Mat Matters: Intimidated by Psycho Clown and more at Demand Lucha

TORONTO — On Thursday, October 17th, Toronto’s Parkdale Hall hosted Demand Lucha’s “Lucha de los Muertos.” The main event saw AAA star Psycho Clown unsuccessfully challenge Lince Dorado for the Interim Lucha Premier Championship.

It was my first time at an independent wrestling show, having only been to a couple of AEW Dynamite cards before. Indy wrestling provides a fun, lively atmosphere where you quickly learn to expect the unexpected. The one thing I was expecting going into the show was to see steel chairs used as anything but chairs. That much, I’ve come to expect at any wrestling show.

There were other spots that threw me off a bit. But I still had a great time and the fans getting into it helped with that. Smaller shows like this, with fans getting invested, are great because the passion is almost tangible and definitely infectious, and Parkdale Hall no doubt sells a lot of beer during the Demand Lucha shows.

One thing about the show I really did appreciate was the photographers at ringside working so carefully. Especially at a wrestling show where pretty much every match had the action spill out of the ring, their jobs are not easy and I commend them for doing them so well. Great reaction time and cat-like reflexes are handy in that situation.

My camera phone was not up to snuff:

It was nerve-wracking walking into the building, to be honest. This was the first time I was on an assignment in a setting like this, as I’m just finishing up my journalism degree at Centennial College. Thankfully, everyone I spoke to was very helpful and gracious with their time. One thing I’m still learning about being a journalist is that it’s okay to approach people (as long as they’re not otherwise occupied). Kind of a basic journalism necessity, I know. To quote Brad Pitt in that Tarantino film: “You know how you get to Carnegie Hall, don’t you? Practice.”

As for my experience covering the show, I’ll be the first to say I learned a lot about what to do and — more importantly — what not to do. I was able to chat with Psycho Clown for a few minutes after his match but it could and should have been longer. My mistake was not approaching him earlier. He was signing autographs and taking photos with fans very close to where I was standing.

In the end, I did get to chat with him. I was surprised to note that he and I are about the same height but he’s got about 60 pounds on me. The mask was a bit intimidating right up close but that had more to do with me not liking clowns all that much ever since I watched IT. I think that’s fair enough.

Talking to him, you could tell he really enjoys what he does and, even though English isn’t his first language, he communicated just fine. I could have and should have gotten more from him but he only had a few minutes to chat. That’s my fault again for not going up to him much earlier in the night.

A 24-year vet of the business, Psycho Clown was very understanding of the fact that I’m new to this and he was still willing enough to spend some of his limited time to chat. For that, I’m grateful.

He complimented Lince Dorado. Wrestlers often take a moment to enjoy the crowd reaction after a big spot. Clown said you can’t do that against wrestlers like Dorado because he’s so skilled and he can get back up quickly from almost anything. It’s also something he was taught in training: “never take your eyes off your opponent.”

Having headlined AAA’s flagship event (TripleMania) six times, Psycho Clown’s not done wrestling yet — but he does have the eye on the future, and mentioned El Hijo del Vikingo as a wrestler who could one day reach the top of AAA as he has.

Parkdale Hall was sold out for the event and this didn’t surprise me at all. Compared to other indy shows, I’m sure this event had a lot of the same energy but with its own unique flair. Shows like this draw diverse crowds because they’re local and they have the entertainment value as well. Thursday’s show was also filled with fans who were pumped to see the main event. Two big-name wrestlers that are highly talented just throwing down in a random downtown hall. Who wouldn’t want to see that?

Apart from the main event, there were many other exciting matches on the card. The evening started with a dark match, as La Bandita defeated Eli Knight in the Breakout division.

One-half of TNA’s Knockouts World Tag Team Champions, Toronto’s own Jody Threat, and Calgary’s Stallion Kid entertained the crowd with a match that involved the two fighting hard over a can of beer. The best moment of the lively tilt was when the referee disrupted them and had a second can delivered to the ring. The opponents saluted the ref, interlocked arms, and shared a drink mid-ring. You never know what can happen between the ropes. After a fair exchange of offense, Jody Threat gained the upper hand and earned the beer-focused victory. Quite the unique price. But, I guess not unique if you’re Stone Cold.

Next, Freddie Mercurio went up against Medico Dos, who had Doc Zoknov and Nurse Nova Kane at ringside. This match went to Mercurio via disqualification after the referee caught Zoknov and Nova interfering as Mercurio was laying on the side of the ring. Mercurio agreed when an angered Doc Zoknov laid out a No Holds Barred, Loser Must Retire stipulation challenge for a one-on-one match to be held at December 19th’s “Very Merry Lucha Xmas Show.”

Stipulation matches are not uncommon in wrestling but are used carefully. They add an element of wonder and present a new wrinkle to motivate the competitors – all part of storytelling.

Seraphis battled Merlok in a LuchaDOORS match. This match obviously had numerous door spots and one that saw Seraphis earn the victory after dropping Merlok onto a door head-first.

I was inspired to write a short poem:

Some doors can open
Other doors will close
Some will present themselves
as a weapon used against your nose

Some doors can open
Other doors will close
Keep your eyes up, Johnny,
Or you’ll get taken off your toes

Doc Zoknov and Nurse Nova Kane were seen ringside again as Los Medicos took on The Batiri. Los Medicos had a massive size advantage but The Batiri put up a strong fight in a losing effort. During the match, La Bandita rushed out to chase Nova away with her bullrope after the action broke down at ringside.

Outside interference is almost a guarantee whenever wrestlers are accompanied to the squared circle. What’s not always a guarantee is someone rushing out to even the odds.

Game Changer Wrestling regular “Based God” Gringo Loco went up against Pro Wrestling Noah’s Dante Leon. Loco had the fans behind him the whole match. He repeatedly tried to gain the upper hand via strong offense but the crowd only cheered louder for their favorite. Loco got the win with a Base Bomb through a door and the crowd erupted with cheers and applause. Luchas love their doors.

The nightcap saw Lince Dorado retain his Interim Lucha Premier Championship against AAA’s Psycho Clown. Fans will recognize Dorado most notably from his time in WWE (2018-2021) as part of Lucha House Party with Gran Metalik and Kalisto. After leaving WWE, Dorado has made appearances many promotions worldwide, including Major League Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling, and TNA’s Impact! wrestling.

This was an entertaining match that had some unique creativity both in and out of the ring. “Psycho Loco” used a very creative move a few times but it wasn’t enough to get him the victory. With a chair wedged between Dorado’s legs, Clown used a second chair to deliver shots and temporarily gain the upper hand.

From a chair to the back to a con-chair-to, I thought I’d seen it all in terms of chairs in a wrestling ring. I was mistaken.

That was an entertaining main event! @LuchadorLD retained his title against “Psycho Loco” Psycho Clown at Demand Lucha tonight.

Before the match, Psycho brought some young fans into the ring to do a little dance.#DemandLucha@slamwrestling pic.twitter.com/xaeNE29UPb

— Sully (@Sully92_o7) October 18, 2024

After the match, Psycho Clown brought some young fans into the ring, a cool moment that they will not soon forget.

I will not forget the experience either.

Demand Lucha (demandlucha.com) returns to Parkdale Hall on December 19 for A Very Merry Lucha featuring champion Jack Cartwheel, La Bandita and Lince Dorado.

TOP PHOTO: Psycho Clown knocks down Lince Dorado at Demand Lucha’s “Lucha de los Muertos” on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at Parkdale Hall in Toronto, Ontario. Photo by John Gallant / @hocusfocuspix