Why Mexico Loves Lucha Libre (and Why the World Does Too)

In this fully bilingual (Spanish/English) episode of Your Mexican Friend, Carlos takes you through the magic, the myth, and the business of Lucha Libre—from its modern origins in 1933 with Salvador Lutteroth and the birth of what we now know as CMLL, to its massive boom in the 1950s thanks to television. You’ll meet the legendary icons who shaped Mexico’s cultural identity—El Santo, Blue Demon, and Mil Máscaras—and discover why Lucha Libre is far more than a sport: it’s a universal story of the Técnico vs. the Rudo, a collective emotional release inside the arena, and a powerful symbol of identity and resilience. Carlos also breaks down the modern scene: CMLL vs. AAA (tradition and classic technique vs. spectacle and drama), and how Lucha Libre has become a global phenomenon through major international connections with AEW, WWE, and NJPW. Plus, you’ll get essential arena vocabulary so you can understand the energy and the chants. The episode closes with one clear idea: Lucha Libre reflects Mexico—colorful, loud, and always ready to rise after a fall.