A problem that we have when we look at what is happening in Puerto Rican wrestling, is the lack of material or footage that can be seen by the outside world. Recently with Last Word on Pro Wrestling, that gap between the outside world and Puerto Rico (wrestling scene) has been slowly disappearing. But there’s still some holes to fill in. The video footage that comes from the island is very limited, and more when it comes from a critic’s point of view. Mostly, that’s a taboo for journalist or writers that are in the wrestling business.
That’s why when a good documentary like the one that Sergio Ortiz did for the University of Puerto Rico, comes as a fresh sight to behold about a clear statement on how one of the oldest wrestling promotions in the world, Puerto Rico’s World Wrestling Council, is having a hard time staying afloat in the ever-changing and more global wrestling industry.
The documentary called “La WWC frente su último asalto” (roughly translated to “WWC Makes It’s Last Stand) explores through wrestlers like Mike Mendoza, Cuervo, Angel Fashion, Konnan and even comedy pioneer “Sunshine” Logroño, the current state of WWC and how does it compare to other modern-day promotions that have had the same longevity.
It sets its first minutes of lengths on the journey that WWC started in the early 70s, when Carlos Colon, Victor Jovica and Gorilla Monsoon founded the then Capitol Sports Promotion. It puts a setting on how Puerto Rico was a hot bed for wrestling, filling Stadiums and revolutionizing wrestling with its bloodbaths and hardcore matches. You feel the electricity when you see the Hiram Bithorn more than 25,000 fans.
But then, the documentary does a 180, changing its scene to 2017, where an old and diminish WWC is barely doing 300 fans (on a good night). Where rest holds and territory style booking still dominates the island, while the rest of the world keeps innovating. Comments from Konnan and even former Head Booker of AAA and IWA, Hector “Moody” Melendez, bring echoes to a territory that if it doesn’t change, soon, wrestling in Puerto Rico will be dead.
There’s some insight on the new hot WWL, on how New Japan has change the wrestling business and what its needed to revive Puerto Rico in general.
You can watch the 18:00 clip below:
