Welcome to the Lucha Underground Review for the May 20, 2015 episode, on the El Rey Network. Find out what happened, who had the edge, and just why Johnny Mundo attacked Alberto El Patron last week.
MARTY “THE MOTH” MARTINEZ VS. PRINCE PUMA
This is what I love about Lucha Underground, the difference from the top of the card to the bottom is very small. This week opens with the Lucha Underground Champion Prince Puma facing Marty “The Moth” who fans were introduced to a few weeks ago. On paper Martinez wouldn’t stand a chance against the champ in his debut, but that’s what makes Lucha Underground different, “The Moth” held his own for a good portion of the match. After starting things off with a cheapshot clothesline, Martinez showed that he may not be all there. He used a bit of a crazy style and had an unsettling grin on his face. That grin was wiped away once Puma took control after Marty missed a moonsault. From there it was academic and with a few well placed kicks, and a 630 senton Prince Puma stood tall.
After the match Hernandez showed his face at the top of the stairs looking cocky and smug as he always does. Konnan and Puma invited him in the ring to fight for the title, but Hernandez opted to pick his moment and walked away, to a sea of boos from the believers in the Temple.
Edge: Prince Puma. Debuting against the Lucha Underground Champion is a tall mountain to climb, and Martinez actually did well. He has a vicious clothesline in his arsenal and utilizes kicks very well, however, there’s a reason Puma is champion and while he was on the defensive for some of the match, he was never in any real danger
HIS WORLD, HIS RULES
Vampiro’s commentary can be hit and miss, but I have always really enjoyed his sit down interviews with the luchadors. This week Vamp sat down with Johnny Mundo to find out why he not only turned on Alberto El Patron last week, but threw him through the window of Dario Cueto’s office. After dancing around the subject for a bit Mundo finally admitted his hatred for Patron. “I have been here since day one because I wanted to be, not because I had nowhere else to go.” As is often the case, jealousy reared its ugly head and Mundo wanted to prove his dominance. After all, he says that Lucha Underground is his world. Alberto El Patron may disagree and Mundo may find out the hard way that he kicked a hornet’s nest.
SUPREME SACRIFICE
Dario Cueto was discussing sacrifices with The Crew, how the ancient Aztecs did it, and how The Crew themselves have the chance to make a similar sacrifice against the Trios Champions Son of Havoc, Angelico and Ivelisse later in the night. Hammering home a point he made a couple weeks ago after introducing The Crew to his caged brother, Cueto simply stated that if The Crew didn’t win, they would be the ones who get sacrificed.
DELAVAR DAIVARI VS. TEXANO
It didn’t take long for Texano to go from being a despised heel in the Temple to becoming someone the fans could rally behind. This feud with Delavar Daivari has gone from vengeance into more of a silver spoon vs. blue collar angle which is not only a good way to make Texano relatable but also gives Daivari easy cheap heat.
I was surprised to see that this match was almost all Daivari. He spent most of his time on the offensive, leading me to believe that Texano was letting his anger control him. In the end Texano got the win, although it was by disqualification when Big Ryck nearly clotheslines Texano out of his boots. Last week Ryck didn’t split any hairs when he said his number one priority was money, something that Daivari has plenty of, so this partnership shouldn’t come as much of a shock. The real question is how long will it last? They say a fool and his money are soon parted. But who is the bigger fool?
Edge: Texano let his emotions get the better of him and as a result didn’t get in very much offense. Daivari controlled much of the match, debuted a new partnership with Big Ryck, and even forced the referee to count the three, even though he had already been disqualified. Things look pretty good for Delavar Daivari going forward, that’s why he has the edge.
FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS
Catrina, the long time companion of Mil Muertes, seems to have some supernatural powers of her own as she has been appearing and vanishing throughout the Temple. First it was last week with Fenix, informing him of his fate, and this week she appeared in Dario Cueto’s office. She appealed to El Jefe’s more sadistic side, requesting a match between Mil Muertes and Fenix for next week. The stipulation, Death Match. Things often work a little differently in Lucha Underground so we will have to wait and see what is entailed in this Death Match, but the thought of it seemed to put a smile on Dario Cueto’s face.
A WARRIOR RETURNS
Black Lotus has abandoned her training from El Dragon Azteca explaining that she needs to go to the Temple and fulfil her destiny, kill Dario Cueto’s brother. As Azteca is reading her note, a dark figure appears in the doorway saying “If you don’t want her to die, you’ll need my help.” As the figure stepped into the light, it was the Mexican Warrior himself, Chavo Guererro Jr.
Through a tense discussion Chavo agreed to protect Black Lotus if El Dragon Azteca wiped his family’s debts clean. After all, the Guererros are known to lie, cheat, and steal.
LUCHA UNDERGROUND MAIN EVENT
TRIOS CHAMPIONSHIP LADDER MATCH
SON OF HAVOC/IVELISSE/ANGELICO VS. THE CREW
Another stellar match between these two teams, The Crew wasted no time, ambushing the champions before they could even descend the stairs. Ivelisse was taken out early due to the cast on her leg, effectively making this a three on two match up. Havoc and Angelico fought hard and despite being outnumbered for virtually the entire match, held their own. The Crew were no slouches either, showing a little more hunger than their last match between Havoc and Angelico a couple of weeks ago. However, for the early part of the match their focus seemed to be with punishing the champions, not with trying to climb for the gold.
As the match wore on all of the participants were showing their fatigue and trying anything and everything to keep their opponents down. Mr. Cisco was sent into Dario Cueto’s office through the gaping hole that used to be a window, Angelico was beaten senseless with a kendo stick from Cortez Castro. Son of Havoc went for a shooting star press on Bael through a table, but the table, much like Havoc’s spirit, did not break, which may have done more damage to both men in the long run.
With the ring empty Castro took advantage and began to climb the ladder. Ivelisse was still favouring her bad leg, Son of Havoc was recovering from the table spot, there was no one to stop Cortez, except Angelico who came flying off of the top of Dario Cueto’s office like a missle with a dropkick that knocked Castro clear off the ladder and nearly through to ropes to the outside. Every man in the ring and out was down, leaving one solitary woman to fight for her team, to fight through the pain, to fight up the ladder. Mr. Cisco rushed to try and stop Ivelisse but he was thwarted by Son of Havoc leaving the ‘baddest bitch in the building’ to reach up and grab her Trios Championship.
Edge: As with every time these two teams have clashed. The edge goes to Angelico, Ivelisse and Son of Havoc. Their chemistry and teamwork seems to get better with every match they have. Their never say die attitude is brought them to the dance and it is what keeps them at the top.
Until next week, keep your mask on.
