Acronym | AAA |
---|---|
Founded | 1992; 27 years ago |
Style | Professional wrestling Lucha libre Sports entertainment |
Headquarters | Mexico City |
Founder(s) | Antonio Peña |
Owner(s) | Dorian Roldán Marisela Peña Roldán |
Formerly | Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (1990s) AAA (1990s–2015) |
Website | LuchaLibreAAA.com |
Antonio Peña Promotions, S.A de CVd/b/aLucha Libre AAA Worldwide[2] is a Mexican Lucha Libre (professional wrestling) promotion based in Mexico City, Mexico. Commonly referred to as simply AAA[3] (an abbreviation of its original name Asistencia Asesoría y Administración, Spanish for 'Assistance, Assessment, and Administration'), the promotion was founded in 1992 when Antonio Peña broke away from Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) to set up a promotion, which allowed him more creative freedom. AAA has held a number of pay-per-views (PPV) over the years and has promoted shows not just in Mexico but in the United States and Japan as well.
In addition to the conventional 'squared circle', the promotion occasionally uses a hexagonal wrestling ring and has a reputation for its outlandish gimmicks and characters as well as having developed a more extreme match style in recent years. Over the years AAA has worked together with several North American promotions such as the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) and World Championship Wrestling, while currently having working relationships with the Japanese Pro Wrestling Noah, Canadian International Wrestling Syndicate (IWS), and the American Impact Wrestling, All Elite Wrestling (AEW), and Major League Wrestling (MLW) promotions.
Lucha Libre AAA: Heroes del Ring Review. This flawed attempt at a game based on lucha libre wrestling is down for the count just moments after entering the ring. Jun 2, 2018 - Get discount Heroes of Lucha Libre tickets for Galen Center at USC Los Angeles. Goldstar has Heroes of Lucha Libre reviews, seat locations,.
- 6Championships
History[edit]
First logo
AAA dates from May 15, 1992, when Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) booker Antonio Peña broke with the company in favor of establishing his own group along with Konnan and much of the young and exciting talent from CMLL.[4] This left CMLL with a middle-aged roster and a seemingly bleak future. AAA also looked for talent from other markets, as they found and signed Tijuana natives Rey Mysterio, Jr. and Psicosis. The promotion flourished with top talent like El Hijo del Santo, Octagón, Blue Panther, the Casas brothers (Negro Casas and Heavy Metal) and possessed top draws in Los Gringos Locos, Cien Caras, Konnan, and Perro Aguayo. The rising popularity of AAA soon caused rival Universal Wrestling Association to go out of business, and Peña quickly signed up top draws including El Canek, Dos Caras and Los Villanos.
Logo of AAA Sin Límite program
AAA's 'golden years' (from 1993-1995) peaked with the When Worlds Collidepay-per-view, promoted in conjunction with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and broadcast in the United States in 1994. Weeks after the show, Art Barr (a key member of Los Gringos Locos) died while visiting his family. As a result, AAA vacated the AAA Tag Team Championships, and this led to the departure of fellow stable-mates (in Los Gringos Locos) Eddie Guerrero and Madonna's Boyfriend. El Hijo del Santo also departed as a result of creative problems, and stars such as Fuerza Guerrera and Blue Panther soon left too when the Mexican economy began to slow down (which resulted in the company's inability to offer as much work). Many wrestlers, including Rey Misterio, Jr., Psicosis, La Parka, and Juventud Guerrera, would also depart to WCW in 1996, as well as Konnan's short-lived Promo Azteca promotion. In early 1997, AAA established a working agreement with the World Wrestling Federation, but the only significant outcome resulted in several luchadores featuring in the 1997 Royal Rumble. In the mid-1990s the name of the company was changed to simply be 'AAA', pronounced 'Triple A' as the company bought out Televisa and became independent.
AAA broadcasts shows regularly on Gala TV in Mexico and Univision TDN in Mexico and parts of the United States.
On October 6, 2006, founder Antonio Peña died of a heart attack. Following Peña's death his sister Marisela manages AAA financially, while Peña's brother-in-law Joaquín Roldán and his son, Dorian Roldán serve as operational managers. In 2008 Lucha Libre USA presented AAA's second U.S. pay-per-view, Legendary Battles of Triplemania.[5] In 2009 AAA announced the official release of a video game originally entitled AAA El Videojuego.[6] The game was later retitled Lucha Libre AAA: Héroes del Ring by the publisher of the game, with a release date of October 12, 2010.
Marisela Peña who co-directs this federation since 2018.
AAA developed a working relationship with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling in 2004. Through the relationship, AAA sent the luchadoresJuventud Guerrera, Héctor Garza, Abismo Negro, Heavy Metal, and Mr. Águila to TNA to compete in the America's X-Cup Tournament as a contingent known as Team Mexico. Team Mexico dominated the America's X-Cup Tournament, defeating Team USA in the first round before retaining the Cup against both Team Canada and Team Britain. They eventually lost at the World X-Cup, which saw Team USA defeat Team Canada and Team Mexico in the Ultimate X finals to win the Cup. For multiple reasons TNA and AAA broke off their working relationship late in 2004. TNA continued utilizing luchadores, but opted to contract them individually as opposed to working through AAA. In 2006, AAA and TNA teamed up again for an event in Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, utilizing some of TNA's talent and stage (which includes the tunnel and lasers). After Konnan left TNA in June 2007, any chance of a working relationship disappeared, especially given that Konnan has filed a racial discriminationlawsuit against TNA. The lawsuit was later dismissed.[7] TNA would later start a relationship with CMLL from 2007 to 2009, however TNA would once again start working together with AAA and exchange talent in February 2010.[8]
On January 12, 2014, it was announced that, with the backing of Mark Burnett, AAA would begin airing a show on American network El Rey on the second half of the year. The one-hour weekly program would be accompanied by monthly and quarterly specials as well as live pay-per-views.[9] The show, titled Lucha Underground, premiered on October 29, 2014.[10]
Beginning in March 2015, the company announced that it would be known as 'Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide' from that point on, although it is still referred to mainly as AAA or 'Triple A'.[2]
On April 8, 2017, AAA General Manager Joaquín Roldán died.[11]
On 14 June, AAA began airing on FrontRunnerTV in the UK.
n April and May 2018, some fighters like Teddy Hart, Juventud Guerrera and Taurus make their return to the company wearing their Elite League jerseys, dealing with a possible alliance between AAA and Liga Elite. On June 4 in Verano de Escándalo, Jeff Jarrett (now a member of WWE Hall of Fame) makes his comeback after 3 years out of AAA, where he beat Rey Wagner and Rey Mysterio Jr. to win the AAA Mega Championship with the help from Konnan who also makes his comeback after 2 years.
On February 1, 2019, AAA announced the breakup relationship with Televisa after 27 years changing to the Multimedios television station.[12] However, on February 3 after the Super Bowl LIII broadcasts had concluded, AAA reached an agreement with TV Azteca to broadcast their show in Azteca 7.[13] On April 4, 2019, AAA announced in press conference that its first event in the United States called Invading NY that would be held in Madison Square Garden on September 15, 2019.[14] Later in the press conference AAA announced that would also held its second event in United States which is named Invading Los Angeles with the event taking place at The Forum in Inglewood, California on October 13, 2019.[15] On August 16, 2019 it was reported by Pro Wrestling Insider that AAA decided to run Hulu Theater instead of Madison Square Garden after meeting with MSG executives to move the venue of the event due to its poor ticket sales.[16]
Roster[edit]
International partnerships[edit]
In 1997, the company did business with United States's World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) promotion, bringing in a number of AAA wrestlers for the Royal Rumble event and namesake match.[17][18]
In April 2014, after TNA founder Jeff Jarrett, the man behind the AAA-TNA relationship, had left the company, he announced that his new Global Force Wrestling (GFW) promotion would begin working with the Mexican promotion.[19] When Jarrett returned to TNA in 2017, with the promotion now known as Impact Wrestling, it was announced that AAA and Impact would once again be working together.[20]
In July 2015, Canadian-based International Wrestling Syndicate (IWS) announced a talent partnership with AAA.[21][22]
In June 2018, AAA partnered with Mexican Lucha Libre Elite promotion officially announced a working relationship.[23]
In August 2018, AAA started a working agreement with American-based promotion Major League Wrestling (MLW).[24]
In February 2019, it was announced that AAA would be partnering with All Elite Wrestling (AEW).[25]
Shows and tournaments[edit]
Each year AAA promotes a number of signature events and tournaments: some shown as pay-per-view events and others presented as TV Azteca television specials. The annual shows and tournaments, shown in order of occurrence during each year, include:
Event | Previous date | Notes |
---|---|---|
Rey de Reyes | March 16, 2019 | A tournament and show held traditionally in the early part of the year. The last event was Rey de Reyes (2019). |
Triplemanía | August 3, 2019 | Traditionally AAA's biggest show of the year, their 'WrestleMania' (PPV). The most recent event was Triplemanía XXVII. |
Verano de Escándalo | June 16, 2019 | Annual end of the summer event. Most Recent event was Verano de Escándalo (2019). |
Héroes Inmortales | October 28, 2018 | Hosts the Copa Antonio Peña tournament in memory of AAA's founder; held around the anniversary of Peña's death. Renamed from Homenaje a Antonio Peña to Heroes Inmortales in 2009. |
Guerra de Titanes | December 2, 2018 | AAA's end-of-year show, usually in December (PPV). Held in January in 2016, 2017 and 2018.[26] |
Special tournaments[edit]
Event | Last Date | Notes |
---|---|---|
Lucha Libre World Cup | October 10, 2017 | International trios/tag team tournament. |
Gladiators | June 27, 2019 | International trios/tag team tournament. |
Championships[edit]
The AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship belt, that is worn by the female team member
Since its inception AAA has placed very few restrictions on the number of championships it promotes, often allowing wrestlers to defend titles that do not technically belong within AAA, such as titles from the now defunct Universal Wrestling Association. While they allowed these to be defended and used to promote their wrestlers they're not officially listed as AAA titles and thus do not appear on this list. In December 2008 AAA announced it they will no longer recognize or promote any title that does not belong to AAA - ending the long-standing practice.[27]
Active AAA championships[edit]
Championship | Current champion(s) | Reign | Date won | Location | Event | Previous champion(s) | Days held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AAA Mega Championship | Fénix | 1 | August 25, 2018 | Mexico City | Triplemanía XXVI | Jeff Jarrett | 383+ |
AAA Latin American Championship | Drago | 1 | December 2, 2018 | Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes | Guerra de Titanes (December) | El Hijo del Fantasma | 284+ |
AAA World Cruiserweight Championship | Laredo Kid | 1 | February 16, 2019 | Morelia, Michoacán | AAA Conquista Total | Sammy Guevara | 208+ |
AAA World Mini-Estrellas Championship | Dinastía | 2 | March 16, 2019 | Mexico City | AAA Vive Latino | Mini Psycho Clown | 180+ |
AAA World Tag Team Championship | Lucha Brothers (Fénix and Pentagón Jr.) | 2 (2, 3) | June 16, 2019 | Mérida, Yucatan | Verano de Escándalo | The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) | 88+ |
AAA World Trios Championship | Jinetes del Aire (El Hijo del Vikingo, Golden Magic and Myzteziz Jr.) | 1 (2, 1, 2) | August 3, 2019 | México City | Triplemanía XXVII | Vacant | 40+ |
AAA Reina de Reinas Championship | Tessa Blanchard | 1 | August 3, 2019 | México City | Triplemanía XXVII | Vacant | 40+ |
AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship | Lady Maravilla and Villano III Jr. | 1 | August 3, 2019 | México City | Triplemanía XXVII | Big Mami and Niño Hamburguesa | 40+ |
Retired championships[edit]
Championship | Final champion(s) | Date created | Date retired |
---|---|---|---|
AAA Americas Heavyweight Championship | Sangre Chicana | February 2, 1996 [28] | 2005-2006 |
AAA Campeón de Campeones Championship | Cibernético | June 15, 1996 [29] | 2005 |
AAA Americas Trios Championship | Villano III, IV and V | March 8, 1996 [30] | 1996 |
AAA Fusión Championship | El Hijo del Fantasma | November 3, 2012 | August 17, 2014 |
AAA Mascot Tag Team Championship | El Alebrije and Cuije | December 13, 2002 | April 7, 2009 [31] |
AAA Northern Tag Team Championship | Poder del Norte (Tigre Cota and Tito Santana) | March 7, 2010 | Not defended in years |
AAA Parejas Increibles Tag Team Championship | Cibernético and Konnan | June 12, 2010 [32] | 2010 |
Mexican National Atómicos Championship | Vacant [33] | August 9, 1996 [34] | January 25, 2009 [27] |
Mexican National Heavyweight Championship | Charly Manson | 1926 [35] | December 2008 [27] |
Mexican National Middleweight Championship | Octagón | 1933 [36] | December 2008 [27] |
UWA World Light Heavyweight Championship | El Mesias | November 25, 1975 | September 16, 2007 |
Other accomplishments[edit]
Accomplishment | Latest winner | Date won |
---|---|---|
Rey de Reyes | Aero Star | March 16, 2019 |
Copa Antonio Peña | Pagano | October 28, 2018[37] |
Alas de Oro | Drago | June 14, 2015[38] |
Copa Triplemania | Pagano | August 3, 2019 |
Lucha Capital (Women's) | Taya | December 12, 2018 |
Lucha Capital (Men's) | Laredo Kid | December 19, 2018 |
See also[edit]
Notes[edit]
- ^'Términos y condiciones'. Lucha Libre AAA. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
- ^ abCano Vela, Eduardo (March 3, 2015). 'Rey Mysterio es parte de AAA #UnReySeAcerca'. SuperLuchas (in Spanish). Retrieved April 16, 2017.
- ^'Términos y condiciones'. Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
- ^Guerrero, Eddie. Cheating Death, Stealing Life: The Eddie Guerrero Story, p. 78.
- ^'Lucha Libre: Legendary Battles Of Triplemania'. In Demand!. Retrieved 2009-06-27.
- ^Sinclair, Brendan (2009-06-24). 'AAA Lucha Libre headed for US'. GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2009-08-08. Retrieved 2009-06-27.Cite uses deprecated parameter
|deadurl=
(help) - ^Caldwell, James (May 7, 2009). 'TNA News: TNA Wrestling and Konnan agree to drop lawsuits against each other, Dixie Carter comments on suit'. Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
- ^Martin, Adam (2010-03-10). 'TNA and AAA start talent exchange'. WrestleView. Archived from the original on 2012-06-16. Retrieved 2010-03-11.Cite uses deprecated parameter
|deadurl=
(help) - ^Caldwell, James (2014-01-12). 'Mexico news: AAA officially bringing TV to the U.S., has backing of big-name TV producer'. Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2014-01-12.
- ^'Lucha Underground promotion TV debut moved back three weeks'. Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 2014-09-22. Retrieved 2014-09-23.
- ^'Falleció Joaquín Roldán, Director General de AAA'. MedioTiempo (in Spanish). MSN. April 8, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
- ^Solowrestling (2 February 2019). 'Lucha Libre AAA no seguirá emitiéndose en Televisa con el objetivo de dar el salto a Estados Unidos'. solowrestling.mundodeportivo.com. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
- ^Ocampo, Ernesto (February 4, 2019). 'Lucha Libre AAA se transmitirá por Multimedios y TV Azteca' (in Spanish). Mediotiempo. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
- ^'¡AAA invade New York! Se presentará en el Madison Square Garden'. MedioTiempo (in Spanish). April 12, 2019. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
- ^Renner, Ethan (April 4, 2019). 'AAA Announces September 15th MSG Debut, LA Date Coming Soon'. F4wonline. Wrestling Obsever Newsletter. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
- ^https://www.pwinsider.com/article/128831/aaa-nyc-return-moved-from-madison-square-garden.html?p=1
- ^'Royal Rumble 1997 Results'. Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on February 17, 2008. Retrieved February 4, 2008.Cite uses deprecated parameter
|deadurl=
(help) - ^'Royal Rumble 1997'. AWT. January 21, 1997. Archived from the original on February 15, 2008. Retrieved February 18, 2008.Cite uses deprecated parameter
|deadurl=
(help) - ^Caldwell, James (2014-04-30). 'GFW news: Global Force's latest announcement - 'partnership agreement' with international promotion'. Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on 2014-05-02. Retrieved 2014-04-30.Cite uses deprecated parameter
|deadurl=
(help) - ^'Impact Wrestling habló de su acuerdo con AAA'. MedioTiempo (in Spanish). MSN. March 23, 2017. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
- ^'IWS formed partnership with AAA wrestling and Lucha Underground', International Wrestling Syndicate, Retrieved on July 5, 2015.
- ^Laprade, Patric. (2016-03-07) 'Mysterio at IWS latest in Montreal-Mexico exchange', SLAM! Wrestling, Retrieved on March 07, 2016.
- ^Ocampo, Ernesto (June 26, 2018). 'Conferencia AAA: Se confirma alianza con Elite' (in Spanish). SuperLuchas. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- ^'AAA TripleMania XXVI Results & Review'. The Chairshot. August 25, 2018. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
- ^'All Elite Wrestling partnering with Lucha Libre AAA'. WON/F4W - WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, UFC News, UFC results. 7 February 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
- ^Valdés, Apolo (January 20, 2017). 'John Morrison con ayuda, retuvo el cetro Latinoamericano'. MedioTiempo. MSN. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
- ^ abcd'¿AAA dejará de contar campeonatos de terceros?' (in Spanish). Super Luchas. Archived from the original on 4 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-22.Cite uses deprecated parameter
|deadurl=
(help) - ^'Asistencia Asesoria y Administracion Americas Heavyweight Title'. wrestling-titles.com. 2007-04-15. Retrieved 2007-09-23.
- ^'Campeones' (in Spanish). www.aaa.com.mx. Archived from the original on 2007-08-22. Retrieved 2007-09-23.Cite uses deprecated parameter
|deadurl=
(help) - ^'Asistencia Asesoria y Administracion Americas Trios Title'. wrestling-titles.com. 2007-09-23. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-23.Cite uses deprecated parameter
|deadurl=
(help) - ^Arturo Rosas Plata (2009-04-07). 'Alebrije fuera de Triple A'. Ovaciones (in Spanish). Mexico, D.F.: Editorial Ovaciones, S. A. de C.V. p. 18. Número 21550 Año LXII. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
- ^Ruiz Glez, Alex (June 14, 2010). 'Los viejos rivales: Cibernético y Konnan, ganan el primer torneo de parejas increíbles AAA en Puebla'. Superluchas.net. Archived from the original on 18 June 2010. Retrieved June 17, 2010.Cite uses deprecated parameter
|deadurl=
(help) - ^'EL CETRO ATÓMICO LO DECLARAN VACANTE'. AAA official website. 2009-01-26. Archived from the original on 1 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-26.Cite uses deprecated parameter
|deadurl=
(help) - ^'Comision de Box y Lucha Libre Mexico D.F. National Atomicos Title'. wrestling-titles.com. 2007-05-20. Archived from the original on 22 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-15.Cite uses deprecated parameter
|deadurl=
(help) - ^'Comision de Box y Lucha Libre Mexico D.F. National Heavyweight Title'. wrestling-titles.com. 2006-06-21. Archived from the original on 22 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-15.Cite uses deprecated parameter
|deadurl=
(help) - ^'Comision de Box y Lucha Libre Mexico D.F. Middleweight Title'. wrestling-titles.com. 2007-04-24. Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-23.Cite uses deprecated parameter
|deadurl=
(help) - ^'En Héroes Inmortales XI nacen nuevos campeones'. Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (in Spanish). October 2, 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
- ^Zellner, Kris (June 14, 2015). 'Rey, Alberto and more: AAA Verano de Escandalo iPPV results'. Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
References[edit]
- Guerrero, Eddie (2005). Cheating Death, Stealing Life: The Eddie Guerrero Story. Simon and Schuster. ISBN0-7434-9353-2.
External links[edit]
- AAA at Galavisión
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lucha_Libre_AAA_Worldwide&oldid=914670942'
Plaque commemorating Lucha libre as an intangible cultural heritage in Mexico City
Lucha libre (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈlut͡ʃa ˈliβɾe], meaning 'freestyle wrestling'[1] or literally translated as 'free fight') is the term used in Mexico for professional wrestling. Since its introduction to Mexico in the early 20th century, it has developed into a unique form of the genre, characterized by colorful masks, rapid sequences of holds and maneuvers, as well as 'high-flying' maneuvers, some of which have been adopted in the United States 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 the term today refers exclusively to professional wrestling, it was originally used in the same style as the American and English term 'freestyle wrestling',[2][3][4] referring to an amateur wrestling style without the restrictions of Greco-Roman wrestling.
Lucha libre wrestlers are known as luchadores (singular luchador, meaning 'wrestler'). They usually come from extended wrestling families who form their own stables. One such line integrated to the United States professional wrestling scene is Los Guerreros.
Lucha libre has become a loanword in English, as evidenced by works such as Los Luchadores, ¡Mucha Lucha!, Lucha Mexico and Nacho Libre. Lucha libre also appears in other pop culture such as mainstream advertising: in Canada, Telus' Koodo Mobile Post Paid cell service uses a cartoon lucha libre wrestler as its spokesperson/mascot.
On July 21, 2018, Mexican Lucha libre was named intangible cultural heritage of the Mexico City.[5]
- 4Masks
- 4.1Luchas de Apuestas
- 12Promotions using lucha libre rules
- 14In popular culture
Rules[edit]
Publicity still of Salvador Lutteroth
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 hold, move (such as the piledriver, which is an illegal move in lucha libre and grounds for immediate disqualification, though some variations are legal in certain promotions), or weapon, hits his opponent in the groin (faul), uses outside interference, attacks the referee, or rips his opponent's mask completely off. Most matches are two out of three falls (dos de tres caídas), which had been abandoned for title bouts in North America and Japan in the 1970s.
A rule unique to lucha libre applies during tag team matches, which is when the legal wrestler of a team touches the floor outside the ring, a teammate may enter the ring to take his place as the legal competitor. As the legal wrestler can step to the floor willingly, there is essentially no need for an actual tag to a teammate to bring him into a match. This often allows for much more frenetic action to take place in the ring than would otherwise be possible under standard tag rules.
History[edit]
Statue of El Santo el enmascarado de plata.
The antecedents of Mexican wrestling dates back to 1863, during the French Intervention in Mexico, Enrique Ugartechea, the first Mexican wrestler, developed and invented the Mexican lucha libre from the Greco-Roman wrestling.[6][7]
Mil Máscaras accompanied by the Bella Twins.
In the early 1900s, professional wrestling was mostly a regional phenomenon in Mexico until Salvador Lutteroth founded the 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.[8]
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. The public became enamored by 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 movies, while the sport received an unparalleled degree of mainstream attention.[9]
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.[10][11][12]
Style of wrestling[edit]
Growing up, Octagón was mainly interested in Martial Arts and earned a black belt in ShotokanKarate.
Luchadores are traditionally more agile and perform more aerial maneuvers than 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 division (peso semicompleto) are often the most popular wrestlers in Mexican lucha libre.[13]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 to opponents outside the ring, allowing the luchador to break his fall with an acrobatic tumble.
Rey Mysterio Jr. hitting the '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, Jr., Juventud Guerrera, Super Crazy and Místico, to develop years of experience by their mid-twenties.[14] A number of prominent 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), as well as 'four on four' matches (atomicos).[15]
Masks[edit]
The masks of El Hijo del Santo and Blue Demon Jr., two of the most famous masks in Mexican Lucha libre
El Hijo del Santo and Blue Demon Jr.
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 Aztecs.[16] 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 animals, gods, ancient heroes 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 loss of identity as that character. Sometimes, losing the mask signifies the end of a 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.[17]
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, revealed his face briefly only in old age, and was 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.[18]
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[edit]
El Oriental's elaborate mask was lost in a lucha de apuesta
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 between two or more wrestlers. In these battles, called luchas de apuestas ('matches with wagers'), the wrestlers 'wager' either their mask or their hair.[19]
'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.'[20] If the true identity of a person losing his mask is previously unknown, it is customary for that person to reveal his real name, hometown and years as a professional upon unmasking.
The first lucha de apuestas was presented on July 14, 1940 at Arena México. The defending champion 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 a tradition in lucha libre.[21]
Variants[edit]
Huracán Ramírez was neither the first, nor the last, wrestler to work under the name 'Huracán Ramírez'. He was given the name in the mid-1950s. Thus Garcia became the 2nd wrestler to wrestle in the ring under the Huracan identity.
- Máscara contra máscara ('mask versus mask'): two masked luchadores bet their masks, the loser is unmasked by the winner.
- Máscara contra cabellera ('mask versus hair'): a masked wrestler and an unmasked one compete, sometimes after the unmasked one has lost his mask to the masked one in a prior bout. If the masked luchador wins, the unmasked one shaves his head as a sign of humiliation. If the unmasked luchador is the winner, he keeps his hair and the loser is unmasked. An example of this variation occurred at Over the Limit 2010, the match was Rey Mysterio versus CM Punk, Mysterio won the match, and Punk got his head shaved.
- Cabellera contra cabellera ('hair versus hair'): the loser of the match has his head shaved bald. This can occur both between unmasked wrestlers and between masked wrestlers who have to remove their mask enough to be shaved after the match. An example of this occurred in the WWF, where Roddy Piper defeated Adrian Adonis at WrestleMania III.
- Máscara o cabellera contra campeonato ('mask or hair versus title'): if the title challenger loses, they are unmasked or shaved. But if the champion loses, the challenger is crowned the new champion. An example of this occurred in the WWE, where Rey Mysterio, a masked luchador, beat the Intercontinental ChampionChris Jericho at The Bash. A different result happened on Raw in 2003, where Kane failed to defeat Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship, and unmasked per the stipulation.
- Máscara o cabellera contra retiro ('mask or hair versus career'): if the masked or haired luchador loses, his opponent wins the mask or hair. But if he wins, his opponent must retire.
- Carrera contra carrera ('career versus career'): Loser must retire. An example of this occurred in the WWF, where The Ultimate Warrior defeated 'Macho Man' Randy Savage at WrestleMania VII.
Weight classes[edit]
A 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 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,[22] 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:[23]
Name (English) | Name (Spanish) | Weight Limit | Titles in division |
---|---|---|---|
Flyweight | Mosca | 52 kg (115 lb) | None |
Bantamweight | Gallo | 57 kg (126 lb) | None |
Featherweight | Pluma | 63 kg (139 lb) | Mexican National, UWA |
Lightweight | Ligero | 70 kg (150 lb) | Mexican National, UWA, WWA, IWRG |
Super Lightweight | Super Ligero | 73 kg (161 lb) | CMLL |
Welterweight | Welter | 77 kg (170 lb) | Mexican National, NWA, CMLL, UWA, WWA, IWRG |
Super Welterweight | Super welter | 82 kg (181 lb) | IWRG |
Middleweight | Medio | 87 kg (192 lb) | Mexican National, NWA, CMLL, UWA, WWA, IWRG |
Super Middleweight / Junior Light Heavyweight | Super medio / Semicompleto Junior | 92 kg (203 lb) | UWA, WWA |
Light Heavyweight | Semi completo | 97 kg (214 lb) | Mexican National, NWA, CMLL, UWA, WWA |
Junior Heavyweight / Cruiserweight | Completo junior / Crucero | 105 kg (231 lb) | UWA, AAA |
Heavyweight | Completo | 105 kg (231 lb) (Minimum) | Mexican National, CMLL, UWA, WWA, IWRG, AAA |
Other characteristics[edit]
Mascara Sagrada has been involved in a long running copyright dispute over the use of the Máscara Sagrada name, outfit and mask with 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.[13]
Luchadores are traditionally divided into two categories, rudos (lit. 'tough guys', who are 'bad guys', or 'heels'), who bend or break the rules, and técnicos (the 'good guys', or '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 & The Rock).[24] 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, was unmasked by the legendary 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.[25]
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.[26]
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.[27]
The two biggest lucha libre promotions in Mexico are Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), which was founded in 1933, and Lucha Libre AAA World Wide (AAA).[27]
Fans honoring wrestlers[edit]
One characteristic practiced in Mexico is with fans honoring wrestlers by throwing money to 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 for to witness such 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[edit]
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 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.[28]
Mini-Estrellas[edit]
Cuije, an example of Mini-Estrella
Lucha Libre has a division called the 'Mini-Estrella' or 'Minis' division, which unlike North American midget wrestling is not just for 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 1.69 m (5 ft 61⁄2 in) tall.[29] 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.[30] Minis are often patterned after 'regular-sized' wrestlers and are sometimes called 'mascotas' ('mascots') if they team with the regular-sized version.[29]
Luchadores in the United States[edit]
Carístico under the name Sin Cara
Alberto Del Rio
In 1994, AAA promoted the When Worlds Collidepay-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, Rey Mysterio, Jr., Juventud Guerrera, La Parka, Super Crazy, Alberto Del Rio, Psicosis, Místico, Kalisto, Andrade 'Cien' Almas, Pentagon Jr., Fenix, Bandido, Rush, Soberano Jr., Dragon Lee, Guerrero Maya Jr. and Stuka Jr.
CMLL Lucha libre shows are broadcast weekly in the U.S. on the Galavisión and LA TV Spanish language cable networks.
Lucha Underground is a television series produced by the 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.[31] AAA also owns a percentage of Lucha Underground.[32] 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[edit]
In Peru the term 'cachascán' (from 'catch as can') is used. Wrestlers are called cachascanistas.[33] In Bolivian Lucha Libre, wrestling Cholitas – female wrestlers dressed up as indigenous Aymara – are popular,[34][35] and have even inspired comic books.
Promotions using lucha libre rules[edit]
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[edit]
- Lucha Fantastica[36]
Colombia[edit]
- Society Action Wrestling (SAW)
Mexico[edit]
- Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL)
- Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA)
- International Wrestling Revolution Group (IWRG)
- Universal Wrestling Association (defunct)
- World Wrestling Association (Promociones Mora)
- Alianza Universal De Lucha Libre
Japan[edit]
- Toryumon / Dragon Gate
- Universal Lucha Libre (defunct)
United Kingdom[edit]
- Lucha Libre World
United States[edit]
- Invasion Mundial de Lucha Libre
In mixed martial arts[edit]
Some lucha libre wrestlers had careers in various mixed martial arts promotions, promoting loucha libre and wearing signature masks and attire. One of the most famous is Dos Caras Jr.[37]
In popular culture[edit]
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.
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 football.[38] Outside of Mexico Lucha Libre has also crossed over into popular culture, especially in movies and television. Depictions of luchadores are often used as symbols of Mexico and Mexican culture in non-Spanish speaking cultures.
Movies and television[edit]
The motion picture Nacho Libre, starring Jack Black as a priest-turned-luchador was inspired by the story of Father Sergio Gutiérrez Benítez, a real-life Catholic priest who wrestled as Fray Tormenta to make money for his church.[39] The documentary feature Lucha Mexico (2016) captured the lives of some of Mexico's well known wrestlers. The stars were Shocker, Blue Demon Jr., El Hijo del Perro Aguayo and Último Guerrero. Directed by Alex Hammond and Ian Markiewicz.[40]Rob Zombie's animated film The Haunted World of El Superbeasto stars a Mexican luchador named El Superbeasto.[41]
Television shows have also been inspired by Lucha Libre, especially animated series such as ¡Mucha Lucha!, Cartoon Network also produced an animated mini-series based on luchador El Santo.[42] The WB television 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.[43] In the British TV show Justin Lee Collins: The Wrestler, Colins competes as the rudoEl Glorioso, or The Glorious One, against the exóticoCassandro in The Roundhouse, London, ultimately losing and being unmasked.[44] The book and television 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.[45] The Kids' WB animated program ¡Mucha Lucha! (2002–2005) depicts a whole town full of masked wrestlers who not only wrestle in matches, but also have regular jobs (such as owning and managing the town donut shop). Youngsters attend 'The Foremost World Renowned International School Of Lucha' to get trained in the sport.
Lucha libre inspirations[edit]
Nike has designed a line of lucha libre-inspired athletic shoes.[46]Coca-Cola developed a Blue Demon Full Throttle energy drink named after the luchador Blue Demon, Jr. who is also the spokesperson for the drink in Mexico.[47] 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.[48]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
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- ^Nickel, Robert (May 5, 2012). 'Lucha Libre Facts'. Artipot. Archived from the original on August 22, 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2017.Cite uses deprecated parameter
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(help) - ^Perasso, Valeria (December 10, 2011). 'Lucha libre in the US: The wrestler who taunts Latino fans'. BBC News Online. Archived from the original on March 27, 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2017.Cite uses deprecated parameter
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(help) - ^Leavitt, Emily; Cortés, Zaira (February 21, 2014). 'Masked Wrestlers Practice 'Lucha Libre' in the Bronx'. Voices of NY. Archived from the original on August 22, 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2017.Cite uses deprecated parameter
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(help) - ^'Nombran a la lucha libre como Patrimonio cultural intangible de la CDMX'. El Universal (in Spanish). July 21, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
- ^Reseñas Deportivas (breve historia)Archived May 22, 2013, at the Wayback Machine (Spanish)
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(help) - ^'The History of Lucha Libre'. Bongo.net. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2013.Cite uses deprecated parameter
|deadurl=
(help) - ^'El Santo'. Wrestling Museum. Archived from the original on April 21, 2014. Retrieved September 2, 2013.Cite uses deprecated parameter
|deadurl=
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|deadurl=
(help) - ^'Blue Demon'. Internationalhero.co.uk. April 24, 1922. Archived from the original on June 9, 2013. Retrieved August 22, 2013.Cite uses deprecated parameter
|deadurl=
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|deadurl=
(help) - ^ abMadigan, Dan (2007). 'Okay... what is Lucha Libre?'. Mondo Lucha Libre: the bizarre and honorable world of wild Mexican wrestling. HarperColins Publisher. pp. 29–40. ISBN978-0-06-085583-3.
- ^'CANOE – SLAM! Sports – Wrestling – Lucha Libre 101'. Slam.canoe.ca. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2013.Cite uses deprecated parameter
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(help) - ^Stas Bekman: stas (at) stason.org. '8.6. Lucha Libre confuses me, what are the rules?'. Stason.org. Archived from the original on August 20, 2013. Retrieved August 22, 2013.Cite uses deprecated parameter
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(help) - ^Madigan, Dan (2007). 'What is Lucha Libre'. Mondo Lucha Libre: the bizarre & honorable world of wild Mexican wrestling. HarperColins Publisher. pp. 2–15. ISBN978-0-06-085583-3.
- ^Brandt, Stacy (December 5, 2002). 'Who Was That Masked Man?'. The Daily Aztec. Archived from the original on February 12, 2009.
- ^'Xavier Garza'. Archived from the original on July 11, 2011.
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(help) - ^Heather Levi (2008). The World of Lucha Libre: Secrets, Revelations, and Mexican National Identity. Duke University Press. p. 30. ISBN978-0-8223-4232-8. Archived from the original on June 29, 2016.Cite uses deprecated parameter
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(help) - ^Lourdes Grobet; Alfonso Morales; Gustavo Fuentes & Jose Manuel Aurrecoechea (2005). Lucha Libre: Masked Superstars of Mexican Wrestling. Trilce. p. 115. ISBN978-1-933045-05-4.
- ^'Archived copy'. Archived from the original on July 31, 2017. Retrieved July 30, 2017.Cite uses deprecated parameter
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(help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^Arturo Montiel Rojas (August 30, 2001). 'Reglamento de box y lucha libre profesional del estado de mexico'(PDF). Comisión de Box y Lucha Libre Mexico D.F. Archived from the original(PDF) on November 30, 2006. Retrieved April 3, 2009.
CAPITULO XXVI> DEL PESO DE LOS LUCHADORES
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(help) - ^'Lucha Libre Moves'. Surf-mexico.com. Archived from the original on July 20, 2008. Retrieved August 22, 2013.Cite uses deprecated parameter
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(help) - ^Bajko, Matthew S. (December 5, 2008). 'Meet Lucha Libre's New Superstar: The Openly Gay 'Queen of the Ring''. Edgeboston.com. Archived from the original on April 22, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2013.Cite uses deprecated parameter
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(help) - ^ abMadigan, Dan (2007). 'A family affair'. Mondo Lucha Libre: the bizarre & honorable world of wild Mexican wrestling. HarperColins Publisher. pp. 128–132. ISBN978-0-06-085583-3.
- ^Among the new group of notable female luchadoras is El Gato de Plata (believed to be Ella Brown)CANOE – SLAM! Sports – Wrestling – LLF promoter loves his luchadorasArchived July 18, 2012, at Archive.today
- ^ abMadigan, Dan (2007). 'You ain't seen nothing yet: the minis'. Mondo Lucha Libre: the bizarre & honorable world of wild Mexican wrestling. HarperColins Publisher. pp. 209–212. ISBN978-0-06-085583-3.
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(help) - ^Johnson, Mike (February 7, 2016). 'More on issues with Konnan, AAA and others in recent weeks'. Pro Wrestling Insider. Archived from the original on February 9, 2016. Retrieved February 7, 2016.Cite uses deprecated parameter
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(help) - ^Rocky Rolando. 'Federacion Argentina De Catch'. Facatch.com.ar. Archived from the original on May 23, 2013. Retrieved August 22, 2013.Cite uses deprecated parameter
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(help) - ^Crooker, Patricio. 'The Wrestling cholitas of El Alto, Bolivia'. American Ethnography Quasimonthly. Retrieved August 16, 2009.
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(help) - ^'Archived copy'. Archived from the original on April 11, 2018. Retrieved October 28, 2016.Cite uses deprecated parameter
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(help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^'Alberto Rodriguez 'Dos Caras Jr.''. Archived from the original on January 12, 2018. Retrieved January 11, 2018.Cite uses deprecated parameter
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(help) - ^Yoav (October 22, 2007). 'ENCUESTA DE MITOFSKY REVELA QUE LA LUCHA NO ES EL SEGUNDO DEPORTE MÁS POPULAR EN MÉXICO' (in Spanish). SuperLuchas Magazine. Archived from the original on August 4, 2012. Retrieved September 5, 2009.Cite uses deprecated parameter
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(help) - ^Tuckman, Jo. ''I didn't want glory. I wanted money''. The Guardian. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
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(help) - ^M., Deborah (December 17, 2003), Jeff Bell – Cult Times Magazine Interview, Cult Times Magazine Special Edition
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(help) - ^Halfhill, Matt (April 29, 2008). 'Lucha Libre Air Force Ones'. NiceKicks.com. Archived from the original on November 20, 2008. Retrieved August 22, 2013.Cite uses deprecated parameter
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(help)
Notes[edit]
- Allatson, Paul (2007). Key Terms in Latino/a Cultural and Literary Studies. Malden, Mass.: Blackwell Publishing. ISBN9781405102506, ISBN9781405102513. OCLC71044272.
External links[edit]
- Media related to Lucha libre at Wikimedia Commons
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