Welcome to the Lucha Crítica, where I look at this week’s Lucha Underground. Find out what happened, who had the edge, and how the landscape is taking shape as we begin to approach the end of the season.
TAKING FLIGHT
This week’s show opened rather simply, but with an air of ominousness. Drago, who was banned from the Temple a couple months ago after losing a match to Prince Puma, was seen on a rooftop, sporting some new gear including a pair of wings. Drago stepped off the roof ready to soar, but who does he have his sights set on? Possibly Dario Cueto, or maybe the man who defeated him, causing him to leave Lucha Underground, Prince Puma?
THE END IS NEAR
Dario Cueto was in the ring to greet the fans with a major announcement, coming up soon will be a big Lucha Underground event called Ultima Lucha which will feature “the best matches, and the best athletes”. Essentially El Jefe is talking about the season finale, but that is one of the things that I have loved about Lucha Underground. With the season format, like any network television show, they are building to something, all of these angles and storylines will come to a head at Ultima Lucha, so expect things to heat up as we get closer.
Cueto followed his big announcement by announcing a number one contender match featuring luchadors who have come close to tasting gold, Cage, Hernandez, King Cuerno, and Fenix, although Dario quickly nixed Fenix from the list after his Death Match loss to Mil Muertes.
Finally, Cueto introduced lucha legend Blue Demon Jr. who joined Dario in the ring. El Jefe reminded fans that Demon had wrestled Chavo Guerrero Jr. in the first match in Lucha Underground back on October 29, 2014, and then introduced Chavo who came out with The Crew in toe, ready to compete, unlike Blue Demon who was wearing a suit. Cueto announced that they would indeed have a match, right at that moment, and it would be no disqualification.
NO DISQUALIFICATION MATCH
BLUE DEMON JR. VS. CHAVO GUERRERO JR.
Starting off with a quick brawl, it doesn’t take long for Demon to gain control. He does well enough until the action spilled to the outside, that was when The Crew got involved. The numbers simply became too much for the legend as he was triple teamed throughout the majority of the remainder of the match. After a couple shots with a kendo stick, a spike-DDT from The Crew and the patented Guerrero frog splash, it was over.
Edge: The proof is in the pudding as they say, Blue Demon barely got out of the blocks in this one, it was all Chavo (and The Crew) so it isn’t surprising that he gets the edge in this one.
I AM VENGEANCE, I AM THE NIGHT, I AM…… DRAGO
With his feet firmly on the ground now, we see Drago emerging through the entrance that he was last seen exiting after his loss to Prince Puma. Once again showing off his wings I can’t help but notice the similarity in appearance to Batman. It’s a striking visual.
A ROOM WITH A VIEW
A simple backstage scene involving Chavo talking with Black Lotus, who is now locked in a cage. Lotus claimed that El Dragon Azteca would come after him for his betrayal, the ever cocky Guerrero believes otherwise, using his actions against Blue Demon Jr. speak for him, leaving Black Lotus to gaze across the room at Dario Cueto’s brother in the cage next door, whom we still haven’t seen onscreen.
BATHROOM NEGOTIATIONS
It’s actually nice to see that Dario Cueto uses the same filthy bathroom as the rest of the Lucha Underground roster. It puts him on a more level playing field with the luchadors, although it also makes him susceptible to attacks like the one he received here from Drago. “Attack” might be a bit of a strong word, but Cueto was shoved around a little, and in Drago’s somewhat broken English demanded he be included in the number one contender match, as he too had faced Prince Puma for the Championship. Dario agreed, but on one condition, if Drago lost he would not only be banished once again, but he would have to leave his intricately designed mask behind.
TRIOS MATCH
DISCIPLES OF DEATH (W/ CATRINA) VS. MASCARITA SEGRATA/PIMPINELA ESCARLATA/BENGALA
We are getting to see Mil Muertes’ new henchmen in action for the first time, as well as the debut of Bengala. I have to admit, there were a couple of surprises in this one for me. I was really impressed with the pop that the crowd gave to Pimpinela’s team. To some fans they may have just been viewed as a comedy team going against the in ring debut of the Disciples of Death, but clearly the fans in the Temple aren’t as jaded as some fans have become.
The other thing that surprised me was how much offense Pimpi’s team got in. I was expecting a veritable squash match, but the exotic comedy trio did well for themselves in the early going of the match. Bengala showed some real promise and will fit in well in Lucha Underground, hopefully he won’t go the same route as Famous B. Unfortunately for Pimpinela’s team the good times didn’t last and eventually the Disciples took over in the match and began to dissect their opponents, finally finishing off Pimpi with a triple flapjack maneuver.
Edge: Another easy choice for the edge, the Disciples of Death. While Team Pimpi did better than I expected them to, they still fell short, and it was against a team making their in-ring debut.
MENDED FENCES
Johnny Mundo’s new found mean streak has given Dario Cueto a new respect for the Prince of Parkour. Mundo came into Dario’s office to complain about not being in the number one contender match, however the reason is because Johnny will get an opportunity at an upcoming show, in what Cueto described as a “concept never seen before”. What Dario described was basically an Ironman Match, proving that this never before seen concept, has only not been seen in Lucha Underground. Nitpicking aside, with the quality of matches that Puma and Mundo have had in the past, an Ironman Match should be impressive, and might rank as a Match of the Year candidate for many fans.
LUCHA UNDERGROUND MAIN EVENT
#1 CONTENDER MATCH FOR THE LUCHA UNDERGROUND CHAMPIONSHIP AT ULTIMA LUCHA
ONE FALL FOUR WAY MATCH
CAGE VS. KING CUERNO VS. HERNANDEZ VS. DRAGO
A perfectly balanced match with two agile men and two powerhouses, although those powerhouses aren’t afraid to take to the air from time to time as well. Cage, for example, never ceases to impress me with each match. For a guy as big as he is, he can really get some air. Those powerful legs of his have no problem lifting his bulky frame high for a dropkick or a moonsault. And speaking of “The Machine” I liked that he and King Cuerno continued to work together in this match. Although there were moments of them at odds with one another, I have always enjoyed them as a team.
This match was what we have come to expect from Lucha Underground, without it coming off as a “been there, done that” kind of situation. Lots of high spots and unique double team maneuvers. Due to the stipulation of Drago having to unmask if he lost, I had my suspicions on what the outcome would be, but aside from that, this was a solid match. That stipulation however, did take a little bit away from the finish.
Edge: The polar opposite of the other matches from the night, this one is tough to call. Cage brought it and impressed as always, Cuerno was forced to pick up his usually methodical pace, but showed no signs of it being a hindrance, Hernandez may have been the weakest link in the match but still held his own, and Drago was the man who made his triumphant return to the Temple. I’m tempted to give the edge to Cage, as he was the star of the match in my opinion, but looking ahead to Ultima Lucha and how big this event is being touted, the opportunity Drago has earned is too big to not acknowledge, therefore, Drago gets the edge.
THE HAUNTING OF DARIO CUETO
As El Jefe watched from behind the blinds of his office, Catrina appeared seemingly out of nowhere with a message for Dario Cueto. A message that was delivered rather forcefully, “Mil Muertes destroys anyone in his way, and not giving him a title shot, puts Dario Cueto in Mil’s way.” Dario seemingly in a no win situation as Catrina choked him with his own cell key that he keeps around his neck, he granted Muertes an opportunity to face Drago with the winner going on to Ultima Lucha to face the Lucha Underground Champion, and as quickly as she appeared, Catrina vanished.
Until next week, keep your mask on!
