Verano De Escandalo

I don't want to analyze this card too much because I really don't give a shit about anything going on. But I want to make 3 guarantees to try and show how much I know about AAA (and WCW circa it's dying days)...

1. Vampiro is walking out with the title.

- Guaranteed. I actually think the result of Rush/Loco Max is less predictable than Vampiro walking out with the belt. My reasoning: AAA wants the belt off Wagner. This is their chance to do it. Wagner doesn't have to get pinned for it to happen. Not that Wagner would agree to get pinned by Vampiro anyways. He'd be happy to lay down for Silver King. But I don't think AAA wants Silver King as their champion. Vampiro will play it cool backstage and say he doesn't need the title since he's already considered a star but in the pre-match booking meeting he'll come up with some idea where he can get the belt and lose it to someone down the road to make them a star (which won't end up happening).

This is how WCW worked. Thus this is how AAA works these days. Trust me. Vampiro is leaving with the belt.

2. Nobody is getting pinned in the main event. It'll either end in a DQ or if they have to do a pinfall it will be Parka Jr. pinning Damian 666 after some sort of low blow spot.

- Yes, even Damian 666 won't do a clean job. This match will be a total mess and the WON will be full of Konnan's post-show stories about who wouldn't do what, who forgot what finish and how none of it was his fault as booker. These five idiots will never agree to lose to each other much less make the other look good. Whoever booked this match is a fucking idiot.

3. Alan Stone and Elegido will start a feud that will lead nowhere.

- Konnan was pretty smart when booking this feud. He hates Elegido. He's not huge on Alan Stone. So how do you take care of them both? You book them in a feud with each other that can be buried in openers and segundas. So they can't complain you aren't doing anything with them and yet you really don't have to do anything with them much like Aero Star vs random chick's boyfriend that has been going on for almost 2 years now.

And if you think THIS is negative just wait till we're getting live results and hopefully doing a chat.

Rambling about CMLL this week

First the big news... CMLL announced today that the mini's Torneo Cibernetico booked for tomorrow is actually phase one of a three phase tournament where the ultimate winner is allowed to wrestle with the regular-sized wrestlers! This is something that seemingly only occurs every 12 years so it's a pretty big deal! Unless your name is Atomic Boy... then AAA just announces it on their website and randomly puts you in a match or two where you look fantastic and then you are never heard from again. The first group of wrestlers now makes more sense b/c originally it was a weird mix for such an important Torneo (celebrating the bicentennial).

Group A:

Electrico
Saturno
Fantasy
Demus 3:16
Pequeno Olímpico
Pequeno Nitro
Pequeno Violencia
Cisne

These are all taller mini's which makes sense. Originally I promised to eat my hat if the finals weren't Electrico vs Demus 3:16. I stand by that predicition. But let's rule out the following names:

Saturno: Clearly brought in from GDL as an extra body for this tournament and nothing else.

Pequeno Olimpico: Couldn't make the jump as Cicloncito Ramirez, won't make it as Pequeno Olimpico. Mask/gimmick actually have value for future stip matches.

Pequeno Nitro: Regular sized division already has a Nitro. I know, I know... they had a Damian and Damiancito El Guerrero for a while in 1998. But Peq Nitro is too new and they've clearly been grooming him for a large role with the mini's. He isn't going anywhere.

Cisne: Who? Exactly.

This leaves four names as potential candidates: Fantasy, Pequeno Violencia, Demus 3:16, Electrico.

Fantasy: Has a gimmick that would work if moved up. Is the tallest mini besides Bam Bam and Pequeno Warrior. However he's a nobody in the mini's division and would be a bigger nobody in the regular sized division. He won't win.

Pequeno Violencia: Has the size and charisma to move up. A definite darkhorse. Don't be surprised if he sneaks out of this bracket. Still not picking him though.

Electrico: Fits the same criterias (criterium?) Fantasy does but he's actually a somebody. Fits in much better with the rest of the mini's and still needs to accomplish something in that division before being taken seriously as a regular sized guy. Not going to win.

Demus 3:16: Has shown he can work with regular sized wrestlers and has a gimmick that would have no problem crossing over. Clearly my pick to come out of this block after pinning Electrico and setting up a final vs Bam Bam.

Possible Block B:

Bam Bam
Pequeno Warrior
Pierrothito
Pequeno Halcon
Astral
Ultimo Dragoncito
Meteoro
Aereo

I tossed in Aereo only b/c I ran out of tallish mini's and I don't think Mascarita Dorada will be involved. If Dorada is in though you can scratch out Aereo or Meteoro. I only realized they were seperate guys as I wrote this post anyhow.

I've been saying this for the longest time now and have fantasy booked this on many occasions so it should come as no surprise that I think Bam Bam has to win this. He's accomplished everything he can in the mini's division, he's way taller than everyone else including all the rudos and he could easily be turned into the good looking small tecnico ala everything CMLL had in Ricky Marvin before he decided he had no future in the company and left the country. This is Bam Bam's tournament to win! And what better way than to finally beat his arch rival Pequeno Damian in his final match!

I am super stoked for this tournament even if Tzuki isn't allowed to participate.

Let's look at the rest of the week... (via www.thecubsfan.com/cmll)

CMLL (TUE) 08/10 Arena Mexico
1) Metálico & Trueno vs Mortiz & Semental

- Two tecnicos who will take Mortiz' Spanish Fly to the floor!

2) Ángel Azteca, Ángel de Plata, Diamante vs Arkángel de la Muerte, Nitro, Skándalo

- These teams have fought so many times it all starts to blend together. Wish they'd do something with the Azteca/Arkangel feud.

3) Eléctrico vs Saturno, Fantasy, Demus 3:16, Pequeño Olímpico, Pequeño Nitro, Pequeño Violencia, Cisne [cibernetico]

- See above.

4) Máximo, Rayo de Jalisco Jr., Rotoporky vs Terrible, Texano, Último Guerrero

- I don't think you could come up with a worse tecnico team in CMLL these days. I would honestly rather see Rush, Fabian El Gitano and Leono on the same team.

5) Hijo del Fantasma vs Charly Manson

- This could be good since Manson will be looking to impress in his first Arena Mexico singles match. Big test for him coming off the match with Mistico tonight. I figure Tirantes is the ref here and helps Manson win.

CMLL (FRI) 08/13 Arena Mexico
1) Molotov & Sensei vs Disturbio & Durango Kid

- Standard pairings.

2) Astral, Mascarita Dorada, Último Dragoncito vs Demus 3:16, Pequeño Warrior, Pierrothito

- On another night this would be a certain match of the night. Really hoping LATV sticks to airing the right weeks now and this comes up in a month or so. Astral is really the only question mark but these three rudos can reign him in. BTW on a related note... in Cesar's preview he says:

"Los seis son excelentes pequeños estrellas"

What Astral match did I miss where he proved he belongs in a category with the other five? His match vs Electrico was beyond abysmal and he's been in the background of every trios match I've seen.

3) Felino, Negro Casas, Rey Bucanero vs Charly Manson, Héctor Garza, Mr. Águila

- Seems like a wasted middle of the card match but I wouldn't be shocked if the early October CMLL supershow involved some sort of hair match coming out of this. Manson/Aguila w/ Tirantes' hair vs Bucanero/someone w/ Parrot's mask on the line?

4) La Máscara, Máscara Dorada, Místico vs Averno, Mephisto, Efesto and Dragón Rojo Jr., Mr. Niebla, Volador Jr. and Atlantis, Olímpico, Último Guerrero

- WOW. Where would you even begin fantasy booking this? You've got:

Mistico: Feuding with the entire world.
La Mascara: Looking for revenge on Volador Jr. after last week.
Averno/Mephisto/Efesto: Always looking to get their hands on Mistico, La Mascara or Mascara Dorada.
Dragon Rojo Jr.: Returning from an injury and originally was booked on a different team in this match. Something's up.
Mr. Niebla: Also returning from an "injury". Cesar speculates he may me back to drop his mask as punishment.
Volador Jr.: Turned rudo last week. Who will he go after? Who will he allign with?
Atlantis: Feuding with Rayo De Jalisco Jr. who isn't in this match...
Olimpico: Had his mask ripped by Mistico last week, would be a perfect mask to give to La Mascara.
Ultimo Guerrero: Surprisingly without a program heading into the biggest show of the year. HMMM.

I feel bad for Mascara Dorada. He really doesn't fit in anywhere.:/

I honestly have no clue what is going to happen here. Only thing I'm certain of is that Mistico's team will match up with Volador's team at some point. Whether it's in the first round or the final remains to be seen. But a match like this clearly leads us to believe the main event on September 3rd will be a cage involving many participants in this match.

5) La Sombra vs Jushin Lyger [CMLL Universal]

- Sticking with my original predicition that Lyger is going to win this and make his trip to Mexico worthwhile. It'd be a good photo op for Japanese magazines and set up an obvious September 3rd rematch for the CMLL Middleweight Title. Sombra needs a belt as backup incase Texano/Terrible/Garza come after those trios titles.

Strong show!

CMLL (SUN) 08/15 Arena Mexico
1) Astro Boy & Trueno vs Artillero & Súper Comando

- Trueno gets the dubious honor of opening up two shows this week!

2) Lady Apache, Luna Mágica, Marcela vs Amapola, Mima Shimoda, Princesa Blanca

- I thought Shimoda retired? CUBSFAN LIES!

3) Hijo del Fantasma, Metro, Sagrado vs Ephesto, Mr. Águila, Texano Jr.

- Ehhhhhhhhhh... not a huge fan of Aguila teaming with pro-CMLL guys since he's an invader and has been booked as such since returning to the company. In fact he just faced Efesto two weeks ago. Weird booking.

4) Rush vs Loco Max [hair]

- The result here is as predictable as any of the Leono hair match results were. I'm not even considering the option of a swerve.

5) Brazo de Plata, Místico, Rayo de Jalisco Jr. vs Atlantis, Héctor Garza, Rey Bucanero

- Strange main event. I guess Mistico will take a backseat to the Rayo/Atlantis build. Just not sure what they're building to b/c they surely aren't doing a singles mask match and just by teasing it CMLL is setting themselves up for disappointment when they announce a cage match for September 3rd and neither Rayo or Atlantis involved.

Lineups!

As always - via www.thecubsfan.com/cmll

CMLL (MON) 04/26 Arena Puebla
1) Tigre Rojo & Tigre Rojo Jr. vs Siki Ozama Jr. & Toro Bill Jr.

- I'm always in favor of seeing new blood so this should be fun and hopefully makes TV. Two excellent rudos to carry the rookie.

2) Metálico, Tigre Blanco, Tony Rivera vs Artillero, Mortiz, Súper Comando

- I guess this is where we find out what Mortiz is like when he can't use his Spanish Fly to the floor. Surely none of those tecnicos are taking it, let alone @ Arena Puebla in a match that may not make TV. This isn't Tijuana.

3) Ángel de Oro, Ángel de Plata, Guerrero Maya Jr. vs Arkangel de la Muerte, Hooligan, Nitro

- Standard match. Trivia note: Nitro is the actual leader of the Rebeldes Tuereg, not Arkangel or Hooligan. Said so himself in an interview for TVC.

4) Blue Panther, Strong Man, Toscano vs Atlantis, Terrible, Último Guerrero

- Really hope this gets edited off TV but I fear it's setting up a future match so...

5) Hijo del Fantasma, La Máscara, La Sombra vs Gran Alebrije, Histeria II, Psicosis II

- This will be... AWESOME! I cannot wait to hopefully see this on TV. The ex-AAA guys will prove they can hang with the CMLL dudes. I guarantee it.

CMLL (TUE) 04/27 Arena Mexico
1) Horus & Metatrón vs Camorra & Disturbio

- And Horus is back where he belongs. I approve!

2) Diamante, Pegasso, Rey Cometa vs Arkangel de la Muerte, Loco Max, Skándalo

- FINALLY! NEW FUERZA AEREA! They teased this team a few months back but Rey Cometa got hurt and had to be replaced. But now... FINALLY! This will be fantastic. I refuse to even think otherwise.

3) Rush, Stuka Jr., Valiente vs Misterioso II, Sangre Azteca, Virus

- One of these does not belong! But to be fair he'll only get better working with these rudos so might as well book matches like this where his partners will carry the bulk of the match and he can just come in for his trademark moves.

4) Blue Panther, La Sombra, Strong Man vs Atlantis, Rey Bucanero, Último Guerrero

- Probably gonna be by the numbers. Maybe the ex-AAA guys run-in here? They haven't attacked on Tuesday yet. Atlantis/Buca/Guerrero vs Monster/Maniaco/Psicosis next week? BOOK IT!

5) La Máscara vs Mephisto [NWA WELTER]

- Should be a decent match. With the Universal Title tournament coming up I'd expect to see a few title changes in the next little while as CMLL sorts out who they want involved and try to make it look different than it was last year.

IWRG (THU) 04/29 Arena Naucalpan
1) Dinamic Black vs Keshin Black

- Dynamic Black looked great in BTJr's latest upload so this should be fun.

2) Guizmo & Miss Gaviota vs Alan Extreme & Eterno

- OH NO. SHE'S BACK! BACK TO RUIN MY UNDERCARDS O'FUN!

3) Black Terry & Cerebro Negro vs Trauma I & Trauma II

- And the IWRG forum passes out in excitement. BTJr hinted at an upcoming IWRG school vs Navarro school feud so maybe this is where the seeds get planted.

4) Oficial 911, Oficial AK47, Oficial Fierro vs Bombero Infernal, Maldito Jr., Samot

- Oh yes - this will be quite fun!

5) Hijo de Máscara Año 2000, Máscara Año 2000, Máscara Año 2000 Jr. vs Avisman, El Hijo del Diablo, Gringo Loco [EdM Trios, final]

- I just want Gringo Loco or Avisman to get the winning pin on MA2K. That would be tremendous. Team MA2K is clearly winning the belts though.

CMLL (FRI) 04/30 Arena Mexico
1) Leono & Starman vs Bronco & Inquisidor

- I swear Starman and Bronco started the whole mess of mask match challenges on Sunday and now it looks like they won't even be included!

2) Fuego & Metro vs Euforia & Raziel

- Clearly this is ending in a DQ with all four agreeing to be in the cage mask match o'doom. All four should be safe in the actual match though.

3) Dark Angel, Lady Apache, Luna Magica vs Hiroka, Mima Shimoda, Princesa Blanca

- Oh joy, Luna Magica is back to ruin matches. Sad thing is she will be a step up for this division compared to the awful rookies they have ruining matches currently. Shimoda is also back and that's no surprise since Mexico vs Japan starts up again next week.

4) Bracito de Oro vs Pequeño Warrior [mask]

- I don't see what all the controversy is. The result here seems pretty obvious if you look at the facts:

1. Bracito De Oro is old.
2. This is the biggest match Bracito De Oro will ever get.
3. Bracito De Oro has won all the matches leading up to this Friday.
4. CMLL is not going to unmask a guy who just lost his mask 5 years ago.

Pequeno Warrior is clearly winning the match and Bracito's mask.

5) Delta & Volador Jr. vs Héctor Garza & Pólvora [Gran Alternativa, final]

- I really think Delta is coming out the winner here but stranger things have happened. Polvora will always have the benefit of winning the bodybuilding contest which is Paco's pet project so his minions would want to please him by booking Polvora to win. Garza doesn't need the win though while Volador Jr. could clearly use this to show he is a top tecnico like Mistico. I'm gonna stick with my pick of Volador Jr./Delta and hope this ends up airing somewhat full on TV.

6) Strongman, Hijo del Fantasma, La Máscara, Místico vs Dragón Rojo Jr., Ultimo Guerrero, Shigeo Okumura, Taichi

- Fantastic! CMLL finally busts out the atomicos gimmick for their regular sized guys and stick a bunch of crap in the match! I think the last second change in match + position on the card indicates the tecnicos will win and the rudos will break-up after losing in two straight falls. This should set up something along the lines of Dragon Rojo, Guerrero and Bucanero vs Tanihashi, Taichi and Okumura next week as Mexico vs Japan takes over Friday nights in May.

AAA TV (FRI) 04/30 Gimnasio Jose Maria Arteaga, Queretaro, Queretaro
1) Atomic Boy, Fabi Apache, Octagoncito vs Mini Abismo Negro, Rain, Tigre Cota

- Yes please! Atomic Boy looked fantastic on TV the other week and I can only imagine how great he'll look here working with those two rudos. This is a nice mix-and-match.

2) Aerostar & Relampago vs Billy Boy & Decnnis

- Well since the taping is being split to air over two weeks this will surely make TV and hopefully be given some time. The rudo team is amazing and I'm still not sold on Relampago but he has improved steadily in all his appearences so I'm not down on him. He needs a different look though. Looking forward to see what these guys do together.

3) Extreme Tiger, Jack Evans, Rocky Romero vs Alex Koslov, Christopher Daniels, Joe Lider

- I'm pretty sure much like Solar/Navarro, Romero and Koslov would be more than happy to spend the rest of their careers working opposite each other. Everyone has a natural opponent here so this will probably be good and end up more like three singles matches rather than a trios match. Still not totally in favor of randomly using Daniels instead of sticking with the regular talent.

4) Monster Clown, Murder Clown, Psycho Clown vs Chessman, Hernandez, Kenzo Suzuki

- God at this point I just want the Clowns to lose to SOMEONE! They've actually gone past the point to where a loss would mean anything so if they're waiting for the big match to get the big pop for the big win... it ain't gonna happen. Might as well have Hernandez just kill them all here. Although it would please me if Konnan ended their winning streak since that's what I originally predicted would happen.

5) Dr. Wagner Jr., Octagón, Pimpinela Escarlata vs Electroshock, Silver King, Último Gladiador

- How's this for an interesting debate: Who's the best worker on the tecnico side? I'd take Octagon with Wagner third.

6) Cibernético, Heavy Metal, La Parka Jr. vs ?, LA Park, Zorro

- Vampiro? Meh. I could care less about anything here although a Metal vs Zorro singles match down the line would be... interesting.

CMLL (SUN) 05/02 Arena Mexico
1) Bengala, Metálico, Trueno vs Camorra, Cholo, Zayco

- Cesar will be very happy since he hates the rudo team.:)

2) Ángel Azteca Jr., Diamante, Fabián el Gitano vs Dr. X, Puma King, Tiger Kid

- Oooohhhhh I like this! Fabian and Dr. X will continue their feud and leave the other four to go wild and do all their fun spots! Looking forward to his! (hopefully it's as good as this past weekend's segunda that aired on 52MX)

3) Blue Panther, Metro, Sagrado vs Euforia, Vangelis, Virus

- Blue Panther working lower on an Arena Mexico card than Histeria, Psicosis and Alebrije. WOW. Makes sense though so I'm not complaining.

4) Brazo de Plata, La Sombra, Toscano vs El Alebrije, Histeria, Psicosis

- Probably won't be nearly as good as the Puebla match b/c of... well... obvious reasons. It'll be interesting to see who goes over. Guessing the indy guys cheat to beat Sombra.

5) Mistico vs Volador Jr.

- WOO-HOO! Might actually get to see a somewhat full match with these guys since it won't be Televisa slaughtering the editing.

IWRG (SUN) 05/02 Arena Naucalpan
1) Héros vs Imperial

- Want this on youtube! I'll see it one way or the other anyways.

2) Dinamic Black & Tonatiuh vs Alan Extreme & Comando Negro

- Tonatiwho??? I want to see this just to see what kind of wacky outfit he'll have and to see if we can figure out which rookie he was in the IWRG vs Queretaro Torneo from a few months back.

3) Oficial 911, Oficial AK47, Oficial Fierro vs Avisman, El Hijo del Diablo, Gringo Loco

- Ugh, they had to put this in the dead spot for TV! Curse you IWRG!

4) Black Terry, Chico Che, Jack vs Cerebro Negro, Maldito Jr., Samot

- Confusing booking. I guess we're all turning on Cerebro Negro again? Maybe Black Terry helps him out to set up a tag vs Maldito and Samot next week?

5) el Ángel, Rayo de Jalisco Jr., Scorpio Jr. vs Hijo de Pirata Morgan, Universo 2000, Veneno

- YUCK!