CMLL on CadenaTres: 2015-01-03

taped 2014-12-30 @ Arena México

Acero & Fantasy vs Mercurio & Pequeño Universo 2000: [OK] better than last week’s opener, though that’s not saying a lot and they didn’t do a lot. Basic match with toned down performances from minis who usually do more and also Pequeño Universo. At least they didn’t waste a package piledriver on this.

Sensei, Soberano Jr., Star Jr. vs Cholo, Inquisidor, Ramstein: [OK] straight build up to the mask match next week, with the rudos dominated most of the match and the técnicos making the big comeback for the straight fall win. Crowd seemed into it and Soberano’s tornillo near the finish looked great. Sensei & Inquisidor were just sort of around, though I can’t remember the last time Sensei got to do a tope.

Hombre Bala Jr., Stigma, Súper Halcón Jr. vs Arkángel de la Muerte, Hijo del Signo, Nitro: [OK] This match was a real struggle in the first fall. The last two falls were good but they had a tough spot. The Bala spot which cracked up Tirantes made the cut here, and may have been about as much Signo being too close to the ropes as Bala screwing up. Same fall ended with a botched finisher. I’m not sure if Nitro meant to do a package piledriver, but Halcón decided to take a powerbomb fall and it didn’t really look good for him for a moment. Arkangel & Nitro are not a great fit for Bala & Halcon’s avalanche of offense, and Signo’s not every good. It would be better if the técnicos could adjust – the rudos really don’t need to learn things at this point, but they kind of do. The match went better in the last couple of falls, with spots being changed a bit form normal but resolving about the same way. I’m excited to see Stigma’s rope crawling spot in every match for the next two years, because it’s so wacky.

Blue Panther Jr., La Máscara, Super Porky vs Morphosis, Niebla Roja, Olímpico: [OK] Comedy match, with an Olímpico/Brazo de Plata feud in 2014. These are certainly the dead shows. La Mascara, as always, played normal técnico when not teaming with the Ingobernables or facing Volador. Blue Panther did a dance move, which is not very Blue Panther. His team is a bad influence. Even though it was comedy, Mije never got to do anything and I was uncertain why he was here. Easy pay day and the crowd liked the match.

Máximo, Valiente, Volador Jr. vs Felino, Negro Casas, Rey Bucanero: [ok] Focus on Volador/Bucanero, with Bucanero coming off (mostly) as more serious threat than previous shows. It was a short main event, with two really abrupt endings to fall before a longer third fall. I think I’ve ended up saying this a few places, but Volador’s really come a long way as a técnico in the last year – I believe him as one now, when I sure didn’t 12 months ago. Felino & Bucanero got along well for people who were in a death feud three weeks ago.

Sangre Azteca vs Pegasso: [OK] Only surprises in this one is Pegasso doing two dives and Sangre Azteca bringing out chained suplexes only to be foiled. The match itself was just two guys trading turns doing offense and unmemorable. The badly blown spot near the finish stuck out more than much of the stuff they did on purpose. Camera guy’s gotten really good at getting the time in frame when the finish is happening, that’s great news for me.