Tag: the mack

Lucha Underground results: Gift of the Gods title match

Posted on by Michael Perry

The Big Takeaways —

  • Famous B is going to be okay.
  • Strong pushes for Jake Strong and Matanza Cueto continued.
  • Even in squash losses, Sammy Guevara and Vinnie Massaro were able to shine and entertain.
  • Antonio Cueto’s changes to the gimmick matches have kept things fresh this season.
  • Ivelisse might be the most over wrestler on the roster, but it wasn’t enough to give her the Gift of the Gods Championship.
  • Mil Muertes is not a happy camper after being excluded from the Gift of the Gods.
  • El Dragon Azteca Jr. has now earned a shot at the Lucha Underground Championship, provided he gives a week’s notice.

Show Recap —

Jake Strong defeated Sammy Guevara via ankle lock submission

Strong got a nice reaction from the crowd. Immediately, Guevara was selling a foot or ankle injury. Strong used a lot of power moves, but Guevara countered with high-flying offense. Guevara tried to climb a ladder, but Strong caught him in an ankle lock as he hung from the lower rungs in a cool spot.

Guevara broke free and climbed the ladder to the upper catwalk, then hit an insane moonsault to the floor, which the crowd loved. Guevara threw Strong back into the ring, but he then missed a springboard tackle and got caught in the ankle lock and tapped out.

Matanza Cueto defeated Vinnie Massaro via pinfall

Antonio Cueto appeared and called Massaro a poor excuse for a man. He said he should fire him. Instead, he sent him a pizza. As Massaro opened the pizza, which he didn’t like (because it had pineapple on it), Antonio announced that Massaro was going to be sacrificed.

Matanza beat up the pizza man. Massaro ran the ropes until he was out of breath, then was dispatched in two moves. The pizza man tried to steal Massaro’s money, but he was met with a chokeslam for his troubles.

Gift of the Gods

After introductions from Melissa Santos, Antonio Cueto came back out. He said that there would be a trios match, and the winning team would compete for the Gift of the Gods.

Cueto let Ivelisse and Son of Havoc pick their partner. They chose The Mack.

Dezmond X, El Dragon Azteca Jr. & King Cuerno defeated Ivelisse, Son of Havoc & The Mack via pinfall

Killshot was out to watch the match. With a nice mix of styles, it was typical trios action. The crowd was strongly behind Ivelisse. The Mack hit a corkscrew dive to the outside, followed by Havoc hitting an even more impressive handspring corkscrew attack on Cuerno and company.

Havoc then missed the Shooting Star Press on Cuerno but rolled through. Unfortunately, this set him up for a quick and cheap pinfall loss. Afterwards, Mil Muertes came out and destroyed the losing team (and Killshot).

El Dragon Azteca Jr. defeated Dezmond X and King Cuerno to win the Gift of the Gods Championship

The match quickly spilled to the outside, where some more aerial acrobatics took place. Cuerno threw Dezmond throat first across the steel guardrail, then stalked Azteca, tossing him into a pile of wooden chairs. Azteca and Cuerno exchanged blows, and out of nowhere, Dezmond hit an insane dive from above.

Dezmond took Azteca to the top rope, but Azteca escaped a fireman’s carry and hopped off. He quickly climbed up and hit what Matt Striker called a victory roll from the top rope (it was more like a package piledriver into a pin) for the victory as the crowd celebrated.

Marty The Moth’s Destiny

After the match, Mariposa stood over the sleeping Marty Martinez. As the show went off the air, she woke Martinez up and told him that it was his destiny to bring the Lucha Underground Championship to the Moth Tribe.

Lucha Underground results: Dario Cueto makes an announcement

Posted on by F4W Editors

The Big Takeaway —

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.

Lucha Underground results: Mundo and The Mack go All Night Long

Posted on by F4W Editors

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.

Lucha Underground results: Johnny Mundo takes on The Mack

Posted on by F4W Editors

Main image: @LuchaElRey

The Battle of the Bulls tournament is recapped, as is the debut of the White Rabbit Tribe. Sexy Star’s fear of spiders is showcased, and Kobra Moon’s kidnapping of Drago is shown too.

Mil Muertes asks how Prince Puma is alive and Catrina tells him that it was Vampiro and his dark magic. In order to get to Puma, he’ll have to take out Vampiro. This seems to excite Muertes, so Vampiro had better watch out. Catrina walks backstage and Jeremiah Crane tells her that he beat Muertes — the man she loves. She tells him that she doesn’t love Muertes before Crane buries his head in his hands.

Metalachi plays us in while Matt Striker runs down the card. It will be Johnny Mundo vs. The Mack for the title tonight. Our first match sees Mariposa vs. Sexy Star, while Striker comes up with 5,000 ridiculous sayings to describe her. Striker says this is their first one-on-one encounter since the No Mas match last season — adding a sense of importance to this while also reminding us that they have been feuding forever.

Sexy Star defeated Mariposa

Star does a variety of flying mares — giving her the diverse moveset of a wrestling bear. I doubt they could’ve done a running rana like she did though. She dives onto Mariposa on the floor, but going to the floor backfires on Star as she gets tossed into the barricade and then swung several times into the announce table. That draws the first “holy sh*t” chant of the evening.

Mariposa takes a long time to set up the Butterfly Effect, so Star counters and lands some chops. Mariposa’s Samoan drop gets two. Mariposa locks on a kneebar, but Star gets the ropes. Star avoids a moonsault and a superplex before double stomping her and winning.

Marty the Moth comes in and consoles Mariposa — before throttling her and hitting a violent chokeslam. Well, that was unexpected. Mascarita Sagrada meets with the White Rabbit Tribe. Paul London calls Sagrada their God — so he calls them crazy.

The Rabbit Tribe comes down and dances around Melissa Santos. They face Kobra Moon’s team of herself, Pindar, and Vibora. A giant Luchasaurus chant breaks out while she drags Drago out on a chain. Vibora is Luchasaurus, while Pindar is the guy in the giant lizard mask and bodysuit.

Pindar, Drago & Vibora defeated The White Rabbit Tribe

Kobra makes Drago take her place. Marisuerte attacks Pindar, before Drago comes in and battles the guy in the checkerboard get-up. The Tribe dances around Drago before he runs away and tags in Vibora, while Striker talks about vibration sensitivity. Vibora double chokeslams the Tribe before Pindar attacks London with many chokes.

Drago tags in and eats a stereo basement dropkick from the Tribe that gets two. The Tribe teases a coast-to-coast dropkick before Marisuerte hops off and just dropkicks him in the corner. Pindar hits a sit-out chokeslam to Marisuerte. London jumps into the arms of Luchasaurus before the tombstone piledriver takes him out. Drago comes in and takes out Saltador with the blockbuster DDT. Fenix and Aerostar make the save for Drago, who is trapped by the chain. They free Drago, but she begs him to leave with them.

Sexy Star meets with The Mack for another wacky meeting. He doesn’t want her coming out there and he wants to prove that he can win the title on his own. She is kind of okay with this, but clearly annoyed.

The Mack meets with Dario Cueto, who tells him that The Mack’s match isn’t for a title — but the winner gets to pick the stipulation for the title match. Mack asks him if he’s a betting man — Dario says he is, and that he should always bet on Mack. Dario looks on with pride at the violence he knows will transpire.

Lucha Underground Champion Johnny Mundo defeated The Mack in a non-title match

Mundo beats Mack down with forearms and kicks while Vampiro says that these shots won’t really hurt Mack as he’s used to street fights and being beaten with batons. They play cat and mouse and Mack turns this game against Mundo after a bird flip leads to him sending Mundo onto the floor. Mundo tosses him into the barricade and hits a flying Chuck kick mid-ring. The End of the World is met with a schoolboy for two.

Mack sends Mundo down and hits a People’s Elbow along with a dab for two. Mack Samoan drops Mundo, kips up, and hits a moonsault for two. A pop-up forearm hits Mundo for two as he uses the ropes to stay alive in the match. Mack hits an apron Codebreaker for two. Mack hits a huge powerbomb, but only gets two.

Mundo’s goons come down, distract Mack, and lead to a low blow cradle for the win. The goons hold Mack down while Mundo tells him he sucks and couldn’t even last 10 minutes — so he’ll take him to slam town all night long. So we’ve got an iron man match for the title, which seems like a perfect way to make Mundo eat his words. They beat up Mack and pose over him.

Mil Muertes comes down and beats up Vampiro. Vampiro does as much as he can to sell without bumping before Puma comes down to save him. Vampiro takes a very safe flatliner while telling Puma to let it happen. Puma stands over the body of yet another fallen master and will certainly battle Muertes once again to try and atone for this beating.

Solid show overall — nothing amazing, but the main event was very good and set up a title match quite well.

Lucha Underground results: The Battle of the Bulls begins

Posted on by F4W Editors

The show begins with a recap of the Worldwide Underground’s reign of terror — including them taking out Angelico’s leg with a car door months ago. The Cage vs. Texano best-of-five series is then recapped before we see the horribly-acted Sexy Star and Mack segment before she lost the Lucha Underground title to Johnny Mundo.

Dario Cueto is in his office signing papers before Angelico interrupts him and says he wants Mundo tonight — title or not. Dario says that he can’t do that because Mundo has lawyered up, and Angelico threatens legal action due to the beatings he received. Dario is threatened, then says that he will put Angelico in the Battle of the Bulls tournament to possibly get a shot.

Vampiro talks about the Battle of the Bulls tournament — it will be a series of fatal four-way matches with the last one being an elimination match. The winner of that match gets a title shot. Matt Striker says that one word defines Cage — power, while great defines Texano.

Famous B is booed out of the building introducing Dr. Wagner Jr. — and then gets beaten up by Cage.

Cage defeated Texano, Joey Ryan, and Dr. Wagner Jr. in a Battle of the Bulls tournament match

Wagner starts off strong with a stiff kick to Cage. Cage eats a beating from Texano before he takes a few licks from the bull rope. Joey hits a suicide dive to Wagner before Texano hits one, and then Cage moonsaults onto the pile as they just stand around for some reason.

Cage gets two off a pumphandle facebuster. An outside-in powerplex hits Wagner while Ryan dives into a jackhammer for two. Wagner and Texano backdrop Cage, and then Texano spinebusters Joey for two. Wagner lands a standing tornado DDT and an energetic dragon screw leg whip on Texano. A super cutter hits, but he can’t cover. 

Joey hits a spinebuster for two. Cage catches him and charges into the corner, but Joey hits a spinning neckbreaker off the second rope for two. Cage hits a tower of doom powerbomb on the pile. Cage tosses Wagner and Famous B around at one time. Joey eats a superkick from Texano and then a sit-out powerbomb, but Cage steals the pin and wins the match.

Dario tells Sexy Star that he likes her and says she’s a fighter and the title was taken from her. He will give her a unique opportunity — a match with PJ Black, and if she wins, she’ll get a rematch.

Moreover, no one can interfere in the title match because it will be in a steel cage. However, if she loses tonight, she will never get an LU title shot again. She’s okay with this, but warns him that his troubled past could become a troubled future at her hands.  

Reyes meets with his cop boss, who tells him that she doesn’t trust Mehan anymore. Reyes says that his cover is blown now and she says that he’ll return as a new man — under a mask.

Sexy Star comes out for her match with PJ Black while Striker talks about how she’s overcome all the odds and says she’s now the Princess of Power — complete with a wacky Power Rangers getup.

Sexy Star defeated PJ Black

Star hits a rana and then eats a run-up armdrag. She hits a series of forearms and kicks before hitting a rana. PJ plants her mid-ring and works on her neck. He locks on a pendulum submission before bonking her head into the buckle. Vampiro and Striker talk about how brave Star is and how you shouldn’t pity her.

PJ avoids a neck crank and hits a lift-up suplex. Star hoists him up top and slaps away at him before hitting a super rana. PJ rolls through it and hits a Styles Clash for two. He misses the top rope springboard moonsault and she lands a series of kicks before spiking him with a DDT for two. Jack Evans comes down and throws a bat in the ring, but it leads to PJ’s downfall as he’s distracted and eats a sunset flip to lose.

Kobra Moon is her in throne room talking about how great their tribe was. Pindar was one of their generals — so he should play a larger role in things and she has the two other generals of her tribe rise above her. She tells them to bring her the man who was once a dragon — so Drago is doomed.

Dario asks Matanza if he wants to be in the Battle of the Bulls tournament, but Matanza just wants Rey Mysterio. Dario tries to entice him to go after El Dragon Azteca Jr. Dario insults Matanza’s intelligence, so Matanza grabs his head and slams it into the cage before reaching for the key.

The Mack defeated Marty the Moth, Dragon Azteca Jr., and Mil Muertes in a Battle of the Bulls tournament match

Mil Muertes runs wild on everyone with heavy uppercuts. Mack and Marty punch and kick away at him before sending him to the floor. They double team Dragon Azteca with heavy chops, but Azteca holds onto Marty before Mack hits a flying knee strike. Mack rushes in and eats a kick and then a giant self-flapjack into a spinning DDT. Marty and Muertes go at it before Muertes hits 10 lariats in the corner.

Muertes hits a suicide spear onto Marty on the pile on the floor. Striker calls this a minestrone of masochism before Vampiro says he’ll need to have a word with him later. Everyone gangs up on Muertes before Azteca sends Mack flying. Muertes goes for a powerbomb, but eats a rana and a 450. Azteca doesn’t go for a cover and instead Matanza comes down and powerbombs Azteca onto Muertes.

The Wrath of the Gods from Matanza lands on Azteca before Dario comes out with a bloody towel held to his face and asks him to come back. Marty tries to steal the pin, but Mack prevents it. A running stunner hits and the Mack wins!

WWE CWC results: Akira Tozawa vs. Kenneth Johnson; Tajiri returns

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Daniel Bryan and Mauro Ranallo welcome us to the show. Ranallo puts over Bryan being the new GM of SmackDown. Bryan says it’s great, but the CWC is awesome. They throw it to Corey Graves who runs down the matches for tonight and the highlights from last week.

Tajiri (Japan) defeated Damian Slater (Australia)

Damian Slater is profiled before the match. He knows he’s an underdog but says he’ll come out the victor. He wants people to come in not knowing who he is. He’s not in it just to be involved, he wants to win this thing.

Tajiri looked good here. He did his typical spots, including the tarantula, and worked a pretty good technical style. At 46, Tajiri still looks good. Damian Slater did a cool dive to the outside and he didn’t look bad in this match either. Tajiri won with the buzzsaw kick.

Tajiri advances to the second round, facing Gran Metalik.

TJ Perkins (Philippines) defeated Da Mack (Germany)

TJ Perkins mentions how he started wrestling at 13 years old. He describes his in-ring style as versatile. There’s a lot of good wrestlers, but he likes to make it look easy. Da Mack calls himself the Urban German. He wants to be the Michael Jackson of pro wrestling and is heavily influenced by his style.

Da Mack came out to some fun music, kind of reminiscent of a Michael Jackson song. Perkins came across well as an established veteran, not only looking good in the ring but also showed great confidence.

Perkins sank in a Muta lock but Mack escaped and hit a corkscrew senton. Perkins got the win with a kneebar in another solid match.

Lince Dorado (Puerto Rico) defeated Mustafa Ali (Pakistan)

Mustafa Ali is introduced. He’s been wrestling for 13 years and considers himself the most well-rounded wrestler in the tournament. He says he can fly and wrestle better than anyone. He doesn’t see anyone on this list he can’t beat, it’s do or die for him.

Lince Dorado is next. He’s been wrestling for 10 years under this mask. Some of the setbacks he has suffered include him being injured, but being on the biggest stage shows his family where he belongs.

Ali worked over Dorado as a heel and looked pretty good. Dorado made a good comeback and laid out Ali with a big Asai moonsault, then followed it up with another moonsault off the top turnbuckle. There was a great near fall where Dorado hit a springboard reverse hurricanrana.

Ali came back with a Spanish fly for another near fall. Ali went for an inverted 450 splash but missed. Dorado capitalized with a shooting star press for the win. Really good match.

Akira Tozawa (Japan) defeated Kenneth Johnson (USA)

Tozawa says he’s very energetic in the ring and that it has long been his dream to be in WWE. “Tozawa? WWE? WOW!” he says. Johnson says he’s fought his whole life. He knows the heart and determination it takes to keep going. He wants to inspire and encourage others.

This was pretty solid. It was mostly a Tozawa match as he took control. Johnson looked fine but nothing out of this world. He didn’t look lost, but Tozawa looked better and threw some great suplexes. Tozawa looked on his game here. He won with a deadlift German suplex.

Next week: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Tyson Dux, Drew Gulak vs. Harv Sihra, Anthony Bennett vs. Tony Nese, and Raul Mendoza vs. Brian Kendrick will continue the tournament.

Final Thoughts: I thought Ali vs. Dorado stood out as match of the show, just solid work from both guys and both came across as people to watch. Overall, the show was pretty fun and easy to watch. Presentation wise this is one of the best shows WWE is producing.

Lucha Underground results: 7-way Gift of the Gods title match

Posted on by F4W Editors

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.

Lucha Underground results: Sexy Star vs. Mariposa in an I Quit bloodbath

Posted on by F4W Editors

Every match on the show is for an Aztec medallion as Cage faces Mascarita Sagrada, Marty The Moth battles The Mack, Sinestro faces King Cuerno, and in the main event – Sexy Star faces Mariposa. It isn’t just any kind of match this – they will wage war in a No Mas match with Star being told by Dario to maim Mariposa and get revenge.

Show Recap:

The show begins with a rundown of this season’s quest for the Aztec medallions. We also see Sexy Star and The Mack try to act, which is even worse in recap form. Dario Cueto closes up the ceiling in his office, but Catrina comes in and tells him that Mil nearly ended Matanza. Catrina wants a rematch for Mil, and he tells her that Mil’s power doesn’t match what kind of power the key has. He’ll give Mil his match, and in his specialty – the Grave Consequences match. But Dario has a special twist – it will be Graver Consequences, with more coffins. That was awesome! Bang Data brings us in to Vamp and Striker, saying that every match tonight is for an Aztec medallion.

Marty the Moth vs. The Mack

Marty flaps away before The Mack comes down to face him. Mack punches him to the floor and hits a flip dive with his jacket still on. Suplex hits, then a Northern lights, and then a big German – giving Mack the edge. Mack eats a dropkick and Marty does the Rick Rude hip swivel while removing his shirt and revealing his too-short trunks. Mack eats a corner exploder and it gets 2. Marty wears him down with a cravate, but Mack recovers and lariats him before spinkicking him down. Vamp talks about how much more money you make as a champion, while Mack gets 2 off a legdrop. Stunner hits, but Marty is still up, so a spinning TKO takes him out. This was fun.

Catrina talks to King Cuerno and says that Sinestro will get the Gift of the Gods Title, but Cuerno says he’ll take Sinestro out tonight. He’ll take the title and Mil’s mask because the hunt is on. Sexy Star knocks on Dario’s door He says he respects her and knows something bad must have happened to her because there’s been a change in her. He saw that when he was young, and experienced suffering at his mother’s hands. He says that whatever Mariposa did to her, she will say no more and beat Mariposa to make her pay for what she did to her. It will be a No Mas match – and he tells her to not only make her submit, but not stop after the match is over. 

Sinestro De La Muerte vs. King Cuerno

Vamp talks about how this is a battle for the medallions – and their origins are in bloody war. RKO by Cuerno gets 2 quickly. Cuerno lands a sick overhand chop and a running rana. This sends him to the floor for the dive, but Catrina hits him on the head with the rock. Flying legdrop off the top to Cuenro gets the win, in one of the biggest upsets so far in the show’s history. Backstage, Mascarita Sagrada lifts weights while Famous B talks to him about setting up the biggest match for him ever! 

Chavo comes in and asks Dario why he isn’t in a match for a medallion. Dario tells him he’s not worth it, and that he lost not only two Aztec Warfare matches, but got hurt in a match for the LU Title. He isn’t going to give him opportunities if he can’t do anything with him, so Chavo basically tells him he’ll make one for himself. Famous B cuts a promo and hands out his business card to fans before introducing Sagrada while Striker says that he has never dipped, but he will dance with Sagrada coming out. A huge Famous B chant breaks out.

Mascarita Sagrada vs. Cage

Cage has a new black and yellow singlet, which looks better than the other ones he’s had. Sagrada prays and then starts to do some pushups. Sagrada charges in, which fails. A charging kick misses and Cage eats some leg kicks. These have no effect, but a dropkick to the knee sends him into the buckle. Weapon X ends it. Cage tends to Sagrada, but Chavo comes out and steals his medallion – while Famous B tells him “YOU GOT ROBBED!” The main event is hyped up with a graphic and then instead of a break, it’s time for the match. Striker talks about the history of I Quit matches and how both Tully Blanchard and Mick Foley were never the same after their most famous ones. They come in the ring and now it’s time for a break.

Sexy Star vs. Mariposa – No Mas Match

Vamp says that this is the one match he shied away from because he’d rather die than say he quits. Sexy is slammed onto the seal and eats a Muta elbow. Mariposa corner her and hits her with a slew of body blows. Sexy Star gets choked, but still won’t quit. Sexy charges and attacks before cornering her and hitting a series of pop-up bronco busters. Chain of suplexes lead to a single-leg crab. Mariposa locks on a modified Indian deathlock, and kicks her head while she’s in the move. Sexy low-bridges her and hits a seated senton to the floor.

Sexy hits a series of overhand chops on the floor, but eats some knees against the railing. Sexy eats a chair to the throat, then a chairshot, then a basement dropkick with the chair. She shakes her head no to prevent giving up. Sexy recovers, hits her with a chair and then places the chair between her legs for a chairshot to the chair between the legs. Sexy lifts Mariposa’s leg up and kicks her in the crotch again. They fight up the staircase.

Mariposa tears at the mask, but a “Sexy” chant breaks out. They fight up to Dario’s ceiling. No! HE JUST HAD THAT FIXED. They fight up to the catwalk while Striker says that Cornette broke his ankles in a scaffold match. Mariposa tries to toss her off the catwalk, and then chokes her with the steel. Sexy’s head is split open and she fights her way back to Dario’s ceiling. Marty comes up and grinds her face into the railing. The Mack comes in and kicks Marty’s ass before tossing him through a door.

Sexy chokes her on the bleachers and then smacks her head against the wall. Reverse powerbomb giant swing series into the announce table by Mariposa. Striker yells about how Sexy still has fight in her. She grabs a trash can and hits her with it while Striker name-drops Duke Droese. Mariposa punches her in the gut and back a few times before things end up back in the ring. Sexy avoids the Butterfly Effect, but a punch to the throat works.

A kneeling Edgucator results in Sexy saying “f*ck you, f*ck you Mariposa!” completely uncensored, kicking her and locking on a choke before Marty comes back, but misses a punch and Mack stunners her. Sexy locks on an armbar and gets the win – which will certainly result in Striker comparing her to Ronda Rousey even more. True to what Dario told her, she keeps the hold locked on after the match while her theme plays and a “break her arm” chant breaks out. Sexy closes the show just covered in blood being embraced by The Mack. Holy crap was this crazy. It wasn’t “good” in many ways, but it was sure memorable. 

To see every screenshot for the show, just click here.