Yeah, let’s talk about luchadores.
First off, I’m guessing by “luchador” you mean “masked wrestler” there are plenty of mexican wrestlers who don’t wear masks and they are also referred to as “luchadores” since “luchador” literally means “wrestler”.
American media is very superficial when it comes to masked wrestlers, often focusing on the goofyness of it. All you have to do is watch movies like Nacho Libre or Despicable Me 2 to see that American media makers find masked wrestlers comical.
Although there are plenty of Mexicans that find masked wrestlers comical the masked wrestler occupies a different place in Mexican culture. Part superhero, part actor, part pro athlete, part rock star, the masked wrestler is culturally significant.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when playing a masked wrestler:
Although similar to the Heel/Face division in American wrestling, the rudo/tecnico division is its own thing. Usually, within the context of the ring, a tecnico will never cheat or use underhanded tactics and instead will try to win legally and cleanly. By contrast rudos cheat and generally use rougher techniques like eye gouges and uglier submission holds. Outside of the ring rudos aren’t necessarily bad or mean (although plenty are) they just do what it takes to win, even if it involves illegal activities.
Masked wrestlers never take off their mask in public. Nobody knows what their face looks like, not even those closest to them. This is why you often see masked wrestlers in suits. If they go to a formal event they will still wear their masks. Once a wrestler puts on the mask he or she wears it until they lose it in a bout. Masked wrestlers who do not lose their masks are often buried wearing them.
Sometimes a wrestler will wager their mask against an opponent’s. Whoever loses the fight must unmask and can never wear their mask again. Maskless opponents can still challenge a masked wrestler to a battle like this, if they lose they must shave their heads.
As I stated before, masked wrestlers fulfill a lot of roles. Pillar of the community, mysterious vigilante, arcane protector, womanizing jerk. Masked wrestlers carry their kayfabe off the ring and into their movies, tv shows, and public appearances. If you create a masked wrestler character make sure you have this persona in mind, there have been masked wrestler scientists, magicians, martial artists and even zombies.
Most importantly, masked wrestlers are an important part of Mexican pop culture going back more than half a century. Thousands of Mexicans have grown up idolizing El Santo and his cool friends. It’s important to consider this when making a character, especially if the idea is to make the character for laughs. Mexicans already get relegated to secondary and comedy roles in media as it is, the goofy, posturing, heavily accented, masked wrestler is (often literally) adding insult to injury.
