The gentrification of Mexican wrestling

The gentrification of Mexican wrestling

It’s Tuesday at the Arena Mexico. In the front rows that are filled with tourists, phones are raised to film the fighters with commentary in English, French and Japanese. In the stands, there’s a torrent of insults and cheers typical of local long-term fans. The scene reflects a recent change: once the poor man’s sport in Mexico City, lucha libre — a popular form of wrestling in Mexico — has become a tourist and cultural attraction with a global…