Lucha Underground makes its return on 05/31/17. The show comes back from its mid-season break for the second half of season three. The action and vignettes have been as strong as ever. However, I’ve been very critical of some of the booking decisions and creative directions this third season. Whatever one’s opinion of the show thus far, many anxiously await the premiere. Here is a breakdown of the highlights of the action this year thus far.
Dario Cueto, the manager of Lucha Underground, was released from prison, where he’s been since the events of season two. He returned to the temple with an important announcement (after a brief meeting with wrestling legend, the Honky Tonk Man). He promoted a device dubbed “Dario’s Dial of Doom”. On the dial was the name of every fighter in Lucha Underground. Whoever the dial landed on got an instant title shot. This made for some interesting surprise matchups throughout the season. The Cueto of old was back and better than ever. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for his kin.
This season really drove home the poor booking of Matanza Cueto. Season one and early season two made him look like an unstoppable monster. But the beat down he suffered at the hands of Pentagon Dark really neutered the monster. Going 50/50 with guys like Son of Havoc also did Matanza no favors.
Another angle that seemed to have run its course is the Pentagon Dark/Vampiro mind games. I was all for a martial arts inspired bad ass to rip through the roster. But Pentagon doing so with no direction, week after week, ad nauseum proved as pointless as when Alberto Del Rio was doing it five years ago in WWE.
Rey Mysterio did a damn good job of mentoring and helping to get Dragon Azteca over with the fan base. No matter what promotion he’s in, Mysterio has always been a selfless performer and team player. Here’s hoping he can stick around for a little while longer. With Prince Puma no longer with the company, Lucha Underground needs as many “white meat babyfaces” as possible.
The stubborn push to rival that of WWE’s with Roman Reigns, that of Sexy Star in Lucha Underground continued. She is not a bad worker at all. There are just many women that are much better in the ring and on the microphone than her. It baffles me as to why they keep pushing her so hard.
New match types cropped up left and right this season. Marty the Moth took on Killshot in a Weapons of Mass Destruction match. Prince Puma took on Mil Muertes in a Graver Consequences match. Famous B and Mascarita Sagrada battled in a Believer’s Backlash match. Too many gimmick matches debuting all in one season really makes them all feel less special.
Aztec Warfare III didn’t live up to the first or second season’s twenty person battle royal extravaganza (One that I still feel they should air on pay-per-view). This event left us with a new champion, Sexy Star. She was successful in several title defenses. But her reign would soon come to an end.
Johnny Mundo, leader of Worldwide Underground and former Trios champion challenged Sexy Star to a steel cage match. The affair was brutal and Sexy Star fought with a newfound ferocity that was welcomed. However, utilizing every dirty trick in the book, Mundo escaped the cage and became the new Lucha Underground Champion. Mundo wouldn’t have much time to bask in his glory.
The Mack, earlier that night, won the Battle of the Bulls Tournament. This made him the number one contender to the Lucha Underground Championship. While Mundo mocked Sexy Star, the Mack surprised him and hit the champion with a Stunner. This set the stage for the title match coming up this Wednesday night.
NEW EPISODES of #LuchaUnderground Return in One Week! Mundo vs The Mack ALL NIGHT LONG! WEDNESDAY MAY 31 8p ET only on @ElReyNetwork!! pic.twitter.com/gYOR725OEO
— Lucha Underground (@LuchaElRey) May 25, 2017
While the show has declined in some aspects, Lucha Underground is still such a unique wrestling program that it is worth watching. Seasons one and two are available to catch up on via Netflix. Services like Sling TV allow you to stream this season’s episodes. I implore any wrestling fan looking for an alternative to give this program a shot. Lucha Underground airs Wednesday nights at 8pm EST/7pm Central on El Rey Network.
