Recapped: 11/12/2018
Matches:
Metálico & Nitro beat Magnus & Star Jr.
(14:03 [5:48, 4:48, 3:27], 2/3, n/r, VideosOficialesCMLL)
Amapola, Metálica, Reyna Isis beat Avispa Dorada, La Jarochita, Princesa Sugehit
(12:44 [5:29, 2:55, 4:20], 2/3, n/r, VideosOficialesCMLL)
Kawato San, Okumura, Tiger beat Fuego, Guerrero Maya Jr., Rey Cometa
(15:12 [4:42, 3:28, 7:02], 1/3, good, VideosOficialesCMLL)
Cuatrero © beat Titán for the CMLL World Middleweight Championship
(20:24, 1/3, great, VideosOficialesCMLL)
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Cuatrero crucifix powerbomb (3:35)
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Titan bridging backslide (1:49)
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Cuatrero inverted bearhug (15:00)
Ángel de Oro, Niebla Roja, Soberano Jr. beat Dark Magic, Rey Bucanero, Shocker
(10:19 [4:33, 5:46], 1/2, n/r, VideosOficialesCMLL)
Diamante Azul, Místico, Stuka Jr. beat Mephisto, Negro Casas, Último Guerrero
(8:22 [1:50, 1:47, 4:45], 2/3, n/r, VideosOficialesCMLL)
What happened:
Niebla Roja used the ropes to beat Rey Bucanero in straight falls after Rey Bucanero tried to do the same for him. The demons very politely wait for Rey Bucanero and Niebla Roja to make hair match challenges before dragging anyone to hell.
I got no sound when Metálico does his entrance, but I think it might be YouTube blocking the music rather than a CMLL mistake.
Thoughts:
This show had just another great Titan title match, mostly noticeable for Cuatrero showing he can do these sorts of matches without Angel de Oro being involved. They had big spots all the way thru, some convincing near ending and a well-timed finish. The one advantage Cuatrero has in these situations is a lot of his offense comes off as fresh or unexpected. Titan, getting used in these title matches far more often, was smart to add a few different spots and take some unexpected punishment. This is also one of those situations where otherwise irrelevant things like Titan using that figure four to win in other matches all the time making it more dramatic here (and more dramatic than people who just have one way to win.) Same thing goes for Cuatrero; he and his brother have made a silly hold into a credible big match finish. The Dia de Muertos lightning and effects didn’t really help this match, though it was amusing to see Micros going crazy for some moments. It would’ve been nicer to be able to see action in normal light.
The tercera was the special “NJPW officials are here, we better try a lot more than usual for a Tuesday” match. Kawato was the standout, looking like a totally fine professional wrestler in a way he hasn’t in the last ten months. He caught dives exactly like you’re supposed to (though Cometa didn’t do the same for him at the end.) Fuego & Maya were ok, and Cometa was working very hard and with everyone. Same goes for Tiger, especially in the long third fall.