AAA On FOX – May 9, 2026: Clown Town? (Includes Full Video)
AAA On FOX
Date: May 9, 2026
Location: Auditorio General Jose Maria Arteaga, Queretaro, Mexico
Commentators: Corey Graves, Rey Mysterio, John Bradshaw Layfield
The focus is on the tag division here as we have the face to face showdown between Pagano and Psycho Clown. This comes after someone has been going after the Psycho Circus and Clown thinks Pagano has been behind the whole thing. I’m not sure where that is going but it is quite the story. Let’s get to it.
They circle each other to start and we get a triple (Or is it double?) headlock. Dorado is sent outside so Octagon kicks del Toro in the head. Del Toro is back with a kick to the head of his own and a Prism Trap with a bodyscissors goes on. Dorado comes back in for the save but gets punched by del Toro.
With del Toro sent outside, Dorado hits an Asai moonsault into a cross armbreaker back inside. Octagon is back in with a springboard hurricanrana but del Toro pulls him outside. Dorado is taken out as well but Octagon is up with a dive onto del Toro. Back in and Octagon hits a slingshot hilo to del Toro but Dorado pulls him outside.
Dorado and Octagon slug it out until Dorado hits a handspring Stunner. They all trade kicks to the head until Octagon gives del Toro a super flipping World’s Strongest Slam. Del Toro is back up with a Coast To Coast to Octagon but Dorado breaks it up with a shooting star press. A brainbuster to del Toro gives Dorado the pin at 9:38.
Rating: B. This was the kind of match that was hardly making things complicated, as it was all about three people getting in as much as they could in about ten minutes. I’m not sure if this is going to go anywhere from here but Dorado looked rather good here. Then again so did the other two, making for a rather entertaining opener.
Chessman goes to see about the GM position but runs into Dorian Roldan. While Roldan doesn’t think Chessman should waste his time, Chessman blows him off and heads into the office.
La Catalina vs. Jessy Jackson
Hold on though as here is Flammer to watch at ringside. Jackson’s early wristlock doesn’t work as Catalina rides her on the mat and snaps off some armdrags. A running dropkick sends Jackson outside for a running flip dive off the apron. Back in and Catalina misses a shot and gets caught with a dropkick against the ropes.
Jackson chops away in the corner but Catalina dropkicks her into another corner. The running hip attack gets two and a running knee drops Jackson again. Jackson is right back with the running knees in the corner for two but Catalina hip attacks her in the ropes. A spinning top rope splash finishes Jackson at 7:34.
Rating: C. I wasn’t sold on this one, as Catalina is certainly the next big hope to stop Flammer’s reign, but it doesn’t do much good when it took her seven and a half minutes to beat someone who I don’t believe has actually been on this show before. Catalina is talented but she didn’t really look dominant here. The women’s division has been kind of a weak spot for AAA since I started watching and this wasn’t doing much to change that.
Post match Catalina and Flammer have a staredown until Las Toxicas run in for the beatdown. Lola Vice makes a failed save attempt but Bayley runs in for the real save.
We look at Galeno del Mal and El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. taking out Omos last week.
We look at last week’s Grande Americano contract signing and post match attack from the Creed Brothers.
We recap the Psycho Circus being attacked over the last few months. Psycho Clown thinks Pagano might have done it, despite the two of them being Tag Team Champions.
Psycho is in the ring and says this is why he is here tonight. He wants answers and wants to see Pagano face to face. Pagano comes down and Psycho says their brothers have been taken out one by one. Psycho found a Pagano bandanna next to Murder Clown and his heart is broken. What is going on here?
Pagano talks about everything they have done together and now Psycho is accusing him of attacking his own brothers? This is a game and Pagano understands why Psycho thinks he did it. Psycho needs to take a look in the mirror though, because it wasn’t Pagano. He isn’t the kind of person who would turn his back on his family.
Psycho doesn’t seem convinced but leaves, with Pagano yelling at him to stop. Pagano says Psycho will find out that it wasn’t him but here are the War Raiders to jump Psycho. Pagano makes the save and they leave separately, with commentary suggesting that Psycho might have done it (which Pagano may have suggested) to end the show.
Overall Rating: C+. The big showdown at the end was the featured attraction here and that went pretty well. The best thing I can say about the Psycho/Pagano story is I don’t know who is behind the attacks and I want to find out. I’d call that good storytelling, which is a nice feature to go with the fast paced opener. Not a great show here, but the big story went well.
Results
Lince Dorado b. Octagon and Cruz del Toro – Brainbuster to del Toro
La Catalina b. Jessy Jackson – Spinning top rope splash
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AAA On FOX – April 11, 2026: The Fans Like It (Includes Full Show)
AAA On FOX
Date: April 11, 2026
Location: Gimnasio Olimpico Juan de la Barrera, Mexico City, Mexico
Commentators: Corey Graves, Rey Mysterio, John Bradshaw Layfield
We’re back to a fresh show after last week’s taped post-Rey de Reyes event. This week is big enough, as we have Flammer’s Reina de Reinas celebration, but the bigger deal is Penta defending the Intercontinental Title for the first time in AAA. That’s quite the big deal and that has me interested so let’s get to it.
We’re starting with Flammer’s record setting Reina de Reinas celebration, with the other members of Las Toxicas handling her introduction. We get a video on her title reign, with various comments from celebrities/wrestlers praising the accomplishments. Back in the arena, Flammer says she doesn’t know these people but they’re beneath her.
She beat Bayley and others, but she also wants to thank the Mexican women she stepped on to get here. She has beaten everyone and her coronation will never end. We cut to a pink car and La Catalina is here. This gets quite the reaction and she praises Flammer, but says Flammer has never faced someone like her. Flammer is sent into the cake and gets cleared out as Catalina looks at the title. Catalina was in CMLL as of about two weeks ago so this is quite the fast turnaround.
Octagon vs. Original El Grande Americano
They trade legsweeps and get a near fall each until Americano chops him into the corner. Octagon climbs the corner for a dropkick and nails the suicide dive to the floor. An Asai moonsault misses though and Americano hits a running shoulder. Back in and Americano teases going after the mask but Octagon gives him an enziguri. Something like a top rope Vader Bomb hits raised boots and Americano suplexes him into the corner. Americano misses the moonsault but ties up the legs and takes off Octagon’s mask. The ankle lock makes Octagon tap at 5:28.
Rating: C+. They only had so much time here and the bigger deal was Americano going after the mask. That’s quite the big deal in lucha libre and Rey Mysterio was NOT cool with it on commentary. At the same time, this seems like a setup for the mask vs. mask match with the other El Grande Americano and that should be good.
Post match some singers are interviewed by Americano goes after them. He goes after the interviewer as well and here is El Grande Americano for the brawl. Security can only keep them apart for so long as the fans certainly approve.
Intercontinental Title: El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Penta
Vikingo, with Dorian Roldan, is challenging. They trade poses to start until Vikingo has to elbow his way out of a waistlock. Penta kicks him in the ribs to break up a handstand but Viking grabs a headscissors out to the floor. Vikingo’s dive is cut off with a gorilla press onto the announcers’ table but he hits a dropkick off of said table to put Penta down again.
Back in and Penta gets superkicked for two and Vikingo bites Penta’s boot. Penta is right back up with a reverse Sling Blade as the fans are way into this. The Penta Driver is blocked and Vikingo ties him in the ropes for a top rope double stomp. They forearm it out from their knees and then their feet until Penta’s dropkick breaks up a handspring. Vikingo sends him into the corner for the running knees but the inverted 450 is countered into a powerbomb for two (sweet).
They head out to the apron for the exchange of chops until Vikingo snaps off a poisonrana. A running shooting star hits Penta again but here are the battling Americanos again. Penta uses the distraction to hit a dive and a Penta Driver gets two. Roldan pulls Penta’s leg and gets ejected but Vikingo grabs the belt. Cue Mini Vikingo to to take it away though, allowing Penta to hit the springboard Mexican Destroyer to retain at 13:39.
Rating: B. They had a hot match here, which shouldn’t be a surprise whatsoever. As you might have guessed, this was much more about getting the title on a AAA show rather than having the title be in any kind of jeopardy. That’s perfectly fine as Vikingo is a big deal and this checked pretty much all of the necessary boxes.
Post match the Vikingos stare at each other again but here are Los Americanos to keep up their brawl on the floor. They head inside and break away from security but are finally held apart. Americano says this has to end and it should be eye for eye, tooth for tooth and mask vs. mask. Original seemed to be in to wrap things up.
Overall Rating: B-. This was more of an angle heavy show with the Americanos stuff getting some red hot crowd reactions. The main event was good and the Flammer/Catalina stuff served its purpose. This show wasn’t so much about what was happening here but rather what it was setting up, which is a fine way to go every so often. Good enough show here, with the crowd going nuts over the Americanos stuff.
Results
Original El Grande Americano b. Octagon – Ankle lock
Penta b. El Hijo del Vikingo – Springboard Mexican Destroyer
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Rey de Reyes 2013
Date: March 17, 2013
Location: Plaza de Toros Monumental Lorenzo Garza, Monterrey, Mexico
Attendance: 10,000
Commentators: Jesus Zuniga, Andres Maronas
This is another request from…oh about thirteen years ago and I needed to get to it sooner or later. This is from AAA, with the main event being the show’s namesake tournament final for a really big sword. To have a final we need to have some qualifying matches though and that’s the meat of the show. Let’s get to it.
Keep in mind that the commentary is in Spanish so I’m kind of flying blind.
Fusion Title: Fenix vs. Crazy Boy vs. Daga vs. Juventud Guerrera
Elimination match for the inaugural title. Daga kicks away at Fenix to start but can’t get very far before handing it off to Guerrera and Boy. An exchange of superkicks sets up an exchange of chops before they’re both pulled outside. That lets Daga and Fenix slide in for a dive each before all four get back inside. Guerrera takes over until Fenix is back with a double springboard dropkick.
Daga kicks away at Boy, who is back with a Zig Zag for two. Guerrera comes back in to steal a rollup for two but Daga kicks everyone down. Daga Death Valley Drivers Guerrera on the apron but Fenix is up with a big corkscrew dive. Back in and Boy rolls Guerrera up for two, only for Daga to give Boy a middle rope Canadian Destroyer for the elimination at 7:45.
Guerrera clotheslines Daga for two and Fenix is back in to drop Daga with a springboard flipping Stunner. Fenix sends Guerrera into the corner and hits a top rope double stomp, with Daga getting the pin at 8:58. We’re down to Daga vs. Fenix with Fenix grabbing a Michinoku Driver for two but Daga’s tiger suplex gets the same. Daga heads up top but gets pulled down with a super Spanish Fly for the title at 10:37.
Rating: C+. This was good enough with a fast paced four way, including Fenix and Daga getting to do their rather impressive stuff. It’s nothing that hasn’t been done better, but for an opening match, I’ve seen far worse. Granted the Fusion Title wouldn’t wind up meaning much, as Fenix would hold it for about a year and a half before it was unified with the Cruiserweight Title.
Post match some women come down to present the title, despite having some serious issues dealing with the steps. Fenix celebrates with the title and fist bumps Daga for the respect.
Fenix seems happy with his win.
Daga doesn’t seem happy with his loss.
Los Inferno Rockers vs. Los Psycho Circus
The Circus’ Six Man Titles aren’t on the line. That would be Devil Rocker/Machine Rocker/Soul Rocker vs. Monster Clown/Murder Clown/Psycho Clown and you might know Machine as The Beast Mortos. The Rockers come out with a table while the Circus comes out with a bunch of circus acts. The Rockers jump them to start but gets sent outside for the dives, with a Rocker dive being pulled out of the air by Murder. He holds up I believe Soul so the other two Clowns can dropkick him down for a cool looking spot.
The other Rockers get back inside and manage to dump Murder but wind up hitting each other by mistake. Monster ties up Devil in quite the hold until Soul makes the save. Psycho is back in to sunset flip Soul for two and we settle down to Devil chopping at Murder. This doesn’t work in the slightest as Murder just destroys him with a Last Ride. Machine and Soul come in to cut Murder off and it’s back to Psycho to clean house. Monster is sent outside for a running flip dive, leaving Murder to gorilla press Devil. The table is brought in and a middle rope triple bomb puts Monster through the table for the pin at 8:15.
Rating: C+. This was the usual six man brawl and it was good enough while it lasted. The Clowns were a team who worked well together and that’s why they would be around for such a long time. On the other hand you have the Rockers, who I don’t think I’ve seen before but were a nice group of….I think villains? It’s not entirely clear but they worked either way.
Post match the Rockers beat up a smaller clown because they’re not that nice.
Rey de Reyes Qualifying Match: El Mesias vs. Heavy Metal vs. Octagon vs. La Parka vs. La Parka Negra vs. Pentagon Jr.
Elimination rules and Pentagon Jr. is better known as Penta. For the sake of simplicity we’ll go with “Parka” and “Negra” to differentiate the skeleton guys. Thankfully there are tags here and it’s Mesias starting with Metal. They go to the mat with Mesias working on the arm with Metal armdragging him away without much trouble. Another armbar sends Metal over to the ropes before he grabs his own armbar, with Mesias going to the ropes.
It’s off to the two Parkas, with the fans certainly approving. Negra misses a kick to the face and gets kneed down, allowing Parka to fire off some right hands. Pentagon charges into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker before Octagon comes in for one of his own. It’s back to Negra to help Pentagon with Octagon and a double stomp What’s Up finishes Octagon off at 6:31. Metal comes in and gets taken down with a quick Sling Blade, allowing Pentagon to stomp away. A quick la majistral gives Metal the pin on Pentagon at 8:23 to get us down to four.
Mesias can’t powerbomb Metal so instead it’s a pair of spears for the pin at 9:22. Parka and Mesias double team Negra in the corner until Mesias is sent outside. Parka’s clothesline gets two on Negra and Mesias adds a top rope elbow for the double pin at 10:50. That leaves us with Parka vs. Mesias and they slowly slug it out until Mesias hits an enziguri. Parka is right back with a reverse DDT for two, followed by a flapjack for the same. Mesias avoids a charge in the corner and hits a Downward Spiral for two of his own, followed by a Backstabber for the pin at 14:37.
Rating: C+. There is only so much you can get out of a six way match as there are so many people moving around. The tags helped a lot, though the eliminations didn’t exactly have a ton of drama. It was more like “this guy is gone and this guy is gone and then this guy wins”. That’s only getting you so far and hopefully the other two matches don’t go the exact same way.
Post match respect is shown.
Rey de Reyes Qualifying Match: Villano IV vs. Psicosis vs. Jack Evans vs. Drago vs. Chessman vs. LA Park
Elimination rules again. It’s a brawl to start with Drago getting at least double teamed, including a powerbomb dropped into a Codebreaker. Chessman comes back in for the save but gets kicked in the face by Evans. Park comes back in so Evans uses him as a launchpad for a hurricanrana and flipping splash to Chessman. We settle down to Villano armdragging Psicosis to the floor but getting dropkicked by Drago.
It’s off to Park, who sends Drago to the apron and stops to dance, but catches a diving Drago and dances again. Fenix sends Park outside and it’s time for the series of dives, with Evans diving onto the rest of the pile. Back in and Drago kicks away at Psicosis before rolling him up for the first elimination at 4:57. Chessman comes in and powerbombs Drago, followed by a backbreaker for the elimination at 5:41.
Villano comes in with a rolling headbutt to Chessman but gets knocked down by Evans. The standing corkscrew moonsault gets two on Villano, who powerbombs Evans for the pin at 6:33. Park knocks Villano down and goes up but gets knocked off by Chessman. The ensuing moonsault misses though and Villano covers Chessman for two. Park is back in with a chair to Chessman though and Villano grabs a small package for the pin at 7:50.
We’re down to Park vs. Villano and the referee takes Park’s chair away. Villano shoulders him down for two, followed by Park’s DDT getting the same. They slug it out from their knees and Villano rips Park’s mask apart. A Stunner gives Villano two but Park grabs a Backstabber and hammers away for the final pin at 11:23.
Rating: B-. This match felt like it had more star power involved and that helped a bit. Park certainly feels like a bigger name and the fans seemed to be rather happy with the result. The match felt similar to the opener with the rapid fire eliminations, but that’s kind of what you have to do in something like this. It’s not a great match, but it’s certainly not boring.
Marisela Pena, the widow of company founder Antonio Pena, makes a big announcement: AAA will be split into two groups. Going forward, AAA Fusion will be the group in Mexico while AAA Evolution will be in the United States.
Rey de Reyes Qualifying Match: El Hijo del Perro Aguayo vs. Electroshock vs. Cibernetico vs. Canek vs. Silver King vs. Toscano
One more time with the elimination rules. Cibernetico stomps on Aguayo to start and knocks him out to the floor. Canek and King come in but Electroshock takes Canek’s place and hammers on King. Toscano adds a missile dropkick to King and Electroshock’s cutter gets rid of King at 1:50. Well that was quick. Canek comes back in to shoulder Toscano over but gets dropped with a missile dropkick. A suplex and elbow drop finish Toscano off at 3:13.
Aguayo is back in to chair Cibernetico in the head and stomp away before grabbing a table. Cibernetico is able to slam him through the table instead and then chairs Aguayo in the head. Security comes out to break it up and it seems that they’re both eliminated at around 7:30. Canek clotheslines Electroshock and hits a side slam for the win at 8:05.
Rating: D+. This felt like a way to get Canek into the tournament final despite him not exactly doing much. That being said, the point of Canek is to have a legend in the finals and that worked well enough. The Aguayo and Cibernetico brawl was good enough, but that was pretty much the only interesting spot.
Earlier today, three wrestlers sat down together and talked for a bit. And unfortunately that’s about all I can give you.
Faby Apache, Lufisto and Taya are ready to win the Reina de Reinas.
Reina de Reinas Title: Lufisto vs. Mari Apache vs. Taya vs. Faby Apache
Elimination match (of course) for the vacant title. Faby gets triple teamed to start but she manages to dropkick Lufisto outside. Mari hits Taya by mistake and Faby takes Mari down with a running hurricanrana. Taya and Lufisto have a staredown, with Lufisto kicking her in the head for two as Mari makes a save. Mari kicks Lufisto down and drop toeholds Faby, setting up a surfboard. Taya runs back in to cover Mari for two before rolling Mari up for two more. Lufisto is back in to choke Mari out for the elimination at 5:17.
Taya northern lights suplexes Faby for two and cuts her off again with a big boot. Taya’s moonsault misses though and a Fairy Tale Ending gets rid of her at 7:11. Lufisto is back in with a reverse chinlock to Faby, who comes back with some running shoulders. They knock each other down until Faby charges into a Downward Spiral into the corner.
The cannonball and a running boot connect in the corner to give Lufist two but Faby is back with a German suplex. Lufisto’s Saito suplex gets two more but Faby catches her up top. A Tree Of Woe double stomp gives Lufisto two more, only for Faby to grab a dragon suplex out of nowhere for the pin and the title at 11:49.
Rating: C. I have seen a lot of Faby Apache over the years and I just do not get the appeal. She’s technically fine but I’ve never gotten any kind of attachment to her. There wasn’t much to this one as the first to were eliminated and then Faby got beaten up until she snapped off a suplex to win. I wasn’t into this and that is the case a lot of the time that this title is involved.
In the back, Faby is happy with her win.
Video on Cibernetico and El Hijo de Perro Aguayo, who seem to still be fighting backstage. I’m not sure if this is supposed to be a package from before or if this is after their pull apart brawl earlier, though I think it’s the latter. Apparently Aguayo demanded a hair vs. hair match and got his request. This would go on to headline TripleMania a few months later so it was absolutely the biggest story in the company.
We look at Mega Champion Texano Jr. sitting down and going face to face with challenger Blue Demon Jr. I believe Demon says he’s going for the title and they seem to argue about their fathers. Either way, the title match is on.
Mega Title: Texano Jr. vs. Blue Demon Jr.
Texano is defending and they chop it out to start. Demon takes him down and starts working on the leg before grabbing a bow and arrow. That’s broken up and Texano goes after the leg, with Demon getting out just as fast. Now it’s Demon working on the leg, including something like a Lasso From El Paso. With that not lasting long, they trade legsweeps for two each and then trade chops.
Texano is knocked outside for the baseball slide and then the suicide dive to the back to leave them both down. Back in and Demon hits a running shoulder in the corner but gets knocked outside, with Texano hitting a dive of his own. They head back inside, with a fireman’s carry backbreaker giving Texano two, so he yells at the referee. A Codebreaker gets two more as Demon gets a foot on the rope and he reverses a powerbomb into a hurricanrana for two.
Demon catches him on top for a super hurricanrana, followed by a DDT for two more. Demon’s lifting Pedigree gets another near fall and he ties up Texano’s leg, while pulling on a double underhook at the same time (that’s a weird one but it has to hurt). That’s reversed into an ankle lock but Demon kicks his way out, meaning it’s time for more chops in the corner. Texano goes up and gets armdragged back down and they both need a breather. The referee almost gets bumped before Demon hits another lifting Pedigree. Demon tries another but gets reversed into an Air Raid Crash to retain the title at 16:36.
Rating: B-. It felt like a big showdown, but it never hit that higher gear. That being said, title matches aren’t as important in Mexico so it isn’t that big of a surprise that it was just good instead of some blow away match. Texano has grown on me over the years and Demon is better than I remember him, so this was a nice showdown. If nothing else, it was nice to have a singles match for a change.
Post match Demon seems to want a title vs. mask match at TripleMania but Texano isn’t interested. That match didn’t wind up happening.
In the back, Demon seems upset by his loss.
Texano is a bit happier with the result.
Rey de Reyes: El Mesias vs. Canek vs. LA Park
Elimination rules. Canek gets double teamed to start fast, with Mesias punching him in the face and Park hitting a running boot to the chest. Park starts untying Canek’s mask before turning on Mesias. Canek gets a double arm crank on Park but a rope is reached for a fast break. Mesias is back up with a running corner clothesline but Parka takes off his belt for a whipping. Canek is back in to drop Park and grab a Figure Four on Mesias, with park using a chair to make the save.
Park chairs both of them down but Canek catches Park with a kick to the face out of the corner. A middle rope elbow connects, with Mesias pulling the referee. Park rips Canek’s mask off and gets the pin at 6:42. So it’s Mesias vs. Park, with the two of them colliding to give Mesias an early two. Park gets a Backstabber in the ropes for two of his own and it’s time to strut. A charge hits the post though and Mesias hits a middle rope hurricanrana to the floor.
Mesias follows with a SCARY running flip dive (as he basically stops flipping and is upside down as he crashes into Park) and they go back inside, where Park knocks him down again. A running boot sends Mesias outside, with Park getting in a running knee from the apron. Back in and Park gets crotched on top and a super Codebreaker brings him back down. The delayed cover gets two so Park takes him up top, where Mesias reverses into…I have no idea. Either way, they come crashing down and Mesias is up first with a top rope splash for the pin at 15:38.
Rating: C+. It was another case of the match being fine but not exactly great. I’m guessing that was supposed to be a super Spanish Fly at the end, but they really just kind of crashed down. The match didn’t feel like some kind of a big showdown, though Mesias feels like a big star and having him win an important competition is a good idea. All in all, just an ok final, with Canek not adding much.
Post match Mesias is presented with the sword for winning the tournament. Celebrating ends the show.
Overall Rating: C+. There were good parts in here, but the bigger issue here was a lack of variety. Save for one match, everything was an elimination match with some not so thrilling eliminations. That didn’t make for the most thrilling show and while it did feel important to have Mesias win the tournament and setting up Aguayo vs. Cibernetico, a lot of the show felt like it just came and went. Not bad, but nothing memorable whatsoever.
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TripleMania XXI
Date: June 16, 2013
Location: Arena Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
So this is the result of a deal I made twelve years ago to get a vote in a popularity contest on a wrestling forum. Yes I remembered the show this long and yes I’m just getting around to it. As usual I have no idea what to expect around here but that can make for some fun situations. Or a total disaster. Let’s get to it.
Note that I did not follow AAA at this point and my Spanish is bad at best so I apologize for not getting a lot of this stuff right.
Commentary, in Spanish, welcomes us to the show.
The opening video looks at TripleMania over the years, with various people offering thoughts.
We get the presentation of Antonio Pena’s urn, as always.
Dinastia/El Elegido/Faby Apache/Pimpinela Escarlata vs. Mamba/Mini Abismo Negro/Silver Kain/Taya
Escarlata tries to kiss the referee and we’re ready to go (with a whistle, as this company is a bit different). Mamba and Escarlata pull hair to start and have to be dragged away from each other. Kain drops Escarlata with a slap and gets kissed as a result, meaning it’s time to panic. Taya comes in and Negro hits her in the face by mistake, allowing Escarlata to clean house without much trouble.
Elegido (who seems to be a stripper) comes in, much to Mamba’s approval, and avoids a crossbody, allowing him to kick Mamba in the ribs. Kain accidentally dropkicks Taya and Elegido almost loses his trunks on a sunset flip from Mamba. After some hip swiveling, it’s off to Dinastia and Negro, with the former walking on his (own) hands and armdragging Negro to the floor.
The rest of Negro’s team gets headscissored as well but Kain is back up with a clothesline. Dinastia gets out of the Tree Of Woe and dropkicks Kain to the floor, setting up a suicide dive. That leaves Taya to come in and stun Apache (who finally does something), allowing for some triple stomping. Escarlata comes in and gets beaten down in Apache’s place, with Dinastia getting the same treatment.
Apache finally manages a pop up hurricanrana and Dinastia is back in with a kick to the back of Taya’s tights. Dinastia moonsaults onto Negro, setting off a train of dives. Even Taya moonsaults onto all of them before coming back in to powerbomb Apache. The moonsault hits raised knees though and Apache tiger suplexes her for the pin at 12:45.
Rating: C+. This is a case where I really don’t get the appeal, but the people in the audience certainly did. Escarlata has been doing this for a very long time and the fans seem to love the shtick so it’s hard to argue. Other than that, you got some nice flipping and it’s easy to see why Taya was a star for so long. She has that charisma to her and a great evil smile which worked very well.
Antonio Pena’s widow is presented to the crowd.
Heavy Metal vs. Chessman
For a Mega Title shot later tonight and Chessman jumps him before the whistle. Some chair shots have Metal in more trouble and a suplex gets two. Metal is back up with some clotheslines but Chessman heads outside and grabs a table. Another chair shot keeps Metal down and Chessman kicks at a cameraman as a bonus. Metal manages to knock him outside for a flip dive but Chessman hits a spear through the ropes to send Metal through the table.
Back in and a hanging swinging suplex gives Chessman two and it’s time for a ladder. A miniature wrestler is brought in and thrown at Metal, allowing Chessman to spear him through the ladder. The mini makes the save and gets a mini guitar smashed over his head, leaving Chessman to sitout powerbomb Metal for two. A backbreaker gets two but Chessman misses the corkscrew moonsault. Metal grabs la majistral (and not a great one) for the pin at 8:36.
Rating: D+. In theory this was a regular match but they had all kinds of weapons and some interference thrown in, which made it quite the mess. Metal barely had any offense until the end, when he won with a fluke rollup. Maybe the story plays out better if you know how we got here, but the match itself really didn’t work.
Tag Team Titles: Los Mexican Power vs. Angelico/Jack Evans vs. Drago/Fenix vs. Los Perros del Mal vs. Los Mamitos vs. Drago/Fenix
Elimination match for the vacant titles, Mexican Power is Crazy Boy/Joe Lider (escorted by a bunch of dancers), Los Perros are Daga/Psicosis and Los Mamitos are Mr. E (Eric Escobar) and Sexy Boy, who are escorted to the ring by some women. Angelico and Evans clean house to start but Power fights out of the corner with some cutters. The Mamitos comes back in to take over but the Perros cut them off.
Fenix and Drago get to take over, only for Angelico and Evans to kick them down as the circle of control continues. Angelico and Evans pile up five people so Angelico can hit a top rope splash. A big flip dive drops Fenix and Drago, but Los Mamitos catch Angelico with a powerbomb/neckbreaker combination for the elimination at 6:04.
Psicosis and Daga’s dives are cut off with chairs to the head but Power takes over on Los Mamitos back inside. Fenix and Drago get to clean house though and a double top rope double stomp pins Sexy Boy at 9:18 to get us down to three. Lider is back in with a running dropkick to Fenix and a bunch of chairs are brought in. Crazy Boy and Psicosis strike it out until Lider pulls Crazy outside. Crazy is draped over the barricade for a big dive from Psicosis, leaving everyone to get back inside to….well just beat on each other a lot.
A Spanish Fly takes Daga from the apron to the floor, leaving Crazy to reverse Death Valley Driver Psicosis for the pin at 14:08. So we’re down to Power vs. Fenix/Drago with Fenix hitting a big dive. Drago’s running Death Valley Driver into the corner gets two on Crazy and Lider’s neckbreaker gets the same on Fenix.
Back up and Fenix’s Canadian Destroyer gets two on Crazy, who sends Fenix outside. Power’s friend Nino Hamburguesa’s dive is cut off with a kick to the head, leaving Fenix’s springboard spinning dive to…well kind of connect. Hamburguesa dives onto Lider and Fenix and Drago runs Crazy over for two. Back up and Crazy grabs a full nelson and flips Drago forward into a rollup for the titles at 20:14.
Rating: C. It was long, there were a lot of people in it, and there was very little in the way of the match moving from one section to another. There is only so much you can do with so many moving parts and this wasn’t exactly worthwhile. As usual, there were some fun spots and the people are athletic, but I could have gone with a bit more structure.
Post match Vampiro comes out to present the new champions with their titles. Konnan comes out to address the fans and gets in Vampiro’s face but security separates them. Vampiro argues back and some shoving ensues until Konnan leaves.
Jeff Jarrett/Matt Morgan/Monster Pain vs. Los Psycho Circus
For the sake of simplicity, Monster Clown is “Monster” and Monster Pain is “Pain”. Monster Pain is led around by chains and looks a bit like Abyss. The Circus is Monster Clown, Murder Clown and Psycho Clown. Jeff (with Karen) seems to throw out tortillas to the fans and has to hold Karen back from arguing with someone. This seems to be about the USA vs. Mexico, because they’re psychotic clowns, but they’re PATRIOTIC psychotic clowns.
The Clowns start fast with stereo dives through the ropes, followed by a big dive off the top to the floor. We settle down to Murder and Morgan, with the former winning an exchange of shoulders. That’s enough to send Morgan outside so it’s off to Psycho vs. Jarrett. The Clowns take over on Jarrett and clothesline him to the floor so it’s Pain coming in to clear the ring with some big boots.
The villains take over on Monster and send him outside before ramming Psycho into the corner for two. Monster is sent outside, where he goes after another woman with Jarrett and company, earning a belt shot from a man whose name might be Richard Negrin. Back in and the Clowns give Morgan a triple low blow (that seems so excessive) before Murder jumps onto Pain’s elevated ribs.
Negrin comes in and gets beaten up as Karen goes after Antonio Pena’s widow. This goes as well as you would think, with Karen’s hair being messed up and a soda being poured onto her as a bonus. Karen gets brought inside where the Clowns put a witch’s hat on her and Psycho seems to give her a kiss. Another woman in the villains’ corner is brought in and given a three Clown What’s Up. Morgan and Pain come back in to wreck everything though, with a chokeslam finishing Murder at 11:46.
Rating: C+. This feels like a match where a backstory would have helped (granted, not the promotion’s fault as commentary was likely explaining it) as there were a lot of people running around doing all kinds of things here. The ending wasn’t exactly great though, as the Clowns were on a roll and then just lost out of nowhere. Jarrett was quite the heat magnet and it’s no shock he was such a big heel in Mexico.
Post match Psycho’s mask is ripped off for quite the heat.
Mega Title: Heavy Metal vs. El Texano Jr.
Texano is defending, with Pepe Casas and Silver Kain as the seconds. They go to the mat to start, with Texano grabbing an early leglock. The hold stays on as they roll outside, where Metal has to block a posting. Back in and Texano works on the leg, including wrapping it around the rope in the corner.
A bullrope shot to the leg sets up another leglock, with Metal going to the rope for the break. Metal gets kicked in the face but he comes back with a hurricanrana for two but Texano’s small package gets the same. Metal’s crossface (minus the crossface part, as he’s pulling the hair instead) sends Texano over to the rope so Metal drops a middle rope elbow for two instead.
A superplex gets the same but a top rope backsplash misses to give Texano an opening. Texano goes up this time, only to get dropkicked out to the floor. Metal is right there with a top rope flip dive, followed by a super hurricanrana back inside. A cross armbreaker doesn’t last long but another super hurricanrana is countered into a super Styles Clash to retain the title at 11:45.
Rating: C+. The ending was good and it makes sense that Texano would survive with the title as he was coming in with an advantage due to Metal wrestling twice. At the end of the day, it was a decent match, but it’s not like titles mean much around here. That’s just something that you have to get used to, as it’s such a different way to go from American wrestling.
Post match Texano goes to leave but gets cut off by Ray Mendoza Jr. (an unmasked Villano V). They get back in the ring and argue a lot, with Mendoza seemingly not thinking much of Texano. It seems we have a challenge and that’s that.
Abismo Negro is inducted into the Hall Of Fame, with his family accepting on his behalf.
Latin American Title: Blue Demon Jr. vs. El Mesias
For the vacant title. They go to the mat to start with Mesias working on the arm to little avail. Demon reverses into a leglock, which is quickly broken up and the grappling ensues again. Mesias grabs a headlock on the mat before sending him outside for the running flip dive. That means more stalling, as they aren’t exactly going at full speed thus far.
Back in and Mesias cuts him off again, followed by some slow chops in the corner. Demon comes back with a bulldog but takes too long going up, allowing Mesias to pull him back down. A running flip dive off the apron works a bit better for Demon and a suplex gets two back inside.
Mesias’ spear gets two, followed by a snap powerslam for the same. Demon DDTs him for two but Mesias catches him on top with a superplex for two more. Some raised boots cut off a diving Mesias and a lifting Pedigree gives Demon two. A super hurricanrana gives Demon another two and the weird non-turned over Sharpshooter makes Mesias give up at 18:55.
Rating: B-. This is the first match that felt like it mattered and came off like something big. It made for a good match as Demon can work well with anyone, as he certainly had the talent. Mesias was around for a long time in a variety of places, but he didn’t shine nearly as well as Demon did here.
Post match LA Park, the former champion, interrupts and…seems to acknowledge Demon as the champion. All three show respect.
Dr. Wagner Jr./Electroshock/La Parka/Octagon vs. Canek/Mascara Ano 2000/Universo 2000/Villano IV
Wagner and Canek start things off with Wagner’s headlock not getting him anywhere. Canek monkey flips him over so Electroshock starts in on the arm to no avail. Everything breaks down and it’s Wagner getting beaten down, followed by Electroshock taking a beating of his own. Parka gets double teamed as well as Dorian Roldan comes to ringside with a chair.
It’s back to Electroshock getting beaten up, with both his and Parka’s masks being untied. Octagon gets taken down and elbowed but manages to fight back, as does Electroshock. Canek and Wagner slug it out, with Wagner going for Canek’s mask. Parka gets the chair to fight back and we settle down to Ano missing a charge at Wagner. Ano gets low bridged to the floor and Wagner poses a lot, followed by a basement dropkick to Universo.
Villano comes in to knock Parka down but the 2000s comes in and chop Villano by mistake (Parks shakes their hands for the help). It’s off to Octagon vs. Ano, with Universo knocking Ano down in another error. Electroshock comes in to backsplash Canek for two, with the save allowing Canek to work on the arms.
Wagner hits a flip dive off the apron and Octagon dropkicks Ano as everything breaks down. That leaves Canek to tie up Octagon’s arms for two but Parka knocks Villano to the floor for a suicide dive. Canek’s Cactus Clothesline sends Electroshock to the floor and it’s off to Wagner vs. Universo. A chair is brought in but Universo doesn’t want it, which brings in Roldan to slap him in the face. Electroshock cutters Roldan and it’s a Wagner Driver to give Wagner the pin on Universo at 23:06.
Rating: C+. There wasn’t much in the way of tagging here, but it did tell a story with the villains dividing and conquering. The ending felt like a big deal with Roldan getting beaten up, as it came off like a turn for Universo. It certainly wasn’t boring and that’s more than you can ask for a lot of the matches on this show.
We get a special tribute to Hector Garza, who passed away less than a month before this show.
El Hijo del Perro Aguayo vs. Cibernetico
Hair vs. hair match with Daga/Psicosis and Dark Cuervo here as well. Aguayo jumps him on the floor to start fast before taking him inside for the corner choking. Cibernetico is already busted open and a ram into the post makes it worse. Some chairs are loaded up, with one of them smashing Cibernetico in the head. A bunch of tables are set up, with Aguayo being sent through one of them to start the comeback.
The seconds come in to help with the beating before Aguayo is sent over the barricade. Back in and Psicosis is piledriven onto a chair, with the medics getting beaten up as well. Thankfully some of the tables are thrown outside, with Daga being chokeslammed through one of them. Cibernetico’s spear gets two and he grabs a Stunner…but the referee gets bumped. Because THAT MATTERS IN A MATCH LIKE THIS.
A Boston crab makes Aguayo tap to no one, followed by…a Boston crab that makes him tap again. Cibernetico lets the hold go for no apparent reason and Aguyao kicks him low, as another referee (who saw the kick) counts two off a small package. Cibernetico’s low blow gets two more and a chokeslam through a table gets the same. A tombstone is loaded up but the referee yells at Cibernetico, earning a tombstone himself. Aguyao gets up and sends Cibernetico through another table and then double stomps the table onto him for the pin at 17:18.
Rating: D. Yeah this didn’t work, with the no selling and the violence and all that stuff just not clicking. It was one of those matches where they both got beaten up so much in the end that it was hard to accept one of them surviving. They were going with the insanity and it made for a rough match, especially with the match going so long. Not a good main event.
Post match Cibernetico gets his hair cut, even doing some of it himself. Aguyao celebrates and someone much younger gets their head shaved too.
Overall Rating: C. There is such a culture shock between what American fans tend to see and what they get here. While the main event dragged it down, the rest of the show was at least decent with the athleticism being rather good. I can also accept that I didn’t get a lot of the show due to the language barrier. The backstories here could have helped a good bit, though what we got was good enough. It felt like a big show and I did enjoy enough of it, so we’ll call it acceptable.
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WWE Vault – Lucha Libre Hidden Gems: That’s A Very Loose Translation (Full Show Included)
Lucha Libre Hidden Gems Collection
Commentators: Mike Tenay, Scott Hudson, Jim Ross, Brian Pillman, Hugo Savinovich, Carlos Cabrera, Jim Cornette, Dio Maddin, Aiden English, Vic Joseph, Larry Zbyszko, Josh Matthews, Santino Marella
So here we have a look at one of the things that WCW really did right. The introduction of the cruiserweights, mainly those from Mexico, gave them a unique feeling and it made for some outstanding matches in the process. That should make for some interesting options here, as there were so many of these things that it’s easy to forget how great some of them were. Let’s get to it.
From WCW Saturday Night, May 8, 1999.
Psychosis vs. Blitzkrieg
Psychosis works on the arm to start as we hear about his Cruiserweight Title reign only lasting a week after being Blitzkrieg in a four way. Blitzkrieg slips out of a wristlock to start and sends Psychosis outside, meaning we get a quick breather. Back in and Blitzkrieg misses some dives, only to get kicked in the mask. The chinlock doesn’t last long and Blitzkrieg’s hurricanrana doesn’t work very well.
The fans get on the crooked referee Charles Robinson as Psychosis hits a quick hiptoss. An elbow sends Blitzkrieg into the ropes but he dropkicks Psychosis to the floor. That means a big running flip dive for the first really big spot, only for Psychosis to dropkick him out of the air back inside. A handspring elbow connects for Blitzkrieg but a top rope superplex is broken up. The guillotine legdrop finishes for Psychosis at 6:13.
Rating: C+. This feels more like a match that was included for the people involved, though I never got much out of Blitzkrieg. The big flip dive looked good, but it’s not like there was anything here that wasn’t done better by others. That being said, I always thought Psychosis was underrated so it was nice to see him get a win here.
From Shotgun Saturday Night, April 5, 1997.
Discovery/Ludxor/Super Nova/Venum vs. Abismo Negro/El Mosco/Histeria/Maniaco
The best known name here in America is Histeria, who would become known as Super Crazy. Nova and Maniaco start things off and of course the fans are chanting for USA. Maniaco faceplants him to start and hits an electric chair as commentary talks about Ken Shamrock. Nova is back up with a fireman’s carry slam into a slingshot elbow before Maniaco misses a charge into the post.
Brian Pillman, on commentary, says he would have no trouble putting these guys in custody if they messed with the school lunch program. I’m going to assume that’s a topical line as Ludxor comes in to take over on Mosco. We get a LENGTHY period of dead air on commentary as Ludxor clotheslines him out to the floor for a twisting dive, meaning it’s Negro coming in to kick Discovery down. Pillman: “Translation: he’s abysmally black.”
We’re clipped for a commercial to Venum knocking Histeria down and hitting a top rope hurricanrana. Histeria is sent outside for a big flipping dive before Nova grabs a spinning armdrag. Venum gets a hurricanrana and Negro hits a big running flip dive as even commentary is impressed with the athletics. Ludxor hits a super armdrag and loads up a Sharpshooter on Maniaco…but leans forward for a pin instead at 7:31 (that’s a new one).
Rating: B-. This was almost fascinating in a way, as commentary clearly had no idea what they were watching and it was just a bunch of people flying around. That being said, it was rather entertaining and WAY out of the norm for this period in the WWF. The fans didn’t have much of a reason to care but they got into it by the end, which is a good sign.
From Super Astros (the WWF’s lucha libre show), May 2, 1999.
Hardy Boyz vs. Papi Chulo/El Merenguero
Chulo is better known as Essa Rios and Mereguero would be Jesus Castillo of Los Boricuas. Jeff and Chulo start things off with Jeff kicking away but getting sent outside, where he pulls Merenguero face first onto the apron. Chulo joins them so Matt hits a big running flip dive to take everyone out. Back in and the Hardys hit their double elbow into the fist drop/flipping backsplash combination. Matt slugs away at Merenquero and gets two off a top rope moonsault.
Jeff’s springboard moonsault gets two but Chulo’s cheap shot from the apron lets the rudos take over. A double suplex drops Jeff and he rolls outside, where Chulo is right there with a big running flip dive. Back in and Merenguero misses a charge into the post, allowing Matt to come in and clean house. Everything breaks down and Chulo hits a pop up dropkick to send Jeff outside, where Mereguero hits a suicide dive. Back in and Chulo hits a spinning faceplant to drop Matt, setting up a shooting star for the pin at 5:13.
Rating: B-. This had a bunch of spots together though they didn’t really reach a point where things got to a different level. You could see the Hardys turning into the kind of team that would quickly get to the top of the division, while Chulo and Mereguero didn’t exactly do much to stand out. This was included due to the Hardys, which is an acceptable enough reason.
From WWC, January 6, 2001.
Mascarita Sagrada/Octagoncito vs. Pierrothito/Piratita Morgan
Sagrada and Octagoncito take it to the floor to start but get sent into each other for the collision. A backbreaker has Sagrada in more trouble and they all get inside with Morgan going after Sagrada’s mask. That doesn’t work so it’s a reverse Beverly Bomb to keep Sagrada in trouble instead. A double dropkick hits Sagrada as well before Pierrothito beats up Octagoncito in the corner.
We settle down to Sagrada on the apron, where he watches Octagoncito get beaten down like a moron. Sagrada comes in and gets double teamed until Pierrothito kicks Morgan by mistake. Octagoncito comes back in with a top rope hurricanrana and then a standing version to send Morgan outside. Pierrothito comes back in with a superkick to Sagrada, who comes back with a quick armdrag.
Sagrada’s hurricanrana gets two on Pierrothito but Morgan is back in to go after Sagrada’s mask again. Sagrada strikes away at Morgan and drops Pierrothito but the rudos are up with a double backdrop to Octagoncito. Back up and Octagoncito grabs the back of the villains’ tights, which makes them accidentally hit the referee. Pierrothito kicks Morgan to the floor by mistake and Octagoncito is there with a running flip dive off the apron. That leaves Sagrada to la majistral Pierrothito for the pin at 7:14.
Rating: C. This is one of those matches that is kind of hard to follow as it’s more of a special feature that only fits for certain kinds of wrestling. The size difference made it easy to get behind Sagrada and Octagoncito, though the match was kind of messy in various parts. They were playing it serious though and I’ll definitely take that over the comedy that you often get with such matches in America.
From Superstars, February 9, 1997.
Hector Garza/Octagon vs. Fuerza Guerrera/Heavy Metal
Metal takes Garza down to start as commentary talks about Metal’s father being the referee. Guerra comes in for a running dropkick to Octagon as Ross tries to tell us what he can about both, which is limited at best. Octagon sends Guerrera outside for a suicide dive into the barricade, leaving Garza and Metal to slingshot in for a showdown. A handspring elbow hits Garza but Metal seems to slip off a springboard moonsault.
It’s back to Guerrera for a slam on Octagon and a Samoan drop lets Guerrera go up. Octagon catches him up on said top and brings him back down as there is a disturbing amount of empty seats opposite the hard camera. A super armdrag brings Guerrera down and Octagon grabs a Black Widow. That’s broken up so Garza hits a top rope moonsault press for two on Metal.
Commentary gets lost on which team is which and we go split screen to Paul Bearer talking about Vader vs. Steve Austin later in the show. Back to full screen and Guerrera dropkicks Garza outside and then clotheslining him back inside. Garza hits a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for two with Metal making the save. Metal sends Garza outside for a big flip dive but Octagon crucifixes Guerrera for the pin at 7:56.
Rating: C+. As usual, the athleticism is rather impressive and you can tell everyone in here knows what they’re doing. The problem is it rarely feels like the matches are building to anything and it comes off more as a collection of moves until the ending. That being said, it’s nice to have something fresh and different on the shows, though the lack of fans in the stand is not a good sign.
From 205 Live, September 24, 2019.
Humberto Carrillo vs. Angel Garza
They’re cousins who don’t like each other, though Aiden English is fairly obsessed with Carrillo. Commentary mentions that it’s Garza’s birthday, sending English into a rant about all the presents he would get Carrillo for his birthday (fruit baskets are discussed). They go to the mat with Garza working on the leg as English is going on about buying WWE2K games and surfboards and Browns tickets and Circuit City gift cards, as the gag is going on so long that it’s becoming funny again.
An exchange of armdrags goes to Carrillo but Garza pops up and it’s a standoff. We pause so Garza can TAKE OFF HIS PANTS, allowing him to dropkick Carrillo outside. A middle rope moonsault takes Carrillo down on the floor and Garza slowly hammers him down back inside. Carrillo gets tied in the Tree Of Woe for a running dropkick to the knee and we’re off to something like a seated abdominal stretch.
Back up and Garza dropkicks a handspring elbow out of the air for two and it’s back to the abdominal cranking. Carrillo fights up and backflips into a moonsault for two, followed by a high angle springboard armdrag. A missile dropkick hits Garza for two but he’s back up with some dropkicks of his own for two of his own.
Carrillo’s top rope back elbow drops Garza right back and it’s off to a rocking horse. Garza reverses into one of his own, which is broken up as well, leaving them to collide for a double down. Back up and Garza misses a charge into the post, allowing Carrillo to hit the Aztec Press for the pin at 13:44. English: “I’ll get him snacks, I’ll get him sodas!” Maddin/Joseph: “IT’S NOT HIS BIRTHDAY!” English: “Well it will be someday!”
Rating: B. Oddly commentary was the big feature part here, which is a nice thing to see as the action was quite good. 205 Live is a show that was never going to be a big deal because the cruiserweights were considered unimportant, but the wrestling itself was usually awesome. That was the case here, with two guys who knew each other rather well getting some time and coming close to tearing the house down.
From WCW Pro, December 21, 1997.
Juventud Guerrera vs. El Dandy
Feeling out process to start before they trade some shots to the face, with Dandy getting the better of things. Guerrera is right back with a springboard hurricanrana to the floor but Dandy fights back and hits a middle rope legdrop. A kick to the mask and a headbutt between the legs have Guerrera in more trouble but he gets two of his own off a sunset flip. Dandy slams him down and goes up, only to miss a dropkick. A springboard…I guess flipping dropkick finishes Dandy at 3:39.
Rating: C. This is one of the weirdest, or at least least accurately named, collections from the WWE Vault as there have not been many “gems” in this set. That was the case again here, with two guys just having a short match that didn’t stand out in any real way. I don’t get why this was included, though there is something to be said about having Dandy anywhere.
From Saturday Morning Slam (I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a match from this show), November 3, 2012.
Sin Cara vs. El Local
Local would be Ricardo Rodriguez under a mask. Cara takes him down to start and Local runs, with Marella saying Cara’s flips remind him of dancing in high school. A hurricanrana sends Local to the floor, where Cara hits a slingshot dive. Back in and Local manages to send him into the corner and grab a waistlock as Marella goes through a rather extensive list of muscles used in jumping. Cara sends him outside without much trouble though and we take a break. We come back with Cara fighting out of another waistlock and hitting the rope walk armdrag. A corkscrew hilo sets up the springboard Swanton to pin Local at 4:52.
Rating: C+. Weird lighting aside, this was perfectly fine, which was the case with most of what Cara did. It was odd to see Local getting in the ring, as he was mainly an NXT house show guy. This isn’t exactly a gem, but it was certainly something hidden, as Saturday Morning Slam is one of the more forgotten shows you’ll see.
From Super Astros, December 20, 1998.
El Hijo del Santo/Negro Casas vs. Apolo Dantes/Jose Estrada
Casas throws Dantes down to start and it’s off to Santo, who gets kneed down by Estrada. That’s enough for Dantes to come in and stomp Hijo down in the corner. The array of downward kicks continue until it’s back to Estrada. Some double teaming keeps Hijo in trouble, only for Dantes to miss a top rope backsplash. The rather needed tag brings in Casas to clean house, including a running clothesline. Everything breaks down and Casas is sent into Hijo. The rudos are sent into each other as well, leaving Hijo to hit a Swanton, immediately followed by a suicide dive. La majistral finishes Estrada at 6:16.
Rating: C+. This was another case of having important names included, as Hijo and Casas are worth including. At the same time, it was nothing more than a generic tag match, with the rudos offering pretty much nothing of note. I still like the Super Astros stuff being included, even if it was light years behind what WCW was doing.
From a Monterrey, Mexico house show, April 3, 2004.
Cruiserweight Title: Rey Mysterio vs. Chavo Guerrero
Mysterio is challenging and Chavo Classic is with Guerrero. We’re joined in progress with Guerrero stomping away and then faceplanting Mysterio for two. The bodyscissors keeps Mysterio down and Guerrero even goes for the mask, with Chavo Classic offering a distraction. We get some VERY loud spot calling (granted in a handheld camera shot match at a house show) until Mysterio makes the rope.
A rollup gives Mysterio two but he gets elbowed right back down. Classic goes for the mask again, which seems to fire Mysterio up enough to fight back and sent Guerrero outside. The referee cuts off a dive though, only for Mysterio to flip dive onto both Chavos. Back in and Guerrero dropkicks a springboard out of the air for a double down.
Guerrero’s sunset flip doesn’t work as Mysterio gives him a basement dropkick and goes up top. The sunset bomb is blocked so Guerrero gives him an over the shoulder backbreaker for two more. Mysterio slips out of a second attempt though and hits a hurricanrana before taking out Classic. A Code Red gives Mysterio two but the 619…I’m not sure as the camera misses it, but Guerrero is up with a Gory Bomb…for the pin at 9:30.
Rating: C+. What in the world? It’s a house show in Mexico and Mysterio LOSES? I get that the title is on the line but make it a non-title match or have it be a countout. Just don’t have Mysterio, who was in Mexican flag themed gear, lose. It’s a guaranteed way to kill the crowd, which was all because the result was wrong. Heck make it a handicap match or something but let Mysterio win at the end.
Overall Rating: C+. I really wasn’t as into this one as previous editions, mainly due to how bizarre some of the choices wound up being. I get the idea of putting on some random matches, but egads there was nothing else that could have ramped up the quality a bit? It’s not like they’re bad matches for the most part, but calling these “Hidden Gems” is a big stretch in most cases. Not their best work, though there is some interesting variety here. Oh and it’s described as “90 minutes” but it only runs 75. What’s up with that?
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