Chris' Lucha Roundup: January 2025

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I’ve had this 99% done for a few weeks, and then I got hit hard with life. Apologies for the most delayed column in history getting more delays.

Abismo Negro Jr. vs. El Fiscal (XLL, 1/18)

You can be forgiven for being underwhelmed by the words “inferno match.” Most wrestling fans will envision pyrotechnics surrounding the ring in otherwise bland matches featuring the Demon Kane when they see that match stipulation. The inferno match between Abismo Negro Jr. and El Fiscal has nothing to do with WWE pageantry and production, but as their fans would say, it is cinema. A fireball is spit seconds within the match. Torches and fireball sprays are used throughout the rest of the match. It’s the kind of matches I’ve shown friends who are otherwise disinterested in wrestling because anyone can get it. It is two men who hate each other and want to set each other on fire. That’s all you need sometimes. Wrestling is beautiful like that.

Hijo de Fishman vs. Mascara Sagrada NG (Panther, 1/12)

If fireballs to the face and flaming tables isn’t enough brutality for you, the lucha blood feud of 2024 continues into 2025. We are truly blessed. El Hijo de Fishman and Mascara Sagrada NG will not cease until the other is completely and utterly annihilated. Fishman especially seems insulted that Mascara Sagrada will not learn his lesson. I have spoken about these two guys going to war with each other enough times in this column, I don’t know what more I can say. There’s a gimmicked guitar, a beer cooler, and some of the gnarliest chair bumps you’ll see all year. I cannot wait to see what they do next.

Argus & Gaius vs. Karma I & Karma II (Lucha Memes, 1/5) – IWTV

The January 5th Lucha Memes show was a really good start to the year for indie lucha, with a consistently fun show from top to bottom, but this tag match from the middle of the card is the easy highlight. Karma I and Karma II shine on the mat. Argus and Gaius show why they’re two of the most ridiculous young high flyers around. The match is constantly bordering on overkill as it keeps going, but there’s just too much fun to be had, and the crowd is enamored with the ride. Money in the ring well earned.

Side-note: Shoutout to the Karmas using Jigsaw’s “Sky High,” Mil Mascaras’ theme and an eternal banger, as their entrance theme. If you’ve never seen the 1975 classic The Man from Hong Kong where that song originated, you really should. There should have been a million movies starring Jimmy Wang Yu as Inspector Fang Sing Leng.

Aguila Roja & Puma de Oro vs. Noisy Boy & Spider Fly (IWRG, 1/19)

The Mexa Boy’s are usually the highlight of even the roughest IWRG cards, and you’ll see here and in the honorable mentions January was no exception. They shone in their appearances in Lucha Memes, but it was their first match with Aguila Roja and Puma de Oro that stood out the most. It’s an epic highspots match with tons of action, just barely edgint out the rematch they had on the 26th that featured a bit more hardcore. Aguila Roja was one of the standouts in IWRG as the year went on, and an extended feud with Noisy Boy and Spider Fly should do him well. Puma de Oro has long-been one of the most underrated luchadores around, and he gets plenty of shine too. Just oodles of cool shit that’s meant to make your jaw drop.

Adam del Castillo vs. Demus (Lucha Memes, 1/19) – IWTV

Demus finally stopped fucking around doing whatever he was doing in DDT and Dragon Gate the last few months to give us the real good stuff: hardcore matches on indie shows. Adam del Castillo has had some solid moments on Lucha Memes undercards, but this is all about Demus getting back into the swing of things and inflicting punishment on a poor soul. No disrespect to Demus’ DAMNATION stablemates in Japan, but Coacalco Square Garden is where he belongs. Glad you’re back, friend.

Argus & Gaius vs. Chef Benito & Energia (Lucha Memes, 1/19) – IWTV

If you didn’t get enough high spot tag action, here’s another Argus & Gaius standout from Lucha Memes as bit of a bonus match. This is a bit sloppier than the match against Karma I and II, but the go-go-go energy from both teams is infectious.

Honorable Mentions