The locker room was told on Sunday that there will be a season 3 of Lucha Underground. This was actually known back in November when “Dr Lucha” Steve Sims mentioned on Wrestling Observer Live that season 3 was already confirmed but the wrestlers were formally told today.
There are rumors of a big influx of cash so that could explain why they didn’t have to wait several months to confirm season 3. Either way, this is good news for the wrestlers, the promotion and the fans.
On a side note, we were told today that the 44,000 viewers was for the first airing of the show on Wednesday. The combined rating (including the replay that followed immediately after) did 109,000 viewers which is very impressive.
UPDATE: The El Rey Network issued the following:
EL REY NETWORK, MARK BURNETT AND MGM GREENLIGHT
THIRD SEASON OF ‘LUCHA UNDERGROUND’
Austin, TX– February 1, 2016 – El Rey Network, Emmy Award®-winning producer Mark Burnett and MGM today announced that the popular Lucha Libre wrestling series “Lucha Underground” will return for a third season. The chant starting, blood pumping, action-packed, character-driven series will begin production on the third season immediately in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles and will premiere on El Rey Network in early 2017. Season Two debuted on El Rey Network on January 27thand airs on Wednesdays at 8:00pm ET/PT.
“‘Lucha Underground’ has caught fire by developing a loyal and passionate fan base,” said El Rey Network Chairman and Founder Robert Rodriguez. “I am proud that its home is El Rey Network, and we’re excited to announce a season three return for even more no-holds-barred action.”
“I am so excited that the fans will be able to continue to enjoy the incredible action and stories,” said Executive Producer Mark Burnett.
Ancient tradition, extraordinary athleticism, and a flare for theatrics combine in El Rey Network’s wrestling series, “Lucha Underground.” The riveting original introduces American audiences to the high-flying aerial maneuvers, slingshot moves, dramatic masks, intricate, rapid-fire combinations and distinctive wrestling techniques of lucha libre, one of Mexico’s most popular sports. Fans have a ringside seat as masked villains and heroes face off to battle for wrestling supremacy. The weekly series provides enthusiastic viewers with an incredibly visceral and explosive experience with a focus on the artistry, originality, intense action and over-the-top characters that have come to define this phenomenal fan-favorite. A celebration of lucha libre’s long-standing Mesoamerican heritage and culture dating back to 1863, this is programming that must be seen to be believed.
“Lucha Underground” is produced by MGM in association with FactoryMade Ventures and AG Studios for El Rey Network. Executive producers are Mark Burnett, Eric Van Wagenen (also showrunner) and Brian Edwards of MGM; Dorian Roldán from Lucha Libre AAA; Alejandro Garcia and Antonio Cué Sánchez-Navarro; El Rey Network co-founder Robert Rodriguez; FactoryMade Ventures and El Rey Network co-founders John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa and Skip Chaisson of Skip Films and El Rey Network. The series airs on El Rey Network and is distributed internationally byMGM.
About El Rey Network
El Rey Network is a 24-hour English language network founded by maverick filmmaker Robert Rodriguez. Curated by Rodriguez and his artistic collective, the network unites “the new mainstream” through badass content that awakens the renegade in everyone. El Rey’s action-packed slate is anchored by signature series including the original drama, “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series”, the one-on-one interview program, “El Rey Network Presents: The Director’s Chair” and “Lucha Underground,” a Lucha Libre wrestling series from Mark Burnett. El Rey Network’s lineup also showcases a wide range of iconic feature films and TV series including genre, cult classics, action, and horror/sci-fi. El Rey Network LLC is jointly owned by Robert Rodriguez and FactoryMade Ventures with a minority stake held by Univision Networks & Studios, Inc.
About MGM Television Group
MGM Television Group is a leading producer and global distributor of premium content for television and digital platforms, with distribution rights to original productions and a robust catalog of television episodes and feature film titles including such premiere entertainment franchises as James Bond, Rocky, Stargate and “The Hobbit” trilogy. Current scripted and unscripted multi-platform projects include “The Voice” (NBC); “Survivor” (CBS); “Shark Tank” (ABC); “Beyond the Tank” (ABC);”Celebrity Apprentice”(NBC); “Fargo” (FX); “Vikings” (HISTORY); “Teen Wolf” (MTV); “500 Questions” (ABC); “The People’s Choice Awards” (CBS); America’s Greatest Makers (INTEL/Turner) and Lucha Underground (The El Rey Network). Through its finance and distribution entity, Orion TV Productions, the syndicated courtroom series “Lauren Lake’s Paternity Court” is currently airing its third season. MGM television programming regularly airs in more than 70 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.mgm.com.
About Lucha Libre AAA
Lucha Libre AAA is a media and entertainment company founded in 1992 by Antonio Pena Herrada and manages the IP of the “AAA” brand and another 250 characters in its league. The company produces Lucha Libre events globally including venues such as Palacio de los Deportes, Arena Monterrey, HP Pavilion, Madison Square Garden, Los Angeles Sports Arena and Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. In addition to working with sponsors such as Corona, Hershey’s, Comex and Unilever, the league has released an animated movie and videogame in the Mexican market. Lucha Libre AAA develops 5 hours of content per week that is aired on three television channels in Mexico: Galavision and Televisa Deportes Network.
About FactoryMade Ventures
FactoryMade is an incubator for entertainment businesses and was founded by John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa. The company builds IP-based franchises and production and distribution platforms by leveraging its strong ties to the Hollywood creative community and partnering with global brands and investors. Its ventures include El Rey Network and Tres Pistoleros Studios with Robert Rodriguez and a joint venture with the leading Mexican wrestling league Lucha Libre AAA. In addition to working with corporate partners such as Telefonica and JCP, they previously spearheaded the creation of Hasbro’s film business (Transformers, G.I. Joe, Battleship) and television business (Hasbro TV Studios, the Hub Network with Discovery Communications), and developed retail’s first integrated digital gaming and commerce platform with HSN (HSN Arcade).
