Lucha Underground recap and reactions (July 12, 2017): Round two... fight!

Lucha Underground returned tonight (July 12) with the start of the second round of the Cueto Cup. Here’s what happened and what we learned.

What Happened:

Jeremiah Crane defeated Taya using Cranial Contusion to advance in the Cueto Cup. At the end of the match, Sexy Star came out to distract Taya which ended up turning the tide in Crane’s favor.

After the match, Sexy Star walked into the ring, put on brass knuckles, and knocked Taya straight out!

What We Learned:

• Taya is the baddest member of the Worldwide Underground. (I’m using “baddest” in the good way here) She’s the only member who consistently fights without help from the others. Tonight, she could have had this match won on her own if it weren’t for Sexy Star. She took a stiff beating from Crane and it just fired her up. Why she doesn’t get help is still unknown. Does she insist that they let her do her thing alone? I wouldn’t be surprised. She’s badass like that.
• Sexy Star has had enough. After Taya contributed to Sexy’s disqualification in the first round by introducing brass knuckles meant for PJ Black, Sexy used them herself. This led to a disqualification. And apparently, she’s done taking crap like that. Taya learned the hard way when Sexy Star knocked her square out as a measure of revenge. I think I like this more vengeful Sexy Star.
• If this first match is any indication, the second round is going to be lit. This was a great match. Much like Crane’s first match, it was hard hitting and non-stop. This had the added bonus of Taya, who has a ton of personality that we don’t get from the masked Killshot. That added to how fun this match was. Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come in the Cueto Cup’s second round.

What Happened:

Fenix was working out when Aerostar came into the gym and greeted him. Aerostar said he’s putting his money on Fenix now that he’s out of the tournament. Fenix questioned if it’s OK for a time traveler to gamble, to which Aerostar played dumb. Fenix showed optimism regarding their friend Drago leaving the lizard tribe but Aerostar didn’t seem so hopeful. As the time traveler is leaving, Fenix asked him if he’s going to win tonight. Aerostar shrugs.

What We Learned:

• Fenix apparently knows about Aerostar’s time travel capabilities. It sounds like Aerostar is a bit coy about it, but there’s an understanding that Fenix knows. I wonder if that’s something that Aerostar starts spilling when he has a few brews in him.

What Happened:

Mil Muertes (w/Catrina) defeated Paul London with the Flatliner to advance in the Cueto Cup. The rest of the rabbit tribe tried to distract at one point, but it wasn’t enough. After the match, Paul received the kiss of death from Catrina.

What We Learned:

• Mil wasn’t having any of Paul London’s crap. Early in the match, Paul did his dancing in the ring and did laps around the ring. After a few minutes of that, Mil let out a weighted sigh and then decided it was time to beat the holy hell out of London. And beat the holy hell out of him he did. But that weighted sign from Mil may be my favorite moment of the match.
• Paul was game. He had a superkick barrage outside the ring at one point that staggered the man of a thousands deaths. And after a successful distraction by Mala Suerte and Saltador, he hit two shooting star presses. It wasn’t enough though.

What We’ve Yet to Learn:

• How Mil Muertes is already recovered from Jeremiah Crane crushing his throat with a chair and possibly killed him. Did Catrina work her dark magic to heal his wounds? Or was the attack not as bad as it originally seemed?

What Happened:

Texano was a bar when Brenda sat beside him and asked him to buy her a drink. They did a shot together. She then told him that she finds him boring. Texano responded by crushing a bottle with his bare hands. She went on to tell him that all he needs is a woman’s touch. They then show Famous B sitting on the other side of the bar winking into the camera.

What We Learned:

• Famous B is a persistent man. But what kind of businessperson isn’t? He realized that his style isn’t going to grab Texano so may as well turn to the softer touch of Brenda. B saw that Texano had eyes for his assistant. Was there any doubt he’s going to exploit it?
• That they admit that Texano is a bland character. That’s good. Addressing it means they’re working it into the story. Pairing him with the verbose Famous B is a good start to remedying it.

What Happened:

Fenix defeated Marty “The Moth” Martinez (w/Mariposa) via pinfall. Mariposa interfered multiple times, but the final time she tried to attack Fenix with an “Aztec Pride” lunch box, Melissa Santos grabbed the lunchbox turned weapon to stop her. This led to the pinfall.

However, after the match, Marty used a fork from the lunchbox to beat the hell out of Fenix as Mariposa held Melissa, making her watch.

What We Learned:

• I’d say we learned that Marty is a sadistic individual, but we already knew that. That’s been who he is forever now. But he seems to be more vicious when it comes to Fenix, given he’s the love interest of the Moth’s obsession.
• There’s apparently an “Aztec Pride” lunchbox. No word if it’s something you can purchase.

What We’ve Yet to Learn:

• If we’ll see Melissa Santos used in more of a physical role. She’s not a wrestler but she angered the Martinez family. Marty has a dangerous obsession with her. Mariposa feels Melissa is making her brother weak. Melissa is in the danger zone.

Round two started with a bang this week, especially with the exciting Taya/Jeremiah Crane opener. (And one of these days, Crane will get a clean win.) Paul London showed fire against Mil Muertes but was not surprisingly cut down. And the main event between Marty and Fenix feels like just the beginning.

We’ll be back next week, where we’ll get Prince Puma vs. PJ Black in what can be a blockbuster.