2018 watch later catch up, part 8 of ∞

these guys aren’t destined to fight forever, they won’t last that long

Kastigador © vs Vengador [TAO TOTAL]
(TAO @ Arena Querétaro on 03/21, 21:10, good, via 
Doradafan)

Vengador and Kastigador are two Queretaro locals who’ve been teaming or fighting for what seems like forever. This match shows why they’re well regarded locally and why they probably aren’t used all that much outside of it. There’s plenty of impressive moves here: Vengador’s moonsault to the floor looks outstanding and the finish comes off well. There’s just not a lot in between the big sequences, substituting working with long pauses between moves and look at the crowd for any story. Kastigador is never quite clear if he’s meant to be a rudo, and neither man sells a move for more than few seconds. The crowd is into the dramatics of the match (until they get into watching a fight in the crowd in the last moments of the match instead) but it feels like emulating portions of other matches they like then putting something new together.

this kind of turned out safer than I would’ve thought
back suplex front cracker?

Bandido vs Flamita vs Daga vs Hijo de LA Park
(TAO @ Arena Querétaro on 03/21, 10:02, good, via 
Doradafan)

The four way was a lot like the Kastigador/Vengador match, except four people meant a lot more moves and a lot faster pace. No one really stood out except for Hijo de LA Park’s very indie love of piledrivers. This is definitely watchable but I liked the Mexicali version of this better; Fenix provided a spark that’s missing here. It’s hard to miss how the crowd was far more into the locals match than this one. These guys are bigger names, but Mexican wrestling is still often regional and the fans weren’t wowed simply by being in the presence of TV stars.

MexaBlood teamwork
Daga dragon suplex

Cíclope, Draztick Boy, Miedo Extremo vs Alas de Acero, Aramis, Iron Kid
(LLB @ Arena Lopez Mateos on 03/31, 9:25, good, via 
HECTOR GODFREY TV)

The Kamikazes/Pachuca trios match was really fun early on, with a fast pace of insanity. It got sloppier later; it seemed like half the people missed on the everyone does a cutter sequence and the last few spots weren’t very clean. It’s so much action that enough of it work to make it worth a few minutes of the time, and some dives really work. The Nomads aren’t really doing these sort of spot matches and the técnicos have iffy moments, so the highs and lows of this particular match are to be expected.

Ciclope as Hijo del Santo
amazing

Carístico, Dragón Lee, Volador Jr. vs El Bandido, Hechicero, Xtreme Tiger
(LLB @ Arena Lopez Mateos on 03/31/2018, 10:50, via 
HECTOR GODFREY TV)

An all-star trios match, giving a taste of a lot of wrestlers and match ups but not having the time (or inclination) to build to anything very memorable. The action felt improvised and unscripted, which caused some confusion at times. Volador & Bandido had an awkward exchange in the midst of otherwise a good flowing match. Dragon Lee doing a balcony dive came off as something he decided he had to do once he got up there, not something that was really thought out well. This was enjoyable while it lasted while leaving me desiring something more substantial.

Bandido going over
conjuro

Skalibur vs Ricky Marvin
(Local Wrestlers @ Arena Nacionalista on 5/20, 14:36 seen, good, via 
Arena Clandestina

Young Mr. Skalibur was very excited to face a star the level of Ricky Marvien. And then Marvin tried to rip Skalibur’s right leg off his body and it was not quite as fun for Skalibur. This is the Ricky Marvin versus skinny underdog kid match story that goes a little bit off the rails at points – Skalibur passing up the win off his 450 was a moment that the crowd rebelled against – but it does have Marvin being the nastiest Mexican wrestler going. He projects a viciousness and dirtiness in these matches that no one else seems to show in the moment. Skalibur is talented and meets loud kick with loud kick, but this is at its best when Marvin is hurtfully twisting his leg in painful directions. They lost their way a little bit in the last bit, and the Kawato match was better, but this was pretty good.

who needs knees
Marvin’s discuss clothesline is one of the best looking moves in Mexico (probably because he’s really killing dudes)

Fly Star vs Toxin in a super libre match
(Mexa Wrestlin
g @ Arena San Juan Pantitlan on 04/28, 28:51, great, Adrian Martinez)

It’s unclear how Fly Star & Toxin didn’t end up injured. It’s hard to tell what they’ll have left to top this in the mask match. This was an incredibly brutal match with multiple big spots that could’ve reasonably led to either or both men being strechered out forever. That’s not even counting the fruit box related head trauma, or the chair shots. This was so brutal that I’m reluctant to give it full marks, it felt like too much at times. But it was exactly the hate filled battle to the (almost literal) death merited by a feud going the distance, one that would be legendary if viewed in front of a wider audience. It also never felt meandering or dumb; the fight built to bigger spots along the way, and there were smart moments included. It’s not clear if it’s genius or dumb luck, but Toxin’s sequence with the unfolded chair in the ring had a perfect fake out included. They sold the exhaustion of the brawl well, likely because it was very real. The finish, a death trap constructed with broken chairs and wood fruit crates, was incredible. This is something to watch.

that box was placed in the right/wrong location
sure why not

Puebla results, Soberano/Cavernario tonight in GDL, Briscoes in Pura Raza

 

how to win via countout

CMLL (MON) 07/09/2018 Arena Puebla [CMLL, Lucha Central]
1) Asturiano & Meyer b King Rocker & Sombra Diabólika LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE EN VIVO DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 9 DE JULIO DE 2018 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
tecnicos took 1/3.
2) Espanto Jr. & King Jaguar b Arkalis & Black Tiger LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE EN VIVO DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 9 DE JULIO DE 2018 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
rudos took 1/3.
3) Astral, Lestat, Star Jr. b Fuerza Chicana, Hijo del Signo, Policeman LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE EN VIVO DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 9 DE JULIO DE 2018 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
tecnicos took 2/3.
4) Hechicero, Máscara Año 2000, Templario b Rey Cometa, Rey Samuray, Stuka Jr. LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE EN VIVO DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 9 DE JULIO DE 2018 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
rudos took 1/3.
5) Ángel de Oro, Mistico, Niebla Roja COR Cuatrero, Mr. Niebla, Sansón LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE EN VIVO DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 9 DE JULIO DE 2018 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
straight falls. Cuatrero fouled Angel de Oro in the first, then Mistico was the only person to beat the count in the second.
6) Atlantis, Carístico, Euforia DQ La Bestia Del Ring, Rush, Terrible [Relevos IncreíblesLA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE EN VIVO DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 9 DE JULIO DE 2018 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
Tecnicos took 2/3, the last by DQ when Rush unmasked Atlantis. Ingobernables unmasked everyone, and Caristico a second time when he challenged them.

Both the top two matches seemed to be setting up matches, only no one was left all that sure what they were meant to be. For the usual random Puebla reasons, this show had one of the better turnouts of the year.

Tonight’s CMLL main event is a rematch of last week’s main event: Angel de Oro, Niebla Roja & Kraneo taking on Cuatrero, Forastero, and Sanson. Sanson pinned Niebla Roja cleanly last week. There’s no real reason for a rematch unless they’re heading to a Niebla Roja title defense. It is Tuesday Arena Mexico, so there doesn’t necessarily need to be a reason.

Felino, Rey Bucanero, and Shocker take on Flyer, Stuka, and Valiente in the semimain. The entire Panthers face the Cats once again, with Misterioso as the third rudo. Pegasso & Virus have a familiar feeling lightning match: Virus won it in 2014, in 2015, and in 2017. Yago, Akuma, and Metro pop up in the segunda and the show opens with a usual minis match. Lucha Central has a preview of the show. It’ll air on CMLL’s YouTube at 7:30pm.

The bigger CMLL match is off in Guadalajara. Soberano defends the Mexican National Welterweight championship against Cavernario again. Their title match last year was among the best, and this should be as good. It’d be a surprise if Cavernario won, but it’s not impossible. The main event is Caristico attempting to team with Dragon Lee & Mistico and Los Guerreros.

+LuchaTV’s live podcast last night includes an interview with Dragon Lee. Dragon Lee was asked about the Hiromu Takahashi injury, and Alfredo has a translation: Dragon Lee is sad about Hiromu Takahashi injury and hopes he can recover so they can face again. What happened was an accident, Dragon Lee didn’t mean to drop Takahashi like that, he feels bad about it, but accidents and injuries happen in wrestling.

Pro Wrestling Revolution says AAA pulled Rey Fenix off an upcoming show (again). That shows is on 08/18, which means AAA probably has Fenix working the (maybe ELITE) TV taping in Valle de Chalco instead.

The Crash posted Progress Wrestling and CMLL logos with just a tease of news to come. Progress RT-ed that The Crash tweet. The Crash’s next Tijuana show is this Saturday, and news might be announced at that time.

In the meantime, Progress also announced Pete Dunne, Trent Seven and Tyler Bate against Bandido, Flamita and Rey Horuz for 08/09. This is part of a Progress tour of the US that week. I’d guess any The Crash/Progress crossover might take place around that time, but there’s no obvious route of days or location.

Pura Raza on 08/04 in Rodeo Santa Fe, Tlalnepantla

I’d expect all the ROH guys to work CMLL on Friday before. Perhaps this means CMLL’s not running on Arena Coliseo that day and that’s why everyone is available. This is a loaded day for indie shows in the Mexico State area.

DTU announced Hana Kimura and Mary Apache for their August tour.

Atlantis talks about his career to Notimex, saying he started training wrestling without ever thinking he’d actually be a luchador. He’ll be honored on 08/08 at the Basílica de Guadalupe in Mexico City.

LuchaWorld has this week’s Poster-Mania and the latest Lucha Report.

Segunda Caida reviews LA Park vs Rush.

Puma & Barby celebrate Puma’s birthday in his latest video.

YouRocket visits Expo Mascaras 100.

Lineups

IWRG (SUN) 07/15/2018 Arena Naucalpan
1) Ángel Estrella Jr. & Shadow Boy vs Atomic Star & Death Metal
2) Aramis & Mexica vs Hijo del Mosco X-Fly & Lunatic Xtreme
3) Leo, Mike, Rafy vs Ra-Zhata, Shil-Kah, Teelo
4) Freelance & Relámpago vs Cerebro Negro & Dr. Cerebro
5) Danny Casas, Hijo del Alebrije, Imposible vs El Hijo del Medico Asesino, Trauma I, Trauma II
6) Ovett vs X-Fly [hair]

Ovett’s probably the slight favorite in the hair match but both men are capable of losing.

I would not have guessed those spelling for the Tortuga Negras.

Whoever is in charge of programming IWRG must really not like Hijo del Mosco & Lunatic, since they betray each other and lose every time they team up.

CMLL (SUN) 07/15/2018 Arena México
1) Bengala & Leono vs Camorra & Grako
2) Astral, Starman, Súper Astro Jr. vs Apocalipsis, Espíritu Negro, Hijo del Signo
3) Drone, Guerrero Maya Jr., Titán vs Sagrado, Templario, Virus
4) Rey Bucanero vs Dragón Rojo Jr. [lightning]
5) Ángel de Oro, Niebla Roja, Soberano Jr. vs Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón
6) Carístico, Dragón Lee, Volador Jr. vs Ephesto, Luciferno, Mephisto

3/5 could be pretty good, main event could be a team falling apart.

CMLL (SUN) 07/15/2018 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Amperaje & Último Ángel vs El Jabalí & Paymon
2) Cosmos & Micro vs Quka & Relámpago Azul
3) El Alteño, El Divino, Neutrón vs Exterminador, Puma Negro, Thunder Boy
4) Joker, Mágico, Star Black vs León Blanco, Maléfico, Ráfaga
5) Linterna vs Gran Kenut [mask]

Gran Kenut has been around for a longer and got a one off apperance in Arena Coliseo last year. Linterna has just started on the tecnico side.

AAA , EMW (FRI) 07/27/2018 Auditorio de Tijuana, Tijuana, Baja California
1) Black Boy, Fantastik, Genio del Aire vs Black Danger, Mirage, Tony Casanova
2) Arkángel Divino, Lady Shani, Vanilla vs Faby Apache, Mamba, Último Maldito
3) Sammy Guevara vs TaurusHijo de LA Park
4) Fénix, Nicho el Millionario, Pagano vs Juventud Guerrera, Rey Escorpión, Texano Jr.
5) Psycho Clown vs Hijo del FantasmaLA Park

This is not a TV taping, but notable for LA Park and Fenix showing up here. And, really, for Nicho too given how he was a focus of The Crash.

new lucha video for the weekend of July 5th, 2018

IWRG AYM remains down, and I’m suspecting that’s the end of it for now. The internet.tv website that hosts the feed still has the logo for the channel on the transmission page, but it’s no longer clickable. I don’t think I can get the show unless I resubscribe to the expensive cable package and I’m not quite ready to do that.

Guadalajara did air in good quality and without a region-block, so I got that. I also left my house and recorded a show badly, so you can see that on YouTube.

Azteca skipped Fenix/Cavernario, which seems rather insane. I’d be losing my mind if we weren’t getting full shows on YouTube anyway.

CMLL Guadalajara: 2018-07-07
taped 2018-07-03 @ Arena Coliseo Guadalajara – YouTube/Mega
1) Esfinge, Titán, Tritón vs Dragón Rojo Jr., Okumura, Pólvora
2) Cavernario, Mr. Niebla, Negro Casas vs Flyer, Soberano Jr., Valiente
3) Carístico, Dragón Lee, Mistico vs Euforia, Gran Guerrero, Último Guerrero

CMLL Lucha Azteca: 2018-07-08
taped 2018-06-29 @ Arena México – Mega
1) Pegasso, Star Jr., Stigma vs Disturbio, Kawato San, Okumura
2) Guerrero Maya Jr., Rey Cometa, Stuka Jr. vs Ephesto, Mephisto, Templario
3) Ciber the Main Man, Sharly Rock Star, The Chrizh vs Carístico, Valiente, Volador Jr.

GALli: 2018-07-08
taped 2018-07-08 @ Intra Sports Complex, Elgin, Illinois – YouTube
1) Ace Perry, Bryce Benjamin, Manny Cortez, Marshe Rockett vs Bradly Prescott, Jonathan Wolf, Shawn Kemp, Tripp Cassidy
2) Isai Rivera & Joe Alonzo vs Golden Dragón & Gringo Loco
3) Atómico & Lady Apache vs Ludark Shaitan & Slayer
4) Fishman Jr. & Golden Star vs Bandolero Star & Furia Roja
5) Aeroboy © vs DJZ [GALLI CHAMP]