Lucha Libre: They Came, They Conquered

What do you get if you mix muscle men, midgets, transvestites, skin-tight costumes, sequins and sweat? One of the funniest and strangest nights out in London: Lucha Libre arrived…and then departed.

Similar to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Lucha Libre (Spanish for ‘free wrestling’) is a form of professional wrestling incorporating acrobatic moves, colourful masks and amazingly choreographed sequences. The contestants are known as Luchadores and their performances are highly acrobatic. The rules of the game include, amongst others: no kicking, punching or head butting of the groin area, and never removing your opponent’s mask.

The Roundhouse in Camden was host to this highly popular,  if somewhat odd, sporting phenomenon from Mexico for four days only this week. A large centre stage wresting ring was where the action took place, but with the insanely high-flying acrobatics of the contestants just as much time was spent in the air, on the floor and cajoling with the audience.

First on was the grand dame of the ‘Los Exoticas’ a ‘Miss’ Ruby Gardenia. With an elaborately feathered head-dress and some sexy sways of the hip, Miss Gardenia proceeded to take out her opponent in a flamboyantly feminine style.

Next it was a tag team of three ‘little people’ versus three rather muscular Luchadores. It was strange seeing the smaller contestants, one clad in a Power Ranger-style suit, being flung all over the stage. The wee men moved quickly around the ring as they packed a punch and had some brilliantly choreographed moves that caught their larger opponents somewhat unawares.

With Mascarita Dorada, the mini-troll from Jack Black’s flick Nacho Libre, making an appearance the show satirised the professional world of wrestling with a theatrical cocktail of comedy, style and cabaret. The only thing missing was the audience, as a sparsely populated Roundhouse did not add enough crowd atmosphere to feed the frenzy of the performers.