Lucha Libre: Mexico City’s Most Exhilirating Attraction
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Mexico City is a vibrant metropolis where the past and the present come together to create a rich mixture of culture, history, and heritage. The city is a playground filled with endless entertainment opportunities. World famous museums sit within striking distance of stunning public parks and unforgettable culinary experiences can be found at every turn. The people are friendly, the food is cheap and the city pulses with a radiant energy. It’s one of the greatest cities on the planet and is a favorite of many travelers, myself included. Someone who doesn’t love Mexico City is someone I don’t want to be around. With all the great sights and sounds the city has to offer, there is one attraction that will undoubtedly be the highlight of any trip to Mexico. An unforgettable event that captures the spirit of the city and its people in a dramatic clash of culture, athleticism, and entertainment. Lucha Libre is Mexico City’s most exhilarating attraction.
The History Of Luche Libre
Luche Libre isn’t a new phenomenon in Mexico, it’s been a cultural staple for over a century. Its roots date back to the French Intervention in Mexico that started in 1861. During their time there, the French would hold displays of Greco-Roman wrestling for entertainment purposes, because there’s no better way to escape the violence of war than by watching the good ol’ violence of wrestling. A Mexican man by the name of Enrique Ugartechea saw these displays and was inspired to do some wrestling of his own. He took the traditional Greco-Roman wrestling techniques and combined them with his own free-style moves. With this combination of conventional wrestling and Mexican flair, Lucha Libre, or “Free fight” in English, was born. The popularity of Lucha Libre began to grow over the following years, but the sport didn’t gain nationwide popularity until 1933 when Salvador Lutteroth founded the first wrestling league in Mexico, Empresa Mexicana De Lucha Libre (The Mexican Wrestling Enterprise). Worldwide popularity soon followed as Lucha Libre was broadcast on Television for the first time in the 1950s, and the rest is history. Luchadors became the new stars of Mexico.
A Luchador Stands On The Top Rope In Arena Mexico
What To Expect
Today, Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre (EMLL) is now called Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) and is the most prominent wrestling league in all of Mexico. The Luche Libre matches of the CMLL are an absolute spectacle. They are a beautiful marriage of pageantry and acrobatics, like a mix of Cirque De Soleil and Carnival. It’s sensory overload in the best way imagineable. Athletes adorned in ornate, flamboyant costumes combine high-flying aerobatics with choreographed fight moves in one of the most entertaining spectacles you’ll ever witness. The two-hour show is filled with dramatic entrances, eccentric characters, and impressive pyrotechnics. The air in the stadium is absolutely electric and the crowd becomes another character participating in the show. Thunderous cheers, deafening boos, and the occasional Spanish curse word ring out constantly as the Luchadors trade blows. The stunts are impressive, with athletes jumping off the ring’s ropes and flying through the air before colliding with each other in dramatic fashion. I almost tore my ACL just watching from the stands. As soon as I’d think I’d seen the peak of their talents, a performer would complete a new stunt that would leave me awestruck. When the Luchadors step inside the ring, anything can happen.
The cast of characters is a diverse one, filled with men and women of all shapes, sizes, and personalities beating on each other for your entertainment. Each match is soap opera-esque, filled with heroes, villains, and dramatic plot twists that keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Luchadors regularly take the fight outside of the ring, often throwing each other into the barrier that separates the crowd and performers, putting those in attendance right next to the action. The lively atmosphere of the crowd is infectious and as the cervezas flow, you’ll find yourself yelling “Puta!” at the “Rudos” (Bad guys) as your Mexican seat neighbors give you a thumbs up of approval. Here’s a look at what watching a Lucha Libre Match in Arena Mexico is like:
How To See Lucha Libre
Lucha Libre can be seen in various parts of the country, but you’re doing yourself a disservice if you aren’t witnessing it in all its glory at Arena Mexico in Mexico City. Not only is it the largest and most popular venue to watch these world-class athletes put on a show, but it also has the richest history of any Lucha Libre Arena. Remember when I mentioned Salvador Lutteroth earlier? He began the construction of the arena in the early 1950s when the popularity of the sport had expanded past the capacity of the original arena, Arena Coliseo. Since then, it’s where Lucha Libre has continued to expand and where its Luchadors have turned into nationwide celebrities. It’s not where the sport got its start, but it’s where It made a name for itself. It’s the symbol of Lucha Libre in Mexico. It’s Mexico City’s Coliseum and the masked fighters who put on a show within its walls are its gladiators. When the Luchadors first appear in the tunnel through the haze of smoke that fills the arena, their intricate costumes glimmer from the bright lights and the crowd comes alive. You can feel the rich history of the stadium and how important these wrestlers are to the people of Mexico. It’s an atmosphere like no other and the main reason why Arena Mexico is THE place to see these athletes in action.
There are plenty of opportunities to see Lucha Libre during a trip to Mexico City. At Arena Mexico, there are shows every week on Tuesday and Friday nights. There is also a Sunday afternoon show that is more family-oriented if you’re intimidated by the rowdy nature of the regular shows. If you can’t make it to Arena Mexico on any of the days they perform, Arena Coliseo also has CMLL events every Saturday night. So if you’re taking a trip to the city, you’ll most likely have multiple opportunities to watch these high-flyers in action.
The best part about Lucha Libre is that you can buy tickets online or at the venue for about 215 Mexican Pesos, which converts to about 11 U.S. dollars, which converts to “buy the damn ticket” in whatever currency you use. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better bang for your buck entertainment-wise in all of Mexico, or all of the world for that matter. Theres also street vendors selling food and drinks outside the arena, as well as many bars and restaurants in the immediate vicinity. A Lucha Libre centered night out is a must-do activity on any trip to Mexico City, especially if you are on a trip with a group.
It’s also easy to get to. Ubers and Taxis are readily available and affordable throughout the city. Arena Mexico is also only a few blocks from the Cuauhtémoc Metro Station.
Final Thoughts
Lucha Libre is the weirdest, most exhilarating, and just downright most entertaining party you can attend in all of Mexico. If you’re a fan of sports, theater, or if you’re looking for a uniquely exhilarating way to spend a night in CDMX, Lucha Libre is a must-see. So next time you’re in Mexico, head down to Arena Mexico, buy yourself a Luchador mask, grab a beer, and join the biggest party in town.