Lucha Libre: Stories from the Ring, El Paso Edition

Lucha Libre: Stories from the Ring, El Paso Edition

The exhibition tells the history of Lucha Libre, its connections to the border region, and the stories that have come from the sport. Lucha Libre: Stories from the Ring, El Paso edition, will showcase stories, sponsors and memorabilia all related to local Lucha Libre history. The Museum of History has partnered with the City of Las Cruces Museums to bring the exhibition to El Paso. The original exhibition opened at the Branigan Cultural Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico, in the spring of 2020, but it had to be cut short because of the COVID-19 pandemic. "Lucha Libre has a rich history that dates back over a century and is characterized for its over-the-top performances and supposed macho atmosphere. Although, the theatrical sport is beyond that. Lucha Libre combines athleticism, theater, dance, story, and the visual arts. Lucha Libre became a popular sport in the early 1900s; however, the origins date back to the late 1800s. There was a form of wrestling in the United Sates that was more theatrical and included a stage. This form of wrestling influenced Italian businessman and veteran of the Mexican revolution Salvador Lutterroth to start a company called EMLL (Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre). After seeing several wrestling matches in El Paso, Texas, Lutteroth took his company EMLL to Mexico and began promoting shows through the 1920s and 1930s. The demonstrations were held in Mexico City and were classified as the poor man's sport because they were rudimentary and held in the poorest neighborhoods. The sport became extremely popular during the following decades and by the 1950s, luchadores began wearing masks, which was initiallv an American tradition. The masks were then used to develop a character and depending on the colors and designs used, the crowd could determine whether they were the tecnicos (good guys) or the rudos (bad guys). It became iconic after the debut of Santo el Enmascarado de Plata, a famous luchador and film actor. By the 1960s and 1970s other independent wrestling companies began to rival EMLL and helped grow the popularity of Lucha Libre. In the 1980s, a wave of luchadores activist began to emerge after a devastating earthquake in Mexico City. Many residents were left without a home, many were evicted, and the city had to be rebuilt. This social anxiety and unrest caused an assembly of Barrios to march and rally for the government to housing credits. Out of this unrest a luchador called Super Barrio emerged becoming the staple of the marches and protests. Since the 1980s Lucha Libre not only stands as a form of entertainment and cultural staple but as a symbol used to organize communities and stand for social inequalities. By the 1990s Mexican Lucha Libre was introduced to the United States, when several luchadores were featured on television. Since then, Lucha Libre has become a transnational phenomenon and recognized for thepresentation, athleticism, unique style, elaborate attire, masks, and stories. Lucha Libre: Stories From The Ring highlights Lucha Libre's cultural, historical, and social political importance whileshowing the fun, unique, cultural aspect of it." -Norma Hartell, Curator, City of Las Cruces Museums

Área: Central / Downtown

Fuente: El Paso Museum of History; Las Cruces Museums

Cargado por: El Paso Museum of History

Comentarios

Hacer un comentario
Gracias por su comentario

Reportar esta entrada

Elige la razón más importante para este reporte

Tu nombre

Tu correo electrónico

Detalle opcional

Gracias por su reporte

Más sobre la misma comunidad-colección

Libro de recuerdos de Aultman

This is a collage of photos of photographers, including Otis ...

Aultman y amistades

This is a collection of photographs including photographer Otis ...

Libro de recuerdos de Aultman, "Pancho" Villa

Photos of photographer Otis Aultman's subjects, as well as ...

Aultman

Caricatures and photos show members of the El Paso Adventurers ...

Aultman llegó a El Paso

This is a photo of Aultman when he arrived in El Paso, TX on ...

Conozca al Sr. Aultman

Aultman died from a fall in his studio in 1943. Subsequently, ...

Tranvía

This streetcar was one of the streetcars which connected El Paso ...

Mandy

Mandy the Mule is an icon in El Paso's history and represents ...

Mandy la mula

Mandy the Mule is an icon in El Paso's history and represents ...

Flores

The image captures the flowers blooming downtown.

Hotel Camino Real

The image shows the front of the Camino Real Hotel. Built in ...

El Dedo Pistolero de Pancho Villa

At Dave’s Pawn Shop in downtown, one can buy "El Dedo ...

Daves Casa de Empeño

This Elvis Presley figure is standing in front of Dave’s Pawn ...

Mr. Hats

This store is called Mr. Hats and is located on South El Paso ...

La Chiquita

La Chiquita is a store on South El Paso Street.

Guadalajara Restaurant y Muebles y Mas

The Guadalajara Restaurant and the store Muebles y Mas are both ...

"Yo compro mis Levi's aqui" rotulo

This sign can be seen in downtown El Paso. It advertises jeans ...

Puesto en el Centro

The picture of this stand was taken in downtown El Paso. It ...

Starr Western Wear

Star Western Wear is a store which sells western clothing and ...

Viva Villa - Mexican Cantina

Viva Villa - Mexican Cantina is a restaurant and bar in downtown ...

The Tap - El Paso, Tejas

The Tap is a lounge and restaurant in downtown El Paso, Texas. ...

Perfumeria Rachelle

The perfumery Rachelle is located in downtown El Paso.

Anny Fashion

Anny Fashion is a store in downtown El Paso located at South ...

home.search_collection