El Deporte de las Mil Emociones: We Were Friends, We Were Brothers

Week 60: We Were Friends, We Were Brothers

EB: A lot has happened since Aniversario 91. Steve Strong was coming back, then he didn't, which resulted in Nikolai Volkoff coming in and having a brief rivalry with Carlos Colon. Abdullah the Butcher returned and got into a bloody match with Giant Warrior. Fidel Sierra has also made a return and has hired El Profe as his manager. A rematch between Carlos Colon and Dino Bravo is looming on August 3. But the biggest development has been the breakup of the Caribbean Express after Miguelito Perez decided to give up the World tag team titles due to how they won the match. Huracan Castillo and Monster Ripper were not happy with this decision, leading to Castillo refusing to tag in during a match with the Ring Lords and then attacking and busting open Miguelito when Perez tried to leave the match. The Caribbean tag titles have been vacated due to the team breakup, but more importantly it sears a years long friendship and bond has been broken. With the feeling of betrayal from both sides being evident, a grudge match between Perez and Castillo has been signed for August 3. That’s two big matches we have scheduled for August 3 , although an incident at the July 31 TV taping at Miramar is going to cause a change to the scheduled Universal title match.

Before going to the August 3 Cameens episode to catch up on what happened, we have an important bit of news to cover. While we don't have the exact date, it seems that during the latter half of July we had another debut, this time for El Ejercit de la Justicia. He is a promising newcomer that is getting a chance to ply his trade in CSP, someone with a lot of potential. His name is Ray Gonzalez.

Ray Gonzalez s. El Dragon (same match from two different broadcasts, one is JIP)

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

This is our first look at Ray Gonzalez as himself. His opponent is El Dragon and we've included the two links since the commentary is different. This is a showcase for a promising newcomer. In the JIP version from Super Estrellas, Hugo talks up his potential, while Eliud makes a comment about Ray’s good looks, calling him a ‘galan’. Hugo cautions Eliud about using that word since it may draw the ire of Galan Mendoza. On the Campeones version of the airing, Profe makes a joke about Ray being Don Eliud’s son and makes comments about his attire, but begrudgingly concedes he’s not too bad in the ring. Hugo thinks the ladies will love this latest competitor in Capitol Sports. Ray gets the win by surprising Dragon with a pinning combination. .

MD: We’ve seen Gonzalez as Condor a few times, but this is his debut without a mask. They presented him as a young, fresh, athletic good guy. Lots of rope running out of headlocks in this one, with Gonzalez getting the better with a dropkick, a reverse monkey flip, by stopping short and stomping. He was up against a masked guy we hadn’t seen much before and he didn’t offer much. Gonzalez had a nice charging, following corner clothesline, timed very well, and a running power slam, but he won it by getting a jackknife pin out of nowhere. Maybe not as definitive as it could have been given the way the match went. Still, he looked good in there for a “debut.”

EB: Let’s now go to the 8/3/91 Campeones episode and find out what happened in Miramar thats has caused a big card change for that night’s house show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJfLE1gcDuU

Hugo and Profe welcome us to the show and Hugo almost immediately pivots to an incident that happened this past Wednesday at the TV taping. Hugo says that he is supposed to remain neutral as producer of the program but he must criticize what Profe and Abdullah the Butcher did to Carlitos (Profe mockingly feigns ignorance and starts asking Moi?). Hugo goes on by saying that what they did was an affront, a professional embarrassment, and that athletic ethics should be respected. What they did was grotesque, something that truly should be condemned, and Hugo feels that something should be done so nothing like that happens again because Profe and Abdullah went too far, they have no respect for wrestling. Profe counters that there is no limit to what Abdullah can do, especially when he is being led by El Profe. Hugo tells the viewers that in moments they will show part of what happened that has caused a change to tonight’s card, Carlos Colon will now take on Abdullah the Butcher instead of defending the Universal title against Dino Bravo. Hugo quickly runs down the matches for today's program and then we get to what happened last Wednesday, with Profe being proud of what happened and Hugo saying he does not want one second to go by without publicly condemning what happened. The incident is not shown in its entirety, later on we’ll have a Giant Warrior vs. Abdullah match from that same Wednesday’s taping that is what started the incident.

We go to Cataño where Invader #1 is set to face The Fly when the camera cuts to Abdullah and Profe heading out of the locker room. Andullah has his head bandaged  and he and Profe go across the back of the arena to the opposite side. Hugo on commentary initially thinks Abdullahw was coming out to attack Invader but now he is asking for the director to send a camera to follow Abdullah and Profe since they have no idea what is going on. Hugo realizes that they have gone in the direction of the tecnico locker room. We switch cameras and catch a glimpse of Profe and Abdullah entering the tecnico locker room area. Abdullah grabs a metal case and continues entering further into the locker room. It soon becomes clear what is happening as Profe and Abdullah surprise a showering Carlos Colon and Abdullah proceeded to attack the naked Carlos in the shower. The attack goes on for a bit and they have a black circle censoring Colon's body. Abdullah uses the metal case to hit Colon, leaving him bleeding and laid out in the shower when reinforcements finally arrive to save Carlos. The camera focuses on the bleeding Carlos as Hugo is heard on the microphone informing the crowd in the arena what has happened. 

We then cut to Carlos making a phone call to WWC commissioner Hayden T Joseph. Carlos wants tonight’s Universal title match to be postponed because he wants payback on Abdullah tonight. The commissioner says this a highly unusual request and that he has to speak with Dino Bravo first since Bravo has to agree to the change as well. Carlos states that he will agree to wrestle Bravo at any other time under any condition that Bravo wants if Bravo agrees to change the match. Back to the studio with Hugo and Profe where Hugo recaps the request Carlos made. The commissioner got in touch with Dino Bravo, but Bravo still needed to talk things over with his manager El Profe. Let’s go to that conversation. We go to the control room where Profe is on the phone with Bravo, although Hugo gets annoyed because Profe had promised that they could film the conversation but now he is saying that they can't listen to Bravo’s side of the call. Profe says they can listen to his side of the conversation but anything said by Bravo is strictly personal and confidential between the two of them. Profe reassures Bravo that the title is not on the line tonight and they had already laid quite a beating on Carlos and were looking to finish the job tonight. Hug gets annoyed with the jokes Profe is making and wants Profe to get Bravo’s answer. It is a yes, so tonight’s match will be Colon vs Abdullah.

Back to Hugo who confirms that the commissioner has made the match official for tonight. Also scheduled for tonight is the grudge match between Miguelito Perez and Huracan Castillo, two men who were once like brothers but now due to Castillo’s greed or decisions (however you want to frame it) has led to this. Profe says that Castillo  will now see who his real friends are, his dad is rejecting him, his friends have rejected him, everyone rejects him, but here is El Profe to help out in any way. Hugo tries to interrupt Profe by saying it’s not that his dad rejected Castillo, he was trying to give him good advice and Castillo wouldn't listen. Hugo takes a moment to ask Profe that since he is offering to help Castillo does this mean Profe is going to make peace with Monster Ripper. Profe continues talking about Castillo and ignoring Hugo’s question about Monster Ripper, indicating that he has no interest in talking about her. There are other notable matches scheduled for tonight as Koko B Ware will be in action, Sky Walker makes his return to face Giant Warrior, and the SST are in singles action with TNT vs. Samoan Savage and Fatu vs Invader #1. Before going to our first match, Hugo reminds viewers that their sponsor Medalla has an activity tomorrow Sunday at 10am at the Salinas Speedway. It's a truck competition, along with other activities like arm wrestling, drinking competitions and the Ms. Trucker competition.

MD: This is a great, striking scene. There’s a match going on in the ring and the cameras suddenly start chasing after an out of control Abdullah heading to the back. He catches Colon naked and coming out of the shower (I think at least) and leaves him bloody and it all feels unpredictable and wild given the usual format of the show. Then we overhear a call (in English, dubbed over) of Colon talking to the WWC Commissioner to change his match with Bravo into one with Abdullah, and good for the crowd that got to see that (and us since we have this). Then we see Profe, looking like Strongbad, in front of the radio mic to clear things with Bravo, working the other half of the things. Definitely a hot angle that came out of nowhere to start the show.

Fidel Sierra vs. Invader #4

EB: Our first match is joined in progress as Fidel Sierra takes on Invader #4. Sierra is in control at the start but Invader #4 quickly counters and works over Sierra’s arm briefly before Sierra cuts him off. The match is mainly Sierra in control with some Invader #4 hope spots mixed in. On commentary Profe is going on about how he feels a sense of brotherhood with Fidel Sierra and how it makes him feel Cuban since he’s started managing Fidel, something that Hugo is not buying and keeps asking Profe if he’s certain it is not money fueling his brotherhood and patriotism remarks. Sierra locks on a sleeperhold and gets the win when Invader #4 is put out. Profe hands Fidel the Cuban flag, which Fidel lays over the prone Invader #4. Hugo voices his displeasure with the flag being used like that and also reminds the viewers at home about the dangers of using holds like this if not applied properly. Sierra was starting to leave but heads back in to wake up Invader #4. 

We then go to the studio for some promos from Fidel Sierra and Super Medico #3. It seems that Medico #3 is defending the Caribbean title against Sierra tonight. The Man From Havana says he is the best in the world and will take the Caribbean title tonight, while Medico #3 promises that he will be ready to retain tonight. Invader #1 also cuts a promo about facing Fatu tonight in Bayamon, saying that while the Samoans are very good in tag team wrestling tonight they will have to prove it as singles.

The segment finishes with a card rundown for tonight in Bayamon: Carlos Colon vs Abdullah the Butcher; Miguelito Perez vs. Huracan Castillo in a grudge match; TNT defends the TV title against Samoan Savage; Invader #1 vs. Fatu; Giant Warrior vs Sky Walker; Super Medico #3 defends the Caribbean title against Fidel Sierra; Ricky Santana & Koko B Ware vs Galan Mendoza & El Profe; and Bronco #1 vs Alex Porteau. Also this coming Wednesday is the TV taping at Miramar featuring Invader #1 vs Huracan Castillo, Miguelito Perez vs Fidel Sierra, and Giant Warrior & Bronco #1 vs. the State Patrol. 

MD: Sierra is more “Cuban Assassin”-coded than before, though he still has a cool hat in his promo. I kind of liked the more stylish version we saw last time. Profe’s got the flag and everything. Invader IV is a great guy to put a new heel over and he does so here, holding his own with fast offense until he gets caught with a hot shot and put into a sleeper. Sierra really wrenched it back and forth and it looked great. Glad to see him come back in to wake Invader up too. Sierra will be going for the Caribbean Championship and Super Medico III is taking the threat seriously.

Super Medico #3 vs. The Fly

EB: Our next match is Caribbean champion Super Medico #3 taking on The Fly. The match is a bit more competitive than one would expect, with Fly getting in some moments of control on Medico #3. The Fly goes to the outside to stop Medico #3’s momentum but it still isn't enough to avoid taking the loss when Medico’#3 hits him with a headbutt of the middle turnbuckle. Let’s see how Medico #3 does tonight against Fidel Sierra.

MD: Fly got a lot here, actually, but Medico was able to jam him in the corner a couple of times. I do miss Medico I. III is coming along and he has good timing, good presence, more size, but he doesn’t quite have the same great strikes. He did win this with a nice headbutt off the second rope to a standing Fly.

EB: Our next round of promos has Samoan Savage talking about his TV title match with TNT, Sky Walker making his return to prove who the real giant is against Giant Warrior, and Giant Warrior (with bandage on forehead) saying he has to put Abdullah at the back of his mind for the moment in order to settle this grudge with Sky Walker once and for all.

MD: They were splitting up the SST to have them face TNT and others in singles matches. This is Samoan Savage saying that Fatu is on the beach and he’s taking care of business. Given how formidable they were in general, it’s not a bad way to keep cards fresh I guess.

Sky Walker was back to show everyone he’s the real giant. Something about his face paint made him seem smaller and not bigger. He had done damage last time, but Giant Warrior is coming out of the Abby match bandaged and wanting to take his frustrations out on anyone in his way.

Koko Ware vs. Al Burke

EB: With Koko B Ware returning tonight, we have a showcase match from Wrestling Challenge with Koko getting a win against Al Burke.

MD: Burke ambushed Koko to start and really did put the pressure on him. Koko just jammed him in the middle of the ring and dropped him with the brainbuster though. He’ll be in to team with Ricky Santana against Profe and Mendoza, which sounds like a lot of fun. I’d like to see him against Santana too, but we get what we get.

EB: Monster Ripper and Huracan Castillo are in the studio to talk about tonight’s match against Miguelito Perez. Ripper calls Miguelito stupid and Huracan says that what Miguelito did to them has no price. He turned in the World tag titles which only idiots do, that was fame, glory, money. That was the goal they had for themselves and they had done it Miguel, and then you do the stupid thing and give the belts up. Miguel will pay for that tonight and then we will see that Castillo is the better one of the two. “I made the team, I made you, everything you know I’ve taught you.” Miguelit better come ready because Castillo has a feeling that Miguel will be leaving on a stretcher.

Miguelito Perez is next , saying that friends don't betray like this and Castillo has to pay for that tonight. Castillo talks a lot about how he taught me, how he did this and that, he can talk all that he wants, the only person that taught me was my father. And what my father taught me I will teach you tonight, I'll show just what an angry friend is. You are no longer my friend, let’s make that clear, and what you did to me in front of all the Puerto Rican fans will be paid back tonight. You will pay for it in blood, I am going to bust you up and break your face. You are scum and will pay.

Our last promo for this segment is El Profe talking on behalf of Fatu about tonight’s match against Invader #1. He reminds everyone of how dangerous the SST are and they can be just as dangerous in singles action.

MD: Castillo was dressed more ostentatious. The pairing with Ripper does feel a little odd, but whatever gets him heat I guess. He takes credit for everything good they had done while Perez shows remorse for the situation and for Castillo giving in to his greed. I would have liked to see a Castillo squash maybe, or a cheap win, but that might have been on some of the TV we don’t have.

Abdullah the Butcher vs. Giant Warrior

EB: Next is Giant Warrior vs Abdullah the Butcher from this past Wednesday in Miramar. Abdullah attacks Giant Warrior from behind with a chair before he is able to get into the ring. Hugo mentions that we will see shortly what happened that caused Abdullah to attack Carlos in the locker room later that night. Andullah gets several chair shots in as Profe holds the referee back. Warrior gets rammed into the announce table and Abdullah introduces more of the ringside furniture to Warrior. Abdullah heads into the ring and continues to attack Warrior when the latter tries to get into the ring. Abdullah tosses Warrior out and it looks like Warrior has hurt his arm. Warrior valiantly fights back but Abdullah pulls out a sharp object and starts stabbing Warrior in the forehead. This draws a dq but Abdullah continues jabbing the object into Warrior’s forehead. Warrior is bleeding. As Abdullah continues his attack, Carlos Colon runs out with an object of his own to attack Abdullah and drive him away. Warrior is the winner by dq and it seems that Abdullah did not take too kindly to Colon interfering. 

We cut to a sleeping Abdullah as El Profe does a voiceover promo. The beast is sleeping now but in a few hours he will be awake for tonight. Even Profe is wary about waking him up now for the interview because of how uncontrollable Abdullah is when he gets this angry. This is an uncontrolled beast and Profe does not care about keeping Abdullah in check tonight.

An angry Carlos Colon is next and he promises that tonight will be different from the other times he has faced Abdullah, what they did to him is something that Carlos has never experienced in his 25 years in professional wrestling. That was cowardly and humiliating and they will pay dearly for that tonight. Adullah will get the beating of his life tonight.. 

MD: The Abby/Warrior match is probably worth seeing again. Colon intervened and now they’ve lead to this moment where Abby is out of control and everything is going to come to a head. I’d have happily paid 8 bucks to see this.

EB: TNT is here to talk about his TV title defense tonight against Samoan Savage. He will be defending a title that belongs to the Puerto Rican people, so he intends to defend it with his life. After a card rundown we get a Samoan Swat Team music video. 

MD: TNT is ready to defend his TV title against the SST. SST get a music video full of headbutts to Disposable Heroes by Metallica which is pretty effective. It’s not a major program for TNT given everything else that’s going on but I doubt fans would feel shortchanged by this.

EB: To close out this episode, Hugo Savinovich conducted interviews with Huracan Castillo Sr. and Miguel Perez Sr. about the rift and upcoming match between their sons. Hugo is visiting the Castillo home and interviewing Castillo Sr. in his bedroom. Castillo Sr., who has been paralyzed since an August 1988 shooting, says that the situation is a bit embarrassing and that he has tried to give good advice to his son. But the younger Castillo doesn't want to listen. Hugo asks Castillo Sr. if his son has said anything about this and Castillo Sr. indicates that all his son says that he is an adult and can make his own decisions. He hopes that his son will come to reason but who knows how long this may take. Hugo also asks Castillo Sr. if he can provide a health update on how he is doing, to which he says he is doing better everyday. 

We then cut to the Perez residence where Hugo is interviewing Miguel Perez Sr. about the situation. Perez Sr. says that he backs his son all the way and he just cannot stomach the way Castillo Jr acted. It's one thing to disagree and even fight, but the way Castillo Jr attacked in such a treacherous manner. Miguelito felt the rift when Castillo didn't want to tag in during that match and even decided to just leave the ring rather than risk injury or get heated with Castillo right then and there. And then it was Castillo that attacked from behind to break that bond they had. The match is signed now and it is up to Miguelito to show what he knows in the ring. But Perez Sr. is hoping that Castillo Jr. will come to his senses, he even sent him video of a birthday party they had where Castillo Jr was there, to see if those memories will help bring him back to reason. They end the episode with a clip of Castillo and Miguelito in the Perez family trophy room, where they are both holding a picture of Miguel Perez Sr. Castillo says that this a glory  of Puerto Rico (referring to Perez Sr.) and he should be respected. Now it is their time to continue those legacies. Happier times from when they were friends, when they were brothers.

MD: Effective segments. Castillo is bedridden and finds the situation and his son’s behavior tragic. Not a hint of heeling or supporting him. Perez feels quite the same. It really put gravitas on all of this, just a sense that something special had been destroyed to to Castillo, Jr.’s greed and ego.

EB: Five matches from the August 3 house show were shown later that month as a prime time special called Choque de Titanes (Clash of Titans). The special was hosted by Hugo Savinovich, El Profe and Eliud Gonzalez. The special was promoting an upcoming September 7 house show, so we’ll discuss that aspect of the special later on when we get there chronologically. What we will focus on here are the five matches from August 3. So let’s go forwards to go back and see what went down.

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

Hugo welcomes the viewers and presents his cohosts for the evening, El Profe and Eliud Gonzalez. After a greeting from everyone, Hug starts mentioning the matches they’ll have tonight. It is going to be interesting since Profe will be on commentary but he will be competing in one of the matches as well as managing some of the wrestlers (so we'll likely get some interesting comments from him on commentary). The two big matches airing tonight are the grudge matches between Miguelito Perez and Huracan Castillo and Carlos Colon vs Abdullah the Butcher. With regards to Perez and Castillo, they will  have a face off tonight on the program (this is leading up to their September 7  matches so we’ll cover this segment when we get closer to that date). 

Koko B. Ware & Ricky Santana vs. Gran Mendoza & El Profe

Our first match is a tag match pitting Ricky Santana & Koko B Ware vs. El Profe & Galan Mendza. Koko had faced Mendoza at Aniversario and Santana was having a series of matches with El Profe, so there is some backstory here. The crowd seems to be really happy to see Koko here during the ring introductions. Eliud mentioned that he had been talking with Koko before the match and he learned that birds like Frankie can live up to 100 years. Hugo comments that he has a pet bird named Goldie and talks about how great they can be as pets but their care is a key part to keeping them around so long. Profe is getting razzed by the crowd and wants no part of Santana, so he tags in Mendoza. The tecnicos control the first half of the match, with Profe in particular not having a good time of it. At one point, Mendoza tries to tag Profe back in, only for Profe to decide to go check on some rigging equipment rather than make the tag. Hugo makes note that Profe is shining by his absence on commentary, it seems when things aren't going well for him and his wrestlers he either feigns ignorance or decides it’s time to go for a  walk. In a neat spot, Mendoza gets rammed into Frankie and sells the blow. Profe gets caught between Santana and Koko and just pinballs between them as he gets hit. He tries to tag out to Mendoza, but Mendoza decides to take a stroll to get back for earlier. The rudos briefly talk it over and Mendoza is tagged in. An attempted double team backfires and again Profe is caught between Santana and Koko. Something finally goes right for the rudo team when a knee to the back on Santana turns the tide. The rudos work over santana, with Profe taunting Koko throughout. Eventually Santana gets the hot tag to Koko, all four men end up in the ring and Koko gets the Ghostbuster on Profe for the win.

MD: This was really good. You take some time to watch this and it’ll make your day. Incredibly fun shine. Santana got the better of Mendoza and Profe again and again, including with some beautiful, beautiful punches. Then Koko came in and the place came unglued. Profe took a headbutt by bumping himself into the ropes. Great stooge bump. Then on the floor, Koko rubbed Mendoza’s face into Frankie, which may or may not have been animal abuse, but it was definitely Gran Mendoza abuse. They went back into the ring and Mendoza ran into Santana’s fists while Koko hit an eyepoke. Awesome shine. At one point, Profe had gone to the dirt and was trying to mess with a flagpole and… I don’t even know what he was doing and neither did Mendoza but he was that flustered and it was that entertaining.

Eventually, Profe grabbed Santana’s hair from the outside during rope running and the heels took over. Some nice double teams and drawing Koko in. Profe was a jerk along those lines. He also hit this great running knee in the corner. Really good stuff. But eventually, after the ref missed a tag and as things boiled over with the crowd, the hot tag came (and it was a good one), and Koko came in hot to a huge pop. Santana recovered and they got quick revenge with the ghostbuster on Profe. Everything you’d want for an undercard tag like this.

Giant Warrior vs. Sky Walker  

EB: The next match is Giant Warrior vs. Sky Walker and I goofed on the date for this match. We covered this in a previous post thinking this was from November of 90. Turns out it’s from this card  in August 1991. Sky Walker makes a one off return, thinks he won the match although Warrior got his leg on the rope, and then Warrior hits a big boot to get the win.

MD: We’d already covered this one. It’s still pretty good. Warrior has a nice back elbow and belly to back. Walker takes over and works over the wound (from the Abby match) which is a bit of context we probably missed before. The transition to comeback being a missed elbow drop is a little weak and they protect Walker on the way out by having him almost win (but Warrior’s foot is on the rope which the ref misses at first) but eat the boot anyway. What’s most important here is that this isn’t Murdoch or Abby, and this still holds up pretty well mostly on the strength of who and what Warrior was by this point and his connection with the crowd.

TNT vs. The Samoan Savage 

EB: TNT defends the TV title against Saman Savage. Feeling out process to start with Savage complaining about his hair being pulled. Savage then spends the next couple of minutes playing hide the foreign object until he is able to get some punches in on TNT. Savage takes over with nerve holds and strikes and most of the match continues this way until TNT’s comeback. The match ends when TNT does a corner spin kick that sends him over the top to the floor. It seems that TNT has hurt his leg on the impact. The ref counts TNT out and awards the match to Samoan Savage when TNT is unable to get back in the ring. 

MD: It’s so funny that Savage works this as a total Memphis heel, with just a bit more nerve holds. I always saw the SST of a few years earlier as fearsome, horrific even, down to the theme music, and now he’s just another glorious stooging heel in Puerto Rico. The system does work, and it works here too. He stalls at first, then plays hide the imaginary object, including making the ref check TNT and complaining about hairpulls. Eventually he takes over with it and does a lot of nerve holds, but it all works. TNT has a great hope spot where he hammers on the open feet of Savage. Finish is kind of wild as he came back with the spin wheel kick but when he tried it in the corner, he made contact but overshot and crashed onto the ground outside, knee injured. He loses by countout and then Savage hammers his knee with the belt post-match. Very SNME or Clash of Champions type match but it worked for what it was.

Miguel Perez Jr. vs. Huracan Castillo Jr.

EB: The Caribbean Express explodes as it is time for Perez vs Castillo. Perez gets in and immediately starts punching away at Castillo. Miguelito continues on the attack, eventually knocking Castillo out of the ring with a dropkick. Castillo tries to get away but Perez gives chase and they start exchanging blows on the ballfield, at one point just exchanging what look to be open handed slaps. Perez throws Castillo back in and it’s the opening Huracan needs, he catches Perez coming in with an eye rake to cut him off. Castillo works over Perez, sending him to the outside and ramming him into the post. Castillo keeps rolling in briefly to stop the ref’s count, but continues attacking Perez on the outside by throwing him into the ringside officials table. Miguelito is bleeding as Castillo uses the table and a chair to attack him. Back in the ring, Castillo focuses his punches and kicks on Miguelito's bleeding forehead. Castillo even bites the cut. 

The match continues with Castillo in control and putting Perez in a chinlock. The crowd cheers Miguelito on as the camera shows Ripper trying to yell at the crowd to shut up. Perez is able to counter Castillo's offense with a back suplex. Both men exchange blows but it is Castillo that gets the better of the exchange by ramming Miguelito's bleeding head into the turnbuckle. Castillo again bites the cut and Perez rolls out of the ring. Castillo follows but Miguelito is able to ram Castillo into the ringpost to halt the momentum. Castillo is rammed head first into the post and it looks like he is now bleeding as well. Miguelito starts firing off several punches on Castillo, Huracan starts firing back and they are just exchanging blows on the ballfield. The ref tries to stop them but gets hit for his efforts. Both men continue wailing away at each other when someone runs out and gets in between the two of them. It’s Miguel Perez Sr and he’s trying to get them to stop fighting. Perez Sr tries to reason with both of them only for Castillo to deck him with a clothesline. Miguelito is stunned for a moment, then checks on his dad. Castillo uses the opening to kick Miguelito in the head and they start brawling again, this time with Miguelito really showing off some renewed anger. Ripper intervenes by hitting Miguelito in the back with a pipe and she and Castillo get away. Perez Sr is still down on the ground as a medic goes over to check on him. Miguelito also goes over to see how his dad is. On commentary Profe is celebrating the attack on Perez Sr. but Eliud is appalled by what Castillo did. Some of the tecnico wrestlers help the elder Perez back to the dugout as a righteously indignant Miguelito is signalling that he wants Castillo back out there. Forget making amends, it looks like this feud is only just starting.

After the match they announced an upcoming Texas Death match between Perez and Castillo for September 7. They also have a split screen face off between the two where it is clear there is no chance for reconciliation here. We’ll discuss this segment later on when we get closer to this date.

MD: This was tremendous stuff. They hit the tone perfectly. Perez charged right in and they went at it just firing away. He was able to get an advantage with a dropkick and took things to the grounds, including a posting. Castillo kept fighting back and that helped a lot here, even if he got swept under again and again due to Perez’s righteous fury. When they made it back into the ring, Castillo went for the eyes, and he didn’t look back. He really brutalized Perez (who also did his best to fight back at times, but was cut off). After crushing him under a table and hitting him with some other associated furniture, Perez was a bloody mess, and Castillo made the most of it by wrenching his head in the ring so the camera could see it clearly. 

When Perez came back though, he came back huge and was able to reverse a posting on the outside. They brawled through the grounds with just great back and forth punches until the ref got clocked. Then Perez, Sr. tried to get between them and Castillo nailed him too. Huge heat for all of this but especially that as you’d imagine. Perez went right at him but Ripper attacked from behind with a pole. Things ended in chaos as wrestlers worked to help Perez, Sr. out. Great hate-filled brawl. One of the best matches in PR in 91 certainly and it left a ton more on the bone. They already announced a Texas Death Match coming out of this.

I thought the split screen with the two of them talking over one another was effective to build it as well. 

Carlos Colon vs. Abdullah the Butcher

EB: Our last match is the grudge match between Carlos Colon and Abdullah the Butcher that came about due to Abdullah attacking Carlos in the tecnico locker room’s shower. After recapping the angle that set this up, we go back to Estadio Juan Ramon Loubriel. Abdullah and El Profe make their way out of the rudo dugout, and Abdulla decides to head in the direction of the opposite dugout. Looks like they have a plan to wait and ambush Carlos when he comes out of the tecnico dugout. Profe and Abdullah stand waiting for a bit, but then Carlos Colon rushes out from beside them and starts attacking Abdullah. It seems he was ready for this and outsmarted the rudos here. And as Carlos had promised, he came for payback tonight. Carlos has an object in his hands and is using it to jab Abdullah in the forehead. Adullah goes down after several hits and Carlos decides to grab a really big piece of wood to use as a weapon. The ref futilely tries to get Carlos to back off, but Carlos just shoves him away and chokes Abdullah with the piece of wood. Carlos continues savagely attacking Abdullah (who is bleeding), using the spike object again and then hitting Abdullah with a cinder block. Abdullah ends up on a metal base and Colon just starts stomping Abudllah’s head against the metal. They have made no attempt to get into the ring as the crowd cheers Colon on.

Carlos continues going after the cuts on Abdullah's head, biting them and even grabbing the cinder block again. Anbdullah finally gets a breather when he is able to pull out his foreign object and jabs Carlos with it. Abdullah gets some more jabs with the object in, including one to the groin. This advantage lasts only for a couple of minutes before Colon starts firing back with some punches and caps it off with a foul kick. Abdullah is down and Carlos goes for a table to use as a weapon. Profe jumps on Colon’s back to help Abdullahm but gets tossed off. Carlos turns his anger towards Profe, ripping off Profe’s pants and then hitting a foul kick on him as well. A humiliated Profe flees to the safety of the dugout as Carlos grabs another piece of wood to use as a weapon. Carlos and Abdullah fight by the ring truck and then some wrestlers start coming out to try to separate them.Alex Porteau, Ricky Santana and Super Medico #3 all come out but get caught in the crossfire trying to break the fight up. Hugo on commentary mentions that it seems Profe has left the commentary area and is out in the hallway crying after reliving having his pants stripped. Carlos tries for the figure four but eventually they are separated and Abdullah heads to the dugout. Hugo sends it to a replay of the highlights  and the only one they have cued up is Profe having his pants torn off and then fleeing. 

MD: This was pretty great too. This whole show has been pretty great. This might be the best single show we’ve seen since starting this. It’s just an insane war, most of this being Colon as an absolute maniac attacking Abby. He comes out with an object (a fork? Who knows) and goes right at him. He gets a giant piece of wood, way bigger than a two by four and keeps it going, jamming it into his throat. By this point Abby is a bloody mess already. It’s just shot after shot, remorseless, slamming Abby into a table, going after the wound. Abby finally gets the fork and comes back, going so far as to slamming the fork right into Colon’s groin. It’s that sort of match. When Carlos comes back, he even completely no sells the throat cutoff so he can foul Abby first standing and then on the ground. Then he takes a table and charges at him to attack him with it. At this point Profe comes in, so he drops him and tears off his pants before starting back in on Abby. People (including Alex Porteau) try to stop him as Profe getting depanted was a bridge too far and the bell is ringing but Carlos won’t be stopped. He gets the figure four on for a bit before everyone breaks it up and Colon hits running jumping headbutts to Abby back into the dug out. Total war. Heck of a show.

EB: The special airing closes with Hugo, Eliud and Profe. Hugo mentions that it was a bad night for El Profe, he lost the tag match and then his guys didn't do too well. Profe responds by saying that he who laughs last laughs best, and that vengeance is sweet and will come. Eliud was happy with some of the results tonight. Hugo reminds viewers of the upcoming September 7 card and asks for closing comments from Eliuud and Profe. Eliud thanks the viewers for watching and wishes them a good night. Profe says that there simply are going to be a lot of ladies that won't be able to sleep peacefully tonight after seeing him how they did, which Hugo cuts off so as to not further spoil what has been a nice evening. We end with highlights from Perez vs Castillo. 

Next time on El Deporte de las Mil Emociones, a tournament is held for the vacant Caribbean tag titles, the feud between Castillo and Perez continues, and a Chicky Starr update.

Read more!

El Deporte de las Mil Emociones: Who Will Challenge at Aniversario 91?

Week 55: Who Will Challenge at Aniversario 91?

EB: We certainly had quite the special event to celebrate all of the mothers in Puerto Rico. Championships were defended and we had quite the few incidents occur as well. Before proceeding, let’s recap some of the key events. For that, let’s go to Hugo Savinovich.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH5hP_bip_s

Hugo is narrating the highlights from Noche de Campeones, starting with the controversial ending to the World Junior title match. What do you think, was it a three count? Regardless, Brad Anderson is now the World Junior champion.

We then go to the finish of the Women’s World title match as we see Profe get involved and the miscommunication leading to Monster Ripper losing her title to new champion Candi Divine. We also see the post match argument where El Profe started shoving Monster Ripper and then Ripper having enough and fighting back. Profe ends up laid out on the floor. After the highlights we get comments from Monster Ripper where she says that it’s Profe’s fault she lost her title,  and then Profe dared to put his hands on her. Ripper says that Profe will pay dearly for that and she wants a match with him. We go to Hugo who confirms that it’s official, Monster Ripper has laid down a challenge to El Profe, let’s see what Profe has to say about that. Profe: “Listen Miss Piggy, I can’t accept that challenge because I can’t touch a woman, I’m a total gentleman and would be completely incapable of…” Hugo interrupts Profe to say that she beat up Profe at Noche de Campeones, could it be that he’s afraid of her? "I'm not afraid, I’m a gentleman and even if she doesn’t look like a…” Hugo again interrupts to say that Ripper knocked Profe through the ropes to the floor. “Even if she doesn't look like a woman, she is a woman, and I respect her, I respect women…” Hugo interrupts to ask why Profe doesn't accept the challenge. An exasperated Profe says that he can’t accept that before just walking off. 

Now Hugo presents the highlights to the main event of Noche de Campeones, the Universal title match between Carlos Colon and Ron Garvin. We go to the highlights and see the back suplex into a bridge finish. Hugo makes note that both men's shoulders were down and they had to wait for the official announcement to know who won, which turned out to be Carlos Colon.

Finally, we have the World tag title match highlights which include Akbar being locked in the cage, the finish of the match where Invader uses the foreign object dropped by Savage, and then Bronco getting a fireball to the face when he went to open the cage Akbar was locked in. We get a bit more of the aftermath of the fireball as we see the ringside doctor come in to check on Bronco while he is in pain on the floor. The segment finishes with a phone conversation with Bronco (over a still image of him on the ground in pain), where Bronco thanks the fans for their well wishes and also God for no major damage occurring. He has second degree burns around his eye, he can’t open it too much at the moment, and he also has blisters and burn marks on his face. Hugo brings up that Bronco’s mask likely mitigated some of the damage and Bronco says to an extent, but his eye took the brunt of it. Thankfully he didn’t lose the eye or have any permanent damage. Bronco also wonders how someone with such dark and macabre intentions as Akbar can be allowed to participate in professional wrestling.Hugo thanks Bronco for his time, reminds him that everyone in Puerto Rico is rooting for him to get better and they will keep in touch to get updates.

MD: Ripper vs Profe as a program feels ahead of its time. We’ve seen a lot of things follow what happened in the states in one way or another (Zeus, Robocop, Giant Warrior as an El Gigante sort of pastiche, etc.) but I can’t think of too many places that were doing a match like this in 1991. Maybe there’s a USWA thing I’m not thinking of. 

The Bronco phone interview was particularly effective as he said he was going to real dark places and you believed it after you saw the fireball.

EB: While we don’t have the results for the rest of the matches from Noche de Camepoens, we can ascertain who retained and who did not based on the future TV episodes and lineups. King Kong and Super Medico #3 remain as the TV and Caribbean champs respectively, while it looks like Butch Cassady defeated Little Louis to win the Midget World title.  As for the Caribbean tag titles, we are not sure of when it exactly occurred, either during Mother's Day weekend or during the following week (possibly the TV taping?) but we also have new champions in Galan Mendoza and Billy Joe Travis.  Furthermore, after Monster Ripper’s falling out with El Profe, it appears that Mendoza and Travis no longer have Monster Ripper as their manager.  In fact, they appear to have new representation and it is El Profe. The Caribbean Express are not standing idly by though, as they have decided to hire a manager to help counter El Profe and it is none other than Monster Ripper.  

That is all with regards to the current championship situation but we still have one notable occurrence to discuss from Noche de Campeones. The head of the Puerto Rico Boxing and Wrestling Commission was on hand to announce who will challenge for the Universal title at Aniversario 91. Carlos Colon retained so as of now he will be one half of the match, but who will be the challenger? There are five names under consideration and let’s go to the recap video to find out who it is.

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

Hugo Savinovich narrates the recap video and opens with the following question: Which of these wrestlers will challenge Carlos Colon for the Universal title at Aniversario 91? Will it be Dino Bravo, Tatsumi Fujinami, Ron Garvin, Stan Hansen or Abdullah the Butcher? Commissioner Feliz Suarez announces that the commission has decided that the challenger will be… Ron Garvin! He has been selected based on tonight’s performance in a very close match and the commission feels this earns Garvin another shot at the Universal title. We cut to later where we have Carlos Colon (in a suit) and El Profe in the ring. Carlos is there because he was asked to come out to formally accept the match. However, Profe entered the ring uninvited and angrily started arguing with Colon. Profe is not happy about the decision of Garvin being the challenger and it is because he has a new client who he feels Colon is ducking. Profe calls Carlos a coward for ducking his client, the man who would easily defeat Carlos if they wrestled and who happens to be the strongest man in the world.”Do you want me to tell you his name! Do you want me to say his name! It is Dino Bravo! Do you accept his challenge?” Carlos responds by saying that the commission has decided the challenger is Ron Garvin, once he wrestles Garvin then he’ll gladly face Profe’s guy. Profe continues ranting "Accept reality, you are a coward!” Carlos taps Profe at that and starts saying don’t you say that about me, but Profe starts yelling “Don’t put your hands on me!” Colon and Profe continue arguing, with Profe still calling Carlos a coward and Carlos getting more heated and pushing Profe. Hugo starts asking for them to calm down when the camera cuts to show someone running to the ring, it’s Dino Bravo! Bravo gets in the ring and attacks Carlos from behind with a knee to the back. Hugo gets out of the ring as Bravo continues attacking Carlos with Profe approvingly watching. Bravo eventually gets Carlos in a full nelson and, even though three tecnicos come out to try to get Bravo off Carlos, their blows have no effect and Bravo still keeps the hold on. Reinforcements arrive, causing Bravo to release the hold and escape.

Now we get comments from Dino Bravo at the TV studio. This could have been anywhere in the world as Bravo lists off different locations, but Bravo has tracked Carlos Colon to his own backyard. Bravo wants to take that Universal title from Colon and whether Colon likes it or not, it will be at Aniversario 91. Hugo follows, saying they have gotten in touch with Carlos Colon about Dino Bravo’s challenge and Carlos is willing to face Bravo. In fact, Carlos has already gotten in touch with WWC commissioner Hayden T. Joseph to request for the necessary adjustments to be made so that the challenger is Dino Bravo. We will have to await the commissioner's decision in the coming days of whether the challenger will be Ron Garvin or if they will make the change to Dino Bravo.

MD: I know none of us want to see Dino Bravo in this spot, BUT 1.) It was an interesting angle as it looked like it was going to be Garvin again, 2.) Profe was supercharged and energetic and this is really the first time he looked like the proper successor of Chicky to me. And 3.) Bravo did come in with a ton of energy both in his beat down and in the subsequent promo, so we shall give this a shot. If we could change what happened decades ago, I’d come up with a better conclusion to the Black Scorpion angle after all.

EB: The next show is scheduled for May 19 at Estadio Juan Ramon Loubriel and Carlos Colon is not getting any respite from the rudo brain trust of El Profe and Gen. Skandor Akbar. While there is yet to be a decision made as to who the Universal title challenger will ultimately be, that isn’t stopping Gen.Akbar’s latest acquisition from targeting Colon. The wrestler’s name is the Polynesian Prince and his match with Colon on May 19 devolved into a brawl where both men bled. Profe and Akbar are hyping Prince up as one crazy and dangerous individual, who will not hesitate to injure Carlos. In addition to their match on May 19, Colon and Prince had another altercation at the May 22 tv taping in Miramar. Polynesian Prince is scheduled to face Ricky Santana as we join the action.

Ricky Santana vs. Polynesian Prince

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

Polynesian Prince immediately jumps Santana and kicks him down. Prince does not let up on the attack, as Hugo makes note that you can still see the fresh wounds Prince has on his forehead from his match with Carlos Colon in Bayamon. Hugo puts over how crazy Prince is as Santana is stomped out of the ring. Prince grabs Ricky and runs him headfirst into the wall! Ricky is busted open and out of it. Prince sits on Santana and for some reason bites Santana’s boots as the ref calls for the bell. The match has been thrown out but that is not stopping  Prince, who continues attacking Santana’s bleeding forehead. Referee Victor Quiñonez tries to call off Prince, but instead Prince grabs Santana and rolls him back into the ring. Prince sets Ricky up in an electric chair and drops him face first across the top turnbuckle. The bell keeps ringing as Prince comes off the top with a diving headbutt from halfway across the ring. Prince goes up top for another attempt, but Carlos Colon has arrived and pushes Prince off the turnbuckle. Carlos starts ramming Prince’s head into several objects, including the ringpost, the first aid kit on the wall, the commentators' table and a chair. Prince is bleeding but starts fighting back, leading to Carlos getting rammed headfirst into the post. The referee tries to stop them but gets pushed away. Colon and Prince start exchanging headbutts and then start fighting in the crowd. Ricky Santana is out cold in the ring as the fighting continues, with several tecnicos coming out to stop the fight between the bloody Colon and Prince. The situation gets more hectic as the rudos make their way out to try to stop Polynesian Prince and break the fight up. The two men are separated but then get loose and start fighting again. Carlos jumps back towards the ring area with a large piece of wood and goes after Prince, hitting him with the piece of wood. The wrestlers again try to separate Colon and Prince as the commentators start worrying about how close the fight is to them now.  

MD: Very effective stuff. I’ll be honest that I’m not 100% sure yet who the Prince is here. Fatu? Samu? Someone else. Probably someone else. The footage is very blurry. But he moves in a stylized sort of way we haven’t seen in a bit, really portraying a savage and getting into character. The SST basically walked and talked like everyday people at this point. But he wrestled like he knew what he was doing. This quickly spilled to the outside and he ate the countout just for the joy of ramming Santana’s head into the wall. Santana ended up opened up and Prince hit a very cool electric chair snake eyes sort of move before the top rope splash. Colon ran out to save Santana and things got super heated as they brawled all over the place before the wrestlers broke it up. Like I said, very effective way to heat someone up instantly.

EB: Besides the developing rivalry between Carlos Colon and the Polynesian Prince, let’s get to the May 25 episode of Campeones to see what other developments we have in CSP.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gX_l0C_edMg

Hugo and El Profe welcome us to another episode of Camepones. Profe mentions what we’ll have on today’s program Hugo adds that they'll also have footage of what’s happened between Carlos Colon and Polyneasin Prince, including what happened this past Wednesday in Miramar (Profe: ‘It was a war.’). Unfortunately, this footage is not included in the edited version of the tv episode we are reviewing, but it’s the footage we covered just now of the fight that happened between Colon and Prince during the latter's match with Ricky Santana. Tonight they will be in Caguas, as there will be a rematch between Carlos and the Prince with Skandor Akbar barred from ringside. Profe says that there will be no one to control Polynesian Prince tonight and that not since Abdulla the Butcher has Colon had an opponent as bloodthirsty and savage as Prince. Hugo comments that it seems that Profe and Akbar do not want Carlos to make it to Aniversario (which Profe denies) and that it seems that they want Prince to hurt Carlos before then. Also scheduled for tonight is Invader #1 & Giant Warrior vs King Kong & Rod Price, a no time limit and no DQ rematch for the Caribbean title between Super Medico #3 and Action Jackson, Ricky Santana tries to regain the World Jr title from Brad Adnerson, Huracan Castillo vs Billy Joe Travis, and Little Louis challenges new champion Butch Cassady. 

Super Medico III vs. Action Jackson - May 19

Now let's get to what happened this past Sunday in Bayamon as Super Medico #3 defended the Caribbean title against Action Jackson with most of this match taking up the runtime of the version of the Campeones episode we have. Profe is optimistic that Jacksn will regain the Caribbean title for his stable, maybe as soon as tonight. Hugo mentions that these two have been feuding for a while and it seems that Action has needed to cheat to get the wins he has over Medico. Action keeps bailing during the first few minutes every time Medico #3 gets the advantage, with Profe on commentary saying that it is a 30 minute time limit so they have the time to slow it down and strategize. The match continues in thai pattern until the first commercial break, and when we come back it looks like Action Jackson has been playing hide the foreign object from the ref. The ref is checking Jacksn but cannot find anything since Action had just passed it off to Profe. Medico #3 comes in to attack but Action soon cuts him off and we get the middle portion of the match with Jackson in control using punches, biting and the foreign object throughout. Medico makes a comeback that leads to Jackson getting knocked outside, and it becomes apparent that it had been raining as Jacksn’s tights are covered in mud. Hugo and Profe have an exchange on commentary about Profe apparently not wanting to get close due to the mud and Profe says that’s not true.

Jackson drags Medico out of the ring but ends up getting backdropped by Medico right into the mud. Jackson argues a bit with Profe over him staying away due to the mud and actually rubs mud on Profe’s clothes out of frustration. Back in, Action regains control and works over Medico #3 with a neck wrench. Medico’s white tights start getting dirty from the mud Action has indirectly smeared in the ring as they’ve fought. A test of strength leads to Medico #3 flinging Jackson through the ropes and into the mud once more as we go to another commercial break Back from commercial and Jackson is kicked into the mud by Medico #3. Medico then decides to go after Profe, but Profe backs away. Back in the ring Medico continues on offense and tries a small package for a near fall. Action counters and controls with a nerve hold. Medico’s white tights and mask are starting to take on a brownish tint due to the mud. The match continues back and forth but Action cheats by hitting Medico #3 with the foreign object and gets a three count. Profe is celebrating the win on commentary, but referee Victor Quiñonez runs out to tell in ring ref El Vikingo about the use of the foreign object. Vikingo orders the match to be restarted. 

Jackson quickly goes on the attack and gets some nearfalls but is unable to put Medico away. We get yet another commercial break as Action starts working a nerve hole again. Back from commercial, both men are visibly tired and exchanging near fall attempts. Medico gets a two count of a reverse body press and Jacksn takes the opening to put on the cobra clutch. Medico tries to fight out of it and in the background you can hear the time calls as we are nearing the end of the match. Medico manages to keep his arm up on the third ref check and is able to break the cobra clutch by ramming Jackson’s head into the corner. Twenty seconds are left in the match as Medico #3 gets a sleeper hold on Jackson, and the time runs out before Jackson can submit. It’s a 30 minute time limit draw. Post match we get comments from Action Jackson and Super Medico #3 about tonight’s no time limit and no DQ rematch

MD: This one went really long, multiple commercial breaks. We don’t know what happened with Kim Duk as ref but obviously Medico retained the title. Vikingo is reffing this and Profe got to make fun of him at least. This was a play in four parts. Act 1 had Medico outwrestling Jackson who’d go to the outside and regroup with Profe. Profe, on commentary claimed that they were messing with Medico’s nerves. Act II had Jackson take over for a bit using an object but ultimately getting routed on the outside again and again (which would be Act III). He’d get tossed onto the baseball diamond and end up covered with mud and get upset and then doubly so as Profe wouldn’t help clean him off. Finally (Act IV), he got Medico with the object but a second ref restarted the match after the pin and they went into the finishing stretch. He got the Cobra on Medico, even through a great escape attempt where he bounded up the ropes in the corner and tried for a toss off, but couldn’t put him away with it and Medico had a sleeper on when the bell rang for a time limit draw.

This set up two stips at once, as they could justify it being both no DQ and no time limit. So that’s what they did with the promos. Jackson said he had beaten him already (though it was overturned) and Medico said that he too could cheat.

EB: We have two other segments in this episode of Campeones. One is Hugo Savinovich with the Medalla girls who are there promoting a test of strength machine that Medalla is using as a promotion in different establishments. We then get two card rundowns for tonight in Cagaus and tomorrow in Dorado (with Colon & Giant Warrior vs King Kong & Polynesian Prince; Invader #1 vs. Action Jackson; Ricky Santana vs Rod Price; Super Medico #3 vs Brad Anderson; Huracan Castillo vs Billy Joe Travis, and Little Louis vs Butch Cassady).

We also get a music video for the Polynesian Prince where we see highlights of him in action  against Kim Duk, Ricky Santana and Carlos Colon (including Prince rubbing Colon’s blood over his mouth) and of Prince biting into some raw poultry during an interview segment. Hugo and Profe close out the show by hyping up tonight’s card in Caguas. 

MD: I’m not even going to pretend we know who this guy is, but it felt like they already had a decent amount of footage on him, coming to the ring with his plant headdress, thrashing both names and enhancement guys with biting, clawing, his electric chair snake eyes, and the top rope headbutt, and even a shot of him tearing a chicken apart in a promo.

EB: We have one more TV episode that is from May 1991, it may be from May 18 or May 25. It is a west coast version of Super Estrellas episode that is devoted entirely to hyping up the west coast date of Aniversario 91 that is still about a month away, so all of the focus here is on talking about what has happened so far and what matches at this point are signed for Aniversario 91. Let’s see what is official so far.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nHCHby9AwQ

Hugo welcomes the west coast viewers to this episode of Super Estrellas by running down what’s scheduled for today's episode. Also, on Friday July 5 we have Aniversario 91 scheduled for Mayaguez. However, since the air conditioning in San German has been installed, they are changing the Aniersario July 5th location to San German (likely a make good for changing if for Mother’s Day weekend). Hugo mentions the officially signed matches and it seems the Universal title match is still officially Carlos Colon vs Ron Garvin, although Hugo makes note that both Colon and Dino Bravo are interested in facing off against each other if possible. Also officially signed so far are Giant Warrior vs Dick Murdoch, Bronco #1 looks to get revenge against Sakndr Akbar for the fireball in the face, and for the first time ever in Puerto Rico it will be man vs woman as Monster Ripper and El Profe face off. Hugo wonders who will have the advantage here, since the last time they tussled it was Profe who was sent flying from the ring. Stay tuned as more matches are signed in the coming weeks, there will be six more matches in addition to the already announced four. Hugo mentions the ticket prices for the event and then segues into talking again about Dino Bravo and Carlos Colon. Bravo is claiming that Carlos is ducking him while Carlos is saying that he is not afraid of Bravo, it’s just that Garvin has been designated as the number one contender for Aniversario. That said Colon, Bravo and Profe are all going through the channels to have the currently scheduled match changed. Final confirmation is still pending. Hugo mentions that the people at Capitol Sports are aware of the great support west coast fans have given them and that is why they have decided to hold the Aniversario date for them on a Friday so they can comfortably attend the event. Hugo provides an update of Bronco, who is still recovering in the Dominican Republic. With that, let’s go to our first match.

Gran Mendoza vs. Huracan Castillo Jr.

This match is an offshoot of the current Caribbean tag title feud between the Caribbean Express and Mendoza & Travis, as well as the Profe vs Ripper rivalry. Ripper has now become a  fan favorite and is seconding Castillo, while Profe is seconding Mendoza. Castillo and Mendoza have faced each other many times before and this one starts off with Mendoza getting the early advantage. However, Mendoza decides to slide out of the ring and confront Monster Ripper which allows Castillo to intercept Mendoza. Castillo controls most of the match, with the commentators mentioning that Profe seems to be more well behaved than usual, which they attribute to Profe being wary of Monster Ripper. Mendoza makes a second attempt to go after Ripper but is once again foiled by Castillo. Mendoza gains control after a hammerlock and the crowd chants for Castillo.  Mendoza sends Castillo to the outside where Profe makes a move to interfere but Ripper comes over to ward him off. Mendoza suplexes Castillo into the ring for a  two count. Castillo makes a comeback after Mendoza misses an elbow from the middle turnbuckle and Castillo dropkicks Mendoza out of the ring. Profe puts an object in Mendoza’s glove but the plan backfires when Ripper trips Mendoza up. Castillo gets the three count and the win. Profe starts complaining about what happens as Castillo and Ripper celebrate. 

After, we get an interview from Monster Ripper where she talks about the upcoming match against Profe at Aniversario. She says Profe can say whatever he wants, but she will beat him up at Aniversario since she blames Profe for her World title loss.

MD: Our first look in practice at babyface Monster Ripper. A program with Profe for Aniversario (as we hear in the promo after the match) feels like a workable idea. It’s something different at least. Here she’s seconding Castillo with Profe out there with Mendoza. It gave us some fun bits of Ripper doing chicken arms to taunt Mendoza. Mendoza had a clear size advantage and controlled in the middle but he missed an elbow drop and Castillo started to rout him. Finish had Profe load the glove but Ripper snatched Mendoza’s foot off the ropes, allowing Castillo to pin him.

EB: We get the Ron Garvin music video we saw a few weeks ago (he's still officially scheduled for the Universal title match). After we get some words from Joe Don Smith who is representing Dick Murdoch. Joe Don refuses to speak Spanish and says that they will find out who the real giant of WWC is when Dick Murdoch gets his hands on Giant Warrior. 

MD: Joe Don’s back (from Texas of course), and he claims that not only won’t he speak Spanish, but by now he’s actively forgotten it. He’s there to hype up Dick Murdoch returning to face Giant Warrior and he does a pretty good job of it overall.

Brad Anderson vs. Herbert Gonzalez

EB: World Junior champion Brad Anderson is taking on Herbert Gonzalez. Anderson makes easy work of Herbert as Hugo talks about all the people that Brad has learned from including the older Andersons and Ric Flair. Herbert gets a brief flurry of offense after Anderson misses a diving elbow, but runs into the spinebuster slam and Anderson gets the pin. 

MD: Sticking to my guns. Anderson is pretty good at these squashes, but you see the cracks occasionally, and they really showed up in the long match against Santana. Overall, this was good though. He preened a bit which let Gonzalez get in it but then he cut him off and hit a bunch of stuff including the gourdbuster and a nice neckbreaker where he stepped a couple of feet before dropping him. He hit one elbow drop off the second rope but missed the second, but then he caught Gonzalez on a leapfrog and drove him forward for his spinebuster slam. I can’t say it looked amazing though. Good idea at least. Profe was there to take off his shades at the start.

EB: Profe is with Dino Bravo and Bravo talks about how at Aniversario 91 he will be the new Universal champion. Colon has already felt Bravo's power once and he knows that Colon won’t be able to overcome it. This is followed by a Bravo squash match against Louis Spicolli courtesy of WWF Superstars.

MD: This wasn’t a bad squash, not really. Some of Bravo’s strikes feel sort of dubious but his pile driver was nice and the side slam always looks good. Plus he played to the crowd and to Jimmy Hart ok. I sort of wonder what Spicoli from a couple of years later would have been like in Puerto Rico. The promo was pretty tame, the usual stuff. “Colon, you’ve faced great wrestlers before but..” that kind of deal. But we’ll see what he can do in practice.

Kim Duk vs. Polynesian Prince

EB: Our next match is a recently arrived Polynesian Prince against Kim Duk. This will be our last look at Kim Duk and it has been quite the run for him since arriving in September 1990. Prince jumps Duk while the latter is doing the salt ceremony, and this match is basically to show how dangerous Prince is. Duk’s offense doesn't have much of an effect and Prince shows off his rough tactics and unorthodox style. Duk gets rammed into the ringposts and is busted open. Hugo mentions that he thinks the ref should call the match to protect Duk from injury, but the match continues on. Duk is rolled back and Prince continues on the attack, finishing Duk off with a flying headbutt from halfway across the ring. Prince attacks Duk a bit more after the bell before getting called off by Akbar. 

MD: Very weird match. Prince ambushed Duk during the salt ceremony but then he’d just eat a Duk superkick and not sell at all. Then he’d stop moving and crouch down for no reason so Duk could come back and hit a nice belly to back. Then he wouldn’t sell that either. Ultimately, he crushed Duk with a body slam and diving headbutt for the win but it was more weird than decisive, though it was fairly decisive too. Post match, he launched another headbutt or two.

EB: Carlos Colon joins us with some words about the scheduled Universal title match on July 5 vs Ron Garvin. Carlos says that he’s signed to face Garvin, but with the humiliation Bravo did to him with the full nelson attack he is doing what he can to have the match changed to Bravo. Carlos wants to get payback and beat some respect into Bravo. Carlos says that he is not afraid of anyone and that a match will happen if he has anything to do with it. Carlos does mention that he wants a decision made soon about the match, because he is training right now for Ron Garvin but if it is Bravo that requires a different style of training and focus. 

Action Jackson vs. Giant Warrior

Our next match is Giant Warrior vs Action Jackson, who had a brief feud of sorts before Jackson moved into chasing the Caribbean title. The announcers (Hugo and Eliud) spend most of the first minutes of the match just ragging on El Profe, just lambasting Profe for his actions and about how well they think he will fare against Monster Ripper. The match itself has both Jackson and Warrior being tentative to start. Jackson resorts to an eye rake and biting to gain control. As Jackson continues in control, Profe wanders over to the commentary desk and complains that Ripper had been in love with him and that is why she lashed out at him. He is a sensual beautiful man and she is ugly. Hugo calls out Profe as a liar with a capital L. Jackson has Warrior in a bearhug but Warrior breaks out of it. A slam and legdrop gets two for Warrior. Action rakes the eyes and goes back on offense but Warrior surprises Jackson with a small package that gets the three count. A win for Giant tWarrior. 

Hugo closes the show by reminding viewers about Aniversario 91 on July 5 in San German.

MD: I liked this a lot when Jackson was stooging about for Warrior. I didn’t buy it when he was in control. Warrior worked way too small then. Flimsy kicks when he was trying to fight back, being in a bearhug that just didn’t make sense, ducking low under things before hitting a comeback big boot. I’m just not sure that was the right dynamic here and there were other ways to have Jackson be on top. More biting and grinding and less of all of that. Warrior won it out of nowhere with a small package too. 

EB: Next time on El Deporte de las Mil Emociones, the feud between Carlos Colon and Polynesian Prince escalates with a gimmick match, TNT makes his return, and more matches are signed for Aniversario 91 as a decision is made as to who will challenge for the Universal title.

Read more!

El Deporte de las Mil Emociones: So That's Where The Stairs In Caguas Lead To...

Week 49: So That's Where The Stairs In Caguas Lead To...

MD: We are back covering the untapped gold of 1991 Puerto Rico. If you want to catch up, here's the Master List.

EB: We don’t have results for the March 16 card in Bayamon, so we don’t know with certainty the end result of the Colon brothers tag against Dick Murdoch and Joe Don Smith. As we’ll soon see, Murdoch seems pretty pleased with what went down, so at the very least it seems that Murdoch and Joe Don came out on top. And riding that high, Dick Murdoch has decided to throw out a challenge to Carlos Colon for one more match with the Universal title on the line. Only there is a stipulation attached. It also seems that the issue between TNT and Action Jackson has not yet been settled and we have a big stipulation match coming tonight in Caguas as a result of an altercation that happened at the most recent TV taping.

Let’s go to the Campeones episode from March 23 (please note that the video title says 3/16 but this is the 3/23 episode) so we can see what the latest developments are in CSP.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtK3dcOEyik

Hugo and El Profe welcome the viewers to the program, with Profe remarking that he has Akbar on some scouting trips at the moment. They run down the matches we’ll have on today’s program (some of which we have previously covered). Hugo also mentions they will have a look at what happened last Wednesday in Miramar between Action Jackson and TNT. Profe says that it will be a chance for the people to see what kind of garbage TNT is, because he cowardly attacked someone from  behind while getting involved in something that didn’t concern him. Hugo says the viewers can be the judge of that. The main event for today’s program is the match from February 2 where the Texas Hangmen defended the World tag team titles against Invader #1 (with taped fist) and Bronco #1. Profe is not happy with the match selection since there are so many matches they could show (obviously not happy with how that match ended). Hugo says it is a very important bout and the fans deserve to watch those types of matches.

They move on to tonight’s house show in Caguas where the main event will be a falls count anywhere match between TNT and Action Jackson. Profe starts talking about all of the different things they could get away with like dunking TNT in a toilet, taking TNT out to the parking lot and other things. Hugo counters what if TNT is the one that gets the upper hand, to which Profe tries to change the subject and claim he’s never gotten involved in anything (Hugo isn;t buying that claim at all). Hugo mentions that Scott Hall retained the Caribbean title but almost lost it to Kim Duk, with el Profe complaining that Duk tried to steal the title by throwing salt in Hall’s face but thanks to him the ref was made aware of what happened. He also says that he would never accept any of his guys doing anything underhanded like that, with Hugo just mocking Profe for lying. Tonight, Hall and Duk will have a rematch and Hugo says that Kim Duk told Hugo that he was going to make sure that the ref wouldn’t see any salt throwing this time around.  With that, they send it to the first match, the Caribbean tag title match from March 9 in Carolina.

MD: I’m pretty sure Profe said they’d flush TNT’s head in the toilet for a few minutes before beating him. I think that’s a thing that happened here. 

Caribbean Express vs Gran Mendoza/Rick Valentine

EB: The Caribbean Express are the challengers and Hugo says that they are in their hometown for this match. The champions, Valentine and Mendoza ,are already in the ring, with Monster Ripper accompanying them at ringside. Castillo and Valentine start off for their teams. Castillo controls the early minutes of the match by working the arm of Valentine and then Mendoza. Galan Mendoza is able to back Castillo to his team’s corner and he and Valentine double team Castillo. This brings in Perez, who is momentarily cut off by Mendoza. Miguelito recovers and charges into  the corner, monkey flipping Castillo out of there and Castillo lands on his feet, chagrin at Mendoza. Perez is tagged in but falls prey to the champs and is worked over for the next couple of minutes. Perez and Mendoza collide and this leads to Castillo and Valentine getting the tag. Castillo starts cleaning house, with Miguelito sending Mendoza outside and fighting with him on the floor. In the ring, Castillo gets a sunset flip for the three count. New Caribbean tag champs! The crowd cheers as the new champions head back to the locker room with their newly won title belts.  

MD: While I’m ok with us moving on from Valentine/Mendoza as Valentine had a long run which had a high floor but maybe not the highest ceiling, it does feel like there was another month they could have gotten out of this pairing, considering how long the Super Medicos feud went. This was yet another quality tag. Valentine pinballed early. The heat really came from controlling the corner. There was a great switch of the FIP/hope spot with Perez monkey flipping Castillo who turned around into a clothesline as he landed which is just a beautiful lost spot but the VQ is pretty rough here so you don’t get the full effect. They crashed heads to set up the hot tag and after a bit of chaos, Perez and Castillo got a quick pin and the belts. 

EB: The California Studs (specifically Brian Lee) talk about their match tonight against Giant Warrior and Ricky Santana. Speaking of tonight’’s card in Caguas, we get a partial rundown of what is set for tonight: Falls count anywhere for the TV title as TNT faces Action Jackson; a rematch as Invader #1 faces Motor City Madman; Giant Warrior & Ricky Santana vs The California Studs; and Scott Hall defends the Caribbean title against Kim Duk.

Afterwards we get the Dick Murdoch vs. El Corsario match from February 2 that we previously covered. We then get a snippet of a Dick Murdoch promo where he says that Joe Don is the first thing from Puerto Rico he has been proud of (so I’m guessing he did well in the tag match the previous week). We then cut to El Profe who says let’s hear what that coward Carlos Colon has to say. Carlos is here to accept a challenge Dick Murdoch has made. It’’s a cage match for the Universal title, with a roof on the cage and a lock on the door. Carlos wishes Murdoch had the guts to show up tonight in Caguas or even now to the studio so they could have that match right now. Carlos challenges Murdoch to show up tonight if he dares, but he will accept the challenge for the cage match.

We then get comments from the Motor City Madman about his match against Invader tonight. He left Invader hanging last week in Bayamon and tonight it will be Invader’s last match. 

MD: We get a tiny glimpse of a Murdoch promo here which makes me think that Murdoch and Joe Don did win the mixed tag, a good way to get heat for the upcoming cage match. Not too much else to say for this show given that we have it clipped and it has things we’ve already covered. The upcoming show looked to have a lot of return matches (TNT/Jackson, Hall/Duk) but Santana/Giant Warrior vs Anthony/Lee is a weird and interesting one.

EB: The episode closes out with an airing of the Invader& Bronco vs. Texas Hangmen from February 2. Now let's go to the west coast version of the Super Estrellas episode from that same day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGt0ykdKNPg

Hugo welcomes the viewers and runs down what we will see on today’s show. Afterwards, Hugo starts talking about tomorrow’s house show lineup but the video cuts to the end of the TNT Evolution music video. From there we get a promo from the California Studs about their tag match tomorrow in Aguadilla against the team of Kim Duk and Ricky Santana. It looks like Tony Anthony has a score to settle with Ricky Santana for busting his nose and eye up in a previous match. Kim Duk and Ricky Santana follow with their comments, with Duk talking about the conditioning he and Ricky have, while Ricky promises to leave Tony Anthony laying this time around.

We get a rundown for tomorrow’s card in Aguadilla: Falls count anywhere for the TV title as TNT faces Action Jackson; Invader #1 & Giant Warrior vs. Scott Hall & Motor City Madman; Kim Duk & Ricky Santana vs The California Studs; Huracana  Castillo Jr vs Rick Valentine; and Invader #4 vs. Doug Gilbert.

Our first match of the program is the California Studs vs Invader #4 and Jerry Mercado. Hugo makes note that Skandor Akbar is not there because he is on a scouting trip, which means El Club Deportivo is likely getting reinforcements. The match is short, as the Studs isolate Jerry Mercado and work him over, getting the pinfall after the powerslam / flying kneedrop combo.

MD: Santana had tagged Anthony previously and now they were going to get revenge. Santana/Partner vs the Studs seemed to be what they were doing this week as here he was teamed with Duk. No Akbar here (he was off scouting for Devastation Inc. apparently). The highlight was Anthony trying to figure out what to do when Hugo was talking and tearing at his own eye. Duk said that both he and Santana were in superior condition and I’m not sure about that visually looking at him, but then he sort of always looked like this, just more grey in his beard now. The squash was efficient (even with Lee pulling Mercado up once). Invader was a non-factor and they won with a bombs away kneedrop from Lee which is a good thing to do if you’re billed from California I guess.

EB: Giant Warrior and Invader are here to talk about facing Scott Hall and Motor City Madman tomorrow. We get the back half of the interview with Hugo translating, where he says that tomorrow it is not going to be two on one. The size difference is really stark here when you have Giant Warrior standing next to Hugo and Invader (although I think Invader may be standing lower just to make the contrast even more since here he’s at Hugo’s height when he’s taller).

MD: Warrior and Invader vs Hall and Madman feels like a pretty solid match that they could put on right now. I think this is the first time I fully realized that Warrior’s face paint was supposed to be like Ultimate Warrior. I saw him in Japan first so I think I took that for granted. I always saw him as an answer to El Gigante. Anyway, this was just them clasping hands as Hugo spoke for a few seconds.

EB: Up next is another showcase for Doug Gilbert as he takes on Tito Carrion. Hugo mentions that Doug looks like a pirate with that bandanna on. The commentators again talk about the places Doug has wrestled and that he is a  dangerous individual. Carrion gets a brief hit of offense but this all Doug as he wins with the slingshot suplex.

MD: Doug really does feel like a herald for what is to come like when Lanny Poffo came into Mid-South and they started to mention Randy (even though that never came to be). Doug has pretty good execution of his suplexes and what not, but you can tell he hasn’t quite put it all together yet just yet in how he goes from point A to point B. Good energy and enthusiasm though. Carrion outwrestles him for a second here but that’s all he gets as Gilbert steamrolls him. When we hear his promo later on Invader IV, he was sure shouty.

EB: We get promos from Huracan Castillo Jr and Rick Valentine on their singles match tomorrow. Valentine wants revenge for the cheaters (according to him) taking the Caribbean tag tiles. 

MD: They’re doing a singles match between these two and Valentine complains that Castillo stole the belts and the best way to get revenge is one-on-one. Straightforward stuff.

EB: We get a name vs name matchup next as Kim Duk faces the current TV champion. Action Jackson. Profe is with Jackson, and I’m sure Duk has not forgotten his resentment towards his former manager. Duk works over Jackson’s arm to start but then Action starts getting aggressive by going for the eyes. Jackson controls the middle portion, mainly working Duk’s neck with a nerve hold, but when Duk fights out of it they start exchanging blows. Profe gets involved by tripping up Duk when he runs off the ropes. Jackson gets the cobra clutch, but TNT runs in to attack Action and send him from the ring. This causes Duk to be disqualified, but it’s clear that TNT still has his issues with Action as the two men start brawling around the ring area. They ram each other into the posts, Action bites TNT’s head, TNT spin kicks Action over the barricade into the crowd. We see them fight through the crowd and then cut to them still fighting outside the arena, as the fans run after them to see the action. They end up reentering the ringside area from the other side and continue fighting. I guess we now know why we’re getting the falls count anywhere stipulation.

We also get another series of promos for tomorrow, as Doug Gilbert is excitedly shouty about facing Invader #4, Action Jackson has a bandage on his forehead as he promises to retain the TV title no matter where he has to beat TNT up, and a fired up TNT angrily says that if they have to go to the town square or the outskirts it won’t matter as he promises to get that TV title. 

MD: The Duk vs Jackson match was a little rough. A lot of Duk hiding little shots while he had a hold on to start. Then a nerve hold. Worked fine overall but the first part wasn’t wry and fun enough and the second was pretty dull. It did pick up with some big Duk shots in the corner before Profe tripped him and we got the cobra. They kept cutting to a wide shot before anything happened so you had a sense that TNT was about to run out and he did, leading to a legitimately crazy brawl that went all over. Between that and the promos that followed, with Jackson doing so much better as himself (with his hair growing back and the Zubaz pants and him talking over Profe hyperactively) and TNT bloody and passionate, they sure sold me on this Falls Count Anywhere match, no matter how long the feud has been going on. Good pro wrestling right here.

EB: Our main event of the program is Miguelito Perez vs. Dick Murdoch. This an even matchup but Murdoch takes his shortcuts to try to gain the advantage. Perez actually holds his own and has Murdoch against the ropes punching him. When the ref tries to get Perez to back off, Joe Don Smith sneaks up and trips Perez up from the outside, allowing Murdoch to drop an elbow and steal the win. 

MD: You watch Murdoch and there’s no one else like him in 1991 anywhere in the world. Maybe a Negro Casas. Maybe Terry Funk. He’s just so self-aware and confident and treats pro wrestling differently than anyone else. There’s an element of vaudeville or being a character actor. It’s like watching Abbot and Costello or Laurel and Hardy or All in the Family. We come in with Joe Don and Murdoch sort of leaning on the apron while on the floor and it’s just this weirdly iconic image. Murdoch controls early but then gets it turned around on him and just stooges like wild for a few minutes. Joe Don grabs the leg between Murdoch’s legs while they’re in the ropes and a quick elbow ends it. Everything Murdoch has done during this run has been incredibly entertaining. 

EB: This episode closes with part of the Carlos Colon vs. Greg Valentine cage match we covered before, shown because next week we will have the Colon vs. Murdoch cage match at the house show. So, let’s find out what exactly happened in Caguas on March 23 as we go to the Campeones episode from March 30.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6TJdeB_Am8

Hugo and Profe open the show, with Profe preening and showing off his fit as usual. Hugo reminds the fans that tonight is the cage match for the Universal title, as Carlos Colon has accepted Dick Murdoch’s challenge. There will be a roof on the cage and a lock on the door, so the only way to win is by pinfall or submission. Profe says it’s high time for that coward Carlos Colont to have to face Dick Murdoch without being able to run away. Hugo says it won’t be an easy encounter for either man. They run down the matches for today’s program, with Profe calling the Caribbean Express the Chicken Express. They promise we’ll see highlights from the falls count anywhere match between TNT and Action Jackson, with Profe saying that the fans will see how they beat up TNT (Hugo clarifies that we’ll see in the video what really happened). 

We also have some new music video specials, as we’ll see new ones for  Dick Murdoch, the World tag team champions Invader #1 and Bronco #1, and Caribbean champion Scott Hall . Hugo wants Profe to comment about tonight’s semi main event, as we will have a last man standing streetfight that cannot be stopped due to blood between TNT and Action nJackson. Profe says that it is time to end this feud, it has gone on far enough, and what better way to settle it in a match where the only rule is there are no rules. TNT better say goodbye to his family and fans because it all ends tonight.  Hugo reminds the fans to purchase the tickets at the box office, please protect your money from cheats.

Our first match is from the March 16 house show in Bayamon, as the California Studs take on the Caribbean Express. This is a good solid match with both teams jockeying for control by working holds with the occasional counter. Skandor Akbar is seconding the Studs, who bail a  couple of times to regroup after the Express get the better of them (Castillo with a headscissors, Perez with some dropkicks). We go to commercials and come back as Perez is being worked over. This continues for a couple of minutes until he is able to make the tag to Castillo. The finish comes when Akbar distracts Perez, which allows the Studs to hit their powerslam / flying kneedrop finisher on Castillo. Another win for the California Studs and they keep climbing the tag ranks. That title shot may be coming soon.

MD: It’s amazing how well these tag matches work. It’s just magic, right? Pro wrestling’s most perfect form. You get the Invaders or the Super Medicos or Invader/Bronco or TNT/Invader (who would be defending against the Studs upcoming) or Colon/TNT or the Caribbean Express like here and put a couple of stooging, cheating, jerk heels against them and work that southern tag and it works. It works here. They just plugged Lee and Anthony in and it’s beautiful in its own way. Shine, Heat, Comeback. Stooging to start. Hope spots along the way. A surprisingly clean finish as Castillo comes in hot and hits a missile dropkick but misses another off the ropes and eats the power slam/bombs away combo. They could run this for a while honestly. They always can. 

EB: The big news from last week is the falls count anywhere match between TNT and Action Jackson. Hugo says it was a wild encounter, Profe claims that we will see Action Jackson humiliate TNT. Hugo interrupts Profe to say that is now how it was, let’s go to the tape. We pick up with TNT at the top of the stairs, and for anyone who has ever wondered where those stairs in Caguas lead to, this is your moment. TNT heads down and we see him and Action Jackson tussle in a small hallway with the ref watching. TNT bites Action and they continue down the hallway and up a flight of stairs at the other end. We come out to a backstage hallway area and get highlights of TNT and Action fighting at different parts of the hallway. They eventually emerge at the upper part of the stands, still fighting. Down the stairs they go and we cut to them fighting on the arena floor. Both men are bleeding and are on their knees exchanging blows. Eventually, they collapse on the ground and are both counted out by the ref. So tonight, it’s a streetfight that cannot be stopped for blood and there must be a winner.  We hear from both Action Jackson and TNT and they are looking forward to coming out the winner tonight. 

MD: And they could run this for far longer I expected. We just get glimpses of the falls count anywhere match but it looks awesome, them going through stairwells and into the main area bloody and battered. They finally both collapse from exhaustion and get counted out. I think if we had all of this one it might be a classic. But it was inconclusive and they can come back for more with a street fight. TNT is in his street clothes for his promo including his fanny pack which is not what I was expecting. 

EB: Some quick comments from Kim Duk, who is facing Scott Hall in a no DQ match. Duk is happy because that means he can bring his salt or kendo stick with no issues.This is followed by the new music video for Invader #1 and El Bronco, set to Bronco’s music. Afterwards, Scott Hall asks Kim Duk how it feel to be a loser, to be in fear. Anything goes tonight and Duk can bring anything he wants, all Hall needs is his fist to come out on top.

MD: “Kim Duk, how does it feel to wake up in the morning and know you’re a loser?” That’s how Hall starts his promo and honestly, every promo we get from him where he fills every single second Hugo is talking with ridiculous mannerisms is a precious joy to be appreciated. 

EB: Motor City Madman and giant warrior are facing off tonight in a strap match, we get comments from both men. And for those curious, we get a card rundown for tonight in Bayamon: Enclosed cage match for the Universal title, must win by pinfall or submission as Carlos Colon defends against Dick Murdoch; in a streetfight for the TV title TNT challenges Action Jackson; Invader #1 and Bronco #1 defend the World tag titles against the California Studs; Giant Warrior vs Motor City Madman in an Indian strap match; No DQ for the Caribbean title as Scott Hall defends against Kim Duk; Ricky Santan vs Eddie Gilbert; and Huracan Castillo Jr vs Doug Gilbert.

MD: They were building to a strap match here. That’s a lot of gimmicks on one show since I think Murdoch and Colon were in the cage here too. Plus we finally get Eddie Gilbert! I don’t know if they weren’t drawing well enough or this was a bigger show or what but it was stacked. 

EB: It’s time for the Dick Murdoch music video and this one  includes clips of how Murdoch won the first two matches against Colon (using the ropes for leverage). Murdoch has gotten the better of Colon for the most part but the Universal title has eluded him. Will tonight be different? Carlos Colon promises that will not be the case, he plans to keep the Universal title.

MD: Murdoch really came off well in the video, using the stick as a weapon, doing wound work on Colon’s skull, fighting off all the babyfaces, and yes, getting two fluke roll up wins, one with his hands on the ropes. It’s a shame we don’t have these matches in full because it really does seem like a great feud. 

EB: We get a card rundown for tomorrow in Ponce, as Carlos Colon & Giant Warrior take on Dick Murdoch & Motor City Madman; TNT vs. Scott Hall; Kim Duk vs. Action Jackson; Invaders 1 &4 vs the California Studs; Bronco vs. Eddie Gilbert; Ricky Sanatna vs. Doug Gilbert; and Huracan Castillo Jr vs. El Profe. We then end the program with a new music video for the blond outlaw himself, Scott Hall, and a final push for tonight’s big card.

MD: Not much more to say here. If Hall had stayed in Puerto Rico for the rest of 91 I have no idea how good he could have gotten, especially if he shifted back to feuding with Invader and Colon. He got there eventually but he was very much fully formed here. He’d never be this character or this person again.

EB: Next time on El Deporte de las Mil Emociones, is the feud between Carlos Colon and Dick Murdoch finally over? Who won the streetfight between TNT and Action Jackson? And, we will meet Skandor Akbar’s newest acquisition as we reach April 1991.

Read more!

El Deporte de las Mil Emociones: Puerto Rico 1991

Week 41: Puerto Rico 1991

EB: As 1991 approaches, we have a couple of pending results from the 1990 Christmas Day show. We’ve already talked about Bronco #1 winning the Caribbean title, Sasha regaining the Women's World title from Monster Ripper, Scott Hall turning on Giant Warrior, and the Super Medicos defeating Eric Embry & Rick Valentine in a fire match. Still, there are two key results we need to mention.

The first result is the tag match between Invader #1 and TNT vs. the Texas Hangmen. The Hangmen's strategy for this match was focusing their attacks on one opponent, resulting in TNT being busted open and suffering enough damage and blood loss where he had to be helped back to the locker room. This left Invader #1 trying to continue at a disadvantage against Psycho and Killer. However, Bronco #1 came out to even the odds and help Invader fight off the Hangmen.

The other result to discuss is the Carlos Colon vs Greg Valentine rematch for the held up Universal title. Valentine was disqualified for using his shin guard as a weapon to bust open Carlos. Valentine continued attacking Colon after the bell and attempted to put on a shin guard assisted figure four leglock in order to hurt Carlos. However, Carlos was able to kick Valentine away and Greg ended up hitting the ringpost. Carlos took the opening to grab Valentine’s shin guard and attack Greg with it as payback before Valentine left the ring. As a result, Colon won the match but the Universal title was still vacant since the match ended by disqualification. 

MD: Of all the footage we've missed out on so far, other than some specific 60 minute draws between Burke and people that sounded amazing, I am probably most frustrated we're not getting a bunch of full Greg Valentine squashes and matches.

EB: As 1991 approaches, the customary Three Kings Day season opener is going to kick off the year. Based on how 1990 closed we can expect a few rematches or grudge matches stemming from Christmas. We’re also going to be without TNT and Miguelito Perez for a few weeks, both are currently on tour in New Japan and will be back in the second half of January. With TNT on tour, this means Invader is going to need a tag partner to go up against the Texas Hangmen. Let’s go to a clip from an episode of Superestrellas de la Lucha Libre from New Year’s Eve weekend, where we have Giant Warrior in a handicap match and an interview from Invader #1 and his new tag partner.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXjxuDfr_U8

Giant Warrior’s opponents are Gran Mendoza and El Exotico. Both rudos jump Warrior at the bell to try to get the advantage, but it is short lived as Warrior is able to knock their heads together. Despite the best efforts of Mendoza and Exotico, Giant Warrior is able to keep control of the match by fighting them off and eventually Warrior hits a big boot that sends Mendoza to the outside. Exotico gets hit with a backdrop and, after Giant Warrior stomps his foot, gets hit with what Hugo calls the controversial big boot. Warrior pins Exotico with one foot on his chest (as Mendoza thinks better of getting in the ring) and it is another impressive win for Giant Warrior.

We go to El Profe in the locker room with the Hangmen, and Profe says that January 6 will be a war. Most expect the Magi but the Hangmen are expecting Invader and Bronco to finish them off. Psycho makes his threats, making note that they are stepping into a war zone on a holy day. El Profe translates as the Hangmen ham it up for the camera and Profe promises they will show who the World tag team champions are on Three Kings Day.

We then go to the interview area, as Hugo is with Invader #1 and Bronco #1, who got involved on Christmas Day and will now team with Invader to challenge the Texas hangmen for the World tag team titles.  

Hugo: With us the number one contenders to the World tag titles, Invader #1 and from the Dominican Republic, the Dominican champion and Caribbean champion Bronco #1. They challenge the Texas Hangmen for the World tag titles, but this is more than a title match, this is something personal. What's going to happen Bronco #1?

Bronco: Look, the 6th in Bayamon, you have to be paying attention to what's going to happen. Invader #1 and Bronco #1 are not just going for the World tag titles, but are also going after the heads of the Texas Hangmen. Danger Texas Hangmen, look at what Invader has in his hands., the bullrope that hurt Invader. Let me tell you one thing Hangmen, your heads, besides the titles you are going to lose, your heads are going through this noose. Danger Texas Hangmen, danger January 6th in Bayamon.
Hugo: Wow, Invader #1 your comments.

Invader: Bronco's already said it all. We are going to do everything possible. The Dominican champion, the Caribbean champion and now we are going after the World tag titles. And we are going to do everything possible to become the new champs, and especially because we have this bullrope, which has caused a lot of damage here in Puerto Rico. So Profe, tell your boys that they better be really prepared, because on January 6th we are going to do everything in our power to become the new World tag champs.

Hugo: Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic united in search of the World tag titles.

After the interview, we get a rundown of the lineup for the January 6 show:

• No DQ for the held up Universal title - Carlos Colon vs Greg Valentine
• WWC World tag titles - Invader #1 & Bronco #1 challenge TheTexas Hangmen
• Grudge Match - Giant Warrior vs. Scott Hall
• Jimmy Snuka vs Dick Murdoch
• Caribbean tag titles - Los Super Medicos challenge Eric Embry & Rick Valentine
• Mascarita Sagrada & Aguilita Solitaria vs. Espectrito & Piratita Morgan
• Super Medico #4 vs. Kim Duk
• And other great stars.

MD: Just two minutes bell to bell here, though there were promos from Bronco/Invader and the Hangmen after (maybe Killer has more hair coming out the back?). Not much to say about the 2-on-1. Exotico didn’t get to do much but he did jump at Warrior comedically at one point before getting put down with the boot.

EB: We have a mix of matches and results from the 1991 Three Kings Day show. Let;s begin with a singles match between Kim Duk and Super Medico #4.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQEX-ohradA

Super Medico #4 is Julio Estrada, the younger son of Jose Estrada Sr. He had previously appeared a few times in 1990 and again makes an appearance on the Three Kings Day card to take on former Caribbean champion Kim Duk. If you recall, Duk ended the year by being The Barbarian’s tag partner in the match where Scott Hall turned on Giant Warrior. This match is joined in progress with Medico #4 working an armbar on Duk, but Duk fights out of it and proceeds to get the advantage with punches and chops. Hugo and Eliud are on commentary and Hugo takes the opportunity to send a hello to the wife of Super Medico #1  and mother of the other active Medicos, with Hugo and Elud talking about the special kind of lady it takes to handle seeing three of her family members take the risks they do when they get in the ring. Meanwhile , Kim Duk has Medico #4 down with eye rakes and chops. Medico #4 makes a comeback after Duk puts his head down too early, getting a pin attempt after a nice spinning elbow off the ropes. Medico #4 works a side headlock but Duk takes him down with a toehold and works the arm. Duk continues with punches and even hits a slap (earning a warning from the ref). Duk stops a Medico #4 counter with a thrust kick. The cobra sleeper is applied and Duk wins the match. .  

MD: Six minutes JIP, primarily of Duk beating on Medico IV. Medico IV is the one that looks most like a Memphis mid-card heel given his physique by the way. It’s crazy to think since we last wrote about him, we discovered the 1978 South Korea match where Duk was a super babyface. Here he was an effective heel. Medico got tiny bits of hope but got cut off fairly quickly and was doomed to run into the kick and fall to the cobra. Duk was certainly making a run here. It’s been a bit.

EB: We have another appearance from the Mexican mini luchadores. While we don’t have footage from the tag match from Three Kings Day, here is a singles match between Mascarita Sagrada and Piratita Morgan that occurred sometime during the holiday season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qE0gClUi5_0

Hugo and Profe are on commentary for this bout, it is from one of the commercial tape releases. Profe mentions that few can match the speed of these wrestlers, while Hugo talks about how they were inspired by watching wrestlers from the U.S. like Sky Low Low and Little Beaver. Sagrada and Morgan start off with a nice counter sequence, with both wrestlers missing dropkicks and then kipping up. Morgan immediately slaps the back of Sagrada’s head and knocks him to the mat. Profe says that the action is so fast that they can barely keep up announcing it, which Hugo agrees with. Morgan hits a tilt a whirl backbreaker and, after yelling at the crowd, does a front drop to Sagrada. Morgan continues in control with some nice punches, but Sagrada counters with a spin kick when Morgan attempts a corner charge. Sagrada briefly takes over but again Morgan knocks Sagrada down with some punches. Sagrada eventually comes back, including doing a headstand on the top turnbuckle into a headscissors and a series of ranas. Morgan gets dropkicked out of the ring and takes a while to gather his breath. While Morgan is outside, Profe notices Victor Quiñones at ringside and starts mocking him, but changes his tune when Hugo points out Victor is the one paying them for commentating the video. Back in the ring, Sagrada gets a moonsault body block for a pin attempt.  Sagrada successfully does a switch but a second attempt gets countered by Morgan into a version of a chokeslam that gets the pinfall win. Morgan gets his hand raised and does  muscle pose for the crowd.  

MD: Plenty worse ways to spend five minutes then with this fun, very complete sprint. Profe is on color commentary which is just a sign of how much he’s tasked with right now. Morgan controls for most of it but with escalating hope spots. His offense looks great. Just really good strikes and bullying. He bases well for everything Sagrada does too and all of it is good and imaginative and flashy. I feel like they often put the rudos over in these for some reason and they do so here as well with him turning a Sagrada cazadora into a one arm slam. This felt like the biggest hit from these guys so far in Puerto Rico even if it was only five minutes or so.

EB: Continuing with the results from January 6, Jimmy Snuka no-showed the event and Huracan Castillo Jr took his place as Dick Murdoch’s opponent. We will talk more about Murdoch next time. Also not appearing at the show was Eric Embry, although in his case he either left or had been fired sometime over the holiday break. As a result of Embry no longer being there, the Super Medicos regained the Caribbean tag titles (although I’m not sure if it was via forfeit). Embry’s departure was explained as him suffering a serious eye injury from having his face thrown into the flames during the fire match and being advised by doctors to not get in the ring. So the Super Medicos have successfully run Erci Embry out of Puerto Rico. However, Rick Valentine has found a new tag partner to  help avenge Embry, none other than Gran Mendoza (who is now going by the moniker of Galan Mendoza).
We have footage of the World tag title match between the Texas Hangmen and Invader #1 and Bronco #1. The video has no sound but we can still see the action that unfolded between the two teams on Three Kings Day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_a3ANsZTPE

The match is in progress with Invader working the arm of one of the Hangmen and tagging in Bronco (who is wearing an animal print version of his mask and attire). Bronco comes off the top with a punch but soon loses a punch exchange to Killer. Psycho is tagged in and continues in control with punches on Bronco. The Hangmen tag in and out and do double teams on Bronco. The Hangmen continue to work over Bronco as a frustrated Invader paces on the apron. The Hangmen taunt the crowd and block Bronco’s attempts to make the tag. Invader tries to help Bronco a few times, but only gets some blows in each time before the ref escorts him out of the ring. Finally, after being worked over for several minutes, Bronco makes the tag after the Hangmen miss an elbow drop. Invader quickly comes in and fights off both Hangmen. Bronco comes back in and all four men fight, with Invader eventually sending one of the Hangmen outside of the ring. Invader follows the Hangmen to the outside as Bronco is taking care of the other Hangmen in the ring. El Profe comes over with the bullrope to hit Invader from behind, but Invader takes away the bullrope and chases Profe to the dugout.  Bronco is attacked by both Hangmen in the ring. The Hangmen start to hang Bronco as Invader emerges from the dugout with the bullrope around Profe’s neck.When Invader notices that Bronco is being hanged, he releases El Profe and heads to the ring to make the save. Invader fends off both Hangmen and keeps the bullrope in his possession.

MD: We’ll take what we can get, sound or no. But when that hot tag hit here, I wish I could have heard the pop. On the other hand, we’ve been doing this long enough, we could imagine it perfectly. We get a little bit of shine here, just a bit, with Bronco being his usual theatrical, bombastic self, but the numbers game takeover. Then we get a long-ish heat of them just beating him down with kicks and stomps. It feels effective to me. Invader finally comes in hot. They’re not quite on the same page. I get the sense that he wanted to toss one Hangman into the other but Bronco was doing his own thing. That inadvertently plays into what happens next as Invader heads out of the ring with a Hangman and ends up chasing Profe into the dugout. That allows for a 2x1 and the Hangmen to get some new year's heat back after the big matches that had recently happened by hanging Bronco. Eventually, Invader makes the save with the rope Profe had and clears the ring after they almost got him too. Another good tag.

EB: The no-DQ rematch between Carlos Colon and Greg Valentine ended with controversy. Carlos Colon had Greg Valentine in the figure four leglock and it looked like Valentine was going to submit. El Profe jumped on the ring apron and grabbed onto the referee when El Vikingo went to tell him to get down. With the ref distracted, Dick Murdoch ran in and dropped an elbow on Colon to break up the figure four. Later in the match Valentine ducked a Colon charge and instead Carlos took out El Vikingo by accident. With no referee, Valentine got his figure four on and waited for the ref, as Colon tried to fight out of the hold. However, this time Giant Warrior rushed to the ring and broke up Valentine’s figure four with a legdrop. Warrior then stomped his foot and sent Valentine into the ropes for a big boot. Valentine was knocked out and Warrior proceeded to drag Carlos over Valentine as the crowd cheered on. Warrior tossed the ref back into the ring and Colon got the three count. Post-match, Valentine attacked Colon and put on the figure four as rain started falling. Colon had to be helped out afterwards and Profe and Valentine lodged a protest about the match result. Colon had won the match and the Universal title, but controversy reigned as well.

The weeknd of January 12, Carlos Colon announced on TV that he was not going to accept winning the Universal title the way things happened on Three Kings Day and thus the Universal title remained officially vacant. Colon would issue a challenge to Valentine and El Profe to have one more match to settle the Universal title vacancy. To avoid any further controversy or interference, Carlos wants it to be a steel cage match. We await Profe and Valentine’s response.

Also on January 12, a house show was held in Carolina. The Super Medicos faced the new team of Rick Valentine and Galan Mrndoza in a non-title match, with Mendoza using his glove to knock out one of the Medicos while Valentine was being pinned, resulting in the rudos stealing the win and earning a shot at the Caribbean tag titles.

There was a rematch between the Texas Hangmen and Invader #1 & Bronco#1. This match resulted in Invader being bloodied and laid out outside of the ring. As the Hangmen proceeded to double team Bronco, a dazed Invader left the ring area and headed to the back. He would come back with the bullrope he had kept from the previous encounters and saved Bronco from the Hangmen.

The main event of that January 12 house show was a Royal Rumble match, with the winner being TNT. Wait… isn’t TNT on tour in Japan? Yes, he is. Turns out that the TNT that showed up to compete that night and win the event was none other than the Original TNT that was last seen around September of 1989. Yes, the same one that Chicky Starr had brought in claiming to be the true TNT is back, this time with El Profe as his manager.

With all of these happenings in the first half of January, let’s go now to the TV shows from January 19, starting with Campeones.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7j8TJ1QiWg

The Campeones opening has clips of one of the Colon & TNT vs Hangmen matches and of one of the mixed trios matches between the Super Medicos & Sasha and Embry, Valentine & Ripper. Our hosts are Hugo and Profe.. Hugo greets the viewers as Profe starts peacocking around showing off his outfit. Hugo asks why he is doing that, and Profe says that Hugo is jealous because he can’t match his face to his outfit like Profe can. Hugo and Profe run down the matches and Ptrofe says that he has to congratulate CSP on the tremendous production they did on the Duk & Barbarian vs Hall & Warrior match, where they edited the video to make it look like Profe was the one that hit Giant Warrior. Hugo takes exception at Profe insinuating that they (Hugo is part of the production team) did something like that. Profe keeps saying that it’s a setup by production and Hugo responds that he thinks Scott Hall is an imbecile for believing Profe.

Hugo changes topics and announces that soon there will be a tournament  for the vacant TV title, which has been inactive since TNT vacated the belt during his previous run as Universal champion. Hugo also mentions that we are all waiting to see if Profe and Greg Valentine have the guts to answer Carlos Colon’s challenge for one more match to settle the Universal title vacancy in a steel cage. Profe says that how can you dare stick Valentine in a cage, and then says some over the top remarks about how Colon is used to being in cages, with Hugo cutting him off so they can talk about tonight’s house show in Caguas. Last week, Profe’s new charge Original TNT surprised everyone by winning the Royal Rumble match. Profe says he knew his guy could do it, but Hugo says he was able to win because Carlos had been busted open by Scott Hall earlier in the match. Tonight it will be one on one as Carlos Colon faces the Original TNT.

Our first match of the show is one from March 1990, where the actual TNT is facing Carl Styles back during Carl’s original rudo run. The match serves more as a backdrop for Hugo and Profe to argue over who the real TNT is, with Hugo saying the one we’re watching is the real one and Profe saying that the one they are currently watching is a cheap copy. Hugo mentions that TNT is currently in Japan, although Profe is incredulous and thinks he may be hiding in a corner somewhere. Hugo mentions that soon both TNTs will be in Puerto Rico and we will see what happens then. The match itself is surprisingly more of a showcase for Carl Styles ,who controls most of the bout. Profe takes the chance to run down Styles for turning on him, to which Hugo calls Profe out as shameless. Profe again is incredulous on TNT being in Japan, with Hugo saying that TNT had sent them a magazine from over there and they had talked with him as well. Hugo says they told TNT that Original TNT had returned. Profe says that after hearing that, TNT likely will not come back for a month, maybe six months, from being afraid. Hugo responds that TNT will be back next week, so Profe can calm down about that. The match ends with TNT making a comeback and getting a roll up for the win.    

MD: At first I had thought this was Original TNT vs mid-card face Styles but it’s 1990 TNT vs heel Styles. This was before Styles had been depushed upon his return. I had been confused why they were having Original TNT, their returning lead heel work so weak. It makes a lot more sense now that I realize what’s going on. Styles takes most of this but TNT gest a kick and the Cobra to win it.

EB: Hugo mentions that they have a clip of something that happened at Miramar between the Super Medicos and Mendoza and Valentine (again, can’t mention it’s from Superestrellas due to being on different channels). We go to a singles match between Rick Valentine and Super Medico #3, where Monster Ripper gets on the apron and accidentally is knocked into the ring after Valentine hits the ropes. As the ref is tending to Ripper, Medico #3 makes a pin attempt on Valentine. However, Mendoza runs in and hits Medico #3 with his glove. Mendoza quickly puts Valentine on top of Medico #3 and runs off. Ripper conveniently rolls out of the ring at that moment and the ref starts making the count, only for Super Medico #3 to run in and attack Valentine. The ref disqualifies Super Medico #3, and Medico #1 fights both Mendoza and Valentine. Medico #1 is overwhelmed by the odds and is hit repeatedly by Mendoza with the glove. Medico #3 enters the ring with a chair and clears the rudos from the ring.

The Super Medicos cut an interview about their upcoming Caribbean tag title defense against Valentine and Mendoza, with Medico #1 saying that the rudos will find out what being hit by a B-52 is like when they face them tonight. The rudos respond, with Monster Ripper promising that her new team will win the Caribbean tag titles. Mendoza promises that they will win by any means necessary while holding up his gloved hand.   

MD: Mendoza feels like a lateral move from Idol but a drop down from Embry. He’s looking particularly like Chicky in some ways here, actually, but also has the glove. I imagine he was glad for this push and was going to work hard with it. The match itself had a good finish with Valentine crashing into Ripper and in the ensuing chaos, Mendoza intervening only for the ref seeing Medico making the save instead.

EB: We get a promo from Johnny Ringo, who is facing Huracan Castillo Jr for the World Junior title tonight. Ringo says that he’ll do more damage than Hurricane Hugo and make history tonight. We then get the rundown of tonight’s show in Caguas: Carlos Colon vs Original TNT;  in a lumberjack match (I’m guessing due to the wrestlers continuously going back to the dugout to get the bullropes) for the WWC World tag titles we have the Texas Hangmen defending against Invader #1 and Bronco #1; Giant Warrior vs Scott Hall; the Super Medicos defend the Caribbean tag titles against Rick Valentine & Galan Mendoza; Miguelito Perez makes his return to take on Kim Duk; and  Huracan Castillo Jr defends the World Junior title against Johnny Ringo.

MD: I have no idea who this Johnny Ringo is but he cuts a promo in English saying he’s more dangerous than Hurricane Hugo and that he’s going for Castillo’s Jr. Belt. It is funny to see him kill time as off screen Hugo (not the hurricane) translates.

EB: Our next match is a TV studio match that that occurred on Jan 9th between Invader #1 and Psycho. Invader comes out with the bullrope he had taken from the Hangmen during their earlier matches (it was the one he used on them during the Three Kings Day match). Invader controls the first part of the match to the crowd’s cheers. During the match, Profe makes off with Invader's bullrope, leaving only Psycho's at ringside. Psycho takes control of the match and Profe is pleased with the results. 

Eventually, Invader makes the comeback and wins the match when Profe and Killer's interference backfires. Post match, Invader fights both Hangmen but eventually succumbs to the cowbell. The ref gets tossed and the Hangmen beat up Invader again. It's deja vu, as Carlos comes out to help Invader but is cut off by the Original TNT. The Hangmen continue beating up Invader. Giant Warrior comes out and is cut off by Kim Duk. Los Super Medicos are held off by Galan Mendoza and Rick Valentine. Huracan Castillo tries to get to the ring and El Profe heads him off. Finally, Bronco runs out and makes the save (Profe: We didn't know he was in the building!). The Hangmen leave, but the bullrope is left behind. Invader is dazed and bleeding, but firmly holds the bullrope in his hands.

MD: Another good one. Invader wrestles with such amazing confidence. Just total conviction in everything he does. Even just a stomp that leads right into a foot on chest pin. Profe stole back the noose that Invader had after the last match and Psycho took over on him with a lot of stomps and facewashes. This led to Killer coming out and the Hangmen miscommunicating for an Invader roll up. Post match they tried to have lightning strike twice with another huge beatdown in the ring while all the locker room fought to prevent the save. I get the sense Bronco had been away selling the effects of the hanging from the last match and he’s the one that ultimately makes the big save for a bloody Invader. It hits but it doesn’t hit quite as hard because you don’t have Embry menacing Sasha and a huge turn like TNT. But it still does hit. I don’t think they could get away with it again though.

EB: El Profe and Original TNT cut a promo about their match tonight against Carlos Colon, where they show a quick clip of how Original TNT beat Carlos to win the Rumble (Carlos took a version of the Slaughter bump after missing a charge into the corner). ‘TNT’ says he’ll put Colon’s lights out and may not bother waking him up afterwards. Carlos responds by putting over last week’s Royal Rumble match and saying that ‘TNT’ has reason to celebrate. But Carlos says that he should not be going around saying he beat Carlos Colon ono on one, because that match was everyone vs everyone, Original TNT was the last entrant and took everyone by surprise when they were tired, and that Carlos had been busted open and bleeding for a while. Tonight it is one on one and Carlos will be fresh. Tonight ‘TNT’ will not have the same luck.

We then get Original TNT taking on Huracan Castillo Jr. This match is joined in progress and is mainly to reintroduce Original TNT.  This looks to be from the previous week in Carolina. ‘TNT’ controls most of the match, although Huracan gets some comebacks in. On commentary, Hugo talks about Carlos being honorable in not accepting the Universal title while Profe calls Carlos stupid for doing that. Hugo says it was an act of integrity, Profe says it was a guilty conscience for the chicanery that went down. In the finishing stretch, Castillo comes off the top rope with a bodypress that ‘TNT’ rolls over for a near fall. Castillo sends ‘TNT’ into the ropes and puts his head down too early, allowing ‘TNT’ to kick him twice in the head and get the pinfall win.

MD: A little jarring to hear that voice come out of someone who looks at least somewhat like TNT. Colon had a big flag graphic behind him just like in the promo for the card (which looks overall good even if I’m a little doubtful of the match on top). The Castillo match itself had TNT taking a good chunk but when Castillo took over, TNT was just walking around ringside sucking air and it wasn’t a great look. Something of a banana peel finish too where he got his last advantage by turning around a body press. I think maybe he could have looked stronger but this was not unusual for Castillo putting someone over.

EB: Scott Hall talks about how the fans in Caguas will be behind him tonight against Giant Warrior, he has never lost in Caguas and tonight Profe says it won’t happen. Giant Warrior says that tonight it’ll be time for Hall to lose for the first time in Caguas. We then get the tag match from Christmas Day where Hall turned on Warrior. Profe again insists that this is a masterful editing job to make him look like the one that hit Warrior. Hugo remains exasperated about the accusation. At the end of the program, Hugo walks off in disgust as El Profe talks about what his guys will do tonight.

MD: Hall cut a good delusional heel promo about how all his fans would be there to cheer him vs Giant Warrior. Then he did all of his poses as Profe spoke. He’s the best at that. Warrior actually cut a promo and it was ok. Then they had Hugo (off screen) translate as he fumbled with the mic. Would have been better to have Hugo stand next to him for the size difference as he didn’t look big with the backdrop.
EB: We also have the west coast version  of the January 19 Superestrellas de la Lucha Libre.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDEeO7KuYdg

Hugo is talking about tomorrow’s house show in Hormigueros, and it looks like we have a similar card as the one in Caguas. Hugo mention the upcoming TV title tournament and sends some greetings to some fans before going to our first match, which is Super Medico #3 vs Rick Valentine (the one we saw a clip of in the Campeones episode). So if you want to see the full match here it is. Eliud Gonzalez introduces the combatants and the match has a feeling out process to start. The commentators talk about how Embry was injured during the fire match and now Valentine has got Mendoza as his new tag partner, promising to avenge Embry and get the Caribbean tag titles. Medico #3 takes over by working the arm as Hugo says that he doesn’t think the match will remain a straight up wrestling contest for long. Hugo also mentions the topic of Galan Mendoza’s controversial glove, with suspicions that it may be loaded. Rick Valentine controls the middle portion of the match and the finishing stretch we saw on Campeones stars with Valentine missing an elbow drop. We get a bit more of the post match, as the ref declares Valentine the winner.

MD: Aha! This is the entire match that we saw the finish of during the last show. It’s pretty good too, with Valentine stooging early, trapped in an armbar going in and out as Medico hangs on. There’s a great bit before the transition to heat (missed corner charge) where he tries to go for a tag forgetting it’s a singles match. I noted now Mendoza used the loaded glove in the post match beatdown too.

EB: Next is another Johnny Ringo promo, this time about tomorrow’s match in Hormigueros. We also get Valentine, Mendoza & Ripper and the Super Medicos talking about their match tomorrow in Hormigueros. They run down the show lineup for the January 20 house show, and it’s exactly the same as the one in Caguas.

MD: It’s too bad we don’t get a Ringo squash match in here because I’m real curious what this guy can do.

EB: Original TNT gets  a TV showcase match against Sabu (not that one). This match is all Original TNT, just a dominant win to reestablish him. The commentators talk about how the real TNT is in Japan but should be back soon. ‘TNT’ wins with the cobra sleeper, as Hugo makes sure to remind the kids watching to not try these moves at home since they are dangerous. The ref has to insist with ‘TNT’ to wake his opponent up, which he eventually does. After the match ,we get promos from Original TNT and Carlos Colon about their match in Hormigueros, similar to what we saw in Campeones.

MD: I’ve seen two or three Sabus in wrestling in this is by far the least fearsome looking one. He does get to fire out of the corner once only to get crushed. Pretty solid intensity from Original TNT here. Some of the promos here are either the same or very similar to ones we saw on the other show.

EB: After an airing of the TNT ‘Evolution’ music video, we have a match from the TV studio with Scott Hall taking on Nick Ayala. We have seen Ayala before, but Hall makes relatively quick work of Nick. Hugo mentions that there are a lot of fans mad at El Profe for stealing Scott Hall away from El Ejercito de la Justicia, since they had a lot of appreciation for him. Hall gets the win with the crucifix.

MD: I feel like we haven’t seen a proper Hall match in a while. Ayala has been competitive before, but he’s not going to be here. Great bump on the crucifix (Razor’s Edge) as Ayala flips over as part of the bump.

EB: The Texas Hangmen and Invader & Bronco cut promos about their match tomorrow in Hormigueros, with Invader mentioning that everyone saw last week that the Hangmen are cowards, they ran off when things got rough, this time with the lumberjacks there is no running away. There is an unintentionally funny moment when Invader walks off after cutting his promo and Bronco stays behind to say his piece.We then get theTexas Hangmen music video we have seen before. 

We also have a TV showcase match for the team of Invader #1 and Bronco #1 vs Joe Casanova and El Condor. Invader and Bronco do quick tags to work over Condor, The rudos team gets almost no offense in, as this is a clear showcase to put over Invader and Bronco’s teamwork in their quest to win the World tag team titles. Bronco wins the match with his falling DDT maneuver.

MD: After Invader 1 chasing Profe last match, they’re coming back with a Lumberjack match. Obviously both teams think that’s to their advantage and call the other team cowards. In the music video what stood out the most was the variety of Hangmen masks. I hadn’t noticed that before. I’m left wondering what happened to Bronco’s valet. I’m annoyed Exotico isn’t Casanova’s partner for obvious reasons. Bronco and Invader work well together, control the arm. Invader sells a bit but only to make a comeback. It kind of amazes me that Bronco’s drop down DDT finisher wasn’t used by basically anyone else for years. 

EB: We end the episode with a match between the minis, as Espectrito and Piratita Morgan face Aguilita Solitaria & Mascarita Sagrada, this time in the TV studio. The match is joined in progress and the rudos are in control. Espectrito misses a knee charge into the corner, giving Aguilita a chance to fire off some off his impressive moves. Espectrito gets sent out of the ring and now we get Piratita and Mascarita in the ring for their teams. Mascarita gets the better of Morgan due to his speed, but the size advantage remains with the rudos. Still, Mascarita is able to dodge charges by both rudos that end up with them hitting the ringpost and going to the outside. We continue with a quick pace, with the wrestlers from both teams going in and out and some miscommunication from the tecnicos leading to the rudos gaining control. It does not last long and Sagrada gets a nearfall off a sunset flip. The match continues back and forth until the bell rings in a time limit draw. 

MD: This cuts out but I do think that the bell rang and it was a draw. I get bringing these guys in. I get putting them on shows. I get maybe having a match now and again on TV to let people know what they’re getting on the live show but they’re so detached from everything else, as an attraction is want to be, that I wonder about spending so much TV time on them. A couple of clips would probably do the trick and then you can sneak in a Giant Warrior promo too or something.

EB: Next week on El Deporte de las Mil Emociones, we reach the final weekend of January 1991. We’ll find out if Greg Valentine will accept Carlos Colon’s challenge for the steel cage match. We’ll also have an update on our ongoing tag feuds, our first look at Dick Murdoch in Puerto Rico, the TV title tournament is set to take place, and someone gets put to sleep when Carlos Colon takes on the Original TNT.

Read more!