Puerto Rico Wrestling

[El Boricua]

Interviews for Three King's Day Match (+ Giant Warrior vs. Galán Mendoza & El Exótico)

 

 

Another Giant Warror match! If anyone asks you to describe Giant Warrior, just say he's a very tall Jerry Flynn lookalike with facial hair, face paint and arm tassels. Afterwards we get comments from the Texas Hangmen and Invader 1 and his partner Bronco 1. Wait, where's TNT? Well, during the match on Christmas day, TNT was bloodied to the point were he had to be taken back to the lcoker room. This left Invader by himself against the Hangmen. Invader tried to fight them off but he was overpowered. Before the Hangmen could really do some damage, Bronco 1 came out to help Invader and helped fight the Hangmen off. Now he's teaming with Invader. This was done so TNT could transition into a feud with the returning Original TNT (Action Jackson in a restart of a prematurely aborted feud between them in 1989). It also gave the rub to recent newcomer El Bronco by being involved in this hot feud. A clip of Bronco making the save in this match can be seen in a feud recap video that will be posted later on.

 

El Profe (at 2:16): On January 6th (Three Kings' Day) it will be war. Many expect the Magi, but the Texas Hangmen await Invader 1 and Bronco 1 to finish them off.

 

The Hangmen speak and El Profe translates. We then get comments from Invader 1 and Bronco 1.

 

Hugo (at 3:41): With us the number 1 contender's to the World tag titles, Invader 1 and from the Dominican Republic, the Dominican champion and Caribbean champion Bronco 1. They challenge the Texas Hangmen for the World tag titles, but this is more than a title match, this is something personal. What's going to happen Bronco 1?

 

Bronco: Look, the 6th in Bayamon, you have to be paying attention to what's going to happen. Invader 1 and Bronco 1 are not just going for the World tag titles, but are also going after the heads of the Texas Hangmen. Danger Texas Hangmen, look at what Invader has in his hands., the bullrope that hurt Invader. Let me tell you one thing Hangmen, your heads, besides the titles you are going to lose, your heads are going through this noose. Danger Texas Hangmen, danger January 6th in Bayamon.

 

Hugo: Wow, Invader 1 your comments.

 

Invader: Bronco's already said it all. We are going to do everything possible. The Dominican champion, the Caribbean champion and now we are going after the World tag titles. And we are going to do everything possible to become the new champs, and especially because we have this bullrope, which has caused a lot of damage here in Puerto Rico. So Profe, tell your boys that they better be really prepared, because on January 6th we are going to do everything in our power to become the new World tag champs.

 

Hugo: Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic united in search of the World tag title.

 

The January 6th card is as follows (man, again at the Loubriel!):

 

No DQ for the still held up Universal title: Carlos Colon vs. Greg Valentine

World Tag Team Titles: The Texas Hangmen © vs. Invader 1 & Bronco 1

Grudge Match: Giant Warrior vs. "Cowboy" Scott Hall

"Superfly" Jimmy Snuka vs. "Captain Redneck" Dick Murdoch

Caribbean Tag Titles: Eric Embry & Rick Valentine © vs. Super Medicos 1 & 3

Midget Match: Mascarita Sagara & Aguilita Solitario vs. Piratita Morgan & Espectrito

Super Medico 4 vs. Kim Duk

and other great bouts.

 

You know, that's actually quite the card.

 

 

Texas Hangmen vs. Invader #1 & El Bronco #1 (1/6/1991) (No Audio)

 

 

Here's the Three King's Day match. There's no audio but it's very watchable. Invader leaves to chase after Profe, leaving Bronco alone to get beat up by the Hangmen. The Hangmen start to hang Bronco and when Invader notices he heads to the ring to make the save.

[El Boricua]

Invader #1 vs. Texas Hangman Psycho (1/9/1991)

 

 

Here is a TV studio match that aired on Jan 19 but occurred on Jan 9th.between Invader and Psycho (the youtube tag says Killer but the announcers say it's Psycho). Before the match, they hype that night's card (I'll post it after the match recap).

 

Invader had come out with the bullrope he had taken from the Hangmen during their earlier matches (it was the one he used on them during the Three Kings Day match).. During the match, Profe makes off with Invader's bullrope, leaving only Psycho's at ringside. Eventually, Invader wins the match when Profe and Killer's interference backfires. Post match, Invader fights both Hangmen but eventually succumbs to the cowbell. The ref gets tossed and the Hangmen beat up Invader again. It's deja vu, as Carlos comes out to help Invader but is cut off by the Original TNT. The Hangmen continue beating up Invader. Giant Warrior comes out and is cut off by Kim Duk. Los Super Medicos are held off by Galan Mendoza and Rick Valentine. Huracan Castillo tries to get to the ring and El Profe heads him off. Finally, Bronco runs out and makes the save (Profe: We didn''t know he was in the building!). The Hangmen leave, but the bullrope is left behind. Invader takes it off and keeps it.

 

From here, both teams faced off again on Jan 12. The match was a heated affair, one that left Invader bloodied and laid out outside of the ring. As the Hangmen proceeded to double team Bronco, a dazed Invader left the ring area and headed to the back. He would come back with the bullrope he had kept and saved Bronco from the Hangmen. A clip of this can also be seen in the feud recap video that will be seen later. I'm guessing the match was likely a double countout finish since their next match would be a lumberjack match.

 

Here is the Jan. 19th card hyped earlier:

 

Carlos Colon vs. the Original TNT

Lumberjack match for the World Tag Titles: Texas Hangmen © vs. Invader 1 & Bronco 1

Giant Warrior vs. Scott Hall

Caribbean Tag Titles: Super Medicos 1 & 3 vs. El Galan Mendoza & Rick Valentine (Embry's gone off to Memphis)

Miguelito Peres returns and takes on Kim Duk

Junior Heavyweight Title: Huracan Castillo Jr. © vs, Johnny Ringo

[El Boricua]

Texas Hangmen vs. Invader #1 & El Bronco #1 - Lumberjack Match (1/19/1991)

 

 

Well, here we have the Jan 19 lumberjack match. This match aired several weeks later on TV, so we'll ignore for now the interviews and card before the match (we'll get to those later). For now, you should only watch the match starting at 3:38. At the end, Invader hits the heart punch but El Galan Mendoza ties up Bronco and the Hangmen use the cowbell to remain champs.

 

On January 26 these two teams squared off again in Caguas. This time, Invader wore his mask (this signals that it's getting serious). Late in the match, Invader was laid out with a chair and was helped to the back by Los Super Medicos. Meanwhile, the Hangmen double team Bronco and remove his mask! That's the worst insult possible to a masked wrestler. The ref DQ's the Hangmen for this. Invader comes back out from the locker room to help Bronco and he has his fist taped! Invader attacks and sets up for the heart punch, when Profe trips him up. Invader goes after Profe and nails him with the heart punch!. Profe goes down! The Hangmen bail as Invader checks the fallen and maskless Bronco.

 

As a result, a match was signed between these two teams for Feb. 3. And for this match, Invader would be allowed to have his fist taped!

[El Boricua]

Texas Hangmen v. Bronco 1/Invader 1 - 2/3/1991 (Full match w/o commentary)

 

 

Texas Hangmen v. Bronco 1/Invader 1 - 2/3/1991 (TV version w/commentary)

 

 

Here we have a rematch for the World Tag titles. How serious has this feud gotten? Well Invader is wearing his mask and has his fist taped, so it's gotten really serious. The first link is the full match without commentary. The second one is the match as shown on TV with commentary. I'll focus on the second one in order to provide some context from the commentary crew.

 

Hugo and El Profe intro the match and are your comemntary team. Finally, after almost 4 months, Hugo can identify which Hangmen's which (this one's Psycho, right Profe?). Right off the bat Psycho bails when the Invader raises his taped fist. Profe on commentary starts explaining that he had warned his guys about that taped fist and had told them they had to avoid it at all costs. They had to protect their chests and not give Invader an opening. Hugo asks if it's out of fear or precaution and Profe says it's precaution (Hugo: Is that what they're calling it now?). This is basically the story of the match, the Hangmen are trying to gain the upper hand while avoiding the dreaded taped fist. The talk of the tape fist leads to the following exchange:

 

Profe: Look how he covers himself up, how he protects himself. I had already briefed them on how dangerous that fist is.

 

Hugo: Profe, you've felt that fist before. Could you describe to the viewers what it feels like to receive that punch from Invader 1?

 

Profe: Well obviously he has to have a piece of metal or something hidden in that wrapping, because what one feels is simply indescribable. One feels an incredible sensation of pain...

 

Hugo: They told me you were even crying afterwards.

 

Profe (in a slightly emotional tone): Men also cry.

 

Hugo: Well, El Profe cried and with feeling during that incident.

 

As the match continues, Pofe starts bragging about his skill in instruction, as the Hangmen are succesfully following his strategy of precaution against the taped fist:

 

Hugo: Even if they have to use the ref as a shield?

 

Profe: Whatever they need to do.

 

Hugo: That's not very brave on their part.

 

Profe: It's not about being brave, it's about not being stupid.

 

El Profe complains about Bronco's closed fists and Hugo counters that the Hangmen do that and worse:

 

Profe: No they don't. They're gentlemen in that ring

 

Hugo: Really. You know, I'd like for the church to give a priest four days so they can have time to listen to all of your sins

 

Profe: My soul is as pure as a peace dove's. I don't have any sins, I sleep soundly at night

 

Hugo: Oh God.

 

Profe: I dream of angels. I lay my head down and sleep soundly.

 

Hugo: Be careful you don't wake up and found you have lost it one of these days.

 

Hugo mentions that the face team is a united front between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic in search of tag gold. We go to break with the faces in control, we return with the Hangmen in control. Profe again acuses Invader of having something hidden in the taped fist.

 

Profe: There's no way anyone can naturally hit with that intensity.

 

Hot tag to Invader and he handles both Hangmen. All four men are in. Invader gets several near falls. The Hangmen try to use the bullrope but it backfires. Invader tries for the heart punch but is tripped up from the outside. Bronco breaks it up and Invader dodges a dive. He then sets and hits the heart punch (Hugo: ATANGANA!!!!). New tag champs!

[El Boricua]

Interviews Hyping 2/9/91 Rematch in Caguas:

 

 

OK, now we go to the interviews from the earlier lumberjack match link. These interviews hype a rematch for Feb. 9. Just watch until 3:37.

 

Profe: In just a few hours, Caguas will tremble when the Texas Hangmen challenge for the World Tag titles against Invader 1 and Bronco 1.

 

The Hangmen speak, El Profe translates. We then get comments from Invader and Bronco.

 

Invader (1:15): Tonight in Caguas, Bronco we're only hours away. The Texas Hangmen are angry because they have lost the World Tag Titles. I know they're coming tonight to Caguas to crown themselves World tag champs. But to crown themselves World tga champs, they are going to have to leave us laying. As long as there is one drop of blood in our bodies we will fight and we will defend. We only have one thing in mind, that when the final bell rings we still remain the World tag champs.

 

Bronco: Texas Hangmen, for you to get those belts in just a short while in Caguas, you're going to have leave Invader and Bronco to the point where they cant't move a finger. And for that, brother, you have to hitch up your pants real tight. To leave Invader and Bronco laid out to where they can't move, you have to hitch up your pants real tight. It's not easy, Texas Hangmen, to get those belts. It's not easy, I advise you. Because Invader and Bronco are like two furies in the ring, like two fierce lions watching over their cubs is how we watch over these titles. So hitch up those pants real tight tonight...

 

(Me: Man, Bronco really loves talking in third person and his pants metaphors).

 

Invader: Remember, there's a lot of guts on this side of the ring. We'll see who is who tonight.

 

Here's the Feb. 9 card:

 

TV Title: the Original TNT © vs. TNT

World Tag Titles: Invader 1 & Bronco 1 © vs. The Texas Hangmen w/ Profe

Caribbean Tag Titles: Galan Mendoza & Ric Valentine © w/Monster Ripper vs. Los Super Medicos 1 & 3 w/Sasha

Caribbean Title: Kim Duk © vs. Miguelito Perez

Strret Fight: Ladies Champ Sasha vs. Monster Ripper

Giant Warrior vs. Motor City Madman w/Skandor Akbar

Junior Heavyweight Title: Huracan Castillo © vs. Mr. Pogo

 

 

Texas Hangmen vs. Invader #1 & El Bronco #1 (1991) 2/10/91

 

 

Well that lasted long. A week after we get a rematch and the Hangmen cheat to regain the tag belts. We then get interviews with both teams setting up a Street Fight.

 

Hugo (at 2:06): They are the new World tag champs. the Texas Hangmen, Psycho and Killer.

 

Profe: We beat them 1-2-3 in the middle of the ring. We are the champions!

 

Hugo: Well, the viewers saw exactly how you beat them, I don't have to say anything else.

 

Hugo switches to English and the Hangmen speak. We then get comments from Invader and Bronco.

 

Invader (at 4:16): Tomorrow in Hormigueros. Everyone who was there last week was witness to how they robbed us of the World tag titles. So tomorrow we'll see who is who, it's a Street Fight. We're going to fight all over the court in Hormigueros. And all of those people that can't handle seeing blood, do not go tomorrow to Hormigueros! Because we have only one thing in mind, and that's to bathe them in blood, because we're going to hit them everywhere, even under their tongues. We have only one thing on our minds in that street fight, and that's to be the new World tag champs. Bronco?

 

Bronco: Texas Hangmen, tomorrow in Hormigueros, punches, kick, slaps, blows, we are going to hit you with everything. It's a street fight in Hormigueros, Texas Hangmen. Hormigueros will be left impressed because they will not have seen a happening like what's going to happen tomorrow night. Texas Hangmen, danger tomorrow night, Bronco 1 and Invader 1 are on the attack.

 

Invader: And one more thing, there is no rulebook tonight! We'll see who is who tomorrow night in Hormigueros!

[El Boricua]

Texas Hangmen vs. Bronco #1 & Invader #1 - Street Fight 2/16/91

 

 

Street Fight time! This is quite the spirited brawl. Basically it's last man standing rules to declare the winner. Once again El Profe gets involved and helps his guys at the end. Post match, Invader 4 appears with a chair and chases of the heels.

 

This feud has to end. But how?

 

 

 

Texas Hangmen vs. Invader #1 & Bronco #1 - Batalla Final Interviews (1991)

 

 

Welcome to the Batalla Final (The Final Battle). This is a recap of the Invader/Bronco vs. Hangmen feud leading up to their final series of matches.The big one is scheduled for March 2 in Bayamon. It's called the final battle and everything will be on the line. And they mean everything.

 

The video recaps the feud from Invader's hanging on October 17. We see scenes of Invader in the hospital. We then cut to Dec. 25. Invader's alone against the Hangmen since TNT had been taken to the locker room due to blood loss. As Invader is being double teamed, El Bronco comes to his aid. We then go to highlights of the end of the Jan 6 match when they tried to hang Bronco.

 

We then go to Jan. 26 in Caguas. We see how Invader was laid out with a chair and was helped to the back by Los Super Medicos. Meanwhile the Hangmen double team Bronco and remove his mask! That's the worst insult possible to a masked wrestler. The ref DQ's the Hangmen. Invader remerges from the locker room with the taped fist! Invader was setting up for the heart punch, when Profe trips him up. Invader goes after Profe and nails him with the heart punch!. Profe's down! The Hangmen bail.

 

We then get highlights from the Feb. 6 street fight. And now some interviews to set up the final weekend of matches. Tonight they will be in Bayamon and tomorrow night in Cabo Rojo.

 

Profe (at 5:38): Tomorrow night in Cabo Rojo, the Texas Hangmen face off against Bronco and Invader 1.

 

The Hangmen speak and Profe translates.

 

Hugo (at 7:16): Who will be the winners? We'll know tomorrow night in Cabo Rojo. Will Bronco get there with his mask? Will Invader get there with his hair? We'll know tomorrow night Bronco 1.

 

Bronco: The fans of Cabo Rojo can go with confidence. Invader 1 will be there with his hair and El Bronco 1 will be there with his mask. There's only one way the Texas Hangmen get this mask, and that's making sure that Bronco and Invader do not make it to Cabo Rojo. That's our plan and the only way that happens, is for Bronco to be laid out where he can't move one finger and Invader too. So Texas Hangmen, you better be ready, you better buckle those pants up tight. Because after we remove those masks, we're going to give like 60 slaps each to Psycho and Killer.

 

Hugo: Wow. Invader 1, how does it feel with tonight's match looming and about tomorrow night in Cabo Rojo?

 

Invader: Well Savinovich, tonight's match is a very difficult one. My hair's on the line, his mask is on the line, the tag titles are on the line and the Hangmen's masks are on the line. All of those fans tomorrow night in Cabo Rojo, they are going to know who were the winners tonight when we get there. Because we're set on getting there with my hair, his mask and the World tag titles.

 

Hugo: Invader 1, Bronco 1, huge fan favorites here in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Who will win? You'll know that tomorrow.

[El Boricua]

Saga Invader & Bronco vs. Texas Hangmen - Feud Recap

 

 

This is another feud recap video for the Batalla Final. This one has no interviews but does include more clips of the feud.

 

We see highlights of the initial hanging, Invader in the hospital, the Christmas match and the Three King's Day match.

 

We then see highlights of a Jan 9 TV studio match between Invader and Psycho. Invader wins when Profe's interference backfires. Killer comes in and they double team Invader. We start getting a repeat of the hanging with Carlos and others trying to make the save but being held off. However, before they can hang Invader, Bronco rushes in and fights off the Hangmen. Invader keeps the bullrope they left around his neck.

 

They meet up again Jan 12th. Invader was busted open and left for the backstage area. He would return with the bullrope.

 

They would meet in a lumberjack match on January 19th, where the Hangmen retained the belts through cheating. They used the cowbell to knock out Invader.

 

We get highlights of the Jan 26th match, followed by the Feb 16 street fight.

 

That's all in the past, the question is which team will win the Final Battle!

 

 

 

March 2nd, 1991 Card

 

 

And here's the card for March 2nd (again, it's a loaded card):

 

Rematch for the Universal Title: Carlos Colon © vs. "Captain Redneck" Dick Murdoch

World Tag Team Titles, there must be a winner; Invader's hair & Bronco's mask vs. the Hangmen's masks: Texas Hangmen © vs. Invader 1 & Bronco 1

For the name and the face paint, there must be a winner: TNT vs. the Original TNT

"El Nene de las Nenas" Ricky Santana vs. Moondog Spot

Kim Duk vs. the Motor City Madman

Rematch for Caribbean Title: Scott Hall vs. Miguelito Perez ©

Rematch for the Junior Heavyweight Title: Mr Pogo © vs. Huracan Castillo Jr.

Los Super Medicos 1 & 3 vs. El Galan Mendoza & Rick Valentine

 

Of note, I do not know if the match from Bayamon was aired on TV. I know Invader and Bronco won. I don't recall them making mention of the Hangmen being unmasked or them showing anything about it on TV. They may have switched gears with the Hangmen leaving right after these matches. Or they may have played it up as the Hangmen welching on the stipulations and leaving in shame. I'm not sure how it was handled on TV.

[El Boricua]

Texas Hangmen vs. Bronco #1 & Invader #1 3/3/91

 

 

I initially had no idea when in the feud this match took place. The commentary doesn't help, since the video is taken from a Clasicos showing over ten years later when WWC was doing their XWF invasion angle (although it is amusing to hear a now face Profe on commentary being apologetic about the whole hanging thing). He also identifies Psycho and Killer because one of them has red hair.

 

However, based on a couple of things, I think this is the March 3rd match in Cabo Rojo. First, the signs in the gym make mention of Cabo Rojo. Second, the match is not that heated, it's more a straight up tag match. With the way this feud played out, it's weird for such a straight forward match to have ocurred earlier in the feud. This means that the major issue had to have been settled already. Finally, the faces go over strong in this match and at one point try to go after the Hangmen's masks. Post-match they just leave the ring and play to the fans. With no major hate shown, what seems to be Cabo Rojo as the match location and the Hangmen being soundly defeated, I guess this has to be their last match. The faces already had their ultimate victory the night before and this was just to put an exclamation point of their victory over the Hangmen.

 

The Texas Hangmen would leave right after this match and head to Memphis. Invader and Bronco would soon face the challenge of the next big heel team to arrive to Puerto Rico, The California Studs (Brian Lee and Tony Anthony).

 

Texas Hangmen vs. Ray González & Ricky Santana (1996)

 

 

As a bonus, here is a match fom when the Hangmen returned to WWC five years later. Here they take on the team of Los Nenes de la Nenas, Ricky Santana and Ray Gonzalez.

 

I hope you enjoyed this run through of the Texas Hangmen's first run in WWC.

[Dewar]

This thread is awesome. Almost as awesome as the hair Christopher Daniels is sporting in the clip above. Thanks to everyone who is contributing to this.

[El Boricua]

I have a correction to make. I've been preparing another round of posts and I've stumbled upon evidence that indicates that the Chicky Starr vs. Invader 3 scaffold match is actually from 1986, not 1988. So in the feud rundown, apparently Invader 3 ends up on the losing end of the final run and you should shift the scaffold match to the first thing in the rundown,. The scaffold match took place sometime during the first half of 1986 when Invader 3 and Chicky were feuding over the Junior heavyweight title.

 

I've added an edited note to the post that has the match in the rundown indicating it's actual date.

 

If anyone has any questions about anything that's been posted so far let me know and I'll see if I can answer it or try to get an answer.

[sek69]

I don't know if you follow current WWC, but if so I wanted to ask if Super Fenix is supposed to be Gilbert under a mask or are we just supposed to think that, setting up a swerve? This week's TV had them doing skits trying to figure it out but sadly my Spanish isn't good enough to be able to follow long promo segments fully.

[fishbaugh]

Just want to echo others and say how great this thread is. Puerto Rico is a huge gap in my viewing history, and this thread has been a revelation. Though it did make for an awkward moment when my wife came downstairs and found me, in the dark, watching two dudes in bondage gear beating some other dudes to a bloody pulp!

[El Boricua]

Hi Sek, yes I do follow current WWC. I don't always see the shows since they are on at Noon on Saturday and Sunday, but I try to catch what I can if I'm at home at that time. I actually missed most of this past weekend's show (only caught a bit of the opening tag match and the Saturday night's card promo), but my brother filled me in on what happened.

 

Basically, almost all of the fans suspect/know that it's Gilbert under the mask. This weekend, though, WWC started throwing some doubt on that. I can't confirm exactly how the vignettes went (they haven't put up the most recent shows), but the gist of it was as follows.

 

Ray Gonzalez went and hired El Paparazzi (the former El Exotico) for a job. The vignettes this weekend featured El Paparazzi arriving at some resort and saying that he had tracked him down. El Paparazzi then hides in the bushes and waits. Eventually, Gilbert walks past him, talking on his cellphone. El Paparazzi called out his name, but he was ignored. So El Paparazzi jumped the fence and ran after him.

 

When he reaches him, sweating and out of breath, he flat out asks Gilbert if he's the Super Fenix. Gilbert asks Who?. El Paparazzi repeats the question, but Gilbert says he has no idea what he's talking about. He's retired, not paying attention to wrestling, working and spending time with the family. El Paparazzi explains who Super Fenix is, and then asks him if he's sure. Gilbert says his own mother asked him that question and he'll tell Paparazzi what he told her: "I'm not Super Fenix. I'm retired. I have nothing to do with wrestling". He then complimented Paparazzi that he was looking good and left taking another call.

 

Later, El Paparazzi then went to Ray and reported his findings. El Paparazzi opined that he felt Gilbert was being honest when he was answering his questions. Ray said ok, but then asked El Paparazzi why was he following Gilbert. El Paparazzi said he was following the rumors. Ray said fine, but that was not the reason he hired him. He wanted him to follow Super Fenix. Not Gilbert, Super Fenix the guy in the mask. He wanted Paparazzi to follow him to the parking lot, inside, outside, in the showers, the locker room, wherever. Basically shadow him to see if he catches him without the mask to confirm if he's Gilbert or whoever. And that night in Bayamon would be the perfect opportunity to follow him. Ray asks him if Paparazzi can do that, and Paparazzi answers of course.

 

I'll imagine they'll follow up on that this weekend. I'm actually looking forward to the Summer Attitude show. We're basically getting the matches a lot of fans thought we'd get at Aniversario 40. For those that don't know, the top two matches are Savio Vega vs. Carlito and Carlos Colon vs. Invader 1. The storylines setting these matches up have been great so far. The event will actually be offered as an internet streaming PPV.

 

Of course, with these matches occurring now, fans are wondering what they will have in store for the 40th Anniversary show.

[El Boricua]

Here's a fun clip for you guys. It's a local KFC commercial from 1987 featuring a WWC promotion. I remember visiting a KFC near Old San Juan back in the day and seeing the poster offer.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3ROTP_vFy0

 

Here's the summary:

 

A family is at the KFC register.

 

Father: One 'Lucha Libre' Bucket please.

 

Son: Dad, dad, its the Invaders! *gasp*

 

Invaders pose for kid.

 

Hugo (voiceover): When you order the Lucha Libre Bucket at Kentucky Fried Chicken, you'll get a tremendous surprise.

 

Kid walks past the Youngbloods and Miguelito Perez, sitting with their Lucha Libre Buckets, and all give the thumbs up.

 

Son: Wow!

 

Hugo (as each item is shown):10 pieces or original recipe, a large cole slaw, and a poster featuring the wrestling stars of Capitol Sports Promotions.

 

Posters featuring Carlos Colon, The Invaders, the Youngbloods and Miguelito Perez are shown on screen.

 

Hugo: All for just $11.95.

 

Kid is shown at table admiring a poster of Carlos Colon. He puts it down, only to reveal Carlos Colon sitting at the table across from him with his own Lucha Libre Bucket. Carlos smiles and gives the kid a thumbs up. The kid enthusiastically reciprocates the thumbs up.

 

Hugo: Atangana! Run now and order your Lucha Libre Bucket and get your poster only at Kentucky Fried Chicken!

[El Boricua]

Looking around the web, I've found a link that may be of interest. It's a website for a high school graduating class. One of their pages seems to be one of those "hey, remember this!" blurbs. The blurb isn't that long, and it's mostly a short paragraph reminiscing about the old Capital Sports Promotions TV program. The interesting part is that they have some card advertisements they ran in the El Vocero newspaper. There are three photos.

 

The first one is the ad for Aniversario 85. It features the full, advertised card.

 

The second photo is a collection of 4 ads for different cards, likely from 83 and 84. I'm bummed that I'll likely won't ever see that cage match between King Tonga and Bob Sweetan.

 

The last ad is for the 1987 Three King's Day show, headlined by the Carlos Colon vs. Stan Hansen bullrope match.

 

http://www.freewebs.com/vocacional87/laluchalibre.htm

[El Boricua]

This post is going to look at the brief feud between Hugo Savinovich and El Profe. Most of you should be familiar with Hugo from his role as WWE Spanish commentator. Hugo is actually from Ecuador and, according to him, wanted to be a wrestler from the age of 5 when he first saw El Santo. He would eventually move to the Bronx and there, at the age of 14, he trained to be a wrestler. Among his teachers were Toro Maldonado and Johnny Rivera (the future Invader 3). He eventually made his way to Puerto Rico and wrestled for Arturo Mendoza's wrestling promotion (a rival promotion to Capitol Sports in the 70's). Eventually, Mendoza had to close up shop and leave, but not before sending Hugo over to Capitol Sports. From there, Hugo would serve as a wrestler and as the top heel manager. Around 1984, after a feud with rival heel manager Barrabas (who had betrayed Hugo by stealing his clients), Hugo transitioned to the role of TV host, commentator and producer. His trademark was uttering the phrase "Atangana!" and he would often intoduce himself as the son of Doña Melida. To this day, he is very fondly remembered by PR wrestling fans, and also by general TV viewers for his bombastic promos for the cards (Atangana!!!).

 

El Profe was a masked manager who had appeared in the fall of 1986. He appeared to be Mexican, since he spoke with an accent. In reality, he was repackaged low mid carder Angel Rivera. In the late 70's and early 80's, Angel had formed part of a tag team known as Los Hermanos Peron (The Peron Brothers). His partner was none other than Chicky Starr. Around 1982-83, both entered WWC, but did not compete as a team. While Chicky would eventually break out, Angelo did not have the same fortune. Eventually, after being off TV for a while, he was brought in as the masked manager El Profe. He would become very succesful in this role and would, like Hugo before him, eventually transition to the host and commentator role for the TV program. He would serve in this role for the entire decade of the 90's (although he would still wrestle the occasional match or have the occasional feud).

 

In the fall of 1987, El Profe would start taking offense at things Hugo said during interviews (what he termed nonsense) and would start insulting Hugo. Things would eventually escalate.

 

Start of Hugo Savinovich and El Profe Feud (Fall 1987)

 

 

The video starts with what appears to be the end of an interview with El Profe and the Ninja Express (Mr. Pogo and Kendo Nagasaki). The Ninja Express are the World tag champs (meaning this has to be near the end of October). It appears that the Ninja Express are scheduled for a title defense against the team of Invader 1 and the returning Invader 2 (while not a regular during this time period, Invader 2 would pop in for the occasional appearance). We pick it up at the 0:45 mark.

 

HS (as El Profe and the Ninja Express are leaving the interview area): ... in a match for the World tag team titles. What El Profe has not said is that Invader 2 was World tag team champions with Invader 1 (at this point, El Profe has returned and is staring at Hugo), there is a lot of experience on that side. I think they are good challeng...

 

EP (interrupting Hugo): Why the hell are you waiting for me to leave before talking. I think Doña Melida should feel ashamed for giving birth to a piece of trash like you...

 

HS: Now wait a moment! No, no, wait a moment! Do not bring my mother into this! I have never disrespected you and I've had enough of this, because you are not the type of person to be calling anyone names and you are nobody to be insulting any person, be it me or anybody.

 

EP: I'll say whatever I damn well want to say. That's why I demand equal time here and if you start up with your nonsense I am not going to take that from you!

 

HS: No, and don't point your hand at me either! You are nobody to be pointing at me with your hands.

 

EP: I'll do whatever I damn well feel like doing!

 

HS. I am a peaceful person (El Profe storms off), but I'm not going to take anything from you either! You are very mistaken with me!

 

EP (at 1:31 from offscreen): Go to hell!

 

HS: I'm already up to here with your antics. (Takes a moment to gather himself) Uhm, Mr. Director, ehh, please let's go to Chicky's Sport Shop. The promoters are not responsible for what, uhh, for what happens on Chicky's Sport Shop. Let's go ahead.

 

At 1:47 we move ahead to the following week:

 

HS: In the Loubriel at Bayamon (El Profe arrives and stares at Hugo), a tremendous card...(trails off as he notices Profe staring)

 

EP: I'm paying attention to make sure you don't say any of your nonsense, because you always wait until I leave...

 

HS: Look, look sir. I have enough problems trying to do everything that my job calls for to have to take insults from you. What is your problem with me? Why do you have to get into it with me?

 

EP: Don't act like the victim! You know you're an imbecile (starts pointing at Hugo), that you hide behind that good guy image...

 

HS: No, No! (slaps Profe's finger away) You will not point your finger at me. Don't point your finger at me!. Don't point your finger at me, I won't take any...

 

EP: I told you that I would not allow you to put your dirty hands (puts hand on Hugo's coat) on me again!

 

HS: HEY!

 

(EL Profe rips Hugo's coat and storms off. Hugo huffs and checks the coat).

 

HS:(seething and in a bit of shock): This bas... This... This guy... Look, he is a bastard. He's... He's a bastard. He doesn't... (Looks at coat again)... He doesn't have a mother! He doesn't have a mother! He's a bastard! (camera fades)

 

At 2:41 we go to the following week:

 

HS: Well, my day doesn't get any easier because here comes El Profe to talk to us about The Crusher's matches (this Crusher is Rip Morgan). Before talking about these matches, I want you to know that your conduct sir, and look how I'm treating you, calling you sir because I want to keep this program with the dignity the public deserves. What you did to me, ripping my coat that had the symbol of Capitol Sports Promotions, you're not only going to hear from the promoters about that, but you'll also hear from the commissioner about that. Because you disrespected not only me, but also wrestling and the public that watches this program. This Thursday at 8:30, in Ciales, the Crusher faces Chris Youngblood.

 

EP (at 3:18): Chris Youngblood is going to face a man that is much bigger and much stronger, because of this I don't care what you think because Crusher is going to finish you.

 

HS: And this Friday at 8:30 in Yauco, friends you will see Crusher taking on Huracan Castillo Jr. This Friday in Yauco. I think Castillo can count on his quickness against a man as strong as the Crusher.

 

EP: Castillo can count on nothing, because he has nothing that can stand up to Crusher. Crusher is going to crush him like the cockroach he is, just as his father is also a cockroach. And by the way, if you were a man, you wouldn't be going around with that nonsense, making complaints to the high executives of Capitol Sports...

 

HS: Wait a moment mister, I am a man. What happens is, unlike you, I try to behave correctly because the public deserves respect.

 

EP: Well, I don't care, because if you were a man, you would say things to my face. And why don't you say it to my face, huh?

 

HS: Well, all I have to say is...

 

EP: Why don't you say what you think of me, right here, now that I'm standing here in front of you!

 

HS (at 4:16): Well, you are a person that has no professional ethics. You are a person that dirties the image of wrestling. People like you are the ones that spoil everything that we work hard to build, the dignity of this sport. People like you are the ones that damage the image of wrestling. That's what I have to say to you.

 

EP (at 4:32): That's your opinion?

 

HS: Yes sir.

 

El Profe spits on Hugo and Hugo goes off! Watch the video to see the scuffle. At one point Hugo starts screaming "Bastard! Bastard!"

 

At 5:05 we go the following week.

 

HS: Viewing public friends, before our director shows you the video sent by our commissioner Hayden T. Joseph, I want to make a very important statement at this time. I have requested permission from the World Wrestling Council and the Capitol Sports Promotions company, because I want to fight in in the ring, I want to wrestle El Profe. It is a decision I have made, a decision I will not regret, and I will hold myself to the consequences. But I want you to know that I have requested permission from Capitol and the World Wrestling Council to face off against El Profe in a ring. With that in mind, let's listen to the authority of the World Wrestling Council, the commissioner of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, Mr. Hayden T. Joseph.

 

The video with Hayden T, Joseph's message is played,. Hugo then translates his message, describing them as strong words from the commissioner. They then replay the previous week's incident that led to the scuffle between Hugo and El Profe.

 

Hugo would get his match with El Profe. Actually, he would get two.

[El Boricua]

Before proceeding with the Hugo and Profe matches, I wanted to comment on the detail of the promotion's name. The promotion's actual name (and referred to as such on TV and in all promotional materials) is Capitol Sports Promotions. I refer to it as WWC in the recaps for convenience, but the name is Capitol Sports Promotions. Although the promotion would eventually adopt the World Wrestling Council name, it would remain as Capitols Sports Promotions until sometime in 92-93. However, if you look at the programs from some point in 1987 onwards, the words World Wrestling Council are included in the TV intro. What happened is that, at some point that year, Capitol Sports withdrew from the NWA and started saying that their matches were sanctioned by the World Wrestling Council. That's why those words are included in the TV intro. So basically, the point were they started claiming that they were sanctioned by the WWC is when you can safely assume that they are no longer part of the NWA. Based on the previous video, this was definitely the case by late 87.

 

Anyway, back to Hugo and El Profe. Both men were signed to two matches for the opening shows of 1988. The first would take place on Jan. 5 in Mayaguez (the place where Hugo got his start in PR since that was the home base of Arturo Mendoza's promotion). The second match would be on Three King's Day the next day in San Juan. Both matches had stipulations. For the first match, the loser of the match would be painted yellow. For the second match, it was El Profe's mask on the line against Hugo's hair.

 

Hugo Savinovich vs. El Profe - Loser gets Painted Yellow -1/5/88

 

 

This match has English commentary by Hugo and Bobby Jaggers. Hugo is accompanied by Huracan Castillo Sr. for the match. Remember, this is the first of two matches between these two for that weekend. Hugo gets the win and El Profe is absolutely covered with yellow paint.

 

For the second match, Hugo really got vicious. Back in his wrestling and manager days, Hugo was known as "El Muñecazo" (The Big Doll or The Big Baby Doll). He also was known as "La Ferreteria Ambulante" (The Walking Hardware Store) because of the sheer number of varied foreign objects he always seemed to have on him. For the second match, Hugo brought the "hardware store" with him. However...

 

Noti-Lucha January 1988 with Hugo Savinovich

 

 

The moment you open this link you'll know immediately who won the hair vs. mask match. This Noti-Lucha segment recaps the end and fallout of both Hugo vs. Profe matches.

 

The video opens with Hugo and Eliud Gonzalez finishing up a conversation between them:

 

HS: ...the next day...

 

EG: Facing reality.

 

HS:...it was really hard.

 

EG (at 0:03): Greetings friends, we are back with this segment that we know is of great interest to you as it is to us. Today we have on Noti-Lucha one of the most spectacular figures in wrestling and who is really grabbing the attention of the wresling fans in Puerto Rico. We are referring to our colleague Hugo Savinovich. And before speaking with Hugo Savinovich, my friends, we are going to show you a video so you can know what has been happening in the life of Hugo Savinovich these past few days.

 

At 0:38, footage is played of the end of the Jan. 5 match.

 

EG: Friends, we are at El Palacio de Deportes (The Sports Palace) in Mayaguez on Jan 5, Hugo Savinovich taking on El Profe, the loser would be painted yellow.

 

HS: There Eliud I picked up the victory in front of a full house in Mayaguez and it was a moment I'll never forget. A tremendous triumph, the crowd sharing the emotions with me, and it was such a beautiful moment for me, and later the public will see what happened.

 

EG: Hugo, and you can see the outpouring of emotion from the crowd there. Here youa re painting El Profe yellow, which means cowardice.

 

HS: Yes, the Americans say the yellow streak is the color of cowards, and El Profe was defeated by Hugo Savinovich on Jan 5 at El Palacio de Deportes in Mayaguez. He was painted yellow, which filled me with confidence that I would win on Jan. 6.

 

EG: Hugo and that is part of a battle that appears to not end. Something that started that we never thought would start to begin with, and has turned into a real battle.

 

HS (at 1:38): Well, I can tell you, after what the public will see shortly, uhh, publicly, I want to say that this is it for my feud with El Profe. In spite of all my disgrace and sadness, first comes my responsibility with the public and with the company as it's producer. I've cried a lot over what's happened, and this is where the feud stops.

 

EG: Hugo, the public is asking, and I also asked myself this, how could you stand so many insults and abuse, day after day and that was always. People on the street asking you and you keeping, or trying to keep calm, with our public.

 

HS: Well, I tried above all else to respect my job, the faith and trust the promoters and the public that watches the program have in me. But I couldn't get used to being insulted by a person like El Profe. Well Eliud, let's let the public see the moment, that sad moment in my life where I honestly never believed, and I can swear it right here, I never believed that El Profe could ever beat me.

 

At 2:41 we go to the end of the Jan. 6 match.

 

EG: Well my friends, we are watching what happened on Jan. 6 at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente, after Hugo Savinovich had thrown salt at El Profe's face and back.

 

HS (as he starts whipping Profe with a belt): I was blasting him.

 

EG: Yes, you are attacking him furiously, a clean belting as we say down here. There you are, whipping him furiously and you appear to be enjoying this immensely Hugo.

 

HS: Well Eliud I confess, and the public can confirm since there was a full house at the coliseum, I never though for one second I was going to lose this match because I had him dominated. But destiny had other plans. Here I am looking for one of the most dangerous and painful moves called a Tapatia. It's a submisison hold and you will see Eliud the moment, I'm actually choking him with the belt, then I grab the arms. With all of my strength I push him up. What happens is my left leg, my knee gives way, and El Profe does an Olympic bridge with his head. My shoulders are down and he only has his head on the mat.

 

EG: Let me tell you Hugo, at that moment, I thought you had won. I was even ready to announce you as the victor (Eliud would often serve as the ring announcer for the events). Let's look at it in slow motion so the public can appreciate what happened.

 

HS: I'm admitting it Eliud, he did a bridge with his head and my shoulders were down, and I knew I was losing but could not free myself from the hold. I was in desperation. Later, I fulfilled the terms, my promise, and El Profe started cutting my hair. Uhh, I was crying, I've cried many times since it happened, from the moment El Profe beat me in the middle of the ring. Here he tried to attack me with the scissors.

 

EG: Yes Hugo, we can see and are aware of that.

 

HS: And after he tried to attack me I fought him off and got him out of the ring. I then kept my promise and cut my hair, because the Puerto Rican public, I never want to deceive the public. Neither me nor anyone else to not keep what has been promised. If a championship match is promised, Capitol will always meet that promise. If a mask vs. hair match is promised, in this case I lost, El Profe had gone back to the locker room without having finished cutting off all my hair. The public was yeliing out for me not to do it, but I am an honest person, and above all else as producer of the program, as a person who loves wrestling, you have to be a man to accept reality. The reality is that El Profe, no matter how it happened, beat me 1-2-3 and this (points at head) is the result. I am going to lament this for a long time, I've cried, I don't know how I'll recover from this at this time. What I do guarantee, to finish up this segment, is that Hugo Savinovich has finished with all feuds in wrestling, and I'm only going to continue as the producer of the program.

 

EG: Hugo, look, the public has just witnessed these videos and have watched right now the emotion of victory as celebrated by you and everyone else. They have also seen the agony of defeat in the career of Hugo Savinovich. Because friends, let me tell you something, I who was the official announcer for that match, when I saw the three count, since I was in the back, I was going to announce Hugo Savinovich as the winner. You could even see the crowd applauding and cheering. But in that moment that Hugo Savinovich loses the match, the figure of Hugo Savinovich grows in stature when El Profe tried to attack him with the scissors. Hugo runs him out of the ring, then stays in the center of the ring in way that none us will never forget, because on Jan 6 it was a very sad gift for many fans, as we all know. And Hugo Savinovich was the bigger man when he cut his own hair. Hugo, we know that you have lost your hair, but you have grown in stature in front of the wrestling public. In front of this public I want to salute you (Eliud extends his hand) and wish you well in your career. And my friends, we invite you to watch this segment next week, Noti-Lucha.

 

HS (in a slightly emotional tone): It's very sad Eliud.

 

EG: Yes.

 

Hugo would keep his promise to not have any more feuds. At least until 1991.

[El Boricua]

In 1991, Hugo was confronted with a similar situation of being insulted. The culprit this time was Billy Joe Travis, and Travis not only insulted Hugo but belittled his family as well. Hugo finally had enough and a match was signed for Aniversario 91. I remember they showed on TV, in the weeks prior to the event, the 1988 hair vs. mask match between Profe and Hugo to highlight Hugo's last match in the ring.

 

Hugo Savinovich vs. Billy Joe Travis - No Holds Barred, No DQ - Aniversario 1991

 

 

Eliud Gonzalez is the commentator and mentions that Billy Joe has earned the ire of the Puerto Rican fans for his insults towards Hugo, his family and the fans. Hugo makes his entrance and the match is on. Hugo wastes no time living up to his Walking Hardware Store nickname by pulling out a belt from his tights. Eliud reminds the fans that anything goes in this match. The action spills to the outside with Travis in control. Hugo eventually hits a dropkick and pulls out a clothes hanger from one of his boots (like I said, The Walking Hardware Store). Hugo proceeds to choke Travis in the ring with the clothes hanger. Travis reaches the ropes, but there is no break since it's no holds barred. Hugo continues on offense as Travis bumps around with the hanger wrapped around his neck. Hugo now pulls out a chain from his 'hardware store' and wraps it around his fist. Travis manages to avoid the punch and backdrop Hugo. Travis then grabs the chain. Travis takes control of the match and eventually goes to the top rope to try to hit Hugo with a chain assisted fist drop. Travis wastes time jawing with the fans and Hugo pulls out another item from his 'hardware store', a bag of powder. Travis jumps off and is met with a face full of powder. A stunned Travis is hit with an elbow drop and pinned. Travis tries to leave but Hugo drags him back in and hits some chain assisted punches. Hugo has his hand raised and leaves the ring. We then get Hugo closing the Aniversario 91 video, thanking the fans for renting the video and reminding them of other videos that are available. He then signs off on behalf of the producer, the Capitol Sports TV crew, the editor and himself "the son of Doña Melida. Thanks for watching."

[Smack2k]

All this Texas Hangmen - FUCK YEAH!!!

 

Thank you soo much for all this...I havent gotten to see much of them and what I did see I LOVED...AWA dropped the ball on not using these guys like Road Warrior type killers and not having them and the Destruction Crew Duke it out in some bad ass fueds...

 

So Thanks brotha!!!

 

Also, El Boricua, your reviews are TOP NOTCH and really make me want to watch all this...so me and YouTube Downloading will be good buddies the next few days while I dl this stuff and get reading...

 

Adding the context to these matches make them IMPOSSIBLE to not see...

 

Thanks so much to you and Dylan for introducing me to the first non North-American wrestling that I am diving into head first!

[El Boricua]

You're welcome Smack2k! This is exactly the reason I'm posting the recaps, to see if it nudges anyone into giving PR wrestling a try. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I'm glad it's being given a chance. If you or anyone else has any questions about anything posted let me know and I'll see if I can help answer it.

[Smack2k]

Since you asked...

 

What are some other GREAT Puerto Rico feuds from 80's and 90's that are worth tracking down and watching?? Your recommendations so far have been great...damn Puerto Rico is some hard core shit, but in a great way!

[Dylan Waco]

Tully Blanchard v. Carlos Colon

 

 

It's been awhile and I'm a bit ahead on 2013 stuff right now so I decided to watch this which I've been sitting on for months. Pretty good match, but it's a better match on paper. Tully is of course the great cocky douche you expect him to be and he does some really awesome little things with his ring positioning but I this lacked the epic heat of the truly great WWC matches. There as some great punches and some good individual brawling spots in this, but it never even approached that "out of control" vibe you often get from PR. It seems odd but my real criticism of this is that it felt more like a real wrestling match than a real fight. Still I loved a lot of the visuals that they worked around the guardrail and thought the way Tully was able to take over on offense was very clever. Again this was good, but the finish being unsatisfying sort of solidified my stance that this wasn't close to high end PR.

 

Ricky Santana v. Moondog Spot - 1991

 

 

No clue why I chose to watch this, but it felt sufficiently random. I continue to be really impressed with Santana as a babyface. He is very strong at working from underneath and can make pretty obvious restholds seem really damaging with his body language. He registers every shot Spot throws in this and takes some solid bumps to boot. I also enjoyed the comeback teases. This was still a pretty basic match and not anything particularly special. I wouldn't go out of my way to see it. But Santana's stock is rising with me and Moondog Spot looked like a down on his luck, alcoholic, Santa Claus here, so I wouldn't say watching this was a waste either.

 

Thunder/Lightning v. Barry/Kendall Windham

 

 

This is JIP and I don't know the exact date on it. I seem to remember the Windhams going down their shortly after the West Texas Rednecks fizzled out so maybe 00/01? Anyhow this ends in a huge clusterfuck brawl with half the locker room emptying, but the front end of this is really good stuff. I am a fan of Thunder and Lightning. They aren't the best working team (though they aren't bad), but they have a great look, sort of like a modern version of The Road Warriors. They held up their end fine, but I thought the Windham's looked great in this, especially Kendall. He just had great timing and really seemed to be working his ass off. Windham's unloaded some really good looking offense and then took their ass kicking before the run-in train, but this really made me want to find more from them from that time period. Kendall looked like he a top tier guy.

[El Boricua]

Well Smack2k, going by what you could reasonably find around the web I'd say you could check out the following:

 

Carlos Colon vs. Abdullah (starts in 1978 in PR, goes all the way until the early 2000's, mostly rivals but sometimes uneasy allies)

 

Carlos Colon vs. Stan Hansen (October 86 to March 87 is the singles feud, although he had a run in 84 teaming with Brody, most famous matches from that run are the 3 match series vs. the team of Carlos & Abdullah)

 

Carlos Colon vs. Hercules Ayala (starts around March-April 87 and continues until Jan. 6 1989)

 

Carlos Colon vs. Steve Strong (this is from 1989)

 

Carlos Colon vs. TNT has two different feuds. The first one was late 86 when TNT debuted. The second was from 1990 when TNT turned after failing to capture the Universal title from Carlos at Aniversario 90

 

Invader 1 vs. Chicky Starr (starts December of 85 and, truthfully, it's been on and off for over 25 years. This feud seems to reemerge every ten years or so, with the most recent being in 2011 when Chicky got his revenge on Invader and beat him in a hair vs. hair match)

 

Invader 1 vs. Jason the Terrible (first feud with the original is from end of 86 to 87, there is another feud with the second one in the mid-90's that included a famous match where they dismantled the ring, causing the rematch to be with no ring)

 

Invader 1 vs. Carlos Colon from 1992 was pretty memorable, especially for the interviews they gave. Imagine if Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee had been faces and allies in Memphis from 1978 all the way to 1992 without ever turning heel. Then imagine one of them finally turning on the other after nearly 15 years of being the top two faces and local heroes. That's how big this was in PR at the time. The match was even televised (I think it was live) in primetime on local TV, which was the last time (maybe even the only time) I remember this happening.

 

The Sheepherders run of terror in 1985 is pretty memorable. They put a few guys from El Ejercito de la Justicia on the shelf (most notably Invader 1 and Miguelito Perez) and it culminates in the ambulance match.

 

I've mentioned the Texas Hangmen run previously.

 

I don't think there's much out there at the moment, but anything from the Eddie Gilbert-Dutch Mantel heel faction (which includes a young Glen Jacobs as Doomsday) vs El Ejercito from 93-94 is pretty fun.

 

Late 90's you have Ray Gonzalez turning heel and bulldozing through the members of El Ejercito de la Justicia until Carlos challenged him at Aniversario 98. A bit after this Ray puts Carlos on the shelf and it leads to one of my favorite angles ever, when Carlos goes to Abdullah for help. I've tried to find this video but have had no luck.

 

I'll think of some others, but the annoying part is the lack of footage for many of them (especially pre-86 and post-92 onwards).

[El Boricua]

Oh and a reminder for anyone that's interested. Tonight is the Summer Madness event which is available as an internet PPV.

 

The scheduled line-up can be seen at the following link:

[goodhelmet]

Damn... ringside $20.00