Fired WWE wrestler Alberto Del Rio reportedly gets non-compete clause thrown out to join Mexico’s AAA promotion

Alberto Del Rio fans can breath a sigh of relief. The ex-WWE superstar who was fired last month for reportedly slapping an employee over a racist joke, is set to wrestle again after getting a non-compete clause thrown out in court, WrestlingInc.com reports. The news first broke on the Spanish-language Web site SuperLuchas.net, which has been following Del Rio’s post-WWE career as he signed with the Mexican promotion AAA.

Speaking about the non-compete clause, Del Rio, now known as Alberto “El Patron,” told reporters (via SuperLuchas.net) at a press conference for an upcoming AAA event:

“It is unconstitutional that you cannot work… Thanks to lawyers and support of AAA, I can fight without any problems.”

The event, which will be El Patron’s debut with AAA, is set to take place on Sept. 14 at the Hard Rock Hotel in Cancun, Mexico. El Patron will team up with La Parka and Myzteziz to face Hijo del Perro Aguayo, Texano Jr. and Averno in the main event.

Transcript of Alberto Del Rio's Promo at AAA TripleMania Last Night, Says Racism Is a Monster

Below is the English translation of Alberto Del Rio's promo at AAA's TripleMania event in Mexico last night:

"History will mark this day as the day that El Patron returned home. But the truth is, after listening to that grand reception, I don’t think El Patron ever left, because his heart belongs to you, it belongs to Mexico. A lot has been said about why I left, why I came back. Seven years ago I embarked on that dream, that adventure called America. And by suffering, blood, sweat and tears we showed North Americans and the entire world, that when you do things with heart, with passion, with love, and being humble under the eyes of God our Father, dreams do come true. Of course it wasn’t easy, and then came a day that the dream turned into a nightmare. Similar to many of you, or if not you, to family members of yours, who have gone to the other side looking for a better life for those that we love, I came across a monster, a monster called racism. Racism doesn’t distinguish sex, race, religion, color, it doesn’t care…if you have money, if you don’t have it. But this man that’s standing right here (points at his father Dos Caras), that has given me everything and has made me the person that I am, gave me the biggest gift a father can give his son – honesty and the spirit to triumph. He never lowered his head, so that I could learn to never lower it in front of anyone. I love you, Dad. In the U.S., they might be able to take my job, but they’ll never, ever take away my dignity and my pride. And on this night, my fellow Mexicans, I promise you and God that never again will someone come and disrespect my people, myself and all those that I love – because I am El Patron Alberto and I am Mexican ladies and gentlemen!"

Alberto Del Rio to tag with father for final match in Mexico

Alberto Del Rio has been given permission by WWE to work in tag team matches with his father Dos Caras in what is scheduled to be his father's last match in Mexico. According to the report, the final match is being targeted to take place some time in February.

Mil Mascaras Appearing in Sci-Fi Lucha Film

According to Indiegogo.com, WWE Hall of Famer and Uncle of Alberto Del Rio, Mil Mascaras, will be appearing in the upcoming Sci-Fi Lucha Libre film "Mission." The synopsis of the film is as follows:

"In this sci-fi adventure, "Mr. Personality" will have to go into a dangerous and remote jungle that serves as a den for mysterious aliens invading Earth in order to destroy it. "Mission" will feature werewolves, robots, spiders, jungle, missionaries, Aliens, spaceships ... And wrestling, wrestling and wrestling!"

Mexico Celebrates 8 Decades of Professional Wrestling

Professional wrestling, considered entertainment by some and a national sport by others, continues to fill arenas eight decades after arriving in Mexico, becoming part of pop culture.

"In wrestling, you come, pick your favorite, whether he's a good guy or a bad guy, scream and forget all the problems you have at home, work or life," Salvador Lutteroth Camou told Efe.

Lutteroth Camou is the son of Salvador Lutteroth Gonzalez, who is considered the father of professional wrestling in Mexico.

Wrestling has survived because everyone needs to vent and burn off adrenaline, whether it is by shouting insults or cheering, Lutteroth Camou said.

"That's the success of pro wrestling, good versus bad, having a favorite and coming to support him, screaming for him or against his rival," the nearly 90-year-old Lutteroth Camou, who has been in the business since the age of 18, said.

Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre, or EMLL, now known as the World Professional Wrestling Council, will celebrate its 80th birthday on Sept. 21...More?

source: globalpost.com

Mexico’s Female Professional Wrestlers Do It for the Love

At this point lucha libre, Mexico’s version of professional wrestling, is famous the world over—the superheroesque masks, the muscled men preening and acting out storylines in the ring, the acrobatic aerial maneuvers. But what’s not as well-known is that the sport isn’t exclusive to dudes. Luchadoras, masked female competitors, are becoming more and more prominent in Mexico, and not just as sexy sideshows. Journalist Marta Franco followed a handful of these women through Mexico City's pro wrestling scene and used the material she gathered to create her graduate-school thesis, "Las Luchadoras," a series of videos that documents and celebrates these women’s role in lucha libre as well as their difficulties acheiving the same recognition as men.

Mexican women have been invovled in pro wrestling since the 1940s, but they were barred from competing in the county's capital until 1986. At first, many entered the ring as eye candy (they were there to "blow kisses and show off" to the crowd, one luchadora told Marta) rather than actual competitors. It's only recently that the sport has allowed women to fight men. Yet there’s still widespread discrimination despite the efforts of luchadoras and their fans. I recently sat down with Marta in San Francisco to talk about her project and what place women occupy in lucha libre...More?

source: vice.com

Baseball's Newest Mascot Is A Mexican Wrestler

The Arizona Diamondbacks have a new mascot, a professional wrestler dressed in the style of a Luchador.

Professional wrestling in Mexico, also called Lucha Libre, is very popular in the southwest United States and now the Diamondbacks are trying to capitalize on that popularity. The wrestlers are called Luchadors and they wear highly stylized masks when they are competing.

This move comes after the Diamondbacks gave away Lucha Libre masks to fans last season, something that proved to be very popular. They will have another mask giveaway later this month.

source: businessinsider.com

D-backs introduce new Luchador

Spider-Man Inspired By Masked Luchadors

In The Amazing Spider-Man, which hit theaters Tuesday, Peter Parker is inspired to create a mask after winding up inside a wrestling ring surrounded by posters of masked luchadors. It is not the first wrestling connection in the movie franchise as in the premiere film released in 2002, Peter enters a wrestling tournament and squares off against a character portrayed by the late Randy "Macho Man" Savage.

Spider-Man movie has strong ties to pro wrestling; "Macho Man" Randy Savage connection...

The Amazing Spider-Man was released during the Independence Day week and so far the flick has performed well.

The Spider-Man franchise is awesome, it is something else which has pro wrestling fans excited about the latest reboot of the superhero franchise.

In the original film, starring Tobey Maguire, we witnessed Spider-Man enter a pro wrestling match in order to win a sum of cash which would allow him to purchase a used car he thought would impress Mary Jane.

Initially, Peter Parker wanted to be called The Human Spider, but Bruce Campbell put a stop to that nonsense and sent him down to the ring as Spider-Man.

As if seeing the man most famously known as Ash Williams wasn't enough, we were treated to a second cameo within seconds.

Spidey was facing off against Bonesaw McGraw, who was played by the late, great Randy "Macho Man" Savage.

It was here where Spidey first faced off against a foe who put him through hell.

This cameo by the legendary "Macho Man" was warmly welcomed by wrestling fans who had missed Savage. The new film, featuring Andrew Garfield as the webby one has gone back to its roots and given Peter Parker another wrestling-based inspiration.

At one point in the film Peter Parker is walking away from a group of hoodlums he had just schooled when he falls through a roof, landing in the middle of a wrestling ring.

When he stood up and looked around he saw what provided him with the inspiration for his signature mask.

The small arena was filled with signs featuring Lucha Libre masks, one of which catches Parker's eye more than the others.

The mask is red with dark-colored designs surrounding the eyes, nearly an exact copy of Spidey's look sans the webbing all over the face area.

Director Marc Webb made a lot of wrestling fans happy by inserting another inspiration for Spider-Man which is based in the world of pro wrestling...More?

source: streetcorner.com.au

D-Backs to Host Lucha Libre Mask Night

The Arizona Diamondbacks MLB team will be giving away lucha libre masks to the first 15,000 fans at the July 7 game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The D-Backs are trying to reach the Latino population with give-aways this season. Last year, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim set a Guinness World Record for most wrestling masks assembled at one event as part of a give-away...More?

source: bizjournals.com

WWE TV News

We noted before that beginning July 2nd, many of WWE’s RAW Supershow tapings will begin 90 minutes before the live RAW broadcast airs on TV. Currently, tapings begin 30 or 45 minutes before RAW hits the air. Speculation now is that WWE may be filming a countdown show for RAW with that extra time. Officials have been wanting something like a RAW pre-show for a while now.

WWE is also looking at doing a Lucha Libre show with high-flying Spanish wrestlers and Spanish announcers. With the Cruiserweights show also set for this November, the bottom line is that WWE is looking to do a lot more TV shows this year as they prepare for the Network launch.

With NXT and FCW being taped at Full Sail University soon, word is that WWE will still be taping another show on Tuesday nights before the Superstars and SmackDown tapings.

Regarding the new tapings at Full Sail University, speculation is that Jim Ross and William Regal may end up announcing that show. The new tapings are being described as Triple H’s own project and something that Vince McMahon doesn’t have his “fingerprints” on, yet.

source: f4wonline.com

This Day in Wrestling History

The Blue Demon ( Alejandro Munoz) is born in Nuevo Leon, Mexico
April 24, 1922
Better known as Blue Demon (Demonio Azul in Spanish), Munoz was a Mexican luchador Enmascarado (Masked professional wrestler) who was widely considered to be one of the greatest Mexican wrestlers of his time. He was affectionately referred to as "Blue" and was known for his signature blue wrestling mask.



Johnny Valentine passes away.
April 24, 2001


Buddy Rogers vs. Johnny Valentine - 1953

Johnny Valentine (born John Theodore Wisniski, September 22, 1928–April 24, 2001) was a professional wrestler with a career spanning almost three decades. He has been inducted into four halls of fame for his achievements in wrestling. Wisniski is the father of professional wrestler Greg "The Hammer" Valentine.

He held numerous world champion and regional titles, including the NWA United States Championship and the World Heavyweight title. He had long running rivalries with Bobo Brazil, Pat O'Connor, Buddy Rogers, Antonio Rocca, Lou Thesz, Harley Race, The Sheik, Wahoo McDaniel, Fritz von Erich, Bruno Sammartino, Johnny Powers, Antonio Inoki and Jack & Jerry Brisco. He alternated between being a villain and a hero during the Golden Era in the 1940s through 1960s of wrestling.

In 1975, he was injured in a plane crash; he suffered a broken back and was forced to retire from wrestling. He worked briefly as a manager before retiring altogether. He suffered from several health problems during his career, which worsened considerably after a fall in 2000. He died the following year.

source: wikipedia.org

This Day in Wrestling History

Happy Birthday to "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
December 18, 1964

Toru Tanaka defeats Fritz Von Erich in Houston, Texas to win the NWA American Heavyweight Title (later to become the World Class World Heavyweight Title), ending Fritz' eighth reign as champion.
December 18, 1970

Happy Birthday to Rob Van Dam
December 18, 1971

Happy Birthday to Trish Stratus
December 18, 1975

Giant Baba won All Japan Pro Wrestling's 20-man Open Championship tournament in Tokyo with 11 points, beating out second place finishers Abdullah The Butcher and Dory Funk Jr. by one point.
December 18, 1975

Ricky Steamboat defeats Ric Flair in Toronto, Ontario, Canada to win the United States Title for a second time. This also marked the end of Flair's second reign with the belt.
December 18, 1978

Blue Panther defeats Satanico in a tournament final to become the first CMLL World Middleweight Title in Acapulco, Mexico. Panther would vacate the title six months later when he jumped to the rival AAA promotion.
December 18, 1991

partial source: pwinsider.com

Rumor Mill - Possible Tag Partner for Sin Cara

As seen on Friday's SmackDown, Epico has joined Hunico to feud against Sin Cara. Word is that Averno may finally be signed by WWE to team with Cara against the former FCW Tag Team Champions.

Sin Cara requested that Averno be signed by WWE earlier this year to work with. Reports out of Mexico this year have went back and forth on whether or not Averno was coming in. After the recent WWE tour of Mexico where Averno took part in tryouts, it's said he's now waiting on the call to join WWE's blue brand for the tag team feud.

source: f4wonline.com

Lucha Libre USA Launching New Web Series

Lucha Libre USA will be debuting a new web series tonight at 8:30 PM EST on their Facebook page, Facebook.com/MaskedWarriors. Featured on the debut will be Rocky Romero, member of the Latin Liberators, who will be chatting with show host and commentator, Alex Iz and taking questions from fans.

source: pwinsider.com

CMLL Reps at SmackDown; Tryouts Held

Super Luchas reports that representatives from Mexico’s CMLL promotion were in attendance for the SmackDown tapings in Mexico City. It’s also being reported that WWE held a tryout this weekend with several talents from CMLL.

Video: Triple H Announces Mil Mascaras Will Join WWE Hall of Fame

First Inductee of the 2012 WWE Hall Of Fame Class Revealed

The official WWE twitter account posted the following:

RT @wweinsider: BREAKING NEWS: Triple H announces Lucha Legend Mil Mascaras will be part of the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2012.

Mask vs. Mask: Sin Caras Duel on SmackDown in Mexico City

The heart of a luchador is his mask. After this Friday's SmackDown, one of the Sin Cara will have his heart torn away.

Both Sin Cara Azul and Sin Cara Negro will put their identity on the line in a Mask vs. Mask Match on Friday Night SmackDown, emanating from the Palacio De Los Deportes in Mexico City.

Ever since September, when it was revealed that two Sin Caras were competing in WWE, tensions have escalated, including multiple physical confrontations.

Sin Cara Azul earned bragging rights over his twin, defeating Sin Cara Negro in their match at WWE Hell in a Cell, but the match was so closely contested that the question as to who the superior Superstar is still remains unanswered.

After Hell in a Cell, the darker luchador has repeatedly attacked his blue counterpart, leading to this Mask vs. Mask match-up in the Mexican capital.

source: wwe.com

Lucha Libre USA: Masked Warrior Recap 10/15/11

Mexican wrestling legend advertised for SmackDown TV taping in Mexico City

On the WWE.com Live Events listing, WWE is officially advertising Mexican wrestling legend Mil Mascaras for this Sunday's Smackdown TV taping in Mexico City. WWE is also advertising WWE champion Alberto Del Rio, who is the nephew of Mil Mascaras. Del Rio is the only Raw star advertised for the Smackdown taping in Mexico.