2018 watch later catch up, part 5 of ∞

El Bandido vs Niebla Roja
(TSW @ Arena San Juan Pantitlan on 01/01, 11:35, good, via +LuchaTV)

Bandido doing well elsewhere is usually the way to point out how great it is he didn’t stay in CMLL. In this one, Bandido faces a CMLL wrestler to make the same point. Niebla Roja is technically alright but never feels like he gets out of Tuesday lightning match gear. He never seems to realize he’s wrestling in a (mostly empty) Arena San Juan instead of a (mostly empty) Arena Mexico. It’s a slow match early and one where Bandido feels plugged into an above average formula without either man really challenging what they can do. The finish is extremely weird – I think Niebla Roja gives up, and then puts his foot on the ropes to break the hold. It’s not much of an out, even as he protests

Dulce Gardenia vs Syrus, hair vs hair
(AMLL @ Arena Azteca, Torreón, Coahuila on 04/03, 23:24, good, via LUCHAMANIA AMLL)

An apuesta match that feels vicious and bloody at times. I wanted to see Syrus again after seeing him on the KDojo shows and he works well here as a rudo. His timing on spots is pretty good; the jumping kneelift to cut off a dive is a different spot than I’ve seen for that moment and works well here. Gardenia is nominally an exotico but it’s not much part of the match here outside of his outfit. Gardenia does a lot more traditional offense and comes off as a good athlete. The rudo referee stuff doesn’t really add much or go anywhere, but they do make a story out of Gardenia limping around by the end. I think they peaked well before the actual finish, but the crowd was way into to the actual end.

Esfinge & Tritón vs Disturbio & Virus for the Arena Coliseo Tag Team in a tournament final match
(CMLL @ Arena Coliseo on 03/10, 18:07, good, via Princesa Dorada, Princesa Dorada, Princesa Dorada)

It was nice to be able to see a CMLL title match, even if CMLL couldn’t just air it themselves. This two teams had a fair match given it was a non-TV match on the least important show of the week, and it’s only disappointing in the idea that it could’ve been some hidden classic. Neither técnico really works a mat style to go with Virus, and Triton or even Esfinge doesn’t have a great showcase of moves in this one. it’s a midlevel combination of what they all do well with nothing really feeling like a big match until the last few minutes. They were effective in what they do pull off, but they do something more than rush thru finishers at the end to bring it up. This was solidly good but the idea of the match was more interesting than the match itself.

Ricky Marvin vs Kawato
(Lucha Memes @ Coliseo Coacalco on 03/11, 11:27, good, via +LuchaTV)

Kawato was closer to his Japanese reputation than he has shown in CMLL, showing fire and intensity that’s not really present in his rudo act. He was a young boy trying to fight over his status and getting brutally shut down, and Ricky Marvin brutally shuts him down in a great closing stretch. The earlier portions of the match are more disjointed, seeming like Marvin has a plan of what they’re going to and CMLL Kawato is along for the ride while being mildly confused. These Lucha Memes Marvin matches have been the best possible version of the grump rudo act, where he gives his young opponents enough moments to make them look like something worth defeating, and then still looks like a monster in destroying them. Marvin never felt truly in danger of being beat here, and I’d like to see the rematch in nine months when maybe Kawato can get that far and make the first half work better. Generally, I’d like to see him in these matches rather than what we’ve got out of him in CMLL.

Negro Casas vs Aramis
(Lucha Memes @ Coliseo Coacalco on 03/11, 9:04, great, via +LuchaTV)

Negro Casas gave Aramis chances to look really good in this match, and Aramis fully took advantage. They built the match well towards the finish and around the casita, with the battle escalating the entire way. Casas was there for every big spot Aramis wanted to do, and Aramis made them look good. The toughest part was convincing the crowd that Aramis had a chance; his kneebar looked great, but the crowd didn’t react at all like it was a possible ending. Everything else went really well, and it made for a satisfying match.

Ricky Marvin vs Dr. Cerebro in a super libre match
(IWRG @ Arena Naucalpan on 03/11, 10:01, good, via +LuchaTV)

The early brawl was great, though it felt like they kind of punched themselves out and slowed down quick as a result. It was still a strong fight the whole way. Marvin having a plan to attack the knee from the start and following it thru the match feels totally different for IWRG. Marvin the bruiser needs something more to his look but it’s an effective character.