TripleMania XXXIV Night Two
Date: September 13, 2026
Location: Arena CDMX, Mexico City, Mexico
Commentators: John Bradshaw Layfield, Corey Graves

We’re back after taking Saturday off and the show is down in Mexico City and hopefully things pick up a bit here. The card is certainly stacked enough four title matches, including Dominik Mysterio defending the Mega Title against El Grande Americano. AAA has the potential to do something good here so let’s get to it.

Here is Night One if you need a recap.

The opening video looks at how everything came together on the first night, with the two countries coming together. But now they’re back home and we get to see what happens next. Tonight, they take over Mexico City and show the world where lucha libre comes from.

La Copa Bardahl

This is basically a Royal Rumble (intervals unclear) with pins, submissions or over the top for eliminations. Mr. Iguana is in at #1 and Abismo Negro Jr. is in at #2 with Iguana escaping a gorilla press and spinning around into a hurricanrana. The cross armbar has Abismo in trouble and Histeria (Abismo’s stablemate) is in at #3 (meaning intervals are at about 1:10, at least to start). Iguana gets beaten down and can only crawl so far away until Mascarita Sagrada is in at #4.

Sagrada hits a quick faceplant on Abismo and Iguana is up to whip people with Yesica. That doesn’t last long though as Taurus (also part of Los Vipers, along with Abismo and Histeria) is in at #5. The double teaming is on and a double powerbomb plants Iguana, with Abismo adding a top rope double stomp, which looked a bit low. Sagrada tries to go after all of Los Vipers and it goes as well as expected until El Fiscal is in at #6. Fiscal clotheslines Abismo out for the first elimination but Abismo comes back in to toss him out as well. The two of them brawl off and Laredo Kid is in at #7.

Kid gets to quickly clean house, including drivering Sagrada. Iguana slugs it out with Kid until Mecha Wolf is in at #8. That means Wolf gets to clean house, including planting Sagrada onto Iguana for two as the ring is getting full. La Parka is in at #9 and Bone Breakers Hysteria out before staring at Iguana. El Mesias is in at #10 and you can tell things are getting serious. Mesias gets to throw people around, including Sagrada (which JBL finds hilarious) before getting into a staredown with Wolf.

Dinamico is in at #11 and mostly misses a running knee to Parka before not being able to get the cover either. A springboard cutter hits Wolf, who sprays Dinamico with the mist so Mesias can hit a spear for the pin. Texano Jr. is in at #12 and powers people around before slugging it out with his old rival Mesias. They go towards the ropes but Omos is in at #13, with JBL suggesting that a bunch of people eliminate themselves like Mil Mascaras did at the 1996 Royal Rumble. I’d recommend that JBL brush up on his Royal Rumble history as it was 1997 but instead we get Sagrada going after Omos.

With that not working, Omos throws out Kid, Texano and Mesias before chokeslamming Wolf for a pin. Parka is thrown out as well and Omos does Parka’s dance as he waits on anyone to come after him. Chris Carter is in at #14 and, after taking forever to get inside, is quickly eliminated by Omos. Nino Hamburguesa is in at #15 and gets in a few splashes before being knocked down. Iguana is tossed but Sagrada actually jumps onto Omos’ back to send him to the apron. That’s it though as Omos gets up, tosses Sagrada and then Hamburguesa for the win (Omos’ second in a row of this match) at 22:40.

Rating: C. This was pretty mediocre stuff and really nothing more than a way to get people on the card. That’s perfectly fine, but they would have been better off by just having this as a regular battle royal and cutting off some of the time. Omos winning as a monster is the right choice, as he can get some mileage out of winning the main event of Night One and the opener of Night Two. Everyone else was fine, but this was all about Omos.

We recap La Catalina challenging Flammer for the Reina de Reinas title. Catalina is a newcomer and has been a success elsewhere, but Flammer has been champion for years, making it rather difficult to take the title from her.

Reina de Reinas Title: Flammer vs. La Catalina

Flammer is defending and they shove each other a bit to start. Catalina runs her over with a shoulder but it’s Flammer coming back to take over rather quickly. A double arm crank has Catalina in trouble but she powers out of a front facelock. Catalina…mostly misses a running hip attack to knock Flammer outside, where a spear has better effect. Back in and Catalina knocks Flammer down for two more as frustration is already setting in.

Flammer fights back up with a spinning Angel’s Wings for two of her own, meaning the frustration is mutual. A big boot and sitout powerbomb out of the corner give Flammer two but she misses a Swanton. Catalina hits a top rope splash for two, even with Flammer only partially getting her knees up. Back up and Flammer sends her into the ropes for a running dropkick, sending Catalina crashing to the floor. They get back inside and Flammer looks back for La Hiedra, allowing Catalina to knock her off the top. The running hip attack and running knee give Catalina the pin and the title at 10:23.

Rating: C-. This wasn’t very good, with a bunch of stuff missing and Catalina just coming back to win in the end. Flammer looking for La Hiedra but getting no one is an interesting way to go, but the match to get there wasn’t the best. The women’s division has been a weak spot for AAA since WWE took things over and that doesn’t seem to be getting much better. They just seem to need more polish, which isn’t going to happen without more reps.

We recap El Carnicero vs. Psycho Clown. Carnicero has been attacking the Psycho Circus (at least we think) for several months and finally revealed himself. Now Clown is fighting for his team’s honor in a street fight.

El Carnicero vs. Psycho Clown

Street fight but as Clown makes his entrance, Carnicero beats up some of the production team. Clown goes after him for the save but gets booted in the face for his effort. They get inside with Carnicero busting out some weapons, only to get booted out to the floor. Clown’s dive is cut off with a trashcan to the head, meaning Carnicero can chair Clown down. Clown is right back up with some chair shots of his own and of course it’s time for a table.

That earns Clown a right hand to knock the chair out of his hand but Carnicero misses a charge into the chair in the corner. A top rope splash puts Carnicero through the table for a rather delayed two so they slug it out from their knees. Clown rips his face off and gets a trashcan booted into his jaw for his efforts. Carnicero knocks him into the ropes with Clown’s arms getting tied up so it’s time for a toolbox. Cue the returning Pagano, who turns on Clown, which isn’t overly surprising from someone named The Proud Sinner. Anyway Carnicero hits Clown in the head with the toolbox for the pin at 8:16.

Rating: B-. It was a fun brawl and having Pagano being the one seemingly behind the whole thing makes sense. If nothing else, the Circus can fight against these two for months. Carnicero is a freaky looking guy and felt like some kind of a swamp monster so he’s a great choice for the one who might take the team apart. It was a nice enough brawl, but the big ending reveal was the important part.

El Ojo is ready for the main event and Dominik Mysterio doesn’t care where his father is. Dorian Roldan is ready to induct his mother into the Hall Of Fame and is glad that things are going to go so badly for El Grande Americano.

We recap Rey Fenix defending the Cruiserweight Title against three challengers. They all impressed Fenix so they’re all getting a shot.

Octagon Jr. is here, thankfully walking after his horrible neck injury.

Cruiserweight Title: Jack Cartwheel vs. Mini Vikingo vs. Nathan Frazer vs. Rey Fenix

Fenix is defending. They trade the rapid fire rollups for two each to start and Cartwheel grabs a flipping neckbreaker. The spinning hilo gives Cartwheel two on Frazer and the two of them fight to the floor. Vikingo flips over Fenix into a sunset bomb for two, followed by the corkscrew dive to the floor. Back in and Fenix hits a double cutter on Cartwheel and Frazer before kicking the fire out of Vikingo.

A top rope moonsault press gets two on Frazer, who runs the corner for a super Spanish Fly to Fenix. Frazer goes up again and gets German superplexed down by Fenix, who charges into a superkick for two more. Cartwheel is back up to tie Frazer up for two and pulls Fenix off the top. Vikingo is back up with a super crucifix driver to Fenix and Cartwheel’s top rope corkscrew moonsault gets two on Frazer to leave everyone down. They all get up, strike each other a bit, and then all get knocked down again.

Fenix is up with a Mexican MuscleBuster to Cartwheel but Vikingo shooting stars in for the save. Fenix loads up a super Mexican MuscleBuster on Vikingo, which is turned into a Tower Of Doom. Frazer drops the phoenix splash for two on Fenix and everyone is down. Cartwheel is back up with a Sasuke Special to Vikingo and Jack’s Arrow hits Frazer for two. Fenix takes Cartwheel out and Vikingo sends Fenix to the floor before diving onto Cartwheel. Back in and Fenix hits a quick Mexican MuscleBuster to pin Vikingo and retain at 14:14.

Rating: A-. This was the crazy spot fest that you knew it would be and it worked as well as you probably expected. The idea here is to just go nuts with all of the flips and dives and great timing imaginable and it worked like a charm. These guys know what they’re doing and it’s pure adrenaline and energy all match. Just have one or so of these a show and it’s going to keep working.

Post match here are Los Perros del Mal (with their original music) to take out all four of them. The fans are VERY happy with this and cheer them on rather enthusiastically.

Tag Team Titles: War Raiders vs. ???

Open challenge with the Raiders defending against….the Wagner Brothers. Wagner jumps over Erik to start and knocks him down before enziguring Ivar. Back up and Wagner is sent outside and knocked down by Ivar, followed by a heck of a knee for two back inside. A throw gets Wagner out of trouble and it’s off to Galeno for the clotheslines in the corner. Ivar knocks him right back down for the Doomsault and a near fall but Galeno is up with more clotheslines. Wagner is back in as everything breaks down, with Galeno hitting a dive. The Wagner Driver and a top rope splash from Galeno gives us new champions at 5:51.

Rating: C+. They didn’t have much time here but this felt like a “the home team wins something on the big night” match. That’s perfectly fine as the Raiders never felt like much more than monsters to be vanquished anyway. The Brothers are a big enough deal in AAA so let them see what they can do as champions.

Stephanie Vaquer won the Raw Women’s Title at a house show in Chile over the weekend.

We recap Dominik Mysterio defending the Mega Title against El Grande Americano. Mysterio has been champion for over a year and Americano has taken the promotion by storm, especially with his mask vs. mask match against the Original El Grande Americano. They teamed together for a bit and Mysterio turned on him to make it even more personal. Now it’s time for Americano to take everything as the top star in the promotion, or at least try.

AAA Mega Title: Dominik Mysterio vs. El Grande Americano

Mysterio, with El Ojo, is defending and it’s No DQ, while Americano is coming in with bad ribs. Americano dropkicks him in the corner to start before knocking Mysterio outside. The dive connects but Mysterio rakes the eyes and they go into the crowd. Americano gets sent into something made of metal and they go back to ringside with Mysterio starting in on the ribs. Some chair shots to the back have Americano in more trouble and Dorian Roldan hands in a belt for some whipping.

Americano grabs the belt though and gets in a hard whip of his own for two to take over. La Cabernaria goes on but Roldan offers a distraction, allowing JD McDonagh to sneak in for a headbutt. Mysterio only gets two and already getting more complicated. Cue Los Americanos to go after McDonagh, with Bravo diving off the stage onto security. Americano’s Air Raid Crash gets two so Los Americanos come back to ringside…and here is Omos.

All three Americanos are taken out but Americano goes to the eye to escape a chokeslam. A low blow slows Omos down and Americano fires off some chair shots, leaving Omos to charge through the barricade. Back in and the running headbutt gets two on Mysterio, who catches Americano going up top. Americano knocks him down but here is Liv Morgan to crotch Americano on top.

The frog splash gets two (with JBL thinking that would have been a new champion) and Americano is back up, with a running headbutt taking him down. Mysterio hits a belt shot but misses the frog splash, allowing Americano to hit the running headbutt. Cue Rey Mysterio, in a neck brace, to count the pin at 17:38.

Rating: B+. It was rather good and they got the big moment at the end, but it wasn’t quite up there with the mask vs. mask match. Americano kind of had to win here, just for the sake of avoiding a riot. Dominik had gotten his big run as champion and is ready to move on anyway so having Rey cost him the title made it even better. Very solid main event with the right result and that’s all you could ask for here.

Americano gets a musical tribute to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This show started slowly but it did get better with the four way and the main event both hitting hard. Carnicero vs. Clown was good enough and the Tag Team Title match wasn’t that bad. I wasn’t thrilled with the show overall and that’s probably due to having so much AAA this weekend. The appeal of the weekly show is how quick it is and that makes for a bit more of a test with this much. Overall good, but merging the two shows into one and cutting some stuff would have done wonders.

Results
Omos won La Copa Bardahl last eliminating Nino Hamburguesa
La Catalina b. Flammer – Running knee
El Carnicero b. Psycho Clown – Toolbox to the head
Rey Fenix b. Jack Cartwheel, Mini Vikingo and Nathan Frazer – Mexican MuscleBuster to Vikingo
Wagner Brothers b. War Raiders – Top rope splash to Ivar

 

 

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Shotgun Saturday Night
Date: January 18, 1997
Location: Denim & Diamonds, San Antonio, Texas
Commentators: Vince McMahon, Jim Ross

This is the third episode of the show and it’s back when Shotgun was actually VERY different. The original format saw the show airing from a bar (like this one, the night before the Royal Rumble) with some far less family friendly content. This one has a pretty infamous segment and it should be fun to see it again. Let’s get to it.

Opening sequence, which does make the show look rather awesome.

We run down the card, featuring the logo saying it’s live from New York City, which is quite the unforced error. Also of note, Vince praises JR’s black hat, which wasn’t quite a regular thing yet.

Hunter Hearst Helmsley vs. Rocky Maivia

Helmsley’s Intercontinental Title isn’t on the line and he promises to win both of his matches at the Royal Rumble. Oh and he’ll steal Marlena from Goldust too. The fans are VERY pro-Rocky, which was a rare thing at this point. Some armdrags send Helmsley into the corner (of the far smaller than usual ring) to start and some right hands make it worse.

Another armdrag sets up the armbar but Helmsley gets up for some knees to the ribs. That’s fine with Maivia, who armdrags him right back into the armbar. This time it’s broken up with an atomic drop…and here is Jake Roberts with the snake to clear the ring. We take a break and come back with Helmsley holding a chinlock and Roberts on commentary, saying he was just testing both of them.

Maivia fights up and makes the comeback, including a crossbody. Helmsley knocks him down for a quick two and we hit the chinlock again. This one doesn’t last as long and it’s Maivia fighting back with the right hands into the corner. A powerslam drops Helmsley and they both need a breather. Cue Marlena as Maivia strikes away, including a dropkick out to the floor. Helmsley sends him into the barricade but stops to look at Marlena, who says something we can’t hear. Cue Goldust to chase Helmsley for countout at 13:06.

Rating: C+. You could see some chemistry developing between these two but this was a long time before Rocky was the star he would become. At the same time, Helmsley’s feud with Goldust really did not work, with their Royal Rumble match being one of my all time least favorites. This was a fine enough match though, with the still brand new Maivia doing well enough.

Earlier this week on Raw, Sid talked about how he was going to have to become a monster at the Royal Rumble to retain the WWF Title. Shawn Michaels would say the same thing, but Sid promises to grab Michaels by his throat. Michaels’ mother will see the look on his face and Jose Lothario will stay out of it this time because he knows better. The friends and Mexicans (whom Lothario will summon) will know that Sid is the master and ruler of the world. This was in an empty arena and the echoing of Sid’s voice was great.

Bob Backlund is walking through the streets of New York and shouting a lot.

Mini Mankind/Histeria vs. Mascarita Sagrada Jr./Venum

Venum and Histeria (the non-minis) start things off with McMahon mocking JR’s descriptions of their gear. Venum’s springboard headscissors takes Histeria down but he misses a charge. A springboard flip dive drops Histeria outside and it’s off to the minis, with Sagrada sending him outside. That means a big dive to the floor as Steve Austin joins commentary (Vince: “And I don’t know why.”).

Back in and the non-minis take over with Venum being tossed outside as Austin isn’t sure why they’re here. Austin: “These guys in the Royal Rumble?” Sagrada comes back in to take over on Mankind as Austin is just going off on commentary, saying there are going to be 29 pieces of trash in the Royal Rumble and one Superstar.

Sagrada hits a dive to the floor as Austin complains about his chair being too small and offering McMahon an elbow in the face if he keeps insulting him. Venum comes back in and misses a corkscrew moonsault, allowing Histeria to hit a powerbomb for the pin at 5:53 (this is listed as 12 minutes on most online sources I can find, and unless there is some incredible editing, that’s not accurate).

Rating: C+. This is a weird case where the commentary is the focus. Austin was an absolute force out there, with an incredible run of lines. There is no question about why he became such a star, as the intensity he brought was second to no one. The match itself was an interesting enough idea, but as usual, it’s just random wrestlers having a match, which isn’t quite enough.

Super fans George and Adam are at the Alamodome. They’re the only fans there, because apparently the building has no security.

Here is Terry Funk for a chat and Austin isn’t pleased. Vince: “Texas’ own!” That is too far for Austin, because Funk is just from Texas. Funk: “This is my state!” Austin: “Wrong.” Funk: “This is my town.” Austin: “Wrong.” Funk: “I’m in the heart of Texas!” Austin: “Wrong.” Funk is a wristlockin, toe holdin, knee dropping (and other things) son of a son of a gun and tougher than a rattlesnake. He wants to know what number he is, but he wants to start at #1. Maybe he can rumble with Todd Pettingill!

Where are all the cowards from WCW? Where is Vince McMahon? Now he wants Jim Ross, calling him something censored. Or maybe….Steve Austin? You can see the look change in his eyes and Austin gets in the ring to go toe to toe with him and the brawl is on. Unfortunately it doesn’t last long and we go to a break, which is a shame as that was starting to get awesome. Well, more awesome as Funk was incredible here, with Austin being able to hang with him, which was impressive given what he was up against. Outstanding stuff and worth a look, though find the uncensored version, which is even nuttier.

Faarooq vs. Jesse Jammes

The Nation Of Domination is here with Faarooq. Jammes does his singing on the way to the ring but we miss part of it due to a microphone issue. The Nation stands there to start so Jammes jumps one of them, only to get hammered into the corner by Faarooq. A missed charge in the corner lets Jammes get in an armdrag, followed by a headlock. The lefts and rights in the corner don’t do much to Faarooq so Jammes goes with a belly to back for two. Back up and Faarooq hits a spinebuster, followed by the Dominator for the pin at 1:54.

Goldust vs. Steve Austin

HHH is here watching as well, which isn’t a great sign. They stare at each other to start and lock it up into the corner. Austin stomps him down with the exact style you would expect but Goldust is back with an elbow to the face. A low blow cuts Goldust off and it’s time to drive the shoulders in the corner. Goldust comes back with an oddly times hammerlock and we take a break. We come back with Terry Funk coming in to brawl with Austin for the DQ at 5:20. Not enough shown to rate but they weren’t being lazy in the time they had.

Post match the brawl stays on and here are a bunch of people for a big fight, with Austin and Funk fighting into a bar. HHH beats up Goldust with a pool cue and Funk is sent into a beer tub to end the show in wild fashion.

Overall Rating: B-. The wrestling really wasn’t the point here and it still made for a really awesome show. Obviously the Funk/Austin interaction was the one that really stood out here, but the whole aura of the show was so different. After years in the New Generation, this show had some energy and edge. That’s not something that was common back in the day but it worked here. Check out that Funk/Austin bit for sure, as it’s two masters going at it in a great segment.

 

 

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Lucha Libre Hidden Gems Collection
Commentators: Mike Tenay, Scott Hudson, Jim Ross, Brian Pillman, Hugo Savinovich, Carlos Cabrera, Jim Cornette, Dio Maddin, Aiden English, Vic Joseph, Larry Zbyszko, Josh Matthews, Santino Marella

So here we have a look at one of the things that WCW really did right. The introduction of the cruiserweights, mainly those from Mexico, gave them a unique feeling and it made for some outstanding matches in the process. That should make for some interesting options here, as there were so many of these things that it’s easy to forget how great some of them were. Let’s get to it.

From WCW Saturday Night, May 8, 1999.

Psychosis vs. Blitzkrieg

Psychosis works on the arm to start as we hear about his Cruiserweight Title reign only lasting a week after being Blitzkrieg in a four way. Blitzkrieg slips out of a wristlock to start and sends Psychosis outside, meaning we get a quick breather. Back in and Blitzkrieg misses some dives, only to get kicked in the mask. The chinlock doesn’t last long and Blitzkrieg’s hurricanrana doesn’t work very well.

The fans get on the crooked referee Charles Robinson as Psychosis hits a quick hiptoss. An elbow sends Blitzkrieg into the ropes but he dropkicks Psychosis to the floor. That means a big running flip dive for the first really big spot, only for Psychosis to dropkick him out of the air back inside. A handspring elbow connects for Blitzkrieg but a top rope superplex is broken up. The guillotine legdrop finishes for Psychosis at 6:13.

Rating: C+. This feels more like a match that was included for the people involved, though I never got much out of Blitzkrieg. The big flip dive looked good, but it’s not like there was anything here that wasn’t done better by others. That being said, I always thought Psychosis was underrated so it was nice to see him get a win here.

From Shotgun Saturday Night, April 5, 1997.

Discovery/Ludxor/Super Nova/Venum vs. Abismo Negro/El Mosco/Histeria/Maniaco

The best known name here in America is Histeria, who would become known as Super Crazy. Nova and Maniaco start things off and of course the fans are chanting for USA. Maniaco faceplants him to start and hits an electric chair as commentary talks about Ken Shamrock. Nova is back up with a fireman’s carry slam into a slingshot elbow before Maniaco misses a charge into the post.

Brian Pillman, on commentary, says he would have no trouble putting these guys in custody if they messed with the school lunch program. I’m going to assume that’s a topical line as Ludxor comes in to take over on Mosco. We get a LENGTHY period of dead air on commentary as Ludxor clotheslines him out to the floor for a twisting dive, meaning it’s Negro coming in to kick Discovery down. Pillman: “Translation: he’s abysmally black.”

We’re clipped for a commercial to Venum knocking Histeria down and hitting a top rope hurricanrana. Histeria is sent outside for a big flipping dive before Nova grabs a spinning armdrag. Venum gets a hurricanrana and Negro hits a big running flip dive as even commentary is impressed with the athletics. Ludxor hits a super armdrag and loads up a Sharpshooter on Maniaco…but leans forward for a pin instead at 7:31 (that’s a new one).

Rating: B-. This was almost fascinating in a way, as commentary clearly had no idea what they were watching and it was just a bunch of people flying around. That being said, it was rather entertaining and WAY out of the norm for this period in the WWF. The fans didn’t have much of a reason to care but they got into it by the end, which is a good sign.

From Super Astros (the WWF’s lucha libre show), May 2, 1999.

Hardy Boyz vs. Papi Chulo/El Merenguero

Chulo is better known as Essa Rios and Mereguero would be Jesus Castillo of Los Boricuas. Jeff and Chulo start things off with Jeff kicking away but getting sent outside, where he pulls Merenguero face first onto the apron. Chulo joins them so Matt hits a big running flip dive to take everyone out. Back in and the Hardys hit their double elbow into the fist drop/flipping backsplash combination. Matt slugs away at Merenquero and gets two off a top rope moonsault.

Jeff’s springboard moonsault gets two but Chulo’s cheap shot from the apron lets the rudos take over. A double suplex drops Jeff and he rolls outside, where Chulo is right there with a big running flip dive. Back in and Merenguero misses a charge into the post, allowing Matt to come in and clean house. Everything breaks down and Chulo hits a pop up dropkick to send Jeff outside, where Mereguero hits a suicide dive. Back in and Chulo hits a spinning faceplant to drop Matt, setting up a shooting star for the pin at 5:13.

Rating: B-. This had a bunch of spots together though they didn’t really reach a point where things got to a different level. You could see the Hardys turning into the kind of team that would quickly get to the top of the division, while Chulo and Mereguero didn’t exactly do much to stand out. This was included due to the Hardys, which is an acceptable enough reason.

From WWC, January 6, 2001.

Mascarita Sagrada/Octagoncito vs. Pierrothito/Piratita Morgan

Sagrada and Octagoncito take it to the floor to start but get sent into each other for the collision. A backbreaker has Sagrada in more trouble and they all get inside with Morgan going after Sagrada’s mask. That doesn’t work so it’s a reverse Beverly Bomb to keep Sagrada in trouble instead. A double dropkick hits Sagrada as well before Pierrothito beats up Octagoncito in the corner.

We settle down to Sagrada on the apron, where he watches Octagoncito get beaten down like a moron. Sagrada comes in and gets double teamed until Pierrothito kicks Morgan by mistake. Octagoncito comes back in with a top rope hurricanrana and then a standing version to send Morgan outside. Pierrothito comes back in with a superkick to Sagrada, who comes back with a quick armdrag.

Sagrada’s hurricanrana gets two on Pierrothito but Morgan is back in to go after Sagrada’s mask again. Sagrada strikes away at Morgan and drops Pierrothito but the rudos are up with a double backdrop to Octagoncito. Back up and Octagoncito grabs the back of the villains’ tights, which makes them accidentally hit the referee. Pierrothito kicks Morgan to the floor by mistake and Octagoncito is there with a running flip dive off the apron. That leaves Sagrada to la majistral Pierrothito for the pin at 7:14.

Rating: C. This is one of those matches that is kind of hard to follow as it’s more of a special feature that only fits for certain kinds of wrestling. The size difference made it easy to get behind Sagrada and Octagoncito, though the match was kind of messy in various parts. They were playing it serious though and I’ll definitely take that over the comedy that you often get with such matches in America.

From Superstars, February 9, 1997.

Hector Garza/Octagon vs. Fuerza Guerrera/Heavy Metal

Metal takes Garza down to start as commentary talks about Metal’s father being the referee. Guerra comes in for a running dropkick to Octagon as Ross tries to tell us what he can about both, which is limited at best. Octagon sends Guerrera outside for a suicide dive into the barricade, leaving Garza and Metal to slingshot in for a showdown. A handspring elbow hits Garza but Metal seems to slip off a springboard moonsault.

It’s back to Guerrera for a slam on Octagon and a Samoan drop lets Guerrera go up. Octagon catches him up on said top and brings him back down as there is a disturbing amount of empty seats opposite the hard camera. A super armdrag brings Guerrera down and Octagon grabs a Black Widow. That’s broken up so Garza hits a top rope moonsault press for two on Metal.

Commentary gets lost on which team is which and we go split screen to Paul Bearer talking about Vader vs. Steve Austin later in the show. Back to full screen and Guerrera dropkicks Garza outside and then clotheslining him back inside. Garza hits a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for two with Metal making the save. Metal sends Garza outside for a big flip dive but Octagon crucifixes Guerrera for the pin at 7:56.

Rating: C+. As usual, the athleticism is rather impressive and you can tell everyone in here knows what they’re doing. The problem is it rarely feels like the matches are building to anything and it comes off more as a collection of moves until the ending. That being said, it’s nice to have something fresh and different on the shows, though the lack of fans in the stand is not a good sign.

From 205 Live, September 24, 2019.

Humberto Carrillo vs. Angel Garza

They’re cousins who don’t like each other, though Aiden English is fairly obsessed with Carrillo. Commentary mentions that it’s Garza’s birthday, sending English into a rant about all the presents he would get Carrillo for his birthday (fruit baskets are discussed). They go to the mat with Garza working on the leg as English is going on about buying WWE2K games and surfboards and Browns tickets and Circuit City gift cards, as the gag is going on so long that it’s becoming funny again.

An exchange of armdrags goes to Carrillo but Garza pops up and it’s a standoff. We pause so Garza can TAKE OFF HIS PANTS, allowing him to dropkick Carrillo outside. A middle rope moonsault takes Carrillo down on the floor and Garza slowly hammers him down back inside. Carrillo gets tied in the Tree Of Woe for a running dropkick to the knee and we’re off to something like a seated abdominal stretch.

Back up and Garza dropkicks a handspring elbow out of the air for two and it’s back to the abdominal cranking. Carrillo fights up and backflips into a moonsault for two, followed by a high angle springboard armdrag. A missile dropkick hits Garza for two but he’s back up with some dropkicks of his own for two of his own.

Carrillo’s top rope back elbow drops Garza right back and it’s off to a rocking horse. Garza reverses into one of his own, which is broken up as well, leaving them to collide for a double down. Back up and Garza misses a charge into the post, allowing Carrillo to hit the Aztec Press for the pin at 13:44. English: “I’ll get him snacks, I’ll get him sodas!” Maddin/Joseph: “IT’S NOT HIS BIRTHDAY!” English: “Well it will be someday!”

Rating: B. Oddly commentary was the big feature part here, which is a nice thing to see as the action was quite good. 205 Live is a show that was never going to be a big deal because the cruiserweights were considered unimportant, but the wrestling itself was usually awesome. That was the case here, with two guys who knew each other rather well getting some time and coming close to tearing the house down.

From WCW Pro, December 21, 1997.

Juventud Guerrera vs. El Dandy

Feeling out process to start before they trade some shots to the face, with Dandy getting the better of things. Guerrera is right back with a springboard hurricanrana to the floor but Dandy fights back and hits a middle rope legdrop. A kick to the mask and a headbutt between the legs have Guerrera in more trouble but he gets two of his own off a sunset flip. Dandy slams him down and goes up, only to miss a dropkick. A springboard…I guess flipping dropkick finishes Dandy at 3:39.

Rating: C. This is one of the weirdest, or at least least accurately named, collections from the WWE Vault as there have not been many “gems” in this set. That was the case again here, with two guys just having a short match that didn’t stand out in any real way. I don’t get why this was included, though there is something to be said about having Dandy anywhere.

From Saturday Morning Slam (I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a match from this show), November 3, 2012.

Sin Cara vs. El Local

Local would be Ricardo Rodriguez under a mask. Cara takes him down to start and Local runs, with Marella saying Cara’s flips remind him of dancing in high school. A hurricanrana sends Local to the floor, where Cara hits a slingshot dive. Back in and Local manages to send him into the corner and grab a waistlock as Marella goes through a rather extensive list of muscles used in jumping. Cara sends him outside without much trouble though and we take a break. We come back with Cara fighting out of another waistlock and hitting the rope walk armdrag. A corkscrew hilo sets up the springboard Swanton to pin Local at 4:52.

Rating: C+. Weird lighting aside, this was perfectly fine, which was the case with most of what Cara did. It was odd to see Local getting in the ring, as he was mainly an NXT house show guy. This isn’t exactly a gem, but it was certainly something hidden, as Saturday Morning Slam is one of the more forgotten shows you’ll see.

From Super Astros, December 20, 1998.

El Hijo del Santo/Negro Casas vs. Apolo Dantes/Jose Estrada

Casas throws Dantes down to start and it’s off to Santo, who gets kneed down by Estrada. That’s enough for Dantes to come in and stomp Hijo down in the corner. The array of downward kicks continue until it’s back to Estrada. Some double teaming keeps Hijo in trouble, only for Dantes to miss a top rope backsplash. The rather needed tag brings in Casas to clean house, including a running clothesline. Everything breaks down and Casas is sent into Hijo. The rudos are sent into each other as well, leaving Hijo to hit a Swanton, immediately followed by a suicide dive. La majistral finishes Estrada at 6:16.

Rating: C+. This was another case of having important names included, as Hijo and Casas are worth including. At the same time, it was nothing more than a generic tag match, with the rudos offering pretty much nothing of note. I still like the Super Astros stuff being included, even if it was light years behind what WCW was doing.

From a Monterrey, Mexico house show, April 3, 2004.

Cruiserweight Title: Rey Mysterio vs. Chavo Guerrero

Mysterio is challenging and Chavo Classic is with Guerrero. We’re joined in progress with Guerrero stomping away and then faceplanting Mysterio for two. The bodyscissors keeps Mysterio down and Guerrero even goes for the mask, with Chavo Classic offering a distraction. We get some VERY loud spot calling (granted in a handheld camera shot match at a house show) until Mysterio makes the rope.

A rollup gives Mysterio two but he gets elbowed right back down. Classic goes for the mask again, which seems to fire Mysterio up enough to fight back and sent Guerrero outside. The referee cuts off a dive though, only for Mysterio to flip dive onto both Chavos. Back in and Guerrero dropkicks a springboard out of the air for a double down.

Guerrero’s sunset flip doesn’t work as Mysterio gives him a basement dropkick and goes up top. The sunset bomb is blocked so Guerrero gives him an over the shoulder backbreaker for two more. Mysterio slips out of a second attempt though and hits a hurricanrana before taking out Classic. A Code Red gives Mysterio two but the 619…I’m not sure as the camera misses it, but Guerrero is up with a Gory Bomb…for the pin at 9:30.

Rating: C+. What in the world? It’s a house show in Mexico and Mysterio LOSES? I get that the title is on the line but make it a non-title match or have it be a countout. Just don’t have Mysterio, who was in Mexican flag themed gear, lose. It’s a guaranteed way to kill the crowd, which was all because the result was wrong. Heck make it a handicap match or something but let Mysterio win at the end.

Overall Rating: C+. I really wasn’t as into this one as previous editions, mainly due to how bizarre some of the choices wound up being. I get the idea of putting on some random matches, but egads there was nothing else that could have ramped up the quality a bit? It’s not like they’re bad matches for the most part, but calling these “Hidden Gems” is a big stretch in most cases. Not their best work, though there is some interesting variety here. Oh and it’s described as “90 minutes” but it only runs 75. What’s up with that?

 

 

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