AAA continues to be the talk of the wrestling world following Alberto Del Rio and Rey Mysterios participation with the Mexican promotion. The company held their largest event of the year, Triplemania, opposite WWEs SummerSlam and drew a sellout crowd to the Arena Ciudad in Mexico City. Now, AAA has officially announced a new television show to air in the United States on the El Rey Network. The show -- which is titled Lucha Underground -- will premiere on October 8th of this year. AAA will make their American debut on El Rey -- a network started by famed filmmaker, Robert Rodriguez. Together, the two companies are hyping a revolutionary wrestling product, which is to be produced by One Three Media -- owned by Emmy-winning reality television producer Mark Burnett. Burnett, the shows Executive Producer, stated that, Not since The Contender premiere has a new series combined this level of drama and athletic competition. The El Rey Networks Vice Chair, Scott Sassa, added that the new show will feature good versus evil, intense action, humor, drama, great characters, and most important, great stories. Interestingly, it seems that the show may veer from the normal wrestling television format and possibly add in some reality show-like elements -- hence Mark Burnetts involvement. Five luchadors from AAA have been announced as taking part in the series. This competitors include Sexy Star, Fenix, Drago, Pentagon Jr., and Blue Demon Jr. -- a former NWA World Heavyweight Champion. Two American independent combatants have also officially signed contracts to compete on the show. Both Ricky Reyes and B-Boy are well known independent wrestlers, primarily based in Los Angeles, California -- where the show will be filmed. Reports also indicate that AAA and El Rey are reaching out to other top talents across the United States. Ricochet, an exciting high-flyer, has been contacted, as well as former WWE and TNA stars Hernandez, Joey Ryan, Chavo Guerrero, and John Morrison, among others. Its unclear at this time if Alberto Del Rio will be participating in the program -- or if hes even legally allowed to do so, although that doesnt seem to affect the former WWE stars decision making much as of late. El Rey is reportedly looking to lock these new stars into exclusive long-term contracts, which may prove to be a problem for many talents. If the show is successful and does well, there will not be a problem, but if the program struggles, many stars may find themselves stuck in long-term deals that are not proving lucrative. It will be interesting to see if AAA will find success in the United States through the El Rey Network. Furthermore, many fans are chomping at the bit to find out what the show will exactly be -- straight wrestling or a more reality-infused product. Also, what stars will appear on the new lucha libre television program? Let us know your thoughts on AAAs upcoming Lucha Underground series in the comments below.
Douglas Scarpa is a freelance writer, independent filmmaker, art school graduate, and pro wrestling aficionado -- all of which mean he is in financial ruin. He has no backup plan to speak of, yet maintains his abnormally high spirits. If he had only listened to the scorn of his childhood teachers, he wouldn't be in this situation.
