Impact Wrestling
Date: November 29, 2018
Location: Sam’s Town Hotel & Gaming Hall, Las Vegas, Nevada
Commentators: Don Callis, Josh Matthews

We’re getting closer and closer to Homecoming and that could mean some interesting build as the final few weeks remain. Considering the last two episodes of the year are going to be Best Of shows, there’s only so much time remaining to really make things going. Hopefully the company figures that out and starts pushing things. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening recap looks at a little bit of everything around here, which is something that they do very well. It makes extra sense after last week’s nothing show too.

Opening sequence.

Willie Mack/Rich Swann vs. Lucha Bros

Swann and Fenix start things off and go with some grappling, only to have the flip into a standoff. Fenix flips across the ring but Swann flips over him for the second standoff in a row. With nothing having happened, we’ll go off to Mack vs. Pentagon for some Lucha Underground flavor. Pentagon throws up CERO MIEDO but Mack gets in his face too. We finally get to some offense as they slug it out but a four way knockdown ensues without much effort.

Mack kicks Pentagon in the face again and snaps off a hurricanrana. A Samoan drop into the standing moonsault set up Swann’s middle rope 450 but Fenix is right back with a double Lethal Injection. Pentagon follows that up with a pair of Sling Blades and it’s the What’s Up Double stomp to Swann, which still looks painful. Swann is fine enough to break up Fenix’s springboard, leaving Mack to Pounce Pentagon to the floor. The running flip dive has Pentagon in more trouble but it’s time for Swann and Fenix to hit their own dives.

Back from a break with Mack chopping Fenix down and then for a change, Mack chops Fenix down. Fenix goes with a spinning kick to the face but Swann breaks up something off the top. Pentagon isn’t having that though as it’s the spike Fear Factor onto the apron to crush Swann. Back in and a springboard headbutt sets up the wheelbarrow flip splash to finish Mack at 15:41.

Rating: B. The Bros are great of course but egads Mack and Swann have been killing it as a team. They compliment each other so well and Mack is as talented and charismatic of a guy as they’ve had on the roster in a long time now. The tag division is starting to get somewhere and either of these teams would be fine for some challengers, even though it’s clear that we’re getting LAX vs. the Lucha Bros in the most awesome match in like forever.

Post match here’s LAX minus Konnan to congratulate the Lucha Bros on the win. They’ve already beaten the best teams in the world, but now they want the Lucha Bros. The match is set for Homecoming.

Next week: qualifying matches for Ultimate X at Homecoming.

Video on Brian Cage, who is ready to finally get his chance to be on top.

LAX comes in to see Konnan, who isn’t cool with them making that announcement. He’s worried about the personal issues that have flared up in the past when we try to have dream matches. Konnan has to do something now and leaves.

Katarina vs. Jordynne Grace

They grapple a bit to start with the much bigger Grace winning the power battle. The whip spinebuster gets two but it’s too early for the bearhug. Katarina gets in some shots in the corner and puts on the reverse chinlock to little avail. The fireman’s carry just isn’t happening so Katarina switches to the top rope DDT for two. A heck of a Pounce sends Katarina flying and hits some running knees in the corner. There’s a Vader Bomb and the bearhug makes Katarina tap at 6:10.

Rating: D+. This could have been worse but, again, they don’t seem eager to push Grace as the unstoppable monster that she could be. She’s a different kind of talent but for some reason they won’t let her just go crazy out there. It’s not like Katarina has much going or her, so just let her get beaten up like a ragdoll out there.

KM and Fallah Bahh have lost their money gambling because they’re not all that bright. Scarlett Bordeaux shows up and says a lot of people are trying to get her attention.

Classic Moment of the Week: Low Ki wins Ultimate X last August.

Video on Tessa Blanchard vs. Taya Valkyrie.

A referee comes in to see Tessa and tells her that she can’t beat up referees. Yeah whatever.

Tommy Dreamer, now in a Superstar Billy Graham shirt because he hasn’t paid homage to enough legends yet, talks about how Eli Drake is everything he hates about people today. Drake is an entitled millennial you see and tries to be the Rock and Steve Austin. Yes TOMMY DREAMER just said someone is trying to be someone else. Drake lost the title and has just been mediocre since then and he’s not ending Dreamer’s career. Dreamer is done when he says he is.

Taya Valkyrie vs. Rae Lyn

Rae ducks behind her and dances to start so Taya hits a forearm in the corner. That earns her a middle rope dropkick to give Rae two but Taya is right back with the running hip attack in the corner. Rae slips out of the Road to Valhalla and dances some more, earning herself a curb stomp and a modified STF for the tap at 2:45. Good idea to add a new move to her arsenal as she can only ride the Road to Valhalla for so long.

Post match Tessa runs in and beats Taya down. The referee from earlier comes in for the save and gets punched in the face. More referees come in and get beaten up….so GAIL KIM makes the save, because OF COURSE SHE FREAKING DOES!

Video on Johnny Impact being ready to defend the title against anyone, including Cage.

Killer Kross again offers his assistance to Impact but gets turned down. That’s not cool with Kross.

Rascalz vs. Chris Bey/Mike Sydal

The Rascalz are a trio with Trey Miguel, Dezmond Xavier and Zachary Wentz with Miguel sitting out this time. Dezmond headlocks Sydal to start and flips away from some early shots to the ribs. Sydal has no idea where Dezmond is and it’s off to Wentz for some yelling. Bey comes in and gets yelled at, followed by a Bronco Buster.

Some rapid fire kicks and a double stomp have Sydal in more trouble and there are the stereo suicide dives, which you had to know were coming. Back in and some kicks put Sydal down before Wentz does a standing moonsault….from about a foot away from Sydal’s feet. Not that it matters as Xavier shoves him over so the moonsault hits the chest for the pin at 3:09. That’s certainly a unique finisher and it looked rather cool.

Rating: C. This was a good looking debut for the Rascalz, who had some great chemistry and some sweet offense. You can always have room for another high flying team like this, especially when they’re a little bit different than the Lucha Bros or LAX. Throw in the option of Miguel for a little change of pace later on and you have a good act here.

Kiera Hogan doesn’t believe that Allie is fully evil because Allie didn’t attack her when she had the chance. Allie can fight this.

Eddie Edwards is in a mental hospital with Alisha Edwards saying she had no choice. The doctor comes in and says the medicine Eddie is on takes some time to work. Alisha and the doctor leave and we come back to Moose coming in to see Eddie. Moose even has a book, called Anything Is Possible: The Eddie Edwards Story. He wants to know why all the important parts are missing. Like Eddie abandoning Moose or Alisha walking out on him. The book is a fraud…and that’s it.

We look back at Alisha having Eddie committed. Shouldn’t that have come first?

Eli Drake says his issues aren’t with hardcore wrestling. Apparently he touched a nerve in Tommy Dreamer and tonight, Dreamer is going to the retirement home.

Matt Sydal talks to Ethan Page about how his path to success keeps messing up. Page tries to calm him down but Sydal wants to show him the path to the X-Division Title. Next week: they’ll meet in an Ultimate X qualifying match.

Eli Drake vs. Tommy Dreamer

They circle each other for a long time, likely as Dreamer needs a bit of a breather from walking down to the ring. Drake shoulders him down and more circling ensues. Dreamer can’t get anywhere with a wristlock so Drake talks a lot of trash. A cutter sends Drake to the floor…and he takes the countout. Actually hang on as we’re restarting this as a No DQ match. Wouldn’t No Countout make more sense here?

Anyway we’re back with Dreamer spitting water in Drake’s face on the stage. Dreamer grabs the trashcan full of weapons and hits him with a box of donuts, of course stopping for a bite. Drake gets drenched with some water, which only seems to wake him up as he suplexed Dreamer onto the ramp. A catapult sends Dreamer’s throat first into the bottom rope and a jumping neckbreaker gets two. The chair is set up for the drop toehold for two on Dreamer so Drake picks the chair up.

A middle rope chair shot is blocked by a raised boot but the Dreamer DDT is countered with a leg trip to send Dreamer into the chair again. The DDT connects for two a few seconds later but Drake hits him low and nails the Gravy Train….for two? Egads man why is Tommy Dreamer kicking out of a former World Champion’s finisher? With nothing else working, Drake puts a chair around Dreamer’s neck and hits the chair with an oar for the pin at 12:04.

Rating: D-. I’ve complained about Tommy Dreamer wrestling at this level and with the same stories over and over again so we’ll look at Drake here. I still find him to be one of the best and most talented people on the entire roster and he should be doing something other than this. Hopefully he gets to beat Abyss at Homecoming and move on to something more important and better, rather than beating up Dreamer in main events.

Post match Drake goes to the back and finds a present addressed to him. He opens the card and finds a message which freaks him out to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. The show was entertaining enough and the strong opener balanced out the dreadful main event. They’re getting closer to having a solid pay per view card, though again the main event scene isn’t the most thrilling in the world. It often comes off as an afterthought and that gets a little annoying over time. These videos don’t do much and the lack of any kind of personal issue doesn’t help either. The rest of the show is looking fine, but it’s missing that spark. Anyway, fine show this week, but nothing really worth seeing.

Results

Lucha Bros b. Rich Swann/Willie Mack – Wheelbarrow splash to Mack

Jordynne Grace b. Katarina – Bearhug

Taya Valkyrie b. Rae Lyn – STF

Rascalz b. Mike Sydal/Chris Bey – Standing moonsault to Sydal

Eli Drake b. Tommy Dreamer – Drake wrapped a chair around Dreamer’s neck and hit it with an oar

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 1997 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

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Lucha Underground
Date: April 15, 2015
Location: Lucha Underground Arena, Los Angeles, California
Commentators: Matt Striker, Vampiro

Tonight is a big double main event with the finals of the best of five series between Drago and Aero Star for whatever the mystery prize may be, plus Cuerno’s team meeting Puma’s team in the Trios Title tournament. Last week wasn’t the best episode the show has ever had so they could use an upgrade tonight, hopefully with more logic abounding. Let’s get to it.

We open with a recap of the Trios Title tournament, the Puma v. Cuerno title match and the Aero Star vs. Drago series.

Cueto and Aero Star appear to be on the roof with Cueto saying Star needs to win tonight. Just remember that everything has a price.

The house band plays us in.

Trios Tag Team Title Tournament First Round: Cage/King Cuerno/Texano vs. Johnny Mundo/Prince Puma/Hernandez

Hernandez and Cuerno get things going in what could be a decent fight. Cuerno kicks him into the corner to start and nails a forearm, only to have Hernandez shrug it off and catch a charging Cuerno. An attempt at an Alpha Bomb is countered into a sunset flip but Hernandez just laughs at him. A gorilla press drop sends the King flying but he makes the tag to Texano.

Hernandez throws him onto the shoulder and takes Texano into the corner with Johnny tagging himself in for some kicks to the ribs. He gets to nine but opts for a breakdancing kick for number ten in a nice touch. Off to Puma vs. Cuerno in a battle of royalty. Johnny tries to come in without a tag, allowing Cuerno and Texano to take turns slapping Puma. Well they’ve got the jerk thing down. Puma comes back with kicks to the head, allowing for the hot tag to Johnny as everything breaks down.

Hernandez throws Johnny at Texano in the corner, followed by Johnny’s running knee strikes to the head. The melee allows Texano to get in a cheap shot to Johnny and slap on a half crab to the bad knee. It’s finally off to Cage, with Striker singing his entrance to the tune of Man Called Sting from WCW. Just….stop with the unfunny comedy. Leave that to me. Puma gets the hot tag and sends Texano into Cage, making him DDT his own partner. Two things in a row I can’t stand indeed.

Everything breaks down and Hernandez hits a big dive to take out Cage, allowing Mundo and Puma to break up the Arrow from Cuerno. They follow that up with stereo corkscrew dives to put everyone down. After a bit on the floor it’s Cage vs. Puma inside, but everyone comes back in for a series of train spots in the corner (like seven in a row with both teams getting in shots. The Godfather would be proud.), setting up a 450 for two on Cage. Nice false finish there.

Texano hits a Codebreaker on Hernandez but Mundo hits a top rope spear to drop him as well. Puma’s Blue Thunder Bomb drops Cuerno and everyone is down again. Texano pulls out the bullrope to nail Mundo and Puma in succession, setting up the Thrill of the Hunt to pin the champ and send Cuerno’s team to the finals.

Rating: C+. If they’re going for anarchy with the Trios Titles, they’re on the right track. I don’t mind it here as that’s the style they seem to be going for, but it’s still not something I can get into for the most part. Cuerno didn’t need to pin Puma though, unless that’s Puma’s next challenger. It also shows that there was no need for last week to be a title match.

Cueto is thrilled with the win but wants a preview of next week. Therefore it’s one member of each team in a three way match right now.

Cage vs. The Mack vs. Son of Havok

Havok and Mack try to double team Cage to start but they can’t quite get it together. Vampiro thinks we should give this to Havok because he’s a fan favorite, which is more proof that Vampiro is stupid. The Mack sends Havok to the floor but charges into Cage’s boot in the corner. That goes nowhere though and Mack puts cage down in the corner, only to have Havok come in and take him down for two off a standing moonsault.

Cage gets back up but walks into some suplexes from Mack, only to have Havok crotch him on the top. Havok hurricanranas Mack into a Swanton onto Cage for two but Mack makes the save and hits his own standing moonsault for two. The announcers talk about PCP (that would explain so much) and we get a Tower of Doom with Mack being superplexed down (Striker: “Who took the brunt of it though?” Striker…..just dang man.).

Mack rolls to the floor (BECAUSE HE GOT SUPERPLEXED AND POWEBOMBED AT THE SAME TIME YOU STUPID STUPID MAN) but Havok uses Cage as a stepping stone into a suicide dive to take Mack down. Cage heads outside so Havok can try another dive, only to get caught in a delayed vertical suplex. Ok that looked awesome. Back in and Mack breaks up Weapon X with a kick to the face but Havok drops Mack, only to miss the shooting star. A quick Weapon X (Cage really needs a better finisher for a move with that name) is enough to pin Havok.

Rating: C. Striker induced rage aside, this was a fun three way with everyone looking decent enough. Mack still stands out like a sore thumb but he’s athletic enough to get by. This was a nice preview for next week and the best thing they probably could have done. I like it better than a random brawl because wrestling is the focus here. Imagine that.

Cueto goes into a bathroom to talk to Drago, where he asks if Aero Star is going to slay the dragon. Cueto leaves and Drago…..spits up blue goo.

Pentagon is in the ring without a match scheduled. He dedicates his next sacrifice to his master and goes after the ring announcer, drawing Vampiro out of his seat but Sexy Star comes out for the real save.

Aero Star vs. Drago

Cueto is doing the ring announcing and goes insanely over the top with the facial expressions. The winner wins the series and a unique opportunities. Drago takes him down to start and puts on something like a chinlock as we see Cueto looking all sinister. Star heads to the apron and pulls Drago down by the head, setting up a slingshot backsplash for two. That’s fine with Drago who ties Star up in the Tree of Woe for a running dropkick to the face. As usual, when all else fails, KICK HIM IN THE FACE.

Both guys get back up and growl, setting up a double clothesline to get a breather. Star is up first with a 619 to the ribs, followed by a dropkick to send Drago outside. Something like Stardust’s Falling Star puts Drago down but Star can’t follow up. Back in and Drago hits a quick backsplash for two but Star sends him into the corner for something like a seated senton to the back for two of his own.

The springboard splash gets two for Star but Drago kicks him back to the floor. It’s table time and Cueto smiles approvingly. Apparently this is no countout and no DQ, which is the first mention of this that I’ve heard but it makes the match a bit more interesting. Star fights back and puts Drago on the table, setting up a running springboard splash for the HUGE spot of the match.

Back in and a springboard backsplash gets two on Drago as frustration begins setting in. The fans are split here as Star gets two off a quick victory roll. Drago gets the same off a small package and they slowly slug it out as Striker compares the bottom of the ninth to overtime because he doesn’t get traditional sports either. A big kick sends Star into the ropes and he looks out on his feet, so the Dragon’s Lair is enough to give Drago the series.

Rating: B+. They saved the best for last as this was an amped up version of what they usually do. I could have gone with either guy winning here so Drago is fine with me. The good thing is either guy can go on to something else so everyone is still in good shape. Really fun stuff here as both guys looked good in matches that didn’t have to be great for you, but man alive they were entertaining.

Cueto congratulates Drago on the win and gives him his prize: a Lucha Underground Title shot. That’s a bit too tame though, so if Drago loses, he’s out of Lucha Underground forever. Now that’s how you heel it up: being evil BECAUSE YOU CAN.

Overall Rating: B. Yep they’re fine. This is the Lucha Underground I’ve come to know and love as everyone was all fired up tonight to set up the big title match next week. The cool thing about this company is they can throw enough curves to keep you surprised while also giving you exactly what you’re hoping to see out of a show like this. Good show this week and it’s nice to see them back on track.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book of 1998 Pay Per View reviews at Amazon for just $3.99 at:

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Championship Wrestling From Hollywood
Date: April 12, 2015
Location: Oceanview Pavilion, Port Hueneme, California
Commentators: Johnny Loquasto, Stu Stone

You might have heard of this promotion before but I wouldn’t be surprised if you haven’t. Until a few years ago it was a member of the NWA but eventually went independent. It turns out they also have a TV show airing on some channel called Youtoo TV. Apparently I have this channel so why not check out a show. I have no idea what to expect here and I’ve only heard of a few names on the roster. Let’s get to it.

We open with a commentator opening the show backstage when three men (a Russian, a guy smoking a cigar and a short Hispanic guy) called the Revolution interrupt. They aren’t happy with not being booked on the show so they’re going to do something about it. Well they’re definitely heels.

Opening sequence with the names of some wrestlers on stars. Unfortunately the stars are cut off at the sides and I couldn’t make out a lot of them. A more upbeat song would have helped too.

Before we get started, there’s a tiny chance you’ve heard of Stu Stone. He’s actually a voice actor and rapper, appearing on shows such as the Tick, X-Men, Rugrats and the classic Rollin With Saget.

Che Cabrera vs. Sgt. Major

Cabrera, a Cuban, is the cigar guy in the Revolution and the others are named Sasha Derevko and Fidel Bravo. They certainly got on the show quickly. Stone is a big but generic military guy. The fans chant USA and it’s easy to hear them across the pretty small ring. They slug it out to start with Major grabbing a headlock as the announcers talk about the Revolution hating America.

We hear about the chain around Derevko’s arm (Stone: “He’s the best chain wrestler in this company.” That was good for a chuckle) before the audio freaks out and makes me think my TV is broken. Major hits a loud chop in the corner but Bravo trips him up to change control after about nine seconds of Major on offense.

The fans chant Fuzzy Wuzzy at someone as Major is sent to the floor for a beating from Bravo. Cabrera starts in on the arm as the announced main event is Willie Mack (now in TNA as the Mack) and the Hobo (really?) vs. the Vermin. Major comes back with the Blackhawk (TKO) but a Revolution distraction lets Derevko get in a chain shot to give Cabrera the cheap pin at 4:52.

Rating: D. I’m in for a long night. This was a basic enough story to get by but the wrestling was nothing special. The Revolution is fine for a run of the mill heel stable, but I don’t have much of a desire to see them again. There really isn’t much to say here as it was just a basic wrestling match with the heels cheating to win. Acceptable but nothing more than that.

Revolution vs. Tag Game Strong

So they aren’t scheduled and they get two matches. This would be Bravo/Derevko vs. Leo Blaze/Cedric King, with the latter looking a bit like the Prime Time Players. Heelish commentator Stone used to manage them but they act like faces here. The Revolution jumps them to start but TGS sends them into each other. A double dropkick sends the evil foreigners to the floor and the fans are behind TGS.

Blaze hits a flip dive (with the camera only seeing the crash) to give King two on Derevko back inside. The announcers run down the tag division which sounds fairly deep in a positive note. Derevko hits a Brogue Kick for two on Blaze to take over before monkey flipping his partner onto Blaze for two. Not a bad spot. Bravo rolls through a sunset flip and gets two off a basement dropkick.

Blaze comes back with a quick backdrop and makes the hot tag to Cedric, who is still in sunglasses and his vest. A double slam puts Bravo down but Derevko makes the save. The camera work still needs a lot of work here. Something like a Black Widow puts Blaze down as King and Bravo cross body each other. Cabrera blows smoke in Derevko’s eyes by mistake, setting up a superkick into a Saito Suplex (close enough to one at least) to pin Bravo at 5:55.

Rating: C. Well that was certainly better but aside from the ending blown heel spot, the Revolution wrestled like faces. I liked that monkey flipping your partner bit and Derevko and Bravo worked well together out there. TGS…..eh they have potential but they don’t seem to have any kind of strong personalities or presence. It looks like they’ve been giving a simple gimmick and are out there to get ring time, which is a fine way to use guys.

Jakob Austin Young vs. Dom de la Vega

Young is a small guy and looks like Alex Shelley. Vega is a skinny kid who looks to be a high flier. I really like his name if nothing else. They start with a basic wrestling sequence as we hear about Austin being unproven and Vega being on a winning streak. See how easily you can recap two guys in a few sentences? I have an idea of who both guy is and the announcers repeating Young’s catchphrase of “compassion is difficult” helps as well.

Vega takes him outside for a hard chop before raking the eyes back inside. A hard elbow gets two, but only after Young stares at the crowd for a bit. Vega gets two off a rollup, only to walk into a one footed dropkick. Back up and Vega scores with some dropkicks but Young hits him in the throat and hits a Backstabber for the pin at 3:54.

Rating: C. This Young guy has a future as he plays the part of a heel well and already has some of the mannerisms down. Vega looked like a spunky jobber and there’s nothing wrong with that role. However, he was clearly outclassed here and I wouldn’t mind seeing more of Young.

Ty Matthews, a soft spoken guy who looks like Kevin Smith, talks about taking a guy named Anderson Cruz under his wing but the philosophy didn’t work. Tonight, Cruz has another chance on his own.

Anderson Cruz vs. Ryan Kidd

Kidd is the face here but no one seems to care for him. He’s also never won a match in this company. Cruz is a much bigger guy but Kidd is chopping him around with ease. Cruz catches him diving off the top rope and hits a fall away slam before choking away. The announcers start talking about Scientology of all things as Cruz gets two off a running knee to the chest.

Matthews is watching in the back and we go to a split screen with a shot of Ty taking up about 80% of the screen. A middle rope splash gets two for Cruz and we hit the chinlock as those audio issues continue. Back to the split screen as Cruz gets a very close two off a spinning spinebuster. Cruz chokes away and doesn’t let go, drawing a DQ at 5:12.

Rating: D+. The story here isn’t bad but it doesn’t help that the story is about someone not winning for a year. It makes you think that there’s no way he’s going to win…..and that’s exactly what you get. Cruz has some potential as well but there are dozens of guys with a similar look and style.

The split screen shows a calm Matthews holding his open hand towards the screen with Cruz doing the same in the ring.

Vermin vs. Willie Mack/Hobo

Vermin are Kevin Martinson (a decent sized guy) and Yuma (looks like a cruiserweight), the latter of whom is Heritage Champion (seems to be the top belt in the company). The announcers both loathe Yuma for recently stealing the title from Hobo, who is billed as weighing 200 cans of beans. Mack is one of the few guys I’ve heard of here and he has HUGE trunks ala Jim Duggan. Before we get started, Kevin has to take care of the belt on the announcers’ table.

Hobo and Yuma get things going with the fans entirely against the champ. Yuma gets punched back and forth between the good guys (billed as a dream team here) before he gets planted with an atomic drop. Off to Mack to drop Yuma with a chop. A big boot to the face drops Yuma again and a tandem elbow gets two. Martinson comes in and chokes Hobo down into the corner as we take a break. Back with Mack splashing Yuma in the corner before hitting a nice delayed vertical suplex for two on Martinson. Stone: “You can count to 100 there but you can’t count to 3.”

Yuma offers a distraction so Kevin can kick Willie in the face for two. We hit the chinlock on Mack but Yuma can barely get his arms around Mack’s neck. Mack shrugs him off and makes the tag to Hobo for some house cleaning. Some running splashes in the corner (Hobo Trains) have Vermin in trouble but Martinson flips out of a belly to back and hits a nice dropkick to drop Hobo.

Vermin double teams Hobo in the corner as Stone sings the Facts of Life theme song. I think I like this guy. Yuma misses a charge (Stone: “No water in the corner!”) and the hot tag brings in Mack. Everything breaks down and it’s back to Hobo for more trains, with Mack hitting them as well. Martinson gets clotheslined to the floor, leaving Hobo to hit the Hobo Driver (Roman Reigns’ Moment of Silence if you watched him in NXT) for the pin on Yuma at 13:44.

Rating: C+. Nice tag match here which helped to set up the title rematch in the future. Hobo seems like a guy who isn’t anything special but the fans like him, which isn’t the best thing to do with a champion but it works well enough around here. Yuma seemed in over his head out there but Martinson looked pretty smooth.

Overall Rating: C+. Opening match aside, I had a decent time with this show. They don’t go back to a story they’ve already covered in the night and there were very few backstage segments, which leaves you with a wrestling heavy product. I liked it well enough to watch another week, but this feels minor league due to the audio and camera work along with some talent not being the strongest out there. Still though, fun for what it was.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book of 1998 Pay Per View reviews at Amazon for just $3.99 at:

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Lucha Underground
Date: April 1, 2015
Location: Lucha Underground Arena, Los Angeles, California
Commentators: Vampiro, Matt Striker

We’re coming to the start of some new stuff here as last week wrapped up some stories. First and foremost, Prince Puma is still Lucha Underground Champion and has a much better looking belt. The victory might have set up a feud between Hernandez and either Puma or Cage. We also might see some fallout between Son of Havoc and Ivelisse. Let’s get to it.

The opening recap this week is a mix of a bunch of stories with the Crew, Ryck and Drago vs. Aerostar all getting time.

Ryck and two large men (the Mack and Kill Shot) come in to see Cueto. The word on the street is that Cueto ordered the hit on Ryck. Cueto panics and introduces the Trios Titles, offering the three of them a spot in the tournament in exchange for his safety. It’s a deal but they take Cueto’s money as a bonus.

There’s a new house band this week.

Johnny Mundo vs. Angelico

Angelico is getting a lot of ring time recently. Mundo takes him to the mat but Angelico is smart enough to get to the ropes without messing up his hair. A kick to the chest staggers Johnny but he kicks Angelico right back into the corner. Angelico speeds things way up as they start with some running kicks and punches. Mundo gets dropped but nips up into a standoff for a nice sequence.

Mundo sends him to the floor and misses a dive, only to land on his feet. He’s awesome like that you know. They head to the wall in front of the fans with Mundo jumping over it, stopping himself when Angelico moves and immediately jumping at Angelico with the Flying Chuck. Back inside and a running knee the to the face gets two on Angelico. Angelico rolls away from the End of the World before spinning around Johnny’s shoulders into a sunset flip for two. A nice pinfall reversal sequence gives us a series of near falls and Angelico hits a quick double stomp (Vampiro: “Shades of Perro Aguayo”) for two more.

Back up and they slug it out with Angelico taking over off a jumping knee to the face and the kick to the head from the mat. The Flying Chuck gets two for Mundo but Angelico hits a quick Fall of the Angels (running Razor’s Edge throw into the corner) for the same. Mundo goes to the corner and gets kicked in the head again, only to powerbomb his way out of a hurricanrana. The End of the World is good for the pin on Angelico. Why couldn’t Johnny make it that accurate back in WWE?

Rating: B-. I had a lot more fun with this one than I was expecting as Angelico is getting better and better every week. He’s still not what I would call good but he’s more polished out there. That kick from the mat is a sweet little spot and I’m liking him more and more every time I see him. Mundo is one of the best guys in the promotion still and seems a few steps ahead of them, but that’s to be expected.

The mystery chick (remember her?) talks about being kidnapped and wanting to kill the man who took her. The man was named El Dragon Azteca and he was there the night her parents were slaughtered. Now he’s teaching her to fight to gain her revenge. Did I stumble into a kung fu movie by mistake?

Alberto El Patron congratulates Johnny on his win and they shake hands. Johnny asks if Patron is here to face guys he knows he can beat or does he want a challenge. That gets a raised eyebrow but Johnny is just kidding. Alberto forgot about Johnny altogether because Johnny had almost quit on wrestling. Johnny says he’s the face of this company but Alberto just chuckles. Now there’s a big match in the making.

Sexy Star wants in the trios tournament but Cueto says she has no partners. He has an idea though: Super Fly and Pentagon Jr. They get Ryck and company in the main event tonight.

Aero Star vs. Drago

This is match number four in the best of five series with Aero Star holding a 2-1 lead. I think you know what that means for this one. Feeling out process doesn’t last long as Drago flips over Star’s back but gets rolled up for a fast two. A kick to the face gives Drago an advantage that isn’t likely to last long before he totally misses another kick in the corner, which Star thankfully doesn’t sell. Star scores with a dropkick and throws Drago to the floor as Vampiro says this is like the NHL playoffs.

After a quick dive, Star throws him back in for two off a springboard splash. Star misses a charge and falls to the floor but Drago doesn’t follow up for some reason. Instead he puts on a headscissors hold which lasts as long as you would expect a hold to last in a match like this. Drago dropkicks him to the floor but doesn’t follow up again, opting for a kind of powerbomb back inside. Something like a middle rope Whisper in the Wind sets up a rolling cradle to tie the series with a fast pin.

Rating: C+. This didn’t have the time to get really fun but these two are able to have entertaining matches against each other. The big finale should main event whatever show it’s on and I’m actually curious as to what the winner gets. Just a title shot would seem a bit too simple, but they’re running out of things to give them.

They shake hands but go head to head post match.

Cueto is disappointed with Angelico, Son of Havok and Ivelisse, so he puts them together in the trios tournament. I’m kind of curious as to who else is going to be in the tournament. You can pencil in the Crew, but who else can there be? Angelico and Ivelisse leave and Havok tells Cueto that he dumped her. Ok then.

Trios Titles Tournament First Round: Kill Shot/The Mack/Big Ryck vs. Super Fly/Pentagon Jr./Sexy Star

Mack (known elsewhere as Willie Mack. He was signed to WWE for like a day back in the fall of 2014) is your standard stereotypical black wrestler with an afro and a pick while Kill Shot is a masked man who looks like Kenny King. You might know him from the indies as Shane Strickland. Pentagon dedicates this to his master as usual. Mack cranks on Pentagon’s wrist to start as Vampiro explains the history of the trios matches, dating back to CMLL over a hundred years ago (the company turned 82 this year, which is the longest running wrestling promotion in the world).

The pretty good sized Mack flips over Pentagon and the fans are way into him. Striker goes old school with a Norvell Austin reference before Pentagon dropkicks Mack down and adjusts his wrist tape. A VERY loud chop stuns Mack in the corner and the fans are already cheering for Pentagon. That’s fine with Mack as he just plows over Pentagon for two but the masked dude comes back with a Backstabber (not a lung blower Matt. You’ve been better about that recently so don’t start again).

Off to Super Fly vs. Kill Shot, with the latter handstanding into a headscissors. Super Fly backflips over him and takes Kill down with a springboard wristdrag. Star comes in for the first time and goes right after Kill Shot but he chops her right back to take over. She gets two off a headscissors of her own but Ryck comes in for the save and starts hurting people. Sexy gets thrown over the top onto her partners, with Striker giving it ZERO notice as he reads his history lessons off a paper.

Kill and Mack hit their own dives to take everyone down though to finally get Striker’s attention. Ryck loads up a dive of his own but is nice enough to run right at the corner Star is on, setting up a high cross body for two. It’s off to Ryck vs. Pentagon with the big man hitting another loud chop, only to eat a superkick to put him down again. Pentagon vs. Kill Shot now with both guys failing at their kicks until Pentagon gets two off a fisherman’s driver.

Everything breaks down with Pentagon throwing Star up for a hurricanrana (ala Rey Mysterio) to Shot, setting up a Superfly Splash from Super Fly (how appropriate) but Ryck breaks it up at two. Ryck plants Fly with a spinebuster for two before Pentagon starts firing off the kicks. That’s fine with Ryck as he knocks Pentagon outside and swats Star away. Mack hits a brainbuster on Fly, setting up a top rope double stomp from Kill Shot for the pin to advance. In the first mention of this, there are three regular matches in the tournament with the winners going on to a three team final. That explains a bit.

Rating: C+. Not bad here but there were some flaws. I’m not a fan of this insane style, but to be fair that’s what they’re going for as it’s the lucha libre standard. These trios matches are more of a tradition than anything else, though I’m really not sure they warranted a title. Mack wasn’t bad, Kill Shot was just there, and I’m still not sure about having Ryck as a top guy. He’s definitely better as a wrecking machine though.

Pentagon goes after Fly’s arm but Star breaks it up and bails with Super Fly.

Overall Rating: C+. This was another good show from the company, as they continue to never let the show get boring. Even with something we’ve seen multiple times now in Aero Star vs. Drago, they kept it moving fast enough that it didn’t get dull. That’s a major problem for so many promotions but the one hour time slot makes it a lot easier to keep things moving. Totally watchable show this week, even though it was nothing that blew me away.

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