100% Lucha
100% Lucha is an Argentine Wrestling show, that premiered on January 1, 2006. Telefe runs the show in both their national and international signal.
History
Ex-wrestler Ruben Peucelle is the creator of the show, who contracted Leo Montero as his showman, as well as Eduardo Husni as producer (and narrator), and Osvaldo Principi as commentator. Principi is the main boxing narrator of Argentina since the 90s, being an important icon for the show.
The Show started as a kids entertainment, as predecessor Titanes en el Ring was, but after succeeding at ratings and attracting Carl De Marco and Shane McMahon, the show started adapting many things from WWE, such as adding final blows and eliminating some wrestlers that were aimed to be of comical conception, or too focused into kids. However, Wrestler Theme Songs were never changed and they still are, in most cases, focused to kids.
WWE Influence
Everyone was surprised to receive WWE president De Marco and vice-president and former wrestler McMahon. The production was completely surprised and the wrestlers were curious AbOUT hearing Shane's experiences.
WWE representatives were surprised at how the show had many different things from most wrestling shows, pointing the children as the main factor. They were captivated at how children held local wrestlers in high regard, and how the show got good rating marks despite focusing on a different public.
Many things were discussed, as well as Argentine producers getting new IDeaS to work. Since then, 100% Lucha tried to gain public from other ages, tough to get rid of the "kids' show" label is hard.
At 2008, [...] Togo starred at the show, and it's expected to some local wrestler to go on an intershow match or tournament, with La Masa as the main candidate, who would then became the first Argentine-based Wrestler to Appear on an abroad show.
As a note, La Masa is Costa Rican, both inside and outside his character.
Championship System & Rules
No weight limits but common Wrestling Rules. 100% Lucha runs 2 championships per season, dividing the season in two. Fights all over the months will be computed with points, depending on which kind of fight they won (1 vs 1 awards 3 points to the winner, 1 each one if a tie happens. Wrestling Machine (random 2 vs 2) awards 4 points to the winners, 2 each team if a tie happens.) The best eight wrestlers will go to playoffs to decide the Season Champion. Each Season, one Belt possessing a mystical item is offered to the winner.
After the second season, every champions, Vicente Viloni, La Masa and Gorutta Jones, fought over the King of 100% Lucha title. This title can only be acquired by challenging the champion directly at anytime. There's some unveiled rule of how often one can aim for this title. In case of the champion losing, a rematch can happen in a week time.
Every match is held on the Estudio Estadio de Telefe (Telefe's Stage Stadium), later renamed Estudio Estadio Pepsi, who signed as the main sponsor.
100% Lucha Tournaments
2006 Season 1
Achieving an outstanding 10,6 on the rating scale (Argentina's kids show were way too down at the moment), 100% Lucha had a strong start, tough critics said it's the same show as Titanes en el Ring was back on the 70s, principally because the wrestlers were also "too cliché".
First part of the season finished with local star Vicente Viloni claiming the championship over Costa Rican wrestler La Masa.
2006 Season 2
In order to get more rating, 100% Lucha switched times from 21:00 (where they competed against international football (soccer) review shows) to 12:00, as well as many wrestler additions, replying to critics with new faces with no precedents on the previous show, principally, Ghanaian wrestler Musambe Tutu, who was an instant success with the public.
Final was the same at Season 1, but this time, La Masa emerged champion.
2007 Pre-Season
New replies to the critics saw many "joke" wrestlers go out of the roster, while the impact addition to the show, Canadian wrestler Gorutta Jones, was a direct reply to some WWE fans who would take 100% more seriously if more masked, classical fighters, were introduced.
Pre-Season introduced the never repeated Super 4x4 tournament that saw underdog Hip Hop Man defeating Gorutta Jones, on a battle that many disliked because the fact that HHM was more like a joke wrestler despite being way too technical.
2007 Season
Switching air time to 11:00, 100% Lucha got the most successful year, and would never change it's airtime again. La Masa vs. Gorutta Jones match was something everyone was expecting since the introduction of the Canadian, with a pair of fights shown during regular season.
Gorutta Jones dominated the season with a perfect record and the ability to never fall, tough after his first fall he was psychologically affected and nearly missed the playoffs. However, on the playoffs, he recovered and won the 2007 Belt.
2007 Team Championship
As a previous entertainment for King of 100% Lucha, the first Team Championship was held, showing Hip Hop Man & Delivery Boy as the winners, tough several wrestlers were absent of this tournament.
2007, 1º King of 100% Lucha
After receiving Carl de Marco & Shane McMahon, it was time for 100% Lucha to get serious, and create a Title that could only be contested in challenging matches. To decide the holder, a tournament with the three champions was held.
Vicente Viloni defeated La Masa and acquired the belt at the mytical Luna Park Stadium (Argentina's most luxurious Boxing Stadium), who didn't hold a wrestling match for more than 20 years.
2008 Vicente Viloni vs. [...] Togo
After WWE, it was predictable some intershow match. [...] Togo, under the name of [...] Sato, came to challenge Vicente Viloni in order to gain his title. The challenge came mid-season, forcing a halt on the running 2008 Season 1.
March 16 2008 saw a cruel Togo on the ring beating Viloni in an even match, gaining the hatred of the Argentine public. However, one week later, Viloni recaptured his title on the rematch.
This was the only time the title was disputed.
2008 Season 1
With a roster with new faces like Sodrak or Cara de Mascara (Hood Face), Season 1 of 2008 started with an outstanding Mc Floyd, Scottish wrestler who is in the roster since Season 1, defeating Vicente Viloni on the Final, as well as eliminating La Masa on Semi Finals.
Surprisingly, Gorutta Jones got injured near the playoffs, forcing him to resign his last fights and losing the chance to fight into the playoffs, despite being qualified. This was by far the most sad note of the season as the Canadian was the defending champion.
2008 Team Championship 1
As a mid-season tournament, the Team Championship was presented, confirming Mc Floyd to be in great form, after conquering the title with another 1st Season Wrestler, Lt. Murphy.
2008 Season 2
With few additions and the replacement of Mario Moran, who was since the very first fight, by his brother Tito Moran, Season 2 started strong again on ratings, and attracting many new viewers since [...] Togo starred at the show.
Vicente Viloni conquered his second title.
2008 Team Championship 2
While the Championship Playoffs were held, the Second Team Championship was a viable option for wrestlers who could make it to the Top-8 to win a belt.
New addition Balut Cunescu and 1st seasoner Rot Wailer were proclaimed champions.
2009 Season 1
The New Season is announced to start in March.
Honours
Seasonal Champions
Vicente Viloni (2 times)
La Masa, Gorutta Jones, Mc Floyd (1 time)
King of 100% Lucha
Vicente Viloni (2007-2008)
[...] Togo (2008)
Vicente Viloni (2008-present)
Wrestlers
Note: Many wrestlers birthplaces are obvious kayfabes. Wrestlers hailed from locations across South America, North America, and some from Europe.
Referees
Actives
.
- Van Goor
- Rolando Cornadis
- Vincent Antonione
- Luciano Lombardi
- Esteban Gordillo
Since 2008, no referees are good or bad, except in some cases.
Inactives
- Dr. Jamaica
Dropped since he was the heel referee.
Movie
Under director Juan Iribas, the movie premiered July 24, 2008.
Movie drama revolved on Koshe Plostenko, a mafia man who was in charge of Clandestine Wrestling Leagues, who wanted to kidnap 100% Lucha wrestlers to enslave them in their system and obtain more incomes and attract bets.
References
La WWE en 100% Lucha (Spanish)
External links
es:100% lucha