WWE Allegedly Tried To Put Lucha Underground Out Of Business

Former WWE creative writer and current co-executive producer of Lucha Underground Chris DeJoseph claims that WWE tried to put Lucha Underground out of business by signing all of the promotion’s top names.

During an interview with the Wrestling Mayhem Show, DeJoseph — known to WWE fans as “Big Dick” Johnson — talked about Lucha Underground’s journey in putting together a second season. While the company hit many roadblocks in getting a second season produced, it was WWE’s wallet that caused problems.

“They (WWE) basically tried to sign our entire roster, and pretty much tried to shut us down.”

The first episode of Season 2 is set to premiere next week, Wednesday, January 27, on El Rey Network. The promotion has been able to gather some of the biggest names from the independent circuit in the United States and the Mexican promotion Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (AAA).

Among the former WWE superstars that will be featured for Lucha Underground during its second season include Chavo Guerrero Jr., Johnny Mundo (Morrison), PJ Black (Justin Gabriel), and Rey Mysterio.

However, it wasn’t necessarily just the big names from its past that WWE was looking to sign. It was also most of Lucha Underground’s core of younger superstars. DeJoseph says that it’s WWE’s ways of trying to “wipe out companies” and keep all the talent under one roof — and Lucha Underground isn’t the only promotion WWE has targeted.

“I think that’s what they (WWE) want to do – just take everybody, sign them into NXT and then wipe out companies. I know they tried to do it with TNA, and I’m sure Ring Of Honor too. It makes sense. They pay someone $750/week, put them into developmental and in the meantime, they try to take away a company’s roster. And they can just leave those guys down in NXT.”

In mid-October last year, there was a report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (via E Wrestling News) that WWE had its sights on Lucha Underground performers Angelico and Prince Puma. Angelico, 28, was on Season 1 of Lucha Underground and is a mainstay for promotions such as AAA and World Wrestling Professionals (WWP)

Puma, aka Ricochet, is one of the most popular stars on the independent circuit and a prominent name in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Known for his divine athleticism and innovative offense, the 27-year-old wrestled on Lucha Underground’s first season under a mask and routinely engaged in classic bouts with the likes of Johnny Mundo, Cage, and Mil Muertes. Puma was the inaugural Lucha Underground champion but lost his championship on the season finale to Muertes.

The WWE’s reported plan for Puma was to fast track him to NXT so he could wrestle Finn Balor for the NXT World Championship. However, the report mentioned that Puma is under contract with Lucha Underground for seven more years and still has dates with NJPW.

One wrestler that WWE was successful in prying away from Lucha Underground was Alberto Del Rio (El Patron). After his controversial firing from WWE in 2014, Del Rio wrestled all over the independent circuit and in Mexico. However, his first televised gig was for Lucha Underground on Season 1. There was a belief that Del Rio would re-sign but then WWE offered him a sizable deal and he returned to WWE instead.

Since his return, Del Rio has captured the WWE United States Championship on two occasions.

The WWE has already brought in names such as Samoa Joe, Austin Aries, and James Storm to be a part of NXT. AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Bullet Club members Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson are expected to follow suit. With NXT becoming a top priority and setting out to be a full-time touring brand, the company will be in the market 24/ 7 for new talent.

[Featured Photo via Lucha Underground]