Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Brazo de Oro vs. Pirata Morgan (EMLL 11/15/89)

We’re out of my comfort zone. I’ve read about both these guys, but never seen them wrestle. This one’s for a belt, I’m guessing a smaller NWA title Mexico has adopted. Pirata is in great shape, and even has the eye patch for the pirate gimmick. Brazo is a puffy man, but in a water muscle way. He’s man enough to wear yellow. I have no idea who is the heel or face, but I have two thoughts on watching something like this. The first is that if the match is good enough it will have a story, and through the story I’ll know who plays what role or how to feel about the guys – especially because Mexico seems to have stronger heel/face dynamics. Second, one of the good ol’ heads at DVDVR once said if you got a match with two guys you don’t know, pick a guy and root for him. Good idea. I’m going with Oro.

Awesome. Before the bell Oro offers a hand and Morgan refuses, then Morgan offers it during the match as a heel trick. Lots of Lucha mat work on this one, and it’s snug enough that I don’t feel like this is a walk through like some of the “high spot Lucha” I’ve seen. The holds are tight. I’ll have to be excused if I seem surprised, but my introduction to Lucha was with Rey Jr. and Psicosis in ’95, and by the time I saw Lucha from Arena Mexico it was a lot of flyers using filler holds in between their spots. This is most definitely not high spot Lucha, and I’m encouraged by this.

Oro is finding a way to win on the mat and it’s frustrating the heel. This is progressing well with almost no striking. I’m curious to see where it will progress as they get into a second fall. I will say it’s a bit slower than I’d like, by a quarter of a step, but they don’t move enough in the first seven minutes for it to take you completely out of it. The holds make up for it with their intensity. Really good arm work and simple takeovers. Morgan gets blown up and manages to make it work for heel heat. I completely hate how slow the refs count in Lucha and this kinda kills the first fall for me, which is a basic roll up that the Morgan should have kicked out of at that point. The actual match story is fine. To stay positive I’ll add that Oro pulled out a pretty cool tilt-a-whirl back breaker in the first fall.

Second fall has me giving this match less slack. It’s not that it’s lazy, but guys fall awkwardly or lose their balance. There seems to be little urgency in the way Lucha is worked past the great mat holds and reversals, and guys seem to be walking around, late to the pin or standing near each other without striking, while the refs are just as slow to count a pin or even get to the floor. Morgan tries a Flair bump into the turnbuckle and ends up in the ring on his head and back. Ouch. Morgan seems to be selling by laying around, but there is no riving or facial selling that I can see that I equate with traditional selling. Morgan grabs control, but walks into a figure four attempt, and wins the fall quickly. No urgency. I’m not sure I’ll ever be a full fledged Lucha fan based on taste and conditioning.

Third fall starts out smart, with Morgan going right for the leg of Oro he injured in the last fall. I’m amazed the man has any depth perception with that pirate patch over his one eye. Crowd gets behind Oro, the first time I’ve heard a lot of noise out of them. Oro is working this great, selling the knee and trying to keep Morgan away from it. He goes to his knees to try to take it to the mat. Unfortunately, Oro’s leg selling ceases as he makes a diving cross body to the outside without a hint of pain. He’s running around now. This really does feel at times like two men practicing a match. Oro knocks Morgan around to the outside and he looks like he has all the energy in the world. The good guy – our guy – is winning.

Both guys miss top rope attempts and narrowly escape pin falls. Oro is back to selling the leg a bit. Morgan tries for a submission. For some reason a corner man just walks into the ring. I have no idea what is going on. The ref raises Pirata Morgan’s hand. I guess he won. I got very bored. Oro puts the belt on Morgan. There wasn’t even really a reaction to the finish. Why are all those people there?