lucha TV preview for weekend of July 6th

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Are you ready for some non-tournament action on Lucha Underground? Well too bad it’s not happening. It actually might be happening, but I gazed at the old secret page of taping results and realized there’s nothing obviously taped for this show in non-tournament action. They may have taped out of order, there’s a lot of that, but it’s probably the three matches and some vignettes, and three matches and some vignettes next week too. Other things will start happening after.

AAA finishes off Verano de Escandalo with a confusing Ricky Marvin angle, a confusing three way cage match and a three way tag team mask match which never should’ve been confusing but AAA was weirdly unwilling to explain themselves.

Dinamic Black vs Aramis is a hidden nice IWRG match. if it airs.

great match roundup, week of 2017-06-24

apron bump

The recaps for this week

I’m still watching these close after they air, I can’t be bothered to do this post or updated the MOTYC list at a proper speed.

Over on Twitter, concrete1992 was looking for additional lucha MOTYC lists. That was a thing I was interested in, since I’m watching way too much CMLL and not enough of everything else. Those that came up include the list Segunda Caida  does for all matches, since they include more lucha than most sites. AnotherSpammer, who pays better attention to IWRG among other places than me, has a helpful list in Google Docs. Rob’s also got his own MOTYC as the only thing updated on his blog; it’s one of the things I used when figuring out what to catch up on.

Note the best match on the show was taped a year before even the old AAA airing this week.

Recommended Matches

rating matches TV Show taped
great Killshot vs Jeremiah Crane [Cueto Cup] and [16f] Lucha Underground: 2017-06-28 2016-05-08
good Dinastía vs Mini Psycho Clown for the AAA World Minis Championship Dinastía vs Mini Psycho Clown por el Campeonato Mini AAA (posted by Estrellas del Ring) AAA on Televisa: 2017-06-24 2017-05-26
good Drone, Johnny Idol, Stuka Jr. vs Felino, Puma, Tiger  (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2017-06-26 2017-06-26
good Dragón Lee vs Negro Casas in a lightning match  (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2017-06-26 2017-06-26
good Fuego, Soberano Jr., Stuka Jr. vs Ephesto, Luciferno, Mephisto LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 27 DE JUNIO DEL 2017 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2017-06-27 2017-06-27
good Drone, Pegasso, The Panther vs Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 30 DE JUNIO DEL 2017 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2017-06-30 2017-06-30
good Guerrero Maya Jr., Rey Cometa, Titán vs Pólvora, Ripper, Virus LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 30 DE JUNIO DEL 2017 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2017-06-30 2017-06-30
good Atlantis, Blue Panther, Soberano Jr. vs Dragón Rojo Jr., Mephisto, Sam Adonis LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 30 DE JUNIO DEL 2017 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2017-06-30 2017-06-30
good Volador Jr. vs Hechicero for the CMLL Universal Championship and [8f] LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 30 DE JUNIO DEL 2017 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2017-06-30 2017-06-30
good Dragón Lee vs Luciferno for the CMLL Universal Championship and [8f] LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 30 DE JUNIO DEL 2017 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2017-06-30 2017-06-30
good Volador Jr. vs Negro Casas for the CMLL Universal Championship and in a tournament semifinal matchLUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 30 DE JUNIO DEL 2017 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2017-06-30 2017-06-30

Other Things I Probably Should’ve Skipped Watching

rating matches TV Show taped
ok Dr. Wagner Jr. & Psycho Clown vs Hijo del Fantasma & Texano Jr. Psycho Clown y Dr. Wagner Jr vs Texano Jr y el Hijo del Fantasma en el Juan de la Barrera (posted by Estrellas del Ring) AAA on Televisa: 2017-06-24 2017-05-26
ok Asturiano & Vega vs El Perverso & Joker  (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2017-06-26 2017-06-26
ok Marcela & Sanely vs Amapola & Dalys  (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2017-06-26 2017-06-26
ok Espíritu Maligno, Fuego, Pegasso vs Ares, Arkángel de la Muerte, Black Tiger  (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2017-06-26 2017-06-26
ok Pierroth, Rush, Último Guerrero vs Niebla Roja, Rey Bucanero, Terrible in a relevos increíbles match  (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2017-06-26 2017-06-26
ok Bengala & Sangre Imperial vs Cholo & Templario LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 27 DE JUNIO DEL 2017 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2017-06-27 2017-06-27
ok Astral, Magnus, Robin vs Artillero, Espanto Jr., Hijo del Signo LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 27 DE JUNIO DEL 2017 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2017-06-27 2017-06-27
ok Johnny Idol, Oro Jr., Stigma vs Raziel, Sagrado, Virus LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 27 DE JUNIO DEL 2017 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2017-06-27 2017-06-27
ok Esfinge vs Disturbio in a lightning match Disturbio Cmll Arena México CDMX 27.06.2017 (posted by Princesa Dorada) LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 27 DE JUNIO DEL 2017 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2017-06-27 2017-06-27
ok Diamante Azul, Mistico, Niebla Roja vs Euforia, Gran Guerrero, Último Guerrero LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 27 DE JUNIO DEL 2017 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2017-06-27 2017-06-27
ok Taya vs Joey Ryan [Cueto Cup] and [16f] Lucha Underground: 2017-06-28 2016-05-08
ok Misterioso Jr., Pierroth, Rush vs Rey Bucanero, Terrible, Vangellys in a relevos increíbles match LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 30 DE JUNIO DEL 2017 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2017-06-30 2017-06-30
ok Valiente vs Shocker for the CMLL Universal Championship and [8f] LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 30 DE JUNIO DEL 2017 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2017-06-30 2017-06-30
ok Ángel de Oro vs Negro Casas for the CMLL Universal Championship and [8f] LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 30 DE JUNIO DEL 2017 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2017-06-30 2017-06-30
ok Volador Jr. vs Shocker for the CMLL Universal Championship and in a tournament quarterfinal match LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 30 DE JUNIO DEL 2017 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2017-06-30 2017-06-30
ok Negro Casas vs Dragón Lee for the CMLL Universal Championship and in a tournament quarterfinal match LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 30 DE JUNIO DEL 2017 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2017-06-30 2017-06-30
below average Argenis & La Parka vs Averno, Chessman, Súper Fly La Parka y Argenis vencen a Chessman, Averno y Súper Fly (posted by R de Rudo) La Parka y Argenis vs Chessman, Averno y Súper Fly en el Juan de la Barrera. (posted by Estrellas del Ring) AAA on Televisa: 2017-06-24 2017-05-26
below average Paul London vs Vìbora [Cueto Cup] and [16f] Lucha Underground: 2017-06-28 2016-05-08
not rated Mil Muertes vs Veneno (LU) [Cueto Cup] and [16f] Lucha Underground: 2017-06-28 2016-05-08
not rated Dragón Lee & Luciferno vs Volador Jr.Ángel de OroValienteNegro CasasShockerHechicero for the CMLL Universal Championship and in a battle royal matchLUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 30 DE JUNIO DEL 2017 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2017-06-30 2017-06-30

 

Atlantis out of action for a while, IWRG Wednesday results

photo by Black Terry Jr.

IWRG (WED) 07/05/2017 Arena Naucalpan [+LuchaTV, Black Terry Jr. (Flickr)The Gladiatores]
1) Adrenalina & Atomic Star b Keiser Drago & Voltar
2) Lunatic Xtreme b Warrior Jr.
the wrestler listed as Warrior Jr. the last couple weeks is Star Warrior/Black Warrior Jr.
3) Alas de Acero & Aramis b Dowki & Pantera del Japon
Dowki was suffered a head injury during the match and couldn’t remember it afterwards.
4) Diablo Jr., El Hijo del Diablo, Eterno b Black Dragón, Dinamic Black, Kanon
straight falls. Kanon replaced Dragon Fly.
5) Cerebro Negro, Dragón Yuki, Ovett b Emperador Azteca, Hijo del Pantera, Pantera II
Hijo del Pantera betrayed Emperador Azteca (since they’re already feuding.) Pantera II (in the match instead of Pantera II) sided with his son and helped unmasked Azteca.

This photo sure looks like where Dowki might have been knocked silly. Typical crowd size for a Wednesday but the matches look good.

CMLL has more details on Atlantis injury: he suffered it Friday with Mephisto on his tope, and it’s a rupture of one of the tendons about his right kneecap. They’re not sure when he’s returning, but they’ve already ruled him off the ROH UK tour. That’s not until mid August, so they’re not expecting him back for quite a while. CMLL noted again that  this is the first time in Atlantis’ 34 year career where he’s suffered a serious injury.

CMLL says ROH will decide the replacement. It’s hard to figure ROH’s thought process on these. Niebla Roja would make CMLL sense because he’s Ultimo Guerrero’s rival of the moment, or you could do a tecnico ally of Mistico. I would like to think that ROH has been so clowned about their CMLL stuff the last month that they’ll take the time to figure out who would make sense for this spot and come up with a good replacement.

Diamante Azul will replace Atlantis in the Universal tournament on Friday. Of the seven minor title holders I could think of, Azul is the least interesting to see in the match, but the  most important to CMLL. It’s not really a surprise CMLL would go with him but not exciting. Record’s story on the change amusingly believes the way the faces are listed on the poster  indicates the matches and states Azul will face Mephisto last week. They do not follow CMLL that closely, though CMLL would be a better promotion to follow if Record was correct.

Soberano replaces Atlantis on Sunday’s show.

Krudemmon says he talked to Mini Rey Mysterio/Octagoncito, who explains his deal to go to Impact was made with AAA before he left the company. It’s no surprise he’d want to honor a deal to get him on US TV (and they used him fairly well for a Mexican mini in a US promotion) but it does make me wonder why AAA didn’t get one of their own guys as the rudo mini instead of Demus. I’d rather see Demus but I don’t fully understand what happened there.

On CMLL Informa, they announced Sam Adonis as the fifth member of Team World for the 09/01 Gran Prix. Sam Adonis says it’ll be on PPV, which probably means iPPV. CMLL hasn’t said anything yet; I’d guess they’ll do another press conference on July 26th or August 2nd to announce those details.

CMLL says they joined the NWA on this day in 1939.

Excelsior has a long piece on luchador/police officer Sombra de la Muerte.

Ultimo Guerrero still wants Niebla Roja to give back the mask.

SuperLuchas has an interview with Black Fury.

CultIcon reviews this week’s Lucha Underground.

 

Lineups

IWRG (SUN) 07/09/2017 Arena Naucalpan
1) Keiser Drago & Shaolin vs Skanda & Tentaculo
2) Ovett vs Dragón Yuki
3) Atomic Star, Eterno, Lunatic Xtreme vs Bombero Infernal, Demonio Infernal, Diablo Jr.
4) Dinamic Black vs Aramis
5) Emperador Azteca, Hijo del Pantera, Pantera I vs Argos, Cerebro Negro, Dr. Cerebro
6) Mr. Electro, Villano III Jr., Villano V Jr. vs Black Warrior, Trauma I, Trauma II

I think Black Warrior is still feuding with the Traumas but I’m not sure the fiction IWRG booker is aware of this. Same goes for Pantera/Azteca. You can see I’ve stopped bothering to figure out tecnico/rudo sides here because so have they.

CMLL Martes de Nuevo Valores: 2017-06-27 

Soberano crazy rope walk

Recapped: 06/30/2017

Matches: 

Cholo & Templario beat Bengala & Sangre Imperial
(11:57 [4:58, 2:16, 4:43], 2/3, ok, via VideosOficialesCMLL)

Astral, Magnus, Robin beat Artillero, Espanto Jr., Hijo del Signo
(13:44 [7:19, 2:58, 3:27], 2/3, ok, via VideosOficialesCMLL)

Raziel, Sagrado, Virus beat Johnny Idol, Oro Jr., Stigma
(20:27 [9:07, 5:56, 5:24], 1/3, ok, via
VideosOficialesCMLL)

Esfinge beat Disturbio in a lightning match
(8:35, nudo egipico, ok, via
VideosOficialesCMLL)

Ephesto, Luciferno, Mephisto beat Fuego, Soberano Jr., Stuka Jr.  
(13:14 [2:06, 5:12, 5:56], 2/3, good, via
VideosOficialesCMLL)

Diamante Azul, Mistico, Niebla Roja  beat  Euforia, Gran Guerrero, Último Guerrero
(9:25 [1:58, 2:40, 4:47], 2/3 DQ, ok, via VideosOficialesCMLL)

What happened: 

triple dive

Niebla Roja & Gran Guerrero – not Ultimo Guerrero – feuded for the entire match. Guerrero fouled Niebla for the DQ and then unmasked him after.

That’s it.

Thoughts: 

The Roja/Gran feud was the most interesting than about a main event that wasn’t too interesting. Roja is not a negative, but he’s not showing enough as a tecnico to be confident this is going to work out when they finally have the big match. If anything, this could turn out to be Gran Guerrero’s breakout opportunity instead. Diamante Azul, back from France again, seemed about normal for him (which is no great praise.) He seems to have added some mass or lost some muscle. He’s still very strong, so strong that he screwed up the double team spot with Mistico at the end by over throwing him. This trio of Guerreros worked very well together.

Stigma having a hard time

The semimain was the surprise of the show. The Hijos del Infierno have looked their age of late, but turned back to the clock for at least a couple falls here. They were more the goons of the old days, taking big moves and stooging for the técnicos. It seemed like they ran out of gas in the third fall, but that’s more than usual. The match was not laid out like usual, with sudden endings in all three falls giving it a different feel. The tower of doom follow up splash spot done in every big match actually eliminated somewhere, which needs to happen a little more often. (It seemed to surprise the people in the match, as if it was an accidental three, but it made sense with how they ended up.) Sobreano’s ramp running springboard was more incredible to me than any dive off the stage.

I was ready to dismiss Esfinge and Disturbio early on, but they one me over as the match went along and it felt like the best possible match those two could have in this situation. It wouldn’t feel out of place in one of the many tournaments. Singles lets Disturbio show off his personality more, and they did a more focused job of building to the finish and including a believable near fall than most of these matches. The action itself didn’t rise to meet the layout but there was at least something here.

Soberano

The tercera was the ever rare rudo exhibition match. It felt long, though I didn’t know it broke 20 minute until I added it up after. The first fall featured Virus putting Stigma in holds, then letting up on the holds so Stigma’s attempts at a reversal could re-position him for a different Virus hold. Raziel got in a fancy pin on Oro and the rudos had no particular regard for the técnicos. Not without merit, Stigma didn’t have a good night when left on his own either, and Idol seemed slow in this match.

My only note on the segunda was the dive looked good but none of the other bit spots did either. Magnus is looking better by the people he’s hanging with here but he’s still stuck hanging with them.

The opener was a rare sighting of Cholo and Templario. Templario seems like he’s gotten significantly better, looking solid as a wrestler and with more confidence, though he didn’t get a lot here. Cholo is still Cholo with slightly stranger hair and a still deadly looking finish. Bengala teased a dive, which was more amusing than the rest of the match.