CMLL on LATV: 2011-07-16

taped 2011-06-21 @ Arena Mexico

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recap

Angel Azteca being Angel Azteca

Ángel Azteca Jr., Pegasso, Rey Cometa vs Hooligan, Nitro, Skándalo: Not a lot to this one, and what was shown wasn’t helped with the random clipping in the match. There’s better versions of this same exact match, where the Tuareg don’t spend half their time doing low blow dropkicks. Azteca looked better, anyway

Blue Panther, Fuego, Sangre Azteca vs Dr. X, Ephesto, Felino: again, hurt by the clips. Not sure there was a lot there, as they didn’t seem to even focus on Dr. X vs Fuego until late. Dr. X beating Blue Panther felt much weirder than Fuego beating Felino.

Rey Bucanero as Rey Bucanero

Hijo del Fantasma vs Rey Bucanero for the NWA World Light Heavyweight Championship: Wait, that’s my version. You want the complete version: part 1, part 2

Excellent match! One that seems to have slipped thru without a lot of hype, but is worth your time. Fantasma’s never ending string of driving dives is probably the part that’s going to stick with me for a long time, but this was a strong match without it. I had trouble figuring out a gif for it, because it wasn’t a match of extraordinary spots, but a lot of really good stuff done well timed. (Also, LATV cut out the spot I wanted to use.) I really liked how they mixed up the third fall formula, doing the cradle near falls earlier than normal and the big dive sequence later; it made it feel like they were going farther than usual instead of following the house formula. Fantasma had his finish kicked out of enroute to a loss, and still looked like a star on the rise. Bucanero is a great CMLL rudo, just making every técnico’s offense look sharp and seemingly only barely getting out with his life.

Your G1 preview!

Ángel de Oro, La Sombra, Strong Man vs Mr. Niebla, Rey Escorpion, Shinsuke Nakamura: Odd choice to give Angel de Oro this match as a gift, because he really couldn’t work with Nakamura at all, and Niebla isn’t the greatest guy for him to work with. Angel de Oro and Rey Escorpion makes Oro look good, but he already gets that matchup. Escorpion fit in a lot more naturally.