The Passing of the Mantle

Lucha libre is solidly about honor, family and tradition, as evidenced by this article, excepted from the magazine From Parts Unknown, No. 6.

“Second-and even third-generation stars are commonplace in tradition-heavy lucha libre.... Two years ago, a weary old man in a gold-and-red mask labored into a ring in Mexico City absolutely packed with press and network TV cameras. This was Fray Tormenta, the wrestling priest. The patron of an orphanage, Brother Storm had fed, housed and clothed his wards with the money gained from decades in the ring. He even kept his [mask] on during Mass, something the world press (including CNN and National Geographic) just could not get enough of, elevating the priest to folk icon.

When it came time to pass the mantle, he did so on national television--entering a Mexico City ring, giving an emotional farewell speech, then letting a close companion unlace his hood. The mask was then given to a buff young man who was announced to be one of the many orphans adopted by Fray Tormenta over the years, and he would now continue the tradition as Fray Tormenta Jr.

Not a dry eye in the place.... “