Stage 2 of AAA’s Lucha Capital tournament continues tonight. As for who will show up, your guess is as good as mine. No official matches have yet to be announced. I’ll update the preview if any news comes forth. For now, let’s take a closer look at Fenix and the Killer Smoke Show.
(If you have previously read previews of past weeks, then I’ll save you some time. The next few paragraphs are roughly the same in case any new viewers jump aboard this week.)
The Lucha Capital tournament will span over eight consecutive Wednesdays at 8:30pm Mexico City time (9:30pm ET). The event is hosted at Pinche Gringo BBQ. Best of all, you can watch for free live on AAA’s Facebook page. If you can’t view live, don’t worry. The replay should be posted in short order.
The format awards points to match winners, but it is simpler to think of it as everyone gets two singles bouts during the first six weeks. Those with two wins will move on to the final evening. During week seven, those with one win will attempt to qualify for the finale.
The finale (Dec. 19) will have quarterfinals of three-ways with the winners moving on to singles bouts in the semifinals and final.
International talent comes from AAA, MAD, Elite, Impact, and Lucha Underground. In reality, most of them are pretty much AAA even if not officially recognized as such. The list of participants is Psycho Clown, Murder Clown, Pagano, Taurus, Pentagon Jr., Puma King, Vanilla Vargas, La Hiedra, Killer Kross, Hijo del Vikingo, Laredo Kid, Drago, Aerostar, Maximo, Lady Shani, Lady Maravilla, Fenix, Golden Magic, Texano Jr., Niño Hamburguesa, Australian Suicide, Taya, Mascarita Sagrada, and Keyra.
If you need to get caught up, jam on Week 1 (preview, recap), Week 2 (preview, recap), Week 3 (preview, recap), and Week 4 (preview, recap).
Join us here for the show to chat in the open thread. If you have never used Facebook to watch live shows, check out this handy video to help. It is about WWE’s Mixed Match Challenge, but the process is the same. Go to facebook.com/luchalibreaaa instead.
Let’s preview tonight’s action as best we can.
Niño Hamburguesa and Maximo were mentioned on AAA’s Twitter. I think it is safe to assume they will be present for matches. Blue Demon Jr., Pentagon Jr., and Fenix also have a featured tweet.
¡JUNTOS POR ÚNICA OCASIÓN! @BlueDemon, @PentagonJunior y @ReyFenixMx ¿Dónde? Si señoras y señores en...
— Lucha Libre AAA (@luchalibreaaa) November 28, 2018
¡¡¡#LuchaCapital!!!
Los esperamos en: @PincheGringoBBQ o desde @FacebookWatch https://t.co/USLkVg5gOo pic.twitter.com/gbqDoshB2S
Fenix is the most interesting of the three. He is supposedly injured and canceling all bouts until the end of the year. That doesn’t mean he won’t appear to have fun with the crowd.
I’m curious to see how AAA handles it if Fenix has to drop out of the tournament. They could take the easiest route and just substitute Samoano to keep the field neat and orderly. Samoano lost last week as a surprise participant, so he could be tossed out as eliminated even though he only had one match or absorb Fenix’s win if they need an extra body for Week 7’s last chance round. The messier but more exciting route would be to swap in Blue Demon Jr.
Status check
Last week’s mix and match session through a monkey wrench into the smoothness. Pagano couldn’t make it due to airport issues. Killer Kross was supposed to wrestle but did not. I don’t know how that affects his Stage 2 result. Samoano was a last-minute surprise.
- Advanced to the finale: None yet
- Advanced to Week 7: Hijo del Vikingo, Mascarita Sagrada, Drago, Keyra, Vanilla, and Murder Clown
- Eliminated: Puma King
- Unknown: Samoano
Killer Smoke Show
Aside from entertaining matches, the big news was the formation of a new power couple in lucha libre, Killer Kross and Scarlett Bordeaux. I’m not sure how they fit into the Lucha Capital tournament, but it was a cool moment and created some buzz.
Since their appearance, the two have been posting poetic messages.
There is nothing in you that can scare me. Nothing I will not use to make you great.
— Scarlett Bordeaux (@Lady_Scarlett13) November 22, 2018
Now watch us as we set the wrestling world on fire..
⏳ ❌ @luchalibreaaa #luchalibreaaa #killersmokeshow @realKILLERkross pic.twitter.com/xw5n8KahAH
I don’t know if they are dating in real life, but they sure seem like a perfect pair.
There’s a monster hiding in the mirror. When I lean in close, he comes nearer. He looks deep into my eyes and sees the fear. “Hush, baby, hush,” he whispers. You’re the only one who knows I’m here...
— Scarlett Bordeaux (@Lady_Scarlett13) November 22, 2018
No one is coming to save you @luchalibreaaa
⏳ ❌ @realKILLERkross pic.twitter.com/Nhys5Gbkvm
Leave it to Kross to make it scary. Will wrath and lust equal annihilation tonight? Or are they waiting for a later date?
Welcome To The #KillerSmokeShow.
— Killer Kross ⌛️ ❌ (@realKILLERkross) November 24, 2018
A game where the chosen talent never win,
Everyone is a victim,
And the catharsis to the mayhem is that there is no such thing as continuity in this Universe;
Only suffering.#Wrath & #Lust shall equal #Annihilation@Lady_Scarlett13 ⏳ ❌ pic.twitter.com/7SFsLIFptf
There is also a fantastic interview with the Killer Smoke Show where Kross discusses being able to kill Mascarita Sagrada with his bare hands and questions why Vampiro doesn’t change his name to Vegeterio.
Saving the silliest for last, here is a mini game trying to freeze a GIF so Texano’s hat is on his head. It makes me laugh for some reason.
Atrapa el sombrero del @ElTexanoJr y comparte tu captura
— Lucha Libre AAA (@luchalibreaaa) November 25, 2018
Se ve fácil pero... ¿podrás? pic.twitter.com/h55W41jqmW
Update
Tonight’s participants appear to be Pentagon Jr., Aerostar, Golden Magic, Lady Shani, Fenix, Niño Hamburguesa, Lady Maravilla, and Maximo.
Hoy es miércoles de #LuchaCapital
— Zona Ruda AAA (@ZonaRudaTDN) November 28, 2018
La cita es a las 8:30 pm en @PincheGringoBBQ Warehouse (Lago Iseo 296, Colonia Anáhuac) o siguiendo la transmisión EN VIVO por @FacebookWatch https://t.co/5pSvkZdiou pic.twitter.com/f5Kxfo8bOD
From that group of eight, Pentagon, Aerostar, Lady Shani, and Fenix all have a win from Stage 1. They are competing to get a pass to the finale, while the other four are competing to stay alive in the tournament. A second defeat means elimination.
Quick results:
Pentagon Jr. defeated Golden Magic via arm breaker then a package piledriver. Pentagon advances to the finale, while Golden Magic is eliminated. Golden Magic was stretchered out with an injured neck. Looks legit but not serious.
Maximo defeated Niño Hamburguesa after three kisses and a roll-up. Niño Hamburguesa is eliminated.
Pagano defeated Aerostar via bouncing Aerostar off the ropes for added suplex momentum. Lots of nifty moves. Pagano advances to the finale with his second win.
Lady Shani defeated Lady Maravilla via fancy bridging pin after a top rope slam maneuver. I was distracted and only caught it out of the corner of my eye. Lady Shani advances to the finale with her second victory. Lady Maravilla is eliminated with her second loss.
Bonus fight: Averno defeated Angelikal via double underhook facebuster off the middle rope out of the corner. Nice warm-up bout to start the evening.
Tune in tomorrow to Cageside Seats for a recap and review.