Lucha Underground is a relatively new wrestling promotion, even though it started on October 29, 2014. Season 2 just started last week on the El Rey Network, and the reviews have been great since the show started. Because of all of the positive reviews for the show and for those of you who might have missed Season 1, I have decided to go back to Season 1 and recap each episode to get you caught up.
Opening Segment
The first person we hear from is the owner and promoter of Lucha Underground, Dario Cueto. The luchador who impresses him the most in The Temple will get a signing bonus of $100,000 at the end of the night. Talk about motivation!
The arena has a feel similar to NXT: a small venue with very passionate fans. On commentary is former WWE Superstar/commentator Matt Striker and former WCW wrestler Vampiro.
Blue Demon Jr. vs Chavo Guerrero
Striker gives us some background on Blue Demon Jr, who is a 3rd generation luchador, and is one of the best in the Lucha world. Chavo Guerrero has been in WCW and WWE, and is the nephew of the late Eddie Guerrero. These are perhaps two of the most prestigious families in professional wrestling.
The commentary has a very different feel than the WWE commentary. In Lucha Underground, the focus is the art of the wrestling itself. Matt Striker is doing a great job of giving a play-by-play style of commentary as well as providing some historical context.
Blue Demon Jr. locks in what looks like a modified bow-and-arrow for the win. Winner (via submission): Blue Demon Jr.
Backstage Segment
Dario Cueto is talking with former WCW wrestler Konnan about great talents to compete in the Temple. Konnan mentions that he has the best fighter in the business with him, Prince Puma, and Cueto has his own man, Johnny Mundo.
Johnny Mundo has previously wrestled in WWE as both Johnny Nitro and John Morrison, winning multiple singles and tag team championships.
Konnan’s apprentice Prince Puma has Lucha in his blood, dating back to the ancient Aztecs. Wearing the mask to symbolize the myths of his family, he has the potential to be a huge star.
Son of Havoc vs. Sexy Star
This is an intergender match, but they are building up Sexy Star very well in a promo match. She says that women are as strong as men, and she’s fighting for all women because all women are sexy and stars (hence the name).
Son of Havoc suggests that since he’s not wrestling a woman, Sexy Star should take a count out loss and “live to fight another day.” Star takes his advice, and enters the ring at the count of 5 and attacks Havoc from behind.
Sexy Star gets some great offense on Havoc, but after a backbreaker, Havoc uses the tights as leverage to get the pinfall. Winner: Son of Havoc
Backstage Segment
Cueto is backstage with Chavo Guerrero, who just lost earlier in the night. After putting Guerrero down for tapping out to Blue Demon, he warns Chavo of somebody that will be in the Temple on the next episode, and will be a force to be reckoned with.
Johnny Mundo vs. Prince Puma
According to Matt Striker, it has been three years since Johnny Mundo has been in a wrestling ring. Along with some ring rust, he has his hands full with Prince Puma, who Vampiro describes as the “embodiment of Lucha Libre.”
Mundo’s background of parkour and Prince Puma’s incredible aerial move set work very well together, creating a lot of great spots in this match. Johnny Mundo hits the End of the World (previously known as the Starship Pain) for the victory. Winner: Johnny Mundo
After the match, Cueto comes out to congratulate Johnny Mundo and offer him the $100,000 prize offered at the beginning of the show. Cueto refuses to give him the case, and three men (who we’ve yet to be introduced to, but one of them looks like former WWE Superstar Ezekiel Jackson) assault Mundo and Puma.
Cueto says that not only luchadors compete in the Temple now, and these three men work for him.
Watch Lucha Underground by tuning into the El Rey Network. Each week we’ll post more news and recaps about Lucha Underground.
