Mexican wrestlers?


I believe that when lucha libre started, it all began with a wrestler that came from the American circuit.
He got a lot of attention from the Mexican crowds and as Mexican wrestling is a war of good v evil, the masks have an importance with the roots of our culture, like the Aztecs, Olmecs and Teotihuacans.
They always wore masks of animals when at war, the most significant were the jaguar, wolf, the eagle, snake, as they believed they would get the animal’s powers in combat.
I think lucha libre adopted this belief and the luchador looks for a name that suits his personality from say nature, animals, the heaven like El Santo or hell like Demon.
Many years ago, my father Santo took the mask off Black Shadow in a match with wagers, that day the importance of the mask took a new dimension, to lose a mask became very important and an opportunity for promoters in Mexico to present something new that doesn’t happen in the USA.


Can you tell us a bit about your history and career as a wrestler?


Since I was a child I wanted to be like my father El Santo, I guess just like any other child who might want to become a fire-fighter, policeman, architect, etc.
My father was a luchador and I wanted to be like Santo, so I prepared since I was very young.
My father took me to judo lessons, karate, Olympic wrestling but under the condition that I would get a university degree. It was for the simple reason that he never got that chance and he wanted his children to study, because lucha libre is a high risk sport that he wanted us to have a base just in case.
So, just like bullfighters, he gave me the option to take wrestling as a career.
He supported me, gave me a lot of advice, in a way he was my tutor, not technically but in life, giving me the tools to face life and my profession and finally to give me the mask and his persona.
When my father retired from the ring, he was still active in films, which is why I could take his name, so on the 18th of October 1982 I became El Hijo del Santo (The Son of El Santo), with a lot of success, thank god.


Did your father’s fame make things easier or harder for you in the wrestling business?


It made it very hard. This was because El Santo became a monster, in the sense that he had huge popularity and respect, and for me it was hard to get to his level.
I don’t really want to be like him as I have to create my own history, but always heightening the name of El Santo, and I guess that due to my efforts, people love me, admire me and I get a lot of respect.
It hasn’t been an easy journey, but I gave my all with a lot of passion that I feel I achieved to be a worthy heir of the name

Is it true your father is buried in his mask?


Yes, it is true. When he died our first option was not to tell anybody and to keep it in the family but my brothers and I decided it wasn’t fair to keep him from his fans, so we decided to release the news nationwide.
For the funeral, it was important for people to see him in his mask as they were not going to see Rodolfo Guzman, but El Santo, so yes, he was buried with his mask on.
I think a unique history in the artistic world.


When you retire who will continue the Santo name?


Quite possibly my youngest son who is 12-years-old now but only time will tell.
If it is not my own son, then noone else. It is like the throne of a king, without an heir there is no king, it has to be passed father to son.


What is the difference between CMLL and AAA and why do you no longer wrestle for either of them?


The difference is quite simple. The CMLL is a traditional company, where its luchadores respect traditional lucha libre rules. AAA is a company that continues to innovate to the extent that they don’t use a square ring, but an hexagonal one, so they change the essence of lucha libre.
I don’t work for either of them for the simple reason that we have never agreed an economical arrangement, and I work best as an independent.


Are you a fan of Rey Mysterio?


I have a lot of respect and admiration for his great work and achievements.
It is not easy to work in a company where the principal characteristic is to have very large wrestlers.
But we are good friends, so I couldn’t really say I was a fan.


Were you surprised to see Rey become WWE champion and how do you feel he was treated as champion by the company?


I was very happy when Rey became a WWE champion, I felt very pleased for him.
He is a young man who has always kept his feet on the ground. He is very down to earth.
I was also very pleased at the way the WWE treated him, they gave him the opportunity to wrestle at this level.
Whatever happened between him and his rivals is a different story.
I feel that he was well treated, in the same way as was my old friend, Eddie Guerrero and many other Latin wrestlers have been.


Have you ever been approached to wrestle in the WWE? If so what did you say?


A long while ago I received an invitation by Konnan, one of the agents that looks after the Mexican wrestlers.
When you sign to join the WWE they look after you and shape your career, and this is something that doesn’t suit me very well as I like to have the freedom to make my own decisions.
If they invited me to work with them and wasn’t tied to them 100 per cent, or maybe to join one of their tours, I would be quite happy to go.


What would be your advice to a young star like Mistico. Should he go to American or stay in Mexico?


I would say to him: “You have to follow what your heart tells you and that opportunities in life only happen once. You have to make the most of it, as you might regret it afterwards.”
I like the saying: “I do not regret the things I have done in my life, I only regret the things I haven’t”.


You had a legendary feud with Eddie Guerrero and Art Barr. What are your memories of them as men and wrestlers?

As men, they were both good friends of mine.
You see, what is beautiful about this sport is that there is a lot of rivalry on the ring, and friendship outside it.
Just like playing a game of tennis between friends, you have to be competitive but after the game it is all OK.
Both Eddie and Arthur were good friends out of the ring but as adversaries I would say they were difficult, it was very hard to beat them.
The other beautiful thing is that when you admire a rival, you really enjoy the competition, and I admired them a lot.
It makes me feel very sad that they both died young.


Does Mexico have the same problems with wrestlers dying young as America does?


Fortunately not as drugs, steroids and other substances that can affect many wrestlers are not readily available in Mexico.
Although I have heard of a couple of cases there is nothing as serious as America, and so far there hasn’t been a death due to this cause.

What would be your advice to young stars look to become wrestlers?


Very simple. I would advise them to have discipline, to look at lucha libre with passion and respect, to love this sport as it will help you connect and transmit this passion to the public.
If you don’t have passion it is best to do something else because if you can’t transmit to the public you become just one of the lot.

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just watched Rey Bucanero and Ultimo Guerrero against Yoshino/Doi on Impact, rushed but still very enjoyible and a nice unique spectical.

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CMLL Sin Piedad PPV results from tonight
Thanks to Steve Sims
Results of the CMLL Sin Piedad PPV from tonight at Arena Mexico before about a half house:

1. Mini Pierroth & Mini Black Warrior & Mini Damian 666 beat Mascarita Dorado & Pequeno Olimpico & Pequeno Fantasy in three falls

2. La Mascara & Hijo del Fantasma & La Sombra beat Felino & Heavy Metal & Misterioso Jr.

3. In an incredible partners match, Marcela & Princesa Sujei beat Lady Apache & Amapola in a suicida match. The losers then had to square off in a hair vs. hair match, which Apache won

4. In a Team CMLL vs. Team TNA match, Atlantis & Ultimo Guerrero & Negro Casas beat Sonjay Dutt (replacing AJ Styles, who no-showed) & Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin in a good match. Shelley and Guerrero had words afterwards with Shelley wanting a trios title match at the Aniversario show and Guerrero saying no, he wanted a mask vs. hair match. They've teased that one for awhile.

4. In a mask vs. mask match, Dragon Rojo Jr. beating Mictlan, who revealed himself to be Johnathan de Jesús Jauregui Navarro Jiménez, 26.

5. Dos Caras Jr. & Blue Panther & Dr. Wagner Jr. beat Mr. Niebla & Rey Bucanero & Black Warrior when Caras and Panther got twin submissions on Warrior and Bucanero

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And the loser of tonight's big mask match was
Blue Panther, in a major surprise. After losing to Villano V he unmasked as Genaro Vazquez Nevarez, 48.
Quick results. Thanks to Kris Zellner and Steve Sims.

9/19 – Arena Mexico (75th Anniversary Show)
1. Los Perros del Mal (Mr. Aguila/Damian 666/Hijo del Texano) beat Alex Koslov/Maximo/La Sombra
2. La Triada del Terror (Averno/Ephesto/Mephisto) defeated Hijo del Fantasma/La Mascara/Volador Jr.
3. Dos Caras Jr./Hector Garza/Marco beat La Peste Negra (Heavy Metal/Hijo del Lizmark/Mr. Niebla)
4. Dr. Wagner Jr. defeated L.A. Par-K by DQ when Par-K attacked referee Baby Richard.
5. CMLL Trios Titles: Atlantis/Negro Casas/Ultimo Guerrero beat Sonjay Dutt/Chris Sabin/Alex Shelley to retain their titles.
6. Mascara contra Mascara: Villano V w/Perro Aguayo Jr. defeated Blue Panther w/Mistico – 1st fall end in a DQ when Perrito got involved, 2nd fall end in a DQ when BP ripped up V-5’s mask. 3rd fall ended in a pinfall as V-5 countered a Fujiwara armbar. BP unmasked as Genaro Vazquez Nevarez, 48-years-old from Gomez Palacio, Durango with 30 years experience.


one of the most under rated wrestlers in history, as slick and seamless on the mat as anyone, sad to see him loss his mask but i'm sure he got paided well for it.

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mistico rumoured to be returning to NJ in may to take on Justin Lyger