El Deporte de las Mil Emociones: Hype for Fan Appreciation Day

Week 33: Hype for Fan Appreciation Day

EB: The calendar has turned to August in 1990 and that means we have arrived at Fan Appreciation weekend in CSP. Typically held the last weekend before the school year begins, the event this year  is scheduled for August 4 in Bayamon (and August 5 in San German for fans on the west coast) and features the Bronca Boricua as one of its featured attractions. The big match that has been promoted for the card is the Universal title rematch between Carlos Colon and TNT. After their time limit draw at Aniversario, TNT has proclaimed that he is the rightful Universal champion because he pinned Carlos Colon and had the victory stolen by the ref and commission. Carlos Colon has grown tired of TNT’s claims and has vowed to publicly shame TNT by defeating him decisively once and for all. The two have tangled twice since Aniversario, once in an impromptu non-title challenge match on July 14 (which saw Atkie Mulumba interfere to attack Colon and Scott Hall make the save) and a tag match on July 21 (with TNT getting the pinfall victory for his team over Colon). Now, we have arrived at the big rematch.

But before we get to the actual show, we do have some final tv hype to get through first. There’s also a special TV appearance that CSP had as a final bit of hype for the card that we’ll close today’s installment with. We are fortunate to have two programs from the August 4 weekend that provide our last bit of hype for the big Fan Appreciation Day show. In addition, this is the last of the continuous chronological tv episodes we have for 1990 ,so going forward we’ll once more have a mix of angles, matches and summaries from what is available, along with the odd tv episode here and there. As for the July 28 card that happened the previous weekend, we really don’t have much information about what happened on that house show, but to be honest that show was a bit of a placeholder a week before Fan Appreciation Day. Lets go first to the Campeones episode for Aug 4. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaRQ8w4MKI0

Our hosts this week are Hugo Savinovich and Chicky Starr. Hugo is very happy because Fan Appreciation Day has arrived. Chicky runs down the matches we’ll see today, including Chicky’s Esquina Caliente segment. Hugo reminds the fans that tonight the fans will get a chance to get autographs and pictures with their favorite wrestlers. Hugo turns the conversation to something that has caused a great unrest among the fans, and that is how is it possible that Chicky was able to get one of the big fan favorites and turn him to his side (referring to TNT joining El Club Deportivo). How did Chicky pull it off, was it money? Power? Chicky says it was none of that, ‘it’s not my fault that I’m so intelligent’. Chicky is very happy with TNT in his camp and the moment has arrived. Tonight TNT will show Carlos Colon that he can be Universal champion. Hugo throws it to the first match and it’s the Idol and Valentin vs Caribbean Express match we covered in our last installment.

After the match, we get promos from Lance Idol and the Super Medicos about tonight's World tag title match. Idol talks first about the Bronca Boricua and claims that he invented breaking the rules and that he and Valentine will win the $10,000 prize money. Idols says that the Medicos' days as champions are numbered and that he’s heard that the Medicos’ wives have pleaded with them not to get in the ring with Idol and Valentine.’Space Mountain, climb aboard!’. 

The Super Medicos cut a promo in response, first congratulating the fans on their day and then Medico #1 tells Idol and Valentine that they can try to take the belts away from them but the Medicos will stand victorious in the end. Also, tonight is the Bronca Boricua, one of the most dangerous matches there is, but tonight they’ll try to be the winners.

MD: Chicky asks Idol about the Bronco Boricua and challenging the Medicos. He actually calls it the Puerto Rican Brawl to Idol which is interesting since it’s not like he wouldn’t get the other name as what it’s branded as. Idol is wonderfully corny. If you cut a “Let me tell you, brutha” promo as a heel right now, you’d probably come off quite like him. It’s refreshing. As for the Medicos, pretty straight forward. They’re able to cover both of the key issues (Tag Title Match, Bronco Boricua) fairly quickly.

EB: We go to the outside of Hospital Pavia for an interview with a returning Carl Styles. Carl has not been seen in a few months and we don’t really know anything about where he’s been. Hugo is with Carl (who is shirtless standing outside of the hospital) and both men are wearing sunglasses. Hugo tells the fans that what we are about to hear will surprise the fans, as it did Hugo when Carl first spoke with him on the phone. Hugo asks Carl to tell the fans the unbelievable story and Carl opens by saying he can’t believe that he is back in Puerto Rico and that he is alive. Two months ago he was in Hospital Pavia, he had busted blood vessels in his lower abdomen and had developed a bad infection as a result of that injury.  He was in the ER for a few days and over two weeks in the hospital. As Carl is talking they show him walking shirtless on the sidewalk in front of the hospital (it’s unintentionally funny to me, I can only imagine what the passersby thought of the sight).  Carl mentions that when he signed on  with Profe and Chicky to come to Puerto Rico the first time, he said they told him they would take care of him. Basically, they left him in the hospital near death and never checked up on him, offered no help or notified his family of what was going on. Hugo translates for the fans and follows up with Carl about Profe not doing anything. Carl goes on with his story, saying that El Profe said that the Puerto Ricans were bad and that he should only trust Profe and Chicky, but the doctor and nurses here treated him very well and if it wasn't for them he would be dead. Carl’s had over two months to think and he has a message for El Profe. He’s going to get ahold of Profe, and he is going to pay Profe back for all of the suffering that Carl and his family were put through. He’s back, he’s stronger and better than ever. Carl gets fired up as he finishes his threat towards Profe. 

MD: Styles is in front of a local hospital, talking to Hugo, and claims that he had a life threatening abdominal infection and that neither Chicky nor, especially, Profe helped him. They were supposed to call his family and get him help. It’s pretty effective stuff. For some reason I thought Styles would have a Canadian accent and not a southern one. He also doesn’t seem nearly as tall next to Hugo as I was expecting. He’s coming for revenge and this would make me get behind him. 

EB: It looks like this is a West coast version of Campeones, because we get a rundown for the August 5 Fan Appreciation Day card in San German. The card is  similar to the one in Bayamon, although with Carl Styles taking on Atkie Mulumba for that show and 16 men instead of 17 competing in the Bronca Boricua.

Back from a commercial break we get a Kim Duk vs Gama Singh match from Caguas. TNT and Chicky are both seconding Kim Duk (something that Hugo questions Chicky about but Chicky ignores answering the question). Duk gets the early advantage thanks to Singh being distracted by having Chicky and TNT at ringside. Singh is able to come back with some punches and strikes, backing Duk into a corner. However, Duk gets an eye poke to stop Gama’s attack. Chicky on commentary claims to not have seen the eye poke and proceeds to talk up Kim Duk, saying that he’s been brought in from Korea to team up with TNT. Duk chokes Gama on the ropes and then, when TNT distracts the ref, he chokes Gama with the kendo stick that Chicky throws to him. Chicky on commentary again feigns ignorance at that happening. As Duk continues working over Singh with some chokes, Hugo reminds the fans that this Thursday they will be in Vega Alta and Friday they will be in Ponce. We go to commercial and come back to Duk still in control and tossing Gama to the ring apron. Duk chops Gama and backs off, allowing an opening for Chicky to hit Singh off camera with the kendo stick (which Chicky denies happening since it was off camera and thus not visible). Gama recovers and starts getting fired up outside of the ring, and is able to cut off Duk once he’s back inside. Singh hits several punches and a backdrop on Duk. Singh gets a crossbody from the top but Duk is able to kick out. A sunset flip by Singh gets two. An irish whip is countered by Duk with a kick to the midsection. Duk hits an enzuigiri  and then puts Singh in the cobra sleeper. Singh struggles but falls unconscious and Duk gets the win. 

The match is followed by an interview with Chicky and Kim Duk about the upcoming Bronca Boricua and the Caribbean title match Duk has against Invader #1. Duk cuts a promo where he promises to win the title, he is in good shape and he ‘feels not sorry for you man’ about Invader #1. We then get Invader #1 responding, hyping up the Bronca Boricua and saying that it won’t be easy for Duk tonight.

MD: It’s interesting they’re pushing Duk against midcard babyfaces instead of enhancement guys. Esteban has a guess that they had to bring him in because Pogo didn’t work out after they hyped him and it makes sense. He was less established here than Pogo so maybe they’re giving him bigger wins to get him over quicker. I still don’t get why Singh is there. He’s got the hairline of a heel and they needed heels and he could have come in as one. Heck, he could have teamed with Duk and it would have been effective. He fights from underneath here but Duk controls most of this with a size advantage, the martial arts, and some dirty moves. He uses the staff to choke Singh as the ref isn’t looking and this time slips in a back brain kick between the Dinamita Kick and the Cobra. TNT’s on the outside coaching with Chicky which is a nice touch. Hard cam had a lot of empty seats which was kind of striking.

Another rough Kim Duk interview follows. He’ll be challenging Invader 1 too. Chicky says “It’s all clear” after Duk speaks and I’m not sure that’s actually the case. Both he and Invader are hyping up both their match and the Bronco Boricua. I imagine their match would be pretty good. Hopefully we get some of it.

EB: It is time for Chicky Starr’s Esquina Caliente segment and we have Chicky and El Profe in the ring. The topic of conversation is Carl Styles and El Profe is baffled about Styles reappearing on the side of El Ejercito de la Justicia. Chicky mentions that this man Carl Styles was with El Profe’s organization, he left for the U.S. without telling anyone, and now he’s come back on the side of the tecnicos. El Prfoe says he is surprised at this, this man (Carl) didn’t show up for some contracted appearances, he was announced on TV as appearing and wasn’t anywhere to be found, he’s an irresponsible man, and now he is showing up in El Ejercito de la ‘Inmundicia’s’ locker room. ‘What’s going on with this stupid individual?’ Chicky calls out Carl Styles, if he is brave enough, to come out here and give Chicky and Profe an explanation for him siding with the tecnicos.Chicky claims that El Profe treated  Styles like a king when he was here before, and that Styles no showed and cost Profe a lot of money in fines for not being there. Profe continues running down Carl, calling him a coward, irresponsible, that he cost him a lot of money, that he treated him very well, until Carl finally shows up. Carl calls out Profe for not contacting him while laid up in the hospital, and Chicky and Profe both claim that they have no idea about that. Chicky and El Profe keep demanding for an ‘explication’ (as Chicky calls it) while Carl says that they know what Styles is talking about. Profe gets angry and starts poking Carl in the chest as he complains about the money Carl cost him and how irresponsible Carl is. Styles has enough of this and decks Profe, and then grabs Chicky in order to smash the two managers’ heads together. Carl tosses Chicky over the top rope and locks Profe in the full nelson. The fans cheer Carl on, but Atkie Mulumba makes his way into the ring and attacks Styles from behind in order to save El Profe. Mulumba knocks Styles down and hits several splashes (remember that Carl had an abdominal injury so this is not the best attack to be on the receiving end of). As the splashes continue, you can hear Chicky talking on the microphone about how this is what they do to traitors. This is what happens to anyone that betrays El Profe or Chicky Starr. Before the attack can continue, members of El Ejercito de la Justicia rush the ring to chase Mulumba and Profe off. Chicky keeps calling Carl a traitor and promises that Carl will pay for what he did to El Profe and Chicky. 

MD: In ring interview segment with Chicky. Time to get Profe’s side of the Styles situation. He said that Styles went back to America, didn’t say anything to anyone, left contracts unfulfilled, and now was with the Justice Army. Chicky and Profe call him out. Styles comes out and they argue about whether or not Profe knew before Styles fires off on them. He even gets Profe in the Full Nelson before Mulumba comes out to crush him and splash him. The babyfaces make the save. Pretty good angle here that sets up a singles match at the upcoming show.

EB: The main event for this episode is the tag match between Carlos Colon and Scott Hall vs TNT and Atkie Mulumba that we previously covered. Before the mach airs, we get some comments from Chicky about how TNT and Mulumba showed that they are number one in the match. Hugo also comments about how TNT is now more dangerous in the ring with the things Chicky has been putting in his head, but Chicky claims that he’s simply taking TNT along the correct path so he can reach the top. After the match, we get some final words from Hugo and Chicky about the Universal title rematch later that night. Hugo thinks Carlos needs to be very careful tonight since with Chicky in TNT’s corner, TNT may very well become the new Universal champion. Chicky says that tonight it will be a fight and that TNT wil do everything he can to be Universal champion (‘and of course, I will be in his corner’).
The second TV episode we have is the Superestrellas de la Lucha Libre episode for August 4.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCUfLpf8ZzA

Hugo welcomes us to the program and mentions that today is the fans day, it’s Fan Appreciation Day tonight at Estadio Juan Ramon Loubriel. Hugo runs down what we’ll have on today’s program and, since it’s a day dedicated to the fans, there will be no Chicky Starr’s Sports Shop today. Among the highlights for today, Hugo mentions that if you haven’t heard about what happened to Carl Styles, you will find out later in the program. Hugo also runs down the card for tonight’s Fan Appreciation Day, reminding fans about the Universal title rematch happening that night. They then show part of the video where TNT was commenting over the footage of the Aniversario 90 match that we saw last week. Back to Hugo, and he reminds fans that tonight it will be without a time limit. Also, tonight will also have the Bronca Boricua with 17 wrestlers participating. Hugo mentions that the Gillette company will be handing out some of their products and they will have a photo of El Reto Para La Historia available for fans as well. Remember that your favorite wrestlers will be there signing autographs and posing for pictures, so please bring your cameras. 

We go to a video for Kim Duk, where it starts with Chicky standing with Duk and TNT, where Chicky introduces the latest acquisition for El Club Deportivo. The audio isn’t good for this, so it is tough to make out what Kim Duk says (although it sounds like mumbled Spanish), but we get the cage fighting and martial arts demonstrations we have seen previously for Duk, mixed in with some newer footage of him wrestling at the TV tapings.

MD: The audio is rough but I think they have him reading Spanish off a sign instead of cutting a promo in English here. This is probably the same video we’ve seen before otherwise with the movie clips and the martial arts exhibition with TNT holding the bag.

EB: Immediately after the Kim Duk video we cut to outside of Pavia Hospital, where Hugo (in shades) is with a shirtless Carl Styles. Hugo mentions that Carl will be competing in the Bronca Boricua tonight but that he wants Carl to tell the fans about the situation with El Profe. Carl mentions that the money is on the line tonight but that pride is more important to him. Carl is mad that El Profe basically abandoned him in the hospital while he was hurt, never checked up on him, and he is going to pay him back for that. Hugo mentions that Mulumba will be in the Bronca Boricua match tonight and Carl says he will take care of him if they cross paths. Carl has one focus, to pay back El Profe and Chicky Starr for what they did, they are trash, he trusted them and they basically left him for dead. Hugo then translates, adding more of the detail that was explained in the Campeones interview (again with Hugo not naming the program by name, just saying on another program). For the fans that aren't aware, Carl had spent three days in the ER and two weeks in the hospital because a blood vessel burst in his abdomen during a match. Carl suffered an abdominal infection as a result of that and he was near death, and then El Profe abandoned him. Neither Profe nor Chicky checked up on Carl or informed Carl’s family of what was going on. It’s a bit funny hearing Hugo talk about the serious situation Carl went through all the while Styles is doing poses in the background. 

MD: Another interview in front of the hospital this time more about the specific matches and less about the situation in general. He notes that the money for the Bronco Boricua doesn’t matter nearly as much as him getting his hands on Profe. Still pretty compelling stuff. One consistent issue/opportunity for English-speakers is to try to do at the end of their promo when it’s being translated. Here Styles hams and poses which maybe doesn’t fit the somber/intense theme. Last time he mugged which didn’t help either. They should have probably just had him walk off while Hugo finished it.

EB: El Profe is with Los Mercenarios as tonight they get one more chance at the Caribbean Express and at regaining the Caribbean tag titles. Ron Starr mentions that in their last encounter they went to a 30 minute draw, but this time they are coming in guns blazing and taking the titles with them. El Profe translates and also mentions that they are gunning  for the prize money in the Bronca Boricua. The Caribbean Express get their chance to cut a promo about tonight’s match, Miguelito says if Los Mercenarios are confident then they (the Express) are double confident of retaining the titles. Hugo asks Castillo about the Bronca Boricua match (where weapons are allowed) and Castillo says that the Bronca Boricua is a very dangerous match since weapons are allowed, but he and Miguelito will watch each other's backs. No matter which one of them wins, they'll just split the prize money. Hugo reminds them that it’s important to not get injured in the Bronca Boricua and that it’s the last match of the evening.

MD: Great shot of the Assassin as this opens. Starr talks about the last match between them and the Express being a 30 minute draw, which sounds pretty solid actually, but not like something we’d ever have anyway. Both teams talk about both the tag match and the Bronco Boricua as we’ve been seeing. Castillo notes that no matter if he or Perez wins, they’ll split the money. That would have been a great heel turn angle, if Perez won and then kept it all for himself. Ah well.

EB: We go to a match featuring Lance Idol and Rick Valentine taking on the team of Gama Singh and Herbert Gonzalez. Idol and Singh lock up to start, with Singh countering a headlock into an armlock that is broken by Lance grabbing the ropes. Gama gets a side headlock and gets a punch off the ropes when Idol counters. Valentine is tagged in and Singh catches him with an armdrag. Singh works Valentine’s arm and tags in Herbert. Valentine and Herbert exchange armbar counters, with Herbert taking down Valentine to the mat. Idol breaks up the armbar by punching Herbert from the apron, which draws the ref’s attention to Idol. As the ref warns Lance, the tecnicos switch out and Gama takes over with several punches and a clothesline. A pin attempt by Singh is unsuccessful and Valentine tags Idol back in. Gama catches Idol with some punches and a slam for a pin attempt, then tags Herbert back in. Herbert keeps the momentum going with several punches and even recovers from getting kicked on the head to keep the advantage. However, Valentine ducks a wild swinging punch Herbert makes off the ropes and counters with a back suplex. A quick tag to Idol sets up a splash from the top and Idol and Valentine pick up the win. The tecnicos looked good but a mistake by Herbert was enough for Idol and Valentine to get the opening they needed. Idol gets some stomps on Herbert before leaving the ring and Valentine makes a challenge into the camera to anyone willing to put their title belts on the line against them.

MD: Straightforward way to keep Idol/Valentine shined up, doing next to no harm to Singh. He controlled as they stooged. Gonzalez got to control a little bit too, but they snuck in a shot from behind and made short work with him, ending it with the kneedrop off the top and a quick challenge to any team with belts as they were leaving the ring. 

EB: We get a series of promos hyping up tonight’s card, particularly the Bronca Boricua. Chicky is with Kim Duk, with Chicky saying he’ll be in there competing but that he has something even better and that is this man right here (points at Kim Duk). If Kim wins, then Chicky wins, so it’s all good. Chicky also mentions that Duk is challenging Invader #1 tonight for the Caribbean title and promises that there will be a new champion. Kim Duk cuts a promo and it’s basically what Chicky already said so I don’t know if it is necessary to keep Duk talking during these segments. 

Invader #1 is with Hugo and they first talk about the Bronca Boricua match before talking about the title defense against Duk tonight. Invader mentions that the Bronca Boricua is a dangerous match, people get their arms broken and their heads busted in there, but the fans always enjoy them and that Invader’s goals are to make sure nothing happens to him in the Bronca Boricua and to win the prize money. Hugo mentions  that Kim Duk was very confident in his interview about tonight’s Caribbean title match and Invader says that Duk is a tremendous wrestler, has experience, and that he is competition. But we’ll see if he is going to be able to win the title, Invader loves competition and we’ll see when the bell rings at the end if Duk was able to pull it off.

Our last promo for this segment is from Gama Singh, who talks about the Bronca Boricua and a singles match against Chicky Starr that is also scheduled for tonight. Gama says that it will be the smartest man that will win the match tonight and he looks to win tonight. Gama thinks that Chicky is either a sadist or a complete idiot for facing him again, but he’ll beat him tonight 

MD: All hyping the show. Chicky was up against Singh. Invader was defending against Duk. They let Duk talk again and it continues to be weird. Invader cuts a great promo as he so often does. Singh said that Chicky was either a Sadist or an idiot because he kept coming back for me. 

EB: Carl Styles makes his in ring return in a TV match against Assassin #2. Assassin gets a brief offensive flurry after an eye rake but Carl quickly counters back and takes over the match. Carl hits a backdrop, a leg drop, a powerslam and a belly to belly suplex on his way to locking on the full nelson and getting the submission win. Carl is back and looks to be in good form.

MD: Styles isn’t a small guy but he has terrible posture. This feels a little uncooperative as he just powers his opponent over with a power slam and belly to belly before winning with the full nelson. I imagine this was taped before the promos aired so the crowd has no idea what to make of him as a babyface. 

EB: We get another series of promos about tonight's card. First, El Profe is with Atkie Mulumba, and Profe promises that Mulumba will run over everyone to win the Bronca Boricua before directing words at Scott Hall .Tonight Hall and Mulumba are in a cage match and Profe promises Hall that Mulumba will leave Hall disfigured before being crushed with a slash from the top of the cage. Profe promises that as sure as there is a God in heaven, this will be the last match for Scott Hall after Mulumba is done.
Scott Hall is next and talks about the Bronca Boricua (he promises to win because business is business and he’s here to make money). With regards to the cage match with Mulumba, tonight he looks to settle things once and for all with Mulumba. 

Our last promo for this segment is Lance Idol with Chicky Starr, with Chicky talking for the absent Rick Valentine and promises they will win the money and also the World tag team titles. Lance Idol talks about the World tag title match and again repeats the dance with the devil line to close out his promo. Chicky promises that the gift they will give to the fans tonight will be new World tag team champions. 

MD: Nothing major of note here. Profe said Mulumba would have a special weapon for the Bronco Boricua. Both he and Hall hyped up the cage match. Idol did the Batman ‘89 Dance with the Devil line again and Chicky refused to translate it. He said that if Idol won, then he’d win in a way that made me feel like he’d be skimming way too much money off the top but that he could say it because Idol didn’t know Spanish.

EB: Los Mercenarios get a showcase match against the team of Armandito Salgado and La Sombra. Mercenario #1 starts off with Salgado. Both wrestlers exchange arm drags but Mercenario #1 tags Ron Starr in after claiming his hair was pulled. Armandito and La Sombra briefly get the better of Ron in some hold exchanges, but Ron is able to cut off Sombra and regain control for his team. A series of turnbuckle smashes by Ron leads to Mercenario #1 being tagged in. Los Mercenarios do some quick tags and Ron keeps working over La Sombra. Sombra briefly counters some turnbuckle smashes wth a coupe of his own, but Ron cuts him off with some kicks. A DDT by Ron gets the pinfall win for Los Mercenarios.  

MD: Short match. I continue to feel like Los Mercenarios needed something else in their act at this point. If this was a year later, they could steal the cattle prod from the Mountie or something. Finish is a DDT out of nowhere to counter a back body drop attempt.

EB: TNT is with Chicky Starr as they talk about tonight’s Universal title match. Chicky calls TNT the Universal champion and that everyone tonight will see who is the real Universal champion. TNT says that everyone saw him beat Colon 1-2-3 at Aniversario 90 so tonight the fight (it’s not a match, it’s a fight) has no time limit. Last time he gave Colon a beating and tonight there is nothing that will stop that match. The Universal title is going around TNT’s waist and to Chicky Starr’s Club Deportivo. So Colon get ready, because the people of Puerto Rico are tired of you as champion and as a man. TNT will once more have the title around his waist.

Carlos Colon gets a chance to respond and Colon mentions that he has a debt to the people of Puerto Rico, That debt is to put some shame into TNT. Tonight is with no time limit and TNT has challenged him to a fight, which is fine with him because he has had fights with the best. Colon wants to avenge TNT’s hypocrisy of coming on TV and saying that he is doing things for the Puerto Rican people but instead he has done all of these shameless things. Colon will teach TNT to have some shame tonight.
Super Medico #1 congratulates the fans on their day and says that both he and his son are looking forward to winning the prize money in the Bronca Boricua. Medico #3 says that they are ready for Valentine and Idol tonight, with Medico #1 adding that they have not danced with the devil but tonight the Medicos will dance on Idol and Valentine’s  heads. 

MD: Another intense close up TNT promo, where he notes that the match will have no time limit. Colon responds by saying he didn’t get everything he wanted last time but would this time and that he would give TNT the beating his father should have when he was a kid. Then Medico 1 responded that no, he had never danced with the devil in the pale moonlight but he would dance all over Idol.

EB: We get the WWC top ten and the TNT Evolution music video before going to Hugo for the show closing. Hugo reminds fans that tonight is the big Fan Appreciation day card and that there will be autograph signings and photo ops. The big Universal title rematch is tonight, along with the Bronca Boricua and other exciting matches. 

There is one final piece of Fan Appreciation Day hype that occurred that Saturday. As we’ve mentioned previously, the Campeones tv program aired on Saturdays on local channel 2 or Telemundo. Obviously, there was a lot of other programming that aired on Telemundo and one of the key programs in 1990 was a variety show called Super Sabados. As the name suggests, Super Sabados aired in the late afternoon to early evening time slot for Telemundo, covering about four to five hours. The program is similar to other Latin American variety shows such as Sabado Gigante, where hosts see you through several hours of a mix of games, comedy skits, prize giveaways, celebrity appearances, musical acts and off the wall competitions. For example, in the case of Super Sabados you had several games with audience members, prize giveaways involving homes and cars, music performances, and weird competitions such as the baby race, kid impersonators, biking contests (they had a Miss Thong 1985 competition once) and (in 1990) a lambada dance competition (it was the fad at the time). I would  spend many a Saturday afternoon watching this show during the late 80s and, to give you an idea of just how varied the show could be, here’s a promo for an episode.. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlVpdHIAt8Y

You had a bevy of musical acts, prize giveaways and a bunch of circus acts for this particular episode. Also, the show had a fun theme song. Here it is to add a bit more flavor..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iJAo0ihbUI

The show ran from around 1985 to 1991, and in its fifth year Super Sabados celebrated with a big anniversary show. In 1990, they were celebrating their sixth (and as it turned out, their last) anniversary with a big celebration at Coliseo Roberto Clemente. True to form, the anniversary show would feature a wide variety of games and entertainment, as highlighted by this promo for the broadcast.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxj4Rg-ovvs

Among the many things scheduled for the anniversary celebration you had Xuxa and Menudo performing, a celebrity hunk basketball game,  a bikini contest, a circus act with show co host Dagmar in the globe of death, and the usual bevy of games and prizes. For anyone interested, here are the Xuxa and Menudo performances, they'll give you a good idea of the size of the venue and the crowd for the event.

Xuxa’s performance:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpZP7z57kSc

Menudo’s performance:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGZ1je281mc

Oh, and we also had the participation of CSP with a special one on one match for the Super Sabados Cup. TNT, who was challenging for the Universal title match in the big rematch later that Saturday, would be facing Invader #1. Both men would have someone seconding them, Chicky Starr would be in TNT’s corner and Carlos Colon would be in Invader #1’s corner. Looking back, it’s interesting that we’re getting this at a non wrestling event (thank you to network cross-promotion) and that it is at a notable location as Coliseo Roberto Clemente. Many a Three Kings’ Day show had been held at the coliseum and there are some notable historical markers featuring these four men in particular. It was here that Chicky Starr cemented his turn to the dark side by blindsiding Invader with an attack after Invader made one last plea to reason with Chicky, setting off the biggest rudo run of the past half decade and one of the most storied rivalries in Puerto Rican wrestling history. It was here that TNT and Carlos Colon had their big Universal title match on Thanksgiving Day in 1986, set up on TV  by TNT leaving Carlos passed out from the Cobra Dinamita and refusing to wake him up (the first time TNT ever did this). It was here that Carlos Colon defeated Stan Hansen in a bullrope match and banished his rival Hercules Ayala from Puerto Rico. And, under the Super Sabados banner, all four men are at Coliseo Roberto Clemente once more. Let’s go to the Super Sabados 6th anniversary show to witness the battle for the Super Sabados Cup.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19HYaEFqmz4

The segment begins with Hugo Savinovich and Dagmar (one of the co-hosts of Super Sabados) in the ring. Hugo is holding a trophy and Dagmar is doing the ring introductions. We have ‘War’ from Rocky IV playing as the entrance music and TNT is making his way to the ring. TNT gets in the ring as Dagmar introduces him (and for some reason Dagmar is wearing boxing gloves), as we get a shot of the crowd. We cut back to the ring and see that Chicky Starr is in the ring with TNT, dressed in a suit. Dagmar introduces the other contender for the Super Sabados Cup, Invader #1, who leaps over the top rope into the ring and does his customary two hops. Dagmar also introduces Carlos Colon, also dressed in a suit (although that’s how Carlos always dresses for these appearances), and he’ll be seconding Invader #1. They again cut to the large crowd, this time clapping and cheering for the tecnicos. Dagmar finishes the intros by presenting El Vikingo as the ref and Hugo Savinovich as our commentator for this one night only event. Hugo then takes over the microphone to commentate the proceedings. Hugo welcomes the fans to the event and quickly presents everyone again that is involved in this super bout for the Super Sabados Cup. As Hugo is finishing, TNT snatches the microphone away from him and starts talking. He doesn't want to fight with that old guy (points at Invader), he wants to fight with ‘viejito’ Colon (both TNT and Chicky point at Carlos at ringside). TNT knows that tonight there is a very important match for the Universal title, but he does not want to wait for tonight. He wants to fight Colon right now, because TNT knows that there are more than 15,000 people here in person, but there are more than one million watching on TV. And he wants to break Colon’s face live on TV. The camera cuts to Carlos annoyed at ringside, pointing and yelling something back to TNT. Hugo says let’s go to the action and El Vikingo calls for the bell to start things off.

Invader and TNT circle each other, but TNT stops and again starts pointing at Carlos. The camera again shows Carlos annoyed and pointing at TNT to focus on his opponent, and Carlos then motions to Invader to go after TNT. The match starts with a lockup  that leads to a chop exchange. Hugo is live on the microphone narrating for the crowd. Both wrestlers stand off again and TNT once more turns his attention to Colon at ringside. Carlos again tells TNT to focus on his match, and then we hear Chicky’s voice over the microphone. As Invader and TNT again exchange strikes in the ring, Chicky can be heard questioning why Carlos Colon isn't accepting TNT’s challenge on live TV on the sixth anniversary of Super Sabados. As Chicky continues complaining, the camera shows TNT has exited the ring and is jawing with Carlos Colon at ringside. Carlos keeps pointing at the ring, telling TNT to focus on his opponent. TNT locks up and gets the better of Invader with some chops and a clothesline. Hugo mentions that tonight they are having a big show in Bayamon where Carlos and TNT will face off for the Universal title. TNT starts throwing overhand strikes and stomps on the downed Invader, while gesticulating towards Colon. TNT starts throwing punches and you can see Carlos is trying to provide encouragement to Invader from ringside. 

As TNT continues with the punches, you can see that Invader is starting to get fired up. The crowd starts cheering and Invader makes it to his feet. TNT sends Invader into the ropes but a clothesline attempt is ducked and countered with a clothesline by Invader. The crowd continues cheering as Invader sends TNT into the corner with some strikes and a headbutt, as Hugo says that we are seeing the best wrestling in the world here at the sixth anniversary of Super Sabados. As Invader continues attacking TNT in the corner, the camera cuts to Hugo and Chicky standing nearby, Chicky with a concerned look on his face and Hugo continuing the live narration. Hugo mentions that TNT has been sent out of the ring and the camera cuts to TNT standing at ringside, once again staring down Colon. Carlos again points at TNT to get back in the ring, and an angry Chicky again gets on the mic to question why isn’t Colon accepting TNT’s challenge right now here at the sixth anniversary of Super Sabados. Hugo tells Chicky to please calm down, as TNT is once again in control of the match, attacking a kneeling Invader with punches. Carlos claps at ringside in support of Invader, but TNT hits a spin kick to knock Invader down. 

TNT goes for a pin attempt but Invader kicks out. Carlos starts tapping the ringpost to get the crowd even more into it as TNT hits a slam and a leg drop at the 5 minute time call. A nonchalant cover only gets two. Hugo mentions that both of the seconds are worried as TNT misses a blow and Invader counters with a dropkick. Another dropkick leads to a big chop off the ropes from Invader. The crowd continues cheering as another strike sends TNT through the ropes to the outside. Again TNT starts staring down Carlos. TNT gets close, and as Carlos starts jawing at TNT to get back in the ring, TNT slaps Colon in the face. Carlos has had enough and takes off his suit jacket and tie. Carlos undoes his top dress shirt buttons, and the crowd cheers as Colon enters the ring. 

Invader, seeing Carlos get in, exits the ring. TNT immediately meets Carlos with several punches and kicks as the ref calls for the bell. According to Hugo, the referee has thrown the match out. TNT tears Colon’s dress shirt and continues the attack, sending Carlos into the ropes. Carlos ducks the dynamite kick and counters with dropkick that knocks TNT down. Colon snapmares TNT over and starts hitting some mounted punches. They stand up and Carlos hits a headbutt and gets fired up. Carlos and TNT exchange punches as the crowd continues cheering. Carlos is briefly staggered by a punch from TNT, and TNT takes the opening to grab the front of Colon’s pants and gives them a yank. The whole crotch area of the pants tears off. Carlos tries to counter with some punches but has to cover up to avoid being indecently exposed. This leaves him open to TNT’s attacks. Invader tries to get back in the ring to help Carlos, but Kim Duk makes his way to ringside. Invader turns around but is immediately hit right on the forehead with the kendo stick. Invader is face down on the floor as Duk hammers away with the kendo stick, hitting several blows to Invader’s back. Colon sees this and tries to go out and help Invader, but TNT grabs Carlos and stops him. Invader is busted open on the floor as Duk hits some more cane shots to Invader’s head. Chicky is at ringside directing traffic and  Carlos gets thrown over the top rope to the outside. TNT and Kim Duk get some final blows in before Chicky herds them all away, the damage and message having been delivered. 

Carlos and Invader are laid out on the floor,  Invader bleeding profusely and Carlos having his clothes pretty torn up. Hugo asks El Vikingo who won the match, and Vikingo waves his hands indicating that there is no winner, the match was thrown out. Hugo starts asking the crowd who won, was it Invader or TNT? Hugo announces that the crowd at Coliseo Roberto Clemente has decided upon Invader as the winner and points at Invader, who is still laid out on the ground in a puddle of blood. By the ring apron, Carlos is in a sitting position as El Vikingo is trying to wrap the tattered remains of Colon’s dress shirt around his crotch area. Someone brings Vikingo a towel or blanket so that Carlos can cover himself up, and the crowd cheers at Invader being declared the winner. Carlos and Vikingo check on Invader and the lady holding the cup decides to place it down next to Invader’s head (since he won the thing). Dagmar makes her return and asks Hugo what’s happening. Hugo tells Dagmar that Invader is bleeding and they need to get him some medical attention. The camera again focuses on Invader convulsing a bit on the floor, with his face now rolling over the puddle of blood that is on the floor. Dagmar leans over and sees that Invader is actually bleeding and starts waving  for help as well. For some reason, at this point the sound guys start playing ‘War’ from Rocky IV again. Security comes in as we wait for medical help (and you can see Victor the Bodyguard working his shoot job as security). In an unintentionally funny moment (to be honest, there have been a few of them in this segment so far) the camera keeps doing a close up on Invader’s bloody head as Hugo asks the director to not show Carlos Colon because he barely has any clothes on (so Carlos in skimpy briefs is not okay to show, but Invader bleeding on the floor in closeup is good to broadcast, this on a show that has a women’s bikini contest scheduled as well).

Hugo again requests a doctor to come help as Dagmar asks one of the attendees what’s the status. The man replies that they are going to transfer Invader to the emergency room so he can receive medical attention. Dagmar asks Hugo if it is always like this and Hugo says not always but this time Kim Duk attacked Invader and left him practically motionless on the floor.  Dagmar starts freaking out and says that she can’t be seeing this and starts pleading for them to get Invader out of here, even if they have to carry him out, but get him help quickly. At this point, another of the co-hosts arrives (Luis Antonio Cosme) to check in on Invader and also to help calm Dagmar down. The stretcher finally arrives as we get a freeze frame on the video but can still hear Hugo’s voice talking. Cosme asks Hugo how grave the situation is and Hugo replies that the man who attacked Invader is a martial arts expert who struck repeated blows with a kendo stick. The audio ends with Hugo saying that Invader’s in a very bad state. Just an all around memorable moment on what is basically the afternoon/early evening family program block.     . 

MD: Three things come to mind immediately. The first is how natural and charismatic Hugo seemed here. He just fit right in. He belonged. He could stand on any stage and introduce the wrestling action to everyone as if they were his friends. Incredibly valuable. The second was just the sheer level of talent involved. Invader, TNT, with Colon and Chicky seconding. Just a perfect capsule of the nucleus of what we’ve seen so far in 89 and 90. It’s an image to last forever and one to appreciate while we have it in this particular formulation. And speaking of lasting images, it’s so crazy that with this platform, this reach, this celebratory moment, they went with a crazy, gruesome, high gore, big heat angle. You would figure they would give something more family friendly and sanitized for the moment. I wish I knew if there was blowback here. It had to make an impression but what did the papers say the next day? What did the network think? Etc.? 

EB: We had quite the angle here to finish up the hype for Fan Appreciation Day, with blood, a serious wardrobe malfunction and everyone involved playing their role perfectly. Coliseo Roberto Clemente was once more the site of a notable wrestling moment involving Carlos Colon, Invader #1, TNT, Chicky Starr and Hugo Savinovich. Unfortunately, this would turn out to be the last time all of them would be involved in such a big angle together.

Next time on El Deporte de las Mil Emociones, as summer ends there is some roster turnover that sees the arrival and departure of a few wrestlers, including a giant arrival and the departure of one of the biggest names in the company. Also, new champions, a new manager arrives, and the Carlos Colon vs TNT feud escalates further.  

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El Deporte de las Mil Emociones: The Tag Team Ides of March

Week 22: The Tag Team Ides of March

EB: Last time we covered the first weekend of March where the TNT vs Abdullah Universal title series kicked off. Although we touched upon the end result of that Universal title series between TNT and Abdullah, there were  other happenings in CSP across those weeks, which will be our focus in this installment. As was previously mentioned, there is a Caribbean tag title tournament approaching on March 10. The titles are vacant due to Gerry Morrow leaving the territory and we have eight teams in contention: the Super Medicos, the Invaders, the Caribbean Express, Carlos Colon & TNT, the Alaskan Hunters, Los Mercenarios, Carl Styles & Rick Valentine, and Chicky Starr & Leo Burke. The tournament is taking place at Estadio Sola Morales in Caguas. While we don’t have the tournament bracket results available, we do have video of two matches from that night, that TNT & Carlos Colon were scheduled to take on Chicky Starr & Leo Burke in the first round ,and which team walked away as the winners and new Caribbean tag champions.

The first of the two matches we’ll review from the tournament features two teams that had spent most of February in a rivalry for the World tag team titles. The newest version of the Super Medicos quickly ascended the tag ranks and became the number one contenders to the World tag team titles held by Los Mercenarios. They face each other once more, this time with advancement in the Caribbean title tournament on the line.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31S6k1O6Mb0

This match video is from a Campeones airing in early April, so there is some reference on commentary to future upcoming events (some which will be covered in this post and others in the next installment).  Ron Starr and Super Medico #3 (that’s what Hugo calls Estrada Jr on commentary for this match) start off. Carlos on commentary reiterates that 1990 is the year of the tag team and it’s kind of hard to argue with the influx of new versions of legacy teams. There is a nice rope running exchange between Ron and Medico #3, which Ron ends with an elbow. A follow up elbow drop misses, and Medico #3 counters with a dropkick that sends Ron to a corner. Acevedo tries to come in and help his partner, but Medico #3 sends Acevedo into the same corner as Ron and hits a monkey flip on both men. Medico #1 gets in the ring and the Medicos hit stereo monkey flips but a follow up stereo dropkick attempt is evaded by Los Mercenarios. Acevedo misses an elbow drop on Medico #3 but Ron hits his elbow drop on Medico #1. Still, Medico #1 recovers quickly and both Mercenarios end up on the outside. Carlos mentions that he feels that the reason the Super Medicos have been a great team so far is that it is a father and son teaming up (so by April they have acknowledge who the new Medico is) and that it allows for communication and the willingness to listen to each other (and learn in the case of Medico #3). 

Ron Starr gets back in the ring and we get an inset promo from El Profe and Los Mercenarios. The two teams are set to face each other that night in Bayamon for the World tag titles (and in a bit of a spoiler, yes the Super Medicos have won the World tag team titles from Los Mercenarios by this point in time). Carlos on commentary also makes mention of a new opponent he is facing on that night’s card, but we will discuss this more in depth in future installments. In the ring, Ron has tagged in Acevedo but Medico #3 armdrags Acevedo to the mat and works an armbar. Both men end up colliding off the ropes, with Medico #3 rolling out of the ring. The Medicos do a switch and Medico #1 rolls back into the ring instead. Medico #1 comes off the top rope with a couple of his signature punches, causing Acevedo to tag Ron back in. Starr doesn’t fare any better and falls victim to several punches from Medico #1, including a sequence where he pinballs back and forth between the Medicos and their punches. Carlos and Hugo on commentary start talking about if it is justified for the tecnicos to pull tactics like the switches against the rudos, with both agreeing that you have to fight fire with fire when you’re against opponents who will not hesitate to use such tactics and who have repeatedly done so before. Ron throws Medico #1 out of the ring and again the Medicos pull another switch (with El Profe yelling at the referee afterwards about the switches). The Medicos continue in control as we go to a commercial break.

Back from commercial we see Ron is in control against Medico #1, it appears Acevedo kneed Medico #1 in the back to give Ron the opening. Acevedo is tagged in as we get an inset promo from the Super Medicos about tonight;s match. It appears that Los Mercenarios tried to hurt Estrada Jr but the Medicos will be out for revenge tonight and also look to keep the World tag titles. What exactly happened? We’ll discuss it more next time. Los Mercenarios continue working over Medico #1 for a few minutes, with Medico #3 running in to break up a few pin attempts and sleeperholds. The tide turns in the Medicos favor when Medico #1 ducks an attempted clothesline from Ron and hits acevedo with a clothesline off his own, giving him the opening to make the ta. Medico #3 come sin and cleans house on both Mercenarios, with Medico #3 eventually attempting a few covers on Acevedo. Medico #1 is tagged in and gets a hit machine on Acevedo. A pin attempt is broken up when Medico #1 sees Ron come in and Medico #1 unleashes punches on Ron. All four men get in the ring but the referee tries to get Medico #3 to leave the ring. With the ref distracted, Los Mercenarios take advantage and hit an assisted back suplex on Medico #1 (who had been up on the middle turnbuckle punching Acevedo). This gets the three count and Los Mercenarios advance in the tournament. They will eventually be one of the two finalists in the tournament. Which team will join them?

MD: Really fun tag tournament match, more or less everything you’d want it to be for this part of the tournament. They’re calling Estrada, Jr. Medico 3 now and admitting that he’s Medico 1’s son so things continue to progress. Medicos have a fun shine early, with rope running, lots of stooging by Starr, a lot of Medico 3 in there to look good with his youthful athleticism, some sneaky masked confusion switching, control of the arm, and even Medico 3 monkeyflipping both Mercenarios at the same time which not a spot I think would have worked with Morrow. We miss the transition due to a break unfortunately, but they’re leaning hard on Medico 1 when we come back. That includes Medico 3 leaping into the ring off the top repeatedly to try to save his father but it just leading to illegal switches behind the refs back by the heels. Eventually he dodges enough to get the hot tag and Medico 3’s stuff looks pretty good as he comes in hot. Then Medico 1 looks even better after he comes back in, but Starr turns a ten count punch on Assassin in the corner into an assisted back suplex to pick up the win. It’s a bit of a shame they didn’t run Invaders vs Super Medicos because that would have been a fun babyface match but I get that they wanted heels in there deeper into the tournament. By the way, one other thing here that we haven’t seen much before: inset promos. I don’t remember them using those much. They were talking about the match at hand instead of something in the future (as best as I could tell) so I’m not sure how useful it was but it did add some color.

EB: The second match we have from the Caribbean tag title tournament features the new Invaders (one week after their official debut) taking on the team they faced in their debut match. In their previous encounter, the Invaders and the Hunters went to a time limit draw. Will things be different this time? Let’s find out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeE15J97LC4

This match video is from the English language version of Caribbean Championship Wrestling from the weekend of March 17. Hugo provides the context of who is competing in the tournament and the rules for advancing. Invader #1 starts off with Hunter #1 and the initial minutes are controlled by the Invaders, with some quick tags and Invader #1 working a side headlock on the mat. Hugo promises the viewers that they will reveal who won the tournament before the show ends (as will we when this match review is done). The Hunters try a double team maneuver, with Hunter #4 holding Invader #1 against the ropes. The move backfires when Invader #1 dodges, which results in Hunter #1 kicking Hunter #4 to the floor. Invader #1 hits a dropkick that sends Hunter #1 outside of the ring as well. The Hunters get into a shoving contest with each other and also shove El Jeque a bit when he tries to break it up. Hunter # 1 gets back in the ring and another attempted double team backfires. Another shoving contest breaks out and Hugo mentions that the newer Hunter is the brother of the other original Hunter. Hunter #4 is tagged in and does not fare any better. This match so far has been the Invaders getting the better of the Hunters, with the Hunters breaking down in terms of communication and teamwork.
The Hunters never seem to get it in gear, as we come back from commercial break and Hunter #4 is not doing well. Hunter #1 is tagged in and finally there is some semblance of teamwork from the Hunters, with a slingshot clothesline getting a two count on Invader #1. Hunter #4 works on Invader #1’s arm and spits at Invader #4. The Hunters do some double teams (including a nice suplex into a crossbody maneuver) when the ref’s back is turned from trying to stop Invader #4 from entering the ring . It’s not enough to put Invader #1 away and this brief moment of control ends when the Hunters yet again have a communication breakdown (they went for the suplex into a crossbody maneuver again but Invader #1 countered by putting Hunter #1 in front of the jumping Hunter #4). The tag is made and Invader #4 cleans house on both Hunters. All four men end up in the ring, with the finish being Invader #1 slingshotting Invader #4 into the ring for a sunset flip pin on Hunter #1. The Invaders win and advance in the tournament. As the Invaders run off the Hunters, Hugo mentions that the Invaders ended up reaching the finals and defeated Los Mercenarios to become the new Caribbean tag team champions. Not bad for a team that is officially in their second week of competition.

MD: I have been high on all of the booking but I do wonder a little about having both the New Medicos and the New Invaders at the same time. I half wonder if you don’t team up Invader 1 and Medico 1 as a super team and then have Estrada, Jr. pal around with Castillo/Perez/Savoldi. It’s a bit of diminishing returns as is. That said, this is worked very differently, with more heel miscommunication, basically two giant lunkheads who keep crashing into each other due to the Invaders. Invader 4 is more of a seasoned vet and can set this stuff up a bit more confidently (and according to commentary, he spent four months learning the special skills of being an Invader). Invader 1 does the usual great selling job when they take over on him. He actually kicks out of their finish (the suplex/wrecking ball off the top combo) but he hadn’t taken too much damage as of yet so it makes sense. They go for it again shortly thereafter and he plays into the story of the match by having one crash into the other to set up the hot tag and the eventual Invaders win. Tecnicos who knew what they were doing and bad guys that would play into it well, so this worked.

EB: This is not the only tag team action we have featuring these teams from this week. Thursday in Humacao (likely March 8) these four teams were in action. These matches again are from TV episodes that aired in the weeks that followed, so the commentary may have spoilers for future developments (which may be touched upon in the review) and the reason why we covered the Caribbean tag title matches first in this installment.  Our first match from Humacao is the Super Medicos against the Hunters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocqZSMQUO-o

The match is joined in progress with the Medicos trading off and a headlock on the smaller Hunter (who was identified as #4 previously). Hugo is solo on commentary and is not helping matters by just calling them Super Medico and Hunter without the numbers. I believe it’s Estrada Jr who tagged in. We got a nice sequence where Hunter #1 tries to come in and help his partner, but Medico #4 (or is it #3 by this point?) hits him with a dropkick without releasing the headlock, then gets a headscissors on Hunter #1 and flips both Hunters over. A monkey flip is hit on Hunter #4, followed by a body drop and some punches for a two count. Medico #1 is tagged in. Hunter #1 makes a move to get in the ring but Medico #1 cuts him off and crotches him on the top rope.  A slam gets a two count on Hunter #4. The Medicos continue in control of the match, with Estrada Jr. being tagged back in and working the arm. The Hunters gain control via a double team as Hugo reminds fans that they are managed by El Jeque (who is also Abdullah the Butcher’s manager). Estrada Jr. reverses a whip into the corner on Hunter #4 and gets a two count on an inside cradle. As Hunter #1 is tagged in and starts clubbing on Estrada Jr, Hugo mentions that the newer Hunter is the youngest of the Hunters and is the brother of the other original Hunter, who suffered nerve damage to his arm in Japan. Now his brother is carrying on the Hunter tradition. The Hunters maintain control via illegal switches behind the referee’s back.  A Demolition Decapitation by the Hunters results in Medico #1 coming off the top to break up the pin attempt. Medico #1 tries to get in and help but this allows the Hunters to continue double teaming and switching behind the refs back. The Hunters hit a nice slingshot clothesline but Estrada Jr surprises Hunter #4 with a small package for an unsuccessful pin attempt. The Hunters continue in control but remain unsuccessful in pinning Estrada Jr. Hugo on commentary mention that we know for sure that Medico #1 is Puerto Rican but we are not sure about the newest member (so it seems they have yet to acknowledge that they are father and son when this aired).  Estrada Jr finally gets the tag and Medico #1 cleans house on both Hunters (including a hit machine for each of the Hunters). Medico #1 has things well in hand, attempting a few pins off a small package and a backslide. All four men end up in the ring and it results in a double pin situation. The ref makes the three count and awards the match to the Super Medicos. 

MD: This is a good way to get fans ready for the tournament. I think of all the tag matches we saw this week, this had the strongest heat actually, despite having lower stakes. While we do come in a little JIP, the match just had a more evened out balance overall, where the shine didn’t take up more than half the match. That’s not to say that they didn’t make fools out of the Hunters, who were more than happy to get crotched or crash into each other. It just didn’t last quite as long relative to the Hunters isolating an Invader and hitting him with a bunch of stuff: decapitation, slingshot clothesline, Bushwhacker Battering Ram (!) as well as lots of illegal switches and a missed babyface tag or two. The comeback was nice and fiery and lead to a double pin where the ref noted that the legal man was the Medico doing the pinning.

EB: The Hunters did not have a good couple of weeks and this is pretty much it for the Hunters team in CSP. El Jeque is down two clients but he still has Abdullah the Butcher (who won the Universal title from TNT). As for our second match from Humacao, we have a rematch between the two finalists of the Caribbean tag title tournament. The Invaders take on Los Mercenarios.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpOXTmczPCo

There’s a brief cut at the start so the match is joined in progress as Invader #4 dropkicks Mercenario #1. It looks like Acevedo tried to surprise Invader #4 from behind but was caught. Invader #4 whips Acevedo into the corner where Ron already is and proceeds to hit a monkey flip on both Mercenarios at the same time. Invader #4 gets back to attacking Ron and tags in Invader #1, who works Ron’s arm over with an arm wringer. Carlos on commentary mentions that this may be the best Invaders combination yet. Hugo mentions that they had been in training for several months and the results can be seen. The Invaders continue to tag in and out and work over Ron’s arm. On commentary they are talking about the matches these two teams have had (again, this is airing after the Caribbean tag tournament has taken place), with a third match scheduled for that night.  Ron hiptosses Invader #4 and tags in Acevedo, but Invader #1 is tagged in and takes down Acevedo with an armlock. The Invaders maintain control with another sequence of quick tags. The Invaders do a switch behind the ref’s back, with the crowd backing them up when the ref asks if the tag was made. Acevedo fights to make the tag but, in a reversal, the ref doesn’t see it and forces Ron Starr back to the corner as the Invaders tag out. Invader #4 shows off his skills by going through the ropes but holding on and skinning the cat, hitting a headscissors on Acevedo. This first part of the match has been mainly the Invaders in control. We go to commercial break but come right back where we left off, with Ron attempting to break up a pin attempt and instead accidentally elbowing and legdropping his partner. The Invaders continue in control of the match for several minutes, working over Acevedo’s arm and foiling any attempts at double teaming by the Mercenarios. Carlos on commentary mentions that masked wrestlers have an advantage since it helps to hide any reaction the face can make and it is harder for your opponent to get a read on you. After about ten minutes, the Mercenarios are finally able to get control over the Invaders. We go to commercial break as Acevedo starts stomping on Invader #1.

We come back with Ron Starrr ramming Invader#1 into the top turnbuckle and tagging Acevedo back in. Invader #4 breaks up a pin attempt but Ron takes down Invader #1 and works over the arm. Invader #1 tries to make a comeback but misses a charge into the corner and rams his shoulder into the post. Invader #1 falls to the outside and Invader #4 rushes over to prevent the Mercenarios from attacking his brother. Invader #1 gets back in the ring, holding his shoulder. Ron takes advantage and works over Invader #1’s arm. Carlos mentions that it’s impressive what the Invaders have accomplished after only being active as team for a couple of weeks and that he thinks they’ll get even better with more experience. Invader #1 starts a comeback but the ref does not see the tag to Invader #4 and Los Mercenarios regain control with a double team maneuver. A pin attempt by Ron is broken up by Invader #4, and Invader #1 counters being thrown into the ropes with a sunset flip for two. Ron goes back to working on Invader #1’s arm. A rope running counter sequence leads to both men hitting a clothesline and knocking each other down, as you can hear the timekeeper make the time announcement in the background. Both men make the tag to their partners and Invader #4 cleans house on both Mercenarios. Invader # 1 eventually joins the others in the ring. All four men fight and make several flash pin attempts as the time limit starts counting down. The bell rings and we have a time limit draw. 

MD: This is not the tournament match between them but instead a time limit draw independent of that. You still get the same sense of the tag scene in the moment, however. I thought Invader 4 looked good, including a skin the cat headscissors takeover and some fire towards the end. This was a big opportunity for him and he was taking it. They did the double monkey flip spot again, as it was a big crowd pleasure. Long, long shine here, ten minutes out of seventeen (on the idea there’s some clipping at the start and during the break) with a lot of quick switches and armwork and stooging, especially from Starr. Mercenarios were able to lean hard on Invader 1 for the heat with some revenge control on the arm. That meant things were ready to boil over for the comeback. The finish had lots of quick roll ups and pin attempts by the Invaders but all for naught as time expires. 

EB: Los Mercenarios would get a rematch for the Caribbean tag titles but were unsuccessful in getting the titles. Still, Los Mercenarios remain the World tag team champions and have the challenge of the Super Medicos coming up on March 31.  

The tag team tournament and the rivalries stemming from it are not the only feuds going on. Eddie Watts remains the World Junior champion and Huracan Castillo jr and Joe Savoldi both are chasing the title. Joe Savoldi gets another crack at Eddie Watts on the same show as the TNT vs. Abdullah rematch. That night Watts was able to escape again with the title but Savoldi still had his sights on Watts. Let’s watch a TV match featuring Savoldi taking on Assassin #3. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9EpQANttuU

This match is pretty basic and, surprisingly, Assassin #3 gets a bit of offense throughout. Savoldi is in control early and then Assassin #3 takes over for a little while (although they seem to get crossed up on a rope throw spot). Assassin goes for a pin and complains to the ref that the count was slow after Savoldi kicked out. Savoldi takes over and hits a gutwrench suplex on Assassin #3 for a pin attempt that gets broken up with an eye gouge. Hugo on commentary mentions the hot action in the Junior division and that Savoldi still has his sights set on Eddie Watts. Savoldi comes back with a  backdrop and then does a rollover bridge to get the pin. Savoldi celebrates the win and leaps over the top rope to the floor to exit the ring. We’ll have to see if either Savoldi or Castillo will be able to topple Watts from his perch.

MD: Assassin 3 is the one in red who is slimmer. Assassin 1 is the bigger guy. This is the least important bit of wrestling trivia I know, at least this week. Savoldi had all the 1990 Jr. babyface offense you’d expect, including dropkicks worth the Jumping moniker. He won with a deep jackknife pin which was a bit more sweeping than usual. You’d buy him as #3 on the card vs Watts and probably wouldn’t complain too much.

EB: The Invaders are the new Caribbean tag champions and it just so happens that there is a TV taping from their hometown in San Lorenzo. Let’s watch the Invaders wrestle in their hometown against the team of Gran Mendoza and Assassin #1.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIQH6LFHk7Y

The Invaders make their entrance in their jumpsuits and music, although this time they have the Caribbean tag titles round their waist. This match is a quick showcase for the hometown boys, as the Invaders take the fight quickly to the rudos and show off their quick tag teamwork. Mendoza and Assassin try a double team maneuver, but Invader #1 backdrops Assassin (while Mendoza is still holding him) and then tosses Mendoza off him. The Invaders continue on offense against Mendoza but assassin #1 manages to get  a brief offensive flurry when tagged in. This doesn't last long and the Invaders win when Invader #4 hits a reverse crossbody from the top onto Assassin #1. A strong win for the Invaders in their hometown.

MD: Nice showcase match for the champs. They came down with their jackets/robes and music (we don’t get such entrances often). Invader 1 let himself get outnumbered but overcame as he always knew how to present himself like a star. Invader 4 had some slick agility moves and did add something different to the team along those lines. Mendoza and Assassin would try to double team or clubber down but they didn’t do much memorable here except for getting beat.

EB: Another rivalry that has been brewing throughout March is between Miguelito Perez and Carl Styles. This stems from the indent where Styles put Perez in the full nelson and refused to release the hold. They’ve had a few matches between them and are facing each other again at the TV taping in San Lorenzo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi2ycHjp-KU 

Another match that is JIP, with Perez having Styles in a headlock to start. Carl sends Miguelito into the ropes and both men stay standing after a shoulder tackle. Perez ducks a clothesline off the ropes and counters with a crossbody for a two count. Perez takes down Carl with a side headlock, leading to a reverse pin attempt by Styles on the mat. Miguelito gets his foot on the rope and the ref El Vikingo flips them over (causing Hugo to question the validity of doing that instead of breaking the hold, but in the end he says it's the referee's discretion). Styles manages to stand up and sends Perez into the ropes, but an attempted kick to the midsection is blocked by Perez. Carl gets hit with an atomic drop but is able to duck a followup clothesline and almost gets the full nelson on Miguelito (who makes the ropes before it’s locked in to force a break). Carl hits several blows on Perez, but Perez leapfrogs over Carl when coming off the ropes and hits a slam on Styles. Perez gets a side headlock but Styles fights out of it and takes Perez down with a hair pull. Carl works the arm on the mat but falls victim to another counter when Perez is sent into the ropes (this time it’s a sunset flip for a two count). Perez works a side headlock on the mat but Styles counters into a headscissors. Perez flips out of it and goes back to the side headlock. Hugo mentions that this has been quite the rivalry between Perez and Styles, with Perez only losing in their previous encounter because of Rick Valentine’s interference. Perez sends Styles into the ropes and attempts a dropkick, but Styles holds onto the ropes and Perez crashes to the mat. Carl hits an elbow on Perez and does a double bicep pose to the crowd. Carl hits a suplex for a pin attempt but Perez grabs the ropes. Styles throws Perez to the outside and does more poses towards the crowd. Perez rolls back in without incident. Styles hits a slam but misses an elbow drop, which gives Miguelito the opening to fire back with several punches and a couple of turnbuckle rams. A rope running sequence leads to Carl knocking Perez down with a clothesline. Carl goes for a cradle cover and grabs onto the ropes for leverage. The ref doesn’t see it and counts the three. Styles has stolen the win against Perez.   

MD: Pretty even match up here, more so than I expected considering how Styles had been presented so far. He tried for the full nelson early and almost took over on a panicked Perez due to the response, but Perez came back immediately. They traded holds mostly, with Perez more or less having the advantage on points (and headlock takeovers). Eventually, Perez ran into a clothesline and Styles pressed the advantage with a dubious looking illegal pin in the ropes. This was perfectly fine wrestling and the fans were behind Perez but it didn’t do Styles a lot of favors, even in victory. 

EB: The Super Medicos did not win the Caribbean tag titles but have stayed in contention for the World tag titles. Let’s see them in action against the team of Gran Mendoza and Assassin #1.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqbKdfnLCYU 

Estrada Jr.is called #3 here. This match is all Medicos as they control Mendoza with arm work and quick tags in and out. Mendoza cuts off Medico #3 with an elbow and tags in Assassin #1, who gets a hotshot on Medico #3 for a pin attempt. Assassin #1 hits a backdrop but misses an elbow drop, which allows Medico #3 to tag in his partner. Medico #1 does a hit machine on Assassin #1 and cleans house on both opponents when Mendoza tries to attack him. An inside cradle pin attempt goes nowhere and all four men are in the ring. Both rudos are thrown into each other, with the Medicos hitting a double dropkick on Mendoza to send him outside. A double suplex on Assassin #1 leads to the assisted splash and the Medicos get the win. They’re next stop is challenging Los Mercenarios once more for the World tag team titles on March 31. 

MD: Another straightforward enhancement tag here. Mendoza had a nice back elbow to cut them off but they were able to fire back before long, including impressively double suplexing the sizable Assassin before Medico 1 pressed up Medico 3 into a splash and a pin.

EB: As March rolls on we have a newcomer to CSP. El Profe has brought in another formidable looking wrestler, one that may look familiar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6R_sPY3-tX4 

We have Atkie Malumba taking on Victor Jovica. You may know Malumba as Kamala 2. He is El Profe’s newest acquisition, billed from Mozambique and weighing around 400 pounds. Jovica attacks Atkie at the bell with several punches and a turnbuckle ram. Atkie immediately counters with an eye rake and goes on offense with a headbutt, chop and a choke against the ropes. Hugo mentions that Malumba is undefeated so far since coming over to Puerto Rico and the United States. Atkie sends Victore into a corner and hits a corner splash. Jovica mounts  a short comeback with some punches and chops, but Atkie counters an attempt to send him into the ropes and hits Victor with a foot to the face. Atkie goes for a splash but does not cover and decides to do another one (Hugo: He’s made Jovica into a pancake!). The ref gets a count of one before Atkie again gets up and hits a third splash. This gets the win. El Profe comes in with what looks like a shrunken head and Hugo mentions that they call it Malumba’s warrior spirit. El Profe shows it to Malumba in order to keep him calm and Atkie starts bowing in reverence. Meanwhile, Jovica is twitching on the mat and looks to be in need of medical assistance. El Profe ties up the ref and Atkie goes for another splash on the prone Jovica. Profe once again shows Malumba his ‘warrior spirit’ and Atkie calmly crawls out of the ring. This Malumba may well be a dangerous threat to El Ejercito de la Justicia. 

MD: Jovica wasn’t a small guy, not really, but Malumba just crushed him, especially in the corner. He finished things off with a series of big splashes where he kept getting up at one and backpedaled with his hands waving about before charging in again. Very definitive stuff. Post match he was drawn away by a mystical object, nominally to spare Jovica’s life.

EB: TNT has had a bit of an up down month. He lost the Universal title against Abdullah the Butcher and it is up in the air who the next challenger will be. Still, the challenges keep coming and TNT is facing Carl Styles on TV.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1i_j-3x7dk 

The match is joined in progress as Styles has TNT in the corner and fires off a series of kicks and punches. Styles is facing a tecnico that is higher up on the hierarchy, so it’s a test of his skills. TNT is coming off the uUniversal title loss and looking to remain near the top of the contender rankings, while a win for Styles would really boost him up the rankings. Styles sends TNT into the ropes and puts on a bearhug. They fall to the ground but Styles keeps the bearhug on. After a while, Styles gets into a mount position and starts punching TNT. Back on their feet, Styles again sends TNT into the ropes and puts on another bearhug. TNT fights out of the hold, but Styles shoves TNT back first into the corner and puts on the bearhug again. Styles works the bearhug and it looks like TNT may be out. However, TNT keeps his arm raised on the third check by the ref and breaks the bearhug with some elbows and punches to Carl’s head. A shoulder tackle off the ropes takes down TNT and Styles makes a cover for a two count. TNT ducks a clothesline and comes back with a dynamite kick. TNT starts getting fired up and hits some blows and a hiptoss. A charge is dodged by Carl and he uses TNT’s momentum to send him to the outside. TNT quickly gets back on the apron and surprises Styles with a  sunset flip for a two count. As Carl argues with the ref, TNT hits a reverse cradle for the three count. TNT picks up the win and we’ll have to see what’s next for him. 

MD: We have three or four minutes of this JIP. I’m not sure these two synched up well. Styles was big and lumbering but TNT was just big enough that some of what Styles did, like the long bearhug, didn’t quite work for me visually. TNT worked well from underneath and ultimately won this with a roll up, and maybe if we had the early feeling out, I’d feel differently, but I think I would have liked more of a clash of the Titans sort of encounter. Remember, we had just seen Perez work even with Styles after all.

EB: Next time on El Deporte de las Mil Emociones, as the end of March approaches, a decision is made about who will be the next challenger to Abdullah. It will be Carlos Colon and the match will take place on March 31. Who will end the month as Universal champion? Also, the last week of March sees some upheaval at the top of the tag team scene, a former World champion and Universal title contender makes his return to CSP, and we get one of the most surprising ‘he worked Puerto Rico in 1990’ appearances.

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