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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sexy Star vs. PJ Black

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pentagon Dark vs. Black Lotus/Black Lotus Tribe

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Lucha Underground
Date: November 23, 2016
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Boyle Heights, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

We’re in a new stretch for Lucha Underground as Sexy Star dethroned the Monster Matanza last week and became the new Lucha Underground Champion. However there’s no rest for the new champ as Johnny Mundo is cashing in his Gift of the Gods Title to get a shot at Star tonight. Let’s get to it.

Of course we open with a recap of Aztec Warfare. Also covered is the Black Lotus Tribe vs. Pentagon Dark and the Gift of the Gods Title being cashed in.

The White Rabbit Tribe is here.

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

The Rabbit Tribe is Paul London, Mala Suerte (Bad Luck) and Saltador (guy in a checker suit). Basically they’re all tripped out on drugs and acting weird. They’re also challenging because they’re making their debut here and are neither fabulous nor kangaroos. It’s a brawl to start as Striker says London’s reputation got the team this early title shot. London does a big backwards dive onto the champs as Vampiro suggests getting Striker high for a trip down the rabbit hole.

Back in and Suerte tells his partners to back Fenix up before hopping off the top and running across the ring for a dropkick. Fenix kicks Suerte in the head but crawls over to the wrong corner as the Rabbits changed places. The champs finally get tired of these antics and hit stereo kicks to the Rabbits’ heads. They unleash the dives as we see Kobra Moon watching from the top of Dario’s office. Back in and Fenix rolls Saltador up to retain at 5:43.

Rating: C-. Just in case the 1938 different references from the announcers didn’t make it clear, the Rabbits are all on drugs and tripping out. I can go for some characters with simple concepts but I can’t handle these characters where they beat you over the head with their gimmick time after time. At least they didn’t get the titles in their debut.

Moon says she’ll make Drago bow.

The Mack congratulates Sexy Star on her win but she politely declines his offer to help against the Worldwide Underground. See, she’s all independent and has to prove that she’s awesome because of bullying or something.

Dante Fox vs. Killshot

I would have expected this to come a lot later. They talk a lot of trash to start with Killshot not wanting to do this. He’s willing to defend himself though and it’s a dropkick to put Dante down. A springboard dropkick sends Killshot to the floor and that means a suicide dive. Fox shows off his skills with a shooting star off the apron, only to have Killshot grab a neckbreaker from the apron to the floor.

Back in and the slug it out, which seems to freak Fox out. Fox tries another roll but flips right into a cutter to freak the crowd out. A cross armbreaker is countered and Fox puts him on the top, only to get caught in a Death Valley Driver onto the apron for a sick crash. Selling really isn’t a thing around here though as Killshot comes back with something like an inverted fisherman’s buster for the pin at 8:15.

Rating: C+. One guy hits the other really hard and then reverse it. Fox is a fun guy and should fit right in around here, much like so many other people who debut with a backstory and just happen to be a fully trained wrestler. Killshot is still one of the better performers in Lucha Underground and this was no exception. He’ll be fine after a loss like this.

Johnny Mundo comes in to see Dario and tells him that Angelico has been barred from the building via a restraining order.

After a break, Dario comes back into his office and runs into Black Lotus. She wants Pentagon Dark and gets her wish…..in a gauntlet match, including the rest of the women who attacked Dark last week.

Lucha Underground Title: Sexy Star vs. Johnny Mundo

Star is defending as Johnny is cashing in the Gift of the Gods Title, meaning it’s officially vacant. Johnny takes her down into a chinlock to start and kicks away for two. A rollup gets two for the champ but she gets caught in something like a YES Lock. Mundo really doesn’t seem to be trying here as Star is way beneath him.

Johnny hammers away and puts her in the Tree of Woe for a bit to keep up the destruction. The comeback is knocked away with ease but Star hits a few dropkicks for two. A neckbreaker cuts Star off again though and we hit the chinlock. Star finally gets in a Backstabber for two but a Russian legsweep puts Johnny in control again.

The same comeback and cutoff kills off another minute or so as this is getting boring in a hurry. Johnny misses a baseball slide and gets kicked into the barricade for more false hope. Star stomps away until Johnny steals a fan’s crutch. The champ goes over to check on the fan and gets laid out with a brass knuckles shot. Back in and the End of the World changes the title at 11:12.

Rating: D. What a boring match. Star is the most transitional champion in the history of transitional champions and that whole standing up to the bullies idea went less than nowhere. Mundo is a better choice as champion but sweet goodness could they have made this any less interesting? Star never had a chance and they didn’t even try to hide it. Really disappointing here but that was the case when Star won the title in the first place.

The fan was Taya of course and the Worldwide Underground celebrates to end the show.

Overall Rating: D+. I know it doesn’t sound right to say this but putting the title on Star, even for a week, was a big setback. It was a great last few minutes of Aztec Warfare but egads that was the end of the line for her usefulness on top of the promotion. I stopped caring about her as soon as the title match was announced and the main event made that very clear. Fox vs. Killshot is good but it’s the lone bright spot here. Maybe this was just a necessary evil but I really didn’t care about anything on here as the energy was just gone.

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

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Lucha Underground
Date: November 16, 2016
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Boyle Heights, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

It’s time to go big with AZTEC WARFARE. In other words it’s the Royal Rumble but with pinfalls or submissions only for eliminations, meaning the entire show is going to be spent on one match with the Lucha Underground Title on the line. This is almost always a blast and hopefully that continues today. Let’s get to it.

Dario Cueto is walking through the back when he runs into Johnny Mundo, who promises to become a double champion tonight. Taya comes up with a camera of his own as Johnny, who is entrant #12, says he’ll be cashing in his Gift of the Gods Title next week. That’s fine with Dario, who rips up Johnny’s #12 card to make him #2.

Lucha Underground Title: Aztec Warfare

There are twenty entrants with 90 second intervals. Matanza, defending here, is in at #1 and Mundo is in at #2 (taking Sexy Star’s spot). Johnny gets to the apron for a kick to the face but Matanza pulls it out of the air and throws him with a suplex. Son of Havoc is in at #3 and the duo wisely joins forces to go after the champ. A spinning crossbody/legsweep combo gets two and it’s Jeremiah Crane (great name) in at #4.

Matanza gets kicked out to the floor and the three others start fighting for some reason until Pentagon Dark (POP) is in at #5. Back from a break (such a rarity around here) with little having changed and Pentagon cleaning house. Matanza gets back in and knocks Pentagon to the floor, likely in a preview of a HUGE rematch down the line. PJ Black is in at #6 and gets two on Crane via a top rope Lionsault.

Mariposa is in at #7 as we’re hitting the midcard portion. I know it seems that I’m skipping a lot of stuff but it’s your standard battle royal without much going on between entrances. Matanza picks up Crane and swings him into a German suplex for the first elimination. A swinging chokeslam gets rid of Mariposa as Rey Mysterio comes in at #8 for the superhero staredown with Matanza.

Back from a second break with the Worldwide Underground preventing Rey from getting in (I’m very glad they’re pausing the show during commercials, if nothing else so I don’t have to figure out who has come in or been eliminated) and then hiding under the ring. Dr. Wagner Jr. is in at #9 and it’s Marty Martinez in at #10 without much going on. At the moment it’s Matanza, Mundo, Pentagon, Black, Mysterio, Wagner and Martinez.

Marty and Matanza slug it out to make things more interesting. The fight goes outside with the champ getting the advantage until Jack Evans is in at #11. The Worldwide Underground triple teams Havoc for an elimination and it’s Sexy Star in at #12 as we go to the third break. Back again with a little bit clipped (balderdash) and Star being thrown outside so the dives can be unleashed. Ricky Mandel is in at #13….and is promptly package piledriven.

Pentagon loads up the arm but here are Black Lotus and three other good looking women to beat the heck out of him. A standing Canadian Destroyer from one of them is enough for Mundo to steal the pin and the elimination. Black pins Mandel and it’s Mascarita Sagrada in at #14. Wrath of the Gods gets rid of Sagrada in about ten seconds as they’re clearing the ring out a bit. Famous B. is in at #15 and tries to sign Rey up, earning himself a 619 and springboard splash for another elimination. Marty comes in and cleans house until Rey grabs a rollup for a fast pin.

The Mack is in at #16, followed by Joey Ryan at #17. Just like last year, Ryan handcuffs himself to the guardrail to hide….but it’s Mil Muertes in at #18. Mil BREAKS THE HANDCUFFS (ignore the camera cut) and throws Joey inside for a Flatliner. Matanza gives Wagner Wrath of the Gods at the same time and it’s a double elimination. That means it’s time for the big monster brawl and it’s the still useless Kobra Moon in at #19.

Mack Stuns Evans for an elimination and does the same to Black for the same result. Drago is in at #20 to give us a final field of Matanza, Mundo, Mysterio, Star, Mack, Muertes, Moon and Drago fighting for the title. It’s a wild brawl all over the place with Matanza piledriving Muertes on the floor, leaving Drago to roll Moon up for the elimination. The champ runs in and powerbombs Drago to get us down to six as things settle down in a hurry.

Everybody goes after Matanza and it’s finishers a go-go with a 619 looking to set up…..another 619, only to have the champ catch Rey in mid swing. That’s reversed into a quick Code Red and Matanza is eliminated as we go to what is likely the final break. Back with Matanza going nuttier and beating the heck out of Rey before SHOVING DARIO DOWN. Johnny pins Rey and we’re down to four.

The referees check on Rey’s back as the eliminated Black and Evans come back in to beat on Star. Mysterio is taken out on a stretcher but cue the returning Angelico to dive off the balcony to take out the Worldwide Underground for the big dive. Star actually pins Mundo for the big surprise, leaving us with Star, Muertes and the Mack. The spear and Flatliner get rid of Mack (good as there was no chance he was winning), leaving Muertes to beat the heck out of Star. Due to reasons of ECW IS AMAZING, it’s table time instead of Mil just finishing Star off like he should be able to do with all of no effort.

Star reverses a chokeslam into a DDT onto a chair and a series of chair shots gets a great false two. The spear only hits the table and Star gets two more off a rollup. Mil PUNCHES HER SQUARE IN THE JAW (that sounded great) but stops to get another table (boy you stupid). The super Flatliner is broken up with Mil being shoved through the table, meaning it’s a top rope double stomp to give Star the pin and the title at 56:58.

Rating: A-. And this is why Lucha Underground works. Can you imagine this happening on one of the big shows? They would cram it into the last thirty minutes with a ton of talking segments before the match actually started and there’s no way a midcarder would get the belt in the end. Above all else though, the crowd helped this one so much in the end with the big gasps at the near falls. The middle part brings this down a bit as it felt more like having people out there for the sake of filling in spots and that’s not a great feeling. Still though, outstanding stuff here, as is always the case with Aztec Warfare.

Overall Rating: A. Great match, cool moment and a title match set up for next week. Mundo winning by beating a weakened Star would be as perfect of a title win as he could possibly have and it would continue a great story. I had a blast with this show because Lucha Underground knows how to do shows like this. The show is picking up a lot and that’s a very big relief.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book, KB’s Complete 2014 Raw and Smackdown Reviews Part I at Amazon for just $3.99 at:

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Lucha Underground
Date: November 9, 2016
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Boyle Heights, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

It’s a special week around here as we get one of the signature matches from Lucha Underground: Grave Consequences. While most promotions call it a casket match, Lucha Underground turns it into one of the biggest deals in their entire calendar. It helps that the match is between Mil Muertes and Prince Puma, which basically guarantees how awesome it’s going to be. Let’s get to it.

The opening recap looks at Famous b. vs. Mascarita Sagrada (with Son of Havoc and Dr. Wagner Jr. thrown in) and of course Grave Consequences.

Catrina gives Muertes a pep talk, saying she won’t bring him back again if he loses.

Mascarita Sagrada vs. Famous B.

Believers Backlash, meaning fans bring the weapons. Sagrada grabs some football pads and headbutts B. low with the helmet, followed by a splash off the stepladder. Don’t bother asking where the weapons are coming from here as the fans are just handing them over. B. misses a shot with a big bag of popcorn as the comedy is actually working here. How serious can a manager vs. a mini really be?

Some trashcan shots to Famous draw the Duke Droese reference and it’s time for an atomizer full of perfume, which is actually labeled Arrogance. Nice touch. Sagrada pulls out a wizard hat and makes a bowling ball appear for the Al Snow spot. Cue Wagner and Havoc who quickly cancel each other out, leaving Sagrada to blast B. with a portrait of….Famous B. Brenda gets pied (which freaks the fans out WAY more than it should) and a tornado DDT puts B. away at 7:02.

Rating: B-. It was fun and that’s all they were going for. I get really tired of seeing matches like this go from comedy to serious and then back to a goofy finish and that’s not it needed to be. Good, entertaining match here and that’s all it needed to be. Sagrada should have destroyed B. and he did just that.

Sagrada cuts up a big cardboard cutout of B. and Havoc gives him a vest.

Dante is getting ready when Killshot comes in. Apparently Dante has gotten a job and they have to fight together tonight, though neither seems happy with it.

Kobra Moon is still trying to get Drago to join a tribe but gets turned down again. Vinny appears and is still creepy.

Mack/Mariposa/Marty Martinez/Jeremiah Crane/Ivelisse vs. Killshot/Argenis/Dante Fox/Cage/Texano

The winning team is in Aztec Warfare. Crane kicks Fox in the face to start and a Death Valley Driver sends Fox over to tag Killshot. The couple actually starts beating on Killshot but Cage comes in to throw Ivelisse into the corner. The rapid tags that you would expect begin and it’s already time to lose track of everything that’s going on.

We unleash the dives until Fox and Killshot argue in the ring. As with any arguing team, they’re fine enough to work perfectly together and kick Marty and Mariposa in the face. Ivelisse flips out of a suplex into a hurricanrana (sweet) for two….and then crashes to the floor, injuring her ankle again like she did in season one. She screams NOT AGAIN as Fox lays out Killshot so Marty can get the pin at 4:03.

Rating: C. This was a bit too short to mean much but it was the kind of entertaining match you would expect from a show like this one. Fox and Crane are good additions to the roster and the rest all have roles (save for Argenis, who the announcers said was basically just there), making this exactly what it needed to be.

Dario Cueto gives Matanza a pep talk.

Prince Puma vs. Mil Muertes

Grave Consequences and Puma kicks Muertes in the face during the entrances. That earns Puma a whip into the empty chairs, only to have him hit Mil in the mask with the bell. Puma goes to get the casket and is promptly powerbombed onto it. Of course it’s table time because where would we be without one of those?

Unfortunately even death doesn’t make you smart enough to not put a chair in the corner, meaning Muertes goes head first into it. That’s completely no sold though and Puma is speared through the table in the corner. Mil unhooks the turnbuckle (Why not?) and the casket is brought inside. That takes too long as well, meaning it’s a springboard 450 onto Mil on the casket. The lid is slammed onto Mil’s back over and over…..and here’s another table.

Vampiro is WAY too happy about this evil side of Puma and you can feel his inner darkness coming out. Mil can’t quite close the lid and the Flatliner is countered with a kick to the head. As expected though, Puma takes too much time setting up something big and gets chokeslammed through two tables at ringside. Mil goes to the back and finds the same casket that he put Konnan inside. A Flatliner on the floor is enough to finish Puma at 16:03.

Rating: A-. Great stuff here as they beat the heck out of each other with Mil just being too much for Puma when it came to the violence. In addition to getting rid of Puma for the time being, it also helps charge Muertes up before we get to Aztec Warfare next week. We haven’t really seen Muertes vs. Matanza in their big fight last season and a return to that violence would be a lot of fun.

Puma’s casket is carried out to end the show.

Overall Rating: A-. If there’s one thing Lucha Underground knows how to do, it’s set up something big for a major main event. Other than the great main event, we also had the fun opener and more names announced for Aztec Warfare. That’s going to be an even more entertaining show next week as Lucha Underground gets better, despite us only being at the beginning of a forty episode season (that should explain some of the slower pacing).

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book, KB’s Complete 2014 Raw and Smackdown Reviews Part I at Amazon for just $3.99 at:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LY6766K#nav-subnav

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

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

Lucha Underground
Date: November 2, 2016
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Boyle Heights, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

We’re only a few weeks away from Aztec Warfare and that means things are about to pick up in a big way. With Matanza seemingly unstoppable in singles matches, the best way to get the title off of him is to throw everyone at him at the same time, even though that didn’t work so well last year. Let’s get to it.

The opening recap….is cut off by an ad for a movie marathon airing this Saturday. It seemed to be talking about the undercover cops and Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Chavo Guerrero in a loser leaves the temple match.

It’s time for Dario’s Dial of Doom and the spin lands on Dario’s Choice. After a tease of Mysterio, Dario has a surprise for us.

Lucha Underground Title: Matanza vs. Cortez Castro

Castro is challenging and has a broken arm. Striker asks if we should get the Bob Orton Jr. jokes in now or save them for later. See, it’s because Matt is the wrestling fan and overly smug. Matanza kicks him in the arm and breaks the cast in two. That actually gives Cortez an opening as he swings the broken cast at the champ, only to get smacked back down. Wrath of the Gods retains the title at 2:27.

Dario calls Castro a rat in a rare instance of the backstage stuff being mentioned in front of the cameras.

Dario and Joey Ryan are laughing in the back when Son of Havoc comes in with Mascarita Sagrada. Mascarita wants to face Famous B. so Dario makes Havoc vs. Dr. Wagner Jr. If Havoc wins, Mascarita gets to pick the stipulations for the match with Famous B. If Wagner wins, he gets to pick.

Here’s Prince Puma to address the crowd for one of the only times ever. He pinned Mil Muertes a few weeks back but that’s not enough revenge for Muertes putting Konnan in a coffin. Therefore, Puma wants Grave Consequences. Catrina comes out to accept almost immediately but here’s Muertes to jump Puma. The Prince fights back and clears the ring, complete with his backflip into the pose.

Dr. Wagner Jr. vs. Son of Havoc

The winner gets to pick the stipulations for next week’s Famous B. vs. Mascarita Sagrada match. Wagner gets clotheslined to the floor at the bell and Havoc follows with back to back suicide dives. Havoc sends him into the barricade but gets spun inside out off a clothesline back inside. Famous B. goes after Sagrada due to reasons of evil as the fans chant 423-YOU-SUCK. The clothesline is returned to put Wagner down and the shooting star gives Havoc the pin at 5:25.

Rating: C-. This might be better if it wasn’t designed to set up a glorified comedy feud. I mean, does anyone really care about Mascarita Sagrada beating up his former manager? This feud has gone on for months now and they were really smart to bring in some fresh names but it’s still not interesting whatsoever.

Mascarita picks Believers Backlash, meaning fans bring the weapons. I’m not sure how that helps him but I’ll just be glad for this feud to end.

The White Rabbit Tribe is still coming.

Grave Consequences is confirmed for next week.

Rey Mysteiro Jr. vs. Chavo Guerrero Jr.

Loser leaves the Temple and unfortunately that means we have to hear about how great and legendary Chavo is. Chavo headlocks Rey down to start as Dinero talks about how many times this match has taken place over the years. Not the best argument, but neither is having Chavo in a featured role.

Rey headscissors him out to the floor for another headscissors into the crowd but the fans are too busy chanting for Chavo Classic (Chavo Senior, in the crowd tonight). Back in and Rey’s hurricanrana is countered so Chavo can start in on the leg for a smart move. Chavo throws Rey off the top but gets powerbombed down for a double crash. A tilt-a-whirl backbreaker sets up Three Amigos on Rey but he comes right back with a headscissors. Cue Chavo Classic with a chair…..to hit his son and that’s a DQ, meaning REY IS GONE!

Actually never mind as here’s Dario to say we’re restarting this match under No DQ rules because Chavo Classic isn’t ruining his main event. Classic takes the 619 but Chavo Jr. rolls through a top rope seated senton into a half crab. Rey gets out but his leg is really banged up. The Gory Bomb gets two more on Mysterio, who comes back with a basement dropkick. Now the 619 and springboard splash get rid of Chavo at 13:40.

Rating: B-. Chavo is a great example of someone skilled but not interesting. Aside from his time with Eddie and the last few months of WCW, I don’t remember a single time where I was interested in seeing a Chavo Guerrero match? The guy is just there and probably wouldn’t be on this show without his last name. The false finish was good stuff though and the match was solid for an off weak main event. Chavo being gone is for the greater good and that’s the most important part.

Overall Rating: C. There’s a different feeling around here because Aztec Warfare gives us something to look forward to. You can only get so much out of short form stories like Lucha Underground has been doing for months now and this is the big upgrade that the show has been needing. It’s still entertaining enough and I’m looking forward to the big gimmick matches they’ve got coming up. In other words, Lucha Underground is getting back to what works and that’s very good.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book, KB’s Complete 2014 Raw and Smackdown Reviews Part I at Amazon for just $3.99 at:

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

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

Lucha Underground
Date: October 26, 2016
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Boyle Heights, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

The countdown to Aztec Warfare is on and that means things are about to pick up around here. The problem with this season so far has been the lack of any meaningful story but the entire roster contending for the title in one match should get us somewhere. If nothing else it would be nice to see something other than one random challenger a week. Let’s get to it.

This week’s opening recap looks at Texano vs. Cage, Johnny Mundo getting a Gift of the Gods Title shot and Ivelisse’s boyfriend Jeremiah. These things are a great refresher and a solid preview of things to come tonight.

Sexy Star comes into Dario Cueto’s office and demands her Lucha Underground Title shot next week. Dario admires her huevos but says she has to defend the Gift of the Gods Title against Johnny Mundo tonight. If Aerostar, Fenix or Drago interfere, they’re banned from the Temple forever.

Marty Martinez vs. Ivelisse

Marty smiles as Ivelisse forearms him in the face and a middle rope crossbody is turned into a powerslam. As the beating goes on, Vampiro says Marty weighs 300lbs. I know wrestling weights are gimmicked but that sounds insane. Mariposa gets in a few bites (thereby freaking Melissa Santos out) and Marty elbows Ivelisse in the face. A few strikes stagger Marty but Ivelisse’s guillotine choke actually brings him down. Well at least a little down until he knocks her silly with a spinebuster. A full nelson slam puts Ivelisse away at 4:20.

Rating: D+. Lucha Underground is normally pretty good with their intergender matches but in this case it was Marty destroying one of the best women in the promotion. Ivelisse never had a chance here and Marty, who isn’t much of a star in his own right, basically squashed her. What happened here?

Post match Jeremiah comes in and cleans house until it turns into a brawl, likely setting up a tag match. Jeremiah seems to apologize to Ivelisse for interfering but she’s not pleased.

The Rabbit Tribe, including Paul London, is coming soon.

Jeremiah is still apologizing and suggests he join the Temple. The idea of them fighting together seems to appeal to Ivelisse.

And now, let’s make things interesting. We go to the inside of Councilman Delgado’s limo when Dario gets in. Dario says someone’s ascension is complete (they might be talking about their boss but it’s not clear) and Delgado talks about needing a host body. It seems that the series between Texano and Cage will be for the right to be the host so Delgado hands Dario a box…..which I assume contains a soul? Now THIS is Lucha Underground!

Texano vs. Cage

This is match #3 in a best of five series with Cage up 2-0. Texano goes right after him (because he’s desperate) and a clothesline sends Cage outside. A whip into the eternally empty wooden chairs makes things even worse for Cage so he throws Texano right back. Texano pops back up as well and sunset bombs Cage over the top and back onto the floor.

Back in and the no selling continues with Cage throwing him down in a fall away slam. A top rope superplex puts both guys down in a heap and Cage is the first to cover for two. Cage’s pumphandle faceplant gets the same so Texano hits a middle rope leg lariat for his own near fall. This is a bunch of trading spots and that’s all it should be. A buckle bomb sets up an F5 on Texano and the kickout frustrates Cage even more. With Cage at his wits’ end, Texano grabs a small package for the pin at 7:45.

Rating: C+. I’m a big fan of that ending as they were beating the heck out of each other until one guy puts the brakes on and goes in a completely opposite direction for the pin. It’s good psychology and works almost every time. I’m sure we’ll see these two fight again but it’s nice to keep them from fighting on every single show. In other words, this isn’t Cesaro vs. Sheamus.

Dario is looking in the box (What could that possibly look like?) when Rey Mysterio comes in. Rey wants to face Chavo Guerrero in a Loser Leaves the Temple match. Dario agrees and says you have to put a dog down for its own good. Now anyone other than a wrestling face would see that something is up with a statement like that but Rey is cursed with being an idiot.

Gift of the Gods Title: Johnny Mundo vs. Sexy Star

Star is defending. It’s a change of pace this time as Star tries to stay away to start, only to get taken down into an amateur wrestling contest. This goes badly for the champ and Johnny kicking at the legs make it even worse. A botched looking neckbreaker puts Sexy down again and a running knee to the face gets two.

Johnny goes Backlund with a crossface chickenwing before putting Star on the top rope and elbowing her in the face. You don’t see that very often but it’s happened twice on this one show. Johnny tries a moonsault but lands on raised feet to FINALLY (ok they’re four minutes into the match) give Star an opening. Star goes with some weak looking right hands to the face and a failed monkey flip because YOU CAN’T MONKEY FLIP JOHNNY MUNDO! Yeah doesn’t have quite the same ring.

Mundo spears the referee by mistake and of course Star chokes Johnny out a few seconds later. Cue the Worldwide Underground to lift Star up so Johnny can charge at her, sending her flipping over and down to the mat (Chikara’s BDK used it as their finisher, Ragnarok). Another referee comes in as the Underground leaves (So he was watching the match to see the ref bump but not the interference?) to count two, meaning Johnny knocks him out too.

The Underground wraps a chair around Star’s neck but before they can Pillmanize her, it’s the Mack running in with a bunch of Stunners. Star chairs Mundo in the head for two and I can hear Vince Russo’s laughter in my head. Johnny misses the split legged moonsault but pulls out a pair of brass knuckles to knock Star out for the pin and the title at 11:43.

Rating: D. I know this is a promotion where the suspension of disbelief has to be stretched but the idea that the referees didn’t catch on to ANY of that cheating is too much for me to take. This was Sexy Star vs. the World (wide Underground) and it really didn’t work. Mundo cheating to win once or twice at the most would have been fine but this was two people interfering, a chair, two ref bumps and brass knuckles. There’s a line you can cross where it’s too much to take and this match jumped over it.

Prince Puma is working out when Vampiro comes in to say beating Mil Muertes was a great first step. Vampiro brings up Muertes killing Konnan, which Puma finds due to Vampiro’s hatred of Konnan. Puma seems to think about it to end the show.

Overall Rating: D+. This wasn’t a strong episode on the wrestling side though we’re starting to get back on the right path with the storytelling, which is where Lucha Underground shines. You can tell there’s going to be some big stuff coming at the Aztec Warfare show and that’s a good sign going forward. This show wasn’t a good sign though and that’s quite the fall after last week’s strong outing.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book, KB’s Complete 2014 Raw and Smackdown Reviews Part I at Amazon for just $3.99 at:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LY6766K#nav-subnav

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

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

Lucha Underground
Date: October 19, 2016
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Boyle Heights, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

Things haven’t been great around here but this week will see Prince Puma facing Mil Muertes. If that’s not going to help things out around here, there’s nothing that’s going to. Other than that we’re likely seeing more in the never ending Chavo Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio feud. Let’s get to it.

The opening recap looks at Prince Puma’s rebirth, Killshot being stalked, the Worldwide Underground vs. Sexy Star and Dario’s Dial of Doom.

Vampiro goes up to Puma for some advice but the Prince wants nothing to do with him.

We open with Dario’s Dial of Doom for the Lucha Underground Title shot.

Lucha Underground Title: Matanza vs. Killshot

Killshot is challenging but has a bad back coming in. Matanza is smart enough to go after the ribs and throw Killshot down onto the back. Some backbreakers have Killshot in even more trouble and Matanza shrugs off anything Killshot throws at him. Killshot goes up and has to escape a super tombstone of all things. Instead it’s a superkick to crotch Matanza into an elevated DDT. The double stomp misses though and Wrath of the Gods retains the title at 4:08.

Rating: C. I kind of like the idea of Killshot winning one of these in a glorified squash. Matanza doesn’t always have to be vulnerable and Killshot’s back injury prevents this from killing Killshot’s credibility. He’s already got a story going and isn’t a main event name so let the big name beat him decisively while he can move on.

Post match a guy with more dog tags (Former Evolve Champion AR Fox.) comes in to see Killshot. After an awkward hug, the unnamed man kicks Killshot in the face and gives him a fisherman’s buster. With Killshot down, the guy throws the dog tags on him and says Killshot left him for dead. I’m digging this story and the matches should be awesome.

The Rabbit Tribe is still coming.

Drago vs. Fenix vs. Aerostar

This is for one of Dario’s unique opportunities and that could mean anything. If nothing else it should mean a sweet match. Speaking of sweet, Dario announces AZTEC WARFARE returning in four weeks. Matanza will be entering at #1 and the winner of this match will be entering at #20, though the losers are OUT. That certainly is a unique opportunity.

Fenix is on the apron to start as they’re actually having tags. Feeling out process to start until Aerostar is sent outside, meaning Fenix can legally come in. The tags are quickly forgotten (as they should be) and things speed way up in a hurry. Fenix gets slammed face first into the mat to bust him open, leaving Aerostar to kick Drago in the corner. That’s fine with Fenix who superkicks the heck out of Aerostar, setting off the streak of dives to the floor.

Back in and Aerostar gets two off a DDT with Drago making the save. Drago puts Aerostar on the apron and Fenix on the top, only to have the latter take him out with a high crossbody. Fenix grabs his standing Indian deathlock on Drago but gets caught in a Black Widow at the same time. I know they look cool but I’m not a fan of spots where they’re clearly working together. Fenix is sent outside and Drago grabs a running Blockbuster for the pin on Aerostar at 8:47.

Rating: B-. This is the kind of lucha match that the show has been lacking. Just have three people (who happen to be the Trios Champions) go out there and fly around for a bit so the crowd can have fun. It’s an idea that worked really well before and it’s working well now. Fenix and Aerostar being out of Aztec Warfare is interesting, even though Fenix would have been a dark horse contender.

Drago is in the back when Kobra Moon crawls up to him. She wants him to bring the title back to their tribe but he says he left years ago. Vinnie Massaro of all people comes up eating pizza and saying this is the men’s locker room.

Johnny Mundo comes in to Dario’s office and STILL demands to be Lucha Underground Champion. Mundo gives Dario most of $100,000 for a shot at the Gift of the Gods Title.

Mil Muertes vs. Prince Puma

Puma strikes away to start but the headscissors is broken up with a knee to the ribs. A springboard clothesline only gets Puma so far but he avoids a charge and hits two straight dives. That’s fine with Muertes who spears Puma in half and hits him with a wooden chair. For some reason Muertes stops to look at the stone though and Puma hits a huge dive off the balcony to take him down again. What a sweet looking spot. There’s nothing else that needs to be said there: he went up really high, dove off, and looked cool. Sometimes that’s all you need.

Back in and Mil snaps off a powerslam before forearming Puma out of a spinning kick. A painful looking swinging chokeslam gets two on Puma but a superkick sets up the 630 for the completely clean pin on Muertes at 8:50. I know Muertes has taken a backseat to Matanza in the last year or so but that’s still a big win.

Rating: B+. This is the kind of match I love seeing on Lucha Underground. It’s an old feud and they beat the heck out of each other with a bunch of big spots. Puma is someone who could be rocketed right back to the top of the card and this is the kind of win that could do that for him. The same is true of Muertes, who will get to rebound from this kind of a loss.

Rey Mysterio is talking to Chavo Guerrero Sr. about his respect for Chavo Jr. Sr. respects Rey as well.

Overall Rating: B. Now that’s more like it. This was an action packed show but more importantly they now have something to look forward with Aztec Warfare. That match is the kind of thing that feels unique to Lucha Underground, which is something they’ve been missing for a long time now. Then again, maybe it was the lack of Chavo as that’s always a good thing.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book, KB’s Complete 2014 Raw and Smackdown Reviews Part I at Amazon for just $3.99 at:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LY6766K#nav-subnav

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

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

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

This season has been off to an interesting start as we have Dario Cueto doing various things and…..that’s really about all that can be pinned down. Almost everything else feels like one random match or story after another but Lucha Underground has earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to storytelling. Let’s get to it.

We open with a recap of the Dial of Doom, Rey Mysterio vs. Pentagon Dark., which set up Dragon Azteca Jr. vs. Pentagon and the Worldwide Underground’s issues.

Mysterio and Azteca are working out with Mysterio saying to forget Pentagon because they have their own battle to fight. Chavo Guerrero comes in and grabs a leg lock on Azteca but Rey quickly chases him off.

Dario spins the Dial of Doom and we’ve got a title match.

Lucha Underground Title: Matanza vs. The Mack

Mack is challenging and, somehow knowing he would be getting the shot, runs in through the crowd to go after Matanza in the aisle. A Stunner on the floor gives Mack three straight near falls, followed by a hurricanrana for good measure. Matanza shrugs it off and grabs a release German suplex. A pumphandle throw makes it worse and Cueto wants to see Mack dropped on his neck. Mack sends him outside for a flip dive but his frog splash hits knees. Wrath of the Gods retains the title at 6:03.

Rating: C+. I don’t know what it is about Mack but he’s just a likeable guy. On the surface he’s an overweight guy with bad fashion sense who can do a Stunner but his matches almost always wind up being entertaining. There’s something to this challenger of the week as the big ending should be a major name, though there will have to be some shenanigans to get them around the choices on the wheel.

Somewhere on the open road, as in somewhere in a basement, Son of Havoc is watching Famous B. commercials. Mascarita Sagrada is watching with him but here’s Mama Havoc with Bagel Bites in the most bizarre advertisement I’ve ever seen.

Johnny Mundo and Taya come in to see Dario with Johnny demanding his title shot. Dario laughs them off and says tonight the Worldwide Underground gets their rematch for the Trios Titles instead. That’s not cool with Johnny so he storms off, leaving Taya to say she’ll fight in his place.

Cage vs. Texano

Dario comes out of his office to say that the winner of this will get the ULTIMATE OPPORTUNITY. They go to the mat to start until Cage sends him over the ropes, only to get Stunned across the top. Texano gets kicked to the floor and taken down by a big man flip dive which always looks cool. Back in and Cage grabs a reverse Boston crab of all things but his rolling Germans are countered into an ankle lock. They trade some small packages for two each, followed by Cage hitting a Death Valley Driver for two more. A big old discus lariat takes Texano down and gives Cage the pin at 6:02.

Rating: C. Two power guys beating each other up for a few minutes is entertaining and that’s something you can always use. Well assuming you haven’t done the same thing for the last month or two with the matches losing any meaning they might have had in the first place. I like both guys though so this was a fun little match while it lasted.

Dario says not so fast as that was the first match in a Best of Five series. And before you ask, this was taped before Cesaro vs. Sheamus started.

Dario is in his office and opens a box containing…..a Famous B. hat? There’s also an envelope with some black and white photos which we can’t really see. Dragon Azteca comes in and asks for a match with Pentagon Dark. Dario actually says he’ll pencil it in so Azteca leaves. Ricky Mandel comes in and asks when his next match will be. That goes nowhere though as he sees the pictures that Dario had put in his trashcan. Dario gives him the pictures to get rid of him. Chavo comes in and says they need to talk.

Trios Titles: Aerostar/Fenix/Drago vs. Worldwide Underground

Aerostar and company are defending. Drago and Evans start things off with Jack having issues removing his warmup gear. Black tags himself in but Taya does the same so we can finally get contact. They trade technical stuff to start with Taya flipping out of a waistlock for a standoff.

Black comes in again and kicks Aerostar in the ribs, only to have the spaceman come back with a soringboard corkscrew crossbody. A tornado DDT is muscled over into a suplex for two but Black dives into raised boots. It’s off to Evans vs. Fenix but again Jack tags out again. Fenix pops Taya in the face with a slap so it’s Black coming in, only to get stomped in the back of the head. A mask pull puts Drago down and Black tags himself in again which causes some friction between Taya and Evans. Doesn’t make sense but whatever.

Black misses his top rope Lionsault and Taya has to throw Evans in by the hair. The champs start speeding things up and whip each other into Black in the corner as Evans is sitting on the floor with his arms folded. Black tries a springboard but Aerostar springboards up into a hurricanrana of his own. I know it looked bad with Black clearly just being there so he could get taken down but still, cool spot. A springboard Codebreaker puts Black away at 9:23.

Rating: D+. Really not much to see here other than some issues with the Worldwide Underground. It’s nice to have a promotion where stables aren’t beaten into the ground so a new one can feel fresh. Unfortunately this wasn’t the most interesting match in the world as they were doing the whole “no you fight” for the first five minutes or so. The ending helped but it’s still nothing compared to the usual stuff from these titles.

Post match Mundo runs in to help with the beatdown. Sexy Star comes out for the save and we’ll likely have an eight person tag soon.

Mysterio is in Dario’s office to say Azteca isn’t ready to face Pentagon. Dario agrees so instead we’ll have Azteca vs. Chavo with the winner facing Pentagon. As a bonus, Mysterio gets to be guest referee.

Overall Rating: D+. Maybe it’s just the beginning of the season but these first few episodes haven’t done much for me so far. There’s some good stuff going on here but this episode felt like another week with nothing to see and another “wait until next week” show. The good thing though is this promotion has shown that they know how to pick things up in a hurry with whatever wacky storyline they have next. Not a good show this week though.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book, KB’s Complete 2014 Raw and Smackdown Reviews Part I at Amazon for just $3.99 at:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LY6766K#nav-subnav

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

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

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

We’re already back for the third season as the second felt like it ended in a hurry. Last season wrapped up with Dario Cueto being arrested in what felt like a mid-season finale and the very quick return backs up the theory that it wasn’t supposed to be the big ending. Hopefully we can get some resolution to the storylines here instead. Let’s get to it.

Dario Cueto is exercising in his jail cell when a guard lets him out. He’s given his personal objects back……BY THE HONKY TONK MAN??? I can totally live with this, even if it’s just a one off cameo. Dario gets in a limo where Councilman Delgado tells him that the charges have been dropped. The big boss, whoever that is, tells Dario to never waste his time again. Dario looks terrified.

The announcers welcome us to the show with Vampiro saying his only job is being an announcer. I’m sure.

Dario and Matanza are in the ring with the boss announcing Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Pentagon Dark. That should get a bigger build no? That brings Dario to his brother, who has destroyed everyone in his path. Dario has a new toy: Dario’s Dial of Doom. It’s a big wheel with wrestlers names on it. Whoever it lands on gets to face Matanza, provided they haven’t challenged for the title yet. Therefore, Mysterio isn’t eligible. It’s already time for the first spin.

Lucha Underground Title: Son of Havoc vs. Matanza

Matanza is defending. Havoc starts with the dropkick into the corner but a crossbody just bounces off the monster’s chest. A missed charge sends Matanza into the post and out to the floor as Striker compares the champ to Bruno Sammartino and Joe Louis. Havoc follows him out with an elbow around the post for a low blow as Matanza is already selling WAY more than usual, which is a good sign going forward. Dario is worried about his brother and says this should be baby food.

Back up and Matanza slams him down to set up a standing moonsault. A guillotine choke has Matanza in trouble and Havoc pulls him out to the floor again. They’re doing a really good job here of making Matanza seem vulnerable and that’s going to keep the fans more into the match. Havoc grabs a cross armbreaker followed by something like a Lethal Injection. The shooting star only gets two and that’s probably going to wrap up Havoc’s chances. A quick Wrath of the Gods retains Matanza’s title at 7:20.

Rating: B-. This was an interesting choice for the season opener as Son of Havoc gets a chance at the title while Matanza doesn’t get to show off as much as usual. I’m not sure if this was the best way to get the fans going but again it seems like this is the start of a second half instead of a fresh season.

PJ Black, Johnny Mundo, Jack Evans and Taya come in to see Dario with Mundo demanding a title shot. Dario says no because they recently lost the Trios Titles. We see the team laying out Angelico and crushing his leg in a car door. Odds are that writes Angelico off TV. Dario still won’t give him a title shot so Mundo will settle for the Gift of the Gods Title. Still no, but Dario gives Taya a shot at Sexy Star instead.

Ivelisse is in the ring to talk about how Catrina cost her at Ultima Lucha. That means it’s time for a challenge to a match at Ultima Lucha Tres. Catrina appears on the balcony and says bring it on so Ivelisse says Catrina is dead.

Gift of the Gods Title: Taya vs. Sexy Star

Taya is challenging and Striker mentions that the Gift of the Gods Title has never been successfully defended. Now that’s the kind of stuff he should be telling us, not dropping Henry Godwinn references. Taya grabs a front facelock and the announcers debate Johnny Smith vs. Johnny Saint.

Some double knees to the face gets two on Taya but she misses a moonsault. Star makes her comeback as Striker asks what would happen if Taya won the title instead of Mundo. Striker: “Sometimes there’s no time for pants.” I’ll let you imagine the context. Cue Mundo and company (the Worldwide Underground) but Evans collides with Taya to give Star the pin at 5:38.

Rating: C. This was fine. It’s really cool that the title just happened to be on the line between two women but it’s something that so many others on the roster want. Mundo’s quest for the title with lackeys by his side could make him an interesting high level heel for the season and he can easily back it up in the ring. Not a great match here but it set some stuff up for the long term.

Star gets beaten down until Fenix, Drago and Aerostar make the save. You can almost guarantee an eight person tag.

Dario is on the phone when Marty the Moth comes in. Apparently Marty had some people help Dario in prison but Dario never wants his time in jail mentioned again. Marty wants to be Lucha Underground Champion but instead he gets Killshot next week in a Weapons of Mass Destruction match. There’s something very unique about the idea of no one knowing what happens in these backstage segments. It’s like no one watches the show which doesn’t make a ton of sense, but at least it’s something they stick with all the time.

Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Pentagon Dark

They stare each other down to start until Rey sends him outside. That just earns him some chops but Pentagon stops to glare at the referee. The fans don’t seem sure who to cheer for as Pentagon was getting close to being the anti-hero last season but cut it off at the end. A big superkick drops Mysterio, only to have Pentagon take too much time on top and get hurricanranaed down.

Pentagon takes it outside again but Mysterio pops right back up with a tornado DDT on the floor. That earns Rey a pumphandle driver for two back inside with Striker going into a weird tangent about Rey having his kids’ college paid for and there being no reason for him to kick out. Another superkick blasts Rey but Pentagon stops to yell at Vampiro, who just sits and stares. Vampiro gets out of his chair and walks away as Mysterio escapes the package piledriver. The 619 and a middle rope Canadian Destroyer of all things puts Pentagon away at 8:34.

Rating: B-. Another good but not great match here as the Vampiro vs. Pentagon story continues for no real logical reason. My guess continues to be that Vampiro has a new protege to take down Pentagon (Puma would make sense) but I really could go with Pentagon being done with Vampiro altogether. Oh and Pentagon should have won here. That really doesn’t need much of an explanation.

Pentagon goes for Rey’s arm but Dragon Azteca Jr. makes the save.

Puma is thinking about the loss to Mysterio when Vampiro comes in and says Puma has been off since he lost to Mil Muertes. If Puma wants to be back to his old self, he needs to beat Muertes. Puma was expecting Vampiro to ask him to get rid of Pentagon (Kentucky boys think alike) but Vampiro says it’s all about Puma to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. I know I’ve said it multiple times already but this felt like the start of the second half of the season. We really didn’t get any major plot developments other than Dario already being out of prison. Most of the stories are picking up where they left off and that’s a good thing as so many of them felt incomplete. It’s a good next episode though and they have a lot of places to go as this season goes on.

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