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The 7 - Pro Wrestling - Lucha Underground #7 - 12/10/2014
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#1 Posted on 11.12.14 2048.31
Reposted on: 11.12.21 2050.36
If you haven't seen this show yet, stop reading this and go watch the ladder match main event. Seriously, it's that good.


Last week, Sexy Star picked up a victory but was denied the revenge she seeks against Chavo Guerrero Jr. Meanwhile, Dario Cueta announced a $100,000 ladder match between Johnny Mundo, Prince Puma, and Big Ryck.

This week, we start off with King Cuerno making his way to the ring in full regalia. Vampiro relays a message from Cuerno describing his tope suicida as being like "an arrow shot from the depths of hell". There really should be more wrestlers putting over their signature moves from time to time.

Cuerno's opponent is Super Fly and, knowing absolutely nothing about the man other than his name is Super Fly and his mask looks kind of cheap, I assume this is going to be a jobber squash. Vampiro begs to differ, insisting that Super Fly has made his mark in Mexico over the past 5 or so years and is one of the premiere high flying superstars, whom people are copying left, right, and center. I'm still wouldn't bet on him.

King Cuerno drops Super Fly with an early clothesline and then stomps him into the ground. Super Fly tries to come back with a chop but Cuerno shushes him with punches and then a big back drop. Meanwhile, we see Drago perched on the balcony, stalking the hunter.

Cuerno hits a big drop kick while Vampiro marks out over Striker using the word gargoyle to describe Drago. Cuerno gets a 2 count after another clothesline but misses his next attempt and gets caught in a head scissors takedown.

Super Fly fires up but is immediately cut off with a single leg leg trip and a standing drop kick. Cuerno spots Drago and taunts him by flexing while Striker claims Cuerno is "completely unaware of Drago's existence."

Matt Striker informs us that Super Fly took the mask of "the legendary" Super Calo in a mask in Mexico. I'm sure cfbg will be delighted to hear of that, though it wasn't specified if he took the hat as well.

Lots of back and forth flippy dodging, then Super Fly catches King Cuerno with a springboard lucha armdrag. Cuerno tries to catch Super Fly in the ropes but misses due to a 619 used as an evasive maneuver, sending high highness to the floor. Not much of a breather, however, as Super Fly finally lives up to his name with a springboard backflip over the top, landing on his feet on the concrete. The crowd is hot at this point.

Back in the ring, Super Fly plays to the crowd, allowing Cuerno to recover. A waistlock is reversed and Cuerno nails his opponent with flying double knees. He follows up with another clothesline and then a flying enzuigiri, before staring down Drago and hitting the Thrill of the Hunt for the victory. Afterward, Drago makes the throat slashing maneuver, letting Cuerno know that he's coming for him. Perfectly fine match. Just because the bout has no significance storyline-wise doesn't mean we can't have some perfectly good wrestling.

Back from commercial, we get a promo video for Pentagon Jr. The announcer informs us that lucha libre "encompasses all fighting styles", as we see La Parka being awarded a belt, followed by a wrestler I don't know, then Arthurian knights, Aztec warriors, and a ninja.

As we watch Pentagon Jr. sparking in the ring, we learn that he thought he had it made, being born in the Mecca of lucha libre. However, he discovered that in order to learn not just how to fight, but how to win, he had to travel to Japan. We get a brief history lesson about how martial arts were developed because the poor weren't allowed to carry weapons. We then watch as the luchadore spars with several martial artists, culminating in him breaking a man's arm via a Fujiwara armbar. "He is at the apex of thousands of years of the best training int he world... and he is better than they ever were. He is... Pentagon Jr ...and he has zero fear."

Initially, I thought this was the first cheesily produced misstep of the series, then it dawned on me that this was intentionally stylized as a homage to old martial arts movies. The only thing missing were visible wires.

After that hype, it only makes sense that we see Pentagon Jr next. And we do! Acting as Chavo Guerrero's second? Chavo's opponent is Fenix, accompanied by Sexy Star.

Fans start off by chanting "Let's Go Chavo!", rightfully showing respect for the workhorse of the show who has wrestled more matches than anyone else in Lucha Underground, this being his fifth in seven episodes. A dueling "Let's Go Fenix!" chant soon pics up and the crowd is hot for a Chavo Guerrero match.

The kick things off with some chain wrestling until Fenix lands a flipping dropkick. He panders to the crowd a bit too much, however, and gets a boot to the gut for his troubles. Fenix immediately regains the advantage with another dropkick and then locks in a modified Fujiwara armbar. (Did I note that the previous match didn't have a single resthold?)

Fenix tosses Chavo into the corner via a hurricanrana and then goes for a springboard double knees, but Chavo catches him and rolls through into a single leg Boston Crab which Striker calls as the White Out, referring to Chavo's short lived gimmick as white supremacist Kerwin White. (Students of the game will recall that Kerwin White hired a pre-Spirit Squad Nick Nemeth to serve as his caddy. How many people rightly predicted that that man would go on to become a world heavyweight champion and one of the most over superstars on the entire WWE roster?)

Fenix manages to make the ropes, despite Pentagon's attempts to pull the bottom rope back. Chavo wrap's Fenix's leg around the ring post and then covers him for two, before continuing to work the leg. Fenix attempts to come back with kicks but Chavo turns him inside out with a double axe handle to the face. Chavo acts like his own leg is hurt. They attempt to recreate the 619 as a evasive maneuver from the previous match but Chavo gets tangled up in the ropes and clumsily rolls out to the floor.

Pentagon grabs Fenix' foot but fails to subdue the other foot as it crashes into his face. Fenix then takes so long getting to the top rope that Pentagon would have had time to get himself and Chavo a hot dog. Instead, the eat a corkscrew dive. Sexy Star comes to check on Fenix as the crowd loudly counts to ten. Fenix rolls Chavo back into the ring but springboards into a Guerrero drop kick. Two count for Chavo.

Chavo resumes working the leg as the dueling chant continues. Guerrero goes for a monkeyflip but gets caught and is sat on the top rope. Jumping palm thrust from Fenix, followed by a springboard side kick. Sexy Star leaps up on the apron to protest the interference from Pentagon Jr that hasn't occurred yet, allowing the super ninja to crotch Fenix on the top rope. Chavo immediately goes to the top and hits a really high frog splash for the win.

As Chavo's music plays, Sexy Star gets on the mic and informs the third generation star that she isn't finished with him. "He's coming back. And he's coming back for jew, pendejo." I presume she's referring to Blue Demon, but I don't recall Kerwin White ever been portrayed as Jewish.

After another commercial break, we get a promo video for Cage. I know nothing about this guy other than he is absolutely jacked but landed a decent looking springboard moonsault. Apparently Chris Kanyon personally gave the Mortis gimmick to him. He's also been signed to WWE developmental a couple of times, but never lasted long. He also appeared on TNA a couple of times in losing efforts. The guy has a phenomenal look and didn't seem to suck in his heavily produced promo, so I'm surprised he isn't on TV somewhere. He looks like he could believably throw Baron Corbin and Bull Dempsey out of the ring at the same time, one in each arm.

Introductions of the main event start with slightly more than 25 minutes left in the show, so this should be good. Big Ryck is out first, without his homeboys. Johnny Mundo is next out, Dario Cueta's key hanging around his neck. Finally, Puma comes down the stairs. Once again, Konnan accompanies him to the top of the stairs but then returns to the back. Did the budget not have enough left in it to get Konnan to become physically involved at any point?

The bell rings with 22m18s to go. Striker references the very first match between Dan Kroffat and Tor Kamata as Puma and Mundo double team Ryck with punches. Big Ryck quickly bails and Puma and Mundo immediately go after one another.

Mundo eventually gets the advantage with a leg lariat and then a running knee to the face. He goes for a ladder but is jumped from behind by Ryck, who beats him down in front of Danny Trejo, who's sitting front row. (If the WWE wants to bring in guest stars ago, why not Trejo? He has a connection with Hornswoggle via The Muppets, and even at 70 years old, I'd have to seriously consider betting on Trejo if he got into a fight with Brock Lesnar.)

Ryck lays the ladder on the apron but Puma has recovered and baseball slides into the weapon, dropping Ryck. Puma then smartly slides the ladder into the ring and sets it up. Mundo quickly sneaks back in and pulls Puma off the ladder. He whips Puma into the ropes but Puma slides under a punch and beneath the ladder. Mundo shoves the ladder at Puma, but big dog Puma dodges and hits a superman punch like the juggernaut he is.

Vampiro declares that "Mike Tyson ain't got nothin' on Puma", which compels me to urge you to watch The Mike Tyson Mysteries on Adult Swim. I've only seen the first episode so far (of the five that have aired) but it was excellent. The initial plot revolves around Mike Tyson trying to find the missing ending to Cormac McCarthy's latest novel.

Puma lays into Mundo with kicks, then sets the ladder back up and starts climbing once again. Mundo goes up the other side and they battle back and forth before Big Ryck unceremoniously dumps them both to the mat. He then folds the ladder up and uses it as a battering ram to send both opponents out to the floor. After setting the ladder up once again, he tries to scale the ladder but gives up after two rungs and motions for Mr. Cisco and Cortez Castro to come do the dirty work for him. It should be noted that these aren't the fancy, shiny, reinforced ladders that the WWE uses. These are grimy aluminum ladders that legitimately look like they were stolen from a parking lot in East LA. It's entirely conceivable that Big Ryck was concerned that the ladder would buckle under his 300+ lbs.

As the minions start to ascend, Puma and Mundo hit a double enzuigiri on the boss. They drag him to the floor where Mundo beats him down as Puma goes to take care of Castro & Cisco. Cortez is tossed out to the floor then the two faces dump the ladder, sending Cisco flying onto his compadres.

Mundo is nearly whipped into the ladder, which now lays at an angle against the ropes, but manages to stop short, Puma then charges him and is backdropped onto the ladder, hitting it a second time as he bounces to the mat. "Holy Shit!" chant from the crowd, as Mundo repositions the ladder and runs up it, somersaulting onto the heels still on the floor.

Mundo pulls a table out from under the ring. Through the miracle of editing, a second table suddenly appears, as they're set up side-by-side inches away from Danny Trejo.

Vampiro: "If you look at Danny Trejo, he's got the eyes of a man who's been in the back streets of Boyle Heights, brother, and tables mean one thing and one thing only. You said it, we all know it. It means pain."

Huh. To me, a table usually means a decent dinner.

After setting up the tables, Mundo takes a moment to clubber Puma, who's laying on the apron, then repositions a 15' ladder that's set up at ringside. He lays Cisco across the tables and climbs the ladder, but Puma intercepts and grabs the leg. Puma climbs to the top rope and is equal heights with Mundo. Cisco gets the hell out of dodge, knowing what's coming next, but Puma grabs Mundo by the hair and jumps back, hanging him across the top rope. Puma dives for Mundo, but Johnny ducks and Puma soars through the ladder, onto Big Ryck and the boys.

Mundo tries to throw the huge ladder onto Puma but he again fits perfectly between the legs and it crashes to the floor harmlessly. Johnny jumps off with a flying punch but Puma evades, runs back into the ring and immediately starts setting up another ladder. Puma may be the smartest competitor in the history of ladder matches.

Mundo intercepts before he can even stand the ladder up and they begin a tug-o-war. You would think that Mundo would have the advantage, being considerably larger than Puma, but Puma seems to sense this and uses Mundo's momentum against him, ramming him into the corner. He then walks up the ladder to kick Mundo in the head, then resumes setting up the ladder to go for the cash.

Puma is slow to climb the ladder, though, and Mundo isn't out after all, meeting up on the other side. They trade punches before Johnny gets his fingertips on the briefcase, but Puma stops him with a shot to the gut, followed by an Ace Crusher off the ladder, drawing another "Holy Shit!" chant from the crowd.

As both men lay prone, Big Ryck resurfaces, tossing Puma into the corner one handed and laying in the boots while Cortez & Cisco set up another ladder, bridging it between the first ladder and the top rope. Mundo is whipped into the bridge, then catapulted face first into the ladder from below.

First Puma, then Mundo, attempt to fight back but are quickly overpowered by Big Ryck. Meanwhile, Castro & Cisco bridge a ladder between the apron and something else at ringside. "Culero!" chant for Big Ryck, which basically translates to "Asshole!"

Ryck tends to Puma on the floor while Cortez and Cisco back Mundo into a corner in the ring. They set Mundo up for a double superplex across the bridged ladder. Mundo manages to shove Castro off, as Danny Trejo gets the hell out of his seat which is dangerously close to the tables behind Johnny. "Shades of Ric Flair!" shouts Vampiro, as Mundo presses Cisco off the top, through the double tables.

Ryck sees what happened and returns to the ring, grabbing a ladder, but Mundo has a ladder of his own. Mexican standoff ensues until Mundo throws his ladder at Big Ryck, smashing his fingers and causing him to drop his own weapon. Mundo assaults the larger man with a barrage of punches, then a kick to the back of the head, but Puma interrupts with a springboard double knee to Johnny.

Puma and Cortez go toe to toe in the ring, with Castro getting the advantage. He sets Puma up on the turnbuckle, with a table nearby, aiming for a superplex but getting double-kneed through the table instead. Puma's comeback is short-lived, however, as he catches a ladder to the face courtesy of Johnny Mundo.

Johnny goes for the briefcase but is immediately shoved off the ladder by Big Ryck. Mundo stupidly goes for a test of strength via the ladder but is immediately bullrushed into the corner. However, his legs are long enough to kick the boss through the ladder, then slams the side of the ladder into Ryck, pushing him off. He then leapfrogs over the ladder with a corkscrew dive. Starship Pain onto Ryck who's laying across a ladder, followed by a 630 senton splash courtesy of the Prince.

In the first logic defying point of a match-style that normally completely defies logic, Puma, all alone in the ring, decides to wedge the ladder into the corner and then drags Mundo back into the ring, prompting a "Use the ladder!" chant from the crowd. He drapes Mundo across the ladder, which is bridged across the middle ropes in the corner, then climbs to the top, but gets kicked in the face by Mundo. Mundo then stands on the ladder and it looks like we're going to get a superplex but Puma reverses and drops Mundo face first across the ladder.

Mundo ends up lying on the bridge again but Ryck is on his feet, so Puma leaps off with the double knees once again. It looks like Ryck is supposed to catch him but the move is botched, but at least they make it look like Ryck powerbombed Puma instead. He then lifts him up in the air and intentionally powerbombs him on top of Mundo.

Book of Ezekial from the last man to hold the ECW championship. Ryck then gorilla presses Puma and THROWS HIM THROUGH THE LADDER THAT HAS BEEN BRIDGED AT RINGSIDE, SNAPPING THE LADDER IN HALF! Massive "HOLY SHIT!" chant from the crowd at this point, as Striker shouts "HE BROKE THE F'N LADDER!"

Ryck then sets up two ladders side by side and begins to climb, one foot on each, as Striker declares that it's been a great match and thanks everyone for watching. Ryck is cautious in his ascent, however, as the ladders are legitimately shaking as if they might fall over. However, Johnny Mundo (who's back is several shades redder than it was when this match began), makes it back in the ring and shakes the ladders to freeze Ryck in his tracks. Ryck swipes at Mundo repeatedly but Johnny stays just out of reach, before prying the ladders apart and kicking Big Ryck squar in the balls.

Mundo appears to have the match won until an unknown luchadore (who initially looks like Pentagon Jr except that he's wearing camouflage jorts) comes into the ring, attacks the ref, and pulls Mundo off of the ladder. Striker acts as if he thinks it's a fan and asks why they're filming this, as the assailant throws Mundo face first into the ladders. He then rips off his mask and Striker suddenly seems to recognize him. (I believe it's B-Boy.) He seems to be working with Big Ryck, but Mundo pulls him out of the ring and superkicks him next to Danny Trejo.

Meanwhile, Ryck has recovered (bringing up the question of the effects of steroids on one's testicles) and has set up ladders in the ring. This time, he orders Castro & Cisco to get the money while he tries to keep Mundo from making it back into the ring. Mundo manages to dodge a whiffing punch from Ryck, however, and snaps his neck off the ropes. He then catapults to one of the ladders, kicks over the ladder containing Ryck's henchmen, and removes the briefcase for the $100,000 victory as the crowd erupts.

This match was absolutely phenomenal and one of the most logically laid out, yet full of spots, ladder matches that I have ever witnessed. Absolutely phenomenal. At any point in time, all three competitors were believable potential winners and the crowd was hot for the entire thing.

As Mundo celebrates, Dario Cueto steps out of his office with a mic. He congratulates Cueto and says he hopes they can have a lucrative business relationship for now on. He says that since Johnny got paid, it's time for him to return the insurance policy, referring to the key that Mundo stole in the previous episode. Cueto demands the key, imploring Mundo to be a gentleman. Mundo sets down the briefcase and takes off the key as Dario orders him to "put it around my neck!". Mundo responds with a straight right hand to the face which knocks Cueto unconscious. He then drops the key across Cueto's chest as the credits rolls.

Striker: Well, next week Johnny Mundo's going to find himself on the indies, but I'm not so sure what next week holds for Dario Cueto.

Vampiro (wondefully understated): I do, brother, he's going to wake up with a black eye.

Absolutely outstanding show. If there were an award for the single best episode of wrestling for the year, this would absolutely be the front runner. Absolutely perfect in every possible way. This is wrestling the way it should have been done for many years.
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Matt Tracker
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#2 Posted on 12.12.14 0821.22
Reposted on: 12.12.21 0822.47
I love that Ryck is a legit monster who nevertheless uses flunkies to give him an edge.
thecubsfan
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#3 Posted on 12.12.14 1113.16
Reposted on: 12.12.21 1116.16

    (I believe it's B-Boy.)


Nailed it. It appeared he was using the name "Bael" on future episodes.

Ladder match was really great. I think you're watching this on YouTube (or if anyone else is) - on el Rey, the show ended five minutes early. That totally confused me for a couple moments until I realized they moved one of the commercial breaks from the interior of the show until after it, so they could have that unbroken ~25 ladder match without disrupted the flow of the rest of the show. Raw constantly breaking up matches takes me out of them. I spend the first half of them not paying attention until after someone's down on the other side and Cole goes to his "rolling on!" voice, because nothing matters until they come back from the break. Ladder matches aren't going to end in five minutes here, but it makes them more interesting if the first half is treated like it counts.

(Plus, it suggests El Rey is willing to let them try things, since no way you can do that without an ok.)

Loved the Pentagon Jr. vignette. This week was heavy on the in-ring and low on the backstage (just really the Pentagon and Cage vignettes.) Next week looks heavy on the matches too, but it also kicks off a new plotline so maybe we'll have to visit Dario's office again.
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#4 Posted on 12.12.14 1543.28
Reposted on: 12.12.21 1543.37
    Originally posted by thecubsfan
    I think you're watching this on YouTube (or if anyone else is) - on el Rey, the show ended five minutes early. That totally confused me for a couple moments until I realized they moved one of the commercial breaks from the interior of the show until after it, so they could have that unbroken ~25 ladder match without disrupted the flow of the rest of the show.


I'm watching through slightly less scrupulous means. It does include the "gong" sound they use going into and out of commercial. I've learned to briefly pause at those points in order to get a better feel for the intended pacing of the show.

As far as I can recall, they've never broken up a match with a commercial break. This was, by far, the longest match they've had yet, so moving the commercial break to the end was a very nice touch. It's as if they realize that people watch wrestling to see wrestling.

In fact, this show featured one of the rare instances of a section between commercial breaks that didn't feature a single match, as they went to commercial immediately before the Pentagon Jr video and then cut to commercial between the introductions of Chavo vs Fenix and the actual start of the match.

Incidentally, Big Ryck did a Reddit AMA that I completely missed two days ago. He confirms that they do the next set of tapings next month
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