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Showing posts with label Lucha Libre. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lucha Libre. Show all posts

July 13, 2017

List Of Competitors For The Mae Young Classic



PWInsider reports the following list of competitors for the Mae Young Classic

* Candice La Rae
* Mia Yim aka Jade from Impact Wrestling
* Tessa Blanchard
* Rachel Ellering
* Lei’d Tapa
* Deonna Purrazzo
* Santana Garrett
* Renee Michelle
* Marti Belle, formerly of Impact Wrestling
* Mercedez Martinez
* Kay Lee Rae
* Ayesha Raymond
* Rhea Ripley
* Sage Beckett (formerly Andrea/Mary Kate)
* Kairi Sane (formerly Kaiji Hojo in STARDOM)
* Dakota Kai (formerly Evie)
* Bianca Belair (formerly Bianca Blair)
* Vanessa Borne (current NXT talent Danielle Kamela)
* The former Kimber Lee, Abbey Laith
* Multi-time STARDOM champion Jazzy Gabert
* Taynara Conti
* Kavita Devi, a Great Khali trainee from India
* Lacey Evans
* Sarah Logan aka the former Crazy Mary Dobson
* Toni Storm
* Lucha Libre star Princesa Sugehit
* Reina Gonzales, formerly Victoria Gonzales, the daughter of Rudy Boy Gonzales.
* Zaeda, formerly Julia Ho
* Zhao Xia
* Barbi Hayden
* Shayna Baszler
* Nicole Savoy

Additional names are in town most likely as alternates. Tapings take place tonight and tomorrow with the first four episodes set to air August 28th and the following four episodes set to air September 4. The finals will take place September 10th at 10:00pm

February 1, 2017

Court Bauer Issues Statement Clarifying Lucha Underground’s Deal With Netflix; Talks Future Of Series On Netflix


I spoke with Court Bauer just now and he further commented on what he said on MLW Radio yesterday in regards to Lucha Underground beginning to feature previous seasons on Netflix later this month. Bauer had the following to say:

The Netflix deal is an extension of Lucha Underground’s broadcasting distribution model. Netflix will air Season One and Two with an opportunity to air future seasons thereafter on Netflix that have already aired on El Rey. Lucha Underground is not moving their programming exclusively to Netflix. This is just like any show on CW or NBC taking an earlier season or more and distributing it through digital platforms such as Hulu or Netflix. Lucha Underground is not for sale to the best of my knowledge. El Rey is very happy to the best of my knowledge with the series. It’s cornerstone programming that’s outperforming everything on the network. El Rey remains a minority partner in the venture which gives them a truly vested interest in seeing this succeed. The Netflix deal will bring Lucha Underground to additional regions beyond North America that will be revealed at a later date.

In the past Court has been attached to Triple A and Lucha Underground projects.

August 10, 2016

Ring of Honor & CMLL Enter Working Relationship, First Talent Exchange Announced


According to F4WOnline.com (via MedioTiempo.com), CMLL (Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre) announced they have agreed to a new working relationship with Ring of Honor.

CMLL announced the deal during a press conference earlier today, and ROH star Matt Taven will be the first wrestler sent to CMLL as part of the talent exchange. Additionally, Mexican wrestler Stuka Jr. was the first person to be part of the exchange, as he competed at ROH’s Aftershock event in Philadelphia on July 16th, and Dragon Lee will also appear for ROH on 30 and October 1.

Taven’s first appearance for CMLL will be on September 9 at the Arena Mexico.

March 10, 2016

Lucha Underground Reportedly Very Close to a Deal With Netflix, Details


According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Lucha Underground is close to a deal with Netflix.

As of this writing, the deal would mean that Netflix would only get the first season of the show, but the deal with iTunes would still contain the second season. This is usually the case, as television shows don’t usually hit Netflix until well after the season ends.

El Rey is still only available in 40 million homes, much less than other major wrestling shows. Lucha Underground was available on demand for a while before they finally got on Itunes last month.

February 4, 2016

Rumor Mill - Top WWE Officials Reportedly Meet With Lucha Underground Officials, Lucha Turns Down TNA Idea


WWE officials met with Lucha Underground back in December but nothing came of the meeting, according to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

WWE was represented by Triple H and Senior Director of Talent Development Canyon Cemen. There was some discussion about talent but the talks went nowhere.

On a related note, TNA recently reached out to Lucha Underground. The company floated the idea of doing a joint show in Dallas during WrestleMania 32 weekend but Lucha Underground turned the offer down. The feeling was that it would be a bad mix.

January 23, 2016

Lucha Underground Producer Claims WWE Tried To Shut Them Down


Chris DeJoseph*, co-executive producer of Lucha Underground, was a guest on Wresting Mayhem Show 503, and he revealed how WWE came in pursuit of their entire roster and shut them down:

“They (WWE) basically tried to sign our entire roster, and pretty much tried to shut us down.”

“I think that’s what they (WWE) want to do – just take everybody, sign them into NXT and then wipe out companies. I know they tried to do it with TNA, and I’m sure Ring Of Honor too. It makes sense. They pay someone $750/week, put them into developmental and in the meantime, they try to take away a company’s roster. And they can just leave those guys down in NXT.”

Chris DeJoseph was Big Dick Johnson/former WWE creative writter.

November 19, 2015

WWE Contacting More Contracted ROH And LUG Wrestlers, Plans For NXT Expansion In 2016


WWE officials are becoming more aggressive when it comes to contacting wrestlers that are currently signed to Ring of Honor and Lucha Underground.

WWE is preparing to do extensive touring with NXT in 2016 and they are trying to add a lot of top indie wrestlers to the roster, talents that previously may not have been signed due to restrictions on size and look.

The plan was described to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter as a show with the WWE branding and WWE production but with ROH-level main event matches.

WWE Signs Former NJPW And CMLL Star


WWE announced the following today, confirming recent reports that they were close to signing La Sombra:

Manuel Alfonso Andrade Oropeza, of Mexico City, has signed with NXT and WWE, joining the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla.

Formerly known as "La Sombra," Oropeza is a third-generation luchador whose grandfather, father, uncles and cousins all competed in Mexico. Oropeza signed with Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) in 2007 at age 17, where he trained under El Satanico. While there, he held many titles, including the CMLL Trio and Tag Team titles and the NWA Welterweight and Middleweight titles.

The WWE Performance Center's newest luchador also brings experience from Japan; Oropeza made multiple trips to Japan for New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), winning the organization's Intercontinental Championship in 2013.

October 26, 2015

Backstage News And Notes On Alberto Del Rio's WWE Return, Will He Finish Non-WWE Dates?


As noted, Alberto Del Rio made his surprise WWE return at Hell In a Cell last night and defeated John Cena to become the new WWE United States Champion.

Del Rio received a very good deal to return. There are conflicting reports on if Triple H contacted Del Rio or if Del Rio approached WWE but apparently Del Rio has been the planned opponent for Cena's US Open Challenge all along.

The deal to bring him back to WWE was reportedly done weeks ago but Del Rio was giving the impression that it wasn't done weeks ago. However, people in WWE have known he was coming in. Del Rio, the current AAA Mega Champion, will reportedly work other dates through the end of November but that also hasn't been confirmed. AAA officials reportedly didn't know about his WWE return until Sunday some time.

Del Rio's new WWE schedule is said to be easier than most talents but not as easy as Chris Jericho, Brock Lesnar or The Undertaker's schedules.

October 5, 2015

Daniel Bryan Says WWE Is Sending Him To A Third Doctor, Comments On Returning To The Indies


Daniel Bryan recently spoke with IGN to promote the upcoming WWE 2K16 video game. The full interview is at this link. Below are a few highlights:

His status:

"So, we don't know. I had a concussion in April, and obviously they're very hyper-sensitive about concussion stuff right now. One neurologist who specializes in concussions - who was the neurologist for the Super Bowl last year - cleared me with no limitations. All my testing came back excellent. But the WWE's medical doctor is skeptical, because of my history of concussions and that sort of thing. So they will not clear me. So now, we have two doctors: one saying no, one saying yes. They're going to send me to a third doctor at some point in the near future and that doctor will decide my fate."

"The WWE doctor Joe Maroon [is] amazing and highly respected in the concussion field, and if they send me to a third neurologist who's also highly respected in the concussion field and they say literally no...well, then is it really smart to go against two doctors? I get all fired up...and then I'm like, maybe that's not the best thing for me and my family going forward."

If he would work indies if WWE doesn't clear him:

"John Cena and I actually had this discussion. He said, 'if something were to happen to you and the WWE, would you go back to doing the indies?' Absolutely!"

Bryan said he's got a fascination with lucha and the idea of doing a mask vs. hair match is appealing to him as is main eventing a CMLL anniversary show.

September 22, 2015

Alberto El Patron Talks Working For Vince McMahon, The WWE Schedule, Lucha Underground, More


I spoke with Alberto El Patron last week, who did color commentary in Spanish for the new MMA series Combate Americas, which launched on NBC Universo last Thursday and will take place every Thursday. The series comes a year after the reality series became the first fight-themed program in history to win a major TV award - "Best Variety or Reality Show" - at the 29th annual Imagen Awards last August. Fighters from the reality series as well as new, up and coming Latino talent and established, free agents will be featured in the live event series.

Below is the second and final part of the interview. Click here for part one of the interview, where El Patron discussed his MMA background, why a potential fight with Bill Goldberg doesn't interest him, if he would be open to fighting CM Punk in the UFC and more.

You left the WWE on less than good terms after standing up for yourself [to an employee who made some racist comments]. Over a year later, has your relationship with them changed at all? Are you open to a return?

"Oh, we're good. We shook hands, we talked about what happened. They apologized, I apologized. We're good right now. I'm pretty happy with what I'm doing now. The schedule in that company is brutal. I was doing over 250 appearances per year, I was never home. At the moment, I'm working everywhere they want to see me, and I have the opportunity to spend time with my family. I get to enjoy my kids, I'm at home 4-5 days a week, I do 1-2 shows per week. I'm happy, I don't have plans to go back, but like they say, 'never say never.'"

There are a lot of guys like you and Batista who mention the schedule. If they fixed that, and gave a couple of periods [between pay-per-views] a year where guys could rest up, do you think that would improve morale?

"Of course. We would all be more healthy. There was no time for us to rest, because I was going back home a day and a half for almost seven years. That was the reason some of us were getting tired and hurt. If they made changes, it would help everyone and they'd all be happier."

What was your reaction when you found out the employee who made the racist joke had left the company?

"I knew he was going to be fired. After all this happened with them, we started to talk again. I apologized to them, and they told me they were going to fire him. I don't know why they let me go and kept this guy so long after all this happened. It is what it is, it's all in the past. I'm doing fantastic. I'm showing all my co-workers that if you have the talent, there's a place for you out there. You need to leave the WWE bubble for a while, because there's life after WWE. I'm showing everybody that you can leave, and you can make more money than WWE just showing up, and I'm working 1-2 shows per week for the same money."

Vince McMahon seems to be stepping his responsibilities down. What was it like working for Vince, and how do you see that and the business changing as Triple H assumes more of his responsibilities?

"Vince McMahon is a gentleman. I loved working for him. He was always nice to me, helping my improve my character, giving advice to me to be better. He's a great boss. I can't tell you how the business will change, because I haven't watched WWE since I left, not even five seconds. I'm not one of those guys that goes searching for information online to find out what WWE wrestlers are doing. I left that place, and I'm doing great. It's not that I don't watch because I have a problem with them, I'm just not interested in what they're doing. I prefer to spend those hours with my kids. "

You signed with Lucha Underground earlier this year. What's that experience been like?

"It's good. It's a new product. It's growing and getting more viewers every week. They have good talent, but they also have people that I have no idea why they're there. But that's the same story everywhere. I had the opportunity to work with one of my good friends, Johnny Mundo. We had the chance to work a great series of matches, and I really enjoyed it."

Have you heard anything about a second season of Lucha Underground? Would you be a part of it? [Please note that this interview was conducted before the second season of Lucha Underground was announced this week]

"I don't know if I'm going to be a part of it. They said they were going to start in the Summer, then June, then August, now I think they say December. I don't know what's going on over there. I have to talk to the people in charge, and I will be talking to them this week. We'll see what happens."

You had been approached by TNA last year as well. What made you decide to sign on with Lucha Underground over TNA?

"Money was better with Lucha Underground. At this point in my life, I have nothing to prove. I've proven to everyone I'm one of the best in-ring performers in the world. They know every time I'm in the ring I give more than 100 percent. At the end of the day, it's about money and Lucha Underground made me a nice offer."

Do you think it makes it hard for a new group like Lucha Underground considering there is so much WWE content out there?

"It's really difficult to compete with such a big and great organization as WWE. Lucha Underground has the right idea. Good talent, and if they keep doing things the way they started, they can grow and be an important organization in pro wrestling."

July 15, 2015

Potential Legal Issue Leads to TNA Dropping Wrestler & Causes Massive Changes to Impact Wrestling TV Series


An issue between TNA and Lucha Underground has led to a number of planned TNA TV segments being pulled from upcoming episodes of Impact Wrestling, storylines being dropped and one recent TNA signing being dropped from the company, PWInsider.com has learned

At the center of the controversy with Shawn Hernandez, who recently returned to TNA and became part of the Beat Down Clan after appearing on the first season of Lucha Underground on The El Rey Network.

TNA sources indicate that Hernandez was signed to a deal by the company after informing TNA that contractually, he was free and clear to do so. After Hernandez made a number of appearances at TNA TV tapings, Lucha Underground approached TNA and informed them that contractually, Hernandez was still their talent, signed to their series and that he was not released from his obligations to their promotion, therefore he could not legally appear on TNA broadcasts.

As you might imagine, this put TNA into a legally actionable position where they could be sued. With Impact Wrestling already pre-filmed well in advance as well, it put the company into a terrible situation where their storylines, which are worked out well in advance, would be useless.

I am told that TNA management attempted to work out an agreement with Lucha Underground that would allow the existing footage to be used, including offering to pay Underground for Hernandez' appearances. We are told that Underground turned down all those attempts. Given that the producers of the Lucha series come from a film and TV background, I was not surprised to hear that.

Since TNA cannot use the footage, the decision was made to pull anything involving the BDC. As of today, all of the current BDC storylines are completed and done as it would be impossible to edit around Hernandez.

I am told that starting tonight, TNA will be replacing those matches and vignettes with existing material, including some matches from the TNA Slammiversary PPV from a few weeks ago. TNA also intends to film material at their Orlando TV Tapings later this month that they can drop into the segments that are no longer available to be used.

The matches and segments that were filmed are (for now at least) completely scrapped and TNA will re-edit all of their TV.

Hernandez, obviously, is gone from TNA and he is now in a position where he's losing work as TNA wanted to use him and cannot. Lucha Underground is still working to finance a potential second season, so Hernandez is now stuck off TV until they pick up production again.

As far as the rest of the BDC, MVP, Kenny King, etc. are also effectively be off those TV episodes until TNA can get new material with those talents. So, through no fault of their own, a number of TNA talents are now off television suddenly until TNA can work them back in while talents who wrestled them also find their matches yanked.

Obviously, the TNA editing team has their work ahead of them.

source: pwinsider.com

July 12, 2015

Interview with the Lucha Dragons


The Lucha Dragons were interviewed by CBS affiliate WDJT in Milwaukee this past Tuesday, promoting that evening's SmackDown event, which you can watch in the video above. During the interview, Sin Cara talked about returning to the city.

"Obviously it's a city where they love wrestling, they love WWE," Sin Cara said. "To be here is an honor. It's great to come back to Wisconsin. Actually my high school coach in wrestling, he's from Dodgeville Wisconsin and he lives in Milwaukee. Hopefully I get a chance to say hi to him tonight."

Kalisto also talked about how wrestling in Mexico prepared him for WWE.

"Lucha libre is an art, and right now, lucha libre is universal," said Kalisto. "It prepared me a lot. We have a lot in common, me and Sin Cara. Ever since I started in XT, there was a different atmosphere, a different style, but lucha libre did help a lot. It helped us so much because we're both athletic and we're both high flyers. And we display a different art in the ring."

March 28, 2015

Rey Mysterio Talks Retirement Rumors, How He's Doing After Perro Aguayo Jr. Tragedy


Rey was asked about how he's holding up following the recent Perro Aguayo Jr. tragedy and Rey talked about the support from his wife, kids, parents, Konnan and the fans helping him and keeping him moving forward.

Mysterio had Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter tell everyone that he is not retiring. Rey says he's not retiring and he believes that's what Perro Aguayo Jr. would want him to do. Regarding leaving WWE, Rey says after spending 13 years with WWE, he wanted to do his own thing, call his own shots and be with his family.

March 26, 2015

Rumor Mill - Rey Mysterio Considering Retirement Following the Death of Perro Aguayo Jr.


According to CMLL star Rey Bucanero, Rey Mysterio is considering retiring from professional wrestling following the tragic death of Perro Aguayo, Jr.

Mysterio was one of the wrestlers in the ring with Aguayo, and was reportedly devastated over the loss of a friend and colleague, not to mention the added burden of being the subject of numerous accusations from upset fans and members of the media. Rey will be making his first appearance since the tragedy tonight in Santa Clara, and again in San Jose for Wrestlecon this weekend.

Wrestlers Called To Testify Concerning The Passing Of Perro Aguyo Jr.


Televisa, which is one of the two major broadcast groups in Mexico, is reporting that the Attorney General of Baja California have called for Rey Mysterio, Manik and Extreme Tiger to provide their testimony in the death of Aguayo. It was noted that the wrestlers aren't being investigated for wrongdoing, but that the subpoena is to follow up on the case.

March 21, 2015

AAA Wrestler Dies After In-Ring Spot With Rey Mysterio


Pro Wrestling Torch reports that AAA wrestler El Hijo del Perro Aguayo died early this morning after a mishap during the 619 spot with Rey Mysterio at a show in Tijuana, Mexico. News reports indicate that El Hijo took the initial move in the trachea and experienced whiplash. He was later transported to a nearby hospital. Newspaper El-mexicano.com reported El Hijo died around 1:00 AM local time. Mexican promotion CMLL tweeted their own condolences for El Hijo in a show of support for AAA.

November 10, 2014

Alberto Del Rio and WWE Reach A Joint Settlement


Alberto Del Rio and WWE have appeared to have reached a joint settlement in their on-going legal dispute over Del Rio's contract since departing the company several months back.

The former WWE World Heavyweight Champion was released after an incident in which he slapped a WWE.com social media manager after the manager allegedly made a racist remark. WWE claimed Del Rio was in breach of his contract and tried to keep him from wrestling until August 2015.

The agreement reportedly means Del Rio can take bookings going forward with the understanding that neither he or WWE will disparage each other.

His new ring name will be "El Patron" (The Boss).

October 23, 2014

Rey Mysterio-WWE Update


Kris Zellner, in his Lucha Report yesterday, noted that former WWE announcer Hugo Savinovich had publicly stated that Rey Mysterio was done with WWE and would be signing a deal with AAA as soon as it was worked out.

WWE sources confirmed this morning that as of 10/23, Mysterio is still contracted to WWE.

October 8, 2014

WWE Upset with Rey Mysterio


Rey Mysterio was backstage at recent AAA Lucha Underground tapings in Los Angeles. WWE officials were not happy when photos of Rey backstage and then later at a dinner with some people from the promotion popped up on social media. Those photos were quickly deleted. No word yet if anything will come out of this latest incident but Rey is still under contract with WWE.

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