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Tope 10: Lucha Underground (Dec. 14, 2016)

By Manolo Has Pizzazz
Lucha Underground on Instagram

Each and every episode of Lucha Underground features maneuvers, quotes, outfits, props, scenes, and stories that deserve recognition. That is where the Tope 10 comes in. This list shows appreciation for the moments which are more exciting than a flying tope.

If you are new to the Lucha Underground scene, you can catch it Wednesdays at 8pm ET/PT on the El Rey Network or buy seasons one, two, and three on iTunes. See if El Rey is available in your area.

If you haven't had a chance to watch this week's episode yet, check out the preview, live blog & open thread, recap, highlight package, and the four-way main event between Angelico, Jack Evans, PJ Black, and Son of Havoc.

10. Cranial Contusion

Thumbs up for the name of Jeremiah Crane's double underhook piledriver used to punch his ticket to the finals of the Battle of the Bulls. The name is both functional and decorative.

9. Wall punch

Holy smokes. Sexy Star is becoming a little unhinged. Last week, she threatened Dario Cueto. This week, she punched a hole in the wall after accusing Mariposa of placing a huge spider in her locker. With these acts of violence, I'm half expecting her to turn heel if she fails to reclaim gold next week against Johnny Mundo in a cage match.

Anyway, the reason why Sexy Star bludgeoning the wall with her fist gets a spot on the list is more for the effect regarding next week's title bout than the outrageousness of the moment. Before, I wasn't really buying into the idea that Sexy Star will win. Now, watch out. Her temper has made me scared for Johnny Mundo. If he's not careful, she could punch his balls clean off.

8. Super friends unite

Professional wrestling storylines are generally driven by a me-first attitude, so it is always nice to see acts of friendship. I popped when Fenix and Aerostar hit the ring to save Drago from Lord Pindar's surprise beatdown.

It will be interesting to see if Fenix and Aerostar go hunt for Drago's rescue or if Dario Cueto will force them to defend the Trios championships undermanned.

7. Painful superplex

Poor Jack Evans. I don't know what was supposed to happen in terms of protective safety when Angelico suplexed Jack Evans to the outside, although I doubt it was supposed to be Evans falling straight to the floor with a chair partially catching him. It was a cool visual, but it sure did make me wince in pain. Poor Jack Evans.

6. Submission transition

This was a neat little sequence. Jeremiah Crane executed a sitout powerbomb on Killshot, which was only good for a two count. After the kick out, Crane immediately transitioned into a nifty leg submission. I appreciate how he had the vision to think one step ahead.

Also enhancing my enjoyment of the sequence was Mariposa. She stuck her nose into their business only to be locked in the leg submission herself. The cool part was her reversal into a pinning rollup for two.

5. "Play towards the camera, babe."

During the humorous attempt for more documentary footage, Taya tried to get soundbites from PJ Black and Jack Evans. Johnny Mundo hit the scene to admonish his flunkies with threats. Taya directed him to face the camera as more silliness ensued. Mundo delivered his lines with the wooden intonation comparable to a 1940's superhero. "Do you guys like being part of the greatest team in the history of lucha libre? Then you'd better win!" The expressions of PJ and Jack were fantastic as well.

4. Chair frenzy

After Jeremiah Crane set up eight chairs resulting in a Tower of Doom with Mariposa as the bottom of the tower, Mariposa went loco with a massive assault. She started hurtling chairs at each opponent. A total of 10 smashes in all. Each one sounded vicious. I liked her intensity in that sequence.

I also enjoyed Vampiro musing about Mariposa's eruption of violence, "Matt, if you were dating her, would you say that you better be home on time?"

3. Sly guy

That PJ Black is one sly guy. He hoodwinked his Worldwide Underground cohort, Jack Evans. Black persuaded Jack to cover him as a lay down victory, but PJ reversed the pin into a rollup win on the unsuspecting Evans. Despite being taken advantage of, Evans seemed to be most upset about the positioning of the pin as he screamed into the camera, "He tea bagged me!" This is exactly the kind of entertaining knuckleheadedness I have come to expect from this group. This week has provided potential seeds of tension to brew amidst the quartet, but I hope they never break up or have to hand in their bandanas.

2. Giant snake

Hot damn! Kobra Moon's crew is fantastically absurd. Those snakelike scoundrels are quite a sight. I love the reptilian masks of Pindar and Vibora. They did a nice job of hiding Vibora's height last week to make it a shock this week. Vibora looks gigantic compared to the half-pint super friends.

I'm very eager to see the continuation of this storyline. I hope we receive installments in a timely manner and not have it get dragged out to the point of losing all momentum.

Shout out to everyone who thought to call him Undersnaker after the Tombstone piledriver. That gave me a hearty chuckle.

1. Butterfly Effect of death

After reversing a vertical suplex into a stunner, which was mighty sweet in its own right, Mariposa looked to finish the job on Killshot with a Butterfly Effect onto a chair. It was absolutely brutal looking and gave the appearance of being a maneuver that could kill someone.

I was a little disappointed that Mariposa didn't win with that crushing move. For me, it was the move of the night and could have provided a feeling of finality to the match.

I think Mariposa has a case for beef against the referee after that real weak pin break from a drained Dante Fox. Killshot's shoulders did not move before the count of three and Mariposa was still on top despite Fox's efforts. If I were Justin Borden, I would be a little nervous about a moth attack in the back.

In last week's poll, El Dragon Azteca Jr. and Cage tied for first place with 19% each of 68 total votes for episode show stealer. Others at the top of a close race were Mack with 16%, Marty Martinez with 13%, Mil Muertes with 12%, and Joey Ryan with 9%. Dr. Wagner Jr. was the only competitor to not receive a single vote. Famous B needs to be a better job of making him famous.

How does this week's Tope 10 stack up to your list? Any favorites not included? If you were late to the viewing party, feel free to share your thoughts about anything in the episode. While waiting for next week, watch Johnny Mundo as he stays hydrated and receives a Christmas present from Sexy Star.

Lucha! Lucha! Lucha!

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