[AAA/IWC] Part I--AAA: The New Number One

[Steve Black]

This is Part I of a seven-part series building up the AAA/IWC PPV this Sunday.
I've made a few changes--for one, expanding it to seven parts. Here's the
rundown:

Today: AAA--The New Number One by Bruce Mitchell
11/01: What *is* Lucha Libre? by Steve Black
11/02: Torch Talk interview with Konnan
11/03: An analysis of AAA: Past, Present, Future by Dave Meltzer
11/04: Wade Keller's analysis of AAA's chances of success
11/05: Comments from fans on Lucha Libre
11/06: Feature on Ron Skoler, analysis, predictions

Now, here's part I.

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The following is a reprint without permission from the Oct. 22, 1994 issue of
the Pro Wrestling Torch. All comments are welcome.

AAA: The New Number One
by Bruce Mitchell, Pro Wrestling Torch

"WCW--the number one wrestling promotion on the planet."
--Eric Bischoff, Oct. 10, 1994, WCW Main Event

The New Number One. That's what WCW claims it is.

And you know, they could be.

After all, the Biggest Match in Wrestling History is this weekend...Ric Flair
vs. Hulk Hogan.

Career vs. Career.

In fact, Hulk Hogan's presence in WCW is yet another change in the decade-long
equation that defined the pecking order of wrestling companies in the United
States. A question that once had an obvious answer seems to be worth asking
again: Who is the real number one?

And let's "narrow it down" the way Titan Sports always used to when various
officials complained to Dave Meltzer that he should not print Japanese gates
in the Observer or the late, lamented National because "well, uh, Japan
doesn't count." After all, it would be somehow unAmerican to boast "We're
number three or four or five..." Not to mention that, luckily for TBS and Titan
Sports, the Japanese promotions do not compete in the same markets yet.

So, with that arbitrary ground rule established, is WCW the new American number
one?

Nah.

Are you kidding? WCW is still in bad shape. It isn't just because Hulk Hogan
got tired of hearing Ric Flair's name in airports that WCW is sacrificing one
of its greatest assets for one PPV buyrate. Despite (or perhaps because of)
Hogan's enormous contract, TV ratings are actually down. Because of WCW's
added expenses, WCW may actually lose more money this year than last year--
despite the Bash at the Beach buyrate and Clash rating. The number one
promotion shouldn't be losing money by the Hogan-sized fistfuls or sport such a
plastic, stale wrestling style. There's an aura of desperate panic beneath
that sheen of optimism that Bischoff has spread.

What about the WWF, the "old number one"? The WWF is hardly a good candidate,
caught as they are in a vicious cycle of dwindling talent, TV outlets, and
revenue. Despite that "New Generation" ad campaign, the WWF has nothing new
to show fans.

Or how about ECW? They are the one promotion that is aggressively, if in
scattershot fashion, trying new things. But until ECW signs its proposed pay-
cable deal--a dubious possibility at present--it is still just a vanity
production for a jewelry store owner and 800 or so loyal denizens of a Philly
bingo hall.

The USWA and SMW would be happy just to keep the markets they have, and Jim
Crockett is reduced to trying to be the next Grey Pierson or Joe Pedicino.
(No offense from me, Joe. :> --SB) At least people want to eat ice cream,
Jimbo.

The rest of the suspects come and go, from hard-core wannabes more interested
in newsletter coverage than making money, to indy promoters content to use WWF
and WCW leftovers.

A sense of futility pervades the American wrestling scene in general--a lack
of nerve and expertise that leads to the same mistakes being made and cheap
tricks being tried over and over again.

There is one American promotion, though, that shows the strength and capability
to put on high-quality shows that excite fans enough to draw consistent big
gates and create the fresh new stars the sport desperately needs. One American
promotion has consistently drawn big-money dates in the US all year long.

It is AAA, based out of Mexico City and headed by Antonio Pena, that sets the
standard for American promotions. They set the standard in workrate, effort,
and financial success. It features some of the best performers and matches
in the entire world.

You're probably groaning to yourselves right now, "You mean those little guys
in weird costumes in six-man matches who keep diving out of the ring onto these
midgets? Hey, no habla espanol, man." I can sympathize with that feeling. Those
scratchy, barely-focused promo spots WCW has been running about Lucha Libre
hardly help matters either.

But after watching AAA highlight tapes for several months, I recently flew to
the West Coast to catch a AAA TV taping in Tijuana and an IWC/AAA show in the
LA Sports Arena. I'm no expert in this style, but I can confidently state this:

AAA is the wrestling of your fevered dreams. And what can seem to be a
confusing mess in the newsletters becomes much clearer in person.

From the high-flying, split-second style of Psicosis and Rey Misterio Jr. to
the inventive athleticism of minis Espectrito and Mascarita Sagrada to the
gritty traditionalism of Perro Aguayo to the matinee idol charisma of Konnan
to the opening match heroics of the young Vagabundo, the AAA promotion put on
the best house show, match for match, I have seen in 16 years.

Before I say more, let's run down a few of the AAA stars, particularly the
ones who will be on the Nov. 6 PPV:

Konnan: He's a crossover celebrity in Mexico. Two veterans of this business
spoke in awe of watching an entire restaurant grind to a halt when Konnan
appeared on a Hispanic soap opera (I think it was one of the Univision ones
where Erik Estrada is the star, but I'm not sure--SB). Konnan is admittedly
not one of the better workers in the promotion, but has the star quality of
any wrestler on the continent. Konnan may have actually been the top babyface
in North America before his dramatic heel turn. (Note: in Part III of this
series on 11/2, Konnan will talk himself about all of this and more. Watch for
it.)

Perro Aguayo: The veteran face who the fans grew up with and still idolize.
He hardly rests on those laurels as he will climb the top rope and hit as
hard as any in the promotion. He will be featured in the cage against Konnan
in the AAA/IWC PPV main event.

Love Machine/Eddy Guerrero: Perhaps the best tag team in the world and
undoubtedly the top heels. The ring presence and wrestling ability of the core
of Los Gringos Locos (a six-man team with Konnan) may account for the wildest,
best match of the PPV. This tag team, pitted against El Hijo del Santo, the
son of legendary El Santo (who I believe is one of the few wrestlers in Mexico
who was never unmasked--SB), and Octagon (one of AAA's better all-around
wrestlers) in a double mask vs. double hair match could have drawn huge in
Mexico City.

Heavy Metal: Cited as the most talented wrestler in the promotion, he is as
good on the mat as he is in the air. He can be inconsistent, but image and
talent add to the wrestling ability of the man who could probably get over the
best for a mainstream North American promotion.

Psicosis: The wildest-looking, wildest-flying wrestler in AAA. He is on a par
with the better known Jushin Liger (and looks a lot like him, too.)

Rey Misterio Jr.: A smaller, younger, higher-flying, and more entertaining
version of Sean Waltman. He is as precise in his moves as he is fearless. Only
5-5 and 130 lbs., his size becomes an asset after watching him perform.

My notes about the Tijuana show, in fact, are spotty because I spent most of
the night holding my head in my hands, swearing and screaming "Oh my God!" as
one split-second move, bump and highspot after another exploded in front of me.

The atmosphere reminded me of Raleigh's Dorton Arena on a hot night in the
glory days of Mid-Atlantic. The fans were heated, but not out of control. The
heels ("rudos") had pockets of fans that nobody seemed to object to, and the
heels played to them instead of wasting energy trying to get them to react "the
right way".

They were too busy wrestling hard. Every wrestler on the card put his all into
every match. None of the traditional American habits of going through the
motions or holding back moves because the Hulkster doesn't like being showed
up were anywhere in evidence. There is too much competition for roster spots in
this promotion. Over 200 wrestlers are available to Pena on a given night.

And watching live, the gap between Lucha and mainstream style narrows. This
stuff is understandable to any wrestling fan. Great wrestling tells a story in
ANY language. The differences make for a better product, not a more confusing
one. For example, those ever-present six-man tags provide action that never
stops. No one just sits on the apron during these things. The two out of three
fall feature has accustomed the fans and wrestlers alike to the idea that
anyone can lose at any time, increasing the suspense at any given moment. The
concept that titles can change hands on a DQ also accomplishes that goal. And
the "tope suicida" by the likes of heavy Metal, La Parka, Misterio Jr. and
Psicosis is as hard-hitting as a Reggie White pass rush and as gracefully
precise as a Grant hill dunk.

And these are not the masochistic, injury-prone risks without reward of a
Cactus Jack or Sabu. When Misterio Jr. launches 15 feet into the air over the
floor, there is every expectation he will land safely.

When he misses, as he did when I saw him, it can be a scary sight. Psicosis
backdropped a leaping Misterio Jr. over the top rope very high, far enough so
that his opponent, La Guerza, missed catching him. Misterio Jr. flipped high
in mid-air and landed on his butt. He was stretchered from the ring. Backstage
he could barely walk and said this was the worst injury of his young career.

Two nights later, he was back in the ring in Los Angeles.

The other impressive parts of these shows are the densely plotted storylines
and ring psychology. For example, the legendary Perro Aguayo, a Bruno
Sammartino-type figure in his late 40s, who wrestles harder and better than
any WCW wrestler with the possible exception of Ric Flair, is the perennial
top face. He was in a six-man tag against El Satanico, a veteran who has seen
better days.

Now, imagine Jerry Lawler in Memphis or Hulk Hogan taking a beating in a stiff
brawl, bleeding, and then submitting in the deciding fall in the center of the
ring to a Greg Valentine (only the match is good). Now imagine Valentine
continuing the beating after the match with absolutely no comeback from the
face.

Did the fans lose faith in Perro? Hardly. They were genuinely concerned and
gave him a standing ovation. And in the meantime, Satanico's career was
revived enough so he was able to jump back to the rival EMLL promotion in
Mexico for more money. When was the last time WCW or Titan got someone hot
enough for that to happen?

The LA show was very good, but marred by the interference of IWC head Ron
Skoler. This interference has resulted in decreasing gates for the LA shows.
Skoler's insistence on using burned-out hacks like Jake Roberts, the Warlord,
or Tito Santana and oddities like the White Rabbit or Magnificent Mimi have
damaged otherwise solid shows in the US. Mimi caused the women's match she was
in to become my candidate for worst match of the year. Whatever she is, she is
no wrestler.

This is a fan base with a very specific desire to see AAA. Even the indulgence
of using EMLL star Vampiro Canadiense caused problems in the main event
because of the out-of-ring bad feelings between him and Konnan. Skoler should
just work behind the scenes to make sure the show runs smoothly (not an easy
task when dealing with AAA's braintrust) and not indulge his inane booking or
performing fantasies, like his silly feud with ECW (what's that about, anyway?
--SB). AAA/IWC drew more in one night than ECW has this year.

But there is no IWC without AAA and Antonio Pena. Skoler ought to pay attention
to make sure nobody cuts him out of a money-making equation.

Like WCW, for example. WCW has the germ of a great idea in this PPV but also
faces a real dilemma. If this thing draws any kind of a buyrate and grows into
a success, a lot of people are going toook expendable and overpaid. WCW,
however, really needs the income a series of PPVs like this could bring.

WCW apparently solved one of its problems with this show when it finally
appointed Mike Tenay and Chris Cruise to the announcing duties. Mike Tenay
follows the promotion regularly, and Cruise takes this opportunity seriously
enough to study the wrestlers and storylines. Camera angles on all the wild
action should be the show producer's biggest concern.

Whether or not WCW can successfully pull off this PPV, AAA will likely continue
to be a strong force and a source of great wrestling action in North America.
So when you watch those little ads for the AAA/IWC events, keep in mind who the
real number one is.

Or would you rather watch Hulk Hogan again?
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Tomorrow: Part II--What *is* Lucha Libre?
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"When Worlds Collide"--Sunday, November 6, 1994 at the Los Angeles Sports Arena
A AAA/IWC pay-per-view event
All matches two out of three falls

Cage Match
Konnan vs. Perro Aguayo

Double Mask vs. Double Hair
El Hijo del Santo Love Machine
vs.
Octagon Eddy Guerrero

6-man tag match

Chris Benoit La Parka
Too Cold Scorpio vs. Blue Panther
Tito Santana Jerry Estrada

6-man tag match

Heavy Metal Psicosis
Rey Misterio Jr. vs. Fuerza Guerrera
Latin Lover Louie Spicolli

Tag team minis match

Mascarita Sagrada Espectrito
vs.
Octagoncito Jerrito Estrada

Matches may be added, subtracted, or changed without notice, of course.

As always, your comments, questions and suggestions are welcome.

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Steve Black
c62...@mizzou1.missouri.edu
"I keep my ideals,
The opinions expressed here because in spite of
do not represent those of everything I still
the University of Missouri. believe that people
Although, if they thought are really good at
about it, they'd realize heart."
that I'm usually right.
:> :> --Anne Frank
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