AAA on Televisa: 2018-01-20 

what in the world

Recapped: 1/25/2018

All matches were taped in Plaza de Toros Monumental, Apizaco, Tlaxcala on 12/16/2017 

Matches:

Faby Apache went to a double countout of the ring with Lady Shani © in a AAA’s Reina de Reinas championship match
(7:08, DCOR, ok, via luchalibreaaatv)

Dave The Clown & Mr. Águila beat La Parka & Pagano  
(12:32, Dave top rope splash Pagano, ok, via luchalibreaaatv)

Dark Cuervo & Dark Scoria beat Monsther Clown & Murder Clown © and Histeria & Psicosis to win the AAA World Tag Team Championship
(8:35, Cuervo & Scoria pin Murder, good, luchalibreaaatv)

What happened:

a title change

La Secta won the tag team titles. They aren’t afforded a moment to celebrate, as the Clowns destroy the new champions. They also take out the referee when he tries to take the belts away from the Clowns.

Histeria wrestles the mask masked, which is really not a surprise at this point. The surprise turned out to be Histeria partially unmasking at some point, off screen after the match concludes while the Clowns are beating everyone up. You can see it’s off and even the front of his face if you look for him on the outside. He puts it back on before he leaves.

Dave kicks out of a Noa Noa Driver thru a chair, to Pagano’s surprise. Dave gives Pagano a horrendously poor piledriver and a top rope splash for the unlikely win.

Faby & Shani had the makings of a pretty good match with an inconclusive finish. I wouldn’t say it even necessarily ended early. They just kind of sped thru to get to the end match sort of offense before spilling outside for the countout. The hard back and forth right before that portion was pretty good, and they definitely did enough to think the rematch could be pretty good. Shani had one of the better outings, even if Faby was obviously leading/pulling Shani thru spots at time. Faby was subtly working ruda at time, though it didn’t like she could totally commit to it, and she sold the result like she was a wronged face by Tirantes bad decision, ignoring Shani at all. This was interesting if incomplete.

Pagano was awarded a sports award in Ciudad Juarez, possibly given to him before they realized he lost to Dave the Clown. Six different titles are mentioned to be on the line at Guerra de Titanes.

Thoughts:

a brawl

The main event trios is an all action match for due to the people included. It keeps the pace going better than the normal tag match last week and covered up their weaknesses better by not giving much time to linger on them. The downside is didn’t feel like it was building anywhere – the finish sequence itself seemed to come as a surprise to the crowd – even though they kept the general idea of everyone being desperate to finish someone off.

I don’t know about the post match. That kind of felt like the Clowns were not thrilled about losing and decided on their own to beat up anyone. It would explain Histeria’s strange reaction and the referee not seeming like he was planning to be taking bumps. Even if it was planned, it really took the spotlight and the meaning out of Cuervo & Scoria winning if they were simply destroyed after the fact. They’ve got to give the fans a moment to care about those guys winning if they’re going to gain some support.

It’s really quite a battle to see who is the worst wrestler between La Parka & Dave The Clown. Parka is bad for long periods of time, Dave his singular moments of terribleness. That piledriver in this match was a thing of wonder. Dave’s also horrible at selling, either completely dead or not bothering to register an impact at all while moving to his next position. Pagano was easily the second best guy in the tag match, maybe the best because Mr. Aguila was checked out on this mess. Maybe Pagano was lucky to get hurt if AAA was going to have him taking losses to Dave the Clown. I was waiting for a post match angle where he would snap or something. He just lost.

Tirantes doesn’t immediately break Faby’s armbar when Shani is on the ropes. After the fact, it’s clear that help from Tirantes is supposed to be an indication Faby is now a ruda. Both women are counted out while they’re fighting outside. Well, maybe it’s more like Shani is balled up on the ground and Faby’s too busy hitting her with a chair to think about coming back in until it’s too late. This was one of those countouts telegraphed because the referee and the announcers were making a big deal out of the count they usually ignore.

Faby dive

LU tickets move quick, Revolucha, CMLL Tuesday shows

CMLL

RevoLucha (SUN) 02/11/2018 Gimnasio Nuevo León Unido, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon [Estrellas del Ring, Lo Mejor de Lucha Libre, LuchaMania Monterrey]
1) Mini Hator b Mini Difunto
crowd reacted well to this match.
2) Lord Byron & Psicótico b Muerte Extrema & Sick Boy
Muerte Extrema replaced Skam 13. Bestia 666 helped Bryon & Psicotico to win, setting up a match with hima nd Sick Boy.
3) Kalibus & Mantra b Erika Sotelo & Última Sombra
good match
4) Lady Flammer b Succi Love
billed as a four way with exoticos Erika Sotelo & Larry Miranda as part of a tournament to determine a women’s champion, ended up just as a singles match.
5) Daga b Bestia 666EpydemiusZumbi [Revolucha CRUISER, tournament]
Daga will face another winner at some point
6) Penta 0M & The King b Garza Jr. & Último Ninja
Garza Jr. & Ninja had problems, blamed each other for the loss, and Garza kicked him out of the Rebellion Amarilla. Penta & Fenix made the save, so Ultimo Ninja may be in the red version now.

Main event sounds like it went well and there’s video up on YouTube already. There’s a vignette of Humberto Garza family being annoyed with Garza Jr. and that’s family feud looks like the direction for Revolucha this year. They’re back on 03/11.

CMLL (TUE) 02/13/2018 Arena México [CMLL, CultIcon]
1) Acero & Aéreo b Pequeño Nitro & Pequeño Olímpico LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 13 DE FEBRERO DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
2) Akuma, Hijo del Signo, Templario b Astral, Flyer, Sangre Imperial LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 13 DE FEBRERO DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
Sangre Imperial replaced Electrico on Tuesday. Rudos took 2/3.
3) Audaz, Blue Panther Jr., The Panther b Misterioso Jr., Sagrado, Virus LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 13 DE FEBRERO DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
Tencicos took 2/3. Virus & Audaz didn’t figure into the finish.
4) Princesa Sugehit b Kaho Kobayashi [lightningLUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 13 DE FEBRERO DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
Kaho Kobayashi replaced Marcela on Monday
5) Hechicero, Johnny Idol, Okumura b Blue Panther, Guerrero Maya Jr., Stuka Jr. LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 13 DE FEBRERO DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
Rudos took 2/3.
6) Marco Corleone, Titán, Valiente b Cavernario, Euforia, Mephisto LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 13 DE FEBRERO DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
Euforia replaced Mr. Niebla on Monday. Rudos took 1/3.

I kept getting pulled away from watching this. Sounded like a regular show.

CMLL (TUE) 02/13/2018 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara [CMLL]
1) Black Sugar & Star Black b Maléfico & Relámpago Azul
2) Explosivo, Magia Blanca, Robin b El Coyote, Grako, Guerrero de la Muerte
3) Esfinge, Pegasso, Rey Cometa b Cancerbero, Disturbio, Raziel
tecnicos took 2/3.
4) Ángel de Oro, Niebla Roja, Soberano Jr. b Ephesto, Luciferno, Pierroth
tecnicos took 2/3.
5) Diamante Azul, Mistico, Rush b Rey Bucanero, Shocker, Terrible
Tecnicos took 2/3.

As did this one.

There was a press conference for 85 Años de Lucha Libre book in Guadalajara.

The Ovaciones version of the CMLL tag team tournament story says CMLL will announce the teams next week.

Arkangel de la Muerte was announced as wrestling Mazada on 04/04 in Tokyo. I wonder if he’s going over with Reyna Isis or if that’s just a one off.

Lucha Underground tickets for the first set of tapings were filled in five minutes. The good news is they only put up one weekend of tapings, and we know there will be several more of them, so you should still have a shot at them. They’ll probably put up the second week of tapings in the next week, if not sooner. If you’re interested, you’ll want to go their new Eventbrite website and create an account in advance, to minimize the checkout time.

Texano & Fantasma did some press promoting their mask match. In ESTO, Texano said he wants to get his title back from Wagner next, and hypes the mask versus hair match as a TripleMania level match.

AAA actually posted a listing of what’s going to air on TV this week. I’m so glad this is happening that I’m even not that sad it’s only happening after watching AAA on TV is pretty much irrelevant to people who read this site since you can watch it first on Twitch.

CIMA’s visit to DTU also happens to be the finals of that “young wrestler wins a trip Japan to wrestle in Dragon Gate” DTU Visoria contest from 2017. DTU had announced Jimmy (former Nerd), Mini Flash (from Veracruz), Kastgiador (Queretaro), and Sadiko (from Tampico) as finalists so far. There may be more coming. Jimmy is getting a surprise main event so he’d be the favorite.

Black Danger & Black Boy are announced for the The Crash’s WrestleCon show. Note the names. It doesn’t matter.

Today in Dr. Wagner Jr: tips for romance. Also, when asked, Dr. Wagner assures ESTO that he’s never been lured by drugs in his entire career.

Alonso Chapa, promoter of the Team 1927 indie promotion in Tijuana, passed away yesterday. It’s The Crash who announced it; 1927 would run shows a day after The Crash with a couple of the people flown in staying over along with the locals. They had that same setup this weekend with Penta & Fenix, but I have no idea if the show is still happening. Their own Facebook is quiet.

El Universal has an interview with lucha libre belt maker Santos Rodriguez Perez. He says he was a luchador who won a championship and wanted to get a copy of the belt for himself. It took a lot of work to track down the belt maker and, when he finally found him, he fell in love with the process of making belts and decided to get into himself. He avoids mentioning his luchador name.

The Tijuana box, lucha and MMA commission gave out 2017 awards yesterday. The Crash on the best promotion, Black Boy & Arkangel Divino were team of the year, Bestia 666 was rudo of the year, Arkangel Divino was tecnico of the year, Xtreme Tiger was best at wrestling outside of Mexico, Lady Lee was luchadora of the year, Pensamiento Negro was best referee,

Bobby Lee Jr. is looking for government support to set up a lucha libre gym in Leon to help the wrestling there. He dismisses the current group of wrestlers as people just trying to get themselves over as Facebook. (I understood Bobby Lee Sr. was the long time commissioner in Leon, so if wrestling in Leon went down, it’s kind of on his family’s watch.) This ties to an urban art exhibit happening in the city this weekend.

The Chihuahua lucha libre commission has opened a dining room in Gimnasio Josue Neri Santos, where retired luchadors can get a free meal between noon and five pm each day. It’s supposed to serve about 70 people, with the commission paying for the food (with help from local restaurants.) I hope this works out well; all I can think is of how it certainly would be abused and shut down in the US.

+LuchaTV had a new edition for their podcast. I had a workaround to turn YouTube into a MP3 RSS feed automatically but I guess it’s not working since I haven’t gotten the last couple.

03/03 Pura Raza Productions at Arena Lopez Mateos has so far

TKD has a really interesting post about how to buy New Japan or Dragon Gate tickets – or rather how crazy difficult it is to buy a NJPW ticket if you don’t have a Japanese phone number. (Step 1: get a Japanese phone number.) Mexico seems actually ahead of the game in this area.

2018 is lucha libre has a grab bag of recent wrestling.

Lineups

DTU (SAT) 02/17/2018 Arena Neza
1) Devitt Rodríguez, Hard Boy, Irving Travieso Montiel vs Baby Star Jr., Fly Danger, Mini Flash
2) Drolux vs ToxinSky ManAnarquía
3) Billy Gamer & Toto Gamer vs Camuflaje & Junior
4) Vengador vs AdrenalinaKastigadorKevinSadikoLokilloJitsuRey Volador
5) Halloween & X-Fly vs Paranoiko & Tiburón
6) CIMA, Cobre, Moria vs Draztick Boy, Jimmy, Negro Casas

CIMA is in Tijuana on Friday, here on Saturday, and I have no idea where on Sunday. Cobre, Moria and Jimmy being in the main event might be a hint about how that DTU contest is going to turn out.

IWRG (SUN) 02/18/2018 Arena Naucalpan
1) Celestial Boy vs Guerrero 2000
2) Dragón Orus & Príncipe Omi vs Dragón Bane & Fandango
3) Alas de Acero vs Ram El Carnero
4) Diablo Jr. & Súper Brazo Jr. vs Dragón Yuki & Gallo Frances
5) Black Dragón, Dinamic Black, Dragón Fly vs Cerebro Negro, Dr. Cerebro, X-Fly
6) Capo Del Norte, Capo Del Sur, Máscara Año 2000 Jr. vs Liderk, Spartan, Spector
7) Aramis, Hijo del Pantera, Internacional Pantera vs Ovett, Trauma I, Trauma II

Main event will have ref bits. I need the Comando Elite and the Capos to eliminate each other.

CMLL (MON) 02/19/2018 Arena Puebla
1) Astro & Centella Roja vs Ares & Fuerza Chicana
2) Flyer & Príncipe Diamante vs El Perverso & Rey Apocalipsis
3) Lestat, Pegasso, Stigma vs El Malayo, Kawato San, Universo 2000 Jr.
4) Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón vs Johnny Idol, Kráneo, Okumura
5) Soberano Jr. vs Mephisto [lightning]
6) Cavernario & Volador Jr. vs Último Guerrero & Valiente

That’s a rematch of last year’s incredible pairs final for no obvious reason, like how there’s no obvious reason for the fourth match to be rudo/rudo either. Soberano/Mephsito is probably setting up a title match next week, but which one? A world champ challenging for a national title would be dumb but not unprecedented.

great match roundup, week of 2018-01-13

somehow, the small steps make it better

this group of recaps

This is so long, with the first two of the Japan shows. I probably shoud’ve rated Hechicero/Kraneo higher or given it a plus or something.

Recommended matches

rating matches TV Show taped
excellent Niebla Roja © vs Gran Guerrero for the CMLL World Light Heavyweight Championship NJPW World: 2018-01-19 2018-01-19
great Guerrero Maya Jr. vs Hechicero in a lightning matchLA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE EN VIVO DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 15 DE ENERO DEL 2018 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2018-01-15 2018-01-15
great Soberano Jr. © vs Sansón for the Mexican National Welterweight Championship NJPW World: 2018-01-19 2018-01-19
good Carístico vs Euforia LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 16 DE ENERO DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2018-01-16 2018-01-16
good Fuego & Star Jr. vs Okumura & Puma CMLL on SamuraiTV: 2018-01-18 2018-01-12
good Niebla Roja, Soberano Jr., Volador Jr. vs Bárbaro Cavernario, Gran Guerrero, Sansón CMLL on SamuraiTV: 2018-01-18 2018-01-12
good Dragón Lee, Hirai Kawato, Kushida, Satoshi Kojima vs Bushi, Hiromu Takahashi, Rush, Tetsuya Naito CMLL on SamuraiTV: 2018-01-18 2018-01-12
good Atlantis, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Mistico vs Gedo, Kazuchika Okada, Último Guerrero CMLL on SamuraiTV: 2018-01-18 2018-01-12
good Esfinge, Rey Cometa, Tritón vs Raziel, Sagrado, TigerLUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 19 DE ENERO DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2018-01-19 2018-01-19
good Kráneo vs Hechicero in a lightning match LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 19 DE ENERO DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2018-01-19 2018-01-19
good Fuego vs Okumura NJPW World: 2018-01-19 2018-01-19
good Dragón Lee, Hirai Kawato, Satoshi Kojima, Star Jr. vs Bushi, Hiromu Takahashi, Rush, Tetsuya Naito NJPW World: 2018-01-19 2018-01-19
good Atlantis, Drone, Mistico, Volador Jr. vs Bárbaro Cavernario, Disturbio, Puma, Último Guerrero NJPW World: 2018-01-19 2018-01-19
good Ángel de Oro © vs Cuatrero for the CMLL World Middleweight Championship NJPW World: 2018-01-19 2018-01-19

Other matches noted

rating matches TV Show taped
ok Dark Cuervo & Dark Scoria vs Monsther Clown & Murder Clown © for the AAA World Tag Team ChampionshipLucha Libre AAA Worldwide en Xalapa Parte 2 (posted by Lucha Libre AAA) AAA on Televisa: 2018-01-13 2017-12-02
ok Dr. Wagner Jr., Hijo del Fantasma, Psycho Clown vs Hernandez, Rey Escorpión, Texano Jr. Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide en Xalapa Parte 2 (posted by Lucha Libre AAA) AAA on Televisa: 2018-01-13 2017-12-02
ok Marco Corleone © vs Diamante Azul for the CMLL World Heavyweight Championship LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE EN VIVO DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 15 DE ENERO DEL 2018 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2018-01-15 2018-01-15
ok Magia Blanca, Pegasso, Starman vs Nitro, Templario, Virus LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 16 DE ENERO DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2018-01-16 2018-01-16
ok Blue Panther, Blue Panther Jr., The Panther vs Johnny Idol, Sam Adonis, Vangellys LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 16 DE ENERO DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2018-01-16 2018-01-16
ok Stuka Jr., Titán, Valiente vs Ephesto, Luciferno, Mephisto LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 16 DE ENERO DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2018-01-16 2018-01-16
ok Drone vs Disturbio CMLL on SamuraiTV: 2018-01-18 2018-01-12
ok Ángel de Oro, Jushin Liger, Ryusuke Taguchi, Tiger Maskvs Cuatrero, Rocky Romero, SHO, YOH CMLL on SamuraiTV: 2018-01-18 2018-01-12
ok Fantasy & Último Dragóncito vs Mercurio & Pequeño Nitro LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 19 DE ENERO DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2018-01-19 2018-01-19
ok Lady Maravilla, Marcela, Princesa Sugehit vs Amapola, Tiffany, Zeuxis LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 19 DE ENERO DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2018-01-19 2018-01-19
ok Stuka Jr., Titán, Valiente vs Euforia, Felino, Mr. NieblaLUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 19 DE ENERO DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2018-01-19 2018-01-19
ok Carístico, Diamante Azul, Marco Corleone vs Rey Bucanero, Terrible, Vangellys LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 19 DE ENERO DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2018-01-19 2018-01-19
bad Dave The Clown & La Parka vs Histeria & Psicosis Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide en Xalapa Parte 2 (posted by Lucha Libre AAA) AAA on Televisa: 2018-01-13 2017-12-02
not rated Meyer & París vs Guerrero Espacial & Sombra DiabólikaLA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE EN VIVO DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 15 DE ENERO DEL 2018 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2018-01-15 2018-01-15
not rated Flyer, Príncipe Diamante, Rey Samuray vs Hijo del Signo, King Jaguar, Perverso LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE EN VIVO DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 15 DE ENERO DEL 2018 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2018-01-15 2018-01-15
not rated Audaz, Lestat, Stigma vs El Malayo, Raziel, Universo 2000 Jr. LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE EN VIVO DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 15 DE ENERO DEL 2018 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2018-01-15 2018-01-15
not rated Carístico, Kráneo, Valiente vs Rey Bucanero, Shocker, Terrible LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE EN VIVO DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 15 DE ENERO DEL 2018 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2018-01-15 2018-01-15
not rated Acero & Aéreo vs Pequeño Olímpico & Pequeño ViolenciaLUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 16 DE ENERO DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2018-01-16 2018-01-16
not rated La Jarochita, La Vaquerita, Sanely vs Dalys, Metálica, Reyna Isis LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES EN LA ARENA MEXICO 16 DE ENERO DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2018-01-16 2018-01-16
watch later Pantera I © vs Aramis for the IWRG Intercontinental Lightweight Championship Arena Naucalpan IWRG en VIVO (posted by TVLuchaMundial) Pantera I © vs Aramis for the IWRG Intercontinental Lightweight Championship (posted by thecubsfan) Pantera I vs Aramis, Campeonato Intercontinental Ligero IWRG *Lucha Completa* (posted by +LuchaTV) Pantera Primero vs Aramis por el Campeonato Ligero de la IWRG (posted by Estrellas del Ring) IWRG Zona XXI: 2018-01-15 2018-01-14

2017 watch later catch up, part 12 of ∞

Tigre Rojo senton

El Bandido vs Astrolux
(WMC @ Salón Balumcanan on 08/20, 11:21, great, Estrellas del Ring)

The first few moments of this match feel strange. It took my mind a little time to adjust to little Bandido embracing his inner Último Guerrero and wrestling as the strong rudo in this match. It totally work. He came off as Astrolux’s best opponent, throwing him around incredibly (especially on the finish) while also basing in a way to make Astrolux’s offense look great. This might be the best Astrolux ever just for Bandido’s effort. There’s not many people Bandido can really work like a rudo like this for, but he can absolutely do it if needed. Astrolux and Bandido seem to get lost a bit for a minute before the finish, and the match would’ve been better just cutting it out, but this whole thing is worth seeing.

Estrellas del Ring matches are still joined in progress for whatever reason, but it’s unedited from there and they’re more complete than in past years. Got to be happy with incremental improvements in Mexico. (Still, Astrolux does a flip rana that’s just out of frame, making me wish for professional cameras.)

slowed this down so you could appreciate Astrolux landing perfectly in the chair
why pick between doing a tope con giro or a tornilllo, just do both
this seemed way too easy for Bandido

Iron Kid vs Demus 3:16
(LuchaMemes @ Coliseo Coacalco on 06/18, 7:25, great, via +LuchaTV)
Demus freed from the shackles of CMLL minis division is a fantastic thing. He was always capable of great matches there, but clearly was bored out of his mind for most of the last few years. This year’s indie run has really got his juices flowing again – or, with a fork from a helpful fan, has allowed him to get others juices running. This was a CMLL lightning match taken to the dirt of Coacal
co, with Demus allowing Iron Kid a few moments of glory before knocking the life out of him with the scariest version of his piledriver yet. Iron Kid’s dives looked spectacular, as did his fling in to the pole to start the match. A match this short needs to go full ace the entire way and it seemed to slow down a bit to me, but it’s still worth your time. It won’t take long.

you’ve seen this many times by now but really need to put it in my GIF library
Iron Kid going for the roof
max Demus Driver

Black Taurus & Hijo de LA Park vs Daga & Rey Fénix
(WWCI/ANCLA @ Arena Lopez Mateos on 09/30, 24:40, good, via hector godfrey)

Note: There’s no opening whistle here. They finally get down to two people in the ring at about 2:15, but there’s more stalling from there. You can jump it at 5:00 if you just want the action.

Review:  A good match to half pay attention too. There’s no great flow here, the match actively drags at points, and they’re making it up as they go so stuff like the row of seats being thrown in goes nowhere when the referee ushers them back out. There’s plenty of cool spots to make a highlight video of this match, but it takes a long time to settle into something more than spots. d I’m not sure it ever really did. I know this is good action but I also know I didn’t find it altogether interesting as a package.

Fenix dumped
Fenix double stomp
Fenix Brillo Cometa
Park deep into the crowd

Flyer, Magnus, Oro Jr., Príncipe Diamante, Robin, Star Jr. vs Esfinge, Explosivo, Mágico, Omar Brunetti, Star Black, Vaquero Jr. in a cibernetico match
(CMLL @ Arena Coliseo Guadalajara on 10/03, 27:37, good, via thecubsfan)

Notes:

for the Guadalajara side

  • Magico is in blue and black.

  • Explosivo is in white with red/orange flames, and a black/white mask.

  • Star Black is black and white, with a big star on the back of his gear.

  • Omar Brunetti is unmasked in Superman gear.

  • Vaquero Jr. is unmasked in black and silver.

I always like the concept of locals versus Mexico City guys, and it’s always helpful to have an idea of the local guys to see if anyone stands out. The action was alright, but no one really had that kind of stand out performance. Star Black is the one being pushed the most, though not in this match. They have him doing some Rayo spots to get him over with this crowd. It feels forced, and he doens’t connect much with the crowd otherwise. Omar Brunetti feels like the most complete of the Guadalajara crew and could be placed in the DF midcard without being a problem, but doesn’t feel like he has much more upside ethan that. (He also has the Dragon Rojo thigh band going on, which make me wonder if him disappearing at times from Guadalajara is actually injury related.) Vaquero seemed to get the best reaction, and was OK. Magico is a veteran feeling guy, Explosivo is a skinny rookie. The Ciudad de Mexico guys were just fine too, with Star Jr. having the best night. People cheered Esfinge winning, so that was nice for him.

Explosivo fireman’s carry powerbomb
bad times for Omar

Tigre Rojo vs Bárbaro I, mask vs hair
(Arena Coliseo San Ramón on 10/15, 23:14, good, via Diiva Moxha)

Barbaro got very heavy, or this is a different one than I saw long ago in Arena Puebla and Monterrey. I couldn’t figure out where he was bleeding from in the second fall, then I realized Tigre Rojo was bleeding so heavily that his opponent was getting soaked in his blood. That’s a lot blood. Barbaro caught up with Tigre Rojo in the third, and is completely red by the end of the match. This was the massive bleeding apuesta match that you’re unlikely to see outside of indie shows now, which makes it a feel very different. This is a simple match in what they do with it – the risky dives are the biggest things attempted – but the mask match stipulation and the blood produce a lot of drama. It’s slow paced, either due to both men losing so much blood or at least selling that destruction. The speed makes some of the later reversal spots hard to believe. The other Babraros interfere in the match to distraction, which doesn’t add much but gets the crowd more annoyed. This might be one where I’d be more into it if I had see them outside of this one isolated match. The home building fans seem very into it.

a lot of Barbaro coming down
senton to the floor

Kalibus vs Cobre vs Centvrión vs Rafy vs Low Rider
(Mexa Wrestling @ Arena San Juan Pantitlan on 10/21, 14:07, great, via Adrian Martinez)

I’m not sure if it was translation issues or silliness to call this match Five Star Match, but it comes crazily close to living up to the name with the outstanding insanity all the way thru. All the more impressive for the weirdo crew from different parts of the indie scene. Cobre’s a DTU guy, Low Rider is a northern Mexico/Texas guy now who rarely makes it to Mexico City, Centvrion & Rafy both dip into IWRG but rarely are against each other nowadays and Kalibus is a Neza local. They make it work, great chemistry for a match which often featured three or more people fighting at the same time. Cobre is murdered by Centvrion before the finish, which is too bad because he’s a guy want to see more of. You can see why DTU is high on him with some of his flying here. Rafy is the best wrestler in the world at points. Low Rider is an immense character who can also wrestle. Everyone contributes to the madness well.

stuck turtle
mexican indie wrestling in a GIF – crazy spot that’s half seen
Low Rider is maybe the craziest of the crazy people
Cobre with a tight headscissors

 

Ultimo Guerrero cheats Atlantis, Kobyashi/Sugehit tonight, LU new home

a finish

IWRG (WED) 02/07/2018 Arena Naucalpan [Estrellas del Ring]
1) Full Contact & Guerrero 2000 b Fly Star & Fly Tiger
2) Dragón Bane & Lunatic Xtreme b Atomik Star & Haziel
Atomick Star replaced Angel Oriental, feuded with Lunatik.
3) Shadow Boy & Súper Brazo Jr. b Leroy & Odín
straight falls
4) Demonio Infernal, Imposible, Ram El Carnero b Aramis, Black Dragón, Dinamic Black
5) Capo Del Norte, Capo Del Sur, Eterno b Dragón Fly, Hijo del Alebrije, Rafy

I’m not paying enough attention to IWRG, because I only noticed there were no results for last Wednesday’s show when Estrellas del Ring posted a recap. And I’m still not sure they’re right because Demonio Infernal is listed twice in the semifinal. Didn’t air.

CMLL (MON) 02/12/2018 Arena Puebla [CMLL, CultIconMT]
1) Astro, Asturiano, Black Tiger b Joker, King Jaguar, Saurón LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE EN VIVO DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 12  DE FEBRERO DEL 2018 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
Tecnicos took 1/3.
2) Cancerbero, El Malayo, Raziel b Ares, Arkalis, Millenium LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE EN VIVO DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 12  DE FEBRERO DEL 2018 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
Ares replaced Starman (missed a couple of days). Rudos took 1/3.
3) Stuka Jr., Titán, Tritón b Kawato San, Misterioso Jr., Sagrado LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE EN VIVO DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 12  DE FEBRERO DEL 2018 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
tecnicos took 2/3.
4) Mistico, Rush, Soberano Jr. DQ Ephesto, Luciferno, Mephisto LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE EN VIVO DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 12  DE FEBRERO DEL 2018 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
Rush replaced Volador on Wednesday. Tencicos took 1/3. Mephisto fouled Soberano Jr., setting up a singles match.
5) Último Guerrero b Atlantis LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE EN VIVO DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 12  DE FEBRERO DEL 2018 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
UG took 1/3, the last with an arm and a leg on the ropes.

 

I was really worried the main event was going to be very not good when they spent the first three minutes just playing to the crowd in about the same fashion as La Parka & Dr. Wagner did on Friday night. It turned out better than that match. Also, we learned that Tirantes will take a bump in your match if you promise he gets to shine in the finish. Everyone’s got to their comeback.

Soberano & Mephisto are both welterweight champions so one or both title should be on the line if they actually wrestle.

Tonight’s CMLL Arena Mexico show has under at least three different revisions. I think I have the right lineup now. It’ll probably change again.

The main event is now Marco Corleone, Titan and Valiente against Cavernario, Euforia and Mephisto. Euforia is a replacement for Mr. Niebla, who has possibly been benched once again following his strange performance on Friday night. One of the things many people were asking about in light of Drone’s incident is how CMLL would handle the next time a someone like Niebla did something similar on their own show. Guess we’re finding out.

(Speaking of Drone: a normal CMLL suspension is about 3 weeks, which means he should be back in circulation following Friday’s show. He’s not on the Sunday cards, but that’s just one show. If he doesn’t turn up at all next week, then it confirms they’re going to hold him out longer than normal as rumored.)

The lightning match is now Kaho Kobayashi versus Princesa Sugehit, in Kobayashi’s first singles match and easily the most interesting thing on the show. The semimain is Blue Panther, Guerrero Maya and Stuka against Hechicero, Johnny Idol and Okumura. Audaz & Virus meet again in the tercera, with the frequent foursome of the Panthers, Misterioso & Sagrado filling out the match.

The second match also had a change, with Electrico still not cleared to wrestle. Sangre Imperial will be back on a stream for the first time this year, teaming with Astral & Flyer versus Akuma, Hijo del Signo and Templario. Acero & Aereo face Pequeno NItro & Pequeno Olimpico in the opener.

Guadalajara tonight is Mistico, Rush, and Diamante Azul vs Shocker, Terrible, and Rey Bucanero. There doesn’t seem to be anything carrying over from last week.

CMLL announced the tournament to fill the vacant CMLL tag team championship will have eight team blocks on March 2nd & 9th, and the final will take place on March 16th. No teams were announced yet.

The timing is terrible, even as an attempt to get a second ‘big’ match on the Homenaje a Dos Leyendas card. CMLL will have three Friday nights of the incredible pairs tournament, a normal show, and then right back into three more Friday nights of another tag tournament. (And the Gran Alternativa is probably not far away.) At least the second tournament should have less teams breaking up, though the scheduling means the logical Cuatrero & Sanson and Angel de Oro & Niebla Roja teams aren’t going to the finals. (Diamante Azul & Stuka, who were set up to win the tag team titles from Shocker & Casas at one point, are the favorites if they’re in this tournament.) It’ll be good to have the tag titles back in circulation, though the method of doing it is not pleasant.

This does make me wonder where Audaz/Virus is going, so they wouldn’t be having Virus cheat to win so much if there wasn’t a planned destination and it’s unlikely they’ll have a third notable match on H2L.

It is also weird Negro Casas & Shocker should both be healthy and around before this tournament starts, so they could have just defended (and lost) the title. Something always happens when they try, so maybe this is still for the best. Or maybe they have some big names on both sides planned for that match.

Reyna Isis & La Jarochita are headed out to REINA again. They’ll be going to Japan on 02/23, have their first match on 02/27, and will be staying for three months.

In an exclusive piece with Uproxx, Lucha Underground officially announced they’d have a new location for Season 4. That, the upcoming dates, and the idea they’re taping on Fridays in addition to Saturday & Sundays, had been out for a while and are confirmed here. That link has a few images of the new setup, which includes a catwalk which Aerostar will definitely be asking to dive the moment he sees it. On the flipside, at least Angelico will no longer feel compelled to jump off an office again, if Angelico is even around. That’s a question – who’s still around? – that goes with “when is Season 3 going to be on Netflix?” that isn’t answered in that article and everyone really wants to know.

Tickets are probably going out any moment. I think I’m not going this year – I’m not sure wanting to talk about a match for eighteen months and being legally unable that entire time to was really good for me, among other reasons – but I hope the energy in putting together a new set is also used in putting together other new things.

My real concern about LU waiting so long to announce their tapings is that maybe the people involved in putting together LU Season 4 are just doing because someone’s paying for it and they’re legally required to do it. If LU is going to make the effort and expense to do run this race one more time, they need to do it in a way that’s bigger or better than they’ve done before – just doing 21 episodes to air on a small network and the rest of the promotion to disappear into the void doesn’t seem worth the trouble. LU’s been really quiet up to now, though some of that can be explained by wanting to get media attention by giving it an exclusive. I hope they’re louder going forward.

LuchaMania Monterrey recap of Sunday’s AAA/KDNA show noted Hijo del Vikingo wrestled with a neck brace. There was a moment early in his title match on Friday where Vikingo landed badly on his head and I couldn’t figure out how he didn’t get hurt. I guess he did.

AAA’s Twitch channel has now switched from airing episodes from 2003. 2003 was not a super great time period for AAA, which also means there’s not a lot of video that was saved and later put up on YouTube – most of it hasn’t been seen since it aired, and some didn’t air out of Mexico at all. I need to go thru it and figure out what might be there that we don’t even know about.

AAA’s still posting the Televisa episodes on YouTube, if you miss that set of AAA announcers. There doesn’t seem to be anything added from Guerra de Titanes, with Noti AAA focusing on the press conference for Rey de Reyes and TripleMania. The only thing that really stuck out for me is they’re still using the “25th Anniversary” tour logos while they’re on the tour of the conquest, which is a very CMLL thing.

CIMA & Negro Casas will be on a DTU show this Saturday. CIMA is already in the country to work for The Crash on Friday. I’d assume a lineup is coming soon. I wonder where he’s going Sunday – IWRG?

Lucha Memes 03/11 in Coacalco

Veracruz Cien Mascaras says he came up with the name because he had like 100 masks. And then he just decided to wear a blue mask.

The Crash announced Austin Aries for their WrestleCon show.

+LuchaTV is spending Valentine’s Day with Cibernetico.

LuchaWorld has the latest Poster-Mania.

Lineups

CMLL (SUN) 02/18/2018 Arena México
1) Bengala & Retro vs Apocalipsis & Cholo
2) Magnus, Sensei, Star Jr. vs Espanto Jr., Metálico, Príncipe Odín Jr.
3) La Jarochita, La Vaquerita, Sanely vs Reyna Isis, Tiffany, Zeuxis
4) Marco Corleone, Stuka Jr., Valiente vs Felino, Hechicero, Pólvora
5) Carístico, Dragón Lee, Mistico vs Ephesto, Rey Bucanero, Shocker

As announced about 2 seconds after I posted yesterday, Domingos Elite are on indefinite hiatus due to unclear TV situation and these are back to being CMLL only shows. Azteca promoted the announcement of the show, so I think Elite actually had a TV deal and something changed on the Azteca side. It still feels like a think that only happens with ELITE. With Elite, they could be back next week or six months from now. In it’s place, is a normal boring CMLL card.

CMLL (SUN) 02/18/2018 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Avispón Negro Jr. vs Frentico
2) Cosmos & Micro vs Quka & Relámpago Azul
3) Javier Cruz Jr. & Yaqui vs Carlo Roggi & El Chakal
4) El Alteño, El Divino, Omar Brunetti vs Guerrero de la Muerte, Nautilius, Thunder Boy
5) Explosivo, Star Black, Vaquero Jr. vs Joker, Mr. Trueno, Rey Trueno

I can’t think of anything to put here. Nothing follows from last week.

new lucha videos for the weekend of February 9, 2018

Azteca seems like it’s getting the same matches Teleformula is getting, which seems to defeat the purpose of having two shows. I dunno.

CMLL Guadalajara: 2018-02-10
taped 2018-02-06 @ Arena Coliseo Guadalajara – Mega/YouTube
1) Kaho Kobayashi, Lady Maravilla, Sanely vs La Seductora, Reyna Isis, Tiffany
2) Blue Panther Jr., The Panther, Tritón vs Disturbio, Puma, Tiger
3) Dragón Lee, Marco Corleone, Volador Jr. vs Euforia, Gran Guerrero, Último Guerrero

CMLL Lucha Azteca: 2018-02-12
taped 2018-02-02 @ Arena México – Mega
incredible pairs tournament block A

IWRG Zona XXI: 2018-02-12
taped 2018-02-11 @ Arena Naucalpan – Mega/YouTube
1) Alas de Acero & Haziel vs Fandango & Odín
2) Demonio Infernal & Hijo del Alebrije vs Eterno & Lunatic Xtreme
3) Emperador Azteca © vs Cerebro Negro for the IWRG Intercontinental Welterweight Championship
4) Ovett, Trauma I, Trauma II vs Aramis, Hijo del Pantera, Internacional Pantera
5) Danny Casas, Hijo De Dos Caras, Imposible vs Dr. Cerebro, El Hijo del Medico Asesino, Máscara Año 2000 Jr.
6) Black Dragón vs Spartan for the hair