PureHatred
09-24-2005, 02:27 AM
To begin with, in order to understand the significance of masks in Mexican wrestling, you must first accept the fact that wrestling is in no way looked at as “fake” within Mexican culture. As a matter of fact, wrestling is given the same stature in Mexico as our ‘mainstream’ sports are given here in the U.S. Wrestling, or Lucha Libre, (defined ‘free fight’)is literally everywhere.
Lucha libre is all over the country; whether you're in Baja California or on a street corner in Mexico City, some aspect of it can be found. In a country of 100 million people, at least 90% of all Mexicans can identify with two of the most adored and revered iconic images: The first one is the beloved "Virgin of Guadalupe" and the second one is the silver mask of the legendary "El Santo", Mexico's most famous wrestler.
Lucha libre is second only to soccer as the country's national sport and it's safe to say that seven nights a week across the country, a wrestling event is going on. It is entrenched in the fabric of the country. It is not mere fandom,. But more of a passion and a culture. The epicentre for this is located in Mexico City at the Cathedral of wrestling "La Arena Mexico" and "La Arena Coliseo", home to the CMLL (Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre), the oldest wrestling company in the world today. If "Attitude" best describes the WWE then "Tradition" best describes the CMLL. The rich history of this company dates back over 70 years when Salvador Lutteroth Gonzalez first formed the company in 1933.
And from the very beginning the masks were there.
It started in the mid-1930s with wrestler such as El Enmascarado (English: "The Masked Man"), the Irish Ciclón McKey and La Maravilla Enmascarada (English: "The Masked Marvel").
Theories on the orgin of the masks vary wildly. Early mask were very simple with basic colors and were honestly used primarily to distinguish one fighter from another. But here are deeper, more significant meanings. Culturally, all the native gods of Mexico wore animal masks. And more specifically, masks are a very special part of the Mexican culture and recall early hispanic times.The Aztecs had a very special elite in their society: The Caballeros Aguila (Eagle Knights); the highest-class soldiers were respected for their unique braveness and fighting skills. They used to wear a mask and a whole eagle outfit. The mask reflexed their status; it was intimidating and sacred.
And masks are mystical; they show another side of the personality of the person who wears it. In Lucha Libre, the mask gives the enmascarado(masked man) a free soul to express himself on the ring. As the popularity of the luchadores rose in the '50s so did their demand. At one point, the Mexican film industry's bread and butter was the production of Mexican wrestling films. El Santo himself starred in over 50 features, thus immortalizing his icon status in the world. The role of the luchador in popular Mexican culture quickly crossed the line between reality and fantasy. They became the incarnation of comic book superheroes. The mask is the ultimate symbol of lucha libre; it not only conceals the luchador's identity, but gives him the power and mysticism that is derived from prehispanic times. By wearing it, a luchador is akin to the noble samurai; They both follow a code and covet the tenants of honour, respect and courage above no other. To a luchador, losing their mask in battle is the ultimate dishonour.
And the mask is even a symbol of on of the other founding tenets of Mexican culture: family. The masks and identities are passed down from generation to generation. Santo was the Elvis of lucha libre in the 50's and 60's. Blue Demon, Lizmark, Espectro, Rayo de Jalisco, Pierroth, Doctor Wagner, Tinieblas, Rey Misterio and dozens more have sons or relatives giving their costumes a second life. Third and fourth generations are inevitable.
Which is why the most highly anticipated and biggest drawing matches in Mexican wrestling are always máscara contra mascara: mask vs mask.
Losing your mask isn’t just a major loss of stature for you but for those who wore it before you. That’s why this match is always used as either a pay-off for what is usually a years long feud, almost always held at a major even in front of huge crowds, and is either the sign of a luchador going through a major and permanent character change or retirement. Because according to the honor code that guides lucha libre--a wrestler's identity vanishes when he is unmasked. Camera flashes light the arena, and the wrestler's face appears in newspapers across Mexico. For fans, it's like watching a superhero being stripped of magical powers.
So when the WCW had its luchadors losing their masks seemingly without reason, it wa san insult and a disgrace to the fans who had followed men like Rey Misterio through not only their careers, but for generations before.
Being a luchador isn’t just about fame. Or money. Because if you make it in lucha, you won't just be a star. Soccer players can be stars. But a luchador, improbable as it sounds, can also be a hero. A legend.
When the original El Santo died, his funeral was among the largest in the history of Mexico. Tens of thousands flooded the streets of Mexico City outside the funeral parlour; he was, of course, buried in his mask..
And according to legend, on his deathbed Santo told his son El Hijo del Santo to carry on the tradition and to never lose the mask as part of match stipulation.
No wonder Santos--who usually discards the formal "de los" of his name--succinctly summed up his career one night for a Tijuana taxi driver while doing a December 2001 interview for the LA Times. The driver took in Santos' bulk and battered face. Was he a luchador?
"Por la vida," Santos shot back.
For life.
Lucha libre is all over the country; whether you're in Baja California or on a street corner in Mexico City, some aspect of it can be found. In a country of 100 million people, at least 90% of all Mexicans can identify with two of the most adored and revered iconic images: The first one is the beloved "Virgin of Guadalupe" and the second one is the silver mask of the legendary "El Santo", Mexico's most famous wrestler.
Lucha libre is second only to soccer as the country's national sport and it's safe to say that seven nights a week across the country, a wrestling event is going on. It is entrenched in the fabric of the country. It is not mere fandom,. But more of a passion and a culture. The epicentre for this is located in Mexico City at the Cathedral of wrestling "La Arena Mexico" and "La Arena Coliseo", home to the CMLL (Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre), the oldest wrestling company in the world today. If "Attitude" best describes the WWE then "Tradition" best describes the CMLL. The rich history of this company dates back over 70 years when Salvador Lutteroth Gonzalez first formed the company in 1933.
And from the very beginning the masks were there.
It started in the mid-1930s with wrestler such as El Enmascarado (English: "The Masked Man"), the Irish Ciclón McKey and La Maravilla Enmascarada (English: "The Masked Marvel").
Theories on the orgin of the masks vary wildly. Early mask were very simple with basic colors and were honestly used primarily to distinguish one fighter from another. But here are deeper, more significant meanings. Culturally, all the native gods of Mexico wore animal masks. And more specifically, masks are a very special part of the Mexican culture and recall early hispanic times.The Aztecs had a very special elite in their society: The Caballeros Aguila (Eagle Knights); the highest-class soldiers were respected for their unique braveness and fighting skills. They used to wear a mask and a whole eagle outfit. The mask reflexed their status; it was intimidating and sacred.
And masks are mystical; they show another side of the personality of the person who wears it. In Lucha Libre, the mask gives the enmascarado(masked man) a free soul to express himself on the ring. As the popularity of the luchadores rose in the '50s so did their demand. At one point, the Mexican film industry's bread and butter was the production of Mexican wrestling films. El Santo himself starred in over 50 features, thus immortalizing his icon status in the world. The role of the luchador in popular Mexican culture quickly crossed the line between reality and fantasy. They became the incarnation of comic book superheroes. The mask is the ultimate symbol of lucha libre; it not only conceals the luchador's identity, but gives him the power and mysticism that is derived from prehispanic times. By wearing it, a luchador is akin to the noble samurai; They both follow a code and covet the tenants of honour, respect and courage above no other. To a luchador, losing their mask in battle is the ultimate dishonour.
And the mask is even a symbol of on of the other founding tenets of Mexican culture: family. The masks and identities are passed down from generation to generation. Santo was the Elvis of lucha libre in the 50's and 60's. Blue Demon, Lizmark, Espectro, Rayo de Jalisco, Pierroth, Doctor Wagner, Tinieblas, Rey Misterio and dozens more have sons or relatives giving their costumes a second life. Third and fourth generations are inevitable.
Which is why the most highly anticipated and biggest drawing matches in Mexican wrestling are always máscara contra mascara: mask vs mask.
Losing your mask isn’t just a major loss of stature for you but for those who wore it before you. That’s why this match is always used as either a pay-off for what is usually a years long feud, almost always held at a major even in front of huge crowds, and is either the sign of a luchador going through a major and permanent character change or retirement. Because according to the honor code that guides lucha libre--a wrestler's identity vanishes when he is unmasked. Camera flashes light the arena, and the wrestler's face appears in newspapers across Mexico. For fans, it's like watching a superhero being stripped of magical powers.
So when the WCW had its luchadors losing their masks seemingly without reason, it wa san insult and a disgrace to the fans who had followed men like Rey Misterio through not only their careers, but for generations before.
Being a luchador isn’t just about fame. Or money. Because if you make it in lucha, you won't just be a star. Soccer players can be stars. But a luchador, improbable as it sounds, can also be a hero. A legend.
When the original El Santo died, his funeral was among the largest in the history of Mexico. Tens of thousands flooded the streets of Mexico City outside the funeral parlour; he was, of course, buried in his mask..
And according to legend, on his deathbed Santo told his son El Hijo del Santo to carry on the tradition and to never lose the mask as part of match stipulation.
No wonder Santos--who usually discards the formal "de los" of his name--succinctly summed up his career one night for a Tijuana taxi driver while doing a December 2001 interview for the LA Times. The driver took in Santos' bulk and battered face. Was he a luchador?
"Por la vida," Santos shot back.
For life.