Lucha Underground Season 3 Episode 27: Fade to Black

Before we get started this week, I do believe that it is only fair that I address the fact that there was no article last week. No particular reason, I just had a lot going on in my personal life at the time and so I just was unable to find the time. I didn’t have too much to say about the episode anyway so it’s no big deal. But, I feel I should at least give you last week’s awards so we can keep up with the scoring.

Match of the Night: I ended up giving it to Paul London vs. Mil Muertes. This was equal parts wrestling match and Bugs Bunny cartoon, if Elmer Fudd bulked up and became an undead luchador with an evil succubus dominatrix in his corner. Mil chasing him around the ring only for Paul to either evade him or hit him with a series of stiff kicks made for an entertaining experience.

Spot of the Night: It’s a little bit of a cheat calling this the spot of the night because it’s neither a wrestling move nor something that happened during a match, but there weren’t too many in-match spots that stood out to me so I gave the nod to Marty stabbing Fenix multiple times with a rusty fork. The hardcore match junkie in me really appreciated.

Segment of the Night: While the scene with Texano in the bar was nicely done, I gotta give it to Fenix and Aerostar in the gym. It’s nice seeing these two interact and the references to Aerostar’s time travel ability were interesting. I especially liked Aerostar’s sheepish, half-hearted “good luck” gesture when Fenix asked if Aerostar saw his victory in the future.

But enough of last week, let’s get down to business and see what Uncle Lucha has in store for us this week. (Come to think of it, Uncle Lucha would be a really good nickname for Vampiro.)

We open with Prince Puma standing on top of the Temple, still hearing the voices in his head. As an aside, I quite like how Puma’s mask seems to be getting progressively darker in each episode, signifying his descent to the dark side. Anywho, Puma flashes back to Mil putting his mentor in a casket, Mil defeating him for the title, and his defeat at the hands of Rey Mysterio. Speaking of Uncle Lucha, Vampiro joins Puma on the roof telling him the voices won’t go away simply with peace and quiet. The only way to extinguish his demons permanently is for Puma to recapture the Lucha Underground Title, otherwise, the visions will consume him. From the rooftop, Puma spots the World Wide Underground entering the arena. PJ Black, Puma’s opponent for the evening, catches a glimpse of Puma and, like the class act that he is, flips him the bird. Puma just stoically brushes this off and vows not to lose.

Match #1: Pindar vs. Cage: Cueto Cup 2nd Round Match

Out first, none other than the rambunctious, ravaging, reviled, rowdy, rabid, ravenous, ruthless, reptilian rudo, Pindar. (Sorry Kobra, I decided to let someone else have a turn with the alliteration this week, Love You ;*) Out next, the literal Deus Ex Machina or God in the Machine, they call him Cage. As we can see, Cage still brandishes the deadly gauntlet gifted to him by Dario Cueto that has granted him power beyond measure and reason. However, when Cage is asked to remove the gauntlet by the referee, Cage refuses, showing the power is starting to tighten its hold over his mind more and more with each passing day. With no other choice, the ref disqualifies the Machine

Winner by DQ: Pindar

After the match, if it could indeed be called such a thing, an incensed Cage goes after the referee and lays him out with a devastating slam. Pindar may be moving on in the tournament, but it is Cage who stands tall at the end. I can’t say I’m all too thrilled with this outcome, especially because I was looking forward to this match as well as matches Cage could potentially have had later in the bracket, but I’m intrigued by where this storyline is going, so I’ll let it slide.

Match #2: Son of Havoc vs. Dante Fox Cueto Cup 2nd Round Match

Dante Fox comes out first, followed by Son of Havoc, but before the bearded biker can make it to the ring, the setup for a million terribly dated “This Is Sparta” jokes, Son of Madness attacks him from behind with a chain around our hero’s throat. The two brawl amongst the believers until, using that very same steel chain, Madness leaves Havoc in a broken pile on the bleachers, much the delight of Fox. Just as we thought we were about to get cheated out of another great match, Dario Cueto emerges from his office, saying that he’s not about to postpone this match. So, Havoc has a choice. Either forfeit or fight. Naturally, Havoc being who he is, he chooses fight without a moment’s hesitation. Despite Havoc’s injury, these two put on one hell of a match. Both fighters have proven themselves in the temple. Havoc has been here sicne day one and has earned the respect of the believers whereas Dante’s raw talent has earned him similar praise in a much shorter period of time. These two put on a heck of an exciting show with both brawling and high-flying skill on display. However, ultimately, the attack from Madness caught up with him and Dante took advantage.

Winner: Dante Fox

Later, we see PJ Black meeting up with the rest of the World Wide Underground to welcome their newest member, a Paul Heyman-y looking fellow by the name of Benjamin Cook. Benjie here is the World Wide Underground’s new official representation who plans to aide the team in rising even higher in the company than they already have. I gotta say, at first this Benjamin guy really rubbed me the wrong way, but upon re-watching the episode for the article, I’ve come around on him and find him absolutely endearing. I love how he pours on the compliments to Mundo a bit too thick and yet gives absolutely none to Ricky Mandel. This guy is seriously amazing!

Main Event: Prince Puma vs. PJ Black Cueto Cup 2nd Round Match

This match… holy shit! This… this was amazing. This was a work of art. This was a beautifully executed dance. This was every reason I love Lucha Underground and more. These two extraordinarily talented Luchadores brought their A+ game to this one and it really showed. Counter after counter, move after move, it was just non-stop. I want to give this match a hug and say thank you. Puma of course is well documented as one of the best in the temple, if not all of professional wrestling, but the real MVP of this one is PJ Black, who proved to the world that he is a forced to be reckoned with and more than just Johnny Mundo’s stooge but rather, a phenomenal wrestler in his own right. However, Even PJ’s amazing skill could not overcome Prince Puma and the Boyle Heights native picked up the win after a devastating 630 splash. Winner: Prince Puma

Our show ends in Dario’s office where Dario, just getting off the phone, welcomes PJ. Apparently, despite only five minutes having passed between the end of the match and now, Benjamin Cooke has called Dario seventeen times trying get him another opportunity and the only reason he stopped was because a frustrated Dario unplugged his phone. Dario unfortunately cannot re-enter PJ in the tournament, but he and Benjie did come up with an idea. Next week, the Darewolf PJ Black will have another opportunity to prove himself when he takes on the number one contender to the Lucha Underground Title, Rey Mysterio.

Match of The Night: I’m fairly certain this goes without saying, but match of the night definitely goes to Puma vs. PJ. This match was amazing and a strong contender for best match all season. This is the PJ Black I’ve been waiting for ever since he arrived in Lucha Underground and the fact that he was able to look that strong against the first ever Lucha Underground Champion shows that he’s more than worthy of holding that title himself.

Spot of the Night: I really Enjoyed Puma’s rolling DDT followed up by a standing moonsault. Puma has always had this innate ability to make any sequence of moves look like poetry in motion and this is no acception.

Segment of the Night: Hands down, giving it to PJ in Dario Cueto’s office. Dario’s frustration with Benjamin Cooke’s constant phone calls made me laugh. I’d love it if this became a recurring gag on the show.

Final Thoughts: Despite a weak start that left me feeling cheated out of a match with a great deal of potential, the main event more than made up for it and left us with an episode I absolutely loved.