Lucha Libre is a pop culture phenomenon that has been slowly but steadily sweeping out of Mexico to the rest of the world, most notably in American wrestling, movies and TV. The origins of Lucha Libre can be traced back to 1863 when the Mexican wrestler Enrique Ugartechea began developing a freestyle form of the sport based upon traditional Greco-Roman wrestling with the addition of high-flying and more technical manoeuvres. The rest is history, one in which “good-guy” wrestlers are known as “técnicos”, while the rougher “rudos” or “bad-guys” wrestle with less finesse and more brutality or power.
Image Source: Lucha Libre AAA via Twitter
Lucha Libre’s popularity began growing in the early 1900s and in 1933 the Mexican Wrestling Organisation was formed (EMLL). Two events really began bringing Lucha Libre into the public limelight. Firstly, the TV age allow people all over Mexico to watch the wrestling matches on TV and secondly, the rise to fame of the persona of El Santo, who is still one the most loved and legendary names associated with Lucha Libre. El Santo was a star in movies, comics as well as the ring and it’s not inaccurate to say he’s risen to true Mexican folk hero status.
The hallmarks of Lucha Libre are high-flying acrobatic moves, technical moves versus raw power and of course, the masks that are recognised as belonging to Lucha Libre. These have also spread to wrestling worldwide with such wrestlers as Rey Misterio in American wrestling. Lucha Libre has even made its mark on modern culture from tattoos of luchador masks to American movies and TV shows such as Nacho Libre staring Jack Black as a monk who follows his dream of becoming a luchador through to TV shows such as Angel or more recently Grimm, where a luchador gains a mask that gives him special powers. One of the greatest influences you could say that Lucha Libre has had on pop culture could be linked to the masks worn by superheroes; try comparing the masks of Spider-man, Batman, Deadpool and wolverine for example to the masks worn by luchadores and the influence becomes more apparent.
In the UK, there is even a Mexican themed restaurant in Liverpool. Named Lucha Libre, it specialises in Mexican and Mexican influenced food – including hot sauce. The Mexican atmosphere is enhanced by luchador masks and copious amounts of peppers for a more authentic experience. Similarly, the online game Luchadora features peppers in a range of colours as well as luchadores; El Toro, El Rayo, El Serpiente and El Pantera. The slot game is available to play on MobileWins in demo mode or for real money, and allows players to enjoy a bit of freestyle fun in the spirit of Lucha Libre.
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Lucha Libre is also growing in popularity within the UK with arenas in London and Manchester hosting events with traditional luchadores. There are also some more modern Lucha-influenced competitors, such as Freddie, who clearly pays homage to the late, great Freddie Mercury with a costume based upon the late singer’s Wembley ’86 look. This reverse integration of pulp culture can only help to secure Lucha Libre’s place in popular culture for the future.