AS I SEE IT
Bob Magee
Pro Wrestling Between the Sheets
PWBTS.com
An ironic subject to start today...on Cinco De Mayo...or is
it becoming Cinco De May?
Remember HHH saying this about the purchase of AAA?
"I’m a big fan of lucha as a style. I think having all
styles is incredibly valuable. Obviously, we have a
particular one that we like to do with WWE, but that does
not mean we’re looking to massively revamp anything. I’m
looking to keep traditional Lucha Libre as traditional Lucha
Libre within that world and just help it to grow, and help
the athletes who grew up fans of it in those markets to
realize their dream, just like we’re helping to do in the
US."
Well....despite that nice speech using all the right words,
it didn't take long before the whitewashing started. The
leadership at AAA told their roster that they need to start
learning English and begin working more in an American
wrestling style, including working from the opposite side to
lucha style.
So much for traditional lucha libre. The excuse given was
that it would help open up opportunities for talent within
WWE. Further, WWE also plans to have a more involved role in
AAA creative, with Jeremy Borash mentioned as WWE
representative.
It's important to understand that lucha is so integral to
Mexican culture that September 21 is National Lucha Libre
Day (Dia Nacional de la Lucha Libre) and Mexican
Professional Wrestler Day. It celebrates the "sport of lucha
libre", chosen to honor the first CMLL show on September 21,
1933, deemed the official beginning of lucha libre in
Mexico.
WWE aired a When World's Collide/Money in the Bank promo
during WWE Evolve on TUBI this past week. AAA wrestlers
shown included El Hijo del Vikingo, Pagano, Laredo Kid, and
the newest version of La Parka. Rey Mysterio was shown on a
subsequent promo video.
CMLL responded to the purchase and subsequent WWE statements
by starting to market themselves as "Lucha Libre 100%
Mexicana".
CMLL is also working with partner AEW for Grand Slam Mexico,
with Ticketmaster.com.mx showing tickets for the AEW Grand
Slam: Mexico has all but sold out in less than 48 hours.
Arena Mexico holds around 16,000 for wrestling, so this will
be one of the biggest shows in terms of attendance for AEW
until ALL IN Texas. It takes place on Wednesday, June 18 and
will air live on TBS and Max as a Dynamite episode.
Advance ticket sales for AEW Forbidden Door in London at the
O2 Arena have already passed $1 million. The event is
expected to end up as the third largest gate in AEW history.
In other news, the April 26 Playoffpalooza edition of AEW
Collision had 707,000 viewers (up 354,000 viewers) from the
previous week; with an 0.21 18-49 rating (up .13 from last
week). Playoffpalooza was the third-highest Collision
viewership ever and highest since July 29, 2023. It’s the
highest 18-49 since the March 23 AEW Slam Dunk Collision
(588,000 viewers), ranking #4 for the night in 18-49; with
UFC Fight Night on ESPN2 and Stanley Cup playoffs airing in
primetime on TBS the primary competition. As always, this
does not count viewership streaming on MAX.
MAX has added new AEW programming for May:
May 4 - Double or Nothing (2021)
May 11 - Double or Nothing (2022)
May 16 - AEW Dynamite archives (summer/fall 2020), All Out
(2020). Full Gear (2020)
May 18 - Double or Nothing (2023)
Special note: this week's Collision will air LIVE on
Thursday, May 8 on TBS (not on TNT, because of NBA on TNT),
rather than on Saturday, May 10 because of NHL Stanley Cup
playoffs coverage on TNT, and WWE's Backlash PPV.
All Elite Wrestling announced last Friday that the 2300
Arena in Philadelphia will host an exclusive multi-week
residency of AEW Dynamite and AEW Collision, marking the
first time that AEW events have been held at the historic
venue. These events are in addition to the previously
announced ROH Death Before Dishonor event on Friday,
September 5.
The residency dates are as follows:
Wednesday, August 27 – AEW Dynamite
Saturday, August 30 – AEW Collision
Wednesday, September 3 – AEW Dynamite
Friday, September 5 – ROH Death Before Dishonor
Saturday, September 6 – AEW Collision
Wednesday, September 10 – AEW Dynamite
Thursday, September 11 – Special Taping of AEW Collision
“We are thrilled to bring AEW Dynamite and AEW Collision
to the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia from August 27 – September
11,” said AEW CEO, GM and Head of Creative Tony Khan. “This
residency has been years in the making, highlighted by an
overwhelming demand from both fans and media alike for this
legendary venue to host AEW events. I look forward to
returning to the 2300 Arena for the first time since I was
13 years old and bring our passionate fans in Philadelphia
an incredible few weeks of AEW shows this summer.”
ALL IN weekend will see three independent shows (thus far)
announced in the Dallas-Fort Worth area:
House of Glory comes to the Haltom Theatre in Haltom City,
TX on Friday, July 11
Game Changer Wrestling comes to Gilley’s Dallas in Dallas,
TX on July 12: Boss of All Bosses. Scheduled: Effy, Jonathan
Gresham, Masha Slamovich, Matt Tremont, Mance Warner
Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling (TJPW) is bringing the heat to The
OC in Forney, TX on Sunday July 13 for one unforgettable
night of high-flying, hard-hitting action!
If you'd like to contact me, you can do so at my
bobmagee1@hotmail.com account or to through Facebook
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message me at https://twitter.com/BobMage70323520, or
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