Recapped: 01/13/2017
What happened: Rayo de Jalisco returned to Arena Mexico again, but this time in a loss. Terrible snuck in a foul on him to get the win. Rayo demanded a trios rematch next week.
Underneath, Guerrero Maya and Bobby Z went to the first time time limit draw in about eighteen months. Ripper continued his feud with the Panther family by helping his trios win (though it was Kraneo who actually pinned little brother The Panther.)
CMLL also brought back pre-match promos during the show, which went much longer than last week.
What was good: The lightning match and trios directly before it were the strongest matches on the show. The top two matches were successful given the limitations of luchadors everyone else had to work around, but aren’t really worth searching out beyond that context.
Where can I watch it: See below.
Match 1: Astral & Eléctrico vs Demus 3:16 & Pierrothito
Arena México, 01/13/2017
Video: thecubsfan
- técnicos
- Astral springboard splash Pierrothito (4:22)
- Eléctrico springboard elbow drop Demus 3:16 (4:37)
- rudos
- Pierrothito Pierrothina Astral (3:50)
- Demus double wristlock bridge Eléctrico (4:04)
- tecnicos
- Astral & Eléctrico springboard splash Pierrothito (3:59)
- COR Demus 3:16 [Eléctrico springboard elbow drop] (4:26)
Winner: técnicos (1/3)
Match Time: 13:07
Review: [ok] The normal Astral & Eléctrico showcase, which wore it’s novelty about twenty matches ago. This wasn’t even a particular good one, with Eléctrico and the rudos stumbling around near the end of the second fall. (It did make it surprising when they were much better near the end of the third fall.) Demus and Astral doing pose off isn’t exactly what I want out of the minis division, but it’s where we’ve been for a while now.
Match 2: Princesa Sugehit, La Vaquerita, Silueta vs Amapola, La Comandante, Tiffany
Arena México, 01/13/2017
Video: thecubsfan
- tecnicas
- Princesa Sugehit La Mistica Amapola (6:19)
- rudas
- La Comandante splash Princesa Sugehit (3:49)
- tecnicas
- La Vaquerita middle rope elbow drop Tiffany (3:42)
- Silueta casadora cradle La Comandante (4:18)
Winner: tecnicas (2/3)
Match Time: 14:26
Notes: Princesa Sugehit replaced Estrellita
Review: [ok] Didn’t watch this one too closely while trying to figure out what had happened on outside Arena Mexico (not good stuff), but it seemed to be about as expected and the crowd shots were more interesting than the match. Silutea was fine for someone who doesn’t seem to be wrestling all that much, but Comandante and her were a clunky matchup. There was no real story to this match, just filling up some time without someone getting hurt.
Match 3: Blue Panther, Johnny Idol, The Panther vs Kráneo, Ripper, Sam Adonis
Arena México, 01/13/2017
Video: thecubsfan
- técnicos
- Johnny Idol moonsault Sam Adonis (4:45)
- The Panther frog splash Kraneo (5:15)
- rudos
- Mije headbutt Blue Panther (3:06)
- rudos
- Kraneo hipsmash The Panther 7:58)
- Ripper senton Johnny Idol (8:05)
Winner: rudos (2/3)
Match Time: 16:26
Notes: Before this match, Ripper did a backstage promo on – well, we’re not sure because it was badly miced, but it appeared to be
Review: [good] Just enough to be good for me. Ripper’s been revitalized since he started this issue with the Panthers (he definitely wasn’t doing dropkicks off the apron before), and both gringos seemed to be competing over the biggest bump to the outside. Crowd loved Blue Panther, and the Panther had a couple good topes. Good night for Mije and Monito too. Kraneo helping Ripper out and getting pinfalls makes me wonder if maybe he’s ending up in this feud too. Suddenly having a non-Alebrije mask is suspicious.
Match 4: Guerrero Maya Jr. vs Bobby Z in a lightning match
Arena México, 01/13/2017
Video: thecubsfan
Winner: Time Limit Draw!
Match Time: 10:00
Review: [good] Surprisingly strong, with both guys coming out with their a-game and working in some big dive spots. This never really felt like they were stalling for a draw (the only time killing was Tirantes being Tirantes), more feeling like this was a 15 minute match getting close to the end game when they called it. Zavala’s powerbomb with time running out felt like it could’ve been the end, but otherwise there weren’t really many close calls. They managed that while working a fast pace and not having their stumbles; if this was their famous match, we’d remember this feud a lot more fondly. They’re already scheduled to rematch next week, so something might be up.
Match 5: Ángel de Oro, Marco Corleone, Valiente vs El Cuatrero, Máscara Año 2000, Sansón
Arena México, 01/13/2017
Video: thecubsfan
- rudos
- Mascara Año 2000 bent over armbar Angel de Oro (4:21)
- Sansón seated reverse armbar Valiente (4:50)
- técnicos
- Marco Corleone Aero Italia Sansón & Cuatrero (3:08)
- técnicos
- Marco Corleone inside cradle Mascara Año 2000 (1:59)
Winner: técnicos (2/3)
Match Time: 9:57
Notes: Marco earlier did a promo to build this up. Prior to the match, Angel de Oro came over to the announce table to have a word with guest announce Dragon Rojo. They have at tile match in Guadalajara on Tuesday.
Review: [ok] Not a match you need to seek out, but totally acceptable given the setup. The Nuevo Dianmitas did well with their big chance, nailing their flashy moves and also took every big spot from the técnicos since they didn’t trust the old man to do much. They played well off Marco, which might be a future role of them. Everyone did their best to work around Mascara’s limitations while not exposing him. He still offered very little.
Match 6: Carístico, Diamante Azul, Rayo de Jalisco Jr. vs Mephisto, Rey Bucanero, Terrible
Arena México, 01/13/2017
Video: thecubsfan
- rudos
- Tormenta Guerrera (4:52)
- técnicos
- Rayo de Jalisco headbutts Terrible (2:54)
- rudos
- Mephisto Devil’s Wings Diamante Azul (8:47)
- Terrible foul Rayo de Jalisco (9:45)
Winner: rudos (1/3)
Match Time: 17:31
Notes: In a long post match back and forth, Rayo demanded a trios rematch for Terrible’s foul. Terrible wouldn’t give it to him, but he would punch Rayo in the face to finally end it. Rudos took Diamante Azul’s mask in the scrum
Review: [ok] As it looked on paper: Carístico worked hard, Diamante Azul was just about average, and Rayo’s work didn’t look any good but the crowd cheered for him because of fond memories. Rayo got to do a lot more than Mascara 2000, and the rudo bumped big despite a lot of poor looking moves. Rayo has not adjusted to his age or size in anyway, and is still trying the same stuff that wasn’t all that great a decade and a half ago. Terrible getting a pin on him was pretty cool except that means this must keep going.
