Lucha Underground Season 4 Trailer: 80+ SCREEN GRABS & ANALYSIS!

Because “Friends Don’t Let Friends Spoil Lucha Underground”, the following article was written without the benefit of a single Google search. Instead, we relied on the extensive knowledge accumulated by members of the WMS crew who have compulsively watched and obsessed over Lucha Underground since its first episode aired on El Rey Network. Any conclusions are based on that knowledge and our own speculation. Who knows? We may have gotten a few things right, but spoilers are NOT intended.


After what feels like an eternity spent waiting, Season 4 of Lucha Underground is almost here, and we just got a look at the extended trailer.

We grabbed more than 80 screen shots from the trailer. Let’s take a look at them, and see what possible secrets we can uncover.

IMG_6245

Let’s start with this beautiful opening shot, flying through the El Rey logo into a view of Los Angeles.

IMG_6246

That opening shot continues, bringing us down to almost street level. First, we get a wonderful of view of this delivery truck terminal, but this is not the destination we’re interested in.

Just creeping into view on the left side of the screen is the former Union Central Cold Storage facility at the corner of South Alameda and Industrial Streets in Downtown Los Angeles.

We’re not in Boyle Heights anymore, but we’re also not far away. This building is located less than a mile west of The Temple, where Lucha Underground made its home during its first three seasons.

IMG_6247

Let’s head inside, though this next shot could be from a different location. Someone has The Monster Matanza Cueto chained up somewhere. Remember, at the end of Season 3, Matanza was once again locked up in the basement of the old Temple in Boyle Heights, alongside Rey Mysterio Jr.

IMG_6248

Next, we see Johnny Mundo and Taya. Johnny is doing some Indiana Jones cosplay. Is this another movie his character is filming, or did he actually leave his home dressed like this?

IMG_6249

Johnny drops a line – rope, to be specific. Is this related to what we just saw with Matanza? There are plenty of wood structures in both scenes. Could Johnny and Taya be searching for something else? Perhaps, an ancient relic that’s best left undisturbed?

IMG_6250

IMG_6251

IMG_6252

Moving on, we see a gloved hand open, reach out and receive a staff of some sort. What is this thing? It appears to be important because it appears again later in the trailer.

IMG_6253

A wider shot reveals who is holding the staff, at least in this moment. This is a pro wrestler who works under the name Killer Kross, but I don’t know if that’s the name he’ll use on Lucha Underground. As for the person wrapped up in the roots and branches, that appears to be Mascarita Sagrada. It appears this will all be connected with his ongoing storyline with the Rabbit Tribe. If you recall, at the end of Season 3, Sagrada told the Rabbit Tribe that he was not that white rabbit, but that he could lead them to him. Is that Killer Kross? Is he the white rabbit? And what does that even mean?

IMG_6254

We get a look at Kobra Moon, crawling around on the floor. What’s funny is that there was a nearly identical shot of her in the trailer for Season 3. Maybe it’s in her contract.

I haven’t pieced together where she is. It definitely doesn’t look like the Reptile Tribe hideout we saw in Season 3. It could be somewhere inside the new temple. After all, we haven’t seen those interiors yet. The backstage could be a lot nicer then that dirty, grimy environment at the old Temple.

IMG_6255

Your boy, Fenix.

IMG_6256

IMG_6257

We switch to this shot of a creepy-looking doll being held by…Ricky Mandel. He’s still doing the Johnny Mundo cosplay, and is laughing maniacally. You know what they say about never meeting your heroes…

IMG_6258

This is one of the best shots in the trailer. The Rabbit Tribe walking down a spinning, twisting hallway. Down the rabbit hole? Don’t do drugs, kids.

IMG_6259

IMG_6260

Now, we move on to what appears to be a very important scene, and probably the closest we’ve ever gotten to actual exposition in a Lucha Underground trailer. Aero Star, King Cuerno and El Dragon Azteca Jr. are having a meeting. Cuerno had gained possession of the super McGuffin gauntlet at the end of Season 3, but Aero Star is holding it in this scene.

IMG_6261

King Cuerno: “This is too dangerous. We must go back in time.”

El Dragon Azteca Jr.: “The god’s already too strong, Cuerno.”

IMG_6264

Aero Star then delivers a sigh of such deep disappointment that I felt all hope for the Lucha Underground universe leave my body. If a time-traveling luchador ever shoots you a look like this, you can probably be certain that there are universe and/or reality altering consequences in play.

IMG_6265

Aero Star turns to either Cuerno or Azteca and says (I think), “Make it quick.” What in the hell is happening?!?

IMG_6266

IMG_6267

We move on to a shot of someone unlocking a door. I have a pretty good theory on who this is, and your first guess is probably correct.

IMG_6268

IMG_6269

Behind the textual reminder that the new season begins on June 13th, running liquid obscures a figure. Thanks to the power of the screen grab we can see that it’s Mariposa. It appears she’s pouring the liquid out of some sort of container while twirling one of her ponytails with her other hand. What is she up to?

IMG_6270

IMG_6271

Here is your “Flashdance” tribute. Any guesses on who this is? Or, better yet, what this may have to do with anything?

IMG_6272

Switching over to the interior of a hunting lodge. Yes, this is nearly identical to King Cuerno’s hideout, which we saw at the very end of Season 3.

IMG_6273

Catrina appears out of nowhere, presumably using her teleportation skills to get inside Cuerno’s hunting lodge. She knows how to make an entrance.

At Ultima Lucha Tres, Mil Muertes defeated Cage and Jeremiah Crane in a bloody, violent 3-way elimination match to win the gauntlet, BUT just as Muertes was starting to celebrate, King Cuerno appeared out of nowhere, attacked Muertes and Catrina and then, stole the gauntlet. Cuerno had not been seen in Lucha Undeground since Muertes defeated him at Ultima Lucha Dos.

Look to the right side of the screen grab above, where a cloth appears to be covering something. That’s approximately where the gauntlet was being kept under glass in our last look at Cuerno at the end of Season 3.

It’s safe to say that Catrina is looking to reacquire the gauntlet. After all, she seems to know more about it than most of the people who’ve gotten their hands on it. Is it still in Cuerno’s hunting lodge? Is Cuerno still there? Did Cuerno have any idea what he was stealing when he took the gauntlet from Muertes and Catrina?

IMG_6274

A silhouette of someone. Hard to guess who.

IMG_6275

A man in uniform. It’s hard to tell exactly who it is, but it’s probably safe to guess that this has something to do with Killshot.

IMG_6276

IMG_6277

Fighting! On the roof of the new temple. Judging by those pants, this is Johnny Mundo. But who is his adversary?

IMG_6278

Drago, also on the roof of the new temple. Note, no sign of the collar and chain that was keeping him under the control of Kobra Moon and the Reptile Tribe.

IMG_6279

IMG_6281

Taya reaches for, and grabs something. “Wera loca” roughly translates to blonde, white girl. The nickname has been attached to Taya for some time, in Lucha Underground and beyond.

IMG_6280

Cage, without the gauntlet. You have to wonder why he’s looking at his arm as if it’s still there.

IMG_6282

IMG_6283

Catrina goes to walk away, but Mil Muertes stops her.

IMG_6285

This is one of the money shots of the trailer. Johnny Mundo, equipped with the gauntlet, with FRIGGIN’ LIGHTNING BOLTS in his DAMN EYES! We know Cuerno has the gauntlet. We know Aero Star will also get his hands on it during Season 4. How will it find its way to Mundo?

IMG_6286

IMG_6287

Matanza, again.

IMG_6288

Drago, again. Worth noting that he’s wearing the collar and chain in this shot, indicating that he’s under the control of Kobra Moon at this point.

IMG_6289

Vibora (aka “Luchasaurus”) makes his first appearance. If I had to guess, I’d say the casket holds the remains of Pindar, who met his end at the very end of Season 3.

IMG_6290

Fighting! It’s Catrina putting a cross armbreaker on…

IMG_6291

It’s hard to tell exactly who. We think this may be Lucha Underground newcomer Chelsea Green. What we can say with a little more certainty is that it looks like these two are gonna have a big brawl.

IMG_6292

IMG_6293

IMG_6294

IMG_6295

IMG_6297

It appears Catrina loses this round, via getting her head bonked into a pole.

IMG_6298

Paul London, covered in blood, with the rest of the Rabbit Tribe behind him and the mysterious staff in hand. This is where we start trying to connect the dots between the Rabbit Tribe and Killer Kross. Did they take the staff from him, or are they delivering it to him? And, why does it appear to be so important?

IMG_6301

Taya holds that creepy doll we saw Ricky Mandel holding earlier in the trailer.

IMG_6302

IMG_6303

Johnny Mundo tussles with Vibora and appears to be getting the worse of it.

IMG_6304

Not 100% sure who this is, but we think it’s Ricky Mandel.

IMG_6305

Marty “The Moth” Martinez, banging on a wall in front of a mirror and generally just looking as crazy as possible.

IMG_6306

The stone that Catrina has used to control Mil Muertes, but this doesn’t look like Catrina to me. Who is this?

IMG_6307

It’s Jack Swagger! Nice to see him dressing sharp in a shirt and tie. Note the blood on his shoulder.

IMG_6308

Aero Star, again. He’s trying to do something.

IMG_6309

IMG_6310

Dario Cueto, and behind him…Dario Cueto? “This will be MY new temple,” the older version of Dario says.

I have so many questions. Is this simply Dario’s own hallucination? Is it a relative? A twin brother? Even better, an EVIL twin brother? Or (this is my favorite theory), did Aero Star use time-travel skills to bring an older Dario back from the future?

Also, note the jacket on “old Dario”. It looks similar to the one worn by whoever was unlocking that door earlier in the trailer.

IMG_6311

Roll call! Taya!

IMG_6312

Pentagon Dark!

IMG_6314

Ivelisse!

IMG_6315

The Mack! What is he holding?

IMG_6317

Kobra Moon!

IMG_6318

We’re pretty sure this is Lucha Underground newcomer, Sonny Kiss.

IMG_6319

Tommy Dreamer? Tommy Dreamer!

IMG_6320

Not sure. Any guesses?

IMG_6321

Mariposa!

IMG_6323

Ricky Mandel, and his creepy doll.

IMG_6324

We think this is Lucha Underground newcomer Sammy Guevara.

IMG_6325

Joey Ryan!

IMG_6327

Cortez Castro! Or is it Ricky Reyes?

IMG_6328

Daga!

IMG_6329

Not sure.

IMG_6331

Killer Kross! There’s that staff again.

IMG_6332

The Rabbit Tribe!

IMG_6333

Son Of Havoc!

IMG_6334

El Dragon Azteca Jr.!

IMG_6335

Jeremiah Crane!

IMG_6337

Jack Swagger!

IMG_6338

Chelsea Green!

IMG_6339

Killshot!

IMG_6341

Chavo Guerrero Jr.!

IMG_6342

Mascarita Sagrada! Note that the outfit, especially the mask, matches up with the person wrapped up in the wooden ball in that shot of Killer Kross earlier in the trailer.

IMG_6343

PJ Black!

IMG_6344

Aero Star!

IMG_6346

Drago!

IMG_6347

Marty “The Moth” Martinez!

IMG_6348

Mil Muertes and Catrina! Note, she still has the rock here.

IMG_6349

The Monster Matanza Cueto!

IMG_6350

Fenix!

IMG_6351

And finally, Johnny Mundo!

Inserted between the quick edits of all these guys and girls are some moments of in-ring action. Let’s take a look at those.

IMG_6313

Killshot hits someone with a move while Son Of Havoc and The Mack look on. I’m guessing Killshot is teaming with them in a 6-man tag team match. Also, note the new color of the ring ropes – blue on the top and bottom, yellow in the middle.

IMG_6316

Pentagon Dark hits Matanza with an enziguri.

IMG_6322

Jack Swagger drops a Swagger Bomb on Son Of Havoc. But check out Killshot and someone else outside the ring. Could this be from this season’s Aztec Warfare match?

IMG_6326

Fenix delivers a kick while competing against Pentagon Dark and…is that Mundo?

IMG_6330

King Cuerno jumps over Marty from the top rope as Pentagon Dark looks on. You can also see the announcers desk in the background, with Matt Striker and Vampiro on the call.

IMG_6336

Chavo Guerrero Jr. takes flight over the top rope onto Pentagon Dark. Again, there a couple more people in the background, including Kobra Moon.

IMG_6340

Fenix takes a cutter from Daga.

IMG_6345

Cuerno leaps from the top rope onto Johnny Mundo.

That’s where we’re at right now. If you think you have any insight on what’s happening in some of these screen grabs, feel free to comment below. Just remember…

LUPSA (1)

Lucha Underground Season 4 premieres on Wednesday, June 13 on El Rey Network.

Wrestling Mayhem Show 615: Nanny Nikki

This week’s episode brought to you by Slice on Broadway, Occupy Pro Wrestling, and Indy Wrestling US!


We have a full studio this week as we’re joined by Mambo Italiano and Calvin Couture of Golden Chic International.  As for the mayhem crew, Mad Mike has returned from WrestleMania, and Sorg and Larry are keeping our guests company in Sorgatron Media studio as we talk about:

  • Mad Mike is getting us all caught up on his visit to WrestleMania. WMS
  • If Mambo Italiano is The Miz, does that make Calvin Couture the Miztourage?
  • What do you get when you have some former WWE stars at a local high school? IWC Wrestling Night of the Superstars! (So we’re going to take a moment to talk about some great moments from the show.)
  • Mambo Italiano appreciated some quality time with Mark Henry, while Calvin Couture had a moment with Jack Swagger at Night of the Superstars.
  • The BIG news in WWE is the Superstar Shakeup. We caught the RAW shakeup last night, and are catching the Smackdown shakeup results as we’re recording this week’s podcast.
  • Mad Mike is suffering from some TNA PTSD with this Superstar Shakeup.
  • Is Jeff Hardy angling for a Hell in a Cell spot?
  • It would be more efficient to let us know who’s staying where during the Superstar Shakeup.
  • Dear WWE – Give us visuals on this Superstar Shakeup and tournaments. The NCAA does well with March Madness for a reason. 😉
  • Now we’re on to the big news in WWE this week – the John Cena and Nikki Bella break-up.
  • Thanks to Mikey and Big Bob for giving us the perfect emotional response to the Nikki Bella and John Cena break-up.
  • The Miz and Maryse played the long-game in their feud against Nikki Bella and John Cena.
  • With everyone headed to Smackdown are they going to stretch it to a third hour?
  • The Greatest Royal Rumble is the same day as The Avengers?!?!?! *collective mayhem happy dance*
  • We’ve found Brock Lesnar’s weakness – pancakes.
  • We’re talking about X-Pac’s dog!
  • We’re talking a little bit of IMPACT.
  • Mad Mike loves him some Brian Cage.
  • The key is to have creativity with just the right amount of a leash from management.
  • Part of the problem with non-WWE wrestling today is getting yourself out there for your audience to find you.
  • This week’s Big Question: Now that John Cena and Nikki Bella’s engagement is officially off, who will be the rebound?
  • When Carson Daly becomes relevant during a wrestling discussion.
  • Mambo Italiano had a moment with Honky Tonk Man a month(ish) ago.
  • What did YOU learn in wrestling this week?

Our good friend, Rizz is raising money and awareness through the Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation Team Pittsburgh 2018 Pittsburgh Marathon.  Check out his fundraiser page at: https://www.crowdrise.com/dsgfpitt2018/fundraiser/zachrizza

Follow our stable on Twitter: Mambo Italiano (@hey_mambo_) , Calvin Couture (@calvin_couture), Larry (@MutilatorLarry), Sorg (@Sorgatron), and Mad Mike (@MadMike4883)

If you are in Pittsburgh, you’ve got to go to Slice on Broadway (@Pgh_Slice) and get their food! (sliceonbroadway.com)

You can support the show at Patreon.com/wrestlingmayhemshow!

Go to wrestlingmayhemshow.com for more entertainment!

Remember to LIKE and FOLLOW us on Facebook for updates and video.

WWE RAW Wrap Up 9/12/16: Chris Jericho Lost Kevin’s Number

Talking WWE RAW with the crew discusses Rusev’s return and what Harry Potter character he would be, Jinder Mahal’s win, Jack Swagger’s curious mention of his contract, Kevin Owens interactions with Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns, Chris Jericho vs Sami Zayn is your next favorite feud, the women of WWE RAW opening the show (Bayley, Dana Brooke, Sasha Banks, Charlotte) while Nia Jax destroys Alisha Fox.

Follow our crew Mad Mike (@madmike4883) and Sorg (@sorgatron)

 

Subscribe!

Wrestling Mayhem Show SUPER FEED 

Join us LIVE Monday shortly after WWE RAW!  Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for the link!

Mayhem Mania 2016 – Final Round!

This… is… Mayhem Mania! Not quite a game. Not really a contest. More like a competitive thought experiment. The object is to create the best WrestleMania card possible – NOT necessarily to predict what WWE will do.

This is not fantasy booking (even though it kind of is). Any match created must be possible in real life. That means all wrestlers come in their current physical, emotional and contractual state. Anyone selected for a match must have a reasonable chance of being hired by WWE to appear on the real-life WrestleMania card. Simply put, we have to play by the same rules as Vince McMahon.

If you’re just joining us, here are the recaps of previous rounds.
Round 1Round 2 – Round 3 – Round 4 – Round 5 – Round 6 – Round 7 – Round 8 – Round 9 – Patreon In The Bank 


 

The spectacular and unpredictable Patreon In The Bank round is history, and the SUPERCARD is set (you can see it by clicking the link above). but there’s always something to fight over in Mayhem Mania. During the final round on the Wrestling Mayhem Show (@MayhemShow) on March 22, seven members of the WMS Universe were invited to fine tune the “undercard”, the eight matches that didn’t GRADUATE. Only one will earn a place on the Mayhem Mania preshow!

This week’s participants had the usual 3 options:

1. SWAP a wrestler/tag team for one already on the card.
2. ADD an unused wrestler/tag team to an existing match.
3. KILL a match AND CREATE an entirely new match with unused wrestlers.

Under the “Alex Kahrs Rule”, both Ed Burke and Alex Kahrs himself got to hand out some “punishment”. This week, it’s a name drawn from The Jar Of The Unloved, which is filled with the names of those main roster wrestlers in WWE whose names have yet to be called during Mayhem Mania 2016. Alex gave it to Eamon. Ed gave it to Mad Mike.

Now, on with the show!

MAYHEM MANIA 2016 – FINAL ROUND

Move 1 (@HotWheelzRWA)
ADD R-Truth to Darren Young vs. Michael Tarver

Move 2 (@TheeRizz)
SWAP Ronda Rousey for Todd Chrisley

Move 3 (@Sorgatron)
ADD Blue Pants to Eva Marie vs. Lana

Move 4 (Antonio Garza – @TheWRevolution)
KILL El Torito vs. Hornswoggle AND CREATE Alex Riley vs. Damien Sandow vs. Fandango vs. Wade Barrett

Move 5 (@MadMike4883)
(*Erick Rowan drawn from The Jar Of The Unloved)
KILL Darren Young vs. Michael Tarver vs. R-Truth AND CREATE Bobby Roode & Eric Young vs. Erick Rowan & Braun Strowman

Move 6 (@Bobbyfjtown)
KILL Snooki & David Arquette & Kevin Federline vs. Todd Chrisley & Stephen Amell & Karl Malone AND CREATE Undertaker vs. Baron Corbin

Move 7 (@Eamon2Please)
(*Jack Swagger drawn from The Jar Of The Unloved)
KILL El Torito vs. Hornswoggle AND CREATE Jack Swagger vs. Tommaso Ciampa

Several players took advantage of their ELIMINATOR, which can banish any name from being used in Mayhem Mania 2016. Garza ELIMINATORED Stephen Amell after Bobby killed his match. Sorgatron ELIMINATORED El Torito after Garza killed his match. Finally, Bobby ELIMINATORED two people, Ronda Rousey and Stephen Amell. There was a lot of backlash to that celebrity match.

With the final moves of the final round now in the books, let’s take a look at the updated “undercard”.

Kennel From Hell Match
Alberto Del Rio vs. Austin Aries
(Created by Antonio Garza – @TheWRevolution)
W9M1

Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch
Presented by “Sunny Side Up”
(Created by @EdBurke37)
W10M5

Ladder Match for Divas Championship
Paige vs. Asuka vs. Charlotte vs. Bayley
(Created by @MadMike4883)
W10M7

Chris Jericho vs.  Dolph Ziggler
(Created by @Sorgatron)
W10M8

Erick Rowan & Braun Strowman vs. Bobby Roode & Eric Young
(Created by @MadMike4883)
W11M1

Lana vs. Eva Marie vs. Blue Pants
(Created by @Sorgatron)
W11M3

Jack Swagger vs. Tommaso Ciampa
(Created by @Eamon2Please)
W11M2

Undertaker vs. Baron Corbin
(Created by @Bobbyfjtown)
W11M4

As mentionted, you will decide which one of these eight matches will get a coveted spot on the Mayhem Mania 2016 preshow. Everyone else will be thrown together into a pointless battle royal. So, head over to the WMS Facebook group and cast your vote for your favorite.

Who was left out of Mayhem Mania that deserved a spot? Is the “undercard” better than the SUPERCARD? Share your feedback with us, and thanks for your support of Mayhem Mania!

What’s At Stake: TLC 2015

As we head into yet another special event on the WWE Network, I’ll try to answer one simple question: What are these guys and girls fighting over? As always, we welcome your feedback. Send an email to [email protected].

Sheamus vs. Roman Reigns
What’s At Stake: WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Roman Reigns’ credibility as a world title contender. What could be Sheamus’ last shot at a main event spot. The immediate future of WWE television viewership.
For a match that not many people want to see, there are certainly plenty of compelling subplots to examine. These are dark times for WWE. Injuries and other unwelcome leaves of absence have eroded the top of the main roster. The problems created by the shortage of high-end talent are compounded by countless creative missteps and a 3-hour time slot every Monday night that WWE management is struggling to properly utilize. Don’t believe me? Fine. Maybe you’ll listen to Triple H. To his credit, he owned the current state of professional wrestling’s industry leader during a conference call to promote next Wednesday’s NXT TakeOver: London special event on the WWE Network.

“It’s on us to be more creative and come up with a better format; a better show. We hear people’s frustrations and in a lot of ways feel the same way. It’s fixing it. And, trying to fix it. It is what it is. How we fix it, we’re not 100 percent sure yet. But, we will get there. Trust me.”

Two men find themselves in the dead center of this mess, tasked with making some sort of positive impact on WWE’s immediate future. It’s unfair to blame Roman Reigns and/or Sheamus for what’s ailing WWE, but…well, here they are. Television viewership for Raw has plunged to new lows since Survivor Series, when Reigns finally won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, only to lose it 5:15 later after Sheamus cashed in Money In The Bank.

Sheamus wasn’t in the best position to be fast-tracked into the main event picture, but Seth Rollins’ untimely knee injury left a gaping hole that had to be filled. Sheamus is bringing all the cackling enthusiasm and abrasive energy he can muster to his role as WWE’s top title holder, but the results haven’t been there. Not even the hasty formation of the League Of Nations could generate any tangible momentum.

Reigns hasn’t been terrible in his role, but WWE can’t seem to prevent itself from putting him in situations he’s not equipped to handle. Meanwhile, WWE is taking heavy fire from all angles, from casual fans to the usual gang of know-it-all jerks on the internet to former WWE wrestlers and employees, about the quality of its creative direction. It’s a damn mess. Still, despite all the problems, Sheamus and Reigns may very well deliver a compelling, hard-hitting match on Sunday.

In my opinion, Reigns’ time is far past overdue. He’s come up short too many times over the past year. If it were up to me, he would’ve won the title the night after Survivor Series on Raw. The fans in Nashville sure sounded ready for it.

I was in the crowd the following week in Pittsburgh, when Reigns actually did get his title match. I’ll never forget this one guy in our section. They announced Reigns would have to beat Sheamus in 5:15 to win the title. Immediately, the fan confidently blurted out, “that’s doable!” A lot of people in Pittsburgh wanted to believe Reigns was going to win the title that night, myself included.

It didn’t happen, and the waiting game drags on. Personally, I’m tired of being strung along. I’m ready to see what Reigns can do as champion. Why wait any longer? Does WWE really have the potatoes to string this chase out for another month and risk finding new lows for Raw’s viewership?

Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose
Whats’s At Stake: WWE Intercontinental Championship
Kevin Owens is the most dominant champion in WWE, and it’s getting hard to find worthy challengers. Enter the runner-up in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship tournament, who actually beat Owens at Survivor Series.

This title match has been simmering for a while, but it was put on the back burner after Survivor Series. Ambrose was spending most of his time hanging out with Roman Reigns and The Usos. Then, Owens missed Raw in Pittsburgh after he got sick. This past Monday, we finally got Ambrose and Owens in the ring face-to-face. It got weird.

I’m not sure that’s the best way to build interest in Sunday’s Intercontinental Title match, but I feel fairly confident the contract signing on SmackDown was more effective.

This should feel like a dream match, but there are a couple problems. First, we just saw it at Survivor Series.

Second, we already know Ambrose can beat Owens in a fair fight. The Lunatic Fringe has been a step ahead of K.O. at almost every turn. So, why does it feel like there’s no chance Ambrose wins the Intercontinental Championship on Sunday?

The New Day vs. The Usos vs. Lucha Dragons
What’s At Stake: WWE Tag Team Championship
WWE’s current masters of moving merchandise are a runaway herd of wild unicorns. Everything The New Day touches seems to turn to gold, and lately, they’ve been touching just about everything. It seems no more than 15 minutes can pass on Raw and SmackDown before they ride out to hijack another segment. Clearly, someone with decision-making power in WWE finds them very amusing. Is it too much of a good thing? Some fans are certainly starting to feel that way. Perhaps that’s by design. Ready to see The New Day get knocked down a peg? It may happen in this ladder match at TLC.

Charlotte vs. Paige
What’s At Stake: WWE Divas Championship. Charlotte’s “blue chip” status.
Charlotte (and in many ways, the entire Divas division) has wandered off the tracks in recent weeks. The warning signs have been there for a while, but things really went awry during a main event contract signing segment just before Survivor Series. Paige’s final verbal burn turned into a public relations nightmare for WWE, which now pretends it never even happened. Unfortunately, fans have a longer memory. Charlotte and Paige are both paying the price for that verbal misdeed several weeks ago. Their last title tilt was met with a lukewarm response, and that appears to have altered the future plans for the current face of the Divas division. Charlotte and Paige crossed paths for another verbal showdown during a Miz TV segment on last Monday’s Raw.

Man. WWE was so close to pulling this off – getting fans to turn on Charlotte and shift their cheers to Paige. Sadly, it fell apart after Paige slapped Ric Flair and then ran away from Charlotte. Fans are now stuck with another Divas Championship match where there’s no clear hero to cheer. Charlotte’s cheating heart is beating strong, but the sudden course change for her character has left the Divas division looking rudderless.

Dudley Boyz & Rhyno & Tommy Dreamer vs. The Wyatt Family
What’s At Stake: The latest reunion of ECW originals. The Wyatt Family’s tenuous grasp on its own forward momentum.
Out of the ashes of the Wyatt Family’s decimation at the hands of the Undertaker and Kane rose this little gem of a match. After a week on the wrong side of some Wyatt beatings, the Dudley Boyz went looking for reinforcements. Tommy Dreamer and Rhyno returned to Raw, and now we have another reunion of ECW originals and sufficient manpower for an eight-man tables match at TLC. I seem to say it every time I write one of these preview columns, but it bears repeating – The Wyatt Family could really use a win here.

Alberto Del Rio vs. Jack Swagger
What’s At Stake: WWE United States Championship. Jack Swagger’s return to relevance. Perhaps, Zeb Colter’s heart.
Less than two months ago, Alberto Del Rio roared back into WWE with a shockingly decisive win over John Cena, and became the new United States Champion. It should’ve been the start of something big, but it never felt right. Del Rio and Zeb Colter were an odd pairing from the start, and the concept of Mex-America never made much sense. The good news is that all of that is now in the past.

Del Rio and Colter (and his scooter) went their separate ways, and Mex-America is no more following last Monday’s Raw. Is the United States Championship next to fall? Jack Swagger was off television for a while, and I must be honest. I’ve enjoyed seeing him since his return. All Swagger needs is a little something to convince fans to believe in him. A title win in a chairs match at TLC could be just the thing.

Ryback vs. Rusev.
What’s At Stake: The decisive victory Rusev needs to resume his march back to the top of the card.
Ryback stuck his nose where it didn’t belong, interrupting Lana’s return to Raw a couple weeks ago. That immediately led to a match between Ryback and Rusev, and a less than satisfying count-out victory for the Big Guy. A rematch this past Monday ended in an even less satisfying double count-out. If Rusev is going to get back to where many fans want him to be, he needs to win here.

Wrestling Mayhem Show 212: Bear Watch

Notice: This week’s video will be delayed due to being stuck in the middle of nowhere and just the mp3 taking an hour to upload last night.  Look for it Sunday evening/Monday morning.

This week, the Wrestling Mayhem Show is late due to some family emergencies, but we’re here!  Tune in as Sorg records from a car in the middles of Western New York, fearing for his life in the bear filled woods.  Scoff as DJLunchbox is safely tucked away in his arctic observatory.  We finally catch up to read some Fanmail, talk about WrestleMania, your new speech impediment champion of WWE, Shawn Michaels, and much, much more!

WMS Gold: Expect extra video of DJLunchbox and wrestlefan bonding before the show, and some commentary from the chat room.  Also, we talk about video games, and general other random shenanigans.  Don’t have WMS Gold? Get it right here for your iPhone!

This is Episode 212 for Tuesday, April 2, 2010. You can get the episode here on TalkshoeBlip.tv subscribe to the audio or video versions  iTunes, look us up on YoutubeRoku, or Boxee, and as always, stay tuned towww.wrestlingmayhemshow.com for the latest! The Wrestling Mayhem Show is recorded live and can be heard/viewed from 8 PM to 10 PM Eastern on Talkshoe.comand Ustream.tv. Let us know what you think of the show, and your thoughts on the wrestling world by

emailing us at [email protected]! Don’t forget you can find links related to the show’s news stories and more at our Delicious Links Page for Episode 212!

This week’s music break is brought to you by the artist behind our sister Podcast’s new theme music, Whitney Peyton.  You can head over there to download “09 is Mine” to hear all of her tracks, and stay tuned for a new album in spring!