Lucha Libre USA (LLUSA) was an American ''Lucha Libre'' promotion owned by Steven Ship. The promotion was most notable for producing the ''Lucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors'' television program, which initially aired on the

MTV2 MTV2 (formerly M2) is an American pay television Cable television, channel owned by the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global, through PMN’s MTV Entertainment Group Subdivision. The channel launched initially as an all-music ...

broadcast channel and chronicled the rise of ''

Lucha Libre ''Lucha libre'' (, meaning "freestyle wrestling" or literally translated as "free fight") is the term for the style of professional wrestling originating in Mexico. Since its introduction to Mexico in the early 20th century, it has develope ...

'', Mexican-style wrestling, in the United States. The first episode was aired on July 16, 2010. The second season premiered October 1, 2011. On July 11, 2012 the remainder of season two began airing on

Hulu Hulu (, ) is an American Subscription business model, subscription streaming media service owned by Disney Streaming, a subsidiary of the Disney Entertainment segment of the Walt Disney Company. It was launched on October 29, 2007, initially as ...

with the final episode airing on October 3, 2012.

History

On July 16, 2010, Lucha Libre USA premiered season one of their flagship program ''Lucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors'' on

. During season one Lucha Libre USA held TV tapings in multiple venues. On October 1, 2011, Lucha Libre USA began season 2 of ''Lucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors '' airing the first four episodes on MTV2 before bringing the series to

where the remaining episodes were aired. After the cancellation of the ''Masked Warriors'' series by Hulu, the promotion continued to hold live events throughout the West Coast until its closure in 2013.

''Behind the Mask''

''Behind the Mask'' was Lucha Libre USA's supplemental program and a documentary feature broadcast on MTV2 and the MTV website. The show followed wrestlers originating from

Mexico Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. It is the northernmost country in Latin America, and borders the United States to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to the southeast; while having maritime boundar ...

, the United States and other parts of the world, as they performed physical acts and gave background into their characters. During the show it was explained that some traditional, non-masked American professional wrestlers, like '' técnico'' '' luchador'' Marco Corleone, had embraced ''Lucha Libre'' while others like American '' rudo'' ''luchador''

R. J. Brewer John Stagikas (born July 31, 1979) is an American Professional wrestling, professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, R. J. Brewer. Brewer is known for his appearances with Lucha Libre USA, where he portrayed a Conservatism in the Unite ...

wished to "Americanize" ''Lucha'' by "cleaning up the Mexican elements" of Lucha Libre USA. This conflict between America and Mexico would serve as a long-lasting storyline throughout the seasons of ''Masked Warriors''.

Championships

LLUSA Heavyweight Championship

On December 12, 2010, Lizmark Jr. defeated Charly Malice, Marco Corleone and R. J. Brewer in a Lucha Roulette four-way elimination match to become the first-ever LLUSA Heavyweight Champion.

LLUSA Tag Team Championship

On January 22, 2011, Rudisimo ( El Oriental and Tinieblas Jr.) defeated Puerto Rican Power (P.R. Flyer and San Juan Kid) and Treachery ( Rellik and Sydistiko) in a three-way tag match to become the first-ever LLUSA Tag Team Champions.

Roster at the time of closure

Male wrestlers

Female wrestlers (''Chicas'')

On-air personalities

Hosts

Commentators

Ring announcers

Notable alumni

* Cassandro * Charly Malice * Chavo Guerrero Jr. * Chi Chi * Diamond Face * Dragoncito * El Hijo de Anibal * El Oriental * Headhunter A * Headhunter B * Huracan Ramirez Jr. * Isis the Amazon *

Jay Lethal Jamar Shipman (born April 29, 1985), better known by the ring name Jay Lethal, is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW). He is best known for his tenures in Ring of Honor (ROH), Total Nonstop Action Wrest ...

* Kip Gunn *

LA Park Adolfo Margarito Tapia Ibarra (November 14, 1965) is a Mexican ''Lucha libre, luchador enmascarado'' (wrestling mask, masked Professional wrestling, professional wrestler), who currently performs as L. A. Park for Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (A ...

* Lady Luck * Latin Lover * Lujo Esquire * Marco Corleone * Magno * Mascara Púrpura *

Mascarita Dorada Mascarita Dorada (Spanish: ''Little Golden Mask''; born February 19, 1982), is the ring name of a Mexican ''Lucha libre, Luchador wrestling mask, enmascarado'', or masked professional wrestling, professional wrestler, who works in the ''Mini-Est ...

* Medianoche * Mentallo * Mini Dragoncito * Misteriosito * Neutronic * Octagoncito * P.R. Flyer * Reid Flair * Rellik * Saber Claw * San Juan Kid * Sol I * Sol II * Solid

References

External links

* (Archived)
Lucha Libre USA at MTV2
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Lucha Libre Usa 2010 American television series debuts American professional wrestling promotions American professional wrestling television series Lucha libre Lucha Libre USA MTV original programming 2012 American television series endings