CMLL is stacking the Friday show with title shots. Tessa Blanchard, Roderick Strong, and Thunder Rosa are in line to challenge for gold in Arena Mexico, and that’s not even the main event.
The CMLL lineup for Friday, July 31 includes:
- Leyenda de Plata: Mascara Dorada vs. Komander
- CMLL World Heavyweight Championship: Hechicero (c) vs. Roderick Strong
- CMLL Women’s World Championship: Persephone (c) vs. Tessa Blanchard
- Templario, Dragon Rojo Jr., & Star Jr. vs. Ultimo Guerrero, Barbaro Cavernario, & Zandokan Jr.
- Mexican National Women’s Championship: India Sioux (c) vs. Thunder Rosa
- Titan & Neon vs. Austin Aries & Leon Cage
- Mexico vs. Japan: Xelhua, Valiente Jr., Capitan Suicida, Fugaz, & Pantera Jr. vs. Yujiro Takahashi, Yutani, Douki, Okumura, & Shoma Kato in torneo cibernetico
The feature attraction is the Leyenda de Plata tournament final to honor El Santo. Mascara Dorada and Komander qualified last week as the last luchadores standing in an eliminator. This matchup is guaranteed to be high-octane action in a battle of the shooting star press. Dorada closes matches with that move, and Komander finishes with a rope-walking version.
Roderick Strong gets another crack at heavyweight gold. Strong previously defeated Hechicero in a #1 contender bout. Strong was unable to pry the title from Claudio Castagnoli’s finger tips. Hechicero ended up being the man for that job by dethroning Claudio. Now, Strong will have a chance to prove that first win was not a fluke, whereas Hechicero aims to show his dominance.
One of Tessa Blanchard’s goals when choosing CMLL over TNA is the world title. She will receive that opportunity to challenge Persephone. Blanchard has two recent pins over the champ in tag team and trios action. Time will tell if she can do it again when it matters most.
Thunder Rosa earned her shot for the national women’s title by surviving an eliminator. Thunder will battle India Sioux for that prize.
The card rounds out with appetizers for upcoming events. Austin Aries (MLW) and Leon Cage (Rev Pro) are getting their legs acclimated for the International Grand Prix on August 7. The trios match in the middle of the card could give hints for potential mask versus hair at the Aniversario show on September 18.
Share your thoughts and predictions for the CMLL lineup on Friday night from Arena Mexico.
