Mephisto keeps title over Titan, Dia del Luchador, Lucha Underground

CMLL (TUE) 09/20/2016 Arena México [+LuchaTV, CMLL, CultIcon, MedioTiempo, thecubsfan]
1) Eléctrico & Shockercito b Pequeño Olímpico & Pierrothito
Tecnicos took 1/3
2) Fuego, Guerrero Maya Jr., Hombre Bala Jr. b Disturbio, Sangre Azteca, Skándalo
Tecnicos took 1/3.
3) Máximo Sexy, Rey Cometa, Valiente b Luciferno, Mr. Niebla, Vangellys
Tecnicos took 1/3.
4) Estrellita, Princesa Sugehit, Sanely b Amapola, Dalys, Zeuxis
Tecnicos took 2/3. Estrellita beat Dalys.
5) Mephisto © b Titán [CMLL WELTER]
Mephisto took fall one wiht a powerbomb, Titan won fall two with El Inmortal, and a long third fall ended with Mephisto’s Super Devil Wings. 3rd defense
6) Diamante Azul, Dragón Lee, Volador Jr. b Euforia, Niebla Roja, Último Guerrero
Tecnicos took 1/3 in a good match

Titan versus Mephisto is something you should go out of your way to see; I’d grade it excellent from how it came across in the building, though I may watch it again whenever I make it home. The main event was pretty good as well, and much more than I’d expect we’d get at that point in the show. There was never a clear reason why the women’s match was fourth. One of the senators pushing the Dia del Luchador deceleration was female Olympian Ana Guevara, and maybe presenting women luchadors in a more high profile position was somehow connecting to getting her behind the bill. I dunno, just grasping for reasons where there often isn’t one.

Today is the day designated as Dia del Luchador by the Mexican Senate. (I’m still unsure if that means it’s a law, but it’s good enough for lucha.) It’s also a Wednesday and IWRG isn’t running, so there aren’t actually any lucha libre shows except maybe in Acapulco. CMLL, who pushed for this, simply designated last night’s show as it’s Dia del Luchador show a day early. It may have lifted attendance; it looked about 4,000 people for this show, which is 2×4 times more than usual.

There’s stories about lucha libre in the papers for the holiday, but really not much public celebrations. Maybe they’ll get it better with a year lead up next time (when the day will fall on a Thursday.)

Apolo Valdes writes that luchadors need more substantial things than a day.

Sopitas profiles various minis for Dia del Luchador.

Lucha Underground has episode 3×3, Ultimate Opportunities. Matches announced:

• Matanza versus the winner of Dial of Doom for the Lucha Underground Championship – teaser photo almost gives away the opponent, the comments totally do
• Aerostar, Drago and Fenix (c) versus PJ Black, Jack Evans, Johnny Mundo for the Lucha Underground Trios Championship – teaser photo
• Texano versus Cage – video preview

The preview says Dario will give two wrestlers will get an Ultimate Opportunity, and Texano & Cage is the only match where two guys are having a match for no obvious reason.

SI’s Extra Mustard interviews Johnny Mundo, Eric Van Wagenen and Chris DeJoseph about the series.

The Sports Entertainment Shrinks podcast interviews Marty the Moth.

Dave the Clown, Monster Clown and Murder Clown defeated Joe Lider, Cuervo and Escoria on Sunday in Valle de Chalco. Dinastia replaced Venom in the semimain.

Garza Jr. says he’s going to shut down the evil Americans.

Kcidis draws Mascara Dorada’s greatest opponent.