Nov 7, 2018: Jake Strong cashes in on Ultima Lucha Cuatro finale

By Nolan Howell

Tonight on the season four finale of Lucha Underground, it is the final night of Ultima Lucha Cuatro and the main event features LU Champion Marty “The Moth” Martinez taking on Pentagon Dark in a Cero Miedo match for the title! Plus, Johnny Mundo faces being yet another Sacrifice to the Gods against “The Monster” Matanza Cueto. All that and more on the Lucha Underground season finale, Ultima Lucha Cuatro!

Video recaps this season of Lucha Underground.

Johnny Mundo and Taya Mundo prepare in the locker room and Johnny says the gauntlet glove will look sweet on the wall of his dojo. Taya says it is their dojo and Johnny says “totally.” Johnny says he is going to warm up and test the thing out as he looks at the electricity pulsating. It pulsates in his eyes and Johnny says he needs her tonight. Taya says she wouldn’t miss it for the Mundo and Johnny says if he ends up sacrificed to the Gods tonight, he loves her. Johnny walks out and and the Rosa doll speaks from the lockers, telling Taya she loves her and calls her the perfect woman before attacking her face.

El Dragon Azteca Jr. and Fenix make their way out for the first match of the night next.

(Commercials)

Two out of Three Falls: El Dragon Azteca Jr. vs. Fenix

Chops exchanged to start and Fenix with a spinning backfist, while Dragon lands enzuigiris. Fenix catches Dragon on the roll with a cutter. Dragon elbows out of the corner, but Fenix superkicks the leg and gets him in the electric chair. Dragon turns it into a sunset flip powerbomb for a nearfall. Springboard dive by Dragon outside and he comes off the top inside. Fenix rolls out of the way for a pump kick and drops Dragon up top with a palm strike. Twisting Michinoku Driver lands for Fenix.

Pinfall: 1-0 Fenix.

(Commercials)

Fenix brings a chair in as we return and wedges it in the corner. German suplex by Fenix and he puts Dragon in the corner. Dragon spins out with clotheslines and forearms. Superkick by Dragon for a nearfall. Dragon gets popped up by Fenix and spins his way into a tornado DDT.

Pinfall: 1-1.

Lucha Underground owner Antonio Cueto comes out and says this match has been something else, but it is Ultima Lucha and they should take this to the next level. Cueto makes the third fall Falls Count Anywhere and Fenix takes out Dragon with the chair as we break.

(Commercials)

Fenix works Dragon down and to the outside. Fenix sets up a table outside and looks to suplex Dragon out of the ring through it. Dragon hits an enzuigiri that almost sends Fenix off the apron and through it. Dragon throws a chair at the head of Fenix and sends him into the announce table. Dragon sets up another table and Fenix with a German suplex on the floor for a nearfall. Back inside, Fenix gets sent into the ring post on his shoulder and Dragon with a springboard dropkick. Fenix back outside and Dragon sets up a table inside. They exchange strikes outside and Dragon gets the tornado DDT outside. They fight into the bleachers and on the barricade. Dragon with a hurricanrana to send Fenix through the table for a nearfall. Dragon laid on the table outside and Fenix hits a Swanton, but both slide off the table and Fenix gets a nearfall. Driver blocked by Dragon and they fight on the apron and up to the top rope. Wheelbarrow into a powerbomb off the top from Dragon through the table gets a nearfall.

Melissa Santos gets to the apron as Dragon gets a chair from outside and tells them to stop because they are friends. Dragon looks at her and Santos tries to warn him, but Fenix lays him out with the chair. Fenix spears Dragon through the table and lands a Blackbird Driver.

Winner by pinfall: Fenix

Rating: 2.75 out of 5 stars

A good match overall, but the Falls Count Anywhere stipulation actually slowed the pace from the more rapid-fire back-and-forth the two had going and it ended up being more of a set-up to spots throughout to the expected finish. Not bad, just a bit underwhelming.

Post-match, Melissa Santos storms off.

(Commercials)

Antonio Cueto says Melissa Santos has left the building, but he has been in intense negotiations for a blockbuster talent and this is lucha libre royalty. Cueto introduces Shaul Guerrero as the ring announcer for the rest of the night. Guerrero starts an introduction, but Famous B introduces himself as the only guest ring announcer the fans want to see. Famous B gets in the ring and says he does the ring announcing around here and tells Guerrero to get out. Famous B tells her to take his card because he doesn’t know who she is or her family is, but to take his card if she wants to really get famous. Guerrero says her family is lucha libre and they are warriors that would kick his a** before he knew what hit them, “Famous B****.” Famous B says if she is too stupid to leave the ring, he will make her. Chavo Guerrero comes in and turns him around into an eye-poke from Shaul and Three Amigos. Chavo lands a Frog Splash and they send him out.

(Commercials)

Death Match: The Mack vs. Mil Muertes

Mil Muertes brings out a coffin as he is introduced.

Mack ducks Muertes and punches him into the corner. Muertes returns the favor. Mack kicks out of the corner and gets pulled into a clothesline. Mack comes back with a flying knee and he clotheslines Muertes out. Mack with a flip dive outside and they brawl outside. Muertes with a DDT on the apron and he brings out another coffin. Muertes with an X-Factor on one of the coffins and he gets a nearfall back inside. Mack gets mounted punches inside and a drop toehold into the second turnbuckle. Kicks and forearms in the corner followed by a lungblower from Mack. Corner cannonball by Mack gets a nearfall and he opens one of the coffins that is filled with weapons. Mack throws them in, but Muertes with a suicide dive that drives Mack against the coffin. Muertes unloads the rest of the weapons and looks to hit Mack with an ax. Mack gets it away from Muertes and swings at him, but Muertes ducks and lands a headbutt. Muertes takes an icepick to the head of Mack and busts him open. Mack comes back with a spinning heel kick. Mack lands a punch with a chain and brings a trashcan into the ring. Mack with Coast-to-Coast on Muertes for a nearfall. Muertes comes back with a chokeslam for a nearfall. Muertes charges Mack and posts himself on the shoulder to the outside.

Mack rips the mask of Muertes and drops him outside. Mack with a DDT for a nearfall back inside. Mack with a standing moonsault for a nearfall and he runs into a powerslam from Muertes for a nearfall. Muertes with a Flatliner, but Mack kicks out. Muertes goes for another, but Mack elbows out. Muertes gets Mack up, but he turns out into a Stunner. Another lands and Mack smashes a brick on the head of Muertes. Macks tells him, “Go to hell, you mother******” and lands another Stunner.

Winner by pinfall: The Mack

Rating: 3.25 out of 5 stars

Really good brawl between these two, with Mack finally getting the win and overcoming his fears to beat Muertes in a bloody death match.

Post-match, Mack puts Muertes in the coffin.

(Commercials)

Johnny Mundo makes his way to the ring and Antonio Cueto says he doesn’t know how Mundo got the gauntlet, but he won’t be returning to Slam Town with it because he will be left in a pool of blood when he becomes the next Sacrifice to the Gods. “The Monster” Matanza Cueto makes his way to the ring wearing a sacrificial Aztec headdress before the break.

(Commercials)

Sacrifice to the Gods: Johnny Mundo vs. “The Monster” Matanza Cueto

Cueto runs into a choke with the gauntlet and Mundo throws him back into the corner. Mundo throws a punch and Matanza takes the glove off, sending it to the staircase. Mundo escapes Matanza and tries to move outside to get the gauntlet, but Matanza pops him up for a slam. Torture rack into a Samoan drop by Matanza and a German suplex follows for a nearfall. Mundo reverses Wrath of the Gods for a crucifix drop and superkicks. Moonlight Drive lands and he drags Matanza to the corner for End of the World. Matanza barely able to kick out. Matanza gets Mundo on the apron and deadlifts him into a German superplex that turns Mundo inside out. Both roll outside on opposite sides of the ring and Matanza chases. Mundo rolls under the ring and baits Matanza in to getting back to the gauntlet. Mundo gets to it, but Matanza drops him and the gauntlet goes into the crowd. Matanza takes the gauntlet and throws it on top of the icehouse freezer at the top of the steps. Mundo climbs the ladder to the rafters and tries to make his way up the stairs. Mundo with a superkick and he gets to the catwalk. Mundo jumps from one freezer to an electrical box to the other freezer. Matanza bounces him off the wall of the icehouse, but Mundo able to climb to the top of the freezer and gets the gauntlet. Matanza drops him through the roof of the freezer to the elevator inside. Matanza goes down the steps and Mundo emerges with the gauntlet. Mundo punches a chair back into the face of Matanza. Mundo misses a punch and hits the post, but no effect and Matanza plays stick-and-move back to the ring.

Mundo runs into Wrath of the Gods inside, but Mundo kicks out with the gauntlet hand. Mundo with a punch to the body and one to the head that leaves Matanza reeling. One more drops him and he goes up top for a flying punch off the top rope.

Winner by pinfall: Johnny Mundo

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

This wasn’t a great wrestling match necessarily, but the story was pretty interesting and to see Matanza Cueto finally be in fear of something in the ring was a good payoff. It played out more as a story and it was a good one.

(Commercials)

Johnny Mundo backstage and he runs into Aerostar. Aerostar says they are even and Mundo asks if he’s seen Taya. Aerostar says the power of the gauntlet is not enhancing Mundo, but destroying him. Mundo says Aerostar would say anything to get it back and Aerostar says it is only the truth. Aerostar says the gauntlet helped him defeat Matanza, but if he wears it any longer, it will become a shell because a God inhabits Mundo’s body. Mundo says nobody will inhabit this perfect body but him and he gives up the gauntlet. Aerostar says he is a good man and Mundo says he will go celebrate with his wife.

Pentagon Dark and Lucha Underground Champion Marty “The Moth” Martinez make their way out for the Cero Miedo match main event.

(Commercials)

Cero Miedo Match for the Lucha Underground Championship: Marty “The Moth” Martinez vs. Pentagon Dark

Penta knocks Martinez off the apron with a chair and and Martinez sent into the chairs ringside. Martinez busted open ringside and Penta hits him with a trashcan. Martinez laughs off Penta chops, but he gets sent into the chairs ringside by Penta. Martinez finally gets the advantage with a hip toss through a table ringside. Penta rolled back in and Martinez brings out a lunch box. Martinez beings out a fork and tears the mask of Penta. Martinez stabs the forehead of Penta with the fork. Penta sent into the announce table and Martinez stacks chairs on top of Penta and beats the pile of chairs with another chair. Penta fights up and throws a chair into the face of Martinez. Canadian Destroyer off the announce table by Penta onto the floor. Nearfall inside and Martinez with a low blow to sit Penta up top. Penta in the tree of woe and Martinez puts the trashcan over his head. Martinez beats the trashcan with a barbed wire bat and splits open the trashcan. Martinez brings out gasoline and pours it on Penta. Martinez brings out a lighter and Penta kicks it away. Martinez with a superkick and he beats Penta down. Martinez misses Penta with the barbed wire bat and it rebounds into the face of Martinez. He charges Penta, who hip tosses him over the top and through a table outside.

Penta sends Martinez through a pane of glass outside. Penta creates a chair bridge in the middle of the ring and lands a Package Piledriver through the chairs on Martinez.

Winner by pinfall and NEW Lucha Underground Champion: Pentagon Dark

Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars

Really good and bloody brawl between two of the best wrestlers in the company at this hardcore style. Not much more you could ask for.

Post-match, Pentagon Dark goes for the arm of Martinez and Reklusa makes the save. Vampiro gets in the ring with the title and presents it to Pentagon and raises his hand. Vampiro drops Pentagon and they brawl until a masked luchador comes in with a chair to lay Pentagon out. Vampiro introduces Pentagon to his master and they send Pentagon out. The master lands a shooting star press on top of Pentagon outside and a Phoenix Splash inside.

Lucha Underground Gift of the Gods Champion “The Savage” Jake Strong makes his way out and Vampiro and his master clear the ring. Strong says Antonio Cueto made it clear that he can cash in his title whenever he wants. Strong cashes it in.

Lucha Underground Championship: Pentagon Dark (c) vs. “The Savage” Jake Strong

Strong locks in the Ankle Lock and Pentagon passes out after Strong breaks the ankle.

Winner by referee’s stoppage and NEW Lucha Underground Champion: Jake Strong

No Rating

The crowd boos, but it makes sense even if it reeks of former WWE guy getting the spotlight for ratings type of booking. They wrapped it up nicely in the closer, and even if the character is a bit ill-fitting for Strong, it wasn’t a bad plotline.

El Dragon Azteca Jr., King Cuerno, and Aerostar confer over the gauntlet. Dragon takes it and gives it to The Black Lotus. Lotus says she knows Dragon Azteca didn’t kill her parents, but it was “The Monster” Matanza Cueto. She confronts him with the gauntlet and kills him. Dragon says her parents can be at peace and Lotus says his master can be happy now. Jake Strong comes in and breaks the ankle of Dragon, saying the gauntlet doesn’t belong to him. Strong says it belongs to “us” and beats his chest with the bloody gauntlet.

Taya Mundo in the locker room and looking in the mirror. Johnny Mundo asks if she saw his match and Taya doesn’t respond. Johnny says he thought she was going to be in his corner, but he gets she wanted him to do it on his own. Johnny says it is time for their honeymoon and Taya says she isn’t his wife. She chokes him across the locker room and says she is a God.

Antonio Cueto, Vampiro’s master, and FBI Agent Winter in a limo and Winter says everything is complete. Cueto says all the Gods have taken human form and Winter says the LU title is back in their control. The boss is shown in the shadows and Jake Strong gets in the limo. Winter asks who the blood belongs to and Strong says Matanza. Cueto bows his head and a voice says The Order will never forget Matanza’s sacrifice. The boss says it will be time to find a new host and comes out of the shadows to reveal the former Wade Barrett. He asks if there is any other bad news and no one replies, so he says it is time to take over the world.

A flashback to a year ago shows Antonio Cueto walking off with Matanza’s key from Dario Cueto’s coffin. Aerostar travels back in time and gives Dario the Aztec medallion, telling him to come with him. Dario sits up and says “Aerostar? What the f-?” as the show ends with a “to be continued…” sign.

Overall: This ends the most up-and-down season of Lucha Underground, but this tied everything together nicely and really made up for some of the valleys of the season, especially the closer segments. While the future of the show is up in the air at the moment, it would be a shame to have such a unique wrestling TV show meet its end with WWE on the verge of going fully international. For all its problems, still a worthwhile season of Lucha Underground.

Oct 31, 2018: Son of Havoc looks for Killshot at Ultima Lucha Cuatro night one

By NOLAN HOWELL

Tonight on Lucha Underground’s Ultima Lucha Cuatro night one, Killshot and Son of Havoc look to settle their season-long rivalry once and for all in the main event with their masks on the line. Killshot vs. Son of Havoc in a mask vs. mask main event headlines the show! Plus, Trios title on the line and Taya vs. Ricky Mundo. All that and more on night one of Lucha Underground’s season finale, Ultima Lucha Cuatro!

Video recap of season four.

Aerostar enters the office of Captain Vasquez at the LAPD. Aerostar says he met a girl a millennium ago who was going to save the world and he gave her dying father an Aztec medallion necklace to give her immortality. Aerostar says she has done well with the life that has been given to her and she has been instrumental in the tribal war, but she can’t save them anymore. Aerostar says he needs her half of the medallion and she gets it out. Aerostar says her father and daughter, Catrina, are waiting for her in the cosmos. Vasquez gives it up and disappears into thin air.

We are on tape from Antonio Cueto’s ice house in Los Angeles, Calif. Matt Striker and Vampiro have the call for tonight.

Elimination Match for the Lucha Underground Trios Championships: The Reptile Tribe (c) vs. Sammy Guevara, Ivelisse & XO Lishus vs. The Rabbit Tribe

The White Rabbit calls off Paul London and El Bunny to take out the entire field. The field comes back with superkicks to send him out and The Reptile Tribe hold the ring. Kobra Moon powerbombed onto The White Rabbit outside by Jeremiah Snake, but Kobra bounces off him and Rabbit sends Kobra into the ring post. Snake knocks Rabbit down with a suicide dive. Bunny with a hurricanrana on Daga inside to send him out. Bunny with a springboard flip dive to take the field out. XO Lishus, Sammy Guevara, and Ivelisse with dives respectively. Rabbit with an apron chokeslam on Snake. Guevara and Moon fight into the crowd and onto the camera platform above the exit. Standing Spanish Fly off the platform onto the field below by Guevara on Kobra. Rabbit with a mandible claw on Guevara and he sends Paul London in to take on Guevara. Bunny sent in and Rabbit trips London up as he has Guevara on his shoulders.

The Rabbit Tribe has been eliminated by pinfall.

London begs Rabbit for forgiveness and Rabbit gives Guevara the mandible claw before sweeping him to the mat. Guevara starts spitting blood and he sits up to spit blood in Rabbit’s face. The medic checks on Guevara as we break.

(Commercials)

Ivelisse and XO go after The Rabbit Tribe, but get beat down by the numbers advantage. Ivelisse ducks to allow Snake to knock out Daga and hits a crucifix drop on Daga for a nearfall. XO with a head kick on the apron on Snake and a wheelbarrow stunner gets a nearfall. XO gets snapped in between the top two ropes by Snake and Ivelisse with a Code Red on Snake that is broken up by Daga. Reptile Tribe corner XO and he pulls himself. XO fights out with forearms, but runs into superkicks. Shoulderbreaker, spike hurricanrana, and cross armbreaker on XO as Kobra sideswipes Ivelisse to stop her from breaking the submission.

Winners by submission and STILL Lucha Underground Trios Champions: The Reptile Tribe

Rating: 3.25 out of 5 stars

Very good start to Ultima Lucha Cuatro and a good story late with Ivelisse and XO Lishus trying to overcome the numbers combined with the high action early made it a perfect start.

(Commercials)

Ricky Mundo (w/Rosa) vs. Taya Mundo

Taya with a spear and ground-and-pound on Ricky. German suplex by Taya abd she stomps him down for double knees that get a nearfall. Taya slaps Ricky, but Ricky comes back with a superkick. Ricky works Taya down and sends her out. Ricky gets a table out and stomps Taya down ringside to set up the table. Taya kicks Ricky away off the top of the announce table as he goes after her with a pen. Taya brings him back inside for back suplexes for a nearfall. Taya matadors Ricky in the corner and hits an ankle pick takedown to do a surfboard curb stomp. Stepover crossface in on Ricky.

Winner by submission: Taya Mundo

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Pretty much a squash here for Taya in a nothing match that made good on the storyline at least.

Post-match, Taya takes Ricky to the apron and says he ruined her f****** wedding before chokeslamming him through the table. Taya takes the Rosa doll out with her.

(Commercials)

Mask vs. Mask: Son of Havoc vs. Killshot

Forearm exchange to start and Killshot sent to the apron. Havoc lands a clothesline and lands a dive outside. Killshot with chops to Havoc outside and knees inside. Pumphandle throw by Killshot and Havoc elbows out of a suplex and kicks off the top rope. Havoc cartwheels off the top and springboards into a backslide Go to Sleep from Killshot. Kill Stomp lands for a nearfall early. Killshot brings out a stretcher and takes the bottom rope off to bring it in. Powerbomb blocked by Havoc for a backbreaker to send Killshot out. Havoc bounces Killshot off the barricade outside and brings out a table. Killshot and Havoc fight up the grandstand barricade and Havoc gets position in the audience to punch Killshot down onto the table. Havoc goes up to the camera platform and lands a splash off it through the table on Killshot. Havoc rolls Killshot in and only gets a nearfall. Havoc goes up top and gets crotched. Killshot meets him, but Son of Havoc hits an Attitude Adjustment off the top. Shooting Star Press follows, but Killshot kicks out. Killshot put on the stretcher, but he lands a head kick up top. Superplex onto the stretcher by Killshot lands on Havoc. Killshot up top and the Kill Stomp lands. Storm Cradle Driver by Killshot lands, but Havoc kicks out once again.

Killshot with punches and Havoc strikes back. Both exchange pump kicks and Havoc with a springboard cutter. Piledriver on the stretcher connects on Killshot. Havoc straps him to the stretcher and lands the Shooting Star Press.

Winner by pinfall: Son of Havoc

Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars

A great night one main event, with both guys fighting off some high-impact and high-flying finishes until the end without going too over the top with weapons or moves.

(Commercials)

Killshot turns in his mask to Son of Havoc and reveals himself as Lieutenant Jermaine Strickland. Strickland was masked because he left his fellow soldiers to die on a mission. Strickland leaves and runs into Dante Fox in uniform. Strickland apologizes after they talk and asks to be relieved of duty. Fox grants it and Strickland walks out to close the show.

Oct 24, 2018: Jake Strong last of Seven to Survive and win Gift of the Gods

By NOLAN HOWELL

Tonight on Lucha Underground, the Gift of the Gods Championship is on the line in a match that will take up the final episode before next’s week Ultima Lucha Cuatro night one. King Cuerno, Big Bad Steve, Hernandez, Aerostar, “The Darewolf” PJ Black, “The Savage” Jake Strong, and Dante Fox look to earn a LU title shot with the Gift of the Gods title before Ultima Lucha Cuatro on this week’s go-home edition of Lucha Underground!

Recap of this season in Lucha Underground.

We are on tape from Antonio Cueto’s icehouse in Los Angeles, Calif. Matt Striker and Vampiro have the call for this week.

The announce team reveals the main event of Ultima Lucha Cuatro night one is Son of Havoc vs. Killshot in a mask vs. mask match.

Seven to Survive for the Gift of the Gods Championship: King Cuerno vs. Big Bad Steve (w/Famous B) vs. Hernandez vs. Aerostar vs. “The Darewolf” PJ Black vs. “The Savage” Jake Strong vs. Dante Fox

Fox takes out the field before getting teamed up on by Cuerno and Black. Fox with a flying double cutter out of the corner and a springboard reverse 450 to take out the field outside. Hernandez and Fox inside and they exchange until Fox lands a superkick. Hernandez with a body block. Backslide on Hernandez off the Border Toss attempt.

Hernandez eliminated by Dante Fox by pinfall.

(Commercials)

The field returns to the ring and Strong takes Fox outside to the announce table and up the stairs. The field spills outside and Aerostar sent into the barricade by Cuerno. Aerostar comes back with a flying hurricanrana on Cuerno. Fox gets caught for a powerbomb by Strong against the ice house storage. Black and Steve back inside. Famous B gets between them and sneaks Steve a wrench. Famous B gives Black his card. Black with a low blow and Steve hits him with a wrench. Black falls and headbutts B below the belt. Steve takes out Cuerno with the wrench and hits Aerostar coming off a springboard with the wrench. Steve beats Aerostar with it as Strong waits on the stairs. Black turns him around for a low blow. Strong comes back in and Black with a springboard eye poke and low blow. Springboard moonsault for a nearfall on Strong. Sunset flip on Strong and Strong rolls through to the Ankle Lock. Black with nowhere to go.

PJ Black eliminated by Jake Strong by submission.

Strong breaks the ankle before the break.

(Commercials)

Strong and Steve brawling inside. Fox and Cuerno in and Steve with a back suplex on Fox. Aerostar and Cuerno in against Steve. Steve holds Aerostar and Cuerno undoes the outfit of Aerostar for a chop to the chest. Steve takes out Aerostar and exchanges with Cuerno. Cuerno with a corner chop and a head kick from the apron. Double clotheslines put both down. Drago directs a forklift inside and Aerostar ascends on the forklift to the height of the top concourse. Aerostar with a crossbody dive to take both out inside.

Big Bad Steve eliminated by Aerostar by pinfall.

(Commercials)

Strong stalks Aerostar as we return and works him down. Strong with a suplex on Cuerno and a stomp. High-crotch slam on Cuerno by Strong gets a nearfall. Strong with the Ankle Lock and Aerostar in with springboard double knees. Aerostar using his lucha advantage. Aerostar gets caught in the Ankle Lock by Strong.

Aerostar eliminated by Jake Strong by submission.>

Cuerno saves Aerostar from a broken ankle with leg kicks and helps him to the back as we break.

(Commercials)

Fox, Cuerno, and Strong left. Cuerno sees the bloody knuckles of Fox and calls for the kill. Cuerno works Fox and Strong in the corners. Strong gets the Ankle Lock, but Cuerno rolls through and sends both out to the floor. Cuerno with a suicide dive on Strong as Fox sidesteps. Fox climbs to the exit platform and lands a flip dive on both. Fox brings Cuerno inside for a 450 splash for a nearfall as Strong pulls Fox to the outside. Fox with a pump kick on Strong and Cuerno lands knee strikes inside. Thrill of the Hunt lands for Cuerno, but Fox kicks out. Cuerno with a bow and arrow and he hooks the leg behind the neck for extra pressure. Cuerno with a corner chop on Fox, but he misses a kick. Strong lands a Strong Bomb on Cuerno for a nearfall as Cuerno gets his hand on the bottom rope. Fox flips over Strong and rolls through to a Rolling Thunder on Cuerno. Fox with a springboard cutter on Strong for a nearfall. Fox drags Strong to the middle of the ring, but lands a Swanton Bomb on the knee of Strong. All three men take each other out.

Cuerno first up and Strong and Fox follow to a triangle strike exchange. Strong powers up and punches both, but runs into kicks from Fox and Cuerno to send him out. Fox and Cuerno exchange kicks out of the corner and Fox with Spanish Fly off the top. Fox Catcher connects on Cuerno.

King Cuerno eliminated by Dante Fox by pinfall.

Strong up to the apron and Fox dropkicks him to the floor. Strong runs under a moonsault off the ring post. Strong with a punch on Fox, but Fox comes back with a basement dropkick off the apron. Fox and Strong back inside and Fox with a nearfall. Fox with corner forearms and he sets him up top. Strong kicks away and Fox tries a head kick, but Strong catches it. Fox tries a dropkick when both get back to the mat and Strong gets the Ankle Lock. Fox fights for the rope break and Strong drags him back. Fox rolls through and tries to kick Strong off. Strong holds and turns as Fox kicks back.

Winner by submission and NEW Gift of the Gods Champion: Jake Strong

Rating: 3.25 out of 5 stars

This kind of summed up this season of Lucha Underground as a whole, with the quality of match still being there overall despite some things being way too over the top. Aside from the wrench antics and the random forklift, it was a fine match, though a bit lackluster before what could be the final Ultima Lucha and the crowd did not seem very warm to the Jake Strong victory despite the impressive season for him.

The crowd chants “this is bulls***” and Strong plays it up before breaking Fox’s ankle.

The credits roll and Johnny Mundo trains on the rooftop. Aerostar flies in and says no amount of training will prepare him for “The Monster” Matanza Cueto. Mundo says he slaughtered his friends, attacked his wife, and now he will give him a funeral. Aerostar says without his help, it will be Mundo’s funeral. Aerostar says he will be another sacrifice to the gods. Mundo says judging by how Aerostar did tonight, he would be better off. Aerostar whistles out and Drago flies in with the gauntlet. Mundo asks how the glove Cage used to run around with will help him and Drago snarls. Mundo says okay and tells them to take it easy. Mundo puts it on and says he feels like a god. Mundo says this feels incredible and lighting strikes the glove as electricity flows through him. Drago asks Aerostar if this is a good idea and he says only time will tell. Mundo says he never wants to take this thing off as he jabs with it and we look on the LA skyline to close the show.

Oct 19, 2017: Pentagon cashes in on Puma at Ultima Lucha Tres finale

By NOLAN HOWELL

Tonight on Lucha Underground’s Ultima Lucha Tres fourth and final night, Prince Puma puts his career on the line against Lucha Underground Champion Johnny Mundo in what could be the final match between the two cornerstones of The Temple! Plus, “The Monster” Matanza Cueto looks to finish El Dragon Azteca Jr. once and for all in a steel cage match. All that and more on the fourth and final night of Ultima Lucha Tres and the Lucha Underground season three finale!

Video previews of the finale matches.

We are on tape from Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, Calif. Matt Striker and Vampiro have the call for this week.

(Commercials)

Steel Cage Match: “The Monster” Matanza Cueto (w/Dario Cueto) vs. El Dragon Azteca Jr.

Dragon popped up into the corner and he catches himself on the cage. Moonsault off the top of the cage lands on Matanza. Kick out of the corner by Dragon and a hurricanrana lands, but Matanza with a clothesline and he throws him into the cage. Snake eyes in the corner and Matanza works him down after throwing him into the cage. Dragon fights up, but runs into a belly-to-belly suplex from Matanza that sends him through a wall of the cage and to the floor.

Winner by escape: El Dragon Azteca Jr.

Dario Cueto takes the microphone away from ring announcer Melissa Santos and says there is no escape. Dragon can’t escape his destiny and escape Matanza and he restarts the match.

Restart

Matanza bounces Dragon off the barricade outside, but Dragon comes back with a tornado DDT. Dragon pulls the jacket and tears the shirt off Dario at ringside, but Matanza drops him and runs him into a grandstand wall before raking him on the cage. Back in the cage, Matanza chokes Dragon, works him down, and tears at the mask before landing a German suplex. Dragon sidesteps Matanza in the corner and tries a hurricanrana, but avoids the powerbomb counter. Black Lotus scales the cage and lands a crossbody off the top on Dragon. Superkick from Black Lotus sends Dragon into the Wrath of the Gods.

Winner by pinfall: Matanza Cueto

Matanza climbs the corner as Dario announces him the winner and Black Lotus powerbombs him down. Lotus chokes Dario in the corner and says he lied to her. Dario says he will tell her something and backs her off. Dario says he is a liar and Matanza lands Wrath of the Gods on Lotus.

(Commercials)

Dario Cueto before the three-way match between Jeremiah Crane, Cage, and Mil Muertes says ever since he introduces the Gauntlet of the Gods as his unique opportunity, it has consumed them. Cueto says only one of them truly deserves to wear it and the winner will prove it tonight, but he wants no doubts and makes it an elimination match.

(Commercials)

Three-Way Elimination Match: Jeremiah Crane vs. Cage vs. Mil Muertes (w/Catrina)

Cage drops Crane and Muertes, only to get taken out by them both. Chokeslam from Muertes on Crane and he works Cage in the corner. Cage clotheslines them both in the corner. Crane with kicks and knees in the corner on Cage. All three exchange dives outside. Cage and Muertes inside and Cage sends Muertes into the post on his shoulder. Pumphandle slam from Cage and he sets up two tables outside before Crane takes a trashcan to both. Crane busted open and he sets up another table ringside. Crane draws Muertes to the apron and lands kicks to the head, but Muertes fires up and chokeslams him through a table outside. Muertes with a hurricanrana on Cage and he rolls him inside for a powerbomb that gets a nearfall. Cage comes back with a Frankensteiner and Lionsault for a nearfall of his own. Crane takes a handful of skewers and drives them into the head of Cage, compounding it with a DDT for a nearfall. Crane gets a hammer out and brings out a pane of glass. Muertes spears himself through the glass against the wall of Cueto’s office, but powerbombs Crane on the apron. Cage takes a hammer to the side of the head of Muertes and lays him on the tables, but Crane pushes him back inside. Cage suplexes Crane out of the ring and on top of Muertes outside through the tables. Weapon X from Cage on Crane inside.

Jeremiah Crane has been eliminated.

(Commercials)

Cage and Muertes exchange right hands and Muertes with a powerslam for a nearfall. Cage comes back with a suplex inside the ring off the apron and an elbow drop off the top gets a nearfall. Crane comes back in and hits Cage with a chair, but he gets taken out by Cage. Muertes with a discus punch, but Cage drops him and looks to finish Muertes. He runs into a Flatliner on the chair by Muertes.

Winner by pinfall: Mil Muertes

Catrina gives Cage the Lick of Death and Cueto brings out the Gauntlet of the Gods from his office. Catrina takes it out and gives it to Muertes. Muertes drops to a knee and pounds the gauntlet on the mat. The lights go out and King Cuerno appears behind Muertes, laying out Muertes and Catrina to walk off with the gauntlet on hand.

(Commercials)

Video documentary on Lucha Underground Champion Johnny Mundo directed by Taya.

Prince Puma and Lucha Underground Champion Johnny Mundo make their way out for the championship match next.

(Commercials)

Lucha Underground Championship Title vs. Career Match: Johnny Mundo (c) vs. Prince Puma

Mundo with a side headlock and tackle. Kick counters exchanged and Puma with a legsweep for a nearfall before they reset. Puma with an uppecut and a tilt-a-whirl slam to send Mundo out. Puma front flips over Mundo outside and Mundo with a head kick to work Puma down outside. Puma and Mundo fight in the grandstand and Mundo gets knocked off the ledge. Double springboard shooting star press from Puma lands outside on Mundo. Mundo lands a punch as the referee tries to break them inside and tries Moonlight Drive, but Puma counters to land a cutter. Standing shooting star press gets Puma a nearfall. Blue Thunder Bomb from Puma gets a nearfall, but Mundo comes back with a springboard thrust kick and a standing corkscrew splash gets a nearfall of his own. End of the World blocked by Puma and he kicks away. Chop in the corner on Mundo, but Mundo with a standing Spanish fly for a nearfall. Mundo works Puma down, but sidesteps a tornado kick and it takes out the referee. Puma has the low blow scouted and lands a discus clothesline.

Jack Evans and PJ Black come out to take out Puma and they stomp him down. The Worldwide Underground throws Puma a beating and Taya brings out a referee. A DDT on Puma unable to put him down and The Worldwide Underground beats the replacement referee down. Chairs brought out and they look to take them to Puma, but Angelico comes out and lands knees to send the chairs back in the faces of Evans and Black. Taya tries to turn him around, but he sidesteps and Mundo lays out Taya. Mundo sent out for a flip dive and referee Rick Knox lands a flip dive on the Worldwide Underground. Puma lands a springboard 450, but Mundo able to kick out. Ricky Mundo runs out and runs into a superkick from Angelico. The Worldwide Underground chased out by Angelico as we break.

(Commercials)

Puma and Mundo exchange punches and Puma wins out to drop Mundo in the corner. Puma with a kick off the top for a nearfall and he goes back up top. Mundo meets him and connects on Moonlight Drive that is unable to put Puma away. End of the World lands, but Puma able to kick out again. Mundo goes for it again and Puma gets the knees up. Pump kick and superkick followed by a flying knee from Puma. Dropkick bounces Mundo out of the corner and Puma with the 630 splash.

Winner by pinfall and NEW Lucha Underground Champion: Prince Puma

Vampiro stands up at commentary as Puma celebrates and Mundo limps backstage. Dario Cueto comes out of his office and congratulates Puma for making his hometown and ancestors proud by becoming the first-ever two-time Lucha Underground Champion. Cueto says the night is not over because there is one more match.

(Commercials)

Cueto does the ring introductions and brings out the challenger, Gift of the Gods Champion Pentagon Dark. Cueto says before the match starts that both of their careers are on the line.

(Commercials)

Lucha Underground Championship: Prince Puma (c) vs. Pentagon Dark

Puma with a flip dive, but he springboards into a superkick from Pentagon inside. Lungblower and he goes for the arm of Puma. Pentagon snaps the arm and Puma calls for the trainer. Puma tapes up his own arm and Pentagon chops him in the corner before landing leg kicks. Puma lands a dropkick as Pentagon tries a springboard inside and Puma moonsaults into the boots of Pentagon on the floor. Pentagon looks to finish Puma inside, but Puma counters out with a discus forearm and suplexes. Standing shooting star press gets a nearfall on Pentagon. They exchange slaps to the face and Puma lands a superkick and a pump kick against the ropes. Puma tries a handspring and Pentagon catches him with a dropkick against the ropes. Destroyer blocked by Puma and they exchange counters until Puma lands a Destroyer. Pop-up head kick from Puma only able to get a nearfall.

Vampiro moves to ringside and Puma goes up top. Vampiro pulls Pentagon out of the way of the 630 splash. Superkick and pumphandle driver from Pentagon land for a nearfall and Pentagon lands the package piledriver.

Winner by pinfall and NEW Lucha Underground Champion: Pentagon Dark

Post-match, Vampiro and Pentagon Dark hug and he puts the title on Pentagon. Puma rolls out in disbelief and Pentagon introduces himself as the Lucha Underground Champion and this is now his Temple.

Puma unmasks before leaving The Temple and leaves his mask on the floor. King Cuerno has the gauntlet in his trophy room. Sexy Star signs autographs and a girl comes up with a gift. The girls whispers that “she” hasn’t forgotten about Sexy and Sexy receives another tarantula. The White Rabbit Tribe follows Mascarita Sagrada out and Melissa Santos and Fenix leave together with something in sight in the rear-view mirror. Catrina walks away from The Temple as Jeremiah Crane watches from a rooftop. Daga executes Pindar for Kobra Moon as Drago watches. Vampiro in his dojo and his master tells him he has done well. Matanza back in his cell and Rey Mysterio imprisoned in another cell in the room.

Dario Cueto sits down with an associate in his office and hands him a drink. Cueto says to the man to tell his boss not to worry because he will get the gauntlet back. The associate says not to worry and he gets a pass because he will be dead. The associate shoots Cueto and says new management will take over for him and take care of his messes. The associate thanks him for the drink and Cueto is left passed out and bleeding out. He comes to and reaches for the phone. Cueto dials out and mumbles Puma before passing out and the person on the line asks for the “jefe” as a “to be continued” sign fades the show out.

Oct 18, 2018: Strong night for Jake Strong before Ultima Lucha Cuatro

By NOLAN HOWELL

This week on Lucha Underground, owner Antonio Cueto prepared for Ultima Lucha Cuatro by announcing a match for the Gift of the Gods Championship next week and gave the winner of a battle royal a chance to knock an opponent out of the match. Jake Strong, Aerostar, PJ Black, Hernandez, Big Bad Steve, Dante Fox, and King Cuerno faced off with a chance to knock someone out of the title match!

Jake Strong kicked off the show in Antonio Cueto’s office, who tried to offer him a chance to be in the main event at Ultima Lucha Cuatro and an Aztec Medallion. Strong turned both down because he doesn’t take handed opportunities and told Cueto that The Temple is his now. Cueto announced the seven-man battle royal between next week’s Gift of the Gods competitors, with the winner getting the right to pick a loser to kick out of the match. Strong ended up winning the battle royal, but refused to throw anyone out, which culminated in Cueto booking him against Johnny Mundo in the main event.

Strong used takedowns and suplexes early to demonstrate the power advantage, but Mundo came back with a springboard kick for a nearfall. Strong ran Mundo into the ring post outside and worked him down in the corners until a Savage Bomb landed on the knees of Mundo. Mundo worked the comeback with a kick and standing shooting star press and the match worked itself out into the crowd. Mundo got the upper hand inside with a Moonlight Drive and landed a low blow on Strong as he tried to take Mundo down. Mundo connected on an End of the World, but Strong kicked out and locked in the Strong Lock on the ankle to force the submission win. Strong tried to break the ankle after the match, but “The Monster” Matanza Cueto wanted to pick up the bones and sent Strong running. Matanza started the beating, but Taya came out to make the save and suffered a Wrath of the Gods instead.

The Mack took on Killshot in the other singles action of the night. Mack used his power advantage early to get Killshot down for a standing moonsault, but Killshot caught him coming in with a knee. A superkick put Mack in the tree of woe for a basement dropkick from Killshot. Mack countered kicks inside the ring for a German suplex, but Killshot put him back down with another knee. Mil Muertes got into the match and hit a Spear on Mack before he could finish his comeback, giving Mack the DQ win. Son of Havoc, who was watching from ringside, joined the brawl and Muertes was left standing.

Ivelisse and XO Lishus announced in the ring that they were going to face the Reptile Tribe for the Trios titles at Ultima Lucha, but Joey Ryan was injured and they called for Sammy Guevara to join them. Guevara looked to accept, but Famous B came out and cited a seven-year contract and said Guevara could team up with Dr. Wagner and Texano. Guevara ripped the contract in front of Famous B and superkicked him with a trashcan over his head, leaving their partnership in the garbage.

Oct. 10, 2018: Pentagon Dark gets revenge on Reklusa

By NOLAN HOWELL

Tonight on Lucha Underground, Pentagon Dark looks to get revenge on Reklusa in the main event after she cost him the Lucha Underground Championship against Marty “The Moth” Martinez! Plus, Fenix and Mil Muertes team up against their respective Ultima Lucha opponents in El Dragon Azteca Jr. and The Mack. All that and more on this week’s edition of Lucha Underground!

We are on tape from Antonio Cueto’s ice house in Los Angeles, Calif. Matt Striker and Vampiro have the call for this week.

The announce team previews the show.

Taya in the ring and she calls Lucha Underground owner Antonio Cueto a “piece of s***” and tells him to get his old a** out here. Cueto comes out and says the bride is back and healed up. Taya says she came here to fight and she says Cueto’s son ruined her wedding, sent her and her husband to the hospital, and sacrificed two of her friends. Tonight, Taya is going to sacrifice him and she demands a match with “The Monster” Matanza Cueto right now. Antonio says she is a woman who knows what she wants and he likes that, but he knows what he wants and that is a Sacrifice to the Gods.

Sacrifice to the Gods: Taya vs. “The Monster” Matanza Cueto

Taya charges him in the corner and lands strikes. Matanza pushes away, but misses a corner splash and Taya kicks him down for double knees. Matanza pops back up and Taya runs into a shoulder tackle. Hair snapmare around the ring by Matanza, but Taya kicks out of the corner. Tornado DDT blocked by Matanza and he picks up Taya, but Taya falls to the back for a sleeper. Taya with slaps and kicks, followed by a superkick and stunner that puts Matanza down. Taya goes up top and a moonsault only gets a one-count. Big boot from Matanza drops Taya and he goes for Wrath of the Gods, but Johnny Mundo runs in with a superkick.

Winner by disqualification: Matanza Cueto

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Taya survives and put in one of the best showings against Matanza in the process.

Post-match, Mundo with ground-and-pound followed by a Moonlight Drive and End of the World.

(Commercials)

The announce team previews Ultima Lucha Cuatro and the teams of El Dragon Azteca Jr. & The Mack and Mil Muertes & Fenix make their way out for a tag match next.

Tornado Tag: El Dragon Azteca Jr. & The Mack vs. Mil Muertes & Fenix

Mack and Fenix sent out and Dragon with forearms on Muertes, but he runs into a chokeslam by Muertes. Muertes with headbutts, but Dragon with a wheelbarrow facebuster for a nearfall that is broken by Fenix. Fenix flips out of the corner and lands a springboard arm drag to send Dragon out. The Mack in and he lands a headscissors takedown on Fenix. Mack with a right hand from the apron and a flying arm drag. Mack with a running big boot and he is in the ring with Muertes now. Right hands exchanged and Muertes with a powerslam and clothesline to send Mack out. Dragon tries a headscissors on Muertes and gets caught for a powerbomb onto Fenix’s knees. Mack teamed up on and a springboard spinning back kick to the head from Fenix sets up a TKO cutter from Muertes. Doomsday Device set up on Dragon, but Dragon rolls through and Mack with Stunners for Fenix and Muertes. Dragon popped up for a dropkick and double Stunners from Mack. Rolling cutter from Fenix catches Mack going for a dive. Dragon popped up for a tilt-a-whirl DDT and he lands a dive outside on Muertes. Mack dives to take out Dragon and Fenix. Dragon and Fenix inside and Fenix with a spinning hook kick. Dragon with a pump kick and jumping hurricanrana for a nearfall. Muertes punches him out for a powerbomb and clothesline for a nearfall broken by Mack. Mack runs into a punch from Muertes and a Saito suplex gets a nearfall for Muertes. Mack with a Samoan drop and standing moonsault for a nearfall that is broken by Fenix.

Fenix with 619 that takes out the camera guy outside and Mack and Fenix fight up top. Fenix with a springboard Frankensteiner for a nearfall. Mack to the apron and he lands a punch, but Fenix with a Disaster Kick and a springboard double stomp out to the apron. Muertes and Dragon inside and Dragon with a head kick against the post. Springboard into a shoulder tackle from Muertes. Fenix sideswipes Mack with a springboard dropkick and Fenix with a Muscle Buster on Dragon and Muertes with a Flatliner on Mack.

Winners by pinfall: Mil Muertes & Fenix

Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars

Really good match that developed into a sprint, with Fenix and Muertes showing good chemistry in an unlikely pairing.

(Commercials)

Ring announcer Melissa Santos introduces Famous B and Beautiful Brenda in the ring. Famous B says six weeks ago, he was in one of the most beautiful weddings and was brutalized by “The Monster” Matanza Cueto. As Famous B was helpless and saw his life flash before his eyes, he knew he would never be that vulnerable again and rehabbed his leg to get back into fighting condition. Famous B signed an exclusive contract with this man…himself. He is coming out of retirement.

Ricky Mundo comes out and tells Famous B to shut up. Ricky says he will beat some sense into him.

Famous B (w/Beautiful Brenda) vs. Ricky Mundo

Ricky Mundo with a right hand and he beats Famous B down in the corner. Snapmare with the tie by Ricky and he works B down. B comes back with a Pele kick, but runs into a clothesline. Neckbreaker driver by Ricky.

Winner by pinfall: Ricky Mundo

No Rating

Ricky Mundo with the microphone and he says he heard the cowards Johnny Mundo and Taya left the building. That’s too bad, because he really wanted to say to their face that it was him who unleashed Matanza at their wedding. They treated him like a nobody and now he is the somebody who ruined their perfect day. Ricky says as long as Taya is in the picture, Johnny will never respect him the way he should. Ricky tells Taya to consider this a challenge for Ultima Lucha and he says that if she wants to know what to expect at Ultima Lucha, watch this. Ricky puts Beautiful Brenda in a crossface and crawls up to his doll.

(Commercials)

Reklusa vs. Pentagon Dark

Reklusa dives off the second rope with a crossbody as Penta makes his entrance. Reklusa stomps Penta down inside and jabs her fingers in the eyes outside to land a knee. Penta sent into the chairs and Reklusa with a cannonball, but Penta holds on and lands an apron powerbomb. Leg kick from Penta and a chop inside. Superkick out of the corner by Penta and he tosses Reklusa out. Reklusa whipped into the chairs and hit with leg kicks. Reklusa hit with a wooden sign and a superkick near the bleachers. Leg kick inside, but Reklusa kicks out of the corner and lands a hurricanrana out of the electric chair position. Penta kicked out and hit with a flying hurricanrana on the floor. Suicide dive into the tornado DDT by Reklusa for a nearfall back inside. Penta with a Sling Blade inside and a superkick for a nearfall. Reklusa comes back with the tilt-a-whirl into the tornado DDT for a nearfall of her own. Reklusa kicks out of a Penta Driver and falls out of a package piledriver for a big boot. Reklusa goes up top and gets hit with an enzuigiri. Penta gets her on the apron and lands a package piledriver, but Reklusa able to kick out inside. Penta walks down the referee and turns around into a kick below the belt. Canadian Destroyer by Reklusa gets a nearfall. Backstabber by Penta as Reklusa gets caught posing and Penta with a Package Piledriver.

Winner by pinfall: Pentagon Dark

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

A great match and Reklusa looks like a completely different wrestler from her time in Impact as Laurel Van Ness, making Penta’s offense look like a million bucks and looking like an immediate main event player.

Post-match, Pentagon Dark goes to break the arm, but decides against it and gets a bag of thumbtacks into the ring. Lucha Underground Marty “The Moth” Martinez runs in with a barbed wire bat and takes out Penta with it. Marty smears the blood of Penta on his hands and Reklusa brings out gasoline. Penta covered in gasoline and Marty stands over him with a lighter that he blows out to close the show.

Oct 10, 2018: Pentagon Dark gets revenge on Reklusa

By NOLAN HOWELL

We are on tape from Antonio Cueto’s ice house in Los Angeles, Calif. Matt Striker and Vampiro have the call for this week.

The announce team previews the show.

Sacrifice to the Gods: Taya vs. “The Monster” Matanza Cueto

Winner by disqualification: Matanza Cueto

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Taya survives and put in one of the best showings against Matanza in the process.

Post-match, Mundo with ground-and-pound followed by a Moonlight Drive and End of the World.

(Commercials)

The announce team previews Ultima Lucha Cuatro and the teams of El Dragon Azteca Jr. & The Mack and Mil Muertes & Fenix make their way out for a tag match next.

Tornado Tag: El Dragon Azteca Jr. & The Mack vs. Mil Muertes & Fenix

Winners by pinfall: Mil Muertes & Fenix

Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars

Really good match that developed into a sprint, with Fenix and Muertes showing good chemistry in an unlikely pairing.

(Commercials)

Ricky Mundo comes out and tells Famous B to shut up. Ricky says he will beat some sense into him.

Famous B (w/Beautiful Brenda) vs. Ricky Mundo

Winner by pinfall: Ricky Mundo

No Rating

(Commercials)

Reklusa vs. Pentagon Dark

Winner by pinfall: Pentagon Dark

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Sep 27, 2018: Pentagon Dark wins contender’s match for Lucha title

By NOLAN HOWELL

This week on Lucha Underground, Pentagon Dark was looking to get another shot at the Lucha Underground Championship that he lost last week to Marty “The Moth” Martinez by taking on El Dragon Azteca Jr., Mil Muertes, and King Cuerno in a four-way contender’s main event to determine who moves on to Ultima Lucha Cuatro! Plus, Trios title action.

Muertes came out hot to start with clotheslines and a DDT and TKO cutter on Penta. Muertes tossed Dragon across the ring and Cuerno came in with a dropkick to send Muertes out and stop the early momentum. Cuerno worked on Dragon with stomps and had him up, but Penta landed an enzuigiri. Dragon recovered with a tornado DDT on Penta. Fenix interrupted by coming to ringside and grabbing Melissa Santos, who escaped backstage as Fenix and Dragon exchanged ringside. Cuerno kicked Penta and Muertes out of the ring for a suicide dive on both. Cuerno and Penta got back to the apron and got speared by Muertes, only for The Mack to run in and hit Muertes with Stunners. Penta got back inside to pick up the scraps and land the Penta Driver for the win on Muertes. After the match, The Mack challenged Muertes to a deathmatch at Ultima Lucha Cuatro to close the show.

Aerostar and Drago teamed up to take on Jake Strong in a handicap nunchucks match. Strong tossed Aerostar out of the ring early and caught Drago out of the air, but Aerostar returned for a crossbody nearfall. Strong leveled both with shoulder tackles and started tossing them around the ring and to the outside. Drago misted Strong and was able to get the nunchucks first, beating Strong down with them and they played the numbers advantage outside and back inside. Tornado DDT for Drago and a springboard dive from Aerostar nearly put Strong away, but he sent Drago out and landed a spinning powerbomb on Aerostar to set up the Strong Lock for the submission victory. Drago tried to make the save after the match and ended up having his ankle broken instead of Aerostar.

In trios title action, The Reptile Tribe looked to defend against Joey Ryan, XO Lishus, and Ivelisse. The match was watched by Paul London and the debuting pair of El Bunny and White Rabbit. Joey Ryan ended up costing the team the win by trying to give Jeremiah Snake his lollipop one too many times and allowing Daga to lock in an armbar submission for the win. After the match, The Rabbit Tribe beat down Ryan, Ivelisse, and XO with Camel Clutches until they passed out.

Speaking of XO Lishus, Jack Evans was fed up working in the same promotion as him and looked to be on his way out of Lucha Underground until owner Antonio Cueto offered him up as the next Sacrifice of the Gods. Evans tried to run away up the steps and jumped over Matanza Cueto, but Antonio tripped Evans up and Evans got powerbombed on the apron before the match officially started. Evans was able to drop Matanza onto an exposed turnbuckle and even landed the 630 splash, but Matanza kicked out and landed the Wrath of the Gods to sacrifice Evans eternally for the win.

Sep 20, 2018: Marty “The Moth” takes Gift of the Gods and LU Championship

By NOLAN HOWELL

This week on Lucha Underground, Marty “The Moth” Martinez paid the right price to owner Antonio Cueto last week and he got to play this week with a title shot against Gift of the Gods Champion El Dragon Azteca Jr. Plus, Lucha Underground Champion Pentagon Dark put his title on the line in a three-way match against Mil Muertes and King Cuerno!

Martinez faced off with El Dragon Azteca Jr. in the second match of the night, beating him down in the corner early after landing a bicycle kick. Martinez looked to use his size early, but Dragon came back with an arm drag and used his lucha until Martinez crotched him on the second turnbuckle. Neckbreaker nearfall for Martinez and Dragon sent him out to the floor for a flip dive over the top. Frog splash nearly got the champion to retain and he looked to keep The Moth down in a sleeper. Martinez picked him up and got him up to an electric chair, where Dragon tried to counter. Martinez doubled him over for a brainbuster that got him the Gift of the Gods title.

The main event followed with Pentagon Dark defending against Cuerno and Muertes, where Penta and Cuerno attempted to take out Muertes early. Muertes overpowered them with clotheslines and worked them in the corners until they landed superkicks to send him out for dives. The teamwork broke down though and Muertes ended up landing a spear outside on Cuerno before tossing Penta into the crowd. Cuerno and Muertes back inside saw Cuerno take advantage of Muertes coming in, landing a big boot and backbreaker. Muertes soon overpowered him, but Penta was back to even it up and send Muertes into the post. Double stomp got Penta a nearfall and Cuerno took advantage with a knee for a nearfall on Penta. Muertes took out Cuerno with a Chokeslam and Penta sent him out, allowing him to finish the job on Cuerno with a Package Piledriver to retain the title.

The Moth soon returned though to attack Penta from behind and he kept him grounded, laying him out with the Lucha Underground Championship before cashing in his newly-won Gift of the Gods title. Moth beat Penta down throughout, including tying his mask to the ropes and laying in more strikes. After sitting Penta up top, Penta landed chops and a Mexican Destroyer after knocking Moth off the top. Penta looked for the finish, but Chelsea Green made her debut in The Temple with a low blow and landed a Canadian Destroyer of her own to put the champion out. Moth added insult to injury with a Package Piledriver of his own and won the Lucha Underground Championship.

In the opener, Fenix took on Aerostar after he attacked his former friend last week and showing that something is not quite right since his return from the dead. Fenix played the power advantage throughout, landing a big boot to start the match and following with his rolling cutter for a nearfall. Fenix kept Aerostar grounded, but Aerostar sent him out for a flip dive and got a tornado DDT back inside for a nearfall. Kicks and sunset flip powerbombs couldn’t stop Fenix though as a kick put Aerostar down for the Black Fire Driver to give Fenix the win. After the match, Fenix kept on the attack despite pleas from Melissa Santos ringside. El Dragon Azteca tried to make the save, but got beaten down and hit with a Black Fire Driver on the floor before his title defense against Moth that may well have cost him.

Backstage, Paul London met with The White Rabbit and explained the sacrifices of Mala Suerte and Saltador, with The White Rabbit making his way to The Temple soon.

Sep. 12, 2018: Fenix snaps on Aerostar against Reptile Tribe for Trios titles

By NOLAN HOWELL

Tonight on Lucha Underground, Fenix returns to The Temple and reunites with Aerostar and Drago to take a shot at Lucha Underground Trios Champions The Reptile Tribe in the main event! Plus, King Cuerno took a shot at Lucha Underground Champion Pentagon Dark last week, but will he get the title shot? All that and more on this week’s edition of Lucha Underground!

Recap of last week.

We are on tape from Antonio Cueto’s ice house in Los Angeles, Calif. Matt Striker and Vampiro have the call for this week.

Gift of the Gods Championship: El Dragon Azteca Jr. (c) vs. Ivelisse

Ivelisse with a kick to the stomach to start and arm drag land. Ivelisse with a flying headscissors off the top to send Dragon out. Dive from Ivelisse stopped by a spinning heel kick from Dragon for a nearfall. Dragon bounces her out of the corner and works her down. Dragon punches down the left arm and works for a Boston Crab. Dragon gets it and sits back, transitioning to a chinlock. Ivelisse fights up and gets pulled down by her hair, but she rolls away from a Dragon leg drop. Ivelisse with clotheslines on the comeback. Head kick from the apron and a springboard tornado DDT gets a nearfall for Ivelisse. Octopus hold in for Ivelisse and Dragon with a sidewalk slam out for a nearfall. Dragon push kicks out of the corner and lands a flying arm drag to send Ivelisse outside. Springboard from Dragon sees Ivelisse move out of the way and he lands on the steel railing of the stairs. Canadian Destroyer from Ivelisse gets a nearfall inside. Ivelisse with slaps and a head kick for another. Sleeper in as Ivelisse gets the back and Dragon snapmares her off by her hair. Dragon up top and Ivelisse meets him, only to get knocked back down. Ivelisse drops him as she gets back up and lands forearms. Dragon knocks her down with a headbutt and lands a flying leg drop.

Winner by pinfall and STILL Gift of the Gods Champion: El Dragon Azteca Jr.

Rating: 3.25 out of 5 stars

Very good opener with the crowd getting behind Ivelisse as the match went on and featured an underrated insane bump by Dragon diving from the ring to the stair rails.

Post-match, the crowd chants for Ivelisse and Dragon raises her hand to congratulate her. Joey Ryan and XO Lishus come out after the match and XO says he knows Ivelisse wants gold like him and Joey. XO says Ivelisse has a history with unusual trios and XO wants to know if she will join them to face the Lucha Underground Trios Champions. Ivelisse agrees and the crowd celebrates.

(Commercials)

King Cuerno makes his way to the ring and Lucha Underground owner Antonio Cueto comes out of his office. Cueto says Cuerno let Lucha Underground Champion Pentagon Dark know the hunt for his title is on, but there is someone who has been equally dominant lately that deserves a title shot. Cueto says a match right now will determine who faces Penta for the title next week and he welcomes the opponent, who just so happens to hate Cuerno’s guts. Cueto introduces Mil Muertes for the match next.

(Commercials)

Lucha Underground Championship Contender’s Match: King Cuerno vs. Mil Muertes

Cuerno tries to matador Muertes into the corner, but Muertes throws him into the corner for ten short-armed clotheslines and a right hand that drops Cuerno. Cuerno with a jumping superkick and he runs into a Muertes powerslam. Muertes with ground-and-pound, but Cuerno comes back with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Cuerno with a head kick to the back of the head on the apron and they fight up top. Muertes with a superplex and a chokeslam throw. Muertes off the top and he comes down into a high knee from Cuerno. Double clothesline puts both down. The two trade punches coming up from their knees and Cuerno sends Muertes to the floor with a monkey flip variation as they both fall out. They continue to exchange punches and Muertes with an uppercut to drop Cuerno. Cuerno fights back up and they continue to exchange punches. The referee tries to get them back in the ring and Cuerno and Muertes both shove him into the chairs as they continue to brawl around ringside. The referee calls for the bell as they continue to fight.

Double Disqualification

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

This was a hard-hitting brawl, but it went a bit over-the-top and the referee’s disqualification was a predictable end to it. Still, the booking made sense to get to next week and it ended up still being good overall.

They fight up the staircase and Antonio Cueto at the top of the staircase. He screams to them to stop fighting for a second and he says neither of them won tonight, but in his Temple, he rewards violence. Cueto says they will both be competing for the title next week in a three-way match. They continue to brawl as Lucha Underground Champion Pentagon Dark appears and watches on from a platform.

(Commercials)

Before the Trios Championships match, “The Savage” Jake Strong greets Drago and Aerostar and says that if they win the Trios titles tonight, they will face him and he doesn’t need any partners. Strong says he is strong and a wrestler and a wrestler beats a luchador every time. Strong says he will snap their ankles because it makes him Strong.

(Commercials)

Lucha Underground Trios Championship: The Reptile Tribe (c) vs. Aerostar, Drago & Fenix

Jeremiah Snake knocks down all three to start as the bell rings and Drago worked over in the Reptile corner. Snake launches Daga into a basement dropkick on Drago. Drago isolated and worked down, but he sends Snake and Daga into each other to start a comeback. Tornado DDTs on both gets a nearfall on Daga and Snake rakes the eyes to stop the momentum. Fenix with a blind tag and he hits a rolling cutter. Fenix takes on Snake and Daga and he lands kicks in the corners like a house of fire. Aerostar calls for a tag, but Fenix foaming at the mouth and he tags Aerostar in with a slap to the chest. Aerostar in with a rolling cutter on Daga and Snake lands a clothesline that turns Aerostar inside out. Drop suplex and Daga in, but Aerostar fights up with a springboard codebreaker. Daga with a single-leg dropkick and both down. Drago in with Snake and he hits Daga with a neckbreaker. Snake kicks out of the corner and Drago sends both out. Aerostar with a corkscrew dive and Drago calls for Fenix to come in. Fenix stares angrily, but comes in and pops Drago up into a dive over the top on the field. Aerostar cheers Fenix on for a dive, but Fenix slowly walks around the ring. Aerostar tries a dive, but Fenix intercepts him with a superkick. Fire Driver lands on Aerostar and Snake picks up the scraps inside as Melissa Santos looks on from ringside.

Winners by pinfall and STILL Lucha Underground Trios Champions: The Reptile Tribe

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

On its way to being the best match of the night, but they went for the storyline with Fenix, now dressed all in black, showing that he has something wrong after coming back from the dead. The finish made sense and Fenix snapping is something that really seems to have the crowd hot.

Post-match, Melissa tries to calm Fenix and talks to him, but he seizes up and shoves Melissa down. Gift of the Gods Champion El Dragon Azteca Jr. comes out to comfort Melissa as Fenix slowly lurches out.

Antonio Cueto in his office and Marty “The Moth” Martinez pounds on the door, screaming “IT’S MARTY!” Cueto calls him in and Martinez drops cash on his desk. Cueto says Martinez is healed up and Martinez says they both know Cueto doesn’t care about his health, just his money. Cueto says he is guilty as charged and Martinez says his sister got a title shot for the right amount. Cueto books him against Gift of the Gods Champion El Dragon Azteca Jr. next week and Martinez drops two more stacks of money on his desk. Cueto asks what it is for and Martinez laughs as he says he wants one more thing to close the show.

Sep 5, 2018: Melissa Santos and Mil Muertes kill Catrina

By NOLAN HOWELL

Tonight on Lucha Underground, Catrina and Mil Muertes have it out after Catrina abandoned him at ringside only a few weeks ago. Plus, Lucha Underground Champion Pentagon Dark looks for an opponent to fill in after Matanza Cueto took out Johnny Mundo last week at his wedding! All that and more on this week’s edition of Lucha Underground!

Recap of Mil Muertes’ and Killshot’s seasons and the recap of Johnny Mundo and Taya’s failed wedding.

Catrina and Mil Muertes at their vigil and she says she is done and has her life back as she pulls away from Muertes. Catrina says she has been wasting her life in The Temple with Muertes and though they ruled the underworld together, she never really loved him. The man she truly loved gave her freedom and she is not throwing it away. Catrina gives Muertes her stone and says it is something to remember her by. Catrina tries to walk out, but Melissa Santos confronts her and asks her where she thinks she’s going, “b****.” Catrina and Santos start brawling through the halls and break windows, up to an attic where they knock each other down with head kicks. Catrina gets Santos in a cross armbreaker and says Fenix never really loved her. Santos says Fenix died for her, but Catrina will die for Santos. They fight to the roof of the building and Catrina tries to choke Santos with the medallion necklace. Santos punches out and hip tosses her over the side of the building.

Catrina holds on to a railing and Muertes steps in. Muertes tells Santos to leave and he tells Catrina he has something to remember him by. He gives her the stone back and lets go of her hand, sending her falling to the ground. Santos stands over her body below and Aerostar appears. Santos says she didn’t do it and Aerostar says he knows. Aerostars needs her help and asks for the necklace, promising to give her what her heart desires if she does. Santos gives him the necklace and he summons a spirit out of Catrina. Aerostar says he will be right back.

We flash to ten weeks earlier when Catrina got her life back from Fenix and Aerostar appears. Aerostar gives the spirit back to Fenix and he awakens from his casket. Aerostar tells him to come with him and they flash to present day, with Fenix and Aerostar reappearing. Santos embraces Fenix and Aerostar says it will take a while for Fenix to be back to normal. Santos says they have all the time in the world and hands over the necklace. Aerostar warps away and Fenix’s eye is shown with some unknown movements going on in it.

(Commercials)

We are on tape from Antonio Cueto’s ice house in Los Angeles, Calif. Matt Striker and Vampiro have the call for this week.

The announce team updates us on Johnny Mundo’s condition and he may never return to The Temple again.

Joey Wrestling in the ring for a match and Lucha Underground owner Antonio Cueto appears. Cueto says he knows Wrestling is upset about what his son did to Johnny Mundo’s wedding, but the good news is he has a chance at revenge tonight. Cueto says he wishes he had alerted the paparazzi to get the headlines that Joey Wrestling debuts in Lucha Underground and becomes the next Sacrifice to the Gods.

Sacrifice to the Gods: Joey Wrestling vs. “The Monster” Matanza Cueto

Wrestling attacks as Matanza gets to the ring, but a big boot from Matanza and knees to the back from a backbreaker position from Matanza. Wrestling fights up after being thrown down, but Matanza with a clothesline and corner splash. Bear hug in and Wrestling headbutts out for a Death Valley Driver. Shoulder tackle sends Matanza out to the floor and Wrestling bounces him off a table outside. Wrestling stops short of the referee in the corner after Matanza throws him in and mule kicks below the belt. Another low blow followed by a pedigree on Matanza, but Matanza pops back up. Headbutt drops Wrestling and he lands a corner splash before landing Wrath of the Gods.

Winner by pinfall: Matanza Cueto

Rating: 2.25 out of 5 stars

Good opener that went a little beyond the standard fare of the squash here, with Wrestling showing some fire.

Post-match, the Cuetos call for the lightning and Joey Wrestling is a sacrifice.

(Commercials)

Killshot vs. Big Bad Steve (w/The Beautiful Brenda)

Steve backs Killshot to the corner to start. Killshot kicks the knee and Steve backs up limping. Killshot with an ankle pick takedown and he works the left leg. Son of Havoc comes down to ringside with a soda and popcorn as Killshot looks on. Killshot continues to beat Steve down. Killshot stomps the knee and lands right hands as Steve fights up from his knees. Killshot with a backfist, but he runs into a Saito suplex. Killshot lands a double stomp out of a fireman’s carry on Steve’s shoulders. Killshot with pump kicks and he sweeps the leg. Steve with a pop-up cutter to stop the momentum. Pumphandle inverted powerbomb by Steve gets a nearfall as Killshot has his leg on the bottom rope. Steve drops Killshot in the corner and sits him up top. Killshot falls out of a superplex and crotches Steve on the second turnbuckle for a double stomp. Kill Stomp off the top lands.

Winner by pinfall: Killshot

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Impressive showing for Big Bad Steve here against Killshot.

Post-match, Killshot talks trash to Son of Havoc and walks halfway back before smacking the popcorn out of Havoc’s hands to start the brawl ringside. Havoc sends Killshot into the bleachers and accidentally snatches his mask, sending Killshot running.

(Commercials)

Lucha Underground Champion Pentagon Dark introduced to the ring and he says he wanted to give a wedding gift tonight to Johnny Mundo and Taya. Pentagon wanted to break Mundo’s arm, but the doctor says Mundo can’t wrestle tonight. That makes Pentagon sad because he wants to break some bones tonight. Pentagon offers anyone to come fight him for the title now.

Hernandez makes his way out and whistles. Hernandez says if Pentagon is looking for someone with balls, everyone knows Hernandez has the biggest in the building. If Pentagon hadn’t been a “little b****” at Aztec Warfare and broken his arm, he would be the champion right now. Pentagon says “screw you and get down here.” Hernandez says the title will go home with him tonight and Pentagon says Hernandez has balls, but in his head “b****.”

(Commercials)

Lucha Underground Championship: Pentagon Dark (c) vs. Hernandez

Penta with superkicks and a headscissors to the outside to start. Penta with a headscissors outside after ducking a Hernandez clothesline and he works Hernandez around ringside with chops. Hernandez sent into the chairs and chopped against the ring post. Penta with a leg kick, but he runs into a slingshot battering ram from Hernandez inside. Hernandez with a dive over the top rope to the outside, but the crowd refuses to move for him to throw Penta into the chairs and he cusses them out. Penta worked down inside and hit with a body block. Backbreaker across the shoulder by Hernandez and he misses in the corner, allowing Penta to kick out and land a Sling Blade for a nearfall. Hernandez dropped in the corner and he kicks away, but gets caught up top. Hernandez boxes the ears and lands a splash off the top for a nearfall. Penta with a head kick to Hernandez on the apron. Hernandez tries a slingshot battering ram again and runs into a Penta superkick. Pumphandle piledriver from Penta lands.

Winner by pinfall and STILL Lucha Underground Champion: Pentagon Dark

Rating: 2.75 out of 5 stars

Good brawl with some intensity, though Hernandez isn’t really working at Pentagon’s speed these days and it made for a few less smooth moments.

Post-match, Pentagon Dark looks to break the arm of Hernandez, but King Cuerno lays him out with the title belt and lands Thrill of the Kill on the belt to close the show.

Aug 29, 2018: Johnny Mundo and Taya’s wedding ruined by Matanza

By NOLAN HOWELL

Tonight on Lucha Underground, the wedding of the Worldwide Underground’s Johnny Mundo and Taya takes the main event of the evening! What surprises are in store for Slamtown’s power couple? Plus, Jack Evans tries to make it to the wedding when he is set to take on XO Lishus in a “No Mas” match. All that and more on this week’s edition of Lucha Underground!

Recap of Johnny Mundo and Worldwide Underground’s season so far in Lucha Underground.

Worldwide Underground dressed up for the wedding in the locker room and Jack Evans walks in wearing street clothes. Evans pins a rose to the lapel of the sleeveless neon green tuxedo of Johnny Mundo and says he looks amazing. Evans says he will make XO Lishus kiss his a** tonight until he says “No Mas” and Mundo says he will take Taya to Slamtown Manor to make the sexiest couple in the mundo tonight. PJ Black says they have a surprise and in walks Joey Mercury, who Mundo calls Joey Wrestling. Joey says he heard Johnny Mundo needed a best man and Ricky Mundo says Black was supposed to be the best man. Johnny pushes him out of the way and hugs Joey, telling Ricky he got demoted to ring bearer. Johnny says his doll can be flower girl and Black calls Ricky a loser. They play air guitar with sound effects and Ricky tries to join in, but Black says not him and Johnny strips him of the air guitar to give to Joey. They walk off to get more drinks and Ricky’s doll says she hopes Joey doesn’t keep his vows,

We are on tape from Antonio Cueto’s ice house in Los Angeles, Calif. Matt Striker and Vampiro have the call for this week.

Famous B introduces “The Savage” Jake Strong already in the ring and introduces Drago to open the show next.

(Commercials)

“The Savage” Jake Strong vs. Drago

Strong with a go-behind and a forearm to the kidneys. Strong punches Drago down into the corner and lands a back suplex. Drago ducks a back elbow and lands leg kicks, but Strong tackles at the knee of Drago and goes to work on the left leg. Armbar from Strong and Drago lands head kicks from his back. Drago kicks from up top, but gets caught on a crossbody attempt. Powerslam turned into a tornado DDT for Drago and he gets a nearfall as Strong kicks out to send Drago outside. Drago and Strong fight outside and Strong with a back bodydrop into the chairs over the barricade. Strong drags him back inside and lands a Vader Bomb to set up the Ankle Lock.

Winner by submission: Jake Strong

Rating: 2.25 out of 5 stars

Decent opener with Strong playing the heavy. The styles clashed a bit at times, but your standard big guy power vs. smaller wrestler lucha match.

Post-match, Strong breaks the hold, but comes back with the nunchaku and looks to break the ankle. Aerostar makes the save and fights off Strong long enough to clear himself and Drago from the ring.

(Commercials)

“No Mas” Match: Jack Evans vs. XO Lishus

Evans talks trash to start the match and Lishus with a spear and ground and pound in the ring and outside. Evans with a takedown as he continues to run away and go up the stops. Lishus with a superkick to the body and a headscissors to the floor off the stairs. Evans with a spinning kick as he turns on the apron and a 450 splash off the apron. Evans bounces Lishus off the announce table and into the lap of Matt Striker. Lishus with a head kick over the table and a blockbuster off of it. Lishus bounces Evans off the floor and Evans comes back with a knee off the apron. They fight to a staircase behind commentary and Evans chokes Lishus with a chain. Lishus says “F.U.” to being asked and lands a Finlay Roll into moonsault knees on Evans. Lishus calls Evans a bully and they fight to an entrance way. Lishus tossed into chairs and Evans climbs a ladder for a flip dive. Evans asks “what do you say?” and Lishus says “f*** you!” Ivelisse runs out and gets tossed into chairs. Lishus runs Evans into the ring post on his arm and Lishus takes control inside. Omoplata in for Lishus and Evans will not quit. Ankle lock counter by Evans and Lishus does not quit, kicking Evans away.

Lishus with a handspring slap in the corner and he barrel rolls over Evans into a headscissors choke. Lishus spikes Evans with the headscissors and looks for the armbar. Evans counters to the gogoplata and Lishus posts up to land a stomp. Cross armbreaker sees Evans lift out of it and lands a senton. Evans brings in a chair and runs Lishus over with it. Lishus put across the chair and Evans goes up top. Joey Ryan comes out to the apron and Evans kicks away. Ivelisse knocks Evans off the top and Lishus lands a head kick to lock in the armbar. Evans trapped.

Winner: XO Lishus

Rating: 2.75 out of 5 stars

Good match with a lot of intensity throughout, but the submissions style doesn’t really work for either of them and while it works as a means to an end here, it took something out of the match despite the two having good chemistry.

Post-match, Ryan helps up Lishus and Ivelisse and Ryan raise Lishus’s hands.

(Commercials)

Worldwide Underground prepared for the wedding and Jack Evans crawls in front of them. Johnny Mundo tells Evans to go put on his tuxedo and Evans crawls away. PJ Black says it looks like Evans won’t be participating and Ricky Mundo asks if he can be promoted so he doesn’t have to carry the “stupid rings.” Johnny freaks out at him and tells him to shut up and do what he asks, but Joey Wrestling calms him down. Johnny says he is going to marry the woman of his dreams and he has his two best friends in the world with him. They play air guitar and howl, leaving Ricky Mundo behind. The doll tells him it is time for the job she told him to do and Ricky laughs along with the doll.

Famous B officiates the wedding and says to call 423-GET-FAME if you want him to minister your wedding and it doesn’t matter if you are ugly or not. For an extra fee, you can have him bring Texano and Dr. Wagner Jr. Famous B introduces Johnny Mundo, Joey Wrestling, and PJ Black and Taya with Cheerleader Melissa and The Beautiful Brenda.

Ricky Mundo with his doll and it asks what he is afraid of as roaring is heard in the background. The doll tells him to give Johnny and Taya a wedding gift they will never forget and calls him a coward. Ricky uses bolt cutters to snap a chain and it unleashes “The Monster” Matanza Cueto as we break.

(Commercials)

Famous B asks for objections before the ceremony starts. Lucha Underground owner Antonio Cueto comes out of his office and he says he didn’t come out to object to this marriage. Unlike his son Dario, Antonio likes the two and he wants to gift the couple a gift from his family to theirs. Cueto rings the bell and they bring out tacos and he wishes them congratulations while Beautiful Brenda thanks the “grandpa.” Taya and Johnny Mundo say their vows and Famous B calls for the rings. Ricky Mundo comes out and hands them over, but Famous B says he asked for rings and not his stupid doll. Ricky takes his place in line, but Johnny tells him to hit the bricks and not make it awkward. Ricky goes to sit in the audience and they exchange rings. Famous B now pronounces them…”holy s***, what is that?!”

“The Monster” Matanza Cueto storms the ring and clears out the men. Taya steps up top him and gets headbutted out. Matanza stares down Beautiful Brenda and she passes out. Cheerleader Melissa slaps Matanza with the bouquet and gets bodyslammed. Famous B tries to wheel away from Matanza, but gets nowhere and Matanza bodyslams him while still in the wheelchair. PJ Black gets chokeslammed through the taco table and Johnny Mundo exchanges strikes with Matanza. Matanza with an exploder suplex outside through the taco table. Taya busted open and she fires up as Ricky Mundo laughs on from the audience. Taya fires up, but gets hit with Wrath of the Gods. Matanza drags Taya outside and chokeslams her into the wedding cake to close the show.

Aug 22, 2018: Pentagon breaks The Machine to be the last man standing

By NOLAN HOWELL

Tonight on Lucha Underground, Lucha Underground Champion Pentagon Dark and Cage settle their rivalry in the main event in a Last Man or Machine Standing match with the belt on the line! Plus, The Mack takes on Mil Muertes in the first-ever Haunted House match. All that and more on this week’s edition of Lucha Underground!

Recap of last week.

Ring announcer Melissa Santos preparing in her dressing room and Lucha Underground Gift of the Gods Champion El Dragon Azteca Jr. comes in and asks how she’s holding up. Santos says she is great and Dragon gets that she has to put on a happy face, but she can be honest with him that she misses Fenix. Santos says she misses him more every day and Dragon says that just means Fenix is alive and well in here, pointing to a necklace with half an Aztec medallion he places around the neck of Santos. Dragon says she gave Fenix’s life meaning and Santos says Dragon is a great friend. Dragon says it is show time and she walks out after patting his shoulder.

We are on tape from Antonio Cueto’s ice house in Los Angeles, Calif. Matt Striker and Vampiro have the call for this week.

Famous B shown at ringside.

Melissa Santos introduces Mil Muertes after The Mack and Catrina comes to ringside to take the microphone from Santos. Catrina says Santos didn’t introduce her and tells her to do it the right way, “b****.” Santos says “no” and Catrina runs her into the cage over and over until smashing her head into a flower vase on the floor.

(Commercials)

Haunted House Cage Match: The Mack vs. Mil Muertes (w/Catrina)

The Mack with right hands and a flying enzuigiri, but Muertes with a chokebreaker and he lands shots with a kendo stick. Trashcan over the head of Mack and Muertes hits it with the kendo stick. Crowbar brought down, but Muertes works him with the trashcan. Mack kicks and elbows out of the corner, but runs into a powerslam from Mack. Muertes smashes a pumpkin on the back of Mack and Mack comes back with a spinning back kick and DDT to put Muertes down. Mack goes up top, but Muertes punches him to the space between the cage and the ring. Muertes hits him with two spears to break the cage open and kicks him outside. Muertes drops him on the floor and sends him back in, bringing in a table. Muertes climbs the cage and comes off the top turnbuckle with a crossbody for a nearfall. Muertes corners tables and takes a knife off the cage. Muertes spikes it to the forehead and licks the blood off the knife before continuing to cut him with it to the head. Muertes and Mack trade reversals in a corner until Mack lands a spinebuster through the table. Muertes returns the favor with a tackle through the other for a nearfall.

Muertes looks for a Flatliner through a table, but Mack fights out for a trio of Stunners. Muertes put on the table and Mack goes up top, but Muertes punches him and rocks him up top. Flatliner from the top through the table by Muertes on Mack.

Winner by pinfall: Mil Muertes

Rating: 3.25 out of 5 stars

Good hardcore match with a little more heft to it with The Mack’s comebacks throughout and the knifing was particularly brutal.

Post-match, Muertes tells Catrina to give Mack the Lick of Death, but she tells him “no.”

(Commercials)

Famous B takes over for Melissa Santos.

“The Savage” Jake Strong vs. Aerostar

Strong pats his head after measuring the height difference and Aerostar uses his speed until Strong suplexes him in from the apron. Aerostar kicks out of the corner for a tilt-a-whirl headscissors and crucifix drop for a nearfall. Aero with punches and a springboard kick and a springboard dropkick to follow for a nearfall. Strong drops Aero to the apron and Aero goes up top, but gets military pressed down. Ankle Lock in for Strong.

Winner by submission: Jake Strong

No Rating

Post-match, Drago chases Strong off from breaking the ankle with nunchaku.

(Commercials)

The Worldwide Underground celebrate with Johnny Mundo and Taya in an engagement party. PJ Black gets them a Slamtown Spa gift certificate, while Taya gives Mundo a portrait of him with the Lucha Underground Championship. Mundo says it is the most beautiful thing he has ever seen, but it reminds him of how his title was stolen and Taya tells him that she spoke to Lucha Underground owner Antonio Cueto to get him a title shot a week after the wedding. Mundo says she truly is the perfect wedding. Next week, Mundo takes her hand in marriage and the week after, he takes back the LU title. The group celebrates.

Ricky Mundo stands in the doorway as Worldwide Underground’s agent comes in and Ricky won’t let him in. The agent said he was invited because he is useful to Johnny Mundo and Ricky is useless. Ricky’s doll tells him that he shouldn’t talk to him that way and tells Ricky to show the agent how useful he is by showing what Ricky did to Angelico. Ricky hands the agent a pen and the agent asks if that is what Ricky gives to Johnny to sign all his autographs. Ricky says “not anymore!” and stabs him in the neck repeatedly with the pen, blood squirting on him and the doll.

They cut to Taya screaming, thanking Jack Evans for his gift of matching bandanas, before cutting to the doll laughing and covered in blood with Ricky smiling as blood drips down his face.

(Commercials)

Last Man or Machine Standing for the Lucha Underground Championship: Pentagon Dark vs. Cage

The match starts after commercial and Cage runs outside to clothesline Penta down at ringside. Cage with an uppercut and he slams Penta on the floor before tearing at the mask. Cage runs him into the ring post. Penta comes back smashing a beer bottle off the head of Cage, but Cage isn’t hurt and clotheslines him. Cage breaks a beer bottle on the post and glasses Penta to the forehead. Cage punches him down inside and brings out a table. Table cornered and Penta fights off a powerbomb for a Death Valley Driver on Cage through the table. Penta nails Cage with the chair and lands a double stomp on the chair to the chest of Cage off the top rope. Cage rolls out and Penta dives on him, only to get caught for a powerbomb against the barricade. Cage sets up tables outside and Penta works him with trashcans and lids. Cage from the apron with a deadlift suplex through the tables outside. Cage beats the referee’s count, but picks up Penta before the ten count and sets up another table ringside. They fight on the apron until Penta hits Cage with a chair shot and lands the Penta Driver through the table. Penta up first and he rolls Cage back inside. Cage with clotheslines and a Drill Claw back inside. Cage brings another table inside and brings in a cinder block. Penta hits him with a lid and goes up top, but Cage meets him. Penta gets control for the Canadian Destroyer through the table.

Penta brings a chair inside as Cage gets to the bottom rope and Penta stops the count. Chair bridge set in the middle of the ring and Penta with a leg kick. Cage with a high knee and a powerbomb attempt, but Penta out with a Package Pilerdriver through the chair bridge. Penta puts Cage’s arm in a chair and slams another chair into it. Penta breaks one arm of Cage and breaks the other. Penta with a stomp and Cage is out.

Winner and STILL Lucha Underground Champion: Pentagon Dark

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Pentagon is one of the most violent, nasty wrestlers around and this match was just another match to add to this year’s collection.

Aug 15, 2018: The Reptile Tribe takes the trios titles

By NOLAN HOWELL

Tonight on Lucha Underground, Kobra Moon wants a rematch for the trios titles and she gets it in the main event as she leads her new Reptile Tribe against the fractured champions in The Mack, Killshot, and Son of Havoc! Plus, Killshot pulls double-duty with a Gift of the Gods Championship shot at Dragon Azteca Jr. All that and more on this week’s edition of Lucha Underground!

Recap of this season in Lucha Underground.

Lucha Underground owner Antonio Cueto in his office and he opens a letter, which is an invitation to the wedding of Johnny Mundo and Taya. Cueto says it will never last and Kobra Moon enters. Moon demands a trios titles match and claims the titles are rightfully theirs. Cueto says the queen is feisty after her big loss last week and Cueto says his records say that she lost big at Ultima Lucha Tres. Moon says she has made her rank stronger and deadlier than ever. Cueto says her dragon is dra-gone and Moon says she doesn’t need Drago and will prove that, but she demands what she is owed. Cueto says a woman scorned is a sight he loves to see and he gives her the title shot in the main event. Cueto tells her to be dra-gone and Moon crawls off. Cueto says no one has a sense of humor around here.

We are on tape from Antonio Cueto’s ice house in Los Angeles, Calif. Matt Striker and Vampiro have the call for this week.

The Rabbit Tribe in the ring and Antonio Cueto says Paul is back again. Paul London says Mala Suerte proved last week that he doesn’t do it like a rabbit because a true Rabbit would never take a beating like he did. London would love a chance at retribution and says Saltador will prove what a true Rabbit can do. Cueto says Saltador has been chosen for the next Sacrifice to the Gods.

Sacrifice to the Gods: Saltador (w’Paul London) vs. “The Monster” Matanza Cueto

Saltador with chops and a spinning back kick, followed by a pop-up dropkick. Shoulder tackle from the apron, but he gets caught by Matanza for a spinning slam and a Wrath of the Gods lands.

Winner by pinfall: Matanza Cueto

No Rating

Post-match, the lightning strikes and vanquishes Saltador.

(Commercials)

Lucha Underground Trios Champions The Mack and Son of Havoc preparing in the locker room and Havoc asks where Killshot is. The Mack says he will be here and Havoc says Killshot straight up doesn’t like him. Killshot says that ain’t it and he likes him just fine, but he doesn’t respect a man gifted the trios title and he doesn’t respect Havoc trying to get The Mack to turn against him. Havoc shoves Killshot and The Mack holds them back. Mack says Havoc isn’t trying to turn him against Killshot and Killshot says he made it clear by picking against him for the Gift of the Gods match. Killshot says they failed to capture the Gift of the Gods title, but tonight, he won’t. Havoc asks if he has a Gift of the Gods match and Mack says they have to defend the trios titles tonight. Killshot says he sees how it is. Killshot says after he gets the Gift of the Gods, he hopes they retain the trios titles. Killshot bumps Havoc as he walks past and says Havoc is right, Killshot doesn’t like him.

Gift of the Gods Champion Dragon Azteca Jr. and Killshot make their way to the ring for the match next.

(Commercials)

Gift of the Gods Championship: Dragon Azteca Jr. (c) vs. Killshot

Spinning back kick to the body and chops from Dragon and he spins out of an electric chair for a hurricanrana to send Killshot outside. Killshot catches Dragon with a double stomp coming inside and a moonsault over the top rope to the outside for a nearfall. Killshot with a Rings of Saturn inside and Dragon stacks him for a nearfall to break the submission. Dragon plays matador to send Killshot into the ring post on his shoulder. Killshot on the apron and hit with a head kick. Dragon with a hurricanrana to send Killshot onto the floor for a nearfall back inside. Dragon with a spinning corner lariat and Killshot with a running uppercut in the corners. Dragon slides outside and leads Killshot on a chase into a guillotine leg drop for a nearfall. Killshot sat up top and Dragon gets kicked to the apron. They fight on the ring apron and Killshot lands a Death Valley Driver on the apron. Kill Stomp only gets a nearfall for Killshot and they exchange chops inside. Counters exchanged until Dragon catches a tornado DDT on Killshot.

Winner by pinfall and STILL Gift of the Gods Champion: Dragon Azteca Jr.

Rating: 3.25 out of 5 stars

Good match with Dragon catching the victory out of nowhere and Killshot looking enraged post-match after being unable to put Dragon away with the double stomp.

(Commercials)

Drago and Aerostar meet on the rooftop. Aerostar says Drago has kept himself hidden since he was freed and Drago says he did unforgivable things in The Reptile Tribe. Drago asks for forgiveness and Aerostar shakes his hand, saying they will meet again. Drago says not to be so sure and flies away. Aerostar says he is sure.

Lucha Underground Trios Championship: The Mack & Son of Havoc (c) vs. The Reptile Tribe

Jeremiah Snake attacks Son of Havoc as Daga and Kobra Moon take The Mack outside. Snake and Havoc exchange counters inside until Havoc lands a dropkick. Daga slaps Havoc outside and Mack drops Daga with a forearm. Moon slides in for a hurricanrana and Mack with a dropkick. Snake with a superkick on Mack and Mack with an arm drag and flying knee. Mack with a headstand in the corner and Snake with a superkick.

Killshot joins the match and Snake spits in his face. Killshot drops him and locks in a triangle choke. Moon comes in and Havoc and Daga follow to lock in a triangle choke chain. Mack puts Snake in a Boston Crab to put the whole chain in a submission and Daga gets the rope break to break the chain. They all roll outside and Mack with a flip dive to take out the field. Daga to the apron and Killshot knocks him down before taking out the field with a flip dive over the top. Father Rick O’Shea shown watching in the crowd before he officiates Taya and Johnny Mundo’s wedding. Son of Havoc with a springboard moonsault to take out the field. Moon inside and she runs into Killshot on the apron. Killshot with a forearm and he tries to suplex her to the floor. Snake with a lariat to drop him and Snake launches Moon into a moonsault on Killshot outside. Snake and Moon with tandem offense on Killshot for a nearfall, broken by Havoc. Havoc with a springboard cutter on Daga for a nearfall. Havoc with a double stomp on Snake for a nearfall. Everyone takes each other out inside with Moon getting hit by a Stunner from Mack. Mack with a Samoan Drop on Snake and a standing moonsault gets a nearfall. Mack goes up top, but Snake pulls him down for a stretch muffler. Havoc saves him and hits a dive that accidenally takes out Killshot as well. Havoc up top and and Killshot knocks him off onto the top rope. Snake with a Jay Driller shoulderbreaker.

Winners by pinfall and NEW Lucha Underground Trios Champions: The Reptile Tribe

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Good match with spot after spot, perhaps too many overall, and the ending brings a new layer to the story of Killshot and Son of Havoc.

Post-match, Killshot says this is all because of Son of Havoc and hits him with the Kill Stomp. The Mack comes in and looks confused and Killshot says he doesn’t give a s***.

(Commercials)

Cage makes his way out and says next week, Lucha Underground Champion Pentagon Dark will find out what he has meant when he said for years…but Pentagon Dark comes out and they brawl into the crowd. Pentagon catches a fan with a superkick and chops Cage up the steps and they fight up the stairs to the balcony. Pentagon takes out a member of the house band with a guitar and Cage drops him. They take turns dangling each other off the balcony and bouncing each other off the walls. They fight to the top of the grandstand on top of the locker room exit and into the bleachers and to ringside. Pentagon Dark breaks Father Rick O’Shea’s arm and they continue to fight to the back.

The Mack comes into the office of Antonio Cueto and he says he wants Killshot. Cueto says The Mack already has a match next week asked for by Catrina. Cueto puts on a witch hat and says it is the first-ever Haunted House match. Mack says he only has one thing to say as he puts on the hat; “Trick or treat, motherf…”

Aug 9, 2018: Mundo frees Drago and chimes wedding bells for Taya

By NOLAN HOWELL

Tonight on Lucha Underground, after killing Vibora last week, Johnny Mundo led The Worldwide Underground into the main event to take on The Reptile Tribe with his freedom on the line and a wish from Kobra Moon to gain! Plus, Mariposa had her eyes set on Gift of the Gods gold this week and a plan to get it.

Before the match, Kobra Moon said that Johnny Mundo proved that he belonged in her tribe by killing Vibora, but he wouldn’t have an advantage this week because Jeremiah Crane became Jeremiah Snake to join The Reptile Tribe. As Worldwide Underground came out, Mundo changed the gameplan by telling Ricky Mundo to go play with his doll backstage and bringing out Aerostar.

Snake and Mundo were left in the ring to start as a brawl between the two teams broke out. After dives took out everyone outside, Moon hit a bulldog on Mundo to the outside on top of the field and Snake and Taya were left inside, where Snake bit the finger of Taya after she flipped him the bird. PJ Black came in soon after with the house of fire offense, stopped by Drago. Black and Mundo cleaned house by sending Moon, Daga, and Snake into each other and Mundo landed Moonlight Drive on Snake. Reptile Tribe got the numbers on Mundo after a Moon crossbody and they landed superkicks. Aerostar stepped in and stared down Drago before landing a dive outside, allowing Mundo to recover for End of the World and the win.

Post-match, Mundo upset his teammates by asking for his wish to set Drago free from the Reptile Tribe. Taya called him an idiot, but Mundo told her that a wish from Moon could not give him what he wanted and Black fished around in his trunks, producing a ring. Taya agreed to his proposal and they did a Savage/Miss Elizabeth around the ring, complete with theme song, but Ricky Mundo was shown looking on from the back and he and his doll laughed as they said their wish for the couple was to stay together until death did them part.

To open the show, Mariposa walked into the office of Antonio Cueto seductively, but cut to the chase that she wanted a Gift of the Gods title shot. Cueto turned her down, saying she hadn’t earned it, but Mariposa reminded him that she comes from a rich family and handed two stacks of cash his way, getting her the title shot against Dragon Azteca Jr. Mariposa hit him below the belt before the belt and worked him down, but Dragon was able to land a 450 in return. Mariposa landed the Butterfly Effect, but Dragon was able to kick out and cradle Mariposa as she tried her finisher again to retain the title.

In tag action, Jack Evans and Joey Ryan took on XO Lishus and Ivelisse. Ivelisse forced Evans to tag to Ryan and Ryan got his lollipop out for Ivelisse, but Lishus was brought in and headscissored Ryan into a Rear View repeatedly. Ivelisse got isolated after she was brought in and the hot tags were made to Lishus and Evans, where Evans got revenge with a gogoplata submission for the win that he held onto long after the bell.

In the opening match, Paul London punished Mala Suerte for letting The White Rabbit Tribe down by sacrificing him to Matanza Cueto, where Matanza hit him with a headbutt and the Wrath of the Gods before the win and vanquishing Suerte as Saltador looked on in fear next to London.

Jul 26, 2018: Dragon Azteca gets the Gift of the Gods

By NOLAN HOWELL

Tonight on Lucha Underground, Antonio Cueto has different plans in mind for the main event, but someone will walk out with a Lucha Underground Championship title shot when they win a Gift of the Gods Championship! Plus, “The Savage” Jake Strong looks to snap more ankles. All that and more on this week’s edition of Lucha Underground!

We are on tape from an undisclosed location in Antonio Cueto’s icehouse. Matt Striker and Vampiro have the call for this week.

The announce team says Famous B’s leg will avoid amputation after “The Savage” Jake Strong broke it and says to call 1-423-GET-FAME with well wishes.

Sammy Guevara vs. “The Savage” Jake Strong

Strong with a German suplex and another that turns Guevara inside-out to start. Vader Bomb lands for Strong. Lariat ducked by Guevara and he lands a running crossbody to send Strong out. Guevara gets thrown into the announce table and chairs ringside. Guevara climbs a ladder ringside and Strong grabs an ankle. Guevara kicks away and climbs the ladder to the balcony. Guevara with a moonsault off the balcony onto Strong below. Guevara with superkicks and he rolls Strong in. Guevara springboards into the Strong Lock.

Winner by submission: Jake Strong

Rating: 2.25 out of 5 stars

A bit longer than a squash, Guevara got an amazing spot en route to being destroyed by Strong that made it a fun little opener.

Post-match, Strong holds the submission until he hears the pop of the ankle. Strong takes Guevara’s vest as a trophy.

(Commercials)

Vinnie Massaro in the ring and Lucha Underground owner Antonio Cueto appears on a balcony. Cueto said he evaluated every contract on the roster and when he saw Massaro’s, his first thought was to fire the “poor excuse for a man.” Cueto says he didn’t because if his son Dario kept Massaro around, maybe he knew there was talent under the filthy tracksuit. Cueto says after seeing Massaro in Aztec Warfare, he has no choice but to offer him a pizza. A pizza delivery man comes out with a pizza and Massaro looks disappointed. Massaro says it is pineapple and Cueto says he is offering up a sacrifice to the gods.

Vinnie Massaro vs. “The Monster” Matanza Cueto

Massaro shoves the pizza delivery guy into Matanza and Matanza stomps him down in the corner before the match. Massaro slaps Matanaza and lands strikes. a snoring elbow rocks Matanza and he runs the ropes, but tires himself out. Massaro rolls into a headbutt and Matanza with a Wrath of the Gods on the pizza.

Winner by pinfall: Matanza Cueto

No Rating

These squashes from Matanza have served as a good way of writing characters and are more television plot devices than wrestling, so it will be interesting to see where they go with it.

Post-match, the pizza guy steals Massaro’s wallet, but backs into Matanza. He offers the wallet to Matanza and gets chokeslammed. Matanza lays them on the seal and they disappear as Antonio Cueto raises his staff.

(Commercials)

The Mack, El Dragon Azteca Jr., Son of Havoc, King Cuerno, Dezmond X, and Ivelisse make their way out for the Gift of the Gods Championship match. Antonio Cueto makes his way out of his office and says he feels like doing things differently. Cueto says they are not having a six-way match for the Gift of the Gods. They will have a three-way title match and the winner of a trios match goes on to the main event. Cueto lets Ivelisse and Son of Havoc decide their partner as former Lucha Underground Trios Champions. They choose The Mack and the match is set.

(Commercials)

Gift of the Gods Championship Contenders Trios Match: Ivelisse, Son of Havoc, & The Mack vs. Dezmond X, El Dragon Azteca Jr., & King Cuerno

Mack starts with Cuerno and misses a corner splash. X with a head kick from the apron and Dragon with a dive off the top. Killshot shown watching from the top of the stairs and Mack with a running knee on X. Corner clotheslines on Dragon and X and he lays both out with clotheslines. Samoan Drop and a standing moonsault by Mack on Cuerno gets a nearfall. Havoc in with a handspring back elbow and springboard back senton for a nearfall. Ivelisse in with a headscissors to send Cuerno out. X in with a German suplex attempt on Ivelisse, but she sends him out with an arm drag. Arm drag on Dragon and an octopus stretch in, but Cuerno kicks Ivelisse in the back of the head to drop her. Ivelisse worked in the opponent corner. Ivelisse gets out of the corner for the hot tag to Mack and Mack with splashes. Ivelisse takes out Cuerno outside and Dragon gets superkicked off the apron by Mack. Mack with a corkscrew dive on Dragon and Cuerno. Havoc sends X out for a handspring flip dive. Cuerno rolled in by Havoc and Cuerno avoids the Shooting Star Press for Thrill of the Hunt.

Winners by pinfall: King Cuerno, Dezmond X, & El Dragon Azteca Jr.

Rating: 2.75 out of 5 stars

Good sort of warm-up for the main event, with a sudden finish out of nowhere and Cuerno stealing the victory after a pretty decent match to further drive a rift between the current Trios champions.

Post-match, Mil Muertes beats down the losing team and Killshot comes down as Muertes has Havoc in a choke. Killshot lands a big boot on Havoc, but Muertes lays out Killshot anyway.

(Commercials)

Gift of the Gods Championship: Dezmond X vs. El Dragon Azteca Jr. vs. King Cuerno

Cuerno controls with backbreakers on Dragon for a nearfall early after dropping X. Cuerno works them in the corners and a Frankensteiner sends X into a cannonball senton on top of Dragon that gets X a nearfall. Cuerno with a dropkick for a nearfall on Dragon. X with striking combos on Cuerno and Dragon to corner them. Uppercut on Dragon and a stomp to the back of Cuerno gets a nearfall. Dragon kicks out of the corner for a corkscrew arm drag off the top and a dropkick gets a nearfall on X. Cuerno kicks X out and Dragon with a flip dive over Cuerno on X. Cuerno with a big boot to send Dragon out and The Arrow from the Depths of Hell lands on Dragon. Splash inside gets a nearfall on Dragon. Dragon blocks a powerbomb for a sunset flip nearfall broken by X. X with corner slaps and a discus punch. Enzuigiri and handspring Pele Kick gets X a nearfall. Cuerno drops X and locks X in a lifted full nelson with a leglock in on Dragon. Dragon and X work Cuerno in the corner and X with a jumping Frankensteiner. Cuerno sent out and X dives into a big boot from Cuerno. Jumping knee from Cuerno on Dragon outside, but Cuerno taken out by X and Dragon. X and Dragon unable to knock each other over with clotheslines, but Cuerno takes both out. Cuerno bounces both off the barricades and throws them into chairs ringside. Cuerno gets Dragon up, but X made his way through the crowd and lands a flip dive on the ledge over an exit hallway to take both out.

X rolls Dragon inside and a Phoenix Splash misses. Dragon up top and X with a rolling Shotei. X gets Dragon on his shoulders up top, but Dragon falls out and lands a victory roll powerbomb off the top and into the cover.

Winner by pinfall and NEW Gift of the Gods Champion: El Dragon Azteca Jr.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Great main event with nonstop pacing throughout, alternating the one on one sequences until they set up for the amazing Dezmond X spot outside, who is slowly becoming one of the highlights of the season. Dragon Azteca picking up the win feels like a logical move as someone who has been featured with a prominent backstory, but has come up on the losing end in a few big matches.

Marty “The Moth” Martinez dragged out to the living room of a house on a rug and he has water poured on him by Mariposa. Marty says he was having dreams about Melissa Santos and making her a necklace out of Lucha Underground Champion Pentagon Dark’s teeth. Mariposa tells Marty he is always thinking of the wrong things and it isn’t Pentagon’s teeth he wants. Mariposa tells Marty it is his title he wants and that she knows he is destined for greatness if he focuses. Marty starts laughing uncontrollably with his focus now set to close the show.

Jul 18, 2018: Pentagon breaks the machine Cage in title defense

By NOLAN HOWELL

Tonight on Lucha Underground, Pentagon Dark puts his title on the line in the main event against “The Machine” Cage after the two have attacked each other the last two weeks! Plus, the final Aztec Medallion match before next week’s Gift of the Gods title match. All that and more on this week’s edition of Lucha Underground!

Video package recaps last week.

We are on tape from Antonio Cueto’s icehouse in an undisclosed location in California. Matt Striker and Vampiro have the call for this week.

Aztec Medallion Match: Paul London (w/The Rabbit Tribe) vs. Dezmond X

The Rabbit Tribe dives in the ring and dives out, allowing London to drop X and work him down on the second rope. Baseball slide between the legs of X sends him outside and the Tribe holds him outside, but X moves out of the way and London hits them. X kicks away and lands a springboard moonsault on the Tribe as London moves back inside. Baseball slide from London and a slingshot cradle inside gets a nearfall. X comes back with a back elbow and a strike combo for a cutter. London kicks out of the corner, but X with a jumping Frankensteiner for a nearfall. X misses London in the corner, but catches him with a head kick to the back of the head. Handspring Pele Kick from X gets a nearfall and a 450 sees London roll away. Double knees from London and X with a victory roll on a wheelbarrow from London.

Winner by pinfall: Dezmond X

Rating: 2.75 out of 5 stars

Impressive debut for Impact’s Dezmond Xavier here, showing off his aerial abilities against a more serious London. X kept up with London throughout and brings some of the more impressive high-flying in televised wrestling each time out.

(Commercials)

Lucha Underground owner Antonio Cueto makes his way out with the Gift of the Gods Championship and he congratulates Dezmond X on becoming the final competitor in the Gift of the Gods Championship match next week. Cueto says he has never seen a match with so many main event competitors and invites the luchadores to turn in their medallions to the title. El Dragon Azteca Jr., King Cuerno, Ivelisse, Dezmond X, Son of Havoc, The Mack, and Mil Muertes with Catrina all put the medallions in the belt and go to the ring. Cueto says now that he has them here, let’s have some fun. Cueto says seven is a lucky number to some and he has always found it unlucky. Cueto says only six will compete next week because they are having an impromptu over-the-top battle royal, with the winner getting to choose who is out.

Gift of the Gods Championship Contenders Battle Royal

Mil Muertes eliminates King Cuerno and Ivelisse. Muertes eliminates Dezmond X. Muertes picks up Dragon Azteca Jr. and Son of Havoc and The Mack eliminate Mil Muertes and El Dragon Azteca Jr. Son of Havoc and The Mack left in the ring and Havoc pats Mack on the shoulder and eliminates himself with a flip dive.

Winner: The Mack

No Rating

Cueto asks Mack who he wants to eliminate and Mack says he would like to say he is afraid of no man, but Mil Muertes scares the s*** out of him. Mack says Muertes is out and Catrina storms off while Muertes beats down the field in a rage.

(Commercials)

Vibora (w/Kobra Moon) vs. Johnny Mundo (w/Taya)

Mundo with a go-behind and leg kick, but Vibora with a chop to the chest from his knees. Crucifix and a forearm to the back of the head from Mundo. Vibora with a back elbow and Taya trips him up. Kobra Moon trips Mundo up. Taya and Kobra Moon come into the ring and Taya with a spear before sending Moon out. Mundo with a pop-up mule kick below the belt. Mundo drops Vibora for a standing shooting star press that gets a nearfall. Vibora holds onto Mundo for a Death Valley Driver for a nearfall. Mundo hit with a corner splash and big boot. Arm-trapped inverted DVD from Vibora gets a nearfall and he looks for a Chokeslam, but Mundo flips out with a reverse hurricanrana. A forward rana lands and Mundo goes up top, but Vibora sits up. Mundo hits a corkscrew dive onto Moon outside and Taya and Mundo flip off Vibora. Taya distracts the referee and Mundo leads Vibora on a chase into a chair shot from PJ Black. End of the World inside from Mundo, but Vibora somehow kicks out. Mundo superkicks the referee and Worldwide Underground in with a chair. Drago out with a dropkick to sideswipe Mundo and Daga runs out to even the numbers. Vibora handsprings under a chair shot from Mundo and lands a powerbomb to set up a Chokeslam. Standing moonsault lands for a nearfall on Mundo as a new referee gets to the ring.

Vibora sends Mundo into the corner. Ricky Mundo comes in and takes Johnny out of the ring. Vibora lands a moonsault off the second turnbuckle to the floor to take both out. Vibora up top and Mundo goes under as he dives. Mundo with superkicks and a hook kick. Vibora with a headbutt. Mundo dips and dives for a head kick from the apron. Springboard attempt caught for a corkscrew Chokeslam by Vibora.

Winner by pinfall: Vibora

Rating: 3.25 out of 5 stars

While this had the textbook interference from Worldwide Underground, it got to be Vibora and Mundo trading down the stretch for a surprisingly good match in spite of some overbooking.

Post-match, Worldwide Underground lay out Kobra Moon and Vibora with chairs, forcing Drago and Daga to make the save. The two teams brawl to commercial.

(Commercials)

XO Lishus does a Flashdance aerobics routine training backstage and Jack Evans peers through a wall in disbelief. Evans says no one embarrasses him and he finds Ricky Mundo sitting next to him. Evans jumps and Ricky asks what he is doing. Evans says watching his enemy’s every move and asks what Ricky is doing. Ricky says he was getting his a** kicked by The Reptile Tribe and they could’ve used him. Evans says he doesn’t do snakes and Johnny is cool with him sitting this out. Evans tells Ricky and his dirty doll to mind their own business and walks out. The doll tells Ricky that she doesn’t like Ecans and tells him to do to Evans what he did to Angelico. Ricky says Johnny would be mad and the doll asks if Johnny runs his life or if he does.

Lucha Underground Champion Pentagon Dark and Cage make their ways to the ring for the title main event.

(Commercials)

Lucha Underground Championship: Pentagon Dark (c) vs. Cage

Cage knocks Penta off the apron and runs him into the bleacher wall outside. Penta with leg kicks and Cage with aright hand before sending him into a barricade. Body slam on the floor by Cage and Penta strikes back. Penta picks up a camera wire and chokes Cage. Cage with a back suplex on the apron. Cage ties Penta’s mask to the barricade and unloads punches. A chair shot from Cage misses and Penta sends it back into Cage’s face to land a Sling Blade. Double stomp inside by Penta gets a nearfall. Package piledriver blocked by Cage for a high knee and Cage with a pumphanlde slam. Buckle bomb by Cage and he lands a deadlift suplex inside for a nearfall. Cage hit with a lungblower and codebreaker by Penta on the counter for a nearfall. Cage with a Muscle Buster variation for a nearfall and Penta blocks a powerbomb for an enzuigiri and superkick. Two Canadian Destroyers from Penta and the package piledriver follows.

Winner by pinfall and STILL Lucha Underground Champion: Pentagon Dark

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Decent match that seemed to be missing a little something, as Pentagon seems to be trading in brutal strikes for high-impact moves like the Canadian Destroyer in his matches this season.

Post-match, Cage tries to hit a lariat on Pentagon Dark and gets laid out by the title belt instead. Penta tires to break the arm, but Cage pulls him up to his shoulders for an F5 on the title. Cage says Pentagon can’t break his arm because he’s not a man, he’s a machine.

Jul 12, 2018: Muertes breaks the machine Cage for Aztec Medallion

By NOLAN HOWELL

Though much has changed in Lucha Underground under new owner Antonio Cueto, much remains the same and many are looking to get a title shot by earning the Gift of the Gods Championship. Cage and Mil Muertes met in the main event for a shot at the title when they faced each other for an Aztec medallion, while Cueto had other matches in mind with the gold pieces on the line.

Cage and Muertes exchanged strikes evenly early, but Cage was the more powerful with clothesline and Muertes had to bust out a hurricanrana to send him outside. Catrina split the even advantage as the two bounced each other off the apron and barricade, with her distraction allowing Muertes to toss Cage into the ringside seats. Cage was able to hit Muertes with a deadlift suplex as he got back in the ring and Muertes struck back, but hit the referee with a spear. Both took turns taking out the referees and Lucha Underground Champion Pentagon Dark took advantage of this by laying Cage out with a chair shot to the head to send him in for a Flatliner from Muertes to give Muertes the victory and the medallion.

After the match, Pentagon promised Cage a title shot next week.

Cueto put the Lucha Underground Trios Champions The Mack, Killshot, and Son of Havoc in a medallion match, with the person taking the pin winning nothing and the two who survive getting medallions. After the usual back-and-forth of a triple-threat match, the finish came down to Killshot hitting a double stomp on Havoc. Mack rolled back in and caught Killshot with a Stunner, leaving two opponents down to take the pin. Mack picked Killshot and The Mack and Havoc picked up the medallions, furthering the descent of Killshot in the team.

Joey Ryan took on Ivelisse in the other medallion match of the night and Ryan was up to his usual dirty tricks before Ivelisse tossed him around the ring by his chest hair. Ivelisse was in control until a superkick from Ryan nearly won him the match and he started to use his power advantage over Ivelisse. After getting a lollipop out, Ryan was too focused on mind games and Ivelisse made the come back with roundhouse kicks and strikes to set up the Canadian Destroyer for the win.

In the opener, Cortez Castro was punished for his job as a cop by being sacrificed to Matanza Cueto by order of Antonio Cueto.

To close the show, The Rabbit Tribe were led by Mascarita Sagrada to the White Rabbit, who is Killer Kross. Kross ordered Paul London to kill whoever brought him there and London killed Sagrada with a staff to entertain the White Rabbit’s leader.

Jul 4, 2018: Cuerno hunts Guerrero for Aztec medallion

By NOLAN HOWELL

Tonight on Lucha Underground, King Cuerno gets an opportunity from Antonio Cueto to earn an Aztec medallion against the man who eliminated him in Aztec Warfare as he takes on Chavo Guerrero in the main event! Plus, Johnny Mundo and Taya of Worldwide Underground look to go to war with Daga and Kobra Moon of the Reptile Tribe. All that and more on this week’s edition of Lucha Underground!

Recap of this season of Lucha Underground.

Catrina walks into a candlelight vigil around the coffin with Fenix in it. Catrina says his life is gone and hers begins again. She kisses him and takes in his life force and dons a red dress.

Melissa Santos in the dressing room looking back at pictures of her and Fenix on her phone. Catrina walks in and tells Melissa not to cry. Catrina says Fenix gave his life for the woman that truly loved him, which is her. Catrina gives her the half of the medallion necklace and says Melissa can have it to remember him by. Catrina used to need it, but thanks to Fenix, she has never felt more alive.

We are on tape from Antonio Cueto’s ice hose in an unknown location. Matt Striker and Vampiro have the call for this week.

The announce team says Famous B has undergone multiple surgeries and may need to have his leg amputated after Jake Strong broke his ankle in the ankle lock.

Big Bad Steve (w/The Beautiful Brenda) vs. “The Savage” Jake Strong

Strong runs Steve in the corner on the lock-up and lands punches. Steve elbows out of a gutwrench and lands punches. Strong drops him with a lariat and bounces him into the corner. Forearms to the kidneys and Strong moves outside to punch the back of the head. Vader Bomb and a lariat drops Steve for the ankle lock.

Winner by submission: Jake Strong

No Rating

Squash match and Strong has looked a lot more impressive in Lucha Underground than he ever has.

Post-match, Strong snaps the ankle and lands a gutwrench powerbomb on the floor. Strong takes a bandana from Steve and leads the crowd in a “STRONG!” chant.

(Commercials)

Lucha Underground owner Antonio Cueto drinking in his office and he says that he believes the person in his office has something that doesn’t belong to him. King Cuerno sits across from him and says The Gauntlet was stolen from him. Cueto says he is sure Cuerno has heard stories from his ancestors about how powerful it is and Cuerno says it makes you a god. Cuerno says that is why he stole it from Mil Muertes and maybe Mil has it. Cueto says only the gods know if he is telling the truth, so he offers Cuerno something on their behalf. Cueto says maybe it will convince Cuerno to turn the Gauntlet over and Cueto offers the ancient Aztec medallion of his tribe. Cueto offers him a chance to win it and offers Cuerno a chance to win it against the man who eliminated him in Aztec Warfare in Chavo Guerrero. Cuerno looks intrigued, but in walks Cage.

Cage says Cueto saw what he did to Pentagon last week and he wants to finish the job this week. Cueto says Cage is an impatient man and Cuerno tells Cueto that he is the man, Cage is the machine. Cueto loves what Cage did to Pentagon and says he will have to earn a shot at Pentagon by winning an Aztec medallion that belongs to the tribe of the man he will face. Next week, Cage will face Mil Muertes.

(Commercials)

Daga & Kobra Moon vs. Johnny Mundo & Taya

Taya and Daga start. Daga with a takedown and they exchange nearfalls. Taya with back elbows and a big boot. Superkick to the body and a high knee from Taya stopped by a dropkick from Daga as Taya comes in. Johnny Mundo in and he shoves Daga. Daga with punches and a leapfrog stomp to the back as Mundo tries a duck-under. Mundo sends him down for a knee and standing shooting star press for a nearfall. Daga with a big boot and superkick against the ropes, but Mundo sends him back into a tag from Kobra Moon. Moon with a flying headscissors for a nearfall off the top. Daga back in and Moon and Daga with corner dropkicks. Moon slammed on Mundo for a Daga nearfall. Mundo worked down by Daga. Mundo comes back with a corkscrew crossbody off the top for a nearfall. Taya in and Mundo surfboards Daga up into a Taya leg drop across the back of the head for the nearfall. Taya and Mundo try for tandem offense and Daga ducks away, letting Mundo superkick Taya. Daga with a kick combo on Mundo and Moon in for roundhouse kicks to the chests of both. Mundo ducks away, but Taya hit with a Russian legsweep.

PJ Black comes in with a superkick to the back of the head of Moon. Taya with a surfboard curb stomp on Moon as the referee turns back around.

Winners by pinfall: Taya & Johnny Mundo

Rating: 2.75 out of 5 stars

Good tag, but the Worldwide Underground finishes have become really predictable overall and it takes a bit of fire out of their matches at times, especially in a new feud.

Post-match, The Worldwide Underground celebrate until Vibora comes in. They corner Vibora, but he handsprings out and stacks Mundo and Taya in the corner together. Mundo moves away and Taya eats the cannonball from Vibora. Mundo hit with a chokeslam by Vibora and he pancakes him on the mat with a splash. Vibora and Daga hold Black and Taya up by their hair on the mat and Moon tells Mundo he will bow down to her and call her his queen.

Antonio Cueto unlocks a storage room and the silhouette shows Matanza Cueto using a strung-up body as a punching back. Cueto tells his son that it is time for his first sacrifice and to come with him.

(Commercials)

Mr. Pectacular in the ring and Antonio Cueto makes his way out. Cueto says he is sorry to inform Mr. Pectacular that his first singles match in Lucha Underground may be his last. Tonight, Cueto says they will do something tonight for this first time ever and he calls it the Sacrifice to the Gods. Pectacular is the sacrifice and he introduces Matanza Cueto.

Sacrifice to the Gods: Mr. Pectacular vs. “The Monster” Matanza Cueto

Pectacular hits a dropkick as Matanza comes in and it does nothing. Matanza with a German suplex and he beats Pectacular down in the corner. Spinning slam sets up the Wrath of the Gods for Matanza.

Winner by pinfall: Matanza Cueto

No Rating

Squash for the god mode Matanza.

Post-match, Matanza calls down the thunder and the lights go on and off.

(Commercials)

Aztec Medallion Match: Chavo Guerrero Jr. vs. King Cuerno

Guerrero hits a suicide dive as Cuerno gets to ringside. Cuerno sent into the chairs ringside. Guerrero drives him into the ring post in a suplex position and throws him around ringside. Guerrero comes down into a dropkick inside and Cuerno with a nearfall. Cuerno with a chop in the corner, but Guerrero moves out of the corner. Cuerno comes back with a clothesline for a nearfall. Guerrero and Cuerno exchange punches from their knees and Guerrero gets sent out on a back bodydrop. Guerrero looks for a chair to hit Cuerno with on his suicide dive attempt, but Cuerno dives past it and kicks it into Guerrero’s face ringside. Cuerno sends Guerrero into the wall and Guerrero sends him upward into the audience. Cuerno knocks him off the ledge of the stands and lands a crossbody off the railing. Cuerno sends Guerrero inside and Guerrero crotches him up top to land a superplex for a nearfall. Guerrero works Cuerno down in the corner and on the apron. Catapult into the bottom rope gets Guerrero a nearfall.

Guerrero unties the top turnbuckle cover and Cuerno stops short. They exchange strikes and Cuerno pendulums himself over the exposed turnbuckle to land a head kick from the apron. Sunset flip powerbomb from Cuerno sees Guerrero roll through, but Cuerno sends him out with a knee lift and he connects on the Arrows from the Depths of Hell. Cuerno charges Guerrero and Guerrero with a small package nearfall. Cuerno gets him up for Thrill of the Hunt and Guerrero grabs the referee to break it. Three Amigos from Guerrero, but he only gets two as Cuerno lands a knee to the head and gets a cradled piledriver.

Winner by pinfall: King Cuerno

Rating: 3.25 out of 5 stars

This picked up a little slower than expected, but flew down the stretch with some textbook Guerrero shenanigans. The breakneck pace on some spots really upped the intensity and rivalry level here as well.

Jun 28, 2018: Muertes buries Crane and Fenix in Three Way to the Grave

By NOLAN HOWELL

Tonight on Lucha Underground, Mil Muertes and Fenix again meet with coffins around ringside, but the addition of Jeremiah Crane makes it Three Way to the Grave in the main event! Plus, Jack Evans puts out a challenge to start the show. All that and more on this week’s edition of Lucha Underground!

Recap of the first two episodes in this season of Lucha Underground.

Worldwide Underground backstage and Ricky Mundo with his baby doll. Ricky tells PJ Black and Jack Evans that after he got photos from Dario Cueto, he found out that the Island of Dolls is a real place in Mexico. Ricky says it is amazing and Black and Evans nod in disbelief and Ricky says it is where he and Rosa met, as he looks at the doll. Ricky tells her not to be shy and he pulls the talking string, with Rosa saying “hola!” Johnny Mundo and Taya walk in and Johnny thanks everyone for coming to the emergency meeting. Rosa says “you’re welcome” and Johnny says The Reptile Tribe has declared war on the Worldwide Underground. Johnny says if they want a war, they’ve got one and he tells Evans to go out tonight and take a snake to Slam Town. Evans says he doesn’t really do the snake thing because he hates snakes with a cigarette in mouth. Black says Evans is the dragon slayer and Evans says dragons aren’t snakes. Evans says he has a colonic meeting and leaves and Johnny says everyone has their marching orders. Johnny asks if anyone has seen Angelico because he owes him a beating and walks out. Black bumps Ricky as he walks out and Rosa tells Ricky not to worry because his secret is safe with her. Rosa laughs demonically and Ricky with an evil smile.

We are on tape from Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, Calif. Matt Striker and Vampiro have the call for this week.

Jack Evans vs. XO Lishus

Lushus with a headscissors takedown off leapfrogging and drop-downs. XO with a hurricanrana and wheelbarrow arm drag. Handspring slap in corner on Evans and XO bridges in the center of the ring. Evans with a standing moonsault, but he gets sent out for a suicide dive over the top by XO. XO twerks inside and misses on a backflip, getting sent into the second rope on a drop toehold by Evans. Evans with a Regal Stretch and an arm wrench. Evans with a handspring eye gouge and he works XO down in the corner. Evans with an armbar variation and XO stacks him, but Evans kicks away. XO with an ax kick in the corner and a dropkick. XO works the comeback and a jawbreaker into a split. Leg drop to the back of the head gets a nearfall on Evans. Evans flips out of the corner and Evans with a tornado kick, followed by a standing corkscrew for a nearfall. Evans up top and XO with a handspring headscissors off the top. Split-legged leg drop off the top by XO gets a nearfall and he goes back up top. Evans meets him and XO with a split-legged X Factor.

Winner by pinfall: XO Lishus

Rating: 2.75 out of 5 stars

Really good opener and debut for XO Lishus, who will fill the Pimpinela Escarlata slot gimmick-wise, but is actually a really good and unique worker who plays to the gimmick in his style.

(Commercials)

Lucha Underground Champion Pentagon Dark in the ring and he says at Aztec Warfare, nineteen luchadores tried to take the title from him and they all failed. Cueto’s monster tried to take the title and he failed. Penta says anyone who tries to take the title from him will be broken. Cage sneaks up after Penta says he has cero miedo and hits him with a discus lariat. Ground and pound from Cage and he lays him out with the title. Cage sets a table at ringside and powerbombs Penta from the apron through the table. Cage says he can’t be broken because he is not a man. Cage is a machine and he is the next challenger.

(Commercials)

Fenix in the locker room with ring announcer and girlfriend Melissa Santos. Santos says she can’t lose him and Fenix says she won’t because the last time he was in one of these, he won. Santos says the last time, he only had one opponent. Fenix tells her not to worry because he is the man of one thousand lives and Santos says they all belong to her. They get face-to-face and kiss.

Melissa Santos makes her way out and introduces the main event competitors.

(Commercials)

Three Way to the Grave: Mil Muertes (w/Catrina) vs. Jeremiah Crane vs. Fenix

Crane charges Muertes and Muertes spears him. Fenix with a head kick from the apron and a superkick inside on Muertes, followed by a rolling DDT. Crane with a snap corkscrew Dragon suplex on Fenix and big boots on Muertes in the corner. Fenix with a big boot on Crane, but he gets hip-tossed inside by Crane. Suicide dive from Crane outside, but Fenix with a moonsault from the corner. Fenix clutches his ankle and Muertes takes out the field with a crossbody off the top outside. Muertes bounces the head of Crane off the casket and powerbombs him on it. Muertes tries one on the announce table, but Crane with a big boot. Crane runs around ringside to try a big boot and gets hit with a spear by Muertes. Muertes sets up a table, but Fenix with a hurricanrana off the barricade. Crane hits Fenix with a bouquet and Muertes chokeslams Crane on the casket. Muertes looks for double Flatliners on Crane and Fenix, but they fight out. Crane powerbombs Muertes through the table by the chairs. Crane and Fenix fight up the steps and Crane lands a piledriver on the concrete. Muertes appears behind Crane in the ice house elevator entrance and slams the doors on him. Fenix climbs to the top of the ice house freezer as they fight on the balcony. Fenix with a dive off the freezer to take out the field. Muertes sends Crane and Fenix tumbling down the stairs to ringside.

Muertes sets a table up inside and puts Crane up top. Muertes sent out by Fenix and Fenix leapfrogs Crane up top in the corner to put Muertes through a table outside. Fenix crotched up top by Crane inside and Crane with a piledriver through the table inside. Crane points at Catrina and Catrina points back. Crane rolls Fenix to the open coffin and gets him in, but Ivelisse rolls into the ring. Ivelisse with a hammer to the knee of Crane and Crane grabs her, but Ivelisse hits him on the arm with it. Ivelisse breaks the hammer on his hand and stabs him in the forehead with the broken handle to send him into the coffin. Ivelisse closes the lid. Jeremiah Crane has been eliminated.

(Commercials)

Fenix with a spinning back kick to the head in the corner, but he runs into a powerslam from Muertes. Muertes undoes the bottom turnbuckle pad and Fenix gets back up, but dropped by a shoulder tackle. Muertes with a catapult into the exposed turnbuckle and Muertes bites and pulls at the mask. Fenix busted open and Santos gets to ringside to support Fenix. Muertes walks at her and Fenix fights up. Muertes puts him back down and brings the coffin inside. Muertes corners it and Fenix with a spinning back kick to put him in. Muertes out and Fenix dropkicks him in, but Muertes blocks the lid from being closed. Fenix with strikes and Muertes lands a belly-to-belly suplex onto the coffin. Fenix with forearms and chops on Muertes and he tries a handspring back elbow, but Muertes slams him into the mat. Fenix pops up for a rolling cutter to put Muertes down. Fenix springboards up top and comes down into a chokeslam from Muertes. Fenix picked up and he staggers Muertes to land a missile dropkick. Fenix comes off the top into a Flatliner from Muertes. Muertes rolls him to the coffin outside and shuts the coffin.

Winner: Mil Muertes

Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars

Just short of being a classic like the matches between Muertes and Fenix, the addition of Crane made it a little more methodical at first before Muertes and Fenix went at it down the stretch.

Post-match, Melissa Santos looks on as Catrina rubs all over the casket and the druids take the coffin away.

Matanza Cueto chained in a storage pit and Antonio Cueto looks down on him. Antonio says it isn’t much, but it is better than the cell he was locked in. Antonio says he failed Matanza and made him weak. Antonio says Matanza will always be his child, but he needs to be a god. Antonio tosses the key that contains Matanza’s soul and tells him to destroy it to become a god. Matanza breaks the key and the chains break away as Antonio says goodbye to his boy to close the show.

Jun 20, 2018: Pentagon pins Matanza for the first time to defend LU title

By NOLAN HOWELL

Tonight on Lucha Underground, new owner Antonio Cueto looks to make it the first order of business to get the Lucha Underground Championship back in the family as he makes Pentagon Dark defend the title against his son Matanza in the main event! Plus, Famous B brings some swagger in a new Infamous Inc. team to challenge for the Trios titles. All that and more on this week’s edition of Lucha Underground!

Catrina appears in the trophy room of King Cuerno and uncovers an empty glass display. Cuerno walks in and says even he knows he can’t display some trophies. Catrina asks where it is and Cuerno says the Gauntlet of the Gods is the hand that could strike down the descendants of the seven Aztec tribes. Cuerno can’t let that happen and Catrina says without it, she can’t get her life force back and she can’t let that happen. Cuerno says he is sorry, but he gave it someone else for safe keeping. Cuerno doesn’t know when or where they hid it, and besides, he doesn’t give a s**t if Catrina gets her life back. Catrina disappears, leaving Cuerno the sheet covering the display case.

We are on tape from Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, Calif. Matt Striker and Vampiro have the call for this week.

Melissa Santos introduces the competitors for the first match for the Trios title, introducing the challengers as Texano, Dr. Wagner Jr., and Famous B. Famous B cuts her off and says as usual, she doesn’t have the facts. Famous B says she should call his associates at 423 GET-FAME and hands a card to an audience member. Famous B says Infamous Inc. is here to capture Trios gold, but Dr. Wagner and Texano are currently busy making him money in Mexico. Infamous Inc. gets a fresh coat of paint tonight with three new clients tonight. Famous B introduces the first man as Big Bad Steve, who he found when he was getting his Cadillac serviced. Famous B scouted this next young talent, Sammy Guevara. Last and certainly not least, Famous B found the hottest free agent in the business when he found a blue chipper with a chip on his shoulder, introducing the former Jack Swagger, “The Savage” Jake Strong.

Lucha Underground Trios Championships: The Mack, Killshot, & Son of Havoc (c) vs. Big Bad Steve, Sammy Guevara, & “The Savage” Jake Stong (w/Famous B & Beautiful Brenda)

Killshot starts with Guevara and they exchange counters. Killshot lands on his feet off a Guevara headscissors and Killshot with one of his own. Guevara offers a handshake and Killshot turns it down, prompting Guevara to flip the bird. Killshot with a spinning back elbow and Havoc in with a chop. Guevara with a backflip leapfrog into a dropkick to bring in Steve. Steve with punches and forearms before landing a clothesline. Killshot in and he doubles Steve over for a corner 619 to the body. Slingshot flatliner and Strong in with a big boot. Strong sent over the top and hit with a big boot from the apron. Guevara with a superkick to knock Killshot off the apron and a baseball slide. Strong with a throw outside on Havoc and Havoc hit with a slam, Swagger Bomb, and swanton bomb for a nearfall broken by Mack and Killshot. Killshot blocks a Frankensteiner from Guevara up top and he puts Guevara on his shoulders to drop him down into a Pounce to the back from Mack. Strong sends Mack out, but gets hit with a head kick by Killshot. Famous B gets to the apron and tries a distraction. Strong pops Killshot into an Ankle Lock and Killshot taps, but the referee still dealing with Famous B and Mack gets him to break the submission. Mack with a Stunner on Steve and Havoc with a Shooting Star Press.

Winners by pinfall and STILL Lucha Underground Trios Champions: The Mack, Killshot, & Son of Havoc

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Post-match, Strong takes out Steve and Guevara in the ring and lays out Guevara with a lariat. Strong with a military press to send Guevara out onto Steve and he tosses Famous B across the ring before locking in an Ankle Lock. Strong snaps his ankle and wipes himself off with Famous B’s pocket square. Strong leads the crowd in a “STRONG!” chant while standing over Famous B.

(Commercials)

Melissa Santos introduces Lucha Underground owner Antonio Cueto. Cueto says many called Dario Cueto a genius and the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Cueto says the Gift of the Gods was a spark of brilliance and he is happy to announce that he is going to start the process of crowning a new Gift of the Gods Champion with a medallion on the line next.

(Commercials)

Gift of the Gods Medallion Match: Drago (w/Kobra Moon) vs. El Dragon Azteca Jr.

Drago offers a handshake and Dragon takes the bait. Nearfall exchange and a dropkick exchange sees a stalemate. Drago calls for a test of strength and Dragon lands a spinning back kick to the body. Shoulder tackle exchange won by Dragon, but Kobra Moon gets involved outside. The distraction leads to a standing switch exchange and Dragon with a La Magistral for a nearfall. Drago with a hook kick to the back of the head for a nearfall and he follows with a flip dive outside. Drago with kicks in the corner and he tries to take off the mask of Dragon up top. Drago gets the mask off, but Dragon holds it to his face after getting kicked in the tree of woe. Dragon comes back with a belly-to-belly suplex into the corner for a nearfall. Drago with a wheelbarrow facebuster and La Magistral for a nearfall. Chop by Drago and he misses a splash in the corner. Dragon jumps over Drago and Drago with a big boot and flipping blockbuster DDT for a nearfall. Drago superkicks out of the corner, but Dragon with a head kick and a wheelbarrow sunset flip powerbomb off the top.

Winner by pinfall: El Dragon Azteca Jr.

Rating: 2.75 out of 5 stars

Johnny Mundo makes his way out and says her boys couldn’t even beat El Dragon Azteca. Taya sneaks up on Kobra Moon and spears her. Mundo with a low blow and knee to Drago.

(Commercials)

Antonio Cueto in his office and he gets the key for Matanza out. Catrina teleports in and Cueto said he heard about this, but thought it was a load of crap. Cueto asks if she is a phantom and Catrina says she is stuck between this place and the spirit realm. Catrina says she won’t be if Cueto gives her what she desires and Cueto says he imagines most men do. Cueto asks what she desires and Catrina says Fenix in a coffin. Cueto asks if she wants him to kill Fenix and Catrina says Mil Muertes will handle that if he makes Grave Consequences next week. Cueto says it sounds violent and Catrina says it will be and Fenix being buried will give his life force to her to finally get her free. Cueto asks if that means she will knock next time and she says yes. Cueto tells her to consider it done and Catrina teleports out.

Lucha Underground Champion Pentagon Dark and “The Monster” Matanza Cueto make their way out for the title match main event.

(Commercials)

Lucha Underground Championship: Pentagon Dark (c) vs. “The Monster” Matanza Cueto

Pentagon meets him at ringside and lands kicks and chops. Matanza ran into the ring post and Antonio Cueto watches from his office. Pentagon with leg kicks and he sends Matanza into the chairs at ringside. Matanza bounced off the wall and hit with another leg kick. Pentagon unbuttons the shirt of Matanza and lands a chop to the chest, but a second sees Pentagon chop the ring post. Matanza bounces the head of Pentagon against the barricade fence and sends him into the chairs. Pentagon dropped on the ring apron and sent inside. Olympic Slam from Matanza gets a nearfall and a pumphandle suplex gets another. Pentagon with a pair of Sling Blade clotheslines for a nearfall of his own. Leg kick and a Penta Driver blocked by Matanza. Pentagon floats over in the corner for a lungblower and a codebreaker to follow gets a nearfall. Pentagon with a head kick and a springboard caught by Matanza for a spinning slam that gets a nearfall. Pentagon with a superkick out of the corner and a Canadian Destroyer out of the corner blocked, but Pentagon with a shining enzuigiri. Pentagon gets caught up top and headbutts Matanza down. Two Canadian Destroyers from Pentagon followed by a Package Piledriver.

Winner by pinfall and STILL Lucha Underground Champion: Pentagon Dark

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Post-match, Pentagon tries to break the arm of Matanza, but Antonio Cueto causes a distraction at ringside to allow him to escape. Cueto slaps Matanza and Matanza cowers as Cueto raises his cane. Cueto tells Matanza he is useless.

In the office of Antonio Cueto, Jeremiah Crane comes in. Crane says he won’t take long and he wants to be the one to bury Mil Muertes and Fenix to prove to Catrina that he is the only man she needs. Cueto says Crane is willing to put his life on the line for a woman and Crane asks if Cueto has seen her. Cueto says that’s a good point and he puts him in the match. Crane says he told Cueto he wouldn’t take long and Cueto says it looks like his career won’t either.

Jun 13, 2018: Pentagon Dark retains in season 4’s Aztec Warfare debut

By NOLAN HOWELL

Tonight on the season four debut of Lucha Underground, we find out whatever happened to Lucha Underground owner Dario Cueto after last season’s finale when he was shot and left for dead in the temple by an agent! Plus, Pentagon Dark defends his Lucha Underground Championship to kick off the season four debut of Lucha Underground!

Recap of season 3.

At the funeral of Dario Cueto, the agent who shot Cueto and an old man related to Dario named Antonio who looks just like Dario stand. The agent says no one but them came and Antonio says the Cuetos were always better at making enemies and the agent tells Antonio that he can no longer use the temple in Boyle Heights. Antonio says that as long as the sacred Aztec seal is in the middle of the ring, the temple can be anywhere and he has an old ice house where he used to run shows. Antonio says it will be his new temple. The agent tells Antonio to remember that the wrestling promotion is just a cover and remember the objective, not making mistakes his son made. Antonio says his son made many mistakes, none of which he plans on repeating. The agent says that Dario called Antonio with his dying breath and the agent says it was cold for Dario to call the man who ordered his hit. Antonio says Dario was always the weak one and that is why the order picked his other son to be a god. The agent says the roster and Matanza are waiting and tells Antonio to be waiting because their friend in the limo will be coming for war before he knows it. Antonio takes Matanza’s key off Dario and closes the casket.

We are on tape from Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, Calif. Matt Striker and Vampiro have the call for this week.

Melissa Santos calls for a ten-bell salute in a ceremony to Dario Cueto, but Antonio Cueto cuts it off and says the only thing colder than this house is the crowd. Cueto limps to the ring with his cane and introduces himself as the new owner, knocking over the portrait of Dario. Cueto says tonight, chances are they will crown a new Lucha Underground Championship because Pentagon Dark will defend the title in Aztec Warfare next.

(Commercials)

Antonio Cueto calls Lucha Underground Trios Champions The Mack and Killshot to the ring. Cueto says the Trios champs will compete as number one and two tonight in Aztec Warfare, but Dante Fox is missing in action and whoever comes out as the third luchador in Aztec Warfare will be their new partner and Trios champion. Son of Havoc is introduced and he gets presented a title. Cueto tells them to get to know their new partner by beating the hell out of each other.

Aztec Warfare for the Lucha Underground Championship

The Mack, Killshot, and Son of Havoc start out and Havoc in control before a diving flatliner from Killshot for a nearfall. Joey Ryan enters #4. Ryan cuffs himself to the rope and gets beat down. Mr. Pectacular, formerly Jessie Godderz, enters #5 and the Trios champs beat him down as well. The Mack hits a corner splash and Killshot with a schoolboy. The Mack has been eliminated. Lucha Underground Champion Pentagon Dark enters #6 as we break.

(Commercials)

Pentagon comes in like a house of fire. Ryan uncuffs himself and tries an attack, but gets hit with a Pentagon Driver. Joey Ryan has been eliminated. Killshot hit with a package piledriver from Penta and a shooting star press from Havoc. Killshot has been eliminated. Tommy Dreamer enters #7. Dreamer tosses weapons into the ring and clears it out. Penta with a superkick on Mr. Pectacular. Mr. Pectacular has been eliminated. Penta and Dreamer stare each other down and Dreamer has a kendo stick. Penta shows him he has cero miedo, but Dreamer with the kendo stick. Mariposa enters #8. Dreamer with a baseball slide into the trashcan on Penta in the tree of woe, but Mariposa works them with the kendo stick. Havoc catches Mariposa with a cutter inside while Dreamer and Penta fight outside. Mariposa has been eliminated. Dreamer puts thumbtacks on the bleachers and Penta spears him onto them. Double stomp off the top by Penta back inside. Tommy Dreamer has been eliminated. Vinnie Massaro enters #9. Massaro gets delivered a pizza before entering the ring, but shoves the deliveryman down when he asks for a tip. Massaro tries to give Penta a piece, but Penta superkicks it back in his face and lands a Pentagon Driver on the pizza. Vinnie Massaro has been eliminated.

Hernandez enters #10 and gets face-to-face with Penta. Hernandez slaps him down, but Penta with a superkick to the stomach and he breaks the arm. Hernandez has been eliminated. Havoc and Penta finally exchange, but Penta gets a lungblower off the springboard attempt by Havoc. Son of Havoc has been eliminated. Johnny Mundo enters #11 as we break.

(Commercials)

Mundo and Penta exchange strikes as we return. Mundo gets a nearfall. Angelico was supposed to enter #12, but Ricky Mundo enters #12. Ricky brings a soot-covered and disfigured doll to ringside and the Mundos work Penta down. Ricky gets distracted by the call from the doll and rolls Johnny up for a nearfall. Ricky tells Johnny the doll told him to and Johnny lands Moonlight Drive. Ricky Mundo has been eliminated. Fenix enters #13. Mundo moves outside and Fenix in like a house of fire, sending both out with high-flying offense. Jeremiah Crane enters #14. Crane brings a chair in with him and works Fenix with it. Fenix reverses, but Crane lands a Falcon Arrow on the chair for a nearfall. Mil Muertes enters #15 with Catrina. Muertes comes in with spears on everyone until the field turns it around on him with signature moves and Fenix lands a corkscrew double stomp. Mil Muertes has been eliminated. Catrina walks off without Muertes angrily. Daga enters #16 with Kobra Moon. Daga and Mundo exchange inside and Crane sends Daga out. Chavo Guerrero Jr. enters #17. Crane awaits Guerrero inside, but Penta turns him around for the Pentagon Driver. Jeremiah Crane has been eliminated. Guerrero attacks Penta and Fenix attacks Guerrero, but Guerrero with a brainbuster. Fenix has been eliminated. Mundo with a sliding German suplex on Daga and End of the World. Daga has been eliminated.

King Cuerno enters #18. Cuerno like a house of fire and Arrow from the Depths of Hell lands on Penta outside. Dragon Azteca Jr. enters #19 and lands a flip dive over the corner. Kobra Moon comes back out and summons Vibora to beat down Mundo for eliminating Daga. Tombstone piledriver lands on Mundo. Marty “The Moth” Martinez enters #20. Moth covers Mundo. Johnny Mundo has been eliminated. Moon and Vibora leave as Moth celebrates before the break.

(Commercials)

Azteca tries a dive, but Guerrero with a steel chair off the dive. Guerrero up top, but Cuerno knocks him off and hits the frog splash off the top. Dragon Azteca Jr. has been eliminated

The final four are Pentagon, Cuerno, Moth, and Guerrero. Moth kicked outside and Penta with a superkick to the knee of Cuerno. Penta springboards into a knee from Cuerno. Thrill of the Hunt blocked as Guerrero with a low blow. Gory Bomb by Guerrero on Cuerno. King Cuerno has been eliminated. Guerrero tries Penta and gets hit with a superkick to the body and a running superkick to the head. Chavo Guerrero has been eliminated.

Moth and Penta left. Penta fakes Moth out to land a chop and Moth smiles at him. Penta with a superkick, but he runs into a pump kick by Moth. TKO cutter on Penta gets a nearfall. Curb stomp gets another and Penta sent to the corner. Penta floats over to land a lungblower for a nearfall. Penta tells him cero miedo, but Moth bites his hand and lands a double-underhook DDT that nearly wins it. Corner splash from Moth, but a superkick from Penta. Canadian Destroyer coming off the top and a package piledriver land in sequence from Penta.

Winner by pinfall and STILL Lucha Underground Champion: Pentagon Dark

Rating: 3.25 out of 5 stars

While it wasn’t as high on spots or anything too brutal as you’d expect from Aztec Warfare, it was a good and easy start to the season overall that makes sense from a television perspective. An easy way to debut new characters and motivations while establishing some rivalries all in one match, it was a fun enough start to the season. Not a prime match, but still can’t miss to get some hints as to the direction of the show going forward.

Post-match, Penta breaks the arm of Martinez and Antonio Cueto congratulates Pentagon Dark. Cueto says Dario probably would have had him defend his title right here, right now, but he is a better promoter than his dead son ever was. Cueto promises a more violent match when Pentagon Dark defends next week against his only son, “The Monster” Matanza Cueto.

Overall, a fun, but safe start to the season. The Antonio Cueto storyline will probably get mixed reviews from some, considering it is the same actor as Dario Cueto in old man costume, but it is just as kitsch as anything else you’ll see in wrestling and I’m at least interested to see if they can make it pay off. The new set was a nice change in scenery too. Not much given away in making the first show an hour-long match as far as the rest of the season goes, but nothing felt out of place.

RELATED LINK

SlamWrestling.net’s Lucha Underground archive

Lucha Underground Season 4 recap

Nov 7, 2018: Jake Strong cashes in on Ultima Lucha Cuatro finale

Oct 31, 2018: Son of Havoc looks for Killshot at Ultima Lucha Cuatro night one

Oct 24, 2018: Jake Strong last of Seven to Survive and win Gift of the Gods

Oct 19, 2017: Pentagon cashes in on Puma at Ultima Lucha Tres finale

Oct 18, 2018: Strong night for Jake Strong before Ultima Lucha Cuatro

Oct. 10, 2018: Pentagon Dark gets revenge on Reklusa

Oct 10, 2018: Pentagon Dark gets revenge on Reklusa

Sep 27, 2018: Pentagon Dark wins contender’s match for Lucha title

Sep 20, 2018: Marty “The Moth” takes Gift of the Gods and LU Championship

Sep. 12, 2018: Fenix snaps on Aerostar against Reptile Tribe for Trios titles

Sep 5, 2018: Melissa Santos and Mil Muertes kill Catrina

Aug 29, 2018: Johnny Mundo and Taya’s wedding ruined by Matanza

Aug 22, 2018: Pentagon breaks The Machine to be the last man standing

Aug 15, 2018: The Reptile Tribe takes the trios titles

Aug 9, 2018: Mundo frees Drago and chimes wedding bells for Taya

Jul 26, 2018: Dragon Azteca gets the Gift of the Gods

Jul 18, 2018: Pentagon breaks the machine Cage in title defense

Jul 12, 2018: Muertes breaks the machine Cage for Aztec Medallion

Jul 4, 2018: Cuerno hunts Guerrero for Aztec medallion

Jun 28, 2018: Muertes buries Crane and Fenix in Three Way to the Grave

Jun 20, 2018: Pentagon pins Matanza for the first time to defend LU title

Jun 13, 2018: Pentagon Dark retains in season 4’s Aztec Warfare debut

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