Rayo Tapatios unmasked, King Terrible

(photo by CMLL.com)

CMLL (SUN) 01/01/2012 Arena Mexico [CMLL, La Catedral]
Attendance: 5500 (middle point of La Catedral’s estimate)
1) Höruz & Molotov b Artillero & Súper Comando
Tecnicos took 2/3. Third fall saw rudos beat Horuz, but Molotov rally back to defeat both.
2) Bam Bam, Eléctrico, Último Dragoncito b Demus 3:16, Pequeño Olímpico, Pequeño Violencia
Tecnicos took 2/3.
3) Hombre Bala Jr. & Super Halcon Jr. b Rayo Tapatío I & Rayo Tapatío II [mask]
Rayos jumped the G11 team and defeated them cleanly in the first fall. Super Halcon pinned Rayo II with a moonsault in a second, Rayo I submitted Bala, then the Rayos pulled a switch and Rayo II submitted Halcon. Rayos celebrated the two fall win, but referee Maya figured it out and DQed the Rayos for illegally entering after being beat. Rayos threatened to walk out but returned for the usual long third fall. Halcon pinned Rayo I in the third (Rayo II nearly breaking it in time), Rayo II submitted Halcon. Lots of Rayo II/Bala near falls, Rayo shocked after a kickout, then shockingly rolled up for the losing pin. Rayo Tapatios are Jesús González Monroy, 43 years old, 28 years a wrestler, and Víctor Manuel González, 40 years old, 23 years a wrestler, both from Neza. Crowd was totally behind the rudo veteran Rayos, as expected.
4) Delta, Hijo del Fantasma, Metro DQ Hijo del Signo, Negro Casas, Rey Escorpion
Tecnicos took 1/3. Looks like a Fantasma/Negro feud (re)starting – Negro pinned Fantasma in the second, evaded the Phantom Lariat in the third, and pulled off his mask for the DQ.
5) Averno, Mephisto, Mr. Niebla b Ángel de Oro, La Máscara, Máximo
Rudos took 1/3. Mephisto escaped the campana, beat Mascara with the Rosa DDT, and pulled off his mask after the match.
6) Terrible b Rush [CMLL HEAVY]
Rush took the first, Terrible second in usual quick falls. Rush tried for his piledriver in the third, but Terrible escaped and pinned him with an over the shoulder powerbomb to win the vacant title.

CMLL has entered the Terrible Era.

As far as myself and Dr. Lucha could figure, this was the first CMLL promoted (Mexico/Coliseo) double mask vs double mask match since Lizmark & Atlantis beat the Animals (Eddie Watts & Chuck Walton) in November of 1990. Check out their wristbands in the picture – one set back, one red. That’s how Maya figured out the switch.

Detailed recaps tomorrow, but other New Years Day action included X-Fly and Angel Blanco keeping their titles, and Super Nova not only keeping his title on the Perros del Mal show, but teaming with Neza Kid to take Dr. Cerebro & Vampiro Metalico’s hair. Apolo Estrada also lost his hair, to Multifacetico on IWRG’s show. Head Hunter I, who’s been on Perros shows a few times in the past, was their surprise main eventer tonight.

photo by CMLL.com

Other News

Llaves & Candados announced they’ll have daily workouts and press conferences at Arena Coliseo Monterrey, starting on Monday. Hijo del Ninja is scheduled to vacate his championship at the press conference tomorrow, due to shoulder/knee injuries which will keep him out 10 weeks.

Black Terry Jr. posted photos from the XMW show, as well as a short video prior to the main event.

Rob has highlights of TripleMania IV

Links

Your 2012 lucha award winners

I know, it feels like 2012 has just started, but it’s award time already. I’ll keep it concise, even though there’s clearly so much to talk about.

Wrestler of the Year
AAA: Dr. Wagner Jr
CMLL: Sombra

Tecnico
AAA:  Jack Evans
CMLL: Volador Jr.

Rudo
AAA:  LA Park (though still cheered)
CMLL: Rush

Rising Star
AAA: Lolita, (though people generally stay in the same spots)
CMLL: Metro

Rookie
AAA: Daga/Roco/whatever
CMLL: (someone from IWRG who won’t be there for a few months. Not Comando Negro. Possibly Golden Magic)

Most Foreign Success
AAA: Jack Evans (by default, and it becomes a question if he’s still with AAA)
CMLL:  Mascara Dorada

Best Match
AAA:  LA Park and whoever wrestles LA Park at Triplemania
CMLL: Sombra vs Volador at a random show (a Virus title defense and a Guerrero Maya match close behind)

shocking big match
AAA: Octagon losing his mask to a surprise tecnico (definitely not Super Fly)
CMLL: Rush vs Blue Panther, hair vs hair

nonshocking story
AAA: does not run a show in the US
CMLL: no major change in programming department, does not sell a building

me: still running gimmick posts