¿Donde es la Lucha Underground? Aqui! I’m Mark Haggerty and we’re back, here to celebrate every aspect of this groundbreaking series! It’s been another week of outstanding Lucha Libre action courtesy of Mark Burnett and the El Rey Network! I’m a little late with my comments, so let’s skip the pageantry and get right to it.
The show started a bit differently than it’s predecessors, with a live band rocking the studio audience. I know that there have to be atleast a couple of Caucasians in the crowd, but during the initial camera sweep I could have sworn that Matt Striker was the only gringo at the party. Actually no, if you look directly behind the broadcast booth, there is a 7 foot tall white guy with curly hair wearing shorts, and he has his legs spread wide open.
Sexy Star and Ivelisse might be the only female professional wrestlers that I’m actually interested in. And I don’t say that to be cruel, because while I like the Bella Twins and the Beautiful People, I don’t go out of my way to watch their matches. Their promos don’t entice me to watch them wrestle. But Sexy Star and Ivelisse are both provocative in the way they address the crowd and how they can mix it up in between the ropes. I didn’t understand much of what Sexy Star said, but it got my blood-pumping nonetheless, especially when Ivelisse entered the ring with a few choice obscenities. Their match was phenomenal, easily the best ladies wrestling on mainstream television. But again, what sold me on both of these young women was their innate ability to cut a promo and connect with the mainly male audience.
These dark and smoky backstage segments are really starting to win me over, I have to say. I was among the biggest critics just one month ago when I saw the first of several cinematic sequences. I groaned because it was so far removed from what I was use to. But then I began to think outside the box; this works for whatever it is they’re doing. The initial interplay between Dario Cueto and Drago is intense. Cueto tells Drago that he was left unsatisfied by his performance last week, to which Drago flicks his tongue and silently promises to defeat his opponent tonight.
Another in-ring promo en Español, and this time it’s another loser from last week, Pentagón Jr! I really like how Pentagón has a mask that leaves the lower part of his face exposed, allowing him to fill-in the gaps with paint. The producers of Lucha Underground have done a remarkable job of introducing each of these Mexican wrestlers at a slow and steady-pace, helping them to build awareness with the fans. Pentagón is developing an interesting personality by complaining to the fans about how he gets no respect here or in his native nation south of the border. He’s the Rodney Dangerfield of Luchador, he gets no respect! His rant is finally bookended with the phrase “zero fear,” leading to his rematch confrontation with Fénix.
Another wild and crazy thrill ride as engineered by the lightning quick Fénix. While Pentagón tends to employ more of a strike-based Japanese repertoire, Fénix relies on a classic high intensity moveset most commonly associated with young Luchadors. Fénix is incredible to watch in the ring, and moves as fast as some of the greatest high flyers in wrestling history. Fénix did some sort of unworldly springboard with both legs wrapped around the top rope, leaving me in awe and glued to the action infront of my eyes. Once again, the smaller and faster of the two picked up the win. I was really impressed with the way in which Fénix struggled to hold Pentagón Jr. for the three-count; I much prefer the surprise finish as opposed to the knock-out that we see in almost every match in most American promotions.
When the next vignette began, I thought it was another ad for Prince Puma, but I was mistaken. In fact it was none other than AAA’s villainous El Hijo del Fantasma, going under the alternate identity of, “King Cuerno.” Cuerno means “horn,” and the King described himself–in English, as a predator. Even going as far as to wear the hide of a conquered buck to the ring. His opponent this evening is the man whom Dario Cueto was “unsatisfied” with in his debut during the previous weeks triple-threat Lucha.
I really like Drago, and I have ever since he was a Los Barrio Boy nearly fifteen years ago. Both of these competitors are extremely impressive in singles competition when they have the entire stage available to apply their craft. Cuerno is in impeccable condition and performs the same over-the-top aerial offense he’s been know to use in Mexico. Drago is much more of a mat-based individual but has no qualm when it comes to taking risks. I was pleasantly surprised to see Drago walk away with a hard fought victory over the newly debuting King Cuero. It’s certainly out of the ordinary for a mainstream wrestling company to debut performers in losing efforts, so I suspect the next animal in the Hunter’s sights could quite possibly be a Dragon.
Big Ryck certainly has been busy since leaving the WWE, hasn’t he? A short stint in TNA and now he’s the million dollar hitman for Dario Ceuto. The cigar wasn’t lit this week, which I was happy to see as he was about to engage in a wrestling match. Matt Striker called Ryck, “Kimbo Slice meets Suge Knight,” which is a more than accurate description by my estimation. His opponent is
Johnny Mundo, still wearing the same out-dated John Morrison jacket, billed from Los Angeles. Ryck on the other hand, also a resident of LA, was introduced as being from, “The City of Angels.” This was more of a classic sports entertainment-style match than anything else in the evening where Ryck maintained the edge throughout.
There was an especially peculiar backstage segment spliced in with an attack on Prince Puma, and suddenly Cortez and Cisco hit the ring to help Ryck continue the punishment of Johnny Mundo. I wasn’t overly enthused with this match or the competitors therein, but I appreciate Lucha Underground’s ability to vary their programming so heavily from match to match. The night began with a tremendous women’s contest, followed by two unbelievable matches between four luchadors, and was main evented by two former ECW Heavyweight champions. Not to mention, somebody went through a table. Regardless of what I thought of the main event, there was definitely something for everybody on the card.
This show has been a true venture into uncharted territories, and so far every episode has been better than the last. It’s been announced through various sources that Lucha Undergound has wrestlers such as Richochet under contract for atleast two more seasons, meaning this promotion could have an exceptionally bright future. I’m still curious as to whether they’ll decide to tour or expand their enterprise as things move forward, but as for now I’m just anticipating Episode Five. That’s it for me though, see you next week with another edition of Viva Lucha Libre!
