Week thirteen of Lucha Underground’s fourth season will be featuring a supposed championship match and more than one return from the injured list. Get ready for the action as it airs tonight at 8pm ET on El Rey Network.
If you missed last week’s show, catch up with the recap and reactions and a snazzy summary video from the Lucha Underground YouTube channel.
Here are three things I’ve got my eye on for this episode. In addition, there will be a bonus power ranking.
1. Lucha Underground Championship Contenders?
I was under the assumption that Johnny Mundo would have a championship shot tonight, but then I saw this photo.
Challengers are lurking everywhere for Pentagon Dark! Catch the all-new @LuchaElRey TOMORROW 8p ET on @ElReyNetwork! #luchaunderground #luchalibre #prowrestling #wrestling #pentagondark #pentagonjr #pentazerom #ceromiedo #hernandez #elreyallday pic.twitter.com/lGIxzevEhY
— Lucha Underground (@LuchaElRey) September 4, 2018
Hernandez! Yes! Count me in. I enjoy Hernandez’s beefy style. To be honest, I couldn’t figure out who that was until I saw the hashtag for Hernandez. The tweet says, “Challengers are lurking everywhere for Pentagon DARK.” Marty Martinez should also be creeping in the Temple any day now.
In the case that Mundo does get his match tonight, I’ll leave in what I already wrote about it before that Twitter post popped up.
As a wedding gift of sorts, Antonio Cueto opted to give Johnny Mundo a title shot against Pentagon DARK. It will be interesting to see how each participant has recovered from recent events. Johnny Mundo psychologically from his wedding being ruined by Matanza and Pentagon physically after a brutal encounter versus Cage in Last Man or Machine Standing.
I would think Pentagon has the edge, since he is used to bodily torture. Mundo seems to be in a fragile state of mind lately. I don’t believe he has previously allowed his personal life to affect his focus in a Lucha Underground ring, but I could be wrong. That will be the biggest question mark heading into the main event of the evening.
2. Sacrifice
Matanza is being billed as having another opportunity for a sacrifice to the gods. Could Ricky Mundo face punishment for unlocking Matanza’s door last week? Could Joey Wrestling follow through on his threat for payback? What other options could there be besides those two?
3. A Big Bad Return
Tonight will be a return of epic proportions.
We hope everyone is enjoying their Labor Day Weekend! Get as ready as you can for an intense new Lucha Underground WEDNESDAY 8p ET on El Rey Network! #luchaunderground #luchalibre #prowrestling #wrestling #lucha #luchador #killshot #action #tv #elreyallday @StricklandShane pic.twitter.com/CRzIq19eUF
— Lucha Underground (@LuchaElRey) September 3, 2018
That’s right, Big Bad Steve is back. Don’t everyone scream all at once. Try to contain your joy.
Also of note, Killshot is wearing new pants.
Power Rankings
10. Dezmond X
That #FridayFeeling before a long weekend! Catch the all-new @LuchaElRey WEDNESDAY 8p ET on @ElReyNetwork! #luchaunderground #luchalibre #prowrestling #wrestling #lucha #luchador #dezmondx #dezmondxavier #action #tv #elreyallday @DezmondXavier pic.twitter.com/tqs7k5sSpN
— Lucha Underground (@LuchaElRey) September 1, 2018
Anybody on the roster, who is still alive, could probably be slotted in at number 10. The last singles win from a luchador not listed goes back to Daga in episode 8.
I’m going with Dezmond X for two reasons. First, I would be most excited to see him wrestle again than the rest not on the power ranking. Second, there was a nifty GIF posted, which fits in nicely for the list.
9. XO Lishus
How to make an entrance, XO Lishus-style! Catch new episodes of @LuchaElRey every Wednesday 8p ET on @ElReyNetwork! #luchaunderground #luchalibre #prowrestling #wrestling #lucha #luchador #xolishus #howtomakeanentrance #entrance #wiggle #action #tv #elreyallday @SonnyKissXO pic.twitter.com/pE1e5o9KDm
— Lucha Underground (@LuchaElRey) August 18, 2018
Two wins over Jack Evans is an impressive feat for a Lucha Underground rookie. Even though XO had assistance, he still made Jack tap in last week’s No Mas match. Can XO turn that momentum into a run up the rankings? Probably not. I wouldn’t bet on him to defeat anyone else in the top ten.
8. King Cuerno
This might be based more on past reputation. His singles success hasn’t been blazing this season, but his performances have. King Cuerno looked very tough in the Gift of the Gods matches and also in the handicap match with Cage against Pentagon DARK.
7. Johnny Mundo
Another slot anchored by past glory. Johnny Mundo has been consumed in multi-luchador contests against members of the Reptile Tribe. He will get his chance to shine tonight in a championship fight with Pentagon DARK.
6. Matanza
Sacrifice to the Gods! #LuchaUnderground #Lego pic.twitter.com/5BN2K5LmEl
— Astrid (@assui88) August 16, 2018
Squashing jabrones into a realm of sacrificial oblivion can do wonders for one’s win-loss record. Even though the level of competition has not been very high, Matanza appears to be picking up steam since becoming full monster. He is also cleaning up the roster. For that, Matanza earns the Janitor Award. His prize will be a new jumpsuit. How fitting.
5. Jake Strong
Thanks to the Legend Leroy Neiman for this beautiful piece! Who would have thought he's a Lucha Guy! pic.twitter.com/U6Qj5cfnHr
— You Dont Know Jack (@RealJackSwagger) August 24, 2018
Strong! Jake Strong has yet to face a serious challenge to date in singles competition. Aerostar and Drago are no chumps. Strong took care of them fairly easy. Strong!
4. Cage
Cage acquitted himself well in tough defeats to Pentagon DARK. It appears that it will be awhile until he returns to action, unless his machine arms have super healing power. I don’t know where Cage heads from here. Looking at the rankings, a clash with Jake Strong would be very intriguing. More hoss fights with Matanza and Mil Muertes would also be dope.
3. El Dragon Azteca Jr.
#LuchaUnderground ! #CeroMiedo @PentagonJunior pic.twitter.com/9FENQUU5je
— Dragon Azteca, Jr. (@DragonAztecaJr) August 11, 2016
The Gift of the Gods champ has two successful defenses and momentum on his side. El Dragon Azteca Jr. looked progressively tougher in each fight. He is on his way to the Ultima Lucha Cuatro main event, but will Azteca be able to successfully fend off all challengers until then?
2. Mil Muertes
Whoever made this. I want it. #LuchaUnderground #WWE #MilMuertes #Undertaker #RIP pic.twitter.com/z0GjFpcVtf
— Chris DJ DeJoseph (@chrisdejoseph) May 27, 2018
Mil Muertes has the most signature wins to date in season four; 3-Way to the Grave against Fenix and Jeremiah Crane, singles action against Cage (with DARK interference), and handling Mack in a Haunted House cage. I would pick Mil Muertes to beat anyone, anytime. Yes, I’m biased.
1. Pentagon DARK
Luchabrothers! ZEROMIEDO animo pic.twitter.com/ndG9QmGqHM
— PENTA EL ZERO M (@PENTAELZEROM) July 21, 2018
The champ is still champ. Winning Aztec Warfare 4, pinning Matanza, and defeating Cage twice is the toughest road of competition compared to any other luchador in the Temple this season. Adding a win over Johnny Mundo would continue the impressive streak.
Putting together that list was more challenging than I anticipated. On one hand, there are very few worthy contenders this season to challenge Pentagon DARK. On the other hand, plenty of veterans could be thrust into the mix of a contender match and be believable. For example, look to the former Trios champs of Mack, Killshot, and Son of Havoc.
The lack of legit championship challengers seems like a definite weak point for season four. That might be why very few matches feel special this season. Many of the prime matchups have relied on past work instead of re-establishing luchadores as threats to the throne.
How does your top ten compare? What is your predicted top ten by season’s end?
To close on a positive note, find delight in a crazy tope from Aerostar.
El tope de @aaaerostar1 por eso es el único #ReyDelAire @luchalibreaaa @ZonaRudaTDN @aaa_fansdelucha @LuchaElRey @TotalmenteLeo @NenaArel @_janjims pic.twitter.com/7QKaQMdMV9
— #Aerogirls (@Los_Aerofans) September 3, 2018
Enjoy the show tonight at 8pm ET on El Rey Network.
El Rey is available via the cable and satellite providers list on their webpage here. If one of those is your hook-up and you can’t find the channel on your box, reach out to them and ask for it. If you don’t see your provider listed or you’ve cut the cord, you can order the episodes on iTunes here and on Amazon here. Seasons one and two are available on Netflix here.
NOTE: Spoilers are out there for these pre-taped broadcast, but many Cagesiders don’t partake. If you are going to post or discuss spoilers for this show before they happen, or results of future shows, please use the spoiler bar in your comment.