alexoblivion

For those who are interested, I put the hair match online. Reactions to it should be interesting. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to upload it to YouTube and had to upload it in two parts. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2sp92t_micheldeghelderodepart1_travel

Would like to take a closer look at La Fiera, as from what I’ve watched these last few days, he seems consistent. Was ordering random CMLL shows from the 90’s to get a better look at Cota, but should probably switch to Fiera, as even in pedestrian trios, his effort stands out. Was really impressed with his performance in the Chicana hair match from 93, and even more so in his hair match with Kahoz from 96. Works from underneath in both, and his selling in those matches is phenomenal.

The hair match is really good and worth the six dollars. There's also quite a bit of Casas/Mota trios, though the best one is online.

Mocho Cota vs Negro Casas (9/23/94) Feels like a more fleshed out version of some of the stuff they were doing in their tags, and given the extra attention and time, it works very well in a singles setting. Cota works aggressive throughout the match; overwhelming Casas with violent strikes and continually targeting his tweaked ankle to maintain control. Cota also works in some cool pining combos and submissions that work well within the narrative of the match. Casas selling in this was great, and helps put over the violence of the match. Really good match that was smartly worked by both. No post-match footage is disappointing, though since the match made CMLLs year-end review show, I wonder if that version has any additional footage.

That match with Togo was pretty good. Definitely worth watching.

Volador vs Pirata Morgan Really great bloodbath with Volador holding his own against the glorious asshole that is Pirata Morgan. The heel ref might annoy some, as they go to it quite a bit, but my mind must be warped as I didnt think it detracted from the match, and Volador snapping on the ref was a cool moment. The almighty Dataintcash places this happening anywhere between 90 and 92, so for the sake of this post Im going to go with 1990.

Not out of this world or anything, but entertaining. Buddy was unselfish; having no problem looking vulnerable throughout the match, and doing the things we’ve grown accustomed to put over that vulnerability; such as backing into the corner from the ground or rolling to the outside. I don’t really have a lot of praise for Anaya, but he wasn’t detrimental or anything, and was very smooth. I liked Buddy working holds, as he does so with a physicality and viciousness to maintain position, in particular that hammerlock with the wrist manipulation was great. A third fall would have been nice, but I do like how they put over how dangerous Rogers’ piledriver is with Anaya being unable to continue.

Does anyone know the date of the Pirata Morgan vs Volador match? YouTube description places it taking place between 90-92.

No clue on the exact date for this other than 1953. At some point I think it could be found by looking through some results Clawmaster has posted online. Good match, however, gaging by the finish it seems like the purpose may have been to set up future matches between the two as Ali gets himself disqualified in the third fall. I thought the continental nobleman came off as an upper echelon talent. I really liked Leone on offense, as he wrestles an aggressive, opportunistic style, taking advantage of any opening with some pretty nasty strikes and holds. I thought his selling was good, and appreciated that anytime Ali had him in a hold, for example the headlock in the first fall, Leone was always very active, putting over the struggle and looking for various ways out. The 2nd fall has an annoying edit that jumps to Leone submitting, which makes me wonder if there is a full version out there.

What’d you think of the Satanico/Chicana match? I thought it was good, but found myself being more immersed in it because of how close everything was filmed, and as a result, just how well it captured the overall atmosphere and presence of the wrestlers’. I was going to reach out to dataintcash a few weeks ago but never finished the email. Seems like it might be worth a try.

By any chance do you know if dataintcash has unearthed anything new, or just stuff that hasn't really been circulating online?

Really suggest people watch this match as the Graham brothers are really great in it.

After watching this match, I love the Grahams. They cheat at every opportunity and cause constant chaos. Thought Eddie came off in particular as a good worker. Match always seemed like it was on the verge of ending in disqualification, and was very fast paced. Ending was crazy with the Grahams taking apart the turnbuckle and choking Martinez with the rope. I would really suggest people go out of their way to watch this.

Not a lot of his Black Magic run is online, so it seems like he is going to be a tough sell, unless you have the footage. How much of his stuff even made the 90's yearbook? I seem to recall his match against LA Fiera being in the DVDR lucha 64 tourney at one point.

I don't think Lou was the only petty "old timer". I'm pretty sure I've read somewhere that they rarely ever had something complimentary to say about another wrestler, and if so, it was somewhat begrudgingly. Rogers also had a terrible reputation amongst other wrestlers. Even by the late 70's when Flair worked with him, he was not well liked. Curious about Brisco and Kiniski as draws during their reign as well.

The Sheik vs Jackie Fargo (Louisville, KY 1974). Crazy fucking spectacle is really the best way to describe this. Best part of Sheik matches is that he forces his opponent to wrestle his type of match, resulting in the face just snapping and becoming just as violent as the Sheik, really bringing out the hatred in them. Thought Fargo was awesome in this. Just completely pissed off, bleeding, stumbling around, and throwing great punches. Its a simple thing, but I always thought when Sheik loses the pencil and the face picks it up, that moment of retribution, is always awesome.

Has anyone else read The World of Lucha Libre by Heather Levi? According to her trainer, not sure who as I no longer have the book, Dr Wagner Jr is of no relation to Wagner Sr, and that he paid Wagner for the name. Also wrote that it was quite a common practice. Any truth to this?

Just a wild, violent match. Everything they did, even the simplest stuff, was done with so much force and intensity. Their strikes looked vicious, particularly both guys kicks throughout the match. They both took crazy bumps into the ringside seats, but that bump Casas took into the seats was insane. Liked Casas just ripping at Fieras face anytime he had the chance. I really thought Casas biting Fieras nose was great, as was the subsequent selling that Fiera did for it. Glad dataintcash uploaded this match.

So in the JBL interview, he mentions that for the Judgment Day match with Eddie that they threw Pat's planned match out the window and called it in the ring, which was Eddie's call. Love that match so I'm glad they did, but I wonder what Pat's match would have looked like.

Steamboat claims that they weren't really "smartened" up until the last week's of the training camp, which seems to go against the Verne trainees claim that it wasn't untill their first match. He also talks about learning to take back drops, so it sounds like there was some rope running involved.

Lack of love for Lizmark is disheartening. Watched this a few months ago and preferred their 93 match, though that match has a shoddy finish as well.

I wonder how accurate Funk’s assessment of Thesz killing Leone’s drawing potential is. In Steve Yohe’s L.A. HOF list on the Wrestling Classics board, he wrote that while the first match between the two drew the largest gate in wrestling history at the time, and credits Leone as being a major factor, that the “blow off hurt the area”. However, he also speculates that too much TV and Leon leaving the area for a tour may have been a factor as well. Recently watched Thesz’s title defense from 55 against Don Leo Jonathan, and while I like the match, I didn’t really think Thesz went out of his way to make Jonathan look like a credible challenger past the first 8 minutes or so.