Lucha Libre USA (LLUSA) was an American Lucha Libre promotion owned by Steven Ship. The promotion was most notable for producing the Lucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors television program, which initially aired on the MTV2 broadcast channel and chronicled the rise of Lucha Libre, Mexican-style wrestling, in the United States. The first episode was aired on July 16, 2010. The second season premiered October 1, 2011.[2] On July 11, 2012 the remainder of season two began airing on Hulu with the final episode airing on October 3, 2012.
Lucha Libre USA | |
---|---|
Also known as | Lucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors |
Starring | Lucha Libre USA roster |
Country of origin | United States |
No. of seasons | 2 |
No. of episodes | 20 + 1 special (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Producers | Steven Ship, Louis Silverstein, and Alex Abrahantes |
Camera setup | Multicamera setup |
Running time | 42 minutes |
Production company | Lucha Libre USA |
Original release | |
Network | MTV2 (2010–2011) Hulu (2012)[1] |
Release | July 16, 2010 October 3, 2012 | –
History
editOn July 16, 2010, Lucha Libre USA premiered season one of their flagship program Lucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors on MTV2.[3] During season one Lucha Libre USA held TV tapings in multiple venues.
On October 1, 2011, Lucha Libre USA began season 2 of Lucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors airing the first four episodes on MTV2 before bringing the series to Hulu where the remaining episodes were aired.[1]
After the cancellation of the Masked Warriors series by Hulu, the promotion continued to hold live events throughout the West Coast until its closure in 2013.[4]
Behind the Mask
editBehind the Mask was Lucha Libre USA's supplemental program and a documentary feature broadcast on MTV2 and the MTV website. The show followed wrestlers originating from Mexico, the United States and other parts of the world, as they performed physical acts and gave background into their characters. During the show it was explained that some traditional, non-masked American professional wrestlers, like técnico luchador Marco Corleone,[5] had embraced Lucha Libre while others like American rudo luchador R. J. Brewer wished to "Americanize" Lucha by "cleaning up the Mexican elements" of Lucha Libre USA.[6] This conflict between America and Mexico would serve as a long-lasting storyline throughout the seasons of Masked Warriors.
Championships
editLLUSA Heavyweight Championship
editLLUSA Heavyweight Championship | |||||||||||||||||||
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Details | |||||||||||||||||||
Promotion | Lucha Libre USA | ||||||||||||||||||
Date established | December 12, 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||
Date retired | October 21, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||
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On December 12, 2010, Lizmark Jr. defeated Charly Malice, Marco Corleone and R. J. Brewer in a Lucha Roulette four-way elimination match to become the first-ever LLUSA Heavyweight Champion.
# | Wrestlers | Reign | Date | Days held |
Location | Event | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Lizmark Jr. | 1 | December 12, 2010 | 188 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Lucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors | Defeated Charly Malice, Marco Corleone and R. J. Brewer in a four-way elimination match to become the inaugural champion. This episode aired on tape delay on October 1, 2011.[7] |
2 | R. J. Brewer | 1 | June 18, 2011 | 855 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Lucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors | This was a three-way match, which also included Marco Corleone. Brewer put the future of his group, The Right, and Corleone his hair on the line for a shot at the title.[8] |
3 | El Solar | 1 | October 20, 2013 | 0 | Pomona, California | The Great American Nightmare tour | [9] |
4 | R. J. Brewer | 2 | October 20, 2013 | 1 | Pomona, California | The Great American Nightmare tour | [10] |
— | Deactivated | — | October 21, 2013 | — | Pomona, California | — | The title was deactivated after the final LLUSA promoted event. |
LLUSA Tag Team Championship
editLLUSA Tag Team Championship | |||||||||||||||||
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Details | |||||||||||||||||
Promotion | Lucha Libre USA | ||||||||||||||||
Date established | January 22, 2011 | ||||||||||||||||
Date retired | October 3, 2012 | ||||||||||||||||
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On January 22, 2011, Rudisimo (El Oriental and Tinieblas Jr.) defeated Puerto Rican Power (P.R. Flyer and San Juan Kid) and Treachery (Rellik and Sydistiko) in a three-way tag match to become the first-ever LLUSA Tag Team Champions.
# | Wrestlers | Reign | Date | Days held |
Location | Event | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Rudisimo (El Oriental and Tinieblas Jr.) |
1 | January 22, 2011 | 126 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Lucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors | Defeated Puerto Rican Powers (PR Flyer and San Juan Kid), Treachery (Rellik and Sydistiko) in a three-way tag match to become the inaugural champions. This episode aired on tape delay on October 22, 2011.[11] |
2 | Sol and Tinieblas Jr. (2) | 1 | May 28, 2011 | 0 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Lucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors | Defeated El Oriental in a handicap match.[12] |
— | Vacated | — | May 28, 2011 | — | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Lucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors | The title was vacated due to the circumstances surrounding Sol and Tinieblas Jr. becoming the champions.[12] |
3 | The Right (Jon Rekon and Petey Williams) |
1 | June 18, 2011 | 473 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Lucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors | Defeated the Latin Liberators (Rocky Romero and Super Nova) to win the vacant title.[8] |
— | Deactivated | — | October 3, 2012 | — | Albuquerque, New Mexico | — | The titles were deactivated after the final episode of Masked Warriors . |
Roster at the time of closure
editMale wrestlers
editRing name | Real name | Notes |
---|---|---|
Azteko | John Rivera | Also performed unmasked as "Rocky Romero" |
Blue Demon, Jr. | Unknown | |
Carlitos | Carly Colón | |
Celestial | Unknown | |
El Nevo Macho | Unknown | |
Shane Helms | Gregory Helms | |
Jon Rekon | Jon Andersen | Last LLUSA Tag Team Champion |
La Mascara | Unknown | |
Lizmark Jr. | Juan Baños | |
Mini Park | Ricardo Moreno Tapia | |
Águlia | José Delgado Saldaña | |
Neutronic | Unknown | |
Petey Williams | Peter Williams III | Last LLUSA Tag Team Champion |
Pequeño Halloween | Samuel de Leon Sandoval | |
Psicosis | Juan Ebodio Gonzalez | |
R. J. Brewer | John Stagikas | Last LLUSA Heavyweight Champion |
El Solar | Unknown | |
Super Crazy | Francisco Islas Rueda | |
Super Nova | Unknown | |
Sydistiko | Theodore James Perkins | |
Sydistiko II | Paul London | |
Tatanka | Christopher Chavis | |
Tinieblas Jr. | Unknown | |
Vladimiro | Unknown |
Female wrestlers (Chicas)
editRing name | Real name |
---|---|
Awesome Kong | Kia Stevens |
Brooke Carter | Brittney Savage |
Jacqueline | Jacqueline Moore |
Jillian Hall | Jillian Hall |
Lizzy Valentine Carter | Elizabeth Miklosi |
Melina | Melina Perez |
Nikki Corleone | Nicole Raczynski |
Nurse Krissy Sealice | Kristin Eubanks |
ODB | Jessica Kresa |
Rebecca Reyes | Rebecca Reyes |
Rosetta Park | Tracy Castillo-Sharrer |
Tigresa Caliente | Trenesha Biggers |
On-air personalities
editHosts
editHost | Dates |
---|---|
Reby Sky | July 16, 2010 – October 22, 2011 |
Commentators
editCommentators | Dates |
---|---|
Nigel Sherrod and Lalo Gonzalez | Season 1 |
Kevin Kelly and Todd Romero Kevin Kelly and Stevie Richards Alex Abrahantes and Stevie Richards |
Season 2 |
Ring announcers
editRing Announcer | Dates |
---|---|
Nigel Sherrod | Season 1 |
Leticia Castro | Season 2 |
Notable alumni
edit- Cassandro
- Charly Malice
- Chavo Guerrero Jr.
- Chi Chi
- Diamond Face
- Dragoncito
- El Hijo de Anibal
- El Oriental
- Headhunter A
- Headhunter B
- Huracan Ramirez Jr.
- Isis the Amazon
- Jay Lethal
- Kip Gunn
- LA Park
- Lady Luck
- Latin Lover
- Lujo Esquire
- Marco Corleone
- Magno
- Mascara Púrpura
- Mascarita Dorada
- Medianoche
- Mentallo
- Mini Dragoncito
- Misteriosito
- Neutronic
- Octagoncito
- P.R. Flyer
- Reid Flair
- Rellik
- Saber Claw
- San Juan Kid
- Sol I
- Sol II
- Solid
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "LUCHA LIBRE USA NOW AVAILABLE ON HULU".
- ^ Caldwell, James (September 14, 2011). "Other News: MTV announces premiere date for next season of Lucha Libre USA, new U.S. stars advertised". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
- ^ "MTV2 Premieres 'Lucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors,' 7/16".
- ^ "Lucha Libre USA Profile".
- ^ "Lucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors >> Marco Corleone". MTV. Archived from the original on August 13, 2010. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
- ^ "Lucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors 'Behind The Mask'". MTV Networks. Archived from the original on July 3, 2010. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
- ^ Roberts, Alex (December 13, 2010). "12/12 Lucha Libre USA TV taping: Spoiler results for season premiere of MTV2 wrestling show - former TNA wrestler debuts, first Hvt. champion crowned". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
- ^ a b Roberts, Alex (June 20, 2011). "6/18 Lucha Libre USA TV taping: Spoiler results for more Season 2 episodes of MTV2 show, update on Season 2, notes from head of creative". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved June 20, 2011.
- ^ Dark Angelita (October 21, 2013). "Solar campeón en Estados Unidos". Súper Luchas (in Spanish). Retrieved October 21, 2013.
- ^ Gerweck, Steve (October 21, 2013). "Twitter notes on Tammy Sytch, R. J. Brewer, Eric Bischoff, and LuFisto". Gerweck. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
- ^ Roberts, Alex (January 22, 2011). "1/22 Lucha Libre USA TV taping: SPOILER results for more Season 2 episodes of MTV2 wrestling show - notable former WWE wrestlers debut, first tag champions crowned". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 23, 2011.
- ^ a b Roberts, Alex (May 30, 2011). "5/28 Lucha Libre USA TV taping: Spoiler results for Season 2 episodes of MTV2 show - Lethal debuts, Petey, new commentators, double-turns". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved May 30, 2011.
External links
edit- Official website (Archived)
- Lucha Libre USA at MTV2
- Lucha Libre USA at IMDb