Lucha Underground 3×37: Ultima Lucha Tres – Part I

a war

Matches

Dr. Wagner & Famous B beat Texano (4:24, Famous B inside cradle, ok)

Killshot defeated Dante Fox in the Hell of War (25:13, two falls to one, excellent)

  1. first blood: Dante Fox backdrop Killshot thru a glass panel to cause him to bleed (10:20)
  2. no DQ Killshot Storm Cradle Driver: (6:12)
  3. stretcher match: Killshot places Dante into the stretcher (8:41)

Developments

purposefully avoiding using the finishes as GIFs, you should watch the show yourself to understand these reactions

This show had one match mostly about plot developments and one almost not at all. I mean, Killshot definitely did win the feud over Dante Fox, but that wasn’t the the biggest issue in the moment.

The opener, which appeared to exist just to be something completely different, saw Famous B finally win Texano’s contract. B got a little help from Dario, who made it a real handicap match. B got a little help from the returning (and still masked) Dr. Wagner Jr., though Wagner was visually pinned by Texano before realizing B was the legal match. B got a lot of help from Brenda, who’s flirting with Texano most of the season paid off with a kiss here, and that kiss led to B rolling up Texano for the win. Texano seemed upset about the predicament to end the segment.

The Hell of War was the most ultraviolent style match in the history of Lucha Underground, even outpacing the light tubes of Cero Miedo. Dante found a pane of glass and brought it to ringside to tease a big move off the apron to cut Killshot, brought it inside later, and reversed a Killshot move to send the masked wrestler back first thru the glass to cut him. Dante pulled out barbed wire from underneath the ring during the second fall, but was driven thru it by Killshot, then dropped on his for the tie fall. Killshot seemed enroute to having the third fall won when he had Dante strapped to the stretcher, but went for a double stomp off a railing for even more punishment. This led to a few moves on the stretcher, with barely survived. Dante barely survived as well. He and Killshot fought up to the music platform, with Killshot surprising Dante with a bottle to the end, and Dante taking the plunge off the stage and thru glass to the floor. Killshot picked Dante up and placed him in the ambulance to win the match. Announcers said the feud was over, but praised Dante’s performance in the match.

Thoughts

Dante Fox is the best possible Rob Van Dam

This was incredible. The Lo Mein Pain on the ladder would be a crazy moment in a normal match. It was a normal moment in an utterly crazy match. The effort matched the spectacle Killshot and Dante Fox were two men who wanted to steal Ultima Lucha with their match and completely succeeded. The long length legdrop and the springboard into a Spanish Fly made this match memorable even outside the props. They made the most of what those props too, teasing the moments out so they meant a lot when they happened, and making them feel big when they occurred. The first fall was all chair focused, pushing the importance of cutting each other open to win the fall. The glass pane started on the floor so they could tease a big plunge into it, so they could prepare the fans for the moment when they actually did that plunge two falls later. The barbed wire had near misses, came off a big move, and went into a decisive finish. The end was definitely the end.

This match, a lot like Cero Miedo, is not for everyone. The blood is uncomfortable, the glass is uncomfortable, the barbed wire is uncomfortable, and the piece of Fox’s flesh left behind on the stretcher is super uncomfortable. I don’t want to see this style of match normally, I’m not going to be happy with the lesser imitations that are going to be done, and I hope this is not the style either man has to wrestle in the future. I won’t argue with anyone saying it was too much or maybe not that great idea, because I was considering those same ideas when it happened (and I didn’t even see what Dante laid behind live.)

 

this is a finish most day

If you’re going to do this kind of match, I prefer you make the most out of it. Dante Fox & Kilslhot made the most out of it, at least the most that can be made out of something on a third season episode of Lucha Underground, and both should be made men going forward. Killshot won and Killshot went two for two in big matches on this season, he’s got to be in store for more. Shane Strickland’s even better now, a year removed from this insanity. But this was really Dante Fox’s night, a LU version of Mick Foley’s 1998 King of the Ring performance that should follow him around forever. The last third of the season was a Dante Fox’s breakout performance, just as strong as Pentagon & Fenix in season 1. If they can come back for a Season 4, he should absolutely be on their level. They don’t even need to turn him face; that win was the turn.

(For what it’s worth, the glass appeared to be sugar when I grabbed a small bit of it from the ring after the match. I was wrong, and LU says it was tempered glass. Still cut them – and Rich Knox! – pretty well.)

As for the other match: it was weird at the time that Texano and Wagner came off as minor figures on this show. This was taped right before they were in the TripleMania title match (with Cage), and they were in a few minute comedy match. Now, it seems about normal for how they’re used on the show. Texano & Wagner as two-thirds of a trio (with Famous B or another partner) might work, and it’s not like they’re going anywhere on their own.

Dante lost his head in this one

Still To Come On Ultima Lucha 3

episode 103 (October 4, Ultima Lucha Week 2)

  • Ivelisse vs Catrina
  • a unique opportunity battle royal with Paul London, Saltador, Mala Suerte, Argenis, Cortez Castro, Son of Madness, Vinnie Massaro, The Mack, Joey Ryan, Ricky Mundo, PJ Black, Mascarita Sagrada, and Pimpinela Escarlata
  • Fenix vs Marty the Moth, mask vs hair

episode 104 (October 11, Ultima Lucha Week 3)

  • Taya vs Sexy Star, last luchadora standing
  • Pentagon Dark vs Son of Havoc for the Gift of the Gods Championship in a Ladder match.

episode 105 (October 18, Ultima Lucha Week 4, the end?)

  • (a match that hasn’t been announced)
  • Cage vs Jeremiah Crane vs Mil Muertes for the gauntlet
  • El Dragon Azteca Jr. vs Matanza Cueto in a cage match
  • Johnny Mundo (c) vs Prince Puma, title versus career for the Lucha Underground championship

great match roundup, week of 2017-09-02

So far behind. I didn’t have any urgency to watch much when nothing else was happening, and really didn’t have much interest either. It’s not far from here to be caught up.

Recommended Matches

rating matches TV Show taped
good The Panther vs Misterioso Jr. in a lightning match LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 5 DE SEPTIEMBRE DEL 2017 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2017-09-05 2017-09-05
good Drago vs the Mack [Aztec Medallion] Lucha Underground: 2017-09-06 2016-06-12
good Cortez Castro vs Joey Ryan [police brawl] and [Aztec medallion] Lucha Underground: 2017-09-06 2016-06-12
good Dragón Lee, Marco Corleone, Mistico vs Euforia, Gran Guerrero, Último Guerrero LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 8 DE SEPTIEMBRE DEL 2017 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2017-09-08 2017-09-08

Other matches watched

rating matches TV Show taped
ok Big Mami vs Lady ShaniGoya KongLa Hiedra in a AAA’s Reina de Reinas Tournament match and in a Number One Contenders Match match AAA Worldwide en Aguascalientes Parte 2 - Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide - Agosto 2017 (posted by Lucha Libre AAA) Eliminatoria para sacar retadora al Reina de Reinas AAA en Triplemania XXV (posted by Nada mas que lucha libre) AAA on Televisa: 2017-09-02 2017-07-27
ok Pagano & Psycho Clown vs Dr. Wagner Jr. & El MesíasAAA Worldwide en Aguascalientes Parte 2 - Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide - Agosto 2017 (posted by Lucha Libre AAA) AAA on Televisa: 2017-09-02 2017-07-27
ok Black Tiger, Lestat, Tigre Rojo Jr. vs El Malayo, Fuerza Chicana, Guerrero Espacial LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE EN VIVO DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 4 DE SEPTIEMBRE DEL 2017 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2017-09-04 2017-09-04
ok Asturiano, París, Último Dragóncito vs Joker, Pequeño Nitro, Pequeño Olímpico LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE EN VIVO DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 4 DE SEPTIEMBRE DEL 2017 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2017-09-04 2017-09-04
ok Ángel de Oro, Drone, Soberano Jr. vs Dragón Rojo Jr., Pólvora, Vangellys LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE EN VIVO DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 4 DE SEPTIEMBRE DEL 2017 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2017-09-04 2017-09-04
ok Blue Panther, Johnny Idol, Valiente vs Cavernario, Mr. Niebla, Sam Adonis LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE EN VIVO DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 4 DE SEPTIEMBRE DEL 2017 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2017-09-04 2017-09-04
ok Mistico, Octagón, Volador Jr. vs Gran Guerrero, Kojima, Último Guerrero LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE EN VIVO DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 4 DE SEPTIEMBRE DEL 2017 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2017-09-04 2017-09-04
ok Fiero & Magia Blanca vs Espíritu Negro & Grako LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 5 DE SEPTIEMBRE DEL 2017 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2017-09-05 2017-09-05
ok Drone, Pegasso, Star Jr. vs Cancerbero, Forastero, NitroLUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 5 DE SEPTIEMBRE DEL 2017 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2017-09-05 2017-09-05
ok Lady Maravilla, Princesa Sugehit, Sanely vs Amapola, Dalys, Tiffany LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 5 DE SEPTIEMBRE DEL 2017 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2017-09-05 2017-09-05
ok Ángel de Oro, Blue Panther, Johnny Idol vs Dragón Rojo Jr., Hechicero, Pólvora LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 5 DE SEPTIEMBRE DEL 2017 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2017-09-05 2017-09-05
ok Carístico, Diamante Azul, Stuka Jr. vs Mr. Niebla, Negro Casas, Terrible LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 5 DE SEPTIEMBRE DEL 2017 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2017-09-05 2017-09-05
ok Matanza vs Paul LondonMala SuerteSaltador Lucha Underground: 2017-09-06 2016-06-12
ok Astral & Oro Jr. vs Akuma & Espanto Jr. LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 8 DE SEPTIEMBRE DEL 2017 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2017-09-08 2017-09-08
ok Drone, Fuego, Guerrero Maya Jr. vs Puma, Tiger, Virus LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 8 DE SEPTIEMBRE DEL 2017 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2017-09-08 2017-09-08
ok Rey Cometa, Soberano Jr., Stuka Jr. vs Cavernario, Negro Casas, Sam Adonis LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 8 DE SEPTIEMBRE DEL 2017 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2017-09-08 2017-09-08
ok Titán vs Rey Bucanero in a lightning match LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 8 DE SEPTIEMBRE DEL 2017 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2017-09-08 2017-09-08
below average Angélico vs Joe Lider AAA Worldwide en Aguascalientes Parte 2 - Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide - Agosto 2017 (posted by Lucha Libre AAA) AAA on Televisa: 2017-09-02 2017-07-27
below average Diamante Azul, Valiente, Volador Jr. vs Kojima, Pierroth, Rush LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 8 DE SEPTIEMBRE DEL 2017 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2017-09-08 2017-09-08
not rated Aerostar, Drago, Raptor vs Carta Brava Jr., Mocho Cota Jr., Soul Rocker AAA Worldwide en Aguascalientes Parte 2 - Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide - Agosto 2017 (posted by Lucha Libre AAA) Raptor, Drago y Aerostar vs El Poder del Norte por el Campeonato de Tercias AAA (posted by Nada mas que lucha libre) AAA on Televisa: 2017-09-02 2017-07-27
watch later Villano III Jr. vs Imposible El Imposible vs Villano III Jr., mano a mano en IWRG (Resumen) (posted by +LuchaTV) El Imposible vs Villano III Jr., mano a mano en IWRG Arena Naucalpan (posted by +LuchaTV) Imposible vs Villano 3 Jr en mano a mano en la Arena Naucalpan (posted by Estrellas del Ring) Villano III Jr. vs Imposible (posted by thecubsfan) IWRG Zona XXI: 2017-09-04 2017-09-03
watch later Bombero Infernal vs Eterno for the hair Bombero Infernal vs Eterno, hair vs hair (posted by thecubsfan) Cabellera vs Cabellera: Eterno vs Bombero Infernal en IWRG TV (posted by IWRG tv) Eterno vs Bombero Infernal ¡¡¡ CABELLERA vs CABELLERA !!! (posted by Estrellas del Ring) Eterno vs Bombero Infernal, cabellera vs cabellera en IWRG *Lucha Completa* (posted by +LuchaTV) IWRG Zona XXI: 2017-09-04 2017-09-03

 

Killshot/Fox tonight on LU, DTU title changes, The Crash in GDL

DTU (TUE) 09/26/2017 Arena Aficion [+LuchaTV, Estrellas del Ring]
1) Billy, Erwin, Gee O`neil b Gasparin, Irving, The Black Jr. 
2) Moria b TotoPríncipe CometaDroluxLokilloOvettHormigaKevin
Moria beat Hormiga to win and asked for an Alto Impacto title shot. Hormiga said OK. 
3) Gio & Junior b Dr. Pólux & Dr. Pólux Jr. and Corsario Negro Jr. & El Exótico 
4) Drastik Boy b KtbJimmyAeroboy
Draztick Boy beat Jimmy 
5) Halloween b OvettSharlie Rockstar © [DTU CONSAGRADO]
Hallown won the XLAW faction a title. 
6) Camuflaje, La Máscara, Máximo b Cíclope, Crazy Boy, Crazy King
Gio & Junior helped Mascara & Maximo, who were X-Law members for the night. Crazy Boy & Ciclope challenged them to a rematch. 
7) Shlak b Miedo Extremo © [DTU CHAMP]
Shlak is new champ. Crazy King helped cost Miedo the match, then turned on Los Masizos post match.

DTU loses two titles in one night – one to XLAW and one to GCW. I’m sure we’ll be seeing both again. Fourth match sounds like the match of the night. I wonder if Miedo Extremo & Ciclope will switch to Los Nomados, as in Japan.

Still no certainty on what CMLL is doing. They sent out an article yesterday saying the city wants them to wait a little longer to return to shows, and only listed the 10/01 Guadalajara lineup. That definitely gave the impression they’re not running this weekend, but CMLL later updated their website and left those possible Friday/Saturday lineups up.

We do know there’s no show in Arena Mexico on Sunday. They’ve also announced lineups for Monday in Puebla and the usual Tuesday Guadalajara and Mexico shows. Everything’s tentative until the first one happens.

CMLL says they’re running Informa today to return to normal. They’ve tagged Flip Gordon, Puma King, Dragon Rojo, Polvora, Zeuxis and Princesa Sugehit, so that’s probably the guest list among people who are on Twitter. CMLL’s Facebooka adds Okumura & “commercial director” Sofia Alonso to talk about the donations. CMLL is planning on running a benefit show after they get running, and there might be more details about that.

Lucha Underground tonight is episode 3×37, “Ultima Lucha Tres – Part I”. Matches on the show.

  • Texano Jr. vs Famous B in a handicap match where Texano must join Famous B if he loses.
  • Killshot vs Dante Fox in the Hell of War (fall one is first blood, second fall is no DQ, third fall is stretcher)

The Killshot/Dante Fox match is one of the most insane matches I’ve seen live. You never how this is going it’s going to translate to TV – I’m dreading a situation where the wrestlers are doing some incredible and the announcers (and producers) are working in their 20th war related pun of the match – but it was just an experience live. This would be a career making match if enough people saw it. The whole weekend had both really great matches and really great stories moments, but this was the match of the weekend.

CultIcon previews the show.

AAA luchadors will be on Mexico lottery tickets, as part of their 25th Anniversario celebration.

AAA previews the 20 man match for the Latin American Championship at Heroes Inmortales, which they’re also saying will be Copa Antonio Pena. I think that means royal rumble rules, but who knows. Psycho Clown, Rey Escorpion, Texano and Fantasma are mentioned as favorites.

AAA put up this week’s Zona Ruda and the Ring and Rock StAAArs show from Saturday on their YouTube channel.

Yesterday was the international day of organ donations. UniObergon has a story about an organ donor from 2016: Mocha Cota. His kidneys and corneas helped eight different people.

The Blue Demon, La Park, Huracan Ramirez show in California is not only expecting to get 10,000 people, but also for it to serve as a pilot to run 15-20 shows a year and get on TV in both Spanish and English. Their theory is they’ll draw 40-50 year olds who want to go these shows based on nostalgia. Please get your money in advance if you’re working this show; every novice promoter who tries this idea draws 10% of what they expected and loses a massive amount of money. It’d be wonderful is this broke that trend, but there’s just about every red flag waving here.

The promoter say Mil Mascaras will be commentating on the show and not wrestling. They’ve got codes for discounted tickets on Facebook already, with the idea somehow that the discounted money goes to Mexico, though that doesn’t seem to make any sense. Note that they plan to sell 10,000 tickets and don’t even have 10,000 people who’ve liked them on Facebook. Blue Demon, at a press conference, complained about the lack of 40-50 minute hold vs hold matches in WWE.

Riot’s 11/04 show in Arena LLF has it’s first match

TKD writes about the appeal of lucha libre.

LuchaWorld has the latest edition of Lucha Classics.

Hidalgo luchador Angel Siniestro passed away.

Lineups

CMLL (MON) 10/02/2017 Arena Puebla
1) Arkalis, Black Tiger, Flyer vs Fuerza Chicana, Guerrero Espacial, Policeman
2) Lestat, Príncipe Diamante, Star Jr. vs El Malayo, Hijo del Signo, King Jaguar
3) Princesa Sugehit & Sanely vs Dalys & Zeuxis
4) Ángel de Oro, Esfinge, Stigma vs Cuatrero, Sansón, Virus
5) Soberano Jr. © vs Cavernario [MEX WELTER]
second defense (assuming he beats Bandido the day before.)
6) Euforia, Marco Corleone, Último Guerrero vs Flip Gordon, Pierroth, Rush [Relevos Increíbles]

Puebla returns strong with that Soberano/Cavearnio title match. Policeman is scheduled to appear for the first time since June.

CMLL (TUE) 10/03/2017 Arena México
1) Eléctrico & Último Dragóncito vs Pequeño Olímpico & Pierrothito
2) Astral, Pegasso, Starman vs Arkángel de la Muerte, Metálico, Templario
3) La Vaquerita, Marcela, Princesa Sugehit vs La Seductora, Tiffany, Zeuxis
4) Guerrero Maya Jr. vs Tiger [lightning]
5) Rey Cometa, Stuka Jr., Titán vs Dragón Rojo Jr., Felino, Pólvora
6) Marco Corleone, Niebla Roja, Volador Jr. vs Cavernario, Euforia, Gran Guerrero

Maya/Tiger should be fun. Niebla Roja is still around (but then they still need to do the title change somewhere.)

CMLL (TUE) 10/03/2017 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) El Yaqui & Neutrón vs Gran Kenut & Pitbull I
2) Acero, Aéreo, Micro vs Mercurio, Pequeño Violencia, Relámpago Azul
3) Flyer, Magnus, Oro Jr., Príncipe Diamante, Robin, Star Jr. vs Esfinge, Explosivo, Mágico, Omar Brunetti, Star Black, Vaquero Jr. [cibernetico]
CDMX vs GDL
4) Blue Panther, Blue Panther Jr., The Panther vs Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón
5) Carístico, Diamante Azul, Flip Gordon vs Kráneo, Pierroth, Rush

I’m always up for city versus city ciberenticos. Flip Gordon on Twitter seemed to believe he was finishing up this weekend until he was shown he was on Sunday’s show, so who knows if he’ll still be here.

The Crash (FRI) 11/03/2017 Plaza de Toros Nuevo Progreso, Guadalajara, Jalisco
1) Arkángel Divino, Astrolux, Black Boy vs Black Danger (Baja California), Draego, Último Maldito
2) Christi Jaynes & Keyra vs Chik Tormenta & Diosa Quetzal
3) M-ximo, Máscarita Dorada, Rayman vs Demus 3:16, Hijo de Pirata Morgan, Makabre
4) Flamita vs Sammy Guevara
5) Damián 666 & Jack Evans vs Bestia 666 & Black Taurus (Indie)
6) Mr. 450 & The King vs Hanson & Raymond Rowe and Brian Cage & Willie Mack
7) Blue Demon Jr., Penta 0M, Rey Mysterio 619 vs Carlito, Garza Jr., La Máscara

The Crash debuts in Guadalajara. No Rush (or Pierroth); I suspect the deal with CMLL does not currently allow them to be used in the cities where CMLL runs buildings. Looking ahead, Penta/Rush would be a big match in Mexico City but it may be tough to put together.

Flamita/Guevera could be great. War Machine is back in. Good to see Makabre & Rayman getting a shot.

2017 watch later catch up, part 6 of ∞

Aramis is tricky

Lady Maravilla vs Keyra vs Diosa Atenea [for the AULL Women’s Championship
(AULL @ Arena Lopez Mateos, 06/03/2017, 8:36, good, via +LuchaTV)

I picked this one out after really liking the Lady Maravilla/Keyra ending of The Crash match. This is like that. It’s literally like that, with them repeating a bunch of the same sequences. Diosa Atenea is first out and doesn’t seem on their on the level at all. Early on, she forgets she’s supposed to stay on Maravilla so Maravilla can bridge out, so she goes back to cover her and the whole thing looks silly. Atenea might have had a better showing if she wasn’t eliminated early by what seemed like a bad referee count. Maravilla and Keyra are absurdly hard hitting, much harder than Maravilla goes in CMLL matches. It’s almost too much at times, and it was nothing like any other women are doing in Mexico.

Mexican women’s wrestling is all about corner dropkicks to the face

Ephesto, Luciferno, Mephisto © vs Negro Casas, Puma, Tiger for the Mexican National Trios Championship
(CMLL @ Arena México, 06/04/2017, 16:17, good, via Pumaking Casa)

This was the long delayed title shot that was pawned off on a Sunday show. (Mostly so we’d stop bringing it up, I still presume.) It’s weird watching a match without hearing the mat. The Casas family haven’t played técnicos much of late and feel awkward doing it here. They’re also not quite in form as a team, with Tiger and Negro Casas almost landing on each other in an early spot. Crowd doesn’t seem to know what to make of it early, but they got behind Casas and the match by the third fall. The dives were the turning point in the intensity but it still felt like it missed something to be a big match; maybe just watching it so far out of context is the problem. Still a good effort. Puma and Tiger refusing to shake hands with the Hijos and trying to stop Negro Casas was an odd deal that doesn’t seem to have gone anywhere.

the old 12 step cradle
Casas diving everywhere

Trauma I & Trauma II vs Oficial AK47 & Oficial Fierro for in a Number One Contenders for the IWRG Intercontinental Tag Team Championship
(IWRG @ Arena Naucalpan, 06/04/2017, 10:11, ok, via IWRG tv)

The Oficials aren’t around IWRG much this year – AK-47’s Gym Zeus shirt is a clue – but I still wanted to get a match with them. It was alright. The brawling was good, but not enough of it or strong enough to make this super memorial. Trauma II either always had bad clothesline and I didn’t notice until now, or had some bad ones just here. The Oficiales look like they’ve slowed down a bit, or they just didn’t put quite as much into this. The finish is usual screwy IWRG stuff. This is not bad but, even as they stomp the Traumas like big time rudos at the end, it kind of feels like an act from the past.

the kick is kinda in the area of his face

IWRG (Alas de Acero, Aramis, Black Dragón, Demonio Infernal, Diablo Jr., Dinamic Black, Eterno, Golden Magic) vs Indy Nation (Fly Star, Fly Warrior, Fulgor I, Fulgor II, Glenn Calavera, Jerry Calavera, Mr. Leo, Séptimo Rayo) in a Copa Higher Power
(IWRG @ Arena Naucalpan, 08/09/2017, 26:04, great, via IWRG tv,)

A fun cibernetico, feeling a little more polished than usual IWRG ciberneticos. The Indy Nation guys are still crazy people by normal wrestlers standards, but more polished and experienced than the usual outside team. There’s some bumps here and there but it’s still reliably exciting with a few super moves. The Calaveras come off really well as a team who’s got these characters down and fit together. Diablo Jr. looked good in his sequences, and Fulgor II stood out positively too. I wish Mr. Leo hung around longer, and the machine gun speed eliminations are always a little disappointing. The big near finish was amazing. Not the coach Centvrion throwing a chair at Black Dragon’s head, I’ve seen that, but Fly Warrior lost his mask while Dragon reversed a powerbomb into a huracanrana. Dragon nicely smacked the mask towards Fly Warrior while he was selling, which was nice of him. The actual finish was the usual Naucalpan overbooking, but at least explained why Black Dragon was the last guy over so many other people.

Diablo Jr. is pretty good
a different way of setting up a Doomsday Device
Mr. Leo with a different style headscissors

Emperador Azteca © vs Arez for the IWRG Intercontinental Welterweight Championship
(IWRG @ Arena Naucalpan, 08/09/2017, 13:22, good, via iwrgtv)

A really strong one man show by Arez, who looks great most of this match. Emperador Azteca is as vanilla as ever, with his main contribution to this match being a willingness to take a lot of punishment before the finish. This match is handicapped a couple ways: the mat is wet from Indy Nation’s beer celebration in the last match which might have caused Arez’ to come woefully short on a tope, and the second fall spends a lot of time on the seconds which slows down the match without setting up anything in particular. Still, Arez looks really sharp when he’s running the match, and handles Azteca’s mask coming loose really well. It felt like the better man lost.

pretty impressive one arm suplex
Emperador Azteca tope con giro

Black Dragón vs Gallo Frances, mask vs mask
(IWRG @ Arena Naucalpan, 08/13/2017, 16:50, good, via IWRG tv)

This has a big match feel, and has a crowd really passionate about Black Dragon winning and keeping his mask. It has a really ordinary feeling mask match inside of it. It could just be what I’m looking for – I want moves and dives and wild action, and this is more a brawl with a standard bit of wrestling between. I like a fast pace, and this is more leisurely trips to the freezer. They both go the Naucalpan freezer, because it’s that kind of match, but neither grabs a beer bottle, because it’s not actually that kind of match. This is an IWRG mask match you can feel safe to bring your kids to, though not one that will resonate as seriously. Neither plays to the crowd a lot, which doesn’t hurt the crowd’s enthusiasm at more. This seems like one that would’ve been more fun to attend live.

not the smartest idea