CMLL Super Viernes

Event history

Founded in 1933 as Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre (EMLL) and renamed in 1990, Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) is the world's oldest professional wrestling promotion still active today. Unlike most wrestling promotions in the world CMLL generally does not tour, preferring to hold weekly events in the same buildings on the same nights, only rarely promoting shows in other venues. Super Viernes was originally held in Arena Modelo, then moved to Arena Coliseo in the 1950s and finally moved to Arena México in 1956 upon the completion of the building. Since 1956, CMLL has held their Super Viernes events on every Friday night except for when the promotion takes a break at the end of the year, when they promote a supercard or PPV on Friday night, or due to circumstances beyond CMLL's control.

Three notable events have interrupted CMLL's Friday night lucha libre shows. The 1985 Mexico City earthquake stopped the Super Viernes shows until it was determined that Arena México was structurally sound. In 2020, Super Viernes was paused between June and August due to COVID-19. It resumed in September 2020, with events starting again that first week.

Event significance

CMLL Super Viernes is CMLL's biggest and most important weekly show; it generally draws the largest crowds and features the biggest stars of CMLL in the main events. CMLL wrestlers say that working in Arena México on Friday nights is the "mark of approval" for young wrestlers. Super Viernes has seen many championship matches and changes over the years and also been the site for many Luchas de Apuestas, or bet matches, where wrestlers put either their mask or hair on the line. While CMLL is not as storyline-driven as other companies such as World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), All Elite Wrestling (AEW), or New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), the most important storylines or feud that are promoted in CMLL play out during the Super Viernes shows.

The Friday night Arena México shows normally host all of CMLL's annual tournaments; Super Viernes has hosted tournaments such as the Torneo Gran Alternativa, Leyenda de Plata, Leyenda de Azul, International Gran Prix, Reyes del Aire, La Copa Junior, and Campeonato Universal. From 1999 to 2001, Super Viernes also hosted the Copa Arena México trios tournament.

References

References

1. Madigan, Dan. (2007). "Mondo Lucha Libre: the bizarre & honorable world of wild Mexican wrestling". HarperCollins Publishers.
2. Madigan, Dan. (2007). "Mondo Lucha Libre: the bizarre & honorable world of wild Mexican wrestling". HarperCollins Publishers.