taped 2014-01-31 @ Arena México
As usual, there’s no point in reviewing each match. It’s rare there’s a useful match on these tournament shows. I’ll recap each novato instead
There was nothing bad about Rebelde here, but I need to see more of him before having nay feeling about him. It was nice they got him a pinfall over Panther here. More real matches (or at least lightning tags) than past tournaments, though they’re also clearly edited.
Akuma didn’t do much but get facesmashed by Sombra and give him his own finisher, which actually seemed to shake up Sombra a bit. He was down for far longer than normal and was still walking it off at the finish.
No time here for Hombre Bala Jr. to do much; they even cut in in mid move, then went right to his Destroyer. (The show ending video package showed he did get in his corner tope, but that was cut in the match footage. This was a longer than usual tournament.) This might have been his last chance to win; he should move up enough in 2014 not to really be belong in this next year.
Espanto and Rebelde might have not advanced out of the first round, but they got free Avernos hoodie t-shirts for participating. Much like Espanto, this match was short, sometimes a mess, and very generic. (When kicking out of the middle rope Devil’s Wings doesn’t get a big reaction, you’ve done it too many times.) Espanto also might not make it back to this tournament next year, but it’s because he’s going the other way. CMLL debuting 8-10 new people a year means people are constantly getting pushed out of the way to make room; Espanto’s got to show something more this year or he’s in danger of ending up in Robin-land or worse.
Cachorro reversals of the Devil’s Wings wasn’t nearly as smooth as his father (few are), but they booked him like a guy who knows how to sneak out wins he shouldn’t get. Using him as the anti-Misterioso would be an interesting way to set him apart. His short bit as a Tiger-like rudo in the second match was good, though it also seemed like his father was literally calling spots for him at times. (“Bite the foot, son!” may not be an actual quote.)
Guerrero Negro had a good look for once. Soberano was a really good fit for him. He looked strong throwing around the lightest guy in the division and set up Soberano’s moves well. He didn’t do anything super memorable in this tournament but did well for what he was asked
The Soberano/Volador Spider-Man outfits looked great, and it actually made Soberano look less skinny. Soberano’s standing moonsault into a double knee drop on Mephisto, not as much. These two did a lot of teasing of certain loss, including one of moment where they were doomed in every round. It was more dramatic than these matches are usually allowed to be. Other things were more to form – of course we got the double stage dive, though Soberano maybe needs to work on his form if he ever tries that again. (And of course it lead to the other team just walking to the ring and getting their own dives.)
Oro has a Mascara Dorada like willingness to take big abuse; the powerbomb onto the apron looked not fun. I thought he looked like the more elegant high flyer than Soberano, but then I always think that. He seemed a little limited when he started repeating moves in just the second match and it would’ve been nice if he brought out his submission finish, but both he and Soberano held together well in the kickout filled block final. I also enjoyed how Sombra set Blue Panther up in a faraway spot, so he wouldn’t be reliant on anyone having to remember to roll. Better. Sombra seemed to be in an unhappy mood
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Soberano did a perfectly fine stage dive last year in Sangre Nueva though when he was on the other side of the stage. Volador usually dives from the other side too so the setup was kind of stupid.
Anyway great rec! :)