Lucha Underground Season 3 Episode 10: Ready for War
Alright fellow believers, who’s ready to Lucha?! We got a full card for tonight, so let’s get right to it.
We open backstage with Catrina talking to Mil Muertes before his Grave Consequences match with Prince Puma tonight. She tells him this time, she doesn’t want Prince Puma defeated, she wants him dead, and leaves him with a warning that if he fails, she won’t bring him back this time.
We then go to the temple where the crowd is armed with literally everything but the kitchen sink as we go to our first match.
Match #1: Mascarita Sagrada vs. Famous B: Believers Backlash Match
This match certainly had a more comedic slant to it than the original Believers Backlash Match between Drago and Hernandez back in season one, but that’s okay because it’s fitting the tone of the storyline between Mascarita and Famous B. In case you don’t know, a Believers Backlash Match is a match where the crowd is given weapons and are allowed to get involved in the match. This match was a ton of fun and at times felt like an episode of Looney Tunes, and I mean that in the best possible way. We saw garbage cans, croquet mallets, perfume guns, popcorn bags, gardening sheers and even one of Matt Striker’s shoes (evidentally Matt Striker has enormous feet, who knew) At one point early on, Mascarita even put on a football helmet and checked B right in the gut. Though, my favorite moment in the entire match had to be when Mascarita pulled out a bowling ball while Famous B was lying spread eagle in the corner and bowled a strike on Famous B’s famous balls. Towards the end, Dr. Wagner tried to get involved, but Son of Havoc came out to even the odds, allowing Mascarita to take advantage and pull out the victory.
Winner: Mascarita Sagrada
After the match, once Mascarita and Havoc defaced a cardboard cutout of Famous B, Son of Havoc gave his little friend a victory present, a vest indicating that he is now an official member of Son of Havoc’s biker gang.
Next up, we go to the locker room where AR Fox (Who we learn is going by the name Dante Fox in Lucha Underground) is confronted by Killshot. It’s here that we learn that Dario, impressed by what he did to Killshot, gave Dante a spot in the Temple. Killshot understands why Dante did what he did, but he hopes that they can put it behind them. He then offers his hand and tells his brother in arms that he’s happy to have him home. Dante accepts Killshots hand and the two embrace. Dante then tells Killshot that tonight they’ve been put on a team together, and that they need to stand united, just like old times. The embrace continues, but it’s clear that Killshot doesn’t fully trust Dante’s words.
Next up, we go to the men’s bathroom where Drago is practicing with his nunchuks, when in slithers Lucha Underground’s resident Sexy Seductive Sapphire Serpentine Senorita, Kobra Moon. Kobra once again reminds Drago that he was once a part of her Tribe a thousand years ago. In response, Drago attacks Kobra, saying that he was never a part of her tribe, he was a slave. Kobra then eludes to the fact that Daga, a Lucha Underground wrestler from last season whom Kobra Moon was stalking, met a gruesome fate at the hands of someone named Lord Pindar, and that if Drago doesn’t return to the Snake Tribe, that fate could be his own. At the mention of the name Pindar, Drago stops in this tracks as whoever Pindar is, it’s clearly someone Drago believed to be dead. Kobra says that Pindar will make him kneel before Kobra, as the two ancient Reptiles stare one another down. Like the last time we saw these two come face to face, this tension sundae has a nice comedic cherry on top in the form of my main man and friend to the website, Mr. Vinnie Massaro who upon walking in and seeing Kobra and Drago proclaims “You know what, I’ll just use the ladies room.” If you’re reading this Vinnie, it’s nice to see you again brother and I’m very happy that Kobra didn’t eat you.
Match #2: Ivelisse, Marty “The Moth” Martinez, The Mack, Mariposa & Jeremiah Crane vs. Killshot, Dante Fox, Cage, Texano and Argenis: Aztec Warfare Qualifier Match
As we’ve seen in the past, Dario Cueto likes to stir the pot and put bitter enemies on teams with each other and that is certainly on display in this match. Mack, Ivelisse and Jeremiah all have had their issues with the Moth siblings, Cage and Texano are still at each other’s throats as they continue their best of five series and things between Killshot and Fox are still shaky at best, leaving only Argenis as the odd man out. Each warrior needs to decide what’s more important, personal animosity or a spot in Aztec Warfare. In any case, this match was nothing short of phenomenal with everyone’s unique style on display. Both Dante Fox and Jeremiah Crane were impressive in their Lucha Underground debuts, Cage was impressive as always, the rarely seen Argenis got to show some impressive moves, all together, this match kept me on the edge of my seat. However, towards the end, Dante showed his true colors by turning on Killshot once again allowing Marty to take advantage and get the win for his team. Winners: Ivelisse, Marty “The Moth” Martinez, The Mack, Mariposa & Jeremiah Crane
Next up, we join Dario visiting his brother, Matanza in his Cage to hype him up for Aztec Warfare next week. Dario asks Matanza if he remembers what their father trained him for, and for the first time ever, we hear the monster speak, as he responds to Dario with just one word: War!
Main Event: Prince Puma vs. Mil Muertes: Grave Consequences
This is it, this is everything that the heated rivalry between Puma and Mil Muertes has been building to since season one. From the moment Mil shoved Puma’s mentor, Konnan into a casket, these two men were destined for this moment. Puma wasted no time going after the man of a thousand deaths, attacking him from behind before he even made it down the temple steps. From then on, it was carnage, with caskets, tables and chairs everywhere. Puma demonstrated a much darker side of himself as the match went on, much to the twisted delight of Vampiro who managed to steal the show with his commentary in this match. These two bitter enemies left it all in the ring as they literally fought to the death. Towards the end Puma took a choke slam off the top turnbuckle through two tables. With Puma incapacitated, Mil brought out another casket, the very same casket that he shoved Konnan into back in season one. And so, as Catrina looked on with satisfaction, the man of a thousand deaths shoved Prince Puma into the same casket that once held his mentor and closed the lid.
Winner: Mil Muertes
After the match, as is customary with Grave Consequences, people clad in garb appropriate for Dia de los Muertos (the day of the dead) came out and carried the casket away as the crowd fell silent. Strangely enough, Vampiro seemed to have a smile on his face as he watched Puma’s casket leave the temple. Was all of this part of Vampiro’s plan? Does he have something sinister in store? Only time will tell. Awards: Remember everyone, tonight, as with every episode that ends in five or zero, we’ll be revealing the current frontrunner for the prestigious award of Wes’s Blogs and Reviews Lucha Underground MVP, but first, let’s get tonight’s awards out of the way.
Match of the Night: Early today on my Twitter page, I alluded to the fact that some people may not agree with this week’s article, and you’re about to find out why. First, let me make one thing perfectly clear: Grave Consequences III was awesome, it was really awesome. It was one of the best matches I’ve seen between Puma and Mil throughout their entire rivalry. That being said, I felt that it did not quite compare to the level of brutality and spectacle that the first two Grave Consequences matches gave us. Maybe my expectations were too high, but I stand by my decision. Tonight, match of the night goes to the five-on-five tag-team match. I loved every second of this match, but more than that, I loved the diversity of this match. Be it power houses like Mack, Cage and Marty, valiant warriors like Texano and Killshot, strong women like Ivelisse and Mariposa, underrated and underutilized talents like Argenis, or newcomers like Dante and Jeremiah, this match demonstrated so many of the reasons why the Warriors of Lucha Underground are a cut above the rest. More than that, the match gave us some really awesome spots. There was Argenis’s perfect moonsault, Dante and Killshots super cool looking double team attack on the Moth siblings and many others, but if you want to hear about the real show stealer, join me further down the page.
Spot of the Night:
I have to give it to Ivelisse’s reverse rana on Killshot. When I first saw it, I had to pause my video, and watch it again because I couldn’t believe what I just saw. I have always felt that Ivelisse is one of the most talented wrestlers, male or female, in Lucha Underground and it is moves like this that validate that opinion. Unfortunately, shortly after executing that move, it looked as though Ivelisse re-injured her foot and had to be helped to the back after the match. When it comes to the wrestling industry whether or not an injury is legitimate or part of a storyline is never certain, but if it is legit, then from the bottom of my heart, I wish Ivelisse a speedy recovery.
Segment of the Night: Once again, the award goes to Drago and Kobra Moon. Right now, as far as I’m concerned, this is the most interesting and exciting storyline in all of Lucha Underground right now. What happened between Drago and Kobra one thousand years ago? How did Drago become slave to the snake tribe? What happened to Daga? Who the hell is lord Pindar and why does Drago fear him so? Will Vinnie Massaro ever be able to take a piss without walking in on a centuries-old blood feud between two lizard people? These are all questions that burn in me to the point that I’m legitimately angry that I have to wait to find out. Plus, it’s always great to see Vinnie Massaro, he’s a great guy on twitter and his bits in these segments have always been hilarious.
Before we move on though, I just have to say one thing. Has anyone else noticed that anytime since season one that there’s been a dramatic scene involving Drago specifically, it almost invariably takes place in a bathroom? Is this just a weird quirk of the director or is this just some weird ancient dragon thing that I don’t know about? Questions for later, but now, it’s time for the moment we’ve all been waiting for.
Once again, it’s time to reveal our current leader in the race to become the first ever Wes’s Blogs & Reviews Lucha Underground MVP. And, with five points, including two matches of the night, two spots of the night, and one segment of the night, the award goes to…
MARTY “THE MOTH” MARTINEZ
Yes it’s true, after his amazing performance in the Weapons of Mass Destruction match way back in episode two, Marty took an early lead, and his involvement in the five-on-five match tonight was enough to push the creepy bastard to the top. But before we get to his Lucha Underground accolades, let’s talk for a minute about the man behind the maniac, Martin Casaus. I remember back when Martin was a contestant on WWE Tough Enough, and even back then, I could see his great potential. Tragically, a freak injury forced Casaus out of the competition, but was praised for his work by the host of the show, the legendary Stone Cold Steve Austin, and was the only contestant allowed to hang his own belt on the wall, a symbolic gesture which meant a contestant was eliminated from the competition. Once I heard that Marty was coming to Lucha Underground, I was excited to see him in action once again, and when he finally showed up, he did not disappoint. As a character, the metamorphosis of the moth has been fascinating to watch. He started out in season one as an awkward dork who looked in every regard to be in over his head, but in season two, when Marty’s Joker-like “Creepy Bastard” persona started to take shape, he really came into his own as one of the most twisted and sadistic heels in the temple. Whether it’s tormenting Sexy Star until she breaks or going to war with Killshot, the Moth’s great talent both in the ring and in front of the camera has allowed him to flutter to great height in the temple and it doesn’t look like he’ll be coming down anytime soon. The question remains though, with his two biggest competitors, Prince Puma and Chavo Guerrero, seemingly gone from the Temple, who, if anyone can swat this insidious insect off the top spot? Will it be Dario Cueto, who despite being a non-competitor, is actually tied with Marty in points on backstage segments alone? Will it be Drago, who’s trailing right behind Marty with four points, a promising storyline and a good chance of winning Aztec Warfare next week, or perhaps Marty’s old nemesis, Sexy Star who currently has three points, will be the one to squash this bug. Anything is possible in Lucha Underground, but if things keep going like this, we could be living in the Age of the Moth for some time. Final Thoughts: Thus far, this is easily my favorite episode of season three. Every match, every storyline, every backstage segment, every joke delivered and then some. Sure Grave Consequences didn’t quite measure up to its predecessors but let’s face it, those are some big shoes to fill, just ask Matt Striker. But in any case, while this week gave us three incredibly fun matches, the real fun hasn’t even started yet, because next week, it’s time, for AZTEC WARFARE!!!