Rey Mysterio returns for AAA's Lucha Libre World Cup tournament, available in English on iPPV

Mexico's AAA (Asistencia Asesoría y Administración) promotion has been making moves into the United States market for a while now - the most prominent being their involvement with El Rey network's Lucha Underground. Prior to Perro Aguayo, Jr's tragic death, loudly announcing their signing of Rey Mysterio was another piece of that plan.

Both of those elements are being combined in a next step toward competing with WWE and other U.S. players with this month's Lucha Libre World Cup show.

AAA announced at a press conference yesterday that the May 24th show will be available on internet pay-per-view (iPPV) with English language commentary by the regular LU team of Matt Striker and Vampiro. No details were provided (at least, none in a language I speak or via my go-to source for all things lucha, thecubsfan's luchablog) on where or how much the show would cost, but plenty of details about what the one-day tournament will consist of should excite fans.

Eight announced trios teams (so far), representing both countries/regions and companies, will take part in the single elimination tournament. Like the football/soccer World Cup, there will be a final to determine the first and second place teams and a third place match.

Matches will have a fifteen minute time limit. If there's been no decision after that expires, there will be a one-on-one sudden death overtime period. Here are the announced teams, highlighted by Mysterio's return on the squad that has to be considered an early favorite:

Mexico 1: Alberto el Patron, Myzteziz, Rey Mysterio Jr.
Mexico 2: Hijo del Fantasma (King Cuerno), Texano Jr., Psycho Clown
Mexico 3: Blue Demon Jr., Dr. Wagner Jr., Solar
Japan 1: Team NOAH - Taiji Ishimori, Atsushi Kotoge, Yoshihiro Takayama
Japan 2: Team AJPW - Kenzo Suzuki, Tiger Mask III, Masamune
USA 1: Team ROH/Lucha Underground - Moose, ACH, Brian Cage
USA 2: Team TNA/Lucha Underground - Matt Hardy, Ken Anderson, Johnny Mundo
Rest of The World: Angelico, El Mesias (Mil Muertes), Drew Galloway

Match-ups will be announced on May 22nd, the Friday before the opening bell in Mexico City. In addition to winners determined by wins and losses, a panel of judges will select the best match and the most valuable luchador.

The promotions participating are worth noting, with TNA in particular rumored to be receiving the use of an AAA star for their live show and tapings this weekend in exchange for the Hardy and Anderson. Jeff Jarrett's Global Force Wrestling (GFW) also recently announced Moose as roster member and had in the past touted an alliance with AAA (in addition to double J having held their World title during his TNA days). But the former NFL lineman is clearly representing Ring of Honor at this show, and is still attached to that company, so it's hard to determine the status of GFW's previously announced partnership with AAA.

Who's ordering this during an already packed May calendar of pro wrestling? Excited to see Rey back in action, or intrigued by any of the potential match-ups? Just going to use this show to try to get more familiar with the lucha style?

You know how to discuss it, Cagesiders!