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The WWE has always been the benchmark when it pertains to professional wrestling.  Although, that’s not to say there hasn’t been competition.

Several other wrestling promotions such as Total Nonstop Action (TNA) and Ring of Honor (ROH) have television deals, and have looked to capture a portion of the WWE audience.

And now another challenger enters the ring, and it’s unlike anything you have ever seen.

The El Rey network isn’t a relatively well-known commodity on cable television. The channels flagship show, Lucha Underground, is taking sports entertainment and turning it on its head. Unlike its competition, this show focuses on the awe-inspiring luchadores, a group of wrestlers known for their high-flying acrobatics.

This brand of wrestling is mostly found in Mexico. It was made popular in America with the success of WCW during the mid to late 90’s. The now defunct World Championship Wrestling featured some of the greatest luchadores in wrestling history such as Rey Mysterio Jr., Ultimo Dragon, and Juventud Guerrea.

When WWE chairman, Vince McMahon, bought WCW he seemingly buried the once popular style of wrestling. The art of lucha libre hasn’t been featured prominently on WWE television for quite some time. But, with Lucha Underground the luchadores have once again taken center stage.

T.V. producer extraordinaire, Mark Burnett, has brought the art of the Mexican based wrestling to television by incorporating storyline and wrestling, blending them together with such brilliance that it gives WWE a run for its money. Most importantly, the Lucha Underground producers spared no expense when it came to finding the top talent.

Featured on Lucha Underground is a myriad of stars from well-known Mexican and American wrestling organizations. Most WWE fans will recognize two of the promotions top stars, Johnny Mundo and Alberto El Patron, known to many as John Morrison and Alberto Del Rio. You may also recognize the Lucha Underground announce team of Matt Striker and Vamprio, both of whom have worked with WWE in the past.

The emergence of Lucha Underground has been a refreshing change of pace for both the casual and hardcore wrestling fan. Its blend of television drama and high energy action have transcended the way we watch sports entertainment.

So, if catchphrases and John Cena just aren’t your thing, give Lucha Underground a look. It’s going to be your new wrestling obsession.

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