King Cuerno Talks About Lucha Underground, Changing Characters, TripleMania, His Favorite Matches

I recently had the chance to speak with El Hijo del Fantasma, who has also been a breakout character on El Rey's Lucha Underground under the name King Cuerno. He spoke to me about his huge win at last year's TripleMania, getting the call from Lucha Underground, and the future of the promotion. You can also check out part one of our interview at this link.

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You had a huge win at last year's TripleMania in a 10-man match. How do you approach a situation like that?

"Well of course you can't have a strategy. That wasn't my first rodeo, so what I did it's a matter or enduring the match. If you can endure the match, you can tax your opponents, you might have a chance to win it, and that's exactly what happened. Angelico had already done his finishing move on others, so I knew when it came time for a one-on-one with us he would do it. He did it, and I was able to endure that, and I became the cruiserweight champion."

What's it like working for Lucha Underground? You're getting more of a name in America because of it.

"This particular project had been on Dorian's desk for a while, a few years actually. When I first came to AAA, I was told I might be considered for this project if my work and my abilities were up to the challenge. When the time, they offered me the King Cuerno character. Of course I accepted right away because I knew it was a big project, and that's exactly what it was. Season 1 has been a good adventure, and it was an opportunity for me to grow as an athlete and to do more of the American style. Now I'm just waiting for season 2. I'm really excited to start."

What was it like to portrat a new character in Lucha Underground after years as El hijo del Fantasma in Mexico?

"I saw it as an opportunity, you know? Of course I would have liked the chance to play as Fantasma, but they offered me the character. I accepted, because to me it was a shot to make a difference in this business, because usually second generation wrestlers use the name of their fathers. I enjoyed every minute of it."

Do you know when a second season will start?

"I don't know about that yet."

You've become one of the focal points of the show, were you told that going in?

"No, not really. I think the show itself grew. For example, the King Cuerno character was not supposed to talk. The mask didn't have a mouth. Somewhere in the tapings, one of the writers saw that detail and told wardrobe to change my mask because they wanted me to talk. That happened a lot. I think they had an idea, and as we did the tapings they changed everything. My character was supposed to be one of the bigger characters, but it got even bigger as I gave life to the character."

What has been your favorite match thus far in Lucha Underground?

"I have a few. Of course a couple of them are the two matches I had with Johnny Mundo. Also, with Drago, that was a great feud. There's a match that hasn't aired yet, with Killshot. I think it was a great match. Every match I had there had different things, but all of it was a good experience. Each match had differences and I've liked all of them, but I think my favorite was the match with Johnny Mundo."

Have you noticed a difference in your popularity in the States since Lucha Underground started?

"No I haven't, but I've heard that before, that my name is growing, but sometimes you can't tell. I don't live in the States, I usually go and do my Lucha Underground tapings and then come right back to Mexico. But everyone keeps saying the King Cuerno character is growing and everyone actually knows it now. To me, it's great. I'm sure they'll be a point where I finally realize it. Maybe at tapings, or maybe if they have shows all across America."

Is there anywhere where the fans can follow you on social media?

"Well thank you for talking to me. I have a Twitter and Instagram account at @hijodelfantasma. I'm all over it all day, so follow me there anytime."