Month: July 2014

IWRG (SUN) 07/13/2014 Arena Naucalpan [IWRG]
1) Atomic Star & Electro Boy b Látigo & Sky Ángel
Latigo replaced Ciclon Black. Straight falls.
2) Látigo & Metaleon b Anubis Black & Hijo De La Bestia
3) Relámpago, Trauma I, Trauma II b Oficial 911, Oficial AK47, Veneno [Relevos Increíbles]
Oficials took falls 1, Traumas took fall 2. Those two teams brawled outside while Veneno went for the top rope senton on Relampago. Relampago moved and won with a splash. Veneno and Relampago shook hands after the match, while the Traumas demanded a title match with the Oficials.
4) Eterno, Fuerza Guerrera, X-Fly b Diva Salvaje, Súper Nova, Toscano
Rudos took 1/3, with Eterno (already eliminated) using a ref distraction to knock Toscano off the top rope and X-Fly pinning Toscano while using the ropes.
5) Demon Clown & Hijo de Máscara Año 2000 b Hijo De Dos Caras & Máscara Sagrada
Universo 2000 Jr. appeared before the match, threatening to debut soon. Tecnicos took fall 1, Universo helped the rudos take fall 2. Sagrada caught famed Canadian Demon Clown in a tirabuzon, M2K tried to break it up with a chair, Dos took the chair away but accidentally smacked Sagrada with it. Rudos got the win. Dos insisted it was a mistake but Sagrada said this was the start of a rivalry.

Mascara Sagrada versus Hijo de Dos Caras does not sound like it’ll produce good matches, but would be a big deal if they followed it to the logical conclusion. Traumas versus Oficials sounds like it’ll produce good matches.

There was a weird bait and switch in the main event last night in Arena Xalapa. The local group had been doing an Xalapa luchadors versus Consejo members (and allied local rudos) as a main event feud leading to a hair match. The Consejo squad had been primarily Hijo del Fantasma, Mascara Ano 2000 Jr. and Hijo de Tirantes as a luchador, which he does a bit in the area. There was no Tirantes in the big blow off match, but instead Loco Max, who had not worked with in the building or with AAA, turned up and lost his hair instead.

Fenix also missed his match, and the announcers there claimed it was because Fenix had suffered a fracture off his tibia. That’s obviously a bigger issue going forward, because it would cause some TripleMania plans to change. Fenix said he was working the show as recently as Saturday and hasn’t mentioned anything about an injury. On the other hand, Fenix looked in very rough shape after his match back in Queretaro. It’s not hard to believe he could’ve been working thru an injury and could finally work no more. Fenix’s next known match is in Tijuana this Friday and we’ll know more if he misses that show too.

Tonight is the Virus lightweight title defense against Stigma in Puebla. I saw the build up match on 06/30 and Stigma got big clean wins over Dragon Rojo and Virus to build him up. I still think Virus is likely to win but Stigma’s going to at least come very close. (CMLL almost never does draws in title matches but this would not be a bad time and place for one.) Virus told El Popular that he’s got to be careful with Stigma, because a young guy could have some surprises, but feels honored to be in the main event during Arena Puebla’s anniversary season.

Also on that TV show: the Shocker/Rush matches goes just about as long as the Negro Casas/Rush match did in Guadalajara. It seems possible Casas/Rush do a sub 10 minute match on Juicio Final if they’re doing them elsewhere, and I’m not sure how much the crowd will take to that.

Black Terry Jr. has photos of Sunday’s Arena Fusion show.

Dinastia defends his minis title in Tepic on Thursday. The concept of a Mini Elegido is scary.

Segunda Caida reviews Negro Casas, Blue Panther, Fuerza Guerrera vs El Hijo del Santo, Yoshihiro Asai, Gran Hamada and Lucha Azteca 06/07/14.

Press conference for the 07/19 show at Arena San Juan.

CMLL (SUN) 07/13/2014 Arena México
1) Akuma & Canelo Casas b Magnus & Metatrón 
Akuma replaced Guerrero Negro Jr. Rudos took 2/3.
2) Misterioso Jr., Puma, Sangre Azteca b Sagrado, Soberano Jr., Tritón
Rudos took 2/3.
3) Rey Bucanero, Terrible, Vangellys b Ángel de Oro, Super Porky, Titán
Rudos took 2/3.
4) Delta & Guerrero Maya Jr. © b Kamaitachi & Okumura [Arena Coliseo TAG] 
Champions took the last two falls in a bit of a disappointing match. Maya was dropped on his head by accident a couple times. Delta & Maya’s second defense.
5) Marco Corleone, Máximo, Valiente DQ Cavernario, Felino, Mr. Niebla 
Tecnicos took 1/3 in a comedy match. Maximo faked a foul from Mr. Niebla in the third.
6) Dragón Rojo Jr. b Volador Jr. 
Dragon Rojo took falls 1/3. First two falls were short – second fall might have been under 30 seconds – and third fall was absurdly long. Both men worked as tecnico, and Volador tried to work the Volador Great Match to a crowd who really didn’t care and did not respond much to all the big move kickouts they were doing.

Tough show. Either because the World Cup (which finished up about a half hour before the show) or because people simply didn’t care about the matches, there wasn’t much a turnout for this one. It would’ve been a soft crowd for Arena Coliseo, and was a quiet one for Arena Mexico.

Main event might read a lot better as a move by move summary than it came across on TV. Both Dragon Rojo and Volador worked as tecnicos and didn’t do anything to get people to cheer one or another. The fans slightly cheered Volador, out of inertia – neither guy had much tecnico charisma. This match should’ve have been booked once they decided Dragon Rojo was turning tecnico, but the luchadors needed to try and make it up for by giving the match some sort of story. Instead, the story was the overdone Volador match of doing two short falls and then an absurdly long third fall with every near fall and dive Volador can come up with. It didn’t get over, fans weren’t reacting to the ‘big’ spots and the luchadors just pretended like it was working instead of changing courses. There was a real failure to react to the crowd by the luchadors – they decided on the match they were doing and couldn’t adjust when it wasn’t working – and there was a failure in planning by whoever decided to book this match and this building on this day.

Arena Coliseo Tag Team championship didn’t click. Rudos didn’t have great nights (and Maya didn’t have a great feeling night thanks to them), but the Okumura/NJPW trainee tag team concept versus two CMLL midcard tecnicos formula has also been repeated too often the last 18 months. Delta & Maya have also plataeud in a tag team – there was simply nothing here they haven’t done better some other time. There needs to be a new idea here the next time these titles come into play – either tecnico challenges or a different style match or something.

Both the big matches on this show exposed some unpleasant ruts. There wasn’t really a lot new in the Peste Negra/Maximo match, there never really is, but at least they’re still over.

Feed had some problems again. It dropped out right before the second match and didn’t return until the fourth match had started. As usual, there was only acknowledgement when people started asking the Terra twitter account, and no word or apology after that. This is free which is good because it’d be very hard to pay for this service.

CMLL (SUN) 07/13/2014 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) El Tapatío b El Piraña
2) El Yaqui & Satara b Dr. Frezzer & Marvel
Rudos took 2/3.
3) Explosivo & William Rock b Évola & Jocker
Tecnicos took 1/3.
4) Mr. Trueno, Rey Trueno, Sádico b Brillante, Leo, Virgo
Brillante replaced Brunetti. Rudos took 1/3.
5) Hechicero b Black Panther
Hechicero submitted Black Panther.
6) Kráneo & Mr. Águila b La Máscara & Rush
Rudos took 2/3.

Dr. Lucha notes William Rock has won every single match he’s been in this year, reaching 12-0. He’s actually not lost on a CMLL booked show; his 1 career loss (starting in 2013) was on a sponsored show for his debut. I think it’s random. CMLL can’t be that concerned with wins and losses to book that main event finish.

Just photos, but it sure looks like AAA (w/Myzteziz) ran much too big of a building on Saturday. On the other hand, maybe the local promoter knew that going in – if they were able to fill something like that in Sonora, they would’ve been taping TV there.

Rob has highlights of 04/19/14 AAA.

Segunda Caida reviews 05/31/14 CMLL Azteca.

Virus and Stigma talk briefly about their title match Monday in Puebla.

Chik Tormenta won a title in Arizona.

SLP luchador Centella Inca talks about his recent retirement.

Dr. Wagner Jr  & Sin Cara are being teased for an appearance in Arena Coliseo Monterrey in September and October.

Pentagon Jr. threatens to take Australian Suicide’s mask and deport him. Pentagon should borrow from the Insects: start bringing a box with “Return To: Australia” and try to throw Suicide in there.

Lucha Libre in Japan

07/13 NJPW: Tetsuya Naito [O], Tiger Mask & Fuego beat Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jushin Liger & Mascara Dorada [X]
That wraps up Dorada & Fuego’s stay.

Flamita’s most recent match in Japan.

Lineups

CMLL (SUN) 07/20/2014 Arena Coliseo
1) Flyer & Molotov vs Cholo & Espanto Jr.
2) Angelito, Bam Bam, Eléctrico vs Mercurio, Pequeño Olímpico, Pierrothito
3) Oro Jr., Starman, Tritón vs Cancerbero, Metálico, Raziel
4) Blue Panther vs Boby Zavala [lightning]
5) Ángel de Oro, Rey Cometa, Titán vs Rey Bucanero, Terrible, Vangellys
6) Marco Corleone, Máximo, Rush vs Euforia, Mr. Niebla, Niebla Roja

More Metalico & Oro Junior. That mask match is happening August 15th 17th, I know it.

CMLL (SUN) 07/20/2014 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1) Meteoro vs Relampago Azul
2) Índigo vs Demonio Rojo
3) El Brillante & Javier Cruz Jr. vs Demonio Maya & Évola
4) Leo © vs Sádico [OCCIDENTE WELTER]
Leo’s fifth scheduled defense
5) Esfinge, Gallo, León Blanco vs El Cuatrero, Sansón, Universo 2000 Jr.
6) Máscara Dorada & Volador Jr. vs Ephesto & Felino

A Universo 2000 Jr. has been around since 2008, but it’s always possible it was a different one. This is his debut here.

CMLL (FRI) 07/11/2014 Arena México [CMLL]
1) Eléctrico & Último Dragoncito b Demus 3:16 & Pierrothito
Ultimo Dragoncito replaced Bam Bam.
2) Kamaitachi, Okumura, Skándalo b Hombre Bala Jr., Starman, Stigma
Rudos took 1/3, captain Starman taking both pinfalls.
3) Amapola, Princesa Blanca, Zeuxis b Dark Angel, Estrellita, Marcela
Rudas jumped the tecnicas and took the first, then Blanca used white powder to blind Marcela and beat her in the second. Straight fall.
4) Ángel de Oro, Stuka Jr., Super Porky b Ephesto, Hechicero, Pólvora
Tecnicos took 1/3.
5) Marco Corleone, Máximo, Rush b Cavernario, Negro Casas, Último Guerrero
Tecnicos took 2/3, Rush using the ropes to pin Casas.
6) La Sombra b Shocker
Sombra took the first with the Dos Caras Clutch. Rush interfered in the second fall, Casas ran him off, and Sombra pinned Shocker thanks to the distraction. Challenges followed, possibly for a tag title match.

CMLL.com recap confirms the tecnicos made a tag team challenge. That’ll give them something to do next week (and it wouldn’t be a big CMLL surprise for them not to be on the 07/25 show.)

Bam Bam had such a nice attendance record going. Alas.

CMLL post the promos for the women’s double apuesta match and Negro Casas vs Rush.

AAA lists the women’s/exoticos match, Bengala, Australian Suicide, Aerostar vs Super Fly, Daga, Steve Pain and Fenix, Angelico, Electroshock vs Pentagon Jr., Hijo del Fantasma, and Mascara Ano 2000 as airing on today’s TV show. The rest of the Xalapa taping will air next week.

Silueta talks about her upcoming (fifth!) trip to Japan, saying they leave on August 5th. In theory, that means Marcela would be leaving Mexico soon after her hair, though it’s still not clear how long this trip is.

Nino Hamburguesa, Mini Drago and Jennifer Blake visited children at Hospital General Dr. Gaudencio González Garza.

Rob has highlights of early October 2001.

The Gladiatores interview As Charro.

Lineup

CMLL (FRI) 07/18/2014 Arena México
1) Leono & Sensei vs Akuma & Guerrero Negro Jr.
2) Fuego, Pegasso, Tritón vs Misterioso Jr., Puma, Sangre Azteca
3) Lluvia, Marcela, Princesa Sugehit vs Dalys, La Seductora, Princesa Blanca
4) Máscara Dorada, Valiente, Volador Jr. vs Ephesto, Felino, Hechicero
5) Atlantis, Dragón Rojo Jr., Stuka Jr. vs Pólvora, Rey Escorpión, Último Guerrero
6) Negro Casas & Shocker © vs La Sombra & Rush [CMLL TAG]
first defense for Shocker & Casas

Main event could be pretty good. Shocker & Casas are the favorites, both to keep Casas winning going into the Juicio Final match and for CMLL Universal tournament numbers reasons.

Semimain will be Dragon Rojo’s real debut on the tecnico side, which is going to take some getting used to. I’m not convinced this is a great idea, but he’s been adding some tecnico-ish offense to his matches this year so it’s possible he/CMLL have been thinking of ways to make this work for a while. He starts off team with old Guerreros partner Atlantis and fellow Lagunero Stuka against the Revolucionarios and Stuka. That has a good shot of being rematched on 07/25 as the main event. If CMLL’s really going to do Atlantis vs Ultimo Guerrero, that announced should come on 08/01.

The ongoing issues with the Indeserables vs Peste Negra, the Guerreros vs Atlantis and the Revolucionarios now against themselves have really pushed TRT out of the main shows. I’d assume it’d be the same if the Hijos del Averno were something more than words on Mephisto and Ephesto’s t-shirts. On the other hand, Hechicero’s post En Busca de un Idolo promotion has been a pleasant surprise. He’s working one or two matches higher than he did going into the tournament, and faces off with guys who frequently main event on this show. Dorada versus Hechicero has some possibilities.

Women’s feud continues (and figures to have a half decent chance of making TV over a higher match since it’s building to something.) I’d be interested in the segunda if there was any chance I could see it. I would not be for the opener.