Lizmark/Alfoson Dantes/Tony Salazar v. El Signo/El Texano/Negro Navarro

 

This felt like a Missonaires De La Muerte by the numbers match, but man alive is their standard act a great act. Especially in the third fall it got nastier, with Navarro throwing some sick back hand slaps and Texano dropping some really nice looking headbutts. Technicos played their parts, and we did get to see Lizmark uncork a beautiful plancha. If we had 50 MDM matches to choose from I don't know if this makes a set, considering the paucity of footage, this feels like a slam dunk.

 

Rayo De Jalisco Jr. v. Mascara Ano 2000

 

Big title match, with all that entails. Neither guy is the smoothest wrestler at this point in his career, so some of the stuff is a bit ragged looking. Still they know how to work a dramatic title match and the last fall was pretty great. Rayo has one of the most beautiful planchas in wrestling history, and they build good drama around the near falls. Nasty martinete finish too.

 

La Fiera v. Babyface

 

Holy shit is this a great match. I am really surprised I hadn't seen it before and hadn't heard it discussed. Feels like a top 5 contender. Bloody hair match which is one of the great things about lucha. Probably Fiera's career performance as he is just a machine here, offense looks great, takes absolutely insane bumps, both in the ring and to the floor, and hits one of the prettiest dives I have seen so far in this footage. There is great drama at the finish to as Fiera tries a bodypress off the apron and smacks into the floor hard, so we get a cool teased countout. Then there is a cool big moves two count section, before a pretty victory roll, grab the ropes, ending. Slam Dunk Nomination.

Los Misioneros de la Muerte (Negro Navarro/El Signo/El Texano) vs. Alfonso Dantes/Lizmark/Tony Salazar (8/15/86)

 

Misioneros were solid here with their brawling tactics as they just overpowered the tecnicos who were strong at bumping for them as well. Signo was just an angry fireplug here throwing bombs. Lizmark was fun starting the tecnico comeback and I loved the atomic drop barrage by Dantes with the Misioneros being great at selling it. Lizmark put on a fun show in the 3rd fall making the Misioneros look foolish using his athletic ability. Misioneros brought some hard hitting shots here as well showing they weren't going down without a fight. Texano taking a great bump to the floor followed up by Lizmark hitting a huge plancha was the highlight of the match before Salazar fouled Signo for the DQ. Very fun match and I think it's a fine showcase for the Misioneros. Solid nomination.

 

NWA Lt. Heavyweight Title: Rayo de Jalisco Jr. © vs. Mascara Ano Dos Mil (8/15/86)

 

Yeah this is a good example of how to work a title match in lucha although these guys weren't the crispest workers they had the psychology down pat. That is by no way meaning these guys didn't work hard here as they did and it seemed like everything mattered it was just the execution was kinda clunky at times. 3rd fall really picked up which is the way it's supposed to be in the title matches as both men hit some big dives and this was turning into an epic war of atrition as both men got numerous nearfalls before Rayo just nuked MA2K with a Martinete to win. This was a pretty damn good match and a fairly easy nomination.

 

Caballera contra Caballera: La Fiera vs. Babe Face (8/15/86)

 

This is a simply fantastic match with both men going to fucking war on each other here and Fiera like Phil said maybe turning in a career performance here which says a lot. This has all the blood and violence you want from a hair match to go along with the wild bumping, selling, and crazy dives especially from Fiera. The stretch run here is phenomenal as you really think Fiera may lose by countout but he fights his way back in to keep himself alive. Just a glorious match and a grand slam nomination.