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The El Rey Network will begin taping episodes for "Lucha Underground" tonight in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles. El Rey is very much behind the series and want it to be an important piece of original programming, becoming the third original series the network has created and launched since going on the airwaves.
Here's everything we know about the Lucha Underground series thus far:
The set is quite similar to the old Wrestling Society X, designed to look like a wrestling show set up inside a warehouse with bleachers on one side and raised seating in wooden chairs around the ring. There are "Lucha Underground" posters everywhere to add to the underground feel. In another WSX similarity, there are bands advertised as playing the tapings this weekend, but I don't know if that's scheduled to be part of the actual TV product or not. There are several different levels of the arena which should provide ample material for crazy dives.
Confirmed as working for the series are Luchadors Blue Demon Jr., Sexy Star, Drago, Fenix and Pentagon Jr., DGUSA Open the Freedom Gate champion Ricochet, Chavo Guerrero, John "Hennigan" Morrison, Ricky Banderas aka Messias in TNA, Martin Casaus, Famous B, Matt Cross, B-Boy and Ricky Reyes. Konnan will appear in a non-wrestling role. Former WWE referee Marty Elias is booked. Many of them will be wrestling as new personalities and characters created by the series.
Matt Striker and Vampiro will be the announcing team.
Aaron Aguilera, Kaos and Ivelisse Velez are all booked for the taping to work "dark" matches with the idea that should they come to terms, their footage could be incorporated into the show.
Rocky Romero had also been offered a deal for the series, but whether he signed or not is unknown as of this writing.
The series is headed by former WWE creative team member Chris DeJoseph with former WWE writers Chris Roach and Matt Stollman also working on the show.
Talents who have passed on the series are Mike "Evan Bourne" Sydal, Joey Ryan, Candice LaRae, Scorpio Sky, Mike Sydal, The Young Bucks, Kazarian and Erik Watts (Tough Enough alumni)
I've heard Los Ben Dejos and Los Banditos names also bandied about as possibilities for the series over the last two days, but have not confirmed whether either team will be working the tapings.
Several episodes will be taped tonight and tomorrow. They have additional taping dates of 9/13, 9/14, 9/27, 9/28, 10/4, 10/5, 10/18, 10/19, 10/25 and 10/26 set, which means the series could tape as many 24-36 episodes by late October.
Lucha Underground will debut on The El Rey Network on 10/8.
Initial press releases for the project have indicated that the series would also develop "monthly and quarterly specials" as well as live PPV events as well as licensing and merchandising for the production.
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