The Torneo Gran Alternativa (Spanish for "the Great Alternative Tournament") is an annual lucha libre tournament held by the Mexican professional wrestling promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL). The tournament was not held in 1997, 2000 and 2002 and was held twice in 1996 and 1998. The most recent Gran Alternativa took place on September 25, 2009 in Arena Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.
Up until 2010 the tournament has always consisted of eight tag teams in a one night, single elimination tournament, sometimes with a match to determine the seeds for the tournament. In 2010 it was announced that the field of competitors was doubled to 16 and the tournament would take place over three shows. The concept of the tournament is to team a young up-and-comer with a veteran and use the tournament to help showcase the younger talent, the young winner is often someone CMLL has plans for, although at times it has not always had the desired result. Último Guerrero is the only wrestler to have won the tournament three times, in 1999 as the rookie and in 2008 and 2011 as the veteran of the team. The tournament is always held in Arena Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico, the main arena of CMLL.
[edit] Tournament winners
| Year |
Winners |
Date |
Note |
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Veteran |
Rookie |
Date |
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| 1994 |
Negro Casas |
Héctor Garza |
01994-12-30 December 30, 1994 |
[1][2] |
| 1995 |
Silver King |
Shocker |
01995-04-07 April 7, 1995 |
[2][3] |
| 1996 (I) |
Bestia Salvaje |
Chicago Express |
01996-06-07 June 7, 1996 |
[2][4] |
| 1996 (II) |
Emilio Charles, Jr. |
Rey Bucanero |
01996-11-15 November 15, 1996 |
[2][5] |
| 1998 |
Emilio Charles, Jr. (2) |
Tony Rivera |
01998-07-14 July 14, 1998 |
[2][6] |
| 1999 (I) |
Blue Panther |
Último Guerrero |
01999-04-02 April 2, 1999 |
[2][7] |
| 1999 (II) |
El Felino |
Tigre Blanco |
01999-12-17 December 17, 1999 |
[2][8] |
| 2001 |
Olímpico |
Sicodelico, Jr. |
02001-08-14 August 14, 2001 |
[2][9] |
| 2003 |
Villaño IV |
Alan Stone |
02003-01-01 January 1, 2003 |
[2][10] |
| 2004 |
El Hijo del Santo |
Místico |
02004-08-20 August 20, 2004 |
[2][11] |
| 2005 |
Atlantis |
La Máscara |
02005-07-01 July 1, 2005 |
[2][12] |
| 2006 |
Perro Aguayo, Jr. |
Místerioso II |
02006-06-02 June 2, 2006 |
[2][13] |
| 2007 |
Místico (2) |
La Sombra |
02007-06-29 June 29, 2007 |
[2][14] |
| 2008 |
Último Guerrero (2) |
Dragón Rojo, Jr. |
02008-07-18 July 18, 2008 |
[15] |
| 2009 |
Yujiro |
Okumura |
02009-09-25 September 25, 2009 |
[16] |
| 2010 |
Héctor Garza (2) |
Pólvora |
02010-04-30 April 30, 2010 |
[17] |
| 2011 |
Escorpion |
Último Guerrero (3) |
02011-04-08 April 8, 2011 |
|
[edit] Gran Alternativa 1994
The first ever Torneo Gran Alternativa was held on December 30, 1994 in Mexico City, Mexico. The first tournament did not feature any kind of "seeding" match preceding the tournament, instead it followed the standard rudo / tecnico divide in the first round. The finals saw the team of veteran Negro Casas and rookie Héctor Garza defeat the team of Satánico and Arkangel de la Muerte.[1][2] In the subsequent years Héctor Garza rose up through the ranks, working stints for World Championship Wrestling and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling in the U.S. and becoming a fixture on the CMLL main event scene.
[edit] Gran Alternativa 1995
The second Gran Alternativa tournament was held on April 7, 1995 and featured several participants from the first tournament, Dr. Wagner, Jr. and Pierroth, Jr. once again participated as the veterans while Guerrero de la Muerte, Astro Rey, Jr. and Shocker returned in the rookie section. Dr. Wagner, Jr. and Astro Rey, Jr. earned their passage to the finals by defeating Mocho Cota and Guerrero de la Muerte in the first round and the brother team of Atlantis and Atlantico. Silver King qualified for the finals by defeating Pierroth, Jr. and Chicago Express and the team of Bestia Salvaje and Corazón Salvaje. In the finals Silver King and Shocker overcame Dr. Wagner, Jr. and Astro Rey, Jr. to win the 1995 Torneo Gran Alternativa.[2][3] Over the subsequent years Shocker became one of the main event wrestlers of CMLL, winning various singles and tag team titles.
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Quarterfinals |
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Semifinals |
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Finals |
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Mocho Cota and Guerrero de la Muerte |
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Dr. Wagner, Jr. and Astro Rey, Jr. |
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Dr. Wagner, Jr. and Astro Rey, Jr. |
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Atlantis and Atlantico |
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Atlantis and Atlantico |
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MS-1 and MS-1, Jr. |
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Dr. Wagner, Jr. and Astro Rey, Jr. |
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Silver King and Shocker |
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Bestia Salvaje and Corazón Salvaje |
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Emilio Charles, Jr. and Halcon Negro, Jr. |
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Bestia Salvaje and Corazón Salvaje |
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Silver King and Shocker |
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Silver King and Shocker |
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Pierroth, Jr. and Chicago Express |
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[edit] Gran Alternativa 1996 (I)
The first of the two Torneo Gran Alternativa took place on June 7, 1996 in Mexico City, Mexico. The veteran group consisted of Dos Caras, Bestia Salvaje, El Felino, El Hijo del Santo, El Brazo, Atlantis and Apolo Dantés while the rookie group included Bronco, Chicago Express, Astro Rey, Jr., Olímpico, Olympus, Guerrero de la Muerte, Atlantico and Rey Bucanero. The fina saw Bestia Salvaje and Chicago Express defeat Atlantis and Atlantico to win the tournament.[2][4] The win did not signal anything major for Chicago Express as he remained in the low card matches while in CMLL.
[edit] Gran Alternativa 1996 (II)
In 1996 decided to how two Gran Alternativa tournaments, with the second one being held on November 15, 1996 in Mexico City, Mexico. Unlike any of the other Gran Alternativa tournaments before or after this tournament featured 20 rookies in a league style tournament to qualify for the actual tag team tournament. The rookies were divided into four groups of five, in a round-robin series of matches where the top two point earners would advance to the tournament. Qualifying for the tournament were Máscara Mágica, Rey Bucanero, Olímpico, Mr. Niebla, Astro Rey, Jr., Atlantico, Karloff Lagarde, Jr. and Jaguar.´Emilio Charles, Jr. and Rey Bucanero won the Gran Alternativa by defeating the teams of Lizmark, Jr. and Jaguar, Satánico and Karloff Lagarde, Jr. and Héctor Garza and Mr. Niebla.[2][5] Rey Bucanero became one of CMLL's main players as he would become a key member of Los Guerreros del Infierno.
[edit] Gran Alternativa 1998
The 1998 Gran Alternativa tournament was held on July 14, 1998 in Mexico City, Mexico. The finals saw Emilio Charles, Jr. and Tony Rivera defeat Bestia Salvaje and Guerrero de la Muerte. Unlike previous tournaments the finals was more storyline driven as Emilio Charles, Jr. had been feuding with Bestia Salvaje and Tony Rivera and Guerrero de la Muerte already had a Luchas de Apuesta, hair vs. hair match scheduled.[2][6] The win did not provide any extra momentum for Tony Rivera who remained in the same position for the rest of his CMLL stint.
[edit] Gran Alternativa 1999 (I)
CMLL held the first of two Gran Alternativa tournaments of 1999 on April 2, 1999 in Mexico City, Mexico. In the first round two members of Los Nuevo Infernales as Rey Bucanero, teaming with Fuerza Guerrera, lost to Último Guerrero, teaming with Blue Panther. In the second round Guerrera and Panther defeated the previous year's winners Emilio Charles, Jr. and Tony Rivera to earn a spot in the finals. Earned their spot in the final by defeating Mr. Niebla and Atlantico as well as Shocker and Astro Rey, Jr.. In the finals Último Guerrero and Blue Panther defeated Mr. Niebla and Atlantico.[2][7] Último Guerrero would go on to become one of the top Rudos of CMLL, forming Los Guerreros del Infierno.
[edit] Gran Alternativa 1999 (II)
The second Gran Alternativa of 1999 was held December 17, 1999 in Mexico City, Mexico and did not feature any wrestlers from the first 1999 Gran Alternativa tournament. Scorpio, Jr. and Fugaz defeated Lizmark, Jr. and Sombra de Plata in the first round and Negro Casas and La Flecha in the second round. El Felino and Tigre Blanco qualified for the finals by defeating Máscara Año 2000 and Sangre Azteca and the team of Ringo Mendoza and Ricky Marvin and then finally defeated the team of Scorpio, Jr. and Fugaz in the final to win the Gran Alternativa tournament.[2][8]
[edit] Gran Alternativa 2001
The 2001 Gran Alternativa was held on August 14, 2001 and was the first tournament to feature a Battle Royal between the eight rookies to determine the seeding for the tournament. Virus won the battle royal, getting the number one seed for himself and Blue Panther. Order of elimination in the battle royal: #1 Alan Stone, #2 Sicodeico, Jr., #3 Enemigo Publico, #4 Sangre Azteca, #5 Tigre Blanco, #6 Volador, Jr. and #7 Doctor X. The final saw Olímpico and Sicodelico, Jr. defeat Black Warrior and Sangre Azteca to win the Gran Alternativa.[2][9] Sicodelico worked for CMLL until 2003, not achieving much of note with the promotion.
[edit] Gran Alternativa 2003
The 2003 Gran Alternativa was held on January 1, 2003 and featured a Battle Royal between the eight rookies to determine the seeding for the tournament. Sangre Azteca won the battle royal, getting the number one seed for himself and Cien Caras. Order of elimination in the battle royal: #1 Marchall, #2 Loco Max, #3 Genético, #4 Ramstein, #5 Chris Stone, #6 Mr. Power and #7 Alan Stone. The final of the tournament saw Villaño IV and Alan Stone defeat Máscara Año 2000 in the final to win the tournament.[2][10][18] Alan Stone did not receive much of a "reward" after the tournament, he continued teaming with his brother Chris Stone until the brothers left CMLL for rival promotion Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (AAA). In contrast the rookie "loser" of the final, Genético would be repackaged as "El Sagrado" in 2003 and given a push.
[edit] Gran Alternativa 2004
The 2004 Gran Alternativa was held on August 20, 2004 and once again featured a Battle Royal between the eight rookies to determine the seeding for the tournament. Místico won the battle royal to earn the top seed for El Hijo del Santo and himself. The order of elimination for the rest of the rookies is unknown, except for Misterioso II who was eliminated first, as for the elimination order of Sangre Azteca, Volador, Jr., Neutron, Doctor X, El Sagrado and Alan Stone the order not completely clear. Místico and El Hijo del Santo qualified for the finals by defeating the teams of Misterioso and Misterioso II and Atlantis and Volador, Jr. Último Guerrero and Doctor X qualified for the finals by defeating Último Dragón and Neutron in the first round and Shocker and Alan Stone. Místico and Hijo del Santo won the Gran Alternativa, a victory that set off Místico's rise to the top of CMLL, where he's been the number one tecnico since 2006/2007.[2][11][19]
[edit] Gran Alternativa 2005
The 2005 Gran Alternativa was held on July 1, 2005 and featured a Battle Royal between the eight rookies to determine the seeding for the tournament. Doctor X won the battle royal to earn the top seed for Universo 2000 and himself. Order of elimination in the battle royal: #1 El Texano, Jr., #2 Nitro, #3 Apokalipsis, #4 Máximo, #5 Sangre Azteca, #6 La Máscara, #7 Misterioso II. The final match saw La Máscara and Atlantis defeat Dr. Wagner Jr. and Misteriosos II.[2][12][20]
[edit] Gran Alternativa 2006
The 2006 Gran Alternativa was held on June 2, 2006 and unlike previous events did not feature a seeding battle royal among the rookie competitors. Último Guerrero and Nitro defeated Dos Caras, Jr. and Volador, Jr. in the first round and Rey Bucanero and Loco Max to earn a spot in the finals. Perro Aguayo, Jr. and Misterioso II first defeated Lizmark, Jr. and Máscara Purpura, then defeated Héctor Garza and Hombre Sin Nombre and finally defeated Guerrero and Nitro to win the Gran Alternativa.[2][13][21] Misteriosos II's position after the Gran Alternativa did not change much, he was the low ranking Rudo in the various groups he was part of such as Los Perros del Mal and Los Hijos del Averno.
[edit] Gran Alternativa 2007
The 13th Gran Alternativa was held on June 29, 2007 and once again did not feature a seeding battle royal among the rookie competitors. Último Guerrero once again made it to the final, teaming with Euforia to defeat Villano V and Super Comando in the first round and Dos Caras, Jr. and Valiente in the second round. 2004 winner Místico teamed with La Sombra to defeat Marco Corelone and Flash and Dr. Wagner, Jr. and Máscara Purpura, before toppling Guerrero and Euforia in the finals, making Místico the first rookie to win the Gran Alternativa as a veteran.[2][14][22] Soon after his win La Sombra teamed with El Sagrado and Volador, Jr. to win the Mexican National Trios Championship and is currently one half of the CMLL World Tag Team Championship team with Volador, Jr.
[edit] Gran Alternativa 2008
The fourteenth Gran Alternativa was held on July 18, 2008 in Mexico City, Mexico. Unlike previous years this years tournament did not feature a "seeding" battle royal. El Brujo was originally announced as a participant, but was replaced by Puma King due to Brujo suffering an injury.[23] Último Guerrero was originally announced as teaming with Diamante Negro, but Diamante changed his ring persona to Dragón Rojo, Jr. in the daus before the Gran Alternativa.[23][24] Guerrero and Dragón Rojo, Jr. qualified for the final by defeating the teams of Shocker and Angel Azteca, Jr. and Blue Panther and Axel. Dos Caras Jr. and Metalik earned the other spot in the final by defeating the teams of Atlantis and Skándalo and Mr. Niebla and El Bronco only to lose in the finals.[15] Since the finals Dragón Rojo, Jr. has become a member of Poder Mexica and one third of the Mexican Nation Trios Champions.
[edit] Gran Alternativa 2009
[edit] Gran Alternativa 2010
[edit] Gran Alternativa 2011
The seventeenth and most recent Gran Alternativa was held in March and April 2011 in Mexico City. Block A, which was won by the team of Escorpion and Último Guerrero, took place on March 25, 2011,[26] and Block B, which was won by Máscara Dorada and Metal Blanco, took place on April 1.[27] The finals of the tournament were held on April 8.[28]
[edit] References
- ^ a b "CMLL Gran Alternativa #1". ProWrestlingHistory.com. December 30, 1994. http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/mexico/emll/grand.html#1. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Flores, Manuel (July 18, 2008). "Histórico de ganadores del torneo: La Gran Alternativa" (in Spanish). SuperLuchas Magazine. http://superluchas.net/2008/07/18/historico-de-ganadores-del-torneo-la-gran-alternativa/. Retrieved September 5, 2009.
- ^ a b "CMLL Gran Alternativa #2". ProWrestlingHistory.com. April 7, 1995. http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/mexico/emll/grand.html#2. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
- ^ a b "CMLL Gran Alternativa #3". ProWrestlingHistory.com. June 7, 1996. http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/mexico/emll/grand.html#3. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
- ^ a b "CMLL Gran Alternativa #4". ProWrestlingHistory.com. November 15, 1996. http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/mexico/emll/grand.html#4. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
- ^ a b "CMLL Gran Alternativa #5". ProWrestlingHistory.com. July 14, 1997. http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/mexico/emll/grand.html#5. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
- ^ a b "CMLL Gran Alternativa #6". ProWrestlingHistory.com. April 2, 1999. http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/mexico/emll/grand.html#6. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
- ^ a b "CMLL Gran Alternativa #7". ProWrestlingHistory.com. December 17, 1999. http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/mexico/emll/grand.html#7. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
- ^ a b "CMLL Gran Alternativa #8". ProWrestlingHistory.com. August 14, 2002. http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/mexico/emll/grand.html#8. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
- ^ a b "CMLL Gran Alternativa #9". ProWrestlingHistory.com. January 1, 2003. http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/mexico/emll/grand.html#9. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
- ^ a b "CMLL Gran Alternativa #10". ProWrestlingHistory.com. August 20, 2004. http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/mexico/emll/grand.html#10. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
- ^ a b "CMLL Gran Alternativa #11". ProWrestlingHistory.com. July 1, 2005. http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/mexico/emll/grand.html#11. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
- ^ a b "CMLL Gran Alternativa #12". ProWrestlingHistory.com. June 2, 2006. http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/mexico/emll/grand.html#12. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
- ^ a b "CMLL Gran Alternativa #13". ProWrestlingHistory.com. June 29, 2007. http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/mexico/emll/grand.html#13. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
- ^ a b "CMLL Gran Alternativa #14". ProWrestlingHistory.com. July 18, 2008. http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/mexico/emll/grand.html#14. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
- ^ Marquina, Alva (September 25, 2009). "CMLL- (Resultados en vivo 25 septiembre de 2009) – Último Guerrero venció a Liger. Yujiro y Okumura se llevan el Torneo la Gran Alternativa" (in Spanish). SuperLuchas Magazine. http://superluchas.net/2009/09/25/cmll-resultados-en-vivo-25-septiembre-de-2009-ultimo-guerrero-vs-liger-torneo-la-gran-alternativa/. Retrieved September 26, 2009.
- ^ Rivera, Manuel (May 1, 2010). "Resultados Arena México (30 abril 2010): ¡Pequeño Warrior destapa a Bracito de Oro! ¡Pólvora recibe la Gran Alternativa!" (in Spanish). SuperLuchas Magazine. http://superluchas.net/2010/05/01/resultados-arena-mexico-30-abril-2010-%c2%a1pequeno-warrior-destapa-a-bracito-de-oro-%c2%a1polvora-recibe-la-gran-alternativa/. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
- ^ Box y Lucha staff (January 12, 2003). "Gran Alternativa: Vilaño IV y Alan Stome" (in Spanish). Box y Lucha Magazine. issue 2592.
- ^ Ruiz, Jose (August 30, 2004). "Gran Alternativa 2004" (in Spanish). Super Luchas. issue 70.
- ^ Ruiz, Jose (July 12, 2005). "Gran Alternativa 2005" (in Spanish). Super Luchas. issue 115.
- ^ Jose, Miguel (June 10, 2005). "Gran Alternativa 2006" (in Spanish). Super Luchas. issue 164.
- ^ Ocampo, Jorge (September 12, 2004). "Gran Alternativa 2007" (in Spanish). Super Luchas. issue 229.
- ^ a b "Próxima semana, La Gran Alternativa en la Arena México" (in Spanish). SuperLuchas Magazine. July 12, 2009. http://superluchas.net/2008/07/12/proxima-semana-la-gran-alternativa-en-la-arena-mexico/. Retrieved September 5, 2009.
- ^ "El nuevo luchador presentado por el CMLL" (in Spanish). SuperLuchas Magazine. July 17, 2009. http://superluchas.net/2008/07/17/el-nuevo-luchador-presentado-por-el-cmll/. Retrieved September 5, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g "CMLL Super Viernes - Torneo Gran Alternativa 2008" (in German). CageMatch.net. July 18, 2008. http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=31197. Retrieved September 5, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Ruiz Glez, Alex (March 26, 2011). "Arena México (resultados 25 de marzo) Último Guerrero y Escorpión a la final de la gran alternativa 2011 ¿Goto y Rush inician rivalidad?" (in Spanish). SuperLuchas Magazine. http://superluchas.net/2011/03/26/arena-mexico-resultados-25-de-marzo-ultimo-guerrero-y-escorpion-a-la-final-de-la-gran-alternativa-2011-%C2%BFgoto-y-rush-inician-rivalidad/. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Mexicool, Rey (April 2, 2011). "La Segunda Eliminatoria de la Gran Alternativa fue para Máscara Dorada y Metal Blanco" (in Spanish). SuperLuchas Magazine. http://superluchas.net/2011/04/02/la-segunda-eliminatoria-de-la-gran-alternativa-fue-para-mascara-dorada-y-metal-blanco/. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
- ^ a b Salazar López, Alexis A. (April 8, 2011). "La Gran Alternativa 2011 fue para Escorpión y Ultimo Guerrero !!" (in Spanish). Estrellas del Ring. http://estrellasdelring.blogspot.com/2011/04/la-gran-alternativa-2011-fue-para.html. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
[edit] See also
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
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