Backstage Update on the Status of a Top Lucha Underground Star, Current Contract Negotiations and the Possibility of a WWE Deal

By Nick Paglino

lucha underground
(Francine Orr/ LA Times via Getty Images)

There has been much speculation regarding the future of former Lucha Underground Champion Prince Puma, aka Ricochet.

According to The Wrestling Observer, Puma was brought back to Lucha Underground at the last set of TV tapings this week, and there appear to be plans to resurrect his character on TV. The Prince Puma character was killed off when Lucha officials believed Puma would not be re-signing with the company when his contract expires at the end of this season.

Lucha Underground reportedly made Puma a big offer last week, which would allow the promotion to retain “first dibs” on his services, however he would still be allowed to work non-televised indy dates and New Japan. The feeling is the total money he would be making from the offer would be more than what WWE would be willing to offer him, and accepting the LU offer would likely make Puma one of the highest paid non-ex-WWE talents in North America.

Puma and his girlfriend Tessa Blanchard were at the 4/23 and 4/24 Lucha Underground tapings and worked a dark match in front of the live crowd. While the impression given is that Puma will re-sign with Lucha Underground, the official word is that he is still negotiating with both LU and WWE.

Lucha Underground

  • Lucha Underground #1

    Lucha Underground #1

    LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 20, 2015: Jose Alberto Rodriguez, using the ring name Alberto el Patrn, greets the crowd before his Lucha Underground match in the Boyle Heights neighborhood, in Los Angeles, CA April 12, 2015. Lucha Underground is professional wrestling and television series. (Francine Orr/ LA Times via Getty Images)

  • Lucha Underground #2

    Lucha Underground #2

    LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 20, 2015: Wrestler MARTY 'THE MOTH' MARTINEZ takes flight during Lucha Underground in the Boyle Heights neighborhood, in Los Angeles, CA April 12, 2015. Lucha Underground is professional wrestling and television series. (Francine Orr/ LA Times via Getty Images)

  • Lucha Underground #3

    Lucha Underground #3

    LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 20, 2015: Wrester El Texano Jr. introduced before his match during Lucha Underground in the Boyle Heights neighborhood, in Los Angeles, CA April 12, 2015. Lucha Underground is professional wrestling and television series. (Francine Orr/ LA Times via Getty Images)

  • Lucha Underground #4

    Lucha Underground #4

    LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 20, 2015: The crowd reacts during a match at Lucha Underground in the Boyle Heights neighborhood, in Los Angeles, CA April 12, 2015. Lucha Underground is professional wrestling and television series. (Francine Orr/ LA Times via Getty Images)

  • Lucha Underground #5

    Lucha Underground #5

    LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 20, 2015: Jose Alberto Rodrguez, using the ring name Alberto el Patron, greets the crowd before his Lucha Underground match in the Boyle Heights neighborhood, in Los Angeles, CA April 12, 2015. Lucha Underground is professional wrestling and television series. (Francine Orr/ LA Times via Getty Images)

  • Lucha Underground #6

    Lucha Underground #6

    LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 20, 2015: The audience watching the Lucha Underground match in the Boyle Heights neighborhood, in Los Angeles, CA April 12, 2015. Lucha Underground is professional wrestling and television series. (Francine Orr/ LA Times via Getty Images)

  • Lucha Underground #7

    Lucha Underground #7

    LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 20, 2015: Wrester Victor Manuel Soto Flores known as Drago is introduced before his match during Lucha Underground in the Boyle Heights neighborhood, in Los Angeles, CA April 12, 2015. Lucha Underground is professional wrestling and television series. (Francine Orr/ LA Times via Getty Images)

  • Lucha Underground #8

    Lucha Underground #8

    LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 20, 2015: Sexy Star, left, takes flight during a match with MARTY 'THE MOTH' MARTINEZ, right, during Lucha Underground in the Boyle Heights neighborhood, in Los Angeles, CA April 12, 2015. Lucha Underground is professional wrestling and television series. (Francine Orr/ LA Times via Getty Images)

  • Lucha Underground #9

    Lucha Underground #9

    LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 20, 2015: Sexy Star greets the crowd from the ring during Lucha Underground match in the Boyle Heights neighborhood, in Los Angeles, CA April 12, 2015. Lucha Underground is professional wrestling and television series. (Francine Orr/ LA Times via Getty Images)

  • Lucha Underground #10

    Lucha Underground #10

    LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 20, 2015: Sexy Star in the ring during a match at Lucha Underground in the Boyle Heights neighborhood, in Los Angeles, CA April 12, 2015. Lucha Underground is professional wrestling and television series. (Francine Orr/ LA Times via Getty Images)

  • Lucha Underground #11

    Lucha Underground #11

    AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 14: Wrestler Johnny Mundo of 'Lucha Underground' is photographed in the Getty Images SXSW Portrait Studio powered by Samsung at the Samsung Studio on March 14, 2016 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Smallz & Raskind/Getty Images for Samsung)

  • Lucha Underground #12

    Lucha Underground #12

    AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 14: Wrestler Johnny Mundo of 'Lucha Underground' is photographed in the Getty Images SXSW Portrait Studio powered by Samsung at the Samsung Studio on March 14, 2016 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Smallz & Raskind/Getty Images for Samsung)

  • Lucha Underground #13

    Lucha Underground #13

    AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 14: Wrestler Johnny Mundo of 'Lucha Underground' is photographed in the Getty Images SXSW Portrait Studio powered by Samsung at the Samsung Studio on March 14, 2016 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Smallz & Raskind/Getty Images for Samsung)

  • Lucha Underground #14

    Lucha Underground #14

    AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 14: Wrestler Johnny Mundo of 'Lucha Underground' is photographed in the Getty Images SXSW Portrait Studio powered by Samsung at the Samsung Studio on March 14, 2016 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Smallz & Raskind/Getty Images for Samsung)

  • Lucha Underground #15

    Lucha Underground #15

    AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 14: Wrestler Johnny Mundo of 'Lucha Underground' is photographed in the Getty Images SXSW Portrait Studio powered by Samsung at the Samsung Studio on March 14, 2016 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Smallz & Raskind/Getty Images for Samsung)

  • Lucha Underground #16

    Lucha Underground #16

    AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 14: Wrestler Johnny Mundo of 'Lucha Underground' is photographed in the Getty Images SXSW Portrait Studio powered by Samsung at the Samsung Studio on March 14, 2016 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Smallz & Raskind/Getty Images for Samsung)

  • Lucha Underground #17

    Lucha Underground #17

    AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 14: Wrestler Johnny Mundo of 'Lucha Underground' is photographed in the Getty Images SXSW Portrait Studio powered by Samsung at the Samsung Studio on March 14, 2016 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Smallz & Raskind/Getty Images for Samsung)

Nick Paglino
Nick Paglino

Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.

Nick attended New York University and graduated in 2001 with a degree in Drama.

Nick first entered the internet wrestling community back in 2004 when he became the co-host of The Voice of Wrestling Radio Show. From there, Nick made the transition from radio personality to editor when he began working with WrestleZone in 2008.

Nick is a member of two Off-Broadway theatre companies, Another Urban Riff, and the Drama Desk Award winning Godlight Theatre Company. Nick has appeared in over a dozen Off-Broadway plays since he moved to New York City, and has shot several short and feature length films. In 2010, he completed principle photography on a film titled "How to Score Your Life," which also features TNA Knockout ODB.

Inspiration in his life has come from many people including his family, Woody Allen, Steven Spielberg, Jack Nicholson, The Beatles, and of course, Lassie.

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