great match roundup, 2012 catchup part 2

March, April and May…

Astro de Plata, Astro Rey Jr., Charly Madrid, Imposible, Matrix Jr., Pacto Negro, Saruman, Tritón vs Aldi Boy, Arkanos, Black Center, Chakalo, Guerrero Mixtico, Lucian, Star Boy part 2  (IWRG, 03/04): OKAY – some exciting spots, but also a lot of clumsiness, especially in the middle of the first part. A fair bit of guys of guys not on the same page; it seemed more often that the Tony Rivera guys were lost than the IWRG ones, but you can never be sure. The IWRG guys in general looked a lot more match tested than their (mostly nameless) counter parts. Both teams had some frighteningly bad aim on finishes – Triton kneed a guy in the face (and seemed to knock him out) on a shooting star press, and Star Boy gave Astro de Plata (I think) two knees to the chest on a 450 splash. It’s the stuff to expect in a rookies match. Of the people who don’t normally get a lot of TV time, Charly Madrid look good in the time he got. The guy who I think was Star Boy did not impress early and I was kind of surprised he ended up getting more chances with IWRG but maybe it’s a look thing. Impossible looked really sharp, but we knew that already. Finish was lame.

Lady Apache vs Princesa Blanca for the Mexican National Women’s Championship (GDL, 03/06): GOOD – figured this was a long shot but already had it download, and it turns out to be a fun little title match. Only about 10 minutes and with the usual quick opening falls, but a enjoyable third fall with some nice sequences and referee abuse. Felino being Blanca’s second was a nice touch. Not a must see, but one of the better woman’s matches of the year. (I didn’t – and probably won’t! – see the REINA version of the match, but I bet it’s much the same.)

Volador Jr. vs La Sombra, Rush, Mr. Niebla, Negro Casas, Hijo del Fantasma, Valiente, Felino, Olímpico, Ángel de Oro in a cibernetico match (GDL, 03/06): GOOD – started off at a very strong pace and had some very fun action, but got sloppy in the middle section, had an annoying double elimination and slowed down greatly when it got to the final two. Definitely had it’s moments, but probably also helped by being old and insignificant enough that I had no recollection of who won or the eliminations. (Then again, maybe I would’ve have been so bugged by the double elimination if I knew it was coming.)

Máscara Dorada vs Averno for the CMLL World Welterweight Championship (GDL, 04/03): GOOD – this was a formula match with no unexpected twists. Mascara Dorada looked super athletic and pulled off some nice moved, and Averno was there for his moves, but Averno didn’t do anything interesting when he was in control of the match and there wasn’t much of an attempt at special title match story.

Atlantis, Delta, Guerrero Maya Jr. vs Mr. Águila, Psicosis, Volador Jr. for the Mexican National Trios Championship (Puebla, 05/28): GREAT – strong contrast to the Guadalajara match – this felt different because of how the rudos totally destroyed the técnicos for a fall in a half, and how Atlantis came off actually angry at Volador after the previous week’s match. Went along at the usually good level before the chaotic last couple minutes. Finish was super fast but actually worked as ‘Atlantis, legend who is 5 seconds from beating anyone’. It was shocking to see it end that fast but the shock was good, and even better with the replay of Volador celebrating seconds before he ran into the Atlantida. This was a really good feud all year.

La Máscara vs Volador Jr. for the Mexican National Light Heavyweight Championship (GDL, 05/29): GOOD – There was a moment, after the third dive on screen right, where a woman calmly returned to her seat despite the next seat over still containing a woozy Volador. She was freaked out by the first couple dives, but over it by now. I’m with her. This was by the numbers title match – lots of dives, 3rd fall cavernaria, spot kickout spot – with nothing memorable.