Juan Alvarado Ibarra was a Mexican luchador, or professional wrestler, better known under the ring name Shadito Cruz. Best known as the patriarch of the Alvarado wrestling family that includes six of Alvarado's sons and many of his grandchildren, Cruz achieved little success as a wrestler but became a well respected trainer. He trained members of his own family as well as a large number of non-family members
Shadito Cruz surrounded by second and third-generation Alvarados
Lucha libre is the term for the style of professional wrestling originating in Mexico. Since its introduction to Mexico in the early 20th century, it has developed into a unique form of the genre, characterized by colorful masks, rapid sequences of holds and maneuvers, and "high-flying" maneuvers, some of which have been adopted in the United States, Japan, and elsewhere. The wearing of masks has developed special significance, and matches are sometimes contested in which the loser must permanently remove his mask, which is a wager with a high degree of weight attached. Tag team wrestling is especially prevalent in lucha libre, particularly matches with three-member teams, called trios.
Plaque commemorating lucha libre as an intangible cultural heritage in Mexico City
El Santo
Mil Máscaras accompanied by the Bella Twins at the 2012 WWE Hall of Fame
Rey Mysterio Jr. hitting the "619" on Eddie Guerrero