CMLL on CadenaTres: 2015-03-21

Mercurio’s taking Astral over the rail, one way or another

recap

taped 2015-03-17 @ Arena México

leapfrog dropkick

Hombre Bala Jr., Súper Halcón Jr., Tritón vs Puma, Sangre Azteca, Tiger: [good] fun midcard match with some underutilized people (and also Sangre Azteca.) All three falls had entertaining back and forth sequences leading to the finishes, with the first one being especially good. Puma and Hombre Bala were the standouts to me, and everyone seemed to mix up their usual sequences a bit here, bringing in somethings they do less often. Triton is still pulling up his pants, even when they’re much shorter.

no one celebrates better than Puma

Bala splash on the apron

triple dive

Mercurio tornillo

Astral © vs Mercurio for the CMLL World Pequeño Estrellas Championship: [great] Successful title defense in unexpected means. Astral did some flying moves, but he also did far more submission spots with Mercurio barely holding on or reversing on his own. Mercurio did have some good near victories – including using the powerbomb again in the third fall and going for the package piledriver – but this was more dominated by the champion than usual in these matches. The (relatively) toned down flying also made this feel more like a lightweight match than a minis division one, as much as those details matter at this point. Astral looked adept at what he did and Mercurio remains very good. Astral did almost wipe himself out on an inside out moonsault, but saved himself with his hands. Mercurio forcing them both over the barrier on a tope was amusing. The third fall was very dramatic without simply being never ending two count falls, and this was a more creatively put together match than expected with guys of this skill level. (This wasn’t the tope->cavernaria default title match.) Worth checking out. This match featured about 500 shots of (what appeared to be) Astral’s family. Astral might have personally drawn about 5% of this crowd.

Mercurio tries to remove Astral’s face

Mercuio takes his slide out

inside out moonsault

people got to stop trying casadoras near that barrier

Astral over the corner tope con giro

double springboard moonsault into feet

Fuego tope

Ángel de Oro, Blue Panther, Fuego vs Euforia, Pólvora, Rey Escorpión: [ok] fine match between the usual guys that I may just be underrating because it’s just the usual guys and it didn’t make a huge impression. Rey Escorpion resumed his feud with Angel de Oro and looked like he hasn’t gone anywhere. The rudos all worked well together (nice for people who used to be feuding) and Blue Panther & Fuego have tag team spots they get to break out once in a while. Angel de Oro was fine.

good to have Escorpion back

Super Polvora Driver

I dunno

Atlantis, Delta, Guerrero Maya Jr. vs Ephesto, Luciferno, Mephisto: [ok] standard main event from some set trios. The Reyes de Atlatnida have their match down, the new Hijo del Infierno need some work. (Mephisto can’t be bothered to wear the matching t-shirt.) The right team won, even though it doesn’t make sense. Luciferno not being in the right spot a few times seems so odd since the técnicos have done this match many times, but they haven’t done it with him. Surprised Guerrero Maya Jr. used the top into the crowd on this one.

Luciferno shocked his plan didn’t work

Maya > Mercurio

maybe a little bit overserved