WrestleMania Weekend is not only the biggest night of the year for the WWE but it has become one of the biggest nights of the year for many independent and international promotions, as well.
This year will be no different with wrestling stars and promotions from all over the world descending on Dallas, TX for a weekend of wild action. Also this year, the world of Lucha Libre will have possibly its biggest presence during WrestleMania weekend.
Many of the top stars – including a number of lucha legends – from Mexico will be competing throughout the weekend of events, including a number of events put on by lucha promotions and promoters.
AAA will be holding its first full-fledged American event since its Madison Square Garden show back in 2019. “AAA Invades WrestleCon” will see the stars of the Mexican promotion founded by Antonio Pena put on an event at the Fairmont Hotel in Dallas on March 31 at 5 p.m. streamed live on FITE.
AEW’s FTR will defend their AAA Tag Team Titles against the NWA’s Strictly Business, consisting of Chris (Masters) Adonis and Thom (Bram) Latimer. Also, Psycho Clown will face Impact’s Black Taurus in one-on-one action and Laredo Kid will defend his AAA Cruiserweight Title in a high-flying three-way against Bandido and Flamita.
In trios action, Pagano, Drago Kid and Jack Carthweel will face Gringo Loco, Puma King & Sam Adonis, while Bestia 666 and Mecha Wolf of La Rebelion will defend their NWA Tag Team Titles against Aerostar and Drago. In another trios match, Octagon Jr., Aramis and Mr. Iguana will face off against Fabi Apache, Abismo Negro and Arez. Also, Taya Valkyrie will team with Nino Hamburguesa and Micro Man against Mini Abismo Negro, La Hiedra and Rey Escorpion.
Over the past year, Major League Wrestling has rekindled the fire of Lucha Underground with the “Azteca Underground” storyline that has even seen “El Jefe” Dario Cueto, now known as Cesar Duran, return. On April 1, MLW will host a special “Azteca Underground” card that will be taped for TV at Gilley’s in Dallas.
In trios action, Alexander Hammerstone will team with the Von Erichs – Kevin Von Erich’s sons – against King Muertes (Mil Muertes/El Mesias), Richard Holliday and Mads Krugger. The former Enzo Amore will also face KC Navarro and Bandido will face off with his former partner Flamita in singles action. The “Suplex Assassin” Alex Kane will defend his MLW National Openweight Title in a 4-Way against Puma King, ACH and Myron Reed.
Aramis will face Gino Medina in a Mexican Strap Match, Chika Tormenta will battle Holidead and Matt Cross (who wrestled as Son of Havoc in Lucha Underground) faces Octagon Jr.. Also, in trios action Aerostar teams with El Dragon and Microman against Arez, Mini Abismo Negro and a mystery partner. In the Main Event, the legendary L.A. Park will face Jacob Fatu – of the Anao’i Family –in an Azteca Apocalypto Match, which will be a No Holds Barred Match.
Game Changer Wrestling has become one of the top independent promotions in America over the last few years and GCW star Gringo Loco will be hosting his “Gring Loco’s The WRLD on Lucha” event on April 1 at 7:30 p.m. in The Embarcadero Building in Dallas. In a very GCW match, death match luchadora Sadika will face Pagano. Also, the legendary Psicosis will make his first American appearance this year against Tony Deppen in singles action.
In a six-way “Lucha Scramble,” Aeroboy will face off with Golden Dragon, Shane Mercer, Octagon Jr., Drago Kid and Chris Carter. AR Fox and Ninja Mack will also look to steal the show in singles action, while Gringo Loco leads his trio including Flamita and Abismo Negro Jr. against Laredo Kid, NSF & Rey Horus. Also, Johnny Caballero (aka John Morrison/Johnny Mundo/Johnny Impact) will face Jack Cartwheel and the legendary Dr. Wagner Jr. faces off with AAA’s Psycho Clown.
Martinez Entertainment is a promotion that has been running lucha events in the Dallas and Fort Worth area for years and will hold “Lucha Leyendas” on April 1 in Arlington, TX at the Upper 90 Soccer Center featuring some of the top current luchadors in Mexico along with a number of legends.
The only match that has been confirmed for “Lucha Leyendas” is a tag team match that will see legends collide as El Hijo del Santo teams with Ultimo Dragon against Hijo del Fishman and Shocker. Also scheduled to appear on the card is Rayo de Jalisco Jr., Pimpinela Escarlata, Faby Apache, Crazy Boy (Super Crazy’s cousin), former Impact star Extreme Tiger (Tigre Uno), Mecha Wolf 450, Mr. Iguana, Aerostar, Psycho Clown, Laredo Kid, Drago, Black Taurus, Arez and more.
Lucha Maniaks – a promotion based out of Laredo – will host an event on April 2 in Arlington, as well. At the Lucha Maniaks event, Black Taurus will face ACH, Cuervo faces Tony Deppen and Rey Leon defends the IWC Legacy Cruiserweight Title against Mr. Leo.
Also, there will be an 8-Man Tag featuring Arez and Mini Abismo Negro along with a 4-Way featuring Myron Reed, Aeroboy, Tristen Thai and Black Destiny. A trios will also see former WWE star Lince Dorado team with ASF and Aramis against Gringo Loco, Decimus and Juventud Aerea.
In addition to the full blown lucha cards Mania Weekend, a number of luchadors will also compete on other cards. At MLW’s “Intimidation Games” on March 31, Arez and Gino Medina will challenge EJ Nduka and Calvin Tankman for the MLW Tag Team Titles. Also on March 31, Bandido will face Impact’s Mike Bailey at WrestleCon’s “Mark Hitchcock Memorial SuperShow in Dallas.
Chavo Guerrero Jr. will face Gino Medina on April 1 at Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling event in Irving. Lince Dorado will face Impact/AAA star Black Taurus at Zicky Dice’s “Trouble In Paradise” 2 on April in Dallas, while Bandido will look to become the undisputed ROH World Heavyweight Champion against Jonathan Gresham at ROH’s “Supercard of Honor” on April 1.
At WrestleCon’s “USA vs. The World” on April 2, the trios of Aeroboy, Aramis and Arez will face Gringo Loco, Flip Gordon and Caleb Konley. Also, Rey Horus and Bandido will team up against The Workhorsemen of AEW. Finally, Bandido will face ASF and the NWA Tag Team Champions Bestia 666 and Mecha Wolf 666 will collide in a singles match at TexasMania III in Arlington.