Before Lucha Libre was internationally recognized for its high-flying artistry and fast-paced encounters, mexican matches were more technical-based. Wrestlers trained to become masters of the mat, with a style that's known as "Lucha a Ras de Lona" (spanish for "mat-level wrestling").

The style has its principles revolving around *llaves* (submissions) and *contrallaves* (counter-submissions). The psychology worked under the idea that for wrestlers trapped in a *llave*, there's a *contrallave* that'll allow them to turn things around in their favor. May sound simple, but some great technical matches used to be built around that for decades in the mexican scene.

Wrestlers like Blue Panther, Hijo del Santo, Negro Casas, El Dandy, among many others, had wrestled with styles heavily influenced by *Lucha a Ras de Lona*. Also, Hechicero and Xelhua are some mexican talents that have mixed the classic *ras de lona* style with a much more modern approach.

Canek & Dos Caras are two mexican legends that also portrayed that same style perfectly. This match from 1992 is awesome. A mix of technical wrestling and limb-work. Dramatic with its selling at times, with both of them creating anticipation for what's gonna happen next every time they clash in a technical exchange.

Highly recommended for anyone curious to delve into a style that's not as common to see nowadays.

Dos Caras Vs. Canek - UWA (Feb. 2nd, 1992) - An exampe of the good old classic technical Lucha Libre style (a.k.a. Lucha a Ras de Lona)