Live from Dario Cueto's Temple at Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, Lucha Underground finally returns for this second season of high paced action. Blending a mix of traditional pro wrestling with telenovella style storytelling, Season 2 will see all our favorites return, and will include the Lucha Underground debut of an American wrestling legend as well. Lucha Underground was voted WrassleGAFs promotion of the year, as well as having several match of the year nominations. Thanks to its fresh approach to pro-wresting storytelling and back-to-basics approach to booking, it has quickly become the fans go-to favorite US promotion. Exciting times, so here's what you missed during the first season:
Meet Dario Cueto.
Dario Cueto is the Spanish owner and promoter of Lucha Underground, as the name suggest an underground fighting ring where our combatants duke it out for honor, glory and fortune. Cueto is a rich man, and has no problem using his money to get his will and sate his lust for violence. He has invited the best Luchadors from around the world to compete in The Temple in Boyle Heights. Two of those men are Johnny Mundo (Previously John Morisson of WWE) and Prince Puma (better know by his indie wrestling name: Ricochet).
These two men faced off in the first Main Event of Lucha Underground, where Prince Puma, a direct descendant of one of the seven ancient Aztec tribes and under guidance of his trainer, WCW wrestling legend Konnan, came up short against Mundo, who would then receive the prize money of 100,000 dollars from Dario Cueto. But alas. As we would find out during the season, Dario Cueto proved to be less than trustworthy, as three unknown assailants known as The Crew attacked both Mundo and Puma on Darios command.
While briefly united under sportsmanlike camaraderie, Konnan quickly stirred the pot between Puma and Mundo, accusing Mundo of unfairly winning the first match and owing Puma the 100,000 dollars, causing the two to brawl and Dario Cueto to hang up the briefcase with the money above the ring for the first ever Lucha Underground Ladder Match. As an added twist, The Crews Big Ryck (formerly WWEs Ezekiel Jackson) was added to the match in a bid to earn the money for himself. Despite The Crews best efforts, Johnny Mundo was victorious and finally claimed the cash prize.But the two fighters were not done with each other yet, as Dario introduced the Aztec gold Lucha Underground belt, to be contended over in Dario Cuetos special Aztec Warfare match.
The match would start with two men inside of the ring and would add another man every 90 seconds. Whoever stood victorious at the end would become the first ever Champion in The Temple. In the end it was Prince Puma, Johnny Mundo and the ruthless heavyweight Luchador Mil Muertes who remained. Muertes was orphaned at age seven, when his family was swallowed whole by an Earthquake. Worshiping a stone from that Earthquake, Muertes was bound to his valet, Catrina (Previously known as WWEs stunning Maxine). After a hard fought final battle between the three men, it was Prince Puma who reigned victorious in the 60-minute Aztec Warfare bout and became the inaugural Lucha Underground Champion.
Johnny Mundo, bitter in defeat became resolved to proof that he was the best. He was given the chance to prove as much in a battle with legendary wrestler Alberto El Patron (Alberto Del Rio) to become the Number One Contender to Pumas Title. But once again, he would come up short and was defeated by El Patron. Johnny became consumed by his losses and brutally attacked El Patron to prevent him from taking his opportunity at Pumas belt by tossing him through the window of Dario Cuetos office.
Meanwhile, Prince Puma defended the title on numerous occasions. Reigning victorious over the likes of Cage, Drago, King Cuerno, Hernandez, and Chavo Guerrero Jr. All while Mil Muertes grew ever more menacing and brutal as he became The Man Of A Thousand Deaths under Catrinas control through the mystical stone. Aided by the Disciples of Death, they were a force to be reckoned with and feared by all.
All but one, that is. Enter Mexico Citys Fénix, who would take on Mil Muertes in a Grave Consequences casket match. In what is considered by many to be the Match of the Year of 2015, and certainly the best match in Lucha Underground, Mil Muertes was finally defeated by Fénix and in an ultimate betrayal, locked in the casket by none other than Catrina. With Mil Muertes gone, Fénix set his sights on Pumas championship. Only to be thwarted by a new menace, from Inframundo (the Underworld,) the man with the soul of a dragon: Drago.
After having previously been defeated in a championship match with Puma, Cueto had banished Drago from The Temple. He was allowed to return and challenge for the title once more, if only he could defeat Mil Muertes in a one-on-one match, only to find himself defeated by Muertes and Catrina.
Meanwhile, Cueto decided that just one championship would not be enough for all his Luchadors to contend over. So he created some the Lucha Underground Trios Titles. A championship contended over by teams of three fighters. Causing many former rivals to team up in an attempt to become champions themselves. Finally victorious, was the most unlikeliest of teams, comprised of Son of Havoc (indie wrestler Matt Cross), The Baddest Bitch in the Building Ivelisse and South-African high-flying high-risk sensation Angelico.
In addition to the Trios title, Dario Cueto introduced seven Aztec Medallions, who were told to have great power and wealth for those in possession of one. The medallions were often at stake in matches, though some were earned and given to further Cuetos own goals.
Meanwhile, wrestling legend and Lucha Underground commentator Vampiro, became more and more consumed as Pentagon Jr. entered The Temple and started decimating other fighters as sacrifices in the name of an unknown master. Breaking the arms of many fighters, Vampiro could stand by no longer when Pentagon Jr. chose his next target to be the Lucha Underground Ring Announcer Melissa Santos. Vampiro finally went to take matters into his own hands and confronted Pentagon Jr. who became irate at the intrusion.
Pentagon Jr. wanted Vampiro in the ring for match, but the retired veteran rejected the continued challenges. Attempting to force his hand Pentagon Jr. attacked Vampiro and covered him in gasoline, threatening to set the on fire. This proved the final nudge that Vampiro needed, when he finally relented and granted Pentagon Jr. the match at the Season One premiere event, Ultima Lucha.
Ultima Lucha saw many battles, Johnny Mundo bested Alberto El Patron and Hernandez was defeated by Drago in singles bouts. The team of Angelico, Ivelisse (who wrestled on crutches, due to having a broken leg) and Son of Havoc defended their Trios Championship against Catrinas Disciples of Death under Texas Tornado Rules (meaning there were no tags, and it was a free for all match). Despite the defending team's most valiant efforts, including one of Angelicos patented death defying crossbody jumps on the Disciples from the top of Cuetos office to the floor, the team was finally defeated when Catrina used the mythical stone and knocked out Ivelisse for the pin-count, making the Disciples of Death the current reigning Trios Champions.
In the build up to Ultima Lucha, Dario Cueto revealed the true purpose of the seven coveted Aztec Medallions. Each of the medallions would slot into a new championship belt, the Lucha Underground Gift of the Gods title. The seven medallion holders, Aero Star, Bengala, Big Ryck, Fénix, Jack Evans, King Cuerno and Sexy Star all gathered in the ring and slotted their prizes into the belt. At Ultimate Lucha, the seven fought a hard battle, and Fénix became the first ever champion.
Vampiro finally faced Pentagon Jr. in one of the most brutal matches displayed on TV in years. The Cero Miedo (Zero Fear, Pentagons catchphrase) Match took place both inside and outside of the ring and many weapons were used, from fluorescent lamps to burning tables, nothing was safe from the two men. Ultimately, a bloody Pentagon Jr. finally defeated Vampiro. After the match was over, Vampiro continued to taunt Pentagon Jr. and demanded he break his arm. After Pentagon Jr. did so, he asked his master to finally reveal himself. Which led to none other than Vampiro himself to announce that he was, in fact, Pentagons teacher, claiming the match was his final test and telling Pentagon Jr. You are ready, my son. The two go into Season Two united, as apprentice and master.
Meanwhile, Catrina had requested a title opportunity for Mil Muertes against Prince Puma. Cueto granted him a number one contenders match against Drago, which Muertes won. In the build towards the match, The Disciples of Death attacked Puma and his manager, Konnan, putting the latter into a casket, leaving Puma without back-up in the title match at Ultimate Lucha. Outnumbered five to one, Puma fought a hard battle, but was ultimately defeated. Losing his belt to Mil Muertes, the first season of Lucha Underground ended with Katrina and her men standing victorious over all.
Many fled The Temple that day, including Dario Cueto himself, as we return for the second season of Lucha Underground the fates of all these men is unknown.
-------
Lucha Underground returns January 27th, and will air on Wednesdays on the El Rey Network at 8PM ET.
Heres some promo-shots for the new season:
And finally, GAF, I heard you like GIF's:
Lucha Underground returns January 27th, and will air on Wednesdays on the El Rey Network at 8PM ET.
Alternative options, courtesy of Kaladin:
