AEW, NJPW stars to challenge for CMLL World title at 93rd Aniversario
A three-way World Championship match with challengers from AEW and NJPW has been added to the card for CMLL’s 93rd Aniversario.
CMLL’s annual anniversary spectacular is set to take place at Arena Mexico on Friday, September 18 — and it was announced on CMLL Informa this week that Hechicero will defend his World Heavyweight Championship against Claudio Castagnoli and Zack Sabre Jr. on the card. Castagnoli is a former champion, while Sabre is attempting to win his first CMLL gold.
Hechicero, who is under a dual contract with CMLL and AEW, began his World Heavyweight Championship reign this March by defeating Castagnoli for the belt. His most recent defense was a victory over Eddie Kingston last week, with Kingston — who had been dealing with a health/injury issue leading into the bout — receiving poor reviews online for his performance.
This is Hechicero’s second CMLL World Heavyweight Championship reign after a previous run with the title in 2021-2022.
CMLL World Women’s Championship match also set —
Also on Informa, it was announced that Persephone will defend her CMLL Women’s World Championship in a four-way match at the Aniversario against three International competitors. Mina Shirakawa, Starlight Kid, and Tessa Blanchard are her challengers.
Persephone is the new AEW TBS Champion in addition to holding the CMLL World title.
The updated Aniversario lineup is listed below:
- Elimination match: Ultimo Guerrero & Templario vs. Mistico & Averno vs. Star Jr. & Zandokan Jr. vs. Dragon Rojo Jr. & Barbaro Cavernario (winning team advances to face each other in mask vs. hair main event)
- CMLL World Heavyweight Champion Hechicero defends against Claudio Castagnoli and Zack Sabre Jr.
- CMLL World Women’s Champion Persephone defends against Mina Shirakawa, Starlight Kid, and Tessa Blanchard
- CMLL World Tag Team Champions Angel de Oro & Niebla Roja defend against Hijo del Villano III & Villano III Jr. and two more teams to be determined
- CMLL World Welterweight Champion Titan defends against Komander
- Andrade El Idolo vs. Volador Jr.
- Bandido vs. Soberano Jr.
- Maika, Mei Seira & Ema Maishima vs. TBA
Joseph Currier
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated’s wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.
About The Author
