Category: Wrestling News

El Rey Network Announces Lucha Underground Third Season

Source: WrestlingINC

Less than a week after the second season of Lucha Underground premiered, El Rey Network officially announced today that a third season of the series will begin production immediately in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles.

EL REY NETWORK, MARK BURNETT AND MGM GREENLIGHT THIRD SEASON OF ‘LUCHA UNDERGROUND’

Austin, TX– February 1, 2016 – El Rey Network, Emmy Award®-winning producer Mark Burnett and MGM today announced that the popular Lucha Libre wrestling series “Lucha Underground” will return for a third season. The chant starting, blood pumping, action-packed, character-driven series will begin production on the third season immediately in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles and will premiere on El Rey Network in early 2017. Season Two debuted on El Rey Network on January 27th and airs on Wednesdays at 8:00pm ET/PT.

“‘Lucha Underground’ has caught fire by developing a loyal and passionate fan base,” said El Rey Network Chairman and Founder Robert Rodriguez. “I am proud that its home is El Rey Network, and we’re excited to announce a season three return for even more no-holds-barred action.”

“I am so excited that the fans will be able to continue to enjoy the incredible action and stories,” said Executive Producer Mark Burnett.

Ancient tradition, extraordinary athleticism, and a flare for theatrics combine in El Rey Network’s wrestling series, “Lucha Underground.” The riveting original introduces American audiences to the high-flying aerial maneuvers, slingshot moves, dramatic masks, intricate, rapid-fire combinations and distinctive wrestling techniques of lucha libre, one of Mexico’s most popular sports. Fans have a ringside seat as masked villains and heroes face off to battle for wrestling supremacy. The weekly series provides enthusiastic viewers with an incredibly visceral and explosive experience with a focus on the artistry, originality, intense action and over-the-top characters that have come to define this phenomenal fan-favorite. A celebration of lucha libre’s long-standing Mesoamerican heritage and culture dating back to 1863, this is programming that must be seen to be believed.

“Lucha Underground” is produced by MGM in association with FactoryMade Ventures and AG Studios for El Rey Network. Executive producers are Mark Burnett, Eric Van Wagenen (also showrunner) and Brian Edwards of MGM; Dorian Roldán from Lucha Libre AAA; Alejandro Garcia and Antonio Cué Sánchez-Navarro; El Rey Network co-founder Robert Rodriguez; FactoryMade Ventures and El Rey Network co-founders John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa and Skip Chaisson of Skip Films and El Rey Network. The series airs on El Rey Network and is distributed internationally byMGM.

Preview For Lucha Underground Season 2 Premiere: 1/27/16

The following is scheduled for tonight’s 1/27 Lucha Underground on the El Rey Network:

* What has happened to the Temple since the end of Season 1

* Gift of the Gods Title: Fenix (c) vs. King Cuerno

* #1 Contenders Match: Angelico vs. Son of Havoc vs. Ivelisse

* Drago, Bengala & Famous B vs. Cage, Mr. Cisco & Cortez Castro

Final WWE Royal Rumble Betting Odds

The final Royal Rumble betting odds are in and there have been some major shift, even in a championship match.

Kalisto is now favored to regain the United States Championship over rival Alberto Del Rio. The two have played hot potato with the title belt over the past month.

Triple H, who was already a favorite in the Royal Rumble match, also jumped out to a huge favorite. Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar and Bray Wyatt still round out the top four.

The way a betting line works is that if you take the under (-170), you have to bet $170 to yield $100. If you take the over (+150), a $100 bet would earn you $150.

Royal Rumble Match
Wrestlers vs. The Field, must be a participant

Triple H (-1700) vs. (+800)
Roman Reigns (+1500) vs. (-4500)
Brock Lesnar (+1500) vs. (-4500)
Bray Wyatt (+2500) vs. (-7500)
Sheamus (+10000) vs. (-50000)
Braun Strowman (+10000) vs. (-50000)
Ryback (+12500) vs. (-62500)
Dolph Ziggler (+12500) vs. (-62500)
Chris Jericho (+12500) vs. (-62500)
Big Show (+20000) vs. (-100000)
Big E (+20000) vs. (-100000)
Curtis Axel (+20000) vs. (-100000)
Luke Harper (+20000) vs. (-100000)
Erick Rowan (+20000) vs. (-100000)
Kofi Kingston (+20000) vs. (-100000)
Stardust (+20000) vs. (-100000)

All Wagers have action, wrestlers vs. the field

Triple H (-1500) vs. (+700)
Daniel Bryan (+4000) vs. (-16000)
Kevin Owens (+12500) vs. (-6250)
AJ Styles (+12500) vs. (-6250)
Undertaker (+12500) vs. (-6250)
Finn Balor (+12500) vs. (-6250)
The Rock (+15000) vs. (-75000)
Rusev (+15000) vs. (-75000)
Cesaro (+15000) vs. (-75000))
Sami Zayn (+15000) vs. (-75000)
Jack Swagger (+15000) vs. (-75000)
Randy Orton (+15000) vs. (-75000)
Alberto Del Rio (+30000) vs (-999999)
Samoa Joe (+30000) vs (-999999)
Erick Rowan (+30000) vs (-999999)
Heath Slater (+30000) vs (-999999)
Kane (+30000) vs (-999999)
Tyler Breeze (+30000) vs (-999999)
Adam Rose (+30000) vs (-999999)
Bo Dallas (+30000) vs (-999999)
Curtis Axel (+30000) vs (-999999)
D-Von (+30000) vs (-999999)
Alex Riley (+30000) vs (-999999)

Intercontinental Championship
Last Man Standing
Dean Ambrose (c) (-4500) vs. Kevin Owens (+1500)

Divas Championship
Charlotte (c) (-4500) vs. Becky Lynch (+1500)

WWE Tag Team Championship
New Day (c) (-4500) vs. Usos (+1500)

United States Championship
Kalisto (-27500 vs. Alberto Del Rio (c) (+1250)

Four Way Tag Royal Rumble Qualifier
Mark Henry & Jack Swagger (-2450) vs. Dudley Boyz (+1500) vs. vs. Darren Young &Damien Sandow (+4000) vs. The Ascension (+4000)

Video: Bullet Club Does Curtain Call At ROH Live Event

As most reports have made it almost a given that AJ Styles and fellow “Bullet Club” members are on their way to the WWE as soon as Sunday’s Royal Rumble, AJ Styles, Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows along with the Young Bucks had a special moment at tonight’s ROH live event in Duluth, GA.

The five met in the middle of the ring and shared an embrace while ‘too sweeting’ each other. Matt Jackson posted a video on Twitter with the hashtag #CurtainCall.

Austin Aries Tweets About NXT Debut

After his debut at Friday night’s NXT taping, Austin Aries took to his Twitter account to share his feelings and thank supporters.

Updated Statement From AJ Styles Agent On TNA Situation

In an update on the situation between TNA and the WWE-bound AJ Styles, Styles’ agent and lawyer Bill Behrens issued the following statement to PWInsider:

No contract was ever finalized nor signed by the parties.
That I would need to be involved in the contract process was known by TNA prior to my involvement and understood by them.

TNA and its 1st lawyer did not present in a timely fashion a contract that accurately reflected previous discussions at all. That created great concern tied to past experiences. In that time and prior there was other interest and there were other firm offers on the table and other discussions.

TNA was aware of other interest and various conflicts. TNA was aware a final contract was required. It was creating that contract and controlled that timetable. Too much time passed early on. Other things came into play. No contract was ever finalized with TNA.

To suggest I make any decision for my clients is to misunderstand my role and diminish the role each talent has in making their own decisions, and insults the talent in the process.

Chris Jericho Takes Shot At TNA Over AJ Styles Situation

Chris Jericho posted the social media meme Friday night on Instagram

SURPRISE!!

A photo posted by Chris Jericho (@chrisjerichofozzy) on

Huge ROH / TNA Star Debuts At Tonight’s NXT Tapings

Former ROH and TNA World Heavyweight Champion Austin Aries made his WWE NXT debut at tonight’s TV tapings from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. The debut should air on the March 2nd episode.

Aries was introduced in the ring by NXT General Manager William Regal. As Aries was making his way out, he was attacked by Baron Corbin and destroyed, so that appears to be his first NXT feud.

TNA Says They Had A Deal With A.J. Styles

TNA Impact Wrestling has issued the following statement. It should be noted and we can confirm through AJ Styles management that he denies the claim

AJ Styles has always been synonymous with TNA and TNA synonymous with AJ Styles. AJ helped build the foundation of IMPACT WRESTLING, and his phenomenal body of work lives in our rich history – something we are very proud of.

In the last few weeks, rumors have swirled about AJ Styles, his future and TNA Wrestling. Fans have asked for the status and wrestling media have made numerous inquiries.

For the past several months, AJ and TNA were involved in serious discussions to bring him back home to TNA. Creative discussions escalated and two additional wrestlers, Drew Hankinson and Chad Allegra, were enthusiastically added.

These discussions culminated on December 14th in Nashville, Tenn., where all attended a meeting at Dixie Carter’s home. A handshake and written deal between AJ, Drew, Chad and TNA was agreed upon and signed by all. Start dates were determined, creative decided, merchandise designed and plane tickets purchased.

Over the Christmas holiday, and after the lawyers finalized the long form agreement, all communication with TNA stopped.

AJ’s lawyer contacted TNA and stated the wrestlers had changed their mind and would not be honoring their commitment to TNA.

WWE Hall of Fame 2016 Inductee Names Leaked

While Sting is the only announced inductee for the 2016 Hall of Fame class so far – WhatCulture Wrestling has posted the video below with a list of five other inductees that they say a respected source close to the WWE has given to them.