5 Count: May 16-31, 2025

1)Estrella Divina vs. Carrillo (Lucha Rey Golden Anniversary 5/21/25) Hair Vs. Hair Match. Winner: Estrella Divina. Good blow-off match to feud on the Mexican indies. Exotico Divina, a gamma blasted Sigourney Weaver taking on pudgy jersey clad Carrillo. Good heat-Carillo threw out sucker chop during the intros, then dropkicked her in the corner before the bell. Got some blood early with Carillo gouging the side of the Divina's face. Divina played the perfect babyface-taking punishment, some hope spots, then the final comeback (a superplex thru plywood) for the win. It was sloppy like real fight—this was no Danielson/ZSJ battle of technique--just chops, chairs, blood and glitter. There were a couple nice wrestling spots (Carrillo hit a surprisingly sharp head scissors, and a good DVD into the turnbuckle. Divina showed off a gasp worthy tope suicida, flattening Carrillo on the floor.)

Setting for this match was perfect--dark and dingy in all the best ways. A red mat with a white cross already stained with dried blood from a prior match. The rough production quality added instead of detracted. Just oozed hate and danger. Ratings: RAWKS!

2)Nixon Newell vs. Dani Luna (ATTACK! C'est La Vie 5/18/2) Winner: Luna. Classic story here- the up and comer vs one on a comeback. Luna's a young powerhouse building a rep in the UK scene and tagging with Jody Threat in TNA. Newell, on the other hand, is the veteran restarting her career from the ground up.

Newell is a known name as the former Tegan Nox had a nice push stateside in NXT. Unfortunately, she is probably better known for her series of big injuries (tearing both ACL's) than her ring work. Those injuries derailed much of her NXT career, and never really got to have a signature match. After being released and apparently no offers from other US promotions, Newell has gone back to the British indie scene.

First impression prior to bell, Newell looked pretty good. She's changed her look-hair is longer with a rainbow dye job, donning cool black and red two piece gear; she looked confident and came across with a real star appeal. Much better than the her previous basic babyface look. She's look in great shape, no brace on the legs. In the ring, solid if a step or two slower. Her offense has always been a bit light and that is remains the case. Still, she showed some good fire, and she was not tenative--taking risks and bumps. A couple of nice cannonballs--a standing one in the corner and bullseye one from the top rope. She sold well for Luna who worked the hell out of Newell's arm.

When Luna wasn't twisting and pounding Newell's arm, she was flinging her around the ring. A standing back drop, big lariats, showcasing her strength. A lot to like here and lived up to her rep as one to watch. After kicking out of Newell's Canadian Destroyer (leading Newell to give some classic NXT face), Luna countered an attempted Shining Wizard into a fireman's carry powerbomb for the win. Rating: Roar

3 Mascara Dorada vs. Zandokan Jr. (CMLL Viernes Espectacular 5/30/25) Copa Jr. VIP 2025 Final Match. Winner:Zandokan Jr. After hearing some high reviews for this match-I was kinda disappointed. It was fine enough, good to see Zandokan get a big win, solidifying his movement up the card. The match was stuck in one gear-never really building. There were some timing issues– more than once, both guys seemed out of position, or getting into position too early. Dorado hit a couple of his signature high flying moves, but couldn't get this pace up to bring his usual exciting athleticism.

On the plus side, both wrestlers really engaged with the crowd, getting better reactions than the ringwork deserved. This has been a weak spot for Dorado in the past, but here he kept bringing the crowd in, gesturing for cheers. Mistico does this so well, and it's bears well that his eventual replacement is improving at it. Zandokan always brings personality, jawing at the fans, doing a couple Samoa Joe walk aways spots as Dorado whiffed from the top rope. These two are slated to big parts of CMLL's future so we will see them face off again, and hopefully it will be better. Rating: Rent.

4)Kuro (c) vs. Cedric Alexander (APC Rise For Glory 5/24/25) APC Title Match. WINNER: Kuro. Since we last checked in on Kuro and APC, he has become the French promotion's top dog; beating Aigle Blanc (WWE bound allegedly) for the APC Championship. It is a good move-Kuro has the stylish eurocool look and is over big with their fans. He's got good build-slim but sinewy like a Paul Gulacy Shang-Chi. , but good worker. His biggest issue is his in-ring personality—with his shotgun DDT and Rainmaker finisher, Kuro still in his Karoake Era--just ain't singing his own songs yet. He's still young, and putting in the work (40 matches so far this year).
Cedric Alexander is the perfect opponent for the young wrestler. In a pre match promo, Kuro said he wanted the "Cruiserweight Classic" version of Alexander. He didn't get that, but got something perhaps better: a seasoned pro putting a kid over and leading him thru a solid 20 minute main event. A former WWE talent looking for a new gig, Alexander could have big-timed Kuro or easily outshined him. Instead he hit a few nice spots (dropping Kuro from his shoulders onto the crowd) and got a lot of sympathy on the champ leading to a nice comeback and win. Rating: Roar.

5) Dan Archer (c) vs. Caveman Ugg (SLAM#18 5/31/25) No DQ SLAM! Title Match. Winner: Archer. It is hard to go wrong with a caveman gimmick--a neanderthal just brutalizing people is a perfect fit for wrestling--even when the supposed prehistoric dude points to his wrist to complain about a slow count from the ref.
That charming anachronism aside, Ugg did the gimmick justice here--just chucking Archer (no small man) from ring post to ring post. This was a NO DQ match so you got all the standard plunder-garbage cans, chairs and tables. Still Ugg put a lot of lift in his offense--giving these overdone spots some good impact. It helped that Aussie crowd was hot for everything--lot of kids screaming. Archer did some decent heel work--finishing the match with a low blow and superplex thru a table. Solid stuff. Rating: RENT