Lucha Underground – Season One Episode 6 – 3rd December 2014
The Key
As I said in summarising, Episode 5 is supposedly one of the lowest points of the entire Season. As a result my expectations are now alarmingly high for what is yet to come in this series and I’m keen to keep exploring the world of Lucha Underground. On this episode we’ll see plenty of athletes face the consequences of their actions last week – which is an aspect of LU I really like. Son Of Havoc encounters another outlandish Lucha Libre tradition he doesn’t like, King Cuerno and Drago rematch their Episode 4 encounter (after Cuerno attacked Drago last week) and our scheduled main event will see Fenix and Sexy Star unite to fight common enemies in Chavo Guerrero and Pentagon. The Temple awaits us! Vampiro and Matt Striker are your commentators in Boyle Heights, CA.
After two dominant weeks, Big Ryck is in Dario Cueto’s office officially signing his Lucha Underground contract. Dario reaffirms that he thinks Mundo is flash and cocky, and is thrilled at the violence Ryck will bring to the Temple.
Son Of Havoc and Ivelisse are in the ring, complaining that Havoc has been disrespected in LU so far. They issue an open challenge to anyone ‘with the balls’ to face SOH ‘man to man’. The challenge is answered by Pimpinela Escarlata – an exotico from the AAA promotion.
Son Of Havoc vs Pimpinela Escarlata
Having been ‘embarassed’ by intergender wrestling and minis, Havoc will be absolutely pissed that his latest Lucha Underground opponent is another of Lucha Libre’s most flamboyant traditions – an exotico. He lost to Mascarita Sagrada last week, so will presumably be looking to tear Escarlata’s head off this evening…
A criticism of Matt Striker – doesn’t list a single Lucha Libre exotico when he discusses the history of such gimmicks (although he does take a comical pot-shot at The Miz). Son Of jumps Pimpinela from behind, but can’t retain his grasp watches in horror as he walks the ropes into a crossbody on Ivelisse. Havoc is sent to the floor with a diving lucha armdrag…and Escarlata stays on him with a CANNONBALL OFF THE APRON! Hiptoss into the turnbuckles by Havoc turns the tables in his favour – before he and Ivelisse start outright choking him in the ropes. Ivelisse stomps him into the floor after he is back dropped over the turnbuckles, leaving him position for the Flagpole Elbow (a signature M-Dogg move). It looks like Escarlata is injured, but gets some respite when Mascarita Sagrada runs to chase off Ivelisse. He kisses Havoc then rolls him up for a victory at 04:48
Rating - ** - This was the inevitable next step in the Son Of Havoc storyline after pissing him off by making him work women and minis. Pimpinela was entertaining as a classic exotico, but actually threw his body around and took some pretty major bumps too, meaning this match was far from just a comedy sideshow. It was also the first time we’ve really got to see Havoc show off a little more of his athleticism (i.e. typical Matt Cross moveset) – which is right at home with the style of this promotion.
Johnny Mundo ambushes Cueto in the bathrooms. He takes Dario’s key (the one he wears round his neck that Catrina was so interested in last week) and will only give it back if El Jefe hands over the $100,000 he was promised back on Episode 1.
Mil Muertes vs Famous B
Muertes has been on an undefeated tear through Lucha Underground since defeating Blue Demon Jr. on the second episode. Local SoCal indy scene talent Famous B is the next to step up trying to stop him. B used to work for PWG but got phased out when they became the indy dream match company rather than the place where the SoCal guys worked. He’ll want to score a shock win here and earn a full-time spot with LU.
Muertes sprints across the ring and absolutely steamrolls Famous. And as he convulses and spasms on the ground Catrina appears behind him to snap his neck against the bottom rope and apron too. Spear nailed, into the Flatliner. Muertes wins at 01:09
Rating - N/A - The Mil Muertes character carries plenty of intrigue and mystery. They are certainly slow-burning on peeling back the layers on that, which one can appreciate. Inside the ring his matches have been largely non-eventful thus far. Total squashes like this certainly help to enhance his monster reputation though, and I’m curious to see how long they keep building him up before finally unleashing him into a ‘real’ match…
SIDENOTE – I wonder who’s idea Catrina’s ‘The Lick’ gimmick was. It’s certainly a little different, and Catrina has an amazing presence about her…but it is just a little gross.
A video package delves deeper into Drago. In a time long ago dragons ruled the earth, but were thought to be extinct…until one arose in the body of a man – Drago. I love this!
Drago vs King Cuerno
King Cuerno arrived two episodes ago, having been brought in specifically by Dario Cueto to test Drago, whom he had been unimpressed by during the triple threat main event of Episode 3. The Hunter had a dragon in his sights, but it was Drago who walked away with a win – effectively embarrassing Cuerno on his big debut. Intent on stalking his prey, Cuerno watched from the rafters as Drago lost to Mil Muertes last week – then swooped down to assault him after the match. Tonight we have their official rematch.
King whacks Drago with a shotgun dropkick, but can’t keep him down and eats a springboard flying headscissors. Cuerno’s key to victory will again be whether he can effectively slow the lightning quick dragon…and to that end he counters another attempted springboard off the ropes with a violent knee strike. The Asian woman is in the crowd watching the action, but for a second week running leaves as quickly as she appears. Thrill Of The Hunt blocked, into a TOPE ATOMICO TO THE FLOOR! Standing blockbuster gets 2 for Drago…so Cuerno leaves the ring to kill his momentum. CORKSCREW PESCADO NAILED! This guy is almost superhuman! He tries the same insane roll-up sequence that beat King last time, but this time it’s kicked out of at 2. TOPE SUICIDA BY CUERNO! Thrill Of The Hunt puts Drago away at 04:25
Rating - *** - I liked this one even more than their first match. Drago is so fun to watch in this brief little sprint matches, as it means he literally has to concentrate on doing nothing other than moving as fast as he possibly can (and he is like lightning). They built well off of spots they did last time (including the finish), and this time Cuerno was able to slow down the dragon for just long enough to put him down. These two are tied at 1-1 so definitely need a rubber match!
‘The hunt has just begun’ – Cuerno to Drago after the match.
Johnny Mundo enters the Temple, wearing Dario’s key around his neck. Cueto sends out Big Ryck instead…so Mundo mows him down with a colossal suicide dive! Next out is Konnan, who tells Johnny that he should be giving the $100k to Prince Puma after what happened last week, and that Puma no longer ‘has his back’. Ryck jumps Mundo…and Puma runs straight past Konnan to help Johnny! But then they start fighting each other! They have to be separated, much to the delight of the watching Crenshaw Crew. Dario Cueto finally comes out, with a briefcase full of money. It’s supposed to be Ryck’s ‘signing bonus’…but he didn’t read the fine print and still has to earn it. Next week the hundred grand will be hung above the ring for Mundo, Puma and Ryck to earn…in a ladder match.
Chavo Guerrero Jr./Pentagon Jr. vs Fenix/Sexy Star
Fenix and Sexy Star have emerged two of the biggest breakout babyfaces produced by the Lucha Underground project thus far. Fenix is young, explosive and intensely exciting – and holds back-to-back victories over rival Pentagon. Sexy has been a firm favourite of the Believes since Episode 1 when she refused to be intimidated by Son Of Havoc. Meanwhile, Chavo was embarrassed on that debut episode when he was forced to tap out to Blue Demon. He wants to carve his own legacy in Lucha Underground – and has targeted many AAA stars (like Blue Demon, Mascarita Sagrada…and Sexy herself) to do it. Which is potentially why he has found an ally in Pentagon, who has lost twice to Fenix so far but has openly stated he likes working in LU because he felt undervalued and disrespected in Mexico – just like Chavo. Last week things got even more personal when Guerrero made Star flip after forcing her to kiss him. Their match was thrown out, a four-person brawl ensued…thus leading to this main event.
Chavo is a weasel, so tries to get Penta to start the match for him. TRIPLE SPRINGBOARD MISSILE DROPKICK by Fenix! FRONT FLIP RANA ON PENTAGON! Holy sh*t this guy is awesome. Guerrero wisely grabs a chinlock to stop him from flying all over the building…but in comes Sexy to put the boots to him. Chavo and Penta use bullying tactics to isolate Star – pulling her hair, standing on her face, choking her; nothing is off limits. A similar approach proves effective against Fenix, grounding him for the first time in his LU career thus far. In fact Fenix is slowed so much that Pentagon is able to counter another hurricanrana attempt into a devastating powerbomb backbreaker for 2. Lethal Injection starts his fightback by taking out Pentagon, before he lurches into a critical hot tag to Sexy. Guerrero tries to shut her down…FROG DOUBLE STOMP from Fenix to Chavo! TURNBUCKLE EXPLODER from Pentagon to Fenix! MULTI-REVOLUTION DDT from Star to Penta! TOP ROPE CORKSCREW PRESS TO THE FLOOR BY SEXY! ROPE RUN SPRINGBOARD CORKSCREW SENTON BY FENIX! Star tries to crossbody back into the ring only to be caught and powerslammed by Chavo. Fenix rescues her from the Frog Splash and as he bails they give Pentagon a superkick/Code Red combo! LA GARRA DEL FENIX! Sexy pins Penta at 09:17
Rating - *** - Every time Fenix and Pentagon step into a Lucha Underground ring right now they are delivering something really memorable. This was a slightly more formulaic tag encounter, but they ensured that even within that structure everything took place at breakneck speed. This was my favourite Chavo LU match too. Given real talent (and not Blue Demon) to work with, he looked terrific as the grounded, methodical base around which the other three fliers could operate. He and Penta looked like real bastards when trying to isolate Sexy, then ultra-professional and polished when giving a beatdown to Fenix.
Tape Rating - *** - I think the reason why Lucha Underground developed a cult following so rapidly during their first season is that they are just so unashamedly fun. Each episode is a 40-minute adrenaline rush packed with the kind of story-telling, crazy action and adult-orientated content that none of the other televised promotions out there are really delivering. Outside the ring it looks so stylish and unique, and inside they are really developing their own style of short, thrill-ride matches which don’t outstay their welcome, don’t slow down and relentlessly entertain. The main event was a really strong little tag match highlighted by another incredible performance from Fenix, but underneath that I really liked the Mundo/Puma/Ryck/Konnan/Cueto segment setting up the Ladder Match next week, and I thought Cuerno/Drago was even better than their first encounter. Truthfully, after we got through the patchy first couple of episodes I’ve been having a great time with this company.