Perro Aguayo vs Universo 2000 (Apuestas - 3/30/01 - CMLL)

This is one of my favorite hidden gems. Usually when you think of a Perro Aguayo apuestas match, you think of a violent hate-filled bloodbath. This is not that. I encouraged MattD to watch it a few years back and he described it as the Lucha version of Steve Austin vs Dude Love Over the Edge. I think that is a really good description. This has some stiff striking for sure, but it is all about the storytelling and extra bullshit with the heel ref and the seconds. This has an amazing crowd and everything that Perro does feels larger than life. Perro is in full on 80s Giant Baba/2000s Tenryu mode - super awkward athletically but at the same time knows how to work a match and has a special connection with the crowd. Really fun match I would strongly encourage folks who enjoy Austin/Dude Love to check it out. Kinda neat that it takes place two days before Austin/Rock WM 17 because this is very much an "Attitude Era" flavored Lucha match.