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Lucha libre
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<p><i>Lucha libre</i> is the term for the style of <a href="/facts/Professional_wrestling/wtYLlT50">professional wrestling</a> originating in <a href="/facts/Mexico/IT5bwhdh">Mexico</a>. Since its introduction to Mexico in the early 20th century, it has developed into a unique form of the genre, characterized by colorful <a href="/facts/Wrestling_mask/NEvfRI1H">masks</a>, rapid sequences of holds and maneuvers, and <a href="/facts/Professional_wrestling_aerial_techniques/9UARUYyy">high-flying aerial techniques</a>, some of which have been adopted by wrestlers in the <a href="/facts/United_States/P0sCdLe5">United States</a>, <a href="/facts/Japan/U5mz0SRT">Japan</a>, and elsewhere. The wearing of masks has developed special significance, and matches are sometimes contested in which the loser must permanently remove his mask, which is a wager with a high degree of weight attached. <a href="/facts/Tag_team/bpuTMbF7">Tag team</a> wrestling is especially prevalent in <i>lucha libre</i>, particularly matches with three-member teams, called <i>trios</i>. </p><p>Although in English the term specifically refers to the Mexican style of theatrical professional wrestling, in Mexico (and certain other Spanish-speaking territories) it can refer to other kinds of <a href="/facts/Wrestling/mTFzecQw">wrestling</a>, including competitive <a href="/facts/Amateur_wrestling/7qv7PlRF">amateur wrestling</a> (<i>es:lucha libre olímpica</i>) and professional wrestling in general (<i>es:lucha libre profesional</i>) in addition to Mexican professional wrestling in particular (<i>es:lucha libre mexicana</i>). However, in <a href="/facts/Spain/bIyrB8EY">Spain</a> (as well as with certain other Spanish-speaking territories and non-Anglophone European countries) professional wrestling is known as "catch". </p><p>Male <i>lucha libre</i> wrestlers are known as <i>luchadores</i> (singular <i>luchador</i>) while female <i>lucha libre</i> wrestlers are known as <i>luchadoras</i> (singular <i>luchadora</i>). Mexican wrestlers often come from <a href="/facts/List_of_family_relations_in_professional_wrestling/IWxTW27F">extended wrestling families</a>, who often form their own <a href="/facts/Stable_(professional_wrestling)/Uhv1cA22">stables</a>. One such familial line integrated to the United States professional wrestling scene is <a href="/facts/Guerrero_family/LNfcamgW">the Guerreros</a>. </p><p>In 2018, Mexican <i>lucha libre</i> was declared an <a href="/facts/Intangible_cultural_heritage/3bXsRUoc">intangible cultural heritage</a> of <a href="/facts/Mexico_City/gEnGxDEd">Mexico City</a> by the head of the Government of Mexico City. </p>