IMG Credit: Lucha Underground

Lucha Underground
Date: October 31, 2018
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Los Angeles, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

We’ve finally reached Ultima Lucha Cuatro and there’s a pretty strong lineup for the final two shows of the year. Tonight we have the Trios Titles on the line and a mask vs. mask match, but the important thing around here is going to be the backstage stuff, which is where Ultima Lucha really wraps up a bunch of the big stories. That’s what really matters, though the wrestling should be fun too. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The opening video previews tonight’s three matches, as it should.

Aerostar goes to see Captain Vazquez (Catrina’s mother, a Los Angeles cop) and gives her the other half of the medallion, which is from the ancient Aztec times. Vazquez puts it together with her half and disappears, with Aerostar suggesting that she is now reunited with her family beyond the cosmos.

The announcers do their usual welcome.

Trios Titles: Rabbit Tribe vs. Reptile Tribe vs. XO Lishus/Sammy Guevara/Ivelisse

Elimination rules and the Reptile Tribe (Daga/Jeremiah Snake/Kobra Moon) are defending. The White Rabbit destroys everyone to start and loads up the white glove but a quintuple superkick takes him down. El Bunny, the small guy, starts speeding things up with a very spinny headscissors to send Daga outside, setting up dives from Sammy and Ivelisse.

Sammy takes Kobra up above the entrance and hits a crazy Spanish Fly onto everyone else. That ticks the White Rabbit off so he starts wrecking everyone in sight, leaving Sammy to rollup Bunny for the elimination. The White Rabbit isn’t about to leave peacefully so he Mandible Claws Sammy, drawing blood from the mouth. We need a medic as we take a break.

Back with Ivelisse and XO slugging away at all three champs with Ivelisse getting two off the crucifix driver. XO hits a wheelbarrow Stunner for two on Sami with Moon and Daga making a save. Sami is back up and pulls XO shoulder first into the rope, damaging XO’s neck/shoulder/collar bone in the process.

Ivelisse hits a high crossbody onto Daga and Moon with Sami making a save this time. Code Red gets two more on Sami but Daga kicks Ivelisse away, leaving the injured XO all alone. XO goes after them all and gets triple superkicked. The double underhook shoulder breaker into a hurricanrana driver sets up a cross armbreaker for the tap at 12:04.

Rating: C. The action was good though I’m a little surprised by the result as you would have assumed the Rabbits hopped away with the titles here. The Trios Titles haven’t exactly been much in a long time but at least they’re getting some actual teams together at the moment. Now just keep that going, assuming the show is around next season.

Taya Mundo vs. Ricky Mundo

Ricky broke up Taya’s wedding and it’s time for pain. Taya throws him down to start and hits an early release German suplex as the beating is on in a hurry. The running knees in the corner give Taya two but Ricky is right back with a superkick. It’s table time but Taya jumps onto the announcers’ table for a crossbody. Back in and a Saito suplex gives Taya two, followed by a curb stomp. Ricky is almost done anyway so Taya puts on a modified STF to make him tap at 4:11.

Rating: D+. Almost a squash here but the angle and story wrapping up was much more important than the wrestling. Ricky is just a goof so having Taya beat him up is hardly a stretch. Taya is a skilled wrestler, meaning this is hardly a fluke win. Not a bad match or anything, but the wrestling wasn’t the point.

Post match Taya tells him that he ruined her f****** (not censored) wedding and chokeslams him off the apron through the table.

Son of Havoc vs. Killshot

Mask vs. mask. They slug it out to start as Vampiro explains lucha de apuestas (it means a bet match, so his long explanation isn’t quite needed. Killshot takes him to the floor for some chops against the wall and a spinning double underhook slam drops Havoc back inside. Havoc cartwheels away but gets caught with a knee to the face, followed by the Killstomp for two.

Hang on though as Killshot needs a stretcher and unhooks the bottom turnbuckle to get it inside. That’s enough in the ring so let’s head outside again with another table being set up. Havoc fights off of it without much effort and dives off the balcony with a splash to put Killshot through it instead. That only gives Havoc two back inside but Killshot crotches him to break up the shooting star.

Killshot heads up as well but gets taken down with a super Death Valley Driver, setting up the shooting star for two in a great near fall. Havoc goes up again and a superplex brings him down onto the stretcher, setting up the Killstomp for a close two. They slug it out on the stretcher until Havoc gives him a piledriver. That’s not enough for the cover though as Havoc straps him to the stretcher and hits another shooting star for the pin at 14:10.

Rating: B. Killshot is one of the most underrated and consistent people around here and that makes him a very valuable member of the roster. I can’t say I’m surprised as some of his stuff outside of Lucha Underground has been excellent as well. This was another hard hitting match and while it wasn’t quite last year’s match with Dante Fox, it was a heck of a brawl with the right ending.

Post break, Killshot says his name is Jermaine Strickland and he left his brothers to die in war. The mask comes off and it’s someone you probably know better as Shane Strickland. Havoc holds up the mask as Killshot leaves to a lot of cheering.

After the credits, Strickland comes up to Dante Fox (in military uniform), who says he was on a mission. Strickland requests to be relieved of duty and walks away.

Overall Rating: C+. This wasn’t a blow away great show, but to be fair this is just the warm up for next week’s big stuff anyway. It’s nice to have closure to a few stories and that’s what we got here in a well wrapped up way. The main event is pretty good and while it seems that Killshot is gone, almost any Strickland match is worth seeing. Hopefully he gets to make it big soon, because he certainly has the talent. Hopefully next week is the huge show it should be.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Smackdown Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/09/07/new-book-kbs-complete-smackdown-2003-reviews/

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

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Lucha Underground

Lucha Underground
Date: September 16, 2018
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Los Angeles, California
Commentators: Matt Striker, Vampiro

Last week was a packed show with King Cuerno returning to go after Lucha Underground Champion Pentagon Dark and Fenix returning from the dead to haunt everyone. There’s a very Pet Sematary vibe there and that could make for some interesting stories going forward. You know, in a company so devoid of ideas. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The opening recap looks at King Cuerno attacking Pentagon Dark, the crazy fight between Catrina and Melissa Santos and the return of Fenix, albeit the zombie/evil version.

Gift of the Gods Title: Ivelisse vs. El Dragon Azteca Jr.

Dragon is defending and Ivelisse goes right at him with a springboard armdrag. That earns her a kick to the face for two as the fans are all behind Ivelisse. She’s fine enough to block a Boston crab attempt but gets caught in a Brian Kendrick Captain’s Hook. Back up (it’s still just a chinlock) and Ivelisse hits a few clotheslines, followed by a springboard tornado DDT. Dragon slams his way out of a Black Widow and a springboard armdrag sends Ivelisse out to the floor.

Back in and a quick Code Red (makes sense) gives Ivelisse two and a hard kick to the head gets the same. The fans aren’t happy when Ivelisse gets dropped again, though Dragon getting crotched makes them a little better. Dragon knocks her off the ropes though and it’s a middle rope legdrop (with the required Bobby Eaton reference) for the pin to retain at 7:12.

Rating: C. Nice match here and that’s all it needed to be. Having Dragon beat a bunch of people is going to turn him into a more viable champion, though he has to defend against some bigger names down the line. Ivelisse is popular though she hasn’t really done much in the last few seasons. Perfectly fine opener here and that’s all it needed to be.

Post match Ivelisse is upset so are XO Lishus and Joey Ryan to ask if she wants to be a Trios Champion. She’ll go with a sure on that.

King Cuerno vs. Mil Muertes

Hang on a second though as Antonio Cueto comes out to say we’ll make this a #1 contenders match. Muertes throws him into the corner for the ten clotheslines, followed by the snap powerslam to cut off a comeback. A tilt-a-whirl backbreaker doesn’t do much to Muertes, who hits a heck of a superplex on Cuerno. The swinging chokeslam has Cuerno in more trouble but he knees Muertes out of the air. They slug it out from their knees and then out to the floor with the referee being thrown into the crowd for the double DQ at 5:08.

Rating: C-. I’m really not sure what the need was to put Muertes in here when they’re setting up the title match next week. Pentagon vs. Cuerno was pretty much ready but now it’s going to be a triple threat? Why? It’s not like Muertes and Pentagon have had any real issues, making this seem like a change for the sake of a change and that’s not the best idea in the world most of the time.

Post match the fight continues until Antonio comes out to make the triple threat title match for next week. Well that’s a shock. The guys keep fighting and Pentagon watches from the rafters.

Trios Titles: Fenix/Aerostar/Drago vs. Reptile Tribe

The Tribe is defending and Fenix takes a very long time to get to the ring with Melissa looking concerned. Hang on though as here’s Jake Strong to say he’ll win the Trios Titles himself if the titles without any partners because he’s a strong wrestler. Drago gets taken into the corner for an early beating, leaving Melissa looking rather sad.

Some heel miscommunication lets Drago hit them in the face a few times and a hurricanrana takes Jeremiah down for two. Fenix comes in for the rolling cutter but sits down instead of following up. The old Fenix snaps back to reality for a few seconds and kicks a bunch of people but doesn’t go for a cover. Instead he tries a superkick on Moon, who Matrixes back, leaving us with a kind of weird still shot. Moon bails to the floor and Fenix tags Aerostar in with a hard slap to the chest.

Another rolling cutter takes Jeremiah down as Striker goes into a weird conspiracy theory rant. A slingshot Codebreaker staggers Daga and it’s a doble knockdown. Drago comes back in to clean house as everything breaks down. There’s the big flip dive from Aerostar and Fenix (slowly) throws Drago onto the pile. Fenix loads up his own dive….and superkicks Aerostar down. A Muscle Buster lets Jeremiah hit the double underhook shoulder breaker to retain at 9:15.

Rating: C. This was all storyline and there’s nothing wrong with that. As tends to be the case around here, there are all kinds of ways for this storyline to go and that’s what makes it interesting. You can almost guarantee that Catarina will be involved again somehow and there’s a good chance that it’s going to be resolved at Ultima Lucha, which tends to happen a lot in this promotion. Match was fine, but that’s not the point and that’s ok.

Post match Melissa pleads with Fenix and gets shoved down. That’s the necessary move for a heel turn.

Marty the Moth Martinez comes in to see Antonio. A wad of exchanged money gets Marty a Gift of the Gods Title match for next week and another wad of money is for something else.

Overall Rating: C-. I wasn’t feeling this one as the idea was go keep things moving forward but it felt rather low key. We’ve still got a few weeks before Ultima Lucha and that means the final stories are starting to be put together. I’m interested in where several of them go, though this season feels like it’s flown by and we should be at the halfway point, not nearing the end. That’s not good, though it’s about all you can expect with a shorter season.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/09/07/new-book-kbs-complete-smackdown-2003-reviews/

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

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Lucha Underground

Lucha Underground
Date: August 15, 2018
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Los Angeles, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

Where else can you find a wrestling show where the question is who dies this week. Somehow it tends to be multiple cases every single week, which isn’t exactly a normal wrestling promotion. That being said, it’s still a pretty fun idea and they’re getting ready of one low level person who may or may not be leaving after another in a pretty creative way. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The opening video looks at the Mack getting on Mil Muertes’ bad sign, the destruction of the White Rabbit Tribe, the Gift of the Gods Title and the Trios Champions’ issues.

Antonio Cueto gets an invitation to Johnny Mundo and Taya’s wedding (“It’ll never last.”) when Kobra Moon comes in. She wants the Reptile Tribe to become the new Trios Champions so, after something close to flirting, Antonio makes the match.

Paul London and Saltador are in the ring when Antonio comes in to say it’s time for a sacrifice. London volunteers Saltador to show what a real rabbit can do. Oh dear.

Saltador vs. Matanza

Saltador’s right hands and dropkick have as much effect as you would expect. The Wrath of the Gods gets rid of Matanza at 36 seconds.

Mack and Son of Havoc are getting ready for later when Killshot comes in. He doesn’t like Havoc but he’ll help defend the titles after he wins the Gift of the Gods Title. Violence seems imminent but it’s ok for now.

Next week: Pentagon Dark vs. Cage in a Last Man Standing match for the Lucha Underground Title.

The camera keeps showing a guy in a priest’s collar in the crowd.

Gift of the Gods Title: Killshot vs. El Drago Azteca Jr.

Dragon is defending. They start fast with Dragon flipping around, including spinning into a hurricanrana to take Killshot down. A slide to the floor means we need a slide back in but this time Killshot is waiting on him with a slingshot double stomp to the back. The running no hands dive takes Dragon down again and Killshot rolls him around into a modified Rings of Saturn. Azteca catches him with a kick to the head though and a hurricanrana off the apron gets two.

The fans are split (well duh) and it’s time to hit hard running forearms in the corner. Dragon starts a chase and catches Killshot with a guillotine legdrop to the back of the head. They head back to the apron and for some reason Azteca charges at him, meaning it’s a Death Valley Driver to knock the champ silly. The Killstomp is only good for two and Killshot can’t believe it. The customary exchange of strikes doesn’t go anywhere so Killshot whips him in, only to have Dragon snap off the spinning DDT to retain at 6:53.

Rating: C+. I’ve become a much bigger fan of Killshot over time as he’s so smooth in the ring. He knows how to make these matches look easy and when you put him in there against someone like Azteca, the matches get that much better. This was a very fun little match and I had a good time with it. If Azteca gets over with matches like this, I’m certainly fine with that.

Drago is on the roof of the Temple when Aerostar comes up. Aerostar asks why Drago hasn’t been around since last week but Drago says he did things as part of the Reptile Tribe that can’t be forgiven. That doesn’t work for Aerostar, who says they’re still friends. They shake hands but Drago isn’t sure and turns into a dragon to fly away.

Trios Title: Reptile Tribe vs. Killshot/The Mack/Son of Havoc

The Tribe (Kobra Moon/Daga/Jeremiah Snake) are challenging. The fight is on in a hurry with Snake being annoyed at Havoc’s standing backflip into Ricochet’s pose. As that happens, we cut to that priest again for some reason. Mack comes in to knee Snake in the face but takes too long doing a headstand in the corner, earning himself a loud superkick. Killshot grabs a triangle choke on Snake but Moon puts the same thing on him at the same time.

Son of Havoc and Daga do the same and then Mack grabs a Boston crab on Snake for the big visual. Daga gets to the rope for the break and everyone heads outside, allowing Mack to hit the big flip dive. We cut to the priest again and he has a name: Father Rick O’Shea. Clever. Anyway Havoc hits an Asai moonsault onto everyone, followed by Snake saving Moon from Killshot. A tornado DDT plants Killshot but Havoc is back in with a Lethal Injection to Daga and a double stomp to Snake.

It’s time for the parade of secondary finishers with Mack not being able to hit a Stunner. Unfortunately that means a bad Austin impression from Striker, who at least hasn’t been as annoying this season. Mack gets powerbombed out of the corner into a Stretch Muffler but it’s Havoc coming in with another double stomp for the save. Havoc loads up the shooting star but Killshot intentionally shoves him off, setting up Snake’s double underhook shoulder breaker for the pin and the titles at 8:53.

Rating: C. Good. I’m tired of the fighting champions motif around here and it’s a relief to see an actual team get the belts for a change. You can only do that idea so often and this was somehow the second time that Son of Havoc has been involved. The Reptile Tribe has been given a much bigger focus around here this season and it makes a lot of sense to give them the titles.

Post match Killshot yells at Havoc and says he can’t get up now or when he lost the titles. Killshot hits the Killstomp to Havoc’s bad shoulder and gets in Mack’s face before leaving.

Here’s Cage for a chat but before he can get anywhere, Pentagon Dark comes in with a superkick. The fight is on with Pentagon taking him up the steps and grabbing the house band guitar….for a shot to the guitarist. Cage beats up security and we look at the priest again. They fight on the roof of Antonio’s office before coming down and landing in front of the priest. He tries to bless Pentagon and gets his arm broken as a thank you. The fight continues as the credits roll.

We go to Antonio’s office when the Mack comes in. He wants Killshot next week but Antonio has a better idea: a Haunted House match against Mil Muertes. Mack: “Trick or treat mother….”

Overall Rating: B-. I had a good time with this show and that’s what matters most around here. They set up some stuff for next week and had something interesting with the title change. The priest idea was a funny joke and I could see that being a character going forward, though a one off appearance is fine too. I liked the show and the show next week should be a lot of fun too. Well done, as is becoming more common around here.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/07/23/new-book-kbs-complete-2003-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Lucha Underground

Lucha Underground
Date: August 8, 2018
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Los Angeles, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

So who dies this week? This has been the most murder heavy show I’ve ever seen in wrestling and that makes for some interesting television. It’s a great way to get rid of some people who aren’t exactly important, though having them be destroyed is a great way to build up their killers. That’s not something I ever thought I would write. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The opening recap looks at Matanza’s rampage and El Dragon Azteca Jr. becoming Gift of the Gods champion.

Antonio Cueto is on the phone in his office and promises another sacrifice tonight. Mariposa (looking much, ahem, bigger) comes in and says she wants the Gift of the Gods Title. A little cash and some flirting gets her a title shot tonight.

The Rabbit Tribe is here for a match but Antonio cuts them off, saying only one of them will be fighting tonight. Paul London picks Mala Suerte for failing last week.

Matanza vs. Mala Suerte

Headbutt, Wrath of the Gods in 50 seconds.

Joey Ryan/Jack Evans vs. XO Lishus/Ivelisse

Ivelisse and Jack start things off with Jack trying a handstand and getting said hand stomped. It’s off to Joey, who doesn’t seem to mind being in there with Ivelisse. Therefore let’s switch it off to Lishus, who pulls Ryan’s face into the back of his tights. Some hip swiveling ensues and Joey likes it because of course he does. Lishus misses a dive out of the corner so it’s back to Evans. A handspring into a slap to the face has him in trouble and everything breaks down.

Evans kicks Ivelisse in the head for a delayed two and Ryan rubs her face into the mat. Back up and Ivelisse scores with a sitout DDT (think Rey Mysterio’s bulldog), allowing the hot tag to Lishus. Some kicks and a legsweep take Evans down and Vampiro sounds like a Lishus fan. A dancing moonsault kneedrop has Evans in trouble but he pulls Lishus into something like a triangle choke for the knockout at 6:50.

Rating: D+. I’m not a fan of characters like Lishus but he’s done well so far and having him not tap here was a smart move. The company needs some fresh talent to replace all of the people who left and Lishus is as good of an idea as anyone else. Evans getting away from the Worldwide Underground is fine as well, though I’m not sure how high of a ceiling he has.

Post match Evans won’t let go so Ivelisse makes a save.

Gift of the Gods Title: El Dragon Azteca Jr. vs. Mariposa

Azteca is defending and Mariposa kicks him low before the bell. Back up and they trade kicks for two each with Azteca getting the better of it. A 450 gives him two but Mariposa hits a Vertebreaker of all things for the same. She loads up a second but Azteca reverses into a cradle for the pin to retain at 3:19.

Rating: C. Well it was certainly energetic. They packed some big stuff into this one but there was no way around the fact that it was smoke and mirrors to get around the intergender part. Azteca having trouble in his first defense is one way to go and it’s not like Mariposa is some horrible worker. It was fun while it lasted, but it was over so fast that it was hard to get invested.

Worldwide Underground vs. Reptile Tribe

Johnny Mundo/Taya/PJ Black/Ricky Mundo

Kobra Moon/Daga/Drago/Jeremiah Snake

If the Underground wins, Moon has to grant Johnny one wish but if the Tribe wins, Johnny has to join them. Snake is being renamed Jeremiah Crane, who was brought back to life after losing in the Three Way To The Grave match. It makes sense as there isn’t anyone in the Tribe on Johnny’s level. Oh and the announcers don’t know where Vibora is because he’s, you know, dead. Also hang on a second as Ricky is out with Aerostar replacing him due to reasons of Ricky not being very good. Aerostar even has a Worldwide Underground bandanna to complete the look.

It’s a brawl to start with Mundo and Snake in the ring for the early brawl. They head to the floor though and there’s the big springboard dive from Aerostar onto the pile below. Taya dives onto them as well, leaving Johnny to get on the apron. Snake is after him though and lifts Moon up for a bulldog back onto the pile. The Underground is sat on some chairs and, upon Moon’s orders, Snake gets a running start around the ring and takes all of them out. Back in and we settle down to Crane biting Taya’s finger, earning himself a big boot to the face.

Black comes in a few seconds later to clean house and a kick to the head gets two. It’s Drago making the save and getting kicked down as well, followed by a Flying Chuck to Daga. Snake makes the save with a shot to the head and Moon crossbodies Johnny. That’s caught, so Snake and Drago kick him down for two. Drago’s tornado DDT plants Johnny again with Taya having to make a save. Everything breaks down again (It hadn’t already?) and Aerostar busts out a springboard corkscrew plancha. Back inside, the Dragon’s Whip is countered into a Shining Wizard, followed by the End of the World for the pin on Dragon at 8:44.

Rating: C+. That was the kind of fun main event that this show thrives on with everyone flying all over the place and hitting big spot after big spot. Johnny continues to be one of the aces of the show and I still wonder how he hasn’t been signed back to WWE at some point, unless he just doesn’t want to go. The match was fun though and I’m glad they went the way they did.

Post match Johnny says hang on a second because he wants his wish right now. As a thank you to Aerostar, Johnny wishes Drago freed from the Reptile Tribe. Drago’s chains are removed and leaves with Aerostar but Taya is FURIOUS. She yells at Johnny for doing this for nothing and wasting the wish. Johnny says there was nothing Kobra could do for him because Taya makes his wishes come true.

In the back, Ricky talks to his doll and wishes death on Johnny and Taya. Makes sense, in that Lucha Underground way.

Overall Rating: B-. I had a great time with this show as it still feels like a comic book come to life. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: this is an actual alternative to WWE rather than all of the independent companies that try to be an alternative while often copying a lot of what WWE does. Going this far over the top is a good way to go and I hope more people start watching, just to see some fun wrestling and more fun TV. Very entertaining show this week and the first time I’ve really felt the old vibe back again.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/07/23/new-book-kbs-complete-2003-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Lucha Underground
Date: October 11, 2017
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Boyle Heights, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

We’re closing in on the end of this season and most likely the series with two episodes left to go. It’s week three of Ultima Lucha Tres and that means another big batch of matches that close out some feuds and give us some awesome moments at the same time. The first two shows have been good and hopefully this one lives up to the previous two weeks. Let’s get to it.

The opening video looks at all of tonight’s matches, as is the custom.

Taya vs. Sexy Star

Last woman standing as Taya has cost Star a bunch of wins over the last year, meaning it’s time for revenge. They both have brass knuckles to start but Taya are kicked away. Taya takes her down and slugs away but gets kicked in the face. They head outside in short order with Taya powerbombing her up against the barricade a few times in a row. Taya misses a Cannonball into the chairs though and Star sends her into a metal screen.

We cut the camera away from Star breaking something made of glass over the bloody Taya. They head up the steps as is the Lucha Underground custom but now it’s table time. A slugout goes to Taya but they fight into the crowd again to chop it out. Star gets beaten up against a camera but gets in a belly to belly suplex off the balcony and through the table. That’s already enough to put Taya down for ten at 9:10.

Rating: B-. They beat each other up but this felt like it was just getting started when it wrapped up. I wanted to see them fight more but the big spot at the end looked like something that destroyed Taya once and for all. The win isn’t enough to make me care about Star (Matt Striker has killed her career just less than she did it to herself) though this was entertaining while it lasted.

Trios Titles: Reptile Tribe vs. The Mack/Dante Fox/Killshot

The Tribe (Drago/Vibora/Pindar) are defending and I don’t remember them either. Killshot and Fox are not only still alive but also have taped up ribs. Fox kicks Pindar in the head to start but his ribs give out, allowing Killshot to tag himself in, much to Fox’s annoyance. Drago comes in with a tornado DDT and Pindar comes back in for a powerslam. A pop up cutter gets no cover as Fox makes the fast save.

Mack comes in to clean house with some running splashes in the corner but the monster Vibora comes in. Fox and Killshot can’t combine to take care of him as everything breaks down. Vibora takes Killshot down with a clothesline but Mack runs him over without too much effort. Now it’s Killshot and Fox hitting stereo dives, leaving Mack to Stun Pindar into a top rope double stomp from Fox for the pin and the titles at 8:02.

Rating: C. My goodness the Reptile Tribe just did not work. I could barely remember who was whom and that’s a bad thing for your champions. Throwing together three guys to win them is probably an upgrade, which is really sad when you think about it. Let them have something to do with the belts and it will be quite the improvement.

Card rundown for next week.

Gift of the Gods Title: Son of Havoc vs. Pentagon Dark

The title is vacant coming in and this is a ladder match. They talk trash to start until an exchange of kicks to the face sends Pentagon outside. A big cartwheel into a flip dive takes Dark down again and it’s time for the ladder. First up is a smaller version being brought inside with Pentagon sending it into his face and then over his back.

Pentagon throws in another mini ladder and three full sized ones with the big ones being set up in various corners. Naturally that’s enough for Havoc to get back up for an elbow to the face before sending Dark into a chair in the corner. Dark gets crotched with a ladder in the corner plus some swings of a chair. That’s not enough for Havoc to get anywhere close to the title so let’s throw in a table as a bonus.

Havoc is right back up with a belly to back superplex from a ladder through the table though and both guys are down again. It’s Havoc up first but his shooting star is caught in a cutter (It’s no Randy Orton and Evan Bourne but what is?) in a big spot. Havoc is up first again though and he sets up four chairs in the middle of the ring.

For reasons of general evil, they fight onto the chairs and Pentagon package piledrives him through the four of them, killing Havoc pretty much dead. There’s no climbing though as Pentagon bridges a ladder up as a platform. They slug it out on said platform until Pentagon throws him through a table. That’s enough to pull the title down at 14:00.

Rating: B. The ending leaves me more confused than anything else as I have no idea why they didn’t just have Pentagon win after the big spot. Throwing him through a table didn’t feel like a huge move and there’s really no reason to have Havoc be conscious still after the piledriver, let alone be competitive. That being said, having Pentagon win anything is a great move and a cash-in next week wouldn’t shock me in the slightest, which could make for a heck of a finale.

Post credits, Vampiro has Prince Puma surrounded by a circle of candles. Next week Puma can win the title back and complete the circle. Puma leaves and Vampiro hears a voice complimenting him on a job well done. Vampiro thanks the voice and calls him master. Oh I think I know where this is going and that’s an awesome finish.

Overall Rating: B. Good show for the most part but nothing felt like a major moment. Granted it didn’t help that the Trios Titles mean nothing and there’s no way anything is topping that 2/3 falls match from the first week. The two hour finale should be awesome, but they better do something with the big story already as I’m getting a bit impatient with the thing.

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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