Csonka’s Lucha Underground Review 12.10.14

Introduction
As a reminder, this will not be another traditional recap, but instead it will be a mash up of the Rs, Instant Analysis and my usual Twitter ramblings I would do during the shows; completely uncensored and as the ideas flow unfiltered to the old keyboard. Remember, this is a review; and I am here to review the show. As always, I encourage discussion and even disagreement, just do so in a respectful manner. I will be doing the review for Raw and most PPVs and iPPVs going forward.

Lucha Underground 12.10.14

OFFICIAL RESULTS
~ King Cuerno defeated Super Fly @3:25 via pin [**]
~ Chavo Guerrero defeated Fenix @ 5:45 via pin [**½]
~ $100,000 Ladder Match: Johnny Mundo defeated Big Ryck and Prince Puma @ 19:30 [***]

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* We get the usual recap video, catching us all up from last week and then right to the ring at about three minutes into the show.

* MACHETE is in the crowd.

Super Fly vs. King Cuerno: This was largely a vehicle for King Cuerno, who is positioned in a feud with Drago. They also had Drago watch on during the match, a small and simple, but effective storytelling tool. King Cuerno mostly dominated this match, Super Fly got a couple of hope spots and a cool dive, but this was all about getting King Cuerno the win. They worked hard for the time given, but I personally would have loved to see this go a little longer though.

* We get a really well done video package on Pentagon Jr. The production, as usual, was excellent and these types of things can go a long way to getting over performers. I will say that it felt out of place here though, and could have been better utilized prior to his debut or even the week after.

Fenix w/Sexy Star vs. Chavo Guerrero w/Pentagon Jr.: This is the latest in the mix of these four competitors, which in one way or another have been intertwined since the show’s debut. That’s not a complaint, just a nod to the continued effort to tie the episodes together and tell stories. They did an awesome spot where Fenix hit Meteora but Chavo rolled through into a single leg crab. It looked slick, and most importantly Chavo focused on the knee with the story that he wanted to keep Fenix from flying around. Fenix sold well later as he couldn’t do a traditional dive, so he had to climb the ropes to take out the rudos. Unfortunately his selling got dodgy down the stretch. Pentagon would crotch Fenix late, allowing Chavo to connect with the grog splash for the win. Post match Sexy Star warned Chavo that Blue Demon Jr. would be returning to get revenge.

* We got a video package for “Cage”. This is PWG regular Brian Cage, who is a fucking beast and should fit in well with Lucha Underground.

$100,000 Ladder Match: Johnny Mundo vs. Prince Puma vs. Big Ryck: This is another story that goes all the way back to episode one, where Mundo and Puma faced off in the main event. Big Ryck and the Crenshaw Crew got involved and took the $100,000 that evil owner Dario Cueto was offering up. Ever since Mundo and Puma (individually and as teammates) have been battling with Ryck and the crew. Konnan’s interactions (as Puma’s manager) have been done well, as he wants to protect his investment, but you can tell that Puma isn’t always buying what Konnan is selling. Puma and Mundo had some great exchanges as they continue to work together. Ryck is too big and scared to climb ladders, so the Crew was called out, only for them to be wiped out to the floor. Puma did a sweet suicide dive underneath the giant ladder (which was on the floor) to wipe out the crew, it looked very awesome. Ryck and the Crew took control back, essentially making it 3 on 2, we got a ladder bridge, tables and the Jeff Hardy approved super sized ladder introduced into the match with Ryck’s minions going through tables and all sorts of shenanigans. Mundo and Puma had a good amount of back and forth, Ryck made his comeback and set up two ladders to climb after press slamming Puma through a ladder bridge. Mundo came back, kicked Ryck in the balls and looked to have the match won until a new man (B-Boy) debuted to help Ryck as the latest edition to the Crenshaw Crew. Ryck ordered his men to climb the ladders as he tried to keep Mundo on the floor, but Mundo did the Spider-Man leap in and onto the ladder, toppled over the rudos and grabbed the briefcase for the win. This was fun in a train wreck sort of way. Puma and Mundo did the heavy lifting, but there just ended up being so much bullshit that I became numb to it. It made sense having the Crew get involved and the debut of the new guy, but it became so much that it ended up meaning nothing other that it being a tool to extend the match.

* Post match, Cueto wanted his key back and hoped that they could work together as businessmen. Cueto demanded that Mundo give it to him, so he did as he used the key to lay out Cueto. Mundo stood tall and left the key with Cueto.

* End scene.

* Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”

7.0

The final score: review Good

The 411

Tonight’s show was an overall solid effort from Lucha Underground. I continue to appreciate the focus on the storytelling and episodic TV, which has remained strong since they debuted. They are continuing things and they are easy to follow on a weekly basis, making you feel as if you are along for the ride without making you ever feel as if you missed something.

The wrestling was good, but not great this week. The main event had some great moments, especially with Puma and Mundo doing some slick shit in there, but the overall match suffered due to so many people getting involved for so long. Minimize that and focus on the good things they did do and the match is way better. I did enjoy the aspect of the long, uninterrupted, main event segment. That is something that Lucha Underground can offer from time to time that others can’t.

Overall I felt that this was a good show, and one that remains very easy to watch.