Shows Watched But Nothing Worthwhile
CMLL Guerreros del Ring on 52MX: 2014-12-13
CMLL on Fox Sports (Mexico): 2014-12-13
Leyendas Inmortales: 2014-12-14
CMLL (TUE) 01/27/2015Arena Coliseo Guadalajara [CMLL]
1) Demonio Rojo & Jocker b El Tapatío & Índigo Rudos took 2/3.
2) Leono & Oro Jr. b Artillero & Súper Comando
3) Esfinge, Starman, Stigma b Arkángel de la Muerte, Cancerbero, Metálico Tecnicos took 2/3
4) Bárbaro Cavernario, Mr. Águila, Terrible b Delta, Guerrero Maya Jr., Rey Cometa Barbaro replaced Felino. Aguila moonsaulted Maya for the win.
5) Euforia, Felino, Último Guerrero b Mistico, Valiente, Volador Jr. Negro Casas replaced Gran Guerrero on Monday, but it was Felino in here by the time the match actually took place. Rudos took 1/3, Felino sneaking in a foul on Valiente.
Next week’s main event was announced as a rematch of this one, only this match turned out to be around Felino & Valiente and Felino’s not in next week’s match. Felino was pulled from Tuesday’s Arena Mexico show (see below) so he’ll probably end up here again. Semimain is probably better for the change but a Felino/Valiente match might be a challenge.
Super Crazy, talking to +LuchaTV, talked about the recent changes in Japan with his home promotion of NOAH and CMLL’s ally NJPW. It’s been reported NJPW bought some percentage of NOAH – NJPW was looking to expand and NOAH was looking to continue to exist – and Super Crazy describes both promotions as one united company, with the politics and people in charge of NOAH very different from when he started. He said all the NOAH foreigners are being booked thru NJPW, and implied NJPW’s Jado was booking for NOAH now. Super Crazy said Jado likes him and he’s going back in March, but Crazy also talked about going to CMLL and many offers he’s gotten elsewhere (AAA, Lucha Underground, even bringing up WWE.) You can probably do CMLL and NOAH now, but Super Crazy didn’t appear to be looking for regular work elsewhere when he was a regular in NOAH.
Long term, I wonder if this means CMLL luchadors start to make appearances in NOAH as well as NJPW. Short term, this seems affect the plans for Santo Jr., who had been training in NOAH the last two summers. The plan was for the training to be repaid by Santo Jr. debuting in NOAH and it all could still happen, but it seems like a deal with a management that’s no longer in place and new people might not have the same idea. (The Santos would’ve probably known about all this when they talked around Christmas and said Santo Jr.’s debut may not be any time soon.)
CMLL made a bunch of changes on Tuesday’s Arena Mexico show. It’s earlier than usual. La Mascara & Gran Guerrero replace Atlantis & Felino in the semimain. Pegasso replaces Rey Cometa and Arkangel replaces Nitro in other matches.
El Rey was added to Dish (US) yesterday. This was announced just a few hours before the show, so perhaps many people weren’t aware of it for last night’s show but it should eventually increase viewership for Lucha Underground.
DTU (THU) 02/19/2015Autolavado VM, Tulancingo, Hidalgo 1) Los Chiki Nerds vs Mazicitos 2) El Chato, El Junior, El Nene vs Angel Suicida, Toro De Guanoro, Vegueta 3) Chica Ye-Ye, Dany Latino, Hormiga vs Artikus, JC MaClean, Lanzeloth and Kalibus, Paloma Rouse, Talaxys 4) Jimmy, Kevin, Tony vs Amo de la Noche, Dragon Yuki, Génesis 5) Ángel o Demonio & Ovett vs Dement Extreme & Fantasma de la Ópera 6) Aeroboy & Violento Jack vs Black Fire & Slayer Pack and Drastik Boy & Rocky Lobo 7) Crazy Boy, Hacker, Pesadilla, Sagrado vs Cíclope, Joe Lider, Miedo Extremo, Paranoiko
Benefit show for injured luchador Kaleth. Main event has a CMLL wrestler with AAA ones; the story is Sagrado asked to work the benefit show.
Mil Muertes dominated his match, but Fenix got the shock upset.
Big Ryck is still in the hospital.
when the crate doesn’t work, why would you try a kick?
A sit down interview with Vampiro, Konnan and Prince Puma ended in Vampiro and Konnan problems (and Prince Puma continuing to say nothing.)
Cage beat up the referee. Konnan attempted to get involved and got beat up. Cage hit Konnan with the belt and Konnan bled a lot. Cage ripped up the belt. Puma tried to put it together (while medics checked on Konnan)
Dario, who made it clear he was rooting for Cage to start the show, was please to see Konnan hurt. The Mystery Woman surprised Dario in his office, revealing she was looking for someone and knew they were somewhere in the temple. Dario, feeling threatened, offered to help however he could and asked for a name. Mystery Lady said she only had a word – Matanza. Dario said he had no idea what that word meant (and it appeared he was telling the truth.) Mystery Lady walked away and literally seemed to vanish.
the questions
Matanza???
Does Cage get another shot, thanks to Dario’s support?
is Prince Puma actually a mute?
stray thoughts
he did it first
This was the last show from the 2014 tapings. It’s been so long, I could not exactly remember what the finish of main event was, except that the feud kept going. The foul really caught me by surprise and didn’t feel like a good ending for the match, but it wasn’t really meant to be an ending. Cage dominated the match, which felt totally different than the Fenix/Puma title match. There was only one dive, which was really before the match, and most of Puma’s bigger flying moves were counted. Cage shoved the ref into the ropes when Puma went for the 630, and that led into the finish.
That belt looked kind of cheap when it was ripped up. Glad they’re getting a new one. Felt like a plot point that Puma was more concerned with it than Konnan, who was bleeding so much.
The sit down interview came off as a build to Vampiro vs Konnan, which they’re not doing and don’t seem to have any plans of doing. I think it was intended to be so heated as to explain why Prince Puma couldn’t get a word in, but in more came off as pushing the older rivalry. The Cage vignette was much better at getting over today’s match.
Cage/Puma is going to be the web match because obviously, but the trios match is worth tracking down. Both teams worked their styles well and it created a nice contrast for the match. The Crew feels like a group that’s been together for a while, working well of each other. Aerostar shined on his side, looking a cut above his partners, but everyone had a good match and this beat expectations. This was a really good episode, in-ring in particular.
just not going to work against Cage
Fenix/Muertes was good too, though it was a bit like the main event (flyer vs indestructible object) over a shorter timespan. Crowd was chanting for Muertes and doing dueling “let’s go Fenix/Fenix sucks chants”, which was surprising. Crowd was generally much better than last week.
So happy Mystery Lady got some advancement after two months, even if I don’t know what it means and it’s only led me to listening to Brazilian music. The vanishing superpower may be a little too much, but there’s also a human dragon here so it doesn’t feel a huge leap. (Also Dario may be high and just imagined the whole thing.)
Next episode doesn’t have a title or a description in the guide yet. (It’s listed as “EPISODE 14” on LocateTV – they’re off by one because they had two different names for the premiere.) I don’t think we’ll really notice any difference, except maybe Matt Striker’s voice might have recovered.
CMLL (TUE) 01/27/2015Arena México
1) Acero & Aéreo b Pequeño Olímpico & Pequeño Universo 2000
2) Akuma, Disturbio, Espiritu Negro b Flyer, Magnus, Sensei Magnus took a selfie in the ring before the match and ended his portion with a Spanish Fly off the apron to the floor but the rudos still won the match.
3) Dark Angel, Estrellita, Princesa Sugehit b La Seductora, Tiffany, Zeuxis Estrellita’s run of losses ends.
4) Raziel b Hombre Bala Jr. [lightning] Dropkick to the head won it for Raziel.
5) Hechicero, Hombre sin Nombre, Pólvora b Fuego, Stuka Jr., Tritón Stuka was injured early in the third fall and stretchered out. Rudos won, then took the tecnicos mask to further humiliate them.
6) Ephesto, Mephisto, Niebla Roja b Dragón Rojo Jr., Super Porky, Titán Titan replaced Angel de Oro on Tuesday.
Magnus lost but he also won on this show.
Tonight’s Lucha Underground show is named “They Call Him Cage”.
The champion sets his title aside for the second time in the hopes of defeating Cage and taking home the title again.
The show name seems like a Vader reference, and I think that’s probably how Prince Puma’s title match is going to feel. They’ve announced The Crew vs Aerostar, Argenis and Super Fly and Fenix vs Prince Puma Mil Muertes as the other matches tonight, as well as posting a clip of a sitdown with Prince Puma, Konnan and Vampiro and a clip of the title match.
Comando Boricua talks about forming the group: they were all teaming anyway so they decided to get together as a group. A stirring tale. The group here is Comandante Pierroth, Sagrado, Misterioso (from Puerto Rico, Torreon), Pierrothito, and La Comandante. It’s unclear if Zeuxis is out or if she just had better things to do that day. This interview goes with the idea what the new Comando Boricua will have to be very good to live up to the original. I saw all those original Comando Boricua matches, it’s actually a pretty low bar. For one, this new Pierroth is easily as good as Poder Boricua ever was.
CMLL Informa is scheduled to have Mistico, Comando Boricua, Fuerza Guerrera, and Terrilble as guests.
Los Colisenos says lucha libre is inherently a commercial failure, I think. Or trying to actually make money of wrestling kills it? I’m not really sure. I know lots and lots of items were sold a couple weeks ago in Japan and I know many items have been sold in Los Angeles, but I guess those are considered part of Mexico now?
IWRG (SUN) 02/01/2015Arena Naucalpan
1) Alfa & Galaxy vs Dowki & Power Bull
2) Emperador Azteca, Metaleón, Pantera I vs Avisman, El Hijo del Diablo, Hip Hop Man
3) Danny Casas, Golden Magic, Relámpago vs Canis Lupus, Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr., X-Fly
4) Hijo De Dos Caras & Súper Nova vs Hijo de Máscara Año 2000 & Universo 2000 Jr. [super libre]
5) Eterno vs Chicano [hair]
Front row seats should come with rain p0nches because there will be so much blood in that hair match.
I guess Casas & Chicano actually did turn at some point? Hijo de Dr. Wagner is back for unclear reasons.
Dragon Rojo has held that title since 2011. It kind of sneaks on you. He’s only defended it four times the last two years (with only two making TV), which is probably why it sneaks up on you. The long gaps are probably just as much because of his injury issues as CMLL’s forgetfulness.
Fifth match looks like it’d be really good if any one else was in Felino’s spot. That seems to happen a lot with Felino.
Mr. Niebla gave the impression he was taken off shows last week because he was out in Los Angeles all week. Mr. Niebla should be back in Mexico, but he’s still not on any cards.
CMLL (TUE) 02/03/2015Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Meteoro & Reycko vs Évola & Ráfaga
2) Frezzer, Magnus, Robin vs Furia Roja, Hijo del Signo, Metálico
3) Dragon Lee, Esfinge, Stigma vs Cancerbero, Okumura, Raziel
4) Blue Panther, Super Porky, Titán vs Kráneo, Rey Bucanero, Thunder
5) Mistico, Valiente, Volador Jr. vs Euforia, Negro Casas, Último Guerrero
AAA TV (SUN) 02/08/2015Centro Civico Nueva Aragon, Ecatepec, Estado de México
1) Dinastía, Drastik Boy, Octagoncito vs Arez, Mini Abismo Negro, Mini Psycho Clown Debut for Drastick Boy.
2) Faby Apache & Pimpinela Escarlata vs Mamba & Taya Valkyrie
3) Australian Suicide & Bengala vs Daga & Joe Lider
4) Psycho Clown vs Zorro, Electroshock, Dark Cuervo [Rey de Reyes, semifinal] Winner joins Aerostar and the Toluca winner in the final.
5) Blue Demon Jr., Jack Evans, La Parka vs Averno, Chessman, Cibernético
6) Myzteziz vs el Hijo del Perro Aguayo
Air Date: 02/21 & 02/28, probably.
This is a Lucha Underground weekend. The only regular on this show is Pimpinela, who’s not been a key part of that show. It does mean Alberto will be conspicuously missing for at least a month; hope they’re taping vignettes in Los Angeles or something. In turn, there’s people getting more shots on TV because of the psuedo-split crew.
Main event is the second Myzteziz/Perro meeting since both have come to AAA. That one was also a regular TV match after a few weeks of TV build up. Feels like it should be a bigger deal – it’s still going to be a big deal and they should have absolutely no problem selling out this building for that main event – but maybe it’s just something you do every six months, and maybe it’s a win Perro needs to get if there’s a thought of doing Perro/Alberto at TripleMania. It’s another data point suggesting the Rey de Reyes will be a big tag match and not a singles match.
As mentioned on the podcast preview of this card, the semimain continues some individual rivalries. La Parka has issues with Cibernetico and fans on social media keep asking when Blue Demon Jr. is going to get his title match against Chessman. Also, Jack and Averno would be a good match.
Psycho Clown seems like the favorite in his Rey de Reyes, right? He might be the favorite to win the whole thing, keeping his momentum from winning at TripleMania last year. Zorro & Cuervo have spent a lot of time on the mythical AAA Fusion brand of late, and Electroshock has suddenly got new life and appears to be setting up a trios match against…oh, right, the Psycho Circus. That seems like an obstacle for Psycho Clown winning. So, Zorro or Cuervo, which still doesn’t look good for Cuervo, but he should just be thrilled to be nominated. (If Mesias advances in Toluca, maybe they pick up on the Zorro/Mesias dropped feud from 2014.)
Suicide & Bengala continue to face the tag team champions. This is Daga’s first TV appearance since the Hard Rock show after TripleMania. He quietly underwent knee surgery, and Pentagon and Lider were added to build up the Perros del Mal numbers in his absence. (I guess he was still part of the Anarchy at the moment, but they seemed to be shedding that group already.) They might have been added anyway, but maybe Daga would’ve been involved in this tag team reign. Being part of this tag match is at least a shot to see where he is now.
Second match continues the usual feuds. A Reina de Reinas match at Rey de Reyes would fit.
Drastick Boy is a Hidalgo born DTU luchador getting a shot here, with Arez coming back for another time. They’re both on the short side; they probably don’t want to be slotted in as minis but they won’t look out of place.
There’s another AAA show in Naucalpan sometime this month, which seemed to be a taping. That’s probably the next one, but it might be a while before we hear more.
CMLL (FRI) 01/23/2015Arena Coliseo Guadalajara [Domingos Familiares CMLL]
1) Frezzer b Furia Roja
2) Jocker & Sádico b Javier Cruz Jr. & Metatrón [#1 Contenders, tournament, OCCIDENTE TAG] first round match. All appear to be one fall matches.
3) Exterminador & Maléfico b Sky Kid & Smaker [#1 Contenders, tournament, OCCIDENTE TAG] first round match
4) Esfinge & Gallo b Pitbull I & Pitbull II [#1 Contenders, tournament, OCCIDENTE TAG] first round match
5) Estrellita, Goya Kong, Silueta b La Comandante, La Gitana, Zeuxis La Gitana, an indy luchadora usually seen in Arena Jalisco, replaced La Seductora. Silueta returned from an undisclosed injury; this is her first match since September. Tencicos took 2/3.
6) Atlantis, Blue Panther Jr., Súper Halcón Jr. DQ Gran Guerrero, Mephisto, Niebla Roja Gran Guerrero replaced Mr. Niebla on Monday, fouled Atlantis for the DQ.
CMLL’s did it’s usual bit of Monday lineup shuffling. Angel de Oro either is hurt or on vacation because he’s off all the cards. Titan fills in tonight in Arena Mexico, Stuka Jr. is in on Friday in Guadalajara, and Blue Panther is in on Sunday in Arena Mexico. Goya Kong replaces Skadi on Sunday as well – is that the old “rookies can’t work two weeks in a row” union rule? Negro Casas replaces Gran Guerrero tonight in Guadalajara, which greatly improves that match: it’s now Mistico, Valiente, Volador Jr. vs Euforia, Negro Casas and Ultimo Guerrero as Mistico’s return tour clicks on.
Over in Arena Mexico, Dragon Rojo, Super Porky, Titan vs Ephesto, Mephsito and Niebla Roja is the main event, and I’ve totally lost track if Dragon & Niebla are meant to be having their title match on Sunday or Tuesdays. Hombre Bala Jr. vs Raziel is the lightning match, I guess to see which member of the Halcon/Bala tag team is the better. (Raziel beat Halcon in a lukewarm match two weeks ago.)
All Elite held a press conference to talk about next Sunday’s Arena Mexico show. The two openers were announced for the show: Pegasso, Fuego, Stuka Jr. vs Comando Caribeno open the show, and Guerrero Maya Jr., Dragon Lee & Delta take on Kamaitachi, Puma, Virus should be a great second match. We still aren’t sure if this is the Terra show or not and probably won’t be until Sunday.
There were a few Liga Elite changes. Chavo Guerrero Jr. is officially out of the competition, with Super Crazy taking over his 3 points going forward. Rush is not ready to return but will be welcomed back. Hernandez and Zumbi aren’t on these cards and weren’t mentioned, but are still listed on the point standings. (Zumbi’s got 3 points without having actually wrestled once.) Given the card they’ve announced, only the Atlantis/Tiger vs Crazy/UG looks to be part of the tournament.
Arena Lopez Mateos/UWE announced the new main event of their 01/31 show is Dr. Wagner Jr. & Silver King vs La Park & Super Parka, with the less famous brothers being added to the match. CMLL’s story about Atlantis & Ultimo Guerrero being pulled from the match is UWE didn’t go thru CMLL to book CMLL’s wrestlers and were fully aware that is the process, so it’s all UWE’s fault. That go around has come up with other promotions, but it also seems like sometimes outside promoters can get away with it and sometimes they can not and it’s not clear why it works differently. It would also seem like Ultimo and Atlantis should be the ones in trouble since they’re the ones actually working for CMLL and there’s some systemic problems if two of the top guys in the promotion are subverting the booking process like that, but that part isn’t discussed. There’s also the issue that UWE was promoting that match for weeks, so it really shouldn’t have taken until the week before for someone to say the match wasn’t going to happen.
CMLL’s Top 10 of the week has Mascara Dorada, a man who decided he’d like to work for someone else besides CMLL, as the best CMLL wrestler of the week. La Sombra, who actually defeated Mascara Dorada in a singles match his past week, is unranked. Mascara Dorada’s deal here is described as “one year deal with an option to extend it’s length”, which is both a pretty big option to only be mentioning on your top 10 list and also what I thought it was from the start.
It turns out CMLL is not running Arena Coliseo on Saturday because there’s a boxing event instead. CMLL posted a statement about Sabado Retros returning next week and going on for the near future. It’s possible they’ve made a decision to make Saturday the Coliseo show and Sunday the Arena Mexico one. Sundays were definitely supposed to be in Arena Coliseo by now and there’s no sign of that happening any time soon.
CMLL (MON) 02/02/2015Arena Puebla
1) Black Tiger, Meyer, Paris vs Akuma, Guerrero Espacial, Inquisidor
2) Pegasso, Star Jr., Starman vs Espíritu Maligno, Policeman, Toro Bill Jr.
3) Rey Cometa, Stigma, Super Porky vs Bárbaro Cavernario, Hechicero, Kráneo
4) Mistico, Valiente, Volador Jr. vs Ephesto, Mephisto, Pólvora
5) La Sombra vs Último Guerrero
The third match would be so good – that’s a dream rudo trio – except it’s another Super Porky match. It’ll get a great reaction from the crowd and wont’ be materially different than the other 20 Super Porky matches that have aired on TV this month.
