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Lucha Libre Wrestling

Dec 27, 2006

Lucha Libre is all about high-flying maneuvers and mysterious masked men. Find out more about the wrestling style that inspired the movie, Nacho Libre.

Lucha Libre - Masked Men

Lucha Libre means "freestyle fighting" in Spanish and is a Mexican form of professional wrestling. Lucha libre wrestlers are known more for their high-flying maneuvers and quick sequences of holds than for some of the power slams and suplexes you see in the WWE. The rules of Lucha Libre are similar to American pro wrestling. A match is won when an opponent is pinned to the mat for a three-count or knocked out of the ring for 20 seconds. Lucha Libre wrestlers are also famous for their masks which are colorfully designed with images of animals, gods or ancient heroes. In some Lucha Libra matches, the loser will have to take off his mask to reveal his true identity. Most wrestlers eventually are forced to take off their masks but the longer a Lucha Libre wrestler goes without having his mask taken off, the higher their status.

Lucha Libre - Glossary

Here are a few common terms from the world of Lucha Libre.

  • Luchador - A Lucha Libre wrestler.
  • Rudos - Bad guys or rough wrestlers who don't play by the rules.