Lucha Underground: Payback Time (Review: 10/19/16)

Ladies and Gentlemen, sound the mariachi band, cue the commentators and let anarchy ring throughout the temple! Yes my readers, welcome to another Lucha Underground Review! I am the "Local Hero" Cameron Mcdonley, alongside my trusty keyboard to give you the best review of the chaotic ride that is Lucha Underground. With that said, let's cut the talking, because there's a lot of action we have to experience during this fine hour.

The show opens with Prince Puma preparing for his war with Mil Muertes later on in the show when Vampiro appears, once again offering his managerial services to the face of The Temple. Puma clearly rejected that offer, stating that he'd rather die by Mil's hands than to live by his. Vampiro makes his prediction known to him that he thinks Prince Puma will make "The Man Of 1,000 Deaths" die by his hands. This was a segment I found highly intriguing, because I can visualize how this angle will take shape, with the twisted human being who once set Sting on fire managing a man that is usually a very prideful individual. It'd be like James Mitchell going to WWE and managing a heel John Cena, but not quite. Anyway, the vignette left me very interested, and I'd like to see where this leads to.
Rating: 3/5

Our opening match is once again another product of Dario's Dial of Doom, as Killshot was selected by the hand of the wheel to try his hand at ripping the Lucha Underground title from the cannibalistic monster's grasp. He ultimately did not obtain the victory, as Matanza Cueto defeated his newest challenger in a 20 minute display of physicality, notably from Killshot himself, as he displayed a really solid level of intensity and passion we don't usually see from him. Matanza was not slacking in the aggression department either, as he hit a sickening uppercut to the side of his opposition's head in the midway point of this match. Great match.
Rating: 3.5/5

After a solid and noteworthy title match, an unidentified man with dog-tags similar to the former soldier walked very eerily to the ring. Killshot noticed who he was and embraced him, but was only met with an inverted axe kick and a spinning brainbuster from his once brother-in-arms. Although we do not know his name, it was very clear who he was, because he whispered "You left me for dead" as he dropped his dog-tags on the chest of Killshot. I hope we can get some information on his character name and a further look into his backstory, because this whole ordeal seems extremely intense right off the bat.
Rating: 3.5/5 

Preceding another vague "They'll Be Here Soon" promo, the Trios Champions (Aerostar, Fenix and Drago) entered the ring for what seemed to be another Trios contest when the owner of this esteemed establishment, Dario Cueto himself, shook up the course a bit by offering another flavor, a triple threat match between the champions! It wasn't just for the sick enjoyment of Dario however, as a number twenty spot in the Aztec Warfare match on November 9th was on the line! We were definitely treated to a masterpiece here, as all three of these high-caliber luchadors fought through blood, sweat and possible brain damage for a late entry into a battle royal where the Lucha Underground Championship was up for grabs. There was an excessive amount of high-flying maneuvers from Fenix, but that does not change the overall feeling of the match, as the crowd was hot for all of it and Drago had a decisive victory with a destroyer DDT that looked like he shattered Aerostar's neck. When wrestlers can make it look like they're killing each other, you know they've put on a contest that is one to remember.
Rating: 4/5 

From there, we cut to a brief backstage segment between Cobra Moon and Drago. Moon was almost ordering Drago to win the championship at Aztec Warfare 3 for their tribe. Drago angrily notified her that he left her tribe dozens of years ago before screaming into the sky in frustration. It may have been short, but it was still enjoyable, as it was used to further what seems to be a new storyline for both Cobra Moon and Drago. I hope they do something worthwhile with this, but then again, they don't need me wishing or hoping because I can almost guarantee you that this will be at least fun to watch over the next few weeks or even more if they take it that far.
Rating: 3/5 

Dario Cueto is doing absolutely nothing in his office when a desperate and frustrated Johnny Mundo storms into his office with a bargain for a Gift Of The Gods championship match with Sexy Star next week. Mundo briefly mentions what happened at the end of episode 1 in 2014 when Dario offered him the highest payout in the show's history before handing him the briefcase in desperation to get at least one singles championship in Lucha Underground. Mr. Cueto accepts the money and signs the match, making it set in stone for next week's show.
Rating: 3.5/5

The time has come, the clock has struck noon and the two baddest gunslingers are going at it in the temple! It is Prince Puma going to war once more with his arch-nemesis Mil Muertes in a clash that will eclipse any level of intensity that these two had in any of their past encounters! A war it most certainly was, as this time there was no hesitation, no methodical movement as these two bitter enemies didn't think twice about attempting to eviscerate the other throughout the entire match. Every single move from these two gladiators was done with conviction. Although neither man were killed off in this match, it seems like Muertes has met his match, as Puma pinned him cleanly in the ring for one of the most shocking outcomes in the show's short, but illustrious history.
Rating: 4.5/5 

This brilliant episode ends with a final segment, cutting to Rey Mysterio's training grounds, where he was seen conversing with Chavo Guerrero Sr, otherwise known as Chavo Classic to nostalgic fans who watched WWE in the Ruthless Aggression Era. The former NWA and AWA breakout star, the man who innovated the moonsault was presented with a ultimatum from the King Of Lucha Libre that no parent should be forced to partake in. He either blackballs his own son from the Guerrero family, or Rey himself is leaving that family altogether. This rivalry has surely become incredibly personal, as a legendary family is now caught in the crossfire of what has been a dangerous rivalry so far.
Rating: 4.5/5 

Full Show Rating: 4.85/5

This show was in my opinion, the best episode of this new season, as we were treated to three entertaining matches, segments that were undoubtedly intense, and storylines for the near future were given the seeds to be planted and turned into something worthwhile. Not much else to say, I enjoyed myself watching this, and I hope everybody reading this did as well.

That statement concludes this review, I am the "Review Guy" Cameron Mcdonley signing off, hopefully I will see you all soon. Goodnight everybody!

Lucha Underground Review! (10/5/16)

Salutations ladies and gentlemen, I am the Local Hero, the Review Guy, Cameron Mcdonley, and here I am with another review! This time around, we take a trip to Boyle Heights, into The Temple for another exciting edition of the hottest wrestling show in recent memory, Lucha Underground! Let's cease the introductions, all discussions come to a grinding halt as we get to another review of this entertaining show!

The first visual we see after the usual intro is the owner of this Temple, Dario Cueto ready as ever to name his brother's next victim with his Dial Of Doom. The wheel spins until it stops on the name of Prince Puma. Cueto then cuts a scathing promo on Puma, mentioning how he was the inaugural champion and that his brother is more dominant than he'll ever be with the gold around his waist. This was a really good way to open the show and it set up a very noteworthy main event for later on in the show.
Rating: 3/5 

The match that is the beginning explosion to wrestling's action movie counterpart is between the fearless Ivelisse and the mentally impaired Mariposa, who herself was accompanied by her less than sane brother, to put it kindly. This was most definitely the match you would expect from these two women, as they showed in this match that the women are very capable of hitting harder than the men. The shots were very stiff, as Ivelisse struck with the hardest kicks I've ever seen. You could see Mariposa buckle every time her opposition inflicted punishment. However, she hit twice as hard when she retaliated, making this a highly even and competitive match. Ivelisse obtained the victory with a beautiful Canadian Destroyer which lead to an immediate pinfall. Marty The Moth ambushed her after the contest, leaving his fallen enemy helpless to an eventual two-on-one assault. An intense affair to kick off the festivities for tonight.
Rating: 3.5/5 

We cut back from break with Dario conducting a phone conversation with somebody unknown when Johnny Mundo opens his office door uninvited, demanding a Lucha Underground title match. Mr. Cueto made it very clear that he will not have any plans to put him in that title picture, which infuriated the "Wednesday Night Delight". He requested a Gift Of The Gods title match in visible desperation, to which he was shot down again, instead met with the announcement that Jack Evans will face the champion Sexy Star next week. Mundo left his office mentioning something about divine intervention before slamming the door behind him.
Rating: 3.5/5 

Before we take a commercial break, there is a very creepy unusual promo with the screen flashing repeatedly, cutting back to a bunny. The segment ended with white words over a black background which read "They'll be here soon". I don't know what to rate this segment, as it was clearly a promo for a debut or return, but I have a hard time guessing who this character could be. It was definitely mysterious and left me guessing, which did its job in that sense, but it was incredibly vague. I'll just wait and see what this turns out to be before I give it too negative of a rating.
Rating: 3/5 

Our co-main event match of the show was match two of this best of five series between Brian Cage and Texano. This was far from a bad match, as these two did everything in their power to put the other away for the three count or a submission, but the eventual winner of this battle was "The Machine" Cage with a devastating sit-out cyclone slam, which by all intents and purposes was a variation of the F-5. A much better match than I thought it would be going in, which is a great sign, because last week I was honestly opposed to this series. If it means we'll be getting three more matches like this count me in! It could end very abruptly if Cage gets a third victory next week, but I don't see that happening, so let's all just sit back and enjoy this very intense and competitive ride, filled with bone-jarring slams and unbelievable feats of athleticism and agility from two large men.
Rating: 4/5 

Ivelisse is in the locker room seemingly collecting herself from that post-match assault when her boyfriend, Sami Callihan makes his appearance in the locker room! The two discuss the match and how Callihan will kill them, when his woman tells him that she can handle herself. God, I love that Sami Freakin' Callihan is on this show! With him and his girl, who is arguably one of the best female wrestlers paired up in storyline side by side, the possibilities are endless, and the sky is the limit as to where this could end up. I'm very stoked to see how this all plays out, hopefully an intergender match between the two? One can only hope...
Rating: 3.5/5 

The wait is finally over, and our much anticipated main event match is finally upon us, as Prince Puma opposes "The Monster" Matanza Cueto on the other side of the ring for what is sure to be a phenomenal Lucha Underground Championship. On all accounts, it was far from phenomenal, it was fantastic! Both wrestlers displayed their strongest maneuvers and assets throughout the match, as this was absolutely as far away from your usual Matanza match as you can get. There was a legitimate fear in the eyes of his brother Dario at ringside numerous times during the contest every time Puma became just a split-second closer to ending their reign of terror once and for all. Towards the end, Matanza was momentarily incapacitated by a detrimental and much needed 630 splash from his adversary when Mil Muertes runs into the ring and spears his bitter rival in half, nearly knocking his boots off with the impact and the force of that rib-shattering attack. At the order of Catrina and her stone, "The Man Of 1,000 Deaths" decimated Puma with a single Flatliner and then leaving the ring. Matanza added on to the already inhuman punishment with a Wrath Of The Gods, successfully retaining his championship. Prince Puma may have come as close as anyone to dethroning the champion, but the question still remains: Who will cease this unstoppable monster dead in his tracks?
Rating: 4.5/5 

Killshot is training in an abandoned gym when Joey Ryan finds him. Ryan notifies him that there are some papers from his past, presumably before he ever entered the Temple. When questioned by the former Military combatant, he sarcastically asks "What do I look like, a detective?". Killshot then glares at the papers, which read "You left me for dead" written in black ink. The show closes with Killshot staring forward, refusing to take his attention off of Joey Ryan as he leaves the gym.
Rating: 4/5

Full Show Rating: 4.5/5

This was a far from weak edition of Lucha Underground, as many storylines were branched upon, the matches were enjoyable and awesome, and the debut of Sami Callihan was just too great to even describe. I can't wait to watch the episode next week, as we know it is gonna be a stacked show every single episode.

That culminates our review, I am the Local Hero Cameron Crash, saying goodbye for now, and I hope to see you soon with another fine review!!