The Hydden View: Lucha Underground a Two Week Review

We have now seen two episodes of Lucha Underground. For those who have not heard of Lucha Underground (can’t imagine there is many), it is aired Wednesday nights on the El Rey network. The El Rey Network has the ability to reach up to 40 million people, with the different television deals it has. I have watched both episodes and will share my opinion and views on the quality so far.

Production Quality: The way the show is produced makes it unique to any other wrestling program on television. It is designed almost like a soap opera with backstage story lines having the visual quality of a show like “Law & Order”. The picture is a tad grainy which adds an edge to the show. It is filmed in what they call the temple, which helps with the image of the show being an underground production.

My View: This show will attract many because of its style and production. They have put a great deal of time into making it look like it’s really underground production

Match Quality:

In two hours of wrestling (1 ½ hours if you remove commercials) we have seen six matches. In those six matches though we have only seen ten different wrestlers. We have seen two matches where men have wrestled women. Son of Havoc vs. Sexy Star in week one, and week two was a mixed tag match, Havov & Ivelisse vs. Chavo Guerrero, Jr & Sexy Starr. The women have held their own in these matches, with both being very talented. Sexy Starr is an incredible in-ring talent, who has taken a beating from Son of Havok. Some of the work has been stiff at times but watchable. With established wrestlers such as Chavo, Blue Demon, and Johnny Mundo leading the way the quality will get better. Prince Puma has been incredible in the ring; he moves so fast but is also very smooth it’s fun to watch.

My View: The matches will get better I am sure. There using established stars that the casual fan may have heard of. The lucha style may be new to some fans, but it can catch on.

Story Lines: They have done a great job in just two weeks building believable story lines. The owner Dario Cueto (for television purposes) is the evil owner. The first week he offered $100,000.00 to the best wrestler of the night. It was offered to Johnny Mundo only for Cueto to not follow through, and have Mundo and Prince Puma attacked by Cortez Castro & Cisco. The next week we opened with Cisco, Cortez and a new face knows as Big Ryck (Ezekiel Jackson). They continued their feud with Mundo and Prince Puma. A by-line of this feud is the relationship between Konnan and Prince Puma. Konnan is playing the part of Pumas mentor, but they are suggesting Konnan is a bad influence and will corrupt him. Konnan’s character is telling Puma he cannot trust Johnny Mundo, which will put strain on there working relationship. Another actively working storyline is between Blue demon and Chavo. Cueto approached Chavo in the back after week one and scolded him for being from the great Guerrero family and not getting the job done by eliminating Blue Demon. He said he would bring in someone that could, that someone was Mil Muertes, who defeated Blue demon in week two. After their match Mil Muertes continued to beat down Blue Demon. Chavo came out for the save but after he removed Mil Muertes from the ring he attacked Blue Demon, and anyone else that entered the ring including a chair shot to Sexy Star. There is also a story being told between Son of Havoc and Sexy Star but will have to see how that is played out.

My view: The storylines are great so far. Cueto has been part of the two major storylines, and done well with his character. The storylines give a Mexican Mafia type feel with Cueto being the boss and Cisco, Cortez and Big Ryck doing the dirty work. Using Konnan, Chavo, and Johnny Mundo in major storylines with two Mexican stars such as Prince Puma and Blue Demon can only be viewed as what’s best for the show.

Overall Show: The show has been well done. I understand they are using some stars that were already established in AAA, in Mexico. Many of the wrestlers are using new names in Lucha Underground; some are now wearing a mask, which has added to the Lucha part of the show. They have done well at explaining the history of wrestler’s names, and the lucha style. Matt Striker is one of the announcers which will give American fans a familiar voice. His partner is Vampiro which gives the Mexican fans a voice they are familiar with as well.

My view: This show has endless potential, and could catch on with fans. The wrestling is great and believable. AAA and Mark Burnett should be happy with the product so far. Matt Striker has been good on commentary but to me Vampiro is lacking in his ability. Another note I would like to make is this is defiantly not your kid friendly PG WWE show, so please be aware of that if you have children. With homosexual references and even wrestlers smoking in the ring Lucha Underground is going for a new type of fan, and edgier fan. Thanks for reading along, I will continue to follow the show on a weekly basis and see where they go with the product.