Five Epiphanies At Lucha VaVoom

Justin Shady

Lucha VaVoom at the Mayan, June 24

​Last night, I saw Lucha VaVoom at the Mayan Theater. Having never seen a wrestling match in my life, I was unprepared for the gaudy fun of it all--the masked Mexican wrestlers prancing around the ring throwing each other around, midgets in chicken costumes, almost-nude women dancing to mariacha-cha songs and a wrestler whose whole schtick was being a douche. In a nutshell, Lucha VaVoom is comedy sports + striptease + cartoon characters and skill. 

Justin Shady

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Since it began in August 2002, Lucha VaVoom has toured the country (and the world), but perform a couple of shows every year in LA's Mayan Theatre. The characters are as colorful as the matches. There's Dirty Sanchez, who wears a handlebar mustache, a fake penis and performs with his butt showing; there's the Crazy Chickens, who crow around the ring as they fight, the Chupacabras, named after a Mexican monster and many more.

Lilledeshan Bose

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Lucha Libre ("free fight") is a wrestling style that's been around since the 1930s. Rudos are the villains and Technicos are the heroes, and usually, the Technicos always win. What makes it a lot more fun is the involvement of lights and sounds--when the Dirty Chickens make their moves, happy hardcore plays over the loudspeakers.  Here's what I realized after last night:

1. Your life isn't complete until you've seen a wrestling match live. Same goes for Burlesque shows.
There's something about watching 200-pound men throw each other around while dressed in ridiculous get-ups that makes you appreciate every breath you take on this earth. (Conversely, the same can be said for seeing a wild Argentinean chick's butt shake like a seismograph during an 8.7 earthquake.)

Justin Shady

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2. I have the coolest building manager on earth.
Sergio Garcia is our building manager. He is also a wrestling trainer; he's been one for 35 years. He did the stunts for the Jack Black movie Nacho Libre and referees all Lucha VaVoom fights. I knew this peripherally when we signed our lease, but didn't realize how badass he was until I saw him crowdsurf last night for a total of FIVE TIMES. He's 56, people! How awesome!

Justin Shady

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3. Wrestling might be fake, but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt.
Here's Dirty Sanchez preparing to jump on a Rudo. I bet they all come out of these matches wanting mega doses of Fentanyl.

Lilledeshan Bose

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4. Not all co-option of ethnic events are bad.
Lucha VaVoom is pretty hilarious and fun. It's a great hybrid of Mexican and American culture. and one of the most entertaining shows I've seen in a while.

5. SpongeBob SquarePants has a potty mouth.

Justin Shady

​That's Tom Kenny, the voice of Spongebob Squarepants on the left, as a Lucha VaVoom announcer. One of his more winning lines: "The spikes on the Chupacabras back are all actually functioning penises, each capable of its own orgasm." There was also (during the girl-on-girl fight) "Oh dear, I can't stop masturbating." You talk to kids with that mouth?