This show is one of my favorite things to ever come along in professional wrestling. Recently, I spent more than an hour discussing some of my favorite things about this groundbreaking, revolutionary creation with my friends from the Wrestling Mayhem Show and the Wrestling Revolution.
It wasn't enough. It felt like I was just getting warmed up. So, here are 25 moments from Season 1 of Lucha Underground that made it absolutely amazing and unquestionably the best professional wrestling product on American television.
1. Chavo Crosses The Line
In only its second episode, Lucha Underground gave us a glimpse of how far it was willing to push the envelope. The moment when Chavo Guerrero knocks out Sexy Star with a steel chair to her head is the moment when I recognized that this professional wrestling product was going to be special. It demonstrated that the story was more important than whatever moral code other "industry leaders" chose to govern themselves by.
In only its second episode, Lucha Underground gave us a glimpse of how far it was willing to push the envelope. The moment when Chavo Guerrero knocks out Sexy Star with a steel chair to her head is the moment when I recognized that this professional wrestling product was going to be special. It demonstrated that the story was more important than whatever moral code other "industry leaders" chose to govern themselves by.
2. Fenix vs. Drago vs. Pentagon Jr.
This was the first time many fans in the U.S. saw three of the top stars from AAA. This is how you make a first impression. All three luchadors got to show off why they are some of the best Mexico has to offer. The match was punctuated by an incredible dive by Fenix. When this match began, only a few of you may have a known the names of these luchadors. By the end of Lucha Underground's first season, they were some of your favorites.
This was the first time many fans in the U.S. saw three of the top stars from AAA. This is how you make a first impression. All three luchadors got to show off why they are some of the best Mexico has to offer. The match was punctuated by an incredible dive by Fenix. When this match began, only a few of you may have a known the names of these luchadors. By the end of Lucha Underground's first season, they were some of your favorites.
3. They Call Him Cage
Lucha Underground gets a lot of praise for the high quality of its cinematic backstage segments. What's sometimes overlooked are the video packages that highlighted some of its stars. You may have your favorite. This one is mine. Cage was one of the many revelations for me during Lucha Underground's first season, and he became one of my personal favorites. I love the moment when he ignores being hit in the head with a beer bottle (one of the most gorgeous images of the entire season), and the fact that he does the exact same thing months later at Ultima Lucha.
Lucha Underground gets a lot of praise for the high quality of its cinematic backstage segments. What's sometimes overlooked are the video packages that highlighted some of its stars. You may have your favorite. This one is mine. Cage was one of the many revelations for me during Lucha Underground's first season, and he became one of my personal favorites. I love the moment when he ignores being hit in the head with a beer bottle (one of the most gorgeous images of the entire season), and the fact that he does the exact same thing months later at Ultima Lucha.
4. Aztec Warfare
Lucha Underground went without any sort of champion for a while, but that couldn't last forever. This was the match that crowned the first Lucha Underground Champion, and it was an epic, show-long marathon. We also got some key plot points involving Mil Muertes and Catrina, and some subtle hints of Johnny Mundo's eventual turn to the dark side.
Lucha Underground went without any sort of champion for a while, but that couldn't last forever. This was the match that crowned the first Lucha Underground Champion, and it was an epic, show-long marathon. We also got some key plot points involving Mil Muertes and Catrina, and some subtle hints of Johnny Mundo's eventual turn to the dark side.
5. Puma Kicks Things Off
This is a personal indulgence. For a while, Fenix kept doing this move where he'd walk the top rope and hit his opponent with a hurricanrana or something like that. Then, one night, he tried it on Prince Puma. I laughed for about a week.
This is a personal indulgence. For a while, Fenix kept doing this move where he'd walk the top rope and hit his opponent with a hurricanrana or something like that. Then, one night, he tried it on Prince Puma. I laughed for about a week.
6. The Crew Blinds Big Ryck
This is another moment when Lucha Underground used uncomfortable levels of violence to draw you into its story. It's made even more shocking by the fact that Big Ryck was one of the baddest guys on the show up to this point. To see him not only beat down, but debilitated in such a severe way was shocking. It turned out to be a key turning point for his character.
Is it a coincidence that "Big Ryck" only has one i? #LuchaUnderground pic.twitter.com/zOHF4iLGyR
— Lucha Underground (@LuchaElRey) January 22, 2015
7. Cage Tears It Up
During his first weeks on Lucha Underground, Cage was on a tear, both literally and figuratively. After winning only one match, he was already positioned for a shot at the Lucha Underground Championship against Prince Puma. In what would become a recurring them, Puma narrowly escaped with the title. Cage took out his frustration in a way rarely seen in professional wrestling.
During his first weeks on Lucha Underground, Cage was on a tear, both literally and figuratively. After winning only one match, he was already positioned for a shot at the Lucha Underground Championship against Prince Puma. In what would become a recurring them, Puma narrowly escaped with the title. Cage took out his frustration in a way rarely seen in professional wrestling.
8. What's A Matanza?
Of all the mysteries of Lucha Underground, nothing was more compelling than the one surrounding Matanza. When Black Lotus first uttered that name, the imaginations of countless viewers were sent spinning out of control. What did this word mean? Who could this be? The answer was never truly revealed, but the endless speculation and anticipation for any nugget of new information was one of the biggest parts of the Lucha Underground experience.
Of all the mysteries of Lucha Underground, nothing was more compelling than the one surrounding Matanza. When Black Lotus first uttered that name, the imaginations of countless viewers were sent spinning out of control. What did this word mean? Who could this be? The answer was never truly revealed, but the endless speculation and anticipation for any nugget of new information was one of the biggest parts of the Lucha Underground experience.
9. Alberto Arrives
We all knew Alberto El Patron would eventually arrive on Lucha Underground, but I didn't expect it to lead to my favorite "Dario's Office" segment of the entire season. Alberto politely asks a question that was on the minds of a lot of viewers, "I like your key. What does it unlock?" In a moment of storytelling brilliance, Dario simply ignores the question and moves on to the next item on his agenda. We're all left wondering...and watching.
We all knew Alberto El Patron would eventually arrive on Lucha Underground, but I didn't expect it to lead to my favorite "Dario's Office" segment of the entire season. Alberto politely asks a question that was on the minds of a lot of viewers, "I like your key. What does it unlock?" In a moment of storytelling brilliance, Dario simply ignores the question and moves on to the next item on his agenda. We're all left wondering...and watching.
10. Throwing In The Towel
The relationship between Konnan and Prince Puma was one of the most interesting on Lucha Underground. We were told (often by Vampiro) that Konnan was a man who couldn't be trusted, and it appeared Puma was just a naive rookie under the legend's influence. This moment heightened the fears that Konnan didn't have Puma's best interests at heart...or perhaps it was proof that he always did.
The relationship between Konnan and Prince Puma was one of the most interesting on Lucha Underground. We were told (often by Vampiro) that Konnan was a man who couldn't be trusted, and it appeared Puma was just a naive rookie under the legend's influence. This moment heightened the fears that Konnan didn't have Puma's best interests at heart...or perhaps it was proof that he always did.
11. Fenix Cheats Death
Mil Muertes was a dominant force from his very first moment on Lucha Underground, but defeating him was not impossible early in Season 1. First, Mil came up short in Aztec Warfare. Then, came this shocking loss to Fenix little more than a few minutes into their match on Episode #12. It set the stage for even greater things to come between these two.
Mil Muertes was a dominant force from his very first moment on Lucha Underground, but defeating him was not impossible early in Season 1. First, Mil came up short in Aztec Warfare. Then, came this shocking loss to Fenix little more than a few minutes into their match on Episode #12. It set the stage for even greater things to come between these two.
12. The Most Dysfunctional Trios Team In The World
It's sad to admit, but the team of Son Of Havoc, Ivelisse and Angelico weren't always one of the best things on Lucha Underground. All three were struggling to get a win for themselves, and when they first crossed paths in the ring, it was mostly relationship drama and lewd behavior. Then, Dario Cueto forced them to join forces...
It's sad to admit, but the team of Son Of Havoc, Ivelisse and Angelico weren't always one of the best things on Lucha Underground. All three were struggling to get a win for themselves, and when they first crossed paths in the ring, it was mostly relationship drama and lewd behavior. Then, Dario Cueto forced them to join forces...
13. Grave Consequences
Another stipulation we've seen in professional wrestling many times before, but with a few tweaks, Lucha Underground turned the casket match into something more. The "Grave Consequences" match between Mil Muertes and Fenix was almost immediately praised as one of the best to this point in Season 1.
Another stipulation we've seen in professional wrestling many times before, but with a few tweaks, Lucha Underground turned the casket match into something more. The "Grave Consequences" match between Mil Muertes and Fenix was almost immediately praised as one of the best to this point in Season 1.
14. Pentagon Jr. Breaks Out
It's not easy to stand out when you're one of the countless luchadors wearing a mask. Pentagon Jr. distinguished himself by taking up a new hobby - breaking the arms of other wrestlers. It started innocently enough with guys like Famous B and Ricky Mandel, but then he tried to grab ring announcer Melissa Santos, and then he went after Sexy Star. It was obvious someone would have to step up to stop him.
It's not easy to stand out when you're one of the countless luchadors wearing a mask. Pentagon Jr. distinguished himself by taking up a new hobby - breaking the arms of other wrestlers. It started innocently enough with guys like Famous B and Ricky Mandel, but then he tried to grab ring announcer Melissa Santos, and then he went after Sexy Star. It was obvious someone would have to step up to stop him.
Chivalry isn’t dead, but @vampiro_vampiro might be soon! #LuchaUnderground pic.twitter.com/aMU8sF3Abw
— Lucha Underground (@LuchaElRey) June 4, 2015
15. Drago Fires Away
After a grueling Best of 5 series against Aero Star, Drago earned what was vaguely described by Dario Cueto as a "unique opportunity". It turned out Drago was being set up for failure in a match for the Lucha Underground Championship where a loss would result in his banishment from The Temple. Drago shared some final words of warning with Dario, then made a memorable, fiery exit that left many fans saying, "Wait, he's really a dragon?"
After a grueling Best of 5 series against Aero Star, Drago earned what was vaguely described by Dario Cueto as a "unique opportunity". It turned out Drago was being set up for failure in a match for the Lucha Underground Championship where a loss would result in his banishment from The Temple. Drago shared some final words of warning with Dario, then made a memorable, fiery exit that left many fans saying, "Wait, he's really a dragon?"
16. A Star Is Born
"The most dysfunctional trios team in the world" was rarely on the same page, but the sum of their individual talents exceeded almost everyone's expectations. No one made a more dramatic or thrilling star turn on Lucha Underground than Angelico, who transformed in one death-defying dive from the roof of Dario Cueto's office. What followed was raw, real emotion - perhaps the most visceral victory in Lucha Underground's brief history.
"The most dysfunctional trios team in the world" was rarely on the same page, but the sum of their individual talents exceeded almost everyone's expectations. No one made a more dramatic or thrilling star turn on Lucha Underground than Angelico, who transformed in one death-defying dive from the roof of Dario Cueto's office. What followed was raw, real emotion - perhaps the most visceral victory in Lucha Underground's brief history.
17. Mil Muertes Resurrected
When Fenix defeated Mil Muertes in their "Grave Consequences" match, who could've known that Fenix had actually made things worse, for both himself and the rest of the competitors on Lucha Underground? As it turned out, Fenix was just a pawn in Catrina's grand plan to conjure a resurrected, and more powerful, Mil Muertes.
When Fenix defeated Mil Muertes in their "Grave Consequences" match, who could've known that Fenix had actually made things worse, for both himself and the rest of the competitors on Lucha Underground? As it turned out, Fenix was just a pawn in Catrina's grand plan to conjure a resurrected, and more powerful, Mil Muertes.
18. Dario's Office Window
When Alberto El Patron arrived on Lucha Underground, I think most people assumed he would become the centerpiece of the program, but it never really worked out that way. Instead, he found himself in an intense feud with Johnny Mundo that reached its tipping point when Mundo threw Alberto through the window of Dario Cueto's office. Johnny only got better from here, and I'm still amazed that what would have been a throwaway WWE feud became one of Lucha Underground's best.
When Alberto El Patron arrived on Lucha Underground, I think most people assumed he would become the centerpiece of the program, but it never really worked out that way. Instead, he found himself in an intense feud with Johnny Mundo that reached its tipping point when Mundo threw Alberto through the window of Dario Cueto's office. Johnny only got better from here, and I'm still amazed that what would have been a throwaway WWE feud became one of Lucha Underground's best.
.@RealDarioCueto would like to see you in his office! #WhyJohnnyWhy #LuchaUnderground pic.twitter.com/pr37ZGFAsH
— Lucha Underground (@LuchaElRey) May 14, 2015
Now seems like a pretty good time for a drink. #LuchaUnderground pic.twitter.com/J4AVM4rYzn
— Lucha Underground (@LuchaElRey) May 14, 2015
19. Matanza Eats Bael
How dangerous is Matanza? How far is Dario Cueto willing to go? We learned the answers to both of those questions in this one, stunning and bloody moment. The Crew was left playing shorthanded for the rest of Season 1, and Matt Striker never found out what happened to poor Bael.
20. All Night Long
Lucha Underground's fantastic interpretation of the Iron Man Match. A classic comeback story played out in spectacular fashion, as Prince Puma raced the clock, and chased Johnny Mundo, in the furious final minutes.
Lucha Underground's fantastic interpretation of the Iron Man Match. A classic comeback story played out in spectacular fashion, as Prince Puma raced the clock, and chased Johnny Mundo, in the furious final minutes.
21. The Gift Of The Gods
You have to hand it to Dario Cueto sometimes. For weeks, he had the luchadors competing for Aztec medallions. What was the purpose of this prize? Why would you fight for it? Dario left that detail to our imaginations. Finally, with all seven medallions secured, he revealed the new Gift Of The Gods Championship (complete with cool, magnetic medallion action!). Whoever holds it gets a championship opportunity at a time of their choosing, but don't you dare compare this to Money In The Bank! Dario made it clear there will be no cheap cash-ins. You have to give him a chance to promote the match. A delightful, subtle jab at the industry leaders in Connecticut.
22. Black Lotus Slays El Dragon Azteca
Honestly, the saga of Black Lotus and El Dragon Azteca was not one that I ever fully invested myself in. I often found myself confused by it, but there's no doubt there was an intricate story being told, which can be traced back to the first moments of Lucha Underground's first episode. We'd seen death before on Lucha Underground, but not even Dario Cueto saw this one coming.
Honestly, the saga of Black Lotus and El Dragon Azteca was not one that I ever fully invested myself in. I often found myself confused by it, but there's no doubt there was an intricate story being told, which can be traced back to the first moments of Lucha Underground's first episode. We'd seen death before on Lucha Underground, but not even Dario Cueto saw this one coming.
23. Cero Miedo
Violence. Blood. Chaos. The translation states that this match was one where there would be "zero fear", but that wasn't true. There was fear on the faces of almost every person in The Temple as Pentagon Jr. and Vampiro took their brutal rivalry to a place you rarely see anymore in mainstream professional wrestling. It was sometimes uncomfortable to watch, but also necessary. Violence, not simply for the sake of violence, but in service to the story. That's the essence of Lucha Underground.
Violence. Blood. Chaos. The translation states that this match was one where there would be "zero fear", but that wasn't true. There was fear on the faces of almost every person in The Temple as Pentagon Jr. and Vampiro took their brutal rivalry to a place you rarely see anymore in mainstream professional wrestling. It was sometimes uncomfortable to watch, but also necessary. Violence, not simply for the sake of violence, but in service to the story. That's the essence of Lucha Underground.
24. Meet Matanza
We waited months to see Matanza. In the end, the big reveal was less than complete. Lucha Underground decided to leave one of its biggest mysteries largely unanswered. Perhaps that's what makes Matanza so compelling.
We waited months to see Matanza. In the end, the big reveal was less than complete. Lucha Underground decided to leave one of its biggest mysteries largely unanswered. Perhaps that's what makes Matanza so compelling.
25. "To be continued..."
The promise of more to come. That's something to get excited about.
The promise of more to come. That's something to get excited about.
Buenas Noches.
#LuchaUnderground pic.twitter.com/QxftvmGBYk
— Lucha Underground (@LuchaElRey) August 8, 2015
It's hard to sum up why I love Lucha Underground, but I think the biggest reason is the way it altered my view of the reality of professional wrestling.
Most fans who follow professional wrestling closely know Prince Puma is Ricochet under a mask. Then, there are the well-known luchadors from Mexico who got new names and backstories, such as King Cuerno and Mil Muertes.
Did fans ever complain about this? If they did, I never saw it. In Lucha Underground almost every repackaging was immediately forgiven, and that brings me to the way Lucha Underground redefined the weekly, episodic professional wrestling program.
You've probably heard this point made before, but it's the truth. Lucha Underground is less a professional wrestling show and more a show about wrestling. Whereas we often force our own perspective of WWE as a pretend legitimate sporting event, Lucha Underground shed all those conventions and forced us to accept an altered reality - One that is less sporting event and more serialized drama.
Lucha Underground feels like it has more in common with a show like Breaking Bad or House Of Cards than it does with anything WWE puts on the air. Perhaps that's why Lucha Underground felt so unlike anything else we'd seen before in professional wrestling. Perhaps that's why the absence of house shows and pay per views seems so trivial. I'm not sure I could ever accept a live Lucha Underground broadcast, because it would feel incomplete without all the embellishment that pre-production allows.
What more can I say? I love Lucha Underground. If you do to, here's one more video to enjoy...
Excellent post! This is the greatest wrestling show of all time and I pray that Season 2 lives up to Season 1. I have faith that it will.
ReplyDeleteHow can Matanza possibly live up to the build though?