Csonka’s Lucha Underground Review 4.29.15

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 4.29.15 – Episode 25: The Way of the Drago

OFFICIAL RESULTS
~ Fenix defeated Killshot @ 6:02 via pin [**]
~ Famous B vs. Ricky Mandel vs. Argenis vs. Vinny Massaro went to a no contest @ 0:10 [NR]
~ #1 Contender’s Match: Hernandez defeated King Cuerno & Cage @ 4:55 via pin [*½]
~ Lucha Underground Title Match: Champion Prince Puma defeated Drago @ 10:31 via pin [***½]

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* We get a recap of the trios tag tournament, and then Dario Cueto meets with the Crew. He is not pleased that the Crew lost the titles last week when he gave them the perfect chance to take the titles. They are introduced to the man in the cage (Matanza) but we do not see him. It is revealed that Matanza (who happens to be the one that killed Black Lotus’ parents) is Cueto’s brother, and that if the Crew disappoints him again, they will suffer at the hands of Matanza.

Fenix vs. Killshot: This was all action from the bell, with both guys hitting dives and then exchanging counters, slaps and then a brainbuster by Killshot for a near fall. Fenix is really good, but Killshot is very hit or miss for me and at times I felt that this really lacked a smooth flow. They went back and forth, and then Fenix countered a super German suplex then scored the win with the fire driver. It was fine as they did a lot of fun stuff, but that’s all it ever felt like. The lack of flow and effort to build a match that got me invested hurt the match presentation.

* Cueto meets with Drago, and Cueto then discusses that Drago never thanked him for his unique opportunity tonight.

* After a commercial Cueto meets with Puma, and says that only a warrior deserves to be his champion. Hernandez then appeared as Cueto tried to leave, and questioned why he was placed in a three-way tonight. Hernandez doesn’t care about Puma, and feels that this is a set up. Cueto then makes the match a #1 contender’s match. Puma was listening in as the whole thing took place in the locker room.

Famous B vs. Ricky Mandel vs. Argenis vs. Vinny Massaro: All fout of these men are former victims of Pentagon Jr. The bell sounds and they work for about 10-seconds and then Texano appears and clears everyone from the ring, including the ref. Famous B eats a powerbomb and then gets tossed. He calls out Daivari to answer for what happened last week and promises to deliver the beating of his life.

* As Cueto walks outside the building, he is met by Marty “The Moth” Martinez. He says he has Aztec blood running through his veins, and he wants to compete. Cueto is not sold on this and then locks him out of the building and calls security to deal with “the crazy fan”.

For a Shot at The Lucha Underground Title: Hernandez vs. King Cuerno vs. Cage: They worked a really good pace early, and everyone got a chance to shine. Cage and Cuerno tried to work together, but of course they had some issues and that allowed Hernandez to make his comeback. It then went off the rails as Marty the Moth then ran in and yelled that he was here, so they all kicked his ass and sent him packing. Hernandez hit a sitout dominator to score the win moments later. Again, another match where they just did stuff (which was generally good) and then there was a finish. I never felt the rhythm of the match, there was no build to a climax and the Moth stuff was very stupid. Add all of this together and this came across very weak for a “#1 contender’s match”.

* We get a Vampiro hosted sitdown interview with the Trios Champions Ivelisse, Son of Havoc and Angelico. Ivelisse has a cast on her left ankle, due to the injury she suffered on last week’s show. Ivelisse tried to talk over everyone, and she says she took up as the team captain, which led to their victory. They all ended up arguing, because they do not like each other. They agree that they will fight together, but that they aren’t friends. I actually love the fact that they are not all best friends just because they won the titles.

Lucha Underground Title Match: Champion Prince Puma vs. Drago: If Drago wins he is the new champion, if he loses, he can no longer compete in the Temple. As I expected, they worked really well together. Drago worked with a sense of urgency, due to the stipulation, and Konnan took a more vocal approach to managing Puma. Both men displayed some excellent work here, and this was the first match on the show that was really feeling like a well thought out and executed presentation. They built good drama, had really good near falls and it was really a joy to watch. Puma was constantly working hard for the win and retain his title, and then spun Drago into the ref for the ref bump. Drago hit the Canadian Destroyer on Puma, but with no ref he cannot get the win, only the phantom cover. Hernandez then came out and attacked Drago (but appeared to be going for Puma), and that upset the honorable champion because he doesn’t want to win the match that way. Konnan then yelled for Puma to show no mercy, and then connected with the spinning fire driver to retain the title.

* As Drago goes to leave the building, he sees Dario Cueto. Drago promises that they will meet again and leaves. As he leaves, there is an explosion. Either that was a really cool special effect or Cueto really wanted to make that exile stipulation stick.

* End scene.

* Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia.”

6.0

The final score: review Average

The 411

Overall a mixed bag of a show, which I would classify as average. The #1 contender’s match was poorly booked, and felt like a complete throw away due to the booking and how short it was. The main event match was good, and while adds to the story in ways, was an example of things that Lucha Underground has managed to largely stay away from (ref bumps, shenanigans and such). The promotion feels so fresh most weeks because they stay away from these basic traps, but unfortunately felt the need to call on them this week. Again, this has largely been avoided, and I hope it doesn’t become the norm. The main event, outside of the finish, is really the only match worth your time this week.

But I will say that they did some good storytelling things this week. Dario Cueto is being written as the ultimate villain, and it is done very well. The angle with the Crew was a nice start to connect last week’s show, and also the continued tease of Motenza and his relation to Cueto. With the Trio Champion not getting along and one of then injured, will the Crew be able to please El Jefe and take those titles? Hernandez’s actions and the fact that he won a title shot is interesting. You can see that Puma respects Konnan as his mentor, but doesn’t always agree with what he wants. Hernandez has been established as Konnan’s friend (via the mention of LAX when he debuted) so the story could get interesting there. Not a bad effort this week, but not nearly as good as most of their shows.