MOTW 113: Hijo Del Santo vs Blue Panther

"M.O.T.W. #113: Hijo Del Santo vs. Blue Panther" - ink & digital illustration

We're up to the 113th edition of our Chris Things Art 'Match of the Week' illustration series & this week we travel back to the hallowed grounds of Korakuen hall - this time to 2001, under the CMLL banner for a totally amazing Lucha Libre showcase between two of the best to ever do it!

This absolutely wonderful bout took place on January 28th, 2001 during the somewhat brief but very cool run of 'CMLL Japan'.

So first of all I need to give a big shout out to my great pal, Richard of @video.plant for bringing this thing to my attention! Such a great find my dude & a match that I think goes under the raider for how bloody great it is!

Given these are two of the greatest luchadores of all time, one would have some pretty lofty expectations. But this thing really has it all! Beautiful llaveo submission wrestling & classic lucha exchanges, breathtaking dives & then there is this surprising escalation in violent intensity that I really wasn't expecting. It actually gets quite stiff at points when salty dog Santito got all "ok, you wanna get rough, let's get rough!" Which I of course loved!

This match had it all & was just the best kind of lovely surprise. Two of my top shelf favourites showing a Japanese crowd just what Lucha Libre Mexicana is all about! Highly recommended viewing!!

ENJOY!

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