Exclusive Ring Rust Radio interview with Lucha Underground executive producer and former WWE writer Christopher DeJoseph

The hosts of Ring Rust Radio – Donald Wood, Mike Chiari and Brandon Galvin – recently had the chance to speak with Lucha Underground executive producer and former WWE writer, Christopher DeJoseph. The first season of Lucha Underground received an enormous amount of praise from wrestling fans and RRR is able to speak to DeJoseph about the recent announcement of the highly-anticipated second season, the possibility of Rey Mysterio joining the company, his time with WWE and more. You can listen to the interview at the YouTube link below, or continue past and read the entire interview here.

Ring Rust Radio: The biggest news is the announcement of Lucha Underground’s second season. What was the process like behind the scenes getting the show back on the air, and what is the excitement level from the people involved now that it’s coming back?

Chris DeJoseph: I will say that behind the scenes it was a tad bit stressful. I was kind of out of that portion since I handle mainly the creative parts of the show, storylines, and things like that. For me, it was a wait and see game, and I got the news the same time around everyone else did. For me it was exciting because I hadn’t moved on to work on another show and now it gives me the opportunity to come right back and get in the swing of things for Lucha Underground. It was real exciting; everyone behind the scenes is super excited. Talent has reached out to me to let me know how excited they are. We are bringing back a lot of the same crew and people that helped make a fun and magical first season of Lucha Underground. Starting from scratch with something like that you will never know if it’s going to have some type of success or if people will like it. For the most part people enjoyed the show and that’s why we are coming back for season two.

Ring Rust Radio: One of the main things that has fans excited for Season 2 of Lucha Underground is the prospect of some fresh, new talent being brought in. One person who’s naturally been linked to Lucha Underground is Rey Mysterio. What’s your interest level in potentially utilizing Rey, and who are some additional wrestlers you’d like to see in Lucha?

Chris DeJoseph: If Rey was in Lucha Underground at all that would be amazing. What can you say about that guy? He is a former world champion and probably one of the most popular luchadores ever. That would be amazing. As far as other new talent, that’s something that we are still in the process of. I think we would like to keep it a surprise for people. I will tell you there are some new characters, new faces, and some recognizable ones you will see.

Ring Rust Radio: Unlike other wrestling companies, Lucha Underground appeared to have a long-term creative plan. What was the creative process like and why do you think it's so difficult for other companies to write long-term storylines and stick to that plan?

Chris DeJoseph: I think that other companies don’t look at their show like a drama for TV. Something you could tune into for every week, they keep looking at it as wrestling. We didn’t want to look at it that way.  In my situation here on this show, Mark Burnett and Robert Rodriguez and the El Rey network put their faith in us and trusted us and our opinions and let us do what we were hired to do. Sometimes, not naming names, but in bigger places there are too many people trying to get their input in and sometimes those people at the top don’t see things the same way or just may change their mind just because. I think major politics are in play in those situations too. Somebody could have a bad match at a house show then the next week their story line is killed on Raw. We didn’t have the problem on Lucha. On the start of the very first day I told all the talent, we want everybody to be a part of this show, we want everyone to have some input on this, and we have to make this show together. We don’t get to season two unless everyone works together on season one. We had fun doing it. Toward the end of my WWE time, and I know this is true for a lot of talent and people that work for them, it stops being fun anymore. That’s one thing that we wanted to try to keep going at Lucha. Everyone comes in and has a good time and puts on a damn good show every week. I don’t have all the answers or best ideas and sometimes mine aren’t the best. But if people can come in and give their input and feel free to do those things and be part of the creative process it helps the show in whole.

Ring Rust Radio: Switching gears to your time with the WWE, we see a lot of reports from the dirtsheets about creative team members leaking information. As someone who has worked inside the WWE Creative room, what are your thoughts on the dirtsheets and is it a common occurrence to see writers leaking information?

Chris DeJoseph: I think when I was there, there were suspicions of some people who were, but you never really could prove it though. I never had a relationship with anyone who wrote any dirt sheet. I was too scared probably to even think about that there especially in my beginning times. There your life is so sheltered, but I think some come from talent not so much creative. I am not really sure on that but I know I never did. Sometimes things would get out that were true, but the majority of the times things that are reported are completely false or they don’t have all the information.  

Ring Rust Radio: I think fans have a lot of questions regarding what might stay the same from Season 1 to Season 2 and what might change. The press release made it sound as though you’ll remain in the same Boyle Heights temple, but there’s some mystery surrounding things like when the first taping and airing will be, if it’s still going to be an hour-long show and how the announce team might be impacted by Vampiro’s new role with Pentagon Jr. Are you able to make any confirmations or offer any insight on any of those things?

Chris DeJoseph: I think it’s already out there that we are beginning taping on November 14th, if it isn’t it is now.  You will see a lot of the same characters but you will also see some new ones.  We teased a few at the end of last season, hopefully there will be a little injection of new.  You always need that to be successful with any show.  Especially in wrestling it’s nice to see new faces and new matchups.  As far as the other stuff, I don’t want to give anything away to spoil it for anybody.  I will keep my lips sealed as far as everything else and what’s happening.

Exclusive Ring Rust Radio interview with ECW, WCW and WWE legend Rey Mysterio Jr. as he heads into AAA's Triplemania 23

The hosts of Ring Rust Radio – Donald Wood, Mike Chiari and Brandon Galvin – were recently able to speak with pro wrestling legend, Rey Mysterio Jr.! In this interview, they talk with Mysterio about his upcoming match with Myzteziz at AAA’s Triplemania 23, his legacy in the business, his storied career having worked for ECW, WCW and WWE and much more. You can listen to the interview on the YouTube link below or continue past it to read the entire interview here.

Donald Wood: The biggest news for wrestling fans is that you will be main-eventing AAA’s Triplemanía 23 against Myzteziz (formerly Sin Cara) in a dream match on Sunday, August 9th on PPV. For fans watching Triple A for the first time thanks to the English commentary, what can they expect from the show overall and from the main event between you and Myzteziz?

Rey Mysterio: Well that match between us is going to a legacy defining match.  There is a lot of animosity and egos that are going to come into play that night.  I have to point out that this match was made for the fans by the fans.  The fans were the number one critiques on who is better?  Rey Mysterio or Myzteziz.  At one point I left Mexico to continue my career globally and a new star came about.  He is known now as Myzteziz, but back then he was known as Mistico and then Sin Cara when he joined WWE.  I would have to say the fans in their eyes see a lot of similarities between us.  We even tagged at one point in the WWE and now here we are against each other thanks to the fans.

Mike Chiari: You and Myzteziz teamed together in WWE and it seemed as though there were always rumors about the two of you facing each other, and that match possibly happening at WrestleMania. How close did that match come to happening in WWE, and why do you think it never did?

Rey Mysterio: Due to the fact that I had already previous injuries on top of my knee benched me for quite some time.  When I came back we started teaming up and we were heading somewhere.  There wasn’t a concrete story line, but we were going out there and putting on one hell of a show for the fans.  We were barely at the stage of getting the fans acclimated with our style and who Myzteziz was.  His injuries came into play as well and then of course he was released.  Then of course later on my release with me not wanting to re-sign with the WWE so it didn’t happen and we parted ways.  We didn’t give the WWE the time to invest in both names and the product.  Now it is happening at last here in Triple A.

Brandon Galvin: You're often credited by fans as being one of the most influential luchadores in wrestling history, especially when it comes to your impact on pro wrestling in America. I know this was a long time ago, but do you recall getting that sense when you were first working ECW and WCW or do you look back now and feel that you were a pioneer of sorts?

Rey Mysterio: I think I look back now and feel blessed that I was a pioneer for that style.  I want to pause a second and mention the one person that opened the doors for us and that was Eddie Guerrero.  He was the first runner up with ECW and he was having great matches with Dean Malenko and Chris Benoit.  Then of course when Eddie signed with WCW, Pauly talked to Konnan and brought him in, then Konnan brought us in:  Psychosis, Juventud, Parka, and myself.  We kind of replaced Eddie’s style and gave the fans a treat of lucha libre.  Now I go back and think that, “wow, we really opened the eyes of the American audience to what lucha libre is, that it’s not just a style, it’s part of our culture.

Donald Wood: There were plenty of rumors surrounding why and how you departed WWE, including that the company flew you into Buffalo for a special meeting and extended your deal without your approval. Can you address the validity of these reports and why you decided it was time to leave WWE earlier this year?

Rey Mysterio: The initial meeting in Buffalo went well.  Both parties, they agreed to continue to move forward on the Rey Mysterio brand.  There was no rumors, no animosity, no bad feelings between us.  I feel like resigning with the company due to the fact that I had a large amount of injuries on my body.  That was the number one reason why I was on the bench so long.  So when it came around to resigning, they were ok with me wanting to depart and do my own thing.  There was no hard feelings and we departed in an amicable way.  It was my time to think for myself and act upon myself and that was the best thing I had done for myself in years.  I have had time to rest and my body feels a thousand times better.  I’m calling my own shots and doing things I have never been able to do in my career.  I never had the freedom to do them but now I do.

Donald Wood: Would you ever be open to returning to WWE later in your career?

Rey Mysterio: Yes of course.  I think that’s what every wrestler would want, there’s nothing better than dictating your own future and not over working your body.  You can’t keep running on fumes constantly when you are older.  You don’t see the same Rey Mysterio you see when I was 25 years old.  I think it’s good to understand from both ends that I can’t deliver the way I used to when I first signed with the WWE.  To make sure talent last, you have to take care of it.

Mike Chiari: Lucha Underground is a promotion that's picked up a ton of steam over the past year, and it's a company that many fans have naturally linked you to since it has a good working relationship AAA. If and when the second season of Lucha Underground is green lighted, what are the odds we'll see you working with them? What's your level of interest there?

Rey Mysterio: I’m a big fan of their product and I watch it on occasion.  They are doing a wonderful job and I think it’s great that they give an opportunity to the future talent of AAA.  I sit down and think if we had that type of promotion going on when Triple was filled with Psychosis, Juventud, Parka, Pentagon, Konnan, then lucha libre would have been introduced years ago to the United States.  Unfortunately it didn’t happen but I think everything has its time to be exposed and now it has happened for Lucha Underground.  I think if the time is right and I am interested I don’t see why not.  If the opportunity came to come back to the WWE with a 50/50 terms base I would do that as well.  It’s good to know you have options and when the options come I will be the first to jump on it as long as it favors both parties involved.

Brandon Galvin: There's been so many exciting chapters so far in your career, but mine was when you made your debut in WWE and were working with the likes of Kurt Angle, Edge and Eddie Guerrero among others. Was that a special time for you from an in-ring perspective and is there a point in time where you feel like you were having your best matches?

Rey Mysterio: I definitely think that was probably a good phase that I was living.  I had so many great opponents and team mates around me that we were able to perform at a very high level.  I had Eddie, Edge, Kurt Angle, and Triple H was there doing his thing too and the Rock was still around too.  The roster in general for WWE, SmackDown, and Raw was so stacked,  it was definitely the funniest stage in my career and the most memorable stage for giving the best matches I had in me.

Donald Wood: One interesting note is that you worked for Paul Heyman in ECW, Eric Bischoff in WCW and Vince McMahon in WWE, so you’ve seen all different kinds of leadership types. Using your unique perspective, what are some of the differences between the three men and who did you enjoy working for the most?

Rey Mysterio: They all are very different and we left out Antonio Pena, the creator of AAA.  God rest his soul.  He was the first one to see what was behind Rey Mysterio and gave me the opportunity to be nationally known.  With all four of those bosses I have had, they are all very different.  Geniuses were Pena, Pauly, and Vince.  Marketing wise and character wise, they were just on top of their game and I think the fact that it was their company and obligation to take wrestling to another level and they have.  They all did at their time and I feel blessed to have worked with all three of them.  One is no longer around, I don’t know where Eric is, and Pena rest in peace.  I feel honor to have been a part of all four major companies at points in my career.

Mike Chiari: You're obviously one of the most accomplished and popular Superstars in WWE history, but unfortunately one of your last matches in WWE was the 2014 Royal Rumble and you were actually booed as the 30th entrant since fans so badly wanted to see Daniel Bryan. Do you feel like you were unfairly put in a no-win situation? Are there any hard feelings about the way that played out?

Rey Mysterio: No hard feelings at all.  One thing I have learned through the years is I have never been political about certain things and I take things lightly through my whole life.  At the moment, I couldn’t believe or understand what was going on.  After the match I was able to sit down and digest what was going on, and sure enough it was the fact that the fans weren’t given what they wanted.  At one point I remember talking to Konnan about it, thinking if they would of let me walk down to the ring, then when the fans were booing, let me go back into gorilla and give my spot to Daniel Bryan to be number 30.

Brandon Galvin: You've been a massively popular fan favorite throughout your WWE career, but was there ever a time that you wanted to turn heel and see how it would be to play a villain?

Rey Mysterio: I think that actually happened some sort of way after I lost my mask and the Filthy Animals were created.  That was the first time I was able to experiment what it felt like working without the mask.  In a way, it was not being a complete baby face, but somewhere in-between.  A cocky Rey Mysterio, a new stage in his career, no mask, so I was able to play with the fans a little more and interact with the fans in a different way.  I really enjoyed that phase of my life even though I thought working without my mask would have been a heart breaker.

Exclusive Ring Rust Radio interview with Lucha Underground and AAA star Brian Cage

The hosts of Ring Rust Radio – Donald Wood, Mike Chiari and Brandon Galvin – were recently able to speak with Lucha Underground star, Brian Cage. With the rise in popularity of Lucha Underground, Ring Rust talks to Cage about working for Lucha Underground, AAA, the independents as well as being a part of FCW and much more. Check out this interview on the YouTube link below or you can continue past and read the entire interview here.

Donald Wood: The big news from Lucha Underground is that Ultima Lucha will now be two weeks long. It was announced that you would be taking on The Mack in a falls count anywhere match. What are your expectations for Ultima Lucha overall and what can the fans expect from your battle against The Mack?

Brian Cage: I think the reason they made it two weeks long is because my match is going to be so epic and will be an episode in its own right. Ultima Lucha itself will be awesome and I feel every week of Lucha Underground is amazing. I don’t want to sound boring or cookie cutter and say expect more of the same, but really the wrestling is awesome and the matches are so great. It’s going to be the culmination of everything up to this point and what you would expect from a season finale. Mack and I are going to tear the roof off of the place. We have had a couple of good ones though they were short and sweet. This time we will get to put it all out there and have a great match and I don’t think it is going to disappoint.

Mike Chiari: I think some fans were somewhat surprised to see you sign with Lucha Underground initially because they were expecting more traditional Luchadores, but you’ve really seemed to gel with the rest of the roster. Why do you think you’ve been such a good fit for Lucha Underground, and how have you enjoyed your time with the company so far?

Brian Cage: You know like Striker says, “I am the total package of everything that is lucha.”  While I think it’s good to have those opposites here and there, but I think my styles fit really well here.  At first they think I don’t belong here, but then they see my styles and my ability and it meshes well them and their style altogether.  It gives them something new and brings almost a hybrid style of a so called big-man.  I love it here.  I was a little unsure myself jumping on board and seeing how it would work out.  I was worried it wasn’t going to work out or turn out to be a flop.  It’s been phenomenal and the best company I have ever worked for.  I am glad and couldn’t be happier that I signed on board.  I am looking forward for everything down the road and think it will be a big success.

Brandon Galvin: Your match with Prince Puma for the Lucha Underground Championship back in March was one of the best matches of the year for us, but it seemed that you were quickly pushed aside for other wrestlers. Given how much Lucha Underground was marketing you at the time, do you think they missed a chance to capitalize on your momentum?

Brian Cage: Yes and no.  I mean it was amazing I got such a huge opportunity out the gate.  That really elevated me and Puma too who was already doing such a great job.  I don’t think it’s a missed opportunity because it is still there.  They bumped me down to mid-card status to help elevate other people and to lead the way for other people to work with Puma since it can’t be the Brian Cage/Puma story the whole time, you know what I mean?  So a missed opportunity I don’t think so.  The plans moving ahead I am sure I will be in the title scenario again at some point.  I wish it would have gone a little longer but no love lost or hurt feelings.

Donald Wood: While your popularity is rising in the mainstream thanks to Lucha Underground, Indy wrestling fans have known you for years thanks to Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. Do you think the freedom to show your athleticism at PWG has helped give you the chance to shine anywhere?

Brian Cage: Oh undoubtedly, absolutely.  Going back to not wrestling how people thought I would wrestle is my niche.  That’s what sets me apart from everybody else.  Besides Uhaa Nation, we’re the only guys with that type of appeal or ability in the ring.  PWG really launched me and helped me get out there and show on a national scale what I can do.

Mike Chiari: In addition to your great work with Lucha Underground you’ve been involved in a long-running feud with Alberto El Patron in AAA, and it’s going to culminate in hair vs. hair match at TripleMania August 9. What does it mean to you to be in a featured match on such a huge card, and what are your expectations for the match?

Brian Cage: It’s really awesome to be down there this year and feud with him; it’s helped me out a lot internationally.  To be part of TripleMania, which is their WrestleMania down there, it’s just so awesome.  Being listed as one of the headliners along with Rey Mysterio and Myzteziz and to be on their first full international PPV its just such a huge deal, I marked out a little myself.  When I saw my name next to Alberto on the PPV synopsis I was like, “Ohhhhhhh this is amazing, I’m going to be on real PPV!”  I think it’s going to be an awesome opportunity and my matches down there with him I have been really enjoying.  I think this will be the best match we have over the past 6 months and I am eager to see what the future has in store for me after.

Brandon Galvin: We've been major supporters of Lucha Underground since Day 1. We recently had Vampiro and he was confident a second season would happen. First, what are your thoughts on the structure of Lucha Underground with it being a season and finally, what are your expectations for a second season?

Brian Cage: The season thing I was shaky going back and forth with at first. I know originally they wanted a shorter time lapse but I’m not so worried now.  Its shot more like a TV show, and I think that will help to keep people wanting more.  Like when we took that winter break last year.  Everyone thinks it won’t work because you will lose momentum, but this has never been done before.  There are a lot of things Lucha is doing that no one has before like shooting in a whole different angle.  The only way to see how it works is to try it.  I am getting more and more confident that it will be fine and not too long of a break.  We will see how it goes moving forward shooting the seasons.  I think season 2 will be everything season 1 was and just so much more.  You know what to expect, people will want to be a part of it, and wrestlers will even want to sign on.  Everyone is going to more excited for season 2 and deliver more than season 1 did.

Donald Wood: You spent time in WWE’s developmental territory, FCW. Despite having the ideal bodybuilder look the company is going for and being a great athlete, why do you think you never got the chance to show your skill on the main roster and would you be open to a return to WWE?

Brian Cage: I’ll be straight and blunt with it, because they are idiots.  They want something to hang their hat on and if you are not their guy they will let you go.  Not going to pull any punches, but I would be totally open to going back to them.  With many things permitting.  I am not opposed to going back, but I don’t care if I ever go back.  If I ever work for them cool, if I don’t my life is super happy and I am living the dream right now.  I did love my time down there and things did go great.

Mike Chiari: There are quite a few nicknames that you go by, but one that’s started to pick up steam recently is Lucha Lesnar in reference to your similarities to Brock Lesnar. How do you think you compare to Brock, and what would your interest level be in terms of having a match with him one day?

Brian Cage: That one was promoted by some fan and my mom thought it was totally hilarious.  I like the name and I would love a match with Brock.  He is my favorite guy to watch in WWE though I don’t get to watch much of it nowadays.  I think it’s funny because he is a better wrestler now than when he left the ring the first time.  His style now is more of a shoot, just the way he literally throws people around the ring for real.  I would love to work him but I don’t know how similar our styles would match up.  We both are huge beast-like individuals who are more athletic than we should be for our sizes.  I don’t think there are many similarities in our styles.  I think a match together would be amazing and I would love the opportunity. 

Brandon Galvin: I mentioned your match with Prince Puma earlier, but is there a match or performance you would choose to show somebody who has never seen you work as a way to define the wrestler you've become?

Brian Cage: Wow that’s a good question; I’ve never been asked that.  If I had to pick one match for everything, man that would be hard to do.  There are plenty to choose from and it’s hard to pick one.  My matches with Puma, my matches with Roderick Strong in PWG, my debut with them, I mean those matches are older.  My matches with Tyson Kidd those were amazing.  Maybe my match with Roddy or Prince Puma match from the past year cause it gives a better view of who I am and what I do is what I would say off the top of my head.

NXT, Lucha Underground, and Indy Wrestling Minute - Your Weekly Source for Independent Wrestling News

NXT, 4/22

Finn Balor opens NXT this week. It’s just a matter of time before he’s on the main roster. He doesn’t even need an NXT Title run like most call ups get, he’s already that good.

Balor takes on Tye Dillinger who the crowd is almost completely indifferent toward. He’s also wearing some sort of weird long scarf.

Start off trading arm locks and head locks. Balor hits a big drop kick and tries to take control but Dillinger hits some chops. Balor hits a few of his own and a few forearms and a Pele kick. Crowd being really disrespectful to Dillinger, chanting “Still a jobber” at him.

Balor hits a Slingblade followed by a shotgun dropkick into the corner, finishing Dillinger off with the Coup de Grace double stomp to win.

After the match, Tyler Breeze shows up on the screen and mocks Balor. Says everyone loves Finn Balor but you know who doesn’t? Me. Breeze says Balor is just the flavor of the month and it’s time he meets someone who has been dominating NXT.

Devin Taylor talking to Dana Brooke backstage and Dana being a jerk to Devin. She says last week wasn’t a debut, it was a rebirth of the NXT Women’s Division. She says it’s being molded by the most beautiful and the strongest, meaning herself, and that NXT is Dana’s playground and playtime is over. But if…NXT is her playground, why would she want play time to be over?

Devin talks to Kevin Owens but he’s basically ignoring her (Are you cold? I feel a draft). Owens says he gives Alex Riley credit. A few weeks ago he gave Owens a good fight, but Owens still won. And tonight is going to be the exact same thing because he’s better than Riley.

Up now, a triple threat for Women’s title number one contender. Bayley vs. Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte.

Charlotte and Bayley teaming up on Becky to start. Not working together but both targeting Becky on their own and breaking up each other’s covers but still, not attacking each other until Bayley sends Becky outside.

Bayley and Charlotte fight for a while until Becky makes her way back in and sends Charlotte out. Becky controls the match against Bayley, keeping her grounded and working her knee before locking in a submission in the center of the ring. But it isn’t long before Charlotte runs in and breaks it up with the Natural Selection on Becky and Bayley breaks up the pin.

Charlotte puts Bayley on the top rope but Becky pulls her down to a chant of “Better than Divas.” Becky heads up top with Bayley, setting up for a superplex but can’t get her over. Charlotte comes in and pulls Becky out in a power bomb but holds her there as Bayley comes off the top hitting Becky with a back elbow, followed by a power bomb from Charlotte! Bayley suplexes Charlotte and then Belly to Bayley on Becky but Charlotte breaks up the pin.

Charlotte locks in the Figure Four on Bayley but she pulls herself to the rope. Charlotte pulls Bayley back in and locks in the move again, bridging up with it in what she calls the Figure 8 (because it’s twice as good as her dad’s). But Becky Lynch pulls herself to Bayley and covers her and gets the pin because Charlotte was bridging up and didn’t notice the cover.

CJ Parker takes on Hideo Itami. I guess there still may be some more Parker appearances after he was released from his contract.

Parker spending a surprising amount of time in control. Itami trying to lock up and hit kicks but Parker retreating to the ropes and the ref breaking them up and Parker surprises Itami.

Itami reverses a suplex and hits a combo of punches and kicks, sending Parker into the corner and Itami lands a big corner dropkick. Parker staggers out and Itami puts him down with a single leg running dropkick.

Sasha Banks sarcastically congratulates Becky Lynch on becoming number one contender in the locker room. Becky says silver isn’t her color and the belt is gonna look better around her waist as Sasha makes fun of her accent. Sasha says she made Becky Lynch but Becky says she made herself and says she doesn’t know how to put this, but she’s kind of a big deal. But Sasha says she’s the NXT Women’s Champion – that’s a big deal.

Rhyno returns to the NXT Zone. He takes on some dude I don’t recognize. The crowd chanting “Rhyno’s gonna kill you.” Rhyno runs him over with a clothes line and Rhyno tosses him with a belly to belly then slams him with a Gore for the win.

Blake and Murphy approach Carmella, serenading her with their terrible voices. Enzo and Cass come in and Blake and The Murph take off. Cass and Enzo are annoyed Carmella is wearing the jewelry they gave her and say it’s garbage, fugazi, middle of the mall stuff.

Main event time – Alex “Rage” Riley takes on NXT Champ Kevin Owens.

Riley hits a few moves to start, including a dropkick that sends Owens outside. Owens stays on the outside and lures Riley out then slams him onto the entrance ramp back first. Owens start controlling the  match from there on out, gets a 2 count from a standing senton.

But Riley won’t stay down. He keeps trying to mount a comeback but Owens a step ahead. After a cannonball in the corner, Owens hits a pop up powerbomb for the win.

After the match, Owens acts like he’s going to leave but continues to attack Riley and throws him out of the ring. Again, he grabs his title and acts like he’s going to leave but drops it and grabs Riley and sets up to power bomb him onto the apron but Sami Zayn shows up and attacks Owens and they fight around the ring.

Refs show up to separate them but they can’t keep them apart. Wrestlers head out from the back and finally end the brawl. Zayn gets in the ring and tope con hilo onto Owens and the mass of refs and wrestlers from the top rope to the floor. Owens scurries away and gets to the stage as Zayn stares him down from the ring.

NXT tour dates

For the first time, the NXT brand is going on tour. They’ve done a show in Columbus before and the show WrestleMania weekend but outside of random live events in Florida, NXT usually only runs tapings at Full Sail University. But now, they are taking the show on the road and I wouldn’t be surprised to see many more tours in the future.

Unsurprisingly, they are starting in Philly, since it’s been proven (by me) that Philadelphia is the best wrestling town in the world. The tickets only just went on sale this morning (I got mine) but only a few hours later, a second Philly show was added for May 15, also at The Tower.

That’s going to be a crazy week for wrestling, especially in Philly. Monday is Raw, Tuesday and Wednesday are Ring of Honor/New Japan joint shows at The Arena, Thursday and Friday are NXT shows at The Tower and Sunday is the Payback PPV.

May 14 – Tower Theater, Upper Darby, PA

May 15 – Tower Theater, Upper Darby, PA

May 16 – Washington Avenue Armory in Albany, NY

June 11 – Stage AE, Pittsburgh, PA

June 12 – Agora Theater, Cleveland OH

June 13 – LC Pavilion, Columbus OH

Ticket info can be found here:

http://www.wwe.com/events/all/wwenxt/all/all/all/3000/mi

Lucha Underground 4/22

The show opens with the Black Lotus writing a journal entry. She’s been with El Dragon Azteca for 8 weeks training but doesn’t know when he’ll let her fight. She knows she’s ready. He says her anger is her greatest weakness but she says it’s her greatest strength. He takes her to a big warehouse and has her fight four dudes at once in a cinematic fight. He then fights her himself and tells her “An opponent will not wait for you to catch your breath.” As she’s fighting she says she hates him and he easily reverses and tells her she isn’t ready.

Sexy Star opens the show and she takes on Pentagon Jr.

Melissa Santos is still pretty pissed about Pentagon attacking her. Looks like her ankle is injured too. Also saw Daviari in the crowd behind Pentagon as he entered. (Vamp says something on commentary to add weight to the RRR conspiracy theory. Vamp says that the way Pentagon refers to his master means someone like a priest or something and he’s mentioned before he’s been in vampire cults…so is Vamp his master?)

Dueling “Cero miedo” and “Sexy Star” chants. Star with the advantage early, stomping on Pentagon and chopping him after a big dropkick. But Pentagon takes control after hitting a few big kicks.

But Star refusing to relent, avoiding a corner dropkick and drop toe hold Pentagon into the corner and stomps on him a lot.

Star dives off the top into Pentagon but he catches her in a double underhook and sits out dropping her to the mat. He gets a 2 count and sets up to break her arm but she rolls out of it and rolls out of the ring.

Star goes for a hurricanrana but gets caught with a lung blower and then another and then another. But instead of going for the pin, Pentagon sets up to break her arm and she get away again. Pentagon taunts her as she gets up and whips her off the ropes, she satellite around and gets Pentagon’s back and drops him down with a lung blower and gets the win!

Johnny Mundo doing some crazy exercise in the Temple (lying under a bench bar on the ground, pulling himself up with one arm and pressing a dumbbell in the other arm). Alberto El Patron comes in and says “Hey Johnny, getting ready for your Trios title match? Oh wait that’s right, you lost last week!” Alberto says he’s shocked because Johnny is a hell of an athlete and admits that Mundo is one of the main reasons he came to Lucha Underground. And surprised Mundo couldn’t beat Prince Puma, but says that’s the story of his life – always so close to the brass ring but it’s always out of his grasp. Mundo asks if they have a problem and that he isn’t someone he can just slap around but Alberto tells him he needs to chill out.

The Trios Championship match happens now (is an elimination match too). King Cuerno’s team comes out first (Cage and Texano). Son of Havoc, Ivelisse and Angelico out next. And Big Ryck’s team, Killshot and The Mack are last.

One man from each team in the ring at a time – Killshot, Cage and Angelico start and Striker says they must tag out to a member of their team. Angelico and Killshot team up on Cage but Cage overwhelms them with his crazy strength and tags in Texano.

Texano and Cuerno tag in and out, keeping Killshot and Angelico on the mat and away from their teams.

Havoc and Mack get tagged in and take out Texano and Cuerno. Mack big dive onto Texano and Havoc goes to dive on Cuerno but he ducks. Havoc stops himself and flips back into the ring and Cage discus lariat him out of his boots but Ivelisse leaps onto Cuerno and takes him out.

Cage and Big Ryck slugging it out and Cage picks up Ryck and slams him! I doubt anyone has done that to Ryck in LU yet. Cage then ascends the turnbuckle and moonsault to the floor on Angelico, Havoc, Killshot and Mack. Cage throws Angelico back in.

Ivelisse on the floors seems to have hurt her knee or her ankle and still on the mat. (I think she did legitimately break her ankle on this episode)

Angelico evades Texano a few times and hits some kicks. He takes Texano to the outside and leaps off the apron with a knee into Texano’s face and sends Texano into Daviari, who looks pretty pissed and takes off his jacket and attacks Texano, throws him into the ringpost, hammers a few forearms and bitch slaps Texano! He clears out a few rows of people behind him and throws Texano into the chairs. He rips his shirt off and then leaves.

Back in the ring, Angelico leaps off the apron onto Ryck but gets leveled with a clothesline. Texano rolls into the ring but he’s still woozy from the Daviari attack. Killshot comes off the top rope with a double stomp onto Texano and eliminates the team of Texano, Cage and Cuerno.

Killshot and Ryck double team Angelico in the ring, who’s been getting worked over the whole match. Mack gets tagged in and hits some chops and a line. Ivelisse still clutching her leg and Havoc is nowhere to be seen. Killshot hits some kicks but only gets a 2.

Angelico avoiding all three guys trying to make his way to his corner but Killshot cuts him off. Angelico out of the ring and Havoc in going against Killshot. Killshot tries for a reverse rana off the top but Havoc holds on. Ivelisse up on that corner and dives onto Mack and Ryck but they catch her. Havoc hits the ropes and dives into her, knocking them all down.

Angelico back up now and hits a running crucifix power bomb into the corner on Killshot and pins him! Angelico, Ivelisse and Son of Havoc are the first LU Trios champions!

Dario Cueto comes out of his office and looks like he can’t believe what he just heard. Can’t believe the most dysfunctional Trios team in the world pulled it off and won the Trios titles. But then says actually, they haven’t won yet. He says there’s one more team in the tournament, personally selected by Cueto. And to spice it up, this match will be No DQ.

He introduces his team – The Crew!

The Crew rushes the winners on the floor and immediately starts beating them crap out of all them. Cisco beating down Angelico and Bael and Castro work over Havoc. They roll Ivelisse back in and Bael holds her arms back as Castro aims up a shot with the kendo stick but Havoc runs in a saves her. He tries to get something going but the much fresher Crew easily take control. Bael and Cisco hit two corner basement dropkicks and drag him out of the ring. Bael drags Angelico up the stairs, Cisco works over Havoc outside and Castro beating on Ivelisse in the ring even though she can barely stand.

Bael dumps Angelico over railing onto the top of Cueto’s office. Castro choking Ivelisse with the cane in the ring and Cisco working over Havoc in the crowd. Cisco suplexes Havoc over the railing but Havoc rolls out, throws Cisco into the railing and then hits a moonsault off the railing, using a fan’s head to steady himself. But Bael runs from the other side to jump Havoc.

Bael gets into the ring to continue the assault on Ivelisse with Castro but before they get to her Angelico leaps off the roof of the office onto both Bael and Castro!

Ivelisse pulls herself to the kendo stick and picks it up and starts hammering the Crew with it. She lays them out and Havoc hits a Shooting Star on Bael and Angelico hits a double stomp on Castro and they get the pin! And cement their championship win!

Lucha Libre World Cup

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucha_Libre_World_Cup

Last week, word began going around the internet that AAA is hosting a huge tournament of trios teams from all over the world.

AAA's "Dream Team" of Albert El Patron, Rey Mysterio, and Myzteziz was just announced as the latest team to join the world cup.

Also, TNA confirmed that Matt Hardy will be the first member of Team TNA to join the cup.

Dream Team: Alberto el Patron, Rey Misterio Jr., Myzteziz

Team Mexico 1 (AAA): Winner of Fenix/Electroshock/Fantasma, Winner of La Parka/Texano Jr./Cibernetico, Winner of Psycho Clown/Zorro/Averno

Team Mexico 2 (“Outsiders”): Blue Demon Jr., Dr. Wagner Jr., TBA

Team ROH: TBA

Team TNA: Matt Hardy, TBA

Team Pro Wrestling NOAH: Taiji Ishimori, Yoshihiro Takayama, Atsushi Kotoge

Team All Japan Pro Wrestling: Kenzo Suzuki, Tiger Mask III, Masamune

Rest of the World: TBA

The Ticketmaster info allegedly lists Johnny Mundo as participating, so perhaps he’s on the Rest of the World. The event will be taking place on May 24 at the 20,000-seat Palace of Sports in Mexico City.

Beyond Wrestling results

Beyond: ‘Scorned’

April 26

Providence, RI

-AR Fox defeated Speedball Bailey

-John Silver vs. Orange Cassidy went to a No Contest after Ryan Galeone interfered

-Alex Reynolds defeated Ryan Galeone

-Fluffy defeated Dave Cole, Gran Akuma, and Buxx Belmar to win the ISW Other Title

-Matt Tremont defeated Steve Corino

-Kimber Lee defeated Pinkie Sanchez

-Da Hoodz defeated The Colony

-Donovan Dijak defeated Jack Connor

-MOOSE & Black Baron defeated Worst Case Scenario

-JT Dunn defeated David Starr

Beyond: ‘When Satan Rules His World’

April 26

Providence, RI

-Team PAZUZU defeated The Nation of Intoxication

-Tracy Williams defeated Conor Claxton

-M1nute Men defeated The Symbiote

-The Crusade for Changed defeated The Garden State Gods

-Brian Fury defeated Heidi Lovelace

-Chris Dickinson defeated Nick Gage in an Anything Goes Match

-War Machine defeated Team Tremendous

-The Hooligans defeated Tabernak de Team

-Eddie Kingston defeated Stockade

-The Young Bucks defeated Ninjas With Attitude

AIW results

AIW "Make Em Say Uhh”
April 24
Cleveland, Ohio
- Tyson Dux and Tracy Williams defeated The Beaver Boys
- Louis Lyndon defeated Brian Meyers (Curt Hawkins), Tommy Mercer (Crimson), and Eric Ryan
- Ethan Carter III defeated Johnny Gargano after D.J. Zema Ion interfered
- To Infinity and Beyond (Cheech & Colin Delaney) defeated The Young Bucks to retain the AIW Tag Titles
- Alex Daniels defeated Chris Sabin, Joshua Singh, Jerry, Tyler Thomas, and Alessandro Del Bruno.

- Davey Vega defeated Flip Kendrick to retain the AIW Intense Title.
- Veda Scott won the AIW Women's Title in a four-way match against Mickie James, Athena, and Candice LaRae. Veda won after Josh Alexander interfered with a spinning tombstone piledriver on Athena. Veda came up for the pin.  
- Raymond Rowe defeated Josh Prohibition with help from Matt Cross.
- Josh Alexander, B.J. Whitmer and Eddie Kingston defeated Dick Justice, Rickey Shane Page and Ethan Page in a six-man tag match