Lucha Underground News: Talent exclusivity to be "relaxed"

What’s the story?

Lucha Underground will be “relaxing” their talent exclusivity for season four according to a report published in Pro Wrestling Sheet.

In case you didn’t know...

LU has been running TV tapings on the El Ray network since 2014 and was recently approved for the fourth season that will begin taping in 2018.

Season three’s tapings concluded in the summer of 2016 with Pentagón Dark winning the Lucha Underground Championship for the second time.

The heart of the matter

Executive Producer of LU Eric Van Wagenen told the Mask, Mats, and Mayhem show that it was “unfair” for LU to keep their talent off other wrestling shows in between seasons and that they will be easing up because they didn’t expect the long hiatus they went through with season three.

Not only will wrestlers be able to appear on other wrestling shows, but there is a talent exchange planned with Lucha Underground working with Impact Wrestling, Ring of Honor and Pro Wrestling NOAH.

Lucha Underground already developed a working relationship with Impact Wrestling, but their attempts to work with ROH and NOAH was said by Wagenen to be an attempt to “try to help negotiate relationships with other promotions so that our guys can get more TV exposure.”

What’s next?

Season four’s taping is expected to begin in 2018 but there’s been no date for when the episodes will begin to air.

The Wrestling Observer said that the tapings may begin in March, which would more than likely mean the season would begin airing on the El Ray network at some point next summer.

Author’s take

Many wrestlers have cited LU’s talent exclusivity as a major problem due to their long down periods between seasons, but this latest move may serve to correct that and may make LU better for both the officials and the talent.