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!

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

Mat Sense Sports: A Brief Introduction

Why Mat Sense and who am I?

Okay, down and dirty, this blog is about the sports I love to watch, including Pro Wrestling, Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts and other martial sports, as I catch them. I know that I am not the expert, but I know a few things and I have my opinions. I am going to review the various DVDs, events/shows and gear of the competitors. I am going to link them up if I can so if you want a view for yourself,. Plus you help a fellow fan out, if you buy but I am not forcing that.  My name is Jamie, I am an old new fan, coming back into things but wanting to share my thoughts.

Getting into the Weeds

Some warnings though, because I would rather be honest about this then get my business caught in a vice. I want comments, but I will fight my fight. I want discussion, but be polite. I want to bring what I see as truths to the masses, and hell I might even be wrong too. Hell, I will probably be wrong frequently, its half the joy of the Internet.

Final Notes

This is a work in progress and I will let you know when I get new features or work on new projects. So take a look, subscribe, and leave a comment.

And thanks to for the help with getting this little thing rolling stronger.
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