CMLL Puebla: 2016-07-04

punching is a bad idea
punching is a bad idea

Recapped: 07/04/2016

What happened:  Ares and King Jaguar are suddenly feuding. So are Mephisto and Mistico. In related news, CMLL has a big show in two weeks.

What was good: I liked the opener, the tercera and the semimain as good fun matches, though nothing you needed to see.

Where can I watch it: It’s on CMLL’s YouTube channel now and will air on 52MX in a two weeks

Match 1: Astro, Centella Roja, París vs Guerrero Espacial, Mini Joker, Saurón
Arena Puebla, 07/04/2016

  1. técnicos
    • Paris moosnault Saurón (7:53)
    • Centella Roja nudo lagunero Guerrero Especial (8:06)
  2. rudos
    • Guerrero Espacioa standing on knees hammerlock (2:55)
    • Joker modifed reinera Astro (3:15)
  3. técnicos
    • Guerrero Espacial Pulpo Centella Roja (4:24)
    • Astro amrbar Guerrreo Espaical (4:21)
    • Mini Joker Driver on Astro (4:44)

Winner: técnicos (1/3)
Match Time: 16:05
Notes: They’re now using local edecanes (as in Mexico City) to save the DF ones from having to make the trip

Review: [good] Better than usual match for the opening crew Astro & Joker match up well and Astro was moving around the ring quick in this match. Joker’s facepaint/mask combo is unique, and kept Joker’s identity hidden, but didn’t feel like enough of a mask to me. The run of headscissors near the end was fun, even though it was odd to see all the rudos do fancy moves – I should be over that, but occasionally that still bugs me.

Mini Joker Driver
Mini Joker Driver

Match 2: Black Tiger, King Jaguar, Oro Jr. vs Ares, Inquisidor, Policeman
Arena Puebla, 07/04/2016

  1. rudos
    • Inquisidor el pulpo Oro Jr. (6:56)
  2. técnicos
    • Oro Jr. senton con giro Ares (2:05)
    • Black Tiger plancha Policeman (2:20)
  3. técnicos
    • King Jaguar el Pulpo Ares (3:20)

Winner: técnicos (2/3)
Match Time: 12:36
Notes: Ares and King Jaguar are suddenly feuding.

Review: [ok] my brain shuts down during Inquisidor matches at this point, but the match seemed relatively OK given the crew we were given. The Ares/Jaguar feud came out of nowhere and means nothing and is the fakest thing but, if you didn’t know all that, they did a fine enough job with it.

double tope
double tope

Match 3: Esfinge, Guerrero Maya Jr., Rey Cometa ©  vs Bobby Z, Okumura, Virus ©
Arena Puebla, 07/04/2016

  1. rudos
    • Bobby Z dropkick Rey Cometa (7:36)
  2. técnicos
    • Esfinge Nudo Egipico Okumura (4:52)
    • Rey Cometa standing moonsault Bobby Z (5:12)
  3. rudos
    • Okumura Michinoku Driver Guerrero Maya (3:20)
    • Virus inverted figure (3:47)

Winner: rudos (1/3)
Match Time: 16:35

Review: [good] solid midcard match with the usual people. Cometa doens’t seem any worse for wear off his lose, and Virus and Okumura were having fun stooging around and making life tough for the técnicos. Also making life tough for the técnicos were the técnicos, who could not grasp the idea of standing in their own corner while making a tag. This wasn’t full out, but it was fine a Monday night.

headscissors into a DDT + moonsault
headscissors into a DDT + moonsault

Match 4: Kushida, Máscara Dorada, Michael Elgin vs Felino, Tama Tonga, Tangaroa
Arena Puebla, 07/04/2016

  1. técnicos
    • Michael Elgin discuss lariat Tama Tonga (4:58)
  2. rudos
    • Felino top rope elbow drop Kushida (2:52)
    • Tama Tonga flipping neckbreaker/Tanga Loa Samoan Drop Mascara Dorada (3:04)
  3. técnicos
    • DQ Tama Tonga [foul on Michael Elgin] (4:07)

Winner: técnicos (1/3)
Match Time: 12:09

Felino replaced Mr. Niebla.

Review: [good] Entertaining mix of styles if not the high end of match you might expect given the names. They did a few signature spots and had some fun, Kushida most of all. The NJPW guys are mostly in vacation mode, but the unique aspect of having them in this environment still makes these matches feel very different. Crowd seemed very impressed by Elgin.

catch Dorada before he's gone
catch Dorada before he’s gone

Match 5: Mistico,  Ultimo Guerrero, Shocker vs La Máscara, Mephisto, Sharlie Rockstar in a relevos increíbles match
Arena Puebla, 07/04/2016

  1. Team La Mascara
    • La Mascara superkick Shocker (1:46)
    • Sharlie Rockster La Poza Ultimo Guerrero (2:15)
  2. Team Mistico
    • Shocker Dos Caras Clutch (1:47)
    • Ultimo Guerrero pulpo Guerrero (1:48)
  3. Team Mistico
    • triple faceslam Shocker (4:35)
    • Mistico headscissors cradle Sharlie Rockstar (5:43)
    • Mistico Mistica Mephisto (6:07)

Winner: Team Mistico (2/3)
Match Time: 10:11
Notes: Mistico challenged Mephisto for a CMLL Welterweight Championship match, but go no response.

Review: [ok] The weird setup of the match only detracted it; Shocker & Ultimo Guerrero didn’t add anything by being on the técnico side and Sharlie didn’t look so hot in his return. UG kicked him very hard to the floor in the third fall. Mistico’s had better matches on other occasions, though the crowd did enjoy his big win. Hope they go back to normal next week.

jail is safer than this
jail is safer than this