Month: February 2014

AAA on Televisa: 2014-02-01

thecubsfan

 

running knee smash

recap

taped 2014-01-25 @ Estadio de Beisbol, Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur
Faby Apache, Jennifer Blake, La Jarochita vs Mary Apache, Sexy Star, Taya Valkyrie: OK womens’ match. Good effort and they were trying a lot of stuff they had not tried before with most of it going okay, but just looking very robotic or not smooth at time. The Canadians were especially ambitious and sometime it looked like they were thinking thru the moves instead of just doing them. You could do a lot worse, and they’ll be better if they keep trying this for a while.

 

Monster Clown is Ultimo Guerrero!

Monsther Clown, Murder Clown, Psycho Clown vs Máscara Año 2000 Jr., Psicosis, Texano Jr.: Another Psycho/Consejo match, with Psicosis as a special guest star. I have nothing useful to say about this match but neither did they, since there wasn’t any real story to it until Psycho made his heavyweight challenge after it. (They’ve gone from having a bad story to no particular story for this feud, which might be an improvement.) It was basically the house show match except for the part where Monster Clown became Ultimo Guerrero and Psicosis nearly found a new way to go head first into the mat.

 

running moonsault dropkick

El Mesías vs Fénix, Zorro, Silver King in a AAA’s Rey de Reyes Tournament semifinal match: One of AAA’s big advantages over CMLL is it rarely looks dated. Zorro got a hair cut sometime since his last appearance and every picture of him is of that new look. Over in CMLL, Euforia is still coming out to an entrance video that’s from when he was in the Infernales, two groups ago. Anyway, AAA’s back to another round of elimination matches where people stupidly break up pins which would definitely help them, joy. This match also demonstrated the power in numbers of the Nuevo Sociedad by having their two members constantly accidentally hitting each other. This match was also the second time they’ve teased a fun looking Mesías/Fenix singles match which is obviously never going to happen. Fenix did the Mr. Niebla comedy spot of slipping and crotching himself on the top rope, except it was so definitely not supposed to be a comedy spot. His one pinfall looked good. The Zorro & Mesías segment was longer than the other two guys were in, slow paced, and ended awkwardly when Mesías hurt his arm on the missed splash. (He was too hurt too lay on his back and get pinned, from the looks of it.) Crowd was into to it – this outdoor crowd was sounded much louder than the outdoor Hard Rock show – but the match leading up to the injury wasn’t too exciting to me and the injury is a sad way to end it.

 

Ozz Driver

Cibernético, Jack Evans, La Parka vs Dark Cuervo, Dark Ozz, Dark Scoria: Usual main event match until the rudos somehow managed a second beatdown and then just won clean at the end of it. No foul, not evil referee, no distraction, just beat the guy. I think La Secta must’ve been thrown off by actually winning, because they still did the traditional stomping of Jack for winning a match he didn’t even win. Match was alright, best in Jack’s first run off offense after the beatdown where everything looked good. It slowed right down after that for Parka’s comedy and never really got rolling at high speed again but it was about what I’d expect. This did seem short; all the matches did, but it didn’t feel like the Teleivsa version was heavily edited and I’d see longer stuff on UTDN. (Maybe that’s wrong?) It was just a quick show.

great match roundup, week of 2014-02-01

thecubsfan 3 Comments

Great/Excellent Matches

CMLL Guerreros del Ring on 52MX: 2014-02-01
taped 2014-01-26 @ Arena Coliseo
Máscara Dorada, Mistico, Valiente vs Dragón Rojo Jr., Pólvora, Rey Escorpión: GREAT
Atlantis, Delta, Guerrero Maya Jr. vs Negro Casas, Puma, Tiger: GREAT

CMLL on CadenaTres: 2014-02-01
taped 2014-01-28 @ Arena México
Titán vs Virus for the Mexican National Welterweight Championship: EXCELLENT

Shows Watched But Nothing Made The List
AAA on Televisa: 2014-02-01
CMLL on Fox Sports (Mexico): 2014-02-01

Matches To Watch Later

CMLL Puebla: 2014-02-02
taped 2014-01-20 @ Arena Puebla
Águila Egipcia & Asturiano vs Artillero & Súper Comando:

IWRG Zona XXI: 2014-02-04
taped 2014-02-02 @ Arena Naucalpan
Oficial 911 vs Golden Magic for the IWRG Rey del Ring:

Sin Cara & Averno? Monterrey?, Mascara/Mephisto, Toryumon Mexico

thecubsfan

CMLL (TUE) 02/25/2014 Arena México [CMLL]
1) Flyer & Oro Jr. b Akuma & Espanto Jr.
2) Pegasso, Star Jr., Stigma b Espiritu Negro, Guerrero Negro Jr., Hijo del Signo
3) Starman b Hechicero [lightning]
4) Pierroth, Tiger, Vangellys b Rey Cometa, Sagrado, Super Porky
Tiger replaced Misterioso. Rudos took 2/3. Porky was hurt after a Tiger Kick to the face and left the match in the second fall.
5) Atlantis, Delta, Guerrero Maya Jr. DQ Cavernario, Herodes Jr., Mr. Niebla
Atlantida took 2/3, Niebla fouling Atlantis.
6) La Máscara, Máximo, Tritón b Averno, Boby Zavala, Mephisto
Tecnicos look 2/3. Mascara beat Boby with a casita, then Mephisto with a same. Mascara asked Mephisto for a title shot.

Not at all interested in La Mascara singles programs. Averno and Triton worked a lot together in the main event. CMLL keeps coming back to the Atlantis/Niebla feud from time to time. I’m surprised there aren’t more facial injuries with the fierceness of kicks in CMLL the last few months.

CMLL (TUE) 02/25/2014 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara [@acogdl]
1) Metatrón & Smaker b Demonio Maya & Exterminador
Tecnicos took 1/3.
2) Demus 3:16, Mercurio, Pequeño Warrior b Astral, Shockercito, Último Dragoncito
Rudos took 2/3.
3) Cachorro, Fuego, Stuka Jr. b Cancerbero, Maléfico, Raziel
Tecnicos took 1/3.
4) La Sombra, Rush, Titán DQ Niebla Roja, Shocker, Último Guerrero
Niebla Roja replaced Negro Casas. Tecnicos took 2/3, Shocker fouling Rush.
5) Marco Corleone b Euforia
Tecnicos took 2/3.

Euforia foiled! Tercera may end up on 52MX in a couple Saturdays and looks good. Demus is giving tecnicos the Demus Driver on random Tuesday night Guadalajara shows.

Terra announced they’ll broadcast the press conference to announce Homenaje a Dos Leyendas card. It was previously said CMLL would only be the main event, but Terra says it’s the full lineup. (Terra is sometimes wrong.) CMLL’s recap of Puebla show pushes the Shocker/Rush issue there.

CMLL’s posted the Quien es Cien Caras video from last Friday, as well as the preview for this upcoming Friday.

TNA announced they’ve signed Extreme Tiger, who will be using the name Tigre Uno. TNA seems to be a chaotic place with a murky future, but sometimes there’s great opportunity in chaos.

Black Warrior says he wants to be King.

Estrellita & Puma will be on the Turibus this Friday. There’s a mention of plans to expand the program to Tuesdays.

A story of a Veracruz mask maker, who wanted to be a luchador but couldn’t afford it so found a different avenue.

A charity show for the local Red Cross drew 600 people in Arena Vidal.

An interview with Egipcio Jr.

DJ Spectro looks back at Bufalo Salvaje vs Arana Atomica.

Dark Angel previews the Arnold Sports Festival.

Kcidis blows the lid off Sin Cara’s new identity.

Lineup

CMLL (MON) 03/03/2014 Arena Puebla
1) Akrón & Fuerza Chicana vs Ares & King Jaguar
2) Estrellita, Lluvia, Marcela vs Amapola, Dalys, Princesa Blanca
3) Stigma, Stuka Jr., Tritón vs Morphosis, Olímpico, Shigeo Okumura
4) La Máscara, Máximo, Rush vs Rey Bucanero, Shocker, Último Guerrero
5) Máscara Dorada, Mistico, Valiente vs Cavernario, Felino, Mr. Niebla [CMLL TRIOS]
Estetas are champions. Fifth defense.

Maximo is on the card, the same day as the AAA taping in Irapuato. I’m more doubtful of Maximo changing promotions today, though. This week’s AAA TV included promos from Chessman and Blue Demon building up their Rey de Reyes match, that mystery person Irapuato match includes Chessman. Axel was also introduced back in AAA as Blue Demon’s friend and he’s also in the match. Demon makes plenty of sense as the mystery person.

Lluvia continues to make her way back to Mexico City. Rey Bucanero, Shocker and Ultimo Guerrero is Team Early 2000s. Odd rudo/rudo opener.

CMLL (TUE) 03/04/2014 Arena México
1) Dragon Lee & Flyer vs Apocalipsis & Camorra
2) Súper Halcón Jr. vs Hijo del Signo [lightning]
3) Lady Afrodita, Marcela, Silueta vs Princesa Blanca, Tiffany, Zeuxis
4) Pegasso, Soberano Jr., Valiente vs Cancerbero, Raziel, Virus
5) Cachorro, Sagrado, Super Porky vs Misterioso Jr., Puma, Tiger
6) La Máscara, Máscara Dorada, Stuka Jr. vs Boby Zavala, Mephisto, Rey Bucanero

Not quite yet on Mascara versus Mephisto.

Super Porky goes for nose revenge! Lightning’s match is all the way down in the segunda, way too early for the coffee break.

CMLL (TUE) 03/04/2014 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Metatrón & Virgo vs Demonio Maya & Évola
2) Sky Kid, Smaker, Star Jr. vs Akuma, Artillero, Súper Comando
3) Estrellita, Goya Kong, Lluvia vs Amapola, Dalys, Princesa Sugheit
4) Atlantis, Delta, Guerrero Maya Jr. vs Cavernario, Herodes Jr., Mr. Niebla
5) Mistico, Titán, Volador Jr. vs Averno, Mephisto, Rey Escorpión

Unsure how Mephisto’s going to be in two places, but that main event looks good. Reyes del Atlantida vs Peste Negra is champion.

Toryumon Mexico (SUN) 03/16/2014 Sala de Armas Magdalena Mixhuca, Ciudad México, Distrito Federal
1) Douki & Hanaoka vs Íkaro & Príncipe Azteca
2) Demus 3:16 & Pequeño Nitro vs Astral & Eléctrico
3) Hombre Bala Jr., Super Ciudadano, Súper Halcón Jr. vs Akuma, Hooligan, Yoruba
4) Brazo de Plata & La Máscara vs Arkángel de la Muerte & Olímpico
5) Último Dragón vs Rey Bucanero [NWA IJ]
Ultimo Dragon is champion

I think Dragon’s defending the NWA title he has, though I believe he’s picked up the All Japan Junior Heavyweight title.

UMLL (SUN) 05/04/2014 Arena Coliseo Monterrey
1) Argenis, Argos, Sin Cara vs Averno, Black Warrior, el Hijo del Perro Aguayo

HUH. (Poster here.) There a bunch of Sin Cara lineups slowly filtering out, including another one with Averno in Reynosa. For his part, Sin Cara says the only confirmed match is the the 03/01 Tijuana one, but the Monterrey people seemed pretty sure it’s official. Either Sin Cara is lying or he’s got people making deals for him he doesn’t know about. Sin Cara also appears to have people telling him he’s going to win a unlikely legal battle. This doesn’t seem like Sin Cara is working with the best people.

top six stories of the last two weeks

thecubsfan 3 Comments
  1. Sin Cara debuted in AAA – kind of. Friday’s main event included the usual post match brawl, but that was interrupted by a mystery figure posing on the stage for about a half minute before the lights went out and the mystery person disappeared. Mistico’s music played throughout. It was definitely him and he’s under contract to AAA, but his name and mask is a more of an issue. It’s said WWE threatened AAA over use of the name or mask, and so Sin Cara’s head was hidden under a hood for his brief appearance. Sin Cara’s said he’ll have the rights to the name by May but it’s unclear how that would happen, or how AAA could use him until that point.
  2. The rest of AAA’s show was busy as well. Before it even took place, it was announced to be the first of a series of “monthly” AAA events at Gimnasio Juan de la Barrera, though the next date has yet to be announced. Black Warrior, Sin Cara’s old rival, returned to AAA as a member of Perros del Mal and won the last spot in the Rey de Reyes final. A domed cage apuesta match with the Mexican Powers, Fenix and Anarkia was set for Rey de Reyes. A mixed tag title match and Psycho vs Texano in some form also seem likely, though AAA still hasn’t announced much of the card.
  3. Hijo del Santo’s wife has been telling people Santo has been told he can’t continue to wrestle after his scheduled neck surgery, will postpone the surgery to have a couple of matches later this year, then retire. Santo hasn’t officially said anything yet, but is expected to say something this weekend.
  4. Barbaro Cavernario and Mr. Niebla won the 2014 CMLL Gran Alternativa over Soberano Jr & Volador Jr. The tournament seemed to focus more on the veterans than the novatos, and Cavernario (who may have lost his first name) was already headed to a bigger position as part of Peste Negra.
  5. Peste Negra also won the Mexican Trios titles. It was a surprise win, since Niebla seems to be teaming with Cavernario & Herodes going forward, but it’s not as if Titan, La Mascara and Rush were frequent partners. Peste Negra are also challenging for the World Trios titles in Puebla next week. The only down note for Peste Negra was Negro Casas hurting his shoulder last Friday, which will keep him out for a couple weeks.
  6. Rumors continue to suggest CMLL will be on TV Azteca soon. The Super Libre radio show stated the show would debut in March, while talk on Facebook says CMLL will have a 4pm slot on a day to be determined.
  • Cien Caras was announced as the luchador legend to be honored Dos Leyendas. CMLL will hold a press conference to announce the entire card on Thursday, and this will be streamed to the internet (via Terra) for the first time.
  • Octagon versus Fuerza Guerrera was announced for the Mexico City WWL show, which Octagon continuing to suggest he’s leaving AAA.
  • AAA announced TripleMania would take place in Arena Ciudad de Mexico, but not until August (months later than usual.) AAA also announced a deal with a hotel chain, while will help with travel packages for some of their future TV tapings.
  • Box Y Lucha appears to have gone biweekly, joining SuperLuchas.
  • Negro Casas, Shocker and Rush continue to feud and are expected to be announced in a three way hair match for Dos Leyendas on Thursday. Dalys & Marcela also continue to weirdly feud, and may eventually get around to have another title match.
  • Mistico won the CMLL Welterweight Championship from Polovora, his
  • Puma said he tore his bicep, kept working. Matt Jackson hurt his hand, but didn’t break it and will be making his ChilangaMask show.
  • El Dandy will have his retirement match on April’s ChilangaMask show in Arena Lopez Mateos.
  • Masked Republic/Extreme Rising announced a lucha show on 04/27 in ECW Arena with LA Park vs Dr. Wagner Jr. on top.
  • Dr. Wagner Jr. is part of the cast of reality show La Isla, while his ex-wife had disturbing things to say about him in a scandalous magazine.
  • The latest Mr. Aguila in no condition match aired. It was amazing, in that it aired.

Todo x El Todo: 2013-12-22

thecubsfan

taped 2013-11-30 @ Gimnasio Juan De La Barrera

I think the best part of the show might have been dramatic coin tossing music.

 

kind of sad

Villano III & Villano IV vs Hijo de Pirata Morgan & Pirata Morgan in a Ruleta de la muerte semifinal match: Hijo decided to work over Villano IV with moonsaults and his father took an amazingly leisured trip out of the ring, so there’s this match. Villanos generally move in slow motion, and it seemed like C3 couldn’t even get up for some spots. He was also super obviously calling spots at points. The double tapatia crawl thru looked amateur. Finish was great, in that it got the match to end.

Cien Caras Jr. & Máscara Año 2000 vs Angel Blanco Jr. & Höruz in a Ruleta de la muerte semifinal: I’m being repetitive, but these shows make no sense when watched together; Angel Blanco is used differently on every single show. Every other team is a team of normal partners except for the Angel Blanco & Höruz team, and there’s no real attempt to explain it. Angel and Höruz work técnico in a match too simple to get met create a gif. Big new star Höruz jumps into his own doom.

 

the end of Horuz

Angel Blanco Jr. & Höruz vs Hijo de Pirata Morgan & Pirata Morgan in a Ruleta de la muerte final match: Match picks up with Angel Blanco bleeding heavily, which is really poor editing and probably unnecessary for this tournament. The story of Todo x el Todo, as much as I can figure, is about Hijo del Santo being hassled by evil Angel Blanco Jr. and Solitario, so this is really a tournament about making Angel Blanco Jr. sympathetic. Höruz, who’s supposedly here to be a new técnico star, is just the other guy who happens to be here. It’s so weird. Second straight match where Höruz attempted to do something, failed, and lost soon after (though they missed the move that set it up live.) Pirata beat both guys; no one under 40 can get a win here. Match OK for a TxT tag but nothing I’ll ever think about seeing again.

Angel Blanco Jr. vs Höruz, mask vs hair: and so Angel Blanco immediately turns back rudo here. This seemed like it would’ve been the moment for Höruz to look good in a loss, but instead it’s six minute turn taking match with rudo winning absolutely clean (and Höruz never really having a moment where he was going to win.) Crowd didn’t react to much until the valagueza. Höruz has lost every single match since joining TxT, seeming less like a guy excelling when he got a chance and more like the guy brought in to ‘prove’ this promotion is much better than other.

 

almost…

El Hijo del Solitario vs LA Park vs Dr. Wagner Jr.: Solitario is treated like a non-entity by both Park & Wagner in large portions of this match. Park and Wagner worked stretches of the first half just against each other with Solitario limited to being an annoying fly to be swatted away. They later did normal Park comedy tag spots, where Solitario was just a generic opponent. Even before the match, Park asked the crowd if they were behind him or Wagner, ignoring Solitario. No one would’ve cheered much for Solitario if asked, judging how now one really cheered for him during the match, but Solitario still ended up winning despite how irrelevant he was treated. It was usual TxT garbage finish action – a mask toss DQ on LA Park (where the C3 replay exposed Solitario’s mask in slow motion) and a foul on Wagner – but it’s weird to treat Solitario as not on the level as the other two guys and have him win anyway. They were probably just screwing around, and maybe setting up new opponents for Solitario to face in a mask match if Santo can’t return, but it was another instance of weirdly laid out TxT matches. Match itself was low intensity for the part with all three, and Solitario and Wagner didn’t do anything interesting when they were they were on their own. This whole show dragged for me.

In 2013, I said I’d recap every TxT show I could, and achieved that. I’m definitely not making the same promise for 2014. There are occasional interesting matches, but a lot of long matches I have trouble caring about, and not great prospects going forward. I’ll pick and choose going forward.