Dario Cueto is a complicated man with simple pleasures; or maybe he’s a simple man with complicated pleasures. One thing is for sure, Dario Cueto loves violence, and for two seasons the Lucha Temple has been home to some of the most entertaining and violent encounters the world has ever seen; any world for that matter. Tonight is no different, as Season Two of Lucha Underground wraps up with five matches sure to please even the pickiest of Believers. As El Jefe says, the doors to the Lucha Temple are always open; all you have to do is walk through them and prove yourself. You can leave as well, but you can’t always be guaranteed what condition you’ll be in when you exit. Anything can happen tonight, and it probably will. The doors will close one final time this season, but will they close on their own accord, or will Dario Cueto be forced to close them.
Pentagon Jr. and The Master find themselves in the cold, dark desert. The Master tells Pentagon he must face the very thing that haunts him, his fear. He must destroy all that remains in himself that holds him back. Pentagon enters the cave ahead, as he battles images of himself, his personifications of the fear inside of him. The Master confronts him, as he and Pentagon battle in the darkness. He takes down his Master, proclaiming Pentagon Jr no more. He is now and forever….Pentagon Dark!
Lucha #1: Fenix, Aerostar and Drago vs. Johnny Mundo, Jack Evans and PJ Black (Trios Championship)
As the competitors hit the ring, we are reminded that Fenix has the opportunity to become the first Lucha Underground Triple Crown Champion. Noticeably absent from the corner of the WWU is Taya, who herself is preparing to do battle later in the evening. Jack Evans mouths off to everyone, as the bell rings. Mundo and Drago square off with Mundo hitting a backbreaker and leg sweep to start the offense. Drago sends Mundo to the floor, and PJ enters the ring without a tag. Early on, the action breaks down as Aerostar enters as well, hitting PJ with a Slingshot Corkscrew. But now Evans is in the ring, throwing Aerostar into the ropes with a Hot Shot. Aerostar gets rolled up and takes a shot to the lower extremities.
The referee tries to take control of things, stopping Fenix and company from flying over the top rope. Despite his best attempts, the World Wide Underground continue to use tags and double-teams to isolate their masked opponents. Evans nails Fenix in the stomach with a hard shot, then again uses the crotch shot to gain an advantage. The WWU hit a Triple Team Neck Breaker, but again all Hell breaks loose as all six men are in the ring. Drago flies over the top with a Fenix assisted head scissors to the floor. Aero hits a Mexican Destroyer on Mundo, but he kicks out of the pin attempt. Fenix scales the ropes, and Aerostar scales Fenix, but instead of hitting Johnny in the ring he flies off Fenix’s shoulders to the opponents on the floor below. Fenix hits a Frog Splash on Mundo, but he kicks out. Mundo counters with a running knee to Fenix’s head as Drago flies over the top rope on the other side of the ring. Fenix hits a 450 Splash on Mundo, but Evans pulls the referee out of the ring hard, not allowing the pin.
With the referee out, the WWU start to take over, hitting their opponents with the Trios Titles. With Aero and Drago down, the WWU hit Fenix with a triple shot to the head with the belts. The referee is dragged back in, but the time allows Fenix a chance to recover and kick out. Irritated, PJ kicks the ref in the head. With Fenix still down and the referee out, the WWU continue to beat down their opponents. Drago starts to rise, but Mundo scales the ropes trying to finish off Fenix. From out of nowhere, Angelico returns, still on crutches. He has been out of action since early in the season, the victim of a backstage attack. Angelico takes his crutch and blasts Johnny Mundo across the head. Was it Mundo that took out Angelico? Angelico continues to wail on Mundo, allowing Fenix the opportunity to hit the Fenix Driver. The referee recovers again, just in time to count the 1-2-3 victory.
WINNERS AND NEW CHAMPIONS: FENIX, AEROSTAR, AND DRAGO
ULTIMA PALABRA: This was a super-fun start to Lucha Underground’s second season finale. The World Wide Underground continue to take every advantage they can to win matches, but this time it backfired, as they twice took out the official when they had an opportunity to gain a pinfall victory. With the unstoppable trio of Fenix, Aerostar and Drago you just can’t squander those opportunities. The biggest shocker of the match was the return of the South African high-flyer Angelico. Missing since very early in the season, Angelico made it perfectly clear who was responsible for his injury, taking his frustrations out on Johnny Mundo with one of his crutches. As we prepare for Season Three, we can only imagine that they’ll be more to this story, but until then we celebrate new Trios Champions!
Lucha #2: Black Lotus vs. El Dragon Azteca Jr.
Very little is known about Black Lotus except that she is the bodyguard of El Jefe. We know from watching this season that Lotus and Dragon’s history goes way back, with Dragon Jr. vowing revenge on Lotus for her role in killing his mentor. Lotus swears she did not take his life, but we know better. But she can’t be held totally responsible, as Dario Cueto is playing a dangerous game of He Said, She Said. El Dragon Azteca Jr. flies at her immediately with a dropkick, but Lotus moves out of the way. She hits a spinning head scissors on Dragon, sending him to the mat. Lotus scales the top rope and hits a perfect Lucha Libre arm drag. Azteca goes to the floor, but as Lotus charges he re-enters, with Lotus now outside.
Dragon kicks Lotus to the back of the head then flies over the top rope. Lotus moves however and hits Azteca with an Enziguri. Lotus gets sent hard into the barricade however, as Azteca takes a moment to regroup, perhaps underestimating his opponent. Back in the ring, Azteca almost takes Lotus’ head off with a Roaring Elbow. Azteca scales the top rope, but Pentagon Dark hits the ring. He beats down both Lotus and Azteca. He takes care of Lotus first, snapping her arm like he’s done so many others before. Pentagon turns his attention to Azteca, delivering a Package Piledriver before snapping Dragon’s arm as well.
WINNER: NO CONTEST
Pentagon grabs the mic as the Believers chant “Cero Miedo.” He tells them Pentagon Jr. wasn’t ready before. He was broken. He was afraid. But with the help of his Master they destroyed Pentagon Jr. and Pentagon Dark has be re-born in his place. Tonight, he will destroy Matanza because he has “Cero Miedo,” and he wants Matanza right now.
Lucha #3: Matanza vs. Pentagon Dark (Lucha Underground Championship)
Pentagon immediately flies over the top rope onto Matanza. He sends the champion hard into the railing. Showing his newfound darkness, Dark chokes out Matanza with the camera cord before delivering a hard kick to his head. He whips Cueto hard into the stands, shaking the very foundation of the Temple. Showing remarkable strength, Pentagon lifts the giant of a man on his shoulders, delivering a Death Valley Driver to the floor. No one, and I mean no one, has manhandled the Champion the way Pentagon Dark has to start the match. Using brutal kicks to the legs, and chops to the chest, Pentagon keeps Matanza at bay. Trying to strike back, Matanza misses wildly and hits the ring post instead.
Pentagon takes Matanza towards his Master, slamming him hard into the announce table. Now wielding a chair, Pentagon slams it into the back, then the head of the champion. Pentagon continues to use his leg kicks to chop down the base of the Monster. He delivers brutal headbutts, continuing to keep Matanza off balance. Pentagon again sends Matanza into the chairs at ringside before taking him back into the ring. Pentagon delivers a Lung Blower to the Monster, but cannot yet get the victory. Dario, who has been yelling at his brother since the beginning, is now pleading with him to kill Pentagon Dark for the family. Pentagon wedges a chair into the corner, intending to whip the Monster into it, but Matanza stops short and sends Dark in instead.
The Monster finally gets in some offense, hitting a Pump Handle Slam, followed by a Standing Moonsault and a Standing SSP, but Dark kicks out. The two get back to their feet, now face to face. They trade blows until Pentagon hits a Superkick to Matanza’s head. With the chair back in play, Pentagon cracks the Monster has he attempts to charge him at the ropes. Pentagon hits a Mexican Destroyer on Matanza, as we see Vampiro rise from the announce desk. He brings out his barbed wire bat, and hands it to his pupil. Seeing his brother in peril, Dario enters the ring, pushing Pentagon Dark in the back. Pentagon goes after Dario, setting him up to break yet another arm, but he has taken his eyes off his true opponent. Matanza hits Pentagon in the back with the bat then delivers the Wrath of the Gods Powerslam for the victory. As the Cueto’s leave the ring, Vampiro checks on Pentagon, but Pentagon shoves him away as he leaves the ring.
WINNER AND STILL CHAMPION: MATANZA CUETO
ULTIMA PALABRA: Somehow, some way, Matanza was able to retain his title, ending Season Two as the reigning Lucha Underground Champion. Pentagon Dark took the fight to the Monster unlike anyone else in the Temple has been able to do. Many have tried to take him down, but at the end of the day, Dario and his brother retain control over the belt, and ultimately the power in the Temple. Perhaps it was Pentagon Dark’s arrogance that cost him the victory, letting too much of the Darkness take him over. Perhaps a little of Pentagon Jr. needed to remain for him to be able to wrest the title away from Matanza.
Was Pentagon Dark ready for the challenge? Perhaps he was, and the brutality he took to Matanza shows a new, different Pentagon, but he still has nothing to show for it. The Darkness that has enveloped him has cost him just as much as whatever light and fear he had in the first place. Vampiro seems distraught at ringside, telling Matt Striker that he needs a minute to compose himself. His pills have resurfaced, a handful going into his mouth. Where do they go from here?
Lucha #4: Taya vs. Ivelisse
Two of the best Luchadoras in the business will now go head to head to see who the Baddest Bitch in the Temple is. At the jump, Ivelisse charges Taya, laying fists into her midsection. She leg whips Taya down, then rams Taya’s head into the corner turnbuckles. Taya bails to the floor, but Ivelisse comes out after her. She goes to kick Taya from the apron, but Taya grabs her leg sending Ivelisse face first into the hardest part of the ring. As the action spills towards the Believers, Taya hits a short DDT on Ivelisse, sending her head first into the chairs. Ivelisse fights back, sending Taya into the chairs now. She hits some beautiful kicks to Taya’s chest. Ivelisse scales the railing, now taking the fight to the stands.
With some assistance from the fans at ringside, Ivelisse climbs the railing and flies to the floor below onto Taya. The two warriors continue to fight on the floor, the action spilling on the announce table, the stands, and the concrete steps of the Temple. Eventually the two get back in the ring, and Ivelisse hits a beautiful German Suplex on Taya. She follows it up with a Sunset Flip Powerbom, but just then the lights of the Temple go dark. As they come back on, Catrina has appeared in the ring behind Ivelisse. She blasts Ivelisse from behind and hits her with a headlock bomb to the mat. The lights go out again and Catrina disappears. Taya takes the advantage and hits a Northern Lights Suplex on Ivelisse, followed by Berzerker Boots to the chest for the pinfall victory.
WINNER: TAYA
The lights go out again and Catrina has returned to the ring, kneeling in front of the fallen Ivelisse. She informs her that Death comes for everyone, including you….BITCH! She plants the Lick of Death on Ivelisse and once again she is gone.
ULTIMA PALABRA: I’ve become a huge fan of Taya throughout this season, so I was really torn as to what outcome I wanted to see here. Ivelisse has emerged as a huge star of this show, and the support she receives from the Believers is insane, however she has recently had some injury problems which have stunted her growth in LU. Taya has taken the opportunity to emerge as perhaps the toughest woman now in the Temple. But it wasn’t her ability that allowed her to win this evening. Instead it was the Dark Lady of the Temple, Catrina, who hasn’t forgotten the animosity that exists between her and Ivelisse.
We’ve yet to see Catrina wrestle in the Temple, but after seeing the move she delivered on Ivelisse, I have no doubt that her first in-ring competition, whenever it may be, will be something to watch out for. Last week, Mil Muertes took out King Cuerno. This week, Catrina left her own mark on Ultima Lucha Dos, taking out one of the toughest women in the business. Flat out, Catrina’s scary.
Lucha #5: Prince Puma vs. Rey Mysterio
This dream match is our Main Event of the evening. As the two shake hands, we’re off with some swift and amazing Lucha reversals, and a stalemate between two of the best in the business. Rey kicks Puma hard then goes for a quick cover. He appears to be softening up Prince Puma, using his expertise to maintain the pace of the match, keeping Puma off guard. Rey goes for a head scissors, but Puma blocks it, delivering a Reverse Code Breaker to Rey. With Rey in the corner, Puma charges in with an uppercut. He puts Rey in a Back Stretch, working on the older bones of his opponent. Rey hits a Hurricanrana on Puma, sending him to the floor. With Puma lying flat outside, Rey slides under the bottom rope splashing hard onto a prone Prince.
Rey starts to take over as he Drops the Dime on Puma, then follows it with a Springboard Cross Body for a pin attempt. Puma is reeling as he eats a Spinning DDT by Rey, but again Puma kicks out. Puma recovers enough for a Basement Dropkick to Rey. He delivers a brutal Northern Lights into a Vertical Suplex combination on Mysterio. Puma goes to the top rope but Rey stops him, scaling the ropes as well. The two jockey for position, starting then blocking numerous moves before Rey hits a Rewind Rana on Puma. Back to their feet, the two trade blows until Puma hits a Lung Blower into a Blue Thunder Bomb on Rey. Fatigue is setting in as both men are spent. Rey sets up Puma for a 619, but Puma moves and hits a Spin Kick on Rey sending him into the ropes as well. Puma uses Rey’s own move, hitting a 323 on Mysterio, then a Springboard 450 for a pin attempt. With Mysterio in the corner, Puma hits a Delayed Dropkick to Rey’s chest. He attempts the 630, but Rey moves. He hits a Rana on Puma, but cannot get the pin. He hits Puma with an Enziguri, setting Puma up for the 619, but Puma catches his legs, again stopping the move. Puma sets up Rey for a Tombstone, but Rey reverses it into another Rana, again setting up Rey’s finisher. This time he hits the 619 perfectly, then scales the ropes for a top rope Hurricanrana, grabbing the legs and securing the pinfall victory.
WINNER: REY MYSTERIO JR.
ULTIMA PALABRA: The crowd was on their feet for both men, deservedly so. Prince Puma continues to show that he is the future of professional wrestling. His ability to hit moves that are seemingly impossible is like no other. While his future in Lucha Underground appears in question based on some speculative reports, for now he’s one of the top stars in the Temple and to borrow a phrase “the face that runs the place.” He’s the home town hero, the face of the Lucha Temple, and an outstanding competitor.
Then there’s Rey Mysterio Jr., a man that many had written off a few years ago, including me. Rey has come back in the best shape he’s been in years, and this match proves that he can still hang with just about anybody in the sport. While he may be just a step or two slower than he once was, Rey’s body has recovered from all the injuries that kept him on the shelf for so long. He and Prince Puma delivered a masterpiece, a match worthy of watching again and one that can easily find itself in the MOTY debate.
As we go off the air, Matt Striker and Vampiro thank us for making LU great, but before he can speak another word, Pentagon Dark strikes, hitting Vampiro in the back with the barbed wire bat. He kicks Striker in the head, knocking him down to the floor. Pentagon beats his Master down, then takes the bat to Vampiro’s head, busting him open. With Vampiro bleeding profusely, Pentagon bites Vampiro in the head. He beats down his Master, then tastes the blood of the man that taught him the meaning of Darkness. He tells Vampiro that he is no longer his Master. He, Pentagon Dark, is now the Master and Vampiro’s blood feeds him. A bloody mess, Vampiro sits barely conscious as Pentagon Dark continues his assault. He once again tastes his blood, as both Pentagon and the Temple go Dark.
Outside of the Temple, the Police lights emblazon the building that tonight was drowned in Darkness. The authorities have seemingly raided the Lucha Temple, now loading a handcuffed Dario Cueto into a Police van. They have done what they intended to do, take down El Jefe and bring him into custody. But as the van drives away, and the lights blaze through the back of the van windows, why does Dario have a smile on his face?
TO BE CONTINUED IN SEASON THREE
Until we Lucha again,
Roberto Out!