Vampiro Talks Lucha Underground, Ultima Lucha, WCW, WWE and More

For those who have not fallen in love with Lucha Underground yet, former WCW star and international wrestling star Vampiro has now assumed the role of color commentator and is flourishing in his new position.

Lucha Underground is one of the hottest new promotions in the world, and the company is coming to the end of its first season. The season finale has been dubbed Ultima Lucha, and with Vampiro at the commentator's desk, the event will take place on Wednesday, August 5, on the El Rey Network.

Earlier this week, Vampiro spoke with Ring Rust Radio (quotes courtesy of the News of Delaware County's Joe Arcidiacono) to discuss his role with Lucha Underground, the upcoming Ultima Lucha spectacular, his time in WCW, why he never joined WWE and more.

(Video contains NSFW language.)

For those who have not joined the revolution, Lucha Underground is making serious waves in the wrestling industry with its unique style and setup. Vampiro is at the forefront of that change with the company, and he spoke candidly about the brand:

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The whole experience is pretty exciting for me, everything from the talent, the phenomenal athleticism of the guys, the crowd reaction, and the whole vibe. I've been around the wrestling business since 1984 and I have never seen anything as cool and smooth as this. I think it's just scratching the surface of what's to come and it's only going to grow. The whole concept of how they do the TV show and how we are going to take a break, nothing like this has ever been done before. You know very well that in this stage of the game it's very hard to do something new. The way we do wrestling and the business is going to catch a fans eye and bring new people into the game. I think Lucha Underground is breaking ground and we won't know the impact just yet since its just starting.

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Vampiro is a longtime veteran of the business and has seen almost everything. When a man of his experience speaks the way he does about Lucha Underground completely changing the game, wrestling fans should be taking notice.

Throughout Vampiro's career, he has been a polarizing figure. His time in WCW created many American fans for his character, but the backstage politics and overall mismanagement of the company created a terrible working condition for him. His feelings about his time in WCW were obvious:

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I don't have anything good to say unfortunately, I wish I did, though. I was newly married at the time, I was a kid from a small town and I made it to the big leagues. I had finally made it. I felt in my heart and soul that the biggest mistake of my career going to WCW. I was at the point of hitting my peak, I was still an innovator, I was hungry, and I think I could have been somebody. I had the chance to go to All Japan and make a career there since I had spent some time because of my years working in Mexico. Something was telling me at the time to try the American style so I did and went to WCW. The fans there were really cool, but it was the most depressing time of my life there. It kind of ruined the business for me and I never was really happy in the business since.

"

While he was signed and given several marquee storylines in WCW, he was never able to show who he truly was and shine the way he knew he could. Despite his distaste for his time with the company, fans will always have fond memories of his matches with Sting, Eddie Guerrero and even the Great Muta.

As for why Vampiro never wrestled with the WWE, his answer is very simple:

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Yea, because they didn't want me. I ain't a superstar brother; you got to remember wrestlers are full of s--t. Don't let those ego maniacs think they are more special than they are. I didn't go because you have to sign your persona away. I worked too hard to make Vampiro and I made a living off of him. I bought my mother a house, I have a beautiful daughter that lives with me, I'm a single dad and I have a social life because of Vampiro. He was an inspiration to a lot of people. I just couldn't see giving him away to go to WWE. They are a great product and good for them, but at the same time I don't think they would have gotten me. When WCW folded, they basically fired me and said there was nothing they could do with me. They said creative couldn't come up with anything for me. So I just laughed it off and said alright, see ya.

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While Vampiro's time in American wrestling wasn't ideal, his legacy both in Mexico and Japan is undeniable, and he is now making waves in the wrestling industry as an announcer. With Lucha Underground teasing a match between Pentagon Jr. and Vampiro, there is a chance the in-ring legend gets the proper chance to finish his in-ring career.

Regardless of whether Vampiro ever steps into the ring again or not, he is helping to change the industry by being part of arguably the best commentary team in the business today. Along with Matt Striker, the Lucha Underground commentary team is giving wrestling fans what they want; calling the action in the ring and furthering storyline. A bit of comedy never hurt from time to time, either.

With Ultima Lucha on August 5 and a second season of Lucha Underground hopefully coming to fruition, wrestling fans should get used to Vampiro being one of the voices of the company. Catch him every Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on the El Rey Network every week alongside all of the amazing performers.

For more wrestling talk, listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot topics or catch the latest episode in the player above (some language NSFW).