CMLL Tuesday Preview: Ephesto. Ephesto Everywhere.
What has six matches and is better looking that this week’s CMLL Puebla show? This week’s CMLL Tuesday! It’s no Anniversary Show or Homenaje a Dos Leyendas shindig that’s headline by something other than Diamante Azul vs. Pierroth, but this Tuesday show is pretty solid thanks to a really good looking fourth and fifth match. Of course there is also the dark cloud of the main event hanging over this but…well, we’ll get to it soon. What good would it be for you to read the column if I just gave away my thoughts right now? Even Uwe Boll ain’t that stupid…actually he is. But enough about bad movies, let’s talk good lucha! Moses, you know what time it is.
Bengala & Metatrón vs. Apocalipsis & Inquisidor
What to Expect: There are turds, there are gutless turds and then there’s this match. Talking about it more than I have to is more than this opener deserves. Do yourself a favor and skip it. The only reason not to be is if you’re Pólvora, close friends with Pólvora or don’t want to upset Pólvora because he’s secretly one of your favorite wrestlers. Otherwise you’re off the hook.
Winners: When in doubt, go with the rudos. They take it in three falls.
Oro Jr., Príncipe Diamante, Starman vs. Canelo Casas, Espanto Jr., Hijo del Signo
What to Expect: This week’s edition of Bury the Young Luchadors in the Second Match is a doozy, featuring the lifeless Hijo del Signo, Canelo “I’m trying desperately to be the next Heavy Metal and failing miserably” Casas and Espanto Jr. (last seen nearly dying in an out of control Super Viernes opener that only Magnus came out of unscathed) going up against a pretty decent technico team. I wonder what’s going to happen! The good news is that this match could be pretty decent; I seem to recall that Espanto wasn’t nearly as bad as his other fellow veterans (it could be that it’s due to him not actually being a grumpy old luchador), Starman looked way better last time out than he usually does and Oro and Príncipe Diamante are fun to watch when they’re on. Throw in the lack of Arkángel de la Muerte or Sangre Azteca and this could at least be watchable. Well at least till the all too predictable conclusion.
Winners: One day a trio of young luchadors will claim this second match as their own, defeat the rudos and prove Rob Viper wrong. This CMLL Tuesday show is not that day. The rudos win after Canelo Casas nearly kills Principe Diamante with a sloppy move. The reverse Goldberg continues for poor Diamante!
Princesa Sugehit, Sanely, Skadi vs. Reyna Isis, Tiffany, Zeuxis
What to Expect: On the one hand, Skadi, Tiffany and Reyna Isis are involved in this match.
On the other hand, THE QUEEN OF LUCHA LIBRE ZEUXIS IS ALSO IN THIS MATCH!
Damn you CMLL; just when I’m about to give up on this match you throw one of my favorite luchador(a)s alive back in and I’m all in on this match. It doesn’t hurt that Tiffany, Isis and Sanely are all coming off career best work in a miraculous Friday match that has me hopeful they can at least be passable again. I know the odds aren’t likely, but with Zeuxis involved anything is possible. Trust me on that one. Regardless of what happens, I will be watching and I will be enjoying at least one moment where Zeuxis knees a technicas head all the way to Tijuana.
Winners: All together now; I never bet against the Queen. Damn right you don’t fools! Zeuxis carries Tiffany and Reyna Isis to the promise land and wins this match after nailing Princesa Sugehit with a Package Piledriver. Oh, and this will be after she’s taken out Skadi with a moonsault to the floor and Sanely with a Spanish Fly. Sorry, just a dream of mine I had.
Fuego, Rey Cometa, Stigma vs. Puma, Sansón, Tiger
What to Expect: The first of two good looking matches in a row (before the dark times, before the Ephesto!). Honestly the only thing CMLL could’ve done better here is if they had turned this to an Atomicos match and added Tritón to the rudo side and El Cuatrero to the rudo side. More dives and double teams for everyone! As such we’ll still get plenty of action from Rey Cometa, Fuego and a red hot Stigma, while Puma and Tiger bring the double teams and Sansón…actually I’m not sure what he does. Maybe occasionally take the place of Puma or Tiger for a specific double team? Whatever the case it’ll be interesting to see what Sansón does; the kid is great, but he’s hardly gotten a chance to show off without Cuatrero or Forastero involved. Everyone will be fun to watch in this match, but Sansón will be the one you should keep your eye on.
Winners: The technicos finally get on the scoreboard here with a three fall victory after Rey Cometa lands a 450 on Sansón.
Máximo Sexy, Mistico, Titán vs. Cavernario, Mephisto, Negro Casas
What to Expect: I’m actually surprised more people aren’t hyped for this bout; it has all the makings of a great match. All three technicos are superb, all three rudos are superb, their respective styles all mesh together. Add this up whichever way and it comes out looking like an early 90’s grunge album. The only way this match doesn’t work is if a) someone is replaced or b) these six decide to simply take it easy. Considering Casas, Cavernario, Mistico and Titán never do that, I expect this will be super fun and could potentially be great if they really kick it into gear.
Winners: I like the technicos here too, though I could see this going either way. I’ll say Mistico catches Mephisto with La Mistica in the third fall to pull it out, which works whether this is just another trios match in need of a finish or if they want to set up a Mephisto title match. Seeing as Máximo already has a belt and Titán just challenged Mephisto recently, Mistico is the next best bet.
NWA World Historic Welterweight Championship
Volador Jr. (c) vs. Ephesto
What to Expect: You would think this match should be a happy occasion. Here is Volador Jr., who’s not only one of the two best luchadors in the world and not only one of the ten best wrestlers in the world (your gorram right I said it), but also is the NWA World Historic Welterweight Championship. What does that mean; it means anytime CMLL wants to, they can simply give Volador a big time singles match against anyone they want and he can tear the house down. That’s excellent…until you realize CMLL has decided to waste such a golden opportunity by giving the title shot to Ephesto.
If you’re looking for answers, I don’t have them. Despite being nearly 53 years old with diminishing skill, Ephesto has continued to get pushed by CMLL, somehow scoring a singles match with Guerrero Maya Jr. in December and even more inexplicably winning that match. Now he finds himself here against Volador while guys like Tritón, Soberano Jr., Hechicero, Star Jr., and the works sit at home washing their tights. It makes no sense, it’s a little bit disheartening, and it makes one less interested in this match. And the sad thing is this match could be pretty good if Volador decides to go nuclear. Will he? If it were a Friday I’d say yes, but its Tuesday so who knows? The best thing I can tell you is Volador will have one cool spot, Ephesto will get his suicide dive in and that’s about it. Where we and Volador’s effort goes from there is a mystery only he can answer.
Winner: I’m pretty certain Volador is winning this match. That said I was also certain Maya was beating Ephesto and look what happened there. It’s not enough to dissuade me from a three fall Volador victory, but the way everything is coming up Ephesto recently it wouldn’t shock me if CMLL made a bad decision. Hell they’re potentially about to headline Homenaje a Dos Leyendas with Diamante Azul vs. Pierroth; bad decisions abound everywhere with Paco these days.
That’s game! I’ll be back in a few hours to review tonight’s Puebla show. Till then, RUPERT G!
