View source for Thinking of Lucha Libre as a Martial Art

Is Lucha Libre (free fighting) genuinely a style of martial art? It is a question quite a few will ask given that Lucha Libre is the traditional Mexican form of pro wrestling. Lucha Libre isn't really like what you'd think of as pro wrestling somewhere else. The wrestlers put on fancy and flamboyant outfits and are very popular for wearing one of a kind masks. In many ways, a Lucha Libre wrestler will embody the image of a superhero come to life.



You will find of course the physical art of motion and fighting executed in a melodramatic manner by the wrestlers, many of whom started off in traditional wrestling. It is still tough to equate Lucha Libre with a martial art. They need to learn the art of wrestling to be able to make it look good on the stage. So Mexican Lucha Libre wrestlers in training learn all of the traditional wrestling movements. Naturally, these are all elements of "real" wrestling. Depending on the school where a person starts his training, more or less amateur wrestling may be weaved into the mix.



Interestingly, Mil Mascaras was the embodiment of a high flying superhero and when he wasn't wrestling, he was making motion pictures where he frequently fought monsters and super-villains. Before becoming a star of films and Lucha Libre, he was an experienced amateur wrestler.  [http://www.bfkarate.com indianapolis children's self defense] He could very easily "tie another person in knots" with his amateur wrestling ability. Just as he was a good wrestler, he has incorporated that skill with body building and acting to be a great Lucha Libre artist.



Lucha Libre wrestlers need to experience a lot of the same training as authentic wrestlers, even though obviously having the same knowledge is not the same as having the same experiences. Understanding a number of the fundamentals of proper amateur wrestling helps infuse some basic grappling style fighting skill which can always prove very helpful as far as self-defense is concerned. It is crucial for Lucha Libre wrestlers to know self-defense. Usually, they have to face certain fans and would-be tough guys outside of the ring. Crazy supporters usually jump right in or make aggressive actions towards wrestlers during the match ups. Often times fans could become overheated and try to accost a wrestler who is walking down the aisle back to the locker room. However, even away from work, where ever wrestlers go and are recognized, they might get mauled. Often, altercations in bars and clubs can be extremely violent. Wrestlers do have to be tough as they never know when they will likely have to face a challenge. If they were not, they may not last long in the game.

 

There's a bizarre convergence happening between MMA and Lucha Libre. It is possible that the submission wrestling that complements MMA will undercut the amateur wrestling basis of Lucha Libre. You will not go with a Lucha Libre fighter in a fight against an authentic martial artist, but the Lucha Libre artist might be the most interesting. Perhaps rather than just watching, you may decide to give it a try.