Tuesday June 16, 2015

Wrestling history will tell you that many big shows are preceded by a set-up show. Not necessarily the go-ahead shows of today but a precursor which sets the stage for the upcoming big fight. Before the Royal Rumble, Wrestlemanias were set by Saturday Night’s Main Event. WCW used Clash Of The Champions to set the stage for their Pay Per Views.

Lucha Underground’s blockbuster Season Finale, Ultima Lucha had Episode 31, “The Desolation Of Drago.” This was a BIG story episode with lots to cover.

Returning to the Temple were Chavo Guerrero, the legendary Blue Demon Jr., the revolutionary Pimpinella Escalate and the once banished Drago. Debuting was Bengala as well as Catrina’s new soldiers, the Disciples of DEATH. And in perhaps the biggest news of all, Ultima Lucha was unveiled to the world. Dario Cueto promised on twitter that his announcement would change Lucha Underground forever and perhaps he was right.

The show opened with a glimpse of Drago on the rooftop. He said he would be back, remember.

Dario Cueto swaggered into the ring. No waiting in his Temple. He announced the 2-hour Season Finale airing on August 5th. Set the DVR’s now, people. Dario set-up the main event by declaring a multi-Luchador main event in which all the previous challengers for the LU World Title would face off - with the winner getting a shot at the LU World Title in Ultima Lucha. Since Fenix was carted off to perhaps Lucha Underworld by Mil Muertes, Dario said the match would be Hernandez vs Cage vs King Cuerno. That’s got to put Konnan’s former best friend at a distinct disadvantage since Cage and King Cuerno have a loose alliance together.

What about Johnny Mundo? Don’t worry we’ll get to him.

El Jefe wasn’t done making waves. He welcomed Blue Demon Jr back to the ring. And by welcomed, I mean set up an impromptu anything goes match with his old rival Chavo Guerrero. These two Lucha Legends opened Lucha Underground in a scientific wrestling match. This time it was a straight up FIGHT, especially since Blue Demon was looking all kinds of sharp in his blue suit. Lucha Underground does not have a dress code policy but still nice to Blue Demon Jr sport a hella handsome suit, possibly purchased from Michaels in Kansas City.

Bad blood boiling, Blue Demon Jr and Chavo Guerrero just beat the hell out of each other. After watching Lucha World Cup, Blue Demon Jr. is at the top of my list of people to not fight. He does not quit. And he may have scored another victory Chavo except the surviving members of The Crew, Cortez Castro & Mr. Cisco charged the ring. The 3-on-1 scenario was too much for even Blue Demon Jr.

Feeling victorious, Chavo confronted Black Lotus in her new private hell near Matanza’s “cell.” Black Lotus said Mexico will get revenge but Chavo says they won’t dare after the dismantling of Blue Demon Jr.

Dario Cueto’s bathroom break (still not washing his hands) is interrupted by the returning Drago. Wrestling’s real-life Dragon demanded a spot in the former challengers main event since don’t forget his loser leave town match WAS in fact, a Lucha Underground World Title match. It looks like Drago found La Inframundo’s version of Legal Zoom and was waiting for the loophole that would bring him back to the Temple.

But it’s not just gold on this Dragon’s mind. He wants revenge on the man who caused him to lose and leave. No, not Prince Puma. The dastardly Hernandez.

We’ve come to learn that Dario Cueto is not unreasonable man. He lets Drago in the Main Event (YES!) but if Drago loses, he has to lose his mask (NO!) No stranger to high risks, Drago accepts Dario Cueto’s terms.

Catrina can’t seem to find store that sells complete tops but she can find the ring. This time she leads her demonic new trio of Barrio Negro, Trece, and El Siniestro de la Muerte AKA The Disciples Of Death. But there are no easy matches in Lucha Underground. The not to be underestimated Pimpinela Escarlata, the always formidable Mascarita Sagrada and the long-awaited debuting Bengala were on the other side of the ring.

The Disciples didn’t have any kind of easy night. The veteran Lucha tactics of Pimpi, Sagrada and Bengala sent them reeling throughout the match. But this trio maybe being unleashed at the perfect time of readiness as their triple-team tactics were too much for Pimpinela. The flamboyant team of babyfaced good guys fell in defeat which is no small win for Catrina’s new cadre of cadaverous warriors.

Vampiro on Catrina giving Pimpi a lick of death: “That’s just weird.” I love it.

If you’re wondering why Johnny Mundo isn’t in the main event, well, so was Johnny Mundo so he charged into Dario Cueto’s office demanding answers. Dario couldn’t be placating saying he and Johnny are friends now. He even forgave Johnny for giving him a black eye because he looks great in sunglasses. Twitter MELTED when Dario said that, I swear.

But here’s the big news - he’s giving Johnny chance to be in the Ultima Lucha main event. By challenging Prince Puma for the Title next week in an ALL NIGHT LONG match. Basically Iron Man rules, 60 minutes, most pins and submissions gets the win. But just remember this is Lucha Underground and they’re fighting in the Temple.

No spoilers but as someone who was there live, um…do not miss All Night Long.

4-Way Main Event: Cage vs Drago vs Hernandez vs King Cuerno. I did that alphabetically please don’t suplex, arrow of death, clothesline or tie me up.

With the main event in Ultima Lucha, these Luchadores gave an NFL Title game like performance laying it all on the line. Cage continues to impress with how much flying a wrestler of his size does. Hernandez doesn’t exactly stay on his feet either. And I always mark out for the Arrow Of Death.

But these are 4 of the very best in all of Lucha Libre. Each one could be the other on any given Wednesday. So it was going to take some kind of intangible for one of these guys to get the win. That intangible came in the form of green mist sprayed by Drago into the face of King Cuerno which led to Drago getting the win!!! Drago is back and he’s going to Ultima Lucha!!!

Even Prince Puma, the Lucha Underground World Champion was ecstatic for this competitor’s return. Sure they’re scheduled to be opponents for the World Title - but these warriors fight for glory with nobility. A great moment to end the show…

Only the show wasn’t over yet. Dario Cueto was watching the faceoff and probably hating because he hates stuff like honor, nobility and doing the right thing. There to confront him, despite weaving in and out of our plane of reality, was Catrina. She wanted to know why Mil Muertes wasn’t in the 4-way. Dario said because he never competed for the LU World Title.

Catrina smiled, said Thanks then left the office. Actually she grabbed Dario by his tie, man-handling him like we’ve never seen before. Saving his own neck, Dario volunteer Drago’s newly earned title shot in a match against Mil Muetes in two weeks. Despite the matches starting to be set, pieces are still moving and the picture of Ultima Lucha has yet to be revealed.

-Ratings update: This is by no means an official number but let me present some math that I’ve been working out with some of the producers.

The official El Rey Number is between 80,000-100,000. That’s who watches first run every week.

There’s reason to speculate that a significant number of folks, let’s 50,000 watch the show on their DVR’s over the next few days or week.

UniMas draws 200,000 to 300,000 every week.

There’s also SlingTV, Uvideos and some unofficial streams. It’s reasonable to speculate that there’s another 50,000-100,000 people watch on those.

Again, it’s not official, I’m not saying it is but I know there are some folks who are under the assumption that about 600,000-800,000 eyes are watching Lucha Underground every week.

-IF there’s a Season Two, and I can’t go into all the details that I know because I would be hahaha shut down, but I can say that a potential Season Two would open up distribution to several more millions of people.

-Hearing some scuttle-but about feelers being sent from Jeff Jarrett to Lucha Underground talent about working for GFW. I know that Jeff Jarrett is a big fan of LU and maybe even reader of this blog. The feeling is mutual and I have a long standing admiration for Jeff Jarrett. Now, Jeff Jarrett has a long association w/ AAA but it’s doubtful AAA would send any LU talent his way either. Maybe some inter-promotional matches ala Lucha World Cup every once in a while but it’s unlikely you’ll see anyone wrestling one week on LU and then the next week on GFW, which means talent would have to choose. I bring this up with the ratings because it’s hard for me to picture some wrestlers walking away from the potential explosion that Lucha Underground is on the verge of.

-Due to some internet issues, I wasn’t able to check out AAA’s big summer show Verano De Escandalo on Sunday June 14th. I’m trying to come to terms with these technical difficulties, but it’s not easy, guys. Not easy. Here are the results (scroll down if you want to avoid Spoilers.) Not name but some news-sites have yet to cover this show for some reason:

*Rey Mysterio (in Terminator gear) teamed with Myzteziz and La Parka to defeat Johnny Mundo, Pentagon Jr & El Mesias. (It’s a cliches that match sounds like the price of admission alone)

*Despite some outside interference, Alberto El Patron retained his AAA Mega-Championship against the Machine from the 559, CAGE. And by some I mean all the outside interference. Hell, I may have even run-in. El Hilo Del Tirantes, Texano, Pentagon Jr, Blue Demon Jr and Hijo Del Fantasma all got involved at one point. No sign of King Cuerno, however.

*Steel Cage Hair Match saw Angelico & Jack Evans save Jack’s topknots as they defeated Dark Cuervo & Dark Escoria

*Los Hell Brothers, Averno, Chessman & Cibernetico defeated Holocausto, Electroshock, Hilo de Pirata Morgan & La Parka Negra and team that’s the stuff of nightmares, Los Pyscho Circus, Monster Clown, Murder Clown & Psycho Clown.

*In what people are describing as a crazy spot-fest, Drago scored a fire breathing win hot off the heels of fiery Lucha Underground return defeating old rival Aero Star, other LU wrestlers Bengala, Fenix, Super Fly and AAA Luchadores Daga, Laredo Kid, Super Nova, Steve Pain and El Hijo Del Fantasma. (Still no sign of King Cuerno) Drago didn’t pin all those guys but did pin Aero Star as it was one fall to a finish.

*And in what sounds like a super fun opener, Machine Rocker/Taya Valkyrie/Mini Psycho Clown/Black Mamba beat Elegido/Fabi Apache/Dinastia/Pimpinela Escarlata

-Fenix was stretched out from the multi-Luchador super match, in agony from a shoulder injury. Don’t have details on the severity just yet but seems OK according to his instagram.

-Congratulations to AAA on scoring a similar promotional deal with Terminator: Genesys. That is a big-time marketing deal.

-If I missed AAA’s show, I certainly missed Money In The Bank. I hope it was good though.

-UFC 188 took palce Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico. Longtime best friends Rey Mysterio & Konnan were in attendance. Hot weekend in Mexico for wrestling & MMA fans.

-Hearing some folks weren’t seeing the newest episodes on Uvideos so try this link here: http://beta2.uvideos.com/series/lucha-underground

-Lucha Underground head writer Chris DeJoseph continues to share his insights and experiences. This time he’s on Taz’s Human Podcast Machine Episode 27. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/human-podcast-machine-taz/id951166132?mt=2

-Hearing there might an LU guest or two on the Stone Cold Steve Austin podcast so make sure you can keep an eye on that broadcast.

-Johnny Mundo graciously offers some workout advice right here: https://youtu.be/RacqW_A01vQ

-An in-depth look at the end of the Season with predictions from the Lucha Temple: http://luchatemple.com/the-lucha-underground-playoffs/

-Awesome read from the 411 Mania presenting 8 reasons why Lucha Underground is the best show on TV - but we already knew that ;)

http://411mania.com/wrestling/the-8-ball-top-8-reasons-why-lucha-underground-is-the-best-wrestling-show-on-tv/

-There’s a podcast all about Lucha Underground on the Heavy Hitter network you can listen to here: http://heavyhitternetwork.com/e/lu-chat-june-14th-2015/

-Luchashop has got some t-shirts for LU Luchadores including a new shirt for CAGE: http://maskedrepublic.ecwid.com/#!/**-NEW-THIS-WEEK-**/c/13244140/offset=0&sort=normal

-I want to close today but talking about the legendary Dusty Rhodes who passed away suddenly last week. I’m not going to try to top anyone else’s tribute. I know the WWE did a real nice job over the weekend. Dusty Rhodes was an icon and one of the biggest stars of his generation. Before Monday Nitro, he was the guy who gave the WWF the toughest fight and he inspired millions of fans. His mentorship has been felt across several generations of wrestlers he’s taught and mentored since. His death came as a shock to everyone I know in the business and everyone only had good things to say because it seemed everyone who met him was inspired by The American Dream. Best wishes to the Rhodes family as they deal with this loss. And best wishes to everyone out there who, like me, can’t actually believe there’s a wrestling world without Dusty Rhodes.

-Remember Tomorrow night Prince Puma & Johnny Mundo fight #AllNightLong

-Keep the tweets, emails, questions coming.

luchanews@fastmail.fm

Twitter & Instagram: @Undrgrndluchadr

And I will see you Underground. Lucha Underground.