Rush advances to CMLL Universal Final, Argenis & Drago go for the gold

CMLL (FRI) 08/23/2013 Arena Mexico [CMLL, Terra]
1) Hombre Bala Jr. & Súper Halcón Jr. b Artillero & Súper Comando
Another win for Generacion 2011
2) Ángel de Oro, Guerrero Maya Jr., Titán DQ Misterioso Jr., Taichi, Vangellys
rudos accidentally pulled a mask for the DQ.
3) Marco Corleone, Máximo, Shocker b Hiroshi Tanahashi, Namajague, Puma
Tanahashi’s return. Puma replaced Rey Bucanero. Aero Italiano on Tanahashi and Marco.
4) Rush b Terrible [CMLL Universal, eightfinal]
Seeding set by battle royal. Terrible was last year’s Universal champion, but lost here by armbar.
5) La Máscara b Máscara Dorada [CMLL Universal, eightfinal]
La Mascara won via campana.
6) Rey Escorpión b Averno [CMLL Universal, eightfinal]
Rey Escorpion won via Aguijon Mortal (piledriver)
7) Mistico b Pólvora [CMLL Universal, eightfinal]
Longest first round match. Sounded as though La Mistica went wrong and Mistico ended up with a pinfall win.
8) Rush b La Máscara [CMLL Universal, quarterfinal]
Rush won via senton.
9) Rey Escorpión b Mistico [CMLL Universal, quarterfinal]
Escorpion escaped La Mistica and dropped him with Aguijon Mortal.
10) Rush b Rey Escorpión [CMLL Universal, semifinal]
Rush used the Rush Driver on Escorpion for the win in the longest match.
11) Atlantis b Último Guerrero
expected quick first two falls. Crowd got into the third fall. UG fouled Atlantis for the DQ.

It seems like there’s there possibilities for the CMLL Universal tournament.

1. Sombra beats Tanahashi next week, Sombra and Rush have their first ever singles match one week before the biggest match of Sombra’s career, either winner is possible (though something where Rush uses the Rush Driver to injure Sombra’s neck before Friday has some added benefits.)
2. Tanahashi beats Sombra next week, Rush beats Tanahashi in the final in a repeat of last year’s final
3. Tanahashi beats CMLL Young Star #1A Sombra next week, Tanahashi beats CMLL Young Star #1B Rush the week after, we all make mean comments about The Hat.

I’m afraid we’re getting 3. It seems like a general waste of (a hurt) Tanahashi’s time to fly him to Mexico just to lose in the final again. They could’ve stuck anyone else in his spot for the tag team title match and spared him this nuisance if they just needed a loser. It’s a lot shorter list if they needed a winner. Hope I’m being too cynical here. I don’t know that I really like giving away Rush versus Sombra with almost no build either.

The other six guys in next week’s bracket are Dragon Rojo Jr., Virus, Valiente, Titan, Mephisto and Diamante Azul. Dragon Rojo is the best dark horse (/chocolate milk?) candidate. CMLL treats Dragon as highly as guys like Sombra, Volador and Rush, but he hasn’t yet come across as that level of a star. Any other finalist would be a remarkable outcome.

It’s slightly possible CMLL still adds a match to the anniversary show. Something like the Estetas versus the Revolucionarios for the CMLL Trios Titles adds another marque match while getting some of CMLL’s own favorites onto the card. It’s also something where they may want to set it up in matches before announcing it. I’m not sure they’ll actually do it, but Rey Escorpion beating Mistico here could be the start of something if they were headed in that direction. They’d need to follow it up this upcoming Friday. (Keep reading.)

Puma replacing Rey Bucanero before Bucanero heads to Japan is concerning.

It appeared GalaTV got both the Universal tournament and the main event, which is one cramped and heavily edited hour. Fox Sports was relegated to the early matches, which appears to be the same thing they got for this week’s show. Could be a new thing going forward. Could be just for the Anniversary build. Could be usual randomness.

Argenis & Drago get their All Asia tag team title match tomorrow on AJPW’s show in Ota Ward Gymnasium. The AAA team has won almost all their matches on their tour, which frequently means the team loses the title match. That’s what I thought would happen when the tour started, but I think I might have been wrong. If AAA luchadors are going to be a frequent presence in this version of AJPW, which appears to be the case, they figure to get a meaningful win early. AJPW’s roster is small, and may not have a present use for two sets of tag team championships. Plus, some of the teams Drago & Argenis have been facing have not been getting along; AJPW’s seems to be making a lot of changes in alignments and alliances, maybe even in Sunday’s title match.

LuchaWorld has thoughts about the 80th Anniversary show.

Super Crazy will be in a TLC match on the IWL 09/14th show. I am both greatly looking forward and totally dreading this IWL show. It’s going to be a thing.

Ohtani’s Jacket watches early 90s Monterrey & UWA.

Porra Fresa previews Monday’s card.

Kcidis Sombra support banner.

Lineups

CMLL (FRI) 08/30/2013 Arena Mexico
1) Metálico & Sensei vs Apocalipsis & Disturbio
2) Dalis la Caribeña, Goya Kong, Marcela vs Amapola, La Seductora, Princesa Blanca
3) Blue Panther, Máscara Dorada, Mistico vs Averno, Pólvora, Rey Escorpión
4) La Sombra vs Hiroshi Tanahashi, Valiente, Mephisto, Virus, Diamante Azul, Dragón Rojo Jr., Titán [CMLL Universal, semifinal]
winner faces Rush
5) Marco Corleone, Máximo, Rush vs Felino, Negro Casas, Volador Jr.

Look at that third. It’s Panther versus Averno in a preview match, but it’s also the Estetas versus the Revolucinarios. As if they’re building to something! (Which could place the week before or after the Anniversary show too, but there’s a chance…)