Gran Alternativa
CMLL (Mexico City) occasionally holds a tournament to highlight promising young wrestlers, called the Gran Alterntiva tournament. The tournament creates 8 or 16 teams of undercard wrestlers with higher profile legends who match them in tecnico/rudo stytle but usually don't team together. The teams meet in a typical single elimination single fall tournament over one or two shows. The winning young wrestler typically gets a reward of being spotlighted in some extra way.
Summary Of Winners
| Date | Novato | Veteran | Benefited |
| 1994.12.30 | Hector Garza | Negro Casas | Yes |
| 1995.04.07 | Shocker | Silver King | Yes |
| 1996.06.07 | Chicago Express | Bestia Salvaje | No |
| 1996.11.15 | Rey Bucanero | Emilio Charles Jr. | Yes |
| 1998.07.14 | Tony Rivera | Emilio Charles Jr. | No |
| 1999.04.02 | Ultimo Guerrero | Blue Panther | Yes |
| 1999.12.17 | Tigre Blanco | Felino | No |
| 2001.08.14 | Sicodélico Jr. | Olimpico | No |
| 2003.01.01 | Alan Stone | Villano IV | No |
| 2004.08.20 | Mistico | El Hijo Del Santo | Yes |
| 2005.07.01 | La Mascara | Atlantis | Yes |
| 2006.06.02 | Misterioso II | Perro Aguayo Jr. | Yes |
| 2007.06.29 | La Sombra | Mistico | Yes |
| 2008.07.19 | Dragon Rojo Jr. | Ultimo Guerrero | Yes |
| 2009.09.25 | Okumura | Yujiro | No |
| 2010.04.30 | Polvora | Hector Garza | Yes |
| 2011.04.08 | Escorpion | Ultimo Guerrero | Yes |
| 2012.04.13 | Euforia | El Terrible | ?? |
1994
The first tournament took place on December 30, 1994. Source: Pro Wrestling History.com
| Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Finals | |||||||||||
| Dr. Wagner Jr. & Halcon Negro Jr. | W | ||||||||||||
| Gran Markus Jr. & Astro Rey Jr. | |||||||||||||
| Dr. Wagner Jr. & Halcon Negro Jr. | |||||||||||||
| Negro Casas & Hector Garza | W | ||||||||||||
| Negro Casas & Hector Garza | W | ||||||||||||
| Pierroth & Guerrero de la Muerte | |||||||||||||
| Negro Casas & Hector Garza | W | ||||||||||||
| Satanico & Arkangel de la Muerte | |||||||||||||
| Satanico & Arkangel de la Muerte | W | ||||||||||||
| Dos Caras & Olimpico | |||||||||||||
| Satanico & Arkangel de la Muerte | W | ||||||||||||
| El Dandy & Shocker | |||||||||||||
| El Dandy & Shocker | W | ||||||||||||
| La Fiera & Mascara Maligna | |||||||||||||
1995
This year's tournament took place on April 7.
| Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Finals | |||||||||||
| Dr. Wagner Jr. & Astro Rey Jr. | W | ||||||||||||
| Mocho Cota & Guerrero de la Muerte | |||||||||||||
| Dr. Wagner Jr. & Astro Rey Jr. | W | ||||||||||||
| Atlantis & Atlantico | |||||||||||||
| Atlantis & Atlantico | W | ||||||||||||
| MS-1 & MS-1 Jr. | |||||||||||||
| Dr. Wagner Jr. & Astro Rey Jr. | |||||||||||||
| Silver King & Shocker | W | ||||||||||||
| Bestia Salvaje & Corazon Salvaje | W | ||||||||||||
| Emilio Charles Jr. & Halcon Negro | |||||||||||||
| Bestia Salvaje & Corazon Salvaje | |||||||||||||
| Silver King & Shocker | W | ||||||||||||
| Silver King & Shocker | W | ||||||||||||
| Pierroth Jr. & Chicago Express | |||||||||||||
Reward: Main event trios matches for the finalists, semi-main event trios matches for the semifinalists.
1996
Two seperate tournaments this year.
The first happened on June 7.
Bestia Salvaje/Chicago Express- |Salvaje/Chicago---- Dos Caras/Bronco--------------- | |Salvaje/Chicago---- El Hijo Del Santo/Olimpico----- | | |Santo/Olimpico----- | Felino/Astro Rey Jr.----------- |Bestia Salvaje |Chicago Express Rambo/Guerrero De La Muerte---- | |Rambo/Muerte------- | El Brazo/Olimpus--------------- | | |Atlantis/Atlantico- Atlantis/Atlantico------------- | |Atlantis/Atlantico- Apolo Dantes/Rey Bucanero------
Reward: Chicago Express wrestled in some Arena Mexico semi main events, which led to a NWA LH Title match against El Dandy.
The second tournament started in November. This tournament is diferent from the ones that followed it, because a qualification round led into the tournament. 20 young wrestlers were split into 4 divisions for round robin matchups. Top two from each division moved on to the normal tag team tournamnet, only being assigned partners in that stage.
According to this recap, the divisions participants were:
- Mascara Magica, Astro Rey Jr., Principe Frankie, Kung Fu Jr., Filoso
- Rey Bucanero, Atlantico, Alacran, Ultraman Jr., America
- Mr. Niebla, Jaguar, Brandon, Linx, Ultimatum
- Olimpico, Karloff Lagarde Jr., Olimpus, Corazon Salvaje, Mano Negra Jr.
Gran Alternativa League, 1996 results.
The tournament itself proceeded like this:
Felino/Astro Rey Jr.--------- |Satanico/Karolff- Satanico/Karloff Lagarde Jr.- | |Emilio/Rey--- Lizmark Jr./Jaguar----------- | | |Emilio/Rey------- | Emilio Charles/Rey Bucanero-- | |Emilio Charles Jr. Hector Garza/Mr. Niebla------ |Rey Bucanero |Garza/Niebla----- | Atlantis/Atlantico----------- | | |Garza/Niebla- Rayo de Jalisco/Olimpico----- | |Dos/Magica------- Dos Caras/Mascara Magica-----
Reward: Rey got apparently got semi-main in Arena Mexico for this match. Which is fair, since the main event was Santo turning rudo. Rey got a few semimains after.
1998
Emilio Charles Jr. and Tony Rivera beat Bestia Salvaje and Guerrero De La Muerte to win the tournament on 7/14/98, en route to building up hair/hair matches for the younger rivals, which Tony won.
1999
There were actually two tournaments held in the '99 year, though the last one was late enough in the year to almost considered in the 2000 version.
According to the this recap, the first tournament on 04/02/99 went like this.
Blue Panther/Ultimo Guerrero----- |Panther/Ultimo--- Fuerza Guerrera/Rey Bucanero----- | |Panther/Ultimo--- Emilio Charles Jr./Tony Rivera--- | | |Emilio/Tony------ | Satanico/Violencia--------------- | |Blue Panther Mr. Niebla/Atlantico------------- |Ultimo Guerrero |Niebla/Atlantico- | Felino/Starman------------------- | | |Niebla/Atlantico- Shocker/Astro Rey Jr.------------ | |Shocker/Astro---- Apolo Dantes/Karloff Lagarde Jr.-
Reward: Blue Panther was enthused with the victory and talked about Ultimo joining his Panther/Black Warrior/Dr. Wagner faction. Ultimo Guerrero's reward was three weeks in a row in the main event of Arena Coliseo. The first two weeks were Giant Silva handicap matches. The third was a Wagner/Scorpio/Ultimo vs Negro/Niebla/Tinieblas Jr. of no particular merit to Ultimo
Some articles about Ultimo's win here imply Ultimo gets a NWA Middleweight Championship the third week, but I believe that came from an unrelated cibernetico. One could say he rode the wave of one tournament success to win another, but they weren't directly related.
(Additional info from Satanico's Ultimo Guerrero bio, and La Esquina del Dolor))
The second tournament was on 12/17/99.
Ringo Mendoza/Ricky Marvin----- |Ringo/Ricky--- Apolo Dantes/Alan Stone-------- | |Felino/Tigre-- Felino/Tigre Blanco------------ | | |Felino/Tigre-- | Mascara Ano 2000/Sangre Azteca- | |Felino Scorpio Jr./Fugaz-------------- |Tigre Blanco |Scorpio/Fugaz- | Lizmark Jr./Sombra de Plata---- | | |Scorpio/Fugaz- Negro Casas/Flecha------------- | |Negro/Flecha-- Bestia Salvaje/Moto Cross------
(Info culled from Highspots's Sangre Azteca and Ricky Marvin bios. Parts of this tournament can be found on tape at WrestleholicsVideo.com)
Reward: Nothing in particular.
2001
I watched this show and wrote down the full brackets!
Blue Panther/Virus--------------- |Panther/Virus---- Mr. Niebla/Alan Stone------------ | |Olimpico/'delico- Olimpico/Psicodelico Jr.--------- | | |Olimpico/'delico- | Gran Markus Jr./Dr. X------------ | |Olimpico Atlantis/Volador Jr.------------- |Psicodelico Jr. |Atlantis/Volador- | Mascara Ano 2000/Enemigo Publico- | | |Warrior/Azteca--- Black Warrior/Sangre Azteca------ | |Warrior/Azteca--- Black Tiger/Tigre Blanco---------
(CANZ also recapped this show and arguably had a better grip on what was going on. The tape of this also at WHV.)
Reward: Psicodelico Jr. got a semi-main in Arena Mexico.
2003
Villano IV and Alan Stone b Mascara Ano 2000 and Sagrado on 01.01, in Arena Coliseo. This had previously been listed with the other team listed as the winners, but CMLL published a list of winners in 2009, including Villano 4 and Alan Stone as winners
Other teams listed in the tournament:
- Cien Caras & Sangre Azteca
- Gran Markus Jr. & Marshall
- Juventud Guerrera & Loco Max
- Mascara Magica & Mr. Power
- Scorpio Jr. & Ramstein
- Villano III & Chris Stone
Individual results have not been found. Volador Jr. was later pictured in the tournament, so he replaced one of the novatos.
Reward: Again, I'm not sure. Nothing in particular.
2004
This tournament took place 08/20/04
Santo/Mistico------------------ |Santo/Mistico---- Misterioso I/Misterioso II----- | |Santo/Mistico- Atlantis/Volador Jr.----------- | | |Atlantis/Volador- | Perro Aguayo Jr./Sangre Azteca- |El Hijo Del Santo |Mistico Ultimo Guerrero/Dr. X---------- | |Guerrero/X------- | Ultimo Dragon/Neutron---------- | | |Guerrero/X---- Shocker/Alan Stone------------- | |Shocker/Alan----- Mascara Sagrada/Sagrado--------
Mistico springboarded to the main event as a result.
2005
The 2005 tournament was held on July 1st.
Universo 2000 & Dr. X--------- |Universo/X-------- Bronco & Texano Jr.----------- | |Wagner/Misterioso- Dr. Wagner Jr. & Misterioso--- | | |Wagner/Misterioso- | Pierroth & Nitro-------------- | |Atlantis Atlantis & La Mascara--------- |La Mascara |Atlantis/Mascara-- | Damian 666 & Apocalipsis------ | | |Atlantis/Mascara-- Ultimo Guerrero/Sangre Azteca- | |Ultimo/Sangre----- Negro Casas & Maximo----------
The finalists got to do a rematch for the main event the following week.
2006
This year's version of the tournament happened on June 2nd.
Hector Garza & Hombre Sin Nombre-- |Garza & HSN-------- Negro Casas & Maximo-------------- | |Perro & Misterioso- Perro Aguayo Jr. & Misterioso II-- | | |Perro & Misterioso- | Hijo de Lizmark & Mascara Purpura- |Perro Aguayo Jr. |Misterioso II Rey Bucanero & Loco Max----------- | |Rey & Loco -------- | Heavy Metal & Texano Jr.---------- | | |Ultimo & Nitro------ Ultimo Guerrero & Nitro----------- | |Ultimo & Nitro----- Dos Caras Jr. & Volador Jr.-------
Sangre Azteca was originally scheduled for the tournament, but was replaced when CMLL remembered he was supposed to be in the 2006 NJPW Super Junior Tournament, happening at the same time.
2007
The tournament took place on June 29. After CMLL loaded up on long time midcard wrestlers the previous year, this year started a new policy of wrestlers only wrestling as novatos once.
Dr. Wagner Jr. & Mascara Purpura- |Wagner/Purpura- Negro Casas & Stuka Jr.---------- | |Mistico/Sombra- Mistico & La Sombra-------------- | | |Mistico/Sombra- | Heavy Metal & Super Nova--------- | |Mistico Dos Caras Jr. & Valiente--------- |La Sombra |Dos/Valiente--- | Marco Corelone & Flash----------- | | |Ultimo/Euforia- Ultimo Guerrero & Euforia-------- | |Ultimo/Euforia- Villano V & Super Comando--------
Shocker was originally announced as Valiente's partner, but was replaced in the days before the show by Dos Caras Jr.
The finalists rematched in a trios match the following week. With the exception of Super Comando, all the young partners received extra attention after the tournament. Sombra jumped to stellar and semimain events in most CMLL shows and Valiente jumped to semi and especial matches. Purpura, Stuka, Flash and Euforia became regulars in 2nd matches, rising to especial level in Arena Coliseo DF matches. Super Nova seemed to be rising to a similar level before leaving the country to turn with NWE.
2008
This year's tournament was held on July 18 in Arena Mexico.
Ultimo Guerrero & Dragon Rojo Jr.- |Ultimo/Dragon- Shocker & Angel Azteca Jr.-------- | |Ultimo/Dragon- Blue Panther & Axel--------------- | | |Panther/Axel-- | Villano V & Puma King------------- |Ultimo Guerrero |Dragon Rojo Jr. Mr. Niebla & Bronco--------------- | |Niebla/Bronco- | Hector Garza & Astro Boy---------- | | |Dos/Metalik--- Dos Caras Jr. & Metalik----------- | |Dos/Metalik--- Atlantis & Skandalo---------------
This was the debut of Dragon Rojo Jr., who'd wrestled as Diamante Negro (Jr.) previously. Brujo, believed to be a debuting Caifán, was originally announced as Villano V's partner. During the week, Caifán suffered a knee injury and Brujo was replaced by Puma King.
2009
| Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Finals | |||||||||||
| Angel de Plata & Hector Garza | W | ||||||||||||
| Polvora & Averno | |||||||||||||
| Angel de Plata & Hector Garza | |||||||||||||
| Okumura & Yujiro | W | ||||||||||||
| Okumura & Yujiro | W | ||||||||||||
| Rouge & Toscano | |||||||||||||
| Okumura & Yujiro | W | ||||||||||||
| Angel de Oro & Mistico | |||||||||||||
| Angel de Oro & Mistico | W | ||||||||||||
| Camorra & Atlantis | |||||||||||||
| Angel de Oro & Mistico | W | ||||||||||||
| Tiger Kid & Mr. Niebla | |||||||||||||
| Tiger Kid & Mr. Niebla | W | ||||||||||||
| Rey Cometa & Blue Panther | |||||||||||||
Shocker was originally announced as Rouge's partner. CMLL had pulled him from the anniversary show the week prior for unexplained reasons, announced him in this tournament, then pulled him again for Toscano.
Yujiro was announced as teaming with Semental, but Yujrio refused to team with a Mexican in the tournament. Okumura attacked Semental and was allowed to take his spot.
2010
For the first time, the Gran Alternativa was a 16 team tournament held over 3 weeks, all in Arena Mexico. The first block, held on April 16, was won by Hector Garza & Polvora. The second block, held on April 23, was won by Volador Jr. & Delta.
| Round of 16 | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Final | ||||||||||
| Blue Panther & Rey Cometa | W | ||||||||||||
| Rey Bucanero & Semental | Blue Panther & Rey Cometa | ||||||||||||
| Hector Garza & Polvora | W | Hector Garza & Polvora | W | ||||||||||
| La Mascara & Sensei | Hector Garza & Polvora | W | |||||||||||
| Diamante & La Sombra | Diamante & La Sombra | ||||||||||||
| Mephisto & Cancerbero | W | Diamante & La Sombra | W | ||||||||||
| Atlantis & Inquisidor | W | Atlantis & Inquisidor | |||||||||||
| Terrible & Disturbio | Hector Garza & Polvora | W | |||||||||||
| Toscano & Pegasso | Volador Jr. & Delta | ||||||||||||
| Ultimo Guerrero & Puma King | W | Ultimo Guerrero & Puma King | W | ||||||||||
| Shocker & Angel Azteca Jr. | Texano Jr. & Durango Kid | ||||||||||||
| Texano Jr. & Durango Kid | W | Ultimo Guerrero & Puma King | |||||||||||
| Felino & Tiger Kid | Volador Jr. & Delta | W | |||||||||||
| Volador Jr. & Delta | W | Volador Jr. & Delta | W | ||||||||||
| Valiente & Guerrero Maya | Averno & Raciel | ||||||||||||
| Averno & Raciel | W | ||||||||||||
2011
The tournament returned on March 25 at Arena Mexico. Like last year, it's a three week, sixteen luchador tournament. There was no restriction on repeat appearances, and young wrestlers higher up the card than usual were included.
Metal Blanco and Palacio Negro had previously appeared in Mexico City around the 2010 National Trios Tournament, but had returned to being regulars in Arena Coliseo Guadalajara up to this tournament. Lestat was solely a Arena Puebla regular, but had long ago been part of the 2004 version of Guapos U, only getting one match in Arena Mexico before disappearing for 9 months.
| Round of 16 | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Final | ||||||||||
| Blue Panther & Angel de Plata | |||||||||||||
| Mr. Niebla & Hijo del Signo | W | Mr. Niebla & Hijo del Signo | |||||||||||
| Atlantis & Fuego | La Sombra & Diamante | W | March 25 | ||||||||||
| La Sombra & Diamante | W | La Sombra & Diamante | |||||||||||
| Ultimo Guerrero & Escorpion | W | Guerrero & Escorpion | W | ||||||||||
| Brazo de Plata & Magnus | Ultimo Guerrero & Escorpion | W | |||||||||||
| Toscano & Rey Cometa | Terrible & Mortiz | ||||||||||||
| Terrible & Mortiz | W | Ultimo Guerrero & Escorpion | W | ||||||||||
| Volador Jr. & Dragon Lee | W | Mascara Dorada & Metal Blanco | |||||||||||
| La Mascara & Hombre Bala Jr. | Volador Jr. & Dragon Lee | ||||||||||||
| Mascara Dorada & Metal Blanco | W | Mascara Dorada & Metal Blanco | W | April 1 | |||||||||
| Mephisto & Tiger Kid | Mascara Dorada & Metal Blanco | DQ[1] | |||||||||||
| Negro Casas & Puma King | W | Averno & Palacio Negro | |||||||||||
| Guerrero Maya Jr. & Maximo | Negro Casas & Puma King | ||||||||||||
| Averno & Palacio Negro | W | Averno & Palacio Negro | W | ||||||||||
| Black Warrior & Lestat | |||||||||||||
- ↑ Averno unmasked Dorada for the DQ
2012
2012's tournament started on March 30 at Arena Mexico. As in recent year, it's a three week, sixteen novato tournament. There are no restrictions on repeat appearances, and young wrestlers higher up the card than usual were included.
| Round of 16 | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Final | ||||||||||
| Titán & Máscara Dorada | |||||||||||||
| Euforia & Terrible | W | Euforia & Terrible | W | ||||||||||
| Rey Cometa & Blue Panther | DQ | Rey Cometa & Blue Panther | March 31 | ||||||||||
| Puma King & Negro Casas | Euforia & Terrible | W | |||||||||||
| Pegasso & La Máscara | Dragon Lee & Rush | ||||||||||||
| Niebla Roja & Último Guerrero | W | Niebla Roja & Último Guerrero | |||||||||||
| Dragon Lee & Rush | W | Dragon Lee & Rush | W | ||||||||||
| Bobby Zavala & Rey Bucanero | Euforia & Terrible | W | |||||||||||
| Diamante & Valiente | Triton & Atlantis | ||||||||||||
| Cancerbero & Mephisto | W | Cancerbero & Mephisto | |||||||||||
| El Hijo del Signo & Felino | Raziel & Volador Jr. | W | April 6 | ||||||||||
| Raziel & Volador Jr. | W | Raziel & Volador Jr. | |||||||||||
| Bronco & Mr. Niebla | W | Triton & Atlantis | W | ||||||||||
| Fuego & Super Porky | Bronco & Mr. Niebla | ||||||||||||
| Hombre Bala Jr. & Marco Corleone | Triton & Atlantis | W | |||||||||||
| Triton & Atlantis | W | ||||||||||||
Source
- (Thanks to Rob on filling in a lot of blanks.)
