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AAA PRESENTING TRIPLEMANIA XXIV TONIGHT ON iPPV, COMPLETE PREVIEW

By Bill Bodkin on 2016-08-28 08:40:00

This Sunday the lucha libre company AAA will present its biggest show of the year -- Triplemania XXIV --  the promotion's version of Wrestlemania. This year's show has the potential to be a really fun show, and it should easily top last year's pay-per-view which was absolutely eviscerated by fans and critics alike.

As someone who watches Lucha Underground religiously, I decided to jump into AAA, the parent company of sorts of Lucha Underground, and see what it was all about. AAA's YouTube page airs all of the company's weekly television programs so I've been able to follow the company since March of this year. While I'm not fluent in Spanish, wrestling is a universal language and I've been able to follow the long build to the company's biggest show of the year. 

Here are my predictions (with some background) for this year's Triplemania.

Tag Team Match (Lucha de Parejas)

Special Referee: El Gran Apache

Faby Apache & Mary Apache vs. Averno and Chessman

Preview: Never have I seen an opening card match given so much television time. It seems like every week we see a promo or video package reminding us of this feud. In fact this match has been more developed than about 75% of this card -- no joke. But why?

 

Initially the feud was for the tag team titles. The Sisters Apache challenged, Averno & Chessman for their tag team titles, but the champs would not accept. After weeks of promos, run-ins, and scuffles everything culminated when Mary Apache tossed liquid into Averno's eyes as he setting up to finish off Jack Evans in a tag title match. The distraction allowed Evans and Angelico to hit their finisher on Averno, and take the gold. After losing the belts, Averno and Chessman accepted The Apache Sisters' challenge.

But what's at stake now? Pride? Vengeance? The prestige of a female tag team defeating a male tag team? Once you took the belts out of the picture, this match really lost its juice. Yes, they've shoe-horned longtime rudo (and the real-life dad of the sisters) El Gran Apache in as the special referee, and he's openly stated he's going to help the rudos win. But honestly, having the belts here would've been awesome, and the sisters winning the match would've been a really progressive, and creative move. Regardless, this should be a fun, gaga-filled opener.

Prediction: Mary & Faby win the match with help from either a technico turn from their dad, or interference from their step-mom Lady Apache, who they won the Lucha World Cup with this summer. 

Triplemania Cup (Copa Triplemania)

Participants: La Parka, El Eligido, Taurus, Hernandez, Pimpinela Escarlata, Hijo del Pirata Morgan, Daga, Superfly, El Zorro, Australian Suicide, Mamba and "Luchador Sopresa" (Surprise luchador).

Preview: On any major show like this there's always that multi-man match that's either going to be chaotic fun, or an absolute dumpster fire. I think this will be fun, since you have a lot of fresh faces in there mixed with some pretty daring veterans. 

La Parka and Pimpinela Escalata will provide the much needed comedy in this match. Australian Suicide will provide the "how is he not dead from that spot" move. Taurus and Hernandez will take turns being the tank of the match running through smaller opponents. Zorro will bring the requisite blood and violence. Mamba is a solid worker, but being the other exotico in the match he'll likely be the butt of Pimpinela's antics. El Eligido, Superfly, and Hilo del Pirata Morgan Jr. should be given a few spots, but will probably be fodder for the stars of the match. 

Do I have any idea who the surprise luchador will be? No, I do not. It could easily be someone on the AAA roster like El Nicho Millionario (Psychosis), Damien 666, Halloween, Bestia 666, Garza Jr., Joe Lider, or any of the sea of rookies and opening match guys they have lying about. It could also be a returning luchador, or even someone from Lucha Underground like Joey Ryan. If I had my choice, it'd be Killshot from Lucha Underground who's vastly underrated and could use some more international exposure.

Prediction: The one luchador I didn't mention was Daga, and that's because I believe he should/will win this. He's probably the most talented competitor in this match. He's also got the most immediate upside out of anyone as the new guys are still too new, and the veterans are nearing the end of their run. Plus, it looks like he has some big things lying ahead of him in Lucha Underground involvement, so why not put a rocket on his back?

4-Way for The AAA Tag Team Titles (Campeonato de Parejas)

Angelico & Jack Evans (C) vs. Paul London & Matt Cross (Son of Havoc) vs. Hijo del Fantasma (King Cuerno) & Fenix vs. Drago & Aerostar

Preview: So this match really hasn't been built at all. Evans and Angelico won the belts in a four way, thanks to interference from The Apache Sisters only a few weeks ago. Recently, they had an AWESOME, must-see match with Hjio del Fantasmo and Fenix. I mean it's something you should go find, it was great. However, the other two teams seem to be tacked on for no real reason. I mean the reason is they're all super-talented and they're going to have a great match, but there's no story here. Cross and London haven't competed on AAA television since I started watching earlier this year (roughly March), and Drago and Aerostar have repeatedly lost when competing for the belts. So it's definitely an odd build.

However, I expect this to be one of the top matches of the night, if not the match of the night.

Prediction: While I could easily see the champs retaining, I think the money is in the chase and the rudo/tehnico team of Fenix and Fantasma take the gold. They'll provide great matches, Angelico and Evans work better as sympathetic babyfaced hunting for the gold, and it'll be very interesting to see the dynamic of a rudo/tehnico team. Will either switch sides? Will there be dissension? I look forward to finding out.

AAA Latin American Title Match (El Campeonato Latino Americano AAA)

Pentagon Jr. (C) with Taya vs. Johnny Mundo

Preview: Zero build to this match. Does it need it? Absolutely not. However, the result of this match needs to be definitive -- Pentagon Jr. needs to look strong, and win decisively. If you watch Lucha Underground you might be thinking, "Doesn't he always look strong? Aren't his wins (when he gets them) decisive?" Not in AAA. Pentagon won the 2016 Rey de Reyes (King of Kings) tournament by  defeating Villano IV and La Parka -- two wrestlers passed their prime. It took outside interference, weapons, and a crooked referee for Pentagon to win this match. This is like saying it took interference, weapons, and a crooked referee for Kevin Owens to defeat current day Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, and Road Dogg. Pentagon was made to look weak yet again when it took massive interference from Pagano, for Pentagon to capture the Latin American Title from former champion Psycho Clown. Pentagon needs to look like a killer, and he needs to put Mundo away looking like a complete bad ass. If not, they're wasting a lot of potential.

The one thing that muck up the works is Taya. She's reportedly going to be in the corner of her Perros del Mal stablemate Pentagon. However, we all know she runs with Mundo in Lucha Underground. We could easily see Taya turn on Pentagon as she's become extremely stale (from a creative perspective -- she's aces in the ring) in AAA over the course of this year.

Prediction: Pentagon retains despite heavy, heavy interference from both Mundo's "Sons of Trump" buddies, and Perros del Mal. However, don't rule out Taya turning things in Mundo's favor.

Lucha Underground Trios Match

Rey Mysterio Jr., Prince Puma (Ricochet) & El Dragon Azteca Jr. vs. Mil Muertes (Mesias), Mantanza Cueto & Marty "The Moth" Martinez

Preview: Again, there's been no build-up for this match on AAA TV. In fact, the only person in the match that's even on their TV (regularly) is Mil Muertes -- but he wrestles as Mesias not Mil Muertes. But, look at this match. Does it really need any build-up? If you watch Lucha Underground regularly you know how awesome all six of these men are in the ring. This will be a classic athletic big men vs. extreme high flyer trios match. Sit back, relax, and just enjoy this one.

Prediction: Sorry, there's no way Rey's team doesn't win. I mean this Rey Mysterio in Mexico, he's gotta win.

AAA Megacampeon Title Match

Texano Jr. (C) vs. Brian Cage vs. Dr. Wagner Jr.

Preview: This match is intriguing. The build began when Texano was recruited by Mesias to be part of his Team Trump/Sons of Trump unit. Texano refused because he loves Mexico and its people -- like any good technico would do. So Mesias recruited Cage, who had a successful run as pro-Trump/anti-Mexico rudo last year to come in and help lay waste to Texano. Of course, it's ironic that a guy who's name translates to The Texan is fighting against the a group of Americans. Mesias and Cage have gone on to recruit Johnny Mundo and Hernandez to their camp, while "Team AAA/Mexico" has consisted of Texano, Psycho Clown, La Parka...and Dr. Wagner Jr. 

And this is where things get interesting. Wagner has been on Texano's side, but the good doctor also wants Texano's belt. Wagner is crazy over with the crowds. Texano, who I'm a big fan of, hasn't had the most interesting title run since grabbing the belt from Mesias (they fought for the belt after Alberto del Rio vacated). As for Cage -- he's hated by the AAA crowd, and he's really at the top of his in-ring game right now. This has the potential of being a really good brawl, but triple threats are a fickle mistress, and we don't know how these three will gel in the ring.

Prediction: This is a pick 'em. If it were up to me, I think they should put the belt on Cage, and really play up the intense heat he has right now. The promotion has a promotion in October, they could totally build towards a Cage/Wagner match which would be a money feud. 

Hair vs. Mask Match:

Psycho Clown vs. Pagano 

Preview: So this evolved from a weird place. Pagano debuted as a part of La Familia Fronteriza (which consists of Damian 666, Nicho el Millinario/Psychosis, and Halloween) to feud with Pentagon Jr.'s Perros del Mal. The conflict here is that most of the Familia members were original members of Perros del Mal - the stable and promotion run by the late Perro Agauyo Jr. The group went on to wrestle The Psycho Circus (Psycho Clown, Murder Clown, Monster Clown) in what seemed like a bridge feud to establish them as a killer unit and legit challengers to Perros. Instead, the evil clown Pagano, and the uber popular Psycho Clown began feuding...in the bloodiest way possible. The two have engaged in some crazy ECW bloodbaths, including a "bull terrier" match last week. The matches have been fun, and if you miss blood in wrestling, these matches are for you. (Side note -- there are way too many luchadors with a clown gimmick in AAA -- there's at least six).

So in grand lucha tradition the only way to blow off this feud is a "Luchas de Apuestas" match -- or a bet match. This bet match will be a hair versus mask match, and in Mexico these are some of the most high stakes matches in the sport.

Prediction:  The result here is a little too obvious as Psycho Clown wins this one. Here's why the results are obvious -- 1. Psycho Clown has lost every single match the two have had -- logic dictates he wins it at AAA's biggest show of the year, and in a high stakes match. 2. The stakes are kind of ridiculous -- Pagano has a sloppy mohawk, so it wouldn't be shocking if he lost his hair because he doesn't have a lot. This isn't like AJ Styles, or Seth Rollins getting their head shaved. 3. Psycho Clown has one of the most popular masks in AAA -- kids wear them at shows all the time. Do you really think AAA is going to give up on a merchandise cash cow like this? 

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