From January 16th to 18th, CMLL hosted the Fin de Semana Internacional (International Weekend) at Arena Mexico, featuring several matches between CMLL wrestlers and AEW stars. Dave Meltzer reported that one bout, considered a strong contender for Match of the Year, was interrupted when a fan attempted to climb over the barricade and enter the ring. This caused the match and event to pause for several minutes. Meltzer shared details of the incident in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, noting how it was managed differently compared to past years.
The disrupted match was for the CMLL World Middleweight Championship between Templario and Bandido. About seven minutes into the match, a fan made the unauthorized attempt to enter the ring. Despite efforts from security, referees, and Bandido to remove him, the fan remained seated on the turnbuckle. Fortunately, the fan did not physically harm either wrestler, and the situation was eventually resolved.
Meltzer described the event as "embarrassing," criticizing the slow response from security and the lack of immediate intervention until the fan had settled on the turnbuckle. The audience showed their displeasure with loud boos, which turned to cheers when the fan was finally removed. In response, CMLL took down the show’s broadcast from its official YouTube channel. Despite the interruption, Meltzer praised Bandido and Templario for delivering an excellent match, though he doubted it would remain a top contender for Match of the Year by the end of 2026.
Meltzer contrasted this incident with earlier times when wrestlers might have taken matters into their own hands, sometimes resulting in serious consequences for fans who breached security. Nowadays, wrestlers and staff avoid physical confrontations with fans due to legal liabilities and guidelines preventing them from retaliating, even if fans breach barriers. CMLL leadership also aims to maintain Arena Mexico as a safe environment for tourists and families, hence they are cautious about any footage showing staff or wrestlers confronting fans aggressively.
Fan Take: This incident highlights the growing challenges of maintaining security in live wrestling events, especially for AEW fans who want safe and uninterrupted memorable matches. It underscores how the sport must balance intense fan engagement with safety and legal considerations, which could shape the future of event management in professional wrestling.
