Recapped: 12/13/2017
Matches:
El Coyote & Espanto Jr. beat Retro & Sangre Imperial
(14:22 [8:15, 2:45, 3:22], 1/3. below average, VideosOficialesCMLL)
Fiero, Oro Jr., Starman beat Hijo del Signo, Nitro, Raziel
(7:31 [2:24, 5:07], 1 DQ/2 DQ, ok, via VideosOficialesCMLL)
Fuego, Pegasso, Stigma vs Disturbio, Tiger, Universo 2000 Jr.
(12:05 [3:22, 2:43, 6:00], 2/3, ok, via VideosOficialesCMLL)
Niebla Roja, Stuka Jr., Titán vs Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón
(12:47 [4:31, 4:20, 3:56], 1/3, good, via VideosOficialesCMLL)
Johnny Idol, Okumura, Sam Adonis beat Mistico, Valiente, Volador Jr.
(15:10 [5:09, 2:58, 7:03], 1/3, good, via VideosOficialesCMLL)
Último Guerrero beat Rush
(10:04, 2/3, good, via VideosOficialesCMLL)
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Rush corner dropkick (2:03)
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Pulpo Guerrero (3:48)
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UG pin with ropes (4:13)
What happened:
This is the debut of the Adonis/Idol/Okumura trio, which seems to be a set unit and an important deal going forward. Rudos challenge for a trios title match, which they’re not getting yet even though the técnicos are all for it.
Mije hangs out with Universo for that match. Someone should give Mije a cowboy hat so he can just be a Dinamita until Kraneo returns from his home planet.
Rudos jump Starman on the way to the ring, which seemed to come as a surprise to the edecanes. Rudos are disqualified for excessive violence on Starman in the first, and for a Nitro foul on Starman in the second. Rudos destroy técnicos after the match.
Thoughts:
Último Guerrero/Rush was the better match of the two, the one where it felt like the put in some genuine effort, and still nothing close to what I think a top match between these two could be. I’m convinced they’re facing off at FantasticaMania, and I’m just as convinced they’re going to have a much better match than what we saw in these two days. When the guys at the top don’t seem to be that into it, it’s not a surprise there’s so much filler here.
The new rudo trio did well for their debut match. They’re playing more more heel than the other groups, which gives these matches have a much different feel than the more fast paced spot trios match that preceded it. It was also just nice to see Sky Team working together and doing the fun things we got to see regularly when CMLL remembered these guys were an interesting act. Like last week, this match featured a Valiente and someone getting completely lost near the end but they brought it home OK.
The fourth was an easy good match, close to great. It’s very much what I’ve liked about the NGD trios this year, with a strong and interested group of técnicos working with them. NGD are not just better at teamwork, but better at setting up their opponents. It wasn’t just a reversed whip or a missed corner charge that gave the técnicos their last chance, but their deadly triple corner strike that backfired. I also think what CMLL is doing with Niebla Roja is working based on the reaction he got in this mach. Fans are taking to him in the same way as Marco Corleone, and it doesn’t seem like it’ll take that long for him to be as popular as the sort of similar Hijo del Fantasma, which would’ve been a huge reach at the start of the year. I’m not sure Niebla Roja is going to deliver the same peak matches, but it’s good for him anyway.
The tercera was much better than the two that preceded, if only because the third fall really picked up in speed an intensity. They also found time to let Mije do something, instead of looking disinterested like his recent appearances. Disturbio seems like a guy who’s trying very hard to get in a groove before FantasticaMania (where he’ll wrestle 7 minute openers, but still.) I am slowly figuring out things Universo Jr. does: a sit down double knee drop, not put his arms out to catch on a dive.
I totally forgot Nitro was actually in the cage match until he fouled Starman to end their match. I guess this match is a good thing. Fiero had a nice 15 seconds round and everyone feuded to build up a show that’s happening on a different day. This was successful if not super memorable.
The opener seemed slower paced than usual. Retro doesn’t move fast, and the rudos were not in a hurry to pick up the pace. Coyote has a couple of nice spots but needs to be in a good match. Maybe he’ll get that chance in 2018.
