Lucha Underground (season 1)
The first season of Lucha Underground, a lucha libre or professional wrestling show, aired from October 29, 2014 through August 5, 2015 on the El Rey Network in the United States and on later dates on UniMás in Mexico. The debut season of Lucha Underground had 39 episodes in total and presented Lucha libre as a mixture of reality and fiction, adding fantastical elements and movie style backstage clips mixed in with wrestling matches.
| Lucha Underground | |
|---|---|
| Season 1 | |
 The Logo for Lucha Underground | |
| Country of origin | United States of America |
| No. of episodes | 39 |
| Release | |
| Original network | El Rey Network (English) UniMás (Spanish) |
| Original release | October 29, 2014 – August 5, 2015 |
| Season chronology | |
Plot overview
The first season on Lucha Underground introduced the viewers to Dario Cueto (Luis Fernandez-Gil), the owner of the "Lucha Underground Temple" in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles. Cueto uses his money and influence to stage fights, promoting violence and often rewarding rule breakers while punishing those that play by the rules. During the season Cueto introduced the Lucha Underground Championship, won by Prince Puma in episode 9 (Aztec Warfare). Later on the Lucha Underground Trios Championship was added, with the first champions being the mismatched team of Angélico, Ivelisse and Son of Havoc. During the season Cueto began rewarding several wrestlers with an "Aztec Medallion", later revealing that they all played a part in the creation of the Gift of the Gods Championship, won by Fénix during the season finale called Ultima Lucha.
Other plot lines included the introduction of the mysterious, supernatural character Mil Muertes ("One Thousand Deaths"; Gilbert Cosme) and his companion Catrina (Karlee Perez) as they first fight against Fénix and later targeted Prince Puma. Catrina also brought in a trio called "the Disciples of Death" (Barrio Negro, El Sinestro de la Muerte and Trece). The season also included a side plot featuring Cueto, his brother Matanza, and Black Lotus (Angela Fong), who tries to kill Cueto and a masked wrestler known as Dragon Azteca who trains Black Lotus during the season. In the final episode of season one, Black Lotus kills Dragon Azteca, causing Cueto to flee the temple with both Black Lotus and Matanza in tow.
Cast and crew
Episodes
| No. in series |
No. in season |
Title | Taped date | Original air date | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1 | 1 | "Welcome to the Temple" | September 6, 2014[1] | October 29, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Owner and promoter Dario Cueto selects the best fighters from around the world to compete; masked heroes and villains battle it out.
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| 2 | 2 | "Los Demonios" | September 7, 2014 | November 5, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Catina warns Blue Demon Jr of 1000 deaths; Mundo and Puma are feeling vengeful; Sexy Star and Chavo battle Son of Havoc and Ivelisse.
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| 3 | 3 | "Cross The Border" | September 13, 2014 | November 12, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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In the main event, Fenix, Drago and Pentagon Jr. fight each other; Mascarita Segrada and El Mariachi face off; after Chavo explains himself, Konnan warns him that Mexico is coming; Mil Muertes fights Ricky Mandell.
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| 4 | 4 | "Thrill Of the Hunt" | September 14, 2014 | November 19, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Sexy Star returns to fight Ivelisse; Cueto confronts Drago; Konnan warns Puma against interfering with Mundo's fight against Big Ryck; Sexy Star seeks vengeance on Chavo.
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| 5 | 5 | "Boyle Heights Street Fight" | September 27, 2014 | November 26, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Prince Puma fights Big Ryck in the Boyle Heights Street Fight; Konnan worries he's made a mistake; all moves are legal.
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| 6 | 6 | "The Key" | September 28, 2014 | December 3, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Big Ryck signs Cueto's contract; Son of Havoc calls on Simpinela Escarlata; Johnny Mundo steals Cueto's key as insurance; Sexy Star and Fenix team up against Chavo Guerrero and Pentagon Jr.
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| 7 | 7 | "Top Of the Ladder" | October 4, 2014 | December 10, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Prince Puma, Johnny Mundo and Big Ryck fight each other; the first Luchador to climb the ladder will claim Cueto's prize.
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| 8 | 8 | "A Unique Opportunity" | October 4, 2014 | December 17, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cueto plans a 10-way match and a Boyle Heights Battle Royal; Cueto promises a valuable prize for two luchadores.
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| 9 | 9 | "Aztec Warfare" | October 5, 2014 | January 7, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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The champion of the first Aztec Warfare fight will have to survive and out-fight 19 other Luchadores.
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| 10 | 10 | "Law of the Jungle" | October 18, 2014 | January 14, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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The winner puts his title on the line; Drago fights King Cuerno; Chavo confronts Blue Demon; Cage, Angelico, Aerostar and Argenis fight.
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| 11 | 11 | "Last Luchador Standing" | October 18, 2014 | January 21, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Drago and King Cuerno hunt each other down; the winner must incapacitate their opponent until he cannot answer a 10-count.
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| 12 | 12 | "They Call Him Cage" | October 5, 2014 | January 28, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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The champion sets his title aside for the second time in the hopes of defeating Cage and taking home the title again.
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| 13 | 13 | "Johnny Mundo vs. The Machine" | January 17, 2015 | February 4, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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One of the top fights stands in the way of Cage becoming the No. 1 contender; a surprise guest walks into the temple.
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| 14 | 14 | "Open Mic Night" | January 17, 2015 | February 11, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Tensions rise when a new luchador is welcomed into Cueto's temple; the newcomer promises that he will reign supreme.
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| 15 | 15 | "Eye for an Eye" | January 18, 2015 | February 18, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cueto announces a Trios Tag Team match; Big Ryck seeks revenge; Chavo and Mil Muertes finally face off.
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| 16 | 16 | "Caged Animals" | January 18, 2015 | February 25, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cage campaigns for a championship opportunity while another luchador vows revenge; one-of-a-kind opportunity is offered.
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| 17 | 17 | "A War Started in Mexico..." | January 24, 2015 | March 4, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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When Cueto puts two luchadores in a spectacular main event in Mexico, it reignites an old rivalry.
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| 18 | 18 | "No Escape" | January 24, 2015 | March 11, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Pentagón Jr takes on Argenis; Angélico wrestles Ivelisse; Johnny Mundo versus King Cuerno in a steel cage match for the main event.
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| 19 | 19 | "Grave Consequences" | January 26, 2015 | March 18, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Grave Consequences features a coffin match, where your opponent must be placed in a coffin with the lid shut to win.
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| 20 | 20 | "The Art of War" | January 25, 2015 | March 25, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Two world titles are decided in the Lucha Underground Championship match and Boyle Heights Street Fight main event title match.
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| 21 | 21 | "Uno! Dos! Tres!" | February 7, 2015 | April 1, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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The opening match in a tournament to crown the first-ever Lucha Underground Trios Tag Team Champions.
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| 22 | 22 | "Mask vs. Mask" | February 7, 2015 | April 8, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Partners are pitted against one another; the first-ever Mask vs. Mask match; Trios Tag Team Tournament continues.
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| 23 | 23 | "Fire In The Cosmos" | February 8, 2015 | April 15, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Final match of the Drago vs. Aerostar best of five series; six luchadores compete for the final spot in the Tag Team Title match.
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| 24 | 24 | "Trios Champions" | February 8, 2015 | April 22, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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The first-ever Lucha Underground Trios Tag Team Champions will be crowned in a triple-threat elimination match.
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| 25 | 25 | "The Way Of The Drago" | February 21, 2015 | April 29, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Prince Puma fights Drago; Cueto warns Drago that he will be banned from the temple if doesn't defeat Puma; three luchadores compete.
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| 26 | 26 | "The Best In the Business" | February 21, 2015 | May 6, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Crew seeks revenge on the underdogs that are now the Trios Champions; Puma fights Hernandez; Cage faces off against King Cuerno; Alberto meets Johnny Mundo; the winner advances to fight Hernandez.
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| 27 | 27 | "Ancient Medallions" | February 22, 2015 | May 13, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Seven luchadores battle over a mysterious medallion; Alberto El Patron fights Hernandez for the top title.
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| 28 | 28 | "Shoots And Ladders" | February 22, 2015 | May 20, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Trios champions defend their titles in a ladder match; the first person to climb the ladder and fetch the championships will win the title for their team; Vampiro demands an explanation from Johnny Mundo.
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| 29 | 29 | "Fight To The Death" | March 21, 2015 | May 27, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Fenix fights Mil Muertes in a death match; Prince Puma defends his title as champion against the top contender, Hernandez; Vampiro speaks with Sexy Star.
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| 30 | 30 | "Submit To The Master" | March 21, 2015 | June 3, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Argenis and Jack Evans fight in the Aztec Medallion Match; the Trios Champions defend their titles against a team of DelAvar Daivari's choice; Sexy Star and Pentagon Jr. meet in a submission match.
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| 31 | 31 | "The Desolation Of Drago" | March 22, 2015 | June 10, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cueto sets a four-way match to determine the top contender; Hernandez, Cage and King Cuerno compete against a returning luchador; Chavo Guerrero and Blue Demon Jr. return to the temple.
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| 32 | 32 | "All Night Long" | March 11, 2015 | June 17, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Prince Puma defends his title against Johnny Mundo; Cueto rules that the one with the most pin fall and submission victories will be the champion.
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| 33 | 33 | "Death Vs. The Drago" | March 22, 2015 | June 24, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cueto sets a rematch between Superfly and Sexy Star; Aerostar, The Mack, Marty "The Moth" Martinez, Cage and Pentagon Jr. complete in a five-way Aztec Medallion Match; Drago and Mil Muertes fight for a spot in Ultima Lucha.
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| 34 | 34 | "Gold And Guerreros" | April 12, 2015 | July 1, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Drago and Hernandez meet; Chavo and his crew fight Prince Puma for the first time; the Lucha Underground Championship is on the line.
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| 35 | 35 | "Fuel To The Fire" | April 12, 2015 | July 8, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Alberto El Patron and Mundo face each other; the two will team up with three others in a Atomicos Tag Team Match.
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| 36 | 36 | "The Beginning Of The End" | April 11, 2015 | July 15, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Pentagon Jr. is confronted by Vampiro; King Cuerno fights Killshot; Sexy Star meets Super Fly; Prince Puma prepares to face his Ultimalucha challenger, Mil Muertes.
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| 37 | 37 | "PenUltima Lucha" | April 18, 2015 | July 22, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cuerto reveals the meaning of the medallions; Texano vs. Mundo; Cage vs. Mack; the Battle Royal for the final medallion.
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| 38 | 38 | "Ultima Lucha Part 1" | April 18, 2015 | July 29, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Machine Cage fights The Mack; Team Havoc faces the DOD; Drago fights Hernandez in Believers Backlash.
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| 39 | 39 | "Ultima Lucha Part 2" | April 19, 2015 | August 5, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Johnny Mundo fights Alberto El Patron; Vampiro fights Pentagon Jr.; the 7-Way Gift of the Gods Match; Prince Puma faces Mil Muertos.
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Production
All the wrestling matches were taped on location in Boyle Heights, California where a warehouse was converted into the "Lucha Underground Temple" set. The shows themselves were taped over several weekends, usually with two shows being taped per day. Some of the matches were not shown on television but served more as try-outs for wrestlers, often referred to as "dark matches". Throughout the season Matt Striker and Vampiro (Ian Hodgkinson) provided the English language commentary,[4] while Vampiro and Hugo Savinovich taped the Spanish language commentary used when broadcast in Mexico.[5] For the final show, Ultima Lucha, Vampiro wrestled and his place at the commentator desk was taken by Michael Schiavello.[6]
References
- "AAA NEWS: Lucha Underground SPOILERS - results from first TV taping in Los Angeles featuring former WWE stars". Pro Wrestling Torch. September 14, 2014. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
- Dehnel, Joel. "Dehnel's Lucha Underground report 7/29: Ultima Lucha Night 1 - Trios Tag Title match, Falls Count Anywhere, Hernandez, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
- Boutwell, Josh (April 26, 2015). "Viva la Raza! Lucha Weekly for 4/26/15". WrestleView. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
- Dehnel, Joel (January 8, 2015). "Dehnel's Lucha Underground report 1/7: First Lucha Underground champion determined in Aztec Warfare". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
- "Lucha Underground Vampiro". elreynetwork.com. Archived from the original on 18 July 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- Moore, John. "8/5 Moore's Lucha Underground Season Finale Review: Ultima Lucha part two". prowrestling.net. Retrieved 16 December 2015.