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MEXICO - The land of the wrestling mask. Lucha Libre consists mostly of colorful masked men, a pervasive tradition based on the popularity of such stars as EL SANTO and BLUE DEMON in the 1950's. The mask is not only a costume tradition, it is also a major dramatic device - mask vs. mask matches are the height of lucha rivalries, and wrestlers unmasked usually go through major attitude and career changes (Cien Caras was a popular masked man, the unmasked Caras has since become one of Mexicos foremost villains).

MIL MASCARAS is the archetypal masked luchador - flamboyant, elegant, acrobatic, a film hero on the screen and a prolific influence in the Ring. Mascaras, like all the finer masked men, remains in his masked identity when out of the ring as well.

Whether attending a gala film premiere or sharing a martini with a hot little deb at a cocktail lounge, it's done under the mask.

Lucha libre has a unique Ring tradition. Masks, character identities, and related honor aside, Mexican fighters are traditionally more agile, throw exotic moves that would challenge any circus acrobat, and play the crowds better than anyone. Lucha libre has several different weight classes, many catered to smaller agile fighters who can start in the Ring in their early to mid teens.

This system breeds dynamic young superstars such as REY MYSTERIO, JR. and JUVENTUD GURRERA, flyers with years of experience, even though they're only in their early twenties. With so many weight classes, Mexico has by far the largest wrestling population, with more championship matches and rivalries than Japan and North America combined.

Another tradition in lucha libre is the continuing family line serving one character identity. Santo was the Elvis of lucha libre in the 50's and 60's. He passed his famous silver mask onto his son, who to this day is one of the world's topmost Ring stars. Blue Demon, Lizmark, Espectro, Rayo de Jalisco, Pierroth, Doctor Wagner, Tinieblas, and dozens more have sons or relatives giving their costumes a second life. Third and fourth generations are inevitable.

JAPAN - Japan's wrestling is the best in the world. That's not as bold or opinionated a statement as you1d think, it can be supported with plain statistics, and most wrestling journalists concur. Japanese wrestlers work harder, throw more moves per match, and master wider menus of exotic and spectacular moves than anyone else. Wrestling has bigger crowds and makes more money in Japan, and there are dizzying numbers of promotions in such a small country. Japanese women's wrestling is arguably the world's best overall. Our fascination with Japanese wrestling begins with one character - TIGER MASK.

Tiger Mask was a successful comic and cartoon wrestling hero as early as the late 60's, but in the early 80's, the fictional character was brought to life when phenomenal junior heavyweight Satoru Sayama adopted the costume for use in the Ring. Suddenly, a superhero was flying around the Ring like no one had ever seen before, having mastered moves from Mexico, and invented dozens more to rival the super-powered exploits of his fictional namesake. Tiger Mask made the acrobatic junior weight division all the rage.

Four men have since assumed the mantle of Tiger Mask. JUSHIN 'THUNDER' LIGER, an Ultraman/ Shogun Warrior-esque hero who also came to life in the Ring, took the high-flyer costumed warrior motif to even higher levels, followed by the lucha-oriented ULTIMO DRAGON.

Japan is now littered with flashy masked men and women. Japanese costuming is different than Mexican, flashier, certainly shinier, and more three-dimensional (lots of folks have horns, antennae, wild animal hair, etc.) Samurai armor and kabuki costuming traditions are evident today in wrestling gear.

MICHINOKU PRO is a promotion deserving of mention here. We call it the superhero federation. The latest incarnation of Tiger Mask fights here, as does perhaps the world's best daredevil high flyer, the GREAT SASUKE. There's lots of masked men, and the influence of lucha libre is evident in match structure, wrestling style and costuming. Michinoku has goofy monkey boys, mythological characters, medieval warriors, crab-headed grapplers and acrobatic super dolphins.

U.S.A. - Masked men are an oddity here, often possessed of a side show quality that audiences always want to see exposed. Few masked men have ever made careers under the hood, but the exceptions are notable. In the 50's and 60's the masked man was a mainstay of then novel TV coverage. The DESTROYER, the BOLOS, and DR. X stayed true to their masks, even after the initial novelty was gone. The 70's and 80's saw many hooded stars; MR. WRESTLING spent a lifetime under the hood, as did his protege MR. WRESTLING II - two of the best mat technicians ever. The more sinister MASKED SUPERSTAR was their scientific equal, and his skills brought him respect in Japan as well. The SPOILER was a terror - the rock of the fledgling Legion of Doom, a master of rope walking long before the Undertaker.

Masks have more often been used to temporarily hide the identities of known superstars on the lamb. Andre the Giant, Dusty Rhodes, George ‘The Animal Steele, even Roddy Piper, Big John Studd and Don Muroco - all were great in masks.

The 90's, however, has seen a notable absence of masked men. MR. JL is cool enough, but not with that name... The PATRIOT is now an expatriate, fighting exclusively for All Japan Pro Wrestling. Even worse, American promoters have begun stealing foreign masks for their own use. Al Snow became AVATAR in the WWF, dressed in a HAYABUSA costume from Japan. Pat Tanaka donned what looked like a consumer-grade Tiger Mask hood and became international superstar El Gato for a WCW pay-per-view. This is truly shameless. Wrestling in a country where masks denote hidden shame or lack of creative characterization - it's no wonder the people under them prefer to remain unknown.

The Rasslin' Magazine FROM PARTS UNKNOWN is a publication dedicated entirely to masked wrestlers, from the squared circle to the silver screen and everywhere in between. If interested, please see their listing in the Museum's subscription info wing, or email Editor-in-Cheif Mr. Unknown at:

bluedemon@earthlink.net