'Free fighting’ performances offered at night

Cancun’s new Luchatitlan tourism attraction offers a no-holds-barred look at a form of entertainment that is very engrained in Mexican culture.

The attraction, which opened earlier this year, has nighttime shows of lucha libre or free-fighting, a type of grappling that has usually masked competitors duelling in rings.

Luchatitlan’s Ulysses Gomez says lucha libre is a combination of wrestling and other types of fighting but is family friendly, with onlookers not going to see bloodied or injured competitors.

“It’s very popular in Mexico,” he says of the competitions. “It’s like mariachi or tequila.”

Luchatitlan has bilingual shows every night except Monday and 14 competitors will be on hand.

The attraction reports it’s the first permanent lucha libre show in Mexico.

Gomez reports that spectators will also be served a dinner of authentic Mexican food, or, as the attraction puts it, “the whole enchilada” during an evening that will feature “mucha lucha.”

The downtown Cancun attraction — which proudly boasts that it’s “world famoso” — also serves tequila, beer and soft drinks to guests. Live music is also provided.

Gomez reports that shows differ and competitors vary in size.

Foreigners vacationing in Cancun may not have previously come across lucha libre but Gomez says the majority of Luchatitlan’s clientele tend to be non-Mexican.

And he says those who do take in one of the shows will leave having viewed a distinctly Mexican performance.

“It’s different,” he continues. “It’s lucha libre.”

Meanwhile, Ana Mari Irabien, prominent in Quintana Roo tourism, says Luchatitlan spectators are enthusiastic and will gain insights into Mexican culture.

“It shows the real soul of Mexico,” she adds.

More information can be found at luchatitlan.com.