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NXT
AAA Words Collide
Lucha
Lbre
WWE
announces acquisition of leading Mexican Lucha Libre
promotion AAA
Lucha
Libre AAA Worldwide
Pro
Wrestling/Lucha Libre
WWE
x NXT x Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide
Worlds
Collide
June
7, 2025
Kia
Forum
Inglewood, California
Legado
Del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Angel and Berto) vs
El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr, Pangano and Psycho Clown
Chad
Gable vs El Hijo del Vikingo - AAA Mega Title
Ethan
Page vs Je'Von Evans vs Laredo Kid vs Rey Fenix -
Fatal 4-Way - NXT North American Title
Stephanie
Vaquer and Lola Vice vs Chick Tormenta and Dalys
and
more
*Card
subject to change
Streaming
on YouTube
Media
Man: Pumped. Ariba! Let's FKN Go!
WWE
announces acquisition of leading Mexican Lucha Libre
promotion AAA
April
21, 2025 – WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings, has
announced its acquisition of leading Mexican lucha
libre promotion AAA in partnership with Mexico-based
sports and entertainment holding company, Fillip.
The
announcement was made in Las Vegas during the WrestleMania
41 Saturday Countdown show with WWE Chief Content
Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque, Fillip’s
Chairman Alberto Fasja, AAA’s Marisela Peña
and Dorian Roldán Peña, alongside talent
including WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio and El Hijo
Del Vikingo.
Additionally,
Worlds Collide was announced to take place at the
Kia Forum in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 7 at 12pm
PT featuring WWE Superstars alongside stars of AAA.
AAA
was founded in 1992 by Antonio Peña and has
been a family-operated business for more than 30 years,
with some of the greatest talent in lucha libre history,
including Eddie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio and Penta,
calling AAA home throughout their careers. The Peña
family will continue to be involved in the next chapter
of the AAA business alongside WWE and Fillip.
“AAA
has a rich cultural heritage with some of the most
passionate fans in the world and it’s an honor
to work with the Peña family to embark on this
journey,” said Levesque. “By bringing together
WWE’s global capabilities and AAA’s amazing
tradition, we look forward to an exciting future filled
with new opportunities.”
“We
look forward to partnering with WWE and TKO on this
venture to secure the future of AAA for fans and to
help take this business to the next level,” said
Fillip Co-Founder and Co-CEO Hugo López-Velarde.
“AAA
has been a family-operated promotion for over three
decades and our trust could not be better placed than
with one of the biggest sports entertainment businesses
in the world,” said AAA General Manager Dorian
Roldán Peña.
The
transaction is subject to the satisfaction of customary
closing conditions and is expected to close in Q3
2025.
For
more information on Worlds Collide including the opportunity
to sign up for exclusive news and offers visit: https://www.wwe.com/presale-registration-wwe-la-2025
Media
Man
News/Profile
Lucha
Libre
Lucha
libre is a vibrant form of professional wrestling
originating from Mexico, known for its high-flying
maneuvers, colorful masks, and dramatic storytelling.
Wrestlers, called luchadores, often wear elaborate
masks that represent their identity, with losing a
mask in a lucha de apuestas (bet match) being a major
storyline event. Key promotions like Consejo Mundial
de Lucha Libre (CMLL) and Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide
showcase stars such as Místico, Rey Mysterio,
and Blue Demon. The sport blends athleticism, theater,
and cultural elements like Aztec symbolism, with signature
moves like the hurricanrana and tope suicida. It’s
deeply rooted in Mexican pop culture, influencing
art, film, and even fashion.
Lucha
libre promotions are organizations that stage professional
wrestling events, primarily in Mexico, but also globally,
showcasing the sport’s signature high-flying
style, masked wrestlers, and dramatic narratives.
Below is an overview of the major lucha libre promotions,
focusing on their history, significance, and current
status, based on available information:
Major
Lucha Libre Promotions
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL)
Founded: 1933, as Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre
(EMLL), renamed CMLL in 1991.
Base:
Mexico City, Mexico.
Significance:
The oldest active wrestling promotion in the world,
often called the "mother ship" of lucha
libre. Known for its traditional approach, emphasizing
technical wrestling and long-term storytelling.
Key
Events: CMLL Anniversary Show (the longest-running
annual wrestling event), Torneo Gran Alternativa,
Leyenda de Plata.
Notable
Luchadores: El Santo, Blue Demon, Místico,
Volador Jr., Atlantis.
Venues:
Arena México (the "cathedral of lucha
libre") and Arena Coliseo.
Current
Status: Remains a dominant force, with weekly shows
and international partnerships, including New Japan
Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). Streams events on YouTube and
retains a loyal fanbase.Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide
(AAA)
Founded: 1992, by Antonio Peña after splitting
from CMLL.
Base:
Mexico City, Mexico.
Significance:
Known for its flashy, modern style, incorporating
more extreme elements and pop culture influences.
AAA popularized events like lucha de apuestas and
intergender matches.
Key
Events: Triplemanía (AAA’s flagship event,
akin to WrestleMania), Rey de Reyes, Guerra de Titanes.
Notable
Luchadores: Rey Mysterio, Psicosis, Pentagon Jr.,
La Parka, Fénix.
Current
Status: A major player with a focus on global outreach,
including U.S. events and partnerships with All Elite
Wrestling (AEW). Known for TV presence on networks
like Televisa and streaming platforms.International
Wrestling Revolution Group (IWRG)
Founded: 1996.
Base:
Naucalpan, Mexico.
Significance:
A smaller but influential promotion focusing on gritty,
innovative lucha libre, often featuring younger talent
and hardcore wrestling styles.
Key
Events: Festival de las Máscaras, Guerra de
Empresas, Caravana de Campeones.
Notable
Luchadores: Dr. Cerebro, Trauma I, Trauma II.
Current
Status: Operates primarily in Arena Naucalpan, with
a cult following. Less mainstream than CMLL or AAA
but respected for nurturing talent.The Crash Lucha
Libre
Founded: 2011.
Base:
Tijuana, Mexico.
Significance:
A regional promotion gaining prominence for its blend
of traditional lucha libre and American-style wrestling,
attracting international talent.
Key
Events: Annual anniversary shows, The Crash Cruiserweight
Championship tournaments.
Notable
Luchadores: Bandido, Rey Horus, Bestia 666.
Current
Status: Active with a growing U.S. presence, particularly
in Southern California. Collaborates with indie promotions
globally.Other Notable Promotions
Promociones Dorado (Lucha Libre Elite): Active in
the 2010s, it aimed to rival CMLL and AAA but has
since scaled back. Known for briefly featuring stars
like Rush and La Máscara.
Chilanga
Mask: A small, independent promotion focusing on hardcore
and technical wrestling, popular among niche fans.
Lucha
Memes: A Mexico-based indie promotion blending lucha
libre with other wrestling styles, known for unique
match concepts.
Toryumon
México: A smaller promotion linked to Japan’s
Dragon Gate, focusing on young luchadores and international
exchanges.International Influence
United States: Promotions like Lucha Libre USA, Pro
Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG), and Major League Wrestling
(MLW) feature lucha libre stars. AAA and The Crash
run shows in border states.
Japan:
CMLL’s partnership with NJPW brings luchadores
to events like Fantastica Mania. Japanese promotions
like Dragon Gate and DDT Pro-Wrestling incorporate
lucha elements.
Global
Reach: AEW and Impact Wrestling regularly feature
luchadores from AAA, while WWE has showcased talents
like Rey Mysterio and Andrade.Notes
Cultural Impact: Promotions preserve lucha libre’s
traditions (e.g., masks, rudos vs. técnicos)
while adapting to modern audiences through social
media and streaming.
Challenges:
Smaller promotions face financial struggles and competition
from CMLL and AAA. Talent often moves to U.S. or Japanese
promotions for better pay.
Recent
Trends: As of 2025, CMLL and AAA continue to dominate,
with AAA expanding internationally and CMLL focusing
on tradition. Indie promotions like The Crash are
carving out niches.
El
Grande Americano
WWE
Speed Champion
El
Grande Americano is back to reclaim his title as the
greatest luchador of all time.
Hailing
from the Gulf of America, El Grande Americano quickly
rose to the top of the industry and was the face of
lucha libre for decades, but he was later blackballed
by his jealous enemies. Or so he claims.
El
Grande Americano disappeared without a trace but has
now returned to bring glory and honor back to the
sport he loves.
Bio
(WWE.com)
Pro
Wrestling Dream Matches: Lucha Mania; Fantasy Booking
Mexico/South
American vs USA
In
a WWE Ring
Penta
vs Rey Mysterio - 2/3 Falls
"The
Punisher " Damian Priest vs Santos Escobar vs
Tony D'Angelo - Street Fight For Control Of Street
Trade!
America's
Most Wanted (Dirty Dominik Mysterio and Logan Paul)
vs El Generico and Karrion Kross
LWO
vs Del Fantasma - La Catrina Cinematic -Special Enforcer:
Karrion Kross
Non
Sanctioned:
Fenix
vs El Generico - Mexican Saloon Match
Charlotte
Flair vs The Spider vs Star vs Tessa Blanchard - Submission
Match
Lopez
vs Rosa - For A WWE Contract!
Santos
vs The Phantom
Mil
Mascaras vs Mr X vs Mr Wrestling
Bad
Bunny vs Cody Rhodes vs Logan Paul vs Karrion Kross
Team
Nacho Libre vs Team Bad Bunny
Savage
vs Spider-Man - Cage Match
The
Invaders vs The Blackjacks - Border Crossing Stipulation!
Cinematic Match!
Profiles
Lucha
libre (Spanish for "free wrestling"
or free fighting) is a term used in Mexico and
other Spanish-speaking areas referring to a form
of professional wrestling involving varied techniques
and moves. Outside of these areas, the term is
synonymous with the professional wrestling performers
in Mexico and other Latin American countries.
Mexican wrestling is characterized by rapid sequences
of holds and moves, as well as High-Flying Moves,
some of which have been adopted in the United
States, and colorful masks. Lucha libre performers
are known as luchadores (singular luchador).
In
the media and popular culture
A
fanciful take on the lucha libre concept can be seen
in the animated cartoon ¡Mucha Lucha!
The motion picture Nacho Libre stars Jack Black as
a priest-turned-luchador (somewhat similar to the
real-life lucha libre personality Fray Tormenta, aka
Father Sergio Gutiérrez Benítez).
Nike has designed a line of lucha libre inspired athletic
shoes.
Coca-Cola developed a Blue Demon Full Throttle energy
drink named after the famous luchador.
In 2007, Cartoon Network produced an animated series
based on the luchador El Santo.
The Nashville-based Anglo band Los Straitjackets adopted
luchador masks as part of their stage show in the
mid-1990s, and have since acquired a large Mexican
following.
Rob Zombie's upcoming animated film The Haunted World
of El Superbeasto stars a Mexican luchador named El
Superbeasto.
Luchadores have become a staple in many fighting games,
characters include:
King & Armor King from Tekken
Raiden from Fatal Fury
Ramon & Tizoc from The King of Fighters
Lisa from Dead or Alive
El Blaze from Virtua Fighter
Rainbow Mika from Street Fighter Alpha 3
El Fuerte from Street Fighter IV
Doctor Eggman, the main antagonist in the Sonic the
Hedgehog series, wrestles as "El Gran Gordo"
in the Sonic X comic series.
The comic Sonambulo revolves around a crime fighting
luchador who possesses supernatural powers.
The comic Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man includes
a storyline titled "Masks" (issues #6-7)
which discusses the lucha libre world.
The martial arts manga Tenjho Tenge includes a character
named Koji Sagara who fights in the lucha libre style.
In the manga History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi,
the Smiling Steel Fist Diego Carlos, a member of Yami,
and his disciple Castor are both practitioners of
Lucha Libre.
Suda 51, game developer and head of Grasshopper Studios
is known for his fascination of Lucha Libre and often
includes them in his game, such as the character MASK
de Smith in Killer 7 and the collectible Lucha Libre
masks in No More Heroes.
The anime Air Master features a luchador style character
called Lucha Master.
Raz from the game Psychonauts fights four different
Lucha Libre wrestlers during the Black Velvetopia
level of the game.
In the online cartoon series Homestar Runner, Strong
Bad wears a luchador mask, and is referred to as a
"wrestleman." Humorously, when once asked
if he takes off his mask and boxing gloves off before
he goes to bed, he responds with, "Well, that's
a dumb question. Do you take your face and hands off
before you go to bed?"
The ABC Family television show The Middleman episode
entitled "the sino-Mexican revelation" features
luchadores.
The American horror movie Wrestlemaniac is centered
around the story of an insane luchador with abnormal
strength; the titular villain is played by actual
lucha libre wrestler Rey Mysterio Sr.
The lucha film Mil Mascaras vs. the Aztec Mummy stars
luchador Mil Mascaras with appearance by many other
famous luchadores such as, El Hijo del Santo, Dos
Caras, Huracan Ramirez, Blue Demon Jr, and others
The WB television series Angel episode entitled "The
Cautionary Tale of Numero Cinco" told the story
of a family of luchadores called "Los Hermanos
Numeros" who also fought evil. Angel must help
the remaining brother, Numero Cinco, defeat the Aztec
warrior-demon that killed his four brothers.
On the show Gaki no Tsukai Tanaka Naoki always falls
prey to his comedy partner's (Endo Shozo antics as
"Dynamite Shikoku" during the No Laughing
Batsu game resulting in some sort of painful punishment.
Endo wears a large black wig with the usual colourful
mask and tight blue wrestling pants.
In Demashita! Powerpuff Girls Z, Karou's father is
a luchador. (Credit:
Wikipedia)
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