IWRG Máscara vs. Máscara (August 2017) explained

IWRG Máscara vs. Máscara (August 2017)
Promotion:International Wrestling Revolution Group
Date:August 13, 2017
Venue:Arena Naucalpan
City:Naucalpan, State of Mexico, Mexico
Liveevent:Y
Lastevent:Legado Final
Nextevent:La Gran Cruzada
Event:IWRG Lucha de Apuestas
Lastevent2:3 vs. 3
Nextevent2:September 2017

IWRG Máscara vs. Máscara (August 2017) was a major professional wrestling event that was scripted and produced by the lucha libre wrestling company International Wrestling Revolution Group (IWRG; sometimes also referred to as Grupo Internacional Revolución in Spanish) that took place on August 13, 2017, in IWRG's home arena Arena Naucalpan in Naucalpan, State of Mexico, Mexico.

In the main event of the show, a Lucha de Apuestas or "bet match", Black Dragón defeated Gallo Frances, forcing him to unmask afterward. Gallo Frances revealed that his real name was Jérôme Motta, that he was 35 years old, and had been a wrestler for 15 years at that point in time. The show featured six additional matches.

Background

In lucha libre the wrestling mask holds a sacred place, with the most anticipated and prestigious matches being those where a wrestler's mask is on the line, a so-called Lucha de Apuestas, or "bet match" where the loser would be forced to unmask in the middle of the ring and state their birth name. Winning a mask is considered a bigger accomplishment in lucha libre than winning a professional wrestling championship and usually draws more people and press coverage.[1] Losing a mask is often a watershed moment in a wrestler's career, they give up the mystique and prestige of being an enmascarado (masked wrestler) but usually come with a higher than usual payment from the promoter.[1]

Event

IWRG's August 2017 Máscara vs. Máscara event featured seven professional wrestling matches with different wrestlers involved in pre-existing scripted feuds, plots and storylines. Wrestlers portrayed either heels (referred to as rudos in Mexico, those that portray the "bad guys") or faces (técnicos in Mexico, the "good guy" characters) as they followed a series of tension-building events, which culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches.[1]

In the fifth match of the night El Hijo del Pantera won the match, when he tricked Emperador Aztaca into hitting the referee, causing Emperador Azteca to be disqualified. For the main event either Black Dragón or Gallo Frances would be forced to unmask due to the Lucha de Apuestas, or "bet match", stipulation. The Frenchman took the advantage early on, knocking Black Dragón around the ring, tearing at the mask and causing Black Dragón to bleed. Mid-way through the match, Black Dragón made his comeback, outwitting Gallo France to tie the match, one-fall each. In the end Black Dragón scored the third and decisive fall to win the match. After the match, Gallo Frances took off his mask and revealed that his real name was Jérôme Motta from Lyon, France. He revealed that he was 35 years old, had been a professional wrestler for 15 years at that point and spent the last year working in Mexico.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Madigan, Dan . Mondo Lucha a Go Go: the bizarre & honorable world of wild Mexican wrestling . HarperCollins Publishers . 2007 . "Okay... what is Lucha Libre?" . 29–40 . 978-0-06-085583-3. New York, New York.