Written by Isabella Baute Arboleda & Bill Bodkin
All Photos Credit: AAA/WWE
On Saturday August 16, AAA will present Triplemania XXXIII from Arena CDMX in Mexico City. The event is AAA’s annual Wrestlemania-esque show that blows off huge feuds and often features blood, violence, cages, high profile cameos, throwbacks to AAA’s past and absolute madness.
This year will be the first Triplemania from Mexico City under the WWE banner for AAA. (If you’re confused, AAA does use the Triplemania name to brand other PPV’s like Triplemania: Regia in June. Don’t worry, it doesn’t make a ton of sense!)
This year the show will feature a cavalcade of stars from WWE in nearly every match, and the future of AAA will hang heavily on the outcome of this show.
Pop Break’s Editor-in-Chief Bill Bodkin (who has written about Triplemania before) and staff writer Isabella Baute Arboleda are here to give their predictions.
We will provide the betting odds from BetOnline.ag courtesy of Stuff Media Group.
Three Way for the AAA Reina de Reinas Championship: Flammer © vs. Faby Apache vs. Natalya
Betting Line:
Lady Flammer (c) -300 (1/3)
Faby Apache +250 (5/2)
Natalya
Isabella’s Thoughts: This match is likely to be exciting, but it’s difficult to predict the outcome. We have three wrestlers involved: Flammer, who is a strong champion; Natalya, one of the top WWE superstars, bringing her unique skills to the ring; and Faby Apache, who has a lot of fans and respect. However, I don’t think this match will go in Faby’s favor.
We can expect a lot of action from these three talented women. Each of them will want to showcase their skills, which could make for a challenging match. Ultimately, I believe there are only two possible outcomes: either Flammer or Natalya will win. While it’s hard to predict the result, I lean towards Flammer taking the victory, as this could be her opportunity to gain more spotlight.
Prediction: I predict Flamer will win, but Natalya could surprise us and become the new AAA Reina de Reinas Champion.
Bill’s Thoughts: The creative future of AAA hinges on every match. One could predict that all titles will change hands on this show. Natalya winning the belt would be a great reward for her great run on the independents, and she’d be a stabilizing force to the division.
However … I think Flammer retains. This match will allow for her Las Toxicas stablemates La Hiedra and Lady Maravilla to make their first AAA/WWE appearance and cost Nattie and Faby the title. This will lead to Faby and Nattie teaming up, and then adding the eventual winner of the Reina de Reinas — Lola Vice — the change to join them in the fight
Prediction: Flammer
AAA Latin American Title Match: El Mesias © vs. El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr.
Betting Line:
El Mesias (c)
El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. +200 (2/1)
Isabella’s Thoughts: This is one of the most anticipated fights of the night, featuring competitors from two different generations. El Mesias has a long history in AAA, while El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. is gaining more attention every year due to his youth and talent. I believe AAA is transitioning into a new era, and it may be time for the younger generation to claim the championship. This could be an opportunity for El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. to rise, while El Mesias moves on to the next chapter in his career.
Prediction: El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr wins the match.
Bill’s Thoughts: This is a passing of the torch match. American audiences will recognize Mesias from ECW (as Ricky Banderas), TNA (as Judas Mesias) and Lucha Underground (as Mil Muertes). Wagner made his WWE debut at Worlds Collide earlier this year and impressed. The smart money is putting it on the younger talent with the tremendous upside. The younger talent with the legacy should take the W. Don’t be shocked if you see his father, Dr. Wagner Jr. showing up, he has name value, can still go and would work well as an authority figure.
Prediction: El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr wins the match.
Prediction:
AAA World Tag Team Championship Street Fight: Los Garzas © vs. Psycho Clown y Pagano
Betting Line:
Berto & Angel (c) -140 (5/7)
Pagano & Psycho Clown +110 (11/10)
Isabella’s Thoughts: We can expect an exciting match with plenty of wild moments from both sides. On one side, we have the team of Psycho Clown and Pagano from AAA. This is a strong duo, but it’s important to note that Pagano has suffered an injury that could affect his performance. However, we can anticipate that he will give his all in this match.
On the other side, we have the WWE team of Los Garzas, who are also an excellent and strong team of champions. They are very talented wrestlers, and I believe this is not the right moment for them to lose the championship.
Prediction: I predict Los Garzas will win, but Psycho Clown and Pagano may surprise us at the end.
Bill’s Thoughts: The street fight stipulation changes the entire complexion of this match. Had this been a straight-up match, no doubt Garzas retain. But now, we’re adding the element of violence and that’s where the clowns reign supreme. Pagano is a noted blood fighter and Psycho, during his run as Mega Champion, bled buckets. Team AAA scores the W here for sure.
Prediction: Psycho y Pagano
Mixed Trios Match: The Judgement Day (Finn Balor, Raquel Rodriguez y JD McDonagh) vs. Mr. Iguana, Niño Hamburguesa y Lola Vice
Betting Line:
The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, JD McDonagh & Raquel Rodriguez) -150 (2/3)
Mr. Iguana, Nino Hamburguesa & Lola Vice +110 (11/10)
Isabella’s Thoughts: From the team of Mr. Iguana, Niño Hamburguesa, and Lola Vice from AAA, we can expect a strong fight, likely infused with comedy. However, The Judgement Day is currently at the top of WWE and is hard to beat. This match is one of the easiest to predict and could be a short one, even though both teams are very talented. I believe The Judgement Day has the highest probability of winning. However, it’s possible that Mr. Iguana, Niño Hamburguesa, and Lola Vice might receive help from outside and could turn the tide in their favor.
Prediction: The Judgement Day wins the match.
Bill’s Thoughts: If they were fighting anyone else, I would put all my money on Nino, Iguana and Lola. But, I have a strong feeling Judgement Day is going to assume the mantle of the AAA staple — the huge heel staple. I can see Konnan and maybe Dorian Roldan aligning themselves with the group. I can also see a AAA-based heel or two working with Judgement Day (not necessarily joining them) and representing the group when the WWE talent cannot be in town.
Prediction: Judgement Day
Main Event: Four-Way for the AAA MegaChampionship: El Hijo del Vikingo © vs. El Grande Americano vs. Dragon Lee vs. “Dirty” Dominic Mysterio
El Hijo del Vikingo (c) +175 (7/4)
Dominik Mysterion
El Grande Americano +1200 (12/1)
Dragon Lee
Isabella’s Thoughts: Lastly, we have one of the biggest matches of the night featuring four talented wrestlers from WWE and AAA. This match could go in one of two directions: either “Dirty” Dominic Mysterio becomes the new champion, or El Hijo del Vikingo retains his title. Although El Hijo del Vikingo has lost the support of the public, he is an excellent wrestler and will do everything he can to keep the championship. On the other hand, “Dirty” Dominic Mysterio has gained a lot of attention in recent years, and he will have The Judgment Day in his corner, which he can use to his advantage in the match. We can expect some surprises and an exciting match.
Prediction: “Dirty” Dominic Mysterio becomes the new Champion.
Bill’s Thoughts: When WWE took over AAA, they immediately got the AAA Mega Championship off of Alberto el Patron/Alberto del Rio. Fans have not reacted well to this at all. There was a long-term story they wanted to see told, and WWE put the hard brakes to that and put the belt on Vikingo. The fans have since turned on Vikingo, and meanwhile have backed ADR, who has since lost a Loser Leaves AAA match. Let’s be honest for a second, given all the wonky worked shoot stuff WWE is doing today, it would not be a shock if he returned. Regardless, Dominick is winning this title, no doubt. With him holding the title, he will reset the sacred timeline of AAA. He will be the #1 heel, Judgement Day will be the #1 heel faction. Vikingo will be a babyface again. And don’t be surprised if El Grande Americano will be a babyface too. Dragon Lee will keep things exciting, but there’s no chance he wins.
Prediction: Dom
