AAA is rocking on the way to the Noche de los Grandes event on May 30 from Monterrey, Mexico. The feature attraction is mask versus mask between El Grande Americano and Original Grande Americano. Let’s catch up on the storylines with the contract signing, Andrea Bazarte getting fired, Mini Vikingo scoring the upset win over Hijo del Vikingo, Fenix ruffling feathers over the AAA Cruiserweight Championship, Psycho Clown accusing Pagano of treachery, and more.
El Grande Americano vs. Original Grande Americano
AAA has done a fantastic job building this heated rivalry from the seeds in WWE. If you only watch WWE, then be aware that the alignments have flipped. Even though El Grande Americano (allegedly Ludwig Kaiser) arrived as a rudo in Mexico, he was a huge fan favorite from day one. AAA reacted accordingly to pave the way for a tecnico turn. By the time Original Grande Americano (allegedly Chad Gable) returned from injury, OGA was now a huge heel trying to take back his identity from EGA.
Original Grande Americano displayed dastardly behavior each week. OGA stole EGA’s spot in El Rey de Reyes tournament, which EGA ended up winning. OGA also stole the sacred Rey de Reyes sword. OGA beat up the beloved Pimpinela Escarlata and local celebrities. After interviewer Andrea Bazarte slapped OGA to save a blind comedian, OGA took menacing steps toward her. That’s when EGA ran out for a donnybrook of a brawl and demanded mask versus mask. That save also played into the rumors of EGA dating Bazarte in real life.
AAA continued to lay on the rudo heat for OGA. EGA teamed with legend Texano Jr. for tag team action. AAA did a good job with video packages throughout the night to present Texano as a big deal, for those newer viewers who were unaware. That payoff was tag team victory, then EGA exited the ring out of respect for Texano to soak in the crowd’s praise. OGA ran in from the backside for a cheap shot ankle lock on Texano.
That brings us to the latest episode of AAA TV (video) with even more tricks up OGA’s sleeve. Both men were set for the mask versus mask contract signing, however, OGA had a few conditions. First was a no-physicality agreement until the big match. If either luchador attacks the other, then the attacker will have his mask removed immediately. EGA was game and signed on the dotted line. There was one more condition. OGA claimed an unsafe working environment and demanded that Andrea be fired for her violence against him. The crowd was angry, but they wanted Andrea and EGA to kiss. OGA taunted EGA to hit him. Andrea calmed EGA. If this is what needs to happen for EGA to take the mask of OGA, then she will abide. OGA signed the contract. Even though there was no physicality between them, that didn’t mean there was no physicality at all. OGA hatched a trap for the Creed Brothers to slam EGA though a table. Glorious contract signing violence! Bravo and Rayo came in for the save as the villains exited the ring.
AAA is hitting all the right notes to create an epic atmosphere for mask versus mask. This has match of the year potential and is already in consideration for feud of the year. I hope WWE honors the lucha libre tradition in the post-match ceremony where the loser reveals their full name, hometown, and years as a professional wrestler. The whole idea of imposter luchadores is funny, and part of making it work is leaning into the serious elements with respect. That’s why El Grande Americano has gotten so over in Mexico.
Hijo del Vikingo vs. Mini Vikingo
Hijo del Vikingo has been a gem as a heel. I never expected him to be so natural at it. Vikingo was a fan favorite, but the fans turned on him through no fault of his own. AAA adjusted with a rudo turn and aligning Vikingo with power hungry Dorian Roldan. The giant Omos is the muscle of El Ojo faction. Every heel needs that heroic thorn in their side, and that’s the role of Mini Vikingo.
Vikingo was angry that Mini stole his name, so he instigated a beatdown to send the 18-year-old to the hospital. Mini returned to thwart Vikingo’s effort at taking the AAA Mega Championship from Dominik Mysterio, then he doubled down to cost Vikingo in the loss to Penta for the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
Vikingo wrestled Mini on the latest episode of AAA TV. Vikingo bullied the younger luchador around the ring. It was a total mismatch until it wasn’t. After being powerbombed on stage, Mini rallied for an amazing corkscrew dive into a crucifix driver on the floor. I’ve never seen that done before.
Mini had another amazing move on the finish to pin Vikingo off a phoenix 630 senton. The win was far from clean. WWE embraced AAA’s tendency to go full Whack-A-Mole. For added context, Dorian Roldan set up a Latin American title shot for Vikingo to challenge El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. at Noche de los Grandes. The Mini match had a ref bump when Vikingo tossed Mini in an overhead suplex colliding onto the official. Mini scored a hurricanrana pin, however, the referee was still out. Vikingo clobbered Mini on a lariat and followed for an avalanche uranage, on which he may have suffered an injury. Vikingo had bad intentions with a chair. That’s when Wagner arrived for the save to plant Vikingo with a Wagner Driver onto the chair. This set up Mini to land his finisher for the win. There was even more chaos after the bout. Omos came down to deliver pain to Mini and Wagner. Galeno del Mal, who is Wagner’s brother, arrived to help on a double clothesline to send Omos packing from the ring.
Vikingo versus Mini showcased Vikingo’s top tier potential as a heel. He was ruthless against the smaller opponent. When Vikingo has to fight a bigger man, that’s where Omos comes in to help. It is a simple and effective dynamic. I thought the call for Mini to win here was premature. Vikingo eats a loss right before his title shot. Mini’s success feels rushed in the feud, and all the funny business makes the win hollow for a babyface.
Fenix eyeing the AAA Cruiserweight Championship
At Rey de Reyes, the cruiserweight division put on a show of athleticism. Just look at this sequence from Jack Cartwheel, Dragon Lee, and TJ Perkins. Definitely watch this match (video) in full if you enjoy flippy goodness (highlights).
Laredo Kid was victorious in that four-way to keep the cruiserweight title. Fenix arrived to the ring after the match, and it was clear that his eyes were on gold. Laredo went on to lose the champion versus champion duel (non-title) against Wagner, so he was already in a bad mood when accusing Fenix of jealousy. That led to a non-title singles bout between Laredo and Fenix. Laredo had control, then he mocked Cero Miedo. Fenix sprang up for an uppercut and executed a spinning musclebuster to win.
This match was as entertaining as expected given the talent involved. Surely it will lead to a proper title bout, so they should have an even greater match coming soon.
Rift between tag team champions
Psycho Clown and Pagano are the reigning tag team champions in AAA, but their partnership may combust very soon. There is an ongoing storyline of backstage attacks sending members of the Psycho Circus to the hospital. Psycho is starting to suspect Pagano as the culprit.
The title defense against the War Raiders ended in a no-contest when the referee lost control of the action and was shoved on his butt. The next step was Psycho fighting Ivar one-on-one. That contest had a ref bump, and Erik double-teamed Psycho for a chokeslam to help Ivar win. Psycho was angry that his partner was late to the party. They argued backstage, then Psycho found Murder Clown beat down. Pagano’s kerchief was left behind as a hint of the perpetrator.
If it’s not Pagano, I don’t know who the reveal will be. And therein lies the intrigue. On top of that, we have to question how much longer will Psycho and Pagano be able to keep the tag titles if they become a dysfunctional duo.
There are a handful more stories brewing in AAA. La Catalina defected in free agency from CMLL to ruin Flammer’s Reina de Reinas Championship celebration. Catalina has her eye on taking the title. AAA aired a video of Catalina meeting Jon Cena at WrestleMania.
La Hiedra failed again at taking the AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship from Mr. Iguana and Lola Vice. This time, Hiedra’s partner was Dinamico.
Marisela Peña announced that AAA will name a new general manager. Dorian Roldan wants the job as a power play, and JBL is throwing his name into consideration.
Share your thoughts on the storylines from AAA. Which angles are hitting for you?