The twelfth episode of season four (August 29) for Lucha Underground featured a No Mas match, a surprise best man, air guitars, and a beautiful wedding that was ruined.
On the bright side, no one died this week.
Worldwide Underground locker room scene
Johnny Mundo was accompanied by PJ Black, Jack Evans, and Ricky Mundo with Rosa. The Mundos and Black were dressed in lime green fancy wear, while Jack Evans had his ring gear ready for the No Mas match. Even Rosa had a lime green dress. Johnny was wearing a sleeveless jacket with a cape.
Johnny was doing hand gestures in the mirror reminiscent of kung fu Elvis Presley. “This is it boys. Tonight, the Mayor of Slamtown takes his First Lady, Taya, to Slamtown manor to live happily ever after as the sexiest couple in the mundo.”
PJ Black had a surprise for Johnny. Enter Joey Wrestling (aka Joey Mercury from Mundo’s WWE tag team days of MNM). PJ passed his best man duties to Joey, which demoted Ricky down to ring bearer. Johnny pushed Ricky aside with a fart noise mouth sound. Johnny and Joey embraced.
Air guitar celebration with shredding sound effects. Ricky played his air guitar late and out of tune. Johnny took Ricky’s air guitar and passed it to Joey. Four man jam session before they exited for more drinks.
Rosa spoke to Ricky, “Hope you are planning on keeping your vows... To me.” Cue evil Ricky smile.
Jake Strong vs Drago
Metalachi played us into the Temple. Famous B filled in as ring announcer for an absent Melissa Santos.
Jake Strong is ready for the wedding. During the match, his undershorts poked out. They were the same lime green color as Johnny Mundo’s tuxedo.
Strong’s size and power were too much for Drago. Strong worked the leg and arm. The finish of the five minute match began with a back body drop by Strong onto chairs in the elevated fan area. Strong rolled Drago back into the ring for a Swagger Bomb. The ankle lock was next.
Jake Strong defeated Drago via submission.
After the match, Strong used Drago’s nunchucks to enhance his ankle lock. Aerostar came to the ring to save his friend. The duo rolled outside to safety.
No Mas Match: Jack Evans vs XO Lishus
The only way to win the I Quit match is for your opponent to say No Mas (No More).
This was a hard hitting bout for as hard as those two could hit. It started with an XO spear while Evans was flapping his gums.
BREAKING NEWS: XO Lishus has had enough of Jack Evans #LuchaUnderground @SonnyKissXO pic.twitter.com/kar2TSs041
— Lucha Underground (@LuchaElRey) August 30, 2018
Highlights include a headscissors takedown off the stairs by XO to Evans, a 360 splash by Evans from the apron to the floor, a flipping blockbuster by XO off the announce table, and Evans with a tumbling attack off the Temple ladder.
That last maneuver caused the ref to do his job with the mic. Evans asked, XO replied, “F-ck you.”
At that point, Ivelisse ran down the stairs. Evans promptly tossed her into chairs. Rightfully so.
Back in the ring, an exchange of submissions took place. Neither quit. XO slapped on a choke with his legs then transitioned into a DDT type move with his legs. After a few more submissions, Evans brought in a chair. “Foreign object. I’m outsourcing this match.”
Evans smashed XO with the chair. Evans opened the chair proper by the corner and placed XO on top. Evans said, “I’m not going to make you quit. I’m just going to snap your goddamned neck.”
Evans climbed the turnbuckle, then Joey Ryan ran out to talk him down. “Don’t do this. This is crazy.” Ryan grabbed Evans’ foot preventing lift off. Evans pushed Ryan off, but Ivelisse pulled XO off the chair. Evans missed. XO headkick. XO armbar.
Jack Evans quit.
After the match, Ivelisse was leery of Ryan. Eventually, Ryan eased the tension and all three stood with arms raised.
Worldwide Underground backstage scene
Jack Evans was dragging himself across the floor using one arm while the rest of the Worldwide Underground men stood there watching. PJ Black surmised, “I don’t think Jack will be attending tonight.” Ricky Mundo asked if he could take Jack’s place. “That way I don’t have to carry around these stupid rings.”
Johnny Mundo had a conniption. His voice squealed, “The rings aren’t stupid, Ricky. You are.” Johnny was stressing out over the wedding. More air guitar and more Rosa goading Ricky.
Taya and Johnny Mundo Wedding, Part 1
Famous B acted as minister. He proceeded to cut a sales promo. The Minister of Love can officiate your wedding. He can even bring along Dr. Wagner Jr. and Texano for a fee.
John E. (Edward) Mundo, PJ Black, and Joey Wrestling entered the ring. Taya was accompanied by Cheerleader Melissa (the unmasked persona of the luchador who portrays Mariposa) and Beautiful Brenda. Taya was dressed in her lime green wrestling gear with bridal accoutrements. Cut to a commercial break. But first...
Ricky Mundo and Rosa scene
Ricky Mundo was climbing stairs up to an area with monstrous breathing sounds. Rosa commented, “What are you afraid of? Do it. Give Johnny and Taya a wedding gift they will never forget. Do it, you coward.” Ricky used bolt cutters to unlock a chained door then scurried down the stairs.
The door opened and out came Matanza.
Taya and Johnny Mundo Wedding, Part 2
Famous B did some talking then got to the part about anyone with a reason these, “Fine ass people,” should not get married.
”Hold on, hold on.” Antonio Cueto came out of his office. Unlike Dario, Antonio actually likes them. Antonio gave them a gift. “Ring the bell.” Matanza? Nope. Tacos for everyone!
Back to the wedding procedures. Taya sweetly said, “Johnny, I love you more than I love fluffy puppies, kneeing people in the face, and beheading giant snake men. I can’t wait to have you as my tag team partner for life, because, together, we can never lose. And even without gold around that tight, ripped, sexy waist of yours, you’ll always be the champion of my heart. And tonight, we’re going to put the slam in Slamtown. I love you so much, babe.”
Johnny responded, “Taya, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would meet anyone as tan, ripped, and attractive as I am. But then, I found you. I love you more than I love my own reflection. And trust me, that’s a lot of love. I always thought the best day of my life would be the day I won the Lucha Underground championship. But not anymore. Babe, the best day of my life is today. My heart is the most epic muscle in my body and it belongs to you. I can’t wait to buy a house with a white picket fence in Slamtown and begin our lives together. You are truly the perfect woman and I couldn’t be happier than to make you my perfect wife.”
Famous B did that piece about until death do you part. Ricky Mundo entered with the rings and Rosa. B rudely stated, “I said the rings, dummy. Not your stupid doll. Git.” Ricky stood off on the groom’s side. Johnny grabbed the mic, “The ring is for the wedding party only. Hit the bricks. Don’t make this awkward, bro. Get out of here.” Ricky exited to sit on the stairs.
Both Johnny and Taya repeated, “With this ring, I thee wed.” B closed the ceremony by saying, “What the ancient Aztec gods have joined together, let no man ever tear apart. And by the power vested in me by the state of California and 423-GET-FAME, I now pronounce you man and... Holy shit, what the hell is that?”
Matanza ran into the ring. Chaos ensued. The men tried to fight him off. Taya was punched. Brenda fainted. Cheerleader Melissa attacked with her flower bouquet. A big slam took care of her. Matanza picked up Famous B in his wheelchair for another slam.
The wedding has become a massacre!!!! #LuchaUnderground pic.twitter.com/1hHkkYMxhH
— Lucha Underground (@LuchaElRey) August 30, 2018
PJ Black grabbed Matanza’s foot. A chokeslam through the taco table was PJ’s reward. Ricky Mundo sat laughing at all of this.
Johnny Mundo went on the attack in a losing effort of fisticuffs with Matanza. Matanza slammed Johnny over the ropes through a different taco table.
A bloody Taya cried in the corner. Then, she powered up. A bunch of punches to no effect. Wrath of the Gods to the bride. Matanza chokeslammed Taya onto the wedding cake. Matanza sort of walked away as the show closed.
Entertainment abound for this episode. The wrestling had its moments. All the wedding related scenes were fantastic. It made up the majority of the show and was well worth it. Laughs, cries, terror, and air guitar.
While I was not all that enthused watching Jake Strong vs Drago, I do want to see the next step in the feud. They need longer matches to provide exciting maneuvers by Drago and Aerostar in addition to showing how Strong is strong.
The action in the No Mas match was enjoyable, but the story was lame. XO calling Jack Evans a bully was weak. His bullying was rather tame, if you want to say it was bullying at all.
Ivelisse coming out made XO look like a chump. It wasn’t even in a moment of immense distress. I understand the Joey Ryan interference. That made sense, unlike with Ivelisse. Ivelisse is a selfish heel and always has been in Lucha Underground. Her fan cheers come from what she has done outside the Temple, her injuries, and being a tough fighter. I cheer her too but not because she is noble. All of a sudden she cares about someone else? Ivelisse and XO had one match as a team and no other interactions on the show. I’m not buying it. That said, it could all be remedied with a quick locker room scene between Ivelisse, XO, and Ryan.
XO Lishus does what he does well. His standard moves are solid. XO’s submission moves need some tightening up though. Most of them looked a little loose and I wasn’t believing that Evans was in pain. With more experience, I think XO will be a star.
As much as I enjoy Matt Striker, I have to rail on him for a major screw up. The first time XO Lishus was asked to quit, he said, “No.” Matt Striker got giddy and claimed XO said much worse. Later in the match with the same question, XO said, “F-ck you.” It appears that Striker knew XO was going to say those bad words at some point and jumped the gun on commentary. In doing so, he ruined the true moment. I felt nothing in what should have been something badass.
What a fantastic yet sorrowful wedding. The story arced throughout the episode from beginning to end. The surprise of Joey Wrestling and jamming air guitars were money. The constant belittling of Ricky Mundo provided motivation for his dastardly deed of releasing Matanza. The wedding speeches were humorous and touching. The unexpected intrusion of Matanza was a pity, but it set the next chapter perfectly. I can’t wait for Johnny Mundo and Taya to destroy that masked goon. The more immediate concern is if Johnny will be able to focus on his Lucha Underground championship match next week against Pentagon DARK.
Speaking of the next chapter, Joey Wrestling has some words for Matanza.
It was chaos in the Temple but we caught up with Joey Wrestling moments after tonight's shocking events. What happens next? Find out on Lucha Underground Wednesdays 8p ET on El Rey Network #luchaunderground #luchalibre #prowrestling #wrestling #lucha #elreyallday @joeyfromROH pic.twitter.com/9EW1hfRaqW
— Lucha Underground (@LuchaElRey) August 30, 2018
My guess is that they have an awesome match next week, and Joey gets sacrificed. That would be a perfect use for a guest star. Get in, do your business in magnificent fashion, advance stories on the way out.
I’ll leave you with an online exclusive of Johnny Mundo singing a song in Spanish to Taya. “Mi chingona, mi amor, mi corazon, ahhhh.”
Johnny Mundo serenades Taya w/ a song too awesome for the episode itself! Check out this ONLINE EXCLUSIVE & then see the rest of the wedding TONIGHT on @LuchaElRey 8p ET on @ElReyNetwork! #luchaunderground #luchalibre #prowrestling #wrestling @TheRealMorrison @TheTayaValkyrie pic.twitter.com/Pt5eIdMydN
— Lucha Underground (@LuchaElRey) August 29, 2018
There is also this neat looking photo that I can’t figure out. Johnny did not get thrown through tables that way. Did they film it twice? How many tacos were ruined?
What did you think of last night's shocking & heartbreaking episode of @LuchaElRey? If you missed it, you can get it on @iTunes: https://t.co/fMrCY4uLy8 #luchaunderground #luchalibre #prowrestling #wrestling #lucha #johnnymundo #taya #matanza #tv #wedding pic.twitter.com/etCTqwlPab
— Lucha Underground (@LuchaElRey) August 30, 2018
Share your thoughts about the episode. Are you excited to see Joey Wrestling in Lucha Underground? Did you think Matanza was going to be the party pooper? Are Johnny and Taya officially married or did Matanza mess that up too? Who’s going to kill Ricky Mundo?