Lucha Libre Las Vegas brings playful action, colorful masks, and tales of good and evil to Sin City
On a sweaty summer afternoon, a line forms outside the Sahara Events Center. Kids, families, couples, and friends are waiting to see a theatrical battle between good and evil — which is to say, Lucha Libre Las Vegas. Lucha libre translates in Spanish as “free fight” and is a Mexican style of wrestling dating back more than a century. It’s distinguished in part by its aerial and acrobatic combinations, and even more so by the iconic masks (màscaras) worn by many, though not all, luchadores.
The show begins when the deep, raspy voice of the announcer signals the fighters to come out and rev up the audience. As they jump into the ring, you hear the uproarious echoes as they hit the floor.
Nicholas Cvjetkovich — known in the ring as Sinn Bodhi — is the creator of Lucha Libre Las Vegas. A veteran wrestler, Cvjetkovich has performed all over the world, including time spent in WWE as KiZarny. He also produced Freakshow Wrestling and coaches wrestlers.
“In all of Las Vegas there is such a big Latin population, but there’s no lucha libre,” Cvjetkovich says. “Well, I’ve been in Mexico wrestling, and I’ve wrestled luchadores all over the world, and I thought, ‘I live in Las Vegas. This would be a wonderful place to do lucha libre.’” For two years now, Lucha Libre Las Vegas has brought in fighters with names like Mariachi Loco, Ricky Mandell, Socal Crazy, Psychosis, Bestia 666, Puma King, Funnybone, Gabriel Gallo, “The Juice” Juventud Guerrera, and King’s Ran$om.
Also featured in the July event was an intermission appearance by El Matemàtico, a legend in the lucha libre community — his name is reflected in the numbers that decorate his màscara — who signed memorabilia, posed for pictures, and greeted fans. “I’ve been in wrestling for over 50 years, so I’m amazed that people still remember,” El Matemàtico says through a translator. “The people still know us, so it’s very rewarding.”
In addition to its high-flying moves and athleticism, not to mention the excitement of letting go of your nonviolent 9-to-5 demeanor, lucha libre brings a storytelling element to the mayhem. It’s all about good vs. evil.
Cvjetkovich describes the técnico, the beloved good guy: “The good guy is this good-looking Mexican hero who’s waving to the crowd and smiling.” Then out comes out the rudo (the bad guy, disliked by the crowd), which in July’s lucha libre event was none other than Sinn Bodhi. As the luchadores jump, hit, and slam each other, the 400-500 people surrounding the ring cheer the choreographed violence. When the rudo appears to get the upper hand, everyone boos. And when the técnico pins his opponent, the crowd counts in unison.
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“When we have our matches,” Cvjetkovich says, “when they get to see what the good guy does to the bad guy, the little kids get to see, ‘Ahh it doesn’t pay to be the bad guy.’ You’re kind of shrinking the heads of these little kids, letting them see the fight between good and evil. You know, it’s a really powerful tool, and I’m super flattered that we wield that tool.” In the end, the hero almost always prevails.
A week later, there’s a different dynamic between performers. Bodhi and Matemàtico are in the same place, not as rudo and técnico but as friends enthusiastic about lucha libre. They are there for wrestling students Cvjetkovich coaches. Matemàtico is giving them a seminar.
“People deserve smiles,” Cvjetkovich says, “and this is how I know to give it to them. Like, if I knew how to solve world peace or cure cancer, I would do that. But I’m not that smart. What I can do is be a fun-to-watch bad guy, and deliver fun-to-watch good guys, and deliver a smile that way.”
Lucha Libre Las Vegas October 28, 1:30p, Sahara Event Center, 800 E. Karen Ave., $15-$45 ($5 for children)