News and Views from South of the Border 01.30.11: The Unmasked Edition

Las Noticias/The News

Injuries Again!

Man oh man, what the hell is in the water. So CMLL see’s another of it’s luchadores suffer an injury! This time the unlucky recipient is Pegasso. On the 26th of January Pegasso underwent surgery for his right knee. While this was an injury that had been nagging the luchadore for some time, the fact remains that he is among the many that will be taking time off due to injury! The list of luchadores with injuries grew immensely in 2010, seeing stars such as Mascara Dorada and Shocker being sidelined. 2011 does not show signs of slowing down.

All That’s Missing is the Date!

File this under the rumor that just would not die! 2010 saw persistent rumors that Zorro would be heading to TNA, every month was to be the month that would see Zorro jumping ship and headed to Orlando. It never happened! Well it looks like the current AAA Mega Champion’s boat has arrived and all that needs to be set is a date. According to an interview el Zorro did with Mexican Lucha magazine Super Luchas, Zorro has already sent in the appropriate paperwork and all that’s missing is a date! When will we see Zorro in the land of TNA, that’s yet to be seen! What kind of impact *pun intended* will Zorro make is the question. Seeing as former AAA Mega Champion, El Mesias didn’t make much of a splash during his time as Judas Mesias. Here’s wishing Zorro the best!

FantasticaMania 2011

Kourakuen Hall in Japan saw quite a show this past week. January 22 and 23 saw NJPW and CMLL’s joint show FantasticaMania 2011 which saw a combination of Japanese talent and some of Mexico’s best go at it and entertain the fans. While this show featured stars from both promotions, CMLL talent failed to win all the big matches! Ryusuke Taguchi defeated Mascara Dorada to become the new CMLL World Welterweight Champion, Mascara Dorada’s injury probably having played a role in that. Jushin “Thunder” Liger defeated La Sombra successfully retaining the CMLL Middleweight Championship. La Mascara, Mascara Dorada and Sombra were successful in defending the CMLL World Trios Championship against the team of Yujiro Takahashi, Shigeo Okumura, and Tetsuya Naito though, I guess winning one doesn’t hurt! Mistico also defeated Averno in what was said to be a really good match as well, full results are down below.

Lucha Poster of the Week

Results

CMLL

NJPW CMLL Fantastica Mania 2011 01/22/2011 Korakuen Hall
1) Taichi Win Over Máximo
2)CMLL World Welterweight Championship: Ryusuke Taguchi Win Over Máscara Dorada
3)CMLL World Middleweight Championship: Jushin Liger Win Over La Sombra
4) IWGP Tag Team Championship: Giant Bernard, Karl Anderson Win Over Atlantis, Shigeo Okumura
5) Dragón Rojo Jr., Tomohiro Ishii Win Over La Máscara, Tiger Mask IV
6) Averno, Shinsuke Nakamura, Tetsuya Naito Win Over Hiroshi Tanahashi, Místico, Prince Devitt

NJPW CMLL Fantastica Mania 2011 01/23/2011 Korakuen Hall
1) Gedo, Jado Win Over Danshoku Dino, Máximo
2) Giant Bernard, Jushin Liger, Karl Anderson Win Over Atlantis, Dragón Rojo Jr., Taichi
3) CMLL World Trios Championship: La Máscara, La Sombra, Máscara Dorada Win Over Shigeo Okumura, Tetsuya Naito, Yujiro Takahashi
4) Mask VS. Hair Match: Tiger Mask IV Win Over Tomohiro Ishii
5) Místico b Averno
6)IWGP JR. Tag Team Championship: Prince Devitt, Ryusuke Taguchi Win Over Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi

Future Forecast

CMLL

CMLL’s upcoming big show will be the Homenaje a Dos Leyendas 2011, which translated means “Tribute to Two Legends”. While the main event or the entire card for that matter is yet to be revealed, rumors persist as far as what the main event may be. While nothing is concrete, more than likely a mask, or hair match will take center stage.

AAA

March 19th is the date for AAA’s next big event. Rey de Reyes 2011 is shaping up to be a pretty stacked card. The main event being a AAA Mega Championship match between current champion Zorro and number one contender L.A. ParK. With rumors of Zorro headed to TNA the possibility of L.A. ParK being the new champion is great.

Lucha Video Break

CMLL

This weeks CMLL video is the NWA/CMLL Historic Welterweight Title match between Mephisto and el Hijo del Phantasma that aired on January 22, 2011. Thanks go out to WarriorsX2000 for the upload. The match actually starts at the 9:00 mark on the first video.

Part 1

Part2

Part 3

AAA

I have a treat for you in this weeks AAA video, just sit back and enjoy this match featuring L.A. ParK taking on el Mesias. Upload from thecubsfan.

Part 1

El Mesías vs LA Park [part 1/2]Uploaded by thecubsfan. – The best Latino videos on the web.

Part 2

El Mesías vs LA Park [part 1/2]Uploaded by thecubsfan. – More great Latino videos.

La Voz/The Voice

So what is your list of the top twenty luchadores of all-time? And I mean in terms of drawning power, influence, legacy in the industry, ring work- the whole package.

Posted By: luchafan (Guest)

So that would be my personal top 20 I’m assuming? That will have to be a to be continued list as this weeks list has been decided. Stay posted though, we should be seeing that pretty soon.

Emilio Charles Jr is not wrestling anymore, he almost died last year…

Posted By: TJ Fan (Guest)

Yes and no and close! Emilio Charles was still active early 2010, he suffered a venomous spider bite that nearly killed him on October, for now no real word on what he’s up to. In the end though I should of done better research instead of just checking his luchawiki page but lo and behold the truth is out.

Ahora soy un fanatico de los dos lados por que Nicho y La ParK son en lados contrarios

Posted By: laparkinator (Guest

Weekly reader Laparkinator returns, translated his post says “Now I’m a fan of both sides seeing as L.A. ParK and Nicho are on oppossite sides.”

“Also I don’t think he would much like to be called an imitation, this guy is the legit son of Rey Misterio, the Uncle of the WWE Superstar, if anyone has any rights to that name it would definitely be his son!”

Okay, I didn’t realize he was the original Misterio’s son. LOL. Thanks for the clarification.

I’m just not sold on Ultimo Guerrero and would rather see younger wrestlers in TNA anyway (not to say that he’s old…yikes). I did like Ultimo’s mini-feud with Alex Shelley (when Shelley ripped off his mask and won that multi-man tag match in CMLL…saw it on YouTube awhile ago).

You may have talked about it already, but what is your opinion on Zorro negotiating with TNA? I think he’s interesting and wouldn’t want to see a major gimmick change.

By the way, nice column and thanks for the responses.

Posted By: Another Wrestling Mark (Guest

If there is any luchadore that I would wholeheartedly recommend to anybody, it would have to be Ultimo Guerrero, the man is a beast! Hopefully I can find some better videos to promote the guy even further, or not, I’ve hyped him up enough. As far as Zorro is concerned my understanding is as follows. AAA and TNA do have a working relationship, which is why Hernandez is there now, and last I heard Zorro was basically signed to TNA, but Lucha Libre USA and Masked Republic promotions stand in the way. Now this is basically my understanding, when Masked Republic promotions started up they signed a deal with AAA that would see them promote and bring talent stateside, there hasn’t been much that comes from that deal, but what it has is hinder many of AAA’s talent from working with TNA or other stateside companies. Although as you can see from the news section, it looks like all that has been taken care of.

I am first and foremost a WWE fan, but I really enjoy this column. I have been watching wrestling since 1986 and have always had some interest in international promotions, but since I dont speak spanish (or japanese) I have always found it difficult to get into. Thanks for this column, at least I’m getting some idea of who the hottest acts are in Mexico, some interesting photos, etc. Great job – this column is far more interesting than another random Top 10 list or cliched bitch fest. Keep up the good work!

Posted By: Olds Cool (Guest

Thanks for the positive comments, and bringing a glimpse of Lucha-Libre to this U.S. focused site is quite a task. A legit laugh from the Top 10 lists and bitch fest, I have to say I’m a fan of list, but I’d rather read them than write them.

Francisco, you da man!
But I got a challenge for you.
Give me the top 10 greatest NON-Masked luchadores of all time! That’s right. I want the top ten greatest non-masked luchadores of all time!

Posted By: Joey Boots (Guest)

Now that’s a challenge that I’m willing to take! Now first and foremost you never specified if we are talking about luchadores who have NEVER worn a mask, that’s what I’m assuming so look below for your list.

Hey Franciso, I heard that Rey Mistrio son – Dominic – is actually wrestlin down in Mexico. Is that true?

Posted By: ernie reyes (Guest)

I’ve heard that rumor too and nothing that I’ve found shows this to be true. I also heard it during the first days of el Hijo de Rey Misterio who would be Dominicks uncle and Rey Jrs. Cousin, I think many thought this was Dominic. If I find something at a later day It’ll definitely be news worthy, but for now we’ll leave that as rumor only.

Now as follows, this weeks list is my picks for the 10 best non-masked, or having never worn a mask luchadores. As far as I can tell these guys never wore a mask, Ray Mendoza is rumored to at one point have worn a mask, but it might be an urban legend so I put him in. Enjoy and don’t forget to leave your feedback or your own lists.

This weeks question for the comments section.

Do you think a mask is important in lucha libre? What’s your preference?

My Top 10 Luchadores Who Never Wore a Mask

HM: Heavy Metal

HM: Emilio Charles Jr.

HM: Apolo Dantes

10.Ringo Mendoza
One of the best in the 70’s and 80’s.

09.Hector Garza
I always had a soft spot for this guy. He can be an incredible wrestler, and if anybody ever saw him when he was rising up the ranks of TNA you can tell he’s something special, that Tornillo splash he uses is also amazing.

08. Bestia Salvaje
A forgotten CMLL luchadore, this guy was among the best rudos in CMLL during the 80’s and 90’s. Had incredible feuds with Negro Casas and el Perro Aguayo.

07. El Hijo del Perro Aguayo
While a youngster on this list, the young member of the Aguayo family has done a good job filling his fathers shoes and as the leader of Los Perros del Mal has provided great entertainment.

06. El Dandy
Forget what you saw in his WCW run and look up this man’s feuds with el Hijo del Santo, el Satanico, and his match with L.A. ParK.

05. Ray Mendoza
Father of all los Villanos, Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame member and Mexican legend.

04. Gory Guerrero
The legendary family started here, and one of the top rudos in the early days. His team with El Santo is a thing of legends.

03. El Negro Casas

The living legend, when guys like Chris jericho calls you the Ric Flair of Mexico and Marco Corleone reveals he’s as respected in the lockerrooms as Undertaker is in the U.S. you know you’ve done something right. Look up feuds with el Hijo del Santo, Bestia Salvaje and Mistico among many others.

02. Cavernario Galindo
One of the best brawlers and Rudos to ever lace up boots. Talked about to this day!

01. El Perro Aguayo
The best non-masked luchadore ever, ask any self respecting lucha fan.

Ke Monito Signing Off!

FR: So Ke Monito, why not dropping the mask and revealing your face?
Ke Monito: Are you kidding me? If you see the actual beauty underneath this mask you will fall in love with me, it’s like a reverse Medusa effect!
FR: yeah, I bet! So what only guys fall in love with you, no effect on females?
Ke Monito: Why the hell do you think I wear a mask!

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