Atlantis vs. Villano III: Classic Feud Deep Dive
It ended with a legendary mask match and featured many great bloody brawls along the way. Plus, a full playlist to watch along!
It’s March 2000 in a sold-out raucous Arena Mexico. People in attendance are crying as a 48 year-old Villano III carries the man who just defeated him for his mask, Atlantis, around on his shoulders. It’s a moment that stands as one of the greatest in lucha libre history and one of the most touted mask matches of its time.
But what got us to this point? What were some of the best battles along the way? This is my deep dive into the Atlantis versus Villano III feud. Check out the full playlist.
At this time, Atlantis was well established as one of the top long running tecnicos in EMLL/CMLL while Villano III, ten years his senior, had joined CMLL as a top rudo in July 1998. Part of the famous Los Villanos, III was the brother who was most often a singles headliner. The two find themselves on opposite sides of a trios match (Atlantis, La Fiera, Negro Casas vs. El Hijo Del Santo, Fuerza Guerrera, Villano III) on September 11, 1998 and we get our first taste of what great chemistry they would have. The main focus of this match is Santo turning tecnico and ending his problems with Negro Casas but we do get some good brawling between Atlantis and Villano II.
Looking at the results, Atlantis and Villano III would be on opposite sides of trios matches until the end of 1998 and then pick things back up more so in late May. Atlantis won the CMLL World Light Heavyweight Title from Dr. Wagner Jr. in May and successfully defended it against Villano III on June 13.
The next match I looked at was June 25, 1999 (Black Warrior, Pierroth Jr, Villano III vs. Atlantis, El Hijo Del Santo, Negro Casas). Villano III lets us know that he doesn’t want Atlantis’ mask, he wants his title. Atlantis gets bloodied up by Villano III in this match. The tecnicos mount a great comeback until Atlantis gets power bombed and pinned by III, who had his feet on the ropes. The issue is well established now between Atlantis and Villano III and they’d consistently be on opposite sides of trios matches from here on out.
From there we jump to August 20, 1999 and look at Atlantis, El Hijo Del Santo, Negro Casas vs. Dr. Wagner Jr., Pierroth Jr, Villano III. The rudos come out to Bad Medicine. Pierroth Jr. has a bat. Atlantis and Villano go right at each other! Atlantis is great in his comeback. Casas was exceptional. Santo does this awesome catapult of Casas onto Wagner and hits a tope. Atlantis gets Villano III with La Atlantida. The crowd is very hot for this. Atlantis’ anger gets the best of him and he’s kicking Villano III when he’s out cold. The doctor has to check on him and Atlantis is still kicking him. He even threatens with a chair. The tecnicos win a hate filled trios building multiple feuds and Villano III sells the attack big time.
The following week (Aug. 27, 1999) it’s Atlantis, Lizmark Jr, Mr Niebla v Villano III, Mr Mexico, Shocker. A brawl to start as Villano III and Atlantis pair off. Shocker and Niebla are feuding. Mr. Mexico is pretty funny. Villano’s selling is great and has a really good slugfest with Atlantis. The rudos win a fun match. Villano III winds up with Atlantis’ bloody mask and cuts another intense promo at the broadcast booth. That’s a nice touch that’s gone from current CMLL.
Up next, it’s Atlantis, Brazo de Plata, Mr Niebla vs. Apolo Dantes, Shocker, Villano III from September 10, 1999. Another brawl off the start with the Atlantis/Villano and Niebla/Shocker feuds being the focus. The rudos use Super Porky as a weapon. They get some good heat as he’s stretchered out. Our tecnicos overcome the odds and get the win. Atlantis makes it known he wants Villano III’s mask. Mr. Niebla wants Shocker’s. Shocker says they were robbed.
That leads us to Atlantis & Mr. Niebla vs. Villano III & Shocker the following week (September 17, 1999) as we approach the Aniversario show. Shocker is in his 100% Guapo robe. Villano III is overflowing with charisma. He and Atlantis start brawling right away. Shocker is very charismatic as well, although it feels a bit jarring to see him in a mask. There’s lots of blood here. Mr. Niebla is pretty great in his comeback. Atlantis has his get thwarted in a great way. He gets it on his second attempt. His hate for Villano III is palpable. Atlantis mask is drenched in blood. Mr. Niebla gets tied upside down in the corner and is pouring out blood in an alarming way. The ref helps him out and disqualifies the rudos. This was a great hate filled bloody brawl that left the referees shirts stained in blood. They interview a bloody Atlantis on the mat and wants Villano III’s mask. Villano responds and says he’ll defend his mask against anyone. Atlantis and Villano III are both great promo guys.
We’re now at CMLL Aniversario 64 on September 24, 1999 and it’s Atlantis & Villano III vs. Mr. Niebla & Shocker - Relevos Increibles. The losing team will wrestle each other one-on-one in a Mask match. The pageantry for this is ridiculously great. The whole thing feels like a movie with the music and the way it’s shot. The rudos are being rudos on opposite sides. Atlantis has great fire. He’s forced to help Villano III and they do work together for a time. Atlantis has Shocker beat but Villano III takes him out, allowing Shocker to eliminate him. Villano carries Shocker around on his shoulders and then wants Shocker to do the same. When he does, he victory rolls Shocker for the pin! Very clever finish. Atlantis comes back in for some revenge on Villano III but that’ll need to come another day. The tag portion of this was good. Mr. Niebla and Shocker went at it in the Mask vs Mask match portion which was very good. Great heat and Mr. Niebla wins causing Shocker to unmask.
Things between Atlantis and Villano III did not end there. We pick things up the following Friday with Atlantis, Mr Niebla, Negro Casas vs. Dr Wagner Jr, Shocker, Villano III. The crowd is hot for this and the intensity is high coming out of the Aniversario show. The rudos get the masks for the DQ. A very good match and mainly a strong response for Shocker after being unmasked. For our purposes, Villano III cuts a promo after the match saying he wants Atlantis’ mask.
They run back Atlantis, Mr Niebla, Negro Casas vs. Dr Wagner Jr, Shocker, Villano III the following week and it’s another very good match. There’s so little space and time because everyone is just out there working. At one point everyone clears out for Villano III and Atlantis to fight. Atlantis grabs Villano III’s mask and gets disqualified. He won’t stop hitting III and has to be escorted out. It’s a consistent deal that Atlantis loses his temper against Villano III.
We jump ahead about a month to November 5, 1999 for Atlantis, Rayo De Jalisco Jr., Mr. Niebla vs. Villano III, Pierroth Jr., Shocker. Villano III rips Atlantis’ mask, hangs him in the ropes and gets DQ’d. This is more of an angle than a match as Villano III uses a weapon to KO Atlantis and leave him laying.
At this point, it feels like they have to do the Mask versus Mask match but they continue to be on opposite sides of trios matches into the new year.
The next match I looked at was Dr. Wagner Jr, Shocker, Villano III vs. Emilio Charles Jr., Mr. Niebla, Atlantis from January 21, 2000. This is an all-star rudo trio here. Atlantis goes right after Villano III. Rudos win this one fairly easily. Villano III does so many great rudo things like pulling Atlantis up by his mask. He cuts a promo after saying he submitted Atlantis with the Cristo Negro, a very bad hold. He says he retired Super Astro with it and wants a mask fight with Atlantis. Villano III is a hell of a promo.
We reconvene the following week with another trios match. This time it’s Bestia Salvaje, Fuerza Guerrera, Villano III vs. Atlantis, Emilio Charles Jr, Negro Casas. We have more Villanos at ringside for this one and it’s brawl to start again. The falls come quick and the other Villanos attack Atlantis. Villano III gets the win. Another effective build up match. The commissioner is upset with the referee Baby Richard. At this point, I feel like the Atlantis/Villano feud has reached all-time status with how many good trios and intense brawls they’re having.
We finally get a mano y mano match on February 2, 2000 as it’s Villano III (c) vs. Atlantis for the CMLL World Lightheavyweight Title. It’s unclear when during the course of this feud that Villano III actually won the title from Atlantis. This is 2 out of 3 Falls with a rather short 13 minute runtime. Villano III dominates the first fall with holds until Atlantis does one knee breaker and III sells it huge, crying to his brother. What a great rudo trait. III has counters for everything Atlantis does. Villano III does his bit again of buying time by selling huge. The doctor checks on him. His brother carries him out and the ref starts counting him out so he has to come back. Suddenly he’s recovered! What a miracle. He wins with the Cristo Negro again. Really establishing that hold as we approach our destination. Good match that served it’s purpose. The fans pelt Villano III with trash after. Atlantis is pissed off and says it was actually Villano I in there. Atlantis makes the Mask vs Mask challenge and Villano III accepts on behalf of all of his brothers. He wants it ASAP! There we have it finally! They gave themselves about a month and a half from the announcement to when the match happens.
The next match is Atlantis, Emilio Charles Jr, Tarzan Boy vs. El Satanico, Fuerza Guerrera, Villano III from February 4, 2000. There’s a skit where Villano III enlists the help of legendary luchador El Satanico for his battle with Atlantis. Short fun match where Atlantis submits Villano III with La Atlantida. They both have a well established instant submission finish.
The final build up match takes place on March 10, 2000 with Atlantis, Rayo De Jalisco Jr, Mr. Niebla, Perro Aguayo vs. Bestia Salvaje, Scorpio Jr, Shocker, Villano III. The non-Villano III rudos come out to the Backstreet Boys with matching hair and outfits like Shocker. Just incredible heat. Atlantis and Villano III brawl with III taking his mask for a DQ fall. Later on, Atlantis gets over excited when he gets Villano III alone and pays for it. However, he manages to come back and win with La Atlantida. Good match. Atlantis goes for the mask but Los Villanos hit the ring and beat him down. Villano III cuts one last promo with a big grin thanking all the people. There wasn’t much that needed to be done at this point.
We’ve now reached the big one: CMLL Homenaje A Dos Leyendas 2000 on March 17th. It’s Atlantis vs. Villano III - Mask v Mask. The entrances are big and it sounds like there’s a huge contingent of Villano III fans there. Even before the bell rings, the atmosphere is one of the craziest I’ve seen. Referee Baby Richard arrives and the fans are upset. Villano III wants him gone and they send him packing. This is wild and Villano III is even smiling at how loud it is. He schools Alantis on the mat to start. Atlantis shoves him so Villano III smacks him down, rips his mask and bloodies him with one punch!! Atlantis is a mess and can barely stand. Incredible selling by him. The doctor is out to check. Villano III is also bloodied under his mask and stumbling around. They both get in and the match is back on! There are women shadow boxing in the crowd, this is so intense. We get into some big false finishes and everything is on the line. The blood is sapping their energy and helping create some incredible drama. Villano III works some submissions looking to make Atlantis pass out. He has counters for everything. Atlantis works his way back with a big plancha. The way he sells the blood is epic. They’re leaving it all in the ring. Villano III charges into La Atlantida but gets out. He’s selling his back great. A second one is too much and Atlantis wins. Insane reaction from the crowd. Atlantis was the one who kept his composure this time and that’s why he won. The roles reversed from the build. This is just a classic match that’s great to watch in isolation and after deep diving the build up. Villano III carries Atlantis around on his shoulders and then his father unmasks him. Villano III lifts up his son. People are crying. Atlantis thanks the crowd for their support. This was the mask he wanted the most and it took the most for him to get.
They came back the following week for Atlantis, Rayo de Jalisco Jr, Perro Aguayo vs. Bestia Salvaje, Shocker, Villano III. Bestia and Shocker are relentless in their attack to the point that Villano III leaves and cuts a promo about people like to see him fight and this is not the way. Villano III wants a rematch with Atlantis but the fans want him to help the tecnicos. He doesn’t.
This would continue until Villano III turned tecnico and the final match I watched on this deep dive was April 28, 2000 with Atlantis, Villano III, Perro Aguayo vs. Pierroth Jr., Mascara Ano 2000, Shocker. There’s a Villanos skit where the father Ray Mendoza gives Villano III his old outfit to wear in his new journey as a tecnico. Very cool. The tecnicos hit the ring fighting in this again. The old guys can brawl. Villano III pins Pierroth with his feet on the ropes. Fun brawl as now Villano III and Atlantis are fighting alongside each other.
Overall Thoughts: I came away from this deep dive with a heightened appreciation for Villano III especially as a promo. His ability to convey emotion in everything he does and his mastery of rudo work shined through. Atlantis showed a ton of fire and why he was a great tecnico. The two played off each other perfectly and they managed to get so much life out of their rivalry.
Top Picks
Atlantis, El Hijo Del Santo, Negro Casas vs. Dr. Wagner Jr., Pierroth Jr, Villano III (Aug. 20, 1999 CMLL)
Atlantis & Mr. Niebla vs. Villano III & Shocker (Sept. 17, 1999 CMLL)
Atlantis & Villano III vs. Mr. Niebla & Shocker - Relevos Increibles (Sept. 24, 1999 CMLL)
Atlantis, Mr Niebla, Negro Casas vs. Dr Wagner Jr, Shocker, Villano III (Oct. 8, 1999 CMLL)
Dr. Wagner Jr, Shocker, Villano III vs. Emilio Charles Jr., Mr. Niebla, Atlantis (Jan. 21, 2000 CMLL)
Atlantis vs. Villano III - Mask v Mask (Mar. 17, 2000 CMLL)
That mask vs mask match is one of my favorite matches ever.