October 24th, 2018
Matt Striker and Vampiro welcome us to the show, and this is the FINAL episode before Ultima Lucha Cuatro begins next week with the Trios Title elimination match, and Son of Havoc vs. Killshot in a Mask vs. Mask match. The seven way to survive to crown our new Gift of the Gods Champion is next, and they tease it lasting the entire duration of the show. LET’S LUCHA!!!
Seven to Survive – Gift of the Gods Championship: King Cuerno vs. Big Bad Steve w/Famous B vs. Hernandez vs. Aerostar vs. PJ Black vs. Jake Strong vs. Dante Fox
While I wasn’t a big fan of all the medallions being handed out, I’m glad we’re back to what the match was all about, that being a long, chaotic, seven way elimination match. Some will complain that this went all hour, but I thought it was perfect, and laid out VERY well. Hernandez was eliminated early on, which isn’t a shock because he hasn’t been relevant in forever. Big Bad Steve looked really good, and while he went out pretty early, this had to be his breakout performance. He hasn’t had the ability to shine this season, but this was a great way to present him as a beast. Drago returning to help Aerostar do his mega dive was awesome, but Dante’s mega dive at the end didn’t mean a ton since we just saw one. Strong was dominant, as expected, and The Ankle Lock was in full effect. I really loved the final three, as Cuerno, Fox, and Strong all killed it, and the final stretch got a ton of time, as everyone wanted Fox to fight out of the Ankle Lock, but he just couldn’t, in the end, Strong picks up the win, to the shock of no one. Not a fan of it, but this match ruled.
Winner: Jake Strong
Match Rating: ***3/4
Johnny Mundo is training outside, but Aerostar confronts him and says there’s no amount of training that can prepare him for Matanza. Aerostar says Johnny needs his help, otherwise it’ll be his funeral. Johnny rips on Aerostar’s performance in the Gift of the Gods match, which leads Aerostar to call for Drago! Aerostar thanks him for saving Drago, and he says now they’re here to help Johnny. Drago has Cage’s old gauntlet… But Johnny doesn’t realize how it’ll help him. Johnny puts it on, and says he feels… LIKE A GOD! Drago asks Aerostar if this was a good idea, and Aerostar says only time will tell. Johnny plays around with the gauntlet around his wrist as we go off the air.
Final Thoughts:
If you came to the final episode looking for tons of build to Ultima Lucha, this isn’t your cup of tea. If you came to Lucha Underground looking for great wrestling, look no further. The Gift of the Gods Championship match was a perfect example of why the match is so awesome, and we haven’t seen it like this for awhile. Strong got the win, as expected, and maybe will do something with it at Ultima Lucha. Otherwise, Dante Fox looked great in his return, King Cuerno helped Aerostar to the back, and Big Bad Steve looked like a beast. After the match, we had a great angle to hype up Matanza vs. Johnny Mundo. We haven’t seen the gauntlet in forever, but Drago brought it back, as Aerostar seemingly is returning the favor to Mundo, as Mundo brought Drago back from the Reptile Tribe. This was a solid episode, another one that was super easy to sit through. Next week… IT’S ULTIMA LUCHA TIME!!!
Final Rating: 7.0/10