What's Happening?
Hechicero, the CMLL World Heavyweight Champion, secured a victory over AEW TNT Champion Darby Allin at CMLL’s Día de Muertos: Rey del Inframundo event held at Arena Mexico on Friday night. This marked Darby Allin's official CMLL debut, although he had
previously wrestled at Arena Mexico during AEW Grand Slam Mexico in August. Hechicero pinned Allin following a guillotine leg drop. Allin paid tribute to the late Benjamin Satterley, also known as PAC, by having his ring name 'The Bastard' written on his skateboard during his entrance. This win allowed Hechicero to avenge his prior loss to Allin from the October 14 edition of AEW Collision, which was both a TNT title match and a Clockwork Carnage qualifying match. The two wrestlers had also been on opposing sides in a trios match at Grand Slam Mexico, where Allin, Místico, and Chris Jericho defeated Hechicero, Kazuchika Okada, and Kevin Knight.
Why It's Important?
This match signifies a notable crossover event between two prominent wrestling promotions, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) from the U.S. and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) from Mexico. The defeat of an active AEW champion by a CMLL champion in a CMLL event highlights the growing trend of inter-promotional collaboration and competition in professional wrestling. For AEW, it demonstrates a willingness to expose its champions to international competition, potentially broadening its global appeal and fan base. For CMLL, hosting a match with a recognized U.S. champion elevates the prestige of its events and showcases its talent on a larger stage. The outcome also adds a layer of competitive narrative, as Hechicero's victory avenges a previous loss, building anticipation for potential future encounters between the two wrestlers or promotions. Such collaborations can lead to increased viewership, merchandise sales, and overall interest in professional wrestling across different markets.
What's Next?
The victory by Hechicero over Darby Allin could set the stage for future inter-promotional matches or storylines between AEW and CMLL. Given the competitive nature of their recent encounters, including the avenged loss for Hechicero, there is potential for a rematch, possibly in an AEW ring, which would further deepen the collaboration between the two promotions. Such a development could lead to more talent exchanges, allowing wrestlers from both companies to gain exposure and experience in different wrestling styles and environments. Fans might anticipate more crossover events, potentially leading to new rivalries or alliances that transcend individual promotions. The continued interaction between AEW and CMLL could also influence booking decisions and championship storylines in both companies, creating a more dynamic and interconnected professional wrestling landscape.
Beyond the Headlines
The increasing frequency of inter-promotional matches, such as the one between Darby Allin and Hechicero, reflects a significant shift in the professional wrestling industry. Historically, promotions often operated in isolation, viewing other companies as direct competitors rather than potential collaborators. However, the modern wrestling landscape, driven by global media and fan demand, is embracing more open partnerships. This trend not only offers fresh matchups and storylines for fans but also provides wrestlers with opportunities to showcase their skills to diverse audiences and adapt to different wrestling traditions, like Lucha Libre. The tribute paid by Allin to PAC also underscores the camaraderie and respect among professional wrestlers, even across different promotions, and highlights the cultural aspects and historical lineage within the sport. This evolving dynamic could lead to a more unified and globally integrated professional wrestling ecosystem, blurring traditional boundaries between promotions.
