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From: [email protected] (Dominic Macika)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.pro-wrestling.info,rec.sport.pro-wrestling,rec.answers,news.answers
Subject: [rec.sport.pro-wrestling] FAQ (part 01/02)
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Date: 20 Nov 1996 02:00:43 GMT
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Archive-name: pro-wrestling/faq/part1
URL: http://emunix.emich.edu/~macika/Wrestling/faq.html
Editor: [email protected] (Dominic Macika)
Posting-Frequency: every third Friday or so
Previous-Editor: [email protected] (Cal Jewell)
Previous-Editor: [email protected] (Jeremy Nelson)
Original-Editor: [email protected] (Chris Bertholf)

Rec.Sport.Pro-Wrestling

Frequently Asked Questions

Part 1 of 2

Editor: Dominic Macika

generated: November 18, 1996

Email: [email protected]

Copyright

This document is compilation copyright (c) 1995, 1996 by Dominic Macika and
compilation copyright (c) 1993, 1994 by Cal Jewell. It may be freely copied
and/or distributed in its entirety as long as this copyright notice is not
removed. It may not be sold for profit or incorporated into commercial
products without the editor's written permission. [Compilation copyright
means that you can freely use individual sections of this document, but any
significant collection of sections is subject to the copyright.]

Please read this document before posting to rec.sport.pro-wrestling. If you
don't want to see this posting anymore, please add the subject line to your
kill file.

Comments, additions, suggestions, and corrections are encouraged. Send them
to
[email protected]

Index
Part 1:
1. Rec.Sport.Pro-Wrestling
2. Other information sources
3. WWF
4. WCW
5. NWA
6. Other North American promotions
7. Japan
8. Mexico
Part 2:
9. Deaths
10. Injuries
11. Where Are They Now?
12. Wrestling Groups and Teams
13. Miscellaneous questions about wrestlers.
14. The Law and Pro Wrestling
15. Miscellaneous
Contributors

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Rec.Sport.Pro-Wrestling

1.1. What is r.s.p-w?

Rec.Sport.Pro-Wrestling (r.s.p-w or RSPW for short) is a usenet
discussion group. The main topic of discussion is pro-wrestling,
however, the group is loosely defined by its original charter and
often includes related topics, such as other combat sports. For a
more in-depth look at what pro-wrestling is, please read the
Welcome to Rec.Sport.Pro-Wrestling message, posted periodically
on the group. This post discusses what the group is about, and
also gives pointers on netiquette.

1.2. My news software does not allow me to post, but I wish to contribute
to r.s.p-w. How can I?

If you have email access, you can post to r.s.p-w by mailing your
article to one of the following addresses:

* [email protected]
* [email protected]

Please note the variances in punctuation between "." and "-" in
the email addresses.

1.3. Where can I get a copy of this FAQ?

If you know how to FTP, you can get a copy from the following
location:

site: rtfm.mit.edu
location: /pub/usenet-by-group/rec.sport.pro-wrestling/
filename: [rec.sport.pro-wrestling]_FAQ_(part_0?_02)

You can also get a current copy of this FAQ by sending e-mail
with a subject of "get FAQ" to
[email protected]

Note: email requests for the FAQ and regular posting of the FAQ
are currently done manually.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Other information sources

2.1. Are there any other newsgroups related to pro-wrestling?

Yes. There are two other pro-wrestling newsgroups in the rec.
hierarchy. One is rec.sport.pro-wrestling.fantasy, which is for
discussion of fantasy wrestling and fantasy wrestling groups. The
other is rec.sport.pro-wrestling.info, which is a moderated group
for the purpose of posting information only.

2.2. Are there any r.s.p-w FTP sites?

Yes. There is one known to the FAQ Editor.

If you are not familiar with FTP, or if you are new to the net,
ask somebody at YOUR SITE for help. Please, don't pester r.s.p-w
with "how do I FTP" posts.

Site: auhussell.swan.ac.uk
anonymous logins only
wrestling information is in the /Wrestling directory
admin: [email protected]

If you want to upload anything to the site, please get
confirmation first by mailing [email protected]

2.3. Are there any WWW sites related to r.s.p-w?

Yes. There is one site that is considered the "R.S.P-W Homepage".
It is maintained by Mark Long. The URL for the site is:

http://www.adscape.com/ wrestling

There are many other wrestling related web sites out there,
including an ECW site and many sites maintained by individauls.

2.4. What other information is available over the internet?

Herb Kunze makes weekly posts to r.s.p-w under the subject
heading "Wrestling Tidbits" which reviews top news stories in the
wrestling world over the past week. These posts also contain
details on upcoming major events in pro-wrestling.

The following people keep -- and occasionally post -- the
following lists and information. If you would like a copy of one
of these lists, it is strongly suggested that you make the
request through e-mail rather than posting a request directly to
r.s.p-w.

* Gary Will ([email protected]) - Listing of deceased
wrestlers
* Rick Duggan ([email protected]) - Wrestling Relations
* Byron C. Howes ([email protected]) - Glossary of wrestling
terms

Also, the following lists are posted to the newsgroup by the FAQ
editor along with the FAQ:

* List of Wrestling Sheets and Newsletters.
* List of Wrestling Schools and Training Camps.
* List of Wrestling Info Phonelines
* List of Real Names of WWF Wrestlers.
* List of Real Names of WCW Wrestlers.

If you keep track of an "official list" for r.s.p-w, please send
e-mail to [email protected] so I can put you in this list.

2.5. Are any wrestlers or promoters reachable on via the net?

Sure. However, due to a desire for privacy, most keep their email
addresses private. A few notable exceptions post to r.s.p-w,
including promoters Joe Pedicino, Dennis Coraluzzo and Ed Zohn
and wrestlers Johnny B Badd and Brian Pillman. We ask that you
respect the privacy of those who do have an email address, but
don't actively participate in r.s.p-w.

2.6. How can I subscribe to newsletters?

There are a number of newsletters and fanzines (commonly referred
to as "Sheets") published regularly about pro-wrestling.

Topics include results, info, opinion, memorabilia and history,
just to name a few. Like all else, some are good, some are not.
For what it's worth, The Wrestling Observer has by far the
largest circulation of all wrestling newsletters.

A large (although not nearly complete) listing of sheets is
posted as a separate file semi-regularly by the editor.

2.7. Are there any books available on pro-wrestling?

A number of books have been published about pro-wrestling, both
by wrestlers and fans of the sport. For more information on a few
that have been published by r.s.p-w members, visit The Pro
Wrestling Referance Books Web Page or write to or email Gary Will
at

PO Box 40005
Waterloo, Ontario,
Canada N2J 4V1

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. WWF

3.1. What is the story behind the forming of the WWF?

As NWA champion, Buddy Rogers' bookings were controlled by Toots
Mondt, promoter in the Northeast. The other NWA promoters were
dissatisfied because Mondt rarely let Rogers defend the belt
outside the Northeast. Mondt and Vince McMahon Sr. wanted to keep
Rogers and the NWA title, but Rogers didn't want to lose his
$25,000 deposit on the belt. So Rogers lost the NWA title to Lou
Thesz in Toronto on January 24, 1963.

Rogers was not recognized as the first WWWF champion right after
losing to Thesz. Instead, Rogers was awarded the WWWF title in
mid-April 1963, with the explanation that he has won a
(fictitious) tournament in Rio de Janeiro. He lost the title to
Bruno Sammartino a month later on May 17, 1963. Rogers would have
likely had a longer reign as champion, but, he suffered a heart
attack shortly before the match with Bruno. This explains both
the brevity of the match (47 seconds) with Bruno and the
subsequent disappearance of Rogers from the ring. Some reports
have Rogers almost had to be wheeled into the ring, due to his
weakened condition. Rogers retired after this match, although he
did return to the ring in 1967.

3.2. When did the WWWF become the WWF?

The best information available suggests that the name change took
place in mid 1979. The change was purely a cosmetic one.
Ownership and front office personnel remained unaffected. About
this same time, the WWF phased out their North American title and
replaced it with what is today known as the Intercontinental
title.

For the sake of clarity, all WWWF and WWF titles mentioned in
this document are referred to as WWF titles.

3.3. Who currently owns and runs the WWF?

Since the WWF is a privately held company, we have no way of
knowing their exact internal structure. However, reports have
Linda McMahon (Vince's wife) as President of Titan Sports (the
WWF's parent company) while Vince McMahon Jr. remains CEO and
Chairman of the Board of Titan Sports.

Vince Jr. was given control of the WWF by his father, Vince Sr.
Although Vince McMahon Sr. died in May 1984, he had turned over
control of the business to his son sometime around late 1982 or
early 1983.

The most widely believed story is that McMahon Sr. divested his
Capitol Wrestling Corporation (under which he promoted the
W[W]WF) in late 1982/early 1983. McMahon Sr. then incorporated
Titan Sports as the WWF's new parent company and gave half of
Titan's stock to his son. Vince Sr. also gave 1/6 stock each to
Arnold Skoaland, Phil Zacko (who was the promoter in Philadelphia
and surrounding regions) and Robert Marella (aka Gorilla
Monsoon). Upon receiving their shares of Titan stock, Skoaland,
Zacko, and Marella promptly sold them to McMahon Jr. for $100,000
each, primarily out of their uncertainty of Vince Jr's business
skills. In return, Vince Jr. gave Skoaland and Marella guaranteed
10-year jobs with Titan. In May 1994, it was confirmed that Vince
McMahon owns 100% of Titan.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. WCW

4.1. When did the NWA become WCW?

In November, 1988, Jim Crockett sold Jim Crockett Promotions to
WTBS. Crockett promotions had been the promotion most widely
associated with the NWA. In order to distance itself from the
NWA, which still existed as a paper organization at the time,
WTBS began to change the name of its titles and television
programs from NWA to WCW. The change took place in late 1990. By
January, 1991, the WCW name was fully in place and the NWA name
was all but dropped by the organization.

4.2. Who owns and runs WCW?

WCW is owned by WTBS and Ted Turner. The position in WTBS most
widely considered as being in control of the wrestling promotion
is the Executive Vice President in charge of Wrestling
Operations. This title is currently held by Eric Bischoff. In
recent years Jim Herd, K. Allen Frey and Bill Watts have been in
that position.

4.3. When Ric Flair left WCW in 1991, why did he take the title belt with
him?

Flair owned the NWA Heavyweight title belt that had been in use
since 1986. When Flair's contract with WCW ran out on July 1,
1991, they were unable to come to terms on a new contract. Jim
Herd wanted to cut Flair's salary and reduce his role in the
company. When Flair arrived in the WWF in September, 1991, he
billed himself as the "Real World's Champion" and used his NWA
belt to back it up. The ownership of the belt and the right to be
called the "NWA Heavyweight Champion" was taken to court. Flair
and WCW eventually settled the matter out of court in spring
1992. The exact terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but
WCW bought the belt for a rumored US$28,000.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. NWA

5.1. What was the NWA and how did it get started?

The NWA was and is the National Wrestling Alliance. In 1948, a
group of mid-western promoters joined forces as the NWA with the
idea of working together instead of working in competition.
Orville Brown was named the first NWA champion on July 14, 1948.
It should be noted that any attempts to trace the NWA World
Heavyweight title back further than this are necessarily
fictitious. The organization simply did not exist. Any attempt to
trace a contiguous world heavyweight title back further than this
is simply a combination of various world champions as recognized
by a number of different promoters and commissions. The myth of a
NWA title history dating back to 1905 was perpetuated in early
NWA programs, which listed just such a title history, in an
attempt to build credibility for the title. It should also be
noted that this history also omits Orville Brown. The NWA's
immediate predecessor as the most widely recognized world title
was the National Wrestling Association championship which was
held by Lou Thesz at the time of the formation of the NWA. A
title unification match was scheduled for November 25, 1949
between Thesz and Brown and it is believed that Brown was
scheduled to win that match. However, Brown suffered a career
ending injury in a car accident prior to the match. On November
27, 1949, Thesz was awarded the NWA title.

5.2. What is the NWA today?

Today, the NWA still exists, but in a very different form. The
only relation it bears to the NWA of 1948 to 1985 is on paper.
The NWA Board currently consists of Jim Crockett, Dennis
Coraluzzo and Steve Rickard, although it has been rumored that
Crockett has been served papers expelling him from the
organization. Crockett is not currently promoting wrestling.
Coraluzzo runs a promotion in New Jersey. Rickard promotes in New
Zealand. Also, Howard Brody runs an NWA affiliated group in
Florida.

On February 24, 1995, Chris Candido lost the NWA title in
Erlanger, KY to Dan Severn. After the split with WCW and two
tournaments which intended to crown champions, this was the first
time the NWA title changed hands in the ring in nearly two years.

5.3. What happened to the NWA?

The transformation of the NWA into its current state took place
simply because the promoters stopped cooperating. Problems in the
NWA can be traced back into the 1970's but the major changes came
in 1985. In an attempt to turn into a national promotion, Jim
Crockett obtained the WTBS wrestling time slot from the WWF in
March, 1985. With this exposure, combined with controlling power
over the NWA title, Crockett was able to strong arm the other
member promotions into complying with his requests. Many of the
other promotions ended up going out of business or being bought
up by Crockett. Eventually, however, Crockett too ran into
problems and sold his promotion to Ted Turner. The Turner
controlled WCW continued, but with the exception of using the NWA
name in a co-promotional effort with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, the
NWA essentially no longer existed except as a paper organization.

In 1992 and 1993, a number of promoters applied for membership in
the NWA and some were accepted. Among these promoters was Dennis
Coraluzzo, who became an NWA board member and began demanding
dates with the NWA champion. In the ensuing legal struggle, WCW
resigned its membership, but kept the "NWA" title belt, which it
had legal ownership of. Meanwhile, Coraluzzo and the remaining
NWA promoters were left without any powerful members and without
a champion.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

6. Other North American Federations

6.1. United States Wrestling Association (USWA)

The Memphis area has been a hot area for wrestling for decades.
It has operated out of the Mid-South Coliseum since the 1950s,
originally under the operations of Nick Gulas and Roy Welch. It
became the USWA in August, 1989 when promoter Jerry Jarrett began
copromoting the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The area has thrived
since the mid-70s on the performance of one man, Jerry Lawler.
Regular stars include Lawler, his son Brian Christopher, Bill
Dundee and announcer Lance Russell.

Fred Deaton posts regular USWA TV show reports. Here is his
description of the promotion: "A very unique local promotion with
local 'stars' and local 'story lines'. Usually involves a Mega
Heel-good guy combo persona garnering the attention, half cheers
half boos; a time honored feud that never resolves; gimmick
matches; a place for new rising or older stars to change their
routine; and a 'local' rising young star moving up."

6.2. Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW)

ECW began operating in 1992 as Eastern Championship Wrestling. In
August, 1994, the name was changed from Eastern to Extreme. It
operates in Philadelphia, with spot shows in the surrounding
Pennsylvania area. The wrestling operations are currently handled
by Tod Gordon (who also finances the promotion) and Paul Heyman
(manager Paul E Dangerously) It is currently available on the
Sports Channel America syndication package and on AIN satellite.
Current top stars are Shane Douglas, 2 Cold Scorpio and more. ECW
does not rely on the traditional face/heel structure. Instead,
uses high-impact, fast paced action to get its wrestlers over.

Regular ECW reports and updates are posted by Tom Misnik (Mr.
ECW), MadDogJMF and Dave Scherer. Ed Zohn, an ECW promoter, is
also a member of the net. The fans who attend live shows
regularly and participate on the net are too numerous to list.

Additionaly, ECW maintains it's own WWW site at:
http://www.gstand.com/ecw/

6.3. Other regional groups

The number of other regional groups in the US is too numerous and volatile
to go into each in depth here. Here is a quick list of some currently
running groups. If you would like to see your favorite group listed here,
please send email to the editor with the groups name and area of operation,
plus any other relavant info on the group.

* Championship Wrestling USA (CWUSA) -- Vancouver and Washington
* National Wrestling Alliance -- New Jersey
* Midwest Championship Wrestling -- Michigan
* Great Lakes Wrestling -- Michigan
* Global Wrestling Alliance -- Ohio, Michigan, Indiana
* Insane Championship Wrestling -- Michigan
* Motor City Wrestling -- Michigan
* Border City Wrestling -- Windsor
* New England Wrestling Alliance -- Rhode Island and Massachusettes
* Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation -- Baltimore
* The National Wrestling League -- Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia,
West Virginia
* International Wrestling Federation -- New England
* Pro Wrestling America -- Minnesota
* Northern Premiere Wrestling -- Minnestoa
* IWA -- Minnesota
* UWC -- Minnesota
* Ultimate Wrestling Federation -- Minnesota
* Ultimate Championship Wrestling/Phoenix Promotions -- Minnesota
* United States Championship Wrestling -- Pennsylvania, Ohio, West
Virginia
* World Wrestling Organization --Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and West
Virginia.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

7. Japan

7.1. How did pro wrestling get its start in Japan?

Pro-wrestling in Japan dates back nearly as far as it does in the
US. In 1883, former sumo, Shokichi Hamada, left to tour the US as
the first Japanese pro-wrestler. In 1887, Hamada brought 20
American wrestlers to Tokyo for a series of shows. The first show
sold-out, but subsequent shows failed to draw any crowds.

Several attempts were made to spark an interest in wrestling in
Japan, none of which were successful until the 1950's. Rikidozan,
who retired from Sumo in 1950, became Japan's first big name male
drawing card. He made his debut in 1951. In 1953, he formed the
Japan Wrestling Alliance. He continued to wrestle until his death
in December, 1963.

7.2. What is AJPW?

All-Japan Pro Wrestling is Shohei Baba's group in Japan. Baba, a
former pro baseball pitcher, joined the JWA in 1960. In October,
1972, he left the JWA and formed his own group, AJPW. His group
continues to promote today, with a television show on Nippon TV.
The main titles are the Triple Crown (unified United National,
International and PWF Heavyweight titles), the World Tag Team
title (unified International and PWF tag team titles), the World
Junior Heavyweight title and the Asian Tag Team title.

7.3. What is NJPW? Is it different from IWGP?

Kanji Inoki, a japanese emigrant to Brazil, was scouted by
Rikidozan in 1960, and brought to Japan to join the JWA. He later
changed his name to Antonio Inoki. In 1966, Inoki made his first
attempt at breaking away from the JWA and forming his own group,
Tokyo Pro-Wrestling. In 1967, Inoki suddenly rejoined the JWA and
Tokyo Pro folded. In 1971, Inoki was expelled from the JWA when
it as discovered that he was planning a coup to take over the
promotion. Inoki subsequently formed his second group, New Japan
Pro Wrestling and ran his first card in March, 1972. The group
has now grown to be the largest and most popular wrestling group
in Japan. It currently has a show on TV Asahi.

In 1983, New Japan created the International Wrestling Grand Prix
titles, which are now the main titles of the group: the IWGP
Heavyweight title, the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title and the IWGP
Tag Team titles.

7.4. What other groups are there in Japan?

There are numerous other groups in Japan. In 1994 it was reported
that there were in excess of 30 wrestling groups operating in
Tokyo alone. The other groups include the IWA, W*ING, Kitao Dojo,
Michinoku Pro, Rings, and many more.

7.5. What about the Japanese Women's groups?

The first women's shows were held in Japan in 1948. The women's
groups caught fire in 1954, when Sankei Shinbun Newspaper
promoted a show with Mildred Burke, billed as the first WWWA
world champion, and six other American wrestlers and four
Japanese wrestlers. They ran three consecutive sellouts at the
old Sumo Hall.

There are currently a number of Japanese Women's groups,
including All-Japan Women, LLPW, JWP and Gaea Japan.

7.6. What is Shootwrestling?

Shootwrestling is the idea of making wrestling matches seem as
legitimate or "real" as possible. It got its start in 1984 in the
original UWF group, with such stars as Akira Maeda, Super Tiger
(Satoru Sayama, the original Tiger Mask), Yoshiaki Fujiwara and
Kazuo Yamazaki. Also in the group were Nobuhiko Takada and Osamu
Kido. The original UWF was popular, but for various reasons did
not succeed. The second Japanese UWF formed in 1988 with Maeda,
Fujiwara and Takada as top stars. In 1992, this group split into
UWF-Fujiwara Gumi (later PWF) RINGS and UWFI. Currently, there
are a number of "shoot" groups in Japan, such as Pancrase and
Rings. UWFI aired some of its shows in the US on PPV under the
Shootwrestling name, but the group folded in 1995.

7.7. How do I get to see Japanese wrestling?

There is currently no Japanese wrestling available on North
American TV, including satellite. However, if you live in North
America and want to see it, you still have a number of options
available. Many Japanese bookstores and shops in the US sell or
rent tapes of Japanese TV shows. Check any similar shops in your
area and ask if they carry it. Or, you can buy/trade for someone
else who gets it. Another possibility is to find a friend who
lives in Japan who is willing to tape it directly off of tv for
you.

New Japan is available in Europe on Eurosport. The show is called
World Superstars of Wrestling. It airs Thursdays, 8pm UK time,
with repeats on Friday at 10pm and Saturday at 11am. The shows
are nine months to two years out of date. It occasionally
pre-empted or moved in favor of other shows.

UWFI is shown in the UK on Sky Sport. The show is called Bushido
and airs on Saturday at 10pm UK time. The shows are approximately
three years behind. It is also occasionally pre-empted.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

8. Mexico

8.1. What are the major Mexican groups?

There are two major wrestling groups in Mexico: the EMLL -
Empresa Mexicana de la Lucha Libre and AAA - Asestencia Asesoria
Administracion.

EMLL translates loosely to Mexican Wrestling Empire or Mexican
Wrestling Company. The EMLL is the oldest existing wrestling
promotion, having run its first show on September 21, 1933.

AAA is run by Antonio Pena and owned by Mexican television
station Televisa. It was formed in 1992.

8.2. What is Lucha Libre?

Lucha Libre is a phrase that describes the professional wrestling
most commonly found in Mexico and Puerto Rico. Lucha Libre is
usually used to describe Mexican wrestling, which incorporates
high flying, acrobatic wrestling with a sense of live theater.
Lucha Libre in Mexico is often characterized by tests of
Machismo. The Mexican wrestlers will often apply what appear to
be lame slaps to their opponent's chest and face not in an effort
to "hurt" their opponent, but more so as an insult to his
manhood.

The phrase "Lucha Libre" is an idiom that best translates to
English as "the free fight". Derived from Lucha Libre is the word
"Luchadores", which refers to the men that wrestle the Lucha
Libre style.

8.3. What's with all the masks in Mexico?

The masks worn by the Luchadores are inspired by ancient Aztec
traditions of masked warriors. The mask is considered the most
precious thing a Luchador has. When a wrestler loses his mask, he
has suffered the ultimate dishonor, the ultimate humiliation.
Very few wrestlers will make it through their entire career
without losing their mask. Only the true legends get to retire
with their anonymity intact.

El Santo (The Saint) is perhaps the most famous case of a
Luchador retiring without ever being unmasked. When he died in
1984, El Santo was buried with his mask on.

8.4. I don't know Spanish, what does [some_word] mean?

Obviously, there isn't room to define every word you'll hear if
you watch a Lucha match. However, here are a few words which
should help you figure out a little of what's going on:

aficianados (ah-fee-see-ah-nah-dohs): fans.

caida (ky-e-da, ky rhymes with tie): fall. Or, as it's
known in the U.S., a pin fall.

Primera caida = first fall.
Segunda caida = second fall.
Tercera caida = third fall.

castigo (cass-tee-go): punishment. Depending on the
announcer, this may be repeated three times, very fast.

cuadrilatero (sp?) (kwa-dri-la-te-roh) the wrestling
ring, as in the quadrilateral that is the squared
circle.

enorme (e-nor-may): terrific.

espaldas planas (ess-pahl-dahss plahn-ahs): literally,
shoulders down. A pin.

hurricarana (hurri-ka-rahna): a Frankensteiner when
performed by a descendant of Hurricane Ramirez.
Otherwise the move is known as a rana. By the way,
Scott Steiner did not invent the move, it is generally
believed to have originated in Mexico.

malandrin (mawl-ahn-dreen): evil.

pareja (pah-ray-ha): pair, as in tag team.

pareja incredible (pah-ray-ha een-cred-eed-lay): a
mixed tag team of a heel and a face.

plancha (plahn-cha, plahn rhymes with lawn): a flying
crossbody, generally delivered from the top rope.

rudo (rue-dough): a heel (bad guy). Depending on the
announcer, this may be repeated three times, very fast.

senton (sen-ton, sen rhymes with when, ton rhymes with
loan): a splash, only the back hits instead of the
chest. Sometimes delivered from the top rope.

tecnico (tek-knee-ko): a face (good guy).

tope (toe-pay): literally "butt" or "stopper". In its
wrestling sense, normally used to describe a headfirst
dive into a standing opponent.

trios (tree-ohs): three-man tag team, as in a trio of
wrestlers.

8.5. What's with all the midgets in Lucha Libre?

Midgets are very popular in Lucha Libre. Exactly why is unknown,
but they usually work harder and have more high spots than their
American counterparts.

Also, it's very common to see midgets adopt the gimmicks,
wrestling style, face/heel status, and costume as their larger
counterparts. Further, midgets also adopt the name of their
larger counterpart and transform it to the diminutive; for
example the "big guy" is Mascara Sagrada and his midget
counterpart is Mascarita Sagrada.

8.6. Lucha Libre confuses me, what are the rules?

Well, there are many rules, differing with the type of match that
is being wrestled (singles, tag, 6-man tag, special
stipulations), but here are the basic rules for most Lucha Libre
matches:

* most matches are trios matches, which are known in the U.S.
as 6-man tag matches
* in trios matches, there are usually 2 referees. Generally,
one is a heel referee and one is a face referee
* most matches are 2 out of 3 falls
* one member of each team is designated as the captain
* when a wrestler is knocked out of the ring, one of his team
members can enter the ring without tagging
* a fall in a trios match is won when the captain submits or
is pinned, or when the other two members of the team submit
or are pinned. This frequently leads to falls ending when
three wrestlers are pinned simultaneously.

This might not make much sense to some non-Lucha fans but that's
the way they wrestle Lucha style and they've been doing it this
way for decades. Lucha fans don't even think twice about it.

8.7. How do I get to see lucha libre wresting?

If you cable company carries the Spanish language station
Galavision, then you get it now. At last report, a combined
AAA/EMLL show aired Saturday nights at 6pm (EST). If you live in
the southern portion of the United States, then you may be able
to pick up the Mexican satellite transmissions. Also, one Los
Angeles local spanish language station carries lucha libre. In
Canada, the Telelatino network carries lucha libre from 3:45pm to
5:30pm EST on Saturdays.

--
Dominic Macika
http://emunix.emich.edu/~macika
R.S.P-W FAQ: http://emunix.emich.edu/~macika/Wrestling/faq.htmL