bennyowens

I've been watching some more of his work as a mini since the watch party, having not seen any before, and its absolutely adding to his case. Where do people generally rank him among the best minis of all time? Masacarita Sagrada is the only obvious one I can think of being better than him from my limited viewing

If I were to make a list right now he would be my highest ranked luchador (not including Rey), probably in the lower part of my top 10. Theres something so captivating about watching him that I can't quite put into words, it's almost like watching a real life superhero. Theres few things that scream 'pro wrestling' to me as loudly as Santito pouring blood from behind a ripped mask as he finally makes his comeback. It gets me fired up just thinking about it.

The WALTER match was a revelation for me in the building, as good as I've seen him perform as an underdog. Definitely someone who I want to dig more into and do some rewatches as when he hits with me he hits big, but I also feel like I've seen a lot of matches where the wheels rapidly come off.

I'd recommend this tag match from 1959 to get a taste of his work pre-mask. His hot tag in this match is something to behold!

A sure fire lock to make my list, if this was a list of favourites he'd probably be top 10. The 73 Mascaras match is my number one match of the 70s, and the 69 Baba match is a masterpiece. One of the all time greats at talking during a match. Whether he's barking at the fans, berating the referee, shouting at his opponent's seconds, he always knew when to throw some character work in while doing something simple like working a hold. I havent watched any Dr X stuff yet, but checked out some of his pre mask work and he seems like a guy that just 'gets' wrestling, whatever role he is in.

Dumping a bunch of YouTube channels that I frequently visit for footage (no official promotion channels), I assume most of these are well known but just in case: Roy Lucier AAA Roy Lucier UWA Roy Lucier CMLL Roy Lucier Japanese Classics Roy Lucier Territories Roy Lucier Houston Classics of All Japan Armstrong Alley (Territories) RNR Wrasslin (Lucha) Kings AARK (AJPW/NOAH) Brett Williams (All sorts) *unsure, sorry* (Classic puro) Pro Wrestling Rarities (Handhelds/deep cuts) Pro Wrestling Preservation Society (territories) Real Hero (Puro) AWA stuff (Territories) WCW Cruisers Classics WWC Joe Dombrowski's Wrestling Library (indies/assorted) Matt D (territories/classics) Trader Jack (territories) Vrnam Nchnm (puro) Rob D (territories) Joshi puro oshi The Wrestling Archivist (territories) Old School Wrasslin

One thing I'd like people's input/thoughts/advice on is how you go about studying more than one wrestler within a match. I'm more used to watching a match and evaluating it as a complete entity rather than diving super deep into what the individual wrestlers bring to it. Whenever I put on, for example, a lucha trios match with 3 or 4 people that I'm potentially interested in for the list, I find I just hyper focus on one person and cant split my attention effectively. Maybe I'm just overthinking it, but I'd be interested in if other people have overcome a similar mental block, or if you generally just watch a match for one person's case.

I'm keen to go back and watch the TV matches from his first run. I watched the Mysterio match from 2003 and he was great in it, being a ruthless bully throwing Rey around and shrugging him off, but also knowing when to bump big for him and keep it believable that with the right run of offense Mysterio could take the match. I'm sure there must be other hidden gems like this (well hidden to me anyway!)

The first Hijo De Canis Lupus match was great, as violent and intense as anything I'd seen in a long time, found the rematch a bit underwhelming though unfortunately.

Does he have other indie matches along the lines of the Caifan matches from 2019?

Cota is one of the wrestlers who's career I am currently digging into, having paused my watch through of the 80s lucha set after discovering how much I loved his work! I always have a soft spot for wrestlers who work a rugged grappling style so it was a real treat to find someone who is right in my wheelhouse, and some of the stuff he was doing in those Americo Rocca matches still seems innovative decades later. I watched what I could find of the Negro Casas feud and was surprised how different his style was, but was absolutely enamored with what a king sized dirtbag he is in that feud. One little thing I always appreciate in wrestlers is when they are able to get their character across while stood on the apron in a tag match, and on that criteria he's probably a number 1 candidate! Obviously I have a lot more footage I need to watch of his before I decide if he gets a place on my list, but he's someone I'm very excited to do the work for.