Phil's Ongoing 2009 MOTY List

1. Negro Casas/Heavy Metal v. La Sombra/ Volador Jr. CMLL 2/13

In lucha libre, last year was the return of Blue Panther to his rightful place as one of the best in the world. I think 2009 might be time to reacquaint ourselves with the greatness of Negro Casas. After a decade or so as a technico, Negro Casas is back where he belongs, embracing his rudisimo. He is one of the most expressive wrestlers in the world, when I went to Arena Mexico several years ago I found myself just watching him on the apron. Sombra and Volador are both very physically impressive wrestlers, but rather bland, Casas has enough mugging and posing and taunting and shtick for everyone. He also is fast and agile enough to really have some breathtaking exchanges with both technicos As great as Negro was in this, Heavy Metal may have been even more eye opening. Metal is a guy I have enjoyed in the past, but his rudo turn has unleashed his inner asskicker. He is just a brick shithouse, killing people with clotheslines and punches and kicks. They have such a great dynamic as a team, with Negro as the sneaky cheap shot artist, and Metal as the bruiser. Imagine if Eddie Gilbert teamed with Chris Benoit. This got some time, and felt like a complete match, and I am hoping the trend continues. Lucha had a resurgent year in 2008, and I would love for it to continue in 2009.


2.Rey Mysterio v. Chris Jericho v. Kane v. Mike Knox v. Edge v. John Cena WWE 2/15

This was as amazing a one man show as you are likely to see. Rey Mysterio is frequently injured and buried in the booking, but given a chance he is one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. Rey was placed into an unfamiliar gimmick match here and was just mesmerizing. He took some huge bumps, the Psicosis corner post bump into the plexiglass and the retro dart bump were especially awesome, but he was bumping big the whole match. He also broke out some really spectacular dives, the senton off the platform was a highlight, but I loved the Spider Man cage scale rana even more. Even more impressive then his cool moves is how he took a bunch of really limited guys, and worked their stuff into a compelling match. Jericho, Edge and Kane have some of the most tired shtick around, but Rey made me care. Stick anyone else in this and it’s a mess, with Rey it is on the list.