2011 LuchaWorld 100 Countdown: #1. Averno

1. Averno – (28) – (5’9″, 174 lbs, 15 yr. pro): Had an incredible 2011. Was probably the second biggest story out of Mexico. The only story that eclipsed the Averno story was Mistico leaving CMLL and joining WWE as Sin Cara. Leader of the rudo trio known as Los Hijos del Averno with Mephisto and Ephesto. Wrestled in Japan as part of the joint CMLL/New Japan Fantasticmania shows in late January. On the second show he lost to long-time rival Mistico in what was one of Mistico’s final matches as part of the CMLL promotion. Los Hijos del Averno had a long-running feud against Generacion Dorada (La Sombra, Mascara Dorada & La Mascara). Averno was successful in defending the NWA World Historic Middleweight Title at the 3/18 Dos Leyendas show against Mascara Dorada. During skits introducing Sin Cara on WWE television, there was a masked wrestler that looked physically similar to Averno. The rumors started and in late May the big story was that Averno was reportedly heading to WWE. The story grew as the plan by that point was to come up with a big payday for a mask match, given Averno figured he wouldn’t be wrestling with a mask or at least would be getting a new identity once he joined WWE. The decision was made within a few weeks that La Mascara would face Averno in a mask match on June 17th. Averno kept denying rumors that he was heading to WWE leading up to the mask match. On June 17th, Averno lost the mask match to La Mascara and was revealed to be Renato Ruiz Cortés. Everyone assumed it was a matter of time before he left. As lineups for upcoming shows came up, everyone assumed Averno would be losing his title on the way out and would lose a few more matches as well. Instead a few things happened. For one, Averno without his mask showed tons more charisma than he ever did with the mask. He came across as a bigger star. The other thing that happened, he kept winning. Along with Mephisto and Ephesto won the CMLL World Trios Titles on July 15th from Generacion Dorada. He continued his feud with La Mascara and won in matches were he defended the NWA World Historic Middleweight Title. Then Sin Cara violated the WWE wellness policy and the rumors of Averno leaving died down. Averno continued to roll along in CMLL. He lost in the finals of the Universal tournament to La Sombra (another fun match) on September 16th. On November 22nd, Averno lost the NWA World Historic Middleweight title to La Mascara. There were some rumors briefly that AAA had tried talking Averno into jumping, but he remained with CMLL. He continued the remainder of 2011 as a top headliner for CMLL.

Photo Credit Alexis Salazar/CMLL. Artwork by kcidis.

FULL LIST CAN BE SEEN HERE – 2011 LUCHAWORLD.COM 100