“Lucha libre” may seem familiar to Americans who have seen professional wrestling. Lucha libre and American pro wrestling are centered around choreographed shows of athleticism and extravagant theatre. Both evolved from the same origins – Greco-Roman wrestling brought to North America by European settlers and harken back to each culture’s histories of storytelling.

Luchadore Mistico poses in the ring. Photo from Sam Winslow.
Masks also distinguish the lucha libre from America’s pro wrestling. The “máscaras” are a nod to masks used in the Aztec culture and became the most recognizable symbol of the sport and a lure for many audience members. The masks are not only helpful in showing who the luchador is as a character, but which side they fight on. Some competitors refuse to take their mask off in public and may be buried in them. Demasking, as the officers saw at the match they attended, becomes an event in a luchador’s character’s life.
Learn more about lucha libre’s history and its cultural influences in this episode of the podcast Stuff You Should Know by clicking here or clicking the play button on the audio player below.