Lucha Underground 1×17: “A War Started in Mexico…”

the matches

Mil Muertes defeated Fenix (5:45, flatliner)
Big Ryck b Sexy Star (1:52, two hand press)
Texano Jr. defeated Alberto el Patron (12:18, disqualified for weapon usage)

(all the gifs are here)

the developments

This was one of those shows that sort of started without a main event. Dario kind of had one: Alberto was going to debut on this show and Dario offered him the likes of Ricky Mandell or Famous B. Alberto demanded Texano, tonight. Dario wanted a week to build that up, but Alberto forced the issue and got what he wanted. Alberto later ran into Puma, urging him to be more aggressive in his title match with Cage – and to be ready for Alberto coming for the title soon. There was also an Alberto profile, which was much the same speech he did the in the ring for his debut, but with AAA clips to re-enforce his point. Alberto came off as a having a slight heel edge in these, or at least a sizable ego.

Alberto did not win the main event, but was the man left standing. He took more of the match than Texano, but Texanot took advantage by using his lasso on a distraction. Alberto caught Texano trying to use it again and – with some urging by the crowd – whipped Texano with the lasso many times. The referee disqualifed Alberto. Striker emphasized that this feud was not over, but that Alberto got some revenge.

Muertes got his revenge on Fenix, beating him clean. Catrina appeared midway thru the match, not interfering but looking sad when Fenix lost. Mil Muertes demanded Catrina lick Fenix after the loss, but she refused. Mil dragged Catrina in, with the earthquake stone dropped on the mat in the process. Fenix grabbed the stone and smacked Muertes in the face with it, then knocked him out with a spinning kick. Fenix offered Catrina escape, but she took the Stone and licked Mil first, then kissed Fenix.

Big Ryck did not want to fight the much smaller Sexy Star. Sexy Star got some very brief offense, but was held down on the mat for three. The Crew attacked both Sexy Star & Ryck as soon as the match end, and tried to put out Ryck’s other eye. Ryck rallied and got The Crew to back off. That match is happening in the future, but not next week.

Dario met with Angelico, Son of Havoc and Ivelisse. Ivelisse demanded to be #1 contender based on her one win over Angelico. Dario disagreed, and instead set up a Ivelisse/Angelico rematch for next week with Havoc as referee.

To end the show, Dario met with a cowboy hat wearing King Cuerno, offering him a cage match to settle the issue with Johnny Mundo. Cuerno accepted, promising to cut off Mundo’s head and mounted it on Cuerno’s wall.

my thoughts

Fenix/Muertes was more exciting than Alberto/Texano in some ways, though some of it might have had to do with actually having less time and needing to cram more in. Both left the ‘loser’ standing at the end of the confrontation and the main event had an inconclusive finish for the second week in a row. That’s a bit frustrating as a viewer, even if they tried to give a little extra to make up for it. They’ve taped 11 shows after this one and, quickly looking thru them, I think every one of them ends with a conclusive winner or loser. There’s some controversy, because it’s wrestling, but there’s pinfalls. It gets better, though that’s impossible to tell from watching.

It didn’t really relate to anything, but there was a “Konnan is coming for revenge” vignette that was really good. No sign of Black Lotus, Dragon Azteca (the mystery guy from last week), or Matanza.

I don’t really have much to say about today’s show (or I’m distracted by other stuff to say.) I do notice this this next week’s starts a trend of big blowoff matches. Mundo/Cuerno in a cage, one more Fenix/Muertes stip match and one more Texano/Alberto title match are the next three main events, with other issues sprinkled in. After that, it’s the shows I saw, which should be interesting to see again as a final product. Excited for what’s coming up.