Cavernario/Dragon & NGD title defense highlight strong CMLL show, next Friday’s show looks dire

Cavernario

CMLL (FRI) 01/04/2019 Arena México [CMLL, Lost in LuchaLucha CentralNotimexOvacionesRecordThe Gladiatoresthecubsfan]
1) Ephesto, Gran Guerrero, Templario b Guerrero Maya Jr., Rey Cometa, Stuka Jr. LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 4 DE ENERO  DE 2019 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
13:17. Tecnicos took 1/3.
2) Titán b Tritón [lightningLUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 4 DE ENERO  DE 2019 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
8:04. Titan won via pinfall with his new figure four headtrap cradle.
3) Carístico, Valiente, Volador Jr. DQ Euforia, Mephisto, Último Guerrero LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 4 DE ENERO  DE 2019 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
6:46. Euforia fouled Valiente for a DQ.
4) La Bestia Del Ring, Rush, Terrible b Atlantis, Kráneo, Volcano LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 4 DE ENERO  DE 2019 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
13:14. Ingobernables took 1/3. Volcano replaced Diamante Azul (injury) on Monday.
5) Dragón Lee b Cavernario LUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 4 DE ENERO  DE 2019 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
17:56. Dragon Lee took falls 2 (DQ for mask removal, didn’t seem planned finish) and 3.
6) Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón © b Ángel de Oro, Niebla Roja, Soberano Jr. [MEX TRIOSLUCHA LIBRE VIERNES ESPECTACULAR DE ARENA MEXICO 4 DE ENERO  DE 2019 FUNCION COMPLETA (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
21:29. NGD took falls 2/3 for their 7th defense.

CMLL promos: NGD, Dragon Lee, Los Ingobernables, Caristico, Titan.

Press interviews; Dragon Lee (on Cavernario & Takahashi), Euforia (just wants a singles match with anyone, even Ultimo Guerrero!), Vulcano & Kraneo (still want Diamante Azul to join), Los Ingobernables (promising surprises, Rush congrats LIJ for their title wins), NGD (want a shot at the world trios titles), Titan (going to the top).

This was one of the best CMLL shows, top to bottom, in a long time. The fourth match was not much good and some of the others were short, but the top two are worth making time for and the undercard was all good. The luchadors treated this like it was an important show and the effort showed thru.

FantasticaMania lineups normally come out around 11 pm ET tonight. There’s no guarantee that they will again, but it’ll be worth checking around NJPW’s website for them.

RIOT has opened a Pivotshare channel. The September 2018 show is up for free all weekend, and they’ve got two other shows up as well. It’s $3.50 to a rent a show, $5/monthly subscription and $10/download. If you buy a ticket to their February show in advance, they’re also giving you a free subscription.

Arena Lopez Mateos on 01/20 has Los Traumas & Penta vs Ovett, Leon Rojo, and Angel de Demonio. Demonio exile from the arena last about 60 days. It is a “Klandestino” show, which appears to be an in-house brand for the owners of the building (though it has never really been explained.)

Arena Lopez Mateos on 02/01 has Maximo vs La Mascara in a seconds hair match. Brazo de Plata is Maximo’s second, which means La Mascara’s second (Goya Kong) is just a footnote; they’ve found a way to do a Super Porky hair loss payoff without him wrestling.

Chessman wants to win the Megachampionship and the Copa Antonio Pena title in 2019.

Lady Maravilla is happy with her 2018, for both joining AAA and for getting the WWE tryout. She says the Mexicans were told they did the best as a group, which makes sense given they probably get much more matches than a lot of people coming from South America. (And also they could’ve just been told that.)

Lineups

CMLL (FRI) 01/11/2019 Arena México
1) Robin, Star Jr., Súper Astro Jr. vs Cancerbero, Disturbio, Raziel
2) Drone, Esfinge, Guerrero Maya Jr. vs Kawato, Sagrado, Tiger
3) Pólvora vs Felino [lightning]
4) Blue Panther, Rey Cometa, Tritón vs Máscara Año 2000, Rey Bucanero, Shocker
5) Kráneo, Stuka Jr., Volcano vs Ephesto, Luciferno, Mephisto
6) La Bestia Del Ring, Rush, Villano IV vs Euforia, Niebla Roja, Valiente [Relevos Increíbles]

It was always going to be bad in Mexico with the names CMLL was sending to Japan. This outdid expectations. I am guessing Villano IV had the good timing to have a strong match right when CMLL was casting about for a short-term Diamante Azul sub, but that main event wouldn’t be much better with Azul and it’s a condemnation of all the regular guys left that they’re not getting that spot. Shocker & Rey Bucanero are among the wrestlers rarely used on Fridays any more. If you’re a rudo lower on the card from them, you probably should give up any hope of doing anything here.

The first FantasitcaMania show will happen earlier this night. I don’t expect it to be special but it will be more worth your time.