Mullett Arena, Tempe
3rd December, 2022

Our interest in pro wrestling comes and goes. But we’ve always enjoyed the Mexican version, lucha libre. This reached its peak during the glorious run of Lucha Underground, from 2014-18, a glorious mash-up of berserk storytelling and insane action, which ran on Robert Rodriguez’s channel, El Rey. Back before we cut the cable, we’d sometimes watch the two main Mexican wrestling companies, AAA or CMLL, on Spanish-language, with Chris desperately trying to offer a running translation (my knowledge of the language remains at the “Donde esta la biblioteca?” level). We attended our share of local lucha shows, where I was often the whitest person in the room. Awkward, when the American villain is using an ICE gimmick, and yelling at the crowd that they should be mowing his lawn.

Which brings us to this event, put on by AAA. It had long been an ambition to attend a show like the ones we saw on TV, but that would typically have involved a trip to Mexico. As soon as we heard they were coming to Arizona, tickets were bought. And on the wettest day of the year, we showed up at the Mullett, the newly opened home to Arizona State University’s ice hockey, gymnastics and wrestling teams. No, the other kind of wrestling. On arrival, we discovered our location had been “upgraded” to floor seats. Quotes used advisedly. We’d deliberately bought seats up a few rows so we’d have a clear view of the ring. Now? Not so much, especially when the people in front stood up with the frequency of prairie dogs.

This issue was solved by Chris. She unilaterally decided to give us a further, albeit entirely unofficial upgrade. which is how we ended up in the otherwise entirely vacant second row, ringside, sitting behind AAA co-owner Marisela Peña, sister of company founder Antonio Peña. Pro-tip: look like you’re supposed to be there, don’t cause problems, and nobody will question you, apparently. After ten minutes spent worrying I was going to be thrown out by very well-muscled gentlemen, I was able to settle down and enjoy proceedings. Like all wrestling shows, it was a “card subject to change” event. We were disappointed that Vampiro, one of the leading lights of Lucha Underground didn’t appear as originally advertised. But we did get two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velazquez instead, who had managed to escape his current legal troubles to return to his alma mater of ASU for one night (he had the school logo pitchfork on his knee-pads). Legal troubles? Yeah. Let’s go to Wikipedia for a summary…

In March 2022, he was charged with attempted murder and additional gun assault charges after engaging in a car chase and allegedly shooting at a man who was alleged to have molested one of Velasquez’s 4-year-old relatives, missing the man and hitting the man’s father instead… On November 22, Velasquez was granted permission from the court to travel to Tempe, Arizona to partake in a Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide professional wrestling event. Per the court, Velasquez will be allowed to be without his ankle monitoring device while performing in-ring, but he must be assisted by police throughout the course of his travel.

Let’s move rapidly on. I’m not going to describe each bout in detail, but here’s some thoughts on each one.

Willie Mack, Mascarita Sagrada & La Perrush-K defeated King Drago, Latigo & Demus. A black guy, a midget and a transvestite walk into a bar… Well, it was actually a wrestling ring, but that does accurately describe the winning team here. Willie and Mascarita were also familiar from Lucha Underground, but Perrush-K was the crowd favourite, looking as if Eddie Izzard took up pro wrestling. It always amazes me how exoticos like [Insert whatever La Perrush-K’s preferred pronoun is] are so warmly embraced, despite the super-macho culture in Mexico, even if largely for comedic purposes.

Lady Maravilla & Chik Tormenta defeated Sexy Star & Lady Shani. I’d been looking forward to this, but was a bit disappointed, with it frequently becoming sloppy and disjointed. It felt like Star’s ring skills were several levels better than those of her opponents. Matters weren’t helped by Shani apparently suffering a genuine injury to her knee mid-way through, which clearly hampered her thereafter.

Nueva Generacion Dinamita defeated Dave The Clow, Komander & Arez. I’d call this the best match of the night, a really good showcase of the lucha style. It’s more fast-paced and athletic than the typical American match, though does look more obviously “staged” at times. Given the riskiness of some spots, it’s understandable caution is exercised. Dinamita are the current AAA Trios champions, and on the form they showed here, it’s easy to see why.

Pagano, Cain Velasquez & Blue Demon Jr. defeated Gringo Loco, Sam Adonis & Taurus. Velazquez won his bout (below), though much credit to opponent Sam Adonis (also pictured) for some grade-A trolling. His entrance video consisted of the Mexican football team conceding goals, over-layed with Adonis laughing hysterically. It certainly got the intended reaction, and throughout the contest, he must be commended for consistent top-tier heel work, e.g. trying to get Senora Peña to kiss him. Subtle? Of course not. But the chorus of boos proved its effectiveness. Just as in film, a good bad guy can make the whole experience.

El Hijo del Vikingo & Pentagon Jr. defeated Daga & Flip Gordon. The main event featured Pentagon Jr, who had held the Lucha Underground title for 622 consecutive days, and whose catchphrase of “cero miedo” (zero fear) is as iconic in Mexico, as anything to do with Rock’s cooking is elsewhere. It’s easy to see why. I got weals on my own chest simply from the sound of his open-hand chops, and even under a mask, has charisma to spare. Part of me wants Pentagon to move to WWE and get the audience he deserves. But given how they’ve handled past luchadores, he may be better off as a very large fish in a smaller pool. Credit also due to his partner, making his American debut and who showed great promise. Who knew they had vikings in Mexico?

All told, it was a very solid two and a half hours of entertainment, without a dull moment – not even an intermission. I probably wouldn’t have paid the $200 or so each the seats we ended up occupying should have cost, but the $50 actually paid was good value for money. Maybe a trip to the 17,000 seater Arena Ciudad de México in Mexico City for a future Triplemania is back on the cards. Guess I’d better brush up on my Duolingo…