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Tope 10: Lucha Underground (March 30, 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 come 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 season one and season two 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, then check out the preview, live blog & open thread, recap, highlight package, and the main event between Matanza and Pentagon Jr.

10. Chingon

This is a personal choice for the list. I'm a fan of the band, so it was cool to see them on the show. I don't know how many more episodes they will appear, but I hope we get a short scene with Robert Rodriguez and Dario Cueto before they leave. Next up on my dream list to perform in the Temple is Tito and Tarantula. Which bands you would like to see up there?

9. The Psycho Realm

Equal parts finesse and brutality. That double team maneuver will always get a rise out of me.

8. Cortez Castro helping Johnny Mundo exit the ring

To avoid the hot tag retribution, Mundo cravenly tagged in an unsuspecting Taya. The way Cortez dropkicked him when he wasn't even paying attention gave me a good chuckle.

7. Double knee head spike

I have no idea what it is actually called, but that name fits for me. This maneuver forced a verbal reaction from my lips. The way Angelico's head crashed to the mat made me go, "Whoa." Matt Striker said it perfectly, "That was ugly and effective."

6. Butterfly Effect

Unfortunately, this GIF doesn't show the setup of Mariposa's finisher. That is what won me over on the move. Mariposa did some kind of double underhook spin to get in position.

5. Breaking Pentagon Jr.'s back and making him humble

Dario Cueto asked for it and his brother delivered. Bonus points to Dario for his gleeful reaction after the table powerbomb.

4. Dario Cueto doing cocaine, allegedly

I can't confirm he snorted any substances, but he looks awfully suspicious with that packet, subsequent nose rub, and his coked out looks of ecstasy. Whatever it was, it is good to see Dario back to his old ways.

This scene with Rey Mysterio is a good example of how Dario has won the hearts of many Believers. There is so much to take in, yet it all blends together seamlessly for the character. His enthusiasm, the "I'm kind of a big deal" nameplate, the variety of facial expressions and mannerisms that appear at a second's notice to fit the situation, the scumbag promoter vibe, and the shifty-eyed way he waits for Rey to down his tequila before doing so himself are all examples. It feels like even when Dario is lying, he is still telling the truth. That is a difficult line to tow, but Cueto performs it with excellence.

3. Rich kid montage

This montage came during an explanation of the Moth tribe in a sitdown with Marty Martinez. The whole scene was fantastic, especially Mariposa viciously eye-gouging and fish-hooking and Marty reading from a book with blank pages. My favorite part was the image of Marty with his head underneath a circle of boobs. It is so absurd that it makes me laugh uncontrollably every time I think about it.

2. Son of Havoc

Great performance by Son of Havoc. He delivered his usual neat spots like the leaping fake out, springboard high-flying, and Shooting Star Press, but he also added some spice with the double stomp and back-to-back suicide dives. He even made routine things look interesting, such as a hot tag and falling off the turnbuckles. After seeing so many of his matches, it is cool to see fresh moves that fit right into the flow of the match.

1. Pentagon Jr. threatening Dario Cueto

That whole scene was hot fire. Dario opened the show, as only he can, until he was rudely interrupted. When Pentagon came down the aisle, the intensity immediately picked up. Lickety-split after an insult, Cueto was on the sour end of an arm snapping. Vampiro's fiery explanation summed it up nicely, "Brother, that's how you get an opportunity. You grab it by the throat, you squeeze it, you rip it out, and that's just the way it's done." Even though he got wrecked by Matanza, I still have to applaud the bravado of Pentagon. His eventual return will be stupendous.

In last week's poll, 50% of the 657 votes deemed Matanza to be the show-stealer of Aztec Warfare II. 15% went to his brother, Dario Cueto. Joey Ryan with 8%, Rey Mysterio with 7%, and Pentagon Jr. with 5% round out the top five.

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, enjoy Dario Cueto picking up some side cash as Luigi Supermario in a Jimmy Kimmel skit.

Lucha! Lucha! Lucha!

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