New Column: Por Favor, No Te Vayas

We might have seen the end of Lucha Underground and that’s just mal.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/kbs-review-por-favor-no-te-vayas/




Lucha Underground – October 18, 2017 (Season Finale): They Actually Went Out With A Bang

Lucha Underground
Date: October 18, 2017
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Boyle Heights, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

It’s FINALLY time to wrap this season up, well over a year after it first started. That means a two hour finale as Ultima Lucha Tres wraps up. Tonight’s main event is Prince Puma putting his career on the line against Johnny Mundo and the Lucha Underground Title. You know there will be some shenanigans afoot though. Let’s get to it.

We open with a cage set up around the ring but first let’s hit that house band.

Vampiro is in a suit, which is one of the weirdest visuals you’ll ever see on this show (and THAT is something).

Matanza vs. El Dragon Azteca Jr.

Pinfall, submission or escape to win and of course Dario is in a tuxedo. Dragon goes straight to the top of the cage and hits a moonsault off the edge less than ten seconds in. Well that’s how you start things off. Matanza is right on his feet and sends Azteca mask first into the cage. Back up and Matanza belly to belly suplexes him THROUGH THE CAGE to give Dragon the win in less than two….and never mind as Dario says we’re restarting this with pinfall or submission only.

Azteca hits something like a DDT on the floor and goes after Dario but Matanza makes a quick save. Back in and Matanza rubs Dragon’s face against the cage before easily countering a hurricanrana. Cue Black Lotus (I had to think to remember her too) to dive off the cage onto Dragon, setting up Wrath of the Gods to give Matanza the pin at 8:32 (counting the pause when Dragon escaped).

Rating: D+. This didn’t have the time to go anywhere and it was pretty stupid to have it be a squash that Matanza somehow won. The Dragon/Cueto/Lotus story was WAY more complicated than it needed to be and it didn’t help that they had such a long break in the middle of the thing. Matanza was a star of the series but he didn’t have much to do this time around. Unfortunately that’s the same for Dragon, but he never even had the real chance to shine in the first place.

Post match Lotus powerbombs Matanza off the top and demands that Dario say he’s a liar. Dario agrees and Lotus takes Wrath of the Gods.

Jeremiah Crane vs. Cage vs. Mil Muertes

The winner gets the gauntlet. Hang on a second though as Dario makes this an elimination match so the real best man wins. Crane kicks Cage in the face but charges into a chokeslam. Cage piles them up in the corner and hammers away with clotheslines. That’s enough of the in-ring stuff so Crane is sent outside for a running flip dive over the top from Cage, followed by a top rope dive from Muertes.

Cage loads up a table on the floor but the bloody Crane breaks it up with a trashcan. It’s Crane setting up a second table, only to get chokeslammed through it (as you might expect). Back in and Muertes powerbombs Cage for two but he runs the corner for a super hurricanrana. Then let’s add a Lionsault because a guy Ryback’s size can do that. Crane is back up and DRIVES WOODEN SPIKES INTO CAGE’S HEAD, followed by a freaking DDT for your crazy violent spot of the match.

For no logical reason, Crane heads to the back and finds a plate of glass, which he’s quickly speared through for a sick visual. Cage of course HITS MUERTES IN THE HEAD WITH A HAMMER but Crane and Cage get in a fight over who gets to put Muertes through a table. Cage gets the better of it and suplexes Crane through Muertes through the table, followed by Weapon X to finally get rid of Crane at 11:35.

So it’s Muertes vs. Cage and they slug it out after a break. Muertes may not be dead but he’s bleeding from the arm as Cage gets two off a top rope elbow. Cue Crane with a chair but Cage takes him out again. Not that it matters though as Muertes hits the Flatliner onto a chair to end Cage at 17:31.

Rating: B. Now that was a heck of a fight with all three guys just beating the heck out of each other. Sometimes you need a wild brawl and it’s been at least two weeks since we saw one of them around here. Crane continues to impress, though giving Muertes the win makes the most sense given their histories around here.

Post match Dario presents Muertes with the gauntlet though Catrina takes it for herself. Cue the returning King Cuerno to lay Muertes out and take the gauntlet away though, likely as a trophy.

Taya has directed a film about Johnny Mundo. Johnny says the title makes him the best in the world and he doesn’t need the believers. The rest of the Worldwide Underground sings his praises as well. In case you haven’t seen it, Taya has been filming things all year, meaning we’re actually getting what looked like a minor detail paid off. Well done indeed.

Lucha Underground Title: Prince Puma vs. Johnny Mundo

Mundo is defending and it’s career vs. title. Puma is back in his original yellow gear, which is more appropriate for a top level match. The champ gets taken down but a series of flips and some light kicks give us an early standoff. Puma sends him to the floor with something like a tilt-a-whirl powerslam and it’s time to fight outside. A whip sends Puma into the crowd but he pulls Johnny up to join him.

Puma knocks him back to ringside and jumps from the crowd to the apron. Johnny bails to the other side of the ring so Puma hits a double springboard shooting star press to the floor in one of the craziest spots you’ll see in a good while. Back in and the rolling suplexes are broken up so Johnny can hammer away to little avail. The Flying Chuck takes Puma down and a hard kick to the face gets two.

A quick C4 gives Johnny two more but Puma kicks the ref in the head. Well of course he did. It’s almost like this promotion has no idea how to book a different kind of a match. Puma can’t quite fight off the Worldwide Underground and here’s a second referee to count two. Striker FREAKS THE HECK OUT over that near fall and the Underground kicks the second referee outside.

Cue the also returning Angelico to clear the ring and there’s a big running flip dive to Johnny. The second referee pops back up for a flip dive of his own (rather ECW of them), leaving Puma to hit a springboard 450 for two. Angelica chases the Underground off and we take a very rare break.

Back with Puma winning a slugout, followed by a kick to the head for two. Johnny takes him up top though and hits the flip neckbreaker for a very near fall of his own. The End of the World gets two but a second attempt hits knees. A shotgun dropkick sends Mundo into the corner and the 630 gives Puma the title back at 22:43.

Rating: B. I really could have gone without all the interference but it’s still more than good enough for this spot. They were going insane out there and beating the heck out of each other, which is the kind of match they needed to have. Now of course they have more stuff to get to, but Puma becoming the first ever two time champion is a nice moment.

And of course hang on as here’s Dario to say there’s one more match. See, last week, Pentagon Dark cashed in his Gift of the Gods Title last week. Normally Dario would want to promote this match but THIS IS ULTIMA LUCHA! Oh and as a bonus: it’s career vs. career/title.

Lucha Underground Title: Prince Puma vs. Pentagon Dark

Puma is defending and wastes no time by kicking him to the floor for a big flip dive. Vampiro is barely talking as Pentagon breaks Puma’s arm….which Puma pops right back into place. So it was dislocated and we’ve been saying the wrong thing for three seasons? Puma’s moonsault to the floor hits knees but he can still block the package piledriver.

A standing shooting star gives Puma two but Pentagon dropkicks him in the face to break up the handspring kick. The fans are now singing CERO MIEDO but Puma cuts them off with a running Canadian Destroyer. Vampiro pulls Pentagon away from the 630 though and Pentagon’s half nelson driver gets two. A running package piledriver gives Pentagon the pin and the title at 8:37.

Puma slowly walks out and Pentagon waves goodbye. Now that he’s champion, he will rule with CERO MIEDO.

Puma takes off his mask and leaves for good.

King Cuerno has the gauntlet in his trophy case.

Sexy Star is at some kind of an appearance when a little girl comes up. The girl says she (as in someone else) hasn’t forgotten Star and hands Star a box containing a spider.

The Rabbit Tribe keep worshiping Mascarita Sagrada, who says he’ll take them to the white rabbit.

Fenix and Catrina leave together as Catrina and Crane watch separately.

Kobra Moon makes Daga the new king of the Reptile Tribe so he DECAPITATES PINDAR WITH A FREAKING SWORD. Drago is still chained up but WE HAVE BIGGER ISSUES TO DEAL WITH AT THE MOMENT!

Vampiro is in his temple when a masked man comes up to congratulate him on his success with Puma and Pentagon. This is Vampiro’s master but we don’t know who he is.

Matanza and Rey Mysterio are both in cages.

Dario is with his new boss and says he’ll get the gauntlet back. The new boss says don’t worry about it because new management will deal with the problems…..and SHOOTS DARIO IN THE STOMACH!!! Dario grabs the red phone and slowly dials a number. A male voice answers and Dario asks his “papa” to help him before passing out. To be continued.

Overall Rating: A-. And that’s Season Three, which is highly likely to be the final show of the series (though it’s not guaranteed yet). It’s an excellent ending and Pentagon Dark FINALLY becoming the champion is a great way to go out. He’s been the people’s champion for a long time now and Dario tearing Puma’s heart out one more time was great stuff. I’m really curious about where those stories were going and hopefully we get a conclusion, even if the budget is way down.

Overall season three…was just way too long. At over a year (counting the several months long break) in length, there’s no way to keep up the energy they have. This show needs to be about 26 episodes a year at most and they exceeded that in spades. The stories and action were hit and miss, but there’s only so much you can do with this much time to fill in. It doesn’t work for TNA and it doesn’t work here in a much more creative promotion. Shorten things up and stop having to come up with stories that take forever to fill in time and you have a MUCH better show.

The season was good and better than the second season, but nowhere near as good as the first. Dario is still awesome, the stories are still intriguing, the action ranges from highly entertaining to pretty good and the characters work for the most part. Cut out stuff like the tribes (the Reptile Tribe continues to be a huge waste of time) and don’t wait so long between advancing storylines and the show is better. Assuming it still exists of course.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Updated History of the Intercontinental Title in E-Book or Paperback. Check out the information here:

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Lucha Underground – September 6, 2017: Donuts, Coffee and Medallions

Lucha Underground
Date: September 6, 2017
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Boyle Heights, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

We’re less than a month away from Ultima Lucha Tres and that means it’s time to start filling out the card. The big story this week is a street fight between Cortez Castro and Joey Ryan, who have been feuding for months now, partially due to the whole….I’m going to stop there because this company’s storylines are really complicated. Let’s get to it.

We open with a recap of the tournament finals before moving on to the Worldwide Underground and the collection of the seven medallions. Above that though, Matanza is coming for Rey Mysterio, which can only end badly.

Aztec Medallion: Drago vs. The Mack

Drago wastes no time with a running dropkick and a tornado DDT, only to have Mack shove him away without much effort. Mack does a headstand in the corner, earning himself an enziguri. La majistral gets two and Mack is in some trouble. He’s fine enough to elbow Drago in the mask but Kobra Moon gets on the apron for a distraction. A quick Dragon’s Lair gives Drago the pin and the medallion at 3:46.

Rating: D+. I wasn’t feeling this one as it didn’t have much time and the whole Drago/Moon thing has killed off a lot of interest I’ve had in both of them. Mack hasn’t done much since losing to Johnny Mundo and this is a pretty big loss for him. He doesn’t have anything as we head towards Ultima Lucha and hopefully he’s not stuck with these people.

Post match Mack Stuns Drago and gets beaten down by the rest of the Tribe.

Back from a break with Dario Cueto in the ring. Next week will be the 100th episode so we’ll be having some big matches. First up, we’ll have the Worldwide Underground vs. Prince Puma and a team to be announced later tonight. In the main event though, Rey Mysterio will face Matanza. Dario brings Rey out and tells him to leave the building before Matanza’s match tonight. If he doesn’t, Dario will fire Dragon Azteca Jr. That’s cool with Rey, who promises to destroy the Cueto legacy next week with Dario coming next.

Aztec Medallion: Cortez Castro vs. Joey Ryan

5-0 street fight, meaning there’s a bunch of police themed stuff around the arena. Dario runs to start so Castro follows him outside for some chops. A tornado DDT on the floor has Joey in trouble, because dropping someone head first onto concrete doesn’t knock them cold like it used to.

Back in and Joey gets in a slam and sets up a riot shield in the corner. Joey hammers on him with some handcuffs to bust open Castro’s head. Now it’s some nightstick shots to the back so Striker can make Big Boss Man jokes. With nothing else to do, Joey puts on a plastic glove and lubes up his hand to….yeah you can figure that one out for yourselves. That’s enough to fire Castro up (not the most shocking thing in the world) and he knocks Joey outside, sending him through some of the cops. Fans: “WE WANT DONUTS!”

Joey goes face first into the police cruiser but Castro misses a swing with a ball bat. Instead Joey grabs a sledgehammer (HHH jokes abound), only to hit the windshield by mistake. Castro gets dropped onto the hood of the car anyway but it’s time to go to the snack table.

That means hot coffee down Joey’s trunks and Castro tases him there for a bonus. Naturally Joey is right back with a superkick to drive a box of donuts into Castro’s face as Striker talks about an Aztec medallion. The balance from the commentary to the match isn’t exactly working. Back in and Castro maces him, followed by a running Samoan Driver onto the riot shields for the pin at 13:02.

Rating: C. I wanted to like this match and they were getting somewhere in the beginning with the blood and violence, but then they went flying off a cliff. I really don’t need to see Joey lubing up his hand, having hot coffee poured down his trunks and superkicking a box of donuts. Yeah it’s a police themed match, but you can either go with the theme or go with the story. Trying to do both turns it into a mess, which is what happened here.

Rabbit Tribe vs. Matanza

Matanza is offered a hat to start but dancing doesn’t work so well. Vampiro explains various drug cults as Matanza is sent outside for a dive from Saltador and a plancha from Mala Suerte. Back in and a series of dropkicks has Matanza reeling but they stop for some more dancing. Matanza actually dropkicks the trio down but Easter eggs to the head are good for a distraction. A pair of superkicks sets up London’s shooting star for two and that’s enough for Matanza. House is cleaned in a hurry and the Wrath of the Gods ends Saltador at 4:46.

Rating: D. Now this one missed a lot more than the previous match. I really like the Rabbit Tribe as they actually feel like chaos instead of what usually passes for such in a wrestling promotion. However, this was a lot of running around being goofy yet still having success against a monster like Matanza. The ending was the right call but dang I didn’t like how they got there.

Here’s Prince Puma to announce his team for next week. Before he can get to the announcement though, here’s Mundo to say he’s going to take Mundo to Slam Town at Ultima Lucha, just like he did on the first episode. Puma brings up beating him to become the first champion, which Mundo takes as confidence. If Puma is so confident, let’s make it title vs. mask. The deal is made but here’s Dario to interrupt. Since we already have a mask vs. mask match at Ultima Lucha (We do?), let’s make it title vs. career. Puma decks Mundo and holds up the title because it’s on.

Overall Rating: C. They’re firmly into the stretch to build up Ultima Lucha Tres though I’m not sure if they have enough time to set up four hours worth of matches in just two more shows. It’s cool to get to a milestone like the 100th episode but this season, which is now at A YEAR long really needs to wrap up. I’m still liking the show but it’s nothing I’m really looking forward to anymore, which is quite the shame given how much fun it used to be.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Complete 2002 Monday Night Raw Reviews in either E-Book or Paperback. Check out the information here:

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Lucha Underground – August 23, 2017: When Great Isn’t Enough

Lucha Underground
Date: August 23, 2017
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Boyle Heights, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

It’s time for a big show with the finals of the Cueto Cup along with the Lucha Underground Title match between Rey Mysterio and champion Johnny Mundo. This has been hyped up for months now and I’m actually looking forward to what they’ve got in store. If they do this right, it might be the biggest show they’ve ever done. Well close to it at least. Let’s get to it.

The opening video recaps tonight’s events, including a mask vs. mask match between Sexy Star and Veneno, which is just a glorified storyline advancement.

The announcers give us a quick opening.

Veneno vs. Sexy Star

Mask vs. mask. Star kicks away at him to start but here’s Joey Ryan to unmask Veneno as Cortez Castro, which we already knew. Castro and Ryan get in a brawl and the match ends at 52 seconds….I think with it being thrown out but it could also be a DQ or a countout. Striker says Star wins so we’ll say countout as the referee looked like he was counting.

Johnny Mundo and his agent come in to see Dario Cueto because the boss doesn’t appreciate Johnny anymore. Johnny could get better offers with one phone call but Dario swears everyone is banned from ringside tonight because he can beat Rey on his own. Mundo threatens to leave with the title if anything screwy happens tonight.

Cueto Cup Tournament Final: Pentagon Dark vs. Prince Puma

The winner gets the title shot at Ultima Lucha Tres, whenever that is. They trade shots to the head to start until Pentagon charges into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. He makes the mistake of bailing to the floor and gets caught with a flip dive to give Puma what is likely to be a short lived advantage.

Back in and Pentagon hits a Backstabber before they trade some hard chops. Puma kicks him in the face again and it’s a 619 into a springboard high crossbody for two. A tornado DDT is countered into a backbreaker for two on Puma but he’s right back with his rolling suplexes. Puma jumps into a pumphandle driver for a VERY near fall though and Striker starts yelling a lot.

A Mexican Destroyer plants Puma but of course he’s right back up and hits one of his own to put both guys down. They slowly slug it out until Pentagon is sent to the apron and then to the top. Puma kicks him in the head again for a super hurricanrana and, after a nod from Vampiro, drops the 630 for the pin and the cup at 9:32.

Rating: B. Sometimes you just need two people to fly around the ring as fast as they can while kicking each other in the head over and over. This was a heck of a match and Puma winning while seemingly going full on evil (though not necessarily heel because Lucha Underground is an odd place) is the right call. Him vs. Mundo (or Mysterio again) would be a heck of an Ultima Lucha main event as Puma has been on fire as of late.

Pentagon leaves as Puma and Vampiro shake hands.

Post break Dario gives Puma the cup but it’s time to find Puma’s opponent.

Lucha Underground Title: Rey Mysterio vs. Johnny Mundo

Mundo is defending. No seconds to start but you know this isn’t going to be a straight match. Rey slugs away to start and a kick sends him outside for a sliding headscissors into the barricade. Back in and a springboard crossbody gives Rey two but Johnny chokes him down and grabs a rear naked choke which switches into a chinlock. The Flying Chuck gives Johnny two and there’s a hard running knee to the head.

It’s off to a crossface chickenwing of all things until Johnny dumps him outside. Mundo misses a corkscrew dive though and gets ankle scissored down again. Rey’s springboard is blocked with a superkick and the kickout makes Johnny panic in a rare visual. A hanging corkscrew neckbreaker gets two on Rey and it’s time for the required ripping at Rey’s mask.

With that going nowhere, Johnny puts him in the Tree of Woe but crotches himself against the post. Rey reverses an Alabama Slam into something like a Canadian Destroyer (too common of a move tonight) for two. It’s off to an Octopus Hold on Johnny (I’m surprised Rey can actually do that move) but he escapes and grabs an over the shoulder backbreaker for two. The End of the World is broken up and Rey drops a split legged moonsault of his own.

Johnny bails outside and gets taken down by a top rope seated senton. They head back in with Striker FINALLY taking a break from shouting about how big and amazing this is. A victory roll takes the referee out (you knew it was coming) and Johnny breaks up the 619. Johnny grabs the belt but Rey’s son Dominic takes it away and drops Mundo. Security chases him off and it’s the 619 into the springboard splash….so Dario pulls the referee out. That earns Dario a 619 but Mundo takes Rey down and hits the End of the World for the pin to retain at 18:11.

Rating: B. The Dario stuff is interesting as you could have Rey fight the boss for a bit (and only a bit) though the ending wasn’t the biggest shock. Puma vs. Mundo sounds like a heck of a main event for the biggest show of the year but that could change as things aren’t exactly normal around here. Other than that though, this was what you would expect from Mysterio vs. Mundo: well done, entertaining, and a big fight feel. It’s not their Intercontinental Title match from all those years ago but it wasn’t supposed to be.

Overall Rating: B+. This is a weird one as the matches were both good (I’m not downgrading a show over a match that didn’t last a minute) but it still feels underwhelming. After the tournament being built up over two months, you kind of expected an epic show here and just got a show. This needed to be a pay per view style show with some extra stuff to set up the big matches. It’s still very good, but it doesn’t feel epic, which is what they were going for. Still worth checking out though as we FINALLY enter the home stretch for the season.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Complete 2002 Monday Night Raw Reviews in either E-Book or Paperback. Check out the information here:

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Lucha Underground – June 7, 2017: No Time For Pants

Lucha Underground
Date: June 7, 2017
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Boyle Heights, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

After last week’s one idea show, it’s time to mix things up a bit. This time around we have a few fresh ideas, plus more of the same one. We’ll be seeing Lucha Underground Champion Johnny Mundo vs. The Mack, one fall to a finish for the title. Other than that….who knows around this place. Let’s get to it.

The opening video looks at Prince Puma’s near death, Drago being kidnapped and last week’s title match.

Puma is going crazy in front of a mirror when Rey Mysterio comes up. Rey wants to check on his buddy but Puma doesn’t want his help. Vampiro appears in the mirror to threaten Rey, who breaks the mirror.

The announcers welcome us to the show. As usual, Vampiro makes no mention of the backstage stuff.

Lucha Underground Title: Johnny Mundo vs. The Mack

Mundo is defending and I always forget how awesome the Lucha Underground Title looks. Before the match, Dario Cueto comes in to announce everything, including making this falls count anywhere. Mack takes him straight down and gets two off a standing moonsault. Johnny will have none of that and hammers away but the Flying Chuck is countered into something like a Stunner for two.

They head outside with Mack hitting something like a Cannonball into the empty chairs (which had fans in them a few seconds ago), sending Johnny trying to crawl away. That’s fine with Mack who slams him onto a pile of chairs for two. A big chair shot misses but Johnny uses the powers of Parkour to escape.

Cue Ricky Mandel for a distraction, allowing Johnny to dive out of the crowd and take Mack down. Sexy Star comes out to get rid of Ricky so it’s time for a very slow slug out. Now it’s PJ Black coming out from underneath the ring to blast Mack with a kendo stick. A quick Stunner on the apron sends Black through a table but Mundo takes Mack down again. The End of the World hits knees though and Mack grabs a sitout powerbomb for two. Mack can’t suplex him to the floor onto the chairs so here’s Taya for a distraction, allowing Mundo to hit a sunset bomb onto the chairs for the pin to retain at 9:47.

Rating: B. They didn’t waste any time here and just started beating each other up. When you have a match that goes for nearly an hour, there’s no point in feeling each other out here and they didn’t waste their time as a result. Mack being overwhelmed by the numbers game helped and there’s no reason to have Mundo lose the title yet. Save that for something huge, especially with someone who has to deal with the Worldwide Underground first.

Here’s Dario for an announcement. We’re only at the halfway point of the season (I really wouldn’t bring that up boss) but we’ve already seen several new concepts. Now he has a new idea so here’s Melissa Santos with a trophy called the Cueto Cup. Starting next week, there will be a thirty two person tournament with the winner getting not only the cup but the Lucha Underground Title shot at Ultima Lucha Tres.

The question is who will the winner face. Well the Lucha Underground Title will also be on the line the night the cup is awarded with Rey Mysterio getting a shot. Right now though, let’s have a Trios Titles match! As usual, they got the point across in a hurry and Cueto nailed it. This company is so efficient with this stuff and it makes things a lot easier to watch.

Trios Titles: Aero Star/Drago/Fenix vs. Kobra Moon/Pindar/Vibora

Aero Star and company are defending. Pindar and Aero Star start things off as Striker is in really annoying analytical mode again. A springboard corkscrew dive takes Pindar down and a springboard hurricanrana sends him outside. Back in and Vibora kicks Aero Star in the face and we hit the chinlock. Striker explains why the placement of the arm keeps Aero Star conscious because that’s what he thinks commentary is about.

Aero Star fights out of the corner and grabs a super hurricanrana, allowing Fenix to come in and clean house. The tag looks to go to Drago….who mists Aero Star instead. He walks over and takes Moon’s place because she was never officially in the match. Somehow this allows Drago to go up top for a splash on Aero Star for the pin and the titles at 5:34.

Rating: C. So it’s the Hardcore Holly/Cody Rhodes story? I’m still not 100% sure what the story is between Drago and Kobra Moon but I’m assuming it’s something that it’s something where they’re going a bit too far to try to be creative. Vibora and Pindar aren’t the most interesting either and the story is really hurting as a result.

Mundo gets out of the shower and tells Mandel that they should celebrate all night long. Before that can get awkward, Taya comes in to tell Johnny about his match against Mysterio. Mundo sends Mandel off to deal with things and goes off to train, still in the towel. Johnny: “No time for pants.”

Mil Muertes vs. Prince Puma

Street fight. Puma, in a shirt to start, comes in through the crowd to dropkick Muertes down. Another dropkick sends Mil to the floor for a dive but takes too long setting up a table, allowing Muertes to spear him through the wood. Vampiro can’t speak as Muertes DDTs him on the floor.

That goes nowhere as Puma hits him with a sign and gets in a DDT of his own. Another sign to the head slows Puma down and Mil knocks him up the steps and up towards the entrance. Puma finds a shoe of all things but Muertes throws him onto his shoulders to carry him back down to ringside.

With Striker calling Muertes the Heavy Handed One, Puma hits a spinning kick off the wall and throws a trash can (complete with trash) inside. Puma’s walk down the barricade gets shoved off and they fight into Dario’s office where he’s fondling the trophy. Back outside with Muertes hitting Puma in the back with a wrench.

Normally that would kill him but instead, Mil just stares Vampiro down. A swinging Rock Bottom gives Mil two but Puma hits something like a Van Daminator. Puma isn’t done and hits a front flip Van Daminator (cool) for a close two. The 630 looks to finish but Katrina comes in with the stone to knock Puma down. Not that it matters as Vampiro hands Puma a brick to end Muertes at 11:40.

Rating: B. This was two guys with a history beating the heck out of each other. The idea of Puma giving in to the dark side and nearly turning heel is a fascinating idea as he really could make for a good bad guy. That could make for a strong character down the line, especially if he gets to face a top face champion, or even another heel but with Puma as an edgy face.

Overall Rating: B+. Now that’s the Lucha Underground I was hoping for. The tournament announcement was interesting and we had a title change and two really strong matches to go with it. This company’s strength is from the high intensity matches with the over the top characters. Do that instead of the long complicated backstory stuff and things will be fine.

 

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the Histories of Saturday Night’s Main Event and Clash of the Champions, now in PAPERBACK. Check out the information here:

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Best of 2016: Non-Wrestler of the Year

As I’m sure you know, a lot of what goes on in a match isn’t what goes on in a match. A lot of the time it’s what happens outside the ring or before the match starts or just on commentary. That’s what we’re going to look at today: the best non-wrestlers of the year. This could be anywhere from a manager to an authority figure to a commentator or really anything but a wrestler. Hence the term NON-WRESTLER in case you’re a bit slow today. In no order of course.

1. Mauro Ranallo.

Sometimes you just need someone that sounds like they love their job and has a blast watching it. Over on Monday Night Raw you get the corporate shilling Michael Cole (who is very underrated at his job but that’s another story). Over on Smackdown and 205 Live though, it’s Ranallo, who sounds like he’s put in way more research and prep time than necessary but still comes off like one of the most knowledgeable commentators in years.

Ranallo’s major moments came at the Cruiserweight Classic where he made you believe that what you were watching right this instant was the most important thing in the world. In other words, he was doing his job. That’s something that you just don’t get often enough in wrestling these days as everyone either either sounds like an idiot (Byron Saxton), sounds WAY too rehearsed (JBL) or is just a tool that you would rather punch in the face than listen to (Josh Matthews). Ranallo is on the other end and that’s a great perk on Tuesdays.

2. Daniel Bryan.

Speaking of the Cruiserweight Classic, we have the new Smackdown General Manager who can be around for most of the important decisions while Shane McMahon shows up on major occasions. Bryan is still incredibly over and there’s the whole YES thing which is always going to get a crowd involved in a show. It’s always going to work and that’s what matters in Bryan’s case.

On top of that, there’s the Miz thing. I’m still not sure if that’s going anywhere or where it’s going but that makes me want to keep watching the shows to see if anything actually does come from it. That makes for an interesting story, which adds even more to what Bryan can do on his own. That’s really impressive and something not a lot of people could pull off.

3. Corey Graves.

One more commentator here as we have one of the most natural heel commentators in a long time. I never got the big appeal of Graves as a wrestler but I certainly get the appeal of him as a commentator. The guy comes off as such a jerk but a smooth jerk, which is exactly what he’s going for. I can even tolerate him picking on Saxton because….well, it’s Byron Saxton and that’s what he deserves.


Graves just gets the idea behind being a heel and plays the heck out of it. He praises the heels and likes to call out faces for their nonsense, which makes him much more of a Jesse Ventura than a Bobby Heenan. That’s not a bad thing either as Ventura was one of the best of all time. It’s been a long time since we’ve had someone like that and Graves does it like few others could.

4. Maryse.

Let’s go with the women for a bit here as Maryse returned back in April and was all of a sudden the best heel manager in a long time. There’s something about the fact that she can go from wearing the dress and looking all proper to wearing the skin tight leather body suits during Miz’s matches. That’s a great way to show how different her two sides can be and that’s always impressive to pull off.

On top of that she’s raised Miz up that much more. Sure Miz is annoying and a loudmouth but how much more do you hate him because he has an absolutely stunning blonde wife who loves him? It helps so much and makes the whole thing that much better. Miz is a great heel and on an amazing roll but Maryse has helped him so much.

5. Dario Cueto.

We might need to just rename this award after Cueto as he almost always seems to be the perfect option. I can’t emphasize enough how great it is to have an actor playing this part instead of just another wrestler. Cueto has gotten WAY into the character and knows how to play him like no one else could. That’s why the character works: he’s played to absolute perfection.

I know Lucha Underground doesn’t get the most coverage but at least they have some bright spots. Cueto seems to be involved in the major story of the season….whatever that might be. Whatever it winds up being, it’s going to be entertaining because that’s what a good actor is capable of doing with almost anything.

6. Renee Young.

One more good looking blonde for the road. With Young, it’s much easier to list off what she can’t do instead of what she can. I don’t remember the last time we had someone who could do almost everything like she could and that’s a great asset to have. Young is just talented and it was interesting to see her get involved with a storyline as Miz feuded with Dean Ambrose.

It could be an interview, a talking segment, hosting or doing something on the Network but Young just knows how to be charming on camera. It’s always helpful to have a jack of all trades like her around and that’s one of the best things possible. I really wouldn’t be surprised to see her snatched up by ESPN sometime soon so enjoy her while you can.

Overall…..dang this is actually hard. I think I’m going to go with Bryan though, if nothing else due to how much nicer it is to have a face boss instead of yet another corrupt and evil authority figure. Couple that with the chance of Bryan making one more in ring appearance down the line and it’s hard to go wrong with him, even in such a stacked field.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book, KB’s Complete Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Volume V at Amazon for just $3.99 at:

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Lucha Underground – December 28, 2016: Lucha Underground Meets the Avengers

Lucha Underground
Date: December 28, 2016
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Boyle Heights, California
Commentators: Matt Striker, Vampiro

We’re wrapping up the year with a match I’m actually interested in seeing as Mil Muertes faces Jeremiah Crane. I’m not sure what to make of Crane yet as he’s such an odd character yet there’s something about him that makes me want to see more of what they’re doing with him. Let’s get to it.

The opening video looks at Angelico returning, Cage vs. Texano, Catrina suggesting that Crane loves him and Prince Puma losing Grave Consequences.

Vampiro raises Puma from the grave and Puma, now dark, has a new master. I could totally go for this.

Jeremiah Crane vs. Mil Muertes

Crane goes right after him at the entrance and is knocked for a loop as a result. A running forearm to the back and a powerslam plant Crane again. As the referee looks at Catrina (understandable), cue Puma with a kendo stick shot, allowing Crane to hit a bicycle kick for the pin at 2:04.

Puma kneels to Vampiro and Striker is scared.

A stranger gives Sexy Star a present but says he used to be a Johnny Mundo fanboy. The guy leaves and the package contains a spider, just like a few weeks back.

Famous B. gives Texano an offer of fame and is promptly scared off.

Vampiro doesn’t want to talk about what just happened.

PJ Black/Jack Evans vs. Angelico/Son of Havoc

This is Angelico’s first match back from an injury and he starts by flipping around with Evans. The cocky one doesn’t do so well and Angelico cranks on his arm a bit. Black comes in and grabs Havoc by the beard (that’s just evil), only to have a WAY too early hot tag bring Angelico back in. The bouncing kick to the head gets two on Black and everything breaks down. Angelico goes down holding his elbow (legitimately dislocated), leaving Black to kick Havoc for the pin at 5:58.

Rating: C. The injury destroyed whatever this match could have done and that’s a shame. Angelico has always been one of my favorites in this promotion but unfortunately he keeps getting injured. The match could have been something entertaining between two teams that know each other very well but there’s not much you can do when you lose a fourth of the wrestlers.

Dario is looking in his glowing box when Star comes in. She wants and is granted a match with Mariposa next week.

Cage vs. Texano

Match number four in a best of five series with Cage up 2-1. Texano runs him over to start and hits a sliding clothesline but Cage turns it into a slugout. A turnbuckle pad comes off and Cage goes face first into the steel, setting up a sitout powerbomb to tie the series at 2-2 at 2:01.

Dario comes out and says he knows they both want the ultimate opportunity. Dario: “And you should because IT’S REALLY FREAKING AWESOME!” The fifth match is happening right now and anything goes.

Cage vs. Texano

This is winner take all and Cage is coming in bloody. Texano stomps him down in the corner but walks into a DDT. That just earns Cage a kick to the head in the corner, followed by a top rope hurricanrana and a slingshot splash for two. Cage kicks him in the face again and sends Texano outside for a big suicide dive.

A trashcan to the head has Texano reeling and they head up the stairs so Cage can send him through a table. What would wrestling be without a table? Texano knocks him down the steps and Cage is just covered in blood. Now it’s up into the balcony with Vampiro comparing this to World War II. A great sounding superkick staggers Texano again but he runs Cage over and knocks him into the empty chairs.

That means it’s time for a bullrope over Cage’s back and a spinebuster onto a chair makes it even worse. Cage just blasts Texano with a chair, only to get pulled down into a Crossface. The hold is quickly broken and the discus lariat gets two for Cage, followed by a freaking STEINER SCREWDRIVER for the pin at 22:13.

Rating: B+. I’m a big fan of both of these guys so this was one heck of a brawl with both guys coming out looking great. They beat the heck out of each other in a rare case where the blood helped (though it wasn’t necessary, as is always the case). Texano needs to do something soon but sweet goodness I could watch Cage do everything Ryback wished he could do for a long time.

Dario says Cage will get his prize behind closed doors. After the credits, Cage goes into Dario’s office where Dario opens the box. Cage isn’t impressed but apparently it’s a gauntlet (metal glove) with SUPERPOWERS. He tries it on and chokes Dario as the gauntlet shoots electricity. Cage leaves and Dario is pleased.

Overall Rating: B-. For the first time in a long time, I’m digging Lucha Underground quite a bit. Between Jeremiah Crane being interesting, Johnny Mundo as a solid champion, Dark Puma and CAGE HAVING THE FREAKING INFINITY GAUNTLET, I think I’ve got a few things to look forward to around here. This show could get awesome in a hurry and that’s very exciting for a long time fan.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book, KB’s Complete Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Volume V at Amazon for just $3.99 at:

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Lucha Underground – December 21, 2016: Just Let It Be Over

Lucha Underground
Date: December 21, 2016
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Boyle Heights, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

It’s a big night here as we have the finals of the Battle of the Bulls tournament, meaning a four way elimination match to crown a new #1 contender. Other than that we have a big title match as Sexy Star challenges Lucha Underground Champion Johnny Mundo for the title inside a steel cage. Let’s get to it.

The opening recap looks at the two big matches.

Battle of the Bulls Finals: Cage vs. The Mack vs. PJ Black vs. Jeremiah Crane

Elimination rules. Cage takes over to start and suplexes Mack down, only to have Black kick him in the head. Crane clotheslines the heck out of Black but Cage hits a big flip dive over the top because he’s that kind of an athletic freak. All four are outside with Crane’s charge being countered into a Cage Jackhammer. Back in and a double team to Cage fails completely as he powerslams Black out of the air.

Crane is powerbombed onto Mack out of the air but here’s Texano to punch Cage in the jaw, allowing a parade of finishers to eliminate him at 6:03. That’s some smart booking. Back from a break with Crane hitting a slingshot swinging neckbreaker for two on Black, followed by a Brock Lock to keep him in a trouble. Crane takes Mack to the top but gets Stunned back down for the pin at 14:14. We take a second break and come back with Mack hitting another Stunner for the win at 20:02.

Rating: B-. I liked most of this as they had a fun, fast paced match instead of trying for something epic for a change. Mack is an interesting choice for the win as you don’t really expect to see him as a title contender. Good match here and the Battle of the Bulls was a lot of fun, which I didn’t really expect.

Fenix and Aerostar can’t find Drago. Kobra Moon comes in and says Drago has come home with her. Moon’s two monsters beat them down.

Mack and Sexy Star celebrate. He tells her to get the title but don’t be upset when he takes the title.

Crane goes to see Dario and is given a match he wants. Instead of leaving, Crane stands on a chair and gets something out of the ceiling, which he says he used to play with when he was a kid. After leaving, Crane runs into Catrina and says the match next week is with Mil Muertes. He walks through her like she’s a ghost.

Lucha Underground Title: Johnny Mundo vs. Sexy Star

Mundo is defending and the Worldwide Underground is banned from ringside. In a very telling sign, the fans start a LOUD Johnny Mundo chant. Johnny kicks her away to start and poses because he’s a man and she’s a woman, meaning he’s required to make fun of her. Star grabs a rollup for two and makes a very failed attempt to get out of the cage. The fans are a bit more split now as Johnny drives her into the cage and shouts that he’s the man.

The champ misses a charge but still stops Star from excaping. That earns himself a crotching on the top but Johnny grabs a fireman’s carry to send Sexy into the cage three times in a row. Star gets in a sitout powerbomb from the corner for two as Striker tells us to watch both wrestlers’ chests. To check on their conditioning you see. Johnny gets pulled down again and hit with a not great high crossbody from the top of the cage for two. They both head to the top with Star firing off kicks until Johnny rips her mask off. Johnny climbs out to retain at 12:13 as Star is covering her face on the mat.

Rating: C. Is that it for Sexy Star near the title? I certainly hope so as her main event run has been one of the least interesting things Lucha Underground has done. The matches haven’t exactly been bad but it feels like watching X-Pac or Rey Mysterio fighting Big Show. I am WAY past the point of buying her as a legitimate threat to the title as almost all of her wins and even hope spots come from someone being overconfident. It’s not interesting and yet it’s all we get from her. Move on to someone more interesting, please.

The Mack Stuns Johnny as the champ goes to leave.

Moon has Drago chained up but he won’t call her queen. Drago breathes fire to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. There’s some good stuff on this show with the opener working just fine and the main event being watchable, albeit dull. I’m interested in where Crane is going as he’s already hit a better stride in Lucha Underground than he did in his entire NXT run. The thing to remember is that this season is forty episodes long and we’re not even at the halfway mark yet. That’s A LOT of material to get through and it’s going to take time to get somewhere. I didn’t hate this show and I don’t hate this season but I’m a little bored, which might be even worse.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book, KB’s Complete Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Volume V at Amazon for just $3.99 at:

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Lucha Underground – December 7, 2016: Bullfighting

Lucha Underground
Date: December 7, 2016
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Boyle Heights, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

We’re in a weird place here as this season is so long that it can take a long time to get anywhere. At the same time though, almost nothing interesting is really going on. We might be able to get somewhere with Matanza going after Rey Mysterio and Vampiro being Prince Puma’s new mentor but it’s hard to say what we might be getting here. Let’s get to it.

The opening video looks at Johnny Mundo’s rise to the Lucha Underground Title, the Best of Five series between Texano and Cage and Sexy Star losing the title.

Angelico comes in to see Dario Cueto and demands a match with Mundo tonight. The title doesn’t have to be on the line but Dario talks about Johnny’s lawyer. Lawsuits are threatened and Angelico suggests putting Dario through a table. Dario brings up a tournament for the #1 contendership. That’s enough for Angelico.

The tournament will be called the Battle of the Bulls with four fatal fourways (one fall to a finish). The winners will advance to a fourway elimination match for the title shot.

Battle of the Bulls First Round: Cage vs. Texano vs. Joey Ryan vs. Dr. Wagner Jr.

Cage jumps Famous B. before he can get done with Wagner’s entrances. So much for him getting fame. It’s quickly down to Cage vs. Texano with the latter scoring off a leg lariat and grabbing his bullrope. A big flip dive takes out Wagner and Ryan but Cage moonsaults down onto all of them for a huge crash. Wagner gets superplexed back in as it’s all Cage early on. For some reason Ryan tries a Blockbuster, only to get caught in a Jackhammer. That’s just awesome.

Wagner starts in on Texano’s knee before snapping off a middle rope cutter. Joey gets two on Cage off a middle rope neckbreaker but Cage is right back up with the Tower of Doom to put everyone else down. Back up with Ryan superkicking Cage into a German suplex from Texano, who sitout powerbombs Joey for two. Cage comes right back in with the bullrope to knock Texano out for the pin at 8:32.

Rating: B-. The Battle of the Bulls name could work really well as this was all about hitting each other really hard. That being said, I really could go for them finishing up one competition before starting up something else in the middle. Cage vs. Texano needs to wrap up so they can be the vessel or whatever it’s going to be so we can get somewhere.

Dario gives Sexy Star a match with PJ Black. If she wins, she gets her title rematch inside a cage. If she loses though, no more title shots ever.

Captain Vazquez sends Cortez Castro back into the Temple despite Dario knowing he’s a cop. She gives him a mask, because all police officers keep those in their desk.

Sexy Star vs. PJ Black

Of note here, Striker explains the stipulations which are sent to his headset. Again: they don’t see the backstage segments and I’ve always liked that. Star starts fast with a hurricanrana but Black doesn’t seem all that worried. A quick throw sends Star down so PJ can pose a bit before blasting her with a shot to the face. The top rope Lionsault gets two but Star avoids a second and grabs a DDT for two. Cue Jack Evans for a failed distraction though, allowing Star to grab a rollup for the pin at 6:30.

Rating: D+. Oh my goodness I am sick of Sexy Star. In case it hasn’t been BEATEN INTO YOUR HEAD enough by now, Sexy Star is a woman and male heels don’t take her seriously. Also there’s something about her fighting back from adversity from years ago which again you almost never hear about because we’re too busy hearing about how amazing Star is. You don’t have to

Kobra Moon tells her tribe that they must bring back the man who deserted them over a thousand years ago. She orders them to bring her the man who used to be a dragon.

Matanza still wants Rey Mysterio but Dario says Rey is injured. Matanza isn’t pleased so Dario tries to calm him down, only to have the monster attack. Now that’s a change.

Battle of the Bulls First Round: Marty Martinez vs. Dragon Azteca Jr. vs. The Mack vs. Mil Muertes

Everyone goes after Muertes to start and are easily shrugged off. A second attempt works a bit better and Muertes is dumped out to the floor. Dragon spins way into the air for a DDT on Mack, only to get speared in half by Muertes. Marty gets right in Mil’s face so Muertes fires off ten clotheslines in the corner. Mack actually drops Mil but gets into it with Dragon instead of following up. What a schnook.

A big flip dive takes Mack down but Dragon can’t follow up. Instead Mil spears Marty through the ropes to take the other two down in a big heap. Back in and Mil punches Dragon so hard that he hurts his own arm. Everyone decides to go after Muertes again but for the second time in the match, no one is smart enough to stay on him. The swinging chokeslam plants Dragon but he gets in a hurricanrana to send Muertes into the corner. A 450 crushes Mil and Dragon doesn’t cover with even Vampiro saying that was a bad idea.

Cue Matanza to powerbomb Dragon onto Mil and plant him with Wrath of the Gods. Dario comes out with the key to draw Matanza to the back, leaving Mack to Stun Marty for the pin at 8:26. Striker: “On this night, the Mack was indeed the better man!” Not really. He was the only one who wasn’t an idiot and one of the guys who wasn’t laid out by Matanza.

Rating: C+. The interference was a bit much and Striker got on my nerves more and more every time he talked with the big ending line making it even worse. Still though, good match here as this tournament is entertaining so far. Mack winning is interesting and I’m glad they didn’t go with the obvious choice in Muertes.

Overall Rating: C+. I really can’t get over how much I can’t stand Sexy Star. If there’s ever been a more two note character…..well there probably are several of them but none that really get on my nerves like she does. The tournament matches helped but it still feels like they’re adding in more and more stuff instead of really getting anywhere with the things they’ve already started. The action carries it though and that’s what matters most.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book, KB’s Complete Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Volume V at Amazon for just $3.99 at:

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Lucha Underground – November 30, 2016: Break Up The Tribe

Lucha Underground
Date: November 30, 2016
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Boyle Heights, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

It’s time to get back to focusing on one of the more interesting members of the roster as tonight we’re looking at Pentagon Dark. Black Lotus and her tribe are going after Pentagon so maybe we can get a bit more clarification on what’s going on with their story. One of the problems with Lucha Underground is they have so much going on that it’s hard to keep track of the individual stories. Let’s get to it.

We open with a much needed recap of Black Lotus vs. Pentagon Dark. This includes Pentagon breaking Dragon Azteca Jr.’s arm and Lotus sending her cronies to eliminate Pentagon from Aztec Warfare.

Vampiro and Pentagon run into each other in the back, meaning it’s time for flashbacks. Pentagon is threatened and doesn’t seem pleased.

The announcers open us up but Vampiro doesn’t have anything to say.

Pentagon Dark vs. Black Lotus/Black Lotus Tribe

Gauntlet match with Pentagon vs. all four in turn. First up is Doku, who walks to the ring with her arms folded for an odd look. Doku fires off some chops in the corner and a hard kick to the ribs, only to get dropkicked across the ring. Pentagon starts getting more serious so the kicks and chops get even harder. Well at least louder, with one sending Doku out to the floor.

A gorilla press toss sends Doku face first onto the apron and a sick kick to the thigh has her in even more trouble. Back in and Doku scores with a good looking spear followed by a top rope elbow. She tries it again though but Pentagon is waiting on her and breaks the arm for the win at 6:12.

Before we get back to the match, we see Catrina coming up to Jeremiah Crane in the back and taunting him about Ivelisse. It seems that they have a past and Catrina thinks he’s not over her.

Back in the arena, Pentagon promises to break Lotus’ arm as he waits for the next member of the tribe. That would be Yurei, who again is named for the first time here. The match (which is treated as an individual match instead of part two) starts fast with Yurei sending him outside for a big dive. They’re certainly giving the women some solid offense here.

Pentagon is sent into the chairs and hit in the head with a metal sign. Back in and Pentagon starts wrenching on the knee but Yurei comes back with a hurricanrana. A tornado DDT looks to set up something out of the corner, only to have her dive into the package piledriver. One more broken arm later and Yurei is done at 7:22 (13:34 total, not counting breaks between falls).

Before the third fall, Matanza is working out when Dario comes in. Next week Matanza will get his rematch for the title but the monster wants Mysterio.

The third entrant is Hitokiri, which translates to Assassin. A dropkick sends Pentagon outside and a big moonsault press has Pentagon in even more trouble. Hitokiri starts banging away with a chair and Pentagon is in trouble. Vampiro is getting turned on by the violence and Pentagon is thrown through some chairs. Again. Pentagon is slammed onto the exposed concrete and you can see his body being broken down.

One heck of a kick to the ribs slows Hitokiri down and now it’s her turn to go through the chairs. Her body being in a broken heap is quite the visual. An AA onto the concrete has Hitokiri reeling but she sends him into the post. That’s enough time for her to go up to the top of Dario’s office for the HUGE dive (the first woman to do so) and both are down. Back in and the Package Piledriver is countered into a standing Canadian Destroyer for the pin at 11:55 (25:29 total).

Actually we’re not done as Black Lotus gets to face the broken Pentagon as well. Lotus kicks the referee down and the entire tribe surrounds Pentagon. Things get even more personal as Lotus breaks Pentagon’s arm, bringing a smiling Vampiro to his feet. Cue Dragon Azteca Jr., who the women leave alone to break Pentagon’s other arm. No match with Lotus and I won’t add any time because the bell never rang.

Rating: B. I liked the match but I still don’t have much of a connection to this story. It’s such a complicated and at times intense story but the other problem is it rarely gets any attention. This is the story that’s been going on in the background instead of getting the main focus. That doesn’t make it bad but at least it’s an entertaining match, especially with the Tribe breaking Pentagon down and making him fight until he just couldn’t do it anymore.

Prince Puma wakes up in his coffin and Vampiro is waiting on him. Vampiro: “Come with me.”

Overall Rating: B. These one match shows are fun but you don’t want to do two of them in three weeks. I need a little more variety than this to really get into things, especially with how many stories are going around in this promotion. I’m also not sure where they’re going with Pentagon, who is one of the most over acts in Lucha Underground but is just kind of there on the side while everything else goes on.

Here’s my main issue with this season: what is the big story? You have Dario being evil and serving his master (whoever that is), Pentagon vs. Black Lotus vs. Dragon Azteca Jr., the cops running around, Matanza vs. Mysterio and the title picture but none of those feel like a bigger story than the rest of them, which is a problem. Still though, good show this week as the season is starting to get back on track.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book, KB’s Complete Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Volume V at Amazon for just $3.99 at:

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And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:


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