Honoring The Tradition Of Lucha Libre

How did you discover lucha libre?

Juan Bautista: Watching Rey Mysterio. Then I enjoyed Super Crazy and others.

Chad Gelfand: By catching bits and pieces of it on Telemundo. I think the promotion was AAA, but I’m not too sure.

David Gibb: Before the Monday Night War, lucha libre was probably more popular locally than WWF or WCW in the area where I grew up (strong territory wrestling died in the Bay Area five years before it did everywhere else, and even though the national outfits drew well at the Cow Palace occasionally, it was not a good wrestling market for various reasons). There were always posters in the windows of the businesses in Redwood City for what were basically glorified spot shows using off-duty talent from AAA or CMLL. I remember seeing pictures of Konnan and La Parka everywhere. With that said, I saw my first matches with luchadores on Nitro.

Steven Jackson: Lucha libre first came to my attention through the cruiserweight division of WCW. Seeing the likes of Rey Mysterio Jr., Psicosis, Juventud Guerrera, La Parka, Hector Garza and more immediately enthralled me, igniting a passion still with me today.

John Corrigan: Nacho Libre. JK JK…Essa Rios is the first luchador I’ve ever seen and I loved playing as him in WWF No Mercy.

Jack Goodwillie: It’s hard to say if lucha libre was the first known form I’ve known about of pro wrestling, but I suppose it’s possible. Anything I knew about wrestling in general was extremely primitive either way up until 2004. I do know there was a show on Kids’ WB back around 2002 called Mucha Lucha which sort of caught my interest as a kid that dealt entirely with kids in Mexico wrestling one another wearing dope masks.

Are you a fan of lucha libre?

Bautista: Yes, it is a fascinating style of wrestling. At times it can be a little farfetched, but it’s a different breed of wrestlers and fun to watch.

Gelfand: I enjoy the style when I catch it, but I don’t watch much pure lucha libre to have a strong opinion one way or the other on it.

Gibb: I am a fan of professional wrestling, and I generally think people overstate the differences between lucha libre and North American catch-as-catch-can pro wrasslin’ – so, yeah, I’m a fan!

Jackson: It can be goofy and awkward, but seeing unbelievable acrobatics from masked marvels never ceases to engage and excite me. I love the whole legacy and respect of lucha libre.

Corrigan: No really. I pop for high-flying action as much as the next fan, but the lack of selling just takes me out of the match. For example, those X-Division car crashes become a blur and I can’t even sit through Impact’s tapings in Mexico. Sure, it’s because I don’t know any of the luchadores, but their characters aren’t easy for me to connect with, anyway.

Goodwillie: Sure! I mean, there’s good and bad, just like anything else in the world of wrestling, and when it’s good, it’s great. I’m more a fan of when elements of the lucha style, or stipulations like the luchas de apuestas (mask vs. mask, hair, etc.) appear in the American style. This is part of what made Eddie Guerrero so good. Of all the greats like Michaels, Flair and Angle, you name em, none of them had the lucha experience Guerrero did. I suppose Chris Jericho comes pretty close, too. But the ability to work so smooth and be such a well-rounded wrestler comes from those guys fusing styles from all around the world. Lucha is no exception.

Which U.S.-based promotion has presented lucha libre in the best way possible?

Bautista: Lucha Underground. ECW exposed the U.S. market to lucha libre, but it was an attraction. WCW didn’t allow the luchadores to reach the main event level. WWE didn’t want to make Rey Mysterio the man. He lost most of his matches during his first title reign and was only champion for roughly two hours on the second reign. TNA had the opportunity, but we now know there was no chance under that regime.

Gelfand: Lucha Underground paid proper respect to lucha libre, but added its unique twist to it.

Gibb: Lucha Underground. It did the best job connecting the wrestling and reality-bending aspects of lucha libre to its deep cultural significance in a way that was both accessible to new fans and made them want to learn more.

Jackson: Lucha Underground. While WCW and TNA/Impact Wrestling have helped keep lucha libre in the spotlight (to a degree), Lucha Underground was where it really found its unique identity on American television. The mystique, cinematography, and most importantly, the quality of the roster and matches haven’t been bettered.

Corrigan: Lucha Underground. I didn’t know who most of those luchadores were before watching, but was instantly hooked thanks to the cinematic approach, well-crafted storytelling and Matt Striker’s educational commentary.

Goodwillie: Lucha Underground. Sure, Impact has co-promoted with AAA in the past and the top guy in RoH has lucha roots, but I wouldn’t call either of those places lucha. Lucha Underground took the unique vibe of lucha libre out of Mexico and planted it in your TV set with a solid mix of wrestlers from around the world. Did it jump the shark one too many times? Probably. But that’s forgivable when you consider how well it presented the genre to Americans.

Do you care about the significance of a luchador’s mask?

Bautista: Yes, when it’s explained and when the talent is from Mexico it carries more weight. It’s been awhile since a mask stipulation has been used at least in the United States.

Gelfand: I do. It’s really cool the amount of respect that luchadores have for the mask and how a luchador could have a 30-year career and never publicly reveal his face.

Gibb: Yes, of course! That’s the character’s face. The wrestler’s face isn’t the character’s face, ya dig?

Jackson: I care wholeheartedly about the significance of the mask in lucha libre culture. The stakes of having a mask on the line in a match really amp up the drama. While certain wrestlers are much better losing their masks (i.e. Super Crazy), others (like Pentagon Jr.) are defined by their masked identities.

Corrigan: Nope. I understand its tradition, but like the Easter bunny, I just don’t get the significance.

Goodwillie: I do, to a point. Of course, it depends just like anything else. There’s something to be said for the tradition of masks passed down through the generations and guys keeping their identities covert. At the same time, if you want to make money in 2020 and ascend to global superstar status, you’re probably not going to do it with a mask, though I suppose it’s possible. A good-looking mask can move some serious merchandise. However, you’re also sort of hamstrung in not being able to emote in the same way.

I love Dave Meltzer, but he had one of the coldest takes I have ever heard when he said back in 2017 that Andrade Cien Almas was better with his mask as La Sombra. Seriously, Dave? I mean, sure, there’s a learning curve when you’ve wrestled in a mask your entire life, but when you look like how Andrade looks, you can’t possibly tell me he’s a bigger star and better wrestler with the mask on. Admittedly, the early days of Andrade on NXT TV with no mask were rough, but of course, he found his way. Meanwhile, Alberto Del Rio transitioned about as smoothly as can be going from Dos Caras Jr. to the “Mexican Aristocrat,” so it just depends and is naturally going to be a case-by-case basis as to which is preferable.

Who’s your favorite luchador of all time?

Bautista: Rey Mysterio. He has been on my screen for as long as I’ve been watching wrestling. It doesn’t matter what company he shows up for, he can have great matches.

Gelfand: Rey Mysterio. He’s one of the greatest wrestlers of all time regardless of style, but when I think of lucha libre, I think of Mysterio.

Gibb: What, we’re not doing another Top 100 list? Very disappointing. La Parka/LA Park. He’s done the best job of anybody getting over on both sides of the border throughout the last 25 years, and he’s evolved his character and in-ring style in ways that can only really be compared to Chris Jericho, even working within the confines of basically the same mask and suit.

Jackson: One of the hardest questions I’ve ever been asked in one of our roundtables! Who is my favorite luchador?! There are way too many. But, if I have to pick one, Rey Mysterio, Jr. From his teenage years to his rise in AAA (and great performance at When Worlds Collide) to his career-defining run with WCW to his legendary period with WWE, no luchador since El Santo has appealed to a mass fanbase like Mysterio.

Corrigan: Pentagon Jr. Voted Wrestler of 2018 by our staff, he’s a badass character with a cool look, fun catchphrase and a sick penchant for breaking arms.

Goodwillie: Rey Mysterio. When I think of luchador, I think of masked wrestlers first, not necessarily guys with lucha libre roots like the Guerreros. Mysterio, a lucha libre prodigy, took his mask to the biggest companies in North America and became a global sensation. He can work with opponents big, small, fast and slow, and when he would do the 619/West Coast Pop, it was the coolest thing in the world as a kid. And to think he’s STILL going at a moderately high level today after all the punishment he’s taken. Remember when Kevin Nash threw him like a lawn dart into that shed? Or when Big Show slammed him into the ring post while still strapped to the stretcher? There’s no denying the guy is a legend.