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LUCHA UNDERGROUND SEASON TWO FINALE REPORT

By Bill Bodkin on 2016-07-22 09:22:00

Previously on Lucha Underground...

We get a recap of the entire season including:

  • Pentagon's feud with Mantanza Cueto
  • Vampiro rebuilding Pentagon, and Vampiro's own break with reality
  • The evolution of the feud between PJ Black/Johnny Mundo/Jack Evans and Aerostar/Dragon/Fenix
  • Ivelisse's journey through Season 2 of Lucha Underground
  • The history of El Dragon Azecta Jr. and Black Lotus
  • Rey Mysterio's debut in Lucha Underground, and the challenge by Prince Puma

Interstitial #1: We're in a dark, desolate desert area where Vampiro (dressed in his evil pope/master garb) is standing in front of Pentagon Jr. Vampiro tells Pentagon that the man who faced Mantanza was full of fear despite his "Cero Miedo/No Fear" mantra. Vampiro could see it in his eyes then, and he can see it now. If Pentagon truly wants to win, he must kill that fear.

He sends Pentagon inside a cave and we are treated to a hallucinogenic sequence where Pentagon battles mysterious figures that are all dressed like him. He defeats all of them, and then confronts one final "Pentagon"-like figure. The figure tells him to kill his fear and embrace the darkness. Pentagon takes the figure down, and pulls the mask off to reveal Vampiro. Vamp says Pentagon is ready.

Quick Thought: I really dug the way this was shot. It had a Sin City/Rodriguez vibe which I loved. Was it a tad over the top? Sure, but this is the season finale, so I'll take it.

Match #1: Trios Title Match -- Johnny Mundo, PJ Black, Jack Evans (C) vs. Aerostar, Fenix, and Drago

Mundo spits his gum out at Fenix, and then thumbs him in the eye. Johnny hits a back breaker/STO combo followed by a spinning splash. Drago runs in and after a second of miscommunication he hits a satellite DDT. Mundo rolls out, and PJ comes in, sweeps the leg of Drago and double stomps his prone opponent. Black follows up with a knee to Drago's mouth. Black hits a springboard moonsault, but misses. Aerostar runs in and hits a double jump twisting plancha. He trips PJ who falls prone on the middle rope. Aerostar charges for a 619, but instead makes it a swinging karate kick to the head. 

Aerostar springboards in with a second rope spinning splash. PJ rolls out. Jack Evans flies in, and misses a cyclone kick and gets hit with a kick. Aero charges Evans and gets hit with an old school Hot Shot. He rolls up Aerostar, and then punches him straight in the ass, much to the crowd's disgust/delight. Mundo and Fenix come back in and Mundo hits a side kick to Aero's ear.  Fenix comes in clocks PJ who's on the apron with a standing enziguiri. The "super friends" go for a triple splash to the outside but referee Rick Knox stops them because he wants to "maintain order" because no one has made a tag. Of course he barely stops Mundo's team from running back in and jumping everyone. Mundo tags in PJ, and they work over Fenix in the corner. Evans tags in and they still stomp on Fenix. Evans tags in Mundo and he and PJ hit a double gut buster. Black tags in and steps on Fenix's throat. Evans comes in and levels Fenix with a clubbing forearm.  Evans charged Fenix with a diving chop to the groin. Team Mundo hits a triple falling neck breaker but The SuperFriends interrupt the count. Things breakdown and all six men come in. Drago helps Fenix hit a flying rana on Black on the outside. Fenix hits a massive super kick on a flying Evans. Aerostar hits an ungodly Mexican Destroyer on Mundo off the top. Aerostar and Fenix go to the top. Aero stands on Fenix's shoulders and then sails off onto Black, and Evans. Fenix hits frog splash, but only for a two count. 

Mundo rolls up Fenix and hangs onto the ropes, but Fenix is able to kick out at 2. Drago comes in and hits a flying arm drag, Johnny rolls to the outside but Fenix (who was outside the ring) keeps him in with a jump kick. Aerostar flies in with his "arms to the side splash." Drago runs the ropes and hits a tope wiping everyone out.  Fenix hits a springboard 450, Aerostar jumps on top of him -- but Rick Knox is pulled from the ring before he counts three! 

Jack Evans, the smartest guy in the room, pulled him out. Fenix lights Mundo up with two massive cops. He whips Mundo into the ropes and goes for the leap frog but Johnny stops short, and kicks Fenix square in the crotch. Aerostar goes to charge Mundo, but Black trips him and pulls him outside. He levels Aerostar with the Trios Title Belt. Drago goes up to the top, he gets crotched by Evans, and then creamed with the title belt by Black. 

The champs have their belts, they air guitar, and then crack Fenix in the head with three belts. Knox is pushed into the ring and counts 1...2...KICK OUT. PJ Black gets super-annoyed and Mafia kicks Knox in the mush.  Evans and Black do a double stomp to Fenix's crotch.  Black and Evans raise Fenix up, and Mundo hits him for a modified backdrop. The champs celebrate with their belts in the ring. The crowd is loosing their minds booing the champions. 

From the back ANGELICO comes out with his crutches...which he uses to bend over Mundo's head. We can imply that Mundo was the reason Angelico was injured earlier this season. Drago wipes out Evans, while Aerostar springs in to knock Black out of the ring. Aerostar goes for a dive, but front flips onto the apron to save himself since no one was there. Black and Evans try to bring him off the apron, but Star is holding on for dear life. Drago hits the ropes and barely connects with a twisting plancha. Aerostar hits a inverted tucked Shooting Star on Black. Meanwhile Angelico is literally whipping Mundo with his crutches. Fenix charges with a running knee to the back of the head. He hits a wicked Fenix Driver, and Rick Knox comes alive for the 1..2..3.!

Winner: Drago, Fenix, Aerostar -- New Trios Champions.

Post-Match: Angelico smirks, and walks to the back. 

Quick Thoughts: These six men always deliver, and tonight was no different. This was a lot of fun, and the return of Angelico was a nice wrinkle to 1.) cause a title change, and 2.) set up a feud for Season 3 with Mundo and Angelico -- who's been ripe for a singles run for a while now.

Match 2: El Dragon Azteca Jr. vs. Black Lotus

Black Lotus is basically dressed like Gail Kim.  Dragon flies in for a dropkick, but Lotus ducks and Dragon crashes into the turnbuckles. Lotus kicks and forearms Dragon and then whips her into the other corner. Dragon hops to the top rope and backflips over a charging Lotus. The two exchange rolls and leaps until Lotus grabs Dragon in a standing head scissors, and twirls around sending Dragon to the ground. Lotus charges Dragon and, Azteca escapes but gets slammed to the mat by his mask. Lotus climbs to the top rope and flies off the top with a lucha arm drag. 

Lotus charges to the outside, but Dragon slides in. The two miss punches, but Dragon gains advantage by kicking Lotus in the head. Dragon charges up and dives to the outside, but misses big time. Luckily, he rolls through the dive but is met with an enzugiri. Lotus goes to whip Dragon into the rails, but Dragon reverses and Lotus hits HARD. Dragon went to send Lotus into the chairs, but stops and throws her in the ring. Very awkward. Dragon wipes out missing with a splash. Lotus kicks Dragon low and then begins a "Tajiri series" of kicks to a prone Dragon. She then changes to forearms. Lotus charges Dragon, but she gets clobbered with a rolling elbow. Dragon picks her up and dumps her. He climbs to the top, but takes a little too much time. 

Out of nowhere PENTAGON JR. rushes the ring, and knocks Dragon off the rope. He then slams Lotus into the ground, much to Vampiro's delight. Pentagon then BREAKS THE ARM of Lotus. He grabs Dragon off the top rope, and package piledrives Dragon off the top. Pentagon then BREAKS THE ARM of El Dragon Azteca Jr. 

The crowd erupts with cheers, and Vampiro says "This is Pentagon Dark."

Quick Thought: The pacing of this match was a little off, and it never really got out of first gear. Having Pentagon come out and stop the match helps establish his character, but it undercuts the multi-episode build of Dragon/Lotus. Honestly, this was the match I was least looking forward to so, I'm not losing sleep over the finish.

In-Ring Segment: Pentagon Dark is in the ring. He calls out his "master" Vampiro. Pentagon says a year ago he beat his master at Ultima Lucha. Pentagon says Pentagon Jr. thought he "ready" but in reality he wasn't because he was destroyed by Mantanza. That man (Pentagon Jr.) could only feel pain, and frustration. However, his teacher taught him and they went to the darkest places in the universe. Together they faced, and defeated their fears. And now he is here -- stronger, and more powerful than ever. Ian Hodgkinson is dead, destroyed by Vampiro. Pentagon Jr is dead, he has been shattered, and torn apart by someone powerful -- Pentagon Dark.  Pentagon Dark is not like anyone, he is unforgiving, and not afraid...and he kicks ass. Tonight he will destroy Mantanza Cueto. 

Match #2: Lucha Underground Title -- Mantanza Cueto (C) vs. Pentagon Dark -- There Must Be A Winner

The crowd is really losing their minds. Pentagon starts off the match with a diving plancha. Pentagon kicks and chops at Mantanza, then slams Mantanza into the guard rail. He then begins to choke out Mantanza with a mic cable and follows it with a big kick. He whips Mantanza into the rails again. Dario tries talking t his brother, but Pentagon continues his onslaught of kicks and punches. He hits a standing DVD onto the floor. Pentagon takes off his glove, tosses it to Vampiro, and the unmercifully chops Mantanza. Mantanza wakes up and chokes him Pentagon  but Pentagon hits a kick to the leg. Penta continues chopping and kicking the hamstring of the bigger man. He slams Mantanza int the announce table, Vamp flips the chair to Pentagon  who cracks Mantnaza with it. He does a little tribute to La Parka after. 

Pentagon nails him repeatedly with a chair, and then whips Mantanza into the chairs. He continues the kicking and chopping. Mantanza retaliates with some clubbing shots, but they have zero impact. Pentagon super kicks him. The champion is whipped into the wooden chairs a second time. Pentagon raises a wooden chair in the air, and crashes it over the champ's knee. 

The action finally gets into the ring. Mantanza is prone in the ring, and Pentagon Dark does a roll into a falling codebreaker. Mantanza kicks out at two. Mantanza charges Pentagon in the corner but he misses a splash and gets a punt to the gut. Pentagon follows with a SICK lung blower. Pentagon puts a chair in the corner as Dario tries to will his brother back to life. Mantanza botches the whip to the corner but regains composure by sending Pentagon into the chair. He hits a massive slam then hits a standing moonsault followed by a standing Shooting Star. He hits hit patented dead lift rag doll gut wrench German. No pin as the shoulders weren't down. The two me stare each other down. They exchange forearms (Mantanza) and chops (Pentagon). Mantanza charges and eats a super kick. Mantanza is able to hit a spinning slam for a two count. Pentagon goes out and grabs a chair. Mantanza goes for a dive but takes a massive chair shot to the head. Pentagon goes to the top and hits a huge Mexican Destroyer.

Instead of that cover he looks at Vampiro who stalks to the ring with a barbed wire bat. I have a feeling this is a massive mistake. The bat is in now in Pentagon's hands. Dario gets in the ring, and tackles Pentagon Dark. Pentagon goes to break Dario's arm, but Pentagon gets a bat to the back. Mantanza hits Wrath of the Gods for the win.

Winner: Mantanza -- Still Champion

Quick Thoughts: Excellent, excellent match. However, you have to question -- they built this whole rebirth of Pentagon storyline, only for him to lose? Well, maybe there's more to come.

In-Ring: Vampiro comes in to check on Pentagon Dark, and the student lashes out at the teacher. 

Match #4: Taya vs. Ivelisse  -- "To Determine Who's The Baddest B**ch in the Building: 

Ivelisse shoves the ref out of the way and buries her shoulder and then fists into Taya. Taya tries a kick but Ivelisse counters with a Dragon Screw Leg Whip. Ivelisse bangs Taya's skull into all the buckles multiple times. Ivelisse beales Taya by her hair. Ivelisse goes for a kick, but Taya blocks and sends her opponent flying onto the apron. Taya face washes Ivelisse with boots. Taya DDTs Ivelisse onto a wooden chair. Ivelisse grabs Taya by the tights and slams her head into the chair. Taya is sitting on the chair, and Ivelisse lights her up with kicks to the chest, and then a super kick. Ivelisse is whipped into the rail, but she scales it, kicks Taya and the two battle on the second platform. A fan helps Ivelisse onto the rail and she dives onto Taya who fell off the platform. 

Taya and Ivelisse end up battling around the Temple, and Taya gains control by slamming Ivelisse's head repeatedly into the announce table. She then tosses Ivelisse into the bleachers and continues to punch her repeatedly. Taya drags Ivelisse up the stairs. Ivelisse fights back with fists, and the two choke and rip at each other. They both throw each other down the steps. Taya charges as they return to the ring but gets multiple kicks to the face. Ivelisse turns Taya inside out with a snap Geran suplex. Ivelisse hits a Code Red, but...the power goes out...

And CATRINA  isin the ring! She is decked out in wrestling gear and hits a double undertook cradle DDT. The power goes out again, and Katrina is out of the ring in Dario's office. Taya does her Northern Lights followed by Berzerker Stomp.

Winner: Taya -- The Baddest B**h in the Building

In-Ring: The lights go out again and Catrina is in the ring. She says, "Death comes to us all, even you...bitch!" She then proceeds to give the lick of death, and shoves Jvelisse's face into her chest.

Interstitial: We get a hype video for Prince Puma...narrated by Konnan. Yes, this is probably for Season 1, but still Konnan is not a regular with Lucha Underground. We then bleed into the promo for Puma vs. Mysterio.

Final Match of the Night: Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Prince Puma:Vampiro points out that Puma is wearing much darker tights tonight.  Rey and Puma exchange rolls, and ducks and flips, with no one really gaining advantage. In an amazing spot, Rey hits a flying satellite head scissors, but Puma is able to back flip out of the spot. They kick each other in the gut, but Rey gets the advantage with hard kicks to the gut, and face. Rey gets aggressive with slaps, and kicks. He tries to whip Puma who holds onto the rope. Rey goes for the tilt-a-whirl head scissors, but Puma hold on. He then annihilates Rey with a Codebreaker. Puma charges Rey in the corner and hits a huge European uppercut. He goes to whip Rey, but Rey blocks but eats a spinning fist. He whips Rey hard into the buckles. He grabs Rey Rey and then stretches Rey across his back. He goes for a roll-up, but gets a two. Puma grabs Rey and seessaws him into the corner. Rey stops and leaps to the second rope. Puma holds Rey in an Electric Chair position. Rey tries to counter with a rana to the outside, Puma lands on his feet with Rey on his shoulders till. Rey spins his hips and hits a rana which sends Puma chin first into the ring. Rey goes into the ring, charges, slides under the bottom rope and hits a killer splash. 

Rey ascends the ropes and hits the West Coast Pop and follows with a springboard cross body for only two. Rey looks frustrated. Puma buries a knee into Rey's gut, and hits a sunset flip. Rey rolls out, but misses the kick, propels himself into the ropes, and springboards into a tilt-a-whirl DDT. But he only gets a two count. Mysterio charges but gets pushed off with two feet to the chest. Puma dropkicks Rey. He goes for a suplex but Rey slides out. He goes to send Rey into the ropes, but Rey holds onto Puma, and hits a modified 619 to Puma's abs. Rey goes to the top for a rana, but Puma holds on. Rey tries to flip up into a DDT, but Puma counters with a Northern Lights. Of course Puma doesn't stop there as he goes for the deadlift brain buster follow-up. He gets only a two count. 

Puma drags Rey to the corner. He's so gassed, and Rey capitalizes by knocking Puma around with punches. Rey climbs to the top, and the two jockey for position. Puma goes Splash Mountain but Rey wiggles out. Rey positions himself to the side of Puma, and the two keep battling. Puma has Rey up for a Samoan drop, but Rey battles out. Rey hits a HUGE rewind rana. But again, only a two count. The two trade punches in the middle of the ring. Puma gains advantage with European uppercuts. The two run the ropes, and Rey goes his body scissor into a bulldog, but Puma counters with another Codebreaker/Lungblower move. Puma hit a spinning Blue Thunder Bomb, but TWO COUNT. 

The crowd is going insane. And rightfully so, this match is awesome. Best Mysterio match in forever. Puma goes for a fireman's carry, but Rey wiggles out. Puma moves towards Rey, but he takes a dropkick to the leg, and into the ropes for a potential 619. Rey dials it up but Puma ducks. Puma hits a kick to the head, and Rey is now in 619 position. And Puma hits it! The 323! Puma hits a springboard 630, but again only a two count! Striker is losing his damn mind on commentary.

Puma hits a massive Benadrilizer, but does a cocky cover. Rey is in the far corner, away from Puma. Puma is beside himself. He charges up and hits the running dropkick. He signals for the 630. He wastes time, a lot of time. And misses. A little too telegraphed. Rey hits a spinning rana into a pin, but only a two count. Rey sets Puma up for a 619, but Puma stops him. He grabs both Rey's legs. Puma screams "No!" He goes for an Alabama Slam, then flips it for the sit-out codebreaker, but Rey reverses into an unnameable counter. Puma is back in 619 position, and Rey nails it.

Rey flies off the top with an amazing twisting rana into a pin.

Winner: Rey Mysterio Jr.

Quick Thought: Holy Smokes. This was the best Mysterio match in forever. Puma looked amazing. Some may crap on the fact the veteran went over -- but honestly no one looked bad here. These guys both looked amazing.

Post-Match: Puma stalks over to Rey, but hugs his idol. Rey doesn't allow Puma to leave. Rey gives the ring to Puma, and bows to him in honor. Puma break down in the ring.  The crowd chants "Thank you, Rey." And rightfully so. This was bonkers.

Interstitial: Matt Striker and Vampiro thank everyone.  Pentagon Dark comes out of the crowd. He nails Vampiro with the bat. He super kicks Matt Striker. He bangs Vampiro's head into the world's strongest announce table multiple times. He then digs the barbed wire bat into Vampiro's head. He then threatens the crowd with the bat. He kicks a standing Vampiro in the hamstring. He breaks part of the announce table and hits Vampiro. Pentagon Dark repeatedly hits Vampiro with the bat. He rakes Vamp's head again. Te bat is legit covered in blood. Pentagon Dark bites Vampiro's head, and spits blood in the air. He rakes Vamp again and then PKs him right in the jaw. Pentagon Dark licks the blood off of Vampiro. Vampiro starts to shake, but can't come back.

Pentagon Dark says Vampiro is no longer his master. Pentagon is now The Master. Pentagon wants everyone to see a bloody Vampiro at his feet. He nails Vampiro with a flying dropkick to the face. The crowd is firmly behind Pentagon. Vampiro is just GUSHING blood at this point, but won't stay down. Pentagon kicks him again, then drinks Vampiro's blood again.

Interstitial: Helicopters can be heard, and the police are escorting Dario Cueto into a van. Cute is in handcuffs. The van drives away with Cueto hanging his head. The police lights highlighting his face in a highly dramatic fashion. As the music swells, and the sirens blare Cueto slowly picks his head up. You see the whites of his eyes, and then he stares at the camera. He smiles unfurls across his face.

To be continued....

Overall Thoughts: 

Now this is how you end a season. This 90 minute extravaganza felt like the company's most important show of the year. The wrestling was off the charts, and it furthered storylines for Season 3. Go out of your way to watch Prince Puma vs. Rey Mysterio. It's freaking amazing. Such a dazzling, dramatic match with a great story behind it built on respect, honor, and pride.

The trios match was so much fun -- Mundo, Evans, and Black are so much fun in the ring. Where they go from here is a big question. Honestly, don't break them up, they are such a great unit. Aerostar, Fenix, and Drago definitely needed this big win, and this hopefully means all of three of them will be on television more.

Black Lotus vs. Dragon Azteca was always going to be the weakest match on the show, so it's not a shame that the match was ended by angle. AND WHAT AN ANGLE. Pentagon Dark is easily the most over character on Lucha Underground. With the possibility of Mil Muretes becoming an unexpected babyface, they need a big time heel. I love the new style, and attitude of Pentagon. The match with he and Mantanza was awesome, and I love how Vampiro in essence "cost" his student the match. The bloody finale of the show was awesome, and I wouldn't mind seeing a Round 2 of Vampiro/Pentagon.

Taya vs. Ivelisse was so good. These two women beat the crap out of each other, and the addition of Catrina to the "luchadora" division is extremely intriguing. She looked awesome in her limited role tonight.

As for the overall story outside of the wrestling, I was hoping for a little more closure. Who was the person talking to Lorenzo Lamas in the limo? The person Dario is afraid of? Also, I thought some sort of big plan was in action, given Dario's phone call after he killed Mr. Cisco. I did love the look on Dario's face during the final seconds of the episode. I just wish we had more closure. Although, I'm pretty intrigued.

Excellent finale, guys. Definitely carve two hours out of your day to watch this.

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