Recapped: 01/06/2017
What happened: CMLL changed up it’s format to feature rematches from 2016 feuds. There was no real storyline progress (and none was really expected with guys checking out for FantasticaMania), so the more interesting happening was CMLL being able to handle the different structure was ease. Seven matches, three of the singles, all of them scheduled for two out of three falls, and they still had no problem finishing in around two hours. Entrances and time in between matches was quick all night to keep the pace, and two matches were limited to two falls, but they probably could’ve gone about ten more minutes without an issue. The concept seemed to work as far as live event presentation and crowd interest (only the UG/Valiente match seemed to be met with disinterest), and this seems like something which should be repeated again.
What was good: Most of the show! I’d advise skipping the opener. There’s nothing you need to see in the Máximo/Marco vs Rush/Marco match, but it got over well. Último/Valiente was kind of the opposite, something that technically fine but not that I’d hurry to recommend. Cometa/Cavernario, Casas/Panthers, Volador/Mephisto and the main event get the stronger recommendations.
The only problem were these matches being sort of homages to the original matches, repeating what made them interesting in the first place instead of trying to expand on it. If you’re picking and choosing matches, you’d still probably rather see the original versions of most of this matches. If you sat and watched on Friday, it was still a pretty enjoyable night.
Where can I watch it: Check my twitter feed or YouTube by Tuesday.
Match 1: Estrellita, La Vaquerita, Marcela vs Amapola, Dalys, Zeuxis
Arena México, 01/06/2017
Video: thecubsfan
- técnicas
- Estrellita Star Gate Dalys (4:48)
- técnicas
- DQ Zeuxis [fake mass pull] (5:17)
Winner: tecnicas (1/2)
Match Time: 10:05
Review: [ok] Less time and needing to go fast made this a better match than usual. The action was fast, though not really good. Vaquerita either came in with a knee injury or hurt it quickly, and was a very noticeable weak link in this match. Second fall was smoother than first, but the finish looked silly. At least the referee didn’t need to fall for the really bad mask toss, but something went wrong there.
Match 2: Rey Cometa vs Cavernario
Arena México, 01/06/2017
Video: thecubsfan
- Cavernario pump splash (1:51)
- Rey Cometa Spanish Fly (1:33)
- Cavernario cavernaria (7:34)
Winner: Cavernario (1/3)
Match Time: 10:58
Review: [good] This really set the tone for the night. The first two falls were blown thru, only seemingly existing to establish finishes (or inertia), but they got a lot of time in the third fall to do some of their best work. For these two guys, some of it is big spots, and others are nice counter sequences. Cometa was really on, both his dives looking great even while staying away from the Brillo Cometa. Crowd loved Cavernario, and the sequence into his finish was well done. This isn’t as long or as deep as some of their bigger matches, but the third fall would’ve been one of the best lightning matches of the last 12 months had it been presented that way.
Match 3: Blue Panther, Blue Panther Jr., The Panther vs Negro Casas, Puma, Tiger
Arena México, 01/06/2017
Video: thecubsfan
- Panthers
- Blue Panther Jr. flying armscsisors Tiger (3:14)
- The Panther double jump dropkick Puma (3:38)
- Casas
- Tiger casita Blue Panther (3:36)
- Casas
- Blue Panther Jr. nudo lagunero Tiger (4:41)
- Puma arm trap double armbar (6:07)
- Negro Casas scorpion Blue Panther (7:03)
Winner: Casas (2/3)
Match Time: 14:17
Review: [good] Another fun match between the two familiar teams. The falls were more evenly split in this one, and the third one lasted a lot longer than expected, especially after the first elimination. There was some clunkiness – Blue Panther Jr. looked off on his own finish in the first fall and a spot with him was messed in the third. (At least I think it was him, he and his brother were looking more matching this week.) The finish too seemed like it took try. Still, that was easily outweighed by all the cool and fast moving spots. Casas taking his big fall to the outside and Blue Sr. doing multiple topes is crazy.
Match 4: Volador Jr. vs Mephisto
Arena México, 01/06/2017
Video: thecubsfan
- Mephisto Devil’s Wings (1:18)
- Volador backcracker (2:11)
- Volador Spanish Fly (11:41)
Winner: Volador (2/3)
Match Time: 15:20
Review: [good] Absolutely the Volador highlight reel. Mephisto was long for the ride, getting in a bit off offense but not nearly as much a dominating presence at Último Guerrero. Maybe they could’ve used a little bit more of him here; this one they’ve done a lot and you got to see Volador as this best, but he didn’t seem to be all that challenged at any point. Even the second rope Devil’s Wings kickout was kind of matter of the fact. Still, this should’ve been Volador doing six dives and it was Volador doing six dives so it’s hard to find much to find wrong.
Match 5: La Máscara & Rush vs Marco Corleone & Máximo Sexy
Arena México, 01/06/2017
Video: thecubsfan
- tecnicos
- Marco Corleone Aero Italia Rush & La Mascara (4:30)
- técnicos
- DQ Rush [foul on Máximo] (4:17)
Winner: técnicos (1/2)
Match Time: 8:47
Review: [ok] The least of the big rematches for me. It felt like the normal weekday touring matches with Máximo and Marco, with the Ingobernables just happening to be plugged in. It was still crowd pleasing, as those matches are, but not as special feeling as some of the other matches. This didn’t get a lot of time, and I was alright moving on to other things.
Match 6: Valiente vs Último Guerrero
Arena México, 01/06/2017
Video: thecubsfan
- Valiente Indian Deathlock (2:39)
- Último Guerrero Puplo Guerrero (1:32)
- Valiente Buster X2 (8:42)
Winner: Valiente (1/3)
Match Time: 12:58
Review: [good] this is one where the homage formula started to breakdown for me. We’ve seen a lot of these guys recently and we’ve seen a lot of UG recently, and when the only thing that switches up is the bad moonsault at the end, than these can be a little bit of a chore to watch. Everything was solidly done, Valiente’s four tope spot was good, his springboard moonsault was entertainingly wild, and UG’s own offense went well. This was a smoother match than the Panthers/Casas match, but a lot less fresh feeling match. It was hard to miss the crowd being not into this match. Maybe it just had trouble following the fireworks which took place earlier (though the main event got them back), but mostly it seems like the way they’ve tried to push Valinete hasn’t connected.
Match 7: Atlantis, Carístico, Mistico vs Euforia, Gran Guerrero, Niebla Roja
Arena México, 01/06/2017
Video: thecubsfan
- Guerreros
- Tormento Guerrera (5:50)
- técnicos
- Atlantis casadora cradle Niebla Roja (2:33)
- Mistico huriacanrana Euforia (2:43)
- técnicos
- Carsitico La Mistica on Niebla Roja (4:42)
- Mistico La Mistica on Gran Guerrero (4:42)
Winner: técnicos (2/3)
Match Time: 13:15
Review: [good] go home happy main event, with the técnicos coming from behind to all land their submissions in the third fall. Carístico & Mistico coming out in matching outfits and working as a tag team against their best rivals worked well and obviously should be explored more. (There’s about eighteen better ideas CMLL could be doing with the tag team titles than the nothing they’re currently doing.) Atlantis looked hobbled early on but got better as they went along. Euforia is great and Niebla Roja & Gran Guerrero worked well in the main event.
