Recapped: 12/21/2016
What happened: Nothing! This was a no angle show.
What was good: I didn’t think I was going to like anything, but the main event turned out pretty fun and it’s the most watchable match on the show.
Where can I watch it: It’s on CMLL’s channel.
Match 1: Bengala & Leono vs Camorra & Cholo
Arena México, 12/20/2016
Video: VideosOficialesCMLL
- rudos
- Chololock on Leono (5:22)
- Bengala half crab Camorra (5:52)
- técnicos
- Leono half crab armabr Camorra (2:36)
- Bengala satellite armbar Cholo (3:26)
- rudos
- Leono huracanrana Cholo (2:36)
- Bengala triangular del Solar Leono (3:27)
Winner: tencicos (2/3)
Match Time: 13:27
Review: [below average] Slow, but also bad. I can’t believe most of the guys are still working here at this point, including the referee. A bit part of the beatdown was Camorra biting people. It was not good. The comeback involved Bengala standing in place and urging Choolo to unfreeze and charge at him, and they struggled with Begnala’s finish. The effort in this match was so low by everyone, even the ring announcers couldn’t be bothered to blow the whistle for the second fall. Camorra was worse than Cholo, if you need to know.
Match 2: Príncipe Diamante, Sensei, Star Jr. vs Cancerbero, Nitro, Raziel
Arena México, 12/20/2016
Video: VideosOficialesCMLL
- técnicos
- Principe Diamante slow back heel trip Cancerbero (5:02)
- Star Jr. corner dropkick Nitro (5:29)
- rudos
- Nitro top rope splash Star Jr. (4:34)
- rudos
- Cancebero motocicleta Sensei (3:39)
- Raziel faceslam Star Jr. (4:22)
Winner: rudos (2/3)
Match Time: 14:25
Review: [ok] This was better than the previous match, but one where speed and impact on moves was an issue. Pus, there were a lot of little things bugging. Cancerbero wins by submission after a sequence where finishing covers are being broken up all the time, and with Sensei’s partners just standing there and watching instead of breaking it up. Star Jr. has a great looking tornillo, and is the eighth different person to use a corner strike as his finish (and may have the eighth worst one.) That probably should be fixed. Principe Diamante probably should avoid wearing a black with one color outfit against the Cancrberos, because he looked like their far worst partner. The rudos barely touching Diamante’s boots to start the comeback didn’t look so good either.
Match 3: Drone, Fuego, Pegasso vs El Cuatrero, Sansón, Skándalo
Arena México, 12/20/2016
Video: VideosOficialesCMLL
- técnicos
- Pegasso huracanrana Sansón (2:18)
- rudos
- Skandalo Driver on Fuego (2:07)
- rudos
- Sansón springboard guillotine knee drop Pegasso (4:56)
- Cuatrero springboard elbow drop Drone (5:49)
Winner: rudos (2/3)
Match Time: 10:14
Review: [ok] this was better than most matches on this show and had a strong third fall, but the first two falls weren’t really much and there’s been more complete matches with the Dinamtias. It’s somewhat these guys having been so good that stuff that was eye catching at first is now just normal, and it’s some just having Skandalo in there. Knowing they can do better makes it harder to appreciate this, though I’d guess it’s the best match on the show without having seen the other half of the card.
Match 4: Bobby Z vs Blue Panther Jr. in a lightning match
Arena México, 12/20/2016
Video: VideosOficialesCMLL
Winner: Bobby Z
Match Time: 4:51
Notes: Blue Panther is an unannounced replacement for Rey Cometa. Bobby is wearing his normal gear and not anything Revolucionarios.
Review: [ok] Blue Panther Jr. flew around, looked impressive, and then just lost to a powerbomb in a quick match. Bobby seemed to be expanding for the holiday season. Bobby started out much higher on the depth chart than Panther to start the year, and I guess this is still the expected outcome, but it didn’t fee l like the corrected one. I would’ve liked to see Cometa, but I would’ve liked to see Cometa against Panther.
Match 5: Guerrero Maya Jr., Johnny Idol, Titán vs Rey Bucanero, Shocker, Terrible
Arena México, 12/20/2016
Video: VideosOficialesCMLL
- técnicos
- Guerrero Maya Jr. Dos Caras Clutch Terrible (4:55)
- Titan figure four Rey Bucanero (4:59)
- TGR
- Shocker powerbomb Titan (2:03)
- TGR
- Rey Bucanero senton con giro Titan (3:26)
Winner: TGR (2/3)
Match Time: 10:28
Review: [ok] A TGR dominated match, which we haven’t seen in a while. Mostly because they haven’t been a trio in a while. The rudos controlling the match is probably for the best, Rey Bucanero struggled just spinning around to take the Titantics, and the dive catching destruction was different. It seemed like a waste of the técnicos and the wrong team going over for no purpose but, if they were set on this finish, this was done about as effectively as it could be done. Terrible still seems one of the most underutilized wrestlers in the promotion. Him punching Titan was fun both times they did the spot.
Match 6: Ángel de Oro, Marco Corleone, Volador Jr. vs Cavernario, Felino, Negro Casas
Arena México, 12/20/2016
Video: VideosOficialesCMLL
- Peste Negra
- Babbaro Cavernario Mammoth Kick Volador (4:45)
- técnicos
- Marco Corleone inside cradle Negro Casas (2:07)
- técnicos
- Volador Canadian Destroyer Cavernario (4:20)
- Angel de Oro mecedora Felino (4:20)
Winner: técnicos (2/3)
Match Time: 11:12
Review: [good] I was ready to write this off as the usual OK send people home happy main event, and it mostly was, but they did a really good job with it. It first seemed like everyone just having fun working against Negro Casas, with both Marco & Angel looking energized. The entire third fall was pretty energized, and while they didn’t really extend themselves, they did a strong job with the match they wanted to had. This didn’t feel as rushed, it feel like a full match and the best one on the show.
