CMLL International Gran Prix (1996)

The CMLL International Gran Prix (1996) was a lucha libre, or professional wrestling, tournament produced and scripted by the Mexican professional wrestling promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL; "World Wrestling Council" in Spanish) which took place on July 5, 1996, in Arena México, Mexico City, Mexico, CMLL's main venue. The 1996 International Gran Prix was the third time CMLL has held an International Gran Prix tournament since 1994. All International Gran Prix tournaments have been a one-night tournament, always as part of CMLL's Friday night CMLL Super Viernes shows.

CMLL International Gran Prix (1996)
Tiger Mask IV, travelled to Mexico for the tournament
PromotionConsejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
DateJuly 5, 1996
CityMexico City, Mexico
VenueArena México
Event chronology
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Gran Alternativa
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CMLL 63rd Anniversary Show
International Gran Prix chronology
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1995
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1997

The third International Gran Prix followed the format of the first two Gran Prix tournaments by featuring a one night, 16-man single elimination tournament consisting of Mexican natives and foreign-born wrestlers, some of which worked for CMLL on a regular basis and others who were invited specially for the tournament (such as Tiger Mask IV). The final match saw El Hijo del Santo defeat The Great Sasuke from Michinoku Pro to win the International Gran Prix.

Production

Background

In 1994 the Mexican professional wrestling promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) organized their first ever International Gran Prix tournament. The first tournament followed the standard "single elimination" format and featured sixteen wrestlers in total, eight representing Mexico and eight "international" wrestlers.[1] In the end Mexican Rayo de Jalisco Jr. defeated King Haku in the finals to win the tournament.[1] In 1995 CMLL brought the tournament back, creating an annual tournament held every year from 1995 through 1998 and then again in 2002, 2003 and finally from 2005 through 2008.[1]

Storylines

The CMLL Gran Prix show featured fifteen professional wrestling matches scripted by CMLL with some wrestlers involved in scripted feuds. The wrestlers portray either heels (referred to as rudos in Mexico, those that play the part of the "bad guys") or faces (técnicos in Mexico, the "good guy" characters) as they perform.[2]

Tournament

Tournament overview

Name Country promotion
Astro Rey Jr.MexicoCMLL
Bestia SalvajeMexicoCMLL
Black WarriorMexicoCMLL
El BroncoMexicoCMLL
Negro CasasMexicoCMLL
El DandyMexicoCMLL
El FelinoMexicoCMLL
Yone GenjinJapanMichinoku Pro
Guerrera de la MuerteMexicoCMLL
The Great SasukeJapanMichinoku Pro
El Hijo del SantoMexicoCMLL
Máscara MágicaMexicoCMLL
Mr. NieblaMexicoCMLL
Rey BucaneroMexicoCMLL
ShockerMexicoCMLL
Tiger Mask IVJapanMichinoku Pro

Tournament brackets

Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
El Hijo del Santo W
Negro Casas   El Hijo del Santo W
Guerrera de la Muerte W Guerrera de la Muerte  
El Bronco   El Hijo del Santo W
Astro Rey Jr.   Máscara Mágica  
El Dandy W El Dandy  
Máscara Mágica W Máscara Mágica W
Mr. Niebla   El Hijo del Santo
Shocker W The Great Sasuke  
Black Warrior   Shocker  
El Felino W El Felino W
Tiger Mask IV   El Felino  
Bestia Salvaje W The Great Sasuke W
Yone Genjin   Bestia Salvaje  
Rey Bucanero   The Great Sasuke W
The Great Sasuke W

Tournament show

No.Results[3]Stipulations
1El Felino defeated Tiger Mask1996 International Gran Prix first round match
2Shocker defeated Black Warrior1996 International Gran Prix first round match
3Bestia Salvaje defeated Yone Genjin1996 International Gran Prix first round match
4The Great Sasuke defeated Rey Bucanero1996 International Gran Prix first round match
5Máscara Mágica defeated Mr. Niebla1996 International Gran Prix first round match
6El Dandy defeated Astro Rey Jr.1996 International Gran Prix first round match
7El Hijo del Santo defeated Negro Casas1996 International Gran Prix first round match
8Guerrero de la Muerte defeated El Bronco1996 International Gran Prix first round match
9El Felino defeated Shocker1996 International Gran Prix quarter final match
10The Great Sasuke defeated Bestia Salvaje1996 International Gran Prix quarter final match
11Mascara Magica defeated El Dandy1996 International Gran Prix quarter final match
12El Hijo del Santo defeated Guerrero de la Muerte1996 International Gran Prix quarter final match
13The Great Sasuke defeated El Felino1996 International Gran Prix semi-final match
14El Hijo del Santo defeated Mascara Magica1996 International Gran Prix semi-final match
15El Hijo del Santo defeated The Great Sasuke1996 International Gran Prix final match

References

  1. "CMLL Gran Prix Tournament". ProWrestlingHistory.com. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
  2. Madigan, Dan (2007). ""Okay... what is Lucha Libre?"". Mondo Lucha a Go Go: the bizarre & honorable world of wild Mexican wrestling. New York, New York: HarperCollins Publishers. p. 31. ISBN 978-0-06-085583-3. featuring clearly distinguished good guys and bad guys, or técnicos and rudos
  3. "Gran Prix Tournament 1996". ProWrestlingHistory.com. July 5, 1996. Retrieved August 30, 2009.
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