WWE apparently tried to take down Lucha Underground, a show that debuted in 2014.
Lucha Underground arrived to the professional wrestling scene on Oct. 29, 2014, bringing more of a TV show with it than a wrestling show. Despite it not being seen by many on the El Rey Network, Lucha Underground was given rave reviews for the production quality, wrestling matches and storylines.
Since World Championship Wrestling (WCW) was bought out by WWE in 2001, no company has been able to compete with the wrestling giant. TNA had a run during the mid-2000’s but fell off the map over the past few years with multiple network and airing date changes. Top talent like Austin Aries, Samoa Joe, The Dudley Boyz, Sting and possibly AJ Styles heading to WWE hasn’t helped either.
Lucha Underground could be considered the “No. 2 wrestling promotion” in 2016. WWE is aware of this and supposedly tried “shutting them down”. This is according to Lucha Underground producer Chris DeJoseph, who spoke about this in an interview on the Wrestling Mayhem Show 503. He says WWE tried to sign their whole roster and “pretty much tried to shut us down”.
Part of his comment is below.
"“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.”"
Given how WWE took away talent from TNA and has done the same with ROH over the years, this shouldn’t come as a surprise. Some of their top talents like Daniel Bryan, Cesaro, Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens all came from ROH.
So far, WWE has only been able to lure Alberto Del Rio from Lucha Underground. Will they be able to sign someone else like Prince Puma down the line?
(h/t Wrestling News Source)