CMLL 81 Aniversario: End of an Era?

 

CMLL 81 Aniversario

(2014/9/19)

1.      Blue Panther, Cachorro, Dragon Lee vs. Dinastia Casas (Felino, Tiger, Puma)

First two caidas were good, but tercera was kind of messy and all over the place, it was unnecessary long, but thankfully the finishing stretch was swell and saved the match from mediocrity. Blue Panther doing THREE dives in a row was an awesome sight, totally giving Dragon Lee and Cachorro a run for their money.

***

2.      8-WOMEN TORNEO CIBERNETICO for Copa 81 Aniversario: Princesa Sujei vs. Goya Kong vs. Estrellita vs. Marcela vs. Zeuxis vs. Dalys vs. Tiffany vs. Amapola

This was a decent, action packed sprint and they did just about fine, I guess. It seems to me that the right gal won this.

**3/4

3.      Volador Jr., Mascara Dorada, Valiente vs. Mr. Niebla, Euforia, Thunder

Had no faith in this match due to Niebla being part of it, but fuck me, he was very good here, he didn’t go overboard with the comedy and was just a relentless wild fuck who does weird shit all the time, and it fucking worked. I wish this match got the time of the opener, because it ended kind of abruptly with the rudos being disqualified… in segunda. Everything before it was full of blitz & glam, in a good way. Thunder and Volador were rocking some rather cool outfits.

***1/4

4.      Cabellera vs. Cabellera: Rey Cometa vs. Cavernario

This was FANTASTIC, CMLL's got themselves something truly special in Cavernario, dude's already the Top 10-15 material, world wide, if they don't fuck him up he might become a huge draw, the Mistico levels I dare to say, he's just that talented and charismatic. Rey Cometa impressed as well, crafty little high-flyer with slick techniques and big balls.

****1/2

5.      Campeonato Mundial de Parejas CMLL: Rush & Mascara vs. Negro Casas & Shocker ©

Not on the level of the apuesta matches, but excellent nevertheless. Tercera was smashing. This is will be remembered as an epic rivalry that produced so many good/great matches, including two apuestas and multiple parejas and trios. Mascara was pretty damn good here, the best edition in a long time I think. It was nice to see Negro Casas getting some revenge on Rush after losing his hair to him in August.

****1/4

6.      Mascara vs. Mascara: Atlantis vs. Ultimo Guerrero

My reaction for this historic main event and the aftermath:

This is why I love lucha libre. In Mexico, pro-wrestling is religion indeed. One of the most emotional moments in a looong time, I shed a tear or two. The whole history and bigger-than-life meaning of masks summed in those 45 minutes. Main event was cinematic, incredible and immensely emotional, such a rollercoaster of feels, the whole aura of the match was bigger than life. Technically, the match WAS NOT perfect, but this is not gymnastics where you grade moves and execution, no, this is pro-wrestling - a complicated yet so simple art of performing and entertaining the crowds. Ultimo escaping Atlantida TWICE made for such a drama.

****3/4

Such an enjoyable show with three amazing matches, two good and harmless trios and a solid ladies match. Production, presentation, fans… Madness! One of the best shows of the year.

Bits and Pieces of Fresh CMLL

CMLL 2014/9/2

Marco Corleone, Mascara Dorada, Titan vs. Shocker, Ephesto, Hechicero

Some strong names here and it delivered. Hechicero was his usual self, which means great, Shocker and Corleone are having some kind of beef, I don’t know when it started but a potential singles match could be good. Dorada and Titan did their sidekick spots, it was all very nice, this was a fun trio.

***3/4

CMLL 2014/8/11

MATCH RELAMPAGO: Electrico vs. Espiritu Maligno

Decent MR between two guys I’ve never seen before, which brings me to one question: how big is CMLL roster? I mean, seriously, it’s gotta be fucking gigantic.

**1/2

CMLL 2014/8/11

Divinos Laguneros (Blue Panther, Black Panther, Cachorro) vs. Cancerberos del Infierno (Virus, Raziel, Cancerbero)

The golden rule of CMLL watching is that you NEVER miss a Virus match, no matter what type it is. Of course, you can say the same about Blue Panther, although sometimes his teammates discourage me, but not here and not this time, his sons Black Panther and Cachorro are amongst best young wrestlers on the planet. Borderline great match, super enjoyable.

***3/4

CMLL 2014/8/11

La Sombra vs. Ultimo Guerrero

Good match, but dragged at times, despite being reasonably short. Thankfully, they topped themselves twenty days later.

***

CMLL 2014/8/29

Campeonato Universal 2014 – FINAL: Ultimo Guerrero vs. La Sombra

Great match, slick and electric, loved tercera, strong finishes for each caida.

****

CMLL 2014/8/29

Atlantis, Rush, Dragon Rojo Jr. vs. Negro Casas, Rey Escorpion, Niebla Roja

Rush and Casas still hate each other, and rightfully so, there’s a nice brawl to start the match, and it’s cool and all that jazz. In fact, the entire match flew in a somehow easy-going, brawlish mode, really liked it. Funny to see Rush being both booed and cheered throughout the match, depending on a situation, and Casas proved yet again how clever he can be, just look at the finish.

***3/4

CMLL 2014/8/29

Mr. Niebla, Felino, Cavernario vs. Mascara Dorada, Rey Cometa, Valiente

Not even Mr. Niebla, who is fucking horrible, could ruin this. The main story here is Cavernario vs. Cometa, they’re doing a hair match at the upcoming anniversary show, which should be top notch stuff. Cavernario is proving his versatility, he’s a complete package, IMO: he was super over as a wild tecnico during Busca de un Idolo earlier this year, he’s an awesome rudo now, he can wrestle extremely well, he has a fun gimmick and great look. I hope he climbs the ranks soon, just imagine a potential feuds with with Rush and Shocker, for example.

***3/4

CMLL 2014/8/26

La Mascara & Mascara Dorada vs. Mephisto & Ephesto

Plenty of ups and downs here, but the ups were great at some places, mainly because of the rudos. I really dig Ephesto, quite a discovery this year.

***