A fantastic bloody, violent double apuestas between two legends in Hijo del Santo & Negro Casas against some mean, angry rudos. Both masks and both sets of hair are on the line. The blood flows and Negro Casas in particular is a master of laying out a match and building the drama.
The much discussed match that CMLL had taped months ago that had yet to be seen finally aired. Though unfortunately in CMLL fashion, they made sure to do whatever they could to make this one just be a good, not great match. With there being no crowd and no idea when the actual match would air, these two did not go all out. I don't blame them at all for it either.
That said, it is still a good match between two of the best luchadores out there. They both hit their signature spots and everything looked crisp. Especially since Bandido barely wrestled throughout 2020. I just feel if that happened outside of Mexico or even in Mexico in front of a hot Super Viernes crowd in Arena Mexico, this would be one of the best of the year.
Bandido won two falls to one after Templario ripped off his mask on the third fall for the foul. There is a lot more that can be pulled out of this feud and I know down the line these two will put on a MOTY contender. It's just a matter of when or where that will happen. Not essential viewing, but if you miss watching Bandido wrestle, maybe check it out.
The biggest lucha event of the year finally makes its appearance only a few weeks before the end of the year. AAA has largely been shut down from the pandemic aside from the Lucha Fighter tournament and the Autoluchas shows. With Mexico close to shutting back down again, AAA lucked out and were able to run Mexico City Arena without fans this year. Triplemania is always a spectacle and despite all of the setbacks, AAA made this feel like a big deal with a spectacular stage set up, musical numbers and several great matches.
Those looking for their yearly fix of bad Vampiro English commentary will be disappointed as he was not there this year and for the better. The best announcer in the business, Hugo Savinovich, handled both English and Spanish commentary along with Jose Manuel Guillen. Hugo seamlessly switched back and forth between languages and explained the rules of the matches, the history of the feuds and even put over AEW storylines on the program. This show alone should lock him in as announcer of the year, he was that good.
The opening and last two matches of the card ranked from very good to excellent, with the middle three matches only being okay. Nothing was egregiously bad even if the women's match did go a bit too long. Omega/Laredo Kid was match of the night as expected and helped set up a match with Hijo Del Vikingo down the road. Hijo del Vikingo and Taurus making their returns at the show was definitely welcome.
Pagano and Chessman was the exact kind of match everyone expected out of them. It was bloody, it was violent, the bumps were dangerous, Hugo got his head busted open by a guitar from Chessman, and it was very entertaining. While it didn't reach the bloodbath levels of last year's Blue Demon Jr/Dr Wagner Jr match, it was still a great match.
Triplemania was easily one of the best shows of the year and if you are going based on no fans shows, it is easily the best of those. If you are strapped for time, the first two and the last two matches are the good stuff, but you should honestly watch the whole thing. It is a very easy watch.
Trios Match
Nuevo Poder del Norte (Carta Brava Jr., Mocho Cota Jr. & Tito Santana) defeat Dinastia, Maximo & Mr. Iguana
AAA World Tag Team Title Three Way Match
The Lucha Brothers (Fenix & Pentagon Jr.) defeat Los Mercenarios (El Texano Jr. & Rey Escorpion) and Los Jinetes del Aire (Myzteziz Jr. & Octagon Jr.)
Copa Triplemania Femenil Match
Lady Shani defeats Big Mami and Chik Tormenta and Faby Apache and Hades and Lady Maravilla and La Hiedra and Mamba and Pimpinela Escarlata
Trios Match
Psycho Circus (Psycho Clown, Monsther Clown & Murder Clown) defeat Blue Demon Jr., El Hijo de LA Park & LA Park
Marvel Showcase Tag Match
Terror Purpura & Venenoide defeat Arcano & Leyenda Americana
AAA Mega Championship Match
Kenny Omega defeats Laredo Kid
Cabellera vs Cabellera Lucha de Apuestas
Pagano defeats Chessman
CMLL's annual torneo cibernetico highlighting the high flyers of the company was a very entertaining match. Templario continues to be one of the best on the CMLL roster and should be a much bigger deal both in the company itself and internationally. Kawato San is doing alright still for those curious about his excursion.
You can find the match for free on CMLL's Youtube channel here.
Full list of participants:
Drone
Templario
Rey Cometa
Kawato San
Principe Diamante
Akuma
Black Panther
Hijo Del Signo
Star Jr
Esfinge
Virus
Disturbio