[1998-10-30-CMLL] Olimpico vs Halcon Negro

[Loss]

Talk about it here.

[Loss]

This is worked a little differently from their first match. Tempers flare in the first fall more than they typically do in a title match, but considering the finish of the 10/23 match that's exactly as it should be. There is more urgency this time around and less feeling out. Halcon Negro is more of a heel in the body of the match too. Stylistically, the first match is more up my alley, but the two matches really work best in tandem as a viewing experience anyway. Negro unmasked when this was over but I got the feeling that he did it voluntarily because this wasn't wrestled at all like a wager match. This was another great match and a fitting follow-up that showcased high-flying more than matwork and did a great job of it. I really enjoyed this series.

[ohtani's jacket]

Not sure if you meant it literally, but it was a wager match.

[soup23]

Another match I was disappointed in. I still liked this a good deal but the first two falls felt like big afterthoughts. The third fall was excellent with crazy dives and probably more nearfalls than I can remember in a lucha match. Olimpico again looked strong here and it is kind of a shame he didn't become a bigger name. Negro drops his match when Olimpico revenges the loss from the week before. ***3/4

[Zenjo]

I don't like the booking at all here. There was no time to build from the title match towards the blowoff to the feud in the mask match here. Short first two falls followed by a long tercera. They certainly overdid the 2.9ers, yet there were some nice dives and plenty of drama. The fans were marking out as they were firmly behind Olimpico. After the victory he celebrated with both his father (ex-wrestler) and son in the ring. Negro had a good rudo image and a bad mask, so losing it was the right thing to do. By no means a classic mascara contra mascara but it was a satisfying main event.

[PeteF3]

This was pretty good but it did have that "self-conscious epic" pall about it--Olimpico was GREAT at timing his kickouts for the last microsecond, but there reached a point where he almost seemed to be showing off how close he could make the count instead of building an organic story. It's also another point in favor of just doing a one-fall match if you're going to book a 2/3 fall match like this--I know, tradition and everything, but I say if you're going to get through the first two falls in like a minute apiece you may as well just skip them. Loved Halcon's funky reverse Gannosuke clutch to win the primera caida, though. I think I liked the first match better just because it was my first time seeing two relative unknowns. Here, they actually had expectations to live up to.