CMLL on CadenaTres: 2014-04-19

recap

taped 2014-04-15 @ Arena México

Bengala & Molotov vs Camorra & Disturbio: First fall was longer than the last two falls combined, which suggests they’re still trying to figure out the timing for these Tuesday shows with seven matches (and two long judging discussions.) Things started well for Disturbio and Bengala, but went down hill by the end. Molotov and Camorra were irrelevant (and had their own lesser problems with the third fall.)

 

Eléctrico, Pequeño Halcón, Último Dragoncito vs Mercurio, Pequeño Olímpico, Pierrothito: Generally okay minis match with some small flaws and frequently iffy headscissors. I’m still uncertain what Pierroth what was meant to have done to Eléctrico to beat him in the first fall. It appeared he just rolled Eléctrico on to his back, let go of him, then pinned him like normal. Second fall comeback happened during a replay, which is mostly the production’s fault but not helped by it coming out of nowhere and for no particular reason.

 

Estrellita, Silueta, Syuri vs Amapola, Dalys, Tiffany: Neither of the first two matches got 10 minutes, while this one was closer to 15. I’m not advocating for more time for this match, just maybe wishing this one could’ve been closer to those in time. Maybe it would’ve cut down on the glaring errors, like Dalys’ senton or Tiffany apparently forgetting how to do a figure four in mid attempt, or Estrellita’s dive fail. There was way too much happening here that shouldn’t be happening at this level. The ending sequence with Amapola and Syuri was the best part of this match.

 

Dragon Lee vs Star Jr. in a En Busca de un Idolo match: En Busca de un Idolo matches which resemble normal lighting matches are a disappointment. All lightning matches should be showcases for something, but these more than most. Star Jr. and Dragon Lee bought into that, turning this in to a big showcase of all they were capable if they threw themselves into it. A lot of killing each and killing themselves en route to having an exciting match. Their spots held together, so the stuff that was memorable was the risks they took at the end and this worked a lot better than you would’ve figured with these two guys. Weird upside to the two guys with similar looks wearing similar colors: this seemed like must’ve been a move turn taking affair, but that sensation was dulled because the red guy always seemed to be having a good run. Not sure it’s supposed to work like that but it did for my brain.

 

Cachorro vs Soberano Jr. in a En Busca de un Idolo match: This one was closer to that normal lightning match. I don’t know that anyone’s playing game theory here, but it definitely seems like you want to be in the first match of the two and you definitely want to have a showy match (even if it doesn’t quite hold together.) It’s not a good idea to make your opponent look bad, because there’s no telling if the judges will pick a single luchador to blame, but you can make the guys in the other match looks less impressive if you set the bar high in your match. There was a little more logic here, but there was a less people being pull off the top rope. Soberano ended up with the exact same scores as Dragon Lee, but Cachorro paid a price. This was good.

 

Atlantis, Delta, Guerrero Maya Jr. vs Rey Bucanero, Terrible, Virus: Good trios match. Match accelerated quickly and was well paced for the amount of time they had. The two teams matched up well, with the técnicos showing emotion about the rudos antics and the rudos keeping up with the técnicos at the end. Really liked Guerrero Maya sneaking into to break up a pin in the third fall, then escaping before Rey Bucanero could get him. (He also knew just how to get himself in position for the rudo cheap shot, though that was still a little late arriving.) Atlantis still looks great when he’s giving quebradoras to everyone, and the brief Virus/Atlantis section was good enough that they need to find more excuses to do it again. Delta should probably stick with the reinera and not the other hold, especially since the other guy doesn’t seem to be using the reinera all that much.

 

Marco Corleone, Máximo, Stuka Jr. vs Dragón Rojo Jr., Misterioso Jr., Rey Escorpión: This was all about Rey Escorpion and Máximo. I’m less concerned about the midcarder’s main event shot getting overshadowed when it’s Misterioso. (When it’s 1 AM and you find yourself watching Misterioso bite Marco’s chest, it makes you reconsider every decision you’ve made in your life.) Marco got in punch spots and Stuka beat two guys with one splash, but this was build up to the title match on Sunday and the hair match on who knows when. It was good for that and entertained the live crowd.