SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
Lucha Underground Report
March 2, 2016
Taped in Los Angeles, Calif.
Season 2 Episode #6 on El Rey Network
Report by Joel Dehnel, PWTorch contributor
The show opened with a video recap of Sexy Star and Marty Martinez. Also, Prince Puma vs. Pentagon, Jr and Fenix-King Cuerno.
Backstage: Mil Muertes was praying until he was interrupted by Catrina. Catrina said without her, Mil would have never found his way out of the tomb he was put in. Mil grabbed her throat and said he wanted Pentagon and Puma. Catrina said no, then disappeared.
Announcers: Matt Striker welcomed the audience to the show. Vampiro pointed out that Mil Muertes was not on his throne. Then, Striker threw to ring announcer Santos.
In-ring: Melissa Santos introduced Sexy Star in the ring. Her opponent tonight is Kobra Moon.
1 – SEXY STAR vs. KOBRA MOON
Moon grabbed Star, then dropped down and kicked her. Mack then walked out from the crowd. Moon kneed Star, then went for an armlock, but Star punched Moon, then threw her across the ring. They chopped each other, then Moon put on a headlock submission and dropped Star. Star locked in a pendulum surfboard briefly, then Marty walked out and distracted Star. Moon locked in a Dragonsleeper for the win.
WINNER: Kobra Moon via submission at 2:59. Another subpar match from Kobra Moon. Star was not her usual self here, but it was likely her playing into being paranoid about Marty The Moth.
[Break]
Vignette: Famous B did a car commercial-like vignette claiming how famous he is. The video transitioned to show Rey Mysterio watching the vignette on a TV before kicking El Dragon Azteca. Rey said there was no time for TV and he must get ready. Dragon asked for what and Rey said he must get ready for his destiny.
[JDs Reax: Really, really cool transition to show it was on a TV. One of the unique production techniques. Maybe Rey emphasizing Destiny means El Dragon Azteca is actually Alberto El Patrón and this time he’s really returning to fulfill his destiny! No? Yea, I didn’t think so either.]
Vignette: King Cuerno talked about hunting and how he shows no remorse. He said tonight when he wins, he will be a god, then the next Lucha Underground champion.
[Break]
In-ring: Santos introduced Prince Puma to the ring. Next out was Pentagon, Jr.
2 – PRINCE PUMA vs. PENTAGON, JR.
Both men traded blows. Pentagon brought down Puma multiple times until Puma rolled out of the ring, then ran back and hit a springboard clothesline. He then dove onto Pentagon on the outside. Pentagon dropkicked Puma to slow him down. Puma slammed Pentagon, then hit a suplex followed by a standing Shooting Star Press.
Puma went to the top rope and missed a 450 splash. Suddenly, Mil Muertes walked down from the top of the temple. Pentagon hit a Mexican destroyer off the distraction. Muertes then walked toward the ring. Muertes ran in and chokeslammed Pentagon. He then speared Pentagon and Puma before hitting a double Flatliner.
WINNER: ??? at 4:57. I would assume Pentagon won via DQ since he was hit first, but LU must not be like WWE and always announce finishes. It is so easy to do. Just have Santos announce the DQ once Mil is done beating up the two.
[Break]
Backstage: Mil and Catrina were walking backstage. Mil said he will put his title on the line against Puma and Pentagon next week because it is his temple. He walked away and Catrina chuckled.
Announcers: Striker said in three weeks 20 luchadors will compete in Aztec Warfare. He said two luchadors start the match, then more enter and the only way to be eliminated is by pinfall or submission. He said this year’s version will be more violent and darker than last year.
In-ring: Santos introduced the main event gift of the gods championship ladder match. First out was Fenix. Next out was King Cuerno.
3 — Gift of the Gods champion KING CUERNO vs. FENIX – Ladder match for the Gift of the Gods Championship
Cuerno kicked Fenix, then Fenix elbowed and kicked Cuerno. Cuerno rolled to the outside. Fenix hit a corkscrew to the outside then grabbed a ladder. Fenix set up the ladder back in the ring, but Cuerno kicked over Fenix before setting up the ladder in the corner.
Cuerno powerbombed Fenix onto the ladder, then set a few ladders on the ring apron on the outside. But, Fenix threw Cuerno into a ladder. Cuerno leaped back and hit a clothesline, though. Cuerno threw Fenix into a crowd of chairs, then Cuerno brought Fenix to the top of a ladder looking for a suplex. Fenix fought back and knocked off Cuerno. Fenix followed by leaping over the top of the ladder onto Cuerno.
Both men fought into the crowd. Cuerno pushed Fenix off the railing and onto a ladder. Cuerno then grabbed a ladder to ram into Fenix, but Fenix moved and Cuerno hurt his bicep. Fenix superkicked Cuerno again, then climbed the ladder, which was leaning on Catrina’s office.
Back in the ring, Cuerno set up a ladder to get the belt while taking his time. But, Fenix dropkicked Cuerno off the ladder. They both climbed the ladder to get the belt and stupidly knocked over the ladder so they were both dangling, then fell off.
After recovering, Cuerno slammed Fenix, then set up the ladder again. Instead of climbing the ladder, Cuerno grabbed a table. Cuerno set up the table in the ring. Fenix then sent Cuerno through the table with a huracanrana, knocking out the champion. Fenix grabbed the belt at the top of the ladder to win.
WINNER: Fenix at 16:42 to win the gift of the gods championship.
FINAL THOUGHTS: Clunker opening with a good finish. It was nice that the main event had a slower pace and made things count a little more. It wasn’t just car crash wrestling with high spot after high spot. And I should acknowledge that some people do like that ‘this is awesome’ kind of wrestling, but I think it can really water down a product when it is every episode. Sure, this match had a lot of ‘this awesome’ and ‘holy s—‘ moments, but it wasn’t just high spot after high spot it had some pacing to it. The other reoccurring problem I see in these types of matches is that the fans are never mostly behind the face. The are always cheering both guys and the action in general. I would really like to see LU position their wrestlers so that we see the face get the majority of the cheers, but I think the cliental they attract to the temple is the kind of crowd that is there just to see action and will cheer faces and heels.
Being a LU-Fan, I can tell that I do not cheer for faces and heels but for characters. And both Fenix and Cuerno are great and well developed characters even with barely talking time and wrestling with a mask. Which in my opinion is a great testament for the writing on this show (and the wrestlers breathing life into these characters).