Macho, Macho Mask: Updated Again

LUCHA LIBRE, literally “free fight” in Spanish, is a popular type of professional wrestling in Mexico. Allegedly a freestyle form of the sport, its flashy moves are confoundingly well-choreographed … but all the flashy moves pale next to the fighters’ wardrobes: raucous-hued shiny trunks, coordinating tights and shoes, capes, and most importantly, masks. I first became aware of these amazing wrestler masks as a kid when a neighbor would reenact moves by someone with the intriguing name: ‘Mil Mascaras‘. Mr. Mascaras, inarguably the most famous of all lucheros, was known for his extensive mask wardrobe; in fact mil mascaras means ‘a thousand masks’ … Click here for some of his looks. Anyway, I hated the fighting, but loved the craziness of the outfits and especially the masks … much later I was excited to see that luchero masks were widely available at Mexican tourist spots like La Placita Olvera … and, I’ve been known to buy a few in my time. I tapped into my mask cache this week to come up with a costume for Paul to wear to a neighbor’s Halloween party: a super-colorful look topped off with an electric blue and red spandex full-head mask … pictures later, I promise. Anyway, coming up a last-minute costume can be stressful; I’m still unsure of what mine will be …

To help RR readers with their own last-minute costume dilemma, I’ve created the mask above … the mask of EL AGAVE, Champion of Succulents everywhere! Just add spandex tights and a cape and you’re done! To have this mask for your own, click on the image once for preview size, then again for full size. Print on stiff paper (either on your home printer, or at Fed-Ex office) at 100 to 150% (depending on your head size); cut along the dotted lines and add a rubber band to secure. A paper luchero mask might seem like a chintzy costume but it beats a white sheet with two eyeholes … need more convincing? Click ‘read more’ to see a gallery of current notables wearing it and not looking silly at all.

Masked

Masqueraders, from the top: 9-lover and GOP candidate-come-lately, Herman Cain; Tan-orexic, boozy ‘Shore’-thing, Snooki; new guy and fancy dancer, Chaz Bono; North Korean megalomaniacal nut-job, Kim Jong Il; teen swoon-inducer and shampoo model, Justin Bieber; and lastly, wild-eyed former Tea Party heartthrob, Michele Bachmann.

Pablo el Luchero, con cerveza

Regular reader, Kim Fasching, sporting RR's El Agave mascara!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!