LUCHA VAVOOM WRESTLERS BECOME REAL-LIFE SUPERHEROES WHEN THEY STEP INTO RING VALLEY Edition

• Published in: Philadelphia daily news (Philadelphia, Pa. : 1925)
• Main Author: Story by Brent Hopkins, Photos by Hans Gutknecht\ Daily News
• Format: Newspaper Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, Calif Los Angeles Newspaper Group 26.06.2006
• Subjects: D Albert, Rita; Fairbairn, Liz

9 photos; Photo: (1 -- 2 -- color) Above, luchador Biggz attempts to escape a foot to the neck during a match at Lucha VaVoom at the Mayan Theatre in Los Angeles. Left, Mexican superstar luchador [Mistico], dressed in elaborate attire, gets ready backstage for his match. (3 -- color) A luchador flies into the crowd during Lucha VaVoom at the Mayan Theatre in Los Angeles. The freewheeling wrestling and burlesque show was sold out. (4 -- color) Luchador [Shamu Jr.] lies on the ground amid fans after being thrown out of the ring. Often battered by opponents in the flamboyant sport, luchadores nonetheless love performing for adoring audiences. (5 -- color) Luchador Cassandro puts on his makeup backstage. [Cassandro] is counted among the luchador stars who can receive thousands of dollars after each show. (6 -- color) A sold-out crowd cheers the luchadores during Lucha VaVoom at the Mayan Theatre in Los Angeles on June 20. (7 -- color) The two chicken-costumed luchadores who make up Los Gallineros pose in the back of a classic pickup truck as they prepare to make their entrance at Lucha VaVoom. (8 -- color) Luchador Mini Octagoncito makes his way to the ring. Smaller wrestlers, known as minis, are a fixture of lucha libre. (9) Luchador Fabuloso [Hernandez] jumps out of the ring onto Biggz. The 27- year-old has been dedicated to the sport since he was 5, when his aunt took him to see his idol in Mexico. Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer