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BRM Reviews the 1/28/2015 Lucha Underground

Posted: Jan 29th, '15, 13:47
by Big Red Machine
DARIO CUETO TELLS CAGE HE’LL HAVE HIS TITLE MATCH TONIGHT- Cueto was great, but Cage’s “because I’m a machine” catchphrase is quickly turning comical.

FENIX vs. MIL MUERTES (w/Catrina)- 4/10
Despite having absolutely nothing that even resembles evidence, Vamprio insists that Catrina is controlling Mil Muertes.
He also informed us that Lucha Underground was changing the sport “not only on this planet, but in the universe.” As if some alien booker picked up the broadcast, then ran to the promoter’s office and said “Holy blorx, Morgon! This Lucha Underground style is exactly what we need to turn Gorblax Championship Wrestling around!

Yeah… Vampiro has already annoyed me to the point where I can’t help but be an ass to the announcers for the rest of the show, so take some of what I say with a grain of salt.
Like, for example, Striker’s claim that being in Lucha Underground, AAA, and NOAH means Fenix is on top of the wrestling world… and yet I have to point out that not one of those companies is the biggest promotion even in their own country right now, and AAA is the only one that is even second place.

Anyway, they had a great match, with Muertes just looking like the world’s biggest badass… until the finish, which is one of my least favorite in all of wrestling (where the guy who takes a superplex quickly gets a small package out of it), handing Muertes his first one-on-one loss. Some other roll-up I would have been fine with, but this was not the right way to beat Muertes. I’m also a bit surprised that they did this considering that the Aztec Warfare match seemed to be setting up Muertes vs. Johnny Mundo.

CAGE VIDEO PACKAGE- I thought the no-selling of the weapons (after the first beer bottle) got excessive to the point of silliness. Him blocking that last beer bottle shot only to crush the bottle in his hands came off to me like that goofy bit that often happened in the 1950’s Superman TV show where the villain would fire his gun at Superman and the bullet would bounce harmlessly off of his chest because he is impervious to bullets… but then, when the gun was empty, the villain would throw the gun at Superman… and Superman would have to duck.

ARGENIS, AEROSTAR, & SUPER FLY vs. THE CREW (Bael, Mr. Cisqo, Cortez Castro)- 6.75/10
Striker tries to build up six man tag matches as a Lucha Libre tradition, claiming that he and Vampiro have talked about it before. Well maybe they did amongst themselves, but they’ve never mentioned it on the air once! And of course this six man tag team match was so traditional to Lucha Libre that it used American rules and not Lucha rules. It was also so traditional to Lucha Libre that Striker suggested that perhaps there was a language barrier between the Mexicans and the referee, resulting in the Mexicans not understanding the rules.
Rick Knox completely gave up on trying to enforce the “one guy in the ring at a time” rule. Too much PWG will do that to you. Seeing as how this rule so basic to tag team wrestling, Matt Striker informed us that he liked the fact that Knox was ignoring it, because in Matt Striker’s book, it’s okay to break the rules whenever you feel like it.

I really liked The Crew getting the win here, and the match was a lot of fun. I really hope someone in WWE sees this match and realizes how much better it would make Raw to make sure to book at least six or eight man tag team match on the show every week.

VAMPIRO INTERVIEWS KONNAN & PRINCE PUMA- okay.
In building this up, Vampiro told us that “you could have cut the knife with the intensity.” Can we please edit obvious misstatements like this out? It makes me not want to see the interview if I’m doubting the interviewer’s ability to ask questions coherently.
Prince Puma’s graphic introduced him simply as a “luchador” rather than as the champion, and he didn’t have the belt with him. That’s not how you build up a title match.
Konnan did a great job being guy who seems like he is a heel, but is managing a babyface. The tension with him and Vamprio, while probably very real, felt too manufactured, and it hurt the “Konnan always speaking for Puma” idea that they pushed. I think it would have been better to not have Vampiro mention it at all during his build-up of the segment. The way that things ended, along with Konnan and Vampiro both being described as legends in their graphic makes me think they’re going to do that feud (again).

LUCHA UNDERGROUND TITLE MATCH: Prince Puma(c) (w/Konnan) vs. Cage- 7.25/10
I was surprised that Melissa Santos didn’t introduce Cage by saying “he’s not a man, he’s a machine.”
This was a great “big man vs. little man” match until the stupid DQ finish. Oh… and about that DQ: The DQ was for a low blow, but Matt Striker decided to tell us that it is okay to attack a referee (rather try to pass off the DQ as a result of both evens in succession, which would make perfect sense because the way Cage pushed the referee, he could have easily claimed it was an accident and while we’d all know that wasn’t true, the ref would have no evidence to the contrary).
Cage kept attacking Puma after the DQ. Konnan tried to make the save by hitting Cage with his cane, but Cage just shrugged it off and laid Konnan out with the title belt. Konnan seemed to bleed a lot, but I think a lot of that was him doing a great job of spreading the blood all over his head and face.
Cage then ripped the title belt in half (yes, ripped it in half) and through it down. Why did he do any of this? Hasn’t he been saying that he wants to win the title? So why get yourself intentionally DQed in a title match, and then rip the belt in half?


A great show from Lucha Underground, but with a baffling ending.

Re: BRM Reviews the 1/28/2015 Lucha Underground

Posted: Jan 29th, '15, 14:08
by cero2k
Big Red Machine wrote:
FENIX vs. MIL MUERTES (w/Catrina)- 4/10
Despite having absolutely nothing that even resembles evidence, Vamprio insists that Catrina is controlling Mil Muertes.
He also informed us that Lucha Underground was changing the sport “not only on this planet, but in the universe.” As if some alien booker picked up the broadcast, then ran to the promoter’s office and said “Holy blorx, Morgon! This Lucha Underground style is exactly what we need to turn Gorblax Championship Wrestling around!
well, you don't know that this isn't true

Like, for example, Striker’s claim that being in Lucha Underground, AAA, and NOAH means Fenix is on top of the wrestling world… and yet I have to point out that not one of those companies is the biggest promotion even in their own country right now, and AAA is the only one that is even second place.
AAA is the number one in Mexico right now, CMLL has been crap for a while.

VAMPIRO INTERVIEWS KONNAN & PRINCE PUMA- okay.
In building this up, Vampiro told us that “you could have cut the knife with the intensity.” Can we please edit obvious misstatements like this out? It makes me not want to see the interview if I’m doubting the interviewer’s ability to ask questions coherently.
Prince Puma’s graphic introduced him simply as a “luchador” rather than as the champion, and he didn’t have the belt with him. That’s not how you build up a title match.
Konnan did a great job being guy who seems like he is a heel, but is managing a babyface. The tension with him and Vamprio, while probably very real, felt too manufactured, and it hurt the “Konnan always speaking for Puma” idea that they pushed. I think it would have been better to not have Vampiro mention it at all during his build-up of the segment. The way that things ended, along with Konnan and Vampiro both being described as legends in their graphic makes me think they’re going to do that feud (again).
I really popped for this, i'm hoping that Vampiro leaves the announcers table and becomes a full time manager to fight off Konna's guy. I like the idea of old timers being the managers, and this would open later on to use some other famous names

LUCHA UNDERGROUND TITLE MATCH: Prince Puma(c) (w/Konnan) vs. Cage- 7.25/10
I was surprised that Melissa Santos didn’t introduce Cage by saying “he’s not a man, he’s a machine.”
This was a great “big man vs. little man” match until the stupid DQ finish. Oh… and about that DQ: The DQ was for a low blow, but Matt Striker decided to tell us that it is okay to attack a referee (rather try to pass off the DQ as a result of both evens in succession, which would make perfect sense because the way Cage pushed the referee, he could have easily claimed it was an accident and while we’d all know that wasn’t true, the ref would have no evidence to the contrary).
Striker didn't say that it was ok to attack a ref, but that Knox was letting it pass, which made perfect sense to me since it wasn't even a hard push. furthermore, i'm ok with the DQ, and it being a low blow, it keeps both guys looking strong enough. I felt it showed that Cage may have a bit of rage problem or something


Cage then ripped the title belt in half (yes, ripped it in half) and through it down. Why did he do any of this? Hasn’t he been saying that he wants to win the title? So why get yourself intentionally DQed in a title match, and then rip the belt in half?
I loved all these, it really shocked me that it went down, i thought they were about to betray Puma and Konnan would side with Cage as his new client. The only thing i wasn't a big fan about is that Dario was watching all of this, and wasn't slightly pissed off that Cage was destroying his property that probably cost him a bit to get made.

Re: BRM Reviews the 1/28/2015 Lucha Underground

Posted: Jan 29th, '15, 16:45
by Big Red Machine
cero2k wrote:
Big Red Machine wrote:
FENIX vs. MIL MUERTES (w/Catrina)- 4/10
Despite having absolutely nothing that even resembles evidence, Vamprio insists that Catrina is controlling Mil Muertes.
He also informed us that Lucha Underground was changing the sport “not only on this planet, but in the universe.” As if some alien booker picked up the broadcast, then ran to the promoter’s office and said “Holy blorx, Morgon! This Lucha Underground style is exactly what we need to turn Gorblax Championship Wrestling around!
well, you don't know that this isn't true
Fair enough.

Like, for example, Striker’s claim that being in Lucha Underground, AAA, and NOAH means Fenix is on top of the wrestling world… and yet I have to point out that not one of those companies is the biggest promotion even in their own country right now, and AAA is the only one that is even second place.
AAA is the number one in Mexico right now, CMLL has been crap for a while.
Everything I've heard (which, to be honest, is all from the F4W/WON site) says that CMLL has all of the momentum and the bigger names and draws better houses, while all CMLL has is Alberto (who often isn't around) and Mistico.
VAMPIRO INTERVIEWS KONNAN & PRINCE PUMA- okay.
In building this up, Vampiro told us that “you could have cut the knife with the intensity.” Can we please edit obvious misstatements like this out? It makes me not want to see the interview if I’m doubting the interviewer’s ability to ask questions coherently.
Prince Puma’s graphic introduced him simply as a “luchador” rather than as the champion, and he didn’t have the belt with him. That’s not how you build up a title match.
Konnan did a great job being guy who seems like he is a heel, but is managing a babyface. The tension with him and Vamprio, while probably very real, felt too manufactured, and it hurt the “Konnan always speaking for Puma” idea that they pushed. I think it would have been better to not have Vampiro mention it at all during his build-up of the segment. The way that things ended, along with Konnan and Vampiro both being described as legends in their graphic makes me think they’re going to do that feud (again).
I really popped for this, i'm hoping that Vampiro leaves the announcers table and becomes a full time manager to fight off Konna's guy. I like the idea of old timers being the managers, and this would open later on to use some other famous names
I don't have a problem with the idea. Just with the way the segment was presented. It was a very unsubtle thing on a show that seems to thrive on subtlety.
LUCHA UNDERGROUND TITLE MATCH: Prince Puma(c) (w/Konnan) vs. Cage- 7.25/10
I was surprised that Melissa Santos didn’t introduce Cage by saying “he’s not a man, he’s a machine.”
This was a great “big man vs. little man” match until the stupid DQ finish. Oh… and about that DQ: The DQ was for a low blow, but Matt Striker decided to tell us that it is okay to attack a referee (rather try to pass off the DQ as a result of both evens in succession, which would make perfect sense because the way Cage pushed the referee, he could have easily claimed it was an accident and while we’d all know that wasn’t true, the ref would have no evidence to the contrary).
Striker didn't say that it was ok to attack a ref, but that Knox was letting it pass, which made perfect sense to me since it wasn't even a hard push. furthermore, i'm ok with the DQ, and it being a low blow, it keeps both guys looking strong enough. I felt it showed that Cage may have a bit of rage problem or something

The low blow didn't look anything at all like a "so angry that I snapped" DQ. Cage was very calm when he did it.
Cage then ripped the title belt in half (yes, ripped it in half) and through it down. Why did he do any of this? Hasn’t he been saying that he wants to win the title? So why get yourself intentionally DQed in a title match, and then rip the belt in half?
I loved all these, it really shocked me that it went down, i thought they were about to betray Puma and Konnan would side with Cage as his new client. The only thing i wasn't a big fan about is that Dario was watching all of this, and wasn't slightly pissed off that Cage was destroying his property that probably cost him a bit to get made.
I think it is the physical gold in the title that is special (it's made with gold from all seven temples or whatever). The strap is just leather.
Actually... remember that scene where Cueto was talking to someone in a cage, telling him that he couldn't have the title because he would only break it? Well... a dude named "Cage" just broke the title.

Re: BRM Reviews the 1/28/2015 Lucha Underground

Posted: Jan 29th, '15, 19:03
by cero2k
Big Red Machine wrote:

Like, for example, Striker’s claim that being in Lucha Underground, AAA, and NOAH means Fenix is on top of the wrestling world… and yet I have to point out that not one of those companies is the biggest promotion even in their own country right now, and AAA is the only one that is even second place.
AAA is the number one in Mexico right now, CMLL has been crap for a while.
Everything I've heard (which, to be honest, is all from the F4W/WON site) says that CMLL has all of the momentum and the bigger names and draws better houses, while all CMLL has is Alberto (who often isn't around) and Mistico.
you got me confused there, you have CMLL twice

AAA currently has the bigger names and bigger shows. Big names like Averno, Texano left CMLL to go to AAA, Mistico and Alberto went to AAA instead of CMLL, in addition they have the biggest names like Perro Aguayo, Cibernetico, Mesias, Blue Demon, or La Parka; however, guys like Wagner and LA Park, when they left AAA didn't go to CMLL. AAA is doing more tours and have a better TV deal, CMLL pretty much do the Arena Mexico show only since they have some sort of deal that only them can run that arena, but i think they lost their TV deal and have been having trouble with that.

The only good thing CMLL has over AAA is wrestling, but it's mainly because once all the old timers left CMLL because of money, they left either really old but amazing wrestlers like Ultimo Guerrero, Casas, Atlantis, etc, OR the young lions of wrestling which are the guys keeping CMLL with decent crowds. But like TNA, CMLL lacks good direction or booking regardless of the quality of the wrestling, while AAA we've been seeing growing in the last years.

The drawing i think it's mostly because CMLL has control over the Arena Mexico and AAA has to take smaller less known venues. But their other shows around the country seem to have good crowds

Re: BRM Reviews the 1/28/2015 Lucha Underground

Posted: Feb 2nd, '15, 02:35
by Big Red Machine
According to the Brian & Vinny show, there was a segment at the end of the show where Angela Fong attacked Dario Cueto in his office and said something about someone named "Natanza."

Re: BRM Reviews the 1/28/2015 Lucha Underground

Posted: Feb 2nd, '15, 08:39
by cero2k
Big Red Machine wrote:According to the Brian & Vinny show, there was a segment at the end of the show where Angela Fong attacked Dario Cueto in his office and said something about someone named "Natanza."
yes, it was the very last thing. Fong said she's looking for a man named "Matanza" (that's what i got), which means slaughter

Re: BRM Reviews the 1/28/2015 Lucha Underground

Posted: Feb 2nd, '15, 08:47
by Big Red Machine
cero2k wrote:
Big Red Machine wrote:According to the Brian & Vinny show, there was a segment at the end of the show where Angela Fong attacked Dario Cueto in his office and said something about someone named "Natanza."
yes, it was the very last thing. Fong said she's looking for a man named "Matanza" (that's what i got), which means slaughter
That's a much cooler name.