“Do you know how much it costs to bring a real Mexican Luchador to Canada?”
Demand Lucha Wrestling, a Toronto Indie pro wrestling promotion knows exactly how much it costs and it’s a lot. But according to Hutch Henries, the ring announcer for Demand, it’s worth every penny to give the fans an authentic luchador experience. That’s what they serve at every show and it was no different on September 5th at their Masked by Midnight event at the Parkdale Hall.
The “Real Mexican Luchador” in question was none other than Psycho Clown, a veteran traditional luchador signed to Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide in Mexico City. His electric presence is undeniable. Psycho clown is an imposing figure weighing in at 250lbs and standing 6’2” high. His hallmark luchador mask is terrifying; porcelain white with several clownish eyes and mouths adorning all sides. Uniquely, his mask has a long protruding tongue. Entering the arena to comically typical circus music, he immediately connected with the audience. Tearing through the crowd at high intensity he began forcibly clomping about with various audience members in what one might describe as dancing. Through all of this, the crowd repeatedly cheered “Psy-cho Lo-co!”
He was one member of a three-man tag team that included himself, Sam Adonis, and a mystery third man. They were facing off against the depraved and deranged team of hospital orderlies that go by Los Medicos. They’re managed by the particularly sinister Doc Zoknov, a clearly unhinged mad surgeon who seems to only want to hurt people using his three particularly large and intimidating comrades. His friends can be easily described: Imagine two of the largest people you have ever seen. Then imagine another even bigger man standing behind them. All three of these giants are clothed in soiled, uncared-for medical scrubs. All three wear stark white luchador masks with the classic medical cross on the temple. They’re monsters.
Outnumbered, Adonis and Psycho Clown took a defensive position while their opponents circled the ring. When things seemed most grim, the lights went out and familiar music played. It was Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now.” A contingent of regular Demand Lucha attendees immediately lit up and stood peering up at the stage as a strange black structure lurched into view. As the intro of the song swung up-tempo, the structure collapsed revealing the third man. It was Freddie Mercurio who had in a previous show been buried alive by Los Medicos and was presumed dead up until his dramatic reveal. He had arrived and was looking for payback. Adorned in golden tights and mustachioed akin to the legendary Queen frontman, he dashed around the ring to greet his adoring fans, very much alive, and ready to fight.
This was just the ring walk of one bout that took place at Masked By Midnight. There were six total matches and each one was as dramatic and entertaining as the last. The talent on the card was shockingly good and on caliber with top promotions like WWE and AEW.
If you missed Masked by Midnight, get in on the action next time. Demand Lucha’s next show, “Lucha de los Muertos” will be on October 17th at Parkdale Hall.
