CMLL & NJPW FantasticaMania Mexico 2024
June 21, 2024
Area Mexico
Mexico Metropolis, Mexico
Watch: YouTube
CMLL runs their second-ever Area Mexico FantasticaMania on Friday evening, and Mistico’s twentieth Anniversary celebration headlines the evening. That is positive to promote out and supply a outstanding environment. It’s a present that options extra distinctive matches than large feuds, but it surely’s a card that’s sure to be a straightforward watch. It needs to be an fulfilling evening if you happen to’re prepared to drop $35 for it.
CMLL FantasticaMania is that this Friday at 8:30 pm from Mexico Metropolis’s Area Mexico. (They’re in US Mountain Time for the summer season.) The present will stream dwell on CMLL’s YouTube channel. It’s going to solely be accessible to folks subscribing to their highest-level Fan Leyenda tier. The opening match will even be a sampler on CMLL’s Fb web page. Matches from the present will air on TV in Mexico (TelevisaNueve.) This present will doubtless turn into a part of NJPW’s choices, however they often geo-block CMLL content material.
The FantasticaMania exhibits in NJPW characteristic CMLL wrestlers in an NJPW ring. This FantasticaMania does have some NJPW wrestlers in a CMLL ring, but it surely’s additionally extra “folks we work with elsewhere coming by for a go to.” Michael Oku is the primary RevPro wrestler to work CMLL since that expertise alternate began, whereas Dangerous Dude Tito and Che Cabrera come from the NJPW US workplace. This occasion additionally doubles as a Mistico twentieth Anniversary celebration, marking twenty years since his first match as this character. The Mistico portion of this has gotten by far essentially the most consideration main into the present. CMLL might’ve simply cut up the ideas into two separate exhibits, drawn properly with each, and constructed round them extra substantial. The principle occasion ties them collectively.
CMLL held a FantasticaMania present in Mexico for the primary time final yr. That FantasticaMania occasion was the ultimate Friday present earlier than CMLL migrated to a paid YouTube mannequin and stated goodbye to free Area Mexico uploads. That plan has seen additions, subtractions, a number of tiers, and a nonetheless lacking Area Puebla Christmas particular over the past 12 months. The idea nonetheless doesn’t really feel prefer it’s reached a ultimate state. The present plan has three tiers of membership. The bottom tier, the 9 USD/month Fan Campeon Mundial, is an inexpensive worth for individuals who wish to dip out and in of CMLL. Followers on that tier is not going to get this present; nevertheless, you will need to subscribe to the $35 USD Fan Leyenda tier to observe this present. It’s going to by no means be accessible for different members as a VOD, which solely grew to become obvious after the Homenaje a Dos Leyendas present wasn’t posted for different ranges. Going from 9 to 35 (or 0 to 35) is a giant ask. FantasticaMania shall be an amazing environment present, although it’s not one with one killer match after one other. The very best match on paper of the weekend is the following day, with Hechicero scheduled to wrestle Zack Sabre Jr. in Area Coliseo. That present will even air just for these 35/Fan Leyendas tier members. 35 is loads if you happen to’re eager about it for this one present, but it surely’s much more palatable if you happen to play psychological accounting tips and unfold it over Friday and Saturday.
This Friday present has just a little story; CMLL constructed the present across the novelty of seeing these folks multi functional place and in one-off matches in opposition to CMLL wrestlers moderately than ongoing points. There’s nothing constructed up right here any greater than final week’s TripleMania Tijuana, however the matches all really feel extra particular – and so they’ll be loads higher.
Astro Boy Jr., Dr. Karonte I, Dr. Karonte II vs. Futuro, Max Star, Vegas
Possibly this one received’t be loads higher. Astro Boy and Dr. Karonte are all relations of Mistico, and they’re all right here as a result of that is Mistico. By right here, I imply this specific present – they don’t work Fridays usually – but additionally CMLL generally; they appear employed primarily as a gesture of goodwill to Mistico. Astro Boy Jr. is younger and inexperienced, no higher than 100 different flying luchadors. He’s a deep, long-term prospect in 2024. The Dr. Karontes are terrible; the worst mixture of nice wrestler confidence and weekend warrior expertise. Dr. Karonte II particularly appears to be reinventing the type of lucha libre along with his specific model of dropping his opponents in mid-move and arising with nonsensical offense. The expertise within the household was not distributed equally.
Their opposition is the precise reverse: three guys with out robust lucha libre household connections who’ve as a substitute made it by means of impressing the correct folks. They might be in mortal hazard. Futuro, Max Star, and Vegas have already ascended larger on the cardboard than these different three, however that simply may not matter on Mistico’s evening.
Magnus & Rugido vs. Dangerous Dude Tito & Che Cabrera
CMLL – and Mexican wrestling generally – has a historical past of reserving robust foreigners in opposition to the heroic babyfaces and the sometimes evil rudos. The thought is to show that “our” dangerous dudes are simply as succesful as “their” dangerous dudes. The shocking half is that Magnus and Rugido at the moment are CMLL’s robust guys; this has lengthy been the Los Guerreros nook, and I didn’t see the Depreadores changing them. All the things about Magnus’ yr continues to be shocking – from getting on the Japan FantatsticaMania exhibits for the primary time to showing on AEW TV to truly feuding along with his cousin Mistico. Tito & Cabrera have slot in properly of their CMLL run, however Depredadors will in all probability keep the highest group right here.
Stephanie Vaquer © vs La Catalina for the NJPW Robust Ladies’s Championship
La Catalina has fought Stephanie Vaquer 3 times in singles matches since coming to CMLL. Catalina misplaced in July 2023, misplaced once more in September 2023, and received in February 2024 – when Vaquer so destroyed Catalina’s arm that the referee known as for an extreme violence disqualification. Catalina switched to the tecnica aspect after that one, however stood little lifelike probability of profitable even earlier than AEW introduced the Vaquer/Mone match. Mercedes Mone is more likely to be within the constructing for this one, which makes the way it will go much more obvious. Catalina can take an ethical victory by ending this match with 4 working limbs.
There’s a superb probability this would be the ultimate ever profitable protection of the NJPW Robust Ladies’s Championship, so take a second to offer it a fond farewell. Sure, NJPW doesn’t want two ladies’s championships, however this title wasn’t the issue. This championship was a hit regardless of all the plan for it going to items within the preliminary title match. The purpose of title belts is to make folks extra outstanding stars and to create cash matches. The (unplanned) title win helped Willow turn into a star and arrange a giant match. The title event, the lead-up matches, and the title win made Vaquer a star and arrange a giant match. Guilia didn’t profit from it as a lot – and obtained clonked within the head with it – however two out of three is fairly good. Forbidden Door is a pure and appropriate finish to this championship if that’s the plan, however historical past ought to bear in mind it as a profitable reserving software.
Máscara Dorada & Templario vs. Rocky Romero & Taiji Ishimori
The important thing plot level from February’s FantasticaMania exhibits in Japan was Rocky Romero, Templario, and Soberano Jr. forming the brand new trio Los Principes. The group is a enjoyable concept that has but to get off the bottom. Romero has been in Mexico just a little in 2024 after being an everyday a part of the final 18 months; this would be the first time he’s appeared since March. Maybe taking over work with AEW or the visa points which have prevented Soberano and Templario from working within the US have thrown off plans. Templario’s been his typical self within the meantime, contributing properly to trios matches and having robust singles matches when known as upon (together with final Friday with Oku.)
Then again, Soberano has totally disappeared for stretches of time and has been a background participant when he’s round. He’s a background character who steals the highlight along with his charisma, for positive, however he’s not carried out a lot – he’s not even on this present. There’s potential being wasted there for one motive or one other.
This match itself has plenty of potential. Dorada & Templario is nice, Romero’s nice, and I’m nonetheless attempting to determine what to anticipate with Ishimori right here. He wrestled loads in Mexico as a Toryumon wrestler and educated with the CMLL wrestlers in Area Mexico however by no means obtained to wrestle there. If lastly getting there means as a lot because it has to another NJPW wrestlers, possibly that is the evening’s greatest match.
Averno & Volador Jr. vs. Michael Oku & Zack Sabre Jr.
Area Mexico followers are solely getting Oku and Sabre from the UK; they are going to get the impression that everybody there may be tall and lanky. I’ve seen too lots of your movies on YouTube, and I do know that’s not true. Averno & Volador was an surprising duo that popped up as Oku & Sabre’s opponents. Oku subsequently cheated to beat Volador in a singles match, so there’s extra constructed to it now. Plus, he’s Volador; CMLL will at all times discover a approach to put him on the massive exhibits. Averno is simply generally on these large exhibits. CMLL took loads of social media grief for leaving Hechicero out of this one. CMLL introduced Saturday’s ZSJ/Hechicero every week after this card, turning the temperature down on that warmth. Nonetheless, Angel de Oro would’ve made sense as Oku’s title opponent from Tuesday, or Ultimo Guerrero or Soberano as extra outstanding stars. Averno is succesful and will do properly right here, however maybe there’s extra to it.
CMLL formally introduced their Aniversario present for September 13 on final week’s present. There’s but to be an obvious fundamental occasion. CMLL adopted the announcement with a match the place Esfinge and Euforia have been instantly mortal enemies, a transfer I imagine the Tremendous J-Solid would check with as “terrorism reserving.” (Euforia’s a long-time favourite. Esfinge will not be, although others appear to love them. They’re totally not on the stage of stardom that needs to be headlining the largest CMLL present of the yr. CMLL is totally able to doing that anyway.)
I’ve been eyeing this group of Averno & Volador Jr. as possibly one thing that may very well be arrange for September, too. That’s no fundamental occasion, however it’s a pairing they may do as a secondary apuesta match (like Angel de Oro/Volador final yr) or as a group for an apuesta event (like Averno/Ultimo Guerrero two years in the past.) The counterpoint is that I at all times count on CMLL to run an important angle at any time when they’ve a giant present, and so they often simply run a giant present by the numbers.
Hiromu Takahashi vs. Místico
This week is the twentieth Anniversary of Mistico’s debut, however in fact, he hasn’t been wrestling as “Mistico” all that point. He hung out as Sin Cara, Myzteziz, Caristico, and even Mistic 2.0 for one unusual press convention. That point away could have benefited Mistico, as unusual as some because it was. The increase was dying down within the final couple of years of his authentic run – it doubtless motivated his resolution to go to WWE – and he obtained to go away earlier than he grew to become passe. Caristico returning to Mexico however not getting the identify again organically created the type of long-term story that Mexican wrestling – and possibly all of wrestling – has a tough time attaining. The followers wished one thing for Caristico; they needed to wait and wait and wait, after which he lastly obtained it; he obtained to be Mistico in CMLL, and everybody was fairly comfortable for him. Mistico’s return to the identify was a part of CMLL’s upward momentum, and the thrill round each was helped by how lengthy the followers had waited and wished. Nobody would’ve ever thought of the thought of taking Mistico’s identify away for seven years to make him a shinier star when he lastly obtained it again, however the unintentional method all of it occurred had that impact.
(Dralistico, CMLL’s second Mistico, has largely been written out of CMLL historical past, and his worldwide work appears to have dried up. He understandably appears to be having bother with all of this on social media this week.)
Takahashi appears to be on a long-term character of his personal, although in all probability a bit extra deliberate. He failed in final yr’s BOSJ. Hiromu misplaced the junior title when everybody, together with him, assumed Takahashi would break the protection report. He did interviews about how folks could also be sick of him or how he wins all these titles and tournaments, however he’s going to maintain profitable anyway – after which he fails even to make the BOSJ ultimate when virtually everybody was positive he was going to the ultimate. (I believed in DOUKI.) The half about loads of being uninterested in Takahashis appears to be grounded in some actuality based mostly on dipping my toe in NJPW fandom. The work Hiromu has already carried out ensures that he’ll someday be considered a legend and as one of many extra revered names within the historical past of Japanese junior heavyweight wrestling, however he’s proper now in that very same awkward interval Mistico was in earlier than his WWE leap – he’s good, everybody nonetheless is aware of Takashi remains to be good, however not as particular as he as soon as was. There’s a longing for one thing totally different. I don’t suppose Takahashi is about to move out for a WWE run – it’d doubtless be as disastrous as Sin Cara – but it surely does really feel like a re-invention is each coming and wanted. It’s not right here but, so NJPW could have no challenge with Mistico getting the identical clear win over Takahashi that Mustafa Ali obtained in Chicago. That change might be coming quickly sufficient, although, and maybe being again within the place the place Takahashi first discovered himself as Kamaitachi will spark some concepts for no matter’s subsequent.
Remaining Ideas
Area Mexico has had an unimaginable environment for giant exhibits this yr. The gang’s emotions lifted each the Homenaje a Dos Leyendas present and the follow-up Danielson/Panther singles match. This week of Mistico’s twentieth Anniversary present has been the identical in Puebla and Guadalajara. Friday evening shall be one other of what we’ve seen in CMLL on this two-year scorching interval, the place the matches don’t appear like the very best on the planet on paper, however the feeling of watching them makes them can’t miss. Fantasticamania is a present the place folks shall be squeamish about dropping $35 USD to see it after which be comfortable they did on the finish of the evening.