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 asLucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors
StarringLucha Libre USA roster
Country of originUnited States
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes20 + 1 special (list of episodes)
Production
ProducersSteven Ship, Louis Silverstein, and Alex Abrahantes
Camera setupMulticamera setup
Running time42 minutes
Production companyLucha Libre USA
Original release
NetworkMTV2 (2010–2011)
Hulu (2012)[1]
ReleaseJuly 16, 2010 (2010-07-16) –
October 3, 2012 (2012-10-03)

History

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On 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

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Behind 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

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LLUSA Heavyweight Championship

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LLUSA Heavyweight Championship
Details
PromotionLucha Libre USA
Date establishedDecember 12, 2010
Date retiredOctober 21, 2013
Statistics
First champion(s)Lizmark Jr.
Most reignsR. J. Brewer (2 reigns)
Longest reignR. J. Brewer (855 days)
Shortest reignEl Solar, (0 days)
Oldest championEl Solar (56 years)
Youngest championR. J. Brewer (31 years, 322 days)
Heaviest championLizmark Jr. (119 kg (262 lb))
Lightest championR. J. Brewer (102 kg (225 lb))

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

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LLUSA Tag Team Championship
Details
PromotionLucha Libre USA
Date establishedJanuary 22, 2011
Date retiredOctober 3, 2012
Statistics
First champion(s)El Oriental and Tinieblas Jr.
Most reignsTinieblas Jr. (2 reigns)
Longest reignThe Right (Jon Rekon and Petey Williams) (473 days)
Shortest reignSol and Tinieblas Jr. (0 day)
Oldest championTinieblas Jr. (45 years, 221 days)
Heaviest championJon Rekon and Petey Williams
(221 kg (487 lb)) Combined
(140 kg (310 lb)) Individual
Lightest championEl Oriental and Tinieblas, Jr.
(188 kg (414 lb)) Combined
El Oriental (80 kg (180 lb)) Individual

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

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Male wrestlers

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R. J. Brewer
Ring 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)

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Ring 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

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Hosts

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Host Dates
Reby Sky July 16, 2010 – October 22, 2011

Commentators

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Commentators 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

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Ring Announcer Dates
Nigel Sherrod Season 1
Leticia Castro Season 2

Notable alumni

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "LUCHA LIBRE USA NOW AVAILABLE ON HULU".
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "MTV2 Premieres 'Lucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors,' 7/16".
  4. ^ "Lucha Libre USA Profile".
  5. ^ "Lucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors >> Marco Corleone". MTV. Archived from the original on August 13, 2010. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  6. ^ "Lucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors 'Behind The Mask'". MTV Networks. Archived from the original on July 3, 2010. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Dark Angelita (October 21, 2013). "Solar campeón en Estados Unidos". Súper Luchas (in Spanish). Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ 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.
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