LEARNING THE ROPES

DOMINIC BLISS MEETS THE LUCHA LIBRE WRESTLERS BRINGING A TASTE OF MEXICO TO THE EAST END

- DOMINIC BLISS

Do you like the sound of broken bones, torn tendons and buff men in small pants squealing like stuck pigs?”

The master of ceremonies at London wrestling show Lucha Britannia leaves his audience members in little doubt what to expect from their evening’s entertainment. Already, four wrestlers – El Piranha, Ophidian, Dark Britannico and Illusionisto – have occupied the ring, and are hell bent on knocking seven bells out of each other, to the delight of the 120-strong crowd, all baying for blood.

There seems to be some kind of storyline behind the action, although it’s not always clear who is on whose team. No matter though: as a spectacle of combat, athleticism and acrobatics, this Mexican-style wrestling match is brilliant entertainment.

The pugilists, in colourful masks and various items of tight-fitting underwear, take turns at battering one another using strikes, flying kicks, jumps, tackles, holds, throws and take-downs. They leap and bounce off the ropes; they somersault onto the mat and each other, with loud slaps and grunts; they spin opponents over the top of their heads; occasionally they end up being thrown out of the ring altogether, landing at the feet of the cheering spectators. Although the individual manoeuvres are rehearsed, there are impromptu elements to each fight. The winners, however, are predetermined.

ELECTRIC EXPERIENCE