como estaz 5×10: temas

Has it really been three months since we did a podcast? Did we really only do five podcasts this year? Those questions won’t be answered on this show. We talk about the biggest stories and themes of 2018 and how they might affect 2019. It’s a year in the review that isn’t exactly going thru all the shows.

right click download/rss

This got broken up over 3 parts but we still hit the 100-minute range. I was also very prone to long rambling monologues on this one, I hope you survive them.

CMLL Puebla: 2018-12-17 

OK

Recapped: 12/20/2018

Matches:

Black Tiger, Espíritu Maligno, Fuerza Chicana beat Centella Roja, Hijo de Centella Roja, Sonic
(11:54 [5:44, 3:56, 2:14], 2/3, n/r, VideosOficialesCMLL)

Cancerbero, Hijo del Signo, Perverso beat King Jaguar, Rey Samuray, Tigre Rojo Jr.
(11:21 [7:01, 2:15, 2:05], 1/3, n/r, VideosOficialesCMLL)

Kawato San, Okumura, Vangellys beat Black Panther, Blue Panther Jr., Stigma
(9:52 [4:29, 2:43, 2:40], 2/3, n/r, VideosOficialesCMLL)

Diamante Azul, Stuka Jr., Valiente beat Euforia, Gran Guerrero, Último Guerrero
(10:27 [4:47, 1:58, 3:42], 2/3, ok, VideosOficialesCMLL)

Ángel de Oro, Carístico, Niebla Roja beat Cavernario, Hechicero, Rey Bucanero
(11:48 [3:42, 5:16, 2:50], 1/3, n/r, VideosOficialesCMLL)

What happened: 

The segunda built up a King Jaguar/Perverso feud. It was treated like it had been an issue for weeks, inserted of just being invented starting this show.

Thoughts:

not a fun time to be Tigre Rojo Jr.

Angel de Oro spends most of the main event having trouble putting weight on his right leg. It appeared to be a cramp by the way he was reacting to it, and not something serious. He was wrestling fine the next day.

Stuka was hurt taking Gran Guerrero’s finish and may have forgotten what the move was supposed to be. Stuka was fine the next day.

All the matches were simple and short matches that seemed to satisfy the crowd while having not much to them. This was another skippable show. They were all different shades of fine. Vangellys stood out as really struggling at times in his match, making for the worst overall match. The Diamante Azul heavy semi-main got over to the crowd even if it didn’t do much for me. They played up the Caristico/Cavernario feud more in the main event then I than thought, but it was more ending it now with a Místico than going anywhere. Perverso & King Jaguar had no special chemistry as rivals and the only curiosity is which of the two is getting the hair match payoff. Jaguar hasn’t been around until now, so it is probably him.

CMLL weekend results, Niebla Roja/Rey Bucanero to finally air (on NJPW World)

CMLL (SAT) 12/22/2018 Arena Coliseo [CMLL]
1) Pequeño Nitro & Pequeño Violencia b Acero & Aéreo
2) Metálico, Nitro, Sangre Azteca b Oro Jr., Príncipe Diamante, Retro
rudos took 1/3.
3) Dalys, La Seductora, Metálica b La Vaquerita, Marcela, Princesa Sugehit
Rudas took 1/3. Metalica challenged Sugehit to a title match, who accepted.
4) Tiger b El Audaz [lightning]
5) Soberano Jr., Stuka Jr., Titán b Grako, Pólvora, Templario
Grako replaced Vangellys. Tecnicos took 1/3. Money threw in.
6) Atlantis, Carístico, Diamante Azul b Máscara Año 2000, Terrible, Vangellys
Vangellys replaced Shocker. Tecnicos took 2/3.

Metalica & Sugehit talked about the title match, which will take place next week. Metalica has a lot of friends from the indie fan community, so I think there’s a shot that match might turn up on a YouTube channel or two. Tiger also talked about his win.

Perhaps Shocker got his jaw surgery already? There could be worse reasons for Shocker to miss a show.

CMLL (SUN) 12/23/2018 Arena México [CMLL]
1) Fantasy & Shockercito b Mercurio & Pierrothito
tecnicos took 2/3.
2) Astral, Eléctrico, Halcón Suriano Jr. b Espíritu Negro, Inquisidor, Sangre Azteca
tecnicos took 2/3.
3) Guerrero Maya Jr., Pegasso, Rey Cometa b Disturbio, Sagrado, Universo 2000 Jr.
tecnicos took 1/3.
4) Templario b El Audaz [lightning]
Templario beats Audaz in 9 minutes in the battle of the 2018 rookies.
5) Flyer, Soberano Jr., Valiente b Gran Guerrero, Hechicero, Mephisto
tecnicos took 1/3.
6) Atlantis, Místico, Volador Jr. b Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón
tecnicos took 2/3.

Pequeno Pierroth & Mercurio, TemplarioAudaz, Sangre Azteca, Astral, Electrico, and Halcon Suriano Jr. and Las Diosa del Ring all have holiday-themed promos. Templario also talks about his win over Audaz. They have video fo the match. It looks good. Maybe we’ll see it on NJPW World someday.

NJPW World announced the 11/18 CMLL show will air on their service. This is the Rey Bucanero/Niebla Roja hair match and the tag title chance. Julio Cesar Rivera mentioned on Informa that CMLL would be putting it on their YouTube channel at some point and perhaps that’ll happen one day.

Bobby Black lost his hair to Difunto in Arena Coliseo Guadalajara.

Caifan, doing an interview to promote his appearances, explained he didn’t have surgery or any other medical work done to take care of the knee injuries that caused his retirement last year. He just took some time off, felt better, and felt like coming back. Caifan did get some orthopedic inserts. He regrets calling it a retirement.

The mystery of the AroLucha commercials airing on POP TV was solved by PWInsider: Impact’s parent company owed AroLucha’s parent company money and AroLucha decided to accept commercials on POP TV instead of some of that money. AroLucha is not working a deal with POP TV, they weren’t even directly involved in the ads airing. I would guess AroLucha thought they would get some extra attention out of doing this, which they mostly did not, but AroLucha is working out of a strange playbook so who knows.

Dragon de Oriente II and Drabek I have long interviews to hype their mask match in Arena Queretaro on 12/25. Those two have been around that scene forever.

LuchaWorld has the latest news update, including a recap of Garza Jr. talking about a bad promoter.

LuchaTalk has their 2018 awards.

Lineup

CMLL (FRI) 12/28/2018 Arena México
1) Arkalis & Oro Jr. vs El Coyote & Grako
2) Estrellita, Lluvia, Marcela vs Amapola, Dalys, Tiffany
3) Audaz, Flyer, Guerrero Maya Jr. vs Kawato, Okumura, Vangellys
4) Atlantis, Diamante Azul, Titán vs Hechicero, Rey Bucanero, Terrible
5) Dragón Lee, Místico, Volador Jr. vs Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón
6) Carístico vs Penta 0M

It’s happening: a good CMLL card. The last two, at least. Kawato to be confused by not facing a Panther.

Lucha Memes, Mexa Wrestling, LLB (TUE) 01/01/2019 Arena San Juan Pantitlan, Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl, Estado de México
1) Chico Che, Demasiado, Homero Simpson vs Diva Salvaje, Mike, Nono
2) Amnesia, Arañita, Fandango, Freelance, Hausser, Máscara Mágica, Vaquero vs Auzter, Baby Star, Fly Warrior, Juve Venegas, Príncipe Aéreo, Tromba, Yoruba
3) Keyra vs Lady FlammerZeuxisDiosa QuetzalHija De Gatuebla
4) Carta Brava Jr. (IWL), Fantasma de la Ópera, Gato De Ecatepec vs Demus, Diablo Jr., Fly Star
5) Loco Max & Ricky Marvin vs Alan Extreme & Centvrión
6) Alas de Acero, Belial, Impulso, Iron Kid vs Fulgor I, Fulgor II, Metaleón, Mr. Leo
7) Flamita vs Rey Horuz
8) Audaz (CMLL), Carístico, Dragón Bane vs Aramis, Arkángel Divino, Toxin

Complete card for the New Year’s Day show. This show has a Ninja Turtle versus Homer Simpson. Theres’s nothing else to say.

Penta/Caristico set for next week, Dragon Lee CMLL return match announced, Angel o Demonio

Angel de Oro

CMLL (FRI) 12/21/2018 Arena México [CMLL, Lucha CentralluchablogMarcaOvaciones]
1) Cancerbero & Raziel b Robin & Star Jr. LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 21 DE DICIEMBRE  DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
13:19. Rudos took 1/3.
2) Kawato San, Okumura, Virus b Black Panther, Blue Panther Jr., Drone LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 21 DE DICIEMBRE  DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
11:47 Rudos took 1/3.
3) Esfinge, Titán, Tritón b Felino, Luciferno, Pólvora LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 21 DE DICIEMBRE  DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
14:08. Tecnicos took 2/3.
4) Ángel de Oro b Mephisto [lightningLUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 21 DE DICIEMBRE  DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
6:57. Angel de Oro surprised Mephisto with a small package.
5) Euforia, Rey Bucanero, Terrible b Kráneo, Stuka Jr., Valiente LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 21 DE DICIEMBRE  DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
12:16. Rudos too 1/3.
6) Carístico, Diamante Azul, Volador Jr. DQ Cavernario, Penta 0M, Último Guerrero LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 21 DE DICIEMBRE  DE 2018 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
9:50. Straight falls, Penta fouling Caristico to set up a singles match between them.

CMLL promos: Penta & Angel de Oro.

Media room interviews: Penta (The Gladiatores, Box Y Lucha )

Another skippable Friday night show. Setting up Penta & Caristico at least gave it a reason to exist, but there’s no reason to back and watch it.

IWRG (FRI) 12/21/2018 Arena Naucalpan [+LuchaTV, The Gladiatores]
1) Lili Dark & Ludark Shaitan b Dulce Luna & Quimera 41 Aniversario Arena Naucalpan | IWRG (posted by +LuchaTV) Ludark y Lilith Dark vs Dulce Luna y Quimera en la Arena Naucalpan (posted by Estrellas del Ring)
2) Death Metal, Ra-Zhata, Shil-Ka b Black Dragón, Dinamic Black, Multifacético 41 Aniversario Arena Naucalpan | IWRG (posted by mluchatv)
3) Imposible © b Eterno [IWRG IC MIDDLE41 Aniversario Arena Naucalpan | IWRG (posted by mluchatv)
Third defense. Impossible moves on to face Stuka on Christmas Day.
4) Demonio Infernal, Hijo de Canis Lupus, Lunatic Xtreme b Aramis, Hijo del Alebrije, Relámpago 41 Aniversario Arena Naucalpan | IWRG (posted by mluchatv) Hijo de Canis Lupus, Demonio Infernal y Lunatik Extreme vs Relámpago, Aramis e H del Alebrije (posted by Estrellas del Ring)
5) Dragón Bane © b Freelance [IWRG REY DEL AIRE] 41 Aniversario Arena Naucalpan | IWRG (posted by mluchatv) Dragón Bane (C)vs Freelance (R)   CAMPEONATO REY DEL AÍRE IWRG (posted by Estrellas del Ring)
4th defense
6) Máscara Año 2000 Jr. b Mr. Electro ©Toscano [hair, IWRG IC HEAVY41 Aniversario Arena Naucalpan | IWRG (posted by mluchatv) Máscara Año 2000 (cabellera) Jr vs Mr. Electro (campeonato) vs Toscano  (cabellera)  APUESTAS (posted by Estrellas del Ring)
Toscano escaped the match first, and Mascara defeated Electro to win the title. Electro falls on his 5th defense. Mascara is the 28th champion.
7) Hijo de LA Park & LA Park b Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. & Rey Wagner 41 Aniversario Arena Naucalpan | IWRG (posted by mluchatv) Rey Wagner e Hijo del Dr. Wagner vs L.A Park e Hijo de L.A Park en la Arena Naucalpan (posted by Estrellas del Ring)

This sounded like the most exciting live stream on Friday night from people who were watching both. Match 4 appears to have been the best, with 2, 3, 5 and 7 all being good.

“Galeno del Mal” got involved in the main event post-match. He appears to be Hijo del Dr. Wagne’s half brother (son of Rossy Moreno but not of Dr. Wagner.) He debuts on Christmas in Moreno’s Arena Azteca Budokan and is said to be only 16. “Nieto de Lizmark” is also listed as debuting in that main event.

The Estado de Mexico lucha libre commission sent out a press release saying they talked to the people involved in the Cuervo injury situation and have decided to hand out punishments. Angel o Demonio is suspended from wrestling in the state for 60 days from the day of the incident (until 01/18, down from being suspended until Cuervo returned), Hijo del Fantasma’s Lucha Libre Bom is suspended from promoting shows indefinitely, and Arena Lopez Mateos is reprimanded and will be closed for shows if they don’t follow these rules.

Angel o Demonio, after a week off, has simply kept wrestling elsewhere. Some promotions have promoted him around the brick he used, going as far as to tease using it again, but it doesn’t seem like there’s any special interest him. He’s been quietly advertised in a small Estado de Mexico arena, Arena Coliseo 23 de Junio, this Sunday, and I suspect he’ll work as normal. Lucha Libre Boom is also saying they’ll go on like normal. Fantasma de la Opera says he has a meeting with the commission on January 7th to talk about the punishment. All shows scheduled will go on as planned.

AAA posted video of their annual party with children from La Magia de un Deseo.

ROH made the Bandido signing official. He’ll start on the 01/12 taping in Atlanta and a be regular after that.

Garza Jr. has a video talking about not getting paid by Tinieblas Jr.

Revolution Lucha Libre debuts this Saturday in Arena Lopez Mateos. That show has Templario vs Penta vs Golden Magic in a main event. Ovett & Leviathan hype their match against Virus & Valiente.

Penta is also scheduled to work in Irapuato tonight. I think he’s got enough time between matches to make it. It’s a slightly quieter weekend than usual in general, especially around Mexico City. A lot of smaller promotions running on Christmas Day are just skipping a weekend show this week.

The Box Y Lucha commission of Cuernavaca gave out 2018 awards. That article is either missing names or they had a weird list (best rudos but no best tecnicos?) Pierroth was among legends who were honored.

Lineups

CMLL (TUE) 12/25/2018 Arena México
1) Acero & Aéreo vs Pequeño Nitro & Pequeño Universo 2000
2) Átomo, Gallito, Microman vs Chamuel, Guapito, Mije
3) Akuma vs Hijo del Signo [lightning]
4) Flyer, Guerrero Maya Jr., Pegasso vs Templario, Tiger, Virus
5) Atlantis, Black Panther, Blue Panther Jr. vs Hijo del Villano III, Mephisto, Villano IV
6) Carístico, Dragón Lee, Valiente vs Euforia, Gran Guerrero, Último Guerrero

Dragon Lee has his first match in CMLL in five months. Hijo de VIllano III starts in CMLL. Micros and a rare Akuma singles match.

CMLL Marca: 2018-12-21

a tough night for Santa

Recapped: 12/21/2018

Matches:

Cancerbero & Raziel beat Robin & Star Jr.
(13:19 [5:32, 3:41, 4:06], 1/3, ok, 00:01:05)

Kawato San, Okumura, Virus beat Black Panther, Blue Panther Jr., Drone
(11:47 [4:56, 1:25, 5:26], 1/3, ok, 00:22:24)

Esfinge, Titán, Tritón beat Felino, Luciferno, Pólvora
(14:08 [5:13, 3:29, 5:26], 2/3, ok, 00:44:20)

Ángel de Oro beat Mephisto in a lightning match
(6:57, small package, ok, 01:09:15)

Euforia, Rey Bucanero, Terrible beat Kráneo, Stuka Jr., Valiente
(12:16 [5:11, 1:50, 5:15], 1/3, ok, 01:21:40)

Carístico, Diamante Azul, Volador Jr. beat Cavernario, Penta 0M, Último Guerrero
(9:50 [5:21, 4:29], 1/2 DQ, ok, 01:46:43)

What happened:

Penta fouled Carístico to end the main event. Post match challenges led to a non-title Penta/Caristico match for next week.

Thoughts:

who suplexed better

The main event had some energy because the Penta/Caristico feud gave them something to work around, though that was still not as hot as it had once been. Caristico & Penta also weren’t as smooth together as they were in previous matches. The match had the chaotic finish CMLL matches are good for, but the rest of it was not special.

Like all the other undercard matches, the semi-main was an easy match with crowd pleasing spots done in similar fashion to many other matches seen regularly. It worked for them, it was not something a regular viewer would care all that much about. Even Kraneo’s great Barney outfit wasn’t as much new as having hung out in the closet for a long time. It was fine.

The lightning match was a standard Angel de Oro showcase, helped by his willingness to break out all his big dives. The small package reversal on the finish didn’t look good, but I appreciate Angel de Oro changing up his routine even slightly. I’m going to miss Mephisto when he’s gone but I’m not really looking forward to his matches right now.

everyone lived

I didn’t like the tercera as much as other outings with the técnicos. They didn’t do a whole lot before the third fall, and these aren’t rudos who are going to make a match interesting on their own. No one was almost killed this week except my attention.

The second match was decent. Kawato looked better here, though his timing was off on his double team with Okumura. Black Panther feuded with Kawato a little bit, but his big brother had a bigger presence in the match until getting pinned at the end. Drone is still willing to throw everything into dives.

Raziel & Cancerbero are back to having forgettable opener matches. Robin continues to try a few things. Star Jr. really didn’t; he seemed to be the ascension starting the year with FantasticaMania and now is just another guy on these shows. He seems a casualty of CMLL not giving enough people opportunities.

CMLL Friday preview, Bandido/ROH, AAA schedule

tonight

The CMLL Friday shows continue to stroll on tonight. There’s no real direction, it seems as if they’re marking time until something happens, but there’s no certainty of what they’re waiting for. I am not a huge fan of the Universal tournament but it does seem like they could’ve gotten that in instead of doing nothing at all.

Penta is back, once again against Caristico. They’re on opposite sides as if a feud is going on, though that doesn’t really play out in matches. Ultimo Guerrero & Cavernario are on the rudo side, Volador Jr. & Diamante Azul on the tecnico.

The semi-main has Kraneo, Valiente, and Stuka against Terrible, Euforia and Rey Bucanero. That seems like a Volcano match, but we’re spared of it for one week. Mephisto and Angel de Oro meet in the lightning match, which should be fine. Triton & Esfinge attempt not to accidentally kill Titan this week, as they face Povlora, Luciferno, and Felino. The Panthers and Drone take on Virus, Okumura, and Kawato – the Panthers and the Japanese are seemingly facing every other show now. Star Jr. & Robin open against Raziel & Cancerbero.

CultIcon has a preview of the show. You can watch it on Marca and Facebook, and I’ll stream it on YouTube. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to stream next week – it’s looking like it’ll be a problem.

CMLL might not be only streaming show. IWRG has a Friday night show with the Wagners versus the Parks and Dragon Bane vs Freelance. It looks like something that’ll turn up on +LuchaTV either tonight or later on.

Gran Metalik put up a poll asking “CMLL or Indepedientes”, hinting at leaving WWE. If he signed a standard WWE 3 year deal when he came aboard, he’s probably still under WWE contract for most of a year. There’s no indication he’s being let go.

Caristico talked to Reporte Indigo about the gym he owns, saying his family never expected him to run a business because he wasn’t that much into studying at all.

CMLL looks back at March 2018.

Ring of Honor officially announced Bandido’s signing. He’ll debut on 01/12 on their TV tapings in Atlanta and probably be on pretty much all the shows going forward. They also put up the All In main event to promote it, which is obviously worth checking out if you haven’t so far.

AAA did indeed hold a press conference in Mazatlan to announce an upcoming TV taping last night. They talked about having more than 8,000 people for what would be their first ever TV taping in the city. The known AAA TV taping schedule now looks like

  • 12/25 Cuautitlan
  • 01/19 Mexico City
  • 01/26 Ciudad Madero
  • 02/08 Mazatlan

Only the Christmas Day show has a lineup so far. The press conference the other day indicated the 01/19 taping would be the first of the year. Maybe there’s another show around the 02/01 weekend?

AAA’s YouTube upload this week is the first part of a Best of 2018. That seems to means nothing new will be on YouTube until 01/12.

Former NWA Light Heavyweight, Mexican Light Heavyweight, and Mexican Heavyweight champion Raul Mata passed away yesterday.

MexaWrestling/Lucha Libre Boom/Lucha Memes War of Styles on 01/01 in Arena San Juan

2018 Caristico doesn’t quite fit in the hyper-speed spot fest as the rest of the guys and Arkangel without Maldito is always a test, but there should be some highlights in that match.

A story about San Antonio lucha libre.

Lineups

CMLL (TUE) 12/25/2018 Arena Puebla
1) Hijo de Centella Roja, Meyer, Robin vs Black Tiger, Espíritu Maligno, Inquisidor
2) Drone, King Jaguar, Star Jr. vs Cancerbero, Perverso, Raziel
3) Avispa Dorada, Marcela, Princesa Sugehit vs Amapola, Dalys, Tiffany
4) Audaz, Kráneo, Volcano vs Hechicero, Rey Bucanero, Vangellys
5) Místico, Soberano Jr., Volador Jr. vs Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón

This is the first of the two non-streamed shows, which makes it a little surprising they’re sending that main event here. I keep thinking they’re one week away from Peverso/King Jaguar, but they could hold it over an extra week for a Three King’s Day show.

CMLL (TUE) 12/25/2018 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Barón Blanco Jr., Luminoso, Mr. Samurai vs Carlo Roggi, Gemelo Pantera I, Gemelo Pantera II
2) Halcón Suriano Jr., Príncipe Diamante, Star Black vs Espíritu Negro, Guerrero de la Muerte, Metálico
3) La Comandante, La Jarochita, Sanely vs La Seductora, La Vaquerita, Skadi [Relevos Increíbles]
4) Difunto © vs Stigma [OCCIDENTE MIDDLE]
2nd defense
5) Esfinge, Rey Cometa, Tritón vs Felino, La Bestia Del Ring, Pólvora
6) Diamante Azul, Hijo de LA Park, Stuka Jr. vs Cavernario, Shocker, Terrible

I’m surprised Hijo de LA Park is going to Guadalajara, he seems like a “3 shows on that Christmas” guy. The CMLL bus for Guadalajara appears to leave about noon-1pm for a normal 7:45 start, so these people are going to be rolling out of bed on Christmas morning and hurrying to Arena Mexico just to get on board.

Not sure what is going on in the tercera, but that’s a lot of women who haven’t been wrestling much or at all lately. The sides suggest one of those tecnicos is no longer going to be a tecnico (which makes some sense with Maligna & Mystique back soon.)

If I had more time, or if I had any idea when the Arena Mexico lineup was coming, I’d figure out who was left for Arena Mexico. Two women’s matches on these shows probably means none on that show, but there’s almost certainly a minis match.

Perhaps something like

  • Rush, Dragon Lee and Caristico against the Guerreros
  • Villanos & Templario versus Atlantis, Titan and Maya underneath.
  • Panthers and Okumura and Kawato and two more
  • whoever’s left in a lightning match
  • the rudos feud
  • minis opener