A high-flying form of professional wrestling, lucha libre, or “free fighting,” originated in Mexico in the 1930s. Founder Salvador Lutteroth, inspired by Texas wrestling, brought athlete/performers south until Mexicans, Spanish, and Central Americans took up the sport. Today, it stretches throughout Latin America and influences pro-wrestling in the United States as well as popular culture worldwide.

Lucha libre matches usually feature masked wrestlers in scripted, soap-opera like performances. The “luchadores,” or fighters, are traditionally divided between “tecnicos,” good guys who follow the rules, and “rudos,” the “rough” bad guys. Their headware signifies animals, gods, ancient heroes, and other archetypes. Virtually all fighters begin their careers with masks, but almost all will be unmasked, after losing special matches, before retiring.

Mexico.

Also, check out articles in New America Media category: Latino