This story was updated Thursday at 4:30 PM Eastern.
The big reveal at the end of MLW’s latest run of new Fusion episodes Wednesday was that Dario Cueto is El Jefe, the leader of Azteca Underground.
Cueto (Luis Fernandez-Gil) became a cult favorite as the owner and main authority figure in Lucha Underground, the brainchild of Survivor creator Mark Barnett and filmmaker Robert Rodriguez that ran for four seasons and nearly 130 episodes before ending in 2018.
PW Insider reported Fernandez-Gil has been signed to a long-term deal and will be a regular part of the upcoming season.
Earlier this year, manager Salina de la Renta’s Promociones Dorado faction was sold to Azteca Underground and El Jefe, a dangerous man she owed money to. Former Lucha Underground roster member Mil Muertes debuted shortly thereafter, but he and de la Renta didn’t get the results El Jefe wanted, failing in an effort to defeat National Openweight Champion Alex Hammerstone.
De la Renta was abducted on last week’s Fusion and at the end of this week’s show, she was brought in under a hood to the familiar office where Cueto eventually revealed himself. He was disappointed as all he asked for was gold and violence. He said that was fine though as he’s building a new temple which requires certain sacrifices.
She was then taken away and a phone rang. He answered and said that he “will see you there” on July 10th in Philadelphia, the date of MLW’s next TV taping. MLW will return with new episodes of Fusion in July following that taping.
PWInsider reported the scene was secretly filmed in April with only a few people in the company aware of what was going on. Both Insider and John Pollock of POST Wrestling reported that de la Renta is done with the company and will not be returning.
Drago’s future with the Reptile Tribe moved forward in a big way, while the slow burn towards Prince Puma turning heel with Vampiro by his side continued.
There was nothing out of this world on this show, but it was a solid night of action with a very good main event that worked as both a match and a way to further a larger story.
Show Recap —
We started off with a recap of the Reptile Tribe’s torture of Drago before a rundown of All Night Long led to Dario Cueto making the sudden death round for tonight.
Rey Mysterio Jr. chatted with Prince Puma backstage as he had visions about Vampiro’s destruction of others. Vampiro appeared in ghoulish makeup to warn Mysterio.
The band played before the fans sang “Return of the Mack” for Mack. Cueto said that the winner of the first fall tonight gets the title and that it’s now falls count anywhere.
Lucha Underground Champion Johnny Mundo defeated The Mack in a sudden death falls count anywhere match to retain his title
Mack bullied him into the corner for a jumping lariat. Mack and Mundo walked and brawled for a bit before Mack hit a cannonball onto Mundo on a pile of chairs. Mundo ate a few chair shots before a twirling slam on some chairs got two for Mack.
Mundo hid in the people before Mack went to toss a chair at him, but Ricky Mandel saved him and Mundo dove on Mack for two. Mundo told Mandel to get a chainsaw, but Sexy Star attacked Mandel.
Mack got a near fall off a Sky High onto a trash can. PJ Black came in but ate a stunner. Mundo took advantage and got two before going for the End of the World — but Mack got his knees up. Taya came in and distracted Mack so Mundo could win with a sunset flip bomb to the floor onto chairs.
Matt Striker said that Cueto has an Earth-shattering announcement and he said that things like Dario’s Dial of Doom and the Battle of the Bulls have kept Lucha Underground unpredictable and violent.
Cueto said that he’s the reason for it and that the office should say Lucha Libre Genius and he has new imaginative concepts for Ultima Lucha Tres — including the Cueto Cup!
He took the trophy from Melissa Santos and told her to leave before announcing that 32 luchadores will compete in a tournament for the Cueto Cup, and the winner gets a title shot at Ultima Lucha Tres.
Cueto said that a man will get a shot on that night, but it won’t be Matanza because “two weeks ago” he was beaten up by Mysterio, so Mysterio will face Mundo on the night of the Cueto Cup Finals.
The Reptile Tribe defeated Aerostar, Drago & Fenix
Aerostar began against Pindar, but Pindar used his power to dominate. Pindar went for a dominator, but Aerostar turned it into an armdrag. Vibora hit a pump kick off of a Pindar slingshot. Vibora sent him over with a suplex before Kobra stomped Aero on the floor. Pindar held him up for a powerslam off the top, but it was turned into a rana.
Vibora went to chokeslam Fenix off the apron, but got a tombstone on the floor instead. Drago misted Aerostar and Pindar hit a cutter, then they held him up so Drago could pin Aerostar with a splash off the top.
Kobra chained him up to remind everyone that this may have been done as an ultimatum — so it’s not quite a full heel turn.
Mandel was in Mundo’s locker room after he showered and Taya told Mundo that he’ll have to defend against Mysterio. Mandel was told to warm up the car — Mundo needs to get to his dojo ASAP. Mundo said he’s scared and she told him to put some pants on. He had the best line of the season with, “No time for pants!”
Catrina led Mil Muertes down to the ring to battle Prince Puma.
Prince Puma defeated Mil Muertes in a Boyle Heights street fight
Puma rushed him and attacked from behind with a running dropkick. Puma hit a big flip dive to a giant “Puma” chant. He set up a table, but ended up eating a spear through it immediately.
Muertes threw him into some chairs before punching and chopping away. A DDT on the floor led to Muertes getting more weapons and then fighting with street signs. Puma laid him out with a DDT and then hit a 450 off the apron. They fought up through the fans and Puma kicked away to avoid being thrown off the steps.
Muertes beat him with a shoe before fireman’s carrying him down the steps and landing a TKO. Puma tossed a trash can at Muertes before kicking away at him in the crowd and then getting tossed off the banister. Muertes tossed him into Cueto’s office, where he was polishing his trophy.
Puma used a wrench to knock Muertes down. Muertes leered at Vampiro before torturing Puma more with lariats in the corner. Muertes hit a spinning uranage for two. Puma then landed a series of trash can lid shots before a Van Daminator with the can lid. He set Muertes up in the corner for a spinning Van Terminator for a near fall.
The 630 senton hit, but Catrina attacked him with the stone, so Vampiro gave Puma a brick, which he used to beat Muertes after blocking a spear with it.
The best-of-five series between Cage and Texano is recapped — which is good, since I completely forgot about that. Johnny Mundo’s ever-present need for the Lucha Underground Championship is also recapped, and we see Jeremiah and Ivelisse bicker from a few weeks ago.
Sexy Star comes into Dario Cueto’s office and says she wants a match with Matanza next week. He tells her that she still has to beat Mundo, and she says it’s a tune-up match. Her friends the trios champs are banned from ringside, and Dario says that, as his mother would attest, women don’t fare well against Matanza.
Marty the Moth creeps up behind Melissa Santos before his match against Ivelisse.
Marty the Moth defeated Ivelisse
Ivelisse kicks Marty’s legs out in the corner, but he gets two off a powerslam. Marty gets a seated full nelson and then lifts her up high. Ivelisse gets two off a victory roll and hits a knee strike for two. She hits a KENTA combo before going for a running code red, but locks on a guillotine choke instead. Marty hits a spinebuster and spikes her on her head to win.
Jeremiah pump kicks Marty and takes Mariposa out too. Ivelisse comes back in and brawls with Mariposa while Jeremiah knees Marty, but he escapes. He tells her she just needs a hug — pissing her off more.
A man in a white suit says that he followed the white rabbit and it led him back to his tribe.
Jeremiah argues with Ivelisse about coming in, and he has accepted Dario’s offer to compete. He loves the idea of getting paid to hurt people and the couple that slays together, stays together. Dario goes into a limo and talks about having a perfect host body — and it could be the winner of the Ultimate Opportunity tournament.
Texano defeated Cage in a best-of-five series match
Texano is down 0-2 in the series, while Cage is, in fact, still a machine. A back and forth slugfest starts before Texano gets two off of a spinebuster. Cage kicks him off a dive while the fans slap the barricades to the Terminator theme. Cage is tossed into the chairs like a bowling ball according to Matt Striker. Cage suplexes Texano on the floor. Cage goes back in, but Texano hits a sunset bomb to the floor!
Texano misses a beautiful somersault senton, but a follow up lariat only gets two. Cage fallaway slams him with a no-look toss and then superplexes him. Cage hits a pumphandle X-Factor for two. Cage goes up, but gets caught and hit with a rana off the top for two. Cage hits a discus lariat before a buckle bomb and an F5 for a near fall, but Texano wins off a flash cradle.
In his office, Dario stares lustfully at his shiny silver treasure chest. Rey Mysterio Jr. interrupts him and tells him that there may not be much time for him in the Temple because he needs to end things with Chavo Guerrero and he’s tired of Chavo’s bullsh*t. He doesn’t want to leave LU, but he needs to end Chavo’s career. Dario hopes that Mysterio enjoys it as much as he will.
Johnny Mundo and Sexy Star come out for their match. During the break, Mundo advertises the Lucha Underground En Vivo house shows.
Johnny Mundo defeated Sexy Star to win the Gift of the Gods Championship
Mundo outwrestles Star on the mat and then kicks her butt, legs, and butt again. He tosses her into the buckle before locking on a crossface chickenwing. She elbows out, but gets seated up top. She goes for a sunset bomb, but gets backdropped.
Star recovers and sends Mundo flying across the ring. She runs around awkwardly before going for a monkey flip that Mundo flips out of. Star hits a codebreaker and lungblower for two. Mundo spins her into the ref, but the ref misses her cradle and he kicks out at two.
Mundo accidentally spears Marty when Star moves. She chokes Mundo out, but the ref is still down. Mundo’s goons come down and take her out. They hold her up for a wacky double slam and a new ref comes in to count, but she kicks out!
Jack Evans and PJ Black invite the second ref to a superkick party because of that. They go to Pillmanize Star’s neck during an End of the World, but The Mack returns! Fenix, Aerostar, and Drago were banned — but not him. Stunners for everyone!
Mundo kicks out. He tosses Star around, but the End of the World misses. Marty takes the chair out, but Mundo lands a brass knuckle shot to the jaw to win the Gift of the Gods Championship and get his second title in the company.
Vampiro tells Prince Puma that beating Mil Muertes was a great first step — but he’s not done with Muertes yet. He still needs to get revenge for Konnan, but while Vampiro hated Konnan, he didn’t kill him — that was Muertes. Puma needs to find his power and send Muertes to an early grave as well. Vampiro hated Konnan, but respected Puma from day one.
The show begins with a recap of the Dial of Doom and Vampiro leading Puma to the dark side. Catrina killing Sinestro is shown, as is the Ultimate Opportunity match leading to the best of five series. Dario comes out to a “jefe!” chant and says it’s time for everyone’s favorite game show: Dario’s Dial of Doom!
Prince Puma gets a shot tonight, showing that the dial actually can lead to exciting matches that should make Matanza seem like he’s in danger. Striker makes monkey jokes about house band The Chimpz, leading to Vamp doing an excellent facepalm. Ivelisse comes out and is called a one of a kind by Vamp.
Ivelisee vs. Mariposa
Mariposa outwrestles Ivie to start, but Ivie gets an armdrag and a lariat to gain control. Mariposa slams her and lands a power drive elbow for 2. Mariposa locks on a sick-looking kneeling sharpshooter/Indian deathlock, but Ivie gets to the ropes. Ivie lands a discus forearm and gets 2 off a crossbody. Ivie kicks her and goes for a Code Red, but Mariposa gets 2 off a Samoan drop. Ivie finally lands the Code Red to win it. Marty puts the boots to her post-match.
– Dario talks on the Batphone and says that Matanza is a god who won’t be beaten tonight. Mundo complains about Puma getting a shot. Dario says it was fate and Mundo says that his abs aren’t fate — they’re from hard work. Mundo says he wants the LU Title, but he can’t get that, so he’ll settle for the Gift of the Gods Title since Sexy was beaten last week. Dario says she was, but Jack got the win so he faces her tonight for the title.
A creepy video says “They’ll be here soon”, but I’m guessing Sanity isn’t going to be on both NXT and Lucha Underground.
Texano vs. Cage – Best of Five Series, match two
Cage gets a shoulder tackle to start, but he eats a flip dive. Vamp says that this series could change the history of the sport. Texano slams him on the floor before posting him. Cage goes for a powerplex, but Texano avoids it and then misses a flip into the ring. Cage gets 2 off a small package and lands a neckbreaker while the fans slam the barricades to the tune of The Terminator. Cage powerslams him and hits a second rope moonsault for 2. Texano hits the Tye Breaker for 2. Cage hits a sitout Alabama Slam for 2. Texano’s superkick gets 2, but Cage gets the powerplex and wins with the Lucha Destroyer/F5.
– Sami Callihan debuts as Ivie’s boyfriend and says he’s sorry and figured she’d main event. She gets upset about him treating her like she’s weak, so she just wants to go home. He takes a swig out of his flask.
Melissa Santos is mid-ring to introduce the main event. Striker says this match is what the company is all about, while Vamp says Puma was the man, but he’s broken and needs to do something different.
Lucha Underground Champion Matanza Cueto vs. Prince Puma
Puma darts at him with a pump kick, but eats a clubbing blow. Puma hits a triangle dropkick that sends Matanza to the floor and lands a PK off the apron before hitting a shooting star to the floor. Matanza smashes him into the announce table, but he gets smashed into the barricade. Matanza tosses him into the ring, but eats a palm strike before landing an overhead belly to belly.
Matanza lands a series of shoulder charges in the corner as Dario goes “Yes!” to every one of them. Matanza charges into him and sends him flying. Matanza lands a series of backbreakers, but misses a corner charge and eats a 619. Puma goes for a Regalplex, but Matanza powers out and gets the Karelin lift German suplex.
Matanza hits one avalanche in the corner, but gets caught on another and Puma carries him mid-ring and hits the Northern lights>brainbuster combo for 2!
Puma goes for a high kick, but gets caught in a capture suplex and powerbombed for 2. Puma lands a superkick and turns a Wrath of the Gods into a DDT! A spinkick, pump knee, and tornado kick send Matanza down into position for the 630. It lands, but Muertes spears him! Marty Elias wants to call a DQ, but Dario tells him not to. Catrina saunters down and Mil flattens Puma with the flatliner. She raises the stone high and Mil leaves before Matanza hits the Wrath of the Gods and retains with a pin.
This was an outstanding match by the end. It took a while to get going, but they made everyone here look outstanding.
– Backstage, Killshot works out but is interrupted by Joey Ryan. Joey gives him an envelope and says some guy left it for him. Killshot asks for a description, but Joey says he’s not a detective. Killshot opens the envelope to reveal a piece of paper reading “You left me for dead.”
We get a rundown of the Aztec Medallion matches so far this season, alongside Chavo stealing Cage’s medallion. Pentagon Jr’s demise is shown and we see Vampiro’s torture of him again. In his office, Dario puts stacks of cash in his bag and Cage runs in. Dario calls him the Medallion Machine and Dario tells him it’s his problem – and that if Chavo puts the medallion in the belt, it’s his. Dario and Cage come out of his office, and we get Striker asking what Cage is doing come out of it.
Dario stands next to the medallion-less Gift of the Gods Title and announces a seven man match to determine the Gift of the Gods. Dario tells everyone who has a medallion to come out – so Chavo will have to go through Cage to actually get into the match. Texano comes out first and puts the medallion in – resulting in an amusing “well done!” by Dario. Joey comes down while Dario says he has a sixth sense for fashion. Sinestro comes down without Catrtina, but with a new cape and hood – “spooky!” according to Dario.
It’s “THE RETURN OF THE MACK! BIG MACK BABY MACK BABY MACK BABY!” and then “Sexy sexy sexy sexy sexy Star!” Dario is amazing, and a “strong star woman” according to him. Chavo comes down to a “chickenshit” chant. Cage kicks his ass, but only grabs a washer – and Chavo hits him with the chair to put the medallion in the belt. Dario puts Chavo in the match, resulting in “a sorry man” and Cage doing his goofy catchphrase and even goofier finisher to Chavo. Dario has to win best non-performer of the year just for this segment.
Mascarita Sagrada vs. Argenis vs. Daga vs. Kobra Moon
Famous B does Sagrada’s intro in his new 423-GET-FAME tie – which needs to be on ProWrestlingTees ASAP, and the phone number alone gets a chant. Striker talks about watching midget porn in high school talking about Brenda and Sagrada. Kobra snaps his neck on the rope and gets 2. Kobra Moon hits a Michonoku Driver, resulting in Vamp marking out since it was his WCW finisher. A tumbling exchange between Daga and Argenis is won by Argenis with a kick. Dada hits a dropkick on the apron, but a baseball slide misses and sends Daga to the floor where he eats an Asai moonsault.
Sagrada gets a victory roll on Kobra for 2. Sagarada goes for an armbar on Argenis, but Argenis Backlund lifts him into a One Winged Angel for 2. Corner running uppercut to Argenis by Daga, and a huge German gets 2. Daga gets a Gory special on Kobra and a Billy Goat’s Curse to Argenis. Argenis tosses Sagrada violently against the ropes. Crazy Fosbury Flop dive by Daga to the floor! Kobra Moon hits a fire thunder driver to Sagrada and lets Daga win. Famous B and Brenda console Sagrada while the fans chant “GET FAME 423!”
Backstage, Killshot suits up before Marty the Moth creeps up behind him and says he’s reporting for duty. He says they have a match and mocks him with gun sounds before a wacky kung fu movie fight breaks out between them. Killshot wins and give him a finger-gun bang while Marty cackles. Robert Rodriguez’s band plays Marty to the ring. Marty and Joey should be a creeper tag team in season three.
Marty the Moth vs. Killshot
Vamp talks about the importance of dogtags in the military, while Striker talks about Col. DeBeers, Private Daniels, and Vamp talks about Major Gunns. Marty bumrushes him with corner strikes and tosses him to the floor – where he lands on the floor. Marty teases a dive and leans over the rope – but then eats a high kick. Marty catches him off a flip dive and eats a powerslam. Vamp talks about being silent now because of his mental suffering and then Striker mocks him a bit. Release German by Marty and then a turnbuckle exploder gets 2.
Vamp says that Marty spends a lot of time in dark corners, while Striker says it was more than likely dark booths. Killshot lands a corner elbow and then lands a basement hook kick. A somersault cutter gets 2 for Killshot. Corner running hook kick lands, but they wind up on the apron. Marty teases an apron German, but avoids that and lands an apron death valley driver. Vamp credits it to his military training, where I guess they had extensive viewing parties of Perry Saturn in WCW. They exchange punches and Marty lands a huge lariat. Back stomp gets 2 for Marty. Marty goes for a corner ass splash, but Killshot catches him for the modified One Winged Angel for the win – this was a lot of fun.
Marty jumps him after the match, while Striker says that wins and losses still matter – but this impresses Dario as well. So it’s kind of like Dana White wanting you to be an exciting fighter more than just being a winning fighter. Marty grabs the dogtags and then lands a top rope curbstomp before giving him a finger-gun bang to the head just like Killshot did to him in their backstage deal. I dug this – they have good chemistry together and they’re doing something new with each guy.
Chavo Guerrero vs. Texano vs. Joey Ryan vs. The Mack (Baby) vs. Sinestro vs. Aerostar vs. Sexy Star
Chavo cheapshots Texano. Joey and Sexy go at it and she gets 2 off a backslide. Joey tries to kiss her, but Chavo stops it so he can get 2 off a schoolboy. Mack sends Joey outside with a dropkick and the faces stand proudly. Mack and Sexy have a tumbling exchange and then Texano and Mack go at it with Mack going for a sunset flip. Texano takes the top off of Aerostar and traps him in the corner with chops.S
Aerostar lands a springboard tornado DDT for 2. Superkick by Texano, but he gets sent to the floor. Sinestro goes after Aerostar, but Aerostar lands a flying sunset flip for 2. A wacky exchange leads to Sinestro crotching himself and eating a kick to the face. Sinestro flip dives onto the pile on the floor. Sexy sells a leg injury, and then goes up top for a crossbody off the top to the floor onto the pile. Joey lands a pumphandle slam for 2. Backstabber to Joey gets 2 for Sinestro.
Sinestro lariats Texano, but Texano lands one on him when he runs into the opposite corner. Pop-up rana gets 2 for Aerostar. Sexy lands a running dropkick to Joey and stomps on the stomach. Mack and Sexy team up to chop the hair off of Joey’s chest. Double team legdrop/kneedrop thing from the combo. Chavo gets another “chickenshit” splash, but 2 off a frog splash to Joey.
Everyone gangs up on Chavo. Stunner. Codebreaker. Texano bomb. Springboard legdrop, and a springboard dive hit him. Then Cage comes in. Hey no fair – you already hit your finish on him earlier. He kicks everyone else’s ass – I guess to ensure that Chavo wins so then he can beat Chavo and get the shot he feels is his. Steiner screwdriver to Joey Ryan gives Chavo the win and the Gift of the Gods. Cage congratulates Chavo on being champion and says that Dario told him that Chavo already agreed to face him for the title next week. I like that – they gave you a reason to explain things without words, and then gave you some as well to fully explain it.
In Vampiro’s temple, we see Pentagon tied up while Vampiro torments him and says he must break him to make him strong. Vamp promises to torment him until he refuses to show signs of suffering. Vamp canes his own head and talks about Ian trying to suppress him with pills and tells Pentagon that the beating he’s getting here is nothing compared to what Matanza did. As he prepares to swing a barb wire bat at his spine, the screen goes black.
This was an outstanding episode of the show – easily one of the best of the season. They built up Killshot’s character well, gave Marty something to do, re-established Cage as a top act, showcased Dario in his best talking segment yet, furthered the Vampiro-Pentagon issue, and made a perfect use of their limited time to get things done.
To see all of the screenshots for it, just click here.
In a Youtube-exclusive match, Joey Ryan entered Aztec Warfare 2 by stealing a win. It was a pretty entertaining match, and includes more of Vampiro comparing Joey Ryan to ’70s porn stars. Pentagon Jr. tells Fenix he will take his title. Catrina tells him that his master may be dark, but he doesn’t know darkness – and we see her flash into a skeleton briefly. She tells him he isn’t in Aztec Warfare, and he says he has zero fear – she tells him that’s only because he doesn’t know true fear. Catrina tells Fenix he will breathe his last breath, while Mil Muertes will reclaim his title.
A large tribal celebration takes place while the crowd chants “aztec warfare!” Striker and Vampiro welcome us to the show, and Vamp is wearing a checkered shirt and not a hoodie or T-shirt for the first time ever on the show. It’s a bit weird. Fenix comes out while Striker comes up with 5,000 superlatives to describe him. Famous B and his date are here, in a white suit with a gold tie and a white dress with a gold feather boa respectively. Rey comes down and gets a huge reaction. Surprisingly, he isn’t in his El Rey gear that he had on URFight. Fenix moves aside to let Rey get his props and another big chant breaks out.
Fenix hugs Rey and they go to a tie-up. Lucha tumbling sequence sets up a revolving door headscissor. Fenix gets 2 off of one of the most ridiculous things I’ve seen – a back-handspring Japanese armdrag. King Cuerno comes in and kicks both guys before hitting the Arrow of Death dive to Fenix on the floor. Rey kicks him off the apron to the floor and hits his Slip ‘n Slide splash under the ropes to the floor. Argenis returns and superkicks Fenix and Rey, getting a 2 on the latter. 619 hits Argenis and the frog splash hits to take Argenis out. Fenix dropkicks Cuerno to the floor and Johnny Mundo comes down before a commercial break.
We come back to Mundo walking down the steps – so we’ve missed nothing in-ring. Rey and Mundo face off and Mundo sends him into the corner with an uppercut. Fenix comes in and kicks Mundo into the corner before hitting a jumping yakuza kick. Joey Ryan comes down and Fenix gets 2 off a pair of kicks. Striker’s badly-edited voice work tells us that Joey won a qualifier, and Joey handcuffs himself to the barricade so he can’t be eliminate. Cuerno superkicks him for being an idiot. Famous B gives Joey one of his golden business cards. Prince Puma comes down and hits a giant jumping lariat to Fenix. Flying cutter to Cuerno! Double-jump SSP to a pile of luchadors on the floor! Sidewinder suplex is countered into a rana by Cuerno. Rey gets a cross armbreaker to Cuerno and he taps out!
Well, I sure didn’t see that coming. Jack Evans comes in and eats a beating. Rey climbs on Fenix’s shoulders for a splash onto Evans. Mundo pulls him to safety. Taya comes in as the first female entrant in Aztec Warfare this year. The remaining rudos and tecnicos get into a fist fight. Taya and Jack hold Rey down for the End of the World, but Cage (who is still a machine) comes down. He no-sells a dropkick from Evans and clotheslines him to death for a break.
Cage attacks Johnny before Taya tries to save him. She eats a nasty slam, and then Cage is tossed through Catrina’s office window. Mascarita Sagrada comes down and Cage recovers and lariats Johnny to Hell. Weapon X on the floor to Mundo! Puma hits a standing SSP to Mundo mid-ring to take him out. Marty the Moth comes down and Vamp asks if they should have a Most Creepy Title just for Marty and Joey. Marty takes off his shirt and swivels his hips before kicking Sagrada down. Eans hits a tornado kick, but Marty doesn’t feel it. Marty fishhooks Jack’s face before Drago comes down and we go to a break.
Evans goes for a Space Flying Tiger Drop, as you do, and Dragon sidesteps and kicks him. He kicks Joey as well and Drago fights with Jack in the crowd. Rey splashes Marty and takes him out of the match. Evans eats a crazy backdrop to the floor and hands face-first. The Mack comes down and hits a stunner on Marty. Cage and Mack slug it out and Mack hits a flying knee to send him down. Stunner to Cage while Puma chops Joey. Taya attacks Sagrada and Chavo comes down.
Drago apparently powerbombed Evans on the steps, but we didn’t see it. Well, he’ll regret that later for sure. Chavo locks on the camel clutch to take out Sagrada in an homage to Gory. Taya prevents a 619 to Cage and Mundo hits Cage in the head with a cinder block to take him out. Fenix German Suplexes Taya to take her out. PJ Black comes down and suplexes Drago on the steps. Drago tosses PJ’s face into the post. Aero Star returns from outer space and kicks PJ while Joey tells Aero to eliminate PJ. CANADIAN DESTROYER OFF THE TOP TO JACK EVANS takes him out.
Dragon Azteca Jr. comes down and dives onto the pile. Azteca makes use of his wacky kung fu training to kick PJ a few times. OVER THE POST SOMERSAULT DIVE TO MACK ON THE FLOOR. Texano comes down for an ad break. Texano hits a flip dive onto a pile on the floor. PJ hits a double stomp to the back of Texano for 2. Texano lands a powerbonb and eliminates PJ. Mil Muertes comes down as Striker calls him “The Dangerous Precipitation”. Pentagon Jr. jumps him and Rey and Puma double team Mil to pin him. Catrina yells at Vampiro to get the f*ck out of here.
Dario Cueto returns on the ramp and says THIS IS HIS TEMPLE and he’s the boss. He announces Matanza as the next entrant and the crowd goes crazy. As the graphic states, The Monster Matanza Cueto comes down. Matanza takes out Fenix with a rewind powerslam – guaranteeing a new champion. Mack’s stunner is no-sold a sick head-landing German gets the win for Matanza. Another German beats Aero Star! Texano chokes him with the rope, but the same powerbomb Texano used pins him here. He eyes a trapped Joey Ryan and rips the bars to free him so he can kick his ass. Multiple Karelin lift gutwrench suplexes beat Joey Ryan! Matanza is essentially a top 20 moves video on Youtube, and it’s fantastic for a movie monster character.
Dragon hits kicks and elbows and a springboard dropkick slightly budges him before a huge Giant-style chokeslam takes Dragon Azteca Jr. out. Chavo talks to Cueto to make a deal, but Cueto tells him to off him. STANDING SSP BY MATANZA TAKES OUT CHAVO! Puma and Rey attack Matanza, but Rey gets tossed to the floor. A forklift-style fallaway slam and a German take out Puma! It’s down to Rey and Matanza for the Lucha Underground Title. Rey tries to use speed, but a big lariat takes him out.
Rey kicks the knees, then the balls while Striker quotes Jebediah Springfield. An enzuiguri sets up the 619, but Matanza catches him! Rey finally hits it and sends him down! A rana off the top is met with a powerbomb into a rewind powerslam for the win! Cueto proudly declares that his brother is now the Lucha Underground Champion. This wasn’t as good an overall match as the first Aztec Warfare, but it still flew by and was a far better Rumble match than any Royal Rumbles have been this decade. Matanza was booked flawlessly, and unlike every other “monster” character of the past 20 years, actually busted out athletically-impressive offense beyond chokes, chokeslams, and lariats. They made him a very unique monster act and did more to make him a star in one night with him than TNA has done in 13 years with Abyss. To see all the screenshots for the show, just click here.
