The News
Thursday 28 of March 2024

Lucha Libre and the Fight Against Stress


Renowned wrestler, El Hijo del Santo, walks by the Lucha Libre photography exhibition currently being shown on the railings of Parque Chapultepec on Paseo de la Reforma,photo: Cuartoscuro/Tercero Díaz
Renowned wrestler, El Hijo del Santo, walks by the Lucha Libre photography exhibition currently being shown on the railings of Parque Chapultepec on Paseo de la Reforma,photo: Cuartoscuro/Tercero Díaz
The Arena Coliseo has seen in its ring numerous famous fighters like El Santo, among many others who have entertained returning families and visitors for decades

Last-minute purchases, sticking of buttons to uniforms and much more traffic than normal were some of the results of the first week of classes. In the streets, children longing for vacations looked puzzled.

The Arena Coliseo has seen in its ring numerous famous fighters like El Santo, among many others who have entertained returning families and visitors for decades.

The construction of the sports center in which both boys and men find a bit of calm through releasing the stress accumulated during the week was built by Salvador Lutteroth, the man considered the father of Mexican wrestling. After winning the lottery, he decided to invest in the construction of Arena Coliseo.

Located on the the street República de Perú, in the center of the Mexican capital, the area has stood for 74 years and was built on what was a corralón (a large yard), that also hosted a wrestling school responsible for wrestlers like Rey Bucanero, Valiente, and Disturbio, to mention but a few.

Classes that are being held here are a fantastic way to eliminate any tension accumulated during the week. The fun begins on Friday and ends on Sundays, however, it is necessary to check to see if there are spaces before booking. The entrance cost begins at 60 pesos.

The Arena México de Lucha Libre, located on the street Doctor Lavista, in the Doctores neighborhood, has seen emblematic fighters like the Perro Aguayo, Conan and and Hijo de Santo walk through its corridors. The best times to visit are Tuesdays and Fridays.

Also known as the Coloso de la Doctores, it is an enclosure whose construction dates from 1956, and it was Salvador Lutteroth who was again was responsible for its creation. Due to the success of the Arena Coliseo and the need to attend to the incredible popularity of wresting during the 40s and 50s one-on-one fights, over the years they have passed between their spectator seats of circus sets, ice shows and concerts.

One-on-one fights are not the only events to witness here. Over the years circus sets, ice shows and concerts have all taken place.

At present it is the headquarters of the World Wrestling Council (Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre), as well as the Mexican Wrestling Company (Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre). The functions are on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. and Fridays at 8:30 p.m., while the entrance fee is 110 pesos.

MARIÁNGEL CALDERÓN