A tag team match will headline the Impact Wrestling vs. Lucha Underground show over WrestleMania weekend.
But instead of a team from impact facing a team from LU, it will be Austin Aries & Fenix vs. Alberto El Patron & Pentagon Jr. The match was announced by Josh Mathews on Facebook Live today.
Aries and El Patron have been involved in a feud on Impact, with El Patron set to challenge for Aries’ World Championship in the main event of the company’s Redemption pay-per-view on April 22nd.
The other matches that have been confirmed for Impact vs. Lucha Underground are: Eddie Edwards vs. Sami Callihan (as Jeremiah Crane) in an I Quit match, Impact Tag Team Champions LAX (Santana & Ortiz) defending against Killshot (Shane Strickland) & The Mack (Willie Mack), and Andrew Everett, Dezmond Xavier & DJZ vs. King Cuerno, Aerostar & Drago.
The show will take place at The Sugar Mill as part of WrestleCon’s weekend of events in New Orleans on Friday, April 6th and will air live on Impact’s Twitch channel at 9 p.m. Central time.
Both promotions announced the partnership today, and the theme of the show will be Impact vs. Lucha Underground matches. Pentagon, Fenix, King Cuerno, Drago, Aerostar, Killshot, Matanza, The Mack, and Jack Evans are among the Lucha Underground wrestlers scheduled to appear.
Austin Aries, Alberto El Patron, Eli Drake, Moose, Eddie Edwards, LAX, OVE and Sami Callihan, Trevor Lee, Brian Cage, Allie, Rosemary, and Taya Valkyrie have been announced for Impact, along with an appearance by Scott Steiner.
The show, which is part of WrestleCon’s WrestleMania week events, will take place at The Sugar Mill on April 6th and air live on Impact’s Twitch channel starting at 10 p.m. Eastern time. Their Twitch channel will also have “over 10 hours of original daily content” for three days during that weekend, including podcasts and behind-the-scenes footage.
While the future of the show had been uncertain up until this point, Lucha Underground will be returning for a fourth season.
Lucha Underground released a video announcing the news on their social media accounts this afternoon, with Johnny Mundo being featured and promising to take back his title after losing it on last season’s finale. Though most other details are sparse, the video confirmed that the show would be returning to the El Rey Network at some point in 2018.
A press release that was issued noted that filming will begin in Los Angeles early next year.
Season three concluded with a “to be continued…” graphic last month after setting up some storylines for the next run of episodes. Mundo lost his title to Prince Puma (in Ricochet’s final appearance on the show) before Pentagon Dark then won it from Puma. There was also a cliffhanger teasing whether Dario Cueto would live or die after being shot by the Agent Winter character.
The first round of the Cueto Cup tournament wrapped up on the latest episode of Lucha Underground. Storylines advanced and feuds continued at The Temple in Boyle Heights.
The title of the episode referred to the video package that opened the show highlighting the back story of Dante Fox. His story involves his foe, Killshot, and their background in the military. Fox was taken hostage while serving in Afghanistan.
Presumably, Killshot escaped the clutches of terrorists, but in doing so he left Fox behind. Soldiers eventually rescued Fox, leading to him making his way to Boyle Heights where he seeks revenge against Killshot.
PJ Black defeated Sexy Star to advance in the Cueto Cup
Black was the first member of the Worldwide Underground stable to appear on this episode. The stable had a prominent role on the show. In this match, another member of the stable caused a distraction that led to the finish.
In the match, Black provided a good base for Sexy Star’s flying lucha arsenal. She got plenty of offense on the way to losing the match. Black toyed with her early on, but Star quickly fired up ahead of a series of lucha spots.
Star got a near fall after a super Frankensteiner. She also flew to the outside with a crossbody. Back in the ring, she used a second flying crossbody for another near fall. At that point, Taya came out to ringside to cause a distraction. Taya also tossed Black a pair of brass knux, only for Star to get ahold of them.
Star hit Black with the brass knux, and was thusly disqualified. So, she also laid out the referee using the knux. Taya fled with a smirk on her face, as she accomplished her goal of costing Star the match and getting a win for her stablemate. This seemingly builds to a grudge match between Taya and Sexy Star.
In the weekly countdown hype video building towards Johnny Mundo against Rey Mysterio, this week’s edition showed a montage of training footage. Each combatant also talked about their chances of winning. The story remains that Mysterio is a man of people and Mundo is the cocky champion. These videos have all been tremendous pieces of business, and this edition was more of the same.
Son of Havoc defeated Son of Madness to advance in the Cueto Cup
The story is both are part of a motorcycle club, and Son of Madness arrived in The Temple to make Son of Havoc pay a penance for some slight towards the club. Both had almost identical gear, including similar vests that Matt Striker referred to as their “colors” that represented the club.
This being a grudge match of sorts, there was no collar-and-elbow lockup to start the match. Nor did they have a traditional match. Rather, they had a fight as they brawled in and out of the ring in a match that was all action.
Madness got heat on Havoc, then Havoc made a comeback. Though Madness blocked an attempted Muta-style handspring back elbow, Havoc hit the move moments later. He followed that with a springboard crossbody for a near fall. Madness countered with a double foot stomp and a brainbuster for a near fall. Havoc rallied into doing a tope suicida.
For the finish, Havoc went for a shooting star press that Madness avoided. Havoc impressively landed on his feet only to get schoolboyed. Havoc kicked out and used his own schoolboy to score the pin.
After the match, Madness laid out Havoc and took his vest. Therefore, this feud must continue. Jean Pierre Lafitte once stole Bret Hart’s ring jacket during a lackluster feud in 1995. Let us hope this feud between bikers is more memorable than that. Judging by the action in this match, it probably will be.
Prince Puma defeated Ricky Mandel to advance in the Cueto Cup
Puma wrestled in street clothes that included a hoodie and pants. It was a similar look to what Ricochet wore during his run-in this past weekend at the G1 Special where he seemingly directed a veiled insult at Lucha Underground. Instead of a cap and glasses like in Long Beach, Puma had a mask on in this match at The Temple. There were also no insults, just brooding by Puma.
Mandel is an interning member of Worldwide Underground who cosplayed as Johnny Mundo in this match. Beforehand, he told Puma that he was taking him to “slam town.” Instead, Puma gave him a superkick and proceeded to pummel him in a glorified squash. That does not bode well for Mandel’s internship.
Puma followed the superkick with a northern lights suplex and a brainbuster for a near fall. Mandel tried to fight back, but to no avail. Puma finished off Mandel with a spinning Michinoku Driver for a pinfall in a quick match where Puma showcased his dark side.
An advertisement for Modelo beer highlighted the accomplishments of Sexy Star. The ad portrayed her winning the Lucha Underground Championship as her breaking through a glass ceiling. The ad also insisted it “cemented her place as one of the most iconic female performers in lucha libre history.” Yeah, and Mae Young is a “pioneer” of women’s wrestling.
In a locker room scene, Mysterio was giving a pep talk to Dragon Azteca, who vowed to win the tournament and go on to face Mysterio when he wins the championship. Prince Puma entered the scene to interrupt them. He vowed to win the tournament, and he also wanted to face Mysterio for the title. Puma promised he would not lose in their rematch.
Dante Fox defeated Dragon Azteca Jr. (w/ Rey Mysterio) to advance in the Cueto Cup
They took it to the air early on in the match. Fox began to dominate with his aerial arsenal as the crowd chanted his name. Azteca made a comeback and did a hurricanrana on the floor. That led into a flurry of offense from Azteca. Fox cut him off and they exchanged strikes. Fox executed a running Spanish Fly for a near fall. A “this is awesome” chant broke out.
Taya made her second run-in of the show, flanked by others in the Worldwide Underground. Mysterio fought them off at first as the match continued. Then, Mysterio was catapulted into the arms of Johnny Mundo, who powerbombed him into a wall. The heel stable ganged up on Mysterio for a beatdown.
Azteca made the save with a dive through the ropes. He went to springboard back into the ring, only for him to eat a superkick from Fox. He then delivered the Fox Catcher to score the pinfall. With that, the first round of the tournament is over.
On the next episode, the second round of the Cueto Cup features Mil Muertes against Paul London. Also, Taya meets Jeremiah Crane in a tournament match and Marty the Moth faces Fenix in another tourney match.
The Cueto Cup continued on the latest installment of Lucha Underground. Killshot and Jeremiah Crane tried to tear the house down with a wild match. In another match, Mil Muertes destroyed an opponent only to get destroyed later on.
Elsewhere, Paul London used a carrot as a weapon and Taya tangled with Joey Ryan. A new character also debuted in the final scene.
The episode opened with a scene featuring Catrina summoning Mil Muertes. In reference to the Cueto Cup, she instructed him to “destroy them all.” Muertes said he would destroy them for her, his love. Catrina kissed him and said, “Bring me the Cueto Cup.”
Mil Muertes (w/ Catrina) defeated Veneno to advance in the Cueto Cup
Muertes won in a complete squash as he ragdolled his opponent. He pummeled Veneno with ground and pound before executing a flatliner. Muertes then pinned him. After the match, Catrina administered the Lick of Death.
Paul London defeated Vibora (w/ Kobra Moon) via countout to advance in the Cueto Cup
London attacked Vibora before the bell, then flew through the ropes with a dropkick. Vibora began to no-sell London’s assault, so London grabbed Kobra Moon. He briefly held her hostage with a carrot (yes, a carrot). Vibora struck down London and the crowd chanted “save the carrot.”
Vibora began to dominate on offense when London briefly fired up. That led to London being tossed off the top rope, and he crashed down on the mat. That would not be his last crash in the match.
Members of the Rabbit Tribe ran in to cause a distraction. That allowed London to send Vibora over the ropes with a headscissors takeover. London went for a trust fall and landed badly.
With the crowd chanting for him, London rolled back in the ring. Rabbit Tribe members hiding under the ring grabbed Vibora’s legs and he was unable to get back into the ring before being counted out.
Taya defeated Joey Ryan to advance in the Cueto Cup
At the start, Ryan offered Taya his lollipop after rubbing it on his oily chest. She smacked it away and attacked him. When Ryan took a powder, Taya grabbed him by his chest hair to throw him back into the ring. Ryan cut her off and began administering some clubbing blows.
Ryan climbed the turnbuckles, but took too much time in doing so. Taya made a comeback that began with hard chops and slaps. After some counters and exchanges, Taya executed a northern lights suplex. She then leapt into a double foot stomp and pinned Ryan.
In a scene from the locker room, Mil Muertes was about to head somewhere dressed in a suit. Suddenly, Jeremiah Crane attacked Muertes with a chair. Crane delivered several chair shots and left him laying. Crane knelt over a prone Muertes to say, “She’s mine.” That was a reference to Catrina, whom Crane came on to in the past. Crane put a chair over him and hit it with another chair as the scene ended.
In the weekly countdown video hyping Johnny Mundo against Rey Mysterio in a title match, the focus was interviews with several Lucha Underground stars including Chavo Guerrero Jr., Cage, Prince Puma, and Matt Striker. They all put over Mundo and Mysterio, and gave their picks on who will win the upcoming Lucha Underground Championship match.
Jeremiah Crane defeated Killshot to advance in the Cueto Cup
This was a wild match that took place outside the ring more so than in it during the first half of the bout. Mere seconds into the match, Killshot did a suicide dive through the ropes. Crane countered with a Fosbury Flop. In return, Killshot did a flop of his own. They then began brawling around ringside.
Killshot did a dive off a stage. Moments later, Crane gave Killshot an exploder suplex on the floor. Crane then ran around the ring as he built up speed before launching into a cannonball that took out the front rows of ringside.
When they finally got back in the ring, Killshot countered Crane with a sunset bomb for a near fall. Crane cut him off, and he charged into a corner with a kick (similar to a Broski Boot).
They began trading near falls. Killshot fired up and hit a cutter for a near fall. Crane delivered a brutal brainbuster for a near fall. They went back and forth in the closing moments, leading to a double down.
Out on the apron, Killshot dropped Crane onto the edge of the ring with a Death Valley Driver. Killshot followed that by climbing to the top rope, and he jumped off into a double foot stomp for yet another near fall.
Crane spat on Killshot, which only fired him up. Killshot exploded into a flurry of strikes. A “fight forever” chant broke out in The Temple. Killshot did a swinging DDT for another near fall. Crane got a rope break after Killshot applied a short arm scissors.
Dante Fox appeared in the rafters like he was Sting, without all the Crow gimmickry. The appearance of Fox distracted Killshot. Crane capitalized on the distraction. He delivered a double underhook powerbomb for the deciding pinfall.
After the match, Catrina stood at the top of the staircase. She had a staredown with Crane as the credits began to roll.
The closing scene featured Dario Cueto in his office explaining the Cueto Cup to someone else. That someone was a masked man named Son of Madness. He wanted a match with Son of Havoc.
It just so happened that Son of Havoc was the only person not booked for a tournament match. Cueto obliged by booking a tournament match between the two for next week. Son of Madness has arrived. Oh yeah, dig it.
Relationships, and the fighting that surrounds them, was a theme on the latest installment of Lucha Underground. The show tackled two different relationships. One involves a blooming romance between lovers and the other involves crazed siblings with violent tendencies.
Likewise, an eerie love triangle continues to develop in another sub-plot.
In the main event, Fenix fought in a match dedicated to Melissa Santos. Her character played a prominent role in a plot involving her being attached romantically with Fenix while Marty the Moth continues to stalk her. In the match dedicated to Santos, Fenix wrestled Mariposa in an intergender match.
All four matches on the show made up another block in the opening round of the Cueto Cup.
The opening scene showed Fenix arriving to The Temple earlier in the day. Fenix drove his sports car into a parking spot, where Melissa Santos met him for a romantic embrace. Fenix dedicated his match later on to her. They were unaware someone was watching them.
Lurking in the shadows, Marty the Moth spied on them as Santos and Fenix kissed. That greatly upset Marty, who is stalking Santos. Fenix and Santos left together, only angering Marty even more. He smashed his head into a glass window.
Moments later, after the introductory segment with Vampiro and Matt Striker, Santos was in the ring, As the ring announcer, she introduced the participants in the episode’s first match.
All the matches had a particular theme, with the opening match being about a murderous machine against a bum. In his first appearance since his character committed a gruesome murder on the previous episode, Cage enters the Cueto Cup tournament.
Cage defeated Vinnie Massaro to advance in the Cueto Cup
Cage had his gimmicked gauntlet. Massaro was doing a bum gimmick similar to the Brooklyn Brawler, without the New York Yankees apparel nor a cigar. Cage squashed him. Massaro did get a hope spot, but foolishly tried to steal the metal glove. He would pay for that by getting pummeled even more relentlessly. Cage gave him a brainbuster for the pinfall.
After the match ended, Cage kept attacking him. He put on his gimmicked glove to use as he pummeled Massaro some more. He laid out Massaro with a punch using the gauntlet. Massaro got color, bleeding from the forehead.
In the now-weekly segment hyping the upcoming match with Johnny Mundo defending his Lucha Underground Championship against Rey Mysterio, a sleek video package furthered the attempt at giving the match a big fight feel.
Mysterio trained, hung out with a mob of adoring young fans, and did an interview in front of a mural of himself painted by a street artist. The narrator played up the worldwide fame and notoriety of Mysterio.
Mundo trained by getting whacked repeatedly with kendo sticks. He also sparred with the kendo sticks and took out his sparring partner with a wicked shot to the neck. He twirled kendo sticks afterwards. He also did an interview playing a cocky and confident champion heading into the title match.
Marty “the Moth” Martinez defeated Saltador to advance in the Cueto Cup
The theme of this match was wackiness, so much so that the crowd chanted “let’s get weird” at one point. Striker called it “the odd versus the weird.” In a sub-plot of the wacky match, Marty made unwanted advances towards Santos. He leered at her as she sold being creeped out.
The personalities carried the match more so than athleticism, though they still had a good match with a simple formula of shine, heat, comeback, and the heel cutting off the comeback for the win. Marty spat on the referee during the match, which was somehow apparently not against the rules.
At the finish, Marty the Moth executed a dominator into a codebreaker before he pinned Saltador.
Backstage, members of the Rabbit Tribe worshipped Mascarita Sagrada. They bowed and knelt at his feet, praising him as their “king.” They groveled as he seemed dismissive of such a notion. Sagrada walked past them and headed to the ring for his match.
In another scene, Marty the Moth was in his lair talking to photographs of Santos. Marty muttered to a collage of pictures before his sister, Mariposa, suddenly interrupted him. Mariposa wants to fight her brother next week in the next round of the tournament.
Mariposa told him that his “lust for [Santos] has made you weak.” Mariposa and Marty slapped each other across the face. Mariposa walked away, leaving Marty to converse with the photographs.
Pindar (w/ Kobra Moon) defeated Mascarita Sagrada to advance in the Cueto Cup
The theme of this match was monster against mini. They actually had a fairly competitive match that still played off the ridiculous size difference. Pindar was a good base for Sagrada to fly around.
Kobra Moon tried to interfere at one point, but Sagrada thwarted her attempt. He then slapped her moments later. Sagrada got plenty of offense and a near fall after a moonsault press. Pindar eventually used the size difference to his advantage. He finished off Sagrada with a powerbomb into a flapjack of sorts, then pinned him.
Fenix defeated Mariposa to advance in the Cueto Cup
The theme of this match was man against woman. Moreover, two stories also played out involving two separate relationships that played into the backstory. One was romance between two lovers, and the other relationships dealt with an eerie sibling rivalry.
Fenix and Santos were at the forefront, linked together as a couple that blew kisses at each other during the match. The story of the siblings, Mariposa and Marty, played into the finish showing they will fight for family even if the family is at odds with each other.
The intergender match began with Fenix being somewhat timid with fighting a woman. That soon changed when he nailed a kick. Moments later, Mariposa countered with a tornado DDT. They fought on the floor with Mariposa getting the better with a hurricanrana. Mariposa did some lucha spots with Fenix.
Echoing the kick earlier in the match, Fenix first held back on a high kick when Mariposa offered a questionable handshake. He thought it over and then kicked her in the head. She fought back with a modified sunset flip powerbomb.
Fenix went for a Spanish Fly, but Mariposa blocked the attempt. She went for a flying crossbody off the middle rope, and Fenix caught her. He then dropped her into a Fenix Driver for the pinfall.
After the bell sounded, Marty the Moth ran in to attack Fenix. During the next round of the tournament, the two are set for a match. So Marty the Moth stomped on Fenix trying to soften him up, until Fenix fired up.
Fenix did a wild flip dive over the ropes to the floor. Santos seemed very impressed. More kisses were blown back and forth in celebration. Romance ruled the day, even if a stalker lurks.
The latest episode of Lucha Underground included the start of the Cueto Cup tournament. The 32-man single elimination tournament leads to a title match at Ultima Lucha Tres.
Besides opening round matches in the tournament, the episode included one of the most dramatic cliffhangers in the history of the show. An apparent homicide occurred as a city councilman was murdered by someone from The Temple.
In the opening scene, Dario Cueto was in his office booking the Cueto Cup tournament. Someone off camera walked into the office. With his back turned to the uninvited guest, Cueto told the intruder to go back outside and knock on the door first.
Cueto’s tone changed when he heard the visitor speak. Cueto knew that voice as Pentagon Dark, who in storyline is returning to The Temple after healing from a broken arm suffered at the hands of The Triad. He asked Cueto about their whereabouts.
Cueto said they left for Hong Kong. He added that Pentagon broke one of their arms first before he suffered the same fate. A riled Pentagon threatened to break Cueto’s arm. Cueto tried to reason with him as Pentagon violently grabbed his hand. Cueto pleaded with him to think about the Lucha Underground Championship, reminding Pentagon that is what he really wants.
Cueto immediately booked Pentagon in the tournament, telling him he can earn a title shot at Ultima Lucha Tres. Pentagon vowed that if he fails to win the title at Ultima Lucha, then Cueto is “leaving with broken bones.”
The Mack defeated Mala Suerte to advance in the Cueto Cup
They began with flashy lucha spots and built to a double down that led into the closing moments. In a funny heel spot, Suerte played rudo as he taunted the crowd by teasing a wild plancha across the whole ring. Instead, he jumped down from the ropes to overthrow himself into a simple back senton. Then, when he actually went for the senton off the top he missed.
Mack used a Falcon Arrow for a near fall. Suerte got a near fall with a crucifix pin. Suerte missed a senton bomb and Mack went to finish him off. Mack hit him with The Pounce before giving him a stunner, and Mack pinned Suerte to advance to the next round of the tournament.
In the locker room, Cage was pumping iron as he admired his newly-gimmicked hand. Cueto entered the scene and told Cage he has someone he should meet so they could talk about his new powers from his gimmick hand.
Cage seemed disinterested, but Cueto gave him a business card anyway. Cage now has the contact information for a Councilman Delgado, whose office is located at City Hall. This sets up the final scene of this episode.
Pentagon Dark defeated Argenis to advance in the Cueto Cup
While Argenis is a talented flyer that got to shine some, this was more a showcase for the returning Pentagon. The crowd was hot for Pentagon, including chants of “Cero Miedo” (Zero Fear). Pentagon toyed with his prey early on in the match as he threw kicks at his legs.
Argenis did get a comeback and a near fall, but to no avail. Pentagon delivered a Cero Miedo Driver for another near fall. Eventually, Pentagon finished him off with a package piledriver, then Pentagon covered Argenis for the pinfall.
After the match, Pentagon reprised his gimmick of breaking arms. He supposedly broke the arm of Argenis before leaving the ring.
Texano defeated Famous B (w/ Beautiful Brenda) to advance in the Cueto Cup
This was a complete squash, yet it still had a story. Playing off Texano’s gimmick, Famous B was wearing a cowboy hat and dressed in a knock-off Nudie suit. He addressed ring announcer Melissa Santos. She was not impressed. Famous B then told Texano that he wanted to become his manager.
To show good faith, Famous B laid down for Texano to cover him for a pin. Texano teased doing so, only to pull Famous B up and deliver a sit-out powerbomb. Texano then pinned Famous B.
Afterwards, the storyline between them continued as Brenda slapped Texano on the ass. Texano and Brenda had a moment in passing, in a tease for something down the line.
A great video package hyped the upcoming Lucha Underground Championship match with champion Johnny Mundo defending against Rey Mysterio. A narrator with a British accent talked about the importance and magnitude of the title match while a montage of training footage showed the combatants preparing for battle. It was a tremendous piece of business.
Drago (w/ Kobra Moon) defeated Aerostar to advance in the Cueto Cup
In a battle of former friends turned foes, they had an outstanding lucha-style match. Kobra Moon led Drago to the ring with a chain leash locked around the neck of Drago. Drago’s gear is also now red since he turned heel.
Kobra Moon was an ever-present fixture in the match as he shouted commands at Drago during the bout. She even interfered at one point, tripping up Aerostar.
Drago slightly hesitated when ordered to finish off Aerostar, which Matt Striker noted on commentary. At one point, Drago countered with a crazy running blockbuster DDT to stop a comeback. During another attempt at a comeback in the closing moments, Aerostar tried the Dragon’s Lair for a near fall. Drago countered the move into a version of his own, pinning Aerostar for the three count.
Kobra Moon ordered Drago to “kill him” after the match. Drago attacked Aerostar for a beatdown, though he stopped short of actually killing him. The talk of murder foreshadowed the final scene in the show where a supposed homicide occurred.
Cage visited City Hall in the closing scene where he met with Councilman Delgado. The city councilman told Cage he cannot take off the gimmicked glove. Cage appeared to have no qualms about that since the glove is becoming part of him as it shapes and changes his persona. Delgado told Cage the glove will bring him power that he cannot even imagine.
Delgado began to talk about their “work” when Cage objected, saying he does not work for him. Delgado made another snide remark about Cage’s life now having purpose after being meaningless before. That remark angered Cage, who used his gimmicked hand to grab Delgado by the throat. Cage slammed Delgado against a wall while choking him.
Cage briefly came to his senses and released the choke. He apologized to Delgado, who accepted by saying that Cage is still thinking like a man. Cage looked at his glove for a moment, then a maniacal look came over his face. Cage snapped as he punched Delgado with the gloved hand. Blood and gore tripped off the glove, as Cage seemed to have literally punched Delgado’s head off.
Cage turned to leave the office as Delgado’s headless body lay prone on the floor covered in gore. Cage said he’s no longer a man, he is a machine! As Cage walked away from the murder scene he stepped on an eyeball, crushing it in the closing moment of the show.
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.
A recap of season three showed Johnny Mundo winning the Lucha Underground title and The Mack earning a title shot by winning a multi-man match. They got into a fight on the last show before the mid-season break, bringing us to tonight’s All Night Long ironman match.
Metalache played us in with a pleasant mix of guitars and violins. Melissa Santos hyped up this being a one-match show, and we’ll go all night long! The Mack was out first, followed by Mundo.
Lucha Underground Champion Johnny Mundo defeated The Mack in an All Night Long match to retain his title
Vampiro and Matt Striker compared the various signature moves of the two wrestlers, with Striker finding the longest way possible to say “stunner.” Mack slugged away to start, so Mundo used his agility to slink out and in the ring for a sunset flip for two.
Mundo hit Moonlight Drive for two before Vampiro talked about “the big Mack.” Mack went for a superplex, but Mundo slugged away before using his mobility to trip Mack up and get the first fall with the End of the World.
Mundo used a variety of flips but ate a uranage for two. Mundo recovered and sent him down for a Sick Kick to the chest. Mundo landed the Flying Chuck, but took too long for the End of the World, so Mack tried for a schoolboy only to have that countered. Mundo got a cradle and used the ropes to score another fall.
Vampiro pointed out that the second referee should have caught Mundo, while Striker said it’s due to the ref being near Dario Cueto’s office. Mack hit a flip dive, leading to Mundo trying to escape, but landing hard on the apron. Mack tossed him in for two. Mack hit a giant exploder and an Alpha Bomb to earn a pinfall — Mundo is still up two falls to one.
Mundo lured Mack in with a fake neck injury to attack the throat with a choke. They exchanged slugs on their knees before Mack landed a headbutt and a sick chop. Mundo connected with a C4 for a close count. He went up top but ate a super exploder from Mack.
Mundo recovered with a shot to the eye and hit a sick flying corkscrew dive off the top to the floor. Mundo claimed an injury, but Mack didn’t believe it and threw him back in. The trainer came out and they prepared to strap him to a backboard before a break.
They put a splint on Mundo’s ankle and Mack hugged him, then Mundo hit him with a DDT on the stretcher and got a pin. He hopped around and did jumping jacks. Mack and Mundo brawled outside and in the crowd with the backboard. Mack slammed him on the backboard before surfing him down the steps. Okay, that was crazy and awesome.
After this craziness, Mundo got flipped onto his face on the backboard. Mack hit a stunner and Mundo leapt high in the air to give Mack a fall. Mack was down by one fall. Mundo fled before Mack followed — however, Mundo was just under the ring. It was revealed that Mack was chasing PJ Black in disguise, then Mundo caned Mack. Son of Havoc came down to beat up both guys with kendo sticks.
Havoc knocked on Cueto’s office to give something to Mack. Cueto gave him water, but the fans demanded beer, so he grabbed some of their sponsored brew to power up Mack. Mack caned Mundo and Black before Havoc set up a pair of tables.
The heels got the lead for a bit before Mundo ordered the band to play victory music for him. Sexy Star dove off of the bandstand after playing the maracas, leading to one of the funniest calls in the show’s history: “I didn’t know Sexy Star knew how to play maracas!”
Mack hit a Greetings From Asbury Park off the apron through the tables for a win to even the score.
Mack and Mundo traded a trio of dead weight two counts. Mundo brought a table into the ring, then Mack brought a ladder. Five minutes remained in the match as Mundo set up the ladder in the corner. Mundo hit a flapjack on the ladder for two, but an End of the World on the ladder missed.
Mack set up a ladder and chopped Mundo on it before laying him on a table. Ricky Mandell came down and is now the biggest Johnny Mundo fan, so he prevented Mack from climbing. Mack hit a High Fly Flow through the table off the ladder, but time expired at 2.5!
Striker said that everything that Mack went through was for this, and he may not have credibility, but he’s a fan. Mundo was announced as champion, but Cueto said there must be a winner — and next week, it will be restarted with the first fall winning.
Mack laid Mundo out with a stunner and held the title high. He didn’t win it tonight, but he could next week, and he came off like such a star.
Final thoughts —
This was an outstanding match and the best performance Willie Mack has had in the promotion so far. The use of Mandell came out of nowhere, but it never hurts for the heel champion to have another goon in his group.
They formatted it perfectly as well, with Mack having an hour-long match with a lot of smoke and mirrors that were new and a lot of fun to see play out. If there’s a such thing as a star-making match in one night in Lucha Underground, this was it.
Five years is a long time in the world of professional wrestling. In Hollywood, it can go by in an expensive flash. Just ask John Hennigan (aka John Morrison/Johnny Mundo), whose five-year journey to get his film Boone: The Bounty Hunter made has finally reached the celebration point.
“The original idea came in 2012, and the concept was that I wanted a reason to do parkour in a movie that wasn’t running away,” said Hennigan of the film, which also stars Spencer Grammer, Osric Chau and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. “And then I was like, let’s get a bounty hunter who does parkour to chase people. Then, maybe it’s a TV bounty hunter, so he’s got a reason to do all the flashy stuff. And everything spun off of that.
“We had four writers on this project, but I came up with the concept in 2012 and have been working on it since then. From starting to write it, to revising it, to shooting a trailer, to trying to find money to not finding money (laughs), to then finding a way to get the movie made, which is me paying for it personally.”
Whatever it took to get it done, Hennigan was willing to do it. The result is a throwback to films that not only delivered the oohs and aahs when it came to the action sequences and fight scenes, but that had a sense of humor as well.
“I wanted to do something that would encapsulate my sweet spot, so to speak, which is action, comedy and looking for a reluctant hero / lovable loser type, but set in a world where the stakes become real,” he said. “The tone of Boone walks the line that I’ve been able to find most enjoyable when I’m watching movies and I think it’s what I’m best at.”
It’s also not a lark for the former WWE star and current Lucha Underground wrestler Hennigan. Even though he’s happy that his current schedule allows him to expand his film career, he’s busier than ever on the indie wrestling scene as well.
“This is my dual life going forward, and having the opportunity to do both is so important to me,” he said. “I’ve done maybe 15 movies and eight or ten TV shows. I love the acting stuff, but there’s no feeling like professional wrestling. The instant reaction you get from an audience in front of a live crowd is different than on film and television. And the adrenaline you get from walking out into an arena full of people is a feeling that I don’t want to give up, ever, if I don’t have to. I’d like to continue wrestling for as long as I can, There’s nothing else like it. I loved it when I was a kid, and I still love it now.”
And now with the Lucha Underground shooting schedule allowing him to get an “offseason,” he can split his time, something that would be impossible if he was still a member of the WWE roster.
“That was something that appealed to me a great deal about Lucha Underground,” he said. “One, it’s in L.A., which I love. Two, there’s an offseason, which I needed to shoot and complete Boone. I couldn’t have done this movie on the road schedule of a WWE superstar. Plus, I learned a lot about storytelling and acting from being a part of Lucha Underground. The way we shoot the backstage vignettes is just like how you would shoot a TV show or a movie. You shoot coverage, closes, wide shots and it’s why it looks cinematic.”
Yet as the 37-year-old points out, everything — whether in the ring or on the big screen — all comes down to story, and he admits that he owes plenty to his former boss for that.
“I was into filmmaking before I started wrestling, so the idea of this movie was to tell a story, and you can’t just have action for no reason,” Hennigan said. “Vince McMahon explains wrestling matches and promos as stories. They’re all stories, and his version of what a good match is is a hot start, you take the audience for a ride and then you have a big finish and leave the audience talking. And the finish doesn’t always have to be an amazing, uplifting finish, because stories don’t all have happy endings.
“Taking that to heart and using what I learned from my career in professional wrestling is that you need to have some part of this movie that people watching can identify with. Which is why there has to be a story. This character Boone the Bounty Hunter has to be someone that’s relatable to the audience or they’re not gonna care about it. And taking that into consideration was super important. Otherwise you have a movie with no heart, and there are too many of those around these days.”
Hennigan’s film has heart. But just by hearing the tone of his voice change, it’s clear that his heart is still between the ropes, and always will be.
“Independent wrestling is on fire right now, and it’s a really good time to be a pro wrestler,” he said. “The amount of respect and understanding that wrestling fans have for wrestling as an art is at an all-time high and I feel lucky to be in the business right now. And I plan on wrestling until the wheels fall off.”
Boone: The Bounty Hunter hits VOD formats on May 9th, followed by an exclusive Walmart DVD release on June 6th.
While everyone was focused on the happenings in the U.K. in recent weeks, some equally major moves were taking place in Mexico as Pentagon Jr., Daga and Garza Jr. all showed up at The Crash promotion show in Tijuana, a Konnan-booked company which indicated them leaving AAA.
Pentagon Jr. posted about leaving AAA on Facebook.
This comes just days before AAA was scheduled for a major press conference, believed to be announcing this year’s TripleMania event.
All three showed up wearing Perros de Mal gear, and while that is AAA’s most popular stable, AAA, which has gone on a trademark spree of late, can’t trademark that term which was started by the late Perro Aguayo Jr., along with Damian and Halloween years ago, long before Konnan recruited the group into AAA. Right now the status of Perros Del Mal, a valuable merchandise name, is uncertain.
Pentagon Jr. will no longer be allowed to use that name, but will instead be called Penta El Cero Miedo. AAA owns the name Pentagon Jr. Lucha Underground owns the name Pentagon Dark.
The former Pentagon Jr. & the former Fenix, who has worked as Rey Fenix and Fenix el Rey since leaving AAA, which trademarked Fenix and later Rey Fenix, are now being called The Lucha Brothers, and are an outstanding tag team, having two of the best tag team matches in the U.S. this year in PWG with now WWE performers Chris Hero & Tommy End, along with The Young Bucks. The two are brothers in real life.
This also means Pentagon Jr., who has been working extensively in the U.S. because he earns more money there, not to mention does huge merchandise business at independent shows, would be booked by Konnan, who also books Mysterio Jr., although Mysterio Jr. has worked with AAA recently and would be expected to appear at TripleMania, and is Lucha Underground’s biggest star.
A key to this is also the unhappiness of the talent because with Lucha Underground not taping now, nor scheduled for any tapings until November, they aren’t making any money from that promotion. If Lucha Underground had set up ways to merchandise its talent and either book its talent or run shows, it’s doubtful this will happen. A key is that if Lucha Underground backs Dorian Roldan, who is a part owner, then this talent would be out of their Lucha Underground contracts in North America, opening them up to potential work in WWE, ROH or TNA.
With the exception of Rey Mysterio Jr., most considered Pentagon Jr., now Pentagon Dark, as the biggest star of Lucha Underground and this puts them in a unique position. For years, one of the keys to the Lucha talent in Lucha Underground staying with AAA is that they would lose their spot, which was exposure and American dollars, in Lucha Underground if they left the promotion. But of late, that didn’t stop Sexy Star and Fenix, two of Lucha Underground’s biggest stars, from leaving.
Now with Pentagon, it becomes more interesting to see if Lucha Underground will no longer book those wrestlers, which would also make them free agents in the world marketplace.
Konnan has spoken for months about The Crash expanding, running more dates and getting television in Mexico. He even made a remark last night about 1996, which was when Konnan and Antonio Pena had a falling out and Konnan took much of the talent with him to both WCW and Promo Azteca. The latter promotion fell apart shortly thereafter.
The jump came one day after Guerra de Titanes at Juan de la Barrera Gym in Mexico City, where Pentagon Jr. lost when challenging Johnny Mundo for the Latin American title. But the curious thing was that Daga issued a challenge for the next title shot, meaning AAA could not have known about his leaving.
Daga and Garza Jr. will be able to use their names as Daga used that name prior to AAA, and Garza Jr., is a family name, as he is a third generation member of the famous Monterrey wrestling family and, unlike with Cody Rhodes, Garza Jr. used that name prior to AAA.
Backstage, Dario Cueto swings his key around before Johnny Mundo interrupts him and blocks his path. Mundo says he’ll be the first to hold the LU title and Gift of the Gods title at the same time. Taya films a documentary on Mundo, who says that he is giving notice that he wants his LU title match next week if he doesn’t win Aztec Warfare tonight.
Mundo says he can win easily tonight, so Cueto turns his number 12 entry into him entering second and says it’s time for him to put up or shut up. Matt Striker talks about how the ring will “swell with humanity” tonight. Matanza comes down and Dario tells him that Mundo is now the second entrant instead of Sexy Star.
Aztec Warfare III for the Lucha Underground Championship
Mundo outfoxes Matanza to start and pokes his eye, but a flying Chuck is met with a pseudo powerbomb chokeslam. Son of Havoc comes down and double stomps Mundo’s back in a Samoan drop, resulting in Matanza being sunset flipped for two. A high/low crossbody and legsweep combo get two before Jeremiah Crane comes down. Everyone kicks Matanza to the floor and Crane hits a diving spear onto Havoc for two. Pentagon Dark comes down, leading to an ad break.
Pentagon superkicks everyone, but Mundo flips him off and then gets tossed into the corner anyway. A Tower of Doom to Mundo leads to PJ coming down and hitting a coast to coast kick that gets two on Crane.
PJ and Mundo do a variety of double team moves, ending with Mundo landing hard on his head. Mariposa comes down and gets hit with something by Crane, who then gets eliminated by Matanza’s sidewinder German suplex. A spinout uranage takes out Mariposa, then Rey Mysterio comes down as we head to commercial.
Mysterio fights off the Worldwide Underground with kicks and a DDT. Pentagon Dark and Mysterio square off while the Underground hide under the ring. Dr. Wagner Jr. comes down and he teams up with Pentagon against Mysterio.
Mysterio slingshots off the rope to armdrag them down, but Wagner hits a sliding dropkick. Matanza and Marty slug it out before Matanza is sent to the floor and eats a dive. Striker talks about this battle with his teeth clenched for some reason. Jack Evans comes down and the Underground attacks Havoc.
A double superkick and a triple-team ends it for Havoc. Sexy Star returns to face the Underground. Star eats a three-on-one beat down after the break before Evans flip dives onto Marty.
Mundo does a corkscrew off the top onto Marty before Ricky Mandel returns to eat a package piledriver. He goes to break his arm, but Black Lotus and a clan of ninjas beat him up and one hits a Canadian Destroyer — giving Mundo a win over Pentagon and then Mandel.
Mascarita Sagrada comes down to battle Matanza. A double-spin Wrath of the Gods ends him. Famous B enters at 15 and gives Mysterio his card, but Mysterio gives him a 619 instead of dialing 423 and gets the win. Marty prevents a 619 to the Underground before getting spiked off a victory roll by Mysterio and eliminated. The Mack comes down and stunners Marty. Matanza brawls with Wagner and “The Mack sends Jack onto his back!”
Joey Ryan comes down and gets compared to used toilet paper by Striker. Ryan handcuffs himself to a concrete-posted railing this year. Mack kicks Mundo before Mil Muertes comes down with Ryan in his path. Muertes rips the cuffs and tosses Ryan in to lose to a flatliner while Matanza takes out Wagner.
Matanza and Muertes engage in some clobbering before Kobra Moon returns. She hops on the announce table and Mack is tossed into the barricade. A Mack stunner takes out Evans mid-ring. A pop-up stunner takes out PJ. Drago comes out at 20 and brawls with Kobra Moon before his wacky cradle gets the win on her.
A moonsault fallaway slam takes out Drago. Everyone squares off with Matanza while the fans cheer for Mysterio. He battles Matanza, who hits a backbreaker on Mysterio before tossing him overhead. A Muertes spear, Star codebreaker, and Mack stunner hit before a flying Chuck rocks Matanza.
Mysterio hits Matanza with the 619 and a springboard dropkick leads to another one, but Matanza grabs him instead and Mysterio turns it into a Code Red to eliminate Matanza!
Matanza beats up the ref and then Mysterio. The Wrath of the Gods hits Mysterio while Mundo flips off Dario behind his back. Matanza punches Dario! Mundo pins Rey! Star cradles Mundo for two. Evans and PJ attack Star before Angelico returns by diving off the balcony onto them mid-ring!
Star covers Mundo to beat him! Mack eats a sick DDT from Muertes and gets eliminated — leaving Sexy Star to go one-on-one with Mil Muertes.
He tosses her down before grabbing a table. Muertes goes for a spear, but Star DDTs him on it. She hits him over the head a ton with the chair and gets two. He goes to spear her through the table, but she moves and gets a near fall off a schoolboy.
Muertes punches Star in the face and he puts her up top, but his super flatliner is countered and she shoves him off and pins him after a double stomp! Striker then talks about this being a moment that will stand in time.
Lucha Underground held the third and final stop of their first En Vivo tour in the San Diego, CA area, specifically the Northern County city of Escondido during the Escondido Tamale Festival.
As with all En Vivo shows, this was free, but they limited to how many could be seated, which I counted to be around 450-500. Everyone else crowded around one of two areas between the bleachers to watch. To give some folks a chance to be seated, they split the event into two shows with everyone having to clear out and lining back up after the first show. They ran thirty minutes behind due to some mud pits around the area holding up the process of transporting the ring gear as well as some traffic issues for the talent.
There were cameras out and about, so it’s possible the event was being taped for future TV airings, which was further suggested with how it seemed that a storyline or two were being introduced or played out.
Show 1 —
– Paul London defeated Mil Muertes and Bestia 666
London was clean shaven compared to his having full facial hair in his vignettes. Catrina was not present to accompany Muertes to the ring. Much of the match was Muertes being the dominant monster with London and Bestia occasionally utilizing double teaming effectively. The finish saw London’s Rabbit Tribe (later identified as Mala Suerte and Saltador) running in to hold Muertes at bay as London won after preventing Bestia from doing a Superplex attempt by pushing him off and then hitting the Shooting Star Press for the pin.
Muertes started beating everyone down afterwards when King Cuerno ran in and laid Muertes out. Cuerno took the mic to announce that he was back and told Muertes that it was not over between the two of them.
– Drago defeated Aerostar
In keeping with what’s aired so far on TV, Aerostar and Drago are the Trios Champions with Fenix, though this was not mentioned. They had a fairly competitive match with each one taking their time in hitting specialty moves. Drago pinned Aerostar with a crucifix hold and hooking Aerostar’s ankles to prevent any kick out leverage. They shook hands afterwards.
– King Cuerno defeated The Mack in a 2/3 falls match
This was the main event of the first show — a solid match where the two also took their time in building things up. Mack won the first fall after hitting the Stunner. King Cuerno won the second fall with a Frankensteiner into a pin. The finish saw Cuerno hit Mack with a tope suicida and then the Thrill of the Hunt for the win. Muertes immediately hit the ring afterwards and laid out Cuerno with the Flatliner. He took the mic and agreed that it wasn’t over between the two of them, rather it was far from over.
Show 2 —
– Ivelisse defeated Jack Evans
Evans took the mic after introductions, claiming this was put together because he was out to prove he was the true “baddest bitch in the building” even if the event was outdoors. Jack got the heat throughout for “manhandling” Ivelisse for the most part. Ivelisse eventually won the match with the Desert Eagle.
Afterwards, Taya and Ricky Mandel hit the ring to beat on Ivelisse before Paul London’s Rabbit Tribe hit the ring for the unexpected save. Vampiro then came out with the mic, claiming that Dario Cueto left him in charge for the day’s event after immediately booked a trios match between everyone present.
– The Rabbit Tribe (Mala Suerte and Saltador) and Ivelisse defeated The Worldwide Underground (Jack Evans and Taya) and Ricky Mandel
The match was designed more as a slight showcase for the Rabbit Tribe. Saltador got some nice reactions for making numerous physical innuendos by positioning himself behind Taya, constantly causing her to squirm. The rudos got the heat on Saltador before he made the hot tag to Ivelisse and eventually all six going at it, with the big spot being Taya hitting a top rope splash onto all four guys on the floor.
The finish saw Taya attempting a superplex on Ivelisse when Paul London came out and distracted her with carrots, allowing for Ivelisse to hit a top rope crossbody followed by superkicks from each of the Rabbit Tribe and then a grounded rolling roundhouse kick to the head from Ivelisse. The Rabbit Tribe piled onto Taya for the pin to Ivelisse’s initial confusion before she eventually jumped on and they got the win. Ivelisse still looked confused, but nonetheless joined along when London and the Rabbit Tribe celebrated with carrots and throwing them out to the crowd.
– Angelico defeated Johnny Mundo in a San Diego street fight.
In keeping with where the storylines are at on TV, Mundo was the reigning Gift of the Gods Champion and proclaimed the title was not on the line. He slightly flubbed on the mic, saying the belt was behind a “bulletploof” case at the temple, causing Melissa to giggle. Mundo tried to get on her for this, claiming there was nothing funny about “bulletploof”, leading to the fans chanting the word and making Mundo himself break into a chuckle. Melissa had to take a moment to compose herself before introducing Angelico.
The final main event was a San Diego Street fight, which was named as such probably due to the presence of pinatas set up around ringside, two on ring posts and a table with more at the DJ stand. They had a regular match for a few minutes before finally heading out of the ring and looking for plunder to hit each other with. After a while, the fans chanted for someone to use the pinatas and Angelico obliged. There indeed was candy inside, which kids ran to grab despite officials trying to stop them from doing so while the match was still going and Angelico throwing them out to the crowd when able. He was also throwing tamales at Mundo, who tried to bat them away with a chair before getting hit by a few and selling them like he was getting hit with clotheslines.
Taya came out to help Mundo, leading to him powerbombing Angelico from the DJ stand through the table. They did their version of the Magic Killer for a near fall, causing Johnny to beat up referee Marty Elias. This led to all the talent coming out one by one to get involved, eventually just brawling with each other, though Paul London and the Rabbit Tribe just walked around eating carrots. Another near fall led to Johnny beating up Elias again, but then he snapped and started kicking all the present members of the Worldwide Underground and Ricky Mandel, causing the fans to just lose it.
Vampiro and an official tried to calm Elias down, leading him to duck and the official accidentally decking Vampiro, Elias kicked him, and then let the momentum carry him into hitting a top rope splash on the Worldwide Underground and Mandel. The fans were loving every minute of this. The finish saw Mundo eventually bring a trash can into the ring, hitting Angelico over the head with it. He attempted to hit a moonsault press with it, but Angelico moved and Mundo ended up slamming himself onto the trash can. Angelico picked him up and did a running powerbomb through a table that had been set up to finally get the pin.
**********
This was a fantastic event from start to finish. A couple botches here and there, but they did little to dampen the enjoyment everyone was having. A great main event capped things off with a finish that was awesome to witness live. If they do more En Vivo events, it is highly recommended to attend.
They had a booth during the festival showing off the Lucha Underground Championship and the Gift of the Gods Championship belts in a display case and mannequins of classic lucha attire before a brief historical timeline of lucha libre and Lucha Underground history. There also appeared to be a spot where fans got to print their own posters.
This week’s show begins with a recap of the cop drama so far before an El Rey ad interrupts everything and then splits the picture while muting the audio. Well, that was weird. At least it quieted Matt Striker for a bit. Speaking of which, Dario Cueto tells Striker to shut up so he can talk about the Dial of Doom.
Dario talks about how there’s one guy who always comes in after breaking his arm and just wants his shot — so it’s Cortez Castro’s time to shine! Castro comes out with his right arm in a cast.
Lucha Underground Champion Matanza Cueto defeated Cortez Castro to retain his title
Striker references Mike Sharpe and Bob Orton Jr. with the cast. Castro’s arm gets stomped and he breaks it again, getting a “holy sh*t” chant right away. The cast is shattered, and he charges at Matanza with it, but eats a dropkick to the knees.
Matanza eats some casts shots, but lands a flying European uppercut and wins with the Wrath of the Gods. Dario cuts a pissed off promo on Castro. “Get plenty of sleep under covers, rat!” The slow build towards his demise is great so far.
Dario and Joey Ryan, dressed like Sonny Crockett, celebrate in Dario’s office. The picture gets split in half again, but the top half is an El Rey ad and it blocks out most of the picture for the show. Son of Havoc wants to fight for Mascarita Sagrada, and Dario gives him a match with Dr. Wagner Jr. where the winner gets to pick the stipulation in the Famous B vs. Sagrada match.
Prince Puma says that Mil Muertes put Konnan in a casket, so he’ll challenge him to Grave Consequences. Catrina accepts and then Muertes beats up Puma while wearing a slick black suit. Muertes goes for the flatliner, but gets hit and Puma sends him packing with a series of kicks.
Famous B sends Melissa Santos out of the ring so he can do Dr. Wagner Jr.’s intro. Wagner poses while Famous B puts him over. Havoc and Sagrada come down for their match.
Son of Havoc defeated Dr. Wagner Jr.
Havoc dives onto Wagner on the floor twice to start things off hot. Havoc posts him and hits a moonsault while Vampiro says he’s 300 pounds now and breaking chairs by jumping on them with excitement. Wagner hits a flying lariat and gets two. An RKO off the second rope then gets a nearfall for Wagner.
Vampiro talks about how Havoc looks like he plays Dungeons & Dragons and buries Striker’s D&D knowledge. Brenda starts a “Doc-tor Wag-ner!” chant. Vampiro talks about how Sagrada and Wagner are the only ones holding onto tradition by having a full face mask instead of a more open mask.
Havoc prevents a superplex and hits the SSP to win. Sagrada will face Famous B in a believer’s backlash match — so fans get to bring weapons and hit Famous B a ton.
The White Rabbit Clan video airs amid a split screen. We finally see Paul London and two unannounced allies.
Puma vs. Muertes in Grave Consequences is next week. Santos introduces the main event. Chavo is out first and he fist bumps his dad. Vampiro says that Chavo was in the opener in 1993 when he was in the main event and now it could be the end of him. Striker says this could be the end of Mysterio’s career as well.
Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Chavo Guerrero in a loser leaves lucha match
Chavo takes Mysterio down but he bridges up to get a cradle for two. Chavo is sent to the apron and gets dropkicked down. Chavo gets taken out and sent into his dad at ringside. A moonsault from Mysterio gets two.
Mysterio lands a baseball slide dropkick to Chavo in the corner. He goes for a running rana, but Chavo alley-oops him. Vampiro talks about Chavo Sr. training him and showing him the ropes for five years. He remembers Mysterio and Chavo debuting, and he just can’t go into it because it’s too much for him.
Chavo uppercuts Mysterio and kicks his leg out from him and posts his knee. Chavo goes for a reverse superplex but gets beaten down. Mysterio gets two off a springboard crossbody and gets another nearfall off of a seated senton.
Chavo goes for three amigos but Mysterio fights out. Chavo Sr. comes in and hits his son with a chair to give Chavo the DQ win. I think this is the first DQ finish in LU history. Dario yells at the ref for calling for a DQ — has he forgotten how much Dario loves violence?!
Dario says it’s not over and it’s now an anything goes match. Dario has to win best non-wrestling performer of the year. Mysterio hits a 619 on Chavo Sr. and he goes for a rana on Chavo, but Chavo gets a half crab. Mysterio gets the ropes before Chavo pulls him back. Chavo hits the Gory bomb, but it only gets two. Chavo turns a super sunset flip into a basement dropkick.
Mysterio hits a 619 and a splash to send Chavo out of Lucha Underground. Mysterio holds the ropes open for Chavo, but they opt to meet mid-ring as the show ends.
This was a good way for Chavo’s run to end — at least for now. He seems to have a nice future in wrestling-themed work doing training, which fits in nicely with Hector doing stunt work in Hollywood for many years.
Submitted by Miles Schneiderman from the Arizona State Fair
Show one —
– Son of Havoc defeated Jack Evans
The top rope broke early in the match, but they worked around it admirably. Havoc won with a standing shooting star press.
– While the crew fixed the ring, Vampiro talked to the crowd about wrestling beginning at local fairs like this one. Melissa Santos played some games with a few kids in the crowd and gave them masks. She asked who the kids’ favorite wrestlers were. Most of them said Pentagon.
– Ivelisse defeated Taya and Mariposa in a triple threat match
They seemed to find the three-way format awkward at first, but things got better as it went along. Ivelisse tapped out Taya while Mariposa was on the outside.
– Johnny Mundo defeated Cage in a falls count anywhere match
Mundo came out first and teased giving a kid his shades, but pulled them back at the last minute. He cut an entertaining heel promo, which brought out Cage. Brutal match. Great main event. Mundo won by pinfall after Taya came out and they both hit Cage in the head with kendo sticks. Mundo and Taya posed in the ring, but Cage returned, speared Taya, and gave Mundo the Weapon X. He posed for the crowd to end the show.
Show two —
– Drago defeated Australian Suicide, Aerostar, and Hector Garza Jr. in a four-way match
Really great match that got a lot of time. The standout was probably Australian Suicide, who came out to almost no reaction and became a crowd favorite by the end. Garza was also excellent, doing the cocky babyface thing. Lots of incredible spots in this one. Drago got the pin on Suicide with the flipping DDT he’s been using lately. Him winning was a crowd pleaser, but they gave the other three a standing ovation at the end.
– Kevin Kross defeated Ricky Mandel
Definitely the quietest match of the day in terms of the crowd. Mandel was introduced as being from “Sexy Beach” and was supposed to be the face, but neither got a huge reaction. Kross has a great look. He got the win with what looked like a Saito suplex.
– Pentagon Dark defeated Mil Muertes in a no DQ match
Vampiro was supposed to be the guest enforcer, but he said Pentagon was going to beat Muertes without his help. Muertes came out alone. The crowd was really into Pentagon. He got the biggest reaction of the day and it wasn’t close.
The match was phenomenal, with spots involving chairs, ladders, nunchuks, and fire extinguishers. Main event caliber. Pentagon won with a lungblower into a pin that trapped Muertes’ arm. Kind of a strange finish, but a great match. The crowd loved Pentagon winning. Pentagon cut a very brief promo on Muertes in Spanish after the match.
