The 2023 Lucha Libre World Cup returns on March 19th in Guadalajara. Men and women will compete in separate triathlons with national pride at stake. Participants include wrestlers from AEW, Impact, NWA, DragonGate, and more promotions. Lineups have been announced in advance, now we know the showdowns.

The first round of the AAA Men’s Lucha Libre World Cup will be as follows:

• Dream Team (Alberto El Patrón, Psycho Clown, and Hijo del Vikingo) vs. latin america (Carlito, Zombie, Hop Hop Man)
• Mexico (Pentagon Jr., Taurus, and Laredo Kid) v. the rest of the world (Pounder Gujjar, Raj, and Ali)
• United States of America (John Morrison, Sam Adonis, and Christopher Daniels) vs. Japan (Kuukai, La Estrella, and Nishikawa)
• Canada (Vampiro, Josh Alexander, and PCO) vs. Europe (Thom Latimer, Joe Hendry, and Caraway)

This information is not given in brackets, so the semi-final matches are not yet indicated. I suppose the Dream Team, Mexico, USA and Canada are the locks to progress. After that, it’s anyone’s game with a little help from AAA’s penchant for deception. The Dream Team against the USA in the Finals will square off in AAA’s biggest feud at the moment between Psycho Clown and Sam Adonis. No matter who the Dream Team faces in the next rounds, they are favorites to win the cup.

The semi-final round for the AAA Women’s Lucha Libre World Cup will be as follows:

• Mexico (Flammer, La Hiedra, and Sexy Star) vs. Japan (Emi Sakura, Mayumi Ozaki, and Akino)
• United States of America (Camil, Deonna Purrazzo, and Jordyn Grace) vs. the rest of the world (Taya Valkyrie, Christy Gaines, and Natalia Markova)

You never think to count AAA Women’s Champion Taya Valkyrie, however, I favor Mexico over the United States in the finals.

AAA brings in a legends panel of judges. Negro Casas, Shocker, El Fantasma, Mascara Año 2000, and Cien Caras will vote for awards, such as Best Match, Best Nominee, and Best Commentary.

Are you excited about the Lucha Libre World Cup concept? Which team stands out the most to you? Who would you choose to advance in the tournament?