10 Greatest Wrestlers In Lucha Libre History
These brave Luchadores have secured their place in the pantheon of modern-day gladiators.
All the lights fade suddenly; the loud chatter slowly turns into absolute silence. People rush to their seats; popcorn and beer vendors stop for a second to stare at the gliding lights in the center of the ring. A catchy rock song plays in the background, any catchy rock song will do. I was made for loving you, baby, or Welcome to the jungle, it's all the same. The lights dont matter, the song is kind of irrelevant. The first luchador appears without warning: a demigod of entertainment manifested in the flesh. For one night only.
Lucha Libre is a Mexican contact sport with more than a century of tradition under its belt (championship pun definitely intended). Some historians consider it to be a curiosity imported from Europe during the late nineteenth century. Other experts believe that it arose from "barrios" or slums, where violent conditions are the order of the day. First established at improvised tents, Lucha Libre now holds some of the most astonishing events in Mexican professional sports.
Even to this very day, the aspiration to become a famous pro luchador is a dream for millions of kids in the Aztec lands. Kids whose innocent hearts are still able to recognize between good and evil. The legends that paved the way so this sport could grow and prosper are unforgettable characters in the minds of many. These are perhaps the greatest of the greats.
10. Octagón/Octagon
Status: Active.
The self-named "Master of the Eight Angles", Octagón is a Mexican wrestler whose career reached peak popularity during the late 1990s. As a luchador, one of his most recognizable traits is his wide array of martial arts moves, as well as an impressive set of acrobatic abilities that soon gained the applause of both young and veteran fans.
The man behind the white and red mask is named Juan Escalera, born in 1961 in the Mexican state of Veracruz. This seasoned warrior has recently stated that his wrestling days are numbered, an inescapable event that will leave a void in the Lucha Libre scene as it is known today.
One of Octagon's most celebrated battles took place in 1994 against Art Barr and Eddie Guerrero, the so-called "Gringos Locos". This agonizing victory, while in a tag team with The Son of El Santo, was ultimately claimed by Octagón's team. Unfortunately, he suffered a nasty injury (or did he?) and was rushed out of the ring before the end of the match. In the following video, you can watch the entire ordeal unfold into glorious mayhem: