Csonka’s Lucha Underground Review 7.22.15

Lucha Underground 7.22.15 – Episode 37: PenUltimaLucha

OFFICIAL RESULTS
– Texano defeated Johnny Mundo @ 5:50 via DQ [**½]
– The Mack defeated Cage @ 0:42 via pin [NR]
– Fenix won the Aztec Medallion Battle Royal @ 7:09 to retain his medallion [**]

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– El Jefe Dario Cueto met with Big Ryck. Cueto says that Ryck still has potential and needs to get away from Daivari. He then spoke of the Aztec medallions, and gave Ryck the final one. Ryck being Ryck, also scored a pile of cash and was glad that he and El Jefe could finally see “eye to eye”. On one hand this fits the character of both, Cueto rewarding someone for nothing and paying them off and Ryck accepting the payoff and seemingly working for Cueto again. But on the other hand, it feels almost as if they ran out of time and said, “fuck it, lets just give the last one away”.

Johnny Mundo vs. Texano: Both have big matches as Ultima Lucha, so this feels like a very questionable choice for a match as neither man should lose here. Mundo continues to play his rudo role well, being more aggressive on offense, but also begging off when Texano would try and take the fight to him. Mundo finally got control with a trip and then spinning hangman’s neck breaker from the apron to the floor. Overall they had a fun, but short match that made me want to see a longer match between the two down the line. The Crew got involved and beat down Texano for the DQ. Mundo then joined in and they laid the boots to Texano, and El Patron made the save. Mundo ran and Texano recovered and whipped the Crew with his bull rope. El Patron and Texano then had a stand off, showing that they aren’t friends, which makes complete sense. This was solid overall.

– Dario Cueto met with Hernandez, and informed him that the fans hated him. Next week, in week one of Ultima Lucha, Hernandez will meet Drago in a Believer’s Backlash match. The fans will get straps, and if the wrestlers go to the floor, the fans can get involved. Hernandez told Cueto that he hoped he had good insurance.

The Mack vs. Cage: Mack pinned Cage, only the second man to do so, and this is their rematch. Cage ran wild early, but then Mack won with a flash pin (blown sunset flip out of the corner) in under a minute. Cage then attacked and they brawled at ringside. Security geeks arrived, but failed to break up the fight. Mack and Cage brawled up the steps, and more security arrived to try and break them up. Cueto appeared, and said he would find anything and everything in the Temple and put it ringside, and they will fight next week in a falls count anywhere match. He then teased more information about the Aztec Medallions. I wasn’t a fan of the flash pin win, I think they just should have went into the uncontrolled brawl for a no contest. Beating Cage like that was poor form and killed a lot of the booking of him as a monster after he already lost to the Mack.

– Dario Cueto is here to explain the Aztec Medallions. He revealed a new title, the “Gift of the Gods” title. There is a place on the belt for all of the medallions. The winner of a seven-person (medallion holders) match at Ultima Lucha will win the title. The holder of the belt will get a title shot anytime they want, but no cashing in because El Jefe wants at least one week to promote the match. Also if the person does not turn it in for a title shot, they will have to defend it. Once they turn it in for a title shot, we start awarding medallions all over again. The medallion holders, Big Ryck, Aerostar, Bengala, King Cuerno, Sexy Star and Jack Evans, make their way to the ring. No Fenix, who won the first one. Cueto says that they must place their medallions on the Gift of the Gods title to be official for the match. This had a WMAC Masters feel to it, and I love it mainly because I wrote a column about doing something like this a few years ago. Cueto mentions that Fenix has been destroyed, so he will put his medallion up for grabs tonight in a gauntlet. Fenix of course made his return, but El Jefe decides that he will have to fight to win back the medallion.

Aztec Medallion Battle Royal: Fenix, Marty The Moth, Famous B, Ricky Mandel, Delavar Daivari, Argenis, Killshot, Super Fly Vinny Massaro and Mascarita Sagrata were involved. This is over the top elimination, and the final two fight until there is a pin or submission. Fenix and a bunch of geeks, I wonder who will win? The battle royal part lasted about four-minutes, and was fine. There was some fun stuff and it had a good pace, but it felt rushed overall. It got down to Fenix vs. Marty the Moth, they worked a short match (about three minutes) and it was fun overall. And then the finish was pretty much blown and on a show that tapes so far ahead and prides themselves on post production, that isn’t acceptable. El Jefe was not pleased as Fenix added his medallion to the Gift of the Gods title. This was fine, if predictable.

Prince Puma Speaks…?: They hyped all night that Prince Puma would speak, and so he came to the ring without Konnan. Apparently he’s still in the coffin. Puma grabbed the mic, but was interrupted by Catrina and Muertes (IN A SUIT!). Luchadores look awesome in their mask and a suit. Puma laid the title in the ring and challenged Muertes, but the Disciples arrived and jumped Puma. Puma then fought them off, and challenged Muertes again. Muertes finally hit the ring and they brawled, Puma then took control and closed out the show with the big 630 to sent the challenger a message that he’s ready for the title match at Ultima Lucha. That was a good closing segment to the show, although I wasn’t a fan of teasing Puma talking again only for them to not deliver.

– Here is the updated card for Ultima Lucha, which will air in two parts on July 29th and August 5th (two-hour show)…

* Falls Count Anywhere Match: The Mack vs. Cage (Announced For Next Week)
* Believer’s Backlash Match: Drago vs. Hernandez (Announced For Next Week)
* Blue Demon Jr vs. Texano
* Pentagon Jr. vs. Vampiro
* Alberto El Patron vs. Johnny Mundo
* Gift of the Gods Match: Big Ryck vs. Aerostar vs. Bengala vs. King Cuerno vs. Sexy Star vs. Jack Evans vs. Fenix
* Lucha Underground Trios Title Match: Champions Ivelisse, Son of Havoc and Angelico vs. The Disciples of Death
* Lucha Underground Title Match: Champion Prince Puma vs. Mil Muertes

– End scene.

– Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia.”

6.0

The final score: review Average

The 411

This was an overall fine show as we build to Ultima Lucha. The focus was there, but the wrestling we got was only fine and came off as completely secondary. It wasn’t bad, but in some ways I feel that the show has gone a bit cold heading to the big event(s). Again, I give them credit for being focused, and the card looks good; I have high hopes. In the end, this wasn’t a must see show, but you likely won’t be too mad if you choose to sit through it because you can see where they are going with things.