Claudio Castagnoli won the CMLL World Heavyweight Championship at Arena México on Friday night.
Castagnoli became the 23rd champion by defeating Gran Guerrero at CMLL’s Friday night show in its home arena.
Guerrero was attempting to make the eighth defense of his belt, which he won in November 2022 from Hechicero.
Castagnoli had Daniel Garcia in his corner while the champion had Último Guerrero. There was a tease during the match where Castagnoli got in Ultimo’s face on the floor.
Castagnoli placed Guerrero on the turnbuckle and tore at his mask. Guerrero hit a Tombstone where he came down in a seated position similar to the Owen Hart version on Steve Austin. On the ramp, Guerrero stopped a Neutralizer and struggled to lift Castagnoli but secured his weight and powerbombed the AEW wrestler into the ring. Castagnoli survived a superplex, landed a spinning European uppercut off the middle rope, and used the Giant Swing as a set-up to the Neutralizer and won.
It was a very good match, and the crowd was heated and cheering Guerrero throughout the match.
Garcia played a great role in the corner of Castagnoli and was animated whenever they cut to his reaction.
Earlier in the show, Garcia & Wheeler Yuta failed to unseat Ángel de Oro & Niebla Roja for the CMLL World Tag Team Titles.
Castagnoli, Yuta & Garcia will face Último Guerrero, Difunto & Esfinge on Saturday at Arena Coliseo.
