CMLL (MON) 01/05/2015 Arena Puebla [Periodico Enfoque, Periodico Enfoque (fotos)]
1) Artillero, Policeman, Súper Comando b Black Tiger, Robin, Tigre Rojo Jr.
Tigre Rojo Jr. and Policeman continue to feud.
2) Astral, Astro, Asturiano b Demus 3:16, Espíritu Maligno, Saurón
Astro is probably the former Astro Aéreo Jr.
3) Amapola, Tiffany, Zeuxis b Estrellita, Marcela, Princesa Sugehit
Princesa Sugehit replaced Dark Angel on Saturday. Estrellita returned from neck injury, but lost.
4) Máximo, Valiente, Volador Jr. b Ephesto, Mephisto, Pólvora
Maximo kissed Mephisto for the win.
5) Atlantis b Mr. Niebla
Atlantis won. Niebla challenged for a mask match sometime this year, and Atlantis accepted.
The newspaper writer felt Niebla and Atlantis were pretty definite about doing the mask match (as a potential Anniversary mask match), but it still seems unlikely they’d trust Niebla in that spot.
Today’s Arena Mexico card is more interesting than most of FanatasticaMania. The Pequenos Reyes del Aire is reliably entertaining, and the two other big matches could go either way.
Star Jr. & Soberano Jr. versus Cholo & Ramstein for all the masks is simply the biggest match in all four guy’s careers. The Principe Azuls, Star & Soberano, would have been the runaway rookies of the years in any normal year and they’re more advanced than Super Halcon Jr. & Hombre Bala Jr. were in this spot a few years ago. This should continue them to bigger matches down the road, if they can find a way to move up in a very crowded CMLL roster. Ramstein was a similarly well regarded early match luchador who had the bad luck to come along at a period where CMLL was far less interested in moving young guys up cards. As Fugaz, Ramstein traveled to Japan and worked as a regular Ricky Marvin opponent. Laster on, Ramstein, Sangre Azteca and Hooligan were briefly together as a trio called La Alianza, three talented guys who complained about getting no respect. Sangre & Hooligan eventually got some respect, but Ramstein never did. He’s been stuck in the early matches, and fewer and fewer of the last few years. The Rayo Tapatios and Tigre Blanco were clearly finishing up when they were in this same spot the last few years. It’s not as clear if this would be it for Ramstein, but it’s clearly his last chance to be remembered.
Meanwhile, Cholo is a goofball with glasses on his mask who went multiple years without wins and deserves credit for sticking on the roster despite getting less than 10 matches a year frequently. Cholo’s biggest impact on CMLL so far has been tearing his knee up catching a dive, both putting himself out of action and causing CMLL to (mostly) restrict luchadors from using dives in the first couple of matches. This is also likely as good as it gets for Cholo, though it’s hard to see him ever disappearing and an unmasked look might work just as well for his character.
They’re not the only two aging veterans who could benefit from a good performance tonight. A couple months ago, I linked to an interview with a doctor who spoke about helping luchadors with different techniques to length their career. Rey Bucanero was quoted about how he believed his career would’ve ended two years ago if not for help from this doctor. Bucanero has been wrestling for the last two years, but he’s also been a shadow of the guy who preceded it. Age, injuries, and a style around taking big falls will catch up to you. Bucanero and Volador have teases a hair vs hair match during this feud, which would sort of justify Bucanero winning the cage match. Today’s singles match with them might justify the hair match actually happening. Shocker’s another guy who’s had life catch up to him and isn’t close to the week to week luchador he was a decade ago, but found a way to make it work for a great match last year with Rush. Could Bucanero do the same today and will CMLL continue the hair match either way?
Guadalaraja’s show is pretty much a show. Atlantis, Maximo, Valiente vs Mr. Niebla, Barbaro Cavernario, Felino is the main, plus an odd ball cibernetico. It’d be the first time Dragon Lee meets Pierroth; they’re secretly son and father.
Silver King says Monterrey lucha libre needs to be cleaned up. This is the Silver King who is wearing a mask he lost. I don’t even. (This is all angle to build up the Wagners/Ninjas match they’re doing.) Llaves y Candados has launched a new site, focusing on this show.
Talking to Kasier Sports, Santo Jr. (the son) says school is his priority in 2015. He is training wrestling with Dandy and Dr. Cerebro and has also worked out with Ultimo Guerrero and Bestia Negra, but he knows this will be a long process and the expectations will be high when he debuts, so he’s not going to do so until he’s ready. Santo Jr. working out with Ultimo Guerrero is interesting – Hijo del Santo has spoken highly of his old rival – but then the wrestlers usually don’t hold the same grudges that the promoters do.
LuchaWorld has Alfredo’s picks for the top 10 stories of the 2014, which may just be an excuse to use that Averno picture again.
Segunda Caida approves of Solar vs Negro Navarro (10/01/2014 version) and Freelance, Arez, Segura vs the AULL Ninja Turtles.
Fuego en el Ring radio had Ringo Mendoza as guest.
Super Libre interviews Gallo and Al Carillo.
SuperLuchas writes about the debut of El Enmascarado de Chicago 79 years ago.
Gato Fantasama took Desafio’s hair in Monterrey.
Arena Coliseo Guadalajara recaps 2014 in the arena.
Tony Rivera was so sad about losing to the Ninja Turtles. Eterno & Canis Lupus also challenged the Oficials, and +LuchaTV somehow has highlights from Arena Kalaka.
Eslabon Perdido beat X-Fly to win Copa La Guera in Arena Xalapa.
Apolo Dantes is back to promoting in Jocotepec.
In Arena Aficion, there was a fourway for the vacant Hidalgo heavyweight title – which ended in a draw, so the title’s still vacant.
Kcidis has a Luchoroscopos for Acuario.
Lucha Libre in Japan
Syuri will make her first defense of the CMLL Women’s Championship against Shu Shibutani on 01/12. Goya Kona & Muneca de Plata face Kana and a mystery partner in the semimain.
Lineup
UWE (SAT) 01/31/2015 Arena Lopez Mateos
1) ? vs ??
2) ? vs ??
3) Gallego, Rocky Santana, Romano Garcia © vs Dante, Euro, Filder [AULL TRIOS]
Diabolicos second defense?
4) Hijo De Dos Caras & Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. vs Trauma I & Trauma II and Hijo de Pirata Morgan & Rey Bucanero [UWE TRIOS]
title listed as vacant
5) Chucho el Roto vs Herejía [mask]
6) Atlantis & Último Guerrero vs Dr. Wagner Jr. & LA Park
Main event will be good if you want to see mask pull, fouls, and empty challenges.
