Lucha libre is a popular form of Mexican wrestling known for its high-flying stunts and fast pace. Luchadores wear masks, which can be designed to look like heroes, animals, gods, and other incarnations. El Santo was a famous luchador who helped popularize the sport, and other notable luchadores include Mil Mascaras and Rey Mysterio. Lucha libre is different from American wrestling in that it relies more on aerial acrobatics and submission holds. The luchador’s mask is an important aspect of their personality, and it is considered a serious offense to remove an opponent’s mask.
A luchador is a professional Mexican wrestling performer, and lucha libre is the form of professional wrestling in which the luchador performs. Lucha libre is popular in Mexico and other Spanish-speaking areas and is known for its wide range of wrestling holds and moves, especially high-flying wrestling stunts, as well as its fast pace. Typically a luchador wears a mask that has been popularized by the sport, but this is not essential.
Lucha libre became popular in Mexico in the early 20th century and was further popularized through the advancement of television worldwide. Lucha libre saw its first superstardom with a luchador named El Santo, meaning “The Saint,” who was known for wearing a silver mask and continued to wrestle professionally for nearly fifty years. During his career as a luchador, he gained unprecedented popularity in Mexico and was the subject of countless movies and comics as a symbol of justice for the common man.
El Santo paved the way for many other luchadores who would help popularize the sport of lucha libre and add to its uniqueness from other types of wrestling around the world. One of these was a luchador named Mil Mascaras, whose name means “man of a thousand masks,” who was known for using high-flying wrestling moves that directly impacted the way American wrestling was performed. Another was Rey Mysterio, whose aerial wrestling moves and colorful masks earned him a spot as a popular American wrestler as well as being a popular Mexican luchador.
An American wrestler typically relies on more powerful moves in his display, while a typical luchador is more agile and relies on aerial acrobatic moves in his display. These aerial moves will utilize all parts of the ring, including the ropes, and will usually be followed by a series of tricky moves finished with a complex submission hold on the opponent. Lucha libre is also known for its popular tag team events, during which teams of two, three, or four opponents battle it out in the ring for championship belts.
The luchador’s mask can be one of the most important and unique aspects of their personality, and it is considered a serious offense and grounds for disqualification for a luchador to remove an opponent’s mask. These masks can be designed to look like heroes, animals, gods and other incarnations and are mostly always worn by novice wrestlers. Masks are usually removed as the luchador’s career evolves, but some go to great lengths to keep their identities under wraps throughout their careers. El Santo was even buried in his luchador mask.
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