Tag: 2017 catch up

Volador Jr. vs Último Guerrero
(CMLL @ Arena Coliseo Guadalajara on 10/31, 12:58, good, via thecubsfan)

This was the b-show version of Último Guerrero & Volador, which is actually a pretty pleasant occurrence. Both men’s issues revolve partially around a seeming need to do every single move they can do in every single match, and a stripped down version is preferable holds surprises for what they choose to leave out. And they do add a few things to the parade of two counts; can’t recall seeing Último Guerrero pull out a German suplex much. It’s still some checklist stuff – UG goes front superplex, super bomb, suplex into the ring. Finish would’ve come off better if Último Guerrero didn’t already use up that superbomb, but it does still look spectacular and the crowd reacts well. Strong fans of these two guys would like the match even more.

Diablo Jr., El Hijo del Diablo, Imposible © vs Black Dragón, Dinamic Black, Dragón Fly for the Mexico State Tag Team Championship
(IWRG @ Arena Naucalpan on 11/05, 16:02, good, via +LuchaTV)

It’s really too bad this was much a Mariachi Locos year – they didn’t team much even while champions and haven’t afterwards – because they’re a really fun time when they’re working hard. They just run over the técnicos impressively in the second and third fall before the comeback. The técnicos looked less special here, with Dragon Fly being iffy at times. The Dinamic Black dive into the crowd was big, but it doesn’t feel like he take over the match like he might. Maybe IWRG knew they were going to a big thing with Black Dragon by this point and played out the match that way. This is a fun TV match, and more in the ring trios than most of big match brawling IWRG.

Flamita vs El Bandido
(TSW @ Arena San Juan Pantitlan on 11/18, 18:03, great, via Adrian Martinez)

Total storytelling match, where Bandido comes to the ring with a bunch of belts and Flamita shows him what it means to be a real top guy. Bandido diving on Flamita to start the match only ticks him off more, and we’re treated to a rudo Flamita beating the life out of Bandido for a long period of time. Flamita asks the referee is Bandido wants to quit after a fierce dropkick, which is mostly about being a jerk but also an almost reasonable request. This story means it never goes the super fast pace you might expect out of both guys, though they do eventually get to the giant big spots trading. Bandido does enough to get make a good showing of himself before Flamita puts him away. Bandido doesn’t have quite enough to battle Flamita but this very much makes you want to see a rematch in a year or so when he might.

Dragón Lee vs Cavernario
(CMLL @ Arena Coliseo Guadalajara on 11/21, 12:38, great, via thecubsfan)

Dragon Lee & Barbaro Cavernario had an obviously great match while also not even going at their maximum level. They’re both really good, and willing to do crazy things at ay time. Cavernario taking Dragon Lee’s tope and leaping backwards into the second row is a thing of legends. Dragon Lee being in an angry mood all match because Cavernario ambushed him gave the match a strong feeling, though it would’ve been even better if that could’ve played more into what Dragon Lee was trying. They went one move longer than I thought they would be going, and that’s a compliment because it sold how tough Cavernario is to beat. There’s a higher level match between them possible. This was still worth watching.

Princesa Sugehit © vs Reyna Isis for the Mexican National Women’s Championship
(CMLL @ Arena Coliseo Guadalajara on 12/12, 13:11, ok, via thecubsfan)

The frame rate is pretty iffy on this one, which makes it pretty shaky to watch. It’s already pretty shaky to watch because it’s a Reyna Isis singles match. Sometimes you just need to know, you know. Isis submission at the end of the first fall looks good, which made it effective when they went back to it later. The rest of her offense is otherwise limited and not that interesting. There’s a front cracker near fall near the end that looks like a messed up monkey flip for a moment. Sugehit’s kicks need to be treated as bigger deals than they are here, that’s got to be something to separate her from everyone else. The finishing sequence was probably the best well done part of the match, going forward than expected and having some obvious thought put into it. It gives me a little hope they might figure out something more next time around.

Keyra vs Ludark Shaitan
(Generacion XXI @ Plaza de Toros Revolucion, Irapuato, Guanajuato on 12/18, 10:09, good via LuDarK ShAiTAN Oficial, RUDO VISION, +LuchaTV

I haven’t seen a Ludark match all year so why not. She seems like a good opponent in theory for Keyra because she hits hard and is unafraid to hit hard back. Ludark takes a great bump off a Keyra headscissors and gets crushed by the dropkick into the corner. The action’s altogether strong in this one, the storytelling is not so great. Keyra takes most of the match, seemingly gets hit by just one Ludark big move, kicks out at one, and then frantically waves for crowd support as if she’s been getting beat for three minutes. Ludark really need to get more of this match to make it seem like Keyra accomplished anything. It’s still a worthwhile women’s match – the wrestling here is far ahead of Sugehit/Isis – and I hope Ludark pops up more in interesting places in 2018.

This is the match where Zeuxis attacks Keyra to set up their own title match. Zeuxis’ outfit – hoodie and sweatpants – was not flattering. She would’ve been helped looking more like a star when making this run-in. It wouldn’t be an impressive moment unless you already knew them, and, as much as people reading this might follow CMLL, there’s plenty of indie lucha fans who don’t really pay it that much attention.

Anima III (Chihuahua), Forastero Jr., Iron Black, Radamantis vs Asombro Jr., Brillante Jr., Cobra Oriental, Onnix
(AMLL @ Auditorio Municipal Torreon on 07/15, 23:28 [5:38, 4:54, 12:56], good, via LUCHAMANIA AMLL (falls 1 & fall2), LUCHAMANIA AMLL (falls 3))

I have no idea who any one is: they do announce the guys names over the PA when the match starts, but it’s not so clear who they are and I can’t make it out anyway. Without names, this appears to be another match in the eternal lucha libre feud of skinny guys and fat guys. This seemed like an ok/good match for a lot of the first half, with it getting progressively bigger as the match went along. It wasn’t as fast paced and other matches, and there were some iffy moments, but they were also pulling off dangerous looking dives as the match came to an end. This wasn’t must see for me but I wouldn’t mind seeing more of these guys.

Extreme Tiger vs Virus
(Lucha Memes @ Coliseo Coacalco on 07/15, 17:22, excellent, via +LuchaTV)

Extreme Tiger showed more holds than I expected. And then Virus dropkicked his face off. Extreme Tiger has no face now, it’s very sad. Extreme Tiger feels like he’s disappeared this year: he was all over Elite in 2016 but that’s not a thing in 2017, and he was only in the Crash early in the year. Tiger seemed in his best from ever in Elite, and the year off TV hasn’t changed anything. This is one of his best performances ever, surprisingly matching mat work with Virus for the first several minutes, before going high speed and going back and forth entertainingly with a very game Virus. The finish kind of goes wrong, in that if you’ve seen a couple Extreme Tiger matches you know what move he was going for, but this version of Extreme Tiger adjusts and makes it still work. I was concerned they had peaked and were going to lose the crowd when Tiger survived Virus’ big match finish, but they brought the match down and then back up again for one more run really impressively. I’m probably too much invested in late match near falls and intensity, but this had a lot of that if that’s what you’re also looking for. This was outstanding.

Skayde vs Dr. Cerebro
(HUMO/Rey Gato at Salon Citlalli on 07/16, 10:11, good, via Adrian Martinez)

Review: [good] A good, mostly mat wrestling match between two veterans. Dr. Cerbero seems a little bit more into the action, looking cool on the mat, about killing himself on a tope, and then killing Skayde on a piledriver. Skayde’s alright here but Cerbero seems more motivated to make something out of this, and does.

Eterno vs Bombero Infernal
(IWRG at Arena Naucalpan on 07/23, 7:22, good, via IWRG tv)

Review: [good] This was a good brawl. The rope grab situational comedy was strong, and a remarkable dedication to cheating. Bombero takes some big bumps for a guy in his 40s who’s not really wrestling all that much. I was just really thrown off when they started to do post match promos after the first fall because I could not understand how it was only a one fall match. Definitely going to watch the hair match now.

Hijo de LA Park & LA Park vs Dragón Lee & Rush
(Tortas Super Astro in Arena Lopez Mateos on 07/29, 21:07, great, via Videoblog Tortas Súper Astro)

Review: [great] this was the usual bit of LA Park bringing out the best of Rush. It was less of a brawl then usual – they must’ve been told to stay away from the crowd and actually listened. It was also worked like it was a three fall match, only with the pinned team kicking out at the obvious fall break spot and starting the comeback right here. LA Park spearing Rush is one of the best spots in lucha libre, and both of them choosing to stomp their enemy then help their friend said a lot about their characters. I’d like to see Hijo de LA Park in bigger matches in 2018 to see if Dragon Lee made him look like a star here or if he’s actually gotten good.

Emperador Azteca vs Hijo del Pantera
(IWRG on Arena Naucalpan on 08/27, 10:55, ok, via IWRG tv)

Review: [ok] Hijo del Pantera has a small thin board, pretty much a paddle, that he strikes and pokes Azteca with at the start of the match. The thing about IWRG is you know Pantera just found it laying around somewhere and decided to go use it. This is very much a random IWRG match, with a bad finish and then a more nonsensical second finish tacked on to it. The guys give their standard performances; Azteca is talented but cold, Pantera is good as a rudo though not as impressive as a técnico. This set up a match a month later and maybe that was the one I meant to put on this list?

Penta 0M & Rey Fénix vs Jack Evans & Rey Horus and Flamita & Laredo Kid [PWG TAG]
(Torta Super Astro & Arena Azteca Budokan on 06/16, 12:51, great, via hector godfrey version, but Videoblog Tortas Súper Astro is the official version)

An all action match with six guys who are trying to have a great match and going full speed all the time. They’re going strong from the beginning, the dives are really cool, and it seems like an unending sequence of big moves and break ups. Fenix looked the best of anyone if I had to pick a person, but most this was six guys working in sync with each other in the usual style. The only complains are the usual three way complaints, but this is still something worth going out of your way to watch.

Carístico & LA Park vs Rush & Último Guerrero
(Lucha Memes/MDA @ Arena Coliseo Guadalajara on 06/18, good, 26:04, via Cada vez Hay mas lucha)

I swear the cellphone video at that link had sound previously. Maybe it got blocked by YouTube for a music violation and that’s why it’s blocked now. It’s was more interesting with crowd reactions, watching a silent recording for 30 minutes with the video rotated the wrong way is not a great option 2017 and something I struggled to watch. As presented, it’s a good match, but it’s could also be clearly a great one if we got to see it in full. LA Park does half his bits he has done in every indie match for the last decade and a half, and half crazy broom aided brawling with Rush. Carístico & UG check out for a long stretch of time, then comes back to do their usual spots. I really made it thru just because I wanted broom related GIFs but that’s probably not a good reason for everyone. It did also remind me that the follow up MDA show in August never turned up in any form even though +Lucha was posting results, and that’s very strange.

Ángel Oriental, Aramis, Atomic Star, Black Dragón, Demonio Infernal, Diablo Jr., Dinamic Black, Power Bull vs Aeroboy (Estado De México), Alex Pain, Centella Salazar, Danny Barrio, Homonimo, Payachucho, Stone Magic, Último Conde [Copa Higher Power]
(IWRG @ Arena Naucalpan on 06/21, 29:20, good, via +LuchaTV)

What Happened:

• Último Conde in black with silver. He has his name on the back of his belt.

• Payachucho is the tiny wrestler in the clown mask. He’s wearing a black shirt with a red superman symbol, and his pants are light blue among many colors.

• Centella Salazar is in blue pants with a white lightning bolt on one side, and his name on the other side.

• Homomino is in a blue shirt with blue shorts. He’s wearing a tie for some reason.

• Alex Pain has half white facepaint, and wears a block shit, black shorts with red lettering, and black pants underneath.

• Stone Magic is in a black shirt and black shorts. He is injured multiple times during the match.

• Danny Barrio is in all black, with a yellow angry face on his shirt. His mask includes a yellow hat with ear flaps and a reddish black face.

• Aeroboy, who is not the famous Aeroboy, is in a blue shirt and black pants with a silver mask.

This FILL match had one of the better mid-match riots for these matches, looking the usual scrum where everyone doesn’t really want to throw a punch and then getting out a little of control when Bombero starts choking out people. The match wasn’t quite as good, with a few guys not so great guys mixed in with some interesting people. Último Conde wasn’t the worst, but it wasn’t obvious why he was the guy who lasted to the final for the visitors. The most fun guys were Payachucho (who’s so small that Aramis got to base and play rudo) and the similarly creatively masked Danny Barrio. Alex Pain came off as fast and skilled, he’s the one who seemed like he could work best in a normal environment. Fake Aeroboy needs another name, is not much good. Aramis getting the run was nice, Stone Magic getting spiked on his head on a package piledriver is not as nice.

Villano III Jr., Villano IV, Villano V Jr. vs Negro Navarro, Texano Jr., Trauma II
(IWRG @ Arena Naucalpan on 07/02, 15:54, ok, via +LuchaTV)

What Happened: This is Villano Jr.’s (ex-Kortiz) debut under that name, and he’s presented with that match before the match. Match proper starts at 4:33.

Review: If you liked the Villano IV brawls from the past few years in AAA, this is a lot like that. The idea here is the non-Villano team is the effective Misioneros de la Muerte, which means this is a lot more Navarro brawling than you may expect. The Villano/Navarro stuff doesn’t look as start, and Villano III Jr. fits in here more as guy getting destroyed then someone who should be equally throwing down with these guys. Finish is strange for a match seemingly trying to sell us on the idea of Villano V Jr. – this feels like match two in a bigger feud that’s not actually happening.

Diosa Quetzal vs Black Moon , hair vs mask
(Promociones Ice Killer @ Central Plaza, Ecatepec on 07/06, ok? great? A third of a popcorn bag?, 10:54 seen, via LUCHA LIBRE INDEPENDIENTE)

It seemed only fair penance to actually watch a Diosa Quetzal match if I’m going to eventually be disowned by everyone in Mexico for defending her on the internet. This is quickly recognizable as a kind of a joke match for the TV show – Black Moon is wearing the TV show logo, it’s a chain match for no reason, La Hielera is interfering frequently. (The video is also clipped, more so early than late.) The crowd is way into the match, but it’s not for the action – it’s never really any good – but because they’re into Quetzal already.

This is actually gawking at, starting at the 4:35 mark. Hielera and lack Moon are checking Diosa on the ropes (for the camera phones) and someone runs in to make the save. Black Moon takes a bump and the ring fills up with people trying to clear it up. What I think happened it they had planned a spot where another luchador would get involved to even the numbers – there’s a fellow with pink hair who stays into to do spots with Black Moon – so Moon reacts like that what happened, but everyone else realizes it’s a legit fan making a shoot run in. So that’s crazy. Late, the pink hair guy tries running in again, security gets on him, and Quetzal stops the match to explain to them that he’s part of the match. It’s the good kind of fiasco, but maybe because I’m watching it thru TV screen glass and not in person.

Quetzal has a double underhook suplex that’s good, and then a senton that’s not good at all. At one point, there’s multiple people beating up Black Moon and it’s not clear why, except it’s clear this is the most inexplicable match of the year. You should not watch this if you’re looking for a good wrestling match by conventional standards but it is quite the event.

Rayo Star & Titán (CMLL) vs Drako & Hechicero
(KDR @ Arena San Juan Pantitlan on 07/08, 11:21 clipped, via RUDO VISION)

Review: This match is clipped and the sound disappears for long stretches, but it’s still worth your time. Drako, without his usual partner Corsario Negro Jr., really shines well as a bigger heavy bully to Titan & Rayo Star. Drako’s a big man only by lucha indie standards, but he wrestles physical threat these guys have to battle to overcome. There are definitely things to improve on – the flying can go if the landings are going to be so rough – but I’d love to see them in those third and fourth matches more than Rey Bucanero and Vangellys. Hechicero fades into the background, making Rayo Star look a lot smoother than he usual appears.

 

Súper Astro Jr. vs Rey Horus, Laredo Kid, Golden Magic, Flamita, Jack Evans, Último Ninja, Xtreme Tiger
(Tortas Super Astros @ Arena Naucalpan on 05/24, 11:29, good, via Videoblog Tortas Súper Astro)

They finally got Golden Magic cheered in Arena Naucalpan. They just needed to give the crowd someone else to be angry about. This entire match was built to big Super Astro Jr. spots and he had a rough night. I appreciate the effort of trying to make a new guy a star, but I’m not sure it would’ve worked regardless: the fans didn’t see Super Astro Jr. at the level as the other guys at the start and his botches in key moments just confirmed their beliefs. His tope was awesome, and he got thrown around well, but he stuck out in this match in a bad way and it would’ve been an easy recommendation without him. It’s a really fun match if you’re looking for multiman action, and the dive train is among the best I’ve seen this year. Production is goofy; they have two cameras, but aren’t big on switching back and forth on them for key moments. Rey Horuz looked like a standout (and his split mask looked cool), Último Ninja looked good, and I wish we’d got more of them and less of Astro.

Emperador Azteca, Golden Magic, Terry 2000 vs El Bandido, Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr., Sádico
(AULL @ Arena Lopez Mateos on 06/13, 21:59 over 3 falls, good, via hector godfrey, hector godfrey)

A strong match in front of a very loud crowd. Sadico looked like one of the fastest and cleanest wrestlers around in this match. Bandido, Golden Magic and Emperador Azteca had some moments too. The finishing spot was good, it was just missing a little more drama before the end. And maybe it would’ve been cooler if the crowd dive was on the camera side.

Cerebro Negro, Dr. Cerebro, Freelance beat Hijo del Pantera, Internacional Pantera, Pantera I
(IWRG @ Arena Naucalpan on 06/04, 12:05, good, via thecubsfan)

This match doesn’t seem much early, as anything good is canceled out by some communication issues. It gets better when Cerebro Negro decides to start punching the heck of tecnicos, then just goes wild in the second fall and end of the third. This is much more a random really hot TV match than a must see year end match. Still, it’s not particularly long and goes crazy for a few moments, an easy use of time. It’s also the year contribution to my (probably misguided) belief that Hijo del Pantera is at least top 50 guy in Mexico who we only see about six times a year.

Demus 3:16 vs Impulso
(RCH @ Arena Naucalpan on 06/02, 11:18, good, via +LuchaTV)

Some matches don’t really have much of a story. This match definitely has a story! Impulso’s plan is to find high places and leap off them onto Demus any chance he gets. Demus has spent the last many years fighting tiny guys who attempt similar things, so sometimes that works out well for Impulso and sometimes it works out very poorly. The match ends perfectly in that story. Not working so perfectly is how obvious Impulso is at blading. He’s actually sort of hilarious transparent at getting his blade ready to cut, then cutting this forehead while the chair is on him. You’re going to see it unless you put both hands over your eyes. Usually there’s a cut away there. This is a pretty fun match while it lasted. There’s a post match brawl to set up a match that isn’t happening (this is RCH’s last show!), so the finish in the match is coming maybe a little sooner than you’d expect.

Keira & Lady Maravilla vs Alas de Acero & Iron Kid
(Lucha Memes @ Coliseo Coacalco on 05/21, 12:15, great, via +LuchaTV)

What Happened:

This is an elimination match, which I forgot until the match kept going, and maybe people in the match also forgot until it kept going.

Review: Keyra and Lady Maravilla take a break from destroying each to beat up two of the Kamikazes, who give it back as much as they get. This is the usual Mexican Strong Style match with two women who aren’t doing a lot of flying but more than willing to make it up with suplexes and hard shots. This gets uncomfortable, not just in men slapping women sense, but in the no one seemingly taking much care of each other at times. Iron Kid drops Maravilla really awkwardly, then she gets two bad shots from Alas de Acero near the end, but she gets in shots earlier. The lack of sharpness plays into the out of control feeling of the match, as out of control as some of the dives felt. The match is dinged a little by the initial finish coming out of nowhere, and the second elimination feeling tacked on and unnecessary. Still, unless men versus women violence makes it tough for you to enjoy a match, this is one definitely worth your time.

Yoruba vs Lunatik Fly, Arez, Flyer for the KDR Universal Championship
(KDR @ Gimnasio Hercules on 05/27, 14:23 seen, good, via Estrellas del Ring)

What Happened:

There’s a lot of versions of this match. The longest version is the Estrellas del Ring one, but they do condense the match at points.

Review:

There’s a minute or two stretch here where Arez just takes over the match: meets a dive with a chair, finishes that guy off violently, brings the other two back in and takes them out for a while. He’s just missing his own dive from being all you need to see off Arez. He looks dominant when he’s meant to be and on another level than everyone else here. Of course, that means it’s about it for him in a multiman elimination match. The match loses something without him and with it being slowed down for the final two. Even with dead parts being cut out, it feels like it drags a bit to get before the finish. This one does come thru much better in video than it would on GIFs, with a lot of hard chops early on and near the end. Crowd reacts better to the finish than I thought they would.

 

Laredo Kid vs Daga
(Martinez @ Turf Zone Arena, Kennedale, Texas on 02/18, 10:07, good, via Martinez Entertaiment)

A fun novelty to see these two, who strangely haven’t crossed paths before and aren’t really running into each other even on the indies this year, have their first ever singles match. Daga’s just out of AAA and still seems not up to be at indie speed – he and Laredo are fast against each other, but it slows down as Daga takes control later – and wrestling as the rudo while playing up to the crowd. The action is pretty good, it doesn’t build like you’d hope, but is perfectly enjoyable in a lightning match sort of context. The other novelty is this is a professional produced lucha libre (well, Texas) video, with a hard camera and one announcer. The announcer tries, but seems young and unfamiliar with these guys.

Prayer vs Virus
(Lucha Memes @ Arena Coliseo San Ramón on 03/25, 20:51, good, via +LuchaTV)

This match gave the fans what they wanted to see of Virus, though it wasn’t totally enjoyable to me. Virus wasn’t playing Prayer, but it feels at times look a long one side matches match. Prayer was matching holds with Virus if you counted the number of holds, but it was more like Prayer would get a reversal, and then Virus would quickly reverse it back to his hold for a much longer period of time. The exasperation on Prayer’s face as Virus traps him in a kneebar was amusing, he had enough of this and was just trying to survive, and he still had ten more minutes to go. I liked the stretch muffler/double armbar fight, and I would’ve liked this more if it felt like they were more in danger in this hold than just trading them.

Toxin Boy vs Arkalis
(Lucha Memes @ Arena Coliseo San Ramón on 03/25, 20:19, good, via +LuchaTV)

A cool move exhibition lacking some substance. Toxin Boy is not the most polished luchador and Arkalis too, so sometimes looked shaky. Arkalis did get to look much more exciting than in his usual Puebla appearances, and he and Toxin were willing to do crazy things. Toxin’ diving senton to the floor turned out to be safer then it looked at first, but it still wasn’t that safe. The bigger problem with the match was the match never really developed beyond turn taking, which kind of limits the excitement. It was also slower than you’re expected, with both guys pausing to play to the crowd that stalls out of the match. The start of the match was an unexpectedly really good exchange of holds, and it still was overall good, but it had potential to be more.

Glenn Calavera & Jerry Calavera vs Corsario Negro Jr. & Drako and Rayo Star & Toxin Boy
(LuchaRama @ Faro de Oriente on 04/08, 11:56, good, via RUDO VISION)

This is clipped, but what we get to see is pretty fun. I came close to recommending it. Corsario & Drako are good as big guys who can throw around their usual smaller opposition, Rayo & Toxin have one of their more solid days in what we saw (though a Toxin corner dropkick does miss by a mile), but the Calaveras stuck out as a great team. They’ve got fun offense that they’re willing to throw themselves around for, but they’re also just as entertaining selling for the opponents. Their dizzy, drunken stumbles stick out in a positive fashion, and it makes them worth watching the entire match long. They have different strengthens – Jerry’s the flyer of the two – and they’ve gotten really good working together in what seems like a short time. This is just a fun big spot match under a tent where everyone gets their moments, but I think the Calaveras probably could put together something on a MOTYC level given the right setting and opponents. I’m ok with these until they get there. The Spanish Fly spot to the floor was crazy, and the finish belongs in the phantom of copout lucha libre finishes.

Hijo de LA Park vs Galactar [US JUNIOR]
(MDA @ Arena Coliseo Monterrey on 05/07, 18:50, ok, via +LuchaTV)

At about 9 minutes in, I’m wondering why this match was on my list. Did I make a typo? Did someone else make a typo? Hijo de LA Park wakes up things with a tope, but it never really gets going for me. Galactar has a couple of nice moments and picks up late as he settles into the rudo role, but the takeaway from this match is how far Park has come as a wrestler. He was a non-entity starting out, but has improved to the point where he can be part of a good match. He can move around the ring better and shows a little bit of personality. The touring schedule he’s had didn’t seem like it would make it easy for him to develop, but Park’s figured some thing out. He came off here as a guy who belonged on shows even without his father, which you can say about a lot of juniors.

Séptimo Dragón vs Eterno, Suicida, Belial, Freelance, Miedo Extremo, Arez, Emperador Azteca, Atomic Star, Ninja de Fuego, Drastik Boy
(LLB @ Arena Naucalpan on 05/19, 17:34, good, via TKD117)

A fast paced multiman match, only slowing down for usual partners facing off. The action is generally really good, with even the usual cliches (everyone gets in a big move! Time for everyone to dive!) being executed pretty well. Freelance and Suicide steal the match when they’re in. This seems like a match that’d be even better live with the chaos going around Naucalpan. Winner comes out of nowhere; didn’t seem like he was a big part of the match until the end. That may the problem with this match: there’s so many people involved that they can’t do anything justice.

Lady Maravilla vs Keyra vs Diosa Atenea [for the AULL Women’s Championship
(AULL @ Arena Lopez Mateos, 06/03/2017, 8:36, good, via +LuchaTV)

I picked this one out after really liking the Lady Maravilla/Keyra ending of The Crash match. This is like that. It’s literally like that, with them repeating a bunch of the same sequences. Diosa Atenea is first out and doesn’t seem on their on the level at all. Early on, she forgets she’s supposed to stay on Maravilla so Maravilla can bridge out, so she goes back to cover her and the whole thing looks silly. Atenea might have had a better showing if she wasn’t eliminated early by what seemed like a bad referee count. Maravilla and Keyra are absurdly hard hitting, much harder than Maravilla goes in CMLL matches. It’s almost too much at times, and it was nothing like any other women are doing in Mexico.

Ephesto, Luciferno, Mephisto © vs Negro Casas, Puma, Tiger for the Mexican National Trios Championship
(CMLL @ Arena México, 06/04/2017, 16:17, good, via Pumaking Casa)

This was the long delayed title shot that was pawned off on a Sunday show. (Mostly so we’d stop bringing it up, I still presume.) It’s weird watching a match without hearing the mat. The Casas family haven’t played técnicos much of late and feel awkward doing it here. They’re also not quite in form as a team, with Tiger and Negro Casas almost landing on each other in an early spot. Crowd doesn’t seem to know what to make of it early, but they got behind Casas and the match by the third fall. The dives were the turning point in the intensity but it still felt like it missed something to be a big match; maybe just watching it so far out of context is the problem. Still a good effort. Puma and Tiger refusing to shake hands with the Hijos and trying to stop Negro Casas was an odd deal that doesn’t seem to have gone anywhere.

Trauma I & Trauma II vs Oficial AK47 & Oficial Fierro for in a Number One Contenders for the IWRG Intercontinental Tag Team Championship
(IWRG @ Arena Naucalpan, 06/04/2017, 10:11, ok, via IWRG tv)

The Oficials aren’t around IWRG much this year – AK-47’s Gym Zeus shirt is a clue – but I still wanted to get a match with them. It was alright. The brawling was good, but not enough of it or strong enough to make this super memorial. Trauma II either always had bad clothesline and I didn’t notice until now, or had some bad ones just here. The Oficiales look like they’ve slowed down a bit, or they just didn’t put quite as much into this. The finish is usual screwy IWRG stuff. This is not bad but, even as they stomp the Traumas like big time rudos at the end, it kind of feels like an act from the past.

IWRG (Alas de Acero, Aramis, Black Dragón, Demonio Infernal, Diablo Jr., Dinamic Black, Eterno, Golden Magic) vs Indy Nation (Fly Star, Fly Warrior, Fulgor I, Fulgor II, Glenn Calavera, Jerry Calavera, Mr. Leo, Séptimo Rayo) in a Copa Higher Power
(IWRG @ Arena Naucalpan, 08/09/2017, 26:04, great, via IWRG tv,)

A fun cibernetico, feeling a little more polished than usual IWRG ciberneticos. The Indy Nation guys are still crazy people by normal wrestlers standards, but more polished and experienced than the usual outside team. There’s some bumps here and there but it’s still reliably exciting with a few super moves. The Calaveras come off really well as a team who’s got these characters down and fit together. Diablo Jr. looked good in his sequences, and Fulgor II stood out positively too. I wish Mr. Leo hung around longer, and the machine gun speed eliminations are always a little disappointing. The big near finish was amazing. Not the coach Centvrion throwing a chair at Black Dragon’s head, I’ve seen that, but Fly Warrior lost his mask while Dragon reversed a powerbomb into a huracanrana. Dragon nicely smacked the mask towards Fly Warrior while he was selling, which was nice of him. The actual finish was the usual Naucalpan overbooking, but at least explained why Black Dragon was the last guy over so many other people.

Emperador Azteca © vs Arez for the IWRG Intercontinental Welterweight Championship
(IWRG @ Arena Naucalpan, 08/09/2017, 13:22, good, via iwrgtv)

A really strong one man show by Arez, who looks great most of this match. Emperador Azteca is as vanilla as ever, with his main contribution to this match being a willingness to take a lot of punishment before the finish. This match is handicapped a couple ways: the mat is wet from Indy Nation’s beer celebration in the last match which might have caused Arez’ to come woefully short on a tope, and the second fall spends a lot of time on the seconds which slows down the match without setting up anything in particular. Still, Arez looks really sharp when he’s running the match, and handles Azteca’s mask coming loose really well. It felt like the better man lost.

Black Dragón vs Gallo Frances, mask vs mask
(IWRG @ Arena Naucalpan, 08/13/2017, 16:50, good, via IWRG tv)

This has a big match feel, and has a crowd really passionate about Black Dragon winning and keeping his mask. It has a really ordinary feeling mask match inside of it. It could just be what I’m looking for – I want moves and dives and wild action, and this is more a brawl with a standard bit of wrestling between. I like a fast pace, and this is more leisurely trips to the freezer. They both go the Naucalpan freezer, because it’s that kind of match, but neither grabs a beer bottle, because it’s not actually that kind of match. This is an IWRG mask match you can feel safe to bring your kids to, though not one that will resonate as seriously. Neither plays to the crowd a lot, which doesn’t hurt the crowd’s enthusiasm at more. This seems like one that would’ve been more fun to attend live.