The Strike That Almost Killed Tonight’s Juicio Final Show At Arena Mexico

Written By Kris Zellner

After almost 11 hours of Arena Mexico being blocked by Tony Rivera and protestors from the infamous “El Barzón Popular”, the doors of Arena Mexico were opened at 3:50 PM EST as the protesters left the premises. There are no details regarding any agreement between EMLL and the protesters but the big Juicio Final show is on for tonight.

The story goes like this, around 5:30 AM today buses started pulling up in front of Arena Mexico to obstruct the entrances so no one could enter the building to get the place ready for business tonight. It was revealed that Tony Rivera was leading the protest with around 100 others and said that he was doing this for all luchadores saying that EMLL doesn’t split the revenue like they should. He told Super Luchas that they take almost all of the money from tickets and sponsorships while paying the boys 200 pesos ($17 US) whether it’s a small show or a big show like tonight. Rivera said that he was treated badly by EMLL and was cut by them without giving him any severance pay which was the final straw in his eyes so he decided to sue them which he said that he won the case but they haven’t paid up. Rivera said that he was offered 9,000 pesos ($756 US) by EMLL but he was offended by that number. The original plan by the protesters were that they weren’t going anywhere until EMLL President Paco Alonso showed up and met their demands personally and they would protest every show until they got their wish. There were quotes from Cresencio Morales who is one of the leaders of “El Barzón Popular” that they wanted 2,000,000 pesos ($160,000 US) from Paco and that they were doing this protest for not just the guys working now but the ones from the past that can’t do anything physically anymore and they want the conditions improved for everyone. Rivera called out the boys for not supporting him in this and mentioned Angel de Oro, Delta, & Rey Escorpion in particular saying they were hiding out. Blue Demon Jr. came out in support of the strike on Twitter so at least that was something.

Super Luchas which is being blamed for this by EMLL because they have recently been pretty much blacklisted by the promotion and this is their way of getting revenge. EMLL also said that Rivera’s claims had no merit because he was fired with cause.