Pro-Wrestling On My Mind

One of the most interesting parts of my re-watch of "Lucha Underground" has been catching references. I had not yet started watching NJPW while "Lucha Underground" was airing, so occasional mentions by commentary to New Japan wrestlers meant nothing to me. During this re-watch, however, I have more than once quoted Captain America because "I understood that reference!"  This reminded me, though, of the case of one New Japan wrestler I was aware of before I became a fan, and how that knowledge came from an unexpected source. I like browsing the shelves at a store in Tokyo that has many books in English I often come across some fascinating titles. Back a dozen or so many years ago, the following book caught my eye: In "Lovesick Japan," author Mark D. West looks at court cases and legal decisions to analyze how love, romance, and all its complications are viewed and dealt with in Japanese society, both generally and in the judicial system. One incid...

Finished season one of "Lucha Underground," and I am left with one burning question: Seriously, what IS that?  Who remembers Gak? Part of me really wants to know, but, deep down, I think there are some mysteries better left unsolved. So onward to season two!

I never got into Pinterest, but, if I had, I know who my inspo board would have been dedicated to. My favorite ring announcer and, as far as I am concerned, the queen of The Temple on "Lucha Underground," Melissa Santos. That was HER ring and everyone else was just lucky to be able to enter it. Of course I always tuned in to see the amazing wrestling, but, very quickly, seeing what fabulous look Melissa would be wearing on the latest episode also became an additional major motivation for watching "Lucha Underground." She could pull off anything. The woman's outfits never missed. She. Never. Missed! Of course, nice outfits alone don't make an amazing announcer. Melissa Santos always set the tone for each match with the passion in her voice, her gestures, and her facial expressions. And she was willing to get involved in storylines (I'm inching closer and closer to that on my rewatch and I'm super excited) to enhance the experience. Her relationship wi...

Second post today as this just popped up. I'm still playing "Ace Attorney Investigations." Made it to the third case, "Turnabout Legacy," and the name of the accused murderer threw me for a loop. This is Samson Tangaroa, a confectioner accused of killing a sculptor.  Check that last name again. Seem familiar? Yeah, the spelling has changed slightly now that he's wrestling for WWE, but Tanga Roa is one of the variations he has used over the years. I highly doubt this is a direct reference, but who knows. Whatever the case, I'm never going to be able to look at Tonga Loa again without imagining him singing, dancing, and extolling the virtues of making sweet. Thanks, "Ace Attorney!" (And, oddly enough, a comment was just made on the episode of "Lucha Underground" that I have playing about confusing "Aztec Pride" for "Aztec Pie." I think the universe just decided to be silly today. Or is craving sweets).

Had a realization today. The minimal amount of Spanish I know comes from 3 sources: 1) Pro-wrestling 2) Dora the Explorer 3) Ricky Ricardo I took French in high school. My bad. Fortunately, rewatching "Lucha Underground" is a nice refresher course for the Fantastica Mania show I'll be attending at the end of the month.  Also, even though my Spanish is minimal at best, I am pretty sure at this point that Chavo Guerrero translates to "traitorous whore" in English. Such a weaselly little bastard. Great villain. Not as punchable as Eustace Winner, but close.

It's missing "Lucha Underground" hours in my household. Deep in my heart, it is always missing "Lucha Underground" hours because, damn, I loved that show. With Penta's WWE debut though, the feeling is stronger than usual as it's bringing back a lot of memories (and a lot of clips to Instagram). "Lucha Underground" was the last TV show I truly cared about, that made me feel excited for the next episode and that I would actually tune in to watch as soon as I could. It wasn't perfect, of course, but it was so very, very good. My favorite style of wrestling from an unbelievable roster in terms of talent and star power; I was destined to love "Lucha Underground." It's unfortunate how it ended, but I'm glad we got as much as we did. And thank God for the internet so I can re-watch it again and again. In fact, I think it's time for a marathon... To paraphrase Oscar Wilde, I miss "Lucha Underground" like an idiot mis...