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Good Morning!
Welcome back to Project Lucha Underground. It’s an exciting week here at Let’s Watch Some Wrestling HQ, and a short one as well. My beloved wife got some well-deserved camping time in last weekend, while I held down the fort, hung out with my doggos, and got some housework and writing done. Our week here ends today, since tomorrow we’re flying out to meet my already-beloved first and only niece, who was born back in January but lives with my sister and brother-in-law out in Tennessee. As theme park enthusiasts, we’ll also be hitting up Dollywood for the first time on Friday, because my sister’s working and we will need to pass the time somehow. It’s all very exciting.
Unfortunately, being gone over the weekend means I’ll be missing AEW’S ALL OUT show on Saturday. Not a huge deal -- I’ll just stay off social media for the weekend and check it out late Sunday or Monday. I think I miss one or two AEW PPVs every year because of life overlaps, and while I usually go back to see what I’ve missed, I’m not the type of fan to lose their mind over not being able to watch live. It’s cool.
Speaking of not being able to watch live, my buddy just sent me this story from Awful Announcing that says ESPN users who watch on Cox, Sling TV, Comcast and YouTube TV -- the latter three being major cable services in my area -- would have to pay to access the new ESPN app that will be airing WWE’s PLE this weekend, since ESPN Unlimited isn’t yet accessible by them. The rollout for this whole thing has been sketchy, rushed, and very confusing for fans from what I’ve seen, and I imagine that’s going to come to a head Saturday when Fed fans go to watch their new favorite 5-match show only to be met with an ultimatum -- double pay for ESPN or don’t watch John Cena versus Brock Lesnar, version 19. I myself don’t really partake these days, but I know many, many more people than me do, and it sucks that they can’t get their shit together to let fans know how to watch their product just because they’re in such a rush to counter-program AEW’s pay-per-view shows.
But we’re not here to talk about current day wrestling, despite the ALL OUT card looking solid and Wednesday’s three hour AEW September to Remember airing tonight. That’s what BlueSky is for. No, we’re here to watch some telenovelas with a few matches mixed in. So let’s get back on the clock.
Last Time On Lucha Underground
“Law of the Jungle” was kind of a soft reset for Lucha Underground after the crowning of the first LU champion the episode prior. Aztec Warfare gave us our new champ, Prince Puma, and then “Law of the Jungle” showed us which feuds would continue, and which were being put to bed. The Man Called Cage got to participate in a match after weeks of build, and performed well against three other new additions to the Lucha Underground roster. He also made it known that he’s got Prince Puma in his sights, attacking the champ after he defended his title against Fenix to end the show. We also saw Blue Demon Jr., fresh off his return in the Aztec Warfare match, address Chavo Guerrero, Jr.’s apology by beating the man with a steel chair and flipping him the double bird…so I guess that rivalry’s over and done with. Drago and King Cuerno continued their ongoing battle and fought to a DQ after Drago dove from the top of Dario Cueto’s office onto a table with a prone Cuerno on it, so we’ll have to see if either man survived and if they’re still mad at each other (probably). And, uh, I think we’re all caught up. So, without further ado…
LET’S WATCH SOME WRESTLING!
Lucha Underground: Season 1, Episode 11: “Last Luchador Standing”
You know, I had thought I was really clever coming up with that “last time on Lucha Underground” bit. But I guess it wasn’t very original, since Lucha Underground started doing something very similar over the last few episodes. We kicked this one off with a little video package showing Big Ryck signing his contract and participating in Aztec Warfare, along with Pentagon, Jr. arriving at the Temple. We also got a recap of the trilogy of matches between Drago and King Cuerno, which went 1-1-1 after last week’s double countout. OH, I think I just realized what might be coming with this week’s episode title now…Jesus Christ, I’m really not the most observant viewer, am I?
Before we continue, allow me a brief tangent. I’m no contract lawyer, but it seems to me that if you sign a contract, and are offered a signing bonus in said contract, you would receive said bonus after signing said contract. Again, not a lawyer, but that all seems pretty straightforward. Dario Cueto had Big Ryck sign a contract, and Ryck even demanded his signing bonus in cash. Rather than paying the money agreed to, Cueto later offered up the briefcase with this cash as a reward for the winner of the first ladder match in Lucha Underground -- a match won by Johnny Mundo. Shouldn’t Big Ryck have some kind of legal maneuver he could make to get that cash? He shouldn’t have to “earn” that bonus -- that’s literally the whole point of a bonus! It’s an extra incentive to do something!
But I digress. The wrap-up wrapped up, the title card was displayed, and we got our usual helicopter views and time-lapsed shots of beautiful Los Angeles before our rockin’ house mariachi band hyped up the crowd. The announcing duo of Vampiro and Matt Stryker welcomed us to the show on behalf of the El Rey Network (RIP, although technically it’s not dead, just relegated to streaming on Roku) before confirming my suspicions and announcing a Last Luchador Standing match between Drago and King Cuerno. Our opening match was then announced:
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| Pimpi and Mascarita, friends 4 eva |
Opening Match
Mr. Cisco and Cortez Castro (with Bael) versus Pimpinela Escarlata and Mascarita Sagrada
“We celebrate the variety of life here at Lucha Underground,” yelled Matt Stryker as the unorthodox pair of mini and exotico headed down the Temple stairs to the ring. I appreciate that, even if he and Vampiro immediately got into some good natured early-oughts homophobia afterward…
ANYWAYS, Big Ryck headed to ringside as the match began, since you’ll remember the three baddies also serve as his henchmen. He looked very confused when the crowd cheered Pimpi on, and Pimpi responded by dominating the match early, being taller and more agile than the cholos. Sagrado was nowhere to be seen when the tag team specialists got the better of Pimpi, though, and an extended beatdown segment threatened to kill the crowd until Mascarita got the hot tag. Vampiro wasted no time declaring he’d punt Mascarita Sagrada, as he has in every match Sagrada has been in during his time in the Temple, and the unorthodox pair got the crowd back with dives, ‘ranas, and some quick offense. Unfortunately, Pimpi got distracted outside the ring and then was held by Bael while Sagrada ate a Shatter Machine from Cisco and Castro and was pinned.
A fun opener that let the popular good guys have some fun before their downfall. 5/10 luchador masks for me; Cagematch didn’t rate this one.
After the match, Big Ryck entered the ring to enjoy his cigar and address his enemies through some What chants. After handing Mr. Cisco his cigar, Ryck declared he’d be going after the title no matter who held it, since we all must face the judgment (day) of Big Ryck. He did the Jericho arms-out pose afterward, only to have his knee taken out by Castro! The Crew (as I now realize is the official name of this...well, this crew) stomped the hell outta Ryck and beat him with a kendo stick afterward, effectively ending that partnership. After that, Castro and Bael held Big Ryck on the canvas as Mr. Cisco BURNED HIS FREAKIN EYE OUT WITH THE LIT CIGAR?!?!?
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| The cigar, pre-mutilation |
After a break, it was revealed that Dario Cueto was the person behind the attack on Big Ryck. He paid each of the three henchmen in stacks of cash, and explained that Big Ryck simply couldn’t see the big picture. Although now he’d have trouble seeing anything! Sick villains’ burn! He then told the trio that he’d have their back if they had his, and demanded a “yessir” from the group. So I guess it’s the old “evil authority figure has active henchmen on the roster” bit. Sure, we’ve seen it before, but have we seen it in an abandoned warehouse designed to look Mayan Temple, replete with dingy locker rooms and a prison cell in the basement?
I THINK NOT.
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| You get a wad, and you get a wad, and you get a wad |
Back in the Temple, our intrepid announcers let us know that Big Ryck had been taken to a “local medical facility,” an old Vince McMahon-ism for “hospital.” Vampiro then hosted a little sit-down interview with The Man They Call Cage, which I guess is his full Christian name in this universe? I’m not typing all that, he’s Cage. And he’s not interested in making friends…he’s interested in winning championships.
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| This picture does more for Cage than any mic time would |
He’s already demanding a title shot after attacking Prince Puma, despite only being here a week, because he’s the best. As he’s said about 15 times in this two minute interview. Vampiro challenged Cage a bit, and immediately backed down after a little threat. It…well, it sure did re-establish to Cage followers why The Machine is in the ring way more than he’s on the microphone.
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| Pictured: scary skull man and crash test dummy |
Match 2
Super Fly versus Pentagon, Jr.
Pentagon, Jr. was the victim of a Chavo Guerrero, Jr. chair shot during the Aztec Warfare match, so it’s probably safe to say that the two are going to fight somewhere down the road. For now, though, Penta gets jobber-to-the-stars Super Fly. The two traded superkicks to start, and then Penta took advantage of a Super Fly backflip off the ropes by catching him in a backstabber for a near fall. Zero Miedo chants already started rolling through the crowd at this point, giving Penta more of a “cool heel” vibe than that of a full on rudo, which makes sense now after the turn from Chavo.
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| Oh your poor chest... |
Penta followed up that chop with another outside the ring, and continued to dominate in this extended squash. We did catch a glimpse of the mysterious Asian lady, but this week she’d traded her vinyl catsuit for a LU shirt and a crew pass.
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| I noted Stryker and Vampiro don't even mention her if she's not in skin-tight vinyl |
Super Fly did get a little hope spot by way of a springboard handspring over the ropes, but overall this was Penta’s match to show out, and he did, finishing things up with his signature small package pile driver, which I think he still uses as “Made In Japan.”
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| Made In Japan (?) |
This was largely a squash, but it was a fun one, and Super Fly got a few hope spots in to keep me from becoming disinterested. We got all of Penta’s greatest hits, and it didn’t eat up too much time, so I’m going 6/10 for this match. Cagematch says 6.09.
After the match, Penta grabbed a microphone and called Chavo a fraud -- but there’s someone out there willing to join forces. Ooooo we got a mystery partner on our hands, folks!
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| She's a star! And a hero (citation needed) |
Match 3
Sexy Star versus El Mariachi Loco
We’re told El Mariachi Loco worked in a restaurant a couple blocks away from the Temple in Boyle Heights, and one day he took off his hair net and started training to become the Luchador he is today. Fun! He disrespected Star, who was being talked up as a role model by Vampiro because hindsight allows us perspectives he did not have access to. Star tossed El Mariachi around a bit, tossing him from the ring before pump kicking him in the face when he climbed back in. Loco pulled some hair to turn the tables and gain a little momentum, following that up with a submission attempt and some slaps to the face. But Star baited the crazy Mariachi, and she dumped him outside the ring and hit him with a “modified cross body,” or a meteora to our Mercedes Moné fans.
Some Irish whips were reversed, and Sexy hit a nice cross body turned arm drag off the top rope. El Mariachi Loco looked like he was about to pick up the win with a top rope shooting star press, but Star rolled out of the way and locked in a surprise roll up (the most devastating move in all of wrestling) to pick up the win.
This one was short and painless, much like the match before it. I don’t think Star’s win was ever in doubt, and this one did seem a little unnecessary right after the squash that preceded it. For those reasons, I’m going 4/10. Cagematch says this was also too short to rate.
Main Event
Drago versus King Cuerno in a Last Luchador Standing match
This will technically be the rubber match, since the rivalry was at 1-1 going into last week’s match that ended in a double DQ. Drago came out hot for this one, quickly yeeting Cuerno out of the ring as he got an 8 count before rolling back in. We’re doing the standard 10-count anywhere in the arena rules for this one, and Cuerno quickly took another long lie-down before he popped back up and dropped Drago outside the ring with a running power bomb. We’re reminded of the timing these two have perfected as they…lie down for a long time between spots.
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| One of several long mid-match naps |
Cuerno had a nice double-german-into-brainbuster combo right in the middle of the ring, and just after Drago recovered he ate a punt kick right to the face! Some back and forth followed, and a cool spot where Cuerno tossed the ref between the luchadors only for Drago to run off the ref’s back and hit a hurricanrana finished that sequence. Drago then had a weird hesitation while trying to fly out of the ring, like his gear caught the top rope, but he got over it eventually. Marty Elias, Lucha Underground’s head official, started to get some grief for not starting his counts earlier from the announce team and King Cuerno. Cuerno hit that nasty Arrow From Hell dive he does from the ring to the outside, and then he grabbed a table from beneath the ring. Last time he set one of these up, things ended badly.
Drago sprung to life when Cuerno started to guide him towards that table, and the two traded blows until Cuerno gently placed Drago on it. Vampiro made references to Mayan sacrifices and Cuerno began to climb the ropes, but Drago popped up and shoved his opponent down. More forearm trading followed, and Drago looked like he was trying to set up an uranage from the apron onto the table. Cuerno reversed that into Thrill of the Hunt, his fireman’s carry into a powerbomb, and Drago went through the table and somehow recovered at 9.
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| This is about to end poorly for that table |
Drago was promptly kicked in the face for his trouble, and a furious Cuerno then tossed Drago into the ring and stomped the dragon before hitting a standing dropkick. He followed that with a corner dropkick, and then grabbed some rope from under the ring. Cuerno wrapped Drago with that rope, putting it around the turnbuckle and in his mouth, and that kept Drago down long enough to rack up the cheap victory for King Cuerno. After the match, Cuerno put his headdress on the seated Drago to end the show.
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| Roped him up like a deer on the roof of a Ford Explorer |
That was good! Some genuinely great spots, a finish I’ve never even seen tried before, and a definitive winner to end a rivalry. Who’d have thought one of our first big Lucha Underground feuds could end so cleanly? I’m going 8/10 for this main event match; Cagematch says 6.69 -- nice, but harsh!
Closing Thoughts
I had a good time with this show, although the bread outperformed the meat. The first match had those old WCW lucha match vibes, pitting some good-time crowd faves against some low-level baddies in The Crew. The turn was wholly unexpected, and I’m hoping we get some kind of cool Kano-esque face appliance when Big Ryck recovers. Cage’s interview served a purpose, but he’s not great on the mic, even when working with an interviewer. The back-to-back squashes kind of killed my enthusiasm, but Penta teasing a new partner was some interesting storytelling. The main event was really good, and I loved the unique finish to end the feud.
So Long For Now
Hey, thanks for reading! Follow me on BlueSky for updates on Let’s Watch Some Wrestling, as well as live watch-along commentary for most episodes of AEW Dynamite (and occasionally Collision). And, if you’re looking into purchasing anything from a smart fridge to a new drill, check out the writing I do over at SlashGear -- my automotive, tech, and tool-related lists are heavily researched, and ranked after thorough aggregation of expert opinions, reviews, and my own experience as a professional auto mechanic, an unprofessional handyman and a somehow even less professional homeowner.
Until next time…Let’s Watch Some Wrestling!