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{{Short description|Mexican-style professional wrestling}}
{{about|the professional wrestling style popularized in Mexico|the history of professional wrestling in the country|Professional wrestling in Mexico}}
{{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 more 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 aerial techniques]], some of which have been adopted by wrestlers 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 Mexico (and certain other Spanish-speaking territories) it can refer to other kinds of [[wrestling]], including competitive [[amateur 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 well as with certain other Spanish-speaking territories and 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>

Male ''lucha libre'' wrestlers are known as ''luchadores'' (singular ''luchador'') while female ''lucha libre''  wrestlers are known as ''luchadoras'' (singular ''luchadora''). Mexican wrestlers often come from [[List of family relations in professional wrestling|extended wrestling families]], who often form their own [[stable (professional wrestling)|stables]]. One such familial line integrated to the United States professional wrestling scene is [[Guerrero family|the 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>

== Distinguishing characteristics ==
[[File:Octagón.jpg|thumb|right|100px|Growing up, Mexican middleweight ''luchador'' [[Octagón]] was mainly interested in [[martial arts]] and earned a [[Dan (rank)|black belt]] in [[Shotokan]] [[karate]].]]
Mexican ''luchadores'' are traditionally more agile and perform more [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques|aerial maneuvers]] than [[Professional wrestling in the United States|American professional wrestlers]], who more often rely on power and hard strikes to subdue their opponents. The difference in styles is due to the independent evolution of [[professional wrestling in Mexico]] beginning in the 1930s and the fact that ''luchadores'' in [[Cruiserweight (professional wrestling)|cruiserweight]] divisions (''Peso Crucero'') and other lower [[Professional wrestling weight classes|weight divisions]] are often more popular in Mexican ''lucha libre'' than heavyweights.<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 known as ''llaves''. Rings used in ''lucha libre'' (which are typically squared shaped, though some ''lucha libre'' [[professional wrestling promotion|promotions]] use hexagonal rings) generally lack the spring supports added to U.S. and Japanese rings; as a result, ''lucha libre'' does not emphasize "flat back [[Bump (professional wrestling)|bumps]]" like in 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.

''Lucha libre'' has several different weight classes, many catered to smaller agile wrestlers, who often make their debuts in their mid-teens. This enabled dynamic high-flying ''luchadores'' such as [[Rey Mysterio|Rey Misterio Jr.]], [[Juventud Guerrera]], [[Super Crazy]], and [[Místico]] among others, 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 Mexico and competing in ''lucha libre''{{'}}s lighter weight classes before becoming stars in [[Japan]]. These wrestlers included [[Gran Hamada]], [[Satoru Sayama]], [[Jushin Thunder Liger]], [[Último Dragón]], and [[Kazuchika Okada]] among others.

''Lucha libre'' is also known for its [[tag team]] wrestling matches. The teams are often made up of three or four members, instead of two as is common in the [[United States]]. Three-man teams participate in what are called ''trios'' matches while four-man teams participate in ''Atómicos'' matches. Of the team members, one member is often designated the captain. A successful fall in a multi-person tag team 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" and he can then award the match to the victim of the "excessive punishment". 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 traditional two-man tag matches (known as ''parejas'' matches) and [[Professional wrestling tag team match types|other types of team matches]].<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===
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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:Mascaraluchalibre.JPG|thumb|upright|[[Graffiti]] of [[Blue Demon]]'s mask in [[Madrid]], [[Spain]].]]
[[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>

Masked ''luchadores'' will 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 prominent 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|El Satánico]], [[Cien Caras]], [[Cibernético]] and others, have had continued success despite losing their masks.

=== ''Luchas de Apuestas''===
{{Redirect|Lucha de Apuestas|the IWRG event|IWRG Lucha de Apuestas|the Legends of Tomorrow episode|Lucha de Apuestas (Legends of Tomorrow)}}
[[File:Carisico and Mistico.jpg|thumb|right|Masked ''luchadores'' [[Místico|Carístico]] (also known as Sin Cara) and [[Dralístico|Místico]] (also known as Dralístico) in [[Mexico City]].]]
[[File:Arena México interior.jpg|right|thumb|250px|An empty [[Arena México]] configured for ''lucha libre''.]]
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 matches, called ''luchas de apuestas'' ("wager matches" or "betting fights"), the wrestlers "wager" either their mask, their hair, or another valuable like money or their career.<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'', 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 their real name, hometown, and years as a professional wrestler upon unmasking.

Masked wrestlers first appeared in Mexico somewhere around the 1920s, in imitation of the covered roosters in [[cockfighting]], and became widespread in the country in the 1930s after the arrival of popular masked American wrestler [[Cyclone Mackey|La Maravilla Enmascarada]]. During the early years of ''lucha libre'', 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. [[Promoter (entertainment)|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''. These were generally covered wrestlers that usually revealed themselves at the end of the night or after a 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.

One of the first ''lucha de apuestas'' (i.e. two wrestlers with a bet on the line) was presented on July 14, 1940, at [[Arena México]]. A masked middleweight wrestler, [[Murciélago Velázquez|El Murciélago Enmascarado]], was so much lighter than his opponent [[Octavio Gaona]], he requested a further condition before he would sign a contract to face him: Octavio Gaona would have to put his hair on the line in exchange for his mask. Gaona won the match and Murciélago was forced to unmask, helping to give 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>

The following match types are variants of ''luchas de apuestas'' 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 wrestlers 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]], which cemented Santo as one of the biggest stars in ''lucha libre'' and established professional wrestling 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 notable 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|Juan Alvarado Ibarra]]'s sons, which led to a 1988 triple mask bet between [[Villano I]], [[Villano IV]], and [[Villano V]] (sons of Ray Mendoza) against [[El Brazo]], [[Brazo de Oro (wrestler)|Brazo de Oro]], and [[Brazo de Plata]] (sons of Juan Alvarado Ibarra); 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. 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 2012 match between [[Blue Panther]] and Negro Casas which ended with a draw 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 frequently held in the late 1990s during [[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 who won more than 100 wagers, whose only wager 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 a variant of ''apuestas al revés'' matches, 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 contra Cabello, Máscara o Carrera'' (title versus hair, mask or career): In this match, if the title challenger loses, they are unmasked, shaved bald or forced to retire. 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, in storyline, it wouldn't make sense to put a mask on the line to win a championship), there are few known examples in Mexican ''lucha libre'', but some examples can be found in [[Professional wrestling in the United States|American professional wrestling]]. This occurred in 2009 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]], with Mysterio 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> Different results occurred on ''[[WWE Raw]]'' in 2003, when [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]] failed to defeat [[Triple H]] in a 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> and on a 2021 episode of ''[[WWE SmackDown]]'' when [[Bryan Danielson|Daniel Bryan]] failed to defeat [[Roman Reigns]] in a championship vs. career match for the [[WWE Universal Championship]] and became banished from the [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown brand]] per the stipulation.<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.<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> The most well known example is the 1981 match where [[Aníbal (wrestler)|Anibal]] defeated El Solitario and got paid 500,000 pesos (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 very uncommon match, the loser must retire. Since losing a mask match can severely impact the loser's career and may lead to retirement shortly after,<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> ''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 a 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 include Gallo Tapado and [[Fishman (wrestler)|Fishman]] among others). The most notable example of a ''carrera contra carrera'' match occurred at the [[Triplemanía I|1993 Triplemanía]], where [[Cien Caras]] defeated Konnan to force Konnan into retirement.<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> Konnan did not stay retired 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 a very uncommon match type, so few examples exist, with a notable example being the 2022 match between Rey Milán and Rey Pantera in which Pantera saved his career and hair 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 promotion but the promotion retains the name and character (often at the protest of the original ''luchador'') and gives the gimmick to another ''luchador.'' If the original name owner returns to the promotion, 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. In 2010, Adolfo Tapia (known as [[L.A. Park]], a wordplay for "''La Auténtica Park''", i.e., "The Authentic Parka") and Jesús Alfonso Huerta (known as [[La Parka II|La Parka]]) competed in an ''apuesta por el nombre''; Tapia won the match but failed to recover the "La Parka" name as the Mexico City Boxing and Wrestling Commission reversed the decision, 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]] (Efrén Tiburcio Márquez) from [[Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre]] who won a name and mask bet against Mr. Niebla (Miguel Ángel Guzmán Velázquez) from the [[International Wrestling Revolution Group]].<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}}
Since the roots of Mexican ''lucha libre'' lie with Latin American [[combat sports]] culture rather than modern U.S. professional wrestling circuits, it retains a more detailed system of [[Professional wrestling weight classes|weight classes]] than post-[[World War II]] wrestling in the United States. Like some [[British wrestling]] and [[Puroresu|Japanese wrestling]] promotions,<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'' promotions have detailed weight class systems patterned after [[boxing]]. Each weight class has an official upper limit, but examples of wrestlers who are technically too heavy to hold their weight class' title can be found. The following weight/height classes exist in ''lucha libre'', as defined by the "Comisión de Box y Lucha Libre Mexico D.F." (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]]
|
|WWA
|-
|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''
|under {{height|m=1.524}}
|
|[[CMLL World Micro-Estrellas Championship|CMLL]]
|
|
|[[NWA World Midget's Championship|NWA]]
|
|
|}

===Other notable characteristics===
[[File:MascaraSagrada.jpg|thumb|right|225px|The original [[Máscara 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". The original 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. ''Técnicos'' tend to have very formal wrestling styles, close to [[Greco-Roman wrestling]] and [[martial arts|traditional martial arts]] while incorporating aerial 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]] and [[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 the ''[[exótico]]'', a character in [[Drag (entertainment)|drag]]. While the ''exótico'' was initially more subdued, 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'', title matches play a less prominent role in Mexico than in America. Titles can be defended as little 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>

Currently the two biggest ''lucha libre'' promotions in Mexico are [[Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre]] (CMLL), which was founded in 1933 by the "father of Mexican professional wrestling" [[Salvador Lutteroth]], and [[Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide]] (AAA), founded in the early 1990s by [[Antonio Peña]].<ref name="Madigan, Dan 2007 128–132"/>

== Rules of ''lucha libre''==
The rules of ''lucha libre'' are similar to those of American professional wrestling [[Singles match (professional wrestling)|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 or move, such as the [[Piledriver (professional wrestling)|piledriver]] (referred as a "Martinete"), which is an illegal move in ''lucha libre'' and grounds for immediate disqualification, although some variants are legal in certain promotions; or when he hits his opponent in the groin (referred to as a "foul"); when he uses outside interference; when he attacks the referee; or when he completely rips off his opponent's [[Wrestling mask|mask]]. In many ''lucha libre'' promotions, matches are [[Two out of three falls match|two out of three falls]], which had been the norm for [[Championship (professional wrestling)|title]] matches in the United States and Japan but was widely abandoned by the 1970s.

A unique rule in ''lucha libre'' applies during [[tag 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.

==Participants in ''lucha libre''==
===Female professional wrestlers===
In addition to male wrestlers, female wrestlers or ''luchadoras'' also compete in Mexican ''lucha libre''. The [[CMLL World Women's Championship]] is the top title for [[Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre|CMLL]]'s women's division, while the [[Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide|AAA]] equivalent is the [[AAA Reina de Reinas Championship|Reina de Reinas Championship]]. 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 [[Lucha Libre Femenil]] (LLF) was founded.<ref>[https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2003/12/24/llf-promoter-loves-his-luchadoras/ CANOE – SLAM! Sports – Wrestling – LLF promoter loves his luchadoras]</ref>

===''Exóticos''===
{{main|Exótico}}
''Exóticos'' are male wrestlers who perform while incorporating [[feminine]] aspects into their wrestling personas, known as "[[gimmick (professional wrestling)|gimmicks]]". Often compared to [[drag queen]]s, they are characterized by a [[Camp (style)|campy]] style, feminine costumes, and [[Humour|humor]].<ref name="Levi">Levi, Heather. The World of Lucha Libre: Secrets, Revelations, and Mexican National Identity. Durham: Duke UP, 2008. Print.</ref>{{rp|152}} Though not all ''exóticos'' are [[gay]], some are and most incorporate sexual ambiguity into their performances. Wearing [[feather boas]], [[headdresses]], [[sequins]] or [[stockings]], they are often seen as defying traditional [[Machismo|macho]] [[Latin American|Latino]] culture.<ref name="Berry">Berry, Mark. "Lucha Libre." Gay Times (09506101) 359 (2008): 56-59. LGBT Life. Web. 29 May 2012.</ref>{{rp|57}}

===''Mini-Estrellas''===
[[File:Cuije.jpg|thumb|right|100px|[[Cuije]], an example of a ''Mini-Estrella''.]]
{{main|Mini-Estrella}}
''Lucha libre'' promotions maintain divisions for wrestlers known as ''Mini-Estrellas'', also known as ''Pequeño Estrellas'' and simply ''Minis''. Unlike American [[midget wrestling]], ''Mini-Estrellas'' divisions are not just for [[dwarfism|dwarfs]] but also for ''luchadores'' that are short. The maximum allowable height to participate in the ''minis'' division was originally 5 feet, but in recent years wrestlers such as [[Pequeño Olímpico]] have worked in CMLL's ''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> ''Mini-Estrella'' wrestling was first popularized in the 1970s with wrestlers like Pequeño Goliath and Arturito (a wrestler with an [[R2-D2]] gimmick) becoming noticed for their comedic abilities. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, CMLL created the first actual ''minis'' division, the brainchild of then-CMLL booker [[Antonio Peña]], which placed an emphasis on athleticism and spectacular high-flying techniques over comedy. CMLL created the [[CMLL World Mini-Estrella Championship|CMLL World Pequeño Estrellas 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/> In 2002, AAA introduced the [[AAA Mascot Tag Team Championship]], a tag team title for teams of a regular-sized wrestler and a ''mascota''. 

In the mid-2000s, American professional wrestling promotion [[WWE]] brought in a number of Mexican ''Mini-Estrella'' wrestlers as part of its "Juniors Division".

In the 2010s, CMLL introduced the ''Micro-Estrellas'' division, exclusively for ''luchadores'' with dwarfism.

==''Lucha libre'' outside Mexico==
[[Mil Máscaras]], a ''luchador'' from [[San Luis Potosí (city)|San Luis Potosí]], is considered one of the first Mexican wrestlers to become a star outside his native country and is credited with popularizing the ''lucha libre'' style in the [[United States]] and around the world.

[[Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre|CMLL]]'s events previously aired in the U.S. on the [[Spanish language|Spanish-language]] cable networks, [[Galavisión (USA)|Galavisión]] and [[LATV]]. ''[[Lucha Underground]]'' was a ''lucha libre''-themed [[Drama (film and television)#Action drama|action drama]] television series produced by the [[United Artists|United Artists Media Group]] which aired in English on the [[El Rey Network]] and in Spanish on [[UniMás]]. It featured wrestlers from the American [[independent circuit]] and from Mexico's [[Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide|AAA]] promotion.<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><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 was taped live in [[Boyle Heights, California]], ceased airing after its [[Lucha Underground season 4|fourth season]].

In 2012, the [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] team of [[Major League Baseball]] started doing ''lucha libre''-themed promotions. A ''luchador'' mask in Diamondback colors was such a popular giveaway at games, that in 2013 the team introduced D'backs Luchador, inspired by the mask, as an official mascot, joining D. Baxter the Bobcat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/d-backs-introduce-luchador-as-official-mascot/c-54052698|title=D-backs Introduce Luchador as Official Mascot|last=Whitzman|first=April|date=July 18, 2013|access-date=June 29, 2025|work=Major League Baseball|df=mdy-all}}</ref> 

===National variants===
With many Japanese professional wrestlers completing their training in Mexico (notably [[Gran Hamada]] and his students), ''lucha libre'' began to influence ''[[puroresu]]'', the Japanese form of professional wrestling, culminating in the creation of [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#L|''lucharesu'']] in Japan, a mixture of Mexican ''lucha libre'' and Japanese ''puroresu''. While Mexican ''lucha libre'' combines [[Greco-Roman wrestling]] techniques with high-flying aerial maneuvers, Japanese ''lucharesu'' emphasizes a much faster high-flying style. Famous ''lucharesu'' wrestlers include [[Último Dragón]], [[The Great Sasuke]], [[Super Delfin]], and [[Dick Togo]] among others. [[Professional wrestling in Puerto Rico|''Lucha libre'' in Puerto Rico]] has developed a distinct style and presentation and has been considered one of the most popular forms of [[sports entertainment]] on the island for more than fifty years. In [[Argentina]], there was an immensely popular ''lucha libre'' promotion known as [[Titanes en el ring]]. Titanes en el ring was known for its unique, outlandish and over-the-top approach to wrestling, which was developed by its promoter and top star [[Martín Karadagian]]. Titanes en el ring's approach to wrestling later influenced the way [[Antonio Peña]] presented Mexican ''lucha libre'' in [[Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide|AAA]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://superluchas.com/el-fin-de-una-era/|title=El fin de una era|author=Ocampo, Ernesto|date=October 7, 2006|accessdate=June 21, 2025|work=[[Súper Luchas]]}}</ref>

In [[Spain]], professional wrestling is typically called "catch" (from [[Catch wrestling|catch-as-catch-can wrestling]]) or "pressing catch" rather than ''lucha libre''.<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 [[Brazil]], professional wrestling is referred to as ''luta livre profissional'' and ''[[Telecatch|telecatch]]''; a major wrestling star in Brazil was [[Ted Boy Marino]]. In [[Bolivia]], [[Fighting Cholitas]] – ''luchadoras'' dressed up as indigenous [[Aymara people|Aymara]] – are popular and have inspired [[Super Cholita|comic books]].<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>

==Promotions using ''lucha libre'' rules==
{{see also|List of professional wrestling promotions in Mexico}}
[[Image:LaParka.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[L.A. Park|La Parka]] in action. He was forced to change his [[ring name]] from "La Parka" to "L.A. Park" in early 2003 when [[Asistencia Asesoría y Administración|AAA]] owner [[Antonio Peña]] asserted his copyright claims to the "La Parka" character, barring him from using the name as he promoted a new [[La Parka II|La Parka]].]]
[[File:AAA July 2018 La Parka.jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[La Parka II|The new La Parka]] during an outdoor event in 2018.]]

Past and present professional wrestling promotions that have used ''lucha libre'' rules:

===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===
*[[Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre]] (CMLL)
*[[International Wrestling Revolution Group]] (IWRG)
*[[Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide]] (AAA)
*[[Lucha Libre Elite]] 
*[[The Crash Lucha Libre]]
*[[Universal Wrestling Association]] (UWA)
*[[World Wrestling Association]] (WWA)
*''[[List of professional wrestling promotions in Mexico|Others]]''

===Japan===
*[[Dragongate]]
*[[Michinoku Pro Wrestling]] (M-Pro)
*Okinawa Pro Wrestling 
*[[Osaka Pro Wrestling]] (OPW)
*Pro-Wrestling Secret Base
*Real Lucha Libre (RLL)
*Tokyo Tama Luchas (TTT)
*[[Toryumon (Último Dragón)|Toryumon Japan / Toryumon 2000 Project / Toryumon X]]
*[[Universal Lucha Libre]] (UWF)

===United Kingdom===
*[[Lucha Britannia]]
*Lucha Libre World

===United States===
*[[Chikara (professional wrestling)|Chikara]]
*[[Incredibly Strange Wrestling]] (ISW)
*Invasion Mundial de Lucha Libre (IMLL)
*[[Lucha Libre USA]] (LLUSA)
*[[Lucha VaVoom]]

==In popular culture==
[[File:Tinieblas.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Tinieblas]] became a legendary figure in ''lucha libre'' through both in-ring appearances and his appearances in comic books and films. Tinieblas still wrestles occasionally and has appeared alongside his son [[Tinieblas Jr.|Tinieblas II]].]]
''Lucha libre'' has crossed over into popular culture, especially in Mexico, where it is considered the most popular sport after [[Association football|soccer]] and [[boxing]].<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 ''luchadores'' are often used as symbols of Mexico and Mexican culture in non-Spanish-speaking cultures.

===Movies and television===
{{See also|Luchador film}}
Wrestlers [[El Santo]], [[Blue Demon]], and [[Mil Máscaras]] – collectively dubbed the ''Tres Grandes'' ("Big Three") of the Mexican ''lucha libre'' tradition – became [[folk hero]]es and symbols of justice for the common man through their appearances in [[luchador films|''luchador'' films]]. 

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 2016 documentary feature ''Lucha Mexico'' captured the lives of some of Mexico's well-known modern wrestlers. Directed by Alex Hammond and Ian Markiewicz, the feature documented the lives and careers of [[Shocker (wrestler)|Shocker]], [[Blue Demon Jr.]], [[El Hijo del Perro Aguayo|Perro Aguayo Jr.]], and [[Último Guerrero]].<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!|Mucha Lucha]]''. [[Cartoon Network (Latin America)|Cartoon Network Latin America]] also produced an animated miniseries based on 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 Cautionary Tale of Numero Cinco]]", an episode of [[The WB]] television series ''[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]'', 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 an 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'', [[Justin Lee Collins]] competes as the ''rudo'' "El Glorioso", against [[Cassandro]], an ''exótico'', in [[The Roundhouse]], 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, played by [[Joaquin Cosio]]. In the storyline, Angel de la Plata (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'' 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-ups in 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]]'', Tizoc became The King of Dinosaurs, a heel who wears 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 ''luchadores'' 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 ''luchador'' brawler called El Primo. He punches enemies four times and can perform an elbow drop on them with his super move. Tezca, a playable legend in ''[[Brawlhalla]]'', is a masked ''luchador'' with a jaguar-themed design and fighting style. ''[[Kirby Fighters 2]]'' introduced a ''luchador'' copy ability.

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

===''Lucha libre'' inspired products===
[[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 the [[Full Throttle (drink)|Blue Demon Full Throttle]] energy drink named after the ''luchador'' [[Blue Demon Jr.]], who served as 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, a Mexican energy drink that sponsored CMLL events and featured CMLL wrestlers such as [[Místico]] and [[Último Guerrero]] in its advertisements.<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>

===In mixed martial arts===
Some Mexican ''lucha libre'' wrestlers have had careers in various [[mixed martial arts]] (MMA) promotions, wearing their signature masks and attire. One of the most famous examples is [[Alberto Del Rio|Dos Caras Jr.]], who fought in the [[Pride Fighting Championships]].<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>

Japanese ''lucharesu'' wrestler [[Satoru Sayama|Satoru "Tiger Mask" Sayama]] founded [[Shooto]] – one of the first MMA promotions in the world – and participated in 3 MMA exhibition fights.

==See also==
* [[Luchador film|''Lucha libre'' film]]
* [[Professional wrestling in Mexico]]
* [[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]
* [https://interactives.dallasnews.com/2015/lucha-libre-dallas/main.html "Tradition of lucha libre keeps it off the ropes"]
* [https://www.wrestling-titles.com/samerica/per/ Title histories of Peru]
* [http://www.wrestling-titles.com/europe/spain/spainhistory.html Title histories of Spain]

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

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