Lucha Underground 4×16: Kill Mil

i get the same sense of dread watching this

Matches

Matanza beat Jack Evans
(1:23, Wrath of the Gods, n/r)

Kobra Moon, Daga, Jeremiah Crane (c) beat Joey Ryan, Ivelisse, XO Lishus to keep the Lucha Underground Trios Championship
(5:23, Daga submit Joey Ryan, ok)

Drago & Aerostar vs Jack Swagger in a nunchuck match
Jake Strong b Drago & Aerostar
(8:27, anklelock on Drago, ok)

Pentagon Dark beat Mil Muertes, Dragon Azteca, King Cuerno to earn a Lucha Underground championship match at Ultima Lucha 4
(5:10, Mexican Destroyer on Mil Muertes ok)

Status Check

Aerostar doing Aerostar things

Champion: Marty the Moth (0 defenses)

Gift of the Gods: Vacant.

Trios Champions: Reptile Tribe (Kobra Moon, Daga, Jeremiah Snake) (2 defenses)

Died This Season (15): Jeremiah Crane (casket), Fenix (casket/lifeforce absorbed), Mr. Pec-tacular (sacrificed), Cortez Castro (sacrificed), Máscarita Sagrada (murdered by Rabbits), Vinnie Massaro (sacrificed), Pizza Guy (sacrificed), Vibora (beheaded), Mala Suerte (sacrificed) , Saltador (sacrificed), Benji the Agent (murdered by Ricky), Angelico (implied to have been murdered by Ricky), Catrina (fell off a roof), Joey Wrestling (sacrificed), Jack Evans

Resurrected (2): Jeremiah Crane/Snake, Fenix

Developments

insert snarky caption about this show

Pentagon Dark earned himself a Lucha Underground championship match at Ultima Lucha by winning a four-way match. He beat Mil Muertes, who had already taken two stunners from the returning The Mack. Mack hung around to challenge Muertes to a death match at Ultima Lucha 4, declaring he was no longer scared of Muertes. Dragon Azteca Jr. was also in the match but got into a fight with Fenix after the zombie grabbed Melissa again. King Cuerno also participated. Marty will appear on the next episode to talk about this match.

The four-way match itself was set up by a long and verbose Antonio Cueto letter, which seemed peculiar. Antonio Cueto was around and could’ve just set up the match himself. He did set up one later. When Jack Evans complains about XO Lishus being allowed in the Temple including an aside about how Jack would’ve taken care of Matanza if he was at the wedding, Cueto gave Jack a chance for it to happen tonight. Jack tried to run from Matanza, but could not escape. He could land the 630 senton, but couldn’t put away Matanza and was the latest sacrifice. These wins are progressively becoming more competitive for Matanza once again, though this still lasted less than two minutes.

The trios title match did include a brief reference to the Ivelisse/Crane issue. (It happened in the midst of a long bit of redone Matt Striker audio where Vamprio was not heard – given what they leave in of Vampiro, what could they possibly be taking out?) The story that really overshadowed the match was the arrival of Rabbit Tribe 2.0. We’ve been introduced to El Bunny and The White Rabbit in those vignettes, but this was the first time the crowd saw them. They stayed out of the match, with London & Bunny attacking the losing challengers after the match. The White Rabbit seemed to inform Joey Ryan that he would be their first target.

Jake Strong overcame two on one offense, mist, and lots of nunchucks to submit Aerostar. Drago attacked afterward and got his ankle broken.

Última Lucha 4 lineup so far

Kobra Moon and KeMonito have a lot of the same offense

Official

  • Pentagon Dark vs Marty the Moth (c) for the Lucha Underground Championship
  • the Mack vs Mil Muertes in a death match

Likely (or in the preceding few episodes)

  • Fenix vs Dragon Azteca Jr.
  • Killshot vs Son of Havoc
  • a Gift of the Gods match
  • Something with the Snake Tribe & the Rabbit Tribe and/or Joey Ryan

Thoughts

Dragon Azteca has had enough of this announcing

Another episode where none of the matches were great – the trios title was closest to being good, though it never got to a high gear. Most everything was short shifted, with the promise that eventually we’ll get blowoff matches and this will all be worth it. I don’t know.

In a situation where anyone beyond the most diehard Lucha Underground fans was still watching this show, people would be up in arms about how Drago & Aerostar were booked on this show. On this season, really: Drago got to be a slave for a while, got to do nothing to free himself, said he was leaving for a while, came back one week later, and engaged in a feud with Jake Strong that ended with Drago’s ankle getting broken. Aerostar should’ve let Drago remain a slave, Drago would be a trios champion with two working feet right now.

This match made Jake Strong look like his last name, which is really good if you care about Jake Strong at all. I do not. He’s just a guy who wins a lot with a mild catchphrase, just about the same character development than Big Bad Steve has gotten. He’s probably been disadvantage greatly because Lucha Underground just isn’t doing many vignettes this year (remember when Kobra Moon got a jewelry thief intro that’s gone nowhere?) but he’s just really being presented as Jack Swagger with a new name. If you didn’t care about Jake Swagger already and weren’t sympathetic to his lack of opportunity in WWE, he’s just a guy who wins a whole lot. Jake Swagger doesn’t fit the Lucha Underground mold, and it was going to take some work to convince viewers that he belongs. They’ve done none of the work.

It’s not even like the flipping the result would’ve been better. Aerostar & Drago doing everything they could to just barely beat Strong would not have looked much better. It still would’ve been demoting cult favorites to enhancement talent level. They were aware enough about how this finish would look to make sure to give Aerostar & Drago many big spots, but it had the effect of Aerostar & Drago doing everything they could do and still losing totally clean.

LU really awkwardly put together the Joey Ryan/XO Lishus/Ivelisse trio to have them lose in their first match and then get destroyed. Joey Ryan getting targeted by the new Rabbit Tribe looks like a direction past that. The show has done a little work on Ryan’s técnico turn, but it’s an odd one of the three to pick. El Bunny looked good.

I’ll miss Jack Evans. He didn’t have as much bad luck as Angelico, but it wasn’t far off. He got himself over without every really winning all that much. He was great at light comedy on a show that tends to take itself very seriously. I tend to believe all these sacrifices are going to be reversed, and maybe he’ll reverse his own beliefs on coming back for another season.

The main event was billed as a dream match, a PPV quality match, that went about five minutes of TV time. About one minute of that was on Fenix/Azteca and Mack/Muertes. It didn’t quite become a PPV match. The usage of King Cuerno this season remains bizarre. Mack/Muertes seemed pretty definitely over last time. Mack being scared didn’t seem to play into the result. The fans seemed really into Mack so it’ll be fine, but this didn’t feel like the direction they were headed after that cage match. The idea of a deathmatch meaning something important and unique in a season where 1/3rd of the roster has been killed off (and some have come back to life) is an even tougher sell.

great match roundup, week of 2018-09-01

Ultimo Maldito is the better brother

shows watched

The great match roundup has no great matches and is not particularly timely. It’s a failure all around as I try to dig out the latest hole I’ve dug for myself.

The AAA Twitch shows have generally good stuff – even the OK stuff was perfectly watchable. I know people are inclined not to pay for lucha libre because free has been the market price for so long, but the channel is worth the money if you’re not around to watch AAA shows live.

Recommended Matches

rating matches TV Show taped
good Draztick Boy vs ArezBelialÚltimo Maldito  (posted by Lucha Libre AAA (Twitch)) AAA on Twitch: 2018-09-02 2018-09-02
good Rey Escorpión & Texano Jr. © vs Mamba & Máximo and Aerostar & Drago and Jack Evans & Teddy Hart for the AAA World Tag Team Championship  (posted by Lucha Libre AAA (Twitch)) AAA on Twitch: 2018-09-02 2018-09-02
good Psycho Clown vs LA ParkHijo del Fantasma  (posted by Lucha Libre AAA (Twitch)) AAA on Twitch: 2018-09-02 2018-09-02
good Rey Cometa vs Tiger in a lightning match LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES DE ARENA MEXICO 4 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2018-09-04 2018-09-04
good Lady Maravilla, Lady Shani, Vanilla vs Keyra, La Hiedra, Scarlett Bordeaux  (posted by Lucha Libre AAA (Twitch)) AAA on Twitch: 2018-09-07 2018-09-07
good Fénix & Psycho Clown vs Brian Cage & Hijo del Fantasma (posted by Lucha Libre AAA (Twitch)) AAA on Twitch: 2018-09-07 2018-09-07
good El Gallito, Guapito, Microman vs Chamuel, Mije, Perico Zacarías BRINDARON BUEN ESPECTÁCULO MICROMAN, GALLITO Y GUAPITO (posted by hector godfrey) LA SEGUNDA LUCHA LA PROTAGONIZARON LOS MINI LUCHADORES (posted by hector godfrey) LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 7 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2018-09-07 2018-09-07

Other Matches

rating matches TV Show taped
ok Faby Apache vs Lady Shani  (posted by Lucha Libre AAA (Twitch)) AAA on Twitch: 2018-09-02 2018-09-02
ok Hijo de LA Park, Hijo Del Vikingo, Joe Lider vs Carta Brava Jr., Mocho Cota Jr., Tito Santana  (posted by Lucha Libre AAA (Twitch)) AAA on Twitch: 2018-09-02 2018-09-02
ok El Audaz, Fuego, Stigma vs Cancerbero, Disturbio, VirusLA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE EN VIVO DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 3 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2018 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2018-09-03 2018-09-03
ok Kráneo, Stuka Jr., Volcano vs Ephesto, Luciferno, MephistoLA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE EN VIVO DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 3 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2018 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2018-09-03 2018-09-03
ok Gran Guerrero & Último Guerrero vs Flyer & Volador Jr. in a tournament semifinal match LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE EN VIVO DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 3 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2018 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2018-09-03 2018-09-03
ok Mistico & Rush vs Cuatrero & Sansón in a tournament semifinal match LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE EN VIVO DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 3 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2018 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2018-09-03 2018-09-03
ok Gran Guerrero & Último Guerrero vs Mistico & Rush in a tournament final match LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE EN VIVO DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 3 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2018 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2018-09-03 2018-09-03
ok Matanza vs Joey Wrestling Lucha Underground: 2018-09-05 2018-03-03
ok Killshot vs Big Bad Steve Lucha Underground: 2018-09-05 2018-03-09
ok Pentagón Dark © vs Hernandez [LU CHAMP] Lucha Underground: 2018-09-05 2018-03-09
ok Angelikal, Australian Suicide, Hijo Del Vikingo vs Carta Brava Jr., Mocho Cota Jr., Tito Santana  (posted by Lucha Libre AAA (Twitch)) AAA on Twitch: 2018-09-07 2018-09-07
ok Laredo Kid & Sammy Guevara vs Golden Magic & Jack Evans  (posted by Lucha Libre AAA (Twitch)) AAA on Twitch: 2018-09-07 2018-09-07
ok Aerostar, Máximo, Pagano vs La Máscara, Rey Escorpión, Texano Jr.  (posted by Lucha Libre AAA (Twitch)) AAA on Twitch: 2018-09-07 2018-09-07
ok Pegasso & Príncipe Diamante vs Hijo del Signo & MetálicoLOS APARENTES GANADORES TERMINARON DERROTADOS EN LA LUCHA INICIAL (posted by hector godfrey) LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 7 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2018-09-07 2018-09-07
ok Dalys vs Reyna Isis in a lightning match LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 7 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2018-09-07 2018-09-07
ok Esfinge, Soberano Jr., Tritón vs Dragón Rojo Jr., Hechicero, Templario HECHICERO TUVO BUEN DESEMPEÑO ENFRENTANDO A TITÁN, TRITÓN Y ESFINGE (posted by hector godfrey) HECHICERO, TEMPLARIO Y DRAGÓN ROJO SUCUMBEN ANTE LOS TÉCNICOS (posted by hector godfrey) LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 7 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2018-09-07 2018-09-07
ok Gilbert El Boricua, Mephisto, Negro Casas vs Atlantis, L.A. Park, Mistico EL ENFRENTAMIENTO ENTRE L.A. PARK Y EL HOY GILBERT EL BORICUA FUE EL CENTRO DEL DUELO DE TRÍOS (posted by hector godfrey) HACE SU DEBUT EL MESÍAS CON EL NOMBRE DE GILBERT EL BORICUA (posted by hector godfrey) L.A PARK RECIBIO CASTIGO POR EL BORICUA, MOSTRO CANSANCIO AL INICIO DEL ENCUENTRO (posted by hector godfrey) LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 7 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2018-09-07 2018-09-07
below average Dr. Wagner Jr., La Parka, Murder Clown vs Jeff Jarrett, Killer Kross, Taurus [no DQ]  (posted by Lucha Libre AAA (Twitch)) AAA on Twitch: 2018-09-02 2018-09-02
below average Carístico, Matt Taven, Volador Jr. vs Cavernario, La Bestia Del Ring, Rush in a relevos increíbles match CARÍSTICO, VOLADOR JUNIOR Y MATT TAVEN VS RUSH, CAVERNARIO Y LA BESTIA DEL RING (posted by hector godfrey) LANCES AL POR MAYOR ENTRE RUSH, CAVERNARIO, MATT TAVEN, CARÍSTICO Y VOLADOR JUNIOR (posted by hector godfrey) LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 7 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)MATT TAVEN TERMINA BAÑADO CON CERVEZA Y RUSH PELEANDO CON LA SEGURIDAD (posted by hector godfrey) CMLL on ClaroSports.com: 2018-09-07 2018-09-07
not rated Arkalis, Black Tiger, Tigre Rojo Jr. vs Policeman, Rey Apocalipsis, Toro Bill Jr. LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE EN VIVO DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 3 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2018 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2018-09-03 2018-09-03
not rated Cuatrero & Mistico vs Flyer & Gran Guerrero in a seeding battle royal match LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE EN VIVO DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 3 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2018 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2018-09-03 2018-09-03
not rated Sangre Imperial & Sonic vs Apocalipsis & Camorra LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES DE ARENA MEXICO 4 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2018-09-04 2018-09-04
not rated Astral, Eléctrico, Star Jr. vs Akuma, Espanto Jr., Espíritu Negro LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES DE ARENA MEXICO 4 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2018-09-04 2018-09-04
not rated Lluvia, Marcela, Princesa Sugehit vs Amapola, La Comandante, Metálica LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES DE ARENA MEXICO 4 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2018-09-04 2018-09-04
not rated Ángel de Oro, Guerrero Maya Jr., Niebla Roja vs Felino, Rey Bucanero, Shocker LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES DE ARENA MEXICO 4 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2018-09-04 2018-09-04
not rated Diamante Azul, Valiente, Volador Jr. vs Cavernario, Gran Guerrero, Último Guerrero LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES DE ARENA MEXICO 4 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL) CMLL YouTube: 2018-09-04 2018-09-04

Caristico/Guerrero, trios title challenge, LU

they still don’t care about how awful this looks

CMLL (TUE) 09/25/2018 Arena México
1) Bengala & Leono b Apocalipsis & Cholo LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES DE ARENA MEXICO 25 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
2) Lluvia, Marcela, Sonya De Costa Rica b Amapola, La Seductora, Tiffany LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES DE ARENA MEXICO 25 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
tecnicas took 1/3
3) Audaz, Fuego, Rey Cometa b Kawato San, Nitro, Okumura LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES DE ARENA MEXICO 25 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
Nitro replaced Sagrado on Tuesday. Tecnicos took 1/3.
4) Tiger b Black Panther [lightningLUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES DE ARENA MEXICO 25 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
win via casita
5) Luciferno, Máscara Año 2000, Terrible b Kráneo, Valiente, Volcano LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES DE ARENA MEXICO 25 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
Rudos took 1/3
6) Gran Guerrero, Rey Bucanero, Shocker b Ángel de Oro, Carístico, Niebla Roja LUCHA LIBRE MARTES DE NUEVOS VALORES DE ARENA MEXICO 25 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
Straight falls, setting up Gran Guerrero vs Caristico for the NWA MIDDLE title.

CMLL promos: Sonya, Tiger, Gran Guerrero, and Caristico.

It didn’t seem like anyone watched this who was on Twitter. That’s probably OK. Guerrero/Caristico is interesting. They’re playing off the story of Gran Guerrero trying to avenge his brother, and we haven’t seen him in many singles matches outside of the Niebla Roja feud.

CMLL (TUE) 09/25/2018 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara [CMLL]
1) Difunto, Exterminador, Guerrero de la Muerte b Black Sugar, El Alteño, Mágico
Rudos took 2/3.
2) Akuma, Espanto Jr., Hijo del Signo b Magnum, Star Black, Vaquero Jr.
Rudos took 1/3.
3) Blue Panther Jr., Drone, Pegasso b Ares (Costa Rica), Escualo (Costa Rica), Kaiser (Costa Rica)
Tecnicos took 2/3. Team Costa Rica drops to 0-2.
4) Esfinge, Soberano Jr., Tritón b Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón
Tecnicos took 1/3, then asked for a national trios title match next week.
5) Atlantis, Diamante Azul, Volador Jr. b Cavernario, Negro Casas, Último Guerrero

NGD defending against tecnicos was the more fun idea of a match than Atlantis/UG, so I’m glad they picked that feud for next week. Atlantis got UG with the Atlantida according to the recap.

There was a weak unsourced rumor that Volador has left CMLL just because he missed a couple shows. It died here. I’m guessing he was actually just on vacation.

Lucha Underground has their episode 4×16, “Kill Mil” tonight

  • Jake Strong vs Aerostar & Drago in a nunchuck match
  • Ivelisse, XO Lishus, Joey Ryan vs Kobra Moon, Daga and Jeremiah Crane? (maybe for the trios championship?)
  • a #1 contenders match, probably including Mil Muertes based on that title

Strong says this match is one of his favorite ever, which seems surprising. I’ll be pleasantly surprised if I’m not completely annoyed with Lucha Underground by the end of that match.

Segunda Caida is up to episode five from this season.

There’s also a Lucah Fiesta iPPV tonight on Fite.TV for $10. Ultimo Dragon, Shocker and Caristico face Sam Adonis, Rey Bucanero and NXT-wrestler Rey Bucanero. The semi-main has some flyers and Gringo Loco, so that sounds good. It’ll be available for VOD after the fact.

AAA posted a DJZ promo hyping the Heroes Inmortales tag title match. It is a little weird that DJZ and Andrew Everett are now that Everett has left Impact (and DJZ hasn’t been on in quite a while.)

Zona Ruda has a Taurus promo towards Lady Shani. That hasn’t been followed up since TripleMania but maybe it’ll go somewhere.

Super Nova is listed and pictured (back middle slightly to the left) on a show on 10/28 in San Luis Potosi. That’s the same day as Heroes Inmortales, where Super Nova’s Bengala personality isn’t booked. Bengala hasn’t appeared on TV since Rey de Reyes, in part due to appearing on a reality show and suffering a significant foot injury. Bengala has been listed on house shows (and is listed on them thru the week before this show.) It wouldn’t be a surprise if he moved on from AAA, but I’m not sure if that’s what this is.

LuchaWorld has the latest news update and a Villano III podcast on their Patreon.

+LuchaTV has a sit-down interview with Pirata Morgan.

Lineup

CMLL (MON) 10/01/2018 Arena Puebla
1) Black Tiger & Meyer vs Ares & Fuerza Chicana
2) Arkalis, Astral, Eléctrico vs El Perverso, Espanto Jr., Policeman
3) Princesa Sugehit vs Reyna Isis [lightning]
4) Black Panther, Blue Panther, Stigma vs Dragón Rojo Jr., Okumura, Pólvora
5) Diamante Azul, Kráneo, Volcano vs Cuatrero, Dark Magic, Sansón
6) Hijo de LA Park, LA Park, Volador Jr. vs Cavernario, La Bestia Del Ring, Terrible

Rush gets the week off, so they’re switching to a different feud if they’re doing a feud at all.

Dark Magic, the unknown US wrestler announced for the Gran Prix, debuts as a rudo a few days before that big match. He’s been working low-level indies this month. They haven’t given him easy guys to start with.

Sugehit/Isis may be a setup for running that title match again.

AAA on Twitch: 2018-09-07 

these women are friends

Recapped: 09/08/2018

All matches aired live from the Plaza de Toros in Cancún, Quintana Roo

Matches: 

Keyra, La Hiedra, Scarlett Bordeaux beat Lady Maravilla, Lady Shani, Vanilla
(9:42, Keyra Code Red Maravilla, good, Lucha Libre AAA (Twitch))

Carta Brava Jr., Mocho Cota Jr., Tito Santana beat Angelikal, Australian Suicide, Hijo Del Vikingo  
(8:37, Mocho Cota Jr. frogsplash Angelikal, ok,
Lucha Libre AAA (Twitch))

Golden Magic & Jack Evans beat Laredo Kid & Sammy Guevara
(9:24, Jack Evans foul + bridging backslide Sammy Guevera, ok, Lucha Libre AAA (Twitch))

La Máscara, Rey Escorpión, Texano Jr. beat Aerostar, Máximo, Pagano  
(11:35, La Mascara foul Maximo, ok,
Lucha Libre AAA (Twitch))

Brian Cage & Hijo del Fantasma beat Fénix & Psycho Clown
(11:26, Hijo del Fantasma mask pull Psycho Clown, good,
Lucha Libre AAA (Twitch))

What happened: 

oddly aimed tope

Psycho Clown nearly won with a casita in the main event. Cage might have distracted the referee from three, or Fantasma might have kicked out, it wasn’t especially clear. Fantasma got away with a mask pull for the win second later. Los Mercenarios came out and helped unmask Fenix after the match.

Rey Escorpión and Texano pulled Copetes away from the ring when Maximo had a winning pin in their match, and Mascara snuck in a foul. La Parka made his only appearance of the show to run off the rudos post-match.

After her win, Keyra asked Vampiro for a title match. Vampiro said yes.

Dr. Wagner Jr. repeated his challenge to Jeff Jarrett for a hair match.

Thoughts: 

agile Psycho Clown?

Main event had a good effort even if the execution seemed off. Psycho Clown is trying to do more stuff, though he still felt like he couldn’t quite keep up with the speed Fenix & Cage wanted to work. Cage & Fantasma are a good team, though they also didn’t do that much while in control. They did hit some of the bigger spots (except for that dive catch spot) pretty well and Fenix came off as a bigger part of things than he had prior to TripleMania.

I had forgotten I was supposed to care about Mascara and Máximo fighting. They did a good job with it, the crowd really got behind Máximo when he finally came back at Los Mercenarios and Mascara. The long section of the rudos working people over didn’t do much for me, but it got the intended reaction. Aerostar & Pagano were limited to just offense early and dives, but those were good. This worked fine as a TV match even if it’s nothing you need to see later.

Vikingo

There were definite highlights in the 2v2 tag, but there was so much sloppiness. Jack had a rough start to the match, and Golden Magic caught the disease later on. I don’t know what move Magic & Guevera did near the end of the match. I did love the multiple moonsault bit Jack did, and Guevera coming back with SSPs were nice. Laredo Kid found new ways to cause grievous harm to himself, but also took out Jack’s ribs on the springboard 450 splash. Something clearly didn’t happen right on the finish, because Laredo was very confused about what he was supposed to be doing after he hit the move on Golden Magic. This was not bad, but it had some really obvious flaws.

Did you realize the second match was Suicide teaming with his two title challengers from this year? It is weird watching a promotion where many months of the year are decided not to have happened, but I guess that must be what it’s like to follow WWE. Matches set up to fail are not ever going to be recommendable watches, and this was one an obvious failure from the moment it was put on paper. Poder del Norte did about as well as they’ve done of late in these type of matches until Suicide’s walkout made it all moot. They gave the tecnicos a really good opening run and some offense later that made beating them feel like it meant something. Vikingo didn’t get in as much as Monterrey but he and Angelikal looked good in what they did. Vikingo’s corner dive was super impressive.

The AAA women’s trios are the opposite of the CMLL versions. The Arena Mexico matches look rehearsed and fake. This AAA trios match, like many of them, was chaotic and impactful. It was as if Keyra make a deal that she’d get to win as long as she was kicked hard in the face a few times. Maravilla & Shani lived up their part of that deal. Hiedra continues to looked improved, and this was Vanilla’s steadiest match since her first one. Bordeaux didn’t make a big impact, but that’s perfectly fine. She seemed to do what she was asked and never got into trouble. It’d be best if they could trade in a few of the loose looking headscissors for armdrags or other moves, but this was overall good.

two for one