Lucha Libre is a Spanish phrase that loosely translates into English as "free fight" and refers to a genre of professional wrestling developed in Mexico. The defining characteristic is the use of masks, which are colorfully designed and intended to evoke the image of animals, gods or ancient heros. The wrestler, known as a luchador, takes on the identity of their mask during the performance. Lucha Libre is also defined by a predominance of spectacular, high-flying moves.

A number of the most popular luchadores become folk heroes, occassionally parlaying their fame into careers in other industries. One of the most famous, El Santo, became a movie star, while another, Rey Mysterio, moved to the US wrestling scene and signed with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). For popular luchadors like El Santo, the identity of the man and the mask could become intertwined, as he became so revered that he never took it off and was burried in full uniform.