News and Views from South of the Border 02.06.2011: Returns and Goodbyes

Las Noticias/The News

The Big Move

Mistico is headed to the WWE! How’s that for news? The news was first reported by SuperLuchas magazine as an exclusive story. Once the news broke the proverbial shit hit the fan, CMLL went into control mode and Sandra Granados, CMLL’s press officer went on to say the report was not true and Mistico would be staying in CMLL. A little after though, CMLL’s website removed many of Mistico’s image and stories. Various sites are reporting Mistico signed since the 25th of January, upon his return from Japan. CMLL appeared to be cooking up a Mistico and Brazo de Plata feud, as well as renewing the Ultimo Guerrero and Mistico feud, which of course will not happen anymore. Apparently Mistico has been upset about the way he has been booked and also about the heavy push guys like Sombra have been receiving. According to various sites, Mistico is scheduled to report to FCW in mid-February.

How this affects CMLL is interesting. While Mistico was the posterboy for CMLL, I have to agree that he hadn’t been pushed as heavily as he once was. CMLL inadvertenly started the fix before the wound was opened up though. The integration of Generation 2011, the heavy push of Sombra, Mascara Dorada and Volador Jr., and a new focus on pushing younger talent is all CMLL needs to do to survive after Mistico. Hell they did good when Dr. Wagner Jr. left, and I’m sure Mascara Dorada or Sombra will gladly take his spot. Will Mistico make it in the WWE and will he be Mistico though? If Dos Caras Jr. was repackaged, I wouldn’t be surprised if Mistico is as well. Although I would prefer the Mistico character actually making it to WWE tv, the actual ownership of the Mistico character is in question as CMLL might actually own it. On an interesting note, one of the theories of why WWE has hired Mexican talent like Dos Caras Jr., Mistico, Incognito, and el Hijo del Medico Asesino is due to the fact that Rey Mysterio has only a couple of years left before he retires and WWE needs someone to attract the Latin community, that’s a good enough reason for me.

27 Years Without El Santo

February 5, 1984 saw the death of the biggest Lucha-Libre name ever. Now since in Mexico life and death are both celebrated, the Guzman family will be holding a mass in remembrance of el Santo in Mexico City. What can I say about the man that hasn’t already been said. He was the biggest lucha star, he was a movie star, and his legend will not be overshadowed, I can guarantee that. Rodolfo Guzman Huerta found success as the masked luchadore el Santo, although he first started out as Rudy Guzman, he went through various name changes including El Murcielago Enmascarado I. He started out as a Rudo in Mexico. Arguably his most famous match and the most famous mask vs mask match was El Santo taking Black Shadows mask. On February 5th 1984 El Santo was having his debut performance as an escape artist when he suffered chest pains. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. The next day he was laid to rest with his mask on. It reportedly was the biggest funeral in Mexican history, with the story being in the front pages and being the top story in news programs.

8 Years Without Shadito Cruz

Shadito Cruz was a solid luchadore in the 50’s, he never went on to become a huge success like his children and grandchildren. He was always on the mid-cards, later on in his career he became a referee. He did good in his job and while he isn’t remembered the same as el Santo for his lucha career he is recognized as the person who planted the seed for one of the great lucha families. The Brazos family consists of his sons, Brazo de Plata, Brazo de Oro, Brazo Cibernetico, El Brazo and many other. So far the family is already on the 3rd generation of luchadores with guys like La Mascara, Brazo de Plata Jr., Maximo And Psycho Clown among others. On February 3rd 2003 Shadito Cruz lost his life due to complications with Parkinsons Disease. He will forever be remembered as the father of the biggest Lucha-Libre dynasty.

Guerrero Maya Jr. Returns

With all the talent from CMLL going out with injuries, it’s good to see someone return. After taking some time off due to issues with Hepatitis A, Guerrero Maya Jr. finally returned! His return took place on a CMLL show on the 1st of February. Guerrero Maya Jr. was out for a month and hopefully he’s back to stay.

Lucha Poster of the Week

Results

CMLL

CMLL 01/31/2011 Arena Puebla
1) Asturiano, Stigma WIN OVER Ares, Espiritu Maligno
2) Demus 3:16, Dr. X, Durango Kid WIN OVER Metatrón, Sensei, Starman
3) Fuego, Metro, Sagrado WIN OVER Loco Max, Shigeo Okumura, Skándalo
4) Averno, Mephisto, Volador Jr. WIN OVER La Máscara, La Sombra, Máximo
5) Atlantis, Negro Casas, Último Guerrero WIN OVER VIA DQ Héctor Garza, Mr. Águila, Psicosis

AAA

AAA 01/27/2011 Gimnasio Agustin Milian
1) Atomic Boy, Fenix, Gato Eveready WIN OVER Dark Dragon, Tigre Cota, Tito Santana
2) Billy Boy, Sexy Star, Yuriko WIN OVER Fabi Apache, Gran Apache, Pimpinela Escarlata
3) Chris Stone, Súper Fly WIN OVER VIA DQ Aerostar, Octagón
4) Monster Clown, Murder Clown, Psycho Clown WIN OVER Amadeus, Charly Manson, Escoria
5) Chessman, Zorro WIN OVER Dr. Wagner Jr., El Mesías

Lucha Video Break

CMLL

Ok since somebody asked about foreign talent that made it in the U.S. this weeks video features Corazon de Leon Chris Jericho and Ultimo Dragon taking the team of el Negro Casas and el Dandy. This video isn’t of the best quality but it’s a good match.

Part 1

Part 2

Classic

This other video consists of the Blue Blazer taking on Canek in a mask vs mask match, once again old video, quality not so great.

La Voz/The Voice

I think masks are what makes Mexican wrestling unique from the rest of the world, but then again I don’t see how its possible to be charismatic and connect with a crowd without the use of facial expressions, unless you have amazing acting skills. Look at Alberto del Rio, he’s ten times better without the mask.

Posted By: Finn (Guest)

Finn here has a point, it might be a Little harder to connect with a U.S. crowd, but in Mexico, and I cannot stress this enough, acting skills and mic work are second to in-ring work. That is why you have guys like Sombra who isn’t portrayed on the mic that often but he’s way over. Then again, Cibernetico can move a crowd with a mic. Now whether he was just as over when he was masked can be argued, but I think if a person is naturally charismatic he can get over masked or unmasked. Two perfect examples would be L.A. ParK and Rey Mysterio Jr. Now when L.A. ParK was in WCW, he got over with no mic work, then he was given the gimmick with the voice overs by Stevie Ray, in Mexico he is one of the top guys. Rey Mysterio was way over in AAA, in WCW, and in WWE, now Rey doesn’t exactly move mountains, let alone a crowd with his mic work does he?

Now the Del Rio being ten times better? Yeah I don’t think so, he was the CMLL World Heavyweight Champion as Dos Caras Jr. he was over big time, and his Rudo turn during his final days was huge with the crowd and the dirt sheets, and magazines. Is he better as Del Rio, that’s arguable, I think what he is more exposed, and as a heel or rudo he’s magnificent.

@finn
La ParK tiene charisma con un mascara. La mascara es muy importante porque se suman al espectaculo de lucha libre

Posted By: laparkinator (Guest)

Weekly reader Laparkinator returns with a comment stating “L.A. ParK has carisma with a mask. The mask is very important because it adds to the spectacle that is Lucha-Libre.” I totally agree, and L.A. ParK once again is a great example of a masked luchadore with charisma. Hell thinking about it, el Negro Casas, who has never worn a mask has very limited charisma and mic work in my opinion, but he is extremely talented in the ring, which is why he’s so over in Mexico and Japan.

Great list, Franciso!!!
Yo, could you put up some video of Chris Jericho matches from his days in Lucha Libre?

Posted By: Joey Boots (Guest)

Corazon de Leon videos up above, and as an added bonus a Blue Blazer one as well.

I got another challenge for you, Franciso:

Posted By: Joey Boots (Guest)

Ah another challenge that I’m willing to accept, I’ll give you one better, here’s a list with 20 Foreign workers who did good in Mexico. This week will see 20-11 and next week will be the top 10. Keep giving me these challenges, and I’ll keep giving you these lists people!

My Top 20 Non-Mexican Lucha Stars

20. Vampiro Americano

The wrestler now known as JBL was setup with a gimmick trying to cash in on the Vampiro success, he had a decent two year run in AAA.

19. Pegasus Kid

Mentioning this guys real name is a no-no, but he did have success everywhere he went. He lost his mask to Villano III.

18. Blue Blazer

Blue Blazer, better known as Owen Hart had a good run as a rudo of all things. He teamed up with Gigante Warrior causing Canek quite a headache. He would go on to lose his mask against Canek.

17. Rocky Romero

In the mid to late of the decade Mexico had a bevy of young talent that reminded me of the Radicalz. Rocky, Mark Jindrak, and Alex Kozlov. Rocky so far has amounted the least amount of success, he wrestled masked as Grey Shadow in CMLL, and unmasked himself when he jumped ship and joined D-Mex in AAA

16. Louie Spiccolli

Wrestled in AAA as Madonna’s Boyfriend, was a good heel and was a part of Los Gringos Locos.

15. Kokina

Known as Yokozuna to others, he had a great feud with Canek but this was during his heavier years so he wasn’t the best he could be in the ring.

14. The Headhunters

This team has been everywhere, and these Puerto Ricans were a staple in Lucha Libre and pretty high in the tag ranks, becoming CMLL Tag Team Champions.

13. Kenzo Suzuki

Ah Kenzo, La Aguila Imperial! He was in a solid team along Marco Corleone in CMLL. Then he jumped to AAA where he was a solid member of Konans Legion Extranjera and for a moment formed the Yakuza bringing Sugi to Mexico. Solid Upper Mid-Carder.

12. Corazon de Leon

Chris Jerico, how much backlash will I get for this? The truth, yes he was successful, he he became a champion capturing the NWA World Middleweight Champion and was as popular as you can get with the females. He was also there during his rookie years, which means Mexico didn’t see the best Chris Jericho available.

11. Alex Koslov

Alex Kozlov was extremely successful in CMLL, the young Russian was as over as you can get with the females. He jumps ship to AAA and is part of D-Mex, the ladies love him. He turns Rudo and joins La Legion Extranjera, and the ladies still love him! His feuds with Jack Evans and Extreme Tiger over the AAA Cruiserweight Title were fantastic!

Ke Monito Signing Off!

FR: So Ke Monito, that list made me wonder, are you from Mexico or from another country?
Ke Monito:I’m from the place that breeds the best wrestlers, a location that is known for it’s talent, care to take a guess?
FR: Well since you put it that way I would have to say Mexico, Japan or the U.S.
Ke Monito: No! I am from Parts Unknown!

SOURCES:
http://www.cmll.com
http://www.luchalibreaaa.com
www.superluchas.net
www.thecubsfan.com/cmll
http://www.revistaluchas2000.com.mx
www.luchawiki.com
www.estrellasdelring.blogspot.com