Section 5: Rules of Play
Match Format (Standard)
- Best 2-of-3 falls (Lucha Libre standard, vs WWE-style single-fall format)
- "Fall" = pinning shoulders for 3 count, submission, count-out, or DQ
- Match length: 10-25 minutes typical; title matches longer
Permitted Techniques
- Aerial moves (vuelos): high-flying dives, suicide dives outside the ring, top-rope maneuvers — central to Lucha style
- Submissions (llaves): joint locks (armbar, kneebar) + chokes — Lucha-tradition holds derived from catch wrestling
- Striking: chops, forearms, kicks; closed-fist punches less common (often subject to ref discretion)
- Tag wrestling: trios are core (tag in/out, double-team moves)
Match Types
- Singles: 1 vs 1, standard 2-of-3 falls
- Tag (parejas): 2 vs 2
- Trios (the Lucha Libre signature): 3 vs 3, captain selected per team
- Lucha de apuestas: stake match — loser unmasks (máscara contra máscara) or has hair shaved (cabellera contra cabellera) — career-defining moments
- Championship matches: singles, longer format, gold belt prize