This was the main event of the premier episode of Lucha Underground and originally aired 29th October 2014. Johnny Mundo wrestled as Johnny Nitro and John Morrison in WWE and has worked under his real name as John Hennigan on the independent circuit. Prince Puma is American Indy superstar Ricochet under a mask. Lucha Icon Konnan is Prince Puma's manager, and Dario Cueto wants to test Puma against Morrison since the latter was only signed so Cueto can make an example of him. Vampiro and Matt Striker handle commentary as is standard.
Mundo comes out first and gets a good reaction from the Temple, to say he's not wrestled in 3 years at this point. That's a long time for wrestling fans. Prince Puma is then lead out by Konnan and Puma's reaction just dwarfs Mundo's completely. Both men soak in the crowd reactions as this one starts. They circle and feel each other out, with Puma getting a quick kick to Mundo's leg in. So Mundo gets a bit more distance before he starts circling with his foe again. Mundo checks a second kick but Puma catches Mundo's attempt at a retaliation. Kick by Puma doubles Mundo over but Puma runs into a shoulder block AND KIPS BACK UP! Mundo has the experience advantage here but you have to ask about ring rust on his part too. Puma gets control of Mundo's arm, but Mundo is able to roll out of it and reverse, sending Puma down to his knees. Puma shows his athleticism trying to break the arm wringer, but Mundo powers him back down to the mat. Striker talks about the luchadors in the Temple having influences from different styles around the world and he takes a shot at WWE by encouraging us to check them out for ourselves because they exist here.
Puma again tries to break the hold, but Mundo powers him down with a spinebuster and covers for 1. Puma immediately jumps to his feet and gets a crucifix cover for 2. Mundo tries to sweep Puma's leg but Puma jumps over it, hitting Mundo with a front dropkick. Stereo kip ups by both men and we have another standoff. Collar-elbow tie up gives Mundo another chance to show his slight strength advantage, before he takes Puma down with an arm drag. Puma handsprings back and gets a headscissors on Mundo, before using Mundo as a climbing frame in order to hit another one. Dropkick sends Mundo out of the ring to take a breather. Vampiro gives both guys a standing ovation and the fans chant “This is awesome” for this match. Puma fakes out a diving attack before handspringing back off the ropes and performing a picture perfect backflip.
Mundo gets back in the ring, and immediately gets a standing waistlock, he moves that into a side headlock before Puma backs him into the ropes and pushes him off. Mundo rolls over the back of Puma. Mundo catches a clothesline and hits a backbreaker on Puma, then a freefall stun gun follows. Puma reverses an irish whip, but Mundo catches himself and knocks Puma down with a stiff back elbow. Puma gets back to his feet, but he's still not quite there as Mundo hits a corkscrew kick right to the jaw sending Puma outside. Mundo follows and brings Puma back into the ring before encouraging some fans chanting “Lucha” Vampiro tells Mundo to stay focused and Prince Puma shows him why with a triangle dropkick sending Mundo down on the apron. Mundo rolls back in the ring and Puma hits a springboard front flip knee drop! Puma wears Mundo down with a leg full nelson, or reverse Judo triangle hold, depending on who you ask. Mundo is able to break free though and he attacks Puma's knee with right hands, trying to neutralise his high flying ability. Mundo gets a grounded ankle lock, then decides to try some ground and pound. Puma has his guard up so Mundo goes back to the ankle, but Puma is able to get to his feet. Enziguri by Puma sends Mundo out to the floor again and follows over the top rope to the apron. Mundo misses a kick, and Puma hits one, sending Mundo reeling back. Puma decides to climb down to the floor as Mundo is using the Temple steps as a perch. He boots Puma in the gut as Puma gets close and slams his head off the hard edge of the apron. Puma hits a European uppercut sending Mundo close to the announce table. Striker and Vampiro clear the way as a slugfest ensues over the announce table.
Mundo blocks a shot from Puma and bounces his head off the table top, before taking a step back and using his Parkour skills to jump over the table and Puma. Puma charges but Mundo lifts him and throws him into the ring post. Puma's skull just pings off the ring post, and Mundo gets Puma back in the ring. Mundo covers but only gets a 2 count, so he keeps the pressure up with a chinlock, using his knee in Puma's back, before powering him down to the mat. Puma is able to fight his way back to standing and breaks himself free with strikes. He celebrates too early and Mundo hits him with a hard forearm to the kidney when Puma's back is turned. Puma catches a clothesline though and hits a spinning heel kick, but the damage has been done to both men. Puma crawls to the corner, as Mundo is dazed and Puma tries to get the Temple fans behind him. Puma back to his feet, and Mundo not far behind. Mundo is sent straight back down with a hard clothesline, and Puma waits in the opposite corner. Running European uppercut sends Mundo into the corner. Running shoulder block by Puma followed up fluidly with a kick to Mundo's back, sending him back out of the corner. Springboard crossbody gets Puma a close nearfall.
Puma misses a standing moonsault but lands on his feet and follows up with a standing shooting star press for another 2 count. Puma brings Mundo back to his feet, but Mundo elbows him in the back of the head to break free, European uppercut by Puma reels Mundo for a second but he charges Puma into the corner before beating him down with right hands. A pair of clotheslines sends Puma down to the mat, and a spinning heel kick to the jaw finishes off the hat-trick. Hard running knee strike by Mundo gets him another nearfall. Johnny Mundo signals for the End of the World, that he used to call Starship Pain in WWE, but Puma grabs him and rolls him up, 1, 2, no! Puma brings Mundo back up but Mundo hits him with a right hand. More strikes follow and Mundo sets up for a spinning neckbreaker, but Puma gets free and sends Mundo into the ropes. Puma follows and hits a back elbow, before running off the ropes himself, but Mundo's prepared with a springboard kick to the jaw. Another 2 count for Mundo. Puma elbows out of a Flatliner attempt and Mundo rests in the corner. Puma charges but is sent over the top to the apron. Shoulder block and sunset flip follow by Puma but Mundo rolls through and hits another knee strike. End of the World is avoided but Mundo lands on his feet! Springboard double knees by Puma! 1, 2, NO! Mundo's still got life left in him.
Puma signals that he's going high risk again, but falls flat on his face on a springboard 450 attempt. MOONLIGHT DRIVE! Mundo only gets a 2 again though. Mundo wants a powerbomb but Puma lands on his feet, C4 by Mundo, and he drags Puma to the corner, End of the World connects and Mundo gets the win.
This was one hell of a main event. Both guys had an amazing performance, the crowd were into both guys and nothing let up throughout the match. Mundo was able to work as a bigger opponent for Puma, and Puma was able to showcase the flashy side of Lucha Libre to the crowd. They built the match around Puma avoiding the End of the World for most of the match until the very end and Mundo got a close victory in a great main event face vs. face match. 7.9/10
Prince Puma is visibly frustrated by his loss as the fans and commentators alike give both men a standing ovation, Mundo talks to Puma and raises his hand in a sign of respect before Dario Cueto comes out to announce who won the $100,000 prize he promised for the performance of the night. He has the briefcase and tells Mundo he earned it. Mundo says Cueto's welcome and tries to get his prize. Mundo tries to wrestle the briefcase from Dario Cueto's grip and Puma even helps him, but they're attacked from behind by 2 guys. A third man is shown at ringside, the former Ezekiel Jackson from WWE. Mundo tries to fight off the 2 smaller guys, who I later I dentify as Camacho from WWE and Impact Wrestling fame and the former Rickey Reyes from New Japan Pro Wrestling and Ring of Honor fame. but the numbers game catches up. Jackson catches Puma in the corner and hits him with a clubbing blow to the chest before sending him into a 3D but with a Codebreaker instead of a cutter. Mundo is brought back to his feet as Jackson gets in the ring and he's thrown into a one handed chokeslam, leaving the 3 attackers standing tall at the end of the show as Dario Cueto announces they work for him and he hands Jackson the briefcase.
No comments:
Post a Comment