2017 watch later catch up, part 2 of ∞

Hey, I’m doing this again.

Rayo Star & Titán (CMLL) vs Black Terry & Toxin in a Juventud y Gloria quarterfinal (CaraLucha in Arena San Juan Pantitlan, 02/04/2017, via TVLuchaMundial, 25:30, good): a satisfying unique partners match, where the veterans felt more like the stars of the show but the youngsters were never out classed. Toxin & Terry took control of the match by turning it into a brawl and away from Titan’s usual style. Titan kept up and rallied back, but it was not his usual showcase. The chops sounded very strong and the headbutts looked good. Titan and Terry went a lot longer than we usually get after a couple eliminations, and Titan’s big sell off the moonsault counter made a spot that’s never a finish come off as a convincing one. I could see going higher and there’s no strong reason against it, it was just missing that next gear or someone really standing out.

Rey Hechicero & Solar I vs Caifan & Negro Navarro (Arena Lopez Mateos, 02/04/2017, 22:52, via +LuchaTV): [good] generally the expected exchange of holds that gets easy reaction from the fans who did show up to this one (which doesn’t appear to be many.) A Negro Navarro/Hechicero issue comes up naturally, with the vet easily getting under the skin of the CMLL luchador. Both men play off it for the rest of the match, though it never really gets paid off in the one. Hechicero kind of works backwards, getting in a lot of his usual spots in early and leaving of the match in a position where there’s no real build to a finish, just a steady back and forth move change until suddenly it’s time to end. Pleasant a lot but only really needed for completists of this style.

Emperador Azteca vs Diablo Jr. (Arena Naucalpan, 02/15/2017, via thecubsfan, 6:04) [good]: IWRG seems like they’ve cut down their match times this year, with most singles matches only one fall. That leads to crazy sprints like this, where Emperador Azteca loses his mind on his first dive and adds two more later on. Azteca takes most of the match, with Diablo just getting in enough shots to survive and catching the técnico at the end. The finish looks cool, but it is a bit too easy. Still, we’d be raving about this for weeks if showed up as a CMLL lightning match.

Golden Magic vs Pirata Morgan Jr., mask contra hair (IWRG/Arena Naucalpan, 02/12/2017 ,via iwrgtv, 22:46, good)

1. Pirata Morgan Jr. guillotine legdrop 4:45

2. Golden Magic top rope splash 7:45

3. Golden Magic 450 splash 10:16

Pirata Morgan Jr. looked awesome early on, throttling Golden Magic around ringside for four minutes, with the super slam into the chairs and the unexpected flying legdrop; this looked like it was something that was going to be amazing. It turned out to be something that was just good, because Pirata Jr. is gassed after those few minutes and really can’t add much more. The second fall drags until Golden Magic takes over, and the third fall is all Golden Magic moving Pirata around to get in spots. It works, because Golden Magic can do a lot of things and the blood adds some drama, but it’s a one man match for a long way and that’s a little disappointing from where it started. Still a nice Golden Magic outing.

Zack Sabre Jr. vs Jinzo (Martinez Promotions/Turf Zone Arena, Kennedale, Texas, taped 01/14/2017, via victor Martinez, 24:21, great): I’m a sucker for long Mendoza matches, but this doesn’t feel like it’s even going to be a good one for a long while. The submission wrestling is met with quiet for about the first ten minutes of the match – respectful quiet, but it’s doesn’t seem to be clicking with this audience (and not the easiest match to watch when there’s a cameraman blocking the mat work.) And then, Sabre starts cinching and smashing bodyparts, Ronnie screams in pain a lot, and the fans seem to buy into it. It works as Ronnie trying and not really able to match ZSJ when he’s fighting his kind of match, but being able to fight out of it at times and put Sabre in to some danger. The last half of this match is generally strong and dramatic, though it comes off a match that might have been better received in front of an super indie crowd than a lucha crowd (which reacts stronger to the chop battle than the kick in the chest one.) Finish doesn’t look perfect and is kind of unexpected as a finish, but it’s nice upset win.

Eterno vs Demonio Infernal (Arena Naucalpan, 02/05/2017, via IWRG tv, 13:30, good): this is a heated and bloody brawl where Eterno brings Demonio Infernal up to his level. Unfortunately, the finish takes it down a level or two. Demonio Infernal small packages Eterno, both roll so neither men are down, referee looks at the possible pin from all angles and then waves off the match – because it’s a double submission, apparently. Neither man was acting like they were putting each other in a hold or hurt from a hold, it’s nonsense. A draw may have made sense in this part of the feud but one that looks like this makes it hard to drop in and watch. Still, this fits with the overall improved nature of these IWRG young guy singles match; this was shorter and improved for being one fall, with the guys keeping a good pace all around. Eterno & Atomic Star specifically parodying the Daga & Eterno run-in on the Crash (just a few days before this) was amusing, and fit with Eterno not totally taking the novato totally seriously and being annoyed with how tough it turned out to be. This was really good showing for Infernal.