When “Lucha Underground” debuted in the fall of 2014, it grabbed the attention of hardcore wrestling fans everywhere. El Rey Network’s Boyle Heights-based action show became an alternative to WWE’s more mainstream fare, featuring a surreal, dark mythos dedicated to creating story arcs that built on top of each other. To the delight of its rabid fans, it got renewed for a second season, a season that ends this month with the three-part event, “Ultima Lucha Dos.”
One of the marquee matches scheduled for the finale is a match between WWE alum Rey Mysterio and Prince Puma, the first “Lucha” protagonist. Showrunner Chris DeJoseph believes that this is the match that fans will talk about most: “You have Rey, who wants to know if he’s still got what it takes, and Puma, the face of Lucha Underground, who wants to know if he can beat the best.”
But the main event will see Matanza Cueto face off against the show’s most popular and psychotic luchador, Pentagon Jr. Pentagon was brutally injured by Matanza earlier in the season, but is back for revenge after some training from his dark master, Vampiro.
DeJoseph says that Matanza was supposed to make his first ring appearance in season 1, but Lucha decided to keep him under wraps until he made his big entrance earlier this season. “We knew going into season 2 that we had to get this character ready. We had to get the right person to play him. Sometimes you’re worried with this kind of buildup that it won’t live up to the hype, but the fans have given us some very positive feedback.”
Also included will be a Gift of the Gods title match between seven luchadores involved in major storylines this season: Daga, Siniestro De La Muerte, Sexy Star, Marty Martinez, Mariposa, Killshot, and a new luchador named Night Claw. Unlike last year’s Gift of the Gods match, this year’s match brings preexisting feuds and alliances into the equation.
While the brother-sister duo of Martinez and Mariposa have feuded with several of their opponents in this match, it’s Night Claw who is the wild card. DeJoseph says that he’s from the same Aztec tribe as Prince Puma, which makes it possible that the two could become rivals in season 3.
King Cuerno started the season by making an uneasy alliance with Mil Muertes, but their lust for blood and championship gold quickly caused it to go south. Now the two will end their feud in a deathmatch at the request of Mil’s master, Catrina.
Meanwhile, four competitors will take part in a no-holds-barred tournament to win one of Dario Cueto’s famed “unique opportunities.” The first match will feature the foul-mouthed Texano against the fan favorite underdog, Son of Havoc.
The second match will be between Cage and the Mack in a sequel to the chaotic Falls Count Anywhere match at last year’s Ultima Lucha, which sent everyone in the stands running for cover.
El Dragon Azteca, Jr. and Black Lotus are two characters that have had their stories mostly play out through the show’s backstage vignettes, but they will face off in the ring as Azteca seeks to punish Lotus for betraying and killing his mentor.
DeJoseph also promises that we will learn more about the mysterious person that Dario Cueto answers to and who will soon be heading down to Boyle Heights for a visit.
“Ultima Lucha Dos” begins Wednesday, July 6 on El Rey Network. For more on “Lucha Underground,” check out our set visit during the filming of season 3.
