We close out the Achievement Awards for 2016 with Lucha Underground. Period covers seasons 2 & 3 (up to 12/28/16).
Eddie Guerrero Memorial MVP: Brian (They Call Him) Cage. The gradual metamorphosis from heel to babyface during 2016 was inevitable, and, based on the final 2016 episode, Cage may be headed back the other way, corrupted by the power bestowed upon him by heel owner Dario Cueto. Still, the moveset is much different than what you're accustomed to in WWE, and that's a plus. Speaking of which......
Wrestler of the Year: Matanza Cueto. How many other monster heels do you know who have a moveset like Matanza? He's LU's answer to Brock Lesnar, and, yes, he did get "Suplex City" chants at least once that I can recall. The helmet is supposed to conceal some sort of disfigurement, a la Kane, circa 1997-2001, but don't be at all surprised if somewhere in 2017, maybe during season 4, that Matanza loses the helmet, revealing the man within.
Babyface of the Year: Sexy Star. Posited as a role model for the ladies, Sexy became the first woman to hold a men's championship in LU, but it only lasted a week, when it should've been longer. Considering that the creative team includes a cretin who used to work for WWE, this surprises no one.
Heel of the Year: Johnny Mundo. This one was a no-brainer. The Worldwide Underground is to Mundo what Evolution (2003-5, 2013-4) was to Triple H, a vanity vehicle to ensure maximum heat. However, as we've seen in recent years, a heel's over-dependence on outside help (i.e. HHH) dilutes his heat if this ream is used too often. Again, having a former WWE writer in Chris DeJoseph as a producer-writer on this show isn't doing Mundo any favors...!
Woman of the Year: Sexy Star. See above.
Tag team of the Year: Aerostar, Fenix, & Drago. Since traditional tag team matches are few & far between, the trios champs get the nod, although this combination, based on what we've seen the last couple of weeks with Drago having been abducted by the Reptile Tribe, is headed for a meltdown, and that's a shame.
Feud of the Year: Prince Puma vs. Mil Muertes. Just when you thought it was over, it's started up again, now with Vampiro as Puma's mentor. This should make for good TV for the first half of 2017.
What we'd like to see more of in 2017: More female babyfaces. Aside from Sexy Star and the oft-injured Ivelisse, there's only heels (Kobra Moon, Taya, Catrina, Mariposa, Black Lotus, and to a lesser extent, Brenda, who doesn't do much) in the division. Let's see the lady rudos matched up. Mariposa vs. Taya, for example, would be interesting to watch. Also, let's bring back the interviews Vampiro used to do. We'd like to learn more about people like Marty Martinez, for example.
What we'd like to see less of in 2017: Famous B as an agent. That gimmick is dead in the water because FB was a JTTS before the makeover, and his only win was tainted after the gimmick change. A poor man's Paul Heyman is all he is, and failing at that.
