Lucha Underground: Episode 14
Airdate: February 11, 2015
Report by Rudy Cabrera
Last week ended with a cliffhanger after we witnessed the much anticipated debut of AAA World Heavyweight Champion Alberto El Patron, formerly known as Alberto Del Rio in WWE, as most of us know. He is the only man with the distinction of holding every major wrestling championship in North America. Very impressive. The title he bears, El Patron, suggests something about his character since in Mexico it is a title reserved for bosses of real estate, industry, or criminal enterprise. It is a title not just anyone can have and is made use of by powerful people only. Alberto brings class, experience and star power to the promotion the way very few wrestlers can. He’s an important acquisition that is sure to keep Luchas ever increasing momentum going. From this point forward we can expect the show to revolve around him.
We kick things off straight to business with Alberto in Dario Cuetos office. Cueto thanks him for coming. He tells Alberto he likes his suits, his cars and the fact he’s come to visit the Temple. Alberto tells him he likes his key. He asks what it unlocks but Cueto ignores the question. Eventually they agree El Patron will get an open microphone tonight because there are things he wants to get off his chest. He says the next time he asks Cueto for anything, it will be for blood. Great opening segment that makes one anticipate what he’ll say later and encourages the viewer to stay tuned.
Argenis vs Fenix
We are welcomed by Matt Striker and Vampiro to an electric Boyle Heights crowd ready for action. They hype Albertos announcement tonight on an open microphone. Mariachi El Bronx is with us again tonight. Melissa Santos introduces Argenis already in the ring. Argenis is the brother of Mysteziz, formerly known as Mistico and the original Sin Cara in WWE. His opponent Fenix is considered one of the best high flyers in the world and this match really showed why as it was an all out display of athleticism and fast paced high flying action. A
couple of moves were botched but nothing that could be perceived by the untrained eye. These guys were springboarding off every rope and diving to the outside continuously, with some spots looking rather risky if you ask me. It was a spectacular match leading the crowd to chant “this is awesome” several times. Catrina came down to the ring during the match, following up on her previous meeting with Fenix when she teased him with a devilish kiss. Argenis capitalized on the distraction and attempted to secure the win, but was bested by Fenix who walked away victorious after a sick looking modified sit down tombstone piledriver. These guys are full of innovative maneuvers. The move was executed perfectly and safely as Fenix held his neck in place with his hand as he drove him to the mat. Catrina then entered the ring and licked Argenis all the while staring down Fenix.
They teased Mil Muertes sent her out to mess with Fenix since Fenix had beaten him a couple of weeks ago. Catrina is one hot, seductive young woman. Reminds you of the kind you can’t trust. I enjoyed the commentary on this match as the announcers were adamant about giving us a history lesson. Vampiro mentioned how Konnan, among others, is one of the founders of AAA and Matt Striker took what I perceived as a shot at WWE and said “we won’t kill you with social media” and then promoted the Lucha Undergrounds social media accounts. These two make a good team.
We see clips of El Patron arriving in an Aston Martin and getting off the car in slow motion looking like a boss. Alberto really lives up to his name and always looks like a million bucks. Can’t wait for his announcement.
Mil Muertes is backstage and Catrina tells him holding the power of a thousand lives is too much for him to handle. He then shuts her up by lifting her from the throat and goes on to say in a monstrous voice that he needs nothing. The segment was a little tacky as the scene cuts to show her feet leave the ground when he lifts her and then return to the ground as he puts her back. It looked unrealistic and inconsistent with the camera work and in my opinion it was unnecessary. As he’s leaving he finds Chavo walking backstage and tosses him from wall to wall by his throat. He then tells him next week he has a debt to pay. Mil Muertes sure looks strong despite any losses that may appear on his record.
Big Ryck goes to a confessional and asks to be forgiven, for he is about to sin against three men who have betrayed him. He swore revenge on the Crenshaw Crew, calling each of them a Judas, and promising to go Old Testament on them. Ryck lights a cigar and quotes Deuteronomy 32 saying vengeance is his. This was shot beautifully and got Ryck over as a big-time face with more to him than meets the eye. I can’t believe I’m excited about Ezekiel Jackson! The man looked dangerous and determined. WWE really needs to take notes.
Son of Havoc vs Johnny Mundo
Last week Johnny Mundo was dismantled by the combined forces of King Cuerno and Cage. This week he’s set to go head-to-head with the yet-to-be-victorious Son of Havok. Son of Havoc dedicated tonight’s victory to the “baddest b**** in the building,” Ivelisse. Commentary sold that Mundo was still hurt due to the attack last week from King Cuerno. They talked about how Mundo had been with trainers all day and his knee was not a hundred percent. Unfortunately Mundo was running around as if nothing was wrong from the get go which was somewhat disappointing from a storytelling and commentary point of view.
Ivelisse got involved several times to allow Havoc to gain an advantage, leading to Mundo finally selling the knee. Havoc is a really good performer, sells very well and made all of Mundo’s offense look really strong. This was a hard fought battle booked way more evenly than I thought it would be. This was a match with a great collection of spots between two former gymnasts. The athletic skills in gymnastics are a great fit for wrestling. Gymnasts are very strong pound for pound, they possess tremendous body control and bring great agility to the ring. There was a spot in the match where Havoc displays tremendous body core strength by dispensing himself horizontally in the air holding on to nothing but the ring post before he dropped the elbow. It was unbelievable and you truly have to see it to believe it.
Havoc had Mundo beat, but took too long to come off the top with the shooting star press. Mundo got the knees up, hit the End of the World, and escaped with the win. It was a great match full of athleticism and in ring prowess. The story here is that Ivelisse is getting frustrated with Havocs constant losing. King Cuerno then appeared and beat down Mundo to follow up on last weeks attack and continue setting up their feud. I truly believe they are under utilizing Son of Havoc. Havoc is an amazing talent that should be wrestling at the top of the card. Striker was intense during the match and seemed to have taken another shot at WWE when he said “our stars are made in the ring not out of it”.