Interview: Lucha Libre London's Ruben Cordero

Posted by Phil Jones

Following last weeks successful residency at the Camden Roundhouse, BritWres.com caught up with Lucha Libre London co-promoter Ruben Cordero for the following interview tracking the origins, and future, of Lucha Libre London:

How did you find out about Lucha Libre?

Lucha Libre was always part of the entertainment culture in South America (I am from Bolivia). Back in the 70s and 80s we had a wrestling circuit called 'Furia de Titanes', but Mexican lucha libre was always seen as the ultimate experience, and El Santo one of our most important Latin heroes.

What made you decide to bring Lucha Libre to the United Kingdom?

We are always on the look out for new ideas for new shows, and the subject of lucha libre came up in a conversation that it made me thing - Lucha Libre in London - it just sounded so exciting and unique and almost impossible that it made it even more of a challenge.

When Andy (Wood, Lucha Libre London co-promoter) and me started talking about it and thought that the Roundhouse would be the perfect venue, Lucha Libre was something that we had to try to make it happen... the rest is now history, I guess...

What do you think is the appeal of Lucha Libre?

I think it is the mystique of it... the mask... the personalities of the luchadores... the hero like lifestyle they live.... and the acrobatic moves they make. Blend it all together and you cannot get anything more appealing.

Who is your personal favourite Luchador?

It has to be El Hijo del Santo. He is just the ultimate luchador... on the ring, backstage and in real life. He is just like you and me when you meet him, then he puts his mask and cape and he is a living super hero. His technique is excellent, he is a master in the ring.

Apart from him I really like Mascarita Sagrada and Cassandro, Silver King is excellent and Negro Navarro is a 'maestro'.

How did you get in contact with El Hijo del Santo and the Todo X El Todo promotion?

Through an old friend in Mexico called Octavio Rivero. He organizes his own lucha libre events over there, and he sent me the contact details. I made the first phone call....

Did you ever consider having UK vs Mexico matches?

We did consider it at various points, but we wouldn't really know where to start in the UK. We just really wanted to present an spectacle which was 100% Mexican, the British idea was going to play 5% of it, but it was too difficult to organize, as it meant sending a wrestler to Mexico to learn lucha, etc..

Do you have any plans to bring Lucha Libre back to the UK in the future?

Yes. The question came up at various times before the event, but our minds were so into the first one that we didn't want to deviate. I think the reaction of the audience plays an important part in Lucha Libre in Mexico, without it the luchas are not as strong.

The luchador feeds on the feedback he gets from the audiences and the side they take, whether rudo or tecnico, and that is when the lucha becomes complete. The audiences picked it up very quickly and took sides and changed sides and cheered for their favourite wrestler that for the luchadores, this was very special. They all commented on how wonderful the British audience was that they are very grateful for the welcome they received.

He feel the audiences left wanting more... we hope to give them much more. Watch this space!!!

Special thanks to Ruben Cordero, Andy Wood, Gerry Lyseight, Weekly Pro Wrestling and Lucha Libre London

For more information, go to:
www.luchalibrelondon.com

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