In Mexico, Lucha Libre is a way of life. It literally means freestyle wrestling, and Luchadores have become famous all around the world for their high-flying moves and dazzling athletic prowess.

It is also known for wrestlers wearing masks, which, although many do not wear one, are still considered sacred in the beloved Mexican sport. Masks are so important that losing one is considered a mark of shame.

Lucha Libre has become so ingrained in Mexico that it has become culturally significant. In fact, Mexico City, the capital of the country, has officially declared Mexican Lucha Libre as part of its intangible cultural heritage.

The 5 Lucha Libre Wrestlers Who Changed the Game

We take a look at five luchadores who have significantly changed the sport. These five are perhaps the most special wrestlers from Mexico or of Mexican heritage, to have used the Lucha Libre style of wrestling.

El Santo

Of course, no list of important luchadores can ever be complete without the man himself, El Santo. According to What Culture, his silver mask is one of the most iconic images in all of wrestling, and not just in Mexican Lucha Libre.

A national icon for all of Mexico, El Santo was already a multimedia star even before that term was coined, appearing in movies and even having his own comic book series. Having El Santo appear back in the day would draw huge crowds as well. And if he appeared on a particular TV show, that show would garner high ratings. He was such a beloved icon for Mexico that his star shone beyond the wrestling ring, garnering him both national and international fame.

He started his professional wrestling career in 1934 and retired in 1985. When he died, he was buried with his mask on.

Rey Mysterio Jr.

While not the original Rey Mysterio –that man is his uncle– Rey Mysterio Jr. brought Lucha Libre into the mainstream around the world. While he was already popular in Mexico, he became more famous in WCW and ECW. However, his stint at WWE brought him the most fame.

Following the death of wrestling great Eddie Guerrero, he was thrust into the main event scene, winning the Royal Rumble and then eventually winning the World Heavyweight title from Kurt Angle and Randy Orton at Wrestlemania. These days he is just tag teaming with Edge and his son Dominik.

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Demonio Azul/Blue Demon

After El Santo, his nemesis Blue Demon is considered the second most important Mexican Luchador of all time. However, while El Santo was the greatest Babyface, Blue Demon was the greatest heel, or the bad guy. Together with the Black Shadow, they terrorized the Lucha Libre scene, often only getting vanquished by El Santo himself.

Mil Mascaras

Satoru Sayama, the original Tiger Mask, had so much prasie for him, stating that without him, other international wrestlers would not have succeeded. He introduced many of the most well-known Lucha Libre moves such as the Plancha into the United States, paving the way for future Luchadores to perform and compete in the U. S.

He wrestled former WWF champion Billy Graham, entered the Royal Rumble, and his nephew Alberto del Rio soon became WWE champion.

Gory Guerrero

The Guerrero family is perhaps one of the most dominant wrestling families on earth. While his son, WWE Hall of Famer Eddie Guerrero, is undoubtedly the most popular member of the family, the most important one is the family patriarch himself, Gory Guerrero.

He is perhaps one of the most important unmasked wrestlers to ever hail from Mexico, engaging in bloody contests that are still being talked about in Mexico today.

He innovated the submission move La de a caballo, better known as the Camel Clutch, as well as the gory special. Of all the Luchadores in this list, Gory was the most technical, and also one of the most brutal. His legacy includes his children, Chavo, Mando, Hector, and of course, Eddie, the first Latino to ever win the WWE championship, as well as the first luchador to ever unmask.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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