Valiente vs. Rey Hechicero, WWA World Middleweight Championship, 1/27/08

This was good stuff. If I'd seen it earlier, I would've voted for it in the Tapatía Awards.

It was a genuine attempt at a lucha title match, with Valiente showing how skillful and competent he is on the mat. I'm sick of sounding like a broken record, but I can't understand why CMLL don't give us matches like this. With the numerous TV shows they have, you'd think they could throw out something authentic from time to time. There's no reason why you can't mix the old with the new, as this match aptly demonstrated. It was chock full of matwork and submissions, but had newish moves and pretty flying -- modern moves with a classic structure.

I'm sick of guys hiding how good they are on CMLL cards. Shit this good shouldn't be a throwback.

Anyway, y'all need to watch this and appreciate what a guy like Valiente is capable of. Rey Hechicero also looked like a quality worker and it was a deft little encounter. Some great struggles on the mat, smart use of the dives, jinking footwork. Good showing.