Starting out
Warning, I am new to this for the names
and faces and masks, so as a new fan this leads to some
misunderstandings, but the fact that I am going to be all over this
one tells you, my readers something. However I saw the commercial for
this and had the EL Rey network, so I thought what the hell and
checked it out.
Lucha Libre is an old style of combat
sport, one with a hundred traditions and a flair for
theatricality/technique not really found here in the States One of
my favorite stars as a short kid was Rey Mysterio. Recent TV spots told me that it has ties to the Aztecs. Lucha Underground's premise is
simple: come to the ring to win honor, glory...and a fat stack of
cash. The mat is roped tightly and with steel posts that are barely
covered. Seating is arena style without the padding. Benches really,
and it makes it easy to believe the cops are about to show up or are
on the take.
Its mastermind, Dario Cueto, owner,
promoter, and evil genius, calls the ring and its environs
his“Temple.” As he spoke, the feeling I got was not some million
dollar enterprise. No, it was the vibe of an underground fighting
ring, where great and terrible things can happen. Blood would be
spilled and honor gained in the City of Angels.
Blood Sport meeting pro wrestling
from Mexico. The only thing missing was sand to throw in your opponent's
eyes. That is the vibe and for me it was awesome. Dario wanted three
things to come from his temple; Courage, Honor and best of all
Violence. He offered up one hundred grand to the wrestler who caught
his eye best. First thought was Paul Heyman with a Castelian accent
-all that was missing was a riot.
Announce team was introduced, play by
play was done by Matt Striker and color was provided by Vampiro. They
seem solid together and encourage some serious looks on my part. Going to research Vampiro, since again, this is all new to me.
Note:things were so cool notes stopped
for a long time during matches.
First Match
Chavo Guerro vs Blue demon
The match started on a handshake, that
was a nice touch of respect. First words out of my mouth were holy
shit that's Chavo Guerro!
Match was the most traditional, tied to
generations of luchadores and the pride behind their names. It was
good to see a Guerro back in the ring on TV. Demon Won by submission
and Chavo left to soak in his anger.
Backstage action 1
Next came the plot unfolding, Dario
had this trainer named Konnan, they discuss motivations. Konnan wants
the green, very much the heel manager with the face star. Thinking
he has the young star to do it in Prince Puma. This again added to
that vibe of being a movie or TV show that was about Combat Sports in
an underground setting. All shadows and threats. Dario says he picked
up the biggest free agent in the luche world in Johnny Mundo AKA John
Morrison. This was going to be fun to watch.
Vignette 1
Another vignette voiced over by Konnan
discusses his young protege, Prince Puma is shown to be a warrior,
young and untried but with the heart and spirit of ancient times.
Konnan discusses the history of the mask and the reason losing that
mask was so vital to the people in Mexico. The nice touches also were
that when training, Lucha Libre looked like an actual martial art or
combat sport not weight lifting with suplexes.
Next match was a inter-gender match, which surprised the hell out of me.
Match 2
Son of Havok vs Sexy Star
This surprised the hell out of me with
our modern breakdown of things in mainstream wrestling. Sexy Star had
a great story to tell, trying to be a character that women can
emulate. She cuts a nice promo even with the thick accent as well.
The Lucha Libre saved my life thing, if not an angle, makes this even
more awesome.
Son Of Havok is a by the numbers heel
or Rudo, not willing to fight a girl because its not worth his time.
The match starts on a false count out to 5 and bang things get
heated. I was honestly sad to see a loss for Sexy Star, I know that
there will be wins for the lady. Back breaker with tights pulled boom
done and a win for Son of Havok.
Honestly it was nice to see this kind
of match, I know many ladies that can duke it out better then the
boys and hopefully this will be ingrained in the show and not just
the first episode. Time will tell and I will keep watching.
Back stage action 2
Dario comes in to shame and berate
Chavo. He verbally beats the loser of the first match about the head
and shoulders. Calling in family to add sting to his words, saying
that the cash was not his and now he had to bring in someone to
finish off The Blue Demon. Again a nice establishing moment. Dario is
coming to look like the best kind of villain, the man in the shadows,
pulling strings and making deals.
Chavo silently takes his, head down and
shoulders hunched, quietly stewing and vibrating. Saying more with
less. This normally would have been a shouting match in a certain
promotion, here...the calm before the storms.
Main Event:
Johnny Mundo(John Morrison) vs Prince Puma
Match went everywhere in the ring area
and was a knockdown drag-out fight with more high flying moves then
WWE have in their budget all year, leading to serious "This is awesome" chants. Mundo pulls out the win but Prince
Puma is shown to be young true, but a super star in the making. The
final few minutes of the hour included some nice moments and
establishing moments as well. Mundo goes over to the fallen youngster
and gives him a hands up and hand shake. When has that happened on
WWE in recent memory? The faces now established here come the heels.
Dario comes out and has the brief case
in hand, almost giving it to Mundo, but look betrayal as he closes it
and has his brute squad come in and wreck shop. “I have been
scouting the best talent in the world.” He says, and that he had
hired them, one snatches the money and the show closes.
Final Thoughts:
After recent WWE events I will state
for the record that I now have a new show on Wednesday nights at eight
o'clock. This show feels more honest, more real then recent episodes
of some shows I could name. Maybe having a movie director leading the
firm makes for better TV I am not sure. But its great in-ring work
and simple but effective story vignettes, mean this is going to be a
must see show. Hell if it were a DVD I would watch the vignettes
alone as things get interesting.
Show can be found at eight o'clock on EL Rey.
Link below for more info:
Lucha Underground
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