Lucha Underground Report
April 8, 2015
Taped in Los Angeles, Calif.
Episode #22 aired on El Rey Network
Report by Joel Dehnel, PWTorch contributor

The show opened with a video package featuring Ivelisse, Son of Havoc, Big Ryck, Sexy Star, Pentagon, Jr., Prince Puma, and Hernandez. Opening credits rolled which brought us to The Temple to begin the show.

Backstage: Dario showed Puma and Konnan the Trios title. He told Puma he must from two partners to tag with him. Dario said King Cuerno will be Puma's opponent tonight so he should find some partners before the match. He then added that the Lucha Underground Title would be on the line tonight.

Announcers: Striker and Vampiro welcomed the audience to the show. Striker recapped the previous trios match.

In-ring: Santos introduced the team of Angélico, Son of Havoc, and Ivelisse for the opening contest. Next out was Drago, AeroStar, and Fenix.

1 -- ANGÉLICO & SON OF HAVOC & IVELISSE vs. DRAGO & AEROSTAR & FENIX - Trios Tag Tournament match

Angélico and Fenix started the match. Fenix stomped Angélico's back, then gave him a chop. Ivelisse made the tag and slapped Fenix. Fenix went to slam Ivelisse then kicked Angélico. Drago tagged in and hit a springboard DDT. Drago tagged Fenix, then drove his knees into Angélico. AeroStar was lifted onto Fenix's shoulders then dropped onto Angélico. Ivelisse kicked AeroStar, then Son of Havoc tagged in to loud chant. He hit a standing Shooting Star Press, then taunted Ivelisse. She slapped Havoc for the tag then hit a DDT on AeroStar.

Ivelisse yelled at Havoc, then Angélico tagged in. Later, AeroStar dove outside and accidentally hit Drago. Ivelisse hit a DDT on Fenix, then Havoc hit a Senton bomb onto the outside. Ivelisse kicked Fenix, then climbed the top to jump on everyone outside. Fenix drove his knee into Angélico, then drove his elbow into him.

Drago brought Havoc back into the ring to more 'This is Awesome' chants. Havoc hit springboard elbows on AeroStar and Drago, then went for the tag to Ivelisse, but she walked away. Havoc hit a shooting star press to secure the pin.

WINNERS: Son of Havoc & Angélico & Ivelisse at 8:13.

[Break]

Backstage: Prince Puma was training until he was interrupted by Konnan. Konnan said he has the perfect partner in mind for him - Hernandez. He then said he still needs one more. Suddenly, Johnny Mundo appeared and said he found another partner already. They shook hands. Konnan said he told Puma not to trust him, but if he steps out of line Hernandez will get him, and if not him he will.

In-ring: Santos introduced Super Fly already in the ring. His opponent tonight is Sexy Star.

Dario interrupted them and said he knows that Sexy Star and Super Fly are friends but tonight they must have no mercy with each other. In order for that to happen they must have something to fight for so this match will be mask vs. mask.

[Break]

2 -- SEXY STAR vs. SUPER FLY - Mask vs. Mask

Star gained the early advantage with an armbar. Fly turned it into a headlock then tripped her. They tripped each other until they reached a stalemate. Fly kicked Star in the head, then shoulder-blocked her. Star kicked Fly, then planted his face. Star grabbed his mask and threw him around the ring. Fly got up and hit a hard chop. He put her in the corner, then Star leaped off for a huracanrana. Star with an armdrag, then a cross-body to the outside.

Star chopped Fly on the outside, then hit the Codebreaker. She screamed, then mounted Fly for a few elbow hits. Fly knocked her off and hit a forearm then a leg drop. Star pulled threw and hit a DDT. Fly picked her up for a powerbomb, but missed a moonsault. Star rolled him for for the win.

WINNER: Sexy Star at 5:58.

[Break]

In-ring: Sexy Star and Super Fly shook hands. Fly got on his knees and begged Star to take his mask. Star took off his mask, then hugged Star. He received a standing ovation. Pentagon, Jr. then attacked Star from behind, then hit a Package Piledriver on Super Fly and 'broke' his arm.

[Break]

In-ring: Santos introduced the main event. First out was Prince Puma wearing an animal's fur similar to King Cuerno. He was accompanied by Hernandez and Johnny Mundo. Next out was King Cuerno. Cuerno's partners for the tournament were revealed as Cage and Texano.

[Break]

3 -- Lucha Underground champion PRINCE PUMA (w/Johnny Mundo & Hernandez) vs. KING CUERNO - Lucha Underground Championship

They locked up quickly until Cuerno put pressure on the elbow. Puma broke free, but was trapped again by Cuerno. Puma went for some kicks, but Cuerno escaped the ring. He tried to get back in, but was kicked out. Puma dove outside, but was caught by Cage and Texano, then thrown down. Puma took a neckbreaker, then Cuerno stood over him. He brought Puma back into the ring, then kicked his leg, followed by landing a dropkick.

Cuerno stomped on Puma, then kicked his back and landed a clothesline in the corner. While the ref was distracted by Cuerno, his partners attacked Puma. Puma fought back with a Superman Punch and a flurry of punches. Puma lifted Cuerno over the apron and then jumped onto him into the outside. Mundo entered the ring and hit a corkscrew onto Cage and Texano. (Everyone in the pool, apparently.)

Hernandez told Puma to get up and willed him into the ring. Puma tried to jump on Cuerno, but he collapsed. Puma hit a side slam for a two count. Puma missed a 450 splash, then Cuerno hit a series of suplexes. The crowd burst into 'This is Awesome' chants again. Puma kicked Cuerno after Hernandez thunder-clapped him. Puma told Hernandez he needs to do this himself, then hit a splash from the top for the win.

WINNER: Prince Puma at 9:03 to retain the LU Title.

Post-match: Cage attacked Prince Puma, resulting in an all-out brawl.

FINAL THOUGHTS: The commentary has its strengths and weaknesses but without a shadow of a doubt it was far superior to anything we heard on Monday. Matt Striker really sold the idea of a luchador losing his mask as a big deal. He did the best he could to give the match meaning with zero build. On the other hand, Vampiro sounds a little too reminiscent of JBL. All action is just so awesome and every brawl is awesome. Vampiro and Striker often clash on commentary, where Striker wants to take it more seriously while Vampiro wants to have fun... The 'This is Awesome' stuff is indy and WWE gaga that really doesn't help get a product to the next level. The next revolution in wrestling is going to be a company that shies away from "isn't this just fun entertainment" to a company that has a constitution to rules and makes wins and losses mean something. Lucha Underground puts on a really good product every week, but they need to cut down on the high spots and shift back to limiting the gimmick matches and build to matches instead of giving them away on that show and even next week. They need to take some time and build a program week by week such as what is being done with the trios tag tournament.

SUMMARY RESULTS: (1) Son of Havoc & Ivelisse & Angélico advanced in the Trios Tag Tournament... (2) Super Fly lost his mask... (3) Prince Puma retained his championship via pinfall.

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