In Pictures: Lucha Libre at Mole De Mayo
By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on May 29, 2012 10:00PM
We aren't ashamed to admit to being pro wrestling fans here at Chicagoist. When two pro wrestlers whose styles mesh seamlessly get into a ring and practice their art (and pro wrestling is an art akin to theater) they can enthrall a crowd with the story they tell. From the packed arenas that current WWE champion (and Wicker Park resident) CM Punk works to the suburban VFW halls where the next generation of Punks hone their craft, wrestlers can catch lightning in a bottle and cast a spell over a crowd.
The lucha libre style of wrestling popular in Mexico has evolved over the years from the pioneering work of masked wrestlers such as Blue Demon, Santo, and Mil Mascaras (all considered heroes south of the border) to the fast-paced acrobatic style employed by the likes of WWE's Rey Mysterio, who may go down pound for pound as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. The luchadores at last weekend's Mole de Mayo festival in Pilsen did their best to entertain the audience in a blazing hot sun and, for a moment, dream of larger venues.