 Photo courtesy Paramount Pictures / The Kobal Collection / Daniel Daza Jack Black stars in "Nacho Libre," a film about a Mexican monastery cook turned lucha libre wrestler. See more wrestling pictures. |
Mexican wrestling in similar in many ways to the form of wrestling that inspired it -- American professional wrestling. Both forms are full of colorful characters and outlandish storylines, and the rules in both forms are very flexible and loosely enforced. In fact, lucha libre translates to "free fighting." As with American wrestling, people often say that Mexican wrestling is "fake." In some respects, this is true. The winners of most matches are pre-determined, in order to move along pre-planned soap opera style plotlines. The wrestlers are usually acting out parts -- they don't really hate each other. On the other hand, if you've ever seen Rey Mysterio, Jr. perform a Huracán rana, you know that there is nothing fake about the athleticism and training required to pull off the most impressive lucha libre moves.
The most obvious thing that sets lucha libre apart is that almost every major Mexican wrestling star wears a mask and doesn't use his real name. The true identity of the wrestler is kept secret. In fact, it is an incredible dishonor for a Mexican wrestler to have his mask removed, or to be seen without his mask. In rare special matches, the loser will be unmasked, a momentous event for the fans.
Some luchadores (the term for a Mexican wrestler) take their lucha libre identity outside the ring, keeping the mask on when out in public. Some families pass their ring identities on to successive generations, with a son taking over the same name and mask as his father.
Lucha libre wrestling is characterized by many aerial moves, acrobatic maneuvers and intricate combinations, following one after the other in rapid-fire succession. Luchadores are generally smaller, faster and more agile than their American counterparts.
 Photo courtesy Paramount Pictures; photo credit: Daniel Daza In a match, luchadores are seldom seen without their masks. In fact, some maintain their lucha libre identities beyond the ring. |
Popular luchadores are always heroes admired by the fans. They may represent Aztec warriors, Christian saints or comic book superheroes, but they always fight for the common man -- workers, farmers and the poor. They are known as técnicos. The villains of Mexican wrestling, called rudos, represent very real problems faced by Mexicans -- corrupt politicians, crooked police officers and drug dealers. Americans make for popular villains as well. Mexicans often feel that they have been oppressed by American political and economic policies for centuries, so the cheers when an American villain is defeated are always loud. Wrestlers playing the part of an American villain will take on a racist and classist attitude to inflame the crowed [ref].
Lucha libre style wrestling is not confined to Mexico. In addition to the crossover Mexican stars who have made a name for themselves (and their country) in American pro wrestling, Japanese professional wrestling has been heavily influenced by lucha libre. Masked stars like Ultimo Dragon and Tiger Mask took the Mexican mask tradition to a new level, creating elaborate superhero characters with carefully crafted masks that often include fins, horns, ridges and other adornments [ref].
 Photo courtesy Paramount Pictures; photo credit: Daniel Daza Jack Black's character in "Nacho Libre" is pinned to the mat. |
Lucha Libre Yesterday and Today
Lucha libre dates back to the 1930s, when Don Salvador Lutteroth Gonzalez, sometimes called the Father of Lucha Libre, started the first Mexican wrestling league, Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre (EMLL). He had been inspired by wrestling matches he saw in Texas, and he initially brought in many wrestlers from the United States. As the league's popularity grew, more Mexican wrestlers joined the league, often splitting their time between Mexico and Spain. The Spanish Civil War shut down most Spanish leagues, so most lucha libre wrestlers ended up in Mexico [ref].
Today, the EMLL continues to thrive, alongside rival league Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (AAA) and a number of smaller independent leagues. The two big leagues own several arenas designed specifically for wrestling and have forged agreements with the major American wrestling promotions, allowing Mexican wrestlers to gain important exposure in front of a new audience, and giving the American leagues increased interest in lucha libre hotbeds like Los Angeles.
 Photo courtesy Paramount Pictures; photo credit: Daniel Daza Jack Black's character in "Nacho Libre" puts his opponent in a headlock. |
Lucha Va-Voom, a variation on lucha libre, enjoyed great popularity in the United States in recent years, These events were held every few months at the Mayan Theater in Los Angeles from 2002 to 2005 (there may be more in the future). The Lucha Va-Voom events were billed as "Sexo y Violencia," (sex and violence), since the night's festivities would include not only lucha libre matches, but also burlesque stripteases and comedy routines.
Next, we'll look at the rules and moves used in lucha libre and learn about famous luchadores.
