The Mexican Lucha librecompany Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre started out under the name Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre, founded by Salvador Lutteroth in 1933. Lutteroth, inspired by professional wrestling shows he had attended in Texas, decided to become a wrestling promoter and held his first show on September 21, 1933, marking what would be the beginning of organized professional wrestling in Mexico. Lutteroth would later become known as "the father of Lucha Libre". A year later EMLL held the EMLL 1st Anniversary Show, starting the annual tradition of the Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre Anniversary Shows that have been held each year ever since, most commonly in September. Over the years the anniversary show would become the biggest show of the year for CMLL, akin to the Super Bowl for the National Football League or WWE's WrestleMania event. The first anniversary show was held in Arena Modelo, which Lutteroth had bought after starting EMLL. In 1942–43 Lutteroth financed the construction of Arena Coliseo, which opened in April 1943. The EMLL 10th Anniversary Show was the first of the anniversary shows to be held in Arena Coliseo. In 1956 Lutteroth had Arena México built in the location of the original Arena Modelo, making Arena México the main venue of EMLL from that point on. Starting with the EMLL 23rd Anniversary Show, all anniversary shows except for the EMLL 46th Anniversary Show have been held in the arena that would become known as "The Cathedral of Lucha Libre". On occasion EMLL held more than one show labelled as their "Anniversary" show, such as two 33rd Anniversary Shows in 1966. Over time the anniversary show series became the oldest, longest-running annual professional wrestling show. In comparison, WWE's WrestleMania is only the fourth oldest still promoted show. EMLL was supposed to hold the EMLL 52nd Anniversary Show on September 20, 1985 but Mexico City was hit by a magnitude 8.0 earthquake. EMLL canceled the event both because of the general devastation but also over fears that Arena México might not be structurally sound after the earthquake. When Jim Crockett Promotions was bought by Ted Turner in 1988 EMLL became the oldest still active promotion in the world. In 1991 EMLL was rebranded as "Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre" and thus held the CMLL 59th Anniversary Show, the first under the new name, on September 18, 1992. Traditionally CMLL holds their major events on Friday Nights, replacing their regularly scheduled Super Viernes show. In early July 2019 Paco Alonso, then-CMLL president, died leaving his daughter Sofia Alonso to take over his position as president of CMLL, the fourth generation Alonso/Lutteroth family member to control the promotion since her great-grandfather Salvador Lutteroth founded the promotion in 1933.
Storylines
The 86th Anniversary Show featured seven professional wrestling matches scripted by CMLL with some wrestlers involved in scripted feuds. The wrestlers portray either heels or faces as they perform. On November 20, 2018 Marcela started her fifth reign with the CMLL World Women's Championship as she defeated Dalys la Caribeña to win it, ending Dalys' reign at 983 days. During the summer of 2019 CMLL announced that they were creating the Universal Amazons Championship tournament, where the winner would get a match for the CMLL World Women's Championship. Dalys and La Metálica both qualified for the finals, which took place on August 19, 2019 and say Dalys win the tournament and earn a match against Marcela. When CMLL later announced the 86th Anniversary Show date, they also confirmed that Dalys would be given her championship match as part of the show. On September 25, 2019 on CMLL Informa, it was announced that Marcela will not be able to participate in the Anniversary Show due to an ankle injury and will be replaced by the Mexican National Women Champion La Metálica.
Matches
Reception
In a review on Cage Side Seats it was said that the show "was an overall enjoyable event" and rated the show a "B+" overall. The top match of the night was the Micro-estrellas mask match. Richard Gallegos of the "Voices of Wrestling" had a much different opinion on the show, stating that the "CMLL 86th Aniversario was a masterclass in ineptitude." and calling it "a Worst Show of the Year Contender." but did add that "Microman and Chamuel saved the night with their fantastic Apuestas Match".
