Santos Escobar recently spoke with Freddie Prinze Jr. during the most recent edition of the latter’s “Wrestling With Freddie“ podcast.
During the podcast, Escobar said it wasn’t scripted for him to tear Dragon Lee’s mask during their WWE Survivor Series match.
“I think nowadays, our audiences are understanding the importance of the mask. I don’t know if you recall, at the latest premium live event, Survivor Series, I tore Dragon Lee’s mask. That was 100% non scripted. That was just the heel in me and I think it’s important that our audiences get that feel.
Now we have Dragon Lee, now we have Axiom, now we have Rey, now we have more and more people diving into the lucha culture but like really, really doing it with the mask, the tradition, the respect that’s behind the mask. It’s important that our audiences know, for a fact, that when someone with the mask goes against the mask, it means something. It ups the stakes. We were in Chicago of all places, Chicago is Mexico [laughs]. So when I tore that mask, I could feel the white heat.”
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Santos Escobar Discusses the Importance of Masks in Lucha Libre
Santos Escobar, a prominent figure in the world of professional wrestling, recently appeared on Freddie Prinze Jr.’s podcast, “Wrestling With Freddie.” During the interview, Escobar shed light on the significance of masks in lucha libre and shared a personal experience related to it.
Escobar revealed that during his WWE Survivor Series match against Dragon Lee, he spontaneously tore Lee’s mask. Contrary to popular belief, this act was not scripted but rather an impulsive decision made by Escobar himself. He explained that as a heel character, it was important for him to convey the intensity and significance of mask-wrestling to the audience.
The wrestler emphasized that modern audiences are beginning to understand and appreciate the cultural and historical importance of masks in lucha libre. With the rise of wrestlers like Dragon Lee, Axiom, and Rey, who embrace the lucha culture with utmost respect and tradition, Escobar believes it is crucial for viewers to comprehend the significance of mask vs. mask matches.
Escobar further elaborated on the impact of his mask-tearing incident during the Survivor Series event. The match took place in Chicago, a city known for its strong Mexican heritage and connection to lucha libre. Escobar described the atmosphere as “white heat,” indicating the intense reaction from the audience when he tore Lee’s mask. This incident heightened the stakes and added an emotional element to the match.
The discussion with Escobar highlights the evolving understanding and appreciation for lucha libre among wrestling fans. It also emphasizes the importance of preserving the cultural heritage and traditions associated with masks in professional wrestling.
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