Mistico beats Gran Guerrero, Konnan & Psicosis II on that slap

CMLL (MON) 01/20/2020 Arena Puebla [CMLL, Lucha Central]
1) Black Tiger, Centella Roja, Rey Apocalipsis b Asturiano, Meyer, Millenium LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 20 DE ENERO DE 2020 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
2) Rey Samuray, Súper Astro Jr., Tigre Rojo Jr. b El Malayo, Fuerza Chicana, Policeman LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 20 DE ENERO DE 2020 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
3) Kawato San, Perverso, Toro Bill Jr. b Black Panther, Blue Panther Jr., Stigma LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 20 DE ENERO DE 2020 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
Kawato snuck in a foul to beat Stigma. After a moment, everyone remembered Stigma wasn’t the captain and Kawato rolled up Black Panther too.
4) Kráneo, Valiente, Volador Jr. b Ephesto, Mephisto, Templario LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 20 DE ENERO DE 2020 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
5) Místico b Gran Guerrero LA MEJOR LUCHA LIBRE DESDE LA ARENA PUEBLA 20 DE ENERO DE 2020 (posted by VideosOficialesCMLL)
straight falls – a repeat of Tuesday’s Mephisto/Mistico match, with Gran Guerrero getting DQed in the first and pinned in the second.

Even CMLL couldn’t be bothered with results for this one. (I think regular Puebla ring announcer Omar & Alexis Salazar handle the Arena Puebla live results and both were on a plane, and it’s not important enough to pass to a third person.) This is the second running week with a Kawato/Stigma finish, so that’s headed to a lightning match next week or the week after.

CMLL finishes out the FantasticaMania home team schedule with Atlantis Jr., Diamante Azul, and Volador versus Ephesto, Mephsito and Hechicero in the main event. It’s not an exciting card. The Panthers team up in the semi-main. Rey Cometa versus Povlora could be good. Principe Diamante will make his first streaming appearance as Diamond. The show streams at 7:30 pm on YouTube

Guadalajara has Gran Guerrero, Mistico, Shocker vs Rey Bucanero, Terrible, Valiente. They might be setting up another Gran Guerrero singles match, or they might justbe killing time.

 

CMLL has photos with Panico promoting tomorrow’s matches in CMLL Lady’s Rin. (There’s no “g” in that name. I’m struggling with that.) Dalys still figures to win the new title over Mina Shirakawa. In Japan, they’ve pushed the idea that Tsukushi will get to have a match in Mexico if she can beat Jarochita.

Part of the FantastcaMania crew has returned to Mexico.

+LuchaTV’s podcast has an extended interview with Psicosis Ripper. He comes on at 32:47 and is on the rest of the show. It’s about 90 minutes long and is tense at times early. I’m not going to transcribe it because my translating isn’t good enough and there’s touchy stuff in there, but Fredo is doing it on Twitter right now and will probably have a longer version on LuchaWorld. Psicosis Ripper admits he brought along the person who filmed his fight with Konnan and told that person to blur out his face but pleads ignorance about how that video ended up online.

To Konnan’s claims that Ripper isn’t that good, Ripper claims he’s got an offer to work in CMLL, had an offer of a WWE tryout (and he turned it down) and is one of the best wrestlers in Mexico. Ripper brings up his trios and singles title reigns, and singles matches in CMLL as proof he’s every bit as big a star as Nicho. Those Nicho appearances late in 2019 AAA TV seemed irrelevant at the times but apparently stirred up something in Ripper.

Psicosis Ripper also did an interview with La Tijera Lucha Libre. He seems to want to tell his side of the story but also is trying to get his name out there. He wanted bookings after all. That’s the important distinction between the two people in this story. +LuchaTV mentioned Konnan declined to come on and Konnan has been on active on Twitter since this occurred. Konnan has a job, has many jobs, and the only thing that could’ve happened if he fought back against Psicosis is losing those jobs. Psicosis Ripper had some bookings (the Vanguardia show where he’s in a barbed wire match with Psicosis Nicho) but is hoping for more.

Konnan tells his side of the story this week on his podcast, which they’ve clipped and put on YouTube even before the normal Thursday release of the podcast.

Konnan says the problems go back to the Psicosis vs Psicosis feud. Ripper was cheap shotting Nicho in the matches, Konnan confronted Ripper about it, Ripper kept trying to legitimately hurt Nicho. Konnan says it led to Nicho no-showing a big match because he was concerned Ripper was going to attack him. Fast forward to Konnan’s most recent return to booking AAA, where Konnan decided Ripper was one of the guys from the Vampiro era he wasn’t interested in using and mentions their back and forth on Twitter. Konnan says Ripper caught up to him just as he arrived at Impact. (He later says Ripper was waiting there for three hours.) Konnan saw the camera and figured this was something Ripper was doing for a vlog to get some views, no more than that. When Ripper started yelling, Konnan’s attention was trying to figure out which other people there might be with Ripper. That’s when Ripper slapped him. Konnan says he wanted to fight, but he felt there were at least two more people with Ripper and perhaps more. His plan was to get away to the dressing room and bring people out to fight with him, though Ripper was gone by the time he got back. Konnan notes he had no idea what those other people might have on them and how it could’ve escalated, plus a fight is probably not a great idea for someone with heart issues. Still, Konnan says he would’ve hit back had it definitely been one on one.

Konnan found out through the press that the video was online a couple of hours later. He actually found out that the guy who shot the video was trying to sell the video to the press. Konnan wonders if they thought they were going to get something bigger on the video (Konnan fighting back or Konnan getting beat down by a group of people) but, when no one would buy the video, they just leaked it themselves. Konnan says Ripper made a very big mistake, and he’s not talking about AAA booking. Konnan says a lot of wrestlers and promoting have contacted him, telling him they’re never going to work with Ripper again. He feels the reaction from the fans is the same, and the only people taking Ripper’s side are because they’re treating it as Konnan’s storyline character getting attacked.)

(Konnan’s memory may be hazy on the Nicho/Ripper stuff. They did have a big match at TripleMania in 2005 and there’s no obvious TV show Nicho missed. Maybe it was off TV. It does fit with Histeria being oddly thrust into that feud, which always felt like a way to get out of that feud without either Nicho or Ripper having to lose.)

Early on the +LuchaTV podcast, there’s a discussion about the Impact tapings. Jose Manuel Guillen mentions Hijo del Vikingo actually lost some level of consciousness during his match with Josh Alexander. It was not anything Alexander or Vikingo did in the match. Instead, Vikingo was so nervous that he didn’t eat anything and briefly passed out due to low blood sugar during the first portion of the match. They got Vikingo something to eat after the match, he was fine later, and he still got money thrown in.

AAA will part of the Vive Latino music festival in Mexico City, on March 14 & 15th

A women’s wrestling reality show will announce their 48 women cast today in Mexico City. This is scheduled to start airing in March; their fairly broken website indicates it’ll air on InternetTV.

Puma King & Gringo Loco face Jordan Oliver & Kotto Brazil on 02/01 in Philadelphia for MLW.

LuchaWorld has this week’s Poster-Mania.

Lineups

CMLL (SUN) 01/26/2020 Arena México
1) Kaligua & Shockercito vs Mercurio & Pierrothito
2) Arkalis, Leono, Magnus vs Apocalipsis, El Coyote, Inquisidor
3) Diamond, Dulce Gardenia, Fuego vs Cancerbero, Espíritu Negro, Raziel
4) Stuka Jr. vs Felino [lightning]
5) Ángel de Oro, Flyer, Niebla Roja vs Euforia, Luciferno, Mephisto
6) Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón vs Carístico, Titán, Valiente

Don’t slide out to the floor on NGD.

AAA (SAT) 03/14/2020 Foro Sol, Iztacalco, Distrito Federal
1) Keyra & Niño Hamburguesa vs Lady Maravilla & Villano III Jr.
2) Aramis, Hijo Del Vikingo, Mr. Iguana vs Carta Brava Jr., Mocho Cota Jr., Tito Santana
3) Myzteziz Jr. & Octagón Jr. vs Abismo Negro Jr. & Argenis
4) Pagano vs DragoDave The Clown? [VIVE LATINO CHAMP]

AAA (SUN) 03/15/2020 Foro Sol, Iztacalco, Distrito Federal
1) Eclipse & Vanilla vs Hades & Mamba
2) La Parkita vs Mini Psycho ClownOctagoncitoDinastía ©La Parkita NegraLaredo Kid [AAA MINI]
3) Australian Suicide & Bengala vs Arez & Último Maldito
4) Aerostar & Máximo vs La Parka Negra & Texano Jr.

This is two days of shows at the Vive Mexico music festival. Dinastia won the Minis belt back on these shows last year so it’s possible something interesting might happen on one of them.

2019 watch later catch up, part 19

death defying

Templario vs Rey Cometa in a lightning match
(CMLL @ 12/14, 6:29, good, HVSLuchaLibre)

Cometa & Templario rushed through some of their bigger spots, trying to get in as much as they could instead of setting anything up. The finish looks effective but is also abrupt. It’s watchable but not strong so; there’s no depth to it. Templario seemed to adjust mid-spot to a springboard tope instead of a dropkick, which worked better for the moment and also is a bit more variety.

using his head

Eléctrico © vs Halcón Suriano Jr. for the Mexican National Lightweight Championship
(CMLL @ 12/22, 15:34, good, HVSLuchaLibre)

Virus is much better than Halcon Suriano Jr., at least when it comes to getting something out of an Electrico title match. This was a good move exhibition with not much more to it. Electrico wrestled a lightning match with some more mat work at the start. He repeated spots near the end because he doesn’t really have that much to do. Suriano actually shelved some of his usual spots, pulling out stuff we’ve never or rarely seen from him. One wonders what he could do if he was given a better opponent. The wildest part of this was seeing Leono & Bengala as title match seconds.

Halcon but a swan

Canibal, Mike, Teelo, Voltrex vs Águila Oriental, Dinámico, Noise Boy, Spyder Boy
(MexaWrestling @ 10/26, 9:59, great, CaritaJC denigrando la lucha libre)

I couldn’t find a rating for this one, which is odd for a match I’m sure I watched and GIF-ed around the time everyone saw and was blown away by the creativity. This still holds up as amazing even when you’re not surprised by it. Some of it feels heavily choreographed, but there are other matches which feel choreographed that’s not nearly as impressive as this. There are stretches here as amazing as anyone pulled off all year and I’m interested in finding out if this is the start for a lot more with these guys or just one moment of brilliance. Bonus points for the guy taking the finish to belay dead still on the mat for two minutes while everyone else is still celebrating the reaction.

the toss is impressivetome

LA Park vs Blue Demon Jr.
(IWRG @ 12/15, 20:57, great, +LuchaTV)

2019 is the best year of Blue Demon’s career as best anyone any tell, and it’s so weird. He’s getting cut by a broken bottle to end the year and I don’t think anyone saw that coming 12 months earlier. LA Park carries this brawl in the usual fashion, but Blue Demon’s totally up for it. He’s into from the first moment, ready to take Park’s fight to him and willing to get covered in blood while doing it. It’s the total LA Park screwy finish you’d expect – where you’re left realizing they did some of it for no reason other than they like doing it – but it’s fine as long as you know what you’re getting in for.

everyone down

FantasticaMania 2020 wraps up, Guerrero/Mistico in Puebla tonight, IWRG

IWRG (SUN) 01/19/2020 Arena Naucalpan [+LuchaTV, The Gladiatores]
1) Dinámico & Spider Fly b Noicy Boy & Voltrex IWRG Lucha Libre (posted by Internetv Deportes)
2) Legendario b Maradó IWRG Lucha Libre (posted by Internetv Deportes)
3) Avisman & Black Dragón DQ Death Metal & Fulgor I IWRG Lucha Libre (posted by Internetv Deportes)
4) Diva Salvaje, Jessy Ventura, Pasion Cristal b El Hijo del Medico Asesino, Fresero Jr., Hijo de Pirata Morgan and Big Chico Che, Big Mike, Big Ovett IWRG Lucha Libre (posted by Internetv Deportes)
The Big Strippers were out first when Big Mike was DQ-ed for splashing the ref by mistake. Fresero had issues with his partners leading to their loss and a post-match fight.
5) Puma de Oro b RelámpagoLunatik Xtreme IWRG Lucha Libre (posted by Internetv Deportes)
Puma beat Relampago with a 450 splash
6) Demonio Infernal © b Fuerza NG [IWRG Rey del Ring] IWRG Lucha Libre (posted by Internetv Deportes)
4th defense. Demonio Infernal won via unseen martinete.
7) CIMA, Lindaman, T-Hawk b Emperador Azteca, Súper Nova, Toxin IWRG Lucha Libre (posted by Internetv Deportes)
CIMA beat Toxin. Super Nova challenges CIMA.

a

CMLL , NJPW (MON) 01/20/2020 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan [CMLL, Lucha CentralNJPWthecubsfan]
1) Fuego & Ryusuke Taguchi b Douki & Kanemaru
7:12. Fuego submitted DOUKI.
2) Tiger Mask b Tiger
6:54. Tiger suplex.
3) El Audaz, Flyer, Guerrero Maya Jr. b Euforia, Luciferno, Namajague
8:02. Flyer beat Lucifierno with the guillotine legdrop.
4) Bushi, EVIL, Takagi b Dulce Gardenia, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Uemura
11:30. Takagi beat Uemura with a Pumping Bomber.
5) Negro Casas, Okumura, Último Guerrero b Kojima, Soberano Jr., Stuka Jr.
10:48. Negro Casas beat Stuka with a casita.
6) Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón © b Ángel de Oro, Niebla Roja, Titán [MEX TRIOS]
14:30. 14th defense. Angel de Oro was pinned after the Catapult Dinamita.
7) Carístico © b Bárbaro Cavernario [NWA MIDDLE]
16:06. 3rd defense. Caristico retained via La Mistica to close the tour.

A fun show to close it out. The main event was a little bit better than expected, the NGD trios match was a little less. Titan/Forastero still seems the match of the tournament, with Caristico/Cavernario behind it. They did a lot of playing off previous bits in the undercard, making them feel less like repeats and more like conclusions. Casas getting a pinfall win seemed doesn’t fit usual patterns and instead felt like giving him a win in case he never makes it back to NJPW again. (He made no indication of that in his interview, though.)

Dulce Gardenia was the breakout star of the tour. There’s a shot of Gardenia being in Best of Super Juniors, though I suspect it’d go a lot like Yano in the G1 – some people (especially Japanese fans) would enjoy the comedy, others (especially Western fans) would find the act obstructive to the types of matches they want to see in that competition.

Some of the roster is coming back Tuesday. Others are staying around for a few days. The Dalys CMLL Lady’s Ring title match is on Wednesday. Jarochita and Dalys are also on the 01/25 TJPW card, so Negro Casas probably is staying as well. Dalys was visible watching the matches on the last couple of FantasticaMania shows.

NJPW didn’t have a number this morning so I was going to with 93,173, but I was told on Twitter it was actually 1,593. That puts the final total 10,449, a new high. It’s not big of an increase, but that they were able to keep the same turnout even while running Tokyo a fourth time and with a lineup that was not particularly exciting is a strong side for the business of FantasticaMania. Maybe not the in-ring side, because it proved what they’re doing is good enough for now, but that’s the way it goes.

Sounds like Namajague is going to open a steak restaurant. He will be missed.

If you watched one “Mistico versus a great rival” match this morning, CMLL has another one for you tonight. The second Mistico takes on Gran Guerrero in Arena Puebla, four days before meeting again in Arena Mexico. This is the first time they’ve met. Gran Guerrero, like most every rudo on his level, never wins singles matches and probably won’t win this.

Kawato San & Stigma had issues last week. They meet again in the tercera. Stigma teams with the Panthers, Kawato with locals Perverso and Toro Bill. Kraneo is an unlikely Sky Team member, teaming with Valiente and Volador against Ephesto, Mephisto, and Templario. There’s two locals heavy match to open the show. It’ll stream at 9 pm.

ROH on 02/28 in St. Louis Nashville

Lineups

CMLL (SAT) 01/25/2020 Arena Coliseo
1) Fantasy & Último Dragóncito vs Pequeño Olímpico & Pequeño Violencia
2) Lluvia, Mystique, Skadi vs Amapola, La Infernal, Tiffany
3) Eléctrico, Magia Blanca, Retro vs Misterioso, Sagrado, Tiger
4) Súper Astro Jr. vs Hijo del Signo [lightning]
5) Audaz, Dulce Gardenia, Stuka Jr. vs Hechicero, Kawato San, Vangellys
6) Carístico, Diamante Azul, Flyer vs Cavernario, Euforia, Último Guerrero

CMLL throwing out a Flyer main event against AAA’s TV taping. (Or they’re giving Valiente, Volador. and Mistico a day off after working a lot during FantasticaMania.)

IWRG (SUN) 01/26/2020 Arena Naucalpan
1) Águila Oriental Jr. & Spider Fly vs Noicy Boy & Voltrex
2) Black Dragón, Chicanito, Legendario vs Canival King, Carnicero, Death Metal
3) Diva Salvaje, Jessy Ventura, Pasion Kristal vs Oficial 911, Oficial AK47, Oficial Fierro
4) Demonio Infernal & Fresero Jr. vs El Hijo del Medico Asesino & Hijo de Pirata Morgan
5) Fuerza Guerrera NG, Relámpago, Súpernova vs Black Terry, Emperador Azteca, Lindaman
6) Puma King & Séptimo Dragón vs CIMA & T-Hawk and Dragón Bane & Hijo de Canis Lupus

CIMA is a big fan of young high flyers so he’s going to love Dragon Bane after this match. (Assuming he makes it.) The fourth match follows up on issues between Infernal vs Asesino/Morgan.

CMLL/NJPW FantasticaMania Tokyo Day 4: 2020-01-20

Audaz

Recapped: 2020-01-20

Matches:

Fuego & Ryusuke Taguchi beat Douki & Kanemaru
(7:12, Fuego armbar Douki, ok)

Tiger Mask beat Tiger
(6:52, Tiger Suplex, ok)

El Audaz, Flyer, Guerrero Maya Jr. beat Euforia, Luciferno, Namajague
(8:05, Flyer legdrop Luciferno, good)

Bushi, EVIL, Takagi beat Dulce Gardenia, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Uemura
(11:30, Takagi pumping bomber Uemura, good)

Negro Casas, Okumura, Último Guerrero beat Kojima, Soberano Jr., Stuka Jr.
(10:49, Negro Casas casita Stuka, ok)

Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón © beat Ángel de Oro, Niebla Roja, Titán for the Mexican National Trios Championship
(14:39, Catapult Dinamita Angel de Oro, good)

Carístico © beat Bárbaro Cavernario to keep the NWA World Middleweight Championship
(16:06, Caristico La Mistica, great)

Thoughts: 

landing on his feet was smooth

Caristico & Barbaro Cavernario had the most all out match of the tour, something fitting of the main event. They changed the flow around from Mexico, with dives piling onto each other for effect. Cavernario seemed bugged by a boot that won’t stay tied, but it didn’t seem to affect the match outside of one awkward pause. Cavernario put real pressure on Caristico, Caristico made a well-timed comeback, and they didn’t push the match too far. This worked fine as the tour ender.

The trios title match was a little bit disappointing. It didn’t feel like it was building at any point, just going back and forth through the moves. The offense was cleanly performed, but it lacked big moments before the finish. The physical abilities of the NGD are obvious but the mental part of it stands to be improved.

The fifth match had good moments but not a great rhythm. It was moments from previous matches in the same match but not all that connected. It was nice to see Negro Casas to pick up a win. Maybe he’ll be back next year, but he at least got to celebrate one more time if it’s the last time.

Dulce is over but struggled in the ring a bit more than usual. There were a couple of noticeable slips in his early run. It didn’t really matter much, the Japanese crowd I in love with the kiss spots. The second half of the match was built around those and Uemura hope pin spots, and it got over huge. It may not be what you want if you’re looking for something with more substance but these six got a lot of comedy out of it.

this went better for Stuka

The Audaz trios match was a surprisingly strong comedy match. The rudos showed some great buffoonery, making fools of themselves to help the tecnicos look good. Audaz himself showed more comedy timing than usual in between doing some of his best flying. Flyer & Maya were sold, even the referee got involved but the real credit was to Luciferno, Euforia, and Namajague willing to be silly for the sake of the match.

CMLL’s Tiger started off hot against Tiger Mask. He had trouble building on it, which was consistent with the rest of the tour. Some of that might have been Tiger Mask preferably a slower pace; it definitely ended up slower. Tiger could use deeper and more varied offense if he’s to get more single match chances. His best work in CMLL has been basing for flyers and he didn’t really get to do a lot of that here, but he’s got to show more if he’s going to advance.

Taguchi/Fuego had one more enjoyable opener. They varied their bits, playing off what they had done in the last few matches, though it wasn’t materially different than what they had done before. It got the crowd going, serving its purpose, but maybe not needed to watch later unless you really love this team. DOUKI wrestled about 90% of the match for his team.

FantasticaMania Tokyo Day 3 results, other CMLL weekend results, The Crash, Psicosis II

Stuka’s plan not the greatest

CMLL (SAT) 01/18/2020 Arena Coliseo [CMLL]
1) Angelito & Fantasy b Pequeño Olímpico & Pequeño Universo 2000
2) El Coyote, Príncipe Odín Jr., Yago b Arkalis, Halcón Suriano Jr., Magia Blanca
Magia Blanca return from injury. Rudos took 1/3.
3) Cancerbero, Raziel, Virus b Eléctrico, Oro Jr., Súper Astro Jr.
Rudos took 2/3
4) Black Panther, Blue Panther, Blue Panther Jr. b Misterioso, Sagrado, Universo 2000 Jr.
tecnicos took 1/3
5) Atlantis Jr., Místico, Valiente b Felino, Rey Bucanero, Vangellys
tecnicos took 2/3.
6) Volador Jr. b Mephisto
Volador took 2/3.

Volador brags about a coin from fans being worth more than five stars. Definitely true, but definitely not something happening at Arena Mexico now.

CMLL , NJPW (SUN) 01/19/2020 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan [CMLLNJPWthecubsfan]
Attendance: 1601
1) Luciferno & Namajague b El Audaz & Tsuji
7:48. Namajague beat Tsuji with a German suplex
2) Flyer, Guerrero Maya Jr., Soberano Jr. b Douki, Kanemaru, Tiger
7:29. Soberano Fire Driver DOUKI
3) Ángel de Oro, Niebla Roja, Titán b Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón
12:26. Angel de Oro mecedora on Sanson before the title match
4) Stuka Jr. b Okumura [NWA LH]
10:25. Made a title match the night before. Stuka landed the torpedo splash for the win. 4th defense.
5) Bushi, EVIL, Takagi b Dulce Gardenia, Fuego, Ryusuke Taguchi
12:01. Bushi pinned Fuego.
6) Último Guerrero © b Kojima [CMLL HEAVY]
13:05. Guerrero Special. 7th defense
7) Carístico, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tiger Mask b Bárbaro Cavernario, Euforia, Negro Casas
11:23. Tanahashi defeated Casas with the High Fly Flow. Kuroneko tribute match. Panico (Juan Manuel Mar) & Skandalo appeared.

Promos: Ultimo Guerrero (would be willing to face Kojima again), Caristico.

UG/Kojima was good, the main event was fun. Some of the other stuff on the undercard was enjoyable. The best was the NGD match, but they should be topping it tomorrow morning.

FantasticaMania wraps up the tour, and the tenth year, on Monday morning. The show has two more title matches: Caristico defends against Barbaro Cavernario and NGD against Angel de Oro, Niebla Roja, and Titan. Either title changing hands would be big news and seems very unlikely to occur. Both should be pretty good matches; the trios title match seems a safe bet to be the best match of the tour. Tiger faces Tiger Mask in a bonus early singles match. The show streams at 3:30 AM.

The turnout of 1601 is the highest recorded number for a FantasticaMania show since at least 2016. (NJPW wasn’t publicizing real attendance numbers prior.) The outside-Tokyo shows were all slightly down, but the Tokyo numbers have been strong. NJPW moving one of those outside shows to Korakuen Hall will result in a tour attendance record. (They just 1,515 to reach the high, they average 1,580 on the final night.) This tour has not captivated regular CMLL viewers so far but the business behind it remains good.

CMLL (SUN) 01/19/2020 Arena México [+LuchaTV, CMLL]
1) Apocalipsis & Cholo b Sangre Imperial & Sonic
2) La Comandante, La Infernal, Reyna Isis b La Vaquerita, Lluvia, Skadi
3) Diamond, Drone, Stigma b Disturbio, Olímpico, Pólvora
Principe Diamante debuted his new Diamond idenity.
4) Blue Panther, Kráneo, Volcano b Ephesto, Felino, Rey Bucanero
5) Místico, Valiente, Volador Jr. b Hechicero, Mephisto, Templario
Tecnicos took 2/3
6) Diamante Azul b Gran Guerrero
Azul took 1/3.

Promos by Diamannte Azul, Gran Guerrero, and Reina Isis & La Infernal.

Diamond won his debut, a modest surprise for CMLL. They didn’t back off the Santo suit. If he’s still working third matches a month from now, it’s a lot of getting people angry for no benefit.

The Crash (SAT) 01/18/2020 Auditorio de Tijuana, Tijuana, Baja California [The Crash, Zona Ruda]
1) Baby Extreme b Dinámico
Baby Extreme immediately challenged Terror Azteca for the Crash Junior championship.
2) Terror Azteca © b Baby Xtreme [The Crash JUNIOR]
immediate title match. Azteca retained. First defense.
3) Christi Jaynes & Lady Flammer b Baronessa & Hija De Gatubela
Alex Garcia was scheduled, didn’t appear. Gatubela & Baronessa added to make it a tag match instead.
4) Torito Negro b the Tiger (Tamaulipas)
5) Black Danger, D Luxe, Geluz b Demencia, Próximo, Silver Star
Geluz was the new mystery person. Proximo replaced Animal.
6) El Mesías b AngélicoCIMARyu Lee
Mesias was helped by Orcaulo and masked men, setting up a new group.
7) Flamita & Oráculo b El Lindaman & T-Hawk
8) Bestia 666, Damián 666, Mecha Wolf b Negro Navarro, Trauma I, Trauma II
Mesias attacked Mecha Wolf after the show

I haven’t gotten to link it yet, but video looks to be going up in the usual places. Zona Ruda’s recap has the opener as the best match, surprisingly. The main event teased a cage match, while the Mesias/Mecha Wolf feud is also back (Mecha refused to join the Mesias Puerto Rico army.) That’s also a criticism Zona Ruda had: there’s a lot of matches teased in this promotion that don’t seem to go anywhere, and they’d rather see an existing Rebelion issue paid off rather than a new feud with the Navarros.

Geluz did a dive that looked a lot like Aereo from Juarez.

Garcia appears to have missed the show due to travel issues.

Jay Lethal, Bandido, Jonathan Gresham, Ryu Lee, Brazo de Oro Jr., Hijo del Mascara Sagrada, and Hijo de Octagon were announced for the next 02/22 show.

If you that perhaps a day of reflection would cause Psicosis II/Ripper to reevaluate his actions, well, nope. Pasala talked to the second Psicosis, who confirmed it wasn’t personal. This Psicosis thinks Konnan has it out for him solely because Konnan feels Nicho Psicosis is the only true one. Psicosis Ripper tells the reporter to ask him how many former and current AAA wrestlers have told him thanks for slapping Konnan, for putting him in his place. Psicosis complains Konnan’s humiliated his fellow wrestlers and treated them poorly, but everyone’s afraid to speak up about him.

A lot of the same Psicosis quotes also appear in an interview he did with YouTube channel President XL., which makes me a little suspicious Pasala just watched that video. One additional note is Psicosis Ripper claims CMLL offered him a job after hearing about the slap.

The second day of Impact tapings on Saturday seemed to back track a little bit on what had been set up the day before – or there were parts missing to those Friday night results. Taya went from challenging Tessa for the Impact title to losing her own Knockouts championship. Vikingo lost to TJP, who seems to be replacing him in the tag title feud with the North. Vikingo was said to have impressed both days. A match taped for Xplosion with the Rascalz vs Draztick Boy, Dinastia and Iron Boy sounds fun, though those matches don’t get a lot of time generally.

The Gladiatores has a few of the press interviews with AAA wrestlers at Impact. The one that sticks out to me is Pagano saying Sin Cara/Incognito is a friend, but the true “Cinta de Oro” is dead and the name should stay that way. It sounds like Pagano and Cinta/Cara haven’t talked about it yet.

The Toluca futbol club honored La Parka with a message on their sleeves and a pre-match team photo where everyone wore La Parka masks. La Parka was a fan of the team and had appeared at games previously. La Parka’s daughter and Electroshock appeared at the game as part of the ceremony.

The only notable thing from Saturday’s MexaWrestling show was what appeared to be low turnout. The promotion seems positive about the matches and mentions they actually sold more tickets then they were expecting, which is surprising given how it looks in photos. That’s the main event; it looked dire early.

WrestleCon announced Cavernario vs Caveman Ugg for their 04/03 WrestleCon World Wide show. That match may have happened at PWG had CMLL not pulled Cavernario (which is a reason I’m hoping the match happens, but I am holding my breath until it actually happens.)

Bryce Benjamin & Marshe Rockett are still the IWRG Tag Team Champions, defeating Hijo del Impostor & Dragon for them in Berwyn Sunday night. That match was supposed to include Dragon Bane & Hijo de Canis Lupus, who evidently did not appear.

As suspected, Bandido lost the ECCW title after one night.

Lineups

CMLL (FRI) 01/24/2020 Arena México
1) Halcón Suriano Jr. & Magia Blanca vs Akuma & Espanto Jr.
2) Drone, Fuego, Guerrero Maya Jr. vs Olímpico, Tiger, Virus
3) Soberano Jr., Star Jr., Titán vs Rey Bucanero, Shocker, Terrible
4) Ángel de Oro, Diamante Azul, Niebla Roja vs Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón
5) Místico vs Gran Guerrero
6) Carístico, Cavernario, Valiente vs Felino, Último Guerrero, Volador Jr. [Relevos Increíbles]

This is the Mr. Niebla tribute show. There’s no way you can tell from that lineup; it’s just as generic as possible. The Pesta Negra members are fighting, not teaming, which feels borderline offensive. Negro Casas isn’t present – he might still be in Japan with Dalys for a few days past FantasticaMania – but it seems like CMLL could wait for him to be there to run a proper show. This show doesn’t feel worthy of honoring Mr. Niebla.

The only reason I can think of to do that main event as a Relevos Increibles is if CMLL’s going for another round of Caristico versus Volador.

Lucha Memes (MON) 02/03/2020 Coliseo Coacalco, Coacalco, Estado de México
1) Astrolux, Black Metal, Perro de Guerra vs Lady Cat, Lilith Dark, Zika
2) Garrobo Punk & Gremlin vs Fly Warrior & Príncipe Aéreo
3) Rey Apocalipsis & Toro Bill Jr. vs Centurion & Metaleón
4) Black Terry & Judas el Traidor vs El Mimo & Toro Negro
5) Alas de Acero, Iron Kid, Lunatik Fly vs Atomic Star, Baby Star Jr., Fly Star
6) Jimmy vs Toxin
7) Arez vs Lady Flammer
8) Aramis vs Látigo

Top three matches on this show look promising. Batillon de la Muerte versus Centvrion & Metaleon is the battle of two teams I liked but haven’t gotten to do much interesting stuff in the last year or so.

CMLL/NJPW FantasticaMania Tokyo Day 3: 2020-01-19

UG enjoying life

Recapped: 2020-01-19

Matches:

Luciferno & Namajague beat El Audaz & Tsuji
(7:47, Namajague german suplex Tsuji, ok)

Flyer, Guerrero Maya Jr., Soberano Jr. beat Douki, Kanemaru, Tiger
(7:30, Soberano Jr. Fire Driver Douki, good)

Ángel de Oro, Niebla Roja, Titán vs Cuatrero, Forastero, Sansón
(12:26, Angel de Oro mecedora Sanson, good)

Stuka Jr. beat Okumura to keep the NWA World Light Heavyweight Championship
(10:24, Stuka splash Okumura, ok)

Bushi, EVIL, Takagi beat Dulce Gardenia, Fuego, Ryusuke Taguchi
(12:03, Bushi Roll Fuego, ok)

Último Guerrero © beat Kojima to keep the CMLL World Heavyweight Championship
(13:18, Guerrero Special, good)

Carístico, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tiger Mask beat Bárbaro Cavernario, Euforia, Negro Casas
(11:31, Tanahashi High Fly Flow Negro Casas, good)

Thoughts:

Audaz using the post

The main event was the best of what FantasticaMania can be, mixing the NJPW and CMLL stars in an entertaining fashion. Cavernario, Euforia and Negro Casas are a strong rudo team and meshed well with Tanahsahsi & Caristico. They gave us a bit of Euforia vs Tanahashi and Casas vs Tanahashi and that’s just what this match needed. Caristico worked hard leading into the title match, Tanahashi did a bit more than in his previous matches and the ceremony around it was nice. A good main event.

Kojima blocked the super powerbomb and got a headscissors, so there was a lot to like about this match. Ultimo Guerrero fought a bit Kojima’s style, Kojima did some flying, and they meshed well. This had a little bit of Ultimo Guerrero’s checklist-style but they deviated from it. The trip into the crowd didn’t really payoff – I wonder if something went wrong – but it picked up after that. This was a fun match.

Dulce matches remain built around Dulce going for kisses, and not much more. They may have peaked the kiss too soon for this one, or maybe kiss based matches just don’t need to go 12 minutes. It was some good comedy for a while. Dulce is popular even after just three matches.

Stuka carried his title match with Okumura to something watchable, though there were few surprises. Okumura pulling out the Ultimo Guerrero cradle out of the torpedo splash was at least one good near fall. Stuka crashing and burning was one memorable spot. It was otherwise the same match they’ve been doing on these shows forever, done fine, but with no surprises.

Titan magic

Tomorrow’s trios title match looks like it’s going to be pretty strong if the tecnicos build on what they did in Sunday’s match. They kept a fast pace, they switched up a few things from usual and broke up the NGD’s rhythm. Tomorrow’s total match should exceed this easily but it’s a good starting point.

The second match felt the most like a CMLL match, in that the rudos got the advantage and then just triple-teamed for a lot of time. The action kept never dragged. DOUKI matches up well with the CMLL guys, which is a shame we’ll probably not see it much after this

The opener didn’t last long enough to mean a lot but the action was good while it lasted. Audaz’s early run was his best moment of the tour. I don’t know that he’s ready for the Best of Super Junior spot they’ve talked about here; he’s not showing enough variety that nine singles matches seem like a welcoming idea. Tsuji doesn’t seem like he’d automatically fit in with CMLL’s style but maybe someone different is ok. Namajague’s German suplex looked good.