Viva La Lucha Libre
Lucha Underground 4/1/15
Written by Mark Adam Haggerty
The craziness of Wrestlemania here in California had me busier than I'd care to remember over the past week, so I haven't been getting around to my regular reviews as often as I might like. That all changes TODAY—this is "Viva La Lucha Libre." Lucha Underground continues to hit homeruns, week-after-week, with championship matches and specialty events the likes of which the competition isn't providing. This week's episode was a little slower than weeks' past, but that's to be expected following two championship altercations. My name is Mark Adam Haggerty, back again and in it for the long-haul, here to talk about what went down this week on Lucha Underground on the El Rey Network.
The show opens with a powerful vignette blending the voices of Dario Cueto and the narrator—Matt Striker—to tell the tale of Big Ryck versus the Crew, as well as Drago and Aerostar's Best of Five Series. A stunning sweep of the city I love, Los Angeles, and we're inside the office of Dario Cueto. Dario is interrupted by Big Ryck who's accompanied by two then-unnamed associated—one of whom is wearing a mask, and the other is Willie Mack. Dario asks who these "fine gentlemen" are and Ryck responds, "This is my boy Kill Shot, and this is my cousin—The Mack." Dario wants to know how he can help them, but rather than responding, Ryck sparks a cigar while his thugs walk around back of Dario's desk. Ryck accuses Dario of putting the hit on him—the hit that was carried out by the Crew several months ago. Dario immediately denies the accusations, "Why would I want my big money player taken out?" He continues, "Listen Ryck, I have a new title that I'm introducing—the Trios Tag Team belts, and tonight I'm starting the tournament to crown the very first ever champions. So what if I let you, and Killshot and—what was it? Daddy Mack?" Willie responds, "No, just the Mack." "Okay well if you want it, you guys are in the tournament." Ryck agrees and presents his hand to Dario. Dario goes to shake it, but Ryck pulls away, motioning toward his top drawer, "You know what I want." Dario handed a stack of hundreds to all three of the men standing over his desk.
Inside the arena we have another new musical act, this time the rock and roll stylings of Sergio Arau. The Believers inside the Temple are chanting "Lucha" along with the words to Sergio's song. Vampiro is the first announcer heard, he introduces himself and Matt Striker and recaps the championship events of last week. Matt Striker sheds further light on the trios tournament, that will last four weeks and crown the first three-person tag team champions in Lucha Underground history. Away to the ring and Melissa Santos introduces the first match of the evening: Angelico versus Johnny Mundo.
Johnny is exceptionally over as he enters the arena, ready to battle the South African graduate of Ultimo Dragon's school. They lock up in the center of the ring and Johnny Mundo goes for the legs so as to ground the high flying Angelico. Angelico steps away and reaches the ropes so as to recalibrate his approach to the former WWE Intercontinental champion. Things begin to pick up as Johnny Mundo attempts to move at the same breakneck speed of Angelico; neither man is able to pull off any sort of offense, as each individual follows behind the other. Angelico leaps to the outside as if preparing for a springboard attack, but Mundo is too close and Angelico has to reenter unceremoniously. Mundo then runs the ropes to pick up speed, but Angelico is following-suit, creating a collision when Johnny sprang back into action. This continues and misdirection becomes a large part of the psychological aspects of this contest. Angelico misses a springboard moonsault, and both men stand tall—staring down the competition. Mundo tosses Angelico into the ropes but Angelico slides out of the ring; Johnny ran for a plancha but landed on his feet when his attack was clearly telegraphed by Angelico. The action is now on the outside of the ring, and Johnny employs more of his "Spiderman-like" abilities by catching himself on the elevated guard rail and using it to gain the advantage on his less-seasoned opponent. Johnny rolled Angelico back inside the squared-circle for a two-count, and soon both men were back on their feet, battling back at one another with a series of serious kicks. Another 2-count for Johnny Mundo, and he is prepared to finish things once and for all. He pulls Angelico into the corner by his arm and leg and prepares his "End of the World," signature splash. Angelico moves out of the way and baits Johnny across the ring, meeting him with a kick to the face. The momentum is back in Angelico's favor, but he struggles to maintain the edge with the wily veteran as they battle back and forth with close calls and near falls. Angelico attempts a soft cover on Johnny and achieves an equally soft two count from the referee. Angelico works Mundo into the corner where he plays opossum long enough for Mundo to capitalize with an ill-timed "End of the World." Johnny landed on his feet, but was caught between the turnbuckle and the knees of Angelico. He then prepared Johnny Mundo for his modified crucifix powerbomb the "Fall of the Angels," and THREW Mundo from the center of the ring into the corner. Angelico covered Johnny Mundo for a 2-and-three quarters count, ending with Johnny Mundo resting his leg on the ring rope. They continued the match back and forth as Johnny attempted to climb the ropes; Angelico saw an opportunity and kicked Mundo in the head, trying for a Dragonsteiner, but reversed into a powerbomb by Johnny, who then capitalized with the "End of the World," for the win.
Away to commercial and once we return we get an expositional accounting of what is going on between Black Lotus and Matanza. She explains how she was on the verge of killing him in his cell in the basement beneath the Lucha Temple, but was stopped and taken by a man known as El Dragon Azteca. Azteca claims to be an Aztec descendent and was there when Lotus's family was killed by Matanza. He is training her in the "essential art" of Mexican Lucha Libre so that she may avenge her parent's death. The entire sequence is very reminiscent of "Kill Bill," both in the story and imagery. Her training alongside Aztec is filmed in silhouette against a red backdrop, kicking and chopping in preparation for what's to come.
Alberto El Patron is waiting for Johnny Mundo in the locker room area, and congratulates him on a great match. They shake hands, and Johnny thanks Alberto. "So what's your deal," Johnny asked, "Are you only going to face guys you've already beaten, or did you actually come here to compete?" The vibe sours and Alberto's face grows somber. Johnny tells him to relax, and that's just messing with him. Alberto laughs, "Oh Johnny, Johnny, Johnny—I forgot about your great sense of humor. In fact, I forgot about you all together. I thought you were doing something different, I thought you had just given up on wrestling." Johnny responded in similar fashion, "You mean until you saw me killing it here? Don't forget. I'm the face of Lucha Underground—the place where you work now." Alberto laughed and walked away: "Exactly."
Back in Dario's office, he's sitting across from Sexy Starr who he invites to enter the trios tournament, despite her former partners—Mascarita Sagrada and Pimpenela Escarlata—being on the shelf. "But not to fear," he said, "Dario has you taken care of. I'm giving you two partners tonight, Luchadores who you've worked with in Mexico. First; Super Fly—isn't bad, eh? A solid partner. But your next partner has been dominating for weeks, literally breaking his opponents in two—Pentagon Jr. So tonight, you will face your old pal Big Ryck and his boys in our main event."
The cameras descend on Melissa Santos who's standing in the ring, preparing to introduce the next match on the card. "The following Lucha," she began, "Is the fourth match in a best out of five series for a �unique opportunity.'" First—with one victory—is Drago, who heads to the ring with a purpose, dead-set on continuing this series beyond tonight. His opponent, Aerostar, already has two victories, and should he win tonight will be the winner of the Best of Five. Vampiro gives the gringos at home a quick lesson as to why this is a "tecnico match," meaning it's all about sportsmanship because these are two babyface competitors. The bell rings and Drago refuses to engage in a test of strength, playing everything very conservatively out of fear of losing the entire competition. Drago kicks Aerostar straight in the face and takes the opportunity to capitalize with a series of hard kicks, followed by a side drop kick. Drago then Irish-whipped his opponent Aerostar across the ring and into the corner where the "Heavens" of this "Heaven vs. Hell" rivalry ascended to the top to counter whatever Drago might have had in mind. A stiff right hand by Aerostar to the face of Drago, knocking the blue-masked Demon onto the floor below, and Aerostar followed with a running somersault plancha across the top ropes. The action goes back into the ring and Aerostar continues the aerial onslaught with a pair of diving springboard attacks to Drago in the center of the squared-circle. Aerostar attempts pin after pin, but Drago refuses to give up, and ducks another running attack from Aerostar, allowing him a moment to breathe. Vampiro is harping on Matt Striker to tell him what the "unique opportunity" presented by Dario Cueto would be, and Striker continuously claims to know nothing. Drago is waiting for Aerostar in the ring, and once again these two lethal Luchadors begin to engage in back and forth wrestling where Drago manages to ground Aerostar with an arm bar. He continues to gain momentum with a series of aerial moves of his own, but relies heavily on his ground game that eclipses that of Aerostar. He wraps Aerostar in a modified submission hold, and rolls into a pinning situation where Aerostar cannot break free. Drago gets the victory and ties this Best of Five Series at two-a-piece.
The show returns to Dario's office once more where Son of Havoc, Ivelisse and Angelico are sitting in front of Dario and the three Lucha Underground Trios Tag Team title belts. Dario says that he had such high hopes for all three of them, but none have managed to impress him as of yet. "None of you have great singles careers, which is why I'm making you a trios team." They all argue, until Dario interrupts by telling them they better figure out a way to work together, because next week they'll be in the trios tournament against, "…three men who have been anything but embarrassing."
It's time for the main event—the last match of the night, is the first bout in the trio's tournament. First up is Big Ryck, along with Killshot, and the Mack. Killshot is a black masked wrestler—we don't see a lot of that, so I'm immediately intrigued. Their opponents come to the ring in segments: first is Sexy Starr and Superfly who head down the staircase of the Temple without the third member of their team. Then the music changes and the ominous Pentagon Jr. approaches from the tunnel across from the stairs. When all six participants were inside the ring, Pentagon proceeded to ask for the microphone: "My boss, my master—even though tonight, they gave me these weak partners—it's not a problem, because I, myself will win the Trios titles because I am Pentagon Jr. No fear!"
The action is delayed for a moment by a commercial break, and when cameras return to the �Underground Temple, the bell has rung and this trio's tag match is underway. Referee Marty Elias is officiating the action as things kick off with Willie Mack against Pentagon Jr. The fans are chanting for Mack and he soaks in the adulation before tying up with Pentagon. He uses his size advantage against the tenacious Pentagon, and wastes no time in proving why he's such a force to be reckoned with on the independent scene. He has no trouble keeping in step with the fast-pace of Pentagon, flipping across the ring and kipping up and back into action. As the momentum builds in Pentagon's favor, he works the much-larger Mack into the corner where he provides him with an unprecedented pair of front-hand chops. Willie comes back with a flying shoulder attack, knocking Pentagon off his feet. Pentagon refuses to tag his partners—Sexy Starr and Superfly—and instead subjects himself to the wrath of the newly debuted Willie Mack. Although both he and Ryck referred to him as "The Mack," the crowd inside the Temple is chanting "Willie Mack," every chance they get. Mack has Pentagon in the corner this time, and fires away with duel forearm smashes and an Irish whip into the opposing corner. Pentagon catches the top rope and leap-frogs over Mack, coming down with a Backstabber in the process. Pentagon attempted to break Mack's arm with his domineering arm bar, but Mack slipped away and tagged out to Killshot. Pentagon backed up, awaiting his next opponent, but received the blind tag from Superfly, changing the complexion of the bout entirely. Superfly entered the ring with a ton of flips and nonsensical pageantry, only to engage Killshot. The newly debuted Killshot is quick but ultimately succumbs to the venerable Superfly, who tags Sexy Starr in to continue the abuse. Pentagon is on the apron—reaching for the tag—but both Sexy and Superfly ignore him the same as he did them earlier in the match. Now Killshot is in control, hitting Sexy with unmerciful chops to the chest. She returns the favor with an airplane head scissor, sending Killshot out of the ring. Ryck entered, following the rules of trios wrestling, and Matt Striker said, "Did you see a tag there?" Ryck continued to abuse his opponents, throwing all three to the outside of the ring. Big Ryck had big plans, and called his team mates into the ring: he ordered the immensely athletic Killshot and Willie Mack to capitalize on the competition with a pair of well-crafted planchas. The fans hit their feet, chanting "Lucha, Lucha, Lucha," as Ryck prepared to follow with a dive of his own. He turned to hit the ropes but Sexy Starr was waiting on top. She hit Big Ryck with a splash, sending both Luchadors plummeting to the canvas below. She failed to achieve a pinfall, and rolled out of the ring, allowing Pentagon Jr. the chance to take on Big Ryck. Ryck keeps Pentagon on the defense by hitting him with a hardened arsenal of stiff rights and lefts. Pentagon withstands the torment, proving that he does in fact have "No Fear," and awaits Killshot, who takes the place of his leader. They begin with a duel of well-placed kicks to one another until Killshot brings Pentagon down to one knee. He then lifts him for what would appear to be a tombstone piledriver, but instead capitalized with a modified Codebreaker. Killshot was unable to secure the victory and backed into his own corner trying to find a tag, but to no avail. Pentagon finally used his teammates to his advantage by seating Killshot on the top turnbuckle as Sexy Star walked to the opposite side of the ring; she ran at full speed toward Pentagon who launched her into the air and onto Killshot in the corner—for a hurricanrana off the top rope. Superfly came down with a big splash onto Killshot for a near fall, interrupted by Big Ryck. The big man goozled Superfly and dropped him with a wicked chokeslam down to the mat. Pentagon, now in the good graces of his teammates, entered the equation to fend off Big Ryck's attack with a number of hard kicks to the legs and midsection of Ryck. The match continued to the outside once more where Ryck regained control, despite the efforts of both Sexy Starr and Pentagon. Superfly tried to get involved by setting up for a running dive, only to fall victim to Killshot's rolling variation of the Diamond Cutter. The match goes to Big Ryck and his "Fam" following a Brainbuster by Willie Mack and a double foot stomp to the face of Superfly by Killshot.
This was a really solid hour of wrestling with some very cool stories mixed in—especially the Quentin Tarantino-style tale of Black Lotus and Matanza. My favorite part of this week would most certainly be the Lucha Underground debut of Willie Mack. He is so smooth inside the ring and makes professional wrestling appear almost effortless. To see a 160-pound cruiserweight fly across the ring is impressive, but watching the near-superheavyweight statured Mack move the way he does—it's unbelievable. I hope you enjoyed this week's edition of "Viva La Lucha Libre," and until next time this is Mark Adam Haggerty reminding you to keep checking out Cheap-Heat, listen to my podcast "The B+ Players," and follow me through social media: on Twitter with @TapeTraders or on Facebook at "The B+ Players."
