10 Best Lucha Libre Wrestlers In The World Right Now
Dark characters, high-flyers and a whole load of masks...
To some fans more accustomed to the way WWE do things, the world of Lucha Libre seems like a bizarre one. On the surface, there are similarities, such as the colourful characters and over-the-top gimmicks that can often rule both, though that's where the parallels cease: Mexican wrestling is a very different beast.
Thankfully, Lucha Underground has managed to bridge the gap somewhat. Since hitting the wrestling landscape in 2014, the promotion has successfully brought major elements of Lucha to an audience more conditioned to expect WWE's format. Incredibly, the company has also helped revitalise the careers of names like Johnny Mundo and Rey Mysterio post-WWE.
That's success. As anyone who has watched both can attest, Lucha Underground is an excellent introduction to the world of Lucha Libre and other companies like AAA or CMLL.
Scanning the rosters of these three promotions makes it clear that talent is rife. The sheer beauty of the men and women involved here comes in their variety.
From more traditional high-flyers and speedsters, to dark characters and revitalised veterans, here are the best Lucha stars in the world today...
10. La Máscara
Holding the belt since 8 April 2016, La Máscara has been CMLL World Light-Heavyweight Champion for close to 300 days now. Making his debut way back in the year 2000, La Máscara (which literally translates to 'The Mask') is 34 years of age. That hasn't stopped him from continuing to be one of the finest Mexican wrestlers in the world today.
In Mexico, masks play a huge part in the culture of wrestling, making it meaningful when a performer has to take his off. That happened to La Máscara on 2 September, losing to Dragon Lee at CMLL's 83rd Anniversary Show. In the aftermath, he has continued to wrestle.
With or without the mask, Máscara had an excellent year. Winning the Leyanda De Plata tournament during the summer, he defeated Negro Casas to earn that distinction. Part of the Alvarado family (which also includes his father Brazo de Oro and other Mexican stars like Pyscho Clown), Máscara shows no signs of slowing down in 2017.
Although falling early on this list, he is fully deserving of a place on any examining the best Lucha stars.