By Pablo Jaime Sainz
Ruben Zamora remembers that in 1984, when he was still a kid, his uncle took him for the first time to see lucha libre in Tijuana´s municipal auditorium.
It was an experience that changed his life forever, he said.
“I learnt about the world of masks, of capes, of the great Mexican wrestlers”, said 33-year-old Zamora. “It was really something amazing. I became obsessed with lucha libre.”
Frequently, Zamora and his family would cross the border from San Diego to see lucha libre live. But, after a while, he didn’t go for 15 years, due to the security risks that existed at the municipal auditorium back then.
“They used to throw glass bottles, there were fights between wrestlers and the public… It wasn’t a good place for a kid,” Zamora said.
Even though he stopped attending the shows in Tijuana, his love for lucha libre was kept alive through the television presentations that showed in Spanish networks. Every Sunday, he could watch his favorite Mexican wrestlers.
Now Zamora wants other Latino children to learn about the magical world of lucha libre. That´s why he´s become a local lucha libre promoter and on Saturday, June 24, he will bring some of the most recognized wrestlers in Mexico for an event that will take place at the Montgomery High School gym.
His promotion company is called Viva la Lucha! and every month he´s planning to organize a show of professional wrestling, of the highest quality, like the one you can watch on television, he said.
“Since I´m close to Tijuana, I´ve met many of the wrestlers and now I´m sort of a bridge for them in the U.S.,” Zamora said. “Here in San Diego there are smaller promotions that organize shows but it doesn´t look like professional wrestling. On the other hand, I like to see a good show, I think that people deserve much more. That´s why my events will be of the highest quality.”
In the June 24 card will be very popular wrestlers among Mexican fans in the U.S., such as Shocker, TJ Boy, and Fobia.
Also, for all the children there will be a special lucha with the sensational Mini wrestlers, such as Octangocito, Mascarita Sagrada, and Piratita Morgan.
Without a doubt, one of the most famous stars that will participate is 12 time champion Konnan, who, by the way, has lived in San Diego County for the past 14 years.