Piratas are great, and while this wasn't a high end match, I think there was enough slick Pirata stuff that I am going to at least throw it on the table. Rayo is great at avoiding folks, and the Pirata are awesome at swinging and missing, Atlantis had a really cool lucha segment too, and Alfonso Dantes is rock. I wanted a more hectic finish, and the start was underwhelming, definitely a cusp match but I am going yes.

 

 

Lucha Nov 86-Mar 87

I think Phil is underselling this match a bit. Could have had a more hectic finish, but I thought the start was plenty hectic. The whole first fall was was just the Piratas swarming the technicos and mugging them. Then after they win, they dump Atlantis and the floor, and Atlantis kinda takes a Jerry bump, so it's like Jerry giving one of his opponents a taste of their own medicine. Then segunda caida hits and the technicos go after the Piratas just as hard. Like Phil said, even Rayo's comedy stuff felt more like him being evasive and misdirecting his opponents rather than being a silly fun babyface. Seconded.

Atlantis/Alfonso Dantes/Rayo de Jalisco Jr. vs. Los Bucaneros (Jerry Estrada/Hombre Bala/Pirata Morgan) (February 1987)

 

Bucaneros dominate early here acting like real pricks just beating on the tecs making them look like fools and then after they won the 1st fall they launched Atlantis to the floor like a lawndart. The tide turns in the 2nd fall with the tecnicos having enough and they start dishing out the pain to the rudos with action going everywhere and the fans getting into it. Atlantis looked really good here as he is becoming one of the best in the world with Dantes bringing the old school stuff and Rayo with his Rayo schtick which worked here. The last fall was more even sided with both sides looking good in what they did especially the Bucaneros on defense as they were pinballing all over the ring before going back on offense where they hit a triple dropkick on Atlantis as fucking capguns were fired in the crowd which was great. They would make Rayo submit quickly as well to win the match and while the finish came quick this was a lot of fun and I think it moves forward.