Lucha Underground’s contracts were always controversial. The television show which happened to involve wrestling (as opposed to a wrestling show) locked in its performers to long, exclusive deals similar to actors deals. Over the years, they got a little more flexible, allowing wrestlers to work indie events and even sharing talent with Impact and other televised promotions.
But they’ve still largely stuck to their guns with their original roster. It’s why Ricochet took so long to finally show in NXT. And it looks to why former WWE Developmental talent and LU Trios champ Ivelisse is currently in limbo while there’s a signing way going on in the business.
Feeling she had no other options, she took her story to social media this afternoon:
— Ivelisse LaSicaria#Bow2None (@RealIvelisse) January 15, 2019
“l’ve done everything in my power to avoid having to do this but.. at this point I literally have no other choice.. For a bit over 1 1/2 [years] now l’ve been battling LU to grant me my release. They convinced me to do S4 under the promise that I’d be released after the season concluded and was still unhappy. They currently are still refusing to do so despite having been told numerous times that they would. This has caused me an unbearable amount of grief for so long now, I really have no words to describe and don’t know what else to do.. being legally held hostage while Pro Wrestling is booming is a matter not to be taken lightly, especially coming from someone who has dedicated their life to their work, its everything to me. I am at my wits end, so at this point, regardless what happens from here on out, at the very least my story is told.”
There hasn’t been much news on the subject of a fifth season of Lucha Underground. Vampiro has said it’s not dead. But in discussing another member of their roster, Shane Strickland, declaring himself a “free agent”, Pro Wrestling Sheet says their sources say there hasn’t been much communication between the creators and the producers at MGM, as both sides are sticking to their guns in a budget fight (hmmm, sounds familiar).
Where does all this leave Ivelisse? Hopefully in a better place soon.