By: The Cubs Fan
From Luchablog.com
August 16, 2025
Arena Ciudad de Mexico – Mexico City, Mexico
TripleMania XXXIII Results
- Omos won the Copa Bardahl in 26:36
- Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. beat El Mesías to win the AAA Latin American Championship in 10:16
- Finn Balor, J D Mcdonagh, Raquel Rodriguez beat Lola Vice, Mr. Iguana, Niño Hamburguesa in 11:54
- Pagano & Psycho Clown beat Ángel Garza & Berto to win the AAA World Tag Team Championship in 12:54
- Flammer defeated Faby Apache and Natalya to retain the AAA Reina de Reinas Championship in 11:42
- Hijo Del Vikingo defeated Dragón Lee, Dominik Mysterio, and Grande Americano (Kaiser) to retain the AAA Mega Championship in 15:02
Open
The broadcast started with the traditional “WWE Then Now Forever Together” ID piece before leading into a subtitled video package expressing the importance of TripleMania. The announcers explained this was the first time TripleMania went “Global.”
Fillip’s Alberto Fasja, Shawn Michaels, Marisela Pena, Paul Levesque, Dorain Roldan, Nick Khan, and AAA luchador El Fiscal stood together in the ring for a singing of the national anthem by Aida Cuevas. This singing went much better than the same bit at Worlds Collide.
Various wrestlers were shown walking into the building. Dr. Wagner Jr., who has not been in AAA since last year’s TripleMania Mexico City, was shown walking in with his son.
The entrance set was a homage to the promotion’s original logo, with three giant As. WWE’s Marcelo Rodriguez, AAA’s Roberto Figueroa, and Jose Manuel Guillen called the show in Spanish. Corey Graves, JBL, and Konnan handled the English announcing. Long-time AAA voice Jesús Zúñiga, who AAA phased out of their program earlier this year, returned as a ring announcer.
AAA used a standard four-sided ring for this show. AAA has cut down its usage of its six-sided ring this decade, though it typically uses it for TripleMania Mexico City. The ring they used instead appeared to be a WWE ring.
Copa Bardahl
Bardahl is a motor oil company that has been the primary sponsor of AAA for the last few years. This match is a variation of a Royal Rumble, where eliminations can be by pinfall and submission. AAA said the match would have 14 participants. The winner gets a trophy. The announcers claimed this was a coveted trophy. I did not recognize the referee; he’s new to AAA. Intervals were at random points.
The new La Parka was the first entrance. He’d been using the actual “Thriller” song since debuting. WWE’s switched to a sound-alike, unsurprisingly. AAA Cruiserweight champion Laredo Kid was the second entrant. Parka and Laredo showed off a little bit of evasion and a little bit of dancing. Laredo stuck first with a Michinoku Driver and a 450 splash for a near fall. The LWO’s Joaquin Wilde entered third, making his return to AAA. Wilde took out the opposition with DDTs, then nearly got a double pin with a backslide and bodyscissors cradle. Abismo Negro Jr. entered fourth. Laredo tried a double spin headscissors, but didn’t actually pull Laredo down. Abismo cut off Laredo with a punch, and then an impressive press slam into a gutbuster. Abismo blocked a double suplex and landed on one of his own, then went for pins as time wound down. Taurus, the new version of the character and Vipers’ partner of Abismo, entered fifth. He speared most of the participants, including Abismo, by mistake. Taurus gave Wilde a spinning backbreaker, dropping him down on Parka’s knees. Wilde rallied back with armdrags and tijeras before the Vipers took him out. Aerostar was sixth, landing his usual bit of complicated agile moves. A springboard double stomp and a bullet tope drove Abismo Negro back in the aisle. Laredo went for a spinal tap, missed, and Aerostar threw Laredo out for the first elimination. Mecha Wolf entered seven and threw Wilde out, but Wilde held onto the rope. Wolf tossed Aerostar into a kick to the back, then took out the Vipers 1 on 2. Cruz del Toro entered 8th, wearing a mask that appeared to be a reference to his original Tribal mask as a Mexican wrestling rookie. Wilde and Toro worked together to take over the ring. Mecha Wolf blinded Wilde with mist – “Monster Mist” – and tossed out Wilde for the second elimination.
WWE’s Otis was 9th and cleaned house. The crowd chanted Otis. Aerostar tried jumping at Otis, but Otis caught him and threw him out of the post for the third elimination. Pimpinela Escarlata entered 10th to a strong reaction. Pimpi kissed Abismo almost immediately, and did her usual rope walk headscissors spot (that didn’t look good.) Pimpi went to kiss Otis, but Taurus broke it up. Otis topped Taurus and worked with Pimpi to clothesline Taurus out. Pimpinela fell into Otis’ arms, they teased a kick, and Mecha Wolf dropkicked Otis from behind, causing Pimpinela to go over the top. Cibernetico became the eleventh entrant and was moving like his knees were betraying him, per usual. The crowd didn’t mind, and Cibernetico got his turn to clear house. Microman entered 12th as a surprise and got the best of Mecha Wolf. Cibernetico teased attacking Microman, then fought to the apron until Otis knocked him off using Microman as a weapon. Omos was thirteenth. The announcers sold him as unbeatable, and the remaining wrestlers all rallied to face him – but then attacked him one-on-one anyway. Konnan pointed out that the strategy was stupid. Microman was the last one left, though he was too short for Omos to spot him at first. Microman charged into a low boot. Otis put Microman on the middle rope. Everyone else finally worked together, but they were still no match. Del Toro and Abismo Negro were tossed out at about the same time. Octagon Jr. entered last. His strategy was to jump off the top rope at Omos. This was another dumb plan. Omos continued to decimate the opponents. Micorman fell off the ropes on Otis and covered him for three. Omos picked up Microman, pressslammed him, and softly threw him out to Wilde and Abismo. La Parka, Octagon Jr., Mecha Wolf, and Omos remained. The three non-Omos again tried to work together for a moment, then betrayed each other. Konnan pointed out how stupid this was (again.) Omos sat back as La Parka threw out Mecha Wolf, then easily fought Octagon and Parka. Octagon was thrown to the apron and booted out. A dazed Parka found himself face-to-face with Omos. Graves asked Konnan if he thought LParka could do it. Konnan said no with no hesitation. Parka actually knocked Omos to the apron and kept at him, but Omos grabbed Parka with one arm, brought him over the top rope, and threw him to the floor. Latin Lover unhappily presented Omos with the trophy.
This Copa Bardahl had little dead time, and the action was generally fine, which makes it probably the best Copa Bardahl ever.
(A clandestine video taken in the arena earlier in the afternoon and posted to a popular Facebook wrestling group spoiled most of the surprise entrants. It didn’t seem to leap beyond Mexican AAA fans to the English-speaking audience.)
Chuey Martinez talked to Dragon Lee backstage. Dragon Lee said he was feeling the excitement of the fans. Dragon Lee said this was the biggest TripleMania of all time. He discounted Dominik and Grande Americano and wanted to find out who was better between himself and Vikingo. He’d prove he was the future of lucha libre by winning the AAA Mega Championships.
Along with the AAA and WWE officials, influencer Pipe Punk from the King’s League was shown at ringside. (Fillip owns part of AAA and part of the Kings League.) Dr. Wagner Jr. was also shown at ringside.
Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. versus Mesias © for the AAA Latin American Championship
Mesias won this championship in November with the help of his El Ojo associates. The pre-match video package brought up the 2019 Dr. Wagner Jr./Mesias AAA Mega Championship match, considered by most to be one of the best in the history of TripleMania. All wrestlers had new music; Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr.’s was a take on his father’s famous Bad Medicine theme. There was a strange bit here where Konnan was yelling at Dr. Wagner Jr. over Wagner’s ring announcement. Konnan and JBL are both part of El Ojo, and Konnan worked this match as more heel than the opener. Dorian Roldan, the evil boss of the El Ojo faction and the person who was running AAA until this show, seconded Mesias to the match in an old Marvel Lucha Libre jacket. Keeping consistent, Mesias wore a Dr. Doom-inspired outfit.
Konnan kept his back and forth with Dr. Wagner as the match started. Mesias tried to outpower Wagner, and Wagner fought back with a forearm to the face. Wagner booted Mesias out, and followed with his tope con giro off the apron. Wagner saluted his father. Wagner threw Mesias in, but Mesias distracted the referee – another non-AAA one – and Dorian Roldan grabbed Wagner’s foot to give Mesias an opening. Mesias got a near fall on a DDT, then DDT’s Wagner on the apron. Mesias collected Wagner back in and chopped him around the corners. Mesias got in a back suplex for two. Mesias tossed Wagner around and distracted the referee, allowing Dorain to land a cheap shot. Papa Wagner protested from behind the rail, arguing with Mesias and looking frustrated. Mesias brought Wagner back in for a couple of more near falls. The crowd loudly chanted for Wagner, with Papa Wagner trying to lead him. Wagner elbowed out of a chinlock and landed a clothesline. Wagner vibrated to his feet and fought off Mesias with a boot. Wagner smacked Mesias in the back of the head, gave him a dragonscrew, and landed a top rope splash for a two count. Wagner spun around Mesias to land a powerbomb, and the family Wagner Driver for another two count. Wagner went for a moonsault, only for Dorian Roldan to distract him. Papa Wagner jumped the rail and pulled Wagner on. Dorian put on a Wagner mask (why?) and Papa Wagner punched him in the face. Back in the ring, Mesias speared a distracted Wagner for a near fall. Mesias argued with Papa Wagner more as he climbed up, allowing Wagner to kick him. Wagner top rope superplexed Mesia and landed the Wagner Driver for the second time to win. El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. became the 16th champion.
This match seemed as much about Papa Wagner as his son. It was fine for what it was.
Papa Wagner put on the Wagner mask and celebrated with his son. Vero Rodriguez interviewed Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr., who started with his father’s iconic phrase. He explained he did it for Mexico and his family.
Earlier Today, Chuey Martinez interviewed the Judgement Day. Finn Balor explained that it was the biggest TripleMania of all time because they were there. Dominik Mysterio said that winning the championship would prove he was the best wrestler of all time; he’s still a heel here. Rey Mysterio interrupted and tried to wish his son luck. Dominik refused to accept it and told him to watch him do something Rey never did.
A Cricket Zero Miedo ad aired, as well as one for the Copa Mundial. Influencer Natalia MX – also from the King’s League – was introduced.
Lola Vice, Mr. Iguana, Niño Hamburguesa versus Finn Balor, J D Mcdonagh, Raquel Rodriguez (w/Roxanne Perez)
Since starting in AAA, Lola Vice has seemingly been trying to woo Mr. Iguana away from his crush (and tag team champion partner) La Hiedra. Nino Hamburguesa is Iguana’s best friend and the reigning Rey de Reyes. Judgment Day has decided they don’t like Lola Vice, and they’d like to be here anyway for Dominik Mysterio.
Vice and Rodriguez started, with Vice reversing a powerslam attempt into an armbar. Rodriguez powered out of it. Vice fought to a middle rope armdrag. Finn tagged in to face Lola Vice, but it is mixed tag team rules – no men versus women. (That’s new for AAA.) Mr. Iguana slid in for a big reaction. Iguana befuddled Balor with a rebound armdrag. JD tagged back in and caught a tijeras. Iguana tagged in Nino Hamburguesa, who got a nice reaction from the crowd and confused one from JD. JD repeatedly tried to shoulderblock the heavier man, to no effect. Roxxane found coffee under the ring, which JD drank before leading at Hamburguesa. This idea didn’t work out for him either; he was bodyslammed and squashed in the corner. Balor had even less success. Rodriguez tried to attack, and Lola kicked her. Hamburguesa and Vice danced and then launched into the corner with a splash and butt smash. Hamburgesa went to the middle rope, fought off some of the heels, but lost enough time so JD could avoid a legdrop. The heels slowed the match down and worked over Hamburgesa a bit. Hamburguesa got a clothesline but was unable to make it to the corner to make a tag before getting caught off. It was only here that I realized they’re doing WWE tag rules. Lola took out Rodriguez with a tope con giro off the apron as Balor and JF continued to work over Hamburguesa. They were unable to double suplex him; he was able to do it to them, and he finally made that tag. Iguana took out Balor with a springboard tope and a couple of Yeska shots. Yeska bit JD, setting up an Iguana rope walk tijeras. Iguana launched himself out with a tope con giro. Mr. Iguana rolled back in and was confronted by Finn Balor – with a mini Finn Balor Demon puppet. This is silly, and not the usual AAA silly. “Demonito” grabbed Yeska, and Balor took out Iguana. Nino Hamburgesa grabbed two hamburgers, gave one to Balor, bit one himself, and Iguana kicked a distracted Balor. The faces kicked the rudos out of the ring, the heels caught Iguana’s dive, and Hamburguesa’s dive knocked all three over. The women tagged in during the last sequence, and Vice won their battle with a spinning backfist. Vice went up top, and Roxanne kicked her off the top rope. La Hiedra ran out for the save, chasing Perez into the ring. Hiedra intended to hit Perez, hit Vice, didn’t see all that bothered about it, and chased Roxanne to the back. Rodriguez gave Lola the Tejano Bomb for the win.
This match was intended to be weird comedy and introduce Nino Hamburgesa, and it achieved those goals.
Brian Shulito Calderon was shown in the crowd. He’s a singer and a TV host, Google tells me.
Circus Maxima (Pagano & Psycho Clown) versus Ángel Garza & Berto © for the AAA World Tag Team Championship in a street fight.
Los Garzas won these titles in a four-way match at TripleMania Monterrey, and have defended them twice since. This match is Psycho Clown and Pagano’s third challenge for these belts since May. Pagano has quite a generic theme. Psycho Clown went to say hello to Marisela Pena before the match, something that would’ve been focused on with AAA and was cut away from here in WWE. The Garzas continue to wear the “dog scratch” logo. In Mexico, that’s a reference to the ultra-popular former Perros del Mal group, but it doesn’t mean much in WWE.
All four men started in the ring. The Garzas superkicked the clowns, then went outside to grab kendo sticks. Pagano and Psycho found barbed wire sticks. This concerned the Garzas, though they quickly got the best of it and got those sticks as well. The Garzas hung the clowns in opposite corners and hit them with canes to the midsection repeatedly. They used the canes in a very coordinated WWE way instead of the semi-planned AAA way, if that makes any sense. The Garzas stopped the match to set up two tables on the outside, then choked Pagano for a bit. Pagano got in a codebreaker with a chair on Angel, and Psycho used his belt on Berto. Angel took a backbreaker and a pop-up forearm. Psycho threw the Garzas into the corner and hit Berto with a definitely AAA-style cane shot to the head. Psycho German suplexed both Garzas into two chairs and made a mild attempt to win. Psycho and Pagnao posed, and Psycho ripped off the front of his mask (to show a different WWE logo underneath). Psycho and Pagano beat the Garzas with more weapon shots. Psycho did a chair assisted tope onto Berto, and Pagano legdropped a trash can onto Angel for another count. The crowd chanted “Esto es lucha.” Pagano went for a moonsault with a chair in hand, and came up empty. Angel rolled out and avoided a Psycho Clown charge, causing Psycho to run knee-first into the steps. Berto covered Pagnao for two. Angel set up a table in the ring and tossed Pagano off the top rope through a table. Psycho broke up the pin. Psycho looked around the ring for something, found a table, and had trouble getting it into the ring. There are no fewer than three times set up outside. Psycho set up a fourth table in the ring. He got into the corner, and the Garzas immediately popped up to life. The Garzas tried to suplex Psycho through it, and Pagano speared the Garzas into the table instead. The crowd chanted for the match. After a moment to recover, Pagnao and Angel fought on the apron near the two tables. Berto and Psycho came over to join him. Berto loaded Psycho on Angel’s shoulders, then springboard kicked Psycho for a sort of double powerbomb/powerslam through the table. Berto, the only person left standing, brought in Psycho, but still was unable to get a three-count. Psycho and Berto battled to the top rope. Berto knocked Psycho to the mat. Pagano, with barbed wires in his mouth, hit Berto and tied him with the rope. Pagano launched himself out of the ring with a Brillo Dorado onto Angel. (He intended to break another table here, missed a little, but that’s the only thing that came close to going wrong for Pagano in a match – perhaps his cleanest AAA match ever.) Psycho gave Berto a Spanish Fly and covered him for three. Psycho Clown and Pagano are the tag team champions.
This match was incredibly consistent, given Pagano and Psycho were involved. It was very much a WWE version of a street fight – no blood, no cookie sheets – and I think it was a much better match for it. Those who tune in to AAA yearly for the insanity might be disappointed.
Psycho Circus (Murder Clown, Dave the Clown, and Panic Clown) ran down to celebrate the title win with Pagano and Psycho Clown.
Vero Rodriguez interviewed Hijo del Vikingo, who was booed as soon as he was introduced – WWE turned down the crowd so we could hear Vikingo dismissing all of his opponents and declaring himself the best AAA champion ever.
Konnan was inducted into the AAA Hall of Fame.
Rey Mysterio spoke in Spanish to the crowd, which was translated at ringside. Rey talked about it being a great honor to induct someone he considers a brother, who inducted him into the WWE Hall of Fame. Mysterio talked about his great feuds – with Cien Caras, Love Machine, Perro Aguayo, and Eddy Guerrero. Mysterio says Konnan was a visionary and gave everything to wrestling, and in Rey’s opinion, lucha libre is what it is due to Konnan’s work. Mysterio credits Konnan with giving opportunities to cruiserweights like him and all who followed, and he will always be grateful. Konnan and Rey had only one dream left, to work together with Rey’s son Dominik, and that dream today is realized. A Konnan video package airs, mostly showing his WCW footage – there was some TripleMania I in there and a bit of other AAA footage. Penta, R-Truth, Norman Smiley, and Road Dogg spoke in the video. Konnan thanked the crowd, and thanked the crowd for booting or cheering him – he was there for entertainment. Konnan slightly complained that it took them thirty years to get this (feeling he earned it earlier), talked about being there since the first day, and then stopped to argue with a fan. Konnan talked about loving wrestling, giving up his body for wrestling, because he loves wrestling fans who don’t love him. The crowd chanted for Konnan again, and he thanked them. Konnan said ‘Oscar’ wanted him to talk about the first time he had a lucha libre match – he tells the story about getting tricked by a fan, but not as clearly as he’s told other times. Konnan thanks many people, including Carlos Maynes, Ari Romero, Villano III, Antonio Pena, Marisela Pena, Dorian Roldan, and the Rey Mysterio family – “I love you with all my heart.” Konnan also thanks many of the AAA senior staff by name. Konnan starts talking about how happy he is to be working with great people in WWE, and gets distracted by a fan. Konnan thanks Nick Khan, HHH, the Undertaker, and Jeremy Borash for their contributions to WWE and wraps it up.
Chury Martinez tries to talk to El Grande Americano, who says he’ll be the new champion.
Corey Graves announced the attendance at 19,961. Beriadanna Deyanara (another influencer), Mascarita Sagrada, Fantasma, and Lady Shani were introduced.
Faby Apache versus Flammer © vs Natalya for the AAA Reina de Reinas Championships
This match was a single fall to a win. Natayla and Faby Apache wanted to fight more after their one tag match against each other last month. Flammer added herself and the title to this. Flammer won this title on this same show in 2023 and defended against Faby Apache last year on TripleMania Mexico City. That match was
Flammer has defended this only five times in two years – AAA just hasn’t been that interested. Hijo del Tirantes became the first AAA referee to work a match on this show; he is a heel referee with a never-ending issue with Apache.
Nattie was aggressive early and got thrown early. Faby dropkicked Flammer as they were left alone. Flammer came back with a tijeras, and Faby responded with a quebradora. Flammer rolled out, Faby teased a dive, and Nattie tripped her up. Nattie ran Faby from corner to corner for shoulders and kicks. Nattie tried a snap mare cradle, and Faby reversed to a cradle for a long two count. Faby got a more standard two-count. Faby rolled through a Nattie cradle for a reverse figure four. Nattie reversed to a Sharpshooter. Flammer broke it up with a bulldog. Nattie tried for a submission on Flammer, but Faby broke it up. Faby booted Flammer and covered, and Tirantes counted much slower. Faby argued with Tirantes, and Flammer attacked Faby from behind. Flammer used an Eat Defeat for a near count. Faby caught Flammer’s arm in a rolling armbar, and Nattie came back to add an anklelock on Flammer. Tirantes refused to call it for either. Nattie jumped on Faby and punched her in the face repeatedly. Nattie leveled Flammer with a kick and locked on a tapatia. Faby returned to break it up with a dropkick, a foot for both women. Faby charged into a Nattie takedown, and Nattie punched more from the top. Faby locked in a bodyscissors from that position, and the women exchanged slaps. The two rolled to the ropes. Flammer, the third woman again, waited for them to get their feet. The women exchanged chants while the crowd started the infamous “heeeey puto” chant in reaction to something not happening in the match. The chant was incredibly loud, and the announcers appeared to have been told to ignore it. (Graves more generally references the crowd being very hot a minute or so later.) Nattie took down both women and put on a double Sharpshooter. They powered out of it. Flammer and Faby battled to a draw as the crowd continued to react to something we weren’t seeing. The announcers suggested it was at Tirantes, but it didn’t appear to be the case – you could see them looking at something by the entrance at one point. Flammer rolled through a cradle to double stomp Faby for two. Flammer climbed to the rope, but Faby cut her off and gave her a top rope superplex for a two-count. Nattie broke up that count, then got an ankle lock for two. Flammer broke it up, sending Nattie into a Faby pin for a two count that looked like Tirantes held up at three. Nattie went for a choke and another cradle, and Flammer snuck in to cradle Faby for three to retain. The Faby/Tirantes dynamic is a strange thing to keep of all the AAA bits. It may have worked a bit better for the live crowd. The rest was a good three-way match, but no different from many three-way matches.
Corey argued that the Tirantes’ slow count cost Faby Apache the match, which JBL and Konnan disputed. Flammer celebrated with the title. Faby and Nattie fought again and signaled they’d have another match to settle it.
WWE announced a Worlds Collide for Las Vegas on September 12th. This show has been circulating in rumors for the last week or so. This Worlds Collide is the first mention of any AAA show past this TripleMania date; there’s no future tapings announced and no next Mexico-based taping date, and there’s no sign of a “AAA” only taping.
Hijo Del Vikingo © vs Dragón Lee vs Dominik Mysterio vs Grande Americano for the AAA Mega Championship
Hijo del Vikingo defeated Alberto el Patron for this title in May and has made two defenses since that time. The AAA fans turned against Hijo del Vikingo during this reign, and he seemed to shift to being a heel on the last show. That same crowd treated Dominik and Grande as faces. In this promo package, Vikingo was back to being a face, and Mysterio and Americano were heels.
Grande Americano sang Mexican folk song Cielito Lindo to the ring, ensuring he’d be cheered as a heel. The idea might have been that he was singing it badly to get booed, because he was singing badly. He still got cheered. The announcers appear as if they’ve been muted during entrances since Konnan and Papa Wagner’s argument. Rey Mysterio and King Vikingo (Hijo del Vikingo’s father) saluted him on the way to the ring as part of a star entrance. He was still booed. Jesus Zuniga referenced the “Gulfo Americano” as Grande Americano’s hometown. He still got cheered. Vikingo was back to leaning into the boos during his introduction. The crowd chanted for Alberto at this point.
The announcers acknowledged Vikingo was being booked, but still talked him out as a face. Americano and Mysterio took out the others and shook hands. Americano pounded Dragon Lee in the ring, though Dragon Lee turned it around for a jumping kick for a two count. Vikingo returned to the ring for boos. He and Dragon Lee talked, and then dove onto the rudos on opposite sides of the ring. Dragon Lee and Vikingo faced off again, counted each other for a moment, and then exchanged cradles for two. Vikingo and Dragon Lee went to a stand-off, and the heels pulled them off and threw them into the stairs. Domink brought Vikingo back in and pounded him with punches. Grande and Dominik got into a bit of a spat over who would get to beat up Vikingo, and Dragon Lee came back in. Dragon Lee blocked a usnet flip (maybe) and got in a double stop on Msyterio, then leg sweep, slingshot boot to face on Grande. Domink and Dragon Lee fought to the top rope, and Dragon Lee landed the hanging double stomp for a two count. Grande got the best of Draong Lee and tried to tie him ot the bottom rope, but he and Dominik got into another fight about who was in charge. Vikingo took out both as the crowd loudly booed him again. Dragon Lee came back in for stereo corner attacks. Vikingo tried to sneak in a cradle on Dragon Lee, but Dragon Lee escaped and fired back with kicks. Vikingo came back with a spin kick. Droagn reversed a Vikingo charge into a Liger Bomb, Domnbi, Destoyer, Americno running knee, Vikingo top rope codebreaker. This is the “Esto es Lucha” moment, but the crowd was taken down by booing Vikingo – they started chanting negatively about Vikingo instead. Dominik knocked Grande into the ropes, but Grande cut him off with a clothesline. Dragon Lee dropkicks Grande out, Vikingo spins kicks Grande, Droang lee German suplexes Vikingo, Vikingo poison rans Dragon Lee. Everyone is down again. The crowd loudly chants for Alberto, which the announcers sell as the crowd being hot for the match. Vikingo lands the corner double knee smash and connects on a top rope shooting star press, but Domink and Americano pull Vikingo out. The heels clear off the English announcing table – if you don’t get the jokes, the announcers rush to explain it to you – and powerbomb Vikingo through it to cheers. Vikingo and Americano fight each other, and stall a bit too long – Dragon Lee shows up a beat late with a great tope. Now, since Vikingo is dead, the crowd has no problem chanting Esto Es Lucha. JD and Finn show up to distract Dragon Lee and hold him in place for a Mysterio 619. Americano breaks up the pin. Wilde and Del Toro show up to fight JD and Finn off. Dragon Lee inside cradles Grande for two, then knees him in the head. Dragon Lee with a running back elbow for two. Three More Grande Americanos show up, trip on Dragon Lee, and Grande lands a rope climbing blockbuster – for a long two count. Grande tried to load up his mask, but Dragon Lee kicked him and took out a bunch of people on the outside with a tope con giro. Dragon Lee with an Operacion Dragon – he’s using a bad Destino as a finish now, I had no idea – but Vikingo returns from the dead to break it up. Vikingo 450 splash – for two. Dominik loads up his Rey Mysterio mask with Grande’s object, tosses Vikingo, headbutts Grande, hits a running headbutt on Dragon Lee, and lands a – frogsplash for a certain three, but the ref gets pulled out. AJ Styles, hiding under a Mysterio mask so he can do the reveal, was the one who pulled out the ref. He finishes Dominik with a Styles Clash. Dominik rolls towards the corner. The crowd – so excited for the surprise Styles appearance – belatedly realizes what this means: Vikingo 630 splash, one two three.
This match was worked at a much faster pace than the rest of the show (and I suspect most WWE shows). It helped early on, and then got entirely chaotic with the parade of run-ins. The one big difference with this show overall is that all those run-ins made sense and went smoothly, which wouldn’t have happened on any TripleMania prior to today. There are more rewarding action matches to be found, though people who are in for the WWE melodrama may appreciate this one more. It’s very clear WWE is just going to pretend the boos for Vikingo do not exist, at least until they find out how the US crowd will react to him.
Announcers continue to sell Vikingo as a great face as the crowd boos. They appear to be chanting for Alberto after the match, and it comes off as if WWE’s turned down the crowd sound again. The show ends with Vikingo posing. There is no sign or hint of Alberto el Patron, who came off as one of the more over people in the promotion despite his absence.