Tope 10: Lucha Underground (June 7, 2017)

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, buy all episodes to date from the first three seasons on iTunes and Amazon, or watch seasons one and two on Netflix. 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 with a message from Kobra Moon along with the recap and reactions.

10. Office intruders

During the Prince Puma vs Mil Muertes Boyle Heights street fight, Mil threw Puma into Dario Cueto's office door. Tumbling in they went as we got a funny camera shot through the window of Dario still fawning over the Cueto Cup. Luckily for Cueto, he convinced them not to wreck his office.

9. Muscle flex TKO

As Mil Muertes carried Prince Puma down the stairs, Puma bashed elbows to Mil's head. How did Mil react? He squeezed the life out of Puma via muscle man most muscular pose. The idea of effectiveness from that maneuver makes me laugh. Despite that, it does show the kind of badass that Mil Muertes is, assuming you fully buy into the theatrics. To add insult to injury, Mil dropped Puma with a modified TKO.

8. Hardcore parkour

Another in the long line of examples when Johnny Mundo used his parkour skills to wow the crowd. I'd like to see how the Mayor of Slamtown would fare on American Ninja Warrior. I've only seen a couple of episodes, and I'm curious how Mundo's prowess would translate over. Either that or a, "Mundo in Paradise," spinoff from Hulk Hogan's old show. With Lorenzo Lamas in the Temple, I would also take a Renegade ripoff starring Johnny Mundo. Sorry, I'll stop now. Wait, one more. "Mundo Vice."

7. Lizard splash

That was a nifty little finisher for a trios squad. It looks cool and more painful than a regular high-flying splash.

That said, Drago can kiss my buttocks. He pleased his queen by bringing gold back to their lair as the new Trios champs, however, that was a rotten way to turn on his friends who are super. Even though dragon mist is always cool to see, I still say FU to Drago. Go fly away or take your toilet express route through the pipes.

6. Long live the Cueto Cup!

https://twitter.com/chrisdejoseph/status/872679792910282752

Dario Cueto's latest, greatest proclamation was the announcement of a 32 luchador single-elimination tournament known as the Cueto Cup. Dario hyped this up to the heavens as, "A concept that will go down in the annals of time as one of the most imaginative concepts this sport has ever seen." The winner earns the espectacular cup and a title shot.

I'm curious why Dario was so enthusiastic. On one hand, it's just a huge tournament, which I'm totally on board with. The actual cup looked kind of generic and reminded me of Cage ripping apart the original Lucha Underground championship belt. On the other hand, this is Lucha Underground and that means there might be some fantastical epic reason for El Jefe's excitement. Look at his ultimate opportunity as evidence. Also, Cueto's love of violence might mean we're in store for some wild stipulations as the rounds progress.

Dario's energy could have been from a massive coke binge before coming out, but I'll put my trust in El Jefe. He's earned it. To Sr. Cueto, thank you for all your excellence as a lucha libre genius.

5. Corkscrewing

I'll never get tired of seeing Aerostar spiral through the air. I wonder if that is how he time travels. Spinning so fast that he rips through the space-time vortex.

4. No time for pants

Upon hearing the news of a forthcoming bout against Rey Mysterio for the Lucha Underground championship, Johnny Mundo got serious. "If I'm going to take him to Slamtown, I'm going to have to train harder than I ever have in my entire life." Sparing no time to rush off to his dojo, Taya asked if Mundo was going to put on some pants. "No time for pants."

It was nice to see Mundo taking this challenge earnestly. I'm hoping we get a version pre-Worldwide Underground when Mundo was more intense and less reliant on shenanigans. It seems like he will be working his tuchus off. If you're not down with the dojo, then I've got two words for you. Training montage!

3. Flipping body smash over chairs

In the early going of Mack vs Johnny Mundo, the Mack cleared the crowd to give Mundo a seat. Mack followed by 360-ing over the chairs for a thumping wallop of a maneuver onto a dazed Mundo. It was flashy yet tough. Just like Mack.

2. Van Pumanator

Amazing. I couldn't believe Mil kicked out of that one.

I’m curious to see where the Prince Puma/Mil Muertes feud heads from here. With the Cueto Cup starting next week, there won’t be time for another rematch soon, unless the bracket funnels them into a clash. Hopefully, we’ll get some backstage progression with Catrina and creep-o-zoid Vampiro. Rey Mysterio has been added to the mix after being rebuffed by Prince Puma. And let’s not forget Pentagon DARK, who hates all of them.

1. Sunset flip powerbomb onto chairs

That maneuver was one heck of an exclamation mark to close out their feud. The viciousness made sure the pinfall was definitive. No way Mack was kicking out of that one. With the way his body and head crashed down upon the chairs, I thought he might be dead. Not literally, of course. But I bet he felt the pain in the morning.

It's a shame Mack lost, although he nonetheless comes out looking like a champ. His performance the past two weeks have cemented him as a main event player, at least in my mind. Throw him in the ring with anyone and I can talk myself into believing he will win. I couldn't say that two weeks ago.

Catching up on last week’s poll, all 72 votes ranked All Night Long as one of the ten best matches of season three so far. 18% went with it as the best match of the season. 43% ranked it top three. 28% felt it was top five. 11% graded it as top ten.

How does this week's Tope 10 stack up to your list? Any favorites not included? Which blast from the past TV show would you like to see Johnny Mundo bring back to the small screen? If you were late to the viewing party, feel free to share your thoughts about anything in the episode.

Let me leave you with some cool artwork from crossinbean on Twitter.

Lucha! Lucha! Lucha!