Lucha Underground 1×25: The Way Of The Drago

the matches

Fenix b Killshot (5:58, Fire Driver)
Vinny Massaro NC Argenis, Famous B, Ricky Mandell (0:13, match stopped when Texano attacks all four)
Hernandez [O] b Cage & King Cuerno [X] to become #1 contender (4:55, Inverted Powerslam)
Prince Puma b Drago (spinning sit down piledriver, 10:28)

the developments

Dario Cueto was a busy man on a busy show. He opened the show by explaining to the Crew that he was unhappy with their failure to get the easy trios championship win, then led them into the secret room in the temple where the monster Matanza is caged. Dario introduced the unseen person in the cage as his brother, and threatened feeding the Crew to him should they fail him again

Dario also did his usual bit of riling up the two men in his main event. He ran into Drago in the bathroom once again, feeling Drago should thank him for the opportunity. He encouraged Puma, in the lockerroom, to not be concerned about Drago’s status and only try to win the title. Dario was walking away when he ran into Hernandez. They two talked in earshot of Puma, with Hernandez saying he didn’t care about Puma but was annoyed to be fighting Cage and Cuerno in a three way when they’d likely work together against him. Dario solved that by making it a #1 contenders match, giving reason for Cage & Cuerno to fight for themselves.

Dario also was bugged by Marty “the Moth” Martinez, lurking outside the temple and begging for a chance to fight inside it. Dario was not impressed by Marty or his nickname (“the Moth is my spirit animal!” and turned him down. Marty determinedly stormed the three way match anyway, only for Cuerno to obliterate him with a dropkick. The distraction did help Hernandez put away Cuerno for the win.

Dario’s influence was felt even when he wasn’t seen. The four way was all the victims of Pentagon Jr. (except for Super Fly), put together for Dario’s amusement. The match barely got started before an angry Texano destroyed everyone, then demanded the mystery fan from last week come back next week and face him.

There was no obvious story to Fenix and Killshot, just the new guy getting a moment in a singles match.

Angelico, Ivelisse and Son of Havoc talked to Vampiro in a sit down, but mostly talked over each other and Vampiro. The championship win hasn’t fixed their relationship issues much (though Havoc & Angelico seemed to be getting along better), but they’re determined to fight together to keep the titles. Fighting might be very difficult for Ivelisse for a while, as she had a sizable cast on her leg. She insisted she’ll fight when the time comes.

Puma defeated Drago to retain the title for the fifth time, but not without Hernandez getting involved for the third straight time. Hernandez was definitely on Puma’s side the last time, but the running shoulderblock he did in this match looked meant for either or both guys. Puma moved, Drago didn’t, and Puma very reluctantly took advantage to win after what had been a Great match. Konnan, at ringside and encouraging Puma, didn’t seem to have any problem with what had happened but also didn’t necessarily to be in league with Hernandez (who quickly disappeared.) Puma apologized to Drago. Drago walked out of the ring arena to a loud Thank You Drago chant, then ran into Dario one last time. Dario stared at Drago, who warned Dario “we will meet again” before stepping out the exit – and appearing turning into flame and flying away.

thoughts

Fenix versus Killshot was just ok. I saw more of the weakness in Killshot that other people have pointed out. A lot of stuff he doesn’t just doesn’t look as sharp as it should. Fenix’s had better matches with other guys on this show, and isn’t the go to guy to get great matches out of other people.

This show was all into getting behind Hernandez, as they’ve been behind Cage & Mil Muertes when they were the big bad in Prince Puma’s way. The three way was pretty close to an exhibition for Hernandez’s moves and facial reactions to his moves, the main event turned on his involvement and even Puma’s skit backstage was about their lack of relationship.  Hernandez was not a guy I was looking to see and two big matches ending with near-random third party interference leading to the outcome was not so great. More ridiculous was Striker and Vampiro’s overplay about Drago’s wrestling career being over if he should leave this match: when the story is all the Mexican guys are from AAA where they also wrestle, and when Striker emphasizes how there’s wrestling all over the place, it’s hard to understand why being kicked out of one promotion would end your career. It’s not as hard to understand why being kicked out of this particular promotion would mean a lot for Drago, and I wish they could’ve adjusted that emphasis instead.

Really enjoyed the match itself though. Prince Puma didn’t seem all that bothered about ending Drago’s career and dominated a big chunk of the early going, but Drago rallied enough and they had a real big believable near fall on the inverted huracanrana (plus the submission was pretty good.) Puma’s title matches have all been very good and this was no different. Drago pretty obviously said he was coming back, so it’s just a matter of how well they do it.

The four way was nothing, but Texano’s fired up promo after was really good. He even spoke English at the end. The smaller moments were very good this week: the Crew reacting to the monster, the trios champions not getting along except for agreeing that they’re going to get along enough keep the titles, and pretty much everything with Dario.