TIJUANA Audience members in lucha libre are not only the spectators but also participants in the match, playing the word games and swapping threats with the "técnicos" and "rudos."
Sometimes members of the public, particularly those in the first rows, lose control and begin tossing chairs and beer at each other.
Something like that unfolded Friday in the Tijuana's Municipal Auditorium during the match between LA Parka and his son and Dr. Wagner and his son, for a $16,000 prize, which apparently was hanging in a black bag hung from the lights that illuminated the ring.
The protagonists said they have been bitter enemies for nearly two decades, a rivalry stoked by their respective brothers and sons in various duels in the ring, dressing rooms and stands.
It's not known how real that enmity is because in lucha libre, the "técnicos" always need their opponents to do their maneuvers and spectacular flights.
It's not like boxing, where hate is expressed through the fighter's fists, strength and his physical condition.
In lucha libre, the wrestler puts up with the predictable mocking and wrestling holds, which undoubtedly hurt.
The holds are applied only to a point, and the goa is not to injure the enemy, according to lucha libre coach Mario Fuentes, who wrestled professionally under the name Médico Asesino Jr.
The Parkas and the Wagners tried their best during the match to show their antagonism. They broke boards on each others' backs, they threw chairs, and beat each other with an aluminum ladder, that ended up all bent.
They hurt each other with a plastic drum, they insulted each other and threw drinks at each others' faces. Always to a certain point, always with their rivals' agreement.
Maybe they are great friends in private. Dr. Wagner and LA Park are the same age, 45d, share the same profession, have a similar sense of humor, and both have sons they want to hand down their names and their careers to. It's clear they have a passion for what they do. All of that would make many people great friends.
In public, they want to have a rivalry that's bigger than life, something like a superhero and his nemeis, before fans who celebrate or irriatate them with everything they do.
On Friday night there were 3,000 fans who enjoyed the event and applauded and celebrated that the Son of LA Park climbed the ladder at the end of the fight and grabbed the bag of money.
As would be expected, Dr. Wagner and his son had been on the verge of reaching the prized bag ,but the he audience members warned La Park.
Did the good guys win? Who knows, it's been a while since the rudos and técnicos behave similarly.
Maybe the most popular wrestler won. These characters are incredibly popular, including in foreign countries. In fact, LA Park was invited to Comic-Con.
Omar.millan@sandiegored.com
