CMLL Super Viernes: Show Stopping Epic Awesome Goodness
If this past Wednesday was CMLL kicking its fan base (and talent) in the teeth, then tonight’s Super Viernes was the greatest apology in the history of the western hemisphere. My Grodd sports fans; I thought it would be tough for any Super Viernes show to top the super card from early January but this one did. Even with the Diamante Azul-Pierroth feud still in full swing this night turned out to be a complete success; good matches all across the card, star quality performances all across the card and a main event that not only lived up to the expectations it had on paper but exceeded them and then some. It was something else sports fans, and now we get to relive it all here…with one exception. Don’t worry; we’ll get to that exception soon. For now just sit back and enjoy the ride. Moses, drop that meme.
Cancerbero & Raziel defeated Robin & Star Jr. two falls to one
If you needed a sign that this night was going to rule, it was that everyone in this match came out guns blazing. Two things stood out in hindsight; first, Raziel and Cancerbero came to play. Sure them winning this match was ultimately frustrating as hell but the blow hurts less when they’re working as hard as they were tonight, showing off their exceptional tag team skills and showing off a bit more creativity than usual. Secondly, Star Jr. is the gorram man and I’m still not sure enough people realize it. He came off as an absolute star in this match, hitting the best dives, moving around like Volador; even when he slipped on the ropes in the third fall attempting a springboard he showed great instincts in improving with a barrel roll. Best of all, Robin seemed to do better being around him; he even hit his Swanton Bomb flush for once! The only complaint I had about this match was the result, and in the end that’s not enough to dock off points for what was a really strong match. If CMLL were smart, they’d move Star Jr. and the Raziel/Cancerbero tag team up the card immediately. They’re too good for this spot. Speaking of being too good for their spot…
Misterioso Jr., Bobby Villa, Sagrado defeated Esfinge, Soberano Jr., Tritón two falls to one
There were two things wrong with this match; the end of the first fall (which saw a convoluted hurricanrana sequence and Bobby V getting kneed in the head by a moonsaulting Soberano) and the rudos once again winning because REASONS! Take that away and this bout was good with moments of pure electricity. I’ll give you two guesses which guys provided that.
If the meme wasn’t a dead giveaway, this match was all about Tritón and Soberano, as it should’ve been. I counted at least five “WOW!” moments between the two of them (the best being Tritón’s walk the rope hurricanrana and Soberano’s spectacular 900 tornillo to the floor), and that was without Tritón pulling off that incredible moonsault of his. They absolutely stole the show here, made Esfinge look completely out of their league in the process and if not for the main event easily would’ve been the two best performers of the night. They were that good, which makes it all the more perplexing that they lost to a rudo team that, while solid tonight, didn’t bring anything close to what those two did. Then again this is the same company that decided the other day that Diamante Azul vs. Pierroth was the way to go for one of their two biggest shows of the year.
Rey Bucanero, Terrible, Vangellys defeated Drone, Guerrero Maya Jr., Stuka Jr. two falls to one
This match wound up at the same destination the first two matches did while taking a different direction. By that I mean CMLL had this match start off with an extended sequence between Rey Bucanero…and Stuka’s manager KeMonito (who you may know as the dude in the Gorilla Suit who hangs out with Volador and Atlantis). I’d normally scoff at something like this but it worked like gangbusters in this situation; KeMonito messing (and ultimately owning) Rey Rey Buc got Arena Mexico white hot, got a bunch of us online geeking out and got everyone invested in a match they otherwise wouldn’t have. It was very sound strategy by CMLL and it ultimately helped make this match good. Well that and the fact that CMLL actually allowed the technicos to cut loose with an amazing triple dive sequence and had Terrible work most of the match for the rudos. Don’t underestimate the latter point; Terrible is secretly an amazing performer who never gets any breaks, and he made the most of the one he got tonight by having some of the best sequences on the show with Maya. Great work from him, good work from everyone overall and you can chalk this up as another strong match. Of course it had to have the same flaw as the previous matches (the rudos inexplicably won) but hey, you gotta take what you can. Shit, that’s got to be what WWE fans are saying at this point. WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME?!
Lightning Match
Ángel de Oro defeated Dragón Rojo Jr.
I could see people having various opinions on this one. On the one hand, it didn’t have as many of the amazing spots that others had tonight, unless you’re a really big fan of Ángel de Oro moonsaults. On the other hand, the action was smooth and well paced, there were no slip ups of any kind (which some of the more exciting matches did have) and both men did really well without having to break the bank (I was a tad surprised Oro didn’t break out his cartwheel into a moonsault move he uses for special occasions). To sum it up; on a Monday or Tuesday show this match really stands out. Because it happened tonight however, I think it’s safe to say it was a good match that showed glimpses of what these two can do but didn’t realize its full potential. The good news is that the ending (and the fact that Oro and Rojo are on next week’s show) suggests there is more to come. Let’s hope so; these two have had two good matches in less than a year without showing their full arsenal. I’m not saying it’ll be as good as the main event tonight was, but if CMLL books it in the next few weeks it could be something pretty cool.
Pierroth, Rush, Yoshitatsu defeated Atlantis, Diamante Azul, Marco Corleone two falls to none
We have reached the only match you need to skip from tonight. And here’s a dirty little secret; it would be a mistake to skip it!
Now let me be clear; this still wasn’t great. Yoshitatsu somehow manages to find new lows every time I see him and Pierroth remains Pierroth. But unlike last week, it felt like there was at least an effort to make this responsible. Pierroth did try, to poor results. Diamante Azul tried, to better results (though the enthusiasm he portrayed may be clouding my judgment). Yoshitatsu was kept out of the way. And best of all Rush, Atlantis and Marco all got some moments in, with Atlantis looking great during a brief offensive flurry in the second fall. Nothing these guys did ultimately made me change my outlook on the match and I still have no plans to watch Homenaje a Dos Leyendas. But I can at least appreciate that an effort was made here, that this wasn’t an abomination like last week and that they did get the crowd into everything. As far as cool down matches go before the hot main event, you can do a lot worse. It certainly didn’t hurt that after the match CMLL made it a point to show Atlantis being attacked by Rush with a tray/cart of sorts. As I continue to say sports fans; something is in the works between those two. I’m just not sure if this is part of a long term plan by CMLL to build towards the Anniversary Show or if we’re getting another big CMLL show sometime in the next month and Atlantis-Rush is headlining that. It’s going to happen though folks. It’s going to happen.
Torneo Nacional de Parejas Increibles Final
Cavernario & Volador Jr. vs. Último Guerrero & Valiente
This was an instant classic; a match that was absolute magic from open to close. I probably should’ve figured that out when Volador did an interview (and later his entrance) with the coolest sunglasses ever, but alas. It featured incredible feats of athleticism, breathtaking spots, out of this world power moves, close calls, high drama, and best of all it even found the time to solidify a young luchador as one of the top stars in the promotion. I’d say more but that be a disservice to you dear reader; if you’ve seen this match you don’t need it explained to you how awesome it was and if you haven’t, you deserve to experience this match without knowing anything about it going in. The only things you need to know are this; it was the best CMLL match I’ve seen since Atlantis vs. La Sombra from the 82nd Anniversary Show, Último Guerrero and Valiente could be the best tag team in the world if CMLL turned Valiente rudo, Volador is every bit the superhuman mega star I and many others talk him up to being every week and Cavernario…my Grodd Cavernario. If he’s not one of the best luchadors/workers alive right now, I’d like to hear the argument why. He was tremendous, his teammate was tremendous, his opponents were tremendous and you need to see this match. It was five stars for me without question, and the second best match I’ve seen in 2017 behind Kenny Omega vs. Kazuchika Okada. Perhaps you won’t feel that strongly, but regardless you should take the time to watch this beaut. It’s been over an hour and I’m still coming down from the buzz it provided.
That’s it sports fans. I’m off to bed, though I’ll be back by Sunday at the latest to preview CMLL’s Puebla show on Monday. I may actually preview the Oscar’s tomorrow, though I also may decide to just binge watch a bunch of Kenta Kobashi matches. It could go either way. Till whenever, RUPERT G!