When we arrived, I was surprised to see that it was an actual arena for Lucha Libre, with neon signs of masked wrestlers squaring off. I was so excited to enter! After a quick cactus taco, we were in line waiting for the match to start. Unfortunately my camera was confiscated at the door, so I relinquished it (keeping the memory card in a friend’s wallet, in case something should happen).
When I entered and took my seat, the action was already fully in progress. The ring was a blur of grown men flying through the air, flipping each other around like true masters of acrobatics, round sign girls, little people dressed like gorillas running through the crowd, children running up to the stage hoping to get wrestling masks signed by their hero, and fights in the audience.
This is what heaven must look like. Vendors walking through the aisles selling more food than we have ever seen at a sporting event. I had my choice from soda, popcorn, beer, ice cream, 6-inch pizzas, ramen noodles, coffee and doughnuts, cup of pork, popcorn and fruit salads.
We watched such professionals as Los Perros Malo, the ladies' favorite Marco Corleon, the crowd's favorite Mystique, and the Blue Panther, who wore a T-shirt thanking his fans for their commitment through his 30-year career. There were wild adventures in every corner of the ring, and every aisle of the arena as well! Fights in the crowd and chairs being thrown while wrestlers did handstands on the ropes and tried to demask one another. Although there was much talk of it, we did not see anyone get their hair cut, a rather serious public showing of defeat in the ring.
Other than the antics in the ring, my favorite spectacles were the 40+ men wearing their favorite wrestler’s mask and outfit, very seriously shouting at the wrestlers and the referees. Red faces screaming and making wild, obscene hand gestures, jumping from their seats and running up and down the aisles. I made the conclusion that they had used their children/grandchildren as excuses to watch the match themselves, since the younger viewers were mostly playing hand-held gaming systems.
After the excitement died down and people started filing out towards the lobby, we fought through the crowd at the concession stand and purchased merchandise of our new favorite wrestler, the Blue Panther. Outside the arena, the streets were filled with carts and tables of masks, shirts, mugs, and merchandise of many of the major players. I browsed, took photos, and basked in the excitement of the streets while people reenacted their favorite moments, or relived the various matches for friends who showed up too late. Even though it was less than 40° Fahrenheit, there was an electricity in the air as people collected at the little taco stands and bars that lined the streets.
Finally our group was all in one place, and it was time to head back to the hotel. I felt a little sad to leave that street, wanting the excitement to last a bit longer, but most of the patrons had already headed home and the big long cars of the wrestlers had all driven away. I got my camera and left.
We watched such professionals as Los Perros Malo, the ladies' favorite Marco Corleon, the crowd's favorite Mystique, and the Blue Panther, who wore a T-shirt thanking his fans for their commitment through his 30-year career. There were wild adventures in every corner of the ring, and every aisle of the arena as well! Fights in the crowd and chairs being thrown while wrestlers did handstands on the ropes and tried to demask one another. Although there was much talk of it, we did not see anyone get their hair cut, a rather serious public showing of defeat in the ring.
Other than the antics in the ring, my favorite spectacles were the 40+ men wearing their favorite wrestler’s mask and outfit, very seriously shouting at the wrestlers and the referees. Red faces screaming and making wild, obscene hand gestures, jumping from their seats and running up and down the aisles. I made the conclusion that they had used their children/grandchildren as excuses to watch the match themselves, since the younger viewers were mostly playing hand-held gaming systems.
After the excitement died down and people started filing out towards the lobby, we fought through the crowd at the concession stand and purchased merchandise of our new favorite wrestler, the Blue Panther. Outside the arena, the streets were filled with carts and tables of masks, shirts, mugs, and merchandise of many of the major players. I browsed, took photos, and basked in the excitement of the streets while people reenacted their favorite moments, or relived the various matches for friends who showed up too late. Even though it was less than 40° Fahrenheit, there was an electricity in the air as people collected at the little taco stands and bars that lined the streets.Finally our group was all in one place, and it was time to head back to the hotel. I felt a little sad to leave that street, wanting the excitement to last a bit longer, but most of the patrons had already headed home and the big long cars of the wrestlers had all driven away. I got my camera and left.
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