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

Fourth Annual Sun Carnival - 1939

Ten second video of a Wells Fargo Stagecoach full of people ...

Southwest University Ball Park Groundbreaking

Southwest University Ball Park Groundbreaking in 2013. Women ...

Car Show 2013

Car Show in 2013

Chalk the Block 2009

Chalk the Block in 2009

Chalk the Block 2012

Chalk the Block in 2012

Chalk the Block 2014

Chalk the Block in 2014

Chico 2014

Chico in 2014

Chihuahuas Baseball Game 2014

Chihuahuas Baseball Game in 2014

Chihuahuas Uniforms 2014

Chihuahuas unveil the new uniforms in 2014

Chihuahuita 2013

Chihuahuita in 2013

Convention Center, El Paso, Texas 2010

Convention Center in 2010

El Paso International Airport 1943

Photo of the El Paso International Airport taken by William John ...

El Paso International Airport 1950's

Photo of the El Paso International Airport in the 1950's taken ...

El Paso Texas Airport Tower

The El Paso Texas airport tower taken by Ron Dawson in 1952

Crowd at the Plaza Theatre

Crowd at the Plaza Theatre 2013

Downtown Fireworks

Downtown Fireworks 2013

Downtown St. Fest

Downtown St. Fest 2013

DWNTWN Farmers Market

DWNTWN Farmers Market 2013

El Paso Marathon

El Paso Marathon 2013

El Paso Marathon

Marathon Runners on Montana St. El Paso, TX, 2014

Chalk the Block Art

In six years, Chalk The Block has become one of El Paso’s ...

Chalk the Block

Amazing what these artists can do!!! All done in CHALK! Super ...

home.search_collection