Within the pro-wrestling, lucha libre remains a bit of a blind spot for me. Indeed, in the 4+ years this blog has run, I've only reviewed one lucha show. I decided to rectify this blindspot by easing myself in with the IVP "Best of El Hijo Del Santo" series, which at only $3 per disk seems a nice way into the world of lucha. By starting with one of the best known luchadors of the 80's-modern day, I'm hoping to learn a bit more about the main stars of lucha, the style and come to grips with how it works. Here goes nothing...
El Hijo Del Santo & Atlantis vs Fuerza Guerrera & Lobo Rubio
Loved the opening matwork here, especailly Santo's dedication to holding Rubio down with a headscissors. Atlantis and Guerrera also work a really fluid mat section. A little frustration seems to be setting in with Guerrera and Rubio, as the technicos are a little to good for them. Santo hits a beautiful spinning armdrag on Guerrera. The first fall goes to Santo and Atlantis, as Santo hits a rolling senton from the top on Rubio, held in place by Atlantis who pins him.
The second fall has Atlantis outsmarting the rudos, sending them crashing into each other. The aggression really gets amped up by the rudos, who aren't able to outwrestlethem, so go for more punches and nasty impact moves. They seem to be working over each opponent in turn, weakening both. Both technicos take nasty spills to the floor and the rudos win the fall by countout.
The rudos start the third fall by diving onto the already-downed Atlantis. Momentum shifts again as Santo fires back on Guerrera with a big punch to a loud cheer and, as soon as all four are in the ring, the technicos are able to outwrestle their opponents again. The ending sees a bit of poetic justice, as Santo and Atlantis both hit sublime dives to the floor and win the decisive fall the way the rudos won the second, by countout.
El Hijo Del Santo vs Black Shadow Jr
This starts off with some lovely matwork. It felt like the proverbial game of human chess, as you could sense both guys trying to think of a counter as soon as they were getting put into holds. It felt like Santo just about has the upper hand, so it was no surprise when Shadow decided to heat things up a little, nailing two bulldogs and an inverted crab/double-underhook for the first fall.
Shadow wisely stays on the arm to start the second fall, but things start to speed up again, this time with Santo nailing two flying headscissors in succession. Shadow misses a corner charge and gets nailed with a Swanton to give fall two to Santo.
The third fall starts with a bang, as Shadow nails a pescado on Santo. Shadow then takes a nasty bump to the floor before Santo hits a suicide dive. We return to the ring in time for Santo to hit a snapmere from the top and lock in the Camel Clutch for the submission victory. Altogether decent, but felt a little rushed after the opening matwork.
El Hijo Del Santo vs Espanto Jr
This is a mask-vs-mask match, and takes place is a very darkly lit arena. The first fall ends pretty quickly in favour of Espanto, who tries to remove Santo's mask during the early going before settling for an early submission.
The start of the second fall is golden, as Santo kneels on the floor outside for quite a period of time. Partly through obvious discomfort, but also with the sense that he knows that he's only one fall away from losing his mask. Dozens of kids come up to him as well with reassuring pats on the shoulder, which only adds to the scene. As soon as Santo does get back in the ring, Espanto is right back on him, locking in a half crab then a stump puller to try and earn a submission. He's also vicious in going for the mask again, ripping at it to leave it half-hanging off the face of Santo. Santo is able to fire back with some kneelift and, as Espanto gets sent to the floor with an insane bump, Santo flies right out after him. Back in, a senton evens up the scores.
There are a few cuts in the third fall, but they don't take away from the majesty of what is to follow. Santo goes for a pair of bulldogs, but is just sent to the mat on the second one. Espanto is getting more desperate, and nails him with a chair outside the ring, then gnaws at cuts on Santo (due to the exposed flesh where the mask is ripped) as blood gushes down Santo's face. A senton misses and we cut to Santo ramming his head into the ringpost from the apron. Espanto comes SO close with a roll-up before getting sent from the ring. Espanto follows with an amazing suicide dive taking him off the screen, as he appears to leap into infinity. Santo returns fire with a huge dive from the top rope and inside, the Camel Clutch picks up the win for Santo. Man, this was SO much fun, a really heated, gory lucha brawl, and the effort and story told really put over the match stip.
El Hijo Del Santo vs Negro Casas
Another stipulation match, this time with Santo putting his mask up against the hair of Casas. The first fall is pretty brief, but features a nice feeling out process, and I really dig some of the headscissors' by Casas. Casas gets the first fall early with a moonsault press and a La Majistral cradle for the pin.
1-0 up, and Casas is acting pretty cocky, as he is all over Santo. Casas nails him with some lovely punches, but Santo is able to suddenly come back with a kneelift and lock in a surfboard for the submission to equalise.
The third fall sees Casas in control early again after a Santo flurry, and you sense him getting his swagger back. He has to be held back by the referee as he goes for Santo's mask. Santo gets some nearfalls off a few desperation rollups, before a swank cartwheel elbow down him again. A Santo suicide dive rams Casas into the steel railings, before Casas slips off the top rope attempting a dive. Santo takes advantage with a top rope senton for two and tries the Camel Clutch, which Casas frantically fights off. You feel the match slipping awat from Casas, as Santo takes him out with a top rope dive to the floor. Inside, Santo is able to stop a Casas comeback with a second rope electric chair, before lockingin the Camel Clutch (again fought by Casas) for the win. Another really fine, heated match, and I loved the two embracing in the ring before Casas' haircut.
El Hijo Del Santo, Super Astro & Blue Demon Jr vs All Star, Rocky Star & Fuerza Guerrera
Curious bout this, as it's billed as a team match as above, but all six guys seem to be fighting each other with the match having battle royal elimination rules. Of course, this does mean we get to see some ludicrous bumps on the eliminations. Astro gets thrown out by All Star, and then Blue Demon is hurled out with a big backdrop. Guerrera chucks Santo out and the two Stars team up to eliminate Guerrera. This leaves both Stars in the ring and referees come in to declare them both winners, even though they seem to want to fight each other. I assume something is said on commentary to explain that is lost in translation to myself.
El Hijo Del Santo & Fuerza Guerrera vs Rocky Star & All Star
Intereting match here, as neither side seems to like their partner. Santo does not seem impressed with the heeling of his partner and conversely Guerrera wont tag in Santo as he gets worked over by Rocky Star. Star then works over Guerrera, and Santo now wont tag into the match. All Star works over Guerrera and puts him in a submission hold whilst simultaneously trying to remove his mask, causing Guerrera to submit for the first fall
The second fall kicks off with Rocky Star trying to do the same to Santo, who elbows his way free and tries to take off Rocky's mask. Guerrera ends up in the ring with All Star and everything breaks down. At one point, Rocky Star seems to be trying to unmask his own partner. Santo also gets involved, and All Star is a bloody mess at this point. In the ring, a rana by Santo on Rocky Star looks to even the scores, but the referees give the fall (and the match) to the star team. Replays appear to indicate DQ for Guerrera throwing All Star into a ring post. Santo is furious and whips off Guerrera's mask himself, throwing it into the crowd. Plenty of chaotic fun.
