new Hijo de Rey Misterio, Volador vs Reaper, Stuka vs Rafaga

JM (FRI) 03/07/2014 Auditorio de Tijuana, Tijuana, Baja California [The Gladiatores]
1) Black Zaygon & Taydra b Black Phantom & Metalik Boy
2) Animaniac, Pitbull I, Pitbull II b Amensia II, Dementor, Kanalla
3) Inferno & Tony Casanova DQ Angel Garces & Urzus
Garces pulled Inferno’s mask.
4) Hijo de Rey Misterio III DQ Hijo del Fishman
The promotion honored Fishman & Rey Misterio before the match. Hijo de Rey Misterio II congratuled his “uncle”, but announced he was giving up the gimmick and going under the name Rey Horuz going forward. A new Hijo de Rey Misterio III (DLuxe from Mexicali) wrestled this match instead. Fishman took one, Rey 3 took 2, Rey 3 was about to win when Tony Casanova hit him with a chair. Fishman foul got the DQ. Rey Horuz made the save and challengers went all around.
5) Rayman & Silver King DQ Angel Blanco Jr. & Rayo de Jalisco Jr.
Silver King (w/Hijo de Silver King) replaced Dr. Wagner. Rayos took 1/3, the last when Silver fouled Rayman.

DLuxe is said to be good, but I don’t think frequent switching who’s under this name is making this character work at all. Rey Horus appearing for this angle means he left on good terms, but apparently not on good enough terms to stick with the character.

photo by Alexis Salazar/CMLL

CMLL (SUN) 03/09/2014 Arena Coliseo [CMLL, LuchaWorld]
1) Magnus & Metatrón b Akuma & Cholo
Tecnicos took 1/3.
2) Hechicero, Hooligan, Nitro b Leono, Metálico, Sensei
Camaleon was announced, but replaced by Leono when Camaleon was hit by a truck. Tecnicos took 1/3 in a good match; Hechicero was great.
3) Arkángel de la Muerte, Kamaitachi, Shigeo Okumura b Hombre Bala Jr., Molotov, Starman
Rudos took 2/3.
4) Guerrero Maya Jr. b Sangre Azteca [lightning]
Guerrero Maya Jr. won with his suastica variation, which he named Estaca Maya in the post match interview.
5) Delta, Rey Cometa, Super Porky b Misterioso Jr., Puma, Tiger
Diamante Azul was originally announced but replaced by Delta early in the week. Tecnicos took 1/3.
6) Máscara Dorada, Valiente, Volador Jr. b Reaper, Rey Bucanero, Terrible
Rudos took 1/3 when Reaper threw his mask to Volador (who couldn’t manage to catch it, but got called for the DQ anyway.) Volador challenged Reaper to a hair vs mask match.

It seemed like the main event was supposed to be setting up a Reaper vs Volador NWA Welterweight title match – Volador had the title this week – but they were too busy with other stuff to get around to it. They’re in Arena Mexico next week and at least the singles match is probably happening

Hechicero was really great in the segunda and the match is worth checking out whenever I put it up.

CMLL (SUN) 03/09/2014 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara [@acogdl]
1) Meteoro b Relampago Azul
2) William Rock b Furia Nazi
3) Acertijo & Évola b Javier Cruz Jr. & Virgo
Javier Cruz Jr. replaced Halcon de Plata. Rudos took 2/3.
4) Esfinge b Rey Trueno
5) Black Metal, Gallo, Stuka Jr. vs Euforia, Gran Guerrero, Ráfaga
Black Metal took Diamante Azul’s place. Tecnicos took 2/3, Stuka beating Rafaga in the third. Stuka challenged for Rafaga’s Occidente Light Heavyweight championship. Rafaga accepted for next week.
6) Atlantis, La Sombra, Soberano Jr. DQ Cavernario, Herodes Jr., Kráneo
Tecnicos took 2/3, Cavernario pulling Soberano’s mask for the DQ.

I forgot Rafaga was champion here. Makes more sense than a mask match, I guess.

WWL’s show in Mexico City saw the card just about completely changed around in front of a half full Plan Sexenal. Monster Pain ended up beating Chavo Guerrero & Carlito, while Mil Mascaras was moved into a trios. Fuerza Guerrera and Octagon didn’t have a singles match either night. It sounds like Astro Rey did the big fall from a high place spot. LaWagnerMania on Twitter has most of the results and I’ll do a full recap tomorrow.

AAA announced they’ll be taping in San Luis Potosi on 04/16. This is the taping the local paper reported on a couple months ago. Today, that paper lists the starts for this show Jeff Jarrett, Perro Jr., La Parka, Cibernetico, Fenix, Black Barrio”, whoever that is, as well as Sexy Star, Taya, and local luchadora Reyna Azteca. The paper previously suggested “a Big surprise” for the show, which sounded a lot like Mistico – no hint of that this time.

There’s probably a Gimnasio Juan de la Barrera show to be announced somewhere in here; the TV schedule doesn’t add up unless there’s more TV somewhere (or Irapuato gets stretched out an extra week, I guess.)

Camaleon says he under went an operation and will be going home tomorrow. I’m still not sure which injuries he has and how severe, but that’s good to hear.

Today’s Super Libre had a half dozen guests: Hijo del Solitario, Rayman, Engendro Jr., Platinito, Pepe Aguayo and Aguila Guerrera.

Rob has highlights of 12/27/13 CMLL.

LuchaWorld has KrisZ’s news update.

SuperLuchas #520 has Rey de Reyes preview and a look back at Anibal

Drabek I beat Drabek II to win the vacant Queretaro Light Heavyweight Championship.

Lola Gonzalez, Lady Apache and Rossy Moreno are working together to form a luchadora associations. Seems like there’s been a lot of them, just not only for women.

Charles Lucero talks about beating Silver Star for Silver Star’s title.

Porra Fresa previews Monday’s card.

Cronicas y Leyendas looks back at Angel Azteca, triple champion.

Mary Apache vs Sadica main events Friday’s LLF show.

Zeuxis wants Silueta’s hair and a title belt.

Kushida has figured out what Sombra’s new mask looks like.

Lineup

IWRG (WED) 03/12/2014 Arena Naucalpan
1) Látigo vs Matrix Jr.
2) Ángel Del Amor & Hip Hop Man vs Hijo De La Bestia & Zurdog
3) Centvrión & Chico Che vs Rayan & Spartan
4) Black Terry, Dragón Celestial, Emperador Azteca, Fulgor, Imposible, Sky Ángel vs Aztlán, Cheyene, Jorge Kebrada, Kanon, Skayde, Vortize [Copa High Power]
Gym FILL vs Gym Skayde. Rematch of a rematch. Winner faces Gym Tony Rivera.
5) Súper Nova, Toscano, Veneno vs Danny Casas, Eterno, X-Fly

I hope Black Terry’s team cheats to win after all of this.

Tickets are 2×1 for women. I’ve seen that for kids plenty of times, but not for women. Must be hoping for a strong turnout for pinup idol X-Fly. Or maybe Toscano.

WWS (SAT) 03/29/2014 Gimnasio Hercules, Ciudad de México, Distrito Federal
1) Lady Dragon vs Sayre
2) Blue Dragon vs La Abogada
3) Estrella Nera vs Arumi
4) Reina Dorada & Sexy Angel vs India Mazahue & Xena
5) Krazy Star vs Star FireDiosa AtenaPrincesa Ahy LeenMystique? [#1 Contenders,STARDOM WORLD]
winner gets shot at Stardom’s World Championship

I assume that means the winner is going to Japan, though maybe not.

CMLL (SUN) 03/16/2014 Arena México
1) Leono & Metálico vs Apocalipsis & Espanto Jr.
2) Astral, Eléctrico, Shockercito vs Demus 3:16, Pequeño Warrior, Pierrothito
3) Blue Panther, Guerrero Maya Jr., Sagrado vs Boby Zavala, Puma, Tiger
4) Atlantis, Diamante Azul, Titán vs Ephesto, Pólvora, Rey Escorpión
5) Marco Corleone, Máximo, Rush vs Kráneo, Negro Casas, Niebla Roja
6) Volador Jr. vs Ripper

Non-title it is! Bufete del Amor, teaming up a lot more since Marco’s latest return, face a random group of rudos in the semimain to set up more Rush vs Negro Casas. That might be Rush’s last DF match before H2L.  Tercera could be quite good.

the best lucha libre matches of 2013

I’m done. At least I think I’m done. Please don’t tell me if I’m not done.

This is the second year I’ve worked at putting this list together during the year and tracking down more matches outside the shows I usually recap (CMLL DF + any AAA). This year, that meant matches from TxT, IWRG, ChilangaMask, Monterrey, and a match I saw live in Arena GALLI which never aired anywhere (and probably won’t) made the list.

The goal of this project is to end up with a digestible list of recommended matches for people who don’t want to watch everything. Excellent matches are of a quality where I think everyone who likes professional wrestling will like. Great matches are just a notch below. There are good matches which don’t make the list; the line has to be drawn somewhere. These are all based on my tastes in professional wrestling, which may be a poor thing.

This list remains up there on the menu bar under 2013 MOTYC. I’ll be switching that over to the 2014 list soon, but it’ll always be part of the drop down.

Video links are drawn from my database and may not always be correct, but should be in the neighborhood.

Excellent

01-01 Pólvora vs Titán for the CMLL World Welterweight Championship
01-22 Terrible vs Rush for the CMLL World Heavyweight Championship
01-29 Volador Jr. vs Rey Escorpión for the CMLL World Light Heavyweight Championship
02-04 Negro Casas vs Valiente for the NWA World Welterweight Championship
03-15 Rey Cometa & Stuka Jr. vs Namajague & Shigeo Okumura for the mask and for the hair
04-15 Dinastía, Máscarita Divina, Rey Celestial vs Mini Abismo Negro, Mini Charly Manson, Mini Histeria
05-11 Dr. Wagner Jr. vs LA Park
05-31 Shinsuke Nakamura vs La Sombra IWGP IC
06-02 Negro Casas vs Máscara Dorada for the NWA World Welterweight Championship
06-14 Angélico, Drago, Jack Evans vs Carta Brava Jr., Eterno, Steve Pain
06-28 La Sombra vs Volador Jr. IWGP IC
08-04 Rey Hechicero vs Charles Lucero Poder Y Honor
08-16 Aerostar, Angélico, Jack Evans vs Machine Rocker, Pentagón Jr., Soul Rocker
09-13 Blue Panther vs Averno for the hair
09-13 La Sombra vs Volador Jr. for the mask
10-06 Virus vs Guerrero Maya Jr. for the CMLL World Super Lightweight Championship
11-17 Belial vs Ricky Marvin
12-01 Averno vs Titán for the Mexican National Welterweight Championship

Great

01-11 Hijo del Fantasma, Stuka Jr., Valiente vs Namajague, Puma, Tiger
01-18 Fuego, Rey Cometa, Stuka Jr. vs Namajague, Vangelis, Virus
01-26 Ricky Marvin & Super Crazy vs Fenix (AAA) & Pesadilla GHC JH TAG
02-01 La Sombra vs La Máscara, Titán, Hijo del Fantasma, Rey Cometa, Delta, Stuka Jr., Sagrado, Averno, Euforia, Dragón Rojo Jr., Mr. Águila, Pólvora, Namajague, Felino, Tiger in a CMLL’s Reyes del Aire Tournament match and in a tournament semifinal match
02-17 Chico Che, Freelance, Hijo del Pantera vs Apolo Estrada Jr., Avisman, Eita
03-03 Trauma II vs Oficial 911, el Ángel in a losers advance match
03-03 Fuego & Stuka Jr. vs Namajague & Shigeo Okumura for the Arena Coliseo (DF) Tag Team Championship
03-03 el Ángel vs Trauma II for the mask
03-15 La Máscara, Máscara Dorada, Valiente vs Averno, Ephesto, Mephisto
03-17 Juventud Guerrera vs Daga, Fénix, Crazy Boy AAA FUSION and in a tournament final match
03-17 Texano Jr. vs Blue Demon Jr. for the AAA World Heavyweight Championship
03-21 Dinamic Black vs Fenix (AAA) for the IWRG Intercontinental Welterweight Championship
03-29 Crazy Boy, Joe Lider, Willie Mack vs AR Fox, Dr. Cerebro, Eterno
04-07 Black Terry, Negro Navarro, Villano IV vs Averno, Blue Panther, Shocker
04-07 Centvrión, Dinamic Black, Golden Magic vs Alan Extreme, Carta Brava Jr., Imposible
04-14 Blue Panther & Sagrado vs Caifan & Rey Hechicero
04-20 Kaientai vs Zema Ion, Extreme Tiger, Samuray del Sol
04-26 Atlantis & Hombre Bala Jr. vs Boby Zavala & Rey Escorpión in a CMLL Gran Alternativa Tournament match and in a tournament final match
04-30 Rey Escorpión vs Stuka Jr. for the CMLL World Light Heavyweight Championship
05-12 Angélico, Drago, Jack Evans vs Argos, Chessman, Halloween
05-12 Blue Panther vs Virus in a lightning match
05-26 Dinamic Black, Fenix (AAA), Trauma II vs Black Terry, Fresero Jr., Pentagón Jr.
06-24 Black Metal (Guadalajara), Pegasso, Tritón vs Bárbaro Cavernario, Espíritu Maligno, Skándalo
07-06 Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards vs Drastik Boy & Flamita and Daga & Eterno
07-09 Averno vs Titán for the Mexican National Welterweight Championship
07-15 Angélico & Jack Evans vs Chessman & Eterno
08-12 Delta, Guerrero Maya Jr., Rey Cometa vs Boby Zavala, Namajague, Shigeo Okumura
08-13 Último Guerrero vs Rey Escorpión
08-16 La Sombra vs Volador Jr. in a super libre (no rules) match
08-25 Valiente & Virus vs Trauma I & Trauma II
08-25 Guerrero Maya Jr. vs Black Terry
09-12 Ciclón Black, Guerrero Mixtico, Tony Rivera vs Black Terry, Dragón Celestial, Fulgor I
09-13 Máscara Dorada, Mistico, Valiente vs Dragón Rojo Jr., Pólvora, Rey Escorpión for the CMLL World Trios Championship
09-17 Terrible vs Shocker for the CMLL World Heavyweight Championship
09-22 Blue Panther, Brazo de Oro, Negro Casas vs Black Terry, Negro Navarro, Shu el Guerrero
11-03 Namajague & Shigeo Okumura vs Delta & Guerrero Maya Jr. for the Arena Coliseo (DF) Tag Team Championship
11-11 Negro Casas vs Rush and Shocker
11-15 Angélico, Australian Suicide, Jack Evans vs Daga, Hijo de Pirata Morgan, Pentagón Jr.
11-18 Rush vs Shocker
12-09 Blue Panther vs Averno
12-10 Alan Extreme, Astro Rey Jr., Blue Monsther, Canis Lupus, Centvrión, Fresero Jr., Golden Magic, Picudo Jr. vs Dragón Celestial, Emperador Azteca, Fulgor I, Látigo, Matrix Jr., Power Bull, Sky Ángel, Zurdog Toreno FILL
12-22 Black Terry, Bombero Infernal, Dr. Cerebro vs Apolo Estrada Jr., Avisman, El Hijo del Diablo
12-30 Stigma vs Camorra for the mask