Welcome to the Lucha Crítica, where I look at this week’s Lucha Underground. Find out what happened, who had the edge, and exactly how tough the women of Lucha Underground are.
FOOL ME ONCE….
Chavo Guerrero was in Dario Cueto’s office getting El Jefe up to speed on Black Lotus’ plan to kill Cueto’s brother, and how she has been trained by El Dragon Azteca. Dario wasn’t pleased when Chavo admitted that he swore to protect Lotus, but in true “Guerrero” fashion Chavo works for the highest bidder and says he will eliminate Black Lotus if Dario Cueto can promise him protection from all of Mexico.
JACK EVANS VS ARGENIS
Before the match could begin, Dario Cueto emerged from his office and had a few words for the combatants. After telling Argenis that no one cared about him, and pointing out that Evans had lost his first and only match in Lucha Underground, Dario decided to make things interesting by adding a prize to the match. The winner would receive one of the seven medallions that Dario introduced into Lucha Underground three weeks ago.
Jack Evans made his debut in the Temple three weeks ago (the same episode the medallions were first mentioned) and Argenis hadn’t been seen in Lucha Underground for five weeks. Both men wanted to remind the audience why they deserve to be there, as well as gain a victory along the way.
After a few cheap shots Evans had control and continued to play to the crowd in his oh so cocky way, but Argenis turned things around with a well placed powerbomb and a kick that may or may not have been below the belt. The action was back and forth with Argenis getting in more offense than I expected. I mean nothing against the guy, he’s part of a fantastic wrestling family, but in Lucha Underground of late, he was lumped in with a lot of seemingly jobbers as part of the ‘Pentagon-broke-my-arm’ club, so I wasn’t expecting him to do as well as he did here. After slamming Evans into the steel barricade outside the ring, I thought Argenis might actually get the win, Evans couldn’t seem to recover. However, a reversal into a bridging backslide cinched the victory(and a medallion) for the brash, cocky Evans.
Edge: As even as this match was, Lucha Underground isn’t scored by points. Argenis really needed a win here to get out of this jobber slump. He’s much more than just another victim of Pentagon Jr. but the skills of Jack Evans proved greater, and after coming up short in his first match, Evans gets the win, and the edge.
TRYOUTS
In the locker room Delavar Daivari met up with Big Ryck to give him the good news, Dario Cueto granted them a Trios title shot, they just needed to find a third partner. Ryck suggested his cousin The Mack and Daivari seemed cool with it, Cage however, did not. Cage felt he deserved the spot and when asked why he felt that way, he proved it by annihilating Mack in a very cinematic fight.
I’ve always like the cinematic feel of the backstage videos for Lucha Underground, but this wasn’t quite the same. There was a dramatic pause that seemed to go a couple seconds too long and if it had occurred in the ring would have seemed awkward.
FOOL ME TWICE…
Much like the previous backstage scene, Black Lotus was at a locker when Chavo came to give her the good news, he spoke with Dario who agreed to let her compete in the Temple. She asked about ‘Matanza’ (Spanish for slaughter, and possibly the name of Cueto’s brother) and Chavo said all in good time, once he gets the key he can free the beast for Lotus to kill in front of the world. Chavo would then try to cheap shot Black Lotus however she was ready for him and proceeded to kick his ass all over the locker room. However, Chavo had backup in the form of Cisco and Castro, The Crew. Lotus made short work of them as well, but they provided enough of a distraction for Guerrero to hit Lotus from behind, with the last shot being of Chavo holding a pair of handcuffs.
The difference between this backstage fight and the one between Cage and The Mack is this one looked like a movie fight. It was very cinematic, whereas the altercation between Cage and Mack looked like it didn’t know if it was a ‘movie fight’ or a wrestling match.
TRIOS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
DELAVAR DAIVARI/BIG RYCK/CAGE VS. SON OF HAVOC/IVELISSE/ANGELICO (c)
As a fan of the champions, I genuinely started to worry a bit in this match. With Ivelisse’s leg still in a cast it was once again effectively a three on two situation. Ivelisse even took a seat with the fans when she realized her partners weren’t going to tag her in.
In the ring it was complete power vs. speed and neither seemed to have an advantage. Angelico used his long legs to score some kicks and knees while Son of Havoc was able to stay out of harm’s way, but harm seems to find you when you are in the ring with Cage. The Machine took control and with some quick tags to keep the fresh man in, and an impressive hand-off stalling suplex from Ryck to Cage, the champions looked to be in trouble. Angelico tried to fight back but with ever flurry of offense, he was stopped. It looked like new champions were going to be crowned when, from out of nowhere Texano leveled Big Ryck. Daivari, who has had a feud going with Texano, was clearly irate at the blue-collar luchador and that was just the distraction Angelico needed. After a vicious flying knee in the corner, followed by a Son of Havoc shooting star press, the champions held onto their gold, and no one looked more surprised than Ivelisse.
Edge: It’s hard not to give the edge to Cage in any match but his stock may have fallen some here. I definitely prefer his teaming with King Cuerno, the two have a real chemistry. At the same time, while the champs have had the belts for over a month now, they still don’t seem to be any closer to co-existing. It’s not until the chips are down and it’s do or die that they are really able to work together. This time they even needed a save from Texano. They did however get the win, and that is worth something. The edge goes to the champions.
SHAME ON YOU
As the story of Black Lotus progresses, Chavo enters Dario’s office The Crew in toe dragging along a gagged and handcuffed Black Lotus. When asked what his plans are for her, Cueto replies “I have a spot for her right across from my brother, so he never gets lonely again.” Black Lotus seems to have gotten herself into a sticky situation, but I have a sneaking suspicion that El Dragon Azteca might not be too far from the Temple.
LUCHA UNDERGROUND MAIN EVENT
SUBMISSION MATCH
PENTAGON JR. VS. SEXY STAR
Vampiro told a great story through his commentary, putting over Sexy Star saying he was a fan and even mentioning his 14 year old daughter was a fan as well. Adding that personal touch did wonders for his commentary, and really showed the respect he has for Sexy Star. The Believers in the Temple showed their respect for both competitors with alternating chants of “Sexy Star” and Pentagon Jr.’s catchphrase “Cero Miedo”.
Sexy was at a disadvantage right out of the gate, both in power and through repertoire. She either had a limited knowledge of submissions compared to Pentagon, or she simply lacked the size to be able to effectively execute many submissions. On the other hand, heading into this match, it was Pentagon Jr. who had something to prove since he was the one who had his shoulders pinned when last these two met.
Pentagon utilized some very unique maneuvers, many of which I hadn’t seen before, or at least not the variation that he used, but Sexy Star would not quit. Despite her size she is tough as nails and always digs deep. After taking the action outside the ring, hitting Pentagon with a plancha and then a cross body, Sexy tossed him back in the ring, hoping to lock in a submission victory.
Once back in the squared circle Sexy Star looked to end things with a single-leg crab. Pentagon had nowhere to go, in the centre of the ring it looked like he was going to tap when Super Fly entered the ring. Sexy Star was all smiles seeing her maskless friend in the ring as she would get retribution on the man who broke Super Fly’s arm. Super Fly smiled back, then slapped Sexy Star hard across the face. That was followed up by a sit out powerbomb and then Sexy Star was given to pentagon to finish her off. After a package piledriver Pentagon locked in a surfboard but then modifying it stretching Sexy’s back until she had had enough.
To the victor go the spoils, and for Pentagon Jr. that meant he finally would be able to break Sexy Star’s arm. As he began to lock in the maneuver Vampiro had finally had enough, getting up from the commentary table rushing the ring and tackling Pentagon off of Sexy Star standing between her and her assailant like a dark knight saving the innocent. The crowd chanted for Vampiro, and he looked conflicted, but in the end, discretion was the better part of valour and Vampiro left the ring.
Edge: I like Sexy Star but the edge clearly goes to Pentagon in this one. He was able to utilize a number of unique submission holds and up until the end, didn’t really look like he was in danger of giving up.
DARKNESS RISES
The show closed with Vampiro staring into a mirror, voiceovers of his comments about Pentagon play, talking about going to a dark place and how he knows what Pentagon is thinking, and it’s not good. Vampiro smashed the mirror with his head, possibly breaking the chains that have been keeping him out of the ring as well.
Until next week, keep your mask on!
