Editing Lucha libre

{{Short description|Mexican-style professional wrestling}}
{{For|the comic book series|Lucha Libre (comics)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2013}}

[[File:Lucha libre patrimonio cultural.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Plaque commemorating {{Lang|es|lucha libre|italic=yes}} as an [[intangible cultural heritage]] in Mexico City]]
{{Culture of Mexico}}
{{Professional wrestling sidebar}}

'''''Lucha libre''''' ({{IPA|es|ˈlutʃa ˈliβɾe}}, meaning "[[freestyle wrestling]]"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/lucha_libre|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423232700/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/lucha_libre |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 23, 2018 |title=lucha libre – Definition of lucha libre in English by Oxford Dictionaries |website=Oxford Dictionaries – English}}</ref> or literally translated as "free fight") is the term for the style of [[professional wrestling]] originating in Mexico. Since its introduction to Mexico in the early 20th century, it has developed into a unique form of the genre, characterized by colorful [[wrestling mask|masks]], rapid sequences of holds and maneuvers, and [[professional wrestling aerial techniques|"high-flying" maneuvers]], some of which have been adopted in the United States, Japan, and elsewhere. The wearing of masks has developed special significance, and matches are sometimes contested in which the loser must permanently remove his mask, which is a wager with a high degree of weight attached. [[Tag team]] wrestling is especially prevalent in ''lucha libre'', particularly matches with three-member teams, called ''trios''.

Although in English the term specifically refers to the Mexican style of theatrical professional wrestling, in Spanish it can refer to other kinds of wrestling, including competitive [[freestyle wrestling]] (''[[:es:lucha libre olímpica]]'') and professional wrestling in general (''[[:es:lucha libre profesional]]'') in addition to Mexican professional wrestling in particular (''[[:es:lucha libre mexicana]]''). However, in Spain (as with other non-Anglophone European countries) professional wrestling is known as "Catch".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.planetawrestling.com/pressing-catch-en-espana-por-que-utilizamos-este-termino/ |title=Pressing Catch en España, ¿por qué utilizamos este término? |access-date=December 4, 2019 |date=December 4, 2019 |website=PLANETA WRESTLING |language=es |last1=Ortiz |first1=Pablo }}</ref>

''Lucha libre'' wrestlers are known as ''luchadores'' (singular ''luchador'') and often come from [[List of family relations in professional wrestling|extended wrestling families]] who form their own stables. One such line integrated to the United States professional wrestling scene is ''[[Los Guerreros]]''.

In 2018, Mexican ''lucha libre'' was declared an [[intangible cultural heritage]] of [[Mexico City]] by the head of the Government of Mexico City.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/metropoli/cdmx/nombran-la-lucha-libre-como-patrimonio-cultural-intangible-de-la-cdmx#imagen-1 |title=Nombran a la lucha libre como Patrimonio cultural intangible de la CDMX |date=21 July 2018 |work=[[El Universal (Mexico City) |El Universal]] |language=es |access-date=12 May 2019}}</ref>

==Rules==
The rules of lucha libre are similar to American singles matches. Matches can be won by pinning the opponent to the mat for the count of three, making him submit, knocking him out of the ring for a predetermined count (generally twenty), or by disqualification. Using the ropes for leverage is illegal, and once a ''luchador'' is on the ropes, his opponent must release any holds and he will not be able to pin him.

Disqualifications occur when an opponent uses an illegal grab or move, such as the [[Piledriver (professional wrestling)|piledriver]], which is an illegal move in wrestling and grounds for immediate disqualification, although some variants are legal in certain promotions; or when he hits his opponent in the groin (foul); when he uses outside interference; when he attacks the referee; or when he completely rips off his opponent's mask. Most matches are two out of three falls, which had been abandoned for title matches in North America and Japan in the 1970s.

A unique rule in lucha libre applies during team matches: when a team's legal wrestler touches the ground outside the ring, a teammate may enter the ring to take his place as a legal competitor. Since the legal wrestler can step on the floor willingly, it is not necessary to tag a teammate to enter the match. This often allows for much more frantic action to take place in the ring than would be possible under standard tag rules.

==History==
[[File:100 años del natalicio del Santo -i---i- (36184746106) (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[El Santo]]]]
The antecedents of Mexican wrestling date back to 1863, during the [[Second French intervention in Mexico|French Intervention in Mexico]], when Enrique Ugartechea, the first Mexican wrestler, developed and invented Mexican lucha libre from [[Greco-Roman wrestling]].<ref>{{cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://www.aguascalientes.gob.mx/temas/deporte/derechreseniasD.aspx |title=Reseñas Deportivas (breve historia) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522040540/http://www.aguascalientes.gob.mx/temas/deporte/derechreseniasD.aspx |archive-date=May 22, 2013 |language=Spanish |website=Gobierno del Estado de Aguascalientes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=El hijo del Santo <!-- /.section-date-author --> |url=http://www.record.com.mx/blog/el-hijo-del-santo/2012-02-09/los-personajes-en-la-historia-de-la-lucha-libre-mexicana |title=Los personajes en la historia de la lucha libre mexicana (Spanish) |publisher=RÉCORD |date=February 9, 2012 |access-date=August 22, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525235720/http://www.record.com.mx/blog/el-hijo-del-santo/2012-02-09/los-personajes-en-la-historia-de-la-lucha-libre-mexicana |archive-date=May 25, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

[[File:Flickr - simononly - WWE Hall of Fame 2012 - Mil Mascaras (3).jpg|thumb|left|[[Mil Máscaras]] accompanied by the [[The Bella Twins|Bella Twins]] at the 2012 [[WWE Hall of Fame (2012)|WWE Hall of Fame]]]]
In the early 20th century, professional wrestling was mostly a regional phenomenon in Mexico until [[Salvador Lutteroth]] founded the [[Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre|Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre]] (''Mexican Wrestling Enterprise'') in 1933, giving the sport a national foothold for the first time.
The promotion flourished and quickly became the premier spot for wrestlers. As television surfaced as a viable entertainment medium during the 1950s, Lutteroth was then able to broadcast his wrestling across the nation, subsequently yielding a popularity explosion for the sport. Moreover, it was the emergence of television that allowed Lutteroth to promote lucha libre's first breakout superstar into a national pop-culture phenomenon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bongo.net/papers/lucha.htm |title=The History of Lucha Libre |publisher=Bongo.net |date=October 8, 2004 |access-date=August 22, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913065250/http://www.bongo.net/papers/lucha.htm |archive-date=September 13, 2012 }}</ref>

In 1942, lucha libre would be forever changed when a silver-masked wrestler, known simply as [[El Santo]] (''The Saint''), first stepped into the ring. He made his debut in [[Mexico City]] by winning an 8-man [[battle royal (professional wrestling)|battle royal]]. The public fell in love with the mystique and secrecy of Santo's personality, and he quickly became the most popular ''luchador'' in Mexico. His wrestling career spanned nearly five decades, during which he became a folk hero and a symbol of justice for the common man through his appearances in [[comic books]] and [[Lucha film|movies]], while the sport received an unparalleled degree of mainstream attention.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlingmuseum.com/pages/wrestlers/elsanto2.html|title=El Santo|access-date=September 2, 2013|publisher=Wrestling Museum|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421104627/http://www.wrestlingmuseum.com/pages/wrestlers/elsanto2.html|archive-date=April 21, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

Other legendary ''luchadores'' who helped popularize the sport include [[Gory Guerrero]], who is credited with developing moves and holds which are now commonplace in professional wrestling; [[Blue Demon]], a contemporary of Santo and possibly his greatest rival; and ''[[Mil Máscaras]]'' (Man of A Thousand Masks), who is credited with introducing the high flying moves of lucha libre to audiences around the world. He achieved international fame as one of the first high-flyers, something he was not considered in Mexico, where he fell under the mat-power category.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lethalwrestling.com/opinions/news_content.php?fileName=730 |title=Lucha Legends: Gory Guerrero |publisher=Lethal Wrestling |author1=Tokage |access-date=August 22, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513041925/http://www.lethalwrestling.com/opinions/news_content.php?fileName=730 |archive-date=May 13, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/d/demoazul.htm |title=Blue Demon |publisher=International Superheroes |date=April 24, 1922 |access-date=August 22, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609071825/http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/d/demoazul.htm |archive-date=June 9, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.puroresudojo.com/articles/sayama-mascaras.html |title=Interview: Mil Mascaras and Satoru Sayama |publisher=Puroresudojo.com |date=August 3, 1995 |access-date=August 22, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029202752/http://www.puroresudojo.com/articles/sayama-mascaras.html |archive-date=October 29, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

==Style of wrestling==
[[File:Octagón.jpg|thumb|right|100px|Growing up, [[Octagón]] was mainly interested in [[martial arts]] and earned a [[Dan (rank)|black belt]] in [[Shotokan]] [[karate]].]]
''Luchadores'' are traditionally more agile and perform more [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques|aerial maneuvers]] than [[Professional wrestling in the United States|professional wrestlers in the United States]], who more often rely on power and hard strikes to subdue their opponents. The difference in styles is due to the independent evolution of the sport in Mexico beginning in the 1930s and the fact that ''luchadores'' in the [[Cruiserweight (professional wrestling)|cruiserweight]] division (''peso semicompleto'') are often the most popular wrestlers in Mexican lucha libre.<ref name=Mondo>{{cite book | author= Madigan, Dan | title= Mondo Lucha Libre: the bizarre and honorable world of wild Mexican wrestling | publisher= HarperCollins Publishers | year= 2007 | chapter = Okay... what is Lucha Libre? | pages = 29–40 | isbn=978-0-06-085583-3}}</ref> ''Luchadores'' execute characteristic high-flying attacks by using the [[wrestling ring]]'s ropes to catapult themselves towards their opponents, using intricate combinations in rapid-fire succession, and applying complex submission holds. Rings used in lucha libre generally lack the spring supports added to U.S. and Japanese rings; as a result, lucha libre does not emphasize the "flat back" bumping style of other professional wrestling styles. For this same reason, aerial maneuvers are almost always performed on opponents outside the ring, allowing the luchador to break his fall with an acrobatic tumble.

[[File:Rey619.jpg|thumb|left|upright|250px|[[Rey Mysterio|Rey Mysterio Jr.]] hitting the "[[Tiger Feint kick|619]]" on [[Eddie Guerrero]]]]
Lucha libre has several different weight classes, many catered to smaller agile fighters, who often make their debuts in their mid-teens. This system enables dynamic high-flying ''luchadores'' such as [[Rey Mysterio|Rey Mysterio, Jr.]], [[Juventud Guerrera]], [[Super Crazy]] and ''[[Místico]]'', to develop years of experience by their mid-twenties.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/06/17/1638198.html |title=CANOE – SLAM! Sports – Wrestling – Lucha Libre 101 |publisher=Slam.canoe.ca |access-date=August 22, 2013 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714074851/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/06/17/1638198.html |archive-date=July 14, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> A number of prominent [[Japanese people|Japanese]] wrestlers also started their careers training in Mexican lucha libre before becoming stars in [[Japan]]. These include [[Gran Hamada]], [[Satoru Sayama]], [[Jushin Thunder Liger]], and ''[[Último Dragón]]''.

Lucha libre is also known for its [[tag team]] wrestling matches. The teams are often made up of three members, instead of two as is common in the United States. These three-man teams participate in what are called '' trios'' matches, for tag team championship belts. Of these three members, one member is designated the captain. A successful fall in a ''trios'' match can be achieved by either pinning the captain of the opposing team or by pinning both of the other members. A referee can also stop the match because of "excessive punishment". He can then award the match to the aggressors. Falls often occur simultaneously, which adds to the extremely stylized nature of the action. In addition, a wrestler can opt to roll out of the ring in lieu of tagging a partner or simply be knocked out of the ring, at which point one of his partners may enter. As a result, the tag team formula and pacing which has developed in U.S. tag matches is different from lucha libre because the race to tag is not a priority. There are also two-man tag matches (''parejas'') and "four on four" matches (''atomicos'').<ref>{{cite web |author=Stas Bekman|url=http://stason.org/TULARC/sports/pro-wrestling/8-6-Lucha-Libre-confuses-me-what-are-the-rules.html |title=8.6. Lucha Libre confuses me, what are the rules? |publisher=Stason.org |access-date=August 22, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130820162247/http://stason.org/TULARC/sports/pro-wrestling/8-6-Lucha-Libre-confuses-me-what-are-the-rules.html |archive-date=August 20, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

==Masks==
{{multiple image
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| image1 = Mascara El Santo.jpg
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| footer = The mask of [[El Santo]], one of the most famous masks in Mexican lucha libre
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[[File:El Hijo De Santo vs Blue Demon Jr.jpg|thumb|right|160px|[[El Hijo del Santo]] and [[Blue Demon Jr.]]]]
[[Wrestling mask|Masks]] (''máscaras'') have been used dating back to the beginnings of lucha libre in the early part of the 20th century, and have a historical significance to Mexico in general, dating to the days of the [[Aztec]]s.<ref name=MondoFamily>{{cite book | author= Madigan, Dan | title= Mondo Lucha Libre: the bizarre & honorable world of wild Mexican wrestling | publisher= HarperCollins Publishers | year= 2007 | chapter = What is Lucha Libre | pages = 2–15 | isbn=978-0-06-085583-3}}</ref> Early masks were very simple with basic colors to distinguish the wrestler. In modern lucha libre, masks are colorfully designed to evoke the images of [[animal]]s, [[deity|gods]], ancient [[hero]]es and other [[archetypes]], whose identity the ''luchador'' takes on during a performance. Virtually all wrestlers in Mexico will start their careers wearing masks, but over the span of their careers, a large number of them will be unmasked.  Sometimes, a wrestler slated for retirement will be unmasked in his final bout or at the beginning of a final tour, signifying a loss of identity as that character. Sometimes, losing the mask signifies the end of a [[gimmick (professional wrestling)|gimmick]] with the wrestler moving on to a new gimmick and mask. The mask is considered sacred to a degree, so much so that fully removing an opponent's mask during a match is grounds for disqualification.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://media.www.thedailyaztec.com/media/storage/paper741/news/2002/12/05/Tempo/Who-Was.That.Masked.Man-758787-page2.shtml|title=Who Was That Masked Man?|date=December 5, 2002|last=Brandt|first=Stacy|work=The Daily Aztec|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212190019/http://www.thedailyaztec.com/2.7443/1.810061-1.810061|archive-date=February 12, 2009 }}</ref>

During their careers, masked ''luchadores'' will often be seen in public wearing their masks and keeping up the culture of lucha libre, while other masked wrestlers will interact with the public and press normally. However, they will still go to great lengths to conceal their true identities; in effect, the mask is synonymous with the ''luchador''. [[El Santo]] continued wearing his mask after retirement, revealing his face only briefly in old age, and was eventually buried wearing his silver mask.

More recently, the masks ''luchadores'' wear have become iconic symbols of Mexican culture. Contemporary artists like Francisco Delgado and Xavier Garza incorporate wrestler masks in their paintings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gallista.com/garza/|title=Xavier Garza|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711070649/http://www.gallista.com/garza/|archive-date=July 11, 2011 }}</ref>

Although masks are a feature of lucha libre, it is a misconception that every Mexican wrestler uses one. There have been several maskless wrestlers who have been successful, particularly [[Tarzán López]], [[Gory Guerrero]], [[Perro Aguayo]] and [[Negro Casas]]. Formerly masked wrestlers who lost their masks, such as [[Satánico]], [[Cien Caras]], [[Cibernético]] and others, have had continued success despite losing their masks.

=== Luchas de Apuestas ===
{{Redirect|Lucha de Apuestas|the Legends of Tomorrow episode|Lucha de Apuestas (Legends of Tomorrow)}}
[[File:Carisico and Mistico.jpg|thumb|right|[[Carístico]] (left) under the name Sin Cara and the new [[Místico II|Místico]] (right)]]
[[File:Arena México interior.jpg|right|thumb|250px|An empty [[Arena México]] configured for wrestling]]
With the importance placed on masks in lucha libre, losing the mask to an opponent is seen as the ultimate insult, and can at times seriously hurt the career of the unmasked wrestler. Putting one's mask on the line against a hated opponent is a tradition in lucha libre as a means to settle a heated [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] between two or more wrestlers. In these battles, called ''luchas de apuestas'' ("matches with wagers"), the wrestlers "wager" either their mask or their hair.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2004/09/08/viva-la-lucha-libre/ |title=CANOE – SLAM! Sports – Wrestling – Viva la lucha libre!|date=September 8, 2004 }}</ref>

In a ''lucha de apuesta'' (betting match), wrestlers make a public bet on the outcome of the match. The most common forms are the mask-against-mask, hair-against-hair, or mask-against-hair matches. A wrestler who loses his or her mask has to remove the mask after the match. A wrestler who loses their hair is shaved immediately afterward.<ref>{{cite book | author= Heather Levi | url= http://www.americanethnography.com/article.php?id=88 | title= The World of Lucha Libre: Secrets, Revelations, and Mexican National Identity | page= 30 | publisher= Duke University Press | year= 2008 | isbn= 978-0-8223-4232-8 | url-status= live | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160629200147/http://www.americanethnography.com/article.php?id=88 | archive-date= June 29, 2016 | df= mdy-all }}</ref> Usually the true identity of a masked wrestler is previously unknown, thus, it is customary for that person to reveal his real name, hometown and years as a professional upon unmasking.

Masked wrestlers appeared somewhere around the 1920s, in imitation of the covered roosters in [[cockfighting]]. People could bet on the known wrestler or on the covered one; at the end of the match, the covered one would be revealed and people could see which luchador it was. Promoters soon discovered that mystery was very attractive for the audience, and opted to keep the secret or to sell that the masked wrestler would reveal himself only if he was defeated. These weren't luchas de apuestas in the proper sense, since there weren't any bets on the line among the luchadores, nor did any masked gimmicks exist at this point. These were generally covered wrestlers that usually revealed themselves at the end of the night or after few shows. However, luchadores increasingly became conscious of the expectation their secret identity set for the audiences, and gradually chose to keep their identities secret for longer. They also began to adopt masked gimmicks to differentiate themselves among the growing number of wrestlers.

The first ''lucha de apuestas'' (i.e. two wrestlers with a bet on the line) was presented on July 14, 1940, at Arena México. The defending champion [[Murciélago Velázquez|Murciélago]] (Velázquez) was so much lighter than his challenger ([[Octavio Gaona]]), he requested a further condition before he would sign the contract: Octavio Gaona would have to put his hair on the line. Octavio Gaona won the match and Murciélago unmasked, giving birth to the tradition.<ref name="LuchaBook">{{cite book |author1=Lourdes Grobet |author2=Alfonso Morales |author3=Gustavo Fuentes |author4=Jose Manuel Aurrecoechea  |name-list-style=amp | title=Lucha Libre: Masked Superstars of Mexican Wrestling | page= 115 | publisher= Trilce | year= 2005 | isbn=978-1-933045-05-4}}</ref>

==== Luchas de Apuestas variants ====
The following match types are variants of Luchas de Apuestas matches with different types of wagers.
* ''Máscara contra máscara'' (mask versus mask): In this match, two masked luchadores engage in a high-stakes confrontation where the wager involves their masks. The outcome dictates that the losing wrestler is ceremoniously unmasked by the winning opponent and must reveal his/her identity (usually the face and name of masked luchadores are kept secret). The act of unmasking a wrestler often serves as a significant catalyst for the winner's career advancement and have the opposite effect for the loser. The most notable example is the 1952 match in which [[El Santo]] gained the mask of [[Black Shadow (wrestler)|Black Shadow]]. This match was so significant that it established lucha libre as a cultural phenomenon in Mexico.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Redacción |first=La |date=2017-09-23 |title=EL DÍA QUE NACIÓ LA LEYENDA: EL SANTO VS BLACK SHADOW |url=https://metropolifixion.com/el-dia-que-nacio-la-leyenda-el-santo-vs-black-shadow/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Metropolificción |language=es-MX}}</ref> Another example occurred in 2000, when [[Villano III]] lost his mask to [[Atlantis (wrestler)|Atlantis]], which some considered the best lucha libre match in history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ketzer |date=2021-03-17 |title=Atlantis vs Villano III; en datos, la mejor lucha de apuesta |url=https://vardeportivo.com/2021/03/17/atlantis-vs-villano-iii-en-datos-la-mejor-lucha-de-apuesta/ |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=VAR Deportivo |language=es-ES}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Las grandes luchas de Villano III |url=https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/universal-deportes/mas-deportes/las-grandes-luchas-de-villano-iii/ |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=El Universal |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jiru |date=2022-03-17 |title=Atlantis vs Villano III, la mejor lucha de toda la historia cumple 22 años {{!}} Enjoy Sports |url=https://www.enjoysportstv.com/note?n=atlantis-vs-villano-iii-la-mejor-lucha-de-toda-la-historia-cumple-22-anos |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=Enjoy Sports TV |language=es}}</ref> Also noteworthy was the family feud between [[Ray Mendoza]]'s sons and [[Shadito Cruz]]'s sons, which led to a 1988 triple mask bet between [[Villano I]], [[Villano IV]]  and [[Villano V]] against [[El Brazo]], [[Brazo de Oro (wrestler)]] and [[Brazo de Plata]]; the Villanos won the masks of the Alvarado brothers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mediotiempo |first=Editorial |date=2021-07-26 |title=Los Brazos vs los Villanos; la noche en que el cielo lloró |url=https://www.mediotiempo.com/lucha-libre/brazos-vs-villanos-noche-cielo-lloro |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Mediotiempo |language=es}}</ref>
* ''Máscara contra cabellera'' (mask versus hair): In this variant, a masked wrestler and an unmasked one compete. If the masked ''luchador'' wins, the unmasked ''luchador'' shaves his head as a sign of humiliation. If the unmasked ''luchador'' wins, he keeps his hair and the loser is unmasked. These matches are infrequent because masked wrestlers are usually reluctant to bet their masks against hair, as masks are a more appreciated trophy, unmasking often results in a decrease in popularity for the wrestler, and a masked wrestler usually loses his mask just once, while unmasked wrestlers can be shaved many times. The most common result of these matches is the masked wrestler winning the hair of the unmasked one, but there are notable exceptions. [[Perro Aguayo]] never adopted a masked gimmick and was very successful in wager matches, unmasking important wrestlers like [[Konnan]], [[Máscara Año 2000]] and Stuka (father). Aguayo's hair was a trophy so coveted by legends that [[El Solitario]], [[El Santo]], and [[Villano III]] each successfully bet their masks to win it.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Perro Aguayo - Luchawiki |url=http://www.luchawiki.org/index.php/Perro_Aguayo |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=www.luchawiki.org}}</ref> Another important hair was from [[Cavernario Galindo]], a legendary unmasked wrestler from the golden age of Mexican lucha libre who, like Aguayo, never wrestled masked. Though Galindo never won a mask, he was respected enough that the two most important wrestlers in Mexican history, [[El Santo]] and [[Blue Demon]], risked their identities to win his hair.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cavernario Galindo - Luchawiki |url=http://www.luchawiki.org/index.php/Cavernario_Galindo |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=www.luchawiki.org}}</ref>
* ''Cabellera contra cabellera'' (hair versus hair): In this match the loser has his head shaved. These matches are very common and do not command the interest and expectation of mask wagers. However, there are wrestlers who gained notice via these matches. Examples are [[El Satánico]], [[Negro Casas]], [[Perro Aguayo]] and [[Villano III]]. Noteworthy was the feud between [[El Dandy]] and [[El Satánico]] which led to a long-run storyline of hair vs hair matches.<ref>{{Citation |title=Satanico habla de la rivalidad con el Dandy "el aprendió de mí" | date=March 24, 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlgTNR9av9M |access-date=2024-01-06 |language=en}}</ref> A curious example is the match between [[Blue Panther]] and [[Negro Casas]] which ended with a tie and both heads were shaved.<ref>{{Citation |title=Negro Casas vs. Blue Panther - Hair vs. Hair (CMLL 3/2/12) | date=October 15, 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgRb1Y3n1P0 |access-date=2024-01-06 |language=en}}</ref>  
* ''Apuestas al revés'' (reverse bet): This is a controversial variant of wager matches, where two masked wrestlers bet their hair. The competitors either wear a modified version of their mask which shows their hair, or the loser must remove their mask enough to allow the hair to be shaved. This variation was frequent in late 1990s in the [[Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide]] shows. These matches are considered by many to be disrespectful to the audience since they allow masked wrestlers to avoid risking their identities, or are seen as a convenient way for a masked wrestler with a strong streak of wager matches to lose one without risking anything.<ref>{{Cite web |last=omarcarrillo |date=2010-10-15 |title=Lucha de revés: ¿Falta de respeto al deporte de la lucha libre o una opción válida? |url=https://superluchas.com/lucha-de-reves-una-total-falta-de-respeto-al-deporte-de-la-lucha-libre-y-una-forma-de-llenar-arenas/ |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=Superluchas |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=¿Qué es la lucha del revés? | date=August 10, 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbPffXNZzEw |access-date=2024-01-06 |language=en}}</ref> The most notorious example of this was [[Super Muñeco]], an extremely successful wrestler in mask versus mask matches (he is the second most successful winner of masks) who won more than 100 wager matches, but the only loss in his career was an ''apuestas al revés'' match against [[Halloween (wrestler)|Halloween]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Solowrestling |date=2022-02-11 |title=Fallece Super Muñeco a los 59 años |url=https://solowrestling.mundodeportivo.com/new/105891-fallece-super-muneco |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=solowrestling.mundodeportivo.com |language=es}}</ref> In another sub variant of apuestas al revés, neither the masks nor the hair of the wrestlers are on the line; rather, the ''luchadores'' bet the masks or the hair of others. 
* ''Título versus cabello, máscara o carrera'' (title versus hair, mask or career): In this match, if the title challenger loses, they are unmasked, shaved bald or retired. But if the champion loses, the challenger is crowned the new champion. Since for mexican luchadores wagers are much more valuable than championships (a wager bet is a high risk for the luchador, and doesn't make sense to put a mask on the line to win a championship), there are no known examples in Lucha Libre, but some examples can be found in American wrestling. This occurred in [[WWE]] when [[Rey Mysterio]], a masked ''luchador'', bet his mask against the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Champion]] [[Chris Jericho]] in a Title vs. Mask match at [[WWE The Bash|The Bash]] and retaining his mask and winning the title.<ref>{{Citation |title=A 'Forgotten Gem': Chris Jericho vs. Rey Mysterio's 2009 Luchas De Apuestas! | date=May 20, 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5uyTCGhXoI |access-date=2024-01-06 |language=en}}</ref> A different result occurred on [[WWE Raw|Raw]] in 2003, when [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]] failed to defeat [[Triple H]] in a World Title vs. Mask match for the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002-2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]] and was unmasked per the stipulation.<ref>{{Citation |title=FULL MATCH — Triple H vs. Kane – World Title vs. Mask Match: Raw, June 23, 2003 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cloirhmvfGc |access-date=2024-01-06 |language=en}}</ref> A different result occurred on [[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown]] in April 30, 2021 when [[Bryan Danielson|Daniel Bryan]] failed to defeat [[Roman Reigns]] in a championship vs. career match for the [[WWE Universal Championship]] and became banished the [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown brand]] per the stipulation as this was Bryan's last match in WWE.<ref>{{cite web|title=SmackDown results, April 30, 2021: Reigns bars Bryan from SmackDown and hits him with a post-match Con-Chair-To|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2021-04-30|access-date=May 1, 2021|website=WWE|language=en}}</ref>
* ''Máscara o cabellera contra efectivo'' (mask or hair versus cash): If the masked or haired ''luchador'' loses this match, his opponent wins the mask or hair. But if he wins, his opponent must pay a monetary amount. Very rare, since wagers are highly valuable in Lucha Libre, and since in wager matches there is a budget for the loser (in compensation, since very often losing a mask seriously damages the loser's career: i.e."Winner takes less money, but he gets the win and can continue his career"<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-09-20 |title=Más que máscara contra cabellera |url=https://www.gaceta.unam.mx/mas-que-mascara-contra-cabellera/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=Gaceta UNAM |language=es-ES}}</ref>). So it's atypical that winner gets more money after saving his/her mask. The most known example is the 1981 bout when [[Aníbal (wrestler)|Anibal]] defeated [[El Solitario]] and get paid $500,000 pesos of the time (El Solitario kept his mask).<ref>{{Cite web |title=El Solitario - Luchawiki |url=http://www.luchawiki.com/index.php?title=El_Solitario |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=www.luchawiki.com}}</ref>  
* ''Carrera contra carrera'' (career versus career): In this match, the loser must retire.  Very uncommon. Since losing a mask usually hurts enough the loser's career <ref>{{Citation |title=10 luchadores que PERDIERON LA MÁSCARA y DESAPARECIERON | date=October 30, 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSoDQmfygZ4 |access-date=2024-02-29 |language=en}}</ref> and may lead to retirement shortly after, very often luchadores who had been masked for decades lose their masks in their final wrestling years against younger talents who need a boost in their rising careers, thus there's little need to bet career since losing a wager is enough justification to retire immediately or shortly after losing it (examples of luchadores retiring shortly after losing their mask are [[Gallo tapado]], [[Fishman (wrestler)|Fishman]], [[Lizmark Jr.]] etc.). Few examples of career matches exist in lucha libre.  The most notorious example occurred in the First [[Triplemanía I|Triplemania]] in 1993, when [[Dos Caras]] defeated [[Konnan]] (Carlos Santiago Espadas) in two rounds in a row in a career match.<ref>{{Citation |title=Cien Caras vs. Konnan - Retirement match | date=October 24, 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLjP4YMHem0 |access-date=2024-01-05 |language=en}}</ref> Espadas didn't keep his word and returned to wrestling after a few months.
* ''Máscara o cabellera contra retiro'' (mask or hair versus retirement): If the masked or haired ''luchador'' loses this match, his opponent wins the mask or hair. If he wins, his opponent must retire. This is very uncommon for the reasons mentioned above, so few examples exist, like the 2022 match between Rey Milán (mask) vs Rey Pantera (hair and retirement) in which Pantera saved his career and won the mask of Rey Milan.<ref>{{Citation |title=Mascara VS Cabellera & Retiro | date=November 7, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFLYe6_4fx4 |access-date=2024-02-29 |language=en}}</ref> 
*''Apuesta por el nombre'' (bet for the name): This is a rare type of match in which two ''luchadores'' with the same or a similar name battle for the right to use the name or identity. This typically occurs when the original ''luchador'' leaves a wrestling company but the company retains the name and character (often at the protest of the ''luchador'') and gives the gimmick to another ''luchador.'' If the original name owner returns to the company, they may claim to be the rightful owner of the character and adopt a similar name. If conditions allow, this can be solved in a ''lucha de apuesta'' where the winner is considered the rightful owner of the character. Sometimes, but not necessarily, it may also result in the loss of the loser's mask. The most notorious examples of this type of match are the two bouts (with the first being controversial and thus annulled) in 2010 between Adolfo Tapia (aka [[L.A. Park]], a wordplay for "''La Auténtica Park''", i.e., "The Authentic Park") and Jesús Alfonso Huerta (aka [[La Parka II|La Parka]], La Parka II), in which Tapia (the original Parka) failed to recover the name, and Huerta retained the identity until his death in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mediotiempo |first=Editorial |date=2020-06-06 |title=La Parka vs L.A. Park: a 10 años de lucha más polémica de la historia |url=https://www.mediotiempo.com/lucha-libre/aaa/parka-vs-park-10-anos-lucha-polemica-historia |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Mediotiempo |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=UnoTV |first=Redacción {{!}} |date=2021-05-13 |title=L.A. Park, la historia de cómo perdió el nombre de La Parka |url=https://www.unotv.com/deportes/l-a-park-la-historia-de-como-perdio-el-nombre-de-la-parka/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Uno TV |language=es-MX}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Lucha Por El Nombre La Parka Vs L.A. Park En Triplemania XVIII | date=February 12, 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLwKIqwnQBk |access-date=2024-01-06 |language=en}}</ref> Another example is [[Mr. Niebla]] from {{lang|es|[[Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre]]|italic=no}} (Efrén Tiburcio Márquez) who won a name and mask bet against Mr. Niebla from [[International Wrestling Revolution Group|IWRG]] (Miguel Ángel Guzmán Velázquez).<ref>{{Citation |title=Mr Niebla vs Mr. Niebla IWRG, máscara vs máscara. Aquí La Lucha | date=July 2, 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oibsV4A8Wlo |access-date=2024-01-06 |language=en}}</ref>

==Weight classes==
{{see also|Professional wrestling weight classes}}
[[File:Mascaraluchalibre.JPG|thumb|upright|A [[Blue Demon]]'s wrestling mask [[graffiti]] in [[Madrid]], [[Spain]]]]
Since lucha libre has its roots more in Latin American professional wrestling than North American professional wrestling, it retains some of the basics of the Latin American version such as more [[Professional wrestling weight classes|weight classes]] than professional wrestling in North America post World War II. Like "old school" European (especially British) wrestling, some Japanese wrestling and early 20th-century American wrestling,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/weights.html |title=Weight Divisions in Professional Wrestling |access-date=July 30, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731052020/http://www.wrestling-titles.com/weights.html |archive-date=July 31, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Lucha libre has a detailed weight class system patterned after [[boxing]]. Each weight class has an official upper limit, but examples of wrestlers who are technically too heavy to hold their title can be found. The following weight classes exist in lucha libre, as defined by the "Comisión de Box y Lucha Libre Mexico D.F." (the Mexico City Boxing and Wrestling Commission), the main regulatory body in Mexico:<ref name="WeightDivision">{{cite web| url= http://www.ordenjuridico.gob.mx/Estatal/ESTADO%20DE%20MEXICO/Reglamentos/MEXREG004.pdf | title= Reglamento de box y lucha libre profesional del estado de mexico| author= Arturo Montiel Rojas | publisher= Comisión de Box y Lucha Libre Mexico D.F. | date= August 30, 2001 | access-date= April 3, 2009 | quote= "CAPITULO XXVI> DEL PESO DE LOS LUCHADORES"|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061130181418/http://www.ordenjuridico.gob.mx/Estatal/ESTADO%20DE%20MEXICO/Reglamentos/MEXREG004.pdf|archive-date=November 30, 2006}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable"
!English name
!Spanish name
!Weight/Height Top Limit
! colspan="7" |Division Titles
|-
|Heavyweight
|Peso Completo
|Unlimited 
|[[Mexican National Heavyweight Championship|National]]
|[[CMLL World Heavyweight Championship|CMLL]]
|[[AAA Mega Championship|AAA]]
|[[UWA World Heavyweight Championship|UWA]]
|[[NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship|NWA]]
|[[IWRG Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship|IWRG]]
|[[WWA World Heavyweight Championship (Mexico)|WWA]]
|-
|Cruiserweight / Junior Heavyweight 
|Peso Crucero / Peso Junior-Completo
|{{convert|105|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
|[[Mexican National Cruiserweight Championship|National]]
|
|[[AAA World Cruiserweight Championship|AAA]]
|[[UWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship|UWA]]
|[[NWA Junior Heavyweight Championship|NWA]]
|
|
|-
|Light Heavyweight
|Peso Semicompleto
|{{convert|97|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
|[[Mexican National Light Heavyweight Championship|National]]
|[[CMLL World Light Heavyweight Championship|CMLL]]
|
|[[UWA World Light Heavyweight Championship|UWA]]
|[[NWA World Light Heavyweight Championship|NWA]]
|
|[[WWA Light Heavyweight Championship|WWA]]
|-
|Super Middleweight / Junior Light Heavyweight
|Peso Super Medio / Peso Semicompleto Junior
|{{convert|92|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
|
|
|
|[[UWA World Junior Light Heavyweight Championship|UWA]]
|
|
|[[WWA Junior Light Heavyweight Championship|WWA]]
|-
|Middleweight
|Peso Medio
|{{convert|87|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
|[[Mexican National Middleweight Championship|National]]
|[[CMLL World Middleweight Championship|CMLL]]
|
|[[UWA World Middleweight Championship|UWA]]
|[[NWA World Middleweight Championship|NWA]]
|[[IWRG Intercontinental Middleweight Championship|IWRG]]
|[[WWA Middleweight Championship|WWA]]
|-
|Super Welterweight
|Peso Super Wélter
|{{convert|82|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
|
|
|
|
|
|[[IWRG Intercontinental Super Welterweight Championship|IWRG]]
|
|-
|Welterweight
|Peso Wélter
|{{convert|77|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
|[[Mexican National Welterweight Championship|National]]
|[[CMLL World Welterweight Championship|CMLL]]
|
|[[UWA World Welterweight Championship|UWA]]
|[[NWA World Welterweight Championship|NWA]]
|[[IWRG Intercontinental Welterweight Championship|IWRG]]
|[[WWA Welterweight Championship|WWA]]
|-
|Super Lightweight
|Peso Super Ligero
|{{convert|73|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
|
|[[CMLL Japan Super Lightweight Championship|CMLL]]
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|Lightweight
|Peso Ligero
|{{convert|70|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
|[[Mexican National Lightweight Championship|National]]
|[[CMLL World Super Lightweight Championship|CMLL]]
|
|[[UWA World Lightweight Championship|UWA]]
|
|[[IWRG Intercontinental Lightweight Championship|IWRG]]
|[[WWA World Lightweight Championship|WWA]]
|-
|Featherweight
|Peso Pluma
|{{convert|63|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
|National
|
|
|[[UWA World Featherweight Championship|UWA]]
|
|
|
|-
|Bantamweight
|Peso Gallo
|{{convert|57|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|Flyweight
|Peso Mosca
|{{convert|52|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|Mini-Star
|Mini-Estrella
|{{height|m=1.524}}
|[[Mexican National Mini-Estrella Championship|National]]
|[[CMLL World Mini-Estrella Championship|CMLL]]
|[[AAA World Mini-Estrella Championship|AAA]]
|
|
|
|[[WWA World Minis Championship|WWA]]
|-
|Micro-Star
|Micro-Estrella
|−{{height|m=1.524}}
|
|[[CMLL World Micro-Estrellas Championship|CMLL]]
|
|
|[[NWA World Midget's Championship|NWA]]
|
|
|}

==Other characteristics==
[[File:MascaraSagrada.jpg|thumb|right|225px|[[Mascara Sagrada]] has been involved in a long running copyright dispute over the use of the Máscara Sagrada name, outfit and mask with [[Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide|AAA]], who claimed that they owned the copyright to the character and has even promoted other wrestlers as "Máscara Sagrada". Máscara Sagrada's real name is not a matter of public record, as is often the case with masked wrestlers in Mexico where their private lives are kept a secret from the wrestling fans.<ref name=Mondo/>]]

''Luchadores'' are traditionally divided into two categories, ''rudos'' (lit. "tough guys", who are "bad guys", or "[[heel (professional wrestling)|heels]]"), who bend or break the rules, and ''técnicos'' (the "good guys", or "[[face (professional wrestling)|faces]]", literally "technicians"), who play by the rules and their moves are much more complex and spectacular.  ''Técnicos'' tend to have very formal combat styles, close to [[Greco-Roman wrestling]] and [[martial arts]] techniques, whereas ''rudos'' tend to be brawlers.  ''Técnicos'' playing the "good guy" role, and ''rudos'' playing the "bad guy" role is very characteristic of Mexican lucha libre, which differs from U.S. professional wrestling, where many technical wrestlers play the role of heels (e.g., [[Kurt Angle]]), and many brawlers play as "faces" (e.g., [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] & [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wrestlingencyclopedia.com/cmll3.12.05.html |title=Wrestling Encyclopedia |publisher=Wrestling Encyclopedia |access-date=August 22, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130412015632/http://wrestlingencyclopedia.com/cmll3.12.05.html |archive-date=April 12, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Although ''rudos'' often resort to using underhanded tactics, they are still expected to live up to a ''luchador'' code of honor. For instance, a ''luchador'' who has lost a wager match would prefer to endure the humiliation of being unmasked or having his head shaved rather than live with the shame that would come from not honoring his bet. ''Rudos'' have also been known to make the transition into ''técnicos'' after a career-defining moment, as was the case with [[Blue Demon]], who decided to become a ''técnico'' after his wrestling partner, [[Black Shadow (wrestler)|Black Shadow]], was unmasked by the legendary [[El Santo|Santo]]. Tag teams are sometimes composed of both ''rudos'' and ''técnicos'' in what are called ''parejas increibles'' (incredible pairings). ''Parejas increibles'' highlight the conflict between a ''luchador''{{'}}s desire to win and his contempt for his partner.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.surf-mexico.com/culture/lucha_libre/lucha_moves.htm |title=Lucha Libre Moves |publisher=Surf-mexico.com |access-date=August 22, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720044037/http://www.surf-mexico.com/culture/lucha_libre/lucha_moves.htm |archive-date=July 20, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

A staple gimmick present in lucha libre since the 1950s is ''[[exótico]]'', a character in drag. It is argued that the gimmick has recently attained a more flamboyant outlook.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bajko |first=Matthew S. |url=http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc3=&id=84298 |title=Meet Lucha Libre's New Superstar: The Openly Gay 'Queen of the Ring' |publisher=Edgeboston.com |date=December 5, 2008 |access-date=August 22, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422184001/http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc3=&id=84298 |archive-date=April 22, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

''Luchadores'', like their foreign counterparts, seek to obtain a ''campeonato'' (championship) through winning key wrestling matches. Since many feuds and shows are built around ''luchas de apuestas'' (matches with wagers), title matches play a less prominent role in Mexico than in the U.S. Titles can be defended as few as one time per year.<ref name="Madigan, Dan 2007 128–132">{{cite book|author=Madigan, Dan|title=Mondo Lucha Libre: the bizarre & honorable world of wild Mexican wrestling|publisher=HarperCollins Publishers|year=2007|chapter=A family affair|pages=128–132|isbn=978-0-06-085583-3}}</ref>

The two biggest lucha libre promotions in Mexico are {{lang|es|[[Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre]]|italic=no}} (CMLL), which was founded in 1933, and [[Lucha Libre AAA World Wide]] (AAA).<ref name="Madigan, Dan 2007 128–132"/>

==Fans honoring wrestlers==
{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2022}}
One characteristic practiced in Mexico is with fans honoring wrestlers by throwing money into the wrestling ring after witnessing a high-quality match. With this act fans honor the ''luchador'' in a symbolic way, thanking the ''luchador'' for a spectacular match demonstrating they are pleased with their performance, showing the match is worth their money and worth more than what they paid to witness such an event. This act of honoring the ''luchador'' is uncommon: months can pass without it happening, because fans are the toughest of critics, booing the ''luchador'' if they are not pleased with their performance. Booing may happen regardless of the perceived virtuousness of the ''luchador's'' persona.

The ''luchador'', after receiving such an act of honor, will pick up the money and save it as a symbolic trophy, putting it in a vase or a box, labeled with the date, to be treasured.

==Female professional wrestlers==
Female wrestlers or ''luchadoras'' also compete in Mexican ''lucha libre''. The [[CMLL World Women's Championship]] is the top title for [[CMLL]]'s women's division, while the [[AAA Reina de Reinas Championship]] is a championship defended in an annual tournament by female wrestlers in AAA. AAA also recognizes a [[AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship|World Mixed Tag Team Championship]], contested by tag teams composed of a ''luchador'' and ''luchadora'' respectively. In 2000, the all-female promotion company [[Lucha Libre Femenil]] (LLF) was founded.<ref>Among the new group of notable female luchadoras is El Gato de Plata (believed to be Ella Brown)[https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2003/12/24/llf-promoter-loves-his-luchadoras/ CANOE – SLAM! Sports – Wrestling – LLF promoter loves his luchadoras]</ref>

==Mini-Estrellas==
[[File:Cuije.jpg|thumb|right|100px|[[Cuije]], an example of ''Mini-Estrella'']]
{{main|Mini-Estrella}}
''Lucha Libre'' has a division called the "Mini-Estrella" or "Minis" division, which unlike North American [[midget wrestling]], is not just for [[dwarfism|dwarfs]] but also for ''luchadores'' that are short. The maximum allowable height to participate in the Mini division was originally 5 feet, but in recent years wrestlers such as [[Pequeño Olímpico]] have worked the Minis division despite being {{height|m=1.69}} tall.<ref name=MondoMini>{{cite book | author= Madigan, Dan | title= Mondo Lucha Libre: the bizarre & honorable world of wild Mexican wrestling | publisher= HarperCollins Publishers | year= 2007 | chapter = You ain't seen nothing yet: the minis | pages = 209–212 | isbn=978-0-06-085583-3}}</ref> The Minis division was first popularized in the 1970s with wrestlers like Pequeño Luke and Arturito (a wrestler with an [[R2-D2]] gimmick) becoming noticed for their high flying abilities. In the late 1980s/early 1990s CMLL created the first actual "Minis" division, the brainchild of then-CMLL booker [[Antonio Peña]]. CMLL created the [[CMLL World Mini-Estrella Championship]] in 1992, making it the oldest Minis championship still in existence today.<ref name=CMLLMini>{{cite book |author1=Royal Duncan  |author2=Gary Will  |name-list-style=amp |title=Wrestling Title Histories |publisher=Archeus Communications |chapter = Mexico: EMLL CMLL Midget (miniestrella) Title |page = 396 |year= 2000 |isbn=0-9698161-5-4}}</ref> Minis are often patterned after "regular-sized" wrestlers and are sometimes called "mascotas" ("mascots") if they team with the regular-sized version.<ref name=MondoMini/>

==Luchadores in the United States==
[[File:Lucha House Party.jpg|thumb|left|Lucha House Party - [[Kalisto (wrestler)|Kalisto]] (middle), [[Gran Metalik]] (left), and [[Lince Dorado]] (right), in April 2018]]
[[File:2016-04-01 20-34-32 ILCE-6000 5922 DxO (27046974645).jpg|alt=|thumb|311x311px|Andrade "Cien" Almas]]
In 1994, AAA promoted the ''[[AAA When Worlds Collide|When Worlds Collide]]'' [[pay-per-view]] in conjunction with the U.S. promotion company [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW). ''When Worlds Collide'' introduced U.S. audiences to many of the top ''luchadores'' in Mexico at the time.

In recent years, several luchadores have found success in the United States. Notable ''luchadores'' who achieved success in the U.S. are [[Eddie Guerrero]], [[Chavo Guerrero Jr.|Chavo Guerrero]], [[Rey Mysterio|Rey Mysterio, Jr.]], [[Juventud Guerrera]], [[L. A. Park]], [[Super Crazy]], [[Alberto Del Rio]], [[Psicosis]], [[Místico]], [[Kalisto (wrestler)|Kalisto]], [[Aero Star]], [[Drago (wrestler)|Drago]], [[Andrade El Idolo]], [[Pentagon Jr.]], [[Fenix (wrestler)|Fenix]], [[El Hijo del Fantasma]], [[Bandido (wrestler)|Bandido]], [[Flamita]], [[Puma King]], [[Rush (wrestler)|Rush]], [[Soberano Jr.]], [[Dragon Lee (wrestler)|Dragon Lee]], [[Guerrero Maya Jr.]] and [[Stuka Jr.]]	

CMLL lucha libre shows are broadcast weekly in the U.S. on the [[Spanish language|Spanish-language]] cable networks [[Galavisión (USA)|Galavisión]] and LA TV.

''[[Lucha Underground]]'' is a television series produced by the [[United Artists|United Artists Media Group]] which airs in English on the [[El Rey Network]] and in Spanish on [[UniMás]]. It features wrestlers from the American [[independent circuit]] and AAA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://411mania.com/wrestling/lucha-underground-officially-parts-ways-with-hernandez/|title=Los Angeles, CA (September 25, 2015) – Lucha Underground, the Lucha Libre wrestling franchise from United Artists Media Group and FactoryMade Ventures|url-status=live|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20160618031346/http://411mania.com/wrestling/lucha-underground-officially-parts-ways-with-hernandez/|archive-date=June 18, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> AAA also owns a percentage of Lucha Underground.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwinsider.com/article/99604/more-on-issues-with-konnan-aaa-and-others-in-recent-weeks.html?p=1|title=More on issues with Konnan, AAA and others in recent weeks|last=Johnson|first=Mike|date=February 7, 2016|access-date=February 7, 2016|work=Pro Wrestling Insider|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160209193857/http://pwinsider.com/article/99604/more-on-issues-with-konnan-aaa-and-others-in-recent-weeks.html?p=1|archive-date=February 9, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The series, which is taped live in Boyle Heights, California, finished season 4 finale.

In 2012, the Arizona Diamondbacks Major League Baseball team started doing promotions involving lucha libre. A luchador mask in Diamondback colors was a popular giveaway at one game.  In 2013 a Diamondbacks Luchador was made an official mascot, joining D. Baxter Bobcat.  The first 20,000 fans at the July 27 game against the San Diego Padres were to receive a luchador mask.

==National variants==
In [[Spain]], professional wrestling has commonly been called ''catch'' (from [[Catch wrestling|catch-as-catch-can wrestling]]) and ''pressing catch''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.planetawrestling.com/pressing-catch-en-espana-por-que-utilizamos-este-termino/|title=Pressing Catch en España, ¿por qué utilizamos este término?|access-date=4 December 2019|date=3 December 2019|website=PLANETA WRESTLING|language=es |last1=Ortiz |first1=Pablo }}</ref> In [[Peru]], the term ''cachascán'' (from "catch as can") is used and the wrestlers are called ''cachascanistas''.<ref>{{cite web |author=Rocky Rolando |url=http://www.facatch.com.ar/ |title=Federacion Argentina De Catch |publisher=Facatch.com.ar |access-date=August 22, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523234610/http://facatch.com.ar/ |archive-date=May 23, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In [[Bolivia]], [[Fighting Cholitas|wrestling Cholitas]] – female wrestlers dressed up as indigenous [[Aymara people|Aymara]] – are popular<ref>{{cite web  | title = The Wrestling cholitas of El Alto, Bolivia  | publisher = American Ethnography Quasimonthly  | last = Crooker  | first = Patricio  | url=http://www.americanethnography.com/article.php?id=94  | access-date = August 16, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine  | last = Guillermoprieto  | first = Alma  | title = Bolivia's Wrestlers  | magazine = National Geographic  | date = September 2008  | url = http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/09/wrestlers/guillermoprieto-text  | access-date = August 16, 2009  | url-status = dead  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090928055458/http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/09/wrestlers/guillermoprieto-text  | archive-date = September 28, 2009  | df = mdy-all  }}</ref> and have inspired [[Super Cholita|comic books]].

==Promotions using lucha libre rules==
{{see also|List of professional wrestling promotions in Mexico}}
[[File:Tinieblas.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Tinieblas]] debuted at a relatively old age of 32, so he never reached the same physical peak as many other popular luchadores of his generation. However, his character remains popular with young lucha libre fans, primarily due to his appearance in comic books and films. Tinieblas still wrestles occasionally and has appeared alongside his son [[Tinieblas Jr.]]]]

===Australia===
*Lucha Fantastica<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.luchalibre.com.au/ |title = Lucha Fantastica}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/LuchaLibreInAustralia/ |title=Archived copy |website=[[Facebook]] |access-date=October 28, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411101102/https://www.facebook.com/LuchaLibreInAustralia/ |archive-date=April 11, 2018 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

===Canada===
*Demand Lucha (DMLL)

===Colombia===
*Society Action Wrestling (SAW)

===Mexico===

*{{lang|es|[[Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre]]|italic=no}} (CMLL)
*[[Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide]] (AAA)
*[[International Wrestling Revolution Group]] (IWRG)
*[[Universal Wrestling Association]] (defunct)
*[[World Wrestling Association]] (''Promociones Mora'')
* [[Lucha Libre Elite]]
* [[The Crash Lucha Libre]]
* Alianza Universal De Lucha Libre
* [[List of professional wrestling promotions in Mexico|Other Promotions]]

===Japan===

*[[Michinoku Pro Wrestling]]
*[[Osaka Pro Wrestling]]
*[[Toryumon (Último Dragón)|Toryumon]] / [[Dragon Gate (wrestling)|Dragon Gate]]
*[[Universal Lucha Libre]] (defunct)

===United Kingdom===

*[[Lucha Britannia]]
*Lucha Libre World

===United States===

*[[Chikara (professional wrestling)|Chikara]]
*[[Incredibly Strange Wrestling]]
*Invasion Mundial de Lucha Libre
*[[Lucha Libre USA]]
*[[Lucha VaVOOM]]
* [[Lucha Underground]]

==In mixed martial arts==
Some lucha libre wrestlers had careers in various mixed martial arts promotions, promoting lucha libre and wearing signature masks and attire. One of the most famous is [[Dos Caras Jr.]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Alberto-Rodriguez-2269 |title=Alberto Rodriguez 'Dos Caras Jr.' |access-date=January 11, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112042339/http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Alberto-Rodriguez-2269 |archive-date=January 12, 2018 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

==In popular culture==
[[Image:LaParka.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[La Parka]] in action (The Original).  He was forced to change his [[ring name]] from "La Parka" to "'''L.A. Park'''" (short for ''La Auténtica Park''; "The Original Park") in early 2003 when [[Asistencia Asesoría y Administración]] (AAA) owner [[Antonio Peña]] asserted his copyright claims to the La Parka character, barring Tapia from using the name as he promoted his own [[La Parka II|La Parka]].]]
[[File:AAA July 2018 La Parka.jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[La Parka II]] during an outdoor event in 2018]]
Lucha Libre has crossed over into popular culture, especially in Mexico, where it is the second most popular sport after [[Association football|soccer]].<ref>{{cite web | url= http://superluchas.com/encuesta-de-mitofsky-revela-que-la-lucha-no-es-el-segundo-deporte-mas-popular-en-mexico/ | title= ENCUESTA DE MITOFSKY REVELA QUE LA LUCHA NO ES EL SEGUNDO DEPORTE MÁS POPULAR EN MÉXICO | author= Yoav | date= October 22, 2007 | access-date= September 5, 2009 | work=[[Súper Luchas]]| language= es | df= mdy-all }}</ref> Outside of Mexico, lucha libre has also crossed over into popular culture, especially in movies and television. Depictions of luchadors are often used as symbols of Mexico and Mexican culture in non-Spanish-speaking cultures.

===Movies and television===
{{See also|Lucha film}}
The motion picture ''[[Nacho Libre]]'', starring [[Jack Black (actor)|Jack Black]] as a priest-turned-luchador was inspired by the story of Father Sergio Gutiérrez Benítez, a real-life [[Priesthood (Catholic Church)|Catholic priest]] who wrestled as [[Fray Tormenta]] to make money for his church.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2006/aug/04/2 | title='I didn't want glory. I wanted money' | first=Jo | last=Tuckman | newspaper=[[The Guardian]] | access-date=June 2, 2018}}</ref> The documentary feature ''Lucha Mexico'' (2016) captured the lives of some of Mexico's well known wrestlers. The stars were [[Shocker (wrestler)|Shocker]], [[Blue Demon Jr.]], [[El Hijo del Perro Aguayo]] and  [[Último Guerrero]]. Directed by Alex Hammond and Ian Markiewicz.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/sports/videos/watch-masked-men-battle-in-lucha-mexico-trailer-20160706 | title=Watch Masked Men Battle in 'Lucha Mexico' Trailer | magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=July 6, 2016 | access-date=June 2, 2018}}</ref> [[Rob Zombie]]'s animated film ''[[The Haunted World of El Superbeasto]]'' stars a Mexican luchador named El Superbeasto.<ref name="Shocktillyoudrop">{{cite web| publisher= Shocktillyoudrop| url= http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=825| title= News: EXCL: Rob Zombie Interview| access-date= July 20, 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070816200210/http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=825| archive-date= August 16, 2007| url-status= dead| df= mdy-all}}</ref> The Main Antagonist of the animated film [[Despicable Me 2]], El Macho, sports a costume resembling that of a luchador, consistent with his theme of Mexican culture.

Television shows have also been inspired by lucha libre, especially animated series such as ''[[¡Mucha Lucha!]]'' [[Cartoon Network]] also produced an animated miniseries based on the luchador El Santo.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.movieweb.com/tv/news/39/17739.php |title=Cartoon Network Announces Five New Series for 2007 |publisher=Movieweb.com |access-date=August 22, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080726190020/http://www.movieweb.com/tv/news/39/17739.php |archive-date=July 26, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The WB television series ''[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]'' episode entitled "[[The Cautionary Tale of Numero Cinco]]" told the story of a family of ''luchadores'' called "Los Hermanos Números" who also fought evil. Angel must help the remaining brother, Numero Cinco, defeat the Aztec warrior-demon that killed his four brothers.<ref name=Cult>{{Citation |url=http://www.whedon.info/Jeff-Bell-Cult-Times-Magazine.html |title=Jeff Bell – Cult Times Magazine Interview |first=Deborah |last=M. |date=2003-12-17 |publisher=Cult Times Magazine Special Edition |issue=28 }}</ref> In the British TV show ''[[Justin Lee Collins]]: The Wrestler'', Colins competes as the ''rudo'' ''El Glorioso'', or The Glorious One, against the ''exótico'' [[Cassandro]] in [[The Roundhouse]], London, ultimately losing and being unmasked.<ref name=Times14Aug09>{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/dolce-vito-justin-lee-collins-wrestler-how-clean-is-your-house-qmkk00mj9km |title=Dolce Vito; Justin Lee Collins: Wrestler; How Clean Is Your House? – Last Night's TV |publisher=The Times |work=Home Arts & Entertainment TV & Radio |date=August 14, 2009 |access-date=August 14, 2009 | location=London | first=Tim | last=Teeman}}</ref> The book and television series ''[[The Strain (TV series)|The Strain]]'' by [[Guillermo del Toro]] and [[Chuck Hogan]], features a retired luchador character called Angel de la Plata (The Silver Angel), played by [[Joaquin Cosio]]. In the storyline, Angel de la Plata (probably based on [[El Santo]]) was a major masked wrestling star in Mexico, appearing both in the ring and in a series of movies in which his character battled all manner of foes including vampires. A knee injury ended his career but he is called upon to use his fighting skills against a real-life vampire invasion of New York.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hitfix.com/the-fien-print/exclusive-fxs-the-strain-finds-its-vampire-fighting-silver-angel#bHAG18UjoWIEczb1.99 |work=[[HitFix]] |date=January 13, 2015 |title=Exclusive: FX's 'The Strain' Finds Its Vampire-Fighting Silver Angel |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121012812/http://www.hitfix.com/the-fien-print/exclusive-fxs-the-strain-finds-its-vampire-fighting-silver-angel#bHAG18UjoWIEczb1.99 |archive-date=January 21, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The [[Fox Kids]] live-action series ''[[Los Luchadores]]'' (2001) starred a trio of masked wrestlers consisting of Lobo Fuerte, Maria Valentine, and Turbine who not only participate in wrestling tournaments but also fight to protect their home of Union City from numerous threats (both natural and supernatural).

===Video games===
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2025}}
Lucha libre is a recurring motif in nearly every game directed by [[Suda51]], starting from his directorial debut [[Super Fire Pro Wrestling 3 Final Bout]]. Most prominently, the character Mask de Smith from [[killer7]] is a playable lucha libre wrestler, featuring a mask and cape.

The popular video game franchise ''[[Pokémon]]'' introduced the Fighting/Flying-type Pokémon Hawlucha, which is a hawk-like humanoid creature with elements of a lucha libre wrestler.

The masked Luchador fighter and chef [[El Fuerte (Capcom, Street Fighter)|El Fuerte]] was introduced to the [[Street Fighter]] franchise in [[Street Fighter IV]].

The fighting game [[Garou: Mark of the Wolves]] and its follow-up, the [[King of Fighters]] series, featured the character Tizoc who was a Luchador that wore a mask resembling the head of a griffon; during the events of [[The King of Fighters XIV]], he adopted the heel persona of The King of Dinosaurs, wearing now a dinosaur inspired mask.

The ''[[Dead or Alive (franchise)|Dead or Alive]]'' franchise features a masked luchadora called [[La Mariposa (Dead or Alive)|La Mariposa]].

The [[Tekken]] fighting game franchise features the characters known as [[King (Tekken)|King]] and [[Characters of the Tekken series#Armor King|Armor King]], both of whom are Luchadors and have similar jaguar-style masks.

[[Guacamelee!]] and its sequel [[Guacamelee! 2]] heavily feature Luchador masks, with the main protagonist, Juan Aguacate, being bestowed a mystical mask to help him get revenge on Carlos Calaca, an evil [[charro]] skeleton (in Guacamelee) and to help him fight Salvador, an evil Luchador, in Guacamelee! 2.

The 2005 platformer game ''[[Psychonauts]]'' features four Luchadores (Tiger, Dragon, Eagle, and Cobra) who act as miniboss-type enemies in the level "Black Velvetopia." The player must defeat the Luchadores in order to access the arena that will let them fight the level's main [[Boss (video games)|boss]], El Odio.

[[Brawl Stars]] has a rare brawler called “El Primo”. He punches enemies four times and can perform an elbow drop on them with his super.

Tezca, a playable legend in [[Brawlhalla]], is a masked luchador with jaguar-themed design and fighting style.

[[Kirby Fighters 2]] has a wrestler copy ability introduced. It can do moves from fighter and suplex.

=== Internet culture ===

Strong Bad of the [[Homestar Runner]] universe began as a parody of lucha libre. His head is designed after a mask and his hands after boxing gloves.

===Lucha libre inspirations===
[[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] has designed a line of lucha libre-inspired athletic shoes.<ref>{{cite web |last=Halfhill |first=Matt |url=http://www.nicekicks.com/lucha-libre-air-force-ones/ |title=Lucha Libre Air Force Ones |publisher=NiceKicks.com |date=April 29, 2008 |access-date=August 22, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20081120084422/http://www.nicekicks.com/lucha-libre-air-force-ones/ |archive-date=November 20, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> [[Coca-Cola]] developed a Blue Demon [[Full Throttle (drink)|Full Throttle]] energy drink named after the luchador [[Blue Demon, Jr.]] who is also the spokesperson for the drink in Mexico.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bevnet.com/news/2006/11-09-2006-Full_Throttle_Demon.asp |title=Coca-Cola Introduces New Full Throttle Blue Demon Energy Drink |publisher=BevNET.com |date=November 9, 2006 |access-date=August 22, 2013}}</ref> Coca-Cola also introduced "Gladiator" in Mexico, an energy drink that sponsored CMLL events and that featured CMLL wrestlers such as [[Místico]] and [[Último Guerrero]].<ref>{{cite web | url= http://superluchas.com/coca-cola-mexico-lanza-gladiator/ | title= Coca Cola México lanza Gladiator | date= January 30, 2008 | access-date= September 5, 2009 | author= Ocampo, Jorge | work= [[Súper Luchas]] | language= es | url-status= live | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090824233003/http://superluchas.com/coca-cola-mexico-lanza-gladiator/ | archive-date= August 24, 2009 | df= mdy-all }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Luchador film]]
* [[Styles of wrestling]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Notes ==
* Allatson, Paul (2007). ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1405102519/#reader-link Key Terms in Latino/a Cultural and Literary Studies]''. Malden, Mass.: Blackwell Publishing. {{ISBN|9781405102506}}, {{ISBN|9781405102513}}. {{oclc|71044272}}.

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline|Lucha libre}}
* [http://www.luchawiki.com Lucha Wiki]
* [http://www.wrestling-titles.com/mexico Pro-Wrestling Title Histories of Mexico]
* [http://www.wrestling-titles.com/europe/spain/spainhistory.html Title histories of Spain]

{{Professional wrestling in Mexico}}
{{Professional wrestling by country}}
{{Portal bar|Mexico}}
{{italic title}}

[[Category:Lucha libre| ]]
[[Category:1863 introductions]]
[[Category:Professional wrestling styles]]
[[Category:Culture of Mexico]]