The concept MLW's Azteca events are based on story elements from the defunct Lucha Libre promotion and former television drama, Lucha Underground.[1][2] On December 12, 2023, MLW announced that it would be holding MLW Azteca Lucha on May 11, 2024, at the Cicero Stadium in Cicero, Illinois.[3][4]
The card will consist of matches that result from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portray villains, heroes, or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that built tension and culminate in a wrestling match or series of matches, with results predetermined by MLW's writers.[5]
The main storyline going into the event is the ongoing feud between Salina de la Renta's Promociones Dorado and Cesar Duran's Azteca Lucha, with the two signing talent to their respective stables and piting them against each other. The Promociones Dorado stable had been MLW's main umbrella for Latin-American wrestlers and luchadores since the promotion's relaunch. In January 2021, it was found that Promociones Dorado had been acquired by an entity called "Azteca Underground."[6] The identity of "El Jefe," the owner of Azteca, was eventually revealed on the May 5, 2021 season finale of MLW Fusion as Cesar Duran (formerly known as Dario Cueto in Lucha Underground). Salina would be written off MLW after being "sacrificed" by Duran.[7] At Battle Riot III, Duran made his first in-ring appearence to announce that he made a deal with MLW CEO Court Bauer for Azteca to become the new provider of luchadores, and Duran to become MLW's new matchmaker. In March 2023, Duran was kidnapped, supposedly by his own Azteca henchmen, and would not be seen for months.[8] Six months later at Fury Road, Salina de la Renta returned to MLW and revived Promociones Dorado, as she set about regaining her influence.[9] Promociones Dorado would gain the MLW World Middleweight Championship and the MLW World Women's Featherweight Championship via Rocky Romero and Janai Kai, respectively; while Salina brought in new talent, such as Jesús Rodriguez and Bárbaro Cavernario, to her stable. However, the February 2024 announcement that Místico was coming to MLW at SuperFight perplexed Salina, she hadn't signed him. It would later be revealed that Salina had orchestrated Duran's abduction. At SuperFight, Duran made his return to MLW, cornering Místico as he defeated Averno, who was managed by Salina.[10] At Intimidation Games, Místico defeated Romero to win the MLW World Middleweight Championship.[11] At War Chamber, Duran issued a challenge to Salina for the two to pit their respective wrestlers in a series of matches. The winning promoter would receive a key to what Duran calls, "the greatest power in lucha libre."[12]
