Recapped: 06/19/2018
Guerrero Espacial & Policeman beat Black Tiger & Meyer
(17:18 [9:23, 4:44, 3:11], 1/3, n/r, via VideosOficialesCMLL)
Acero, Astro, Asturiano, Stukita beat Joker, Pequeño Nitro, Pequeño Universo 2000, Saurón
(16:46 [6:44, 4:43, 5:19], 2/3, ok, via VideosOficialesCMLL)
Estrellita & Princesa Sugehit beat Amapola & La Seductora
(19:33 [8:55, 4:38, 6:00], 1/3, n/r, via VideosOficialesCMLL)
Esfinge, Fuego, Stigma beat Kawato San, Máscara Año 2000, Okumura
(15:46 [7:09, 2:54, 5:43], 2/3, n/r, via VideosOficialesCMLL)
Kráneo beat Rush
(7:53, 2/3, ok, via VideosOficialesCMLL)
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Rush dropkick to the back (1:36)
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Kraneo splash (3:04)
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DQ Rush [ref attack] (3:13)
Gran Guerrero, Titán, Último Guerrero beat Flyer, Soberano Jr., Volador Jr. in a relevos increíbles match
(8:30 [3:11, 5:19], 1/2, ok, via VideosOficialesCMLL)
What happened:
The main was a quick build-up to next week’s title match. It was split pretty evenly between getting Titan over as a rudo in this feud and showing what they could do in a singles match. Hopefully, they get a lot more time next week. Flyer continues to get the status boost from being in the top two matches without actually doing all that much in them.
Titan continues to wrestle as a rudo, going as far as ripping off Soberano’s mask in the second fall. (Tirantes belatedly distracts himself with the Guerreros as to not call a DQ.) Titan challenged for a title match after submitting Soberano in the second fall.
Rush had his match seemingly won with a dropkick to the corner on Kraneo. Referee Pompin held up at two despite Kraneo not kicking out at all. Pompin restarted his count and got to two again, but Rush yanked Pompin by the shirt, angry about the count. Pompin explained something to Rush, shoved Rush from his knees, and crawled over to raise Kraneo’s arm to give him a win. Rush dropkicked Pompin – who never takes physical contact – then grabbed a beer from outside he ring and threw it to him. Kraneo half sold and half checked on Pompin, as did medics. Pompin seemed to tell him he was ok, but they still put him on the stretcher to sell the attack.
Amapola rather flagrantly used the ropes to beat Princesa Sugehit. Sugehit demanded a rematch.
Arkangel was honored in between the third and fourth matches.
Thoughts:
The original Rush/Kraneo benefited from the crowd really into the concept. It was just a match here, and the minimal action itself wasn’t enough to carry it. The finish was classic CMLL, unclear if it was an ending completely and embarrassingly falling apart or a weird way to protect both men from having to go to a decision. It was far more interesting than the match.
I’m not sure why I watched the fourth match. It wasn’t going to be any good when Okumura is the best guy on his side. Kawato and Stigma didn’t seem to be a good matchup but nothing was a good matchup. Esfinge and Mascara 2000 doing shoulderblock spots was some unconvincing wrestling. This match had plenty of dropkicks that didn’t seem to connect right if that’s your thing.
I wanted to like the minis/locals match. Some parts were really good. I wish Stukita had one of the fifty singles titles in this promotion so we could see him in a singles match with Pequeño Nitro after their short time together. Asturiano & Astro got to do dives and that was nice. It was just still boring in large stretches and the work wasn’t always solid. Astro’s handspring flop wasn’t great. Stukita landing on Nitro’s knees and just popping back up because they needed him for the next bit looked silly. Maybe if they got rid of the Sauron’s and Acero’s, it would allow the better wrestlers to do more to make up for it.