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.

Exclusive Ring Rust Radio interview with former WCW star and Lucha Underground commentator Vampiro

Ring Rust Radio recently had the chance to interview former WCW star and Lucha Underground commentator, Vampiro. After having wrestled all over the world, Vampiro has many interesting insights on the business of professional wrestling as well as the future of Lucha Underground. Vampiro talks about the creation of his character, how much he regrets his time in WCW, the difference between WWE and Lucha Underground and the anticipation for the upcoming Ultima Lucha event. You can listen to the interview at the YouTube link below, check out the Ring Rust Radio episode featuring Vampiro here or continue on to read the entire interview here!

Donald Wood: While many wrestling fans know you from your time in the ring, you are now the lead color commentator on Lucha Underground every Wednesday at 8 p.m. on the El Rey Network. As someone who gets to sit front row for all the action, what has it been like seeing the growth of Lucha Underground and what are your expectations for Ultima Lucha on August 5?

Vampiro: I would like to say hello first of all and thank you for having me on your show.  Real quick, I’m not the lead anything, I’m part of a phenomenal team and my partner Matt Striker kind of carries the ball a lot more than I do.  I am just really glad to be there.  Sometimes it’s really frustrating to me watching it because it’s so exciting and I wish I could still be in there.  The whole experience is pretty exciting for me, everything from the talent, the phenomenal athleticism of the guys, the crowd reaction, and the whole vibe.  I’ve been around the wrestling business since 1984 and I have never seen anything as cool and smooth as this.  I think it’s just scratching the surface of what’s to come and it’s only going to grow.  The whole concept of how they do the TV show and how we are going to take a break, nothing like this has ever been done before.  You know very well that in this stage of the game it’s very hard to do something new.  The way we do wrestling and the business is going to catch a fans eye and bring new people into the game.  I think Lucha Underground is breaking ground and we won’t know the impact just yet since its just starting.

Donald Wood: How about Ultima Lucha? We think of PPVs in the traditional sense as wrestling fans, but Ultima Lucha seems to be almost the culmination of a season of wrestling.  What are fans in store for with such an event?

Vampiro: Devastation.  It was a wild night man let me tell you.  I have seen and done a lot in this business all over and in different countries since 1984.  That show we did was a pretty insane night.  For me personally, I would say it was the top of the game and definitely number one.  For the fans, holy shit, that was the first time you could actually feel a building shake from the response of the fans.  It was pretty intense.

RRR: Lucha Underground has really taken the wrestling world by storm and there are a lot of fans sitting on pins and needles waiting for a definitive announcement with regard to a second season. What are your impressions of how things are progressing on that front, and what’s your confidence level that a second season is going to happen?

Vampiro: My response would be that wrestling people are pretty paranoid and insecure as a group.  Pins and needles, gossip, and paranoia, it’s all unfortunately part of the game.  The he said, she said, oh my god you do this, you better watch out, you’re going to get heat for that, it’s like fucking relax dude.  I have never seen anything like this from the dressing room, office, staff, writers, camera people; this is just such a fucking cool thing.  The season style is just such a cool and innovative way to do it you know what I mean?  What other wrestling company takes a break when they are at their peak?  It’s never been done before.  If you were an investor, don’t matter if you’re a fucking billionaire dude, if you had 28 or 38 million dollars invested in something, would you do that because you’re a wrestling fan, or would you do it because straight up you have a 7 to 12 year plan that’s going to school it?  I think I would put my vote on the 7 to 12 year plan.  I think guys with 28 million dollars would have something better to do with it than just throw it away because they want to see a couple of guys take bumps.  That’s just me though.  So my confidence is pretty high is what I’m trying to say.

Where did you draw the inspiration from to create the Vampiro character?

Vampiro: It was the mid 80’s, and I had always been a fan of the book Dracula.  I liked the character, the fact that he was different, and the fact he was misunderstood by people.  People treated him different and that was a huge thing for me in my life.  I was a bigger guy when I was younger, I was one of the only kids that liked alternative music in my hometown, I was really passionate absolute life, but I felt like an outsider.  When I would read the Dracula book and saw things from his point of view he became my superhero.  At the time, everyone was into sports or comics, but he was someone I could really identify with.  When I was living in LA in the mid 80’s, the scene was dirty, leather studded jackets.   The Anne Rice vampire books just came out followed by the Lost Boys movie.  The music culture from bands like LA Guns, Faster Pussycat, Guns N Roses, and hardcore punk was the thing.  The street vibe and vampire culture was exploding.  I remember the book the Vampire Lestat, he was a street musician and performer, he always told people who he was, and he was really rebellious.  I absolutely feel in love with that character and that is where the Vampiro character came from.

Donald Wood: As a huge WCW mark, you were one of the best in the latter years of the company. From memorable feuds against Sting and Eddie Guerrero to your tag team championship win with the Great Muta, you had some unforgettable moments. What are your fondest memories of WCW and what was it like being there as the company was going under?

Vampiro: I don’t have anything good to say unfortunately, I wish I did though.  I was newly married at the time, I was a kid from a small town and I made it to the big leagues I had finally made it.  I felt in my heart and soul that the biggest mistake of my career going to WCW.  I was at the point of hitting my peak, I was still an innovator, I was hungry, and I think I could have been somebody. I had the chance to go to All Japan and make a career there since I had spent some time because of my years working in Mexico.  Something was telling me at the time to try the American style so I did and went to WCW.  The fans there were really cool, but it was the most depressing time of my life there.  It kind of ruined the business for me and I never was really happy in the business since.  All the drama, bullshit, lies, manipulation, the abuse, it was a horrible, horrible experience.  The only highlights were the cool relationship I had with the fans and when I got the championship belt with Muta who was my hero in wrestling.  Everything else was fucking brutal, I hate it, I regret it, and I wish it didn’t happen.  I really think that is what ruined my career.  You know it could have been better but they just didn’t get me and I was just ahead of my time, I really believe that.  I was in the wrong place with all the old school Carolina people at the time.  I was a punk rock kid and they kept telling me I had to be a heel.  I told them let me go and you will see.  When I started to and they saw me they saw the people loved it.  Then they tried saying to me that I was Mexican.  No, you fucking guys I have been doing this for 18 years, I’m Canadian, I have been everywhere, give me a fucking chance.  I really hated it and have nothing good to say about it. One other good thing that comes to mind now, I really enjoyed my time learning and making a friend out of Terry Taylor.  That person really helped me out a lot.  Because of my time with him is why I am able to do what I do today behind the scenes with the younger guys.

One of the most entertaining parts of Lucha Underground commentary is your constant disdain for Konnan. I understand there is or was some real-life heat between you guys stemming from your time in Mexico. For those who are unaware, what did your issues stem from, and how would you describe your relationship with Konnan currently?

Vampiro: When we were younger and wrestling back in the early 90’s, it was Beatlemania.  Mexico in the early 90’s was total chaos.  There used to be maybe between 50 and 60 shows a week and 4 or 5 a day.  Thank god a majority of those shows back then were attended by really young and beautiful women, which was not a problem in my book.  There were a lot of guys that didn’t like Konnan and myself so they tried to pit us against each other a lot and with stupidity it did get really bad.  I will say this; he took it a lot more personal and serious than I did.  He hated me; I disliked him.  We talked about it in WCW; we squared it up, and bumped heads a few times.  We made a promise to each other back then that we wouldn’t let people infiltrate and provoke that hatred to come out again.  We aren’t best friends, we don’t hang out and go to the movies together, but we are definitely cool with each other.  Every time I go off on him, well maybe 90% of the time I go off on him on TV I ask his permission first.  I tell him what’s going to happen and if he is not cool with it he will tell me and I won’t do it.  I always ask permission.  I say that out of respect, but if he is listening, fuck Konnan.

We've really enjoyed your backstage interviews with the Lucha Underground superstars and we're also a fan of the work Konnan has done as a manager. Was there any thought into you being a manager instead of a commentator for Lucha Underground, or perhaps even wrestling regularly?

Vampiro: I really like the interview thing and kind of came up with that idea.  I like being behind the desk and its thanks to Matt Striker I am able to do what I do.  Matt is really artistic and pro.  I have enough confidence to go out there and wing it thanks to his professionalism.  I feel like I got something going almost like a second life.  I asked them if they remembered Piper’s Pit, and I asked them if they would let me try something like that and update it.  I feel I have more to give, I am just so energetic and I have so much to say.  They just let me go and I just make those interviews up on the spot and they turn out pretty good I would say.

Donald Wood: Thoughts on a possible match against Pentagon Jr.

Vampiro: I don’t know, maybe, yes, no, I don’t know dude, probably, why not?  I feel and I feel I shouldn’t.  I am not in the best shape, my health isn’t the greatest.  Part of me says I didn’t finish my career the way I wanted to.  The other part of me says don’t go in there because of your ego because you will fuck the product up.  Not a lot of guys have that mentality.  I don’t know dude, fuck give me some Jägermeister I might do it.

You’ve carved out a great career for yourself both in the United States and Mexico, so if you were to have a retirement match at some point I assume you’d have a pretty difficult decision to make in terms of the venue. With that said, if you had to make a decision, where would you like your last match to be, who would you like to face and what type of stipulation would you like to have?

Vampiro: I don’t know dude.  I am so into music, I got that rock n roll thing in me.  I grew up in that fast generation of punk music.  Look at Lemmy in Motorhead, there is no way he should still be touring the world.  Fuck man, he is Lemmy, and I feel the same.  Will Vampiro ever go away?  I can’t.  This is what I do and I have tried other things.  I have TV working and my gym going, but the more I try to get away from Vampiro I can’t, it’s who I am.  In or out of the ring, shit is going to go down.

You were one of the few stars that I would tune in to see in WCW, but I always wanted to see you work with WWE. Is there any particular reason you never joined WWE?

Vampiro: Yea cause they didn’t want me.  I ain't a superstar brother; you got to remember wrestlers are full of shit.  Don’t let those egomaniacs think they are more special than they are.  I didn’t go because you have to sign your persona away.  I worked too hard to make Vampiro and I made a living off of him.  I bought my mother a house, I have a beautiful daughter that lives with me, I’m a single dad, I have a social life because of Vampiro, he was an inspiration to a lot of people.  I just couldn’t see giving him away to go to WWE.  They are a great product and good for them, but at the same time I don’t think they would have gotten me.  When WCW folded, they basically fired me and said there was nothing they could do with me.  They said creative couldn’t come up with anything for me.  So I just laughed it off and said alright, see ya.

Donald Wood: When I first saw Lucha Underground, I immediately thought about Wrestling Society X. You, along with many other Lucha Underground wrestlers, made that show a cult sensation in just a short time. How do you feel about the comparisons between WSX and Lucha Underground and what are some of the improvements you see that made this product better than WSX?

Vampiro: Oh man, you ain’t got enough time.  That MTV thing was an awesome idea and that was Kevin Kleinrock's baby and he put his heart and soul into it, it was his baby.  I think it was a great idea but it was ahead of its time.  It didn’t have the right people but I’m not speaking bad of Kevin.  It didn’t have the right people in charge, it wasn’t run right, the management wasn’t run right, and it was on the wrong network for sure.  MTV was changing program directors at the time and they didn’t see how we fit in.  They wanted to do the Teen Mom thing and the Jersey thing and we just didn’t make the cut.  You can’t even compare it.  It’s like having sushi at McDonalds then having sushi in Japan.  Lucha Underground is Burnett and its Rodriguez, forget about it.  That’s like Justin Bieber and the Rolling Stones, you can’t compare it.  I wouldn’t watch wrestling if you fucking paid me.  I can’t watch the shit it drives me insane.  I have done it for 33 years but I just don’t want it.  I am assuming people are wanting something new.  You look at WWE, it’s like McDonalds.  You go in and you know what you are going to get, a fucking hamburger, there is no change, it is what it is.  Lucha Underground is like a buffet, you make your own plate, and every day is a different feel.  WWE is like going to grade school and high school, Lucha Underground is like when you are finally free to do what you want.  As far as a fan, Lucha Underground is fucking dope.  It’s different as in the talent is allowed to have their input.  Although we do have agents, writers, producers, all that bullshit like WWE, if the talent has an idea or want to express themselves they are allowed to do that.  The staff we have, the camera crews, the people behind the scenes, the people running the show, they are just so much hip and laid back.  They don’t give a fuck about the politics.  You’re not allowed to be a dick, there is no drama, the people are just cool.  You get treated cool, just put your head down, go out there and blow the roof off, and that’s what were allowed to do.  It’s fun as fuck and you guys are getting the benefit of that.  Ask anyone in WWE, besides the ones that are making 10 and 12 million dollars, they are pretty fucking happy.  Ask anyone else making 75 thousand a year, paying their own expenses, don’t see their wife or kid, edge of divorce, fucked up on pain pills, ask them if they are having fun.

Exclusive Ring Rust Radio interview with former WWE and current Lucha Underground star Johnny Mundo

The hosts of Ring Rust Radio – Donald Wood, Mike Chiari and Brandon Galvin – recently had the opportunity to speak with former WWE and current Lucha Underground star, Johnny Mundo. As one of the top talents in Lucha Underground, Mundo speaks about his history in the wrestling business and what the future could hold for Lucha Underground.

Check out this exclusive interview at the YouTube link below or continue on and read the entire interview right here.

Donald Wood: For the wrestling fans who have not fallen in love with Lucha Underground yet, you can be found on every Wednesday at 8 p.m. on the El Rey Network. Since Day 1, you have been one of the top stars in the brand. What has the pressure been like on you to help take Lucha Underground to the next level and how much pride do you take in being a cornerstone of the brand?

Johnny Mundo: First of all, it feels really good to be in on something from day one and the ground floor.  Being a part of something that is finding its own identity as it evolves is exciting.  It’s in my hometown of Los Angeles, and it’s been awesome to be a part of it since day one.  That feel really good and I am proud of that.  As for pressure, it’s kind of nice to be an upstart since there wasn’t much expectation of Lucha Underground.  Wrestling promotions are kind of like new religions, nine out of ten fail in the first year.  So the bar was set low, and I think immediately we exceeded expectations.  Especially as soon as Lucha Underground started airing on TV and people started seeing what the product looked like, we started having to turn people away at the tapings.  Every taping especially toward the end of the season, we had to turn away 1,000 – 1,500 people.  The tickets are free to the tapings, so it wasn’t like you paid for a ticket and got turned away, still, it was a case where demand exceeded supply, and that’s always a good position to be in.    

Mike Chiari: Lucha Underground signing you was obviously a major coup because of your name recognition and what you bring to the table, but I'm sure there were other companies that showed interest in you as well. So, if you could, take us through your thought process leading up to signing with Lucha Underground and explain why you believe it's such a good fit.

Johnny Mundo: The first part was just logistics.  Los Angeles is my home town, it’s where I live, and so no travel that appeals to me.  Secondly, I was a little skeptical until I took a tour of the facility and the facility looked great.  It was in this dumpy warehouse in Boyle Heights, where I shot a movie with Danny Trejo two years prior.  Melina and I were sexy, underground mole people in the film and I remember we were killing time and hanging with Danny Trejo beneath the subways of New York in this warehouse.  So when I went to this warehouse I remembered how it looked two years ago versus how it looked with the Lucha Underground set built and I was blown away.  This is a production that cares about the art decoration and is running it like a movie instead of a TV show.  Then you add to that the names from WWE that I was familiar with like Chris Roach, Matt Stillman, and Eric Von Wagner from Tough Enough.  They started lining up other people that I knew of like Big Ryck, Chavo, and a lot of indie wrestlers that I have always been a fan of like Son of Havoc and Prince Puma.  Then they went and added huge stars from AAA that I was vaguely familiar with but now am very familiar with.  I thought it was a really cool combination of Lucha, which I have always been a fan of, and films with Robert Rodriguez thumbprint and vide.  Mix all that with American style pro-wrestling, like the story telling aspect of what we did in the WWE.  So adding the psychology of Lucha, with the production value of an action film, is pretty much combining all my worlds or “Mundos” in one wrestling promotion.

Brandon Galvin: We've been huge fans of Lucha Underground since the first episode and one of the biggest reasons outside the matches is because of the storylines and atmosphere presented. What do you believe has been the trigger for Lucha Underground's success so far and what is the atmosphere like backstage among the other wrestlers?

Johnny Mundo: Everybody gets criticized, and sometimes wrestling promotions start catering to the internet and fans.  From day one, Lucha Underground had this belief in itself, as an idea, a new promotion, and had a vision of what it was going to be.  Ya know, as a kid I was a huge fan of the Undertaker.  He rose from the dead, used the lightning, he was an undead force.  But now, a lot of the mysticism and mystery has left the WWE and now they are more reality based and going in a different direction.  Lucha Underground sees wrestling in that same way.  Drago is a fire breathing dragon, Muertes is raised from the dead, Phoenix has been reborn, and they are adding a layer of mystery to wrestling that is refreshing to me as a wrestling fan.  I think that is one thing that really added success about it.  Staying true to that vision despite criticism from wrestling fans.  I think some people criticism and some people enjoy it, but at the end of the day when things are done well, everybody enjoys it.  They put a lot of production value into the vignettes, and they hire talented people.

Donald Wood: Early on in your tenure with Lucha Underground, you began a rivalry with current world champion Prince Puma. While you have teamed up recently, many fans are clamoring for another battle between the company’s two top stars. How do you think Prince Puma has handled being the company’s first champion and what will it take for you to eventually defeat him for the title?

Johnny Mundo: I think it’s going to take me one more rematch.  I think he handled himself extremely well and like a champion.  He is somebody that the promotion can go to and represent Lucha Underground.  He is a perfect combination of lucha, acrobatics, and storytelling; he gets it so to speak.  It’s cool to see him really embracing his role as a champion of Lucha Underground and he has done great representing the company.  He is probably doing almost as good as a job as I would do as champion.

Mike Chiari: In addition to Prince Puma you've been interacting with Alberto El Patron a bit lately and you guys have had some interesting run-ins that lead many to believe that you could possibly lock horns in the near future. Alberto's hugely popular right now and he's the AAA Heavyweight Champion, so what's your interest level regarding a feud with Alberto and how do you think the crowd would react in terms of who they'd support?

Johnny Mundo: First of all, Alberto is extremely talented and I did wrestle him a few times in WWE, but we never had enough time to put on the kind of match that I am looking forward to with him in Lucha Underground.  It’s very interesting the way he left WWE I think represents what pro-wrestlers should represent.  He stood up for himself and the culture and that’s been resonating with me and the fans of Lucha Underground.  You can identify with somebody who stands up for who they are and what they believe in.  He is also a very talented wrestler and I am looking forward to getting in the ring with him because I think that people aren’t going to believe the type of match we are going to have.  As far as how the fans will respond?  I mean, Los Angeles is my hometown, and has been for Lucha Underground since day one, so I think a lot of fans that are going to see that and the hard work I have done, and chant “Mundo” until their faces melt.  There are also a lot of fans that will respect Alberto and where he comes from and the talent he has in the ring and chant for him.  The true winner is going to be the fans in the temple when Albert and I are in the ring.

Brandon Galvin: You've always been regarded as one of the top high-flyers and easily one of the most athletic wrestlers in the business. At Lucha Underground, high-risk maneuvers are seen in just about every match. How competitive is the locker room, is there a sense of one upsmanship heading into each match?

Johnny Mundo: Yes and I think that is one of things that is making it great.  It’s a company that is very young in its inception.  I have been pushed to new levels and doing things that I have never done in WWE.  I have been pushed hard and made to think outside of the box.  I think it’s a competitive environment but also supportive.  People are in the locker room rooting for each other, and when someone does something new and innovative people are happy.  People are hoping the move works out well and that everybody involved is safe, and when someone does something cool there will be a huge pop in the locker room when everybody watches it.  I think that’s the kind of environment that breeds the most creativity and it’s another reason why I enjoy being there.  It’s a family environment and everybody there is having a good time.

Donald Wood: One critique of your work while in the WWE was your promos. On the other hand, you have shined since making the jump to Lucha Underground and have become one of the better talkers in the company. Do you think your work as an actor has helped improve your mic skills and do you think you’d ever give any thought to another run with WWE?

Johnny Mundo: Yes and yes.  I think that my work as an actor has definitely helped.  As far as my work with the WWE goes, you can never predict the future with pro-wrestling, anything is possible.  I will say I am super happy with Lucha Underground.  I’m not planning on going anywhere in the near future except for wrestling for Lucha Underground season 2.  The crazy thing about wrestling is as soon as someone says you can cut a good promo, it means you can go cut a good promo.  Perception is reality.   I think I cut good promos while in the WWE and I cut some bad ones, so the perception was I couldn’t cut a good promo, then that became reality.  Now with Lucha Underground, I cut some good promos, and I cut a few that weren’t so good, but most of everything I have done has been top notch and some of my best work.  I feel like that has shone through and people identified that and have seen the improvement.  That’s why it all of a sudden is perceived differently.

Mike Chiari: Having done some work on the indie scene since WWE, is there anyone you worked with or admire that you would like see come to Lucha Underground?

Johnny Mundo: Right now, Lucha Underground almost has too much talent.  They have a packed roster, full of very talented wrestlers, and an hour of TV time to work with.  They can bring in whoever they want; it’s just a matter of how much time they have for them on their program.  I hope that we start going a little bit longer, like a 90 minute show to give people more time to showcase themselves and longer stories.  That is my hope and it’s ultimately not up to me. There is talk about everything right now.  There is so much talk about so many things.  Every organization goes through growing pains, especially when people are excited about a wrestling promotion, people talk about everything:  Action figures, games, endorsements, live tours, two hour wrestling shows.  The main thing Lucha Underground needs to do is focus on continuing to produce a very good, one hour show, and grow slowly.  Maintain the quality, so far everything I have seen is that, everyone’s head is in the right place, and everyone is excited for season two and everyone is excited about Lucha.  Because of all those ducks lining up in an awesome row, Lucha Underground is going to continue to grow and be successful. 

Brandon Galvin: What is your vision for yourself and Lucha Underground in the future, where are your sights set on taking the brand moving forward?

Johnny Mundo: I am excited to be along for this ride and to see where it goes.  I dig the vignettes; they come off like a gritty action film straight off an AMC TV show.  I’m thinking that I’d love to be in one of those and see that happen.  I really just am excited to be a part of what comes next.  I’m looking forward to it, and glad with the feedback I have gotten from friends in the business and fans and personal friends have been all extremely positive.  I am excited, everyone’s excited, and I am thankful for all the fans who are enjoying the product and without that, there would be no Johnny Mundo.

Exclusive Ring Rust Radio interview with former WWE champion and current AAA champion Alberto El Patron

The Ring Rust Radio team – Donald Wood, Mike Chiari and Brandon Galvin – got the chance to speak with former WWE World Heavyweight Champion and current AAA World Champion Alberto El Patron. The second generation wrestler has been making waves since leaving WWE, joining Lucha Underground and Ring of Honor and speaks with Ring Rust Radio about Lucha Underground, his career since leaving WWE, the future of the sport and so much more.

You can listen to the interview on YouTube below or continue on and read the entire interview right here on the Delco Elbow Drop.

Donald Wood: Lucha Underground is one of the hottest promotions in the world right now, airing every Wednesday at 8 p.m. on El Rey Network. Adding you to the roster only cemented the company’s ascent in the wrestling industry. What are your thoughts on Lucha Underground’s instant impact on the sport and do you think it could become a viable contender with the top wrestling companies in the United States?

Alberto El Patron: Oh yes of course.  Lucha Underground is a fantastic product.  They have the right people talent and backing up the product.  I am 100% sure that this company is going to be one of the top three wrestling companies around the World at the end of this year.

Mike Chiari: As someone who obviously has extensive experience with lucha libre in Mexico, in what ways is Lucha Underground most similar to traditional lucha, and also, what do you think are some of the major differences that help set Lucha Underground apart and make it so unique?

Alberto El Patron: Lucha Underground is different than basic Mexican lucha libre.  They are combining all the great styles out there into one.  They are taking the best out of the Japanese, American, and lucha libre style and making them into one.  It’s one unique style that all the fans are enjoying.  I have been doing the wrestling shows all over the world.  People are stopping me and telling me how much they enjoy the product and how different it is.  The fans said they have been waiting for something like this that they can watch and enjoy every week. 

Brandon Galvin: Since joining Lucha Underground, you're arguably the top star and the most recognized wrestler in the company. Do you feel there is a now target on your back now that you've joined and how much pressure to you put on yourself to be the top star in the company?

Alberto El Patron: I never put pressure on myself because I know who I am and where I come from.  Everybody knows I work every single day, I never rest, and I always work to give my best to the fans.  At the end of the day, we work for the fans. They are the ones buying the tickets and watching us on TV so we can get our paychecks at the end of the week. 

Donald Wood: Let’s switch gears a bit to El Texano Jr. For the fans in the United States who do not know much about the man who has made it clear he is gunning for you and the AAA title, what can wrestling fans expect from El Texano Jr and what separates him from the rest of the stars in the company?

Alberto El Patron: He is a fantastic wrestler with a great background in Mexican lucha libre.  He has been wrestling for 15 years now and started in Mexico and then went to Japan.  He spent like 5 or 6 years working for New Japan, which is the biggest company out there.  He is a second generation wrestler who was born in this business just like myself.  He is one of the major superstars in Mexico and they can expect a lot from him.  Not only from him, but all the wrestlers in Lucha Underground.  We have new names, new characters, and all these fantastic performers.  They were stars in other companies and they are here in Underground to help us make us the best company in the world.

Mike Chiari: During your time in Lucha Underground and ROH so far you’ve been working as a babyface, but most American fans are probably most familiar with your work as a heel. From your perspective, which role do you enjoy playing most and why?

Alberto El Patron: I love being the bad guy.  Everybody loves the bad guy including the chicks.  That’s a place where I would like to but at the end of the day I’m going to be what the fans want me to be or where they put me.  When I left the other company, they decided to put me in the good guy side.  I have been working as a baby face since then.  I’m not going to say I am not enjoying it but I do.  If you would ask me, though, I would love to be a bad guy again.

Brandon Galvin: You're one of the most well-rounded in-ring wrestlers in the business right now. Since you're so comfortable wrestling different styles, how or when do you decide which type of style you're going to wrestle that night?

Alberto El Patron: I’m one of those wrestlers that leaves everything to the audience and to the fans.  I never plan anything and you will never see Alberto Patron planning in the back what he is going to do in the match.  I always go out there, listen to the crowd and the fans, and give them what they want.  If you plan something in the back, you go out there, and the fans don’t want what the fans last night wanted you are done.  You won’t be able to give them a good show and a match.  I always go out there and listen to the crowd, and depending on what they want that’s what I do. 

Donald Wood: Lucha Underground already has a stacked roster right now, but there are rumors that former WWE star Rey Mysterio could be eventually making his debut in the promotion. As someone who understands the mainstream appeal of Mysterio, what would an addition like that mean to the company and how do you think he would be welcomed in the locker room if he does make the jump to Lucha Underground?

Alberto El Patron: It would be fantastic!  I don’t know if he is going to join or not because he already joined AAA in Mexico.  We know that AAA and Lucha Underground are partners.  That pretty much tells me we will see Rey Mysterio at some point in the future and it will be fantastic.  We already have a great product and having Rey Mysterio joining the company would make it 1,000 times better.  We already have the Latinos watching Lucha Underground.  Now we will have superstars like Rey Mysterio and Alberto Patron that will make the American fans turnaround and watch the program because they know us from other companies.      

Mike Chiari: One person who a lot of American wrestling fans relate to you is Ricardo Rodriguez. You guys reunited in AAA, but do you think there’s any chance that you’ll join forces again in Lucha Underground? Is that something you’d be interested in?

Alberto El Patron: Well never say never.  I have been trying to bring Ricardo to every organization I have worked with but I do not make the final decisions.  I always talk about Ricardo with others but at the end of the day they are paying the bills and make that decision.  In Ricardo’s situation, I know Lucha Underground already talked to him but nothing happened.  I would love to have him on the roster.  I wouldn’t want him the way he was before like the other company because he was like my servant.  He is not my servant, he is my friend, and I would love to see him do well and showcase his talent in a company like Lucha Underground.

Brandon Galvin: In recent months you've traveled and competed in different promotions. Is there anything you've learned about yourself, or the business, that made an impact on you as you embark on your journey with Lucha Underground?

Alberto El Patron: I have worked for so many years and companies but at the end of the day it comes to this:  I was born in this business and because of that I have learned how to love and respect this business every day.  I have a lot of passion and everyone can see it.  Now that I am in a different company, people can see the real Alberto.  I am not pretending to be someone else or talk or wrestle the way somebody else is telling me to.  This is the real me.  Now I am free to do whatever I want and say what I want in the ring.   

Donald Wood: One of your first appearances in the United States after your departure from WWE was at the House of Hardcore show in Philadelphia. You were received with a hero’s welcome. How has returning to your roots and having the leash taken off you helped in the ring and away from wrestling?

Alberto El Patron: That was a really good experience.  The other day, I saw an interview with Tommy Dreamer about what happened that night with me.  They thought I was not going to go, so they invited Ricardo who agreed.  When they asked Ricardo to ask me I immediately said yes.  I am a big fan of what that arena and company represent.  I spoke from the heart and the fans loved it and were happy with what I had to say.  Since that day, everyone has talked about my promos and how much love and passion I have for this business.  I was the same guy working for the other company, the love and passion was there, but I was following directions.  Now I am in a different place and I am happy and the fans are happy to see a different Alberto.

    

Brandon Galvin: For fans who have yet to see Lucha Underground, or may be on the fence about the company, what do you feel is most special about Lucha Underground and what do you have in store for fans moving forward?

Alberto El Patron: We have a product that is totally different than anything else.  We are combining the best of everything in the wrestling world and putting it in one single place that is Lucha Underground.  All the talent working for Lucha Underground is thirsty and hungry.  They want to show the world that they can do it.  Most of them tried to join the so called major company.  Even though they have a lot of talent, for some reason or politics they were told no.  They want to prove to the world that they are the some of the best wrestlers in the world.  When people like myself and if Rey joins, we want to prove to the world that we are a 1,000 times better than what they saw in the other company.  We still have something to offer and will help this company to grow and be the best out there.  With all the help of the media, the writers, producers, and wrestlers in Lucha Underground we will be able to show them.