El Deporte de las Mil Emociones: Springtime in CSP

Week 24: Springtime in CSP

EB: One of the main challenges of doing this journey through Puerto Rican wrestling is that we are covering a period where we usually have a dearth of results and/or footage to help inform the rivalries and wrestlers that are appearing in this time period we are covering. The late 1989 to first half of 1990 in particular is a time period where we tend to lack information. Matt and I have done our best in piecing together what we have found (both footage wise and results wise) but this is still a bit of a dark period. April 1990 is definitely a month where this lack of information is notable, so we’ll try to piece together as best as we can how things are progressing in CSP as Spring gets into full swing. The best way to try to cover the goings on is by reviewing the status of the titles and their current feuds.

Let’s begin first with the World Junior title, where ‘Tough Guy’ Eddie Watts has been the World Junior champion since the end of January. After initially winning the title from Super Medico #1, for the past couple of months, Watts has held back the challenge of Huracan Castillo Jr. and Joe Savoldi. More recently, Watts has had a few matches with Invader #4, but his main challengers are still Castillo and Savoldi. And while Watts has been able to hold onto the title so far, his luck is about to run out. According to the title’s history, Huracan Castillo Jr. was able to defeat Eddie Watts for the World Junior title on April 21.   

Although we will still see a bit more of Eddie Watts, we do have to say goodbye to Joe Savoldi, whose most recent semi-regular run wraps up in April. Before saying goodbye to Savoldi, let’s watch him in action against two opponents. First, a non-title TV match against Eddie Watts, and then a bonus match against Chicky Starr.

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

We join the match in progress as Watts has Savoldi on the mat and applies a spinning toe hold. Chicky Starr as usual is at ringside for Watts. Eliud Gonzalez is on commentary, and he makes sure to point out how effective Eddie’s repeated toeholds are on damaging Savoldi’s knee and leg. Watts keeps focusing his attack on Savoldi’s left leg, but Savoldi eventually is able to kick Watts away and flip him over off the ropes. Watts and Savoldi get into a blow exchange, one that it looks like Savoldi is winning. However, Watts sweeps Joe’s leg and sends Savoldi to the mat. Eddie follows up with an ankle twist and then stomps on Savoldi’s leg after placing it on the bottom rope. Watts takes too long jawing at the crowd and Savoldi counters a leg hold with an enziguri. Savoldi mounts a comeback but is showing the effects of the hurt leg. Savoldi works over Eddie’s right leg by ramming it a few times into the ringpost. Both men fight on the outside but Savoldi manages to throw Watts back into the ring. Watts begs off but is able to throw Savoldi through the ropes. However, Savoldi surprises Watts on the apron with a sunset flip back into the ring and is able to score a three count for the win! Savoldi may have not been able to defeat Watts for the World Junior title, but he was still able to score a clean win over Watts.

MD: This is JIP with Watts doing damage to Savoldi’s leg to start. Savoldi does a good job selling it on the comeback, using punches and other things instead of his usual start-of-the-90s junior offense. Watts tries to take a powder but Savoldi chases him down, drops the selling and hits a sunset flip into the ring to win. 

EB: As a bonus, let’s also watch footage of a Savoldi vs Chicky Starr match. We’re not sure if this match is from 1989 or 1990, but it gives us another chance to see Chicky in singles action.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iX53MgPnWc

Another match joined in progress, as both men briefly lock up but Chicky quickly gains the advantage with some blows. Savoldi fires back with a few haymakers and hits a backdrop on Chicky, who quickly decides to roll outside to regroup. Chicky takes his time getting back into the ring and once again gains the advantage with a low blow on Savoldi. Chicky starts hobbling around, complaining that he has a bad knee, but continues attacking the downed Savoldi with several kicks and knee strikes (including using his supposedly injured knee). Chicky remains in control for a couple of minutes, hiding some illegal punches from the ref’s view and taunting the crowd as he maintains control while adjusting his knee pad every so often. Chicky attempts a cover after a slam but Savoldi quickly kicks out. Savoldi fires off a few punches and seems to gain control, backing Chicky into the corner with some kicks. Savoldi hits a monkey flip on Chicky and the tide has definitely turned in Savoldi’s favor. Joe goes on the attack, including chasing Chicky around the ring, and continues with the advantage with several punches and kicks. A punch knocks Chicky through the ropes to the outside, and Savoldi gives chase. However, Chicky appears to reach into his tights as he ambles around the ring,  and when Savoldi tries to chase after him back into the ring, Chicky catches Joe with a loaded punch. Savoldi falls to the mat and Chicky quickly covers for the pinfall win. A not so clean victory for Chicky Starr.

MD: Pretty complete in seven minutes or so. Maybe a little JIP. Chicky eats some shine work until he uses the loaded kneepad (that rare weapon) to throw a bunch of shots into Savoldi’s guts. Joe eventually comes back with monkey flips and a running knee into the corner of his own and Chicky takes a great bump through the ropes. On the floor, though, he pulls out yet another object, this time the knucks and catches Savoldi back in the ring after he gives chase for the win. It makes sense if Chicky’s being pushed as a tag champ (or about to be depending on this was filmed) that he can still get one over, dirty, on a Jr. Heavyweight.

EB: Let’s talk briefly about the other singles title holders. March was a turbulent month for the Universal title, with two title changes occurring in the month. TNT lost the Universal title to Abdullah the Butcher, who in turn lost it to Carlos Colon to end the month. TNT was not happy about losing the Universal title, and beside that unexpected match vs Saito on TV, would soon find himself enveloped in a feud with Rick Valentine (another member of El Club Deportivo). Let’s go to a brief clip from the ending of a recent TNT vs Valentine match.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXgoZV2IrH0 

Hugo narrates the clip, mentioning that both men are on the outside and bleeding. We cut to both TNT and Valentine on their knees and exchanging blows, with both men notably bleeding from their foreheads. We then cut to later in the match, where both men get to their feet and trade blows once more. TNT is able to get the better of this exchange and is able to knock Valentien down with a headbutt. Valentine kicks out of a pin attempt and TNT fires off a few chops in the corner. TNT whips Valentine across the ring but runs into Valentine’s knees when attempting to follow through. Valentine takes advantage and quickly pins TNT, placing his legs on the ropes for leverage and scoring the three count. Valentine steals the win as Hugo mentions that blood has been spilled and TNT is going to be looking for revenge.

MD: This is clipped in a way that we don’t usually see in this footage. We just get snippets of it for a minute or so. What we do get to see is mainly bloody brawling with both of them on their knees throwing shots though. It looks really good and this is one that I wish we had in full, even if on paper, you might not expect much of it. Valentine gets the crooked win by putting his feet on the ropes after a double leg in the corner. 

EB: TNT would continue feuding with Valentine into the beginning of May, but he would not remain without a title for much longer, as at the April 25 tv tapings TNT would regain the TV title he never lost (he had vacated the title when he won the Universal title) by defeating Leo Burke. That’s now two titles El Club Deportivo has lost as the end of April approaches. Of the remaining singles titles, two are in the hands of El Ejercito de la justicia (Colon has the Universal title and Invader #1 has the Caribbean title), while the Puerto Rico title is still held by the injured Manny Fernandez (although the title’s status may soon change since it seems Manny is not returning).

We’ll talk soon about the Universal title, but first let’s look at the tag scene. As mentioned in our previous installment, the end of March saw both tag titles switch hands, with the Super Medicos winning the World tag team titles and Chicky Starr & Leo Burke winning the Caribbean tag titles from the Invaders. Let’s first review the Caribbean tag title feud that began at the end of March.

Chicky and Burke were able to win the Caribbean tag titles from the Invaders thanks to interference from the Iron Sheik. While this interference led to a singles match between Sheik and Invader #1 on March 31, the Invaders quickly started chasing Chicky and Burke to get their rematch for the Caribbean tag titles. As we saw last time, Chicky and Leo gave the Invaders a non-title match, but the Invaders were able to win that match and secure a return title match. 

On April 7 in Caguas, the two teams faced off once again, but Chicky and Burke attacked Invader #4 during the match and temporarily took him out of action. An angry Invader #1 signed to face the Caribbean tag champs in a two vs one handicap match on April 14.  This handicap match took place at Estadio Hiram Bithorn and at one point during the match, Maelo Huertas showed up to help save his brother from a two on one attack, bringing a two by four with him to help clear the ring. Hugo said he had never seen Maelo (Invader #4) like that when he showed up with the two by four. The two teams are signed to face each other in a grudge match for April 21, so it looks like the feud between Chicky & Burke and the Invaders is far from over. We unfortunately do not have footage of any of these matches, but we do have an Invader #1 music video with several highlights from 1986 and 1989 (and set to their current entrance music). Let’s see how many opponents you can recognize.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Xr9kfTpjEY

MD: I’d honestly say that this is a great way to show someone who isn’t in the know exactly what made Invader special. You only see a little bit of his selling but you see a ton of him coming back with big strikes against formidable foes as the crowds go wild. 

EB: The Super Medicos were finally able to defeat Los Mercenarios for the World tag team titles on March 31. The former champions were not happy over losing the World tag titles, and they decided to send a message to the Super Medicos. We got an inkling of something happening during an insert promo we saw in a previous installment, where the Super Medicos made reference to an attack done by Los Mercenarios. What exactly happened? Well, the incident occurred during a tag match where the Super Medicos were facing an unexpected tandem popping in for an appearance in CSP.

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

We already saw Mr. Saito in action vs TNT in the previous installment, but it appears he did not make this excursion alone. Riki Choshu is teaming up with Saito to face the Super Medicos and I am still in shock that these two popped in for an appearance in CSP in April 1990. Eliud Gonzalez introduces both teams, as the Super Medicos show off their recently won World title belts. Saito and Choshu are being managed by El Profe, who has specialized in managing the Japanese wrestlers that have come into the territory. Profe is also the manager of Los Mercenarios, so there may be something else up as well. Choshi and Medico #1 start off for their teams. Choshu gets the better of the initial exchange and is able to back Medico #1 into the rudo corner. Saito holds Medico #1 as Choshu delivers some chops. Master Saito is tagged in and briefly maintains the advantage on Medico #1. However, Medico #1 counters with several chops on his end and is able to tag Medico #3, who sends Saito down with a dropkick. Estrada Jr (it appears we’re still in that weird period where he is being called #4 although by now I think he had been promoted to #3) gets a two count but Saito gets control back with an eye poke. Choshu is tagged in and delivers several kicks to Estrada Jr, followed by a suplex. Choshu gets a two count and tags Saito back in. Saito applies a sleeperhold on the younger Estrada, but Medico #1 jumps off the top rope to break the hold. The rudos make a switch behind the ref’s back, and Choshu puts a nerve hold on the younger Medico (which is again broken up by Medico #1). The rudos switch again, Saito works a nerve hold and again Medico #1 comes in off the top rope to break the hold. Another illegal switch and Choshu works a neck wringer on Estrada Jr. The ref asks Profe if the tag was made and he shakes his head vigorously in the affirmative. Another Illegal switch occurs and Saito backdrops Estrada Jr. Saito continues in control, choking Estrada Jr. and eventually tags Choshu back in. Choshu and the younger Medico exchange blows and Choshu keeps Estrads Jr near the rudo corner. 

Saito is tagged back in and proceeds to choke out Estrada Jr on the mat. Medico #1 cheers on his partner from the apron, and it looks like Estrada Jr is trying to fight out of the choke. Saito sends Estrada Jr. into the ropes and Estrada Jr counters with a dropkick. This allows for the tag to be made to Medico #1, who comes in  with punches on both Saito and Choshu. While this is happening, El Profe charges towards the tecnico corner and yanks Estrada Jr off the apron. This angers Estrada Jr, who goes after Profe, who is backing up towards the locker room entrance. El Profe tries to kick Estrada Jr, but the kick is blocked and Estrada Jr knocks Profe down. As Estrada Jr sets himself up to punch a downed Profe, Los Mercenarios rush out of the locker room and attack the younger Medico. It was a set up. Los Mercenarios and El Profe grab the younger Estrada and drag him into the locker room. Meanwhile, Medico #1 has been successfully fighting off both Saito and Choshu. However, Medico #1 realizes that his tag partner is missing and asks the crowd what happened. Medico #1 leaves the ring in search of his son, as the fans point in the direction of the locker room. All of a sudden, the younger Estrada is tossed out of the locker room and to the floor, busted open. Medico #1 sees his son and goes to him, but the referee has been doing the ring out count while all this has been happening. As Medico #1 holds his son and tries to help him, the referee counts out the Medicos. Saito and Choshu win the match and it looks like Los Mercenarios have sent a message to new World tag team champions.   

MD: Well, this is surreal. It feels like a 1990 WCW tag tournament or something. Choshu and Saito (MASTER Saito) don’t take the night off either. They feed early and then cut Medico (4? They’re saying 4; I’m going to assume it’s Estrada, Jr. unless Esteban tells me otherwise) off with a perfectly timed shot from Saito. A lot of these Medicos matches have felt like an education in Estrada, Jr. taking the heat and there’s more of that here as he takes a beating and gets a hope spot or two in. On the comeback, Medico 4 goes after Profe and gets ambushed by the Mercenarios so while Medico 1 is punching Choshu and Saito and giving them a double noggin knocker, Medico 4 is nowhere to be seen. Eventually he’s tossed out, a bloody mess, and Medico 1 tends to him leading to the countout. This was a fun surprise. 

EB: The Super Medicos and Los Merenarios would face off after this attack in a rematch on April 14. This feud will continue throughout the month and we’ll see how it ends up unfolding next time.
We have a couple of matches that appear to be from April 7. The first match features El Profe’s latest monster Atkie Malumba taking on Miguelito Perez. Let’s see if Perez fares better than the other wrestlers that have faced Malumba so far.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wHxkly5mOY

Hugo and Chicky are on commentary, as they mention that Miguelito has a tough opponent in Malumba. Atkie has been impressive thus far as part of El Profe's Real Academia. Hugo notes that Miguel will have to use his speed and agility against Malumba, as we wait for Atkie to finish his pre match preparation. As Malumba bows, Hugo asks Chicky if they are happy that this man is with El Profe and not against them (Chicky responds with Definitely). Atkie charges at Perez to start but is met by several; punches from Miguelito. Perez is able to stun Malumba and back him into a corner, where he continues attacking Malumba with punches and kicks. Perez does some standing punches and continues the attack, ramming Malumba into another corner and not letting up. Chicky admits on commentary that he is impressed that Perez has been able to keep Malumba at bay so far. However, the momentum shifts when Miguelito whips Malumba into the opposite corner and tries to follow up with a corner splash. Malumba meets the incoming Perez with his own standing splash, and Perez is knocked down. Atkie follows up by choking Perez on the mat, as Hugo mentions that Perez must feel like he ran into a truck. El Profe mugs for the camera holding the shrunken head, as Malumba tosses Perez outside of the ring. Malumba drags Perez over to the fence in front of the crowd and attacks Perez there, including grating Perez’s head across the fencing. Atkie starts shaking and chanting, as he moves over to El Profe and bows to him and the shrunken head. Profe makes sure to point Malumba back in Miguelito's direction, and Atkie kicks the incoming Miguelito right in the face. Back in the ring, Malumba hits a slam and follows up with a splash. As we have seen before, Atkie foregoes the pin and decides to go to the top turnbuckle. A flying splash leads to a three count and another impressive win for Atkie Malumba. El Profe celebrates in the ring and Malumba hits an elbow drop on Perez post match. Chicky says that this man is here to destroy El Ejercito de la Justicia and, so far, it looks like Malumba will do just that. 

MD: Quick mauling here. Malumba took him out to the fence and beat him there a bit, rolled him back in and hit a top rope splash. It was what it should have been.

EB: The other match we have from April 7 features the new Universal champion. Carlos Colon defeated Abdullah the Butcher on March 31st to become the Universal champion once more. While Abdullah will not be appearing in the short-term (meaning no title rematch), El Jeque has sent his latest acquisition after Carlos Colon. The Iron Sheik is no stranger to Carlos, with the two men having previously had a feud over the Universal title in early 1988. Now, it appears Sheik is set on continuing what Abdullah is not able to follow up on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxfqwzFWEl0 

We join the match in progress as it looks like the Iron Sheik was using his loaded boot to counter a charge into the corner by Carlos. We cut to later in the match as Hugo continues narrating. Carlos goes for a slam on the Sheik but the ref gets knocked down by Sheik’s legs on the slam pick up. Carlos is bleeding and both wrestlers look tired. Carlos hits another body slam on the Sheik and goes to the top turnbuckle. Carlos attempts a flying legdrop but the Iron Sheik rolls out of the way. Sheik gets to his feet first as we see El Jeque lying on the ground beside the ring, completely knocked out. Sheik puts Carlos in the camel clutch. The ref is still out but eventually comes to. Carlos manages to break the hold and the Sheik falls to the outside. Carlos goes after the Sheik and the clip cuts to both men exchanging punches outside of the ring as the ref tries to get them to go back inside. Both men  continue fighting and attack the ref when he tries to break it up (Sheik with a shove, Carlos with a headbutt). Carlos gets fired up and continues punching the Sheik, but a kick to the groin stops Carlos in his tracks. The Iron Sheik takes advantage of the low blow and puts Carlos back in the camel clutch outside of the ring. 

The ref comes to and calls for the bell, apparently it is a double disqualification. As Carlos struggles in the hold, the rudo locker room comes out to cheer Sheik on and to act as a barrier to anyone who might attempt to help Carlos. The tecnicos come out and start fighting with the rudos, as Sheik continues applying the camel clutch to Carlos.  As the fight continues, TNT breaks away from the group and goes around the ring, coming up behind the Iron Sheik with a chair. TNT cracks Sheik on the back with the chair, getting the camel clutch broken and saving Carlos.

MD: Wild stuff here. We only get three minutes of it. Colon accidentally takes out Vikingo with a slam, misses an Alabama Jam, and then just barely escapes the Camel Clutch (great bloody visual). He goes out with Sheik and headbutts him repeatedly and even headbutts Vikingo when he gets in the way. Sheik hits the foul and puts the Clutch back on while they’re out on the floor. Vikingo calls for the bell. The whole backstage area comes out to brawl (which I assume has to do with the heels uniting but it’s a great visual since they haven’t done anything like this since we started the project). 

EB: It looks like the rudos are banding together to try to take out El Ejercito de la Justicia. Colon obviously wanted payback against the Iron Sheik. What is next for these two? Let’s go to an airing of Campeones where we learn a bit more about how this rivalry escalated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIV-lVtyuLo

This match is from what is likely the April 14 Campeones episode. It’s an older match featuring the Iron Sheik vs Invader #2. We’re including it because the commentary is new, featuring Hugo and Chicky talking about the latest happenings in CSP. It also gives us a chance to see Invader #2 in action. This match originally happened in late 87 or early 88, when the Iron Sheik was being set up for his feud with Carlos Colon for the Universal title. At the time Chicky was the Iron Sheik’s manager. Besides the match, there are some important talking points we need to cover from the commentary.To start,Chicky mentions that he, El Profe and El Jeque have formed a coalition to take El Ejercito de la Justicia out. All three rudo managers are banding together and they will act as one unit going forward. As we’ll see in the coming weeks, this actually also serves as a way to phase out El Jeque, after this run with the Iron Sheik he will no longer be appearing as a manager for CSP. Chicky mentions that the Iron Sheik is an important centerpiece in this plan, as he’ll be facing Carlos Colon once more. Invader #2 controls the early part of the match, as he’s able to hiptoss Sheik. The Iron Sheik comes back with an eye rake and uses his spike toed boot to further gain the advantage. As Invader #2 cuts off Sheik with a dropkick, Hugo mentions that tomorrow they will be in Mayaguez (based on commentary from other matches, I believe TNT vs Iron Sheik was scheduled for that card). 

As the Sheik gains control again with another eye rake, we go to an insert promo featuring Carlos Colon. Carlos mentions that last week the Sheik hurt him (referencing the camel clutch incident we just saw), but tonight he will be out for revenge. They are scheduled to face off for the Universal title in a barbed wire match tonight at Estadio Hiram Bithorn. Calros promises he will deliver a heck of a beating to the Iron Sheik. Hugo and Chicky react to Colon’s words as the Iron Sheik begs off from an attack by Invader #2. As Invader #2 continues with a series of punches, Sheik resorts to another eye rake to cut off the attack. As the ref gets Invader #2 to back away from the corner, the Iron Sheik takes advantage to load up his boot. When Invader #2 charges in, Sheik comes off the ropes with a kick to the head and gets the three count. 

MD: This was a bit more of a spry Sheik from a few years earlier, up against Invader 2 in his Solar-masked glory. It was pretty back and forth with Sheik stooging backwards and bumping a bit more for him and then taking over with eyerakes primarily. This time when he loaded the boot, though, it was the end for Invader. I wonder how much of a boost him being in there, using that gimmick, and being with Chicky. had given Abbuda Dein as he was getting established. Unfortunately we don’t have the barbed wire match this sets up, which is quite the shame.

EB: We unfortunately don’t have any footage from the barbed wire match. Also, we have reached the end of the Iron Sheik’s short run in CSP. This means that there is an opening for a new challenger for the Universal title. Who will be next in line? We’ll find out in a moment as we go to a match that appears to be from the April 14 card.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlG1REUE9Lo 

Pierre Martel is back and this time his opponent is the monster known as Atkie Malumba. Hugo and Carlos are on commentary and it appears this match is from a late April airing of Campeones, since Carlos mentions that he is soon to meet Malumba that night one on one (it seems we have found who Carlos Colon’s next challenger will be). Martel gets an early advantage working Atkie’s arm but a thrust to the throat cuts off Pierre’s attack. From there it’s mainly Malumba, as he shows off the different ways he can choke Pierre. Carlos mentions that we shouldn’t forget that Pierre does use a loaded boot, but whether it’ll come into play here remains to be seen. Malumba continues with the throat and neck based offense, with Profe even getting a cheapshot in on Pierre at one point. The match goes to the outside and Atkie continues on the attack, throwing Pierre into some chairs near ringside. Pierre manages to get back in the ring and tosses some dirt he grabbed from the floor into Atkie’s face, causing him to stumble around outside in discomfort. El Profe checks on Malumba and tries to wipe his face clean. Hugo mentions that with an opponent like Malumba you pretty much have to figure out how to even the playing field. Pierre stomps Maluba as he gets near the ring but follows him outside and gets the better of a punch exchange with Atkie. Back in the ring, Malumba is staggered and Pierre sets up for his loaded boot, but Profe grabs onto Pierre’s leg and refuses to let go. Atkie takes advantage of this distraction and knocks down Pierre from behind. This sets up a splash, although Malumba decides to forgo the pin. Atkie goes up top and hits a flyin splash, again choosing to stop the cover at two. The ref tries to stop Malumba from coming off the top rope again and Atkie splashes the referee instead. Atkie hits another flying splash on Pierre, as another referee comes in and calls for the bell. Malumba leaves the ring, as El Profe tries to calm him down and it looks like Martel is hurt.

MD: You always kind of want to hold it against Malumba for who he isn’t, but he had solid presence; he was always on, always reacting, always trying to make the most of whatever was happening. That meant recoiling in confusion and frustration at every shot Martel got in early and just constantly being on him when he did take over. Martel came back here only to have Profe grab his leg and Malumba load his boot. Maybe you don’t need the monster to also have a loaded boot gimmick but then it does create that dissonance of unfairness that he has to resort to something like that when he’s so big and so dangerous. Post-match was kind of great actually, as he hit a flying body press on the ref (Vikingo) who was trying to get in his way, just squashing him, and then hit the top rope splash on Martel anyway. That’s how you get over a monster, give or take the loaded boot.

EB: It looks like Carlos was attacked in Mayaguez by Atkie Malumba and he is now the newest challenger for the Universal title. Carlos is going to have his hands full with this monster, who has made easy work of all of his opponents thus far. We’ll continue to follow this burgeoning rivalry as we head into May.

Next time on el Deporte de las Mil Emociones, as May approaches things heat up for some of the existing rivalries. Will there be any new title changes? Also, a new wrestler arrives in CSP as a blond cowboy comes calling as part of the new rudo coalition.
 

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El Deporte de las Mil Emociones: The Road To Aniversario ‘89

Week 9: The Road  To Aniversario ‘89

EB: When we first started our journey with the Bronca Boricua, one of the videos we watched was one that had a Sports Shop segment, a rundown of that night’s card and, near the end of the video, a brief teaser for Aniversario 89 taking place from Estadio Juan Ramon Loubriel on September 16.  We have now arrived in September and that means anniversary time for Capitol Sports Promotions. Although the promotion’s first card was held on Three Kings Day in 1974, CSP was founded in September of 1973. When the company reached ten years since its founding, it was decided to hold a big ten-year anniversary card in celebration. Since then, Aniversario has been held every September, a supercard where you’ll find a mix of feuds coming to a head (although not necessarily ending) and wrestlers being brought in (both regular tourers and sometimes even names making their first foray to Puerto Rico) to face the local stars or each other. Throughout the years the event has grown, with changes in how long the event lasts. CSP would typically hold cards throughout Aniversario weekend with the wrestlers that were here for Aniversario, resulting in Aniversario being held across different days (although the main show was always the one held in the San Juan Metro area). Recent developments included running a Universal title tournament from Friday to Sunday in 1986 (truly an Aniversario weekend) and running Aniversario simultaneously in three different locations at the same time in 1987. In 1988, Aniversario was once again run from two different locations simultaneously, although unlike in 1987 where it was different cities, the event was held at two different sites within the same sports complex in Bayamon.

For 1989, the event would be held from one location only (the previously mentioned Estadio Juan Ramon Loubriel) but with a new wrinkle. For the first time ever, the event would be available locally live on pay-per-view. So fans had the option of going in person or watching the event from the comfort of their own home. This resulted in Hugo Savinovich, Carlos Colon and Chicky Starr to film some promos the week it was announced from in front of the cable TV company in San Juan in order to hype up that this was an option for the fans (while also telling the fans that if you can make it out to the stadium, you should do so).

Following the first teaser for Aniversario 89, every week a segment hosted by Hector Moyano would air updating fans about Aniversario 89, basically an event center update focused on Aniversario where new match announcements would occur.  Let’s go to one of these segments to see how the Aniversario 89 card is shaping up so far.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAdNwXaSvn4

Hector Moyano welcomes the fans to the segment saying ‘Puerto Rico, esto es para ti’ (Puerto Rico, this is for you). More super matches have been confirmed, let’s run down what we have so far. The main event will be a rematch for the Universal title as Carlitos Colon takes on the reigning champ Steve Strong. The Puerto Rico title will be on the line as Ivan Koloff defends against Invader #1. Returning to the island and much loved by the fans are the Youngbloods who will be challenging the World tag champions Rip Rogers and Abudda Dein. A very interesting encounter will see Kerry von Erich take on Abullah the Butcher. Also, the World Class World Junior heavyweight champion Jeff Jarrett will be coming in to face the WWC World Junior heavyweight champion Super Medico. We will also see in action ‘El Toro Salvaje’ Manny Fernandez, the Junkyard Dog, and in a just confirmed bout, Boogie Man Jimmy Valiant will face Kareem Muhammad. Moyano then talks about there being good news for fans in the Caguas and Humacao regions, thanks to their calls the event will be available via their cable providers in those regions (thus the three different phone numbers to call on the screen depending on where you live). The price will be $25 and Moyano gives the relevant details about where the cable provider offices are located and what numbers to call. He also mentions that in San Juan you need the updated Sigma cable box in order to be able to watch the PPV. Please make sure you order ahead of time to make sure you don’t miss out. We’ll return next week with more new information.

After the segment, a promo for the Aniversario 89 card plays, narrated as always by Hugo Savinovich. This card rundown reveals one more match for the show, the one involving Manny Fernandez. In a vengeance match it will be Invader #3 vs. Manny Fernandez. Let’s take a look at these matches and talk about what has led up to them.

Our main event is a rematch for the Universal title where Carlitos Colon has returned from the shoulder injury Steve Strong inflicted on him and is looking to regain the Universal title.  We have seen the impact Sadistic Steve Strong has had throughout his run and we know how dangerous he can be. Carlos has returned with a win in the Bronca Boricua that took place on August 5 and is anxious to get his hands on Strong.

As Aniversario approaches, Chicky Starr is making sure that his Universal champ is ready. We go to a segment of La Esquina Caliente to see what Strong and Chicky are doing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjoXn9MCl00

Chicky says they have invaded one of the training bases of El Ejercito de la Justicia to show how much weight a real man lifts. Chicky calls this a psychological attack on Carlos since they are doing this at one of their training bases. None of them can lift this much. Next time any of the Ejercito de la Justicia shows up here, let them know that a real man showed up to lift. This is the man that will end Carlos Colon.

MD: I love the idea behind this. It’s as if the Justice Army was some sort of secret government task force fighting Cobra with a hidden headquarters underneath a barber shop. And then you have Chicky not being subtle at all but instead saying outright that this is a psychological assault. You can’t hurt someone’s feelings by telling them you’re doing something to hurt their feelings!

EB: But this wasn’t the only way Chicky had decided to get at Carlos before Aniversario. Carlos was actively wrestling to get back in ring shape for the big match at Aniversario, so Chicky saw this as his chance to potentially take him out. Carlos faced Kendo Nagasaki on August 12 and also, later that month, faced off against a wrestler brought in by Chicky with the sole purpose of taking care of Carlos Colon before Aniversario.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyIIf0p8Mzo

We open with Chicky and Nikolai Volkoff standing near the fans. Chicky is yelling for silence so that Volkoff can sing the Soviet national anthem. Nikolai sings as the crowd makes noise throughout. As the ring introductions are made, Hugo on commentary mentions that Chicky has promised that Carlos will not make it to Aniversario and has brought in the powerful Volkoff, a wrestler whose trajectory is well known. As Carlos and Nikolai square off, Hugo makes note of the size difference between the two of them. Volkoff gets the advantage early on due to his power and keeping the pressure on Colon. Carlos manages to briefly get control by blocking a kick, but Volkoff rakes the eyes and gets the advantage back. The match follows a pattern of Carlos starting a comeback but Volkoff cutting it off and using a cheap tactic to put Carlos down. Nikolai starts working Colon’s throat, trying to make sure Carlos does not make it to Aniversario. After another momentum change where Nikolai regains control, he hits a backbreaker on Carlos but does not go for the pin attempt in order to do more damage. But when Nikolai tries to pick Carlos back up for a move, Carlos surprises him with a roll up and gets the pin. Carlos leaves the ring as Volkoff and Chicky are upset at losing. Carlos decides to get back in the ring to fight with Volkoff a bit more and, after Volkoff briefly gets some blows and bites in, Carlos sends Volkoff over the top rope with a headbutt. Chicky’s plan has not worked and Carlos is still on the road to Aniversario.

MD: Volkoff has no WWF matches between March and the very end of September 1989. I didn’t know that. I tried to look through some 89 Observers to figure out what was going on there and decided quickly that was a mistake for my continued vision and sanity, especially after stopping off at the PR section once or twice. Volkoff doing the anthem gimmick in Puerto Rico with Chicky is wonderful. He’s an excellent opponent for Colon for a 5 minute tune-up match. He’s bulky and physically imposing like Strong, just pummeling Carlos against the ropes or in the corner. He targets the neck. Colon fires back against him multiple times but gets cut off, but then sneaks in a roll up out of nowhere and drives him off post-match. You got the sense that Carlos wasn’t quite ready for Strong yet, but that he was getting closer every day.

ER: Carlos prevails against Nikolai but Strong awaits. While getting ready for the match, Carlos also makes the rounds to promote Aniversario, including an appearance on the TV show Sunshine’s Cafe. This was a comedy variety show starring comedian/TV personality Sunshine Logroño which aired on channel 4. The show would feature comedy skits with different characters Sunshine played, interview segments with different guests and even music performances. One of the characters Sunshine developed for the show goes by the name of Vitin Alicea. The character (according to his Wikipedia entry) can be described as a “ hyper-macho misogynist who is likely a closet case, flaunts his masculinity to the point of self-parody, and is an extreme fan of professional wrestling, weightlifting and film.” Vitin owns a makeshift gymnasium in the backyard of his house, called "Musculus", which is merely a converted garage and filled with whatever cheap makeshift equipment he can find (such as cement filled tin cans for weights and a garden hose that serves as the gym’s ‘shower’).

The reason I’m providing context on Vitin is because the character’s wrestling fandom will result in him getting involved at different points with the local wrestling scene (so might as well introduce him now). Vitin’s wrestling fandom also results in him basically being a Carlos Colon superfan, with the character talking about Carlos several times throughout the show’s run. The show was so popular that a parody song made in character as Vitin was released on an album. This song was called "Hombres en la Noche" ("Men In The Night"), and it’s one where Vitin longs for male company and pays homage to wrestling hero Carlitos Colon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nodCOuT_bM

All the talk of Carlos eventually resulted in him making an appearance on the show in a sketch where Vitin continued to talk about how he trained Carlos and taught him the figure four, and how he was taking too much of Vitin’s time that he couldn’t train his protege (a lie Vitin was saying to explain to his protege why he wasn't being put into matches). Carlos unexpectedly arrives at the bar, looking for a phone to call a tow truck because his car had broken down. Vitin’s protege confronts Carlos, saying that he was told Carlos is ducking him and is the reason he wasn’t getting matches but Carlos reveals he doesn’t know who Vitin is.  Vitin tries to make an exit when it looks like the truth is out, but before the situation becomes heated Carlos decides to play along to help Vitin out, saying that of course he knows him, that’s the man that taught him the figure four. Afterwards, a grateful Vitin thanks Carlos for bailing him out and tells Carlos he is his inspiration, as Carlos tells him it’s alright but to be careful with the tall tales next time. If you’re interested you can watch the entire sketch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ID2eNYy1ho

As mentioned earlier, with Aniversario approaching, Carlos went to Sunshine's Cafe to promote the upcoming event. How? By being interviewed by Vitin of course.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpZI-fLrBgc

Vitin makes the introduction of today’s guest. He asks for the VCRs to be set on record and introduces Carlos Colon by saying forget Danny Rivera (a Puerto rican singer), forget Rafael Hernandez Colon (the then governor of Puerto Rico), forget George Bush (the then US president), here is the leader of Puerto Rico, Carlitos Colon! Carlos comes out in his suit and is all smiles. As Carlos sits on the stool, Vitin goes ‘My God, what a buffet.’ Vitin sits down and as he starts his interview, reaches out and puts his hand on Colon’s shoulder, causing Vitin to go ‘Caritos… Dear God, it’s like a 4x4 what this man has for a shoulder.’ Vitin says it's an honor to have Carlos as a guest because he serves as an example to the youth of Puerto Rico and that he is one of the first Puerto Rican wrestlers to be known worldwide. Vitin mentions that Capitol is going to celebrate their Aniversario soon and wants to know what’s going to happen there. Carlos says they’re going to have all of the local stars  and international stars too. Vitin interjects saying ‘Don’t tell me Chicky Starr is going to be there!’ Upon hearing that yes Chicky will be there, Vitin scoffs and says that man infuriates him. At that, Carlos tells Vitin that you’re going too. A perplexed Vitin goes ‘Me?’, to which Carlos says they’ll put Vitin in the Bronca Boricua. Vitin accepts the invitation, he’ll be there but giving massages at ringside. Carlos says no, you’ll be right in there getting it on in the ring. Vitin upon hearing this goes, ‘Look at the hairs standing up on my arm.’ Vitin says he has to organize and see who he attacks first, but Carlos says he’ll be in there with Abdullah. ‘With Abdullah! If that mass of meat falls on me I’m dead.’ Vitin asks if Mr. Pogo will be there with his satanic nunchucks (if you listened to the song earlier, Vitin references Mr. Pogo in Hombres en la Noche which is likely why he asks Carlos about him). Vitin puts over Carlos’ discipline and brings up the shoulder injury and that he was injured by that satanic Steve Strong. When Vitin hears it was the left shoulder, he offers to give Colon a massage and a kiss to make it better but Colon declines (getting up from the stool in case he needs to fend Vitin off). Vitin produces a letter that was sent by a female fan where they write a fan letter to Steve Strong. Vitin takes offense at this, spits on the letter and says how can you root for that foreigner over our local guy. Vitin asks what Colon’s favorite wrestling move is and he responds the figure four. This leads to Carlos demonstrating the hold on Vitin to end the segment. Vitin ends it by saying ‘I thought the figure four was like this (assumes an all fours position)’.

MD: Yes, we live in a world where a 1989 parody song in Puerto Rico contains a Mr. Pogo reference. Truly the most wonderful timeline. What stands out to me from the initial sketch is how subdued Colon is. He’s also more like a prop or a politician guest starring than a wrestler. We’re used to wrestlers being naturals in these settings due to their need to improvise. He gets more into it during the promotional appearance though.

EB: But let’s not forget the huge obstacle Carlos faces in Steve Strong. Here is a music video showcasing Strong ahead of Aniversario 89.

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

The rivalry between Ivan Koloff and Invader #1 over the Puerto Rico title has been going on since Koloff’s arrival in mid-July. We go to a series of interviews from that first weekend of August in the early stages of the feud, where Koloff has recently won the Puerto Rico title and is defending against Invader that night.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBH9PnXlhps

In the interview Invader expresses that he thought Koloff was a tremendous wrestler, but he was disappointed that Koloff stooped to cheating in order to win the Puerto Rico title from him the way that he did. We haven’t really seen Ivan in action in Puerto Rico, so here is a match (joined in progress) he had around mid to late August against TNT.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Fhk5Fc2ti0

We join the match with Ivan working TNT over with a bearhug, a hold which he will continue to use for the first minutes. Eventually TNT fights out of the hold but Ivan dodges an elbow drop and decides to go to the top rope.  However, TNT manages to shake the ropes, causing Ivan to crotch himself on the top turnbuckle and shifting the momentum to TNT. Both men try for pins across different exchanges as the time limit starts winding down. The announcers put over how well TNT is doing in there against a very experienced wrestler such as Ivan Koloff. A missed attack by Koloff as time is running out gives TNT the chance to put on the Cobra Dinamita. Time counts down as Koloff struggles in the hold, but the time limit is reached before Koloff passes out completely. It’s a draw.

MD: It’s easy to discount Uncle Ivan after his JCP run, but he looked to be a pretty potent force here (as he did for his January 1990 AJPW tour), holding a title, very capable in the ring. We come in JIP with TNT in the bear hug. Ivan was smaller at this point but it seemed entirely believable. In the comebacks and cutoffs, he was happy to stooge and bump all over for TNT and he looked every bit a top guy, even though TNT gets the moral win as the Cobra was locked on as the time limit expired. There’s no reason to think he couldn’t be a perfect Invader opponent.

EB: Meanwhile, Invader #1 would face the challenge of another Real Academia member in Kendo Nagasaki.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qEgbhkb0Vs

This match is surprisingly more of a straight up wrestling match with Invader showing off his wrestling ability against Kendo. On commentary Carlos mentions that you have to be wary of Kendo because he has many tricks such as the mist and the kendo stick. Kendo eventually gets the momentum by turning it into more of a fight but Invader is right there with him. Near the end of the match, Invader manages to get Kendo in a sleeperhold (which is sort of Invader's semi finisher). El Profe jumps on the ring apron (causing Carlos to angrily complain about managers needing to be banned from ringside so they can’t pull these shenanigans), which allows Ivan Koloff to run in and knock Invader out with a chain in his fist. Kendo steals the win.

MD: Nagasaki is a pretty natural Invader opponent too. He’s good at eating up his opponents which is not always what you want, but against a guy who can sell and come back like Invader, it’s pretty spot on. That said, Koloff was going to come out at the end here while Invader has the sleeper on and clock him with the chain, so he’s losing this with a pinfall in the middle of the ring and therefore, he ended up taking a good chunk of it. That included a lot of headlock takeovers early. We cut during the break and lose the transition, coming back to a Nagasaki arm stretcher and general beatdown including a nice use of a big wooden guardrail. When Invader comes back (with the fans fully behind him and fire within him), he crashes Nagasaki through that guardrail. A good match to remind everyone that Invader was a threat to Koloff’s title while keeping the heat on Koloff (heat that was only going to get ramped up further with the subsequent angle) and everyone involved protected.

EB: Both Invader and Ivan are on a collision course at Aniversario, with the rivalry escalating due to an attack Koloff did on Invader in his hometown of San Lorenzo.

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

As a result of this attack, the match was made into a chain match.
The World tag team titles will be on the line as the returning Youngbloods take on Rip Rogers and Abudda Dein. We’ve seen a bit of Abudda and Rip in our 1989 journey, but to remind you of their exploits here is a music video highlighting them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClgP7vO_FMg

As for the Youngbloods, their story in CSP begins with Jay Youngblood. Jay would make a couple of appearances in the territory back when they were working with JCP, including an appearance at Aniversario 84 where he teamed with his brother Mark and Wahoo McDaniel to face the Super Medicos. Jay and Mark would continue making sporadic appearances into 1985, where they would face off against Los Pastores (as did pretty much any tecnico in 1985).  Due to Jay’s untimely passing, Chris Youngblood would step in to team with Mark against Los Pastores at their scheduled match for the October 85 ‘Batalla de los Gladiadores’ card. Mark and Chris would return as a team for the year end 1986 cards and would stick around for a year and half as regulars in the territory, a run that made them into loved fan favorites and very likely the most fondly remembered foreigner team from that time period.

After leaving at the end of July of  88, Mark and Chris would return at the beginning of March to the territory, not full-time but to make semi-regular appearances. Here are their return matches, first their TV return that aired on March 4 and then their return match at the event that night “El Regreso de los Grandes”. First their TV return from the March 4 of 89 tv episode.

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

El Exotico is a wrestler we’ll see some more of when we get to the 90s. Dr. Death is El Gran Mendoza under the mask. This match is all Youngbloods as they are showcased on their return to the fans’ delight.  We also have their return match at the big Regreso de los Grandes card from that night. Their opponents are the new Ninja Express and Mark and Chris are challenging for the Caribbean tag titles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VoDl_hgvw4

MD: I don’t have strong priors when it comes to the Youngbloods (other than Jay, of course). Cheat sheet here has Chris with the singlet and Mark bare-chested. For the squash, not much to say except for that they really beat Exotico up without quite enough consequence. I kind of wish we lived in the world where Scotty the Body brought that guy into 1990 Portland to be is Puerto Rican cousin. Anyway, on to the Ninja Express. Mark is older and Chris has great energy, especially working the apron, but gets lost once or twice too. It’s pure pro wrestling to be in Puerto Rico with two Japanese guys dressed like ninjas and two Native Americans in full garb. Sasaki and Pogo did a whole ceremony before the match and it’s nice to know Sasaki got the genuine excursion experience. He looked good getting out of a headscissors at one point, but hard to say too much about him. We missed the transition to heat again, but they used all the tricks, including drawing Chris away from the corner to miss the tag in order to ramp up the drama. The place went crazy for the hot tag and the Youngbloods destroyed the Ninja Express until the ref had to call it for being too chaotic.

EB: Here is another match showcasing the Youngbloods about a month after their return, where their opponents are Tama the Islander and Jonathan Holiday (stepping in as a sub for the departing Dan Kroffat).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icuJjH-422s

MD: A lot to enjoy here, mainly due to the antics of Holiday and Tama. Holiday is a guy we have a bit of in late Stampede, here, in late Portland. Then he ends up embroiled in a legal case over the NWA rights which is interesting, but has no bearing on what we’re looking at here. You can see those Stampede roots in how big he bumps and how hard he feeds but it’s tempered with completely selfless stooging. Tama obviously had Heenan to lean on just a bit prior to this, but it surprised me how little he played up the goofiness here. This wasn’t a regular team but they meshed together well as an act and let the Youngbloods make fools out of them. The heat started probably two exchanges too late and didn’t last nearly as long as it should have, but that happens in a match like this. When I think of Puerto Rico, I think of bloody brawls and monsters and heroes of justice but there were always a bunch of these wildly entertaining stooging heels hanging around too and they really help round out the card and provide variety. As for the Youngbloods, they were poised and credible and fiery on the comeback, carrying themselves like stars (even as they took just a bit too much of it all as stars are want to do).

EB: We have a match at Aniversario 89 where name imports clash as Kerry von Erich takes on Abdullah the Butcher. We’ve learned all about Abdullah in Puerto Rico already and Kerry has made a couple of appearances throughout the summer. Here is a music special hyping Kerry that includes some clips of his match vs Rip Rogers on the Father’s Day card.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EI5mV8usT-g

However, this will be the last we will see of Kerry in CSP as there will be a change to the match just before Aniversario, with Kevin von Erich instead stepping in to face Abdullah.

MD: Kerry no-showing, even in a situation where his brother steps in is no surprise (nor would be the opposite). The hype video was rousing but basically all Kerry punching people. I’m not sure if that had to do with his mobility in 1989 or what.

EB: A match also featuring wrestlers that have been making semi-regular appearances throughout the summer in Puerto Rico will see Jimmy Valiant take on Kareem Muhammad. We also know that JYD will be on the card, but his opponent has not yet been announced. While we await confirmation on who JYD’s opponent will be, here’s a clip of him in tag action vs the Battens (really just an excuse to have the Battens show up one last time in our 89 run through).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ql6Xx7df6g

MD: Battens couldn’t catch a break here. They got hammered around the ring by JYD and Invader, two guys who probably didn’t need to be making smooth, quick tags but were anyway. Then when it looked like they’d take over off of a knee to Invader’s back by the Batten outside the ring as he was rope running, Invader just stopped in the middle of the ring and didn’t run into the knee. A Batten snuck in and leaped off the top with an axe handle on him anyway, but he wasn’t feeling it on this night and shut it all down quickly to tag JYD in who cleared house. It was fun to watch them bump around for Invader and JYD I guess.

EB: And then there’s that vengeance match between Invader #3 and Manny Fernandez. Why is it a vengeance match? Well…for that we need to go back to May of 1988. Chicky Starr had brought in Manny Fernandez as the newest member of his Club Deportivo. Manny’s been in the territory a bit over a month, wrestling squash matches on TV and appearing against some of the midcard tecnicos at the house shows. On the May 11 TV taping, Manny was facing Invader #3. We join that match in progress.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8a0jRhtWtU

This is from the Saturday May 14 Superestrellas de la Lucha Libre airing. We join the match with Invader #3 having Manny in a side headlock. Joaquin Padin, hijo and Hector Moyano are on commentary. We see Invader #3 work the headlock and actually maintain control on Manny through the first couple of minutes we are watching. Manny manages to turn the tide by diving out of the way of a crossbody block Invader #3 was trying to hit from the top turnbuckle. Manny hits a bodyslam and goes to the top turnbuckle. He comes of with a flying kneedrop onto the prone Invader #3, who starts rolling in distress on the mat. As Manny goes back up to hit another flying kneedrop, the camera cuts back to Invader #3 who is starting to spew a copious amount of blood from his mouth. Manny hits another kneedrop onto the injured Invader #3. The ref sees that Invader #3 is spewing a lot of blood from his mouth and frantically calls for the bell. Invader #3 is absolutely covered in blood as is part of the mat. Manny hits a third kneedrop as Padin is worried on commentary, saying he has never seen so much blood in a ring before. Invader #1, TNT, Castillo, Perez and the Youngbloods run out to run off Manny and check on the blood covered Invader #3.  Moyano says that Invader #3 is convulsing while Padin is saying he can't look at this, it’s making him queasy from how bad it is. The worried tecnicos do their best to carefully carry Invader #3 out of the ring to get medical help. The camera follows the group as they go outside the arena carrying Invader #3, all the way to a waiting stretcher.

We then see Manny with Chicky cutting a promo about a match he is going to have that night with Invader #1 after what had happened. Manny says everybody saw what he did to Invader #3 and he’s going to dish more of that tonight. ‘I am the king, and I am your daddy, so let’s see what you can do with this bull. I will leave you destroyed.’ Hugo then updates us on Invader #3, where he was taken to the ER and we’ll have updates later n the program on Invader #’3’s condition. We finish with a promo from Invader #1 talking about his match vs. Manny Fernandez tonight. He says Manny didn’t have to do that, that was over the line. Invader #3 is a family man and he didn’t deserve any of that. You may be the king elsewhere but not here. ‘What you did to Invader #3, you shouldn't have done it.  We’ll see who is who tonight’.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaUIgGy3CmM

Later on the same TV episode, Invader #1 had a match with Chicky Starr. Chicky immediately jumps Invader #1, taking advantage that he was somewhat distracted by what had happened earlier to Invader #3 (and knowing that Invader #1 would take it out on Chicky). Chicky manages to stay in control until Invader #1 just tees up and kicks Chicky in the groin. From there, it’s all Invader in control as he works over Chicky, trying to vent his frustrations about what happened earlier. After a couple of minutes of beating on Chicky (including hitting a Garvin stomp), Invader puts Chicky in a figure four. Manny Fernandez runs out and tries to hit Invader #1 with a flying kneedrop, but Invader gets out of the way. The ref called for the DQ  as soon as Manny went to the top. Invader hits Chicky and then goes after Manny. The two furiously go at it, fighting out of the ring and all the way to the exit. The tecnicos run out and, instead of breaking it up, form a circle around the fighting duo to ensure no one gets in to help Manny or allow Manny to get away. The camera follows the group of wrestlers to the sidewalk outside as the credits start to roll. They are fighting on the sidewalk and one of the last things we see is an umbrella from a food cart going down as Invader and Manny are brawling by it.

This has set up quite the feud between Invader #1 and Manny. They had their first match on May 14 and would continue the feud the following weekend.

However, something happened that changed plans in the longer term.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGTzMuwzZ4w

This video recap is from the May 28 airing of Superestrellas de la Lucha Libre. The words ‘They finished the Raging Bull Manny Fernandez’ flash on the screen as Hugo narrates what happened during the weekend of May 21st. Carlos Colon and Invader #1 were  facing Manny and Chicky in a tag match, looking for revenge for what happened to Invader #3. We see highlights of Carlos and Invader attacking Manny during that match. Hugo says they absolutely blistered Manny. We then go to the next day, May 22 in Aguadilla. This is Invader #1 facing Manny in a singles match. The words ‘The Invader ended him in Aguadilla’ flash on the screen. We see several highlights of Invader attacking Manny during the match, with the key moment coming near the end. Invader hit a back body drop on Manny on the arena floor. The video freezes just as Manny hits the floor and then cuts to Invader celebrating in front of the fans. What happened was that Manny legitimately got hurt on the landing and was now out of action. Thus, plans had to pivot and the feud could not continue with Manny involved. This video recap is to explain why Mann was gone and framed as the tecnicos getting their revenge. The feud would continue between the Invaders and Chicky Starr (accompanied by his returning cousin Ron Starr), but unfortunately we never saw how the feud with Manny would have continued.

But now, after a year and half, Manny Fernandez has returned. And for the first time since the terrible incident, Invader #3 is getting the opportunity to face the man who severely injured him in the ring.

MD: This is a pretty famous angle that Esteban can get into the details of better than I can; you’ll be as frustrated as I am at what we didn’t get because of Manny’s real injury! Some things worth noting: Invader #3 really had Manny’s number until he missed a body press back off the turnbuckles. Manny had that explosiveness all through the 80s and that served him well here for this angle. He cut what felt, to me, like a great post-match promo in Spanish too. The combo of Manny and Chicky was very natural. In the subsequent match (later that night) with an an out-for-blood Invader #1, it was a good example of how Chicky really was a threat in and of himself. Yes, he jumped Invader but he could still hold his own for a bit. I harp on it because it’s a correction to my own misconception (so it’s one you might share too), but this isn’t just Heenan. Still, Invader wasn’t going to let his vengeance be withheld for long and things become wild as Manny comes in to save Chicky’s neck. In the subsequent package with the Manny/Chicky vs Colon/Invader #1 tag match, the thing that stood out the most was just how well Manny and Invader #1 squared up in strike exchanges. Invader dodging his shots and getting his own in looked like an all-time example of that spot.

EB: As Aniversario nears, the card would begin to take its final form.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xre82NbHG9o

We can see the chain stipulation has been added to Koloff vs. Invader. We can also see, due to the events we saw occur between TNT and Original TNT (which we covered in a previous installment), that a match between them has been added to Aniversario, one that is stipulation heavy. It is for the TV title, but also for the rights to the identity of TNT. Whoever loses the match must take off the face paint and loses the right to call himself TNT.
JYD’s opponent has been confirmed, initially announced on TV as being Nikolai Volkoff but now as we near the event it is Paul Jones. And the Caribbean tag titles are on the line as Perez and Castillo defend against the Wild Samoans combination of Tama and Afa.

We are set for Aniversario on September 16. We leave you with a special music video made to help hype up Aniversario 89, featuring several of the wrestlers we have met so far in our journey through Puerto Rican wrestling.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAUq2AjMBJ4

Lucha libre! Lu-lu-lu-lu-lu lucha libre!

Next time on El Deporte de las Mil Emociones, it is time for Aniversario 89! The moment of truth has arriv… wait, what!?! (runs for cover)

Read more!

Espectáculos Promociones Panama: Master List

MD: We're looking at a bit of a break from Panama to cover some personal stuff. That said, for a while I wanted to put together at least a rudimentary master list of what we've done so far, through FFF and Espectáculos Promociones Panama. I know Blogspot is not the best for this sort of thing so here's a list. Someday we'll go back and try to source out dates and have a chronological list for everyone and really make sense of the footage, but for now hopefully you find it useful. Check out all of the EPP posts for the context and pictures and go out of your way to see Exterminador and Bunny Black and Sergio Galvez and Sandokan and the guys that you know. Stylistically, it's a fun middle ground between Mexico and Puerto Rico and there's a lot to discover.

Going through the FFF stuff again, I do think it's likely we'll revisit some of it at some point, because the story of Park in Panama or Gigante Tataki or the Brazos deserve Graham's historical treatment. In the meantime, hopefully footage keeps dropping so we build up a backlog of more matches to watch. 

Found Footage Friday:

12/17/21

• El Celestial vs. El Tahur
• Gemelos Infernales 1 y 2 vs. Gavilán de oro y La Cobra
• Puma y Lobo Negro vs. Estrella Blanca y Antorcha II
• Chamaco Castro vs. Tiburon Negro
• Gemelo Infernal III vs. El Barón

2/11/22

• Sergio Galvez/El Tahur vs. Kato Kung Lee/Celestial 1988

2/18/2022

• Sandokan vs. Principe Island 

4/1/22

• Sandokan vs. Rocky Star

6/10/22

• Cirujano de la Muerte vs. Emperador 1988

11/11/22

• El Barón y Jaguar Kuna vs. Satánico y Gemelo Infernal 3
• Sandokan/Ricardo Díaz/Antorcha 1 vs. Kronos 2/Gemelo Infernal 1/Gemelo Infernal 2

12/9/22

• Sandokan/Kato Kung Lee vs. Gigante Tataki
• Sandokan/Olimpico vs. Gigante Tataki (Hair Match) 

12/23/22

• Solar vs. Sergio Galvez

12/30/22

• Sandokan vs Principe Island (LA Park) 1988

1/6/23

• Principe Island I (LA Park) vs. Principe Island II (Super Parka) 1988

1/13/23

• Principe Island I (c) vs Sandokan

1/27/23

• El Idolo/Ursus/Celestial vs. Gemelo 1/Gemelo 2/El Tahur
• Los Brazos (Brazo de Plata/Brazo de Oro/El Brazo) vs. El Idolo/Celestial/Ursus

2/3/23

• Los Brazos (Brazo de Plata/Brazo de Oro/El Brazo) vs Gemelos Infernales/El Tahur 

Espectáculos Promociones Panama

1. Introduction
2. Solar/Antorcha vs. Sergio Galvez/Joe Panther
3. El Africano vs El Cobra
4. Sandokan (c) vs El Africano
5. El Idolo vs Celestial
6. El Barón/La Cobra Vs Bunny Black/El Ciclón 5/15/87
7. El Barón Vs Bunny Black (mascara contra mascara) 5/30/87
8. Silver King/Máscara Negra vs Sergio Gálvez/El Cirujano de la Muerte 5/15/87?
9. Kendo vs El Tahur 5/30/87
10. Mary Varela/La Gata vs La Baby de California/La Hiena de Jalisco 7/30/89
11. Blue Panther/Gemelo Infernal I/Tahur vs Kato Kung Lee/Baron/Celestial 1/17/87
12. Sandokan/Celestial/Emperador vs. Principe Island/Cirujano de la Muerte/Idolo
13. Gemelos Infernales vs Gran Darazín/Flamarion 1988
14. The Legend of Sandokan: At War With Anibal
15. Idolo/Exterminador vs Sandokan/Emperador June 1988
16. Idolo vs Exterminador (Chain Match) July 1988
17. El Idolo vs Exterminador (mascara contra mascra) 7/17/88
18. Hombre Araña/El Celestial Vs El Androide/Joe Panther 10/2/88
19. Idolo vs Kendo (mascara contra mascara) - 2 October 1988
20. Impacto/Halcon Vs Atila Jr./El Satanico November(?) 1988
21. Satanico/Atila Jr. vs Impacto/El hijo de Urracá - November/December(?) 1988

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Espectáculos Promociones Panama: More Atila Jr. (Mystery Solved!) and His Pal Satanico! Panamanian Impacto! El hijo de Urracá!

Satanico/Atila Jr. vs Impacto/El hijo de Urracá - November/December(?) 1988

MD: Another pretty complete tag. I have a much better sense of the Satanico/Atila Jr. act after this one. They have matching jackets here and very much come off as an interchangeable unit. They still feel like the Gemelos to me, with a sense of being swarming nuisances, but they're a little more dangerous over all. For instance, when they have control of Impacto in the segunda, they really hone in on the leg with one rapid-fire stretch/pull/yank after the other. They had plenty of tandem kicks and knees. I wouldn't say that they were a completely well oiled machine as there were a couple of wonky bits where they didn't seem to know what they were trying to do. Overall, while Atila, Jr. looked better on the mat, this was more of a high-energy Satanico showcase overall.

Meanwhile, they were quick to stooge and feed and base and did mostly well in that role. Impacto was a little all over the place. He did a bound into the ring to start and immediately seemed to hurt his leg, to the point where his partner moved him to the corner. Then he was fine a couple of minutes later (though maybe that did explain the leg focus later in the match... but you wouldn't know it from the selling and what came before and after?). He had some nice flowing armdrags (primary credit to the rudos here) and these absolutely bonkers diving lawn dart headbutts towards the end where he hit a weird angle and just bounced off.

Said partner was El hijo de Urracá and this is our first look at him, named after a Panamanian folk hero. No idea if there was another Urracá and he was his son or if he's supposed to be the spiritual son of said folk hero, but I liked him here. He had some interesting stuff when facing a 1-on-2 scenario against the rudos, a few little finesse bits that they fed into and based for that I've never seen done quite that way and a nice, similar transition into a submission to win the primera. Solid fire overall too and a good connection with the crowd. I wouldn't mind seeing him again and I'm curious what Graham digs up, if anything, now or in the future.

GB: I’ve got a lot of diddly squat to offer here. Just a couple quick anecdotes and not much more, honestly.

Firstly, Atila/Exterminador reached out to me and through him we can confirm this Atila Jr is the real McCoy. They seemed rather pleased that this part of their history hasn’t been forgotten and were amazed we have videos and photos of their time in Guatemala and Panama. I had lamented before of how he joins fans in attendance at ringside with only the old wrestling guard recognizing who he is. I feel grateful that, if nothing else, Matt and I can restore some joy to a luchador whose career is paramount to the success of lucha libre in at least two countries.

Secondly, I believe El hijo de Urracá is the son of the 70s Panamanian luchador, Indio Urracá. They’re a semi-regular on the cards but not nearly as prominent as you’d assume they’d be based on the name. Not as high on the cards as say Indio Ibeorkun, for instance. Perhaps the gimmick didn’t fit his style, much like it doesn’t quite suit Hijo. The real Urracá was a leader of what is now modern-day Panama. A fierce protector, Urracá has become a legendary figure for his guerrilla warfare like resistance against Spanish colonization, leading the Ngäbe-Buglé people in multiple battles and thwarting Spanish conquest for years. He has since become a symbol of indigenous resistance and Panamanian pride; a symbol a little lost in translation between the ropes here. There are moments where things go right, as Matt alludes to but, for the most part, El hijo de Urracá feels more calm and hesitant than he should be. In these 2-on-1s he hits back with a headbutt or two to shift momentum but it takes him some time to move to the second move of his arsenal. Satanico/Atila try and make up for it by adding their own movements but it’s all a little jarring. If he had been any other name I’d probably have no quibble here but you have to play to your gimmick.

Less harshly, I’ve started to come around on Impacto. He’s not someone I think we can go to bat for, but he’s a lot more entertaining in this match. Not having to focus on the “history” of the match or trying to build canon has allowed me to come into this with the goggles of a fan again and I love the dumb fun he pumps out here. The lawn dart headbutt has to be seen to be believed. A completely buffoon thing to do but just so memorable. As a high-flyer babyface that had to get over in a territory with better flyers, this was the way to do it. Not that it was a great choice for career longevity, of course, but when Matt mentioned “a spot” I immediately knew what he was going to say next. If you thought he had to retire a few years later due to injuries, you’d be right! Cut down in his prime (I’m guessing a complete rookie here in 1988), Impacto seems to retire less than a decade into his career. In the grander scheme of things, his highest career accolade would most likely be in 1996 when he and his partner el Patriota won the mask (though I’d assume hair?) of Rosa Salvaje (Rey Demonio) and Adrian el Exotico (Andy Barrow). That’s where his trail runs cold and I believe he retired.

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Espectáculos Promociones Panama: The Mystery of Atila Jr.! Exterminador?! Not Satanico! A Halcon! Impacto (not that one)!

Impacto/Halcon Vs Atila Jr./El Satanico - November(?) 1988

MD: A palette cleanser straightforward tag with clear lines that got a lot of time and went back and forth for the most part. It had a pretty solid balance of exchanges, rudo beatdown, tecnico dominance, and sheer shtick. Impacto was pretty clunky at times, especially when he tried to do something particularly complicated. He was fine when he was just splashing someone in the corner, for instance. Halcon on the other hand really stood out; he was very smooth and able to hit some impressive spots with nothing feeling particularly forced.

I'll fully admit that I spent most of the match trying to figure out if Atila, Jr. was in fact our old friend Exterminador. And, I'm not entirely sure. If I was just looking at him selling, feeding, stooging, interacting with his opponent and the crowd, I'd lean towards yes. I was looking for some "signature offense" and didn't quite see it but there were bits in how he chose to double team with Satanico and how they had it backfire which was reminiscent of the Idolo tag. I liked him though, at least for what he was called upon to do in this match. I was disappointed when things didn't break down fully between him and Satanico. I have to admit that instead of feeling like some lightning strike generational rudos, these guys felt more like the Gemelo Infernales' buddies and stand-ins. Competent, down to their matching tights, but you're not going to go look for their entire career collection. I'd sure like to see some more Halcon though.

GB: Let’s get the obvious out of the way; this is not the Satanico we all cherish. Instead, we have a perennial lower carder that is passable enough to continue the match’s narrative forward, even if the gimmick doesn’t quite match the wrestling. Through the few matches we have of him, his offense is a little light and he plays to the crowd in more of a comedic way than you’d hope. Which, all things considered, isn’t necessarily the wrong thing to do in Panama as intention is more important than the realism, for the most part. Stuff like this usually gets over well enough, though it’s not going to elevate you beyond a certain level on the card. Naturally, young Satanico here would find out as his push didn’t last so long and he’d still be wrestling opening matches as late as 2014 while his contemporaries, such as Red Master and Los Gemelos would be headlining.

It’s fitting in a sense that Matt mentioned Gemelos in his appraisal of Satanico and Atila Jr. The only proof I have that this is our buddy Exterminador is a polaroid from a Satanico/Atila vs Gemelos II y III match that happened on December 28th 1988 at el Orlando Winter de San Migelito:

Even though the two Panamanian videos showcasing Atila Jr have him in a slightly different getup, we can notice the familiar skull stitched onto his mask in the picture above. With no doubt I suggest this is him. Much to Matt’s dismay, the central feud here appears to be Satanico/Impact, though I’m also rather clamoring for a little violence between Atila and Halcon to pop up someday. Halcon’s cool. It’s unfortunate that this match doesn’t really play to Atila/Exterminador’s strengths. He’s such a unique case of someone being lost to time that I wish we had just one slam-dunk match as the “Eureka!” moment to get his case over. Alas, he’s saddled with Satanico during his return to Panama.

Equally alas is the placement of Atila on the card. We know from the Kendo/Idolo feud that Atila/Satanico were curtain jerkers, opening the match with freshly debuting talent. We also know the Impacto/Satanico feud lasted at least 9 months as they appeared opposite each other on the Varela/Baby de California cards. However, with two major changes. Firstly, by this time, Atila had gone back to Monterrey and seemingly better things with Septiembre Negro Jr as his partner. Secondly, Satanico/Impacto was headlining above bigger stars and seemingly bigger programmes. I guess we can add another luminary to the list of stars Atila/Exterminador made. Though I’ll go out on a limb and say Satanico’s push was more sustained due to the booker and after-effects of Atila/Exterminador than anything else as he slips down just as fast as he crept up.

Though all of this begs a few questions. If Satanico on top was the end goal, why would they not have him be bumped up the card alongside Atila? It isn’t as if Atila was an unknown entity. Exterminador gimmick aside, Atila Sr (Jr’s uncle) was a massive player in the Panamanian scene in the mid 1970s. And, unlike Septiembre Negro Sr, Atila Sr was very much one of the boys:

Atila Sr and Cesar debuted in early May alongside Montunito, wrestling a bloodbath against the Ursus, Titan and Sergio Galvez that left the Panamanian tecnicos licking their wounds. A week later Cesar/Atila did the same again to Ursus and Titan. They were presented immediately as a strong force to be reckoned with.

Thanks to his violence, Atila Sr was the beater at the top of the card, wrestling against names such as Mano Negra (yes, that one), Ricardo Diaz, Emperador and Chamaco Castro. The Mano Negra programme was quite popular across Panama and the two would jostle between technical title matches and bloody brawls:

Further, with the launch of a new wrestling company in Panama, Atila Sr found himself in hot programme after hot programme. So much so, he was specifically chosen to headline the company in a feud opposite Rayo Chapin in the  Guatemalan legend’s second and penultimate tour of Panama:

This was a feud which lasted but a few months until the company shut its doors due to “mismanagement”. “Too many bosses and not enough wrestlers,” Don Samy de la Guardia commented about them.

Regardless of the corporate side, Atila continued his dominance. Him and Valentin were (and still very much are) seen as the “tag team of the decade” despite their relatively short time spent in Panama. Why was the same not done with Atila Jr and Satanico? What a waste of talent in Atila/Exterminador.

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Espectáculos Promociones Panama: Idolo! Kendo!

Idolo vs Kendo (mascara contra mascara) - 2 October 1988

MD: The atmosphere for this is absolutely off the charts. This crowd lived and breathed with every single thing that Idolo did and trash flew at every one of Kendo’s actions. In fact, I get the notion they flew just a little too close to the sun here and it impacted the trajectory of the match. Kendo ambushed Idolo early and it’s just not the Kendo we all know and put up with. There’s no aping of Kato Kung Lee’s shtick. There’s nothing but driving violence here. He drives all the way to a chairshot on the outside. That’s when we see a giant white object fly in from off screen at him. It’s probably a chair, but whatever it is, it’s dangerous and everything grinds to a halt with its arrival. After that they decide for some pleasant mask ripping by the apron and back in the ring to let the crowd cool back down a bit. When they go back outside again Idolo has the advantage. He actually has the advantage for a lot of the back half.

It’s not the first course correction I’ve ever seen but it’s a fairly unfortunate one. I’m all for big tecnico comebacks in apuestas matches and certainly by the end of this, Kendo’s mask is comically destroyed, but the strength in this one was probably going to be in Idolo eating a beating and Kendo causing a riot. Instead, we get a lot of Idolo sizing him up for his long distance karate strikes. I’m not going to say that Idolo is an emperor with no clothes, because I do fully think he understands how to set up a moment and milk it, and that’s as much a part of being a star in wrestling as anything, and the fans are completely behind him, but past one nice looking dropkick and him pulling it together for the dive that set up the finish in the tercera, he just wasn’t physically there by this point. The fans don’t care. I know if I was in this crowd, I would take his early stumbles as him just trying to power back after the start-of-the-match beating that Kendo gave him. I’d see it as valiant and not deficient and I think, for the most part, the crowd absolutely saw it as such.

That, in and of itself, lets you forgive some of the things that probably didn’t work here and focus on what did, like when they were throwing fists on their knees, masks torn apart and exhausted, or the submissions towards the end, with Idolo going deep on a crab, only to have Kendo tap his back, pretending to be the ref in order to escape. I did love the finish: Kendo recovered first after Idolo’s tope but he was overconfident because of that and turned away from his prone opponent. That allowed Idolo to slip in with a cavernaria out of nowhere. Post-match, Kendo didn’t seem very upset by the loss, but that seemed to be part of a tecnico turn. If he no longer had the mask to make him feared and beloved, best to take a jovial approach, hugging Idolo and getting the crowd back behind him for whatever might be next; they’d be more likely to buy into his shtick then. This one was all about the crowd, and what a truly special crowd it turned out to be.

GB: I’m not sure what to make of this match. I really regret not enhancing my Spanish skills more as these videos probably have the answers I need but the audio quality is just so low I can’t make head nor tail of anything in the post match. Thus, I’m left with more perplexing questions than answers.

What I know is that Kendo came into this match strong, having taken Tahur’s mask in December 1987. Idolo, of course, was hot off the Exterminador mask win and enjoying the fan adulation he had been missing out on as a rudo. That’s as much as I can find on this match. 

The Kendo we have here is in stark contrast to the Kendo we’ve come to know in Mexico and Japan. He’s equally in stark contrast to the Kendo we’ve seen in Panama. A year earlier he was valiantly offering to train El Baron in hand-to-hand combat in his fight against Kendo’s real-life cousin, Bunny Black. He was also avenging Kato Kung Lee’s honor in facing off against El Tahur in a title match that we covered earlier. He was a fan favourite tecnico. Here he’s pretty much a straight rudo without the quirks and stylations that make him so obviously Kendo.

You get the jovial side in the post-match reveal but that just furthers the confusion, in all honesty. If I was to make guesses, I think it’s more Kendo playing to the fans in the hopes that they pardon his loss and let him remask (as they allow by fan-approval in Panama) but, again, I’m not so sure.

Kendo is very open about his history and career. There are many interviews out there to listen to and he goes into a lot of detail regarding each stage of his career. He laments a little bit regarding an incident with Sandokan and he obviouly puts Panama over as how he got to Mexico but he doesn’t go into his return to Mexico nor his fights with el Tahur. It’s a rather odd omission as this was a central feud to his 1980s. He’s also a largely influential wrestler to the territory with his work with el Baron, Kato Kung Lee and inspiration for other karetakas such as Kuman Chu and Kent Sui:

In broad strokes, the Luchawiki article on Kendo is more or less correct. However, there’s a dramatization that Aguayo/Anibal “found” him and gave him his first clean break. Truth be told, Kendo was already a hot commodity in Central/South America. The Mexicans just speedtracked the process, if you will, as his name was growing to the point he’d arrive there eventually.  The real person I think we can tribute Kendo’s international success to is Johnny Piña who brought Kendo out of the Domincan Republic first. After all, even El Santo asked for Kendo by name in 1981 when looking for people to practice with his son before his debut:

Having himself debuted officially at 14 and having started training a little earlier (with the odd match or two at 12 and 13), you get the sense from Kendo that his trainers were incredibly harsh on him. We lament that Panama had mats in dingy basements but Kendo had none even of those luxuries. He broke into wrestling at the age of nine, having to find work after the passing of his father. He spent his time filling out water canisters for the arenas, making a mere twenty cents a time along with free entry to the fights. Through this he met José Martín, the local mask maker and ultimate inspiration for his real-life career as a tailor. His trainers, El Cirujano and Gran Castillo, had him learn to bump on the hard ground with the rationale that if he could learn to land here, he’d learn to land anywhere. They’d even have him weighed down by cinderblocks as he did neck strengthening exercises. Listening to him speak, though, you realise he was fond of this method of training and seems to hold it against  the younger generation for not dedicating their bodies in the same way he did.

Kendo spent the next eleven years travelling around the Dominican Republic making a name for himself before Johnny Piña brought him to Panama at the age of 26 where he worked for Samy de la Guardia. In fact, he would travel through seven different countries before even getting a shot at Mexico. The usual names come up but, interestingly, Kendo mentioned his times in Curaçao and Aruba - territories I’ve never heard much mutter about before! Thanks to the prominence of Samy’s booking, Kendo got to work with many big names that he’d never have the luxury to work with otherwise. Wrestlers such as Septiembre Negro, Perro Aguayo and Villano III all laced up their boots opposite or alongside him. This was his way in and he was determined to show off his abilities. He was saving for a ticket to Mexico, already, but this was the much easier route he thought. Perro Aguayo and Anibal were both impressed enough by the young wrestler and agreed to recommend his name to Franscisco Flores, the promoter of the UWA. They had told Kendo it was no guarantee, it was only a name-drop, but they’d try. So, gambling everything on himself, Kendo travelled back with them to Mexico on the 7th of May 1983, at the age of 27. He was playing a dangerous game as he had a contract to wrestle for a month and a half with a promotion in Colombia that started on the very same day. He was burning bridges on the hopes of this recommendation. Thankfully, it paid off. This was Kendo’s dream. It was Mexico or death, as he said, and the plucky karetaka succeeded.

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Espectáculos Promociones Panama: Hombre Araña! Celestial! Androide! Joe Panther!

Hombre Araña/El Celestial Vs El Androide/Joe Panther - 2 October 1988

MD: This was a little dumb but a lot of fun. With the exception of Celestial, everyone was way over the top. Spiderman was something else. You have to love it when someone really works the gimmick into almost every movement they make. His natural stance was a deep crouch. He had this bit where he'd catch a leg on a dropdown as if he was "webbing" his opponent or sort of a sliding leg trip. He had a bunch of crazy hand motions. Even the transition to comeback was him rolling out of a submission basically. Androide did not act like an android but he did have a fun little dance he did a bunch. And of course Joe Panther is quite the stooge, bumping and selling all over the ring.

When the rudos were in charge they had a lot of atomic elbows (sometimes backfiring due to rudo miscommunication). At one point, they absolutely clocked Celestial with a chair or Joe Panther would wrap a terrible towel around his fist and nail him with it. Celestial was much more of a striker here than I remember, far more than he was anything else. He had one great flurry. Panther had some good shots too including some really mean sounding ones in the corner. Ultimately after a fairly straightforward match (tecnico advantage in the primera, beatdown in the segunda, comeback in the tercera) this ended with Spidey locking in a sticky looking small package and with just a taste of post-match chaos, followed by character-driven poses. A little Spiderman goes a long way but I'd still like to see him against the Gemelos or Galvez.

GB: Let’s chalk this one up as a llittle bit of a palette cleanser before the next big match in our journey. In a bit of luck, we managed to have reassurance of our first ever “full” card and it’s certainly a treat to witness:

On paper you might find it more loaded than it is in actuality. Satanico isn’t the Satanico you know. Neither is Impacto. However, Atila Jr is the returning Exterminador (falling way down the card but a few months later), Nacho Vega is Mascara Negra who’s run interference and played second on quite a few occasions in the matches we’ve watched. Eager to see them duking it out. I’m always partial to Baron and Africano. However, the big one is certainly the returning Parka “brothers”, reigniting the feud with Sandokan. For now, we have the pleasant surprise that is Spiderman in Panama.

When I saw the card, I was eager to see Tahur in this environment but Panther is much the better choice for this type of match. As much as I’ve researched out Exterminador and guys like Sandokan and Galvez, I feel I have by far the biggest grasp on Panther. He’s the most travelled of the troupe and it shows in his ability to coexist in pretty much any setting with ease. While his forte is certainly a chain around his fist, he’s not shy to lean into comedy. Also, as we saw in the Solar tag in our first ever post, he’s also got a knack for bumping huge and showing ass. I’m leaving off the career deep-dive until we get to a match that focuses solely on him but he’s definitely a wrestler you can imagine running roughshod in Arena Mexico or doing pratfalls for someone in Monterrey.

This week was a bit of a mixed bag on my front. I spent hours upon hours sourcing newspaper clippings, posts and interviews trying to track down who Androide and Spiderman were only to finalise my post and realise I didn’t comprehend “Dominicana”. Perhaps the billing (and our Youtube friend) are wrong, as they called Joe Panther “Tahur”, and it really is who I believed them to be but, lo and behold, there are also “Androide” and “Hombre Araña” in the Dominican Republic! As there is in El Salvador, Guatemala and, and, and… let’s just say I threw in the towel this week.

I guess we can add “terrible Internet meme” to the growing list of things South/Central American wrestling did first. Panama’s Hombre Araña on the left and Guatemala’s on the right, meeting for the first time in around March/April 1988. The eagle-eyed reader will notice Guatemala went to bat for their iteration of Spiderman, coveting him in three world titles. The exceptionally eagle-eyed reader will notice the bottom-most title is, in fact, the Panamanian championship! Panama would rather crown another country’s Spidey over theirs. That’s gotta sting, right?

On a serious note, Fulvio Erick Echeverría Guevara, Guatemala’s Spiderman, was somewhat of a national treasure. While not quite at the level of Astro de Oro, he rose to prominence thanks to his quickness, nimble athleticism and karate style. Fulvio (Spiderman) would fight evil gimmick upon evil gimmick from the lurches of every childhood nightmare you could imagine. He was the idol of children around Guatemala and the “leader” of their own “Justice League”, which included his brother, Edgar under the guise of He Man, as well as a third named Silver Man (not a Silver Surfer crib but, in fact, a Santito ripoff!). One of  the biggest matches of his career, and one we are fortunate to have somewhat on tape, is when he took the mask of Panama Kid who wasn’t actually from Panama (now do you see the difficulty I have?). Long story short, no diss on Panama’s Spidey, Guatemala’s just did it much better.

The reason for mentioning Guatemala is that just months prior to this match, Panama’s Hombre Araña and Mexico’s Androide had crossed paths. Androide had just lost his mask and turned tecnico when Araña debuted in March 1988. It would be a first that a programme swapped out the wrestlers themselves for a similar billing. As we’ve learnt, Guatemala is the stop before Panama on the Mexican’s journey home. Why did Mexico’s Androide skip Panama this time in exchange for the Dominican? Also, why would Panama, a country not known for running any “out there” gimmicks, mysteriously create their own in 1988 only to get an import on one of the biggest cards of the year? It’s all very confusing and nobody I’ve asked has the answer. None of the historians even knew Hombre Araña existed when I asked! Again, no diss from Panama I’m sure. Likewise for Dominicana’s Androide with the sole instance of his existence outside of this match being an unreplied Facebook comment translated as “anyone remember Androide?”. I guess not.

For the most part, the Dominican Araña wrestled under a very different looking costume but the only video we have of him looks the part here. He also seems to have the same spring in his step. Well, as much as we can guage from the 5-second clip. Let’s just play ball and accept, at the very least, this is the Dominican Spiderman. Because it would be the “childhood dream came true” moment for him.

The story goes that in a small town in the Cibao Central of the Dominican Republic, where the stars of "Dominicana de Espectáculos" performed, a tall young man named Isidro managed to sneak into the improvised dressing room of the tecnicos, his idols. Once inside, he approached Jack Veneno and quickly told him: "I have always dreamed of being a professional wrestler, and I want you to help me achieve this dream. I am willing to work hard and show you what I am capable of in the ring." It is said that the champion was so impressed by the young man's chutzpah that he promised to help him. Weeks later, he was working in the company's gym, and within just a few months, he was given the opportunity of a lifetime to embody "El Hombre Araña", a character known for his incredible agility and ability to walk on the ropes.

Well, 35 years later, two men on opposite sides of the world to each other, one in America and the other in South Africa, are having some dumb fun thanks to him and his wrestling. Godspeed, Araña, whoever/wherever you may be.

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