Welcome to the Lucha Crítica, where I look at this week’s Lucha Underground. Find out what happened, who had the edge, and just how far Pentagon Jr. is willing to go for a sacrifice.
TO THE MASTER GO THE SPOILS
This week’s show opened with our first glimpse of Pentagon Jr’s Master as the two had a talk in a mysterious temple. We didn’t get to see a face, and the voice was distorted, but it adds to the intrigue. Pentagon Jr. is one of, if not my favourite member of the Lucha Underground roster, so this is a story I have been very interested in.
The two discussed Vampiro, with Pentagon lamenting the fact that Vamp doesn’t want to step in the ring, but Pentagon wants to make him a sacrifice at Ultima Lucha. The Master’s solution? “Attack him at his weakest point, his ego” Vampiro has been out of the ring for some time now, and with a build up like this, we can only hope he delivers.
THE MACK VS. CAGE
These two workhorses did not waste any time attacking each other before the opening bell, and the early stages of the match were very fast paced. Mack has impressed me with every match and Cage is a beast, plain and simple, so watching these two clash was a real treat.
Despite the fast pace and plethora of aerial maneuvers, both men demonstrated their power, Cage with a ten second stalling suplex and a clothesline that spun Mack 360 degrees. Mack rattled Cage with a stiff kick to the jaw and tossed the big man with an exploder suplex into the corner. By the closing moments of the match it was looking like a dead heat until The Mack caught Cage off guard with a school boy and, using all of his weight, managed to get the 1, 2, 3, making himself only the second man in Lucha Underground to pin Cage’s shoulders to the mat.
Edge: The Mack gets the edge purely for getting the win. It was a tremendous back and forth match that was fairly even. Cage may have had a bit of an edge on offense, but moving forward Mack has the win and Cage is the one who will have to chase Mack in an attempt at revenge.
HAUNTING HAVOC
Son of Havoc was in the locker room when he was visited by Catrina. The temptress gave Havoc a warning, her Disciples of Death were coming for the Trios Championships, but first Death would be coming for Son of Havoc in the form of Mil Muertes. The warning was interrupted by Ivelisse but before she could get her hands on Catrina, the seductress of Death vanished leaving two thirds of the Trios champions confused and unnerved.
DARKNESS RISING
Vampiro sat down with Pentagon Jr. for an interview and the first thing he did was apologize for getting involved in Pentagon’s business. Pentagon was silent on the subject as well as the subject of his Master’s identity. Vampiro spent the majority of the interview reiterating that his time in the ring has come and gone, that he was sorry for sticking his nose where it didn’t belong, and that Pentagon should move on. Vampiro was met with accusations of cowardice from Pentagon Jr. as the man with zero fear got more and more heated until he finally stormed off, leaving Vampiro alone with his thoughts.
MIL MUERTES VS. SON OF HAVOC
With Muertes steamrolling his way to the main event of Ultima Lucha, it was expected that he would come out on top in this match, and the potential for a squash was huge, but the man from the open road was not going to simply be pushed around. Havoc used his speed to his advantage and got in quite a bit of offense, so much so that I began to second guess whether or not Mil would be victorious. However, numbers played a role in the match as the Disciples of Death appeared at ringside to beat down Angelico while Catrina took out Ivelisse with the mysterious stone she carries. Havoc chose to help out his Trios partners, diving through the ropes to take out the three Disciples. That momentary act of valour was enough for Mil to capitalize as Havoc returned to the ring, and after a well laced spear and a Flatliner, the match was over.
Edge: Since his return Mil Muertes has been on fire, destroying anyone and anything in his path. Son of Havoc put up a valiant effort, possibly the greatest of any of Muertes’ recent opponents, but still fell a little short. Muertes proved yet again why he is in the main event at Ultima Lucha and that’s why he has the edge.
BLACK & BLUE
Texano was in the ring cutting a promo simply stating that he’s not a nice man, he cheats he isn’t to be trusted, but he is Mexico. He is proud of his heritage and looks at someone who disrespects that heritage with disgust. Texano laid the challenge down to face Chavo Guerrero at Ultima Lucha, but his answer came in the form of an attack from Chavo’s new running buddies, Cisco and Cortez, The Crew.
After beating down Texano with kendo sticks The Crew were chased out of the ring by another of Chavo’s enemies, Blue Demon Jr. The Crew circled the ring, keeping their eyes on Demon before tossing a chair into the ring. Demon grabbed said chair and laid out Texano with it, busting him open. Blue Demon grabbed the microphone and exclaimed that he was Mexico, not Texano, and that Texano would not be facing Chavo at Ultima Lucha, but face Blue Demon Jr. instead. Demon then celebrated in the ring, raising his arms with the Crew.
LUCHA UNDERGROUND MAIN EVENT
ATOMICOS TAG TEAM MATCH
ALBERTO EL PATRON/SEXY STAR/AERO STAR/DRAGO VS. JOHNNY MUNDO/SUPER FLY/JACK EVANS/HERNANDEZ
For those that think Trios matches are fast paced, an Atomicos (4 on 4) ups the ante. Although the focus of this match was on the feud between team captains Johnny Mundo and Alberto El Patron, everyone was showcased and each luchador and luchadora had a moment to shine. In a lot of ways this was a preview of a number of matches on the card for Ultima Lucha. The aforementioned Mundo vs. El Patron, as well as Drago vs. Hernandez, which was announced for Ultima Lucha just prior to the start of the Atomicos match. Sexy Star and Super Fly have unfinished business, and with Aero Star and Jack Evans both winning one of the Ancient Aztec Medallions, their paths are bound to cross. A great match with a very rudo finish as Mundo pinned Sexy Star with a handful of tights.
Edge: Part of me wanted to call this one a draw. Aside from the finish it was a fairly even match and if I had to pick one luchador who stood out for me in this match, it would be Jack Evans. Arguably the best heel in Lucha Underground, I can’t get enough of his in ring flair. Between Evans himself and the fact that his team came out on top, Team Mundo gets the edge here. This win gives each of them a bit of momentum moving forward.
ADDING FUEL TO THE FIRE
As the show was coming to a close Pentagon Jr. attacked Vampiro at the commentary booth. He leveled Vamp with kicks and laid him out with a steel chair. At this point Pentagon grabbed a gas can and doused Vampiro with the flammable liquid, but before igniting the Mexican wrestling legend, he gave him an ultimatum. Vampiro has one week to decide if he is going to face Pentagon Jr. at Ultima Lucha, but if he doesn’t decide, Vampiro’s livelihood may go up in smoke.
Until next week, keep your mask on!
