{"id":2991,"date":"2026-01-14T23:07:43","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T23:07:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.koren.korenscreativearts.com\/?p=2991"},"modified":"2026-01-15T02:06:51","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T02:06:51","slug":"mexico-city-day-5-part-2-lucha-libre","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.koren.korenscreativearts.com\/?p=2991","title":{"rendered":"Mexico City Day 5 Part 2 – Lucha Libre"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When Michelle, Lola and I were talking about this upcoming trip, Lola mentioned that she has always wanted to go to see Lucha Libre in Mexico City. Michelle was not at all interested in going. When I decided to come on the trip, I agreed to go with Lola so she would not have to fulfill this bucket list dream alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whenever I stayed with my Mom and Len growing up, Len would often be watching WWF in the 80s – the days of Hulk Hogan, Randy the Macho man Savage and Hacksaw Jim Duggan. I even went to see the WWF once with my friend Jason Tanner when he got tickets. So, although I was never passionate about it, I had early exposure to the professional wrestling genre of entertainment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lucha libre is the term for the style of professional wrestling originating in Mexico. They are known for their colourful masks, dramatic high flying aerial manoeuvres and audience participation. It was a cultural experience I was not going to pass up, and I certainly was interested in witnessing Lola realize her lifelong dream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was around a 20 minute walk to the Arena Mexico from our apartment. We knew we were getting close when we saw the bright lights emitting from the merch and snack vendors around the venue. The energy was palpable around the Venue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A mask (m\u00e1scara) vendor<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The entrance doors<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The concession stands near our seats<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We got there super early so we could soak up every part of the experience that we could. We were among the first ones there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Keeners!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The list of matches for the evening<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As usual, the focus was on the snacks. They were selling all sorts of chips, hotdogs, tostadas, fruit cups with hot sauce, beer with a salt rim, beer with a chili powder mixture on the rim\u2026the atmosphere was amazing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lola was so happy to be there – she dove right in and got the traditional beer with lemon juice in it, with salt on the rim, and palomitas (popcorn).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Of course the popcorn came with hot sauce<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Finally the time had come for the matches to start. The was so much fanfare in the introductions, huge screens, flashing lights, theme songs blaring, people cheering and booing, it was all calculated for maximum drama.<\/p>\n\n\n\n