Lucha Memes, IWRG, Rush/Atlantis tonight

photo by Black Terry Jr.

Lucha Memes (SUN) 07/22/2018 Coliseo Coacalco, Coacalco, Estado de México
1) Aaron Sykes & Helio Guerra b Dr. Pólux Jr. & Murciélago Plateado
2) Totem I & Totem II b Multifacetico (Puebla) & Prayer
3) Corsario Negro Jr. & Drako b Arez & Demus
4) Lolita b Keyra
match was stopped after Keyra suffered a knee injury early on. The knee injury was not thought to be serious.
5) Fresero Jr. & Mr. Iguana b Fly Star & Toxin
6) Audaz Steve Pain
7) Hechicero b Aramis
good match

The main event is the one match from the bunch that got the “buena lucha” praise from +Lucha. Lucha Memes says that’ll be the one that’ll be released in full on +LuchaTV’s channel. Lolita versus Keyra looks like it may have just lasted seconds, which had to be disappointing.

Attendance seemed down for a Memes show. I thought the top couple matches were appealing but apparently, a lot of people did not. Even though it’s still two weekends away, I wonder if that loaded 08/04 night played a role here – fans of these style of shows may have already turned their attention ahead to those. These looked like pretty good matches, but they were matches for the sake of having good matches, rather than longterm partners turned rivals finally having a mask match or a rare chance to see a Ring of Honor wrestler in Mexico.

IWRG (SUN) 07/22/2018 Arena Naucalpan [+LuchaTV, The Gladiatores]
1) Atomic Star b Ángel Estrella Jr.
2) Death Metal & Dowki b Mexica & Shaolin
3) Ra-Zhata, Shil-Kah, Teelo DQ Factor, Liderk, Spector
Straight falls. Apuesta match challenges followed.
4) Capo del Norte, Demonio Infernal, Diablo Jr. b Black Dragón, Danny Casas, Pasion Kristal
5) Lunatic Xtreme & Ovett DQ Hijo del Mosco X-Fly & X-Fly
set up a singles match between Lunatic & Ovett
6) El Hijo del Medico Asesino, Eterno, Trauma I, Trauma II b Leo, Mike, Rafy, Relámpago and Dr. Cerebro, Hijo de Canis Lupus, Internacional Pantera, Veneno and Emperador Azteca, Freelance, Hijo del Alebrije, Imposible [Zona de Ejecucion] Zona de Ejecución 2018 en la Arena Naucalpan  COMPLETO (posted by Estrellas del Ring)
Rules were one person from each team started in the ring, with a new person coming in only when they were pinned or eliminated. Final three were Trauma II, Alebrije and Dr. Cerbero. Trauma II was the final survivor, pinning Dr. Cerbero though Cerebro had his arm on the ropes. Trauma wants a title match.

No one streamed this week. It’s hard to figure out.

Atlantis defends the Mexican Light Heavyweight Championship tonight against Rush. Rush doesn’t seem like a light heavyweight, but this doesn’t seem like a great idea for a title match. It’ll likely have strong reactions, as fans really like to boo Rush and cheer Atlantis. Their styles just didn’t mix well even when Atlantis was having better matches. Rush winning the title would bring the current champion count to an even 16. It’s unclear if they actually need to be at exactly 16, with some champs (Marco, Taven, Electrico) who could be left out depending on when this tournament falls.

That reminds me: it’s worth noting August 3rd isn’t the Gran Prix, since the Ring of Honor guys are being split out on different days and Taven is defending his title. That also suggests the Universal tournament is not likely happening since CMLL would likely be starting that instead with Taven in town. Volador could also just win back the title to give CMLL more freedom on when they want to run it. We know a lot more about what CMLL is not doing than what they’re actually doing.

The main event has Caristico teaming with the Guerreros, as asked for on CMLL Informa, against Volador, Mistico, and Flyer. That could be pretty good if they give time; it feels like something that might have been headlining a Friday show if CMLL had not brought in the indie guys. The tercera has Niebla Roja, Stuka, and Valiente versus Hechicero, Shocker, and Templario. Stuka seems like he’s figured out how to play off Shocker’s personality enough to hide him in matches like this. Drone, Stigma and Star Jr. take on Kawato, Okumura, and Policeman in the segunda. Joker, Mercurio, and Sauron open the show against Astro, Shockericto, and Angelito. There’s a chance Angelico is being reborn as Kaligua on Friday and maybe there’d be an indication of that here.

CMLL Puebla airs at 9pm on CMLL’s YouTube stream.

Triton & Esfinge are unusually working Sunday’s Arena Coliseo Guadalajara show.

LuchaMania Monterrey posted highlights of the Ultimo Ninja farewell bit from last night’s Revolucha.

Canada’s LuFisto announced she’d be returning to Mexico to wrestle on DTU shows in September. She recently put on a bucket list of opponents she’d like to have singles matches with, which included Faby Apache. AAA & DTU are working together a bit of late, so there’s a chance she might get that match.

Mr. Cacao is teasing a lot of CMLL participation on his 11/25 show in Japan.

Lineups

CMLL (SAT) 07/28/2018 Arena Coliseo
1) Bengala & Retro vs Apocalipsis & Inquisidor
2) Arkalis, Príncipe Diamante, Robin vs Espanto Jr., Hijo del Signo, Príncipe Odín Jr.
3) Drone, El Audaz, Stigma vs Disturbio, Universo 2000 Jr., Virus
4) Flyer, Valiente, Volador Jr. vs Ephesto, Luciferno, Máscara Año 2000
5) Diamante Azul vs Shocker

I’m ok with this show nout being streamed. Hope Diamante Azul doesn’t injure Shocker again. Arkalis continues on a non-TV path.