January 21, 2018 – luchablog

if he’s going to keep doing it, we might as well keep GIF-ing it

Do you like results? There are a lot of results today. There are often a lot of results, and I specifically filter it down to the stuff that I think might matter. There’s even a lot of those tonight.

CMLL (SAT) 01/20/2018 Arena Coliseo [CMLL]
1) Bengala & Sangre Imperial b El Coyote & Grako
Bengala took 2/3.
2) Espanto Jr., Hijo del Signo, Metálico b Ángel Del Amor, Magia Blanca, Magnus
Rudos took 1/3.
3) Cancerbero, Nitro, Virus b Astral, Flyer, Tritón
Astral replaced Stigma. Rudos took 2/3
4) Chamuel & Mije b El Gallito & Microman
Chamuel replaced Zacaraias. Rudos took 1/3.
5) Blue Panther, Guerrero Maya Jr., Titán b Johnny Idol, Vangellys, Yago
Yago replaced Sam Adonis. Tecnicos took 2/3.
6) Diamante Azul, Stuka Jr., Valiente DQ Ephesto, Luciferno, Máscara Año 2000
Tecnicos took 1/3, the last when Mascara fouled Diamante Azul and attacked the referee.

I know, it’s about time Diamante Azul got a feud. This ended up going nowhere. No idea where Adonis disappeared this weekend; he was at Arena Mexico on Friday as the Freedoms invitee.

Luchando por Ellos (SAT) 01/20/2018 Deportivo Morelos, Cuajimalpa, Ciudad de México, Distrito Federal [+LuchaTV, Estrellas del Ring, La Aficion, MedioTiempo]
1) Luzbel Jr. b Tanque Infernal, Sucesor, Rider, Pequeño Warrior, Canibal, Súper Bufon, Alfa, Omega, Hip Hop Man, Saru [Copa Luchando por Ellos]
Luzbel earned a spot higher on the card for winning the match. Saru was hurt in the match.
2) Mini Rey Misterio & Sexy Dulce b Lady Sensación & Pentagoncito
3) Hijo De Dos Caras b Apolo
Alberto appeared to thank the fans before the match.
4) Carístico & Tinieblas Jr. b Luzbel Jr. & Psicosis II
Luzbel Jr. won the spot as Psicosis’ partner (replacing Hijo del Pirata Morgan, who was working Arolucha instead.)
5) Dos Caras Sr., Octagón, Solar I DQ Canek, Fuerza Guerrera, Pirata Morgan
Fuerza fouled Octagon
6) El Patrón Alberto & Hijo del Fantasma b Cibernético & Dr. Wagner Jr.
announced as a three way match, but Hijo del Fantasma was added to the match as Alberto’s tag partner as a surprise.

The building looked pretty full. It’s listed as a 2,000 seat building; I didn’t get a great look to know if they sold out, but it seemed to do well. The promoted live stream on Claro never materialized and never was explained. Tinieblas and others were occasionally Periscoping bits out.

I’m not sure of the ethics of building up the mask match that you have no plan to actually do on a charity show. I’m also sure the people involved with booking Fuerza & Octagon knew that was exactly what they’d get from them, so they must’ve not been concerned.

Alberto’s talked about running more of these shows later in the year. Nothing specifically was announced.

Alberto and much of this crew traveled to Monterrey for today’s MDA show. MDA had been teasing some sort of chaotic invasion and delivered Konnan, with Sexy Dulce, Juventud Guerrera, and Kevin Kross promising destruction. Konnan had been working the Arolucha shows with Juvy and Sexy just flew home, Kevin Kross is the weird one to fly all the way to Monterrey to stand threateningly on the ramp or whatever. At this point, Kross must figure that’s Mexican wrestling involves a lot of being flown to places to not wrestle. It’s a Mexican indie promotion, so I suspect half these people won’t be involved next time they come back, but MDA says more will happen when they come back in February.

Arolucha (SAT) 01/20/2018 South Plains Fair Park Coliseum, Lubbock, Texas [@alanjulson]
1) Gringo Loco (Illinois) & Steve Pain b Aaron Solow & Ricky Starks
2) Trey Miguel b Low Rider
3) Laredo Kid NF Drastik Boy
Trey Miguel ran in, and Low Rider even the sides, to set up a tag match
4) Laredo Kid & Low Rider b Draztick Boy & Trey Miguel
5) Hurricane Helms, Máscarita Dorada, Taya b Demus, Hijo de Pirata Morgan, LuFisto
6) Low-Ki b Carlito, James Storm
7) Juventud Guerrera & Súper Crazy b Black Taurus (Indie) & La Máscara

Show was said to be fun. They announced a return here on 04/29 with Rey, Penta and Fenix. The promotion itself is back on 02/16 in Beaumont and 02/17 Humble, Texas. Talent list for those: “Blue Demon Jr, Juventud Guerrera, Super Crazy, Chavo Guerrero Jr, Sammy Guevara, John Hennigan, James Storm, Shane Hurricane Helms, Low Ki, Demus, Mascarita Dorada, Taya, MVP, Maximo, Lady Apache, LAX, Steve Pain, Laredo Kid, Keyra, Xtra Talented, Low Rider, Thunder Rosa”.

The Crash (SAT) 01/20/2018 Auditorio de Tijuana, Tijuana, Baja California [126F, MedioTiempo, The Crash, TJ Sports]
1) Black Boy b Aramis (Estado de México), Astrolux, Rayo Star, Arceus, Súper Caló Jr.
2) Christi Jaynes & Danny Limelight b Baronessa & Último Malditoand Lady Flammer & Látigo
Lady Flammer was the surprise woman, presumably the winner of The Crash tryout. Danny Limelight replaced Jonathan. Jaynes pinned Latigo after a rope bounce Spanish Fly.
3) Arkángel Divino, Keyra, M-ximo b Black Danger, Lacey Lane, Último Ninja
Despite the loss, Lacey challenged Keyra to a title match right then. Keyra accepted.
4) Lacey Lane b Keyra © [The Crash WOMEN]
Impromptu match. Lacey won the title with help from the Rebelion Amarilla and used the ropes on the pin. The entire group (minus Taurus, not there) celebrated in the ring and antagonized the crowd, who started throwing things at the ring. The Tijuana commission immediately announced all the members of the group were suspended from the city for a year. Ultimo Ninja and Garza Jr. argued after this suspension occurred. Lacey is the third champion, Keyra falls on her sixth defense.
5) Damián 666, Extreme Tiger, Jack Evans b Charlie Haas, Douglas James, Famous B
Famous B replaced Joey Janela (moved up)
6) Rey Horus b Joey Janela
Joey Janela was moved up to replaced Matt Riddle.
7) Daga, Masada, Penta Zero M b Bestia 666, Garza Jr., Mr. 450

The suspension appears to be an angle. It’s not 100% clear, but all the logic points that way. Tijuana does have a commission and it has actually suspended high profile people in the past. They usually don’t do it while the show going on, and the Yellow Rebellion guys still wrestled in the main event anyway. Nothing they did really suggested they should be suspended for a year. Plus, the Ultimo Ninja/Garza Jr. split seems like an angle (which could’ve only happened if they were suspended), and The Crash happened to be streaming on Facebook with two different feeds when they didn’t really stream the rest of the show.

It would be obvious bad news if the lead rudo group for The Crash couldn’t wrestle in the cities home promotion until 2019, but that just seems unlikely. It would be good news if they’re back to actually running angles here again.

Bestia looked like he needed stitches after the main event, which turned into a hardcore match.

Zona Ruda has seven good and bad things about the show. Charlie Haas did not look good. Rey Horuz did look good.

The Crash were recording yesterday’s show for their TV show, which does not yet have an announced start date or a network. Roberto Figueroa was doing the announcing, and wrote that four of the six matches had money thrown in. The building looked pretty full on video. The Zona Ruda review mentions there was a lot more time between matches than usual and the show ran long as a result.

The Crash announced Rey Mysterio and CIMA will appear on their 02/17 show.

CMLL NJPW (SUN) 01/21/2018 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan [CMLL, CultIcon, NJPW, StrongStyleStory, thecubsfan, Wrestling with GIFs]
Attendance: 1590
1) Disturbio & Puma b Drone & Star Jr.
9:16. Puma casita on Drone.
2) Fuego, Ryusuke Taguchi, Soberano Jr. b Okumura, SHO, YOH
11:06. Soberano tornillo on Okumura.
3) Bushi, Hiromu Takahashi, Rush, Tetsuya Naito b Atlantis, Hirai Kawato, Kushida, Satoshi Kojima
11:58. Rush Driver on Kawato. Kojima & Rush fought post match.
4) Gran Guerrero & Último Guerrero b Ángel de Oro & Niebla Roja [CMLL Hermanos, semifinal]
15:22. Gran Guerrero beat Niebla Roja.
5) Dragón Lee & Mistico b Cuatrero & Sansón [CMLL Hermanos, semifinal]
10:25. La Mistica on Sanson.
6) Volador Jr. © b Bárbaro Cavernario [NWA WELTER]
22:07. Volador Canadian Destroyer. 18th defense, Cavernario’s 3rd challenge in this reign

This wasn’t as good as the first show, though the main event as about as good as it’s going to get with tecnico Volador. Cavernario is so very good and so needs to actually be in a feud he can win in 2018. The Guerreros/Angels match was the far superior of the two. The proper name of Puma’s cradle is the casita.

The show started with Sofia Alonso addressing the crowd, talking about the positive relationship between NJPW and CMLL allowing them to combine for these shows, and inviting NJPW officials to Arena Mexico. CMLL’s article on the speech says the NJPW/Arena Mexico relationship goes back to 1976, when Cien Caras & Raul Mata first came to Japan and 1978, when Satoru Sayama came to Mexico. Of course, in between, NJPW also worked with El Toreo and AAA, but the current NJPW/CMLL alliance seems as strong as any between two major promotions in the world.

In the post match interview, Drone said he really enjoyed his trip to Japan. That appeared to be the case. Hope he’s better tonight.

CMLL (SUN) 01/21/2018 Arena México [CMLL]
1) Apocalipsis, Artillero, Cholo b Camorra, Inquisidor, Yago
Rudo vs rudo battle, but no storyline this time. Rudos took 1/3.
2) Eléctrico, Oro Jr., Starman b Akuma, Espanto Jr., Sangre Azteca
Electrico’s debut in the main division – and he won! Tecnicos took 2/3.
3) Forastero, Pólvora, Vangellys b Guerrero Maya Jr., Magnus, Pegasso
Magnus replaced Rey Cometa. Rudos took 2/3.
4) Pierroth, Stuka Jr., Valiente b Johnny Idol, Tiger, Titán [Relevos Increíbles]
Tiger replaced Sam Adonis (missed both weekend matches.) Team Valiente took 1/3.
5) Euforia b Diamante Azul
Euforia took falls 2/3, the last via using the ropes.

I’m surprised Diamante lost this match. There’s no title on the line. But maybe the mistake is thinking about CMLL booking – there’s no obvious reason for a rudo/rudo opener and the Relevos Increible is at best a fix for not having the right people available.

CMLL (SUN) 01/21/2018 Arena Coliseo Guadalajara [Arena_GDL]
1) Owen b Frenético
2) Demonio Maya & Thunder Boy b Johnny Dinamo & Principe Daniel
Rudos took 2/3
3) El Divino & Tigre Blanco DQ Destello & Exterminador
Tecnicos took 1/3. Thunder Boy ran in and attacked Tigre Blanco for the DQ.
4) Omar Brunetti, Rielero, Vaquero Jr. b Guerrero de la Muerte, León Blanco, Ráfaga
Tecnicos took 1/3.
5) Joker, Metatrón, Neutrón b Difunto, Magnum, Sádico [Relevos Increíbles]
Team Joker took 2/3, Joker challenging Sadico to a singles match next week.

Sadico’s not a champ, so maybe they’re going hair/hair? Or whatever’s going on with Tigre Blanco & Thunder Boy is leading to a cage match.

Tonight closes out the FantasticaMania tour, at 3:30AM. The main event will be the final of the brothers tournament, with Ultimo Guerrero & Gran Guerrero facing Dragon Lee & Mistico. The Munoz kids are favorites as the tecnicos, just not by much. The big singles is Rush/Kojima, which has been heated up well on this tour yet still seems like it’s going to be a bit of a struggle. If Rush has a max effort performance in him, this would be a good time for it.

The rest of the show includes Voaldor, Soberano and Drone versus Naito, Hiromu Takahasi & Bushi. Drone’s definitely taking the pin, and the quality of the match is totally dependent on how much he can recover from yesterday’s performance. Kawato has his farewell match, teaming with Atlantis against Barbaro Cavernario & Gedo in an odd mix. Niebla Roja & Angel de Oro take on Cuatrero & Sanson, with the Angel Brothers also a slight favorite and having a slightly better performance tour than the NGD. Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask make their only NJPW World match of the tour, teaming with Kushida and Star Jr. against Sho, Yoh, Rocky Romero and Okumura. The show opens up with Taguchi & Fuego teaming once again, this time against Drone & Puma.

NJPW World will be broadcasting this one in both Spanish and Japanese. Miguel Reducino has been at ringside taking photos the last couple of days, so he’ll probably be calling the show again. Puma does enough guest commentary with CMLL that it’d make sense to send him out there for the second half of the show, but NJPW may not think about that.

Chario 12 (02/05 @ Arena Naucalpan) so far

That’s a big match for Sinaloa’s Mr. Iguana, making his debut here after having a good introduction in RIOT last year. The 3 matches yet to be announced for this show include a CMLL title match. Hoping that’s Hechicero, but I have no idea.

Expreso follows around Ciudad Victoria luchador Fuego Latino for a day. He’s training wrestlers in the city, and says he was one of the Ninja Turtles, Space Cadets and Power Raiders in AAA. A lot of people seem to say that.

Veteran luchadors were honored of in Merida. They’re going to officially celebrate their day of the lucahdor on June 17th, but brought in wrestlers to tell their stories Saturday.

Fray Tormenta visited the Archbishop Emertius of San Luis Potosi.

El Dictamen interviews Veracruz’s el Pantera.

Lineups

CMLL (SAT) 01/27/2018 Arena Coliseo
1) Bengala & Sensei vs Apocalipsis & Yago
2) Angelito, Fantasy, Último Dragóncito vs Pequeño Olímpico, Pequeño Violencia, Pierrothito
3) Audaz, Pegasso, Stigma vs Tiger, Universo 2000 Jr., Virus
4) Guerrero Maya Jr. vs Fuego [lightning]
5) Ángel de Oro, Niebla Roja, Soberano Jr. vs Cuatrero, Felino, Rey Bucanero
6) Atlantis, Marco Corleone, Volador Jr. vs Ephesto, Luciferno, Mephisto

It seems to me like Atlantis could use a few more weeks of before being in the ring to get ready, but he’s taking on a full schedule right away.

Maya/Fuego sounds like a fun match we won’t see. Audaz maintains a high position and probably works with Virus. Angelito reappears for the first time in 3 months.

Gran Guerrero, new master of the chokeslam

Recapped: 1/21/2018

Matches:

Disturbio & Puma beat Drone & Star Jr.
(9:21, Puma casita Drone, ok)

Fuego, Ryusuke Taguchi, Soberano Jr. beat Okumura, SHO, YOH
(11:07, Soberano tornillo Okumura, good)

Bushi, Hiromu Takahashi, Rush, Tetsuya Naito beat Atlantis, Hirai Kawato, Kushida, Satoshi Kojima
(11:47, Rush Driver on Kawato, ok)

Ángel de Oro & Niebla Roja beat Gran Guerrero & Último Guerrero in a CMLL Hermanos semifinal
(11:18, Gran Guerrero top rope toss Niebla Roja, good)

Dragón Lee & Mistico beat Cuatrero & Sansón in a CMLL Hermanos semifinal match
(10:24, Mistico La Mistica Sansón, good)

Volador Jr. © beat Bárbaro Cavernario for the NWA World Welterweight Championship
(22:01, Canadian Destroyer, excellent)

What happened:

Sofia Alonso talked to the crowd to start the show, thanking NJPW for their partnership on these shows.

Thoughts:

It’s really the main event as the only match you need to see from this show. And that’s Volador as his most Volador, which sparks some wildly diverse opinions. The rest of the show wasn’t bad, but it was definitely worse than the first show and there were under delivering matches.

The main event surpassed their own match from Arena Mexico last year, which might have been the best match singles match there. They’re both really good at what they do. This was Volador’s high spot match turned up to the once a year max, with Cavernario matching him move for move. Both men looked sharp and were thorough; the Japanese commentators were trying to figure out what they both had left by the end of it. The superkick versus slap fight at the end felt like a Japanese twist to the usual style. It’s going to be hard for them to go back to this match, because they did everything they could do and their only story is to do everything they can, but this was as good as they could do that story. Cavernario remains super popular in Japan despite hardly ever winning a big match; if tomorrow’s show included an announcement that NJPW was getting to keep him for the year, the crowd would go nuts.

This NGD/Munoz tag match was good but disappointing. The Dinamtias brothers came of as stronger singles wrestlers in their matches on the previous show than they came off as tag wrestlers here, and that’s not at all the way it seemed like it should go. They left their team offense back in Mexico for some reason, seemingly trying to wrestle as singles guys instead of what made them interesting in the first place. It wasn’t like they were just avoiding the springboard moves because of the ropes, there’s wasn’t much of anything else they normally do in a trio, even when Forastero isn’t around. There were still some good spots here, with Dragon Lee having the best night and the start of the match being really fun, but this should’ve stolen the show with a better rudo performance and instead was just alright. I’ve got it good because Dragon Lee was so good but can see people having it lower.

The Guerreros/Angels tag match had some nice moments. Both the Oro/Roja dive combination and the Guerreros own version got over well. The crowd reacted well for the tapatia spot, though the rest of the Angel de Oro/Utlimo Guerrero open dragged a bit. The Niebla Roja/Gran Guerrero finishing sequence felt a little bit too much like the same order of things as the previous match and didn’t get quite as over as last time. Still, there was enough good to be worth watching.

The LIJ match wanted to build up Kojima/Rush for tomorrow and do one last LIJ send off for Kawato. They got so much mileage out of Kawato surviving and surviving and then being killed dead. It’s something in favor for the NJPW way of doing things, though Kawato’s own ability to show fire and fight back strong helped too. The Kojima beat down segment didn’t do much for me. The brawl with Rush afterward too. Atlantis relying on La Parka like rudo stooging and an armdrag doesn’t seem a great sign for him. Hopefully it’ll get better.

The second match was a simple fun trios match, heavy with Taguchi comedy. Soberano still got to show off a lot. Soberano never got to work with Sho & Yoh much in Mexico in front of the cameras. They worked well together here, and I wonder if they might have met much more often as training partners given their similar experience levels. The early Soberano/YOH sequence was really clean despite Soberano doing some tricky headscissors escapes. Soberano getting the pinfall again was a good sign for him. Fuego was way in the background for most of it, just getting in his signature stuff.

The difference between Drone & Disturbio’s drowsy opening and Star Jr. & Puma’s fast pace start was immense. It told the story of the whole match quick: Star Jr. & Puma were wrestling on a much higher sharper level than their the partners Drone was acting erratic throughout the match and seemed to realize he had an bad performance by the end. Disturbio looked like he was trying to get his way thru a segunda. It made Puma & Star Jr. stand out even more, but this match should’ve been much better. The super press powerbomb spot went a lot better for Star Jr. & Puma this time around and the crowd really got into Puma around the time of his delayed suplex. I was surprised he got the pinfall win, though it clearly was the right call the way the match played out.

Day: January 21, 2018

CMLL FM Tokyo Day 2, Rebelion Amarilla suspended?, Luchando Por Ellos, Arolucha

CMLL FantasticaMania Tokyo Day 2: 2018-01-21

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