Sports desk weekly rundown: CMLL & NWA

Welcome back to the sports desk—tonight we’re bouncing from the cathedral of Arena México to the chaos of NWA Powerrr in Philadelphia.

Headlines

Vince Russo leaves Juggalo Championship Wrestling Russo announced he’s done with JCW, explaining that he’d been unhappy with aspects of the promotion and, at 65, isn’t the same person he was decades ago. After a phone call with Violent J, both sides agreed to part ways on good terms, with Russo framing this as a broader step back from active wrestling involvement.

Nic Nemeth says Leon Slater will “run pro wrestling” TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth, gearing up to defend against Leon Slater at Bound for Glory, praised Slater’s ring IQ, athleticism, and charisma, joking that he’ll be “running pro wrestling for the next 20 years.” Nemeth still vowed to keep his title, leaning on his experience and savvy as the deciding edge.

Tony Khan talks Paramount/WB merger AEW’s president used his pre‑Dynamite livestream to welcome the reported Paramount–Skydance/WBD merger, saying he’s long hoped for a unified Paramount/WBD front and believes it will make AEW stronger. He praised incoming Paramount CEO David Ellison as a wrestling and sports fan with whom he’s worked via NFL projects, calling him a “great TV and film producer” and a promising leader for the combined media giant.

Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL)

Ed at the sports desk

“Partner, if you like your wrestling with masks, history, and a little bit of chaos, CMLL has been serving a full plate. Tournaments, title defenses, and some interpromotional spice—this week had it all.”

Gordon’s breakdown – Key shows & results

16.09.2026 – CMLL Tarde Mexicana (Arena México)

• Trios opener: Las Gemas Metálicas (Brillante Jr., Diamond & Oro Jr.) beat Los Forajidos (El Coyote, Polvora & Vaquero Jr.) in a fast-paced six‑man that showcased the young technicos’ timing and double‑team work.
• Copa Independencia Torneo Cibernético 2026: In a multi‑woman elimination bout, Garra Negra, Lluvia, Tessa Blanchard & Zeuxis outlasted Ema Maishima, Maika, Mei Seira & Starlight Kid, giving the ruda side a big tournament statement and underlining how deep the women’s roster has become.
• Mexican National Women’s Title: Thunder Rosa (c) retained against Dark Silueta, keeping the national belt in international hands and adding another hard‑hitting chapter to her Mexico run.
• Trios showcase: Angel de Oro, Neon & Titan defeated Bad Dude Tito, Rocky Romero & Yutani, a match that blended CMLL’s house style with visiting talent and kept Titan hot heading into the Anniversary card.
• Technical masterclass: Zack Sabre Jr. topped Blue Panther and Xelhua in a three‑way, turning the bout into a clinic of counters and holds.
• Main event – tag battle of aces: Mistico & Templario (with KeMonito) beat Soberano Jr. & Zandokan Jr. (with KeMalito) two falls to one, mixing spectacle with heated rivalry and setting the tone for the Anniversary show.

17.09.2026 – Jueves Arena Coliseo (Arena Coliseo, Mexico City)

• Opening tag: Astral & Fury Boy defeated Inquisidor & Shoma Kato, giving the technicos a clean win in a traditional two‑out‑of‑three falls tag.
• Women’s tag: Marcela & Tabata beat Las Infernales (Dark Silueta & Valkiria), a result that keeps Marcela firmly in the mix near the top of the division.
• Lightning match: Infarto defeated Magia Blanca by referee’s decision in a single‑fall sprint.
• Tag upset: Valiente & Vegas Depredador overcame Los Divinos Laguneros (Blue Panther Jr. & Dark Panther), a notable win over a respected family duo.
• Six‑man main event: Esfinge, Fugaz & Mascara Dorada beat Akuma, Difunto & Gran Guerrero two falls to one, keeping Dorada’s momentum rolling.

18.09.2026 – CMLL 93rd Anniversary (Arena México)

This was the big one—CMLL’s annual celebration, stacked from top to bottom.

• Joshi & lucha trios opener: Ema Maishima, Maika & Mei Seira defeated Candela, Kira & Sanely, blending Japanese and Mexican styles in a crisp curtain‑raiser.
• Legend vs. outsider: Blue Panther beat Jeff Jarrett, giving the Mexican legend a marquee win over the visiting veteran.
• CMLL World Tag Team Title – four‑way: Champions Los Hermanos Chávez (Angel de Oro & Niebla Roja) retained against Los Villanos (El Hijo del Villano III & Villano III Jr.), El Sky Team (Mascara Dorada & Neon) and Los Hermanos Calavera (Calavera Jr. I & II) in a fast, multi‑team scramble.
• CMLL World Welterweight Title: Titan (c) defeated Komander, keeping the welterweight crown and reinforcing his status as one of the promotion’s most reliable big‑match performers.
• Singles showdown: Soberano Jr. beat Bandido, a high‑octane bout that further elevated Soberano’s stock.
• CMLL World Women’s Title – four‑way: Persephone (c) retained against Mina Shirakawa, Starlight Kid & Tessa Blanchard via disqualification, a controversial finish that keeps the belt on Persephone but leaves plenty of unfinished business among the challengers.
• International singles clash: Andrade El Idolo defeated Volador Jr., adding another high‑profile win to Andrade’s Mexico résumé.
• CMLL World Heavyweight Title – three‑way: Champion Hechicero retained against Claudio Castagnoli and Zack Sabre Jr., a match heavy on technical exchanges and counters.
• Parejas Increíbles eliminator: Averno & Mistico won a four‑team eliminator over Barbaro Cavernario & Dragon Rojo Jr., Templario & Ultimo Guerrero, and Star Jr. & Zandokan Jr., setting up the night’s emotional climax.
• Lucha de Apuesta – mask vs. hair: In the main event, Mistico defeated Averno, forcing Averno to lose his hair. A classic apuesta finish that tied together years of rivalry and gave the Anniversary show its defining image.

19–22.09.2026 – Coliseo, Puebla, Guadalajara & Monterrey

Across Sabados de Coliseo, Arena Coliseo en Zapopan, Domingo Familiar, Martes De Glamour and Martes Populares, CMLL kept the calendar packed:

• Sabados de Coliseo (19.09, Mexico City): Wins for Atrapasueños (Espiritu Negro & Rey Cometa), La Fuerza Poblana, and a big women’s trios victory for India Sioux, Lluvia & Tessa Blanchard over Las Infernales; Dragon Rojo Jr. took a lightning match over Star Jr., Averno won a four‑way over Barbaro Cavernario, Ultimo Guerrero & Zandokan Jr., and Los Hermanos Chávez beat Bandido & Komander two falls to one.
• Arena Coliseo en Zapopan (19.09, Zapopan): Multiple six‑man tags saw Los Elegidos, Adrenalina/Gallo Jr./Rafaga Jr., and Brillante Jr./Dark Panther/Fantastico score wins, while Esfinge, Neon & Xelhua topped Difunto, Shoma Kato & Yutani in the main event.
• Domingo Familiar (20.09, Arena México): Highlights included Los Pequeño Depredadores beating Aereo & Shockercito, lightning wins for KeMonito over KeMalito and Kira over Keyra, Brillante Jr. winning the Copa Daniel García cibernético, Averno & Barbaro Cavernario beating Hechicero & Zandokan Jr., Blue Panther & Xelhua winning a four‑way tag, and Mascara Dorada & Soberano Jr. defeating Bandido & Komander in a relevos increíbles tag.
• Alto Voltaje/CMLL (20.09, Monterrey): A mixed card saw Impu & Khepri, Mr. Puma & Pardex, Darkness & Desafio, and Raider & Virus pick up wins, with Olympia retaining the Alto Voltaje Women’s Title, and Gran Guerrero & Los Hermanos Calavera beating El Clon & Los Villanos in the main event.
• Lunes Clasico (21.09, Puebla): Lucky & Makro opened with a tag win, Espartano/Kamelot/Kheops took a six‑man, Shockercito won a lightning match over Mercurio, Capitan Suicida & Valiente Jr. beat Los Hermanos Calavera, Mascara Dorada/Star Jr./Templario won a trios bout, and Neon scored a singles win over Soberano Jr. in the main event.
• Martes De Glamour (22.09, Guadalajara): Multiple best‑two‑of‑three six‑man tags saw technico squads like Angel Del Bien/Astro Oriental/Lince Del Bajio and Dulce Gardenia/Fuego/Volcano prevail, while India Sioux & Tessa Blanchard won a women’s tag and Mascara Dorada/Templario/Titan beat Los Guerreros Laguneros in the headline bout.
• Martes Populares (22.09, Arena México): A night of three‑way matches: Shockercito, Las Reinas del Strong Style (Keyra & Zeuxis), Los Viajeros Del Espacio (Futuro & Max Star), Blue Panther, Yutani, Zandokan Jr., and Soberano Jr. all picked up wins in multi‑man and multi‑team bouts, giving the card a tournament‑style feel without the formal brackets.

FULL RESULTS

Credit: cagematch.net

(22.09.2026) CMLL Martes Populares – Online Stream @ Arena Mexico in Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexiko
Three Way: Shockercito defeats Galaxy and Kaligua (8:46)
Three Way Tag Team: Las Reinas del Strong Style (Keyra & Zeuxis) defeat Las Infernales (Dark Silueta & Valkiria) and Las Valientitas (Hera & Olympia) (11:57)
Three Way Tag Team: Los Viajeros Del Espacio (Futuro & Max Star) defeat El Hijo del Pantera & Pantera Jr. and La Maquina de la Destruccion (El Elemental & Explosivo) (11:50)
Three Way: Blue Panther defeats Brillante Jr. and Rey Pegasus (8:50)
Three Way: Yutani defeats Star Jr. and Villano III Jr. (10:38)
Three Way: Zandokan Jr. defeats Difunto and Vegas Depredador (11:47)
Three Way: Soberano Jr. defeats Angel de Oro and Barbaro Cavernario (9:21)

(22.09.2026) CMLL Martes De Glamour – Online Stream @ Arena Coliseo Guadalajara in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexiko
Estrella Maldita, Nautica & Tezca defeat Dulce Kitty, Ivanna & Magia Azul
Best Two Out Of Three Falls Six Man Tag Team: Angel Del Bien, Astro Oriental & Lince Del Bajio defeat Los Kamikazis (Optimus, Robin & Trono) [2:1]
Best Two Out Of Three Falls Six Man Tag Team: Arlequin, Makara & Poseidon defeat Los Forajidos (El Coyote, Polvora & Vaquero Jr.) [2:1]
Best Two Out Of Three Falls Six Man Tag Team: Dulce Gardenia, Fuego & Volcano defeat Los Herederos (El Cobarde, Felino Jr. & Hijo de Stuka Jr.) [2:1]
Best Two Out Of Three Falls Tag Team: India Sioux & Tessa Blanchard defeat Hecate & Miss Guerrera [2:1]
Best Two Out Of Three Falls Six Man Tag Team: Mascara Dorada, Templario & Titan defeat Los Guerreros Laguneros (Gran Guerrero, Stuka Jr. & Ultimo Guerrero) [2:1]

(21.09.2026) CMLL Lunes Clasico – Online Stream @ Arena Puebla in Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza, Puebla, Mexiko
Lucky & Makro defeat El Hijo del Perverso & El Perverso
Best Two Out Of Three Falls Six Man Tag Team: Espartano, Kamelot & Kheops defeat Meyer, Tornado & Volcano [2:1]
Lightning: Shockercito defeats Mercurio
Best Two Out Of Three Falls Tag Team: Capitan Suicida & Valiente Jr. defeat Los Hermanos Calavera (Calavera Jr. I & Calavera Jr. II) [2:1]
Best Two Out Of Three Falls Six Man Tag Team: Mascara Dorada, Star Jr. & Templario defeat Galeon Fantasma (Difunto, Furia Roja & Zandokan Jr.) [2:1]
Neon defeats Soberano Jr.

(20.09.2026) Alto Voltaje/CMLL – Event @ Arena Jose Sulaiman in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexiko
Impu & Khepri defeat Aero Power & Instinito
Mr. Puma & Pardex defeat Jay Ortega & King Bravo
Darkness & Desafio defeat Alberto Rios & Engendro
Raider & Virus defeat El Cobarde & Guerrero Maya Jr.
Alto Voltaje Women’s Title: Olympia (c) defeats India Sioux
Gran Guerrero & Los Hermanos Calavera (Calavera Jr. I & Calavera Jr. II) defeat El Clon & Los Villanos (El Hijo del Villano III & Villano III Jr.)

(20.09.2026) CMLL Domingo Familiar – Online Stream @ Arena Mexico in Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexiko
Los Pequeno Depredadores (Mercurio & Pequeno Volador Jr.) defeat Aereo & Shockercito (8:37)
Lightning: KeMonito defeats KeMalito (6:59)
Lightning: Kira defeats Keyra (9:32)
Copa Daniel Garcia Torneo Cibernetico: Brillante Jr. defeats Capitan Suicida and Dragon Legendario and Fugaz and Futuro and Hombre Bala Jr. and Max Star and Pantera Jr. and Rey Pegasus and Valiente Jr. (25:05)
Best Two Out Of Three Falls Tag Team: Averno & Barbaro Cavernario defeat Hechicero & Zandokan Jr. [2:1] (15:26)
Four Way Tag Team: Blue Panther & Xelhua defeat Atlantis & Titan and Neon & Solar and El Pantera & Templario (6:18)
Relevos Increibles Best Two Out Of Three Falls Tag Team: Mascara Dorada & Soberano Jr. defeat Bandido & Komander [2:1] (15:06)

(19.09.2026) CMLL Sabados De Coliseo – Online Stream @ Arena Coliseo de Mexico City in Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexiko
Atrapasuenos (Espiritu Negro & Rey Cometa) defeat Makara & Poseidon
La Fuerza Poblana (Arkalis, Guerrero Maya Jr., Rayo Metalico & Stigma) defeat La Ola Negra (Dark Magic, Espanto Jr. & Gallero) & Rey Apocalipsis
Best Two Out Of Three Falls Six Man Tag Team: India Sioux, Lluvia & Tessa Blanchard defeat Las Infernales (Dark Silueta, Valkiria & Zeuxis) [2:1]
Lightning: Dragon Rojo Jr. defeats Star Jr.
Four Way: Averno defeats Barbaro Cavernario and Ultimo Guerrero and Zandokan Jr.
Best Two Out Of Three Falls Tag Team: Los Hermanos Chavez (Angel de Oro & Niebla Roja) defeat Bandido & Komander [2:1]

(19.09.2026) CMLL Arena Coliseo En Zapapan – Event @ Parque de Las Ninas y Los Ninos in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexiko
Dulce Kitty, Ivanna & Tezca defeat Lady Danger, Nautica & Princesa Aguila
Three Way: Travieso defeats Atomo and Periquito Sacaryas
Best Two Out Of Three Falls Six Man Tag Team: Los Elegidos (Amon-Ra, Continental & Kaiju) defeat Black Warrior Jr., Optimus & Trono [2:1]
Best Two Out Of Three Falls Six Man Tag Team: Adrenalina, Gallo Jr. & Rafaga Jr. defeat La Mafia (Leo, Omar Brunetti & Principe Daniel) [2:1]
Relevos Increibles Best Two Out Of Three Falls Six Man Tag Team: Garra Negra, Ratziel & Sanely defeat Hecate, Keyra & Nexy [2:1]
Relevos Increibles Best Two Out Of Three Falls Six Man Tag Team: Brillante Jr., Dark Panther & Fantastico defeat Gran Guerrero & Los Infernales (Euforia & Mephisto) [2:1]
Best Two Out Of Three Falls Six Man Tag Team: Esfinge, Neon & Xelhua defeat Difunto, Shoma Kato & Yutani [2:1]

Ed’s CMLL note

“From the Anniversary show’s apuesta drama to Thunder Rosa holding the national women’s title, CMLL’s week felt like a blend of tradition and modern crossover. You’ve got international names mixing with homegrown stars, and the calendar doesn’t let up.”

National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)

Gordon at the sports desk

“If CMLL is the cathedral, the NWA this week was the pressure cooker—Powerrr from the 2300 Arena, with contenders, family legacies, and a Texas Death Match that felt right at home in Philly.”

NWA Powerrr – 19.09.2026 (NWA 78, 2300 Arena, Philadelphia)

Ed sets the scene

“Five men fighting for a shot at the Ten Pounds of Gold, tag champions trying to stay one step ahead, and a Hart family standard‑bearer walking into the NWA to stir up the women’s division—that’s a full night at the office.”

Gordon’s match‑by‑match rundown

• NWA World Tag Team Championship: The Country Gentlemen (KC & AJ Cazana, with Col. Joe Cazana) defended against Blunt Force Trauma (Carnage & Damage). The champs jumped BFT before the bell, turning it into a wild brawl. Damage fought back with power offense, but a distraction involving the branding iron let AJ land a decisive shot and score the pin, keeping the belts on the Gentlemen and reinforcing their “by the book” mantra—with a wink.
• Five‑way number one contender’s match (Ten Pounds of Gold): Heath, Pretty Boy Smooth, Kratos, Jack Talos and Effy battled for a future world title shot. Smooth and Talos had a big‑man stare‑down from the start, while Kratos launched himself in a dive that wiped out the field. Effy absorbed heavy punishment, including being hurled across the ring by Kratos, then hit a double Blockbuster on both giants. In the end, Smooth dropped Effy, but Heath slipped in, cleared Smooth out, and stole the pin—earning the number one contender spot and reminding everyone that the “one‑man band” still plays loud.
• Backstage tension – Mims & Pope: In a segment between matches, Mims and The Pope talked about their team needing changes, with Pope stressing that Mims has to start listening if they’re going to stay competitive. It’s a quiet but important thread in the tag and mid‑card picture.
• Brandon McCord’s warning to The Hardway: Brandon McCord, flanked by his “Collection” of Voodoo God Bonez and Gaagz The Gymnast, sent a message to The Hardway that they’re coming for the NWA U.S. Tag Team Titles, signaling another layer of tag division movement.
• Nattie Neidhart’s promo – Hart family business: In‑ring with Kyle Davis, Nattie framed the NWA as family, noting that her grandfather Stu Hart started his career in the NWA over 80 years ago. She said she came down from her “WWE mountaintop” to handle “family business,” focusing on Kenzie and Kylie Paige. She praised the Paige sisters as top‑tier talents but warned that only one would truly make it, urging them to look at each other and decide who would twist the knife—before promising to twist it herself. It was a sharp, confident promo that tied Hart history directly into the modern NWA women’s scene.
• Carson Drake Experience with Silas Mason: On Drake’s talk segment, “Thrillbilly” Silas Mason, the NWA Worlds Champion, made it clear he intends to keep the Ten Pounds of Gold, promising to burn things down if necessary. The exchange set the tone for their upcoming title clash and underscored Mason’s volatile presence at the top of the card.
• Main event – Texas Death Match (in Philly): “Too Hot 2 Trot” Alex Taylor faced Ricky Morton (with Kerry Morton). The fight started before the bell, spilling from the ramp to the ring. Morton laid out thumbtacks, and the Mortons turned the early moments into a two‑on‑one assault. From there, the match leaned into the Texas Death stipulation—weapon spots, knockdowns, and the kind of grit you expect from Ricky in a building that knows his history. The bout served as a generational clash and a violent punctuation mark on the episode with Taylor walking away with the victory.

Ed’s NWA note

“Between Heath sneaking into a title shot, Nattie tying the Hart legacy back to the NWA, and Silas Mason promising to torch the place if he has to, Powerrr felt like a show where every segment nudged the promotion’s identity forward.”

News & rumors around CMLL and NWA

Gordon’s quick hits

• CMLL: The 93rd Anniversary results and the Copa Independencia cibernético show CMLL leaning hard into international crossover—Thunder Rosa as national women’s champion, Persephone defending against AEW and Stardom‑linked names, and Andrade El Idolo and Zack Sabre Jr. featured prominently. The buzz around the Anniversary card has focused on Mistico’s apuesta win over Averno and Hechicero’s successful defense against two world‑class technicians, reinforcing CMLL’s status as a destination for big‑match visitors.
• NWA: The promotion continues to use Powerrr as its central storytelling hub, with Heath’s new contender status, the Paige sisters’ looming clash with Nattie, and Silas Mason’s reign all feeding into NWA 78 and beyond. The company’s emphasis on legacy—Morton, Neidhart, Hart family references—keeps the brand anchored in its history while introducing new faces like Pretty Boy Smooth and Jack Talos to the national audience.

Between the Sheets Podcast

Ed introduces the deep dive

“If you’re the kind of fan who wants to know not just what happened, but how it was covered, dissected, and argued about at the time, there’s one show that keeps coming up in every serious conversation.”

Gordon’s profile

Between the Sheets is a weekly podcast hosted by Kris Zellner and David Bixenspan, dropping every Monday and digging into how a specific week in wrestling history was reported in the newsletters and media of the era. They cover everything from territorial politics to international promotions, with detailed timelines and context that make old results feel brand new again.

Recent episodes have focused on:

• September 15–21, 1984: The birth of Pro Wrestling USA, early attempts to counter the WWF, and New Japan’s upheaval as Riki Choshu’s group jumps to work with Giant Baba.
• September 8–13, 1998: Legal troubles across promotions, DX vs. Kaientai DX, Fall Brawl ’98, and the shifting landscape of late‑’90s WCW and WWF.

You can find the show and its episode list here: Between the Sheets on RedCircle – https://redcircle.com/shows/f0ecb959-5108-4c52-b3e7-2d9f28e5847a

Ed’s closing word

“If CMLL and NWA are giving us the present tense, Between the Sheets is the footnote and the backstory. Put all three together, and you don’t just watch wrestling—you understand the road that got us here.”