LUCHA LIBRE TAPES 2000
taped Arena Coliseo, D.F.
Mr. Mexico & Violencia & Zumbido vs. Pantera & Antifaz & Solar I. Good match because Violencia & especially Zumbido are two of the more entertaining rudos.
Shocker & Cien Caras & Mascara Ano 2000 vs. Emilio Charles, Jr. & Olimpico & Mr. Niebla
Pierroth Jr. & Scorpio, Jr. & Black Warrior & Satanico vs. Brazo De Plata & Tinieblas & Ringo Mendoza & Negro Casas
Tarzan Boy vs. Rey Bucanero. Double juice.
Guerrera De Titanes taped CO. Madero, TAMPS.
Miss Janeth & Rosy Moreno & Tifany vs. Alda Moreno & Cinthia Moreno & Fabi Apache
Campeonato Nacional Atomico: Psicosis & Maniaco & Histeria & Mosco vs. Picudo & May Flowers & Charly Manson & Nygma. Los Vatos Locos win titles.
AAA vs. LLL: Canek & Dos Caras & Alebrije vs. Cibernetico & Doink & Diesel
Chicago Street Fight Mascara vs. Mascara: Octagon vs. Jaque Mate. Their wives were their seconds. Bloody brawl. Mate unmasks.
La Lucha Libre Cerca Maroma, Teatro o Deporte? Segment on what form of entertainment Lucha Libre is closest to. Some old highlights, but mainly a lot of talking.
taped Arena Mexico, D.F.
II Torneo Ley Enda De Plata: Ultimo Guerrero & Black Warrior & Blue Panther & Fuerza Guerrera & Rey Bucanero & Bestia Salvaje & Zumbido & Satanico vs. Negro Casas & Hijo Del Santo & Antifaz & Olimpico & Felino & Tarzan Boy & Emilio Charles, Jr. & Tony Rivera. Once the initial battle royal like segment ended there was tremendous 1 on 1 action. They changed pairs of wrestlers with incredible frequency, so it was really fast paced and often spectacular. The problem was it only took a little over 14 minutes for the first 13 eliminations, so guys were getting eliminated 30 seconds into their first solo stint, which was ridiculous. ***3/4
Ricky Marvin vs. Sangre Azteca. Match had some awesome moves, but it didn't flow that well and 3 falls within 10 minutes is a bit much. **1/2
Torneo Generacion Siglo XXI: Olimpico & Safari & Tony Rivera & Antifaz & Starman & Astro Rey, Jr. & Mascara Magica & Tigre Blanco vs. Rey Bucanero & Violencia & Mr. Mexico & Rencor Latino & Ultimo Guerrero & Arkangel & Zumbido & Dr. Oborman. As usual, they loaded this elimination match up with the hot young workers so it had great action and never slowed down. The execution wasn't perfect, but it was a fast paced and exciting match with one cool spot after another. ***3/4
Apolo Dantes & Cien Caras & Universo 2000 vs. Brazo De Plata & Emilio Charles, Jr. & Mr. Niebla. With the exception of Niebla, these guys are old and all way over the hill with only Charles being good in recent memory. Niebla had his moments, but they were the only moments. 1/2*
Shocker & Mascara Ano 2000 & Scorpio, Jr. vs. Rayo De Jalisco, Jr. & Tarzan Boy & Perro Aguayo. They worked hard and it was pretty fast paced. There was too much brawling not particularly good brawling though. The fans were really into this match, but they were booing poor Tarzan Boy out of the building because they feel he's pushed based on his looks rather than his ability. This hurt the match because Tarzan was negatively effected by it. *1/2
Mascara Contra Mascara: Atlantis vs. Villano III. An old school scientific match. They used the blade and selling to give it the look and tons of near finishes to make it exciting. It was at least a good match on it's own, but the unbelievable crowd heat and emotion more than the wrestling itself was what made it riveting. It wasn't all that spectacular, but it was very dramatic because there were so many times when one of them was this close to losing his mask. In a way, it still seemed like it was glamorous because everything that looked like a finisher got a big pop above the regular continuous buzz that sustained for more than 30 minutes. ****
Mascara Contra Mascara: El Solitario vs. Dr. Wagner. Long clip.
El Santo highlights
57 Anniversary Arena Coliseo taped Arena Coliseo
Fuerza Guerrera & Rencor Latino & Arkangel vs. Felino & Ringo Mendoza & Olimpico
Apolo Dantes & Scorpio, Jr. & Mascara Ano 2000 vs. Brazo De Plata & Lizmark & Mr. Niebla
taped 3/24 Arena Mexico, D.F.
Dr. Wagner, Jr. & Blue Panther & Black Warrior vs. Negro Casas & Tarzan Boy & Emilio Charles, Jr.
Shocker & Bestia Salvaje & Villano III vs. Perro Aguayo & Atlantis & Rayo De Jalisco, Jr.
taped Xalapa, Veracruz during a rainstorm
Xochilt Hamada & Sahory & Estrellita vs. Miss Janeth & Rosy Moreno & Tifany
Super Libre S/Referee: Oscar Sevilla vs. Apache
Hector Garza & Hijo Del Perro Aguayo & Parka, Jr. vs. Texano & Piratata Morgan & Espectro, Jr.
Cibernetico & Abismo Negro & Electro Shock vs. Tiger Steel & Devestador & Killer
taped Arena Coliseo, D.F.
Arkangel & Halcon Negro & Violencia vs. Tony Rivera & Mascara Magica & Brazo De Oro
Villano III & Gran Markus, Jr. & Fuerza Guerrera vs. Rayo De Jalisco, Jr. & Atlantis & Brazo De Plata
taped Arena Mexico, D.F.
Perro Aguayo & Mr. Niebla & Tinieblas, Sr. vs. Shocker & Scorpio, Jr. & Bestia Salvaje
Dr. Wagner, Jr. & Black Warrior & Blue Panther vs. Negro Casas & Tarzan Boy & Emilio Charles, Jr.
taped CD. Madero, Tamps
Miss Janeth & Rosy Moreno & Tifany vs. Xochilt Hamada & Estrellita & Sahory
Cabellera vs. Cabellera: Oscar Sevilla vs. Apache. First two falls lasted about 10 seconds each. 3rd fall was excellent due mostly to Apache. Apache juiced in the third fall. There were some dramatic near finishes before her finally lost his hair. Had they made better use of the first two falls, spreading things out better instead of packing everything into one not particularly long fall, it probably would have been an excellent match.
Bull Terry Match (dog collar match where you have to touch all 4 corners in a row): Cibernetico vs. Tiger Steel
Octagon & Mascara Sagrada & Parka, Jr. & Alebrije vs. Sangre Chicana & Espectro, Jr. & Pirata Morgan & Texano
taped 4/14 Arena Mexico, D. F.
Scorpio, Jr. & Mascara Ano 2000 & Shocker vs. Mr. Niebla & Lizmark & Olimpico. Technicos had their moments, but mainly it was Shocker & Scorpio that made it such a good match. ***1/2
Pierroth, Jr. & Villano III & Fuerza Guerrera vs. Rayo De Jalisco, Jr. & Atlantis & Negro Casas
Cabellera vs. Cabellera: Perro Aguayo vs. Bestia Salvaje. Perro had a bottle that was full broke over his head, causing him to blead. Match was good when Bestia was on offense, but let's just say Perro was showing his age and then some.
Octagoncito & Mascarita Sagrada vs. Mini Abismo Negro & Rocky Marvin. Fast paced with some great moves like Sagrada doing both a moonsault and an ultra huracanrana off the top to the floor. The match was really short though.
Mr. Condor & Marabunta & Angel Mortal vs. Oscar Sevilla & Path Finder & Pegasso
Hector Garza & La Parka, Jr. & Hijo Del Perro Aguayo vs. Toro Irizon & Texano & Espectro, Jr.
Lucha En Jaula: Boby Lee, Jr. & Espiritu & Kalungu & Atenas vs. Psicosis & Maniaco & Histeria & Mosco
Midget Single Match: Octagoncito vs. Mini Abismo Negro. Great flying, including a tornado attack to the floor from Octagoncito. Match didn't have great flow or fluidity and the txecution was rough in points, but the moves really carried. ***1/2
Revenge Match: Apache vs. Oscar Sevilla. Oscar doesn't have much beyond his couple of cool moves. Apache carried him, but there was only so much he could do. The match got off to a good start, but they ran out of interesting things to do and it started to drag with Oscar just taking moves from Apache until he finally lost. **
Man & Woman Mixed Tag Match: Pentagon & Xochilt Hamada vs. Oriental & Esther Moreno. Oriental was good, but the others are and were generally unimpressive. Sloppy match with a terrible finish of Pentagon running to the back of the arena and attacking Gran Hamada, which lead to a double ring out that was, of course, booed. The idea was to set up Gran & Ayako Hamada against Pentagon & Xochilt, but by not understanding their audience, they probably did as much to sour people toward that matchup as they did to make people anticipate it. 1/2*
4 Way Elimination Match: Psicosis & Maniaco & Histeria vs. Aguayo & Alebrijo & Path Finder vs. Naomichi Marufuji & Minoru Tanaka & Genki Horiguchi vs. Picudo & Charly Manson & Espiritu. This match wasn't very well worked. Too many of the moves they did could have been performed better. They did do some nice moves, but not enough to make up for all the problems. It was good when it got down to the final two teams, but this segment didn't last long enough to save the match. *1/2
Ultimate Dream Match: Heavy Metal & Tiger Mask vs. Kickboxer & Yoshinobu Kanemaru. Tiger Mask was good, and so was the match when he was in with Kanemaru. Unfortunately, Kickboxer did nothing but kick, which wouldn't have bothered me if he kicked like Hashimoto or Kawada, but they weren't even particularly credible blows. Heavy Metal had one of his infamous off nights. He just coasted through the match. I thought this match would at least be good, but I wasn't counting on it being slow-paced with a lot of stalling. They did some nice dives at the end, but that couldn't save it. *1/4
Octagon & Jushin Thunder Liger & Latin Lover & Hector Garza vs. Cibernetico & CIMA & Abismo Negro & Electro Shock. CIMA was the class of the match. Everything he does is so precise. The match was at least very good when he was in. Electro was the scrub of the match. He wasn't reacting to his opponent (usually Liger who he hasn't worked with before) well, which led to miscues. Everyone else was fair to good. Rudos did a lot of quadruple teaming, and their teamwork was good. Pretty good action, but not much drama. **1/2
Pierrothito & Fire & Fierito vs. Ultimo Dragoncito & Brazito Del Oro & Cicloncito Ramirez. This wasn't without flaw, but it was action packed and spectacular at times. Dragoncito was the most impressive because, like Dragon, every move he uses is done about as well as it can be. Pierrothito was the least impressive, mainly because he lacks the athleticm of the others. No ones bumping impressed me much. Falls were about 4 minutes each, so it was kind of short, but it accomplished its goal of getting the PPV off to an exciting start. **1/2
Relevo De Idolos: Dr. Wagner, Jr. & Bestia Salvaje & Satanico vs. Brazo De Plata & Negro Casas & Hijo Del Lizmark. Boring match due to so much heel domination with the typical bad and uninteresting brawling, and Porky's typically annoying comedy. Casas vs. Wagner was pretty good, and Lizmark pushed the pace, but there's no much else good that can be said about this. *1/4
Campeonato CMLL De La Pareja: Rey Bucanero & Ultimo Guerrero vs. Villano IV & Mr. Niebla. Villano was impressive since he's allowed to show his stuff here, and was motived. Of course, being in with hot workers didn't hurt. Bucanero & Guerrero have been better, but did do some cool things as a team and by themselves. Actually, everyone had their moments. Good drama at the end. ***1/2
Carnival De La Muerte: Pantera & Solar 1 & Mascara Magica & Safari & Olimpico & Astro Rey, Jr. vs. Blue Panther & Hijo Del Gladiador & Dr. Oborrman & Black Warrior & Violencia & Rencor Latino. This was an elimination match, but the person who scored the pin was the one that was out. The reason for this was that the last person left was losing his mask. High stakes are good, but the one thing about these rules is it basically dictates that the least experienced, least over, and/or least talented guys are going to be the ones that are battling down the stretch. EMLL doesn't put any stiffs in these matches or anything though, so while the match was better when the likes of Pantera, Black Warrior, & Blue Panther were doing their thing, its more intense and dramatic when there's only a few guys left, so it kind of evens out. Rencor was one guy that was really impresive and lasted a long time. If only they did away with the awful battle royal section to start the match, all of these big elimination matches where EMLL loads up on hot workers would be excellent. ***1/2
Quadrangular De Cabelleras: Perro Aguayo vs. Villano III vs. Pierroth vs. Mascara Ano 2000. This was a cage match that started under escape rules, but after two guys escaped became a singles match where you had to win by pin or submission. The ultimate loser would get his head shaved. This is the kind of match that you like it if you want to like it or hate it if you want to hate it. The match told a good story, and the fans were totally into everything they did. Of course, Villano is the only one of the four that can still do anything in the ring, and virtually all Lucha cage matches are just a bunch of bad brawling with some juice. My favorite part was when Pierroth double crossed Mascara a little while after Mascara had risked his own hair to come back in the ring when he could easily have finished escaping to the floor. What made it so great was that Pierroth was on the runway looking into the cage because he was rubbing it in that Mascara had trusted him and he screwed him over. What Mascara saw that Pierroth didn't was Cien Caras, Universo 2000, and Apolo Dantes coming down the runway to beat the shit out of Pierroth for the double cross as they had previously to Perro for just being an annoying old technico. **
Nuevos Valores: Sombra De Plata & Ricky Marvin vs. Chris Stone & Alan Stone. There were a few spectacular moves at the end, particularly simultaneous corkscrew pescados by Plata & Marvin, but as a whole it wasn't nearly as exciting as I hoped. **1/2
Juventud vs. Experiencia: Felino & Safari & Tony Rivera vs. Bestia Salvaje & Fuerza Guerrera & Violencia. Very well worked match. Rivera faired the best against the experienced opponents because he has the athleticism they are somewhat lacking and they have the smarts he is somewhat lacking. Rivera bled. Felino & Fuerza were the other standouts. ***1/4
Lucha De Titanes: Dr. Wagner, Jr. & Black Warrior & Blue Panther vs. Los Villanos (III, IV, & V). This is the type of match that comes to mind when speaking of good EMLL. The wrestlers aren't the youngest or most spectacular, but they are really technically sound and know how to use the brawling to convey intensity in a different way. Panther, V-III, & Warrior were the standouts. Wagner was more motivated than usual, but he didn't seem to be involved quite as much as those others. I would have preferred a little less brawling, but it was a really good match. ***3/4
Revelos Increibles: Satanico & Atlantis & Mr. Niebla vs. Tarzan Boy & Shocker & Emilio Charles, Jr. This match had good moments, just not enough of them. Atlantis & Niebla showed some nice athletic spots, but the pace was too uneven. No one ever got going and kept it going. It was more like one or two good spots and then a reset. In the last few minutes, we finally got some continuous action that flowed really well. **1/4
Campeonato Mundial De Parejas: Rey Bucanero & Ultimo Guerrero vs. Negro Casas & Hijo Del Santo. Excellent 1st fall with nice technical sequences then some big moves to end it. Unfortunately, neither of the other two falls approached the level of the 1st. They got into brawling in the 2nd fall, which was a bummer considering how good it could have been if it was a straight technical match. It didn't become something special again until the last few minutes of the 3rd fall, where they did some dramatic near finishes. It was definitely a good match overall, just not the great match it looked like it was going to be. ***1/4
Caballera vs. Cabellera: Cien Caras vs. Perro Aguayo. Slow motion. Perro juiced quickly, as usual. They brawled in, out, and around the ring. The fans were really into it as you'd expect, but for non-Perro marks this match is so bad and boring. Angle oriented match. Los Hermanos interfered. The rudo ref was replaced for not being unbiased, so Perro fouled Caras for the win. At least it was short. -*