Former Lucha Underground Star Possibly Signing With WWE?

It was confirmed this week that Joey Ryan, Thunder Rosa (Kobra Moon), Ivelisse Velez and King Cuerno (El Hijo del Fantasma) were released from their Lucha Underground contracts.

There’s now speculation on King Cuerno possibly going to WWE in the near future. Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that Cuerno had an offer from WWE at one point. There’s no word yet on if WWE still has interest in the former AAA World Cruiserweight Champion, but it was assumed that the offers still stand.

Cuerno was reportedly offered a spot in the WWE Cruiserweight Classic back in 2016, but Lucha Underground and AAA would not allow him to enter.

In case you didn’t know Cuerno wrestled under the name El Hijo del Fantasma in Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide and on Impact Wrestling. Below is a photo of Cuerno as El Hijo del Fantasma.

Image result for el hijo del fantasma Impact wrestling

Regarding Ivelisse possibly coming to WWE, Meltzer noted that she has had behind-the-scenes issues with people in WWE in the past, which is why she’s not there now. There’s been no recent talk of Ivelisse possibly returning to WWE, but that could change as WWE looks to sign as many talents from the indies as they can. She was signed to a WWE developmental deal from 2011-2012, working under the name Sofia Cortez. She also worked WWE Tough Enough in 2011.

Image result for ivelisse

There’s been rumors on Lucha Underground being done, but that’s not official yet. Chris DeJoseph, the Lucha Underground Co-Executive Producer, stated last month that he thought the show was “dead” when asked about season 5 taking place.

 

Ivelisse Comments On Not Getting To Wrestle On Impact Events, Possible Reason Why

Lucha Underground and indie wrestling star, Ivelisse, has been using Twitter as of late to express her frustration with her contracted employer. The former two-time Trios Champion previously said that she has asked for her release from the company but continues to be denied, even claiming that she’s being “held hostage” by LU.

In Ivelisse’s most recent tweet of the situation, she questions why she is unable to work for Impact Wrestling if the two companies have been producing joint projects together. Casey Michael, owner of Squared Circle Sirens responded to Ivelisse’s tweet, calling her out for a previous statement she made about Tessa Blanchard.

Blanchard would actually add herself to the mix of messages, explaining to readers that Ivelisse once implied that a part of Blanchard’s success is her father’s doing.

Ivelisse began by writing, “Since the collaboration between brands, not once included in any of these joint projects, and when they did contact me out of the blue for a program, they canceled the night before I flew out for no reason whatsoever. Soooo uummmm, again, let me GO.”

Casey would then respond with: “Maybe it’s cause you s–t talked Tessa big time on an IG comment. I fail to see how everyone else on LU can work anywhere but they are “holding” Ivelisse.”

Lastly, Tessa would add: “Her exact words to me were “I never had a family name, I had to work for everything I have from the streets.”

I have dealt with people like that since I started and I am much stronger than those people.”

You can read the full tweets below:

https://twitter.com/Tess_Blanchard/status/1109871514948636672

Another Lucha Underground star, King Cuerno (aka El Hijo del Fantasma), previously took the time to file documents in Los Angeles against the El Rey Network and Lucha Underground’s production Baba-G Productions. In it, Cuerno’s lawyers claimed that LU’s contracts “illegally restricting” wrestlers from finding work in wrestling is in violation of California law.

Documents sent to Pro Wrestling Sheet detailed how wrestlers under contract make money based on the shows they appear on, and it doesn’t add up to much. You can see that statement below:

By contrast, Lucha Underground broadcasts between 22 and 40 television episodes per year, with no live events like the other described wrestling promotions. If a wrestler appears on a show, it is usually just a couple. The payment per episode is usually less than $1,000.
The current contract that wrestlers signed with Lucha Underground require that wrestlers not perform services for other wrestling companies anywhere in the world without Defendants permission, but does not require Defendants to use Plaintiffs in their wrestling-theme television show.While Plaintiffs are obligated to restrict their trade under the contract (which is illegal), Defendants are not required to use or pay Plaintiffs. Defendants have the option to use Plaintiffs, and IF Defendants use Plaintiffs, Defendants will pay Plaintiffs. IF Defendants chose not to use Plaintiffs, Plaintiffs are prohibited for working for years, are not paid, but still under the restrictive contract until it expires.

Most wrestlers under a Lucha Underground contract make less than $4,000 a year. Wrestlers working for other wrestling promotions make a living wage, usually starting around $50,000 a year and entering either 6 or 7 figures.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Joey Ryan Supports Ivelisse In Contract Dispute With Lucha Underground

joey ryan lucha underground ivelisse contract dispute

Ivelisse isn’t the only wrestler looking to get out of their Lucha Underground contract, as Joey Ryan released a statement which implies he’s going through a similar battle.

As we noted, Ivelisse says she’s been requesting a release from her Lucha Underground contract for over a year and now feels like she’s being “legally held hostage.”

Joey echoed similar sentiments in a tweet on Tuesday saying,

“I back Ivelisse 100% on this. Prior to S4, we were told anybody who requested a release would be granted one. Some did and left after the tapings. Others showed faith in the product and now seems are being punished for it. With no S5 in sight, it’s petty to keep anyone locked up.”

https://twitter.com/JoeyRyanOnline/status/1085301692961181697

Pro Wrestling Sheet reports that the creative team behind the show are all for the cast working as much as possible and feel terrible about Dorian Roldan not granting release requests. One source says if it were up to the creative team making the show, talent would be allowed out of their contracts.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Ivelisse Says She’s Being Legally Held Hostage By Lucha Underground

ivelissa lucha underground contract held hostage

Lucha Underground wrestler Ivelisse says she’s been fighting to get out of her contract for over a year and now feels like she’s being “legally held hostage.”

Ivelisse released a statement via social media saying:

l’ve done everything in my power to avoid having to do this but.. at this point I literally have no other choice.. For a bit over 1 1/2 [years] now l’ve been battling LU to grant me my release. They convinced me to do S4 under the promise that I’d be released after the season concluded and was still unhappy. They currently are still refusing to do so despite having been told numerous times that they would. This has caused me an unbearable amount of grief for so long now, I really have no words to describe and don’t know what else to do.. being legally held hostage while Pro Wrestling is booming is a matter not to be taken lightly, especially coming from someone who has dedicated their life to their work, its everything to me. I am at my wits end, so at this point, regardless what happens from here on out, at the very least my story is told.

Pro Wrestling Sheet reports that there hasn’t been a lot communication between MGM and Lucha Underground execs in regards to an additional season. We’re told things are currently in a stalemate because both sides are standing firm on what the budget needs to be.

The show’s Executive Producer Eric Van Wagenen tells Pro Wrestling Sheet, “None of the producers, executives, or lawyers at MGM make those decisions. All contracts are controlled by the LLC – currently run by Dorian Roldan and John Fogelman.”

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet