CMLL Line - 01/31/04 (#114)

Vignette: Univeros and Mascara Ano want you to watch the Capos take out Pierroth and Silva

In place of the usual hype segment, we get a photo montage of Atlantis. There's an (old) shot of Octagon, Santo, Atlantis and Chris Jericho in there, along with one with Atlantis and I assume Atlantico, though I haven't seem him before. He's the hero of the kids, you know. Atlantis, not Atlantico. Although he may be too, what do I know.

1 CMLL Super Lightweight Title 
Rocky Romero (c) vs Virus
11/14/03, Arena Mexico
70
3 mano y mano 2:41 Virus Rocking Horse really clipped down, but fun while it lasted.

Notes: JIIIIIIIIIIIIP. This is one I easily would shell out to see all three falls. Looks like Felino and Ricky Reyes are the corner people. Ricky has a lot of words with the referee between falls, while Felino has a VIRUS T-SHIRT! And now we all have a crowd shot. I'll start the timer at that point...

Virus and Romero are getting to their feet, Rocky looking better, but both are fatigued. Off the ropes, clothesline, one two no. Romero clothesline is ducked and Virus locks on an abnormal stretch. Will Rocky give? No, he manages to escape out into an inside cradle, rolled into the ankle lock! Romero barely gets it applied before Virus grabs his legs and rolls into inverted bodyscissors rollup one two NO! Referee (not Richard, all white, not Tiger Hispano I think) is doing the Hebner dramatic slow count. Both up, while we look at the crowd. Virus catches a boot, spins Rocky, waistlock, German Suplex, German Suplex, ref checks to make sure Rocky's not under the ropes (it's close) one two Rocky with a leisurely grab of the bottom rope that gets a laugh from the crowd. He obviously was waiting there. Virus is a little bit frustrated, but heading up as the referee checks to make sure Rocky is able to continue. Rocky staggers to his feet, turns, and takes a missile dropkick to the chest. Virus is calling for a spinny something as he heads up. Light Virus chant is drowned out by more non-specific pro-tecnico noise making. Top rope missile dropkick is deflected by Rocky, he covers, one two NO. He's making the same annoyingly (slower than usual - I guess if everyone did it like that I wouldn't have a problem but they don't) counts either way, which is at least fair. Rocky off the ropes, crowd shot - either this was the worse match ever for blown spots or we're not allowed to see it for strange reasons - Rocky's put his head down too soon, so Virus hooks his arms, and lifts him up - INVERTED GORY SPECIAL! Rocky won't give, so Virus spins, then drops Rocky (pushing him away as they went down, so it was a standard back bump and not the head/neck bump of a Vertebreaker). Virus moves right on to his next move - Rocking Horse! Rocky's given up to this before - and he will again! New CMLL Super Light Champion! (2:41) Tecnico fans, Rudo fans, EVERYONE goes crazy for Virus's win. Felino rushes the ring to help his man up and start the celebration. Virus gets a ride around the ring on Felino's shoulders! I think the announcers drop that Super Light = "under 100KG". Virus gets the belt put on, and we're out.

Vignette: It's the Capos Evil Basement of Sinister Plans and Poker Games! It's been so long. They haven't redecorated. Mascara and Universo try to figure out how they can beat Silva, seeing as they had no luck even before he turned rudo and started teaming with Pierroth. Don't forget, Universo/Pierroth mask/hair on 12/05 - Universo will win Pierroth's hair for all the Mexicanos. Vengeance for the Capos!

2 Pierroth, Giant Silva vs Capos (Universo 2000 (c), Mascara 2000, Apolo Dantes)
11/14/03, Arena Mexico
42
1 3 v 2 7:19 Pierroth low blow/Silva big boot Universo it's Silva/Pierroth. You're not going to watch this or you don't care what I have to say anyway.

Notes: NO! One of the downsides of collating the info for the upcoming schedule and other things is that bad looking matches like this can't come out of left field and surprise me - they're black clouds I can dread for months on end. Silva's rudo side is that he frowns instead of smiles. Well, he doesn't even really frown. Pierroth is nice enough to add "Viva Brazil!" to his usual "Viva Puerto Rico!" spiel. Capos don't get in the ring, complaining about Silva being too tall or something. An una caida, sweeter words never heard. I'm so in to this match that I miss the opening bell.

Silva still wants to kill Apolo. Wandering around "chasing" Apolo leaves Pierroth alone, outnumbered and probably rethinking his plan. Silva comes in and beats everyone else to make the plan look better. Apolo is saved for last. Pierroth is ordering around Silva, which doesn't seem to be a long term good idea. Silva throwing Mascara down by his neck did not look so good. Capos are wearing the orange outfits, by the way, though Apolo is wearing one of his usual black ones and Universo has a new more black mask to go with it. Apolo takes what barely meets the dictionary definition of a power*bomb* from Silva, Silva drops an elbow, then covers, one two Pierroth stops the ref from counting, then Silva pulls Apolo up because he's not done. Silva is looking off. I know, hard to imagine! But he's not looking as sharp as previously. That back elbow on Mascara was good, though. Beatdown continues. Pierroth and Silva celebrate at one point, confusing me into thinking I missed the fall. They just have nothing better to do. I need to get pictures and names of the referees, because I'm forgetting their names too much. After all being beat up, Capos try to make their dramatic return by going to top turnbuckles, and simultaneously - jumping to the mat. Okay. Silva misses a clothesline on Apolo and the comeback on him is on, though we miss the beginning because the cameraman got bored and decided to stalk La Nazi. Everyone dropkick Silva. Mascara and Universo hold him down so Apolo can hit the top rope splash one - wait, he's getting up so they can all senton him. Stomping Silva towards the ropes, and then Mascara is lifted up to boot Silva over the top rope and to the floor. Pierroth, who must've gotten knocked out of the ring when weren't paying attention, is back and swinging with the belt. He doesn't connect, and it's time for his weekly belt shots form the tecnicos. Given the success rate of this bit for Pierroth lately, you'd think he'd be the one who doesn't bring belts. That's about the gentlest crotching around the post - I thought they were going to set up a dropkick to knock him more, but Mascara and Universo opted to chase La Nazi in the crowd. Pierroth frees himself and gives Silva a pope speech. Silva goes into take out Apolo and is doing fine till a clothesline misses badly enough to take himself out of the ring. Apolo pescado is caught, and he's run into the post. Silva looks at Apolo while Mascara and Universo go to work on Pierroth. Mascara has the belt again and gets in a couple shots, but Silva is back and that's the end of the Capos run. Silva whips Mascara and gives him a big boot on the return. Mascara falls down, and clutches his chest while freaking out. I can't decide if the ref checks Mascara's ribs to see if they're broken or starts to perform CPR chest compressions, but it was pretty silly either way. Universo catches the boot meant for him, but that leaves him open for a Pierroth low blow and Silva elbow drop. One two three (7:19) This is where I compare match shown time in this match and the previous one and cry.

And then Pierroth talks. Ah, he's mocking the "foul: si or no?" usual conversation. Universo must accept that he's going to lose his mask, with Pierroth in his corner. Replays, back for Pierroth stomping Universo, let's move on already

Promo: 12/5, Juicio Final. Universo 2000 vs Pierroth, mask/hair. 

Stellar Moments:
La Combinacion:
Los Brazos (Jrs) use a simultaneous corner topes to flatten their opponents
El Tecncio: Sagrado climbs the corner, turn hops, and jumps off with a 'rana (the worst looking part!) on Averno
Lo Doloroso: Rocky beats Virus with that armscissors takedown into a cross armbreaker.
Lo Admirable: Averno's tope con giro takes out Felino
Lo Impresionante: Ultimo gives Universo Wagner a belly to belly suplex on the floor

Vignette: Atlantis looks at pictures from his career and thinks back over his 20 years of wrestling. There's a special poster board covering his recent title win. There's the photo with Santo and Jericho again. Wow, a yellow mask? That's different. Atlantis tells Perro Aguayo that he's going to win this for the KIDS!

3 Tohoku Jr. Heavyweight Title Match
Atlantis (c) vs Perro Aguayo Jr.
11/14/03, Arena Mexico
85
1 trios 2:16 Atlantis double underhook choke Good title match. They moved from key point in the match to key point fine, but never at a fast pace till the finish. Not something I'd go of your way to see unless you were a big Atlantis fan.
2 3:04 Aguayo top rope double stomp
3 1:44 DCO
4 2:45 Atlantida
T 9:49 Atlantis (2-1-1)

Notes: Atlantis comes out with the belt, and his kids, who are wearing Atlantis masks. And lots of more kids with balloons as confetti falls from the ceiling. Atlantis slaps hands with all the kids to the crowd as he walks to the rings. Pose for photos with his kids - who really just want to go in the ring and perhaps fall. Looks like all kids got a t-shirt with Atlantis on it. Who's the chick? She made a mistake of going to close to the crowd and getting grabbed by someone, but she fools around with it. Looks like they're having various guests come in, but I have no idea who they are. I think the first person was a talking head from Televisa Deportes, and the second was a local government figure. HEY, EMILIO IN A SUIT! That's awesome. He's stylin'. I give this a 90 on that alone. Morales, doing the introductions, introduces him as "king of beauty, Emilio Charles". Satanico out too, though he's far to evil to wear a tie. But he'll hug! Niebla, who apparently wrestled earlier and is more into hanging out with the kids. Oh, he's not in the group photo, or at least this one. Perhaps he's corner man for this match? That'd make sense. Sounds like they have a Mariachi band going somewhere. Photos over, and the kids are ushered to the back. The usual valets make for hot babysitters. The woman tells the camera that Atlantis is number, and Satanico wishes him 20 more years of wrestling.

CLIP - and Perro's in the ring. I presume there was some ring cleaning and belt photo taking in the meantime. I'm intrigued to see who Perro's corner person would be, but I'm not getting a shot right away. Niebla is Atlantis' corner man. Crowd shot, lovely. Luckily, we don't appear to miss anything.

Still some confetti in the ring as the announcers drop the English on me. Lockup, Perro with an armbar on the left arm, waistlock, spinning Atlantis around while hooking the left arm, into an inside cradle but they roll into the ropes so no count. Atlantis tries to grab an arm as Aguayo gets up, and gives him no room as he backs up. Lockup, Aguayo with a waistlock. Holding it in this time. Atlantis looking for a leg grab reversal, no go, back elbow for Aguayo but Aguayo is bending them both over to duck the back elbows. Atlantis works with what he's given - grabbing Aguayo's left arm and trying to crank it while the waistlock is still on. Aguayo breaks for a split second but locks it back on. Atlantis is wore down to one knee! That's quite a waistlock. Atlantis back up to his feet, and now he's able to grab the left arm enough to free himself, into a hammerlock. Atlantis reaches his left arm around front at the same time, hooking Aguayo into a choke for a second. Richard catches it immediately, but Atlantis drops it to focus on a waistlock. Now it's Aguayo looking for the way out, tilting his head back and forth but more focusing on breaking the hand grip. Atlantis lifts Aguayo off his feet for a split second, distracting him, and lets go of the waistlock to ground Aguayo with a leg trip. Aguayo forward rolls always before more can be done, then makes the mistake of charging Atlantis. Atlantis  eludes and knocks down Aguayo, getting him back where he wanted. Atlantis lays on Aguayo's back, trying to keep him pinned down to the mat, but Aguayo is able to power over, flipping Aguayo on to his back and himself on top for a cover. Before Richard can even slap the mat once, Atlantis tries reversing into a grounded crucifix one two no. Aguayo is immediately using an armbar, and cranks the arm. Atlantis starts to take a roll for an armdrag bump, realizes that's not what Aguayo is going for, and falls down to the mat as if he tripped himself. Aguayo gets the armbar back on, with a knee to Atlantis' neck and upper back. Atlantis manages to work his way to his feet, reverses into a hammerlock and jumps into flying leg rollup (with Olympic bridge! One two NO. Both up, but Aguayo takes control with an arm drag, and an armbar on the mat. Atlantis kips up to his feet, and takes an armdrag for his effort. Perro tries to nail Aguayo with a clothesline as he stands up, but Atlantis easily ducks. Before hitting the ropes, Atlantis turns and jumps at his opponent - front facelock choke! Atlantis rolls backwards while holding in the double underhook choke, and Aguayo isn't going anywhere. Fall one to Atlantis (2:16) I know there's a lucha word for that hold but it's completely slipping my mind. Anyway, the point here seems to be that Atlantis can out chain wrestle Aguayo.

Perro attempts to take that option away right away to start fall tow, nailing Atlantis with a dropkick as he comes out of the corner. Stomping. Whip, reversed, over, under (Atlantis doesn't get high enough and Aguayo partially clips him, but Atlantis is still standing), Atlantis armdrag. Announcers are too busy hyping Big Brother for us to notice. Atlantis monkey flips Aguayo. Aguayo charges again, and takes the tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Atlantis is pumped up, and gets nailed with a big boot to the head form Aguayo. Clothesline. Chop. Corner whip, corner clothesline. Aguayo's ripping Atlantis' mask apart! One of those stretching out the eye hole deals. Mr. Niebla gets on the apron to complain, though it does no one any good. Aguayo with a sliding dropkick top the head, then he takes Atlantis out. Aguayo warns the front row while beating on Atlantis, and they clear out of the way - Atlantis thrown into the seats (over the first, grabbing the second row seat arms and using them to land on his back on the second and third row seats.) Atlantis adjusts what's left of his mask and tries to climb out of the seats - Aguayo grabs him by the mask and throws him in before giving the crowd his insane face. Perro slaps hands with supporters as he gets back in the ring, immediately side stepping an Atlantis dropkick. Aguayo clothesline knock him down, followed by a pumphandle powerbomb. Calling for and going up, much to the disapproval of the fans, top rope double stomp one two three (3:04) Perro takes fall two. Replays.

Aguayo must've completely ripped off Atlantis' mask, because we start the third fall with Aguayo having a hand over his face to hide himself as Aguayo throws him into chairs. Atlantis falls to the floor. Niebla tries to give Atlantis another mask, but Aguayo pushes him away (and Aguayo's corner man stomps him, hey!) All three guys left standing argue, with Aguayo insisting that Niebla go back to his corner so he can continue unhampered. A replay shows us how Aguayo ripped off Atlantis's mask (during the in between falls break?) and when we come back, Atlantis does have on that backup mask and is brawling in ring with Aguayo. Aguayo ends the slaps by using a kick, whip, reversed, Aguayo dropkicks Atlantis. Aguayo off the ropes, Atlantis drops down, and Aguayo crossbodys himself into the top rope and out of the ring. Atlantis starts running - TOPE! Aguayo is sent into the first row of seats. We watch a slow motion replay, then come back to see Atlantis and Aguayo brawling outside, and Richard counting? I think he just got to twenty - he did! (DCO 1:44) The competitors are oblivious as they brawl. They only stop fighting when Richard steps out of the ring to break them up, and then they just side step him by heading in the ring to continue.  Aguayo takes Atlantis down and they're on the mat grappling at each other. Richard finally gets a hold of both of them to declare the tie, and neither man is happy about it. Niebla immediately sets upon rallying the crowd for one more fall, and they very loudly agree. 

Clip ahead - since the referee, the two wrestlers (I may have misunderstood this part - either that, or Aguayo's reaction), and the commissioner, this match will have one more fall.

Clip again, as we start fall 4. Aguayo dropkicks Atlantis out, then starts running for a dive, but Atlantis moves away. Aguayo holds up on the ropes, gets to the apron, and runs Atlantis over with an apron dive Thesz Press. We get the best shot of Aguayo's corner guy where and I can still not tell you who it is. It could be a local guy I'm not familiar with. Wisely, Aguayo gets in the ring this time rather than beat on Atlantis. Not wisely, he charges Atlantis as he gets to the apron, and gets a shoulder to the gut. Atlantis up to the top, cross body hits, Atlantis rolls off, Aguayo charges into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Atlantis is pumped, and Aguayo rushes into another tilt-a-whirl backbreaker! Atlantis is saying this is it. Bodyscissors cradle - no, Aguayo sits down, blocking it and covering one two NO! Awesome, they've made a graphic with a four fall (desempate - tiebreaker.) Aguayo picks Atlantis up, crowd shot, Aguayo misses a clothesline, Atlantis grabs and lifts Aguayo into the Atlantida! Aguayo won't give, but Atlantis drops down to his knees - that's it! (2:45) Atlantis retains his title, and gets the second shoulder ride around the ring this match.

After a break, Atlantis poses with his title. One last plug for Big Brother as we fade out. Wait, is that Arkangel in a black mask? I might have finally got it. That's it for this week.


Rating: Bases on the quality of the finish, ring work, internal/external storyline, consistency and my whims. Also, various other (random) factors that I can't think of right now. 0-100 for matches.

Breakdowns: 3 Matches (19:49) about 28.1% of showtime (67:00)

Average Match Rating 65.7
Overall Match Rating: 3 (Two title matches, one title change)
1 3 v 2, 1 Singles
2 Tecnico over Rudo wins, 1 Rudo over Tecnico wins
2 Title Matches (1 (CMLL SL), 3 (MPRO Tohoku LH)
Title Changes: CMLL Super Light Title (Virus d. Rocky, 1st TV Defense)
Show Assessment: Memorable because of the title change, and lots of confetti

Closing Notes: 

1. My wild guess is they went out of their way to do the main event DCO as a sorta make good for last week's matches, where Perro wandered around outside the ring with his opponent for minutes without Baby Richard getting twenty.
2. The Virus/Rocky match is pretty much the conclusion of the CMLL Super Lights vs Havana Brothers struggle. It was a good run.
3. Goes without saying that it'd be fun to see them, and the title again. But those are the things usually not remembered.
4. Now, the Tohoku title - that, we haven't seen the last of...