The Key to Success:Lucha Under ground Episode Six

Its beginning to look like Christmas!

So how goes the week Believers? Sorry for the late post, but you know that the holidays and the job wait for no man, woman, or fan. I am posting up the matches and my thoughts, you can look else where for the dry recitation of the moves.

So we get the Intro, Dario and Big Ryck are sharing a little bubbly and a cigar while the paperwork is being hashed out for the star heel. Ryck signs off, but wants his bonus in cash money-this will come back to bite him later, as we shall see.

Music for the Night:Mortal Kombat: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Son of Havoc (w/ Ivelisse) vs. Pimpinela Escarlata

Goodness me, this was an interesting one. I am happy that they get the “gimmick matches” out of the way. Pimpinela is something in the mold of Gold-dust, Gorgeous George(and per Matt Striker The Miz) and the rest. The match was solid, but I hope they are giving enough Green to Son of Havok and his lady friend.

In short, (with no pun intended) with Mascarita showing up and having a moment, the silly was out of the way and it was a good opener, even with that. Its not my thing but I would rather have a technician with a saucy gimmick then a bum. So it works out.

Can't a Man Use The Restroom

So we get this little moment of a heart to heart between Mundo and Dario. Dario is just finishing up a tinkle when Johnny Mundo shows up to negotiate with extreme prejudice. Johnny is about to apply his fists as a means of getting change from Dario's face. Not seeing at least one bit of thump saddened me, but then I got cheery.

Dario, like any school yard bully, promises him the 100 grand from episode one, keeping the arc while enhancing the story. Johnny, getting a little tired of those promises from a snake, takes Dario's key necklace as insurance and collateral. Dario seems miffed as hell by this, could there be something more to that key...we are probably going to find out.

Famous B vs. Mil Muertes (w/ Katrina)

So Famous B and Mister one thousand deaths was the squash match of the night. Spear to flat-liner. The famous thing was the fact he got licked by Katrina, so whoopie for him. So not much to say, I can only wonder what this scary (and in Katrina's case sexy) duo of monsters is going to be doing when higher up the card.

Here there be dragons

We get a short series of fight sequences as a little girl gives the history on dragons. Drago is the highlight. I enjoy weekly that they are showing these guys as fighters on the street and in the ring. It's pro wrestling.

How to Break a Dragon

So we come to the match, between King Cuerno and Drago. Its the standard but awesome Lucha Libre action we wait for on this show. Airborne Wrestlers moving all over the place with each maneuver a counter. This was a joy to watch. Again notes are scraped but the chants of “Holy Sh*t” make up for the fact that even the Announce team could not keep up.

Cuerno won the hard fought match and let the world, or at least those of us watching, know that the Hunt had begun. I am glad again to see some mid card rivals forming up even as the main event was in the works for next week as we will see.

Stairway to Green

So next comes Johnny Mundo, calling out the boss about his cash. Holding up the key as a reminder of where it will come from if not given to him. Big Ryck comes out to inform mister Mundo that his dough fits nicely in his pocket. Before the man can finish, Johnny is arguing the case over the top rope and onto the big man's mug.

Of course this is not the end of it as Johnny moves back into the ring to keep up the countdown. And here come Konnan, adding that that money belongs Prince Puma. He notes that the man who has been around the world, accidentally took a chair to the boy and that the big meanies under Ryck have been using him as a punching bag.

While Mundo is focused on the Trainer of the Little Prince, Ryck cheap...well takes a shot at the giblets of Mundo and is about to commence to beating. However Puma shows up and the duo of Mundo and Puma kick out the big man, and then square off for a dance that pulls out the Refs and security.

This of course leads to the snake in the shadows, Dario, calling on all parties and letting them know that its wise to read every inch of a contract. Seems the Hundred large of Ryck's signing bonus is going to be on a chain hanging from the ceiling for a three way ladder match.

All in all a rocking set of promos. I will say having a fist shut up the various talkers was nice to see. This is Lucha Libre not debate team.

MAIN EVENT-Tag Team Vengeance

So Pentagon Jr. and Chavo are lined up against Fenix and Sexy Star, again this was a must watch match and even the commentators were a little slow on the uptake. Much is being made of Star's appearance with the boys. And she does give a good number of firm shots here and their, seemed this week the chops were especially load through the whole show. Thumbs up, sound team!

Anyway Fenix and Sexy Star win with a nice combo on pentagon, but the battle was done, but this is war between the four. So its going to be interesting to see the dance unfold.

Final Thoughts

Honestly again the show within a show is what is keeping me intrigued. I am happy that good technicians are the mid card and that the main eventers can switch out each show. I am hoping soon to see more MMA type characters, but that is hopefully something to build into, not force on us. I am ecstatic that they make this about the ring. I like how the faces aren't so squeaky clean, but still good dudes.

I have to give some serious props to the announce team though, this is what is missing in the main stream. The “Heel” still respects the fighters, but wants a little more bloodshed and the face is willing to go along with it. Again the ring is the focus, not EL Rey, not Robert Rodrieguz, the ring. A little word on it, but its all action in Lucha underground.

Like Sub and comment, This should be a dialogue not me playing Richard the Third or Francis Underwood.

See you tomorrow and next week for more Lucha Underground!

Lucha Underground: Take Five

Smooth Moves to Smooth Jazz

So guys, it's Sunday, I am stuffed still from the food and frivolity of this Thursday But the night before was for lucha. We get Dario and Konnan having a little drink between friendly enemies. Business takes precedence over personal any day of the week.

This leads to a little dance of a street fight with Prince Puma and Big Ryck; no rules just bloodshed. Main event settled, we move on to the action.

One Thousand Ways to Slay A Dragon, AKA The Hunt Continues:

Mil Muertes and Drago have one beauty of a match, with power meeting aerial maneuvers with satisfying force while the hunter King Cuerno watched from on high. Muertes pulls off the win with a flat liner. The good news is Drago got enough solid action that this was shown not to be just some squash match. Caterina gets her licks in, too, and a lot of boys become men at the end of a solid start.

In comes Cuerno, who then plants the fallen dragon with authority. It furthers the story but keeps that little feud in the ring, heel established on the tweener and we are good to go. At least in my eyes, mind you Lucha is still a new world, but one that is fresh, right?

Around the World with Johnny

Up next was a good and solid promo from Johnny Mundo, playing up the Tecnico who has control issues to a tee while still having a good time in the off hours. Thank God he kept it all about the ring, about being the best at what he has done and will do. Champagne and caviar are treated as a poor second to ring and the rush of the fans chanting your name. It wasn't about his feelings or how X dude called him a poop head. Nope, it's all about the gold around his waist and being The Guy. To quote a very well known gentleman “Stylin' and Profilin'”

He knows what darkness lurks below.

Caterina, with Mil Muertes staying silent in the back, have a little chat with the boss. Keeping it simple, they know him and his darkness. More to come as the fear comes through Dario's Eyes. These back stage moments are a much better show within the show then most current popular wrestling shows.

Lucha is Havok on Little People:

One of the things I am still getting used to is the fact that the little people get the big stage. While a novelty in some ways, the fight still is crisp, clean, and fun to watch, no matter the size. Son of Havok got his story-line butt whooped by Mascarita Sagrada while his roadie Ivelisse did the ladies Rudo right by helping her man beat up the little guy.

Sexy taking it out of Chavo:

Vengeance is a stone cold lady and sexy star, and proved that tonight on a referee and Chavo Guerro. I mean having the face go for the low blow for vendetta is a nice breath of fresh air is all I am saying. Really the match was a no go from the start but for that moment, well for me and the ref it was breath taking.

Wednesday Night Street Fight:

So its main event time, and Puma and Big Ryck put on a show. The rest of the boys all get into the dance as the heels stomp the stuffing out of the kitty. Not that he doesn't get his shots in. And while the three on one mixer happens in the middle of the ring, you watch the top and Bam! in comes Batman...I mean Johnny Mundo.

Harry Dresden fans scream “Parkour Bitch!”

While Johnny gets his licks in, that little razzle dazzle however ends with Mundo clocking the Prince with a chair, and Ryck, then adding injury to insult by putting the young Prince through a table.

Round up:

Keeping it simple here. I enjoyed this week's show, and I am hoping that the story seems to keep on this track. People are settling into roles and the lines may be drawn, but there is still growth available. I almost hope they get the show ready for DVD release, because it's nature as a drama with action means I get my story with a smile.

So what moment caught your eye, what do you think could or should be added. Hell what do you think of the DVD thing?

As Always!:

Like Subscribe and comment. And I will be keeping an eye on the underground. 

Mat Sense Ran:Survivor Series Week (So Close and Yet So Far)

      I am going to have to say writing with a food coma is a tough gig. However I will be putting up my Lucha Underground review tomorrow or Sunday, schedule permitting.

     The fact remains that this week was decent for the WWE in my eyes, however bringing back the anon gm, is a crap move on their part. You had a solid line with Ziggler and Sting coming up roses. Then was added the odor of Mr. Cena. We are going to have a solid Tables Ladders and Chairs match up coming between Wyatt and Ambrose.

     The Yes! movement and its superstar back is a breath of fresh air in a stale ass environment. So that is something to cheer about for a brief moment. Then Anon GM the wonder box had to be used and what no Edge?

     Hashed and Rehashed are the words that this company is living by. Nothing new and nothing worth discussing beyond a new happier faction of Kofi Kingston, Big E. Langston and Xavier Woods. A New Day could be something, but the WWE's track record is poor at best with both factions and with African American talent.

So in short...my stomach hurts from food and my head hurts from the WWE.

   At least I have Lucha underground next week.

This is Awesome! No This Is LUCHA: Mat Sense Review

Day Three of my mind blown:

Okay I am hooked, Lucha underground is DVR material like no other currently on the wrestling scene. When you can't even check your texts or email on the phone, man it is something to see. Match by match is not going to happen since I am enjoying the quick but action stuffed matches more then I can analyze at points.

Matches have been crisp, clean, and straight up cool. The last main event I saw was a three way dance, and had movement and rhythms like a jazz musician.It was hard, syncopated and too cool for the rest. Pentagon Jr. ,Dragon and Fenix mixed it up with spots out of a video game. The plot stays on point with backstage moments giving the show a gritty harsh feel, even when a small person takes on a crazy mariachi. Even the silly is awesome in Lucha Underground.

Feeling Real:

The Underground is real here for story. Deals made, opponents found, and nightmares born as Chavo Guerro, playing the lone gunslinger still trying to prove his name. And the facts are kept on point; he is the best and he wants to prove it. Simple, elegant. No snores from the authority and no $9.99 crap. To get to the manager, his goons go down and cash changes hands to break a pretty boy.

Mil Muertes' personal plot is something that could give a claustrophobic fits, and his manager/valet Caterina is that flavor of sexy but creepy that could make someone voiceless become terrifying without saying a word. That little flicker of the lights and you knew the darkness was on point. While I am still a student of the Lucha world, this gives me references and vibes of a certain dead man.

An Issue:

The only weakness of this show is honestly the fact that it is an El Rey show, but the strength of having a movie director with solid action chops is that instead of feeling disjointed ala WWE and some others. The plot is feeding itself. Dario may be running an old beat up trope of the sleazy promoter, but the cast around him and atmosphere make it seem like there are more then just shady deals in his future. Its obscurity on some levels gives it freedom, but that freedom is at the cost of a wider audience.

Main Event:

No Fear was the name of the game as Fenix flew, Dragon roared, and Pentagon Jr. dropped some bombs. There were moments where my jaw dropped so hard I got dents in my floor. If this was Philly in the 90's it would have been all “ECW” but now its “LUCHA LUCHA LUCHA” as Fenix did aerial tricks that would make the blue angels puke.

Spots after Spots and yet I want more, technique power and and a solid groove.

Jazz bands roll it tight and so does Lucha underground.

Round 1 Fight: Lucha Underground-A Mat Sense Review

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