Tope 10: Lucha Underground (Aug. 16, 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 that 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 recap and reactions along with finding out which promotion will feature Johnny Mundo next.

10. Killer Cage

Cage has lost a screw. I would think smashing Councilman Delgado's skull would have made Cage reluctant to use the full power of his new strength. Nope. It was obvious Cage's intent was to do more than maim Catrina. Cage is not a man, he is a murdering machine.

Beside the execution attempt, it is always cool to see Catrina ghosting.

9. "Decapitation!"

The move was nice, but this is more about Vampiro. In the middle of the bout, Vampiro went silent on his commentary duties for 3 minutes 13 seconds. He seemed to go dark after Matt Striker mentioned Rey Mysterio being a hero of Prince Puma, and also saying, "Oh geez, kid. Come on," after Puma missed a high flying maneuver. All of a sudden, Vampiro snapped out of it with a cheery, "Decapitation!" I laughed at Striker getting on his case. Vampiro responded churlishly like a jerkface.

Later on, Vampiro was yelling to stop the match after Fenix was kicked in the face. It caused me to cheer when Fenix kicked out of the Nail in the Coffin piledriver pin. Shut up, Vampiro. Go back to being silent.

Vampiro does a great job of making me like him as a commentator but also loathing him when flashes of his dark side show up. He was obviously playing favorites on commentary with Puma and also with Pentagon DARK to a lesser extent. It will be interesting to see how he calls the Cueto Cup final between those two.

Since spot number nine is all about Vampiro, I want to mention a rant of his which I enjoyed from earlier in the match. "Yeah, but what the hell is lucha libre? This is the Lucha Underground Temple, brother. This is... You're going to come in here and get rocked. Every night, every match is better and different than the last. Lucha libre has kind of gone out the window, bro. This is Boyle Heights, rock and roll, kick your ass fights." Maybe that explosion of gusto zapped all Vampiro's energy and caused him to shut down for a bit.

8. Spring-loaded kick

Prince Puma's kicking game has risen to another level recently. In Puma's last two fights, he utilized the shogun dropkick to devastating effect. Against Fenix, Puma booted him hard enough to fall out of the ring. It makes me wonder if it is a little story touch of Puma powering up under Vampiro's tutelage. Or is it just the neat idea of wrestlers bumping hard to make the kicks look really cool; perhaps an inspiration from El Rey showing badass kung fu movies.

Icing on the cake is the GIF containing Puma soaring over the rope for an aerial assault.

7. Catrina goes down

POW! The slap sound effect exploded when Pentagon DARK kicked Catrina. It enhanced the moment. I was not expecting that kick, even though Pentagon is a scumbag and Catrina was not without fault.

6. Fenix Frankensteiner

Whoa! Ho, ho, ho. Fenix countering Prince Puma's Northern Lights into vertical suplex chain with a Frankensteiner was a surprise on the edge of my seat moment. It could have easily won the match, and I would have been satisfied. Puma kicked out as the warriors battled on.

5. Super fan numero uno

Hahahaha huh?

4. Gypsy boxing

Lucha Underground on El Rey Network

There was a moment in Prince Puma vs Fenix where they went toe to toe blasting each other in the face with forearm strikes. Twenty blows in total plus three European uppercuts. Before the match, I wasn't really in the mood. After that exchange, I was all in. Puma and Fenix fired me up. Stakes were high and they were fighting like it.

3. Cage vs Mil Muertes

Lucha Underground on El Rey Network

Last week, we found out Catrina would be gunning for Cage's gauntlet. This week, the story played throughout the episode. Catrina asked for Cage's gauntlet then threatened him. Cage responded to the warning by bashing Mil Muertes with a weight lifting plate. In the main event melee, we got a glimpse of things to come. Cage and Mil Muertes went at it full bore to give us a tasty appetizer. I'm so hungry to see these two behemoths battle officially.

2. Rumble, rumble

Mil Muertes punching the heavy bag might be the coolest cinema scene all season. Sexy Star's bottle rattling and Dario Cueto's office shaking from the force of Mil Muertes was terrific. ROAR!!!

1. Brawl

I think we all shared the reaction of Dario Cueto in this three GIF chain.

The segment took place because Cueto loves when his luchadores talk shit to each other. Don't we all. That is why Dario is our homeboy.

As expected, trash talking led to fisticuffs which led to an all-out donnybrook. Over half the roster joined the fracas. Pure chaos ensued. Delightful, delightful chaos. There was so much going on that my eyes had to scan all over the screen to catch who was scrapping with who. Taya and Sexy Star in the stands, Pentagon DARK choking Prince Puma, the Rabbit Tribe watching up above, and so much more. Aside from Cage clubbing with Mil Muertes, I think I popped loudest for the randomness of Vinnie Massaro ambushing Joey Ryan.

Side note: Poor Ricky Mandel. I guess interning for Worldwide Underground doesn't automatically get you a spot in their pinwheel handshake. He had to stand on the outside and watch the other four raise up. One day, Ricky, you'll get there.

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Catching up on last week’s poll, 31% of 106 votes believe Pentagon DARK will become an unlikely hero in the war with the gods. 14% back Dario Cueto, while 13% are behind Mil Muertes. Surprisingly, Joey Ryan received 11% of the vote. I thought he was going to get the lowest number of votes. I was wrong. I’ll buy a lollipop in honor of Joey.

How does this week's Tope 10 stack up to your list? Any favorites not included? Predictions for the big championship match and Cueto Cup final? If you were late to the viewing party, feel free to share your thoughts about anything in the episode.

While waiting for next week’s super show, visit the Lucha Underground shop. They recently collaborated with Future Legend on a new t-shirt.

Lucha! Lucha! Lucha!